ES QU IR E
BY
WILLI A M
LYO N PHELPS
V O LU M E I
:2 s
C H IC A G O
1 92 1
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q
a
C O NT E NT S
Pfl R T 1
PAG E
IC H A RD LO VELACE By
Phe l ps
.
Wi ll ia m
Lyon
ix
D ed ica tion
V erses
3
to the
a d d ressed
I
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A u thor
POE MS ADDR ESS E D
5
OR
R EL ATI N G
TO LUC A STA
\
/ Son g To Lu casta Goin g b eyond
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V
V
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T
oLu ca sta
g
A Pa ra d ox
/So n
/Son
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G oin g
to
th e
the Sea s
Warres
2 7
2 9
30
A maran th a ,
that
sh e
wou l d
her Haire
Sonnet
D i sh evel l
32
34
O d e To Lu ca sta
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Love C on qu er d
Th e Rose
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19 Son
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g
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A Loose Sarab and
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O rp heu s
42
to Wood s
O rpheu s to B ea sts
D ial ogu e Lu casta A l exis
Sonnet
Lu casta Weepin g Song
To Lu cas ta from Prison fln Ep od e
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C O N T EN T S
Lu casta
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with a Look ing glasse l n
takin g the Waters at Tu nb rid ge
s
Lu casta ,
Fanne ,
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1t
To Lu ca sta Od e Ly ri ck
Lucasta pa y in g her O b seq u ies
56
58
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Memory of my
53
to the C hast
D earest C osin Mrs B owes
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B a rne [ s]
60
U pon
the C u rtaine o f Lu cas ta s Pictu re it
was thu s Wro u ght
/ Lu casta s Worl d ! od e
Th e A postacy of O n e an d b u t O n e Lad y
A m yntor from b eyon d the Sea to A l exis fl
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C a l l in g Lu casta from h er Reti rement
A maran th a ,
II
a
Pastorall
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POE MS ADDRESS E D TO
.
ELLIND A
To Ell in d a ,
that l atel y I have not written
El l in d a s G l ove
B ein g Trea ted To El l in d a
To El l in d a vpon his l ate Recover y A Para
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92
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d ox
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III
To C hl oe ,
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MISC ELLA NEO US
cou rtin g
G rati ana D aun c in g
A m yntor
89
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s
G rove
PO EMS
h er fo r h is Friend
an d
S in g in g
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98
1 00
vi 1
C ON T E N T S
J
n
i
r
u
t
i
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T
h
S
c
e
x
/
Princesse Lo ysa D rawing
A Forsa ken La d y
to
107
h er Fa l se S ervant
Th e G rasseh o p p er To
.
Mr
10 5
1 10
M y No b l e Friend ,
C ha rl es C otton
d
the
e
er
l
[
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A n El eg ie on th e D ea th o f Mrs C a ssand ra
C otton
Th e V intage to the D u n geon 4 Song
O n the D ea th o f Mrs El iz ab eth Fi l mer A n
El egiaca ll Epita ph
To M y Worth y Friend Mr Peter Li l l y
Th e Lad y A [ nne ] L [ ovel ace ] My A s y l u m
in a G reat Extremity
A La d y wi th a Fal con on her Fist To th e
H onou ra bl e m y C o u sin A [ nne ] L [ovel ace ]
A Pro l o gu e to the S cho la rs
Th e Ep i l ogu e
the Love o f G reat O nes
ea fro m Prison
S onnet To G eneral l G oring after the Paci
fi ca ti on a t B erwick e
S irThomas Wortl ey s Sonnet
Th e A nswer
A G u i l tl esse La d y Im prisoned ; a fter Pen
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1 19
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12 0
12 2
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13 1
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135
138
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142
143
14 4
T0 Hi s D ea re B rother C ol onel F[ rancis ]
L [ovel ace ]
14 6
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C O N TEN T S
To
a
Lad y that d esired
me I wou l d b eare
Son g
rt with her in a
x/ Va l ia n t Love
\
/ La B ella B ona Rob a To My Lad y
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“
8m
S onnet
I C a nnot Tel l
a
p
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my
14 8
152
H
154
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155
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3 l a Bou rbon
157
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Th e Faire B egger
15 8
A D i al o gu e b etwixt C o rd anus
an d
A moret
C OMME NDATO RY A ND OTH E R VE RS ES
P RE F IXE D TO V ARIOUS PUB LICATIONS
B E T W EE N 1 6 3 8 AND 1 64 7
A n El eg ie Princesse Katherine B orne
C hristened B u ried in one D ay ( 1 6 3 8 )
C l i to ph on an d L u ci pp e transl ated To the
La d ies ( 1 6 3 8 )
To M y Tru el y V al iant Learned Friend ; who
in his B ooke resol v d the A rt G l ad iatory
into the Ma th ema tic ks ( 1 6 3 8 )
To Fl etcher Revi v d ( 1 6 4 7 )
IV
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1 69
17 1
RIC HA RD LO V ELAC E
N E can think of great writers u niversally
read who ha ve no personality ; a convenient
illustration is Daniel D efoe And one can think of
poets whose C omp l ete Works are known only to a
select few but whose personal influence is a n d a l
ways will be a living force These a re the Personal i
ties o f literature A su preme example is S ir Philip
—
the ideal
S idney soldier scholar poet courtier
gentleman He is a historical but al so a legendary
figure ; and it is not too much to sa y tha t he made
large con tributi ons to the British tradition of man
l in ess and that in our twen tieth century world his
spirit walks abroad As Marvell w as a l esser Milton
L ovelace w as a lesser S idney Th e Spacious times
of Queen E lizabeth had their incarnation in S idney ;
he was the clima x of triumphant chivalry Seventy
years later against the su nset o f royalty stands the
roma ntic figure o f R ichard L ovel ace the Cavalier
a s uncompromising as the dying Cyrano de Ber
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He w as not only a red blo oded b u t a blue
blooded man coming from an a ncient E nglish fam
ily of Kent His father S ir Will iam was killed in
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IN T R O D UC TI O N
battle ; his brothers fought for King Charles R ichard
was born at Woolwich in 1 6 1 8 He receiv ed the con
tion of an E nglish gentleman goi ng
v en ti on al educa
t o Charterh o use and O xfo rd He entered the U ni
versity in June 1 6 3 4 His extraordinary personal
beauty
which his portraits do not entirely con
—
ceal made a profound impression on h is contem
o ra ries W o o d calls him
the
most
amiable
and
p
o f innate
beautiful pe rson that ever ey e beheld
m odesty virtue and courtly deportment which
made him then but especially after when he retired
t o the great city much admired and ad o red by th e
”
female sex O xford w as a hotbed of royal fervour ;
and when the King and Queen came there during
L ovelace s undergraduate days we may easily con
ceiv e the flame of his patriotic dev otion As a stu
dent he had the pl easure of seeing On e of his original
plays perform ed and he w as universally resp ect ed
for his po etical and literary talents
He entered the army became a Captain and saw
active service Then he return ed to the ancestra l es
tates in Kent and in 1 6 4 2 was chosen to present to
Parliament a pe tition in support o f the King This
r equired courage for a similar request had be en
publicly burned He w a s naturally examin ed by
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IN TR OD U C TI ON
members of the H o use frankly confessed that he
was familiar with the fate of the preceding paper
and w as immediately imprisoned 3 0 April 1 6 4 2
I t was during this confinement that he wrote the
immortal lines Stone Walls do not a Prison
”
Make and thus L ovelace belongs to that illust ri
ous company who in all countries and tim
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w ould lose much if we subtracted the p oetry and
prose written by jail birds
He w as rel eased on bail and became increasingly
active in the King s cause I n the intervals of fight
ing he lived showily in L ondon and seems to have
known most of the literary men of his time After
the fall of O xford in 1 6 4 6 he left England fought
for the King o f France against S pain beca me a Colo
nel and w as wound ed at Dunkirk I n 1 6 4 8 he was
in E ngla nd again and once more in prison where
he prepar ed a volume of poems for publication ; this
is the famous Lu ca sta which appear ed in 1 64 9 He
was set free in December but his entire estate had
bee n spent in the se rvice of the King Wo od says :
“
he grew very melancholy ( which brought him at
length into a consumption) b ecame very p oo r in
body and purse was the obj ect of charity went in
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IN TR OD U C T I ON
ragged cl oath s ( whereas when he was in h is glory he
wore cloth of gold and silver) and mostly lodged
in obscure and dirty places more befitting the worst
”
of beggars and poorest of servants He died in
poverty and neglect in a wretch ed room in London
and w as buried in S t Bride s Church 1 6 5 8
This was the church where the great novelist
R ich ardson worshipped in the ne xt century ; and by
a curi ous 1rony the fact that the fa mous cavali er
had been buri ed there suggested to him th e name
for his dashing and romantic libertine the lover of
Clarissa by merit raised to a bad eminence Thus
—
the author of Luca sta k nown for h is m odesty
—
and virtue became a th ousand times more famous
in the eighteenth century as the paragon of vice I n
“
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common parlance a L ovelace did not mean a
noble knight ; it meant the same as Don Juan F or
t un a tel y for the reputation of our poet the odio us
significa nce attach ed to this name finally disappeared
in E ngland and the glory and romance return ed
The title Luca sta means Lu x Ca s ta the L ight of
Virtue L ovelace w as a conservative E nglishman
and his love poems adhered to the old standard in
which the s uffering Knight endured all things for the
lady of his heart his ideal being Co n stancy But al
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IN TR OD U C TI O N
ready some of his c ontemporaries were beginning to
f cyn ical disillusion expressing con
tempt both for women and for virtue which reached
an apex in the poems of R ochester a n d Sedley S o
far as we can discover S uckling and L ovelace were
go od fri ends ; but as I once heard Professor Briggs
remark there is all the d ifference in the world b e
tween
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cou ld not
Loved I
l ove th ee, Dea r,
n ot
so
much ,
Honou r more
and
I
Th e d evi l ta ke h er !
These
two schools of love po etry flourished side by
side in the seventeenth century even a s their ina n
ticul a te adherents may be fo und t ogether in all
countries and in all ages
Th e two lines quoted abo ve from L ovelace were
cited in a thousand newspa per l eading articles dur
—
ing the years 1 9 1 4 1 8 Perh a ps to the normal
mind Honour is a grea ter virt u e than L ove ; but for
the possibility of a different V ie w the intelligent and
discriminating student may be referr ed to that par
a d o xica l poe m W
h i ch ? by R obert Browning
Although R ichard Lovela ce is kn own to the
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IN T R OD UC TI ON
”
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general reader by only four lines a pair from
each of two p oems h is Worhs are by no means nu
interesting Those who expect to find pag es on a par
with the two pe rfect lyrics will be not only d isa p
p ointed but p erplexed ; whilst those who love origi
na l it
in
thought
and
e
x
pr
e
ssion
will
find
much
to
y
admire Lo velace was not only a Cavalier poet he
“
p oet a true son of D onne
w as a meta physical
inspired by the great Master From this point of
V iew he belongs to th e group represent ed by Her
be rt Crashaw Vaughan S uckling Clevela nd C ow
ley — divergent as these men are in other respects
Herrick and Milton both wrote poems in the meta
physical manner for D onne w as one of the most
p owerful influences in E nglish lite rature and in the
twentieth century his effect may be se en on all sides
L o velace r esembles Donne more in ingenuity than
in passion ; but occasionall y he pr oduced a master
piece in the true manner like Th e Gra ssh opper Dr
Johnson who wrote un sympathetically concerning
this S chool in his famous L ife of Cowley said with
his accustom ed penetration Yet great labour di
rec ted by gr eat abilities is never wholly lost if they
frequently threw away their w it upo n false con
ceits they l i kew ise so metimes struc k out unexp ect ed
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IN T R OD U C TI ON
truth ; if their conceits were fa r fetch ed they were
often worth the carriage To write on their plan it
”
was at least necessary to read and think
“
I t w as a happy inspiration that led th e on l ie
”
begetters of these two volumes to issue fo r the de
l ec tation o f book lovers the works of L ovela ce ; and
it is a piou s tribute to a brave honest and noble
cha racter who will re prese nt for all time the qu ali
ties of loyalty and sincerity ; and who loved Beauty
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WM
Ya le IJE
z zv ers zty , 1 9 flu
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L Y ON PH ELPS
L U C AS TA
Ep odes , Odes , Son nets, Song s , 89 C
°
To
Wh i ch
flra ma ntha ,
i s Add ed
a
Pastora ll
Lovela ce, Esq
Ri cha rd
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L OND ON
Pri n ted by Th o H a rp er, a n d a re to be
sol d b
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1 0 Ev v ster, a t th e Gu n
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T H E D ED I C fl T I O N
An d
f
vou ch sa e
’
mi d st th os e ri ch joy es
RIC HARD LO VELAC E
VE R S ES fl D D R E S S ED
fl U T H OR
TO
MY B E S T B R O T H E R
”
LU C A STA
HIS PO EMS CA LLE D
TO
ON
OW
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y have o bl ieg d the age thy wel known
worth
Is to our joy a u spicious ly brought forth
G o od morrow to thy son thy first borne flame
Which as thou ga v st it birth stamps it a name
That Fate a n d a discerning age shall set
The chiefest jewell in her coronet
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Why then needs all this paines those season d pens
That sta n d in g lifeguard to a booke ( kinde friends)
That with o ffic ious care thus g u ard thy gate
As if thy Child were ill igitimate ?
Forgive their freed o me since unto their praise
T hey write to give not to dispute thy bayes
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As when some glorious queen whose pregn ant wombe
Brings forth a kin gd ome with her first borne S onne
Marke bu t the subj ects joy fii l l hearts and eyes :
S ome offer gold and others sacrifice ;
Th is sl ay es a lambe that not so rich as hee
Brings but a dove this but a bend ed knee ;
And though their gi ftes be various yet their sence
S pea ks only this one thought L o ng live the prince
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VE R S E S fl D D R E S S ED
S o my best brother if unto your name
I offer up a th in blew burning flame
Pa rdon my love since none ca n make th ee shine
a esse they kindle first their torch at thine
Then as inspir d they b oldly write nay that
Which their amaz ed lights but tw in kl d at
And their illustr
ate thoughts doe voice this right
Lucasta held their torch ; thou gav st it light
FRAN CIS LO VELAC E Col
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E U ND E M
N puer Id ali us tremu l is circu mv ol at alis
Quem prope sed en tem castior u ret amor
Lampada sic v id eas c ircu mv ol itare Pyrausta
Cui contingenti est fla mma futura rogus
E rgo proc ul fugias L ect o r cui nulla pl aceb u n t
Carmina n i fu erin t tu rpia spu rca nigra
Sacri ficus R omae l ustra l em v en d ita t undam :
C asti or est illa C astal is unda mihi :
L impida et ebMKp Wfi null a putredine spissa
S cilicet ex puro d efluit illa j ugo
Ex pura v en iu n t tam di a po emata mente
Cui sc elus est Veneris vel tetigisse fores
TH O MAS HAMERS LEY Eq ues du ra tus
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T O T H E fl U TH OR
O N T H E PO E M S
OW
humble is thy muse ( Dea re) that can d aign
S uch servants as my pe n to en terta in e !
When all the sonnes of wit glory to be
Clad in thy mus es galla nt livery
I shall disgrace my master prove a staine
And no addition t6 his h on ou r d traine ;
Though all that read me will presume to swear
I neer read thee : yet if it may appear
I love the writer and admire the writ
I my ow n e want be tray not wrong thy wit
Did thy w orke want a prayse my barren brain
Could not afford it : my attempt were vaine
It needs no foyle : All that ere writ be fore
Are foyles to thy faire Poems and no more
Then to be l od g d in the same sheets with thine
May prove disgrace t o yours but grace to mine
NO RRIS JEPHSO N Col
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VER S ES fl D D R E S S E D
TO
MY MUC H
LOVE D FRIE ND
R I CHA R D LO V E L AC E , Esq
.
C a rmen Eroti cu m
EA RE L ovelace , I
am now abo u t to prove
I cannot write a verse but can write love
O n such a subj ect as thy booke I coo d
Write books much greater but n o
t half so good
But as the humble tenant that does bring
A chieke or egges for s offering
IS tane into the buttry and does fo x
Equa l l with him that gave a stall ed o xe :
S o ( since the heart o f ev ry cheerfull giver
Makes pounds no more accepted than a stiver)
Though som thy pray se in rich stiles sing I may
I n stiver stile write love as well as they
I write so well that I no criticks feare ;
For who le read mine when as thy b o o ke s so neer
?
thy
selfe
then you shall secure mine
es
s
e
a
From those and I le engage my selfe for thine
Th ey l do t themselves ; th e this allay you l take
I love thy book and yet not for thy sake
JO HN JEPH SO N Col
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VE R S E S fl D D R E S S E D
And that more pol ish t Tyt erus ren ow n e
His Saca rissa when in groves and b o w res
T hey could repose their limbs on b eds o f flo w rs :
When wit had pray se and merit had reward
And every noble spirit did accord
T o love the Muses and their priests to raise
And interpale their b ro w es with flourishing bayes ;
But in a time distracted so to sing
When peace is hurried hence on rages wing
When the fresh bayes are fro m the Temple torne
And every art and science made a scorn e ;
Then to raise up by mu3 1cke of thy a rt
O u r drooping spirits and our grieved hearts ;
T hen to delight our souls and to inspire
O u r brea st with pleasure from thy charming lyre ;
Then to divert our so rrow es by thy stra in es
Making us quite forget our seven y eers paines
I n the pas t wars u n l esse that O rphe us be
A Sharer in thy glory : for when he
Descended downe for his E uridice
He stroke h is lute with like admired a rt
And made the damn ed to forget their smart
JO HN PINCHBACKE Col
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T O H IS MUCH H ON OUR E D FR IE ND
MR
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R I CHA R D L O V E L AC E
O N HIS
POEMS
that do th paint the beauties of y our verse
Must use y o ur pensil be po lite soft terse ;
F o rgive that man whose best of art is love
I f he no equal l master to you prove
My heart is all my eloquence and that
S pe aks sharp a ffection when my words fall flat ;
I reade y o u like my mistresse and d iscry
I n every line the qu ickn esse of her eye :
Her smooth n esse in each syllable her grace
To marshall ev ry word in the right place
I t is the excellence and soule of wit
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VE R S E S fl D D R E S S ED
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When ev ry thing is free as well as fit :
For metaphors p a ckt up and crowded close
S wath y minds sw eetn es and display the throws
And like those chickens h atch t in furnaces
Prod u ce or one limbe more o r one limbe lesse
T hen nature bids S urvey such when they write
No clause but s justl d with an epithite
S o pow
erfully you draw when you perswade
Passions in you in u s are vertues made ;
S uch is the magic k of th at la w q
shell
T hat where it doth but talke it doth compe l ] :
For no Apelles till this time e re drew
A Venus to the waste so well as you
e
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H E world Shall now no longer mourne nor v ex
For th obliquity of a cross gra in d sex;
Nor beauty swell above her bankes ( and made
For ornament) the universe invade
S o fiercely that tis qu estion d in o u r b ookes
Whether kils most the Amaz on s sword or l o okes
Lu ca sta in loves game discreetly makes
Women and men joy n tly to Share the stakes
And lets us know when women sc o rn e it is
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T O T H E fl U T H OR
Mens hot love makes the antipa risth esis ;
And a lay lover here su ch com fort finds
A s Holy Writ gives to a ffected minds
The wilder nymphs l ov s power coul d not comand ,
Are by thy al mighty numbe rs brought to h and
And flying Daphnes caught amaz ed vow
They never heard Apollo court till now
Tis not by force of a rmes this feat is done
For tha t wo u ld puzzle even the Knight 0 th S u n ;
But tis by po w r of a rt and such a way
A s O rpheus us d when he made fiends obay
J NEEDLER Hosp Gray ensi s
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TO H IS N OB LE FR IEND
MR
.
R I C HA R D L O V E L AC E
UPO N
HIS
POEMS
VR
times are much degenerate from those
Wh ich your sweet Muse which your fa ir for
tune chose ;
And as complexions alter with the climes
O u r wits have d ra w n e th infection of our times
That candid age no other way co u ld tell
To be ingenious but by Speaking well
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C
15
l
VE R S E S
(HD D R
ES S ED
Who best could pray se had then the greatest prayse ;
Twas more esteem d to give then wear the bayes
Modest ambition stu d i d only then
To honour not her selfe but worthy men
T hese vertues now are b an ish t out of towne
O u r C iv il l Wars have l o St the civ ic ke c ro w n e
He highest bu ilds who Wl th most art destroys
And against others fame his o w n e employs
I see the envious caterpillar sit
O n the faire b l ossome of each growing wit
The ayre s already tainted with the swarms
O f insects which against you rise in arms
Word peckers paper rats book scorpions
O f wit corrupted the u n fash i o n d sons
Th e barb ed censurers begin to l oo ke
L ike the grim Consistory on thy booke ;
And o n each line cast a reforming eye
S everer then the yong presbytery
T ill when in vaine they h a ve thee all perus d
You shall for being fau ltl esse be accu s d
S ome reading your Luca sta will alledge
You w ron g d in her the Houses priviledge
S ome that you under s equestrati on are
Because y ou write when going to the Warre ;
And one the book prohibits because Kent
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15
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first Petition by the A u th o u r sent
hen the bea uteo u s la dies came to know
Bu t w
T hat their dea re L ovela ce w a s en d an ger d so :
L ovelace that th a w d the most cong ealed brest
He who l o v d best and them defended best
Whose hand So rudely grasps the steely brand
Whose hand so gently melts the ladies hand
They all in m u tiny tho u gh yet undrest
S ally d and would in his defence contest
And one the loveliest that w as yet e re seen
T hinking that I too of the ro u t had bee n
Mine eyes mva d ed with a female Spight
( Sh e knew what pa i n t woul d be to lose that Sight)
0 no mista ke not I repl y d : for I
I n your de fence or in his cause would d y
But he secu re of glory and of time
Above their envy or mine aid doth clime
Him val ia nst men a n d fairest nymphs a pprove
His booke in them finds j udgement with you love
A N D R MAR VELL
T heir
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VE R S E S fl D D R E S S E D
TO
C O L O N E L R I CHA R D LO V E L A C E
O N THE PUB LIS H I N G or HIS I N GE N IOUS POE MS
F the desire of glory speak a mind
More nobly O perative and more refin d
What vast soule moves thee or What hero s spirit
( Kept in ts traduction pure) dost thou inheri t
That not contented with one Single fam e
Dost to a double glory spread thy name
And on thy happy temples safely set
?
B oth th D el phick wreath and civic coronet
Was t not enough for us to know how far
Tho u couldst in season suffer act and dare
But we must also w itnesse with what height
And what Ion ick sw eetn esse thou canst write
And melt those eager passions that are
S tubborn enough t enrage the god of war
I nto a noble love which may expire
I n an illustrious pyramid of fire ;
Which having gained his due station may
Fi x there an d everla sting flames display
This is the braver path : time so one ca n smother
Th e dear bought spoils and tro ph eis of the other
How many fiery heroes have there b een
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[
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VE R S E S fl D D R E S S ED
i
ll
e
with
ns
far
more
fine
(
)
p
S o have our modern poets late done well
T ill thine a ppea r d ( which scarce have pa ral el )
T hey like to Z eu xes grapes beguile the sense
But thine do ravish th e intelligence
L ike the rare b a nquet of Apelles drawn
And covered over with most curious lawn
Thus if thy c arel es draughts are cal d the best
What would thy lines have beene had st thou pro fest
That faculty ( in fii s d ) of poetry
?
Which adds such honour unt o thy chivalry
D ou btl es thy verse had all as fa r transcended
A s Sy d n ey es Prose who Poets once defended
For when I read thy much renown ed pen
My fancy there finds out another Ben
I n thy brave language judgement wit and art
O f every p iece of thine in every p a rt :
Where thy se ra ph i qu e S yd n ey an fire is raised high
I n valour vertue love and loyalty
V irgil was sty l d the loftiest of all
O vid the smoothest and most n a tu ra l l ;
M artiall concise and witty quaint and pure
Iu v en all grave and learn ed though obscure
But all these rare ones which I heere reh erse
D o live again e in Thee and in thy Verse :
2
0
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In
Z eu xeses
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T H E H U T H OR
T0
Altho u gh not in the language o f their time
Yet in a spe ech as c0 pious and su blime
The rare Apelles in th y picture wee
Perceive and in thy soule Apo llo
Wel may ea ch G race and M use then crown thy praise
With Mars his banner and Minerva s bayes
FRA LEN T O N
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TO H I S H ON OUR E D AND IN GE N IOUS FRIE ND
C O L O N EL
R I CHA R D L O V EL AC E
O N HIS
“
LUC A STA
”
HA ST as Creation meant us and m ore bright
T hen the first day in s uneclipsed light
Is thy Luca sta ; a n d thou offerest heere
L ines to her name as u n d e fil d and cleere ;
S uch as the first indeed more ha ppy dayes
( When vertu e wit and learning wore the bayes
Now vice assumes) wou ld to her memory give :
A V esta ll flame that should for ever live
Pl ac t in a C hristal temple rea r d to be
The E mbleme of her thoughts integrity ;
And on the porch thy name insculpt my friend
Whose lov e like to the flame can know no end
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VE R S E S fl D D HE S S E D
The marble st ep that to the alter brings
T h e hallow ed priests with their clean o fferings
S hal l hold their names that humbly craved to be
V otaries to th Sh rine and grateful friends to thee
S o shal we live ( although our oflrin gs prove
Meane to the world) for ever by thy love
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TH O
To
CO LO N EL
MY
RAwu Ns
.
D E AR B ROTH E R
R I CHA R D L O V E LA C E
L E doe
my nothing too and try
To dabble to thy memory
Not that I offer to thy name
E ncomiu ms o f thy lasting fame
T hose by the land ed have been writ :
Mine s but a y o nger brother wit ;
A w i t th at s h u d l ed up in scarres
Borne like my rough selfe in the warres ;
And as a S quire in the fight
S erves only to attend the Knight
S o tis my glory in this field
Where others act to beare thy shield
D UD LEY LO VELAC E Cap t
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T O T H E fl U TH O R
D E D O M I N O R I CHA R D O L O V EL A C IO
ARMIGE RO ET C HILIARC H A VI RO I NC OM PARA B ILI
,
CCE
tibi h erOi claris n ata l ibus orto ;
Cuj u s h on o ra tos C antia vidit avos
Cuj u s ad h u c mem orat r ediviva Batavia patrem
I nter et H ercu l eos enumerare solet
Q u i tua G rol l aferox l ac era tu s vulnere multo
Fulmineis vidit m ie nia Pacta gl ob is
Et cu m saeva t uas fu d isset I beria t u rmas
A fll a tu pyrii pu l v eri s ictus obit
Haec S l nt magna : tamen maj or majo ribu s hic est
Nititu ret pennis alti us ire novis
S ermon em patriu m ca l l en tem et murmura C el tee
i
No
n
u it linguas ed id ic isse d u as
pg
Quicquid R oma vetu s vel quicquid G raecia jactat
M u sarum n u trix a lma Calena dedit
G n av iter Hesperios c o m pressit Marte cachin n os
D ev ict asqu e dedit C an ta b er ipse manus
Non ev ita v it validos D u n kerka la certo s
Non in tercl u d en s alta L acu na vi a s
Et sc ri ben d a geren s vivaci m a rmore digna
Scrib ere C aesareo more vel ipse potest
C u i gl ad i um Bellona dedit c al amu mqu e Minerva
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[
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Et
geminae L aur us circuit umbra comam
Cuj u s Si fa ciem spectes v ultusqu e decorem
V i x puer Id al iu s gra tio r ore fuit
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,
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AD
E U ND E M
E R R I CO
succede meo : d edit ille priora
Carmina ca rmin ibus non meliora tuis
.
,
IIEPI TO Y AYTO Y
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Scrip si t Jo HARMARUS
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Oroni ensi s, C
[
24
]
.
W M
.
P OEM S OF
RI C Hfl R D
L O VEL fl C E
T H E P OE M S
OF
Though seas and land betwixt us both
O ur faith and troth
L ike separat ed soules
All time and space con tro u l es :
Above the highest sphere wee meet
U n seen e u n kn o w n e and greet as angels greet
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IV
S o then we doe anticipate
O u r after fate
And are alive i th skies
I f thu s our lips and eyes
Can speake like spirits u n con fin d
I n H eav n J their earthy b odies left behind
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[
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.
.
SO NG
S ET
BY
MR
To L a co sta
.
.
L A N I ER E
JO H N
Wa rres
G oi n g to th e
I
ELL me not ( sweet ) I am u n kin d e
That fi o m the n un n erie
O f thy chaste breast and quiet minde
T o warre an d armes I flie
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II
a new M istresse now I chase
Th e first foe in the field ;
And with a stronger fa ith imb race
A sword a horse a shield
T rue :
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III
Yet this inconstancy is such
As you too shall adore ;
I could not love thee dear so much
L o v d I not Honour more
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T H E P O EM S
A
OF
PA R AD O X
I
I S true the beauteous S tarre
To which I first did bow
Burnt quicker brighter far
Than that which leads me now ;
Which sh ines with more delight
For gazing on that light
S o long D eere lost my sight
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,
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,
II
T hrough foul we follow faire
For had the world on e face
And ea rth been bright as ayre
We had kn ow n e neither place
I ndians smell not their n east ;
A S w isse or Finne tastes best
The spices of the E ast
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.
III
SO from the glorio u s S unne
Who to h is height hath got
With what delight we runne
To some black cave or grot !
,
[
30
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,
’
And h ea v n ly Sydney you
T wice read h ad rather view
S ome odde romance so new
,
,
.
IV
Th e god that consta nt keepes
Unto his deities
I s poore in j oyes and sl ee pes
Impriso n d i n the skies
T his knew the wisest who
F rom Juno stole below
T o love a bear or cow
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T H E P OEM S
OF
SO NG
S ET BY M R
To Ama ra nth a
H EN RY
.
LAWE S
Th a t s h e w ou l d D is hev el l h er H a ire
1
M A RA NT H A sweet and faire
Ah brade no more that Shining haire !
A s my curious hand or eye
Hovering r o und thee let it fly e
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,
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II
’
L et
it fly e as u n con fin d
As it s ca lme ravisher the winde
Who hath left his darling th
T o wanton o re that spic ie n east
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E ast ,
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III
E v ry tresse m u st be confest :
But neatly tangl ed at the best ;
L ike a clue of golden thread
Most excellently ravelled
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IV
D oe not then winde up that light
I n ribands and o er cloud in night
2
3
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]
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R I C H fl R D L O VE L fl C E
’
the sun in s early ray ;
But shake your head and scatter day
L ike
,
.
V
S ee tis broke ! within this grove
Th e bower and the walkes of love
Weary lye we downe and rest
And fanne each other s panting breast
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VI
Heere
’
w ee ll
strippe and coole our fire
I n creame below in milk baths higher :
And when all wells are d ra w n e dry
I ll drink a teare out of thine eye
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,
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VII
Wh ich our very j oys shall leave
That sorro w es thu s we can deceive ;
O r our very so rrow es w eepe
T hat oyes so ripe so little kee pe
,
,
.
[
33
]
,
T H E P O EM S
OF
S O NN ET
S ET BY
MR
.
H UD S ON
I
EPO S E your
finger of that ring
And cro w n e mine w ith t awhile ;
Now I restor t Pray dos it bring
Back with it more of so ile ?
O r shines it not as innocent
?
A S honest as before twas lent
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S o then in rich me with that treasure
T will but increase your store
And please me ( faire on e) with that pleasure
Must please y ou still the more
Not to save others is a curse
Th e blackest when y are ne re the worse
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[
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Haste hast e to decke the haire
O f th only sweetly faire
,
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V
See ! rosie is her bower
Her flo ore is all this flower ;
Her b ed a rosie nest
By a bed of roses prest
,
.
VI
But early as she dresses
Why fly you her bright tresses
Ah ! I have found I feare
Beca use her ch eekes are neere
,
,
.
,
R I C H fl R D L O VE L fl C E
L O V E C O NQ U ER D
’
S ET BY
MR
.
H EN R Y
L A WE S
I
H E childish god of love did sw eare
Thus : By my aw full bow and quiver
Yon weeping kissing smiling pair
I le scatter all their v o w es i th ayr
And their knit imbraces shiver
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II
Up th en to th head with h is best art
Full of spite and envy bl ow n e
At her constant marble heart
He d raw es his swiftest surest dart
Which bound ed back and hit his o wn e
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III
Now the prince of fires burnes ;
F l ames in the luster o f her eyes ;
T riumphant she re fii ses scorn es ;
He submits adores and mournes
And i s his v otresse sacrifice
,
,
,
,
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[
37
]
.
,
IV
Foolish boy ! resolve me now
What tis to sigh and not be heard ?
He weeping kn eel d and made a vow :
T he world shall love as yon fast two ;
S o on his sin g d wings up he steer d
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[
38
’
]
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R I C H fl R D L O VE L fl C E
A L O O S E S A R ABAND
S ET BY M R H E N R Y L AWE S
.
I
H me ! the little tyrant th eefe !
A S once my hea rt was playing
He sn a tcht it up and flew aw ay
L a ughing a t all my praying
,
,
.
II
Proud of his purchase he surveys
And curiously so unds it
A nd tho u gh he sees it ful l of wo u nds
Cruel on e still he wounds it
,
,
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,
III
And now this heart is all his sport
Which as a ball he b o un d eth
From hand to breast from bre ast to lip
And all its rest c on fo un d eth
,
,
.
IV
Then as a top he sets it up
And pitifii lly whips it ;
[
39
]
,
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
S om etimes he cl oath es it gay and fine
T hen straight aga in e he strips
,
V
He cover d it with false rel iefe
Which gloriously show d it ;
And for a morning cushionet
O n s mother he besto w d it
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,
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VI
E ach day with her small braz en
A thousand times Sh e rac d it ;
But then at n l ght bright with her gemm es
O nce n eere her breast she pla c d it
,
’
,
’
.
V II
warme it gan to th rob and bl eed ;
S he knew that smart and grieved ;
At length this poore condemned heart
With these rich d rugges repreeved
T here
,
.
VIII
S he washt the wound with a fresh teare
Which my Lu ca sta dropp ed
And in the Sleave silke of her haire
Twas hard bound up and wrapp ed
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R I C H fl R D L O VE L fl C E
IX
Sh e pro ab d it with her c o n sta n ci e
And found no rancor nigh it ;
O nly the anger of her eye
Had wrought some proud flesh by
’
,
X
’
Then prest she narde in ev ry veine
Which from her kisses trilled ;
And with the balme heald all its paine
That from her hand distill ed
,
.
XI
But yet this heart av oyds me still
Will not by me be own ed ;
But s fl ed to its phy siti an s breast ;
There proudly sits inthron ed
,
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T H E P OE M S
O R PH E US T O
OF
WO O D S
S ON G
S ET BY
MR
.
C U RT E S
EA R K ! O h h eark !
you guilty trees
I n whose gloomy galleries
Was th e cru el l st murder done
That e re yet ecl ipst the sunne
Be then hen ceforth in your tw igges
Blas ted e re you sprout to sprigges ;
Feel e no season of the y eere
But what shaves off all your haire
Nor ca rve any from your w omb es
O ught but co ffins and their tombes
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[
42
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
D I A L O GU E
L u ca sta , fl l ex i s
S ET BY
MR
JOH N G A M
.
BLE
I
Lu ca s ta
EL L
me Al exi s what this pa rting is
That so like dying is but is not it ?
,
,
,
,
It
is
’
a swounding fo r a while from blisse
T ill kind h ow d oe y ou call s u s from the fit
,
’
.
Ch orus
I f then the Spirits only stray let min e
Fly to thy bosome and my soule to thine :
T hus in o u r native seate we gladly give
O ur right for one where we can better live
,
,
,
.
II
Lu
But ah this l in g rmg mu rd rin g farew el !
D eath quickly wounds and wounding cures
the ill
I t is the glory of a valiant lover
S till to be dying still for to recover
’
.
,
,
,
.
Al ex
.
,
,
[
.
44
]
H I C Hfl R D L O VE L fl C E
S oldiers
suspect ed of their courage goe
That en sign es and their breasts un torn e Show :
L ove n ee re h is standard when h is hoste he sets
Creates alone fresh bleeding bannerets
Ch o
.
,
’
,
,
-
Al ex
.
.
III
Bu t part we when thy figure I reta in e
?
till
in
my
heart
still
strongly
in
mine
eye
S
Sh ad o w es no longer th a n the sun rem a i n e
But w h eh is beams that made em fly they
fly
Vaine d reames of love ! that only so mu ch blisse
Allow us as to know our w retch ed n esse ;
And deale a larger measure in o u r paine
By showing j oy then hiding it aga in e
,
,
Lu
,
.
’
,
,
,
.
Ch o
.
,
.
,
IV
Al ex
Lu
No whils t light ra igns Lu ca s ta still rules here
And all the night shines w h oly in this sphere
I know no morne but my Al exi s ray
T o my dark thoughts the breaking of th e day
‘
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
C h oru s
Al ex
.
S o in each other if the pitying sun
Thus keep us fixt nere may h is course be run !
,
[
45
]
Lu
.
And oh ! if night
us
undivid ed make ;
never wake !
Th e cl ose
Cruel a d i eus may well adj ou rne awhile
The sessions of a l ooke a kisse or smile
And leave b ehin d e an angry grieving blush ;
But time nor fate can part us joyn ed thus
,
,
,
.
[
46
]
L O VE L A C E
R I C HAR D
S O NN ET
S ET BY M R W I LLI A M LAWE S
.
I
H EN
I by thy faire shape did sw eare
And mingled with each v o w e a teare
I l ov d I l ov d thee best
I swore as I pro fest
For all the while you lasted warme and pure
My oathes too did endure
But once t u ru d fa ith lesse to thy sel fe and old
They then with thee incessantly grew cold
,
,
’
’
,
,
.
,
.
’
.
II
I swore my selfe thy sacrifice
By th ebon bowes that guard thine eyes
Which now are al ter d white
And by the glorious light
O f both those stars which of their spheres bereft
O nly the gellie s left
Then chang ed thus no m ore I m bound to you
Th en swearing to a saint that proves untrue
’
,
’
,
,
,
’
.
’
,
,
.
T HE P O E M S
OF
L U C A ST A
W E E PI N G
SON G
S ET BY
MR
.
JOH N LA NEER E
I
U C A ST A wept and still the bright
In a mo u r d god of day
With his soft handkercher of light
Kist the wet pearles away
,
’
,
,
.
II
But when her teares hi s heat or eca m e
I n cl o u d es he q u en sh t his beames
And griev d wept out his eye of flame
S o drown ed her sad strea mes
’
,
,
’
,
,
.
III
At this sh e smiled when straight the
C leer d by her kinde desires ;
And by her eyes reflexio n
Fast kin d l d there h is fires
,
’
’
.
[
48
]
sun
L O VE L fl C E
R I C HAR D
T O L U C A STA
.
F RO M
PR I S O N
AN EPO D E
I
O NG
in thy shackels liberty
ask not from these walls but thee ;
L eft for awhile anothers bride
T o fancy all the world beside
,
,
,
.
II
’
Yet e re I doe begin to love
S ee how I a ll my objects prove ;
Then my free so u le to that confine
Twere possible I might call mine
,
,
'
,
’
.
III
First I would be in love with Pea ce
And her rich swel ling brea sts increase ;
But how alas ! how may that be
Despising earth she will love me ?
,
,
,
,
IV
Faine would I be in love with Wa r
As my deare j ust avenging star ;
,
[
49
]
TH E P OE M S
’
OF
’
But War is l o v d so ev rywh ere
E v n he d isd a in es a l odging h ere
,
’
.
V
and thy wounds I would b emo an e
F a ire thorough shot Rel ig i on
Bu t he lives only that kills thee
And who so bindes thy h a nds is free
T hee
-
,
,
.
,
VI
I would love a Pa rl i a men t
A S a maine prop from H ea v n sent ;
But ah ! who s he that would be w edd ed
To th fairest body that s behead ed ?
’
’
,
’
’
VII
Next would I court my Li berty
And then my birth right Prop erty ;
But can that be when it i s kn ow n e
?
o
e
T here s n o thing you can call your w n
,
-
,
,
,
’
VIII
A Reforma ti on I would hav e
As for our gri efes a Sov ra zg n e salve ;
That is a cleansing of each w h eel e
O f state that yet some rust doth feel e
,
’
,
,
[
50
]
.
XIII
And now an uni v ersall mist
O f error is spread o r e each breast
With such a
as
is
ed
d
g
Not found In th inwards of th abysse
’
,
’
’
’
XIV
O h flom thy glo ri ous starry waine
Dispense on me one sacred beame
To light me where I soone may see
How to serve you and y o u trust me !
,
,
,
[
52
]
.
R I C H AR D
L O VE L A C E
LU C A S T A S
’
WI TH
A
FANN E
LOO KIN G GL A SSE I N
-
IT
I
A ST R I C H !
thou feath erd fo ol e and easie prey
That l a rger sailes to thy broad vessell n eed st ;
S nakes through thy guttur neck hisse all the day
Then on thy iron messe at supper feed st
,
,
-
,
.
II
O what a glorious transm i grati on
From this to so divine an edifice
Hast thou straight made ! heere from a w in ged stone
Tran sfo rm d into a bird of parad ice !
’
’
III
Now doe thy plumes for hiew and luster vie
With th arch of h eav n that triumphs or e p ast wet
And in a rich en amel d pinion lye
With saph yres ameth ists and O pal ls set
’
’
’
,
’
,
.
IV
S om et ime they wing her side th é stri ve to drown
The day s eyes piercing beames whose am rous heat
’
’
,
[
53
]
T HE P OE M S
OF
’
S ollicites still till with this shield o f downe
From her brave face his glowing fires are beat
,
.
V
But whilst a plumy cu rtain e sh e doth draw
A chrystal l mirror Sparkles in thy breast
I n which her fresh aspect when as she sa w
And then her foe retired to the west
,
,
,
.
VI
D eare engine that oth sun got st me the day
S pite of his h ot assaults mad st him retreat !
No wind ( said she) dare with thee henceforth play
But mine own breath to cool the tyrants heat
’
’
,
,
’
’
.
V II
My lively shade thou ever shalt retain e
I n thy inclosed feather framed glasse
And but unto our selves to all rema in e
I nvisible thou feature of this face !
-
,
VIII
S o said her sad swaine over heard and cri ed :
Yee G ods ! for faith u n stain d this a reward !
F eathers and glasse t o u tw eigh my vert ue try ed !
Ah ! Show their empty strength ! the g ods accord
-
,
’
[
54
]
.
IX
Now fal l n the brittle fa vourite lyes and burst
A mas d Lu ca s ta w eepes repents and flies
T o her Al exi s v ow es her selfe acu rst
If hence she dresse her selfe but in h is
’
’
,
,
,
[
55
]
TH E P OE M S
L U C A STA ,
OF
TA K I N G TH E WA T E R S
AT T UN B R I DGE
I
EE happy
flo ods ! that now must passe
The sacred con d u icts of her wombe
S mooth and transparent as your face
When you are d ea fe and windes are dumbe
,
,
,
II
Be proud ! and if your waters be
Fou l d with a c ou n terfey ted teare
O r some false Sigh hath stain ed yee
Haste and be purifi ed there
’
,
,
.
,
III
And when her rosie gates y h a ve trae d
Continue yet some O rient wet
Till turn d into a gemme y are plac d
L ike diamonds with rubies set
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
’
,
,
.
IV
Yee drops that dew th Arabian bowers
Tel l me did you e re smell or V iew
’
,
’
,
[
55
]
,
.
any leafe of all your flo w ers
S o e Sweet a sent so rich a hiew ?
On
,
V
But as through th O rgans of her breath
You trickle w a ntonly bew a re :
Ambitious S eas in their just death
A S well as L overs must have share
’
,
.
,
VI
And see ! you boyle as well as I ;
You that to coole her did aspire
Now troubled and neglected lye
Nor can your sel ves quench your
,
,
,
o w ne
fire
VII
Yet stil l be happy in the thought
T hat in so small a time as this
Through all the Heavens you were bro u ght
O f Ve rtue Honour L ove and Blisse
,
,
,
,
.
.
TH E P O E M S 0 F
T O LU C A STA
OD E
LYRIC K
I
?
H Luca sta why so bright
S pread with early streak ed light !
I f still vail ed from our sight
?
What is t but etern a ll night
,
,
’
II
?
Ah Luca s ta why so ch ste
With that vigour ri pe n es grac t
Not to be by Man imb ra c t
Makes that R oyall coyn e imbace t
A n d this golden O rchard waste !
a
,
’
,
,
’
’
,
III
Ah Luca sta why so great
That thy crammed coffers sw eat ?
Yet not owner of a seat
May shelter you fi om Natures heat
And your earthly j oyes compleat
,
,
.
[
58
]
TH E P O E M S
OF
L U C A S T A PAY I N G HER O BS EQUI ES
TO THE
CHA ST ME MOR Y O F MY D E AR EST C OS I N
MRS B O W ES B A RN E [S ]
.
I
EE! what an undisturbed t eare
Sh e w ee pes for her la st sl ee pe ;
But viewing her straight w a k d a S tar
S he w eepes that she did w eepe
’
,
,
.
II
G riefe ne re before did ty ran iz e
O n th h ono u r of tha t brow
And at the wheeles of her brave eyes
Was captive led til now
’
’
,
.
III
Thus for a saints apostacy
The u n i magin d woes
And sorro w es of the Hierarchy
None but an angel knowes
,
’
.
IV
Thus for lost soules recovery
The clapping of all wings
,
[
60
]
,
victory
an
S o none but
None
he
s
knows to
b ut Luca s ta
can
O f glory celebrate
.
her
bemon e
crow n e
.
VI
Then dart on me ( C h a s t Lig h t) one ray
By which I may d isc ry
Th y joy cleare thro u gh this cloudy day
T o dresse my sorrow by
.
[
61
]
,
T H E P OE M S O F
U PO N
T H E C U RT A INE O F L U C A ST A S
’
PI C T U R E
I
T
WAS
TH US
W R OUG HT
H stay that covetous hand ; first turn all eye
All depth and minde ; then mystically spy e
Her soul s faire picture her faire soul s in all
S o tru el y copied from th o rigin al l
That you will sw ea re her b ody by this law
—
Is but its shadow as this its ;
now draw
,
’
’
,
,
’
,
.
,
,
[
62
]
,
R I C H AR D
L O VE L A C E
L U C A ST A S
’
W O RL D
EPO DE
I
O L D as the breath of winds that blow
T o silver shot desce nding snow
Lu casta sigh t ; when she did close
The world in frosty cha ines !
And then a frow n e to rubies frose
The blood bo y l d in our veines :
Yet cool ed not the heat her sphere
O f beauties first had kindled there
,
’
’
.
II
Then mov d and with a su dd ain e flame
I mpatient to melt all aga in e
S traight from her eyes Sh e lightning h u rl d
And eart h in ashes m ou m es ;
Th e su n his blaze denies the world
And in her luster burnes :
Yet warm ed not the hearts her nice
D isd a in e had first con gea l d to Ice
'
’
,
,
’
,
,
’
.
[
63
]
,
T H E P O EM S
OF
III
And now her teares nor griev d desire
Can quench this raging pleasing fire ;
Fate but one way al l ow es ; behold
Her smiles divinity !
T hey fan n d this heat and th a w d that cold
S o fram d up a n ew sky
T hus earth from flames and ice re preev d
E re since hath in her su n shine liv d
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
,
,
’
’
-
[
64
]
.
,
L O V EL A C E
R IC HAR D
TH E
A PO ST A CY
O F O NE,
AND B U T
O NE L AD Y
I
H A T fra n tic k
I adore
And am con firm d the earth turns round ;
No w satisfied O re and o re
A S rowling w a ves so flo w es the ground
And as her neighbour reels the shore :
Finde such a woman says She loves ;
S he s that fixt h eav n which never moves
e rro u r
,
’
’
’
,
,
,
’
’
.
,
II
I n marble steele or porphyrie
Who carves or stampes his armes or face
Lo o kes it by rust or st o rme must dye :
This womans love no time can raze
Hard n ed like ice in the sun s eye
O r yo u r reflection in a glasse
Which keepes possession though you passe
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
III
We not behold a watches hand
T o stir nor plants or flowers to grow ;
Must we infer that this d ot h stand
,
,
[
65
]
.
T H E P OEM S
OF
And therefore that those do not blow ?
This sh e acts calmer like Hea v n s brand
The st edfast lightning slow loves dart
S he kils but ere we feel e th e smart
,
’
,
,
,
,
,
.
IV
O h She is constant as the winde
T hat revels in an ev n ings aire !
Certaine as w ay es unto the blinde
More reall then her flatt ries are ;
G entle as chaines that honour binde
More faith fii ll then an Hebrew Jew
But as the divel not halfe so true
,
,
’
,
’
,
.
[
56
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
And call the helping winds to vent your
Al ex
Amyntor ! Chloris ! where
O r in what sphere
S ay may th at glorious fair be sought ?
.
,
Amy n
’
.
’
S he s now the center of these armes e re blest
Whence sh e may never move
T ill T ime and L ove
Haste to their everlasting rest
,
,
.
Ah subtile swaine ! doth not my flame rise high
?
As you rs and burne as hot
Am not I shot
?
With the selfe same artillery
,
Amy n
And can I breath with out her air ?
Wh y then
From thy tempestu ous earth
Whe re blo od and dearth
Raign e stead o f kings agen
.
,
,
,
’
,
Wa fte thy selfe over and lest storms from far
,
Arise bring In our sight
Th e seas delight
Luca sta th at bright n orth ern e star
,
,
,
[
68
]
.
R I C H AR D
L O VEL A C E
But as w e cut the rugg ed d eepe I feare
The green god stops h is fell
,
And smooths the maine to ravish her
Amy n
.
.
’
no the prince of w a ters fires are done ;
He as his empire s old
And rivers cold ;
His queen now runs abed to th su n ;
Oh
,
’
,
,
’
’
all h is treasure h e shal l ope that day
Tritons Shall sound : his fleet e
I n silver meet e
And to her their rich oflii ngs pay
Bu t
,
.
Al ex
.
Amyntor not amaz d how sent
By water earth or aire :
O r if with her
By fire : ev n there
I move in mine o w n e element
We
’
fly e ,
,
,
,
’
.
[
69
]
T H E P OE M S
OF
L U C A ST A
F RO M H E R
R E T I R EM E NT
CA L L I N G
OD E
1
RO M
the dire monument of thy bla ck roome
Wh er now that vestal flame thou dost intombe
As in the inmost cell of all earths wombe
,
.
II
’
S acred Lu ca sta like the pow rfull ray
O f heavenly truth passe this Cimmerian way
Whil st all the standards of your be ames display
,
,
,
.
I
Arise and cl imbe our whitest highest hill ;
There your sa d thoughts with j oy and wonder fill
And see seas calme as earth earth as your will
I I
,
.
,
IV
Behold ! h ow lightning like a taper flyes
And guilds your chari t but asham ed dyes
S eeing it selfe out gl ori ed by y o ur eyes
,
’
,
-
.
[
70
]
,
,
,
R IC HAR D
L O VE L A C E
V
Th rea tn in g
and b oy strous tempests gently bow
A nd to your steps part in soft paths when now
There no where hangs a cloud but on your brow
,
,
,
VI
No sh o wrs bu t twixt your lids nor gelid snow
But what your whiter ch aster brest doth ow
Whilst winds in chains colder for sorrow blow
’
,
,
,
,
.
VII
S hrill trumpets doe only sound to ea te
Artillery hath loaden ev ry dish with meate
And drums at ev ry health alarmes beate
,
’
,
’
.
VIII
All things Luca sta bu t Lucasta call
T rees borrow tongues waters in accents fall
Th e aire doth sing and fire is mu sicall
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
IX
Awake flo m the dead va ult in which you dwell
Al l s loyall here except your thoughts rebell
Which so let loose often their gen ra ll quell
’
,
’
,
.
,
[
71
]
,
.
T H E P OE M S
OF
S ee ! she obeys ! By all obeyed thus
No storms heats co lds no soules contentious
Nor c ivill war is found ; I meane to us
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
XI
’
and angels though in h ea v n they show
And see the woes and discords her e below
What they not feel e must not be said to know
Lo vers
,
,
.
,
[
72
]
,
R I C H AR D
L O VE L A C E
A M A RA NT H A
A
PA STO RA LL
the j olly bird o f light
Who sou nds h is third retreat to night ;
F a ire A mara n th a from her bed
Asham ed starts and rises red
A s the ca rnation mantl ed morne
Who now the blushing robe doth spurne
And puts on angry gray whilst Sh e
Th e envy of a deity
A ra y es her limbes too rich inde ed
T o be iD
sh rin d in such a we ed ;
Yet lovely twas and strait but fit ;
Not mad e for her but She to it :
By natu re it sate close and free
As the just bark unto the tree :
Unlike L ove s martyrs o f the towne
A ll day im priso n d in a gown
Wh o ra ckt in silke stead of a dresse
Are cl oath ed in a frame or presse
And with that liberty and room
Th e dead expatiate in a tombe
No cabinets with curious washes
P with
,
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
’
,
a
'
,
,
’
,
’
,
’
,
,
,
,
.
,
[
73
]
T H E P OE M S
OF
Bladders and perfii med plashes ;
No v en ome—temper d water s here
Mercury is banished this sphere :
Her pay l e s all this in which w et glasse
S he both doth cleanse and view her face
Far hence a ll I be rian smells
H ot amulets Pomander Spe lls
Fragrant gales cool ay r the fresh
And natu ra ll odour of her flesh
Proclaim her sweet from th w o mbe as morne
Th o se col ou r d things were made not borne
Which fixt within their narrow straits
D o l o oke like their own cou n terfey ts
S o like the Provance rose Sh e walk t
F l ow erd with blush with verdu re stal kt ;
Th o fficious wind her loose hayre curles
The dewe her happy linnen purles
But w ets a tresse which instantly
S ol with a crisping beame doth d ry
I nto the garden is She come
L ove and delight s Elisiu m ;
I f ever earth show d all her store
View her d isc o l ou rd budding flo o re
Here her gl a d eye sh e largely feed es
And stands mongst them as they mong w eeds ;
4
7
[
]
’
’
,
’
,
.
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
’
.
’
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
’
,
,
,
.
,
’
’
,
°
,
’
’
,
T H E P OE M S
L ike
OF
a pavilion her heads
C on temn es the w a nting commonalty
T h at but to two ends usefull be
And to her lips thus aptly pla c t
With smell and hue presents her tast
S o all their due obe dience pay
E ach thronging to be in her way :
Fal re A mara n th a with her eye
Thanks those that live which else would dye :
T h e rest in silken fetters bound
By crowning her are crown and crown d
And now the sun doth higher
O u r Flora to the meadow hies :
The poore distressed heifers low
And a s sh approacheth gently bow
Begging her charitable leasure
T o strip them of their m il kie treasure
O u t of the yeomanry oth heard
With grave aspect and feet prepar d
A rev ren d lady cow d ra w es n eare
Bids A mara n th a welcome here ;
And from her privy purse lets fall
A pearle or two which seeme [ s] to call
This ad o rn d adored fayry
T o the banquet of her d ay ry
[ 76 ]
,
,
,
’
,
.
,
,
,
,
’
.
,
’
.
’
,
’
,
,
’
-
,
,
’
.
L O VE L A C E
R I C H AR D
S oft A maranth a
weeps to see
Mongst men such in hu man itie
T hat those who do receive in hay
And pay in silver twice a day
Sho u ld by their cruell b arb ro u s theft
Be both o f tha t and life be reft
But tis decreed when ere this dies
T hat She Shall fa ll a sacrifice
Unto the g od s since those that trace
Her stemme show tis a god like race
Descending in an even line
From heifers and from steeres divine
Making the h on ou r d extract ful l
I n IO and E uropa s bull
She w as the largest go odliest beast
T hat ever mead or altar blest ;
R ound [ w ] as her udder and more white
Then is the M il kie Way in night ;
Her ful l broad eye did Sparkle fire ;
Her breath w as sweet as kind desire
And in her bea u teous crescent shone
Bright a s the argent horned moone
But see ! this whiteness is obscure
Cynthia Spotted she impure ;
Her body w rithel d and her eyes
’
,
,
,
,
’
.
’
,
,
,
,
’
-
,
,
,
’
’
.
,
,
,
,
-
.
,
,
,
[
77
]
T H E P OE M S
OF
Departing lights at O bsequies :
Her lowing hot to the fresh gal e
Her breath pe rfumes the field w ithall ;
T o those t w o suns that ever shine
T o tho se pl u mp parts sh e doth inshrine
T o th hovering snow of either hand
That love and cruelty command
A fter the breakfast on her teat
S he takes her leave oth mo urn fu ll neat
Who by her to ucht now priz eth her life
Worthy alone the hollow ed knife
I nto the n eigh bring wo od she s gone
Whose roofe defies the tell tale S unne
And l ocks out ev ry prying beame
Close by the lips of a cleare streame
S he sits and en terta in es her eye
With the m oist chrystall and the frye
With bu rn ish t silver mal d whose o a res
Amaz ed still make to the Sh o ares ;
What ne ed she other bait or charm
?
What hook or angle but her arm
The happy captive gladly ta n
S ues ever to be Slave in vaine
Who instantly ( con firm d in s fea res)
Hasts to his element of teares
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R I C H AR D
L O VE L A C E
From hence her various windings roave
To a well o rd erd stately grove ;
This is the pa llace of th e wood
And cou rt oth R oyall O ake where sto od
The whole nobility : the Pine
S trait Ash tall Firre and wanton V ine ;
Th e proper Cedar and the rest
Here sh e her deepe r senses blest ;
Admires great Nature in this pile
Fl o or d with greene velvet Camomile
G arn ish t with gems of u nset fiu it
S u ppl y d still with a self recruit ;
Her bosom wrought with pretty eyes
O f never planted S trawberries
Where th wing ed musick of the ayre
D o richly feast and for their fare
E ach evening in a silent shade
Bestow a grate q serenade
Thus ev n ty erd with delight
S at ed in soul an d appetite ;
Full of the purple Pl u mme and Peare
Th e golden Apple with the faire
G rape that mirth fain would have taught her
And nu ts which squ irrells cracking brought her ;
S he softly layes her weary limbs
[ 79 ]
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TH E P O E M S
OF
Whilst gen tle slumbe r now beginn
T o draw the c urta in es o f her eye ;
When straight aw aken d with a crie
And bitter groan again reposes
Again a deep sigh interpo ses
And now She heares a trembling v oy ce :
Ah ! can there ought on earth rejoy ce !
Why weares sh e this gay livery
Not black as her dark entrail s be ?
Can trees be green and to the ay r
Thus prostitute their flowing hayr ?
Why do they sprout not w itherd d y ?
M ust each thing live save wretch ed I
Can dayes triumph in blew and r ed
When both their light and life is fl ed ?
Fly Joy on wings of Po pinjay es
T o courts of fools w here as your playes
Dye laught at and forgot ; whilst all
T hat s go od mourns a t this fu n era ll
Weep all ye G races and you sweet
Quire that at the hill in spir d meet :
L ove put thy tapers o u t that we
And th world may seem as blind as thee ;
And be since she is lost ( ah wound ! )
Not H ea v n it self by any found
0
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L O VE L A C E
1
R I C HA R D
N o w a s a prisoner new cast
Who sl eepes in chaines that night his la st
Next mom is w a k t with a repreeve
A n d from his trance not dream bid live
Wonders ( h is sence not ha ving scope )
Who speaks his fri end or his false hope
S o A mara n th a hea rd but feare
Dares not yet trust her tempting care ;
And as aga in e her arms oth ground
S pread pillows for her head a sound
More d ismal l makes a swift divorce
And starts her thus :
R age ra pine force
Ye blew fla m d dau ghters oth abysse
Bring a l l your snakes here l et them hisse ;
Let not a leaf its fresh n esse k ee p ;
Blast all their roots an d as you cree pe
And leave behind your deadly slime
Poyson the budding branch in S prime :
Wast the proud bowers o f this grove
That fiends may d w ell in it and move
As in their pro per hell whilst she
Above la ments this trag edy :
Yet pities not our fate ; oh faire
Vow breaker now b etroth d to th ay r !
Why by those lawes did we not die
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[
81
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TH E P OE M S
OF
live but one Lucasta ! why
As he Lucasta n am d a groan
S trangles the fainting p assing tone ;
But as she heard Lucasta smiles
Posses her ro und ; She s slipt mean whiles
B ehind the blind of a thick bush
When each word temp ring with a blush
S he gently thus bespake ; S ad swaine
I f mates in w oe do ease our pain
Here s one hi l l of that antick grief
Which stifl ed would for ever live
But told expires ; pray then revea l e
( To show our wound is half to beale)
What morta l l nymph or deity
?
Bewail you thus Wh o ere y o u be
T h e shepheard sigh t my woes I crave
Smoth erd in me me in my grave ;
Yet be in Show or truth a saint
O r fiend breath a n th em es heare my plaint
For her and thy breath s symphony
Which now makes full the harmony
Abo ve and to wh ose voice the spheres
L isten and cal l her musick theirs ;
This w as I blest on earth with so
As Druids amoro us did gro w
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T H E P O EM S
OF
Thou sacred spirit of my deare
Where e re thou h o verst o re us hea r !
I mbark thee in the lawt ell tree
And a new Phebus follows thee
Who stead of all hi s burning rayes
Will strive to catc h thee with his layes ;
O r if within the O rient Vine
Thou art both deity and wine ;
But if thou takest the mi rtl e grove
That Paphos is thou Queene of Lo ve
And I thy Swain who ( else) must die
By no bea sts but thy cruelty :
But you are rougher than the winde
Are Souls on earth then h ea v n more kind ?
I mprison ed in mortality
L u casta wo u ld have answered me
Lu casta A m ara n th a said
?
I s sh e that virgin sta r a maid
E xcept her prouder livery
I n be auty po ore and cheap as I ;
Whose glory like a meteor shone
O r a é ry apparition
A d mi r d a while but slighted known
Fierce as the chafed lyon hies
He row ses him and to her flies
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L O VE L A C E
R I C H AR D
Thinking to answer with h is speare
No w as in warre Intestine where
I th mist of a black battell each
L ayes at his next then makes a breach
Through th en tray l es of another whom
He sees nor knows whence he did come
G uid ed alone by rage and th d ru mme
But stripping and impatient wild
He finds too soon his onely child
S o ou r expiring d esp rate lover
Far d when amaz d he did discover
L u ca sta in this nymph ; h is Sinne
Darts the accu rsed j avelin
G ainst his own breast which sh e puts by
With a soft lip and gentle eye
Then closes with him on the ground
And now her smiles have heal d his wound
Alexis too again is found ;
But not untill those heavy crimes
Sh e hath kis d O ff a thousand times
Who not contented with this pain
D oth threaten to offend again
And now they gaz e and sigh and weep
Whilst e ach cheek doth the other s steep
Whilst tongues as exorc is d are ca l m
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T H E P OEM S
OF
’
O nely
the rhet rick of the palm
Prevailing pleads untill at last
They [ re ] ch ain d in one another fast
Lu casta to him doth relate
Her various chance and diffring fate :
How ch ac d by Hy d ra phil and tract
The n u m ro us foe to Phil an act
Who whilst they for the same th ings fight
es and Druids rite
A s B ards d ec rO
F or safeguard of their proper j oyes
And sh eph eards freed ome each d estroy es
The glory of this S ici lie ;
S ince seeking thus the remedie
They fancy ( building on false ground )
The means m u st them and it confound
Y et are resolv ed to stand or fall
And win a little o r lose all
From this sad storm of fire and blo od
S he fl ed to this yet living wo od ;
Where Sh e mongst savage beasts doth find
Her self more safe then humane kind
Then she relates how C aelia
The lady
here strippes her array
And girdles her in h ome spu nn e bayes
Then makes her conversant in layes
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THE P OE M S
OF
B oth vowing in her pea ceq cave
To m a ke their b rid all b ed and grave
But the true j oy this
c o n ce iv d
E ach from the other first berea v d
And then found after such alarmes
F ast pin ion d in each other s armes
Ye panting virgins that do meet
Your loves within their winding Sheet
Breathing and constant still ev n there ;
O r souls their b odies in yon Sphere
O r angels men re tu rn d from hell
And separat ed min d es
can tell
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[
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T O ELL IND A
THAT L ATEL Y
I
HA VE N OT
W R I TT E N
I
F in me anger or d isd a in e
I n you or both m ade me refra in e
From th noble interco u rse of verse
That only vertuous thoughts rehea rse ;
T hen chaste El lin d a might you feare
The sacred v ow es that I did sw ea re
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II
if alone some pious tho u ght
Me to an inward sa d n esse brought
Thinking to breath yo u r soule too welle
My tongue w as charm ed with th at spell ;
And left it ( Since there was no roome
T o v oy c e your worth eno u gh ) strooke dumbe
Bu t
,
_
III
S o then this silence doth reveal
No thought of n egligence but z eal :
For as in adoration
This is love s true devotion ;
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[
89
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.
T H E P OE M S
T R E A T ED
B E IN G
TO
OF
ELLIND A
OR
cherries plenty and for corans
E nough for fifty were there more on s ;
Fo r elles of beere flutes of canary
That well did wash downe pasties Mary ;
For peason chickens saw ces high
Pig and the w idd o w venson pye ;
With certaine promise ( to y ori r brother)
O f the V i rg i nity of another
Where it is thought I too may pw pe in
With knuckles far as any d eepe in ;
For glasses heads h ands be llies full
O f wine and l oy n e right w o rshipfull ;
Whether all of or more behind a
Th a n kes fr eest freshest faire Ell in d a
Th an kes for my V isit not disdaining
O r at the least th an kes for your feigning ;
For if your mercy doore were lockt well
I should be j ustly soundly kn oc kt well ;
Cause that in d ogrell I did m u tter
Not one rhime to you from d am R otter
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R I C HA R D
L O VE L A C E
Next beg I to present my duty
To pregnant sister in prime beauty
Whom well I d eeme ( e re few months elder)
Wil l take out Hans from pretty Kelder
And to the sweetly fayre M a bella
A match that vies with Arabella ;
I n each respect but the misfortune
Fortune Fate I thee ini po rtu n e
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Nor must I passe the lovely Alice
Whose health I d qua He in golden chalice ;
But Since that Fate hath made me neuter
I only ca n in beaker pewter :
But who d forg et or yet left u n sung
Th e d o u gh ty acts of G eorge the yong son ?
Who yesterday to save h is sister
Had sl ain e the snake had he not mist her :
But I Shall leave h im till a nag on
H e gets to prosecute the dragon ;
And then with helpe of sun a n d ta per
Fill with h is d eeds twelve reames of pape r
That Amadis S ir G u y and T opaz
With his fleet neigher shall keep no pace
But now to close a ll I must switch hard
Your
servant
ever
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L OV EL AC E R I C HA R D
9
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TH E P OEM S
OF
T O EL L IND A
V PO N HIS
A
L AT E R E C OVE R Y
PAR A D O X
I
OW
I grieve that I am well !
All my health
G o then Destiny and tell
Very death is in this qu ickn es
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II
S uch a fate rules over me
That I glory when I languish
And d o blesse the remedy
That doth feed n ot quench my anguish
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Twas a gentle warmth that cea s d
I n the viz ard of a fea v or;
But I feare n ow I am eas d
All the flames since I must leave
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IV
Joyes though w ith erd circled me
When unto her voice inured
,
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[
94
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,
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T H E P OE M S
TO
OF
CH L O E
C OURT IN G H E R F O R H IS FR IE ND
I
B LO E,
be hold !
a in e
bowe
:
g
Aga i n possest again e I woe ;
From my heat hath taken fire
D amas noble youth and fries
G az ing with one of mine eyes
Damas halfe of me expires :
Chloe behold ! O u r fate s the same
O r make me cinders too or quench h is fla me
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I d not be King u n l esse there sate
L esse lords that Shar d with me in state
Who by their cheaper coronets know
What glories from my diadem flow :
I ts u se and rate values the gem :
Pearles in their shells have no esteem ;
And I being sun within thy Sphere
T is my ch iefe beauty thinner lights shine there
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The U s
’
heaps unto his store
By seeing others praise it more ;
Who not for gaine Or want doth covet
But cause another loves doth love it :
Thus glu ttons cloy d a fie sh invite
T heir gusts fi om some new appetite ;
And after cloth remo v d , and meate
F a ll too agai n e
others cate
re r
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TH E P O E M S
OF
G R AT I ANA
D A UNC ING A ND
S I N GI N G
I
EE!
with what constant motion
E ven and glorious as the sunne
G ratiana steeres that noble frame
S oft as her breast sweet as her v o y ce
T hat gave each winding law and po yz e
And swifter then the wings of Fame
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S h e beat the happy pavement
By such a starre made firmamen t
Which now no more the roofe envies ;
But swells up high with Atlas ev n
Bearing the brighter nobler Heav n
And in her a ll the Dieties
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E ach
step trod o u t a lovers thought
And the ambitious hopes he brought
C ha in d to her brave feet with such arts
S uch sweet command and gentle awe
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[
98
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TH E P O EM S
A M YNT O R S
’
HIS
CH LO RI S
,
G RO VE
A RIGo, A ND
AN
T w as
OF
GRAT I ANA
EL O G I E
’
Amyn tor s G rove that Chloris
For ever ecch oes and her gl ories ;
Chloris the gentlest Sh ea ph erd esse
Tha t ever l aw n es and lambes did blesse ;
Her br eath like to the whispering winde
Was calme as thought sweet a s her minde ;
Her lips like coral gates kept in
The perfume and the pearle within ;
Her eyes a double flamin g torch
That a l way es Shine and never scorch ;
Her selfe the Hea v n in which did meet
The all of bright of faire and sweet
Here was I br ought with that delight
That seperated soules take flight ;
And when my reason ca ll d my sence
Back somewhat from this excell ence
That I could see I did begin
T observ e the cu rious ordering
O f every roome where ts hard to know
Which most excels in sent or Show
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L O VE L A C E
R IC HAR D
Arabian gu mmes do breathe here forth
And th East s come over to the North ;
Th e windes have brought their hyre of sweet
To see Amyntor Chloris greet ;
Balme and nard and each perfume
T o blesse this payre ch a fe and consume ;
And th Phte n ix see ! already fri es !
Her n ea st a fire in Chloris eyes !
Next the great and powerful hand
B eckens my tho u ghts unto a stand
O f T itian R aphael G eo rgon e
Wh ose art even Nature hath out d o ne ;
For if w ea ke Nature only can
I ntend not perfect what is man
These certain ely we must prefer
Who mend ed what she wrought and her ;
And sure the Sh ad ow es of those rare
And kind inco mparable fayre
Are livelier nobler company
Then if they could or speake or se e :
For these I aske without a t ush
Can kisse or touch without a blush
And we are taught that substance
I f u n injoy d but th shade of blisse
Now every saint cl ee rly divine
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T H E P OE M S
OF
’
Is cl os d
so in her sev era ll shrine ;
Th e gems so rarely richly set
F or them w e
e love the cabinet ;
S o intricately pl a c t w ith al l
As if th imbrord ered the wall
S o that the pictures seem d to be
But one continued tapistrie
Aft er this tra v el l of mine eyes
We sate and pitied Dieties ;
Wee bound ou r loose hayre with the vine
The poppy and the eglantine ;
O n e Sw ell d an oriental bo wle
Full a s a grateful loyal sou le
T o Chloris ! Chloris ! Heare oh heare !
T is pl ed g d above in ev ry sphere
Now streight the I ndians richest priz e
Is kindl ed in glad sacrifice ;
C l o u d es are sent up on wings of thym e
Amber pomgran ates jessemin e
And through our earthen c o n d u icts sore
Higher then altars fum d before
S o d ren ch t we our oppressing cares
And ch oa kt the wide ja w es of our feares
Whilst ra v isht thus we did devise
I f this were not a Pa rad ice
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T H E P OEM S
OF
No Sharpe frost cut no North winde tea re
The verdure of that fragrant hayre ;
But may the su n and gentl e weather
When you are both grow n e ripe toget her
Load you with fruit such a s your Father
From you with all the j oyes d o th gather :
And may y o u when one branch is dead
G raft such another in its stead
L asting thus ever in your prime
Til l th Sithe is sn atch t away from T ime
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[
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R I C HA R D
L O VE L A C E
T H E SC RU T INI E
S ET BY
MR
.
TH O M A S C H A R LE S
HY Shouldst thou sw ea re I am forsworn
?
S ince thine I v o w d to be
Lady it is already Morn
And twas last night I swore to thee
T hat fond impossibility
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II
’
’
Have I not l o v d thee much and long
?
A t edio u s twelve moneths sp ace
I Shbu l d all other b eauties wrong
And rob thee of a new imbrace ;
Should I still dote upon thy fa ce
,
_
,
.
III
Not but all j oy in thy browne haire
I n others may be found ;
But I must search the black a nd faire
L ike skil ful l e min erall ists that sound
For treasure in u n pl ow d u p ground
,
’
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[
-
105
]
.
,
IV
’
Then if when I have l ov d my round
Thou pro v st the pleasant she ;
With spoy l es of meaner beauties crow n d
I laden w ill retu rn e to thee
E v n sat ed with va rieti e
,
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[
10 6
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
And he ( whilst she h is curles doth deck)
Hangs no where n ow but on her neck
Here Ph oebus with a beame u n tombes
L ong hid Leu coth oe and d o omes
Her father there ; D aph n e the faire
Knowes now no bayes but round her haire ;
And to Ap ol l o and hi s S ons
Who pay him their due O risons
Bequeaths her l aw rel l robe that flame
C o n temn es T hunder and evill Fame
T here kn eel d Adon i s fresh as spring
G ay as his youth now offerin g
Herself those j oyes with voice and hand
Which first he could n ot understand
Transfixed Ven us sto od a mas d
Full of the Boy and L ove Sh e gaz d
And in imbraces seem ed more
S en cel ess and co ld e then he be fore
U sel esse Childe ! I n vaine ( said sh e)
You beare that fond artillerie ;
S ee heere a p o w r above the slow
Weake execution of thy bow
S o said sh e riv d the wo od in two
U n edg ed all his arrow es too
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[
108
]
To
that part whence we have our wound
S ee see ! the darts by which we bu rn d
Are bright L oysa s pe ncil ls tu ru d
With which she now en l iveth more
Beauties than they d estroy d be fore
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T H E P OE M S
OF
A F O R S AK E N L ADY T O H E R
F A L S E S E R VAN T
THAT IS D IS DA I N E D
B Y HIS
N EW
MISTRISS
’
it that you so shun me cause you wish
( C ru el s t) a fellow in y o ur w retch ed n esse
all case in your ow n e
O r that you take some sm
T orments to heare another sadly g ro a n e
I were most happy in my paines to be
S o tru el y blest to be so c u rst by thee :
But oh ! my cries to th a t doe rather adde
O f which too in u ch already thou h a st had
And thou art gladly sa d to heare my mo an e ;
Yet sadly hearst me with d er
isiOn
E RE
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T hou
most unjust that really dost know
And feelst th y sel fe the flames I burne in O h !
H o w can you beg to be set loose from that
Consuming stake you binde another at ?
,
,
.
U n ch ari ta bl est
both w ay es to denie
That pity me for which yourself must dye
To love not her loves you yet know the pain
What tis to love and not be l ov d aga in e
,
,
,
,
’
’
.
,
[
1 10
]
’
O r violently h u rl d
Oh
ma ke
[
into my urne
to freez e than
,
1 12
]
L O VE L A C E
R I C H AR D
T H E G RA S S EH O PPER
TO M
Y N OBLE
FR I
EN D
MR
,
.
CHA R LE S COTT O N
O DE
I
’
H thou that swing st upo n the waving care
O f some well fill ed oaten beard
Drunk ev ry night with a delicious teare
Dropt thee fi om H eav n where now th art rea rd
,
-
,
’
’
’
,
II
The j oyes of ea rth and ayre a re thine intire
T hat W
ith thy feet and wings dost hop and fly e ;
And when thy poppy w o rkes thou dost retire
T o thy carv d acorn be d to lye
,
,
’
’
-
.
III
Up with the d ay the S un thou w el comst then
S po rtst in the guilt plats of his beames
And all these merry d ayes ma k st merry men
Thy selfe and mela ncholy strea mes
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
IV
But ah the sickle ! golden ea res are cropt ;
C eres and Ba cch us bid go od night ;
,
-
1 13
.
TH E P O E M S
OF
S harpe frosty fingers all your flo w rs have topt
And what sithes spar d winds shave off quite
,
’
,
.
V
Poore verdant fo o l e ! and now green ice thy j oys
L arge and as lasting as thy peirch of grasse
Bid us lay in gainst winter raine and po iz e
Their flou d s with an o erflo w in g glasse
,
,
’
,
’
.
VI
Thou best o f men and friends ? we wil l create
A genuine su mmer in each others brea st ;
And spite of this cold T ime and frose n Fate
T haw us a warme seate to our rest
,
.
VII
O u r sacr ed barthes shall b u rne eternally
A s vestal flames ; the North wind he
S hall strike his frost stret ch d winges dissolve and fly e
This [ E tna in epitome
-
,
’
-
,
.
VIII
Dropping December shall come weeping in
Bew ay l e th u surping of h is ra ign e ;
But when i g sh o w rs o f old G reeke we beginne
S hal l crie h e hath his crow n e aga in e !
,
’
’
‘
,
[
1 14
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
AN EL E G I E
O N TH E D E ATH O F MRS CA SS ANDRA C OTT O N
O N L Y S IST E R T O MR C C OTT ON
.
.
.
I T H E R with hallow ed steps as is the ground
That must e n shrine this saint with l ookes pro
found
And sa d aspects as the dark vails you weare
V irgins o pprest draw gently gently n ea re ;
E nter the d isma l l ch an cell of this roome
Where each pale guest sta nds fixt a living tombe ;
With trembling hands helpe to remove this earth
To its last death an d first victorious birth :
L et gums and incense fii me who are at strife
To enter th hearse and breath in it new life ;
Mingle your steppes with flowers as you goe
Which as they haste to fade will speake you r woe
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
.
’
’
And when y have pl ac t your tape rs on her urn
How poor a tribute tis to weep and mourn !
T hat flo od the channel ] o f your eye lids fil s
When you lose trifles or what s lesse your wills
I f you l be worthy of th ese O bse quies
Be blind unto the world and drop y our eyes ;
Waste and consume burn d ownward as this fire
’
-
,
’
,
,
’
,
,
,
[
1 16
]
.
,
L O VEL A C E
R I C H AR D
’
s fed no more : so willingly expire ;
Passe through the cold and obscure narrow way
T hen light you r torches at the spring of day
There with her tri umph in your victory
S uch j oy a lone and such solemnity
Becomes this fun era l l of virg inity
That
,
,
.
.
if you faint to be so blest oh heare !
I f not to dye dare but to live l ike her :
Dare to live vi rgins till the h o n o u r d age
O f thrice fi fteen cals matrons on the stage
Whilst not a blemish or least sta l ne 18 scen e
O n y o ur white ro ab e twi xt fifty and fi fteen e ;
But a s it in yo u r swathing bands w as given
Bring t in your winding sheet u n soy l d to Hea v
D eere to do purely without compact good
O r hera ld by no one understood
But him who n ow in thanks bows either knee
For th early benefit and secresie
O r,
,
,
’
,
-
,
’
-
,
’
’
,
,
,
,
’
.
Dare to affect a serious holy sorrow
To which delights o f palla ces are narrow
And la sting a s their smiles dig you a roome
Where practise the probation o f yo u r tombe
With ever bend ed knees and piercing pray r
,
,
,
’
-
,
[
1 17
]
,
’
n
.
T H E P OEM S
OF
’
S mooth
the rough passe through craggy earth to ay r ;
Flame there as lights that sh ipw rackt mariners
May put in safely and secure their feares
Who adding to your j oyes now owe you theirs
,
,
,
,
.
Virgins if thus you dare but courage take
To follow her in life else thro u gh this lake
O f Nature w a de and brea ke her earthly bars
Y are fixt with her upon a th rone of stars
Arch ed with a p u re H ea v n chrystalin e
Where round you love and j oy for ever Shine
,
,
,
,
’
,
’
,
.
But you are dumbe as W hat you do lament
More sen sel es then her very monument
Which at your weakn es weeps S pare that vaine teare
E nough to burst the rev rend sepulcher
R ise and walk home ; there groaning prostrate fall
And Celebrate you r o w n e sa d fun era ll :
For h ow soe re you move may heare or see
,
,
.
’
.
,
’
You
a re
more d ea d
a nd
[
bu ri ed th a n
1 18
,
,
,
]
sh ee
.
,
T H E P OEM S
OF
ON
TH E D E AT H O F
M R S E L I Z AB ET H F I L M E R
.
A N ELEGIA C A LL
EPIT A P H
OU
that shall live awhile before
O l d time tyrs and is no more :
When that this ambitious stone
S toopes low as what it tramples on :
Know that in that age when Sinne
G ave the world law a n d go v em d Queene
A virgin l iv d that still put on
White thoughts tho u gh out of fashion :
That tra c t the stars Spite of repo rt
And durst be good though chidden for t :
O f such a so u le that infa nt H eav n
R epented what it thus had giv n :
For finding eq u al] happy man
Th impatient po w rs snatch it agen
Thus chaste as th ayre whither Sh ee s fled
S h e making her celestial] bed
I n her w a rme ala bla ster l ay
A S cold a s in this house o f clay :
No r were the rooms unfit to feast
O r circu mscribe this angel guest ;
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
’
’
,
,
’
,
’
’
,
’
’
.
’
’
,
,
,
-
[
12 0
]
,
L O VE L A C E
R I C H AR D
The radiant gemme was brightly set
I n as divine a carkanet ;
O f which the clearer w a s not kn o w n e
Her minde or her complexion
S u ch an everla sting grace
S uch a b ea t ific k face
In cl oy sters here this narrow flo o re
Tha t possest all hearts before
,
.
,
,
,
.
Blest and b ew ay l d in dea th and birth !
The smiles and tea res o f h eav n a n d earth !
Virgins at each step a re a fea rd
Filmer is Shot by which they ste er d
Their sta r e xtinct their beau ty dea d
That the yong world to honour led ;
Bu
t se e ! the rapid spheres stand still
And t u ne themselves unto her will
’
’
,
’
,
,
,
,
.
Th u s although this m a rble must
A S all things Crumble into dust
And thou gh you fin d e this faire built tombe
Ashes as what lyes in its wombe
Yet her saint like name shall Shine
A living glory to this shrine
And her etern all fa me be read
When all but very vertu e s d ea d
,
,
,
,
-
,
-
,
,
’
.
[
12 1
]
T H E P O EM S
T O MY
W ORTH Y
OF
FR IE ND
M R PE T ER L I L L Y
O N THAT EX C ELLE NT PI CT UR E O F H IS MA JES TY AND
TH E D UK E O F Y ORKE D RA WNE B Y H IM
AT HAMPT ON C OURT
.
,
-
EE !
what a cloud ed m aj esty and eyes
Whose glory through their mist doth brighter rise !
Se e ! wh a t a n humble bravery doth shine
And griefe triumphant breaking throu gh each line
How it commands the fa ce ! so Sweet a scorn e
Never did h app y mi s ery adorn e !
S o sacred a contempt that others Show
T o this ( oth height of all the w h eel e) below
That mightiest monarchs by this Shaded booke
May coppy out their proudest richest l o o ke
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
,
Whilst the true eaglet this qu ick lu ster spies
And by his s u n s enlightens h is o w n e eyes ;
He cures his cares his burthen feel es then streight
Joyes that so lightly he can beare such weight ;
Whils t either eith erS passion doth borrow
And both doe grieve the same victorious sorrow
,
’
,
,
,
.
[
12 2
]
T H E P OE M S
T H E L ADY
OF
A
.
L
.
M Y A SY LUM I N A GR E AT EX TR E M IT Y
IT H
’
that delight the R oyal ca pti v s brought
Before the throne to breath his farewell
thought
T o tel his last tale and so end with it
Which gla dly he esteemes a benefit ;
When the brave victor at his great soule dumbe
Findes something there fate cannot overcome
Cals the ch a in d prince and by h is glory l ed
First reaches him h is c row n e and then his head ;
Who ne re til now thinks himself sla ve and poor ;
For thou gh nought else he had h imsel fe be fore
He w eepes at this faire chance nor wil allow
But that the diadem doth brand h is brow
And under rates h imsel fe be low man kin d e
Who first had lost his body now his minde
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
’
’
.
,
,
,
,
-
,
.
,
With such a j oy ca me I to heare mv dombe
And haste the preparation of my tombe
When like go od angels who have h ea v n l y charge
T o steere and guide m ans sudden giddy barge
Sh e sn atch t me from the rock I w as upon
,
,
’
,
,
,
[
12 4
]
L O VEL A C E
R I C HAR D
’
And land ed me at life s pavillion :
Where I thus wound o ut of th immense abysse
Was straight set on a pinnacle o f blisse
’
,
,
.
me l ea pe in again e ! and by that fall
Bring me to my first woe so cancel all :
Ah ! 3 this a quitting of the debt you owe
T o cr ush her and her go od n esse at one blowe ?
Defend me from so foul e impiety
Would make friends grieve and furies weep to see
L et
,
’
,
,
,
Now ye sage spirits which infuse in men
That are obl id g d twice to oblige agen
I nforme my tongue in labour what to say
And in what coyne or lang u age to repay
But y ou are Silent as the ev n in gs ayre
When windes unto their hollow grots repaire
O h then accept the a l l that left me is
Devout oblations of a sacred wish !
,
.
,
’
,
,
.
’
,
,
.
,
When She walks forth ye perfu m d wings oth
East
Fan her til with the S un she hastes to th West
And when her h eav n ly course calles up the day
And b reakes as bright descend some glistering ray
’
’
,
,
’
’
,
,
’
,
,
[
,
12 5
]
,
T H E P O EM S
To
OF
circle her and her as glistering hai re
T hat all may say a living saint shines there
S low Time with woollen feet make thy soft pace
And leave no tracks ith snow of her pure face ;
But when this vertue must needs fall t o rise
T h e brightest constellation in the skies ;
When we in characters of fire shall reade
How cleere sh e w as al ive how spotless dead
All you that are a kinne to piety :
For onely you can her close mourners be
D raw neer and make of hallow ed teares a dearth :
G o od n es and j ustice both are fl ed the earth
,
,
.
,
,
’
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
’
I f this be to be thankful I v a heart
ful smart
Bro a ken with v o w es eaten with grate
And beside this the V ild world nothing hath
Worth anything but her provok ed wrath ;
S o then who th in kes to satisfie in time
Must give a s atisfaction for that crime :
S ince she alone knowes the gifts value she
Can onely to her selfe requ ita ll be
And w orth y l y to th life payn t her own e story
I n its true colours and full native glory ;
Which when pe rhaps she shal be heard to tell
Buffo o n es and th eev es ceasing t o d o ill
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
12 6
-
,
T H E P O EM S
OF
I n this wilt an u n than kfii l office do :
O r wilt I fling all at her fe et I have :
?
My life my love my very soule a slave
Ty e my free spirit onely unto her
And y eel d up my affection prisoner ?
Fond thought in this thou teachest me to give
What first w as hers since by her breath I live ;
And hast but show d me how I may resigne
Possession of those things are none of min e
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
.
[
12 s
]
R I C H AR D
A L ADY
L O VE L A C E
W I TH
A
FA L C O N
O N H ER
TO
F I ST
THE H O N OURA B LE MY C OUS I N
AE
NN E ] L IO V ELA C E]
I
H I S Queen of Prey ( now prey to you)
Fast to that pirch of ivory
I n Silver chaines and silken clu e
Hath now made full thy victory :
,
II
The swelling admiral] of the dread
Cold d eepe burnt in th y flames oh faire !
Wast not enough but thou must lead
?
Bound too the Princesse of the aire
,
,
,
,
,
III
U n arm d of wings and scaly oare
Un happy crawler on the land
T o what hea v n fly st ? d iv st to what sh oare
That her brave eyes d o not command
’
,
,
’
’
’
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
IV
Ascend the cha riot of the S un
From her bright po w r to shelte r thee :
Her captive ( fo ol e) outgases him ;
Ah what lost wretches then are we !
’
,
V
Now proud usurpers on the right
O f sacr ed bea uty hea re your dombe ;
R ecant your sex your mastry might ;
L ower you cannot be o r eco me :
,
,
,
,
’
VI
ye er e n am d he or head
For y are in falcon s monarchy
And in that j ust dominion br ed
I n which the nobler is the shee
’
R epent ,
’
,
’
’
,
.
[
1 30
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
These feares are for the noble and the wise ;
But if mongst y ou there are such fowle dead eyes
As can damne u n ara ign d cal law their po w rs
Judging it sin enough that it is ours
And with the house Shift their decre ed desires
Fa i re still to th Bl a che Bl a che still to the Wh i te
’
’
’
,
,
,
,
’
,
He
’
do s protest he wil
Castles and pyramids
it
s
down and weep
No he w il on
Pro ud to be ra is d by such destruction
S o far from qua rr ll in g with h imsel fe and wit
That he wil thank them for the benefit
S ince finding nothing worthy of their hate
They reach him that themselves must envy at
,
’
,
’
,
,
,
.
[
132
]
,
,
L O VE L A C E
R I C HA R D
T H E EPI L O GU E
H E stu bb o rn e
author of the trifle crime
T hat just now cheated you of two hours time
Presumptuous it l ik t him began to gro w
C a rel esse whether it plea se d you or no
,
’
’
,
.
,
’
But we who ground th excellence of a play
O n what th e women at the dores wil sa y
Who j udge it by the benches and afford
T o ta ke y our money ere his oath or word
His sch ol l a rs sch o ol d sayd if he had been wise
He sh oiIld ha ve wove in one two comed i es ;
T h e first for th gallery in which the throne
To their amazement should descend alone
Th e rosin lightning flash and monster spire
S quibs and words hotter then his fire
,
,
,
’
,
’
,
,
-
,
.
,
’
’
Th other for the gentlemen oth pit
Like to themselves all Spirit fancy wit
I n which plots Should be subtile as a flame
Disgu ises would make Proteu s stil the same :
Humours so rarely h u mou r d and exprest
That ev n they should th in ke em so not drest ;
Vices act ed and applaud ed too ti mes
1
3
3
[
]
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
’
’
,
,
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
’
Tickl ed and th actors acted not their crimes
S o he might equally applause h ave ga in d
O f th h ard n ed sooty and the snowy hand
,
,
,
’
’
,
,
.
Where n ow one so so spatters t other : no !
Tis h is first play ; twere sol ecisme tsh ou l d goe
The next t sh ew d pritily but sea rch t within
I t a ppea res bare and bald as is his chin ;
The towne wit sentences : A Sch ol a rs Pl a y
Pish I know not why b u t th ave not the way
’
,
’
’
’
,
,
-
’
,
’
.
We whose gaine is all our pleasure ev n these
Are bound by j u stice and religion to please ;
Which he whose pleasure s all h is gaine goes by
As slightly as they doe hi s co maed y
,
,
’
,
,
.
,
Culls out the few the wo rthy at whose feet
"
1
He sacri fices b oth h imselfe and it
His fancies first fruits : profit he knowes none
U n l es that o f your approbation
Which if you r thoughts at going out w ill pay
Hee ] not l ooke farther for a second day
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
[
134
]
T H E P OE M S
OF
Who both imbrac t her G od and flame ;
And not alone in so ule did burne
But in this love did ashes turne
’
,
.
How i] doth majesty inj oy
Th e bow a n d gairy oth boy
A s if the purple ro abe Should sit
And sentence give ith cha yr of wit
’
,
-
,
’
.
S ay ever dying wretch to whom
E ach answer is a certaine doom
What is it that you would possesse
?
o
u
n
es
The C
t
or the naked Besse
?
Would you her gow n e o r title do
Her box or gem the thing or Show ?
I f you meane h er the very h er
Abstracted fi om her caracter
Unhappy boy ! you may as soone
With fawning wanto n with the M o one
O r with an amorous complaint
G et prostitute your very saint ;
Not that we are not mortal or
Fly Ven us altars and abhor
The sel fesa me knack for which you pine ;
But we ( defend u s ! ) are divine
1
3
6
[
]
,
-
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
R I C HA R D
L O VE L A C E
[ Not ] female but madam born and come
From a right honourable wombe
S hal we then mingle with the ba se
And bring a silver tinsel] race ?
Whilst th issue noble wil not passe
Th e gold a ll o y d ( almost halfe brasse )
And th blo od in each veine doth a ppea re
Part thick Bo o rein n p a rt L ady Cleare ;
L ike to the sordid insects sprung
From Father S u n and Mother Dung :
Yet lose we not the hold we have
Bu t fas ter gra spe the trembling slave ;
Play at bal o o n with s heart and winde
The strings like sca in es steale into h is minde
Ten thousand false and feign ed j oyes
Far worse then they ; whilst like whipt boys
After this scourge hee s hush with toys
,
,
-
.
,
-
’
,
’
,
,
,
’
’
,
,
,
’
.
This
heard S ir play stil in her eyes
And be a dying live like fly es
Cau ght by their angle legs and whom
The torch laughs peece meal e to cons ume
,
,
,
,
-
,
-
[
137
]
.
,
T H E P OE M S
TO
OF
A LTH E A F R O M PR I S O N
S ON G
S ET BY D R JOH N W I LS ON
.
I
H E N love with unconfined
Hovers within my gates ;
And my divine Al th ea brings
T o whisper at the grates ;
When I lye tangl ed in her haire
And fetterd to her eye
The birds that wanton in the aire
Know n o such liberty
,
,
,
,
.
II
When flowing cups run swiftly round
With no allaying Ih a mes
O ur ca rel esse heads with roses bound
O u r hearts with loyal flames ;
When thirsty griefe in wine we st eepe
When healths and draughts go free
Fishes that tipple in the d eepe
Kn o w no such li bertie
'
,
,
,
,
.
[
13 8
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
S O NN E T
T O GE N E RA LL GORI N G AFT E R TH E P AC I F ICAT IO N AT
B E RW I C K E
A L A C HA B OT
,
I
OW
the peace is made at the foes rate
Whilst men of armes to kettles their ol d hehn es
translate
And drinke in cas kes of honourable plate
I n ev ry hand [ let ] a cu p be fo u nd
That from all hearts a health may sound
T o Gori ng l to Gori ng ! se e t goe round
,
,
.
’
,
’
.
.
II
He who se glories shine so brave and high
That captive they in triumph l ea d e each ea re and eye
Claiming un combated the v 1cto r1e
And from the earth to hea v n rebound
Fixt there etern a ll as this round :
to Gori ng see him cro w n d
T o Gori ng
,
,
’
,
’
.
[
l 4o
]
,
L O VE L A C E
R I C HA R D
To
his lovely bride in love with scars
Whose eyes wound decp c in peace as doth his sword
in wars ;
They sh ortly must depose the Queen of S tars :
Her ch ee kes the morning blushes give
And the benighted world repreeve ;
’
’
T o Letti ce to Letti ce let her live
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
V
G ive me scorching heat thy heat dry S un
That to this payre I may drinke off an ocean :
Yet leave my grateful thirst u n qu ensh t undone ;
O r a hi ll bowle of h eav n ly wine
Iri which dissolved stars should Shine
T o the couple ! to the couple ! th are divine
I
,
,
,
’
,
,
’
.
T H E P O EM S
SIR
OF
W O RTL EY S S O NN E T
T H O MA S
’
AN S W E R E D
[ THE SO NN E T
0
more
Thou little winged archer now no more
A s heretofore
Thou maist pretend within my breast to bide
No more
S ince cruell Death of dearest Ly n da more
Hath me d epriv d
I bid ad ieu to love and all the world beside
,
,
,
,
’
,
.
,
II
G0 9 80 ;
La y
by thy quiver and unbend thy bow
Poore silli e foe
T hou spen d st thy Shafts but at my breast in vain
S ince D eath
My heart hath with a fatal] icie d ea rt
Already slain
Thou canst not ever h O pe to warme her wound
O r wound it o re aga in e ]
,
’
,
’
[
142
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
A G U ILT L ESS E L ADY
I M PR I S O N E D : AF T E R PE NANC E D
SON G
S ET BY M R W I LL I AM LAWES
.
I
’
faire one how what e re here is
D oth laugh and Sing at thy distresse ;
Not out of hate to thy rel iefe
But j oy t enj oy thee though in griefe
BA R K ,
,
,
’
.
,
II
S ee !
that which ch ay n es you you chaine here ;
T h e prison is thy prisoner ;
H ow much thy jay l o r s k eeper art !
He bindes your hands but you his heart
,
’
.
,
III
Th e gyves to rase so smooth a Skin
Are so unto themselves within ;
But blest to kisse so fayre an arme
Haste to be happy with that harme ;
,
,
,
IV
And play about thy wanton wrist
As if in them thou so wert drest ;
,
[
14 4
]
But if too rough too hard they presse
,
,
V
And as thy bare feet blesse the way
The peopl e doe not mock but pray
And ca ll thee as a mas d they run
I nstead of prostitute a nun
,
,
,
’
,
.
,
VI
Th e merry torch burnes with desire
T o kindle the eterna l] fire
And lightly da u nces in thine eyes
T o tunes of epith a la mies
,
.
VII
The sheet s ty d ever to thy wast
How thankful] to be so imb rac t !
And see ! thy very very bonds
Are bound to thee to binde such hands
’
’
,
’
,
.
T H E P OEM S
OF
H I S D EA R E B R O TH E R
CO LO N EL F L
I MMOD E RAT EL Y MOURN I N G M Y B ROTH ERS
U NTI MEL Y D E ATH AT CARMARTH E N
TO
.
.
I
F teares coul d wash the ill away
A pea rle for each wet bead I d pay ;
But as d ew d com e the fu ller grow es
S o w ater d eyes but swell our woes
,
’
’
,
’
.
II
drop another cals which still
( G riefe adding fii el l ) doth distill
T oo fruitful] of her selfe is anguish
We need no cherishing to languish
O ne
,
,
.
III
’
Coward fate d egen ra te man
L ike l ittle children uses when
He whips us first until ] we w eepe
Then cause we still a weeping keepe
,
,
,
’
,
.
IV
from thy firme selfe never swerve ;
Teares fat the griefe that they Should sterve
T hen
[
14 6
]
TH E P OE M S
OF
TO
A LADY
THAT D ES I RE D M E I WOUL D B E AR E MY
P ART W ITH H E R I N A SON G
MADAM A L
.
.
H IS is
the pri ttiest motion :
Madam th alarums of a d ru mme
That cals your lord set to your cries
To mine are sacred symphonies
’
,
,
,
.
’
What though tis said I have a voice ;
I know tis but that hollow n 0 1se
Which ( as it through my pipe doth spe ed)
Bitterns do carol through a reed ;
I n the same key w ith monkeys j iggs
O r dirges of proscrib ed piggs
O r the soft S erenades a bove
I n calme o f night when cats make love
,
’
,
,
.
,
Was ever such a consort seen !
Fourscore and fourteen with fo rteen ?
Yet sooner th ey l agree one p a ire
Then we in our spring winter aire ;
They may imb ra ce sigh kiss the rest :
O ur breath knows nought but east and w est
’
,
,
-
,
[
,
l 4a
]
,
.
R I C HAR D
L O VE L A C E
Thus have I heard to childrens cries
Th e faire nurse still such l ull abies
That well all sayd ( for what th ere lay)
T h e pleasure did the sorrow pay
,
,
,
.
’
S ure th er s
another w ay to save
Your ph a nsie madam ; that s to ha ve
a te)
f
i
s
but
a
p
titioning
kinde
T
e
(
Th e organs sent to Bil in gsga te
Where they to that soft mu rm rin g quire
S hall teach you all you can admire
O r do but heare how love bang Kate
I n pantry darke for freage o f mate
With edge of steele the square wood shapes
A n d D i do to it ch a untsor scrapes
T h e merry Phaeton oth carre
You l vow makes a melodio u s j arre ;
S weeter and sweeter w h isl eth He
T o u n anointed a xel tree ;
S uch swift notes he a n d 3 wheels do run ;
For me I y eeld him Ph aebus son
S a y fa ire C oman d res can it be
?
o
You Should rd ain e a mu tin ie
For where I howle all accents fall
A s kings harangues to one and all
’
,
’
,
’
-
,
,
.
’
’
-
-
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
[
14 9
]
,
T H E P O EM S
OF
Ulisses art is now withstoo d :
You ravish both with sweet and go od ;
S aint S yren Sing for I dare heare
But when I ope oh stop your care
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
Far lesse be t aemu l ation
T o passe me or in trill or tone
L ike the thin throat of Philome]
And the smart lute who should excel]
As if her soft cords should begin
And st rive for sw eetn es with the pin
’
,
,
,
,
,
.
Yet can I mus ick too ; but such
As is beyond all voice or touch ;
My minde ca n in faire order chime
Whil st my true hea rt still beats the time ;
8 0 fu ll of h armon i c
My soul e
That it with all parts can agree ;
I f you winde up to the highest fret
I t shall d escend an eight from it
And when you shall vo u chsafe to fall
S ixteen e above you it shall call
And yet so d is assenting one
They both shall meet in unison
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
,
,
.
[
150
]
TH E P OEM S
V A L I ANT
OF
LO VE
I
OW
fie upo n that everlasting life ! I dye !
S he hates ! Ah me ! I t makes me mad ;
As if love fir d his torch at a moist ey e
O r with his j oyes e re c ro w n d the sa d
O h let me live and shou t when I fall on ;
Let me ev n triumph in the first attempt !
L oves duellist from conquest s not exempt
When h is fair mu rd resse shall not gain one groan
And he expire ev n in ovation
’
'
,
’
’
.
,
,
’
’
,
’
.
II
me make my approach when I lye downe
With counter wrought and travers eyes ;
With pe als of confidence batter the towne ;
?
Had ever begga r yet the keyes
No I will vary stormes with su n and winde
Be rough and offer calme condition ;
Ma rch in and pread or starve the garrison
Let her make sallies h ou rel y : yet I le find
n d ermi n d
s
h
s
u
Th
ugh
all
beat
of
to
be
ee
o
)
(
Let
,
-
,
,
.
,
’
’
’
.
[
152
]
,
III
’
hearts t o rd ain e by so u nd of lips
T ha t hence forth none in tears dare love c o m en ce
ll
i
s
Her
thoughts
ith
in th eclipse)
fi
i
h
(
O n paine o f having 3 la unce broke on her b ed
That he be brand ed all free beauties s lave
And his own hol lo w eyes h e d omb d his grave :
S ince in your b oast th a t coward nere was fed
Who to his prostrate ere was prostrated
Of
,
,
’
’
,
,
’
i
,
’
,
'
’
,
.
T H E P OEM S
LA
OF
B E LL A B O NA
T O MY L AD Y H
R O BA
.
ODE
I
ELL
me ye subtill j udges in loves treasury
I nform me which hath most in richt mine eye
This diamonds greatn es or its clarity ?
,
,
,
,
,
II
Ye cloudy spark lights whose vast multitude
O f fires are harder to be found then v iew d
Waite on this star in her first magnitude
,
’
,
.
III
C a l mel y or roughly ! Ah she shines too much ;
T hat now I lye ( her influenc e is such ) ,
C h rush t with too strong a h and or soft a touch
,
,
.
IV
L overs beware ! a certaine double harme
Waits your proud hopes her looks al killing charm
G uard ed by her as true victorious arme
,
,
-
,
.
[
154
]
TH E P OE M S
OF
I
CANN O T tell who loves the Skeleton
O f a poor marm ose t ; nought but boan
G ive me a n aked n esse with h er cl oath s on
,
,
’
,
.
II
S uch whose white sa ttin u pper coat of skin
Cut upon vel vet rich incarnadin
H as yet a b ody ( and of flesh) within
-
,
,
,
.
I II
S ure it is meant good husbandry in men
Who do incorporate with aery l ea n e
T repair their sides and get their ribb agen
,
,
,
’
,
.
IV
Hard hap unto that huntsman that decrees
Fat oys for all his sw et when as h e sees
After his say nought but his keepers fees
,
,
,
’
.
,
V
’
Then L ove I beg when next thou tak st thy bow
Thy angry sha fts and d ost heart chasing go
Passe ra sca l ! dea re stri ke me the largest d oe
,
,
,
-
,
,
.
,
[
156
]
,
]
A LA
BO URBO N
D on e moy p l us d e Pitie en p l u s d e C rea u lte,
I e n e fi u zs [ za s Viu re, n e M or ir
ca r sa n s ci
‘
IVI N E Destroyer pitty me no more
O r else more pitty me ;
G ive me more love ah qu ickly give me m ore
O r else more cruelty !
For left thus as I am
My hea rt is ice and flame ;
And languishing thus I
Can neither live nor dye !
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
II
Your glories are eclipst and hidden in the grave
O f this indifferency ;
And Ca lia you can neither altars have
Nor I a Diety :
They are aspects divine
That still or smile or shine
O r like th o ffend ed sky
Fro w n e dea th imm ediately
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
[
157
]
T H E P OE M S
THE
OF
FA I R E B E G G E R
I
O MAND I N G asker if it be
Pi ty that you faine would have
Then I turne begger unt o thee
And aske the thing that thou dost crave
I will suffi ce thy hungry need
S o thou wilt but my fa ncy feed
,
,
,
,
.
II
I n all ill y ea res was ever kn o w n e
?
O h so much beauty such a dearth
Which in tha t thrice bequeath ed go w n e
L o o kes like the S un eclipst with E arth
L ike gold in canvas o r w ith dirt
U n soy l ed E rmins close begirt
,
-
,
,
,
u
.
II I
Yet happy he that ca n but tast
This whiter skin who thirsty is !
F o ol es dote on sattin motions l ac d :
Th e g ods go n a ked in their blisse
At th harrell s head there shines the vine
T here only relishes the wine
,
,
’
.
’
’
.
[
158
]
,
.
I
T H E P OE M S
[A
B
OF
D I A LOGUE
E TW IX T C O RD A NUS A ND AMORET
O N A L O S T H EA R T
IST R ES S ED
pilgrim whose dark
,
clouded eyes
S peak thee a martyr to love s cruelties
Whither away ?
Amor
What pitying voice I hear
?
Calls back my flying steps
Pr yth ee draw near
Amor I shall but say kind swain what doth become
O f a lost heart ere to E lysium
I t wound ed walks
First it does freely fly e
I nto the pleasures of a lover s eye ;
But once con d emn d to scorn it fetter d lies
An ever bowing slave to tyrannies
Amor I pity its sa d fate since its o flen c e
Was but for love Can tea fs recall it thence ?
0 no such tears as do for pity call
Sh e proudly scorns and glories at thei r fall
Amor S ince neither sighs nor tears kind shepherd
tel]
0
1
6
]
[
’
,
.
,
’
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
’
’
’
,
,
-
,
.
’
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
R I C H AR D
L O VE L A C E
?
Will not a kiss prevail
Thou may st as well
Court Becho with a kiss
Can no art move
A sacred violence to make her love ?
C ord 0 no ! t is only Des tiny or Fate
Fashions our wills either to love or h ate
Amor T hen c a ptive hea rt since that no h u mane
’
.
’
.
.
.
,
,
Hath power to graspe thee his fa rewell
Farewell
L ost hearts like lambs drove from their folds
b y fears
May b ack return by chance but not by tea rs ]
,
.
,
,
,
.
T H E P OE M S
OF
’
Which at once chri stn d and buri ed thee
And change our shriller passions with that sound
First told thee into th ayre then to the ground
,
,
’
,
.
Ah wert thou borne for this ? only to call
Th e King and Queen guests to your burial] !
T o bid good night your day not yet begun
And shew a setting ere a rising sun !
,
,
,
,
?
Or
wouldst thou have thy life a martyrdom
Dye in the act of thy religion
Fit excel lently innocently good
?
First sealing it with water then thy bl ood
As when on blaz ing wings a blest man sores
And having past to G od through fiery dores
S traight 3 roab d with flames when the same ele
ment
Which was h is shame proves now his orname nt ;
O h how he h ast n ed death burn t to be fi y ed
Kill d twice with each delay till deified
S o swift hath been thy race so full of flight
L ike him c on d em n d ev n aged with a night
Cutting all lets with clouds as if th hadst been
L ike angels pl u m d and borne a Cherubin
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
’
’
,
,
,
’
’
'
,
,
’
.
,
,
,
’
’
,
,
’
,
’
.
,
[
1 64
]
L O V EL A C E
R I C H AR D
’
your j ourney towards hea v n say
?
T ooke you the world a little in your way
S a w st and d islik st its vaine pompe then didst fly e
U p for etern all glories to the skye ?
L ike a religious ambitio u s one
A spi red st for the everlasting c ro w n e ?
O r, in
,
,
’
’
,
,
Ah ! holy tray tou r to your brother prince
Rob d of h is birth right and preheminence !
Could you ascend yon chaire of state e re him
?
And snatch from th beire the starry diadem
Making your honours now as much uneven
A s g ods on earth are lesse then saints in h ea v n
,
’
-
’
’
,
’
,
’
’
Tr
i umph !
.
Sing triumphs then ! O h put on all
Your richest l o o kes drest for this festival] !
T ho u ghts fi1 11 of ra v ish t reverence with eyes
S o fixt as when a saint we canonize ;
Clap wings with S era phins before the throne
At this etern all coronation
And teach your so u les new mirth such as may b e
Worthy this birth day to divinity
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
.
But ah ! these bla st your feasts the ju bil ies
We send you u p are sa d as were ou r cries
,
,
[
165
,
]
T H E P OEM S
OF
And of true j oy we can expresse no more
Thus crown d then when we buri ed th ee before
’
,
’
in heav n
R esigne our o ffi ce to
Princesse
[
,
fo rgiv en es !
166
]
whils t we
.
T H E P OEM S
OF
’
That are ev ry one the Nine
And brighter here Astreas shine ;
View our Lu cippe and remain e
I n her these be auties o re aga in e
,
,
’
,
.
Amaz ement ! Noble Cl itoph on
E v n now l o o kt somewhat colder on
H is cooler mistresse and Sh e too
S mil d not as she us d to do
Se e ! the individual] payre
Are at sa d Od d es and parted are ;
They quarrel] semu l ate and stand
At st rife who first shal kisse your hand
’
,
’
’
.
,
,
,
,
.
A new dispute there lately rose
Betwixt the G reekes and L atines whose
T emples Should be bound with glory
I n best l a nguaging this story ;
,
,
Yee h ey res of love that with one smi l e
A ten y eeres war ca n reconcile ;
Peace fiI l l H el l en s ! V ert u o u s ! S ee :
The jarring langu ages agree !
And here a ll armes l a yd by they d oe
I n E nglish meet to wayt on y o u
,
-
,
,
.
[
168
]
R I C HAR D
L O VE L A C E
MY T RU EL Y V A L I AN T
L E A R N E D FR I E ND
W HO I N HIS B OO KE RESO LV D THE A RT
GL AD I AT OR Y I NTO THE MA THEMA TIC KS
TO
’
EA R KE,
ith
’
I
reader ! wilt be
’
l earn d
?
w a rres
’
A gen ra ll in a g
S trike a lea gue with arts and scarres
And sn atch from each a crow n e ?
?
ow n e
II
Wo u ldst b e a wonder ? S uch a one
As should win with a l o o ke ?
A bishop in a garison
?
And conquer by th e bo oke
,
III
then this m ath em atick shield
And henceforth by its rules
Be able to dispute ith field
And combate in the schooles
T ake
’
,
.
[
1 69
]
,
,
,
IV
Whilst peacefu l learning once again e
And the souldier so concord
A S tha t he fights now with her penne
And she writes with his sword
,
.
[
1 70
]
,
T H E P OE M S
OF
Where the brave [ Etius we se e b etray d
T obey h is death whom thousand lives obey d ;
Whilst that the mig hty fo o l e his scepter breakes
And through his gen rals wounds his own d oo me
Speakes
Weaving thus richly Va l en ti n i a n
The costliest monarch with the cheapest man
’
,
’
’
,
,
’
,
,
.
S ouldiers
may here to their old glories adde
The Lover love and be w ith reason ma d :
Not as of old Alcides fu rious
Who wilder then his bull did teare the house
( Hurling h is la ngua ge with the canvas stone)
T w as thought the monster ror d the so b rer tone
,
,
,
,
,
’
’
.
But ah ! when thou thy sorrow didst inspire
With passions blacke as is her darke attire
V irgins as sufferers have wept to see
S o white a soule so r ed a c ru el tie ;
T hat thou h a st gri ev d and with unthought r edresse
D ri d their wet eyes who now thy mercy blesse
Yet loth to lose thy watry j ewel] when
Joy w i p t it o ff laughter straight spru n g t agen
,
,
,
’
,
’
:
,
,
’
’
.
,
Now ruddy ch ecked Mirth with rosie wings
Fans ev ry brow with gla d nesse whilst sh e sings
2
1
7
[
]
’
,
R I C H AR D
L O VE L A C E
Delight to all and the whole theatre
A festival] in heaven doth a ppe are :
Nothing but pleasure love ; and ( like the morne)
Each fa ce a gen ra l smiling doth adorne
,
,
’
.
Hea re ye foul speakers th at pronounce the aire
O f stew es and shores I will informe you where
And how to cl oath aright yo u r wanton wit
Without her nasty b a wd attendin g it :
V iew here a loose thought sayd with such a gra ce
Minerva might have spoke in Venu s face ;
S o well d isgu is d th a t tw as co n c ei v d by none
But Cupid had Di a na s linnen on ;
And all his naked parts so va il d th expresse
Th e shape with cl o w d in g the unc o mlin esse ;
T hat if this R eformation which we
Rec eiv d had not be en bu ried with thee
The stage ( as this w o rke) might have liv d and l o v d
Her lines the austere S karl et had a ppro v d ;
And th actors wisely been from that o ffence
A s C leare as they are now from a u dien ce
,
,
,
,
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
,
’
,
,
’
’
’
,
’
,
.
T hus
with thy G enius did the scazn e expire
Wanting thy active and correcting fire
That now ( to Spread a d arkn esse over all )
,
[
1 73
]
,
.
L O VE L A C E
R IC HAR D
N othing remain es but Poesie to fall :
And though from these thy E mbers we receive
S ome warmth so much as may be said we live ;
That we dare praise thee bl u sh l esse in the head
O f the best piece Hermes to L ove e re read ;
That we rejoy ce and glory in thy wit
And feast each other with rem embri n g it ;
That we d are speak thy thought thy acts recite :
Yet all men henceforth be afraid to write
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
6
'