Preludium to the first Verses . Madam ,

IN ancient offerings to Deity , Turtles , Incense , and Flowers have beene acceptable for the zeale of obedience , though of little worth , or advantage ; let my respect to your command make the more excusable the worthlesse following lines , which otherwise in my knowledge of the sleightnesse of their stuffe and making should never have presumed to undergoe the weight of your censure : True Turtles you shall find them , full of simple love , and unfurnisht of all Serpentine climbing art of subtilty and knowledge : Incense and Smoake , they are but of the gentlest nature , not far fetcht Aromatiques , troublesome and intoxicating to the brain , but mild as flowers unmedicinall for morality , meere Poseys or Nosegays , gay to the first sense ; which if happily you prove them , favour them so far as to give them their passe without further examination , I promise not my self that they shal please , for they please not my selfe ; ( especially in a serious humour ) I know them full of faults , but thinke them not worth the mending . And if to bee an Author of such toyes bee a fault , it is surely doubled to make them too great a businesse . Idlenesse was their mother , which though I pleased my selfe to avoyd by their destroying her in their birth , yet to good judgements they may well bee as ill pleasing , as ill natur'd : If time were mis-spent in them , yet there was not much cast away ; for the idle howers of three moneths brought them forth , except some few , the children of little more then my childhood . As they are farre from deserving good opinion , so am I farre from the humour of some so well conceited of such their workes ( like Peacocks proud of their feathers ) that they are never at an end of their labour , but still with child to utter them : my travell ended with their first birth , and so I hope or with the readers may at the first reading ; for if they bee not plaine and easie , it is against my will , which as it wants strength to imitate , so cannot approve the ridling humour lately affected by many , who thinke nothing good that is easie , nor any thing becomming passion that is not exprest with an hyperbole above reason . These tormentors of their owne and their Readers braines I leave to bee admired in their high obscure flight , ( while my selfe will bee happy , if I can procure but a familiar delight to a superficiall reading ) they affect to shew more wit then love , and in truth so much , that whilst they commend beyond reason , they shew that either they want reason to commend , or their subject to bee commended ; like ill ranging Spaniells they spring figures , and ravished with their extravagant fancies , pursue them in long excursions , neglecting their true game and pretended affection : Bee the matter , or the discoursers capacitie never so poore and meane , I ever affect a man that maketh right conclusions . And for my selfe , I would rather bee thought to want invention and knowledge , then judgement and good consequence in what I utter . The Poetry of these times abounds in wit , high conceit , figure , and proportions ; thinne , light , and emptie in matter and substance ; like fine colored ayery bubbles or Quelque-choses , much o●●entation and little food ; conceits , similes , and allegories are good , so the matter bee carried along in them , and not interrupted by them . Venus is here drawne by her Doves , not Serpents ; and as I professe my selfe to want art in all things , so in matters or love I thinke it may bee best spared , as being an affection meerely naturall , and where Art is seldome comely , but authorised with a native disposition ; besides , Verses of love are commonly made for women , whose chiefest beautie consists in being unsophisticated by Art , and are the more pleasing in conversation by possessing a free puritie of unadulterated wit . And as wee often see that those women that have bestowed on themselves the most Art and costly dressing , nay many times that have the best proportion , are not yet the most winning : So in Verses there is to bee exprest a naturall spirit and moving ayre ( or accent ) more alluring and charming the affection , then others of a farre more rich , faire and curious composition . The world in all things is full of Critiques , that are sharpe sighted to reprehend , and will approve nothing but according to their owne rule ; ( many times out of square ) But for my part I hold the same opinion of Verses as of Ayres in Musick , or Houses , that let them bee delightfull and pleasant to the first appearance with conveniency to the designe , and for the fantasticated rules of Art , Architecture , and proportion , let them observe them that list : and commonly who most affects them , most failes in the generall delightfulnesse and use . Poetry is in truth a kind of Musick , the fable of Orpheus expressed as much ; Musick hath its Anthems , Pavens , Fantesies , Galliards , Courantoes , Ayres , Sarabands , Toyes , Cromatiques , &c. And Verses have their Hymmes , Tragedies , Satyres , Heroiques , Sonets , Odes , Songs , Epigrams , Distiques , and Strong lines , which are their Cromatiques , and of themselves may bee excellent in their Art ; but long dwelt upon grow harsh and distastefull . The commandements and preceptives are none of the poeticall parts of Scripture . Though I am no part of a Scholar , yet thus much by casuall opening of books I know , that Horace in matter of love hates difficulty : and though I beleeve it an imitation of his abrupt and harsh veine in his more serious peeces , that upon the worthinesse of his name and matter , hath debaucht many from the formerly used , more open , familiar and pleasing manner of versifying ; yet I finde that even himselfe ( howsoever either naturally or affectedly rugged , except his Lyrick veine ) when hee uttereth his judgement , or prescribeth to others concerning measured compositions , no man is more frequent in recommendation of a round , current , cleare and gracefull delivery : but what his morall , solid and satyrick matter dispenst with , is in slighter stuffe intolerable : there shall you find the rough hands , but not the voyce and substance ; let them rather imitate his best , then his worst . It cannot bee good in limited lines , which are a purposed pause to the voyce , to carry with a counter-time the period of the sense to the body of the next line , much lesse to dismember an innocent word , that every child according to nature , and use , in spelling would put together ; and words have a naturall ayre , accent , and quantitie , whence to strayne them is to rack both them and the reader : Who will set himselfe to daunce , or his horse to manage , let him seeke to observe good time , ayre , and fashion : no man is fit for all things ; whose Genius was borne for prose , let him write prose , rather then affecting Verse to make such unnaturall stuffe , as shall bee good neither . I pity both in my selfe and others to see the best of our matter in one place so extreamly prest , that it is a labour to discover it , and yet in another part of the same peece slight and superfluous stuffe dilated at large . A Poet should raise light from smoak , not blow that which is light with him to carry but smoak to another . King Iames. I am of his Majesties mind , that the best eloquence is to make our selves clearely understood , and that to him who hath leasure , there need no abbreviations : I had rather pay for a little more paper then to bee put to the cost of my braine . Sir Philip Sidney . The admirable inventions and matter of your unimitable Uncles extant works flourish in applause of all , by a happy and familiar display of their beauties to the meanest , including withall such generositie of truely and profoundly extracted conceit to the most inward life of whatsoever hee expresseth , that the strongest and clearest seeing judgements may rest satisfied , yea transported in contemplation of the most lively and pleasing touches that a soule can apprehend , or a pen distill . Yet somewhat more to authorise my selfe , Lipsius upon perspicuity holds it the greatest misery in writing , not onely not to be understood , but to be understood with difficulty : and the sharp-witted * * Hunc vol● qui fiat non sine pane s●tur . Martial in contempt of the more formall and severe censurers and Writers , professeth that hee would have his verses need neither an Apollo , nor Grammarian ; and howsoever some may deny him to be exact , himself in his entertainments affects rather to please his Guests then Cooks . Verses of love should be verses of pleasure , & to please in love , the smoother fac'd the better .

I may be crabbed and rugged , but will never affect to bee so , especially in verses , whose true nature and use is to worke a kind of a Charme upon the mind , even with slightnesse of matter , by the well wrought and exquisite harmony of their Cadence , and sound : There being to be transfused into verse sometimes such a naturall spirit of magnanimity , sometimes such a soft , wanton , and melting aire of passion , that the one shall never faile to affect a generous and heroick mind , nor the other to work a kind of tender and relenting disposition in a sensible and well-natur'd constitution ; neither of which shall easily be seene effected from a harsh and rude ( though never so witty ) an expression : for as in persons , so in Verses ; some , let them meane never so lovingly , shall yet by their naturall verjuyce be ever out of the way of Bacchus and Venus . But in point of obscurity , in some sort to excuse my selfe with others , I feare wee all often unwillingly incurre the errour of it by thinking our meaning as open to others , as to our selves , when indeed the Characters of our expression are fully supplyed by our owne understanding to our selves , whilst to others they are lamely contracted and imperfect . Thus much I have been bold to write , not onely to excuse a poore Mother wit , but somewhat to give a passe upon their strange and uneasie habit , who I doubt not but they will have many a gird at my easie and naturall nakednesse ; I meane those lofty dimme shooting Archers , whom I wish to remember , that hee who shootes highest , shootes not ever nearest the marke ; and hee that may walke in the light , is to bee suspected for choosing the darke . Now ( Madam ) I grant that all I can write ( especially what these lines containe ) is but vanity and a most idle vanity ; yet thus farre I will excuse both the writing and the reading , that all the world is little better : wee often condemn vaine pleasures , and remember not that the most things the best of us most seriously doe , have indeed no other end . For God being served and nature sustained , what fruit proceeds from our authority , learning , wealth , policy , and earnest intent to profit , but to satisfie our impulsive affections , which either propound to themselves a felicity whereof they faile in the possession , or seeke to divert by such imployments the dulnesse and otherwise obtruding miseries of their condition ? which if you please to consider , you will the more excuse many pursuers of lawful and naturall delights , and value those pleasures at the better rate which are most perdurable and communicable . May the following wanton ( but as modest Babes as their Mother Venus could produce ) though they cannot profit , yet afford some delight light to that your Worthy well furnish't mind , to which I wish all happinesse that ever Noble nature possest , or can possesse . I must yet bee so much longer , as to crave pardon for my unintended and I feare unpleasant length , it is the vice of writing to bee endlesse ; thus hath my enmity to obscurity brought forth tediousnesse , yet not so much , but that all this may bee sooner read , then some one passage of our Night pieces understood : they had need afford profitable stuffe , who utter it at so hard a rate . I wish your Ladiships authority would so abate the price that our poorer abilities might hold trade without straining . And seeing I am upon the Theame of verses , whither I meane not shortly to returne , I humbly crave your favour after my fashion , disorderly to say thus much more , that howsoever some of the stricter sort approve onely of verses so close , usefull , and substantially woven , that there must bee neither list , loosenesse , nor the least superfluity of words : for my part , I am not of that strict order , nor ever yet saw it observed in any Author . Nature hath mingled stalkes with flowers , and Huskes with Corne , and hath raised ornament from our excrementiciall haires : conceits and matter over-crusht , afford commonly as little grace as pleasure ; and to write all in abbreviations , would take indeed les●e room , but much more time and trouble . A Geneva print weakens the sight , nor is it good to hold your bow ever bent , or your horse streight rained . Sometimes amongst pithy and tough lines I thinke it not amisse to interpose one of an easie ●traine , like resting places in lofty staires , to ease the Reader . Some fluency of weak water helpes the better in nourishment to convey what is more solid . Lamp-oile yeelds no good savour nor in sallet nor verse . Difficilia quae pulchra , is to bee understood of the attaining , and not the exercising of faculties . You know how it is said of Poems , that they should bee such , ut sibi quivis speret , idem sudet frustraque laboret ausus ide● . Strong lines may bee drawne on with Cartropes , but the fairest have generally an easie birth . It is rare for anything to be well and hardly performed . The French expression , A Deliure , implyes as well perfectnesse , as facility and dexterity . There may bee imployed such an extraordinary ( yet gentle ) finenesse of conceit , and Conclusions so designed , wrought , limned and coloured , touches so bold , covert allegories and subtilties so neat , Epithets so materiall , Metaphors and ambiguities so doubly fine , as shall bee more masterlike then more sententious , sublime , abstruse , and strong appearing lines . Worth of matter and conception supposed , nothing more commends a piece then termes well chosen , proper , lively , and significant , with a free comming on , and as free a close and conclusion . Also a faire , cleare and even thorough carriage with well wrought joints and connexions gives credit to the workman . I love as much a great deale of force and depth couched in one word , as I hate little in many . We ordinarily write and speake the same things and notions , and to the same purpose , but infinitely differ in the delivery and expression ; some proceed in a stuttering confused obliquity , groping as in a mist or darknesse ; some goe more directly and exhibit their Idea's and conceptions with so cleare and distinct a light , illustrations , instances , demonstrations , enforcements , and arguments so pertinent , perspicuous and concluding , that the understanding and assent are captivate beyond evasion or subterfuge . Sophistry and figures may appeare fine and witty , but prevaile little upon the best judgements : Reason must convince the intellectuall soule . May I write clearly and strongly , rather then finely and artificially ; hence is the difference of elocution , hence of perswasion , the one is light and aery , the other weighty and solid ; most lovely and commanding is the beauty of a faire ingenuous and rich soule fairely mounted , and armed upon well shaped and unanimously received vertue , goodnesse and reason . Verses are then good , when turned to prose they hold a faire and currant sense , and when translated into another language , there is such mastery found in their conception by the advantage of what is genuine unto them , that there will bee either more words or lesse conceit and matter . The priviledge they have over common phrase , consists in the warranted becomming ornament of a lofty well ordered spirit , and wantonnesse , such as shall make toyes passe for Jewels , and give to what of it selfe is precious , an acquisite lustre of workmanship beyond what prose can beare , and that in little room ; Their voice is more constrained , and consequently more shrill and piercing . Nor is it in writing the least perfection ( howsoever it hath found little observation ) so to order and contract our expressions , that one well adopted word may run into , and govern many of diverse and strong sense ) for nothing gives more pleasure and satisfaction to a diligent inquisitive and judicious Reader , then much matter and conceit compendiously digested with sufficiency of perspicuity . To conclude , lines of a farre fetcht and labour'd fancy with allusions and curiosity , and in similes of little more fruit or consequence , then to ravish the Reader into the writers fine Chamaeleon colours , and feed him with aire , I approve not so much , as heighth and force of spirit sententiously and weightily exhibited ; wit needs not rack it self where matter flowes ; embroderies become not a rich stuffe ; and art is best exprest where it least appeares .

A strong wing is to be preferred before a painted , and good ●ense and matter elegantly delivered before extravagancy of fancy and conceit ; such unnaturall impertinency serves rather to shadow then illustrate , to overwhelme then set forth the subject : as well apposite as accurate writing is the Authorsglory .

Postscript upon occasion of the then young Princes pretended desire to have sight of the following Poems .

ANd here under pardon to conclude with this further defence of Love the subject of this little work , but taking it more large and high I find love to be the most worthy object of the best and most generous dispositions , and none but maligne natures that addresse not their thoughts towards it : for what good and worthy mind hath its being , that is not bent as upon its felicity either to the love of women the most naturall , of men the most noble , or above all of God the most happy and rewardfull ? Whither else tend all our studies of comlinesse , of glory , and noble actions of charity and good deeds ? Wherein can man so well resemble his great Creator as by worth and goodnesse to win love ? what more noble end can any man have to study vertue and perfection , then thereby to win affection and praise , the reward and food of vertue , and tribute of God ? Nay , love the essence of God , the good spirit and wings of the soule , the Mother , Child , and finall cause of Beauty , the begetter and maintainer of the world , the life of life : by love the Sunne shines , and the earth brings forth , by love is society and commerce maintained , by love the soule dwels with the body , and God with the soule ; by love nature ever works for our preservation , when the body and almost the soule are laid in sleep . Admirable love ! without thee life is hatefull , man but a wolfe to man , the world a second Chaos ; For thy sake alone , who affectest not a decaying Mansion , I apprehend losse by growing old , yet thus againe am I comforted by thy most divine power , that thou never abandonest the dwelling of goodnesse , and art successively fruitfull over all the good works of nature to the worlds period : so that to the vertuous , where the love of women failes , the love of men begins , and where that by the withering imperfections of age grows cold , ( as the aire to a setting Sunne ) there , for our supreame and infinite comfort , begin to shine most clearly the beames of that divinest love , ( which before were too much intercepted by the sensualities and passions of our younger yeares ) to make us therein eternally happy by that operation of love , and contemplation of beauty , which at the last must be our soules immortall food and joy .

Advertisement upon the first Verses .

I am not ignorant that who keepes the common road , falls not into the incumbrances incurred by them who search or by or nearer wayes : Writing is a by-path of life , I am yet ingaged to it , but hope shortly to get out , and by the way I give you this Antidote and Rapsody of praecaution and true information concerning the following pieces . The reason why I retaine and expose them with others , is not so much that I esteem them worthy of view or life , as that they were many yeares since Copyed and spread abroad beyond my knowledge then , and are now beyond my power to recall : they are more Chaffe then Corn , fitter to bee ventilated , blown away , and play in the aire , then vented in any Market and commerce of wit and censure : they are incorrect , if not incorrigible ; yet I consent to leave them , and many other my pieces , such as they are , to represent unto me the difference 'twixt then and now . To attempt to perfect them were to dispersonate their youth and hasty nature , and fall into the much frequented stage [ Error ] of putting stronger lines , and more conceited and elaborate elegancy into weake mouths and strong passions ; then well comporteth with them ; let their youth and genuine conception plead their pardon . You shall mistake them if you often conceive them not rather the off-spring of fancy then passion . But take them at the worst , they have something of reason and serious in them : and the errours of love are not so foule , as the love of errour ; nor is it impertinent to perswade love in them who have constrained it in you ; and love may bee such , as to become no lesse justifiable then naturall . Love is in truth of divers kinds , ever an Ebullition of the liver : sometimes it is made and forced upon us , sometimes wee weave and foole our selves into it , sometimes it proceeds from gratitude and good nature of gratification . It is generally the child of weaknesse , as well as of idlenesse : witnesse my selfe in my childish youth and Melancholy humour . A vigorous gayety of the heart and mind taken up and busie in other affections and entertainments hardly admits it . It is a sad confinement , a disease like womens longing , where the violent appetite of one object , no better then the rest , gives relish to that alone , whilst a right and undistasted apprehension of every thing in the true kind is the much better and sounder constitution : and as in longing after such or such a morsell , the consideration is carried by the fancy and tast , which have no rule but themselves : or as at Table , the hearty approbation of some one dish is a provocation to others appetites : so in love . And as most Dogs will often strive to get away anothers bone , though otherwise little desired , or when a morsell is offered to bee snatched from them , grow greedy of that which before they neglected ; so in affections ; I leave the application . Sometimes as love hath been tearmed a warfare , so is brave Conquest made ambition ; too many make it their felicity , and effeminately bend all their affections towards it ; Sometimes it is taken up for a fashion , and to be in fashion is in idle times of no small importance to idle and gallant persons : Sometimes like Coqualuchios and Epidemicall diseases , it may much proceed from the disposition of the Ayre ; as in other kind wee may observe of quarrells that they seldome go alone ; Our poore volatile ayery affections are strongly wrought upon as well from outward as inward incentives , winds , and Aspects .

The first accesse of love is not ever by the eyes , it hath often a strong foundation and preocupation begotten at the eare ; when a noble heart takes impression of a well lodged reputation , eminent in fame , vertue , generalitie of love and applause attending it , there is it already halfe as much subdued as it is ambitious to possesse and subdue : to complete , I acknowledge the approbation of the eye for a requisite concomitant . To draw and quicken , sometimes the saying of the shadow is usefully true , it flies what followes , and pursues what seemes to retire and flie .

Whether love bee most naturall betweene differing or sutable complections may as well bee a question , as the old rule of friendship to consist amongst equalls hath been lately controlled . But as friendships are conceived most firme in such relation and tye , as there may bee a dependency wrought either by a reciprocation of mutuall benefits and advantages , or where at least the good and fortune of the one relies and fastens it selfe upon the other : So if the fantasticall existence of love receive not a fixation from some more solid root and consideration , such as growes either from a rationall and deliberate election , or from such like sympatheticall proportion of mind , vertue and affections ; it will bee easily subject to scatter and blow away in the lightnesse of the soyle that produced it . It is a fantastique and hardly to bee concluded on by reason ; but wee generally see it is specificall , as betweene vipers and other creatures in their kind . And certainly there is a self-love raigning in us , which will not well permit a quick viperine highgusted spirit to fancy one of a dull and flegmatique temper . Who ever lov'd , that lov'd not at first sight , is as false as fine ; circumstance and opportunities more often beget it : and love , to shew its extravagant power , ordinarily graffs it selfe upon the stock of an unfavourable , prejudiciall and crabbed opinion . As there is great difference betwixt What will you give , and What will you take : so is there in seeking and making love , or being found and made to it . Wise men are said to make more opportunities then they find , but in love it holds the other way . True love is as passive as active , and it is the height of its true art , to moderate it selfe , as to love and bee wise . How blind and unreasonable soever it is supposed ( as I have otherwhere said ) a fair , kind and sutable object hath much to alledge why it ought to bee loved , and it is a peculiar prerogative of faith to transcend our reason ; you see I affect to write rather obscurely then full and largely ( what you stick upon to conceive , may stick the better with you . ) I have often pitied to see not onely the most beautifull of creatures , but the fairest and kindest natures most subject to the excesse , and vitious fruite of their love and kindnesse ; there is belonging to them a kind of goodnesse , being as well affected in a gratification of others , as the naturall pleasure respecting onely themselves . It is as happy that divine and humane Lawes have circumscribed us herein , as it is miserable to see how nature by a gallantry of custome hath shaken off her fairer , richer girdles and bracelets so farre as to become relapsed into her naked native current common with other creatures , almost drowned in her owne whirlpoole ; and neglecting all other lessons of vertue , honour and Religion ; men may ordinarily learne from women a strength beyond their ordinary in maintaining themselves above the vanitie and levitie of resenting impression from admiring and affecting eyes ; you may attribute it to their honour lying at stake one way , as ours another : but well considered , men as well in honour as fortune prove the greater losers by such intanglings ; perfection of one may bee imperfection in another . But here let the most unlovely natures and contemners of love find this * * Take this other Paradox , that the faire●t are often the chastest : for loving beauty in the abstract , how ever they may please their nature and humour in giving way to a parc●●l entertainm●nt of many affections , yet r●st they often satisfied in a pendulous suspensive power and glory , by an equilibrious distraction , which others missing more abandon themselves to the concrete . Paradox , that there is none of them all so clay or kay cold , but despit● of their rigid perverse discourse and disposition ( I except impotent , maleficiat , aged , and sickly frigidity ) if they meet with a right , a kind , and courting subject , and bee plyed with warme cloathes , it shall put them into such a heate as birds feele in the Spring , or Deere in the Autumne ; yet this I grant , that very many not incapable of love wander all their lives without meeting a true steele to their flint , or a fatall constellation of the heavenly and earthly stars to their inflammation . You know the proverbe of marriage and hanging , and old sayings are somewhat authentique ; Fate may bee easilier slighted then avoyded . Gamesters may think to counter-shuffle Fortune out of her course , when the poore fooles become in truth her Instruments to shuffle themselves into her noose . Reason and discourse were not given to us ( I confesse ) in vaine , and they are to bee imployed according to good discretion , yet such as will leave nothing to fortune are not ever the most successefull : As men in ships conceit the earth to move when it is themselves , so wee may wittily thinke wee leade and fetter fortune , which in spight of our wisedome will prove our guide and steerer . There are to us in our courses ( as to Pilots at Sea ) certaine insensible currents that force us out of our propounded way and scope .

Si fortuna volet , fies de Rhetore Consul , Si volet haec eadem , fies de Consule Rhetor.

The universall agent is the great and prime wheele , by whose motion all thoughts , actions , and events are commanded . It is hee who turnes ( Ille ego qui quondam ) from Mantua to Troy or Rome , and so it gratiously pleased him to convert my Muse by a better to a better nature . St. Paul made us witnesses of his , and I am contented by an equall Communication of both kinds to make you witnesses of my better conversion . That Eternall and Melior natura I implore to instruct mee to distinguish betwixt him and man , true or false , Piety and Charitie , to preside mee in all my courses , and leade mee in his trust to him , in whom alone is all true f●licitie . Amen , Amen .

1638. Many of these Verses I owne not , for I In them was scarce my owne ; Nor am I hee Who made them : but since from such vanitie May grow such change , reade through , and change with mee .

AVRORA . AWake my silent long reserved Muse : Th' allarme of love tumultuous in my heart Summons out all my soules best strength , & art ; And doth my weaker faculties confuse . What serve you now you precept Sentinells , You Rampars fram'd of reason and discourse Against all passions power and intercourse ? One puts you now to flight , who all compells To yeeld unto her all-subduing might . 'T is shee may truely say , I come , I see , And captivate the proudest hearts to mee . Her power commands mee love , admire and write Her glory , and my love , above compare : Wherein great Queene of love accept good will : For it exceeds the power of earthly quill Either t' expresse , they so transcendent are . On then my pen my burd'ned soule to ease , Shee absent , thou alone my mind must please . Not for their worth , but for thy worthinesse Accept of these presumptuous ruder lines , Where through my weaknesse thy bright beauty shines , And Sun-like doth in spite of mists expresse Its owne true glory : Wisely happy hee , Who in this glasse of water viewes this Sun Excelling object , which to looke upon Our humane Organs too unable bee . What though the Sisters nine my Muse disclaime , As an untutor'd Novice new start up , That never tasted the Castalian cup ? Let others invocate their idle name , Whilst I by thy divine pow'r set on fire Thy worth on higher Trophees elevate Then e're the greatest Poet Laureate Could her renowne that did his Muse inspire . Assist great goddesse then my passions story , Thy beauties record , thine shall bee the glory . To make an Inventory of thy parts By faire resemblance of their forme and hew To Ivory , Corall , Crystall , heavenly blew Hills , Pillars , Bowes , Valleyes , and piercing darts , Were to detract from that perfection Of teeth , of lips , of eyes , of azure veines , Breast , neck , browes , lookes , and those delicious plaines , Which thou hold'st in most faire connexion , Excelling all resemblance , all compare ; And were indeed by cunning to aspire To colour forth the burning heat of fire , Or glorious light , and dazling beames which are In Phoebus face , and fiery Chariot dwelling . Thou like the joyes of the Elysian place , ( Which who strives to describe shall but debase ) Art onely knowne , by others all excelling . Let then all Pens , and Species confesse Their weaknesse thy perfections to expresse . Since Cupid to Loves Seas my Barke hath prest , My fate once led mee by the Cape of Hope ; But since alas ! my agitated Boate Hath past Despaires sad gulfe , and its arrest , I Anchor cast dysaster to prevent , But Anchor hopelesse did , and helplesse prove ; That marble white and red it could not move Whereon I ventur'd it , but home was sent . Like as do those , whom fearefull shipwrack threats , Labour for life some harbour good to win , Yet crost by wind , and tide , cannot put in : So up and downe my tossed Bottome beates , Expecting better fortune , and some grace That welcom'st haven that I may recover , Which under that Cape once more I discover , Center of happinesse , most wished place : But cruell night , why dost thou mee such wrong , With thy black cloake to barre mee of that fight , My onely marke , my soules supreme delight , Supplanting my enflamed hope so long , That for a fortnight thou dost that remove , ( Fortnight , which will as long to mee appeare As if each night contain'd a tedious yeare ) The onely object of my joy and love ? For joy without her presence have I none , Nor can I love but onely her alone . If Art by wishing could obtained bee , I would I had the power of Circe's skill , Not like to her by poys'ning meanes to kill ; But by some secret Philters mystery Loves mutuall flames to her I would impart , Whose piercing eyes have set my breast on fire , Whilst shee I feare remaines without desire , Impenetrable to loves powerfull Dart. Bee not unjust , great-little God of love , Turne not a Tyrant in thy latter raigne , Make us not thinke that thou didst love ordaine Our torture , but felicitie to prove : Justices ballance ever even stands : Shoote equall then her heart as well as mine , That wee may both adore thy power divine With equall , happy love , faith , joy , and bands . So shall I ever celebrate thy fame , But else have cause to curse thy power , and name . I wonder much that all this Parliament Your Sex 'gainst you a bill hath never fram'd , Wherein ( me thinkes ) you justly might be blam'd That contrary to common Lawes intent , And common good by your meanes dearth is bred With scarcitie , which men incenseth so That some contentlesse , some to fury goe ; And all because you hold monopoled , And have ingross'd into your sole possession The masse , and stock , and beautie of our age : A grievance just , except you can asswage Their cause of plaint by satisfying impression ; Whereat me thinkes I see you forth produce Your selfe for Patent , beautifully fram'd By God and Natures perfect working hand , Whose power to question were prophane abuse ; And thus your right authoriz'd , they confuted Subscribe your Patent n'ere to bee disputed . Come on you searching quintessence of wit , Limbeck no more your all-exhausted braine To find that delectable place againe , Where all things did in first perfection meet ; Contemplate here this little peece of mould , And you will soone acknowledge it at least A perfect modell happily congest Of all delights , which that place did enfold ! Perpetuall Sommer faire doth here reside , Harmonious concord is in all things found , Flowers , fruites , perfumes , delights do here abound ; Nor growes there here or nettle , thorne , or weede ; Here all in native true perfection growes , Nor shall the Gard'ner need to toyle , but take : Who would not then all earth besides forsake Here to inhabit , where all solace flowes ? Most happy garden , earths true Paradise ; But happier gard'ner , whom my soule envies . Be not unwilling my request to grant , That I your shadow , and resemblance have ; The reason why this favour I do crave Is not for that your pourtraiture I want : For were my breast transparent like mine eye , You there your selfe enthronized should see Sole Empresse of my heart , my thoughts , and mee , Consecrate trophees of your victory . This your Idea feasteth mee within , Whilst my poore eyes , who first did entertaine You for their welcom'st guest , doe now complaine They st●rved are , distasted of each thing , Except your selfe alone : deny not then A charitie so superficiall , Which when times ruines you can not recall , Shall yet your glory shew , and shown to men ( Who nothing will beleeve but what they view ) Shall force them wonder , and accuse their fate That made them lose by sending them too late The happy servitude of seeing you , And make them honour verse , and pencills skill , Which onely can preserve what time would kill . Since that my vowes , my fortune , and my love , My course , and resolution did ingage To undertake a sacred Pilgrimage To that Saints shrine , which sole my soule doth move , So haplesse , and malignant is my chance , That guide and Pilot other have I none , Then onely that blind cruell Boy alone , Who suffers mee nor rest , nor yet advance ; Thus leads the blind the blind , whilst both astray Wander 'mongst thorny thicks , looking each hour When fierce untamed passions should devour Like savage beasts my poore soule for their prey . Oh pitie now ( my fairest Saint and Starre ) The restlesse wildred state , wherein I stand , And , since I seeke but you , lend your faire hand To guide my course ; such morall lessons are , That none deny to kindle others light , Nor to direct the wandring Pilgrim right . That light to light , way to the stray we give , The reason easie is , it nothing costs , Nor breeds our diminution , or losse : And truth to say ( faire Sun ) I onely live By that pure light and heat drawne from your eyes , Whose sparkes have so my subject heart inflam'd With heav'nly fire so wonderfully fram'd , That it to quench in you it onely lies . You , like Achilles speare , which sole imparted Helpe to the hurt it made , can sole apply A soveraigne balme , such as no gold can buy , To ease those hearts that for your love have smarted ; Grant then my lives faire Sun , Apollo-like Whose light 's our light , our life , direction , cure , These vertues Phoebus yeelds , thy essence pure , That I may offer at the shrine I seeke The pleasing sacrifice , and fruits of love , Which tasted may your equall pleasure prove . You Elegie wayling writers elegant , Whose sad despised Muse of little sings But rigour , scorne , and her tyrannick stings , Who all compos'd of Ice , and Adamant , As Nero joy'd those tragick flames to see Which Romes proud flames had reason just to rew , So triumphs and insulteth over you The cruell Mistris of your misery ; I wonder at your braines productions , Which 'stead of comforting benigne aspect , Are fed with nipping blasts , frosts , and neglect From those Parelii proud in your destructions : I like the flame-fed Salamanders kind , And as the tender Sommer-lab'ring Bee , Except a warmthfull Zephyr breath on mee Am stupifi'd with cold , fruitlesse in mind . Love , child of heate and hope , doth barren perish , Except ( faire Sun ) his tender plant you cherish .