Psyche, or, Loves mysterie in XX canto's, displaying the intercourse betwixt Christ and the soule / by Joseph Beaumont ... Beaumont, Joseph, 1616-1699. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A27212 of text R12099 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing B1625). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 1989 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 207 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A27212 Wing B1625 ESTC R12099 11691998 ocm 11691998 48205 2248509214

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A27212) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 48205) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 12:5) Psyche, or, Loves mysterie in XX canto's, displaying the intercourse betwixt Christ and the soule / by Joseph Beaumont ... Beaumont, Joseph, 1616-1699. [6], 399, [1] p. Printed by John Dawson for George Boddington, and are to be sold at his shop ..., London : 1648. In verse. Two columns to the page. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. eng Jesus Christ -- Poetry. Soul. Love. eebo Psyche: or loves mysterie. In XX. canto's: displaying the intercourse betwixt Christ, and the soule. By Joseph Beaumont, Mr. in Arts and ejected Fello Beaumont, Joseph, 1648 414 293309 1714 0 0 0 69 0 81.96 D The rate of 81.96 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2000-00 Assigned for keying and markup 2001-10 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2001-12 Sampled and proofread 2001-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-01 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE In XX. CANTO'S : Displaying the Intercourse Betwixt CHRIST , and the SOULE .

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S. Greg. Naz. in de Carminib . suis.

By JOSEPH BEAUMONT , Mr. in Arts and Ejected Fellow of S. Peters College in Cambridge .

LONDON , Printed by John Dawson for George Boddington , and are to be sold at his Shop in Chancery-lain neer Serjants-lnn .

M. D. C. XL. VIII .

INTO THE MOST SACRED TREASURIE OF THE Praise and Glorie OF Incarnate GOD , The Worlds most Mercifull REDEEMER ; THE Vnworthiest of His Majesties CREATURES , in all possible Prostrate VENERATION , Beggs Leave to Cast This His DEDICATED MITE .

The AUTHOR to the READER .

THE Turbulence of these Times having deprived mee of my wonted Accommodations of Study ; I deliberated , For the avoyding of meer Idlenesse , what Task I might safelyest presume upon , without the Society of Books : And concluded upon Composing this Poem . In which I endeavour to represent a Soule led by divine Grace , and her Guardian Angel , ( in fervent Devotion , ) through the difficult Temptations and Assaults of Lust , of Pride , of Heresie , of Persecution , and of Spiritual Dereliction , to a holy and happy Departure from temporal Life , to heavenly Felicitie : Displaying by the way , the Magnalia Christi , his Incarnation and Nativitie ; his Flight into AEgypt , his Fasting and Temptation , his chief Miracles , his being Sold and Betrayed , his Institution of the Holy Eucharist , his Passion , his Resurrection and Ascension ; Which were his mighty Testimonies of his Love , to the Soule .

I am not ignorant , that very few Men are competent Readers of Poems , the true Genius of Poetrie being little regarded , or rather not subject at all to common Capacities : so that a discourse upon this Theam would bee to smal purpose . I know also , how little Prefacing Apologies use to be credited : Wherefore , though I had much ( very much ) to say , and justly , in this kinde , I will venture to cast my self upon thy Ingenuitie , with this onely Protestation , that If any thing throughout this whol Poem , happen [ against my intention ] to prove Discord to the Concent of Christs Catholicke Church , I here Recant it aforehand .

My Defire is , That this Book may prompt better Wits to believe , that a Divine Theam is as capable and happy a Subject of Poetical Ornament , as any Pagan or Humane Device whatsoever . Which if I can obtain , and ( into the Bargain , ) Charm my Readers into any true degree of Devotion , I shall be bold to hope that I have partly reached my proposed Mark , and not continued meerly Idle .

J. B.
A Syllable of the CANTO'S . 1. The Preparative 2. Lust Conquered 3. The Girdle , or Love-token 4. The Rebellion 5. The Pacification 6. The Humiliation 7. The Great Little one 8. The Pilgrimage 9. The Temptation 10. The Marveils 11. The Traytor 12. The Banquet 13. The Death of Love 14. The Triumph of Love 15. The Poyson 16. The Antidote 17. The Mortification 18. The Persecution 19. The Dereliction 20. The Consummation .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE , In XX. Canto's ; CANTO 1. The Preparative . ARGUMENT . INrag'd at Heav'n and Psyche , Satan lay's His plots how to beguile the tender Mayd . Phylax mean while a contrework doth raise , And mustereth Joseph's Legend to her ayde ; That strengthned by this chaste example , shee To lusts Assaults impregnable might bee . 1. ETernal Love , of sweetest Poetrie The sweeter King , before thy gentle throne Deign to behold prostrate Vow , and mee : No Muse , no Gods , but thy sweet power alone I invocate ; for both his heads full low Parnassus to thy Paradise doth bow . 2. Thy Paradise , amongst whose Hils of Joy Those Springs of everlasting Vigour run Which makes souls drunk with heav'n , clensing away All earth from Dust , and angelizing men . Great David and his Son , drench'd in these streams , With Poets wreaths did crown their Diadems . 3. Defiance other Helicons ! O may These pretious founts my Vow and heart refine ! Deare Love , thou art my task : If ever bay Hereafter court my Muse , it shall be thine . My soule untun'd , unstrung doth waite on thee To teach her how to sing thy MYSTERIE . 4. A MYSTERIE wrapp'd in so close a cloud That * * the Soul . Psyches young and well-acquainted eye Staggers about it : yet more shades do croud And heap their night upon its secrisie : Feirce Belzebub , who doth in blacknesse dwell , Would fain have all things else as dark as Hell . 5. For He th' immortall Prince of equall spight Abhorr's all Love in every name and kinde ; But chiefely that which burn's with flames as bright As his are dark , and which as long shall finde Their living fuell : These enrage Him so , That all Hel's Furies must to councell go . 6. For as the wounded Lyon in his Den Roar's out his griefe ; so from his boyling heart A hideous groan broke forth , which thundering in His hollow Realm , bellow'd to every Part The frightfull summons : All the Peers below . Their Kings voice by its soveraign stink did know . 7. Nor dar'd they stay , by kembing to make neat Their snarled Snakes , or draw their Tails huge trains Into a knot , or trim their cloven feet With iron shoes , or gather up their Chains : Onely their hands they fill with Rage , and bring That common Subsidie unto their King . 8. Hel's Court is built deep in a gloomie Vale , High wall'd with strong Damnation , moated round With flaming Brimstone : right against the Hall Burn's a black bridge of brasse ; the yards abound With all invenom'd Herbs and Trees , more rank And fruitlesse than on Asphaltite's bank . 9. The Gate , where fire and smoak the Porters be , Stands alwayes ope to them that be without : Hither flock'd all the states of miserie , As younger Snakes , though crawling far about , When the old Serpent's hisses summon them , Into her patent mouth of poyson stream . 10. The Hall was roof'd with everlasting Pride , Deep paved with Dispaire , checker'd with spight . The Hangings were of Torments fair and wide : The upper end presented to their sight Great Satans Arms , drawn in an iron sheild , A Crowned Dragon Gules in sable field . 11. On his immortall throne of Death they see Their mounted Lord , who in one hand did bear His Globe , ( for all the world He take's to bee By right his own , ) and in the other wear His Mace , on which ten thousand Serpents knit , With restlesse madnesse , gnaw'd themselves and it . 12. His awfull Horns above his Crown did rise , And made them shrink in theirs ; his Forehead Was Plated with triple Impudence ; his Eyes Were Hell reflected in a double Glasse , Two Comets stareing in their bloody stream ; Two Beacons boyling with their pitch and flame . 13. His Mouth well-neer as wide's his Palace Door , But much more black : his Cheeks which never could Blush in their own , had rak'd the world for store , And deeply dy'd their guilt in humane Blood . His griezly Beard all singed , did confesse What kinde of Breath us'd through his lips to presse . 14. Which as he op'd , the Centre , on whose back His Chair of ever-fretting Pain was set , Frighted beside it self began to quake : Throughout all Hell the barking Hydra's shut Their awed mouths : The silent Peers in fear Hung down their tailes , and to their Lord gave eare . 15. Three times he shak'd his Horns ; three times his Mace He brandish'd towards Heaven ; three times he spew'd Live sulphure upward , which when on his face It soused back , foul Blasphemy ensu'd , So big , so loud , that his huge Mouth was split To make a passage to his Rage and it . 16. I yeild not yet ; Defiance Heaven , said He , And though I cannot reach thee with my fier , Or scepter , yet my Brain shall able bee To grapple with thee , nor canst thou be higher Than my brave spight : Know , though below I dwel , Heaven has no stouter hearts than live in Hell . 17. For all thy confident Promise to the Seed Of Dust-begotten Man , my Head is here Unbroken still : When thy proud foot did tread Me down from my own sphears , my Forehead there Both met and scorn'd the Blow ; and thou at first ( What e'r thou talk'st to Man ) did'st do thy worst . 18. Courage my Lords ; ye are the same who once Ventur'd upon that high Designe with me Against the Tyrant , call'd Heavens righteous Prince , What though Chance stole from us the Victory ? 'T was the first time we fought ; and he being in His own Dominion might more easily win . 19. How often since have we met him mid way , And in th' indifferent World not vainly fought ! Witnesse those Prisons where our numerous Prey Lie's chained up , which we from Earth have brought . Are they not Men of the same flesh and blood , With that same Christ , who needs would be a God ? 20. A pretty God , whom easily , I of late Caus'd to be fairly hangd . Indeed he came By stealth , and in the night broke ope Hel's gate : But snatch'd he any Captive hence , that Fame Might speak him valiant ? No , he knew too well That I was King , and you the Peers of Hell . 21. But yet to save his wretched credit , He Hi'd him beyond that Gulfe to Abraham's Den , Who for his ready inhumanitie Was dubb'd the Father of all faithfull Men : How much lesse , Pilat , was thy crime I yet thou ( O righteous Heav'n ! ) now yellest here below . 22. His willing Captives thence He wun ; ( but how Forlorn a Prize , by Lazarus you may see , Who the late pittie of vile Dogs , was now A speciall Saint : ) And this vain victorie Homeward He bore , with Banner proudly spred , As if with his own Bloodt ' had not been red . 23. Me think's I could permit him to possesse That sneaking honour , so he strove not how My Subjects from their loyaltie to presse , And mortall Men to his obedience draw . But , by my wrath I swear , I 'le make him know That of the Air I am the soveraign too , 24. Was 't not enough , against the righteous Law Of Primogeniture , to throw Us down From that bright home , which all the world do's know Was by confest inheritance our own : But , to our shame , Man , that vile worm , must dwell In our fair Orbs , and Heav'n with Vermin fill ? 25. Ten thousand tricks and charms and mystick arts , With all the blandishments of his sweet things , He doth imploy , to woe these silly hearts : Doubtlesse much like a God his Powers he brings Into the field to gain his victorie ; Yet who , forsooth , the tempters are , but We ? 26. Psyche , a simple thing , I wot , and one Whom I as deeply scorn , as Him I spight , He seek's to make his Prize ; Psyche alone Take's up his amorous thoughts both day and night . Wer 't not our wrong , I could contented be The King of Heaven had such a Spouse as She. 27. But She is ours ; I have design'd a Place That must be hers , amid'st you brimstone lake , Which shall revenge whatever in her face Do's now her lustie God a wooer make . He promis'd her that with the Angels shee Should live ; and so she shall , but those are We , 28. Lust , thou shalt give the Onset : Quickly dresse Thy self with every bravery that my Aerial kingdome yeelds , and subt'lie presse Our contreplot : Remember but how thy Sweet powers did once a mighty King subvert , However fam'd to be After God's heart . 29. Then Philautie and Pride , her breast shall fill With swelling poyson , and make her disdain Heav'ns narrow gate , whil'st wealth it self doth spill Into her bosome in a golden rain , That she may seem too rich to match with One Of a poore Carpenter the poorer Son . 30. If still demure and godly she will be ; Let Heresie teach her to grow too wise To take up points on trust , and fooled be By saucy Faith plainly against her eys . Then let despaire , my dear despaire , not faile Her Soule with Hell aforehand to assaile . 31. Nor shall the service unrewarded be , Checking my royall bounty , as grown poor ; The Feind who captive Psyche bring 's to me , Shall her sole torturer be , and twenty more I 'l to his jurisdiction add , that yee May know your Soveraign scorn's in debt to be . 32. Nay , for his greater honor , every night Seven lashes he shall have at Cain's fell heart And seven at Judas his ; nor from my sight Henceforth on any work shall he depart , But here at my right hand shall seated bee For ever , and blaspheam the next to mee . 33. Go then , in god's name , but that god am I , And may my blessing go along with you : If we that wench can catch , our subtletie Will torture Christ , though all Heav'ns joys do flow About him , and we shall revenge this pain In which the tyrant doth all Us detain . 34. This said : the Senate with an hideous Roar Applaud their Prince , and the designed Feinds Their snakey heads thrice bowing to the floore Take their damn'd leave . With that a tempest rends Hel's wide mouth wider ope , that through the gate Their cursed Progresse they may make in state . 35. Old Tellus wonder'd what the treason was Which then tore up her bowels ; for as from The monstrous Canons thundring mouth of brass A sudden cloud of rage , and death doth foam , So from beneath these hasty Furies broke ; Such was the flashing fire , and such the smoak . 36. But greater was the stink : the flowers , they say , Frighted from their own sweets , grew faint and di'd ; Stout trees which had endured many a day The worst of blasts , could not this breath abide ; Only some venomous weeds , whose roots from hell Suck in their deadly living , lik'd it well . 37. Lust goes to work the first : a Spirit as foule As he 's ambitious beautifull to seem . Uncleanesse keep 's her Court amid'st his Soul , And Poison at his mouth her breath doth stream . Black is the fire that burneth in his eye , Diseases thick in every member lye . 38. But Circe's and Medea's arts he knew ; For hee their tutor was The purest aire Which on mount Liban virgin sweetnes blew With magick nimblenes hee doth prepare , And mould's it up so close , that it can take The shape of any Lye he 's pleas'd to make , 39. And thus the Nimph which was so loose before , And at the mercy of each busie blast , Become's a stiff stout man : whose face to store With beauties purest charm's , unto the East The spirit flyes , and in Aurora's cheeks The best of orientall sweetnesse seek's . 40. But knowing that his breath was rank , and spoke The place from whence he came ; he turn's his flight Into Arabia's gardens , whence he took The flower of every flower , and spice which might Perfume his words , that from that double bed Of his soft lips , hee vocall Balm might shed . 41. The silk worm's wealth , the dainty ermin's skin , And every thing that makes young Princes fine , Into one gorgeous suit hee crouds ; and in Each seam and jag doth gold and pearl in twine . For in his passage , as through earth he broke , Great store of these hee from her bowels took . 42. But for the fashion , he was fain to run To Court , and see how gallants there were drest , Men of more various transformations , than In Proteus wit and fiction e'r exprest . Thus at the last accoutred to his minde He plots where Psyche hee may safest sinde . 43. Sheeall the morning was retir'd at home Close in the sweets of his dear companie Who from her Lord , the King of Soules , was come His restlesse but delicious suit to plye , And , with exact attendance see the maid Might to no sudden danger be betray'd . 44. In his al-ravishing looks you might descry More reall sweets than Lust in his had fain'd ; Heav'n clearly looked out at either ey , And in his cheeks ten thousand graces reign'd ; As many little loves their nests had made In the curl'd amber of his daintie head . 45. He from the Rainbow , as he came that way , Borrow'd the best of all that gorgeous store Which after gloominesse doth make heav'n gay , And it about his mantles border wore : A mantle spun of milkie down which from The Birds of his own Paradise did come . 46. Upon his lovely shoulders dwel't a pair Of correspondent wings ; the driven snow On Scythian mountains doth in vain compare Its virgin plum's with these , which feare no thaw : Lesse white , lesse soft are they , and will at last In melting tears confesse they are surpast . 47. High is his great extraction , full as high As is the loftiest and the purest sphear : There dwels his father Prince of Majesty ; And millions of his Bretheren are there , Who all are Princes too : that land alone Numberlesse Kingdoms doth contain in one . 48. When Psyche first was born , his wing he spred With ready tendernes her to imbrace , That she might rest in that delicious Bed , To which all other Feathers must give place : Great was the Mother's care and love , but yet The Infant was to * * The guardian Angell . Phylax more in debt . 49. That was his Name ; and sure he made it good : No tutor ever spent more learned care , The stoutest Champion never bravelier stood For those who under his protection were , Than Phylax did for Psyche , being able To prove himself as strong , as she was feeble . 50. No Danger ever drew its forces neer , But he was neerer still , and did withstand All plots of mischeif that incounter'd her , Arming her feebler Arm with his strong hand : While she was weak and knew not how to goe , He flew about , her businesse to doe . 51. As she grew greater , so his care did grow : Her weaning time being come , he spends his art To make her quite disrellish things below , Which likelier were to cheat and choak the heart , Then make it live its proper life ; for she Was born to live unto eternitie . 52. When she had learn'd to build a word aright , He taught her heav'ns high language , and the song Which lately in the quire of soveraign light Incessantly dwelt upon his own tongue ; Desiring virtue might be her first growth , And Halalujah broach her holy mouth . 53. But when she well could goe , and well discern The way she went ; he spred before her eye Ten goodly Paths ; and these you needs must learn Say's he , to trace , as leading to the high Gate of beatitude ; God's own hand did Draw all these tracts upon mount Sina's head . 54. Lo here is room enough : the King's high-way Lesse kingly is then this ; All Hero's who Have climb'd above the world , wish'd not to stray Beyond these bounds : Be but content to go Where Saints , and where thy Lord before hath gone , That thou mayest overtake him at his throne . 55. Thus did he gently grave upon her heart The Characters of blisse ; thus every day He reads some lecture , least the tempters art Her young and pliant Soule should make his prey : But they this morning being all alone , She beg'd a story , and he told her one . 56. My Dear , said hee , there was a youth of old Almost as young , and no lesse faire then thou ; Upon his head smil'd a soft grove of gold , Two small half-heav'ns were bent in either Brow ; Nor were those Hemisphears sham'd by his eys Which the best stars above dar'd not despise . 57. All Roses blush'd when neer his lips they came , Whose purer crimson , and whose sweeter breath They thought ( and well they might ) their double shame : No Lily ever met him in his path , But if his hand did touch it , straight in spight 'T was pale to see it self out-vi'd in white . 58. Faire was his stock , his sire great Jacob was , Not by the wife whose blear and waterie eye Did its dim self bewaile , and was the glasse In which the world read her deformitie ; But by that Queen of Sweets , whose price seven 〈◊〉 Doubled in service , was , yet seem'd not dear . 59. He Rachel's son , and her best beauties heire , For her dear sake , and no lesse for his own , Sate pretious next his Fathers soule ; whose Care Was bent his own Delights in Him to crown . He lov'd his children all , yet far above The rest , his Joseph he did love to love . 60. He hunts about the proudest world to buy The choise of purest and of brightest cloth Brisk in the Tyrian and Sidonian die , With which he cloth 's his darling , being loth That fewer colours should adorn his coat Than all the world in him did beauties note . 61. As when the gallant Peacock doth display His starry Train , the winged People all In shame and discontent do sneak away Letting their plumes ( now all our-sparkled ) fall : So Joseph's Roab by which himself did seem So fair , his Brethren cloth's with wrath and shame . 62. 'T is true , said they , our Father , though hee were The puny Brother , yet he ssiely did Incroach upon the Blessing which the Heir Was doubtlesse borne unto : But yet He sped Onely by Craft : had Jsaac had his eys As Jacob now , hee would have been more wise , 63. But though the old Man lov's his luckie Cheat So well , that hee upon his younger Son Throw's all his Heart : We hope , no want of meat Shall force Us willingly to be undone . Nor any Pottage that this Boy can make From the least He of Us our Birthright take . 64. Thus they repin'd ; ( not knowing there was writ Upon Heav'ns adamantine leaves a Law By which this scorned Youth at length should sit In Reuben's senioritie , and grow Like an Imperiall Branch , whose teeming Root Set's in a living Fount it s blessed Foot . ) 65. Yet , in the sweetnesse of Simplicity , Ingenuous hee relates to them his Dream : From of my bed light Fancy carried mee Into the field , where I with you did seem To fall a reaping , and our sheaves binde up ; When loe , says he , to mine all yours did stoop . 66. Proud Brat , cry they , know'st thou what stooping is ? How dares thy upstart Insolence but dream That wee thy Elders must bow down and kisse Thy boyish foot , and tremble at thy Name ? Beleeve it Childe , t is not thy gewgaw Coat ( Though too too princely for thy back , ) can doe 't . 67. But hee , not knowing what their Anger ment , Whose Breast was calme as is the upper Air , His second Vision thus doth represent : Last night , when all the face of heav'n was fair And trimm'd with every Star , on his soft wings A softer Dream mee thither gently brings . 68. Quite through the storehouse of the Air I past , Where choise of every kinde of Weather lies ; Here Rains are bottled up , there Hail is cast In mighty Heaps ; here Banks of Snow do rise , There furnaces of Lightning burn , and those Long-bearded Stars which light Us to our Woes . 69. Hence came I to a dainty World : the Air Was sweet and calme , much like my Mothers Ey , Whom if I might , I would have sought for there : No more of Chanaan now could I descry ; The Earth was shrunk so small , me thought I read By that due prospect , what it was indeed . 70. But then approaching to an Orb whose flames Like to a boundlesse Ocean flow'd about , Foole as I was , I quak'd , untill its beams Gave me an harmlesse kisse : I little thought Fire could have been so milde ; but surely heer It rageth cause wee keep it from its sphear , 71. It flamed , reverend Sire , but with as sweet An ardency as in your noble Heart That heav'nly Zeale doth burn , whose sacred heat Make 's you Heav'ns living Holocaust ; no part Of my Dream's tender Wing felt any harme , Our journey , not the fire , did keep Us warm . 72. But here my Guide , before I was aware , On the Moon 's lower Horne clapp'd her right hand , And pull'd me up into a place as fair Above this World in Worth , as it doth stand In situation : liquid Christall here Is the tralucid matter of of each spheare . 73. The Moon was kinde , and as wee passed by Shew'd Us the Deed whereby the great Creator Instated her in that large Monarchie Shee holdeth over all the Ocean's Water ; To which a schedule was annex'd , which all Moist Bodies too under her power doth call . 74. Now complementall Mercurie was come As far as to the margin of his spheare , And bid Us eloquent welcome to his Home : Scarce could We passe , so great a crowd was there Of Points and Lines ; and nimble Wit beside Upon the backs of thousand shapes did ride . 75. Next , matchlesse Venus her sweet face did shew , ( Bringing again my Mother to my minde , ) Which Us into her Region quickly drew : This strew'd with youth , and smiles , and love we find ; And those all chast : 't is this foule world below Adulterates what from thence doth spotlesse flow . 76. Then into Phebu's Orb all pav'd with gold , The rich reflection of his own fair Eye , I was advanc'd ; and faine I would have told How many Crowns and scepters there did lie , What Life , what Verdure , what Heroik Might , What perly Spirits what sonnes of active Light : 77. But I was hurried into Mars his spheare , Where Envy ( ô how cursed was its face ! ) And Jealousie , and Feare , and Wrath , and War , Could scarcely well agree about their place : Yea , Engins there to vomit Fire I saw , Whose flame & thunder Earth at length must know . 78. Welcome was Jupiter's Dominion , where Illustrious Mildnesse round about did flow ; Religion had built her Temple there , And Sacred Honours on its Walks did grow ; No Dignity Priests Heads shall ever crown Which in those mysuck Gardens was not sown . 79. At length wee found old Saturn in his Bed ; 〈◊〉 much I wonder'd how an He so dull Could 〈◊〉 thus high : His house was built of Lead , Of dark and solitarie corners full ; Where Discontent , and Sicknesse dwellers be , Grim Melancholie , and dead Lethargie . 80. Passing from hence into a boundlesse field , Innumerable starrs wee Marshall'd found In faire at ray : This earth did never yeild Such choice of flowrie Pride , when she had crown'd The Plains of Shechem , though the gaudy Spring Did all its smiling Beauties thither bring . 81. A knot of Lights constellated into A radiant Throne , on which my selfe was set . When loe the Sun and Moon themselves did throw Into submiss obeisance at my feet ; And then eleven great Starrs thought it no shame To come before me , and to do like them . 82. But sure I thought it shame for mee to take Homage of them , who was but Dust and Clay ; Big with excuse I grew , and 'gan to speak , But then my Dream took wing and fled away . And fly thou after it , bold Dreamer cri'd His Brethren , who in Dreams do'st mask thy Pride . 83. Old Jacob , though he ponder'd every word In 's own prophetick Heart , and judg'd the Dream Was not by Joseph fram'd , but by his Lord ; Thought it expedient something wroth to seem , Having no other way that Rage to smother He saw smoke from his Sons against their Brother . 84. But Childe , said hee , where is that Blush of thine Which us'd to paint meek Virtue on thy face ? How dar'st thou tell a Dream which doth designe Unto thy punie selfe such Soveraign place ? Think'st thou thy Brethren and thy Parents too Unto the younger son must homage do ? 85. Or dream no more , or else thy dream conceale If any fancy rise which may offend : On this condition I thy pardon seal , And these thy Brethren shall their quarrell end . Goe you my sons , be carefull of my sheep ; This Boy at home as meek as them I 'le keep . 86. And so hee did : though with as bad successe , As his intention was sincere and good ; Take heed how thou thy Brethrens wrath do'st presse Said he , least it do squeaze out thine own blood . I know their furies , and from whence they move : O that their ground of Hate should be my Love ! 87. Hast thou not mark'd how if a Flint we lay Soft on a downie Bed , and gently smite , Forth with its conquer'd stubbornesse gives away ; But if wee use it harshly , it will fight Again , and spit its rage in fire , nor shall The stoutest Hammer cool its Wrath at all . 88. Surely thy Brethrens bosoms cannot be More hard then Hardnesse , and the Flints stiff heart : Or if my Charity deceiveth mee , Thy Mildnesse must be temper'd with such art As may the softnesse of that Down exceed Which on the Cygnet's daintie neck doth breed . 89. When they begin to bluster , give them way ; 'T has often cost the boldest Cedar dear To grapple with a storm ; whilst Flowrs which lay Themselves full low in trembling and in fear , Waiting the leisure of the Winde , again Rise up unbruised , and in peace remain . 90. Thus I of late thy furious Unkle met , One who had vow'd to tear his Birthright back And my poor life with it : I Presents set Thick in his way , gently to him I spake , And by submission grew superior so That from the jaws of Wrath in peace I goe . 91. And now because thy Brethren have been gone Abroad these many dayes , least they surmise I take no pleasure but in thee alone ; Feasting mine own on thy all-lovely eyes , To morrow thou unto their folds shalt goe , And in their Fathers name see how they doe . 92. Long e'r the Morn her ey-lids had with-drawn And op'd the East into its hopes of Day , Joseph was up and dre'st , and by his own Fair eyes being lighted , well on in his way . A thousand gentle phrases , as he went , He studied how his Brethren to content . 93. But by the various beauties of his Coat Discerning him from farre , behold said they The saucie Dreamer comes ; now we have got So faire an opportunity to slay Our foe , t is wisdome to prevent in time That tyranny to which his Pride doth climbe . 94. O no , cryes Ruben , one within whose heart More genuine drops of Jacob's blood did thrill , He is a Childe , and acts but his own part : Dreams are but flitting toies , but if wee spill His harmlesse blood , the spot upon our head Will be no Dream , beleeve 't , but Guilt indeed . 95. O rather cast him into yonder pit That hee from you may onely have his grave ; Let any other wrath that think 's it fit Give him his Death , and bury in that Cave Your lesse offence : doubtlesse nostars will bow To him whom from the sight of heav'n you throw . 96. As hungry Wolves upon the helplesse Lamb , So they on Joseph fall : in vain had hee Studied the sweetest Blandishments to frame Of gentlest words , and meekest modestie : With loud revilings all his prayers they drown And stripp'd into the deep Pit throw him down . 97. When loe , a troop of Merchants passing by , They money of their richer Brother make ; The thrifty Ismaelites admired why For such rich ware they would so little take : No new-dug Pearl so fair did ever look As he , when him up from the Pit they took . 98. Yet twenty silver pieces was the price , Which soon they paid ; and now were sure they bore To Memphi's Mart more pretious Merchandise Than all their swelling Packs of Midian store . And thus a Slave to strangers Joseph is , As were his Brethren unto Avarice . 99. But yet his Coat they kept : with this , said they Jacob vex'd us , and wee 'l vex him again . A Kid they take , as innocent a prey As Joseph was , and with its Blood they stain The Roab ; which they unto their Father sent Blushing for them whose own shame all was spent . 100. And well he knew 't . O me the good Man cryes , It is my Ioseph's Coat , all torn and rent , And bloody too : Be free my weeping eyes , Y' have nothing now to doe but to lament . That onely day which joy'd and blest your sight , My darlings face , lyes buried in night . 101. Dear Coat , behold I rend mine own with thee , Which is lesse worthy to be whole than thou . Sure some wilde Beast thy Master tore , and me Together with him , though I felt not how . ( It did indeed , for it was spight , a Beast Of all inhumane things the salvagest . ) 102. Sweet Childe , I hop'd to have prevented thee In seeing Rachel thy departed Mother : But surely long behinde I will not bee , Thy death brings grief enough my life to smother ; I 'l come as fast as an old Man can doe , And see you Both : Peace friends , it must be so . 103. But Ioseph now was into Egypt brought And set to sale : One Potiphar , by place Captain of Pharaoh's guard , the strippling bought ; And reading plain in his ingenuous face Pure characters of worth , hee doubted not Some more than common trust in him to put . 104. Nor did the issue ever flag below His expectation ; for fidelitie , For care , for prudence , his example now The onely Rule unto the rest must bee : No task was set , but every servant bid To minde his severall Charge as Ioseph did . 105. But how could they keep pace with him who was Both led and hastned on by Heavn's high hand , And made through all Successe's Paths to passe ; Which when his Master 'gan to understand With pious wisdome , thus concluded hee : My servant has some greater Lord than me . 106. Wherefore contented only with the name Of Master , him he trust 's with every Key Of highest care and charge , and bids him frame As he thought best all his Oeconomy . Thus did this unknown slave the Lord become Though not of his owne Lord , yet , of his Home . 107. But whil'st this honoured Steward doth allure . All other eys to reverentiall Love ; His Mistresse's grew sick of an impure And black disease ; which did it self improve Unto that strength , that now abroad it fly's Like Basilisk's beams , to poyson neighbour eys . 108. At first it slept in that invenom'd lake Which in Hell's bottome stink's ; from whence a feind It in a red hot viall up did take , And flying thither , b● soft degrees did blend It with Potiphera's blood , whose tainted veins Were strait made Chanels of Lust's boyling pains . 109. Though Ioseph's Uirtue might aforehand be Assurance of deniall , yet her flame With such impatient fury burnt , that she All amorous enchantments tries , to tame His rigid heart . ( and Lust too oft we see In point of wit 's too hard for Chastity . ) 110. What ever Word is spoke to Ioseph's praise Her echo doubles it , and doth supply Some more pathetike and transcendent phrase To raise his merit to a pitch so high , That He oblig'd in modestie might seem To render back that honour done to him . 111. If any Bit were choise , she thought it due To Ioseph's palate more than to her owne ; The rarest flow'r which in her garden grew Must be cull'd out , and wreath'd into a Crown , Or some quaint posie which her self invents , And every Morning unto him presents . 112. If he be well , she dares not but be so ; If he be sick , she scorneth to be well , And yet about him will be busie too To hold his head , or hand , his cup to fill , His meat to dresse , yea and his bed to warm , And watch all night that Ioseph takes no harm . 113. Whate'r she sees or sweet , or rich , or rare , She something in his Body findeth still To which those pretious things she may compare : With his own praises she his ears doth fil , And often cries , How blessed should I be , If Potiphar were such an one as Thee . 114. He kend that craftie Language for a while No more than doe's the Lark the fowlers Pipe : But when he 'gan to smell her dangerous Wile , Whose own stink did betray't ; He strove to wipe Away those praises she so thick did strow , And by his own Blush reach her what to doe . 115. Oft would he take occasion to proclaim How sweet , how brave a man his Master was ; And never fail to blesse Potiphera's Name And praise her fortunes , who for husband has Virtue 's own Spouse : But most he lov'd to tell How for his Chastity he did excell . 116. This Word of all the rest , most deeply stung Her unchast heart : She now resolv's no more To rack her self within , but plainly bring To light her darksome torment , and before Ioseph's own face her wounded bosome ope That so the wound in pitty he might stop . 117. Sweet Sir , said she , ( when both alone they were , ) In our Egyptian Hieroglyphicks You Seem to be little studied ; wherefore here I 'm come to be your Tutoresse , and bestow My dearest skill , being greived much to see You in the best of Arts unlearn'd should bee . 118. The language of that Love , and of that praise I showred thick upon you day by day , You understood not , though ten thousand ways I tri'd to write it plain : And what I pray , Meant all that sweet adoe , but onely this , Potiphera in love with Joseph is ? 119. Nay start not at the Word , but hear how I With solid arguments can make it good : 'T is sacriledge to let Divinity Passe by unlov'd : you ' banks of Nilu's flood Nee'r saw Serapis half so God-like , as Thou in this garden up and down do'st passe . 120. Thou passest up and down , and in thy way The choisest flow'rs instructest with thine eye How to look brisk and brave , how to display Some pritty beam of amorous Majesty . Thou passest up and down , and with thy feet Teachest the beds of Spices to grow sweet . 121. When on yon' christall fountain thou do'st look The Nimph cannot but smile to think that she Is by thy self each Evening made the book Where thy sweet face thou printest . Wo is me Why was I not a fountain too , that thou Thy dear impression might'st on me bestow ! 122. The 〈◊〉 betimes repaireth to thine eye And asks what weather Heav'n shall have that day : In vaine the Clouds combine to damp the skie If thou thy beams with freedom dost display : If thou but lowr'st , in vain the foolish Aire Forceth her self to smile and to look faire , 123. What fooles are our Egyptians to spend Their time and brains upon the stars above , To finde what kinde of seasons they will send ? 'T is Heresie , say I , but to remove Above the Orb of thine illustrious eye . The fairest book of best Astronomie . 124. As from Arabia windes this way doe blow , From thy fair mouth they suatch thy balmie breath Into their own ; and as they forward flie With gallant odours they perfume their path : The world admires whence such rich blasts should file , But none the sweet Originall know but I. 125. For strange unto thy self thou need 's wilt be , And take no notice of all excellence Which in thy heart doth hold its Monarchie . I tell thee sweet , 't is but a fond pretence Which thou call'st modestie , and might undoe thee If Providence had not sent me unto thee . 126. Can'st thou imagin nature ever meant To plant the best of all her store in thee There to lie hid and die , and not be spent In the free course of naturall charitie ? Let those be chaste who can no love invite , 'T were sin in thee , who art made for delight . 127. Indeed the other Phoenix having none Of his own feathered kinde , is fain to spend His virgin love upon himself alone , And 'gin his life again by its strange end : His amorous flames kill and revive him so That to himself he 's Son and Father too . 128. But thou , as rich and faire a thing as hee , Hast other fuell for thy fire : loe here I ready dryed am with thirst to be Its Sacrifice : I will thy bed prepare With such abundant sweets as shall contest With all the spices of the Phoenix nest . 129. Why stay wee then ? The good man 's now from home As he is from my heart ; which both are thine . No matter for this Day , I 'l make Night come , ( If thou wilt go , ) and cloud up our design : Close are my curtains , and no tales they tell : Come then my dearer selfe , all shall be well . 130. No haste , cryes he ; but if thou lov'st me so , Hear me a little as I thee have done ; Haste very seldome with successe doth go , But doth all fortune but the bad out-run . How then can headlong Lust a good end finde When both it self and its fond God are blinde ? 131. Were they not so , how could'st thou me invite To those strange joyes which must lie sneaking in Thy guilty curtains , and avoid the light As one too faire a witnesse for a sin So foule and black ! By this , aforehand thou Ashamed art of what thou fain would'st doe . 132. I was a Slave unto my Master brought , And unto you , in him ; but not to Lust : Yet my desert , or his mistake hath wrought So great a change , that hee puts mee in trust Withall the care of his large familie , Whereof he Father , I must Ruler be . 133. Thus did He give me fredome from the bands Of servitude , but not of Virtue too : O no , this obligation stricter stands , And Joseph must more hearty homage doe To Potiphar , than those who still doe ly Bound in the bottom of their slavery . 134. Himself He never gave into my hand , Therefore not Thee , who art all one with Him : Nor could He doe it : for so close a Band Does cement you together , that no lim Of his own body Natur 's hand did joyn Neerer unto himself , than is all thine . 135. And though He be not here , God's round about And in the mid'st between ev'n Me and Thee ; His eye needs make no search to finde Us out , Which Us , before we were at all , did see . I would not wrong my Master , but much lesse Offend that God , who is my Lord and his . 136. A Lord so pure that wee may safelier gaze Upon the burnish'd sun's meridian beams , Than hee can fix his eye upon God's face ; A face whence such excesse of Lustre streams , That hee in mercy casts on us below A veil , which , though wee cannot , he look's through . 137. He looks through that , and through all Curtains too Which we our selves upon our sins would draw . Far be that fondnes then , that wee should goe And seek some secret place to break his Law , Exposing to his most refined eye The foulest of all spotts , Adultery . 138. A spot which would make mee so black , that thou Who now both lov'st me and admirst ' me so , For meer deformity would'st never know Me more , but scorn'd and hated let me goe : So would I do my self , and never stay With Joseph , knew I how to run away , 139. Ask or command me any thing beside : If you will send me to the farthest Sea To fetch you pearls , the Sun shall not out-ride My restlesse course , nor any Jewels bee Treasur'd so deep in the profoundest Main , But I will dig them thence , and come again . 140. Or if you please I will revenge your wrong Upon these sweets of my inchanting face , Which have abus'd and tempted you so long : These nailes of mine shall all those Charms erase And cut such ghastly wounds as soon shall cure Those which my beautie made your heart endure , 141. I will transform my self into a State Which more your Pittie , than your love , shall crave ; Or if this love of mine must reap your hate , Somewhere or other I shall finde a grave , And there with greater comfort rest my head , Than if I slept on your delicious bed , 142. As when a mighty torrent hasting on , Is by some sturdy bank forc'd back again , The waters roar and foam and swell upon Themselves for spight to see their strength was vain ; So did Potiphera's heart , whose lustfull course Unshaken Joseph back again did force . 143. A thousand Passions boiling in her breast Raise up a tempest of impatient flames . Still night , which to all others sealeth rest , Waken her cares ; Her bed with torments streams 'Cause Joseph is not there . ( O where may we With heav'nly love a Soule thus wounded see ! ) 144. She has no rellish of the dàintiest meat , But onely on distracted thoughts she feeds ; The spiced wine to other palates sweet Mocks hers alone , and odious loathing breeds : Thick sighs and tears from her own mouth and eys Echo the storm which in her heart did rise . 145. Oft she renewed her suit , but su'd in vain : At last grown faint and sick , she ask's him how He would her Murder answer ? Such a stain Will ill become , said she , thy dainty brow ; In the unnaturall furrows of whose frown The seeds of my unhappy death are sown . 146. But when this mov'd him not , who like a Rock Stood firm upon his solid Chastitie : Her finall resolution she awoke , And all her strength with it , that she might be Provided to correct her loves mishap By valiant managing her plotted Rape . 147. Watching her time she takes him all alone , And harpy-like , one Tallon clapping fast Upon his Clothes , least hee away should run , Her other Arm about his neck she cast : Loose was her Coat , and shewed her more full Then he desir d to see , or I to tell . 148. Thou art my prisoner now , said she , as I Have long bin thine , though thou did'st scorn thy prize ; But I 'm resolv'd of thy Captivitie To make some use : Thou shalt no more despise My prayers , for I command thee now to be Whither thou wilt or no , happy with Mee . 149. Perhaps thy needles Maiden modesty Stay'd , by thy Lover to be ravished : Then be it so ; But if thou still deny My loyall Love ; I swear by thine own Head ( Which yet I onely worship , ) that no blood But from , thy Heart shall these my Wrongs make good . 150. I will exclaim , and tell the houshold how With lustfull force thou here surprised'st Me : This monstrous Crime will cost thy life : for know My Ly can soon out-face thy Veritie . Had'st thou not better take thy pleasure here Than be for nothing thought a Ravisher ? 151. Whil'st thus Her lust foam'd : Joseph makes all haste How to escape ; and loosning secretly His upper garment , which she grasp'd so fast , Leaves that to Her , and out himself doth flye . Wise Serpents thus their Ears against the Charm Do stop , and cast their skins to scape the harm . 152. Potiphera an hideous out-cry 〈◊〉 ; Her Handmaid first , then the whole familie Scar'd with the noise , into her Chamber breaks ; Where on her Bed , hearing a wofull sigh , Behold , said she , this garment : Which of you Would think the Hebrew slave so bold should grow ? 153. He thought , because his Master was from home , My faith had been so too : He thought that he Might as his Lords Vice-gerent , freely come And challenge right unto my chastitie . 'T was time to cry : which I no sooner did , But hee , the guilty Hypocrite , was fled . 154. He fled , but left for fearfull haste , behinde , That Pledge of his unfort'nate impudence : For , confident he me should willing finde , He gun to doff his Cloths : Come bear me hence From this curs'd place ; but bring the Cloak with me That Potiphar his Dailings Badge may see . 155. When he came home she met him with this Lye And threw the garment to Him for her proof . He took no time the businesse to try , But judg'd that argument more than enough . Joseph's to Prison sent , a place lesse warm To him , but sweeter than his Mistresse arm . 156. He lay not long oppressed with his Chain , But ev'n the Jaylor He his Prisoner takes : Such pow'rfull sweetnes doth in Virtue reign That all Spectators she her subjects makes . Heav'n would not suffer other Bonds to hold Him whom Lust's Chains and Charms could not infold . 157. The Keeper now keeps nothing but his name . The Keys at Joseph's girdle hang , and He Is in this closer Stewardship the same He was in Potiphar's large familie : Yet has no Mistresse which might make him be As ill in Prison , as when He was free . 158. At length the guerdon of his worth drew neer , And dreams which had occasion'd his low state Help him to climbe up into glories sphear : The great designs which uncontrolled Fate Was into Egypt ready now to bring Are in a mystick vision shew'd the King . 159. Their curious brains the old Magitians beat About the Riddle , but were all too weak To peirce that mighty cloud wherein the great Secret inshrined lay : The King must seek Some wiser Head ; and whod'yee think was hee But this young Hebrew ? this the Man must be . 160. He teacheth Pharaoh what the Kine did mean Heav'n shew'd him feeding upon Nilu's shore ; Why sev'n were wonderous fat , and sev'n as Lean , Which did portend the famine , Which the store , What both the kindes of Corn foretold , what cares Were requisite against the following years . 161. First , thanks to Heav'n cryes Pharaoh , then to thee In whom its Spirit I so plain descrie : And who can better my assistant be , Then he who holds all wisdom's Monarchy ? The throne and scepter shall continue mine , But all the rest of Egypt shall be thine . 162. Then his own Ring , his royall Love to seale , On Joseph's hand he puts , and him invest's With purest Linnen : on his neck , which steel Had lately gall'd , a golden chain he cast's ; And his own second Chariot to him gave , Who lately into Egypt trudg'd a slave . 163. Thus what hee was to Potiphar before , What to the Taylor , now hee 's to the King ; The soveraign Steward and the Governour ( Set but his Prince aside , ) of every thing . And here at length , to justifie his dream , His Father and his Bretheren reverenc'd him . 164. Thus Chastitie's pure King his Champion sees Amply repaid , who having got Command Of his own flesh and blood , can rule with ease A Kingdoms reins in his unspotted Hand . Take notice Psyche , and remember this : The Case may once be thine , which here was His.
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO II. Lust Conquered . ARGUMENT . Lust , who in ambush lay , the On-set gives To carelesse Psyche , as she gad's abroad : Charis the over-powred Maid reliev's ; Phvlax unmask's the Feind : Her penitent flood Psyche pour's out , and is encourag'd by An heav'nly Dream to honour Chastity . 1. NO foolish Tinder ever yet did catch In its soft amorous Arms the straggling , spark , And with such desperate zeale make haste to hatch Its own destruction ; as fond Man doth mark And treasure up those fair-fac'd Counsels which With fatall Charm's his heedlesse heart bewitch . 2. No wretched Adder ever sealed up His wary eare with trustier Cement ; than With wretchlesse obstinacy He doth stop His memories unhappy Portalls , when Wholesome Advise with sweetnes woo's it , and Long knocking for admission doth stand . 3. Or , if at length a wicket 〈◊〉 he sets , His sleighted guest in some our-roome he lay's : But when vain fancie or seduction beats Summons upon his gates , He them display's , And let 's these strangers thrust quite out of door The former , who were scarcely in before . 4. For as the Honey of Heav'ns dainty Hives , The summer Clouds , snugging in laps of flow'rs , That correspondent Dwelling quickly leaves To churlish drops of lesse deserving show'rs , Or rankling Mil-dew , which such venome shed's As soon deflow'reth all those Virgin Beds : 5. So far'd it now with Psyche's carelesse Breast On which more dainties drop'd from Phylax tongue Than on Hyblean hils e'r made its nest . Abroad she will , and please her selfe among The fields wide sweets , forgeting that some winde Might steale upon , and blast her honyed minde . 6. The sportfull Twins of heav'n now 'gan to reign , And brought a season fitting for their play ; Thick did they scatter upon every Plain A flowry verdure and dishevell May Round about Tellu's face , who now beguiles Her Winters sadnesse with this moneth of smiles . 7. Psyche would fain have wander'd out alone , But that * * Conscience . Syneidesis her trustie Maid Hunted out every step where she had gone ; And | | divine grace . Charis an old friend of hers , afrayd What might befall the Virgin , follow'd too , Yet in her company forbore to goe . 8. As pleasures paths she in the fields did trace , It joy'd her much the tender lambs to see Skipping in harmlesse sport from place to place ; And who would be so sad and dull , said she To 〈◊〉 at home , when thus abroad we may Behold how sweetly Innocence doth play . 9. No smiling flow'r could meet her as she went , But gathering it , she with a kisse would pay The courteous price of that delicious scent It had so freely pow'red in her way : And still cryes out , how poore a place is home Which for such pleasure , can afford no room ! 10. Thus loosely tripping on , she came at last Through pathlesse Paths unto a pleasant Grove ; The gentle Windes through the faire Trees made haste , And in her face a gale of Odours drove . Needs would she enter , and see whither this Were not the Copy of old Paradise . 11. The courteous Boughs laden with generous spice Stoop'd to salute her as she enter'd in , And bid her pluck what Fruit best pleas'd her eys ; But there was none but did amazement win : Shee looks about , yet know's not which to choose , And in those sweets her sweeter self doth loose . 12. When on the sudden from a neighbour tree Her ears were captiv'd , as before her eyes : The mystick Chains of purest Harmonie Did with a soft inchantment her surprise : A winged Quire having new tun'd their throats , Were running over their exactest notes . 13. Divided thus with Pleasures , she does look Where she may sit her self to recollect : Close by , she gliding spies a silver Brook Whose gorgecus bank with golden flow'rs was deckt . There sitting down , once more , adieu , said she , Dull home , which no such seat could'st spread for me . 14. Syneidesis , her Mistresse being set , Pitch'd down behinde her , and fell fast asleep . Old * Charis kept aloof , resolv'd to let The venturous Virgin some experience reap Of her fond confidence , who needs would stray Like some vain Childe , so far from home , to play . 15. When loe into the Grove a monstrous Boar Wilder than was that place , did roaring come , And brought more terrour thither , than before Appear'd delight . Never did whiter foam Smoke on the Oceans stormy face , than now This hideous Beast about his own did throw . 16. As are the Comet 's , feirce with ominous light , Such were his eyes compos'd of fire and blood : His dreadfull tusks , the engins of his spight , Held forth their greedy heads , and ready stood To tear their Prey ; stern bristles hedg'd up high His back , which did all wrath of thorns defie . 17. Straight startled out of her unfortunate pleasure Away flies Psyche on the wings of fear ; Whose steps the hungry Beast as fast did measure , And swallow'd up the way , to tear down her . Loud were his roars , yet her shreeks did transcend , Which heav'n and earth and her own throat did rend . 18. Phylax her ever trustie friend was neer , Flying from tree to tree still as she ran , But was by heav'n forbidden to appear And reskew her who needs would be undone . He was forbid to reskew her till shee Had deeper felt her dangerous vanitie . 19. Her long flight having now shortned her breath , Which 'twixt her trembling lips lay strugling , she Cryes out , dear Phylax from these jaws of death The monster opes so wide , deliver mee . Where is thy God and mine , which loves me so , Where is he now ? O what shall Psyche doe ! 20. Here helplesse feare and fainting threw her down Unto the ready Beast an easie prey , Whose hasty tusk had through her dainty gown Unto her softer body tore its way : When loe a sudden speare flew through his neck , And frighted on the ground return'd him back . 21. A lusty gallant , * * the Spirit of Lust. Aphrodisius hight , Who in that luckie instant thither came , Directed it ; and straight , with equall might Drew out his glittering blade ; whose dreadfull flame A forehand strook the dazeled mouster dead , Whose edge took from him both his prey and head . 22. This done , he gently takes the virgin up ; Then with a courtly kisse he give 's her joy That she was safe . She scarce had power to ope Her eyes , seal'd close with desperate dismay ; But when she saw the slaughter'd Boar , and him As sweet and faire , as that was foule and grim ; 23. I see there are more Phylaxes than one Cryes she : This life , dear sir , which heretofore Was mine , your love hath now made yours alone : For my part , I had left it to that Boar , And laid me down to measure out my grave ; Whence you to me this resurrection gave . 24. Yet trust me sir , a life you have not given To one who can forget by whom she lives : Whether you come from earth , or rather heav'n , ( For seldome earth such strange salvation gives , ) My soule , big with just thanks , would learn and see Whether my debt divine or humane bee . 25. Lady , say's Aphrodisius , first repose Your selfe a while ; a little way from hence , ( For well I know this place ) a Current goes Between two flowrie banks : there will I rinse My bloody hands ; there shall you sit and hear A wounderous story , and due to your ear . 26. It was the place where she before had been : Thither they go ; and thither Phylax flyes , Perching upon a neighbour tree unseen : The gallant wash'd his hands ; and she her eyes , But in her own soft tears of joy , to think How she had com from death's to that brook's brink . 27. Then on the flowry Couch by her he sits , And ushers in his talk with cunning sighs , His feigned cheeks with lying tears he wets , Three times he strikes his breast , three times his eyes He casts up to wards heav'n , three times he smiles , And sigh's again , and her as oft beguiles . 28. At length : I am said he , a man who by My birth as deep ingag'd to fortune stand As any hee that lives , if Majestie Crown not his head , and Scepter load his hand . My stock 's the noblest in this land but one , Nor bears it any branch but me alone . 29. This made my loving Lord and Father spare No pains or cost which might his Son adorn : From learned Athens tutors hired were Whom first the wings of fame had hither born : Athens they left , but brought with them to me From thence the truer Universitie . 30. Thus did the curious wit of Greece become A member of our private family , And I with all the world convers'd at home ; Yea in their dialects too , as fast as I Could my young breath transform : nor was it long E'r many sate upon my single tongue . 31. A quick survey of all those steps I took By which Philosophers have Nature traced ; Then Mathematicks were my busie books ; A thousand lines I placed and displaced : To Heav'n upon the Artists Staff I went , And studied round about the firmament . 32. Of Optick lines and rays the powers I saw ; In Musicks mystick sweets unwearied Pains I spent long nights and dayes , and strove to know What reason married concording strains , What divorc'd discords : never , I confesse , Did any knot so pose my brains , as this . 33. The treasures of Antiquity , laid up In old Historick leav's I opened : How Kingdoms sprung , and how they made their stop I well observ'd ; with what brave Spirits did , How they their honours managed , and what The beams of their nobility did blot . 34. My recreations were those which some Made their whole work , and it was noble too : When weary from my 〈◊〉 I was come , To practise martiall feats I went , and so In both her brave professions I strove To follow Pallas , whom I most did love . 35. Oft have I been abroad , and seen the field With streaming ensigns goodly terror spred ; Where how much more I lov'd to die , than yeild , Upon my breast good witnesse you may read , Ev'n these sev'n wounds , whose mouths , once open wide , In mine own blood my virtue testifi'd . 36. Oft have I rode alone into the Wood To finde some wilde Antagonist , some Bear , Some Boar , some Lyon , the accustomed foode Wherewith I diet this my hungry speare : You well may gather by the certain Blow I gave yon' Beast , I am no Learner now . 37. And will you think Pride speaks the word , if here I tell you that my Fame swell'd great and high ? In 〈◊〉 , in City , Country , every where , Reports of Aphrodisiu's Worth did flie : No high strain'd Parallel was made , but thus , As good , or brave , as Aphrodisius . 38. To Court I never went , but fewer eyes Paid homage to the King 's , than unto Mine : Devoutly did the Ladies sacrifice Their Looks , and Sighs , and Languors , at my shrine ; Oft has the Queen gone out alone , whilst they Forgot to follow Her , if I did stay . 39. How many a prettie Embasie have I Receiv'd from them , which put me to my Wit How not to understand ! but by and by Some Comment would come smiling after it . But I had other thoughts to fill my head , Books call'd Me up , and Books put Me to bed . 40. This my Disease being known , a Lady sped To me an handfull of conceit , cloth'd in So quaint a Cover , that on it I read Full half an houre before I could begin To ope the book : and what did that contain , But a discourse to prove all Learning vain . 41. Bold Title , then said I , if thou can'st make Thy Promise good , by learning thou must do it . With that , I threw 't aside : but could not slake My curious fond desire to look into it . I look'd and read , and saw how finely wit Had whip'd it self : and then grew freinds with it . 42. Then summon'd by Civility I went To court the Giver , and my thanks repay . Look not , said I , for polish'd complement , I came not hither Madame to gain-say , But thank you for your book : if learning be So vain a thing , Wit would prove foolerie . 43. Between a blush and smile , she welcome gave To her new Convert . But , sweet sir , said she , I sent another book , in which you have More of my minde than in those leaves can be ; A faire-writ book , if you it please to prove , In rubrick lines , and characters of love . 44. I gave not that : O no , it was a Debt Which I did to all sweetnes pay in you . How could I choose ? for had I more than it , They would be more than due : but having now But onely one poore heart , your praise must be Not to disdain my helplesse povertie . 45. I would not for a thousand Worlds receive It back again : How delicate a Nest In your all-lovely bosome shall it have , If by that favour you will make it blest ! If thence you cast it , take 't who will , for Me , Ine'r shall love what hated is by thee . 46. Yet give Me leave to ask what Lady 't is Thou wilt exalt to sit Queen in thy Heart : Whether her face more gracefull be than this Which blusheth heer in pleading its own part : Whether her Stock or her Estate afford More arguments than mine , to wooe my Lord . 47. If not : then by these loyall Tears I shed Before thy feet , this my bold Truth forgive ; Thy love is due to me . Heav'n never did Make such a Man , for nothing but to Live . Thou ow'st an Off-spring to the World which may With Hero's furnish it another day . 48. As when the Pris'ner at the Barre has done His 〈◊〉 storie ; he does fix his eye Upon the Judge , and from his mouth alone In hopes and fears expects his Destiny : So look'd the Lady , with prepared eyes To see her Joys , or weep her Obsequies . 49. Full loth was I to speak ; but lother by Inhumane lingring Silence to torment Her most suspended soul , and make her dy Without her Sentence . Many a sigh I sent Before , to tell what Words were comming out ; At last , this labouring Answer forth I brought . 50. How wretched is his Blisse , upon whose Heart Whil'st divers Ladies of choise Worth attend With Loyall passion ; He must either part , And so destroy , his own ; or empty send Them all away but One , and thus be fain By many a losse , to make one single Gain ! 51. Had I as many bosomes as I owe To such sweet Creditors as Thou , with speed I would discharge my scores ; but first , I vow To thee , dear Lady , in whose Worth I read Such sweet Attraction , that were I to choose My Heav'n , for Thee I would all other loose . 52. But now my choise is made , and long agoe Unto another I affianc'd was : But who 's that Lady , is a secret so Divine , that from these Lipps it ne'r did passe : My reverend Mother oft with tears hath sought , But never could prevail to wring it out . 53. Yet I thy noble Bosome honour so , That I dare trust it there : onely be sure To keep this Jewell close , as thou would'st doe My Heart , a thing lesse pretious and lesse pure . Yet give me leave to cast this Charm about , For fear thou lett'st it and my Life slip out . 54. So may thy Heart-strings hold thy Heart , as Thou This Mysterie of mine : so may thy Love Be true to Thee , and to thy Wishes bow , As to my secret Thou shalt trusty prove : So may thine Angell hugg thy soul , and keep It close , as in thy Breast this Thing shall sleep : 55. A Thing which mine own Guardian Angell did Acquaint and blesse Me with . When through mine Eys Love first began his amorous beams to shed And with his soft Desires my Heart surprise ; This winged Friend of mine look'd through a frown , And told me that my Heart was not mine own . 56. It is , said he , thy priviledge ( and see Thou thank Heav'n for it , ) not to run and spend Thy Youth upon this wanton Mysterie : Let Others study how to Walk , to Bend , To Vault , to Dance , to Kisse , to Wooe ; For thee More sweet and generous Arts reserved be . 57. Goe court thy Books , and gaine such Treasure there As may inhance thy worth , and make thee be A fitting Match for Her whom Heav'ns prepare To be thy Spouse : whose face when thou shalt see , The reading on that fair-writ Book of Love , For all thy studies ample Pay will prove . 58. Yet to yon' southern Grove thou every Day Must Pilgrim goe , where thou thy Saint shalt meet , And of a Monsters make her thine own Prey ; That with no other Word she thee may greet But plain Confession that thine is her Life : Thus Heav'n contriv's that thou shalt win thy Wife . 59. These are my Fortunes , Madam , yet unknown Ev'n by the sweeter Half unto my Self : And sure your hand would help to thrust me down Into the bottom of all torments gulph , Should Wantonnesse invite Me to despise A Blessing higher than my Pride could rise . 60. Then happy She , the Lady crie's , who e'r She be , that must hugg Happines in you . And yet permit mine Eye one other Teare : 'T is not of Envy ; No : Deare Sir , Adieu . It pittied me to see this gentle fashion Of her sincere , but unsuccesfull Passion , 61. We parting thus ; I hasted to this Grove , Amongst whose spicy trees I knew would grow My sweeter Hopes . But Heav'n it seems , would prove The valour of my Patience , and throw Procrastinations in my way , that I Might earne its favour by my Constancy . 62. How often came I , and with bended knee On every flowrie Cushion of the Grove Implor'd the speed of my Felicity ! How oft in this sweet Temple has great Love Receiv'd mine Heart an Off'ring all on Fire With flames of soft but vehement desire ! 63. At length my Prayers were heard , and this deare day Did in that blessed Moment send mee hither , Which shew'd mee that my long expected Joy Was now full grown and ripe enough to gather . Had I not pluck'd it streight , the Monster had Of all its Sweetnes his foule Booty made . 64. First then to Heav'n my full-tide thanks I pay : And next , to Thee my noble Guardian , who Before my hopes no forged Bait did'st lay : Each smallest Circumstance agreeth so , That this the Lady is , and none but She Design'd by Heav'n to crown my joys , and Me. 65. All Blessings on thy head my Psyche : that I know for certain needs must be thy Name ; That Angell told me it , whose counsell put Me on this bless'd adventure , when I came To save thy life both for thy self and mee , And make of thine my joynt Felicity . 66. Heer then my Heart I give thee , and I seal The Deed with this true Kisse : May Curses rain Thick on my head , if ever I repeal What I have done , or challenge back again This gift of mine , whose fault is onely this , Of thy Desert it to unworthy is . 67. The Seaman by some furious Tempest thrown Into the seeming Depth of roaring Death , If he by suddaine Fortune back be blowne Into the gentle Harbour ; wondereth At his strange safety , and scarce trusts his eys ; But doubts a long time whither he live's or die's : 68. So Psyche snatch'd from Dangers desperate jaws Into the Arms of this illustrious Lover , The truth of her condition hardly knows , But in suspensive thoughts a while doth hover . Deceive me not , saith she , a frighted Mayd , To poore , great Sir , by you to be betray'd . 69. If still I live , and all this be no Dream , ( For sure your story 's such an heavn'ly thing , That simple I , alas , unworthy seeme To be concern'd in it . ) Be pleas'd to bring Some further proof : Where Miracles are done , Faith must have open Helps to bring her on . 70. Then be the first proof , Aphrodisius cries , This Diamond Ring , in which thy self mayst see The radiant Copy of thine owne fair eys : The next this Jewell ; what thou art to Me Let that attest : yet pardon me , that I Gave it that pretious Name , now thou art by . 71. The third that delicate Imbrace shall be For which all Loves are kindled : that which will The sweetest of Assurance give to thee , And my great Guardians Prophesie fulfill . Come , I can give thee leave to blush ; a Maid Of what she loves most , must be most afraid . 72. Were not our Case Divine , awhile I 'd stay , And by our Humane Ceremonies marry : But we did Wed above ; and what can they Add to Heavn's Rites ? O no : 't is sinne to tarrie : My Angell would have told me , ( never feare , ) Had it been otherwise ; Come then my Deare . 73. Forgetfull Psyche now enchanted quite By these his glorious Wiles , set ope her Breast Unto the Fancies of unclean Delight ; Forthwith a Knot of unseen Serpents prest Into her heart , and set it so on fire , That straight it flamed out with foul Desire . 74. But Phylax instantly descry'd the flame , And wakeing up Syneidesis , He cries , Run run , and help to save your dying Dame : Look how her funerall flames already rise . Up gets the Mayd , and instantly thrusts in Between the Lovers and their ready sin . 75. Psyche starts back , whilst shame so heavy sate Upon her Eyes , that down it pressed them . 〈◊〉 Wretch , cries Aphrodifius , what Has made thy Life so vile , that thou dost come To forfeit it to me ? I prithee goe , Die somewhere else ; I 'd be no Womans Foe . 76. O then , says she , Forbear to stain my pure And spotlesse Mistris . Fie , cries Psyche , fie , I know her not : My Lord , will you indure I should such saucie Servants own , as she ? Be it another proof of your strong Love , From Me this troublesome Creature to remove . 77. He , having sleeping in a Box of Jett A blacker Liquor drawn from Lethe lake , Upon Syneidesis straight emptied it . She rubb'd her eyes : but found her selfe too weak To grapple with that stupor which did creep Upon her Brow , and down she fell asleep . 78. As when the Childe first venturing on his feet , Carelesly stumbles to some Precipice . His tender Nurse , more griev'd , than hee , to see 't , Makes on amain , with most intentive Eyes Not on her way , but Him , who now she knows Is stepping into Deaths wide open Jaws : 79. So watchfull Charis , who did distance keep , Till her Assistance might most usefull be , Now put on speed , and rowsing from her sleep Syneidesis , , Be not dismay'd , said she , Come , you and I will trie what We can doe To stop Her who so faine to Hell would goe . 80. With that , as Phebus steals his subtile Ray Through Virgin Chrystall ; so through Psyche's breast She thrusts her hand , and strives to take away That poysnous Brood which there had made its Nest , Yet she flings back , and casts disloyall scorn On Her who griev'd to finde her so forlorn . 81. But Aphrodisius amazed now To see a Beauty which straight damp'd his eyes , A Beauty which on Psyche's face did throw Unlovely blacknesse , and monopolize All Heav'n within it selfe : recoyled back Some Counsell in his troubled Brain to take . 82. Mean while Syneidesis aloud does cry In Psyche's ear : Mistris , beleeve it now I am a wake , and see your Misery : But ô how foule a sleep possesses you ! What monstrous Apparitions are these Which your enchanted dreaming soul do please ! 83. Home , home , I pray : This Grove grows thick with Charms , And will be witch you from your self , untill All Help proves tardie for your ripened Harms Home soon will cure you , and your Bosome fill With better Flames than these , which onely be Kindled to make an end of You and Me. 84. Why stay We here ! See see , your Lover's gone ; Perhaps to fetch more Poyson for your Heart , And double on you your Destruction . This unexpected News made Psyche start : She turn'd her head , and saw 't was so indeed , Charis had forc'd Him back , and He was fled . 85. Yet after Him a heavy sigh she sent , And more would have dispatch'd : But tugged by Syneidesis , at last she homeward went Her feet went homeward , but her Heart did fly Much faster back , which Charis , as she came Behinde , did meet with , and brought safely home . 86. But Aphrodisius could not make such hafte As to outrun the Angels nimbler hand ; Half-way the cursed Grove he had not past , But Phylax lighted down , and bid Him stand . Stand Fiend , says He ; Thy punishment shall be Upon this sceen of thine own Treacherie . 87. Faire hideous sir , how has your wretched spight Clouded your memory ? Do you not know How mine and my illustrious Brethrens Might You and your fellow fiends to Hell did throw ? Did that fall bruise your Heart so little , that It , and our Victory you have forgot ? 88. Was 't not enough , that in your burning Home Hot Blasphemies you day by day did spit At Heav'n and God : but you to Earth must come And all your trains and slie delusions set To ravish his own Spouse , for whose deare sake I here his Leiger lie the Match to make ? 89. Poore harmelesse Psyche , how did Shee offend ! Did Shee incroach upon your Realmes below ? Did Shee e'r envie Hell to any Fiend , Or strive to snatch Damnation from You ? Sure you have injur'd Her , yea Phylax too ; For She 's my Charge , and you shall finde it so . 90. With that , He from his holy Bosome drew A golden Banner , in whose silken Lap His Lords allmighty Name wide open flew , Of hell-confounding Majestie made up : The Fiend no sooner Iesus there did read , But Shame pull'd down his Eys , and Fear his Head . 91. For as the Lightning darts on Mortall Sight Dazeling confusion : So the flashing Rays Of this bright Name the Furie did affright : When Phylax on his throat his left hand lays , And draws him to the Tree whose shade did cover The green stage where just now he play'd the Lover . 92. So have I seen a leering Curr brought back Unto the feild where He did hunt the Lambs , With guiltie ears thrown flat upon his neck , With woefull Tail sneaking between his hamms ; With grinning Chapps , whose whineing Dialect Speaks both what He hath done , and doth expect . 93. In vain He struggls : For the nearest Bough Phylax with potent Art twines round about Its own tough self , and teaches how to grow Into a Band more obstinate and stout 〈◊〉 was his Pris'ner ; whom forthwith He ties Fast to the Tree ; and home to Psyche Flies 94. Poor Psyche ; who no sooner was come home But Charis hasts her to her Closet , where The holy Furniture which trimm'd the Room Wide open Prayer-books , and Bibles were . But she so strange , an Eye now casteth on them As if her soul had never dwelt upon them . 95. Her tainted soul grown squeamish now , no more Such serious Acquaintance would imbrace : But loving Charis found a private door Into her Heart , and from th' usurped place Cast out that knot of Serpents on the ground Which round about her soul themselves had wound . 96. And see , says she , the token that your Love Hath hung about your Heart , and judge , I pray , What kinde of Favours His were like to prove Which by inchanting Poyson ope their way . If Heav'n with fouler things than these doth fill Your bosome , then love Aphrodisius still . 97. The hissing Serpents roll'd about the floore Which , and their shamed selves , they gnaw'd for spight , Amazed Psyche starts back to the doore , Afraid of what but now was her Delight : Till Charis with her valiant hand did throw Them , whence they came , home to their Hell below . 98. And now the Virgin falling on her face With lamentable Cry : Forbear , said she , My shamefull presence maketh any place Unworthy for such noble Company ; For bear dear Charis , let me blush alone , Left fouler here , than those Snakes which are gone . 99. And you , my reverend Books , your leavs shut up , Where my Confusion frowns in every line . When holy Eys draw neer , then freely ope , But ô , you are too pure and chaste for mine : Mine , which let out my soul , and in its place Receiv'd all Hell , which close I did imbrace . 100. They nothing else can doe but blurr you now with those perpetuall streams of bounden Teares Which for my wilfull Miserie I owe. O Eys , if ever your salt spring forbears , May you fail too : such is my state , that I Unlesse you drown me , cannot chuse but dy . 101. Shine not on Me fair Sun , although thy Ray With safety can the foulest Dunghills Kiste : I am a filthier thing than those , and may Taint thy sweet Lustre by my ouglinesse . Black Night will tell no tales ; O may she roul Up in her veil my correspondent soul ! 102. What have vile I to do with noble Day Which shews Us Heavens fair face ? that face which I Wantonly scorn'd , and cast my love away Upon impostur'd Lusts foule Mystery , O Me ! was ever Heart so mad as mine , Which would be divelish rather than divine . 103. Surely I will revenge my self on Her : I will a Tempest raise of Sighs and Groans , To scourge that Gale which blew so soft and fair To steal a shipwrack on Me : With rude stones $$Work$$ make this harder Breast without appear As black as 't was within when Hell dwelt there 104. I with my Howlings will these Ears torment Which were intentive to the Cheaters Charms : These Lipps which lov'd his Kisses , shall be spent In courting nasty Dust : these lustfull Arms Which hugg'd His Body , shall mine own chastise , Which now I hate , more than I loved His. 105. O all ye Griefs which ever fix'd your sting Upon a guilty treacherous Bosome , hear Unhappie Psyche's earnest Prayers , and bring Your stoutest Powers : my Heart has room to spare For your full Train ; ( Adieu all Loves , ) I now Must onely study to wooe Hate , and You. 106. Why was I born ! ( may Darknesse choke that Day Which lighted Me into the World . ) Or why When , in the Boars , my Death its mouth did lay Upon my throat , had I not leave to dy ! Why did I scape that Monster , to be thrown To fouler ones , Hells Treason , and mine own . 107. Why dwelt such flaming Beauties in mine Eye . As might allure , and shew to Lust its way ! Why smil'd my face with such sweet Majesty As bade false Love , be bold Me to betray . Why rather was I not so vile , that in Safe scorn I might have scap'd the Gallant 's sin . 108. The universall Worlds Contempt could not Have wrong'd or wounded Me so deep , nor thrown Upon my Beauties such a fatall Blot , As they upon themselves and Me have drawn . I 〈◊〉 not now been Heir to all Heav'ns scorn , If in Earths Eye , I Had but been forlorn . 109. O righteous Profit , of unrighteous Pleasure , Whose Totall summ's made up of desperate Losse , How justly , when We trade away our Treasure , Requit'st thou Us with rusty fretfull Drosse ! For all the Gains that Wantonnesfe brings in , Prove but a Bank of Veng'ance on the sin . 110. Still still I burn , my Fire but changed is , And though my Lust be cool'd my Guilt is hot , And belks , and boils : for wroth Syneidesis Blows up its more incensed Coals . O what Can help my enigmatick sorrows , who Thus on my selfe my execution do ? 111. As thus she lay lamenting on the floor , Which with her Tears was slubber'd : Charis who Had all this while but stepp'd behinde the door , Comes cheerly in , and cries , Break off thy Woe , Dear Psyche , t is enough , thy hearty cry Has pterc'd already , and appeas'd the skie . 112. The Copies of thy Tears which there ly shed Upon the ground , reflected high , and are Already in Heav'ns Casket botteled . Thy griefes now smile above , and have made clear Gods lowring face : look up and see how Day Shines friendly on thee , and does bid thee Joy . 113. With that , she breath'd into her Breast the Powers Of unconceived Sweets ; the thirsty ground Ne'r look'd so cheerfully when Summer showers The deep Pains of its gasping Drought had drown'd ; As over-joyed Psyche , now she feeles Warm in her bosome Grace's gentle Gales . 114. Gales , on whose dainty Wings Heav'ns Influence rides ; An Influence of such speedy Operation , That though all Opposition's highest Tides Roar in its way , through their proud Conjuration With instant Might it flies , and every where Findes Victory attending its Carrieer . 115. To Heav'n , to Charis , to Syneidesis Her thanks she mustereth ; but all array'd In scarlet from her cheeks : For still she is Asham'd to have been lately so betray'd ; When Phylax flutters in , and , Come , said He You to the Grove must back again with Me. 116. As when the place of Robberie you name The Thiefe in White or Red betrays his fear : So conscious Psyche's Heart shot through with shame At that unlook'd for Word , makes it appear In her apalled looks . Alas , said she And com'st Thou to renue my Miserie ! 117. Bid Me goe finde some desperate Rock from whence I may plunge down into the deepest Maine : Bid me post headlong to th' Infernall Prince And covenant with him for eternall Paine : Nay bid me do 't ; Or bid me not do this , Which is , to goe where my far worse Hell is . 118. I like thine Anger well , says Phylax ; but The Grove is not the same 't was yesterday : Another Visage I on it have put , Both chaste and safe , and so thy selfe wilt say . No Boar , no Lover's there : come let Us goe , Both Charis and thy Maid will with Us too . 119. This high Assurance cheer'd her timorous Heart Which stood in reverentiall awe of Him : Besides , her faithfull Consorts bore their Part In this incouragement . Yet did there swim About her brest some tender trembling Doubts Which spred like Mist upon her cleerer Thoughts . 120. Along they went , but comming neer the Grove Psyche began to quake , and closer cling To Phylax , who reach'd out his shield of love , The downie shelter of his heav'nly Wing , Under whose cheerly shaddow her He led Into the gloomy shades the Wood had spred . 121. For now those flattering Beauties which of late Had made that Place a Temple to Delight , Were all unmask'd ; and Melancholy sate Shrowding her 〈◊〉 selfe in mid-day night . The heavy nodding Trees all languished , And every sleepy Bough hung down its Head . 122. There Aphrodisius his best Teeth had tri'd ( And foure of them lay broken on the ground , ) With spightfull restlesse gnawing to divide The Withe by which He to his shame was bound More than unto the Tree : which He so shook , That all its frighted Leaves their Boughs forsook . 123. But seeing that new Company , He bit His Lipps and Tongue , and spit them in their face : See , Psyche , Phylax cries , the Gallant 's Wit , Who hopes to scape confessing his Disgrace : But by and by , I 'le make him finde a tongue To speak out his imposture and thy wrong . 124. With that he snatch'd from Him all He had stoln From Earth from Water or from Aire before , The beauteous Veil'no sooner off was faln But Aphrodisius appears no more : It proves an hideous Fiend , and Psyche cries , Running behinde the Tree , God blesse mine Eyes . 125. Forthwith a poysnous stink seiz'd on the Aire ; But Phylax quickly blew it down to Hell : And , Come , says He , come Psyche , ther 's no fear , Behold the Monster , and observe him well : There hung his cursed Periwig , but now Two coal-black Horns is all his Head can show . 126. The rest is Bald , or with soars over-grown , With which his Forehead too rough-casted is ; Though over it He polish'd Flesh had drawn , Too fair a Plaster for such Ouglinesse . See how the Boils run down into his eye To finde him fitting Tears when He would crie . 127. Like to some Ovens black Arch , so hang his Brows Over the furnace of his Eyes , wherein Delitious Flames did lately take up house , But now the Fire 's as dark as his own sin , And being fed with sulphure , doth confesse What is its work , and where it kindled was . 128. A double Alablaster Conduit hung Down from his Forehead , where is nothing now But those two rotten Pipes , not to be wrung Least with the Moisture down the Nose do flow : That banefull Moisture , which 't is hard to say Whether it be more Poyson than its Way . 129. Two Rows of Roses on those Lipps did grow , To sweeten every word that passed by : But now scorch'd black as Hel's own mouth , they show What kind of Breath is wont through them to flie ; A Breath like that which from the Chimneys topp Speaks it owne stink by what it vomits up . 130. His Cheeks which lifted up but yesterday Two Hills of Spices , now are sunk so low That like two hollow untill'd valleys , they With nothing else but Desolation grow . Now grizly Haire has spoil'd . his polish'd skin , Shewing what He to Satyrs is of kin . 131. His lovely Hands are now two monstrous Paws Whose Nail's much longer than their Fingers be . Sure his Imbrace is daintie , when he throws Those Arms about his Love . But prithe see What now behind the Gallants back doth trail , His courtly Sword 's turn'd to a dangling Tail . 132. Behold his goodly Feet , where one great Cleft Davides two Toes , pointed with iron Claws . The rest of his fine Body must be left , Sealed up close by Modesties chast Laws : Yet mayst thou safely look into his Breast , And see what Treasures there have made their Nest. 133. Look where ten thousand Charmes and kisses lie , And Complements of every garbe and kind , With which He doth on herdlesse Virgins flie , And Correspondent Entertainment find : Look where upon the Topp those Courtships be By which He wooed and inchanted Thee . 134. In that slie corner ( and observe it well ) Lie various Shapes which alway changing be , Shapes trim and smooth , and faire without , but full Of inward Poyson , which industrious He Subtlie improv'd and dayly did devise Handsome Impostures and well-favoured lies . 135. See'st thou not there the model of the Beast , That hideous Witchery which chased Thee ; With all the amorous Story fairely drest To Court and cheat thy credulous Chastity ! Never did Cozenage with more lovely Art Or Face more honest , act its divelish Part. 136. But there is something stranger yet behind : See'st thou that Scroll ? It is a full Commission By which he made this Voyage , ready sign'd , And strengthned by the broad Seal of Perdition . Come , I 'l untwine the knot of Snakes which tie It up , and lay it open to thine Eye . 137. Loe here a scheem of such confounding Letters , And scrambling Lines , as never Conjurer writt : His Forks , Hooks , Prongs , Racks , Gibbets , Gridirons , Fetters , And other Tools of his infernall spight Are Belzebub's mad Alphabet ; But hear How well I ken his mystick Character : 138. Satan the great , by mine owne Power alone God of Hell Earth and Aire : Immortall Foe To Men , to Angels , to Heav'n , and Heavn's Son ; Monarch of Pride , Rage , Blasphemy , and Woe : Out of our royall grace , to our right vicious And trustie friend and Cosen Aphrodisius : 139. By these our Letters Patents We doe give Thee full Authoritie the Souleto seize Of hated Psyche , that she may receive What share of Pangs our royall Self shall please Given at our flaming Court of Desperation This sixt Age of our Soveraigne Damnation . 140. This being read : He folds it up againe , And thrusting it into the Furies breast ; Goe home , says He , and ask thy Soveraigne A larger Patent : See thou art releas'd . But here I hang the Withe ; if ever thou Returnst this Way , thou mayst this token know , 141. The loosned Fiend fetching a deep drawn Sigh , And tearing his owne breast with helplesse wrath , Flung downe his Patent , and away did flie . The Grove smoak'd as He went : in all his Path No Tree did meet him , ( though the place were full ) But downe He tore it , and made hast to Hell . 142. This Spectacle so wrought on Psyche's Heart , That fill'd brimme full of holy shame and Ioy , Her equall thanks and blushes she doth part Between he carefull friends . Never may Day Shine on this face , if I forget , says she , Your Loves , and mine own reskew'd Chastity . 143. Farewell fond Passions . Heav'n above , I 'm sure , Is full as faire within , as 't is without : No Aphrodisius there ; but all as pure As is the spotlesse Chrystall , or your thought Deare Phylax , which from thence its pattern takes , And a new Heav'n in your sweet Bosome makes . 144. There will I fix my Heart : there dwells my Love , My Life , my Lord , much purer than his Home : Whose Paradise shall be the onely Grove Henceforth , to which my soul shall strive to come . Forbid it Jesu , any thing below Be master of this Soule , whose Lord art thou . 145. Thus sweetly breathing out her holy Passion , To ease her high-swolln , heart she homeward goes With her dear Consorts : yet at every station Renews her thanks , and her pathetike Vows . At length got home , She to her Closet hasts Where all her Soul at her Loves feet she casts . 146. What praiers were there , what thanks , what sighs , what tears , What Languishments , what amorous extasies , What confidence , what shame , what hopes , what fears , What pains , what joys , what thoughts , what words ! she dies And yet she lives , and yet she dies againe , And would for ever live so to be slain . 147. But fainting Nature ( for 't was midnight now , And farr sh' had travell'd and wrought hard that day , ) Permitted sleep to grow upon her brow ; And , though unwilling , downe at last she lay . Sweet was that rest ; but yet much sweeter was The Dream which now before her Soul did passe . 148. Imagination swiftlie carried Her Into a Garden where more Beauties smil'd Than did in Aphrodisiu's Grove appeare , And gentler Gales the aire with odours fill'd . Lillies alone on every bed did grow Which scornd comparison with Northerne Snow . 149. The goodly Walks with Alablaster were Pav'd all alone , whose smooth and spotlesse face Layd fairlie ope unto the silver sphear Which roll'd above , a comely looking glasse . Whither upward she or downward turnd her Eye , Still she 〈◊〉 the same Heaven's Majesty . 150. No Fountaine bubled there , but fed with springs Of purest Milk ; upon whose dainty shoare Unsported Pidgeons sate and wash'd their wings , Though full as white and pure as it , before . But thus one Candor powr'd upon another , Does kindely kiste and sport it with his brother . 151. High in the midst a princelie Castle stands Invincible for strength , and for delight , Built all of Virgin-christall , and by Hands As pure as the Materials were bright . A cleerer Court was ne'r by Poets braine Built for Queen Thet is in her watery Main . 152. Ten thousand Blushes stood before the Gate , With Magnanimities all hand in hand : As many Purities behind them sate ; And after those as many Beauties , and Young smiling Graces : whose sweet task it was To be the Guard of that delicious Place . 153. As Psyche wonder'd at the stately sight , She turns , and spies her Phylax standing by . What Place is this , sayes she , so fair , so bright ? He smiling cries , My Dear , for Chastity It was erected : Look and thou shalt see What kinde of Princes here the Dwellers be . 154. Loe there comes One : Observe his royall Gate ; Majestick , yet not proud ; about his brows A glittering Coronet wreaths his princely state , As in his Hand a Palm his triumph shows . Large is his Roabe , and after him below A Train imperiall on the ground doth flow . 155. This Pavement is lesse white , lesse sweet are those Perfumed Lillies , than that roab of His Th' Eternall Lamb from his owne fleece did choose The richest Wooll where with to cloath and dresse His spotlesse friends , and fellow-lambs ; for the Goe all invested with this bright Array . 156. Those gracefull Eyes in which Love's throne is set , Are they which did Potiphera defie ( Thou know'st the story since I told thee it . ) This is that Joseph , though advanced high In Pharaohs Realm , yet now more glorious grown , And can a fairer Kingdome call his owne . 157. The next's a Female , in the same Array : For Sexes here no outward difference show , But all like Angells live , since noble they Strove to forget their He and She below , And ( though then earthly Pilgrims , ) overtake That Purity which Us doth equall make , 158. Susanna is her Name : That radiant Face Which none but chaste and holy beams did shed , Two lustfull Elders made their daily Glasse , And with the Antidote invenomed Their shamelesse Hearts . So bold is Lust that she Dares hope to finde a Blot in Purity . 159. Cancer then scorch'd the World , when tender she Into her Garden went , there in a spring Almost as clear as her own Chastity To coole her selfe : But they straight issuing Out of their ambush , in their Clothes expresse , More shame than did Susanna's Nakednesse . 160. We too are hot , cry they ; but none but thou Can quench the furie of our mighty Flames : Thou art the Fountain where all Sweets do flow , And We must bathe and coole Us in thy streams : Yeild , as thou lov'st thy Life ; else We will swear That in Adulterie We caught thee heer . 161. Then welcome Death said she , thy face will be Fairer than is the Count'nance of this sin : Here she cri'd out aloud ; and instantly Her startled Hand-mayds all rush'd shreeking in , Whom both the full-mouth'd Elders hastened To catch th' Adulterer , who , said they , was sted . 162. Then haling her unto the Barre , their own Guilt upon her they throw , and she must die : But straight a Miracle crowds in to crown The truth of her unconquer'd Chastity ; And turn the Sentence on the Elders , who Whil'st she to Triumph , must to Stoning go . 163. There comes the second Joseph , but as farre Before in honour as in time behind : Little thought Men what kinde of Carpenter Was this , whose noble Art a way could finde To frame a life ( and raise the building high , ) Both of Heroik Worth , and Poverty , 164. Mine and my Brethrens Office ( though it be Both sweet and glorious , yet ) must stoope to His , Who was the Guardian of Divinity , And of the Mother of all sweetnesses . And yet no Angell envy'd him his place Who ever look'd upon his wonderous face . 165. What Gravity sits there , and what Delight , What Tendernesse , and what Austerity ! How high and humble are his looks , how bright And modest are his eyes ! how sweetly He Ev'n in this Glory seems not to forget That Cloud which upon Him in earth did sit ! 166. But look , and see thou start not at the sight , Those Rays , though more than Sun-like , lovely be ; Here comes of Heav'n and Earth the choise Delight , The Queen of Softnesse , and of Purity . Millions of Loves come tripping in Her way , Flown from her Eye in a fore-running Ray. 167. Behold Her face , and read all Paradise , And more , in Flesh and Blood : In vain we seek For flow'rs , for Gemms , for Starrs , to equalize The gallantry of Her illustrious Cheek , At whose sweet Composition , every Grace Came running in , for fear to loose its place . 168. All Cherubs , and all Seraphs have I seen In their high beauties on Heav'ns Holy-dayes , But yet the gratious Glories of this Queen Sweetly out-glitters their best tire of Rayes . What studied scorn would Pagan wits have thrown Upon their Venus , if they this had known , 169. This Mother of Divinest Love , as pure As is that other putrid ! Noblest Tongues When they triumphant are , and would be sure With life and blisse and joy to grace their Songs , First chant the Son , and then the Mother , He Begins , and she makes up the Harmony . 170. Her Crown is full Imperiall , yet not deckt With orientall Diamonds , but thick set With purer Jewells : for the most select Virtues ( because her own ) doe garnish it : And yet all those but the faint Copies be Of her rich Hearts Originall Treasurie . 171. I need not tell thee Mary is her Name , Who teacheth Majesty to be so milde : This cold dead Pavement lively doth proclaim Whose feet with new-born Lillies it have fill'd : Whose but the Virgin-Mothers steps could blesse A Soil so barren with such Fertilnesse ? 172. Turn Psyche , and behold ; Here comes the King The King himselfe , of Royall Chastitie . She turn'd : But as He forth was issuing , Intolerable Beams from His did fly Upon her face : she started at the stroke , And rubb'd her dazeled eyes , and so awoke .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO III. The Girdle , or Love-Token . ARGUMENT . HEr Spouse in Token of His royall Love A Girdle unto Psyche sends : wherein The accurate works Historik Beauty strove The radiant Materialls to out-shine . The Rich Embroiderie Phylax doth expound , And with the Token then the Mayd surround . 1. SHort Taste of Pleasures , how dost thou torment A liquorish Soul when once inflam'd by Thee ! The edge of all Desire would soon be spent , Did'st Thou not whett it to that keen degree That nothing but compleat Fruition will The longing of its wakened stomack fill . 2. The pined Man , on whom a thinner She Insatiable Famine , long hath fed ; Desires no Heav'n or Paradise to see But onely what lies moulded up in Bread . One glimpse of this , bids Hope return , and light Life in those Eyes which were bequeath'd to Night , 3. But if that Morn of Comfort damped be , And his young Joys snatch'd from his Eyes again : The fugitive Blessing mocks his Miserie , And by rebound exalts it to a strain Of higher Punishment ; his Fancie more Does gnaw him now , than Hunger did before . 4. So Psyche famished with strong Desire Of her dear Spouse , no sooner fed her eyes On his first Lustre , but that mystick Fire Turn'd all her Heart into Joyes Sacrifice . She 'gan to scorn all other Dayes but this Whose Dawn had broach'd such golden Floods of Blisse . 5. But when immensitie of Beams had cast That cloud of Weaknesse on her Mortall Eye , And she the long'd-for light it selfe had lost In too much light ; her Longing swell'd so high ; That did not sighs unload her Heart , and it , Th' impatient Tumor would her bosome split . 6. She sighs , and thinks ; and then she sighs again : For every thought which labour'd to comprise What she had but half-seen , makes her complain Her thoughts were dazeled , as before her Eyes . Yet still she thinks , and still she loves to be Puzled in that delicious Miserie . 7. And , happy Yee , stout Eagles , happy Yee , Crie's she , whose genuine Eyes are tempered To 〈◊〉 brave pitch , that the full Majestie Of your beloved Sun can never shed Such 〈◊〉 extremities of Heav'n , but you Can 〈◊〉 them in , as fast as they can flow . 8. You perch'd on some safe Rock , can sit and see When the young East unlocks his rubie gate , How from the 〈◊〉 bed of Roses hee Sweeter than it , doth rise : what Robe of state That Day He chooseth , and what Tire of light He on his Temples bindes , there to grow bright . 9. Into his Chariot of flaming Gold You see him mount , and give his purple Steeds Leave to draw out the Day : You see him roll'd Upon his diamond Wheels , whose Bounty breeds That populous Family of Pearls which dwells On eastern shoares close in their Mother-shells . 10. You see him climbe up to Heav'ns silver Hill , And through crosse Cancer make the Houres run right . There with his widest Looks your own you fill , And ryot in that royall Feast of light , Whil'st to your eyes your souls flie up and gaze On every beauty of his high-noon Face . 11. You see him when into the steep-down West He throws his course , and in th' Atlantick Deep Washes the sweat from his 〈◊〉 Brow and Breast , And cools his smoking 〈◊〉 , and goes to sleep Among the waterie Nymphs . who in his rest Waft him through by-paths back into his East . 12. Thus the kinde Day makes all her houres attend Your undisturbed Joys ; But fainting Me With one poor minute she will not befriend That I my fairer , sweeter Sun may see . Yet why blame I the Day ? She 's clear and fair : But you , adulterate Eyes , too cloudy are . 13. Had you been constant , such had been my Blisse : But you with faithlesse cowardize gave in . Surely I 'le be reveng'd on you for this , Till you repent your Treachery in Brine . Perhaps when Tears have wash'd you clean , the pure And free face of my Spouse you may endure . 14. These querulous sighs , by their tempestuous Blast Drove on the Cloud , and now the Rain began ; Dropps great and numerous down her Cheeks made haste For more and greater still came crowding on ; 〈◊〉 either eye-lid sprinkled in the Crowd , A living Rainbow on its margin show'd . 15. But as the Storm swell'd high in Phylax flies , And much adoe his yearning sweetnesse had To bridle in his sympathetick eyes Seeing how great a flood Phyche's had made : Were not eternall Joyes deep Printed on Angelick Spirits , sure now his springs had run , 16. But with his Wing he wip'd her blubber'd face , And fann'd fresh comfort on her fainting Minde : Quairell not with thine Eyes , thy Vision was Too visible , said hee , and they , though blinde , Perform'd their duty , being clogg'd as yet With lazie Dust , for sprightfull signts unfit . 17. Have patience , till that Dust be put to bed And mixed with the grave ; then shall thine Eye With ample vigorous Beams imbellished , Open into a full capacity Of viewing Him , whose lovely Princely look Shall be thy safe and everlasting Book . 18. Mean while , this Token He by me doth send Hoping Thou 'lt wear t for his sake next thine heart : No Lover 〈◊〉 woo'd his adored Friend With ticher Present ; That thou ne'r may'st start From his affection ; with this Girdie hee Desues to binde thee to Felicity . 19. The Ground 's a texture all of Turtles down Which dares call Virgin-Snow both harsh and black : For he himself deep dy'd it in his own River of Whitenesse , which its Spring doth take From under His great throne , where once when He But dipp'd his hand , the Fount proov'd Puritie , 20. Unto a Grace to spin He put it out , That the fine thread might answer her neat hand : Then in the Jewell-house of Heav'n he sought What Gems to Honour with this ground : The Strand Of pretious India no such Treasure shows ; Above , the Ocean of true Jewells flows . 21. Ten thousand glittering things he turned o're , And wish'd Thee every one , Yet if , said He I on my Darling throw this massie store , 'T will to a Burden swell my Courtesie : She 's tender , and I cannot but be so ; I wish her all , but these for all shall goe . 22. And those were Jaspers , Diamonds , Onyxes , Topazes , Berylls , Rubies , Amethysts ; All ready fitted for imbroyderies , But richer farr than ever flam'd on Priests Or Princes Crown : which as he sending was To set on work another curious Grace , 23. His Snowie Mother , waiting all that while At his right hand , melted down on her knee , And sweetly begg'd that Office . In a smile , ( His usuall visage toward her and Thee , ) He grants her kind request . Yet stay , says He , And let thy Needle of my choosing be . 24. A Twist of Glories o'r his shoulders thrown About his back a sportfull Qniver roll'd , Of metall in this grosser World unknown , The thrice-refined Quintessence of Gold . Yet was the splendid House lesse pure and fine Than were the sweet Inhabitants within . 25. No sooner He unlock'd the glorious Lid , But a pure Cloud of living Joys and Smiles Which in that merry Region had been bred , Breaths out it self , and the Spectators fills With vigorous Pleasures , and with fresh Desires To view that Fountain whence such Blisse expires 26. Innumerable arrows there doe lie Keeping each other warm with mutuall flames ; For mystick Ardor is the metall they Are made of , metall purer than those Beams Which play about the starrs , or those which flow From Phebu's eys , when they in High-noone glow . 27. The finest Rays which darted purest light , From his owne crown great Love himself did cull And these said He , shall be my Arms in fight ; With this Artillery I 'l my Qaiver fill : The Heavn's already bent from East to West , And that 's the Bow by which my darts I 'l cast . 28. Ther 's no such thing , beleeve it Psyche , there , As leaden Arrows , steep't in Scorn and Hate : Each Dart's a sonn of splendor , and does wear A rich remembrance of its Masters fate , For in his blood , the blood of Love , dy'd deep , Its tincture and its virtue it doth keep . 29. With these he wounds his best beloved Hearts , And by the wound sets ope to Life its way : Life is the point of these mysterious Darts Which with pure Joy and dainty Vigor slay . They slay indeed , yet still reviving be ; They nothing murther but Mortality . 30. The Hairs of softest Flax grow grosse and course When these draw neer , so delicare are they : Yet cruell steel strikes with lesse boysterous force , And with lesse fatall certainty doth slay . Immortall Eys alone can see them , but Not fence the Blow , if they at them beshot . 31. Love choosing one of these from its bright Nest , Applies it towards his all-peircing eye , From whose acute intention there prest A Ray so potent , that immediately The yeelding Dart does answer it , and now Becomes a Needle , and its Eye can show . 32. Then from his golden Locks , that curled Grove Where thousand little Loves for ever play , He pluck'd an Haire : and this , said He will prove Sufficient Thred to finish all thy gay Imbroyderie ; 't will stretch and alwaies be Longer and longer to Eternity . 33. Heer take thy Tools , and let th' Invention be Thine owne Conceit : for who can better fitt The Emblematick gift of Chastitie , Than thou the Mother both of Me and it : She bowing low , her thanks and Dutie throws Before his feet , and to her work she goes . 34. Millions of Graces tripped after h●r , The fair attendants on her 〈◊〉 rain , Unto that Tower of living Chrystall where Thy Vision lately Thee did entertaine : That Mi●●ie Way which downe Heavn's Mountain flows Its beauteous smoothnes to her footsteps ows . 35. Oft had she trac'd it ; ( for you see the Way Is broad , and Heavn's faire amplitude doth suit . ) Yet ne'r with cheerlier Count'nance than that Day , 〈◊〉 the decotum she did well compute , Rejoycing that this Virgin-work should be 〈◊〉 to the Mother of Virginity . 36. The Castle Gares did in a smile stand ope To see their Queen , and bid her wellcome in . She looks about her in that curious shop Of Purities , uncertain where to 'gin . Nothing dislikes Her , but she spends her care Among so many Bests , which to preferre . 37. The lofty Roofe of the illustrious Hall With Sighs and amorous Languishment was seel'd , From whence upon the princely floor did fall Full many an hearty Teare , which there did yeeld A 〈◊〉 Pavement , which the cool Grounds Kisse Into chast firmitude did chrystalize , 38. The Twilights teares 〈◊〉 in the Laps of flowers Reflected not so 〈◊〉 Heavn's rising Eye , When Phebus let in the diurnall Howres , And trimm'd his face upon the Morning skie , As these reverberated that fair Look Which from the Virgins entring face they took . 39. The Walls impeopled were with all the stories Of those whom Chastity had cloth'd in White , From antient Abels most unspotted Glories , Unto the latest Beames of Virgin-light : That Abel , who first to his 〈◊〉 tied Martyrdomes 〈◊〉 , in whose Bed he died , 40. But at the upper end a Table hung All of one sparkling Diamond , faire and high , Whose brighter lines can by no Angells tongue Be fully read . It was the History Of Love himself , crav'd by art so divine That every Word the Table did out shine . 41. Long look'd shee on this pourtract , and forgot By looking long , almost for what shee came : The Sight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her eys that shee had not Her wonted power to be Queen of them . At 〈◊〉 shee calls them home , and bids withall Her heart come back , which out with them had stole . 42. Then , ô. cries shee , that this unworthy Hand Could draw those lines of Blisse , of Life , of Love ! A thousand yeares I d be content to stand And practise heer , so I at length might prove Artist enough to forme one Copy , which With more than all Heav'n would the Earth inrich . 43. But my Almighty Lord and Sonne who did React his stories on this diamond sceen By his owne finger , can be copied Onely by it : Though He would make a Queen Of worthlesse Me , yet He was pleased still In his poor Handmaid some defect should dwell . 44. This Word straight summoned into the Cheek Of all the Graces which about her prest An universall Blush , to see how meek Their Empresse was : And give us leave at least Say they , to copy this Humility More due to Us , than unto royall Thee . 45. But , turning to the next her studious eye , And reading in that Table fairely drawn The sweet Exploits of her Virginitie , She blushed more than they , and of their owne Blush made them all asham'd , to see how farr It was out-blushed and out-grain'd by her . 46. What help , cries she , for He is Lord and King , What help if he be pleas'd to have it so ! If He my Memorie next his owne will bring , And print it in a Book of Diamond too ! 'T is not the picture of what I did merit , But what his love hath made me to inherit . 47. With that the Graces all upon their knecs In a conspiracy of reverend Love Assault her thus : Seek no more stories ; these Of thine , the best imbroyderie will prove . Degrade not what thy Son preferres , nor be Because he loves thee , thine owne Enemie . 48. Nay gentle Sisters , sweetly she replies , I , love my selfe too well to be so proud : Let other Hands applaud my Victories , But to mine own it must not be allow'd , Were that my Work , this Needle at each letter Would prick my Heart , because I was no better . 49. Loe in that Rubie Table there I see A heav'nly Storie : well the Man I know , A pretious Friend both to my Lord and Me When We with Him were Sojourners below . Pure was his Life , pure was his Office too , Cleansing the Way where Purenesse was to goe . 50. Whil'st on the noble Baptist thus her Eye And Praises dwelt : a Grace had fill d in haste Her lappe with Lilies , and the mayden prize Into a Chair of Alablaster cast . The gentle Virgin smil'd at first to see 't , Then down she sate , and made her Cushion sweet . 51. Her diligent Maydens compasse Her about , And with a Jewell each one ready stands . To her pure Work she falls ; and as she wrought A sweet Creation followed her Hands : Upon her Knee apace the Table grew , And every Figure to the Texture flew . 52. As active Fancy in a Midnights Dream With strange extemporall dexterity What Sceens , what Throngs , what Worlds she lists , doth frame , Making the most divided things agree , And most united quarrell ; though one Cell Be all the room for this vast spectacle : 53. So wrought the nimble Artist , and admired Her selfe , to see the Work go on so fast . Sure the ambitious Historie desired To this its own new honour to make haste , And purchase to its single Rubie Beams The various Lustres of ten thousand gems . 54. The forward Figures crowded close , for all Would needs come in , and rather chose to be Justled and throng'd , and nipp'd into a small ( Yet a well ordered ) Epitomie , Than in that little Dwelling loose their seat , Where sweet Contraction would make them more great 55. And now the Girdle proves a Multitude Of sundry things made friends and tied in one : But eminent among the rest is shew'd The lovely Master of the businesse John , One-different John , who , as the Work doth rise , Lives , preaches , washes , suffers prison , dies . 56. Th' Imbroyderie finish'd thus : that with more speed She might present it to her mighty Sonne , She gives command her Birds be harnested : Quick as the Word her ready Maydens run , And from the milkie shore of the next spring Five Paire of her immortall Pidgeons bring . 57. Her Coach was double gilt with that pure Light Whose grosser part fills Phebu's face with glory : Not glaring like his Eyes , but Milde and White , Shining much like its Owners Virgin-storie . Her Coursers take their place , and she the Reins Almost as soft's the Hand which them contains . 58. As through the whirling Orbs she faster flies , The new Imbroyderie to the Starrs she shows : They twinckled all , asham'd of their own Eyes ; So was the splendid Zodiak which throws His spangled Girdle round about the Sphears To keep in order and gird up the years . 59. Orions Blush confess'd how much this sight Outvied all the glories hee could show : His yeilding Count'nance fell , and to the bright Triumphant Apparition did bow ; Three times hee tri'd , and faine hee would have 〈◊〉 How to unbuckle his out-shined Belt . 60. But comming to the Soveraign Palace , she Hasts in to her expecting Lord and layes Her Face , and Work upon his Footstool ; He Her dainty pains with high Approofe repayes ; Yet , On this Ground had thine own Storie grown , The Girdle would , said hee , have fairer shown . 61. With that , unto his Cabinet hee goes , Where Spirits of purest Gemms extracted lie : Out of which Heart of Richnesse hee did choose The softest Dropps , and in one Jewell tie Such Rarities as my Tongue cannot tell : But thy dear Soul their ravishments shall feel . 62. For to the Girdle having linked it , He deign'd to grace Me who stood wondering by ; Take this , said he , and see how it will fit Thy Psyche , but more mine : Be sure to tie It close and straight , that by this Token she May understand how neer she is to Me. 63. The second Houre's scarce entring since I took It , and my leave : and heer the Present is . Come wipe thine Eyes , a purified Look Is 〈◊〉 due 〈◊〉 where the sight is Blisse . 〈◊〉 Phylax op'd the Girdle , whence such beams Broke loose , as drowned Psyche in their streams . 64. For as the rurall Swain , whose courser Eyes Ne'r star'd on other beauteous things than what Begay the simple Fields : when first hee spies A Princes Wardrobe open , straight is shot Quite through with Wonder , and in fear doth deem The sight is too too glorious for Him : 65. So mortall Psyche was at first dismayd At the immortall Spectacle : When hee Cries out , What Error makes thee thus afraid : This Zon's not torrid , though it flaming be ; Nor sent thy Spouse this Token to destroy Thine Eyes , but diet them with sparkling Joy . 66. See'st thou that Building there , which lifteth high Its shining Head , and scorns to pay the Sun Homage for any beams , ( for sanctity Glitters about it , and 'twixt every stone Lies thicker than the Cement , ) know that this Illustrious Pile , the Jewish Temple is . 67. Many long years had run their Round , and spent Their own upon Heav'ns lasting Orbs , before This Fabrick first grew to its Complement : But here a moment raisd it , and to more Magnificence than it at first could shew ; Such potent Art from Maries fingers flew , 68. That reverend Senior whose high-mitered Head Points out his princely Office , is the Priest . You in his awfull Count'nance might have read What his Attire proclaims : Were he undrest , He still with Virtues would arrayed be , Who now clothes holy Robes with Sanctity . 69. His left Hand on his Sealed Mouth he lays , Back to the Altar hee his right doth stretch : His Eyes are full of talke , and trie alwayes How they without a Tongue his Minde may preach , At length that Throng of People there began To guesse the Sense , and what befell the Man . 70. Whil'st hee did on the Incense Altar place It s aromatick Fuell , and supply What Heat or sweetnesse there deficient was By many a fervent Vow , and pretious Sigh : His Clowd flew highest , for the Incense smoke Soon fainted , but his sighs through all Heav'n broke . 71. And being there , upon their odorous Back An Angell gets : whence posting down to Earth Unto the Temple hee his way doth take : Where standing by the Altar , hee breaths forth A sweet repayment unto Zachary Of what his Soul had panted out so high . 72. Behold , sayes he , thy Vows and Prayers are Come back to fill thy bosome with Successe : I am no Messenger , great Saint , of Fear , Trust Me , and trust thy priviledged Blisse : Thine Heart so fruitfull in sublime Affection Hath for thy Body earn'd an high production . 73. Thy dear Eliza , whom thy Piety As neer in Virtue as in Wedlock ties , Shall have a son in whom thine Eyes shall see The fruit of both those Knots ; whom Heav'n doth prize So high , that I aforehand must with thee Bargain about his Name , John it must be . 74. A Son of Smiles and Gladnesse hee shall prove . And make thine aged Heart young with Delight , The Morning he is born , shall Joy and Love Together spring , and take their blessed flight To thousand Soules , where they shall sit and tell What Hopes , what Wonders in thy John do dwell . 75. Never did friendly Starrs conspire to frame So Fortunate a Birth for Noblest Kings : In Gods own Eye , wherein the World doth seem Lesse than these Atoms on the Airs light wings , Great shall thy Sonne appear : Let Doubting go , Immensitie resolves to make him so . 76. For whil'st hee nestls in the narrow Cell Of thine Eliza's Womb , the Spirit of Heav'n ( O how much vaster than all it ! ) shall fill His breeding Heart : which , when it once is thriven Unto a pitch mature , shall nobly prove To Earth , how it by Heav'n alone doth move . 77. No boist'rous roaring Wine , or rampant Drink Shall his sweet Lipp defloure : His cup must be Fill'd at some Virgin-Fountains Chrystall brink , And teach his Palate too Virginitie : For in his sacred Veins no fire must flow But what Heav'ns Spirit pleaseth there to blow . 78. And with that fire He Israel must refine , Israel o'r-grown with rust and filth ; that so He may make clean the Way where his divine Redeemer means close after Him to go . For braver Flames ne'r warm'd Elia's breast Than in thy Sons shall make their gallant Nest. 79. Alas , the Priest replies , decayed I Want Blood enough to paint a Blush at this Too worthy News : Can fifty Summers fly Back , and with Youth my withered Spirits blesse ! Frost in my Veins , and Snow upon my Head Bid me already write More than halfe dead . 80. Nor in Eliza doth less deadnesse Live : How then in two such Winters can there grow A Spring whose sudden Vigorousnesse may give New Lives to Us , and make them over-flow Into a third ? Sweet Angell thy strange Word May well some sign unto my Faith afford . 81. Sure then thou know'st me not , the Angell cries : For had'st thou known that Gabriel I am , Who in the Presence-Chamber of the skies Give high attendance to God and the Lamb , Thou might'st have well presum'd no fraud could come From purest Verities eternall Home , 82. Yet shalt thou have a sign , and I will fast Seal 't on thy faithlesse Tongue which asked it . Henceforth thou shalt be Mute ; untill thou hast Seen what thou would'st not credit : Then I 'le let Thy Tongue be loose again , that it may sing A Benedictus to thy gratious King . 83. The Angells Word full in the Priests face flew , And fastned mystick Chains upon his Tongue . He soon perceiv'd how strong it was and true : And with his Eyes and Heart fore-stall'd his Song . He thinks and Looks his earnest Hymn , and pays For his kinde Censure correspondent Praise . 84. This put Him in that posture there . But now Behold that sober Matron in whose Eye Sage Chastitie her reverend looks doth show . Loe how the Promise in her Womb grows high , And by its Silent swelling doth confesse The same her Husbands mutnesse doth expresse . 85. Observe that gentle Stranger hither come To see her pregnant Cosen : Her array Is plain and poor ; her Looks still seem at Home Though she be stepp'd abroad , so closely they Are shrowded in this Veil ; and Modest she Ev'n in this Girdle would not veiwed be . 86. 'T is she whose Handy-work the Girdle is , And who upon her self least cost bestows , Whose sweet Salute , with ravishment did seize Eliza's Heart . See how her Arms she throws In wide amazement ; See how fain would those Perls which have ope'd her mouth , her words disclose . 87. All Glories which our Female Tribe have crownd Cri'd she , shrink in their da'zled Eyes to see Those brighter Blessings which in thee abound Thou Wonder of pregnant Virginity : All happinesse dwells in thy God , yet He Hath now his Mansion taken up in thee . 88. For when thy Salutation through mine Eare Stroke Heav'n into my Heart : the Childe which lay Listning within me , prov'd that He did hear And ken the Language too ; nor would he stay To act his triumph in some larger room , But For his dancing house leap'd in my Womb. 89. He by thy sound knew what within thee was , And understanding that his Lord was near , Thought it high time to be at work , and as He might , begin his active office heer : A true Fore-runner , who doth leap unborn ; Unto his Lords strange Day , a wonderous Morn . 90. But mark that Knot of buisie Jewells there , Whose cheerly Looks doe some good News proclaim : The Infant 's born , and those his Kinstolks are , At 's Circumcision . But about his Name A kinde dispute arose what it should be : All these will have it none but Zachary . 91. His holy Fathers Name will sit most fair Upon the Son , say they , who now doth rise The long expected and miraculous Heir , From whom may flow a Brood of Zacharies . Whence should a princely Eaglets title be Drawn , but from his own noble Family . 92. O no , the Mother cries , mis-call him not , His Name , before himself , conceived was : 〈◊〉 wise Heav'n best understandeth what Title will fit its Gifts : For mee , alas , So much my Spouses Name I love , that none I would preferre , But Heav'n hath chosen John , 93. So hot the loving quarrell grew , that now To Zacharies decision they runne . See where he writes : that golden leaf doth show The Oracles Resolve , His Name is John . In what faire equipage those Letters stand ! For Maries fingers here did guide his hand . 94. No sooner had his Pen dropp'd that sweet Name But his long-froazen Tongue again was thawn : For Gabriel ( though undiscerned ) came And loos'd the chain which hee on it had thrown . The Pris'ner glad of this Release , does dance , And with inspired Lays his Joyes advance . 95. Behold his Friends in that admiring Throng , Whose Eyes and Hands Amazement lifts so high , To see at length his dead and burted Tongue Revive , and yeild a vocall Progente Of holy Praise : thus strangely answering That Birth which did from his 〈◊〉 Body spring . 96. That fethered , and parti-coloured Thing Who at her big-swolln Mouth a Trump doth hold , And hastens hence with ready stretched Wing , Is noble Fame , which posteth to unfold These Miracles in such commanding sound As may both through all ears and hearts rebound . 97. Look where she 's perch'd now upon yonder Hill , And from that loftie Pulpit round about Doth all the Quarters of Judea fill With stranger News than thither e'r was brought . Thus John , who came to be a Voice , speaks high First in his Flathers Tongue , then in Flames Crie . 98. But there the sceen is chang'd , where Desolation The sole Inhabitant is , except that one Poor Ermite , who chose his tame Habitation Amid'st its Wildnesse : that plain thing is John . 'T is strange how Mary Jewells taught to seem So vile a Garb , as she hath put on him . 99. That Cincture stands but for a lethern Thong , That Vestment for a Coat of Camells hair : No other Wardrobe did to Him belong But what upon his simple selfe he bare . No other riches will I own , said hee , But onely to be rich in Poverty . 100. I 'le rob no Ermyn of its dainty skin To make mine own grow proud : No Cloth of gold To me shall dangerous emulation win ; I live to live , I live not to be sold , And therefore shall be fine enough if I Be drest but in the robes of Modesty . 101. Let scarlets Blush the guilty Court array , Let wanton silke smile on the Gallants back ; Let linnen soft and pure as snow , go lay Its own on those who other Whitnesse lack ; My Bravery must be , an Eye to please Which sees no beauty in such things as these . 102. Let gaudy Fashion-mongers every day Mis-shape themselves , and vexe their giddy Brain To see some novell Cut or Garb which they Were never yet disfigured with : in vain Striving to catch the Fashion , which is still Like Phebe's face , but one day at the full . 103. My Fashion constant as my Nature is , Which taught me it : Nor is the Sun mid-way His Race , e'r I have travell'd through my Dresse , That East does ope mine Eyes , which opes the Day , And I arrayed am as soon's the Sun Who have none but my Bed-cloaths to put on . 104. This hairie Covering is my onely Bed , My shirt , my cloake , my gown , my every-thing . When over it these severall Names I read , His furniture I well can spare the King , The tumult of whose store doth scarce supply All things so fit as my Epitomy . 105. See'st thou that bubling Chrystall Psyche , there ? That spring's the living Cellar of the Saint , Thence daily does he draw his Virgin-beer , And makes his Blood with those coole streams acquaint . Coole streames indeed , yet such as best agree With the most fervent Flames of Piety . 106. His common Diet those poor Locusts are ; And when hee feasts , his Mouth hee lifts but up And straight those courteous Trees , 〈◊〉 mend his Fare , Sincerest Honey into it doe drop : And dining thus , he holds not down his face , Till hee to Heav'n has paid his sweeter Grace . 107. Here with himselfe He did converse : a rare And painfull thing when Men in Crowds doe dwell , Where upon those who crowd them still they stare Having no space to see themselves , untill , Well skill'd in all their Neighbour-company , But unacquainted with themselves , they die . 108. The rest of his Acquaintance all were high , Beyond his Eyes reach , but within his Hearts : For with what speed the Lightning down doth flie Through every stage of Heav'n this upward darts Nor will its sprightfull journey bounded be By any Rampart but Immensitie . 109. At God it 〈◊〉 , nor ever failes to hit Its blessed Marke , whither on Prayers Wings Or Contemplation's it takes its flight : And there with busie Angels rank'd , it sings , Admires , adores , and studies to forget There is a Breast below which look's for it . 110. How often has his fainting Body made Complaint of his injurious Piety ! How often has it cri'd , I am betrayd , My life and spirits all away do flie , And smile in Heav'n , whilst I below am left To live this Death , of death and life bereft . 111. That Cave his Palace was , both safe and strong Because not kept by jealous Door nor Barr : Those Groves his Gardens , where hee walk'd among The Family of Dread , yet knew no feare . Fear 's proper Region and Dominion is A guilty Breast , more than a Wildernesse . 112. Those Bears , those Boars , those Wolves , whose irefull face Strikes Terror into other Mortall Eyes , With friendly Mildnesse upon him did gaze , As on old Adam in calme Paradise . They slandered are with Salvagenesse ; No spleer They owe to Man , but onely unto Sinne. 113. So wilde , so black , and so mis-shap'd a Beast Is Sinne , that other Monsters it doe hate As a more monstrous thing then they , and cast About how to revenge it : But the Gate And Looks of Purity so reverend are , That dreadfull Beasts wait upon it with feare . 114. The beams of this Angelick Life at last Broke out and summon'd in the Admiration Of all the Countrey : Man , that runder Beast , Convinc d by these Examples , learn'd their fashion . Behold that thronging Rout which hither flies ; See how they stare , and scarce beleeve their Eyes . 115. These Deserts nothing lesse than such do seeme , Being crowded from themselves , and now become Judea's Towns , and fair Jerusalem Which hither have remov'd their populous Home . What now has John lost by his private Cell , To which whole Towns and Cities flock to dwell ? 116. And having now so fair an Auditory , The noble Ermite is resolv'd to Preach Behold , sayes , hee , the Dawn of that great Glory Which to behold , the Patriarks did reach Their Necks and Eyes through many a shady thing In your Horizon , now begins to spring , 117. O faile ye not to meet his spotlesse Beams With undefiled Hearts , for such is He , And will Baptize you with refined streams Of searching Fire . Then first be Wash'd by Me ; My Water for His Fire will you prepare , As must your Tears for this my Water here . 118. Observ'st thou Psyche , how that silver stream It s limpid selfe doth through the Girdle winde : This Jordan is , looke how the People seem At strife who first should enter in , to finde A better Baptism in those floods , which may Their fruitlesse Legall Washings wash away . 119. But mark Who standeth there : how sweet his Eye , How delicate and how divine his Face Embellish'd with heart-conquering Majesty ! Wert thou to choose thy Spouse , would'st thou not place Thy soul on Him ? 'T is He : ô no , it is As much of him as Jewells can expresse , 120. To be Baptiz'd , but not made clean , comes He Who is more spotlesse than that living Light Which gilds the Crest of Heav'ns Sublimity : He comes to be Baptized , and wash white Baptism it selfe , that it henceforth from Him And his pure Touch , with Puritie may swim . 121. As when amongst a grosse ignoble Croud Of Flints and Pebles , and such earth-bred Stones , An heav'n-descended Diamond doth shroud Its Lustres brave ejaculations . Although it scapes the test of Vulgar Eyes , Yet a wise Jeweller the Gem descries : 122. So John his Master straight discovered ; And Heav'n forbid that worthless I , cries He , Should wash a thing more bright then it , and shed These lesse clean Waters upon mighty Thee . Dear Lord , my great Pollutions bid Me fall Prostrate , and unto thee for Baptism call . 123. If I be Lord thy gentle Spouse replies , Pay then thy Duty to my first Injunction , It must be so . This Mandate did suffice The Saint , and He submits to his high Function . Cast but thine Eye a little up the stream , Wading in Chrystall there thou seest them . 124. Old Jordan smil'd receiving such high Pay For those small Pains obedient hee had spent Making his pliant Waves ope a drie Way When numerous Israel into Canaan went . Nor does he envy now Pactolu's streams , Nor Eastern Floods , whose Paths are pav'd with Gems . 125. The Waves came crowding one upon another Unto their Lord their chaste Salute to give : Each one did chide and justle back his Brother , And with contentious foaming murmur strive To kisse its Maker , and more spotless grow Than from its Virgin spring it first did flow . 126. But those most happy Drops the Baptist cast Upon his Saviours head , return'd with Joy , And to the Wealthy Ocean making haste , Amaz'd the Treasures which there heaped lay . The Deeps look'd up , and op'd their richest Breast To make these Guests a correspondent Nest. 127. See there thy Spouse is on the Bank , and more Than Heav'n come down , and pitch'd upon his Head : That snowie Dove which perched heretofore High on the all-illustrious Throne of God , Hath chose this seat , nor thinks it a Descent Upon such tearms to leave the Firmament . 128. And Heav'n well witness'd this strange truth , which at That wonderous instant op'd its mouth , and cri'd , This is my Darling Son , in whom are set All my Joyes Jewells . O how farre and wide That Voice did flie , on which each Wind caught hold And round about the World the Wonder told . 129. This businesse done , to Court the Baptist goes , Where lusty Sinnes , as well as Herod reign : Long Sanctity had made him fit with those Proud Enemies a Combat to maintain . He who does nothing but his Maker fear , Against all Monsters may proclaim a War . 130. Behold how Pomp besots great Herod there : O what impostumes of fond Majesty Pride puffs into his face ! Dares there appeare A Censor now a just Truth to apply Home to the King , and tell him that his Eyes Should rather swell with Tears , his Breast with sighs ? 131. Yes : there the Heav'n-embraved Baptist is , Who feareth not , but pittieth to see A Prince made subject to vile Wickednesse . Great Sir , the Match unlawfull is , cries He : O farre be it from Kings to break the Law For whose Defence so strong their Scepters grow . 132. Since to thine own Commands just duty Thou Expect'st from these thy subjects ; Let thy Neck Not scorn to thine own Makers yoak to bow . The Precedent may dangerous prove , and wrack Thy Throne and Kingdome , if thy People read Such stat and high Rebellion in their Head . 133. Thy Brothers Wife to Him as neer is ti'd , As He himselfe : ô teare Him not in sunder : You murder Him alive if you divide His Heart , all one with Hers : The worst of Plunder Is Mercy if compar'd with this , which doth By tearing off one Halfe , unravell both . 134. God , who has this Enclosure made , and Her To Philip given , still hath left to thee And thy free choise , an open Champain , where Millions of sweet and Virgin Beauties be . Adorn thy Bed with any one beside , Onely thy Brothers must not be thy Bride , 135. Must not ! th' Adulteresse cri'd ( for she was by ) Whither is Herod , or that Youngling King ! And shall the Acts of awfull Majesty Be flouted by this upstart pratling Thing ? O that my bodkin had his Tongue to bore ! I 'd make it sure for preaching me a Whore . 136. Be thou content , my Dear , the King replies , I will reveng thy Wrong , for 't is mine own . Rebellions fiery Boils may likelier rise From his envenomed Words , against my Crown , Then from our spotlesse Match ; which Heav'n long blesse ! Hale him to prison , he shall smart for this . 137. ( Unhappy Truth , how comes vain Flattery To be more gratious at Court then thou , Who might'st secure and prosper Majesty , Whil'st that doth Lies , and Trapps , and Poysons strow ! Is it because sometimes thou rubb'st the sore , Or , that thou naked art , and meek , and Poor ? ) 138. Deep in the Cities Bottome sunk there was A Goale where Darknesse dwelt , and Desolation : Through all the Towns proud Taunts enforc'd to passe The Saint is thrust into this Habitation : Where strait the noisome Mire doth him begirt , Much like a Gem , by Swine trode in the Dirt. 139. Yet these dead Walls , with stones almost as hard As that which for a Heart did serve the King , Him onely in a straiter Desert barr'd , For his high Contemplation still did bring Heav'ns latitude into those straits , and swell With Angells and with God , that lesser Hell . 140. This is his noble Companie , and He In his strict Goale more freedome doth enjoy Than follish Herod , though his Tetrarchie To all his loose Desires wide opes a Way . Sin is the foulest Prison , and in this Not John , but Herod the close Pris'ner is . 141. Yet Herod thinks not so : ( what pitty 't is That Thought and Fancy thus the scale should sway . And ponderous Reasons sober solidnesse Cast as a light and frothie thing away ! ) For rid of this same galling Preacher , He Judges himselfe and all his Pleasures free , 142. And in that freedom means to celebrate That Day which Him releas'd from Mothers Womb : To crown the Meeting with majestick State , His glistering Nobles all to Court must come , That Men might in the splendor of each Guest Read his magnificence who makes the Feast . 143. Luxurious choise of every kinde of Beast Was hither brought : No Bird so dear and rare , But it was fetched from its highest Nest , To build in some quaint Pie or Platter here . To Noahs Ark scarce came a thicker Crowd For life , then to be slain there hither flow'd . 144. With Earth and Aire , the Sea must help to trimme A more than Spring-tide superfluity : Large shoals of wanton Fishes here must swimme In aromatick ponds of Spicerie ; That Herods ominous Birth-day forth may bring Death unto almost every kinde of Thing . 145. Ambition was the Steward of the Feast . The Cook and Cater both , was Luxurie : Lust tempered the gallant Sauce , and drest The choise inflaming Dainties of the Sea . Loe there the King is with his Nobles set , And all the crowded Table smokes with meat . 146. Intemperance attended on the Bord , And crown'd with sparkling Wine the foaming Cup. The Kings Health first went round , which every Lord Drowning his own in it , hasts to drink up ; And prayes , He may behold as many years , As Dishes on the Bord , or in Heav'n Starrs . 147 The next's the Queens . But then Bowle after Bowle They to their femall Idolls poured down , So monstrous were those Draughts , that the Wines Soule Had now all theirs subdued , and was grown King of them and their Prince : who , belching , cries , Enough of this : Come now le ts feast our Eyes . 148. For hee the young Herodias had spi'd ; Whose face no sooner dawned in the Hall , But an enchanting meretricious Tide Of Sweets and Graces overflow'd them all . Her beauteous Looks and Dresse redoubled be , Because her fond Spectators double see . 149. No Syren ever on the waterie Stage Did act so true a false but lovely part The gazeing carelesse Sea-man to ingage In the delicious shipwrack of his heart : Nor e're was Sea so dangerous and deep As in this Damsells treacherous Breast did sleep . 150. Behold her there : What studied Neglect Upon her shoulders pours her Tresses down : How is her Breast with Gems allurements deckt , Yet winns more eyes and wishes by its own : That speaking Nakednesse , if selfe commends , And lustfull Fancies something further sends . 151. The rest of her Attire , so thin and light , With gorgeous hypocrisie doth lay More open what it would deny the sight , And whilst it stopps , invites into , the way . About she swimms ; and by a courtly Dance , Her other beauties price she doth enhance . 152. All eyes and hearts tripp'd after Her , as she About the Hall her gracefull motions measures . No nimble Turn could in the 〈◊〉 be But Herods brains turn'd too : who by these pleasures Again grown drunk , unto his 〈◊〉 doth Give ease , by vomiting a full-mouth'd oath . 153. By Heav'n , and my own Majesty , he cries , This Dance , sweet Daughter must not want reward : For never Venus traversed the skies With a more soule-commanding Galiard . Let thy Demand be high ; for though it be Half of my throne , I hold it due to thee . 154. But then the Queen , whose thirst not all the Wine At that great Feast could quench , unlesse it were Brew'd with the Blood of John , 〈◊〉 soon incline Her Daughter to request this Boon for her . I ne'r shall think , said the , that Herod is Mine , or his Kingdoms Head , whilst John wears his . 155. Thou know'st my Wrongs , and with what pain I wear The name of Whore , which He hath on me pinn'd : Help then my righteous Vengance on , and tear Away this Griefe which gnaws thy Mothers minde . This was enough : back flies the Damsell , and Thus sweetens o'r her barbarous Demand . 156. O may the King for ever live , and reign , And blessed be this undeserved Day Wherein thine Handmaid doth such favour gain , That halfe thy Kingdom shall not say me nay ; For reall is thy royall Word : But why Should a poor Maids ambition towre so high ? 157. Indeed that Promise did become the King , That like thy selfe thy Bountie might appear . But Heav'n forbid that I , so vile a thing , Thy scepters Glories should in sunder tear , And break mine Arm with halfe of that Command Whose Totall is too little for thy Hand , 158. A slender Gift more equall Pay will be To my Desert : Let me but have my Will Over one wretched Worm , which gnaweth thee And thy whole Stock : So let the King fulfill His royall Word , by giving Me that Head Whose Tongue deflour'd yours and my Mothers Bed . 159. Alas , the King replies , what have I done ! O that my Kingdome might my Word recall ! How shall I help thee now , unhappy John , Who in my Promise preach'd thy Funerall ! Thy carelesse Tongue at first thee Pris'ner made , And my rash lipps have thee to death be trayd . 160. O that to day my Lords had not been here The solemne Witnesses of my great Vow ! Must Death intrude , and its sad Warrant bear Date upon this my joyous Birth-day ! How Shall Lun-snarle my Promise , and contrive That both mine Honor and the Saint may live ! 161. Both cannot live , I see ; O that I were Some private Man , that so I might be free Of my repute ! but Princes Honors are The Peoples too , and by Community I should make all the Body perjured If I my selfe prove so , who am their Head . 162. And must John die ? Bear witnesse All how loth This Word doth fall from my constrained Lip , To recompence the too too hasty Oath Which from Imprudence , not from Me , did slip . Then take his Head : Yet never say that I Issu'd this Warrant , but Necessitie . 163. Thus strove the Tyrant by a comely Lie To veile the Visage of his hideous Hate , For fear the Damsell by his privity Might seeme to have contriv'd the Baptists fate : Whil'st dreading his unlawfull Vow to break , Adultery He doth with Murder back . 164. Was it not plain that his outragious Vow Did prostitute but halfe his Realm ? and why Must the blood thirstie Hypocrite bestow More than the Whole ? What Prodigalitie Is this , mad Herod ? For Johns Head alone Is worth more than thy Kingdome , or thine own . 165. Loe there the last Dish of great Herods Feast , The Martyrs Head in a faire Charger laid : He smiles within , though clouds his face o'r-cast , And feeds his soul on it . But the proud Maid Knowing her Mother by this Death would live , In triumph takes the Dish , and takes her leave . 166. The Royall Beldame in suspence did wait To reape her spightfull Stratagems event . But when she saw the bloody Present , straight Grown young with Salvage Joy , hir high Content She to her dancing Daughter does display In her own tripping and lascivious way . 167. Then much like some she-Bear , whose long-wish'd Prey Is faln at last into her hungry Paws : She tears the sacred Lips , and rends a Way Unto the reverend Tongue ; which our she draws , And then with peevish Wounds and scornfull Jests Her Womanish Revenge on it she Feasts . 168. But mark that Convoy of illustrious Light Which seems from this low World to make such haste : The better part of John there takes its flight Unto a greater Kings than Herod's Feast : That Goale , his Body , and this World , were three Prisons to Him , who now from all is free . 169. The Patriarks and Prophets all gave way When they this greater Saint approaching saw , Who now his blessed Harbour doth enjoy For those fierce Storms he grappled with below ; And sweetlier rests in Abrahams bosome , then In the adulterous Kings the lustfull Queen . 170. This is the Story which the Virgin Mother Hath round about thy Girdle made to live . But mark this well , my Psyche , 't is that other Selected Jewell which thy Spouse did give To crown the rest , and tie up all the story In one divine Epitomie of glory . 171. Divided 'twixt amazement and delight , The Virgin read the strange Embroyderie : But when on that last Gem she fix'd her sight , Immortall Joyes so swell'd her soul , that she Runs over with delicious Teares , and cries , Come Phylax come , gird me with Paradise . 172. Content , said He , but then be sure to shrink And hugg your self alone within your selfe : The Girdle's wonderous strait , nor must you think That any supernumerary Pelf Can finde a room in this rich mansion , where The outward Walls of solid Jewells are . 173. This said : before her self was well a ware , He closely buckled it about her Heart . Straight she complains : Oh , spare me Phylax spare My squeased soul , least from her self she start . O loose the Buckle ! if the time be come That I must die , at least afford me roome . 174. Must I be girt to death , and not have space To fetch one parting sigh before I die ? O me , whose sins have made my Spouse imbrace Me with imbroidered Tortures , so that I The riddle of unhappy Maids , must goe In travell with more than a Mothers Woe . 175. And so shee did indeede : Such matchlesse Throws And Pangs did sting her in her straitned Heart ; Till at the length she bringeth forth , and shows Her wondering selfe the reason of her smart , Whil'st from her labouring Breast she pressed sees A shapelesse Lump of foule Deformities . 176. Imperfect Embryo's , unformed Lust , Pin-fethered Fancies , and halfe-shap'd Desires , Dim Dawns of Fondnesse , doubtfull seeds of Rust , Glimmering Embers of corruptive Fires , Scarce something , and yet more than Nothing , was That mystick Chaos , that dead-living Masse . 177. O how tormenting is the Parturition Of tender souls , when they unload themselves Of their blinde night-conceiv'd Bratts of perdition ! How doe the peevish and reluctant Elves ( Mad with their own birth , ) viperously contend The labouring bowells of the Heart to rend ! 178. This makes Faint-hearted Mortalls oft preferre The sad Reversion of eternall Pain Before this Conflicts Pangs : So they may hear A quiet Truce with all their sinnes maintain , They are content , though Hell must with their Grave Set ope its Mouth , and Them as sure receive . 179. Psyche deliver'd of that monstrous Birth Now findes her Girdle fit and easie grown , Affording roome for all the Train of Mirth , With which her Bosome now was over-flown . She view'd the Newborn Thing , and viewing smil'd Not out of love , but hate unto the Childe . 180. As one from blinde Cimmeria newly come , Beyond his own ambition , into Arabia's blessed Fields , and finding room Both for his eyes and joyes , doth wondering goe Over those spicely Paths , and thinks that hee Doth now no lesse begin to live , then see . 181. So overjoyed she admired now The glorious Day new risen in her Breast , Where carnall Clowds before would not allow A constant beam to dwell ; but over-cast Her so , that labouring she had much adoe To spie her Heav'n , and see which way to goe . 182. For now her soul was clearer than the face Of faire Aurora wash'd in Eastern streams : Unspotted Thoughts flock'd in to take their place In her pure Heart , which now a Garden seemes Of Lilies planted on warm Bedds of Snow , Through which Gods Spirit doth gales of Odours blow . 183. All Sublunary Sweets she has forgot , Nor thinks this bitter World can breed such things . All Beauties to her Eye are but one Blot : The Bees to her are nothing else but stings : All Loves are Hate ; all Dalliance , Vexation ; All Blandishments , but Poyson in the Fashion . 184. For by this Girdle she his Pris'ner is In whose alone she reads the Name of Love ; And in the Languishments of softest Blisse , By dainty Torments doth her patience prove , Crying at every sigh , O Jesu when Shall I have liv'd this Death , and Life begin ! 185. What further businesse have I here below With flesh and Blood , whose joyes I relish not ! Who is the Conquerour of my Heart , but thou ? And since thy love this Victory hath got , Why must thy Captive not permitted be To wait on thy triumphant Coach , and thee ? 186. Though for thy Royall Scorn I fitting be , Yet why wilt thou thine own Choise disallow ? If I had still neglected been by thee , This Body had not seem'd my Dungeon now : But why 's this taste of Heav'n unto me deign'd , If still to this dull Earth I must be chain'd ? 187. O that some courteous Dove to me would lend Its fethered oars , that I my soul might row Unto the Port of my Desires , and blend It with the Tide of Blisse which there doth flow ! I never thought that Earth so low did lie , Or that the Heav'ns till now were halfe so high . 188. O why art thou so lovely , if poore I Must still live Exile from thy dearest sight ! This Token , Jesu , makes me lowder crie For thee thy selfe , who art more sweet and bright : O what will thy Supream Imbraces be , If this small Cincture thus has ravish'd me . 189. I yeild , I yeild , great Lord : Why must thy Dart Be alwayes killing Me , yet never slay My ever-dying still-surviving Heart ! Why must thy Flames which on my Bosome prey , Still burn , but not consume ; O why must I Too , be no Mortall here , but with them vie ? 190. O Absence , never was there Present Hell So true as thou unto its dismall Name ! O cruell Hope , which onely do'st reveal A tempting glimpse of light , but hid'st the Fame ; That so the sweetly-mocked Eye may be Assur'd by that short sight , she does not see . 191. Intolerable Joys why smart you so , Pricking on my impatient Desires ! O Sighs , what means your Breath my Flames to blow ! O Tears , why must your Waters quench my Fires ! Dear Girdle help Me : If thou should'st be slack , Soon would my over-burdned Heart-strings crack .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO IV. The Rebellion . ARGUMENT . GAll'd with severe Devotions constant Yoak The Senses , and the Passions rebell : Having the Spirit of Pride for Generall took , By fair-tongu'd Treason they with Psyche deal . Reason's surpris'd and into Prison thrown . The Will revolts , and Psyche's left alone . 1. PRosperity , how false art thou unto Thy blessed Name , who with a comely Cheat Unwary Hearts so potently do'st wooe That thine all-rotten Bottome they forget , And thinke thy Foot sure on a Rock doth stand , Whil'st thy Foundation is the fruitlesse sand . 2. The Day which smil'd so briskly in the Morn And left no frown in all the face of Heav'n , E'r night hath oft been made the Prey and Scorn 〈◊〉 swarthy Clouds , so furiously driven , That Phebu's stoutest help was all in vain When he the gaudie skie strove to maintain . 3. The Sea , in looks demure , and pleasant dress , Hath often bid the Mariner been bold : When straight an unsuspected storm doth press Through the lamenting Aire , till having roll'd Into a foaming Mount the monstrous Deep , In brine it buries the presumptious ship . 4. Eternall Change doth wheel all Heav'n about : What Patent then can seal Security To things below ? How doth proud Fortune flout The gayest Confidence which foolish We Are not afraid to build : but vainly trust Our Hopes are firm , whil'st we our selves are Dust. 5. Weak Dust , on which the least Winde domineers Which through this Clime of mortall Life doth blow : A life , which if not fortifi'd by Fears And wise suspitions , to all storms doth bowe : A life so treacherous in its friendliest Hue , That Saints themselves have found its falsensse true . 6. Whil'st Psyche feasteth her luxuriant Heart With amorous Tortures , and does day by day Riot and surfet in delicious smart , Which rellish sweeter to her soule than they , Who both their late and early studies spent To cherrish Her with Naturall Content . 7. A knot of Friends with Her together born , And under one soft Roof of the same skin Tenderly nourish'd , stomack'd much the scorn She heap'd on them , who thought their onely sin Was too much love to her ; a Crime which might More pardon challenge than Revenge invite . 8. 'T is true , said they , that we her servants be : And yet as truely are her sisters too : Had our originall Seniorite It s native priviledge , We all should go Before , and she the Youngling , come behinde : Sure she should not have found Us so unkinde . 9. But now sh' has chanc'd to get the upper Hand , She makes Us feele it in her Tyrannie . So Upstarts use to doe where they command , Being to weak to weild their Royaltie . Like paltrie Currents , which swoll'n high , do poure More Rage than sober streams about the shore . 10. We must not eat , nor drink , nor sleep , nor play , But when she lists : and ô how seldom 's that ! Great bus'nesse she pretends both night and day , Imploy'd about nor We nor She knows what . It tickles Her , but hard on Us doth grate , She calls it Love , but wee all finde it Hate , 11. Yet be it what it will , what 's that to Us Who are not bound Her humors to fulfill With our own Ruine ? Since Her stomack thus Is wild and rampant , why should wee sit still With desperate Patience , till wee be undone ? What need wee fear Her ? We are Five to One. 12. As when th' imprison'd Fire in earth below Vex'd with those straits , begins to move and swell , Its dungeon first it shakes , then forth doth blow Its full-mouth'd indignation , and fill The World with Tumult , tearing down the Trees , Dismounting Mountains , plowing up the Seas : 13. So did their sullen murmur gather strength Still day by day , by mutinous degrees , Boyling to such impatience , that at length By flat Rebellion they resolve to ease Their over-charged stomacks ; and one day All met at Councell , thus their Griefs display : 14. 'T was in an upper Chamber , dark and close , Arch'd with thin Ivorie : For their common seat A white and soft and living Counch they chose , And there the * * The Common Sense , Master of the House intreat To hear their publike Case . Content , said he , 'T is just I to my Friends should friendly be . 15. The large Supplies of all my store I owe To your unwearied Care and Pains , which bring Plenty of all Varieties that grow In Heav'n , or Earth , or Sea : the welthiest King Could not out-vie that furniture which You To crown my Table daily did allow . 16. But now , alas , I see my Tribut's thin : Some Lazie sullen melancholick things Doe now and then come hither sneaking in ; But all your brisk and cheerly Offerings Are intercepted ; and 't is well that you Begin , else I had been the Plantiff now . 17. They all were glad to hear their Censor speak In their own discontented Dialect : But straight their fond Ambitions did awake A strife who should begin : In high neglect Of all her Sisters , * * The Sense of Seeing Opsis knits her brows And darts of indignation on them throws . 18. Who is your Queen but I , who sit , said she , Exalted high upon my double Throne , Whilst all your Motions regulated be By my Imperiall Direction : Blinde Fools , what could you do , wer 't not for Me , In setting on our brave Conspiracie ? 19. That proud Word from her Mouth no sooner flew , But * * Of Smelling . Osphresis in scorn did snuff it up : Inraged † † Of Tasting Geusis bit her lips , which grew So big with boiling wrath , she scarce could stop Her Tongue from railing Vengance : * * Of Hearing . Acoe Prick'd up her ears , and look'd as big as she . 20. But irefull † † Of Touching Haphe less could rule her pride , Imperious Dame , cri'd she , how darest thou Who in two little tender Cells are ti'd , Such saucie scorn on all thy Sisters throw ? Dost thou not plainly see my Empire spred Through all the Body , ev'n from Foot to Head ? 21. Doe I not domineer in and about Thy totall selfe ? would not this single Naile Sufficient be to tear your Queenship out From both your Thrones ? Alas , should I assaile Thee with two wretched Motes , they would suffice To damp that Day in which thou prid'st thine Eyes , 22. Thus is Rebellion alwaies Quarrelsome Ev'n with it selfe . Had not their Judge made haste To stifle their Contention in the womb , Flat Warre had been brought forth : But in hee cast His peremptory Sentence : Hold , said He , I in my House must have you all agree . 23. This is the Main , how small so e'r it seems , : Whether all your severall winding Courses tend : Here doe you poure in your concurrent streams , And in this Sea of Sense your Rivers blend : A Sea where never storm arose as yet , Farre be it then , I now should suffer it . 24. I love you All , and if it could but be , Would wish that every One might be supream . 'T is true what noble Haphe sayes , and she Most like my selfe doth Universall seem : Yet she is of a courser mixture , and As well as highest , does the lowest stand . 25. But gallant Opsis sprightfull is , and bright , The glass or Heav'n above , and Heav'n below . Her seat's compleatly highest , and the Right Of her Precedency her Beams do show . She 's all your Candle , and before must goe : Ev'n your own Interest requires it so . 26. Condemned Haphe to this Sentence paid Scornfull obedience , vowing not to speak At all , or be the last . But straight array'd In joyous Aspect , Opsis did awak Her richest sweets , to let her sisters see What cause she had to scorn their Poverty . 27. Yet what means Joy to smile in these mine Eyes Said she , so long as Psyche Domineers And makes them worse than Blinde ? Could it suffice Her now and then to set abroach my Teares , 'T were tolerable : but alas poor I Must in my sorrows alway steeping lie . 28. The Ocean with lesse Constancie doth throw Its Tide of Salt upon the troubled shore , Than from my Springs the streames are forc'd to flow And down my scalded Cheeks their Billows poure . O why must here be everlasting Brine , Whil'st all Tides else doe know an Ebb but mine ! 29. Yet were these Floods found needfull to make clean Mine Eyes and mee , I would not think them dear : But what Crime stains Us ? Is 't that we have seene All Beauties round about the Hemispheer ? What were We made for else ? Alas that we For our Creations End must guilty be . 30. More justly Psyche Articles might draw Against that God on whom she fawneth so . Is 't not by His irrefragable Law , That through all Visibility wee goe ? Bold Hypocrite who her own faults doth thus Reveng upon her God by torturing Us. 31. Are not the Eyes those universall Glasses In which the World doth fairly copied lie ? Man for a Microcosme by favour passes , But in a blinde and duskie Mystery : I am the onely faithfull Mirrour , where All things in their true colours painted are . 32. Nay Psyche too , although her mixture be Pure and spirituall , knows not how to hide Her subtile self from my Discovery : She by these Windows eas'ly is descri'd , Whether she wakes or sleeps , or rests or moves , Whether she sighs or smiles , or hates or loves . 33. Sure would proud she deign to observe how I Am fram'd and seated , she could not despise The manifest and secret Majesty Which doth both compasse , and compose mine Eyes . But she is angry , and doth plainly prove That Hate is also blind , as well as Love . 34. Were it not so , she might discern this Brow , The princely Arch which roofs my Habitation : In which as resolute Disdain doth grow As she can dart at it : This is the fashion Of the fair world above , whose radiant Eye The upper Orbs have arch'd with Majesty . 35. Those double Doors , whose hinges are my Will , Both shut and open without pain and noise : Else could they not catch tender Sleep , which still Is coy and shie , and flies from every Voice . These are my East and West ; My Day by these Doth rise and set , as often as I please . 36. At either Gate a double Guard of Pikes With prest attendance stands both night and day , Which gives admission unto those it likes , But to injurious Guests shuts up the way . Right trusty Hairs ; whose faithfull Fear , to Me Breeds no Dishonour , but Security . 37. Full is my House of nimble Servants , who Their diligent selves in all my Businesse stretch , Which way soever I desire to goe With sweet activity they thither reach . No Princes steeds with greater speed or ease Devoure their way , than I am roll'd by these . 38. Six pretious Curtains close imbrace my Bed Where I in dainty state inshrined lie : The Adnate Tunicle is outmost spred Which doth protection to the rest supply , And in her bosome shrowd both them and mee From hasty Motions importunity . 39. The next , a Corneous Veil , both firm and bright ; My naturall Lanthorne , whose diaphanous side As it transmits , so it preserves the Light By which the Body and my selfe I guide . No Time can spend this Lamp , no boistrous storm Can puff it out , or breath it any harm . 40. The third of Grapes , soft polish'd Coat is made , Yet with a gentle Roughnesse lin'd within , Through which all kindes and tribes of Colours trade And traffick with the inner Chrystalline : The doubtfull skin of Polypus did ne'r Slide through such various Looks as sport it here . 41. This opes a Casement to the Pupil , which My gaudy Iris round about doth dresse With perfect beauties , shaming all those rich Streaks of the Heav'n above , which can expresse Onely the semi-glories of a Bow , Mine doth a faire and totall Circle show . 42. The fourth 's that tender Membran which doth kisse And hugg the tenderer Pupil : when the Light Looks with full court'sie on the Eye , then this Opes wide to meet and drink it in : when Night Doth draw her sable Curtains over Heav'n , This doth the Pupill shrink into its Ev'n , 43. The fift of Chrystall is , soft , warm , and thin , Found no where but in my rich Treasury ; This is that noblest Glasse of Life , wherein Things living live again , and things which lie Dead every where beside , enlivened be , And trip about with brisk activity . 44. The sixt's a Texture of so fine a threed That neat Arachne did the Spinster seem , Whose matchlesse Artifice so clear is read In every Line , that thence it takes its name : We call 't Aranea , a Net whereby I catch the purest-winged Beams that flie . 45. Besides , such pretious Humors I contain As mee adorn with richer puritie , Than does the boundlesse jewell-paved Main Its Empresse Thetis : She in all her Sea Is but of one salt-roy'led liquor Queen , But I of three , all thrice-refin'd and clean . 46. That which does outmost smile , is Waterie , The spotlesse Cover of a purer thing , For under it doth liquid Chrystall lie Couch'd on a Bed almost as ravishing As its illustrious Selfe , a molten Bed Of gentle Glasse , upon the bottome spred . 47. And in the Mirrour of this triple Spring All sorts of sprightfull formes delight to play ; The mystick shapes of every kind of Thing Close moulded in a soft and unseen Ray On Instant's posting wings doe hither flie And dive into these Deeps of Purity . 48. Who knows not that great Love tak's from the Eye His Ammunition , Qaiver , Bow , and Darts , And winns by that soft-fierce Artillery His mighty Principalitie of Hearts ! Had He himselfe had Eys , what might He not Have done who has such power by others got ? 49. These my domestike Beauties are But see My outward equal Store : With that she bid Her Princely Traine march forth , When instantlie A silver Globe roll'd in , embellished With gilded starrs , which round about did turne , And wheel from Ev'n through all the Night to Morn . 50. This done : a dusky Veil she threw aside And through a roseall East let ope the Day : The Sun gat up , and as the Globe did glide , Speeded into the West his Golden way : Where red and hot with his long journey , He Entred the coole Bath of th' Atlantick Sea . 51. Then came the blustring Winds , & on their back Brought labouring Clouds : some pour'd out Haile and Snow , Some spit forth Lightning through a thundering Crack , Some with more peacefull showres of Rain did flow , Some dropp'd down monstrous Vermin , some a stood Of not-desired Corn , some squeas'd out blood . 52. But then the Spring came blooming in , array'd With fragrant Green , whose sweet Embroidery Were Budds of Virgin smiles , which there display'd A sceen of living Joys , all echoed by Ten thousand Birds which perch'd on every Tree Tun'd their soft Pipes to Natures harmonie . 53. Yet underneath , with higher gallantry , The Peacock strutted , whose expanded Train Enammelled with gorgeous Majesty Did Heav'ns bright Modell represent again : Yet that Bowles wincking Eyes could not express So full a Proof of Heav'n , as flam'd in these . 54. Summer came next with her own Riches crown'd A wreath of Flowers upon her goodly Head ; Full sheaves of golden store did her surround And all her way with wholesome Plenty spread , Where as she went , no Tree but reach'd his At ( For it was hot ) to shade her Head from harm . 55. Then follow'd Autumn , with her Bosome full Of every Fruit which either tempts the Eye Or charms the Taste : Here Wantonnesse might cull And weary grow : Here wide-mouth'd Luxury Might gormandize her fill , and with farre more Ease her own Lust devour , than spend this store . 56. At last came drooping Winter slowly on , For Frost hung heavy on his heels ; the Year Look'd old and pale in him , and almost gone . He quak'd and shiver'd through his triple Furr , For still what way soever He did creep He 's to the knees in Snow at every step . 57. For snow was all things now : and in this White , The wanton World which all this while made sport In Autumus , Summers , and in Springs delight , Must ( girded up by Ice ) doe penance for 't . This cold chaste strait-lac'd Garb will best repell The Faults which those hot Seasons taught to swell 58. This Pageant being past : up leap'd upon The stage a City , whose high-lifted Head Threatned the Clouds with interruption : What Art was here to Riches married ! How thick the Marble Spires and Towers stood Shading the Houses with a stoney Wood ; 59. But like an awfull Crown to all the rest The Princes Palace mounted fair and high Proclaimed by its double gilded Crest It s own and its great Owners Majestie : Yet was this outward Pomp but a course skin To those rare Wonders which did shine within , 60. Heere was the Jewell-house , where naked lay Such store of Gemms as might enrich the Sea : There in the Wardrobe , in well-wrought array Their sparkling Bretheren were taught to be The clothing of those Cloths Embroyderers had To pride the backe of scornfull Courtship made . 61. Here stood the Chequer , that great Temple where The Worlds dear Idoll in huge heaps did lie : There was a Store-house of the choise and rare Productions found by Opticks Industry : The schoole of Admiration , and the shop Of Miracles in Glasses treasured up . 62. Heer Men and Beasts and Birds were all of kin , Being extracted from one common Womb , Of the brave Proconnesian Marble Mine : And where the Statuary wanted roome , The Painters livelier Lies did wooe the Sight To sport in his lesse cumbersome Delight . 63. But in the Presence-chambers Ocean mett The Confluence of every royall thing : A golden Throne on silver floore was sett , Which took new lustre from the gorgeous King , Who with his glittering Court surrounded was As Phebus with the rays of his owne face . 64. The Queen , both of his Kingdome and his Heart , Beauties bright Triumph show'd at his right Hand , And did her sweet exuberance impart Unto that mayden Circle which did stand To wait and gaze on her , whose goodly Face Was Wonders fairer Heav'n , and Pleasures Glasse . 65. When Opsis by this pompous sight had drawn Admiring smiles from her Spectators : I A thousand such , said she , could soone have shown , Had I ripp'd up my totall Treasurie . And these those Offrings are my scorned Eyes To Psyche gave , who them and me defies . 66. Unto some blurred Prayer-book she ties My spotlesse sight with endlesse slavery : Or makes me stare so long upon the skies That with dull seeing I forget to see . She some pretence or other still doth finde In meere devotion to make me blinde 67. The other Sunn when He has look'd his Day , Can goe to bed and rest himself in Night : But I , forsooth , at Ev'n must goe to Pray , And watch her Candle till the Morning light . Some comfort 't were if I might but obtaine By all those Prayers , reliefe for my owne pain . 68. But since nor She , nor Heav'n will Pitty take , What could oppressed , dying Opsis doe But force her finall gasping Sighs to break Into these just Complaints , great Sir , to you ? To which may you be deaf , if I appeare A Rebell still , and not Defendant heer , 69. She ending thus , impatient Acoe Who thought her Sisters speech was much to long , Stepp'd back unto their common Treasurie Kep't by * * The Memory Anamnesis , ( where lay the Throng Of all their wealth ) and bad her ready make Her richest Train , whil'st She its Prologe spake . 70. Hear Me , said She ; and be this my reward For hearing all things else : though many a Sound Upon mine Eares hath most unkindly jarr'd Yet courteous entertainment still it found : The like I crave ; and doe not you repine , The first was Opsi's place , the next is mine . 71. My House is secret ; cautious winding ways And privy Galleries lead into it : By which abstruse state I my fame doe raise Higher than if my palace ope were set . Thus Jewells dwell within the Cavitie Of Mother-Perl , and thus dwells Acoe . 72. The outward Room 's oblique , that violent Sounds May manners learn , and not rush in too fast ; And narrow too , so to protect my Bounds Which by no stealing Uermin must be pass't Yet if they venture , I have lime-twiggs there To make them sure , tenacious Wax and Haire . 73. And at this Chambers end doth stand my Drumm Made of a Parchment soft and thin and dry , And ready corded . But the second Room Is of my active Tools the Treasury : My Hammers and my Anvils place is there , By which I Forge all sounds I please to hear . 74. By them three little busie Bones do lie , Which when my Drumm is beat , articulate Each breeding Noise and Voice which that way flie , Just as the Teeth at prattling Lingua's Gate . Indeed she onely would be thought to make The shapes of Words , but Acoe too can speak . 75. Behind these two , a Third is built , whose frame So busie is , and dubious , and full Of Labyrinths , that thence it takes its Name : Six Semicircles there hook in and pull The Sound to every corner , that it may Grow well acquainted e're it pass away . 76. Next unto that , my most reserved Cell Wreaths up its pliant selfe in privacy : Have you not seen the Periwinkle shell Roll'd up about it selfe ? Such folds has my Dark Closet : whence I by a private slit To thee , grave Censor , all my News transmit . 77. If Psyche would but well consider this , Sure she would deign me some respect : Yet I Want not an ample Troop of Witnesses To prove my Worth , With that she turn'd her Eye , When strait-way in a decent equipage Her train Anamnesis brought on the stage . 78. A sudden Grove sprung up , and every Tree Impeopled was with Birds of softest throats ; With Boughs Qaires multipli'd , and Melody As various was , as were the singers Notes , Till Philomel's diviner Anthems sound The rest in a full sea of Musick drown'd . 79. Beneath , a silver River stole , and by Its gentle murmur did all Eares allure : Amid'st whose streams , a swan , content to dy , And at that price their further Joyes procure , Tun'd her long Pipe to such an height , that she Sung out her soule in her own Elegie . 80. Then came two golden Orators , the One From Greece , from Rome the other , to lament Her dainty Death : Demosthenes began , And rap'd the Hearers with such full content , That had not Tullie stretch'd his Tongue that day , With Rhetoricks honor Greece had gone away . 81. But Tubal rushed in : and Room , said He , For my prerogative who first did teach Schollars both deaf and dumb , such Harmony As overtopp'd short-winded Natures reach : Rude things , the Hammer and the Anvil I Learn'd how to Forge soul-charming Melody . 82. Behinde Him slowed in delicious throngs . Of learned Instruments : the Harp , the Lute , The Organ ( moderator of all Songs ) The Violl , Cymball , Sackbut , Cornet , Flute , The Harpsichon , Theorboe , and Bandore , The galiant Trumpet , and a thousand more . 83. As they at this mute show stood wondering , In came a goodly Man with gracefull pace : His Robe and Crown did plainly speak him King ; But his sweet Art betray'd what Prince he was . Who snatching up the Harp , did it awake , And made it for its silent Brethren speak . 84. As to the Strings hee whisper'd with his Finger , They all told tales , and with conspiring Noise Professed freely , This is Israels Singer . Discovered thus , He join'd with them his voice , And as he sung , again the heav'nly Bowle Which Opsis thither brought , began to roll . 85. But he leap'd into it , and in the Sphears Withdrew himselfe . When loe an angry Sea Comes foaming in , and on its proud waves bears In dreadfull triumph a wrack'd Man : but hee Caught up the Harp ; a slender Bark , indeed , Could Musicks powers not the storm 's exceed . 86. No sooner borrow'd He the strings soft Crie , But at the gentle Call a Dolphin came , Which took him on his back and bore him high Above the Wrath of the deluded stream . Arion straight with all his fingers strove To pay his fare and quit the Fishes love . 87. The Waves grew calm and smiled in his face , The cheerly Nymphs look'd up , and joy'd to hear Such charming Accents in that churlish place Where onely Tempests us'd to beat their Ear : The Windes came stealing close about Him , and Catch'd every Note that dropped from his Hand . 88. The courteous Dolphin , who did all this while Deeper in Pleasure swim than in the Sea , And all the labour of his way beguile By the Harp's sweet Discourse ; was griev'd to see The period of his journey now at hand , And wish'd that hee might with Arion land . 89. But on the shore a singing Troop appear'd , Where Pindar first took up a Lute and plaid ; All Ears were ravish't which his Numbers heard , And had not Flaccus , though at first afraid , Fir'd by a furious bravery stretch'd his skill , Pindar had been sole Lord of Lyricks still . 90. Above upon a Mountain Homer sate , And to a Trumpet tun'd his nobler Lays : Which Fame , who thither flutter'd , having got , Through all the wondering World she them displaies ; Till princely Maro with an equall strain Embrav'd his voice , and echoed them again . 91. Which at the second Bound reflected be By Tasso's Muse , but in an holier Tune : The Muse which taught her sober Tuscanie The Greek and Roman Poetry to prune , And rescu'd Godfree from Oblivion , As hee from Pagan Hands had Salem done . 92. ( Not farre from whom , though in a lower clime , Yet with a goodly Train doth Colin sweep : Though manacled in thick and peevish Rhyme , A decent pace his painfull Verse doth keepe . Well limm'd and featur'd is his mystick Queen , Yet , being mask'd , her beauties less are seen . ) 93. But ô , how low all these do bow before Nazianzum's , and the Worlds immortall Glory , Him , whose Heav'n-tuned soul did sweetly soar Unto the top of every stage and story Of Poetry ; through which , as hee did pass , He all the Muses made Urania's . 94. And by this soul-attracting Pattern , Thou , My onely worthy self , thy Songs didst frame : Witnesse those polish'd Temple-Steps , which now Whether thou wilt or no , this Truth proclaim , And , spight of all thy Travels , make 't appear Th' art more in England , than when thou wert here . 95. More unto Others ; but not so to Me Of old acquainted with thy secret worth : What half-lost I endure for want of Thee The World will read in this mis-shapen Birth : Fair had my Psyche been , had she at first By thy kinde-censuring hand been dress'd and nurst . 96. Some distance thence , in floury wanton Groves Luxurious Amoroso's sate , who by The gentle key of Sports and Smiles and Loves Did regulate their thrilling Melody . Nimble Theocritus and Naso were The cheif : but thousands more beside were there . 97. Whose Consort to compleat , afore-hand came Marino's Genius , with a voice so high , That straight the world rung with Adonis name Unhappie man and Choise ! ô what would thy Brave Muse have done in such a Theme as mine , Which makes Profanenesse almost seem Divine ! 98. These apparitions sweetly passing by This vocall Honey , and much more than this , Cri'd Acoe , to solace Psyche I Would gladly dropp : but she so sullen is , That what doth make Rocks move , and Tempests rest , In foule Disdain she in my face doth cast . 99. In hideous sighs she smothers up my Ears , And with lank hollow Groans still diets Me. Liv'd I a Subject in the Realm of Fears Where raving Desperations chained be , I would not murmur if the Monsters there Did tender me with yelling Torments tear . 100. But must proud Psyche here a Fury be In spight of all the sweetest sweets I throw Thick in her way ? must her fell Tyranny Such uncontroll'd Injustice on Us throw ? For bid it righteous Sir , and lend some aid Before to ruine We be all betraid . 101. The next place Ospheresis challeng'd as due Unto her fair and eminent situation : Yet stepping up into more open View , She first her Count'nance , then her speech did fashion , Seeking for both no other Ornament , But wrinkles of disdainfull Discontent . 102. My Wrongs , said she , although I third must speak Too well deserv'd to have been told the first . You all know where I dwell ; my House doth make No gaudie show , indeed , yet at the worst Dame Acoe , its structure is as fair As your , however young , yet , wrinkled Eare. 103. It like some Alabaster Propp sustains The fore-heads load , ( yet doth its firmnesse owe Unto no Basis : ) It within contains Two Galleries , about whose Walls doe grow Quick watchfull Hairs , which brush the entring Aire That to my Presence it may come more fair . 104. In these opens a Back-doore whereby I send cool gales to fan and cheere the Heart : But by the Mammillar Processions I Imbrace the Pleasures which my Sweets impart And then through them the Soul of odours strain And with pure vigorous Spirits befriend the Braine . 105. What kind of tribute I was wont to yield Coy Psyche , let Anamnesis confesse . She had no sooner spake , but a faire Field Smiled upon the Stage , whose youthfull Dresse Did all that Summer represent , and more , Which Opsis had displayed there before . 106. Thick Beds of Majoram , of Thyme , of Myrth , Of Primroses , Violets , and Rosemary , Of Saffron , Marigolds , and Lavender , Of Iulie-flowers , Flower-gentles , Piony , Of Hyssop , Balm , and Sage , of Roses , Lilies , Of Honey succkles , and of Daffadillies . 107. These were beset with many a spicy Tree , Sweetly embraced by the Eglantine , Who joying in their fragrant Companie Among their Odours did his owne entwine . And heer the ravish'd Senses ask'd their Eys Whither this were Arabie or Paradise . 108. Their Eys in wonder looking up , espied Upon a Cedar what more rap'd their sight , A Phenix Tomb and Cradle dignified With richer sweets than was the Garden dight . The flames rose up to kill and to revive The Bird which sweetly teacheth Death to live . 109. And from the odorous Cloud which rolled there They smelt such sprightfull powers of quickning Joy That now they wonder not a Bird should dare To die a death which could such life display . And if the smoke alone , say they , can stream With such refreshment , ô what is the flame ! 110. Their extasie contented O sphresis More than the sweets did them : And why , crid She , Must I who pay such dainty rent as this , By most ingratefull Psyche tortured be ? If she would slay Me quite , there were an end : But cruell She my Murder does extend . 111. For on the Rack She holds Me night and day And ties Me Pris'ner to a Dead Mans Skull , On which whilst She doth rest her Hands to pray , The stink of Death doth both my Nostrills fill ; Worse is my State than theirs who buried lie In death , and smell not the Graves Miserie . 112. If We must die , 't is reason We by some Worthy Adventure merit that our Death : Impartiall Sir , what better can become Your injur'd Senses , than by generous Wrath To shew their Sensibility belongs As well 's to all things else , to their owne Wrongs ? 113. Geusis , whose mouth before stood ready ope , Rejoyc'd to heare her Sister end her speech . And now , said shee , my Tongue , enjoy thy scope , And in thine owne defence thy powers stretch . Psyche regards not what I say : but you Grave Judge will just Apologies allow . 114. Then since 't is prov'd the fashion to display The severall Beauties of our Habitation , My words shall travell in this beaten Way : Though for my House , it might be Commendation Sufficient , what the whole world doth express By its ambition its Door to kiss . 115. That Doore is of two leaves , two Roses leaves , Whose tenderness the in ward Guard supplies , A strong and double Guard , which there receives With sharp examination , and tries The burliest Guests : which , if it finds them rude , It sends into my Mill to be subdu'd . 116. There are they press'd , and grown'd , and gentle made And so upon my ruby Table set : Where , with a Canopy of Purple spread Over my Head , Prince-like alone I eat ; And dining with the Creame of all the Feast I unto my Attendants leave the rest . 117. They , in the Kitchin meeting at the Fire , Sit down and pick what Pieces like them best : Where every One stuffing his own Desire , Grows fat and merry : Then the Scraps they cast Into the sink , which by a private spout Behinde the House it selfe does empty out . 118. Nor has Anamnesis a thinner show Of Rarities which unto me belong Than those my Sister's Pride display'd to you . Consult your Eyes on that delicious throng She ushers in : If any thing does want , Say then , the World's , and not my store is scant . 119. Straight-way a golden Table marched in All sweating under a farre richer Feast : A Feast which Heliogabalus might win To loath his Empires Borde , and here be Guest . A Feast whose strange Varietie and store Dar'd call great Solomons Provision Poor . 120. The Vangard ranked by a skilfull Hand Was fruitfull Summer fairly dish'd and drest : For Apples , Pears and Plums in order stand , Choise Quinces , Wardens , Figgs , Dates , Grapes , the best Pomgranats , Citrons , Oranges , and Cherries , Apricots , Almonds , Straw-Rasp-Mirtle-berries . 121. Besides selected Herbs , and Flowres , which might Build up the Bord with Sallads Pageantry , And send a challenge to the Appetite From those stout Troops which now were marching nie : This was the second ranged Squadron , whither All Nations of the Aire were flock'd together . 122. The Pheasant , Partridge , Plover , Bustard , Quail , The Wood cock , Capon , Cygnet , Chicken , Dove , The Snipe , Lark , Godwit , Turkie , Peacock , Teal , With thousand winged Dainties , which might move Ev'n Luxury her selfe , the Dieties Now plain and course Ambrosia to despise . 123. Next these , a large Brigade was marshelled , The brawnie Boar did in the Front appear , And then the Bull , the Veal , the Goat , the Kid , The Sheep , the Lamb , the Coney and the Hare , The Hart , and every wholsome thing that feeds Upon the Hills , the Vallies or the Meads . 124. But from the Sea and Rivers , in the Rear , A finnie Ocean on the Borde did stream , The Smelt , the Perch , the Ruff , the Roche , the Dare , The Carp , Pike , Tench , Lump , Gurnet , Hering , Bream , The Mullet , Baible , Codfish , Conger , Trout , Plaise , Salmon , Lamprey , Sturgeon , Sole , Elepout . 125. The Turbet , Cuttle , Flounder , Mackerill , The Lobster , Oyster , and all kinde of Fishes Which Lusts soft Fuell treasure in their shell ; Had left their troubled Deeps to swim in Dishes . Earth never yet such store of Fish could shew But when the Flood on it the Sea did spew . 126. But all this while the sparkling Bouls were crown'd With living Nectar round about the Table : Such pretious Liquor never yet was found To drop from Poets Brain , a Liquor able To make th' Egyptian Queen disdain her Cup In which her liquid Gem did courther Lip . 127. For the Reserve , a Ladies dainty Hand , Th' ambitious Cater of her own Delight , Had curiously rais'd an antick Band Of Banquet Powers , in which the wanton Might Of confectory Art indeavoured how To charm all Tasts to their sweet Overthrow . 128. These having feasted the Spectators Eyes , Geusis but nodds , and all was tane away . And is this Homage to be scorn'd , she cries , Which copious I alone to Psyche pay ? Must the dry Supper of the simple Lamb Of which she talks so much , these Dainties shame ? 129. These Dainties whose soft but victorious Bait Hath many a sturdy Stoick captive led : And with whose various pretious Deceit The liquorish World aspireth to be fed , Though crude Distempers , Surfets , Sickness , Pain , And immature Death be its dreadfull Train . 130. Must I be fed with Hope ? Or what is more Jejune than that , vile Roots , and course dry Bread ? Must I be ravish'd from my naturall store Of sprightfull Wines , and forc'd to drink the dead Could puddle Water , or the Tears which from Her briney Springs to scald my Mouth doe come ? 131. Must I endure my woefull Bellies crie , And of self-murder guiltie prove ; whilst she Labours her peevish selfe to Mortifie Without the least remorse of killing Me ? Must I be patient till my starv'd lank skin Proves a white funerall sheet to wrap Me in ? 132. Though Justice , righteous Sir , might you perswade To lend aide to our common Mutiny , Yet Pitty too on Geusi's part doth plead For necessary succoure'r I die . O had these Teeth their Will. how they would tear Psyche , and their owne Wrongs revenge on Her ! 133. She closing heer her Lips , and champing them , Ev'n in her Silence still spoke Spight and Rage . When after a long pause proud Haphe came And shew'd her sullen face upon the Stage . With mute Disdaine shee did her Preface make , And having look'd Contempt , Contempt she spake . 134. 'T is well you 'l deigne me leave to be the last : Yet when I pray , proud Sisters when would you Have felt those wrongs of yours , had I not past Through all your Lodgings and inform'd you how ! 'T is by my touch alone that you perceive What Object does delight , and what does grieve . 135. You to your proper Cells confined are , And those too stand in my Dominions , Whose limits are extended neer and farr Through flesh and Blood and Skin : indeed some Bones Are obstinate ; but to thy teeth I tell Thee Geusis , they my power sometimes doe feel . 136. What hast Anamnesis ? Yet I 'm contented , Bless their Eyes with my Treasures . At the Word She on the Sceen her Tactile Sweets presented : With curious Ermins stately Mantles furr'd , Illustrious Robes of Sattin and of Silk , And wanton Lawns more soft and white than milk . 137. Delicious Beds of Cygnets purest Down , Cushions of Roses and of Violets , Baths of perfumed Oile , Foot-paths thick strown With budding Summers undefloured Sweets . Stoves which could Autumne of cold Winter make , Fountains , in Autumne to bring Winter back : 138. Soft Ticklings , Courtings , Kisses , Dalliance , Secret Imbraces , which I must not tell : For all the Company at their first glance Started and turn'd from the bold Spectacle . In good time , Haphe cri'd , is 't shame to see What All doe covet to enjoy with Me ? 139. Yet though this feeling and substantiall Joy I can to Psyche yield , ingratefull She Starts more than you , and barbarously coy Makes Warre upon my solid Love , and Me. The Clownish Rock thus doth in pieces dash The Streams which gentlie comes its sides to wash . 140. On the cold ground whole Nights she makes Me lie , There to corrupt my flesh , and suck Diseases , And measure out my Grave before I die : Some cloth of Hemp or Haire , or what shee pleases , Must those Furrs place usurp : I never doe Peep out of doors , yet Pilgrim-like must goe . 141. With churlish strokes upon my tender Breast As on some Anvill shee does dayly beat , And for her Hammer snatches mine owne Fist. She scornes , grave Sir , the service of my Feet , And , dwelling alwaies on my wearied Knee , Remorsless Tyrant , Iames her self and Me. 142. And though my tedious Soreness now be spred About Me round , shee still regardless goes ; And will goe on , till Force her spight forbid . This has confederated Me with those My injur'd Sisters , all resolv'd to trie The strength ofRight , against her Tyrannie . 143. The Plantiffs thus their severall Cases spred Open before their Common Censor : He With serious Look shaking his thoughtfull Head Allow'd some pause unto his Gravity . At length he cri'd , The Matter 's foule I see , And doth include with Yours my Injury . 144. Your Resolution 's Just and Noble too : Onely be sure you never disagree , Least you by partiall Jelousie undoe The Nerves and Joints of your conspiracy . An Army once grown mutinous , does yeild Before the Fight , unto its Foes the Field . 145. But more Confederates were not amiss The casier to dispatch your great Designe : About the Heart a lustie Troop their is Which , well I know , will in your Plot combine : My Sister Fancie is the trustiest Friend Whom with the Bus'ness We can thither send . 146. She all this while behind them sate , and as Their severall Complaints and shows came out , Strait caught them Pris'ners in her Christall Glass , And then their figures in her sampler wrought : She needed no Instructions what to say , But being ask'd to goe , she flies away . 147. For mounted on the nimble Wings of Thought She strait arriv'd at the designed Place , Where , in the Lodgings scattered round about The Court of Psyche , she unveils her face . The Passions flock'd to Kiss her , and to know Whither from abroad she any News could show . 148. The News is this , said she , and and instantly In fine aeriall Figures did present All that was spoke , or she wed , or plotted by The angrie Senses ; and for what intent She thither posted . They awhile amaz'd , Upon the guilefull Apparition gaz'd , 149. Then taking fire , and being unable to Bridle their flames , they belch'd their furie out : Surely , said they , this Psyche will undoe Her trustiest Friends : We see'twas not for nought That We our selves complain'd ; t is certain now She means to rage , and open Tyrant grow . 150. If their great distance cannot Them remove From her Injustice , then no wonder We Who live more in her reach , so often prove The Prey whereon she feasts her Crueltie . We like the Plot against our common Foe , We think it just to joyne ; and tell them so . 151. Let them be sure to watch their ports without , And leave the busines within for Us : We are not now to learne how to be stout And stomackfull and rude and mutinous . Fancie smil'd , and returned , glad to see Successe so quickly crown her Embassie . 152. Whose Issue when she to the Senses told , They all would in Devotion needs blaspheme , Paying loud thanks to Heav'n which did behold Their Wrongs , & mov'd these frends to succour them . And now with traiterous expectation swell'd They wait to see the Passions take the Field . 153. But Hope , Love , Hatred , Anger , and the rest Of that impatient Crew , had forthwith been In open Arms , had cautious Feare not prest For some demurr . He Jelousie did win To side with him ; and then , 't is best , said He , That of some valiant Leader We agree . 154. Psyche is strong and sober : If we fight Without due Discipline , that Rashness will Help her to put our foolish Pow'rs to flight : But if we make some expert Generall 's skill Our owne by following it , the Victorie Will be ambitious on our side to be . 155. That Word , a new confusion broach'd : for All Reach'd at the Generall 's place , excepting Feare And Jelousie ; yet these were loth to fall Under the absolute power of any there . At length , they vote to step abroad , and trie Who skilled best Feats of Activity . 156. When loe ( so well Hells plots were laid , ) they met A goodly person taller by the Head Than any of themselves : Disdaine did sit High on his Brows , his awfull Limbs were spred To such extent of Gallantry , that there Seem'd ample roome for every thing but Feare . 157. His first glimpse all their wishes did concentre Upon himself . Love forthwith is design'd To break unto the Knight their bold Adventure And with her wily Sweetness sift his Mind . She hastens to her Task : and bowing low , Opes her Mouths fountain , whence this Charm did flow . 158. Mights goodly Mirrour , whosoe'r you be Whom blessed Fortune shews Us heer alone , Surely such fair and ample Majestie Deserves by thousands to be waited on : And , if such honor you this Troop will deign , We shall have found a Lord , and you a Traine . 159. A brave Designe has fir'd Us now , which may Your Might and Soveraign Command become : Upon a War wee have resolv'd to day With Psyche ; but good Chance has kept Us from Choosing our Generall , and we hope our stay Was but for You , whom Heav'n puts in our way . 160. Necessity made this Conspiracy To break that Yoak which else our Necks would break : Would Psyche suffer Us our Selves to be , No mutinie of ours her Throne should shake : But wee , though Passions , calme and quiet must lie , Whil'st she proves Passionate ev'n to Tyranny . 161. We must not Hope , nor Fear , nor Love , nor Hate , Nor nothing else , whil'st she does all these things : If fouler Slavery e'r did violate Free-Subjects Birth-right , scorn our sufferings : If not ; O may the safetie be ours , Great Sir , by your stout Hand , the Glory Yours . 162. Agenor glad such punctuall successe Did on his own Designe it selfe obtrude : Swelling his Looks to bigger statelinesse , Three turns he stalk'd , three times he proudly view'd The Company , three times he snuff'd , and then Opening his Mouth at leisure , thus began : 163. Now by my Might and Worth I know you all , But silly Worms , I see you know not Me , Whom to so vile a piece of Work you call As brideling wretched Psyche's Tyrannie . Must I whom Lyons , Tigres , Dragons fear , Debase my strength , and stoop to conquer Her ? 164. If of the great Kinde she a Monster were , If she had made distressed Countries Flie To the next Oracle on wings of Fear , To summon to their help a Dietie ; If she could prove a Thirteenth Task for Him Who Twelve perform'd , the work would me beseem . 165. And yet because I your Oppression see , I 'le win so much of my high-practis'd Might To make it bowe to your delivery : Yet never say Agenor came to fight ; I scorn the Match , this Finger will be strong Enough to shew my Pittie of your Wrong . 166. This said ; He march'd in more than warlike state Unto the House where thought-full Psyche lay : And thundering imperiously at the Gate Unto the Rebells Rage burst ope the way ; Filling her outward Court with Noise and Fear , Whose echo revell'd in her frighted Eare. 167. As when the Windes let loose upon the Sea Tear up the Deeps and fling them at the Stars , Chasing away unarm'd Serenity At the first blast of those unlook'd for Wars , Each startled Nymph her fearfull 〈◊〉 shrinks in , And to the bottom of the World doth run : 168. So Psyche trembling at the furious Crie Retreated to her inmost Fort ; a place High built and strong , and yeilding to her Eye Full view of all the Rebells : Time it was To call her Counseller , whom to the Rout With these instructions she sendeth out : 169. Run Logos run , and know what mad mistake Has hurl'd my subjects into tumult : Trie ( For well thou skill'st that gentle Might ) to break Their furies Torrent by the lenitie Of wise Persuasion : Pardon , of all Charms The best , proclaim to them who lay down Arms. 170. The News made Logos shake his Head : but yet With pleasant Gravity to them He goes : And , friends , said He , if you be in a fit Of fighting , goe in God's name , seek your Foes . This is your peacefull Home ; ô be it farr From you to ruine your owne Rest by Warre . 171. If you had any reason to rebell , Sure I should guesse at it , but I know none : What boots it you our Empresse to expell , Who needs must fall in her confusion ! What gains the Madman , who through jealous fears Pulls his own house , and death , about his ears ! 172. What means sweet Love to rob her selfe of all Her selfe , and unto Discord it impart ? Must th' universall Glue which bindes the Ball Of the whole World so close , in pieces start ? Shall your dear Bands serve onely now to tie Confusion fast to your Conspiracy ? 173. Stern Hatred , could the copious World afford No other food whereon to feast thy Spight , But thou against thy selfe must draw thy Sword , Whil'st with thine Empresse thou prepar'st to fight ? Hate whom thou wilt besides , but hate not her Whose Love gives thee thy life and dwelling here . 174. What strange Enchantments lured thee , fond Hope , To this Designe of Self-destruction ? Who Abus'd thy credulous Soul , and puff'd thee up With this vain fancie , that the Ladder to Climbe higher , must be Ruine ? Thus art thou Of Hope become plain Desperation now . 175. Unhappy Fear , and what makes thee afraid Longer to dwell with thine own Safety ? What monstrous Witcherie hath here betray'd Thy trembling Heart to this bold mutinie ? What hardneth thee , who quak'st at every frown Of other Princes , to despise thine own ? 176. Brave Anger , shall the scoffing World at last Have cause to mock thy Valour , which doth make Such earnest haste unto so mad a Jest As Waging War against thine own Mistake ? What pitty 't is to see thou art so fair And well-appointed , when no Fear is near ! 177. And You my Fellow-subjects all , whom I Have often heard our gratious Soveraign praise , For humble Duty and Fidelity : O why must groundless Rashness now erase Your noble Character , and print upon Your Heads the foule Blot of Rebellion ! 178. By your Allegiance , and ingenerate Worth , By your own dearest Lives and Safety , By Psyche's royall head , by Heav'n and Earth , By every thing I you conjure to be True to your Selves : The Queen desires but this , Who by your peace & wealth counts her own Bliss . 179. She is as ready to forget , as you Can be your hasty Error to lay down : She on your Necks , by Me her arms doth throw , And by my Tongue she calls you still her own : Behold the Seal of her Embraces here , A Generall Pardon , all your Doubts to clear . 180. As when upon a raging Fire you throw Soft oile , the fretfull Flames incensed by Its gentlenesse , more fierce and rampant grow ; So here the unrelenting Mutinous Frie Storm'd at persuasive Logos , and to new Impatience at his sweet Oration grew . 181. He 's an Enchanter , Anger cri'd , and by These Blandishments hath oft bewitched Us : But now our just and ripe Conspiracy Scorns to be Fooled and confuted thus : 'T is time to act our Resolutions now , That Reasons may no longer Us undoe . 182. Then clapping her right Paw upon his Throat , And stopping with her left his Mouth , she drew Him to Agenor : And now we have got Our subtlest Foe , Sir , let him have his due , Cri'd she ; We never shall our businesse doe If to the Tyrant back in peace He goe . 183. The other Passions all rebounded that Rebellious Word : whose Generall glad to see Their Madness compass , what his Pride could not , Gave Order Logos should close Pris'ner be : They hallow'd first , then in tumultuous haste Two Chains upon his Mouth and Neck they cast . 184. And here I challenge any Heart to read This woe full Story , and forbear to sigh : Seeing the Feet thus trample on the Head , And common Slaves with insolent licence Flie Upon their Lord : O who secure can be When Reason must be bound , and Passion free . 185. Psyche , whom all this while Suspition had Held at the window of her lofty Tower , When she descri'd from thence how fiercely mad And confident of their outrageous power The Rebells were ; and that in foule disdain Her Messenger they did in Bonds detain , 186. She fetch'd a mighty sigh ; and though with Him Her selfe , and all her honour Pris'ners were , Between Dispairs and Hopes she long did swim , Waiting if any Harbour would appear : But her own Fancies to such tumults rose , As almost copied out her mutinous Foes . 187. Thus by that Noise without , and this within , She summon'd was unto the Top of feares : Charis was stepp'd aside , and lay unseen , And now her trusty Phylax disappears : No Friend was left but Thelema , and she Was thought but wavering in fidelity . 188. But as the shipwrack'd Man toss'd up and down Between high and low Deaths amongst the Waves , Clapps fast on any glimpse of help , and grown Bold by Dispaire , nor hold nor comfort leaves As long 's his plank doth float : So Psyche now On Thelema her sinking Arms doth throw . 189. And , O , cri'd she , my onely Refuge , I Conjure thee well to mark thy Hap , and mine : The Tempest of my Woes is swoll'n so high , That now all Bridles it doth scorn , but thine ; And 't is thy Priviledge that I to thee Must owe my Life , for thy sake , dear to Me. 190. At what a price would'st thou this Day have bought Which can so deep engage thy Queen to thee ! Yet it had been thy sin , if thou had'st sought This sad unnaturall opportunitie . But now their Disobedience opes the way For thy Desert , if thou wilt Me obey . 191. Logos had prov'd himselfe both wise and strong Had obstinate Madnesse not damm'd up their Ears : But all his Powers fighting from his Tongue Their deaf Rebellion his strength out-dares : His Arguments confuted are with Chains . And I in Fear , in Prison he remains . 192. But thy brave Valour in thine Hand doth dwell And reign , incomparable Amazon ; Thine Acts are Conquests all : which who would tell , Must call the World to count : Thy Nodd alone Points out thy Victories : Fresh groves of Bays And Palms thy Footsteps every , where doe raise . 193. By softnesse fain I would have conquered them , No Blast of whose Rebellion could blow out My royall Loue which toward them did flame : But now Necessity calls for a stout And corsive Cure , thy Hand must doe the deed , And in their Wounds teach this my heart to bleed . 194. Goe then my faithfull Champion , and may Blessed Successe goe in thy company : I from this Window will waite on thy way By my observing and well-wishing Eye , Which shall the Witnesse of thy Valour be , And what reward it shall deserve from Me. 195. But fail not to revenge the proud intrusion Of yon' ignoble stranger , who may be Perhaps , the Firebrand of all this Confusion Which threatens to burn up both thee and mee . If his blood will suffice to quench his Fire , Spare all the rest ; they will no more conspire , 196. Stout Thelema with this Commission goes , And with imperious Looks builds up her brow . At her commanding Presence , all her Foes Their Eyes , and Arms , and Courage down did throw : Onely Agenor's stomack rose to see Himselfe out-look'd in high-swoll'n Majesty . 197. But knowing his own Weaknesse , and her Might , And seeing all the Passions turn'd to Fear ; He thought it safest now to change the Fight Of Arms to that of Wit : For in Love's eare He whisper'd his device , and straight-way she At Thelema let flie this Fallacy . 198. Illustrious Lady , you to day might spare Those irefull lookes , with which Mistake hath plowd Your awfull face : How can you thinke We dare So farre forget what Might is , as with proud Madnesse to whet our Sword and bend our Bow To make War with Omnipotence , and You ? 199. But as your strength is great so is your love , Whom we have always found our noble Friend : But though with loyall Service we have strove To win our Soveraigns favour , she will lend No pitty to our fainting Soules , but still With lingering Death delighteth us to kill . 200. Arms are our onely ( forced ) Refuge now : For though your brawnie Might knows how to beat The Injuries she poureth upon You ; Our Shoulders of a weaker Temper are : Nor can you judge it guilt in Us , if We Shrink more than you under her Tyrannie . 201. You know what constant Slavery she heap'd On our poor backs , who yet were all free-born : This noble Stranger , when He saw Us , wep'd , And thought it Honours duty not to scorn Our sad condition : How then can You , Except a Friend should more than stranger grow ? 202. If We must perish , Let our Miseries Beg but this wofull courtesie of You : Return Us not to Psyche , who denies Us brevity of Torments : Loe We throw Our selves before your gentle feet , and pray Our Lives and Griefs may see no other day , 203. Nay doubt not , We dare die ; but dare not think Of living in our former Death again : If from the fatall blow our Necks but shrink , Then say , we truly wish'd not to be slain : Here take our Swords ; at least they in your Hand Though not in ours , our Servitude may end . 204. As when the cunning Reeds their heads doe bowe In low submission to the boist'rous Winde , And with their whining Pipe complaints doe blow To every Blast , compassion to finde ; Way to their Charm the generous Tempest gives , And passing forward , Them their Pardon leaves : 205. So portly Thelema allayed by Their fawning Homage , bad them all arise : They instantly unveiling Memorie , In fraudulent thanks , presented to her Eyes The stately Pageant Fancy thither brought , With their own Treasures amplier furnish'd out . 206. She look'd and wonder'd , and let through her Eye The soft Deceit get stealing to her Heart : She never yet did at one time descrie So huge an Armie of Delights , such Art Of sweetnesse , such Magnificence of Pleasure , Such equipage of Smiles , and Joyes , and Leisure . 207. Election who at her right hand did stand , Was never at so dainty losse as here ; Ten thousand sweets her Eyes examin'd and Stood gazing still , in doubt which to preferre : So in the flowrie Mead fond Children loose Their Eyes before they can resolve to choose . 208. The Rebells , now their crafty Bait went down Without the least suspition of the Hook , Bid Love drive home the Plot : She having thrown Her selfe upon her knee , with flattering Look And pliant Words , indeavored to make Submission teach Rebellion how to speak . 209. Right gentle Thelema , since this our store , Which thy fair Eyes are pleas'd not to disdain , From cruel Psyche can deserve no more Respect , than glances of Contempt ; again We beg that We may never live to see Such Sweets betrayed to new Slavery . 210. The Heav'n , thou see'st the Earth , the Aire , the Sea , By this their royall Contribution make Our Treasury their own : And yet must We From our Possession be beaten back , And not enjoy what all the Worlds Consent In this rich Mass heapes up for our Content . 211. Now by thy Mighty Goodnesse We implore Reliefe for our loud-crying Injuries : So to thy Service this exuberant Store We sacrifice ; no despicable Price Of thy Compassion , if the totall gains Of Natures wealth be worth thy smallest Pains . 212. So thy Desires shall be the Laws whereby Obliged We our Lives will regulate : So great Agenor will unite in thy Acquaintance , and this Morning consecrate To peacefull smiles , whose ominous Dawn was red With flashes of fierce War , and streaks of Blood . 213. As when the Shepheard , loitering by the side Of some soft-murmuring Current , lets his Eare Drink the complaining story of the Tide ; That purling Language soon doth domineer Over his charmed Spirits , and down he lies Both to the Noise , and Sleep an easie Prize : 214. So Thelema , who linger'd all this while In Fond attendance on Loves Blandishments , Was now subdued by her glozing Guile , And to the Rebells fair-tongu'd Plot consents : Her hankering Arms she with their Treasures fills , Her foolish Heart with Joy , her Face with Smiles . 215. And , Well I see , she cries , how righteous is Your Cause and Quarrell : Heav'n forbid that I Unto your undeserved Miseries The justice of Compassion should deny . Yet Pittie is not all that I can show , You know this Hand hath greater Worth than so . 216. Alas , it is not Psyche , though she be My Soveraign Mistresse , that can make me bend : 〈◊〉 doe I rush and range abroad , when she Would lock me up ; and oft when she would send Me forth , except my Pleasure be to stirre , I stay in spight of all her strength , and Her . 217. 'T was I first taught your Pris'ner Logos how To bear a Chain : else you had strove in vain ; But I have long accustom'd Him to bowe To my least Finger his strong-reaching Brain : And though sometimes I let him wrangle , yet Reason has no more power than I permit . 218. The universall Strength of all you see Throughout the wide-spred World look big and high , Ne'r yet made Combination which could be Valid enough to binde my Potency : Hence 't is that stoutest Champions from their knee By Prayers fight whene'r they deal with Me. 219. They talk of Sampson , one I must confesse Fame hath not quite belyed : Yet we see A Wenche's sheers clipp'd off his Mightinesse , And trimm'd him fit for his Captivity : Alas poor Gyant , all his strength hung loose About his Ears ; mine in my Heartlies close . 220. Nay Heav'n ( without a Brag I speak 't ) doth know My strength so well , that it would never trie By force of Arms my 〈◊〉 Neck to bowe ; But by allurements strives to mollifie My hardy Heart . And well it is that Ye Have took that gentle onely course with Me. 221. This said : Agenor by the hand she takes And bids him welcome with a courtly Kisse : He like a Soldier , proud repayment make's In arrogant high-languag'd Promises , And swears , By all his Conquests , she shall finde , That with a Man indeed sh 'had now combin'd . 222. Then leading Her to his Pavilion , His Soldiers He to Councell fummons : They As proud's therr haughty Generall , thither run , Rending , with Acclamations their Way , And there contrive , by joynt deliberation , The rest of their Adventure how to fashion .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO V. The Pacification . ARGUMENT . LOve on the Rebells part , with Psyche treats , Whose fair Tale * * The Will. Thelema and † † The Spirit of Pride . Agenor back : Deluded Psyche yeildeth to their Cheats , And with her fawning Foes a League doth make : Then , on Synei' esis a Veil she throws , And wanton in her Pride , abroad she goes . 1. WHat boots it Man , that Natures Courtesie Hath lift his awfull Looks high towards Heav'n , And built his Temples up with Majestie , And into 's Hand imperiall Power given ? What royall Non-sense is a Diademe Abroad , for One who 's not at Home supream ! 2. How does the whole World mock Him , when it lays Its universall Homage at His Feet ; Whom whil'st the Aire , the Earth , the Sea obeys , A sauc e pack of 〈◊〉 dare meet With 〈◊〉 Defiance , and presume to hope His Empire shall go down , their Pleasures up ! 3. What Credit is 't for Him to vaunt how He On every Monstrous thing his Conquests builds ; That Tigres , Lyons , Dragons forced be By Him , to learn submission : That He weilds Inanimate Mountains , and through widest Seas Commands his Ships to reach what World he please : 4. If his own Vessels helm unruely grow , And into fatall Tempests hurrie Him ; If his domestick Slaves 〈◊〉 to bow Their worthlesse Necks , when He commandeth them , And fill his Palace with more furious Beasts Then are the desert Mountains salvage Guests ! 5. Alas poor Prince , whose Soveraigntie Can be the Game and Scoff of vilest Things ! How much are Worms , who of themselves can be Intire Commanders , more Substantiall Kings ! Intestine Rebels never trouble Worms , But Psyche's toss'd and torn with civill storms . 6. She from her Palace Window saw her Griefe Must'red in terrible Battalia : In vain . within , she looked for Reliefe Where nought but empty Desolation lay : * * The Intellect . Logos and Thelema were absent ; He To Violence Pris'ner , to Enchantment She , 7. Syneidesis indeed stay'd still behinde , But by her stay , made Tortures doe so too : Full in the face of Psyche's wounded Minde The guilt of this Rebellion she did throw . Blame not the Passions , said the , if they Revolt ; Thou to their Treason op'dst the way . 8. Had'st thou been carefull how to weild thy Might , And in due time approv'd thy self a Queen , Strait had'st thou held the Reins , and driven right Thy royall Chariot : Still your Beasts had been Themselves , as loyall unto you and milde , As now they salvage are become and wilde ' 9. When in a stealing Preface to the Flood The first streams sliely creep ; with ease may We Divert their course into some other road . But if We sleight what seems so weak to be , They grow upon Us strait , disdaining more Our strength , than wee their Weakness did before . 10. You scorn'd the Passion 's breeding Garboils : You Forsooth , on Safetie's wings sate mounted high . And , pray , what is that Rivulet come too now ? What wants it of a Sea's immensitie : It is a Sea , which though perhaps it may Not clense your Crime , can wash your Life away . 11. And where is Charis , where is Phylax now ! O , you were too secure their aid to need , You well could lend them to poore Heav'n , I trow A place which more did want their Help : Indeed You 'r a great Queen at Home , and can command ; Look how your Subjects your high will attend . 12. Unhappy Psyche stung by these Reproaches , Receiv's the wound full deep into her Heart ; Which with her blood , her Lamentations broaches , And thus she streameth out her double smart : Nay then I pardon them without , if thou Upon my heavy Griefe more load do'st throw . 13. Cruell Syneidesis , why staidst thou heer To grind my dying Soul with neerer rage ? Why joyndst thou not with them who vex Me there At distance ? Must my bosome be the Stage Of thy more dangerous undermining Wrath , Which from my verie Heart diggs out my Death ? 14. Are these thy thanks to Me , who alwaies kept Thee next my self , and hugg'd thee in my Breast ? How little dream'd I that a Viper slept In this my neerest and my dearest Nest ! Yet be assur'd , by gnawing out thy way That thou thy self , as well as Me shalt slay . 15. The Priviledge of other Vipers , Thou In vain expect'st , who art more Fell than they : That decent Vengeance they their Damms do owe Which by sage Natures righteous Law they pay . But surely thou art of a kinder breed , Thy Matricide all pardon must exceed . 16. Yet what gain I by thy Destruction ? Who thee , and all those Rebells deerly love ? Unfortunate Me , who cannot die alone , But in my single Death all yours must prove : And , which is worse than Death , betrayed I , By your mad rage , thus oft at once must die . 17. But sterne Syneidesis , who knew full well She on irrefragable Truth did lay The ground of all her Actions , 'gan to swell With confident Scorn : and yet awhile gave way ( Since She her Loyall Duties part had done , ) To see what Psyche meant : Who thus went on : 18. O Charis ! would'st not thou bid Me Adieu , But by discourteous parting , leave poore Me Unwarned and unarmed ? Grant it true That my deserts could no invitement be To stay Thee heer : My misery at least , Might wooe thy Charity to be my Guest . 19. O Phylax ! Why wilt thou forsake Me , who 'Twixt Me and Danger hath so often spread Thy Wings impenetrable sheild ? That Foe Who in the Grove under thy Conquest bled , Was but a single Feind : Why then shall thy Brave Hand not reap this fairer Victory . 20. How shall I grapple with this monstrous Crew Confederate against my desolate Head , Whom one Antagonist did then subdue ? What reason then soever made thee speed Unto my Aid is multiplied now : And how , how canst thou less Releif allow ? 21. O Prince of this my consecrated Breast , O thou whose Majestie did not disdaine To make suit unto Me , but oft profest By thy Ambassador thine amorous pain , And sweet-tormenting Longings for my Love ; What makes thy tender Heart forgetfull prove ! 22. Hadst thou for ever not remembred Me , I had not been mock'd with a tast of Bliss . Why did not Aprodisiu's Treacherie Prevent the worse extremity of this ? That soft and single Death why dy'd not I , But am reserv'd a thousand times to die ? 23. What profit has to my soul's Treasurie Accrew'd , that I so oft did Fast and Pray ? What brake the Bottle , wont of old to be The trustie Store-house of our Teares ? What Pay Have all my faithfull amorous Groans and Sighs , If I must proue mine own slaves Sacrifice ? 24. What meant this Token which did gird my Heart So close to Thee , if Me you cast away ? Was this the Farewell you did Me impart When you some other Love had chose , which may Monopolize your constant favours , and In banish'd Psyche's place for ever stand . 25. No wonder if my Passions mutinous prove , Breaking the Yoke which ti'd their faith to Me , If blessed Jesus can forget his love Knit in this spousall knot of Chastitie . How can I longer be displeas'd with them , Vnless I could and dar'd fall out with Him ? 26. O all my Joyes , take Psyche's long Adieu ; Dwell somwhere else where you can finde a Room : My tumid Griefs have left no place for you , But made my whole usurped Heart their Home : And more than so ; Far , far must you flie hence To scape my Sorrows vast Circumference . 27. And you , poor Hopes , your time why doe you loose In hankering here in my unhappy Breast ? Goe , goe , I give you leave , goe forth and choose In any place but this , a fortunate Nest. Be confident , you cannot faile else-where , For all Misfortunes are collected here . 28. But ô Disconsolations , be you free , For I resign my selfe your totall Prey : Why should I not embrace my Misery , When still to look , and look in vain , for Joy , Doubles self-torment : Why should I alone , When all things hate me else , my selfe bemaone ? 29. Whil'st thus she feeds on desolate Vexations , The Rebells at their Councill busie were : Where tir'd with hard and knotty Consultations Which course was best to wreak their Wrath on Her , Up rose Suspition , and , first looking over Each shoulder , thus did her Advice discover : 30. Princely Agenor , and you Sisters all , Great is the businesse We have now in hand , And , Heav'n forbid our Caution should be small ; Haste may be good , when once wee understand The way is clear : If otherwise ; to run , Is onely with more speed to be undone . 31. Anger 's Advice were sound , if Psyche were So weak a thing as her Opinion makes her : But on what Rocks shall wee our Vessell steer By this untried Card , if she mistakes her ? Fear , would she speak , could shew you such a List Of Psyche's Powers , as soon would coole our Haste . 32. Alas , how can wee force the Queen , if she Deny to yeild when wee our battery make ? Is not the Palace , and those Gates wee see All of immortall Metall ? We may break Our Engins , and our Plots , and Furie too , And , sooner than those Walls our selves undoe . 33. A lingring Leaguer , what can that effect , Unlesse we hope at length to starve her out ? But she long since all Dainties did neglect With which the whole World had her Table fraught . Her Prayers , and her Heav'n , her diet were ; And now she 's all alone , she best doth fare . 34. But as for Us , who at the Siege must lie , We , fed with Hope of Victory , must starve Before we get it : For what will supply Us daily with Provision to serve So many Mouths , which Psyche fill'd till now ; And , if she be shut up , so must they too . 35. Besides ; who knows but some of her Allies , Phylax or Charis , or some such strong Friend , May rush upon our backs , and by surprise Both our Design and Us in pieces rend ? New is the Lesson in the Grove you read : Can you forget how Aphrodisius sped ? 36. Nay , you have heard of Heav'ns immortall Son In whose vast hand Omnipotence doth reign : That Hand , which when great Lucifer begun To let his Eyes but glimmer with disdain ; Tumbled him headlong into Death and Hell : I tell you Friends , this Christ loves Psyche well . 37. We cannot be too carefull : and for my Own part , I judge the safest Way the best . And this is by a present Embassie With humble Lies , and Oaths , and Glozings drest To cheat her from her strength : So we may gain Our Ends , and seem to scape Rebellions stain . 38. But let a Vow of Perseverance first Seal Us all sure to our Conspiracy , That by her selfe that Passion may be curst Afore-hand , who shall false or fearfull be . If one should chance to fail , why may not two ? If two , why may the Summe not higher goe ? 39. This said : An eye of Doubt and Fear she cast Upon Agenor to observe how He Rellish'd her Words : But soon she saw their Taste 〈◊〉 welcome in his palate : Instantly , I like her Counsell best . He cries , and You Shall strengthen your Adventure , by this Vow , 40. Thus shall my Might escape , what I did Fear , The vile Encounter with a Woman ; and My Pittie unto You no lesse declare , Whil'st in your Front my Majesty doth stand And strike such Terror , without any Blow , Into your Queen , that she shall yeild to you . 41. Then calling for a Baçin and a Pin , He prick'd his annular Finger , and let fall Three Drops of Blood : And what He did begin , As solemnly reacted was by All The Company : Which done , again He takes The Baçin , and three Elevations makes . 42. And , may that Blood which still remains behinde Be forc'd to follow these Three Drops , He cri'd , If ever I unbend my resolute Minde , Or from this Wars stout Prosecution slide . May this my present Poyson be , ( and here He dipped his Tongue , ) if now I falsely swear . 43. Then sprinkling on the back of his Right Hand Another Drop : This Martiall Mark , said He , Shall for a Badge and Memorandum stand Of our now sure and sacred Unity . You see our Covenants Rites : Now every One Doe what your willing Generall has done . 44. Never did Health more cheerly walk its Round When lusty Wine and Mirth the Boule had fill'd , Than did this bloody barbarous Baçin , crown'd With Rage and Madness . Their Rebellion seal'd Thus by this desperate Ceremony , They To Psyche speed their Messenger away . 45. And this was Love , upon whose Tongue although Perpetuall Sleights and Fallacies did dwell ; Yet with industrious Deceptions now , And studied Flatteries she her Mouth did fill . She knew the Queen was wise and strong , and would With common known Delusions not be fool'd , 46. Thus to the Gate demurely come , She tri'd It with a modest Knock , and paus'd a while : Then strok again , a timorous Stroke ; to hide In this soft Preface her meek-insolent Guile . The gentle Knock bad Psyche courage take To come and see what it would further speak . 47. No sooner had she op'd a Casement , and Reach'd out her doubtfull Head the News to know , But she beheld where Love did trembling stand With weeping Eyes , and with dejected Brow . She lik'd the Posture ; yet demanded why She thither came a false and fawning Spie ? 48. Love , by that Word warn'd to skrew up her Art , Fell on her knees , and three times smote her breast , And , Woe is Me , she cri'd , whose loyall Heart Can finde no milder Language from my best And dearest Prince ! What strange Mischance doth throw This Wrong on Me , and that Mistake on You ? 49. If to repair to You in humblest Guise Who here immured d'well in Desolation , If to discover where the Error lies Whose secret Venome breeds this Perturbation Of your whole Realm , deserve the Name of Spie , I well can bear this glorious Infamy . 50. But if Misprision so doth cheat your Eyes , That , looking with a jealous Glance on Me , They in my Count'nance read an Enemies : I must beg leave to tell your Majesty , ( For it concerns my Essence , ) you forget Your Creature , and take Love it selfe for Hate . 51. Yet your Mistake shall make no change in Me : Use your vast Power in any thing but this . I still am Love and so resolve to be , Nor fear that false and envious Witnesses Can swear Me from my selfe . Heav'n cannot frame What I had rather be , than what I am . 52. Sure I , with that right genuine Love which You Hugg next your Soule , have some Affinity : Can that brave Passion adulterate grow , And stain its spotlesse selfe with Treacherie ? Can Odours stinking , Honey bitter bee , Silke harsh , Down hard , that thus you think of Me ? 53. O no ; dear Soveraign , I am hither sent The soft Ambassadour of Peace to you : Nor of my Office does it me repent What wrath so e're stands bent in your stern brow . And though I know not what will hence ensue , I to my native sweetness must be true . 54. I see you thought you ' Company had bent Some treacherous Plot against your royall Head . And is 't nor likely they would all consent Their own Life and Heart blood in yours to shed ? Madame , beleeve 't , Selfe 's not a dearer Name To noble You , than to the worst of them . 55. 'T is true , a peice of Discontent has put Them in that posture of Defence : But by Your Majestie I swear , , they brew no Plot But what becomes a Subjects Modesty . If Mischeife their intention were : what Charms Could dead their hands , & damp their glitt'ring Arms ? 56. If strong-embattel'd injur'd Patience be A Signe of Treason , they are Traytors all . But sure this loyall kinde of Treacherie Doth more for Thanks and Praise , than Anger , call . O never be it said , that you alone Could , in Arm'd Mecknesse , read Rebellion . 57. By me their homage they present to you , Beseeching that with it you would embrace Their humble Suit ; and to their long night show Their onely Day which riseth from your race : That you would deign to goe and see how they Their panting Soules before your Feet would lay . 58. Here breaking off in a deceitfull Sigh , With cunning Tears she all her face bedew'd . Toss'd too and fro in ambiguitie Ten thousand severall thoughts poor Psyche chew'd . Weeping at length , O that those Tears of thine She cri'd , were as sinceer and true as mine ! 59. If those my Subjects now would Suiters be , What mean proud Arms , and warlike Preparation ? Petitions should from the bended knee , Not from the Bow be shot : This sullen fashion Stout Rogues brought up , who begging with one Hand , A stone bear in the other to command . 60. In front why is that burly Stranger set As Generall against your Soveraign ? One , whose heav'n-daring Looks bespeak Him fit Not to Petition , but to disdain . If I were longer to be trusted , why Chose you His Banner for Security ? 61. Yet that the Progresse of your Treason may Want all Pretence , as its Beginning did : I 'le condescend to hear what you can say , Provided you your selves in quiet spread Before my Window . I must parley here : You know how you have us'd my Messenger . 62. Love stung by that last Word , and with fresh tears Dissembling their true cause , took humble leave . The News to her Confederates she bears , Who it with doubtfull Countenance receive , And boulting every Circumstance , conclude That still the same Device must be persu'd . 63. Agenor straight resolv'd himselfe to shew Inall his Pomp , and more than was his own ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might those brave Temptations view Which swell'd so high onely to throw her down . But none of all the Passions knew from whence He beckned in his strange Magnificence . 64. The pompous Furniture in a full stream Follow'd his Nod with like Facility As in a dreaming Brain light Figures swim Into a sudden Masque of Majesty . Which Train He towards Psyche's Castle drew , And there prepared for the Interview . 65. At length six golden Trumpets did proclaim Their Masters Highnesse was at hand to treat . To her balconey startled Psyche came , And soon perceiv'd the sound was not so great As the strange sight : She never though a Queen , Such prodigality of State had seen . 66. In open Tent appear'd , whose Covering was Sumptuously rugged with Embroydery Of Perls and Jewels ; in which orient Glasse The Sun , who needs would peepe , had lost his Eye , But yet ten thousand He receiv'd for one , For every Perl did beat him back a Sun . 67. A fearfull Texture of strange Tapestrie Pav'd the rich Floor with an historick Pride ; Where slaughter'd Lyons , Boars , and Bears did lie , Confessing by whose 〈◊〉 Hand they di'd . For every one had great Agenors dart Deep sticking in his head , or in his heart . 68. The wall hung thick with War : the noblest Stories Whose valiant Actors e're did honour Bays , Were glistering there , not in unworthy Glories : For all that Gold and Gems could do to raise Them to their life again , was freely tried , And Art as liberally her wealth supplied . 69. Th' obedient Sun rein'd in his posting Houres By Heav'ns steep side , at Joshua's Command , Where to attend and to admire his Powers , This glorious Witnesse with fix'd Eye did stand . The Moon keep'd in her Horns , and dared not Push out the Night , till he the Day had got . 70. Close by , five prostrate Kings the ground did gnaw , Feeling upon their Necks his Captains Feet : And in a stately-miserable Row Were six and twenty other Princes set , Whose Crowns before his Helmet broken lay , Whose lopped Scepters to his sword gave way . 71. There boistrous Sampson with his Asse's Jaw ( A wretched Weapon , could his sinews not Amend his weak Toole by its potent Blow , ) A thousand Enemies devoureth : But With statlier Might his brawnie shoulders here Did Gaza's Gates up Hebron Mountain wear . 72. But yet his last Exploit crownd all the rest , When to the Princes fatall Sport he shew'd , Turning their Banquet to their funerall Feast , Where with their Wine all their own Blood he brew'd , As at the Pillars He did stand and pull , The Hangings were with their own Ruines full . 73. Next him , a young and ruddy Champion flings Into Goliahs Brow a shamefull Death , There Isbibenob dread and terror brings Upon the Sceen , shaking with monstrous Wrath His barbarous Spear , till Abishai's brave Sword Hew'd down this Mount , whose fall made Gath afeard 74. There Sibbechai on Saph's enormous Pride Due vengance takes . There mighty Elbanan Drowns stroming Lahmi in his own Bloods 〈◊〉 . There the undaunted Blade of Jonathan Prunes the six-finger'd Gyant , and requites The bold defiance He on Israel spits . 75. An Army to himself , Adino there Musters his Powers against eight hundred Foes : Glad this brave Harvest He alone may shear , About 〈◊〉 daring Work the Champion goes , Nor stops his Conquest untill He has mown This totall field of matchless Honor down . 76. There Dodo's Son ; there Shammah keep their ground Nor yeild one inch to all Philistia's Host : Shame spurr'd the Armies on ; but still they found They ventur'd onely to their fatall cost : For obstinate Victorie attended heer On Shammah's sword , on Eleazr's there . 77. Benajab from th' Egyptian Heroe heer Tears both his Speare and Life : There He divides Destruction 'twixt a Lyon-faced Pair Of Moabites : His Fauchion heer he guides Into a reall Lyons Heart , whose Cave In which He found him , soone He made his Grave . 78. To Bethleem there the danger-scorning Three Through the Philistian Guards slash ope their way , Fir'd with a stronger thirst of Victory , Than was their Kings of Water : And their Prey They fail not to obtaine , though through a flood Going and comming , they must wade of blood . 79. The other Work did onely speak what He Himselfe was pleas'd about himselfe to Lie . How many gasping Gyants might you see Yeilding Agenor strange-form'd Victory ! How many Palms and Bays about Him throw Themselves , ambitious of his Hand and Brow ! 80. Above , his Scutcheon hangs , In Azure field A Lyon Or , with Lightning in his Paw , The Crest was Fame , with Cheeks & 〈◊〉 swel'd , And wings display'd : His Throne was built below Of Perle , whose Lustre yet was conqaered By those six steps which up to it did lead . 81. The first was * * Riches . Plutus , of substantiall Price ; The next † † Nobility . Eugenia , in fancy high : * * Beauty . Callos the third , the ravisher of Eyes ; The fourth † † Valour . Andria full of Majesty ; The fift * * Learning . Pedia , fairer than the rest ; † † Pietie . Ensebia the sixt , of all the best . 82. There sate ' the Gallant . One whole Diamond made His radiant Helmet , and in wanton pride A knot of gorgeous Plumes about it playd , Scorning all Winds that kiss'd them : Still afide They wav'd their Heads when any Blast came neer And coyly seem'd to aske , what make you heer ? 83. A Mantle of Estate flow'd round about Down from his wide-spred shoulders to his feet , And cloth'd Him with all splendors that are brought From Easterne shores the Westerne Perles to meet , And by , a rich Conspiracy of Beams Epitomize the Worlds estate of Gems . 84. His sword look'd Lightning through its chrystall sheath , Whose round Hiltits Victorious blade did crown : But yet his Scepter did more terrout breath , Such Majestie about it he had thrown . The Ball in 's hand was swell'd to that Degree , As if it meant indeed the World to be . 85. At his right Hand stood Scorn : turn'd was her Head Over her shoulder : with contemptuous Eye Through a thick frowne her fullen mind she spred , And seeing , scorn'd to see , the Company . Nor did she mend , or mollifie her Brow , But when Agenor's growing rough she saw . 86. At his left hand stood gaudie Philautie , But dwelt more on a Chrystall Glass she held Eternally neer her admiring Eye ; In which her foolish self she read , and smil'd On her faire lession , though the brittle Glass Admonish'd her how vain her Beautie was . 87. Before him , on a golden Pillar , at Whose foot a Laurell and a Palme did grow , Upon the back of triumph glory sate ; Whose dazeling Robes did with more lustre flow Than breaks from Phebu's furniture when He Through Cancer rides in all June's gallantry . 88. About Him round his whole Retinue was Dispos'd in royall equipage : His owne Attendants had the credite of the place Which glittered neerest his illustrious Throne : Then stood the Passions , all admiring how This Sceen of Wonders could so quickly grow . 89. Crafty Agenor having paus'd a while To give respect to his own State , and let Psyche both bite and swallow down the Guile About which He so fair a Bait had put : By soft and proud degrees vouchsaf'd to stirre , And being risen , thus accosted Her . 90. Did Pitties generous and Soveraign Law All points of Ceremony not forbid , Agenor must not have descended now To stand at Psyche's Gate : But I am led Below my selfe by Virtue , that my Might May help these wronged Passions to their right . 91. 'T is Fortunes pleasure that casts me upon These mercifull Designs , and I 'm content ; The Honor's Gain enough : this Pay alone My Pains expect : Indeed the common Rent By which my most renowned Self I keepe , Are the Revenues I from Glory reap . 92. And for these sillie Creatures sake , who thought I had been but some single Errant Knight , I let this glimpse of what I am break out , To teach their Error my authentick Might Needs no supplies from them : This Part of my Ne'r-conquer'd Train dares Heav'n and Earth defie . 93. I was resolved by this Swords dread Flame To sacrifice you to my Wrath : But now You are a Female thing , I hold it shame To make my Conquests honor stoop so low : I 'm loth the World should say Agenor drew His Sword , and like a Man a Woman slew . 94. In Womans blood my Weapon never yet Blush'd for its base Exploit : nor will it now Begin its shame , and a vile Victory get , Unlesse enforc'd by Fortune , Fate , and You. But I forget my selfe through Courtesie : Pretious are Princes Words , and few should be . 95. Love knew her Cue ; and , stepping gently forth , Great Queen , said she , I chosen am to be My suppliant Sisters Mouth : And may this Earth Ope hers to close up mine , if Falsitie Break from my lipps , or any Fraud conceal What They , and Truth , and Justice , bid me tell . 96. What Heav'n has made Us , 't is our Blisse to be , And that 's your Subjects : Though cross Error now A confident Blot throws on our Loyalty , The lest of treacherous Thoughts We disavow : Alas what would the Members gain if they Combine their Wit and Strength their Head to slay . 97. Yet your wise Majesty full well doth know That , as your Self a Free Prince are , so We Are Free-born Subjects : Nature does allow In our sweet Common-weal no Tyranny : She knew this mutuall Freedome best would bless Both Prince and People with joint Happiness . 98. But what broad Innovations rush'd of late Into our State , justling out Liberty , O that wee could not feel ! Had it been 〈◊〉 Which thrust on Us this boistrous Misery , We had been silent : But wee know what Hand Hath stoll n our Freedome , and by whose Command . 99. Nor I , nor any of my Sisters were Suffer'd our Selves in quiet to possesse : We could not Love , nor Hate , nor Hope , nor Fear , We could not Sorrow know , nor Joyfulnesse , Nor any thing that pleas'd not Them who had A Prey of all our Priviledges made . 100. Surely wee had a legall Title to What ours by reverend Natures bounty was . Yet snatch'd from thence , wee must be press'd to goe And serve abroad we knew not where , alas , Nor e'r shall know ; for how should wee comprise Mysterious things , and Matters of the Skies ? 101. Nor is this sad Case onely ours , who are Inlanders here : Your Subjects too abroad Who at your Cinque-ports with perpetuall care In gathering your royall Customes stood , Are loaded with like Grievances : and they Pray'd Us , with our Complaints , theirs to display . 102. They have not leave , ( poor leave ! ) to Hear , or See , Or Smell , or Taste , or Feele , what is their own ; But chain'd up in unnaturall Slavery , Of their starv d Lives and Selves are weary grown . Yet this Griefe more than all , their hearts doth break , That their Religion too lies at the Stake . 103. They must a new Devotion learn , and be Tortur'd with Watchings , Prayers , and Prostrations , With Ceremonies of pale Piety , With Fastings , and severe Mortifications : And if this Superstition they refuse , Some Mulct on the poor Confessors ensues . 104. And by what Law must either They , or We Under this Arbitrary Power lie ? Where is the Free-born Subjects Liberty , Who have no power at all , unlesse to Die ? And surely Death a greater Blessing were , Than such a Life as We doe groan in here . 105. Mistake not gracious Soveraign , what I speak : As if I charg'd the guilt of these our Woes Upon your Soule : My heart-strings first should crack With their own Torments loud , e'r I would loose My Tongue in such a slaunder : you alas , May with your Subjects for a Sufferer passe . 106. A Sufferer in that which nearest lies And dearest unto every Princes Heart : Your royall Honor in our Miseries Is rack'd and tortur'd and torn part from part . Ask not by Whom ; but recollect who were They whose bold Charms in Court did domineer . 107. Logos that wiley Fox Was never well But when on you and Us , he made a prey . Some hansome Tale or other He would tell Whereby to your Mistake He might betray Your unheard Subjects : From your Highness thus He stole your Eare , our Liberty from Us. 108. His Majors , Minors , Maxims , Demonstrations , With most profound Deceit He gravely drest ; And by these sage and reverend Conjurations Pour'd Cruelty into your Gentle Breast ; And made you count his Plots good sober Reason , Which in the Passions must have gone for Treason . 109. Hence issued those Commands , which day by day Illegall Burdens on our Backs did heap , And to this sad Necessity betray Our loth Soules , that they could no longer sleep In patient Silence . Though all Warrants came From his fell Hand , they wore your gentle Name . 110. Some woefull Comfort it had been if We Had to one single Tyranny been damn'd : But We at Home , in forrein slavery Were held ; A Grievance we would not have nam'd , In reverence to your Credit , could the thing Have easie grown by our long suffering . 111. What is that Charis unto Us , that she In our Free State such arrogant sway must bear ? Or what made you so weak a Prince , that We Must be Commanded by a Forreiner ? We grant She 's brave and Princely : Yet wee know We owe Allegiance to no Queen but You. 112. She came from Heav'n , if wee her Word may take : But what woo'd Her from such a place as that , To dwell in this ignoble World , and make Her high Selfe stoop unto she knew not what ? I would be loth to wrong Her ; Yet I fear There 's something in 't , why Heav'n gatrid of Her 113. And being here , what-was the Trade she drove But how to barbarize your gentle Breast With strange Austerity ; and to remove Us from your love with which We once were blest ? Your smiles she all monopoliz'd , and left Us quit of all things , but your Hate bereft , 114. If this Devotion be , and heav'nly Zeal , What is Unnaturalnesse ? Alas that We None but destructive Piety must feel , And by Religion consumed be ! Alas that Heav'n and Godliness must thus Be forc'd to suffer injury with Us ! 115. Nor is proud Phylax one who with less Art Hath conzen'd you into this Tyrannie : Soft are his Wings , but cruell is his Heart , Sweets in his Looks , Gall in his Thoughts doth lie : Fair does He speak you , but the bait is cheap : His streams run smoothest , where the chanell's deep . 116. Were you a Youngling , and devoid of Friends Whose riper Arms might help your tender Hand To sway the Scepter : then , what he pretends With tolerable Sense perhaps might stand : But must your Nonage still goe on , and He For evermore the Lord Protector be ? 117. Now by your honour , mighty queen , 't is time For you no more to think your self a Childe : Know your own power , and loose it not in Him Who has your credulous Love too long beguil'd . 'T is no discredite for a Prince to throw Away an Error , and with it a Foe . 118. Your Confidence in Him which flames so high , Was kindled by his service in the Grove : Yet what if that were but a Mysterie Of deep deceir , and no exploit of Love ? If Phylax and not Aphrodisius were In all that Sceen of Charms the Conjurer ? 119. Who but the noble Aphrodisius there Bravely forgetfull of his own life , from Immediate Death wide-gaping in the Boar Your helpless soul did reskew ? And from whom Did Phylax 〈◊〉 you , but from his Imbrace Who your deliverer and your Lover was ? 120. And then enrag'd With shameless spight , to see You to another your protection owe , Upon the courteous strasngers Piety The powers of magick Malice He did throw : How much more Monster was you Phylax there , Who made the goodly Knight so foule appeare ? 121. Yet well it were , if he would onely trie His Charms on Aphrodisius , and for bear To exercise on Us his Witcherie : But We , alas , so Metamorphoz'd are With that Rough-cast of shapes He on Us cleaves , That you in your owne Subjects He deceives . 122. We seem like Fiends ( for Rebells sure are so ) And monstrous things in your abused Eye : Although ev'n Phylax in his Heart doth know Our Lives are not so deare as Loyaltie To honest-meaning Us : And whose was this Desperate Enchantment if it were not his ? 123. 'T is true , He talks of Love and needs will be The Paranymphus of the heav'nly spouse : But surely I should ken as well as He All Mysteries of Love : The whole world knows That my Creation onely aims at this : And is my naturall Art less mine than His ? 124. That the Etheriall Prince makes love to you As to the dearest she that treads his Earth , I easily grant , because so well I know Your Majesties incomparable Worth . But Heav'n forbid that I should Him esteeme So strange a Spouse as Phylax maketh Him . 125. Sure He is King of sweetnesse and Delight , And with more zeal abhorrs all Tyrannie , Than Phylax loves it : Sure his gentle Might Strives for a correspondent Victorie : Not all the world shall make Me think that He Will ever wooe his Spuose by Crueltie . 126. Lents , Embers , Vigils , Groans , Humi-cubations , Tears , Pensiveness , disconsolate Privacie , Severest Arts of all Mortifications Are not conditions required by An earthlie Suiter ; and can Heavn'ly He Imbitter thus his deare Suits Suavitie ? 127. Can He expect his tender spouse should prove Her Loyaltie pants with intire affection , By nothing but self-hatred ? can his Love Finde no Security but your Destruction ? Pardon my fear , great Queen , you love not Him Whom such a spightfull Lover you can deeme . 128. But farr be all such Omens hence : Had I Or Nature any Glass which could present Your totall self to your considering Eye ; The gallant sight would make your heart repent This dangerous Heresie , that Heav'ns gentle King Would use so harshly such a lovely thing . 129. What is there of Delight , of Love , of Joy , Of Grace , of Beautie in this World below Or that above , which did escape a way From the Creator's fingers , when on you Himself he wrote , and bade your Bosome be The Vniverse's rich Epitomie ? 130. But Phylax brews this cruell-flattering Plot , Because it is his Rack and Hell to see That Fate or Fortune Psyche should allot To any Spouse but Him : This makes Him be So subtly active in his secret Art How he may you and your great Suiter part . 131. O then , first for your own illustrious sake , And next , for Us wrapp'd up in you , beware Of his Designs in time : Just courage 〈◊〉 In what deserves your speediest stoutest Care . Nor you nor We can be secure winle He Both from your Court and Favour 〈◊〉 be . 132. Nor can your Palace be a dwelling Place For safety so long as Logos , or Charis , thus revell in your Princely Grace : One Edict may 〈◊〉 them all , and farr From this their 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Treachery Pack them to that foule place where Trayters lie . 133. So shall your royall self securely dwell , And your 〈◊〉 undeceived Hand Sway its own Scepter : So shall We dispell By prest obedience unto your Command That caus lesse Error , which upon our Head The foule Blot or Rebellion hath spred . 134. So shall our reskew'd Liberries appear In their own Looks : So We by Love shall doe More of your Will than disingenuous Fear And lawlesse 〈◊〉 e'r hal'd Us to . So you no more shall mark'd and dreaded be For Rigor , but reign Queen of Clemencie . 135. So shall your sweetned Countenance proclaim That you Lov 's dear Adventure doe profess : So shall you court with your Eys answering Flame Your Spouse's beams : So shall His Tendernesse A soft capacity find in your Heart Of his destroying , yet enlivening Dart. 136. Here bowing low , Love sealed up her Lip With a Kisse on the ground . But , all together A thousand Doubts did rosse poore Psyche up From one side of her thoughts unto another . Three times she op'd her mouth ; but jealous Feares Would suffer Her to speak by nought but Teares . 137. Which when Arenor 〈◊〉 : he with his Eye Gave 〈◊〉 Commission to speak . She , marching forth with port and majesty , Loves 〈◊〉 Deceit did somerhing greater make . And , Well I know , great Queen , said she , that You Much wonder I should come a Treater now . 138. T is true , you sent me with expresse Command To force the head-strong Rebells back againe , And make them feel that your illustrious Hand Is moderatrix of the 〈◊〉 Rein. And I indeed took them for Rehells too ; So much your Error upon me could doe . 139. But when I found their Lovalty as clear As Slander fain'd it blotted : I who was Dispatch'd by You but as the Officer Of Right and Justice , had no power to passe My strict Commission : and what need I prove What was so solidly confirm'd by Love ? 140. I must confesse , when I had mark'd that Store Of honest Bravery , of which poor they Were , with the Senses , robb'd ; I could no more To their provok'd Impatience , Treason lay , Than unto Tellus , if in chinks she ope Her Mouth at Sirius who her flowres burns up . 141. Yet they were generous , and unto Me The choise of all their choisest Wealth did profer That by my hand it might commended be To wait on you : And here their Gift I offer If it and them you scorn , yet must not I Be guilty of such Inhumanity . 142. Forth with she op'd the Scene , whence streamed out . The confluence of that gorgeous Fallacy Which on her heedlesse Selfe before had wrought . Straight , as the sweetly-rolling Tide grew high , The Stream bore Psyche down ; as sudden Light Instead of day , seizeth the Eyes with night . 143. Agenor seeing she was dazeled by The flash of those Varieties , arose , And , while she rubb'd and questioned her Eye , To the Imposture adds this specious Close : Wonder not Madame , but repent that you Your Subjects goodly homage scorn'd till now . 144. I am content the weaknesse of your Sex Be your excuse , if now you can relent To ease the yoak which gaulls your Subjects Necks , And crown their just Demands with your Consent ; That Pitty I unto their Wrongs did lend , To your repented Error I 'le extend 145. The love which to mine own Queen seals my heart Makes it unto all other Ladies kinde : For her dear sake I will to you impart Rich testimonies of my tender Minde : I know she 'l thank me when I come at home , That in my Mercy I have made you room . 146. Behold my Mine of wealth : From hence will I This Peace with pretious Tokens consecrate , And will hereafter owne your Majesty As my Confederate : Though prevailing Fate Makes me a Martiall Prince , I 'd rather win By sweetnesse , than by churlish force , a Queen . 147. Then ope your Gates . Or if my Kindnesse be A Price room an to buy our Acceptation , Tell me but so : I can more easily Force than Intreat : This warlike Preparation Did with more pains win on it self to make This Pause , than it will cost your Fort to take . 148. What help for Psyche now , whom Power drives , And Charms allure to her Destruction ? With heart-misgiving Thoughts a while she strives , And struggles how she may not fear the One , Nor love the other : But away at last Her Resolution , and her selfe she cast . 149. Vain Son of Dust pull down thy foolish Crest , And in this Glasse thy feeble Wormship see : Who will commit unto thy wavering trust Another thing , when by Self-treachery Thou yeildest up thy wretched Heart a Prize To them whose Power in thy Concession lies ? 150. I like the Terms , right noble Sir , she cries , And must for ever in my high esteem Inshrine and reverence these Courtesies Which from your sweet Magnificence doe stream . Then to the Gate she hasts , and , to begin Her thanks , flings it wide ope , and calls them in . 151. Agenor sheath'd his mighty Sword , and bid The Passions all perform what He had done . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Order they first entered ; 〈◊〉 with his swelling Train Himselfe drew on , And seem'd to cast a sirly Look aside 〈◊〉 the Castle Gate was not more wide . 152. With Princely slownesse thus march'd in at last . Her royall Seal He Her desires to set To those Conditions which before had past . And in a gilded Scroll were ready writ . She ran it over with a smiling Eye , And straight set seal to her own Miserie . 153. Then unto Thelema the Instrument She gave , with full Commission to shut Her Ports when Charis or when Phylax bent Their courses , or their projects thither . But For Logos , she consented He should still Remain a Pris'ner at the Passions Will . 154. With that : My seal to this Pacification Agenor cries , this Friendly Kisse shall be : Mean while the Passions with joynt Acclamation Salute their Soveraigns Eare , as courtly He Her Lip : And fond she joy'd their Noise to hear Which all her freedome did in pieces tear . 155. By name she bad them welcome all : but on Agenor dwelt her Thanks and Complement . And , sure , said she , what you to day have done Proves you to be of that sublime Descent From which my Spouse was said alone to spring : Who would not swear that you were Peace's King ? 156. Power reigns in both His Hands : the Armory Of Heav'n , where Thundering Ammunition lies In dreadfull Store , is His ; yet gentle He By sweetnesse loves to gain his Victories . And so doe you , who for His sake , to Me The noblest Prince , and dearest are but He. 157. Agenor smil'd : And , Whosoe'r I be , Repli'd , sweet Queen , I have no time to show More than by this blest peace , 〈◊〉 what you see , This 〈◊〉 of my royall Love to You. The World may need Me some where else , and I Must not by loytering here , my help deny . 158. Yet if my Aid you should hereafter want , Send and enquire at any Prince's Court : ( And think not that Agenor now 〈◊〉 vaunt , ) Unto such Inns I make my chiefe resort . Nor fail I of due welcome , for the best And Noblest Place is proud of Me its Guest . 159. His Present was two Cabinets : which when His Pages had set down , He took his leave From her soft lipp ; through which He breathed in What her unwary Heart did not perceive , Slie Spirits of Self-love , and Foolish Pride , And many mystick swelling things beside . 160. With earnest Courtesie she woo'd his Stay , But now his deep Defign was compass'd , He With all his gorgeous Train made haste away , And leaves her more a Pris'ner , than when she Was in her Castle close barr'd up by Fear Of them , who now all play'd the Tyrants there . 161. Each Passion takes her swindge , and does appeal To Thelema when any Doubts arise , Boldly provoking to the Scroll and Seal Which did this publike Freedome authorize . Thus Noise and Tumult every corner fills Of Psyche's court , which all with Revells swells . 162. So when fond Phebus doting on his Son , Resign'd his Reins into his childish Hand , Th' impatient 〈◊〉 cross the road did run , And neither kept the way , nor his Command : But in unbrideled Madness with their wheels Drew on the Worlds Confusion at their heels . 163. The Senses too , first sticklers in the Treason , Their share of its licentious fruit did reap , Perceiving quickly that imprison'd Reason No more his rigid Discipline could keep : And proudly smiling , what tame Fools were wee They cri'd , who did no sooner mutinie ! 164. How strange a Monster doth a Kingdome grow Where Laws and Soveraignty , the life and health Of every heav'n-descended State , must bow Unto 〈◊〉 Wills ! What Common-wealth Can justifie its Name , where Subjects may Command , and Princes dare not but obey ! 165. No Hydra's shape so shapeless is as this , Which throws the World back to its breeding Heap , The hideous Chaos of Preposterousnesse , That tumbles All things in one monstrous Deep , And in despight of the well-form'd Creation , Disjoynts and scatters it quite out of Fashion , 166. Yet wretchlesse Psyche is content to see This monstrous Soloecisme in her own Breast , And thinks her Scepter and her Selfe more free , Than when Obedience did her Subjects cast Low at the Feet of her Commands , where they With reverence and ready Service lay . 167. The silly Rose delighteth thus to be Drest in her fairest Looks and best Attire , When round about a churlish Companie Of Thorns against her Tenderness conspire : Upon that Seige of Pikes She smiles doth cast , Not dreaming They will murder her at last . 168. Psyche's as jolly , as the Passions wilde , And means her Joys with those Delights to feed With which Agenor's Cabinets were fill'd : Proud Expectation prompts Her there to read The Lines of Fate against her selfe ; For she In opening them , broach'd her own Misery . 169. ( With such unfortunate Curiosity The fatall Box rash Epimetheus op'd : The trembling Lid for-warn'd his Hand to be Better advis'd ; yet still the Fondling hop'd For mighty Matters : But the Prize he found , Himselfe , and all the World , in Sorrows drown'd . ) 170. The first was full of Bracelets , Net-works , Tires , Rings , Earings , Tablets , Wimples , Hoods , Veils , Laces , Lawns , Crisping-pins , Chains , Bonnets , golden Wires , Vermilion , Pencills , Smiles , Youth , blooming Faces , Gloves , Sandalls , Girdles , Busks , Suffumigations , Powders , Perls , Coronets High-looks , & New-fashions . 171. Silks , Sattens , Purples , Sables , Ermyns , Gold And Silver by the Loom and Needle taught To wed and dwell with Silk which feels no cold . Besides all that lay in the bottome fraught In ready Coin to pave and make the floor Fit for the Feet of that ambitious Store . 172. The next was nothing but th' inammeld Case Of a large Mirror : Never Chrystall did Smile with such pureness ; Never Ladies Glasse Its Owners face so sweetly flattered : Narcissu's Fountain did with less Delight Unto his fair Destruction Him invite . 173. For He in that , and in self-love being drownd , Agenor from him took his doting Eys : Proud Jezabells he also scatter'd found Amongst her fragments , and made them his prize . Goliahs stareing Bagins too he got , Which He with Pharaoh's all together put . 174. But these being not enough ; from Phacton , From 〈◊〉 , Joab , Nebuchadnezzer , From Philip and his World-devouring Son , From Scylla , Cataline , Cicero , Pompey , Cesar , From Herod , Cleopatra , and Sejanus , From Agrippina , and Domitianus , 175. And many Stoiks : their high Eyes he pull'd ; Whose proudest Chrystall having drained out , He blended it in a fair polish'd Mould ; Which He fill'd up with what from Heav'n he brought , An Extract of those Looks of Lucifer In which against his God he breathed Warre . 176. Then to the North , that glassie Kingdome , where Establish'd Frost and Ice for ever reign , He sped his course , and meeting Boreas there , Pray'd Him this liquid Mixture to restrain . When loe , as Boreas op'd his Mouth , and blew Forth his Command , the Humor solid grew . 177. Thus was the Mirrour made : and did contain The vigor of those selfe-admiring Eyes Agenors witchcraft into it did straign : A dangeroud Juncture of proud Fallacies , Which did so highly please its Authors Eye , That Kissing it , he nam'd it Philautie . 178. Unhappy Psyche ravish'd was to see The Glass her selfe upon her selfe reflect With trebled Majestie . The Sun when He As by Aurora's roseal Fingers deckt , Sees not his repercussed Selfe more fair Upon the Eastern Main , then she did here . 179. New Flames were kindled in her sprightfull Eye , New Roses on her smiling Cheeks were spred , New Graces and new Loves did gently fly Down with her golden Tresses from her Head , New Lilies beautifi'd her dainty Hand , New Goodliness her Person did commend . 180. Her cheated Soul sprang through her Eye , and dwelt So long upon the Glass that it grew New : Such mighty Thoughts , till now , she never felt , As up and down her high-swoll'n Fancie flew ; Which breaking from her Mouth , at length , she cries , How long have I been strange to mine own Eyes ? 181. Am I that Worm , whom Phylax put in minde So oft of Dust and Vileness ! Could this face These Eyes , these Locks , these Hands , this Person finde No better credit ? Surely now the Case Is plain how Aphrodisius came to be So hideous : Phylax makes the like of Me. 182. Foole that I was , to dream it could be true Which proud He daily preach'd to my Disgrace : Who could beleeve that I should never veiw Till now , the Wonders of mine own bright face ! That this ingenuous Glass should tell me more Then Phylax , or then Charis did before ! 183. No marvell now if Heav'ns Apparent Heir Disdains all Beauties that He findes above , And , doing right to her that is most fair , By stooping down to me exalts his Love : I little thought I could so much have shown Why this my Head should fit an heav'nly Crown 184. Pardon me , ô my Eyes that ignorant I With brieney Tears so oft have soiled you ; Had not your Flames by their Divinity Secured been , they had been quench'd e'r now . And pardon Me , sweet Cheeks , I will no more Blubber and scall'd your roses , as before . 185. And you all-lovely Lips no more shall kisse The Dust , which foolish I took for your Mother . The Tribe of Orientall Rubies is Your pretious Kindred : nor must any other Sip the soft Nectar which in you doth live But that dear Kisse my Spouse to me shall give . 186. Nor shall rude Usage rob thee of thy due My gentle Body ; All Hair-cloths fare-well , My liberall Tresses Hair enough can shew : And by this Girdle Heav'n did plainly tell What other Furniture would suit me best When with this Seige of Gems it girt my Waste . 187. And since thy Cabinets Wardrobe Challenges My proudest choise , I wish thy selfe were here Royall Agenor , to behold how these Fair Limbs of mine would quit themselves , and wear In worthy Triumph thy best Jewells , which Shall by my purer beams themselves enrich . 188. This said : Love who stood fawning by her side , Her delicate Service offered to dress Her high-conceited Queen in equall Pride . A purple Mantle , fring'd with Statelinesse , Embroider'd with Ambition , laced round With Vanity she in the Cabinet found : 189. About her this she casts ; then for her neck And wrists , three Bracelets of bright Gems she chose , A sparkling Coronet her head to deck , To trim her feet , a pair of silver shoes , A Crisping-pin to multiplie her hair , Spruce Lawn to make her breast , though clothed , bare . 190. Whil'st she with these and other Rarities Builds up her Pomp : The gaudy Queen delights To see by what rich steps her Beauties rise ; For to the Glasse whose multiplying sleights Flatter'd her Error to so proud a pitch , Her Joyous Folly still her Eyes did reach . 191. Then rising slowly up , as she before Had seen Agenor move from his high throne ; She traversed , but scorn'd to see , the floor , Or any of the Passions who look'd on . Onely she turned her vain-glorious Head Upon the Glasse her walking Selfe to read . 192. Which Lesson pleased Her so well , that she Gat it by heart , and yet must read again , Insatiably coveting to see The Pomp in which her Looks and Clothes did reign : And tickled with her selfe , she wish'd that now Her Spouse would come and visit her below . 193. The cunning Passions seeing her inhance Her looks and gate , did in compliance bowe , Aud at the feet of her new Arrogance Themselves and all their treacherous homage throw : Which , though she liked , yet she scorned too , And taught Acceptance with Disdain to goe . 194. But now her Home was grown too narrow to Contein her Greatness ; She abroad must ride , That other Eys to her may reverence doe Who now could prove her self Heav'ns worthy Bride , And justly might display her beams in this Low world , as in the upper He spreads His. 195. An open Chariot she calls for : and That with due state and speed her wheels might run , Eight of her stoutest Passions does command To bend their Necks , and put the Harnesse on . They soon obey'd , wishing no lesse to be Abroad , and trot about the World , than she . 196. When loe Syneidesis , who all this while Had in a silent Corner watch'd her Queen , Accosts her in an unexpected Stile , And catching fast hold on her Arm , What mean You by this haste ? Here is another Glasse Said she , for you to view before you passe . 197. Behold these Eyes of mine : a Mirror where Dwells no Deceit , nor Charm , nor Flattery : You are true Psyche here , and onely here , In this Reflection of Verity : I never yet abused you ; and why Must that false Glass be trusted , and not I ? 198. With indignation Psyche turn'd her head , And left Scorn for Syneidesis ; but she Who knew not to be daunted , followed Her Eye with faithfull Importunity ; And made her see , in spight of her Disdain , How both It , and her selfe did strive in vain . 199. The Passions wonder'd at her Boldnesse ; But She is a Witch , impatient Psyche cries , And hath the strength of all Enchantments set Thick in the Glasses of her monstrous Eyes , Which have such power on mine , that there 's no gap Where from their conjuring Circles I may scape . 200. Behold how grosse a Lie of Ougliness They throw upon my Face , there to out-face The truth of all those beauteous lines which dress My royall Looks with Prince-becoming Grace . Surely my selfe I would revenge upon . My Selfe , if I indeed were such a One. 201. Was Eye e'r frighted with so foule an Heap Of angry Blisters , as those Starers make O'r all my Skin ! I challenge any Deep Upon whose face the Windes most freedome take , To shew so many Billows , as in Me , O no ; as in this lying Shape you see . 202. Improvident Witch , why could'st thou not as well Have charm'd my Touch , as thou hast done mine Eyes ? Why didst thou leave these Fingers Power to feel And to convict thee of thy Forgeries ? Their Tumors are not yet so sore , but still Thy Witchery they can restrain , and will . 203. Upon her Throat forth-with her Left Hand flew , Having with furious Veng'ance arm'd her Right , With which upon the Maidens Eyes she threw The vehemence of Her entended Spight ; Hoping to break her Classes , that their Crack Might let these Blisters out they seem'd to make . 204. But stout Syneidesis composed was Of Mettall as secure and brave as she ; And though her Eyes did wear the Looks of Glass They borrow'd nothing but its Puritie : Had they been brittle too , they had been broke ; But now they bore and smiled at the Stroke . 205. This fetch 't a secret sigh from Psyche , who Call d for a Veil as thick and black as Night . And this at least ; said she , the Deed shall doe , And bury those bold Monsters from my sight : Then on Syneidesis she cast it , and Ti'd it full fast by an hard-hearted Band. 206. O miserable Priviledge , that Man Should able be to muffle up that Sight Which shews Him to Himselfe , and onely can Through Rocks & Shelves point out his Course aright ! Unhappy strength ! the feeblest Weaknesse is Nothing so weak and faint a thing as this . 207. Proud of this self-destroying Conquest , to Her Chariot Psyche hasts : whose Coursers from Her scornfull Eyes their own inflamed so , That they with correspondent Pride did foam : With bended Necks , and sparkling Looks they ran , Disdaining all the ground they trode upon . 208. Thus swimming over Hills and Dales and Plains , She came unto a simple Ermites Cell : There she pluck'd in her fierce Teemes looser Reins , To see what Worme in that poor hole did dwell : When busie at his Roots and Herbs close by An aged Home-spun Man she did espy . 209. To whom she cries , Alas vain wretched thing , Is this a time for thee to cultivate ? What has thy Winter now to doe with Spring , Who art already bowing to thy Fate ! E'n delve no more for Roots : that labour save , And for thy other foot goe dig the grave . 210. The honest Ermite when he well had view'd Her scornfull Pittie , thus replied : I For your Commiseration would have su'd , Had I esteem'd my labour , Misery : But I can well spare you your Pomp and Ease , Me Poverty and Pains doe better please . 211. A Coach once waited on my Idlenesse , Being my House abroad , when Home I left : But now I travell farre enough on these Old Feet , and fear no Fall : that stately shift Of Borrowing Leggs of Beasts , to Me is grown Needlesse , since Nature fits Me with mine own . 212. These Vanities , and all the rest , which are Attendants on superfluous Wealth , I threw A way , with it : and that in time , for fear It would have serv'd Me so ; for well I knew That Riches were but glorious Vexations , Sins catching Fuell , Plunders Invitations . 213. Then took I Sanctuary in that Cell , Which has more room to spare for Heav'n and God , Than had my spatious Pallace , which did swell With secular burly Things . In this Abode I finde my Haven , where un-disturbed I Far from the Worlds loud Storms , at anchor lie . 214. This spot of Ground , the Scoff of your high Eyes , By pleasant Pains I make restore to Me What carelessenesse had lost , sweet Paradise : No Bait smiles here on a forbidden Tree ; Nor in these Herbs doth any Serpent sneak Them to enyenome , or my Safety check . 215. My serious Labours and my ridgid Fear Fright hence the tender Sons of Luxury , Distempers and Diseases ; Guests which are Fed at the Bord of Superfluity . In health and vigour I can night and day Trade with my Maker , and my Prayers say . 216. He , though no wanton Bathes have softened My carelesse Skin , which tann'd and rough you see ; Though all my weeds be of a rurall Thred , Spun by Neglect , and by Simplicity ; Esteems nor Me , nor my Condition poor , Because I build my Hopes upon his Store . 217. His royall Store , which ( since this World below So narrow was ) fills Heav'ns vast Treasury : And till the Sons of Dust and Ashes grow As high as that , in vain they look to be Enrich'd by it . But there 's a Way by which We Dwarfs to that Sublimity may reach . 218. A strange Way , which does by Desentions Wings Teach Us to soar : These Contrarieties Into the field not onely Nature brings , But Grace with opposite Cures meets Maladies . Pride threw Us down , when we were perched high , Our ladder to get up 's Humility . 219. Humility , that Art enobled by His own Profession whom all Heav'ns adore : Himselfe He Lowest made , who was most High , And of the Richest King , became most Poor ; By his Example teaching Us that We Must onely by Rebound exalted be . 220. Psyche with great contention deign'd to hear Him hitherto , but could endure no more . What Pitty'tis , said she , that now thy Beer Hath long stood waiting for thee at thy Door , Thou art no Wiser yet ! this signe doth shew Thy Dotage is past Help ; Poor wretch , adeiu . 221. Then with relaxed Rein admonishing Her smoaking Steeds ; They snatch'd her Coach away With sparkling foaming fervor , copying Her hasty indignation , untill they Drew neer the Citty ; where their pace they bate , Marching in statelier slownesse to the Gate . 222. The People gaz'd upon her as she past And fill'd the Street with Wonder : Every Eye It s foolish homage in her way did cast . And by that Admiration raise more high Her tumid Looks , who had the more to scorn , The more Spectators did her way adorn . 223. For whilst some prais'd the Coach , and some the Steeds , And all her Person who rode Queen of them : With carelesse Looks Contempt about she spreads Both on their Admiration , and on them . She lov'd the Honor , yet lov'd to despise What in her own esteem was her best prize . 224. So when a burly Tempest rolls his Pride About the World though mighty Cedars bow , Though Seas give way unto his greater Tide , Though Mountains lay their proudest heads full low Before his feet , yet still He roars amain , And rusheth on in blustering Disdain . 225. On many Pallaces her Eye she cast , But yet could not vouchsafe to view them long : At last contemning all she saw , she prest With insolent fiercenesse through the gazing Throng , Crying , These Cottages can afford no room For Psyche's Entertainment : I must Home .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO VI. The Humiliation . ARGUMENT . HEr heav'nly Friends by soule-subduing Art Recover Psyche from her shamefull Glory : And sure to seal upon her softned Heart Religious Meeknesse , Phylax tells the Story Of her immortall all-producing Spouse ; And then her own originall Vilenesse shows . 1. BUt what is Home unto unhappy Her Whose onely Castle is surrender'd to A Pack of Rebells who resolved were To use the licence of their Conquest so That she should in her own Dominion Have no power left her , but to be undone ? 2. She might have safelier call'd all Tempests in , And to the loudest Windes fet ope her Gate , Or giv'n her Key to Bears and Tigers ; then To those more dangerous Beasts , whose fair-tongu'd hate Does work by this Prerogative , that they By Honey poyson , by Imbraces slay . 3. Flat Enemies are honest harmlesse Things Because they tell Us what We have to fear : But double-hearted Friends , whose Blandishings Tickle our Ears , but sting our bosomes , are Those dangerous Syrens , whose sweet mayden face Is onely mortall Treasons burnish'd Glasse . 4. These are the Pits whose mouths with flowers spred Sweetly invite our Feet unto a Fall : The golden Cups , whose Lips are sugeted To the dissembled Poyson ours to call : The crafty Hooks , which in a dainty Bait To catch the Liquorish Palate lie in wait . 5. These are those flattering Pipes whose wily Tune Enchants the silly Birds into the Net : These are those fragrant Bedds of fair-look'd June With smileing Roses and with Lilies set , Where th' unsuspecting Gardner to surprise By fatall sleight , perdu the Serpent lies . 6. These are those Delilahs whose weeping Eye , Whose sighs , whose Kisses , whose Imbraces be The truer Withs , and Ropes , and Web , where-by They binde the stoutest Sampsons on their knee ; Where while they hope to rest , they polled are At once both of their Liberty and Hair . 7. These are the politick Hyena's who Make bloody Thirst in humane Accents speak ; And with such sweet Hypocrisie can wooe The heedlesse Swain compassion to take , That to his Foe his door he openeth , And in fond Pitty letteth in his Death , 8. These are those Judas's , whose Lips can drop The honey of a friendly Salutation , And with a Kisse seal the soft bargain up ; Though in their Hearts a trayterous Conjuration Lies rankilin , and they study how they may In Looks and Words of Love , their God betray . 9. And surely Psyche by this Treason had Been cheated of her life and selfe , if He Who in his Judas tryall of it made , Had lent no Pitty to her Misery ; Had Jesu's tender Goodnesse not out-rid His faithless Spouse who now from Him was fled . 10. Charis and Phylax He a while with-drew , That being left unto her selfe , she might Of her own Weaknesse take convincing view When she occasion had , and cause to fight . But now He sends them back to help Her down From the high Ruine where He saw her thrown . 11. Make haste , said He ; my Love , and Her Distresse Call for your speed 〈◊〉 To you full power I give To ease Her of that wretched Mightiness Before it split her Heart ; to undeceive Her cheated Soule , and shrink it till it be Little enougn to fit my Heav'n and Me. 12. They having thrice ador'd his Foot-stool , flew Upon the wings of Thought through every Sphear : No Lightning ever made more haste to view The East and West at once , than this swift Pair Of earnest Messengers ; or with more Light Did all Spectators startled Eyes afright . 13. For when the Passrons saw them darting neer , Immediate Terror upon them did seize : Down fell their changed Looks and Necks ; though Fear Was left at home , she present seem'd in these , The suddennesle made Psyche too afraid And both her Courage and her Chariot stay'd . 14. But though the first Assault of Lightning be Pointed with Dread and Awe ; the second does Break forth with more abated Majesty And ( in our Eyes at least , ) some Brightnesse loose . Custome , though young and breeding , yet can make The dint and edge of any strangness slake . 15. Both Psyche and her Steeds did soon recover Some sense and spirits of their boiling Pride , When the first glimpse of those new Beams was over ; But chiefly she swell'd to so high a Tide Of Confidence , as to presume Her Streams Would now repulse the Torrent of their Beams . 16. To both her reverend Friends she doth dispense Her frowns , and lowring-loathing Looks , and by That silent Language of Impatience Her changed Minde and sullen Thoughts descrie . But when she saw them full resolv'd , she cries , I thought you would have understood mine Eyes . 17. Loe here my Tongue interprets them : You are As much mistaken now in Psyche , as She heretofore in You ; I must and dare Tell you your own : Your treacherous Counsell has Too long bewitch'd my tender credulous Heart : Henceforth you may for evermore depart . 18. The saucy Coursers with ears prick'd up high Caught that proud Answer as from her it flew , And neighing in tumultuous jollity , With aggravation of Defiance threw It in the faces of the heav'nly Pair ; And then they kick'd , and flung , and snuff'd the Air. 19. But Phylax standing in Her Coache's way , Lift up his Hand and Wing and kep't her back , Crying much louder than her Steeds could neigh : Yet e'r you goe vouchsafe to hear me speak ; Though I your Enemie be , you need not fear Now you have learned that , my Words to hear . 20. This netled Thelema , who Postillion was , And had inflam'd the Coursers all the way ; She bent her scornfull Brow , and cri'd , Alas Can Phylax think I will his Rub obey , Who ride where e'r I list , and never meet With Mount , or World , which stops my Horses feet ? 21. With that she check'd her Fierie courser [ and This Anger was , the most outrageous Steed , ] Who with curvets strait answered her Hand , And aim'd to snatch her way o'r Phylax's head . Three times she leap'd , as often falling back , Till with her Bones she heard the Chariot Crack . 22. For Phylax having thither reach'd a Ray Of mystick power , seiz'd on the Axel-tree , Which with a splitting groan at length gave way , And by the voice of its fragility Admonish d all the Coach , that Ruine now Meant to ride there , and Psyche out would throw 23. And true the warning was : for either Wheel , The Barrs , the Pillars , Seat , Side , Back , and Head Shatter'd forth with into confusion , feel How 〈◊〉 the Axels Fatall preface led Them to their Tragedy , which now no more Can own their severall Names as heretofore . 24. 'T is all but one rude Heap : upon whose back Lies Psyche something bruised with the Fall ; But wounded more to see who made that Crack , And rais'd that Pile as for her funerall . She scorns to take Him for an equall Foe , But swells , and puffs , and knows not what to doe . 25. He , in her sullen Eye observing well The troubled Motions of 〈◊〉 smoking Heart , And more than her own Tongue knew how to tell ; Pitti'd the sadnesse of her wilfull Smart : And , for compliance , her own course he took , Speaking not by his Mouth , but by his Look . 26. This is the Dialect of strongest Love , Which , when the fruitlesse Tongue had said her Say , With soule-commanding Power doth plead , and prove That Eloquence doth reign in Eyes ; that they Who to the bottom of the Heart would speak , In Looking Lines must their Orations make . 27. His serious Aspect upon Her was bent Compos'd of angry love , and milde disdain ; Expressive were the Glances which He sent , And every Word that darted forth , was plain : Some Rayes grew hot and stoutly chid , but others With melting Pittie mollifi'd their Brothers . 28. O what a long long Story ran He over In this short ocular Discourse ! how fast Did He her bosome and his own discover , And what of old , and what of late had past , And what was dawning , if she still went on With obstinate confidence to be undone . 29. But she would not this language understand Because the Speaker she before despis'd : She proudly look'd , and coyly wav'd her hand , Telling him by those signes , she was advis'd So well of what she did , that He might goe And somewhere else his scorned Pains bestow . 30. Mean while , as Thelema , and her bruis'd Steed Biteing their own lips , and the ground , did lie ; Charis her sweetest Powers had mustered To force the Damsell from her Miserie . And , See , said she , when it was grown so tall , How suddenly your Pride hath caught a Fall . 31. Yet this is not the Bottome , but a Step Unto that Ruine whither you did ride . O did you know how black and vast a Deep Gapes in your Journeyes End , you would have di'd A thousand other Deaths , much rather than Have posted thus to plunge into that one . 32. Here with her Wand she stroke upon the Earth : Straight Tellus heard the Knock , and op'd her Door ; When loe a Night of Smoke came stinking forth , And then a duskie Day of Fire : the Roar Of that great Crack made surly Thelema start , And summon'd Psyche too , to see her part . 33. For though Dread shook their Soules , They deemed it Scorn to confesse their fear and run away . Their adamantine stomack will not let Their lives be longer pretious : still they stay . Not out of curious Desire to see , But , to out-face the hideous Prodigie . 34. The monstrous Jaws of the wide-gaping Pit With banefull soot were lined thick : Beneath Incensed Sulphure flashing Wrath did spit , From whence a Cloud of heavie Groans did breath Forth sad confession Who below did dwell : These Proofs authentik were to speak it Hell . 35. Plung'd in the gloomie Caverns Centre were A woefull Rout mingled with smoke and Fire ; Abiram , Corah , Dathan fried there , With Peleths venturous Sonn , who did conspire To raise that old Combustion , which now Concluded is in their own Flames below . 36. Their howling Wives and shreiking Children lay Broiling about them , and desir'd in vain One drop of Water after dying They Had burn'd so long in their still-living Pain : Their Tears drop'd thick , but mock'd them by their store , And onely scal'd their Cheeks which flam'd before . 37. As The lema stood doubting at the sight , Behold this last Preferment Charis cri'd , To which Ambition doth fond men invite : Is it not petty that thou didst not ride Thy Journey out ; and am not I thy Foe Who down this fair Hill would not let thee goe ? 38 Thou seest that arrogant Brood of Rebells there Who were too high to stoop to heavenly law : Yet to their wretchlesse Passions lent their Ear , And rather then to God , to them would bow . Moses and Aaron whom they kick'd at there , Nothing but Phylax are and Charis here . 39. Moses and Aaron did usurp too much , And bare their tyrannizing Heads too high . And was not our Inditement onely such , When Love drew up our Charge ! We were not by I grant ; but yet He was , whose Vengance now Feeds on your proud Agenors heart below . 40. Observe that Feind who holds fell Chorah's chain , Himselfe bound in a greater : He knows why He gathers up his Tails ashamed Train And steals it round about his scaley Thigh . Ask but his Looks , and they will tell you plain What spot it is which them with Guilt doth stain . 41. This high-swoln mountain of Deformity Once vie'd with Beauties self , by 's borrow'd Face : But now uncased in his cursed stie , His shape is correspondent to his place . Here you see what without a Lie is His , This your illustrious Agenor is . 42. Hearing this Word , the tumid Feind did split His over-charged mouth , and vomit out A stream of brimstone , belching after it More horrid Cries ; which bellowed about His hollow Home , but finding it too narrow , Into the Air let loose his thundering Sorrow . 43. It shak'd the Earth , as through her sides it broke , And something startled Psyche who stood by , But Thelema disdaind the Terrors stroke , Coufuting it with her all-dareing Eye . She knew her strength authentik was , and still Resolv'd what e'r it cost , to have her Will. 44. Thus when a wilfull Heir to age is come , And in his own Hand feels the golden Rein Of his long-wish'd Revenews ; if by some Well-practis'd spend-thrift he be taught to drein His over-flowing Bags , in vain his Friends Shew him how Poverties Ebb that Tide attends . 45. But trusty Charis well remembring what Her Masters love commanded , plies her part : And , seeing Feares Darts were repuls'd , she shot The shafts of Love into the Virgins heart , Which in a diamond Case from Heaven she brought , With many other pretious Powers fraught . 46. Strong were the Blows , and op'd themselves the way Unto the bottome of their Mark , but sweet Withall and silent . Thus the noble Ray Shot from the Suns Eye , doth no sooner beat Upon the chrystall Ball , but with soft force Quite through & through it takes its harmless course . 47. On Thelema's soul the gallant Arrows wrought With blessed wounds of heav'n-begotten Joy : Yet she with such perverse resistanee fought , That had but Charis known how to be coy , She would have spar'd her pains , and left the Maid By her own stubborn Victory betray'd . 48. But she as obstinate was in Patience , And many a deare time shot and shot againe : Untill at length the strokes begat some sense Of a 〈◊〉 and convincing pain ; With which pierc'd thorough , now I must , I see Cri'd Thelema , by this Sweetness conquer'd be . 49. I know I need not yeild , except I will ; But this soul-plying Violence , which so Severely sweet through all my wounds doth thrill , Enforceth Me to force my self to goe With that she louted low , and on her knee Begg d pardon for her Pertinacitie . 50. O noble Vertue of immortall Grace ! How uncontrolled is its dainty Art , Which can a Bosome of it self uncase , And teaeh the Heart how to subdue the Heart . Which gains unbloody Bays and Triumphs thus , In delicately conquering Us by Us ! 51. So when into the Swains unwary Foot The venemous earnest of a swelling Death Is from the treacherous Tarantula shot , Musicks sweet Accents wisely temperd , breath A mystike Antidote , which by delight Deceives the poyson , and charms out its Might . 52. But Psyche seeing Thelema relent , Knew her own Stomacks power would swell in vain , And judg'd it policy now to recant , And her old potent Friends anew to gain . Her useless Arrogance away she threw , And after it three deep drawn sighs she blew . 53. That thus ejected ; Shame and Modesty , Of their ingenuous Home took fresh possession , And in 〈◊〉 purple Cheek and gloomy E e Displai'd a 〈◊〉 of penitent Confession : Then , as her Pride had 〈◊〉 her up before Above her self , these cast her on the floor . 54. 'T was easier now for her to weep than speak ; Yet striking stifly on her guilty breast , Unto her stiffling griefe a way she broke , And helpt this Lamentation out at last : O turne from shamefull Psyche your pure Eye ; Leave Me alone to perish where I lie . 55. Or let your Justice plunge Me downe into That mouth of Torment which gapes for Me there ; That I may to my lov'd Agenor goe , Whose Lies before your Truths I did preferr . Sure Corah and his damned Company Take not up all the roome ; ther 's some for Me. 56. 'T was more than Death to Me to view the face Of my too-late-beleev'd Synedesis , Though she presented in her trustie Glass The faithfull Copy of my Hideousness . But in your Lustres dint what shall I doe ! No veil has night enough to smother you . 57. O! that intollerable Puritie Of your celestiall Looks I cannot bear : Pride has so tainted my unhappy Eye That all unspotted Spectacles I fear ; For they my Torments are , and burne Me so , That to a cooler Hell I faine would goe . 58. This woefull Out-crie grated Charis Heart , Wont not to bruise but heale the broken Reed : She knew what Lenitives would tame that Smart , Yet gave no more than for the present Need , Leaving the perfect Cure awhile : For She Knew well how wholsome longer Grief would be . 59. Mean time the rampant Passions were stray'd , 〈◊〉 in wild Madness roved all about : When Thelema before by them betray'd , Reveng'd that Treachery , and by a stout Command , unto their Duties call'd them back . The whole Field at the awfull Voyce did quake . 60. They started all , and strait of one another Did mutuall Counsell ask with doubting Eye : But after that first Call , out brake its Brother , And thundred with imperious Majesty : When looking back , they spi'd their Mistress's Hand Lifted up high , which spake a third Command . 61. They knew these Summons did in earnest call , And alwayes had disdaind to be deny'd : This forced their unwilling Crests to fall And into slavish Trembling turn'd their Pride When angry Thelema snatch'd up the Reins , And thenceforth of their Harness made their Chains . 62. So when the Master shakes his dreadfull Rod High in the view of his extravagant Boies , Who trouanting were , and rambling all abroad ; Their loth Adieu they bid unto their Toies , And trembling into Schoole , expect when they The price of their Extravagance should pay . 63. But then she stoutly lash'd her shivering Teem Unto the Lip of that dread mouth of Hell , Where their late Generall she shewed them Tearing his Fiendship He could not conceal . Which Sight , them & all treacherous Itchings parted And through their Soules immortall Terror darted . 64. This Act perform'd : they all remove the Stage To Psyche's house ; in which their Passage she Beheld the lately-scorned Ermitage With reverent blushing : But when pious He Who reign'd King of Himselfe and It , espied This blessed Change , He sate him down and cried . 65. He cri'd for Joy , and answer'd Psyche's tears , Which multiply'd with every Step she took : Himselfe had been acquainted many Years With noble Charis ; and in 's heav'nly Look He read who Phylax was , for such a Friend Did from his Birth till now on Him attend . 66. What they had done , his Wisdome well could guesse , When he the surly Queen dejected saw : Her frowns , her 〈◊〉 , her coach , her stateliness Were vanish'd all , and she so Humble now That by Agenor's and Heav'ns help she seems In one day to have reached both Extreems . 67. Full many a Blessing did the Good Man pour On Charis and on Phylax as they went : But to his loving Lord He pants out more , Who them down to that great Exploit had sent : Good Wishes after Psyche He did throw , Following Her steps as farr 's his Eye could goe . 68. Heroick Charity , how soon dost thou Subdue all Wrongs Contempt can shoot at thee : And freely blesse the Day which doth bestow Happy Successe on thy proud Enemy ! Right noble is thy Valour , which alone Can make thy Foes good Fortune be thine own , 69. But they now to their Journey 's period come , Psyche with her stiffe Sighs blew ope the Gate ; And with a sad Eye viewing her fair Home , Thought every Wall did chide for what of late She trespass'd there ; and that at every Groan The Echo cri'd , she had her self undone . 70. Up to her Chamber she as loth did goe As Thiefe unto the Cell where He has hid His wicked Goods : Yet they would have it so Who from Self-theft had Her delivered . But two deep Groans , as up the Stayrs they went Summon'd their Eys to search whence they were sent . 71. Close in the Stayr-case a slie Trap-doore was Which kept its counsell with Bar , Lock , and Seal ; Where as they stood considering the place , Two other Groans did to their Aid appeal : When Thelema convinc'd by Shame and Fear , Broke ope the Door to shew them who were there . 72. Deep was the Dungeon , and as dark as Night When neither Moon nor Star befriend the Skie : But Charis looking in , an high-noon Light Through all that Blacknesse streamed from her Eye . When loe , Syneidesis , and Logos tied Fast in the bottom of the Mire they spied . 73. Down Phylax flies , and hovering over them ( For no Dirt may defloure his Virgin Wings , ) Unties their Cords ; and by their Mantles Hem Up to the Dungeons Mouth , them gently brings . Full thick about them stuck the mire and clay ; Yet Psyche thought her selfe more foule then they 74. And falling on them with a Showre of Tears , These soon , said she , may wash your Spots away ; But my deep-grain'd Pollution out-dares The power of Oceans : You besmeared lay Onely in others Stains , but hideous I With mine own Blots all over blurred lie . 75. O add no stings unto my Anguish by Denying Pardon of my mad offence : Saw you but halfe the Flames in which I frie , The sight would thaw your breasts , and kindle sense Of my sufficient Woe . But Charis here Stepp'd in , and bad her those Complaints deferre . 76. Then She conducts her to her Chamber ; where No sooner entred , They the Mirrour spie : Which strait grew pale , and quak'd for guilty fear At the bright Dawn of genuine Purity . So Phantoms and Night-fires away doe sneak , When from the East the gallant Day doth break . 77. Phylax unto the Sight drew Psyche nie , But she quak'd more then that , and started back : When loe , said He , this Glasse , though fram'd to lie , Now of it selfe shall true confession make ; Urge it but with the Touch of any Gem Whose Place is meanest in thy Girdles Hem. 78. O noble Power of Heav'nly Gifts ! The Glasse Remembred quickly its originall Eyes , And weep'd to see how all its Beauty was Disolv'd by one short Touch : its Fallacies Flowd down apace , till all the floor did swim With a prodigious Lake of loathsome slime . 79. A slime which smelt so rank of Death , that had Not Charis stepp'd twixt Psyche and the Harm , 'T had choak'd her heart : but that Assistance made Her spirits cheer , and kept her Courage warm . Secured thus , Take one more drop , she cri'd , And spitting on the slime ; she turn'd aside ; 80. Aside unto the other Cabinet , And look , dear Freinds , said she , for much I fear Some foule Enchantment here doth hatch its Plot , And that these Treasures in false shapes appear , They are Agenors Gifts : how can his Pelf Be made of truer Beauties then himself ! 81. You know your Touch-stone , Phylax cries , but lay Your Girdle on it , and it will confesse ; That Item she no sooner did obey , But strait her Touch was answer'd with an Hisse : The Chains and 〈◊〉 started up , and now No Nest of Jewells , but of snakes , did show . 82. In the spruce Net-works woven was a Frie Of younger Serpents which lay hamper'd there , And sham'd and vex'd by this discovery Whetted their peevish Teeth , and tri'd to teare Open their Knots ; but when they felt the Bite Dig their own backs , they angry Poison spit . 83. The Tires and Hoods shrunk into Horns : the Rings Dilated into fetters ; every Lace Like scorched Thonges , or some such shrivel'd Things , Acknowledg'd through what flame it us'd to passe . The gaudy Bonnets , and the dainty Veils Were nothing now but brasse or iron scales . 84. The Crisping-Pinns return'd to Forks and Hooks , And Tongs , and Prongs ; the Lawns to Dragons Wings : The golden Wires abjur'd their glorious looks , And now were red hot Nailes , or Darts , or stings : The Busks were Gags ; the Gloues were fiery Claws , The Tablets , Boiles ; the Sandales , Tigres Paws . 85. The Perls were Coals ; the Coronets , Wreaths of fire ; The brisk Vermilion was Blood or Ink ; The Pencills , Rods of ever-burning Wire ; The Powders , Brimstone ; the Perfumes , a stink ; The Smiles were Frowns , the youth , and blooming cheeks Were hideous Wrinckles , and stern Vultures beaks . 86. The High-looks , were Dispairs & shames ; the Fashions Were severall Inventions of spight , And never-dying Tortures Variations ; The Silks and Sattens , skins of Asps ; the bright Purple , a Lions or a Panthers Hide In innocent Blood of slaughter'd Infants di'd . 87. The Ermins and the Sables , were the skins Which monstrous Cerberus casteth thrice a yeare : The rich embroideries were Rows of Pinns Pointed with steely Torment and Dispair ; The silver and the Gold that lay below Were Rust and Cankers , which themselves did gnaw . 88. These severall dreadfull Sights , stroke Psyche through With full as many Feares ; and back she ran . But Phylax stopp'd her , and demanded how She dar'd those gay Things trust which she had on ? They too , are of the same foule Breed , said He ; And will you still with Hell arrayed be ? 89. With that He snatch'd from Her what-ever Pride On her abused Body had obtruded , She with sad indignation having ey'd The hell-bred Robes , cri'd out , O selfe-deluded And justly wretched Soul , that mine own Fist ( And heer she stroke ) could pierce this treacherous breast . 90. A noble Stroke it was ; and broke its way , It s happy Way , quite through unto her heart . Forth-with a cole-black Stream , which swelling lay And belking there , took warning to depart : Out flew the Poyson reaking on the ground , Which splitting , to its Hell its way it found . 91. Deliver'd of its monstrous Guest , the Wound Clos'd gently up , and further Harm shut out . But both her sides so loose and lank she found That for her selfe within her selfe she sought , And stood a while amaz'd , as if the Stroke Had onely some Dreams brittle Wonders broke . 92. Confounded then with pious Shame , unto Her former sober Weeds she turn'd aside : Whose simple honest Looks rebuk'd her so That straight she stagger'd back again , and cri'd , Remembring how she them disdain'd , which now Fairer then all Agenors Pomp did show . 93. At length she came and with a dolefull Voice , Give leave , she said , my genuine Furniture That once again I make my prudent choice , Which henceforth shall for ever more endure . Or , if again I scorn your Poverty , From Hells soule Wardrobe may I clothed be . 94. Come trusty Hair-cloths , you did never yet Foole me out of my selfe by garish Pride : Come honest Rope , thou never yet didst let Ambition blister me , but gird'st my side Close to my heart , and left'st no Room between For puffing strutting Thoughts to harbour in . 95. So ; now I 'm drest indeed : How shamelesly Have I all naked wander'd up and down ! No Nakednesse to that in Heav'ns pure Eye With which Sin clotheth Us : Thus over-grown With Leprosie the Man more naked is , Then when bare Nothing but his Skin was His. 96. Yet can it be that jealous Heav'n , and You , O my provoked Friends , should not be just What priviledge have Rebellious I , that now Vengance should sheath it s dared Lightning ! Must Your Patience from my Crime its copie write , That both may equally be Infinite ! 97. It must , said Charis ; and be sure to pay Thy Spouse due thanks for this Necessity . Yet if henceforth thou needs wilt run astray , Know that his Soul is not so seal'd to thee , But he can finde out some more faithfull Breast Which will his Loves dear Violence not resist . 98. She thus reform'd into her lowly Tire , Charis and Phylax gently her imbrace ; Kissing into her Soul fresh Joyes of Fire , And Printing gratious Looks upon her Face . Then sitting down together , Listen well Said Phylax , unto what I now shall tell . 99. The Story , Psyche , bends its aime at thee ; But I will fetch it from its bottom , that Thou may'st a long and totall Prospect see Of thy Extraction and originall State . That Sight will teach thee that these simple Weeds Are full as fine and gorgeous as needs . 100. Especially when I withall have shown Thee by the boundlesse Powers which flourish in Thy Spouse's Hand and Word , how far thine own Condition flaggs below his Worth ; how mean A Match thou art for Him , who nothing hast In dowry , but vile Vanity , and Dust. 101. All things at first was God , who dwelt alone Within his boundless Selfe : But bounteous He Conceiv'd the form of the Creation That other things by Him might Happie be . A way to ease its Streams his Goodnesse sought , And at the last into a World burst out . 102. This World at first ' was but one single step From simple Nothing ; yet that step was wide : No power but His , or could , or yet can , leap Over from Nothing 's Bank , to Something 's Side : The East and West are one , the Poles doe kisse , If you their Distances compare with this . 103. This Something , Son of Nothing , wallowing lay In the vast Womb of its own Darksome Deep : The foulest Monster never frighted Day With such wilde Shapes as struggled in this Heap : Nor Hydra's Heads so snarl'd at one another , As every Parcell quarrell'd with its Brother . 104. The Deep climb'd up , and tumbled down the Height , And then fell headlong after it again . Lightnesse was busie and forc'd lazie Weight To change his Quarters and above remain . The rude Tempestuous Windes blew all together , And fill'd the World at once with every Weather . 105. Heat , about place , could not with Cold agree , This strove to frieze its Foe , and that to frie. The Centre in the Bottom scorn'd to be , And forced Earth full in Heav'ns face to flie . Winter took heat , and breaking ope its way ; December flung into the heart of May. 106. The Ocean storm'd , and would no Shore allow , But swallow'd up the Sands , and rushing out Whil'st all things else were quarrelling , did throw Her billowie Arms the Universe about , Which in this civill Deluge drown'd had been , Had not the kinde Creators Help come in . 107. Forth flew th' Eternall Dove , and tenderly Over the Floods blinde Tumult hovering , Did secret Seeds of vitall Warmth supply By the sweet Virtue of his Soveraign Wing : Much like the loving Hen , whose brooding Care Doth hatch her Eggs , and them for life prepare . 108. When loe , a Voice ( this was that supream Word Which you , and wee , and all the World adore , ) Broke , from the Fathers Mouth with joint Accord Of th' undivided Three , and down did poure It selfe upon the Deep , commanding Light To cheer that universall face of Night . 109. As when the gloomy Cloud in sunder parts The nimble Lightning through the World doth haste ; So from this Masse of Darknesse , thousand Darts Of orient Beams themselves about did cast , With ready splendor answering that Call Which summon'd them to gild this groping Ball. 110. The Shade's affrighted at the Looks of Light Sneak'd to blinde holes their shamed heads to hide : God pitti'd them , and hastning on their flight , Gave them safe Lodging in the Worlds back-side ; There slept dull Night : but Day was brave and bold , And in the face of God displaid its Gold . 111. The next Command call'd for the Firmament To part the Waters which unruly grew . Straight , in the midst of them , a Bow was bent Of solid Substance and of Chrystall Hue : Pure are the Streams which on Heav'ns Back do flow , Those gross & dull whose Weight sinks them below . 112. And they the third Day , all collected were Into the spatious Bosom of the Sea . The Earth rejoic'd it had leave to appear , And looked up with brisk Aridity , Lifting her Mountains high with comely Pride Which now contemn'd the Water's proudest 〈◊〉 113. But being naked , and not knowing whence To cloth her selfe , God her Apparrell made : He spake , and straight a flowrie Confluence Her plains and Valleys with fragrant Robes array'd ; And trimm'd the Heads of all her Hills with Trees , Earth's native Plumes and stateliest Braveries . 114. The next Day on the Heav'n was spent ; which yet Was like a Virgin-Scroll spread fair and wide , But with no Characters of Beauty writ , Till God's great Word engrav'd its radiant Pride : But then the royall Sun came smiling forth Inamouring the whole World at his Birth . 115. Light which till now had flitted here and there On the weak back of an ignoble Cloud , No sooner saw his gallant Face appear , But in his bosome she desir'd to shrowd . He courteous was , and to her wished Throne Receiv'd her glorious Ambition . 116. But being bounteous too ; as He espi'd The bashfull Spangles peeping every where , He freely dealt his Lustre far and wide : The Moon reach'd forth her Horns , and caught her share , So did the Starrs ; and now all Heav'n grew fine , When He alone , or when all they did shine . 117. The Houres before his foot came louting low Begging a Room in his bright Family ; And so did cheerly Day devoted now With him to wake and sleep , to live and dy . But shame-fac'd conscious Night durst not draw neer , And so she fell to spotted Luna's share . 118. Then gorgeous Summer came , and spred his way With Gales of gentle Aire , and Clouds of Spice ; Whil'st jolly Flora , in her best array , As prodigall is of her Varieties . But plainer Winter did more distance keep , And farre behinde his burning Chariot creep . 119. The Sea however surly the first Day , No sooner heard her great Creator speak , But her Rebellious Waves she flat did lay , And op'd her mighty Womb , from whence did break The Winged Nation all Pair by Pair , The Musicall Inhabitants of Aire . 120. The other Germane Brood , whose moister Wings Abhor the drying Windes , she kept at home , Where through the Deeps they flie : strange-shaped things , Which though brought forth , live in their Mothers womb : A womb of wonders , whose dimensions can Afford a full flight to Leviathan . 121. Leviathan whose smoking Nostrills blow The Sea of Fire which from his Mouth doth break : Whose dreadfull sneesings by their flashes show The brazen Scales which seal his mighty Back : Whose Beacons dare out-face the Mornings Eyes ; Whose Heart in hardness with the Milstone vies . 122. Leviathan , who laughs at Him that shakes The bug-bear Spear , and 〈◊〉 the idle Stone : Who steely Darts for wretched Stubble takes ; Who to the Iron sayes , Vain Straw be gone ; Who makes the boiling Sea answer his Wrath ; Who where he goes , plows up his hoary Path. 123. He at whose dismall generation , Fear Fled far away , and nothing left behinde But Might and Boldnesse , which compounded were Into the Mettall of the Monsters Minde : He who exalted in his thoughts doth ride The Soveraign Prince of all the Sonnes of Pride . 124. But now the Sixt Day dawn'd : and Tellus is Commanded to bring forth her People too : She heard the Voice , and with strange Activenesse Bids Beasts and Reptiles with her answer goe . They started up , and cri'd , Loe We are heer , Before the Words sound left their Mothers eare . 125. Hast thou not seen the gallant Horse , whose Eye Is fed with living Lightning ; whose high Neck Is cloth'd with mighty Thunders Majesty ; Whose glorious Nostrills Terrors language speak ; Who never would beleeve the Trumpets sound ; But with proud nerceness swallows up the Ground ; 126. Who with Impatience doth the Valleyes paw When he hath smelt the Battell from afarre ; Who mocks the Sword , and brave disdain doth throw Upon the Quver , and the glittering Spear ; Who both the Trumpet 's and the Souldier's shout With his more martiall Ha ha doth flout . 127. Hast thou not seen Behemoth , that vast Mount Of flesh and bone , that Earths Leviathan ; Whose monstrous Thirst , though many a living Fount And River , it hath slain , still trusts it can Through the profounder Channell of his throat All Jordan ( ev'n in time of harvest ) shoot : 128. Whose Navell is a Knot of Power ; whose Loins The Mansion of Strength ; whose massie Bones Which to their sockets steely Grissells joyn , Are Brasse the lesse , the greater Iron ones ; Who mounts his mighty Tail so high , that He Seems like the Hill , that like the Cedar Tree . 129. These goodly Creatures , and ten thousand more , Some great , some small , did Tellus then bring forth . But who shall now reign Prince of all this Store , And of the Oceans more numerous Birth ? This was so high a bus'nesse , that the great Creator will for it in Counsell sit . 130. A Place there is retired far and high In the bright Tower of eternall Rest , Roof'd , pav'd , and walled with Immenfitie , In at whose Door no Creature ever past : Th' Infinite Three there by joint Consultation Determine of the Work and of the Fashion . 131. Then stepping down to Earth , this Triple One Takes up the next Dust that lay at his feet ; Which he compacts and moulds and frames so soon , That the quick shape did rather seem to meet His Hand , than follow it , and every Part As wak'd by 's touch , up from the Dust to start . 132. Then round about the Universe He reach'd His mighty Arm , and cull'd from every Thing The choicest Excellence what had inrich'd Their Severall Tribes , to trim their breeding King , That they more willingly might Him obey In whom their own and the Worlds Treasures lay . 133. Fair was the Image ; For its form was true To that brave Modell which th' Eternall Son Had for himselfe design'd : And that which drew Him to this Work , was that Design alone . All things but wait upon this Mystery ; The World was made that God a Max might be . 134. As yet this hopefull Fabrick was no more Than a meer Statue , fair , but cold and dead : When loe , the kinde Creators Breath did pour Lifes Flood into its Nostrills , whence it spred By the Veins Channells into every Part , But chose its Manour-house amid'st the Heart . 135. That Breath immortall was , as flowing from His Bosome whom Eternity calls Sirc : And kindled by its Blast , so pure a Flame As shall out-live Heav'ns stoutest fairest Fire . 'T is not the Crack and Ruine of the lesse Or greater World , that can the Soul suppresse . 136. Thus Adam op'd his Eyes ; by which such beams Of inbred Majesty did look abroad , That now again the portly Creature seems The royall Image of his mighty God : Heav'ns Soveraignty doth shine in God , and who But Man looks like the King of all below ? 137. Nor are his Looks in vain : For in his Hand Are put the Reins of Air , of Earth , of Sea ; And under his imperiall Command All kindes of Birds , of Beasts , of Fishes be : Which , though you now so boistrous see , and wilde , Before their King at first were tame and milde . 138. This Prince of the inferiour World thus made , God founds a Pallace where He might reside : When all the Earth his Eye examin'd had , A dainty place which in the East he spi'd , Wonne his best liking , where he builds the Seat Of his new Viceroy , delicate and great . 139. It was a Garden , if that Name can speak The Worth of those illustrious Sweets which there A brisk Conspiracy of Joyes did make , To prove Heav'n dwelt not in the starry Sphear . The Earth look'd poor in all her other Soil , Whose Meannesse serv'd but for this Jewells foile . 140. No Weed presum'd to show its roytish face In this Inclosure : Nettles , Thistles , Brakes , Thorns , Bryars , Cockle , Hemlock , rampant Grasse With all those Herbs the meager Wizard rakes Into his deadly Boxes , either yet Were not at all , or far from Eden set . 141. The Yew , the Box , the Cypress , and the other Trees which to Funeralls consecrated be , Had there no bus'nesse ; Nor Death nor her Mother Being as yet conceiv'd : No crook-back'd Tree Disgrac'd the place , no foolish scrambling Shrub , No wilde and careless Bush , no clownish Stub . 142. Rude Boreas and his Winter did forbear To walk this way ; so did Distempers , Cares ; Perplexities , Sighs , Melancholy , Fear , Doubts , Jealousies , Seditions , Treasons , Wars , Storms , Thunders , Lightnings , Earthquaks , Ruptures , Streins , Wounds , Boils , Diseases , inward , outward Pains . 143. For on the Gardens Margin ran a Wall High built with Beauty which begirt it round : Delight stood at the Gate , and let in all Things like her selfe ; But whensoe'r she found A Blemish , Wrinckle , Frown , Mole , Scar , or Blot , The inconsistent Stranger out she shut . 144. Within , rose Hills of Spice , and Frankincense , Which smil'd upon the flowrie Vales below ; Where living Chrystall roll'd its influence , Whose musicall Impatience did flow With endlesse chiding the pure Gems beneath ; Because no smoother they had pav'd its Path. 145. The Nymphs which plaid about this Currents side , Were milkie Thoughts , tralucid fair Desires , Soft Turtles Kisses , Looks of Virgin-Brides , Sweet Coolnesse which nor needs , nor feareth Fires , Snowie Imbraces , cheerly-sober Eyes , Gentilenesse , Mildnesse , Ingenuities . 146. At full length on the Beds of floures did lie Smiling Content , Ease , Sweetness , Softness , Pleasure , Whilst in the carpet-Walks there danced by Calmeness , Long-days , Security , and Leisure . Accomplish'd Growth , brisk Firmitude , and Health , The onely Jewell which makes wealthy Wealth . 147. Your Roses heer , would onely spend their Blusn On their own Ougliness , should they compare With those pure Eys , with which the Rosie Bush Looks up and views its beauteous Neighbours there : Nor are your Lilies white , if those were by , Whose leaves are all fair-writ with Purity . 148. Liban and Carmell must submit their Heads To Paradise's foot : the Balme , Nard , Myrrh , And every Odour of Arabia's Beds Would begge to borrow richer Sweetness heer . Nor would Adoni's Garden scorne to be Their fellow-suiter , for true Suavitie . 149. The early Gales knock'd gently at the doore Of every floure to bid the Odours wake , Which taking in their softest Arms , they bore About the Garden , and return'd them back To their own Beds , but doubled by the Blisses They sipp'd from their delicious Brethrens Kisses . 150. Upon the Wings of those inamouring Breaths , Refreshment , Vigor , and new Spirits attended ; And wheresoe'r they flew , cheer'd up their Paths , And with fresh Aires of Life all things befreinded : For Heavn's all-sweetning Spirit its breath did joyn To make the Powers of these Blasts divine . 151. The goodly Trees their fertile Arms did bend Under the nobler load of fruit they bore . That Orchard which the Dragon did attend , For all its Golden Boughs to this was poor : As well the greater Serpent knew , who crept Hither betimes , and heer his curs'd Watch kept . 152. Of Fortitude there stood a goodly Row , Heer of Munificence a thick-set Grove , Of Industry a Quick-set there did grow , Heer flourished a dainty Copps of Love , There sprung up pleasant Twiggs of ready Wit , Heer a large Tree of Gravity was set . 153. Heer Temperance grew , and wide-spred Justice there , Under whose moderate Shaddow , Piety , Devotion , Mildness , Friendship planted were ; Next stood Renowne , with Head exalted high ; Then Peace , with Plenty , Fatnesse , Happinesse : O blessed Place where grew such things as these . 154. Yet what are these , ifby Death's envious Hand Or they , or their fruition blasted be ? This to prevent , at carefull Heav'ns Command Amidst the rest sprung up an helpfull Tree , Which nobly prov'd it self a Branch to be Pluck'd from the grand stock of Eternity . 155. Amidst them all it sprung : for well it knew Its proper Seat , and chose the Gardens Heart : What place could more than that to Life be due , Whence Vigor round might flow , and reach each part . Fresh Heat and Spirits hung about it thick , The leav's did breath , and all its fruit was quick . 156. By this the mighty Tree of Knowledge stood , ( For where should Wisdom dwell , but next the Heart ? ) Its Leavs were written fair , but writ with blood , Holding forth Learning , and capricious Art . O fatall Tree ! how wise had Adam grown , If He thy woefull knowledge had not known ! 157. High in the shady Galleries sate a Quire Well worthy such a Chappell ; Birds of Praise , Whose most harmonious Throats did all conspire To pay for their sweet Home in sweeter Layes : With whom soft Echo needs her skill would shew , And though she kept slow time , yet she sung true . 158. This Mapp ofWonders , this Epitomie Of all Heav'ns Pride , this Court ofRarities , This Confluence ofblessed Gallantry , Was that so much renowned Paradise . Renowned ; yet ô how much higher than The loftiest Praise it ever reap'd from Men ! 159. The great Creator hither Adam brings As to the Portall of Celestiall Blisse : And , See , said He , of these illustrious Things I give thee free choise , bating onely this One Tree of Knowledge ; all the rest are thine , Eate what thou wilt ; but let that still be mine . 160. If thy presumptious Hand but touch that Tree Thy liquorish Crime must cost thy Life , and thou By Deaths immediate Tallons seized be : Death , Adam , Death , hangs thick on every Bough . Loe there the Tree of Life 's as neer as that : Take heed thou di'st not for thou knowst not what . 161. O Noble Master ! whose vast Love did give A world at once , and yet require no more But that his Creature would have care to live , And so in safetie possesse his Store ; Who ties Him to no homage , but to shun Being by his own needlesse fault undone . 162. After this easie Charge ; upon a Throne Built all of Power He his Lieutenant set , To exercise his new Dominion Upon his Subjects ; for before his seat By Heav'ns Command , the Beasts now marshell'd were In modest equipage all Pair by Pair . 163. When Adam fix'd on them his awfull Eye , The Lyon couch'd , the Horse let fall his crest , Behemoths Tail , mounted before so high , Melted down to the ground , the Bull deprest His Horns , the Boar suck'd in his foam , the Bear , The Wolfe , the Tiger , louted low for fear . 164. Like reverence bowed down the other Crew Flat on the ground , when from their Soveraigns Face Such full beams of imperiall Brightnesse flew As spake it plainly the Creators Glasse : Fair the Reflection was , which could command The rudest Beasts the truth to understand . 165. As these their duty did ; the Eagle drew Up every rank and file of winged Things : Thither the Estrich , Vultur , Falcon , flew , Thither a flock of every Bird that sings ; Thither the Peacock , but with train full low , For down fell all its Stars , ecclipsed now . 166. The most magnanimous Cock came strutting on Disdaining Heav'n and Earth , till he drew neer His mighty Soveraigns all-awing Throne , From whence upon his surly neck flew Fear , His wings flagg'd low , his fiery gullet grew Languid and pale , his combe and forehead blue . 167. Wise Adam mark'd them all , and sent his Eye To search their bosoms Cabinets ; where He read Th' essentiall Lines and Characters which by Natures late Hand were 〈◊〉 fashioned ; Their Difference , their Kinred , and Relations , Their Powers , their Properties , and Inclinations . 168. Thus of their inward Selves inform'd , He thought What Titles would most correspondent be To their own Bosoms sense , and having wrought Up in one Word each Natures Mystery . He took Acquaintance of them all by Name ; Then with a Princely Nod dismissed them . 169. They went , in loving Pairs : Which as He saw , He fetch'd a gentle Sigh , to think that He His nobler Life in Solitude should draw , Whil'st all things else enjoy'd Society . What boots it him that He raigns Soveraign Lord , If all his World can Him no Queen afford . 170. God heard the Sigh , and calling Pitty forth , Dispatch'd her on an errand to the Deep : A nimble Nymph was she , and through the Earth With penetrating sprightfulnesse did leap Down to the dark Mouth of a silent Cave , The sink of Discontents , of Cares the Grave . 171. Before the Grate there stood a lazie Lake Whose Waters never yet were known to stir ; Upon the bank Oblivion did make Her sluggish Bed of Moss and caked Fur : But Remora's and Cramp-fishes groping lay About the bottom of the Mud and Clay . 172. Up from the Water crept an heavy Cloud Of duskie Vapours , on whose back did ride Fat Drowfinesse , who rubb'd her eyes , and bow'd Her grosse and over-laden head aside . About the swarthy shades which thick were spred , Bats , Owles , and other Night-birds fluttered . 173. Beyond the Lake Poppy and 〈◊〉 grew , Nodding unto their neighbour plump of Trees , Which were the Willow , Cypress , Box and Yew , Under whose Boughs lay Quietnesse and Ease ; And , nestling at their feet , an halt-dead Crowd Of Dormise and of Bears , all 〈◊〉 loud . 174. By these pass'd Pitty , and a gate of Jett Espi'd whose Ringle cover'd was with Wooll ; Silence for Porter stood , with finger put Close to his mouth : Who when he saw her full Of more than common bus'ness with his Queen , He stole the barre aside , and let her in . 175. There found she on a Bed of Ebonie Sleep layd at length : the pillow for her head Was Badgers Hair : Night and Security Were the two Blankets on her body spred : By the Bed-side a leaden Pipe did drop ; A Swarme of Bees were humming on the top . 176. But greater was the Swarme of Dreams , which round About the roome in shap less shapes did flie , ( With all Confusion , but without all sound , Though some did talk , some sing , some laugh , some crie , ) Some want an head , a cheek , an eye , a nose , Some want their leggs , some feet , and some their toes . 177. Some were gentile and fine , some rude and course , Some wilde , some terrible , some black , some white , Some Men before , and yet behind an Horse , Some Swan on one side , on the other Kite ; Some Love , some Hate , some Half-hope , and Half feare Some Heav'n , some Hell , some both ; most Monsters are . 178. But now the Nymph approaching to the Bed Aloud her Message spake , and jogged Sleep : She shrugg'd , and yawn'd , and thrice lift up her head , And with one Eye half-ope at length did peep , And nodded Pittie to a Box , whence she Took what would for her purpose usefull be . 179. With this she posted back to Paradise ; Where she no sooner came in Adam's view , But he began to rubb his heavy Eyes , On which she straita sable Powder threw : Down fell the Man upon a spicy Bed , Proud of the grace to kiss his sweeter Head . 180. His Senses seal'd up in a dainty Night , His Soul walk'd to his Brain to take a view Of that 〈◊〉 yet obscure Delight Which his unwitting fancie there did shew : When loe a goodly Tree salutes his Eye , Tall , wide , and full of flourishing Majesty . 181. The Woods look'd all that way , and bow'd their head ; The Shrubbs crept low and due obcisance made ; The Plants and flowers their fragrant duties did , Ambitious to be gilded by his shade : Thus high exalted He alone remains King of the Hills , the Vales , the Woods , the Plains . 182. But from his own brave Root , out at his side A Twigg sprung up , which grew as fair as He : As high it reach'd its head , its arms as wide , And flourished with equall Gallantry ; Their leavs did kiss , their boughs imbrac'd each other They liv d , and lov d , and joy'd , and reign'd together ' 183. Yet long their lovely Reign endured not , For at their Root a desperate Canker grew , Which gnawing it with restless Venome , got The Victorie , and downe their Bodies threw : The World groan'd at their Fall ; but Earth did ope Her Mouth , and shut them and their Ruines up . 184. The 〈◊〉 Root still held its sturdy hold And kept its place : so did the Canker his . New Sprouts took heart , and followed the old With answerable Bulk and Haughtiness : But still their fretfull Foe went on to gnaw , And soon or late layd all their pride full low . 185. Long held this Conflict : till at length a Sprout Sprung from a new and unsuspected place ; For on that side the undisposed Root In all the Worlds opinion arid was : This onely Branch escap'd being tainted by The inbred Canker's foule affinity . 186. Yet scap'd he not its Envie ; for one day The Monster took a Leap and Him a 〈◊〉 , Whom when it saw shrinking and giving way , It impudently hop'd to have prevail'd ; But he recoyl'd , and was content to die Onely to make sure of his Victorie : 187. For wisely ordering his brave Ruine , He With his dead weight upon his Enemy fell : Who crushed under this Calamity , Paid for its Boldnesse , and sunk down to Hell : When loe the conquer'd , yet victorious Tree Starts up again in new Lifes Bravery . 188. And after Him those other Trees arose Which had layn dead and rotten long before ; For 't was his Pleasure to impart to those His own vivacious over-flowing store ; They every where leap'd up to life , and stood So thick , that now the Plain became a Wood. 189. A royall Wood of everlasting Trees , Whose radiant Arms through all the World reach'd Gold , Whose Fruit were Gems , and Heaven-born Rarities , Whose Heads themselves high in the Sphears inroll'd ; Yet all were Shrubs unto that Cedar who Had call'd them from their Graves with him to goe . 190. Whilst Adam fetter'd lay in senselesse Chains Gazing and Musing on this wonderous show , God op'd his side , but mean while bid the Veins Seal up their Mouths , and see no dropps did flow ; From thence he chose a single Rib , and then The wicket clos'd , and all was whole agen . 191. That Bone he handled with such breeding Art That it disolved into many more , And yeilded all Materials for each Part Of an accomplish'd Body : What before Was nothing but a Rib , is now alone Blood , flesh , skin , entrails , sinews , muscles , bone . 192. And that the work might answer its sweet shop , In which was form'd no Creature else but this , The willing Gardens Beauties he did crop This Paradise of Paradise to dresse . All sweets and Delicacies flowed thither , And in one Eve were moulded up together . 193. Eve the Topstone of all the brave Creation , The Blisse of Adam , and the crown of Nature ; Eve , who enjoys the most removed station From the black Chaos ; Eve that finall Creature , In whome th' Almighty Lord set up his rest , And onely spar'd to say , Hed done his best . 194. Her spatious polish'd Fore head was the fair And lovely Plain where gentle Majesty Walk'd in delicicus state : Her Temples were A peice of a Pomgranate , which did lie In dainty ambush under their soft Cover Of Amber Looks whose volumes curled over . 195. The fuller stream of her Luxuriant Hair Pour'd down it selfe upon her Ivory Back ; And in its Flood ten thousand Graces were Sporting and dallying with every Lock ; Which when th' inamor'd winds did kiss , you might Have seen a ruffling Tempest of Delight . 196. Two princely Arches of most equall measures Held up the Canopy above her Eyes , And open'd to the Heav'ns farre richer Treasures Than with their Stars , or with their Sunne did rise : Their Beams can ravish but the Bodies sight , These dazell stoutest Soules with mystick light . 197. These were two Garrisons of all conquering Love ; Two Founts of life , of Spirit , of Joy , of Grace ; Two Easts of one faire Heav'n , no more above , But in the Hemisphear of her own face ; Two Thrones of Gallantry ; two shops of Miracles ; Two shrines of Dieties ; two silent Oracles . 198. For here could Silence eloquently plead , Here could th' invisible Soule be clearly read ; Though Humors their mild composition made , They were two Burning Glasses , wherce were shed Those living Flames which with enlivening Darts Shoot Deaths of Love into Spectators Hearts . 199. 'Twixt these an Alabaster Promontory Slop'd gently down , parting each Cheek from other , Where White & Red strove which should get the glory , Blending in sweet confusion together . The Rose and Lilie never joyned were In a diviner Marriage than there . 200. Upon these pretious Cushionets did lie Ten thousand Beauties , and as many Smiles , Chaste Blandishments , and genuine Courtesie , Harmlesse Temptations , and honest Guiles . For Heav'n , though up betimes the mayd to deck , Ne'r made Aurora's cheeks so fair and sleek . 201. Neatnesse , and Pleasure , and inamoring Grace About her Mouth in full Retinue stood : For next the Eyes bright Glass , this is the place In which the Soul delights to walk abroad . But at her lips two scarlet Threds there lay , Or two warm Coralls , to adorn the way ; 202. The pretious Way , where , by her Breath , and Tongue , Her Odours and her Honey out did flow : Which thou 'dst have judg'd to have been bred among Arabian and Hyblean Hills ; and so They were indeed ; the richer Arabie And sweeter Hybla in her Mouth did lie . 203. As crowned with a golden Chapiter A Column of white Marble you have seen ; So her round polish'd Neck her Head did bear , Nor did the shining Pillar bend or lean : Yet neither would this Marble hardnesse know , Nor suffer Cold to dwell amongst its Snow . 204. Her blessed Bosom moderately rose With two soft Mounts of Lilies , whose fair Top Two Cherrie Branches for their Station chose , And there their living Crimson lifted up . The milkie Count'nance of the Hills confest What kinde of Springs within had made their Nest. 205. Fair Politure walk'd all her Body over , And Symmetrie flew through every Part ; Soft and white Sweetnesse round about did hover ; From every Member Beautie shot its dart : From Heav'n to Earth , from head to foot , I mean , No sign of Blemish or of Spot was seen . 206. This was the first born Queen of Gallantry , All Gems compounded into one rich Stone , All Sweets knit into one Conspiracy , A Constellation of all Stars in one : Who when she was presented to the view Of Paradise , the Place all dazeled grew . 207. Proud Phebus who in glorious Scorn did flie About the World , no sooner spi'd her face , But fain he would have lingred , from his skie Upon this lesse but sweeter Heav'n to gaze ; Till shame enforc'd him to lash on again , And clearer wash him in the Western Main , 208. The Aire smil'd round about , for joy that he Had the prerogative of the Virgin kiss , And did imbrace with blessed Liberty A Body soft and sweet and chaste as His. All gentle Gales that had but strength to stir Did thither flock to beg perfumes of Her . 209. The Marigold forgot her garish Love , And turn'd her duty to these fairer Eyes ; All Flowres look'd up , and as they could , did move Towards those ocular Sphears , from whence did rise Milde and unparching Beams , Beams which in stead Of fire , soft joyes irradiations spred . 210. The sturdiest rudest Trees affected were With her delightfull Presence , and did melt At their hard Pith : Whil'st all the Birds which there Were tossing Mirth about the Branches , felt The influence of her Looks ; For having let Their Song fall down , their Eyes on Her they set . 211. And ô how soon their proudest plumes and wings Follow'd their song ! For in Her Person they With fix'd intention read more glorious things Than all their feathers Bravery could display , And were content no more the Name to wear Of Birds of Paradise , while she was there . 212. But when she mov'd her Feet , the joyfull Earth A wak'd her uttermost Fertility , And by a brisk extemporary Birth Of Myrrh , of Flowres , of Spice , did testifie What Carpets Pomp was requisite to make The Passage fit , where Beauty was to walk . 213. She walk'd ; by that milde importunity To break the Chains of sleep which bound her Spouse : But he wakes more by pow'rfull Sympathie Which on the sudden in his Bosome glows : At first he thought his Dream had still possest him , And with a fairer apparition blest him . 214. But by his wise and most discerning Eyes Examining the gracefull Object , He Pries into all the Truth ; and smiling cries , This nothing but my other Selfe can be : From Me she sprung , a Woman from a Man , And is but Adam in reflection . 215. How sweet a Confluence of Loves and Joyes Met heer in their first Marriage Imbrace ; Which was as pure and chaste , as when one Voice In Musick 's wedded to anothers Grace , Where with concentrick Delicacies they Hug and conspire in one soul-plying Lay. 216. Adam beholds himselfe more sweet in Eve , In Him She reads her selfe more high and grave ; Either from other does Themselves receive , As fast returning what they taking gave , Thus when two Currents meet , they loose each other In the pellucid bosome of his brother . 217. They naked were , if onely skinnes , and haires , And excrements of Beasts Apparrell be : But who will taxe the Sunne , the Moone , the Starres , The Diamond , Chrystall , Corall , Ivorie , Of Nakednesse , because the Clothes they weare , None but their native Beams and Beauties are . 218. A Robe of Innocence and Puritie Down from their Head unto their foot did flow , Transmitting their faire feature to the Eye , But letting no unseemely shame peepe through . They Naked were of every borrow'd Dresse , And Naked of what you count Nakednesse . 219. In this Condition did they live and love And each with other enterchange their Heart ; Fairly transcribing our sweet Life above , Where every Angels Eye his soule doth dart Into his Fellows breast , that all may be In common blest by one Felicitie . 220. How great a Feast , and earnest Invitation Was this for Envie , whose ambitious Tooth Disdains all fare but in the noblest fashion ; Who arm'd with Jaws of greedy Iron doth Dread no encounter , but with restlesse spight Against the most confirmed Champions fight ! 221. Built is her Pallace in the Heart of Hell , Whose foule Materials Rust and Poyson be : Her cursed Throne is mounted on the fell Bosome of Belzebub , whom furious She Stings with eternall Rage , and makes Him runne About the wilde Worke of Damnation . 222. To Paradise He came , and brought his Hell Into the earthly Heav'n , where looking round To view the Colonies which there did dwell , A Creature spruce and delicate He found Upon a Bank of flowrie Pleasures spread , But farre more sweet and beauteous then its bed ! 223. It was the Serpent , whose illustrious skin Plaid with the Sunne , and sent Him back his Beams With glorious Use : that Wealth which glisters in The bosome of the Orientall Streams Salutes Aurora's Cheek with fewer Rays Then this bright Robe in all Heaven's face displays . 224. His sharpest Eyes sparkled with nimble flames , The light by which his active Soule was read ; Wisedome and Art , with all their plots and frames Made their close Nest in his judicious Head : Above his Fellows on Crafts Wings he flew : All Beasts but He , to that dull Name were true . 225. This Agent Belzebub approv'd ; and as He fed upon his Couch , mix'd with his Meat , And in that ambush through his lips did pass ; Where ( having taught his Bane to rellish sweet , ) He easily wonne the passage through his Throat , And thence by stealth into his Heart he got . 226. As when the Fire hath through the Cauldrons side Into its unsuspecting bowells stollen , The Liquor frets and fumes , and to a Tide Of working Wrath and hot impatience swollen , With boiling Surges beats the Brass , and leaves No way untr'd to vent its tortur'd Waves : 227. So now the Serpent felt his Bosome swell With peevish Rage and desperate Disdain ; A thousand Plots and fallacies did fill The busie Corners of his belking Brain : Sometimes he beats on that , sometimes on this , Sometimes thinks neither , sometimes both amisse , 228. He knew the vastnesse of his fell Designe , Which was to slay a World at one dread Stroke , And reach Destruction in a poisoned Line Unto the latest Twigg of Humane Stock ; And therefore muster'd up the utmost Might All Hell could send to back Him in the fight . 229. But pondering then how Adams sober Breast With Wisdoms Ammunition furnish'd was , And strongly fortifi'd with all the best Of sin-defying Piety and Grace , He shak'd his head , and thought the Match not even To venture on a fight with Him and Heav'n . 230. For if he hapned to be foild at first , His following Onsets all would sweat in vain . And his own poysnous Spight his Breast would burst To see how Adam and his Race should reign Safe and free Kings of earthly Paradise , And flourish thence , to that above the skies . 231. Yet , wholly to decline the Conflict , were To let Man win those Realms without a Blow , And freely to permit what he did fear Perchance might be by his own Overthrow : To a resolved Fight this spurr'd him on , Who could loose Nothing , though he Nothing won . 232. He wisely had observ'd soft-temper'd Eve ; And yet he fear'd the Mettall of her Breast Would prove so generous , that to Deceive Would be an easier Task , then to Contest ; And , could she any way be overthrown , He hop'd her Fall would justle Adam down . 233. Remembring then , what Engin did subdue A wiser Head and stronger far than she , And how impatient Ambition threw Grand Lucifer from Heav'ns Sublimity ; He trusts that now the like successefull End Will on this tried way of fight attend . 234. Advised thus : the mighty Quintessence Of venturous ever-swelling Philautie , Of Discontent , of Scorn , of Insolence , Of towring Fancies , of Self-flattery , And of the stoutest Heav'n-aspiring Pride Together in one desperate Plot He ti'd . 235. And , if this will not doe the feat , yet I Excused am , said He , and upon Hell Be the foule shame , whose feeble Princes by The shock of this Temptation headlong fell . This said , He towards Eve did gently glide , Whom straying from her Husband He espi'd . 236. Unhappy Error that , which did invite The jealous Tempter to be bold , since she Had robb'd her selfe of all her Spouses Might , By starting from his holy Company ! But all the way the cunning Serpent went He put on Looks of contrary Intent . 237. For Love and Friendship smiled in his Eyes , Upon his Face sate Tendernesse and Care : Thrice did he bow his flattering Neck , and thrice His silent Homage he presented her : And then , Fair Queen of Paradise , said hee , Why must the Prince be bound , and Subjects free ? 238. We crop our Pleasures wheresoe'r We please From any flowrie , any spicie bed , We pluck our dinner from the dangling Trees , And all the Garden doth our Table spread : But royall You , and Adam nothing eat . Have your own Wills , or God , this order set ? 239. Nay , courteous Serpent , Eve replied , We Have large Commission , and our God is kinde : He gives Us leave to feast on every Tree , And with all Paradise to please our Minde , Bating that one of Knowledge , on whose Boughs Inevitable Death He tells Us grows . 240. O credulous Queen , the Serpent answers , who Make your own prejudice by beleeving it ! What has a fatall Tree of Death to doe , Just at whose Elbow one of Life is set ? I to your selfe appeal : Judge you but whether These two can grow like such good Friends together 241. Death in a Tree ! Flat contradiction lies In the bare Word : How can Death be alive ? Sure Vegetation very ill complies With saplesse Stupor . O doe not deceive Your Thoughts , nor teach the Tree of 〈◊〉 how To turn a Tree of Ignorance to you . 242. Observe its goodly Apples : can you read In their fair cheeks the ghastly Looks of Death ? Doe any Boughs in all this Garden breed A Fruit which more of Heav'ns sweet Count'nance hath ? Yet grant it Poyson prove : Behold at hand The Tree ofLife for Antidote doth stand . 243. Ask Me not whether Truth can tell a Lie ; Vaine were the Question ; for your God is True . And yet it seems by a deep Fallacie Of enigmatick Truth He cheateth You : Indeed the Tree bears Death ; but Death which will Nothing but Wants and imperfections kill 244. A Death of Life , which will destroy You so That you no longer Creatures shall remain ; But by this Metamorphosis shall grow Above your selves , and into Gods be slaine , With Eys divine discerning Good from Evill , From Heav'n Hell , and an Angell from a Devill . 245. Full well did God know this ; and 't is no Wonder If He desires to reigne a God alone : And so He may , if he can keep You under By the poor Rein of one Injunction ; If by an Apple thus He terrifies The native Princes of fair Paradise . 246. O how it stings my Soul , to think that You My Soveraign should thus faint-hearted be ! For my part , did ten thousand Mandates grow Thick in my Way , to barre Me from this Tree , Through all I 'd break , And so would You , if once Your Heart were fir'd by my Experience . 247. For yesterday , when I began to taste The sprightfull Fruit , Flames kindled in mine Eyes ; My Soul a wak'd , and from my Bosome chas't Those Mists of Ignorance , whose thick Disguise Muffled my thoughts , and kept me down a Beast As dark and dull as any of the rest . 248. But now Serenity walks through my heart , And yeilds me uncontrolled Prospect to The Orbs of Knowledge , where from Part to Part My nimbly piercing Eye about doth goe . This is the Death I found : a Death which I Mean ever day as long 's I live to die . 249. O then what vast advantage will arise To your large Soul by this enlightning Tree ! My breast is shallow , narrow are mine Eyes , But wide and brave is your Capacity : So wide , that Wisdoms deepest Seas may finde Sufficient Channells in your Mighty Minde . 250. And if this Knowledge , if Divinity It selfe , may merit but the easie Pains Of your Acceptance : O perswaded be To suffer these inestimable Gains . Shame burns my Cheeks , that I your Slave , should eat This Bliss , and You my Queen be barr'd the Meat . 251. And yet you are not barr'd : Behold but how You are bid welcome by the courteous Tree , Whose laden Arms their pretious Offrings bow To meet your Mouth , and seem to plead with Me : Their postures Language asks , What make we here If wee alone by You contemned are ? 252. These Charms stole ope the Door into the Heart Of carelesse Eve , and thrust their poyson in : Besides , the smiling Apples plai'd their part , And her Affections with her Eye did win : Capricious curious Pride did her invite What e'r it cost , to taste of that Delight . 253. Three times she stepped to th' inchanting Tree , As oft by Conscience plucked back again : Yet still with fatall importunity She struggled till she broke her Freedoms Chain ; Then with unchecked Madnesse on she goes To win her wished Prize , and her Selfe to loose . 254. Up went her desperate Hand , and reach'd away All the Worlds Blisse whil'st she the Apple took : When loe , the Earth did move , the Heav'ns did stay , Beasts and Birds shiver'd , absent Adam shook ; But none did know the reason of their Fear ; Onely hee ran to see what Eve did here 255. O balefull sight ! His pretious Queen hee saw Enslaved by her soothing Subjects Craft . She who was Beauties Centre untill now , Is of her brave Prerogative bereft : Bereft so wholy , that with wondering Doubt For his late lovely Eve , in Eve He sought . 256. Apparent Misery sate on her Face , Before the goodly Throne of Pleasantnesse : Her Cheeks , which bloom'd till now with heav'nly Grace Sins black and dismall horror did confesse ; Forth at her Eyes , of late Lifes Windows , Death Did look , and Rottennesse flow'd with her Breath . 257. But greater was the Change within ; for there Her bold Transgression spred an hideous Night Of Ignorance on her intellectuall Sphear : Her Will , which grew before so fair and straight , Turn'd crooked and perverse : Each Passion Scorn'd Her Commands , as the Her Gods had done . 258. Her Heart till now soft as the Turtles Sighs , It s heav'n-inamoring Tendernesse forgets , And with the stoutest Purian Marble vies : Her Thoughts , before all Sons of Love , professe No trade but Mischiefe now , and busie are To propagate the Woes which stinged Her . 259. Nor fears she now to play the Serpent too In envy of her Husbands blessed State , Whom with the beauteous Apples she does Wooe To taste of Hell , and swallow down his fate : Fall to my Dear , said she ; fear not the food , I have thy Taster been , and finde it good . 260. But wiser Adam well the danger knew Whose miserable Proof now wounds his eyes ; Nor could the poor Bait of an Apple shew 1 Tim. 2. 14. Him reason , Heav'n and Virtue to despise . Fair in his bosome written was the Law , And reverent Terror kept his Soul in awe . 261. In a we a while it kept it : But at last Commiseration of his Spous's case . Grew to such strength in his too-tender Breast That Pitty to himselfe it did displace . Eve sate so neer to his Uxorious Heart , That rather he with Heav'n , then Her will part . 262. For part He must , unlesse He reconcile That mighty Breach which she between them made . O potent Sympathie ! which canst beguile An Heart so pure and cleer-ey'd and degrade Earths Monarch from his native Pinacle Of Innocence , as low as Death and Hell . 263. He yeilds , and eates , and eating tears the great Creators Law : yet tears not that alone , But rends his Bliss , his Health , his Life , and that Fair Robe of Puritie 〈◊〉 He had on , Becoming Eves Companion no lesse In nature , than in shamefull Nakednesse . 264. And thus indeed they 'gan to judge between Evill and Good , whilst they themselves did see , Who untill then no Evill thing had seen , But now can witnesse their own Misery ; Which they with wrerched Aprons strive to heal , As if the leaves the Apples would conceal . 265. Alas , nor they , nor all the Trees that grow In shady Paradise so thick and high Could any shelter unto them allow When he was pleas'd to search , who is all Eye . Yet by degrees hee findes them , that they might With Deprecations salute his sight . 266. Had he in Thunder and in Lightning spake , And of fierce Veng'ance breath'd a flaming stream , Just had the Dialect been : But He did make A foft enquiry of the Fault , and seem To beg Confession , and to wait whil'st they Did with their Crime their Penitence display . 267. But they with Shifts , and Excusations trie Not to excuse the Fact , but to defend , And by that wretched Impudence defie Mercy , which all this while did them attend . This forced Justice , who came rushing in , And did her Office upon saucy Sin . 268. She first the Curse pronounc'd , which written was In adamantine Tables , ne'r to be Revers'd by Pitty : Then she forth did chase The proud Delinquents , and the Garden free From its unworthy Guests , appointing Fate To set a double Guard before the Gate . 269. A Troop of Cherubs straight was marshalled In dreadfull Order at the Eastern Gate ; And then a flaming Fauchion brandished Terror about the way , that none might at That door of Happinesse passe in , but who By tried Purity through Fire could goe . 270. The Wofull Exiles were no sooner come : Into the wide World , but poor Adam sees The heavy Losse of his enclosed Home , Finding in stead of blessed Flowres and Trees , Thistles and Thorns all arm'd with pikes and pricks Amongst whose Crowd he vex'd and tatter'd sticks 271. Long did He strive and toyle e'r He could make The Ground give fertile answer to his sweat : The righteous Earth did this due Vengeance take On his Rebellion ; so did the great Cognation of Beasts and Birds , who broke Off from their sullen Necks his regall Yoke . 272. Those who were able , muster up their might , And in their Makers Quarrell Him pursue : The weaker , from his presence speed their flight , Professing now they knew no homage due : Thus by their furie Those , These by their Feare Equally frightfull and vexatious were . 273. No friend he had , but her who did betray Him to that Miserie , unhappy Eve : And yet the reaping of his sweetest Joy , Of what was sweeter , did them both deprive ; Their gains unable were to quit the cost , For now their dear Virginity was lost . 274. Eve through many nauseous Moneths did pass E'r she could to her hardest travell come : O who can tell the Pangs by which she was Tortur'd and torn , when her unhappy Womb It self unloaded ! for the Curse was sure , Nor could those Torments ever find a Cure . 275. In sin conceiving , she brought forth in pain , And with Pollution dy'd her Progenie : Through all Successions her anneiled stain Did propagate its own Deformitie , And all her Heirs bind in an Obligation Of Death , and what is deadlier , Damnation . 276. Besides , the peevish and importunate 〈◊〉 Of restless Kicking at Heav'ns gentle Law , It s fretfull Taint did in proud Triumph stretch Through the whole Current of her Blood which now In humane veins so madly boyls and flames , That kindled at the fire of Hell it seems . 277. Thus when black Venome has into the Spring Infused Death , the Streams which from it runne , How farre so e'r they travell , still they bring Along with them that first Contagion : The furthest Drop knows not how to escape The reach of that Originall Mishap . 278. Your Souls I grant , rise not from that foul Spring , Nor did they ever swimme in Adams veins : Yet is the Body so unclean a thing , That strait it doth communicate its Stains : Nor can the soul be pure which married is To so contagious a Spouse as this . 279. Yet call not God unjust , who doth commit So fair a Gemme unto so foul a Case , Thereby infallibly engaging it To be as black and cursed as its Place . O no : He still is kind and knows a way Through Wrath and Judgement , Mercy to display . 280. No Plot of Satans spight shall undermine Or make a breach in the Creations frame : Nature shall still proceed , and Heav'ns Designe Of Mans felicitie persist the same : God-like it is indeed , Fates Scales to turne , And make them Blest , who to a Curse were born , 281. Whilst God makes pure Souls dive into this stream Of Blackness , gratious He contriveth how To wash and cleanse and re-imbellish them Till they unto such pow'rfull Beautie grow That sweetly on their Bodies they can be Reveng'd , infecting them with Puritie , 282. Such purging Might in Jesus Blood there flows , That from the face of its least Drop doe flie This Stain which at the Root of Mankind grows , And all those Blots which on the Branches lie , And this dear Fountain , in Decree , was broach'd Long e'r the Soul by any Taint was touch'd . 283. They who desire 't may here refined be Into a Claritude becomming that High Paradise of whose felicitie Edens was onely the faint Shaddow : But They who scorn such Bliss , would themselves have thrown To Hell though Eve had never help'd them down . 284. And tell me Psyche what thou thinkest now Of thy Extraction , which from wretched Dust , The Scumm of Earth , and game of Winds , doth flow ; What of thy rotten Kindred , since thou must Corruption for thy Mother own , and call Each Worm thy Sister that in mire doth crawl . 285. Yet Worms are ly'ble to one onely Death , A Death which quickly will it selfe destroy : But thy Composure in its bosome hath A Living Poyson , that may finde a way To kill thee with surviving Death , by which Thy torture to Eternity shall reach . 286. Think well on this , and if thou canst , be proud , Who by the Pride of thy first Parents art With this destructive Portion endow'd , And from thy Birth betroth'd to endlesse Smart . Think what vast distance lies 'twixt worthlesse thee And the Almighty King of Majesty .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO VII . The Great Little One. ARGUMENT . THe Angell convoys Psyche to the Sceen Of Mercies grand Exploits , to shew Her what Dear Care Heav'n took to wash her bosome clean From the foule shame of every sinfull Blot . Betimes he 'gins , and from the morning Glory Of Loves bright Birth , lights in the blessed Story . 1. ILlustrious Spirits of Fire , who e'r you be , This Lesson will be no discredit to Your towring Flames ; nor must Heroick Yee To Schoole to Psyche's Legend scorn to goe : Such Sparks as you for all your glittering , be In your Originall , as dim as she . 2. As other Fires at length to Ashes grow , So must brave Yee : Yet they were lighted from Some generous bright Originall ; but you And your Extraction , did from Ashes come . Whether forward you , or backward turn your eye , Your Bounds are Vilenesse , Shame , and Miserie . 3. Examine Alexanders Monument , Or Helens Tombe , and marke what there does lie : Or if your Nostrills dread the banefull sent Of their in-vain-embalmed Majesty ; Trust that strong Proof , which bidds you sadly think That you , though great and fair , must end in stink . 4. But trust not Pride , whose tumid Treachery Did to that Rottennesse all the World betray . No Poyson yet did ever swell so high , Or to such certain Death prepare the way . Steep headlong Danger on the Mountains reigns : Let them who safe would walk , walk on the Plains . 5. Plain are the Walks of mild Humility , And know no Precipice , but planted are With sweet Content , with pious Privacie , With cheerfull Hope , and with securing Fear . An Humble Soule , which always dwells below , Prevents that Ruine which on Hills doth grow . 6. The Tempest's aim is at those lofty Things Which rise against it , and its strength defie . This to the Pines and Oaks Destruction brings , Whilst modest Shrubbs beneath in peace doe lie . Thus come proud Rocks to rue the angry Wind ; Which to the humble Vales is alway kinde . 7. Humility is provident , and acquaints Aforehand with her Ashes , which she knowes Must be her End : She in no flattering Paints Her sober Judgment and her self will loose ; She dies betimes , how long so e'r she lives , And Death but as a long known Freind receives . 8. She huggs her Herse , and does her Grave imbrace , And pants and longs her finall Ev'n to see , When in that cool and undisturbed Place Her weary Head to rest may setled be : Assured of a Friend , whose Care hath found For Her to Heav'n a passage under ground . 9. She strongly woo's the Worms to crawle apace ; She prays not slow Corruption to make haste : Toward Death for life she runs , and thinks her Race Is long because she yet lives : On as fast She speeds , as Sighs of Love can blow Her , or Fire of unquenchable Desire can spurr . 10. O meek Ambition which correctest Pride Into a Virtue , and mak'st Venome grow Plain Antidote ! An heart which thou dost guide Struggles and reaches still to be more low ; And prides it self in nothing , but to be From Prides Dominion intirely free . 11. The Seeds of this fair Grace deep planted were In Psyche's tender Heart by Charis hand : Which as they sprouted up , with heav'nly care To weed , and dresse them , Phylax by did stand : And now , to make them flourish higher , she Will with her liberall Tears their Waterer be . 12. For Phylax had no sooner made an end , But She begins , first by her showring Eys ; Then by her Tongue , which with their Tears did blend Its Lamentations : Woe is me , she cries , What now should Psyche doe who needs would be Proud of her shame , and poisnous Misery ? 13. Your scorn , by wretched Me so deeply ern'd , My wronged Freinds , at length let me obtein : O Charis , my all guilty Soule is burn'd By those fair Flames which in thine Aspect reigne . How can such Night-birds as vile I endure The holy Lightning of a Look so pure ? 14. And Yoa , deare Phylax , lose your Pains no more Upon an undeserving hideous Thing . Why should proud Psyche dwell , as heretofore , Under the shelter of thy scorned Wing ? O let it free it self , and take its flight ; Why should black I defile an House so white ! 15. The odious Bat with more decorum will Flutter about a Thing as dark as she ; And lend her sooty Wings to make a veil For correspondent Ouglines in me . The ominous Raven will fitter be to spread Her swarthy Plumes on my polluted Head . 16. Let me enjoy the sad Inheritance Of my deep-stained Birth : Was I not born Apparent Heir to an entayld Mischance ? Did not my wretched Beings lowry Morn Dawn with eternall Night ? Dwelt not Death in The fatall Spring of my Parentall sin ? 17. Why must my breath defile the Virgin Air ? Why must I load the harmlesse Earth with Guilt ? Why must I stain the World , which would be fair If I were gone ? My Tombe is ready built In any place where Filth , and Dunghils lie . Let Justice have her course , and let me die . 18. My due Home is where Arrogance , and bold Rebellion dwell : O Let me thither goe ! May worthy Eys behold the Sunns fair Gold , And view their way to Heav'n : I have to doe With nought but Pitch and Darknes , which may hide The equall Horror of my wilfull Pride , 19. My heav'nly Spouse ; ( ô why doe I blaspheme ! ) That Spouse who long desired to be mine ; Me thinks from Heav'n doth with a piercing Beam Full on my face and faithlesse Bosome shine , And by that Light read all that Treason I Have wrought against his loving Majesty . 20. O , it will scorch Me up I my Sinnews crack , My Bones are burnt , and all my Marrow fries , My Bosome melts , the Flame devoures my back , My Heart flows down , and wofull Psyche dies . I die ; and yet I breath : My Death lives still : No kinde of Slaughter e'r like this did kill . 21. Surely the Flames which make all Hell so black , Are cool and gentle , if compar'd with these : Why goe I not to take my Kinder Rack , And in th' infernall Torments finde some Ease ? Have done fond fruitlesse Tears ; you are too weak The greater Torrent of this Fire to slake . 22. Here Phylax here , loe I my selfe ungird ; This Token can no treacherous Heart befit : Return it back to my abused Lord , And beg my Pardon who have stayned it . What will it not unbuckle ? Must I be Still Pris'ner to his wronged Courtesie ? 23. And must this Girdle now besiege Me round With an indissoluble Check of my Disloyaltie ? Must I thus close be bound Up in my Selfe , and not have room to flie From what I hate far more than Death and Hell , The sinfull Blots of which this Breast is full ? 24. So strait upon my griped Soul the Chains Of deep Damnation can no Torments tie , As this sweet Cincture bindes me to the Pains Of self-confusion . O Me ! — Here her Crie Did with her Spirits faint ; and down she fell Griefs totall Prey , and Pitties Spectacle . 25. Pitty was neer ; For Charis stood close by , Whose yearning bowells all this while did move : But rous'd more by herfall , she instantly Obey'd the nimble Violence of Love ; Love mov'd her Heart , and that her Hand , by which To fainting Psyche she reliefe did reach . 26. She took her up , and with a sweet Imbrace Instilled gentle Warmth into her Breast , Whose never-failing Virtue did displace Griefs vast Plethora which had her opprest , And by delicious degrees restore Her ship wrack'd Thoughts to their composed shore . 27. So have I seen a wise Physition New spirits to his swowning Patient give , Who , though his Heart before were sunk and gone , Doth by the Potion it again receive , Whil'st in the cheerly salutiferous Cup A draught of liquid Life he drinketh up . 28. Awakened Psyche , with amazed Eyes Beheld her Friends ; but wonder'd more to see Her stout Disease made a tame Sacrifice Unto that heav'nly Cordiall which she Felt reigning in her breast , and which did seize Her Heart both with Astonishment and Ease . 29. Ambiguous Fancies toss'd her up and down Uncertain whether some Dreams Flattery Into a vain Elysium had thrown Her cheated Soul , or whether truely she Was by some courteous Gale snatch'd from the Billows And on the Bank laid safe on Peace's pillows 30. Which Charis seeing ; You may trust , said she Your sudden Happinesse , which wears no Cheat. But see that you misplace no thanks on Me ; Which all are more than due unto your great And constant Spouse , who though forgot by You , Could not his Love away so quickly throw . 31. Those life-renewing Sweets I brought you down , Were none of mine : He sent both me and them : He knew your Wants and counted them his own , Who longs to have you be all one with him . Then by these Comforts which have cur'd your Smart Learn who it is that most deserv's your Heart , 32. O'r-powred with unweildy Thanks and Praise , At this vast Tide of her obtruding Blisse , Here Psyche strove her labouring Breast to ease , Yet neither Thanks nor Praise she could expresse : For what she had conceived , was so great She neither could contain , nor utter it . 33. But Phylax seeing her sweet Agonie , Cri'd , 't is enough , Heav'n can hear mute Desires . Come Psyche , you shall travell now with me To finde full fuell for your amorous Fires . It will be worth your voyage when you see What Balm did grow to heal your Miserie . 34. The God of Goodnesse by his powerfull Eye Reaching those Things which yet were short of Being , Did in the Volumes of Eternity Read all the future World : where clearly seeing What mischiefe would be done by foolish Pride , A potent Remedie He did provide . 35. Indeed had no Redemption invited Thy Spouse to Feast the World with his dear Blood , Yet to Mans Nature hee would have united His own , that the Creation might have stood Fast ti'd unto its Maker , and by this Conjunction , been neer sharer in his Bliss . 36. But seeing by Hereditarie Stains The Stream of Humane Blood runs foule and black , It found work for the virtue of his Veins The Poyson of the tainted Flood to check : Which nobly he perform'd , as thou shalt see When I have led thee through his Historie . 37. As she now cheer'd her heart and count'nance up , A radiant Chariot caught her wondering Eye ; The winged Steeds foam'd at that little stop , And though their Wings were down , their thoughts did fly . Speed was the Chariots Mettall , and each Wheel Composed was of never-tyring Zeal . 38. Come Psyche , come , this Couch for haste doth call , Cri'd Phylax ; fear not , 't is no cheating one , Nor , like thy last , will bear thee to thy Fall ; I mean to hold the Reigns : Come let 's be one , If you , sweet Sir , will have it so , content Said she , and meekly blushing , in she went . 39. Up flew Devotion , and Chastitie The gallant Steeds which did the Chariot draw , Her native Albion soon began to be Lost in a Sea of Air ; and now she saw The wealthy Fields of Gallia , which as fast Behinde her fled as she did forward post . 40. Then climbing higher in her yeilding Way , Eternall Banks of obstinate Frost and Snow Which Winter on the Alps high back did lay , Spight of the nearer Sun , she leaves below , And through the tumult of the justling Clouds Down into the Italian Heav'n she crouds . 41. From thence she launch'd into that Region Which by the Adriatick Storms doth frown , And sped her course above that Ocean About whose sides the Mid-land shores are thrown : So well did Phylax steer , that to a Port So far off , ne'r was made a Cut so short . 42. For having reach'd blest Palestine , she flew Over the groveling Towns of Galile , Untill the Steeds , as if the place they knew , At Nazareth brake off their Course ; where she Viewing the simple Village , wondered why Her Convoy , thither took such pains to flie . 43. But Phylax having led her by the Hand To the unlikliest House ; Behold , said hee , This pretious Monument , which still doth stand To chide their Arrogance who needs will be Immur'd in Cedar , and roof'd o'r with Gold : O who would think poor Dust should be so bold ! 44. This silly Mansion , though it scarce would win Ev'n Poverty it selfe in it to dwell , Was once the House & Home , where the bright Queen Of Glories kept her Court ; in this mean Cell Dwelt She in whose illustrious Family All Heav'n desir'd a Sojourner to be . 45. She , the transcendent Crown of Females , She Great Jacobs Ladder , Aarons budding Rod , The Chrystall Princess of Virginity , Davids fair Tower , the Mother of her God , Mary her selfe : O may that lovely Name Be Blessings Nest , and the dear Theam of Fame . 46. There her plain Cates she eat , or rather kept Her healthfull Rules of sober Abstinence : There did she plie her Prayers , and there she slept When midnight Zeal had tir'd her mortall Sense , No Corner was in all this House , but she Did dedicate it unto Piety . 47. How many Temples in this narrow Room Erected were by her Devotion , Who taught all Virtues here to take their Home ! But if Sin knock'd , She bid it straight be gone ; For at her Door Humility she set : A Potter which would no such Guests admit . 48. Here , on her pious knees , she wept , one day , In wondring Meditation of that She Whom God would chuse to make the noble Way Unto his own fore-told Humanity , O how she blest that Soule , who ever was To be advanced to that matchlesse Grace ! 49. Not for a thousand Worlds would she have thought Her Selfe the long-designed She ; but rather Would with a thousand thousand more have bought An Hand-mayds place to wait upon that Mother , To kisse her blessed feet , or bear her Train , In whom all Excellence rejoyc'd to reign . 50. But whil'st her meek admiring Fancie flies Through this high Contemplation , which drew Applauding joyous Christall from her Eyes ; A bright and gallant Stranger hither flew ; One who from Heav'n her sweet reflection brings , Looking almost like Her , but for his Wings . 51. Youth bloomed in his Face , the blessed Throne Where purest Beauties in fair Triumph sate ; Their brisk and sparkling Combination All ravishing Joyes into his Eyes had put : His Looks commanded Love , but did withall By potent Purity all Lust fore-stall . 52. His Head was crown'd with its own golden Hair , Which down his back its dainty Wealth did shed : The Alabaster of his Neck was bare Sweetly betraying what below was hid In the green ambush of his Robe of Silk , The Curtain drawn upon his Fleshie Milk . 53. That Robe was guarded with the orient Lace Which on Aurora's Virgin Coat you see . Neglect seem'd to have put it on ; yet Grace And Comelinesse would not prevented be , But did in every carelesse fold and pleit To catch Spectators Wonder lie in wait . 54. A silver Girdle did his Loins imbrace With the prest fashion of Travellers : Like Loves sweet Bow his left Arm bended was Upon his Side , whil'st high his Right Hand bears A Lillie , which from thence received more Sweetnesse and Whitenesse than it had before . 55. The Candor of his Wings was no such kinde Of glaring thing , as in the Alpine Snow , Or on the purest Cygnets neck we finde , Or on the soft face of new Milk doth flow : But a celestiall Tincture pure and bright , Made not by scorching , but by whitening Light . 56. He was an heav'nly Citizen , and one Whose place is in an higher form than mine ; In neer attendance on his Makers Throne He with his Archangelick beams doth shine , Whence he , when Heav'n has greatest businesse here , Dispatched is the choise Ambassadour . 57. But though his Eyes their education had Amongst those Claritudes which gild the skies , They never yet at Home did seem to read So much of Heav'n at large , as here he spies Epitomized in the lovely Glass Of Maryes modestly-illustrious face . 58. And , Hail , said He , Thou dearest Favorite Of our great King , in whose selected Breast His Majesty with singular delight Doth take his private , and mysterious rest . Hail thou the Crown of Females , on whose Head Their best exuberance all Blessings shed . 59. The humble Virgin started at the sight , But much more at the Salutation : The complementall Youth did her affright Who us'd such charming Companie to shun ; Untill his Wings admonish'd her that he One of her wonted heav'nly Guests might be . 60. But yet her lowly Soul could not digest The tumor of that strange Hyperbole , Which still she boulted in her thought-full Breast , Being suspitious least some Flattery Had borrow'd an Angelike shape , by which A Woman it more easily might bewitch . 61. O strange , but nobly-pretious Jealonsie Which onely dost in holy Bosoms rest : Thou art the Bar which dost accesse deny To whatsoever might an Heart molest : Pride , Usher to all Sins , comes not neer thee , So low thou liest , so high strutteth hee . 62. When Gabriel observ'd her doubtfull Look , Where Blushes , and where Palenesse mutually Their fearfull and their modest Stations took ; Mary , said He , thy meek Anxiety May spare its pains ; No Danger dares draw neer Her whom the Prince of Power doth hold so dear . 63. He who is Lord of Love , hath seal'd on thee His amorous Heart : the choisest of his Graces , The flowre of all his Sweets , th' Immensitie Of his best Favours , and his Joyes , he places On thee alone , whom he exalts as high As thou art sunk in thy Humility . 64. Witnesse this Message I have now to tell , How much too glorious for Me to bring ! The onely Message which could parallel The boundlesse Love of Heav'ns inamored King : A Message which the World hath long expected , But fit to thee alone to be directed . 65. Behold thy blessed Womb shall Fertile be With a more blessed Son , whom at the due And wonted Season of Maturity , Thou to this Light , lesse fair than him , shalt shew : Nor need'st thou study to contrive the frame Of his due Title , JESUS is the Name . 66. More reason shall that Name finde in thy Son , Than it of old did in Nuns warlike Heir , More noble shall be that Salvation By which his Israel he will repair , Than that which from Beersheba unto Dan Gave them no more but earthly Canaan . 67. He shall be Great , as Great as Might and Worth Can swell an Heros ; or as stoutest Fame Can with her fairest widest Trump blow forth , Which shall be stretch'd with his magnifick Name ; For to proclaim his Soveraignitie , His Stile shall run , The Son of the Most High . 68. He who is Lord of Crowns , and supream King Of Scepters , shall establish him upon His Seat from whose high linage he shall spring , His most renowned Father Davids Throne : Where hee a King of nobler Peace shall sit Than Solomon with all his Wealth and Wit. 69. All Jacobs Seed to him shall homage doe , And govern'd be by his more gentle Law : Yea Time it selfe shall be his Subject too , And his long Sithe unto his Sceptre bow : The Earth shall sink , the Heav'ns shall melt , but hee Shall reach his Kingdome to Eternitie . 70. And here the Angell paus'd : But trembling she , Veild in the scarlet of her modest Cheek , Repli'd , Bright Sir , it seems you know not Me A worthless Maid , who for your high Mistake Wear no pretence : nor may so great a King From a vile Worms polluted Bowells spring , 71. Yet though this Vilenesse be sufficient to Excuse Me from such Exaltation : Be pleas'd to know , I am that Mary , who Finding my selfe too mean for any Son Of Princely Davids Progeny to wed , Resolv'd to die upon my virgin Bed . 72. So shall no sprouts from my unhappy Root Clog the World with their fruitlesse Company ; So shall I scape Parentall Tasks , and not With Childrens Education burdned be , Who finde such Work as poseth all my Art In ordering mine own untoward Heart 73. Though I to Joseph now espoused am , 'T is but to shelter my Virginity , In whose defence he wears an Husbands Name , And of my Weakness will Protector be . My Word is past , that I to God will give My Body back , as I did it receive . 74. Alas , what other Sacrifice have I To render Him for all his patient Love Wherewith he hath thus long sustained my Rebellious Life , and mercifully strove With my Demerits ! O bid me not aspire To what transcends my Reach , and my Desire . 75. Miraculous Meeknesse ! How would other Hearts Have leap d to catch this matchlesse Dignity , From which this most deserving Virgin starts ! O how wouldst thou thy selfe have joy'd to see So high an offer ! What would'st thou have said Had thy Agenor Gabriels Promise made ? 76. Her Answer forc'd his Admiration higher , And op'd the Door to this sublime Replie : Heav'n is not ignorant of thy sweet Desire ; Thy gallant Vow stands register'd on high Upon a Table neer as white and fair As thine own Heart , and Resolutions are . 77. Such Vows are Jewells , ev'n in Heav'ns esteem , Which is the pure Realm of Virginity : For there th' Eternall Father wears this Gem , With whom the Son and Spirit , Virgins be : After whose fair Example We aspire , And copie it in all our Winged Quire . 78. Through Mounts of Miracles God breaks ope a way To keep thee'still as pure as thy Desire : When All Things in their first Confusion lay , Being a shapeless groveling Mass of Mire ; Who would have thought the Womb of that Abysse Could have produc'd so fair a World as this ? 79. But then th' Almighty Spirit spread his Wing Upon those hopelesse Volumes of the Deep ; And by his generative Warmth did bring To light those Seeds which in that Night did sleep : Thus all this populous Universe you see , Sprung from the Bowells of Virginity . 80. This Holy Spirit over Thee shall hover , And with prolifick Virtue thee endow : He who on Powers Top doth reign , shall cover Thee with his Might ; a Might which will allow Nature no leave nor possibility To contradict a Virgin-pregnancie . 81. This is one Cause , ( and 't is a noble one ) Why He who shall thy glorious Off-spring be Shall wear the Soveraign Title of the Son Of God ; for genuine Divinity Shall be 〈◊〉 , but in a mystick fashion , In the great Businesse of his Generation . 82. Doubt not his Power , whose well-known Limits spread Wide as his boundless Will : the whole World knows How Sarahs dead Wombe now doth live in seed Which past the shores of Numeration flows : How the Preists Rod its sudden Almonds ought Neither to Soile nor Seed , nor Sap nor Root . 83. But I have mighty News to tell thee : She Whose snowie Head confest her Springs was past , Thy Cousen both in Blood and Piety , Cold , drie Elizabeth , hath now at last Conceiv'd a Son ; an argument to thee How Nature can by Heav'n corrected be . 84. The World had stamp'd the Name of Barren on Her sealed Womb , and damm'd the way to Hope Of any Seed ; yet five full Moneths are gone , And now the Sixt succeeds , since Heav'n did ope That froazen Seal : good cause have I to know The Time , who was imployed then , as now . 85. I bare the Tidings to great Zachary , And when his trembling jealous Soul would not Credit my supernaturall Embassie , I on his Tongue a Lock of Silence put , That he might know God could as easily ope His Spouses Womb , as I his Mouth could stop . 86. His Silence bids thee trust these Words of mine ; And , since the Hopes of Heav'n and Earth attend With panting Expectation for thine Assent , on which their noblest Joyes depend : For their sakes yeild ; and for thy Makers , who By Me his best-beloved Spouse doth wooe . 87. He e'r since Times first Birth did wait for thee And has endur'd a World of Sin below , Stretching his strongly-patient Constancie Through every Age of Wickednesse till now ; Knowing that Time at length would bring forth thee The sweet Reward of all his Lenitie . 88. And now thy mighty Houre is come ; ô why Mak'st thou a gentle Virtue prove so hard , Why by thy rigorous Humility Must ripened Joy and Happinesse be barr'd From all the Universe ! O why wilt thou Not let the golden Age have leave to grow ? 89. Why must the gloomy Shaddows which have now Weighed their heavy Wings , in hopes to flie , Return their Night upon Religion's Brow , Which 'gan to clear up at the Dawn of thy Long long'd-for Birth ; and would'st thou but give way Would straight break open into Grace's Day . 90. As when the Moisture which contented was To dwell below , and nestle in the Earth , Is by the powerfull Sun entic'd to passe Unto an higher Home : it issues forth With gentle Resignation , and doth rise In meer submission to dwell neer the Skies : 91. So now the lowly Virgin conquer'd by The potent Pleasure of her loving Spouse , Exceeds her old , by new Humility ; And with her selfe , her former Meeknesse throws Before his feet , content to be whate'r His most victorious Love would make of Her . 92. Behold , said she , The Handmayd of the Lord , ( For he hath given Me leave to use that Stile , ) Since Heav'n will have it so , may thy great Word My worthless Bowells with Performance fill : To Him who made Me , I my Selfe resign ; 'T is fit His Pleasure , and not mine , be Mine ; 93. This blessed Word no sooner brake from her Sweet Lipps , but to the Top of Heav'n it flew ; Where in the Mouthes of all the winged Quire It found its Echo , and was made a new And pretious Anthem ; for the Sphears that Day Measur'd their high Dance by this onely Lay. 94. All Nature heard the Sound , which in her Eare Spake , Life , and Joy , and Restauration . O blessed Musick , which so cheared Her , That her old Wrinkles into Smiles did run ; Fresh Fire she glowing felt in every Vein , And briskly thought of growing young again . 95. For now that Spirit which first quickned her Return'd again , and flew to Maryes breast . O what Excesse of Sweets and Joyes did bear Him company unto his Virgin Nest ! O what pure streams of Light , what glorious showrs Of most enlivening , and prolifick Powers ! 96. With these flew down Enternities great Son To be a Son of Time ; and parting from His Fathers Bosome , Glories sweetest Throne , Chose Ashes for his House , Dust for his Home . Having taught Exaltation to bow , And of the Most High made Himselfe Most Low. 97. In vain should I , or all the Angells strive To reach at that impossible Eloquence Which might a paralled Description weave For that immense mysterious Confluence Of purest Joyes , with which in this Imbrace The most enobled Virgin ravish'd was . 98. Onely her spatious Soul , the blessed Sea Where all those Floods of pretious Things did meet , Knew what it comprehended : Glorious She Did taste the rellish of each mystick Sweet In one miraculous Instant , and did trie The various Dainties of Divinity , 99. For though this Generation had been The deepest Project of Eternity , Yet were its Wonders all transacted in Durations most concise Epitomie . One single Moment crowned was with this Exploit of most unbounded Power and Bliss . 100. O mighty Moment ! at whose feet , all Dayes And Moneths , and Years , and Ages , homage pay : Upon whose Head Time all its Glories lays , Wishing that thou migt'st never slide away : Eternity holds it selfe deep in debt To thee , in whom its sweetest Wonders meet . 101. This Universe for ever thou dost tie Close to its greater Maker : Thou dost join These Mortall Things to Immortality , And in one Knot both Heav'n and Earth combine : Thou giv'st Fertility a new-found Home , And bid'st it flourish in a Virgin-Womb . 102. For Mary now the Mansion-house became Of her conceived God , who deign'd to take His Pattern from her reverend Bodies frame And borrow part of Her , thereby to make A Garment for himselfe , that hee might be As true and genuine Flesh and Blood as she . 103. O Paradise how poore a Soile art Thou To the rare Richnes of this Virgin Bed ! That Tree of Life which in thy Heart did grow , It self but as the shade of this was spread : Here is the Garden where the noble Tree Of everlasting Life would planted be . 104. Blush all yee Heav'ns ; the gallant Virgins Wombe Hath left no Looks but those of shame for You ; All Glories here have chose their dearer Home ; And fairer shine , because They make no show : Here dwells a Sunn whose Count'nance is a Book So bright ; your Phebus dares not on it look . 105. The most resplendent equall Character , The flaming Brightnes of the Fathers Face , Hath now vouchsafed to exchange his Sphear , And in this lesser Heav'n to plant his Rays : Which yet He hath so sweetned and allayd , That He consumeth not the tender Mayd . 106. Thus , when to Moses He came down of old Arrayed all in fire , and took his Seat Upon a simple Bush ; his flaming Gold In mercie to the shrubb , reind in its Heat , And all the leaves with harmlesse Brightnes fill'd , Which He was pleased not to Burn , but Gild. 107. When Gabriell had seen this wonderous sight He bow'd his holy Head , first to adore His new-conceived Lord , wishing he might Have made his dwelling on this blessed Floor ; And then to take his reverent leave of Her , Whom yet to Heav'n He in his mind did bear . 108. Whether as He mounted up , the News He tells To every Orb and Star ; but cheifly to Th' inquisitive Spirits , whose ears and hearts he fils With all the Wonders He had seen below , Till with applause from every Angels Tongue The pretious Name or humble Mary rung . 109. Thus Phylax spake . When Psyche fill'd with Joy And Admiration , cri'd Why may not I Have leave in this dear Mansion to stay ? Where can I better live , or sweetlier die : Humilities own Palace best will fit Me who through Pride stand most in need of it . 110. If that be thy Desire , thou strait shalt see Phylax reply'd , a fairer House than this , Fairer in more transcendent Poverty , And nobler farr in higher Lowlines . With that , into the Chariot again He takes her up , and gently moves the Rein. 111. The ready steeds no more Monition needed , For through the Ayr they Snatch'd their greedy way , And o're the Galilean Regions speeded ; No Hills were high enough to bid them stay , No windes out-ran them ; but to Bethlehem Well neer as soon's their Drivers thought they came . 112. There lighting down ; Behold this Town , my Dear The Guardian cri'd where Fame once lov'd to grow : Jesse's illustrious Sonn was nurtured here ; Here reverend Samuell did prepare his Brow For royall Honour , when upon his Head The Crowns rich Ernest , holy Oile he shed . 113. This chosen Root , in Kings was fertile , whose Successive Hands through many Ages bore The Jewish Sceptre ; till with other Foes Sin , stronger than the rest , combin'd and tore , It from its guilty Owners farr from Home , First unto Babylon and next to Rome . 114. Rome holds it still ; and makes this wretched Land Pay that sad Debt its Wickednes contracted : How oft has an imperious Command Heavy blood-squeazing Taxes here exacted ! Drowning in Gall this servile Country now Which did of old with Milk and Honey flow . 115. ( Such miserable Gains fond wilfull Men Condemned are to reap , who needs will be Driving the self-destoying Trade of sin : To such heart-galling Bonds of Tyranny ; All those unhappy Nations make haste Who from their Necks Heav'ns gentle Yoke do cast . ) 116. This golden Trick Augustus learned , and Summon'd the People to a generall Taxe : The Warrants strait awak'ned all the Land , And every One to pay his Homage packs To his Parentall Town , the Register Of Tribes and Kindreds being setled there . 117. This cost good Joseph and his blessed Spouse A tedious journey , for the Way was long , But short the Days : in Winters inmost House ( Cold churlish Capricorne ) the Sunn had clung The Morning and the Ev'n so close together , That there was left no room for cheerly Wether . 118. The holy Travellers through Cold and Frost And Northerne Blasts , took their unworthy way : ( What pious Heart would not have been at cost Of its warme Sighs , that sharp Breath to allay ! ) Yet slowly went , for Maries time was come , And God lay heavy in her tender Wombe . 119. Alas She to her Travell travelled , And came at length all-weary to the Town : Where the poor Court'sie of an hired Bed To lay her weather-beaten Body down , She hop'd to find : But Winter now had cast On Men , as well as on the Earth a Frost . 120. The Men were Ice ; so were their Doors ; for both Were frozen up against poor looking Guests ; Wher e'r they knock'd , the surly Host was wroth , And cri'd , my House is full . Indeed those Nests Were onely courteous 〈◊〉 , which barred out All Birds but those which feathers for them brought . 121. The Inns by silken and by purple Things Were taken up ; each Gallant must have room ; Room for his great Self ; Room for those He brings To make Him greater ; Room for what doth come Swelling about Him , his fond State and Port , Which in a Chamber must alone keep Court . 122. Thus was the Universe's King shut out Of his own World as He was entring in : Long had the tired Pilgrims sought about , And yet at no Door could Admission win : And now Night crowded on apace , and drew Their Curtains who as yet no Lodging knew . 123. Amongst the other Beasts this made them call For Pitty , seeing none was left with Men : Observe that Rock , which all along the Wall Lifts up its Head to meet the Easterne Sunne : See'st thou the craggie Mouth it opens ? That Was then the Hospitable Stables gate . 124. Come neer and mark it well : This Caverne was The homely Lodging of an honest Oxe , Whose Chamber-fellow was a simple Ass : Neither the House nor Dwellers needed Locks Or Barrs , or Hoste , to keep the door , and make Intruding despiceble Guests turne back . 125. But to rejected Ioseph and his Spouse This Rock less stony proves , than all the Town ; The pair of courteous Beasts to them allows Far more Humanitie than They whose own Nature engag'd them to be Men , and kind To those at least in whom Themselves they find . 126. In went the blessed Travellers , and from The Beasts , whose Hearts no Avarice had scar'd , Borrow'd a portion both of their Room And of their Straw ; and there their Bed prepar'd : Where to a Temple having turn'd the Cave , Themselves to Rest they after Vespers gave . 127. But though sleep sealed up the Virgins Eye , Her Heart was watchfull and did Travell still ; It travell'd through a Visions Mysterie , But of this Way no weariness did feel . Her Womb seem'd all on fire , whence issued out A flash of Lightning and whirl'd round about . 128. It whirl'd about the World , and in its way Devoured every thing compos'd of Dross , Of idle stubble or of fainting Hay : The silver Creatures beare somelittle Loss ; But those of genuine Gold , grew onely more Illustrious and youthfull than before . 129. The World refined by this searching flame , In every part grew radiant and brave ; No Blemish , or Capacitie of Blame Peep'd out from East to West ; but all things gave A fair account of their own selves , and by Their perfect Beautie satisfi'd Heav'ns Eye , 130. Whilst on this splendid Reformation She Her Wonder pour's ; Dame Natures vigilant Clock Discovering Midnight , rouz'd her Piety Unto its wonted Task : The earliest Cock Had rarely crow'd e'r she began to pray ; But heer you know she faint and tired lay . 131. Yet , to bring forth her Prayers , she rose : But now A greater Birth was ripe ; Nights silent Fear With the grimme Powers of Darkness bold did grow , And on the sleeping Worlds face domineer ; Little suspecting that an High-noone Day From Mid-nights bosome could break out its way . 132. When LOE the Virgin bringeth forth her Son , Who by the Glories of his own sweet Face Commands the dusky Shaddows to be gone And to his full-tide Day resigne their place . Her friends about Her , Soveraign Pleasures were , Joy was the Midwife which assisted Her . 133. No faintings chill'd her Heart , no Pangs did tear Her Privileg'd Bowells , nor no Crie her Throat : Those sad Revenues all entailed were Upon polluted 〈◊〉 : She whom no Blot Of sinfull pleasure could pretend to stain , Advanced was beyond the Shot of Pain . 134. No Circumstance of Shame , or Filth did blurre The noble Birth the Work was pure and clean : Shame on those Hearts whose Thoughts deflowred Her Accomplish'd Purities unspotted Queen : Shame on their slovenish 〈◊〉 , whose Brains Rais'd nere a Fount to wash the Infants stains . 135. Her dear Virginity remain'd the same Unbroken Jewell that it was before : As God into Her reverend Bowells came Yet never stayd to open any door ; So He returned thence , that devoted She Might still a Virgin , though a Mother be . 136. Thus when the Virgin-Soul is big with Thought , Without all Pangs , and Stains , and Ruptures , She 〈◊〉 of Her Burden is , and out Her Off-spring comes all clad in Purity . Thus when the fire the beuteous flame brings forth ' As pure it keeps as 't was before that Birth . 137. Thus when Heav'ns Light doth through the Window press , It bears the Colours it found painted there , Yet neither breaks nor robbs , nor blurrs the Glass , But makes its Beauties more advanc'd and clear . Thus when a Brood of 〈◊〉 fills the Air , Their Mother flowres still no less Virgins are . 138. Thus though great Phebus every Morning springs From fair Aurora's lap , yet she a Maid Remains , as pure as are those smiling Things , Those Roseall Blushes at her portall layd ; Heav'n being pleased to contrive this Way To make Her Virgin-Mother of the Day . 139. But ô , Aurora's Day is Night to this Which in the Night from Maries womb did Rise : This was the Day of 〈◊〉 , of Love , of Bliss , The Day of Jewells and of Rarities , The Day of Miracles , the conquering Day Which never shall to any Night give way , 140. The Day which made Immensitie become A Little One ; which printed more than May Upon Decembers face ; which drew the Summe Of Paradise into one Budde ; the Day Which shrunk 〈◊〉 into a Span Of Time , Heav'n into Earth , God into Man . 141. Heav'ns twinkling Lights shut up their dazeled Eyes , And payd their blinde Devotion to the Dawn Of Jacob's Star : The Moon did sacrifice Her silver Beams unto 〈◊〉 golden Crown Of Glories , which their royall Circle made About the place where the bright Child was layd . 142. His softest Feathers Winter thither sent To be a 〈◊〉 for the Infant 's Head ; And sure no Harm the honest Season meant When in the Cave his fluttering Snow He spread : But at his Presence into Tears they fell , Seeing a whiter chaster Spectacle . 143. Fain would the most illustrious Hoste of Heav'n , Whose Wings were up , whose Thoughts already flew , Have hither march'd , and to their Soveraign giv'n A Volley of full Praise and Thanks : But due To the dear Mother's brave Devotion Was this great Grace , first to salute her Sonne . 144. She therefore , ( having with exuberant Joy Beheld the Wonder which her self had bred ; And , opening through applauding Tears the way To her exultant 〈◊〉 , offered Her Self a prostrate Sacrifice before His feet ; and taught the World what to adore ; ) 145. Cri'd , O my pretious Son , and more than mine , How shall thy worthlesse Mother and thy Maid With due Attendauce wait on thy divine Cradle , without thine own almighty Aid ! How shall my wretched Dust Great Thee imbrace , On whom the brightest Angells durst not gaze ! 146. These words wak'd pious Joseph : Who when he Beheld the Infant , stayed not to ask Whose , or whence was that blooming Majesty , But straight bows down himselfe to his due Task . Those Beams of such convincing Sweetnesse were , That He concludes his God must needs be there . 147. With lowly Adoration on the Floor The dear example of his heav'nly Spouse He sweetly copied , and his Soul did poure Forth in ecstatick Thanks , and Praise , and Vows : For at the radiant Casement of those Eyes God looking out , call'd for that Sacrifice . 148. Those dainty Easts of gentle living Light , Those diamond Quivers of divinest Love , Those Wells of ever-springing Joyes , those bright Mirrours of purer Beauties than doe move About the silver Heav'ns when Night is fine , Or when the Day in Cancer's height doth shine . 149. As the Doves Eyes thrice wash'd in milk , upon The neighbour Rivers Chrystall , move and play , So on the Mother did this Spotlesse Son Cantic . 5. 19. The Purity of his fair Looks display ; That by his Eye he might himselfe approve Conceiv'd by none but Heav'ns eternall Dove . 150. His skin , the seat of softest White and Red , Did that delicious Conjunction shew By which his Mothers Blush was married vers. 10. Unto that lovely Doves all-Snowie Hue. Ten thousand Ladies Pencills ne'r could teach A Skin so rich perfection to reach . 151. His goodly Head is of refined Gold vers. 11. Being it selfe unto it selfe a Crown . O that the fond bewitched Worldlings would Exchange their Avarice , and once fall down To worship this diviner Mettall , which With surer Wealth their Coffins would enrich . 152. The gentle Hillocks of his Cheek present vers. 13. Two soft and living Beds of pretious Spice , With which their flowrie Neighbours blend their sent , And in one fragrant Combination rise . His Lips , like Lilies , whensoe'r thy stir , Thick Blessing drop of odoriferous Myrrh . 153. As Berylls marshalled in golden Rings , vers. 14 So in his richer Hands are Graces set : As Ivory which prides the Throues of Kings When Streaks of Saphirs Lustre garnish it , Such is his lovely Bellie ; onely this Thrills through its Beauty , Warmth , and Tenderness , 154. As slender Pillars of white Marble , which vers. 15. On Sockets of the finest Gold do stand , So his fair Leggs are builded on his rich And gracefull Feet . His Aspect doth transcend The loftiest Excellence of Cedars , when They look from their Majestick Lebanon . 155. His Mouth the Gate of Sweetnesse is , and he vers. 16. Is round array'd with nothing else but Love . In this miraculous Epitomie All choise Extremities of Glory strove Which should be most Extream , and in that fair Contention , every One was Conqueror . 156. As Joseph with these Wonders Feasts his Eye ; The reverent Mother on her Sons dear Feet A consecrated Kisse presents ; and by That Taste encouraged unto a sweet Audacity , she ventured to sip The roseall Dainties of his heav'nly Lip . 157. O noble Kisse ! which might a Seraph hire His highest Orb to leave , his Mouth to wipe , In hopes to drink in more delicious Fire From this young Altar , than from all the ripe Flames of the Empyreum ; Fire which is Fed with no fuell but pure Joy and Blisse . 158. O Kisse , which fetch'd the Mothers joyous Heart Into her lip , and seal'd it on her Son ; Which he receiving did his own impart In answer to her sweet Impression : O Kisse , the sacred Complement between Heav'ns highest King , & Earths most lowly 〈◊〉 . 159. This done ; her carefull and most tender Hands Begin their duty to the noble Childe : Whom having dress'd in simple swadling Bands She to her Breast applies , whose Bottles fill'd With Milk , but more with Joy and with Delight , To his first Breakfast did their God invite . 160. Then stepping to the Manger , on that Bed ( The onely Bed except her own soft breast , ) Where Hay and Straw were for the Coverings spred , She laid Him down to take his hardy Rest : Forth with the Oxe his Infant-Owner knew , The wondering Asse his Masters Crib did view . 161. They both due distance kept , and , as they could , Adored Him who saves both Man and Beast , Him who alone did nourish and uphold Them from the Field with a perpetuall Feast : Their Manger Straw and Hay they well can spare For his dear Service whose own Gifts they were . 162. As there He lay , the holy Mothers Breast Grew big with noble Contemplation : Which as her Tongue brought forth , and sweetly drest In vocall graces , all the Cave begun To imitate the Accents of her voice , And in soft Echo's duplicate the Noise . 163. Almighty Infant , who till now , said She , Wert round arrayed with celestiall Flames , Whose Mantle was eternall Majesty , Whose Crown was Glories most unbounded Beams , What condescent of mighty Love is this Which of that supream Pomp doth thee undress ! 164. Could Clouts , and Raggs have ever hop'd to be Exalted to this strange Prerogative , That wretched They should unto naked Thee The courtesie of their poor shelter give ! Surely henceforth all simple Weeds , which be Of kin to these , shall pretious be to Me. 165. Let Silks , and Gold goe puffe up Prince's Pride , Who for their Stains doe need a beauteous Veil : This home-spun Rayment will a Body hide When friezing Cold , or melting Heat assail . Thou art contented to be but thus fine : Then let who will , for Me , their God out-shine . 166. Thou art my God ; this Vestures duskie Cloud No such ecclipse can on thy Glory throw , But through its gloominesse my Faith can crowd And see to whom I adoration owe. Loe I adore Thee , who art still Most high , Ev'n in this Bottom of Humility . 167. Fair was thy Throne when Thou did'st mounted sit At the Right Hand of thine Imperiall Father , When all the Heav'ns were bow'd to be thy great Chair of Majestick state ; when Earth did gather It selfe up close , and ready stand , to be A faithfull Foot-stoole to thy Sire and Thee . 168. When the vast Volumes of Immensitie Unto their utmost Bounds were stretched out To spread a correspondent Canopie Over thy glorious Head : When round about Brightnesse and Power , to compleat thy Port , Fill'd the brave Circuit of thy mighty Court . 169. But now the Sceen is chang'd ; now this poor Cell , This Manour-house of shame and scorn , must be Thy native Palace ; now thy Throne doth swell No wider than this Cratch ; now Poverty Has layd Hay for thy Pillow , faded Hay , Which speaks what Weaknesse thou assum'st to day . 170. Now all those flaming Hierarchies , which did With Halalujhs fill thy royall Eare , Are left at home ; now thou art furnished With these dull Waiters which stand silent here , This Oxe and Asse , the onely Servants Thou The Worlds great King did'st ready finde below , 171. Goe great Retinues , gaudy Palaces , Goe Beds of down , of gold , of ivorie , Goe wait upon your dainty Prince's Ease And help to countenance poor Majesty . But yet lament your Prides dishonor , since You are not owned now by Glories Prince . 172. But Thou , ô pretious glorious Poverty , Enobled by this Morns bright Miracle , Shalt my Delight , my Pomp , my kingdom be : Thy Raggs shall all Embroyderies excell , Thy Cottages all Marble Towers out-shine , Thy Hardship pleasant be , thy Shame divine . 173. And yet , dread Infant , give my Wonder leave To gaze upon a greater Change than this : Thou did'st from thy omnipotent Sire receive Thy equall Selfe , and sweetly rest in His Bright Bosome , where unbounded Pleasures swim , Joying from all Eternity with Him . 174. But now thou art a Son of Time become , And of poor Me , a shorter thing than Time : That Bosome thou exchangedst for my Womb , Light 's largest Heav'n for a dark narrow Clime ; Where of Mortality thou did'st lay hold , And up in Dust thy gallant Godhead mould . 175. All my amazed Thoughts are swallow'd quite In this Abysse of thy Humility . O vast Abysse ! as deep as ever Height It selfe was high : I yeild , I yeild , to be In this miraculous Sea of Goodnesse drownd , Which onely Thou , the God of it , canst sound . 176. But ô how far thine Handmayd is beneath That noble Accusation Gabriel layd Unto my charge ! Thy Condescention hath Monopoliz'd all Meeknesse , and array'd The World in Prides due shame , which though it seek Lower than dust to stoop , now is not meek . 177. Whil'st in this sweet ecstatick Passion Of Piety , Her blessed Soul did flame ; A Flock of Shepheards , with an heav'nly Tone Fresh on their echoing Tongues , in triumph came Unto the Cave , which to their eyes did yeild A fairer Sight than their late glorious Field . 178. In Joseph they beheld the best of Men ; The flower of Females they in Mary saw ; The sweetnesse of all Infants in Her Son , Who yet was far more beauteous than his show . This Sight determined their Vows ; which they Before the Manger with due reverence pay . 179. For with a prostrate Soul , and bended Knee Each one upon that simple Altar lays A tender Lamb : The Offring smil'd to see The innocent argument of its own Praise , Beholding in the royall Babe how nigh It was of kin to his meek Majesty . 180. O sweet , and Mighty Little One , said they , Deign thy Acceptance of these rurall Things , The Cream of our poor Flocks : which whil'st they stray About the Plains , may thy Protections Wings Shelter both Them , and Us ; to whom no 〈◊〉 Shall be a Diety , but Thou alone . 181. Whene'r the hasty Wolfe , the hideous Bear , Or raging Lyon challengeth his Prey , O let the Shield of thy Defence be near Th' injustice of their Challenge to gain-say . Alas , our Crooks are feeble Things , and We As weak as they , repose our trust in thee . 182. The venerable Mother joy'd to hear Their humble Orison : And , What , said She , My honest Friends , has call'd you from your Care Thus to attend on this new Piety ? To Night and Dangers what has made you leave Your other Lambs ; and these why doe you give ? 183. Fair Queen of Grace and Blisse , the Men repli'd , Bowing themselves before her reverend Feet , No Fears nor Dangers can our Flocks betide Whil'st We are come our new-born King to greet . Heav'n sent Us hither ; and We need not fear But Heav'n is able to supply our Care . 184. Whil'st in the open Field our Watch we kep'd Befriended by the Moon and Stars , that no Perill might wake our tender Flocks , which slep'd Together with their tenderer younglings : Loe There rush'd from Heav'n a sudden mighty Light Which out of all the wide field chased Night . 185. The Frighted Moon and Stars flew all away , With unexpected Gold the Skie grew bright : We never yet beheld the entring Day Break from the East with such commanding Light . 'T was Glories Morning this , and in our eyes , No Sun but Majesty did seem to rise . 186. With that , and with Amazement blinded , we Fell down , supposing Heav'n had done so to . And that the Beauties of Sublimitie Came poste on some grand Businesse below . And here we see what fetch'd them down ; thy Son May well wooe all Heav'n after Him to run . 187. But as poor Bats , and wretched Birds of Night Surprised by a sudden-rushing Flame , Are strook with horror at the glorious Sight , Which seals their eyes , and open sets their shame : So wee by this strange Apparition were Besieg'd no lesse with lustre , than with Fear . 188. When , as we trembling lay , a radiant Friend Who gently hover'd in the neighbour Aire , Did fan fresh comfort with his Wings , and lend Our Hearts new Courage : 'T is no Night of Fear Said he , Look up , and view this Sceen of Joy Set forth in Heav'ns most festival Array . 189. We op'd our Eyes , and round about beheld How Smiles and Comforts had bedeck'd the Place , Which seem'd no more a common Countrey Field , But Paradise's own delicious face : And such wee should have thought it still , had we Not hither come , and seen thy Son , and Thee . 190. But yet a Beauty next to yours wee saw , Almost as bright , as sweet , as milde , as grave , That Angel which did upon Us bestow That courteous Item ; His Attire was brave , His Looks , the Glass of Heav'n , most sweet his Tongue ; From which these blessed Words of Comfort rung : 191. BEHOLD , I bring you News of greater Joy Than kindest Heaven till now did ever send ; Joy which through every Heart shall melt its way , And with the Sun its equall Course extend : Joy which shall know no Limits , but through all The World display its gallant Festivall . 192. For unto you , and your grand Blisse , this Morn In royall Davids City , Christ the Lord Of Him , and You , and this whole World is born : A mighty King , who cometh to afford The often-promis'd long-desir'd Salvation Unto his fainting , and decayed Creation . 193. Stagger not at the News ; but let this Signe Assure your Faith , and banish needlesse Doubts : You shall at Bethlehem finde this divine Infant wrapp'd up in simple swadling Clouts , And in a plain and correspondent Bed , The Asses Manger , resting his sweet Head . 194. As we for Joy at these strange Tidings started , Behold , a sudden Globe of flaming Light Into a stranger Apparition parted , And to new Wonders summoned our sight : For at a diamond Table fair and wide A numerous Quire of Angells we descri'd . 195. Soul-charming Melodie amongst them sate , At her left hand Applause , Joy at her right , Behinde her Glory , Praise before her , at Her foot luxuriant , but pure Delight . The Spectacle alone was ravishing ; But ô what Raptures when they 'gan to sing ! 196. Glory to God in all Sublimity , Peace upon Earth , and unto Men Good Will : This was their Dittie ; but their lofty Key Did not our mortall reach alone excell , But surely pos'd the Sphears , though these , they say , In soveraign Musick spend both night and day . 197. O how our pretty Lambs did leap and dance ! What Troops of merrie Wolves came tripping in ! How were the Bears seiz'd with a gentle Trance ! How did this Harmony the Lyons win ! All Salvagnesse was quickly charm'd asleep , And every Beast was now a gentle Sheep . 198. The Stones look'd up and seem'd to wish for feet , The Trees were angry that they stuck so fast ; All Things desir'd the Melody to meet , And , as they could , unto the Dance made haste . With that , our silly oaten Pipes wee broke , And then our Parts with cheerly Nature took . 199. And though our Feet never more nimbly flew Than in their Answer to this Musicks Pleasure , Doing their best indeavour to trip true To every Turn , and Point , and Aire , and Measure ; Yet in our joyous Breasts we felt our Hearts With more Activity , dancing their Parts . 200. The Anthem finished : That glorious Fire About the Company its Arms did spread , And homeward convoy'd the illustrious Quire . We saw how wide a Gate Heav'n opened To let them in : We saw it shut and yeild Back to the Stars their free etheriall Field . 201. Thence came We hither , and the Promise found As true and noble as our Expectation : Which from this Cave shall by our Tongues rebound To every Ear we meet : By this Narration Our Hearts shall eased be , least by the Wonder Of this Heav'n-crowned Morn they split in sunder . 202. But when the Yeares fresh youth returns , to deck The Bed of Aprill in its vernall Hue ; The choysest sweets and Beauties We will pick , And wreath a Chaplet for the fairer Brow Of this our blooming Lord . Till when We place Our Hopes of safety in his onely Grace . 203. Here , with three Adorations to the Sonne , They of the Mother and good Joseph , take Their humble leave . But she , when they were gone , Deep in her Bosome prints what they had spake , The News , the Quire , the Song , the glorious Light , Which duely she reads over Morn and Night . 204. And well she div'd into the Reason why That glorious Hoste kept distance from the Cave , And to these Creatures of Humility , These simple honest Swains , the honour gave Of being his first Visiters , who came To be at once a Sheepheard , and a Lamb. 205. But when the Sunne seav'n times himself had shown To all the World , and bid it idolize His Beams no more , but fall down to its own Almighty Rising Phebus , at whose eys His Flames were kindled : Janus op'd the door , And in her Armes Aurora New-year bore . 206. And this was Circumcisions sacred Day ; Nor would the royall Infant spared be , 〈◊〉 under this sad bloody Yoke did lay His tender Neck ; that exemplary he Who was through all Obedience to runne , His Race of Patience might betimes begin . 207. There sate He on his yerning Mothers Knee , Who with all tendernesse the Work dispatch'd : O how much 〈◊〉 in her Heart did she Receive the Knife , when it the Infant touch'd ! But yet she knew her Wound would greater prove , If she had broke the Law by too much love . 208. Down fell the pretious purple Dew , and gave The World sure earnest of what was behinde . For 't was resolved it at length should have The utmost Drop his deepest Vein could finde : Mean while , these few will serve to write the Bonds By which he for the rest engaged stands . 209. O liquid Jewells ! happily have You Be-sprinkled all the Fore-head of the Year ; The Year , which now on his be-decked brow More beauties then the face of Heav'n doth wear ; The Year , which sealed is by You to be From Sins and Mischeifs Impositions free . 210. Thus when the Paschal Lambs lesse worthy Blood Bedew'd th' Egyptian Doors of Israels Sonnes , Peace and Security for Porters stood , And stav'd Destruction from their Mansions . Had but this Blush on other Gates been seen , Both Grace and Safety had dwelt within . 211. Now Januaries Calends washed be By these dear Droppes , from all that guilty Gore Which Heath'nish most unholy Sanctity In lavish Floods upon their face did poure ; Fair shines the Day , thus reskew'd and releast From Pagan stains , to Pieties pure Feast . 212. And now is printed on the Childe that Name Which sweetly sate upon bright Gabriels Tongue When to his Mother with the News he came , That Name which sweetens every Cherubs song ; That Name of Bowells , of omnipotent Love , Of all the Ioyes that make Heav'n be above . 213. JESUS ô what vast Treasures couched lie In the rich bosome of this little Word ! A Word which spreads its mighty Majesty Through Heav'n , & Earth , and Hell ; all which are stor'd With reverend Awe when e'r it sounds , and on Their bended Knees adore the Virgins Sonne . 214. JESUS ! ô Name of glorious Dainties , how Unwilling are my Lipps with thee to part ! Yet shall thy Musick never cease to flow In pretious Echo's all about my Heart . JESUS ! ô sweeter Name of Life ! ô Name Which makest famous ev'n eternall Fame . 215. These matchlesse Things , my Psyche hapned here This simple Place with noble worth to crown . But yet these were not all . Has not thine ear Been fill'd with Balaams infamous Renown , Whose innocent Asse was fain to use her Tongue , And check her sillier Master for her wrong . 216. This Son of Avarice , and Heir of Hell By frighted Balak hired to enchant And heap his Curses upon Israel , Was by thy Spouse enforced to recant His dire intentions , and change his Tone Against his Nature , as his Ass had done . 217. Thy Spouse did thrust reverend Prophesie Into his Mouth , of Jacobs rising Star : Which he himfelf left as a Legacie To all his Heirs , and charg'd them to have care That no forgetfulness did blind their Eys From watching when that promis'd Light should rise . 218. Amongst their mystick Notes these Words they laid From Age to Age , and often read them o'r With dread Devotion , being still afraid The Star might chance to deep from Heav'n before They were a ware , and spie their souls asleep , Whom Balaam had fore-warn'd their Watch to keep . 219. No Comet on the World did ever look But strait into their studies them it sent , Where , after Counsell had with many a Book , Through all its flaming Lineaments they went , Examining the length of every Hair By its own light , which Head or Beard did wear . 220. But when Eternities sweet Day began To rise not from the East , but this poor Cave ; A gallant Star into Arabia ran And notice of the glorious Bus'nes gave To Everie Eye which was instructed how To read the Characters of Heav'ns bright Brow . 221. Three Venerable Men dwelt there , all Grey As well within as they appear'd without , Kings of the Villages and Fields , where they Reign'd by their secret Wisdoms high Repute : No Star but they knew well , for from the East They had been long acquainted to the West . 222. They , looking out that Night , their friends to view , Espi'd Stranger dress'd in bright Attire , To which their wondering Contemplations flew , And busie were about the radiant Fire . The more they look'd , the fairer room they found Where on more Admitation to ground . 223. Eys which have gazed since the Star was set Have read in it a flaming Child ; upon Whose golden shoulders a large Cross was put : Such power has superstitious Fiction To credit whatsoe'r it does espie In the blind Book of its own Fantasie . 224. A Book which cunning Hell improves so high , That it has often cost poor Truth full dear ; For Lies embroidered upon Verity , Makes ev'n the Ground-work fictious appear : And when course Tares amongst pure Wheat creep up They spoyle the credit of the hopefull Crop . 225. These sage Observers no such thing descri'd , But onely a miraculous Beautie read In this unusuall Star , whose Beams out-vi'd All glories that bright Venu's face could plead ; And when the Day drew on , displayed far More cause why this should be the Morning 〈◊〉 226. For when from roseall Aurora's door Fair Titan shak'd his locks , and marched out ; Nor any of the other Spangles , nor Brisk Venus could approve herself so stout To stay in Heav'n and view his Soveraign Light , But slipp'd aside , and waited for the Night . 227. But this brave Star stayd still , and to his face Told Phebus that he had as much to doe In Heav'n as He ; that his fire kindled was To light a fairer Day than He could show ; A Day which sprung not from his vulgar East , But chose its Morning where it pleased best . 228. This Resolution of the Star did much Amaze the Magi , who in all their old Records of Wonders , could not meet with such A venturous Apparition inroll'd And why , said they at length , may this not be The Star which Ballam's quick-eyd Soul did see . 229. Then throwing all their useless Books aside , They to that God who Balaam did inspire Address their Prayers to be satisfi , d About the meaning of that wonderous Fire . God kindely answered them , and taught them why He check'd the Sunne by that fair Prodigie . 230. Heav'ns mighty Love so , universall is , That through the Schoole of Magick Darknes it Disdaineth not with gracious Beams to press ; Where in their black Profession it doth meet The Sonns of Night with radiant Mercie , and Them to the Day of Life and Bliss doth send . 231. Their Sumptures now they in all hast provide , Though yet uncertain which way they should tend : When loe , the Star deign'd to become their Guide , And with a moderate pace its course did bend To Palestine , that it might not out-run Their Dromedaries mortall Motion . 232. Sweeet was their journey : O dear Star , said they Who would not follow thy Direction ! What Error now can cheat Us of our Way Who under Heav'ns illustrious Conduct run ! That fierie Pillar , which led Israel , We Now envie not , who convoy'd are by Thee . 233. Thus travelling till Salems towrie Head Had met their Eys , they thither turn'd their way , Presuming there to find the Princely Bed Whereon the New-born King of Salem lay . But now the Star grew wroth , and hid its face , To chide their doting Error on that Place . 234. That chode in earnest : but mistaken They Conceiv'd its Office here expired was , Having unto the period of their way Now brought them safe . Into the Town they pass , Swoll'n big with mighty Hopes forth with to see Thy glorious Spouses Infant-Majesty . 235. With their great Question every street they fill Enquiring where the native Palace stood Of Him who was born King of Israel : By whose bright Star We from the East have rode Said they , and come to represent our meet And bounden Homage at his royall Feet . 236. Much was the Boldness of the Men admir'd , Who now within the reach of Herods spight , So stoutlie for another King enquir'd Plainly confuting his usurped Right . But this the Valour was of Pietie Which doth securely all the World defie . 237. With fears and jealousies this News did pass Through thousand ears , till it to Herod's came ; The guilty Tyrant stung and startled was At the strange broaching of that dangerous Fame : His Heart throbbs high his Sceptre seems to quake , His Throne to totter , and his Crown to crack . 238. Yet , to elude those threatning Omens , He Muster'd up all his cruell Wit to lay Some holie-looking Plot , whose subtiltie Both his young Rival , and his Fears might slay . His rage He cloak'd , and in a Synod sought How to resolve the noble Strangers Doubt . 239. The Priests and Scribes their reverend Records bring And by inspired Mica's Prophesie About the mighty Point informe the King ; Who in his Privie Chamber did descrie The bus'nes to the Pilgrims , and enquire Each circumstance about their Leading Fire 240. Which having heard at large : Goe then , said He , And may Success your brave Devotion crown , Yet grant your friend this easie Courtesie , That you will not engross Him as your own , When you have found the Infant , let me know , That I may Him adore as well as you . 241. No tedious Entertainment now shall stay Your pious zeal , although mine Honor be Ingaged , thus a while , to stop your Way : But at your more convenient Leisure We Shall take such royall course , that you shall finde Our Court cannot to Strangers be unkind . 242. Here taking leave , in Bethleem Rode they went : When loe the Star which scorn'd its beams to shew To cursed Herod , did again present Their reconciled Convoy to their View : Kindling fresh hopes and comfort in their Breast To see themselves from their sad Night releast . 243. For Day to them did wear no other face But of black Night , till they espi'd this Light : And Phebus posting to another place , Did with his uselesse beams but mock their sight : Onely this faithfull Star directed them Their Way , till to its period they came . 244. But then it stay'd ( for all its Work was done , ) And pointing with a perpendicular Ray Upon the Cave , bid them behold that Sun Of which it selfe was but the shaddow : They Down from their Beasts with nimble gladnesse light To blesse their eyes with their desired sight . 245. Their severall Grooms the foaming Coursers took , The Pages their Oblations ready made ; But wondering at the Stables simple Look Which promis'd nothing lesse , than what it had To shew , the Princes turn'd their eyes to know Of their bright Guide , if they were right , or no. 246. But when they saw constant Assurance shed It selfe down from the peremptory Star ; They march'd in cheerly and no sooner had Observ'd the humble Majesty which there Did keep its Court , but down they fell , and in Prostration their first Homage did begin . 247. The Mothers Eyes call'd theirs to admiration , As did the Infants unto Ecstacie : For in the foft and balmie Habitation Of Her deare bosome He enshrin'd did lie , As in the pretious and glistering breast Of Mother-Perl the Jewell makes its Nest. 248. They , having kiss'd the ground , cri'd out , Behold Great King of all the World , unworthy We Whom by thy Star Thou sendest for , are bold To creep thus neer thy gratious Majesty . The Name of King , has flatter'd Us a while , But We resigne to thee that noble Stile . 249. The foolish World surnames Us Wise ; but wee No more will that ambitious Title own , Which now wee understand most due to Thee , And at thy Foot-stoole here we throw it down : Esteeming this our greater Wisdome , that We by thy Grace this Lowlinesse have got . 250. Thou art that King , the Hopes of whose bright Birth Have many fainting Generations cheer'd ; Thou art that Jacobs Star , whose Breaking forth The shades of Prophesies and Types hath cleer'd , Displaying to this groveling World , which lay Till now in Darknesse , a Meridian Day . 251. Thou art that Wisdome which contriy'dst at first The Fabrick of this universall Ball , By thy Direction it from Nothing burst ; And in thy Counsells boundlesse Circle all Motions of Heav'n and Earth performed be ; Both Change and Chance are Certainties to Thee . 252. Here each one having his Oblation In his own Crown , which in his Hand he bore ; The first with triple Adoration'gan Io tender up his Gift : And , Of this store Which thou , dear Lord , said He to Me did'st give , Vouchsafe this Tithe and Earnest to receive . 253. It is the purest Gold my Care could get , But yet beggs to be gilded by thine Eye : Unlesse some Richnesse Thou wilt glance on it . Alas , it has not worth enough to buy The credit which belongs unto its Name : O gently shine , and deck it with thy Flame . 254. Then came the Second with like reverence , and His Offring in his royall Censer brought : Accept , sweet Babe from this my Worthlesse Hand Said He , this Incense , which hath now found our . The next way to its God , and need not rise In labouring Clouds to reach the lofty Skies . 255. It is the noblest I could pick and cull From the best spicey Beds of Arabie , Which in their first-fruits hither come to tell That all that 's left at home is due to Thee , And craves thy leave to kisse thy gratious Feet That from that Touch her Odours may grow sweet , 256. These two fair Copies were transcribed by The third , whose Present was delicious Myrih : And this to wait on thy Humanity O Thou Incarnate God doe I preferre , Said He ; that Nature which till now , was poor Ashes and Dust , in thee We must adore . 257. The Babe look'd up , and with a gentle Eye Approv'd and prais'd their pious Sacrifice : When loe , the Mother , with sweet Courtesie Held forth his Hand unto the Kings to kisse . O no , said they , Our foule lipps are too mean , May they but kisse his Clout's Hem , and be clean . 258. They kiss'd it , and arose : But on the floor Ambitiously they left their Crowns , that they Might gain the Honour to be Foot-stools for The royall Infant ; whose illustrious Way May well be pav'd with Diadems , since He Raigns King of Kings , and Lord of Majesty . 259. And now as much of Night as durst draw neer This Court of noblest Light , was thither come : This made the Pilgrims a meek suit prefer , Begging before the door their Lodging Room : Forbid it loyall Reverence , they cri'd , That the same Roofe Us and our Lord should hide . 260. Thus , having pitch'd their Tents without , and said Their Prayers to their God they left within ; Themselves upon their beds to Rest they layd , Which did no sooner on their Brows begin To steal , but straight a Dream came close behinde , Which op'd a Vision to their waking Minde . 261. God in a mystick Voice , which well they knew By its dear Rellish in their Hearts , came down , Timely discovering to their wondering View What desperate Dangers in their Way were strown , If they returned by Jerusalem Set thick with bloody Herods Traps for them . 262. This Warning they when Morning had let in The Flaming Gyant to his dayly Race , With hasty Joy obey'd : Yet having ' gun Their Journey , with as vehement a pace Their Hearts recoyl'd , so did their Eyes , and in The glorious Stable would again have been . 263. Thus struggling homeward by a private Way , Unreach'd by Harm they to Arabia came : Where through th' astonish'd Countrey they display The noble Infants most miraculous Fame : Returning richer Gold , and purer store Of Sweets , than they from thence to Bethlehem bore . 264. The pretious Name of JESUS , would alone Discharge that Debt , and purchase all the rest , The Gold , Myrrh , Incense , which that Region In all its richest Hills and Vales possest : That Name would make each Part of Arabie Derive its surname from Felicity . 265. These Wonders have enobled this rude Place , And made it , Psyche , worth thy journey hither . But Time 's at hand , which will erect Disgrace On this Foundation of Glory , whether One King shall send as studied Scorn , as Three Did bring exact and costly Piety . 266. This Temple of Virginity will He Deform into black Lusts unworthy Stie ; Where in that reverend Mangers place must be Rear'd the curs'd Altar of Impurity , And Venu's and Adoni's Titles swell JESU'S and Marye's mention to expell . 267. O then , said Psyche , ( for the Angel heer Closed his lipps , ) may I that time prevent , And consecrate this Night unto this dear Birth-place of Purity ! What though I want Gold , Incense , Myrrh ? I have an Heart , which fain Upon this Mangers Altar would be slain . 268. It would be slain , that it a Life might finde Which will not give its noble Name the Lie : For whil'st I linger groveling in this blinde Valley of Sin , by Living it doth Die . A Mortall Life , is but an handsome Fiction , Nothing well dress'd , a flattering Contradiction . 269. Here kneeling down , with liberall Tears she dew'd The holy Relique , having blown away The Dust with Sighs ; and as the place she view'd . With sharp-ey'd Faith Him she discern'd , who lay Once in that Cradle ; And wish'd she were worth Ten thousand Hearts , that she might poure all forth , 270. O what Contentions of Loves and Joyes And pious Languishments throng'd in her breast ! How many violent sorts of amorous ways Did her strong Soul trie to be dispossest Of this dull clogging Body , that it might Indeed lodge with her Spouse himselfe that Night ! 271. But tir'd by this mysterious Agonie Her Spirits yeilded to the Powers of sleep ; Oft had they quickned up themselves , and by Stout Zeal chas'd back the Shaddows that did creep About her Eyes ; which yet at length were-closed , Whil'st on the Manger She her Head reposed . 272. Her Eyes were clos'd ; but wide ope was her Heart , And by clear Recollection did run through The noble Story , reading every Part And Circumstance , she knew not where nor how : Whil'st Phylax for her Canopie , did spread His tender guardian Wing upon her Head .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO VIII . The Pilgrimage . ARGUMENT . LOves Presentation solemnized : He Through the sad Desert , into Egypt flies ; Where by the dint of true Divinity He dasheth down the forged Dieties : And thence , when 〈◊〉 had the Infants slain , And Justice Him ; returneth home again . 1. O gentle Nature , how discrect art Thou In marshalling those sober Courtesies Which to thy labouring World thou dost allow ! Thou lett'st Us feel the Want , to learn the price ; Thou checkerest every Thing with such wise Art , That Ease proves constant Successor to Smart . 2. After Nights soot the face of Heav'n hath smear'd , Dayes lovely Beauty all the Welkin gilds : When Winters churlish Moneths have domineer'd , The lively Spring with youth cheers up the fields : When Clouds have weep'd their Bottles out , 't is fair ; When Windes are out of breath , Thou still'st the Air. 3. But yet the dearest of thy Blessings , is Soft Sleep , which thou dost to no Pains deny . When Phebus through all Heav'n has speeded his Long smoking Course , Thou giv'st Him leave to lie Upon the Pillows of the watery Main , Untill Aurora wakens Him again . 4. When Trees have all the Summer labour'd hard Their blossoms , leaves , and fruit in bringing forth . The night of Winter thou dost them afford And bid'st their Vigour goe to Bed in Earth : Down to the Root strait runs the weary Sap , And sleeps close and secure in 〈◊〉 lap . 5. When Rivers many tedious Moneths have runne Through cragged Rocks , and crooked peevish waies , Thou mak'st stern Boreas pittifull , who on Their necks a seasonable Bridle lays , This bindes them up in Glasse , and makes them rest Till they are wak'd by Summers Southern Blast , 6. When Man has travell'd with his Hand , or Minde , ( For this both toiles and sweats , as well as that : ) Thou in a tender mistie Veil dost binde His heavy Head , untill his Eyes have shut Out Greif and Pain , and Wearines ; and He Repos'd in Sleeps all-downie Bosome be . 7. Yet other Creatures little finde in Sleep , But the dull pleasure of a gloomy Rest , Which they themselvs perceive not when they reap : Man onely by this privilege is blest , That Sleep it self can be awake to Him , And entertein Him with some courteous Dream . 8. He , when his Touch , his Tongue , his Eye , his Ear , His Nose , in Sleeps thick Night are muffled up , Can feel , can taste , can smell , can see , can heare , And in his quick Dispatches finde lesse Stop Than when He wakes : for now his Soule alone Through all his mystick Busines doth run . 9. O sweet Prerogative 〈◊〉 by which we may Upon our Pillows travell round about The Universe , and turn our Work to Play ; Whilst every Journey is no more but Thought : And every Thought doth with as quick a pace Run through its longest , as its shortest Race . 10. Nor is the Body more befriended , then The Soule , in its Digestion , by Sleep : This is the undisturbed Season , when The Minde has leisure to concoct that Heap Of crude unsettled Notions . which fill The weak Brains over-charged Ventricle . 11. In this soft Calm , when all alone the Heart Walks through the shades of its own silent 〈◊〉 , Heav'n takes delight to meet it , and impart Those blessed Visions , which pose the best Of waking Eyes , whose Beams turn all to Night Before the Looks of a spirituall Sight . 12. By this time Psyche having failed through The Infant-Story , whilst her Dream did steer Her Soules mysterious Bark : she felt her Brow Eas'd of its cloudy Weight , and growing cleer . Strait Phylax spi'd her looking up , and cir , d , 'T is well thou hast thy Spouses Lodging tri'd . 13. How dost thou think this Manger could agree With the most tender Infants dainty Head ! But by this Copie He commends to thee The scorn of Wantonesse's plumie Bed . Thou see'st sweet Sleep is possible upon A cold and churlish Couch of Bord or stone . 14. Learn then , that 't is not any thing without Which can with genuine softnes clothe thy Rest. Down , proves but pretious Thorns , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth slout His hopes of quiet Sleep , whose treach 〈◊〉 Breast Though with externall Unguents sleek , within Is harsh and rugged , being lin'd with Sin . 15. If Vice , and Vengeance had not Us prevented , We to the Temple now our way should ake : But they long since were there ; and the lamented Ruines too late their sad consession make . Fire , and the Roman Rage on it have preyd , And all its Glory in the Ashes layd . 16. Whilst yet it stood ; the Virgin-Mother , when The Law did cite her to Purification , Hast's thither with her offrings , and her Sonne , To pay obedience to that needlesse Fashion : Needlesse to Her , who of no Humane Seed Had ever been the spotted Soile and Bed . 17. Can Ceremonies think themselvs so clean , As to presume to wash the Mornings face When she hath brought forth Glory's Sunne , and been New gilded by that Birth , with fairer grace ! How shall the Virgin Christall purer grow ! What Legall Rites can purge and whiten Snow 〈◊〉 18. Yet is the gallant Morn content to goe , So is the spottlesse Chrystall , and the Snow , And own Pollution , rather then not doe Their ready homage to the reverend Law , Which by a stronger backed was ; for She Went , summon'd by her own Humility . 19. And there arrived ; She unto the Shade The Substance brought ; and Truth unto the Type : Broad Day She of a glimmering Twy-light made , Long breeding and crude Hopes , She turn'd to ripe Fruition , whil'st She , with her Offerings , A fairer Temple to the Temple brings . 20. A Temple where not one , but every Gate Was Beautifull : a Temple where each Roome Most Holy was : a Temple , where , though State Shin'd not without , Heav'ns Prince did make his Home : A Temple which had its foundation Above ; a Temple which was God and Man . 21. When He drew neere , the Walls and Pavement smil'd , The Roof would fain have bow'd to kisse His feet ; The pious Incense smelt the sweeter Childe And chang'd its usuall Path , with Him to meet : It soar'd not up , but to the Doore did stretch , Finding that neerer way its Heav'n to reach . 22. The Cberubs which dwelt close behinde the Veil , Had much adoe to keepe themselves within , Knowing that from their secret Oracle The outward Temple did the Glory winne , In which was now a Higher Preist then He For whom alone that yearly once was free . 23. O how the second Temples Lustre now Dazells the first ! That fabrick reared by Davids wise Sonne , did long afore hand bow Unto this younger Temples Majesty , And kiss the Dust , resigning up its place To this , which Jesu's Presence was to grace . 24. And now the Mother on her bended knee Before the Preist , presents to Heav'n her Sonne . Was ever heard of such a Preist as She Who offers God for an Oblation ! To Her th' Eternall Father sent Him down , And noble She returns Him back his owne . 25. When reverend Johazar receiv'd the Childe A secret Joy through all his bosome ran ; Much did he marvell how his Heart came fill'd With more than usuall Devotion ; Nor did He know that in his Arms much more Than Paradise , or than all Heav'n He bore . 26. But then ( being so admonish'd by the Law ) She payes five Shekells , and receives her Soune . Were all the World her owne , She would bestow It , and her Selfe , for his Redemption : But this poore Price serv'd Her to ransome Him , Who came Her and the whole world to redeeme . 27. Then two white Pidgeons ( her own Emblems ) She Presents , as Duties of Purification : The gentle Birds a mourning fell , to see That they must leave their dearer Habitation : Lesse sweet they thought the Altar , and would faine Be nestling in her Breast , or Lap againe . 28. But holy Simeon , whose stout Expectation Grounded upon Heav'ns Credit , did sustein His aged Life , by potent Inspiration Forgot his leaden pace , and flew amain Into the Temple ; for the nimble Blast Of Gods owne Spirit lent him youthfull haste . 29. O how his greedy Soule did Worke and Beat , And thinke the time an Age , till He was come Unto his Blisses Shore ; where in the heat Of hastie Zeale , He snatch'd his Saviour home Into his longing Armes , and Heart , which now Broke from his Lips , and in these Words did flow . 30. O Life , thou now art out of debt to my Long-stretch'd Attendance , and can'st nothing show Of further Worth , wherewith to charme mine Eye , And make it still be hankering heer below : No ; I have seen , what I did live to see , The worlds Hopes , and mine owne ; and heer-they be . 31. Deare Lord of Heav'n , heer is that hop'd-for He In whom lie treasur'd up Power and Salvation , Which now thy love exposed hath to be The blessed Theame of humane Contemplation , All Eyes may see this Face , as well as I , And cleerly read their owne Felicitie , 32. This noble Face ; by whose Soule-piercing Rayes The 〈◊〉 , untill now damm'd up in Night Admonish'd are to understand their Wayes , And tread the open Paths of High-noone Light : This Face , whose more than golden Beauties be The glorious Crown of Iacobs Progenie . 33. O Death , if thou dar'st draw neer Life's great King Come take possession of my willing Heart , That I a swarthy and unworthy Thing From his too radiant presence may depart : I am too blest to live , and cannot bear The burden of this heav'nly Lustre here . 34. The good Old man thus eas'd his pious Zeal ; And having sacrific'd a Kisse upon The Infants royall Foot , began to feel His Prayers were heard , and that Death hasted on : Which He to meet , went home , and order gave With sweet and hasty Joy about his Grave . 35. As Echo unto his Devotion , Loe The venerable Matron Anna came ; She whose Prophetick Heart did bid her goe To wait upon , and to adore the same Young Son of Wonders ; that her Sex in Her , As His in Him , its duty might prefer . 36. And here she met a full reward of all Those nights and dayes which in that place she spent : Her Fastings now turn d to a Festivall ; Her longing Prayers which unto Heav'n she sent To pull it down , now found it ready here , For in the Infants Face it did appear . 37. So cleerly it appear'd , that She could not Restrain her Tongue from being Trumper to The Dawne of its convincing Brightnesse , but Through Salems longest thickest Streets did goe , Spreading her Proclamation to each Eare And Heart , which long'd that heav'nly News to hear . 38. This call'd so many wondering Eyes to gaze Upon the Mother and her fairer Son ; That from the glory of that populous Place To poor and private Nazaret she did run , Where , in her humble House she hop'd to hide Her humbler Selfe from Honours growing Tide , 39. But Honour loves to scorn the Zealous Chase Of most ambitious eager Hunters ; and Pursues those modest Soules from place to place By whom she sees her orient Presence shunn'd . Nor is she e'r out-run , or fails to raise Their Names with Trophies , and their Brows with Bays . 40. But when in Salem the great News grew hot And flam'd to Herods Court : the Tyrants Breast Swell'd with new Rage ; for much he feared that This Fire might reach his Throne ; which made Him cast Deep desperate Counsells in his jealous Minde How for this Danger he some Curb might finde . 41. Mean while , as holy Joseph sleeping lay To gain new strength to work ; his Winged Friend Rouz'd up his Soul by a Celestiall Ray , Bidding him his swift flight to Egypt rend , For Herod now contrives to slay , said He , The Childe , and in Him , both thy Wife and Thee . 42. O that my Wings might be his Chariot ! But This noble Favour Heav'n reserves for thee . Flie then : But see thy selfe thou trouble not With thy Return ; for when the Storm shall be Cleerly blown over , I will thither come , And from thy Gods own Mouth recall thee Home , 43. This said ; his nearest way the Angel took To Heav'n and flutter'd loud as He went up : The noise made Joseph start ; who straight awoke And look'd about ; But He had gain'd the Top Of heav'n , and in the Sphears inclosed was E'r Josephs mortall Eye could thither passe . 44. Yet by the blessed influence He behinde Had left , the Saint did Him intirely Know : The priviledg'd Eyes of his religious Minde Had long acquainted been with him , and now He doubts not but this was his Guardian , who Had taught him oft what He instraits should doe , 45. Whil'st by her sable Curtains Night as yet Muffled up Heav'n , and kept the World in Bed , Himselfe He dressed , and made all things fit For his long journey : On the Asse He spred His Coverlet , and his own Pillow ( sweet And cleanly Hay ) he gave him for his meat . 46. The Beast thus baited : He his Axe , his Saws , His Planes , Rules , Mallets , and his other Store Of busie honest Implements bestows In his large Bag , the Treasury of his poor Industricus subsistance ; which he ties Fast to his Staffe , and on his Shoulders tries . 47. Two Bottles then ( all that the poor Man had ) Fresh filled at a neighbour Fountain , He Puts on his Girdle , with three Loaves of bread In a plain Pouch . Then stepping reverently Unto the Bed where the great Mother lay , Arise , said He , for Heav'n calls Us away . 48. When She the bus'nesse heard , and saw how He Had all things ready for their journey made : Far be it , she repli'd , that I should be At any houre to follow Heav'n afraid : Or that I for the Mornings light should tarry Who in my Arms my fairer Day doe carry . 49. I can be no where lost , deare Babe , whil'st I Travell with Thee , who never canst depart From thine own Home : Wherever Thou dost flie , Thine own Land still will meet Thee , for thou art By thine eternall Right , the Prince as well Of Ham and Egypt , as of Israel . 50. Arabia's Devotion has long since Supplid thee with this sacred Treasure , to Defray thy Charges : Thine own Providence Thy Purveyer was ; Thou knew'st we were to goe , And hast layd in Provision , e'r wee Could dream of any such Necessity , 51. And yet Necessity is no such thing To mighty Thee , whose all-commanding Hand Doth hold the Reins of Fate : the bloody King Musters his Wrath in vain , would'st thou with-stand His Spight in open Field : But thou know'st why It will be now more glorious to File . 52. This Journey 's but a step to Thee , who from The Pinnacle of all Sublimity Thy Fathers bosome did'st a Pilgrim come And take up thy abode in worthlesse Me : Me , who from Heav'n much further distant am , Than Memphis is from fair Jerusalem . 53. With that , She wrapp'd the Infant close , and took The Asses back ; whose bridle Joseph held , And long before the drowsie Town awoke , Led him far out into the quiet Field : Darknesse and Silence clinged round about , Barning Discovery and Suspition out . 54. Thus did the Heir of Heav'n betimes begin To 〈◊〉 out Patience to his World below , To sanctifie all Persecution , And make it by his owning , glorious grow : Who but new born , designed is to die , And long e'r He can goe , is fain to flie 55. Aurora now , the Porter of the Day , Gat up , and op'd the door unto the Sun ; Who peeping out with an abashed Ray , Beheld how far these Travellers had gone E'r He awoke , and doubted whether He Should in that Dayes Horizon needed be . 56. For He observ'd the Babe abroad , whose sight Cost Him a deeper Blush than that which dies His morning Cheeks : Yet He cheer'd up his light , And venturing on , resolv'd to trie his Eyes Upon that Infant-face of full-grown Blisse As Eaglets use to doe their own at His. 57. Now Love and Piety forbid , that thou My Psyche should'st disdain to trace their way , Since I so faire a Convoy thee allow Which neither Dangers feareth , nor Delay . Thy God was glad to travell on an Asse , But in this Chariot gives thee leave to passe . 58. That leave too noble is , cry'd she , for Me , A meaner thing than what He rode upon : Might I on foot , or rather on my Knee Crawle in his royall Path , no Princes Throne , Should tempt Me from my greater Honor : — 'T is Enough , said Phylax , now no more of this . 59. And here He took her up , and shook the Reins : That Item strait the greedy Coursers caught , And , scouring through the soft aereall Plains , Unto their View the Fields of Nazaret brought : Psyche soon knew the Place again , and cri'd , How much doe these thy Steeds my Thoughts out-ride . 60. Pitty thy Lord then , said the Guardian , who Though drove by Fear , was forc'd to use a pace Below the Name of Speed : Joseph did goe Before on foot , and lead the laden Asse : He led Him , and although He made no stay , Alas his very Going was Delay . 61. Besides , a thousand Cares more heavy lay Upon his Heart , then on his back the Load Of all his Tools : What Thoughts about the Way , What studies how to scape the full-ey'd Road , What Tendernesse to keep the Mother warm , What dainty Fears that God should take no Harm ! 62. See'st thou this private Path , which ever since With Lilies and with Violets hath smil'd , Which it received from the influence Both of the passant Mother and the Childe ? The Country wonder'd at the beautious List , But from what cause it sprung , they little wist . 63. As to the Sea , the silver River through A thousand by-pathes steals its secret Way ; So into Egypt this sweet Tract doth flow , Declining all things that its course might stay . Doubt not the Windings , but securely ride , For now the Way it self 's thy fragrant Guide . 64. Look how the Galilean Villages Their distance keep , and give the Path free leave To stretch it feit through all these Privacies : Look how the friendly Trees doe interweave Their Arms , and offer their Protection to Whoever here in Secresie would goe . 65. There did the carefull Mother light , to give Her Sonne his Dinner from her blessed Breast ; Whom with fit Entertainment to receive , Kinde Earth that sweetly-swelling Cushion drest : Wher e'r you see th' officious Flowers meet In such a Junto ; know it was her Seat . 66. But yonder Stable which thou seest shut Quite out of Town , and standing all alone , Did in its hospitable Litter let The Pilgrims take their first nights station . They with such Lodging long acquaintance had , And thou knowest what thy Lord his Cradle made . 67. Such Inns as this did carefull Joseph chuse And scap'd Observance all the way He went Neither the Calileans , nor the Jews Discovering his provident intent . With painfull Patience He his way did finde , And at the length Judea left behind . 68. He left Judea ; but first left by it , Since now to finde his Charge , the bloody Prince Deeply consulted . Thus thy Spouse thought fit To teach his future Exiles , that the sense Of their sad Sufferings sate full neer his Heart Who in this Banishment bore so deep a Part. 69. The freedome of the Reins here Phylax threw Upon his Coursers Backs , who cheered by That liberty , with sprightfull fervor flew And scorn'd the Towns which farre below did lie , Flinging their gallant foam , and snuffing up The Air , which seemd to them their Course to stop . 70. The Clouds took notice of their resolute hast , And stepp'd aside to make their Passage cleare ; Through which their smoking wheels did whirle as fast As Phebu's down the hill of his glib sphear : Which instantly so tir'd the Northern Winde , That puffing he and lagging came behinde . 71. Thus having lost Judea in a Mist Of farre-removed Aire , they rush'd into The famous Deserts unperceived list , Where their impatient Fire did spur them so That Phylax check'd them thrice , e'r they would hear His Hand , and stop their vehement career . 72. And then : Consider Psyche , well , said he , This squalid Sceen of churlish Desolation , This proper Region of Perplexity , This Soil all planted thick with Desperation , This storehouse of a thousand Famins , this Fountain of Droughts , this Realm of Wretchednesse : 73. This Country , which doth by its Neighbour-hood To Canaan ( that wide-spread Chanell , where Hony and Milk conspir'd into a flood Of costlesse , but incomparable Cheer , ) Advance the value of that blessed Soil , And its own vilenes aggravate the while . 74. Thus sticks black Night as foile unto the Day , And by its Blacknes lends it fairer Beams : Thus Sorrows stings inhance the sweets of Joy ; Thus Floods of Gall commend the Honey streams ; Thus Darknes cleaved fast upon the backs Of Looking-Glasses , them illustrious makes . 75. Well knew wise Heav'n Men would not understand Its royall Favour in'affording them The gentle Riches of a fertile Land , Were they not tutored by some such Clime Of Woes and Horrors , and forc'd to confesse A Gardens Blessing , by a Wildernesse . 76. Behold these needlesse Banks of Sand , which have No Seas to bound , but this vast Ocean Of Barrennesse ; where when the Windes conceive High-swolln Displeasure , and to Battell run Bandying their mutuall Blasts a thousand waies At once , a drie and parching storm they raise . 77. For the wilde Soile impatient to be plow'd At Eolu's pleasure , flies full in his face , And climbing up into a Tawny Cloud With smoking Rage torments its new-gained Place , Whilst blinded Passengers amazed stand , And all the Aire is nothing else but Sand. 78. This frighted gentler Nature farre from hence , Who in her bosome all 〈◊〉 Blessings bore , Her teeming Springs delicious Influence , Her Summers Beauties , and her Autumns store : And all the best of Winter too ; for here This sandy Mischeif schorcheth all the year . 79. The Trees , You see , are all dispers'd and fled , For fear of being onely Fuell here , And that before the Axe had summoned Them to the Hearth . The cheerly Birds which were Th' Inhabitants of their Bows , did them persue , Panting their sad layes all the way they flew . 80. This most inhospitable Earth will keep No Entertainment for tame honest Beasts , Goats , Asses , Camels , Horses , Oxen , Sheep , Can at her wretched Table be no Guests . No ; this is onely Mischiefs cursed stage , Where Beasts of Prey , and Monsters act their rage . 81. Look where a pair of dreadfull Tigres lie Couching in Ambush to attend their prey ; How should a fainting Traveller get by When two such hungry Deaths beset his way ! There runs a Lyon , with his hideous Note Tearing , for want of meat his greedy throat . 82. At the same Busines there 's a female Bear In meat and drink two days and nights behinde , Whose pined Whelps all yelling in her Ear Chode her abroad some Sustenance to finde . There runs a Bore , and whitens all his Path With foam , the scum of his intemperate Wrath. 83. But mark that Cave , before whose nasty Door An heap of excrementall Poisons lies , Next which , a Quakemire of congealed Gore Raild round about with naked Bones , descries What part fell Fury there hath play'd and who Dwells in that House whose Porch is trimmed so . 84. That gloomy Cloud which dams the Dens mouth up Is but the Tenants breath which keeps within , Who by our Talk is wakened unto hope Of some neer Prey : See now He doth begin To rouse Himself ; the Fire he spits before Is but the Porter to unlock his Door . 85. Though Psyche now had cheer'd & wrought her Heart Unto a more then female Valour ; yet She could not curb her 〈◊〉 , but gan to start At that all-flaming Dread the Monster spit : When Phylax smiling on her horror , cri'd , Fear not , for Heav'n and I am at thy side . 86. Of his own Comming , by his cruell Hisse He warning gives ; that stream of cole-black Blood He spews so thick , his wonted Usher is . Thus when some choise Feind breaks from Hell , a flood Of stinking Sulphure paves his dismall way , A bashing all the Aire , and poisning Day . 87. Behold his Eys like two bright Firebrands plac'd In Cakes of blood , their fatall beams display So with long flakes of glaring Raies enchased , Unto Heav'ns Anger Comets light the Way , Pointing with every beam , to Citties , or To Realms , and Countries , Famin , Plague , or War . 88. His Mouth which Foams with Venome , is the Gate Of helplesse Misery : his Jaws the Mill Of deplorable , and untimely Fate , His tongue a Weapon , on whose Fork doe dwell A thousand Deaths ; his throat , so black and broad , To his unhappie Preys the beaten Road. 89. His lethern Wings are those which lend its speed Unto Destruction ; his iron Paws Are Spights and Rages Hands ; his direfull Head , The Oracle whence Tyrants draw their Laws ; His scaly skin , the thick Embroydery Of confident remorselesse Cruelty . 90. His knotty Taile , pointed with stinging Fire , Which on his back in sullen scorn he throws , Is Deaths dread Chain ; that unrelenting Ire Which sits so high upon his craggie Brows , Is an afore-hand Sentence unto All Beasts , Birds , or Men , that in his way doe fall . 91. Hark how the bruised Aire complains , now He Moves the huge flailes of his most boistrous Wings : For the soft Nymph else-where was us'd to be Beaten with Fethers , or melodious Strings : Look in what state He through the Clouds doth stream ; The smoke before him rolls , behinde the Flame . 92. As when the martiall Griffen hovers neer The greedy Kite forgets his chased Prey , And turning Partner in the Sparrows fear With her into some Corner sneaks away : So doe all Monsters here acknowledge this Their Soveraign in all Rage and Dreadfulnesse . 93. Thou now seest neither Lyon , Boar , nor Bear , This Dragons Presence chas'd them all away Unto their closest Dens , and Caverns , where They trembling lie , and durst not look on Day . So doe all other strange portentuous Things Frighted hence by the Thunder of his Wings . 94. For else , thou here had'st Troops of Centaurs seen , A strange Composure of Horse-Infantry : Else Sphinx , and her ambiguous Brood , had been Abroad in all her fore-front Braverie , And with her polish'd Mayden face contended Her grizely Lyons Parts to have amended . 95. Else had unsatiable Harpies , her Neer Cosen Portents in the Winged Crew Boldly about this correspondent sphear With Virgins Looks , and Vultures Tallons flew : Else the salacious Fauns had here been skipping , The Satyrs dallying , and the Silvans tripping . 96. Else had that Riddle of Deformity , That Combination of all foule Disgrace , Who by the Belly of a Goate doth tie A Dragons Tail unto a Lyons Face , Ranged about these Sands , and sought what Prey It s equall-monstrous Hunger might allay . 97. Hast thou not heard how when old Israels Race Did through the Tryalls of this Wildernesse Unto the well-deserving Promise passe , They fell a Murmuring , because Successe Posted not on as fast as their Desire , And yeilding to the Way , began to tire ? 98. This made the Just Creator grant Commission To Vengance , his most trusty Factresse , who Mounting upon the back of Expedition Down to the Bottome of the World did goe , Whose choisest Dens of Horror having ey'd , Unto Erynni's Grott she turn'd aside . 99. The Fury started , and upon her head Straight up , stood every Snake : She ne'r till now Had seen a sight so full of fatall Dread , Though oft she view'd the deepest Deeps , and though She daily used for her Looking-glasses Her correspondent Sisters Monstrous Faces . 100. For in the Strangers furrow'd Brows were sown The Seeds of everlasting Indignation ; Her Eyes were constant Lightning , flashing down Upon her fiery Cheeks , and with their Motion Glancing a more than High-noon-day upon The frighted Night of that black Region . 101. Her sturdy Breast was made of burning Brasse , Her massie Arms compos'd of sparkling Steel ; Her adamantine Hands did sway a Mace Of red-hot Iron ; at her Back did dwell A Quiver stuff'd with forked Bolts of Thunder , Well-skill'd in tearing Clouds and Rocks in sunder 102. Fear , Anguish , Pain , Astonishment , Dispair , Dissention , Tumult , War , Plague , Famine , Drought , Confusion , Poys'nous and Tempestuous Aire , Eversion , Desolation Crying out , Wringing of Hands , Gnashing of Teeth , Sighs , Groans , Soule-gnawing Worms , were her Companions . 103. So were Schisme , Error , flintie Obduration , With Pride , and Impudence in Villany , And She , who though her fairer Garb and fashion Seen'd to suit more with lovely Company , Was yet as ranke a Curse as they , for She Was zealous , but blinde and false sanctitie . 104. But Vengeance spying her Erynnis quake , Constreind her dreadfull Aspect to remit Part of its Awfulnesse ; and tri'd to speake As milde as She lookd fierce : yet when She set Ope her Mouthes fornace , unto all the Cave Loud Thunder notice of her speaking gave . 105. Feare not , said She , I on an errand come Which well will suit with thy revengfull thought : The Sonnes of Jsrael thou know'st , with whom My Soveraigns Patience long time hath fought : Indeed He leads them through a Barren Earth , Bur yet He makes Heav'n bring their Victuals forth . 106. Yet Peevish murmuring they have forc'd Heav'n to Repent its Kindnesse : Wherefore thou must spare Some of thy Locks , which I am sent to throw About that Deserts now devoted Aire ; Where they shall lash the Rebells , till they see What 't is to kick at God , and Waken Me. 107. Me , whom soft Mercie long a-sleepe had kept Upon a Bed which She her selfe had made : Me , who for ever might in Peace have slept Did Mortals not take pleasure in this Trade Of sending up their shamelesse sinnes , to teare By their bold cry , my most unwilling Eare. 108. Me , who did never move this Hand in vain , Nor knew what 't was or Stroke or Aime to lose ; Me , who cannot be charmd a-sleep again But by the dying Groans of my proud foes ; Me , whose sure Power it selfe full deep did seale On Lucifer , and ramm'd him downe to Hell . 109. Erynnis glad to heare this Message , tore Two handfulls of her Tresses from her Head : Which Vengeance forth with to this Desert bore And through the trembling Aire their volumes spred ; First having breathed on them warlike fire Which all their breasts fill'd with mischeivous Ire . 110. No sooner were they tossed up , but they Perceiv'd themselves increased round about : Their Tails reach'd out themselves an hideous way , And from their sides a pair of Wings burst out ; Whose motion puffed and encreas'd the flame Which over all their monstrous Scales did stream . 111. Their owne Instinct taught them the readiest way To the rebellious Camp of Israell : Where seizing strait upon their helplesse Prey , Their fierie Poyson they so thick did spill , That all the Hoste had their Burnt-offring been , Had seasonable Mercie not stepp'd in . 112. Mercie stepp'd in , and by a Contre-plot Rearing a Brazen Serpent up , did heale All that were stung with fire , if they would put Trust in the Medicine of that Spectacle They gaz'd , and saw their Helpe , but could not prie Into the bottome of that Mysterie . 113. That crucified Serpent did present Thy Spouse , who raigning on his Crosse , did by His potent Dying gallantly prevent The Plot of Death , which more than He , did dye ; And crush the old red Dragon , who had hurl'd His monstrous Venome all about the World . 114. And now thou knowst the Pedigree of this Feirce Portent , which enflames and taints the Aire , His fierie Looks , and smoking flight confesse Of what Progenitors He is the Heire . Thinke now how sweet a Pilgrimage it was When thy young Lord did through such Monsters pass , 115. Yet ev'n this Passage , Psyche , shall appear So pretious unto future Saints , that They Will seeke their Habour no where else but heer , And make these Sands the Shore where they will lay Their Vessells safe from all those storms which rage Upon a secular Lifes unfaithfull Stage . 116. This Passage they will judge a Dedication Of all this Tract , to holy Privacie , Where they in undisturbed Contemplation Of Heav'n , shall sweetly live , and sweetlier die ; Fearing no longer other Monsters , when They once have reskewed themselves from Men. 117. Here will they build so strongly-mean a Cell As shall no Tempest nor no Plunder fear : Here they with Health and Industry will dwell , With Pains and Providence , but not with Care : Here they will importuned Earth intreat With Herbs or Roots to recompense their Sweat . 118. For neither stub born Flint , nor arid Sand Their Barrennesses Priviledge will dare Strictly to urge against the painfull Hand Of pious Poverty : Those Charters are Of Natures giving , and must needs give place Unto the grand Prerogative of Grace . 119. Here will their Eyes not interrupted be With fond Allurements of the newest Fashions , Whose Commendation speaks their Vanity , It being onely built upon Mutations . Their simple Sackcloth in one cut and guise To hide their Dust and Ashes will suffice . 120. Here shall no noise of chincking Money be Rebounded by their Hearts inchanted strings ; That Noise which with such charming Melody Through all the Worlds unhappy Quarters rings , And gains more Altars far for Mammon , than Will unto Heav'n allowed be by Men. 121. Here shall no glancing Eye , no mincing Pace , No sporting Locks , , no dainty Red and White , No wanton Dresse , no Tongues melodious Grace , No bidding Coynesse , no inviting Flight , Prevail upon their manly Hearts , to brook The tickling Slavery of a Womans Yoak . 122. Here no Ambition shall puffe up their Breast , And in their Soule a foolish dropsie raise , Who by themselves are freely dispossest Of all those Gardens which can bring forth Bayes , And live upon a Soil which nothing bears But Poverty , and Roots , and Sighs , and Tears . 123. Here shall they by no care of Wife and Child Be call'd away in Conscience from their Prayers , But shall by Virtues daily Progrese build Unto the Top of Heav'n their mystick Stayers , By which they once again the World shall leave , Nobly rebounding upward from their grave . 124. But now this long Discourss devoured had The longer Way , and Egypt did draw neer . Thebai's Fields and Woods , and Towns , were glad That to the Desert they next Neighbours were , And to these Strangers might the first afford Kinde Entertainment , as once to their Lord . 125. When , Loe , said Phylax , now the World grows tame , And a milde hospitable Prospect yeilds , These are the outmost skirts of populous Ham Tufted with Woods , and lac'd with flowrie Fields : A welcome Harbour to those Pilgrims , who Have labour'd through this Deserts Sea of Woe . 126. At the last Furrows end thus Rest doth stand And gently leads the Weary Plowman home : So hangs the Garland at the Race's end , Smiling upon the Runners as they come ; So Summer cheers the pined Earth , when she Has run through Winters totall Tyrannie . 127. Hither this Joseph came ; and brought with Him Far more Salvation , then the Other , though From Famins Jaws he Egypt did redeem , And fed seav'n starved years with Corn enough : Hither He came , and brought with him the Bread By which the World eternally is Fed. 128. How glad was hee to see his Charge was here Arrived safe through all those perillous Wayes ! Upon the Childe he look'd , but through a Tear Of Love and Joy , and paid their Safeties Praise To him whose Providence had in that wide Region of Dangers , to his Guides been Guide . 129. Then passing to that Town thou seest there Which from old Hermes borrowing its Fame , The title of Hermopolis doth wear , Neer unto that Religious Tree he came : The Natives call it Persea , and with high Esteem its Leaves and Apples magnifie . 130. Observe them well : Each Leafe presents the true Shape of a Tongue , which talks its whispering part To every Winde : The dangling Apples shew The perfect feature of a panting Heart . O that the World would learn this of the ree , That with the Tongue , the Heart should joyned be ! 131. Blinde Superstition had hallowed it To Isi's honour ; but the honest Tree Made bold that fond Relation to forget When thy great Spouse drew neer : for instantly With orthodox Devotion pliant grown Unto the Earth her Head she bowed down : 132. Where she with all her Hearts the Childe ador'd , And , as she could , with all her Tongues , did sound His Praise who is of Hearts and Tongues sole Lord . Then having with her Boughs sweep'd clean the Ground She rose and gave Him way , yet out she stretch'd Her Neck , and after him her Arms she reach'd . 133. But when neer to the Cittie Gate he came , Isis , of stupid Marble made , and there Set up , and wisely fastned on a Frame Full as divine a stone as she ; with fear And awe surprised was , and 'gan to quake At first , and then to bend , and then to break . 134. Poor Idol ! which had never Sense till now , And now feels onely its own Ruine : Down Tumbles the long adored Goddesse Cow , Resigning back that Worship to its own True Lord , which she had long usurped by The help of Egypts mad Idolatrie . 135. Her fair spred Horns are shatter'd off ; her Brow Bruis'd out of fashion ; and quite broke her Neck : The Dietie advanc'd to Rubbish now Has Power to help the Country , if in thick And mirey way dispos'd : which sure is more Assistance than it ever gave before . 136. Thus when the Reverend Ark of God was set In Dagons Temple , down the Idoll fell , And making haste out at the Door to get , Quite broke his Godship on the stronger Sell ; Where when his Servants entered , they found The wretched Fish in its own Ruines drown'd . 137. But in the Citties ( and the Peoples ) Heart Upon a golden Pillar mounted high And deck'd with all the wit and Pride of Art Serapis stood ; the Oxe of Majesty ; Whose Glory by a consecrated Crown Wreathed about his mighty Horns was shown . 138. As in that street the noble Pilgrims went Enquiring for an Inne ; the guilty Beast His steely Knees , and brasen Body bent , And by his massie Weight so strongly cast Himself upon the ground , that to an heap Of Fragments from his God-head he did leap , 139. The People wonder'd at the Prodigie : But Joseph and his Virgin Consort knew To what more powerfull Divinity The Idoll did his due Obeisance shew . What by inspired Esays Pen had been Pointed out long a-forehand , they had seen . 140. He had foretold that into Egypt thy Isa. 19. 1. Great Spouse should on a swift Cloud mounted ride And that the Idols should be moved by His potent Presence ; And they soon descri'd This Cloud to be his Mothers Bosome , where He shrowed rode the fastest pace of fear . 141. This made good Joseph travell up and down To spred the Ruine of Idolatry Through every populous superstitious Town Which did the Horned Statues Deifie ; His righteous Soule being tortured , to see That Men should more than Marble stupid be , 142. And wheresoe'r upon Zeals Wings he flew Equall Successe still bore him company ; Still the infernall Spirits their Lodgings threw In peeces , as thy mighty Lord drew nigh . Thou shalt no further goe ; but I will tell Thee here , what Wonders afterward befell . 143. The Heart of Egypt melted down its Breast , As from their Pillars their vain Gods had done . The Priests and sage Magitiaus broke their Rest To finde this Accidents Occasion : And all one night resolv'd , at counsell met , To spend their utmost spels and Charms on it , 144. Jannes , a Man both of his Race and Name Who Moses did oppose , the work began : 'T was in a Vault , where Days looks never came , Untroad as yet by any mortall Man Who was not full as black as they , and made Solemnly free of their accursed Trade . 145. In this deep Temple of Infernall Arts Lighting a Taper temper'd with the Fat That grew about his Predecessors Hearts , It in a dead Mans mossie Skull hee set : The Mists and Stincks long wrestled with the flame , But at the last the Taper overcame . 146. Then gaping wide , both with his Mouth and Eyes , He spew'd seav'n solemn Curses on Day-light , Which though it saw the broken Dieties , Would not oetect what sacrilegious Might Had thrown them down : And then those Gods he blest Whose luck it was in gloomy Holes to rest . 147. For on a Shrine still standing there appeard Serapis , Isis , and a smokie Rout Of lester Gods : The Altar was besmear'd With thick and bloody Gore ; and round about In 〈◊〉 fragments lay Cheeks , Noses , Eyes , Hearts , Shoulders , LIvers , Leggs , Arms , Bowells , Thighs . 148. These hideous Dainties , was the Breakfast for A Crocodile , which in the Corner lay : But tain'd by strong Enchantments , durst not stir When ever to their Magick Bus'nesse they Address'd themselves . No Monster , but compared With them , a milde and gentle Thing appeared . 149. The Walls with Leeks and Onyons garnish'd were , For courteous Egypt had made Gods of these , And from her well-dung'd Soil reap'd every year A worthy Crop of young fresh Dieties . Upon the Reofe did painted Nilus flow , That God whose bounty makes those other grow . 150. Here Jannes , having thrice wash'd his left Hand , And stain'd with it Cocytu's Streams , which hee Had in a Laver by : He takes his Wand , That Wand which once liv'd on a Cypresse Tree Planted on Acheron's Bank , but now was made The deadly Scepter of their Magick Trade . 151. A Scepter unto which the Moon , the Sun , The Stars , had often stoop'd , and Nature bow'd : Oft had it turn'd the course of Phlegeton ; Oft had it troubled Hell , and forc'd the proud Tyrant , for all his Iron Mace , to be Obedient to its monstrous Witchery , 152. With that hee draws a Circle on the Floor ; ( Spred thick with Ashes of a funerall Pile , ) Which with strange Lines , and Hooks , and Forks , and Store Of shapeless shapes and Figures he doth fill , Wilde Heiroglyphicks , stark mad Characters , Whil'st each Draught with his Neighbour snarls and jarrs . 153. Into this Hell of scratches in steps hee , ( Almost as strange a thing as it , ) and there Three groans he gave , three times he bow'd his Knee ; He thrice with blood besprinkled his Left Eare ; Three times he strooke the ground , and mumbled o'r The Monsters hee had written there before . 154. Then lifting up his hollow Voice , hee cri'd , By Jannes and by Jambres our great Sires ; By Pharaohs adamantine Soul , which tri'd A fall with Israels God ; By all those Fires Which we have on your Altars layd , and them Which in black Styx or Erebus doe swim : 155. By these profound mysterious Notes which I Have figured here ; by dread Tyfiphone , By stern Alecto , and Megera ; by Huge Cerberns his Heads Triplicity ; By Hells wide open Gates ; by the divine Scepters of Pluto , and of Proserpine . 156. By your own Heads , who onely here have your Safe Sanctuary found ; I you conjure Serapis , Isis , and each lesser Power , No longer your dishononr to endure . What boots it here to be a standing God , If ev'n the best of You falls down abroad : 157. For from Hermopolis unfortunate Gate Ruine set forth , and boldly made her Prey On every publick Dietie , whose fate It was to stand in her devouring Way . Whence comes this Down-fall of Religion ? What Has spred amongst the Gods this deadly Rot ? 158. Let Me but know , and I will make Heav'n bow And kisse the feet of Hell : the Center I Will in the face of scornfull Phebus throw , And at high noon with Midnight choke the Skie : But I will be reveng'd for you , and make ( Though they be all the World ) your Enemies quake , 159. Here the black foam stopp'd up his Mouth ; and He With griezly ghastly face , with staring Eyes , With Breast tormented by Anxiety , With languid Arms and Hands , with quivering Thighs , Expect the Issue of his Charms to see , And what his Oracles Reply would be . 160. When loe , ( for then thy Spouse was comming nigh That very place ) a hideous Groan did fill The mourning Vault , which was rebounded by So strong an Earthquake , that the Idolls fell , And by their prostrate fragments in the Cave Did their own Temple turn into their Grave . 161. Scarcely had Jannes and his frighted Crew Time to escape the Rume of their Gods : But being out , their Books away they threw In indignation , and brake their Rods ; And having nothing else whereon to poure Their Spight , their lipps they bit , their hair they tore . 162. His secret Vengance thus thy Little Lord Sheath'd in the Bowells of Idolatry , Whil'st puzzeld Egypt never saw the Sword , Nor knew for whom it reap'd this Victory . The Angel thus of old their First-born slew , When undiscerned through the Land He flew . 163. Mean while fell Herod busie was about The matchless Master-peice of Tyranny : Which how it was Conceived , and how Brought Forth , the dull Vulgar's Ey 's too dim to see , For it was hatch'd as low as Hell : But I To thee will ope all the black Mystery . 164. Mischievous were that Prince's Counsells : But Proud Lucifer had deeper Plots than He And fear'd his Crown more than did Herod , at The new-born Kings high-fam'd Discovery ; For in his ears the Shepheards Storie rung , And the strange Musick of the Christmas Song . 165. The Mouth of Thunder never yet had spoke Such Terror to his Soul , as those soft Notes , Which tun'd to Joy's and Peace's Key , had broke From the sweet Nests of those bright Angels Throats . Nor was this Omen all : for He had spi'd That Eastern Star which did the Wisemen guide . 166. No Light did ever fright Him so , but that Whose Darts did throw him headlong from the Top Of Heav'ns sublimest Pinnacle , and shut Him up in deepest Night : where He keep'd shop And every sort of sinfull Wares did sell To those who with their Soules will purchase Hell . 167. For now he knew his Trade would never thrive , And that few Chapmen would delight to buy ; So long as that great Infant was alive , With whose more profitable Diety Shepheards and Kings to traffick had begun , And taught the World which way for Gains to run 168. Ten thousand Spawns of his deep plotting Brain He tumbles o'r , yet none could please his Eye : Again hee Thinks , and yet Dislikes again : But Vow 's at last , how e'r , thy Spouse shall die . He Vow 's by his own Head , and seeks some Fiend Who might dispatch the Businesse to his minde . 169. A Rock there stands neer to Cocytu's Bank Which to the River opes its monstrous Jaws , Sucking no other Breath , but what the rank And Sulphury Vapour of that Water throws Into its Mouth , which far more venomous makes The steaming Poyson that from thence it takes . 170. In winding Holes , and ragged Corners there Whole Families of Adders , Vipers , Snakes , Asps , Basilisks , and Dragons dwelling are , Whose constant and confounding Hissing makes The Language of that Mouth , and plainly tells What kinde of Prodigie beyond them dwells . 171. The Throat sticks thick with bones of Leggs and Arms Which ravenous Haste had there left by the Way ; With undigested Heaps the Stomack swarms Which in that Sink and Den of Murder lay ; In whose immeasurable Bottome stood A reeking Lake of young and guiltless Blood . 172. But at the Cavern , where the Heart should lie , Was hung a sevenfold Door of massie Brass , Plated with Adamant , and conjur'd by A thousand Bars and Locks , to let no crosse Mischance peep in ; besides as many Seals Treading on one anothers crowded heels . 173. Above , a Watch-tower was , erected high , Windows full ; where Linx stood night and day : Before the Door an hundred Doggs did lie , Upon whose ears no sleep did ever prey : Next them , as many Cocks ; and next to these A vigilant Company of trusty Geese . 174. Within were dark Meanders , dammed up By frequent Doors , and by their Porters too , Whose office never was to set them ope , But see that not so much as Thought should goe That way : They oft put out their Lights , for fear Some cunning Beam might spie a Cranny there . 175. Before the inmost Gate , a mighty Moat The Palace far from Dangers did divide : No Bridge it knew , and but one single Boat , In which no more than one at once could ride ; And this unto the shore fast Pris'ner was Under a Chain of Steel , and Lock of Brasse . 176. Upon that shore in due Array was set With Weapons ready drawn , a treble Watch , That no Disturbance might presume to put Its finger forth , or touch the jealous Latch : They with a loud alarm all roused were If but the Image of a Noise came there . 177. But in that House , so dark and so profound That Hell it selfe seems there sunk down in Hell ; A Thing , ô how much more than Monster , drown'd Yet deeper in torturings , did dwell . One who had chose Disquiet for her Rest , One who all Furies is to her own breast . 178. Suspition is her Name : Full is her Head Of thoughtfull Eyes , which alwaies learning seem , And alwaies wide ope ; for they know no Lid Which might twixt Labour interpose and them . They look on Sleep , as on a treacherous Thing Who might bring Dangers under his black Wing . 179. But chiefly upon One Another they , Their jealous and misgiving Glances throw ; And 'cause they can no grounds of fear bewray , Of the more deep-layd Dangers fearfull grow : And whil'st they all thus mutually stare , Each bids his brother of himselfe beware . 180. Her large thin Ear stood always prick'd upright To catch each Sound and Whisper that came neer : Sometimes , as her own Fancie took its flight But through her head , she thought some Noise was there , Her hollow Cheeks had gaped long for meat , But Doubts and Fears forbad her still to eat . 181. In every Dish and Cup she seem'd to see Some Poysonsliely laid in Ambushment . Alas , and could there any Venome be So venomous as she , who might have lent New power to Dragons stings ; and mad each field Of Thessaly , fairer Cropps of Poyson yeild . 182. Her Garments were inpenetrable Steel , Of the same Temper with great Satans shield : A brazen Buckler did her left Hand fill . And in her right , a mighty Sword she held : Weapons with which she never did entend To fight , but onely her own Head defend , 183. Her Chair had fourty iron Feet ; which all Where double nayled to the ground ; Yet she Beleeved not but still the Seat might fall By sudden undermining Treachery : This made her seldome sit ; and when she did , Over her shoulder still she turn'd her Head . 184. No Morning pass'd , but some on Work she set To make her new Keyes ; being jealous still Her Foes might patterns of her old ones get . Seav'n times a moneth she changed her broad Seal ; As her own Selfe she would have done , had she Known how to alter her Deformity . 185. With contradicting Thoughts her Breast did rise ; Which were no sooner liked , but rejected : She boulted every Counsell twise or thrice , And what did surest seem , she most suspected . Oft would she skip and fling about , and start . Sometimes at the meer Motion of her Heart . 186. An Oath of strict Allegiance thrice a day She forc'd her numerous Family to take ; And chang'd their Offices as oft , least they Themselves too strong for her Commands might make . Strange Officers , yet fitting to attend Upon so true and Soveraign a 〈◊〉 187. The first was tall and , big-bon'd Cowardize Whose lazy Neck upon her shoulders lay , And both her Hands upon her Head ; her Eyes Were alwayes winking least the dint of Day Should them surprise ; between her leggs she hid Her Taile , which , as it touch'd them , shivered . 188. Next Her , stood Crueltie , supported by Advantage ; in her Hands all Engins were And fell Inventions of Tyrannie : What Hooks , what Forks , what Whips , what Racks were there , What Insultation , what Wrath , what War , What Wounds , what Salvagnesse , what Massacre ! 189. Close in the Corner stood pale Thoughtfulnesse , Upon whose lips fast sealed Silence sate : Her businesse was a thousand things to guesse ; She stamp'd , her head she scratch'd , her breast she beat , Her wearied Eyes she nailed on the ground , And in her endlesse selfe , her selfe she drown'd . 190. About the Room ran furious Discontent , And when all others did escape her War , She wag'd it with her selfe ; her Clothes she rent , Her cheeks she gashed , and she tore her hair : But Malice ssiely crept , and dealt her spight Unto her Neighbours in a secret Fight . 191. Yet slippery Guile was nimbler than the rest : Her quaint Attire was of Chamelions skins ; She in two minutes could become at least An hundred Virtues and as many Sins , All Polypusse's feet she had , and was Fortunes true Echo , Proteu's looking-glasse . 192. With Her , was complementall Flatery , With silver Tongue , and more than golden Words : Her hand she alwayes kiss'd , and bent her knee , But in her Mantle hid two poys'ned swords . Of these , and thousand others like to them , Did foule Suspition her house-hold frame . 193. When Lucifer had raked many Dens And found no Fury furious enough To manage his Designe ; at last he runs Down to this sinck ; where as He 'gan to show His sulphury face , the Porters quickly knew Their Sultan , and the Gates wide open threw . 194. The Boat flew from its chain to meet His feet And wafted Him unto the Privy Watch ; Down fell their Swords ; up went their Hands , to greet Their Soveraigns Comming , and to draw the Latch : Suspition started as they op'd the Door , And wonder'd why her Doggs bark'd not before . 195. But dread and Awe had stopp'd their Mouthes , as now They seal'd Hers too , to see grand Lucifer : She fear'd the worst ; and thought that in his brow She read some lines of Wrath and Spight to Her . But He wip'd from his Lips the Fire and Smoake , And , with a Kisses Preface , thus He spoke . 196. Madame , be not afraid , for well I know And love my Friends , and thou art one of them ; Witnesse that mighty Trust which I will now Treasure in Thee ; it is my Diadem , My Diadem is lost , if thou dost not Procure Destruction to Maries Brat . 197. Herod will doe his best , ( I know him well , ) If he be aided by thy Inspiration ; There 's not an Heart that lives , where more of Hell Has taken up its earthly habitation : Adde but thy Power , and He will be compleat , And bravely venture on the barbarous Feat . 198. Thy Handmayd Cruelty alone will be Sufficient ; take but Her along , and goe . When Thou that Baby-Gods Blood bring'st to Me , I 'le plant a Crown upon thy worthy Brow , And set Thee on an ever-burning Throne , Wher thou shalt raign Queen of Perdition . 199. Glad was the Hag to hear the businesse , and Promis'd her Lord her utmost Faith and Care ; Who laying on her head his sooty Hand , Cri'd , Take Hells Blessing with Thee , ô my Dear , Successe attend thy Loyalty , and may , Heav'ns envious Tyrant not disturb thy way . 200. Forthwith , through Asphaltite's odious Lake She tore her Path , and in the mid'st boil'd up : The Sulphure started , and the Banks did shake , Down to the Bottome fled the frighted Top ; That most victorious Stinck which there did dwell Till now , could not endure Her stronger Smell . 201. Horror on all the Elements did seize , And taught the rest , aswell as Earth , to quake . Blasting deflour'd the Medows , and the Trees ; Her Noise a thousand Witche's Ghosts did wake , And made the Night-ravens croke , the Scritchowles squeek The Dogs houle , & the fatall Mandraks shriek . 202. All Men and Beasts fled from her frightfull Face ; And Heav'n it selfe would fain have run away , Had it but known of any other Place Besides its own , where to have turn'd that Day . Yet Phebus made a shift to lurk and crow'd His Eye behinde the Curtaine of a Cloud . 203. But when she mark'd how Nature shunn'd her sight , She with Invisibility array'd Her selfe , and , unsuspected as the Light , To He●ods Palace stole ; where Care had layd The Tyrant fast asleep ; Into whose breast Her Consort , and her Selfe the Fury thrust . 204. As when a Viper squeas'd into his Bowle By Treasons secret hand , a heedlesse King Drinks down ; the Poyson in his Guts doth roule , And with a War of Pangs his Entrails wring : So did this Monster with tempestuous Smart , Rage in the Bowells of fell Herods Heart . 205. A thousand Fancies and selfe-thwarting Fears Ran through his Soul , and chas'd Sleep from his Eyes : When , starting up , his griezly Beard He tears , And round about his Chamber cursing Flies : He curs'd Himselfe , and Heav'n , and all its Stars , But chiefly that which pointed out his fears . 206. Have I , said He , thus long attended on My petty Businesse , whil'st my Crown and Head Lie at the Stake ! Have I let Treason run And gather strength upon my life to tread ! Fie Herod , fie ! Wert thou that onely He Who did a Scepter count Felicity ! 207. What Madnesse made Thee suffer those bold Kings Who blaz'd the Birth of the Jessean Prince , To prate in Salem of such dangerous Things ! Hadst thou not fire and sword to chase them thence ! Could not thy flaming Steel have shined far More potently than their enchanting Star ? 208. But all the Furies stings are due to thee , For trusting their bare Word , for their Return . Art thou that famous King of Policie Who by thy Brain didst for thy Temples earn The Crown they wear ! and canst thou cosen'd be By three old doting Mens poor subtilty ? 209. See now how for thy credulous Courtesie Thou art repayd : Those Kings the News have spred Through all the Regions of Arabie ; And by a joint consent have made an head To tear fool'd Herod from his Throne , and set That Infant , as a wiser Prince , on it . 210. Me thinks I smell the Battell drawing neer , And see the Veng'ance of my carelesse Brain ; Me thinks the Thunder of their Arms I hear , And see their Lightning flashing on the Plain : Me thinks the Aire about my Ears doth ring The shouted Name of Israels new-born King . 211. The Superstitious Priests will all comply With the new Powers against despised Me , And triumph that their reverend Prophesie In my dethroning They fulfilled see . My Idumean Stock too well they know , And much adoe I had to make them bow . 212. As for the giddy Multitude whom I Have with an heavy Scepter pressed down , All Change to them will seem Felicity , Who all Conditions like before their own : But when Religion calls to Innovation , What Banks can curb a popular Inundation ? 213. My Nobles all will take the stronger side In hopes to serve a gentler Prince than I : Good store of Coin they have to loose , with wide And fair possessions , which will closely tie Them to the Eastern Powers , and make them run With them to idolize the Rising Sun . 214. Heav'n is a Thing which owes Me no good Will , Nor have I reason to expect its aid ; 'T was ever my Desire , and is so still , To be mine own God : I confesse I layd Some Moneyes out upon the Temple , but To mine own Ends I dedicated it . 215. None have I left to trust but onely Thee , O Thou my high and once Heroick Heart ! Why may not some exploit of Crueltie Heightned beyond Example make Fate start ? Why may not Herod's Sword cut out that Leaf Of Destinie which doth enroll his Grief ? 216. It must and shall be so : I will not own A Tyrants Name for Nothing : let the Head Of Caesar weare the Worlds Imperiall Crown With love and gentleness embellished ; So I may safely reign , and shew this Age The King of Wrath , and Emperour of Rage . 217. And let Heav'ns Soveraigne thank himself , if I Torment him with a stouter sin , than yet In his scorn'd face from Earth did ever flie : Who bid Him wake my Fears ? Who bid Him set An ominous Comet to out-stare my Rest , And light Warrs journey hither from the East ? 218. From two years old and under , every Childe That breaths in Bethleem , and the Quarters round ( That of my purpose I be not beguild ) Shall be my sacrifice : and if no Wound Amongst all those can finde my Rivalls Heart , Then let Him scape ; I shall have done my part . 219. But sure it cannot miss : And then I wonder What can the vain Arabian forces doe : If the foundation once be split in sunder , On in their building they will never goe ; If I their Infant in his Budde doe crop , Surely the dangerous floure will ne'r grow up . 220. This said . He nodds his speciall servant , ( one Who might have Engine been to Pluto , and The deadliest bus'ness of all Hell have done , ) Who joying in his Soveraigns Command , The black Commission writ , which was to be In blood transcribed by the Souldierie . 221. For Herod had an armed Crew , which He With mighty Care and Cost had pick'd and chose From Idumea , Scythia , Barbarie ; Men ruder than their Countries ; all sworne Foes Unto Humanitie ; their Looks of Brass , Their Hands of Steel , their Heart of Marble was . 222. As practiz'd Tigres in the Theatre Let loose unto their keen and hungry spight , With dreadfull joy hast to their wished War ; Where , with their looks the helpless slaves they fright Out of their lives , and then their Bodies tear , Slaying again what first they kill'd by fear . 223. So did these Caytiffs unto Bethleem run With Knives and Fauchions arm'd , and with their more Inhumane Weapon , their Commission , Counting Delay their Torment . With a Roar They entered the Town , and could not choose But signifie all Hell was now broke loose . 224. There they , in Herods Name proclaim , that they By Him were sent a punctuall List to take Of all the Infants which from such a Day In Bethleem and its Coasts were born : for lack Of every ones appearance , threatning to The Infant Death , and to the Mother Woe . 225. These Summons through the Town and Country flew , And when the next Days Sun had reach'd its height , Into the Market place all Mothers drew Who in their Arms their tender Burdens brought : A Sight which might all Beasts unbarbarize , Yet drew no Pitry from these Souldiers Eys . 226. For they a Watch at every corner set , And then with all Extremities of Rage Their monstrous Charge in Execution put . The Sun's Eye never yet beheld a Stage So full of Tragedies , nor Hell spred forth In such a salvage Pageant on the Earth . 227. In vain the lamentable Mothers Cries And Tears , and Prayers , and loud Expostulations Mix'd with their Infant Shrieks ; although the Skies They fill'd , and rent with their strong Exclamations : For still the unrelenting Souldiers Ear Nothing but Herod's fell Command would hear . 228. Their Preys they by the Arme , or Leg , or Head From their softe native Sanctuaries tore ; Whose blood as in that barbarous strife they shed , They daub'd the Mothers with the Childrens gore , And then their Bowells in their faces threw : Sure they had none , who thus could others shew . 229. The Townsmen who this Massacre beheld , Could lend no Succour to the Infant 's Crie ; By stiffe Astonishment some being kill'd , Others by cruell Fear enforc'd to flie , Not knowing but the Souldiers dire Commission Might adde the Fathers to their Babes Perdition . 230. Heer Sarah kiss'd an Arm , Rebecca there A Legg ; all that was left of eithers Son : Heer Rachel Earth , and Air , and Heav'n did tear With her impatient Lamentation , Having but two bemangled Hands to show Of those sweet Tiwnns which suck'd her breast but now . 231. Thus this most harmless flock of tender Lambs A woefull Heap of fragments did become , Their milkie fleeces , and their whiter Names Being dyed deep in rubie Martyrdome : Thus 〈◊〉 Rama , now made childeless 〈◊〉 , Thus all the Market was to Shambles turn'd . 232. One Nurse was there , who when the Souldier caught Her Infant by the throat , cri'd out , Beware , This is great Herods Sonne ; and if you doubt , An hundred Witnesses heer ready are . She cri'd ; but e'r she had pronounc'd that Word , The Intants Heart was bleeding on the Sword . 233. Thus provident Veng'ance met the Tyrant in The forefront of his Crime , whilst blinded by His hasty Fears , his Rage he doth begin At his own Bowells : Herod's Sonne must die , And Heavn's escape the Sword , though He alone Was the aime of this vast destruction . 234. This , when the slaughter Fame at Rome had told , And Cesars ear with just amazement fill'd Made Him crie out : Were I to chuse , I would Be Herod's Hog much rather than his Child . But Cesar knew not what the Babe did gaine , Nor that He now more than himself did reign . 235. These roseall Budds of early Martyrdome Transplanted were to Paradise , and there Beyond the reach of Herod , did become Floures of eternall bliss , whose Temples are Imbrac'd with crowns of joy , whose hands with Palms Whose eyes with beams , whose tongues are fill'd with psalms . 236. But now the Blood-hounds back to Hered went And brandish'd on their stained Swords the Sign Of their owne guilt . The sight gave high content To their fell Soveraign , hoping the Divine Infant was now destroyd , and that his Crown In spight of all Arabia was his own . 237. Yet to make sure ( for in a Tyrants breast Suspition like the Vulture faind to gnaw On Tytiu's Soul , makes its eternall feast , ) The Jews he summons by a rigid Law Without the least exception , to swear Allegiance unto Him , and to his Heir . 238. Alas , He little thought his slaughterd Son Was now become a stronger Foe , than those Arabian Kings his own Suspition Had arm'd against himselfe ; or that there rose From the massacred Babes , a mighty Band Which scornd the power both of his Head & 〈◊〉 239. For now these Infants Blood to Heav'n did send A louder Crie than had their Mothers done : Nor doth the great Creators Justice lend A readier Ear to any Plantiffs Moan , Than unto this : although Mortality Belongs to Man , Mans Blood can never 〈◊〉 240. Next neighbour to the Dead Seas poys'nous shore There stands a gloomy Grove , where cheerly Day Had never roome to shew her face , such store Of Box , Yew , Cypress , dammed up her way ; Whose fatall Brows and Branches every where With Owls , and Batts , and Ravens impeopled 〈◊〉 241. Beside , a sturdie Mist of Stincks doth stick Upon the wretched Air , and her defloure Unwholsome Vapors gathering black and thick Drop morn and ev'n into a venomous shour , Where drunk up by the cursed Earth below It makes the Hemlocks and the Poppy grow . 242. Amidst these dismall shades , is sunk a Cave , At whose black Door , uncessant Cries , and 〈◊〉 And Ejulations the Office have Of never sleeping Porters : all the Stones Hang thick with Tears , being mov'd to that Compassion By the sad Genius of their Habitation , 243. The Mistresse of the House doth alway lie Upon her weary Bed ; which hedged in By melancholick Curtains , doth supply The Graves dark Office , and aforehand 'gin To teach her what her Coffin ment , and what Her Herse , which ready by her Couch were set . 244. Her Pillows were of softest Down , but yet On churlish Thorns and Stones she seem'd to lie : Oft did she rosse and turn and tumble , but Could never shift her sturdy Griefe , which by That Motion onely wakened was , and did But gather strength to roll about the Bed . 245. Shootings , and Megrims raged in her Head , A desperate squinsey dammed up her throat , The tawny Jaundise in her Eyes was spred , The Tooth-ache of her Jaws full Power had got , Stark-raving Madnes sate upon her Tongue , Ten thousand Cramps her shrivel'd Body wrung . 246. The Fever , Colick , Griping , Strangury , Gout , Apoplexie , Scurvy , Pestilence , Stone , Rupture , Phthisis , Dropsie , Plurisie , Flux , Surfet , Asthma , and the confluence Of all divided Deaths , united were In one strange Masse , and learn'd to live in Her . 247. The odious Scab , the ever-gnawing Itch , The stinging Bile , the wasting Leprosie The banefull Pocks , the Wolf and Canker ( which On her make fat their dreadfull Luxury , ) Conspire with every sort of horrid Sore To clothe her round with most infectious Gore . 248. Pots , Papyrs , Glasses , sweet and stinking Things , Were marshal'd on a Cup-bord standing by , Which Physick brought to ease those Pangs and Stings , Or at the least cure her own Poverty . Costly Additions unto Pain were these , And onely eas'd the Purses Plurisies . 249. For though full many a dear Docter there Talk'd words as strange as her Diseases ; yet Her pertinacious Torments would not hear Either there Druggs of Nature or of Wit , Nor minde their Stories , or regard at all Their Oracles out of the Urinall . 250. Her whining Kindred stood about the Bed , And , though , alas , her case were too too plain , With tedious Love , still ask'd Her , how she did . Heaping that Crambe on her other Pain : Their fond Remembrances would never let Her any one of all her Pangs forget . 251. Down to this Loathsome She , sterne Justice came ; Tall was her Person and her Looks were high , Strength in her martiall Sinews made its home , Darts of keen fire did stream from either Eye ; For she , what e'r Men Fancy , Eyes can finde ; Alas , Earths Justice , and not Heav'ns , is blinde . 252. Her right Hand held a Sword of two-edg'd flame , Her left a Ballance : in one Scale did lie A mighty Masse inscrib'd with Herods Name , A Masse of Pride and bloody Tyranny , Which press'd it down to Hell : Mean while the other Fill'd with vain Winde , flew up and left its Brother , 253. When Sicknesse ( for that was the Furies Name ) Beheld her Soveraign Queen , she rais'd her Head , And to obeysance did her Body frame : Black Streams of poys'nous Gore straight issued From all her Sores , and with outragious stinck Ran down into her Beds contagious sink . 254. Up up , said Justice , and be dress'd apace ; I on an earnest errand thee must send : Time was when thou a tedious Way did'st trace At Hells and envious Lucifers Command ; Usurpers , which have no just power on thee ; 'T is fit thou doe as much for Heav'n and Me. 255. Unto the Land of Uz they made thee run , And poure the bottome of thy whole despight ; Upon the reverend Body of a Man Which was with matchlesse Purity bedight , More fair and bright was Job in Heav'ns esteem , Than thou to Earth did'st make him Horrid seem . 256. He heap'd this Scale as full of Virtue , as Fell Herod has replenish'd it with Vice : That empty one , so lightly hovering , was His Score of faults , but meer Vacuities ; Thin as the Aire , which though it dusky be Sometimes with Clouds , regains its purity 257. See now thou recompence that Injury By righteous Vengance upon Herod : Loe There unbridle thy Extremitie , And give thee leave in free carreer to goe . Goe then , and fully use thy full Command ; His Body and his Life are in thy Hand . 258. So spake the Queen of everlasting Dread , And in her Black Cloud mounted home again . When Sicknes leaping from her nasty Bed , And in feirce haste forgetting her own Pain , Furnish'd her self with every bitter sting Which most might torture the Condemned King . 259. Then to her gloomy Chariot she went , Which of a poisnous Vapour framed was : Her speed was headlong , so was her Intent , And into Herods Court she soon did presse ; For she by no slow paced Coursers Drawn . But by a pestilentiall Blast was blown . 260. Unseen she came , and did so sliely guide Her stealing Chariots silent Wheels , that she Quite down the Tyrants cursed throat did glide As does his unsuspected Breath , which he Lets in to fan his heart : But this Blast came Qute to blow out , and not to puff his flame , 261. Yet e'r it blew it out it strove to frie His black Soule in the fornace of his Breast . Torthwith his Entrails sing'd and scalded by An hidden fire , frighted away his Rest : He would have rise , but strait he felt his Pains Had with their Fire-branes mixed heavy Chains . 262. His Strength deceiv's him , and his Bed is now His onely throne , where he the King doth raign Of mighty Torments ; all his Bowells 〈◊〉 Exulcerated with deep-gnawing Pain ; And Water swelling underneath his Skin Adds scoffing torture to the fire within . 263. His shamfull Parts are made more odious by Right down Corruption , which grew fertile there With monstrous Vermin , whose impatient frie Their most unpittied Prey aforehand tear ; The leisure of his grave they scorn'd to stay , But undermine his Heart , and eat their way . 264. And yet a Worm far worse then those , was got Thither before , which did his Conscience gnaw ; To stisle which , long did He labour ; but The trusty Torment still did stronger grow , And wound about his guilty Soule so close , That no Inventions power could get it loose . 265. His Sinews shrunk , and all his Joynts forgot The ready service of their wonted motions . The Aire which He had long defil'd would not Wait on his Lungs , but frequent Suffocations Forc'd him to die as many deaths , as He Indebted stood for by long Tiranny . 266. Oft did he call his Freinds ; but neither they Nor his Physitians durst come neer his Bed : For his hell-breathing stinck obstructs the way To Physick and to Freindship . Never did The Feinds below more loud for Pitty crie , Nor finde lesse comfort for their Misery . 267. The dismall scene of Bethlehem-slaughter now Was open layd unto his burning Soule ; The running shreiking Mothers there he saw , And all the Infants Blood ; which seem'd to roule Into his Bosome in a violent stream ; Yet not to quench , but to augment the flame . 268. An hundred Furies at hot contestation Which first upon his bloody Heart should seize , With Hells wide mouth , and the grand Preparation To entertain him there ; at large he sees : And seems to hear all Ages poure a stream Of cursing Detestations on his Name . 269. To Heav'n He would not , and he could not cry , But let the reins loose to wilde Desperation : And now resolved once for all to die , Contrives how He might his owne murther fashion , And by his never-daunted cruelty Upon himselfe conclude his Tyrannie . 270. He thought of Poyson : but He had no friend Who would that cruell Courtesie supply : Besides , he fear'd no Venome could contend With his extreemly-posnous Malady . At length by woefull Fortune , He 〈◊〉 His Fauchion hanging by his 〈◊〉 side , 271. Which as He snatch'd , a venturous Page ran in And stopp'd the stroke : but could not stop his throat , Which straight He opened to an equall Sin And in the face of Heav'n spew'd out his hot Impatient Blasphemies ; next which , He threw His Courses upon all the World he knew . 272. Mean while , to prison , where his Son in Chains He kept , the false News of his death was spred : Which whil'st Antipater gladly entertains , His Smiles became the price of his own head . Herod but heard he smil'd , and now the Worms Had eat his Bowells , at his Son he storms . 273. Yet shall that Villan know that I , said He Have Life and Rage enough Him to destroy . Now by these finall Spirits which pant in me I swear , His Life shall answer for his Joy . Fetch me his Heart , that with these Vermin here Their fellow-trayter , I , all torn , may tear . 274. Their fellow-trayter , and their Fellow-Son , For from my Body sprung both He and They ; And both conspire in my destruction , By Gnawing they , by smiling He. Away , Fetch me his Heart , that having bless'd mine Eye With that deare sight , I may the cheerlyer dy . 275. Yet not content with this sole Sacrifice To his vast fury ; he contrives a way How all his Nobles to his Obsequies No lesse than all their Blood and lives might pay : That Sighs and Tears might wait upon his Herse , If not for his own Death , at least for theirs 276. But Heav'n prevented this fell Plot ; and He Now having five dayes liv'd , and felt his Death , No Prayers , but his wonted Blasphemy Repeated , and blew out his finall breath . So an old Dragon when his Spirits flit , Breaths his last Poyson , and his Life with it . 277. Hell had his Soul no sooner swallowed But pious Josephs Angel hither came ; And as the Saint lay on his sober Bed , Painted the News unto Him in his Dream : Bidding Him now return to Jewry , where The storm was over , and the Coast grown clear . 278. Thus did th' Angel his own Word fulfull , And justifie the Prophets Vision ; For great Hosea did of old fore-tell That out of Egypt God had call'd his Son . Joseph awakes , and unto Mary shews The long-expected , and now welcome News . 279. His thrifty House-hold-stuffe then packing up , And tenderly providing for his dear And mighty Charge ; He makes no doubt or stop , ( A pious Breast allows no room for fear When e'r Heav'n summons it : ) but cheerly sets Onward his Way , before the Day permits . 280. For now the Morn lay long before she rose , And dull Aquarius would not wake the Sun Till it was late . Thus did thy hardy Spouse In the Years most disconsolate Portion His journey take ; and teach Thee what to doe At any time when Heav'n shall bid Thee goe . 281. This the Ninthe Winter was , which seal'd the Earth With Ice , and covered his Seal with Snow , Since by his own , to Wonders He gave Birth , Who in a Soil most like to that did grow : Bate but the cold and churlish Qualities , And what 's a Virgins Womb , but Snow and Ice ? 282. This Age had more inabled Him to bear A speedy Journey , and did much allay The scruples of his tender Parents Care ; Who now with greater haste devour'd their way , Than when to Egypt they did pick their Path ; And thus , in peace , reach'd their old Nazareth . 283. Their Nazareth ; for sacred Prophesies By adamantine Bands are surely tied To their Effects : The Fire shall sooner freeze , All Mettalls in a Bank of Snow be tried , The Sun because of Night , of Drought the Rain , Then Falsehood any Prophets Tongue can stain . 284. Those quick-ey'd Seers long agoe had seen His Habitation there ; and had foretold His humble Surname should be , Nazarene : A Name of holy Dignity of old , Which sate fair on all pious Heads , untill It was out-shined by the Christian Stile . 285. And , Psyche , what should We doe longer here ! Come let Us follow their deare Steps , and see Some further Marvells of thy Spouse , and where He prosecuted Loves sweet Mystery . This said : He gave his Steeds the Rains , and they Together with the Winde snuff'd up their Way .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO IX . The Temptation . ARGUMENT . IN the dead Desert , Love ; Whom salvage Beasts Acknowledged , by eager Famin is Assail'd , who forty Dayes upon Him feasts ; To her sharp Teeth , slie Satan joyneth his Soft Tongue ; yet both their utmost Powers , set But ope the way unto their own Defeat . 1. WHat reach of Reason e'r could Fadome , why Slight Dust and Ashes , vile Corruptions Son , The Heir apparent to the Misery Which lives in Death , and blends Destruction With all its Life , the Worms own uterine Brother , The Modell of all Blots and Spots together , 2. Should so inamour Heav'n , as to obtain The Dignity of highest Favorite ; And in his Makers grace so freely raign , That They should service doe to Him , whose bright Extraction no acquaintance knows with Earth , Nor did Pollution e'r defloure their Birth ; 3. Had not Almighty Love vouchsaf'd to take This lump of Clay and mould Himselfe in it : By which intire Conjunction He did make The totall Masse of worthlesse Vilenesse fit To sit on Honors Throne , and there receive The Service Angells blush not now to give . 4. For now the Heav'ns are well content to spare Part of their Quire to wait on Us below , Knowing their Masters Brethren sojourne here , Who by their very Dust that Kindred show : Thus is our Badge of shame advanc'd to be The stamp of our sublime Nobility . 5. In love and reverence to Jesus , who Upon the loftiest Crest of all Creation Has fix'd for ever our poor Nature , so That under her high feet , full Adoration Has room to kneel , their ready Service they Ev'n to the meanest of his Kins-folks pay . 6. How little think vain Kings , who build their Pride On th' arm'd Protection of their numerous Guard , The simplest of their Slaves are dignifi'd With Heav'ns illustrious Hoste , who watch and ward Their severall Charges , which though scorned things Below , are yet above design'd for Kings . 7. With Arms displayed , and with open Breast They stand to catch Us when we falling are Into this hard and dangerous Life ; and least The Fall should hurt Us , with their softest Care They stir their Fethers up , that in that Bed Of Sweetnesse we may rest our infant Head , 8. Alas our other Nurses help were vain , So were our Mothers tenderest Care , did These Dear Fosterers not help them to maintain Their proper Parts : And though those chance to cease , These still persue Loves Task ; Hard Mothers may Forget their Sons , but that will never they . 9. O no : These blessed Guardians are Things Of tri'd and never-failing Tendernesse ; Such as their everlasting Snowie Wings , Such as the living Smiles and Joyes which dresse The Court of Heav'n , Such as the dainty Aire Which makes deer Paradise both soft and fair . 10. Yet when just Cause awakes their noble Might , No Scythian Rock stands halfe so stiffe as they , No Libian Lyon marcheth to the fight With higher Courage , nor afflicts his Prey With deeper Terror , then these Champions , who Into the Lists in certain Triumph goe . 11. Nor needlesse is this potent Aid ; since We Are by spirituall Foes impugned , and The Powers of Darknesse , and Artillery Of Hell against Us in pitch'd Battell stand ; Whom Belzebub their Generall , with Spight And ever slaming Rage , fires to the Fight . 12. What can poor Lambs against the Tygre doe ? How shall the Partridge with the Griffen fight ? How shall a Cockboat to the Indies goe When Tempests Rise , and make Seas stand upright ? By Dust how shall the Serpent be withstood When he gapes to devour his usuall Food ? 13. Alas the feeble Dust is helplesse ; but These Friends long since have with the Dragon fought , And at the first so clear a Conquest got , That ever since that heav'n-renowned Rout , Wilde Lucifer is in their presence tame , And trembles like the burnt Childe at the flame . 14. He trembles ; if the Boldnesse of our Sin Adds not fresh courage to his failing heart ; For then on Us He by our selves doth win ; Nor can our Guardians perform their part With due Successe , when by self-treason we Our forces joyn with Hells conspiracy . 15. When to mad Fancy Sleep doth give the rein , Unto polluted Dreams these stop the way , That no high-fed and tickling Thoughts may stain The clouded Soule : For , who , alas , can say I always am my Self , and , though asleep , The constant Watch of Chastity can keep ? 16. These lend Us Aid , when any Danger neer Our strait-beseiged Soule or Body draws ; These intercept all Hell ; These by that cleer Lustre which flows from their own blessed Brows Shew us the Way to Peace , and lend Us too Their Wings , when we are faint , and cannot goe . 17. These fire a Soule , and make her towre above These grosse , yet empty things which flag below : These steer Us through the Miracles of Love , And teach Us in Heav'ns Ocean how to row : These all are Brethren unto Phylax , who What he for Psyche did , for Us will doe . 18. Their way his Steeds had now recovered , And Palestine regain'd : When he aside Sloped his Bridle , and his Journey sped Into another Desert , wilde and wide , By whose intemperate Drought old Jordan was Affrighted so , that he far off did passe . 19. As Psyche wonder'd at the ruefull Place , Amongst whose desolate Nothings strait she lost Her questioning Eye ; with a divine Imbrace Phylax encourag'd Her ; and , though thou dost Not yet behold , said He , the Price of thy Long voyage , thou shalt finde it by and by . 20. With that , He stai'd his Coach ; and thus went on With his Discourse : O my thrice dearest Dear ( Because most pretious to my Makers Son , Who is my Maker too ; ) this Desert here Is but another Sceen , where thy sweet Lord More fuell for thy wonder did afford . 21. It was repriev'd from bearing other fruit , That it in Miracles might fertile be ; In Miracles , whose high and glorious bruit Shall fill the ears of Time as long as He Hath leggs to run ; and when He dropps into His grave , in triumph o'r his Tombe shall goe . 22. When thirty times thy Spouse had seen the Sun Change all his Inns , whose golden Signs are hung Upon the Zodiaks Girdle : reverend John Unto the World unlock'd his holy Tongue , And drew by heav'nly Summons mighty Store Of wondering People unto Jordans shore . 23. Thy Spouse , hid in his own Humility , Mix'd with the Crow'd and to the Baptisme came . Thus in the Margin of the swelling Sea Oft times there roules in a tumultuous stream Of Sand and Gravell , some rich Gem or other Which in that presse doth its own luster smother . 24. How there He was Baptized , how a Crown Of Heav'ns best beams perch'd on his fairer head , How his coaequall Spirit hovered down , And what Applause his Father thundered , I would relate , but that it hugs thy heart , For with this Story now thou Girded art . 25. But by that nimble Doves eternall Wings He 's hither hastned from that Rivers shore , And purity unto the Drie Land brings As to the Water He had done before . Yet nothing else hee brought ; nor Drink , nor Meat ; He hither came to Fight , and not to Eate . 26. He came to Fight ; and bravely to revenge The whole Worlds Quarrell which subdued lay , E'r since through Mans unwary Heart the strange Bullet burst ope its death-deriving way , Which , as it smiling hung upon the Tree , Fond hee an harmlesse Apple took to be . 27. He came to Fight ; and soon his Foes He met All-arm'd with Power , but much more with Rage : Had hee been lesse than what he was , those great Antagonists had made this Place the Stage Of his sad Tragedie , which prov'd at last The Theatre of his triumphant Fast. 28. Before I tell thee who did first appeare In these strange Lists ; observe that parched Hill . That Throne of Barrennefle and Squallour ; there Against the hungry North thou see'st a Cell Which long hath gaped , but could never finde Any Reliefe as yet , but saplesse Winde . 29. That Den's the Dwelling of that Champion who First ventur'd on a Combat face to face With God Incarnate ; one as like to doe The Feat of Spight , as any of the Race Of hell-begotten Fiends ; yet prov'd to weak To manage what she here did undertake . 30. Our Noise now calls her forth ; dost thou not see Her goodly Ushers ? those seven horned Things Though like to Nothing but themselves they be , Must goe for Kine : spermatick Nile , which brings Forth choise of Monsters , in their birth alone Hath all his other Prodigies out-gone . 31. Nile brought them forth , and shew'd them to the King , Whom through Fates Closets a strange Dream did bring ; Pharaoh awoke affrighted at the Thing , But knew not how its Characters to read , Nor why those sharp-set Portents which had clean Devour'd seaven fat Kine , still should grow more lean ; 32. Till Joseph clear'd the mist , and taught him what By those new Hieroglyphicks Destiny Decyphered had . But when the Beasts had got Malgrè those fair Banks of Fertility , Their seaven years Conquest ; to this Cave they came To serve a Monster neer of kin to them . 33. Behold their Hair is shrivell'd up and drie ; Their hides aforehand tann'd , but chapp'd withall ; Their sharp affrighted Bones stand staring high ; The Reliques of their flesh as low doe fall ; Their Bellies to their Backs full close are ti'd , And one does kisse the other starved side . 34. All Shape is shrunk to such Deformitie That did their horns not point them out , nor Thou , Nor Pharaoh could have dreamed they should be Descended from a Bull and honest Cow . And yet well-favour'd Beasts are these to Her Their dismall Soveraign who commeth there . 35. Just at the Word the Hagge appear'd , with Look More keen than Januaries breath , or than The edge of Rasors ; or the piercing stroke Of barbarous North-begotten Boreas , when He his most massie chains of Ice hath hurl'd O'r Sea and Land , and stupifi'd the World . 36. The sudden Dint shot into Psyche's Heart Such deep Dread and Amazement , that it slew Her Spirits and Courage : But with Heav'nly Art Her ready Guardian strait did both renew , And suppling her cold Breast with soft and warme Comforts , proceeded thus , her Soul to arme . 37. Dost thou not see what makes the Furies Train ? Mark well , and read thine owne Securitie , How heavy at her heels she draws a Chain Of Adamant , whose other End is by That hand of Providence which doth all things guide , Unto thy mighty Spouse's Foot-stool ti'd . 38. At first her self she fiercely darted out , But now her curbed Pace is tame and slow ; She knows ' her Compass , having often fought In vain to break her Chain 's Eternall Law . So ; be assur'd she now cannot come hither No , she has stretch'd the utmost of her Tether . 39. Thus when the greedy Mastiffe leapeth from His kennell , all in hungry hast and wrath , The sullen chain , which will not goe from home , Checks his adventure and cuts off his Path ; At which the wretched Curre le ts fall his Ears , And tail , and spirit ; and then he grinns and lears , 40. Upon the Head of every wretched Fiend Sure sits this curse , that they cannot forbear Their spight and indignation to grinde , And in all furie for the fight prepare When ever any Prey their Eyes have found ; Although mad fools they know their feet are bound . 41. Look how her Eyes are fled into her head , As if ashamed on her self to look ; For in that leafe , alas , what could she read , But what would seem transcrib'd from Terror's book ? Her skin 's the Paper ( ô how ghastly white ! ) Where Pain and Horror their black Legends write . 42. All upright staring stand her startled Hairs , Of one anothers touch in jealous fear ; Two close shrunk knots of Gristles are her Ears ; Her forehead nothing but its skin doth wear ; Her keeness fully is displayed in Her pinched Nose , and her sharp-pointed Chinne . 43. Like a deep Pit of Chalk is either Cheek ; Her sapless Lipps are parch'd and shrivell'd up , Showing her Ivory Teeth , all white and sleek , But long and hideous ; These stand alway ope That her dire Tongue may ever dangle out To catch the Rain , and quench its burning Drought . 44. Her starv'd and clung-up Neck , has much adoe To bear the slender burden of her head ; The Stalk quite famished and withered , so Under its nodding floure doth bend . Instead Of Arms , She shows two Yards of Skin and Bone , Oppress'd and tir'd with their own Weight alone . 45. Her fleshless Hands like feete of Vultures seeme , Nor are her nails so lately prun'd , But they May pass for Tallons : what she grasps in them Is sentenc'd by that Touch to be her Prey . Her Leggs are two drie crazie stakes ; her Feet Already mouldering , their Grave doe meet . 46. That fatall bunch of Corn which fills her Hand . ( O no! which makes Vacuitie be there . ) Are those seav'n Ears which upon Nilus strand To Pharaoh with those Oxen did appear ; And now becomes her Rod , for on it grows No Grain , nor any other fruit , but Blows . 47. Was ever such Contraction seen , as there , About a Waste , whose Girdle Thinnesse is ? The strait-lac'd Insects slender Brood did ne'r Shrink up themselves into a scanter Dresse . Her Bellie's sunk and gone ; and shee could spare It well , who nothing had to lay up there . 48. See'st thou her Shoulders and her Thighs all gnawn ? Imagine not that any Beast but she Her selfe was guilty of the Fact : her own Keen Tuskes have grav'd those lines of Crueltie , And , when she wanted other Cates to eate , Did prick her on to make her selfe her Meat . 49. Little it was she from her selfe could tear ; But yet where Nothing else was to be had , That Little seemed full and dainty Cheere , And to she fell : But as she 'gan to feed , Her Banquet fail'd between her Teeth , and she In stead of Flesh , chew'd meer Vacuitie . 50. This rais'd that Storm which in her bosome reigns , And , could'st thou hear , it would amaze thine eare . Her Stomack roars , and teares , and pricks , and strains , And all its Misery objects to Her : So doe her Bowells , bound in their own Chains , And ti'd , and twisted up in Knots of Pains . 51. Three Fiends of choisest Power and spight there are Whome Veng'ance doth imploy to lash the Earth ; The hidden Pestilence ; wide open War ; And Famin , this fell Hag , whose Drought and Dearth Burn with more Poyson than the Plague , & wound With sharper engins than in War are found . 52. This is that living Death , by which poor Man Is forc'd himselfe his funerall to begin , Whil'st wandring up and down all faint and wan , Wrapp'd in the winding sheet of his pale skin , He seeks his grave , that through that door He may Unto a milder Death himselfe convey . 53. This is that Tyrant , whose Impatience hath No Possibility her Prey to spare ; The foule Inneritrix of the Dregs of Wrath , Of Torments Queen , the Empresse of Dispair ; An aonigmatick Foe , whose Ammunition Is nothing else but Want of all Provision . 54. Expect not to behold her Family , Or what Retinue on her Court attends ; No servant ever yet so strong could be To bear her Presence , much lesse her Commands ; Being assur'd They never could her Will Unlesse her Belly to they did , fulfill . 55. But yonder Table which is fixed high Above her Caverns Door , will tell thee what Were her Exploits . When Mercy passed by This monitory Signe she set up , that Poor Mortalls might descrie what Fiend dwelt here And not unto this Den of Death come neer . 56. Loe , what a smoking Hurliburlie's there Of gallant Ruines tumbling on the ground : These once high-built and goodly Cities were , Which when Warr's mighty Ram could not confound This Hag did with no Engin , but her own Teeth , undermine the Walls and tear them down . 57. See there she chaseth froggs , and Rats , and mice , And other Vermine neer as vile as she Her selfe ; by them desiring to suffice The low'd Demands of her stout Boulimie . Discreetly there the prudent Painter has The Earth of Iron made , the Heav'n of Brasse , 58. But there her Girdle and her shoes she eats For that acquaintance which they had of old With Beef and Mutton , and such classick Meats : There She turns out the wretched uselesse Gold , And clapping on its Poverty a Curse , A savorie Meal she maketh of her Purse . 59. There She awakes the sleeping Mire , and by A strict examination makes it tell What hidden Treasures in its bosome lie ; Nor is she daunted by th' unlikely shell , But breaks it ope , and findes the Gem within : For she the Oyster first fish'd out for Men. 60. The Dunghill there she rakes , to finde some fresh Strong-sented Excrement ; and joyes when she Can by long search atcheive so rare a Dish , Which needs , being ready hot , no Cookerie . That Glasse in which she drinks , and drinks up all . No other is but her own Urinall . 61. Against that huge stone-wall her Teeth she tri'd When once she was immur'd in Straights ; and see How she compell'd and tore Successe : those wide And ragged Holes , her stout Teeths breaches be . Her hastie boistrous Stomack would not stay , And wanting other Food , she eat her Way . 62. That Heap of Bones is all that she has left Of her owne Parents , whose old flesh she made Her barbarous Feast , and them of life bereft By whom she liv'd ; Such is the salvage trade Of desperate Vipers , whose unnaturall Wrath Devours the Womb which them conceived hath . 63. And yet no Vipers venture to devoure Their proper Brood : 't is Nature's strictest Law That with Traduction Love should joyn her power , And like the Rivers , downhill strongest flow : Onely this fiend all Vipers doth out-vie , And feeds her self with her own Progenie . 64. For those bemangled Limbs which scattered be About the Picture , the said Ruines are Of seav'n sweet , but unhappy Babes , which she Fear'd not with her own Claws and Teeth to tear , And back into her Bowells make them goe ; If yet she any had who thus could doe . 65. This strange Epitomie of Prodigies , This despicable , starv'd , but potent Fiend Was the first Combatant which did arise Against thy Spouse ; yet durst not trie to rend And tear his Body , but contriv'd to slay It , and his Soul in a mysterious Way . 66. For though that Dread which in her face did reign , Such deep affrightment round about had shed , That not the boldest Beast of all the Plain But from those direfull Emanations fled ; Leaving the Desart more than doubled ; where Was nothing now but Earth , and Stones , and Air : 67. Yet now discovering One who seem's prepar'd To entertaine the worst of Dangers , she Grew jealous of the Champion , and fear'd Some wisely Stratageme might plotted be Against her right-down force : This did incline Her to 〈◊〉 Him by a Contremine . 68. For , sliely waiting oppotunity , And being thin and subtle , with the Wind She mix'd herself , and in his face did flie ; Hoping to steale upon him by a blind And unperceiv'd assault . So Cowards fight , Trusting advantage more than their owne Might . 69. But He who all her project cleerely saw , From her abstruse Career disdain'd to start : He welcom'd with brave Constancy the Blow , Giving the Furie leave to use her Art ; Free leave He gave her her foul felf to shoot Into his Stomack , through his yeelding Throat . 70. So when the Tempest marches in full Tide Against its Caverns Mouth , the fearless Rock Makes good its ground , and never stepps aside To wave the perill of the violent Shock , But lets the Storme come in and roare its fill In all the Bowells of its resolute Cell . 71. She enter'd thus , falls to her work apace And seizeth with immediate Usurpation All the Reserve of Humors which that Place Was strengthned with , in case of some Mutation ; And these she conquered without any stop , For as she met them , strait she eat them up . 72. The robbed Stomack thus made cleare and free Of all things but the Theife ; She broacheth there The Art of all that gnawing Crueltie With which her pined Self she us'd to tear : No Fire , Worm , Vinaiger , or Venome is So corsive as her fretfull Bitterness . 73. As when incensed by the furious flame The Fornace'gins to rage ; if you denie The Cauldron Liquor which may help to tame The insolent Heats excess , and mollifie Its rampant greedy Thirst ; alas , the poor Copper it self does boile , and burn , and roar . 74. So fares it with the Entrails , where the fire Which Nature kindled , if it wants its fuell On what comes next to hand will spend its Ire , And grow against the Stomacks substance cruell ; For all its Life consists in constant Meat , And when it dies , it does but cease to Eat . 75. And yet with Adamantine bravery Thy Spouse 'gainst this Conspiracy of Pains His Patience arms ; and though his Breast did frie In mutinous flames , He valiantly refrains From all Complaints , and sighs and signes that hee Oppressed was by Hungers Tyranny . 76. He by a med'cinall Fast resolved was To cure the eating of that fatall Tree , From whence the Curse and Death entail'd did passe On Ev's and Adams , wretched Progeny . He freely what he might Receive , refused , Because , what they Forbidden were , they used . 77. ( Thus must the Water wash away the Flame , Thus must the Bands of Cold binde up the Heat , Thus sober Weight must idle Lightnesse tame , Thus wholesome Soure must mend luxurious Sweet , Thus honest Day must chase out theevish Night , Thus Contraries with Contraries must fight . ) 78. And by his venerable Practise He Has Consecrated , and advanced this Despised Thing to such an high degree Of reall honor , that now Fasting is The Dainties of the Saints , to which they can Invite their Hearts , and Feast the Inner Man . 79. Where whil'st they at their mystick Banquet sit , The saucy Flesh learns to be meek and milde , The boyling Blood grows coole , and every fit Of wilfull Lust forgetteth to be wilde , The Passions unto Reason crouching stand , The Brain grows cleer , and all its Clouds disband . 80. Thus from that Slavery they redeemed are Whose knots their Teeth had tied ; thus they throw Away their cloggs ; thus on free wings they rear Themselves into Themselves ; being moved now By Heav'ns brisk Fire which in their Bosomes flows , And not by that which in the Kitchin glows . 81. Nor does the Body onely bear the Pain , Whil'st all the Pleasure to the Soul accrews ; But in its kinde reap full as sweet a Gain , Whil'st its intirest Vigor it renewes , And fresh and lively Fethers quit the cost Of all those rotten moulting Plumes it lost , 82. For when high-fed Distempers sneak away , And the dark Seed of all Infirmities Which in the Bodies furrows nestling lay , Before its own Birth , unperceived dies ; Fasting the Physick gave : yet generous she ( O cheap Physition ! ) never takes a Fee . 83. She Nothing takes ; and would have Men doe so , For all her Recipe's ere onely this : She turnes the Deep Complaint of bitterest Woe , Into an high-strain'd Dialect of Blisse , And for this Reason bidds the Sick be sure They ease shall finde , 'cause Nothing them can cure . 84. O soveraign Nothing ! upon which , so deep In love He fell with it , thy Spouse did feed Full fourty Dayes and Nights : soft-creeping sleep Perhaps might venture on his eyes , but did Not once presume to touch , much lesse to fight Against , the Paradox of his Appetite . 85. The Fury did her best his strength to tire , But fretted , gnaw'd , and laboured in vain . Hast thou not heard how Moses , all on fire With brave Devotion , did of old sustain As many Nights and Dayes on Sina's head , A Stranger all the while to Drink and Bread ? 86. If by accesse to God a Man could grow So much above the temper of a Creature ; If by attendance on the Morall Law He cleerly could forget the Law of Nature , What then might Jesus doe , to whose fair face Mose's though deck'd with beams , but duskie was ! 87. What might He doe , who did not onely draw Neer unto God , but who Himselfe was He ! 'T was but an Angel that pronounc'd the Law , Though in the Name of the great Diety : But Jesus was no Proxie ; he alone Undoubtedly was God and Man in one . 88. He who to Salamanders power did give Safely to scorn the siege of any Flame , And in the Fornace's red bosome live , Making the hostile Fire their food become ; Might well the burning Drought of Thirst subdue , And turn its flames into refreshing Dew . 89. He to whose bounty all Chamaelions owe Their virgin priviledge , whereby they may Contemn all grosse unweildy Meats , and grow Fat upon saplesse Aire ; can finde a way As pure a Diet for himselfe to get , And force the Windes to blow him in his Meat . 90. Nay , seeing Bread it selfe is dull and dead , And no assistance can to Life afford , Unlesse it selfe be fortified and fed By the prime Power of Gods almighty Word ; He well can spare its helpe , yet want no food , Who is Himselfe th' essentiall Word of God . 91. Witnesse his Might : for from his Potent Heart An Intimation of his Royall Will He on the Gnawing Fury now did dart , Commanding her not to disturb him , till He gave her leave ; for businesse had He With other Beasts of better worth than She. 92. Soon did the Hag perceive how she had thrown Her heedlesse selfe into a conquering Net , Where her Fell Teeth and Nailes were not her own , But His , whom she had thought to make her Meat . Wherefore against her selfe she madly bent Her spight , and her own Hair , and Heart-strings rent . 93. But safe and unmolested He went on To seek those Beasts which from the dreadfull Cave Of this intolerable Fiend had run To shrowd their trembling heads : For he doth save Not Man alone , but also Beast , and is Willing to follow both , and make both His. 94. Oxen and Asses hee at length descri'd , Which all one way in a strait Drove did passe . He soon remembred what did him betide When in their House hee entertained was , How Bethlehem Stable with the Hay and Manger Receiv'd the new-born Men-rejected Stranger . 95. A Flock of Sheep went bleating after Them , Whose little Ones made Him reflect again Upon himselfe , Gods everlasting Lamb , Born , in proud Salems shambles to be slain . He bless'd them all , and promis'd them that they Should ne't be destitute of Grasse or Hay . 96. Along with them unto a Pond He came , The onely Water which that Desert knows ; If yet that Pond defile not Waters name , Which onely with deep muddy Poyson flows . The banks were thronged with wilde Beasts , which lay Panting , and gasping , and forgot their Prey . 97. For parching Thirst had now dri'd up their Ite , And fighting with their Prey would but increase The too prevailing fury of their fire , Which onely Waters influence might appease . Yet though their Tongues lay frying on the They durst not dip them in the Pond to drink . 98. For yet the long expected Unicorn Delay'd his Comming ; He who used by The piercing Antidote of his fair Horn To broach the wholsome Waters which did lie Imprison'd in the Poysons Power , and then An Health unto his Fellow-beasts begin . 99. Not was 't by chance He tardy came that Day , The onely Day in which hee could be spared ; For now Salvations Horn , in whom there lay That Soveraign Virtue which far more was feared By every Poyson , than what breaketh from The potent Unicorns ; was thither come . 100. Great was the Congregation ; for there The princely Lyon was , the angry Dog , The Mountainous Elephant , the shaggie Bear , The hasty Wolfe , the foaming Boar , the Hog , His grumbling Wife , the roaring frowning Bull , The Porcupine of amunition full . 101. The spotted Panther , stiffe Rhinocerot , Swift-footed Tigre ; and a thousand more . For all wilde Beasts whom Thirst could drive , had got Their severall places ready on the shore ; Crowding as stoutly Water now to get , As they to Noah throng'd to scape from it . 102. But when thine unexpected Spouse drew neer , With reverent amazement every Beast Look'd up , and in a deep but harmlesse Fear Let fall their heads again , and so confest Who they beheld , and how unworthy They Were to drink in his blessed Aspects Ray. 103. Yet that meer Glance did such Refreshment dart , That all the Forces of their Thirst it slew . So when unto a long afflicted Heart Joy her immediate Countenance doth shew , The blessed Glimpse frights gloomy Grief away , And thrusting out black Night , le ts in fair Day . 104. These Beasts were Heirs to them , who , when as yet Time and the World were young , in Paradise At Gods own summoning together met To pay their Homage in all humble guise To princely Adam who sate mounted high Upon his Throne of native Monarchie . 105. Well did they mark their Soveraigns Eyes and face . And all his Persons lovely Majesty , Which flow'd forth on them with such potent Grace , That they durst not Allegiance deny , But conquer'd with sweet Violence , to his beck Bow'd down , and took his soft Yoke on their Neck . 106. But when unhappy Adams Fall had spred Guilts ougly Veil upon his beauteous Face , The Beasts which met Him , gaz'd , and would have read Their former Lesson of Majestick Grace ; But all was blotted out , and look'd so black , That them of Subjects it did Enemies make . 107. Their Sonnes and Generations after them Succeeded in their Hate to Humane Sinne : These present Beasts which to the Water came , Had in that Quarrell born and nurtured been ; And whensoe'r they chanc'd to meet a Man , To Him as their condemned Prey they ran . 108. But when on JESUS face they tri'd their Eyes , No blurr or signe of Guilt they could descry : His Looks were purer than the Virgin Skies , Polish'd with beauteous Serenity , Array'd with Princely stateliness , and dight With Love , with Life , with Grace , and with Delight 109. This wak'd the seeds of that deep Memorie Which prudent Nature in their Hearts had set ; And which by wise instinct did signifie ; That their unspotted Monarch they had met . They had indeed : for this was Adam too ; Alas , that Men less than the Beasts should know ! 110. Men knew Him not , but Beasts did plainly read In Him the Protoplasts all gracefull feature ; Such were the gallant Beauties of his Head , Such was the princely measure of his Stature , Such was the reverent Innocence which from His lovely Eys in Streams of Light did come 111. Such secret A wfuiness Men fancie in Th' apparent Heir of any Kingdome ; that They think the King of Beasts , by royall kin To his Condition , groweth courteous at His Sight , and quite forgets his insolent sense Of being Salvagenesses dreadfull Prince . 112. No wonder then , if thus it fared now The mighty Heir of Heav'n and Earth was heer ; He for whose high and best-deserving Brow Eternity was busied to prepare That Heav'n-out-shining Crown which flaming is Upon his Incarnations Lowliness . 113. The princely Lyon rais'd himself ; but in Less state than He before had us'd to doe , His never-daunted Tail till now , between His leggs he humbled , and did trembling goe , Confessing to the Beasts that made his Train , That He was not their onely Soveraign . 114. When neer He came , he couched to the ground , And with ingenuous Devotion Kiss'd JESU'S feet ; rejoycing he had found Juda's majestick Lyon , who alone Had in his Noble Looks fair writ the Name Of Emperor of this created frame . 115. By his devout Example all the rest Their now engaged Duty learn'd , and did What He had done : In order every Beast In a meek kiss his Service offered ; And then they all before Him prostrate lay , Humbly expecting what their Lord would say . 116. He in a mystick Dialect , which they Well understood , his royall Pleasure spake : For in that Language He at first did lay His charge upon their Necks , which they did take With due obeisance , and thenceforth rulfill In all their naturall Functions his high Will. 117. Nay , not those Animals alone ; but Trees , Shrubbs , Plants , and Flours , and whatsoever grows , The Earth , the Aire , the Fire , the boistrous Seas , The Winds , the Rains , the Hails , the Frosts , the Snows , The Rocks , the Lightning and the Thunder , Hell , And Heav'n , and all Things ken his Language well . 118. For being that Eternall Word , to whom What ever Is , doth owe it self , He knows In what intelligible way to come Unto his Creatures , and pronounce his Laws , A Word of boundless Bounds and Potency . May a 〈◊〉 Dialect to All Things be . 119. To All things ? Yea and more than so , for He On empty Nothing his Commands can lay , A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ev'n in 〈◊〉 seeds they be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things He 〈◊〉 ; nor dare they Plead ignorance of what he says , but by Instant existence to his Call reply . 120. What 't was he spake , they onely understood , Yet if Conjecture may presume of leave , He charg'd them to abate their Thirst of Blood , And for his sake , at least , thenceforth reprieve Those Men whose Crimes were yet not swell'd so high As to confront and force the patient Skie . 121. For now He came to ope a gentler age Unto the World than heertofore had run ; To banish Salvageness , and Spight , and Rage , And to establish endles Peace's Throne : He came dejected Man to re-invest In his Dominion over every Beast . 122. And to encourage their obedience , He Told them their panting Expectation , and Their longing Groans should satisfied be , That He himself would hast to break the Bond In which Corruption kept them slaves , and them With Heav'ns dear Heirs , to Liberty redeem . 123. This done : His sacred Hand He lifted up , And round about on his Devoto's dealt His bounteous blessing . Strait they 'gan to Hop , And Dance and Play , when in their Hearts they felt The vigorous joyfull influence which from The blessed Fountain of his Hand did come . 124. Then with the fairest Manners that they had , Shaking their Tails and louting low their Heads They took respectfull leave ; all being glad To finde their Breasts new sown with gentle seeds , And that their King which now commanded them Appear'd not more a Lyon than a Lamb. 125. But He now left alone , made noble use Of this his private Opportunitie What better place could deep Devotion chuse Where she with freedome through all Heav'n may flie ? What is the Desert but an Harbour which No Storms of the tumultuous World can reach ? 126. Besides ; his active Soul now lightned by His Fast , and fairely poiz'd on sprightfull Wings , Was well appointed to towre up , and trie The Altitude of Heav'ns sublimest things . Not that He needed this advantage , but Vouchsaf'd this Copie unto Man to set . 127. As when more Fuell's heap'd upon the Hearth Then well the Chimneyes stomack can digest ; The Flames disdain their wonted bounds , and forth They rush about the Room , which now opprest With bright and dark billows of fire and Smoke , In that drie sea 's prodigious storm doth choak . 128. So when intemperate Man ingesteth more Than corresponds with his Capacity ; With Flames and Vapours that superfluous Store Riots about his Heart and Head ; but He Who feeds but light , or fasts ; keeps his soules sphear Free and unclouded ; as did Jesus here . 129. Through that unfadomable Treasury Of Thoughts , and Counsells , and Degrees , which is Built in the Palace of Eternity , And safely lock'd up with three massie Keyes , Whereof himselfe by proper right keeps one , With intellectuall lightnesse He did run . 130. There did hee , to his Humane soule unveil The flaming Wonders of Divinity ; A Sea through which no Angels eyes could sail , So vast , so high , so deep those Secrets be . ( Gods nearest Friend , the Soule of Jesus is , Whom He admits to all his Privacies . ) 131. There , by the hand of Goodnes did he see An adamantine Table fairly writ With all his Incarnations Mystery , The Reasons , Wonders , and the ways of it . There did he run his Contemplation from His scorned Cradle to his guarded Tombe . 132. His Soule rejoyced all the way it ran , And taught his Fast to be a glorious Feast : Each Greif , each Pain , each Suffring he did scan , And what the deepest was he liked best : Not for a World would he have wanted one , But could have wish'd a bitterer Passion . 133. Thus did he spend his Day : and when the Night Upon Heav'ns face her sable Mantle spread , He other Work began ; No leaden Weight Of Sleep could heavy sit upon his Head : His Fast now grew so strong , that no dull Cloud Out of his Stomack to his Brain could crowd . 134. Those silent Houres He spent in ardent Prayers , His Evening and burnt Sacrifice ; and by The quick ascent of those mysterious Stayers Climb'd back again to Heav'ns sublimity ; Where more Ejaculations He did spread Than Angels , or than Stars , are marshelled . 135. There did he pray , the World might not disdain The gentle Yoke he came on it to lay ; Nor force Heav'n to come down to Earth in vain , But unto its obtruded Blisse give way ; That now God stoop'd down to Humanity , Man would indeavour like his God to be . 136. And now no lesse then fourty times the Sun The Gyant of the Day , had from the East Prick'd forth his golden trapped Steeds , and run His never wearied Race into the West ; And watchfull Vesper had as often light The silver Tapers , and trimm'd up the Night . 137. When thy Wise Spouse , who all the seasons knew Of Heav'ns mysterious Dispensations , gave The bridled Monster leave on him to shew Her Teeths full power : And how profound and brave This Counsell was , thou by and by shalt see , For He has me injoin'd to teach it thee . 138. As when the ravenous Dog who long has layn Muzzel'd up in the presence of his meat , Begins to feel the loosning of his Chain , For all the time He lost he strives to eat , Flying like Lightning on his Breakfast , which He with his teeth and paws at once doth catch : 139. So Famin now releas'd to her own Will , Revenged her Restraint , with greedy spight ; And had it but been possible to kill Lifes unconsenting Lord sh' had done it strait , For never with such fell remorfelesnesse She rag'd in any Breast , as now in His. 140. His empty Stomack roar'd , his Bowels clung , The heav'nly Graces of his Countnance fell , Thirst parch'd his beauteous Lips & burnt his Tongue ; But all by his divine Consent ; for well He knew , that if he grew not faint and wan , Hell needs must take Him to be more than Man , 141. Hells jealous Prince knew all the Prophesies Which pointed out a greater King then he ; A King which was from Jesse's Root to rise , And promised , to quell his Tyranny . Upon his Guard He stood , and watch'd to see The dangerous time , and who that Man should be . 142. The Angels Song which warbled to the Earth Peace and Good Will , shot Terror through his Heart ; The Sheepherds story of the Infants Birth No sooner strook his ear but made him start , He Simeons Jubilation echoed by A Groan , and Anna's Preaching by a Sigh . 143. With deep mis-giving Thoughts he chew'd upon The Benedictus of old Zachary ; The eastern Star which unto Bethlehem ran Did with amazement blinde his fearfull eye ; Guilty Suspition his black soule did knaw When He the Wise Mens Adoration saw . 144. At length these fatall Items roused Him To take some course this Danger to represse . Forthwith he chose the Fauchion of grim Herod ; nor did He think He strook amisse . Besides , now Thirty yeares could not discover Any great fear , he hop'd the worst was over . 145. And much it cheer'd him to remember that Messias was to be a Virgins Son ; As for thy Lord , He term'd him Josephs Brat , The silly Carpenters poor Urcheon ; Who likelier was some simple House to build , Than raise a Kingdome , and a Scepter weild . 146. Yea to that fond and shamlesse Boldnesse He Hardned his Thoughts , as to imagine that Great Daniels heav'n inspired Prophesie Was prov'd abortive ; and He car'd not what The other Prophets talk'd , now hee who set Messia's Time , so fouly fail'd in it . 147. But when on Jordans Bank hee heard and saw The Testimony Heav'n gave of its Son ; His sturdy Confidence began to thaw , And Teiror through his cursed Bones to run . Som time it was e'r hee could recollect Himselfe , and study how his part to act . 148. At length He hither traced Him , and set That Fury Famine to begin the fight . O with what anguish did hee vex and fret To see the vain contention of her spight For fourty dayes together ! But at length When she prevail'd , His Pride renew'd its strength . 149. On Chance's vain Account hee scor'd it up That Jesus had sustain'd the fight till now ; As hee had done , when from their Pillars top Egyptian Idols lately down did bowe , Because since then he saw some new Ones able To stand , and Memphis once more Isi's Stable . 150. And now his Cue was come , to Hell hee stepp'd , And op'd a Casket which by his Beds side ( For 't was the dearest Thing he had , ) he kepp'd : There lay ten thousand quaint Delusions ti'd All one within another ; never Art More cunningly than here did play her part . 151. There lay smooth burnish'd Words , & quick Mutations , Sleight-handed Tricks , 〈◊〉 Courtesies , Sweet Looks , delicious Shapes , and dainty Fashions , False Loves , invenom'd fawnings , holy Lies : There lay the Crafts by which he did deceive The credulous Heart of thy Grandmother Eve . 152. And those by which He holy Aaron made More silly than the Calfe that he erected ; Those which unconquer'd Samsons strength betray'd ; Those which the fort of Chastitie dejected In Davids heart ; and those whose witchery Charm'd his wise Son to fond Idolatry . 153. This also was the cursed Nest of those More wiley Wiles by which hee did entise The brave Inhabitants of Heav'n to close With his Conspiracy , when in the skies He drew his Army up , and ventured on Against the Thunders Mouth , and Gods own Son . 154. And these he takes , and squeaseth into one Conflux of more then quintessentiall Guiles ; With which insidious Extraction His thirst he quenches , and his breast he fills , And so returns into this Desert , well Stuff'd with the best , that is , the worst , of Hell . 155. Imperiall was his Retinue , for A thousand gallant Peers of Phlegeton Had robb'd Aire , Earth , and Sea , of their best store Of braveries , and proudly put them on ; All which where echoed by the rich attires Both of their haughty Horses and their Squires . 156. But as the Cedar upon Libans head Dishonours all the Shrubs that creep below ; As the displayed Peacocks Train doth spread Disgrace upon the Sparrow or the Crow : So far Majestick Satans port transcended What ever in his Lords might be commended . 157. Twelve sable Steeds , smug as the old Rav'ns wing Of even stature and of equall Pride , Sons of the Winde , or some such speedy thing , Unto the Chariot all abreast were ti'd : So Princes us'd to range their Steeds , that all Their severall Beauties in full view might fall . 158. Perpetuall sparks of Vigorousnesse they shot From the two Founts of their prospective fire ; Their mighty Neighings easie Conquest got Of every Noise , and made good Mars his Quire : And thus through Clouds , almost as black as they , Thunder and Lightning use to chuse ! their way . 159. As ebon shining Boughs , so bended were Their sinewie Necks ; their Stomacks boiled over In restlesse foaming Scum , which far and neer They flung about ; their Pawing did discover With what disdain upon the Earth thy trode , And seem'd to covet an etheriall Road. 160. Their shoes were silver , and their bridles gold ; With perl their velvet trappings studded were ; Their copious Maines in curled volumes roll'd Down to the ground ; their starting Eares did wear Proserpines Favours with rich Jewells tipt ; The way their full Tails for their Soveraign swept . 161. The wheels were Cedar clouted round about With Golds more pretous Rivall , Chrysolite : The Charet Almug , covered throughout With an embroyder'd Confluence of bright Well order'd Gems : upon which princely seat Prouder than it , sate Belzebub the Great . 162. What Pomp in Alexanders face did reign , Or swell'd upon Nebuchadnezzars Brow ; He had advanced to an higher strain , And taught it in his own Aspect to grow , Having compounded in one stately Lie The universall Looks of Majesty . 163. Disdain and Pride the chiefe Ingredients were , And long agoe He learn'd to manage Them : Yet Grace and royall Mildnesse too were there , If need should be some soft Deceit to frame . With awfull Gravity his Beard did flow , And him some wise and ancient Monark show , 164. A triple Crown of Diamond on his Head , Wherein was graven Earth , and Aire , and Seas , His Empires Provinces decyphered : For so his own Presumption doth please To make Mans Right his Prey , and write his stile , E'r since of Paradise he did him beguile . 165. Down from his shoulders to his feet did flow A Mantle of Estate with Ermyns lin'd . But for the Texture , it so thick did grow With orientall Gems , you could not finde What Web it was , it being cleerly lost In the magnificence of too much Cost . 166. Three Troops of Pages on his Wheels did wait , The first in Azure , and the next in Green , The third in darkest Purple : the Conceit Was onely what upon his Crown was seen . His dreadfull Guard ( ten thousand Curassiers ) Before Him trots , and all his Passage cleers . 167. Of Sumptures and of Wagons a vast Sea Flow'd part before , their Prince , and part behinde : It seem'd the I ransmigration to be Of all the Earth at once ; now bent to finde Some other World , whose larger Bounds might give Leave to those straitned Swarms at large to live . 168. In this magnifick State his progresse He Through his usurp'd World did pretend to take : A well known Circuit , where incessantly Some hellish businesse He himselfe did make : Onely He now a fiercer Lyon was , Than when He roaring up and down did passe , 169. For though that roaring Voice loud Terror spoke , Withall it gave Men warning to beware : But when hee with Majestick Grace doth cloke His theevish Enterprise ; He charmeth Fear Asleep ; for who would Dream , a King in so Great Pomp , a stealing would , and cheating , goe ! 170. See'st Thou that ruefull Place , that Garden where Eternall Barrennesse deep-rooted grows ; Where unrelenting Flints and Pebles are Both Soil and fruit ? That Sceen thy Lord did choose Wherein to wrestle with keen Famine , and Give her free leave on her own ground to stand . 171. And hither came great Satan with his Train : Where finding Jesus , in whose fallen Cheeks Hungers deep Characters were written plain ; With seeming Princely Pitty off he breaks His course , the Steeds in foaming Scorn to stay , Their Bridles champ'd and stamp'd upon their way 172. But He more gentle seem'd , than They were wroth , For when he on thy Lord had fix'd his eyes , Three times upon his Breast He beat with both His hands , his Head he sadly shaked thrice , And then as oft to Heav'n he looked up , And cunning Tears He every time did drop . 173. He hop'd the pined Man would bend his Knee , And from his pittying Hand some Succour crave Whil'st yet he could receive : He look'd that He Would ope his Mouth , as well as did his Grave . But He was yet to stout to buckle down ; He nobly held his Tongue , and held his own . 174. With that , the royall Tempter thus began : My Pitty never was till now neglected By any He that wore the face of Man ; Much lesse by such whom Famine had dejected Almost below all Humane Looks . And yet Perhaps some Mystery may be in it . 175. That thou with Patience canst endure to be The miserable Prey of Famine , and Forbear ( if not disdain ) to ask of Me , Who with all courteous Succour ready stand ; Implies thy strength , what e'r thy Face appear , Higher to move than in an humane Sphear . 176. Where e'r she had it , Rumor sent of late A strange Relation to my ear , which she Profess'd she took both from the Leaves of Fate , And , from experimentall Veritie : 'T was that the Son of God had chang'd his Home , And here to sojourn on the Earth was come . 177. She added that his Garb was plain and mean Because He was a stranger here below , And rather came to see than to be seen , As wisest Travellers are wont to doe . But more she told Me not ; perhaps that I And my good Fortune might the rest descry . 178. For deep my Honor it concerns , and Me , That ready Entertainment should attend Such mighty strangers : And if thou be He Take notice Thou hast met a Royall Friend , A Friend both able and resolv'd to prove That thou all Glory hast not left above . 179. But yet these Deep-plowd Wrinkles ill would suit My solemn Forehead , and this reverend Snow My Head and Beard , if Rashnesse should confute Those sage and sober Tokens , if I now Who long agoe have purchas'd the esteem Of Grave , and Wise , should Light and Credulous seem . 180. Then since my Credit calls upon me for Some certain Proofe , You must not that deny : 'T is reason you assure Me who you are , Not can Assurance sealed be , but by Some potent Demonstration , which may show That Nature , and her Rules can bow to You. 181. If you be He whom God doth own for Son , ( And God forbid you such a Truth should hide . ) Let it suffice your Fast thus far hath run , And now a Breakfast for your selfe Provide . Loe here a Borde with Pebles ready spred , Speak but the Word , & make them Loaves of Bread . 182. The Tempter so . But Jesus wisely saw How He suspended was in jealous Doubts , And by this Artifice contrived how To extricate his snarl'd perplexed Thoughts ; He therefore means , by heav'nly Art , to cast Upon his hellish Craft a darker Mist. 183. For as a noble Champion when the Blow Hastneth with deadly aime unto his Heart , With wary Buckler back again doth throw The intercepted and deceived dart : So did thy Spouse by Gods unconquer'd Word His ready Shield against the Tempters Sword . 184. 'T is written that the Life of Man , said He , Shall lean not onely on the Staffe of Bread , But by a surer Prop supported be , By the more wholsome Word of God being fed . What need We Loaves our Hungers rage to still ! Out of Gods Mouth comes that which Mans will fill . 185. O most impenetrable Buckler ! how Slender an Help is triple Steel to thee ! Seav'n-times-redoubled Adamant must bow To thy lesse vulnerable Durity . O Scripture ! what vain shades and fethers were Goliah's Arms , if they with thee compare ! 186. This Psyche , this , is that unconquer'd shield Under whose sure Protection Thou may'st goe , Although all Hell pitch'd in a Martiall Field , Conspired has , and sworn thine Over-throw . Thy Spouse hath taught thee its great use , and He Did fight with none but this Artillerie . 187. Yet as the greedy Wolfe , once beaten back , By that Repulse is but enraged to A second Onset , and doth fiercelier make His fresh Incounter : Angrie Satan so Bruis'd by this Fall , and vexed at the pain , Plucks up his Spirits , and ventures on again . 188. Yet being forc'd to his slie shifts to runne , He plausibly pretends the sullen Place To be the stage where Heav'ns illustrious Sonne Should act his Greatnesse , too unworthy was : And instantly resolves to change this mean And despicable , to some gallant Sceen . 189. For as a dainty Cloud came by that Way , He , the usurping Prince of all the Aire , With a stern Look commanded it to stay , And so gat up into his flying Chair , Taking thy Lord with Him , who was content To trie what by this new Designe he meant . 190. Then bidding the next Winde upon Him wait , He through the Welkin scour'd , and quickly came ( For now his Way all open lay and straight ) Unto the Top of fair Jerusalem , Where on the Temples highest Pinnacle He Jesus set , and to his businesse Fell. 191. Alone he fell to it : His numerous Train Being left behinde , and charged to attend Their Kings Return ; for much he did disdain , In case he could not now atchieve his end , His envious Elves again should witnesse how A starv'd Man gave Hells Prince the Overthrow . 192. He wisely ponder'd that the Arms whereby He first Repulsed was , the mightiest were ; And therefore cunningly resolv'd to trie If he could Scripture bowe to serve his War . O Wit of deepest Hell , which makes a sword Of Gods own Word to fight with God the Word . 193. And then ; I grant , said He , that thy Replie Was true , but yet no Answer to my Doubt : Loe here a Sceen , where Thou may'st satisfie By one Experiment every scrupulous Thought : If God thy Father be , throw thy selfe down , For He for certain will preserve his own . 194. Is it not Written , That He shall Command His trusty Angels to attend on Thee , And with a watchfull ready stretched Hand From the least touch of Danger keep Thee free , That no rude Stone with churlish Shock shall meet ( So tender is He ) thy secured feet . 195. Mark Psyche , mark the Cheaters Craft , how he Mangles the Text , and skips what likes him not . In all thy Wayes they shall Assistant be ; So ran the tenor of the Scripture ; but He knew full well that Precipices were No Wayes for Man ; and therefore that did spare . 196. Be sure it move thee not , if henceforth thou Seest any of his Urcheons Scripture spit : For they by his authentick Copie know Both how to geld and to adulterate it ; Or at the least such peevish Glosses make , As it against it selfe shall force to speak . 197. But with another genuine Text thy Lord Nobly confuted Him , and thus Repli'd : This Lawe 's enacted in the sacred Word , Thou shalt not tempt thy God : and Heav'n forbid That I should dare his Providence , and think When I plunge down my selfe , I cannot sinck . 198. Perhaps thy Wonder asks why Satan now He on the Brink of Danger him had set , Bridled his Fury , and forbore to throw Him headlong thence : But thou must not forget That He was jealous still , and feared least His Foe at force of Arms might get the best . 199. Alas the Chain of all his Power is short , Beleeve it Psyche , there 's no Mortall Wight But if he would resolve to hold his Fort , Might tire his Siege , and all his On-slates sleight : But silly Men unto his strength make way , Whil'st they by lazie Fears themselves betray . 200. Satan at this Repulse , deep in his Heart Stifled his Griefe , and smothered his shame : And now resolv'd to act another Part , Leap'd on that Cloud upon whose back he came . With which He through the wondering Aire did swim Hurrying thy patient Lord along with Him . 201. To his expecting Train He swumm , for now Put to his last Reserve of Plots , he ment To venture all at one great Cast ; and though Still both that they should see Him foild , he went With desperate resolution to the fight : Deer was his Credit , but more deer his Spight . 202. Unto a Mount he march'd , whose heav'nly head Despised Basan , Carmell , Libanus , The Alpes ( where Winter all year keeps his bed , ) With Pendle , Calpe , Atlas , Caucasus , And all the proudest Cliffs of Ararat Where Noahs floating Ark first footing got . 203. A Mount which on the highest Clouds look'd down , And saw all kindes of Weather far below ; A Mount which seem'd to be Earths soveraign Crown , Where never any Winde aspir'd to blow ; A Mount which bravely reach'd at Heav'n , & made Far distant Countries subject to its shade . 204. Arrived there ; with a new plate of Brasse His never-blushing Front he fortifi'd , Being now upon an Enterprise which was Second to that in impudence and pride , When arm'd with spightfull Fury and Disdain He ventur'd to assail Heav'ns Soveraign . 205. 'T was was the same Son of Heav'ns eternall Father To whom his stomach then refus'd to yeild Obedience and homage , and chose rather To trie it with Him in a pitched Feild . Foole , who by his first Fall no warning took For what He was the second fight to look . 206. A massie Throne of beaten Gold stood there , Whose lustre round about the Region spred , Plac'd on a Pavement glorious and clear Refined Silver newly burnished . Triumphant Arch's and Columns on each side In laurel Wreaths hid and displayd their Pride . 207. Here Satan pitch'd him down : when loe the Crew Of his attending Elves in humble guise Themselves before his radiant footstool threw , Adoring Him with millions of lies ; Nor durst they from the Pavement stir untill His nod did intimate his gratious Will. 208. Then stretching out his Hand , he gave the Signe To that brave Apparition , which He By sprightfull Art had taught how to combine With his profound but glorious forgerie . One Moment was sufficient ; for the Sceen Before his Hand was quite stretch'd out , came in . 209. A mighty Globe came rolling up the Hil , Which on an aerie Axell turn'd before His stately Throne , and to that Bulk did swell , That the full figure of the World it bore : No Conjurations ever grew so strong As this , of all Inchantments the huge Throng . 210. There might You see the Eastsillustrious shore , The Western Columns , and th' Atlantick Sea ; Of Ice and snow a never thawing store Both in the North and South Extremitie ; The Dogstars Empire ; The vast Libian strand Where endlesse Summer boileth in the Sand. 211. There gallant Indus washed up his Gemms , There wealthy Tagus pav'd his shores with Gold , There Thamisis pour'd out her silver streams , There Ganges , Ister , and Pactolus roul'd , Hydaspes , Tanais , Rhone , Rhene , Niger , Po , Euphrates , Tigris , Nile , and Thousand moe . 212. There Palestine in Milk and Hony swumm , There shaddow'd with her odoriferous Cloud Arabia was , there China found her room , There Scythia in her Furrs her self did shrowd , The Sea did there thine Albion divide And set it like a better World aside . 213. There dwelt all Countries which this Age doth know , And more than yet must to its knowledg come : When Avarice to its full Age shall grow , And think its thirsty Purse hath more than room For this scant World , another shall be 〈◊〉 Which yet the West in ignorance hath drown'd . 214. But in this ample Pageant was display'd That other World which Times to come shall see By venturous Columbu's Art betray'd To Christian Covetousnes and Crueltie . ( O why should Christians be such muck-worm fools And Western Gold more deare than Western Souls ! ) 215. No sooner had this Globe turn'd round about , And every Kingdoms proudest Glory shown ; But from his Rome Tiberius stepped out , And pulling off his own imperiall Crown , With fear and reverence his Approaches made To Satans foot-stoole , where his face he layd . 216. And having prefac'd by that lowly Kisse , Behold , great Sir , my Diademe , said He Bows to thy royall Foot-stoole ; and by this The highest of Assurances , to Thee I who am in thy Romane World thy great Viceroy , my homage tender at thy Feet . 217. Thou art that Prince by whose high power alone Th' Assyrian Lyon made the World his Prey ; By 〈◊〉 the Persian Bear 's Dominion Through all the Forrests of the Earth made way ; By thee the Graecian Leopard snatch'd all this , And stoutly wish'd another World were His. 218. By Thee the Iron-jaw'd , ten-horned Beast , The Martiall Romane Power , so dreadfull grew That cleerly it devoured all the rest , And with the Sun victoriously flew About the World , which now sits safe , and sings Under the Shaddow of our Eagles Wings . 219. By Thee great Julius did our Empire found , By Thee Augustus second was to Him ; By Thee this third , this head of mine was crown'd With this , the shaddow of thy Diademe : O may thy Vassall with thy Favour , and Thy Blessing , wear this Gift of thine own Hand ! 220. So with a thousand Holocausts will I Make fast thine holy Altar Morn and Night ; So my imperiall Yoak and Reins shall lie Upon my Subjects Shoulders soft and light , Whil'st by thy Benedictions influence I reign of Justice , and of Mildnesse Prince . 221. Tiberius here some gentle Nod expected As a Commission to resume his Crown : But straight the wretched Flatterer detected In surly Satans face a cloudy Frown ; Nor was it long before that Cloud did break Into a Storm , when thus to Him He spake ; 222. Thou hast condemn'd thy Selfe Tiberius , by Acknowledging that I thy Soveraign am ; For how shall I intrust a World in thy Luxuriant lazy Hand , who hither came Upon no businesse but my Visitation , Which bids the Earth now look for Reformation . 223. My Name , my Honor , and my tender Care Of my deer World , all summon Me to finde Some Hero's worthy Temples , which may wear That Crown according to my princely Minde . Nor fawn , nor whine , nor weep Tiberius , I Provided am of one who here stands by . 224. Then turning to thy Spouse , with gratious Eye , I must my courteous Fortune thank , said He , Who in my Progresse did so luckily To my ( not poor ) acquaintance offer Thee : I little thought , till I this view did take That I a new Lieutenant had to make . 225. By him I see how Princes love to slide Down the glib way of wretched Luxury : And what should silly People doe , whose Guide Leads them the way to Ruine ? Have not I Just cause to choose some sober Man , whose Care May stop that desperate vicious 〈◊〉 226. Now whether Thou bee'st Son to God , or no , Surely Thou spring'st from some Heroick Race , I see the noblest Sparks of Virtue so Full writ in thy , though pin'd yet , princely Face . Although thy modesty conceals thy Birth And Parentage , it cannot cloud thy Worth . 227. And yet ev'n that is pretious too ; for well I know that stomackfull Ambition threw From Heav'ns high Crest down to profoundest Hell Disdainfull Lucifer and his swelling Crew . Yet that which doth my wonder Most advance Is the strange Mircle of thy Temperance . 228. That Virtue never yet alone did dwell But is the fertile spring of all the rest How easily a Temperate Prince may quell . And crush all breeding Vices in their Nest. Whil'st all his Life is a perpetuall Law , Which sweetly drives , when Statutes cannot draw . 229. And such a Prince , and none but such , can cure The wide Contagion which rank Vice hath spred On this poor Age : Nor can my Love endure Longer delay , since I am furnished With Thee , that onely He , whose merits call To make thee Deputy of All this All. 230. Nay more than so : Thou see'st how Age doth grow Upon my weary back ; and I confesse That I am satisfied and tired now With Glories Sweets , and Honors Weight , no lesse Than with my Years , and could contented be To end my dayes in quiet Privacy . 231. Nor must it be in vain that I have found An Hero , on whose shoulders safely I May lay the Burden of my Cares , and ground Just hopes of all my Worlds Felicity . Wherefore this free and plenall Act I make Before Heav'ns face , which I to Witnesse take : 232. First , I bequeath to Thee Tiberiu's Crown To which Imperiall Romes vaft Power is ti'd ; And next , I to thine Head resigne mine own Fair Diademe ; For thou henceforth shalt ride Upon my royall Charet , and alone Govern this World , as I till now have done . 233. These Glories which about this Globe doe roll , Are but the beams of that which shall be thine ; The Kingdoms which are spred from Pole to Pole Shall in thy universall Realm combine ; And in requitall of thy noble Fast , The World shall joyn its Store to dresse thy Feast . 234. My Servants here shall swear , so shall my Peers , ( And I my selfe will tender Them the Oath , ) Allegiance unto Thee , and to thy Heirs , Yea , to compleat my grand Donation , both My Shrines and Temples I to Thee resign , Where no Name shall adored be but thine . 235. Nor will I any constant homage tie To this my Grant ; for all that I shall ask Is but one Token of thy Thanks , which I Will take for ample Pay : Nor is the Task I 'le set Thee , hard , or long ; Doe but Fall down And worship Me , and all the World 's thine own . 236. So spake the King of Craft . But as the Sea Which rolls above the Sphears , when daring Men Affronted God with to wring Villanie , Forgot its ever-polish'd Smiles , and in Tempestuous Violence breaking through the shore Of heav'n , a flood of Death on Earth did poure : 237. So now thy noble Spouse , who never yet Had suffer'd frowns to gather on his Brow , An angry Look against the Tempter set , And with disdainfull Answer made him know That all his Pageantry did not conceal Nor Him , nor what he sought to hide , his Hell . 238. Proud Satan , 't is enough that I , said He , Thus long have seen and born thine Insolence : Loe I defie thy Promises , and Thee Vainer than them : I charge thee get thee hence Behinde my back , and there thy shamelesse Pride ( If any thing may hide it , ) learn to hide . ] 239. Does not the sacred Scripture plainly say , Thine Adoration Thou to God shalt give , And unto Him alone thy Service pay ? All Heav'n forbid that We should Him bereave Of his due Homage , and embezill it Upon the Prince of the infernall Pit . 240. As when on Sodoms Impudence of old Heav'n pour'd its Fire to purge those lustfull flames ; The wretched Town repented not , yet howl'd , And mix'd its tears amongst the Brimstone streams ; But all in vain , for straight the Houses burn'd , And with their Dwellers into Ashes turn'd . 241. So now at Jesu's Answer , which did flie Like Lightning from his Lips , the Globe did melt , And nothing of that Universall Lie Remain'd , but Ashes , which so strongly smelt That other Stincks compar'd with this , might seem Perfumes , and Arabies breath , in Sodoms steam . 242. Confounded Satan backward from his Throne Fell down the Mount , and tumbled into Hell , Whil'st the loud Trumpet of his bellowing Groan His dreadfull Comming , to the Deeps did tell : But as he fell ; his Horns , and Taile , and Claws Brake out , so did the Sulphure from his Jaws . 243. His yelling Peers , and lamentable Crew Of Pages , tumbled headlong after Him ; Presenting to thy Lords victorious View A Copie of that Sight , when from the brim Of highest Heav'n them and their King He beat Down to the bottome of their damned Seat . 244. And now the Sceen is chang'd ; and Satan to The Lord his God his Adoration paid Which to himselfe he woo'd that God to doe , So , Jesu , may all Treasons be betray'd ; So may all Rebells finde their cursed feet Snarled for evermore in their own Net ! 245. Whil'st these three Conflicts pass'd , Heav'n set its Eye On its divinest Champion , but forbore All Helpe or Comfort , till the Victory Was cleerly gain'd : When loe triumphant Store Of Angells hovering down , with high-straind Lays Back to the sphears return'd the Victors praise . 246. O Psyche , hadst thou heard that royall Song , Thou would'st have learn'd how We above imploy Our blessed Time , wher on each high-tun'd Tongue Sit endlesse Raptures of excessive Joy , Whil'st every hearty Angell as he sings Clapps his Applause with his exultant 〈◊〉 . 247. Their Gratulation ended ; on their Knees A sumptuous Banquet They to Him present , Wherein was choise of all Varieties With which Heav'ns King could his dear Son content : And He in whom all princely grace doth reign , Was pleas'd their ministry not to disdain , 248. But when He thus had broke his mighty Fast , The Fury which so long lay in his breast ( Impatient gnawing Famine ) out hee cast , Returning her unto her odious Nest , And bid an Angell tie her in that Chain When hee had drove her to her Den again . 249. There must she dwell , and never be let loose , But when his royall Pleasure thinks it fit To poure his Wrath on his relentlesse Foes Whom lusty Fatnesse makes too bold , and great To be his Subjects , in whose Laws they hear . Of Abssinence , a yoak they will not bear . 250. And now by that Eternall Spirit , who Brought Him into the lists of this great Fight , He to the Coasts of Galilee doth goe ; Whither He could have flown by his own Might , But Heav'n was studious to attend Him , and In his great Businesse joy'd to have an hand . 251. Another World of Wonders will appear When thither I shall carry Thee ; but now Thou shalt repose thee here a while , and cheer Thy Spirits to run that ravishing Race : I know That thou , ( so dear are thy Lords wayes to Thee , ) Would'st longer Fast ; but now it must not be , 252. This said ; He spred his wing ( as he before Had often done ) and on that Table set Out of his own unseen , but copious store , Chaste and delicious Cates for her to eate . She blest her gratious Lord who fasted so Long time before he eate , and then fell to . 253. But whil'st on those externall Meats she fed , Her soule sate at a secret feast , for she Her Hearts fair Table fully furnished With the rich Dainties of this Historie , Knowing her Lord ( and this advanc'd the Cheer ) Did Fast and fight , not for himselfe , but Her . 254. And now , because the Sun made haste to rest And smok'd already in the Western Deep ; Phylax his chariot curtains drew , and prest The Virgins Eyes to doe as much by Sleep . One Wing beneath , and one above her head He layd , and turn'd her Bord into her Bed .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO X. The Marveils . ARGUMENT . LOve to convince the World in whom alone It ought to treasure all its Confidence , Affords a fair and full Probation What undeniable Omnipotence Dwelt in his Hand , which alway sheltered Those who unto its Sanctuary fled . 1. IT is not Beauty , which its Blush doth owe Unto the Pixe and Pencill 'T is no King Who on the Stage doth make a rusling show , And thunder big imperious Words , which ring With awfull Noise about the Sceen , when He By the next Exit must some Begger be . 2. All is not Gold that in a glistering Ray Fairly conceals its foule hypocrisie . The gareish Meteors , though they display Good store of shining Proofs , will never be Own d by the Stars for Bretneren , nor can The Ape , with all his Tricks , be genuine Man . 3. The heady Rebell , though all Texts he skrews To force Truth to confession of a Lie ; Though at the Barr of Natures Laws he sues To justifie unnaturall Liberty ; Though Conscience and Religion , the thigs He overthrows , he for his ground-work brings ; 4. Though from Successe ( a firmer Argument For the Odrysian Christian-hating Race , ) He pleads the Sanctity of his Intent , And blasphemously makes Heav'n own his Cause ; In vain strives to transforme his hell-bred Sin , Which still makes Him to Lucifer a kin . 5. The staring Wizzard never yet could by His mumbling Charms , his Herbs , his Lines , his Wand , His hideous Sacrifices , form a Lie Able against the face of Truthe to stand , Nor can his Master Satan though all Hell He rends , or blends , effect a Miracle 6. Oft has he ventured and strove to tread In those Almighty Steps of Heav'n , but still The Paces were so wide , that all He did Was but the proving of his feeble Will : His Wonders never reach'd above Deceits , With which imprudent Eyes and Hearts he cheats . 7. No : God alone is King of Nature , and She hir own Soveraign full well doth know ; No sooner doth her Ear drink his Command , But 〈◊〉 her knees , and heart and powers bowe : For , all things must be Naturall , says she , Which my Creators Voice injoyneth Me. 8. That Voice the Fountain was whence first she rose , And ever since hath been the Rule whereby She 〈◊〉 her Course which way so e'r she goes . That Voice which did awake Vacuity Into a full and mighty World , at ease May change its Parts into what form it please . 9. Yet seldome it unsheaths its Power , but when Some high and singular Designe 's in hand , Some Mystery of mighty Love : and then Should the fast Centre in its Passage stand , It must and will give way , and to the Top Of Heav'n it selfe , if need require , climb up . 10. For what 's the Centre 's close-shrunk Knot ; or what All heav'n and earth which round about it cling , If in a righteous balance They be put With Love , that little Word , but mighty Thing ? Themselves they onely to Love's pleasure owe , And cannot to His will refuse to bowe . 11. Full low They bow'd to it , when from the Yoak Of cruell Pharaoh Israels seed it drew : Ten mighty Blowes it gave , and every Stroke Some part of Nature in proud Egypt slew At length it roll'd the Sea upon an heap , And op'd the Rebells Graves amidst the Deep . 12. How fertile did it make the Wildernesse In Miracles ! in what illustrious Flames Renouned Sina's Temples did it dresse ! How did it teach the Rock to melt in Streams , Bidding the Desert flow , as it before Had charg'd the Sea to start from either shore ! 13. This set the Heav'ns to rain down Angels Bread , Who every Morning did betimes fulfill Their wonderous Task , and all the Desert spred With a thick candied Banquet ; which lay till The liquorish Sun delighted with the Taste , On that Ambrosia daily broke his fast . 14. This made the Winde turn Caterer , and blow The People flesh : This did the Cloud command By day to usher and before them goe With a coole shade : This built that walking , and Bright-flaming Pillar , whose convoying Light Commission had to banish Night from Night . 15. Jordan forbid by This , presum'd not to Touch the Priests feet , though through his 〈◊〉 they past : This arm'd meer Sound against proud Jericho , And storm'd the Citty by poor Trumpets Blast ; Whil'st the hugeBullwarks which all Ramms did scorn Fell prostrate down , & yeilded to the Horn. 16. This put more Might into a feebler Sound , When unto Joshua's Mortall Voice 't was given To domineer amidst the Starry Round , And 'gainst Dayes Gyant barracadoe Heaven . This made the Clouds their gentle Drops forget , And Storms of Stones on Israels Enemies spit . 17. Yet all these Wonders but Preludiums were , And glimmering Dawns of that illustrious Day Which in Times plenitude was to appear And the ripe Age of Miracles display . For then the Word it selfe came down below From the worse Egypt's Yoak his World to draw . 18. Decorum did require this Time should be The Crown of Times : Those Forgeries with which The height of all Poetick Industry Did coine the Golden Age , and it inrich With Fancies Gallantry , could never rise To match this more than Golden Ages price . 19. Phylax , who knew all this , resolv'd to shew Psyche a glimpse of it : with whom , when she Awoke , he in his willing Chariot flew High through the yeelding Clouds , and instantly Reach'd Palestines designed Zenith , where He curb'd his Steeds on the commanded Aire . 20. Psyche admir'd to see the Chariot stand Upon so thin a floor : But then , said he , This Region is not onely in the hand Of Satans power ; No , our Authoritie Is cleerer far than his , though he would here , Usurper as he is , a Kings Name wear . 21. Alas , time was , ( as hee remembers well ) When tumbled headlong from our lofty Home , He could not stay himselfe , but helplesse fell Through all this Aire , to his infernall Doom . Indeed he often crawleth up this way , Yet 't is but like a Theife , to steal his prey . 22. But from this Prospect Thou shalt safely see The Sceens on which thy Lord his Wonders did : Not all ; their number is too vast for thee Within the volume of one Day to read : And yet as many as shall amply prove That all his businesse in this World , was Love . 23. That tract is Galilee ; you ' little Town The place where first his Might abroach He set ; Where hee was pleas'd a Marriage Feast to crown With his great Presence , and Approofe of it . Although his Mother were a Virgin , He Would not to Wedlock seem an Enemie . 24. No : He himselfe at first ordained it As a delicious and sacred Tie , By which indissolubly He might knit Two Bosomes in one Loves Conspiracy . This is that reverend Knot by which alone Two are no longer Two , but Both are One. 25. A Knot which He himselfe doth imitate , Though in a puter and more mystick way ; Whil'st with his Spouse he doth concentricate , Blending his heart with hers ; that so Both may Cleave in such unity as makes the Creature Strangely Partaker of its Makers Nature . 26. A blessed Knot , which ties Affection close Betwixt the Branches and the Root , and bindes Up Families in peace ; which hanging loose By doubtfull Lines , as oft as waspish Mindes By Discontents proud itch were spurred on , Would split , and be infallibly undone . 27. Satan was well aware of this ; For hee Bewitch'd grave Plato's high-esteemed Pen To vent the Doctrine of Community , As most conducing to the Weal of Men : But when the moderate Pagans Project proved In vain a desperate Christians Tongue he moved . 28. For He in Antioch found a Monster , who Dar'd spit plain Poyson on this Mystery , Avouching that all Nuptials did flow From cursed Hells Invention : Hell , said He , Was the black Shop where Belzebubs own Hands Did forge and fashion Matrimoniall Bands . 29. Unhappy Saturninus how hast thou Prov'd thine own selfe an Urcheon of Damnation ! What gain'st Thou else by fetching from below Thy Beings Root , which was of Heav'ns plantation ! O most adulterous Soul , who by thy vile Crime , all the Worlds Beds do'st at once defile ! 30. Whil'st Jesus now sate sweetly at the Feast , And added a new Banquet to that Meat , ( For on his face the Eyes of every Guest As in the richer Dainties , all were set , ) A fit Occasion Him beseech'd to joyn To that Drie Banquet of his Face , some Wine . 31. The Wine was out : When loe the Virgin Mother In courteous Pitty of the Bridgromes Want , ( Which she as carefull was as he , to smother , ) Unto Her Son , the Fount of all Things , went , And , in a blush more lovely than the Bride Could shew that Day , the busines signifi'd . 32. But then her Son ( who was not hers alone , But also Heav'ns , and now resolv'd to shew A token of that high Extraction ) Began ( for 't was the first time , ) to allow No Name of Mother to Her : What says He , O Woman , what have I to doe with thee ? 33. This bus'ness Must not seem to flow from thy Sole Motion ; Heav'n and I have plotted it ; Nor need'st thou lend us any Wings to flie Who can make hast enough , when Hast is fit . The Wheels of Time with speed enough doe runne , But yet mine Houre they have not rolled on . 34. Know Psyche , that his Houre is Mercies Cue ; And when Extremitie of Need doth call , Then Mercie loves her gracious Power to shew ; The want of wine was yet not knowne to all The Company , whose Souls it did concerne By that , thy Lords wise Potencie to learn 35. But yet no sooner did that Want appear , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with ready Goodness gives Command ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He spied standing there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 owne Liquor should be filled , and 〈◊〉 for the Convives : When loe , at the Spout The Miracle into the Boule gush'd out . 36. He who had Water taught by passing through The Conduit of the Uine and of the Grape , To turne to brisk and joyfull Wine ; did now Teach it as much by running through the Tap. The cool and Virgin Nymph drawn from the Pot All over blushed , and grew sparkling hot . 37. The Master of the Feast amazed at Her sprightfull Sweetness , wonderd whence she came : Never had his judicious Palate yet Discover'd such a brisk and sprightfull Dame . Alas He knew not that His gift She was From whom no Thing but what is Best , can pass . 38. Look yonder flows the Sea of Galile , Upon whose sandy shore , which He had set To curb and bridle in its Waves , as He Uouchsas d to walk , his Eyes an object met Which mov'd their pitty , and that moved Him In a new Sea to bid the Fishers swimme . 39. Peter and Andrew in the tiresome Maine Catching their Living with their Fish , he spi'd ; In whom he read the vainer Life of vain And mudling Man , who in the briney Tide Of this unstable World his Days doth wast And with his Net , himself into it Cast. 40. So certainly Uncertainty upon This Lifes unfaithfull Stage doth domineer ; Proud Change in such confounding Sport doth runne Heer sometimes flowing , sometimes ebbing there ; That Earth it self may seem , no less than Sea , At never setled Luna's beck to be . 41. This made Him crie aloud , Come Follow Me , And I will you imbark upon the Shore In a more safe and profitable Sea , Than you have ever fished in before . Let those mute things alone , and I will make You henceforth catch such Fishes as can speaks . 42. The Shoale of Men which in this Ages Deep Doe scudd about , unto your Netts shall flow : Those feeble tatterd Things you need not keep , I upon You will nobler Netts bestow ; Immortall Nets , which know not how to break , Netts which the Universall World shall take . 43. As needless is your crazie Bark , for I Intend to build a royall Ship , in which You round about the Globe , being steered by My watchfull Providence , shall safely reach . When Heav'n fears being shipwrackt , then shall this Uessell , which nothing but Heav'ns Kingdome is . 44. Hast Thou not heard how Sirens notes have drawn The Fishers from their Boats into the Sea , In whose sharp Brine their silley Preys they drown , Drowned before in their soft Harmonie ? Well then might this strong Charm those Men invite To plunge into the Sea of safe Delight . 45. Once more their Netts they Cast , but Cast away ; Meekly ambitious to be Fishes now , And yeild Themselves to Him a willing Prey Who thus his Nett of Love about them rhrew . Never Adventure did they make like this , Where being caught Themselves , they Catch'd their Bliss . 46. But yonder taken was an harder Prize : There once erected stood Exactions Throne , Where Levi sate , Lord of a strange Excise , The heavie Mark of Romes Dominion , A Knight he was , for none but such might be Intrusted with that Cruell Dignitie . 47. That at the gracious Calling of thy Lord Fishers were well content their own to leave , Lesse ground to sober Wonder doth afford : Their cold , and wet , and dirtie Trade , might drive Them to an easy faith their old Degree Of life , by any new advanc'd would be . 48. A Faith , which in the Dregs of Time , so far Abus'd will be , that bold Mechanicks , who In poor and painfull Trades ingaged were , When Sloth and Pride make them too worthy to Buckle to work , their Tools away will throw , And , by this Call , inspir'd Men-fishers grow . 49. But what Charms can out-vie the power of Gold , An heavy strong and pretious Chain , which now In deer imprisonment did Levi hold , And fast upon his Soule and Body grow ; Can a Poor Master such a Man perswade To leave great Cesar , and his thriving Trade ! 50. A sturdy Mountain may more easily be Commanded to resigne his native place , And heave his mouldering bulk into the Sea : The Sun may sooner from his princely face Tear all his golden Tire , and damp his light In the vile pitch of an unnaturall night . 51. Yet as thy Lord ( alas how mean and poor ) Pass'd by the Office , He this Word let flie , Come follow Me : which forth-with over-bore By most unconquerable Potencie The startled Seat , the Profit , and the Man , And turn'd into a Saint , the Publican . 52. The Worlds Opinion Levi ponder'd not , Nor how Tibereus this Affront might take , He counted not what He should loose , or what He should not gain , whilst he this Change did make : He asks no Freinds advice how he might keep His fame , nor stays to Look before he leap . 53. But as forth from its horrible Abysse The World did at thy Spouses Call appear ; So from the blacker deeper Masse of his Confused Mammon Levi mounteth here , And bravely Follows Him without delay , Who was Himself his Leader , and his Way , 54. For Love like Lightning from the blessed Eyes Of Jesus , shot it self quite through his Heart , Where into its own instant Sacrifice What e'r it light upon it did convert : So sublimate and so refining was The Fire , that all the Gold it turn'd to Drosse . 55. Doubts , Fears and Cares and secular Relations It quite burnt up , and in his flaming breast Left nothing but the noble Exultations Of valiant Zeal ; which , should the World resist Its course with all this Masse of Earth and Sea , Would rend its way through all , and victor be . 56. O Psyche , Love , Love is that potent Thing To which all other Strength its head bowes down : The Universe's most Almighty King Ne'r chose to use Pow'rs Title as his own , But in this sweeter Name of higher might ( For God is Love ) he takes his deer delight . 57. Thy Lord his ordinary Chaplanes thus Did chuse , and twelve their mystick Number was ; For in this Zodiak He all-gloryous Resolved through his Grace's Orb to passe About his World ; Nor does the other Sun Through fewer Signes in his great voyage run . 58. But I must tell Thee ( for himself descri'd The Secret first ) One of the Twelve He chose An Hell-hound was , and the false-hearted Guide Unto his deerest Masters mortall Foes ; One who did prove in matchlesse height of evill Against Incarnate God , Incarnate Divell . 59. Yet , such was Jesu's most unbounded Love , That He resolv'd to doe his best , and trie How He from Juda's bosome might remove Intruding Hells pernitious monarchie . For Heav'n forbid that Pitties Lord should fashioa A way to plunge Him deeper in Damnation . 60. O no! may those black Mouthes for ever be Damm'd up with Silence , and with Shame , which dare Father the foulest deepest Tyranny Upon the God of Love ; And busie are In pleading it from his own Word , although By it they make Him Contradictious too . 61. But all the rest were faithfull Soules , who stood True to their Lords Cause ; which they strove to write ( As He in His had done ) in their own blood ; And never started at the sharpest Fight , But by their own Deaths studied , as they Were able , His great Death how to repay . 62. James was the first , old Zebedees elder Son , To whom proud Herods Sword the way cut ope , And gave Him leave that noble Race to run , Which leadeth straight to Heav'ns illustrious Top. How little dream'd the Tyrant , that He did Put on his Crown , when He took off his Head ! 63. The next was Philip , who with noble Heat Flew to the North , and hunted out the Ice From those dull Hearts , which ne'r with Heav'n did beat , But with congealed stupid Ignorance freeze ; For his large Sceen was snowie Scythia where December takes his Walk through all the year . 64. When He that Winter all on fire had set With Christian Flames , He bent his Course into A Clime which should have been much warmer , but At his lifes price He found it was not so : For soon He saw that more than Scythias Ice Bound up the Heart of Hierapolis . 65. Joves Name had left no room for Jesus there ; And when He tells the People of the shame , The Nails , the Crosse his Lord for them did bear , He his own Torments did aforehand name . Enough of Jesus now , said They , for We Will quickly make as good a God of Thee . 66. Then with a thousand Taunts they pierce his ear , And next with nails his sacred Hands and feet , And so his Crosse with acclamations rear : Where like a Mark to fury being set , Flints neer as hard 's themselves they poure upon Him , And from their World thus into Heav'n did stone Him . 67. Thomas , whose Doubts did fix his Faith so Fast That neither Life nor death could make it shake , With Jesus in his Mouth through Parthia past , And charm'd what Rome could never pliant make . The AEthiop's too did hear his Voice ; but He Resolv'd to reach the Worlds Extremity . 68. He had observed how the greedy West Into the East was drawn by thirst of Gold , Which had the Suns and Natures Courses crost , And into Jndu's Mouth the Ocean roll'd : And will none goe , a richer prize to win Than that fair Ore , said He , the Soules of Men ? 69. Sure Indians Soules of purer Metall are Than that which Avarice doth so far adore , Thomas will thither trade , though India were More Worlds off than it is , from Jordans shore ; For in his Zealous Sails Gods Spirit blows , And not to fetch , but carry Gold He goes : 70. If Gold be not too poor a Name to set Upon the forehead of his royall Wares ; Loves , Joyes , Peace , Glory , Blisse , and every Sweet Of sweetest Paradise He thither bears , For these , and more than these inshrined be In Jesu's Name , Heav'ns best Epitomie . 71. With this He traded to make India rich , And not Himselfe , who now could not be poor ; As having more than All , though not so much As any thing layd up in provident Store : He knew his Lord was Plenties King , and He Did as his own account His Treasury . 72. Close to his work , without all further care He falls , and having op'd his Merchandize , Come Buy , saies He : for though these Wares be far Above your glittering Ore's adored price , Yet you on Trust may goe for all this Blisse ; Give but your Faith , and yours the Treasure is . 73. The Brachmans wonder'd at the generous Man , So did the sage Gymnosophists ; untill A barbarous unmoved Faction Pass'd a blinde Act of Spight , to seize and kill The noble Merchant ; who as ready stood To poure it forth , as they to suck his Blood . 74. Arm'd with their Kings Consent , and with their spears , Unto his Heart they ope their cruell way ; Whil'st He with sweet content their Madnesse bears , And for his Doubting Hand returns this Pay ; This finall Pay for that ( now faithfull ) Hand Which deep in debt to 's Masters Side did stand . 75. The younger Jame's , whose noble Family Advanc'd Him to be Brother to his Lord , Much neerer grew of Kin by Piety : No man with stouter fervor Him ador'd , Nor with more resolute Constancy than He , Witnesse his reverend Forehead , and his Knee . 76. His Knee ; all plated with Austerity , Which on the Temples Pavement night and day Did naked dwell , till it arriv'd to be Hard as the Marble , which beneath it lay : There never grew on painfull Camels Knees So stiffe a Proofe of Patience , as on His. 77. His Forchead ; which was sealed with the same Stamp of Severity ; for by Prostration Its fleshie Tendernesse hee overcame . O sacred Impudence of Humiliation ! Whil'st wicked 〈◊〉 armed were with Brasse , His prous Front in Brawn immured was . 78. A Brawn which shall hereafter check their Pride And foolish Superstition , who by new Coyned Devotion , will the Old deride , And think no worship from the Body due ; But in pretence their Conscience tender is , Maintain their dainty Fleshes Tendernesse . 79. His dearest Meat and drink was to fulfill His Masters Pleasure : Ne'r did dangerous Grape Its blood on his abstemious Palate spill , Nor stain his sacred Cup : for mean and cheap His Liquor was ; the virgin Fountains were His onely Cellars , and his onely Beer . 80. Ne'r did the rampant flesh of Birds or Beasts Reek in his Kitchin , nor sweat on his Board : Chaste Moderation cooked all his Feasts , And well she knew how to content her Lord ; His highest Fare were sober modest Fishes , Where Water serv'd for Beer , the aptest Dishes . 81. Ne'r did perfumed Oiles his Body dew With their soft Flattery of delicious Sweat Unmanly Bathes his skin did never brew , Nor cheat his Vigour with effeminate Heate . His Limbs in active Linnen us'd to dwell , Being never muffled up , and lost in Wooll . 82. Nor was that Linnen , though full course and plain . Contemned in the Peoples Eye , for they On bended knees were Suiters to obtain His leave , their offrings on its Hemm to lay ; That as hee through the Streets was passing by , Their Lips , and Kisses they might sanctifie . 83. O how imperious is meek Piety Whether it will or no , commanding All Spectators into Love and Reverence ! hee Who counts Blisse by true Honor , must let fall All other Plumes , and wisely learn to dresse Body and Soule in humble Holinesse . 84. Nay now the surly Priest , among the rest , Of James his matchlesse Worth convinced is ; And finding him to be the holier Priest , Grants him into the Oracle free Accesse ; Of which mysterious Place he had the glory , ( And none but hee ) to make his Oratory . 85. He was the holier Priest indeed ; for now The ancient Priesthood with the Veil was rent : The Diademe too was falne from Juda's brow , And famous Salems Regall Glory spent . But James did there erect the sacred Throne Of his Episcopal Dominion . 86. Yet are the Northern Windes , and Irish Seas More trusty than the Jewes : The Jewes to day Can heap their Kisses , and their Courtesies On him whom They to morrow will betray ; Jew's Mouths unto thy face can speak all good This houre , and in the next will suck thy Blood . 87. With Acclamations They this Saint had set In state , upon their Temples Battlement : Where hee no sooner did assert the great Name of his Lord , but with one mad consent Of Rage , they throw him headlong down , and stain The ground both with his blood and with his Brain . 88. Zelotes , and Thaddaeus , that brave Pair , When He in Egypt preached had , and He In Mesopotamia ; united were To reap in Persia their felicity : This was the Crown of Martyrdome , which in The Quarrell of their Saviour they did win . 89. Peter the Leader of that glorious Train , When he had fix'd the Antiochean Seat , For his more reverend Throne a place did gain In Caesar's conquering Citty ; where the great Irradiations of his Fame did call Romes noblest Strength , to trie with Him a Fall . 90. This Strength was Simon whose Apostacie From Truth , in Deeps of Magick Him did drown , But more in Lies , and desperate blaspemie , For all Gods Rights He claimed as his owne , And left no Trinitie in Heav'n but taught That He himselfe alone with it was fraught . 91. The Father in Samaria , the Sonne In Jewrie , and in all the world beside The Spirit He preach'd Himselfe : And yet alone Pretended not ability to guide His owne Creating Hand , but when He made The Angells , granted He had Helens aid . 92. This was the surest way he had to gain His pretious Whore , to set her on his Throrie , And in his God head let her Partner raign . Besides , to help on the production Of Heresies and blasphemous Portents , Hell Thought Females usefull then , and always will . 93. And so the World will say , when it has known Priscilla , Maximilla , and the Pair Of Philumena's with the double Spawn Of lying Elkai : for her wretched share In such Deceits , some Eve will still come in As Helen heer did into Simons Sinne. 94. He taught his Scholars in Himselfe and Her To treasure up the hopes of their Salvation ; And heedless Souls the surer to ensnare , He freely loos'd the Reins to every Passion : No matter how you live , or die , said He So long 's your Faith builds on my Grace and Me. 95. This was that Champion , by whose Magick skill Befooled Nero thought Him God indeed , And pray'd Him by some Signall Miracle To dash those daring Wonders Peter did . His Credit bid Him to that Motion yeild , And set the Day when He would fight the Field . 96. The Day is come , and Simon boldly makes The Challenge , which was unto Heav'n to file : With that , his Arms he weighs , and spreads , and takes His unwing'd flight : but turns his scornfull Eye Down upon Peter , whom into the Hands Of Justice , and of Death , He recommends . 97. The Clowds had gathered thick about the Skie To guard the fair Heav'n from his soule intrusion Yet their Battalia He broke , and by His working Arms , unto his high Delusion Forc'd ope the way , The People , as he went , Their Wonder , after Him , and Worship sent . 98. But as the never-beaten Fencer lets His bold capricious us Combatant grow high , Before He strikes in carnest , and so getts A later , but a nobler Victorie : So Peter letts his Foe alone , till He High enough for a fatall Fall might be . 99. Then posting after Him with mighty Prayers , The Divells which bore Him up He forc'd away : Forth with , down headlong his aeriall Stayrs The Conjurer fell , and on the Pavement lay , Where bruis'd , and batter d , all in gore imbrew'd His black blood , and his blacker soul he spew'd . 100. Strait , in the Peoples Mouths the Divells crie , Peter our God hath by enchantment slain . And so did this unreasonable Lie Prevail , that He is first unto a Chain Condemn'd , and afterward unto a Crosse. Unhappy Rome , which mad'st thy Gain , thy Loss 101. For Thou no sooner gain'st thy freedome from That cursed Wizard ; but Thou dost betray Thine owne Deliverer : if Simon whom Thou seest confounded by the Power which lay In Peters Prayers , were a God ; ô why Must Peter now not be a Deitie ? 102. Yet He cries out : This Altar is too rich For Me , so poor and vile a sacrifice : Was not the Cross that glorious Place on which My Master paid the Worlds eternall price ! Sure were some gallant Seraph hear to die , This Engine would his Passion dignifie , 103. Yet if I must thus high aspire ; may I At least obtain this leave of you , to show That I desir'd not in this Pomp to die : So Hang Me that my reverent Head below May pay its finall Kisses on the Feet Of my most royall Saviour's dying Seat . 104. Nero to such Requests as these was free , Full glad that He had learn'd a new-found-way To cross and double Crucifixion ; He Commands his Serjeants not to disobey The wretches wilde Desire , but , so He died , To let Him any way be crucified . 105. The Saint thus fix'd on the reversed Tree , Now findes his Eyes turn'd from all things below , As was his Heart before : And joyous He In spight of all his obst'nate Nailes , knows how That Place to which his Feet did aime , to gaine , Which Footstoole Simon reached at in vain . 106. Andrew , his Brother both in Nature's and In Zeale's and Pietie's ( much straiter ) Tie , Through Thrace and Scythia travell'd with the grand Charge of appeased Heav'ns sweet Embassie . The dark Barbarians wondred at the bright Meridian Day amidst their Northerne Night . 107. The Day He brought was that which ows its East Not to the East , but to the South , for there ( In priviledg'd Palestine ) thy Lord was pleas'd First unto his Horizon to appeare . It was thy Lords sweet , Day , on which depends The High-noone of that Bliss which never ends . 108. Thence into Greece the restless Preacher came , Arrogant Greece , who though her own She makes The opposite to the Barbarian Name , Yet more inhumane salvage Courses takes Than Thrace or Scythia : O that famous Arts Should raise Mens Witts , yet stupifie their Hearts ! 109. Achaia smil'd , and with disdainfull Mirth Patrae confuted all that Andrew said ; His Beggar-God's poore miserable Birth , And viler Death They scoffingly upbraid : Nor did AEgaeus , though Proconsul He , Stop , but spurre on the Peoples Villanie . 110. A Cross they make Him of a new-found frame ( Whither his meek Desire , or their wise spight Projected it , ) which thenceforth bare its Name , As it did Him that day : A Cross not right Erected and transverse , but thwarted so That it a X , more then a Cross did show . 111. A X , the blessed Letter which began His Masters deare Name and his own : His Cross It self proclaims He dies a Christian ; And though the holy Omen to his gross Though learned Foes were unperceived , He Rejoyced in his Crosses Mysterie . 112. A Cross which shall e'r long so glorious be , Wearing his Name upon it crucifi'd , That it shall crowne the Scottish Heraldrie And in the Topp of all its Banners ride . What Glories then shall Saints themselves obtain , If in such state their Suffrings Badges reign . 113. Nayld fast unto this Honour was the Saint , Array'd in Scarlet from his own rich Veins : The Graecians took it for a torturing Paint , And thought his Cross a Throne of Soveraign Pains : But He his noble Pulpit made this Tree , A Pulpit which did preach , as well as He. 114. Long was his Sermon , for his last it was ; Two days it measur'd ; and yet seem'd but short . What are two poor and flitting Days , alas , To that which doth Eternitie import ? He preach'd Eternitie , unto whose light His hood-winkt Torturers He did invite . 115. At length perceiving Death no hast would make With strong Desires he wooed it to come : Not that his Pains his Patience did break , But that his Heart did long to be at home . He could be nothing but a Stranger , where His Masters blessed face did not appear . 116. And am I nail'd in vain , deer Lord , said he , Unto this Pillar of renouned Death ? Though not poor I , yet thou Deserv'st for Me , That in this Honour I may yeild my Breath . These potent Words to Heav'n with violence flew Whence a fair light they for his Convoy drew . 117. As in the bosome of his Chariots flames Illustrious Phehus through the Sphears doth speed ; So resting in the Arms of these sweet Beams The Saints brave Soule was thither carried . Thus in her funerall Fire the Phaenix dies , And by her Death , to fairer life doth rise . 118. On Zeals undaunted Wings great Bartholmew To meet the Dayes Flame where it kindled is , Unto the furthest brink of India flew ; And taught the East to bend their wakening Eyes Upon a new Son who no Gold did need To dresse his Locks , and more than golden Head . 119. Then having left His goodly Picture there Which Matthews Pen had drawn fair in a Book ; He posted backward to Armenia , where The same illustrious Work in hand hee took . But promising his Hearers Kings to make ; The King grew wroth , and thus his Fury spake : 120. Bold Wretch , who pratest of the idle Throne Of thy vain Christ ; I 'le make thee know that I In my Armenia will have but one , And that 's the Seat of my own Majesty . If Jesus be a God , his Heav'n will be Realm large enough ; He need not trench on Me. 121. 'T were speciall Credit for Armenia's King To entertain as a great Deity A stable-born and manger-cradeled Thing ; Whose ignominious Death did justifie The vilenesse of his Birth , because a poor Resolved doting Wretch doth Him adore . 122. O no! the Gods by whose great Blessing I Possesse my Crown , are Gods enough : Away With shamefull Jesu's uselesse Dietie . Yet for some use Thou mayst be fitting : Say Serjeants , will not this Carrion serve to flea ? Though He be naught , yet good his Skin may be . 123. That onely Word sufficient was to let The Tygres loose ; who straight the Saint undresse Both of his Cloths , and Skin , which at the feet Of their fell Lord they threw ; for it was his Due right the blessed Martyrs skin to keep In token that He slew the harmlesse Sheep . 124. But He now grown far fairer than before , As when the Sun from Clouds unveiled is , Did shine and sparkle in his glorious Gore , Quite dazling by his noble Nakednesse The Devills eyes , who could have wish'd the skin ( To hide his own shame ) on the Saint agin . 125. Yet 't was in vain ; for Bartholmew was now Fit for the Roabs of Immortality , Which Jesus hand — ready was to throw Upon his most deserving Back ; for hee Might without Pains and Crouding now get in At Heav'ns strait Gate , who first put off his skin , 126. But Matthew into AEthiopia ran Ventring upon a strange Designe , for there He strove to purge the Crow into a Swan , To make Pitch Chrystall , Ink Snow , Darknesse cleer , Spots beauteous , Sables lucid , Shaddows bright , I mean , to wash the Pagan Negro's white . 127. And this by Baptisms searching Streams he did , Which drown'd their Hearts in Life and Purity : Soon the full Torrent of his Name did spread , And in the Channell of the Court grow high : The Court soon catch'd the News , but little thought That in the Newse's Net it selfe was caught . 128. Caught was its dearest Gem , the Virgin Heart Of Iphigenia , daughter to the King : And now not all the flattering frowning Art Of royall Hirtacus her Soul could bring To leave her mystick Spouses love and wed Himselfe who panted after her sweet Bed . 129. O no! She cri'd ; My Vow is past , and I Unto my God my Body must restore As I receiv'd it : My Virginity Is now intirely His , and mine no more : Matthew is witnesse , and it were in vain For Me to call my Promise back again . 130. O if you love me then , love what I am , Love Love himselfe , and so you shall love me ; Be truely Royall , Love the Christian Name , And let my Sacred Vow still Sacred be : For I may to no Pagan Spouse be tied , Who to an heav'nly Bridgroom am affied . 131. The Prince with Wrath , and Folly blinded , saw Not how this Match , most matchlesse was , nor that She had already chose a King : And though The shame of meer Humanity would not Permit his Rage to take its swindge on Her , Yet He o'r Matthew let it domineer . 132. His choisest Bloodhounds in all haste he sent With correspondent charge against the Saint ; Whom finding busie at the Sacrament , With His , and his Lords blood , the floor they paint ; And at the Altar thus the Martyr dies , To Heav'n a willing , and sweet Sacrifice . 133. Matthias , whose heav'n-witness'd Faith commended Him to supply the Traytor Juda's place , To finish Matthews great Designe contended In AEthiopia ; whence He turn'd his Race To Jewry , where his blood hee forth did poure For Him who gave him all his own before . 134. John was the last ; but first and highest in His dear Esteem who is Himselfe most High : O blessed Saint , which did'st the Riches win Of all Heav'ns sweetest fullest Treasury ! Jesus , indeed , does all Men love ; but hee Not onely lov'd , but was in love with Thee . 135. He was in love with thy Virginity Which with all blooming Graces was bedeckt ; Of all his Twelve choise privileg'd Chaplanes , He Did for his amorous Favours Thee select : He did select Thee his soft Spouse , in whose Delicious Eyes He meant his own to loose . 136. He was in love with the reflexion Of his own Sweetnesse shining in thy face ; With sympathetick Joy hee dwelt upon His iterated Selfe in that pure Glasse , Striving all Lovers Arts on it to prove : O blessed Soule , with whom Love fell in love . 137. From off the troubled Main he lured Thee Into a deeper Sea of calmest Pleasures , The bosome of supream Serenity ; To which the Ocean is but poor in Treasures . His own dear Breast to Thee hee opened wide , And let Thee in unto its fullest Tide . 138. There did'st Thou lie , and learn thy Soule to glow By the dear Copy of thy Pillows Heat ; A Pillow in whose soft Protection Thou Put'st all thy Cares and Fears to rest : And yet Slep'st not thy Selfe ; for how could any Eye Indure to close , when Jesus was so nigh ? 139. There did'st Thou lie , next to the Heart of Love , Whose ravishing Imbraces kept thee warm With all the best of Heav'n , no more above , But folded up in his incircling Arm : Which forc'd all wise Spectators to conclude , Thou wert aforehand with Beatitude . 140. The loftiest Stories where pure Seraphs dwell Exalted in Felicities bright Sphear , Thy dainty Habitation did excell ; For at his Foot-stoole They lie prostrate there Amidst the Sweets of whose all-balmey Breast Thine onely Head makes its delicious Nest. 141. What potent Joyes , what mysticall Delight Woo'd , and besieg'd thy Soule on every side , Whil'st thy inamoured Spouse spent all the Might Of heav'nly Tendernesse on his dear Bride ! How many healing Wounds gave his Loves Dart , How many living Deaths , to thy soft Heart ! 142. How did hee study to epitomize His Incarnation's amorous Designe , And trie the best of Mercie 's Mysteries Upon thy single Soule ! in which divine Experiment , it was thine onely Grace To fill his universall Churches place . 143. Thus while he liv'd , he sweetly liv'd in Thee : And when hee di'd , Thou saw'st him nayled fast Unto his Death : Yet no Mortality Could seize upon His love ; for by his last And tenderest Words , whil'st hee Himselfe did die , To Thee he gave Loves living Legacie . 144. Into his dearest Mothers Bosome hee Commended Thee , and bid her own her Son : What Nature could not , Love contriv'd to be , And Mary must be Mother unto John : Jesus and John Love had so closely ti'd , That in their Mother they must not divide . 145. Mary no other Glass could findè , where she So fair an Image of her Sonne might read ; Nor John so pure a Mirrour wherein He His ever looking-longing Eyes might feed On his dear Lord : Thus Love though dead and gone , Sweetly leaves John , his Spouse ; Mary , her Sonne . 146. No wonder , gentlest Saint , that on thy Tongue Love built his Hive , and dropp'd his Hony thence , Whilst thy Soul-charming Words rellish so strong Of Heav'ns best Sweets , and choycest influence ; That Love from his own Wing lent Thee the Quill Which all thy Lines with Charity doth fill . 147. No wonder Thou , brave Eagle soar'dst so high , And div'dst so deep into the Suns bright face ; Where Thou didst read the Words great Mystery , By which thine Eye refin'd , not dazeled was : No wonder that Thou didst thy Gospeli fashion , And Calculate by God's own Elevation . 148. No wonder that Port Latin saw the Oile Scalding in vain : Thou who didst live by Fire , And in whose breast such amorous streams did boile , Could'st feel no other Flames . O no! some higher Fervor of Love must melt thine own , and send It to the flaming Bosome of thy Friend . 149. The Languishments of never-faint Desire Must crown thy Life with correspondent Death : Though by sharp Pains thy Brethren did expire , This dainty Martyrdom must end thy Breath : So Heav'n has privileg'd thy Piety , Thou who did'st Live by Love , of Love must Die . 150. Pardon me Psyche , I could not forbear This deare Apostrophe : John was the Man Whose virgin flaming Worth made Him be neer Of kin to our Angelick Tribe ; and can We mention him , and not salute him too , Whom Honors Soveraign Lord has honor'd so ? 151. And pardon Me , that I have dwelt so long On his Apostolick Bretheren ; the Glory Of whose death-scorning Valour , does no wrong , Nor interrupts their Masters royall Story : He , and his heav'nly Might , in them appear'd , And o'r the vanquish'd Earth his Banner rear'd 152. Mark now that Mount which lifts its lofty Head Neer to Bethsaida , whence it takes a view Of all the Countries round about it spread ; Nor Zebulon , nor Nephthali out-flew Its Prospect ; which through Trachonitis too . And Ituraea did sublimely goe . 153. Yea , though far distant , it acquaintance took With other Mountains ; unto Hermon , 〈◊〉 , And stately Libanus it reach'd a Look . This was that noble Oratory where Thy Lord so oft retired , that the Place Thenceforth the Mount of Christ 〈◊〉 was . 154. A Mount where liberall Nature did her best , Witnesse the flowrie Beauties smiling there ; But Grace far more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Than that bright Pomp which and of old prepare For the Lawgivers feet the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of Sina , mix'd with Thunder , Smoak , and Dread . 155. For here no Trumpet spake the Frightfull Minde Of stern Imperiousnesse ; no rigid Law Back'd with an everlasting Curse , injoyn d The World to its hard Yoak their Necks to bow : But Love himselfe upon his gentle Throne Gave the soft Lawes of Benediction . 156. Eight Springs of Blessednesse abroach hee set , And woo'd the weary World to bathe in Them . Their Cares and Fears hee taught Them to transmit And bury all Solicitude in Him : He pass'd his Word Heav'n should their Purveyor be Who served in the Warrs of Pietie . 157. His Evangelicall Oeconomie He instituted here ; and so improved The highest Pitch of Legall Sanctitie , That though incumbering Burdens hee removed , Yet more Bonds of Perfection on hee laid , And wonderous strict his Mercies Candor made . 158. His Reins were Silk , but yet hee held them strait , And drove amain ; providing by that Art That in their Passage no enchanting Bait Might his Disciples lure and tempt to start Out of the King of Heav'ns high Way , but to His Kingdome safely and directly goe . 159. His blessed Rules , and none but His , are They Which past the Puritie of Gold refine Gross Mortall Hearts , and sublimate poor Clay Into a State Angelick and Divine , Whilst by his Spirit He scours off sinfull Rust , And into Heav'n blows up the purged Dust. 160. But turn , and view those Desert Fields which lie Next Neighbours to the Galilean Sea : Into that hopefull quiet Privacie Devotion had withdrawn thy Spouse : but He Had given the People too much tast of his Sweetness , to think He long could scape their Press . 161. For as the busie Bees who once have found 〈◊〉 Garden , haunt it day by day , 〈◊〉 out every flower , and humming round About the Tops of their delicious Prey : So to that Garden ( for thy Lord had by His presence made it so , ) did People flie . 162. Jesus who bow'd from Heav'n poor Man to meet , Could not refraine to entertaine the Throng : With gracious ready Welcome He did greet Each Troop and Party as they came along , Dealing his Courtesie to great and small , Who came to be the Saviour of All. 163. Then as the wise Physitian first takes care That all the Vitall Parts be sound within , Before He spend his pains on any Soare Which sinks into the Flesh , or on theSkin Doth swimme : So did his Tenderness to those His numerous Patients his art dispose . 164. Their Hearts and Brains with long Distempers were Into a desperate Condition brought , Had they not met with His all-healing Care : For from his Lipps such Cordialls straight broke out , Such Salves , such Balsams ; that all Heav'n did seem Turn'd into Physick to recover Them . 165. Heav'ns Kingdome was the Med'cine He appli'd , A Med'cine which its Doctor did become ; A Med'cine fit to slake and cure that Pride Which made poore Man so sick ; His Home from home To finde his lost Sheep , unto Earth He brings , And is resolv'd to heal them into Kings , 166. Sweet words of Wisedome , Power , Life , and Bliss , Into their Ears He pour'd ; and in their stream So rarely He infus'd all Paradise That what did nothing but a Sermon seem , Was liquid Heav'n . Thus the rich Gemme unseen Swumm in the Boule of the Egyptian Queen . 167. Never did Ethan the sage Ezrahite , Never did Heman , Chalcol , Darda ; who On Wisdom's Wings exalted to the height Of noble Fame , about the World did goe : Never did Trismegistus , never did The deepest Reach of Zoroastes Head : 168. Never did Solomon whose gallant Wit High as the Heav'n , and deep as was the Sea , Unlock'd and ransack'd every Cabinet Of darkest Nature ; dive so farr as He , Or drop such Sentences and Parables , As those with which his deep Discourse He fills , 169. Yea ev'n the Serpent , in whose wily Head All Craft doth raign , when He thy Grandame Eve With his profoundest and most studied Inchantments tri'd , of old , and did Deceive , Less sweetly and less subtlie spake , than now The Sermon from thy Spouse's Lipps did flow . 170. The Serpents Preachment onely was to steal Eve into part of his own Miserie ; Thy Spouse's end was onely to reveal The way unto his owne Felicitie : And Heav'n forbid , but Truth as strong should be As undermining Lies and Flatterie . 171. It was as strong , by full Authoritie Shewing its own authentick Might and Worth ; And not in doubting sneaking Jelousie Of labouring for an abortive Birth . 'T is the Scribes Chair which totters thus , not His Which surer than the Worlds Heart fixed is . 172. He as Amphion by his charming Song Rude salvage Hearts did tame and civilize ; By the high Sweets of his more potent Tongue Did all his Auditors with Heav'n surprize . The senseless Sphears a ravishing Sound can make ; Much more his Voice from whom their tune they take 173. This done : The tender God his Love extends Unto their Bodies ; Ears unto the Deaf , Feet to the Lame , Eyes to the Blinde He lends , And findes more choise of soveraign Releif Then they of Wants . O copious Saviour , who At once can heal both Soule and Body too ! 174. The Day grew now decrepit , and the Sun Bow'd to the West : when the Disciples pray Their Lord to give the Croud leave to be gone And get their Suppers in the Towns which lay About the Deserts verge : O no , say'd He , They are my Friends , and they shall sup with Me. 175. Alas , how will You entertain , eri'd They , These numerous Mouthes ! Two hundred pence in Bread Will not yeild every one a bit ; what way Shall then this mighty Feast be furnished ? How shall thy Table stored be with Dishes ? Here 's nothing but five loaves , and two small Fishes . 176. As yet , they knew not , Psyche , that their Lord Was He who to the copious Rivers does From a small Fountain all its Streams afford ; He by whose Providence from one Candle goes That fertile Flame which lights a thousand more Without diminishing its originall Store ; 177. He by whose Power Elijah did command The finall Hand-full of the wasted Meal To grow upon the pious Widdow's Hand ; Which strait did his Injunction fulfill , And by a springing Harvest more than turn The pined Barrell to a plenteous Barn . 178. He , in obedience to whose Might , though at Elisha's Word , the Pot of Oile a waked Into a Spring , whose bubling ceased not Till Want of Vessells its Abundance slaked ; But then grown wisely Thrifty , it represt Its Bounty , that there might be Nothing lost . 179. He whom the same Elisha did foreshew , When He before an Hundred People set That simple Pittance , which in Spending grew , And being small at first , at last was great ; The Eaters Teeth unlocking but the Way Unto the Store which in that Little lay . 180. But now He taught Them ; Goe , said he , and make My Guests by fifty on a row sit down . This done : The Fishes and the Loaves he took In his creating Hands ; when to his own Heav'n lifting up his Eyes , and saying grace , His Blessing in the Victualls swell'd apace . 181. He brake the Loaves , and every Peice he brake Strait prov'd as great 's the Whole ; no Crum did fall , But rose into a Loaf . Thus when you make Division of the smallest Line , still all Are Lines as well as it , although for ever The new emergent Parts you should dissever . 182. By strange Division the Fishes too He taught to spawn a new and wonderous Frie ; Though dead , yet at his Touch they started so , That Two usurped Multiplicitie , No longer Two , but a large Shoal , which from The Sea of Love out at his fingers swumm . 183. Then his Disciples Service He commands To set before his Freinds this growing Feast . Both Bread and Fish into the Peoples Hands They strait distributed ; and every Guest Fell to , admiring how that simple Meat Made them forget all Hony to be sweet . 184. The Quails and Manna had been homely Fare , Which Heav'n did in the other Desert shoure When hungrie Israel was a Pilgrim there , Had this been present then ; The Wines brave power , At Cana born , excell'd the Grapes best Blood . So did this Feast to Day , all other Food . 185. Satietie at length , not nauseous , But sweet and comfortable , put a close Unto the Banquet : When thy generous , Yet thrifty Lord , injoyns Them not to lose His Bounties surplusage , nor scorn the Meat Because he gave Them more than They could eat . 186. Strait-way the Fragments all collected were Which fifty hundred feasted Men had left : When loe the Totall was exceeded far By those remaining Parts ; the teeming Gift Persu'd its strange Multiplication still , And with the Relicts did twelve Baskets fill . 187. Beleeve it , Psyche , thy wise Spouse did by This Wonder , to a greater ope the way ; The long design'd and pretious Mystery Of his own Body , which He meant to lay Upon all Christian Altars , there to be The endlesse Feast of Catholick Piety . 188. A Feast which shall encrease upon its Guests And be intire when Millions filled are ; A Feast of Miracles , a Feast of Feasts , Not to a Desert ti'd , but every where Dispers'd abroad , yet every where compleat , That all World may freely come and eat . 189. The feasted People were dismissed now , And Jesus steps into that Mount to Pray : Sure 't was , that Blisse along with Them might goe Whom He so carefully had sent away , That Night might not upon their Path incroach , Nor Dangers Ambushment their footsteps touch ; 190. That by that Miracle which thus unto Their Teeth had prov'd his Power Divine to be , All other fruitlesse Helps they might forgoe , And build their Trust on His Divinity . But His Disciples now , seeing their Lord Would have it so , were gone before abord . 191. That Sea , whose face Thou see'st all polished With flattering Calmnesse , smil'd just so on Them When first they launched out : But Fraud lay hid Under the glasse of the alluring Stream : Truth needs no smiles ; 't is onely Treasons face Which painted is with spruce but borrow'd Grace . 192. As when an envious Spirit can finde no way To vex the Masters Person , He doth make Either his Servants or his Friends his prey , And at the second hand his Veng'ance take ; So Satan now , too weak with Christ to fight , On His Disciples vow'd to ease his Spight . 193. Deeply He pin'd to see the People fed , And now resolv'd that He Himselfe would Feast : Yet by the Seas vast Mouth he purposed His Dainties to devour ; and thus at least Part of the Miracle revenge , and though Not for the Loaves , quit for the Fishes grow . 194. He from the Adriatick Main , and from The Baltick Ocean , and the Irish Sea , Summon'd all unexpected Storms to come , And here poure out their utmost Treachery . He made each Winde pick Quarrell with his Brother , And in a mad War tumbled Them together . 195. The East was peevish ; sharp , and grim the North , The West impetuous , black and foule the South ; Each puff'd and swell'd , and in disdain shot forth Their fury full in one anothers Mouth : The bruised Clouds in floods their sorrows pour'd , And all the weather-beaten Welkin roard . 196. The tatter'd Sea against the shores was flung , Which churlishly again repuls'd it back ; The broken Waves with helplesse Mourning rung , And foam'd with pain ; The startled Deeps did quake , And thinking to escape that dismall fray , From their profoundest Bottoms ran away . 197. And now the Sea within it selfe was lost , Whil'st the stern Tempest vehemently broke Through her most hidden Bowells , which it tost In proud scorn through the Aire , with hopes to choak The Moon and Stars ; which wilde Confusion Made both the Waters and the Windes , be one : 198. And thus the Windes flow'd , and the Waters blew ; The Thunders Cracks did with the Billows joyn ; The Lightning flash'd , that misery to shew In which all Dread and Death seem'd to combine : 'Twixt light and Darknesse , hence grew such a fight , That now , alas , 't was neither Day nor Night . 199. The woefull Ship flung up to Heav'n in vain Upon the back of an unfaithfull Wave , Immediately was hurried down again Into the bottome of its gaping Grave ; Where yet it could not rest , but was spew'd up . With indignation to the Tempests Top. 200. The Mast submitted to the Winde , and split ; The Sails forsook the Ship , and flew away ; The Pilot at the Helm in vain did sit , Being in need of some kinde Hand to stay And steer himselfe : The Sea made bold to come Abord , and take a view of every room . 201. The Waves laught at the Pumps , and crowded in Faster than they could turne them out : Each Winde Bandi'd the Bark , contending which should winne The credit of its Wrack : Thus may you finde In Tennis-courts a Ball bang'd to and fro Untill some Loss at length doe let it goe . 202. Themselves to their Devotions All appli'd , ( For Danger wakes the dullest Piety . ) O where is Jesus now his scholars cri'd , How is his promise wash'd away , since We Whom for Men-fishers He designed had Must unto Fishes now a Prey be made ! 203. Yet , as their Lamentations swell'd , the Tide Of lowder Windes and Waves still drown'd their Crie . They once for all most gladly would have di'd , But still they saw how Deaths did multiply , And throw them and their Ship broken together From one Destructions Mouth into another . 204. Mean while the Gulfe of Satans boyling Breast Wrought with as great a Tempest of Vexation , To see a crazie Vessell thus resist The Winde and Seas most eager Conjuration ; Puzzeld and griev'd , he wonders what should make A Bark so oft broke , still refuse to break . 205. At last , forth from a mighty Clowd there brake Continued Lightning through the dazeled Air , By which the Men spi'd on the Tempests back One marching towards Them ; and now new Fear Stormed their Souls : O , the Disciples cri'd By all these Deaths why might we not have di'd ! 206. Loe heer the Spirit comes whose fatall Wrath Rais'd this Tempestuous Preface to our Woe : Hither he bendeth his prodigious Path , And tramples all the Waves : What shall We doe ! Behold , which way so e'r he waves his Hand The Clouds start back , and bow to his Command . 207. Behold no Wind durst be so bold as to Disturb his Way with any 〈◊〉 Weather , But all officiously behind Him goe Shewing that on his Errand they came hither . He comes , He comes ! Sweet Sea ô gape not thus In vain , but from this Danger swallow Us. 208. Forthwith their Lord who heard this desperate Crie , His Comfort interposed : Why , said he , Add you this Tempest to your Miserie , Rending your Hearts with Dread ? Know you not Me ? I am your loving Lord and Master , and What need you fear , now I am here at hand ? 209. As he whose trembling Neck does ready lie Under the Axe , if some unlook'd for Voice Tells Him the Judge is pleas'd he shall not die , Starteth and slowly understands the Noise Of his Repreive , being already dead In his own helplesse Thoughts , and buried . 210. So these Disciples drowned in their fears , Scarse trust their Eyes which did their Saviour see , Scarce would they Credit give to their own Ears Which heard Himself 〈◊〉 that it was He : Till forward Peter cri'd , O bid Me meet If Thouour Master art , thy blessed feet . 211. If thou deceiv'st Us not , each sirlie wave At thy Command unto my steps will bowe , And with Securitie my Passage pave . If other wise ; Can I be worse then now ? The Sea into our Ship does crowd , and I Must either heer or there , in Water die . 212. Christ bids Him come ; and out he steps ; When loe As He went trembling on , a high-swolln Wave Comes tumbling in his way , and frights him so That all his Courage it does straight out-brave . His Heart sunk first , and then his feet , and all But 's Tongue , which to his Lord for help did call . 213. Had any other Lord but He been there , With what indignant Scorn would He have let His faithlesse Subject meet his Censure , where He his unworthy Crime chose to commit : Onely Omnipotence is pleas'd to spare Those who distrustfull of its Power are . 214. Jesus , who never could his Help deny To suppliant Sinners , reach'd his blessed Hand , ( That Hand in which alone Security Doth dwell ; that Hand which rules the , Ocean , and Measures it in its Hollow , ) and pull'd out Peter from the deep Sea , and deeper Doubt . 215. And then , O thou of little Faith , said He , Why did that weak Suspition presse thee down ? What made Thee so forgetfull prove of Me Who in their own Waves can all Tempests drown ? Come , thou shalt see that Windes and Seas do know The Power of their Maker more than Thou . 216. Here , being got abord the Ship , His Eye Upon the Storm hee set , and signified His royall Pleasure . Straight the Windes did spie Their duty in that potent Glance , and hied A way in such great haste and fear , that They Lost all their Breath and Spirits by the way . 217. The mutinous Billows saw his awfull Look , And hush'd themselves all close into their Deep : The Sea grew tame and smooth , the Thunder broke Its Threatning off ; 〈◊〉 Lightning durst not peep From its black Nest , being now out-shined by The flashing Mandates of its Masters Eye . 218. The Devills which all this while had toss'd and rent The Elements , perceiv'd the finall Wrack Fall on their own Designe , and homeward went With yelling Cries , The Clouds in sunder brake , And having cleer'd the Sceen of its loud Wars , Left the fair Heav'n all full of smiling Stars . 219. Forthwith the Ship without or Saile or Tide Kept its straight course , and flew unto the shore : Where Jesus deigns to be the Vessells Guide , There needs no helpe of time , Tide , Winde , or Oar ; He whose meer Look could make a Tempest cleer Could by his Eye the Bark both drive and steer . 220. Mark yonder shore of populous Genaser , Where from a Storm hee once arriv'd before : Great was the Wonder he atchived there , Where no tempestuous Windes or Seas did roar , But raging Fiends who had themselves possest Of an unhappy Mans usurped Breast . 221. Those Tombes without the Town Thou seest there , These Devills made that Mans chiefe Habitation ; For to those Spirits such places dearest are As most-invite to desolate Desperation . But henceforth Christian Caemiteries shall Revenge this boldnesse , and all Hell appall . 222. Nor shall the Fiend which wears the famous Name Of wise Apollo , dare not to confesse As much to Julian ; though He cloke the shame Of his enforced Silence : Babyla's Meer Dust and Ashes shall have power to stop His lying Mouth , and seal his Oracle up . 223. Sometimes unto that neighbour Mountains Brow They drove the wretched Man , in hopes that hee Out of his tiresome Life himselfe would throw Into their Pit of deeper Misery . A thousand Snakes about his heart they wound , Whil'st Rage and Madnesse did his Brain confound . 224. The froth of which Confusion foamed out At his unquiet Mouth : sometimes He roard , Sometimes he sung ; and when the Passion wrought His Tongue to Blasphemy , he freely pour'd It forth , and rayl'd on Heav'n and God , whom yet He thought not of in all his raving Fit . 225. The Rocks and Tombes He fill'd with yelling Cries . Which deeply frighted every Passenger : Poetick Fancy never could devise Such hideous Barking for fierce Scylla , or Fell Cerberus : Indeed the Thunders Voice , Though lowder , yet makes a lesse dreadfull Noise 226. He hated all Men ; but Himselfe much more Than all the World ; and yet he knew not why . Alas , 't was Hell which in his Soule did roar ; Hell , the sworn Foe of all Humanity ; Hell which with all the World maintaineth Wars , Yet chiefly with it selfe for ever jarrs . 227. And in his bosome it did boile so hot , That hee no Clothing would endure to wear : ( Satan of old this envious Trick had got , To make Mans shame and nakednesse appear . ) His clothes hee rent , and then pluck'd of his Hair , And star'd about for something else to tear . 228. When any sharp stones in the Rocks hee spied , He cull'd them out as they some Gems had been ; With which his Vengance on Himselfe he tried , And lin'd it out upon his launced skin ; And though they pained Him , yet still to spight His Pains , He in his Wounds would take delight . 229. Hast Thou not seen a Bull led from the stake Where ten keen Mastiffs had full play at Him , With Gore and Gashes cloth'd ? Thence may'st Thou take Some aim how this bemangled Man to limm . Yet could not all the Doggs of Albion Bait any Bull , as He himselfe had done . 230. His tatter'd Brows upon his eyes hung down , His Mouth and Nose met in one rent , his Head Was slash'd , the bone upon his breast was shown , His sides were gash'd , his Arms and Thighs were flead ; Till all his Wounds into one Confluence ran , As Rivers loose themselves ' i th' Ocean . 231. And wonder not that all this tedious while The poor Mans Life could be so hardy as To keep firme truce , and be confederate still With his tormented Heart : The Fiends could passe No further than their Chain , which though it reach'd . His Body , could not to his Life be stretch'd . 232. This added to their everboyling Spight New fire , by which they drove and stung Him on To wreak his Madnesse on each Mortall Wight He met , as He upon himselfe had done . Thus all about the Coast his Terror spread , And Cares , and Fears , and Plots awakened . 233. As when a Bear is from the Forrest broke Into some Shepheards Pastures , every Town Which round about that Region lies , doth look Upon their Neighbours Danger as their own , And all their countrey Arms and Dogs unite Against the publick Foe in common fight . 234. So did the Gaderens combine their strength The fury of this raving Man to tame ; Long did they grapple and contend ; at length By number , not by power , they over came , And loading him with Chains and Fetters , thought They now their Foe had in subjection brought . 235. But He with irefull Smiles , disdain'd their Plot ; And tearing his vain Chains in sunder , threw Them at their heads : What-ever Bands they got ( For they their Project often did renew ) Whether of Steel or Brasse , they prov'd to him But Engins , which He tore and flung at them . 236. Being thus fierce and fell , thy Lord he spied , Arrived on the shore , and to Him ran : He never with more hideous bellowing cried , Nor fiercelier beat , or cut himselfe , than when He near to Jesus drew , whose pittying Eye , More than all Chains and Fetters Him did tie . 237. For straight His tender bowells yearn'd to see Hell domineering in a poor Mans Breast , Of which Himselfe and Heav'n should onely be By his Desire , and by all Right possest : And by that Voice which lately chas'd away The other Deeps Storms , He did these allay . 238. Foule Fiend , He cri'd , usurp that Place no more , The Man is mine , and I his Lord will be ; I charge Thee to come forth , and Him restore Again unto Himselfe , and unto Me. O mighty Voice ! which rent the Devill more Than He had done the wofull Man before , 239. For as the Slave who gotten is by stealth Into his Masters Closet , domineers O'rall the Bags , taking his choise of wealth . And all the Bonds he pleaseth , rends and tears ; Wishing more fuell for his peevish Rage ; And thus revenging his own Vassallage 240. But if his Masters unexpected Eye Happens to apprehend Him in his Sin , Its glance , like Lightnings Dint , so peircingly Afflicts his theevish guilty Soule , that in Slavish and thankless meeknes down he fals , And on his wretched face for pardon cals : 241. So did the Feind : beleeve it Psyche , were The whole Worlds dying Grones all joynd in one Huge Gust of Horror ; yet they would not tear The skies with such an Ejulation As this , which made the Tombes , & Rocks , and Sea , In its impatient Echo all agree . 242. Jesus , thou highest Son of God most High , O what have I , he cri'd , to doe with Thee ! And must I leave my Fort , and naked lie Whil'st Thou dost trample , and triumph on Me ! Now by thy Fathers Name , I thee conjure Thou damn Me not new torments to endure . 243. But now thy Lord held Him sure on the Rack , He charg'd the Traytor to confesse his Name : O how this Question did his heart-strings crack , Which snatch'd the Veil off from his ougliest shame , And for one Serpent which alone seem'd there To nestle , made a Legion appear . 244. No other Name he durst acknowledge now But Legion ; for so indeed they were . Vile Cowards , what is Dust and Clay that you So numerous an Army must prepare ! Why must so many Spirits in ambush watch Onely one single Mortall Man to catch ? 245. But ô that Men whose mystick obligation . Of mutuall Membership , doth them invite To carefull Tendernesse and free Compassion . With such confederate Zeal and stout Delight Would help their Brethren up to heav'n , as these Labour to plunge them in Hells Miseries ! 246. Had'st Thou been there , my Dear , thou might'st have seen In what a fearfull lamentable Guise These Devills to their Prayers fell , to win Some Pitty from their Lords imperious Eyes ; Which did the basenesse of their spirit prove , Who could beseech Him whom they scorn'd to love . 247. Him They beseeched not to send Them home , But in this Countrey let them longer stay ; They knew Hell would have been too hot for Them If they had thither gone without their Prey ; For disappointed Satan on their head Would all his boiling Wrath have emptied . 248. Besides ; this place alone in charge they had , And might not safely to another goe : For Satan here his Provinces hath made , And all his Deputies disposed so That no Commission jarreth with another , Nor any Fiend incroacheth on his brother . 249. And this He does in insolent emulation Of Heav'ns fair Polity , which hath ordain'd That every Empire , Kingdom , Countrey , Nation By some of its Angelick Hoste be rein'd , And guided , and defended ; as each Man By his particular vigilant Guardian . 250. What would'st Thou have Us doe , they cri'd , Can We Made all of active Metall , idle sit ? Are We not Devills ; how then can We be For any Thing but Rage and Fury fit ? Mischief's our proper Diet ; why wilt Thou Who All Things feed'st , not Us our food allow ? 251. If We must Be , We must be what we are ; Infernall Natures can no change admit ; For surely Thou wilt not forget that War When We our selves in arms against Thee set ; Nor repossesse Us of our calmy state ; So that wee now are Furious by Fate . 252. Besides ; wee Subjects are ( and thine own hand Buckled that yoak on our Rebellious Necks , ) To that impatient Prince , whose dire Command Back'd with Hells universall Terrors , pricks Us on to Rage ; and wee doe nothing now But what wee unto Him in duty owe. 253. As then Thou art a generous Conqueror , Give reasonable Quarter to thy Foes : Since wee must yeild this Fort ; before wee stir Ingage thy Promise that wee shall not loose Our Naturall Properties , but have power still ( For 't is no Crime in Us ) to doe some ill . 254. An Herd of Swine there feeds on yonder Mount , ( And that 's it , Psyche , ) filthy Beasts , and such As were unworthy in thine own Account The meanest of thy Servants Boards to touch : Yet what to Jewes Thou mad'st impure , shall be Dainties to Us , if Thou but leave Us free . 259. Free , to take our own swindge , and domineer In those despised reprobated Things : If ever Devills did to thee preferre An humbler fairer sute , may all our Wings And Snakes be clipp'd , our Tallons prun'd , our stour Horns lopped off , our iron Teeth dash'd out . 260. The Furies pleaded so ; and with an Eye Where Fear insulted over jealous Hope , Beheld their Judge : He knew the reason why They begged that strange boon ; he knew their scope Was to make Men conceive the Swine a Creature Curs'd and abandon'd by the God of Nature . 261. Yet He was pleased , whither to avenge The Owners Avarice , or for some cause Best known to his wise self ; to grant this Change , And give them leave into the Herd to passe : For He to whom the whole World doth belong Can all Things doe , and yet can doe no wrong . 262. As when in pregnant AEtna's labouring Wombe The smoaking flaming and sulphureous Childe Unto its full maturitie is come , The moved Bowels of the Mount are fill'd With Pangs and Throws , till by a monstrous Birth The stinking Prodigie is broken forth : 263. So were the Soule and Body of this Man Shak'd , stretch'd , and torn , when Hell burst out from thence , No brimstone ever smelt so rank as then The favour or that dismall Effluence : Surely the Man had by that stink and Pain , Had Life not looked on , been double slain . 264. But ne'r did Aire put on , a calmer face When every Winde to its own home was blown , And Heav'n of all its Storms delivered was ; Then He now once again become His Own : The Feinds who untill now his Heart did swell , Left him himself within himself to dwell . 265. And now , as startled from some frightfull Dream , He wonders that Himself so safe he saw . With speed he gets him Clothes to hide his shame , Or rather theirs whose Treason made him throw Them off before , and clothe his Body round In one unnaturall universall Wound . 266. Distracting Fumes no more reek'd in his Head ; Clear as the upper Region was his Brain , And with his Heart distinctly traffiqued , Where now his Intellectuall Powers did reign ; In his Soules Pulse his Thoughts beat gently , and His Blisse he Perfectly did understand . 267. He understood to whom his Thanks were due , To Whom his Peace , his Life , his reskew'd Heart ; To his sweet Task of Gratitude He flew , In which with faithfull Zeal He playd his Part ; And then at his divine Redeemers feet Like a meek Scholar , begg'd , and took his Seat . 268. Mean while the Devils to the Mountain made Upon the Wings of Fury and Disdain , They scorn'd the Swine , and yet because they had No better Prey , could not from that refrain . The feeding Herd strait felt their Bellies swell With unknown stuffing , being stretch'd with Hell 269. As at the Orgies , when the Priests are drown'd In their mad God , they grow as wilde as He ; They stare , they roar , they rave , they tumble round , And onely in confounded strife agree : So did the Swine break into raging Revels , Being Drunk with a full Legion of Devils . 270. They grunt , they squeak , they foam , they run , they leap , They fall , they rise , and strait they fall again , Their tusks in one anothers Blood they steep , But oftenest in their own : The Dogs in vain Did bark , in vain the Swinherds crie and swear , The Herd no Clamour but their own could hear . 271. At length , in one mad course , unto that Brow Where the steep Hill into the Sea doth peep , They headlong run , and one another throw In a tumultuous throng into the Deep . And thus those Devils drown'd their wretched prey , Their own long Thirst of Mischeif to allay . 272. Observe that other shore : thy Spouses Fame Shin'd with no less illustrious Glory there ; Witnesse Her Faith who from Phaenicia came To take miraculous kinde of Physick here : She long had her Phaenician Doctors tried , Who not her Bloods , but Purse's Issue dried . 273. But here she found a strange Physition , whose Sole Physick is his Soveraign Self , and who Gratis on all his heavnly Art bestows : Yet her unclean Diseases shame did so Confute its Pain , that it She doth conceal , And seeks by pious Fraud her Cure to steal . 274. Her meekly-faithfull Heart had caught fast hold On Jesu's Garments Hemm ; and ô , said She , Could but my Fingers doe as much , I would Not doubt to catch my safe Recovery . This said , the pious Theif took Heart , and stept Into the Croud , and there behinde Him crept . 275. There her most trembling most undoubting Hand To the desired Hemm she gently put , Which with a triple Kisse she reverenc'd , and Her meek Soule on that humble Altar set : But whilst her blushing Blood flush'd in her face , She felt its other Current dryed was . 276. For as on Aarons consecrated Head The holy Unguent would not bridled be . But on his Beard its pretious Influence shed , And reach'd unto his Roabs extremitie : So did the Virtue of this Higher Preist His very Clothes with mystick Power invest . 277. But Jesus , who could not permit that such Heroik Faith should thus be smother'd up ; Enquires what Hand his Vestures Skirt did touch , And set the Issue of his Virtue ope ; That Virtuous Issue , Psyche , which alone Could wash away , and cure Her Bloody one . 278. The humble Woman guilty of the high And faithfull Theft , fell trembling at his Feet , Confessing all her blessed Crime , and why She so had ventured to compasse it : But while she fear'd her Saviours anger , he Applauds the Fact , and bids her cheerly be . 279. Daughter . he cries , ( for those His Children are Whose holy Confidence on his Power relies , ) Henceforth for ever banish needlesse Fear ; Thy valiant Faith secures and fortifies Thy now recovered Health : Goe home , and be Assur'd my peace shall sojourn there with Thee . 280. Her zealous Thanks she pay'd , and home ward went ; But his dear Image in her heart she bare , Resolv'd to fix it in a Monument Of lasting Gratitude , which she did rear Before her Door : and couldst Thou reach thine Eye Unto Cesarea , Thou mightst it descry : 281. Erected there in bright substantiall Brasse Thy Spouses statue is : and so shall stand , Till Julian with a more obdurate face And Heart , than is that mettall , shall command The fair and reverend Image to bow down And yeild its stately Base unto his own . 282. His own ; which when on Heav'n it 'gins to stare Shall learn what Vengance dwells in Jesu's Hand , From whence a speedy Bolt of Fire shall tear The proud and sacrilegious Idol , and Give dreadfull Warning to its Owner , what He must expect , if he repenteth not . 283. But yonder , Psyche , holy Tabor is , A Mount made famous by a brighter Story ; The Temples Mount bow'd down its head to this , And veil'd its Legal to the Gospel Glory : To this , the Hill where Belzebub layd ope The Universe's Gallantrie , did stoop . 284. Thither did Jesus once himself withdraw With three Attendants , Peter , James , and John , Leaving the rest , and all the World , below , That undisturbed , his Devotion He might perform ; for his Designe was now To pray himself , and teach his Consorts how . 285. To be retired from tumultuous Things , And sublimated far above the Earth , Two trusty Ladders are , which Wisdome brings To help Devotion climbe ; two Ladders worth All Climaxes which ever yet were set Up by the loftiest strains of eloquent Wit. 286. But as he Pray'd , his flaming Soule did break Forth at his Eyes , and flash'd to his own Heaven ; The dazeled Sun immediately stepp'd back , And for his dimmer face sought some new Even : For Day now needed not his garish beams Being gilded by his Makers purer Flames . 287. Jesus , who in his Bodies Veil till now The Raies of his Divinity had hid , Was pleased here to give them leave to flow , And roule about Him in a glistering Tide : Thus when his key unlocks the Cloud , from thence The Lightning poures its radiant Influence . 288. But as the unexhausted Fount of light Which dwells so deep in Phebu's splendid Eyes , On all his royall Roabs doth shed its bright Effusions , and his Charet beautifies , So that about Heav'ns Circuit He is roll'd Enthron'd and cloth'd in nothing else but Gold . 289. So from thy Spouses more than Sun-like face , The Lustre all about his Rayment darted ; A Lustre whose divine and gentle Grace It self with kinde magnificence imparted Unto the mortall Texture , which so pure And piercing Brightnes else could not endure . 290. Thus when a dainty Fume in Summer Aire To Lambent Fire by Natures sporting turns , And gently lights upon Mens Clothes or Hair ; With harmlesse Flames it playes , and never burns Its habitation , but feeds upon The delicates of its own Beams alone . 291. As the Disciples wonderd at the Sight , Which peeping through their fingers they beheld ; Two strangers they espied , in rayment bright , Which Jesu's overflowing beams did gild : They wistly look'd upon them , musing who The Men might be , and what they came to doe . 292. The first ware horned beams ( though something dim In this more radiant Presence , ) on his face : Full was his beard ; his Countenance was grim . Yet sweetned by a meek but royall Grace ; His roabs were large and princely ; in his Hand He held a mystick and imperious Wand . 293. A golden Plate he ware upon his breast In which the Ten great Words enammeld were ; A grave and goodly man he was , and drest In such attire , that they no longer are In doubt about Him , but conclude that he Could none but Moses the Lawgiver be . 294. Grave was the other Stranger too in face , But in his Rayment wonderous course and plain ; He seemd to want a Mantle , ( that which was Long since thrown off by him on Jordans plain : ) The serious beams which darted from his Eye , Spake Eremiticall Severitie . 295. Behinde him stood a flaming Chariot , Whose Steeds were all of the same Element : 〈◊〉 was their fire more than their Courage hot , And much adoe they had to stand content . When they had well observed this , they knew Such Tokens could none but Elias shew . 296. These two grand Prophets , whom thy Lord gave leave To wear some glorious beams though He were by , A reverend Discourse did interweave Of the great work of his Humanity ; With high ecstarick Words displaying how At Salem He Deaths Powers should overthrow . 297. A Doctrine which on the Disciples ear ( And this their Master knew ) full hard would grate , And therefore by these glorious Preachers heer With high Solemnity was witness'd , that His Crosses and his Nayls mysterious shame Thenceforth might not amaze or scandall them . 298. Then Moses at his feet his Rod threw down , In token that He had fulfill'd his Law , And came to give a better of his own , To which not onely Jacob's seed should bow , But all the World , whose largest farthest Bound With Jesus and his Gospell was to sound . 299. That done ; a Veil He drew upon his face , And cri'd Bright Lord , this shade I us'd of old , Because my count'nance too illustrious was For the blear eys of Israell to behold ; But now mine own have need of it , to cover Them with the splendor with which thine run over . 300. Thine Eyes ; a spectacle of fairer Bliss Than I of old beheld from Nebo's Head : How well was I , ( reserved then for this Days nobler priviledge , ) not suffered To enter , and my Wonder feed upon The farr less wonderous Sweets of Chanan ! 301. But in a generous meek Expostulation Elias argued with his glorious Lord : And why , said He , in most triumphant fashion Did'st thou whirle Me to Heav'n , and not afford Me leave to tast one Drop of Deaths cold Cup , Since thou thy self resolv'st to drink it up . 302. Must JESUS , and must not Elias die ? Must God , and not a Worme ? Forbid it Thou Who of all order art the Deitie , And Death unto Mortality allow : 〈◊〉 be contented with the last to stay , 〈◊〉 till Time dies , if then I also may , 303. Yet for my self , or Heav'n , I would not die ; O no ; but glorious Lord , for Thee alone : In thy dear Cause , and for thy Name , if I The Roabs of Martyrdome may once put on , My passage unto Heav'n shall brighter be Than when my flaming Coach transported Me. 304. But heer thy Spouse with a well-pleased Eye Dismiss'd them both : Into his Chariot Elias leap'd , and back to Heav'n did flie As swift as Arrow by the Tartar shot : And Mose's wrapp'd his Veil about his Head , And home to Abraham's Bosome hastened 305. When loe a beauteous Cloud roll'd on , and spred Its shady Curtains on the Mountains Top , In which his own Voice God had treasured , ; And now it brake , no other Rain did drop But this sweet Shoure : This is my Darling Son Hear Him , in whom my Joys doe dwell alone . 306. The faint Disciples on their faces fell , Amaz'd that Thunder could distinctly speak : Mean while their Master did his Beams recall And charg'd his Glories all to hasten back : His Godhead needed now no more probation , That Glimps being doubled by Heav'ns Attestation . 307. Forthwith his Rayes shrunk back into his breast , And moderate Beautie repossest his face : The orient Lustre which his Clothes had drest Unto their native hue resign'd its place ; And He returns to his Capacity Of what He long'd for , Shame and Misery . 308. But turn thee now to Salem ward , and see Yon' monument of thy Lords power and Love : That hill is Sion , and that Pool where He Doth wet his foot , is Siloam ; above Its Bottome lies , for in the Mountains breast Its Springs of living Silver make their Nest. 309. Right honest are those Springs , and brake not out By wanton Chance , but upon Bus'ness flow'd : What was th' occasion , and how brought about , Is not a Story known unto the Crowd : But I , deare Psyche , will unlock to Thee The Bowells of this ancient Mystery . 310. When Hezekias heer at Salem sate On Juda's Throne , th' Assyrian Power swell'd high , And turned sinfull Israell's florid State Into the worst of Woes , Captivity ; For Assur was become an Iron Rod Which Veng'ance put into the Hand of God . 311. That first Success so puff'd the Rod with Pride , That it forgot the Hand which it did sway , And now would needs it self become a Guide Unto it self , and choose on what to prey : Alas , the rash Rods project soon was crost , And neer two hundred thousand , Twiggs it lost . 312. Whilst Rabsheka the foule-mouth'd Generall With Horse , and Men , and Braggs , and Blasphemie Lay against Salem , on the suddaine all Provision of Water 'gan to be Short in the Town ; excepting Tears , which now They could be spared least , most high did flow . 313. This venerable Esay mov'd to trie What He with Mercy , and with Heav'n could doe : He tun'd his Prayer by the Peoples Crie , Which with such Violence to the Sphears did goe , That back it bounded unto Sions foot , On which He kneel'd , and made the Spring leap out . 314. The thirstie People all came flocking in , Their Mouthes , their Bottles , and their Potts to fill : Th' Assyrians wonderd what they meant ; but when They spi'd their business about the Well , They made a Party out , resolv'd to stopp The new-born Spring , or else quite drink it up . 315. The Citizens , themselves to flight betook ; So did the Fountain too , and shrunk its Head Into the Hill , and called back its Brook , Commanding every Dropp to goe to bed : And not to prostitute themselves , and be Deflowr'd by Assurs Lipps impurity . 316. The Streams obey'd , and swifter than the speed Of the impatient Horsmen , homeward ran . So when the prudent Dame has summoned Her crawling Frie from the incursion Of Violence , the nimble Serpents shoot Themselves into their Mothers ready throat . 317. The disappointed Souldiers rav'd and swore , To see the Fountain mock and scorn them so ; And cri'd , these Jewes have by some Magick Power Broached this weily Spring from Hell , to doe Spight to Senacheribs strength , and shew that We Cannot so strong as wretched Water be . 318. Thus they retired in Disdain and Wrath ; When straight the thirsty Jewes came back again ; And loe , the Spring found out its former path . And courteously met them on the Plain , Kissing their feet , and smiling in their face , For whose sole Service He so watchfull was , 319. Thus checkering his Work , he never fails To faile his Foes , and to befriend his Friends ; Full often Assur tries , but ne'r prevails ; The wary nimble Fountain alway sends Him empty back : And yet could not refuse With liberall Streams to wait upon the Jewes . 320. Thus the Sabbatick Fount , which all the Week Keeps close at home , and lets no Drop spurt out ; Exactly watches and attends the Break Of the seav'nth Day ; and then , as quick as thought Poures out its Flood , and sacrifices all Its Plenty to that holy Festivall . 321. A Man there was , who from his Mothers Womb , Retired Natures dark and secret Shop , Into the World , but not to light , had come , Whose Birth did Him , and not his Eyes set ope : Compar'd with Him , cleer-sighted was the Owle , So was the evening Batt , and earthed Moule . 322. For on his brow sate an anneiled Night , Which his Birth-Day could not confute : In vain His Mother hired the Physitians Might To war against that Shaddow , and constrain That imbred sturdy Blacknesse to relent ; In vain her money and her love she spent . 323. Lesse thick the Darknesse was which did revenge The lustfull glances of old Sodoms Eyes ; When the hot Lovers damped by a strange Invasion of Pitch , with Oaths and Cries Tumbled and toss'd themselves from place to place , And sought Lots Door in one anothers face . 324. As Jesus spi'd this helplesse Wight , ( for He Warch'd to surprise all Objects of Compassion , ) Speeded by his own heav'nly Charity , He to his Succour flies . Such is the fashion Of generous Love , which never stayes to be Woo'd , and importun'd to a Courtesie . 325. The simple Man perceiving one draw nigh , Fell to the Beggers covetous Dialect , Craving for Money . Friend , that is not my Largise , thy Lord repli'd , which doth infect Those who desire it : Surely Thou would'st finde What Bane thou begg'st , wert thou not double Blind . 326. Money is that unhappy Dust which flies Full in the face of undiscerning Man , And heaps such Mists of Blindnesse on his eyes That Heav'n He cannot see : If thou did'st skan Thy state aright , Thou might'st thy Blindness blesse , Who seest not how monstrous money is . 327. I l'e make a thinner Clay than Money , which Shall far exceed the Worth of Gold to Thee ; They are not moneys beams which doe inrich The World with Light and Glory ; but from Me Alone flow forth those clear and genuine Raies Which blesse the Age with sweet and golden Days . 328. This said ; three times He spit upon the ground And temper'd with his Hand a Soveraign Clay ; No Salve by deepest Art was ever found Which could so sure all Maladies allay ; Should pretious Balsame now prove sick and die , This Ointment could work its Recovery . 329. With this the Blinde Mans Eyes He Oynted ; yet Was pleased not forthwith to give them sight : First an experiment He meant to get Whether his inner Eyes of Faith were bright ; Then with his Favour , to reward and grace The Pool , which long before so pious was . 330. Bethesda Waters swell'd with full-tide Fame ; Wherefore , though apt Occasion Him invited , Time was when He refus'd to honor Them : But pour'd his royall love into this sleighted Though worthy Pool , which as his Partner He In this his Miracle vouchsaf'd to be . 341. To Siloam goe , said He , and wash thine Eyes , And thou shalt see what I to thee have given : The joyfull Man with holy Credence hies Him to the Place : No Hart was ever driven By scalding Thirst more greedily unto The Rivers , than He to this Spring did goe . 342. He went to drink , not with his Mouth , but Eyes , Which as He washed , loe , they 'gan to ope : Out flew black Night , and all those duskie Ties By which his Sense before was chained up , Straight his released sparkling Pupills show'd Like sprightfull Lightning from the broken Cloud . 343. And now he lives , and sees that he does live , And Heav'n and Earth more than by hear-say knows , Now every Parcell of the World doth give Him a Remembrance unto whom He owes His power of seeing it . O happy hee , Who must in every Thing his Saviour see ! 344. Since from the Darknesse of the first Abysse The Universe was wakened unto light , Ne'r was atcheiv'd so strange a Cure as this Which on condemned Eyes bestowed fight In spight of Nature , who had put them out Before she gave them leave to look about . 345. Now Psyche turn thine Eye to yonder Town Great Salems little Neighbour , Bethany ; A place of dear Remembrance to thine own Beloved Lord : from Salems tumults He Would oft retire into that calmy place , And still , as oft's He came , He welcome was . 346. For there two Sisters dwelt , an holy Pair : Industrious Martha , who the World did love , Yet not so much but Jesus was more dear ; Although the practick Trade of Life she drove , The Cream of her Solicitude she spent To purchase more than secular Content : 347. Pathetick Mary , one whom Mercy made Her chosen triumph : This was 〈◊〉 She Who in the hottest Troop of Sinners had A leading Place ; such stout Impiety Incouraged her Heart , that Hell could not Put her on any Task but she would do 't 348. For seav'n foule Devills had themselves possest Of all her Soule , and with imperious Port In the usurped Palace of her Breast Their throne erected , and maintain'd their Court : What Proclamations or Warrants They So ever issu'd , she did straight obey . 349. But Jesus who did square his Pitty by No Merit hee in Mortall Man could read , But for his Rule , took their Capacity Of Succour ; found how much this Heart did need His potent Help , which He forthwith applied , And made her Live , who now seav'n times had died . 350. For from the bottome of Her poys'ned Breast Seav'n hideous Deadly Sins she vomited ; And having thus disgorged Hell , which prest Her down so low , to Heav'n she rais'd her head , Flaming with purest fire of Love , as she Before had smoak'd in Lusts Impurity . 351. Her brave Devotion she did measure now By the Large Size of Mercy she had gained : For as that Mercy did no limits know So to Infinitude her Love she strained ; She strained hard , and would have reach'd the Top , If Mortall Passion could so high climb up . 352. O Psyche , hadst Thou but been by when She Unto her Lord upon Loves Errand came , Thou might'st have seen impatient Piety Mount in the boldnesse of its noble Flame : First at his Feet it 'gan , and then it spred With fair and liberall Fulnesse to his Head . 353. That fragrant Ointment which she us'd before To her own lustfull Skin to sacrifice , She now on Jesu's sweeter Feet doth poure , And adds another showre from her own eyes : Then wiping them with her late crisped Tresses , She offers there her consecrated Kisses . 354. She mindes not what Spectators think or say ; Love is secnre and carelesse : She does mean E'r from her Lovers Feet she goe away , To oint , or weep , or wipe , or kisse them clean ; And by this generous Zeal she Sanctifies Her Locks , her Lips , her Ointment , and her Eyes . 355. But as the sprightfull Flame disdains to stay Below , and with undaunted Ardor strives To reach its lofty Sphear : So she one Day The Reins unto her gallant Passion gives , And takes aime at the Top of Heav'n ; for this I 'm sure , said she , on Jesu's Temples is . 356. She had a Box of Ointment of high price , Yet not so pretious as her loving Lord : Could the Worlds wealth meet in one Sacrifice , All this She freely could to him afford ; And now unbrideled Love such haste did make , That straight the Box , or her own Heart must break . 357. Indeed both brake ; and both she poured on His Head , who is of Sweets and Hearts the King : Straight through both Heav'n & Earth the Odours ran , Which shall for ever with their Praises ring : For now't has lost its Alabaster Cell , The glorious Nard in all the World doth dwell . 358. Thrift grumbled at the Cost : but Jesus who Excessive in his Love to Mary was , Vouchsaf'd her generous Soule free leave to goe In the same princely and licentious pace : He knows the heats of this unweildy Passion , And will allow it brave Immoderation . 359. All other Passions eas'ly bounded are , Because their Objects are in limits ti'd ; But Love alone with infinite carrieer Still further everlastingly doth ride , Being loose at God himselfe , in whom Immensity affords her boundlesse room . 360. Now Psyche , thou mayst eas'ly judge how dear Was this Seraphick Woman to thy Lord . She had one onely Brother , who for her Sake , and his own , was to his Love preferr'd : He falling sick , she sent the News unto Her Master , waiting what hee pleas'd to doe , 361. He who had never yet his help delay'd , When loving Mary did his Mercy woe , Till Phebus twise the World had compass'd , stay d He stay'd indeed : but 't was that hee might goe With advantageous Glory ; and his stay Might prove but ripened Love , and not Delay . 362. Mean while his Sicknesse so prevail'd upon Good Lazarus , that his Soule it chased out : Jesus , whose eyes through all things cleerly ran , Beheld it as it went , and saw it brought On Angells Wings into the blessed Nest Of naked Peace , and Quiet , Abraham's breast , 363. Where when it was reposed : Lazarus Our Friend , is fallen fast asleep , said He , But I intend to wake Him : Come let Us Delay no longer , but to Bethany . And , Lord what needs it , his Disciples cri'd , If Lazarus sleep , what harm can Him betide ? 364. 'T is true , their Lord repli'd ; for now he lies Safe in the bosome of Serenity : Yet what his Rest is , little you surmise , Not knowing that in Death true sleep can be . Alas , all other Rest compar'd with this , Scarcely the shaddow of true Quiet is . 365. Death is that onely sleep which puts an end Unto this weary Worlds tempestuous Cares , And pious Soules unto that Shore doth send Which knows no Dangers , Labours , Griefs , or Fears . Our friend is dead : and glad I am that I Was not at Bethany when He did die , 366. Glad for your sakes , whose faith now dead , shall by His Death revive . This said , He forward went , And they with Him : But e'r at Bethany He did arrive , two other dayes were spent . He could have taken coach upon the back Of any Winde ; but now chose to be slack . 367. First busie Martha met Him , as He drew Neer to the Town , ( for when hee coming was , The fame of his Approach before Him flew , Which her sollicitous ears soon caught , ) and as She threw her selfe upon her knees , she cried , Had'st thou been here , my Brother had not died , 368. Dear Lord of Life , if thou had'st but been here , Death would have his due distance kept , if not For love of Thee , or Us , at least for fear Of his own life . And yet thy Power is but Deferred , not precluded ; God will still Each syllable of thy Requests fulfill , 369. Nor weep nor doubt , dear Martha , Jesus cried , Thy Brother shall again to life return . I doubt it not , sweet Master , she replied , But in the universall worlds new morn , When all Things spring into fresh life , that He Shall with his Body reinvested be . 370. I am , said He , the Resurrection , and The life ; Whoever doth beleeve in Me , Although he be a Pris'ner in the land Of Death , shall unto life released be : Nay he shall never taste of Death , who is Living by Faith in Me : Beleev'st thou this ? 371. Heer dazeled by his high Discourse , Great Lord She cri'd , my Faith doth take Thee for no lesse Then Gods Almighty Son , who by his Word Wert promised , this cursed World to bless , This said , three times she kiss'd the ground , and home Made hast , to bid her pensive Sister come . 372. As when the powerfull Loadstone's placed neer , Th' inamored Iron leaps , its love to kisse : So Mary when she heard how Christ was there , Speeded to meet her dearest Hapiness ; And , falling at her highest Throne , His Feet , Martha's Complaint , She did again repeat . 373. Short were her Words , but copious were her Tears , Love-ravish'd Pleaders strongest Eloquence ; For in her Eyes those fertile springs she bears Which by their ever-ready Influence Confirm Her Queen of Weepers : Ne'r was seen A more bedewed Thing then Magdalene . 374. For Love though valiant as the Lyons Heart ; Is yet as soft as the milde Turtles Soule , And mourns as much : knowing no other Art By which to slake the mighty Flames which roule About her Bosome , and would burn her up , Did not her streams of Tears that Torrent stop . 375. If when the Clouds lament , the hardest stone Under their frequent Tears relenteth : How Will Maries thicker Showers prevail upon The Heart of Jesus , which did never know What Hardnesse ment ! He straitway melts , and by His Groanes , does his Compassion testifie . 376. Then turning to the Grave , he broach'd his Eyes , And vi'd with Maries streams : whither it were In Pitty of Mans fatall Miseries , Who did his own Destruction prepare ; ( For neither Gods , nor Natures Hand , but he Digg'd his own Grave , by his Impietie : ) 377. Or in deep greif his dearest Freinds to see Of his Omnipotence distrustfull still ; Or in soft Sympathie with those whom He Of Tears and Lamentations saw so full : What e'r the reason were , He showred down Those streams for Mans sake , and not for his own , 378. O Tears ! you now are Perls indeed , since He Who is the Gem of Heav'n , hath brought you Forth Now you may worthy of Gods Bottles be Who from Gods radiant Eyes derive your Worth : All holy Drops which are of kin to you By that Affinitie must glorious grow . 379. Let flintie Bosomes build their foolish Pride On their own Hardnesse , and the Weeping Eye As an effeminate childish Thing deride , And inconsistent with the Braverie Of Masculine Spirits : Yet truely-noble Hearts With Jesus will not scorn to Weep their parts . 380. But He , now from the Tombe commands the stone To be remov'd , which sealed Lazarus up Alas , an harder Marble lay upon Poor Martha's Heart , which Faiths access did stop ; Corrupted was her Minde , which made Her think And talk so much of Foure Days , and the Stink . 381. What are Foure Dayes , that their poor intervention Should able be to raise a scruple here , And intercept his soveraign Intention To whom Eternitie doth bow ? A Year , An Age , a World , is no stop unto Him Upon whose Will depends the life of Time . 382. Stinks and Corruptions no Retardments are To his productive Power who doth derive Through Putrifactions Pipes , and there prepare The life which to all Creatures he doth give ; For by his Law , which knows no violation , Corruption Mother is to Generation . 383. The Stone removed , and the Cave laid ope , Jesus , the mighty King of Life and Death , With awfull Majesty his hand lift up , And then his Voice , forming his royall breath Into these high imperious Words , which Earth And Heav'n obeyed : Lazarus come forth . 384. A mighty Voice indeed , which reach'd the Breast Of Abraham , where the Soule in quiet lay , But at these potent Summons made all haste Back to its own : The Patriark , they say , Kiss'd the sweet Spirit , and intreated it To bear that Token unto Jesu's feet . 385. But when it came into the Cave , it found What there the Thunder of this Voice had done ; Shatter'd and scatter d all about the ground Lay adamantine Chains , which Death had on The Carkasse heap'd : broke was that Cloud of Lead Which roll'd cold night about the Eyes and Head . 386. The Worms were scrambling all away apace ; 〈◊〉 had into a corner got ; 〈◊〉 Ghastlinesse had stole from off the face ; 〈◊〉 froazen Numnesse frighted was , and shot 〈◊〉 from the Corps ; Death sate lamenting by To sec that what He slew , must now not die . 387. Heat , Vigour , Motion , hover'd round about , Attending when the Soule her place would take ; Which when She saw ; as quick as her own Thought Into the Heart she flew , and did awake The sleeping Blood : When loe , whil'st yet the sound Of the great Voice did in the Cave rebound , 388. Out Lazarus comes . O what Amazement now On the Spectators seiz'd ! They start , they stare , They gape , they doubt , they hope , they fear , they throw Their Arms wide open , and divided are 'Twixt looking upon Lazarus , and on Jesus by whom the Miracle was done . 389. Out Lazarus comes , and yet he was fast tied And , in his Grave-clothes snarl'd : for why should he By these poor Ligaments be now denied Free passage , whom the strong conspiracy Of all Deaths massie Chains could not compell A Pris'ner in his Sepulchre to dwell . 390. Out Lazarus comes : and full as fresh and fair As Summer Flowers from their Winter Bed , Which at their rising , through the purest aire A daintier breath of fragrant Odours shed : Nice jealous Martha needs not doubt , for He Is now as wholesome and as sweet as she . 391. But ask Me not why Jesus would call back His Friend , who lay compos'd in rest and peace , To this tumultuous World , which Saints do take But for the Sceen of all Unhappinesse : Whil'st Jesus liveth here , his Friends hee warms With sweeter Joyes & Peace , than Abrahams Arms. 392. Alas , 't was Abrahams highest Wish , that He Might but behold what Lazarus now did finde : How would He blesse the Sight , if hee might see Him who imparteth Eyes unto the Blinde , Who on the Sickly Health , Peace on his Foes , Life on the Dead , and Heav'n on Earth bestows ! 393. These Psyche , were the usuall Works whereby Thy Lord did to his World himselfe declare : But in so vast a multiplicity , That if they all at large recorded were , That Worlds whole Bounds would not sufficient be To finde those onely Books a Library . 394. And what meant these miraculous Dispensations , But his Affection to proclaim intire ? Never with such illustrious Demonstrations Did royall Suiter seal his true Desire To his Queens Heart ; as Jesus here did prove How with all Humane Soules He was in love . 395. Here Phylax clos'd his rubie Lips ; and she Who all this while upon his Tongue attended Both with her eare and heart ; was griev'd to see His high and sweet Discourse so quickly ended ; And yet , for what sh' had heard , her Modesty Paid Him her Mayden Thanks upon her knee ,
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XI . The Traytor . ARGUMENT . IN sordid love of thick and rusting Clay Prodigious Judas , LOVE himselfe doth sell : But for the Pains , besides the High-Priests Pay , Receives a larger Salary of Hell , Which met him upon earth , and through his own Split Body , rent his wounded Spirit down . 1. ENvie , thou mortall bane of Quietuesse , And of thy Selfe , what makes thy Rage so mad To play the Canker in all kind of Blisse , And on thine own Vexation live ! A Rod To thine own cursed back thou art , as well As to the Worlds , and both thy Fury feel . 2. In thy mischievous Womb was Discord bred , The correspondent Brat of such a Dame ; A Brook which well becomes its Fountain head , And doth with equall genuine Poyson stream ; A Brook which round about the hamper'd World Its Arms pernicious Imbrace hath hurl'd . 3. This is that fatall and destructive Jarr Which frets and interrupts the Harmonie Wherein all Things concentricated were By peacefull Natures sweet and sacred Tie : That Jarr , which in Times youth did belk and beat , Till to wilde War the way wide ope it set . 4. War , the foule Comprehension of all The worst of Hell : Fell Belzebub at first Begor the Monster of his own proud Gall , From whence in Heav'n unhappily it burst : A Birth-place how unfit for such a Birth ! And well it was , that straight it cast it forth . 5. Heav'n cast it forth ; but Hell receiv'd the Brat , And hugg'd it close , and nurst , and kept it warm : Fed there with Fire and Blood , it soon grew fat And strong enough to raise a desperate Storm In its black Nurserie , which it did fret , And all the Devills in Confusion set . 6. When Lucifer saw its Activitie , With hellish Joy He kiss'd his genuine Son ; And as He kick'd his Fathers Courtesie , And scratch'd his kissing Lips ; this Signe alone Dear Childe , cri'd He , sufficient is to prove Thou art my Issue , and deserv'st my love . 7. Then from his own vipereous Tresses He Pluck'd a large handfull of his longest Snakes , Of which , with poisnous liberalitie , A favour for his darling Childe he makes , Who ever since with Joy and Triumph wears The hissing Discord all about his Ears . 8. Thus dress'd without , and furnished within With desperate Injunctions , a Commission To be sole Generall of every Sin , Of all Confusion , and of all Perdition He freely grants Him , and then sends Him forth To trie what Ruines he could work on Earth , 9. ( The cunning Serpent lov'd his Hole too well To suffer desperate War to harbour there : He knew that even in the Realm of Hell Division would the Joints and Cement tear Which in obedience to his Soveraign Pride The Peers and Commons of Damnation ti'd . ) 10. As through the bowells of deep Tellus He Rent ope his Way , amazed Nature shook , Affrighted Quiet , and Serenitie Their sudden flight to Heav'n for shelter took , Leaving behinde an universall Groan ; Through all the World such fatall Terror ran . 11. But blustering on the Fury sought where he Might entertainment for his Miseheif meet . First to the Lyons Dens he went , to see Whither their mighty Mouthes , and armed feet Might not be taught to undertake a fight In the fell Quarrell of intestine Spight . 12. The noble Beasts with generous disdain Look'd on the Monster , and lay couchant still : Seeming to say , Our Selves will hold the chain Of our own Strength , and when We please to fill Our Lust with Blood , Wee l hunt it up and down The Woods , but never riot in our own . 13. Repulsed here , He made the like Address To Dragons , Tigres , Panthers , Wolves , and Bears ; But they in their own Naturall freindliness Hugg'd one another , and 〈◊〉 all Warrs . The Monster vex'd , and 〈◊〉 himself , to That salvage Creatures would not disagree . 14. At last , to Man he came : And who could dream That 〈◊〉 the softest and the gentlest Thing , Which Heav'ns own carefull Hand alone did frame ; Man , who could fight for Nothing , being King Of all the World ; Man , who unarm'd was made , Should turn Apprentice to the Warlike Trade . 15. Yet Man , the Riddle of Unhappiness , Unto the Monster entertainment gave . Mad Man , for whom a thousand Maladies Perpetually are digging up his grave , Will needs goe learn a surer speedier way To cut that Life which posteth to Decay . 16. For Cain ( th' originall Curses first-born Heir ) No sooner saw the Furies looks , but He Fanci'd them lovely , and by far more fair Then gentle Abels blessed Suavitie . Unhappie fancie , whose mad violence Murder'd a Quarter of the World at once . 17. And yet that dreadfull Mark , which seald so deep His knawing Guilt on his dispairing face , Form his all bloody Foot-steps could not keep Succeeding Generations ; still they trace The cursed Tract , regardlesse of the Cries With which Blood wakens Veng'ance , and the Skies . 18. With unrelenting Steel they barbarize Their tender Flesh , or clothe themselves with Brasse ; They for Destruction proper Tools devise , To hasten on the fate of fading Grasse ; And unto Times not lazie Sithe , their Arts Of Death they add , Spears , Arrows , Swords , & Darts . 19. And being lothe that any Stay should make Them loose the credit of their madnesse , They Trust not their own two feet , but mount the back Of fiery Steeds , by whose fierce speed they may Flie unto Mischeif , and in full Carreer And cruel Joy , their Brethrens bowells tear . 20. Yea though the universal Deluge by Washing away that bloody Torrent , and Those who had broach'd it , warned Man to see How little need he had to arme his hand Against Himself ; He madly prov'd , No flood Of Water could aswage his thirst of Blood . 21. O no! for He still more industrious grow's In Barbarousnes ; and with it taints the Heart Of 〈◊〉 Learning , which He daily draws In all his bloodiest Plots to act its part ; Hence came those engines which so strangely spit Death's multipli'd , and deadlier made by Wit. 22. Yet these at length He counts but spights delay , Angry that Heav'ns Artillerie doth flie 〈◊〉 then His ; and therefore seeks a way To Shoot his Wrath , as doth th' inraged skie : Thus from his Canons mouths the thunders roar , The lightnings flash , sinoak , bullets , vengance , poure . 23. No Furies can with more remorslesse spight Rend one anothers Breasts , then Man doth Man . Wounds , shreiks , and gaspings , are his proud delight , By 〈◊〉 his Prowess he doth scan ; In Humane Blood He strives to write his stories , And by his Murders counteth up his glories . 24. Thus milde Humanitie is thrown aside , And Manhood takes from War its ominous name . Alas , and was not Manhood known , till Pride And envious Wrath , this salvagenes did frame ; Till Beasts upbraided Men , who entertain'd The hellish Monster , which all they disdain'd ? 25. Were there not lustie sins , whose sturdy might Could have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 been to feed The boldest valour of the bravest wight , And yeeld a fairer Laurel to his Head , Then those unhappy 〈◊〉 , which smeared are In the thick gore of an unnaturail War ! 26. But ah ! that blessed Combat is forgot In this wilde Trade of fighting : Sin does here Command in cheife , and from its 〈◊〉 shut Whatever doth like Law and Right appear : And in their rooms , by whole troops listed be Rapes , rapine , rampant rage , and luxurie . 27. Shame on their Soules who love this barbarous trade , And by this mercilesse Apostasie Erase , and quite forget what Nature made Them at the first : But their Impietie Swels highest , Who the Name of Christian bear , Yet stain it in the Blood of causelesse war . 28. O shamelesse boldnesse ! which can in defence Of meek Religion , put on Barbarousnes , And make the Bond of Sweetnes a pretence To break all other yoakes ; which dares professe It fights to rescue that , whose highest praise Injurious suffrings alwayes us'd to raise . 29. The noble Army of those Martyrs , who To Heav'n in Triumphs Chariot ascended , Had never learn'd Christ and Religion so ; Both which they by a surer way defended , Drowning all opposition in the flood Not of their tyrants , but of their own blood . 30. Nor did Heav'ns most propitious bottles e're Bestow more fertile shoures on thirstie Earth ; Then streamed from those Hero's veins , to cheer The new sown Churches seeds , and help them forth Into that glorious crop , which quickly swell'd So high , that all the wondering World it fill'd . 31. Can others blood , their tincture be , who are Sworn servants to the glorious King of Peace ? That King , who is a Lamb , and who doth wear Of tendernes the white and dainty fleece ? That King whose onely busines and joy It is to save , but never to destroy ? 32. Into this world his foot He would not set , Till every sword return d into its sheath , Till Janu's semple with a seale was shut , Till Nature was restor'd to lead on Death , Till Peace's calm had pav'd his passage plain , And Men repented into Men again . 33. Yet being Come , though Satan could not raise An open tempest to disturb his course , He tryes a thousand secret envious wayes , Patching with cunning his defect of force ; He lends fresh malice to the pevish Jews , And in the Highpriests heads his Plots he brews . 34. Annas and Caiaphas resolve to try How they their glories may assert , which now They more and more beheld eclipsed by The reverend lustre which from Christ did flow , Upon whose flames , if nothing else will doe , Rather then faile , they his own blood will throw . 35. Phylax thought fit a while to dwell upon This story with his Pysche ; wherefore He , After convenient Refection , Bids Her sit fast ; and yeelding then the free And long desired reins to his hot Steeds , Quick as the winde to Salem ward he speeds . 36. There , over Sions head , he pulled back The Bridle : strait his docile Coursers knew The language of his Hand , and 'gan to slack Their pace , and in a semicircle flew ; For by one wing they with the other fought , And damp'd their course by wheeling thus about . 37. Then lighting on the Hill , their mains they shaked , Their heads they lifted high , and then their voice : The bottomes at their mighty Neighings quaked , And from their Caverns all flung back the noise : But strait as Phylax 'gan to speake , the Steeds Seal'd up their Mouths , and humbled down their heads . 38. Though , Psyche , thy deare Lord himself indear'd To all this World by those sweet Miracles , ( And millions more than them ) which thou hast heard , Said he , yet so importunate was Hels Invidious clamor in the Jewish ears , That all Heav'ns Words and Works it overbears . 39. And now the thicker Wonders Jesus does More Articles against himself he draws ; The shamelesse Judges turn his mortall foes , Forgetting Right 's , and urging Envies Laws ; And in black Envies impudent esteem No crime so foule as Pietie doth seem . 40. But how this Malice brought about her end , And rais'd her selfe to that transcendent Pitch Of monstrousnesse , which never any Feind With all the wit of Hell , before could reach , Is worth thy hearing : Come , sit down , and I Will pump this Venom forth before thine eye . 41. Before Hells yawning mouth , a Cave there is ( The little emblem of that greater Realme ) The native house and home of Avarice , Who in her craving thoughts doth overwhelm The universe , and , whatsoe'r she gains As lean and hungry as before remains , 42. If any thing but Money comming be , The door is alway deaf ; for its strange ears Can apprehend no noise or harmonie But Monies chinking ; which as soon's it hears , It flingeth ope its mouth as wide , and fast As Tygers , when their prey to them is cast , 43. Six yellow springs before the threshold rise , Infected by that Houses neighbour-hood ; Which creeping far through earths close cavities Poure out their wealthy but most dangerous flood On the condemned World , devouring there More than in stormy Seas e're drowned were , 44. Indus and Ganges rouled in the East , Pactolus in the middle of the Earth ; But Tagus undertook to taint the West And spewd in Spain his glistering poison forth . Rich Hebrus chose something more North to be And broke his way through Thracian Rhodope . 45. Plate stole into the other World , that He Might to some pains and cost put Covetousnesse ; But when her thirst grows hot , impatient she Shall scorn th' Atlantik Ocean , and presse Through unknow Monsters to finde out that stream Which yet shall not quench , but augment her flame . 46. The structure of the House is mean and poore , And cals with many a mouth for Reparation : The Clowds , when e're they weep , do freely poure Through every rotten room an inundation ; The Windes come whistling at their pleasure in ; And every kinde of Weather there will Inn , 47. A thousand Stilts and Propps their shoulders set Against the Walls ; where many a Wisp and Rag Into the weather-beaten Wounds were put : Such is the Thrift of the old carking Hag , Her Houses Fall she ventures , but to spare The simple Cost ev'n of a patch'd Repair . 48. Within lie Trunks and Chests along the Walls Pil'd to the roofe on one anothers backs , Guarded with iron hoops , and brazen nails , And strongly fortifi'd with triple Locks , As if indeed some Treasurers shrines they were , When onely yellow Clay lay sleeping there . 49. There lay all that the famous Lydian Prince Had rak'd up by his numerous Victories : Unhappy Craesus ! who at such expence Of pains and time , purchas'd so poor a prize , Which , as a load , upon his Life was thrown , And when He dyed , press'd him deeper down . 50. There lay the Phrygian Kings unweildy Masse Of wretched Gold , whose rich Wish made him Poor , Whose wealthy Priviledge his Confusion was , And famish'd him amid'st his growing Store . Sure for that Wish he more deserv'd those Ears Which by the Poets quaint Revenge he wears . 51. Next them , the other Phrygians Talents , who By Pagans verdict is condemn'd to thirst Amidst the streams which on his lipps doe flow . Unfortunate Tantalus , how wert thou curst In life with Treasures which Thou could'st not use In death , with Dainties which thy Mouth abuse ! 52. The cursed Heaps of stern Callicrates Were there , who by Exuctions Hand did rake Them up , and make th' Athenian Miseries The Fountain of his Richnes ; who did break The Laws in lawlesse Urging Them , that He Owner of what He could not keep might be . 53. The stuffed Coffers of rich Cinyras Which by his Cyprian Plenty He did fill , Were there-congested in huge throngs ; so was The Wealth of Gyges , which so high did swell That it alone sufficient might seem To choak or burden Millions more with Him . 54. The teeming Baggs which Pelops brooded o'r , The Wealth which Crassus upon heaps did heap , Dariu's brave inestimable Store , Here in their severall Sepulchres did sleep ; So did great Pharoabs , into whose vast Barn A Crop of Gold was brought , for that of Corn. 55. What-ever Rapine , Fraud , Oppression , Lies , Distrustfull Greedinesse , vexatious Care , Had snatch'd , stole , poll'd , or scraped , to suffice What could not filled be , was crowded there : Little think Men that all such Riches will Finde their way home , and with their Plutus dwell , 56. Nay here that vast accumulation lay , Which dares call every other Treasure poor , That Wealth which did the golden Age display When Solomon the Crown of Israel wore , He who disgraced Silver so , that it Like vulgar stones was kick'd about the street . 57. Wise as He was , that King well understood That amongst all those huge Vacuities Which puffe the World up with their froathy Flood , Ev'n massie Gold must counted be ; which lies Men in more fruitlesse Care than any Thing That Fortune rouls in Vanities fine Ring . 58. Alas as here in all its strength it lay Immur'd in thousand Chests , it could not by Its power or its value keep away Vile Rust and Cankers , which eternaly Did d well and feed upon it ; nor could all Those mighty Locks forbid their Festivall . 59. But howling round about the woefull Room Were those unhappy Soules whose Thirst of Gold Had plunged Them in this eternal Doom ; Soules which to their own Baggs themselves had sold , And bought their Prison , from whose Misery Their uselesse Store could no Redemption buy . 60. His mystick Wand old wrinckled Balaam broke , And flung his wretched charmes about the floor , Cursing the day when He to Balack took His voyage for vile love of Money , more Than Heav'n and Truth ; and crying oft , Why was I with my Wit , lesse Wise than my plain Asse ! 61. There wretched Achan roar'd , himselfe to see So gorgeous in his Babylonish Cloak : Besides , to make him rich in Misery , Deep in his heart his golden Wedge was stuck ; And his two hundred silver shekels cast Into a Clog , about his feet held fast . 62. There cursed Ahab with eternall Fright Seem'd to see Naboths Ghost flash in his face ; Whose guiltlesse blood quite quenched that Delight With which the Vine's should have enflam'd his Glass : Nay every causelesse Stone which had been thrown On Naboths head , rebounded on his own . 63. Gehazie there , as white with Leprosie As he with guilt was odious and black , His double Change of Garments hates , which he Can for his stinking Soars no Cover make , And still he starts , and thinks his Masters eye Doth Him , and his two Syrian Talents spie . 64. There Dives rends his purple Robes , and flings Away the bitter Sweets of his old Feasts , Cursing his own , but blessing his Doggs Tongues Which were so courteous to the poorest Guests , Kissing and Licking Lazaru's Soars , whilst He With 〈◊〉 Raylings griev'd his Poverty . 65. But this Room onely was the Portall to The Chapell , whose poor Architecture was Of equal Vilenesse , had its Roof not so Been skrew'd up , as to yeild convenient space For State and Majesty to stand upright , And let the God appear in his own height . 66. Hast Thou not heard how upon Dura's Plain Nebuchadnezzar made his Ovens wrath hot At those who fear'd Hells Fornace , and the stain With which Idolatry their Soules would blot , When he erected sixty Cubits high The Mountain of his golden Deity ? 67. The Copie of that Idoll hence He took , For in this Temple its Originall stands ; Such is the massie Head , such is the Look , Such are the Leggs , the Breast , the Arms , the Hands , Such is its monstrous bulk , and such the beams With which its pure and burnish'd Metall flames . 68. His Name is Mammon , and although he be So dead a Lump , that aid he cannot lend Unto himself ; yet to his Deity Almost all living Men do couch and bend : Heav'ns King with all his Powers of Love & Bliss Works upon Humane Hearts with lesse Successe . 69. Both those who see , and those who have no eyes , Are by his splendor equaly invited ; For Both are Blinde , when they begin to prize His worthlesse Worth , and finde their Soules delighted With the bare contemplation of Money , Which is their Thirsts Milk , & their Hungers Honey . 70. Thrift , that most slander'd Thing , pretended is By almost every Age and Tribe of Men ; Who all inamor'd of this glistering Blisse , After the Call of Monies chincking run ; And tainted with th' immedicable itch Of heaping Riches , ne'r think they are rich . 71. Before the Image both the sick and well , The Rich , and Poor , the Young , and Aged lay ; Active and hot was their Devotions Zeal Disdaining any Respit Night or Day , And mortifying with hard Penance what Soever Mammons Laws allowed not . 72. About it s shaddowed feet grew a thick Crop Of every kinde of Sin which taints this Earth ; Fruits , which those fond Devoto's gathered up As fast's the pois'ned Roots could bring them forth : The Golden Crime this certain Priviledge wins , That it is alwayes rich in other Sins . 73. In other Sins ; and in the righteous Curse Which is by Veng'ance ti'd eternaly Unto the never-satisfied Purse : For still those Cormorants are tortured by Vexatious Cares , and Fears of Want , the more They are incumbred with their growing Store . 74. That Store , which with such tyrannizing Awe In endlesse bondage holds their Soules , that they With any of those golden Streams which flow Upon their Lips , durst not their Thirst allay ; But rather antidate their Hell , and learn Betimes in everlasting Drought to burn . 75. The Priest which waits upon this Deity Is full as ougly as its selfe is fair : The raving wallowing Maenades would be Spruce handsome Ladies , if compar'd with Her ; So would the rankest Witch that ever yet Disfigured was in any Magick Fit . 76. Age bends her looks towards that Earth , in which Uncessantly to delve , is her delight : As are the backs of bunched Camels , such Is Hers , and full as well agrees with Weight ; All Load is light to Her , if but one Grain Of intermixed Profit it contain . 77. Her Face all over's plowed up with Care , And long and deep the wretched furrows be ; Her hollow Eyes quite damp'd and dazell'd are By glaring on her glistering Deity : Her sallow Looks , and shrivell'd parched Skin Confesse what Pains she takes about her Sin . 78. Her Nails she never cut , but let them grow Up with her Wealth , for Scraping was her Trade : No greedy Vulture could such tallons show , Such dreadfull Claws no Harpie ever had : These were the Engins with which she did break Earths Bowells open , and the Centre rake . 79. A putrid Mantle ti'd about her Waste Was all the Roabs she would her selfe allow , Which she had found upon a Dunghill cast A thousand years agoe ; and which was now Nine hundred Times new Patch'd ; yet would not She At the least cost of a new old one be . 80. Nine stuffed Pouches on a leathern Thong Crowded about her miserable Loins ; With these , of massie Keyes two Bunches hung , The Memorandums of her treasured Mines . Which Keyes she twenty times a day would tell , And reckon what under their Locks did dwell . 81. Patrocles was to Her , a generous Knight , And made his bord the Sceen of Lavishnesse : When she with Dainties would her selfe delight Some old worm-eaten Root her Banquet was ; And when at most her Fare she did enlarge , She would in Salt be at an whole Mites charge . 82. But planted deep in her unhappy breast Is the black Root of all her monstrous Cares , Foule Infidelity , which bids her cast About how to with-stand what her vain fears Make terrible , and build her Trust upon No Power or Providence , but her own alone . 83. Besides th' Idea's of her Gold which lay Pill'd there in cursed heaps , did rusty grow : This Rust , its dwelling turn'd into its Prey And on her heart incessantly did knaw : Yet was her Idoll unto her so dear , That for more Money , she more Rust would bear . 84. This Hag was Avarice ; whom Satan held Almost as dear , as He thy Spouse did hate : Upon her Power He alone did build His finall hopes to bring about his great Designe of Malice , for He knew that She Could doe much more with Men , than Heav'n , or He. 85. Unto her house himselfe in person came , And , with all condescent of Courtesie , Wiping aside the Sulphure and the Flame In which his royall Lips did use to frie , Saluted Her , who never untill this Occasion , from her King obtain'd a Kisse . 86. This Favour ravish'd her so deep , that She All his Injunctions did with Joy receive : First taking her Commission , on her knee , ( Which thrice she kiss'd ) and then her hasty leave , To earth she posts ; where she findes out a Cell Almost as helish as her native Hell . 87. For to Iscariots breast she took her way , Which foolish He left ope without a Guard : With all her venome in she rush'd , and lay Close in the bottome of his heart ; full hard It was e'r she intruded in , but now No stone can such proofs of its Hardnesse show . 88. Those Words of potent Sweetnesse which did drop From Jesu's blessed Lips , could Windes , and Seas , And Sicknesses , and Devills bridle up , And every Storm , but Judas his appeas . O that Man should that onely Monster be Which is too hard for Mercies Suavity . 89. As He who boiling Lead has swallow'd down Feels himself all on fire , and thinks that though A thousand Seas into his Cup were thrown They could not quench his drought : So Judas now Perceived his impois'ned bosome frie In covetous Thirsts impatient Ardencle . 90. Millions of Thoughts are raging in his breast , And every one of them is all on fire : He scorns , and hates the Povertie of Christ ; No other Blisse but Gold he does desire : Talk not to Him of penniless Piety ; What e'r it cost , hee must have Gold , or die . 91. But yet this onely Poison did not swell His heart ; Another joyned in the plot . Deep in the very Sink of lowest Hell Is situate a dreadfull gloomy Grot ; A Grot which there in ambush seems to lie Hatching the Eggs of all Conspiracie . 92. And yet within , a goodly House is built Muchlike the Palace of some Virgin Queen : With quaint Designs the Frontispice was gilt , And the whole Fabrick look'd like Beauties Sceen . White Marble were the rich Materials , And yet the Workmanship out-shin'd the Walls . 93. What full Balconies , stately Terrasses , 〈◊〉 Anticks , fair Compartments , handsome Cants , 〈◊〉 Freezes , and neat Cornishes , Brisk and well-order d Turrets ! Nothing wants That Art could give to make the Out-side fine ; Yet still the House is gallanter within . 94. The double Door with open lips invites All Strangers to come in : The Porter there , Well learned in all complementall Rites , Bids them kinde welcome with his vocall cheer ; He smiles , he bowes , he fawns , he knows the Name Of all the Guests , and in he ushers them . 95. The Hall with silken Carpets all is spred To court the Strangers feet with soft delight ; The dainty Roof is arched over head With checker'd Roses red , and Lilies white ; Delicious Odours roule about the room Sweet entertainments unto all that come . 96. But at the upper end , upon a Throne Of moderate Height , sits crafty Treachery , A Feind more old then Hell it self , and one Whose face would of her age clear witness be Had not Art interven'd , and taught her how To make false spring upon true Winter grow . 97. Old Jezabells lank and wrinckled Cheeks were not So out of shape as hers ; yet she had found A Paints hypocrisie for her faces Blot , Which with a youthfull verdure cloth'd it round : No Vallies did appear , but either Cheek With beauteous Politure was plump and sleek . 98. And though a thousand envious Frowns lay hid , Her outward Aspect wore a gentle Guise ; Loves , Joyes , and Smiles , weare sweetly marshalled About her Lips , her Forehead , and her Eyes : Brave Judiths glances less alluring were Which conquered her Countries Conquerer . 99. Her Tresses , which indeed were Knots of Snakes , She overlay'd with soft and dainty Hair ; Whose waving circling Net of Amber takes Spectators Hearts , as well 's the sporting Aire , And works as many valiant Wonders , as The mighty Locks of Samson brought to passe . 100. An olive Branch in her right Hand she hel'd , And in her left a wreath of Roses , but The wreath within was all with Nettles fill'd , The smiling Branch with lurking shorns beset : For this was she who could teach Peace to fall To Massacres , and make Sweets flow with Gall , 101. Her Robe of state flow'd low beneath her Feet ; For , such they were esteem'd while they lay hid : But she had neither Feet nor Legs ; a great And knotty Taile was sweeping in their stead ; A taile which she about her round could winde , And hug and kisse the sting she ware behinde . 102. The Siren thus above the Water is As soft and smooth and cleer a Nymph as she ; But her Catastrophe of Monstrousnes Lurks un derneath with wise Hypocrisie : For though not all the Sea can serve to wash It off , each Wave can hide the ougly Fish . 103. When e'r she speaks , a flood of honey flows , And with her breath , a cloud of Odours breaks ; Yet in her Mouth a Crop of Poyson grows , Under her Lips a Nest of Adders makes Its curs'd abode ; her Tongu's a mortall Spear , And all her Teeth invenomed Arrows are . 104. But in her desperate bosome treasured lies The fatall Pith and Marrow of all Hell ; Distractions , Tumults , Wars , Spights , Injuries , Confusions , Tortures , Deaths . O who can tell The Monsters of that black Abysse , wherein There is full Room for the whole Sea of Sin ! 105. Her choise Attendants stood about her Throne , Fair-faced Peace , and buxome Courtesie , Free-hearted Friendship , milde Compassion , Neat Complement , and golden Flattery , Nimble Officiousnesse , large Promises , Deep Oaths , false Truthes , deceitfull Faithfulnesse : 106. Sweet angel-faced Things , restored Lawes , Reform'd Religion , rescued Liberty : For such the fondly-credulous World , which knows Not what a Vizard means , takes Them to be , Admiring for an heav'nly Spirit of Light The masked Monarch of Infernall Night . 107. But at her back , behinde a Veil , did lie A 〈◊〉 which she esteemed more than these ; Thefts , Rapines , Scoffs , Reviling , 〈◊〉 , Plots , Poysons , Covenants , and Conspiracies , Right-down Rebellion , Murdering of Kings , And all that Ruine and Subversion brings . 108. Beyond this Veil , an Iron Door did lead Through a long Entrie stuff'd with fire and smoak , Into a Dungeon replenished With every Shape of Horror , whose fell Look With everlasting fright tormented all The Pris'ners which into that Pit did fall . 109. Griefe liv'd in triumph there , and all the Pains Profest Excesse : the language of the Den Was Signs , and Groans , and noise of tumbled Chains , Cries , Yellings , Curses , Blasphemies of Men And God , eternall Seizzing raised by The Soules and Bodies which in it doe frie. 110. There might you see upon Cains guilty face A deeper Mark than God upon it set , His innocent Brothers Blood , which scallt the place On which it lay : His treacherous breast He beat , And now with truer Reason cri'd , my Pain Is greater than my Patience can sustain . 111. No longer now He feared to be slain , But wish'd to meet another Lamech , who Might rid him of this dying Life : In vain He gnash'd his teeth ; In vain he curs'd his Woe , And Him who chain'd Him in it : For his Griefe Sung now beneath the region of Reliefe . 112. There 〈◊〉 lay tearing off her Hair To think of Samsons which her Falsehood cut : The Withes and Ropes not halfe so sturdy were As those which now her Treason on her put , Those Chains , which bound her to her endlesse Rack , Stronger than Samsons sinewie Arms could break . 113. There lay fierce Joab , with his woefull hand Upon his fift Rib ; for the treacherous Wound He thought he seal'd so sure on Abner , and On Amasa , did on himselfe rebound : Just Davids legacie , and his Sons Command , Sent him this Veng'ance by Benaja's Hand . 114. Insidious Rechab , and Baanah there With everlasting Horror seem'd to see The righteous Head of Ishbosheth appear . And check them with their trayterous Villany : How gladly would They , to buy off their Pain , Give both their Heads , that His were on again ! 115. There hung rebellious Absalom by the Head Not on an Oak , but on a fierie Tree , Whose Boughs of Torture round about him spred , And shaddow d him with flaming Misery : Three Darts stuck in his double Heart , and made Way for the stinging Worme which there doth feed . 116. His Tongue its Popular Blandishments forgets , by which it stole the Peoples Loyalty ; And nothing now but pois nous Curses spits : This made great David , whose religious Eye Descri'd his desperate State , be so extream In pittying and in lamenting Him . 117. There Ziba detestation heaps upon That fawning Lie by which He did obtain Upright Mephibosheths Possession , From which he reaps this crop of endlesse Pain : There Shimei railes on his own Railing , who Had pour'd his Curses on his Sove raigns Woe . 118. The Pride of ready Wit Ahithophell With all his Plots about his Halter ti'd , Hangs there : and now the famous Oracle No Answers gives , but hideous Roars , and wide Yellings , that He who had betrayd his King Himself more madly to these Flames did bring . 119. There Zimri howl'd for greif that He was more With Treason drunk , then Elah was with Wine , And now more raging flaming Tortures bore , Then when his Palace all one fire did shine . For Zacharies death there Shallum waild in vain , Who in his Soveraign , his own self had slain . 120. These , and ten thousand Traytors more were there ; For deep and large the woefull Dungeon was , Having for all their Heirs full Room to spare , Choise Room , for Those to whom the highest place Of most profound Damnation was due , The Christian-seeming Traytorous-being Crew , 121. That Crew , whose severall Stalls were ready built Of burning Brass , and all in order placed ( According to the merit of their Guilt ) About a Seat , whose Canopie was graced With Flames of Soveraign Dreadfulnes , a Seat Wide gaping for the Prince designd for it . 122. For 't was the Throne that was designd for Him Whom Jesus would have crowned King above : But Judas in an heav'nly Diademe Would nothing finde which might oblige his Love ; Hell had aforehand seiz'd his Heart , and He Resolved was to 〈◊〉 his Misery . 123. For Satan now unto this Palace came As to the Den of Avarice before ; When she beheld her Soveraign Lord , the Dame Rose from her Throne and met him at the door , Where falling on her face , she asked what Brought his high Majesty to her low Grot. 124. His red hot 〈◊〉 Sceptre Satan here Reach'd fortn for her to kisse , in signe of peace ; Then siniling on her answering face , Most Dear Of all my Feinds , said He , my buis'nes is The greatest that I ever undertook ; Which if it fails , this Sceptre must be broke . 125. 'T is true , time was , when I , and Thou , did make A brave Adventure in the face of Heav'n , When at our Courage all the Sphears did quake , And God was to his utmost Thunder driven ; His Throne did tremble at our rivall Might , And , had our foot not slipp'd , all had gone right . 126. But that Misfortune is too poor to break The strength of our immortall Pride : Forbid It , all my Hell , that Belzebub should make Truce with that Tyrant which disherited Him of his starry Kingdome : No ; I may Perhaps be beaten , but will ne'r Obey , 127. I am resolv'd to finde Him work as long As He and his Eternitie can last : My Spirit never must forget that Wrong Which Me into this Dungeon did cast : He now has done his worst , and I can be But still in Hell , should He still conquer Me. 128. Full well I know his Spight : Had any place Been worse then this , He would have damnd Us thither : Yet He , forsooth , must be the God of Grace , Of Pittie and of Tendernesse the Father : And silly Men beleeve Him too ; But We No reason have befooled so to be . 129. Yet be He what He will to Men ; to Us He is a sworn and everlasting Foe : And is 't not just , He who maligns Us thus , Should finde that Devills are 〈◊〉 too ? I would not wrong Him ; yet I must not by Respect to His , clip mine own Majesty . 130. No : my brave Will He never yet subdued , And I am now too old to learn to bowe . Upon my youth his 〈◊〉 strengh He she wed , Yet tender as I was , himself doth know , Ev'n then I yeilded not : And shall this Arm Now grown all brawnie , not revenge my Harm ? 131. It shall and must : my Considence beats high , For now our fight on evener ground shall be ; He from his slippery Heav'n is come , and I ; Will as sure footing have on Earth , as He : Besides , should We miscarrv , We are there Neer to our Hell , and no deep Fall can fear . 132. And yet to make all sure , I hold it best By secret Treason to unlock the way Unto our Conquest : Doe but Thou assist My Plot , and let Fate , if it can , say nay . How oft when Ramms in vain have push'd the wall , Have cunning Underminings made it fall ! 133. Come let 's away with hate to Christ , I burn More than with all my Kingdomes Flames : I swear By my bright Mother the unspotted Morn , ( A fairer Virgin then his Mary farr , ) By both my Horns , my Sceptre , and my Crown , That I will win his Blood , or loose mine own . 134. The cursed Soules within all heard Him swear , And clapp'd their flaming hands with damned Joy , Hoping that now some fresh Companions were Designd for Them : The Gates of Hell gave way , Earth split into a mighty Gap , and He Ascended , with his Handmayd Treachery , 135. Then having melted both Himself and her Into the lap of the next Wind he met , He shely flew to Juda's Bosome , where In with his breath , he unperceived got . Thus other Plagues infuled in the Aire Steale to the Heart , and breath their Poison there . 136. As when a Tyrant hath usurp'd a Crown , The Arms and Ensignes of the rightfull Heir He blurs , and tears , and pulls his Statues down , And doth their places for his own prepare , Leaving no Signe to make the People dream Of any other Soveraign but Him : 137. So Satan play'd his part in Juda's breast : All characters which were engraven there Of his leige Lord and onely Soveraign Christ , His mighty Miracles , his loving Care ; His heav'nly life , and Doctrine , he defaces , And every line of Pietie erases . 138. Then , by the help of those two Feinds which he Had there confederated . ( Avarice The Mother of all Mischeifs , Treachery The ready Midwife , ) He erecteth his Black Standard in th' Apostates wretched Heart , And thence his Conquests spreads to every Part , 139. And Judas now breaths nothing else but Hell Whose fumes are tumbling all about his brain ; With plots of spight and rage his breast doth swell , And with Contrivances of cursed Gain . No Fury ever hatch'd such Thoughts as He , Nor brought forth such portentous Villanie . 140. O Avarice , how flat Idolatrie Is thine , who dost vile rusty Wealth prefer Before the King of heav'nly Majesty , Whose beams then all thy Gold more golden are ? Who canst adore what Cankers feed on , Who Canst hug base Silver , and let Jesus goe ! 141. Judas , the Slave of Gain , resolves to sell His most inestimable Lord ; whom He Should rather keep , his thirsty Soule to fill With all the Riches of Eternitie : But Avarice his Heart doth so bewitch , That He will sell Heav'n , onely to be rich . 142. His Chapmen are the Preists ; for They who had Betray'd the House of God to Merchandise , Will make no scruple to extend their Trade , And count God saleable : But in the Price They thrifty are , and beat their market low ; But Thirty silver Peices They 'l bestow . 143. Fie sordid Caiaphas , and Annas , fie ; Your Law cties shame of this unworthy Rate : Consult your Books , and they will not denie Levit. 27. 3. But ev'n the meanest Man is valued at No lesse then fifty Shekells : and will you For God and Man , no more than thus allow ? 144. Does Jesu's God-head make Him of lesse worth Than is the vilest He that breaths your Air ? Bid but like Chapmen ; bring your Treasures forth And buy the pretious Wares your Offer square . O could you purchase Him indeed , the Prize Would make You rich in all Felicities . 145. But thou , improvident Judas , since Thou art Resolv'd to sell a thing whose value is Beyond the power of Arithmetick Art To reckon up ; proportionate thy price In some more neer degree : let thy Demand Make Buyers , who this Christ is , understand . 146. Ask all the gold that rolls on Indu's shore , Ask all the treasures of the Eastern Sea , Ask all the Earths yet undiscovered ore , Ask all the gemms and Perls which purest be Ask Herods Checker , ask the Highpriests Crown , Ask Cesars mighty Scepter , and his Throne . 147. Ask all the Silver of the glistering Starrs , Ask all the Gold that flames in Phebu's eyes , Ask all the Jewells of Aurora's Tears , Ask all the Smiles and Beauties of the Skies , Ask all that can by any Thing be given , Ask Blisse , ask Life , ask Paradise , ask Heav'n . 148. Trade not with these , the worst of Chapmen , who So fouly under-rate thy Merchandise : To John , to Peter , or to Andrew goe , Who better are acquainted with the price Of their unvaluable Lord , and see What They will for their own Blisse offer Thee . 149. Trie what the Virgin-Mother will bestow For Him whom She holds dearer than her Heart : Proclaim thy Market unto Heav'n , and know Whether the Angells will not gladly part With more than Thirty silver Peeces for Him , whom with prostrate faces They adore . 150. Alas , though every Sin be Blindnesse , yet Hell knows no Crime so full of Pitch as this , Nor doth the Sun of humane Reason set In any Night so black as Avarice : A thicker than Egyptian Darknesse now On Juda's intellectual Eyes did grow . 151. Urge Him no more with Sense and Reason ; He Resolves to traffique with the Priests ; for now No other God but Money he can see , He nothing sees at all , and cares not how He makes his Bargain with them , so he may Have but this wretched Summe in ready Pay . 152. Thus Jesu's Wisdome did contrive to shew The mighty Patience of his Goodnesse ; who Though from Heav'ns Glory his bright Selfe he threw Into the Arms of Dust and Shame , that so Mans cursed Seed He might Redeem to Blisse , By false ungratefull Man betrayed is . 153. And now the Chinck of his adored Coin Sounds in his Purse , the Traytor hasts to be As good 's his wicked Word , and is in pain Till He bring forth his hired Treachery : He thinks it an unworthy odious Crime To cheat the Priests , who thus had trusted Him . 154. O aenigmatick Wickednesse ! That He To whom his Heav'nly Masters pretious Love Could seem no Bond of Faithfulnesse , should be By this so vile obliedgment Bound , and prove Faithfull unto his Foes ! This , Psyche , this Ev'n to thy Phylax a dark Riddle is . 155. So strange a Thing is Mans mysterious Heart , No Angells eyes can through its secrets run ; To sound this Bottome , is the Soveraign Art And priviledge of God himselfe alone : A certain proof that the Hearts hidden frame Onely from his immediate Fingers came . 156. The Caytiff therefore , least his Plot should fail , And Hells long expectation be prevented , Begg'd some Assistance , that he might assail His Prey with surer Treason , and indented For a full Band of Men : The Priests were glad To see the Man so resolutely mad . 157. A Troop they had all of Commanded Men , Whose hearts were Iron , and their foreheads Brasse : No Boars or Tygers ever could out-run Their furie , when their aime at Mischief was : They might have pass'd for Soveraign Monsters , but For their fell Masters ; and Iscariot . 158. Some armed were with churlish Clubs , and some With keen and thirsty Swords , but all with Spight : With these at 's heels did Captain Judas come , Resolv'd to slay , but yet afraid to fight : Treason was evermore a Coward , and By Number , not by Valour , doth contend . 159. The Ensignes which before the Troop did goe , Were wary Lanthorns , or bold Torches , which Their glaring and unnatural Beams did throw About the Midnight Aire ; whose shades by such Unlook'd for Apparitions frighted , fled Behinde the Hills and Trees to hide their head . 160. Thus having marched over Cedron , They To yonder Garden came , too sweet a place To be this Mischiefs Sceen ; but yet his Prey The Serpent , as thou knowst , of old did chase In sweetest Eden ; and Iscariot , who Follow'd his Steps , could none but this way goe . 161. Thy blessed Lord with his Disciples , there Retired was , and set himselfe to Pray : When loe , a Spectacle of greater fear March'd full against his single Face , than They Whose arm'd impatient Spight was drawing nigh To sacrifice Him to all Cruelty . 162. A black and labouring Cloud hung o'r his head , In which his Father veild his gratious Eyes ; Yet through that Blacknesse his great Arm He spred And reach'd it down to Earth ; From angry Skies The Lightning never with such terror broke Nor Thunders Trump the hills and valleyes shook . 163. For in his Hand a mighty Cup He held In which all Monstrous Things did boile and flame : Up to the brimms vast circle it was fill'd With all the Worlds excrementitious Stream , Which Veng'ance kindling with her fiery breath , Had turn'd into the Ocean of Death . 164. That universal Poyson whose black flood From Adams veins through all his Race did run , Met in this Sink , and joyned with the Brood Of every singular Transgression : All which , to fit the Cup , were blended in The several Pains due to each several Sin . 165. Had 〈◊〉 , had Phlegeton , had all that Wit Has fain'd , and all that Justice made in Hell , Had all the Flames which Etna's mouth doth spit , Had all the Stincks which in the Dead Sea dwell , Had all the Poyson of each Serpents Tongue Which Lybia breeds , into the Cup been wrung , 166. T had been a Draught of Nectar , unto this : Yet loe the monstrous Mixture to the lip Of thy sweet Lord by Heav'ns Hand reached is . O Psyche , how shall He digest this Cup , Which , had all Adams Sons been forc'd to drink , It would have drown'd them in its fatall Sink . 167. But well He knew the Hand which lov'd his Cheek When in all Blisses Bosome He did lie : And though so strange an Offer it did make , 'T was still the same ; and how can he deny To entertain what that presents him , though The Cup with Horror 's own heart-blood did flow ? 168. Were it as wide , and deep , and full again , This Thought alone commands it to be sweet ; And , till He drink its Pangs , He is in pain , So large is his Obedience , and so great His Love to Man , who otherwise must be Drunk from this Bowl with endlesse Miserie . 169. But then this Thought was justled by another ; For He himselfe was passive Flesh and Blood ; His proper Natures Voice how shall He smother ! For She now pleads aloud for her own good , And would not willingly choose to be hurl'd Into that Gulfe which would devoure the World . 170. O how he strugled in this mighty strait Being Himselfe with his own Selfe to fight ! Had all the Centres most compacted Weight Been pitch'd upon his Heart , it had been light And easie unto this , which woefull He Endur'd in this heroick Agonie . 171. The Contestation grew so hot within That all his Bosome fell on flaming fire ; And from melting Fornace , through his Skin Thick Proofs of that strong Fervor did transpire ; For at the Mouth of every labouring Pore Not Watery Sweat , but Blood broke ope its Door 172. O matchlesse Combat ! whose mysterious Power Without the edge of Sword , or point of Dart , Could cloth this Champion round about with Gore , And wound Him from within ; whilst every Part Rack'd and transfixed with intestine Streins In streams of purple Tears bewail'd its Pains . 173. Down to the Ground this sweating Torrent flows To wash away the Curse which on it grew ; Whilst moated in his melted Selfe , thy Spouse The noble fight doth with fresh Strength renew : His Mortall Nature three stout Onsets gave . To his immortal Piety , and Love . 174. Father , He cri'd , by that thy tender Name , Commiserate thy most afflicted Son : If thy Omnipotence a way can frame How to exempt Me from my Passion , O let thine Hand , which brings this Cup to Me , Far hence remove , it , and my Misery . 175. But straight , by most athletick Braverie Above himselfe He gets , and nobly cries , Although all Bitternesse triumphant be In this sad Cup , it amply does suffice That from thy Hand it comes : Thy Will shall be , And not mine own , the Rule and Rein to me . 176. Thus reverend Abraham , when by Gods Command He was to bath his Sword in Isaac's blood , Divided was in his own bowells , and With his brave Selfe in competition stood ; Till valourous Piety her Powers strain'd And the hard Laurell of Selfe-conquest gain'd . 177. But when thy mighty Lord atchieved had This triple Conquest ; Judas and his Rout Like furious Boars into the Garden made , And for their Prey all rang'd and rov'd about ; Not knowing He as ready was to be Betray'd , as they to work their Treachery 178. For like a most victorious Champion , who Before his other Foes , has conquer'd Fear , He meets their Furie ; asking , Whom with so Eager and strong a Chase they hunted there . Their traytorous Spight , and whom it sought , He knew , Yet this brave Challenge in their face he threw . 179. Jesus of Nazareth We seek , said they , Alas , Blinde Soules , He came to seek out you , And lead you safely in the Kings high way Unto his Throne above , that on your brow Heav'ns Crowns for ever might have shin'd ; but ye In nothing would be Found but Treachery . 180. Nor they , nor Judas , Psyche , now did know Thy Spouses face , which flamed heretofore With gracious Beauty ; but was clouded now With his strong Agonies all bloody Gore . Thus like some duskie Meteor Phebus shows When an Eclipse upon his Count'nance grows . 181. But He who would not be unknown to those Who came to suck what Blood was left behinde , ( Which burned in his Veins , till it got loose , And flow'd as largely as his liberall Minde , ) Revests his Look with gracefull Majesty , And makes this brave Profession , I am He. 182. If ever Thou hast seen what killing Dread Doth on base-hearted Traytors seize , when They Are by their awfull Prince discovered , Whose Voice , and Looks , their spurious Courage slay ; Treble this Fright , and then conceive what Fear Shot through the Soules of these vile Caytiffs here . 183. A stream of Horror drove them trembling back , And over whelm'd Them flat upon the Ground : And in the depth of this dismaying Wrack , Their shivering Spirits had been surely drown'd , Had He not spred his Pitty over Them , Whose Swords , and Staves , and Spight all made at Him , 184. O how will they endure his Dreadfull Eyes , Which all this World on flaming fire shall set , When He in triumph sweeping through the skies , Shall hither come , and mounted on his great Tribunall , once again crie , I am He , No more the Prey , but Judge of Treachery . 185. When they no Lanthorns nor no Torches Light , Nor Juda's Conduct any more shall need ; But by our Trumpets death-awakning fright Be summon'd up , and by our hands be led Into the presence of Heav'ns glorious Son , Whom then they would not finde , but cannot 〈◊〉 186. But now He brideled in his awfull Raies ; And , on condition his Disciples may Without disturbance goe their severall 〈◊〉 , Offers himselfe unto his Foes , who lay Quaking before Him : but took courage now , Perceiving They again might 〈◊〉 grow . 187. As when a serpent bruis'd and beaten back , Spies any way to reinforce her fight , Her head she raises , and deep care doth take Her Wrath and Poyson how to spit aright : So did these Elves start up , and cheer their Head ( And this Iscariot was , ) to doe the Deed. 188. Iscariot , that Prince of Treason , now , Forgetfull of his royall Masters Love , And of the Dint of that majestick Blow Which strook Him and his Armie down ; to prove His cursed Selfe Earths Lucifer , led up Against the Lord of Hosts his desperate Troop : 189. And then , none but a golden Arrow shot Burnish'd with faire and complementall grace , Yet in as mortall Venome dipp'd , as that Which Eve's Heart felt , when she saluted was By faire-tongu'd Hell , and by the Tempter driven With courteous Treason from her earthly Heaven . 190. Hail Master , was the Word : What Ear could now Disrellish such a suger'd Noise as this , Or once suspect Discording Jarrs should grow In such soul-plying Accents ! Master is The Phrase of Service ; Hail , of Love : Yet He Could make these honest Words , insidious be . 191. And when his faithlesse Tongue her part had done , His Lips succeeded in the Treachery : With matchlesse Impudence He ventured on Against the very face of Majesty ; And , to make sure his Project should not misse , Seal'd it upon his Master with a Kisse . 192. O Wit of Treason ! could no Signe but this , The gentlest Token of soft Courtesie , Be made the Marke of deepest Barbarousnesse ! Monstrous Iscariot , how dost thou , by thy Inhumane Kindnesse , both a Traytor prove Of Loves great Master , and the Badge of Love ! 193. Is not a Kisse , the soft and yeilding Signe Which clapps the Bargain of Affection up : The sweet and joyous Marriage between The tenderest Pair of Lovers , Lip , and Lip : The closing Harmony , which when the Tongue Has done its best , compleats the pleasing Song ? 194. Is not a Kisse the most delicious Seal By which Friends Cement their concording Hearts ! Must this Betrayed be ! Must faithlesse Hell Poyson this dainty Truth ! Must Hatreds Arts Be clothed in the softest sweetest Dresse Of courteous Peace , and amorous Tendernesse ! 195. Must sweet Arabia's Beds breath out a Stinck , And harbour all the Bane of Thessaly ! Must milkie Lilies stain their Leaves with Ink ! Must Roses Buds with Thorns all prickly be ! Must Silk and Down be harsh ! Must Honey flow With Gall ! Must Summer Gales bring Ice & Snow . 196. O what will Treason not presume to doe , Which more than all those strange Mutations makes In this own venturous Fact of Judas ; who Ev'n in this Tie of Love , all Friendship breaks ; Who biteth with his Lips , not with his Teeth , And strives to Kisse his dearest Lord to death . 197. But though Iscariot his own Love betrayes , His Lord triumphs beyond all Treachery , And doth against the Traytors Hatred raise , A Counterwork of heav'nly Lenitie : O Mystery of Love ! though Jesus may Betrayed be , no Plots his Grace betray ! 198. Who teacheth all Succeeding Traytors how To burnish over that foule rankling Brasse Of impudence which arms their sullen Brow ; To tip Rebellion with meek Lies ; to grace Their arrogant Treaties with submissive Words , Whilst at their Soveraigns hearts they aime their Swords . 199. He call'd no Lightning from the Clouds , or from His potent Eyes to flash on Juda's face , And throw on his bold Lips that flaming Doom Which due unto their odious Treason was : He charg'd not Earth her dreadfull Mouth to ope , And on the hellish Kisser close it up . 200. O no : With heav'nly Tendernesse He cries , Friend , wherefore art Thou come ? Strange Miracle Of gentle Patience ! Who can comprise Thy blessed depth ! Upon the face of Hell Shall the sweet Name of Friend be printed by Him who beholds , and feels its Treachery ! 201. Is foul Ingratitude , plain Apostacie , Right down Rebellion , now become a freind ? Or rather , is not this Disciple by His curs'd Revolt , transformd into a Feind : And will his wronged Lord by none but this Deare Name revenge his most invenomed Kisse ! 202. O Psyche , Jesus tortured was to see Judas , himself into all Torments throw ; And by this Charme of noblest Lenitie Back into Heav'n indeavored him to draw : He knew Loves Cords were strong , and from his Crime By these he strives to hale & rescue Him . 203. Why art thou come , thus to betray thy Freind ? Why art thou come , with Arms against a Lamb ? Why art thou come , all Bonds of Love to rend ? Why art thou come to fight for thine own shame ? Why art thou come with this strong Preparation For thy Lords death , & for thine own Damnation ? 204. Thy Kisse I in its naturall Language will Kindely interpret , and make my Replie In the same Dialect , if thou wilt still Imbrace my ever faithfull Courtesie , And yeild that Blisse may in thy heart have room ; Say then , my Friend , say wherefore art Thou come . 205. Thus did the Prince of sweetnesse plead and wooe : But the deaf Serpent stopp'd his cursed ear ; In 's heart the Thirty Peeces chinked so That He no other Harmonie can hear . When loe , the Souldiers , knowing now their Prey , On Iesus fell , and haled Him away . 206. For love of Thee , and all his other Brides Thus , Psyche , was thy Lord content to be Sold at so vile a Rate , and Mock'd besides Ev'n by his own Disciples Treacherie . Shrink not , if thy neer Freinds abuse thy love , Since Gods own Favorites so faithlesse prove . 207. And let the World by this one Copie learn That hell-bred Boldnesse is not strange , or new , By which most Fostered Favoured Creatures turn Flat Enemies , and lead an armed Crew Of Miscreanrs , with bloody Impudence Against the Powers and Person of their Prince . 208. But when no mercy could the Traytor winne To entertain his Pardon , Vengeance made Haste to poure out her selfe upon his sinne : For Satan , who his heart possessed had , His Treason in his proper Coin repayd , And the Betrayer fatally betrayd , 209. Into a Corner of the Garden , where Thoughtfull disconsolate Night sate thick and black , She crowded him alone ; and having there Prepar'd and fitted her infernall Rack , With studied furie , not his Body , but , His captivated Soule on it she put . 210. For by the beames of their owne hellish Light Unto Iscariots intellectuall Eyes Herselfe She did display . Excessive Fright The Traytors wretched Heart did strait surprise : Each Joynt and Member quak'd and sweat , and He Felt in this Garden too his Agonie . 211. He saw feirce Beizebubs sulphureous face Flaming with swarthy fire ; His Horns he saw Mounted high on his head with dreadfull grace , Which his erected snakie Hair did knaw : He saw his adamantine Nails and Paws , His steely Teeth , his brazen gaping Jaws . 212. He saw the Tempest of his flaming Breath Which swarthy Volumes spred of stinking smoke : He saw the windows of eternal Death Flung open in his staring Eyes , whose Look Slew him alive : He saw his Iron Mace , His burning feet , and his enraged Pace . 213. He saw his forked Tail in tryumph thrown Upon his shoulder , and his irefull Brow With cruell scorn contracted in a frown : Rampant Implacabilitie he saw In every Gesture , and did plainly read The full Description of Immortal Dread . 214. When loe , stern Lucifer threw out his hand , And by her Throat his woefull Conscience took : And now , he cries , I 'l make thee understand What thou hast chose , and what thou hast forsook : Look on this dainty Pair of Damsells heer , Who more than Heav'n , and God , to thee were dear . 215. Just at the word He opened to his view The horrid Carkaise of foule Avarice ; And fouler Treachery , not in her hue Of borrowed Smiles , and outside Comelinesse , But in her naked native Filth : and then Shaking his Horns and Paws , He thus went on : 216. Maddest of Fools ; how many Hells dost Thou Deserve , who with such Hags could'st fall in love , When Jesus woo'd thy Heart ? Well , take Them , now Th' hast paid so dearly for Them ; They will prove Sweet Brides , and pretiously adorn thy Bed Which in the Bottome of my Realm is spred . 217. If any Part at all there be in Them Which is not horrid , may my Scepter break , And may my royall Tongue no more Blaspheam : For once , I tell Thee true , and Thou mayst take The Devills Word ; There are few Furies who In monstrous Ouglinesse , thy Wives out-goe . 218. And was thy Lord so vile a Thing , that He Might not with these in Competition stand ? Did those unthankfull Eyes of thine e'r see A face inrich'd with such pure Beauties , and Majestick Graces , as in his did shine , Making Humanity appear Divine ? 219. Most stupid Sot ! How often hast Thou seen Divinity from His great Hand break out ! How oft might plain Omnipotence have been Read in the Miracles He daily wrought , Casting forth all my stoutest Fiends ! Yet Thou , ( And here He beat the Soule ) to Me wouldst bow . 220. Nay never houle ; 't is but the Earnest , this , Of what 's to come : Thou needs wouldst bow to Me : To Me , of whom that Christ the Conqueror is : He threw Me down from Heav'ns Sublimity Into that Pit of Pangs , where I am now The damned Soveraign of such as Thou . 221. Had'st not as good have bowed unto Him , Whose Yoak Thou would'st have lighter found than mine ? I tell thee Judas , I am but a grim And rugged Lord ; what Prizes once I win , Infallibly for evermore shall frie In Torments bottomlesse Extremity . 222. And is my Hell , my everlasting Spight , My unrelenting Furie , so much worth , That Paradise , and Heav'n , and Jesus might Not finde acceptance ? Brings Damnation forth Such strong Temptations ? Can eternal Blisse Not wooe , and win as potently as this ? 223. Sure Hell and Death , are gallant Things , and I Cannot allow Thee them , untill Thou hast Through all Contempt , and Hate , and Infamie Which Salem , or the World can yeild thee , past : That Preface shall , for that eternall Smart Which gapes & longs for Thee , prepare thine Heart . 224. Goe then the Ages Blot and Monster , goe , Let every Mouth spit on thine hated Head , Let every Tongue thick Curses on Thee strow , Let every Hand be arm'd to strike Thee dead , Let every Eye abhorre thy balefull Sight , Let all the World revenge thy Traytorous Spight . 225. Let Heav'n frown on Thee who betray'st its Son , The Lord of Life , to Death , thy Saviour to Most sure most undeserv'd Destruction : Into one Bolt let all Gods Thunders goe , And on thy cursed Heart his Justice throw , Which scorned all the Mercie He could show . 226. That Stroke will send Thee down into thy Place Of Death , but yet of never-dying Pain , Where melted with the flames of this my face Thy thirty silver Peeces I will drain Into thy Heart , that Thou mayst shreik and roat , Whilst there they burn and boile for evermore . 227. This said ; th' infulting Prince of Tyranny In scornfull Spight with-drew , being confident Maturity would get her Wings and flie To overtake his Plot : yet e'r he went Seav'n times he thresh'd the Conscience with the flaile Of his enormous poyson-pointed Taile . 228. As when the Deluge in great Noahs time , Broke out upon the World , and with a Sea Of universal Woe surpriz'd the Crime Of that impenitent Age ; their Misery To those unhappy Mortals op'd their graves In Desperation first , then in the Waves : 229. So Judas , taken in this mighty flood Of deepest Anguish , had no power to think How to escape , or that his Saviours blood Might drown that sea in which he fear'd to sink . O no! the thought of that dear blood alone Pour'd on his face Guilts blushing Ocean . 230. Since long ago his Trust He rather built On Money , than on God ; he durst not hope That Mercie now could reach his heightned guilt ; And thus by fear , to impudence set ope The way , for by this dread of goodnesse he Gives flat defiance to its Lenitie : 231. And now sees vengance aiming at his head , And his foule Treason flying in his face ; He sees the whole Worlds anger marshalled Against his odious crime ; He sees the place Deep in the heart of Hell , where damned He Designed is for evermore to be . 232. With that , his Cloths , his Hair , his Flesh , he tore , He roar'd , he rav'd , and thus to cursing fell : May that unhappy day be read no more In any Calendar , but that of Hell , Which to this balefull Life did me betray ; A Life to living Death the dying way . 233. Curs'd be my Father , who did me beget ; Curs'd be my Mother who did me conceive ; Curs'd be my Nurse , because in every Bit She mix'd not Poison , which might Me repreive From this most damned Night ; And cursed be All sicknesses which would not murder me . 234. Curs'd be this Hand of mine , which oft has had A Knife , and yet forbore my throat to cut ; Curs'd be these Feet , which oft their way have made Over the brows of Precipices , yet Would never stumble , that I might have fell Then but to Earth , who tumble now to Hell . 235. Curs'd be that Day which me acquainted brought With Jesus , and enroll'd my ominous Name Amongst his Chaplanes : Cursed be that thought Which spur'd me to the Priests to trade with them ; Curs'd be the project which hath curs'd me so , Curs'd be the Bargain , and the Chapmen too . 236. Curs'd be this Garden ; upon every bed May fatall Hemlock , Woolfbane , Poppy , grow : May Vipers , Adders , Basilisks be spred In every corner ; on each Tree and Bough May Ravens and Scritchowls dwell , that something may Resemble Judas here another day . 237. Another day ! ô no! may thickest Night Upon this Sceen of Treason ever dwell ; That neither Sun nor Star may reach their light More unto this , than to the other Hell . The bloody beams of Ghosts and Furies will With fittest lustre this black garden fill . 238. But may the deepest of all Execrations On you , my thirty silver torments , fall : How shall I be reveng'd on your temptations Which thus have drown'd me in a Sea of Gall ? Is there no way , base , pale , and paltry Clay , How I may you , as you did me betray ? 239. Shall I take you along with me to Hell , And hold you fast amidst my endlesse flames ? Or send you back unto your former Cell , The High-Priests wicked Bag ? surely this seems The blacker and the deeper Pit , and I Thither again will damn you instantly . 240. This said : Like that tormented Man , in whose Possessed heart a Legion of Feinds Did tyrannize ; He to the Citie goes , Where in the Temple he his Chapmen findes : Unhappy Temple , which was now Possest With them , as was with Satan Juda's Breast . 241. With hideous yelling he amongst them ran , Flinging about his hands , his head , his eyes ; And having strein'd his ejulation Wide as his throat could reach , O Me ! he cries , My sin burns in my breast , and domineers Too high to hope for quenching from my tears . 242. No Expiation does that Altar know Which for my deep di'd guilt can satisfie The stream of Jesu's blood so full doth flow On my unpardonable Soule , that I Am drown'd for ever in my deep offence , Being Condemned by his Innocence , 243. Take your vile Money and my Curse with it , May all Heav'ns wrath your bloody Bargain crown Here with indignant furie having spit On Them first , on his Silver next , and thrown It at their hated Heads ; away He flung Raving and Cursing as he ran along . 244. For all the way he thought he struggled through An Army of reviling Detestations : Over his head he both his Arms did throw To sheild it from his own Imaginations , Through which from heav'n and earth such arrows flew As wounded Him at every stop a new . 245. For Melancholy , dark as is the Pitch Which on the throat of Hell so thick doth grow , Chok'd every glimpse of Sense and Reason which Offer'd to dawn in his Soules sphear , and show Him by what torturing Mistakes he had Himselfe unto Himselfe a Tyrant made . 246. Thus came He to a secret silent Place Without the Town , yet could not think it so ; For still he fancied all the City was Hot in the chase of Him 〈◊〉 Saviours Foe : Each Bird or Flie that moved , made him start , Each Winde that puffed , blew quite through his heart . 247. His Eyes distracted were , first looking up For fear least Heav'n should fall upon his head ; Then down , least Earth her dread full Mouth should ope And snatch him to his grave e'r he were dead ; Till tired with this fear , his breast he stroke , And into right down Desperation broke . 248. Adieu all hopes , he cries , and fears adieu : Come Veng ance , come , my heart is ready here . I see how vainly I my Money threw Back to the Priests , whose burden still I bear ; The Rust sticks close and heavy still upon My knawed Soule ; and I must be undone . 249. If Heav'n be just , why does it yet delay To poure its Wrath on my deserving head ? Am I not Judas , He who did betray Its onely Son ? Is not my Conscience red With his most innocent Blood ; and yet must I Be still endur'd to live , when He must die ? 250. At least , great Satan doe not thou deny Thy Servant Pay for this grand Work which He Hath compass'd with unparalleld Treachery In high obedience to thy Hell and Thee : No Soule did ever more than I have done , Nor ernd a gallanter Damnation . 251. Didst Thou not promise Me but even now The dearest Torments of thy deepest Hell ! Deceive me not again : If ever thou Wert carefull of thy Credit , now fulfill Thy bounteous Word ; or look no more to be Served by Man , if thou reward'st not me . 252. Come then ; burn up these Lipps , which learn'd of thee Their killing Kisse : Dash out these Brains which thou Taught'st how to project that fell Treachery ; Tear this curs'd Carkase : which is wholly now At thy disposall , that each Limb may feel No portion , but the totall Wrath of Hell . 253. Take this dispairing Soule , and let it be The Prey of thy eternall Furies : 't is No groundlesse Challenge , that , as due to Me , I claim the utmost of thy Spight ; unlesse Thou hast thine infinite Debt to Me forgot ; Jesus and Heav'n into thine hands I put . 254. Jesus and Heav'n ; Names which I now must hate As having made them my eternall Foes : O how I long to be in that free state Where generous Blasphemy no Bridle knows ; Where I may Rage as loud's Heav'ns Thunders 〈◊〉 And , being cursed , curse for overmore . 255. Here the full Tide of furie stopp'd his Throat ; Yet still He star'd and struggled with his Grief , Still he tore off his hair , his Breast He smote , And through Self-tortures hunted for Relief : His Tongue He bit because it would not speak , And stamp'd the Earth which would not open break . 256. But as the Hair , the Fat , and Pitch , which were Into the Dragons throat by Daniel cast , Did burn , and boile , and rage , and tumble there , Far more than in the Pot ; untill at last With most impatient swelling Toiments They 〈◊〉 through his monstrous belly burst their way . 257. So did this Mixture of Griefe and Dispair Flame in Iscariots bosome , till it grew So strong and big , that all his Entrails were Conquer'd with Tortures , and in sunder flew ; His Body split , and through that cruell Wound Pour'd his more barbarous Bowells on the Ground . 258. Thus from this Prison his black Spirit ran Into that blacker Jaile reserv'd for it , Next to the Center of Damnation , Where now it raves in chains at Satans feet , Ensore'd the pois'nous flames he spews , to drink O that all Traytors w ould of Judas think !
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XII . The Banquet . ARGUMENT . TO seal his dear Remembrance safe , and sure On the soft hearts of his selected Sheep , Love institutes his parting Feast , so pure So sweet , so rich , that Psyche rap'd by deep Desire at its Description , sues to be A Sharer in that Bords Felicity . 1. BUt ô , how large a Name is Treason , which Doth in another fatall Channel run , And from this Universe's Cradle reach Down to its funeral Pile : No Ocean E'r stretch'd its Arms so wide , or spread such store Of shipwrack'd Mortals on its helplesse shore . 2. And this Selfe-treason is ; an imbred Feind Whose bus'nesse is to undermine her Home ; Whose most unnatural Nature is , to rend Her too too loving Dames unhappy Wombe ; Who knaws her selfe , and with 〈◊〉 Spight Free Veng'ance takes on Luxuries delight . 3. For she her selfe is Luxury ; a Weed Which grew at first in an unlikely Place : Who would suspect that such a cursed Seed Should Paradise's blessed Plants disgrace ! Yet , as the Serpent in those Beds did lie , So did this full as venomous Luxury . 4. Under the beaureous Tree of 〈◊〉 there , 〈◊〉 found her first , and saw her 〈◊〉 up With 〈◊〉 Zeal and restlesse Pains , one 〈◊〉 But dangerous and forbidden Fruit to crop : Foole as she was , she help'd her up , and knew Not that by it her selfe she downward threw . 5. Yet She to Adam needs would her commend , And He , unkindely courteous , could not Denie to hugg his Spouses seeming friend , Who Death and Hell strait through his bosome shot , And now the Dainties of all Paradise . Could not his foolish appetite suffice . 6. No ; He must taste of that which never was Design'd to blesse the Palate : But the Soure Revengefull Fruit was quit with Him ; for as It in his Teeth did stick , with all the power Of stupefaction them on edge it set , Proving his fatal Torment , not his Meat . 7. Nor could He chuse but leave his wretched Heirs Th' inheritance of this enchanting Pain ; Which down through all his Generations stayers Fail'd not its propagated Bane to drain : This hankering itching liquorishnes did run Hot through the Veins of his remotest Son . 8. Which Fervor did betimes so furious grow That the old World on fire with Lust it set : A fire which with the heat of Hell did glow , And was as stinking and as black as it ; A fire , which joynd with other sinnes , grew stout , And found the Deluge work to quench it out . 9. But then Earths face being washed clean and white , She smil'd on Heav'n with a well-pleasing Grace ; And God vouchsafed humane Appetite A full Commission over all the Race , Of Birds , of Beasts , of Fish , that He might see How abstinent Man would prove , now being free . 10. For generous spirits then doe most abstein , When they are Lords of their own Libertie ; When Virtue is entrusted with the Rein , And room is given for Self-victorie ; When high-straind Moderation may prove No Act of Dutie , but a Work of Love . 11. Mans Appetite to every thing was free , Bating the Blood , in which the Life doth swimm : Blood is the tincture in which Crueltie Stains all her clothes ; a tincture for the grimm And salvage Tygres ; not for Man , who is , Or should , Professor be of Tendernesse . 12. Indeed good Noah , who both Worlds had seen , The Old and New , and was more Worth than both , Indeavoured to keep himselfe as clean As now the Earth was wash'd ; And that no sloth Might tempt and steale him into Luxurie , Buckled his Bones to painfull Husbandrie . 13. And that the Pains He in his Vineyard took Might be requited by the Fruit it bare , He shed the Grapes into his Bowle ; whose Look Might well have been his Monitor to beware : Its rubie die , had He but understood , He would have shunn'd this Liquor too , as Blood . 14. But , as it smil'd and sparkled in his face , And mov'd with generous fervor in the Cup , The un-suspicious Saint invited was With equal cheerfulnesse to drinke it up . So , untri'd Pleasures by their daintis skin And sweet behaviour , approbation win . 15. The flattering Liquor , as it downward went , Knock'd at his Heart , and easie entrance got ; Where with his Spirits it did complement , And soft delicious Fire amongst them put . Noah rejoyc'd to feele his bosome glow , And his old Ages Ice begin to thaw . 16. This Bait drew down another : for , alas , Good Man he little knew that Treacherie In his Soul-cheering Cup infused was ; Or that his Wine which sparkled , e'r would be Destructive flame : But Embers often rise Into Combustion , when We least surmise . 17. He freely takes a second Draught : and now The Liquor gather'd strength and grew more bold ; Impatient to be supprest below , Up to his Head it found a way , and roll'd About his Brains , wherein there 'gan to swimm Such thickning Clouds , that Reasons Sun grew dim 18. And then infected with the pois'nous Sweet , Alas no power was left him to abstein : No more to quench his Thirst , but that New Heat Which burnd his veins , He takes his Bowle again ; Which to the brim in careless haste he fills , And part on th' earth , part in his mouth he spills . 19. But now He Drunk no more ; the Wine Drunk Him , His Sense , his Judgement , and his Soul , and all ; ( For thus , when in their own wilde Draughts they swim , Our witty Language Men does Drunken call ) And did so thoroughly his Brain confound , That Earth , as well as Heav'n , He thinks turns round . 20. The Wine now sparkles in his eyes no lesse Than it did in the Bowl before : He stares On every thing , and yet he nothing sees ; He trips , and staggers , but no fall he fears , Nor feels it when he falls ; for having let His Bowl drop down , Himselfe fell after it . 21. Thus he who in the universall Flood Escap'd the fury of the proudest Wave , And on the Oceans back in triumph rode , Seeing below the whole Worlds woefull Grave ; Alas , was drowned in a silly Cup Which he himselfe unwittingly drunk up . 22. No Ark above this Deluge Us can bear But Temperance , which here the Saint forgot ; Who , as he fell , had neither thought nor care Of keeping on his modest Mantle ; but Quite destitute of Clothes , and Senses lay , And did his double Nakednesse display . 23. But as the Traytor who has slain the King Speeds from the Court as soon's the Fact is done : So now the treacherous Liquor back doth fling , And from the Murder it committed , run : Besides , a Rout of other Humors follows , And slaughter'd Noah in his Vomit wallows . 24. Slaughter'd indeed ; and now a Man no more ; For nothing is alive in Him but Beast , Which speaks its kinde by its lowd Swinish Roar : And thus he tumbling lies , untill opprest With his most heavy Self , he falls asleep , And in that nasty Rest his brains doth steep , 25. Thus , as one part of Luxury did grow In Paradise , the other planted was In Noahs Garden ; that the World might know Danger can breed and lurk in any place : Alas , the holiest Ground too often breeds As well as wholsome Floures , invenomed Weeds . 26. Heav'ns Bounty granted all Variety Of Meats to feast the Sober Appetite ; And added brisk and cheerfull Wine , to be The active Soule of Moderate Delight : But peevish Man abused by his grosse Ingratitude , Heav'ns Grace to Wantonness . 27. Neither by Eve's Example He would take , Nor Noahs , warning , though their Sanctity Did them far more invulnerable make Then common Mortalls feeble Breasts could be : Still He would needs goe dive to the profound Bottome of Pleasures , though himselfe he drownd . 28. And from that Bottome he fetch'd up at last Improved Fat and Full-grown Luxury , Who ne'r appeared unto Ages past More than a tolerable Prodigie , For she much cooler was , and tamer then , And did not banish Men quite out of Men , 29. But now she an unruly Monster grew , Being encourag'd by Wines rampant Flame ; And round about the World in Tryumph flew , All which she shipwrack'd in her Pois'nous stream : Raving and roaring Mad she was , and made All so , who practis'd her intemperate Trade . 30. The Laws of God , of Man , of Nature were Vain feeble Bridles , when-soever she Resolved in her furious Carreer To let the Circle of her Healths run free : Oft has she mingled with her Wines mad flood Friends , Brothers , Parents , Masters , Princes blood 31. Strange was her Shape , ( if yet Deformity May in Shapes Title share , ) her parched Head Burns up all hopes of Hair , and scorns to be By any thing but Baldnesse covered : Her humorish Eyes all red and putrid , seem In her own over-flowing Wine to swim . 32. But yet her Nose more provident is , for there The Wine is bottled up and runs not out : Onely the Bottle being thin and clear Speaks what it holds ; and studded round about With fervent Rubies , serveth her perhaps For a dear Item of a Bunch of Grapes . 33. Wroth fiery Knots are marshalled upon Her Forehead and her Cheeks : Had Sicilie Her Etna lost , this sulphurie Region Would shew it her in multiplicitie ; Onely these Hills are something lesse then that , Yet is their Horror and their Stink as great . 34. Her Lips are alway crannied and drie , Though every day a thousand times made wet ; For still her burning breath in passing by Makes them that Moisture instantly forget , And by the Poison of its fulsome Stinks Taints all the aromatick Wines she drinks . 35. But the vast storehouse of her Belly makes Her seem with Childe of Mountains , for in this The dainties which from all the World she rakes In one prodigious Heap congested is : Here Solomons brasen Sea it selfe might swimm , And its twelve Oxen too , and more with Them . 36. This is the Sink , where Surfet being bred , Of all Diseases doth the Parent grow ; Which She distributing from Foot to Head Doth undigested Pleasures turn to Woe . Thus , though the Bee doth pleasing Hony bring , She always endeth in a pois'nous Sting . 37. Who knows not that Luxuriant Mortals eat The copious fuell of their Sicknesses , And force their honest , but abused Meat Not to feed Nature , but her Maladies ? Who knows not that in Healths deceitfull Name They drink the Venome which destroieth Them ? 38. Themselves they diet thus with their own Death And to a Weapon of Destruction turn The Staff of Life : In vain Heav'ns Mercy hath So bounteous been ; if Man himself can learn To pick out 〈◊〉 in it , and through Its Sweetnesse , work his bitter Overthrow . 39. If Bacchus must be made a God , and have His larger and more constant Sacrifice Than He who all their Vines to Mortals gave , Whilst they the Gift more than the Giver prize ; If Ceres too a Goddesse grow , and We All sworn Devoto's to the Belly be . 40. Alas I and had not bold Mortalitie Commission large and full enough before To work our Ruine ! Was the Miserie Of Plagne , of Famine , and of War , so poor And weak , that We our Selves the help must lend Of Luxurie , to hasten on our End ! 41. 'T was time , high time for God himself to come And turn Physitian in this desperate Case : Our Madnesse swell'd so wide , that now no room For any Mortall helping Hand there was : 'T was time to Come ; and blessed be His Name For his dear Coming , for in time He came , 42. Jesus himself came down , and left the Feast Of all Delights which He above enjoy'd ; Into the Depth of Poverty He cast His life , and taught the World how to avoyd Intemperanc's Baits , which thick are set Onely where Riches the dominion get . 43. Then by his practik Abstinence He shewed Those who his royall steps would not disdain , How dangerous Luxurie might be subdued , And healthfull Temperance the Sceptre gain : Forty long dayes and nights at once he spent In Consecrating of his Servants Lent . 44. To this Example He his Doctrine joyn'd And for his frequent Text did Fasting take ; Proving that every Eye was worse then blinde Which no discoverie in Her could make Of richer Beauties , then those faint and thin Graces which hover in a polish'd Skin . 45. 'T is true She 's pale ; so is the Lilie too , So is her heav'nly Daughter Chastitie ; So is the Milk so is the virgin Snow ; And yet when Modestie would dressed be In her brave Scarlet , She doth raise a Flood Of Purple , and shine fair in Blushing Blood 46. She is contented to be lank and lean , As one who counts it Martiall Policie To keep her Amunition close within , The better to confront the Seige : for She Laughs at those plump and boasting Gallants who Can nothing but their swelling Outworks show . 47. For whilst her Walls are lesse , she hath lesse need Of numerous Powers to maintain the fight : But being Mistresse of all active Heed She stands upon her guard both day and night ; Being of creacherous ease , and sleep afraid , By which fat lazie bulwarks are betrai'd . 48. She knows what ballast will her Bulk suffice To keep her steady in this dangerous Sea , And layes in but enough : The Merchandise Which fraughts her stowage , pretious virtues be ; And provident she , no bigger than her self , Securely sails by every Rock and Shelf . 49. Her Parts and Passions all their duties know , And she as little fears a storm within , As from without : her humble flesh doth bow To all Commands ; no Officers repine What course so e'r she steers , but all conspire To make their own still saile with her desire . 50. Thus she does safely at that Port arrive Which leads into the Continent of Blisse ; The Port at which her restlesse aym did drive ; The onely Key and Gate of Paradise : For Paradise's sweets her stomack she Reserv'd , which there at length shall filled be . 51. This difficult but advantageous Grace Was that which Jesus strove on earth to sow ; But most ungratefull Earth so shamelesse was As not to suffer the faire seed to grow : Though a few honest beds did entertain it , The most part of the Garden did disdain it . 52. Those who unto the King of Abstinence Have sworn Allegiance , blush not to enrole Themselves the servants of Intemperance , And the mad virtue of their Revelling Bowle More sacred and obligatory count Then the bless'd Streams of the Baptismal Fount . 53. Else how comes that abominable Trade Of daily turning swine , to be profest With most applans not where the Pagan shade Upon prevented Reasons eyes hath east Blinde irreligions night ; but where the Rayes Of most revealed heav'n , gild Christian dayes . 54. Else how cam'st thou , unhappy Britaih , which Barr'st out all other Oceans by thy shore , To let the Sea of Drunkennes with such Unrulie fury in thy bowels roar ! O that thy feeble Sands should stronger be Then is thy Reason , or thy Pietie . 55. How has this deluge drown'd in Sottishnesse Thy once renouned sense of Braverie , Since in thy Helmeti , Swords , and Bucklers place A cowardly succession we see Of Pots and Glasses , and ( ô valours shame ! ) 〈◊〉 drinker turned into Credits name , 56. How come those Bacchanalian wars so dear In thy Repute , who prid'st thy self that thou So well appointed art , as not to fear Or Dutch , or Danish bowls ; but knowest how Foes and friends lives by the Grapes blood to shed , And , though not strike , yet , surely drink them dead . 57. How comes the Name of Cynik or of Clown , To dwell on them who never learn'd the Arts Of roaring Revels ? How is goodnes grown No more by virtues standard , but by quarts And Pottles to be measured , whil'st , alas , Carousers for the good companions pass ? 58. O how hast thou forgot what sumptuous Care Almighty Love hath taken to requite Thine Abstinence ; what Soule refreshing fare For Pieties untainted Appetite His bounteous hand prepares , and proves how He Excessive is in hospitalitie ! 59. Heav'n stood amaz'd at the magnificence Of that high banquet : nor could Phylax now Longer conceale the brave ecstatik sense He had of it ; for heav'nly bosoms glow So hot with Loves sublime exploits , that they Must split , did not their tongues their hearts display . 60. The famous Traytors storie being done , And Psyche having her short supper eat , The 〈◊〉 Guardian thus again begun : My Dear , this Evening seaion , and the 〈◊〉 Thou from thy Lords hand hast received , be The items of a greater feast to Me. 61. He , the sweet Doctor of chaste Abstinence Who taught his Servants not to clog their heart With corruptible Viands ; when from hence Already Sold , he shortly was to part , So great and rich a Banquet made , as may The whole Worlds Temperance 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 62. A 〈◊〉 not of gross and earthly chear Where Birds , or Beasts , or Fish might convives be . But of immortall Delicates , so dear , So sweet , so pretious , that onely He The God in whom all Power & sweetnes live Could such Celestiall entertainment give . 63. 'T was now the solemne time among the 〈◊〉 Their memorable Passover to ear : Nor would thine inoffensive Lord refuie That grand solemnitie to celebrate , And honour it , which like the faithfull 〈◊〉 On Him the Sun so long attended had . 64. With his Disciples down the Master sate , And in the spotlesse and unblemish'd Lamb Beheld the Copy of his purer State , In which no Criticks eye found room for blame Yet could not Innocence secure his life , More than the Lamb it saved from the knife . 65. The Lamb his tender fleece & skin had lost , And naked to the fire exposed was . Where all its harmlesse , helplesse , flesh was roste : And here he read atorehand his own case , How to his Cross the Jewish furie tost him , And how the flaming wrath of Heav'n did rost him . 66. The sad attendance of that bitter sauce Which sourest Herbs about the Meat had thrown , The dark resemblance of those torments was With which his Dish of deepest woe was strown , The Weeds of humane sins , which far exceed In bitternes , all Herbs that earth can breed . 67. The Haste which quickned on this transient feasi , Was not so winged as the noble speed With which He posted in desire to rest Upon the cruel Cross his tender Head : A wofull resting place was that , and yet To Love no Pillow seem'd so soft as , 68. But having 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 And with due honor brought it 〈◊〉 its geave , He makes way for that tender 〈◊〉 Which as his finall favour he did save To print his dearest Memory most deep In the soft Sonles of his beloved Sheep . 69. He with a Towel , having laid aside His Mantle , girds himself ; for humble he Would not the least impediment abide Of his officious Activitie : With water then filling a Basin full Down at his own Disciples feet he fell . 70. The Conscience of his own eternall worth , And of his universall Soveraigntie , The certain knowledge that He 〈◊〉 forth From his bright Fathers arms , and was to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There re-inthroned , could not hold him up : All this he knew , and yet he down did stoop . 71. Stoop then prood Mortals , whosoe'r yee be , Who have no power alone to stand upright , Stoop , now you see your Saviour on his Knee , Who doth sustaine your Being , by his might ; Stoop , now you see . Him to his Servants bow , And the Most-high submit himself 〈◊〉 72. To stand on foolish Terms of 〈◊〉 now Is but to found your glorie on your shame : Is it not more illustrious to bow With Jesus , then with Lucifer to aime Above your reach ? O why will Dust forget The place originally due to it ! 73. But what 's Gods bus'nes at his Servants feet ? Even to Wash and Wipe them 〈◊〉 . O now Stoop lower still , lower and lower yet , For at the lowest you are not so 〈◊〉 As He the 〈◊〉 King , who here Hath made himself a 〈◊〉 Minister . 74. When Jesus by his Water ciensed had Hir Servants feet , and by his Grace their 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 what Preparation must be made By all who ever mean to have their Parts In his pure 〈◊〉 ; down he sits again , And them with 〈◊〉 doth entertain . 75. The Ends of sumptuous Banquets use to be Crown'd with most soveraign Varieties , Which may the Convives learned Luxurie With deep and new found Ravishment surprise ; And Jesus would not have this Supper want That costly Point of Princely Complement . 76. Indeed the Supper which They now had eat Into the Belly its direct way took , Where in the Kitchin of poor Mortall Meat It was committed unto Heat to Cook : And Heats best skill could onely dresse it 〈◊〉 To feed the Body which contained it . 77. But Christs 〈◊〉 Designe was now With such a royall Feast to blesse the Bord , As might make Spirits fat and healthfull grow , And thriving Nutriment to Soules afford ; Such Nutriment as might full power give Unto his Guests eternally to live . 78. In his Almighty Hand he took the Bread ; And pour'd his plenall Blessing upon it : Never on any but his own dear Head Such potent Benediction did sit ; Indeed , it was that Blessings Echo , and Bounded upon his Body in his Hand . 79. For having broke that Bread He reached it To his Disciples , saying , Take and eat This is my Body broke for You ; and let My dear Remembrance live in this your Meat . But Jesu's Feast must not be drie ; for Wine Equall to this high Dainties He doth joyne . 80. He takes the Cup , and Drink Yee all of this , It is my Blood of the new Testument Says He , which shed and freely given is To wash the Sins of all that will repent ? As often as you of this Chalice drink Of Me your liberall Redeemer think 81. Sweet Jesu ! ô how can thy World forget Their royall 〈◊〉 , and his 〈◊〉 , who Upon their Tables his own Self hath 〈◊〉 ; Who in their holy Cups fails not to flow , And in their Dishes lie . Did ever Friend So 〈◊〉 a Token of his Love 〈◊〉 ? 82. Infallibly there dost Thou flow and lie ; Though Mortall Eyes discover no such thing ; Quick sighted Faith reads all the Mystery And humble pious Soules doth easily bring Into the Wonders 〈◊〉 , and there Makes all the 〈◊〉 of this Truth 〈◊〉 , 83. She generously dares on God relie And trust his Word how strange soe'r it 〈◊〉 If Jesus once pronounces This is my Body and Blood ; Far far be it , cries She ; That I should think my dying Lord would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 of Drink and 〈◊〉 84. ( His Word is most Omnipotent , and He Can doe what e'r He says ; and more than I Can or would understand What is 't to me If He 〈◊〉 Humane Capacitie ? Surely it well becomes Him so to doe , Nor were He God , if He could not doe so 85. Let Him say what He will , I must denie Him to be God , or else Beleeve his Word Me it concerneth not to verifie What He proclaims ; I onely must afford Meek Credit , and let Him alone to make Good , whatsoever He is 〈◊〉 to speak , ) 86. Grosse and unworthy Spirits sure They be Who of their Lord such mean Conceptions 〈◊〉 That parting from his dearest Consorts . He No Token of his Love did leave with Them . But simple Bread and Wine : a likely thing , And well-becoming Heav'ns magnificent King , 87. A likely Thing , that when the susty blood Of Bulls and Goars cannot wash Sin away , The Blood of Grapes should with a stronger Flood 〈◊〉 over whelm and drown the Worlds 〈◊〉 : O no , such Virtue in no Blood can dwell But that which through the Veins of God did thrill . 88. Ask me not then , How can the thing be done , 〈◊〉 power of Sense or Reason can 〈◊〉 it ? 〈◊〉 , is 〈◊〉 are , what Demonstration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as this My God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if you once can prove that He can lie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 too , I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 89. What thank is it that you can credit that Which your own sense and Reasons eye reads plain ? Heavn's much to them beholden , who will not Beleeve it higher is than they can strein ; Who jealous are of God , and will not be Induce'd to trust him further than they see . 90. And yet had you these modest eyes of mine , You in this gloomie Cloud would see the Sun That Sun , who wisely doth disdain to shine On Those who with bold Prying presse upon His secret Majestie , which plainly I Because I make no anxious search , descrie . 91. This is the valorous Resolution Of Gallant Faith : and this will serve to be The blessed Rule by which all those will run Who are the Scholars of Humilitie . Yet , I must tell thee Psyche , itching Pride Will not hereafter thus be satisfied . 92. A thousand waspish Syllogismes will Be buzzing from the Mouthes of those who build Their ground works of Religion on the skill Which they for granted take , their brains has fild ; Till Quaeries , Doubts , Distinctions , Niceties , First grow to Schismes , and then to Heresies . 93. Needs will they prie into the Manner how This mystick Miracle to passe was brought , And madly being not content to know What Christ thought fit to teach them , study out They know not what , and make this banquet prove A Sacrament of war , and not of love . 94. Some peep too neer , and spie what is not there , Some carelesly take what is there away : Some will confesse no Miracle , for fear That should prove Consequential , which they Would not have so , and that themselves should be Forc'd to acknowledge more than they can see . 95. Some sift Existence , Substance , Accidents , And make the Laws of Aristotle be The Umpiers in Religion . Thus the Rents Which Art strives to sew up in Pietie By that unworthy clownish Needle are Onely made wider than before they were . 96. O happy world , if all would once agree In that which Jesus hath so plainly taught ! If those short Words might but sincerely be Imbraced , and no more in question brought ! If for the Manner they would trust their Lord , And for the Substance , take Him at his Word ! 97. For Heav'n its faithfull wheel shall sooner turn , And backward hale the Sun into the East ; The Northern Polar Bear shall sooner burn , And Siriu's mouth be sealed up with Frost ; The Earth into the Sphears shall sooner leap , And tumble down all Height into the Deep ; 98. Then any Syllable which droppeth from The Lipps of Jesus can be born away Upon the Windes swift wings , and never come Back with its full effect . And yet the day Will come , when Men will be so mad in this Cleer point , as to dispute away their Blisse . 99. It is in vain to tell these Wranglers how Jesus could graft cold stones into the stock Of Abraham , and make them Fertile grow In Israelites ; Or that the Bread He took In 's daily diet , was not wholly spent , But part into his Bodies substance went . 100. In vain to tell them , how , into his Blood The Wine he drank was changed day by day : For though such Speculations understood With prudent reverence , might make easier way Unto the Mysterie ; yet Wranglers will Because they will be so , be Wranglers still , 101. But as the sweetest Roses are beset With a strict Seige of Thorns ; whilst vulgar 〈◊〉 Which are not worth the Choking never meet With armed Neighbours , whose infestive Powers Might plant their Bane about them : so it fares With this rich Bread invaded by the Tares . 102. What heart can of the monstrous Gnostiks think And not abhorre their damned sacrifice , Vid. S. Epiphan. Hares . 26. 7. The matchlesse , and the most blasphemous sink Of odious impudent Impieties ? Psyche , Thou never yet heardst of so black A sin , as they doe their Religion make . 103. But I in reverence to thy Blush , forbear That deep Abominations Den to rake , Whose rank Sent reaks up to the highest Sphear And in Gods Nostrills stincks : Yet leave must take To tell thee thine own Albion will not be Afraid of Sacramentall Villany . 104. For in the Dreggs of Time , when Wealth and Pride Have fatned British Hearts fit to defie All Sacred Discipline , and to the Tide Of furious Licence and Impiety Op'd a vast Gap , unhallowed Hands will dare From holy Priests this reverend Work to tear . 105. Mechanick Zeal , inspir'd by Sottishnesse , And by enthusiastick Ordination Of Self-deluded Fancie Call'd to dresse This Mystick Feast in the reformed fashion , Will purest Purity it selfe defile , And by Heav'ns Gate finde out a Way to Hell . 106. But happy Thou who shalt not live to see Thine Eyes tormented by that cursed Sight , Which shall both Acted , and Permitted be By equal Sons of everlasting Night . Come then , let our Discourse return and be Spent on this Miracle of Purity 107. Thy Lords great Feast was the high Consummation Of Israels Passover ; A Feast which did With mystick power antidate his Passion , And that long-long'd-for Word , 'T is finished . Right noble was that typick Passover , But nobler this , because Substantial , here . 108. How much more pure and pretious is this Lamb Who , though the Feast unto himselfe be soure , Presents no Sauce of bitter herbs to them Who are the Convives , but with all the power Of Sweetnesse entertains their Palates , and All Joyes to wait upon them doth command . 109. This is that more renoun'd Viaticum The Israel of God to fortifie When they from Pharaohs iron Bondage come , And travell to their holy Liberty . O Psyche , those old Stories plainlier are Reacted in the Christian Hemisphear . 110. Sin is that hatefull Egypt , where doth reign A King how much more fierce than Pharaoh was , The Tyrant Belzebub who throws his Chain About the World ; and makes all Nations passe Under a more unreasonable Law Than making Brick , whilst They 'r denyed Straw . 111. But pious Soules are by this Paschal Feast Both strengthned and encouraged to throw This servile Yoak away , and thither haste Where everlasting Liberty doth grow : Although their hard obstructed Passage be Thorough the Wildernesse , and the Red Sea . 112. This enigmatick Life of Misery Can own both those repugnant Names : what are Its Storms , and Broils , and Tumults , but a Sea Red with Destruction ? What is daily fear With helplesse Desolation , and Distresse , If not a squalid fatal Wildernesse . 113. But through this wretched Desert , and this Sea , The Virtue of this Passover will lead Beleeving Soules , untill they safely be Of blessed Canaan inherited , That Canaan whose Milk and Honey is The sweetnesse of exuberant Paradise , 114. That Canaan where no Jebusites shall be Thorns in the Sides of its accomplish'd Rest , And whence no Babylonish Potency Shall root Them out who there are once possest ; A Canaan which alone makes good the grand And glorious Title of The holy Land . 115. This Sacramental Bread , and this alone Is that supporting Staffe of Life , by which The stout and faithfull Generation Take their brave journey unto Heav'n , and reach The top of their Desires more surely far Than by his Staffe the Artist does the Star . 116. By Bread , and Bread alone , Man now must live , Ev'n by this Bread which from Gods own Mouth came ; Christs potent institution did give This Virtue to it ; and Himselfe proclaim Aforehand , that Men must not hope or think To Live ; but by this Suppers Meat and Drink . 117. All Delicacies moulded up in one Pure pretious Composition are here : Ne'r did the Sybarit s Invention Upon their Tables sacrifice such cheere Unto their 〈◊〉 which alone to them The greatest of the Deities did seem . 118. The Syracusian Bords did never sweat Under such Dainties : Alexandrian Feasts Did never with such princely sprightfull Meat Ravish the Palates of their dearest Guests : No Asiatick , nor no Medick Fare , No Cates of Marseils may with these compare . 119. Great Solomons profoundest Industrie Which through all Nature did his Pleasures hunt , Sifting and boulting everie Suavitie , To finde what Sweets did flow with most Content , Nought but unsa vorie Vanitie could taste : All Solid pleasures here alone are plac't , 120. Here , in this Bread , this rich Conspiracie Of most substantiall Delights ; to which That pure Angelick Cheer which bounteouslie Heav'ns carefull Hand did every morning reach Unto his Israel , journying in the bare And hungrie desert , was course homely fare . 121. Nor is the Dainties of the Cup lesse rich Than that which in the noble Patin lies : The Wine of Love , of Life , of Spirits , which By new un-heard of heavenly properties The heart of Man with such Delights doth cheer As never fears the worst assaults of fear . 122. Heavens prudent Law had taken order that No Creatures Blood the Lippe of Man should stain : O no : The Caution was just and fit , That all those Mouthes might be reserved clean In reverence to the Blood of this great Lamb Which was into beheving lips to stream . 123. O blessed , bloody , peacefull Wine ! O how Divinely hast thou satisfaction made For that enflaming Poison which doth flow In other Wines ! may Noah now be glad Of his Invention , since his foule mishap Is clean wash'd out by this all purging Grape . 124. This is that Wine wherein dwells Veritie The Veritie of Heav'n : For Heav'n in it All melted is : Those noble Joies which we Bath'd in at home , are heer together met In sweet epitomie , and smiling swim About the Chalices most reverend Brim . 125. Let Luxurie turn other wines into The milk of Venus , and unto its Cupps As to the Bottles of her bosome goe , Whence onely furious uncleannesse drops : This is the purest Juice that can be prest From Chastities own most unspotted breast . 126. Of this , milde Doves may drink , and never fear An inflammation which might entrench On their chaste Spirits : Devoted Virgins heer Their 〈◊〉 and bashfull Hearts may safely drench : This Liquor breeds no flames but soft and cool , Which though they burn , cannot infect the soul. 127. Should Greek , Canarie , or Pannonian Wine , Should Spanish , French , Italian , and the rest Which crown the Bowles of Princes , all combine In one Extraction , and be richly drest With Aromatick Helps ; they would be all If paralleld with this , but costly Gall. 128. Ambitious Cleopatra's sumptuous Bowle Where her Luxuriant Jewell learn'd to swimme , And its inestimable Riches roule Melted and mixed with the gallant stream , Compared with this Cup was full as vile As any Bottle filled at her Nile . 129. This makes those wines all blush for their own shame Which in proud Belteshazzers Goblets smil'd ; Which Holofernes to the beauteous Dame , And yet more Masculine then Beauteous fild ; That Dame , who in her Nations quarrell durst Lesse for his Wine than for his heart-blood thirst . 130. Sardanapalus with his Coste and Care , Such precious liquor never could obtaine ; No Epicurean wishes ever were Advanced unto so sublime a strain , As to desire so rich a Draught as this , Whose worthabove all Fancies Compasse is . 131. For where the Juice of other Grapes doth reign , Both Sense and Reason feel its Tyranny ; Which being drownd together with their Brain , Forth with each Member , and each faculty To beastly Madnesse is enslav'd , and flies On Murders , Rapines , Rapes , and Villanies . 132. But where this Wine of Angels domineers The Heart with noble Drunkennesse it fills , For all its Powers and Spirits it overbears With a sweet stream of mystick Miracles , Untill intoxicated by this Flood Of Love and Heav'n , the Man is Drunk with God . 133. Strange , Psyche , are this Drunkennesses Fits ; Oft have I seen , and them as oft admired : The World has thought these Men besides their Wits , When with this Liquors flame it saw them fired . But We know what ecstatick Raptures mean , And Zeals exploits , when it hath got the Rein. 134. Oft have I seen brave Spirits , when they rose From this great Banquet , fill'd with generous Rage , Flie in the face of Sin ; and nobly choose The stoutest Foes whereon they might engage Their heav'nly Confidence , nor has their high Adventure faild to reach down Victory . 135. Oft have I seen Them scorn the Frown of Death , Oft have I seen them hug the Crosse and Spear , Oft have I heard them spend their finall breath In wooing greater Torments to come neer , Oft have I seen them enter single fight Both with the Peers , and with the Prince of Night . 136. For well they know what Strength they have within , And by tenacious Faith they hold it fast : How can those Champions ever fail to win Amidst whose Armour Heav'n it selfe is plac'd ? What Battery can prevail against that Breast Which is infallibly with God possest ? 137. For to augment the Wonder , Psyche , this Great Feast of Feasts , can never all be spent : When Millions are filled , still it is Intirely whole , and knows no detriment . So , though the whole World drinks in Air , yet still The undiminish'd Region is full . 138. And yet not so : For here each One doth eate The totall Feast , yet each One leaves it whole : These antecedent Ages cannot cheat Those which lagg on behinde : whilst Heav'n doth roll , And Earth stand still , this ever-teeming Bord. The same Delights will unto All afford . 139. No Fount lives on such living Springs as dwell In this pure Cup of Life , to which though all The World doe daily flock , to drink , yet still It keeps its equal Plenitude , nor shall The busie School , with all its Company Of Doubts and Queries hope to draw it drie , 140. Though all Heav'ns starry Tapers lighted be At Phebu's eyes , his Raies are still intire ; Though in each River , Fountain , Lake , or Sea His Image shines , yet his original Fire Is onely one , which doth it selfe so wide In its compleat Similitude divide . 141. Thus , and more really than thus , this Feast Most absolutely One , it selfe doth spread Into the Mouth and Heart of every Guest , And there far more celestial Splendor shed Than when the Sun by his meridian Ray Triumphs upon the highest Throne of Day , 142. The Blessed Lord , not many years agoe , Had borrow'd of the World Humanity , And dress'd Himselfe in Maries bowells so That He became compleatly Man : yet He Though by this Condescent , new Raies He set In Natures Crown , still thought Himselfe in debt . 143. Right Generous as He was , He ment to pay All back again which He receiv'd from Her : His Body and his Blood He ment to lay Upon the Crosse , and make Requitall there To all his Creditors , and freely by That Payment ransome Them from Misery , 144. And yet , because his Humane Nature He So dearly lov'd that He resolv'd to bear It home in Triumph , and eternalie Those Robes of boundlesse Love and Mercie Wear : E'r He his journey took , He plotted how It might Ascend , and yet Remain below , 145. Remain below ; and be as oft Restored As Man would please to take it : And the way He Instituted was by this adored Mysterious Banquet , which doth day by day Repay his Flesh and Blood , that Man may eat And drink , and with his God incorporate . 146. For , to compleat his most excessive Love Beyond the reach of any Parauel ; This 〈◊〉 Pay He doth so far improve , That his 〈◊〉 Godhead joyns to swell The royall Feast ; for this can never be Dissevered from his Humanity 147. O Banquet ! fit for His Magnificence Who is the Universes Soveraign . By this dear Project , Psyche , Mercies Prince Collecteth in his more than golden Chain His World unto Himself , and ties 〈◊〉 close , That no Disunion can interpose . 148. The glorious Incarnation began To tie this Knot ; which now redoubled is : There God vouchsas d to joyne Himselfe with Man Here Man has leave to make the Juncture His , And knit himself to his 〈◊〉 O What God stoop'd ever to his Creature so ! 149. By this sweet Combination Men doe grow 〈◊〉 of their Singularities , Their 〈◊〉 Interests , their I and Thou , Their Mine and 〈◊〉 their grounds of Avarice , Of Envie , of 〈◊〉 any comply In holy Peaces common Unitie . 150. This is the Cement , which together ties The Stones which in the Churches Fabrik lie , The common Ligature which doth comprise Each Joynt and Member in the Mysterie Of Christs spirituall Body , untill He The Shepheard , and his Sheep , in one agree . 151. For as the Reasonable Soule doth swimm . Intirely one through all the Body ; yet In every Member , and in every Limm In its Totality doth single sit : So by this Sacramentall Union Jesus is One to All , and All to One , 152. Beleeve it Psyche , though thy Mortal Eye Sees no such brave Attendance on this Bord , Yet thick the Waiters stand whose Dignity Shines next the Glories of their royall Lord : No Prince was on his Coronation Day E'r honored by such Servitors as They. 153. The gallant Cherubs , and the Seraphs here With legions of fairest Angels meet , And in all awfull Reverence draw neer , Ravish'd at what you Mortals Drink and Eat ; Here royall Principalities attend , Here Thrones bowe down , & heer Dominions bend , 154. For when they are above in their bright sphear The glorious Ocean of eternal Sweets , Their blessed Eyes behold no richer Cheer Than Mercy on this noble Table sets ; Nor did the Cherubs which kept Paradise Finde there such glorious Varieties . 155. Pure are their Eyes , and they can easily passe Through the thick Veil which on the Feast doth lie , A Veil which in profound Compassion was Thrown on the Count'nance of this Mystery , Which darts more glories from its naked face Than ever did great Mose's Temples grace . 156. So long as mortall Grossenesse sticks upon The Brows of Man , and cloggs his feeble Sight , One glimpse of heav'nly Majesty alone Would seal his eyes up with eternall Night ; For what exceedeth , doth corrupt , their reach ; Transcendent Lustre prov's as dark as Pitch . 157. When Batts may venture to the Eagles Nest , And full against the Suns , their own eyes set ; When blear-ey'd Owles may leave their gloomie Roost And with safe Looks the Face of High-noon met ; When Midnight dares throw off her sable Cloke ; And into bright Aurora's Wardrobe look . 158. Then may dim-sighted Men with safety gaze Upon their Lords unveiled Brightnesse ; then May they directly to his royall Face Without a Perspectives Assistance run ; Then may they boldly scorn , their Eyes to shrowd Under the moderate Shaddow of a Cloud . 159. But Jesus who full well their Weaknesse knew , Did in the Shelter of plain Wine and Bread Accommodate his Goodnesse to their View ; That in Familiar Elements they might read The hidden Mystery , and happy be Above all that their Mortal eyes could see . 160. The time shall come , when the dull Dust shall be By the brisk Virtue of the Resurrection Refin'd and rais'd to a Capacity Of radiant and spiritual Perfection ; When faithfull Soules in their celestial Rest Shall at the Lambs unvciled Supper feast 161. Mean while , it is their Priviledge , that they May freely in the Shade enjoy the Sun ; That in the Darknesse they may meet the Day , And in Hopes Region finde Fruition . But who , sweet Psyche , would beleeve , that hence Man should draw reason of Irreverence ! 162. Alas , when Time shall old and doting grow , And Christian Spirits sympathize with it ; 〈◊〉 will be bold to make this Banquet know That by its Out-side They doe square and fit Their estimation of it ; and that there Their Faith admits no more than doth appear . 163. It must be Superstition , if they Should think Gods Table holier than their own ; If of this Cup and Patin they bewray An higher thought , than of those all the Town Use in the publick Inns , when e'r they keep Their free Communion of Good-Fellow ship . 164. Nor Jove nor Juno , nor the silliest He Or She of all that Rabble , who were made Gods by vain Man ; found such impiety In those their Makers , as to be betray'd To slovenish Altars , and to 〈◊〉 Rites By fained Zeal's irreverent Deceits . 165. Must Rudenesse onely be permitted to Attend on Jesu's noblest 〈◊〉 ? And must it for most pure 〈◊〉 goe Because so grosse and 〈◊〉 Surely We Are much too blanie in Heav'n , who never knew Such kinde of 〈◊〉 to our God was due . 166. Is this the Thanks for keeping in his flames Of most intolefable Majesty , Which once unveild , by its immortal streams Would them devour , and all their slovenrie ? Alas , that Love should thus neglected be , And for no cause , but mighty Charity ! 167. But those brave Lovers , of whose generous breast Jesus intire possession has took , Are so inamored of this royal Feast , That with all humble Reverence they look Upon it , and in faithfull pure desire , After Angelick Complements aspire , 168. Their Hearts beat high with that illustrious Zeal Which fires our Breasts , and fain would stoop as low As doe the Seraphs , when this Miracle Of Love invites their reverent knees to bow : Fain would they have their passionate Piety As infinite as is this Mystery . 169. For infinite it is ; and gladly I , Would its Infinitude to Thee display ; No Theem with such delight could sit on my Admiring Tongue : But Angels must give way To ecstacies , in such vast Deeps , where Love Himselfe the utmost of his Power doth prove . 170. Here Phylax ended , and observed how The Bait would operate which He had cast To Psyches heart : which being captiv'd now By his Discourses Charms , and chained fast Unto the Tables foot which He set out , This pious answer gently forth she brought : 171. My Soules sweet Friend , what thanks can I repay For all this honey which thy Tongue hath shed Into my ears and heart 〈◊〉 Phylax may He whom Thou praisedst , poure upon thy head Thy full Requitall : As for sunple Me , What can the poor Worme Psyche give to Thee ? 172. She can give nothing , but 〈◊〉 still A begger , 〈◊〉 for further Favours sues ; Yet not for Cates my stomacks mouth to fill , 〈◊〉 No Famins Power could make me chuse My other Diet , if at this sweet 〈◊〉 Of Love and Heav'n , my Soul may now be Guest . 173. And if it be not so , I am undone ; Such Hunger knaws , such Thirst does burn my heart That by that Banquets Comfort I alone Can rescued be from this impatient Smart : And 't is thy courteous fault , dear Phylax , who With its Description Me hast ravish'd so . 174. The sickly , what but Health can satisfie ? And what but Balsame can desired be To stop the Wounds wide Mouth and bloody Crie ? What does the hunted Deer so pant to see , But some coole Fount , or soveraign Ditany ? What can the Captive wish , but Liberty ? 175. My Health , my Balsame , and my Liberty , My Dear 〈◊〉 , and my Fount of Blisse , My onely Nectur and Ambrosia lie Treasur'd up in this Banquet : If I misse Of this my Wish , alas , what shall I doe , What hope , what helpe for my encreasing Woe ? 176. She fainted here . But Phylax reach'd his hand Unto her Arm , and Comfort to her Heart . I like , said He , thy noble Ardour , and Its fuell 〈◊〉 unto 〈◊〉 Fire impart . In yonder House there lives a reverend Priest 〈◊〉 for thy pious foule will dresse this Feast . 177. This said ; He leads 〈◊〉 Virgin thither , where In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 room a 〈◊〉 of Faithfull Hearts 〈◊〉 that great Bus'nesse early did prepare ; For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forc'd them to all Arts Of 〈◊〉 and glad they were to choose Such Temples as were hidden from their Foes . 178. There in a Chalice and a Dish of Wood , The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Poverty , The wonder of their Saviours Flesh and Blood With golden Hearts they waited on . But We Alas in Patins and in Cups of Plate With Hearts of Wood this Banquet celebrate . 179. They in the Strangers Zeal-inflamed eye Such genuine beams of Piety descrised As soon dispell'd all mists of Jealousie Which serupulous Fear had rais'd ; unknown untried She is receiv'd : Besides , the holy Priest By Heav'n was warn'd to entertain this Guest . 180. Phylax withdrew his nimble Selfe into His Closet of Invisibility ; Yet still attended on his Psyche ; who Approached to the royall Mystery With such brave fervor , that her hungry Haste Almost as boundlesse seemed , as the Feast . 181. O how her Soule into the Dish did leap , And dive down to the Bottom of the Cup ! With what Inamorations did she weep ! What sighs of Joy did break her bosome ope ! How did Fear strive with Love ! How did she groan Between Humility , and Ambition ! 182. O how She thinks her Lips and Heart impure ! And yet she cannot for a World refrain : She knows not how this Life she should endure , If from the Life of Life She must contain : She knows not how her Iron should for beak To meet the Loadstone now it was so neer . 183. Whilst in this dainty Agony she lay , Into her Mouth the Priest gives her her Blisse . Which to her Heart directly took its way And drown'd it in exuberant Sweetnesses : She now no longer Psyche is , for she Is all converted into Ecftafie . 184. O most Miraculous Feast , how fain my Song Would be Luxuriant in admiring Thee ! But neither mine , nor Phylax's high Tongue Knows how to reach that lofty Harmonie Of all united Sweets and Joyes which lie In bounteous Loves protoundest Mystery . 185. Yet may my pained Soule have leave to lay At this Songs foot its just and heavy Sighs ; Which , never since mine Eyes first op'd on Day So deeply rellished Lifes miseries : The more my shame , whose mighty Sins for Me Have earned this Heart-knawing Agonie . 186. Time was , when Heav'n in this late happy 〈◊〉 Kept open house ; when this Celestiall Feast Did freely wooe all Hearts to come and fill Their holy Appetites with all the best Of antidated Blisse , and grow Divine With this Spirituall mighty Bread and Wine . 187. But now both Feast and Bord devoured are By a new Banquet , as jejune and drie As barren Air ; for all this Pulpit Cheer Feeds but the itching Ears strange Boulimie : Whilst still the Heart remains as lank and thin ; And nothing fatter grows , but lusty Sin . 188. Sin fatter grows ; so fat that now it dares Kick both at Earth and Heav'n , and scorns to be Aw'd by those generous and ingenuous Fears Which are the Reins of Virtuous Modesty ; It mocketh Veng'ance and derideth Law , Because their patient Sword they slowly draw . 189. O how come Christian Soules so well content To want the choisest Viands Heav'n could give ! O how preposterously Abstinent Are they who with all riotous Dainties strive To fortisie the Belly , but can finde No Time to Victuall and enforce the Minde ! 190. Surely those Hero's were more prudent far Upon whose nearer hearts the warmer Blood Of Jesus dropp'd : not once a Moneth , or year , Ordivers Years , they with this holy Food Cheer'd up their Soules ; but every Morning fed , And made the Lord of Life their Daily Bread . 191. With Heav'n this alway kept their bosomes warme , This made Them Eagle-like their strength renew ; With death-despising Courage this did arme Their gentlest Spirits ; By this they Masters grew Of Earth and Hell , which having trampled down , Heav'n too by Violence They made their own . 192. But ô , my Heart , why art Thou stealing thus From thine own Woes , thy Neighbours to deplore ? Time was , when ( whilst thine unsledged Wickednesse Flew not at Heav'ns long patient face , nor tore This Judgment thence , ) I once a Week at least Could at this Bord of Blessings be a Guest . 193. Then with sweet Comfort could I turn mine Eye Back on the year , which with Delight did run ; Then could I count what Gains I reaped by My constant Trading in Devotion ; Rejoycing in my satisfied Minde That every Sunday I in Heav'n had din'd . 193. But now the flaming Coursers of the Sun Are drawing on the fourteenth Moneth , since I Attended on the Celebration Of this sweet life-enlivening Mystery ; Which yet I then was fain to steal , and so A Thief that Day to Paradise did goe . 194. I went indeed , But a Forbidden Tree Strait woo'd my liquorish Hand , and foolish I Beleev'd the flattering Bait , and would not see How treacherous an Hook beneath did lie . Dear , wonderous dear , this heedlesse Fault did cost Me , For all my heav'nly Joyes and Powers it lost Me , 195. It lost Me all , and no Recruit was nie , But I am lest aPrey to this long Fast : O how the Palate of my Soule is drie , What burning Drought doth shrivell up and waste The Bowels of my Heart ! how is my Minde With most uncomfortable Squalor pin'd ! 196. O how my Understandings Pinions tire , And flag below when I aloft would soar ! What leaden Numnesse damps those hopes of Fire With which my Fancie'gan to glow before ! What Languor cloggs my fainting Will , whilst ! On dark unworthy Earth thus groveling lie ! 197. O how this drie and barren Verse attests The heavy Truth of these my Lamentations ! O pitty Me , all you whose gentle Breasts E'r felt the Stings of Mysticall Vexations ! Pitty Me , ô my candid Readers , now What makes me tire your Patience , you know . 198. Had I my wonted Share in that dear Feast Which with celestiall Spirits embraves the Heart ; A fairer Banquet I for You had drest ; Who now can onely by my pined Smart Warn You to prize , and to imbrace with 〈◊〉 Religious Tendernesse , what I have lost . 199. Lost hitherto : But must that Losse run on , And can my Life mean while make good its Name ? Can Day maintain her Self , if once the Sun Deny to feed her with his vitall Flame ? Can Rivers keep their constant full-tide Course , If once the living Spring doth them divorce ? 201. O tender King of Love , whose sumptuous Care For hungry Hearts that high Provision made , Behold my starved Soule lies gasping here For one dear Crumb of thy mysterious Bread , And craves to cool its burning Tongue , one Drop Of liquid Life from thy all-saving Cup. 202. I know my Worthlessenesse , sweet Lord , and how Unfit I am to look for any Share In those peculiar Delicates , which Thou For thine own genuine Children didst prepare : Yet to a Dogg once more thy leave afford To catch what falleth from thy Childrens Bord.
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XIII . The Death of Love . ARGUMENT . LOve , having Liv'd for Man , is pleas'd to Dy , To make his purchase sure by Life and Death ; Through Earths profoundest Gulfe of Tyranny , And the vast Ocean of Heav'ns mighty Wrath He nobly waded ; and upon the Shore , Having first spent his Blood , his Soule did poure . 1. SOule of all Sweets , ô Life , how dear art Thou To all that ever had a Taste of Thee ! How much of Heav'n it selfe infus'd doth flow Into the region of thy Suavity ! Indeed Heav'n were not Heav'n , did it not joyn To make it Selfe , by Marrying Thee , divine , 2. Thou in the Center of Divinity Before the Birth of Ages hadst thy Spring , Where thou didst sweetly Smile amidst the Three Most undivided One , and traversing Those Heights & Depths of Blessedness , didst through Eternities immense Expansion flow 3. Thence , when the World burst out from Nothing , thou Didst spare some Streams Created Hearts to cheer : No Bosomes with that Influence did glow , But of thy Sweets they straight enamor'd were , Which , as their richest dearest Jewells , they Close in the heart of their own Hearts did lay , 4. Their Goods , their Parents , or their Children were Not halfe so pretious to Them , as Thou : Their Joynts , their Limbs , their Skin , they well could spare Their tender Name and Fame , they could allow . A Prey to Injury , so they by them Might Thee , and thy Security 〈◊〉 5. The vilest Worme , whom Thou dost please to grace , Forgetteth not that worth he gains by Thee : He shoots his warey Self from place to place , And , when oppressed , feeble though he be , He turns again , and with the strongest Foe Tries what for thy deer Rescue He can doe . 6. The wretched Serpent is content to feed On basest Dust , rather than part with Thee ; Though Curses poure their Streams upon his head , He makes his Body all one Helmet be To sheltre it ; and roules himself about Himself , to keep all mortall violence out . 7. Nay when the Sword or Wand its way has cut Quite through his Circles , till his Body be An heap of fragments ; He himself doth knit Ev'n by the Cement of his Wounds , till He Grows One again ; So lothe he is to die , Though his damn'd life be but his Miserie . 8. What Voyages will silly Swallows take Warme Seasons round about the World to chase ! What hard shift will the hunted Partridge make To shun the greedy Griffens deadly face ! What Wings of Speed , what Tricks , and Sleights will fear Of Death , soon teach the close-pursued Hare ! 6. In how great Sweat and Pains doe Pismires spend Their warmer Moneths , to reap and carry home Their Cropp , which in the Cold , may them befreind With Sustentation , and defend Them from The fear of loosing that poor Life , which They , In love of it , to endlesse Toile betray 10. The most industrious never-tired Bee Flies through all Summer , knocking at the door Of every likely Flower , where thoughtfull she Can borrow ought towards her Winter Store ; And thus for love of Life , her honey trade A bitter course of Painfulnes is made , 11. Yea , ev'n the simplest Weed , whose Life doth but Preserve that Stink with which She taints the air , When Winter gins its chains of Frost to put Upon the Earth , makes all her Spirits repair Down to the Root : for rather than be dead , Alive She chooseth to be buried . 12. But yet no Creature with such painfull Pains Doth purchase Lifes Security , as Man : What Plots and Projects tumble in his brains , What Cares and Labours make Him faint and wan Earth open house to all things else doth keep , But He must sowe before he looks to reap . 13. A tedious Prentisehood He spends , to learn How he may toile himself another Day , And by his still-returning Labours ern What will support his Strength , that still He may Be grapling with his Work ; for his own S weat Must be the constant Sauce unto his Meat , 14. To get a Living , 's a sufficient Charm T' allure him through the most portentous Sea ; To make him scorn the most out ragious Storm Though Death within three Inches of Him be ; To fire him unto all impieties , Defying Veng'ance , and the Thundering Skies . 15. A Charm sufficient to make him List Himself an Enemie to the life of Man ; Whilst he fears not to make his stoney breast Harder , by martiall Steel and Brasse , and can Without all blushing take his bloody Pay , For his Endeavours daily to Destroy . 16. O wonderous Riddle though eternall Death Invitably be entaild upon His monstrous Crimes ; Yet He his present Breath Esteems so deer , that still he dares run on In any Deadly Wickednes , which may Maintain that life which must 〈◊〉 long 〈◊〉 . 17. Indeed the Man whose swelling Coffers bring Him forth free choise of all the dainty Store Which Land or Sea can yeild to cheer a King , May finde some feeling reason to adore His Jollse Life : But what convincing Plea Can Beggers move to this 〈◊〉 18. Yet They who are so destitute within And poor without , that equally they want Both Food wherewith to fill their wretened Skin , And Clothes to cover it ; are well content On these hard tenns to live , nor 〈◊〉 They be By any Death quit of this 〈◊〉 19. The woefull Captive , whose dark Dungeon is No other but his antidated Grave , Though neither Light nor open air be his , Yet huggs his Life , as deerely , as the brave And lustie Gallant , who himself can please With all the Fat of pleasure and of case . 20. The Leper clothed in his winding sheet By his disease , abhorrs the thought of death : Life still is ev'n in his dead Body sweet , And full as pretious He esteems his Breath As doth the Virgin whose fair Bodies dresse Of native Lilies , and of Roses is . 21. He who doth in a Fevers fornace frie , Would yet not Cool himself within his Grave ; But hires Physicians costly Industrie To study out some way how He may save His torturing Life : Notfor 〈◊〉 World would He By Death's , most 〈◊〉 Physick eased be . 22. The lamentable Gally-slave , who is Fast chained to perpetuall Miserie , Still toiles and rows through the tempestuous Seas , Without all Hopes that any Port can be An Haven of Rest to Him ; and yet full deat He holds that Life which holds him Pris'ner there . 23. She whom a Seige begins so close , that she Is crowded up to nought but Bones and Skin , Flies from the thought of gaining Libertie By Deaths Assistance ; and will rather win Upon her Bowels to devour her childe Than be by Famine of her Life 〈◊〉 . 24. The cursed Traitour who is chain'd alive Unto his Chaire of Death ; though he be sure It needs must be in vain for Life to strive ; Yet in strong Love of it , he will endure To feed on his own Arms , that so He may What e'r it cost Him , Live one other day . 25. He who disjoynted on the Rack doth lie , Although his Body now no more be his , After a thousand 〈◊〉 , is to the to die , And any Crime is willing to Confesse . He doth Confesse what needs must be his Death , Onely to gaine a little longer breath , 26. Thus all the Gall that sharpest Miserie Into the heart of Mortall Life can poure Meets there such Powers of vitall suavitie As conquer all its Bitternesse : Suct store Of pretious Delicates as dare despise The keepest force of all Calamities . 27. Snatch what you will from Man , besides , and He Will stoutly set his shoulders to sustein His Losse ; but if his Life required be , In vain all Comforts fawn on Him ; in vain Are Crowns and Sceptres proffer'd Him , a price Too poor to hire Him to his Obsequies . 28. Since then the Life ev'n of the meanest Wight Scorns to be balanc'd with the richest Treasure ; O then what mighty Depth of Worth , or Height Of purest Pretiousnesse can serve to measure The value of the Life of Jesus , which Doth earth with all the best of Heav'n enrich ? 29. A Life more worth than all the Breath which 〈◊〉 The panting Hearts of the whole World beside ; More worth than all the Tract of Ages , and Old 〈◊〉 himself : A Life which nobly vie'd With vast 〈◊〉 , so sweet , immense , And pure was its Miraculous Excellence . 30. For whilst all Humane Life was by the Breath Of the contagious Serpent tainted So , That by the rankling Principles of Death It from its Cradie was condemn'd unto Its Herse ; He 's kept unsteind , and scorned all The gaping Graves Pleas for his Funerall . 31. Yet this dear Life of his he held lesse dear Than worthlesse men ; so generous was his Love That He his own Hearts Blood could freely spare To ransome theirs ; desiring so to prove Ev'n by their own Souls Rule , that they to Him More dear than his all pretious Self did seem . 32. They , and the worst of them ; for he did not Pick out some worthy Freinds , for whose sweet sake His Life 〈◊〉 was content to offer ; but Ev'n for his 〈◊〉 that dear Oblation make . 〈◊〉 was Leves highest Gallantrie , and fit For Him who was the Mighty King of it . 33. This was the brave Exploit which Phylax now , To ravish Psyche's Heart , meant to display . For though the bus'nesse she before did know , Yet t was at Distance : Circumstances may Make deep Impression , and the present Sceen Of Miracles , more Admiration win . 34. Besides , he knew her Soule was fired now With noble vigour from the Heav'nly Bord , And would delight to towre and travell through The 〈◊〉 wonders of her loving Lord . This made him bring her from the sacred Cave , When by the holy Kisse Sh 'had took her leave , 35. Then up he leads her unto Calvarie , The Hill of Marveils , that that Prospect might Yeild her with uncontrolled Libertie Of Loves chief stations an open sight : And there arriv'd , Mark now , my Deer , said He , What further Wonders Jesus did for thee . 36. Wert Thou enthroned on the proudest Hill Which on the glorious Back of Heav'n doth rise , Thou couldst not with a nobler spectacle Feast the brave Hunger of thy wondering Eyes , Than from this Mountains most renowned Head Thou by my Finger , and my Tongue shalt read . 37. In yonder street of Ruines , once there stood The High-preist Anna's House ; but Caiaphas Who was his Sonne by Marriage , not by Blood , ( Unlesse joynt thirst of guiltlesse Blood may passe For 〈◊〉 , ) His Dwelling had Where now thou see'st that Heap of rubbish made . 38. Those Caytiffs , who had in the Garden seiz'd Upon thy Lord to Annas hull'd him first , To see what Censure his grave spight was pleas'd To passe on Him for whom it long did thirst : But He , with cruel Favour Him dismist Unto his Sonne , the bolder bloodier Priest . 39. Thus , through the 〈◊〉 , and Scorn , to 〈◊〉 Is Jesus sed : He smil'd within , to see With what successe his Bargain crowned was , And thought his Money well bestow'd which He To 〈◊〉 gave : Yet in his Face , and Eye He still maintain'd his Priestly 〈◊〉 . 40. So hast thou seen a Lyon cast his Eye Upon his harmlesse Prey with grave Disdaine , As if he could afford to passe it by ; Whilst He his greedy Paws can scarce contein , Or with his Teeth bite in their own Des Of Blood : so certain is his salvage Ire . 41. Like one who jealous was of Peace , and Law , He calls Him to account , and asks Him why He strove Disciples after Him to draw , And with his new-found Doctrine multiplie Sects in the Church , and 〈◊〉 in the State ; Both which religious Loyaltie must hate , 42. ( Such Impudence upon Sinnes face doth reign That whilst the Laws of Heav'n and Earth she breaks ; She dares on Innocence throw her own stein , And in high Zealloud exclamations make Against all Innovations , which on Them Shee chargeth , for whose blood her Thirst doth flame . ) 43. Thy Lord well understood his vain Demand ; And , why , said He , requir'st Thou this of me ? Loe my Accusers crowd on either hand , Who in their spight against Me , all agree . My Doctrine publick was ; Hear then what 〈◊〉 Against Me , now I challenge Them , can say , 44. Tin no Conventicles Cloysters did Shrowd any Lessons that I meant to preach : The Synagogue and Temple witnessed , And so did they Themselves , what I did teach . My Gospel it concern'd the World to know ; And from my Lips in publick it did flow . 45. This said . A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 by , First bent his angrie Brow , and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 , With which at Jesu's Face his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Crying , Bold fellow , can Goas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 Answer ? Now we see What 〈◊〉 of Manners grow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 46. Wouldst 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 ? For how 〈…〉 〈…〉 who though He 〈◊〉 This 〈…〉 Can yet approve himself both ? 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 . 47. But hear what from the Lambs Mouth Meekness spok : If in my Answer any Crime there be , Accuse Me Thou , and let the High-priest look That legall Justice be perform'd on Me : If not : before the face of Justice Seat , Why dost Thou mine injuriously beat ? 48. Soft was this Answer ; but their Breasts were Stone And beat it back : The unrelenting Priest With all the Scribes and Elders joyn'd in one Conspiracy of Haste , their Projects cast To hire False-witnesse , as before they bought That Treason which Him Pris'ner thither brought . 49. Is this the reverend Sanhedrim , which here Hunts for a Lie , that Truth may not escape ? Must grosse Injustice poyson Mose's Chair ? Must bloody Spight put on Religions shape ? No wonder if the People forward be To tread their Leaders Stepps to Injury . 50. Whole Troops of Witnesses came thronging in With thicker Articles : When Rulers dare Once egg the Vulgar on to act that sin In which Themselves cannot for shame appear , Bold Calumnie thinks Law is on her side , And with all furious Impudence doth ride . 51. But this rude Rout were younglins yet , and raw Knights of the Post , and had not conn'd their Lie With wary Art : As yet They did not know What need they had of perfect Memory : This made each one of Them accuse his Brother , Whilst all their Stories jarr'd on One another . 52. Yet They must not be chidden , whose Intent Aim'd onely at the Publike Good ; least this Should unto others prove Discouragement , Who might urge Articles with more Successe . Alas , those Men were well-affected , but Quite out of Count'nance by the Court were put . 53. Their honest Meaning by the Sanbedrim Is kindely constru'd and with Thanks requited ; That others might with subtler Art to trim Their fairer Accusations be invited ; For still the patient Court expects to see Who will the next Calumniators be . 54. But when the first Miscarriage did dismay All other Lyars : Satan , who stood by , Quick as his Thought , snatch'd unto Hell his way To fetch some help , leasts the Priests Villany , And his great Hopes , should intercepted be : Such care to murder thy dear Spouse had He 55. Deep in the bowels of eternal Night , And neighbour to the black Court of Damnation , A Den there is where Stinks with Stinks doe fight , And Ejulation roar at Ejulation ; Where Horrors Horrors fright , and where Dispair The face of Desperation doth tear . 56. Hither came He : When loe the Iron Door Gap'd like the thirsty Earth to drink him in , Whilst from its joyfull Mouth the Cave did poure A Stream of flaming Sulphure , to begin Its Soveraigns Welcome ; whom that Complement ( Such was his princely Grace , ) did well content . 57. For in He went , and there his Daughter saw Busie in pouring ever-flaming Lead Upon her Captive Soules , whom Lies did throw Into that boiling Curse . Upon her Bed Of red-hot Iron , not yet cooled lay Lusts Holocaust , Madame Potiphera . 58. She lay and bit , and roar'd and bit again Her slanderous Tongue , whence deadly Shafts she shot At holy Joseph , when She had in vain Spent all her eyes Artillery , and what Soft Blandishments her Wit could muster up To bring about her hot and lustfull Hope . 59. There lay that foule-mouth'd Ten , whose envious 〈◊〉 Blasted the florid Sweets of Canaan , Spreading a Dearth upon Fertility , And spewing Gall where Milk and Honey ran : They curs'd amain , and still their Lie maintain'd In spight of Death which in their Bosomes reign'd . 60. There lay that Pair of Venal Soules , who by Their hired Lie effected Naboths death ; Acting themselves that foule Impiety With which They slander'd Him : With flaming breath God and the King they curse , and wish all Hell Melted into the Heart of Jezebell . 61. Th' Assyrian Railer there his Throat did rend With 〈◊〉 assertion of his Blasphemy ; Avouching still that God himselfe did send Him to extirpate all the Jews : And why Fond Rabsheka , does He thus deep torment Thee ? For that bold Errand , if on it he sent Thee ? 62. There lay that slanderous Pair of Elders who Susanna did so reverently belie . At her their Accusations still they throw , And swear they found her in Adultery ; Yet with more fury they on Daniel raile , Crying , See how Injustice may prevail . 63. These , and ten thousand more lay roaring there , Whilst the remorselesse Mistresse of the Den Triumphed in their Tortures : Never Bear With such intemperate Fiercenesse raged when Her hungry Teeth were flinging ope their way Through the Bowells of her helplesse Prey . 64. Fell Calumnie it was : a monstrous She ; Her Forehead was compos'd of seav'n-fold Brasse ; An obstinate Swarthinesse which scorn'd to be Pierced by any Blush , grew on her face ; Her hollow Eyes with peevish Spight were fill'd , Her powting Lips with deadly Venome swell'd . 65. Her dreadfull Jaws replenish'd Quivers were Where Darts , and Spears , and Pikes , and Arrows stood Prepar'd and sharpned all for mortal War : Her mouth no Moisture knew , but blended Blood Of Asps and Basilisks , which she suck'd in To spit sure Mischief upon guiltlesse Men. 66. The Stings of Ten choise Dragons joyn'd in one , Was all the Tongue wherewith She had to speak : This made her language pure Destruction , For certain Death at every Word did break Forth from her Lips , if not at their first Sound , Yet most infallibly at their Rebound . 67. Her Brain is that mischievous Shop in which As every other Slander forged was : So that which did all Parallels out-stretch , And dar'd Omnipotence's soveraign Face , Proclaiming that thy Lord not by his own , But Belzebubs Power , did tread the Devills down . 68. When ever any rankling Canker breeds Kingdomes or Countries ruinous Overthrow , Her viperous Trade it is , the fatal Seeds Of restlesse Fears and Jealousies to sow In Peoples Hearts , whilst She ten thousand Lies To blast their Rulers Credit doth devise . 69. She spying now her royall Father there , His Benediction begg'd upon her Knee : Blesse Me dear Sire , said She , and give Me here Some new found Engine of fresh Cruelty : These Soules are us'd too kindly ; all their Pains Grow stale and cold , familiar their Chains . 70. Fear not ; it shall be so , cri'd Satan ; but Sweet Childe , another Work first craves our Care : Him whom I deepliest hate , my Art has got With Juda's help , fast in a fatal Snare ; I mean , that Galilean Beggar , who Has Me and all my Fiends abused so , 71. But now the Priests forsooth , are so demure ( And I 'le remember 't when I get them here , ) That though they in the Project did conjure , And bought that Christ ev'n at a Rate too dear , Their Holinesses some pretence must have How in Destroying Him , their Fame to save , 72. Confusion on their Fame ; who though they dread Not what the Thundering Wrath of Heav'n can doe In vindication of a guiltlesse Head ; Stand in base awe of the vile Vulgar so , That they confesse most Infamous Impiety Whilst They the People make their onely Deity . 73. Base-hearted Hypocrites ! Can they not be Brave venturous Sinners , like to Me their Prince ? Yet since they needs will sneak to Hell ; sure We For once will help the Fools , to their Pretence : They want False-witnesse for a Cloak , and Thou This Livery canst best on Them bestow . 74. But see Thou mould'st up some Athletick Lie Whose burly Bulk all Truth may over-bear . Some petty sucking Knaves their best did trie , But straight their ill-shod Tales did enter-fér , On Thee the Work depends . Come let 's away , The High-priests Court , or rather Mine , doth stay . 75. This said : his Daughter by the hand He took , And with more sprightfull speed then Indian Arrow Cuts through the tender whineing Aire , he broke Earths sturdie obstacles , and posted thorough The sullen clogging Masse , untill He came Back to his other Home , Jerusalem . 76. There when he saw the Council at a stand Gaping and staring one upon another , He spi'd withall , two itching Rogues at hand Scratching their heads , and beating them together : He knew their meaning , and through both their harts Unfeen , unheard , his Daughter strait he darts 77. As when the Bosome of the Delphick Priest Began to boile with his desired Hell , His Rapture by his Gestures he confest , Hastening to vent his belking Oracle ; So this accursed Pair , now kindled by The Furie speeded to belch out their Lie . 78. For straight each flung his hand above his head , And cri'd , I have it sure ; let 's to the barre : And when their Projects they examined , They found that both in one Mould fashion'd were : At which they kiss'd , and shaked hands , and prest With full-mouth'd Accusation to the Priest . 79. Great Caiaphas , and ye the 〈◊〉 The holy Guardians of Heav'ns reverend Law , Hear Us , said They , who will object to Him No hearsay stories , but what we both saw And beard ; and may henceforth nor Eye nor Ear If we speak what is false , or see , or Hear . 80. We saw him strutting in the Temple , where His most blasphemous Pride he broach'd , and cri'd , I will destroy this house which Hands did rear , And build another full as fair and wide Without the Help of Hands ; as if bold He No Mortall were , but some great Deitie . 81. Nay to be sure his Blasphemie might want No Complement of desperate Impudence , Though six and fourty yeares he knew were spent In compassing that works Magnificence , He blush'd not to avouch that in three dayes The Fabrick to perfection he would raise . 82. But Psyche , how shall Feeble Waves prevail Against impenetrable Rocks ! in vain This wretched Lie indeavoured to assail Unshaken Truth which did in Jesus reign ; And split it self , could the blinde Judges eye Have seen its shivers , which about did fly . 83. For grant this Article were full as true As it is false ; Why must it branded be As Blasphemous in Him , who in the view Ofample witnesse prov'd his Potencie Sufficient was the Temple to restore , When He from Death her Captive Lazarus tore . 84. But strait a Murmur rolld about the Hall , Which the Fond People toss'd from one another : The Council gravely shak'd their heads ; and all Mingled their jealous Whisperings together : Till Caiaphas stood up , and ask'd thy Lord , Why He no kinde of Answer would afford . 85. Jesus , who never spilt a word in vain , For sweet and pretious was his blessed Breath , Would no Reply unto that witnesse deign Which shamelesse Falshood venteth ; and which hath Its Answer in its self , to any Ear But that which is resolved not to hear . 86. Wherefore the Preist , advisd by Satan , now Contests him deep , to trie if He could make Him prove his own Accuser : All Men know , Said He , those towring Words of thine must speak A more then Mortall Power ; nor must thou hope Thy silence now shall lock the Businesse up . 87. For by the everliving God , whose Name Too glorious is on Mortall Tongues to sit , I heer conjure Thee cleerly to proclaim Whither Thou be the Christ , whom Holy Writ Has promis'd to the World , that Blessed One , The Heir of Heav'n , and Gods eternall Son . 88. O who would think this Consecrated Tongue Which with such reverentiall Awe doth make Mention of God ; mean while should burn in strong Thirst of most guiltlesse Blood ! But Hell can break Ev'n into Heaven it selfe , and Satan dare Before Gods Throne amongst his Sons appear . 89. And He his Scholars teacheth to begin The foulest Crimes with Gods all-beauteous Name , That so more easily He may usher in What else by plain and necessary shame Would be obstructed . Thus the Charmers Tongue Distills his Poison through his dainty song . 90. But he who came Truth 's glorious Lamp to light , Was pleased now to give a full Replie : His Heav'n , his Sire , Himself , did him excite Himself , his Sire , his Heav'n not to denie . In Me , said He , fulfill'd your Scriptures are , I am God's Son , and Heav'ns apparent Heir . 91. And though your Eyes now look such Scorn on Me , Time comes when they shall melt in tears for this , When on the Clouds high Chariot they shall see My Majestie in Glories high Excesse , And at the first glimpse of my Power know I have a Judgement Seat , as well as you . 92. No sooner was this generous Truth profest , But Caiaphas in deep dissimulation His politick but bloody Malice drest ; And starting from his seat in zealous Passion , Tore his own Clothes , in token of his high Distaste at that presumed Blasphemy . 93. 'T is true , his Law did cleerly Him forbid To rend his Clothes : but what car'd He for Law , Who now about Injustice beat his Head , And onely aim'd how He the World might draw Into opinion that the Pris'ners Case Beyond all possible holy Patience was . 94. Vain Hypocrite , keep thy Clothes whole to hide Thy shamelesse self , whom Thou one day shalt tear For setting forth this Embleme , which doth bid The People use the Pris'ner at the Bar , As Thou thy Robe : But they are dull , and yet Reade not what Thou commend'st to Them by it . 95. They read it not . But , Psyche , bloody He Awakes their drowsie crueltie , and cries , What need we further Witnesses ? for yee Your selves have heard his wide-mouth'd Blasphemies . Speak what you think ; the Case seems unto Me So plain , that I dare let you Judges be . 96. O Righteous Judge , and worthy of the Chair Of reverend Moses , who doth first invite The People unto Blood , and then repair Unto their Sentence ! Whither Wrong or Right , Speak what think ye , a Firebrand is , and will Kindle the Furie of their Murdering Zeal . 97. For when the Bloodhounds feel their feet are loose , They straight pursue the Sent , and with joint Crie Proclaim him guiltie : And , say They , may Those Not live , who think He is not fit to Die . This roaring Sentence serv'd the turn ; and so Abused Jesus for Condemn'd doth goe . 98. What matter though the sacred Rolls can show No Statute , which , as due , his Life demands ? This Popular extemporal Vote , is Law Enough to yeeld Him into barbarous Hands , And He , so foul and monstrous is his Cause , Must die for breaking that which never was . 99. Forthwith the busie Officers , and all The insolent Servants take Him as their Prey ; And setting him amidst the smoakie Hall , Make his unmoved Patience their Play . Where , as a Preface to his deep disgrace , Their odious Scorn they spit upon his Face . 100. One at his Mouth , another at his Eyes , One at his Nose , another at his Beard , His Slaver aimes , and impudently tries To shoot his shame with Art . Was ever heard Such putrid Crueltie Where are , ô Jews , Your Eyes , and Face , that thus you His abuse ; 101. Have not all Beauties made their gracefull seat In this Majestick Look ? Is Libanus , Is Paradise , is Heav'n , so fair and sweet ? Are Phebu's Eyes so purely glorious ? Is delicate Aurora's April Cheek So roseal as this , so soft , so sleek ? 102. Cull out ten thousand of the fairest Faces Where goodly Feature ever made her home , And draw an Extract of their richest Graces ; Yet that bright Quincessence must 〈◊〉 come Into the presence of these Looks , to which All Humane Beauties cannot hope to reach . 103. For ne'r did milder purer Lovelinesse , Crown'd with the best of Comlinesse's Joyes . Flourish upon so fair a Throne as His Accomplish'd Countenance ; in which the Choise Jewells of most incomparable Grace Had every one their goodly proper place . 104. And must this blessed Face of Sweets alone Be made the Sinck of your vile Excrement : Much rather upon Caiapha's , or on Great Cesar's Cheeks your Spittle might be spent , Or on the Starts whose Fires all lighted were At those bright Eyes your Filth becloudeth here . 105. Is this the pay his Spittle must receive . His Soveraign Spittle , which unto the Blinde His never known nor hop d for Sight did give , That now Himselfe his own pure Eyes Must finde Drown'd in the Scum of your foule Mouths ! — O stay Dear Psyche , I have something more to say . 106. Thy pious Tears are ready broach'd , I see To wash this filth from off thy Spouses face ; But rein them in a while , that they may be Officious unto His more deep Di grace . The greatest Griefs are still behinde ; More great Than thine , or then the whole Worlds Tears can wet 107. These Varlets when their clotted Spittle had Made his bedawbed Countenance so foule , That They their own Works Sight abhorr'd ; their Bad They turn to Worse : for straight a Cloth they roule About his patient Head ; which should have been Rather to Wipe , and gently make it clean . 108. Thus having Blinded all the Worlds sweet Light ; Some with their Fists , some with their Cudgells flie Upon his nead and shoulders ; and their Spight So gamesome is , that he must not deny To make them sport , although his Bruises be Of Groans more reason , than of Jollity . 109. The petulant Caytiffs as they thresh Him , crie , Great Sir , We know you are a Man of God , And Pray you would be pleas'd to Prophesie Whose Hand it is that strikes you , or whose Rod. No matter though your Eyes that Towell binde , Prophets are Seers , and cannot be blinde 110. No surer way could Peevishnesse contrive Its most malicious Selfe to multiply ; For every Jeer they cast , and Stroke they give Is now improved , and doth double fly , Whilst , by the Art of Spight , to over-bear him . Each Jeer dos Strike Him , and each Stroke doth Jeer Him . 111. Ignoble Scorn , and sordid Insultation Add Bitternesse unto the Soule of Gall , And lend new stings of torturing Vexation To the most barbarous Racks , when e'r they fall On generous Spirits ; O then with what profound Greife did these Taunts thy Lords brave bosome wound ! 112. But on your Heads , bold Wormes , your Mocks rebound , And , though you little think it , Jesus sees Your antick Crueltie , and the profound Abysses of your foule Impieties , Ev'n your black Hearts , whose Secrets He one day Ope to the whole Worlds view , and hate , shall lay , 113. You then shall need no Prophesie to declare Who stroke the first , or who the second Blow ; Whose Stroks most hard , whose Jeers most bitter were Who did the quaintest Wit of Malice show : Your foule Exploits shall then be printed fair Upon your Foreheads , and themselves declare . 114. Whilst at this working Play they busie were , Jesus ne'r shrunk , or sought to shield his head ; But was as ready all their Spight to bear As they to heap it on him : Never did The patient Anvill more unmoved stand Under the Labouring Smith his iron hand . 115. For He himself resolved was to wade Through the Red Sea of all Disgrace and Pain , To bless and sanctifie the noble Trade Of Patience , and by his Example train His faithfull Martyrs ; and instruct them how Unto a noble Army they might grow . 116. At length they with his Sufferance wearied , In meere compassion of themselves give over , And take the Clothe from his Victorious Head , Which now to deeper Griefe did Him discover ; For his Disciple straight he heard and saw 〈◊〉 him with a farr more violent Blow . 117. Peter , of late so brave and valiant , who Had boasted that the grimmest face of Death Should not out-look his Faith and Dutie to His Lord and Master ; with the self-same breath Had twice renounced his Allegiance , and Now on the Brink of his third fall did stand . 118. For as he lingred in the Hall to see What would become of Jesus , One who was A busie Actor in the Treacherie Under foule Juda's Conduct , cries , alas In vain this Rogue himself strives to conceale , His Galilaean Tongue doth him reveale 119. His hand then clapping on his Shoulder , I Full well remember thy bald Pate , said He ; Nay never stare , nor studie for a Lie , For in the Garden I did meet with Thee . And Sirra , know that now I have you heer , I will revenge my Cosen Malchu's ear . 120. Think not this lethern staring Pair of yours Can pay the Debt you owe his single One : We know the Witch your Lord , whose conjuring Powers Can clapp them on again : But by the Throne Of God I vow , that now I 'l take a course To make thee sure , spight of all Magick force , 121. It is no running nor no squulking now ; Heer are no Shades nor Trees to hide your Head ; D'y see your goodly Master yonder , how With his foule Guilt oppress'd and silenced , Like a dumb Post he stands ? Friend , you must goe , And in his Censure be his Follower too . 122. As when the Waves came tumbling in his Way , Faint-hearted Peter , though his Lord were by , Did all his Confidence in Him betray , And therefore sunk : so his Accusers Crie Now storming in his ears , with faithless fear He gives this Tempest leave to domineere . 123. Yet there He crav'd his Saviors help ; but now He sinks so deep , that He despairs of that , And with vile Cowardise contriveth how To save his wretched Skin : He cares not what He Swears , or how he Lies , so any Shift Him from his Panick Gulph may serve to lift . 124. O hearken all ye Confident Mortalls , who Presume your strength may scorn the Batterie Of any earthly or infernall Foe : This Heart of late did beat with full as high Resolves as yours ; but now it melts away , And all his Courage yeildeth to Dismay . 125. By Heav'n , he cries , and Him who Heav'n did frame By all the Temple and the sacred Law , By the great Sanhedrim , by Pilates Name , By Caesars Head , by whatsoe'r I know Divine or reverend , I freely swear I have no knowledge of that Pris'ner there 126. If I were with him in the Garden , may I never enter into Paradise ; In Abrahams Bosome may I never lay My Head , if it did ever rest in His ; Nay , may all Egypts Plagues , and Sodoms Flame Be mine , if till to day I knew his Name . 127. Right lustie are thine Oathes , and generously Thy daring Curses thou dost thunder out , Repli'd the Soldier ; and why might not I For once mistaken be ? For without doubt Thou never serv'dst that sheepish Master there Who canst so bravely Curse , and stoutly Swear , 128. Thus did He gain his too dear Libertie And lost Himself : But as He sneak'd away , A Crowing Cock awak'd his Memorie Into the fair light of his Duties Day ; For his apostate Eyes did now repent , And back to Jesus with Submission went . 129. When loe , Mild He who could no Pitty finde For his own most abused Innocence , With ready Beams of heav'nly kindness shin'd Upon his Servants traytorous offence ; Forewarning Peter how to use his Sheep When into any Error they should leap . 130. Denyed Jesus would not Him Deny ; But spake his Pardon By his gracious Look Yet so that He might easily descry In the soft lines of that pathetick Book What undeserv'd and deep engraved Smart His falshood made in his deare Saviours Heart . 131. How pow'rfull and how long a Sermon He Preach'd in th' Epitomie of this short Glance ! But with such speed all Wonders use to be Atcheived whensoe'r Omnipotence Is pleas'd to work : for heer it shew'd its Art , Witness the Miracle in Peter's heart . 132. For this most Potent Glance subdu'd Him so , That driven by holy Shame , He seeketh where To weep away his odious Crime , And loe , His Tears now Bitterer than his Curses were . Thus when the Sunn on sturdie Ice doth look , It strait repents into a running Brook . 133. But now Aurora from the roseall East Had newly dressed , and sent out the Day ; To finish his Designe of Night , the Priest To Pilate doth dispatch thy Lord away : Nor needs He teach his Miscreants what to doe , Who Spights fell Trade had better learn'd than so . 134. For strait the boistrous Rout with Cords and Chains Load JESU'S Hands and Feet , and hurrie him To Pilat's Palace : All the Streets and Lanes Sweat with tumultuous Crowds , who pour'd their stream Of Scoffs , of Curses , and of Blasphemy Upon his innocent Head , as He pass'd by . 135. Hast Thou not seen how in a silver Night The mad-brain'd Doogs all gather in the Street , Where with united Barkings at the Light Of beuteous Phebe , Heav'n and Earth they beat ? Such and so causeless were the Clamors which Against thy Lord these railing Curs did stretch . 136. Arrived thus at the Pretorium , They In to the Governor the Pris'ner send ; For this with them was a Religious Day , And no unholy Place forsooth could stand With their strict Pietie , who clensed were To celebrate their reverend Passover . 137. Shame on their foul Hypocrisie , who in The midit of this their zealous Sanctitie With eager furie strive to act a Sinn To monstrous to be exprated by Their greatest Sacrifices Power ; and strain By this Lambs blood their Paschall Lamb to stain . 138. But when the Judge came forth , and ask'd them what Offence exposed Jesu's Life to Law ? The surly Priests grew insolently hot , And cri'd , We hop'd the Governor e'r now Had understood that our grave Sanhedrim No Malefactors makes without a Crime . 139. Can it be thought that We would load a Lamb , With chains , and send Him for a Wolfe to Thee ? If so to Us his Censure and his Shame Is due , and ours the Nails and Crosse must be ; O then release that righteous Soule , and bid The slanderous Sanbedrim be Crucifi'd . 140. To this bold Shift was Malice driven , to make Meer Accusation for Conviction passe . But then , repli'd the Judge , what made you take This pains , since you have found the Pris'ners Case So fouly grosse ? you might , and may doe now , Goe sacrifice him unto your own Law . 141. True , said the Priests ; nor had our pious Zeal Loiter'd thus long , did but out Law permit Our righteous Indignation to deal With such a Malefactor as is fit . The Crosse is his high due ; and none but you That decent Doom can upon Him bestow . 142. The generous Romane shak'd his head to see The Jewes so shamelesse in their bloody Hate : And yet to coole their mutinous Spirits , He Commands the Pris'ner to the Judgement Seat : But first requir'd Them fairly to display What horrid Crimes they to his Charge could lay . 143. Enforced heer Themselves to shelter in The Sanctuarie of some strong-built Lie ; If We , said they , by his outragious Sion Were able but to mould and tune our Crie , The Noise not onely would amaze your Ear , But rend all Heav'n , and Veng'ance downward tear . 144. For know , just Sir , that in profound Despight To Heav'n , and that unspotted Truth which We Receiv'd from thence , this hellish Brat of Night Blush'd not to broach his blasphemous Heresie . But through the credulous Countrey Preaching ran Tainting the honest Commons with his Bane . 145. Yet well it were if Heav'n alone had been The Butt of his bold sinne : but traytorous He Endeavoured to work his dangerous teen On Earth , and its Imperiall Majestie ; Great Caesars Tribute he deni'd as due , And his vile self he for a King did shew . 146. Thus roar'd the Priests . But when the Judge had well The businesse weigh'd by grave Examination , With Spight , and not with Truth he found it swell , And therefore made this honest Protestation : Had I your Eyes , I know not what might be , But with mine own , no fault in Him I see . 147. As when the Flames are by the Winde beat back , With boiling Murmure they their Wrath increase , And a more violent Combustion make , Strengthning themselves against the stoutest Trees : So the repulsed Priests more hot did grow , And with full mouth these Exclamations blow : 148. 'T is strange wise Pilate should not cleerly see What all about our Nation is spred ; For all Samaria , and Judea He Hath with this Heresie envenomed ; Which first he broach'd in Galile , and thence Extended its pestiferous influence . 149. But this defer'd their bloody Hopes ; for now The mention of Galile did put Pilate upon a further Search to know Whither the Pris'ner did belong , or not , To Antipas his power : which when he found , Unto the Tetrarch He dispatch'd Him bound . 150. Thus through new Streets , and new Revilings He To surly Herod's Lodging hurried is . Herod could not conceal his Joy to see Him whom his unbeleeving Curiousnesse Had long desired , since his Court did ring With Jesu's Acts , which Fame did thither bring . 151. And now he doubts not but the Pris'ner will In hopes to gain his Favour and good Word , Strain to the utmost of his Power and skill , And some Miraculous Spectacle afford . But Herod knew not that this Man was He Who scorn'd to buy his life with flatterie . 152. Thick were the Questions which He spurr'd to Him , But Jesus would no idle Motions hear ; For with grave Silence still he answer'd them : And though the Preists and Scribes all railed there , He said as little to their shamelesse Lie , As to the Tetrarchs Curiositie . 153. Is this , said Herod ( big with high disdain ) Great Caesar's Rival , who is onely fit As King of sheepish stupid Fools to reign ? Is this that Wonder-working He , who yet Has neither Hand , nor Head , nor Power nor B●ain Himself accus'd and scorned to maintain ? 154. Is all the wide-spread Glorie of his Name , Are all his Miracles shrunk in to this , That he Himself with most ignoble shame Should prove a Miracle of Sottishnesse ? Is this the King , to tear whose young heart out , Through thousand Infants breasts my Father sought 155. How my fond fancy wrong'd brave John , when I Dream'd this was he , to life returned ! But Should it be Iohn , his grosse Stupidity Assureth Me Revived He is not . Come Souldiers , use your antick Wits , that so We may have sport at least , before he goe . 156. Glad were the Guard , and ready equallie To mock at Iesus , and to please their Lord : About Him round They danc'd with hideous Crie , And bid him still that Tempest with his Word ; And when He silent stood , conjur'd Him to Cast that dumb Divell out which bound Him so . 157. One limping comes , and Him intreats to heal His withered Foot , with which he kicks Him strait . Another cries , O make this Lame Hand well , And then he beats Him with its brawnie weight . A third desires Him to restore a dead Dog unto Life , then throws it at his Head . 158. But wearied with their scornfull sports , at last , Come dresse Him Like a Prince , the Tesrarch cri'd , And let the Iews return their King to taste What Banquet Pilate will for Him provide : His entertainment surely must be high In Correspondence to his Royaltie , 159. Tell Him I thank Him for his Courtesie , It made Me merry , as You all have seen : I will not rob his Lordships Pleasures by Keeping this Idiot from Him : When I mean To play with Fools , I hope my Galile With one such Sheeps-head more may furnish Me. 160. Thus Jesus in a gorgious Robe is clad , That more conspicuous his shame might be . And so through fresh Disdains and Scoffings led To be the Game of further Tyranny , Pilate admir'd to see his splendid Hue , Knowing what Garb was to Delinquents due . 161. For Pris'ners , when their Lives presumed were Forfeit to Law and Death , were wont to be In funeral Black array'd , which might prepare Them to the thoughts of their Catastrophe , And intimate the Colour of that Sin Whose horrid Darknesse cloth'd their Soules within . 162. But so did Providence correct their Spight , That He whose Breast was purer than the Day , Did in his Vesture wear no guilty Night ; But by his Foes own Hands , in an Array Of Glory was attir'd , and quitted when They hal'd Him to his Condemnation . 163. So oftentimes , when a Conspiracy Of Windes their puffing labouring Wrath doe blow About the World , in hopes to damp the Skie With swarthie Clouds and Storms ; they onely throw All Vapors out , and with a full and fair Serenity array the purged Aire . 164. But Pilate pondering what had hapned now , And feeling Moral Honesty beat high Ev'n in his Pagan Heart ; could not allow His Conscience to be Slave unto the Crie Of the importunate Jews , who roaring stood , And set their Mouths wide ope for guiltlesse Blood . 165. My duty I have fully done , said He ; Him and your Accusations , have I Unto the bottome sifted : As for Me I hope I never gave you reason why You should presume that any Clamors may Fright Pilate out from Justice's High-way . 166. Neither your Temple nor your Altars be More venerable unto you , than is My most unspotted Judgement Seat to Me : For all Hells yellings and impatient Cries I trust Mine shall as valiantly resist As Mino's , or as Rhadamanthu's Breast . 167. What I to Caesar owe , and what to Right I long have known , and must not now forget : My Heart is Romane , and the dearest Light Of Heav'n is not so pretious to it As spotlesse Honor , which can never be Cohabitant with Wrong and Tyranny . 168. Mine own Heart-blood I rather would let flow , And let your Thirst carouse in it , then I , From any guiltlesse Veins their Streams will draw To quench the loudest Importunity . Mine is mine own ; but what have I to doe To give Anothers Life , when Law , sayes , No. 169. Law takes no hold of Jesus , nor must I Nor did the Tetrarch ; and why then will you ? He that he is a King doth not deny ; But adds withall , His Kingdomes not below . No harm to Cesar by this Man is done , Who doth his Kingdome fancy in the Moon , 170. There let his Fancy rule and reign : But yet 'T is pitty for his Follie He should Die. It never yet was heard , that Want of Wit Pass'd for a Capital Offence . Nay I Have been inform'd , that in the Tribute He Has witnessed sufficient Loyalty . 171. For by his Doctrine He did it maintain , And by his Practise too ; though Calumnie Hath your Beliefe abus'd , and cast a Stain Upon his Innocence . Come , therefore I Will , for your Credits , Him Chastise , and so Give Him Dismission without more adoe . 172. And this the rather , since by Custome I Ingaged am to honor this your Feast In granting some Offendors Liberty Who in your Judgement shall deserve it best . And who , can you think , lesse deserveth Death , Then He whose Innocence him acquitted hath ? 173. Thus strove the Judge , that He might not condemn Both Jesus , and himself . When loe the Priests His gracious offer shamelesly contemn , And spur the People ( in whose furie rests Their finall Hope , ) to beg with all the Strise Of stoutest throats , none but Barabba's life . 174. Prodigious Priests ! is not Barabbas He Whom all the Town knows guilty of the fact You fain would fasten upon Iesus ? yee Your selves beheld what tumults he did act , And how his desperate riot he pursued Untill in Murder he his hands imbrued . 175. And is the Murderers life so dear , that He Must live with you , whilst Innocence does die ? Does foule Barabbas his curs'd Company Suit better with your reverend Sanctitie ? Or can you think both God and Man so blinde As not to see , and hate , your bloody minde ? 176. Strange , Psyche , strange it was , with what loud cryes The mad-brain'd vulgar heav'n and earth did tear : Barabba's Name through all their clamour flies , And they for none but for Barabbas care : He is their Darling , and they cannot live If Pilate will not grant them his Reprieve . 177. Thus hellish Hate op'd Providences door To heav'nly Love , and made Barabba's be The whole Worlds type , which from the fatal Pow'r Of endlesse Death , and equall Miserie Was to be snatch'd to day , whil'st in its place A Lamb all white and guiltlesse sentenc'd was . 178. Mean while the Judges Lady sent her Page In posting speed to pray her troubled Lord Not to be mad because that Rout did rage , Nor venture to prophane the Roman sword With innocent blood ; for , certainly , said she , Jesus is just , and they seditious be . 179. For my good genius as I lay asleep Appear'd unto me hand in hand with thine ; Thine beat his Breast , and bitterly did weep , And toll'd the reason of his griefe to mine : He said ( and deeply sighed , as he said ) Pilate with Jesus now will be betrai'd . 180. Pilate will be betrai'd to take away The Life of Jesus , and his own withall , For Jesus blood will crie another day , And unto Pilats veins and heart will call : His veins and heart must answer that strong cry — — I started here ; and out the Dream did flie . 181. Thus heav'n admonish'd Claudia strove to drive Her husband from his Precipices brow , And did withall miraculous witnes give What wrongs the Jews at Jesu's life did throw : For Heav'n was pleas'd that his integritie By either sex should now asserted be . 182. No sooner had the trembling Page delivered His ominous Message ; but the Judges heart With fatall jealousie and horror shivered , His joints unbuckled , and his eyes did start , His hair stood staring up , his blood flew back And left his lips , and all his visage black . 183. But when the Scribes and Priests had learn'd this news Behold , they cry , how He by Magick art Hath sent some 〈◊〉 Spirit to abuse The honest thoughts of noble Claudia's heart ; That by this trick the Judge might frighted be , Our Truthes made slanders , and himself set free , 184. Then all the People with fresh clamors roard , Thundring Barabbas in the Judges ear : That violent storm quite blew away the Word His Lady sent Him ; and through sudden fear Of insurrection He returns to treat About the Busines which himself did hate . 185. Friends , ask your second thoughts , said He , and see If they upon Barabbas needs will dote : I would not that your too much haste should be Your prejudice ; 't was haste made you so hot Against your smother'd reason : but free leave To choose again , to all of you I give . 186. For I would fain my 〈◊〉 should be True to its Name ; which sure cannot be so , If none but foule Barabbas must be He Whom you will let me upon you bestow , Consider well , and you will finde it stand More with your 〈◊〉 , Jesus to demand , 187. Inraged at this Word , they all renue Their former Clamor , and Barabbas roar : For none but for Barabbas We doe sue ; Grant now what thou hast granted heretofore : Our wonted Boon We ask : If you deny Barabbas to Us , keep your Courtesie . 188. Mov'd with their boistrous Madnesse , Pilate cries , If the seditious Murderer alone Can seem to you to be a worthy Prize , Tell Me what must with Innocence be done ; Both cannot be Repreeved ; therefore speak What kinde of course with Jesus I shall take . 189. Well-pleas'd were they that He had giv'n Them leave To name the Way of their own Cruelty . A 〈◊〉 Exclamation they heave , Crying , the Case is plain , Let Jesus die ; 〈◊〉 Him but unto the Crosse , and We At charge of Executing Him will be . 190. Then , as an Army with impatient Shout Rends the wide Field , when most intaged They Flie to their Work of Blood : So the whole Rout 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pilates Ear ; and all they say , Up in this most 〈◊〉 Word is tied : Away with Him , let Him be Crucified . 191. O more than hellish Impudence , and Spight ! Is this the People whose high Estimation Of Jesus , did the High-priests Plots affright And force them to a secret Conjuration ! The People who some Prophet , at the least , Forc'd by his mighty Miracles , Him confest ! 192. The People , who to pave his welcome Way Stripp'd the Trees Bodies , and their own , and spred That princely entertainment to display How ev'n his Asses feet they honored ! The People , who did brave Hosanna crie ! A Word , ô how unlike to Crucifie ! 193. ( How well sage Heads have fix'd the odious Brand Of Ficklenesse upon the Vulgars face ! For safeher may you on the Lybian Sand , Or on the Adriatick Billows place A Palaces Foundation , than relie Upon the Peoples best Fidelity . ) 194. The horror of that Word made Pilate start , Who stepping back , and holding up his Hands , Cri'd out , O far , far be it from my Heart To think of such Injustice I your Demands Should not be Trapps ; nor is it fit that I Should Tyrant prove , your Wills to satisfie . 195. Bears He the Stain of Murder or of Treason To mark Him out for Death ? Can any Eye Barabbas finde in Him ? Or is it reason That He , because He has no Crime , must Dye ? And can you choose no other Man , but Me The Pander of your bloody Lust to be ? 196. Great Cesar thinks Me wise enough to hear And judge of Cases ; and why should not you ? Jesus I have examin'd ; whom as clear And pure I finde , as is the Virgin Snow ; As clear of capital Crimes , for these alone Come in the compasse of this Question . 197. Wherefore no Tongue shall e'r have Cause to say To the confusion of my Honor , that Pilate bow'd down his Conscience to obey A lawlesse Motion , Henceforth urge Me not : Some reasonable Castigation I Will . lay on Jesus ; but He must not die . 198. As when a Knot of eager Hornets are Repulsed by a wary Hand ; they flie About with doubled Rage , their Foe they dare With irefull Buzzings , and more furiously Give a fresh Onset . So in louder Cries The Peoples Spight at this Repulse did rise . 199. The Cataracts of Nile , or those which fall Down headlong from the steepest Alps , make not Such an intolerable Noise , as all Their yelling Mouthes , resolv'd no more to shut ) Till they can conquer by impetuousnesse : And Crucifie Him , still their Clamor is . 200. The Palace trembled at the hideous Noise ; Whose fragor thence unto the Temple flew ; Nor could the Temple hold it , for the Voice It selfe through all the startled City threw : It shak'd the Judge , and almost turn'd him over , Yet he his strength and spirits did recover . 201. And wisely pondering that the Highpriest's spight The coals of this combustion did blow ; And that they on the mad-braind vulgars might Had built their Salvage hopes : He studies how To frustrate their malitious designe By a severe , yet tender Countremina . 202. For in he takes thy Lord , and yeilds Him to The cruell whip , that by that crueltie Way to his Pitty he might make , and so With blood the bloody people satisfie . He hop'd if once they saw him all in gore , Their thirstiest malice would not wish for more . 203. The surly Beadles fetch'd their strongest Tew , And having strip'd their patient prey of all His raiment , with rude churlish twitches drew Him to the stoutest Pillar of the Hall ; To which they bound him fast , for fear that He Should sink down under their strokes crueltie , 204. With iron whips then to their Work they fall , And plow the dainty Garden of his back : The furrows neither shallow were nor small , But long and wide , and deep , which they did make : Yet all were quickly filled by the flood . Of their own most inestimable blood . 205. For to the bottome of each tender 〈◊〉 The cruel engines div'd , and toare from thence The pretious purple springs ; which in disdain They toss'd about , till their mad violence In too too pretious colours painted thick Upon the Pillar , and the floor did stick . 206. The Pillar and the Floor now blush'd to see How those remorselesse blood-heunds knew no shame ; For still they prosecute their Tyrannie , Untill their wearinesse prevails with them ( As lately with the servants of the Priest ) In mercy to their own selves , to desist . 207. But then the Soldiers take their cruell cue , And come to ven him with more witty spight : A Crown of thorns , ( the sharpest things they knew , Yet things of delicacie and delight If with their Hearts compar'd ) they wreath , and it On Jesu's tender Head with violence set . 208. And thus the Curse which Heav'n injoyn'd to grow On sin-condemned Earth , removed is , And deep engrafted into Jesu's Brow ; Whose Temples well contented wefe with this Sharp Crown , and envied not their dainty Pride Whose tresses were in roseal chaplets ty'd . 209. Then on his back ( for alwayes with disdain Their Rage was swell'd ) a Purple robe they throw : Alas , how needlesse ! now in richer grain His native Scarlat doth about him flow , Whilst all his Body is arrayed round In one expanded universall wound . 210. And having put a Reed into his hand , ( A silly Sceptre , and which well comply'd With his vile Crown , ) about him round they stand To act their Pageantrie , and to deride This patient and miserable thing , Whom of contempt they had created King . 211. May the great Soveraign of the jews , said they , Ou-tlive the Harts , the Ravens , the Eagles years ; May his victorious Engines He display Throughout the World , affrighted at his wars : Thus may He thresh all nations ; and here They beat him ; and went to another jeer . 212. May Heav'ns propitious eye for ever dwell On him who best deserves its care : may all The clouds which with the fattest blessings swell , Upon his Head let their best riches fall As freely as these drops rain down on it ; And at this Word they all upon Him spit . 213. On the brave Romane Birds imperial wing May thy illustrious Name and Glory ride ; And may Tiberius to this nobler King Thus yeeld his mighty Throne : this said , a wide And massie Chair full at his head they throw , Which grav'd its foot-steps deep upon his brow . 214. Then , after three low bowings , on his knee One a Petition brings ; and having pray'd Him to accept his suit , He instantly Hings it upon his face : Another play'd 〈◊〉 , and told Him what strange things He had in charge to Him from 〈◊〉 Kings 215. Most excellent Sir , my Bus'nesse is , said He , Of such immediate consequence , that it Can no delay digest ; which urgeth Me To this unwonted , and uncivill Fit Of craving present Audience : and here He boxed both his ears to make Him hear . 216. A third came with a golden Goblet in , Crying , My Liege , the Queen to you hath sent This Mornings Draught , and prayes You to begin That She may pledge your Highnesse : Here he bent His cursed brows at Jesus , and threw out Upon his face the Urine He had brought . 217. A fourth his Reed did from him snatch , and cri'd , Your Scepter , Sir , to heavy is , I fear ; Let not your Majecty your Servant chide If he offend in too much loyal Care ; Your Selfe shall judge how grievous is its Weight ; Which said , Him with the sturdy Cane he beat . 218. A fift with ernest supplication su'd But for the honor to support his Train : Then snatching up his Robe behinde , with rude Unseemly Peevishnesse , he kick'd amain , Bruising thy Spouses naked Body , till His weary Toe stay'd his unwearied Will. 219. A sixt came crying , Treason , Treason , Sir , Treason against your sacred Majesty . The Iewes your Subjects , all Conspiring are Against your Honor and your Life : O fly And save your Royal Selfe . This made Them all Seeing Him bound so fast , a laughing fall . 220. O Psyche , I cannot describe how they Did mock , and grin , and gurn , and sneer , and pout ; How they did wring their Mounthes ; what antick play They us'd their gentle Saviour to flout . Imagine all the worst thou canst conceive , And infinitely worse than that beleeve . 221. This Sceen thus acted ; Pilate brings him out In this strange habit , to the Peoples view : Telling them He had sifted Him , but nought He could discover which did bear the shew Of capital Demerit : Yet , said He Behold how his light faults revenged be . 222. If this ridiculous Garb be not enough With Shame to clothe Him , yet consider well In what exuberunt Streams his Blood doth flow , And guesse what favour I have shew'd Him : Tell , Me if you think a new room may be found In all his Body , but for one more Wound . 223. Behold the Man , this torn and worried Thing Is He , however Comely heretofore ; Sure he has for his foolish Name of King Paid dear enough ; and had not I had more Regard unto your Credits than mine own , Such proofs of Cruelty I had not shown . 224. O Spectacle of most Commanding Sorrows ! How would all Hearts but Jewish melt to see These ghastly Torrents , and these gasping Furrows Upon the harmlesse Back of Purity ! How would a Tygers thirsty Wrath relent ! How would the Soules of hungry Bears repent ! 225. Had these unhappy Jews had any Eyes But those of rancorous Malice , they might here Have seen how their own Griefs and Miseries To patient Jesus all transferred were , And scor'd upon his Back : They might have found A salve for all their Sores in every Wound . 226. They might have seen his innocent Temples wear That Malediction which to them was due : The stinging Briars he was pleas'd to bear , And leave the fragrant Flowers to them , which grew Both in their mortal Gardens here , and which With endlesse Sweets did Paradise enrich . 227. At least that Lesson of Compassion They , As well as Pilate , might have plainly read , Which in red capital Letters written lay , And to the Eyes of all Spectators spread So fair a Challenge , that no generous Breast Could their strange Importunity resist . 228. But loe , the barbarous Priests , unsatisfied With all that Blood which was already shed , Because some more behinde remained : Cried O ease the Earth of that blasphemous Head , Before Heav'n vindicate it selfe , and We Involved in the Flood of 〈◊〉 be . 229. It is no Boyes Fault his , that you should deem A 〈◊〉 is sufficient Punishment : O rather square your own by Heav'ns Esteem , And joyn with ours , your righteous Consent ; A Crosse , a Crosse : Heav n cannot pleased be Untill this Monster Crucifi d it see . 230. This most unreasonable Madnes made The Judge as loude as They : In vain , said He , You hope by Roaring to make Me afrayd : The Man is guiltlesse 〈◊〉 Eyes ; if yee Resolved are that Innocence must Die , Goe Murder Him your Selves , and cease your Crie . 231. Harsh was this Word , and on their Plot did grate So hard , that they enforced were to flie Unto the Refuge which They most did hate , As knowing it was an old-answered Lie : That Law They now pretend , to which long since The Pris'ner justified his Innocence . 232. Nay , They repli'd , it is not We , but Law ; Our Law , more dear to Us than are our lives , Calls loude for Him to Death . Be pleas'd to know That our great God no grace nor pardon gives Unto the least Blaspheemers ; and shall He Who makes himself the Son of God , goe free ? 233. If Thou Protector of our Laws wilt be , Break not our greatest for this Varlets sake . Should He intrude into the Familie Of Caesar , and his Sons great Title take , Sure Thou wouldst think a Crosse his due : and is Wrong to Heav'ns Emperour a less Crime than this ? 234. Blood-thirsty Hypocrites ! For well they knew How they their Law in urging it denyed ; For though this Accusation had been true , 〈◊〉 must not Jesus by the Crosse have dyed : The Law an heap of Stones ordein'd to be The Death , and Monument of Blasphemie . 235. 〈◊〉 this new Plea did startle Pilate so , 〈◊〉 again retires , and tries again 〈◊〉 Examination might doe : 〈◊〉 he many Queries put , and fain some Pretence have found , with them to joyne , 〈◊〉 all Slander did out-shine . 236. But when He tels the Multitude his Minde , Onely new Oile upon their Flames He threw ; For in their loudest Fury all combin'd , Upon Him with this bold replie they flew : If Jesus you dismisse , We must have leave Great Caesar to acquaint with this Repreive . 237. Did not the Traytors Head contrive to wear A Crown of Gold , where now those Thorns are set ? And Who , We pray , more dangerous Enemies are To Caesars right , than They which thirst for it ? He says his Realm is not on Earth : And what Should Traytors being Taken , plead but that ? 238. But were He free again , and had proud He New Thousands at his Heels , which might assist His Wills Carreir ; Might his Designe not be True to our Fears ? And must He be dismist ? Dismisse Him If you will ; yet know that We Must hold you then for Caesars Enemie . 239. Pilate had with their Malice grappled long ; But now his Place and Credit lay at stake , He who before was so upright and strong , Degenerously turn'd Unjust and Weak : Firm stood his Chair upon the Pavement , but His Heart and Conscience soone fell flat on it . 240. For as He'ginns to name their King again , Away with him , they Crie , We have no King But Caesar , Caesar over Us shall reign , And He alone : As for this Cursed Thing , 'T is more than time that to his Cross He goe ; And every one that is his Favourer too . 241. Alas , this Blast did on his faint Breast did blow So thick a Storm of Ielousie and Dread , That now he fancied all the Town did draw Their mutinous Swords against his single Head ; And that the Priests had with their specious Lie Dispatched unto Rome an Embassie . 242. Thus toss'd and baited , by the Tempest , He His Faith and Truth , the dearest Wares he had , Throws over bord , and to their Crueltie Joyns his Consent ; which yet appear d so mad And full of foul and odious horror , that He calls for Water to wash off its Blott . 243. Why dost thou ravish , Foolish Hypocrite , The virgin Nymph ? What Water wilt thou get To wash this clean , which cannot make Thee white , But onely is by this thy Touching it For ever made impure : Should all the Sea Flow on thy Hands , they still would Bloody be . 244. The Leopards Spots , which fix their Feet so sure Upon his skin , shall sooner melt away ; The AEthiop's Face shall sooner learn a Cure And turn its swarthy Night to beauteous day ; The Ravens with Swans in White shall sooner vie , Than thou be purg'd from thy ingrained die . 245. Yet Pilate flatter'd by his own Device , Will needs be dabbling in the Water ; and Behold , ye Priests and People all , he cries , Of Iesu's Blood I wash my guiltlesse Hand : Although my Tongue the sentence passe , yet ye Extorted it , and yours the Act shall be . 246. Content , said They ; since you will have no share , Ours let the Actions Glorie wholly be : Both Heav'n and Earth will thank us for our Care , And Caesar praise our zealous Loyaltie . So will your self , when you have weighed well What kinde of Monster you have sent to Hell . 247. As for his Blood , which frights your timorous Hand , It is to us the Brightest Paint of Gloxie , And will to all Successions commend Our pious Loyall Resolutions Storie ; For our ambitious Wish it is , that It May On Heads , and on our Children sit . 248. Unhappy Wish ! had this been rightly fram'd , No Prayer had flam'd with purer Piety , Nor pull'd more Blessings down , then would have streamd In this rich Blood upon Them all But see The fatall Power of Malice , which can thus Make Zeals sweet Dialect turn venomous . 249. For'twas not long e'r Titus came to poure This Blood upon Them , and their Wish fulfill : Them and their Seed its Streams did then devour , With such full Veng'ance did the Torrent swell ; Their Town and Temple too this Deluge found Which in their Wishes Surplusage were drown'd . 250. For never yet did Warr so riot in The Blood of any helplesse Wights , as here ; Nor fatall Misery hunt out any Sin With so seveer a Quest as that : So 〈◊〉 They found their Wish and bloody Exclamation , Which prov'd the funerall Knell to all their Nation . 251. And now the Judge within whose Breast the fear Of Men , vile Men , more than of God did reign , Those Bonds of generous Right himselfe did tear From which he woo'd the People to refrain ; And gives his owne unhappy tongue the Lie , Iudging the Lord of Innocence to die . 252. O monstrous sentence ! were the fell Decrees Which ever yet from Tyrants Mouths did breake , With the Descriptions of their Cruelties , All writ in one black Roll ; they would not make So hideous a show as this alone , Of Barbarousnesse the dire Perfection . 253. All Injuries in this triumphant are , Being skrued to the highest pitch of Spight ; Injustice but a Suckling was , till heer She on the sudden grew to her full height : Herod had nurs'd her well , but Pilate now With the Iews help , taught her compleat to grow . 254. For could Hell mould so horrible a Doome As might send every Infant who did see Lifes morning Light , strait from his Mothers Wombe To his Death s Ev'n ; that Sentence yet would be Lesse barbarous than this , which doth at once Condemne more than the whole Worlds Innocence . 255. Alas , unfortunate Pilate , how hast Thou Condemn'd thy Self whilst Thou didst sentence Him ! The time draws nie , when Caius will not know Thee for a Freind of Caesars ; Thy Esteem And Office too unto their Evening draw , And foure Years more will make Thee feel the Law . 256. The Law of Bannishment ; when France shall see Thee to Vienna ti'd , that fatall place , Where Hell shall to thy Soule displayed be , And thy black Conscience warr against thy face , Mustring the Guilt of this unhappy Day Before thine Eyes in terrible Array . 257. There thy wives message shall again resound And sting thine heart ; thine own Professions there Of Jesu's innocence shall all rebound Upon thy breast , and thy foule bosome tear ; There shall that water bubble up , and boile Upon thine Hands , which did its streams defile . 258. There shall thy whips their lashes turn on thee , There shall the thorns grow thick upon thy Head , There shall the Buffettings and Mockings be Unto 〈◊〉 self in fail tale numbered ; There 〈◊〉 prodigious sentence back shall flie , And point out Pilate as one fit to die . 259. Then shall the cruel Crosse , the Nailes , the Spear , Walk through thy thoughts and murder thee alive ; Till Crucifi'd by thine own fatall fear Thine hand due vengeance to thy self shall give , And from thy Hell above by cursed death Send thy dispairing soule to Hell beneath . 260. So shall thine hand thou thoughtst thou washst so white 〈◊〉 imbru'd in thine own horrid gore , 〈◊〉 to all following Judges write Of what sure vengeance righteous Heav'n doth poure On them who warp Laws rule to Peoples lust , And make the throne of Justice be unjust . 261. But when the Lamb of Heav'n was sentenc'd thus Unto the Shambles : Streit upon their prey The rampant Soldiers fly : His gorgeous Attire they from him snatch , and him array In his own simple fleece ; yet suffer still The torturing thorns upon his head to dwell . 262. This rubb'd , and wounded all those Wounds again In which the clotted blood began to rest ; This op'd the weary Mouth of every vein , As if it would have had them now confest The utmost drop they knew : yet though this loss Went deep , they kept enough to paint the Cross. 263. 〈◊〉 delay then unto Calvarie 〈◊〉 hurry Him ; ev'n though their Senates Law 〈◊〉 that no Execution be 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 by ten dayes Thoughts the Judge may know 〈◊〉 he has not in some passi nate haste Without sufficient grounds his Sentence Past. 264. The Priests had mony , that commanding Spurr Which fires all Soldiers with impatient Speed ; And Pilate now can cast in no Demurr ; The Jews assure him that he has no need : But need , or not ; his thoughts in vain doe beat ; The Soldiers now were bought to doe the Feat . 265. But being Martiall generous Spirits , they Must not debase their armed Backs , to bear The servile ignominious Cross : nor may The Jews , who now all purified were To celebrate their Paschall Supper , be Stain'd by the Touch of that accursed Tree . 266. On JESU'S Wounds his Death the Soldiers lay , And He must ern his Crosses Service , by Bearing its tedious Weight , before he may Be born by it . Thus with a barbarous Crie Of Tongues and Trumpets which the Welkin rent , Through the cheifstreets this sad Procession went . 267. But He whose Springs so drained were before Both of their Blood and Spirits , now grew faint In vain they kick'd him , and in vain they tore Him forward by his Hair ; for no Constraint Can make weak Nature her own Power exceed , Nor finde out Firmnesse in a broken Reed . 268. What Heart but seared by the fire of Hell , Could now Compassions courteous Tears forbear But yet the Soldiers bosomes by the fell Contagion of the Iewish Malice are So deeply tainted , that what might invite Tigres to Pittie , does but whet their Spight . 269. For meerely in prevention of the Loss Of that choise Sport they hoped for when He Was once set fair and sure upon his Cross , As the full Mark at which all Scoffs might be Directly aim'd ; Him from this Load they spare , And force Cyrenian Simon it to bear . 270. Nay , Live you shall , say they till you may Die As you deserve : mean while this Ernest take Of that full Summe which We will by and by On Golgotha without abatement make : With this they beat Him , and so much the more As with his Blood , he no Complaints would poure , 271. Indeed the softer Sex , who upon Him And on his Woes did wait with tenderer Eyes , In his own Blood could not behold Him swim , But with their Sympathetick Tears and Cries Confess'd that they had Bowells still , although Remorseless Stone Mens hearts did overgrow . 272. But Jesus who did all this grevious while Encourage by his patient Silence , those Most insolent Jeers and Blasphemies the vile And spightfull Jews could frame : doth now oppose These Womens loving Tears , and upon them With nobler Pitty turn their pittying Stream . 273. For 't was his brave Ambition to engross All Greifs and Sorrows to Himself to day ; Esteeming every Groan of theirs his Loss , And all his Woes discredited , that they Should seem to need Assistants , when stout He To his own Shoulders woo'd all Miserie . 274. Weep not ye Daughters of Jerusalem , Weep not for Me who have set ope my Breast To every Greif which into it can stream , And thither mean to welcome every Guest : Weep not for Me said He , whose Sorrows are Not to be quenched by a mortall Tear , 275. If you will broach your Bottles , let them run For your own selves , and your unhappy Seed ; For loe those fatall Days are posting on Which all your Brine and more than all will need , The Days when Blessing shall no longer spred Its joyous Complement on Mothers Head . 276. For then the Barren Womb shall praised be As fertile in the choisest Happiness ; Then everie Tongue those Papps ariditie Which never brought up Babe to Woe , shall bless . Then shall the dearest pledges of your Love Your Sonns and Daughters , living Torments prove . 277. Then in impatient longing for a Grave Despairing Men shall to the Mountains call , And everie neighbour Hills Compassion crave Beseeching them upon their Heads to fall , And hide them , though in Death , from seeing how Calamitie about the World doth flow 278. For if in me a young and verdant Tres The flames of Veng'ance thus prevailing are . What shall the Refuge , or Condition be Of Stumps and Trunks , all withered and sear , Which are already dri'd , and fit alone For feuell for their own Combustion ? 279. In a fresh Cursing and Blaspheming fitt This set the mad-braind Rout ; who ask'd Him why When they of late so humbly begged it He would not condescend to Prophesie ? And why , He who could others Woes so well Discern , could nothing of his own foretell ? 280. And see , good Prophet , yonder Hill , said they ; Take your own Counsell now , before it prove Too late : Come let Us heare what you can say Both it and its Compassion to move . Set out your Throat ; if hard and loud you plead Perhaps 't will bow its own to hide your Head . 281. Then having star'd a while upon Him , all Whose Fists , or Toes , or Spittle him could reach , With thick and peevish indignation fall Upon his bruised bloody Body : Which Triumphant scorns , He meekly vanquish'd by His Silence , and march'd up to Calvarie . 282. Ev'n to this Calvarie We stand on heer , This Mount which from a Scull hath gain'd its Name ; For in this solemn Place the Sepulchre Of reverend Adam stood ; which carefull Fame Told to Posteritie , and so the Hill Wears in its Title that old Story still . 283. With such Decorum did thy prudent Lord Order his meritorious Passion , that The second Adam might his help afford Unto the First , where He lay chain d and shut Up in Deaths Prison , the remorseless Grave , Which to Corruption did Him enslave . 284. Iesus on that drie Dust resolv'd to shed His most enlivening purifying Blood ; That He might wash and cure the tainted Head Of Mortalls Miserie , by the soveraign Flood Of his own Life ; that Life which onely can Restore true vitall vigor unto Man . 285. Here 〈◊〉 , here the Crosse its foot did set When it sustaind the Worlds Redeemer ; here Is that renouned Soile which once was wet With richer Drops than ever shoured were From kindest Heav'n ; for by that fertile Dew Salvations Harvest to perfection grew . 286. But yet this Hill wears not that onely Name Of Calvarie ; 't was call'd Moriah too Of old , when zealous Abraham hither came His most renouned Sacrifice to doe ; And by unparalleld Obedience prove The valourous Bravery of faithfull Love . 287. Brave Abraham hither came ; his Altar heer He built , and prepossess'd the Crosses place : So Isaac did thy Lords a while ; But there An hamperd Ram strait substituted was : Thus Isaac scap'd ; but now there was no Ram Which might supply the place of heav'ns dear Lamb. 288. Jesus himselfe must sacrificed be , Not by , but to his Father : Psyche , now That fatal Houre was come when Tyrannie Held the free Reins , and did its freedome know ; When purest Innocence was abandond quite Unto the Luxurie of proudest Spight . 289. For loe the Souldiers thy torn Saviour stretch And fit Him unto his tormenting Tree : His blessed Hands unto the Topp they reach , ( Those Hands whose workmanship all creatures be , ) His Feet unto the bottom ; ( those pure Feet Which no Bloud , but their own , did ever wet . ) 290. These Hands and Feet with cruell Nailes they make Sure to the Crosse , and fasten Him unto His Pains and Death . What heart-strings would not crack To see these tender Veins broke open so ! What Tears could keep at home , and not gush out With those dear Streams which now flowd all about ! 291. Sure none who dare the Name of Christian wear , Can with such stony Hearts this story read , As not to feel these Nails their Bosomes tear , And 〈◊〉 their tender Contemplations bleed : For how can living genuine Members be Not wounded with their Heads calamity ? 292. But these inhumane Torturers shouting loud In desperate applause of their own Sin , Rear up the Crucifix ; and then grow proud To see this Trophe of their Rage . So when Harpies on heaps have heap'd their butcher'd Prey , They smile , and clap their Wings with cursed Joy , 293. Then on each hand a Theife they 〈◊〉 : For when they on his Person no more shame Could heap , they labour by this Companie , To make the World suppose Him one of Them ; Alas He knew no other Theft , but this , To steal his Torturers to heav'nly Blisse . 294. For whilst between these Bryars like the Rose , Or like fair Virtue twixt her foule Extreems He fastned is ; He plots against his Foes , And projects how to pay Them Diademes For these his Tortures ; unto Heav'n he flies On Loves stout wings , and to his Father cries 295. Father ! By all the Sweets of that dear Name Regard the Prayer of thy Dying Son : By this my Crosse and all its noble Shame , By these four Wounds which with full Current run , By all these Thorns which grow upon my Head , And those which in my Heart are fastened , 296. Remember not the Sin of these poor Men Who through blinde Zeal perceive not what they doe ; Though foolish , yet they are my Bretheren ; O spare Them then ! Let not their Error who Occasion all the Worlds most Soveraign Blisse , Make their own Soules their proper Portion misse . 297. Thus for the rav'ning Wolves the Lamb doth pray ; The Partridge for the Hawks . O mighty Love Which all the Injuries of this cruel Day Cannot supprefle ! The more the Torturers strove To wreak upon Him their elaborate Spight The more his Mercy tries on Them it s Might . 298. Thus when Arabian Odours 〈◊〉 be , Their sweet revenge they on their 〈◊〉 take By pouring out to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of pure Perfumes , whole 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 speak Of Griefe or Anger , but is 〈◊〉 In the kinde language of 〈◊〉 Sent , 299. Thus when the tender Vine is nailed fast Unto the Propp , and by the Pruning Knife Robb'd of her Branches ; She takes no distaste At all those deep entrenchments on her life , But with a bounteous Vintage strives to cheer The Heart of Him who thus had wounded Her . 300. But what care salvage They who scorn to be Softned by Kindenesse ? Wax indeed may run At the warm Touch of High-noon's Charity ; But for did Mud and Clay ; although the Sun Doth with his kindest Rayes about them flow , Instead of Melting , onely harder grow . 301. They think that Jesus has more need to pray For his own Selfe than them ; and with disdain 〈◊〉 at his unask'd-for Kindenesse , They 〈◊〉 themselves how to divide their Gam ; This was his Clothes , the Lambs poor plunder'd Fleece , The simple prize of their high Villanies . 302. His other Garments they divide and share ; But finding that his seamlesse Vesture was All of one Texture , they contented are To offer the decision of the Case To Fortunes Sentence , and conclude by Lot To give that whole , they thought too good to Cut. 303. Too good they thought this Common Web to be Mangled and torn ; yet with the self-same heart , Abhorred not his pretious Flesh to see All gash'd and rent by Hatreds utmost Art . The Butcher thus thinks fit the Skin to keep Intire , although He quarter out the Sheep . 304. Mean while , arrayed in his naked Gore Sweet Jesus hangs betwixt the Heav'n and Earth Like one of Both rejected ; and does poure The Worlds red Price at four wide Flood-gates forth An Object of more Pitty never yet Was seen , nor one which reaped lesse of it . 305. All Passengers without Regard went on And turn'd their unkinde backs upon his Woes . Yet well it were if this Neglect alone Made Warr against his Patience : but from those Who to this pitch of Sorrows rais'd him , He Feets new assaults of positive Misery . 306. For not contented with their Nails and Thorns To digg his pretious Body , now they strive To pierce his Soule with ignominious Scorns , To wound his Meeknesse , and his Sufferings grieve ; As if his Pains and Crosse would not suffice , Unlesse he mocked , and reviled dies . 307. They point their fingers , and their heads they shake , And then their crueller Tongues , and thus they crie : Remember what your Pride once pleas'd to speak : You in three Dayes yon' Fabrick could destroy , And rear it up again ; yet mighty Sir , The Temple stands , and You are hanged here . 308. For shame make good your boasted Power , and now Command those Nails to leave your Hands and Feet , Command your Crosse before your face to bow , Command your lost Blood to return and meet Your gaping Wounds : Is 't not high time to save Your Selfe , if you resolve to scape your Grave ? 309. O no ; the Elders , Scribes , and Priests replie , Though many Seeming Wonders He has done . Though he has cured many a Maladie , Though he has conjur'd up Salvation For others ; yet We know for certain He Cannot unto himselfe a Saviour be . 310. No lying Prophet ever yet was known Who once into the hands of Justice brought Could by his power of Witchcraft reach his own Deliverance , and work his Carcase out Of Chains or Tortures ; for if this might be , How could we know Heav'ns Truth from Forgery ? 311. Now it appears by Whose Assistance He Mix'd with his bare Word that miraculous Strength Which charm d the Peoples fond Credulity . But Belzebub is wise enough at length To leave his Instrument to Iustice , when His utmost Mischiefe He has done to Men. 312. Now it appears what small cause Pilate had To shake his Head at our importunate Crie , Had not our Zeal that 〈◊〉 Onset made On his abused Lordships Lenity , This rank Impostor , then repreeved , might Have still pass d for a Wonder-working Wight . 313. Yet if the potent King of Israel now Will but vouchsafe to Step down from this Tree And to his Subjects doubtfull Hearts allow This Proof of his divine Supremacy ; For our parts We are ready here , and will Beleeve his Pow'r and his Commands fulfill . 314. What can he more expect of Us , who here Attend upon him in his deepest shame Waiting till He will please Clouds to clear Which damp the lustre of his glorious Name ? So fain would We unto our King to day , Would He assert Himselfe , our homage pay . 315. But silly King , he cannot stir , you see , No , though his Kingdome lieth at the Stake : He talk'd as if the Clouds his Coach should be , And that he ment upon the Aires high back , To shew himselfe in State to Us ; but now His Crosse is all the Chariot he can show . 316. He often bragg'd that God was his great Sire , How is it then his Father owns Him not ? Sure were He worth the owning , all the Quire Of Heav'n would hither Flock , to hide this Blot Of his broad Shame with their pure Wings , & bear Him hence in triumph to his native Sphear . 317. Shame on your Blasphemies you shamelesse Rout Of Priests and People ! Jesus aimeth not To save Himselfe , but You who sting and flout His noble Patience : He has not forgot That in his Soveraign Hands and Fingers still The whole Train of Omnipotence doth dwell . 318. For those Almighty Hands he stretcheth out , And busie is in working your Salvation . He could Come down ; but stayes till he has wrought That mighty Act of his victorious Passion . He could come down , but stayes till he may draw Up after Him this groveling World below . 319. He could come down , did you not fix Him there Not with your Nails , but with your stronger Sins : He could come down , were his own Life as dear To him , as yours : But on his Wrongs he winns , And by all resolute Love strives to prevail Against all Spight and Rage which him 〈◊〉 320. O Psyche , cruell were those Scoffs ; but yet More stinging Scorn then this is still behinde : For now the very Theeves upon him spit Their odious Taunts , and seem in Him to finde What their vile Soules amidst the Miseries Of their own cursed Crosses , dare despise , 321. Ink scorns the Snow , foule Night accuseth Day , The dirty Puddle mocks the virgin Spring , Dark Shades contemn the Suns meridian Ray , Black Night-ravens call the Swan a swarthy Thing , Ignoble Bats revile the Eagles Eyes , And Hell it selfe insults o'r Paradise . 322. Art thou that mighty Christ , said they , and yet Hang'st here the Game of all Contempt and Spight ? Can Heav'ns great Son his Selfe so far forget , As rather to endure to Die , then fight ? Discredit not , by yeilding cowardly , The Lord of Hosts , if he thy Father be , 323. Come justifie that royal Title there , Which now but laughs at thine ignoble Head ; Approve thy Selfe King of the Jews , and fear Not to redeem thy Fame and Life : But spread Thy Favour too on Us , that under Thee The Soveraign , We may glorious Nobles be . 324. For since in these thy deep Misfortunes We Of all thy World thy sole Companions are ; We well in your restor'd Prosperity May promise our Desert the deepest share . So spake the Theeves ; and then they roar'd for Pain ; But quickly fell to scoffe and curse again . 325. And shall not Heav'ns Artillery now attend Its wronged King , and vindicate his Cause ? Can Earth hear this , and not in sunder rend Snatching these Elves into her deepest Jaws ? No : Jesus now no Veng'ance doth approve But that of patient and Silent Love , 326. Sweet Veng'ance ! which so strongly wrought upon One of this loud blaspheming Pair , that he Converts his Curses to Devotion . And prompts his Fellow unto Piety , Rebuking sharply his malitious Tongue , Which still persu'd his Lord with shameless Wrong . 327. Then like a wise and sober Theif indeed ; He seeks to steal into his Saviours grace : O King of Heav'n he cries , I plainly read Thy Majesty though in thy clounded Face . Sure Thou hast taught mine Eyes this skill ; ô then Compleat this Mercy which Thou hast begun . 328. When in thy Kingdome Thou shalt mounted be Upon thy Throne of Glory , ô forger Those Wrongs which ignorant I did poure on Thee , On Thee , the God of Innocence : but yet Forget not Me , who must for ever die Unlesse repreived by thy Clemencie . 329. Jesus , whose Goodnesse never did disdain 〈◊〉 hear and answer a meek Sinners Crie , Though his provoked Lips he did refrain Amidst those thick Storms of loud Blasphemie , With gracious Sweetnes doth Assurance give Unto the Dying Theif , that he shall live . 330. Fear not , said He , thy Death is drawing nie , But it shall prove the Gate of Life to Thee ; My Word , the Pillar of all Certainty I freely pass : Thou from that cursed Tree Shalt step this Day to Paradise , and there Under the Bowers of Blisse with Me appear . 331. The Preists and People laugh'd and scoff'd to hear Him talk of giving Blisse , who hung in Pain ; Blinde Fools , who could not now discern how clear His Power shin'd , which thus its Prize could gain Out of Hells Mouth , & with Loves sweet constreint Make of a Cursing Theif , a Praying Saint . 332. By this deer Token He to every one Of them aforehand did their Pardon seal , If they would doe what the meeke Theif had done , And to his Grace with penitent hearts appeal : But most unhappy They this deep Designe Of Love , did obstinately countremine . 333. Profoundly did this Scorn of Mercy tear Thy Spouses most compassionate Breast : But He Observing now his dearest Followers there , The Mother of Him and Virginitie , With faithfull John , a keen and double Dart Of fresh Greif shot quite through his bleeding Heart . 334. For in his Mothers tender Soule he saw That cruel Sword stuck deep which Simeon Foretold so long agoe : The Virgin now , Who at the first brought forth her blessed Son Whithout all Pangs , doth in hard Labour strein , And pays her Debt of puerperiall Pain . 335. O how the Bowels of her yearning Heart Are tent and torn ! her hands , her feet , her head , All bear their proper Torments , and no Part Can say , To me these Sorrows doe not spread ; For from her Sons deer Body every Wound Doth on her sympathetik Self rebound . 336. Her Temples are with thick-set Thorns hedg'd in , Nail'd unto Tortures are Her dainty Feet , Tatter'd and mangled is Her tender Skin , Her Flesh plow'd up , Her veins wide open set , And all her modest Body to the view Exposed is of every shameless Jew . 337. On Her those Jeers , and Taunts , and Blasphemies Their venome pour , and swell with Greif her Breast ; That Breast which noble Love so straitly ties And coments to her Sons , that not the least Division can interpose , nor make This Double One , themselves for single take . 338. If She had in her other Self , if she In Mary had been Crucifi'd , the Crosse Had tolerable been ; but thus to be Destroy'd in Jesus , is so vast a Loss That Mari's swallow'd up in it , and this Calamitie becomes both Hers , and His. 339. Her Hope , her Joy , her Life , her Love , her Blisse , Her Heav'n , her Son , her God , all these She now Beholds betrayed to her Enemies ; And what has Mary more ? How shall she row Through this vast Sea , which in each gaping Wave Presents her ô how much more than a Grave ? 340. As oft as to the Crosse she opes her Eyes , Death rusheth in ; Yet she as oft doth Die As unto their Compassion she denies That ruefull Spectacle . If Psyche , I Or Thou , or any Seraph had been so Beseig'd with Soveraign Griess , What could We do ? 341. What could we doe but sink ? Yet noble she Struggling amidst a thousand Deaths , at last Snatch'd from her mighty Losses , Victory ; Whilst at the feet of Gods great Will she cast Her own ; as gallant Abraham , when He Preferr'd before his Isaac , Pietie . 342. Yet what was Isaac unto Jesus ! ô With how much dearer Prize did Mary part ! Though Isaac pretious was , He could no so Profoundly be ingrav'd in Abrahams Heart , As Jesus in his Mothers ; yet is She Content of her Hearts Heart depriv'd to be . 343. O heav'nly Mother , never Agonie Was more heroick than was this of thine ; Excepting that of thy great Son , when He His humble Patience did prove Divine . Decorum 't was that Thou should'st tread alone The hardest Steps of Glory next thy Son . 344. But Psyche though this Amazon of Love So stoutly fought ; yet John who stood by her Was of a weaker Metall far , and strove With lesse Successe the Passion to bear : He strove a while ; but at the last , poor Saint , As Griefe became outragious , he grew faint . 345. For when his loving Eyes beheld that Breast Upon whose Sweets his Head was wont to lie , And those dear Arms , which us'd to hug him fast And chain him unto Blisse ; The Tyranny Which now possessed them , soon overthrew His tender Heart , and all his Comforts slew . 346. Jesus observ'd them Both , and saw how she Although her Pain and Sorrow greater were , Yet made them bow unto her Will ; how He Suffer'd his lesser Griefe to domineer Over his wounded Soule ; and seeing this , Felt what he saw in Both , for Both were His. 347. He felt their Tortures ; but with deeper sense Then they themselves , and more Excesse of Pain ; His Soule being temper'd to all Excellence Of dainty Softnesse , which did entertain Ev'n in its Bowells , every Torments Darts He spi'd in any of his Spouses Hearts . 348. Witnesse his bounteous Care , before he dies ' , To cheer them by a pretious Legacy : His noble Mother , far above all price , Ev'n in that dearest of Relations , he Bequeaths to John ; and John to her again , That in his stead , her Son he might remain . 349. Sweet Legacie ! where though the Mother be The richer Gift , considered alone , Yet is the Balance equaly Now Iohn's inhanced by the Name of Son : For that high Name intitles him to be No lesse than Jesu's priviledg'd Deputy . 350. A long-long Houre had now run out , since by His weeping Wounds the King of Mercy hung : Yet all this while from the hard Peoples Eye Not one drop of Compassion he had wrung . This made the Sun , though on his high-noon Throne . Fear his own Eyes had not their duty done . 351. But looking wistly , He perceived how Men had exiled all Humanity ; This Sight upon his face a Blush did throw In shame and horror at the Prodigie ; He blush'd and shut his royall Eyes , and hurld More than Cimmeria all about the World . 352. In mourning Weeds the heav'nly Sphears at last Upon their dying Master will attend , And with no gaudy Tire of Light be drest Now all the Powers of Hell and Darknesse bend Their uncontrolled spight , in Him , to damp . All other Lights divine original Lamp . 353. The Aire was frighted at this monstrous Change When Midnight seized upon highnoon Day , Marching with Apparitions , and strange Phantomes of duskie fire , in fierce array ; Whilst every hollow Winde which passed by Bemoan'd with sad Groans this Calamity . 354. The lesser Sparks of Heav'n all started as Their sudden priviledge , who now might view The open face of Noon ; not knowing what Had thrown upon the Sun his Sable Hue ; With doubting twinckling Eyes on him they gaze ; Seeing him down , yet in his highest Place . 355. Each gentle fair-condition'd Bird and Beast Hi'd them unto their Nests and Dens for fear : Onely some ominous Ravens and Scritchowles prest , With Beasts of Prey & Night , through the black Aire : And fit Companions for these Jews they were Who in all Horridnesse their Brethren are . 356. Frights and Dismays walk'd not so thick upon The face of Egypt , when 't was buried In a strange three-days Night , as now they run Both there and here , for every where they spread , Having as large a Circle as the Sun , Who now from all the World at once was gone . 357. The grave Astronomers , who with Phoebus were Of old 〈◊〉 , and knew all his Gistes His way , his Jnns , his Hosts , and whersoe're His restles Coach in his bright path 〈◊〉 , Wonder'd what sudden Monster did arise And rob him of his Locks and of his Eyes . 358. 'T is plain the Moon was innocent , for She Knew not the buis'nes , being far away ; No less than Halfe the Heav'ns Immensitie Betwixt Hers , and Her Brothers Station lay , For whilst He flourish'd in the perfect height Of Day , She groveled in the Depth of Night . 359. But grant by some portentuous Wheel She from Her proper Place was whirl'd thus farr away Yet how could her poor Bulk usurp the Room Of His vast flames , and damm up all the Day ? Sure Phoebus scorns that Her small Blot should rob The totall Beautie of his mighty Globe . 360. O No 〈◊〉 was a larger Blot than so , A Blot in which all Blackness did combine , A Blot which no Comparison doth know , A Blot made up of every foulest Sinn , A Blot as hideous , as profound , and wide As Impudence could make ; 't was Deicide ; 361. No wonder now Heav'n would no longer be Beheld those who did its King destroy ; That Phoebus his less reverend Majestie Deny'd to them whose onely work and joy Was to eclipse and quench that Soveraign Sunn Whose open Eyes His durst not gaze upon . 362. And yet this Darkness a faint Copie was Of that more monstrous Pitch which stuck upon The Eyes and Hearts of the blind Jews : Alas This Prodigies stern Admonition Could not awake their Thoughts , to search , and see How Heav'n was frighted at their Crueltie , 363. The itching Wit of their immortall Spight Draws every Thing into new B lasphemie : Behold , say They , the most audacious Might Of His insufferable Witcherie : Whilst other Wizards onely on the Moon Or Starrs , throw Darkness ; He choaks up the Sun . 364. But now the Ninth Houre of the Day drew on , And brought the last Act of this Tragedie Along with it ; that Houre in which alone More Horrors than 〈◊〉 Agese'r did see In one Consp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 met , And in Array themselves all armed set . 365. His other 〈◊〉 but faint Praeludiums were , Which onely gathering Clouns did overspred ; But now the Tempest in its full Carrieer Broke down and sous'd directly on his head ; JESUS was now encompass'd with the Stream And ev'n into his Soul the Waters came . 366. The Waters of that dismall Cup which He Both fear'd and lov'd ; eschew'd and chose to Drink : The fatall Dreggs of Wrath and Misery , Of every black and dreadfull Thing the Sink : A Dead Sea unto which Gomorrha's Lake Compar'd , would wholsome Milk and Hony speak : 367. Heav'ns Justice , who had with a constant Eye Observ'd all Tribes of Men , and noted down Each little Slip , each broad Impiety , With all the Trappings Time and Place had thrown About them ; hither made a journey , and Full in thy Spouse's face took up her Stand. 368. Lesse Terror from the Vulturs count'nance breaks When she her Tallons claps upon her Prey ; Lesse from the irefull High-priest when he takes His Cursing Aime at Jesus ; than to day Flash'd from this cruel Mayd , in whose fell look Her dismal throne accomplish'd Veng'ance took . 369. Immortal Dread star'd wide in either Eye ; Her forehead was plow'd up with furrows deep , Sown with the Seeds of all Severity ; ( Which now for Jesus were grown fit to reap . ) Her Lips were Fire ; her Cheeks were burning red , And for a Tongue a flaming Sword she had . 370. She never in such horrible Array Appear d till now on Earth ; not when she came With Water arm'd to wash the World away ; Or unto Sodome with a Flood of Flame ; Or when her fiery Serpents she did bring The Israelites Rebellion to sting . 371. A Veil ( so hideously black , that Night Is a 〈◊〉 beauteous thing to it , ) Over her head was spred , which , though Day-light Were now at Liberty , would not permit The stoutest Mortals sin-condemned Eyes Ever to reach the Comfortable Skies . 372. On either side , ten thousand Furies were , With Millions of Pangs and Ejulations ; Woefull Eternity was also there Hugging each Horror : Troops of Desperations Raving and riotting in their own Blood In the vast Armies Rear behinde Her stood . 373. But in her Hand a sable Book she held , Which now She opened unto Jesu's eyes : When loe each dreadfull Page appeared fill'd With more intolerable Prodigies Than those transcendent Monstrous Shapes which were Marshall'd in her Hell-representing Rear . 374. There that Rebellion painted was , which grew In Paradise , so huge and rank a Weed That it none but the Worlds own Limits knew , For through all Generations its Seed It scattered , and made each poisnous Birth Bring full Assurance of its own Death forth . 375. The Serpent which in Eden planted it Wears not such fatal Horror in his Face , Nor stings so deep , nor doth his Venome spit So far and wide , nor e'r attended was With such a numerous Frie of Devills , as this Old Beldame Sin by young Ones followed is , 376. This was the fearfull Frontispice : But now The cursed Leaves She opened one by one : Pride had usurp'd the first , and there did show Her swolln and blister'd Count'nance , which did run With banefull Matter , being bruised by A Fall she caught as she was climbing high . 377. The next was Spight , broad War , close Calumnie ; Then Avarice besmeard with knawing Rust , And putid Lying , and foule Treachery , With sneaking Theft , and everstinging Lust , Intemperance wallowing in a nastie Flood Of Vomit , Murder in a Sea of Blood . 378. That selfe-relying heav'n-distrusting Thing , Foolish base-hearted Infidelity ; Grinding Extortion , and self-torturing Because for ever jealous Tyranny ; Enchanting Error , venomous Heresie , Idolatry , and right-down Blasphemy , 379. But for their number , it exceeds the skill Of Computation , and all Figures reach ; Not all the Sparks whose glistering Armies fill The field of Heav'n ; not all the Atomes which Traffick about the Summer Air , can tell Their mighty Total how to parallel . 380. For each dwarf Fault , and Gyant Crime did stand In martiall rank and file arrayed there , Which any Humane Tongue , or Heart , or Hand Was ever stained with , since Eve gave Eare Unto the charming Tempter , and let in The fatal Torrent of contagious Sin . 381. Nay more than so ; for every Stain and Blot Which through all Ages to the end of Time Shall taint the World , Justice had thither got , And in a black Appendix marshall'd them . Thy proud Revolt , and every Fault beside , Psyche , were there displayed full and wide . 382. And if the least of Crimes , as sure it is , Be infinitely foule , imagine then How strange a Masse of horridnesse was this Whose bulk did swell with all the Sins of Men : What store of black 〈◊〉 were here For bleeding Jesus wounded Back to beat ! 383. For Justice heap'd them all upon his back , That hee who did no sin , might suffer all . How would the Worlds establish d Pillars crack , Should such a Load upon their shoulders fall ! How would the al-supporting centre faint , And strive to shrink into a smaller point ! 384. How would the joynts of noblest Seraphs quake , How would the Cherubs sinnews tremble , at This Burden , which all Natures Bones would break , And lay Heav'ns highest stoutest Powers flat ! This Burden which all humane Soules would press Down to that bottom which is bottomlesse ! 385. Now Jesus groans , and feels his heart-strings stretch , For black upon his Soule the burden lies ; Those other torments hee forgetteth which The whips and nails , and Jewish blasphemies Had multipli'd on him : Thus rivers be Quite lost , when swallow'd by the bitter Sea . 386. Should all the tortures that did ever yet The Veins , and Joints , and Hearts of Martyrs tear , In one fell Composition bee knit , And then enraged to their full carrieer ; Lesse furious would their fury be than that Which now on Jesu's Soule in triumph sate . 387. Some comfort it would be , if Heav'n would now Vouchsafe a gentle looke upon its Son Who spies no consolations glimpse below : But ô the sphears are not eclips'd alone By Phoebus absence ; no another Night Has thrown its Veil upon Heav'ns dearer Light . 388. The Light which from his Fathers pleased eyes His whole Soule us'd to drink , its streams did hide : With earnest labouring looks , he pleads , and pries , But is by sad obscuritie deny'd . O blacknesse , which no Parallel canst know ! To thee all Ink as Milk , all Pitch is Snow . 389. Long did he grapple which this mighty grief In patient silence : But his Soule at length Snatching at least the desolate reliefe Of free complayning , with the wofull strength Of his sad tongue , this out-cry He did make : My God , my God , why dost thou me forsake ! 390. Am I not still that Son in whom alone Thou wert wel-pleas'd ? Is not thy bosome still The same where once my habitation I did enjoy ? Why dost thou me expell Who am the image of thy blessed face , From the least sight of its all-sweetning grace ? 391. Had every outcry , every groan , and shreik , With which the air of Bethlehem was rent When Rachel saw how all the street did reek With an unheard of flood of innocent And infant blood , met in one ejulation , It s fragor had not match'd this exclamation . 392. Never was such a Lamentable cry Wrung from the mouth of Griefe : nor ever was Complaint more unregarded : Clemencie Was deaf , and Heav'n as well as Earth did pass By without any Bowels : Never day Did such a Sceen of heavines display . 393. Sorrow her self amazed at the sight , Would have repented of her Tyranny : But Jesus meant not to decline the fight , Who could not conquer'd be , though He could die . O no : He hugs his horrors , and although His nature shrinks , his courage loves his woe . 394. Thus gallant Souldiers ' in the dreadfull wars With generous Pride their gushing blood behold , Counting their glories onely by their scars , And judging all their dearest limbs well sold ; Yea and their Hearts and Lives , if so they may Upon their Herses wear triumphant Bay . 395. But now as in the Fornace of his Pain This helplesse Victor fries , he cryes , I thirst ; For sure He longed to drink up and drain The dregs of grief , that none of the accurs'd And deadly draught he might behinde him leave His mortall Brethren evermore to grieve . 396. Yet they unkindly on a Reed present Him Vinagre , who broach'd the Wine for them , The Wine of his dear Blood ; all which He spent To wash and cheer their hearts . Does he not seem O salvage Jews , without the help of this Your gift to have enough of bitternes ? 397. Is this your thanks to Him who every year Your stream of harvest-pleasures poures on you ; Who to compleat your Banquet , doth prepare Those soveraign dainties which in Eden grow ; And who , mean while hath with his bounteous hand Giv'n you your milk and honcy slowing Land ? 398. Yet Jesus takes it kindly , Psyche ; He Knew well this knawing draught would best besit The dying King of greif , whose miserie So dear and pretious on his Soule did sit , That He their wine aromatiz'd with Myrrh Thought far lesse pleasant then this Vinagre . 399. Besides , that Poison he remembred well Which from th' enchanting apples sweets did flow ; By wholsome Bitternes he means to heal Ev's liquorish Luxury : His Palate now Doth expiate Hers , and nobly teacheth it That apples fatall rellish to forget . 400. And now the Tragedie began to draw To its sad end ; for Jesus having by Immortall patience undergone the Law And curse , and grappled with the monstrous frie Of all the Worlds Transgressions : lifts his head In triumphup , and cryes , T is finished . 401. O that it were ! said Mary , who stood by ; So should my Soule live still with my dear Lord . If he has found a way how not to die , Why does sweet Jesus not make good his Word By coming down ! So sighed pious she : But he made haste to his Catastrophe . 402. For Justice now had nothing more to say , Since by the streams which down the Cross did slow All her Objections were wash'd away , And every Page of her black book did grow As pure and faire as the serenest skies When rescued from the gloomy clouds disguise . 403. Wherefore she straight dismiss'd her horrid train , And then withdrew her self . These being gone , Jesus look'd up into his Heav'n again And saw the veil which dwelt till now , upon His Fathers face , remov'd . O 〈◊〉 sight ! O cheerly morning after heavy night ! 404. He saw his everlasting Arms as wide Stretch'd out , as his were on the Cross ; He saw His blessed bosome ope , which seem'd to bid Him to his nest of bliss return , and grow His happy self again ; He saw his eye Flaming in pittying Loves extremitie , 405. An everlasting Laurell in his hand He saw , designed to confute the shame Of his own thorny crown ; He saw the grand Cherubick quire ambitious to proclaim His Conquests in their songs : And at the sight Resolv'd to die , he cryes with all his might ; 406. Father , into thine hands I here commit My Spirit , which thou woo'st to come to thee , Up flew that mightie word , and after it Out brake his blessed Soule ; for strait way he Bow'd down his Head , submitting sweetly to That will he came by life and death to doe , 407. The holy Temple heard his dying cry , And , as it could , its Clothes tore ; for loe Its veil in sunder rent , and seemed by That ruptures mouth to say , I must let goe My priviledge , and Jewish rites must be Resigned unto Christianitie . 408. Earth heard it too , and quaked at the noise : Her rocks did rend , her sepulchres did ope , And many sleeping Saints wak'd at the voice , Russled their dust together , and gat up . Natures commotion was so great and strange , That in the guard it strait begot a Change . 409. The bold Centurion with the Earth did quake , ( So did the Soldiers with the rocks , ) and cry Surely the World slept in a deep mistake Whilst it perceiv'd not Jesu's Deitie : His Father now has owned Him , and He Did when himself was pleas'd in blisse to be , 410. For still his vitals in their strength remain d , And he had force enough a while to live ; Witnesse that finall Blast for which he strain'd When He that strong and thundering cry did give These wretched theives we see still in their Pain , 〈◊〉 he in his own rest is gone to reign . 411. Nay ev'n on salvage and obdurate Jews So far can guilty Fear prevail , that now The danger-stricken People could not chuse But grant their Hearts did feel this Terrors Blow , For though their sullen Tongue would not , their Fist Confest their fright upon their beaten Breast . 412. Here , Psyche , whose soft Heart had come and gone A thousand times , as he the Story told , Now yeilded unto Griefs Dominion , And e'r her Guardian spi'd it , down she roll'd , Joyning her Passion to her Lords , and trying To live with Him , who di'd for Her , by dying . 413. But Phylax by his heav'nly tender Art Soon cheer'd , and rais'd her up , and told her She Must 〈◊〉 now unto the other Part Which of this Sadnesse made a Comedie . She look'd , and sigh'd , and cri'd , All Joyes are dead When Jesus dies ; and yet , dear Sir , proceed . 414. Know then , said He , this Passion and Death Hath pu chas'd all the Joyes that Heav'n can breed , And cancell'd every fatal Bond of Wrath Which Sin had drawn against old Adams Seed : All Jesu's Wounds are Gates by which Man may Take freely into Paradise his way . 415. All sort of Pains and Shames and Sorrows he With matchlesse valour did monopolize ; The spightfull Wit of all Hells Treachery He vanquished by being made its Prize ; And yeilding up his meritorious Breath , Blew down the Power ev'n of prevailing Death . 416. Which when fell Satan saw , it him repented Of this great bus'nesse he had brought about , And at his Den in Paxis he lamented His undermin'd Designe , when Crying out Great Pan is dead , he made confession how He had projected his own Overthrow . 417. For this was Pan indeed , the God of Sheep , Who held his tender Flock so dear that He From Wolves and Lyons it secure to keep , Expos'd Himselfe to all Extremity , And for the Fold found a sure Rampart out , When with his Blood He moated it about . 418. But now a Soldier , he whose onely Heart Was harder than those Rocks which Griefe did burst , Boldly took on him Cruelties last Part ; For into Jesu's side his Sphear he thrust . Deep in his Heart the Iron div'd , and brought The finall Stream of Blood and Water out . 419. That Water which the Pericardium bound About the Heart , that Blood which in it dwelt : Thus all that in thy Saviour was found To feed and feast his Friends , He freely spilt . The Pelican so with her dearest Blood Diets and fattens up her dearer Brood . 420. This done ; the Sun unveild his Clouded Eye , And joyed the Redeemed World to see : Forthwith the monstrous Shades away did flie Unto the bottome of Nights nideous Sea ; That now Sins Blacknesse chased was away , Earth might behold a double glorious Day . 421. But will no Pitty on the Body look Which now has born the utmost spight of spight ? Yes ; Arimathean Joseph undertook To pay unto it its Sepulchral Right , And now with loving Loyaltie doth mean To prove that he had a Disciple been . 422. A true Disciple , though a Secret one ; Witnesse his Fear , to generous Courage grown ; For though his Master now were dead and gone , His Faith revives , nor shall the High-priests Frown Or Peoples Fury , fright his Duty from Yeilding his Saviour his own costly Tombe . 423. A Man of honorable Place was he , And Pilate easily grants him his Request : The Corps resigned is unto his free Disposall : which he straight-way doth invest With daintiest Linen , that the Winding Sheet Might Delicacie learn by Kissing it . 424. Right well he Knew this solemn Paschal Feast . For bad him all Pollution by the Dead : And yet his pious Love durst not desist Till he this votive Task had finished ; Being assur'd he could not stained be By handling the dead Corps of Purity . 425. But is Ho busie was ; another Freind Came in , good Nicodemus , who by Night On Iesus whilst He lived did attend , To gain for his obscured Judgment , Light ; And in his blacker Night of Death doth now His gratefull Pietie upon Him bestow . 426. Of pretious aromatick Mixtures He An hundred Weight doth bring , to sacrifice Unto this Bodies service , so to be Enobled and enhanced in its price , The O dours smiled as they kiss'd the Skin , For by that Touch more Sweetnes they did win , 427. Mean while the Instruments of Death , for this The manner was , were younder buried ; Where they shall sleep untill a Queen shall rise Out of thy Albion , from whose blessed Bed A Prince shall spring , who shall exalt above His Roman Eagles the meek Christian Dove . 428. Their deer Discovery is reserv'd for none But venerable Helen ; who , when here Hot in her passionate Devotion Her Saviours Sufferings She her selfe shall bear , Transfiguring her Miditating Heart Into each severall Torture , Wound , and Smart . 429. Those noble Relicts shall revealed be In recompence of her brave Love and Zeal : There for the Jewells She shall Dig , and see At length , the rude but glorious Spectacle : The Crosse , and Nail She there shall finde , Which her Lords Body pain'd , and her own Minde . 430. Inestimable shall their Worth be held : One of those Nailes to Constantine shall seem Illustrious enough his Head to gild , And sit enthron'd upon his Diademe ; Two in his Bridle shall triumph , when He Rides through the World like King of Victory . 431. The Fourth shall tame the Adriatik Man , And naile it fast unto its bottome , so That on its equall pacisied Plain The unmolested Ships may safely goe : Then by this Gem shall that enriched Sea More wealthy than the eastern Ocean be . 432. But for the noble Crosse ; no Toung can tell The Wonders that shall spring from that drie Tree , Which hew'd out by Devotions Edge , shall fill The zealous World , and quit that Injury Which from the fatall Bough in Eden spread Through all the 〈◊〉 sown with humane Seed , 433. Persia shall take it Captive , yet not dare To look upon its Pris'ner ; Pietie Shall thence redeem it by a 〈◊〉 War , And then return it to its Calvarie When great Heraclius his own royall Back A willing Chariot for it shall make . 434. But come my Dear , here on the Western side Of this now holy Mountain , Thou mayst see The pretious Sepulchre of Him who di'd And who was also Buried for Thee , This Rock is it : Come lets 's into the Cave , No Temple is more holy than this Grave . 435. Loe here good Joseph did the Body lay : Here lay the blessed Head and here the Feet : Hard was the Couche , and yet no Princes may Compare their Beds with it , which was more sweet Than Solomons , although Arabia did With all her sweetest Sweets goe there to bed . 436. The Phaeni'x balmie grave could never show Such soveraign Riches of perfumes , as here Did from thy blessed Saviours Body flow , Who soon the truer Phoenix did appear . O pretious Place ! No Mau 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Into comparison with this must come . 437. What are the Monuments of Kings , but 〈◊〉 Memorials of their putrid Rottennesse , Whilst odious Worms and Dust inshrined are In specious Gold and Marble ? But in this Plain Sepulchre bold 〈◊〉 found Her Hands were more than the dead 〈◊〉 bound . 438. This is that Oratorie , Psyche , now Whither the 〈◊〉 Soules 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 ; Themselves and their best 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they Here all their Zealous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , And in this Air their warmest 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 . 439. Yet time 's at hand , when bold Idolatrie Will venture to prophane this sacred Place , To turn this Paradise into a stie , And holinesses beauty to deface , To build Hels soveraign Monster , odious Jove Upon this monument of divinest love . 440. But all in vain ; for Christian Eagles still Will to the place of the dear carcase fly , And their impatient devotions fill By feasting on its pretious memory . Jove , though the most impure of things , is not So foule , as this Toombs puritie to blot . 441. And here may'st thou , for I thy heats discover , Sweet Psyche , stay and ease thy burning heart ; Thy Uows and Prayers here thou may'st run over , And with the pious world take thy free part . Doe ; riot in thy zeal ; I will attend And keep the door till thou hast made an end . 442. Psyche , who scarcely for this cue could wait , Fell on her face and kiss'd the reveren'd floor ; Where her brave flames so melted her , that strait Her armorous sighs and soule she forth did pour , And by the strong embrace of Faith and Love Seem'd there to hug Him who was high above . 443. Through all his pains , and all his wounds she went , And on her own heart printed every one : Her bowels with his wofull cry she rent , And wish'd not 〈◊〉 seeing he found none : By bitter thoughts , his nails , his throns , his spear She copied out , by tears his Vinagre . 444. But comming to his death , she fetch'd a sigh Up from the bottome of her soule , in hope Her life would have flown in its company , And made her passion too compleatly up ; Striving in meek ambitious love to have The ready honor of her Saviours Grave . 445. Desire lay boyling in her ardent breast , With secret groans her Aspirations beat , With restlesse panting she reach'd at that rest To which her Lord was flown ; and in the heat Of this contention , she was towr'd so high , That scarce her Body upon earth did lye . 446. But when life held her on this dainty Rack , In a full Ocean of Inamorations And mighty Ecstasies she strove to wrack Her labouring heart : And yet these perturabtions And strong assaults of loves intestine war , She by diviner loves assistance bare .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XIV . The Triumph of Love . ARGUMENT . LOve , bindes , in his own Den the King of Hate , Death and Corruption in the Grave subdues , Turns back the mighty Stream of Mortal Fate , Himselfe alive to his Disciples shews , In Triumphs bright Excesse Ascends upon A Clowd , and mounts his everlasting Throne . 1. VIcissitude , how doth thy constant Change Cheer up the World , which else would droop & faint ! Thou no strange Thing wilt suffer to be strange Whilst with all Companies Thou dost acquaint ; For thy Chamaeleons skin is made to fit All Sorts of Colours that can meet with it . 2. When Heav'ns wise Hand did mould these things We see As Natures noble Sport and Recreation , It constituted thy Uncertainty For ever certain in its Variation ; That as God knows no Change , so all Things else Might feel the Motion of Mutations Pulse . 3. All things at first were Night ; then Day burst forth , But Night soon stole upon Dayes back again , Yet in the Morning crept behinde the Earth , And suffer'd Light her full twelve Houres to reign ; Thus have all Ages onely been the Play Of inter woven checker'd Night and Day . 4. When peevish Winters churlish Breath doth blow His froazen Scythia all about the Earth , Commanding Nature in a Bed of Snow To lie and sleep , and let no Bud peep forth ; Who would imagine she could break again From the captivity of her icey Chain ? 5. Yet when the Sun leaps in the lusty Ram , Forthwith the spring takes heart , encourag'd by The neighbourhood of his enlivening flame , And cloathes the World with fresh fertility , Bidding the troublesome snow no more be seen , And changing earths white mantle to a green . 6. Sometimes the windes conspire upon the main To plow the deeps , and throw them at the skie , To let them thunder head-long down again , And with new wrath return them up as high , Till all the Sea be on a foaming sweat , And Rocks , and Ships , and Sailers hearts be split . 7. Yet when these Blasts their fury out have blown , The Ocean becomes a polish'd plain , Mildly presenting for each billowie frown A gentle smile : The Sirens play again , The Seamen hoise their sailes , the Halcyon lays Her Egs , and gives her name to quiet days . 8. When the laborious Plow-man hath by day Worri'd himself , and Earth , and water'd it With his own sweat ; cool night his head doth lay Safe on his Bed , and teach him to forget His toilesome work ; whilst soft and gentle sleep Yeilds him a crop of pleasant dreams to reap . 9. When tedious sicknes by her rampant fits Has in the Body her sad revels kept ; Health takes her happy cue , and cheerly sets Her self to work , nor stops till she has swept The veins and Stomack , and with lively fire Cheer'd up the Spirits which began to tire . 10. Though Grief sometimes , conspiring with the Night , Disconsolations on an heart doth throw ; Yet Comfort dawning with the morning light Smootheth the sullen furrows of the brow , And with its virgin beams of sweetnes dryes The briny moisture of the clouded eyes . 11. But no vicissitude , in sweetnes may Compare with that which cures the worst of gall ; Whose beams can chase the shades of death away And kindle comforts in a Funerall ; Which to a sepulchre can say , stand ope , And let thy Prisner into Life get up . 12. Indeed some glimpses of this blessed Change Had glanced on the World before ; yet they Were but faint shaddows of the bright and strange Mutation which did shine on Easter-day ; For they effected were by borrowed Might , This dawn'd and rose by none but its own light . 13. Jesus alone was He , in whose brave Hand Dwelt that authentick Power which knew how To give his Mortal Fate a Countremand ; To force his stout Grave to repent ; to throw A side his winding Sheet , and cleerly turn His own Deaths Night into a living Morn . 14. And , now the reverend Place did prompt him too The glorious Story , Phylax means to paint Its severall Wonders unto Psyche , who Under her holy Passion strove to faint . He takes her up , and sweetly cries , My Dear , Lifes Monument , as well as Deaths , is here . 15. And t is the same ; this very grave doth now With open mouth proclaim the death of Death . Come sit thee down , and I will tell thee how By his own loss thy vanish'd Saviour hath Victorious prov'd , and reap'd such Palms as yet No other Conquerer could ever get . 16. When in this Cabinet good Joseph had The pretious Jewell laid ; a massie stone Unto the Monuments mouth he roll'd , and made It safe from injuries invasion , Being still suspitious of the tyranny Of the High-priests , which with death could not 〈◊〉 . 17. It could not die ; and was resolv'd that He Should neither live , nor seem to live again , Whom their flagitious importunitie Had by faint-hearted Pilates sentence slain . To Him they come afresh , and , fawning , cry , Long live great Caesar and his Deputy . 18. Sir , in our Gods , and in our Countries name Full thanks We tender for that Justice you Have done on Jesus , blotting out that shame Which on our Temple His foule Mouth did throw : Nor will you want ev'n Caesars praise , since he Reigns by your care from dangerous tumults free . 19. For what might this stout Conjurer have done If He had Veng'ance scap'd , and lived still ? Who by the Magick of his Death alone Ierusalem doth with amazement fill : How many Fondlings stroke their Breasts , and cried Sure He 's the Son of God , ev'n when He dyed ! 20. There 's Danger therefore , least this Serpents blood Rankle the Aire , and taint our credulous Nation ; Especialy since he himselfe thought good To pave the Way to some such Perturbation , Telling his Scholars he to them again Would rise the third Day after he was slain . 21. Now Sir , if sheltered by theevish Night They from his Grave should steal Him , and proclaim That He is Risen by his heav'nly Might , What Danger might attend on such a Fame ! How would the seeming Miracle entise Seditious Multitudes with Him to Rise ! 22. Then would the Mischiefe swell to greater Height , Then if the Traytor were indeed alive : Against the power of that new Deceit Alas both You and We in vain should strive ; For how shall We attache Him who is dead , And yet into new Lifes opinion sled ! 23. Say what we could , the mutinous Rabble still By the Graves open Mouth would seal up ours , Provoking Us unto that Miracle By which They 'l count'nance their Rebellious Powr's ; And with outràgious Falsehood bear Us down , Crying , They serve Him who to Heav'n is flown . 24. Pilate , whose Conscience griped Him for what He had already done , no more would trade In that uncomfortable Bus'nesse ; but Them of their spightfull Project Masters made . Ye have a Watch ; Goe make all sure , said He , And satisfie your politick Iealousie . 25. This was enough : Away goe They , in haste To make God sure for ever stirring more : Annas and Caiaphas both their Seals set fast Upon the Stone which dammed up the Door ; Charging a double Guard , appointed well With Swords and Spears , to wait on either Seal . 26. Fools as they are , their Plots and Counsells be But onely wise conspiracies to make The Resurrections glorious Mystery With more unanswerable Lustre break Forth in their Faces , since their Guard and Seal Shall now bear witnesse to the Miracle . 27. So when the envie-blinded Median Peers Had got great Daniel in the sealed Den Of hungry Death ; their Jealousies and Fears They confidently laid asleep : but when The Day awak'd , they found their fell Designe Prov'd his Deliverance the more Divine . 28. Mean while the sacred Corps lay sleeping here ; And jolly Death triumphed in the Grave , Presuming that no Man her force could bear Since she the deadly Wound to Jesus gave ; He was her only feared Champion , and Loe now she saw him conquer'd by her Hand . 29. Long had she vex'd , and pin'd remembring how Brave Enoch and Elias rescued were From her Monarchik Cruelty : but now That feebler Pair she is content to spare , And gluts her bloody Heart with Joy to see This Trophe of most matchlesse Victory . 30. She never took such proud Delight to set Her foot on Alexanders Toomb , or see The Sons of Anak all in Ashes meet , Or Josua's Dust with his own Grave agree , Or steely Samson turn to rotten Clay , Or vast Goliah mouldering away . 31. She kiss'd her bloody Dart , and vow'd to build An Arc of triumph to its Victory ; With high Disdain she all the World beheld , Which now had no pretence but it must Die ; Since Lifes own Champion became her prey And tame , and cold , and dead before her lay . 32. There lay his Body ; but his Soule mean time Triumphed more than she ; for down into The Kingdome of the hidden World , the Chime Of unsuspecting Darknesse , it did goe , And took the Powers of Hell all napping in The secret Cloysters of their gloomy Den. 33. Hells Gates of sturdy Brasse He flung in sunder . Shaking the bottome of the monstrous Deep : The Porter frighted at the Ruines thunder Into the Gulfe to hide his Head did leap : But equal Horror there he met , for all The Pit was startled when the Gates did fall 34. So when the mighty Son of Manoah , who Presumed was the Cities Prisner , tore The Gates of Gaza , to make way unto His conquering March ; the Peoples dreadfull Roar Answer'd the Pillars boistrous Crack , whilst all Thought their own Roofs about their Ears did fall . 35. Imperial Lustre streaming from the face Of Jesue , in the eyes of hideous Night , Upon the swarthy Flames of that foule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such an Ocean of immortal 〈◊〉 . That into every hole they crept aside , Seeking their 〈◊〉 Shame to hide 36. About the hollow Bowells of the Cave An universal Groan it selfe did spread ; Whose Echo such an hideous Answer gave , That all Hell gasping seem'd on its Deaths-hed ; Straight followed such Yellings , Shreiks , and 〈◊〉 As truly spake Damnations Miseries . 37. Imagine what the blear-ey'd Sons of Night Ravens , Scritchowls , Bats , and such foule things would doe If they surprised were by High-noon Light In their black Nests : ô whether should they goe When their illustrious Enemy doth reach The very entrails of their closest Pitch . 38. Incomparably more the Horror was Which shot it selfe quite through the Heart of Hek ; For these commanding Rayes did freely passe Through the black Masse of every Obstacle With such stout Brightnesse , that amidst the store Of never-dying Fires , it kindled more . 39. The Lakes of Sulphure boiled with new Heat , And every Pang and Torment hotter grew ; Dispair afreshat every Bosome beat , Upon the next Fiends race each Fury fiew , And every Devill scratch'd and tore his Brother ; Wreaking their Mannesse upon one another . 40. The Snakes their Hisses and their Poyson spit , And in a thousand Knots ti'd , and unti'd Their woefull selves again ; The Gorgons split , Their monstrous Throats with raving ; and the wide And fiery-mouthed Dragons howling loud , Whole torrents of their flaming venome spewd . 41. The Peers of Hell curs'd their unhappy King Whose Pride did to this Torment them betray : They hop'd the Light of Heav'n would never spring In their black Clime , to poure on them Dismay ; But now they saw 't in Jesu's Eyes , it more 〈◊〉 them than when they fell from it before . 42. Their belking bosomes heaved high , and fain They would have belched out that working Loaa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my which held their Soules in pain : But mighty Terror stopp'd the sulphury road Of their foule Throats , and forc'd their ready Sin Onely to split their hearts , and rage within , 43. Black Avarice , with foule-mouth'd Calumnie , And desperate Treachery , who their Heads had laid Together in that fell Conspiracy By which Lifes King was unto Death betray'd , With self-condemning Horror quak'd to finde Their Mischiefs all against Themselves 〈◊〉 44. Although Confusion alwayes reigned here , It never sate so high upon its Throne As now , nor such Monarchik sway did bear In all the Deep , whose strange Distraction Outvi'd the Discords of that monstrous Masse Which the rude hideous Wombe of All Things was 45. But the Red Dragon , red in innocent Blood , Great Belzebub , was more confounded than All Hell besides : for well he understood That now he deeplier conquer'd was , than when Down from the Pinnacie of Heav'n he fell Into the Center and the sink of Hell . 46. That Jesus , for whose Blood so long agoe A hunting unto Bethlehem he went with Herods pack of Hounds ; that Jesus 〈◊〉 When in the Desert all his Craft he bent To cheat Him into Sin , did contremine With nobler Wisdome his profound Designe . 47. That Iesus whom He by the Wit of Scorn Through Iews blasphemous Mouths had vilified ; Whom He by Treacherie had Pris'ner born Unto his Mortall Enemies Barr , and tried By the impetuous lawlesse Law of Cries , Of Threats , broad Tumults , 〈◊〉 Calumnies . 48. Whom by the service of his Hell-bounds He Had spit upon , had scourg'd , had busseted ; Whom through all Infamies Extremitie He to this Mountain of his ' Death had led ; Whom on the Trec of Shame and Pain He 〈◊〉 , And then with further Blasphensies assail'd . 49. Whom of his blood he plundered , and at last Of his dear life ; Whom having murder'd thus , He in his Sepulchre gat sealed fast , And cleerly then was thought victorius ; This very Jesu's Soule He seeth now Marching with triumph in his Realm below . 50. He sees his deep-lai'd Plots and Projects prove But engines of their Masters overthrow ; He sees against himself he onely strove When unto Christ he gave the mortall blow ; That death by which he hop'd to have supprest The Lord of Life , now lives in his own breast . 51. He sees the Cross , in a full Banner spred , And shining with imperiall gallantrie ; That pretious blood with which he made it red , Gilds , and adorns it now with Majestie ; He sees it streaming in the swarthy aire , And at its awfull motion , melts for fear . 52. He sees the dreadfull thorns , and feels them prick His guilty Soule ; He sees the nails , and thinks That deep in his rebellious Heart they stick ; He winds about his wofull taile , He shrinks , He starts , he findes that something more than Hell Did now in his tormented bosome dwell . 53. Three times He 〈◊〉 his Pride upon the back , And cheer'd his everlasting stomack up ; But strait his swelling Heart-strings gan to crack , And fail'd the courage of his insolent hope Three times his Furic strove to chide his 〈◊〉 , And yet this terror still did 〈◊〉 . 54. But Jesus marching on in conquering might Pitch d his brave foot upon the Monsters head : All thunders thoats did never yet affright The Aire with such a Roar as bellowed From Satans mouth , when crushed by the load Of that strong foot , he yeelded to his God . 55. For as the surly Lyon wounded by Some noble Hero's might , in his own den , Rends all the cave with his impatient cry , And makes his frighted neighbours further run ; So 〈◊〉 loud shreik tore all his deep , And forc'd the Elves into their holes to creep . 56. Had the whole world been heav'd upon his Head , And thousands more upon the back of this ; A tolerable burden it had made : But all the weight of weight , meer lightnes 〈◊〉 To this inestimable load which now Lay full and sure upon his squeased 〈◊〉 , 57. His squeased Brow ; for both his Horns were broke ; So was his Scull , from whence a Stream did burst Of ranker Poisons than did ever look Forth untill now ; a Stream of all accurst Designes , of Blasphemie , of Rage , of Pride , And every Qualitie of Hells King beside , 58. Thus did the first and noblest promise prove Compleatly good ; thus did the womans seed The seed of blessed Mary , get above The wiley Serpents most envenomed head , And bruise it withfull vengeance for that 〈◊〉 With which he us'd the heel of Man to bite . 59. This done : learn now , the mighty victor cri'd , That as above , so I am King below . What you have gained by your spight and 〈◊〉 , Your own Elves now may read upon your Brow ; Deep-grav'd the lesson is ; and yet I know Not deep enough to mend or 〈◊〉 , or yen . 60. For deeper printed is your desperate 〈◊〉 On your obdurate hearts ; and though by me Their head you might be warned not to 〈◊〉 . Against my 〈◊〉 yet were you left 〈◊〉 To your own 〈◊〉 , you all your 〈◊〉 would 〈◊〉 To broach and 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 , 〈…〉 . 61. With that , an adamantine Chain about The Dragons neck the Conqueror did throw ; A Chain , which , though the Monster 's Teeth be stout As hardest Steel , yet He in vain doth knaw : Henceforth He lies fast pris'ner , and can rove Onely where Jesus gives Him leave to move , 62. Judas , who neer this place did frying lie , With unconceived anguish gnash'd his Teeth , Being tormented at his Master's Eye Whom He so wretchedly had sold to Death . He sold his Master ; but the Bargain on Himself return'd , and He did die alone . 63. He look'd the next Stepp on his woefull Head With equal pressure surely fix'd should be ; His Head , which next to crushed Satans did Deserve preheminence in Miserie . Yet the kind Conquerour meant not Him to burn Ev'n with his Eye , but it away did turn . 64. Him He reserved to his other Day Of Triumph , when both Caiaphas , and He , And all that cruel Rout which made their Prey Of his most innocent Humilitie , Shall looke on Him whom they have peirc'd with Thorns , And Whips , and Spears , and Blasphemies , and Scorns . 65. Yet He an uniuersal Prospect took With princely Awfulness about the Deep ; The radiant Dint of which triumphant Look Scorch'd all the feinds , and fires , which there did keep With greater torment , than when He at first Thorough their brazen Gates did thither burst . 66. What glimpse of Hopes can cheer the Whelps when They Have seen the Father Lyon trampled down ? Alas , the head of every Devill lay Bruised in Satans ; and they count their own , No longer so , since He could not maintain With all his Wit and Policy , his own Brain . 67. But whilst themselves They with this Horror slew , Jesus did for another Foe prepare ; In royall State He marched back , and flew To a new Conquest in his Sepulchre ; Where shivering and couching close lay Death , Astonish'd at the dismal noise beneath . 68. She heard the ruine of the Brazen Door , She heard the yelling of each frighted feind , She heard opprested Satans soveraign Roar , And felt a sudden fatal Terror rend Her late triumphant Heart , which suffered by Its sympathie with Hells Calamity . 69. Arrived heer , this Monster He descri'd With more than deadly Paleness in her face , Striving her guilty Head in vain to hide From the dread Brightness which surpriz'd the place ; For now none of her wonted loved Shade To muffle up her gastly Self she had . 70. Such streams of living Light from JESV'S eys Broke forth , as with more splendor stuff'd the Toomb Than dwells in Phoebu's globe ; Death scalded flies About the Cave , and hunts to finde some room Where she may scape that parching Lustres ire Whose bus'nes seem'd to light her funeral Fire . 71. When loe thy Spouse his foot already red With Hells best Blood , upon her Bosome set , And cri'd , foule Monster , whom I never did , Create , but Pride and Insolence begat , 'T is time thou feel that yet I have to doe With Thee , , both Mine and all my Subjects foe . 72. Thy hideous most accursed Mother Sinne Due Veng'ance from this righteous Hand has felt . And thou Her Bratt , in vain dost nestle in This gloomy Rock , in hopes to hide thy Guilt : The whole Worlds Graves which by thy Tyrannie Alone are fill'd , proclaime one due to thee . 73. Ev'n from thy Birth , Destruction was thy Trade . And thou didst traffik the whole Earth about ; All Generations thy prize were made , And yet thy Stomach still new Booties sought , Hell , which I plumm'd but now , less bottomiesie Than that strange Gulfe of thy lank belly is . 74. The stoutest Kings no favour found with Thee , But at thy stouter feet Thou mad'st them bow ; Thy shameless Worms thou gav'st authoritie On Prince's noble Breasts to crawle and knaw ; Saucie Corruption thou command'st to tread And trample upon every laureat Head . 75. My dearest Saints Thou mingled'st with thy prey , And deep into their graves didst trample them : Had I not with mine own hand snatch'd away That Pair which I too pretious did esteem To be devour'd by thee , Elias now , And Enoch had in dust been trodeu low , 76. By this thine uncontrolled crueltie Thou to the top of insolence didst rise , And ventured'st to throw thy Dart at me , That Dart which in my slaugh tred body lyes . And if I die , shalt thou exempted be ? Forbid it all my might and Majestie . 77. At this the Monster fetch'd an hideous groan , So great that all the dying cryes which she Throughout the world had caused , seem'd in one Huge ejulation moulded up to be ; All deadly Agonies that ever were , With just requitall bounded now on her . 78. But Jesus strait broke every fatal chain In which she us d her conquerd Preys to tie : And now the Fates themselves seem'd to complain That their grand Law groand under injury ; That Law which Heav'n it self enacted , and Bid it in Paradises records stand . 79. Their breeding murmur reached Jesu's ear , ( For nothing scap'd him which he pleas'd to know , ) When 〈◊〉 , he looking up , such potent fear Flew on all them , as bow'd their Heads as low As they were high before ; for strait they saw His royall will , and knew their soveraign Law . 80. Then , as Death groaning lay , He drew the dart From his own Bodies side , and to the head With mighty vengeance stuck it in her heart . The wound , though deep , made not the weapon red , For all the Gore that at its mouth it spew'd Black as foule Styx's inkie puddle shew'd . 81. Thrice did the Monster gaspe ; and then let flie Her cursed Ghost , which stole its way to hell : Her carcase stretch'd out on the ground did lie , Her chap fell down , her tongue in which did dwell All poisons 〈◊〉 , hung dangling out ; Thus she Who reign'd o'r mortals , felt Mortalitie . 82. But the brave Conqueror thus having slain Her once , by killing her , resolved now To slay her by restoring her again To her accursed life ; for from below He beckned her pale Ghost , and bid it dwell At home again , as in a fouler Hell . 83. And now , said he , since thou hast felt my might , Remember my command , and live again ; Henceforth , thou with thy sting no more shalt fight , Nor on thy Prisners clap a slavish chain : Yet use thy dart ; for'tis my royall will Though I forbid thy rage , to let thee Kill . 84. Thou who before , the tyrant wert , shalt now The servant to my mortal Brethren be , And ope the gate by which from Life below Their Soules shall flie to live and reign with me ; But see their bodies in their quiet sleep Untill I call for them , thou safely keep , 85. This double Conquest gain'd ; He look'd aside And sneaking in a Corner of the Toomb Corruption , with her Worms about her , spi'd , Who crawl'd and wrought withall their might to come And seize upon the Body ; but as yet Could not finde strength enough to reach to it . 86. He spi'd them there , and charg'd them to be gone : At which great word they into nothing fled . With that his sacred body he put on As easily as he some Cloak had spread Upon his shoulders , or his finger put Into an Annulet exactly fit . 87. Thus hast thou seen a tryed fencer from His bloody Sceen of prowess , with the prize His virtue purchased , returning home There to enjoy his glorious victories ; But first he cloaths his arms , and breast , and back , Whose naked valour scorn'd the combats shock . 88. His heart with life and joy strait gan to leap , His veins with new-recovered blood grew hot , His blessed eyes threw off their 〈◊〉 sleep And their long leaden night of Rest forgot , Afresh the Roses budded in his lip , New smiles and graces in his checks did trip . 89. Off fell the Napkin , and the Winding Sheet , Not daring to conceal the Beauties which In a strange Confluence of Glory met All Parts of his pure Body to enrich , Which , fairer than the Sons of Men before , Out-shined now its former Graces store . 90. For passing through the Seirce of Death , it there Lost all the grossnes of Mortality , And riseth more illustrious and cleer Than silver Venus in the Evening Skye : What was but course and animal till now , Doth most refined , and Spiritual grow . 91. It doth no longer like a Prison sit Obscure and lumpish on the soule , but is Made light and pliant , and compleatly fit For her , and for her nimblest Bus'nesses : And as our ready Wings doe every where Move with our , Wills so that can doe with Her . 92. For He who our brave Sprightfulnes could make Of dull and sleepy Nothing , easily may Teach heavy Flesh and Blood how to awake Into Angelik Purenesse , and array It round with full as fair a robe of light As makes the Cherubs or the Seraphs bright . 93. But now the promis'd Time was come , and He As early as the third Day ment to Rise : Remarried to his Body instantlie Out of his Toomb He leaps ; not in the guise Of boistrous Lightning which doth rend the Clouds , But that which through unbroken Bodies crowds . 94. Oft hast Thou seen the sprightfull Image flie Compleatly through a Chrystall Wall , which yet Unbruis'd , uncrack'd it leaveth : So did thy Much purer Lord through the stout Marble get ; For still it kept the Tombes Mouth close , and still Was trusty to the Priests unmoved Seal . 95. Thus Psyche , e'r the dull World was awake Life Rose for it , and Deaths strong Gates set ope , That it aforehand might a Passage make Unto all mortal Ashes to get up : His Members Risen are in Him their Head , Though yet in Death they never went to Bed . 96. His Resurrection a sure Ernest is Of theirs who ever dyed , or can die : He buried was onely the Grave to dresse , To purge , to sweeten , and to Sanctifie : That in that safe retiring Room his Freinds May take their Rest , untill for Them He sends . 97. Indeed all Joyes seemd to be slain when He Compleating Bitternesses Tragedy , Fetchd his last gasp upon the fatal Tree : But this deer Morning they reviv'd , and by His rising Body so refined were , That They like it , Spiritual appear . 98. No wonder this sweet Day doth sit so high In pious Soules esteem , and bear away The reverend glory and solemnity Of the old consecrated Sabboth Day : No wonder that upon the first Daies head The Sev'nths fair diadem is established . 99. T is true , on That , when God six daies had wrough : Fetching from Nothing Whatsoe'r We see , And All this All unto perfection brought ; He stay'd his Hand , and order'd it to be To sacred Jollitie a constant Feast , That all Things else might play , when He did rest . 100. But on this Day , his Rest was far more great ; For all his life full hard He laboured had , He wept , He struggled , and his blood He Sweat , His strength , his life , He spent , on Death He Trod : And trampled Hell ; and now Rose up again In matchlesse 〈◊〉 evermore to reign . 101. O noble Sabboth ! may all Glories swell Each houre and minute of thy sacred light : May Pieties best Exultations dwell In thee alone : and cursed be the spight Of any Heresie which e'r shall dare Thy festivall Prerogative to impair . 102. The other Sabboth was a Shade of Thee ; And Thou the Copie art of that which shall Amidst the Triumphs of Immensitie Be all Heav'ns everlasting Festivall ; A Feast which shall no higher Title know Than the Lords Day , and this brave Day art Thou . 103. But zealous Magdalene could not rest in Bed : O no ; her Soule was here seald in the Tombe , And though the Sabbaths Law did her forbid Untill it selfe expired were , to come And seek it here ; yet now she could not stay To be conducted by the mornings Ray. 104. She , and another love-enflamed Friend Borrow'd Speeds Wings , and having purchas'd store Of pretious Ointment and of Spice , to spend Upon the sacred Corps , set forth before The Sun gat out of bed ; but as they came Neer to the Tombe , He peeped forth on Them . 105. He peeped forth , and little thought that Day Was up before , and had prevented Him . This Day was Jesus his , and scornd to stay And be beholden to the tardie beam Of glaring Phoebus , since it of its own Glories had ample store its head to crown . 106. So had the Corps of Sweets , had it lain still ; But this was gone : Yet shall religious They Finde something which will their Devotion fill With Satisfaction , and in full repay Their Odours Price ; for in the Tombe they see An Angel sitting in bright Majesty . 107. This was that noble Spirit who in haste Flew down from Heav'n , just as thy Lord gat up , And whose prest bus'nes was , away to cast That mighty stone which did the Tombs Mouth stop , That these religious Visitants might there See how their Saviours Words performed were . 108. And gallantly his blessed Work he did , For at his mighty coming Earth did quake ; The Seal was startled , and in peeces fled ; The trembling Stone was ready too to break , And had in shivers fallen , had not he Roll'd it aside , and bid it quiet be . 109. When loe the Watch which at the Sepulchre Guarded the High-priests Sin with Swords and Spears , Forthwith beyond their own protection were , Being arrested by prodigious Fears ; The Hills Commotion reached to their Hearts , Which with the Seal split in a thousand parts . 110. But chiefly at the Angels Presence They Were seiz'd with their intoletable Fright : His shining Roabs were glorious as the Day , And partners with the driven Snow in white ; For 't was his Easter Suit , the Suit he had To honor this bright Feast on purpose made . 111. And yet the Lustre which kept Holiday Rejoycing in his delicate attire , Could not such wealthy floods of rays display As streamed from his aspects fairer fire , For in the Majesty of his sweet face A spring of living lightning bubling was . 112. In this celestiall bravery his threne He took upon the stone he rolled thence , Whence his illustrious terror he upon The eyes of all the Soldiers did dispense ; At whose bright dint forthwith each man let fall His sword , and tumbled down himself withall . 113. They tumbled down , and where they tumbled , lay For though they gladly would have farther fled , Alas they had no Power to run away , Pallid Amazement naild them there for dead . Thus they who came to guard thy Saviours Tombe , Into capacity of their own were come . 114. When the two Maries spi'd this Stranger there , And all the Watch before Him slain with Dread . They in their Passion began to share ; And had not Innocence its Protection spred Over their hearts , this Apparition had An equal Conquest on their Spirits made . 115. But when the Angel saw them drawing neer , He sweetly intercepted further Fright : You have , said he , no portion in this fear Which on this Watch of Wickednesse doth light : I know your errand well , ( and here he smil'd And all his face with gentler lustre fill'd . ) 116. You likewise Come to Watch the Corps , but yet To Pray withall : You Jesus come to finde , Although his Crosse and Shame themselves do set Full in your way to daunt your pious Minde ; You bravely Come , although a Guard stood here , Your Spices and Devotions to prefer . 117. You in courageous forgetfulnes Of your faint feeble sex , Come to attend Upon his body who forsaken is By his own Masculine Scholars ; I commend Your early valiant zeal ; although it be Arrived here too late your Hopes to see . 118. For Jesus earlier was up than you , And unto slaughter'd death bequeath'd his Tombe : His royall Word long since He pass'd you know , And this prefixed morning being come , Impossible it was that longer He In Deaths coldregion should froazen bee . 119. Doubt not this news I tell ; Come in , and let Your eyes convince your hearts ; His empty bed You see , with all the Cloaths and Sheets of it ; This Bed from whence He nobly flourished Into new life : a cold dead bed ; but He You know sprung first from dry virginitie . 120. The Angels Words the holy Women read Plain in the Grave , and in the Grave-cloaths ; yet So deeply were their Soules astonished At this 〈◊〉 of wonders , which beset Their unprovided thoughts , that they surmise Some pleasing error flattered their eyes . 121. Which He perceiving , sweetly chode their doubt , Their jealous faintnes , and dejected eyes ; Demanding why they in Deaths Closet sought For Him who thence to open life did rise ? He cheers them then , and tels them they shall be The Angels of this news , as well as He. 122. Make haste said he to the Disciples , who As jealous of this busines are as you ; Bid them be cheerly and to Galile goe , Where unto them their Lord himself will show : And , gentle Soules , you to forestall their doubt , May tell them you from me this message brought . 123. Out went the pious Women in a sweet Distraction of loving feare and joy ; The glorious Miracle did feare beget , The blessed news , new comfort did display . With doubtfull certainty they trembling ran , And told their sight to Peter , and to John . 124. Deer Sirs , they cry'd , ô what , what shall we doe ! The onely Relict of our Hope is gone ; But where our Lords sweet body is , or who Hath born it from the tombe , God knows alone : We with these eyes the empty Grave beheld , Which us with terrible amazement fill'd . 125. Indeed an Angell , if our fancie did Not cheat our ears , joy to our sorrow spake , And told us that our Saviour from his Bed Of death was rise , commanding us to make You with the news acquainted : But whate'r The matter is , our hearts still beat with fear . 126. He bad us charge you and your Brethren all To meet in Galile ; For there , said he Their risen Masters apparition shall Requite th' attendance of their Pietie . O that it might be so ! though he had set Ev'n the Worlds furthest end for you to meet . 127. So spake the Women ; but the standers by , Shak'd their wise heads at the unlikely news ; And , see , said they , the wilde credulitie Of female hearts , whom fancy doth abuse ! How fine a storie they can forge and fashion Of no materials , but imagination ! 128. And yet for all this censure ; wiser John Fir'd at the news , thought not of Galile , But in Loves loyall disobedience ran Hither , the present Miracle to see . The same spur prick'd on Peter too , and He Stoutly set forward in his company . 126. Unto their Prey no Eagles e'r did post With heartier Speed ; ne'r did Ambition make To Crowns and Scepters more impatient hast ; No Spark to Heav'n its course did ever take With braver Zeal ; than this religious Pair Flew to observe the empty Sepulchre . 56. But John , in whose soft Breast more flames did reign , More flames of Youth , and more of gallant Love , His fellow-traveller did soon out-strein , And gat before : In vain old Peter strove ; For though his Tongue were alwaies forward , yet John had the quicker Heart , and nimbler Feet . 131. He first came to the Tombe : but stricken there With awfull reverence , onely sent his Eye Into the bottome of the Cavern , where The Resurrections Relicts He did spie , The linen Clothes , which had the grace to kisse The sacred Body of all Sweetnesses . 132. But panting Peter there arrived , ' in The wonted boldnesse of his fervid Zeal , Entred the Cave : Which pattern straight did win So much on John , that to the Spectacle He follow'd Him , and with joint Wonder , there Gaz'd and examined the Sepulchre . 133. He gaz'd , and cleerly found his Eye told true : This rous'd his Faith , and made Her likewise ope Her Eyes the blessed Mystery to view : She look'd , and plainly saw Her Lord was up ; And needed now no Angels Tongue to seal To Her the Truth of that grand Miracle . 134. These two Disciples having seen their fill , To feed upon the Wonder , home return'd : But Magdalene , who had thither follow'd , still Stay'd by the Tomb to quench her Heart which burn'd With Griefs impatient Love : The Springs which kept In both her Eys , she Bravely broach'd & wept . 135. She weep'd , and pitted her prevented Spice , Which now breath'd short , and panting lay , to see It came too late to be a Sacrifice Unto the Lord of Sweets : She weep'd that she Her Tears Drink-offring could present no more On his Feets blessed Altar , as before . 136. Had she the plenitude of whatsoe'r Th' idolatrous World ' adores , she still would be Poorer than Poverty it selfe , whilst here She nothing findeth but Vacuity ; The empty Tombe with open Mouth , alas , Tells her her onely Gem removed was . 137. Removed , and quite lost , for ought she knew : And how can Mary live without her Life ! Such lamentable Mourning never slew The Turtles Joies in her disconsolate strife Of Love and Grief , when her dear Mate is lost ; As this sad Storme of Weeping , Mary tost . 138. Thus having Weep'd for what she saw ; again She look'd to read fresh cause of further Tears : But in the Tombe she spi'd new Splendor reign , Two Angells ready to out-shine her Fears , And drie her Cheeks with Comfort , there did sit , One at the Monuments Head , one at the Feet , 139. In festival Array they gorgeous were ; Being clothed in Joies Colour , milkie White : Woman , said They , what reason finde you here To cloud your brows in this fair Sceen of Light ? Alas , cri'd she , what Light mine Eyes can cheer , Seeing my Lord is laid I know not where ? 140. Her Eyes here gush'd a fresh , and back she turn'd To give their crowding Streams full Liberty ; But Jesus Heart , which melted , as she mourn'd , And answered ever Tear by Sympathy , Could not endure her gentle Soule to see Suspended longer in this Agonie . 141. For back unto his Sepulchre he stepp'd , That his dear Weepens loyal Eyes might see Their earned Spectacle : And , Why she wept , Was his soft Question ; but blubber'd she Blinded with Grief , could not discover Who It was examin'd her about her Woe . 142. She took Him for the Gardner of the place , And meekly pray'd him if he had Removed The Body thence , to tell her where it was , That she might goe and wait on her Beloved : And 't was the Gardner , who did plant and dresse The World in goodly Braveries excesse . 143. The Gardner who betimes a Weeding fell , Ev'n in the virgin Spring of his Creation ; Those rank encroaching Weeds which on Heav'ns 〈◊〉 Aspir'd to over-grow the new Plantation , Up by the roots he pluck'd in righteous ire And threw them thence into eternal Fire , 144. The Gardner who at length deign'd to come down Unto his Nurserie in Earths Valley , where All Tares and Poisnous 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 had sown He rooted up ; and out of matchlesse care To make the Soil be fertile , every Bed With his own pretious Blood he watered . 145. The Gardner who contented was to let The Thorns upon his Temples rather stand , Than they should vex the Grafts which he had set In his own Body by his tender hand . The Gardner who indeed had born away What in the Tombe untill this morning lay . 146. But pittying Magdalens gloomy sorrow , He Whose single potent Word all Clouds can clear , In Loves milde tone , the onely musick she Could be delighted with , saluted her : Yet his salute was neere as short as sweet , For onely by her name He Her did greet . 147. Mary , in Maries ear no sooner sounded From Jesu's lips , but to her breast it flew , And with incomparable joy rebounded Upon her wakened heart : She straitway knew The blessed voice in her own Name , for this With sweet significance did echo his . 148. She knew 't was Jesus ; and her heart must now Have split with swelling triumph had not she Unlock'd it strait , and let it freely flow In a full torrent of high Pietie . Her Life , her Love , her Heav'n , when least shee thought , Were all at once to her fruition brought . 149. Surely a Breast so soft as hers , had by This sudden onset of all joyes been broke , Had not her Lord with his own Potency Assisted Her to beare the mighty stroak . Master , she cry'd ; but then could not go on ; Her ecstafie her other words out-ran . 150. Down flat she fell , and aimed at those feet Which pious she before did oint and kiss . No Haste , dear Mary , Jesus cry'd ; for yet At ample distance my Ascention is ; But go and tell my Brethren I intend Unto our common Father to ascend . 151. At this injunction Marie needs must goe , Who on the Angels errand went before : And yet her loyall Heart could not doe so , But still behinde did linger , to adore Her lost-found Lord ; whom that she ne're again Might loose , Her Soule she to his feet did chain . 152. This Message startled the Disciples ; but The hubbub of the City mov'd them more ; For by the Watch-men now the news had got Into the Town , and knock'd at every door : The High-priests wakened at the summons call A Common Council , and to Plotting fall . 153. Their Heads they beat , and boulted every way How they their now endanger'd fame might save , How they might damp the Resurrections day , And stop the open mouth of Jesu's Grave . Long did they think , but could no trick contrive How he who lived might not seem to live . 154. For Belzebub who us'd to have his Place In all their Councils , tardy came that day ; His new-received wound , and deep disgrace Upon his vanquish'd heart with terror lay : Yet seeing them so forwards , lothe he was The Priests in his own trade should him surpass . 155. He rais'd his head , and wiped off the gore , Three times he sighed , and three times he shook His broken horns ; and at the last , he swore By his own might and realus , that though the stroak Took him at unawars , yet Jesus had How e'r he brav'd it out , no Conquest made . 156. And , had he been , said he , a generous foe , He would have pitch'd the day , and pitch'd the field , With trumpets sound he would have march'd unto The fight , and not his slie designe conceal'd ; He would have called Heav'n and Earth to be Spectators of his noble Chevalrie . 157. But having told his fellow-thief , that he Would meet him strait in Paradise ; by night He hither stole , and by base Burglarie Broke ope my doors : though we with open might In our brave battell gave him fairer play , Marching full in the face of Heav'n and Day . 158. Then finding that his chain would reach unto Jerusalem ; Lo all my fiends , he cry'd , You by this token suddenly shall know How vain is all that Galileans pride ; The foolish Carpenter forgot his trade When he this chain to binde great Satan made . 159. This wretched Chain : which yet shall serve to be The Instrument of my Revenge , for I Will back to Salem , where my Victory Attends my Coming ; Never credite my Cunning or Power , if I these Fetters lay Not on his Subjects , and draw home my Prey . 160. His gooly Doctrine 't is that they must take His Yoke upon their Necks ; and for this once I care not if I take the pains to make Them learn their Lesson ; that they may from hence Be well informed , whether I , or He Who said his Yoke was light , most Lyar be . 161. Hell cheered by its Kings fresh courage , peep'd Forth from its timorous holes , and took new Heart : When He , to make good his bold Boasting , leap'd Up from his Denn , and through the Earth did dart : But at his heels , befides his Tails long Train , He drew the longer Volumes of his Chain . 162. Then cloth'd in unsuspitious Air , into The Sanhedrim he comes and takes his Seat Next to the plotting High-Priests elbow ; who Strait felt his Brains with politike counsil beat . He little knew his Prompter was so neet , Nor heard Him when He whisper'd in his Eare , 163. So well He lik'd the Plot he had conceiv'd , That looking cheerly up , Grave Sirs said He , Think not that this Impostor has bereav'd Us of all Counsil , but give ear to me ; And if my Project fails , say Caiaphas Less Power in Policie than Jesus has . 164. Are We the Men , and these our Brains , which have So tossd Him up and down ; first to his Cross , Then out of Life , and then into his Grave ? And should our wisdome now be at a Loss ? Or should ignoble Nazaret able seem Ev'n to out-vie our learn'd Jerusalem ? 165. Full strange I grant , the Soldiers Story is , As in their staring Eyes , and startled hair Your Selves too evidently read : But this Doth onely for our Policie prepare More noble matter , such as may befit The reverend Sanhedrims profoundest Wit. 166. Indeed I hitherto beleeved that Magicians Power with themselves had di'd ; But since this one Example tells Me what I never head from all the World beside ; We must resolve e't it too rank be grown This Conjuration to conjure down . 167. I tell you sirs , should We no medicine finde To salve this soar , the Romans would deride That violent zeal in which we all combin'd To get this Galilean crucifi'd ; And Pilate would triumph in earnest that His hands he washed from this bloody 〈◊〉 , 168. Nay our own Bandogs too , the wid-mouth'd Crew Whose shamelesse bawling brought about our plot , May turn their boistrous throats at us , who drew Them to that Rage : sure they will ne'r be got To serve us with another roar , unless We can maintain that they did well in this . 169. My finall Counsell therefore is , that We By Monies virtue trie what may be done : Believe it , Mony 's of that Potencie That no miraculous operation Can counterveile it : You remember what Poor thirtie silver peeces for us got . 170. And if that silly summ so wrought upon His owu Disciples heart , judge you what may By twise , or thrise as much , or more , be done Upon this mercenary guard , since they Have no Relation nor no Reason why They should be tender to maintain a lis , 171. I say A Lie ; and if that scruple you , Remember 't is the way in which We went , When Witness we suborn'd to overthrow Him whom our selves knew to be Innocent . Our Purpose then aim'd to assert our Law ; And therefore good it was , and may be now . 172. To you I speak who in our Sacred Writ Well versed are : You know what Abraham did , And Isaac too when Need required it , In Gerar's Court ; what David when He fled To Nob and Gath : and if such Saints may Lye , Who dares that Priviledge to Us deny . 173. Fear not , sage Brethren , God himselfe allows This Dispensation ; for otherwise He in requital had not built an House To shelter the Egyptian Midwives Lies . Indeed to th' People we preach Truth ; for why , Dull Soules , they know not when 't is fit to Lie . 174. Since then the Soldiers Mouthes no lesse are ope Than Jesu's Grave , the surest Course will be With that thick Clay call'd Money , them to stop , This is the onely Bung and Seal which we Can clap upon them : and you need not doubt That 〈◊〉 will ever through this damm burst out . 175. Weol bid them say , and , if need urge them , swear , That whilst they with long Watching fell asleep His bold Disciples who in ambush were , Favour'd by Night , unto the Tombe did creep , And taking thence their Masters Corps by thest. His winding Clothes in craft behind them left . 176. Our promise likewise they shall have , that we The businesse with the Governor fair will make , And from his wrath give them Security . It is but equity , that we should take Some pains in Forgery so to defend Those who doe with their Lies our Cause befriend , 177. When thus their lying Oracle had spoke , His Counsel highly pleas'd , and every one Into applause and acclamation broke In glad presumption that the Feat was done : In were the Soldiers call'd again , and told What they must doe ; & forthwith shew'd the Gold . 178. As when the Fouler hath some Mirrour set Whose gaudy lustre playes about the Aire : The silly Birds regardlesse of the Net , Are suadenly inamor'd of that fair But fataly insidious Bait , and flie With crurping joy to their Captivitie : 179. So by the Golds enchanting Splendor they So ravish'd were , that straignt they undertake Their cursed Task ; and having had their Pay , Into the Streets with full-mouthd Lies they break , Railing , and banning the Disciples for Stenling their Master from his Sepulchre . 180. T was not a quarter of an houre , that we Borrow'd to ease our heavy eyes ; and yet So dextrous were they in their Theevery , They catch'd that very cue to compasse it : Let All , they crsd , who long compleat to be In Theeving , goe to Schole in Galilee . 181. The credulons Vulgar , without more adoe , Snatch'd up this News , and spread it all abroad : And from that day this Lie did current goe Amongst the Jews , who though unto their God The God of Truth , they would no Credit give , These hired lyars readily beleeve . 182. But as the timorous Disciples now Themselves had in a private Lodging hid , Their loving Master was resolv'd to show How tenderly he them remembered : In Galile he promis'd to appear , But he cannot their Joy so long defer . 183. An holy Pair he with his Company Had at Emmaus entertain'd to day ; Where as he brake the Bread in peeces , he Tore from their clouded eyes the veil away ; And with like favour now he hastes , to cheer His sad and thoughtfull Friends assembled here . 184. This very Ev'n the Doors being made as fast As locks , and barrs , and fear , could make them be ; He whose pure Body through his Tombe had pass'd , Enter'd the House with like facility . They slander'd were abroad for stealing Him : But now he seem'd to steal at home on Them . 185. Yet , as excessive unexpected Blisse Doth swallow up Beliefe in Ravishment : So the Disciples all amaz'd at this Strange Apparition , mutualy bent Then frighted eyes , and held their hands on high , Confounded in a silent ecstasie . 186. But he , the King of Comfort , op'd his sweet And gratious Lips , and Peace be to you , said : Though I in love prevent my Promise , yet You have no reason Friends , to be afraid ; Loe It is I your Lord ; observe these wide Tokens both in my Hands , and in my Side . 187. Imagin not that you some Spirit see , These Mouthes proclaim as much as I profess : You know a Spirit cannot wounded be , Nor wear such Marks of humane Passivenesse : Come handle Me , and be assured well If not of what you see , of what you feel . 188. This sweet Assurance was so full and cleer , That it exceeded their Capacity , Who by its Torrent over-whelmed were , And thrown into admiring Joies soft Sea : Thus those who gaze on Phoebus , cannot see Him , for his too much visibility . 189. So strange a Thing is Joy if unawares It be surprised by Fruition , that In fond amblguous Jealousie it barrs Out what it does possesse ; and aiming at Some proofs of what is absolutely clear , Transfigureth it self from Joy to Fear . 190. But Jesus their amazement to allay , Grows more familiar , and calls for Meat : A Fish and Honey-combe before him they Present , and friendly he vouchsafes to eat ; Though Paradise its Sweets for him prepar'd , He this plain Diet with his Friends preferr'd . 191. Then in kinde Anger he to Chiding fell That they so long their Faith suspended , though He of his Resurrections Miracle Had by eye-witnesse sent them Proof enough : He Chode ; but with such sweet and dainty Art , That every Wound he made , was with Loves Dart. 192. This done ; his Peace to them again he gave ; That Peace he purehas'd , when he trampled down Hell into Hell , and Death into the Grave ; When he appeas'd his mighty Fathers Frown ; When Heav'n and Earth , at enmity before , To blessed Amitie he did restore . 193. Then breathing on them with that noble Breath Which first inspir'd Life into Humane Heart ; The dearest Gift , said he , that ever hath To Man been given , I to you impart ; It is the holy Spirit of Heav'n , which now With blessed heat shall in your Bosomes glow . 194. Hencesorth , whose Sins soever you remit , By this great Patent , I my Selfe Forgive ; And whom you Binde to the infernal Pit , Shall from your Sentence purchase no Reprieve . As Me my Father sent , so send I you , To by my potent Deputies below . 195. This said : into Invisibility Himselfe he shut , and so from them withdrew : When They , who now no longer him could see , On Joies and Loves , and Faiths Wings , after flew ; Pouring ten thousand Blessings on his Name , Who with such Solace to their Sorrows came , 196. But Thomas , who this while had absent been , Returning now ; They met him at the Door , Shouting and telling him what they had seen ; Each Circumstance they shew'd him o'r and o'r , Their Lords great Promises they did repeat , And how he shew'd his Wounds , and how he eat . 197. Thomas amaz'd at their Relation , stood Silent a while , uncertain what to say , Or how he should repulse that swelling Flood Of most unanimous Confidence , which they Stream'd forth upon his Incredulity : At last he stamp'd , and cri'd , It cannot be . 198. I grant that Fancy may doe much , and you Perhaps imagin all is true you say : But there 's no reason my Belief should bow To your Imaginations : You may By probabilities perswade Me far ; But no such thing can I discover here . 199. I am not so much wiser now at night Than I was in the Morn , as to admit What then to your own indgement seem'd so 〈◊〉 , That you , as well as I , rejected it : Why must it real prove in you , which We In Magdalene so fantastick took to be ? 200. When with these Eyes those Wounds I have descri'd , And put my 〈◊〉 where the 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When I have thrust my Hand into his 〈◊〉 , And felt that no Imposture there does grow : I of your minde may be : But mean time give Me leave not at a venture to Beleeve . 201. ( Thus Heav'n in Wisdome and in Love , thought fit To let thick Clouds of Doubt objected be Before the Resurrections Truth , that it Might fairer break from that Obscurity , And pierce all faithlesse Hearts obdurate Stone As it the Marble of the Tembe had done . ) 202. Resolv'd in this imprudent Prudence , he Eight Dayes continued ; when their Lord again The doors being bolted close , as formerly , To his Disciples did his Presence deign ; Whose sprightfull Comming though it startled them , Lesse strange and doubtfull than at first did seem . 203. But Thomas , unto whom the Sight was new , Afflicted stood with quaking Joy and Fear ; His Masters blessed Looks he plainly knew , And yet his Fancies something dubious were ; He blush'd , and then grew pale , and blush'd again And to crosse Passions gave at once the rein . 204. When Jesus saw him tortur'd on this Rack , With gratious gentlenesse , Come neer , he said , And thine own Satisfaction freely take ; Loe here my Wounds before thine Eyes display'd , Come pierce thou them again ; 't will be lesse grief , Than to be wounded by thine Unbelief . 205. This Condescent so conquer'd Thoma's heart , That with compleat Assurance , on his knees He falls , and cries , My God and Lord Thou art : Not onely by these wide-mouth'd Witnesses I finde thee so to be , but also by The heav'nly Sweetnesse of thy Lenity , 206. I finde that thou eight dayes agoe wert here , When foolish I so faithlesly was Wise ; Thou heardst how obstinately I did dare The pregnant Witnesse of my Fellows eyes , Thou heardst what bold Conditions I set , Before my Faith their Story would admit . 207. O I beleeve , dear Lord , and ready am If need require , such Wounds as those to bear In spreading forth the glories of thy Name To any Nations , whether far or near . Pardon my tardy Faith ; it doth suffice That I have felt those Tokens with mine eye . 208. Jesus repli'd : Thou build'st thy Faith upon Thine eyes , ( and happy 't is that thou dost so : But in how full a Stream shall Blessings run Into their soft and pliant Bosomes , who Ne'r saw these deep-writ Characters , and yet Unto the Credit of their Truth submit ! 209. Here Jesus stepp'd into his Secrisie And vanish'd from their wondering sight ; but yet He sundry times returned to their eye As his divinely-wisest selfe thought fit : Famous his presence was on Tabor , where He to five hundred did at once appear 210. Yet not transfigur'd , as before ; for now His proper Shape was radiant Majesty : For from all Mortal Drosse refin'd , you know Out of his Tombe he sprang , no more to be By any Cloud bedimm'd , nor had he need That Heav'n should ope its Mouth his Worth to spread . 211. This was that solemn Apparition he On Easter Morn by Mary promised , That the appointed Sceen might ready be With plenty of Spectators furnished : And so it was , for his Disciples thither Had gather'd all their trusty Friends together . 212. When loe their Hopes they met upon the Mount , And more than their Ambition too ; for now Jesus set ope his Lips , and let the Fount , The blessed Fount of potent Sweetnesse flow , Which in the Chanel of these Words upon The Heads and Hearts of his Disciples ran . 213. The Nerves and Sinews of all Power and Might Which spread through Heav'n and Earth so far and wide Here in this single Hand of mine unite , And to my royal Will alone are ti'd ; By virtue of which Soveraignty , I Commit to you compleat Authority . 214. Goe take your Charge ; whose Limits here I make Coequall with the Worlds : My Gospel preach To every living Soule , for whose dear sake I on the bitter Crosse my self did stretch , That in as large a Circle as the Sun The more illustrious Beams of Grace may run . 215. He who despiseth your great News , and You , Shall doe it at his own Soules price , for he Shall finde his slaming Punishment below In Desperations Eternity : But he who to your faith his own doth give , As long 's that other Dying is , shall live . 216. Nor shall his Glory onely future be ; Miraculous Power shall on him attend , Upon the stoutest boldest Devills he Shall invocate my Name , and make them bend ; From mortal Bosomes he shall them expell , And sorce them howling home unto their Hell . 217. Babels Confusion shall not him confound , But every Language on his Tongue shall dwell , That He my Gospel freely may resound , And every Ear with its Salvation fill ; I who did it create , as easily can With Words , as Meat , supply the Mouth of Man . 218. In vain shall Scorpions bite him , and in vain Shall Adders sting him ; by my power he Over all Serpents shall as surely gain As over Hells foule Dragon , victory ; For those mysterious stings I did endure Shall from their dint and danger Him secure , 219. In vain shall Poyson steal into his Cup , And thence into his Bowells slide ; for he Although he should drink all Thessalia up ; Or Sodoms Lake , shall not invenomed be : That Cup which on my Crosse I drank , shall make Wholsome to him all Draughts that he can take . 220. More Virtue than in Trees and Plants doth grow ; Much more than Balsame , in his hand shall dwell ; Those whom incurable Diseases throw Upon their desperate Bedds , shall straight grow well If touch'd by Him whose faith on Me relies , The grand Physitian of all Maladies . 221. But his Initiation must be By being washed in the potent Name Of Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , that he May know at whose sole Honor he must 〈◊〉 , Remembring he by Baptism unto 〈◊〉 Was consecrated , but the Triple On. 222. So spake the mighty Lord : and then again With-drew himselfe , that they might feed upon These heav'nly Priviledges he did deign To earth , by faithfull Meditation ; He knew his Presence was right dear , and yet He by Withdrawing more endeared it . 223. But now the signal Time was come , when He Who cheer'd the Earth for forty dayes with his Bright Apparitions , meant that Heav'n should be Embellish'd with his glorious Accesse , That he might , as Himselfe he raised hither , So also reach his Resurrection thither . 224. His dear Companions now again he met , ( So dear , that loth he seem'd with them to part , ) And walking Them along to Olivet , Spun out the Time by Loves discursive art : But on the Mountains Top arrived , he Began in Tone and Aspect chang'd 〈◊〉 be . 225. Stir not , said he , from Salem , but attend The Fathers Promise you have heard of Me , It was a Baptism which doth far transcend Johns poor and frigid institution ; He Baptiz'd with Water , but your Baptism shall In Heav'ns sweet Spirit of Fire immerge you all . 226. Erected at this solemn Item , they No lesse than Crowns and Sceptres fancied : Yet still their Thoughts below the Promise lay , Hankring in Earths dull sphear , for nothing did They reach , but what too worthlesse was for Him Their great Ascendent Lord to leave to them . 227. We know , said they , that 〈◊〉 Crown is 〈◊〉 Unto thine onely Head , most fit for it : Is this the Time dear Lord , that thou wilt shew And make thy Title good ? Shall we now 〈◊〉 On our inferior Thrones before thy Feet , And to the Tribes of 〈◊〉 Judgement 〈◊〉 228. Thus when wise 〈◊〉 along 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They to 〈…〉 , And for their Maint nance 〈…〉 : But the 〈◊〉 - 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tall to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 silly 〈…〉 〈◊〉 delight , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 229. Jesus , who at his Parting could not Chide , This secular Grossenes of their Thoughts pass'd by , And with all delicate Gentlenes repli'd , Those Times and Seasons which enshrined lie In Gods own Cabinet , too mystick be For you to dive into their privacie . 230. Yet though this Mystery you may not know , Ten thousand others you shall cleerly see , When the eternall Spirits Power shall flew Down on your Heads : Your Glory then shall be To goe as Heralds , and my royall Name Through every Quarter of my World proclaim . 231. Hast Thou not seen the glittering Spark Ascend With natural Lightnes to its proper Sphear ? So glorious Jesus , having made an end Of all his sweet and blessed Bus'nes here , Upon the Wings of his own Puritie Lifted himselfe up to his Native Skie . 232. They started at the sight , and with their Eyes And Heads , and Hands , all elevated high , Labour'd to trace his Path , and to arise After their to wring Master , who did flie A way with all their Hearts : when loe a Cloud Between their Ecstasie and Him did crowd . 233. It crowded on apace , for fear to misse That honour which would make it fairer be , And dress'd with more celestial Statelinesse : Than the brisk Forehead of Serenitie : So fast it crowded , that the tired Winde Which would have born it , puffing came behinde . 234. All other Clouds which its Prerogative saw , Grew black with Greif , and melted into Tears : When loe the Welkin clears her dainty brow , And smiling Duy with open eyes prepares Her Admiration to gaze upon The Motion of a fairer sweeter Sun . 235. This happy Cloud her delicate shoulders bent And meekly stooped to her Makers Feet ; Her pliant Volumes gather'd close , and went Into the fashion of a Princely Seat , That in a seemly Chariot Jesus might Unto his Throne take his Triumphant Flight . 236. The golden Coach , studded with eastern Gemms , And burnished with living Fire , wherein Great Phoebus in his brightest glory swimms Through heavens high Chanell , never yet could winne , Such credit as this noble Chariot , which Gods own enshrined Beauties heer , inrich . 237. At the shrill whistle of each busie Winde All other Clouds in this inferior skie . Are faine to runne about : But this doth finde An undisturbed passage fair and high , And strait to Heav'ns illustrious Roof doth haste Without the helping Wheels of any Blast . 238. Earth was in debt unto those Clouds , till now , Which op d Heav'ns Pantrie , and raind Manna down ; But this , full Payment doth to Heav'n allow , Whilst to the Angels it bears home their own Diviner Bread , and by restoring more Than Earth receiv'd , doth nobely quit the Score . 239. That Israel-conducting Cloud which through The tedious Wildernesse of old did take So patient a Pilgrimage , must bow Its famous head to This : That did but make Way to the earthly Canaan , but this Unto the Heav'nly the brave Convoy is . 240. As Jesus thus soard through the Aire , he saw The Treasuries of every kinde of Wether , Of fair , of foule , of Rain , of Hail , of Snow , Which did their homage unto Him as thither His Coach arriv'd : He bad Them gently fall Upon his Earth , and then He bless'd them all . 241. So did He too that sweet and loyall Quire Of Larks , which with applauding Songs and Wings In delicate attendance did aspire After his mounting Train : Goe gentle Things Said He , and rest your weary pinions , I My other Choristers approaching spie . 242. Loe , at the Word , the Winged Legions , who Flutter about the everlasting Sphear , And on the great Creators bus'nes goe Throughout the World ; appeared hovering there : Great was their number ; and their Glory great , If they with Jesu's Lustre had not met . 243. Before his Feet their gracefull Heads they bow , 〈◊〉 down with sweet Extremities of Joy That they without a Veils Assistance now On his dear Eyes may look , which till to day Lay hid to them in too much light ; but heer Dressed in Humane Mitigation were . 244. For though some of our Quire had long before Enjoy'd the blessed Priviledge to see His the anthropick face ; though All did poure Their high Applause on his Nativity ; This was the time when Heavns Whole Hoste to fair And plenall view of Him advanced were . 245. A dainty and long-studied Song They had Compos'd , and tuned to a ge ntle Key ; But this excessive Sight of Sweetness made Their Acclamations correspondent be ; Their Wings and Hands aloud they clapp'd , and rent With louder Paeans all the Element . 246. But seing then his bright Retinue , who About Him shin'd like his reflected Raies ; They to their new Acquaintance smiling goe , And in their faces read their Soveraigns Praise ; For Gratitude had deep imprinted there Their glorious Redemptions Character . 247. These were those holy Soules , who long had layn On the soft Pillows of great Abrahams breast , Looking and longing when their Lord , would deign To bring them to his sweeter nobler Rest ; To chase their Mists and Shades with his own Ray And turn their doubtfull Dawn to High-noon Day . 248. Great Abraham himselfe was there with them , And shined with a choise and leading Grace ; The Patriarchs , and Prophets next to Him , Each in their proper Dignitie and Place ; Then every pious Man , and Woman , who Ventur'd in his hard Steps on earth to goe . 249. Their Charges many Guardian Angells saw , And highly triumph'd to behold them there . So , when the Ship which long hath labour'd through The Seas proud Wrath , unto the haven draws neer , The Pilots Eys and Heart with Joy are sill'd No less than with the Wind the Sails are swell'd . 250. But all the Quire , beheld the blest Supply Of their own Companies , which robbed were Of no small Part of their Fraternitie When sullen Pride upon Heav'ns face made warr , And many Empyraean 〈◊〉 fell From their fair Day , into the Night of Hell . 251. But ô what Torrents of divine Delight Through these Saints Bosomes ran with full Carreer , To see how neer of kin unto the bright And new apparent King of Heav'n they were ; They envy not the Angels radiant Dresses , Nor wish their silver Wings , or golden Tresses . 252. And that their Triumph might be sweetned by Harmonious Joy , before the Masculine Troop David did with his learned Fingers flie About his Harp , and beat those Accents up Which with her Timbrel Miriam before The Female Squadrons did to him restore . 253. But Jesus now to his officious Cloud Dismission gave ; ambitious of whose Place A Knot of gallant Seraphs came and bow'd Their youthfull Shoulders , that their Lord might passe To Heav'n upon the best of Heav'n , and be Drawn to his Palace in due Majesty . 254. Then Michael taking up the Standard , which With the Heart-blood of Death and Hell was red And charged with the glorious Crosse , did stretch It towards Heav'n , and forward fluttered . In this Array the Triumph marched on . Abashing Day , and dazzelling the Sun . 255. Thus He who lately that Procession went Where Spight , and Shame , and Scorn did Him attend , When He through Salems Steeets was kick'd and rent , And through a thousand Deaths led to his End , Is now tequited by a March , whose Glorie Gilds the Disgraces of his Passions Storie . 256. As to the Confines of the Sphears they drew , David his Harp and Throat did strein 〈◊〉 high That ancient Song of Glory to renew Which He had in Prophetik ecstasie Tun'd to a special and illustrious Lay , And sung aforehand to this noble Day . 257. Bright and eternall gates of heav'n , lift up Your cheerly Heads and know your 〈◊〉 As mine is now , so let your mouths be ope To entertain our universall joy : It is the King of glory , who doth come , That , and the sweeter heav'n now to bring home . 258. It is the King of War whose matchlesse strength Hath trode down our and your fell enemy ; Read but his Banner , where are writ at length The rubie tokens of his victory ; Ope , ope , as wide's your Heav'n can give you leave , And Him much greater 〈◊〉 all it , receive 259. The Chrystall doors no sooner heard the song . But in obedience , they echoed it ; Their everlasting bars aside they flung , And their resplendent 〈◊〉 open set ; Strait through the mighty gap a flood of gold Soft as the locks of 〈◊〉 downward roll'd . 260. With that , the Musick of the sphears burst out ; High were the streins , and delicate the layes ; And though a while sweet Davids fingers fought , His mortall strings to them He could not raise ; My harp must yeeld , He cry'd , but yet my heart Shall in your loftiest accents bear her 〈◊〉 . 261. Indeed those aires are so refin'd , and high , Onely the Hearts spirituall strings can stretch To the full compasse of their Harmony ; To whose pure chords , those Compositions which You with the Name of Musick honor heer , Are onely learned gratings of the ear . 262. Thus to the silver Orbs they came : When loe The Stars all trip'd about , and danc'd for joy ; And as the Triumph through the sphear did go , Phoebus unto his Lord resign'd the day ; His brighter Lord , from whose originall beam He takes his light , as all the stars from him . 263. But yet these beauteous stages onely were The fairely paved way and 〈◊〉 which see Unto that rairer larger Palace where Dwels light , and life , and bliss , and Heav'n indeed And therefore Jesus through these made hast , And only bless'd , and gilt them as he 〈◊〉 . 264. When to the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 He Was now arriv'd , and saw the world below : The gate of Soveraign 〈◊〉 Before its King it self did open throw : Of 〈◊〉 glories straight appear'd a 〈◊〉 〈…〉 but pure 〈◊〉 265. What joys , what smiles . what ravishments were here , What delicate extremities of pleasures ! Injurious the unworthy Parallel were , By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if we should measure These 〈◊〉 sweets , of whose 〈◊〉 All 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not the 〈◊〉 is . 266. For never did the sharpest-pointed eye Or of the body , or the Soule of Man . Such 〈◊〉 of pure delight desery As all about these splendid Regions ran . Chanting those 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 no mortall 〈◊〉 Hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to heat . 267. Into these vast Expansions as He went , Loe his Almightie Father came to meet him ; O Psyche hadst thou seen that Complement Of supream joy , with which he there did greet him , The Spectacle for ever Thee had blest , And with 〈◊〉 heav'n replenished thy breast . 268. Unfathomable streams of 〈◊〉 Attended on him and bare up his train A flood of most excessive gratulation Before him roll'd : But o how soveraign Was that infinitude of complacence Which brake from his own eys exuberance 269. On his Sons neck his radiant arms He threw And seal'd his lips with an inamor'd kiss : His noble Bosome then wide open flew , ( That home and Centre of eternall bliss ; ) To bid him welcome to that dearest bed In which or old he us 〈◊〉 to rest his head 270. Come , Come , said he , no more to part from hence My hignest will thou hast compleatly done And by perfection of obedience Bravely approv'd thy self mine onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall entertain thee , and For thy ocat sake , those who about this 〈◊〉 271. Hence forth I can look on my world below With comfort , which till now displeas'd mine eye ; For all its blots , and stains , and horrors , thou Hast nobly turned into purity ; It shineth now , wash'd by the liberal slood Of thine illustrinus all-cleansing blood . 272. I see thy wounds ; and I beheld the shame With which they were engrav'don thee ; but now With never-dying lustre they shall flame , 〈◊〉 on their gravers one day terror throw , When guiltie they again shall see these scars 〈◊〉 purchased'st in Loves and Mercies wars . 273. So spake the Father : when the holy-Ghost , Who hand in hand along with him was come , Renued his applauding joy , by most Mysterious emanations , which from The string of living bliss . his dainty breast , In 〈◊〉 Plenitude of sweetnes prest . 274. Thus in the face of Heav'ns returned Son He breath'd a pretious aromatick stream ; The surplusage of which effusion Fill'd , and enobled all the hearts of them Whom he in triumph thither brought , to be For ever Captives to felicitie . 275. This salutation done : Heav'ns trumpets sounded , Whose gallant noise , with equal Majestie That Hill of all sublimitie rebounded ; To which in goodly equipage did flie This reyal Companie & straite gat up Unto Beatitudes , and Glories Top. 276. Three radiant Chairs of awfull beautie there Stand founded fast upon Eternitie ; Which with such mystick art united are , That 't is intirely one , as well as three ; Three equal and distinguish'd seats , yet one Essential and everlasting throne . 277. Down in the midst the Father sate , and on His left-hand his all-quickning Spirit ; but He at his right enthron'd his mighty Son , And an eternal wreath of glories put Upon his Temples to requite those Scorns , And Pains , they here bore with their Crown of 〈◊〉 . 278. The ignominie of his feeble Reed With Dignities excess to recompence , Into his right hand He delivered A Sceptre made all of Omnipotence ; And then erected just before his face , His fairer Cross , upon a diamond Base . 279. As Jesus thus sate upon Triumphs Crown , The Peers of that illustrious Kingdome came , And at his feet their Coronets threw down In loyall homage , and themselves , with them , Begging his leave that their unworthy tongues Might with his royall name enrich their Songs , 280. Forthwith , an Anthem of ecstatick praise Broke from their lips , and on Heav'ns Roof did beat ; This brave example mov'd the Saints to raise Their highest tunes , and mingle in that sweet Deluge of triumphs , their applauses , which Must flow as far 's Eternitie can reach . 281. But the Disciples , Psyche , all this while Follow'd Him with their eyes , and grieved were To see the interposing Cloud beguile Them of their Bliss : yet could they not forbear Their Gazing still , in hopes their Sun might break This Veil at length , and they free prospect take . 282. When loe , two Angels all in snow array'd , A courteous Check unto their error , gave ; Yee Galileans , why is it , they said , Your ignorant hopes stand gazing thus to have A sight of him , now mounted higher far Above the cloud , than you beneath it are ? 283. He on his Heav'nly throne is see , and you Must wait till He is pleased thence to rise ; For time will come when he again will show To yours , and all the worlds , his blessed eyes ; And as from hence He did his journey take , So , on the Shoulders of a cloud ride back . 284. This said : the 〈◊〉 posted home to share In the new Festival above ; And they Convineed by that Item , ready were Back to Jerusalem to take their way , But as their eys returned to the ground , The final Footsteps of their Lord they found . 285. And so mayst Thou , my Psyche , still , for loe , The precious Characters doe heer remain ; The trustie Earth would never let them goe , Nor did desire to smooth her face again , Which by these Prints was so embellish'd that Her self to be the Worlds Base she forgat . 286. These dear Impressions the Disciples kiss'd , And took their leave , and so to Salem went ; Full little thinking that the simple Dust In keeping them would prove so Diligent , That neither Windes nor Storms could them deface , Nor pious Pilgrims bear them from this place . 287. A Thousand zealous Hands themselves have fill'd With this most priviledg'd Earth , and held it more Pretious than all the golden Sand which swell'd The fame of Gange's or of Indu's shore ; Yet still the faithfull Dust with nimble Care Suppli'd and kept intire each Character 288. Nay when the Time shall come , as come it will , When Christian Piety shall courage take And build a Temple on this sacred Hill ; These footsteps of their Worth full proof shall make ; Refusing to let goe the Honour they Were sealed with upon Ascension Day . 289. They back into the Workmens face will throw All his intrenthing stones , as oft as He A Pavement labours over them to draw , And injure with his Earthly decency Their heav'nly Beautie ; which He would disgrace , Though He with Pearls and Gems should court the place . 290. Nor shall He with his Roofe hope to forbid Their Prospect up ward , whether He is gone Who stamp'd them heer ; their Eys will know no Lid , But make the Beams recoil , the Rafters run Aside and suffer no Concameration To damm the way of Jesu's Exaltation . 291. Thus Psyche , have I made thee trace thy Lord To his last footsteps through a thousand ways All set with Mercie , and made good my Word . Thou seest how He a countermure doth raise Against Sinns Battery , and thou needst not fear Hells Spight , now Heav'n for thee doth take such care 392. Nor durst I doubt , but thine owne Heart will say This thy long Pilgrimage is well requited , Which hath presented thee a full Display Of that wherewith all Angells are delighted ; Whose Souls then with sublimest Joy do leap When on these Mysteries of Love they peep . 293. Their Harness heer upon his Steeds he threw , Who all this while were feeding on the Hill : The meaning of that warning Psyche knew , And on her knee , prayd him to tarry , till She gave the Reins to her Devotion , As other Pilgrims unto theirs had done . 294. He smil'd and stayd , But She , flat on her face Innumerable Kisses heap'd upon The venerable Stepps ; and long it was Before her amorous Sighs and Tears had done : At length , her Bosome with the Dust she fill'd , And cri'd . Go thou , and my foul Body gild . 295. Then casting up to Heav'n her zealous Eye , After her Spouse a thousand Thoughts she sent , To whom her panting Soul strove hard to flie Upon the Wings of her high Ravishment . But when she felt her self stick still to Earth , Fresh Tears at first , and then these Words brake forth . 296. Why may my Heart not be , where most it is , O Thou my dearest Life ! ô Jesu , why Since Thou art mounted to the Topp of Bliss , And leav'st Me Dead , have I not leave to Die ? Never was any Ghost , but I , till now , In its own Body bound , and chaind below . 297. I by thy Cross and Death was wholly slain ; And by thy Resurrections Life I grew Alive , and safe , and vigorous again : But thy Ascension doth my Death renew , Since nothing of my Life poor I can finde But these bare footsteps left Me heer behinde . 298. Sweet Lord , by these thy Psyche cannot live , Though for thy Sake , they pretious are to Me : O no! their Worth doth but more reason give To long for most inestimable Thee . If any footstepp Me can satisfie , It must be that which next thy foot doth lie . 299. Hast Thou not said , that Earth thy Footstool is , As well as Heav'n thy Throne ? O mighty Lord , 'T will be thy Handmaydes most accomplish d Blisse If thou but unto Me make'st good that Word ; Loe I thy Dust , the Footstool crave to be Of thy now Heav'n-enthroned Majesty . 300. High my Petition is , and bold , I know ; And yet the worthlesse Dew must needs aspire To Heav'n it selfe , when once it , gins to glow With Phoebu's sweet , and most attracting Fire ; Nor can the Spark in its dull Ashes lie , But must have leave to venture at the Skie . 301. Alas , what is this weary World to Me ? What are the silver Sphears and golden Sun ? Could I reign Queen of every Thing I see , At my sole Nod would all Earths Kindreds ran ; What were this Empire worth , now Thou art gone , Whom Psyche must esteem her Crown alone ? 302. 'T is not thy heav'nly Paradise , that I Ambitious am to see ; 't is not thy Court Of Angels , though by Phylax's company I guesse their Worth ; 't is not the Pomp and Port That flows about thy throne ; Nor doe I long To dance unto thy Quires eternal Song . 303. My Heart doth pant for Thee , and onely Thee ; And , could'st Thou be in Hell , I never more Would loose a Looking up to Heav'n , but be Inamored of that Abysse , and poure My Longings , and my Labours downward , till I at thy Feet my Vows and Soule could spill . 304. O why art Thou so infinitely sweet ! Or rather , Why must We that Sweetnesse know , If Thou , deer Jesu , dost not think it meet Unto our Fires their 〈◊〉 to allow ? Away Thou flyest , and Forsaken We Ev'n by thy sweets and Blisse tormented be . 305. How can I help this my excessive Passion , Or how can it deserve these Torments ? Since , Thine own Love doth professe Immoderation And guilty is of boundlesse influence : In which soft Sea of Fire whilst drown'd I am , What can I doe but burn with answering Flame . 306. Blame Me not , blessed Lord ; it is not I , But Thou thy Selfe rebounding from my Heart , Who beat'st Heav'n with this Importunity , And call'st for Ease for my mysterious Smart : Had'st Thou by Love not stampd thy Selfe upon My Soule , now Psyche had let Thee alone . 307. Remembet Jesu , what it is to be Forsaken ; ô remember thine own Crie When in thy Desolation on the Tree Thy Father Thou didst challenge : May not I Use thine own Words ? My God , my God , why now Dost Thou thy desolate Psyche leave below ? 308. Upon this Olivet my Calvary I finde , and to my Crosse am nailed here : Ten thousand Torments in my Bosome lie , And full as many Thorns as planted were Upon thy Tempels , in my Heart doe stick , Where all the Bowels of my Soule they prick . 309. O Love ! why must thine onely Tyranny The Bounds of other Cruelties exceed ? Why will it not allow the Courtesie Of Death , unto thy Vassals , who are Dead By its reviving Slaughters , and desire To be free Holocausts in thy sweet Fire ? 310. Her Passion here beyond expression grew : Yet though She with her Tongue no more could speak ; With her resolved Eyes to Heav'n she flew , And there a long Oration did make ; Both long , and fluent , in th' exuberance Of Tears , the streams of strongest Eloquence . 311. But Phylux having to Her tender Heart Thus far indulg'd , thought fit to stop Her here Psyche , said He , imagin not Thou art Inamored more than the Disciples were Of thy Ascended Lord : yet desolate They Warn'd by the 〈◊〉 , meekly went away , 312. I in their room , that Warning give to Thee : On Heav'n why dost Thou naile thine eyes in vain ? Thy Saviour is too high for Thee to see , Till on a Cloud He posteth back again : Then shalt Thou look thy Fill of Blisse , and be To all thy Loves Extremities let free . 313. Mean while thine Adorations and Imbraces On his dear Name and Memory thou mayst poure . Come le ts away , that by these signal places Of Mercies Triumphs , thy soft Heart no more May tortured be . Here on her hand he laid His own , and raised up the heavie Maid . 114. Then in his Chariot gently , Her he set , Who on the Footsteps kept her hankering eye ; But instantly he mov'd his reins , to let His Coursers know he gave them liberty ; Forth with , their goodly mains , in answer , They Shook in proud hast , and gallopped away .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XV. The Poyson . ARGUMENT . LEaving his Psyche , carefull Phylax arms With whole some sage Advice her tender breast ; Yet shee the Venome of Heretick Charms , And Spurious Reasons wiles could not resist . Phylax returns , and in his Pupills eye Rakes up the nastie sink of Heresie . 1. ANd sits the Holy-land so dear and high In pious Soules esteem ? What tongue can then Thunder sufficient Veng'ance out , and cry Against the lazie Basenes of those Men With equal Indignation , who have let Vile Pagan Powers from Christians ravish it . 2. Could this prodigious shame endured be By Romane hearts , when on their Empires thront No other Prince was culminant but He Whom all the best of Bayes attended on , Who like a bank against the torrent stood , And turn'd the Gyant into Saru's flood . 3. Who with his own Hand sent Razates down To his eternal Night : who from the brow Of stern Cosrhoes shaked off his Crown , Before Syrhoes cancell'd ' Natures law , That He with vengeance might concur , and by Dire Parricide make the Tyrant double die . 4. Who wip'd the Romans ignominie out When He three hundred Eagles , which had long Been mewed up in Persian Cages , brought In triumph back , and bad them flie among Their fellow-ensignes , and as freely gaze As any of the brood , on Phoebu's face . 5. Who not these Banners onely did redeem , But the great Standard of Religion too ; Which was so pretious in his esteem , That he himselfe its Porter turn'd ; and so Made all his Empire stoop to that which he Upon his Shoulders bore to Calvarie . 6. Alas , Heraclius , how has Heresie Attcheived what all Persia could not doe ! How has it made thine Eagles Pinions be Onely of use to flie before thy Foe ! Whilst one of Christs great Wills Thou tak'st away , How canst Thou hope thine own Thou shalt enjoy ! 7. Loe , the new Monster Mahomets bold Frie Like numerous Locusts from the Pit of Night , Crawle into Palestine , and there defie The blasted Powers of the Monothelite : Loe , they are to the Holy Citty come , And Haumar robbs him of his Saviours Tombe . 8. This rais'd in reverend Sophroniu's Breast A mighty Storm of Agonies , to see His venerable Salem now possest By Saracenical Impiety ; And James his sacred Seat become the Throne For curs'd Apostasie to reign upon . 9. He sigh'd and weep'd , and finding no Reliefe From Heav'n or Earth for his loud Lamentation , Resign'd himself unto victorious Grief , And drown'd in his own Tears , fulfill'd his Passion ; For why should I live longer here , said he , Still to be slain by what mine Eyes must see ! 10. And now the Land of Milk and Honey lay For more than foure full Ages over-flown With Mahumetick Poyson ; till a Ray Of vigorous Christian Gallantry shot down From Heav'n , and by the Ermite Peters breath Blown to a Bonfire , flam'd with holy Wrath. 11. With holy Wrath it flam'd in many a Breast , But most in brave Bolonion Godfreys , who In Steel , and stronger Resolution drest Burnt with Desire to meet his Pagan Foe : His Lorain can no longer hold him , he Resolves another kinde of Duke to be . 12. His Consecrated Legions he leads , And in their Eyes their Quarrel doth display ; Above their Heads the bloody Crosse he spreads Which streamed in his awfull Standard : They Smil'd at its goodly Look , and cryed We Though in thy tincture , ne'r will shrink from Thee , 13. The Turkish Moon grew paler than before , And in a cowardly Eclipse shrunk back , When this bright Banner did its , Terror poure Upon her face , and open passage make To Victory ; for she was alwaies there , And failed not to bring up Godfreys Rear , 14. Thus lesser Asia from the Turkish Lore To Christs more gentle Yoak reduced is ; And there is nothing now but Salem more For Godfreyes Sword to free from its Distress : Thither he march'd , and soon Redeem'd the Place Where the whole Worlds Redemption acted was . 15. Right Christian Hero , ô how due to thee Was sacred Salems Crown , and more than that How justly hath thy pious Victory Both Martial , and Poetick Laurel got , Whilst thy illustrious Name and Glory reigns In the Worlds Wonder , and great Tasso's streins 16. But when by Death Heav'n sent for Godfrey home ; Baldwin his Brother , both in Piety And Christian Valour , took his royal Room : Sidon and Ptolemais felt what he And his brave Troops in a just Cause could doe ; And so did Egypts mighty Caliph too , 17. He to his Cosen Baldwin left his Throne And his entailed Gallantry with it ; Witnesse the routed Turks Confusion , And Antioch , which did to his Might submit : And though a while he to the Persian bow'd . Upon Damascu's King his strength he show'd . 18. Then from his Turine Earldome Fulco role To sway this Sceptre ; who transmitted it Unto his Son , young Baldwin ; over whose Surprised Powers , stern Noradine did set His insolent foot ; but soon it ssipp'd , and he Perforce restor'd his stollen Victory . 19. His Death , his Brother Almerik did raise Unto his Throne ; a Prince of active Might , Whose Sword was fertile in triumphant Bays , And glittered with Glories awfull Light ; All Ascalon beheld its noble flame , When He from conquer'd Alexandria came . 20. Baldwin his Sonn , took up his Sceptre , and Long sturdie Warr with Saladine maintain'd , Till Leprosie seis'd on his Martial Hand And unto Resignation it constrain'd ; And Guy of Joppa was the Friend whom He Alone would trust to be his Deputie . 21. Next Him , his Nephew Baldwin stepp'd into The 〈◊〉 , in which He scarcely settled was , But 〈◊〉 undermined Him , and so At 〈◊〉 Guy crowded into his Place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Earl of Tripolis so deep That 〈◊〉 in desperate Plotts his Wrath did steep . 22. With Suladine He deals , and winns so fart On his proud Hopes , that He perswades Him to Conjure against the Christians in a Warr Which soon attcheiv'd their fatal Overthrow ; For Arms and Treason so prevail'd , that Guy , And Salem with him , did Subdued lie . 23. Thus Barbarisme afresh did domineer In the Metropolis of Pietie ; Which roused up the Western Emperous On Pagani me the Power of Zeal to trie Surprised Syria at his Looks did quake , And from his Conquests all the Turks flew back . 24. But as this generous Frederik , in his Might Rode bravely on , his Horses fatal Fall Threw down the Conqueror into his Night Of Death . When loe , his noble Sonn , by all The Army chose for General , pursued His Fathers Stepps , and , where he went , subdued . 25. But what can Virtue doe , when Fate withstands ? Upon this hopefull Sonn of Valour , who Had no capacitie to fear the Hands Of Death from any Turk , or Pagan Foe , The Plague did seize , and in his warlik Heart Fix'd its envenomed untimely Dart 26. Then English Richard and French Philip came , And with new Western Bravery made good That mighty Loss ; the Lightning of their Fame Flashed before their Swords ; and like a Flood Incourag'd by two Torrents meeting , They Swallow'd up all that dar'd oppose their Way . 27. But cursed Discord , the eternal Foe Of high Designs , sent Philip back again : Yet Richard on to Salem meant to goe , Where He with Cyprus bought his right to reign ; And would , had Englands Jarrs not call'd him home , Have forced Saladine to make him room . 28. Yet Martial Germanie her Nobles sent By Saladines Decease invited thither : Fierce Conquest with their Landing Armies went ; But strait their Sunshine turn'd to lowrie Weather , For loe , the Austrian Duke and Saxon too , Untimely Death would let no further goe . 29. And yet undaunted Montfort with his brave Selected French , disdained back to start , Till He good reason to the Pagans gave To grow so same and kinde , as to impart Peace to the Christians , which , without annoy In Prolemais and Tyre they did enjoy , 30. Mean while , a glorious Conspiracy Of Western Princes to their Standards stream ; Henry Count of St. Paul , of Campanie Theobald , of Flanders Baldwin , and of Breme Gualter , with Henrie Duke of Lovanes State , And Boniface Marquess of Monferrate ; 31. These to the Holy Land their course did bend ; But by the Graecian Quarrells turn'd aside , Their Martial Zeal on Ducas they did spend ; And finding then fit Feuel for their Pride , Forgot the Butt of their devout Designe , And took no longer aime at Palestine . 32. But Montforts Truce expired ; Germanie Conjur'd again into the Holy Warr , Of which stout Brennus had the Conduct , He Whose comeing , through the Pagans shot such 〈◊〉 That they to buy it off , are willing to Whate'r they held in Palestine , forgoe . 33. But vain Ambition lost this offerd Prize ; And swelling Hope of conquering AEgypt , throws So thick a Mist before the Christian Eys , That unto Cair the blinded Army goes ; Where they with Nilu's floods besieged round , Their sacred Enterprize untimely drown'd . 34. Yet Frederik his German Eagles spred Again , and bravely into Syria flew ; Which in the Pagan Sultan rais'd such Dread That all his Turkish Confidence it slew : He hasts to yeild , and freely does resigne Unto the Christians their deer Palestine . 35. Thus when to his Imperial Diademe This conquering Prince had joyned Salems Crown , He Raynold leaves to manage it for Him , And brings his Triumph home : But strait the Frown Of Fortune , or of Fate , did blast what He Had nobly brought unto Maturitie . 36. For when the Heav'ns had roll'd five years about , Loe Raynold dies , and Salems Fortune too : The Templars Insolence such falshood wrought As generous Christians least of all should doe : Their breach of Truce did their own Selves deceive , And Salem unto AEgypts Sultan give . 37. Yet holy Lewis with his Frenchmen strook Into the Pagans such deep Fright , that they At his illustrious Oriflambes Look Unto his Victories gave willing way , Offring Him Salem , Palestine , and more Than Christians own'd in Syria long before . 38. But he by fatal Counsel , it denied , And then to Egypts Sultan prov'd a Prey : The good King grieved ; and in vain he tried His new Adventures Strength , for by the way A sudden and contagious Disease Both on his Army , and on Him did seize . 39. His quarrel Edward , Englands sprightfull Prince , Took up , and lost none of the English Fame : What Palmes had this brave Hero pluck'd from thence , Had his conjur'd Allies but timely came : But whilst unworthily They linger'd , he Return'd , and left behinde Ripe 〈◊〉 . 40. To gather which , Imperial Rodolph sent Henry the Prince of Megalopo is ; A noble General he , and bravely bent ; But yet against the bold impetuousnesse Of the stern Mameluhes too weak to stand , He yeilds his Neck to wear a Captives Band. 41. These unsuccessefull Expeditions Shame A wak'd the Christians utmost Indignation , Who in religious Throngs to Syria came . High were their Hopes , and great their Preparation ; But both by banefull Pride invenomed were , Which brought to passe , more than the Turks could dare . 42. As when the Huntsmen going to the Chase Wrangle and quarrel who shall bear away The Lyons Skin , untill their strife increcse To such Intemperance , that it does betray Their whole Designe , and make them readier to Chase one another , than that Common Foe . 43. So here the Christians who a hunting came For Salems Crown ; before they it obtain , Divided are , and quarrel which of Them Had fairest Right and Title their to reign : All pleaded hard , and at the Septre catch'd , As if it now had from the Turk been snatch'd 44. The Kings , of England , Cyprus , Sicilie , And France , the Pisans , Florentines , and Pope , The Prince of Antioch , Count of Tripolie , The Genouese , and the Venetians , hope . So did the Hospitals , and Templars too , That in the Diademe they had to doe . 45. Thus while this cursed War of Contestation Protracts the Holy one ; the 〈◊〉 ( who Like their own Swords , grow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) Finding no Businesse now at all to doe But to be wicked , through each neighbour Town Run 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 up and down . 46. At these 〈◊〉 Wrongs the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Both in their Rage and in their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And 〈◊〉 joyned with their 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Upon their 〈…〉 Till by a quick and general 〈◊〉 All 〈◊〉 out of 〈◊〉 beat . 47. They beat them out of Syria , and 〈◊〉 Of all that nsuall Braveric whereby Their frequent Armies they to Salem brought With fresh Reeruits of Zealous Pietic : Their Courage now lies dead and cold at home , Which us'd to live about their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 48. Yet not so dead , but it revives again Into a Life much worse than Death ; for they Since that , with most unchristian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Their swords in one anothers blood , and 〈◊〉 The Turks among themselves , whom they were wont More nobly from their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hunt . 49. The Crosse must now against the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spreo . ( Blush all yee Heav'ns at this ! ) and they who are Under the King of Peace all marshalles . Be bararized by a mutual War , Tearing that pretious gentle 〈◊〉 Their Lord bequeathed to their Custody . 50. They who by mystick Union are knit Under one Head , no other Foes doe seel But their 〈◊〉 Members , and forge : That whilst on them their Salvage spight they wreak The tender Head feels every wouno and will Score up drop which of His blood they 〈◊〉 . 51. Weep all good eyes , which see this dreadfull shame Of Christians digging Christian Bowells up Sure that of blood , deserv's your briney stream Weep then , and let your Bottles never stop , Till you have wash'd away this Purple stain , 'Gainst which all powers , but those of Tears are vair 52. Had but the thousand part of this dear blood Adventur'd to be broach'd in Palestins Quite overwhelm'd by its exuberant 〈◊〉 Had Manomets wide spred contagion been And wofull Greece had not ensiaved 〈◊〉 Under the burden or a Pagan Chain 53. Or had that Power of Policie , or 〈◊〉 Of Arms of Horse , of Men , and stronger Gold Which in our 〈◊〉 - aestroying Britain 〈◊〉 Of late been livisn'd out , when Engiana 〈◊〉 Her 〈◊〉 Miserie , with provident And pious zeal in Syria been spent 54. Our guilty words had now not blushed in 〈◊〉 blood ; nor had our Palms and Bays With any English curse destoured been ; But Salem her sad Head ' gun to raise , Feeling from her long pressed neck , the yoke Of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 broke . 55. As 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 Salem to forsake . As are our 〈◊〉 thither to advance Oft She looked hack , and many a view did take With weeping eyes , and blubber'd countenance : But when the Hils she could no longer spie , Let 〈◊〉 now , said she , look 〈◊〉 mine eye . 56. And with 〈◊〉 potent 〈◊〉 did she breath That heart sigh , that it made Phylax start , 〈◊〉 the pallid characters of Death Appeared in her face , and every Part 〈◊〉 cold and num , as if her 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 Back to the place whence she was hurried . 57. In application of his cordial Powers Had not the tender Guardian nimble been , His Psyche eyes now in their amorous showers Had their own final deluge found , and seen No more for ever : with such force doth love ( Especialy in female Bosomes ) move . 58. And ask me not , what makes this Passion prove So brave and potent in the softest hearts ? Thy self the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fect 〈◊〉 if genuine love On thee hath tryed his mysterious Darts . If not : it is in vain to tell thee how This softnes to such mighty strength doth grow , 59. But quick as is the infiuence of light , New vigorous spirits He breaths into her breast Which thriliing through her Veins , chas'd out the 〈◊〉 Of languic cold by which they were posiest And 〈◊〉 her blood , bidding it rise , and 〈◊〉 Her 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snor 60. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but toward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Courage my Dear , said 〈◊〉 , be content Saiern 〈◊〉 nothing more for there 〈◊〉 61. As when a Friend unwelcome Motions makes , His other self ( who has no power to be Right-down displeas'd , at whatsoever breaks From those beloved lips , which Faithfull he Holds dearer than his own , displays the smart In his Eyes mirrours , of his wounded Heart : 62. So the Sweet anguish of her loving look Psyche a while lays ope to Phylax view , That He might read in that pathetick book How by that Word of his her Joys He slew . But when He seem'd that language not to ken , Her lips thus to interpret it began . 63. Between two deaths , which shall poor Psyche choose For death it is my Phylax to displease , And death , religious Salems sweets to loose : And I , alas , have but one life for these : Yet had I more , my straits were still the same ; For all were due to thee , and all to them . 64. O deare Pretector of my Joyes , and Me , Divide not now thy charge : Had I not been Conducted hither by thy Pietie , Psyche Jerusalem had never seen , Not been enchanted by the pretious Graces Which have endeer'd these consecrated places . 65. And of these Jewels must I robbed be . By none but dearest thee ! Had open Foes Thus all at once impoverish'd feeble Mee , I might have grappled with my single woes ; But now each griefe and loss , by springing from Thine Hand , on Me doth more than doubled come . 66. O what has Albion that can entertaine A Soule which is from Salem snatch'd away ! Salem which in the Worlds heart queen doth reign , Whilst Albions Clime her vilenes doth betray , Whom Nature threw into the West , and sought How from the Universe to kick her out . 67. Arimathaean Josephs tombe indeed Is there , that something that poore Ilse might have ; But ô , the sight of that , will onely feed That fire which burns me with his other Grave . His other Grave , in which my Spouse did he Far , far from Albion , whither thou wouldst flie . 68. When in the lofty aire the fish can live , When in the bottome of the Sea the Lark , When Cancer can to Winter welcome give , When High-noon can inhabit in the Dark , When Albion can to Salem shipped be , Then may it prove a fitting home for me . 69. But untill then , I onely thither goe Bearing my wofull Corps unto my Tombe , Since thou sweet-bitter friend wilt have it so , And not vouchsafe in Palestine a room For poor distressed Psyche . Here a stream Of Tears flowd down from Her , and softned him . 70. Nay I am not so hard , sayes He , but I Can yeild to fewer tears of thine , than those : Come wipe thine eyes , for thou shalt instantly Live in those joyes , Thou holdst it death to loose . With that He slop'd the Rein , and wheel'd about , And smiling Psyche back to Salem brought . 71. She smil'd ; but sober He confess'd no signe Of jollitie at this Return ; for He By his profounder judement did divine That Land , however Holy , would not bee A Sanctuary to his Psyche , since His and her Masters summons call'd him thence . 72. A little House He there prepar'd for Her , And with all requisites replenish'd it . But then , with awfull looks He cry'd , my dear , Thou see'st what order I have took to fit Thy longing , and thy Lodging too ; but now I a more usefull gift then these , bestow . 73. 'T is my Advice ; of which Thou hast more need Than here to sojourn : yet thy being here Doth all that mystick mighty danger breed Which by thy life I thee conjure to fear . Thy life at Salem is in peril , which Had been in Albion out of Dangers reach . 74. Where Waters most doe ●mile and 〈◊〉 now , The deepest Gulfes beneath in 〈◊〉 lie ; Where in their briskest beautie Roses grow , An armed Troop of dangerous Thorns stand by ; All Poisons then most active are and bold When they are lodg'd in pompous Pearl and 〈◊〉 75. Sweet Paradise was not so safe , but there The worst of Serpents in its Sweets did dwell : And though to thee Heav'n seems descended here , Yet ev'n in Salem thou may'st meet with Hell . I grant the Serpent here was slain , but yet Their fragments Snakes know how again to knit . 76. Trust not their glittering Skinns , though fair they be , But flie their Looks ; for thick Enchantments are Enammell'd in their out-side Bravery , And holy Trapps , and Treacheries they wear ; With cunning Art they winde about , and glide , And into unsuspecting Holes they slide . 77. Trust not their Tongue ( which is indeed a Sting , ) Though it be tipp'd with Golden Courtesie ; Though Heav'n roll'd up in Promises it bring , And Wisdomes most inviting Sweetnesse : Ye Shall be as Gods , discerning Good and Evill , Was a brave Word , yet minted by the Devill . 78. Remember here thy Spouse was once betray'd , Remember that he here was thrice deni'd , Remember that thou art a feeble Mayd , Remember thy Agenor , and thy Pride , Remember the Rebellion of thy Passions , Remember Aphrodisiu's Protestations . 79. Remember what from Charis and from Me Thou hast receiv'd , and let no Sirens Song Bewitch thine Ears with treacherous Harmony , In which the blessed Tunes of Heav'n have rung . Take heed this humor of thy Zeal does not Cast on its sober lines a wanton blot . 80. Lock up these Counsells in thine Heart , and there Let them lie safe for Me till I come back ; Thy Trust , and Love shall hence to me appear , If of these Pawns thou faithfull Care dost take , These Pawns , which will my Guardian Wings supply Although from thee I far away doe flie . 81. I must away , for this Heav'ns pleasure is , And therefore must be mine , and should be thine : I bus'nesse have abroad ; but by this Kisse , ( And here he took his leave , ) the truth of mine Affection , Psyche , on thy Lip I seal ; Keep the Impression safe , and so Farewell . 82. Away this Word , and He together flew : For now the King of Soules thought fit to teach Psyche how little of her Heart she knew , Who thought it raised past Delusions reach . To her own Strength she now was left , that she How little it deserv'd that Name , might see . 83. But when her Guardian now out-flew her View , At his most unexpected Parting she At first amazed and aflicted grew : But straight revolving that her Heart was free With all Jerusalem to satisfie Its curious fervor , she left off to Sigh . 84. Then in a modest Veil her face she hid , Leaving her Eyes but room her way to see ; Zeal ti'd unto her feet the Wings of Speed , And on she hasted toward Calvarie , Her Saviours Pains afresh there to lament , Not thinking that to her own Crosse she went . 85. Mean while , all pious Hearts eternal Foe Who to entrap them keeps perpetual Watch , Observing her without her Guardian goe , Judg'd this his onely time his Prey to catch : He posted to a special Fu●ies Den , Who started all her Snakes as he came in , 86. But as she in ten thousand Hisses spoke Her Soveraigns Welcome ; Peace my Childe , said He , Part of my Errand's Haste , and cannot brook These Complements Delay : I have for Thee A piece of Service which will better prove How much thy Father Satan thou dost love . 87. Psyche , a Thing to Jesus wonderous dear , ( And therefore full as odious to Me , Who by his Love am alwaies pointed where I am to shoot my Spight ) is that coy she Whom though I sundry Times have baited , yet Back in my face the Poyson still she spit . 88. I Aphrodisius and Agenor sent , And genuine Fiends they prov'd themselves to be ; About their hellish Work they wisely went , And bravely acted all the Treachery ; And yet , good Devills , their far-driven Plot. So crafty was that Wench , they finish'd not . 89. Not that this Craft in her poor mortall Brain Was bred and nurs'd : ô no , abus'd We are ; And Heav'n , though alwaies We to it give plain Defiance , underhand maintains this Warr. There , drown'd in Sulphure , Thou hadst Psyche seen , Had it not for unlukie Phylax been . 90. He , base unworthy Spirit as He is , Not onely stoops to Christ , ( which gallant We Of old disdained , and still doe no lesse , ) But with intolerable Flatterie Turns Page to dust and Ashes , and doth bow From Heav'n , to wait on this vile Worme below . 91. Had He not better nobly Faln with Us , And never have debas'd his High-born Mind ; Then crouch , and sneak , and currie favour thus Of the proud Tyrant ? Can an Angell finde It worth Christs Favour to be humbled down Far more below himselfe , than We are thrown ? 92. For my part , if I freely were to choose , I would accept the bottome of my Hell , And hug Damnation ; e'r I would with those Ignoble Sons of Earth a Servant d well . Those Guardian Angels think We Cursed be ; Fools ! who perceive not their own Misery . 93. They boast Heav'ns King 's their Soveraign ; and I Take the confessing Vassals at their Word : But I 'l maintain it greater Dignity To have Him for my Foe , than for my Lord : They brag that Heav'ns their own , & Blisse's Hill ; Why I have more than so ; I have my Will. 94. But now , my Daughter , Phylax is away , His servile Diligence thou needst not fear ; Psyche is left unto her Selfe to day , And therefore unto Us , if thou tak'st Care To lay thy Plots aright ; for thine they be On which I build my Hopes of Victory . 95. She now is on her way to Calvary , The Hill which more than Heav'n it selfe I hate , And have no minde in person to come nie That cursed Place : It stands not with the State And honour of Imperiall Lucifer To smell the 〈◊〉 of Jesus Sepulchre . 96. But for thy Fathers sake , and service , Thou Shalt stop thy Nose , and venture to goe thither , Where Thou a subtile Chain of Snakes shalt throw About that peevish Wench to hale her hither ; So at her , and her cheated Spouse , both I And thou will laugh unto Eternity . 97. His foaming Lips He closed here , and beat The flood of flaming Sulphure back into His monstrous Throat . Straitat his burning Feet His damned Daughter took her leave to goe , And with stout Fury rushed through the Earth ; And mingled with the Aire , as she brake forth . 98. In this she flew above Suspitions Eye , And undiscerned shot into the Breasts Of divers Mortals , where she formerly , Had entertainment found : But now her Nests She fethered anew with greater Store Of viperous Pow'rs , than she left there before . 99. Such was her dangerous Policie , that she For Psyche layd her Net in others Hearts , Which she made lovely by the bravery Of most refined sublimated Arts : No fowler e'r us'd such allureing Ways To charm poor Birds by treacherous 〈◊〉 100. For though she were the very Centre , where The Lines of all Deformities did meet ; The Looks of Beauty she knew how to wear , And make her Horridnesse appear so sweet , That she the wisest and most peircing Eyes Had often blinded by her Fallacies . 101. But now the Virgin at the dolefull Mount Arrived was ; where in the reverend place Of the deer Crosses Foot , she made account To poure her Vowes : But there before Her was A youthfull Man , who prepossess'd her room , And thither of her errand seem'd to come . 102. His Looks , though guilty of few years , were yet Grown pale and old with pious Gravity ; His sober Garb was such as best might fit Those who not spruce and brave but cloth'd would be ; His Body thin , but thick his 〈◊〉 ; which grown To its full length , did at his back flow down 103. Upon the ground He lay and beat his Breast , Which echoed back the Blows , with Sighs & groans : At length , with iterated Knockings prest , It yeelded forth these Ejulations : O Geief and Pains , had you no other Heart But His , to make the Sink of all your Smart ! 104. That Heart ! which all of Sweetnesse moulded was . That Heart ! where Heav'n found its Epitomie . That Heart ! the fountain of all softest Grace . That heart ! where all the Worlds best Life did lie . The heart of Jesus ! here a boistrous Sigh Came blusting out , and breaking off his Crie . 105. But then , recovering his Tongue again ; Alas , said He , and why are you unjust ? Why from this Breast of mine doe you abstein , Which all your utmost stings doth merit ? Must He who deserv's the best of Joys , alone Inherit all the depth of Passion ? 106. Are there no Whipps , no Thorns , no Nailes for Me ? May these my youthfull shoulders bear no Crosse ? Is there no Portion of Misery Left for my high Desert ? did He engrosse What sinfull I had better Title to Sure this at least shall be my Grief and Woe . 107. As when the hollow Windes have drove together Black lagging Clowds , the gravid vapors break With their own weight , and poure the rainey Wether Down through the gloomy Air : So on his Cheek His labouring Eys their fertile streams let flow , Which his tempestuous grief did thither blow . 108. And now his Lips no more had power to speak , In Zealous Kisses He does them imploy ; He kiss'd the Soile , where once that Blood did reek , Which all the Earths Redemption did pay : And every Kisse did new Desire beget Of more affectionate Imbracing it . 109. Psyche observing his sweet Passion swell With such Devotion , soon forgot her own ; And with the Stranger in such love she fell That at his feet her self she bowed down , She bowed down , and little thought that then She stoop'd to enter the forbidden Gin. 110. But as the wary Seaman , when He spies The amiable Mermaid floating nie , Turns from the dangerous Bait his jealous Eyes , Hoiseth his sail up , and his Oars doth plie : So this Devoto , seeing Psyche there , Confess'd and fortifi'd his holy fear . 111. For starting at the unexpected sight , Shield me , my blessed Guardian , said He ; Satan , who doth with everlasting spight Disturb the Course of Zealous Piety , Hath to facilitate my molestation , In this fair Damosell sent me my Temptation . 112. But whosoe'r thou art , goe seek thy Prey Where rampant Lust in furious Bonfires reigns : Thy Beauties Lustre must not thaw its way Thorow my tame , and now long-cooled veins . How know I but thou art some fair dress'd Feind To make Me foule ? and here Himself He sign'd . 113. Ravish'd with this Religious Jealousie , Sweet Sir , said Psyche , I was hither come Upon that errand which your Piety Hath here dispatched ; in that very room I purpos'd my devoted sighs to blow , And make mine Eyes their liquid Dutie know . 114. My bounteous Lord took my Intent , I see , For actual Deed ; and hath rewarded it : He knew no blessing would more welcome be Unto my Heart , then this which here I met ; And this , art Thou , in whom I plainly read The love of Him of whom my soul is Head . 115. I heard thy holy Sighs , and hearty Grones , As towards Heav'n from thy Sweet Breast they flew , I heard thy generous Lamentations ; And by those zealous Characters I knew That Jesus had by his Soule-conquering Dart Engrav'd Heav'ns best impression on thy Heart . 116. I thank Thee , that thou wert of Me afrayd , For much I reverence that pious fear : Yet be assured thou hast met a Maid In whom no Embers of black fervor are : No , no ; my Heart will no such Guests allow , For it too well doth Aphrodisim know . 117. Indeed I might have been what you suspected , Foule Satans Agent , and a feind of Hell , Had our deer Lord the care of Me neglected , And not seal'd sure on mine , his blessed Will : And so might'st Thou , had He not spread above Thy helplesse head , the Banner of his Love . 118. That Love , which wheresoe'r I finde it shine , Doth humble Reverence from my heart command ; Wonder not at my Case , but make it thine , And think how thou could'st shun , or how withstand Thy Charming Self : If I immodest be , Like Love will pardon Loves Immodestie . 119. Yet 't is no Boldnes to admire the Sunn , To love the starrs , and , what more lovely is , Their Sovercign , and ours : what I have done To Thee , great Jesus gave me leave to his Own Self to doe : Wherefore no more admire That I grow warm now I come neer thy fire . 120. My Warmth is pure , as is its spring in thee ; I mix'd it not at all with other fires : And onely on thy Zealous Pietie I feast the Hunger of my chaste Desires : I am a stranger here , and hither come On Loves deer businesse from my British Home . 121. But in this Land of Holinesse I meet Such deer Remembrances of Heav'n , that I Desire my native Albion to forget , And where my Saviour did , both live and die . Me thinks I heer am neerest Him , who is Whither I live or die , mine onely Blisse . 122. Yet some Acquaintance and Companion I Would gladly gain , with whom my foul might live In holy freindships sweet society , And mutual Heats of Zeal from Him receive . Heav'n puts you in my way , and if you be What you appear , you will be kinde to Me. 123. This said : sometimes to Him her pleading Eye , Sometimes to Heav'n She turn'd ; and by that mute But most mysterious Importunity , Sollicited her earnest bashfull suit ; Urging by this her yeelding silence , more Strong Arguments than she had spoke before . 124. Mov'd with her soft Expressions , and her Tears , ( For these flow'd out as thick , and sweet as they , ) The Man gives credit unto both , and cheers His clowded Looks , and cries , O happy Day Which hast discover'd unto Me a Breast Of Heav'ns pure dove the chaste unspotted Nest. 125. Pardon dear Stranger , pardon my Mistake , And be no longer in that Name to me . What recompence I can , I vow to make To thy misprised slandered Pietie . I at thy bounteous Offer catch , and will Both thy Desire , and mine own Joyes fulfill . 126. Rare are those friends , as Birds of Paradise , In this unworthy world but seldome seen , Whose Harts in one no other Cement ties But heav'nly Zeal and Love : and had I been As good , as I am vile , thy Offer were Worthy to be unto my Soule most deer . 127. If by the royall Law of our great Lord , Pretious in our esteem our Foes must be ; O what Embraces must We then afford To them who Us out vie in Charitie ! Come gentle Soule , and this chaste Token take , That to thy Wish my heart I pliant make . 128. Here by an Holy Kisse ( for that of old The Symbole was of Christian Consent , ) He seal d his Words ; then reverently took hold Of her right Hand , and down the Mountain went , Leading Her to his Dwelling ; whither she Went cheerly on , fearing no Treacherie . 129. Into the Vulturs Nest thus flies the Dove ; Thus to the smiling Shelfs the Ship doth run ; The stranger thus to the enchanted Grove Goes for delight ; Thus to the fatal Den Of the fair tongu'd Hyoena skips the Lamb ; The Childe thus leaps into the playing flame , 130. Come to his House ; * * 〈◊〉 , Authades , ( for his Name Was so ) pray's Psyche not to take it ill , That since she in a busy season came , His sacred Office He did first fulfill , Before on her He waited : But , said He , The work , though great , will soon dispatched be , 131. In his eighth journey Phoebus now did run Since his first-born Authades did enjoy , Who by the rule of his Religion Was bound to circumcise the Childe that Day ; Which with a consecrated knife of stone He did , and gave his own name to his Son . 132. The Infants Wound , the softer heart did slay Of Psyche , who strait wrep'd , and knock'd her breast , And then with indignation turn'd away . But cunning He perceiving how his Guest Dis-rellished her welcome , to her stepp'd , And , 〈◊〉 first , demanded why shee weep'd . 133. In sullen silence she made her Replie , Compos'd of Frowns , and of compleat disdain ; Till forc'd by his milde Importunitie , She gave her angry Tongue a liberal Rein : Shame on my credulous Love , which thus , said she , Bewithc'd me to the Den of Heresie . 134. Are you the Man who crouched to the Place Of Jesu's Cross , and him , your Lord , did call ? How come you now to wear a Jewish face , And with your Circumcision tool , cut all Your Christian Mask in peeces ? Blinde were I As was your zeal . could I this crime not spie . 135. Had you Beleev'd that Jesu's blood was shed To wash the stains of all the World away , Your cruel ; Heresie had not made red Your Infant in his needles blood to day ; Who had been purer had you washed Him In a much gentler flood , pure Baptisms stream . 136. I see what reason my wise Guardian had To be so jealous of my staying here ; Why He so solemnly appeared sad When I was merry , and refus'd to feare ; He knew black Satan would himself array In heav'nly puritie Me to betray . 137. Here she was flinging out . But fawning He By the great Cross of Christ , and geater Name , Pray'd , and conjur'd her pious Charitie His unexpected action not to blame , But to defer her Censure , and to hear With patience how He could his cause declare . 138. Such power had that reverend contestation On Psyche's tender heart , that she relents : When 〈◊〉 He , after long Commendation Of her soft candor , tels Her He repents That He his Declaration did not make E'r He that solemn work did undertake . 139. Then to a private Chamber Her He brought , That no Disturbance might his ends prevent ; And by all Ceremonious service sought To entertaine her thoughts with kinde content : For on a silken Couch , when she was set , With softer language , thus He gan the feat . 140. Sure now , dear stranger , thou art quit with me , And hast repay'd me in my proper Coin : I for 〈◊〉 Instrument suspected thee , Thou for an Heretick dost me define : But I recanted ; and if thou doe so , Quit on the other side We may be too . 141. If head-long jealousye for proof should passe , What thing so perilo us were as Innocence ? What must we think of our great Saviours Case , Who for a Devil slander'd was ? and whence Shall We acquit his Wise Apostles , who In the fond Worlds esteem for fools did go ? 142. Thou prov'dst not what my sudden fear did speak , Nor am I such as thine did me present : Truth can her selfe cleer and transparent make , And never fail'd to yeeld compieat content To those whom Prejudicies poyson had Not first envenomed , and partiall made . 143. Know then , that I am one of those whose breasts Are consecrated to that Lord whom thou Alone adorest , and permit no Guests To thrust in thither , who will not allow That gentle Soveraign to domineer , And reign without all contradiction there . 144. That poor comtemptuous place , whence glorious He Vouchaf'd to take his sirname , is the same Whence 〈◊〉 his humilitie , Our Common Title We his followers frame : Too high for Us the Stile of Chrastian is , Plain Nazareen our Ambition doth suffice . 145. Unto the Dictates of his royal Law With universal Meeknesse we submit : Whilst others but by halfes will deign to bow , As Makers they , not Subjects were to it : All hard and costly Precepts , they refuse , And leave that Burden for the slavish Jewes . 146. They tell the World how they a Patent have Writ in the Stile of Christian Liberty , By which Heav'ns King to Them Commission gave To break the Bonds of Legal Slavery : And a wise King the while they make Him , who Allowes them , what his Law forbids , to doe . 147. And is not this a brave Religion , where There is no room for any Charge or Pains ? Cunning and thrifty its Profeslors are , Who in their own Hands moderate the Reins Which on their Necks should lie ; who as they please , Dispose their Discipline to their own Ease . 148. And yet 't were well , would they their Charter show Which makes them Free States , and vouchsafe but to Declare what in the new-deliver'd Law Doth crosse and disannull the old ; that so The World might Satisfaction gain , and we Be made Partakers of their Liberty . 149. For we know no such Thing : But this we know That Jesus who is Author of the New , Was Institutor of the ancient Law And upon Sina's Head his Trumpet blew To wake the World , and warn it to give eare Unto the Precepts which he thunder'd there . 150. And did he then Retract , what he before Oreained had ? Was Circumcision then Commanded to be exercis'd no more Upon the tender Infant-Sons of Men ? O no such Changings inconsistent be With a wise Gods Immutability . 151. Like his own Selfe his Laws eternal are , And need no Reformation or Corrections : Our inconsiderane Lawgivers here Infect their Laws with their own Imperfections , And both may mended be : But surely 't is Proud Blasphemy to say so of Him , or His. 152. But his Example is full Explication Of his own Laws : And what did righteous He When fitted by his blessed Incarnation He could , like Us , to them a Subject be ? Did not he set the Seal of his own Blood To Circumcision , that this Law was good ? 153. His Presentation in the Temple shews His cleer submission to the Law which there Professed was : Nor did he e'r refuse To solemnize the Festivals which were Legaly Sacred ; or , when he drew neer His End , forget to keep the Passover . 154. Let others cast the blustering scare-crowe Name Of Heresie upon our genuine Zeal ; We trust we never shall repute it shame To tread His Steps to whom we all appeal As to our onely King : and surely he Cannot but own those who his Followers be . 155. The Gospel Laws Weequaly Imbrace : And though my Son I Circumcised , yet I cut him not off from Baptismal Grace , For in that Laver we our Children wet , That in this double Sacramental Stream Of Blood and Water , they to Christ may swim . 156. We grant , that where the Circumcision 〈◊〉 Blusheth not to oppose and uselesse make That venerable World-redeeming Blood Which from the pretious Veins of Jesus brake , The Sacrament's Heretical : But we Teach it more meek and mannerly to be . 157. If now we of too Much Obedience seem Guilty to thee , Convince Us of our Sin : 'T is plain thou hast an hopefull pleasant Theme , And easily upon our Hearts may'st win , If Truth fight with Thee : for what Man is he Who by just Licence would not conquer'd be ? 158. He ceased here . But as the loathing Vine , Though in the Colewort she can plainly read No hostile Quality , doth yet decline Her Touch , and any 〈◊〉 Shrub or Weed Will rather hug with all her Arms , then by The least Imbrace approve that Company . 159. So Psyche , though she could not easily show The venome of Authade's Sophistric ; Yet could her heart not possibly allow What she could not confute : Much rather she Would with fell Adders hisses fall in love , Than the intent of his discourse approve . 160. For Discontent still gather'd up her Brow , Still nauseous neglect stream'd from her eye , Still on her Guardians Words she thought ; and now The Serpent had his Poisnous suauity Displayd , and his enchantment finished , She wav'd her Hand , and turn'd aside her head . 161. But Logos ( who , with Thelema did lie Close in her breast , ) prick'd up his ready ear , And drunk in all the gorgeous fallacie With such Delight , that He could not forbeat Now Psyche seem'd unsatisfied , to break His itching minde ; and thus He freely spake . 162. Madame , although the Jewish law to you Expired seems , yet that of Courtesie To be ev'n yet in date you will allow , And why must then your looks transgressors be ? Why with such Glances of Disdain must they Your gentle entertainment here repay ? 163. For my part , if I ever understood What firmper spicuous Probations ment , What Reasons solid were , what Topicks good , What Demonstrations sound ; I must consent That he of none but such Materials here The Fabrick of his strong Discourse did rear . 164. And , let me tell you , Reason is a Law High and divine , engrav'd in every breast , Which must no Change nor Antiquation know ; A Law , which whosoever dares resist Rebels against Himself , whom He stamps under His obstinate feet , and nature tears in sunder . 165. O strive not then to be more Wise , than what Is Wisdomes onely Rule : Aathades now By Reasons genuine Lustre shews you that He walks in High-noon light ; and why will you Be groaping still in Darknes , when you may By his fair Pharu's Conduct saile to Day ? 166. Psyche stung by this Check began to groan : When loe her Thelema took Courage , and With a resolved Countenance fastned on Logos his shoulders her imperious hand ; Which shak'd him from his boldnesse into fear , And summond to her Words his humbler Ear. 167. Pert sir , said she , does it to you belong To hold the golden Reins of Psyche's heart ? That thus you stretch your Magisterial tongùe Usurping what would better suit my part : Y' had best e'n take her Throne , and make both Me And Her wait on your upstart Majestie . 168. Though His soft Words tickle your wanton ear , We use not to such easie Charms to yeeld ; Both Psyche's stomach is too weak to bear , And so is mine , his gilded Dose , though fill'd With sugar'd Blandishments . Yet ask not why It is enough for us , but to deny . 169. Authades seeing how his dainty bait Disgusted was , to heav'n lift up his eye , And cri'd , Alas , that dangerous Deceit Should be suspected in Truths arms to lie . Yet Psyche , I doe not disprove thy fear ; Alwayes the wisest Souls most jealous are . 170. And this thy pious jeulousie to me So pretious is , that it inflames my heart With higher estimation of thee Who in Faiths Busines thus tender art : Those who with headlong hast such points receive . To me seem but to fancie , not believe . 171. I grant 't was thy unhappines , that thou Meet'st with so faint a Disputant as I : And sure our Cause were weak if it could show No better Pillars of its Verity Than my Abilities , which I confesse Are full as feeble , as that solid is . 172. Yet why should Truth for my unworthy sake Faile to finde welcome in thy pretious Breast ? Why should'st thou pay so dearly for my lack Of Eloquence or Logick , as to rest In that unhappy Ignorance content , Which though I cannot help , I must lament . 173. That Word broke ope the Fountains of his Eyes , Which in deceitfull Pitty flowed down . Yet knocking then his crafty Breast , He cries , Why should I think just Heav'n on you hath thrown The punishment of this my Weaknes ? and Because I 'm Dull , not let Thee understand ? 174. O no! wouldst thou but deign to walk with Me To a Friends house not far from hence ; Thou there The Looks of living Pietie shouldst see ; And from an Oracle Resolutions hear : If Thou repent Thee of thy Pains , I am Content for ever to endure thy Blame . 175. This pressed Kindnesse , She who gentle was , Knew not how to reject ; and therfore goes With her fair-tongu'd Companion : Alas That facill Hearts should to themselves be Foes When others they with Facilnes befriend ! That plyant Twigs should break because they bend ! 176. But at the house , they at his Prayers finde A Man whom Age had covered with Snow : Yet noble Fervor in his pious minde With more than youthfull Vigor seem'd to glow : So strong was his Devotion , and so high In all Espressions of Loves Bravery . 177. Authades at his Back straight kneeled down ; And so did Psyche , much amaz'd to see How far that old Devoto had out-flown The flagging Pitch of her young Piety . Such flaming Prayers she never heard before , Nor such importunate Knocks at Heav'ns high Door 178. She often looked that the Sphears should ope , And to the longing Saint his Lord disclose ; She wonder'd that his Body flew not up Seeing his Soule on such stout Pinions rose ; But most she marvell'd that his working Heart Stretching so high , did not in sunder start . 179. With secret Checks her languid Soule she chid Which with such violence never yet did flame ; Her Eyes hung down ; her Cheeks were over-spread With blushing ( but with ô how guiltlesse ! ) shame : Nor ravish●d lesse was Thelema , who till now No Good would in the Nazareens allow . 180. O Looks , and Outside Things , how mighty are And how substantial your Impostures , on Unhappy Mortals , who their Judgement square By Ear and Eye , and those vain Rules alone They borrow from the Senses Schole , wherein How many Beasts more learned are than Men ! 181. * * False Saint . Pseudagius now three times his Head did bow In humble Adoration , and arose Up from the ground . Which when Authades saw , He forward stepp'd , his bus'nesse to disclose . But Psyche pluck'd him by the Arm , and told Him , forher sake He need not be so bold . 182. Pardon Me Sir , said she ; for now my Minde Convinc'd by heav'nly Satisfaction is ; In him I such commanding Goodnesse finde , That , though I would , yet I cannot doe lesse Than stoop to that Profession which he Hath authoriz'd by such high Piety . 183. The height of my Desires , ( if yet it be Not Pride to reach at such transcendent Blisse , ) Is , that I with his leave advanc'd may be To his religious Acquaintance : This Perhaps may Me enable to repay The Debt your Love hath layd on Me to day . 184. Authades glad and proud that he had thus This Conquest gained , bad her be secure : Then bowing down before Pseudagius , Regard , most holy Sir , said he , the pure And pious Suit of a religious Mayd , Which modest she upon my Tongue hath lay'd . 185. Heav'ns Love hath kindled in her pliant Breast Full Approbation of whatever she Beholds amongst Us Nazareens profest ; And now our Proselyte she resolves to be : Onely she beggs that you would not disdain Her as you humble Friend to entertain . 186. His solemn Eye to Heav'n Pseudagius cast . And cri'd , Forbid it blessed Jesu , I Should not be kinde to Any whom Thou past With thine own Favour deign'd to dignifie : 'T is Condescent indeed in Thee ; but how Can I thy Worm stoop , who crawl here below ? 187. This said ; with reverend Pleasantnes He came And grave Acquaintance took with Psyche's Lipp ; She bigg with humble Thanks , cri'd out , who am Unworthy I , such holy Sweets to sipp ! Hadst Thou vouchsaf'd Me but thy Feet to Kiss , That favour I had hugged as my Bliss . 188. Thus cheated She , did her Mishap admire , As doth the silly flie the beauteous Flame ; Little surmising what outragious Fire Reign'd in that Bait which look'd so mild and tame : Ne'r did she stand on such a Brink as this , And never feared less a Precipice . 189. Pseudagius , whose faire-faced Piety Compleat possession of her Heart had wonn , Now exercised his full Tyranny Upon his tender yeilding Prey ; and soon Infus'd his Poisons with such holy Art , That their Contagion rul'd in every Part. 190. Satan who lurk'd in Ambush to espie How his Designe would take ; rejoyc'd to see That Psyche by this moderate Heresie So easily charmed was ; for crafty He When but a little Leaven was cast in , Had oft the tainting of the whole Lump seen . 191. He knew a little Gap , might quickly turn A mighty Chasm : He knew one Spark might thrive Into a full-grown Flame , and serve to burn The strongest Fort : He knew one Wheel might drive A thousand more ; He knew a carelesse Slip Might cause a Fall , as well 's a desperate Skip . 192. He knew that they who once a foot had set In Errors Labrynth , would easily be Allured further to proceed in it By their own tickling 〈◊〉 ; He knew they soon might fall in love with Night Whose Eys once turn'd from Truths meridian Light . 193. But yet to make all sure , he Logos fill'd With foolish Pride , and Confidence , since He Saw Thelema , and Psyche forc'd to yeild At last , to what He did at first agree ; And They abashed with unhappy shame , His domineering Carriage durst not blame . 194. By this unbrideled Insolence he grew So vain and carelesse in his Work , that he Presum'd far more than all the World be knew In Truths judicious Discovery . Thus foolish Dreamers think they view the skies , When duskie Sleep hath sealed up their Eyes . 195. For as one Morning Psyche walked out Intending for her Saviours Sepulchre ; Full in her way the watchfull Tempter brought One who no common Mortal did appear : Grave was his Garb , but graver far his Look , And him for some deep-learned Man she took . 196. Capricious Logos could not rest content Till he had sounded what the Man could say ; Big with a spruce and eloquent Complement , He brings it forth , and layes it in his way , Bo wing down to the ground with it ; which done , * * 〈◊〉 Agyrtes stayd , and Logos thus went on : 197. Sir , if your Head unto your Looks be true , It is of Knowledge a vast Treasury ; And those Spiritual Riches never knew What Losse or Diminution meant , when by A liberal Impartment they were thrown To others Breasts , yet not pluck'd from their 〈◊〉 . 198. For though his radiant Largise on the Moon And every Star , and all the World beside He poureth out ; yet still the copious Sun Doth in his undiminish'd Glory ride . Although a thousand Chanels it doth fill , The teeming Fountain lives in Fulnesse still . 199. A portion of your Streams , and of your Light , Is that We beg ; not to impoverish you , But to enrich our Selves : Our ignorant Night To knowing Day may by your Influence grow ; Our arid barren Intellect may be By your Effusions taught Fertility . 200. That natural Desire which did enflame Your Industry to reach at Knowledge , is Common to Us ; nor will your Wisdome blame Our free and bold Obedience unto this Potent Instinct , by following which , you have Attain'd that Blessing which of you We crave . 201. When by a grave and gracefull Pawse , the Man More reverence had won , with friendly Eye He first their Welcome look'd : then thus began To speak it out : Though Silence suits with my Devout Profession , more than Words , yet now To Courtesies strong Law my Tongue must bow , 202. If I to strangers should not Kindnes show , I should affront that Lord who owned Me A stranger unto Him . Yet please to know That I professe not by my Industrie To have arived unto any pitch In that wherein you take Me to be rich , 203. Alas , Agyrtes had as sottish been As is the vilest he that sees the light , Had Heav'ns sweet Rays not deignd to interveen Between my Heart , and Ignorances Night . But Jesus who is King of Love , as well As Wisdome , pleas'd with both my Breast to fill . 204. Yet this no other Wisdome is , then what Concerns Him , and his Heav'n , wherfore if you For any other look from me , but that , You must goe seek where Vanitie doth grow . That , that , or none , sweet Sir , said Psyche ; We Would onely in Heav'ns Wisdome learned be . 205. This yeilding Answer made Him smile within , And promise to his proud Heart , Victory : Yet to make sure , and grace , his holy Sin , To Heav'n he turn'd his hell-directed Eye , And lifting up his Hands , seem'd thence to take The Copie of what now he ment to speak . 206. With that , upon the ready Grasse , which there Offer'd its gentle service , they sate down . Then thus Agyrtes : Though you Strangers are , Your holy Wish , thus far has made you known , That I perceive you are not yet to be Inform'd there is a Christ , and Pietie . 207. But as the noblest Things beseiged are With greatest Difficulties , so is this : Religion , and Truth yet never were Enthron'd so high , but saucie Wickednes Would muster Errors round about them , and Before their face in flat Defiance stand . 208. Yet , if in great Cerinthu's Schole you were Ever a Candidate , I need not strive To ope my Bottles to your Thirst , who there All Fulnes from the Fountain did receive . My Schole , cri'd Psyche , gentle Sir , alas , Onely in blinde and barbarous Albion was . 209. Know then , said He , that when Heav'n planted had Its blessed Gospell in our World below , Ten thousand Weeds a conjuration made To choke it when it first began to grow ; The Blade no sooner peeped forth , but there These pois'nous Tyrants strait did domineer 210. And surely all the Harvest Hopes had been Slain in their Birth had Jesus tender Care Into his Feild not sent Cerinthus : Sin The Crop ev'n in the Spring began to shear , And Truth her infant Head sought where to hide ; So rampant Error was , and spread so wide . 211. But this brave Gardner with his prudent Hook Cut those Intruders down , and cleerd the ground ; The Churches Soile strait like it selfe did look , And reskew'd Truth full room to flourish found , The mystick 〈◊〉 began to be From the insidious Serpents Dangers free . 212. The reverend Law whose flaming Majesty Flashed from Sina , now brake out again ; And chasing all licentious Mists , which by Heretik Sloth had gain'd Religions Rein , Mingled its Lustre with the Gospels Ray , And doubled fair Truthes most unspotted Day . 213. Blind Ignorance was grown so bold , that she Sought to perswade the World it had no Eyes ; Making the Lazie Name of Mystery , In stead of Demonstration suffice . From this black Pit those monstrous Prodigies Of hood-wink'd , and abused Faith did rise . 214. Who can imagin Heav'n would e'r obtrude Upon the Faith of Reasonable Men , That which against all Reason doth conclude , And founded is on Contradiction ? Sure God so strange a Law did never give , That Men must not be Men , if they Beleeve , 215. No , 't was not God , but Man , who made that Law , And by enacting it , usurped more Than God-like Power on those he won to bow Their Superstitious Necks to this new Lore , By which to brutish Sottishnesse they are Enslav'd , who free by Christian Title were . 216. 'T is not enough , forsooth , that We beleeve Mary the Mother was to Jesus ; but Into the bargain too We must receive That she a Virgin still remain'd . And what More ready Way , her Sons Birth to deny , Than by continuing her Virginity ? 217. If she a Mother be , she must be so But if a Virgin , she a Virgin is : And he that can in One tie up these 〈◊〉 May reconcile the Poles into a Kisse May Midnight in the face of 〈◊〉 throw , May cement in one Centre I and No , 218. Yet well it were , had Mary been alone The subject of this holy Nonsense ; But With greater impudence upon her Son It ventured , and madly forging what All Rational Creatures cannot but Detest , This , as the sacred Rule of Faith profest . 219. For though the Marvell-mongers grant that He Was moulded up but of a Mortal Metall , And that his Substance was the same which we Finde in our Selves to be so weak and 〈◊〉 : Yet an eternal God they make Him too , And angry are that We will not doe 〈◊〉 220. ( Thus the quaint Madnesie of a dreaming Brain Holds the same Thing a Mountain , and a Mite ; Fancies the Sun , Lights royal Soveraign , To look like swarthy , and ignoble Night ; Imagines wretched Worms , although it see Them crawl in Dirt , illustrious Kings to be . ) 221. But Heav'n forbid , that we should so 〈◊〉 And think our God as poor a Thing as We How can Eternity be born in Time How can Infinitude a Baby be ? Or how can Heav'n and Earths almighty Lord To AEgypt flie for rear of Herod's Sword 222. Can He be hungry who doth All Things feed ? Can it become the King of Joy to weep ? Can He the God of Spirits , refreshment need ? Can He who is all Eye , e'r fall asleep ? Can Man , the Prince of Power Crucifie ? Can He , Lifes everlasting Fountain , die ? 223. Such Gods as these indeed were Jupiter , Mars , Saturn , Neptune , Mercury , Apollo , And all that Rout to whom the Pagans rear Their cursed Altars : And must we goe follow Such goodly Leaders , and our Pleasure take Religion worse than Atheisme to make ? 224. Sure God is much beholden unto them Whose glorious Faith hath been so carefull to Heap all those vile Indignities on Him Which they Themselves abhorr to undergoe . If God be such a wretched Thing , no more Will I , ( and 't is no proud Word ) Him adore . 225. But He is as Impassible as They Would make him weak and poor : He cannot bow To yeild his high almighty Selfe a Prey To our Infirmities who crawl below : His super-glorious most refined Nature As far from Suffring is , as from a Creature . 226. I know they strive to mince the Matter by Distinguishing His Natures ; for their Art Being asham'd of no Absurdity , Himselfe from his own Selfe presumes to part . Yet we durst not admit a Deity , Which must on a Distinction builded be . 227. But how much more than mad their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And how transcending Pagan Blasphemy , Who not content to make a God of this Both 〈◊〉 , and mortal Jesus ; try To thrust him into one Substantial Knot With his eternal Sire who him begot ! 228. Two , yet not Two , but One these Two must be , Nay and a Third into the Knot they bring ; The Spirit must come in to make up Three , And yet tnese Three be but One single Thing . Thus fast and loose they play , or ev'n and oda , And we a juggling Trick must have for God 229. If God be One ; then let him be so still : Why jumble We We know not what together ? Did all the World not know their God , untill This old Blinde Age discover'd Him ? Did neither The Patriarks Beleeve , nor Prophets See Aright , because they took not One for Three ? 230. I and my Brethren are full well content T' aspire unto no other Paradise Than that to which those Holy Hero's went , Whose Faith knew no such curious Prodigies . No ; Faith 's a grave and sober Mayd , and she Loves neither Quirk , nor Trick , nor Forgerie . 231. Let Love and Duty make of Christ as high And glorious a Thing as Wit can reach , Provided that against the Deity No injury nor Sacriledge they preach ; If onely on such Terms He lov'd may be , Him to neglect is Pietie , say We. 232. But We neglect him not , who merits more Of Us , than all our Reverence can pay : Our Necks we bow unto his gentle Lore , And his Commands ambitiously obey : Love is his blessed Law ; and hated be Those who contemn so sweet a Lord as He. 233. You see how freely our Profession We Impart to Strangers ; being confident That honest Truth can never shamed be . Yet whether you will bow downe your consent Unto our Doctrines , I uncertain am ; And therefore will no further lavish them . 234. For if your Faith relies on Men , who are Themselves but founded and built up of Dust ; If you by Reasons Rule disdain to square Your Pietie , and take your God on Trust , ( Which Heav'n forbid ; ) you onely are a Prize Unto Imposters fair-tongu'd Fallacies . 235. He ceased here . When Logos louting low His fawning head to Psyche , gave her Joy That she had met so grave a Doctor now , Whose radiant Knowledge might light her the way To genaine Truth through those thick Foggs which here Make dim and black Religions Hemisphear . 236. And take good heed said He , sweet Madame , that You serve Him not as you Authades did : O what substantial Arguments , and what Religious Motives hath he mustered In this concise Discourse , whose depth might well Be owned by the holiest Oracle . 237. Psyche , whose tender Heart not long agoe Would have abhorr'd this venomous Language more Than doth the Lamb the Wolfe , or Lyon , who Nothing but barbarous Death to it doth roar ; Had now forgot her pious jealous fear , And knew not what it meant to be aware , 238. Haeretick Poyson she already had Suck'd from Authades ; which no sooner wun Her fond Hearts Approbation , but it made An open Chanel for more streams to run Into Her Bosome : Thus an Army by One little Breach poures in its Victory . 239. She yeilds to swallow the Cerinthian Bait , And thanks unto her Murderer strives to pay . Dear Sir , said she , your solid Reasons Weight Doth on my Heart such sound Persuasion lay , That needs it must submit , and study how To be for ever gratefull unto you . 240. Scarce had she spoke , but loe her Doctor who Espyed Phylax flying thither , took His hasty leave ; but pass'd his Promise to Meet her again , and bad her for him look The next day there : Alas the Cheater was Afraid the Angel might his Frand uncase . 241. But as away he sneaked ; Psyches ' Friend More swift than flies the Eagle to her Prey , The whining Aire with sprightfull Wings did rend , And shot himselfe through the directest way To his dear Charge , for whom his Heart did quake , As knowing well what Tempests hers did shake . 242. For by Loves faithfull Sympathie ( though he About his other work far distant were , ) He still preserv'd a soft Vicinitie With Psyche's Soule , and felt each wound which there Sophistick Darts had made , though foolish she Perceived not her sugered Miserie . 243. At his approach , for joy the Virgin wept , Not thinking that those tears to shame were due . Syneidesis still in her bosome slept , And her unto her self forbore to shew : She to her own Breast was more stranger than The Tartar to the AEthiopian . 244. But Phylax almost out of breath for hast , Suck'd in fresh spirits , and then demanded who It was that gather'd up his heels so fast , And fled from his approach : If he had no Cause of his flight , but me , 't is meet that I , Said he , suspect him for you Enemy . 245. No sure , replyed Psyche ; for nor I Nor Logos could discover ought but love : He freely taught Us many a veritie , And what he undertook , did cleerly prove . Some sudden busines snatch'd him hence , not fear Of you , whom doubtles He doth hold most dear . 246. Phylax , who knew Him and Authades too , The total matter gently sifted out , And wrought upon his Pupils softnes so That his design He subtly brought about ; For full confession from her charmed tongue Of both her Doctors Principles he wrung . 247. But then He groand , and smote his pittying Breast , And fixed upon Hers his speaking eye , By which the mixed language He exprest Of Love and Wrath , of Hope , and Jealousy ; And by this Prologue setting ope the door , He from his Lips his troubled Minde did poure : 248. Left I my charge , ô Psyche , to the Winde , When hence I took my journey , or to thee ? If in my dearest Cabinet , thy Minde , I my advice depos'd , why must it be That the weak breath of any Charmer Thou Dost meet , that holy Pawn away may blow ? 249. My heart mis-gave me , when away I went , Or rather when with thine I left it here ; Full well thou knowst what earnest pains I spent To arm thy tender Soule with sacred fear : O why , with foolish confidence would'st thou Disarm thy self , and make room for the blow ? 250. That blow , which struck so deep into thy breast , That if some soveraign Balsame makes not speed ; If strait thy wounded Bosome be not drest ; If Heav'n be not as quick , new life to shed Into thy Soule , as Hell was to betray It unto Death , this is thy fatal Day . 251. Alas those Doctrines onely Poisons were Squeez'd from the dregs of the infernal Pit ; Less Pestilential those Venoms are Which desperate Basilisks and Vipers spit : Nor Aphrodisiu's , nor Agenor's tongue With such sure bane thy careless Bosome stung . 252. Canst thou ô Psyche thus thy Lord repay For all the Treasures of his Love which He Into thy poor heart poured day by day ? Canst thou rob Jesus of his Deitie , And tear Him from his Throne , whil'st royall He His heav'nly Kingdome doth prepare for thee ? 253. Pert Logos here no longer Patience had , But setting up his insolent crest , he cri'd , Good sir , and take you me for one so mad , That in my proper road I cannot ride , But both my Self and Way , I needs must loose , And willingly deep Precipies choose ? 254. If Eyes of Colours sober Judges be ; If Tongues can censure what is soure and sweet ; If Ears can Discords know from Harmonie ; If Touching may decide in Cold and Heat ; Why may not I presume that I am set In Reasons Chair , and know the Powers of it ? 255. Unless I to my Essence give the Lie , These Doctrines sure are built on Demonstration : But if you onely must be Psyche's eye , Ev'n pull me out , that I no perturbation Thus in the way of your designes may throw ; So in your Conquest you compleat shall grow . 256. Psyche was glad to heare this Challenge beat So high , and hop'd that Phylax would relent : And were Angelick Loves Heroick Heat Less resolute than it is , just discontent Had quenched Phyla'x flames , which now by this Bold opposition did more stoutly rise . 257. With secret instance he did Charis draw Down from her Heav'n , to joyn her Powers with his : She , when the Virgins wounded Heart she saw , Melted with Pitty at her deep Distresse ; And by victorious Sweetnesse op'd a way Into her Breast , and Thelema made her Prey . 258. Which Phylax seeing : Logos strives in vain Said He , to countermine my care of Thee : Greater Affronts than these I can sustain , Rather than Psyche should destroyed be . All this , and more , I will forget , so Thou Wilt goe , and see a Sight I have to show , 259. Logos look'd bigg , and struggled might and main ; But Thelema was tractable and tame , And the bold Rebell quickly did constrain Unto her pliant Minde his own to frame , Poor Psyche sigh'd and wept , and halfe afraid , Phylax with her to doe his pleasure pray'd . 260. He well considering her Disease had need Of nothing more than Haste in her Physition , Staid not to parle , but made all loving speed To snatch her from these Jaws of deep Perdition , Whilst yet with Chari's soule-subduing Heat Her melted and convicted Heart did beat . 261. Ready at hand his well-known Chariot was , In which he takes her up , and guides the Rein ; Forth with the sprightfull Steeds flung on apace Through the fair Road of the aereal Plain , Till they to Gitton in Samaria came , Their journeyes Butt , where Phylax checked Them . 262. Then lighting down , Come Psyche , come , said he , This is thy newfound Doctors native Town ; Here thou their true Original shalt see , And from what kinde of Nest they all are flown . This House their Fathers was : Come we will in , And view the Birth-place of Heretick Sin . 263. Thus entred They : When loe the House they finde So full of Doors , and Rooms , and Galleries , Which by quaint Turnings to and fro did winde , That Psyche quickly lost her rouling Eyes , As she had done her Se fe , had Phylax not Of all the Labyrinth full knowledge got . 264. Thorough a thousand strange Meanders He Into a private Room conducted her Where she a far more private Door did see , But little thought what kinde of Den was there Lurking behinde it , so alluring was The holy Beauty of its cheating Face . 265. A goodly Crucifix was there displayd , Altars were rear'd , and many Bibles ope , By which majestick Liturgies were laid , With lofty-tuned Anthems ; on the Top Art plac'd a Quire of Angels hovering , And made the gorgeous Roof all seem to sing . 266. There might you see Faith , with her Eagles Eye ; Hope with both Hands her Anchor holding fast ; And with her open Bosome , Charity ; Whose Looks such seeming current Beams did cast , That those who were not well aware , might deem She at Heav'ns genuine Fires had kindled them . 267. With these ; Religion stood , Zeal , Piety Devotion , Meeknesse , Patience , Gentlenesse , And whatsoe'r might advantageous be The brave Imposture gallantly to dresse : Baits which might easily work a greater feat , Then Psyche s soft Simplicity to cheat . 268. What credit thou to these fair Looks mayst give , Said Phylax , Thou shalt see when I have shown What monstrous Ouglinesse these Porters strive To countenance : With that he bent his Frown On the enchanting Company , and they To his imperious Anger straight gave way . 269. Aside They started ; and so did the Door ; When loe an horrid Cave appear'd beneath , Which forth a Stream of 〈◊〉 and Stink did poure , Amazing Psyche with its dismal Breath ; Deep was the Pit , and full of darkest Fright , Seeming the Bed chamber of sullen Night . 270. But Phylax shot from his illustrious Fye Such potent lightning as brake through that Cloud ; When loe about the Caverns sides , a Frie Of frighted Toads into their Holes did crowd ; And thousand Spiders at the Sight agast , Into the centres of their Webbs made haste . 271. But ô what Mans , or Muses Tongue can tell The other Monsters which were hissing there ! Huge Snakes , fierce Vipers , angry Adders , fell And fiery Hydra's all discovered were , With Cockatrices , Scorpions , Dragons , and Of 〈◊〉 Chimaera's a full marshall'd Band. 272. Yet these all fled before the Angels face , And in their severall Dens loud howling lay : But He entended for a further place , And with these lesser Monsters made no stay ; Forward unto another door He goes , Where far more poys'nous things He doth disclose . 273. Glozing Deceits , and handsome Lyes stood there , With gentle meek demure Hypocrisie ; And these in goodly state attended were By treacherous Rhetorick and Phylosophie ; But their chief train with Syllogisms was fill'd , Who in their hands three-forked Halberts held . 274. Yet all their Might fell flat upon the ground , And gave the mightier Angel leave to passe , Who entring by that damned Pontal , found To such a Porch a correspondent place : The stinks He met before , pure odours were To those which reek'd in every corner here . 275. The Master of the House , grave Simon , who Wore Magus for his cursed surname , sate Full in the midst ; whose poisned stomach so Surcharged was with crude-opinions , that Its pestilential Load which belch'd and wrought , Into an ample Boule He spewed out . 276. This the rude indigested Chaos was Wherein all Heresies did jumbled lie ; The fertile Womb which their original Place Did give to every kinde of Blasphemie ; The Seed and Matter whence sins foule Creator Produced every Monstrous-shaped nature . 277. As smoaking in the Boule this Vomit lay , A Crowd of desperate Men throng'd round about , Whose most accursed thirst did them betray To covet this foule Draught : The scalding drought Of the persued Deer breeds lesse desire In some cool spring to quench his raging fire . 278. Menander gat the first Sup ; He who by That cankering liquor so infected grew , That Simon He out-spit in Heresie , And higher than his Spewing Father flew ; Much he disdain'd that God or Man should be Nobler ( at least in 's own conceit ) than He. 279. Ceninthus next lapp'd up his share , and then His hungry Younglings with the venom fed ; 'Mongst whom Agyrtes suck'd his Part , whom when Psyche beheld , Guilt di'd her Cheeks with red . But Ebion thrusting in , took off her eye , He Scriptures Mangler , foe of Purity . 280. Yet Nicolas , who came next , was worse than He , And drunk so deep , that of all foulest lust He turn'd Professor , and deserv'd to be Apoc. 2. 7 The hate of God Behinde him Elxai thrust , And bold Jexeus , Bretheren no less In nature , than in lustfull Putidness . 281. Then Saturnine , whose draught so strangely wrought , That he judgd Puritie it self impure ; Chaste Matrimony He abhorr'd , as fraught With shamefull odiousnes ; nor would endure His lip should blush in any Creatures blood , All which he held were never made for food . 282. Yet strait Basilides from the same fount Contrary poison drunk ; All lust was clean , Yea commendable too in his account . And the same rellish had the liquor in Carpocrates his Mouth , and Valentins , The Oracles of all libidinous sins . 283. From these great Parents came that numerous Spawn Of most portentous Gnosticks , Antitacts , Ptolemaits , Ophites , Cainites : Monsters known By the Profession of such shamelesse Facts As Hell would blush at ; which yet unto them Truths and Religions Puritie did seem 284. Next these , about the boules brim licking lay The Nazareens , amongst whose sneaking fire Were both Pseudagius and Authades ; They Who tainted Psyche with their Heresie . No sooner she beheld them , but her breast She smote , and by the stroke her fault confest . 285. But after these appear'd the Marcosites Epiphanes , Secundus , Isidore ; Bold Cordonists , and fond Heracleonites Marcion , Apelles , with blasphemous store Of their Disciples ; Lucan , Luciun , Photinus , Basiliscus , Hermogen . 286. Then proud Montanus ; with Quintilians , Ascites , Pepuzians ; and Artotyrites , Priscillians , Pharisaik , Tatians , Abstemious yet profane Severianites ; Archontiks , Adamites , Quartadecimans , Fond Alogists , and Melchisedekians . 287. Tertullianists , Arabiks , Symmachists , Homousiasts , Elxites , Origenians , Valesians , and presumptuous Catharists , Hydroparastates , Patripassians . Apostoliks , Angeliks , Chiliasts , Samosatenian Paulianists . 288. Mad Maniches , outrageous Donatists , Curs'd Arians , Colluthians , Audianites , Shamelesse Photinians , Macedonianists , Acrians , Acacians , Eustathites : Eunomians , Messalians , Luciferians , Hypsistarists , Agnoites , Apollinarians . 289. Timotheans , Seleucians , Collyridians , New coin'd Priscillians , with Proclianites : Foule-mouth'd Jovinianists , and black Helvidians ; Bonosians , Campensians , Agapites ; Pelagius , Nestorius , Eutyches , Accompani'd with all their Progenies . 290. Innumerable more besides were there , Whose severall Poisons Nature Phylax read Unto his Pupill , though they never were As yet unto the world discovered : But as these Petty Vermine She did view , A mightie Prodigie its dread did shew . 291. Up starta Man of such commanding Look , That all these awed Suckers gave Him way : Three times his mighty Head and Locks He shook , Three times He stoop'd , and seem'd too proud to lay His lips so low ; yet bowing down at length , Upon the Boule He shew'd his cursed Strength : 292. For every Drop of the foule Vomit He Straight swallowed up , and kick'd the Bowle away When loe the Venomes rampant potencie Did in the desperate Man it self display ; Both in his eyes , and all about his face , Insernall Horror freely took its place . 293. A pair of Horns broke from his fiery Brow , And from his mouth impatient Blasphemy ; Big with all rancorous Spight his Breast did grow , His Soul was stretch'd with arrogant Majesty : Nor was it wonder that He thus did swell , Who had engorg'd and drunken was with Hell , 294. With Mouth wide ope He swore aloud that He Would make the whole World to his pleasure bow ; He threatned all Heav'ns starrie Braverie Down from their highest strongest Orbs to draw ; He vow'd by his own Head , no God should be Thenceforth beleeved , nor ador'd , but He. 295. With that , his fists of burning Brasse He bent , And lifted up his more than Dragons Taile , As if with this Artillery He ment The Universe's Powers to assail ; Nor was his Insolence in vain , for He From Heav'n it self snatch'd down his Victorie . 296. From th' Euangelick Heav'n He boldly drew Millions of Soules , whom He in sunder tore , Or with his Breaths most murdering venome slew ; Bellowing his Triumph in a dismall Roar . Straight the Heretick Frie began to quake , Simon himself did start , and Psyche shake . 297. But Phylax to allay her storm of fear , Told her the Monsters Pride yet knew a Rein , For mark , said He , He is a prisner here , And cannot break that Adamantine Chain Which Him and all his viperous Company Though at some distance , fast to Hell doth tye . 298. She look'd and saw her Guardian told her true : She saw the Chain , which to a Pit did lead Whence thich sulphureous eructations flew And brought up mingled streams of boyling Lead She frighted at the sight , fled back ; but He What in that Bottome lay , led her to see . 299. Sheltred by his stout Wings Security , And by his trusty Word encouraged , Into the dismall Grott she sent her eye , Which there a more prodigious Object read Than She before had seen in the foule Book Of hideous Antichrists portentous Look 300. It was that Beldame Hagg from whose black Breast Simon his rank unweildy Poison drew Never was furie so compleatly drest In all the Bravery of Horrors hue ; All shapelesse shapes together tumbled were To make up Shames Extremity in Her . 301. Two Heads She had , which on her Leg● did grow Two faces , and two Mouthes , but not one Eye , Six rowes of teeth which constantly did gnaw All they could of her Carkaise reach : Her Thigh● From an eternall Sore did poyson drop Into her throat , which thence again spew'd up 302. The Vermin which did all about Her swarn Young Adders , Slow-worms Toads , and Spiders were , Two lumps of black flesh hung for either Arm An hundred Nails upon each hand did tear Her dangling Duggs and when they weary grew Them o'r her shoulders to her back they threw 303. But from her Neck a twisted Tail did sprout Arm'd with a thousand forked Stings which she For her own torture us'd and round about Her self its Lashes threw ; Her bunched Knee● Did backward bend ; and for her feet below . Out at her belly Seav'n short Paws did grow 304. As Psyche trembled at this basefull sight Behold , said Phylax , and consider well Whither brisk Logo's judgement were to right . Who hath engag'd thy poisned Heart to dwell In this fine Ladyes familie . for she Is Grandame to that monstrous Progenie 305. Since Thou hast made thy choise , and scorned Me And my Advice ; goe take thy chosen place Or in Pseudagius his Companie Or in Agyrte's : Nay doe not disgrace Thy learned Prudence so as to retract Judicious Logos will not like the fact 306. Poor Logos heard this Word ; which through his Heart Shot such deep Shame and Grief , that thenceforth He Resolved never more to trust 〈◊〉 Art Where it with Phylax's minde did disagree . But yet in Psyche's tender Breast , the Wound More stinging was , more fataly profound . 307. Prostrate before his face , in silence She Grappled a while with her outrageous Grief ; But when She saw the woefull Victorie Growing upon her , and found no relief In her own Soul ; She mingles with her Sighs , Her Declarations , and thus She cries : 308. Alas , Pseudagiu's or Agyrte's place Is too too happy and too high for Me That dreadfull Haggs prodigious Embrace Is more than due to my Apostasie ; I fully have deserv'd that She should hugg Me with her Taile , and feed Me with her Dugg 309. For , Had Pseudagiu's or Agyrte's Heart Like mine , been by a Phylax fortified , No Mines nor 〈◊〉 of Heretick Art Had won their forts : But I by sottish Pride , Disdain'd the potent Help of thy Supplie , And chose on my own Weaknesse to relie . 310. I fain would pardon begg ; but mighty Shame Seals up my Mouth , and Guilt beats back my breath , I fain would invocate His gracious Name Who gave his Life to rescue Me from Death ; But Horror stifles my Endeavour , who In spight of Him , to this my Death would goe . 311. But thou sweet Phylax never didst displease His Mighty Majesty , nor force his frown , Seal'd sure on Thee his endlesse favour is , And thy Desires He with Successe will crown If Thou wist plead for Me , though not for mine He will for thy dear Sake his Ear incline 312. I know my Impudence is high , who dare , Beg thus much favour of abused Thee ; But thy brave Charitie delights to war Against the most perverse Conspiracie Or my Demerits ; witnesse its divine Battell against Agenors Pride and Mine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from thy 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 By hold and traiterous 〈◊〉 May I amongst these 〈◊〉 have my part Of my already-carned Misery ; And may thy Wing no more for me be 〈◊〉 . No more thy 〈…〉 314. 〈◊〉 her twixt trembling Hop . and 〈◊〉 〈…〉 her 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 the rest by Looks that both his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she might engage . I his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto the 〈◊〉 was . 〈◊〉 her up and had 〈…〉 〈◊〉 And with the illue trust my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Into 〈◊〉 paths you 〈…〉 Who more 〈◊〉 Eyes 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 316. Then by her Hand 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 up the 〈◊〉 by which He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 for joy that 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 by them ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from their 〈◊〉 again 〈◊〉 after Him , and 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XVI . The Antidote . ARGUMENT . To purge out that Heretick Bane , which now Lay rankling in his Pupils cheated Breast , Phylax Ecclesia's Court to her doth show ; Where by Truth 's delicate Imbrace being blest , She soon perceiv'd her Cure , and how the 〈◊〉 Of Catholick health in her sound Pulse did 〈◊〉 , 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man , why dost thou tread So proudly on the Worm which crawls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that on thy erected Head Much more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 Than ever made the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The footstool of Contempt to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Are not the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whence Thou dost 〈…〉 The foule and onely 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 bring Forth 〈◊〉 , her 〈…〉 Though Flesh and 〈…〉 3. Sage nature at the Moment of thy Birth Made Thee Lament , when yet Thou knewst not why , Being with Pollution tumbled headlong forth Into the Stage of thy Lifes Tragedy , With full assurance that thou there must be First vex'd , and then stain by Mortality . 4. The meanest Creature that e'r saw the light , Was richer born , and stronger far than thou ; Compleatly shiftlesse was thy native Plight , And did no manner of selfe-succor know : Naked thou wert of every Help beside , As well's of Clothes thy woefull shame to hide . 5. With Cares and Fears in thy young Education Thy troubled Parent travelled again ; Her Bowels yearn'd with as true Perturbation , As when they stretch'd with puerperial Pain : It being but extension of thy Birth , To Bring thee up , as she had Brought Thee forth . 6. How crosse , how way-ward , and how peevish were Thy feeble Years , when thou couldst onely fight With thy rebellious Will , and vex the Care Of thy deer Nurse with fullen froward Spight ! All other Twigs will freely bend ; but Thou Alone , though young , hadst rather Break , than Bow . 7. The Rod drives Thee to Schole , and keeps thee there ; Where thou good Institution dost Imbrace Not out of Love , but most ignoble Fear : So the wilde stubborn Coit is taught to pace , When dreadfull A we does force Him to submit Not to the Rider , but his Whip , and Bit. 8. But as the Tinder never fails to catch The smallest Spark , although it certain be To burn with it : So doth thy Madnes snatch At every glistering Sin and Vanitie , And hug it close , although the treacherous Guest Be sure to kindle Hell-fire in thy Breast . 9. When riper years to manly Acts invite Thy well-grown Soule , thou dost its Strength imploy . In the soft trade of amorous Delight , Of bitter Sweets , of delicate Annoy , Of fawning Rhymes , of witty Fooleries , Of dainty Perjuries , of smiling Lies . 10. To Sheers and Needle Thou thy Selfe enslavest And at the mercy art of each new Cut , And upstart Garb : Yet when thou in thy bravest Some most belaced Servitude dost strut , Some newer Fashion doth usurp , and thou Unto its antick Yoke durst not but bow . 11. Thus through a thousand Shapes thou art content To crowd thy Selfe , Her favour to obtain Who is as Various as the Complement Of thine uncertain Fashions ; every plain And right-down 〈◊〉 thou shunst , and so doth she ; Thy Body and Her Mind still changing be . 12. Yet thou inshrin'st in thy devoted Breast Her idoliz'd Idea : Night and Day Thou mak'st thy thoughtfull Self her Zealous Preist , And dost thy foolish Sacrifices pay : For every Lineament , and every Part Of her , thou mak'st divine in thy fond Heart . 13. A Curle of silly feeble Hair , which is The Sport and Scorn of every idle Winde , Like to some adamantine Chain can seize And captivate thy most unmanly Minde ; Which vain Captivity of thine alone Makes Hair wear Locks denomination . 14. Her . Motions , and her Gestures travers'd are By thy admiring Thoughts , and Thou dar'st vow That silver Venus through hir limpid Sphear Swimms with lesse gagliardise , and knows not how So well to justifie her Stile , and prove Her Self the Queen of soft leggiadrous Love . 15. Thy Soule Thou pour'st out as a free Oblation On her smooth lip , thy Altar of delight , Whence thou receiv'st with joyous adoration The Blessings of her Kisse . Her calmy Sight Thou think'st thy Heav'n , and in her smiling Eye ! Readst all the Sweets of thy Fools Paradise . 16. But if a coy Frown , or denying Glance Becloud that Hemisphear of thy fond Blisse ; How are thy Comforts cast into a Trance Of knawing Dread , and anxious Distresse ! Happy , in earnest happy , Thou mightst prove Couldst thou so much thy God or Fear , or Love . 17. When thou in Matrimonial Bands art ti'd , ( Bands which will onely by Deaths Sythe be cut , Although they seem as soft as did thy Bride , ) From thine own Freedome thou dost freely shut Thy self , not knowing but that yoke to thee May prove more heavy than Virginitie . 18. Thou saw'st but half thy Mistresse , all those years Thou drov'st so hot the Wooers blinded trade , And hadst full power to Take or Leave : but Fears And Doubts are now too late , since Thou hast made The bargain up ; not all the World can ease thee ; Content thou must be , though she doth not please thee . 19. If she proves Barren , who is thus thy Spouse , Alas , Such are thy Hopes and Joyes ; If she With numerous issue fill thine eyes and house , What warrant halt that these will Blessings be ? They 〈◊〉 may be Bad , nor canst thou tell But thou hast helped to impeople Hell . 20. No Bed so thick with Thorns did ever grow , As does the Nuptial : what large Crops of Cares In every time and season doth it show ! How fertile is it in perpetuall Fears ! In Winter and in Summer it doth bear , And spreads it Harvest over all the year . 21. But if Thou art content to be a drie And Fruitlesse Tree , and dost thy self contain In the severe Bounds of Virginitie ; Intestine War will in thy bosome reigh , And Legions of Temptations alwaies be In Arms against thy single Chastitie . 22. Thy faire Estate will call loud for an Heire , So will thy Name . and natural Philauty ; So will the thought of crazie Age , and Fear Of wanting an unfeigned Friends supply When years shall downward bow thee to thy grave , And Cormorants gape for that which thou shalt leave . 23. The World will heap on thy Severitie Bold Imputations , and judge that thou Dealst underhand for what should purchas'd be In open legal manner ; Or will grow Into 〈◊〉 , Pertinacitie Doth scorn all Females , or all Females thee . 24. Wouldst thou be Rich ? through the tempestuous Seas Within three Inches of thy Death must thou Saile from thy quiet Home , and ever be At the disposal of all Windes that blow ; Then must thou delue , and unto Hell draw neer , Before to thee thy Pluins will appear . 25. Where though thou dost thy largest Coffers fill , Thy Heart 's as poor , and empty as before : The cursed thirst of Gold grows hotter still , Although all Indus thou on it dost poure . The peevish Itch thus proves more fruitfull when Thou rubb'st and strivest with the tainted skin . 26. And now thou who before couldst safely sleep , For fear of Robbers break'st thy nightly rest ; About thy Bags thy thoughtfull heart doth keep Perpetuall watch . Unhappy fool ! at least . Consider , though thy Gold thou holdst so fast , Thy self thou canst not , who must die at last . 27. Die , die thou must , and an account give up Of all the store which thou hast hoarded here : Those Bags on which thy heart did build its Hope But rich and heavy Torments will appear ; And thou shalt blesse their Poverty who had No Reckonings to make up when they were Dead . 28. Is Poverty thy Lot ? Then look to be The helplesse Butt of Wrong and of Disgrace : Thy joints must buckle to hard Industrie ; Continuall Sweat must reak upon thy face ; Yet wanting what should fill , and hide thy skin , Thou shalt without be naked , and within . 29. If thou to thy assistance Vice dost call , And by thy sins thy Fortunes hop'st to mend ; Thou diggst a Pit wherein thy Selfe must fall , And to thy hellish Foes dost Succour lend ; Thou spendst thine onely stock , and hast'st to be A wofull Bankrupt to Eternitie . 30. If thou a rich-descended Heir art born , 'T is ods , but that thy Birth doth thee 〈◊〉 : Such wealth its dutie thinketh it to scorn In Industries laborious Paths to goe : 'T is Worth enough , if a young Gallant can Look big , Luxuriate , and write Gentleman . 31. In Learnings Lists dost thou Desire to trie Thy Strength ? this makes all Ignorants thy Foes ; ( And they well-neer are All. ) yet couldst Thou flie Their reach and Envy ; still intestine Woes Will drown thy learned Joyes , which needs must be , ( Witnesse great Solomon ) stinging Vanity . 32. Dar'st Thou Scorn Arts ? then dar'st Thou be a Beast ; Or rather more than so ; Beasts Scorn them not . Thy Scorn's Prides Daughter , and thou dost resist The course of thy Designe , whilst thou dost shut Out Arts and Sciences , the Wings whereby Proud Spirits , as well as Generous , soar high 33. But if thou choosest Virtues craggie Way , And dar'st despise whate'r Thou see'st beneath ; If thy dull Bodies Burden cannot sway Thee downward ; if this Life to thee be Death ; If high thine Aim , if heav'nly be the Heat Which doth in thy Heroick Bosome beat ; 34. Right generous is thy Enterprise ; but yet Strong Difficulties throng about it thick ; Bold inbred Dangers will encounter it , Whilst thy wilde Passions all against it kick ; Nay thine own Heart , unlesse thy Care be great , Will Traytor prove , and its own Plots defeat . 35. Besides ; All They whose Bosomes tainted be With banefull Sins Contagion , will joyn Their malice in a fell conspiracie Thy single Piety to undermine ; For all thy Virtue checks and chides their Vice , And Thy fair Glories shame their Villanies . 36. Thou art their Scandal , and their Fame doth call Upon their deepest wariest Cares for aid Against that Blot thy Beauty throwss on all Those who of Virtues Hardship are afraid . What Weapons wilt thou finde to force back them ! How shall thy Vessell strive against the Stream ! 37. Yet through this rampant Sea of Opposition Couldst Thou force ope thy way : What wouldst Thou doe Against those stouter Billows of Perdition Which foam and roar wherever Thou dost goe ? Hell and its Prince , their utmost Powers combine To terrifie , and to enervate thine . 38. And sure this Tempest would effect its Spight On thy weak Bark , did not kinde Heav'n descend In pare aforehand : did not Grace's light With cordial Assistance Thee befriend , Did she not steer thy course , and bid thee ride Secure upon the most outrageous Tide . 39. Thy Life is nothing but a Tragick Sceen Of most inevitable Death , if she By seasonable Help comes not between Thy faint Soule and its dire Catastrophe : Grace onely doth condemned Man reprieve From fatall Woes , and teach his Life to live . 40. T was blessed Charis , who so fast did move Phylax his Wings when He to Psyche flew , And with the wholsome speed of heav'nly Love Her from the Jaws of the Cerinthians drew , By shewing her the horror of that Pit Where Heresie . and all her Brood did sit 41. But Phylax from that Grotreturned now , His Chariot takes again , and her with it : Straight Gitton and Samaria sunk below ; For warned by the motion of their Bit The lusty Coursers took their sprightful wing , And justling through the Clouds , away did fling . 42. As Psyche wonder'd whether they would flie , She found her Selfe rapt to a gentle Sphear : No Winde durst ever venture up so high Nor blow up any Tempests tumults there . The onely Gales which in this Orb did move Were the delicious Breaths of Heav'n and Love . 43. The onely Clouds which there did meet her Eye Thick Volumes of religious Ineense were ; The onely Noise which rooled through that skie Were holy Echo's , that to her did bear The sweet Resounds of those rich Anthems which The Throats and Hearts of joyfull Saints did stretch . 44. She mused much to think what Creatures were Inhabitants in that calm Sea of Blisse : When loe a Troop of glistering Towers drew neer As her swift Chariot further on did presse ; And straight a goodly Palace fill'd her Eye With large and high-erected Majesty 45. Directly thither , for they knew the way . The Coursers speeded , neighing as they slew : But Phylax pluck'd the Reins , to bid them stay When neer unto the outer Gate they drew Then lighting with his Virgin-pupill ; He Warnd her to ponder well what She did see . 46. Never , said he , my Dear , those Eyes of thine , Though they have travell'd through the World so far , Were honored with Object so divine As these with which they now saluted are ; No Pile e'r swell'd to such bright statelinesse ; All Princes Courts are Cottages to this . 47. That pompous Fabrick which great Davids Son Built for a greater King , was poor and plain If it be brought into comparison With this Magnificence which here doth reign : As Shaddows doe the Substance , so does that But blindly intimate this Temples state . 48. The Gold which shin'd , the Stones which sparkled there Were all th' ignoble Sons of dirty Earth ; But these substantial Glories flaming here Owe to Heav'ns Wombe their most illustrious Birth : Nor was the Work atcheiv'd by Mortal Hand , Which firm as Immortality doth stand . 49. Hadst Thou my Wings , and through the Sphears couldst flie Heav'ns most imperial Palace there to read ; That Spectacle would onely feast thine Eye With a more ample Copie , wider spred And fuller drawn ; a Copie , of what here Is written in a smaller Character . 50. Mark well its Situation : Caucasus , The Alps , th' Athlantick Mountains , Ararat , Noble Olympus , nobler Lybanus , Are in their highest exaltations not Halfe so sublime as is this royal Hill Which almost in both Worlds at once doth dwell . 51. It s Head thou see'st to Heav'n next Neighbour is ; And upon Hell its Foot is surely set ; On Hell , which often has repin'd at this Oppressing Burden , and oft strove to get Its neck from under it ; but still in vain The Powers of all that vexed Pit did strein . 52. For loe the Mountain's all one solid Rock Compacted in the Strength of Unity : Though Hills of Brasse should yeild unto the shock Of Violence ; though Earths vast Base should be Shouldred out of its place , this Mount would stand And laugh to scorn them who against it band . 53. So stands the craggie Promontory sure With head erected high above the Storme , When all the Windes against its Site conjure , And thousand Waves with high-swolln fury arme : It stands , and sees the Blasts blown out of breath , And all the 〈◊〉 shattered beneath . 54. But mark the fabrick of this outer Gate , And tell me if thou ever saw'st a more Unlikely Passage to a Court of State : Strong the Materialls are , but yet the Door Is built so low , and so extreemly narrow , That Worms , not Men , seem fit to scramble thorow 55. And Worms indeed the Passengers must be , Poor , thin , and humble Things , which enter here ; Big puffing Pride , must never hope that She Shall through this Portal crowd ; or Worldly Care Swelld with Incumbrances , and lagg'd with Sin , At this small mystick Needles Eye thrust in . 56. He whose unhappy Bosome 's stuff'd with Gold , Whilst all his Baggs lie heaped in his Heart ; He who in Fat and Ease himselfe doth fold , And never was shrunk up by any Smart ; Too burlie is to enter here , and fit Through Hells wide-gaping Jaws alone to get . 57. All secular Impostumes , which doe rise From any Humors Superfluity , From any Lusts , or any Vanities , From inward or from outward Luxury , Can at this humble Passage finde no room , But damm the Way to all that Laden come . 58. This said : He led the 〈◊〉 to the Gate ; Where though she shrunk and closely gatherd up Her selfe within her Selfe , yet still to great She found her bulk , that she was 〈◊〉 to stoop , And crowd , and struggle hard , e'r she could win Tenuity enough there to thrust in . 59. But being entred , a large Court she saw , And yet almost as strait as was the door , Such Difficulties all about did grow , Such high , such stony , craggie Pathes , such store Of troublesome Shrubs and Thorns , all which did threat With wounds , snares , and obstructions , her feet . 60. Yet by the Angels prudent Conduct she Rubb'd through , but with the cost of sweat and pain : When loe with recreating suavitie A second gale her eyes did entertain , A gate as glorious , and as venerable , As was the other poor and despicable . 61. The Posts of milkie Alabaster were , So was the Lintell ; but the Leaf was all Of purest Chrystall , that those who drew neer , Before the Door was opened , might fall In love with those interior beauties which Themselves through that cleer perspective did reach . 62. But Psyche here observ'd a serious Maid Who kept the Keys of that transparent Gate , Upon the ground disconsolately laid , Like one who felt and waild the wrath of Fate : Held by her left hand was her heavie head , And on her heavier heart her right was spred . 63. Part of her Tresses Sorrow off had torn , And scatter'd on the ground : what did remain , Neglect dishevell'd clotted and forlorn About her ears : Her foreheads native Plain Was plowd up by Self-indignation , and Deep were the Furrows of that wofull Land . 64. Her pensive Eyes so overladen were With constant clouds , that downward to the earth They alway look'd : The weather ne're was clear With Her , but when one Tempest had broke forth , Another crowded on ; or rather one Continual flood did from her Fountains run . 65. The beauties of her Cheeks , this wash'd away , And through their Hils two sallow Chanels made ; This marshall'd the soft Pearls in sad array Upon her Clothes , which often rent she had ; This made the countenance of the neighbour ground In the exuberant brine of hers be drownd , 66. Of Whips , and Rods before her lay an heap Red with the Vengeance on her body she With them had taken : Far far thence was Sleep , For palefac'd Watching , stern Austeritie , Hollow cheek'd Fasting , pious Shame and Fear , Had in a circle all besieged Her . 67. In stead of Powders to perfume her Head , Cold contemptible Ashes there were strown , Which an untimely Hoarines did spread Upon her Locks , and preach to Her her own Beginning , and her End , that certain Dust From whence she came , and unto which she must , 68. As Psyche mused who this Maid should be , Which like a wofull Prey to Greife did lie ; Howe'r she looks , said Phylax , this is she Whom onely Heav'n intrusteth with the Key Of this fair Palace ; she , whose piteous look Hath writ her Worth so high in Gods own Book ; 69. Her Name is Penance , and with her must All Who are ambitious here to get access , Into familiar acquaintance fall , And love her painfull Life , and Wretchednes : Though her embraces comfortlesse may seem And cold , yet heav'nly heats doe glow in them . 70. Delightfull Ease lies nestling in her Smart , Securitie in habits in her Fears , Content keeps house in her disconsolate heart , Pure Joy doth bathe it selfe in all her Tears , And in the frowning Furrows of her sadnes Are sown the seeds of everlasting gladnes . 71. This Word threw Psyche strait upon her knee , To beg the favour of that mournfull Mayd ; Who rais'd her self with ready Courtesie , And pray'd the stranger not to be afraid ; Welcome , she cry'd , and seal'd it with a Kisse , And in her sober Arms she hug'd her thrice . 72. Shee bug'd her thrice ; and every time she shot Quite through her Soule griefs secret influence : Whereby intire Possession she got Of all her thoughts , in which she left no sence Or rellish of Terrestrial delight , But fitted her to see this heav'nly sight . 73. Which done ; upon his humble Head she spred Part of her Tears , and of her Ashes part ; Then her unto the Door she kindely led ; Which , as she touch'd it , did wide open start : Straitway a Gale of holy Pleasures flew Forth at the Gate , and full on Psyche blew . 74. Thus enterd in , she there espies a Well Of cleerer Chrystall farr than was that Door ; And heer , said Phylax , Puritie doth dwell , Of limpid Life heer lives the endless Store ; These Streams alone can conquer that deep Stain Which in the tainted Universe doth reign . 75. No foolish Nymphs are dabbling in this Spring , But Graces genuine , and numberless , And all divine , are heer inhabiting , Who with their Beauties every Commer bless ; Faind Venus from her native Sea did rise Less fair than those this Fountain purifies . 76. For this is Baptisms holy Fountain , where All They must wash the other World away , Who in this Court of new Life would appear , And of Nights Bratts turn Children of the Day ; Prophane unwashen feet farr hence must be , This holy Ground belongs to Sanctity . 77. But of such everlasting Virtue is This sacred Liquor , that one Drenching will Sufficient be ; and 't is Presumptuousness A second time its noble Dropps to spill : Thou who art wash'd already , hast no need Of further clensing ; but mayst now proceed . 78. This said : He leads her forward through a Way Pav'd all with Softnes and sincere Delight , Unto the Palace , which did now display Its princely fulnesse unto their free Sight : Magnifick was its Aspect , and upon The Rock , look'd like another Mount of Stone . 79. A Mount of Marble polished and white , But with such Architecture varied , That Majestie was temperd with Delight . Thus all the Countenance of Heav'n is spred With Awe , and Beautie , that Spectators may Both Love and Reverence unto it pay , 80. What goodly Pillars , Walls , and Towers were there ! What Rows of Lights in equidistant grace ! What learn'd Engravings lived every where , Impeopling with quaint Anticks each spare place ! With what brave strife did cunning Art contend How she the rich Materialls might transcend . 81. But now by Twelve fair stepps advanc'd into The Hall they came ; an Hall of Majesty ; Which all the outward Bravery did so Exceed , that Psyche almost lost her Eye In walking through the several Wonders which Did every corner of the Room enrich . 82. The Floor with glittering silver all was spred , The Almug Walls with royall Arras drest , The Cedar Roof with Gold embellished , With glorious Paint the Windows : Such a Feast Of goodly Sights She never saw before , Though She had viewed all Agenor's store , 83. Yet this was but the handsome Case and Skin Of that which did Majestick make the Place ; For round about upon the Walls were seen Innumerable Spoils , which she , who was Queen of the Palace , in her Warrs had wonn , And hung them heer as Proofs what she had done , 84. Heer by their Horns Dilemma's hanging were , And of bigg Syllogismes the empty Skinns . Bold busie Wit hung tame and quiet heer ; Heer Rhetorick with all her cunning Ginns About her own Neck wound ; heer all the Pride Of secular Wisdome , was close Captive ti'd . 85. Next-those that Insolent Severitie , That humble Arrogance , which once did reign In the admired Porch , hung dead and drie ; And chained Zeno knit his Brows in vain To see that Doctrine which cost Him so deer , By conquering Truth hung up in triumph heer . 86. And yet some comfort 't was that He beheld The Pythagorean Prudence hanging by , And its great Master , though He would not yeild It fit for Men with Flesh to satisfie Their hunger , forc'd by Madness now to eat Himselfe , and make his chained Arms his Meat , 87. Nor had the Epicurean Discipline Better successe , for it was Captive here ; Where both with shame and hunger it did 〈◊〉 Paying full dear for its luxuriant Cheer ; All lank and thin it hung , like nothing lesse Than the full treasurie of voluptuousnes 88. Th●● AEgyptian learning , black , as blackest Hell , Where it was bred and born , hung also here , Nor could invent with all its Magick skill Any mysterious Charm or Character To conjure down it self from that disgrace To which ●●rait Prisner here it fastned was . 89. By these , the 〈◊〉 snatch'd from the furthest Parts Of the strange Indian 〈◊〉 hung one by one : The proud Gymnosophists , and Braehmans Arts , ( For noble Bartholomew did thither run , And Thomas too , by Heav'ns direction sent , Who spred their Conquests wheresoe'r they went , 90. So did the Persians Astrologick skill , And what in Balaams Midian Schole was taught A mighty prize was this , as being full With thousand Sects of various Learning fraught ; Yet none of these could Calculate that they Should unto Catholick Truth become a Prey . 91. Nor did the Academick Glory scape , Although fage Plato rais'd it fair and high , For here it hung in contemptible shape , Appearing more like reverend foolery , Than genuine Wisdome , and lamenting that It reach'd so near to Truth , yet reach'd it not . 92. Next this , the Oracles of the Stagirite , ( That God of Logicall and wrangling Brains , Hung all in wounded miserable plight , Unable to confute their conquering Chains , And wish'd that they their Masters fate had seen , And with him drown'd in Euripus had been . 93. On one side of the Hall these marshall'd were , And on the other full as great a Crew : For all the Sadducean Points hung there , Too late lanenting what they found most true That they from thence should no Redemption have Who held no Resurrection from the Grave 94. And in the same condition hanging was Wicked 〈◊〉 , and woefull now ; Perceiving that to its distressed Cause Its rotten Deitie could no help allow ; That Herod proved no such kinde of thing As Christ , of Glory , and of Power King . 95. 〈◊〉 Prudence also had its share Among the rest , in this Captivitie ; Although its ways , and grounds , and doctrines , were Neerest of kin to Truth and Firmitie : Indeed she made the least resistance , and Was therefore tyed in the gentler band . 96. But puff'd with zealous Ignorance , and Pride , The 〈◊〉 Discipline held out With bold defiance , and a good while tri'd Whether she or this Champion were more stout ; And much she might have done , had truth not been 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bring her Prisner in 97. Yet after Her innumerable fries Of foule and desperate Vermine undertook The War again , and by degrees did rise From sucking sneaking Schisms , untill they broke Into the monstrous amplitude of those Black Heresies whose depth Hell onely knows . 98. The Authors lately in their native Pit . Psyche beheld ; and here the Brood She sees ; The hideous Portents of malicious Witt , And pretie-pretending Villanies , Which now perforce did their own shame confess All hanging in their odious Nakednes . 99. They naked hung ; yet clothed in their Gore , Which Liverie too they gave unto the Wall , Whilst they with rage their viperous Members tore , And upon one another spit their Gall , Stark mad their huge and warlike selves to see The Subjects of eternal Triumph be . 100. Heroick were these Spectacles : But yet The upper end of this illustrious Hall With gallanter Memorials was beset , For all about upon the mighty Wall Hung goodly Tables , offring to the Ey A full account of larger Victory . 101. The first , subdued Asia did display , Where Conquest at Jerusalem begun Her noble Progresse , breaking ope her way Quite through the Heart of every Region , Nor staid her Chariot , untill it met The ●ising Sun's , and fairer shew'd than it . 102. The second , generous Europe did present , The Queen of Arms and Arts , and yet too weak And silly to confute or stop the dint Of Christian genuine Lustre , which did break Through all her Quarters till both Rome and Grecce Yeilded , and su'd for Euangelick Peace . 103. Hot sandy Africk boiled in the Third , Where all its Monsters gentle grew and tame ; Not frighted by the lightning of the Sword , But mollifi'd by Christs all-conquering Name , Which wun , ( though with an Eunuch it began , ) At length the mightiest , and compleatest Man . 104. The Fourth , was but prophetick yet , in which Decyphered was a strange untutored World , In golden Mines , and Veins of Silver rich , But poor in every thing beside , and hurld To the Back-side of all these Parts which then Were known unto this Universe's Men. 105. Yet was the Church assur'd that she should through The vast Atlantick reach her conquering Arm , And on that Western Ev'n her East bestow , Which Pagan Hearts with heav'nly Heats might warm ; She was assur'd her Baptism Streams upon The wealthy Shore of noble Plate should run . 106. When Psyche had her Admiration to These splendid Marvells paid , which one by one Phylax expounded ; Her he hasts to goe ; For goodlier Sights , said He , this Mansion Does yet afford : These but the Preface be ( And poor enough ) to what thou now shalt see . 107. With that , He up a princely Stair-case brings Her to the Presence-chamber of the Queen . O what illustrious and celestial Things Where in this Shrine of holy Glories seen ! Which whilst to Psyche Phylax Pointed , He Was ravished well neer as much as She. 108. This pretious Pavement first observe , said He , Thy foot ne'r trampled on such Worth as this ; The Floors no less than pure Humility Which lies as smooth as Politures own Dress , Yet softer than those Carpets are , whose sweet And silken Kisses flatter Princes feet . 109. The Walls are built of neither Wood nor Stone , No nor of Brasse , of Silver , or of Gold , Or any Substance which Duration Can make decrepite as it groweth old : O no ; the rich Materials are such As wretched Weaknesse must not dare to touch . 110. For they of Strength and of Securitie A mixture are and Correspondence keep With their Foundation , which doth fixed lie Upon a Rock that scorns what all the Deep Can doe against it ; And these Walls disdain The stoutest Pow'rs which in the Aire do reign . 111. The Roof whose patent Arch and azure Hue Like Heav'ns Epitomie , above doth flow , With no Hypocrisie deludes the view , Being conscious of more worth than it doth show Whate'r it seems unto thy mortal Sense , It is no less than God's own Providence , 112. Those middle Pillars which so stoutly set Their lusty shoulders under it , are cast Of sound substantial Faith ; though Rocks should split . Though Earths vast Grounsells which are ●amme'd fast Unto the Centre , should in peeces flie , These still will hold their own Soliditie . 113. That strange Soliditie , whose mystick Root Cross unto all the world beside doth grow ; For its profoundly-paradoxik foot Implanted is above , and not below ; Whilst by Loves all uniting-strengthning Art , The Roof it self the Pillars doth support . 114. Those spatious Windows there , which 〈◊〉 Eye Open its way to Heav'n 〈…〉 ( The brittle Embleme of 〈◊〉 Vanitie But of firm Hope , through which the Soul doth pass . And climb aforehand to tho● Joves above Which have monopoliz'd her loyal Love . 115. That golden Chymney , and the Fire which there With unconsuming Sweetness flames so high , The Shop and fervent Operations are Of strong and never-idle Charity ; Whose soft Extremities of fostering Heat In the brave Pulse of pious Hearts doth beat . 116. But this resplendent Mount of Majesty , Which in the middle of the Room doth rise , This Diamond Throne , whose Glorie doth outvie The beams of Solomons , erected is For Her whose Beauties make the seat appear But poor and dim , when it supporteth Her . 117. Just as He spake , from her retiring Room Attended by her most majestick Train , Unto that Throne the Queen her self did come , And justifie the Angels word : In vain The Diamonds Sparkles were , which all gave way , To Hers , as Stars to Phoebus , and his Day . 118. In her sweet Looks , such blessed Gallantrie Triumphant was , that Psyche judged Her To be no Daughter of Mortalitie , But sprung from heavenly Race ; nor did she fear Idolatrie in worshipping that Face Which of much more than Heav'n the Mirrour was . 119. But as she for prostration did prepare , Phylax adviseth her to satisfie Her eyes profoundest Hunger with the Chear , The royall Chear , whose superfluitie Was so excessive ; And Thou then , said He , Shalt know who is this Queen of Sweets , from Me. 120. This Item She obey'd : But as a Childe Into some Princes Garden brought , which He Sees with innumerable Beauties fill'd ; Yeelds up himself to daintie ecstasie , Not knowing where he should begin to gather , Seeing every flower woo's Him from one another : 121. So in delicious Confusion She Among the Graces of this Empresse lost , Her wondring Self , nor could resolved be Which Part deserv'd her admiration most ; She look'd to finde one better than the rest , Yet saw at last , all in their kinde were best . 122. For from the head of the accomplish'd Queen Unto her foot there was no room for Blame : Sooner shall Pitch in Venu's Raies be seen , Sooner shall Glories face be damp'd with Shame , Sooner shall Christa ! guilty be of Blots , Than purer She can be accusd of Spots . Cant. 4. 7. 123. As through the roseal Casements of the East 6. 10. Aurora looks when fresh come out of Bed ; So is her briskly-blooming Aspect drest With all the Delicates of Blushing Red ; Yet though these Streames of Blushes overflow , They keep firm truce still with their neighbour snow . 124. As goodly Phoebe in th' unclouded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Smiles with chaste Beautie , so doth 〈◊〉 She ; But yet more spotlesse , for Sols Majesty Doth with her virgin Mildenesse here agree , The Moons sweet silver , and his stately Gold Are in this faces sphear together roll'd . 125. Yet such its temper is , that if bold Eyes ibid: Confront it , no lesse Terror flames in it Than from a marshall'd Army doth surprise Cold-harted Cowards , when the Standards get Free leave to poure their awful Colours through The Aire , and the bright Banners open flow , 126. This makes the Ladies pretious feature be 〈◊〉 As pleasant as the graceful Structure is Of beauteous Tirza ; and her Majesty As rich as Salems was in Comelinesse When her best Excellence had crown'd her Queen Of all things that below the Sun were seen . 127. As the illustrious Tree of Victorie , 〈◊〉 The verdant Palm , lifts her triumphant Head Above the vulgar Shrubs ; so flameing She Her portly Stature . And 't is fairly read In the Halls noble Characters , how near Of kin the Palm and She by Conquests are . 128. Carmel which looks from his exalted Seat 〈◊〉 With state , upon the Vales that creep beneath , And is so strong in high-grown Woods , so sweet In fragrant Pastures , fairly copieth Her princely Head , the Crown which there is set T' enoble all the Members under it , 129. As from steep Gilead the milkie Flocks 4. 1. Of climbing Goats doe gracefully appear ; Such is the beautie of her slaxen Locks , Whilst like young Kids their Curles all sporting are . And by their sport , though feeble Chains they be , Do Captive take the King of Majestie . 7. 5. 130. Under the daintie shelter of her Hair 4. 3. Half-hid , half-ope her pretious Temples lie , Which like a rich Pomgranate lovely are , And lovelier by that open secrisie ; For what is naked , speaks for what is hid , And more desire doth in Spectators breed . 131. Who by Bethrabbim Gate hath ever seen 7. 4. The Pools of Heshbon 〈◊〉 to the brim , Where living Smiles inhabit , where sereen And genuine Puritie delights to swim , Where both the Stars by Night , and Sun by Day As in a softer Heav'n rejoice to play ; 132. The Embleme of Her Eyes He hath beheld ; Her Eyes , the limpid Mirrour whence those beams Which dart forth Loves and Joyes , which sweetly gild Spectators Hearts , poure out their daintie streams ; Her Eyes , the softest Nest of brightest Blisse , The purest springs of mystick Paradise . 133. That white and stately Tower of Marble which 7. 4. Down from its Lebanon its Looks extended Unto Damascus , did but onely teach What Princely Beautie Her fair Nose commended , Whose Alabaster Prominence doth by Its situation gain that Majesty . 134. Her Lips of Scarlet are a fine-spun Thred ; 4. 3. Yet not so fine or beauteous as is The rare Effusion which through them is shed Wher that sweet spring of 〈◊〉 doth bless 〈◊〉 Auditors , when vocal Gold Ana Honey , from th' enclosed longue is roll'd . 135. No Sheep new shorn and even , and come but now 4. 2 From 〈◊〉 , all in 〈◊〉 order , can Afford the 〈◊〉 more delightfull show , Than her two Ranges of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when A 〈◊〉 , or some such sweet Occasion hath Display'd the equal 〈◊〉 of her 〈◊〉 . 136. As Davids goodly Tower , the dwelling place 4. 4. Of Beautie and of strength ; such is her Neck ; A thousand mighty Sheilds that Fort doe grace , And full as many Jewels this doe deck ; Or rather decked are by hanging there ; Their wealthy Place for them can lustre spare . 137. Two tender Roes . the Sons both of one Dame , 4. 5 And of one Birth , which in a little field Are put to Pasture ; in another Name Are her two Breasts , with lovely softnes swell'd , Which in her Bosomes fragrant Carden feed Amongst those whitest Sweets which there are bred . 138. Her royal Roab was all of purest silk ; In softnes parallel to her own skin Which it embrac'd , in whitenes to her Milk ; A cunning Needle over it had run , And scatter'd pritty Hils and Valleys , where Neat Flocks of Lambs feeding and sporting were . 139. But as when Aprils gentle Breath doth wake 4. 11. The flowrie Eyes of Lebanon , or plays Against his pretious Boughs , the Odours take The soft alarm , and their sweet Powers raise : So this rich Vestures blessed smell replies To the least Call of every Gale that flies . 140. In either Hand she held a massie Key , Which like two Scepters she did stoutly sway ; The one of beaten burnish'd Gold , which she Hug'd in her Right-hand ; for the royall way Through Heav'ns bright Gate is alway locked up , Except this priviledg'd Key doth set it ope . 141. That in her Left , of swarthy Iron is ; A fatal dreadfull Key , which locks the Door Of everlasting Torments foule Abyss Where Anathematized Soules doe 〈◊〉 . Proud Belzebub , although he Soveraign be Of Hell , yet keeps not his own Kingdomes Key . 142. The Diadems of gareish Gold and Gems Unto the 〈◊〉 of mortal Kings she leaves An heav'nly flame about Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , And a full Crown of living glory 〈◊〉 , Which Miter-like , and like the mystick 〈◊〉 Of Cloven-Tongnes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , doth 〈◊〉 143. But for a Canopie above her head No Babylonian Embroydery , No Tyrian nor Phrygian Texture's spread , No artificiall Help of Majesty ; No State which cannot last , if by the aid Of Pillars and of Cords it be not staid . 144. A Dove , not hatch'd in sublunary Nest , Nor hatch'd at all , but of eternal Breed . Weigh'd on his equal Wings , takes up his rest At neer , but comely Distance o'r her Head . Where by his wide-spred silver Fethers 〈◊〉 Becomes her Ornament , and 〈◊〉 . 145. This was the Queen : on whom as Psyche gazed , Thou hast no canse , my Dear said 〈◊〉 , so At her high Gallantry to be amazed . If thou but know'st what is her Name , and who The King her Spouse . O pitty then , cri'd she , Sweet Tutor , this my Ignorance and Me. 146. He , by a speaking Smile at first , then by These Words , his modest Pupill satisfi'd : This Queen , Ecclesia is . unto the high And mighty King of Kings the soveraign Bride : Poor of her Selfe , and sprung from Mortal Race , But thus advanced by his bounteous Grace . 147. Those Princes whom the foolish World admire , Are fain to make a tedious Search to finde Ladies whose florid Beauties may conspire With the 〈◊〉 of their lustfull Minde , And often for a Dowry hunt , that so The Mayd , and Money they may Marry too . 148. But it becomes Heav'ns Emperour to make Rather than seek a Spouse which him may please ; Nor can it with his Greatnesse stand to take A Portion with his Bride , who Owner is Of more than thine , or Phoebu's larger Eye Could in his furthest Travells e'r descry . 149. She crooked was , alas , and black before , A Throne on which Deformity did reign : Such heaps of odious Blains , and Boils , such Store Of Wrinkles and Distortions , such plain Right-down Uncleannesse could not any where Be found in one Colluvies , but in Her . 150. Indeed when first She in her Filth was born Ezech. 16. 4. No friendly Hand came in to wash her clean , Or cut her Navel ; helplesse and foriorn In her foule Blood She lay till be sent in His yearning Providence Relief to give , Which on Deaths brink commanded her to live . 151. She liv'd ; but still so as her life confest By its Procession , what its Entrance was ; Yet when all other Lovers did detest The thought of her most ougly vile Embrace , Jesus stepps in , and cries , Why may nor she Grow beauteous by my Superfluity ? 152. Then from 〈◊〉 exuberant Store of his own Graces Ten thousand rich and radiant Things he takes , Which all about the wondering Mayd he places , And of a Worm , this Queen of Glory makes , Who as thou 〈◊〉 thus Embellished Prepared was for his 〈◊〉 Bea. 153. And that his Empresse might attended be With a Retinue suitable unto Her royal Selfe ; that Train Magnificent He Both furnish'd , and maintaineth for Her : Loe With what prest forwardnesse they waiting are About her sparkling Throne , and fairer Her . 154. The first Rank's of no lesse than threescore Queens , Who yet can from her Service Honor take . Cantic 6. 8 The next's of fourscore goodly Concubines ; But they which doe the outmost Orders make , Where in a Number numberless thy flow , Are Virgins all , both chaste and white as snow . 155. These were the lesser Churches , which were spread About the World so thick in ever Place ; Yet still their Strength and their Dependance had From this most Catholik Majesty , which was Diffus d as wide as they , and never found That Land or Sea which could its Progresse boun . 156. These every Morn , and every Evening raise 6. 9 , Their homage in religious Anthems high , Paying both Admiration and Praise To Her , the Monarch of all Piety ; Since They to Her but Tributaries are , For she alone the Soveraign Crown doth wear . 157. But mark that 〈◊〉 , whose Station is Before the 〈◊〉 , Mayds of true 〈◊〉 , which Injoy the 〈◊〉 this Queen to 〈◊〉 : Their Hands alone adorn her with those rich Embellishments which round about her shine And make her look so heav'nly and divine . 158. That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mayd , is Unity , Whose noble Office is to buckle on Her 〈◊〉 golden 〈◊〉 , and to see That close and fast this 〈◊〉 be done : And how her Duty she performeth , Thou By the Queens small and dainty Waste mayst know . 159. That sober Matrone , in whose stayed Eye And venerable Face so fair are writ The awfull Lines of Heav'n , is Sanctity ; Who every Morn before the Queen doth set Her Selfe to be the Glasse where she may see What Dresse will best become her Majesty . 160. The next , whose soft and yeilding Looks confesse The temper of her Heart , is Patience ; Her Empresse she doth deck with Tendernesse , And makes her slow and loth to take Offence , That all her Subjects by her Softnesse may Be charm'd so kinde a Princesse to obey . 161. But Magnanimity , that high-look'd She , Joins to that Mildnesse , stout and active Fire : This that Virago is , which scorrs to see Any exploit of Gallantry out-vie Her : Ecclesia's brows with Bravery she doth build , And stoutly helps her both her Keyes to weild . 162. She whose wide-open Breasts so fairly swell , And wears as large a Purse ope by her side , Who looks about to see where she may spill Her teeming Charities everlasting Tide , Is Bounty , Almner to the Queen , whom she Doth also dresse with Smiles and Suavity . 163. That other , whose ev'n Look was never knit Into a frown , nor loos'd into a Smile ; Whose right Hand holds a Sword , whose left , a fit And equal Balance , Justice is ; who still As Cases come , her Ladies Eyes doth dresse Either with Anger , or with Friendlinesse . 164. That amiable sweet complexion'd Mayd Is 〈◊〉 , which keeps the Queen so feir ; In all Distempers she with ready And Her 〈◊〉 Health and Beauty doth repair , Her Body sound , her Skin she maketh sleek , She with 〈◊〉 Roses trimms her lovely Cheek . 165. Those other Virtues also every one Their several Office have But Psyche , now Observe that neighbour Combination , Who Virgins also are , that thou mayst know By their great Worth how glorious is she Whose houshold Servants they are proud to be . 166. She who all over written is with Scarrs , Laden with Palms , and clothed round in Blood , Fcclesia s Champion is : ten thousand Warrs She waged hath , and valiantly with-stood Hells and Earths Opposition : her Name Is Martyrdome ; her Story , highest Fame , 167. That plain look'd Mayd , whose course and simple Hue Seems to discredit this illustrious Place , Is Poverty , who though to outward view She shineth not with any courtly Grace , Yet is within as gorgeous and as fair As on their Outsides her Companions are , 168. For Jesus , who the Heart of Things doth see , Was so enamored of her Beauties , that He chose to dwell with her alone , when he Enter'd upon his Theanthronick State ; And found her Worth so high , that he 〈◊〉 Her to Ecclesia when he hence Ascended . 169. The next , her Sister is , Obedience ; Thou never saw'st a Twigg more 〈◊〉 to bow , Nor Wax more pliant , than unto her Prince In all her Mandates she her Selfe doth show : A Will she had once of her own , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gave it her Queen , that so she 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 170. For prudent as she was , right well she knew What an edg'd Tool is every 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Which oft makes its enslaved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Its 〈◊〉 freedome ; whose 〈◊〉 to quell , The 〈◊〉 way she found , was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It to a Wiser 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 Lo there Virginitie her 〈◊〉 : O who Can count the Graces which 〈…〉 , Which all about her dainty Body 〈◊〉 , In 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 Heav'n deeply tell 〈◊〉 love with Her , and she As truly is 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 Indeed the old acquaintance We have 〈◊〉 With 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , makes Us what We are . Unto 〈◊〉 their 〈…〉 She sets Us free from all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And 〈◊〉 Us leave to 〈…〉 The busines of 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 which smilesh in her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with heroick 〈◊〉 For though bold 〈◊〉 be 〈…〉 A common Bridle , and 〈…〉 That Hand he 〈◊〉 which with 〈◊〉 might Is furnish'd and 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 But there stand 〈◊〉 far more noble yet 〈◊〉 Stars of the first and fairest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stars unto which the whole Word is in 〈◊〉 For that Commanding 〈◊〉 which hath 〈◊〉 That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 All Nations its 〈◊〉 Prisners 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 That awfull Maid , 〈◊〉 glorious 〈◊〉 Before whole look the World made haste to bow And take the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon Its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Thou by that Mark 〈◊〉 know . Obrave 〈◊〉 which hast out 〈◊〉 The Course , 〈◊〉 the Glories of the Sun 176. This is the Ladie 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 The faithfull Hands or whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pretious store was put , that 〈◊〉 All pious 〈◊〉 might be anured where They should not 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or their dear Lord 177. But at her back 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apparent Her 〈◊〉 , when to 〈…〉 Yet , 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 The glory her great 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 turns the 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 , to 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 She in whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She whose quick-sighted 〈◊〉 doth wonders see 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Age before they be . 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whose 〈◊〉 doth d well A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sweet and 〈◊〉 too Which 〈…〉 〈◊〉 is that 〈◊〉 which at 〈◊〉 Not in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈…〉 〈◊〉 181. The fift the Mistrels of profounder 〈◊〉 Than 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 knew She 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 nor Herbs to take her Part Nor any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plants doth brew But by her 〈◊〉 or her commanding Breath Knows how to 〈◊〉 both 〈◊〉 and Death . 182. The sixt whose ready and officious Eyes Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth speak Is she who on the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With reverent distance waits : she who doth take The care or those who did not Chartitie Keep open house , would no where narboured 〈◊〉 183. The 〈◊〉 , whose stature is so high , and fair , Whose Snoulaers are to broad , whose breast to 〈◊〉 Whose joints wei-knit , whose bones wel , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But stronger 〈◊〉 her Heart , may be 〈◊〉 by there 〈◊〉 Marks to be no other but brave 〈◊〉 which in the 〈◊〉 is set . 184. See'st Thou the 〈…〉 Can by 〈…〉 And yet 〈…〉 185. She in their proper Dialects can trade With all the World , and Heav'ns Wares set to sale ; No Sound to Sense a Dresse was ever made , But she with it doth strait acquainted fall And can discover whither it doth sit Upon that senses shoulders right and sit . 186. Unhappy Babels Antidote is she And cures the Wound which there did Tongues divide ; All Languages doe in her Lips agree , For to her single Tongue they all are ti'd ; So are their Virtues too , and Eloquence Dwels there in all its kindes of Excellence . 187. But now behold , where at the Queens right Hand As best deserving that illustrious Place , A 〈◊〉 Virgin than all these doth stand , Who 〈◊〉 Soveraigns Gallantrie doth grace : A Virgin 〈◊〉 than her native Home , 〈◊〉 silver Sphears , whence she did hither come . 188. Loe , she from head to foot all naked is , As are the Sun by day , and Stars by night : Her Selfe she with her proper Beams doth dresse As they with their Attire of natural Light : True Beauty never outward help did lack ; 'T is Shame alone which Clothes doth usefull make . 189. Who ever thought the Rose or Lilie stood 〈◊〉 of course unhandsome Nakednesse , Because they never put on borrowed Hood , Content with their own native Sweetnesses ? Or where shall Ornaments be found which may In a new beauteous Garb such Things array . 190. Beleeve it Psyche , She doth but retain Her Countries Fashion : They whose Blisse it is In heav'n above eternaly to reign , Professe no other kinde of Dresse but this : They Naked goe of every thing which might Hide those fair Beams which them all over dight . 191. A Texture all of Glory , soft , and white 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Virgin Soule , doth her surround 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can in the high-noon Face of Light , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of ink in stoods of Milk be 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 may a Critick hope to spie in her 〈◊〉 Roab of Nakednesse , a sound . 192. That Nakednesse , which though it breeds Desire In All whose Hearts are not of obstinate Stone ; It kindles none but sweet and spottlesse Fire , In whose pure Fornace brave Devotion Learns with more sprightfull fervencie to glow , And 〈◊〉 it self refin'd doth grow 193. But ô what generous Powers flame in her face , Pouring her Conquests upon every Eye ! The hardiest he that e'r on Her did gaze , Yeilded , and lov'd his sweet Captivity : Error her selfe , though swell'd with Pride and Hell , In her sweet Presence willingly doth 〈◊〉 194. Her Name is Truth ; and what her Love and Care , Judge by the Tokens which her hands present : That Volume which doth in her left appear , Is the original Old Testament ; That in her right , the New ; which unto her By Those who writ them first , committed 〈◊〉 , 195. For every Leaf of them a Mirrour is , Where She doth read her own unspotted Face . No line is there ; but truely doth expresse Some correspondent Lineament of Grace In her sweet Body , whose all-lovely Looks Are nothing but the Life of those dead Books , 196. Bold Haeresie has often in that Glasse Presum'd to look , and swore that there She 〈◊〉 The true and faithfull Image of her Face : But yet the shamelesse Est as oftenlyed ; That trusty Glasse will no false Colours shew . But unto 〈◊〉 , and Truth alone , is true . 197. But mark what clings about the Virgins 〈◊〉 : A Knot of Things whose Lustre bids 〈◊〉 Eye Be with a glimpse content , and not 〈◊〉 With that which blindes bold 〈◊〉 . Faiths Mysteries they are , which by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Excesse of their own Beams , 〈◊〉 and from 〈◊〉 , 198. In vain Thou seekst these 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 By any Beauty which e r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eye Soule , which in most 〈◊〉 Worth 〈◊〉 , Cannot 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , But happy count 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 they can 〈◊〉 199. And happy Thou my Psyche , who art hither By Heav'ns indulgence , and my Conduct brought , If Thou that Happinesse scornst not to gather Which now is ripe , and woo's thee to reach out Thy Hand and Heart , that both may filled be At highest heav'nliest Wealths own Treasury . 200. Thus Phylax spake : but Psyche all the while Rap'd with these several Glories of the Court , Did with as many Satisfactions Fill Her wondering Soule , and make Luxuriant sport In her new Blisse , untill Truths Contemplation Monopolized all her Admiration . 201. For as the noble Eaglet perched high In a fair prospect to the naked Sun , Doth feast and not with her ravish'd Eye In that bright Sea of Beauty , where alone Her genuine Sight meets with its flaming Love , And by his soveraign Beams its own doth prove : 202. So She with strong impatient Ardour here Stood feeding upon Truthes all-glorious Face ; Yet still with that most satisfying Cheer Remain'd unsatisfi'd , cause such it was ; Till lost in amorous Greedines , she cries , Sweet Guardian help Me , or thy Psyche dies . 203. Phylax , who knew the Soule of that Complaint , ( For on his own it beat , ) with tender Hand Relev'd his Pupill as He saw her faint ; And well , said He , thy Greif I understand , I understand it well , and love it too , Thy Joyes had did , hadst thou not Greived so . 204. The Image of thy late Acquaintance , and Newly ambibed Doctrines , in the Eye Of thy now selfe-revenged Heart doth stand . Checking thy venturous Credulity , Which durst embrace such Monsters , and dismisse A Beauty so divinely Bright as this . 205. Yet let not Sorrow quench thy Hopes , for She All Injuries rejoyceth to forget , And never yet laugh'd at the Misery Of any Heart which would to her submit : Revenge indeed , but soft and sweet she takes , Her Foes to Liberty She Captives makes . 206. This said ; unto the Virgin Her He led ; Whom by their old Acquaintance He desired Her favour on this begging 〈◊〉 to spread , Who with her lustre was already fired : Truth gently smiled at his sweet Request , And by her Looks her forwardnesse confest . 207. Then stooping down where Psyche trembling lay Powring her Tears and Heart before her feet , She mildly took her up , and gave her Joy That She with Her so happily had met ; That word she clos'd with an Embrace , and this With the deer Blessing of an heav'nly Kisse . 208. As when the courteous vernal Sun draw's neer ; And with his tender Raies doth Earth imbrace ; Her cold and 〈◊〉 Veins begin to cheer , New Life and Verdure smile in all her Face ; Inriched and arrayd She gins to be With her bie and with floury gailantrie : 209. So Psyche hugg'd , and gently warmed by The Arms and Lips of Truth , soon felt her breast Before invelopp'd in Obscurity Now by a pure and pretious Light possest ; She felt her inward mystick Day arise , Which gently flourish'd through her wondering Eys . 210. Logos , who had so pert and busy been , Was strangely startled at the sudden Sight ; And now to see his Blindnesse did begin , By the sweet Dawn of this all-opening Light : He saw his Blindnes , and in seeing this Descri'd withall a thousand Mysteries . 211. And that so clearly , that He fear'd no more What Mists Authades in his Way could throw : Agyrtes Charms He scorned , which before Into the pathes of Darknesse him did draw ; This happy Morn He bless'd and kissed , which His Eyes with Heav'ns fair Prospect did enrich . 212. For here far more convincing Things He read Than were his late-adored Demonstrations ; No brisk Distinction here durst show her Head , Or hope to damp those glorious Probations Which on Syneidesis her selfe did get Such power , that unto Them her Seal she set 213. Nor lesse on Thelema this Wonder wrought ; For with intire and free Submission she Bow'd down her mighty Neck , and low did lout To every Thing which Logo's eye did see ; And then she hugg'd them fast within her Heart , Resolved never more with them to part . 214. With high and holy Joy replenished Was humble Psyche at this happy Sight ; All Catholik Verities at large were spred In her bright Soule , whence Scruples took their flight , Resigning all that Region to be Possest by Satisfactions Clarity . 215. Ten thousand Thanks to courteous Truth she paid , And would as many times have paid them o'r ; But Phylax her excesse of Passion staid ; Telling her she must now imploy that Store She here had gain'd , where need call'd for it , and Study how to enrich her native Land . 216. With that she Rose : but strait fell down again Before the Throne to pay her Homage to The Queen , who now high in her Heart did reign : And then with sweeter Cheer prepar'd to goe , Having receiv'd a Benediction from Ecclesia , for her dear Viaticum . 217. But as she went , she bless'd the blessed Place ; And , ô how happy are the Soules , said she , Who in this Holy Courts illustrious Face May be Attendants , and these Glories see With constant freedome , which all Heav'n can dart With one short glimpse on the Spectators Heart ! 218. O happy They , who in this Hall may live Perpetualy these noble Spoiles to read ; And Acclamations of Honor give To Her who all these Monsters Blood did shed ; To Her whom all the World doth yeild to be As large as is it Selfe , in Victory . 219. O happy They , who have but leave to dwell Here in this Praeface to that larger Blisse ! This noble Portch alone doth far excell The fulnesse of all other Palaces : This is the Morning unto Glories Day , The Brink of Joy , the Top of Heav'ns High-way . 220. O happy They , who in this beauteous Court May wait upon the Portch , and feed their Eyes , And with their Eyes , their Hearts , in any Sort , Upon this House and Home of Mysteries . This Neighbourhood to Blisse would serve to be Sufficient Felicity for Me. 221. O happy They , who may permitted be Ev'n in this Realm of Thorns , and craggie Waies , This Field of Hardship and Perplexity , This Maze of Fears and Snares , to spend their Days ! The Prospect to yon' Palace would suffice To blesse and sweeten all Anxieties . 222. O happy They who may remain with Thee , Disconsolate Mayd , ev'n at this outmost Gate ! The Comfort but of such Vicinity To yon' fair Towers , would easily abate The trouble of thy Sighs ; and ne'r would I Repent of Panance's sad Company . 223. With these sweet Plaints she measur'd her Return , Till back unto the Chariot she came : And well was Phylax pleass'd to hear her Mourn , Judging by this how serious was the Flame Of her Affection to that Holy Place In which her Virgin Bosom fired was . 224. Then mounting up , and gently seating her At his right Hand , his mighty Reins he shook And these could scarce before his Coursers stir , For straight their leap into the Air they took , Spreading their Wings wide Oars , by which They through The Waves of that soft Ocean did row . 225. For she remembring well what sad Event Plagu'd her affected Stay in Palestine , By dear-bought Wisdome learn'd to be content To leave this reverend Place , though more divine Temptations here invited her to stay , Since wiser Phylax summon'd her away . 226. So when a Childe , woo'd by the sporting Flame , Is once but scorch'd into a feeling Sense Of the fair-faced Danger ; Fear and Shame , Bow him down to his Nurses ' Providence , And make Him any 〈◊〉 Lustre shun If but her Nodd commandeth Him to run . 227. But he to entertain her by the way With advantageous Discourse , begun To reckon through what worthy Wonders They In their 〈◊〉 Pilgrimages Tract had run : For Repetitions trusty hand doth grave A new Impression , and the old one save . 228. This rouz'd her Soule to recollect how she Had by the Conduct of Heav'ns special Grace Through thousand Dangers pass'd untouch'd , and free , Though Hell and all its Wit engaged was , In open field to crosse , or undermine By secret Wilinesse her brave Designe . 229. A fresh her Minde did feast on every Sweet And Wonderous Thing , which all the way she went With rich Varieties her Eyes did meet ; So clear the Angels Tongue did them present . Drawing All out in ample Statelinesse By the fair Help of Eloquence's Dresse . 230. Thus in a double Chariot did she ride ; But yet in this of his Discourse she fiew With swifter speed , out-running ev'n the tide Of Time it Selfe ; for still her Joies were new , Cheating her Wearinesse as he along Through all her Journeys travell'd with his Tongue . 231. This tun'd her Tongue by her Hearts dainty String To honest Gratitudes ingenuous Layes ; High was her Key and delicate the Song Composed to the sweetest Aire of Praise : For ever may these Lips be seal'd , said she , When they suppresse the Thanks I owe to Thee . 232. To Thee , dear Pilot of my tender Bark , Which many Rocks e'r this had dash'd in sunder , Which oft had wander'd in the Deep and Dark , Which many Storms proud feet had troden under , Which many Sands into its Grave long since Had swallow'd up , but for thy stout Defence . 233. To Thee whom no Contempt of mine could drive To just Disdam of a vile Worme ; to Thee By whose dear Care my better Life I live , If yet I live at all , and rather be Not dead and buried in those Sins which I Prefert'd before the Life of Piety . 234. Yet more I owe to Him , ( and more must pay ) By whose Appointment I enjoyed Thee My faithfull Guide in this long perilous Way : But thou must teach Me what those Thanks must be : If they must be my Selfe , I ready am This Sacrifice to offer to his Name . 235. His Name , in whose dear Syllables alone I read my Selfe , intirely such : For there Lives the sweet Soule of that Redemption Which snatch'd me from that 〈◊〉 Bondage , where 〈◊〉 lay abandon'd to the tyrannous Will Of Error , Madnesse , wickednesse , and Hell . 236. His Name in which the Praise and Adoration Of the Seraphick , and Cherubick Quire Rejoyce to meet : His Name , of every Nation The dearest Joy and soveraign Desire : His Name which o'r the whole Worlds vanquish'd Pride Doth in sublime , but gratious Triumph ride : 237. His Name , the onely Musick which mine Eare Can of no Jarrs accuse : that lovely Name Which when Heav'ns most melodious Orbs doe heat : They throw aside their other Songs , and frame Their Tunes by Jesu's Sweets . — Here off she broke Lovingly ravish'd by the Name she spoke . 238. And here the Steeds , who all this while had flew With stout but silent fervor , neigh'd aloud ; For now their Journey to its period drew , And Albion her chalkie Forehead show'd ; Which with erected Ears , and shaked Mains They doubled strait , and scoured o'r the Plains . 239. Forthwith , all clouded in their smoaking Foam . The Chariot they hurld to Psyche's door ; Where Phylax bid his Pupill welcome home , Which She did on her Knee to Him restore ; And stroaking then her Steeds upon the Crest , She for their faithfull Pains her Thanks profest .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XVII . The Mortification . ARGUMENT . PSyche embrav'd by Chari's generous Flames Strives in Devotions Furnace to refine Her pious self , till with Perfections Beams Her pure Spiritualized Life might shine . Then Satan she defies , though crafly He Came clothed in Angelick Claritie . 1. PEace , gentle Queen of every Thing which makes Sweets acceptable , Bliss delightfull be ; What satal Conjuration of Mistakes Inchanteth Mortal Hearts , that they will see Thy Beauties not by their own Light , but by The hideous Glass of Wars Deformity ! 2. They see the Sun is fair , by his own Beams ; Gems by their proper Lustre them allure ; They taste the Fountains sweetnes by the streams ; The Roses 〈◊〉 Cheek does them assure The Floure is beautifull : yet they will not Thy Graces read , but by a Stain , and 〈◊〉 . 3. Dear is this Learning , and sometimes too late : O how much sooner , and much cheaper might They all Wars tedious costly studie bare , If they to Thee would come to Schole , and write From the Original of thy fair Eyes , That Book , which dims the Volums of the 〈◊〉 4. Thy Temper is all Musick ; never did The least of Jars thy sweet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : From thine , all Concords 〈◊〉 were copied ; Nor would the Centre on his 〈◊〉 8 back Agree to bear the World , did it Thou noc by Thy 〈◊〉 Chains the Burden 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 5. For at the first , when in th' untuned Deep Each Thing was wroth , and snarled with his Brother ; When Heav'n and Earth tumbled in one blinde Heap , Struggled and strove to stifle one Another ; When All Things with their peevish selves fell out , And in their own Hearts for their Enemies sought . 6. Then Thou with seasonable Love didst come , And those wilde Tumults sweetly chase away ; These boistrous Pangs of the Worlds travelling Womb With happy Quietnesse thou didst allay , Makeing those Embroy's Freinds , who never since Have to that Knot of love done violence . 7. All rest contented with the Stations Thou Appointedst Them ; and Earth is pleas'd as well With her poor Habitation here below , As any Stars which in Heav'ns Roof doe dwell : Nor will the Windes , though big they be and proud , Desire above the middle Aire to crowd . 8. The sirly Sea , who in his boiling Wrath Against the shore with mountainous Waves doth make , Dreads the poor List of feeble Sand , which hath No power that desperate Carreer to slake , Because He reads in it thy potent Law , Which back into his Deep doth make him flow . 9. All honest Beasts , and sociable , are Made such by thy sweet Influence alone : In vain the Oaten Pipe , and feeebler Care Of Shepherds , up and down the feilds would run , Didst Thou not first perswade the Sheep to be Best pleased with the Flocks Communitie . 10. Men , whose discording Tempers them invite To seek new Worlds their severall Mindes to please , Are by thy 〈◊〉 taught to take delight In the kind Unions of Families ; One House will hold a Brood , when Thou dost joyne To build their Walls , and their Desires combine . 11. No Cities ever could erected be , Did not thine Hand the Architecture guide , Were not the found Materials by Thee For every street , and every Court suppli'd : Their Firmitude to neither Wood nor Stone They owe , but to thine Unity alone . 12. Most distant Countries Thou dost Neighbours make By safe and friendly Traffick , which doth bear One World into anothers Lap , and take The radiant East from its rich Home , that here It may adorn the West , whose mutual Store Of other Wealth requites that Golden Ore , 13. Nations whose sundry Languages divide Them from the hopes of joynt Communitie , Are in one Common-wealth securely ti'd When Thou dost knit the Knot , and make them see That All want help of All , and they are best Provided , who are of most freinds possest . 14. A Sceptres mighty Load Thou light dost make , And wean'st from Wearinesse the Subjects necks , But when They , by self-tyrannous Mistake , See not thy Sweets , but their own Patience vex : High-noon is dark to those that will not see , And feathers , Lead , when Men will tired be . 15. When Thou dost domineer , all Laws doe so , And fair Astraea ventures down again ; Right all about the blessed Streets doth goe , And awfull Modesty fails not to chain All Rudenesse up , which once let loose by War , Doth no Extremities of Mischief spare . 16. The coolest Veil could never yet secure The bashfull Virgin from Lusts rampant fire , But when in sober Bounds Thou didst immure The youthfull Violence of hot Desire : Her onely Safety lilie Chastitie To thy white Banner ow's , and purer Thee . 17. The Gown doth keep the thoughtfull Student warm Yet not , but when by thy Imbraces laced , And girded sure by thy incircling Arm ; Else their poor Garb is presently outfaced By Shields and Bucklers , and they forc'd to trie What Habit best will suit Them when they flie . 18. All Arts which are of Age and grown compleat , That Happinesse to thy Tuition owe ; No Honey e'r would choose its dainty Seat In Orators Mouthes ; no Laurele'r would grow On Poets Temples ; if Thou didst not blesse All Learnings seasons with due fertilenesse . 19. By thy sole Patent Heav'n on Earth hath room , Churches have licence to be what they are ; God is permitted here to have an Home , And handsome too : Thou puttest in the Barr Which bids Prohanesse keep its distance , and Learn that there is more than one Holy-land . 20. The Walls to their own Altars cannot yeild Protection , unlesse Thou joinst thine aid ; The Roof cannot the Rites nor Service shield When by Heretick Storms they are assaid , Except Thou help'st to clear the Air , and stop The impious Rage of popular Torrents up . 21. The Theme of everlasting Admiration Miraculous Loves selected Mystery , The Sacramental Work , to th' usurpation Of Lay unwashen Hands exposs'd doth lie , But where this impudent Community From the Communion is barr'd by Thee , 22. The sacred Priests , who never injurcd be . By unrevenged Hand , are not secure , Though all the reverence of Piety In venerable Awe doth them immure , Unlesse thy patent Arm be stretch'd to keep The Shepherds from the Mouths of their own Sheep 23. Our holy Mother cannot safely hold Her own Inheritance , so unnatural be Her Sons , and sacrilegiously Bold , Unlesse Thou curb'st their cursed Liberty : The Church must quickly Bankrupt turn , if Thou Her Patrimony dost not safe bestow . 24. Nay Princes , upon whose majestick Head Gods Name was poured with the sacred Unction , No sooner are by Thee abandoned ; But in despight to their most awfull function , Of the ingratefull and apostate Scum Of their own Vassalls they the Scorn become . 25. No Region , though before the Garden where The Plenitude of Happinesse did grow , Forsaken is by Thee , but straight doth wear The woefull garb of Misery , and slow With Streams of Tears , for those sweet Currents which With Milk and Honey did its Meads inrich . 26. But Plenties Horn in thy fait Arme doth dwell , Whence , wheresoe'r thy blessed foot doth tread , Thy Benisons thou liberaly dost spill , And all the Fields with smiling Fatnesse spread ; Whilst the blithe Hindes doe pay Thee honest praise Not in the Trumps Roar , but soft Oaten Layes . 27. Away sneaks Vice , when Thou thy face dost show , And seeks blinde Holes to hide its blacker Head ; Whose room Thou straight to Virtue dost allow , Cheering her up to take sure root and spread Her Arms so wide , that all the Countrey may Under her Shade calme Happinesse enjoy . 28. O blessed Mayd ! how long , how long , shall We Number our Curses by the Dayes and Years , The tedious Dayes and Years , which now We see All black with sullen Clouds of fatal Fears , Whilst Thou art fled , and leav'st our woefull Land , In most unnatural Warrs destroying Hand ! 29. How is unhappy Britain now become The Isle of Sorrow , which was once of Joy ! How have all Monsters made these Fields their Home , Where onely harmlesse Sheep were wont to play ! How are the Gunns and Trumpets taught to Roar , Where onely Pipes of Reed were heard before ! 30. How have We stained Albions lilie hue In bloody gore , and wash'd that Name away ! How has our Red-crosse been too truly true Unto its tincture ! How are We a Prey Unto our Selves , whilst we have made a Sea As well amidst Us , as about Us be . 31. A Sea broke ope from our own desperate Veins , Which to the Crown and Mitre , Shipwrack threats ; A Sea , in which though some doe fish for Gains , Yet can they not at length scape their own Nets : O no! there 's Nothing to be gained bere , But certain Losse ; which makes the Trade too dear , 32. How have We coin'd fond Names of Hate , which we With Sword and Bullet to the Death persue ! Are there no Turks ! that thus the Unity Gf the brave English Name doth by a new Portentuous Rent all mastacred appear Into the Round-head and the Cavalier ! 33. How have We strove our Lyons Nails to pare , Who was before the royal Dread and 〈◊〉 To all the neighbour-Beasts ! How has our Fear And Jealousie help'd their own Cause to grow To greater strength ! How has our vast 〈◊〉 But op'd our Purse till all be drained thence ! 34. Sweet Queen of Joyes , ô when , when will it be ! When will the blessed Dawn of thy fair Eyes Cheer our benighted Hemisphear , that We And all our wonted Blisse , with thee may 〈◊〉 O calme and gentle 〈◊〉 , when wilt thou please Out Insland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to appear . 35. When shall We cease with mighty Care and Cost To raise the heap of our own Ruines high , When shall We yeild to be no longer toss In Waves of self-affected Misery ! When shall We with our Pains no longer play ! When shall We doe what We so often say . 36. When shall we cease to make our selves the 〈◊〉 Of all that mock at Infelicitie ! When shall We judge our selves enough forlorn ! When shall We think our Woes deserving be Of our own pitty , that our Bowels may Henceforth be torn none but that healing way . 37. Prudent and tender Phylax , knew that He In both those Titles , nothing could bestow Upon his Pupil , which to Her might be More fertile in Advantages , then now To exile every troublous mist , and clear The Countenance of her Habitations Sphear . 38. He knew the worth of Peace , and long agoe When he had Psyche left in Palestine He hither came , and orderd busines so That all things did into a Calme combine ; But none could tell it was to entertain Psyche , now ready to return again . 39. But she arrived at her antient Home , Wonderd to finde Securitie made Queen Of all that Region ; vacant was no room For Molestation to be buisie in ; Nor any Gap left ope by which she might Thrust in her head and Quietnesse affright 40. Her Friends and Parents much advanc'd this wonder When in their cheerly gratulations they Told Her how Peace had trode all Perils under Her blessed feet , and blown the storm away : They told it o'r and o'r , and marvell'd why She turn'd to 〈◊〉 her mistrusting Eye . 41. But He observing it , thus satisfi'd Her questioning Soule : Suspect no false-hood here , Thou 〈◊〉 but what is true ; I did provide This Calme to bid thee welcome home , my 〈◊〉 ; Thy Voyage finish a is and in this Bay And 〈◊〉 of Rest , thy Bark may safely stay . 42. But set Thou 〈◊〉 it still , and keepst it trim , For fear some storm hereafter should arise : What Profit is 't through dangerous seas to swim And 〈…〉 empests Prize ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sleeping Pilots overtakes . 43. Complear 〈◊〉 dwels in no Bay But that above to which thine heart doth saile ; For ever there thy Vessel thou may'st lay In certain Peace : But here no Help can bail Thee from the Windes arrest , if thou forget To doe thy part , and thine own 〈◊〉 set . 44. O set them then , and bravely antidate The Rest that dwelleth in the Heav'nly port ; T is worth the price , and more ; Atany Rate It is not dear ; then stick not to give for 't Thy earnest Wish , and daily Industry : No Wealth so rich as genuine Rest can be . 45. If thou repent Thee of thy Bargain , say That with false Wares thy Phylax cheated thee , And boldiy throw both them and Me away , And call the Shore more treacherous than the Sea ; Conclude all things , but Vanitie , are Vain , And think Perdition the onely Gain . 46. But surely no such desperate Thought will 〈◊〉 Abuse the Pious Heart of Psyche : No , My Hopes are greater of thy holy Care . With which mine own shall be combined too For as a guard upon thy Guard will I My wonted Love and Watchfulnes imploy 47. Scarce had He spoke ; but ( as the heav'nly 〈◊〉 Into Earths thirsty Mouth drops copious Joy Celestial Charis into Psyche flew , Doubling her Wellcome home , and making way Through her soft Bosome to her softer Heart , To which a sweet Imbrace She did impart . 48. Nor was there need that She should use her Tongue , Whose 〈◊〉 our spake aloud in Psyche's breast , 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 plying secret language rung 〈◊〉 more than aerie Words could have exprest : The Virgin understood its meaning well , And 〈◊〉 it close in Her Hearts inmost Cell . 49. ( That 〈◊〉 wherein Her Life enshrined laye ; Which now 〈◊〉 up in bounden reverence , And to this roy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave willing way : For what is Grace s blessed Influence , But Life's best Life ? which well deserv's to be Plac d highest in the vital Treasurie . ) 50. So close She hugg'd it , that it there grew warm , And glow'd so hot , that strait it fell on fire : The sudden flame sounded a smart Alarm Through all Her Breast , and wakened brave Desire ; Desire the other Forces muster'd up , And now no Bar her high Design could stop . 51. As when Heroick fervor doth a wake A Princes Heart to take a full survey Of all his Realm , and Reformation make Of what is swerved from the Laws High-way ; To his own King , the King of Heav'n , He cals For Aid , and then to his great Businesse falls . 52. So prudent Psyche , prostrate on her face , Begs Jesus help to speed her 〈◊〉 : ( For Phylax now by 〈◊〉 admonish'd was To snatch himself far from his Pupils eyes : In prest obedience to which Item , He Fled strait into Invisibilitie . ) 53. Deer Lord , said She , who never dost for sake Thy Worms which to thy footstool crawle for aid , O pitty , pitty on thy Hand 〈◊〉 take , That She by her Saint Self be not betrayd . Thou who vouchsafll to Kindle my 〈◊〉 , Assist Me , least it prove an uselesse 〈◊〉 . 54. Well 〈◊〉 thy wronged Majesty how I The 〈◊〉 Thou often gavest Me did choke , And sent up no Returns at all to thy Most 〈◊〉 Heav'n but black and stinking Smoke , Hels rank and proper Breath , which once was mine When to Cerinthus Schole I ran from thine . 55. O trust Me not alone ; although my Will Bravely enflam'd and spurred on by Thee , Aims at a lofty Mark , yet Psyche still Is that unfortunate and feeble She Who in her full Carreers proves out of breath , And when She soars to Life , sinks down to Death . 56. Not for my Credit , but thy Graces , and Thine own , in this Designe I crave Successe ; Paid onely to the Praise of thy high Hand Shall be th' Atchievements Glorie : Psyche is Beneath Disgrace , but it in honor does Concern thy 〈…〉 57. Up slew her Prayer , and knock'd at Jesus 〈◊〉 So loud it knock'd , that straight He let it in ; In , to his Favours Presence-chamber , where His gratious Entertainment it did win : Its Embassie was heard , and Jesus granted What ever Psyche in this buisnesse wanted , 58. This bred fresh Courage in her Heart , and She With doubled Gallantrie adventured on Her noble Work : Her ancient Royaltie Which bold Incroachment oft had trode upon , She ment to reskew , and assert her Crown ; Though for her Spouse s sake , more than her own . 59. A general Court She cals , and summons all Her Subjects in , to know her royall Minde : Large the Apparence was ; both Great and smal 〈◊〉 slocking in ; for none durst stay behinde , So 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 was , and they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did expect that Day . 60. No sooner had this 〈◊〉 till a the Hall Of 〈◊〉 palace , but in 〈◊〉 State Being ballas'd with her 〈◊〉 and her 〈◊〉 She thither comes , and takes her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : Up stood the Company while She 〈◊〉 down , And bow'd their Heads to 〈◊〉 and to Her 〈◊〉 . 61. How kindely She that general Homage took , As Earnest of their several Duties , She First certifi'd them by her gratious Look , ( With which she paus'd a while , for Majestie Must not make haste , ) then by her softer Tongue , From whence her charming Honey thus She Wrung . 62. My multiplyed Self , sweet Company , In whom as many and as sundry lives I live , as you enjoy ; how dear and high Content to Me your loyal Presence gives , I must not tell you now ; it were too long A Storie , and would doe the other Wrong ; 63. The other Storie ; which would more than fill This Day , as having cost Me several years To travell through it , should I trie to tell Its severall Wonders : but against your Earer I piot no Tyrannie , nor aime to break Them on a tedious Narrations Rack . 64. Through many Climats I have whirled been By the sweet Conduct of my Guardians Care : The world clad in all fasbions I have seen , And how their Clothes and Manners Mortals wear ; Fair Cities , foul Inhabitants ; and poor Hamlets , yet such as noble Spirits bore . 65. I saw Men live in their Out sides alone , Scarce thinking that within a Soule they had : And yet , because it was the fashion , Themselves a Cloke they of Religion made . A Summer Cloke , so light and thin , that they Felt it not when upon their backs it lay , 66. I saw the World its fatal Bane imbrace , And loath the Antidote of Pietie : I saw Devotion loaded with Disgrace ; And humble zeal disdained by those high And silken Things , who know no way to be Gentile , but Pride , and sinfull Libertie , 67. Seveerly-holy-Soules expos'd I saw To lustie Gallants Scorn and Hatred , who Upon their patient Heads the Check did throw Of foolish Singularitie , though no Pretence there were , but that they down the Tide Of deep Damnation would not with them ride . 68. The holier Stories , whence the Holy-land Deriv'd its Name , I by their footsteps read ; For many still doe deep imprinted stand , To honest Pilgrims aim to give , and lead Their Hearts on in that venerable Path Which , for their sakes , Divine Love traced hath . 69. But by that Lesson of Humilitie Both proud and confident I strangely grew ; My own poor waxen Wings I needs would trie , And willingly from those stout pinions flew Which Phylax alwayes for my service spread When sturdie Dangers Me encountered . 70. My Wings , alas , did onely me commit An helplesse Booty to the Birds of Prey ; For Kites and Vultures straight did me beset , Whose foul Heretick Tallons pluck'd away My best and fairest Plumes , and did prepare My blood and life away with them to tear . 71. But Heav'n and Phylax present pitty took , And snatch'd me from that fatal Company , Unto a Palace whose illustrious Look Revived mine , whose generous Courtesie More royal Things bestow'd on Me , than those Plunders wilde Law made forfeit to my foes . 72. This was Ecclesias famous Court where I Beheld the Miracles of Discipline : No spectacle e'r blessed Mortal Eye With sights more venerable and divine : Upon my Heart they grav'd themselves so deep That their Impression it must ever keep . 73. So sweet a Calme of heav'nly Peace was there That no Disturbance could it self intrude ; Which made it genuine Paradise appear , All over with harmonious Pleasures strewd . His Duty to each Officer was known , Who lov'd it best , because it was his own . 74. And happy are those Courts , and onely those , Where in all Offices Content doth dwell ; Where every Courtier , were He put to choose , Would onely be ambitious to excell In his own Place , and covet to appear Splendid in none but in his proper Sphear . 75. Such genuine Beams as theirs , can onely be The comely Glory of a Princes Court : Thus doe the prudent Starrs above agree To swell and garnish Heav'ns Majestick Port. Thus every Orb loves his own Way , and on His mighty Journey doth with Musick run . 76. Thus those more radiant Sparks which on the face Of the pure Empyraeum glittering are , The holy Angels , hug their proper Place , And wish no nobler Work than meets them there . And who can say Us Nay , if stoutly we Resolve thus to adorn our Politie ? 77. Right glorious those Examples are by which We are invited thus to Honors Way : What Tongue would not unto its highest Pitch Advance it Selfe , to consecrate a Lay Of Praise to them ? And why should we admire That which doth not spur Us unto Desire ! 78. All shame forbid our Spirits should flag so low As not to pant and reach at Excellence . What though it cost Us All a sweating Brow ? The Gain will more than crosse out that Expence . 〈◊〉 , Ease is the Rust of that brave Metall Which strengthens noble Spirits for Virtues Battel . 79. Come then ; Henceforth let it Enacted be , That All their Bows unto the utmost bend ; That generous and hardy Industry Through all our Court its active Arms extend ; That every one doe in his Office prove How much my Credit , and their own they love . 80. Though I be Queen , yet I my selfe submit , And bend my Neck unto this Common Law ; The Yoak as well for Me , as you will fit , And be assured I my part will draw : If e'r you see Me shrink , or Labour shun , It shall be your Discharge from going on . 81. But if you winch and kick , and will not be Partners with Me in our propounded Prize ; I am no Youngling now , Maturity Dwells in my Hand and Brain ; will can I poise My Sceptre , and know eas'ly how to make Those who disdain to how , be fain to break . 82. I paid an high price for that Learning I Bought when Agenor made his Market here . And who can blame my Prudence , if I try To make the most of what cost me so Dear ? It must , and shall appear , How well I know That Kindnesse makes but Rebells bolder grow . 83. But ô , I feel how ill upon my Tongue This Threatning rellisheth ; My Breath should I More willingly expend upon a Song In Commendation of your Loyalty : Your Loyalty , which now , me thinks , I see Already flaming to this Law , and Me. 84. She ceased here . When loe , about the Hall A musing Silence for a good while lay . Divers were there , who thought this Law would fall Too soar and heavy on their Backs ; yet they For fear their Party should appear too weak In Votes , durst not their Motions open make . 85. Not with their Tongues : But with their Eyes about The Room they walk'd , and question'd one another : In every Look they met with Hope , and Doubt , Which mutualy their trembling Selves did smother : Their Shoulders some & some their Heads did shake , Confessing what they were afraid to speak . 86. At length presuming it the safer way Their Vessells down the potent Stream to steer , They with the rest , resolved to Obey What they could not withstand . Thus thanklesse Fex Of being broken by the Windes , doth make The lazie Clouds long voyages to take . 87. The whole Assembly thrice bow'd to the ground , And 〈◊〉 profest their Thanks unto their Prince , Whose carefull Wisdome such a way had found To yoak her Subjects unto Excellence : And may Rebellions Brand and Curse , said they Mark and revenge all them that disobey . 88. Thus pass'd the Act : which being fairly writ , Upon the middle Pallat of the Hall , Was hung by Psyche 〈◊〉 Command , that it Might of their Duties daily warn them all . So is the Rod stuck up at Schole , whose look Doth awe the idle Children to their Book . 89. But She to practise what was now Decreed , Begins with Them who easiest were to tame ; That their Example afterward might breed A strong and stinging Argument of shame To lash those Servants who more manly were If they , more weakly , should their Task forbear . 90. Her Porters five , shee called one by one , Their several Instructions to take . Opsis was first , to whom she thus begun : Although thy Place and Nature Thee doe make In most Discoveries apt and quick , yet I Further than thou , can into some things spy . 91. Beleeve Me then , thou hast most need to be Jealous of what usurpeth Beauties face ; Danger is politick , and Treachery Too wise to lodge in a suspected Place . The richest Soil the rankest Weeds doth bear ; The deepest Holes in silent Rivers are . 92. That Apple which bewitch'd our Grandames Eyes , Was in Pomona's goodliest Roab array'd ; It s plump and ruddy Cheeks did fairly rise , And seeming Smiles in all its Count'nance playd ; But yet such Venome in its Juice did lie , As pour'd on all the World Mortality 93. Fair were the Grapt unto good Noahs Eye , Nor with lesse Pleasure faun'd they on his Taste ; His unsuspecting Heart was also by Their sweet Inchantments ravish'd , till at last His treacherous Guest tripp'd up his heels , and bore Him over shamefully upon the Floor . 94. Elisha's Servant saw no cause of Fear In the Wilde Vine , whose Gourds did him invite To fill his Lap ; so delicate they were , And held such Correspondence with his sight : Yet , cheated Man , He did he knew not what , And shred abundant Death into the Pot. 95. The wisest Prince , but Heav'nly Wisdomes King , To Folly was betrayed by his Eyes ; Which in his Queens bright Beauties rioting , Prevailed with Him first to Idolize Those Female Powers ; and then fall down before What he set up , and Stocks and Stones ad ore . 96. When Juda's Eyes would needs enamored be Of dangerous Monies gaudy glistering face , Those richer Beams they could no longer see Whose pure Exuberance did his Masters grace : But he , blinde Traytor , to eternal Night Betray'd himselfe in scorning Jesu's light . 97. That gorgeous Fruit which dangled on the Trees That shaded Asphaltite's cursed shore , Out-vi'd in fragrant Gold th' Hesperides Renouned Boughs , and more Enticements wore Upon its Cheeks ; and yet this Statelinesse Was but of Ashes and of Stinks the Dresse . 98. Be wary then in time , for fear some Bait Doe ssiely steal an Hook into thine Eye ; For fear some sweet and beauteous Deceit Poure Bitternesse on thy Credulity . Security delights in Fears meek Cell , But scorns in Confidence's Towers to dwell . 99. Thou never wilt repent thee of thy Cost If thou Watch before thine Eyes dost set ; Two nimble Lids thou alway ready hast , Which , if thou wilt , all Dangers out can shut . O let it not be said , that thou dost keepe Those Curtains onely to enclose thy sleep . 100. When Dinah's Eyes would needs be gadding out , And walk in Hamors Court ; though honest she Onely to feed her curious Fancy sought , Insnar'd she was in Shechems Treachery , And , silly Mayden , suddenly became An Holocaust to Lusts unhappy Flame . 101. Be prudent then , and never waste thy Look On any Thing but what concerneth thee : Thy proper Bus'nesse is the safest Book On which thy Studies can imployed be ; If thou on any other cast thine Eyes , Thou onely Errors readst and Heresies . 102. Thou se'st what Task I set Thee , that thou mayst Be safe and happy , as my Selfe would be . So shall thy Tears be uselesse , when Thou hast No Crimes to wash ; so shall the Bravery Of thy sweet Beams for ever be intire , And fear no mischief from Hells gloomy Fire . 103. The time will surely come , and shortly too , Which will this Abstinence of thine requite , When thou shalt rove and unrestreined goe Through all the Beauties which make Heav'n so bright : Discredit not with Earthly sights , those Eyes Which are design'd to read the glorious skies . 104. The glorious skies ; and what more glorious is , The gallant Eyes of Jesus , whose divine Irradiations of eternall Bliss And royal sweetnes upon them shall shine , When they have done their duty here beneath , And shall by Him awakened be from death . 105. Which duty surely never will be done , By dwelling on that Mirrour in thine Hand ; That brittle Embleme of Corruption , Which though a polish'd out-side doth commend , Is yet welneer as sleight a thing and vain As is the Image that it doth sustain . 106. This Charge with anxious and dejected Look Opsis receiv'd , and trembled at its weight : That tremor threw her Mirrour down , and broke It on the ground : which she observing , strait With many a foolish Tear its Death lamented , And took her leave , unwillingly contented . 107. The next was Acoe ; who came dancing in , And with her wanton fingers tripped o'r Her tickled Lute ; by which she hop'd to win The favour of her awfull Soveraign ; for She felt the Pulse of every string , to see Where d well'd the sweetest Soule of Melodie . 108. Psyche , untill the Galiards Close , was mute : But then , she said , now lend thy heed to mee , Who will requite thy Layes : I grant thy Lute Cheerd and encourag'd by Arts Braverie , May pant thee Airs more sweet in thy esteem , Than from my Lips into thine Ears can stream : 109. But what is sweetest , is not alwayes best , And therefore not so sweet as is its Name : Else the Inchanters Pipe must be confest To merit all the loudest Trumps of Fame , Although its Tunes Hels dangerous Hisses be , Skinn'd fairely over with false Harmonie . 110. Else should the warbling Siren be preferr'd Before the Linet and the Nightingale , Although no roaring Tempest e'r were heard Which with more certain Poril did assaile The Mariner , unlesse with timely Care Against her Musick He seal'd up his Ear. 111. Else the Hyaena , who with friendly tone Knocks at the Door , unto the Lambs should be As courteous as his Salutation , Though all his meaning be but Treacherie ; And that same Mouth which them bespake so fair , Prepared be the silly Sheep to tear . 112. Else should the Parasite , whose Trade it is To feed and cloath Himself by praising Thee , And stroaking all thy rankling Wickednesse , Be a more usefull trustie Friend , than He Who for thy breeding Cankers sure prevention Applies the Corrosive of sound Reprehension . 113. Remember Acoe , with what wiley Words The Serpent ointed Eve's imprudent Ears : Yet all the Syllables were two-edg'd swords , Long-bearded Arrows , or envenomed Spears ; Which flew not onely through Her carelesse Heart , But to the End of all the World did dart . 114. That Serpent seeing what himself had done ; Took wise and wary Warning ever since : So did his cunning Generation Who stop their Ears against the Influence Of soft Enchantments . And it can be no Disgrace to learn a Virtue of thy Foe . 115. Had Delilahs tongue not been so Musical , It ne're had ventur'd upon Sampsons might , Nor in his Chamber conquer'd more than all Philistia's Powers could do in open fight . But when the strongest Bands were all in vain , With her soft-language she did Him enchain . 116. Puff'd with Heav'n-daring Pride and Victorie , Great Holofernes fear'd no dint of Fear , When walled in with his vast Army He Vow'd , the Jews stock up by the roots to tear : Yet Judiths glozing Tongue made Him her Prey . His Heart first , then his Head she stole away . 117. O then let Prudence stop thy sober Ear When any worldly Charm doth tune its strings ; Much happier is it to be deaf , than hear The Musick of those faithlesse Flourishings , Which sliely stealing to thine Heart , will there With everlasting Jars thy Conscience tear . 118. The Voice of Truth , though wonderous plain it be , Flows with more Hony than all Tongues beside ; With Hony so sincere , that Puritie It selfe a long with all its Streams doth glide : Here mayst Thou be Luxuriant , yet thine Ear No Surfet from this Fulnesse needs to Fear . 119. Let others slander't with the Name of Pride ; I 'l stile it Virtue in Thee to disdain That empty Foam of Prattle , which doth ride Upon the idly-busy Tongues of vain And shallow Men , who though they all the Day Spin out their long Discourses , Nothing say . 120. Have patience tickling Accents to forbear A while , that Thou the best of them mayst gain : Years post about apace ; the Time draws near When thou exalted on Heav'ns glistering Plain With those rich Notes shalt enterteined be Whose Consort makes the Sphearik Melodie . 121. My Philax's blessed Voice there shalt Thou hear , And all the Winged Quire , whose dainty Tongues The Triumphs and the Joyes of Heav'n doe chear With the brisk Raptures of their lofty Songs : Songs which no Ears must drink , but those which are On purpose kept , and not enchanted here . 122. On Acoe so hard this Lesson grated , That in her Heart she wish'd she had been deaf : Yet since their old Rebellion was defeated , She feard the Senses could have no Releif By standing out : And well she knew beside , Who most should feel it when her Queen did chide . 123. She Sigh'd , and let her Lute-strings down , as though She loosned had with them those of her Heart And then , O sweetest Wombe of Pleasures , how Shall Acoe live , said she , now I must part With Thee ! And here She fetch'd another Sigh , And kiss'd her Lute , and gently laid it by . 124. Next , Osphresis came in ; who in one Hand Courted a Civet Box , and in the other A nest of Rose-budds built upon a wand Of Juniper , and neatly set together . Which Psyche seeing , Use it warilie , Roses wear Pricks , as well as Leaves , said She. 125. Could all the Balme of Gilead , all the spice Of happy Arabie , but inform Thee how To counterplot those fatal Miseries Whose certain seeds in thine own heart doe grow , I could approve such Helps : But They We know Are frail and mortal Things , as well as Thou . 126. Alas so deep Corruption rooted is Ev'n in the Centre of thy fading Breast , That O dours strive in vain to weed and dresse The tainted Soile . How largely 't is confest By former Ages dead and rotten now , How sure Mortality in Man doth grow ! 127. And shall the Son and the Apparent Heir Of Rottennesse , mispend his Time upon Unnecessary Sweets , by which the Air Trimm'd and inriched is , and that alone ? Sweets which each silly Wind which whisketh by Snatcheth , and scattereth in proud Mockery ? 128. Why should'st Thou take such Pains to make the Prey , Of stinking Wormes so sweet and dainty ? why Upon perfumed Pillows wouldst Thou lay Thine Head , when it to rot must onely lie ? This Cost and Pains for nothing usefull be But doubling of Corruptions Victorie . 129. Wert not a cheaper , and a wiser plot Aforehand with displeasant Smells to be Acquainted , that the brackish Grave may not By being strange , be bitterer to Thee ? At least not to be tainted with the Sweet Contagion which in Perfumes We meet ? 130. O Osphresis , that Thou didst truely know What Crops of Odours and what Beds of Spice ; What Hills of Sweets , what Plains of flowers grow In the delicious Lap of Paradise ; Thou couldst not chuse but generously disdain These poor Perfumes of Earth to entertain . 131. Yet all the purest Names of Odours are Short of that everlasting Incense which From Heav'ns high Altar doth its volumes rear , And Blessednes it self with sweets inrich . Save than thy self for these which will one day Thine Abstinence with Plenitude repay . 132. And yet mean while I will to thee allow Far richer sweets then those Thou throw'st away ; In virtue's Garden doe but walk , and 〈◊〉 thou Shalt meet such spicy Breaths of holy Joy , As will compell thy ravish'd Soule to think This Worlds Gentilest sent , but pretious stink . 133. Such Breaths as will perfume thy heart indeed , And all thy Thoughts and Words aromatize , Untill their odorous Emanations breed Delight in Gods own Nostrils , who doth prize The sweetnes of all Incense by the sent Of the meek sacrificers pure intent . 134. Here Osphresis thrice on her Civet , and Thrice on her smiling Posie smelt ; but yet At length she dropp'd them out of either Hand , When she perceived Psyche's Countenance set With a wfull Resolution , and strait As Geusis enterd , meekly did retreat . 135. Geusis brought in her Hand an Honey-combe , Which prompted Psyche thus the Maid to greet : What if that Nest of sweetnes hath no room For any thing that is intirely Sweet ? What if the Bee hath in that Cabinet More of her sting , than of her Honey set ? 136. Full hard it is to eat no more than may True friend-ship keep twixt safetie and delight , The least Excess will Thee to Pangs betray , And break thy Work by day , thy Rest by night . Indeed a surfet goes most sweetly down , But strait with Gall the heart is overflown . 137. The raging Sword 's a keen and ravenous Thing , Witness whole Armies swallow'd up by it : Yet Luxury doth wear a sharper sting , And wider ope her hungry Throat is set . No reeking steel thou ever yet didst see Blush in the guilt of so much Blood as Shee . 138. Of his Sobrieties sage stayed weight Had great Belshazzar not been cozen'd by The cruel sweetnes of her soft Deceit , He had not in Heav'ns scale of Equity Been found so light , as by Darius down From his high Empires Zenith to be blown . 139. Of Her in time had Dives taken heed , When in each Dish for him She lay in wait , When into every Boule her self she shed , And made of each superfluous Bit , a Bait ; Beneath the wretched Gallant had not lain Acting poor Lazarus his part in vain . 140. His broiled Tongue had not so clamorous been In lamentable Out-cries to obtain No crowned Cups of lustie foaming Wine , But a few drops of Water , to restrain Those free and jovial flames which now did trie On him another kinde of Luxurie . 141. But Lazarus , whose meek ambition was No more than with this gluttons Dogs to be A Commoner ; unto the sweet Embrace Of Abraham , and of Felicitie Mounted on Angels Wings did ride , and there Injoy'd a fuller Feast than Dives here . 142. Wise Saint , his stomach he had sav'd , that he With a full appetite might thither goe Where sumptuous dainties in their Kingdome be , And purest Pleasures by whole Rivers flow : And if thou after him would'st thither climbe , Be sure to trace his footsteps here in time . 143. I know the Bords of many holy Soules In fatnes often have been seen to shine , On which their golden over-flowing Boules Foamd with the heat of aromatick Wine : But canst thou say that they themselves did so ? Surely their Looks and Lives will tell thee no. 144. This constant Plenty did but keep them to Their Temperances daily Exercise ; They into hardy Virtue 's Lists did goe When to their Bords they went , to play the prize Of Abstinence , and trie their conquering might On that arrayed Army of Delight . 145. Heroick 〈◊〉 were these , who hedg'd in by A seige of superfluitie could yet Maintain brave Moderation ; but thy Metall and Tempet , Geusis , are not fit To wage War with Temptations ; No , 't is well If thou by flying canst thy safety steal . 146. To a spare Diet 〈◊〉 . There thou may'st eat And drink thine Health ; but never in Excess : Excess makes Sicknes reek in all thy Meat , And with thy Liquor doth full Surfets press Into thy Boule ; by which before thou art Aware , thy Head is drowned , chok'd thy Heart 147. But soveraign Fasting never fails to be An happy Purge where these bad Humours reign ; Whil'st other Physick drains thy Purse , not thee . This never doth Evacuate thy Coin . Not operate on any thing but those Who are thy Bodies or thy Spirits Foes . 148. Thou know'st my meaning now : But know withall I love thee better than to let thee be Unpunished , if thou shalt swerve or fall From this fair Path unto Felicitie , And with such Ballast stuff thy self as will It Heav'n prevent not , lag thee down to Hell . 149. Close all this while had Geusis held her Combe ; But the smart dint of this last Word did smite It from her Hand , and spill it in the Room ; At which the sullen Maid began to bite Her lips , but marking then stern Psyches Ey , She bow'd her head , and made her will comply . 150. Scarce was she out , but mincing Haphe came , Whose Hands were in a Muff of Sables drown'd ; Her Body was disposed in a frame Of wide and easie Clothes , courting her round With silken flattering softnes ; neither Pin Nor Seam presum'd to touch her dainty skin . 151. Psyche smil'd at the sight : And what , said she , If that soft furniture grow thick with 〈◊〉 ? If Hair or Sack-cloth far more gentle be Which close and strait on hardy Bodies sticks ? Alas the Wounas of 〈◊〉 more dangerous far Than those of sharpest Swords and Arrows are . 152. Those Weapons wounds can never further sink Then to the Bodies bottome ; but a proud Attixe doth sadly soak the Soule , and drink Its best blood up ; nor knows she how to shrow'd Her self from this Mis-hap so long as she 〈◊〉 her Delight on outward Braverie . 153. Potiphera was deepar wounded by The delicacies of her soft Array , Than holy Joseph who did clothed lie With Chains , although the Iron made a way Into his Soule : Her wounds did her destroy , His cur'd their Earthly Pain with Heav'nly Joy . 154. Thou know'st in what a soft and curious dress Madam Herodias danced down to Hell ; Whil'st reverend John array'd in simplenes . All 〈◊〉 off-spring nobly did excell ; And though in Herods Court despised , yet Plain as he was , he into Heav'ns was let . 155. Hadst thou beheld his home-spun Camels hair , And lethern-Thong which did his Loins embrace ; How would thy Lawns , thy Silks , thy Sables dare To shew their cowardly effeminate face ? How would thy worthlesse skin indure to see It self in fairer Roabs than glorious He ? 156. Hadst thou beheld that course and rural suit Which Gods own wisdome did for Adam make ; How would the sight thy gallantry confute Who all the dainties of the World would'st rake Thy vulgar Carcase to array , when he The King of Earth , in Skins must cloathed be ! 157. Gods Copie satisfi'd the Saints of old , ( 〈◊〉 11. 37 Who sought no further than the skins of sheep And goats , in which their own they did enfold ; And from that rude and plain Plantation reap A royall Harvest , now being clothed by The glittering Roabs of Immortalitie . 158. No Beds of wanton Down desired they 11. 38 Wherein to loose themselves , but were content In Dens and Caves their manly Heads to lay ; Where they to Rest with suller Comfort 〈◊〉 Than pompous lustie Solomon , when he Stepp'd up his Couch of stately Ivory . 159. Nor was it ever known that Perl did lie In any shells but wonderous course and plain ; That any Search could Gold and Silver spie But nestled in some dark and dirty vein Of Earth ; that gallant Sparks of Fire could rest But in some rude Flints black unlikely Breast . 160. I grant Distinctions of Degrees require Such Garbs as may their Dignities proclaim ; Not that they by their outside beams aspire To gaudy foolish Glory ; since their Aim Is , or should onely be , by this fine Art Their Places proper honor to assert . 161. Else the perversly-blear , and peevish Eye Of rude and stubborn Mortals would not see What awfull Lustre flames in Majesty ; Nor how the Sacerdotal Temples be With venerable Priviledges crownd , Which from their sacred Office doth redound . 162. This made Heav'ns Ordination of old , The consecrated Body of the Priest With reverence-commanding Gems and Gold , And finest Linens Purity invest . But what 's all this to thee , whose private State All publick Ornaments may well abate ? 163. My peremptory Pleasure therefore is That thou the best Examples copie out ; Since thou delighted art with Tendernesse , Be Tender of thy Blisse ; and never doubt But that will softer prove , and warmer be Than are thy Wishes , and that Muffe to thee . 164. Almost as loth as the Beasts back which bred That furtie Skin at first , did part with it , Haphe , by this sweet Violence conquered , Dropp'd down her Muffe , and did her head submit . But yet she shrunk her Shoulders , and betrayd She thought the Load sad which on them was layd . 165. Psyche , her Cinque-Ports being thus secured , For * * The Tongue Glossa call'd ; who cheerfully came in , And with a thousand Complements allured The good opinion of her frowning Queen : But thou mistaken art , said She , for I By numerous Phrases count not Loyalty 166. Truth 's quickly said ; for pure unspotted she Delights in her own genuine Nakednesse , And scorns that ceremonious Bravery Which Flatteries deformity doth dresse . Dull Wood alone doth Vernice need , but Gems Are brave in their own native naked Beams . 167. Much Talk is either stretched out by lies Which poyson all the Streams wherein they flow ; Or tricked up with handsorne Vanities , Which like fond Ribands serve but for a show , And rather catch Spectators Eyes , than tie That unto which their false Knots they apply ; 168. The idle froth which plays upon the face Of troubled Waters , swelleth not with Winde So thin and faint and sleight and empty , as Is that which bubbles from a royled Minde , When over-flowing Wisdomes sober 〈◊〉 In drunken Prattle on the Lips it swimms . 169. As thy next Neighbour Geusis soon may be Luxurious by too much Taking in ; So thou must of an opposite Luxurie Be carefull ; for if once thy Lips begin To give the Reins to Words , it is great chance But they will drown thee in Intemperance . 170. Silence , her Master never did undoe But ô how guilty is Multiloquie Of this unhappy Treason ! Nature , who The Danger spi'd by Providences eye , Was studious this Mischief to prevent , Whilst unto thee a double Guard she lent . 171. The outer are thy Lips , which though they be But soft and tender , yet their two-leav'd Door So close they shut , that not the first Degree Of Words , not Breath it selfe , has power to bore Its way , but forced is to goe about , And through the Notes Sluces wrestle our . 172. The inner are thoso Ranks of Ivory Which strougly barracadoe up thy way ; No itching busie Bubble can get by Except its Passage these to it betray . T is no hard task for thee to rest in peace , Who strengthned art by two such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 173. Before Thou speakest , Thou art Queen alone And hast the free command of thine own Thought ; But unto forreign Jurisdiction Thou yeeldest it when Words have blown it out , For strait 't is subject to the cruel Laws Of every Auditors censorious Jaws . 174. When thou giv'st leave to other Tongues to walk , They travell for thy Gain ; if Wise he be Who speaks , thou learnest Wisdome by his Talk , If Foolish , thou getst by his Vanitie A wholsome Warning : But when thine own Cock Alone doth run , thou spendest on the Stock . 175. Fear no discredit by Pauciloquie ; All Jesu's footsteps high and noble are , Never was humble Sheep more mute then He Before those who his humane fleece did shear : And if the Word himself was not ashamed Of Silence , why should it in Thee be blamed ? 176. What will it boot thee to enhance the score Of these Debts which to Heav'ns Judge thou dost owe : A strict Acconnt Thou must give up before His dreadfull Throne , of all the Words that flow From thee in vain ; why then wilt Thou to death Be sentenced by thine own lavish Breath ? 177. Improve it rather in a holy Thrift , And unto Heav'n let it thy Prayers blow , Or thy loud Hallelujahs thither lift ; And not , like wanton Windes , play here below . But if Thou needs wilt idely prattle , I Must deal in 〈◊〉 with thy Vanity . 178. No Word could Glossa unto this reply , But look'd demurely , and obeysance did : Her conge to withdraw , in Psyche's Eye And in her Nod , no sooner did she read , But out She meekly went , and left the room Unto the Passions who were thither come . 179. As these in order stood before the Throne , With serious Looks the Queen first awed Them ; Then thus She spake : Now you are here alone , I am content to tell you what esteem I have of you , so long as you can be What Heav'n has made you , to your selves , and Me. 180. Of all the Commons which Allegiance owe To this my Crown , I you repute the best ; More quick and generous Service you can show Than those whose utmost Faculties doe rest In grosse exterior things , which onely are Labouring in Sensibilities dull Sphear . 181. Upon your backs I can far higher slice , And with more speed , than on the Senses Wings : By you I wellcome bid , or I defie The Tributes which to Me their Service brings : You are the lively Mirrour which presents My dispositions truest Lineaments . 182. The inward Body of the Soule are you , The Outside of the hidden Heart : All springs Which peep up there , apparently doe flow In your free Chanels ; the abstrusest Things Which in the Mindes dark Temper nestling ly , By you exposed are to every Eye . 183. But as your naturall Power and Worth is high , So is the Guilt of your Extravagance : Though Wormes , the Sons of Dirts all nuzzling 〈◊〉 In their Dames bosome , they do not inhance Their Basenesse ; but should Birds do so , in them The Crime would foule and most unnatural seem . 184. Be then but truely what you are ; but flie In your own Sphear ; and you shall surely meet Together with your own felicitie My Praise and Love : damp not that generous 〈◊〉 Whose embers in your Veins desire to flame Into the lustre of eternal fame . 185. Love know thy Self , and own an holy Pride ; Thine Arms were never framed to embrace Such low and worthlesse things as can abide Beasts for their Owners : Never then disgrace The gallantrie of thy illustrious Wings By flagging here about vile earthly Things . 186. Though to Humilities submissive Law Thou a sworn subject art ; thine Aim may be At Excellencies fairest Top ; for know That Meeknes traceth Jesu's steps ; and He , Ev'n through Contempts black Valley , did ascend To Glories brightest Throne at Gods right Hand . 187. Virtue , and Heav'n ( the soile whence it did spring ) Exposed are to Thee a noble Prey : If rotten Earth can more allurements bring , More Worth , more satisfaction , than They ; Poure Scorn upon Them , and thy Self apply To hug the Pleasures of Mortality . 188. The great Adventures of all Saints deride , Who spent their lives those Prizes to obtein ; And blesse those Spirits who swum down the Tide Of 〈◊〉 short Sweets , into that Gulfe of Pain Where endlesse Horrors boile , and where ev'n Love It self is changed , and doth Hatred prove . 189. Fear , be not Thou afraid to know thy Part : 'T is not to Quake at all the Powers which Hell Or Earth can band against thy jealous Heart : Those Tempests all are chained , and can swell No highet than that Hand permits , which is Stretch d out to sheild Thee from their Boisterousnes . 190. See'st Thou that single Hair which shivering lies Upon thy Breast , & dreads the gentlest Winde ? Were all th' Aerial Principalities Into one Knot of Violence comb in'd , 'T would pose their Might and Wit to tear it thence , If stopped by that Hand of Providence . 191. Thy duty is to tremble at the Sight Of that foule Monster which makes Hell so black ; Sins face alone is that which needs affright Thy tender Eyes ; a Face , whose Beames can make The Basilisks fell Emanations yeild To them the glorie of all Poisons field , 192. Yet if thy wilfull Eyes will not attend Unto the Terrors of that dismall Look ; View but the Horrors of a Cursed End , And make Eternall flames a while thy Book ; There shalt Thou read what will deserve to be With frightfull Quaking ente rtain'd by Thee , 193. And in this shaking fit shalt Thou admire What Madnesse makes fond Men to tremble at The frowns of Fortune , or a Princes Ire ; Yet never fear the Wrath of Vengeance , that Enrag'd by Brimstone in the Burning Pit , Gapes wide for All who , sleighting , merit it . 194. But when with soft and gentle Tremor Thou Wousd'st sweetly exercise thy Self , apply Thy reverent Thoughts to Him upon whose Brow Sits the bright Crown of highest Majesty : God to wards thire will his own Eyes incline , And on thy Heart with daintie Awe will shine . 195. And thou , stern Hatred , as relentlesse be As Rocks , or Soules of Tigres , in thy Spight ; But see the Dart of this thy Crueltie Misse not its proper Butt ; thine onely fight Must be with Wickednesse , on which accurst And dangerous Enemy , doe all thy worst . 196. All other Foes , how fell so e'r , belong Unto Loves Jurisdiction , for She Knows how revenge to take on any Wrong By drowning it in mighty Charitie : Thy Wrath is sharp , but Hers is gentle ; Thou With Steel dost break but She with Warmth doth thaw . 197. Be wary then to guide thy Stroke aright , For close the Sin and Sinner joyned are ; Least when against the Crime Thou think'st to fight . Unto the Person thou extend'st thy War : The Person 's Gods , who Nothing Hates which He Hath made , and therefore will not suffer Thee . 198. Hope , lavish not thy fruitlesse Expectation On any Birth which this World forth can bring ; Why shouldst Thou dance Attendance on Vexation : On Winde , on Froth , on Shaddowes vanishing In their original ; and gape to be Replenished with pure Vacuitie ? 199. On Fulnesse rather wait , and lift thine Eye , Thy longing Eye , to Heav'n , where it doth dwell ; Far off indeed the Object is , but thy Discerning Power at distance doth excell : Be brave , and confident , Thou canst not misse A Mark so ample , and so fair as this . 200. Since Absence than is Nothing unto Thee But its bare Name , ( for to thy reaching Eye The Thing is Present , though it hidden be In the dark Bosome of Futuritie , ) O be Fruition ; 〈◊〉 thy 〈◊〉 . And climbe 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 . 201. But Thou , tart Anger , nev r gad abroad To finde Meat for thy washpish Appetite , Home will supply Thee with sufficient food . Food which would fatten Thee with true Delight : What faults soever Thou espiest here , Fall to , and make thee merry with the Cheer . 202. This Item doth no lesse belong to Thee Pale thoughtfull Jealousie ; Let no surmise Of Others Bus nes breed Perplexitie In thine ; but in ward turn thy prying Eyes , And give the reins to thy Suspition here In any thing which is not fair and clear . 203. I give thee leave , ev'n not to spare thy Queen ; Be diligent , and if thou wilt seveer ; For such an One in time past hadst Thou been , Immured safe in neversleeping fear Psyche could not have layn subdued by The Charms of Lust , and fouler Hercsy . 204. Yet Sorrow , thou thy Tears may'st safely spend On forreign and on publick Mischiefs ; Thou Mayst help Compassion freely to extend Her reaching Bowels , and her Bounty show In sympathetick Tendernesse to All Whom tyrannous Disasters hold in Thrall . 205. Provided , all thy Store thou pour'st not forth To quench thy Neighbours flames , but savest some To wash away the stains which from thy Birth Have daily multiplyed here at Home . These well deserve them ; but no Drop shalt Thou On any Temporal Losse of mine bestow . 206. O no! A Tear's nobler Thing than so , Nor must be squander'd in such vain Expence : No Oriental Pearls , though married to Some rich Embroydery , show such pretence To Beauty ; as the pretious Beads , whose Mine Lives in the fertile Wombe of humane Eyn . 207. Let wanton Fortune take her proud Delight In trampling on what Error Goods doth call ; That Title on their Back cannot sit right Which at vain Changes beck must Rise and fall : Let her insult ; why should thy Tears flow down For Fortunes fault , and not lament thine own ? 208. Joy , thou hast heretofore too carelesse been In distribution of thy lavish Smiles ; What is 't to Thee , if fields abroad are green , If Plenty with her Blisse thy Coffers fils , If any thing without Thee prospers , when Thou poor , and parch'd , and barren art within : 209. If thou at Home canst nothing worthy finde Of thy applauding Notice ; no brave feat Of resolute Virtue , no soule-plying Winde Of Heav ns great Spirit , no adventarous Heat Of holy Love ; alas thy Merriment Is but th' Hypocrisie of Discontent . 210. 'T is but a Shaddowie Dreaming Pleasure which Doth float and play in thy fantastick Brain , And cannot unto thy Hearts Region reach Which still beclowded is with pensive Pain : Yea ev'n thy Laughter doth with Wrinckles plow , Thy face , and in thy Mirth , Cares Visage show . 211. Wherefore in God , and what of Him in thy Own bosome thou canst see , fix thy Delight : And then walk out ; yet onely to descry What Hearts doe pant like thine ; that onely sight Abroad , deserves Thou shouldst Spectator be ; All else with Grief suit better , than with Thee , 212. And you the Rest , whose neer attendance on My royall Person doth in you require Exact and generous Duty ; see you run Not on the businesse of your own Desire , But mine ; which should be yours : and know , that I Better than you your selves can you imploy . 213. So in this Realm of ours such Peace shall rest As the intrusion of no storm shall fear : So of your selves you all shall be possest , And reign in your own Bounds , as I doe here : So no Agenor henceforth shall entise You to conspire to your own Miseries , 214. But if you scorn to walk in Honors Way ; ( Which way , is , Doing what becomes you best . ) Yet must not I permit you to betray Your own Capacitie of Welfare , least In your Mishap I prove a Sharer : no , Your Queen her Power better knows than so . 215. She ending here : The Passions each on other Cast their uncertain Eys , and much adoe They had their itching way wardnes to smother , These strict Injunctions did gripe them so : Yet none so venturous was , as to lead up Against the Queen , their Stomachs forlorn Hope . 216. Thus vex'd at one anothers Faintnesse , they Hung down their sheepish looks , and bent their knees In token they were ready to obey What Laws soe'r her Majesty would please On them to lay ; and so went blushing out That they into Subjections guilt were brought . 217. For those whose Palats never yet did taste The blessed Sweets of Holy Discipline , By wilfull Licences mad Revels cast Up their Accounts of Freedome , and repine At any Chains , although they keep them in From rushing to the slaverie of sin . 218. Psyche observ'd how they this Regular Bit Into their Mouths like sullen Horses took , How peevishly they foam'd and champ'd on it , As loth such serious servitude to brook : This made her instantly resolve to ride Them hard , and weary out their lustie Pride . 219. Nor theirs alone ; but the loose Senc's too , Whom their new Laws had almost Passions made , So hard they grated on their Necks , and so Straitly they ty'd them to a stricter trade Than they before had practis'd , or then was Profess'd about the World where they did passe . 220. She by a Peremptorie brave Decree , Enacted Scorn of every thing which here Earth useth as a Bait , to Luxurie , Pride , Avarice , or any Crime which bear Cheif Rule in Mortal Hearts , whil'st heedlesse they Mark not the Hook , ev'n when they are its Prey . 221. A general Proclamation then she made , That none who unto her did homage owe In any Case presume abroad to gad , Unlesse Necessitie along did goe As their Companion , who might limits set Both to their Walk , and what they did in it . 222. As when an head-strong Torrent , wont to throw His lawlesse Arms or every Mead where He Listed to riot , is enjoyn'd to slow In a strait Chanels Regularitie , The Stream with belking indignation beats , And foams agamst the Banks with murmuring threats . 223. So with vexatious , and yet fearfull , Wrath , Her Subjects pent up in these narrow bounds , In sighs and groans rebell against their Path , And every one his fretfull greif expounds In a long commentary of Complaint ; The onely freedome of their new restraint , 224. Were , other Subjects yok'd so close as We , Their Company would lighter make our yoke ; For Misery spred in Communitie Abates the terror of her cruel look : But how , said they , shall we endure alone The total weight of her Dominion 225. Were it the Fashion any where beside For Sence and Passion thus in Chains to lye ; Our Soules it would not torture to be ty'd At home in endlesse slavery : but why Must all the World laugh at our woes , whil'st we The sole examples of this Bondage be ? 226. Psyche , who all their struggling Murmurs heard , With awfull Majesty enflam'd her Eye ; And , Come , said she , if I must needs be Fear'd , Who would much rather have been Loved by All you my Subjects ; be it so ; for still Keep you intirely such I must , and will . 227. Yet since the Fashion 's all your plea , and you Of singularitie tax this your state ; As far as Reason leads , I will allow You your own Wish : But see you kick not at My royal Love , not force me to the Fashion Which Princes use in Rebels Insultation . 228. Know then the Fashion I have put you in Is that which made the Saints of old so sine , That they the Eyes of Heav'n it self could win , And ravish all , but those to whom divine And earth-despising Bravery doth seem Dimmer than is pale Gold and Silvers beam . 229. Yea that illustrious Realm whose situation Lies higher than the Stars , does not disdain To own what you repute a servile Fashion , But every Angel his own Will doth chain Close to his Soveraigns Law , and never flies Abroad , but when great Bus'nesse him imployes . 230. Tell Me not then , what Garbs and Humors are By the blinde foolish World ador'd ; but take Your copie from those Patterns which out-dare The Worth of any Parallel ; and make Those Men your Pitty , who make you their Scorn ; Your Fashion gorgeous is , but theirs forlorne . 231. These Words with such convincing Horror flew Upon the faces of the mutinous Rout , That all their Murmurs Blasts away they blew , And still'd the thoughts which in their bosoms wrought And since their Stomacks nothing had to Say , They nothing had to Doe , but to Obey . 232. Thus from exterior Troubles sequestred , Psyche at home close to her Bus'nesse fell : She , long before the Sun , was out of Bed , And call'd it Morning , e'r the East could tell Aurora rising was ; for I ; said she , Have fiercer Steeds to rule than Phoebu's be . 233. Then , higher into Heav'n than He doth ride , She took her leap ; so stout and sinewie were Her early Mattens , which her Soul did guide Unto the Pinnacle of Glory , where Her Praises , and her Prayers she before The foot-stool of her mighty Spouse did poure . 234. Her Hands then letting down , she set them to Their early Task ; and this was to prepare Clothes for the Orphans and the Widdows who Now all by Charities Adoption were Become her Children : thus did prudent she Bravely make fruitfull her Virginity . 235. ( And in this voluntary Off-spring she Took high delight : for those who Parents are By Natures Work , too oft engaged be In an unnatural Broods vexatious care ; But she from hers no Discontent could finde , Being the chosen Children of her Minde . ) 236. Yet with her Work her Prayers she mingled so , That she of both a goodly Checker made : In whatsoever Bus'nesse she did goe , Heav'n interwoven was ; for all her Trade Was but a faithfull Prentise-hood to Him Whose royal Temples wear Heav'ns Diademe , 237. So though the Mariner with busie care Attends his Card , yet oft he lifts his Eye To take direction from that trustie Star Which darteth on his Voyage Certainty ; And by this mixed study safely rides Over the proudest and the furthest Tides . 238. No idle Visits her abroad could draw : Yet whensoever the despised Poor Were sick , she by the royal Gospel Law Thought her selfe thither summon'd , to restore Unto her needy Lord the help which she Had oft receiv'd from his Benignity . 239. For Him on all those fickly Beds she saw , His pained broken Limbs , His parched Skin , His burning Tumors , His black stripes , His raw And gaping Wounds ; which did so strongly win On her Compassion , that her own they proved , Whilst her soft Bowells them both felt and loved . 240. The odious Sores which would have loathing bred Ev'n in the Surgions eyes , she gently view'd ; Her choisest Plaisters tenderly she spred , And all her Powders with delight she strew'd ; Her Selfe of her own Clothes she robb'd , to winde About the Naked , and the Maimed binde . 241. By the Diseases greatnesse she did measure The worth of her distressed Company : The foulest Lepers yeilded choisest Pleasure To her Attendance , who aspir'd to be A Servant unto those whose Noisomeness Both Parents Love and Childrens , did suppress . 242. In vain her Senses turned back their head , Since She what they abhorr'd , resolv'd to love ; In vain her daintier Passions murmured , And to recall her from that Office strove ; Her Resolution she the more profest , And ever Kiss'd the Sores which she had drest . 243. The coy-ey'd Ladies with a squeamish Look Admir'd and loath'd her lowly Complement ; Not for a World would their fine Fingers brook The Touch of what her Kisses did resent As soft and sweet : yet could not their Disdain Her Zeal discourage , or her Lips restrain . 244. Still She her Mercifull Designe persues , And by divine Insinuation tries How in her Potions she may Heav'n infuse , And reach the Soules mysterious Maladies . Heart-startling Hints she sprinkles here and there , And poures in heav'nly Cordials every where . 245. Nor by this paradoxick Zeal alone Did she run counter to the Worlds carreer ; But valiant in her high Devotion , Adventur'd further yet to domineer Over her Flesh and Blood , whose lustie Heat By rigid Abstinence she down did beat . 246. She ne'r by set and customary Time Was summon'd to unneceslary Meat ; But earnest Hunger alway told the Chime By which she was admonished to Eate ; And then her Meal she measured not by Her Stomackfull , but bare Sufficiency . 247. And thus her food she did her Servant make , Whilst others Slaves to their own Tables are ; Thus did she rellish every Bit , and take The genuine Delight of all her Fare , Whilst those whom Plenty alwayes fat doth keep , Their Palats proper Joyes can never reap . 248. This Art so pluck'd her Bodies Plumes , that she Could easily graspe and rule it with her Will ; For soon she snatch'd it from the Suavitie Of all those Cates which pamper'd Skins doe fill ; And if it winch'd and struggled , space to get , Straiter and straiter still she grasped it . 249. The Gardens roseal and lilie Store , With all its Wealth of Spice and Odours , she For being such , did shun : of Eastern Ore , 'Cause it was rich , she would no Hoarder be : From Lute and Harp , because they pleasing were , Beligiously she did abstein her Ear. 250. ( For yet Religions cheerly jovial Dayes Encourag'd not the Christian Hemisphear ; No Musick yet mix'd instrumental Layes With the Liturgick Anthems , striving here To echo that triumphant Melody Which in th' Angelick Quire is streind so high , 251. For surely Psyches Soule must needs have leap'd At such Delights ; and her sweet-tuned Heart With its exultant Pulse , due time have keep'd To all such pious Airs ; which by the Art Of charming Sanctitie can steal upon The coldest Bosome , hot Devotion . ) 252. Delicious Wine , because it guilty was But of it selfe , exactly she eschued ; The Gallantrie of Clothes , she held Disgrace In those whose Hearts had Vanitie subdued : By simple Natures Rules she strove to square What she did Touch , or Taste , Smell , See , or Hear . 253. To Heav'n she caus'd on Fervors wings to ride All those Affections which could traffick there . To be her Factors , and her Stock provide , Against her Death should thither send up her . And those whose Bus'nesse here below did lie . She strictly to their proper Tasks did tie . 254. By constant waiting on her Penitence , Her Tears acquir'd so quick an Habit , that No Tide with such perpetual Effluence Its swelling Brine above the Chanel shot : Her flood disdained all set houres to keep , And day and night her Cheeks and Breast did steep . 255. Etesian Windes could never hold so long In breath , as did her Sighs unwearied Blast ; Nor could the common Gales blow halfe so strong As these , or ever follow on so fast : And none so fit for her , as such a Gale . Who through the Ocean of Griefe did sail . 256. Indeed when Times of Euangelick Joy , The reverend Feasts of holy Church , did dawn ; She layd aside her penitent Annoy , And with the Catholick Triumph mix'd her own : Yet still her Sighs and Tears she could not choose , At least for loving Joy , to interpose . 257. As for her Bed , it was made every where , Her sleep being onely on the naked Ground : Fore-casting as she was , her lodging there She chose in time , that when she should be bound To her last Couch , the Grave might not to her Right hardy skin , strange and uncooth appear . 258. And though this Bed did rude and churlish seem , She felt it courteous in the best of Love ; Those lusty thoughts which in a soft-lay'd Dream With hot uncleanesse through the fancy rove , Were curbed by this sober Hard-ships Rein Which cool'd all mutinies in her chaste brain . 259. For wanton Cogitations Cowards are , Being the tender Sons of easie Rest : They painfull Virtues hardy lodging fear , And onely love an idle Downy Nest ; Soft are their Wings , and therefore warm and drie They must be kept , and upon Feathers lie . 260. When sparing Capricorn would not allow As liberal space to Day , as unto Night ; She no advantage took , but studied how To peece up curtail'd Day with Candle-light ; And still was up , though Phoebus were in Bed , Till she her purpos'd task had finished . 261. But that of such extension was , that she Was often overtaken , even by The laziest Morn , before her Work could be Drawn up unto its full Maturity : Yet then unto her rest she went not , till Her weary Head down on her Prayer-Book fell . 262. For Time , inestimable Time , was that On which her onely Avarice she fed ; Griev'd that the World with such elaborate And costly idlenesse had studied A thousand courtly Pastimes out , since They Alas pass not the Time , but Man , away . 263. Madly-improvident Man ; who though vain He Be sure of nothing , but that He must Dye ; Though the next Moment in his Power be No more than the next Age ; yet labours by The help of long-extended empty Sport To make the too too posting houres seem short . 264. Psyche ne're found so tedious a Day , But still she thought Night crowded on too fast : She knew , as hard and narrow , so the Way To Heav'n was long ; and though she made all haste , She fear'd Deaths darknesse would rush on , e'r she Safe at her mighty Journe's end could be . 265. Unwearied custome in this strictnesse made The World unfavorie to her palate seem ; The Senses rellish'd not their wonted Trade ; The Passions all were tractable and tame ; The Body humbled and beat down so low , That no rank weeds in its drie soile could grow . 266. Her Roabs of flesh about her Soule did sit So close and fit , that well they Her became ; A Maid more handsome delicate and neat In Heav'ns judicious Eye she now did seem , Than when she wore a larger bulk without her , And her full Body ruffled more about her . 267. So spruce and strait her feature was , that no Distortions , or Distempers room could spie Where to assail her ; Health about did goe Through every Part , and brisk Activitie Liv'd in her joynts , although her yeilding 〈◊〉 Look'd neer as pale , as she was pure within . 268. But yet her Mental Powers more lively were , Being not hampered nor clogged by Those Fumes and Clouds which from luxuriant 〈◊〉 Full at the face of heedlesse Reason flye , And damp those Eyes with lazie dimnesse , which Objects sublime intended were to reach . 269. The Bow of all her sprightfull Faculties At an high pitch stood always ready bent ; No sudden busines ever could surprise Her heart at unawares ; she never meant Concoctions leasure to attend , but still As ready as her Work , she to it fell . 270. Thus she at length perceiv'd her troubled skie Cleard of its gloomy frowns , and turn'd into The cheerfull beauty of Serenity ; She saw her rude unruly Servants , who Disturb'd her region , in one Calme united ; And at this sight of Peace , her Soule delighted . 271. But as the gallant Spark is not content To climbe up to the top of Airs first Stage , Since by the servor of its Naturall Bent Above the Third it aims , nor can aswage The vehemence of that noble Spur , till it Into Fires elemental Bosome get : 272. So Psyche , who unto Perfections Sphear Bent her brave course , now for a second flight Her wings and Resolution did prepare ; Knowing a Third remained still , which might Eas ly deterr her Courage , if in this She coward turn d , and bow'd to Wearinesse , 273. No : generous as she was , she vow'd to trie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of her strength ; and feard not what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intercept her Bravery : Though Chance's Wheel in her hand rolled not , In Gods it did ; and upon that would I Rather than on mine own , said she , rely . 274. Logos into her Closet She did call , Where with grave Countnance thus she Him bespake : Thou see'st with what exact Obedience all My vulgar Subjects on their Necks doe take My heaviest Yokes ; and far , far be it Thou 〈◊〉 loyall Love to Me than They , shouldst show . 275. If common Herbs and Grasse can learn to give Faithfull Attendance on their Lord the Sun ; What Candour can the Marygold repreive From Censure and from Shame , if she alone Whom Nature joyneth unto Him so neer , Refuse her constant Duty to preferr ? 276. Couldst Thou have e'r imagined that They My other Servants could have found such dear And full Content , when I on them did lay Such loads as slew at first their Hearts with fear ? Yet now Tranquillity and Joy and Blisse The fruit of my seveer Injunctions is . 277. To Brutish Dulnesse being neer of Kin Their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reasons sweetest Plea ; And hard it was for heavy them to win Upon their carnall Selves , and bow to me : But Thou art Reasons Secretarie , and Her Will ( and that is mine , ) dost understand . 278. Yea and thy Load is lesse than theirs ; but far Greater thy Strength : No Arrow with such speed Snatcheth its shortest journey through the Aire ; No Lightning with such nimble Wings doth spread Its selfe about the World ; as Thou canst Flie Ev'n to the Crest of all Sublimitie , 279. Abuse not then that brave Activity By hankering and flagging here below ; Stout-winged Eagles ne'r were made to be Companions unto Dunghill flies , O how Wilt Thou thine own Worth answer , if thine aim Thou take'st beneath thy selfe , and thy high Name I 280. Alas these sublunary Matters be So 〈◊〉 of Emptinesse , that wretched They Will shrink and melt into meer Vanity When thou beginst to grasp them : Never play At such poor Game which will but mock thy pains ; So far are they from answering Thee with Gains . 281. Learning , which looks so big , and nods 〈◊〉 Upon illiterate Swains , could never yet Beyond that self-tormenting Wit attain Of seeing cleerly its own Want of Wit ; Whilst Simple Soules are never vexed by Those stinging Checks of learn d Simplicity 282. Yet no disdainfull Knower e'r can gain That Admiration which ambitious He Hunts for with studious and pale-fac d pain , Unlesse his Auditors unlearned be : Art wonders not at Art ; but Ignorance Alone the fame of Learning doth advance . 283. ( What are the busy Scholes , but a perplex'd And implicated Maze , in whose Meander With thousand knotty scrupulous By-paths vex'd The ever-doubting Student's forc d to wander ? Learning her Self's a Circle , and the Soule Can finde no rest where it must always 〈◊〉 . ) 284. Had any Rest dwelt there , thou hadst not in Ecclesia's glorious Hall 〈◊〉 how all The Patriarchs of 〈◊〉 Wit did 〈◊〉 Upon the Chains which held them there in Thrall , And roar in helplesse 〈◊〉 That they had 〈◊〉 so , to be 〈◊〉 , 285. What Gains reap'dst thou thy Selfe , when thou didst sow In the Cerint hian or the Nazareen Soil ; When Heav'ns Instruction Thou away didst throw And with fond earthly Wisdom didst beguile Thy better Knowledge ? In thy Blush I see Confession of that costly Vanitie , 286. But ask thy Memory , and she will tell Thee what thou undertookst when thou wert freed From fair-tongud Heresies foule-hearted Hell : Didst Thou not then intirely make a Deed Of thy whole Selfe to Me ? which still doth stand In force ; I 'm sure I cancell'd not the Bond 287. And now Performance I require , nor will I bate a Tittle of the Obligation : If this strict Course involved any Ill To thee , I would admit thy Deprecation ; But thou art Bound to thine own Happinesse And Heav'n forbid that I should Thee dismisse . 288. What could Indulgence towards Thee be now But most malitious Tyranny in Me ? Sooner among the Clouds shall Dolphins row , And Eagles flutter through the deepest Sea , Than I will accessory be to thy Enslaving Freedome , and Selfe-felony . 289. No : thy perpetuall Task henceforth shall be In the soft Air of Heav'n thy Wings to stretch : Say not they are too short ; for Constancie Of Exercise will quickly make them reach , And Thee enable gallantly to rise And sore amongst the Birds of Paradise . 290. Amongst those Birds who on the royall Face Of the eternall Sun of Majesty In meek audacitie for ever gaze , Reading his mighty Providential Eye , And all those other Marvels gracious He Will let created Contemplation see . 291. These shalt thou see , and fix thy studie there ; But ever with this Caution , that thine Eye Trust not its own Powers which are weak and bleat , But on that never-erring Glasse rely Which in Ecclesia s Court to thee was given , Truthes mirrour , and the Spectacles of Heav'n 292. Thy vast Capacity can onely there Meet with a Feast sufficient Thee to fill , Where thou hast free leave to fall to that Cheer , Which wouldst thou 〈◊〉 , the whole World could not sell ; That Cheer , whose Worth s above the World as far As its Exuberance and Dwelling are . 293. Leaps not thy Soule at this ? If any where Thou canst discover a more worthy Prize , I 〈◊〉 not command thy Strength to wrestle here : But since all other Treasures this outvies , I must not suffer Scorn to say of thee : Logos could Reason finde a Fool to be . 294. And that Anqmuesis thine Hand-mayd , may Advance thy brave Adventure , upon Her My strict and peremptory Charge I lay To see no Trash pollute her Register ; For many a Toy which wears an harmlesse Look Will easily defloure her virgin book . 295. Wilde Fancy would be tame did she not finde A thousand Shapes of vain and uselesse Things Wandring about the Store-house of the Minde . Upon whose backs she gets , and madly flings About the Region of the Brain , when Sleep In her blind Arms doth Thee a Pris'ner keep . 296. All fond Romances , and all wanton Songs , With Idlenesses Busines , tickling News , Which swarm so thick upon unwary Tongues , And Mans sole Treasure , pretious Time , abuse , Must not that Bosome clog and pester where Heav'n is desir'd to be a Sojourner . 297. No ; Heav'n is large , and our poor Hearts are narrow , Heav'n will our utmost Stowage fraught , and more ; The ample Breasts of Seraphs could We borrow , Still in Capacity We should be poor ; Still by the full-tide Wealth of Piety Our highest Banks would overflowed be . 298. That Knowledge which doth its due Tribute pay To Sanctity , I will not Her forbid ; But her prime care and task shall be to lay Up store of that pure heav n descended Bread , Which Manna's famous Bounty doth outgive Teaching frail Men eternal Lives to live 299. That Bread which flourish'd from the Mouth of Blisse , Gods sacred Word , the reverend Scriptures , where Wisdomes best Jewells , and the rich Excesse Of purest Knowledge all enshrined are ; That living Mine of Oracles , that spring Of every sober-heart-contenting Thing . 300. Such pretious Eloquence ne'r made its hive On any Romane or Athenian Tongue , As in this honey-shaming Book doth live ; Such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sweets were never wrung From humane Poets love-oppressed Soule As there in every Leaf and Line doth roule . 301. For what is every Leaf and every Line But a fair Chanel through whose bosome glides The soft and supple Soule of most divine , Most satisfying Truth , whose generous Tides Difdain all Ebbs , and with unwearied Store Of royal Pleasures flow for evermore . 302. Her prudent Bottles she at every one Of these dear Streams must learn to fill ; yet she Shall with more constant ardent study run To Davids blessed Well , where Suavity In three times fifty Springs doth bubble up , And liquid Heav'n to thirsty Soules set ope . 303. And in the Song of Songs ( that is , of Love , Who there in sacred Wantonnesse doth play , Streining his strong enamored Notes above The loftiest Sphears most sublimated Lay , ) Her pious Revells she may keep , and run O'r the best Riches of great Solomon . 304. But at the Euangelick Fountains she The Streams of purest Holinesse shall draw ; Streams in whose more than Chrystall Clarity Innumerable Virgin Graces row ; Streams where Humility , who onely hath All Virtues for her Handmayds , joyes to bathe . 305. All Mysteries array'd in Sweetnesse there , And no where else , She shall not faile to see ; There Gods own Motions in an Humane Sphear , Accommodated to her Weaknesse , she Shall safely read ; and from the dropping Lip Of Jesus , how much more than Nectar sip . 306. And thus layd in , thy Stock so great will be That thou mayst eas'ly undertake to drive That generous Trade which I enjoyned Thee ; And never doubt but thou shalt bravely thrive : 'T is 〈◊〉 Wealth makes Bankrupts such , but thine Estate shall be immortal and divine . 307. Here Psyche ceas'd . But Logos scratch'd his head , As something jealous that this Task would sit Sad on his back : Yet when he pondered The grounds which fortifi'd and flanker'd it , He found himselfe fore-stall'd of what to say , And therefore to his Soveraigns Will gave way . 308. She , glad on any terms , that Logos had Buckled his Shoulders to receive the Yoak ; In all his Task a decent Method made , That Time it selfe might call him to his Book , And turn his Leaves , and shew him every day What Lesson ready for his Study lay . 309. A noble Week of Attributes she chose In the vast Treasures of the Deitie ; And prest her seav'n Dayes to attend on those Each in his order ; by which practise she Knew how Time went , not by the posting 〈◊〉 But her own Contemplations Motion . 310. That Morn which to the World did Sunday ope , ( That Suns fair Day which did at Salem rise , ) Awak'd her not , but found her ready up , And busie at her Work ; the reverent Eyes Of Logos wide were ope , and earnestly Fix'd on the Godheads wonderous Unity , 311. Nothing is lac'd so close and strait into It selfe , as this immeasurable Nature ; The Singularity which seemeth so Compleat in every Individual Creature . Hangs loose about them , if they judged be By the pure Rule of this 〈◊〉 312. A dull Passivity doth sneaking lie About the center of the 〈◊〉 Hearts , Checking those Flames of their 〈◊〉 Which seem all Spirit : And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parts . Are found , although their 〈◊〉 Be close , the Whose's not absolutely One. 313. O no : should God dissolve that secret Glue Which in their own Subsistence up doth knit Angelick Natures ; that which now doth shew So strait and single , would in sunder split ; Their Wings would melt and moult , their Flames would by , And they themselves from their own selves would fly 314. Ev'n Unity it selfe had never been It selfe , unlesse it had been formed by This Prototype ; that Unity I mean Which hugs and girteth up the Things which ly Under the Foot of that eternal Throne On which He reigns who is supreamly One. 315. Yet not more truely One , than He is Three , But knit in an high and mystick Knot Of simple singular Triplicitie : Which Psyche though she comprehended not , Yet with admiring Eyes she dwelt upon , As Eagles on the Light , the Flame , the Sun . 316. There she beheld how infinitely Bold And equaly besotted , was their Sin , Who had in their Religions List enroll'd A Crowd of Gods : She now could easlyer win Upon her Faith , to think that there were none At all ; then yeild there could be more than One. 317. O how she praised and ador'd that high And burning Jelousy , which though she saw Flaming with most resolved Ardency Upon the Fore-head of the ancient Law , Till now , she knew not so profoundly why Heav'ns deepest Hate was foule Idolatry . 318. But then encourag'd by Heroick Heat , Neerer and neerer to this Knot she drew ; And prostrate at her mighty Makers Feet , This panting Crie upon his Footstool threw : Great Lord , why may not I with Thee be One , Though not by Unitie , by Union ? 319. O I am now a thousand Things a day ! But were I once to Thee intirely joyn'd ; No Objects should thy Psyche steal away , Whilst They into Themselves transform Her Minde : Thy Selfe , and mine , I should behold in Thee , And all Things else I could desire to see . 320. The next Days Dawn , her Meditations drew To feed upon the Truth of her dear Lord , Truth so supreem and infinitely True , As boundlesse Satisfaction did afford Unto her Intellect , whose daintiest Feast By Truth alone is furnished and drest . 321. Solid substantiall Treasures here she saw , To which all other Things but Shaddows are ; Compulsive Reason here she found to draw That strange Conclusion to a Naturall Ear , That God is in such soveraign Certainty Himselfe , that Nothing truely Is , but He. 322. The Fulnes of this Universe is founded On Emptinesse , and therefore cannot be More real than its Bottome : What is grounded On Frothy Bubbles , sticks to Vanity Close by the Roots ; and seeing All Things came From Nothings Wombe , they must be like their Dame , 323. When a quick-paced Intellect doth trace The Lines of any Creatures Being , though At first it meets with what presents a face Of solid Something ; it will quickly grow To its vain journies end ; and stopped be By the huge Gulfe of meer Vacuitie . 324. But when it launceth out into the Sea Of increated Nature , it doth sail Through True and genuine Substantialtie , Which never will its Contemplation fail , By terminating Wants ignoble Shore , But lets it drive its Course for evermore . 325. And in this blessed Ocean Psyche met Such vast Reality , that in disdain She call'd the World , and all that swell'd in it , A mighty Lie , dress'd up and trimm'd with vain Embellishments , whose outside Flatteries Abuse but blear and unconsidering Eyes , 326. Yet sweeter was her Third Days Work than this , For then her Speculation fix'd its Eye Upon the Goodnesse of her Lord , which is The Fountain of unbounded Suavity ; A Fountain which it selfe at home doth fill , And springs through all the Universe doth thrill 327. For as the Sun on 〈◊〉 Star doth poure The bounty of his inexhausted Beams , Making them rich with his illustrious store , Who else could ne're have kindled their own flames ; So all the Rays of Goodnes which make fine Created Eyes , are Sparks of the Divine . 328. Meer Sparks indeed , who of their weaknes by Their twinckling tremor plain Confession make : But Gods supream original Bonity From its own Home doth its Dimensions take ; It lives , and flames in his unbounded Breast , And fils with sweetest fulnes all its nest . 329. Heer The lema leap'd in , who now had found That God alone was absolutely good , And fain she would her ravish'd self have drown'd In this delicious Attribute's deer flood : But Psyche reind her in , whose life she meant Should in another sacrifice be spent . 330. Her fourth days Task was wonderous hard and high , For now her thoughts adventured to look On the vast Volumes of Immensitie ; Which were the sacred admirable Book Of her great Makers face ; a Book which made All Heav'n and Earth to lesse than Nothing fade . 331. But as her Contemplations wander'd here , The further they went on , the further they Were from their end ; and in their boundlesse Spheat Lost both themselves , and their increasing way . Yet Psyche found her Heart fill'd with Delight Thus to be lost from Morning unto Night . 332. Oft did she cry ; What though by Loosing , I Am fain to finde ; and by being Blinde , to See ? What though I cannot Comprehend , but by Granting mine own want of Capacitie ? I am content , dear Lord , since I by this Negation , thy Greatnes doe Confesse . 333. I see thou art Immense and Infinite ; Therefore I see thee not ; yet see thee more By this unable and denying sight , Than they whose saucy Eyes dare by the poor Comparison of whatsoe'r it be Expresse the Measure of the Deitie . 334. But since thou art so great , ô mighty Lord . Whence is it , that Mans narrow Heart to thee An acceptable dwelling can afford ! How is it , that thy Eave's Immensitie Shrinks up thy Nature's ! which is yet as great As 't was before ; ev'n in this litle seat . 335. The fifth day summond all her Might , to view The matchlesse Power of the Deitie . Strait , in her face the whole Creation flew , With witnes of its Author's strength , which she Read from the fairest Heav'ns sublimest Crest Down to the gloomy Centre 's lowest Nest. 336. And though the universal Fabrick were The full Expansion of Magnificence ; Yet oft she chose the smallest Character Of close short-writ Epitomies , and thence Observ'd Gods finger-worke in little flies . As great , as was his Arms in widest skies , 337. But Man took up her deepest Admiration , Man , the rich extract of all things beside , The wondrous Juncture of the whole Creation By which the Heav'n unto the Earth is ty'd ; Yea , more than Heav'n , for God unto the Creature Is married by none but Humane Nature . 338. Yet not content thus at the second Hand To feed her hungry Meditations , she Gallantly made a further venture , and Gaz'd on her Makers naked Potencie , Where she discover'd strength enough to build More Worlds , than Atoms she in this beheld . 339. No Bounds nor Bars she saw , which could forbid The pleasure of his Hand , but onely those Which Contradiction had established : Yet they were not his Power to enclose , But to demonstrate that his noble Might Could nothing doe but what was True and Right . 340. O how she pittied those Princes , who Upon exterior helps misplace the Name Of strength , and dread not what all foes can doe If they have once prevail'd with vaunting Fame To publish to the World their numerous Force Of Castles , Ships , Arms , Money , Men , and Horse . 341. For what are those swoll'n Names unto a King , Whose Arms as short , whose Sinews are as weak As are his meanest Servants ; who can bring No Legions into the field , nor wreak His challeng'd furie on his ready foe , Unless His , be his Subjects Pleasure too . 342. Can his sole Word the Battell fight , and wrest The Laurell from his strugling Enemies ? O no ; his Power doth in Others rest More than himself ; and if by Mutinies Unhappy Spark , Rebellions flame breaks out , By his own Strength his Overthrow is wrought . 343. But Psyche saw how her Creators Might Fast unto his own Will alone was cham'd ; Omnipotence , when e'r he pleas'd to fight , 〈◊〉 all his Marches , for it reignd In 〈◊〉 vast Hand , which doth support and stay All other Arms from mouldering away . 344. Yet though thus Potent , He is also 〈◊〉 , And She as such the sixt Day Him admired : Deeply she weighed how all Ages held One Principle of Boldness , and conspired Against their Patient God , as if his strong Right-hand were bound , because He held his Tongue . 345. Amaz'd she was , to see how He kept under Incensed Justice , who would fain have thrown His ready Veng'ance dress'd in dreadfull Thunder , In Warrs , in Plagues , in Drought , in Famine , down Upon the wretched Heads and Hearts of those Who durst in spight of Mercy , be his Foes . 346. Indeed she saw that Mercy fix her Eye Upon the Rainbow ; where she seem'd to read An Obligation of her Lenitie , Though Heav'n-defying Sin bore up its Head Never so high : Yet by her own Consent Yea and Desire , that Signall Bow was bent . 347. The Bow was bent ; yet not to shoot , but show How Mercy bound her self to doe her best The World to shelter from a second Blow , Which from the first her onely Love releast : Else had the Deluge not repented , and To Earth made restitution of drie Land . 348. This Speculation inform'd her how Much more heroick is the Victory When Sweetness wreaths the Bay about the Brow , Than when plain force doth snatch it thither : He In whom both are supreme , takes more delight In conquering by his Mercy than his Might . 349. And ô may I , said when Night at length Warn'd this her Meditation to conclude . Not by the Dint of thy all-conquering Strength , Dear Lord , but by thy Mercy be subdu'd ! If on a Worme thy Power thou wilt trie , O let it be the Might of Lenity . 350. But then the seavnth Day gave her Thoughts their cue To trace the Wonders of his Glory , which Did from the antecedent Week accrew , And with transcendent Brightnes Him enrich ; Brightness which gave Heav'ns Quire their task to sing Eternal Hallelujahs to their King . 351. And ravish'd heer with mighty Joy and Love , She needs would take with Them her Part of Praise : With utmost Zeals intension she strove Her Acclamations to their Key to raise : And though she could not sing so high nor clear , Yet did her Musick please Heavn's candid ear . 352. She Thought , and Sung , and then she Thought again , For still new floods came rouling in upon Her ; God's other Attributes illustrious Train Themselves in Homage pay unto his Honour , In whose incomparable Vastness they Can all their owne Infinitudes display . 353. What ever breaths , or lives , or has the least Share of Existence , constant Tribute brings Unto this Treasurie , as well 's the best And brightest Cherub : yea ev'n empty Things , Defects and Sinns , though not by Doing , yet By Suffring what they merit , render it . 354. And shall I onely be a barren Tree When all the World besides so fruitfull is ? Forbid it mighty King of Souls , said she : Let not thy Psyches Heart the glory miss Of honouring Thee , although my life it cost ; That life 's best saved which for Thee is lost . 355. Much time in this Imployment having spent , She chang'd her Task , but not her Industry : For , next , her Contemplations she sent To wait upon her Spouses Majesty ; The Marvells of his mighty Love to read , Which over her , and all the World was spread . 356. And here with sympathetick Exultation And amorous fervor she her Soule did melt ; For in the tract of every Speculation His Acts and Passions in her Breast she felt , Which alwayes Sad or Cheerly was , as she His Sorrows or his Joyes in thought did see . 357. A longer Pilgrimage she now did make , And travell'd all the way with more Delight , Than when by Phylax's Conduct she did take To holy Palestine her Zealous flight ; Longer she dwelt on every Monument Of what her Lord for her had done , or spent . 358. A thousand times she sigh'd and wonder'd why Brisk generous Spirits who hunt noble Stories , Through all Books else , should not be ravish'd by The Lustre of the Euangelick Glories , But more exactly strave to know the List Of Casars Acts , than what was done by Christ . 359. She sigh'd , and wonder'd how a Christian Heart Which did not give its blessed Name the lie , Could possibly forbear to snatch its part In its Redeemers noble History ; How Love could quit its loyal selfe , and yet Not know whatever of its Spouse was writ . 360. But all this while on Logo's Wings she flew ; ( Though sometimes Thelema did flutter by , ) And these were much too short and weak , she knew , To towre , and double that Sublimity Which makes Perfections third , and highest Story , The Crown of Saints , and all the Angels Glory . 361. She therefore taking Thelema apart ; With all the winning Art of Courtesie Devised first to charin her mighty Heart , And make it plyant to the Plot , which she Had laid to catch her into Blisle : And then She gently grasp'd her hand , and thus began . 362. O Thou the dearest of my Servants , who Dost wear the Keyes of all that I possesse ; Yea and of Me thy native Soveraign too , Who have no power to stir abroad unlesse Thou op'st the Door ; How doe I wish that I Had more to trust with thy Fidelity ! 363. But since I neither am , nor have , no more ; Let this suffice to binde thine Heart to Me : In gratitude thou canst no lesse restore Than prest Complyance , though I ask of thee Some hard and costly Matter , so to prove The rate and value of my Steward's Love . 364. But I my proper Interest can bate , And by my Subjects Gains account mine own : What e'r advantage doth inhance their State I take it as Accrewment to my Crown ; They are my Riches , nor can I be poor , So long as they increase their teeming Store . 365. All I desire , shall onely be , That thou Wouldst venture to imbrace thy highest Blisse ; And now dull Sense and Passion valiant grow , Now Logos through all Heav'n so busie is , Not Flinch alone , nor be content to stay In any lower Region , than They. 366. Remember that thy Wings of Strength are made And that no Flight's too high or long for thee ; That nothing ever made thy Courage fade Unlesse thy Selfe didst timorously agree To thy Defeat : Henceforth be brave and bold , Thou canst not fail , if thou but holdst thine Hold. 367. Jesus the Soveraign Lord of Thee and Me , Will give thee leave to make Himselfe thy Prey ; Reach then thine Arms of noble Love , that he Imprisoned in thy Imbraces , may Thorough thy happy Heart his Sweetnesse thrill , And with the best of Heav'n thy bosome fill . 368. If this Adventure thou esteem'st too high ; Throw down thy Selfe before His blessed Feet : He cannot let thee there despised lie , But with his ready favour thee will greet ; And for that Resignation of thing , Hug and imbrace thee till thou prov'st divine . 369. This gallant Challenge wrought so strong upon The generous Heart of Thelema , that she The forwardnesse of her submission Forthwith profess'd upon her bended Knee : And , Heav'n forbid , said she , I should deny Your Pleasure , or mine own Felicity . 370. Though not at Jesu's royal Feet , ( ô no , I am too vile to aime my Pride so high , ) Yet , Madame , here at yours , my Selfe I throw To be accepted , and disposed by Your Love and Wisdome ; Use Me as you please , Loe I return you yours , and mine own Keyes . 371. Triumphant Joy straight flam'd in Psyche's Breast The Virgins ready Loyalty to see : Whom she embraced thrice , and thrice she kist , And sweetly forced to rise from her Knee : Then all her 〈◊〉 she took , which to her side ( Weeping and Smiling , ) in one Knot she ti'd . 372. And now I feel my Selfe a Queen , said she , A Queen indeed : Yet be assured thou O faithfull Mayd , shalt finde thy Selfe more free By this Subjection , than when thou didst bow To thine own Inclinations , which have To Vanity full oft made Thee a Slave . 373. Exalated thus unto her own Desire , Into her pious Oratory She More cheerfully than ever did retire To celebrate a new Solemnity ; An Holocaust she hastes to sacrifice , For which her own brave Zeal the Fire supplies . 374. Did golden Mountains tempt her now to stay ; Did Millions of Worlds made up in one Inestimable Bait , lie in her way , And woo her but to let one Minute run Before She fell to work ; not all the force Of those strong Complements could stop her Course . 375. No : She of joyous Love in travell is , And feels the dainty Pangs of Parturition ; Till she brings 〈◊〉 her mighty Sacrifice 'T is not all Heav'n can ease her smart condition . Speed , Speed alone , would usefull be she knew ; Whose Wings she snatch'd , and to her Bus'nes flew . 376. A Preface then of thousand Sighs and Tears Before her brave Oblation she spred . As many Groans unto her Soveraigns ears Like Harbengers of her Designe she sped . Then prostrate on the ground her face she layd . And of her humble Heart the Altar made . 377. Upon this Altar , bound both Hands and Feet , Her Thelema she for the Offring threw : And bend thy gracious Eye said Shee , thou sweet And gentle Lamb of Heav'n , to Me , who sue For thy acceptance of this Sacrifice Which at the footstool of thy Mercy lies . 378. Thy royal Bounty gave it unto Me ; But I , alas perceive my Self too weak To manage such a great Estate ; To thee I therefore render it : O gently take It home again , and govern it for Me The feeble Handmayd of thy Majesty . 379. Doe with it what Thou wilt ; so it be Thine , I care not what betide it ; for I know Thy Pleasure , like thy Self , must be Divine . O see , how it pants and heav's ! if Thou Wilt not accept it , let it lie , for Me : How can I love , what is despis'd by Thee ? 380. As when the Lightning flasheth from the Skie , Down to the ground it flames without delay ; So did the fervor of this Prayer flie , And snatch'd from earth to Heav'n its sudden way ; Nor made it there a stop at any Sphear , But scour'd through all , and reached Jesus ear , 381. Propitious He straight yeilded his Consent , And opening wide his blessed Arms , embraced The dear Oblation with as high Content , As if He , more than Psyche had ben graced . O King of Sweetest Love ; who would not bring To such a God as Thee , his Offering ! 382. But now , as zealous Psyche thought to send Her Altar up , after her Sacrifice ; Behold a sudden Fulnesse did extend Her bosome with such ravishing Rarities , That she perplex'd with unknown Sweets , 〈◊〉 With what strange Paradise she was inspired . 383. At length examining her encroaching Blisse , Another Thelema in her Heart she spied ; But in so lovely and majestick Dresse , That by her Looks she instantly descryed From whence she came , and that she needs must be One of her heav'nly Spouse's familie . 384. His Will it was indeed : for Noble He Disdaineth , not to give more than he takes : No sooner Psyches Offring He did see , But he this greater Present ready makes , Then with innumerable Blessings drest Shoots it into her soft and pious Breast . 385. This grasp'd her Soule so fast , and knit it so Intirely to her Spouse's Heart , that she Forthwith seem'd to have nothing more to doe With what she was her self , since potent He Was seized of her ; and her Will being gone , She to Loves Tyranny was left alone . 386. Nor did Love loose his time , but domineer'd In her subdued heart with full carreer ; And she as glad to be his Slave appear'd As he rejoyced to triumph on her ; For by his Conquests she did count her own , Being by every fall far higher thrown . 387. Thrown up into new stages of Delight , And fresh Excesse of those immortal things Which never were debas'd to mortal sight , Nor stoop'd to please the Ears of proudest Kings ; Things which , the Heart of Man doth pant in vain When it doth stretch , and struggle to contain . 388. And now her Soule , like a new weaned Childe Which wholly hangs upon its Nurses Will , It self not by it self did move and weild , But absolutely resting on the skill And care of her dear Lord who tutor'd it , Was carried wheresoever he thought fit . 389. This made all Sweets and Dainties here below ( For with these names our fond mistakes doe grace them ) Disrellish in her accurate Taste , and grow Truly themselves ; which was enough to chase them From wise acceptance ; for their borrow'd shape Is that alone which doth our love entrap . 390. On God , and onely him her joyes did feast , His royall Pleasure was her pretious Blisse : So well did all his Laws and Statutes taste To her Hearts palate , that the Pleasantnesse Both of the Honey and the Honey-combe Had in her approbation no room . 391. What grated hard upon her Soule before , Wrongs , Slanders , Pains , Distresse , Calamities , Mishaps , and Sicknesse ; tortur'd her no more ; For on her Spouses Will she fix'd her Eyes , And still embraced as the best , what he Did either order , or permit to be . 392. This kindled such a Bonfire of Delight Throughout her Breast , that had she been invited Ev'n by all Paradise , to yeild her right In this Possession , she would have sleighted The mighty Bait , and triumph'd still to be The Holocaust of Loves Extremitie . 393. Yet was her Passions wonderous violence Sweetned with such divine serenitie , That with lesse undisturbed influence The Suns full Beams through all the World doe flie To light the day ; then did these flames of Love Through all her calm hearts blessed Regions move . 394. In dainty silence she her Soule possest , With firm Adhaesion unto her Blisse : Ev'n all her Motions mingled were with rest , Because they did concentricate with his Whose Actions , though all infinite they be , Their number is ty'd up in Unitie . 395. Indeed the World , whom her Austeritie Seveerly chode and stung ; by peevish scorn Reveng'd themselves : for lo , said they , how she By Melancholies blacknesse grown forlorn , Esteems her self as fair as if the best Of heav'ns bright beauties had her count'nance 〈◊〉 396. She from her self : by wilfull Robberie , Plunders those honest Sweets , which courteous heav'n To check Lifes tide of infelicitie , Hath into Moderations Bosome given ; And taxeth Gods own bounty by refusing , What we cannot approve , but by our 〈◊〉 . 397. Should any paltry Begger serve Her so , Sure she would not believe He did despise Her Almes alone ; but was contemptuous too Against her self ; Nor would his humble guise Perswade her that his stomacks inward Pride Was by Devotions fervor Mortifi'd . 398. Thus did the Ravens against the Swan inveigh : But now no seeds of Discontent remaind In Psyche's heart , she let them say their say , And from their Envie a new Laurel gaind ; Her silent Patience answerd all their scorn , And to her Crown their Calumnies did turn . 399. But as she rested in this mystick Peace , Hers , and all pious Soules , eternal Foe , Who counted his own trouble by her ease , Tore his fell heart with studying what to doe : Atlength resolved , haste he makes to dress In a faire vizard his foule wickednesse . 400. Time was , when he Precentor of that quire Which all the Sphears with Hallelujahs fill , Arrayed was in glorious attire , Whose gallantry did then become him well ; But when a monstrous Rebell He became , The Crime invested him , with hideous shame . 401. Yet He , remembring his original guise , And being well skil'd in Hypocrisie , Patch'd up himself a coat of gorgeous Lies , Wherein to shelter his Doformitie ; That though he were the King of blackest night , He might an Angel seem of fairest light . 402. His ragged Horns of steel He pulled in ; And on his rustie brazen looks he spred A soft , a ruddy , and well polish'd skin ; His front , with envious wrinkles furrowed , He planed over , sweetning all his face With blooming youthfulnes , and smiling grace . 403. Into a Knot he gather'd up his Taile , And ty'd it at his back : of every Toe And Finger carefully he cut the Naile ; And then his Hands and Feet he painted so , That what before was harsh and footie , now Did cleanly , delicate , and beauteous grow . 404. His bushie snarled Locks of fretfull Snakes He shaved off ; for which , to shade his Head , Into the new-erected Tombe he breaks Of an embalmed Virgin lately dead , And stealing thence her fresh perfumed Tresses , His Baldnes he with Curles of Amber dresses . 405. An hundred Swans then having plundered ; Their fairest and their softest feathers he In two brave Combinations marshalled , And measured , and poised equalie ; Then to his shoulders them he fitted , and A Pair of goodly Wings had at Command . 406. A Roab he chose whose colour scorn'd the Milk , And with his wings did correspondence hold ; Its texture was of light and pliant Silk , Belac'd and fring'd with oriental Gold , That both its Purenesse and its Splendor might Profess that down from Heav'n he took his flight . 407. Accouter'd thus : as Psyche wearied by Her holy Vigils , yeelded unto Sleep , The slie Impostor silently did flye Into her Chamber , and with cunning creep Under the ey-lids of her heart , where he Himself presented in fain'd Claritie . 408. But as the Virgins Soule began to start : Fear not , said he , for Phylax is thy friend ; These Rays of mine did never terror dart , But to thy Weaknes , Strength and Comfort lend ; And Heav'n forbid that I should prove unkinde Now thou my favour most deserv'st to finde . 409. The Gallantrie of thy Devotion I Come to applaud , and to increase its Fire : I grant thy zealous Wings have towred high , But yet thy Spouse would have them labour higher , And as immoderate in their answer prove As is to thee the Challenge of his Love . 410. The Watches frequent are , and long , which thou In deer attendance upon Him dost keep ; Yet oftner generous he , and longer too To purchase rest for thee , did loose his sleep . Be noble now ; remembring thou shalt have Sufficient sleeping time in thy still Grave . 411. Low hast thou pluck'd thy Bodies Plumes ; but He Was rent and torn , and furrow'd up with Lashes : And can the Zeal of thy Austerity More legibly appear than in such Gashes ? I know thou lovest not thy Skin , but yet 'T were not amisse thus much were writ on it . 412. Severe and resolute thy Fastings be If scanned by the faint Worlds vulgar fashion : But Fourty Dayes thy Spouse did Fast for thee , And now expects thy faithfull Imitation : 〈◊〉 As well He may , who an eternal Feast , 〈◊〉 To quit a few Dayes Fast , in Heav'n has drest . 413. Since then He means that thou with Us shalt reign , Betimes it will become Thee to prepare Thy Selfe for out Society , and strein Out all the Dreggs thou hast contracted here , That raised to the Purity in which We Angels shine , thou mayst our Region reach . 414. By Moses , and Elias , who beheld At such vast distance Jesu's glimmering face , Shall Psyche be in Abstinence excell'd ! Can she on whom the Euangelick Grace With such full luster beats , by those whom blinde And shady Types invelop'd , be out-shin'd ! 415. O no ; dear Pupill ; since thy generous Breast Dar'd wish to be enflamed by that fire Whose Aime's Perfection , Let no lazie Rest Clog the brave Wings of thy sublime Desire . What though thy Death it hastens ? Thou and I Shall but the sooner to Lifes Kingdome flie . 416. Thus sought the wily Tempter to invite The Virgin to a fatal Precipice . But as the Lamb is taught by natural Fright To fear and hate the Wolfe , though in the Fleece , The honest Fleece of the milde Sheep he be Array'd , and courts her with smooth Flattery : 417. So Psyches Heart , [ for heav'nly Charis there Close in the Centre of her Soule did lie , ] Misgave her at the Sight , and quak'd for fear Of this fair-tongued Angels Courtesie ; For all his dainty Look , and Skin , yet She Assured was , it could not Phylax be . 418. None of those soft and blessed Heats , she felt Which sweetly , when her Phylax us'd to speak , Did all her Breast into Complyance melt , And way to their own gentle Conquests make : Besides , the Voice , though woudrous Sweet it were , Yet something out of tune it seem'd to her . 419. Too high it seem'd , and of too loud a Strein : Still was the Musick of her Spouse ; and she No Saints remembred that did e'r complain That Jesus call'd them to Extremity , That Trumpets did the Gospel usher in , And Wars Alarm the Calme of Peace begin . 420. Had this great Message from her Spouse been sent . She knew her Heart [ which now did pant and move By His sole Motions , ] must needs relent , And by Submission His Command approve : But now she by reluctant Nausoousnesse Felt , whosefoe'r it were , 't was none of His. 421. Awakning therefore all her Confidence , And with three Invocations having sued , Her Saviour to engage in her Defence , Upon her faithfull Forehead she renued His potent Signe , and then with courage cri'd : In Lights fair Looks why dost thou Darknesse hide 422. Whate'r thy face doth preach unto mine Eye ; The language of thy Tongue-unto mine Ear , Sounds nothing lesse than Phylax : wherefore hie Thee hence , false Fiend , and seek thy Booty where A beauteous Count'nance , and a snowie Pair Of Wings , the full Proof of an Angel are . 423. As when the Suns neer Beams burst out upon A waxen Idoll , straight its goodly Face Too weak to bear that glorious Dint , doth run Away in droiling Drops , and foules the place Which it before adorn'd : So here the Fiend Melted as soon's this servent Answer shin'd . 424. Off fell his Coat , his Periwig , his Wings , His roseal Vizard , and his Milkie Skin : And in the room of those usurped I hings His proper shape of Horror did begin To clothe him round : at which , indignant He , Least Psyche should triumph his shame to see , 425. Tore his Way down to Hell , that there in Night He might his Head , and Ignominie hide ; A thousand Stinks behinde him , at his flight , He left : and being gotten home , he tri'd Upon the Soules which in his Brimstone Lake All yelling lay , his vexed Spight to wreak . 426. Mean while , as Psyche those quaint Spoils admired Which dropped from her beauteous-hideons Foe , And with her Sacrifice of Thanks aspired Unto the foot-stoool of her Saviour , who Had in that fight her faithfull Champion been : Her true and genuine Phylax flutter'd in , 427. O how her Heart leap'd at the welcome sight , And thus broke from her Lips ! Thou , Thou art He , I know thee at the dawning of thy Light In which no Fawnings , no Impostures be : Spare all Probations ; Thou needst not tell Me who thou art : I know my Phylax well . 428. This said ; Her selfe down at his feet she threw , Which hugging fast , she welcom'd with a Kisse . He gave her Passion leave a while to shew The meek Impatience of this sweet Excesse : Then up he took her , and return'd upon Her Lip , what she unto his Feet had done . 429. And , Joy , said he , my dearest Dear , of thy Victorious-Encounter with thy Foe : That goodly Furniture of Treason , I As well as thou who art the Victor , know : I saw the pilfering Traytor when he pick'd It up , and when with it himselfe he trick'd . 430. Close at his heels I followed , when he His forgerie advanc'd , and hither flew : I was Spectator when he set on Thee , And in Heav'ns Name his Hell against thee drew : Unseen , I saw the dangerous Battell ; and By it I stood , but aided not thine Hand . 431. No : thy dear Spouse , who never doth forget His humble faithfull Servants , did supply Abundant Power , and conveied it By ever-ready Chari's Ministry . I claim no share at all : thy Thanks to none But Him , and Her are due , and must be done . 432. Thou se'st how bountifully They repay The Loyalty of thy Mortification , And what thou gainst by giving Thelema To Him who will not be in Debt . Thy Station Is now Secure , unlesse thou back dost start , And fondly home again recall thine Heart . 433. Surely thou never hadst so much thy Will , As since thou hadst it not ; for All things now Throughout the Universe thy Minde fullfill , And Netures Laws unto thy Pleasure bow : 〈◊〉 Pleasure , which is not thine own , but His Who of Omnipotence the Soveraign is . 434. The dainty Peace which thou didst prize so high Hath now its Lodging taken in thy Breast ; Nor could the Tempter's potent Subtiltie Disturb thy Calme , or undermine thy Rest. Be then Content for ever to possesse , By holding fast thine Hold , thine Happinesse . 435. For if thou let'st it slip , and weary be Of blessed Ease , it soon will flie away : In this low flitting World , no Certainty Was ever yet Inhabitant ; and they Alone be out of Change's reach , who are Infeof d above in endlesse Quiet 's Sphear . 436. 'T is true , those everlasting Chains which tie Heav'ns Destinations to their Ends , excell All Adamantine Power , and can by No opposition of Eartn or Hell Be forced to betray their Hold : yet this No ground of Confidence to Mortals is . 437. For those Decrees profoundly treasur'd are In that bright Bosome which no Angels Eye Can peep into . This maketh pious Fear , Religious Awe , and holy Jealousie , The onely Anchors which Assurance can Afford unto the tossed Heart of Man . 438. And 't is Heav'ns mighty Favour too ; least He Should bold and carelesse grow , if once he saw The Patent of his own Felicity Were sign'd and seal'd so sure , that by the Law Of absolute Necessity , he through All Tempests , safely to his Port must row 439. For then were He no better than a Slave Unto that Blisse , whose Crown prepared is For them who venture at it by the brave Ambition of humble holinesse . Then , if He would , his mighty God might He Disdain , and dare Him with his own Decree , 440. O then with reverent dread march on , my dear , In the designe of thy high virtue ; and Think it sufficient happines , if here Thy Fear can Desperation countermand ; If thou by trembling canst Victorious be , And win at length supream Felicitie . 441. As for these Spoiles , the Trophies they shall be Of what by Loves assistance Thou hast done : This Memorandum of thy Victorie May keep awake thy wise Devotion : Lo , here I hang them up ; and if agin The Serpent hither creep , shew Him his skin .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XVIII . The Persecution . ARGUMENT . SAtan makes war on Psyche's Constancie Both by his own , and Persecution's Hand ; Yet still impregnably-resolved She Their Ambushes and Onsets did withstand , Vntill her Guardian by a Blessed Cheat Enforc'd her to a glorious Retreat . 1. THough Joies , and Loves , and Bliss , their Nest do make In Peace's bosome ; often times beneath That surface of Securitie a Snake His unsuspected Venomous spight doth breathe . For 't is an everlasting statute , That No genuine Rest can here below be got . 2. The Creatures courteous Faithlesnes , who still Shrink from our grasping Hands , and Cheat our Hope , Admonish our desires themselves to fill At those pure Spings of fulnesse , which stand ope In Heav'n alone ; and never fancie here Compleat Content's and Satisfaction 's sphear . 3. This maketh brave and hardy Exercise Dearer to Virtue than is lazie Quiet ; This maketh her so highly Patience prize , So constantly her selfe with Suffrings diet , That this sharp Sauce may wholesomly represse Of Peace's Sweets and Fat the Fulsomnesse . 4. Affiction is the onely Schole where she In Magnanimities high Rules is taught ; The Theatre on which her Gallantrie Before the royal Eyes of Heav'n is brought : For both the Angels , and their Severaign there Ernest Spectators of her Courage are . 5. Full well she knows , that stealing Rust will creep Upon the briskest Sword , if lazilie In its blinde quiet Scabberd it doth sleep , And be not rubb'd , uor chaf'd , nor vexed by Harsh Scouring , churlish Whetting , or kept bright By its perpetual Bus'nes in the fight . 6. That never Horse was made of so much Fire , Nor temper'd for so proud impatient speed ; ( Though a true Pegasus had been his Sire , Or He of Phoebu's Coursers had been bred , ) But , it he from his Manger ne'r did move , Would restie , lame , and illcondition'd prove . 7. That when the Air by long tranquillity Lies loytering in the Sun , it putrid grows : But when 't is startled and afllicted by Thunder and Lightning ; when it feels the Blows Of boistrous Windes , its drowsy dull Disease Wakes at the frightfull News , and vanishes 8. That sluggish Lakes , which always sleeping lie Upon their easy Beds of Mud , beget Of Toads and Stinks a nasty Progeny : But those brisk Rils which , though they be beset With craggy Hindrances , still running be , Preserve intire their Native Puritie . 9. That never Soil was so ingenuous yet , But if it were not often digg'd and plow'd , Harrow'd and torn , aud forced to be fit , And Weeded oftner far than it was Sow'd ; In stead of Herbs , and Floures , and honest Corn , With peevish Bryars and Thorns would be forlorn . 10. That never Tree was known so thrifty , as To spare its stock of Juice , and use it right ; But to loose idle Twigs would let it passe , Which onely sery'd , and scarcely that , for Sight , Till the strict Discipline of the Pruning Hook Lopp'd off those Wantons , and reform'd the Stock . 11. That finest Roabs , when they did idle lie , Would gather nasty Dust , and fertile prove In an ungratefull ever-fretting Frie Of Mothes , unlesse the Wands and Brushes strove Against their lazinesse , and day by day Those busy bold Incroachers whipp'd away . 12. That Mariners who in the easy Bay Did both their Winter and their Summer waste , Would never learn to steet their Bark , till they Were by some Tempest into Danger cast , And had accustomed their venturous Mindes To ken the boystrous Language of the Windes 13. That Soldiers listed are in vain , and wear Steel by their Side , and Brasse upon their head , If in the pitched Feild they ne'r appear To See the hostile Ranks , and Standards spread , To meet the Shock , and bring away their Skars As Letters Testimonial of their Wars . 14. And though no Life scarce any Name doth merit But that of War , ( so many Enemies Poor Man doth by his wtetched Birth inherit , Since all the World did in Rebellion rise Against unhappy Adam ) yet no State More than the Christian , is beseig'd with Hate . 15. The Christian Life the furest Warfare is , And though a thousand Victories it gains Yen still more and more Armies on it presse ; More Care , more Sweat , more Labour still remains . Though Peace may an internal Calme beget , Affliction still will Us without beset . 16. Though all the stickling Senses and the Passions , Which breed intestine Perturbations , be Bow'd to the Yoke ; though all the 〈◊〉 Of Will and Reason , by the industrie Of the 〈◊〉 Soule be tam'd , yet still There is a World without to work her ill . 17. For by her Christian Course against the Tide Of all the World she rows ; and therefore by Eternal Opposition is tri d And hardned to victorious Constancy : For had she floated down the willing stream , No way was there Magnanimous to seem . 18. But now her gallant Metall whetted is , Her vain luxuriant Twigs are prun'd away , Her Clothes are brush'd from Mothes and Dustinesse , Her Soile is digg'd and dress'd ; the lazie Bay She changeth for the active manly Main , And in pitch'd Field her Foes doth entertain . 19. Her Beasts unto their Pace are strictly kept , And rid hard every Day ; her wholesome Air By 〈◊〉 Tempests of loud Sighs is swept , And all her Bosomes Region made more fair ; The Torrents of her Eyes continue clear , Because perpetualy they flowing are , 20. Thus , though Afflictions Looks be sad and soure , Her Heart is Kinde , and she the best of Friends ; Whilst Flattery doth Poyson gently poure , Her Antidotes She most severely lends : Her Physick smart and searching Corsives be , But their Conclusion's alwayes Lenitie . 21. And Psyche's Spouse , though dear to Him she were As the bright Apple of his blessed Eye , Unto Afflictions swindge abandon'd her : That as the Sun through the Conspiracy Of blackest Clouds doth break with fairest Rayes , So might her Virtue pluck from Bryars Bays . 22. As Satan from his late Repulse did flie Stung with confounding Shame and fretfull Rage , He in the Aire spi'd a wing'd Company To heav'n returning in fair equipage , Having their Embassies dispatched here With which to Men they delegated were . 23. This prompted him unto a new Device : With sprightfuil Speed he playd the Thief again , And having stole a 〈◊〉 of Gallantries , After the Angel Troop he posts amain , Trimming his cursed Feature as he flew , Till like a Bird of that fair Brood he grew 24. Something behinde he lagg'd , least piercing They His impudent Impossure should 〈◊〉 , And intercept his Project by the Way In just Disdam of his foule Company . So at wise distance doth the Traytor sneak When he with Honest Men doth entrance seek , 25. But as he siutter'd through the Sphears , he bit His Lips to see the fatal Way whereby He once was tumbled headlong down : and yet Though they with Curses and fell Blasphemy Were big , he durst not ope them , knowing well Heav'n ill would bear the dialect of Hell . 26. Arrived at the everlasting Gate Of the imperial Palace of the Skies , The Angels entred in triumphant State , Account to tender of their Embassies : But Satan siarted so , that he well neer Shok'd off his Vizard by his trembling fear . 27. The mighty Lustre of his Makers 〈◊〉 Flashed such Dread on his , that swarthy He Who had been us'd to Nights black Prodigies , Was dazled at the naked Majesty Of more than Day : Three times he wink'd , & ther , With both his Hands his spurious Eyes did screen . 28. Such fright upon the ougly Batt doth seize When Highnoon's darts of Lustre shoot her through . The woefull Ghosts , who in Nights Shades doe please Their gloomy Thoughts , thus terrified grow If fair Aurora's Curtains ope be drawn , And she her selfe gets up e'r they be down , 29. The gallant Spectacles which here he saw Were greater Torments than he felt at home ; Each Glorie's Splendor which about did flow Burnt him far more than his own tiery Doom Each holy Joy a Torture was , and He Fri'd in the midst of this 〈◊〉 , 30. He fri'd and flam'd , and straight his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , His polish'd Looks , his curled Grove of Hair , His dainty Coat , and all his stollen Things A Sacrifice unto the Lightning were Of Jesu's Eyes , and in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He now appear'd of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 31. The Angels started from Him at the sight , And standing in a Circle far away , Gaz'd on the Portent ; who try'd all the Might Of desperate Boldnesse , yet could not gain-say The guilty shame which now did Him aslail : Down hung his Head , his Tallons , and his Tail . 32. Thus when the conscious Traytors hatefull Face Is in the Presence of the Prince descry'd , And persecuted by the full disgrace Of all the loyall Court ; against that Tide Of Ignominy He in vain contends ; Such Horror all his Impudence transcends . 33. As Jesus saw the Feind a bashed so , He charg'd Him to relate from whence He came : Nor durst the thus commanded Monster , though Lyes were his onely Trade , a Fiction frame : Yet scorning to forget his peevish Pride , With dogged sullennesse He thus repli'd : 34. Whence can I come , but from beneath ? Unlesse There be some higher Place than this your Heav'n ; This Heav'n , from whence by you , I must confesse , ( But let all judge how justly , ) I was driven . From visiting the Earth I come , where I Have far more Subjects than your Deitie . 35. But mine , said Jesus , ( for He scorn'd to chide The stomackfull Feind , since ever-damned He Sufficiently pays for his endlesse Pride , ) Although so rare and few , yet pretious be : Vain Multitudes to thee their Homage pay ; Mine not by number , but by weight I weigh . 36. Let one Example speak the praise of All , My Hand-maid Psyche : Hath thy watchfull Eye , Which scoureth round about the terreen Ball , Full notice taken of her Piety ? And how none live in all the World who be Higher above it , than is Virtuous she ? 37. Is not her Heart intirely fixed here , Preoccupating Heav'n and endlesse Blisse ? Nor Earth nor Hell can strike her Soule with fear , But He alone who her Creator is ; Of Him she alway stands in dainty Aw , For still she Loves , as much as Dreads His Law . 38. But wheresoe'r she reads the open face , Or can discover but a Limb or Claw Of hideous sin , she flyes the dangerous Place , And into any hard shifts doth withdraw , Rather than hazard to be over-run With a delicious Destruction . 39. Is not the Temper of her wary Heart , Admonished by wise instinct , afraid Of every Bait which by the subtlest Art Of Spight and Wickednes for her is laid ? Or is there any thing which she doth more Than thee , ev'n in thy fairest looks , abhor ? 40. Stung by these Words , with strong intestine Pain His heart-strings stretch'd and torn the Monster felt ; Yet that he might not bear these Pangs in vain , But be afore-hand still in shamelesse guilt , He reard his face of everlasting Brasse , And what He spake , of the same metall was : 41. Is not your mighty Providential Arm Become that simple Maidens Hedge , said he , Infallibly to shut out Fear and Harm , And make her Pris'ner to Securitie ? Is not brave Phylax forc'd to be her squire , And dance attendance upon her desire ? 42. On all her Errands runs not servile He ? Has he not trotted from the furthest West In duty to her Curiositie , And spent his time in tracing of the East ; Where like a silly Pilgrim , up and down Forsooth , the Angel went from town to town . 43. Besides , your Daughter Charis , ( and yet who Would think her so , who her imployment sees ? ) As though in Heav'n she nothing had to doe , Down to vile Earth is sent , and set to please This Imp of dust , on whom her noble store Of sweets , to win the Vrcheon , she doth doth poure . 44. A proper purchase you have got ; but I For my part , would not buy a worm so deer : If wretched Psyche's price must be so high , Surely you need no other Chapmen fear : Onely by this proportion , I would know To purchase Me , what rate you would allow . 45. But as for Her , if I had leave to trie , I soon would shew you of what kinde of Clay She moulded is . Might Phylax but stand by , And on her naked Shoulder let Me lay This Hand of mine , no Touchstone you should see Was ever nimbler at Discoverie ; 46. Upon your pamperd Darling should Distresse With full and free Commission domineer That Tongue which now your Praises doth professe ( For to the Task 't is hird , and hir'd full dear , ) Would change its Tune , & on your Face would spit More Curses than my Selfe e'r did on it . 47. If Psyche's Breast doe harbour any seed Of such profound Ingratitude , replyed Almighty Jesus , 't is no more than need The ougly Embryo be in time descryed . Goe , use thy Skill ; full Power to Thee I give , Nor Phylax shall against thy Project strive . 48. But yet thy Tether shall not reach so farr As to her Life ; no , that belongs to Me ; For in my Hand th' authentick Volumes are Of mortal and immortal Destinie : Nor couldst Thou thy Experiment take , unlesse She Lives , to spit out her Unthank fulnesse . 49. As when the Lyon's let loose to his prey , With furious Joy he shakes his dreadfull Crest , He mounts his sirly Tail , and tears his way Into the Theater : So Satan prest Down through the Sphears , and thought his shame was cheap He suffer'd there , since he his End did reap . 50. At first he hop'd he might have reach'd his Aim By the fell Agents he dispatch'd from Hell : But when without their Errand home they came , Himselfe thus to the cursed Bus'nes fell , Resolv'd whatever labour or Disgrace It cost Him , Psyche should not scape his chase . 51. Down through the Sphears he prest , and proudly threw Scorn on the Stars which He could not possesse , Then through the Aire imperiously He flew , And by his Looks proclaim'd that Realm was his : The blackest Clouds which there did swimm , made haste Away , till He more black than they , were past . 52. His swarthy Wings lash'd the soft Element With violent speed , and made it roar aloud ; No Winde did ever with such furious Bent Or hideous Noise through the milde Region crowd ; No Bolt of Thunder ever rent its path With such impatient and tumultuous Wrath , 53. Thus came the Monster to his dearest Place On Earth , a Palace wondrous large and high ; For on seav'n Mountains it erected was , All which it higher rais'd with Majesty ; Thus by its seav'n-fold Tumor copying The number of the Horns which crown'd its King 54. Of dead Mens Bones were all th' exterior Wals Rais'd to a fair , but yet an hideous Height ; In answer to which strange Materials , A Ditch digg'd wondrous deep and broad , did wait Upon the Works , fill'd with a piteous flood Of every soft of holy harmlesse Blood , 55. Those awfull Birds , whose Joy is ravenous War , Strong-tallond Eagles , perch'd upon the head Of every Turret , took their prospect far And wide about the World , and questioned Each Winde that came that way , to know if they Could tell them news of any bloody Prey . 56. The inner Bulwarks were of shineing Brasse , With Firmitude and Pride all Buttressed ; In at the Gate of polish'd Steel did passe The whole Worlds Confluence , and offered Their slavish Necks , to take the Yoke which there That Places Tyrant did for Them prepare . 57. But thick , within the Line , erected were Innumerable Prisons , plated round With massie Iron , and with jealous Fear ; In every one of which was a profound And mirey Dungeon , where contagious Stink Cold , Anguish , Horror , had their dismall sink 58. In these , press'd down with Chains of fretting Braffe Ten thousand innocent Lambs did bleatingly , Whose woefull Groans , help'd by the hollow Place Summon'd Compassion from the Passers by ; But every one they as relentlesse found As was the Brasse which them to Sorrow bound . 59. For they designed for the Shambles were , To feast the Tyrants greedy Crueltie , Who could be pleased with no other Fare ; So barbarous was her constant Luxurie : Though other store she had for her repast , She with an hundred Lives would break her fast . 60. Vast were the Treasures of her House ; yet she Took pleasure in no other Furniture But choisest tools of Inhumanitie , Which might her bloody Ends to her assure : This made her Palace thick with Engins ly , And every Room become an Armory . 61. Swords , Daggers , Bodkins , bearded Arrows , Spears , Nails , Pinsers , Crosses , Gibbets , Hurdles , Ropes , Tallons of Griffens , Paws and Teeth of Bears , Tygres and Lyons Mouths , hot-iron Hoops , Racks , Wheels , Strappado's , brazen Cauldrons which Boiled with oyle , barrels of flaming Pitch : 62. Yea things more barbarous yet than these were there ; Fairfaced Promises , but lin'd with spight ; High royal out side Courtesies , yet meer Traps and Conspiracies , which with Delight To heedlesse Men the worst of Poisons give , And stealing to their Hearts , slay them alive . 63. Satan arrived here , strait entred in ; ( For well He knew the Place , and well was known , ) The fawning Courtiers all were proud to win His gracious Look , and in his way fell down To beg his Blessing , and his Hand to Kisse , As in unto their Soveraign He did presse . 64. She then ( for long within she could not stay ) Was marching out , her Chariot to take , So loud her stomack bark'd for some new Prey : But spying Belzebub , she started back , Being surpris'd with reverence to see The presence of her onely Deitie . 65. Then down she fell , and pray'd him to ascend Her throne imperial , which was standing there , And thence his Pleasure unto her-commend , Prepar'd with all Humilitie to hear What busines made her God vouchsafe to come And visit worthlesse her in her poor home . 66. But kindely He took up his loyall Creature And in his scaley Arms did her embrace , Enamor'd of her correspondent Feature Which rendered Him his own Infernal Face . Three times He Kiss'd and hug'd her close , and round About her Waste his royal tail He wound . 67. And , I have no such leisure now , said He , To climbe thy throne , who must look to mine own ; I have discover'd in my Britanie The Seeds of dangerous Rebellion sown , Which , if it grow unto an Harvest , may Disturb mine Empire , and thine oversway . 68. The Christian spreading Canker there hath got Deep footing in the Hearts of carelesse Men , Who to the poore Mechanick God are not Asham'd to pay their holiest Homage , when With credit They might it to Me prefer , Who am , I trow , more than a Carpenter . 69. Me thinks my Scepter should as noble be As Ax or Mallet ; and as brave my Train Of Heav'n descended Sparks , the gallanty Of whose high Soules did Gods own yoke disdain , As those who leaping from their Fishing Boat , Into the thred-bare Court of Jesus got . 70. They use to cast it in our Teeth , that We By the black Powers of Spels and Incantations Do both support and spread our Monarchie : As if there were not stranger Conjurations In this besotting Witchery which can Make more than Beasts of Reasonable Man . 71. For canst thou pick out any Beasts among The silliest Flocks , who would themselves commit , To Him who leaves them free to any Wrong , And tels them plainly they must suffer it For his dear sake ? Right dear , indeed , if they Their lives unto His Memory must pay . 72. Mad were the Sheep which would attendant be Upon a Sheepheard who did them assure That for that onely Cause the Tyrannie Of thousand Wolves and Bears they must endure Nay Sheep would never be so sheepish ; yet Men to this Paradox themselves submit . 73. Grant Heav'n be in reversion their own ; What shall the fondlings get by being there , Who must eternaly be crouching down And paying Praise's tribute to His Ear Who will requite them with a Chain which shall Keep ev'n their Wils in everlasting Thrall . 74. Were not their Soules more generous , if they The gallant freedome of our Hell would choose , Which knows not what it meaneth to Obey , But le ts full Blasphemy for ever loose ? Faint-hearted fools , who needs will Vassals be , ( For fear least I should make them truely free . 75. Thou see'st this sin is crying , and for high Revenge beats loud upon my royal Ear : And should my Fury wake , and instantly Those mad 〈◊〉 all in peeces tear , Surely my Justice I could well acquit ; However envious Heav'n would raile at it . 76. But I ( for this doth best become a King ) A better rellish finde in Lenity : I know the Galileans Tongues doe ring With restlesse Clamours on my Tyranny , Forgetting that their Lord did banish Me From Heav'n , against all Law and Equitie . 77. Yet shall not they Me so ignoble make As to requite their Basenesse in its kinde : No : let them henceforth Demonstration take In what a pack of Forgeries combin'd Unto my Charge they lay all Cruelties : Judge all the World , who Father is of lyes . 78. For I resolved am at first to try Them by my royall Mercy to reclaim : Far rather would I win them thus , than by Stern Vengeance utterly extirpate them . The Peoples fault alas , is not so great As His , whose Gospel Pipe charm'd them to it . 79. My pleasure therefore is , that thou mak'st speed To Britain , and divulge my Proclamation Of Grace and Pardon unto every Head Which strait abjures that dangerous Innovation , And , penitent for his Christian Heresie , With orthodox Devotion Bows to Me. 80. But if my princely favour be despised , Both Heav'n and Earth must needs my Rage approve ; Denounce all Vengance that can be devised By scorn'd , and therefore most indignant Love : Make all the stupid stubborn Rebels feel That Maries Son cannot my Wrath repell . 81. This said , The Furie , who had all this while Smiled in hopes of her new Task , made haste To take her Coach , and thought each step a Mile As through the spatious House to it she past . Then mounting at the Gate , they parted , He Home to his Hell , and to wards Britain She. 82. Forth with in terrible Magnificence An hundred Trumpets sent their Voice before To tell the People that their awfull Prince Her Progress now began : That stately Roar Through every street imperiously flew , And warned 〈◊〉 , this mightie sight to view . 83. When lo the sweating throngs bespred her way With admirations of her Pomp and Train : Before the Chariot two road single , they Suspition were and Envy ; both did rein Their fitting Steeds , the one a Fox , the other A Wolfe , and forced them to march together , 84. Next follow'd Pride upon a sirly Horse , Whose stomack neer as high as hers did swell ; Fire sparkled in his eyes , and martial force In the bent Bow of his large neck did dwell ; About he flung his Foam , and champ'd his Bit , For both his Rider he disdain'd , and it . 85. But she an Ensigne in her right Hand held , Whose bosome she displayed to the Winde : Forth with the Flag with stately fulnes swell'd , Wherein the Tyrants golden Scutcheon shin'd , A wide-spred Eagle , whose faire Pinions seem'd To bear her up still as the Colours stream'd . 86. Then came the Coach , which two strange Monsters drew , For one a dreadfull Lybian Dragon was , Who from his Mouth did flaming Sulphure spew , And poisned all the Way which he did passe : The other an enormous Crocodile The most accursed Son of happy Nile . 87. On them two feirce Postillions mounted were ; Intolerable head-strong Anger , who To lash her Dragon never did forbear Though he with Furie's violent Feet did goe ; And Cruelty , whose Heart was harder than Her knotty 〈◊〉 black iron Skin . 88. Upon the Coachbox sate a Driver hight Selfe-will , a mad-braind most outrageous He : Who in impatient Speed doth still delight : Though thousand Perils in his Passage be : Never could Hils or Dales , or Sea or Land , Or desperate Precipices make Him stand . 89. The Metall of the Chariot all was Brasse , Bright burning Brasse , which upon either side With sharp and cruel Hooks thick platted was , To mow down All it met : In this did ride The dreadfull Queen , a Queen of mighty Fame ; Who hath not heard of Persecutions Name 90. Whatever makes the Tigres Faces be Of ravenous Crueltie the hideous Book , With indefatigable Industry She had transcrib'd into her monstrous Look : Heav'n sheild all pious Soules , and turn their Fears To generous Faith when ever She appears . 91. Her Coat is Steell , besmeared all with blood , And in her Hand she holds a Twist of Snakes , With which , though still her Coachman never stood , Eternaly she threshes Him , and makes His furious Speedmore speedy grow , that she Might at her Prey as soons her Wishes be . 92. Thus whirl'd she through the Popular Rout and flew To her desired Isle the straitest way . Behinde the Coach her cursed Train , she drew All glad to tread her cruel Steps , for they No other were but her own hellish Brood Whom she had nurs'd and fatned up with Blood . 93. Upon a Goat , more stinking far than he , Rode Ravishment , who threw his licorish Eyes . And they black fire , on every Company Of Females of what everage or guise : The Chariots haste he curs'd a thousand times Which snatch'd Him from the fuel of his Crimes 94. Perch'd on a Vultures back was 〈◊〉 , who In length of 〈◊〉 did that Bird exceed ; Starv'd with 〈◊〉 though fat in Spoils , she so 〈◊〉 was , that still she wish'd more speed Had hurried on the Coach , that ravenous she Might sooner at her British Banquet be . 95. Upon an Ostrich , more unnatural Than was her barbarous Bird , rode Astorgie , Vowing aloud to tear in sunder all Those cords of love which did together tie The Soules of Parents and of Children , and Break the sweet Links of every Nuptial Band. 96. Mounted upon an Hydra , Heresie With more and stranger heads than had her Steed . Rejoyc'd in hope that now contagious she Her Poison to another World should spread , And Albions Sands which brideled in the Sea Should by her stouter Tide o'r-flowed be . 97. On a black grizlie Dog rode Profanation ; She who ne'r learn'd distinction of Place Or Time or Things ; who never yet could fashion A modest Look , or paint upon her face The least glimpse of a Blush ; who would not hear That Altars holyer then Dressers were . 98. Bold Sacrilegde sate pertly on a Kite ; And though her Claws were burn'd , and sing'd her Wings , E'r since she from the Altar took her flight , ( For vengefull Coals stuck to the Sacred Things , Branding the saucy Theif , ) yet shamelesse she A robbing Heav'n and God , again would be . 99. Upon a Serpent bred in Hell beneath , Which belched fire at every Step he took , Which reached Heav'n with his pestiferous breath . Which fought with holy Incense by the Smoke Of his foule Throat , rode fouler Blasphemie , And dared all the way Divinity . 100. But on an Heifer of AEgyptian Race ; Right proud of his Extraction , ( for he The Heir of Apis and of Isis was , ) Sate full as grosse a Brute , Idolatrie : And yet Devote's , grosser than her Beast , Or she , about her with their Offrings prest 101. And this was 〈◊〉 royal Train , Which all the way she went , stroke mortal fright Into the Countries , travelling in Pain , As she in Triumph , till her speedy flight Had born her past them , and gave them release From their dark Dens and hollow Privacies . 102. Poor Albion thrice started as she drew Neer to her shore , and would have further run Into the Sea : but now the Tyrant flew With cursed joy into possession Of the unhappy Isle , where dreadfull She Took up her quarters in a Colonie . 103. From thence she issued out her Proclamations Of Pardon unto all that would come in ; But back'd it with severest Denuntiations To those who still continued in their Sin , Who still would waste their Piety upon The Carpenters poor Crucified Son . 104. She summond all the Isle to Reformation , That mighty Jove by whose high blessing she Reign'd Queen of all the World , in worthy fashion And like his supream Self , might Worshipp'd be ; That pleased He might rain his favours down , And Albion with Peace and Plenty crown . 105. For by her royal Declaration She All blastings , mildews , droughts , plagues , earthquakes , wars , Laid to the sole charge of Christianitie : Which impious Sect , said she , so boldly dares The Wrath of all the Gods , that righteous They Upon the Earth must needs this veng'ance lay . 106. Forthwith , all those whose bosomes tainted were With the rank Venome of Idolatry , Luxuriously joy'd the news to heare , And with immediate Consluence did fly To doe their homage , and their thanks prefer Ev'n in the Name of succoured Jove , to Her . 107. Then They , who could have loved Prety , Yet none but faint and timorous Virtue knew , They in whose Hearts the World and Self did ly , As well as Jesus ; They who would have drew In th' Euangelick yoke with patience , so Mean while their secular Plough might also go ; 108. They who conceiv'd for Wives and Childrens sake , Who were depending upon their sole Care , ( So dream 's the faithlesse fondlings ) they might make A little bold with God ; And they who were In hopes Heav'n to their Prayers would courteous be And wink at what flow'd from 〈◊〉 , 109. Came in the Reare like Men who Scarcely came , For not so much as half their Mindes were there ; Under the Evenings guilty veil their shame They sheltered , for they Days Eys did fear . Unhappy Men , what aile you thus to go ? Your selves condemn your selves for what you doe . 110. But they whose loyalty was firm and sound , They who to Love intirely had resign'd Themselves , such sweetnes in his service found As left the Baits of all the World behinde : Such sweetnes as enforced to be sweet That Gall which flow d in Persecutions Threat . 111. Sooner will They be charmed by the Hisse Of a fell Dragon , to his Den to goe , Than be perswaded to accept of this So treacherous and destructive Pardon : no , What e'r They loose , they from their Losse will 〈◊〉 This noble Gain , that they Themselves will keep . 112. Their Life , their Fame , Estate , and Liberty , They can more easily than their Conscience spare : They nothing count their Own , which cannot be Without Impiety possest ; and are Content with any Thing but God to part , Who onely can secure Them their own Heart . 113. Psyche was one , and not the meanest One , Of these brave Champions , who , since Phylax had ( Heav'n having so dispos'd ) left her alone , Her meek Addresses to Uranius made ; An holy Priest was He , and unto Her An Oracle in any Doubt or fear . 114. To you , said She , my reverend Father , Now Persecutions furious Storm doth 〈◊〉 , As to my wise and faithfull Pilot fly , Not to be steered where Calamities May never reach my Uessel ; but to know The neerest way how I to them may row . 115. Forbid it genuine Love , that I should fly The noblest Testimony I can give Of my , ô how deserved , Loyalty Unto my Spouse , for whom alone I live : For him I live ; and must that Truth deny , If in his Quarrell I refuse to dy . 116. Was not His Life ten thousand times more dear And pretious than Mine ? yet generous He The utmost drop of his Heart-blood could spare Ev'n for the worst of Worms , vile sinfull Me : Loud cries the merit of this Blood , and I Could I dy oft for Him , in debt should dy . 117. And , should I shrink from one poor Death , what Eye Would not shoot Wrath at such Unthankfulnesse ? How should I hate my Selfe , and strive to dy For shame of Fearing Death ? yet , I confesse , This Life so wretched is and poor , that we By Martyrdome do Heav'n no Courtesie . 118. Mine all the Gains will be ; nor know I how To scape this Profit : which if I could shun , My Death more Solace would to me allow , And to the Stake I cheerlier should run . But since that may not be ; since Blisse is still Ti'd to these Suffrings . let Love have his Will. 119. Let Love assert his own Magnificence , And make Us for our very Service be Deeper in Debt to him : yet I will hence Revenge me of His Liberality , And doe my best to run upon the Score With this great Creditor forevermore . 120. But sage Uranius , who was better read In the cool Gospel Discipline repli'd , The fire by which those flames of thine are bred Is pure and genuine ; but they blaze too wide : Dear Daughter be content , and think that I Can wish and dare , as well as you , to Dy. 121. Yet I am not so hasty to prevent My Spouse's pleasure , who , for ought I know , Desires Vranius should rest content To wrestle still with Sorrows here below ; Still 〈◊〉 be exil'd from the blessed Sight Of his dear Eyes , and grovell here in Night 122. Besides , if I before His Call should run , This hot Impatience might out-strip his Grace : And how should feeble I , thus left alone , Finde courage to out-look the dreadfull Face Of Death , when dress'd in martial Array He gives the Onset to my Dust and Clay . 123. What General will thank that Captain , who Without Commission has presum'd to fight ? Into the Lists of any Prisner goe With Tigres or with Bears to trie his Might E r He be call'd , what Eye will grieve to see His torn Limbs pay for his Temeritie . 124. It is enough if when We challeng'd are , We flinch not from Professing his sweet Name , Which in our Bosomes sits more neer and dear Than Life it selfe . Mean while think it no 〈◊〉 To balk the Tempest , which will easily 〈◊〉 Thy Haven , and Thee , if Jesus have a minde . 125. As the young Soldier , who was more on fire Than his fierce sparkling Steed , the Charge to give , When by some old Commander his Desire As rash and perilous , doth a Curb receive , Almost as hard he findes it to subdue His single Selfe , as all his Hostile Crew . 126. So Psyche crossed in her venturous Way By the grave bulk of the sage Priests Advice ; Found it an heavy troublous Task to stay , And shun the winning of her dearest Prize : Yet knowing He was wiser far than She , She bravely yeilds , and gains Selfe-victory . 127. Uranius well remembred now how He , Then young and shiftlesse : by his Parents was Into a Nest of silent Privacie , To which they through a Wildernes did passe , Hurri'd by Night , when such a Storm as this Into the Britain Hemisphear did presse . 128. Thither , when Ev'n had muffled up the Eye Of Heav'n , and those of Earth , he Psyche led ; For by a Lanthorn which would not descry More than he pleas'd , her way he governed ; And so arrived at the Cavern , where Cheerly he bad the Mayd be of good cheer . 129. It is no new Adventure this , said he , But practis'd and well season'd to our hand : Moses , that Man of God , was glad to flee , And wander up and down a forreing Land : No Partridge on the Mountains ever was More than good David , chas'd from place to place . 130. Noble Elyah in the Desert hid His persecuted head , when Jezebel , Our Tyrants Type , her threatnings thundered Against his Life : there he alone did dwell Having no kinde of Caterer or Cook But a poor Raven , no Cellar but a Brook , 131. Nay , even Jesus too himselfe did flie , When bloody Herod drew his desperate Sword : And never think it can discredit thy Devotion to follow Him thy Lord In any of his Steps , who onely was The Way by which We to Perfection passe . 132. Whilst thus the good old Man encourag'd her : A Troop of furious Soldiers had by night Beset their Houses , in presumption there To finde their helplesse Prey ; But when their flight They understood , their frustrate Expectation Flam'd into most impatient Vexation . 133. All rooms they ransack'd , where what Goods ' they met Were hungry Plunders instant Sacrifice : Yet still their Rage unsatisfied , set The Houses too on Fire , and with loud Cries Threatned to serve the Owners so , when e'r Justice could make Discovery where they were . 134. If any of the Neighbours , wounded by The salvage Spectacle , but smote their Breast , Or shak'd their Head , or mourned in a Sigh ; The bar barous Caytiffs took it for confest That to their Queen they ill affected were , And instantly to Prison them did tear . 135. Yet by the way , the cruel Courtesie Of hungry Theeves they freely offer'd them Who ready were their lives and liberty With present summs of Money to redeem : Their Queen is safe enough , so they can line Their greedy Purses with Delinquents Coin . 136. But through the Eastern Rubie Portals now Aurora op'd the Passage to the Day : When loe an old and shaggie Lyon , who Had busie been all night about his Prey , Came panting Home , and roaring loudly when He drew neer to the Entrance of his Den , 137. This Den was that in which for shelter lay The good Vranius and Psyche , who Rouz d by the Noise , but having now no way To flie the presence of their salvage Foe , Their Hearts to Heav'n with instant fervor sent , Imploring Succour in this Perils dint . 138. In came the Beast , whose dreadfull Mouth and Paw Still reeked with the Blood of his torn Prey : But those unwonted Guests when there he saw , Stroke with the awsull News , he made a stay , And as he wistly look'd , he smooth'd his frown , And by degrees his Crest and Tail let down . 139. Uranius musing what the Lyon meant To melt so from himselfe , thus him bespake : If He who is our Lord and thine , hath sent Thee hither with Commission to take Our lives , by gentler Tyrannie than that From which We fled ; loe we deny them not 140. Much Solace it will be to Us , that we Augment not by our Deaths the Guilt of Men ; This bloody Trade doth better suit with Thee Of salvagenes the dreadfull Soveraign , than With them , whose softer Constitutions be Temper'd and tuned fit for Clemencie . 141. Yet if thou dost not on Heav'ns Errand come , But the sole bus'nesse of thy barbarous Thrist ; Unarmed though we be , no Peril from Thy Paws or Jaws we dread ; doe all thy worst , So faithfull He : and so said Psyche too ; And waited what the Beast would dare to doe . 142. When loe , the trusty generous Lyon , who No Vengance ought to Men , but where he saw The print of Guilt , and of Rebellion to Their common Soveraign ; did meekly throw Himselfe before these Saints , in whom he read The Lines of reverend Innocence fairly spred . 143. Then having humbly lick'd their holy Feet , And seem'd to beg their blessings e'r he went ; What universal Providence findes meet , Uranius cry'd , ( perceiving what he meant , And usefull for thee , may it given be In due requital of thy Pietie . 144. Which said , the joyfull Lyon took his leave With the best manners his rude Education Could him afford . The sight made Psyche grieve Reflecting with a sober Meditation On those unmanly Men she fled from who In Barbarousnes did wildest Beasts 〈◊〉 145. And well she might : for now a trusty Friend Both to the Priest and Her , who knew the Place Of their abode , his way did thither rend With Ashes on his head , grief in his Face He being entred , silent stood a while , For Groans his breast , and sighs his Mouth did fill , 146. But having prefac'd thus , alas , he cry'd . That I have liv'd to bring this wofull News Your selves have by your flight escap'd the tide Of Salvagenes which all our Town embrues ; But nothing else ; for what behinde you left , The Booty is of most outrageous Theft 147. Your Houses , turn'd to their own funerall Pile , Now in their Ashes lye — vast sorrow here Stifeled the rest But then , thy stories stile To Us is not so dreadfull ; never fear That what remains will trouble us , replies The Priest , who dare embrace our Miseries . 148. What e'r was ours , alas We never Made , But by Donation did it Possesse : All that We had , We but as Stewards had ; Well may our Master call for what was His. And Blessed be his Name , who Us from these Encumbrances so freely doth release . 149. Chidden by this Heroick Braverie The Messenger took heart , and thus went on : Had furious Tyranny presum'd to flie No higher than at you , and yours , alone , Tears might have reach'd that losse : but who can wail Enough , when God himself it doth assail 150. The desperate 〈◊〉 feared not to break Into the sacted Oratorie , ( where Our Busnes We with Heav'n dispatch'd , for lack Of publike safetie for our Rites , ) and there Made desperat havock , challenging , in spight , God for his Temple and Himself to fight . 151. The Sacred Bible they no sooner saw , But in foule indignation they cry'd , Behold these Galileans lawlesse Law , Which doth all other Statutes break beside Whether of Caesar or of Jove : but We Will try if this may now not broken be , 152. With that , they in a thousand peeces tor't : Then on Devotions Prop , the Liturgie , They made their equaly malitious sport , Crying , these are those leaves of Witcherie , That Bulk of Conjurations and Charms . Which have occasioned the whole Worlds Harms 153. Next , all the Altars reverend Furniture They snatch'd , and scrambled who should rifle most : The sacerdotal Vestments , white and pure , About the room at first in scorn they tost , Then with new Insolence put them on themselves ; So in meek Lamb-skins walk the murdering Wolves . 154. Upon the Chalice when they had espied The Shepheard bringing home the strayed Sheep , Like roaring Hel-hounds with one voice they cryed , Look how these Christians set their God to keep Their Wine : but fools they should have hir'd a friend ? Which might his Godship from our hands defend . 155. Is not our Pan more like a God than this ! Pan , who doth all the Tribe of Shepheards keep , Whil'st this poor servile Thing contented is To spend his time on silly rotten Sheep ; But since He 's here of Silver , in our need His Deitie may stand Us in some stead . 156. When in these Contumelies they their fill Had wantonized ; one a dead Dog brings , Which , having stopp'd his Nose , ( for the rank 〈◊〉 Reveng'd his Crimt , ) He on the Altar 〈◊〉 , And with blasphemous supphcation cryes , Accept ô Christ , my bounden Sacrifice 157. Then , said Another , We must not forget Humbly to tender our Drink-offring too With that , upon the Altar thrice he spit , And having sill'd a putrified shoe With his vile Urine , on his bended Knee He poured out his foule Impiety . 158. But then a third , to make their sin compleat , Yelling and rayling , ser the Place on Fire ; For since , said he , this Josusis so great A God , his Deity may well require An 〈◊〉 : which Word , and Act , the Rout Applauded with an universall Shout . 159. No more , Uranius 〈◊〉 ; dear Friend for bear , Till We have pour'd out our due Tears for this , That 〈◊〉 and his Temple wronged are , Our 〈◊〉 and ours alone , the reason is . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his Commandments is the Gap Which let into his house this foule Mishap . 160. This said ; the Reins unto loud Lamentation Both He and Psyche liberaly gave . When loe a strong and mix'd Vociferation Conquer'd their Cries , and triumph'd in the Cave : They thought some Huntsmen were abroad , and so It prov'd : for hunting they for Men did goe . 161. It was that Rout , who when thy mis'd the Priest At his own house , concluded he was fled , And in the Desert sought some private Nest Wherein to hide his Persecuted Head : But They all bent and sworn to hunt him out A Pack of Bloodhounds with them thither brought . 162. As up and down they trac'd the Solitude , A busie Cur unto the Cave drew neer ; Who having found the wished Sent , persu'd It close , and entred where those Weepers were Whom spying , wide He opened , and hould , Till he to all the Rabble Tales had told . 163. This brought them 〈◊〉 thither ; where when they Beheld Uranius , with a barbarous Crie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Voice and Hands , to pull Dismay 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Prisner ; whom forthwith they tie Unto 〈◊〉 Hound which found him out , that he Night 〈◊〉 contempable Conducter be 164. The holy Captive knew it was in vain To ask their Madnesse why it us'd Him so ; Or what Offence of his had ern'd that Chain : But in meek Silence ready was to goe . Thus harmlesse Lambs are in their Suffrings mute , And never with the Butchers Knife dispute . 165. As Psyche at his Back lamenting stood , One who pretended to have something still Of Man and Kindnesse , bad her stop that flood Which poor seduced she amisse did spill , And weep no more to see Him Prisner , who Had by Enchantments her enslaved so , 166. For this your lurking , and your wailing here , Tell Us he hath bewitched you to his Rediculous Religion ; yet were That onely such , said He , we would not presse The Law against Him ; but the whole World knows That with the worst of Wickednesse if flows . 167. Him , the Ring-leader of the Crime will We To Justice sacrifice : but as for you , Whose Guilt , we hope , is but Simplicity , To your lesse fault we pardon will allow : And to your silly Servant here , if He Henceforth will doe his best , more Wise to be . 168. Psyche with silent and with sad Disdain Threw back his Courtesie into his face . For though her heart at present did refrain To speak it selfe , yet she resolved was ; Resolved not to leave her Friend that day , Though Death and Devills did obstruct her way , 169. And now the raging Caytiffs drew the Priest Unto the Town with shamelesse Exclamations ; And all the way his Patience opprest With Kicks , and 〈◊〉 , and Taunts , and 〈◊〉 , Which sad Procession 〈◊〉 was By the Tribunal , where the Saint they place , 170. A Deputy of Perjecution there Was ready on the Bench , and standing 〈◊〉 A fan and new erected 〈◊〉 where Prepaied Coals of fire did glowing 〈◊〉 , Neer which stood one with 〈◊〉 in his Hand To wait upon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 171. Uranius thus presented at the Bar ; The 〈◊〉 begins an insolent Oration , In which 〈◊〉 taken had sufficient care To blast and to blaspheme the Christian Nation , Unto whose chage He boldly layed all The Miseries which did that Age befall . 172. Nor those alone , ( which his Queens Declaration Prompted Him with , ) but all that Calumny 〈◊〉 possibly invent ; the Combination Of bloody and unclean Impiety Which made the Gnosticks Name so horrid , He Avow'd the Christian Discipline to be 173. His Pagan Gods He praised to the skies , ( A place which they , alas , could never reach , ) But heap'd on Christ all slanderous Injuries Which Envy could suggest , or Hell could teach . And at each Period the Peoples Roar Pour'd proud Applause upon their Orator . 174. But in the Close He gravely turn'd his Speech With cruel Pitty to Uranius , Whom by his reverend Age He did beseech No longer to be fool'd and cheated thus By silly Wickednes , but choose their ods , And take for One , a multitude of Gods . 175. He straitly Him conjured to prefer The Deities the whole World did adore , Before the single simple Carpenter Who found no worship but amongst a poor Few sneaking and despised Soules , which He ( Vain God ) could not protect from Miserie . 176. And if He now refused to present Incense to Jove , upon that Altar there , He theatned him the utmost Punishment Which mock'd and scorned Mercy could prepare . This said : He shrunk his fawning face into A frown , and waited what the Priest would doe . 177. But He , right brave defiance did return Upon the Judge for this his treacherous Love : And , sooner I , said He , my Self will burn , Then Incense to an Idoll : Could you prove Your favour would not surely me destroy , I it would hug with humble Thanks and Joy . 178. But Sir , I am not now to learn , that they On whom you thrust the Name of Deities , Are weaker far than We poore things of Clay ; And that the Carpenter you so despise , Is He who fram'd both you and me , and all The Fabrick of this universal Ball. 179. And His revenging Arm it is which now Lasheth the World with those Calamities Which to the charge of our Religion you So freely lay : your own Idolatries Force Him to Justice , who had rather be Known unto all his World by Lenitie . 180. If he thinks fit to rescue Me , it is Not all your Power , or your Queens , can stand Against his Might . Yet though I must by His , Permitted be to your tyrannick Hand , His Pleasure dearer is than life to Me : I durst Die , but dare not Apostate be . 181. No Sea repulsed by a solid Rock E'r swell'd , and foam'd , and roar'd , with more disdain ; Than now the Judge to heare the Prisner mock His Gods and Him : His throat he wide did strain , And cry'd , then let Him Burn ; since He denies To offer , make Him be , Joves Sacrifice . 182. The Souldiers who where much afrayd least He Should have accepted of the Judges Grace , Rejoyc'd and clapp'd their cursed Hands to see That to their rage he now condemned was . Away they hale him to the stake , and there A Fort of Fagots round about him rear . 183. Then , with a Brand , they from Joves Altar brought , The Pile they kindle , and blow up the flame : Which as it rose , they bellow'd out a Shout , And cry'd , May this Reward betide all them Who scorn the Gods , and fondly trust in Him Who from the Crosse could not himself redeem . 184. But milde Vranius , having kiss'd the stake , And every Fagot which his Lips could reach ; Strong supplications unto Heav'n did make For pardon for his raging Murderers , which Blinded with spight , and Superstition , Perceived not at all what they had done . 185. Then purer than the Flame , and brighter far Which mounted from his Pile , his Soule did fly : Higher than that it flew , and reach'd the Sphear Not of the Stars , but of Felicity ; Where it was welcom'd to its final Home By the illustrious Crown of Martyrdome . 186. So when brave Gold hath by the Cruelty Of the incensed Furnace been refined ; It s genuine Substance is allow'd to be With the Imperial Image fairly signed : Free leave and full authority it has Current through all its Soveraigns Realm to passe . 187. Psyche , who with sweet Tendernesse attended 〈◊〉 is holy Tragick-Comedie , No 〈◊〉 saw how gloriously it ended ; But , 〈◊〉 with her pious Plaudit , she Forgetfull of the furious Standers by , Thus eas'd her Soules exultant Ecstasie , 188. Goe valiant Saint , thy Conquest is compleat ; Goe , where immortal Laurel ready is With endlesse Triumphs thy brave Head to meet ; Goe and possesse thy Masters Realm of Blisse : Thy Name and Fame shall reverend be beneath So long as Piety on earth shall breath . 189. O may poor Psyche but obtain the Grace , Though at the price of all the Worlds worst spight , To kisse thy glorious Feet , and win a place Where on thy Triumph I may wait : O might I through thy hottest Flames climbe after Thee , And from this mortal Drosse refined be . 190. This pious Passion well beseemed Her , And made good Musick in all holy Ears : But like flat Discord it did grate and jar Upon the Soldiers , whose most studious Cares Were how to tune their Curses to a Key Of wilde impetuous Importunity . 191. And how intolerable unto Them Was this her Note , they make her fully feel , For running on her in a surious Stream , With headlong haste they hurry her untill They come unto the Judge , in Hopes that He Their bloody Hungers Caterer would be . 192. Here they exclaim that this bold Woman was As manly as the Priest in wickednesse ; That she nor fear'd nor blush'd to make his Case Heav'ns Quarrel , and his cursed Death to blesse : That she must needs as guilty be as He Of Sins Perfection , Christianity . 193. Yea of the worst and foulest Part of it ; Witnesse the Sheltre of the Night , and Cave In which they took them napping : which could fit None but Lusts filthy Work . And now you have Just Sir , said they , arreigned here before Your Judgment Seat , a Christian and a Whore , 194. But she , commanded by the Judge to make Her own Apologie , ( which best , said he Will be evinc'd , if you that 〈◊〉 take , And by your Offring , choak all Calumnie ; ) With elevated Eyes thank'd Heav'n for this Occasion to aspire unto her Blisse . 195. Then spreading all her face with gallant Joy , Like a brave Champion ready for the fight , Or like a Bride dress'd on her wedding Day , Or silver Venus smiling in the Night , Or brisk Aurora garnishing the Morn , Or goodly Ceres golden in her Corn , 196. Or rather like that glorious Deacon who First op'd the rubie Gate of Martyrdome , Whom sweet and princely Beams embellish'd so That Heav'n it selfe aforehand seem'd to come And pitch upon his Face , which to his Foes An Angels Count'nance did in Mans disclose , 197. She thus began : No Confutation , I , But Thanks alone to my Accusers owe , Who charge on Me no vulgar Piety , But rank me with Vranius , and allow That simple I deserve no lesse than he With Martyrdomes fair Crown adornd to be , 198. Onely I must take leave to tell my Foes , Their Spight in one thing much mistaketh Me ; For if I freedome had my Flames to choose , I rather would for ever schorched be With all Hells burning Sulphure , than give way That Lnsts black Fire should make my hearts its 〈◊〉 199. But how have I demean'd my Selfe , that You Wise Sir , should think this wretched Life to Me Can be more pretious , than the Faith I owe To Him , who can from Deaths Captivity Redeem his Subjects ; and a Course will take Uranius from his Ashes how to rake . 200. If e'r this Tongue of mine was known to spill The least Consent or seeming Approbation Of You or of your Gods , ( which sure my Will Was never privie to , ) this Detestation May wipe it off , and make my Guilt proceed As high as my Accusers it did plead . 201. Jove is no more , nay not so much , to Me , As you , or as the meanest Wight that lives : He to your Fancies ows his Deity , And from your Superstition receives His livelihood : and therefore well may you Be bold with him , and what you please allow . 202. Sometimes a Bull must serve , sometimes a Swan , For King of Gods Men ; sometimes a shoure Of Gold , and when you kindest are , a Man ; But such a Man , as waste's his God-ships Power In Lust and Luxurie , that prudent Yee May by your Gods Example wicked be . 203. And must I offer Incense to perfume His Name , the Name of Filth and Stinks ? must I Tempted by such a wretched Bait , presume On Jesu's pure and mighty Majesty ? No : Him indeed I fear , but dread not you , Which with my Life I ready am to show . 204. Were I as foule as are your Thoughts of Me , Were I the worst of horrid Things , a Whore ; I see not why your goodly Piety Should not convince you forthwith to adore My wickednesse , and Me , unlesse you will Deny your Venus is a Goddesse still . 205. What Perfica , Pertunda , Mutunns , What Cyprian Rites , what Ithyphallies , mean , What sacred sport old Baubo's glorious Invention made to cheer up Harvests Queen , You , and your Temples know : but pardon Me , If I blush to declare such Villanie . 206. No : it shall never stain this Tongue of mine , This Tongue which doth its utmost homage owe To Jesu's Name ; that Name of most divine Unspotted Sweetnesse . Doubt not Sir ; although I am a feeble Female , His dear Sake My Resolution Masculine can make . 207. The Judge , stung by this valiant Reply , And highly scorning to acknowledge in A Woman such heroick Constancy , With envious Cunning cri'd , Now I have seen More than enough to quit Fame from a lie , Which charg'd such Charms on Christianity . 208. If ever silly Soule enchanted were With fawning undermining Witchery ; This obstinate and retchlesse Woman here Is captive to that curs'd Impiety , Being so monstrously Transform'd , that to The Gods , and to her Selfe , she 's open Foe . 209. But we must not be fierce , 'cause she is Mad : Perhaps this Spell is of short date , and she Tam'd by a Prisons Hardship , may be glad To turn into herselfe again , and be Content ( which may the Gods vouchsafe to grant ! ) Her Blasphemy and Boldnesse to recant . 210. Great Jove , who heard when she did him 〈◊〉 , Forbore to fling his Lightning at her head ; And by that sweet and heav'nly Lenity , Of Patience to Us a Lecture read . To Prison with her , and instruct her there By Chains , to quit these Bands which captive her , 211. Laden with Irons , but much more with Scorn , Poor Psyche thus unto the Goale is led : There in a Dungeon dark , deep , and forlorn , That she might double be imprisoned , She plunged was ; where , as she 'gan to sink Into the nastie Mire , she wak'd the Stink . 212. A Stink which would have scorn'd what Arabie And all its Odours could against it doe ; An aged Stink which did a mellowing lie In that foule Grot ; for it was long agoe Since any Thing disquieted the Heap Of poisnous Loathsomenesse which there did sleep 213. Fast in this torment stuck , afflicted she No succour could receive from any friend ; The Jailer barr'd out all their Pietie Who willing were some help to her to lend ; And onely once a day her furnished With puddle Water , and course mouldy Bread , 214. Yet harder than this Diet , was the Grace He said to it : Repent unhappy Wretch , Repent he cry'd : Why should this wofull Place Be dearer to thee than the favour which The 〈◊〉 Judge doth offer thee , if thou , With Him , and our great Queen , to Jove wilt bow . 215. This cursed Preachment grated sore upon The Bowels of her tender Heart , who in This 〈◊〉 Leisure set her thoughts to run Over the Ages most unhappy Sin , Which now with zealous superstition rung From her destructive Keepers pittying tongue . 216. No Member e'r with such soft Sympathy The wounds of its fraternal Part did feel ; As She that most contagious Malady Which now had tainted Albions Common-weal , And , like the Plague indeed , into the Heart It s desperate Poison did directly dart . 217. Inestimable Soules , ( for such the Price Which Jesus payed , proved them to be ) Their own illustrious value did dispise , Selling themselves to poore Idolatry , And at no higher Rate then to escape Some wordly shame , and temporal mishap . 218. Their dear Redeemers most transcendent Love They kick'd and scorned , and his Heav'n with it ; And gave their service to ignoble Jove , Although no Guerdon , but the lowest Pit Of everflaming Torments did attend them , Where ev'n that Jove himself no help could lend them . 219. This stung her Soule so deep , that she could give Her life ten thousand times to death , if she Might at that cost be able to reprieve Her Friends and Foes , from this mad Miserie . But 〈◊〉 this unfeasible , the sight Redoubled her compassionate sorrows weight . 220. This fair advantage envious Satan took To work upon her rockie Constancy : Trusting at length that He should her provoke To kisse the Judge's offerd Courtesie : He hop'd that Desolation , gall'd by Grief , Would stoop at length , and not disdain 〈◊〉 . 221. And yet her Charitable Meditation Highly displeas'd Him : wherefore crafty He Resolv'd perforce to knit her Contemplation Close to her own new 〈◊〉 Calamitie : For all her Body He with flames did fill , Which into burning Perls and Boils did swell . 222. Her skin which was so white and sleek before , All rugged now with odious tumors is : From head to foot one universal sore Arrays her round in a tormenting dress : Thus the renouned Prince of Uz , of old Wore this sad raiment , for his Roabs of Gold . 223. Yet on dry Ashes He had leave to sit , And with a Pot-sheard scrape his scurfie skin , A comfort which poor Psyche could not get , Being a weak and helpelesse Captive in The thick relentlesse Mire , where she is fain To rub her torturing swellings with her Chain . 224. And yet these Torments lesse tormenting were Than those which now her Parents treacherous Love Heap'd on her wounded Soule : The Judge's ear , And then his leave , they got , to come and prove What their Persuasions with their Childe could do , And cunningly they did their busnes too . 225. Upon the Dungeons brink their Lamentation They poured first , and then this charming cry : Psyche , ô Psyche , if thy Tribulation Be yet too weak to make thee bow to thy Own rest and quiet ; let thy Parents 〈◊〉 At least , by thy consent , obtain Reliefe , 226. The staffe of our decrepit years art Thou Alone , dear daughter ; all our joys in thee Are fresh and young : O do not rob Us now Of that by which we live , thy libertie : Thy liberty , which we would rather choose By any Hand , than by thine own to loose . 227. The Judge would yeeld thee back to Us again : And wilt Thou cruel be , when He is Kinde ? By thee have We deserved to be slain , Who from all others Love and Pitty finde ? Though thine own Life thou strangely scornest , yet Abhor not ours to whom thou owest it . 228. Surely thy Christ , if He as Gentle be As thou didst vaunt Him for , will never give Thee thanks for this unnatural Pietie Which both thine own , and Parents Lives doth strive To undermine : O no! His Grace We know , And honour His Compassion more than you . 229. Our Faith in His abundant Mercy makes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be blown away , Comply . His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Hearts its Prospect takes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ours pant still with loyalty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his dear Laws : and therefore He Propitious to our Out-side fault will be . 230. And so , sweet Daughter will He be to thine : O then accept of what thou 〈◊〉 to Crave ; Enjoy the courteous Sun 〈◊〉 it doth shine , And let this Dungeon not forestall thy grave : Speak , speak ; and bid Us live with thee ; or by Thy wilful silence , send Us home to dy . 231. So pleaded they . But Psyche with a Groan Fetch'd deeper than the bottome of her Grot , First vanquished their Lamentation ; Then , with this most athletick Answer , what Artillery their crafty tongues had brought From Pieties strong hold to force her out : 232. I now no longer can the Jailer blame Who tempted me my Liberty to gain By being slave to Joves accursed Name , And scorning him who on Heav'ns Throne doth reign : Why should I look that Pagan He should be Kinder than you my Parents are to Me ? 233. My Christian Parents ; if you yet dare own That holy title , who invite me now To kick at Christ . Alas that I am grown So execrable in your Eys , that you [ As if this Dungeon were not deep enough , ] Into Hels bottom Me should strive to throw . 234. The sacred Law of Filial Duty I Hold dearer than this World ; for well I know ( Nor shall all Torments force me to deny This truth . ) that unto you my Life I ow ; Which in your service if I shun or fear To spend , may I prove an Idolater . 235. But that 's the Life by which I Prisner am In this unworthy World ; A Life I have Which truer is unto its active Name , A Life to high and pretious , that to save It from the Jaws of endlesse Death , his own The King of Heav'n thought not much to lay down 236. That Life I mean , by which my Soule doth live ; A Life which from your Loins I never drew ; And therefore you doe but your selves deceive To think that this is to your Pleasures due . God is my onely Father here , and I Intire to Him must keep my loyalty . 237. As fast as in this Mire I stick , the way Of His Commands I now am running ; and Though you your Prayers , or your Necks should lay Full in my path my passage to withstand , I would not hear my mortal duty plead , But on your Necks and Prayers freely tread . 238. Yet Heav'n forbid I should be forc'd to take This hard experiment of Pietie . O rather help to lead me to the stake , And of my Combat there Spectators be : You 'l ne re repent you to have seen your own Childe climbing up to Martyrdomes fair Crown 239. But since you know so well the vast extent Of Jesus Mercy ; know it not in vain : Your own decrepit years bid you repent With speediest speed : The foule and cankering stain Of your Idolatrous Complyance dares The utmost Power of your fullest Tears . 240. Mispend not then those pretious Beads on Me , Your selves need all their Ornament : and I This onely favour crave , that you would be But so courageous as yet to rely On Heav'ns Protection : Speak , ô speak , and ease My throbbing hearts tormenting Jealousies . 241. I burn , I burn in Anguish , till I hear You by a brave Profession defie Those Baits of secular ignoble fear Which lured you to your Apostasie . Speak then , and make my Life be sweet , in spight Of all these Tortures which against it fight . 242. So pious She. But feeble-hearted They , Leaving no Answer but a faithlesse Sigh Their Griefs and Fears to witnesse , went their way , Confounded by their Daughters Constancy . Yet by this foule Retreat They gave her more Soule-piercing Wounds , then They had done before . 243. For now her ominous Meditations threw Her down into that Gulfe of flaming Pain , Which to Apostate Wickednesse was due ; Where every Torment , every Rack and Chain To which her Parents seemed now to goe , Pour'd on her tender Heart a Sea of Woe . 244. But as She struggled to maintain this fight Of mighty Charitie , She gan to faint . When loe a sudden unexpected Light ( A Thing with which that Grot did ne'r acquaint , ) The Place , and Her , with Glory did surprise , Offring a radiant Stranger to her Eyes . 245. For at her right Hand She beheld a Mayd On whose fair Head a diamond Crown did shine ; With gentle Majesty She was arrayd , And all her Ornaments appear'd divine : Psyche amazed at the heav'nly Sight , Would fain have kneel'd to doe the Virgin right . 246. But as her Sorenesse , Mire , and Chains forbad That reverence , She fete'd a modest Sigh : To which the Stranger this milde Answer made : I see thy Minde in thy ingenous Eye ; Thy Courtesie by thy Desire is done , And now my ear'nd Requital must comeon . 247. This said , She hugg'd her with a strait Embrace ; Softrait , that closer than her Chains or Mire It stuck , and deeplyer 〈◊〉 was Than her Disease , through which it did 〈◊〉 Into her Heart , and 〈◊〉 it up so close That now no Anguish there could interpose . 248. As He who is some wager'd Race to run , Having his Loyns girt up , and being so Collected and ti'd to Himself 〈◊〉 , With lighter stouter Nimblenesse doth goe , Than when his waste He loose about him ware , And there for 〈◊〉 had room to 〈◊〉 ; 249. Embraced Psyche thus perceiv'd her 〈◊〉 Lace'd strait , and shrunk into Collections 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; As first She wonder'd her 〈◊〉 Guest So much should presse her 〈◊〉 but it 〈◊〉 , As that fresh Vigour glowed in her 〈◊〉 , She knew She onely 〈◊〉 out her Smart . 250. And now such Courage in her Soule did reign , That She rejoyc'd She had so hard a Race : Her gauntlet She dares give to any Pain , And the most tedious Death look in the face ; Her Chains to her no more then Bracelets are Her boiling Sores as Pearls indeed appear . 251. Her Parents Case She to Heav'ns Soveraign Wil t Can freely now resigne ; that Will which though It bitter seem to worldly Tastes , yet still Doth unto uncorrupted Palats flow With all the Soule of Sweetnesse , and can make From springs of Galla flood of Honey break . 252. She seems as yet not to have gain'd her share Of Pangs and Sufferings , and fears not to pray That He Who did such Strength for her prepare , Would still more load upon her Shoulders lay ; More fewell still unto her tervour give , Who now by nothing but by Pains could live . 253. Nor was it wonder ; for the Stranger here , ( Thenceforth a Stranger unto her no more ) Was sent from Heav'n a special 〈◊〉 To heal her Heart , beginning to be sore With her Weak Body : Willingly She 〈◊〉 And did her Work , for 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 254. The Eyes of Lambs ne'r darred meeker Raies Then stream'd from hers ; and yet the Lyons face With stouter Bravery did never raise His royal Looks , nor with more Courage gaze Upon , and challenge Terrors , than does She , Though soft as honey , or as Oyle She be . 255. All over she was nothing else but skars Wnt large and fair to testifie what she Had undergone in Heav'ns victorious Wars ; And yet these Characters her beautie be ; For with such silver light they smile , that they Much like a Tire of Stars do her array 256. Her busines being thus dispatched , she The cheer'd reso'ved Prisner leaves : when loe The Judge's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see If Psyche yet were fully 〈◊〉 or no : And standing at the 〈◊〉 mouth , he cryes , Learn wretched Maid , at length learn to be wise . 257. The Judge , upon whose Will thy Fate depends , In spight of thy 〈◊〉 tender is ; And me on Mercies Errand hither sends To offer to thee at an easie price Thy Life and Libertie ; and more than so , If thou thy Irreligion wilt forgo . 258. His noble Word , more sure than Bond or Seal , He freely gives to change thy Povertie Into a wealthy State ; not shalt thou feel Henceforth what scorns and ignominies be ; But living in soft Peace and Psenteousnesse His Favour , and the Worlds esteem possesse 259. But if you obstinately yet deny To offer incense unto mighty Jove , You dam the way unto all Clemency , And a deserved Sacrifice must prove To your own Madnesse : the Decree is past , You must Vraniu's fate to morrow taste . 260. As when the tossed Mariner descries The Promontories of his native Soile , Within whose craggie Hornis his Harbour lies ; He strait forgets his long Tempestuous toile , And doth his new-revived Bosome finde Swell'd more with Joy , than are his sails with winde , 261. So Psyche , hearing that her Doom was past Which to her long-wish t Hav'n would her convey ; Her arms in triumph up to Heav'n she cast , With thanks and praises for that happy Day ; And in defiance of his offer'd grace , Threw this stout answer at the Serjants face : 262. My thanks unto the Judge go carry back : High is his favour , and 〈◊〉 embrace : But sure your 〈◊〉 you did much mistake , Or foulie at the least , your Words misplace : My Life and Libertie no favour is ; Death I accept with humble 〈◊〉 . 263. As for your vain and wretched Jupiter Were He but half so true a thing as you , 〈◊〉 respect would unto Him defer ; But unto Nothing what can I allow But what it is ? and though your Incense be But Smoke , 't is more substantial than He 264. Deceive your foolish selves no longer , 〈◊〉 Am not enchantea , but all you are so : What 〈◊〉 should make you dream I fear to dy , Who through Deaths door shall to Lifes Palace go ? A way , and pray your Master , it He be An honest Man , to keep his Word with Me. 265. This Answer , ( which the Bearer fully did , ) Enrag'd the Judge to make his the eatuings good : But all in vain his wrath he marsh alled ; Heav'ns milde , against his bloody Purpose stood ; Nor had fierce Belzebub who set Him on , Power to step further than he now had gone , 266. Mean while such Joy in Psyche's bosome glow 〈◊〉 Through expectation of the fire and stake , That all her Pains and Torments to it bow'd , And in sweet quiet she that Night did break Her redious Vigils and permitted sleep With its soft feet upon her eyes to creep . 267. But Phylax , who had all this while withdrew , ( For Heav'n so order'd it , ) now gainted leave His presence to his pretious Charge to shew , And from the Tyrants rury her reprieve : Down to the Dungeon he as gladly 〈◊〉 As ever he had towred to the Skies . 268. Where finding her not onely Prisner to Her it on Chains , but in sleeps silken Bands Tied as fast ; He 〈◊〉 his Work to doe Whil'st she was yet at rest : His potent Hands Upon her burning sores he gently laid , Which quenched strait , as of his touch afraid . 269. Her scursie Rough-cast scaled off , and all Her Skin to fresh and tender Smoothnesse left : So when of old the Syrian General In Jordan did exchange his leprous shift , His Flesh appeard as soft and pure , as were The Virgin Streams which smil'd and sported there . 270. With like Facilitie he did but touch The massie Chains which heavy on her lay . And none of all their brasen Locks did grutch To that strange virtual Key strait to give way , But down they tumbled , clashing as they fell , Which Noise to Psyche did their ruine tell . 271. She startled up , and sought to understand What that Sound ment , in hopes it had been Day , And that the hasty Judge had sent Command Unto the Stake to hurry her away , That hungry He might other Charges save , And Her for 's Breakfast ready rosted have . 272. When loe , her Selfe in Phylax's Arms she found Chain'd by a soft and delicate Embrace ; Her other Gives she saw upon the ground , Confuted all and shatter'd : Bnt she was Amazed most , to finde she had no Sore To rub , for knawing her , as heretofore . 273. But then , My Dear , said Phylax , We have now No time to stay and look , but must away . Three times she shak'd her head , & rubb'd her Brow ; But when she saw these wonderous Sights would stay , She yeilded , fully to attend the Dream ; For unto her it nothing else did seem . 274. Up from the Dungeon the Angel flew , Proud of the Prize which in his Arms he bore . The Bolts and Locks fled from his radiant View , So did the Prisons seav'n-fold Brasen Door , Yet durst not make the least Complaint , or bear By any Noise , tales to the Jailers ear . 275. Thus through the Town unseen unheard He past , 〈◊〉 his Pupill in an unknown Way : Great was his Care of Her , and great his Haste 〈◊〉 He had brought her into Safeties Bay ; This was a Place which in the Desert He For her immured had with Privacie . 276. A Place removed far beyond the Sent Of any Blood-hound , whither Man or Beast ; A Place well furnished with sweet Content , And all Conveniences ready drest : Where , having brought her in , No more mistake Thy Blisse , He cri'd , but know Thou art awake . 277. Thy Spouse is pleas'd with this Experiment , And doth accept thy faithfull Patience : To free Thee from thy Chains and 〈◊〉 , he sent Me hither , and from all that Violence The furious Tyrant hath prepar d to day Upon thine undeserving Head to lay . 278. Psyche appall'd at this unlook'd for Word And well perceiving that she heard and saw ; Was with such hearty Indignation stirr'd Against her Guardian ; that had not the Law Of virtuous Modesty dwelt in her Tongue , Full in his Face Defiance she had flung . 279. And yet thus far she ventured to ease Her belking Heart : O Phylax , how art Thou Known hitherto to Me by Courtesies , Into mine Enemie transformed now ? How art Thou made more Tyrant unto Me , Than He from whom thou now hast set Me free ? 280. I by His Help , this Morning should have seen That Day which from my Spouse's Eyes doth rise ; Nor had I any longer troubled been Upward to look , when I would read the Skies : O no! Uranius now looks down when He The region of the Sun and Stars would see . 281. What is this Life of Banishment , to Me , Who have no settled Home but that above ? What boots it that my Chains and Maladie Are shaken off , if Psyche still must prove A Pris'ner to this heavy Flesh and Bone , Which more torments me than they could have done ? 282. Are the fair Palms , and ever-radiant Crown Of Martyrdome , so poor and vile a prize ; Are Heav'n and Jesu's Company now grown Things so indifferent , that my longing Eyes Should spare their Tears , when I am snatch'd away From them , and forc'd on for did Earth to stay : 283. O Phylax Thou hast not repreived Me From any of my Pains : I 'm at the Stake , I burn , I burn ; nor will my Agonie But by my final Dissolution slake . She fainted here — But Phylax took her up , And hasted thus her Sorrows Tide to stop . 284. Courage , my Dear , and be assured I Have not deceiv'd thee of try Noble Aim : Thy Spouse designs a Martyrdome whereby To draw thee to himselfe , but not the same By which he snatch'd 〈◊〉 : no ; for thee He treasured hath a braven 〈◊〉 285. 〈◊〉 long , more strong , and 〈◊〉 Pain 〈…〉 be , than from the Spight Of this , though 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 Fight Then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fought ; and this shall be , The Theater of thy mighty 〈◊〉 286. Here in this very Place shalt thou maintain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Combat , whilst thy Spouse and all His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on his royal Train Will be Spectators : O doe not forestall Thy greater Fame by hasty Zeal , but stay With patience for thy Coronation Day . 287. This ample Answer such Refreshment blew On Psyche s Heats , that meek and pliant she Cool'd her importunate Desires , and grew Content to wait the full Maturity Of her affected laurel , though as yet She little knew how she must Gather 〈◊〉
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XIX . The Dereliction , ARGUMENT . PSyche abandon'd to the Solitude Of Soule and Body , by the resolute Might Of patient loyal Constancie , subdu'd Hels Champion Dispair , in single fight . Yet in her Conquest no free Joy could have , Because she still was Derelictions Slave . 1. HOw grim , how cold , how comfortless soe'r Thou lookst , dear Solitude ; sure in thy breast Some worthy Sweets thou dost 〈◊〉 bear ; Witness that Vilenesse , and that high Request By which betwixt the lazie earthly heart , And Pious Soule thou so divided art . 2. He who when e'r his Conscience him doth take Alone , it 〈◊〉 full on his guilty face ; A large Inditement doth against thee make , And on thee poures the bottome of Disgrace , Calling thee Mother of vexatious Folly , Of Horrors and dispaning Melancholy 3. He no where but among his roaring Boyes Can meet a quire whose Musick suits his Ear , Whil'st in the tumult of that boistrous noise He drowns those thoughts which would his bosome tear ; And in the throng of Sinners cannot finde Free room to take a view of his own Minde . 4. And thus , unhappy Man , he onely lives In his outside , and therefore liveth not : But when sure ' Death his wofull summons gives , Strangely amazed , and not knowing what To do or think , in vain for help he cryes ; And to himself a wretched stranger dies . 5. He dies ; and leaves that Body which would not Endure to be a little while alone , In the Graves tedious Solitude to rot ; Whilst in the Tumult of Damnation His now uncloysterd Soule is forc'd to dwel Amongst the Roarers of eternal Hell . 6. But he who dares his Bosome ransack , and Take a survey of every thing within , That he may always ready have at Hand An Inventary of himself , and win Time upon Death by prudent Preparation To entertain and kisse his Consummation ; 7. He who both Leisure and Desire can finde To sequester Impertinences , that His proper busnes he may onely minde , And by industrious Thrift mend his Estate . So that though naked he goes to his grave , An endlesse stock of riches he may have . 8. He , He 's the Man whom all the Cities joyes And proud excess ; the Countries hearty sport ; The Licence , endlesse Fashions , glittering Toies , And all the Pomp and Glories of the Court Cannot so far enchant , but sober he Can of plain Solitude inamored be . 9. He there more store of Company can meet , And of more high and worthy quality , Than in the thickest Theatre doth sweat , Where Spectacles professe to court the Eye ; Such Presses justle out all Heav'n , but He Reads it at large in this Vacuitie . 10. An undisturbed view he here can take Of all its fairest and its loftiest stories ; His Contemplation here can freely break Through all the Treasures of its boundlesse glories ; And in the Court where Blisse and Pleasures reign With Saints and Angels brave Acquaintance gain . 11. Here to the Universe's King can He His free attendance pay from Morn to Night , Whil'st in the everlasting One and Three He learns both to Divide and to Unite His mystick Homage , as the Spirits Gale Makes him through this Abysse of Wonders sail . 12. Here he doth always stand upon his Watch , That when the roaring Lyon , who doth run About the World his carelesse Preys to catch , Hunteth that way , his On-set he may shun ; Or with awakened and prepared Might Confront his Foe , and entertain the fight . 13. Here from the saplesse Worlds enchanting Breast Where nothing but the froth of Milk doth spring , Himself he weans ; and studies how to feast Upon some masculine substantial thing , Which may not mock him with short false Content , But to his Soul yeeld solid Nutriment . 14. No Humor of the Times , no Garbs or Fashions , Can here take up his Care ; No boistrous News Of publike Woes , or fatal Alterations , The Calm of this his Harbour can abuse No storms can rage but in the open seas ; His private Bay the Cloister is of Ease . 15. His righteous Soule is not afflicted here To See and Hear how wretched Worms defie Omnipotence's King , and scorn to fear The Jaws of Hell , to which their Villany Makes them apparent Heirs ; but take delight The Love and Blood of Jesus to despight . 16. Here past the reach of those bewitching Darts Which flash with radiant Bane from wanton eyes , And make both timorous and martial hearts Yeeld to fantastick self-made Wounds , He lies Secure and safe , and undisturbed may Prepare for his eternal Nuptial Day . 17. Here leave and leisure he enjoys to weed And cultivate his Heart , in which he plants Each Herb of Grace , and sows the blessed Seed Of every Virtue which his bosome wants ; In certain hopes his labours will conclude In a full Harvest of Beatitude . 18. With prudent foresight here he doth provide An ample stock that he may ready be To bear all Charges which may Him betide In managing a publike Life , if he Be called from his private Nest , and made Against the thronging stream of Sin to wade . 19. More furnished with strength of Argument From learned Athens never Student came , Though He his nimblest years and Spirits had spent The Engins of most active Wit to frame ; Then doth this sagely-sprightfull Champion from His private Schole of publick Virtue come . 20. For having learned their due Scorn to throw Upon those Incerests and Baits which make The biass'd Hearts of Men unmanly grow , And cowardly Sins sneaking By paths take ; In spight of all the World which dares say No , He in the King of Heav'ns High-way will go 21. Thus in all Sorts of high Advantage this Life of Retirement , doth the Garland wear ; Which therefore onely dear and pretious is To Them who Sons of Heav'n and Wisdome are : And which , insipid timorous Soules , as They Cannot beleeve , so never can enjoy . 22. Psyche , who now conducted was into This solitary State , though fervent She Did in Uraniu's Steps desire to goe , Yet since it might not on the sudden be , Appeas'd the flames of her Impatience by The streaming Comforts of her Privacy . 23. If in the tumult of the World She still Had mingled been , the Crowd had surely slain her ; For all Earths furniture and friendlyest Skill Could not with any Solace entertain her : Her Heart already was in Heav'n , and She Was best , where She could least behinde it be . 24. And that was here , where by no secular Care Or Interruption She molested was ; But dwelling in a calmie Hemisphear , Upon free Meditations Wings could Passe Above the Moon and Sun , and Troops of fair Stars , which upon Heav'ns Plains embatled are . 25. But as at length She gan to pant again For that dear Day of final Conflict She By Phyla'x Promise hoped to obtein , And that alone ; Loe , on the sudden He , Call d thence by other Buisnesse , takes his leave Yet telling her He would not her deceive . 26. As She made haste to ask the reason ; He Took Wing , and instantly outfled her Eye : A Sigh strait strove to follow Him , but She Repulsed it with noble Constancy , And cri'd , It must not , and it shall not grieve me ; Did Heav'n not call Him , Phylax would not leave me . 27. Then down upon her humble Knees She fell , And casting up ward her most loyal Eyes , So long as Thou as truely here dost dwell Sweet Lord , said She , as in the highest skies , Though Phyla'x Wings now shelter not my head , Yet thine are alwayes o'r thine Handmayd spred . 28. Though pretious is His Company to Me , Yet not so dear as is thy blessed Will ; Though here alone a feeble Thing I be , I can and dare be more abandon'd still , If mighty Thou , who never wilt forsake Me , With neerer Losses pleased art to rack Me. 29. Fain would I quit the Debt in which to Thee , And mine own Vows I stand ; fain would I prove By combating with any Misery The Truth of my ( how deep-obliged ) love : Thou bidd'st Us Follow with our Crosse , and loe I in thy bloodyest Steps desire to goe . 30. I would not to a Figures Courtesie Beholden be in my Affliction , nor To such a tender Crosse condemned be As must be helped by a Metaphor To make its hard Name good ; for that I 'm sure Was true and real which Thou didst endure . 31. No golden Plenty do I crave of Thee , No soft Content , or silken Peace : Impart Those favours unto whome Thou wilt , for Me ; Thy sharpest Blessings best will please my Heart : My heart , which burneth in profound desire Of some Heroick and consuming fire . 32. O do not slay Me by denying Death ! To suffer want of Suffrings , is to Me The onely Dregs which from thy deepest Wrath Can squeazed be : from this one Misery Which is the Pith of all , I beg repreive : I dy in torment if in ease I live . 33. Jesus whose Ear is alwayes ope to them Who speak Loves Dialect , straight heard her Crie : Which made such welcome Musick unto him That her Petition he could not deny : His sweetned Bitternesse apace he sent , And bless'd her with her begged Punishment . 34. Charis , accustom'd open House to keep In her free Heart , he there shut up so close That now no nimble glimmering Ray could peep Forth from that Nest of Light : Nor could she choose But be suspitious that the Spring was dri'd From whence no Emanations did glide . 35. When loe , the Welkin , which before was clear , And flowed with the Suns transparent Gold ; Started from its fair Looks with sudden fear , And did in swarthy Beams it selfe enfold . Day was abash'd to see how boldly Night Incroach'd upon her , and despis'd her Light . 36. The Aire presageing what outrageous Pain Would tear her tender weatherbeaten Sides , With hollow Groans and Mournings did complain Aforehand of the Storm ; which as she 〈◊〉 , She but awakes , and so provokes to rage With louder furie on the whole Earths Stage . 37. Forthwith the Clouds came tumbling one upon Anothers back , for fear to loose their Place And Office in that blinde Confusion With which the Element now gravid was : Close quaking in his Cave lay every Beast , And every Bird lamenting in his Nest. 38. Strange Phantoms dressed in a spurious Light , Fed by foule Sulphure , flashed all about ; Fell griezly Ghosts arrayed all in Fright Both with themselves and one another fought ; Whole Troops of gastly Fiends and Furies rent Their Snakes , as through the sable Aire they went . 39. The labouring Clouds at length with open Crie Brought forth their Griefe , and thunder'd their Complaint The most obdurate Rocks could not deny Their Pitty , but straight trembled and grew faint : So did the massie Earth , which quak'd to hear The woefull Outcrie of its Neighbour Sphear . 40. Psyche alone , as yet refus'd to melt By any tremor ; onely in her Heart A kinde of Numnesse creeping on she felt , 'Cause Charis there forbore her wonted Part : When loe , an heavy black condensed Cloud Down to the Ground before her face did crow'd . 41. Where having op'd its hideous Curtains wide , Forth at the Gap a Stream of Lightning broke ; Whose sudden dazeling , though now harmlesse , Tide The resolute Mayd with some amazement stroke : But straight an Hand reach'd out it Selfe and held A mighty Cup , with greater Terrors fill'd . 42. It held it to her Lip , and what before Was Thunder , now prov'd an articulate Voice : And bad her drink up all that dreadfull Store , Since she had been so venturous in her choise : She nothing more than Pleasures fear'd , and here Was nothing lesse than what her Heart did fear . 43. Thus challeng'd by the Voice , whose Sound she knew , And durst not disobey ; She sent her Eye Into the Cup to take a plenal View Of the black Liquor which in it did ly . Wherein such boyling Horrors she descried , That down she prostrate fell , and thus she cried : 44. Weak Woman as I was , how has my Pride , My silly Pride , betrayed me to Woe ! On Confidence's Wings I needs would ride Although I towr'd but to my Overthrow : Had I remembred that a Worm I am , I ne'r had crawl'd so high to mine own Shame . 45. How is it Jesu , that Griefs mighty Cup Which thou didst once unto the Bottome drink , Is to its woefull Brim now filled up ! What has renu'd this more than deadly Sink , Whose Sorrows though to thine they shallow be , Yet are too deep for poor unhappy Me. 46. Alas thy naked Anger here I see , In which no glimpse of Favour mixed is : What will become of weak abandon'd Me Who in thy Count'nance read mine onely Blisse , If I be drowned in this Sea of Night , And cover'd up from my dear Spouse's sight ! 47. Sweet was the Cup of which Uranius drunk ; For being swallow'd up in Streams of Fire , Thrice happy Saint , to Heav'n he onely sunk : But I in this black Gulfe of hideous Ire , Must downward dive , and overwhelmed be In Derelictions vast Profunditie . 48. I would not fear the most appalling Face Of any Sorrow , which did not preclude The sight of Thine ; but now Thine Eyes , alas , By these of Mine no longer must be viewd ; How shall I steer through this vast Sea , who may Not see the Stars which are to guide my way ? 49. Here having knock'd her Breast , and turn'd her Eye , Her generous Eye , three times unto the Cup ; She chid her Selfe profoundly with a Sigh , And looking then with noble fervor up , Yet why should I demur , she cri'd , since mine Own Will is not mine own , but long since Thine ? 50. If any Title to my Selfe I had , I might be tender of my Ease and Rest : But since to Thee a Deed of Gift I made , ( Or rather of due Pay , ) Thou art possest Intirely of Me ; nor must I refuse That Thou what is thine own shouldst freely use . 51. I am no further I , than thou wilt grant ; Propriety is no such Thing to Me : And I who nothing have , can Nothing want So long as I resigned am to Thee : Thy Will in Sweetnesse alwayes equal is Though our false Taste doe sometimes judge amisse . 52. And now I know thy Will is mingled here With this sad Potion , what soever be The present Rellish , Psyche doth not fear But it will end in purest Suavity . I fear it not : and here she took the Cup , And bravely to the Bottome drunk it up . 53. As he who has in Poison quaffed deep , And drownd Himselfe in what he swallow'd down ; Quickly perceives the groping Mischief creep About his Heart ; where being Victor grown , It s fatal Chains of cold and heavy Lead Upon its fainting Prisner it doth spread . 54. So Psyche having poured down this sad And horrid Draught , soon felt its woefull Force Upon her Soule its Patterie it made , Which prov'd to weak to stop its mighty Course : The Deluge broke into her Heart , and there With uncontrolled Power did domineer , 55. Forth with the Clouds which had beset the Aire Broke up their gloomy Seige , the Phantomes fled , Serenity made all the Welkin fair , The Rocks left Quaking , Birds began to spred Their cheerly Wings abroad , Beasts ventur'd out , So did the Sun , and pour'd his Gold about , 56. The World to every Thing grew fresh and clear , But unto Psyche ; for distressed she Perceived no mutation which could cheer The cloudy Region of her Agonie : The Brightnesse of the Day to her was more Black than the Veil of Pitch She saw before , 57. Thus cheerly Musick is but Torment to A pained Ear ; Thus Neighbours Liberty With stricter Chains doth gripe the Prisners Woe ; Thus Candles to the Blinde but Mockings be ; Thus Gales , though cool and gentle , nothing slake The boiling Flames , but them more furious make , 58. Alas her outward Selfe long since had she Forgot , and knew not what such Comforts meant ; Above the Sphear of Sensibility She had established her sole Content : What is 't to her that Phoebus shineth fair Upon her face , whose Joies above him were ? 59. This little glaring Thing , this mortal Sun , Was not the King and Father of her Day : Her Morning dawn'd with Jesu's eyes alone , The glorious Fountains of her gallant Joy ; And how , how can she live , now she no more Can feed upon that Blisse as heretofore ? 60. Her Soule look'd up , alas , but look'd in 〈◊〉 ; For on its Eye-lids sate so thick a Night , That from that happy Prospect it did chain And keep close Prisner her unhappy Sight ; And lesse is Blinde Mens Grief , than theirs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nothing at all , 〈◊〉 their own Misery . 61. For unto this , and this alone , her Eyes Wide open were , yea though she shut then 〈◊〉 Still her importunate Calamities And Desolations , would themselves expose In full array unto her View , in spight Of any Veil which could against them fight 62. Tortur'd by this unsufferable Losse , ( For she had never been alone till now , ) Spreading to Heav'n her woefull Hands 〈◊〉 To her Devotions she her Knees did bow And in an helplesse lamentable hue , Thus to her 〈◊〉 wonted 〈◊〉 did sue 63. My God , where e'r Thou art , Why , Why wilt Thou Who every where canst thy great Selte display Unto thine Handmaid not one glimpse allow Who once enjoy'd thy Favoure Highnoon Day Which had I never done , my present Pain With such excessive Anguish would not reign . 64. Hath not thy boundlesse Sweetnesse taught my Heart Compleat Disrellish of all Things beside ? Where grows the Balsame then which for my Smart , And Me , can any Lenitive provide ; So long as most abandon'd I in this Black Death the Life of thy sweet Aspect 〈◊〉 65. Strong was this Crie ; for all the Heav'ns it rent , But yet it could not make them hear ; and She Who never untill now had thither sent Her Prayers in vain , amazed was to see These which so loud about her Spouse resounded Back to her Breast with Emptinesse rebounded . 66. Yet , as the noble Palme , though on her Head A massie , churlish , sturdy Burden lies , With valiant Patience still goes on to spreac Her inderatigable Arms , and tries How she may both her sad Affiiction bear , And her ambitious Boughs still higher rear : 67. So galiant Psyche , though now on her Back This Load more ponderous than Mountains lay Bravely resolved not to let it crack , Nor her most loyal Patience betray : She knew what Jesus underwent before , And that his Love deserv'd thus much , and more 68. Confirmed therefore to her Task she went , And spurr'd up Logos to his daily Part ; Whom upon Contemplations Wings she sent To fetch some Comfort for her pined Heart : Vnto Heav'ns Treasurie she sent Him , where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meet with high and holy Chear . 69. But every Night when he returned home . Alas he nothing brought but saplesse Fare , Lank drie Results , whose Bulk and Total Sum She never saw amount to more than bare And flashie Uselessenesse , resembling that 〈…〉 thither lately shot 〈◊〉 This sad Miscartiage fully did a wake The fountains of her Eyes , which liberal were In 〈◊〉 Drops by that thick showre to slake , Or empty out the Grief which flam'd in her : Yet all this woefull Brine she thus did poure But onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cheeks and 〈◊〉 her more . 71. Thus cross'd and disappointed every way Though she a fair and full Temptation had No more to Mock her selfe , and waste the day In fruitlesse Toile : Yet she this Statute made , Unto her Selfe , Her Duty still to doe , Whether Heav'n would regard her Pains , or 〈◊〉 72. So when the unrelenting Storm hath driven The Mariner into the boiling Main , And with thick Clouds so veild the face of Heav'n That he direction from no Star can gain ; He yeildeth not to all those Miseries , But plies his Oars , whether He lives or dies , 73. Her Tears she poured still , her Sighs she blew , Her Hands she Lifted up , her Knees she bent , She knock'd her Breast , her Contemplations fiew Their wonted flight , her Groans her Bosome rent , Her Heart did pant with Languishments of Love By Watching , Prayers , & Fasts , with God she 〈◊〉 74. With God she strove , and with her selfe ; for all This while her Soule was out of tune and taste : Those Exercises savoured now of Call , Whose Sweetnesse pos d the Honey in times past Yet she this tedious Gall would not forsake , Nor 〈◊〉 exchange the Dew of Hybla take 75. Thus , when soule Humors have usurp'd , and reign In his weak Stomach , still the hungry Man Ingests his wholesome Diet , though in vain ; For every houre his Meat , doe what he can , Onely mispent , and half-corrupted is , And then regorg d with painfull Nauseousnesse . 76. Her heavy Breast was now become as cold And dead , as if it ne'r had been the Seat Of 〈◊〉 Fire , and Heav'n : and He that would Have paralleld her Soules and Bodies State , ( Though wondrous drie this was , ) might soon have spyed How that , far more than This was Mortified . 77. And this scru d her Conditions Anguish high ; For still she neither thought she Watch'd nor Pray'd , Nor shed a Fear , nor heaved up a Sigh , Nor managed her Contemplations Trade , Nor Groand , nor Lovd ; because she never felt Her Heart in any of these Actions melt . 78. What Man upon the thanklesse Rocks can plow , Or found his Building on the faithlesse Sand , Or in the stormy Oceans Furrows sow , Or wash the tawny AEthiopians Hand , And still be patient , though his Pains and Cost A thousand times already have been lost ? 79. Where 's that stout He , who though He be imploy'd In busines of Fire and Flames , and set With sulphury fuel to keep up the Tide Of iron Fornaces enraged Heat , Can be content mean while Himselfe to be Shrivell'd and nipp'd up by Frosts Tyranny ? 80. Yet through these Riddles of Disconsolation Brave Psyche waded , and bore up her Head Aloft the Flood ; whilst far above all Passion Her Passion she embrac'd , and wearied Her Selfe with no lesse Quiet , than if she Down stream had sloated with facilitie . 81. For patiently she 〈◊〉 was , and sound No Comfort in this 〈◊〉 of her 〈◊〉 Yet though she every day and houre were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 , she 〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and her 〈◊〉 did give 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 82. Long liv'd she in it : and although her Fasts She duely kept , yet did she not forbear When Nature challeng'd them , her spare Repasts , She being stor'd by Phylax s loving Care : Although she were ambitious to die , She scorn'd to hasten on her Destiny . 83. Long liv'd she in it , for her Spouse was now Resolv d her Valonrs full Extent to trie . But envious Satan who ran prieing through All Quarters of this lower World to spie Where He might finde new Booties for his spight , Discover'd her in this disconsolate Plight . 84. But as a Coward who hath oft been beat , Yet still on base revengefull Hope doth feed , Waits opportunity when He may meet His brave Antagonist impoverished In strength and Spirits by some other Fight , And on that Weaknesse builds his stollen Might : 85. So now base-hearted He the fight forbore Till Psyches Courage He conceived spent ; And then , with prouder Hopes then e'r before , Unto his damned Home pufft up he went : ( Fool as He was ; to let his Looks professe His Triumph , e'r the Victory was His. ) 86. Then haveing climb'd his Throne , and from his face Wip'd off the coalblack Sweat , into a Smile He forced it : The Feinds admir'd whar cause Their Kings Austerity could so beguile ; Yet , in compliance every One begun To shrivell up his Cheeks , and gently grin . 87. When Satan thus : Hate and Defiance first To Heav'n , and then all Glory to my Selfe . You know to what expence of Pains that 〈◊〉 And though most feeble , yet most peevish 〈◊〉 . Jesus his Mistresse , long hath put Me , yet Upon that Worm my Will I could not get . 88. But now the feat is done , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is by her goodly Spouse divore'd , and lies To the just Vengance of our Majesty A most abandoned and woefull Prize . I saw her as she lay , but scorn d to bring Her with Me No , it 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 with a King . 89. But thou Dispair , ( and here he turn'd aside . For standing at his right Hand was the Feind , Shalt fetch her hither : Thou maist finde her hid In that 〈◊〉 deserts farthest closest end Which lies next to that superstitious sink Where Arimathean 〈◊〉 bones do stink . 90. The 〈◊〉 Furie made no stay , ( For what so 〈◊〉 is as Desperation ? ) But posted upward , snatching by the way Her dismall Engins in such furious Fashion That all her Sisters 〈◊〉 at her haste , And 〈◊〉 was glad when she by it was past . 91. 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 the hilly Peak 〈…〉 Way ; 〈…〉 impatience she did break . 〈…〉 trembling lay , 〈…〉 the dull sleeping 〈◊〉 Awak'd for fear and 〈◊〉 about its Bed . 92. All Beasts which saw the 〈◊〉 , as she flew Distracted at the horror of the sight , Themselves down fatal Precipices threw ; All Birds unable to maintain their flight , Let their Wings flag , and hung their Heads aside . And having chang'd their tunes to shreikings , di'd . 93. But still the frightfull Furie posted on , Till she arriv'd at her desired Place : Where finding sorrowfull Psyche all alone . She set her hideous self full in her face : All shapes of horror which did ever fright The 〈◊〉 Eys , must stoop unto this sight . 94. Pale Ghastlines did in her Viiage reign ; Which yet self-Rage in part confuted had , Black hideous Gore full many a wofull stain Pump'd from her own accursed Veins , had made : For oft her madnesse on her self she show'd , And her Cheeks valleys with her nailes had plow'd . 95. Her Locks were half torn off , so was her Gown , And most by careless Naftiness was she Array'd than by her Cloths : Her breasts hung down All lank and torn , and flapp'd upon her knee , Which gap'd , and shew'd the naked shatter'd Bone She 〈◊〉 had dash'd on a sharp stont . 96. But every Part did handsome seem and fair . Unto her hollow , and yet staring , Eys ; In which such soveraign Terrors marshall'd were As no Description can equalize : For 〈◊〉 was like to nothing but the other , And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which should outstare his Brother . 97. These were the ominous Mirrours where each Wight Whose Bosome was not innocent and clear , No sooner look'd , but in a fatal Plight He saw himself and all his Crimes , which there Appearing double , did affright him so That from his cursed self he wish'd to go . 98. The 〈◊〉 Basilisks mischievous Eys , And those of fascinating Witches , be Far 〈◊〉 Glasses , than these Prodigies Which 〈◊〉 with Danger 's worst extremitie . Heav'n 〈◊〉 the Man whose miserable Chance 〈◊〉 him into the 〈◊〉 of their glance . 99. Nor was the furniture of this foule Hag Unanswerable to her hideous looks ; For in her starved sharp Arms she did lag A load of rusty Swords , Knives , Daggers , Hooks , With poisnous Cups and Boxes , all bound up And hung in many a fatal Withe and Rope . 100. Appointed thus , she stood a while and stared On desolate Psyche ; who at first was stroke ( For unexpectedly the Fiend appeared , And with a sudden dint , ) at her fell look : And yet not so as to be beaten over ; For strait her strength , and self , she did recover . 101. The Tower thus , which at the furious Blast Of rushing Tempests yeilds a while to quake ; Forgetteth not withall to stand more fast Than those proud Buildings which disdain to shake ; And therefore by an instant Ruine down From their exalted Confidence are thrown . 102. Dispair percerving that her looks were vain , Drew her more dangerous Weapon out ; and this Was her be witching tongur , which she did strain Unto the highest Key of Crastines ; And casting down her luggage , thus assaid To doe as much upon the constant Maid : 103. If I thy doubtfull Count'nance read aright , Thou neither understandest who am I , Nor who thy Selfe : But this thy 〈◊〉 plight So charms my Pitty , that I must descrie Both unto Thee ; and if thou wilt befriend Thy selfe thou maist thy 〈◊〉 state amend . 104. I knew my 〈◊〉 speaketh nothing lesse , Than 〈◊〉 . But Things which fairest be Doe often veil in their enchanting Dresse The 〈◊〉 Stings of odious Treachery ; And soher Wisdome alway doth commend 〈…〉 Friend . 105. Were it not so , thy Selfe hadst never strove Against the 〈◊〉 Tide of Things below . 〈◊〉 sull alwayes of the soothing Love With which the Worlds inviting Smiles did slow , Were it not so , what Price could be so high To 〈◊〉 Thee thus thy Selfe to Mortisic ? 106. Suspect not then my Looks , which needs must show Like Terrors most abhorred Book to them Whose vain deluded Bosomes overflow With secular Pleasures frothy empty Stream : These think each Winde , though it would blow them to The Haven , will prove a Storm , and them undoe . 107. But thy Condition , if Thou weigh'st it right , Will teach Thee better what concerns thy Blisse ; Remember then , that since Thou saw'st the Light Thou ne'r hadst reason to be friends with this Unhappy Life , which from thy Cradle to This Houre , hath swarm'd with Nothing but thy wo. 108. The dainty Budds of thy young Vigorous years Serv'd not trim a Gatland for Delight ; By Virtue 's rigid and untimely Cares They blasted were ; and Thou ev'n in despight Of blooming Tendernesse preventedst Time And provedst old and withered in thy Prime . 109. Whilst other Maydons 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 joy , Gather d the sweetest 〈◊〉 of cheerly 〈◊〉 , Thou joyn'dst thy self in marriage to 〈◊〉 Living a 〈◊〉 and Single 〈◊〉 And thus of Griefs a numerous 〈◊〉 Thou springing from thy virgin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 110. 〈◊〉 from this Isle of Blisse , thy native Home , Thy 〈◊〉 Zeal drove Thee into the East ; Where Thou about 〈◊〉 Palistine didst rome Both to the Place a 〈◊〉 , and to Rest : What found'st thou there but thine own Loss , whilst Thou 〈…〉 which the 〈◊〉 did dow ? 111. Alas , the dear 〈◊〉 of thy Lord Which with thine hankering Eys thou there didst read , Did but Assurance to thy Soule afford That He , its onely Joy , to Heav n was 〈◊〉 : And surely here at home Thou wert as neer The skies , as thou wert in thine Exile there . 112. Thus having wasted out thy Strength , and Time , ( And Credit too , with those who lov'd Thee best ; ) Back wert thou hurried to thy British Clime Lake a 〈◊〉 wearied Bird to her poor Nest : Where when thou countedst up thy Journeys Gains Thou onely foundst thy Labour for thy Pains . 113. Then fired by unhappy Piety , Upon thy Selfe thou didst the Tyrant play Thy lamentable Body she weth by Its ghastly Leanesse , how thou strov'st to slay Thy guiltlesse Flesh , and what Pains thou didst 〈◊〉 Languid and senselesse every Sense to make . 114. And for no other End , but to refine Thy Selfe from this dull clogging Earth . unto A State which might thy backward Spouse 〈◊〉 To love thy loyal Heart , which laboured so To trace his hardiest Steps , and cheerly tosse Upon her Shoulders his most heavy Crosse. 115. Yet when thou justly didst thy Boon expect , ( Lesse due unto Uranius , than to Thee ; ) Unto a Dungeon He did thee reject ; ( A Place how far from 〈◊〉 Liberty . ) Where thou who in the 〈◊〉 long'dst to expire , Wert forc'd to lead a dying Life in 〈◊〉 . 116. Remember what intolerable Chains Into thy Soule their cruel 〈◊〉 prest , What Heaps of boiling Sores , and 〈◊〉 Pains Were pour'd upon Thee , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; Whence when the Romane 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prepared 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thee free , thy freedome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 117. It was debarred by no other Hand But that which rather should have lent thee Aid What Phylax did , was by thy Lords Command , When from that Gaole he stole thee , and betray'd Thy Hopes of Martyrdome , which now was grown Mature , and offered 〈◊〉 thine Head its Crown . 118. I grant thy torturing Sores He healed , but Deserv'd nor Pay nor Thanks for that his Cure , Which did but thy repaired Body put In a fit able posture to endure This greater Load , whose mercilesle Excesse Doth thy unpittied Shoulders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 119. Shoulders unpittied by Him from whom Thou hadst most reason to expect Relief But in his cruel Ears there is no Room To lodge and entertain the Suit of Grief : Had there been any , surely He would not Thy mighty Supplications out have shut . 120. How has the Stroke of thy impetuous Crie Taught this dumb Desert . Mournings Dialect ; Whilst all its Rocks and Caverns shaken by Thy Groans and Lamentations , them reflect To Heav'n with doubled fervor , and agree Fellow-Petitioners to be with Thee 121. And yet thy grated Throat is not so drie , As are thy now exhausted Eyes , from whence Thy Spouse's cruel Heart to mollifie Thou freely pourdst thine utmost Influence : But still the Stone which on his Breast doth grow Will not by all those Drops be pierced through 122. O no! unkindly He doth turn away His Face , least any Glimpie should leap to Thee : And thou long flatter'd by his Favours Day , Art now betrayed to the Misery Of blackest Night O may all Soules beware How they Heav'ns wiley Prince doe trust too far 123. Alas , thy desolate Heart too well doth know That thy Condition I doe not mistake ; And with secure Presumption , Psyche , Thou Maist from my Art this sound Conclusion make That I who can discover all thy Grief May tell what physick will yeild thee 〈◊〉 124. Thy Phylax , once esteem'd thy trustiest Friend , Well understands the depth of thy Disease : Yet finding all his skill too weak to lend Thee any real Aid , himselfe he frees From fruitlesse Trouble , and is fled away , Ashamed now his weaknesse to betray 125. I know not how , but alwaies at a Pinch , When great Extremities crave equal Aid , Your common Comforters use still to flinch , And crie , Heav'ns Will be done : But I afraid Of nothing am , no not Heav'ns Destination 〈◊〉 along can feel no Desperation , 126. I , I the onely able Doctresse , who In desperate Cases certain Physick give , In pitty of thy unregarded Woe , Am hither come prepared to relceve Thy helplesse Heart : Nor doe I ask a Fee : My 〈◊〉 Guerdon shall thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 127. Loe here store of Receipts : When noble Saul The field , his Kingdome , and his God had lost ; No sooner on this Swords Point he did fall , But all the Plot of his Mishaps he crost , And , maugrè all Philistia's Powers , fell Down to the Rest of holy Samuel . 128. Disgrac'd by Hushai , and rejected by Fond Absalom , profound 〈◊〉 Himselfe to teskue from this Misery Consulted with his own deep Oracle , And found no 〈◊〉 way than by this Rope His Breath his Lite , and his Contempt to stop . 129. Great Annibal accustom'd long to ride In Triumphs Chariot , being overborn By undeserv'd Misfortunes powerfull Tide , Least he should prove the Romane Song and 〈◊〉 , Sipp'd but a little of that Poison there , And went in glorious Peace unto his Beer , 130. Renouned Cato , when by peevish Fate Thrust into Straits too narrow to contain His mighty Spirit ; by a little hate Of wretched Life , 〈◊〉 Rest did gain ; There lies the Sword still with his brave blood 〈◊〉 By which he op d the Way , and free'd his Soule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gallant Antony to overthrow ; 〈◊〉 that it ever should be said That noble He , though conquered , would 〈◊〉 , He with that Weapon cut th' unhappy Thred Of life , and layd him down in 〈◊〉 Bed 132. Say not that these were Men , and Female Thou 〈…〉 manage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thy 〈◊〉 high Exploits will not allow 〈…〉 Yet could I cite to Thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy most extreem Distresse 〈◊〉 be thy Warrant for this Manlynesse . 133. 〈…〉 rusty with the blood , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Blood , of Female Lucrece ; she 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to her Tears poor Womanish 〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her Directions from Me ; And with that Instrument broach'd from her Veins 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 wish the blacknesse of her Stains . 134. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when her Disasters grew 〈◊〉 thick and crosse that they had almost shut The way to all Releif , found out a new Road unto Death , and down her Throat she put The Fire which made Her her own Sacrifice : Part of the Coals still in that Casketlies . 135. Although sweet Antony was wont to rest In 〈◊〉 s dainty Bosome ; yet When Losses her beseig'd , unto her breast , Her lovely breast , an odious Aspe she set , Which suckd out her sad Life : and in that round Box lies the Serpent up in Circles wound . 136. As 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , thou hast witnesse by 〈…〉 who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 by whose vntue she 137. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But hate not thou thy Selfe , cause I am kinde , Nor scorn the Bounty of my Pitty : Know . It stands not with a truely 〈◊〉 minde To fear her own , more than anothers Blow . If thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; be Brave , and Die The Life of Fame doth reach Eternitie , 140. Come then , and since thy Spouse so cruel is , Give Him his 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 Him to his face : Come choose the Way unto by 〈◊〉 Blisse , And 〈◊〉 send 〈◊〉 Self unto the 〈◊〉 Where 〈◊〉 , who did this 〈…〉 Safe in the Arms of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 main . 141. Thou hast too long already waited on The 〈◊〉 of regardlesse Heav'n , since thou Art able by thy valiant Hand alone To give thy Self what that will not allow : A Martyrdome's thy Wish , and Thou mayst be A Martyr unto thine own Bravery . 142. So spake Dispair . But Psyche all the 〈◊〉 Stood firm and constant , us the resolute Rock For well she understood her fatal Guile , And therefore arm'd her Selfe against the Shock Of this Assault , which , as she made can end , She thus rebounded back upon the 〈◊〉 ; 143. 〈◊〉 145. 'T is true , my Spouse hath hid his joyous face , And sure I have deserv'd He should do so : Yet ne'r was Night so long , but did give place At length to cheerly Day , but that which you Grone in beneath ; and therefore wonderous fain Into that endlesse Darknesse Me would gain . 146. Let Jesus use his Pleasure on me , I His Dust and Ashes am : and so goe tell Your envious father Belzebub ; for by His delegation you are come from Hell : Tell him , though Jesus kill Me , yet I must , And in his Goodnesse will , repose my Trust. 147. The Furie to this Word made no reply , But by an hideous Shreik , which split the Air And rent the earth , rebounding on the Skie And Heart of Hell at once : all Thunders were But murmurs to this fragor ; and the Sea But Whispers when her Billows loudest be . 148. Then snatching up her Baggage with one Hand ; And with the other tearing off her Hair , Her Skin , her flesh ; She cursed Jesus , and Ran bleeding to the gloomy Cavern , where She shreik'd again , and shaked Hell before She enter'd through the Gulf of its black Door . 149. Great Satan started when the Feind he saw Come thus lamenting home without her Prey : Upon her throat he clapp'd his iron Paw , And through it tore his Indignations Way ; For Pain She roared , so did He for Spight , Whilst all Hell trembled at the dreadfull sight . 150. But Psyche , though her victorie were great , And might in other Hearts have Triumph bred ; No joy could rellish in her glorious Feat , For to all Comfort She was cold and dead , And in her Conquest did remain as sad As if her Self had been a Captive made . 151. Her woefull Hands She wrung , and smote her Breast , And cri'd , What is this good Successe to Me ? So long as Heav'n is deaf to my Request , So long as I grope in Obscurity , So long as from my Spouses Eyes the wide Black Curtains of Disfavour mine do hide . 152. Now now alas , by dear Experience I Have learn'd that Sweets and Pleasures no where are Truely themselves , but in the Treasurie Of Jesu's all-enamoring Countenance ; there , There are they lodg'd alone , and hid from Me Who ev'n in Joy finde nought but Misery . 153. As in the depth of this Disconsolation She plunged lay , and saw no Way to Rise : Phylax quite tir'd with his long sequestration From his dear Charge , of whose Calamities He jealous was ; with importunitie Wrested from Heav'n a Licence Her to see . 154. No Winde its Wings more stoutly ever stretch'd , Or flew with brisker nimblenesse than He : But when his Speed this wished Place had reach'd , Far from his Wishes He the Place did see ; Down fell his Plumes , and Eys , back flew his Blood , And He , ô how unlike an Angel , stood ! 155. Such havock Grief had made in Psyches face , That in her Self , her Self He scarce could spie : Besides the blessed Beams of heav'nly Grace Which us'd to sparkle in her holy Eye , Were damp'd with deadish Dulnesse , and no signe Peep'd forth of any Thing within divine . 156. This further spurred on his Serch to see What kinde of Weather it was in her Breast ; Where finding thick and heavy Darknesse , He Would to the Centre of her Heart have prest ; But Charis there so close lay locked up , That all his sweet Powers could not charm it ope . 157. At this Amazed , and amazed too That She who with impatient Love had used To bid Him welcome , and his feet to woe With humble Kisses , stood like One amused , And doubtfull whither now it were not best To throw Neglect on her unsent-for Guest . 158. And yet , resolv'd to trie the Strength of Love , And not be dash'd out of his sweet Intent , He kindely her imbrac'd , and gently strove To warm and win her by that Complement : He wrought with all his heav'nly Heats to thaw Her Soule , where frost He domineering saw . 159. But what can tardy Salves and Balsams do If Life the Member once has bid Adieu ? In vain does Phylax hug his Pupil , who Beyond the reach of finite Comfort grew ; In vain he blew those Ashes , in whose heap No Embers , nor no hopefull spark did sleep . 160. This stroke into his heart so deep a Wound , That he forgot with him he brought his Tongue ; And pitching sadly down upon the ground , His anxious Thoughts and Eys on her he hung , Whilst Silence sate upon his Lips , and quite Sealed them up for many a day and night . 161. So when the desolate Idumean Prince Not worth so much as his own skin was left ; ( For by an universal Confluence Of boiling Sores he was of it bereft ; ) His dearest Friends sate by him on the ground In silent Grief and stupifaction drown'd . 162. But then perceiving this long expectation Bred no relenting in her stiff Disease , Into the Dialect of Consolation He op'd his Mouth , and tri'd his best , by these Most tender Lenitives to venture on Her heart , and fight with its cold heavy stone . 163. O Psyche , ( if Thou yet remainest she , ) What means this strange aversnesse in thine Eye ? How hast thou lost thy memorie of Me Who still am Phylax ; and Calamitie Me thinks should make thee not forget my Name , Who by my Office thy Protector am . 164. If ever thou hadst found Me false , when thy Distresse has called for my helping hand : Or if thy present heavy Misery Doth not in need of my Assistance stand , Well might'st thou by this strange deportment dart Disdain upon the Comforts I impart . 165. It was no busnes of mine own which drew Me from thy Company , most dear to me ; Witness the time when I so cheerly slew To Palestine , and back again , with thee ; Forsaking all that while the sphear where I In soveraign blessednes was wont to fly . 166. But He who both my Master is , and thine , Call'd me away ; if yet it were away : For my imployment was not so much mine As thine , for whose sweet sake thy Spouse did lay That charge upon me : Then be of good Cheer , And to the happy news I bring , give Ear. 167. When I in Heav'n had long attendance pay'd , To Jesu's Soveraign pleasure ; Gracious He Hearing my sighs , in gentlenes array'd His looks , and to his foot-stool beckned me : Where having on my face ador'd him thrice , He blessed Me as oft , and bad Me rise . 168. Then looking to his own right Hand , at which His radiant Mother kneel'd , who makes the light Of heav'n it self with her sweet Lustre , rich ; Behold , said he to Me , my dearest sight ; Behold the Queen of all this joy and bliss Which by my Regal title I possesse . 169. But her Retinue is not so compleat As she deserveth , and I needs must grant ; Soft Snowie Followers , answering her sweet And ever-virgin Self she still doth want ; And from my Nurserie below must I Her worthy Train with fitting Plants supply , 170. And one of those is humble Psyche , she Whose Watering and whose Pruning is thy Charge : Her from unworthy Dusts Captivitie And all her other straits , I will enlarge E'r long , when I have proved her to be By Fires true Witness , fitting Gold for me . 171. In that bright Station shall her dwelling be , ( And he to Maries right hand pointed here , ) There shall the Clouds of her Humilitie Break up into a Day of Glory ; there Her Sufferings all shall prove Divine ; and go And from my Mouth assure thy Pupill so . 172. I prostrate fell and took my leave ; and flew More on Joys Wings than these , through the vast sea Of glorious Blessedness ; but as I drew Neer thine old Friend Uranius ( For he Reigns on a lower throne than thine , ) he cri'd , What fortune Phylax , doth thy Charge betide ? 173. That shall you shortly see , said I ; and so Posted directly hither unto thee . And if this News cannot outlook thy 〈◊〉 ; Tell me why thou disdain'st Felicitie ; Why Phylax ne're lesse welcome was , then now He of thine highest Hopes the Dawn doth show : 174. Why thou , against the meek ingenuous law Of civil Gratitude , dost not embrace With joyous heart , and with unfurrowed brow , This mighty token of Heav'ns royall Grace : Why thou thine own Ambition contradictest , Whil'st , with his Promise thou thy Spouse rejectest . 175. So spake the Angel . But the heavy Maid Grown deas to every Word that sounded Joy , Her dolefull hand upon her Bosome laid , And , pressed with the Burden of Annoy , Hung down her Head , replying by a flood Of tears , how little him she understood . 176. But when she saw he was unsatisfi'd With that dumb Answer , first an heavy Groan She helped forth , then flinging open wide Her lamentable Arms , Let me alone She 〈◊〉 , and to my domineering Grief Afford , at least in Pitty , this Relief . 177. I know you were of old , and still would be My faithfull Friend ; I well remember you Are Phylax , and what blessed Suavitie You constantly did to my heart allow ; But that was when my heart alive you found , Which now in Desolation is drown'd . 178. What Comfort gains a Carkase cold and dead By the warm Courtesie of Fomentations ? In vain are Tables sumptuously spred And furnish'd with luxurious Preparations To court a stomach , all whose Appetite By Nauseousnesse is slain unto Delight . 179. Blame me not Phylax , for I love you still , And of your Presence fain the sweets would reap ; But now my greater joy is damp'd , my Will Reacheth her Arms to this in vain ; you heap But 〈◊〉 on Me , whil'st before my Face You set those Pleasures I cannot embrace . 180. Should I but strive to grasp them , envious they Would shrink to emptiness , and mock my hand ; Or from their own sweet selves quite fly away , Degenerating into Sorrows , and Right-down 〈◊〉 , rather than impart One Taste of Joy to my afflicted heart . 181. For ô what Rellish can there be to Me In any Dainties which you can provide , So long 's the Lord of my Felicitie From my devorced Eyes himself doth hide ! If Phoebus once withdraws his Soveraign Ray , What can poor Candles do to cheer up Day ! 182. Did but the wonted Beams of heav'nly Grace Vouchsafe to smile upon my 〈◊〉 ; They easily would out-look the sourest face Of all the 〈◊〉 which are frowning there : But since sweet 〈◊〉 is ecclips'd to Me , Phylax is Absent though he Present be . 183. Surely your News had glorious been , and sweet If carryed unto any One but Me : But I in Heav'ns and Blisse's Names can meet No Melodie at all , since Miserie Hath seal'd , and frozen up my Breast , and I Unto my self alone abandon'd ly . 184. Though I were now perch'd on the Battlement Of highest Glorie , and beneath me saw Each flaming Seraph ; I should not resent That Place as Glorious : still , still below Should I esteem my self , so long as I Am muffied up from seeing the most High . 185. Yet now that Jesus , whose poor Worm I am , Is pleased thus to leave Me to my Dust ; His Pleasure I must not presume to blame , Which though it bitter seem , is surely Just. His mighty Name I still adore and bless ; His heavy Rod which plows my Soule , I kiss . 186. Here manly Sorrow stop'd her Mouth , and she From Phylax having turn d her gastly Eye , Folded her Arms about her breast : Which He No sooner saw , but deeply pierced by Her mighty Wound , He hung his sad eyes down , And answer d all her Groanings , with his own .
PSYCHE : OR LOVES MYSTERIE . CANTO XX. The Consummation . ARGUMENT . REstor'd to Grace's Light , and Ravish'd by The Splendor of Beatitude , which shin'd In her clos'd sleeping Eyes , Psyche with high Desires Impatience feels her fervent Minde Fall all on a light Fire ; and thus she dies , As she had liv'd before , LOVES Sacrifice . 1. SWeet END , thou Sea of Satisfaction , which The weary Streams into thy Bosome tak'st ; The Spring unto the Spring Thou first dost reach , And by thy inexbausted Kindnesse mak'st It fall so deep in Love with Thee , that through All Rocks and Mountains it to Thee doth flow . 2. Thou art the Centre in whose close embrace From the wide wilde Cireumference each Line Directly runs to finde its resting Place . Upon their swiftest Wings , to perch on thine Enobling Breast , which is their onely Butt , The Arrows of all high Desires are shot . 3. All Labours pant and languish after Thee , Stretching their longest Arms to catch their Blisse ; Which in the Way , how sweet so e'r it be , They never finde ; but with all earnestnesse Presse further on , untill they can pull down Upon their stour Heads , Thee , their onely Crown . 4. The Plowman answers not the smiling Spring With Smiles again , but jealous is untill Thy happy Season his long Hopes doth bring Unto their Ripenesse with his Corn , and fill His Barn with plenteous Sheaves , with Joy his 〈◊〉 , For Thou , and onely Thou , his Harvest art . 5. The Traveller suspecteth every Way Although they traced and fair-beaten be : Nor is secure but that his Leader may Perchance mistaken be , as well as He , Or that his strength may fail Him ; till he win Possession of Thee , his wished Inn. 6. Nobely besmeared with Olympik Dust And hardy sweat , the Runner holds his pace With obstinate Celeritie , in trust That thou wilt wipe and glorifie his face : His Prize's soule art Thou , whose pretious sake Makes Him these mighty Pains with Pleasure take . 7. The Mariner will trust no Winde , although Upon his Sails it blows all Flatterie ; The fawning Sea , when smoothest it doth show , Cannot allure him to Security ; He credits none but Thee . who art his Bay . To which through Calmes and Storms He hunts his way . 8. And so have I , cheerd up with Hopes at last To double Thee , endur'd this tedious Sea ; Through the Times foaming Tempests I have past . Through flattering Calms of private Suavity ; Through interrupting Companies thick Presse ; Through the vast Deep of mine own Lazinesse ; 9. Through many Sirens Charms which me invited To dance to Ease's Tunes , the Tunes in fashion ; Through many cross misgiving Thoughts , which frighted My jealous Pen ; and through the Conjuration Of Ignorant and Envious Censures , which Implacabley , against all Poems 〈◊〉 ; 10. But cheifly Those which venture in a Way Unbeaten yet by any Muse's feet ; Which trust that Psyche , and her Jesus may As well become a Verse , and look as sweet , As Venus and her Son ; that Truth can be A nobler Theme than wanton 〈◊〉 . 11. And seeing now I am in ken of Thee , The Harbour which enfiamed my Desire , And with this constant Patience steered Me To bring my Bark to rest ; I am on fire Till I my Seife in thy sweet Arms doe throw , And on the Shore hang up my finish'd 〈◊〉 . 12. Nor will thy Pleasantnesse lesse wellcome be To Patient Psyche who so long hath saild Through the deep Ocean of Calamity , And over many a boystrous Storm prevaild ; Who through the Smiles and through the Frowns of Heaven With equal Meeknesse hath till now been driven . 13. For still on Thee she fix'd her longing Eye , On Thee , who wilt unto her Soule afford The plenitude of her Felicity , The dear Enjoyment of her pretious Lord , And then exchange thy 〈◊〉 Name , and be No longer End , but firm Eternitie . 14. As she sate teaching Phylax how to greive , Who faithfully her Sorrows copyed ; The Time approach'd when Heav'n would her , re-preive From this sad Duty , and upon her Head Let fall the Crown which in this noble Fight She bravely erned by her constant Might . 15. With Joyeuse Horror on the sudden she Started and trembled , and leap'd from the ground ; The Angel wonder'd what the Cause might be , Whose quick Effect did upon Him rebound ; For up he rose , and in suspense expected What rais'd the Mayd , so much before dejected . 16. When loe , the Joy which kindled in her Breast , Broke forth and flamed in her cheerfull Eye For blessed Charis , who so long supprest In the close Centre of her Heart did lie , Was now unlock'd by Jesus , and had leave To her sweet Influence the Reins to give . 17. So when thick Clouds have dammed up the Day , And dolefull Blacknesse veild the Welkins face ; If Phoebus through those Curtains rends his way , And bids the Darknesse to his Beams give place , The Aire surprised by her sudden Blisse At first with frightfull Gladnesse startled is . 18. So when that unexpected virgin Light Broke from the glorius Mouth of God , upon The rude disconsolate Heap of first-born Night ; That sudden Morn with cheerfull Terror ran About the universal Deep , which was Amazed at the dint of Lustre s face . 19. With Pleasures strong Incursion Psyche thus Being 〈◊〉 and shaken ; e'r she leisure had To tell her Gladnesse , sweet and bounteous Charis a passage through her Bosome made , And in th' exuberance of Suavity Her smiling Selfe presented to her Eye . 20. But Humane Soules are in Capacity So poor and dull while here they dwell below , They know not how to bear ev'n Courtesie , Unlesse by slow Degrees on them it grow : Delights , if rushing in a sudden Stream , A Deluge prove of Torments unto Them . 21. This Spectacle bred such Extremities Of over-flowing Joyes in Psyche's Breast , That she , alas , too narrow to comprise This swelling Sea of which she was possest , Resign d her Selfe to it , and by a Sown In its delicious Depths sunk gently down , 22. But Charis being Mistresse of the Tide , So brideled in the pliant Floods , that they Submitted to her Hand their dainty Pride , And for her gentler Complement made way : This was a soft Embrace , by which the Mayd She girded , and her fainting Passion stayd . 23. Then with incomparable Sweetnesse she Her Eyes upon her fix'd , and thus began : My Dear , and has Disuse such Potency That it upon my cheerly Presence can Disrellish cast ; or are my Beams too strong For thee , who hast in Darknesse grop'd so long ? 24. Henceforth take Courage , for no more will I ( And here Thou hast in Pawn my royall Word , ) Leave thee to wade in gloomy Misery , But trustie Light to all thy waies afford ; Full broad-day Light : for all this while I gave Thee secret Beams which thou didst not perceive . 25. And had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 done so ; had I not 〈◊〉 Close at the bottome of thine Heart , to keep Thy Soules foundation firm and sure ; in 〈◊〉 Laborious Zeal had duely broke thy sleep , In vain had all thy Signs and Tears been spent . In vain thy Prayers had to Heav'n been sent . 26. Unto its dismall Name too truely true Thy Dereliction had prov'd , had I With never-sleeping Care not lain perdu To watch the Motions of thy Enemy ; That Enemy whose fatal Company Makes Desolation , Desolation be . 27. When that infernal Hag , the damned Queen Of Hideousnesse , advanced to the fight , Armed both Hand and Tongue ; had I not been In thy main Fort ( however out of Sight , ) Sure She had undermined it , and thou Hadst by Dispair been quite blown up e'r now , 28. Yet close I lurk'd , thy Courage so to trie When thou no Second didst perceive at Hand : This was the Plot of LOVE himselfe , and I My Ambush placed but at his Command : LOVE hid my face ; and so he did his own ; But all that while he weav'd for thee a Crown . 29. The Crown which thy long loyal Patience In the bright Realm of humble Saints shall wear ; And till Thou thither art translated hence , I in thy Breast my Tent at large will rear ; That till the greater Heav'n receiveth thee , Thou mayst contain it in Epitomie , 30. This said : She gather'd up her Train of Light , Which in an Orb was all about her spred , And shrinking up her Selfe with heav'nly Sleight Within her sprightfull Selfe , she entered The Virgins Breast again ; and there begun To exercise her full Dominion . 31. Forth with a Tumult boild in Psyche's Heart ; But boild and foam'd in vain ; for instantly The Rout by Chari's most unconquer'd Art . Was forc'd from that usurped Hold to flie : Vain Dread was first which shrunk & turned 〈◊〉 And so these Cowards flying Armie 〈◊〉 . 32. For She , her Selfe no sooner 〈◊〉 out , But at her heels Lamenting Sorrow came Tearing her hair and flinging it about ; Then leare-ey d 〈◊〉 , unworthy Shame , Pale-fac'd Disconsolation , and 〈◊〉 , With Indevotion's dead and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 33. But in the Rear rush'd out Forgetfulnes , A dim and swarthy Thing ; and hand in hand Led her Compatriots and Associates : These Were sluggish Mists , dull Night , thick Blacknesse , and Whatever is of kin to them , whatever Can block up heav'n and Soules from light dissever . 34. Compar'd with these , all Soot , and Ink , and Pitch , Were Compositions of Milk and Snow ; So was the gross and triduan Darknesse which Did on the face of shameless Memphis grow ; Or that which lock'd up Sodom's Eylids more Close than Lot's utmost Care had done his Door . 35. Psyche admiring stood to see her Breast So fertile in this hideous Progeny ; Which , as she veiwed them , directly prest Downward into the Wombe of Earth , to be Conveyed back unto their native Home ; For from beneath this gloomy 〈◊〉 did come 36. And now she found her Bosome full as clear As when to Heav'n she Thelema presented : Now all her Passions unhamper'd were , And every Bond to Libertie relented ; All things were sweet and fair within , and she Releas'd into compleat Serenitie . 37. Love , Anger , Hatred , Jelousie , and Fear And all the rest of that swift-winged Crew , With holy sprightfulnesse revived were , And to their proper Objects nimbly flew : They 〈◊〉 , and clashed not their Wings together But kindely help'd and cheered one another . 38. Hope , which had grop'd and languished till now In deplorable Mists ; new courage took , And challeng'd every Winde its worst to blow , Since she perceiv'd her Cable was not broke , But that her trusty Anchor held its hold Whilst Desolations Sea about her roll'd . 39. And Logos too , sad heretofore , and drie , Felt cneerly Vigor flaming in his Heart ; Which spurr'd him on to beg her leave to try Whether he could not now perform his part With more successefull strength , and from the Treasures Of Heav'n , fetch Contempletions solid Pleasure : 40. His Motion she heard with joyus Ear , And turn'd to Heav'n her gladsome Ey , to see Whether the way to it , Companion were In her brisk Bosomes new Serenity : She turn'd her Ey , and in Heav'ns volumes read More than her own desires had coveted . 41. For lo the sullen Clouds which heretofore Had damm'd the way to her rejected sight , Drown'd in repentant Tears , themselves did poure , And dash in sunder , to lay ope a bright And undisturbed Passage to that Spheat Where Psyche's Jewels all ensh rined were 42. In bounteous Beams of royall Influence Her open Sun bestow'd himself upon her : And this awak'd her long astonish'd sence To finde and feel the sweets of this dear Honor ; This swell'd her Bosom with such Ravishment , That through her lips she hast's to give it vent , 43. And now , ô my delicious Lord , said she , I thank thee for that Famine I endured : I little dream'd that this Felicitie Could by this torturing anguish be procured : But in the Wisdome of thy Love didst thou Then make me Fast the more to Feast me now . 44. Thou with that wholesome Tempest tossed'st me , That I might throughly understand the blisse Of this sweet Calm : by the Ariditie Of cold and tedious Death didst thou suppress My secular Spirits , that revived I Might live to thee , as to the World I die 45. Now , now , I taste this life indeed ; which I Though I enjoy'd it , did not know before : Alas , We fools are best instructed by Absence , and Losse , to prize the richest store : These thanks I to my Dereliction ow , That I can rellish my Fruition now 46. So deep I rellish it , dear Jesu , that I would not for the Cream of Paradise But have been drowned in that desolate State , Whence to the Blisse of mine own Blisse I rise . For what were Paradise to me , unless I feelingly perceiv'd its Pleasantnes ? 47. O that more Thelema's I had , which I Might sacrifice in witnesse of this Debt Since thy revealed Countnance upon my Unworthy Head this mighty Score hath set : Yet what doe our poor Wils by being thine , But onely make Themselves , not Thee , divine ? 48. I now could covetous be , and wish that all The Treasures both of Heav'n and Earth were mine , That with this Offring I might prostrate fall And dedicate it at thy Favours shrine . Yet what were all the World to that which I Ow to thy Soveraign Benignity ! 49. Had I ten thousand Lives to spend on thee . That 〈◊〉 Expence would but my Gains augment . How 〈◊〉 where Gratitude her Selfe must be 〈◊〉 , can poor I due Thanks present ? Sweet Lord informaud help my Soule , which fain Would tender something back to thee again . 50. She ceased here : And Phylax , who attended The leisure of her fervent Exultation ; With equal Joy and Ardor , where she ended , Began her Praises ; and Congratulation : Joy , joy , deer Pupill , of this Morn , said he , Which hath dispell'd thy Night of Misery . 51. I see what reason thou hadst to be sad , Beyond my Comforts reach ; because I see The sweet Occasion which hath made thee glad ; Such mighty Greif could onely chased be By that Meridian Almighty Ray , Which drives the Life of Woe , ev'n Death away . 52. The high Excesse of his 〈◊〉 Joy Would let him speak no more ; but spuir'd him on With Kisses and Embraces to allay The dainty Wrath of his strong Passion . Full close he chain'd her in the tender Bands Of zealous Love , his blessed Arms and Hands . 53. 〈◊〉 Mayd , who would not to this 〈◊〉 Belong in debt , thus , in a snnle , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 begging of my 〈◊〉 you 〈◊〉 But for my Thanks , they must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hence to be full and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 best he 〈…〉 54. Surely the other Day you were the same Which you are now , in every Ornament Of gratious Sweetnesse , when you hither came And your best Cordials did to Me present : But clownish Senselesse I could not embrace You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 landy r offred Grace . 55. Had this Behaviour quench'd your Love to Me. To none but my rude Selfe had Blame been due , Yet you with faithfull patient fervencie More carefull still , and still more render grew . My Greif you to your Selfe assum'd as you Were able , 〈◊〉 for Me with Tears did slow , 56. Though Thy Heav'n and Earth abandon was , And psung'd into the Cull of Desolation ; To own Me in 〈◊〉 despicable Case You blushed not , but by , your high Narration Of what Love 〈◊〉 to releive my mart , Endeavored to cheer my drooping Heart , 57. Well I remember how I then forgot My selfe and you ; how dead and cold I lay Before that flaming News , which might have shot Life into any Soule but mine ; away I turn'd my foolish head from that which through A thousand Deaths would run after now . 58. For ô my indefatigable Friend , I feel your sweetnesse thrilling in my Heart ; Which there with Charis Intluence doth blend , And a new Soule unto my Soule impart : Forbid it Heav n , my Mind should e'r forget Thee , who hast help'd to raise and double it . 59. When Earth denies her Vapours to repay To Heav'n whose Bounty sent her down the 〈◊〉 When Fountains bid their posting Curronts stay , Whose Thanks were slowing to their mother 〈◊〉 When Building , scorn their freindly 〈◊〉 Will then neglect thy 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In this 〈…〉 Then Words and Killes sweetly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Till the 〈…〉 Which common Mortals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 61. And now her high and holy busines she Perform'd no more with cold and fruitlesse pains ; But mounting up with cheerly Fervencie , Reap'd , in the middle of her Work , its Gains ; For now she knew her Prayers welcom'd were Into her Spouse's ready open Ear. 62. Phylax , mean while by Heav'ns appointment flew To learn her Parents fortunes out : which He No sooner full , sow , but fir'd with new Excess of Joy , he back return'd , when she From her Devotions rose , and thus display'd His blessed Message to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 63. News Psyche , happy News , for now I come From holy Valours Sceen , that signal Place Where thy Uranius his brave Martyrdome Of late atcheiv'd , and finished his Race That Race thou fear'dst had been too hard for thy 〈◊〉 Parents limping 〈◊〉 64. But at the Stake I found them Bothe , where they Before the face of Heav'n and Earth to thy Sole charge that Resolution did lay Which fir'd them to contemn those Flames ; for by Our Daughters Zeal , said they , this sacred heat In our old froazen fearfull Veins doth beat . 65. That heav'nly Answer from the Dungeon she Gave to our cruel kindenes . though with shame It sent Us weeping home ; yet instantlie Those causeless tears it dried by this flame Of Christian courage , whil'st admonish'd by Our second thoughts , our first we did defie . 66. And Heav'n require her wheresoe'r she be Who , whil'st we tempted her idolize , Did nobley fright Us from Idolatrie , And reach Us how We safelier might 〈◊〉 Both Life and Death , than Jesus , who alone Holds over both supream Dominion . 67. Then let Him shew it now , the Solaiers 〈◊〉 Kindling the Pile , and shouting loud , that they In spight or Darknesse , thus could turn the Tide Of Night , by Christian Bonfires , into Day , O Blessed pair ! said I , who in a new Marriage thus joyned are , and hither 〈◊〉 . 68. So Phylax spake . When Psyche ravish'd by This unexpected Bliss , could not contain The pious Fountain of her joyfull Eye , Nor her Tongues sweeter stronger streams restrain ; Abundant Tears she shed , yet larger far Her thanks to Jesus , and her Praises were . 69. But as she oft had wearied been before With heavinesses mighty Burden ; so Surcharged now with joys exuberant store She laid her down in sweet submission to This pleasing load , and sunk into the deep But soft untroubled Gulfe of do why sleep . 70. When Charis , upon whose eternal Eye No Slumber ever creeps , begun a new And heav'nly work ; for with Activity About Imaginations Orb she flew , And cull'd and cropp'd those Fancies here and there Which for her purpose serviceable were . 71. Thus furnished with all Materials , she In the fair Theatre of Psyche's Breast By orderly Degrees the Gallantrie Of her incomparable Pageant drest : She first reard up a goodly Throne , which might Out-vie the Hyperborean Snow in White . 72. Forthwith she placed on this royal Seat A Prince who gave more Beauty unto it ; No Monark ever in more awfull State On his imperial Chair of Gold did sit : Indeed all Potentates but shaddows be To this authentick Soveraigns Majestie . 73. His copious Robe down from his Shoulders flow'd Unto his Feet , with streams of gracefulnesse ; A Girdle of illustrious Gold , which ow'd Its birth not unto Earth , but Heav'n , did kiss And closely hug his blessed Paps , which yet In goodly Richnes far outshined it . 74. No 〈◊〉 labour ever made so white The finest Wool , as was his daintier Hair , Which poured down the 〈◊〉 of its bright And Silken Curles with curious careless Care About his Alabaster Neck , which stood Like a white Pillar in that Snowie 〈◊〉 . 75. As in their venerable Sockets on The sacred Altar glorious Tapers flame , So look'd his Eys ; whose reverend Beams alone About the Temple of his Face did stream , And made his Countnance like the Suns , when he Is a wfull in his High-noon Claritie . 76. The most refin'd Corinthian Brass , which in The bosome of the slaming Furnace lies , Doth not with more illustrious l error shine , Than from his burning Feet of Glorie sties . Thus was this radiant King from Foot to Head With supream Majestie embellished . 77. Innumerable Angels then she brought To furnish out his Court and fill his Train ; These all their Stations took as quick as Thought , And with their golden Trumpets in a strein Which through the roused Universe rebounded , The glory of their mighty Soveraign founded . 78. But his bright Standard to the open Air She poured out , in which embroyderd stood Most dreadfully illustrious and fair His Arms imperial , stained all with Blood : For 't was his Cross , encompass'd now with more Notorious Honour , than with Shame before . 79. As thus he sate triumphant on his Throne , He lifted up his Face , and look'd about : Strait way the frighted Earth began to run From his intolerable Eys ; the stout And hardy Rocks felt their hearts split for Dread . The proudest Hils and Mountains trembling fled . 80. The Sphears above his Aspects Power felt , And breaking off their losty Harmony , In Dissolutions Tears began to melt : The Sun and Stars , abashed now to see There was no need of them by Day or Night . Fell head-long down , and choaked their own Light . 81. Yet in this 〈◊〉 haste , the Sea and Land Were inindefull of their Faith , and honestly Resror'd the Pledges which into their Hand Were put by Fate , Sin , and Mortalitie Giving up punctually a true and just Account of every Drain of Humanc 〈◊〉 82. Forth with Corruption started from the Heap Of Ashes , and fled after Earth and Sea ; When loe the Mass threw off its deadly sleep , And waked into Lifes Activitie : Each Peice awak'd , and nimbly rose , and shew'd For one cold Heap , a vigorous Multitude . 83. Adam and Eve , the Springs of all the rest , Stood in the Front : on whom attended all The Senior World . Then Noah forward prest , Who reimpeopled this whole shipwrackd Ball ; And after Him , the Tribes and Nations which Their Colonies through all the Earth did reach . 84. Not one was missing who did ever draw The breath of Life , and see the Face of Light : But now the proudest bore his head as low As did the poorest and ignoblest wight : This Day had rased such Distinctions out , And all into one Size and Measure brought . 85. Those whom their tedious Age had bowed down Unto their brisker years were called back ; And those who in their Bud were crop'd , and thrown Into untimely Graves , did nothing lack Of fulgrown and accomplish'd vigour , which Fix'd all and every one in equal pitch . 86. And yet so different their Conditions were , That now the ready Angels , who attended Their Soveraigns Beck , with quick unerring Care Parted the croud which was together blended ; With his right-hand the harmless Sheep they graced , But at his left the stinking Goats they placed . 87. Psyche rejoye'd her Parents here to see Rank'd on the Dexter Wing : But fuller was Her holy Exultation , when she Perceiv'd her own 〈◊〉 had the grace There to be marshalled ; for though the slepe , Her waking Soule at the sweet Omen leape . 88. When loe , as thus her Hopes and Joyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At this illustrious Spectacle ; before The Throne two Books of vast 〈◊〉 Were open flung : No volumes ever bore So huge a bulk as these , which written be With the where worlds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 89. The one was black as Horrors darkest Face , The Book of Death , writ with the Ink of Hell , Wherein each Word some foule Transgression was Scor'd upon their Accounts who did rebell Against their Blisse , and needs would labour to Attain Vexation , and Themselves undoe . 90. The other was as fair , as this was foule , The 〈◊〉 Book of Life , whose Words did shine Clearer than those , bright Notes which make the Scroul Of Heav'n appear so glorious and divine ; For here each Line doth part of God expresse Character'd in his Servants Holinesse , 91. There blessed Leaves the King no sooner read , But to the Right-hand Troop he turn'd his Eye . Which with Majestick Sweetnesse prefaced Unto there Words : Come Yee , whose Piety Is by my 〈◊〉 Benediction grown Mature , and of full Age to wear its Crown : 92. Come take your full Possession with Me Of that fair Kingdome , whose Foundations were Laid upon stable Perpetuity Long e'r the Earth sunk down beneath , long e'r The Air and Fire grew light and upward fled Long e'r the Curtains of the Heav'ns were ; spred . 93. For in this faithfull Register I see Your brave Deserts recorded full and fair : When I exposed was to Misery Your pious Charity made Me your Heir ; The Debt I here acknowledge , and to Day The Principal and Use. I must repay . 94. Then turning to the gloomy Book , and to The other Company which stood agast , With frowns of killing Wrath He 〈◊〉 Goe Ye cursed Brood , 〈◊〉 Evidence hath Cast You all ; these Leaves 〈◊〉 Witnesse bear , For all your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 staring here . 95. 〈◊〉 Eyes no 〈◊〉 would afford to Me When 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and Nakedness Call'd for 〈◊〉 : and strict Equity Now 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your due 〈◊〉 : Goe , 〈…〉 for , take 〈…〉 Lake . 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 With 〈…〉 Pride Which flam'd 〈…〉 fight When 〈…〉 tri'd : For you 〈…〉 Have 〈…〉 〈◊〉 The Adamantine Sentence thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The courteous Angels with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joy Upon the Saints their dear Imbrace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this their Coronation Day ; And joyned then their Tongues with them to 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to their gratious King . 98. But as this Melody was sweet and 〈◊〉 : So were the Yellings horrid , which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The throats and bosomes of that Company 〈…〉 were ; For thousand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about them flew , And in 〈…〉 threw . 99. But dressed in more 〈◊〉 Array Than ever see infernal Hae deformed , Their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on them did lay Their 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Wrath , all 〈◊〉 With 〈…〉 their Breafts And 〈…〉 did 〈◊〉 100. When on the sudden the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Opening its Mouth , and gaping for its Prey , The first fruits of their flames on them old spit , And warn'd the Fiends to hasten them away To their full Harvest O what Tongue can tell The Anguish which now on these Wretches fell ! 101. Upon their shreiking Throats , and frighted Hair Damnations Serjeants clapp'd their flaming Paws : Whilst other Officers , who furnish'd were With Whips of 〈◊〉 Snakes , and Harpies Claws Lash'd them so sore , that they made haste to Hell In hopes that lesser Torments there did dwell . 102. Down plung'd this mixed 〈◊〉 , which almost 〈◊〉 The greedy 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Deep : Loud was the Noise of this 〈◊〉 Fall , but yet Far 〈◊〉 was 〈…〉 Eternal 〈◊〉 still 〈◊〉 and 103. The hasty Fire soon flew upon this Feast , And with unbounded Riot gormandised ; Resolving thenceforth never more to Fast , Nor yet with all this store to be sufficed ; But oft it gap'd and belch'd , whence upward broke Black volumes of contagious stink and smoak 104. About the Brink some Devils hankerd still ; So did two Monsters far more foule than they Thin gastly Death , and poisnous Sin ; untill The King design'd an Angel them to slay , Who threw them head-long down the Pit ; for this And this alone , eternal Slaughter is . 105. That done : the Sentence firm and sure to make , Upon the Caves wide Mouth his Seal he set : A Seal which no reluctancy can break , For his Omnipotence had temperd it Of such a Mixture , that Eternitie It self , as soon as that , shall brittle be . 106. The Saints and Angels seeing nothing now But Joy , and Life , and Bliss , and Holines ; Themselves before the Conquerours Throne did throw Meekly ambitious joyntly to express Their Thanks and Praise in a triumphant Song , Whence all the World with Hallelujahs rung . 107. When lo , a Flood of new and gorgeous Light Came sweetly pouring down , and chang'd the Sceen ; Which swallow'd up the former Pageant quite , For nothing now but Claritude was seen . This fetch'd a sigh from Psyche , who had view'd With hearty joy that holy Multitude . 108. But Charis quickly her again did cheer , For by her speedie skill she instantly A wonderous City on the stage did rear , Whose beauty so enamored Psyche's Ey , That she was sad no longer for the Change , But joy'd about the spectacle to range . 109. Square was the City , for it was the Seat Of everlasting Firmitude ; and this Substantial Figure which it self doth meet In every equal Angle , tyed is Sure to it self : but the Round rolling World Alas , before , was into Nothing hurld 110. The Fabrick of the Wall was fair and high , Much higher than the proudest Battlement Of the old Heav'ns , whose lofty Majesty Down unto Mortal Eys such wonder sent : For they were but the Type and shade of this , Which Heav'n of Heav'ns , and Crest of glory is . 111. And correspondent was it mighty Base Unto that Height , for upon twelve Foundations All most unmoved , it erected was : No wonder that it fears no Perturbations , No wonder that this onely City is Of Peace and Quiet the Metropolis . 112. The first Foundation is of Jasper green , For Florid must this Building ever be : The next of Sapphire , in whose face are seen The proper Lines of heav'nly Claritie ; Astone which doth corroborate the Heart , And friendly help to Chastity impart . 113. The third of Star-like Chalcedonie , which Upon the Sapphir's Region being set , With Constellations doth it enrich : A cheerly Gem is this , and scorns to let The tedious insulations of Fear , Or of Disconsolation to draw neer . 114. The fourth of Emerald , of Lust the true And constant Foe , and of all Poisons too : The fift of Sardonyx , of blushing hue ; The sixt of Sardie , antidore of Woe , Quickner of Wit : The seav'nth of Chrysolite , Which Melancholie's Mists away doth fright . 115. The eight of Berill , rich in modest grace ; The nineth of Topaz , full of flaming Gold Which dares out-look black Night : Of Chrysoprase The tenth , of kin unto the formers mould : The next the cordial Jacinth , and the last The sober and the healthfull Amethyst . 116. On these Foundations stood engraven fair Twelve honored Names , the Names of them who spred . The gentle Lambs Religion every where , And stones to build this City gathered From every Soile , and from the furthest Shores On which the barbarous Ocean foams and roars . 117. As Psyche reach'd her Wonder round about This gallant Structure , she on every side Three goodly Gates , of which each One was wrought Out of a single massie Perl , espi'd : With these did LOVE keep open House , and all The East , and West , the North and South did call . 118. Invited therefore thus , She enter'd in , Where paved all with Gold she found the Street , With Gold not of our earthly Metalls kin , But of a purer nobler Breed , and meet To kisse the Feet of Saints , it being as Tralucid as the fairest virgin Glasse . 119. But straight a purer Thing than that she met , A River all of living Chrystall , which Came smiling down the Street ; and over it A multiplying Tree its Arms did reach From either side , whose Twigs though sound and strong , Bow'd with the blessed Fruit which on them hung . 120. Twelve Sorts of Fruits it duely bore , and yet Faild not each Moneth again to Bud and Blow ; Such endlesse Vigor reign'd all over it , That to its smallest Leaves it did allow More Virtue than Arabia's Spices had , Or all the famous Balm of Gilead . 121. They never were applyed to the Wound Of any Nations , but forthwith from Pain Releas'd they were , and rendred whole and Sound , When Humane Surgery had strove in vain . O noble Tree ! whose very Shaddow is Th' eternal Roof of sure substantial Blisse . 122. Under these verdant Boughs , and on this shore Of flowing Life , walk'd Psyche to descry The Spring which was the Mother to such store Of pure and ever-reeming Suavity : When loe a glorious Throne she spi'd , from whence Gush'd out these vivid Blisse's Influence . 123. A Throne of pure and solid Splendor framed , On which the Soveraign of Immensity With such intolerable Brightnesse flamed , That none of all the purest Standers by Could with Cherubick or Seraphick Eyes His vast 〈◊〉 comprise . 124. But at his Right Hand , mitigated by His Marriage with poor Flesh , did sit the Lamb , Whose spotlesse Fleece was sweetned Majesty Whose Sceptre with Loves gentle Rayes did stream , Whose Hand to poure his Blessings forth , was spred , Whose Crown was Honor wreath'd about his head . 125. From his fair Eyes flow'd that eternal Day Which all this new Jerusalem doth gild ; No other Phoebus needed to display Himselfe upon this Region , which was fill'd With cleer enlivening Fires that did 〈◊〉 And make ev'n grosse and mortal Eyes Divine . 126. Here Psyche cleerly saw those things which she Before by Logos , her Embassader , Descri'd at distance and imperfectly : Gods naked Attributes were marshall'd here , Deep Mysteries in one another wove , Infinitudes , and Miracles of Love . 127. Here vast oraculous Profundities , And wondrous Words from Wisdomes Lipps she heard ; Such Words as taught her where the Reason lies Why God himselfe doth wear the Name of Word ; Words raised to so soveraign a Pitch As mortal Tongues must never hope to reach . 128. Here she beheld how from Divinity Beatitude its glorious Selfe displaid , And unto all the holy Company It s unexhausted Influence convey'd ; For Millions of Millions at hand With meek Attendance on the Lamb did stand . 129. Right gallant was the Equipage in which They were disposed : That symmetrious Grace Which round about the World it selfe did reach , To this far fairer order'd State gave place , When , guilty onely of it selfe , it slunk Aside , and into Inanition sunk . 130. Never was Graecian or Romane Court ( Though Fame had trumpetted their Praises high , Contrived in such wise Majestick Sort As this , Perfections own Polity , Which by one universal Spirit doth move , And by no Laws is governed , but Love . 131. All Saints and Angels knew their proper place , And lov d it best because it was their own : Among them all no difference there was Of Inclinations , for each one had thrown His Will down at his Soveraigns Footstool , and Own'd no Desires but onely his Command . 132. In him they liv'd , and lov'd , and joy'd , and by That Resignation received were Into some Portion of Divinity : For Jesu's Fulnesse had enough to spare , Nor was his Diademe diminsh'd , though To all of Them their Crowns he did allow . 133. They all were Crown'd , and yet not flattered With 〈◊〉 and empty Soveraignty : So wide the Circuit of this Glory spred , That All with boundlesse Bounds it did supply ; This Reaim of Blisse , of Kingdomes was the Spring , And every Subject made a mighty King . 134. For what was proper unto every One , Proved the Joy and Riches of the Rest : That supream Diademe which flam'd upon The Head of Jesus , fully was possest Of all this Multitude , for bounteous He Did lay in Common all Propriety . 135. Thus whatsoever Honor decks the Brow , Or Consolation smileth in the Heart ; Its beams are not confined there , but flow With Brotherly Affection to each Part , That the whole Body may engaged be To make a private Comfort , publike Glee . 136. And yet these so united Spirits were By several Stations distinguished : Nine blessed Orders were divided there , Which in three Hierarchik Classe's did Conjoin again , and by their single Three Thrice imitate th' eternal Trinity . 137. With these the Saints did intermixed reign And fill'd the Places of those Spirits who Hoping against their Maker to maintain Their sturdy Stomacks , into Arms did goe ; But over-whelm'd by his Almighty Tide , Their Rume onely gained by their Pride . 138. By that proportion of Humility And holy Love , they practis'd here below , The Measures of their Recompence , the high And righteous King of Bounty did bestow : Which , though they in degrees much difference shew'd , Yet every One enjoyed Plenitude . 139. So when a thousand Vessells , great and small , Into the Sea are thrown , though some receive More of the Ocean far than others , All Are fill'd brim full ; nor can the Lesser grieve Their Brethrens fairer Amplitude to see , Since they no fuller than the Smallest be . 140. But how to blazon these bright Honors , how To sound this boundlesse Sea of equal Pleasures , How to compute this vast Account , and know The Total Summ of perfect Blisse's Treasures , Posed their highest strength and deepest Wit , Who were infeofed and possest of it . 141. Yet all the Homage which they paid for this Supremacy of Glory , was to Praise , Admire , and Love , and Blesse , and Chant out His Eternal Name and Fame , who then did raise To this Capacity of Exulation . O blessed Life ! whose Task is Acclamation . 142. Through this illustrious Maze of Joy and Blisse As Psyche laboured , and seem'd to be In heav'n afresh at every Step ; by this Unwearied Quires Heroick Peans she Perceiv'd the entertainment neer as high Which cheer'd her Ear , as that which fill'd her Eye . 143. And now her Wonder could endure no Rein , She sacrific'd her Soule to Ecstasie ; When loe the Seraphs Pipes let flie a Strein Of holy Triumph so exceeding high , That starting at the mighty Song she shaked Her pretious Dream insunder , and awaked . 144. As when unhappy Adam was expell'd Out of the Sceen of Blisse , sweet Paradise , And on the sudden all the World beheld Planted with desolate thorny Miseries ; Aghast He look'd , his woefull Hands he wrung , And sigh'd and sobb'd to think whence he was flung : 145. So Psyche having lost this glorious Sight , And ravishing Musick , ( which perplexed Her In sweet confufion , for by this Delight She tempted was to wish her selfe all Ear , By that , intirely Eye ; or else that she Could teach her Eyes to Hear , her Ears to See , ) 146. Surprised was with lamentable Fright To see the grosse face of Mortality , To see the glaring Beams of Natures Light , To see her Selfe on her poor Pallet ly So far remov'd from Blisse's royal Sphear , That on dull Earth She still was groveling here . 147. Alas , She cri'd what injury have I Done unto Sleep that it should mock me thus ? To have me up unto the glorious Skie Why should my Dreams be so industrious , If by so sudden a defection They Me back unto this Deep meant to betray ? 148. Unhapp Life ! which , whilst we are Awake : With nothing else but Dreams dost fill our Eyes : The burly Show this Mortal World doth make Is but a puffed Bulk of Vanities , Where whilst we hope substantial Worth to finde , We mocked are with foolish empty Winde . 149. But when by Sleep We robbed are of more Than halfe our Selves , and in Deaths Embleme ly , Then onely dost thou suffer Us to sore To solid Joyes ; which yet being carried by Our Dreams faint Wings , by them betrayed be , And soon forget their own Soliditie . 150. Deceitfull Sleep , which wear'st the Name of Rest , Why wilt Thou never make it good to Me ? Why was I with thy highest Favours blest , If they must onely torture Waking Me ? Why Slept I , if I needs must Wake , and misse By setting ope mine Eyes , my Sight of Blisse ? 151. Phylax , who all this while with piercing Eye Div'd through her Bosome , and Spectator was How Charis order'd all that Pageantry Which through his Pupills wondering Soule did passe , Stopp'd with a Kisse that tide of Grief which ran From her complaining Lips ; then thus began : 152. To Joy this Morning sacred is , my Dear : If thine Eys bottles Thou wouldst rightly spend , On Sorrow lavish not the Smallest Tear , But all thy Streams to Exultation lend . Thy Dream has not deceiv'd Thee ; all was true Which it displaid to thine admiring View . 153. It is enough that Heav'n doth condescend To Act it Selfe aforehand unto Thee ; Nor canst thou think thy Saviour doth entend To put Thee off with this : No ; royal He Prepares thine Eyes by this short glimpse of Blisse Henceforth to See its endlesse bright Excesse . 154. In patience then thine humble Soule possesse ; For sure this prize is worth thine Expectation , Although it should attended be till this Firm World grows Weak , & stoops to Consummation : Time at its utmost Tether cannot be More than a Span unto Eternity . 155. Eternity is that which shall enhance Beatitude , and crown its Diademes : In hopes of which , doe thou thy Soule advance And never troubled be to think that Dreams Which on thin Fancie their Foundation lay Are fickle fluid Things , and start away . 156. Courageous Friend , the Mayd to this repli'd , Brave is the Metall of thy sprightfull Heart , Which easily beats back all Misfortunes Tide , And can the Streams of Grief to Joy convert : Full well those cheerly Looks with thee doe suit , Who all my Losse canst with a Smile confute . 157. But I cannot doe so ; Mischances throw Their own upon my Smiles , with high disdain ; My deep Passivity will not allow Me any Art or Power to maintain A fight with Suffrings so as not to feel The Wound , when in my Heart I finde the Steel . 158. It is but lately since unhappy I Was quite lost in the Mist of Desolation ; And heavy was that blinde Calamity Which did both muffle up my Contemplation , And clip those Wings that had been us'd before Unto the Pinnacles of Heav'n to sore . 159. But now her Eyes again unmaked are , And unto their full length her Feathers grown ; No sooner I in Heav'ns illustrious Sphear Or read , or flie , but I am tumbled down , And by my journey ( to compleat my Crosse ) No Profit reap , but Knowledge of My Losse . 160. O I acquit my Dream from the least Guilt Of fairfac'd Fraud ; in every blessed Part The genuine Pulse of Truth I cleerly felt Beating right time with my exultant Heart . I would not have it false for Heav'n , and yet It s being true begetteth this regret . 161. For had it not been the unfeined Sceen Of brave Beatitude in full Display ; Without this stinging Torment that had been Snatched from Me , or I from that , away : But now what Comfort can breath Me Content , When from my Heart , my Heart it selfe is rent ! 162. If Lucifer had never walk'd upon Compleat Felicities transcendent Stories , If He had never view'd Heav'ns radiant Throne , And sweet Eternities excessive Glories ; His Losse had finite been ; he had not fell So low as now , nor had his Hell been Hell . 163. I might have dwelt contented in dull Night Had I not known and seen Lifes royal Day ; These rotten Raggs of Dust and Ashes might Have pleased Me , had not the bright Array Which clothe's the Saints with Immortality Been open thrown before my mortal Eye . 164. Yon' Phaebus , who with Virgin Gold doth gild The Mornings cheeks , I might with some Delight Have gazed on ; if I had not beheld The far more Sun-like Eyes of Jesus , bright With Blisse , and Love , and Joy , and every Thing Which can become the Looks of Glories King . 165. Then since I fully understand my Losse ; O doe not envy Me , sweet Guardian , leave Not to be fondly stupid ; doe not crosse My course of Woe , who have such cause to grieve ; For Grief their Daughters onely Dowrie is , Whilst my dear Parents reign in joyous Blisse . 166. These Words with such commanding Passion she On facil Phylax blew , that he gave way : Yet , prudent as he was , and piercing , He Observ'd how wisely Love his Plot did lay , And that for his sweet Psyche he this kinde Of softest-hardest Martyrdome design'd . 167. But Charis , ( who still in her Breast did lie , ) Although the blessed Dream had taken Wing , Yet on the Tables of her Memory Fairly transcrib'd and fastned every thing ; There shin'd the total Apparition still , And all her Thoughts With Ravishment did fill , 168. With Ravishment , which proved fuel to Her ancient Fire of Love ; a fire which now Flash'd resolutely out , and feasted so On this vast Banquet , which did alwayes flow With fresh Infinitude upon it , that The flames all Bridles and all Bounds forgot . 169. Like Wax which flows before the Summers Sun ; So in the presence of this scorching Heat Her Bowells melted , and her Heart did run About her bosome , labouring to get Releasment from this Furnace : but in vain ; Heav'n still to her Sweet Torment her did chain . 170. In dainty Agonie She lay and fried , Till from her Lips at last the Flame did break ; And unto Phylax thus aloud she cried : O why to Persecutions gentler Stake Was I not bound ; why might I not expire In the milde bosome of that courteous Fire ! 171. Tkat Fire would soon have drunk up all my Breath . And into Ashes parch'd my Life ; but this Playes with my Pangs , and freshly Furnisheth My fainting Heart with passive vigorousnesse ; This , woefull Immortality doth give , Unto my Dust , and teacheth Death to live . 172. Nor Etna's , nor Vesuviu's bowells were E'r gravid with such teeming Flames , as mine ; Should Humber , Thames and Severn , by thy Care Their everflowing Mouthes together join , And empty out themselves upon my Heart , Alas they could not quench my burning Smart . 173. Nay flatter Me not with thy smiling Eye ; Compassion , is the utmost Thou canst lend He , he , alone can cure my Malady Who did to Me this flaming Feaver send . If thou canst hasten down His help , ô doe ; 〈◊〉 tell Me when he will 〈◊〉 my Woe 174. The Angel , who her blessed Sickness knew , Had now no longer power to pitty Her Into Invisibility He flew , That her Seraphick pains might domineer , And she , being left alone , might sooner prove The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 175. But yet her modest tender Jealousie Could not interprest his Discession se ; She fear'd that by indecent Passion she Had urg'd his Patience , and forc'd Him to Withdraw , till hastie she grew Calm again , And fir his 〈◊〉 to entertain 176. This made her cheek her boiling Fervor by Deep Recollection of her Spouses Will She knockt her Breast which first made its Renly In sighs and groans , then in these words O still This tumult of my Soule dear Lord whose 〈◊〉 Doth all my Bosome in Combustion set 〈◊〉 Although my long'd-for Union with 〈◊〉 Be dearer than a thousand Lives ; 〈◊〉 Desire and Languor all my Essence 〈◊〉 Till to 〈◊〉 of thee I grow : Yet since thy Will prolongs my Banishment From Heav'n and thee , ( peace heart ) I am conten . 178. I am content : For All I Am. is Thine The freedom of thy Pleasure use on Me If I thine Arrows smartest Dint decline Then sav I lov'd my self , but lov'd not Thee ; Upon this Heart poure all thine amorous 〈◊〉 And slay Me , if thou wilt , from Morn to 〈◊〉 179. But it I still must live this Death , 〈◊〉 I live it unto Thee , and Thee 〈◊〉 O let some hard heroick Task 〈◊〉 This Fervors edge which thou hast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My ravish'd Soule , that being 〈◊〉 May lesse perceive the Flames in 〈◊〉 180. Shall I to Perfecutions Court , and there Erect thy Standard in the Tyrants Face ? Shall I her Racks and Arts of Torture dare ? Her Altars and her Gods down shall I rase ? Against her Proclamations shall I 〈◊〉 the Pleasure of thy 〈◊〉 181. Shall all the Bruises , Wounds , Boils , Sores and Pains , Shall every Grief , Distemper , Maladie , Shall all the Hungers , Thirsts , and Stripes , and Chains , Which through the whole World the sad Portion be Of thine abused patient Members , joyn 182. Shall I he 〈◊〉 the Hate of Man and Beast ? Shall I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and kicked round about 〈…〉 shall I be prest Of 〈◊〉 and Furies , and be dragged through 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where torments in their kingdom grow 183. Surely 〈◊〉 this , and more for thy dear sake To whom I ow it , I could well sustain Speak then ô most deserving Soveraing , speak , And by some sufferings mitigate my pain Set Me my hardy Task . that I may prove On 〈◊〉 Terms how much I love thy Love 184. Thus nanted loval she till tired by Her Fervors high Intension . she descendea Into her self again : But instantly That strong Combustion she hop'd was ended , Met her amidst her Breast , and did conspire As 〈◊〉 as ever by enflam'd Desire . 185. By Resignation to her Spouse sne 〈◊〉 To quench it ; but in vain : Still Day by Day Her self 〈◊〉 rouna in amorous 〈◊〉 wasted , And waking Night by Night , and longing lay For whilit 〈◊〉 from place to place , to win Some ease , 〈◊〉 bore her Torment 〈◊〉 within 186. 187. So did her testless Memerie to Her The beauteous Wonders of her Dream object , With all Beatitudes bright Furniture : In vain her Eys she studied to deflect , Which were in every Corner crost by this 〈◊〉 of strange importunate Bliss . 188. When 〈◊〉 Prayers she went , she could not Pray , 〈◊〉 and Amazement strait were crowding in : When to her Book she went , she could not say . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stopp'd her as she did begin : When to her Psalms she went , she could not sing , 〈…〉 in her Fars did ring . 189. When 〈◊〉 her Meat she went , she could not Eat , The 〈◊〉 of endlesse Life her thonghts took up ; When to the Fountain of her Drink , the sweet 〈◊〉 of Heav'n her Course and Thirst did stop : When to her sleep , she was disturbed by The 〈◊〉 Rest of Fternity . 190. The dear Remembrance of her Soverdign Lord Boild in her Soule , and would not slaked be : So that while tortured she could not afford Unto her Body , what Necessitie Crav dat her Hands , she faint and feeble grew , And by Degrees her Mortal self she slew . 191. She slew her Flesh , which pin'd and sunk away ; She slew the Vigor of her Senses , which Like unbent Bows , all damp'd and uselesse lay : But by these Slaughters she did but inrich The Life of her afflicted Heart , which still With stouter and more active Fire did swell . 192. So high it swell'd that what soe'r came neer The mighty Torrent , strait became its Prey : Yea ev n the Bridles too subdned were Which still she hop'd and strove on it to lay , Her Meditations all to Passion turned ; And whatso'er she Did , or 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 . 193. In 〈◊〉 unto such a 〈◊〉 , The Sceptie of his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 194. 〈◊〉 , be it of a Thing But weak and mortal , and Dust's wretched Heir ; Doth with immortal Pains and Wishes sting And spur the Soule unto unwearied Care : Discouragement in vain doth muster up All Troops of Obstacles 〈◊〉 way to stop . 195. No , no ; the generous Lovers Heart disdains Not to approve his Passion infinite ; With gallant Obstinacie he maintains Against the Will of Heav'n and Earth , the fight 〈◊〉 win his Idol ; for whose sake , had he Ten thousand 〈◊〉 , they all should ventur'd be 196. For in her Image , which He hath enshrin'd High in the 〈◊〉 of his loyal Breast , Such Charms and strong Attractions He doth finde As rob Him of all Power to resist : He runs ; and in such strange and furious wise , That Love is slandered with want of Eys , 197. The whole World knows how Hamors royal Son Scorn'd his Religion and his foreskin too , When Dinah's Love had full possession Of his subdued Soule : How David , who Was Heav'ns choise Darling , durst Heav'ns Law despise For what he read in Bathsheba's fair Eys , 198. Who hath not heard what Power one Heart 〈◊〉 Upon two mighty Nations , both content For love or her , to run so strangely mad Upon a mortal War , whose furie rent Up Ilium by the roots ; which to the 〈◊〉 Of Lust , a wofull Holocaust became . 199. No 〈◊〉 then 〈…〉 With such mtolerable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Whose 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Charms whose royall 〈◊〉 Draw with 〈…〉 Outvi'd by 〈…〉 〈◊〉 201. For all those Wounds bleed nothing else but Fire ; Fire , which remembring its original Flame , With never-wearied struggling doth aspire Back to the radiant place from whence it came : It s proper Element are Jesu's eyes , And thither in heroick Zeal it flies . 202. And what can tortured Psyche doe , who by This most unruly Heat , to Heav'n is haled ; And yet by Mortal Lifes repugnancy Fast to her Body , and dull Earth , is sealed ? What can she doe in this Extremity Of raging Life and Death at once ; but Crie ? 203. Hardy and bold she grows in her Complaint ; For lifting upward her enamored Eyes , Although her sickly Voice were low and faint , Yet full of sinews were her serious Cries : Which thus she , suiting them unto her Passion , Tun'd by the stout Key of Expostulation . 204. O Lord of Gentlenesse , ô why dost Thou Make Love so cruel to tormented Me ! Why would thy bounteous Justice not allow Me any other Rack , but Suavitie ! Why must my Gall be onely Honey ! why Of nothing else but Life must Psyche die ! 205. Why didst Thou not permit Me to decease When thou hadst left Me to my Selfe alone ? So had thine Handmaid been repriev'd from these Extremities of Pangs ; so had I gone Whole to my Grave , who now must Melted be By thine unsufferable Sweets , and Thee . 206. And am I not a Worm , or worse than so ? Why dost Thou build such Triumph then on Me ? Why dost thou not pick out some Seraph , who With this sublime and blessed Misery Might bravely grapple ? or why might'st Thou not At Phylax's nobler Breast my Dart have shot ? 207. O be not angry ! 't is not I that speak , But tortured Necessity : my Heart A thousand times desir'd , but cannot break ; Else had my Lips not dared thus to part And ope themselves into Complaints : but now Excuse together with my Fault doth flow . 208. Not for innumerable Worlds would I Have been without that Apparition : but Should full as many Worlds their Tyranny Combine against my Soul ; they could not put Me unto any Torture so extream , As the Remembrance of my blessed Dream : 209. In Sweetnesse why art thou so Infinite ! Or why must that Infinitude appear Unto a Soule , to fire it with Delight , If to the Fountain it must not draw neer To quench its burning Thirst ? O Jesu be Still what thou art ; but then be so to Me. 210. Be so to Me ; and ô , be so with Speed ! Death is not Death , compared with Delay . Alas one Moment now doth far exceed All those long years which I till this sad Day Have tediously measured ; and now I older by an Age , each Minute , grow . 211. Fain fain would I Let thee alone , and be Content to wait thy longest Leisure still : But ô , all-lovely Thou still urgest Me And violently dragg'st my Conquer'd Will . Thou dragg'st me ; yet wilt not permit that I Should follow home to my Felicity . 212. If thou wilt Kill Me , loe I am Content : But ô , vouchsafe to let my Slaughter be By Death , not by this breathing Banishment From my best Life , most ameable Thee ! O pitty , pitty thy poor Handmaids Crie , Whose Tongue cleaves to her Mouth , whose Throat is drie ! 213. Fain would she here have fainted ; but her Pain , Whose load so heavy on her Shoulders lay , With courteous Cruelty help'd to sustein Her parched Vigour , that it still might prey Upon her Patience , and consume her still . O strange Disease , which doth by Curing Kill : 214. Phylax , mean while , unseen , perceiv'd that she Unto Heav'ns Suburbs was arrived now , And that the Springs of her Mortality By this high Stretch began to crack : for though Her Selfe her Change's Dawn could not descry , He saw her final Houre was drawing nigh . 215. This rous'd his Love in due time to prepare For his dear Pupills neverending End : About her funeral he took decent Care , Because himselfe could not stay to attend Those Rites , when she had once Expir'd , for he Her noble Paranymphus was to be . 216. He was to be her Convoy when she flew Unto her royal Spouses marriage Bed : This made him dresse his Count nance with a new Festivity ; his Wings this made him spread With fresh and snowie Down , that his Lords Bride In that soft Coach of triumph home might ride . 217. And in this joyous Hue to her he came : Yet his sweet Presence She regarded not , For Burning in her more delicious flame , She of all other Things the Sense forgot : The Phaenix thus amidst her funeral fires , See's nothing else , and nothing else desires . 218. The double Fountain of her Tears was drie , Her Groans were weary , and her Languishment If felfe did languish : But her 〈◊〉 Outrageous grew , and , like a Gyam ; bent The mighty Bow of her Desires ; by which The Mark of all her Hopes She was to reach . 219. Then , having bid unto the Earth adieu , And firmly fix'd her loving longing Eye Upon the Heav'ns , to keep her Aim in view ; Her Flames triumphant Tempest swell'd so high , That She , unable to contain its Tide , With a deep Sigh , cri'd out , O LOVE , and did . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS .
Correct the Errors of the Presse thus : Canto 11. read the 198. Stanza before the 197.

Canto 1. Stanza . Line . Read , 34. 4 Take 122. 1 Morn . 143. 4 Waken's 152. 1 mak's 4 heaving Canto 2. 79. 2 Assistance 110. 3 wroth Canto 3. 69. 3 all wayes 97. 6 Fathers Fames 178. 3 here 190. 4 Flame Canto 4. 25. 2 of an 54. 1 crownd 115 5 Guests Canto 5. 66. 2 An 215. 1 rigid fare Canto 6. 26. 2 hath 〈◊〉 . 1 was 113. 4 vales 171. 1 Gate 184. 1 deep set 205. 2 thorough 226. 6 untrid 248. 6 every 258. 3 Parian 274. 1 thorough Canto 7. 213. 4 stirr'd Canto 8. 74. 3 Sorrow 's 139. 3 more 157. 5 what 159. 5 Expects 173. 2 of windows 262. 3 grow 283. 5 be cause Canto 9. 16. 1 These lend 83. 2 are 97. 5 Brink 112. 3 bestdeserving 123. 2 Devoto's 147. 5 Some time 159. 1 Bows 201. 4 loth 220. 2 fat 225. 6 carreer 246. 3 where on Canto 10. 85. 1 holier 93. 4 Elxai 107. 5 thy 110. 3 his 118. 5 Sun 125. 3 hand as 160. 2 to Canto 11. 4. 1 the 45. 5 stream 47. 5 fall she 52. 4 Riches 83. 2 pil'd 144. 4 by 173. 2 it 196. 3 one 197. 2 Lord's Canto 12. 80. 4 dele ( ? ) 157. 4. meet Canto 13 61. 5 dele ( ? ) 211. 3 Ensignes 224. 3 gaping 301. 2 own 314. 3 please these 349. 3 poised 352. 1 least 428. 5 meditating 433. 3 War 442. 4 amorous Canto 14. 15. 4 vanquishd 73. 3 prize 78. 2 preys 92. 3 teach 170. 2 own 255. 5 requited 262. 3 his 263. 5 thorough 288. 2 When 304. 4 feuel Canto 15. 79. 2 Song 132. 2 wept 156. 1 Flood 163. 2 firm persp . 299. 6 Antichrists Canto 16. 36. 6 vessell 72. 1 her 90. 1 skill 112. 4 ramm'd 127. 3 so Canto 17. 59. 5 strict 131. 4 then 183. 3 dirt 311. 4 dele period 324. 1 launcheth Canto 18. 69. 3 Gallantry 87. 6 crocodiles 212. 4 was 273. 6 for Canto 19. 54. 4 too 135. 3 Crosses 146. 4 His Canto 20. 101. 4. Harpies

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