Dekker his dreame In which, beeing rapt with a poeticall enthusiasme, the great volumes of heauen and hell to him were opened, in which he read many wonderfull things.

Dekker his Dreame .

Which beeing truely Interpreted , is able to Comfort the Good , and terrifie the Bad. WHen downe , the Sun his golden Beames had layd ; And at his westerne Inne his iourney stayd , That Sleepe the eyes of man and beast did seize , Whilest Hee gaue light to the Antipodes : I slep'd with others , but my Sences stream'd In frightfull formes , for a Strange Dreame I Dream'd .

Signes before the last day . PEace fled to Heauen ( me thought . ) And as she went , Warre . Her Roabe fell from her , which Warre finding Rent Into a thousand Ragges , dying them in Gall , As before Christs comming first into Mix'd with Mans bloud , and chargd the World to call Those spoyles his Ensignes : then ( all-Arm'd ) bestriding there was an Vniuersall Peace : So before his last comming , there shal be ( if not General wars ) euery mans heart fighting one against another Famine . A Canon , and with Thundring voyce diuiding Nations Colleagu'd , downe fell the Golden Chaine Of Sweete Commerce , linck'd both by Loue & Gaine : Order ran mad , Disorder fild his Roome , When beating at Hell gates the Fatall Dromme , Out-yssued Vengeance , Horror , Incest , Rape , Famine and Death , in the most vgly shape That Hell could send them out in . At these Sights Seas threatned Shores , The Earth ( in strange affrights ) Shooke at the Center : then ( me thought ) one drew From his Full Quiuer , poysned shafts , which flew With burning feat ●●●●s of Hot Pestilence , Pestilence . Filling the wide-worlds vast Circumference With blaines , and blisters , whilest each Kingdome raues , To see the whole Earth but one field of Graues . Anon ( me thought ) Treason , and Murther cry'de Treason . Kill , Kill ; wilde Vproares Gates flew open wide : The Father stabd the Sonne , the Sonne the Brother , Man was not Man , till he destroyd Another ; Each man was both the Lyon and the Prey , And euery Corne-field , an Aceldema : A Citty on a Citties ruines stood , And Townes ( late peopled ) now were Lakes of Bloud . As boystrous billowes , boystrous waues confound , So Nations , are in Nations glories drownd ▪ The Turkish Halfe Moone on her siluer Hornes , Slauery . Tosses the Christian Diadem , and adornes The Sphaere of Ottoman with Starry light , Stolne euen from Those , vnder the Crosse who fight : The Sacred Empire did it Selfe o're whelme , Ciuill vproares . State , on State trampled , Realm did beat downe Realme : Religion ( all this while ) a Garment wore , Religion made a Str umpet . Stayn'd like a Painters Apron , and turn'd Whore To seuerall Countries , till from deepe Abysme Vp her Two Bastards came ( Error and Schisme ) , She in That motley Cloake , with her Two Twinnes , Trauell'd from land to land , sowing Ranck Sinnes , Which choak'd the Good Corne , and from them did rise , Opinions , Factions , black leau'd Heresies ; Pride , Superstition , Rancor , Hate , Disdaine , So that ( me thought ) on earth no good did Reigne .

All this afore named ( and more terrible praedictions then the weake Pen of a silly man can set down ) are liuely written in Gods Eternall Calendar : where his Prophet Ezechiel thus thundereth forth the Terrors fore-going the later Day .

The fish of the Seas , Birds of the aire , Beasts of the Ezech. 39. field , and al that creepeth on the ground , together with all humane generations , which liue vpon the face of the earth , shall be in an vproare . Hils shall bee ouerturned , Hedges broken downe , euery strong wall fall to the ground . I will call against them the sword from the tops of all Mountaines , and euery mans sword shall bee bent against his owne brother ; my Iudgement shal bee in pestilence and bloud , &c. And I will raine fire and brimstone .

Marke , how an Euangelist seconds a Prophet , with this new battry vppon the world . When ( saith hee ) you shall heare the fame or bruite of warres and vproares , Luk. 21. be not afraid , for that these things must bee . And yet presently the end of the world shall not ensue . One Nation shall rise against another , and one Kingdome shall inuade another ; there shall be great earth-quakes , pestilence , and famine , most terrible Signes and tokens from Heauen .

The latter day . THese transitory , poore Terrestriall terrors , Seru'd but as Heralds to sound forth the Horrors Of woes Eternall : this , was but a Sceane To the Great following Tragedy . So that then ( Methought ) one fitting on a Raine-bow , sounded A trumpet , which in earth-quakes Earth confounded . And then a voyce , shrill ( but Angelicall ) Full of Command and Dreade , from heauen did call , To Summon the whole world to stand to th' Barre , Both All that euer haue beene , and now are , To giue a strict account how they had spent That Tallent of their life , which was but lent .

We must All be Summoned before the Tribunall Seate of Christ , and euery man receiue either Good or Euill , according as he hath behaued himselfe whilst he liued vpon earth . Christ taketh Account of all his Tallents , Luke 12. 16. 19. 10. Math. 26.

Terrors of the later Day . THe Leaues of Heauen ( me thought ) them rent in sunder , Clouds shruck vp like parchment . Out of which , Lightning brake , and Horrid Thunder , Which pash'd ( in peeces ) Kingdomes : whizzing flakes Of Brimstone rain'd , that Seas seem'd Burning Lakes : Rocks crumbled into powder ; Scalded Mountaines In their drie Iawes , dranck riuers vp and fountaines : Fury , with Snaky locks , and Smeared hands , ( Tossing about her eares two firy brands ) Met Wrath , and Indignation , raving-mad , Tearing each others flesh , and wildly clad In Skins of spotted Tygers : vp and downe They ran , and spied ( at last ) Confusion : With whom swearing a League , black stormes they Hurl'd . With whirlewind violence to crush the world , And bury her in 's quick Ruines . All the Floore Celestiall , crack'd and fell downe in a shower Of Bloud , whilst the Terrestriall Pauement burn'd , Starres . In which the Starres to spent-out Snuffes were turnd . The Sun leap'd from his Chariot , and in feare Sunne . Of Firing , headlong ran to 'th Moones cold Sphaere , But she ( for all her Flouds , Ice , Frosts and Snow ) Moone . Did like a lampe of steele , i' th Furnace glow . The Sun and Moone were neither Sun nor Moone , Their Shining could be cald , nor Night nor Noone : This Massy , Vniuersall , Earthly Ball , The world on fire . Was All one Bonfire , and it burnt out All. In an eies Twinkling , more by Fire was lost , Than Twenty Earthes , and all their wealth e're cost .

Christ his Comming in Glory . AS in an Army Royall ( led by a King ) After the Canons Sulphurous thundering , A Simile . Battring downe Bulwarkes , Rampires , Parapets , Forts , Gabions , Palizadoes , Cazimates , Horror on all sides Roaring , Wings here flying At Wings ( like armed Eagles ) here Troopes dying . A butcherous Execution through the field , Bellowing with Fiend-like threats , when yet none yeeld , Though Death stalkes vp and downe , ghastly and pale , The Victors Wreath lying in a doubtfull Scale ; The King himselfe , safe guarded on a Hill , Seeing this black day , yet stirring not vntill He findes fit time to Strike : then downe , amayne , Whorrying he comes , a glorious dreadfull Trayne Of High-Heroick Spirits , circling him round , Who with swift Vengeance do their Foes confound , And slaue-like drag them at prowd Chariot wheeles , Whilst miseries ( worse then Death ) tread on their heeles : The terrour of Christs Comming . Veniet splendore Rutilans , pulchritudine Admirandus , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 horribilis . So ( but with greater Terror , State , and Wonder ) Heauens Supreme Monarch ( one hand griping thunder , The other stormes of Haile , Whirle-winds . and fire , Ensignes of his hot-burning quenchlesse Ire ) When the Worlds buildings , smothered lay in smoake , ( With sparkling eyes ) Maiestically broke Out of his Pallace , ne're set ope' before , And stood like a Triumphant Conqueror . Esay 28. Trampling on Death and Hell : About him , round ( Like petty Viz-royes ) Spirits ( me thought ) all-Crownde , O Death ! Where is thy sting ? &c. Shewd , as if none but Kings , had bin his Guard ; Whole Hierarchies of Saints were then preferd , With Principalities , Powers , and Dominations , How Christ comes guarded and attended . Thrones , Angels , and Archangels , ( all att ' once ) Filling the Presence : Then like heauen-borne Twinnes , Flew fiery Cherubins , and Seraphins , Whilst the old Patriarches , cloath'd all in white , Patriarches . Math. 13. Prophets . Were rap'd with Ioy , to see beames far more bright , About the Prophets and th' Apostles runne , Than those whose Flames were kindled at the Sun . Martyrs ( me thought ) with selfe-same lustre shinde , Martyrs . As Gold , which seuen times was by fire refinde : Virgins , whose Soules in life from Lust liu'd cleare , Virgins . Psal. 30. Had Siluer robes , and on their heads did weare Coronets of Diamonds . Were my Fingers flint , My Pen , of pointed Adamant t'imprint Characters in tough Iron , or hammered brasse , In imitation of that in Virgill . Mine inke , a depthlesse Sea ; All these ( alas ! ) Would be worne out , ere I one lyne should draw , Of those Full Glories , which ( I dreamd ) I saw : Nor could I write this ( though it be but meane ) Did not some Angell guide my Fainting Pen. Gods Heire Apparent ( here once made away ) Triumph'd in this his Coronation day , In which Heauen was his Kingdome , Mercy his Throne , Iustice his Scepter , a Communion Of Sanctified soules , the Courtly Peeres , And his Star Chamber Lords : who now had yeeres Which neuer turn'd them Gray , by Times rough wether , Greatnesse was now , no more cald Fortunes fether , Nor Honor held a fruitlesse golden Dreame , The Saints in heauen inioy all perfection . Nor Riches , a bewitching swallowing streame , Nor Learning laugh'd at as the Beggers Dower , Nor beauties painted cheeke a Summers Flower . No , no ; life endlesse was , yet without loathing , Honor and Greatnesse wore Immortall cloathing , Riches were Subiect to no base Consuming , Learning burnt bright , without Contentious fuming , Beauty no painting bought , but still renew'd , Each one had ( heere ) his full Beatitude . O my weake eyes ! how did your Balls ( me thought ) Burne out their Ielly , when they had but caught One little-little glimpse of those Diuine And in-accessible Beames , which did out-shine Hot-glowing coales of Fire ? no mortall Sight Can stand a Maiesty so infinite . That Face whose Picture might haue ransom'd Kings , As Christ was in euery part of his body crucified by Iewes ; So will he come Glorified in al perfection , to the Terror both of Iewe and Gentile . Yet put vp Spettings , Baffulings , Bufferings . Esa. 50. Ierem. 3. Math. 26. Marke . 14. Luk. 22. That Head , which could a Crowne of Starres haue worne , Yet spightfully was wrench'd with wreathes of Thorne , Math. 27. Mark . 15. Iohn 19. Those Hands , and Feete , where Purest stamps were set ; Yet Naild-vp like to Pieces Counterfet . Psal. 77. Those Lippes , which though they had Command o're All , Being thirsty , Vineger had to drinke , and Gall. Luk. 23. That Body , scourg'd and torne with many a wound , That his deere Bloud ( like Balme ) might leaue vs Sound . Luk. 23. Psal. 129. Zach. 13. The Well of Life , which with a Speare being tride , Two Streames ( Mysterious ) gush'd out from the Side . Iohn 19. Messias , great Iehouah , God on hie , Yet Haild , King of the Iewes , in Mockery . Math. 27. Mark . 15. Luk. 23. The Manger-Cradled Babe , the Begger borne , The poorest Worme on earth , the Heighth of Scorne . Math. 2. Psal. 22. That Lord , by his Owne Subiects Crucified , Lo , at this Grand Assize comes Glorified , With troopes of Angels , who his Officers are , To call by sound of Trumpe his Foes to a Bar. Thus stood be Arm'd ; Iustice his Breast-plate was , Iudgement his Helmet , stronger farre than Brasse : On his Right Arme , Truths Shield he did aduance , And turnde his Sharpned Wrath into a Lance : Wisd. 5. Out of his Mouth , a Two-edg'd Sword did flie , To Wound , Body and Soule , eternally ; Apoc. 1. Arm'd ( Cap-a-pe ) thus , who 'gainst him durst fight ? There was no ground for Strength , nor yet for Flight . At this ( me thought ) All Graues that euer held Dead Coarses , yawn'd wide-open , and compell'd The bones of Dead-men , vp with Flesh to rise ; Yea , those on whom the Seas did tyrannize , And drown'd in wrackes , and which were peece-meale eaten , With liuely bodies to the shoares were beaten : Whom Sword , or Fire , Iibbets , or Wheeles had torne , Had their owne limbes againe , and new were borne : From the first Man God made , to 'th last that died , The Names of All , were here Examplified , Emp'rours and Kings , Patriarches , and Tribes forgotten , The generall Sessions . The Conquerors of the world ( moldred and rotten ) Lords , beggers , Men and Women , young and old , Vp ( at a Bar set forth ) their Hands did hold . The Iudge being set , in open Court were layd The bookes of Conscience opened . Vnusquisque cernet ante faciem suam exposita Opera sua , fiue bona illa , siue mala , &c. Item , Formidabiles libri aperientur , in quibus scripta sunt Opera nostra , & Actus , et Verba ; et quaecunque egimus in nec Vita : illic non solum Actus , verum et cogitationes , et intentiones Cordis , scriptae erunt . Ephra in lib. De Vera Poenitentia Cap. 4. Quid nobis miseris fiet , cum omnia ( orbi Vniuerso ) palam facta , in tam aperto , támque illustri Theatro de nudata , Hominum nobis partim cognitorum , partim incognitorum oculis subijcienturè &c. D. Chrysostom : Homil. 5. ad Roman . Huge Bookes : at sight of which , All were dismaid , Would faine haue shrunck back , and fell downe with feare : In sheetes of Brasse , all Stories written were ( Which those Great volumes held ) Charactred deepe ▪ With Pens of Steele , Eternall Files to keepe Of euery Nation , since the Earth began , And euery Deede , Word , thought , of euery Man : Sins hatch'd in Caues , or such whose Bawd was Night , The Minutes of the Act were here set right . Great men , whose secret Damn'd sins vizards wore so close , that none vpon their Browes could score The least Black line ( because none durst ) had here A Bill of Items in particular , What their Soules owed for Sin , to Death and Hell ; Or , if it happened that they e're did well , In these True Iournals , it at large was found , And with rich promise of Reward was Crown'd . The Bookes were opened , &c. Apoc. 20. Which done ( me thought ) the Sessions thus began , Conscience the Cryer , cald forth euery Man , To make appearance , and ( though to my sight The Numbers that were there were infinite ) In an Eies-twinkling yet they parted were , The Good from Bad , the Spotted from the cleare ; The Wolues and Goates , to th' left Hand howling went , The Lambs , and Harmelesse Sheep , to th' Right were sent . After this Separation , vp did rise Heauens-Lord-chiefe-Iustice , and this Sentence flies Conscience the Cryer of the Court. Out of his Dreadfull Breast : O you ( quoth he ) That haue my Lambs bin , and did follow me , As your true Shepheard , and did know my Voyce , Triti●um a zizanijs , bonos pisces a malis separable . As I in you , you shall in Mee reioyce : And now is come the day : this is the Houre , In which my Blessings on your Heads I poure : The Lord-Chiefe-Iustice his Sentence on the prisoners . Beloued of my Father , Come and Take A Kingdome layd vp onely for your sake ; For me you haue bin Mock'd , Reuil'd , and Beate , Mount therefore now into a Glorious Seate : Come you Blessed , &c. O blessed word ! which none but he can speake , O word of Loue Diuine ! when ( not with weake Math. 25. But Armes Omnipotent-strong , spread ope'-wide - ) He cries , Come , Come ? How is Man dignifide Math. 5 : ( Being but a Vassaile groueling on the ground ) Next to his Kings owne Throne thus to sit Crown'd ? Come and possesse : O what shall you possesse ? The excellence of that Inheritance laid vp in heauen for those that doe well . A Kingdome , whose vast Boundes none can expresse : Had all the Peebles in the world bin cut Into Rich Diamonds , and both Indies put Into Two Hils of Siluer , and fine Gold , Nor all Kings hoorded Treasures downe being sold , Can this Inheritance buy , which for your Good Is purchast at a High Rate ( Christs deere blood . ) Come , and Possesse , what Time can neuer Rot , Theeues steale , Warres spoyle , or Cank'rous Enuy blot ; Come , and possesse , a State whose Title , Law , Attorneys Wiles , no , nor the Scarlet Awe Of corrupt Iudges euer can Intangle , No Bawling Pleader at the Barre shall wrangle To proue the Right of This , being Stronglier Grounded Than Descents Lineall , by which Realmes are Bounded . Sit at his Table , which doth Euer lie Couered with banquets of Eternitie : Saluations Cup stands fill'd for you to 'th Brim , Come Drinke , where Immortality doth swim . Come and Possesse you blessed . Blest in This , The deere Sonne giues you a Coelestiall Kisse For welcome : Come you blessed , and possesse Wealth , Honor , Glories , Pleasures numberlesse . Forth-with ( me thought ) they All were Crownd with Gold , The not-guilty , how rewarded . Set thick with Starres , and in their hands did hold Scepters of sparkling Diamonds , which out shinde Sun-beames , or Siluer , seuen times being Re-finde . The Ioy at this , was wondrous : All the Skies Danc'd to the soundes of seuerall Harmonies , Both Angels , and Arch-angels loudly sung , All Heauen was but One Instrument well strung , But They , who on the Left-hand were set by , ( As Out-casts ) shooke and trembled fearefully , The guilty , how perplexed . Like falling Towers : their Sinnes and Soules were black , And troopes of Hel-hounds waited at their Back : They beat their breasts , they tore their flesh and haire , And curs'd that houre in which they first drew aire . And then with Grones ( able to split in sunder If the condemnation bee so grieuous , what wil the execution be ? Osee 10. Their very Soules , like trees riuen through with Thunder ) They wrung their hands , sobd , shrik'd , & howl'd , & prai'd That Rocks and Hils might on their backs be layd , And they to dust be grinded , so that they Might from the Iudges face but turne away : And seeing themselues inforc'd to stand the Doome , They gnash'd their teeth , and curs'd their mothers wombe . Ierem. 20. They who on earth were reard ( Colossus-high ) Spurn'd Kingdomes , trod on Thrones , and did defie Ierem. 25. Psal. 149. Omnipotence it selfe , into base graues Tombling prow'd Monarches , here tooke place with Slaues , And like to broken Statues downe were throwne , Trampled , and ( but in scorne ) not look'd vpon . Their cries , nor yellings did the Iudge regard , The Iudge implacable . For all the doores of Mercy vp were bard , Iustice and Wrath in wrinkles knit his forhead , And thus he spake : You cursed and abhorred , You brood of Sathan , sonnes of death and hell , In fires that still shall burne , you still shall dwell : Be Maledicti . In hoopes of Iron , then were they bound vp strong , ( Shrikes being the Burden of their dolefull Song . ) Scarce was the Sentence breath'd-out , but mine eies Euen saw ( me thought ) a Caldron , whence did rise A pitchy Steeme of Sulphure and thick Smoake , Able whole coapes of Firmament to choake : Soules tormented . About This , Diuels stood round , still blowing the fire , Some , tossing Soules , some whipping them with wire A-crosse the face , as vp to th' chins they stood , In boyling brimstone , lead , and oyle , and bloud . Millions were here tormented , and together ( All at this Sessions doom'd ) were condemn'd hither . My frighted Soule ( me thought ) with terrors shooke To see such Horrid Obiects : bloud forsooke The conduite-pipes of each Exterior part , And ran to comfort and defend the Heart . But the worlds Glorious Frame being rac'd in fire And none aliue left , I had then desire ( ●e thought ) to see That black Infernall Court , Whither ( in thousands ) Soules did so resort . The way was quickly found : paths numberlesse Facilis descensus Auerni . ( Beaten with feete which thither fast did presse ) Lay trodden bare , but not One Path returning , Vestigia nulla retrorsum . Was euer seene from this dark house of Mourning . This Flaming Kingdome hath One Ferriman , And he One Boate : he rowes through Acheron Styx , and Cocytus , Riuers that in Hell Spread all the Countrey ouer : Fogges still dwell Stinking and thick , vpon them , and there growes Vpon their bankes ( in wild disordered rowes ) The Poplar ( white and black ) with blasted Ewgh , The deadly Poppy , Cypresse , Gall , and Rew , ( Emblems of Graues , Tombes , Funerals , and beeres ) And on the boughes no other Bird appeares , But Schriches , Owles , and Rauens , and the shrill throates Of Whistlers ; death still listning to their Notes .

These Riuers of Hell , Poetically inuented , cary a Morall and Mysticall Interpretation : for Acheron ( the first water ) A pardon for these Poeticall Fictions , may ( without much begging ) bee giuen , if the Curious Censor makes but true vse of the Inclusiue moral , no way derogating from Diuinity . signifies Bitternesse : Styx , a detestation ; and Cocytus , a Sorrow or Repentance , and are thus applyed . When Soules , by reason of their Sinnes , are to passe ouer the troublesome Riuers of Death , being tormented with remembrance of the losse of worldly Honors , Riches , &c. then they passe Acheron , it is a bitter draught : Styx is the next , for when they see no remedy , but they must passe ouer to their last shoare , they begin to haue a loathing of their Ante-acted life : and then comming to ferry ouer Cocytus , they mourne and howle : so that all the conflicts , combats , and earthly wrastlings about the time of a Mans departure , are figured vnder those Three Riuers .

I hollowed to the Ferriman ( me thought ) And with a stretch'd voyce , cry'd a Boate , a boate . Hee came at first call , and when neere he drew , That of his Face and Forme , I had full view , Death terrible in countenance . My bloud congeal'd to ice with a cold feare , To see a Shape so horribly appeare : His eyes flash'd fire , grizled and shagg'd his Haire , ( Snarl'd all in felt-lockes ) Terror and Despaire Lay in his wrinckled cheekes , his voyce was hoarse , And grumbling , he look'd ghastlier than a Coarse .

This description of the Vgly Ferriman , is but an Argument how terrible the apparence of death is vnto vs , at our last voyage , which we take in departing from the world .

By those who there stood thronging on the Shoare , I heard his name was Charon : A black Oare And dirty , held he in his brawny hand . And though 'mongst those who stood vpon the Strond He saw some Kings , some Beggers , None had roome Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat . For Birth , or Bloud , but sate as they did come : None gaue the Cushions here , for there was none , But in heaps tumbling in , All were as One : Some thither came , laden with bags of gold , Some with braue cloath's ; then did he barke , and scold , And snatch'd all from them , with looke sharpe and grim , All Fares ( he sayd ) must Naked goe with him . Iob. 4.

As Death hath no respect of persons , for the beggers dish & the kings standing cup of gold , are to him of one weight ; so he spoyleth all men of all that they possesse , Princes of their Crownes , Lords of their Mannors , Iudges of their Scarlet , Gentlemen of their Reuenues , Citizens of Riches , Souldiers of Strength , Scholers of Learning , Women of Beauty , Age of Experience , Youth of Comelinesse . And as they enter into the Lists of the world , weake and vnfurnished ; So must they go forth , Beaten , Vanquished , and Disarmed .

At last ( me thought ) I leap'd into the boate , Which seene , the Sculler pluck'd me by the throate To haue his Fare first ; asking what it was , He cry'd a Penny . I for That did passe : Being glad for bought experience I could tell , That Auarice house stood the next doore to hell . Couetousnesse a hag infernal .

Charon , by interpretation is Ioy ; for after we haue ferried What Charon is ouer the troublesome passage of death , and landed on the shoares of Blessednesse , then the Ferriman ( how churlish and terrible soeuer hee seemed at first ) hath a countenance merry and comfortable . Charon also , is pictured Old , thereby signifying Good Councell , & Sweete Perswasion to prepare for death , and that brings Ioy : For what Ioy can bee greater , than that which ariseth out of an assured knowledge of a spotlesse Innocence , or of an hope that sins committed are repented and pardoned ?

Anon ( to see with what a Restlesse Gyre The Soule entranc'd is whirld , some times through fire , Then waues , then Racking Clowdes : earth , heaun and hell Lying ( then ) all-open , free , and passible ) Me thought , being in a Twinkling ferried o're , And trembling on the horrid Stygian shore , I saw the Brazen gates of deepe Abysse In a vast bottome standing : none can misse The way , it is so beaten , and so wide That ten Caroches ( breast-wise ) in may ride . To is there is a Headlong base Descent , Slippery in whorrying downe , yet turbulent Through throngs of people dayly poasting thither , For Day nor Night are the Gates closde together . Noctes atque Dies patet atri Ia●ua Ditis . As at some direfull Tragoedy ( before Not Acted ) men prease round-about the dore Crowding for Entrance , yet none entrance haue , But ( like toss'd billowes ) this and that way Waue : So Here ; I ask'd the cause , and thousands cry'd , Hell is so Full , there 's roome for Few beside . Hell extreame full . In thrust I'mongst the thick'st , and sweating got ( For all the Aire mee thought was sulphry hot ) With much a-doe to 'th Gate , where stood a grim And churlish Porter , being in voyce and limbe Cerberus Porter to Hell . A Dog ; yet like the Porter of a Iayle , On new-come guests he Fawn'd and wagg'd his taile , But bawl'd aloud for Fees , ready to teare Their throats , who without bribes begg'd Entrance ther , I choak'd the Curre with what he crau'd , and went On with bold steps to the Black Regiment .

The Feeding and Feeing of Cerberus , taxeth those in office , who wey the gift , not the cause ; and haue no other language in their mouthes , but Quid dabis ? yet S. Paul willeth him that hath an office , to looke to his office : And as for-taking of Bribes , there is a direct Statute against it , set downe by the Vpper house of Heauen , in these expresse words , Thou shalt take no Bribe , Exod. 23.

Noyse was my Guide ( mee thought ) by which being led , I got to 'th Court where Soules were Sentenced : Full was it of braue Fellowes and fine Dames , Their Haire ( once so perfum'd ) all turn'd to Flames . The Prince of Darkenesse , sate vpon a Throne Lucifer in his state . Of red-hot Steele , and on his head a Crowne Of Glowing Adamant : As in he drew The noysome Ayre , flames from his nostrils flew , His Eyes flash'd fire , and when with dreadfull sound He Roar'd ( for that 's his Voyce ) he shooke the grownd Of his Tartarean Pallace ) massy Keyes ( The Ensignes of his Empire ) held ( as Stayes ) A Canopy of Brasse aboue his head , Which hard ( to last ) in Hell was Hammered . Those Keyes being Emblems of Eternall paine , For who there enter ne're come forth againe , Being lock'd-vp Euer : At his clouen feete Three Iudges sate , whom I did lowly greete .

Those Iudges names are Minos , Rhadamanth , and AEacus : the Infernall King is called Pluto . Now , albeit by The infernall Iudges . the lawes of God we both beleeue , and are bound to acknowledge Him onely to bee Supreme Lord and Iudge both of Heauen , Earth , and Hell , yet sithence those former figured Names ( drawne from Poeticall Inuention ) carry in them a Morall and Instructiue Meaning , they are not altogether to be reiected ; and the rather because in Picturing forth so Terrible an Obiect as the Kingdome of Hell , and Tortures of the Damned , I striue to shaddow the Horrors of them , and to set them off with heightning both of Profit and Delectation . Hee will bruse them with a rod of iron , &c. Psalme 2.

The Iudges in their hands held Whips of Wire , Dipp'd in boyld brimstone to pay Soules their hire According to their Facts : The King of Fiends Spying me there i th throng , roares out and sends Two of his Furies ( Beadles of the Court ) To drag me to him , who in currish sort ( Like flesh-hooke-fingred Sergeants ) hal'd me on : Being there , the Iawes of Black Damnation Thus yawnd , and bellowed : Wherefore art thou come Hither ( thou Slaue ) ere Death sets downe thy Doome ? Thou art aliue , and not a soule that drawes Breath Vitall , by our dread infernall Lawes Must here set Footing . Humbly then ( mee thought ) With pale and fright full lookes I Him besought , That since I was a Stranger , and aliue , Hee by his Hellish large Praerogatiue Would signe my Passe , but to walke all the Rounds Of his vast Countries and to view their Bownds : A yelling Out-cry all-about was hurld , That'twas not fit one of the Vpper World Should be a close intelligencing Spy Of their scorch'd shores to make discouery . But the Crim Tartar , with distorted brow Thwarting their grumbling , held it scorne to bow To any wish of theirs , and Vnder-writ The Passe , with to ades bloud from the Witches pit , Charging me as my soule ( if ere it fell Into his Pawes ) should answere it in hell , Not to a next World that my Pen betrayd What there I saw . His threatning being obay'd , From him I tooke my way , nor did I feare To lose my path , Hels path was euery where .

Heere begin the Descriptions both of the Darkenesse and fires of Hell , &c. as also of the particular Torments assigned to euery Man , according to his particular Sinnes . ON wings of hot desire I flew from thence With whirle-wind swiftnesse , noyse , and violence , Being mounted on a Spirits back , which ran With Mandrake-shrikes , and like a Lubrican : Whilst round ( mee thought ) about me there did roare Ten thousand Torrents , beating on a shoare Made all of Rocks , where huge Leuiathans lay Iob 27. Esay . 57. Gaping to swallow Soules , new cast away .

The Darkenesse of Hell . WEre all the Rowndure betwixt Hell and Heauen One Clowd condensd , & into blacknesse driuen , The darknesse of Hel ( no way to bee described ) is heere notwithstanding by comparison of others , made fearefull vnto Humane vnderstanding by such things as we know . Not That ; no , nor the Chaos vn-refinde , ( When in one Bundle Darknesse vp did binde That confus'd Lumpe of Mixtures ) being put too , Not That : no nor if since the world was new , All Nights ( that euer were ) might grow in One , Neither could That : nor that AEgyptian Caliginous , Black vapor , which did rise From Caues infernall to blind Pharaohs eyes , Clammy as if that pitch from Heauen did melt , And glutinously-thick it might be felt : Adde to all these , that hideous direfull howre , When all the lamps Coelestiall out did powre , Their lights like spent oyle , dropping from their Sphaere ( As in my dreame at first it did appeare : ) Not all these Darkenesses together glowd , And ten-times-ten Redoubled and Renewde , Are halfe so dismall as the Night infernall , The properties of hells darkenesse . Black , Stinking , Stiflling , Poysning , and Eternall .

See for this Darkenesse Math. 22. 13. Iud. 13. Iob 10. Prou. 4. 14. Psal. 107. 10.

Horror of Hell Fire . HOw then ( it may be asked ) did my weake Sight Pierce these thick walles of Horror , where no light Euer shed Beame ? why , on that Sorcerous Coast Where Hagges and Witches dwelt was not I lost ? My Spirit had balls of Wild-fire in his head For Eyes ( me thought ) and I by them was led : For All these coale-pits ( faddom'd deepe as hell ) Still burne , yet are the Flames Inuisible . This fire is none of that , which God lent Man , Tartare 〈◊〉 ardor , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ignem vincit , vt noster pictum , &c. Anselm . When ( driuen by sinne out ) he from Paradise ran , Bitten with cold , beaten with frosts and Snow , And in meere pitty did that Warmth bestow , Teaching him how to kindle it at first , And then with food combustible haue it nurst : No ; this Red , Gloomy Fornace is a Firing , Deuouring , yet not wasting nor selfe-tiring . Arithmetick cannot in Figures set An Age of Numbred yeares to swell so Great , As to fill vp that time when these shall dye , Being NEVER , for it burnes Eternally , From the Worlds first Foundation , to 'th Confounding : Were Deluges on Deluges abounding , Not All that Raine ( able to drowne the World , Reach'd it to heauen ) nor thousand Oceans hurld On top of all those Waters , can euer slake Or quench the least drop of this brimstone Lake . For ( which most dreadfull is ) the Flames cease Neuer Fire without light . To torture Soules , and yet no light seene Euer : It is a Burning which doth Brightnesse lack , The Coales being infinite-hot , and infinite black . Yet through my horse of Hell gallopp'd amaine , Now plung'd in Boyling lakes , then vp-againe ; Leaping into vast Caues , where heate neuer comes : For sharper cold then Winters breath , benummes . The Aire so stiffe , it freezeth All to ice , And Clowdes of Snow ; whose Flakes are harder thrice Than those Quadrangled Haile-stones , which in Thunder Kill Teemes , and Plough-men , and riue Oakes in sunder .

The Extremities of Cold in Hell . THe Hyperborean wind , whose Rough hand flings Mountaines for Snow-balls , and on 's Marble wings Simile . Beares Rocks of ice , fetch'd from the Frigid zone , Which stuck i th North Seas , Seas and shoares were One ; Ten thousand wild Waues hardned in the Aire Rattling like Isicles on his grizly Haire , And in his driueling Beard Snow ten-times more Than e're the bald-pate Alpes in Periwigs wore , When from his Caues of brasse ( bound there in Giues Of Adamant ) out he whorries , and ' fore him driues ( In whirlewindes , ) Haile , Frosts , Sleete , and Stormes ; and With rugged Winter , whom he Roaring greetes , ( meetes Then clapping their obstreperous Squallid Wings , Each of them on the frozen Russian dings Such bitter blasts downe , that they flye in Droues ( Though swadled all in furres ) to Sweltring Stoues : The Muffe , the Scythian , nor the Freeze-land-boore , Nor the Laplandian Witch once peeping o're A threshold , left their Noses , Cheekes , and Eyes ( Pinch'd off by his Clumzy Nailes ) be made a prize To snarling Boreas . O yet ! all this cold ( Were it pil'd vp in heapes a hundred fold , In stifned Clowdes to freeze ten thousand yeere ) Is a Warme Thaw , to 'th piercing Horrors heere . Hells Cold so biting , so Inuincible , The effects of the cold in hel Insufferable , Inexpressible , That from all cold else the sharpe nips doth steale ; Should fire come neare it , it would fire congeale , Till Flames turne icy Flakes , and force fire leese His Vertue so , that coales Red-hot will freeze . Here I beheld ( mee thought ) Soules Scar-crow-like , Some bound , some hang by th heeles , whose heads did strike The Icy-knobbed-roofe , toss'd too and fro , By Gusts implacable , able downe to throw Rampires of Brasse ; which still beate out the Braines . And still Renewde them with Plangiferous Paines . Here , I beheld Kennels of fat-paunch'd Dogges , From one to one howling in Dialogues Of Hellish Language , cursing that they sat Hard-heartednes punished ▪ At prowd Voluptuous Tables , yet forgat Numm'd Charity , when at their gawdy gates She begg'd but Scraps of their worst Delicates , Yet staru'd for want ; whilst they at Toasting fires Bath'd their Ranke Guts : and with sharpe whips of Wires ( But nothing else ) heated her Shiuering limbes : They quaffing Bowles ( i th' mean time ) crown'd to 'th Brims . And when ragg'd Souldiers , of their Bodies making Souldiers vnpittied . Anatomies in Wounds , with chill blasts quaking And shrunke-vp mawes , did to their Worships come , A Whipping-Poast , and Halter was their Doome . Or when Thin-pale-cheek'd Schollers held but forth Schollers vnrewarded . Their Thread-bare armes , and did beseech their Worth To pittie haplesse Learning once so much As not to see her beg : No , they 'd not Touch A Poore bookes couer , though within it lay Their Soules wealth , but ( in scorne ) Shuffled away . O Diuine Vengeance ! how most Iust thou art ? What they Stung ochers with , is Now their smart . Bleake Agues , Apoplexies , Murres , Catarrhes , Coughes , Dropsies , Rhewmes , diseases that make wars , And in cold bloud kill Health , did here reigne rife , And though they could not Wast , yet Worried life . Death from his earthy hands flung here and there Cold Snakes , and Scorpions , which did piece-male teare Frost-bitten Soules , and spewd them vp againe Wanting Disgestion : And to whip Paine with Paine , Ten thousand Salamanders ( whose chill thawing Puts Bonfires out ) their stark-stiffe lunges were gnawing : Harsh was their Musicke therefore , on no string But Yels ; Teeth-gnashing , Chattring , Shiuering .

When thus farre I was transported by my Dreame : I called to minde ( me thought ) that vpon earth I had heard many great Schollers defend , that there was no Cold in hell : But then ( turning ouer the leaues of my memory ) I found writteu there , that Iob once spake thus .

They shal passe from the waters of Snow , to too much Heate . And that vpon those wordes Reuerend Bede Sebastian Barradas in 4. Euan gcl. lib. 10. cap. 5. did inferre , that Iob seemed to point ( with his finger as it were ) at Two Hels , the one of Fire , the other of Cold. And that S. Hierome vpon the tenth of Mathew , did auouch the same thing : And againe , that Hugo Victorinus , in his Booke De Anima , had ser downe , that in Hell Hugo Victorinus lib. 4. cap. 13. there was a Passage from the waters of Snow , to the heate of Fire , and both of these were Insufferable , &c. Iob 24.

I likewise ( me thought ) remembred , that the Author of the Booke ( intituled De Triplici Habitaculo , that is to say , Of Heauen , Earth , and Hell ) being thought to be the Tom. 9. cap. 2 : worke of Saint Augustine , had these wordes , There are two principall Torments in Hell ; viz. Intollerable Colde , and Intollerable Heate . Whereupon the Euangelists wrote , there shall bee in Hell , Weeping , and Gnashing Math. 13. Luke 13. of Teeth : Teares , melting from the eyes through the extremity of Fire , and that of the Teeth , proceeding from the Sharpenesse of Colde .

Then called I to minde , that Iustinianus , in his Booke De casto Connubio Animae , sayd thus : There Iustinia . cap. 16. is in Hell , a Fire Corporeall , Inextinguible , wanting Combustible matter to nourish it : It shines to Punishment , not to Consolation . In that place there is Colde Incomparable , Gnashing of Teeth , and Smoake most Horrible-Stinking , &c. And that Haymo commenting vpon Mathew , sung the same Tune , thus : That among all Haymo in Ma●● 8. cap. the Tortures in Hell , the greatest were Heate and Cold.

My memory ( me thought ) amongst these mustred , Anselmus in his Elucidary , Innocentius with his booke De Innocent . lib. 6. cap. 4. Contempta Mundi , with many others , all fighting vnder the same Opinion .

Againe , I tooke hold vpon the 39. Chapter of Ecclesiasticus , speaking thus : They are Spirits created for Reuenge , and in their fury they haue fortified their Torments ; when the finall Day shall come , they shall powre forth the force and rage of him that created them , Fire , Hayle , Famine , &c.

These , & other Fortifications of Reading defending me , were Armors sufficient & of proofe , that there was Cold in Hell : And that haply the Infernall torments did Bede in Iob. 24. so change , that some times the Soules of men were scorched in fires , and anon as grieuously plagu'd with inexpressible anguish of cold : yet considering with my selfe , that it was no Pillar for Saluation to leane vpon , to beleeue that there was or was not any such thing , it could ( me thought ) be no offence to Perswade , It was so , or not so : and the rather , because it was but a Dreame .

My Mephostophilan Nag ( which foam'd before With a white frothy Sweate , by scudding o're The Fields of Flames ) had now the Glanders got Through sudden Cold , when he was Extreame hot : Foundred he was besides ( halting downe-right ) So that I durst nor on , nor yet Allight ; My selfe ( mee thought ) being almost frozen dead . Back therefore did I reyne his stubborne Head , When quick as Thought , he gallopp'd thence away , And came againe where Soules all broyling lay : Vpon them fell downe stormes of burning Speares , Trumpets red-hot , blowing Flames into their Eares , Each Sence , and Member , that on earth had bin An Armour in the quarrell of Damn'd Sin To fight 'gainst Heauen , were ( here ) in pieces rent , And Faults weigh'd out with equall punishment . Esa. 27. The Glutton roar'd for Cookes to giue him meate , I will exercise Iudgement in weight , & Iustice in measure . Iere. 25. Esa. 27. Drunkards for Wine , to quench their scalding Heate , Adulterers for their Whoores , to coole those Fires Which now burnt hotter then their old Desires : Some for Caroches cry'd , some for their Trayne Of Vassailes to attend , but cry'd in vaine .

They shall cry to the gods whom they serued in this life , and they shall not saue them in this time of affliction . Ier. 2.

Gay gawdy women , who spent yeares of Noones In tricking vp their Fronts with Chaperoones , Pride of women ( and in that the effeminacy of men in this age ) is heere taxed , and rewarded . And powdred Haire : whose Taylors sheares did quarrell With Pride , how to cut onely their apparrell , Whose Backs wore out more Fashions then their Wit , Phantasticknesse being short to alter it Into so many shapes , as they did vary The loades , being more then those when fed Mules carry ( In Sumpters ) Great Lords things : whose heads were I th' Aire high as a Stags , boue all the Heard ; reard And when they rode ( their Foote-men running by ) They seem'd prowd Ships in all their Gallantry , Newly-arriu'd , full-fraighted , vnder sayle , Slight empty Cock-boates dancing at their Tayle ; These Dames , who each day in French Chariots sat Glistring like Angels , a prowd-bounding Trot From foure faire Steedes drawing all on them to wonder , That the Clowdes eccho'd , and the Earth shooke vnder : But when their Coursers tooke their full Cariere , It look'd like that Day , when the Thunderer Struck with his Triple-fire Heauens Rider downe ; Phaetunt . Fab. Ouid. Metam . lib. 2. For ( from their horses nostrils ) Breath was throwne Hot-quick as lightning , and their Hoofs vp-hurld Such Clowdes of Smoake , as when he fir'd the world . O horrid sight ! These ( once so much Ador'd ) In hell were drudges , spurn'd at , and abhorr'd ; Their Painted cheekes , turn'd into Witches looks , Bright Haire to Snakes , long Fingers into hooks , Pearle-Chaines to roapes , their gawdy Robes to Ragges , And delicate bodies , vglier farre then Hagges . They that for Table-crums refus'd to buy And ( for their soules ) hoord vp Eternity , Here offred worlds of Treasure , but to get One drop of Water : ( O hels infinite Heate ! ) Yet not a drop was sufferd once to fall : To quench their thirst , Diuels held out caps of Gall.

Diues the patterne of such vncharitable wretches , cries out in that Language : O Father Abraham , haue compassion vpon me , and send down Lazarus vnto me , that he may dippe the toppe of his finger in water and coole my tongue , &c. Luke 16.

Cram'd-vp in stinking corners I beheld What rable are in Hell . Base Heapes tumbled together , who all yell'd Like bandogs tyed in kennels : High-way-standers , Foists , Nips , and Iylts , Prinadoes , Bawdes , Pimpes , Pan - Theeues . Panders . Bawdes . Olde sunck-eyde Beldames , hir'd to keepe the doors , ( ders , Till their owne Daughters were by slaues made whoores : Catchpolles , and Varlets , who did poore men fleece Catch-polles . ( To their vndoing ) for a Twelue-peny peece . Mongst these were mingled Periur'd common - Baile , Commonbail . Petti-foggers Light weights breede heauinesse . With Petti-foggers , that set Law to sale With Cauterized Consciences ; Theeues , Cheates , Tradesmen that fed vpon the Broken Meates Of Oathes and Rotten-wares ; and those to sell Car'd not for single money to buy Hell . Ten thousand Packs ( like these ) were basely throwne Into a Ware-house of Damnation , Where Fire their foode was , Adders galls their Drinke , Good cheere in hell for sinners . And their Tobacco , a strong Brimstone stinke .

His bread ( speaking of the wicked Worldling ) in his Iob. 20. belly shall be turned into the gall of Serpents , hee shall be constrained to vomit out againe the riches which he hath deuoured , God shall pull them forth of his belly , he shall be constrained to suck the gals of Cockatrices , and the tongues of Adders shall slay him , &c. Iob 10.

The Worme of Conscience . THe whips that lash'd the Damn'd , were some of wire , And some of Iron ; others were roapes of Fire Knotted with ragged stones of glowing Flint , Which though in thousand formes they did imprint Tortures vpon their Soules , yet there was One To which all Torments else compar'd , were None . A kinde of Worme there was , all speckled black , That shot tenthousand Prickles from his back , The Worme of conscience . Sharper then quils of Porcupines , and longer , And further flying , and more swift and stronger ; It bare a Tearing forked sting behinde , Which in the Striking did so strangely winde , It wounded euery way where it did Hit , Nor could it be put by , by force or Wit : This Worme had Teeth of needles , and lay gnawing Both night and day , Black Soules in peeces drawing : The more 't is rack'd , it liues ; the more it Fries In Flames , the lesse it Burnes , and Neuer dies .

Our Sauiour speaking of the paines of the Damned , saith ; that their Worme dieth not . Mar. 9. 44.

To call but this Worme to minde ( amongst the other Torments of that Infernall Lake ) marke in what passions one powreth forth his feares : Gehennam timeo , quippe interminatam , exhorreo Tartarum vt cui nimium insit Cyrillus Allexandrinus in Oratione de Exitu Animae . Caloris , paueo Tenebras quoniam nihil admittunt Lucis , Formido pectiferum VERMEM , quoniam est perennis , &c.

I feare Gehenna , because it hath no end , Hell to me is horrible , because it hath too much Fire , the Darkenesse I Gehenna , one of the Names of Hell , taken from Hinmon valley , &c. tremble at , because it hath no Light , the Deadly WORME affrights me , because it is Euer-lasting .

Holy Bernard beeing pierced to the Soule with the same Agony of Feare , thus confesseth it : Paueo Gehennam , Bernard . Serm. 16. in Cantic . Contremisco a Dentibus Bestiae infernalis , Horreo VERMEM rodentem , et ignem torrentem , Fumum , et Vaporem , et Sulphur , et Spiritum Procellarum , &c.

I am ( saies hee ) afraid of Hell , I tremble at the teeth of the Infernall Dragon , the Gnawing WORME is a Horror to me , and the Roasting Fire , and the Smoake , and the Brimstone , and the Spirit of Stormes , &c.

One Soule , me thought , boyling in Sulphurous flame , A soule bitterly accusing God of iniustice . Curs'd God , and on his Rigor did exclame , Rail'd at him for Iniustice , and thus Cri'd : If for my Sin thy Sonne was Crucified , Why am I hell'd in Execution In this Damn'd Iayle , euer to be Vndone ? If Hee layd downe his life to set me Cleere From all my Debts , why am I Dungeon'd Here ? Why for a life no longer then a Span , Am I an Euerlasting damned Man ? He whom the First bad woman did intice , Was but once driuen out of Paradice , Yet hee ( euen then ) was Sole Monarchall Lord Adam a Monarch after his deposing . O're the whole Globe , Seas did to him Accord In sweete Obedience : all the Beasts on Earth , As vnder his Dominion they tooke birth , So from him had they Names , they all did Bow Their knees to him , and did obserue his Brow . He lost a Garden , but an Orchard found , Wall'd in with Seas , with Sun-beames compast round , Where Birds ( whose Notes were neuer since so cleare ) Seru'd as Musitians All , to tune his Eare : A Serpent cozened Him by sorcerous Charmes , But ( in his stead ) a woman fild his Armes : A woman ! in whose Face more Beauties shone Then all the Beauties after made in One : He was Mans Maister-thiefe , Robd him of All , Droue him from Eden , and ( so ) forc'd him Fall Out of the Sphaere of Innocence : and yet Those Crownes of Blessings God on him did set . Why then for Sin but of a minutes date , Must I for Euer be a Rebrobate ? Gods holy hunger though it oft did kill me , Gods holy Banquet yet did neuer fill me ; Auri sacra Fames . The Silke worme ne're for me wrought in her Loome , I neuer slept in a Rich Lordly Roome , Neuer eate Pies of Nightingales Tongues , or sate Like Diues at my table seru'd in Plate . My Beldame Nurse ( the Earth ) when she gaue Suck To me , her left Breast still she forth did pluck , Being Iuicelesse ; or from thence if Drops did fall , How could I quench my thirsty Iawes with Gall ? I neuer lackeyed by proud Fortunes wheele : For all the taste of Pleasures I did feele , Was in the warme Embracements of my Whore : If that were Sin , why then did Nature store My Veines with hot bloud , blowing lust full fire ? 'T was her Corruption , and not my Desire . I likewise ( now and then ) was wash'd within All-o're with Wines , but why should that be Sin , When God the Vineyard planted , and in 's word Bid Man drinke wine ? Thou art a Rigorous Lord , ( Mee thought ) the Hell-hound howl'd , for trifling Crimes To Damne me in a World out-lengthning Times . Say , that full sixty yeares my Glasse did run , More then that halfe I slept , there was won Little to Hell in sleepe : but my lifes thread Reach'd but to thirty , so that I lay dead Fifteene of those , and of those fifteene , fiue At least were childish : O must I aliue Be held for Euer in Damnations Iayle For poore ten yeares ! when I perhaps did saile Some part of them towards Heauen ? What cursed waue Threw'st Thou to drowne me in th' Infernall Graue ? My Parents blest me Mornings , Noones and Nights , Were all those spent in Vayne ? I tooke delights Inplucking Apples from t'Hesperian Trees , Which Eating , I grew Learn'd : adde to All these My Priuate Readings , which more School'd my Soule , Then Tutors , when they sternliest did Controll With Frownes or Rods : some Dayes in This were Spent : So that if All my Faire-writ leaues were Rent Out of Gods Memory , alack ! it were A Thin Booke of the Foule : yet must I ( here ) For sowing some Few Acres vn-awares Of Bad Corne , reape an Endlesse Field of Tares ? At this , ten thousand Soules ( rauing mad ) Roard That on their Heads the selfe-same shot was scoard : But then , a Voice ( tun'd to an Angels Sound ) With repercussiue Ecchoes did rebound Through all the Court of Barathrum , thus Thundering Terrors that shooke Hells Center : Ceasse thy wondring ( Thou Bawling Reprobate , ) a recompence Is giuen thee to the Weight of thine Offence . For had thy yeares out-reach'd Methuslem's Age , Thy Black lifes Torrent ( with impetuous rage ) Had Boundlesse , Bottomlesse , Restlesse bin ; So that as Thy Eternity did Sin Peccas Homo in AEterno tuo : Pu nit Deus in AEterno suo . Tortured thou art in Gods Eternity : Thy faults to him , his rods for thee doe buy : Nor can he in his Iustice pittie those , Who pitty not themselues , but do expose Their Soules to Foule Acts , scorning threatned Paine , Like Whoores , who buy Damnation for small Gaine . Thou on the bread thy Sins did earne doest feede , Not paying by the Day , but by the Deede . What was thy whole life but a Mutinous Warre 'Gainst thy Creator ? Euery Sense did Iarre From his Obedience : like to Mad-mens swords Thy works were wounds , and blowes flew from thy words : Thy Lips , Eares , Eyes , haue still bin Gates set wide To let in Blasphemy , Lust , Auarice , Pride , And Legions of such Diuels . Thou didst Dwell First in a House of Flesh , but now in Hell : That was thy Partner , and ( as Partners doe ) The soule and body beeing Partners , vndo one another . Hath thee Vndone for Euer : Thou shalt Rue His Ryots , Whorings , Swearings , his Disorders Are thy Damnations : euery Sense now furders Thy Torments ; the loose Glances of the Eyes , The Liquorishnesse of Taste , the Melodies To the Lasciuious Eare ; All-all these turne To thy Perdition , thou for these shalt burne . To no hand holden-vp can helpe be giuen , The Left is Hels , the Right beat back from Heauen : In Flames go it Wher , and grow Green againe ; Paine kill thee , yet thou still shalt liue in paine . On was he going but to drowne this Voice , All Hell broke loose , and then were heard no Noyse But Vlulations , Shrikings , Horred Soundings Of Ratling-Chaynes , and thousand strange Confoundings Of Indisting guishable dire-mix'd Terrors : ( rors . At which ( I Trembling ) WAKDE ; and though the Errors - Of my Sleepe-wandring-Soule , were now left Cleare , And that my cold hands had tane leaue of feare , Yet my Heart panted , and my Haire turn'd white , More through the Ghastly Obiects of this Night , Then with the Snow of Age : And yet euen then , Collecting vp my selfe , I read of Men The Volumes ouer , and the world , so well That I found Here worse Diuels then are in Hell

FINIS .