Divine poems by Edward Waller Esq. Poems. Selections Waller, Edmund, 1606-1687. 1685 Approx. 29 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 18 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A67332 Wing W497 ESTC R779 12241288 ocm 12241288 56780 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A67332) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 56780) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 904:2) Divine poems by Edward Waller Esq. Poems. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Christian poetry, English -- Early works to 1800. 2002-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-11 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-01 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2003-01 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion DIVINE POEMS . By EDMOND WALLER Esq LICENSED , Octob. 3. 1685. Rob. Midgley . In the Savoy : Printed for Henry Herringman ; and are to be sold by Jos. Knight and Fran. Saunders , at the Sign of the Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New-Exchange in the Strand . 1685. OF Divine Love. 6. CANTO'S . 1. ASserting the authority of the Scripture , in which this Love is reveal'd . 2. The preference and Love of God to man in the Creation . 3. The same Love more amply declared in our redemption . 4. How necessary this Love is to reform Mankind , and how excellent in it self . 5. Shewing how happy the World would be if this Love were universally embrac'd . 6. Of preserving this Love in our memory , and how useful the contemplation thereof is . CANTO I. THe Grecian Muse has all their Gods surviv'd Nor Jove at us , nor Phoebus is arriv'd ; Frail Deities , which first the Poets made , And then invok'd , to give their Fancies aid ! Yet if they still divert us with their Rage , What may be hop'd for in a better Age ? When not from Helicons Imagin'd Spring , But sacred Writ , we borrow what we Sing : This with the fabrick of the World begun , Elder than Light , and shall out-last the Sun. Before this Oracle ( like Dagon ) all The false pretenders , Delphos , Hammon , fall ; Long since despis'd , and silent they afford Honour and Triumph , to th' Eternal Word . As late Philosophy our Globe has grac'd , And rowling Earth among the Plannets plac'd , So has this Book intitl'd us to Heav'n , And rules to guide us to that Mansion giv'n : Tells the conditions , how our Peace was made , And is our Pledge for the great Authors aid ; His Power in nature's ampler Book we find , But the less Volume does express his mind ; This Light unknown , bold Epicurus taught , That his blest Gods vouchsafe us not a thought , But unconcern'd , let all below them slide , As fortune do's , or humane wisdom , guide . Religion thus remov'd , the sacred Yoke , And band of all Society is broke : What use of Oaths , of Promise , or of Test , Where men reguard no God but Interest ? What endless War would Jealous Nations tear , If none above , did witness what they swear ? Sad fate of unbelievers , ( and yet just , ) Among themselves to find so little trust ! Were Scripture silent nature would proclaim , Without a God , our falshood and our shame , To know our thoughts , the Object of his Eyes , Is the first step , t'wards being good , or wise ; For thô with Judgment we on things reflect , Our Will determines , not our Intellect ; Slaves to their Passion , Reason men imploy , Only to compass what they would enjoy ; His fear , to guard us from our selves , we need , And sacred Writ , our Reason do's exceed ; For thô Heaven shows the Glory of the Lord , Yet something shines more Glorious in his Word , His mercy this ( which all his work excells ) His tender kindness , and compassion tells , While we inform'd by that Celestial Book , Into the Bowels of our Maker look . Love there reveal'd , which never shall have end , Nor had beginning , shall our Song commend , Describe it self and warm us with that flame , Which first from Heav'n , to make us Happy , came . CANTO II. THe fear of Hell , or ayming to be Blest , Savours too much of private Interest ; This mov'd not Moses , nor the Zealous Paul , Who for their Friends abandon'd Soul and all ; A greater yet , from Heav'n to Hell descends , To save and make his Enemies his Friends : What line of Praise can fathom such a Love , Which reacht the lowest bottom from above ? The Royal Prophet , that extended Grace , From heav'n to earth , measur'd but half that space ; The Law was regnant , and confin'd his thought , Hell was not conquer'd , when that Poet wrote ; Heav'n was scarce heard of , until he came down To make the Region , where love triumphs , known ; That early Love of Creatures yet unmade , To frame the World th' Almighty did perswade ; For Love it was , that first Created Light , Mov'd on the Waters , chac'd away the Night From the rude Chaos , and bestow'd new Grace On things dispos'd of , to their proper place ; Some to rest here , and some to shine above , Earth , Sea , and Heav'n , were all th' Effects of Love. And Love would be return'd ; but there was none That to themselves , or others yet were known ; The World a Palace was , without a Guest , Till one appears , that must excel the rest : One like the Author , whose Capacious mind , Might by the Glorious Work , the Maker find , Might measure Heaven , and give each Star a name , With Art and Courage the rough Ocean tame ; Over the Globe , with swelling Sails might go , And that 't is round , by his experience know , Make strongest Beasts obedient to his Will , And serve his use , the fertile Earth to Till . When by his Word , God had accomplisht all , Man to Create , he did a Council call ; Imploy'd his Hand , to give the Dust he took A graceful Figure , and Majestick Look ; With his own breath , convey'd into his breast Life and a Soul , fit to command the rest , Worthy alone to Celebrate his Name For such a gift , and tell from whence it came ; Birds sing his Praises , in a wilder note , But not with lasting numbers , and with thought : Mans great Prerogative ; but above all His grace abounds , in his new favorites fall . If he Create , it is a World he makes ; If he be ang'ry , the Creation shakes ; From his just wrath our guilty Parents fled , He curst the Earth , but bruis'd the Serpents head . Amidst the storm , his bounty did exceed , In the rich promise of the Virgins seed ; Thô Justice death , a satisfaction craves , Love finds a way to pluck us from our Graves . CANTO III. NOt willing Terror should his Image move , He gives a pattern of Eternal Love ; His Son descends , to treat a Peace with those , Which were , and must have ever been his foes ; Poor he became , and left his Glorious seat , To make us humble , and to make us great ; His business here was happiness to give To those , whose malice could not let him live ; Legions of Angels , which he might have us'd , For us resolv'd to perish , he refus'd ; While they stood ready to prevent his loss , Love took him up , and nayl'd him to the Cross. Immortal Love , which in his Bowels reign'd , That we might be , by such a Love constrain'd To make return of Love ; upon this Pole Our Duty does , and our Religion rowle . To Love is to believe , to hope , to know , 'T is an Essay , a taste of Heav'n below . He to proud Potentates would not be known , Of those that lov'd him , he was hid from none ; Till love appear , we live in anxious doubt , But smoak will vanish , when that flame breaks out . This is the fire , that would consume our dross , Refine , and make us richer by the loss . Could we forbear dispute , and practice Love , We should agree , as Angels do above ; Where Love presides ; not Vice alone does find No entrance there , but Vertues stay behind : Both Faith and Hope , and all the meaner train Of moral vertues , at the door remain ; Love only enters , as a native there , For born in Heav'n , it do's but sojourn here . He that alone , would wise and mighty be , Commands that others Love , as well as he : Love as he Lov'd , how can we soare so high ? He can add wings , when he commands to fly : Nor should we be with this command dismay'd , He that example gives , will give his aid ; For he took flesh , that where his Precepts fail , His practice as a pattern may prevail ; His love at once , and Dread instructs our thought , As man he suffer'd , and as God he taught ; Will for the deed he takes , we may with ease Obedient be , for if we Love , we please ; Weak thô we are , to Love is no hard task , And Love for Love , is all that Heav'n do's ask : Love , that would all men just and temperate make , Kind to themselves , and others , for his sake , T is with our minds , as with a fertile ground ; Wanting this Love , they must with Weeds abound ; Unruly Passions , whose effects are worse , Than Thorns and Thistles springing from the curse . CANTO IV. TO Glory man , or misery is born , Of his proud foe the Envy or the scorn ; Wretched he is , or happy in extreme , Base in himself , but great in Heav'ns esteem ; With Love , of all created things , the best , Without it more pernitious than the rest ; For greedy Wolves unguarded Sheep devour But while their hunger lasts , and then give or'e ; Man 's boundless Avarice his want exceeds , And on his Neighbours , round about him , feeds ; His Pride , and vain Ambition are so vast , That Deluge-like , they lay whole Nations wast ; Debauches and Excess , thô with less noise , As great a portion of Mankind destroys . The Beasts and Monsters , Hercules opprest , Might in that Age , some Provinces infest ; These more destructive Monsters , are the bane Of ev'ry Age and in all Nations reign ; But soon would vanish , if the World were blest With Sacred Love , by which they are represt : Impendent death , and guilt that threatens Hell , Are dreadful guests , which here with mortals dwel , And a vext Conscience mingling with their Joy Thoughts of despair , do's their whole life annoy : But Love appearing , all those Terrours fly , We live contented , and contended dye ; They in whose brest , this sacred Love has place , Death as a passage to their Joy embrace . Clouds and thick vapours which obscure the day The Suns Victorious beams may chase away ; Those which our life corrupt , and darken , Love The Nobler Star , must from the Soul remove ; Spots are observ'd in that which bounds the year , This brighter Sun moves in a boundless Sphear ; Of Heav'n the Joy , the Glory , and the Light , Shines among Angels , and admits no night : CANTO V. THis Iron Age , so fraudulent and bold , Toucht with this Love , would be an Age of Gold , Not as they fain'd , that Oaks should hony drop , Or land neglected bear an unsown Crop : Love would make all things easy , safe , and cheap , None for himself , would either sow , or reap : Our ready help , and Mutual Love would yeild A nobler Harvest , than the richest Field ; Famine and Dearth , confin'd to certain parts , Extended are , by barrenness of hearts ; Some pine for want , where others surfeit now , But then we should the use of plenty know ; Love would betwixt the rich and needy stand , And spread Heav'ns bounty with an equal hand ; At once the givers , and receivers bless , Encrease their Joy , and make their sufferings less . Who for himself no miracle would make , Dispens'd with nature , for the peoples sake ; He that long fasting would no wonder show , Made Loaves and Fishes , as they eat them , grow ; Of all his Power , which boundless was above , Here he us'd none , but to express his Love ; And such a Love would make our Joy exceed , Not when our own , but other mouths , we feed . Laws would be useless which rude nature awe , Love changing nature , would prevent the Law ; Tygers , and Lyons , into Dens we thrust , But milder Creatures with their freedom trust . Divels are Chain'd , and tremble ; but the spouse No force but Love , nor bond , but bounty , knows : Men , whom we now , so fierce and daing'rous see , Would Guardian Angels to each other be : Such wonders can this mighty Love perform , Vultures to Doves , Wolves into Lambs transform . Love , what Isaiah prophecy'd , can do , Exalt the Valleys , lay the Mountains low ; Humble the Lofty , the dejected raise , Smooth , and make strait , our rough and crooked ways . Love , strong as death , and like it , levels all , With that possest , the great in Title fall ; Themselves esteem , but equal to the least , Whom Heav'n with that high Character has blest . This Love , the Center of our union , can Alone bestow compleat repose on man ; Tame his wild Appetite , make inward peace , And forrein strife among the Nations , cease ; No Martial Trumpet should disturb our rest , Nor Princes arm , thô to subdue the East ; Where for the Tomb , so many Hero's , taught By those that guided their Devotion , faught ; Thrice Happy we , could we like Ardor have To gain his Love , as they to win his Grave ! Love as he Lov'd , a Love so unconfin'd With arms extended would embrace Mankind , Self Love would cease , or be dilated , when We should behold , as many selfs , as men , All of one family ; in blood ally'd , His precious blood , that for our ransome dy'd : CANTO VI. THô the Creation , so divinely taught , Prints such a lively Image in our thought , That the first spark , of new Created light From Chaos struck , affects our present sight : Yet the first Christians did Esteem more blest The day of rising , than the day of rest ; That ev'ry week , might new occasion give , To make his Triumph in their memory live . Then let our Muse compose a Sacred Charm To keep his blood , among us , ever warm ; And Singing , as the Blessed do above , With our last breath , dilate this flame of Love. But on so vast a subject , who can find Words that may reach th' Ideas of his mind ? Our Language fails , or if it could supply , What Mortal Thought can raise it self so high ? Despairing here , we might abandon Art , And only hope to have it in our heart ; But though we find this Sacred Task too hard , Yet the Design , th' endeavour brings Reward ; The Contemplation does suspend our Woe , And makes a Truce with all the Ills we know . As Saul's afflicted Spirit , from the sound Of David's Harp , a present Solace found ; So on this Theame while we our Muse engage , 〈◊〉 Wounds are felt , of Fortune , or of Age : 〈◊〉 ●…e Love to Meditate is Peace , 〈◊〉 makes all care of meaner things to cease . Amaz'd at once and comforted to find A boundless Pow'r so infinitely kind ; The Soul contending to that light to fly From ●…er dark Cell , we practice how to dye ; Imploying thus the Poets winged Art , To reach this Love , and grave it in our heart . Joy so compleat , so solid and severe , Would leave no place for meaner Pleasures there ; Pale they would look , as Stars that must be gone , When from the East the Rising Sun comes on . Floriferis ut Apes in saltibus omnia libant , Sic nos Scripturae depascimur aurea dicta ; Aurea perpetuâ semper dignissima vitâ . Nam Divinus Amor , cum caepit vociferari , Diffugiunt Animi Terrores : — — Lucr. Exul eram , requiesque mihi , non Fama petita est , Mens intenta suis ne foret usque malis . Namque ubi mota calent Sacrâmea Pectora Musâ , Altior humano Spiritus ille malo est . De Trist. OF Divine Poesie . Two Canto's , Occasioned upon sight of the 53d Chapter of Isaiah turn'd into Verse by Mrs. VVharton . CANTO I. POets we prize , when in their verse we find Some great employment of a worthy mind . Angels have been inquisitive to know The secret , which this Oracle does show . What was to come Isaiah did declare , Which she describes , as if she had been there ; Had seen the Wounds , which to the readers view , She draws so lively , that they Bleed anew . As Ivy thrives , which on the Oak takes hold , So with the Prophets may her lines grow old , If they should dye , who can the World forgive ? Such Pious Lines ! When wanton Sapho's live . Who with his Breath his Image did inspire , Expects it should foment a Nobler fire : Not Love which Brutes as well as Men may know , But Love like his , to whom that Breath we owe. Verse so design'd , on that high Subject wrote , Is the Perfection of an ardent thought : The Smoak which we from burning Incense raise , When we compleat the Sacrifice of Praise . In boundless verse the Fancy soars too high , For any Object , but the Deity . What Mortal can with Heav'n pretend to share In the Superlatives of Wise and Fair ? A meaner Subject when with these we grace , A Giants habit on a Dwarf , we place . Sacred should be the product of our Muse , Like that sweet Oyl , above all private use : On pain of Death forbidden to be made , But when it should be on the Altar laid . Verse shows a rich inestimable Vein , When drop't from Heav'n , 't is thither sent again . Of Bounty 't is that he admits our Praise , Which does not him , but us that yield it raise . For as that Angel up to Heav'n did rise , Born on the Flame of Manoah's Sacrifice . So wing'd with Praise , we penetrate the Sky , Teach Clouds and Stars to praise him as we fly : The whole Creation , by our fall made groan , His Praise to Eccho , and suspend their Moan . For that he reigns , all Creatures should rejoyce , And we with Songs supply their want of voyce , The Church Triumphant , and the Church below In Songs of Praise a present Union show : Their Joys are full , our expectation long ; In Life we differ , but we joyn in Song . Angels , and we , assisted by this Art , May Sing together , thô we dwell apart . Thus we reach Heav'n , while vainer Poems must No higher rise , than Winds may lift the Dust. From that they spring ; this from his breath that gave To the first Dust , th' Immortal Soul we have , His Praise well sung , our great endeavour here , Shakes off the Dust , and makes that breath appear . CANTO II. HE that did first this way of Writing grace , Converst with the Almighty face to face . Wonders he did in sacred verse unfold , When he had more than Eighty Winters told : The Writer feels no dire effects of Age , Nor verse that flows from so Divine a rage . Eldest of Poets , he beheld the Light , When first it triumph'd 'ore eternal Night . Chaos he saw , and could distinctly tell How that confusion into Order fell . As if consulted with , he has exprest The Work of the Creator and his rest . How the floud drown'd the first offending Race , Which might the figure of our Globe deface . For new made Earth , so even and so fair , Less equal now , uncertain makes the Air : Surpriz'd with heat , and unexpected cold Early distempers make our Youth look old . Our Days so evil , and so few , may tell That on the ruines of that World we dwell . Strong as the Oaks that nourish't them , and high , That long-liv'd Race did on their force rely , Neglecting Heav'n : but we of shorter date , Should be more mindful of impendent fate . To Worms that crawle upon this Rubbish here , This Span of Life may yet too long appear . Enough to humble , and to make us great , If it prepare us for a Nobler seat . Which well observing , he in Numerous Lines , Taught wretched man , how fast his Life declines : In whom he dwelt , before the World was made , And may again retire , when that shall fade . The lasting Iliads have not live'd so long , As his and Deborah's triumphant Song . Delphos unknown , no Muse could them inspire , But that which governs the Coelestial Quire. Heav'n to the Pious did this art reveal ; And from their store succeeding Poets steal . Homer's Scamand●…r for the Trojans faught , And swell'd so high , by her old Kishon taught : His River scarce could fierce Achilles stay ; Hers more succesful , swept her Foes away . The Hoast of Heav'n , his Phaebus and his Mars , He Arms , instructed by her fighting Stars . She led them all against the common foe : But he misled by what he saw below , The Powers above , like wretched men , divides , And breaks their Union into different sides . The Noblest parts which in his Hero's shine , May be but Copies of that Heroine . Homer himself , and Agam●…mnon , she The Writer could , and the Commander , be . Truth she relates , in a sublimer strain Than all the Tales the boldest Greek could feign . For what she sung , that Spirit did indite , Which gave her courage , and success in fight . A double Garland Crowns the Matchless Dame ; From Heav'n her Poem , and her Conquest came . Thô of the Jews she merit most esteem : Yet here the Christian has the greater Theam . Her martial song describes how Sisera fell , This sings our Triumph over Death and Hell. The rising Light employ'd the sacred breath Of the blest Virgin and Elizabeth , In Songs of Joy , the Angels sung his Birth : Here , how he treated was upon the Earth Trembling we read ; th'affliction and the scorn , Which for our Guilt , so patiently was born . Conception , Birth , and suffering , all belong Tho various Parts , to one Caelestial Song : And She , well using so divine an art , Has in this consort , Sung the Tragick part . As Hannah's seed was vow'd to sacred use , So here this Lady consecrates her Muse. With like reward may Heav'n her bed adorn , With fruit as fair as by her Muse is born . Of the Paraphrase on the Lords Prayer , Written by Mrs. Wharton . SIlence , you Winds , listen Etherial Lights , While our Urania sings what Heav'n indites ; The Numbers are the Nymphs , but from above Descends the Pledge of that Eternal Love. Here wretched Mortals have not leave alone , But are instructed to approach his Throne ; And how can he to miserable Men Deny Requests , which his own Hand did Pen ? In the Evangelists we find the Prose , Which Paraphras'd by her a Poem grows ; A devout Rapture , so divine a Hymn , It may become the highest Seraphim ; For they like her in that Coelestial Quire , Sing only what the Spirit does inspire . Taught by our Lord and theirs , with us they may For all , but pardon for Offences , pray . Some Reflections of his upon the several Petitions in the same Prayer . I. HIS sacred Name , with reverence profound , Should mention'd be , and trembling at the sound , It was Jehovah , 't is our Father now , So low to us , does Heav'n vouchsafe to bow , Brethren to him that taught us how to pray , And did so dearly for our Ransom pay . II. His Kingdom come : For this we pray in vain , Unless he does in our affections raign : Absurd it were to wish for such a King , And not Obedience to his Scepter bring . III. His Will be done ; In fact 't is always done , But as in Heav'n , it must be made our own : His Will should all our Inclinations sway , Whom Nature and the Universe obey . IV. It is not what our Avarice hoards up , 'T is he that feeds us , and that fills our Cup , Like new-born Babes , depending on the Breast , From day to day we on his Bounty feast ; Nor should the Soul expect above a day To dwell in her frail Tenament of Clay : The setting Sun should seem to bound our Race , And the new day a gift of special Grace . V. That he should all our Trespasses forgive , While we in hatred with our Neighbours live ; Though so to pray , may seem an easie task , We curse our selves when thus inclin'd we ask : This Prayer to use , we ought with equal care Our Souls as to the Sacrament prepare : The Noblest Worship of the Power above , Is to extol , and imitate his Love : Not to forgive our Enemies alone , But use our Bounty that they may be won . VI. Guard us from all Temptations of the Foe , And those we may in several stations know : The Rich and Poor in slippery places stand , Give us enough , but with a sparing Hand ; Not ill-perswading want , nor wanton Wealth , But what proportion'd is to Life and Health : For not the Dead , but Living sing thy Praise , Exalt thy Kingdom , and thy Glory raise . — Favete Linguis — Virginibus Puerisque Canto , Horat. FINIS .