THEOPHILA; OR LOVES SACRIFICE. A Divine Poem.  
WRITTEN BY E. B. Esq Several Parts thereof set to fit Airs by Mr I. JENKINS'.  
Longum Iter per Praecepta, breve & efficax per Exempla. Si Praeceptis non accendimur, saltem Exemplis incitemur, atque in Appetitu Rectitudinis nil sibi Mens nostra difficile aestimet, quod perfectè peragi ab Aliis videt. Greg. Mag. l. 9 c. 43.  
Id peragas Vitâ, quod velles Morte peractum.  
LONDON, Printed by R. N. Sold by Henry Seile in Fleetstreet, and Humphrey Moseley at the Prince's Arms in S. Paul's Churchyard 1652.   


Mens Authoris.  
TE, mi CHRIST, Tuaeque canam Suspiria SPONSAE;  
ARDORESque pios, & GAUDIA coelica, Mundo  
Abdita; divinae pandam MYSTERIA Mentis,  
Accensasque Faces COELO! Fuge, caeca Libido,  
Et Fastus populator Opum, Livorque secundis  
Pallidus, & rabidis violenta Calumnia Dictis,  
Diraque pacatas lacerans Discordia Mentes,  
Et Scelerum male-suada Cohors. TE, mitis JESV,  
Da mihi velle sequi! Gressus alato sequentis!  
DIVINAE sum testa ROTAE; Vas obline fido  
Rimosum Gypso, sic Vas ego reddar Honoris:  
Sum tenebrosa Tui radiantis LUMINIS umbra,  
Quod, veniente Die, quod, decedente, viderem!  
Cujus nec VISUS Spatium, nec GLORIA Laudem,  
Nec Vox ulla capit MERITUM, nec TERMINUS Aevum!  
Unius est in Verba satis jurasse MAGISTRI,  
Et TE praesentem Causae petiise PATRONUM!  
Thema sit Aethereo sacranda THEOPHILA TEMPLO,  
Pura repurgato solvens LIBAMINA Cord.   

The Author's Design.  
OF CHRIST, and of the SPOUSES Sighs, I sing,  
And of the joys that from Those Ardours spring,  
The World ne'er knew; Of her Souls mystic Sense,  
And of her Heavenly Zeal. Blind Lust, pack hence,  
Hence Pride, exhausting Wealth; Hence, Envy, fly,  
Paled at Success; hence foul-mouthed Calumny,  
And savage Discord, striving to divide  
United Minds; with all Sins Troop beside.  
JESUS! grant I may follow THEE, my Feet  
Wing THOU, and make them in pursuance fleet!  
Close up my Cracks by Faith, so shall I be  
A Vessel made of HONOUR unto THEE.  
I'm but a faint Resultance from thy LIGHT,  
Which, at Sols Rise and Set, enchears my Sight.  
No Space thy VIEW, no Glory bounds thy PRAISE,  
No Terms do reach thy WORTH, no Age thy DAYS!  
May I but swear Obedience to thy LAWS,  
And crave THEE PATRON to my present Cause!  
My Subject's THEOPHIL, for HEAVEN designed,  
Offering pure SACRIFICE with sacred MIND.    

 
LADIES,  

WE jangle not in Shools, but strain to set  
Church-music, at which SAINTS being met,  
May warble forth heavens Praise, and thence heavens Blessing get.   

CHurch-Anthems irksome to the Factious grow;  
In what a sad Case were They, trow,  
Should They be penned in HEAVEN, where Hymns for ever flow●   

As, fired Affections to your Beauties move:  
So, Stillatories be of Love;  
That, what was Vapour, may, by VIRTUE, Essence prove.   

Surveyed THEOPHILA; her Rules apply,  
That You may live, as You would die:  
VIRTUE enamels Life; 'Tis GRACE. does glorify.   

O may those fragrant Flowers that in HER grew,  
Blown by such Breath, drenched by such Dew,  
Spring, & display their Buds, LADIES ELECT, in You!   

TO this Spring-Garden, VIRGINS, chaste and fair,  
Coached in pure Thoughts, make your Repair,  
To recreate your Minds, and take fresh Heavenly Air.   

YE snowy FIRES, observe her in each GRACE;  
So, may You, bright in Soul as Face,  
Have in The Gall'ery of Heroic Women Place.   

NAy, when your Days and Piety shall sum  
Up their Compleatness, may Ye come  
To endless GLORIES Court, and with blessed SOULS have Room!    

THE PREFACE.  
SAd Experience confirms, what THE ANCIENT OF DAYS foretold; That the last Times shall be worst: For, in this Dotage of the World (where Atheism stands at the right hand of Profaneness, and Superstition on the blind Side of Ignorance; where there is unmerciful Oppression, and overmerciful Connivance) her beloved Favourites, (who are of past things mindeless, of future regardless, having different Opinions, yet but one RELIGION, Money, one GOD, Mammon) do laugh at OTHERS, who fall not down, and worship the Golden Image that secular Nabuchodonisors have set up; But, let them, who think themselves safe in the Herd, being night-wildred in their Intellects, prosecute their Sensuality, which will soon, like Dalila, put out their Eyes; For, earthly Complacencies, and exterior Gaities are not only Chaff in the hand, VANITY, but also Chaff in the Eye, VEXATION OF SPIRIT. How art thou, foolish World, loaden with Sin, fond of Trifles, neglecting Objects fit for CHRISTIANS, fit for Men! Could thy Minions consider, that thou canst give but what thou hast, a smoke of Honour, a shadow of Riches, a sound of Pleasure, a blast of Fame, which can neither add to Length nor Happiness of Life; That thy whole Self art an overdeer Bargain, if bought of the Devil, at the expense of a deadly Sin, when as sudden Chance or Sickness may snatch and rend them hence in a Moment, they would not then so madly rant it as they do, but court Sobreity, being aware of the Dangers that proceed from, and wait upon the abused Opulency of an indulgent Fortune, whose Caresses are apt to swell into Exorbitances of Spirit, and run wildly into Dissoluteness of Manners. But, for want of Circumspection, Men grow covetous as jewish Merchants, ambitious as Eastern Potentates, factious as the giddy Multitude, revengeful as jealousy, and proud as Usurpers; though soon such swallowed Baits dissolve into a galley Bitterness; Wherefore, it were highly to be wished, that in the midst of their Extravagancies they would ponder, that nothing is more unhappy than the Felicity of Sinners, who prosper as if they were the Beloved of GOD, when, indeed, by His Patience they are only (probably) hardened to their more dreadful Destruction! How, how will eternal Anguish be aggravated by temporary past Happiness! If we contemplate what unspeakable Torments are for ever there, we should have no cause to envy Worldlings Prosperity, but rather wonder that their Portion on Earth is not greater, and that ever they should be sensible of Sickness, Affront or Trouble; since, if their Fortunateness should far exceed their Ambition, it could not any way recompense that Torture for an Hour, which yet shall hold to the Duration of an infinite Eternity! when as all the Play and Pageantry of Earth is ever changing▪ and nothing abides but the Stage of the World, and the Spectator GOD. That Bliss is not true of whose Eternity we may doubt▪ View then, Christian Reader, the Folly of ●ll Counsel unmasked, and demonstrated that all Policy is wretched without Piety, without Scriptural Wisdom, without CHRIST the Essential Wisdom; And that all Iniquity has so much of justice in it, that it usually condemns, yea leads itself to Execution; witness Absalon's Head, Achitophel's Hands, and the Surrender of Caesar's Citadel, (summoned by judgements Herald, and all his Glories Cobweb-guard yielded to the Storm) just before the Statue of Pompey, whose Ruin he had so ambitiously pursued. Would then any Wise man choose to be Caesar for his Glory, Absalon for his Beauty, Achitophel for his Policy, Dives for his Wealth, or judas for his Office? Seeing then that Happiness consists not in the Affluence of Exorbitant Possessions, nor in the Humours of fickle Honour, all external Splendours being unsatisfactory, let Christians neglect terrestrial Vanities, and retire into the Recesses of Religion, nothing being so great in humane Actions as a pious knowing Mind, which disposeth great Things, and may yield such permanent Monuments, as bring Felicity to Mankind above the Founders of Empires; being an Antepast to the overflowing FEASTS of ETERNITY. Man endued with Altitude of Wisdom, in the sweetness of Conscience and Height of Virtue, is of all Creatures sub-Angelical the ALMIGHTY'S Masterpiece, the Image of his MAKER, a Candidate of DIVINITY, and Model of the Universe; who, in holy Colloquies, Whisper, and secret Conferences with GOD, finds HIM a Torrent of Pleasure, a Fountain of Honour, and an inexhaustible Treasure; whose divine Life is a Character of the DIVINE NATURE, by taking GOD for the Text, Truth for the Doctrine, and Holiness for the Use; without which the highest Endowments of the most refined Wit are but the acquaint Magic of a learned Lunacy. Most wretched therefore are they, beyond all Synonima's of Misery, whose undisciplined Education leaves them unfurnished of Skill to spend their Time in any Thing, but what in the prosecution of Sin tends to Death; Wealth and Greatness rendering them past Reproof, even ready to tempt their very Tempter; whereby they are wholly inclined to Sensualities, being in their Entertainments commonly intemperate in their Drink humorous, their Humours quarrellous, their Duels damnable, concluding a voluptuous and brutish Life in a bloody and desperate Death, preferring the Body before the Soul, Sense before the Spirit, Appetite before Reason, temporary Fooleries, fantastic Visits, idle Courtships, gay Trifles, fascinating Vanities (as if the Pleasure of Life were but the smothering of precious Time in those things, which are mere Puffs in Expectation, Vanity in Enjoyment, and Vexation of Spirit in Departure) before solid Goodness, and eternal Exultations. To divert thee therefore from such Shelves of indiscreet Vice, and to direct thee to the safe and noble Channel of Virtue, even to Faith with good Works, to Piety with Compassion, to Zeal with Charity, & to know the End which distinguisheth thee from a Beast, and to choose a good End, which differenceth thee from an evil Man; be so much thine own Friend, as to peruse seriously this spiritual Poem, which treateth on Sub-coelestials, Coelestials; and Super-coelestials, whereby a delightful Curiousness may steal thee into the Pleasure of Goodness. Know then that Sub-coelestials, or Sublunaries have their Assignment in the lowest Portion of the Universe, and being wholly of a corporeal Nature, do enjoy Spiritual Gifts, the Chief of which is Life, by Loan only; where there is no Generation without Corruption, no Birth without Death. From the Surface of the Earth to the Centre is 3436 Miles, the whole Thickness 6872 Miles, the whole Compsse 21600 Miles; from its Centre to the Moon is 3924912 Miles. Now Coelestials, or aethereal Bodies are seated in the middle, which, participating of a greater Portion of Perfection, impart innumerable rare Virtues, and influential Efficacies to Things below, not enduring a Corruption, only subject, having obtained their Period, to change. The glorious Projection and Transfusion of aetheral Light, both of the Sun and of the Stars of the six Magnitudes constitute, by astronomical Computation, more than 300 Suns upward to the EMPYRAEAN HEAVEN. A Star in the Equator makes 12598666 Miles in an Hour, which is 209994 Miles in a Minute, a Motion quicker than Thought. Super-coelestials are Intelligencies, altogether Spiritual and Immortal, excellent in their Being's, intuitive in their Conceptions; such as are the glorious Choir of the Apostles, the exulting Number of the Prophets, the innumerable Army of crowned Martyrs, triumphing Virgins, charitable Confessors, etc. or the blessed Hierarchy of Angels, participating somewhat of GOD and Man; having had a Beginning as Man, and now being immortal with GOD, having their Immortality for his Sempiternity; void of all Mixture, as is GOD, and yet consisting of Matter and Form as doth Man; Subsisting in some Subject and Substance as doth Man, yet being incorporeal, as is GOD; They having Clarity, Impassibility, Subtlety, and Agility, having Understanding without Error, Light without Darkness, Joy without Sorrow, Will without Perturbation, Impassibility without Corruption; pure as the Light, ordained to serve the LORD of Light; They are local and circumscribed by Place, as is Man; yet are they in a place not properly by way of Circumscription, but by way of Definition; though they cannot be in several Places at once, yet are they able in a Moment to be any where, as GOD always is every where; of admirable Capacity and Knowledge, resembling GOD; yet ignorant of the ESSENCE of GOD, much less see they all Things in IT, in that like Man. Even these Incorporeal Substances would pine and starve, if an All-filling, and infinitely All-sufficient and Superabundant GOD were not the Object of their high Contemplation, whose Bliss of theirs is the nearest Approach to that Divine MAJESTY, WHO is a true, real, substantial, and essential NATURE, subsisting of HIMSELF, an eternal BEING, an infinite ONENESS, the radical PRINCIPLE of all Things; whose ESSENCE is an incomprehensible Light, His POWER is Omnipotency, and his BECK an absolute Act; WHO, before the Creation, was a BOOK rolled up in HIMSELF, having Light only in HIMSELF; WHO is a SPIRIT existent from everlasting to everlasting; One ESSENCE▪ Three SUBSISTENCIES; whose DIVINE NATURE is an essential and infinite UNDERSTANDING, which knows all Things actually always; which cannot possibly be comprehended by any finite Creature, much less by Man, grovelling on Earth in the Mud of Error and gross Ignorance, who are unable by any Art or Industry to find out the true Nature, Form and Virtue of the least fly or gnat. The whole Universe is the Looking-glass of GOD'S Power, Wisdom, and Bounty; HE loves as Charity, knows as Truth, judges as Equity, rules as Majesty, defends as Safety, works as Virtue, reveals as Light, etc. HE is a never deficient Brightness, a never weary Life, a Spring everflowing, the Principle of Beginning, etc. If any Creature knew what GOD is, he should be GOD; for none knoweth HIM but HIMSELF, who is Good without Quality, great without Quantity, present without Place, everlasting without Time; WHO by a Body is no where▪ by Energy every where, Above all by Power, beneath all by sustaining all, without all by compassing all, within all by penetrating all, being absent seen, being present invisible; of WHOM to speak, is to be silent, WHOM to value is to exceed all Rate, WHOM to define, is still to increase in Definition; INFINITENESS being the right Philosopher's Stone, which turns all Metals into Gold, and one Dram of IT being put, not only to a Seraphin, or to a whole Element, but even to the least gnat in the World, or the least mo●e in the Sun, is of Force to make it true and very GOD: For, first It maketh it to be the first ESSENCE, derived from none other. 2. It maketh it to be but One, because there cannot be two INFINITES; where there are two, there is Division; where Division, there is end of one, and beginning of another, and so no INFINITE. 3. It maketh the Subject to be immaterial, for no Matter can be INFINITE; for, a Body is contained, and, if contained, not infinite; being without Matter, it is also without Passion; for, sola materia patitur; and so becometh also immutable, for there can be no Change without Passion. 4. It maketh a thing to be immovable, for whatsoever moveth hath Bounds, but in INFINITE there is no Bounds. 5. The INFINITE THING is simple, for in Composition there is Division and Quality, and so by consequent Limits. Thus, INFINITENESS distinguisheth from all Creatures, and is first primary without Cause, but existing absolutely in HIMSELF, and of HIMSELF, and is to all other Things the Cause and Beginning, yet not diminishing HIM, having all their Essence, but no part of his ESSENCE from Him. But, o, here the most superlative Expressions of Eloquence are no other than mere Extenuations. I tread a Maze, and thread a Labyrinth on Hills of Ice, where, if I slip▪ I tumble into Heresy; I am with S. Peter in the Deep, where, without the Hand of POWER, I should sink eternally, and be swallowed up by the bottomless Gulf. The Prosecution of this Argument were fitter for the Pens of ANGELS, than for the Sons of Corruption; whereof we may say, that if all should be written of INFINITENESS, not only the whole World, but even Heaven Itself would not suffice to hold the Books which should be written. I satisfy my incapacity with rejoicing in GOD'S Incomprehensibility. And now, descending from these amazing Heights, know, Reader, that Divine Poesy is the internal Triumph of the Mind, rapt with S. Paul into the third Heaven, where She contemplates Ineffables: 'tis the sacred Oracles of Faith put into melodious Anthems that make Music ravishing, no earthly Jubilation being comparable to It; It discovers the Causes, Beginnings, Progress, and End of Things, It instructeth Youth, comforteth Age, graceth Prosperity, solaceth Adversity, pleaseth at Home, delighteth abroad, shorteneth the Night, and refresheth the Day; No Star in the Sphere of Wisdom outshines It: Natural Philosophy hath not any thing in it which may satisfy the Soul, because that is created to something more excellent than all Nature; but this Divine Rapture chains the Mind with harmonious Precepts from a divine Influence, whose Operations are as subtle and resistless as the Influence of Planets; teaching Mortals to live as in the Sight of GOD, by whom the Coverts of the thickest Hypocrisy (that white Devil) are most clearly seen through. Now 'tis judgement begets the Strength, Invention the Ornaments of a Poem; both These joined form Wit, which is the Agility of Spirits: Vivacity of Fancy in a florid Style disposeth Light and Life to a Poem, wherein the Masculine and refined Pleasures of the Understanding transcend the feminine and sensual of the Eye: From the Excellency of Fancy proceed grateful Similes, apt Metaphors, etc. Sublime Poets are by Nature strengthened, by the Power of the Mind inflamed, and by divine Rapture inspired; They should have a plentiful stock to set up, and manage it artfully, their Conceptions should be choice, brief, perspicuous, well-habited. In Scripture Moses, job, David, Solomon, and others, are famous for employing their Talents in this kind. S. Paul likewise cited three of the Heathen Poets (whom he calls Prophets) as evident Convictions of Vice, and Demonstrations of Divinity. viz. Epimenides to the Cretians. Tit. 1. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Menander to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 15. 33. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. And Aratus to the Athenians. Acts 17. 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From these Results I fell in love with our more divine and Christian Poesy, observing that in the Sayings and Writings of our Blessed SAVIOUR and his Disciples, there are no less than sixty Authorities produced from above forty of David's Psalms. Hence from that high Love, which hath no Weapons but fiery Rays, my Spirit is struck into a Flame to enter into the secret and sacred Rooms of Theology, and, Reader, if thou wilt not prejudice thine own Charity by miscrediting me, I dare profess, thou wilt neither repent of thy Cost or Time in reviewing these Interval Issues of spiritual Recreation, which may thus, happily, prove a pleasant Lure to thy pious Devotion: May likewise thy Charity suggest to thy Belief, that I have done my best to that End, and if thou thinkest that I have wanted Salt to preserve them to Posterity, know that the very Subject Itself is Balsam enough to make them perpetual. Delightest thou in a Heroic Poem? If Actions of Magnanimity and Fidelity advancing moral Virtue merit the Title of Heroick, much more may THEOPHILA, a Combatant with the World, Hell, and her own Corruptions, gain an eternal LAUREL; Whose Example and Precepts, well followed, will without Doubt bring Honour, Joy, Peace, Serenity, and Hopes full of Confidence. The Composer hath extracted out of the even Mixture of Theory and Action this cordial Water of saving Wisdom, by distilling Them through the Limbeck of PIETY, whereof they drink to their Soul's Health, who not only take it in, as parched Earth does Rain, but turn it into nourishment by a spiritual Digestion, being made like It Divine. This metrical Discourse of his serious Day, to which he was led by Instigation of Conscience, not Titillation of Fame, inoculates Grafts of Reason on the Stock of Religion, and would have all put upon this important Consideration, that the Life of Nature is given to seek the Life of GRACE., which bringeth us to the Life of GLORY; the obtainment of which is his only Aim, being fully persuaded, that as every new Star gilds the Firmament, and increaseth its first Glory: So those, who are Instruments of the Conversion of Others, shall not only introduce new Beauties, but, when Themselves shine like other Stars in GLORY, they shall have some Reflections from the Light of Others, to whose fixing in the Orb of HEAVEN they Themselves have been Instrumental. He would not run thee out of Breath by longwinded Strains; for in a Poem, as in a Prayer 'tis Vigour not Length that crowns it; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Taedia ut Ambages pariant, nervosa Favorem  
Sic Brevitas; Labour est non brevis esse brevem.  
He wisheth it might be his Happiness to meet with such Readers, as discern the Analogy of Grounds, as well as the Knowledge of the Letter, and have as well a Systeme of Reason, as the Understanding of Words: yea, such as have judgement and Affections refined, and with THEOPHILA be Lovesick too, which Love is never more eloquent, than when ventilated in Sighs and Groans, HEAVENS delighted Music being in the broken Consort of Hearts and Spirits, the Will there accepted for the Work, and the Desire for Desert. Behold here in an Original is presented an Example of Life, with Force of Precepts, happy who copy them out in their Actions! Indeed Examples and Precepts are as Poems and Pictures; for, as Poems are speaking Pictures, and Pictures are silent Poems: so Example is a silent Precept, and Precept a speaking Example: And as Music is an audible Beauty, and Beauty a visible Music: So Precepts are audible Sweets to the Wise, and Examples silent Harmony to the illiterate, who may unclasp and glance on these Poems, as on Pictures with Inadvertency; yet He who shall contribute to the Improvement of the Author, either by a prudent Detection of an Error, or a sober Communication of an irrefragable Truth, deserves the venerable Esteem and Welcome of a good ANGEL; And He who by a candid Adherence unto, and a fruitful Participation of what is good and pious confirms Him therein, merits the honourable Entertainment of a faithful Friend: But he who shall ●●●duce him in Absence, for what in Presence he would seem to applaud, incurs the double Gild of Flattery and Slander; and he who wounds Him with ill Reading and Misprision, does Execution on Him before judgement.  
Now He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, bring those to everlasting Life, who love the Way, and Truth in Sincerity!   

The several Cantos.  

The 

Humiliation.  
Restauration.  
Inamoration.  
Representation.  
Association.  
Contemplation  
Admiration.    
The 

Recapitulation.  
Praelibation.  
Translations.  
Abnegation.  
Disincantation.  
Segregation.  
Reinvitation.  
Termination.      

Be pleased, Reader, first to correct these Typographical Errors.  
Acres circumfert centum licèt Argus Ocellos,  
Non tamen errantes cernat ubique Typos.  
AT the bottom B4. Line 20. Read Ecstasies, Pag. 1. Stanza 1. Strains. p. 54. St. 23. Condescend, p. 76. St. 71. Unbounded. p. 84. St. 25. Thee. p. 106. St. 86. doth most. 132. 31. non. p. 144. rectify the Figures. p. 169. St. 60. repurgat. 173. 90, eversis 203. 82. For. 214. l. 12. exanimes. 217. l. 7. splendet. 239. 29. didst. 268. l. 25. Nectare, etc.   

PNEUMATO-SARCO-MACHIA: OR THEOPHILA'S Spiritual Warfare.  
THE Life of a true CHRISTIAN is a continual Conflict; Each Act of the good Fight hath a Military Scene; and our Blessed SAVIOUR coming like a Man of War commands in Chief, under the FATHER, who hath laid Help upon One that is Mighty, by anointing him with the Holy GHOST and with Power. This World is his pitched Field; his Standard the Cross; his Colours Blood; his Armour Patience; his Battle Persecution; his Victory Death; And in mystical DIVINITY his two-handed Sword is the Word and Spirit, which wounds and heals; and what is shed in this holy War is not Blood but Love; his Trumpeters are Prophets and Preachers; his Menacies Mercies; and his Arrows Benefits: When he offers HIMSELF to us, He than invades us; His great and small Shot are Volies of Sighs and Groans; when we are converted we are conquered; He binds when He embraceth us; In the Cords of Love He leads us Captives; and kills us into Life, when He crucifies the Old, and quickens in us the New Man. So then here is no Death, but of inbred Corruptions: No Slaughter, but of carnal Affections, which being Mortified the Soul becomes a living Sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto GOD.   

WHEN that great Gen'ralissimo of all  
Infernal janissaries shall  
His Legions of Temptations raise, enrol,  
And muster Them against Thee, my Soul:  
And Ranks of Pleasures, Profits, Honours bring,  
To give a Charge on the right Wing:  
And place his dreadful Troops of deadly Sins  
Upon the Left, with murdering Gins:  
And draw to his main Body thousand Lusts,  
And for Reserve, wherein he trusts,  
Shall specious Sanctities Brigade provide,  
Whose Leader is spiritual Pride:  
And having treacherously laid his Trains  
In Ambush, under Hope of Gains  
By sinning, as so many Scouts, to find  
Each March and Posture of thy Mind:  
Then, Soul, sound an Alarm to FAITH, and press  
Thy ZEAL to be in Readiness;  
And leavy all thy Faculties to serve  
Thy CHIEF. Take PRAYER for thy Reserve  
Under the Conduct of his SPIRIT; See  
Under the Banner that they be  
Of thy SALVATIONS CAPTAIN: Then be sure  
That all thy Outworks stand secure.  
Yet narrower look into th' indenting Line  
Of thy ambiguous Thoughts: Design  
With constant Care a Watch o'er every Part;  
Even at thy Cinque-ports, and thy Heart  
Set Sentinels: Let FAITH be Captain o'er  
The Lifeguard, standing at the Door  
Of thy well-warded Breast: Disloyal Fear  
That corresponds with Gild, cashear.  
Nor let Hypocrisy sneak in and out  
Thy Garrison, with that Spy, Doubt.  
The Watchword be IMMANUEL: Then set  
Strong Parties of thy Tears; and let  
Them still to salie forth prepared stand,  
And but expect the Souls Command;  
Waiting until a blessed Recruit from HIGH  
Be sent, with GRACES free Supply.  
Thus where the LORD of Hosts the Van leads, there Triumphant Palms bring up the Rear.   

TO MY FANCY UPON THEOPHILA.  

FLy, FANCY, Beauty's arched Brow,  
Darts, winged with Fire, thence sparkling flow.  
From Flash of Lightning Eyeballs turn;  
Contracted Beams of Crystal burn.  
Wave Curls, which Wit Gold-tresses calls,  
That golden Fleece to Tinsel falls.   

EVade Thou peach-bloom Cheek-Decoies,  
Where both the Roses blend false Joys.  
Press not the two-leaved Ruby Gates,  
Which fence their Pearl-Portcullis Grates.  
Suck not the Breath, though it return  
Fragrant, as Phoenix spicy Urn.   

LOck up thine Ears, and so disarm  
The Magic of inamoring Charm.  
The lilyed Breasts with Violets veined  
Are Flowers, as soon deflowered as gained.  
Lovelocks, Perfume, Paint, Spots dispraise;  
These by the Black-Art Spirits raise.   

GArnish no Bristows with rich Mine,  
Glow-worm's are Vermin, though they shine.  
Should one Love-knot All Lovely tie,  
This One, These All, soon cloy and die.  
Cupid, as lame as blind, being gone,  
Live One with HIM, WHO made Thee One.   

AVoid exotic Pangs o'th' Brain,  
Nor let thy Margin blush a Stain.  
With artful Method Misc'line sow:  
May judgement with Invention grow.  
Profit with Pleasure bring to th' Test,  
Be Oar refined, before impressed.   

Pass Forge and File, be Point and Edge  
Against what severest Brows allege.  
Mix Balm with Ink; Let thy Salt heal:  
T' each Palate various Manna deal.  
Have for the Wise strong Sense, deep Truth:  
Grand-Sallet of choice Wit for Youth.   

CUll Metaphors well-weighed and clear,  
Enucle'ate Mysteries to th' Ear.  
Be Wit Stenographyed, yet free;  
'Tis largest in Epitome.  
Fly through Arts Heptarchy, be clad  
With Wings to soar, but not to gad.   

THy Pinions raise with mystic Fire,  
Sometimes 'bove high-roofed Sense aspire.  
So draw THEOPH'LA, that each Line,  
Centring in HEAVEN, may seem Divine.  
Her Voice soon fits Thee for that Choir;  
W' are cindred by intrinsic Fire.   

Magnetic virtue'S in her Breast  
Impregned with GRACE., the noblest GUEST.  
Who in LOVES Albo are enrolled,  
Unutterable Joys behold.  
Geographers Earth's Globe survey,  
Fancy, HEAVN'S Astrolabe display.   

SIx hast thou viewed of Europa's Courts,  
Soon, as Ideas, passed their Sports.  
Sense, canst thou pierce and construe Bliss?  
Only SOULS sanctified know This.  
Then hackney not to Toys, Lives Span.  
The SAINTS Rear tops the Courtiers Van.   

IN Hope's Cell holy Hermit be:  
Let Ecstacies transfigure Thee.  
There, as Truth's Champion, strive all Ways,  
To storm LOVES Tower with Hosts of Praise.  
Keep strong Faith's Court of Guard. The Stars  
March in Battalions to these Wars.   

ZEalous in Prayer besiege the Sky,  
Conquests are Crowned by Constancy:  
Stand Cen'tnell at the BRIDEGROOM'S Gates;  
Who serve there, reign o'er earthly States,  
Raised on Devotions flaming Wings  
Disdain the crackling Blaze of Things.   

NO Music courts Spiritual Ears  
Like high-tuned Anthems; This uprears  
Thee, FANCY, rapt through Mists of Fears,  
And Clouds of Penitential Tears;  
Eagling 'bove transitory Spheres,  
Till even the INVISIBLE appears.   

Divorced from past and present Toys,  
‛ Spouse New Ierus'lems future Joys;  
Be Rebaptised in Eye-dew-Fall,  
Of All forgot, forget Thou All.  
These Acts well kept, Commence, and prove  
Professor in Seraphic LOVE.    

A Friends ECHO to his FANCY upon SACRATA.  

I.  
WHen Fancy bright SACRATA courts,  
It is not with accustomed Sports;  
●Tis not in prising of her Eyes,  
To the Disvalue of the Skies;  
Nor robbing Gardens of their Hue,  
To give her flowery Cheeks their Due.   

II.  
●Tis not in stripping of the Sea  
For Coral, to resign that Plea  
It hath to the Vermilion Die,  
If that her r●ddy Lips be nigh,  
Or that I long to see them open,  
As if I thence for Pearl did hope.   

III.  
Nor is't in promising my ●ars  
Rather to her than to the Spheres;  
Or that a Smile of hers displays  
As much Content as Phoebus' Rays,  
Or that her Hand for Whiteness shames  
The Down of Swans on Silver Thames.   

IV.  
Let such on these Romances dwell,  
Who do admire Love's Husk and Shell.  
Hark, wanton Fair-ones, all your Fawns  
Are Happinesses hapless Pawns:  
With these alone the Mind does Flag;  
Beauty is oft the Souls Black Bag.   

V.  
Pure Flames that ravish with their F●re,  
Ascend unmeasurably Higher;  
Which after Search we find to be  
In Virtue linked with Piety,  
The Radiations of the Soul  
All Splendours of the Flesh control.   

VI  
Fond Sense, cry up a rosy Skin,  
SACRATA rosyed is within:  
But brighter THEOPHIL behold,  
Who●e Vest is wrought with ●urfled Gold.  
LOVES self in her his Flame embeams,  
LOVES Sacrifice ZEALS Rapture seems.   

VII.  
Of Paradise before the Fall  
This Saint is Emblematical.  
Then, Fancy, give Her due Renown,  
She's Queen of Arts; This Book, her Crown.  
SACRATA turns CASTARA unto us,  
And BENLOWES (Anagrammed) BENEVOLUS.   
JER. COLLIER, M. A. and Fell. of S. john's Coll. Camb.   

Non me Palma negata Macrum, data reddet Opimum.  

A Smooth clear Vein should have it Source  
From Nature, and have Art but Nurse:  
Which, though it Men at Athens feasts,  
May fight at Ephesus with Beasts.   

wit's, rudely haled to Momus Bar,  
By braying Beasts condemned are.  
Reason! How many Brutes there be  
'Mong Men, 'cause not informed by Thee?   

VAtes Pôet-Prophet is; If good,  
Alike both scorned, and understood.  
Though Readers Censure's Writers Fate,  
Spleen shan't contract, nor Praise dilate.   

OR clap, or hiss. The Moon sails round,  
Though barked at by each yelping Hound.  
The brighter She, the more they bark;  
But slumbering quetch not in the dark.   

DEign Him, bright 〈◊〉, your piercing Glance,  
(Arts Foes are Sons of Ignorance)  
So, freed from Night's rude Overseers,  
The POET may be tried by his PEERS.    

A VERDICT FOR THE Pious SACRIFICER.  
TO shine, and light, not scorch, thy MUSE did aim;  
And so hath raised this Quintessential Flame.  
By th' Salt, and Whiteness of her Lines, We think  
With holy Water (Tears) She mixed her Ink;  
And both the Fire and Food of this chaste MUSE  
Is more what Altars, than what Tables use.  
Who does not pray with Zeal thy FAITH may move,  
Rightly concentric with thy HOPE and LOVE.  
So, in the TEMPLE these Religious Hosts  
From Hecatombs may rise to HOLOCAUSTS.  
WALTER MONTAGVE, Com. Manch. Filius.   

FOR THE AUTHOR, Truly Heroic, By BLOOD, VIRTVE, LEARNING.  

SCholar, Commander, Traveller commixed;  
Schools, Camps, & Courts raise FAME, & make it fixed.  
Your Fame and Feet have Alps and Oceans past:  
Famed Feet! which Art can't raise, nor Envy blast.   

Beaumond and Fletcher coined a golden Way,  
T' express, suspend, and passionate a Play.  
Nimble and pleasant are all Motions there,  
For two Intelligences ruled the Sphere.   

Both Sock and Buskin sunk with Them, and then  
Davenant and Denham buoyed them up again.  
Beyond these Pillars Some think nothing is:  
Great BRITAIN'S Wit stands in a Precipice.   

But, Sir, as though heavens Streits discovered were,  
By Science of your Card, UNKNOWNS appear:  
Sail then with Prince of Wits, illustrious Dunne,  
Who rapt Earth round with Love, and was its Sun.   

But your first Love was pure: Whose every Dress  
Is inter-tissued Wit and Holiness;  
And mends upon Itself; whose Streams (that meet  
With Sands and herbert's) grow more deep, more sweet.   

ay, winged with Joy, to th' PRAELIBATION fly;  
Thence view I Errors Tragicomedy:  
With THEOPHIL from Fear to Faith I rise,  
The mystic Bridge, 'twixt Hell and Paradise.   

Hell 'scaped seems double Heaven: RENEVVED, with Bands  
Of Prayers, Vows, Tears, with Eyes, and Knees, and Hands,  
I see her cope with HEAVEN, and HEAVEN does thence,  
As in the Baptists Days, feel Violence.   

But her ecstatick SONGS OF LOVE, declare  
To jedidiah, She 's apparent Heir.  
Be those then next, The SONG OF SONGS. Love styles  
Her Fourth, The Second Book of CANTICLES.   

But with what dreadful yet delightful Tones  
She sings when GLORIFIED? Then, stingless Drones  
Are Death and Hell: Joys Crescent than's increased,  
To fullest Lustre, at her BRIDAL FEAST.   

Sixth, Sev'nth, and Eighth such Banquet's frame would make  
WISDOM turn Cormorant; my Spirits shake  
Ith' Reading. Soul of Joy! thy ravishing Spirit  
Draws bedrid Minds to longing Appetite.   

FAME, write with Gold on Diamond Pages; treat  
Upon the GLORIES of a Work so great.  
Be't then Enacted, that all Graces dwell  
In Thee, THEOPH'LA, Virtues Chronicle:   

Who jemm'st it in JERUSALEM Above,  
Where all is GRACE. and GLORY, LIGHT and LOVE.  
To That, UNPARALLEL, This comes so near,  
That, 't is a Glimpse of HEAVEN to read Thee here.   

O, blessed Ambition! Speculations high  
Enchariot Thee, Elijah-like, to th' SKY!  
What State worth Envy, like Thy sweet Abode,  
That overtops the World, and mounts to GOD?   

Walked through your Eden Stanza's, you invite  
Our ravished Souls to recre'ate with Delight,  
In Bower of count Discourse: Great Verse, but Prose  
Such, None but our Great MASTER could compose.   

For Bulk, an easy Folio is this All;  
Yet we a Volume may each Canto call,  
For Solid Matter: where we should consult  
On Paragraphs, mark what does thence result:   

For, every Period's of DEVOTION Proof,  
And each Resolve is of concerned Behoof.  
Peruse, Examine, Censure; o, how bright  
Does shine RELIGION, chequered with Delight!   

Diffusive Soul! your Spirit was soaring, when  
This Manna dewed from your inspired Peneus  
Such melting Passions of a Soul divine,  
Could They be cast in any Mould but Thine?   

Wonder arrests our Thought; That you alone  
In such Combustions, wherein Thousands groan,  
(And when some Sparkles of the public Flame  
Seized on your private ' State, and scorched the same)   

Could warble Thus. Steer Ships each Pilot may  
In Calms; but Who so can in Stormy Day  
May justly domineer. But what may daunt  
Him, who, like Mermaids, thus in Storms can chant?  
Grace crowns the Suffering, Glory the Triumphing SAINT.   
TH. PESTLE, Regi quondam à Sacris.   


THose LADIES, Sir, we VIRTUOSA'S call,  
But Copies are to this ORIGINAL;  
Whose charming Empire of her GRACE does Sense  
Astonish by a SUPER-EXCELLENCE.  
And, like as Midas Touch made Gold: So, thus  
THEOPHILA'S Touch may make THEOPHILUS.   

Zeuxes culled out Perfections of each sort  
For his Pandora; yet did All come short  
As far of This Embellishment as She  
Had been limned out in Paintings Infancy.  
For, Magisterial VIRTUE draws no Grace  
From Corp'ral Limbs, or Features of the Face.   

Here heaven-born SUADAS, Starlike, gilled each Dress  
Of the BRIDE SOUL espoused to HAPPINESS.  
Here PIETY informs Poetic Art;  
As All in All, and all in every Part.  
For All These died not with famed Cartwright, though  
A Score of Poets joined to have it so.   
T. BENLOWES. A. M.   

A GLANCE AT THEOPHILA.  

WHo sacrificed last? The hallowed Air  
Seems all ensould with sweet Perfume,  
Which pleased Heaven deigns to assume,  
The smiling Sky appeareth brightly fair;  
Was't not THEOPHILA'S famed Sire,  
Say, sacred Priest, obtained the holy Fire  
To bless, and burn his Victim of sublime Desire?   

Know, curious Mortal, this rare Sacrifice,  
Scarce known to our now-bedrid Age,  
Was got by Zeal, and holy Rage,  
And offered by Benevolus the Wise:  
For, speckled Craft, and a loose Fit  
Of aguish Knowledge, glimmering Acts beget;  
chaste Piety bears Fruit to Wisdom, not to Wit.   

No Tigers Whelp with Blood-besmeared Jaws,  
No Cub of Bears, licked into Shape,  
No lustful Offspring of the Ape,  
No musky Panther with close guileful Claws,  
No dirty gruntling of the Swine,  
No Lion's Whelp of êre so high Design,  
Is offered here: Keep off Unclean! Here's all divine.   

The chosen Wood (as Harbinger to all  
Those future then, now passed Rites)  
Was Laurel, that Guards Lightning Frights,  
The weeping Fir, sad Yew for Funeral,  
The lasting Oak, and joyful Vine,  
The fruitful Figtree Billets did consign;  
The peaceful Olive with cleft juniper did join.   

On Knees in Tears think Altared THEOPHIL,  
Incensed with sweet Obedience,  
Who makes LOVES Life in Death commence,  
Scaling with Heart, Hands, Eyes, heavens lofty Hill:  
Her circled Head you might behold  
Was glorified with burnished Crown of Gold,  
Embossed with Gems; embraced by ANGELS manifold.   

Thus in a fiery Chariot up SHE flies,  
Perfuming the forsaken Earth,  
(The Widwife Orbs do help her Birth)  
Into the Glory of the HIERARCHIES.  
Where Ecstasies of joys do grow,  
Which they Themselves eternally do sow,  
But 'tis too high for Me to think, or Thee to know.   

Priests thus by Hiroglyphick Keys  
Unlock their hidden Mysteries.   
W. Dennie Baronet.   

TO THE AUTHOR Upon His Divine Poem.  
TIll now I guessed but blindly to what Height  
The Muse's Eagles could maintain their flight!  
Though Poets are, like Eaglets, bred to soar,  
Gazing on Stars at heavens mysterious Power,  
Yet I observe they quickly stoop to ease  
Their Wings, and perch on Palace-Pinacles:  
From thence more usefully they Courts discern;  
The Schools where Greatness does Disguises learn;  
The Stages where She acts to vulgar sight  
Those Parts which Statesmen as her Poets write;  
Where none but those wise Poets may survey  
The private practice of her public Play;  
Where Kings, GOD'S Counterfeits, reach but the Skill  
In studied Scenes to act the Godhead ill:  
Where Cowards, smiling in their Closets, breed  
Those Wars which make the vain and furious bleed:  
Where Beauty plays not merely Natures part,  
But is, like Power, a Creature formed by Art;  
And, as at first, Power by Consent was made,  
And those who formed it did themselves invade:  
So harmless Beauty (which has now far more  
Injurious Force than States or Monarch's Power)  
Was by consent of Courts allowed Arts Aid;  
By which themselves they too her Sway betrayed.  
'twas Art, not Nature, taught excessive Power;  
Which whom it lists does favour or devour:  
'twas Art taught Beauty the imperial Skill  
Of ruling, not by Justice, but by Will.  
And, as successive Kings scarce seem to reign,  
Whilst lazily they Empires Weight sustain;  
Thinking because their Power they Native call  
Therefore our Duty too is Natural;  
And by presuming that we ought obey,  
They lose the craft and exercise of Sway:  
So, when at Court a native Beauty reigns  
O'er Love's wild Subjects, and Arts help disdains;  
When her presumptuous Sloth finds not why Art  
In Powers grave Play does act the longest part;  
When, like proud Gentry, she does level all  
Industrious Arts with Arts mechanical;  
And vaunts of small inheritance no less  
Than new States boast of purchased Provinces;  
Whilst she does every other Homage scorn,  
But that to which by Nature she was born:  
Thus when so heedlessly She Lovers sways,  
As scarce she finds her Power ere it decays;  
Which is her Beauty, and which unsupplyed  
By what wise Art would carefully provide,  
Is but Love's Lightning, and does hardly last  
Till we can say it was ere it be past;  
Soon then when beauty's gone she turns her face,  
Ashamed of that which was erewhile her Grace;  
So, when a Monarch's gone, the Chair of State  
Is backward turned where He in Glory sat.  
The secret Arts of Love and Power; how these  
Rule Courts, and how those Courts rule Provinces,  
Have been the task of every noble Muse;  
Whose Aid of old nor Power nor Love did use  
Merely to make their lucky Conquests known  
(Though to the Muse they owe their first Renown;  
For She taught Time to speak, and even to Fame,  
Who gives the Great their Names, She gave a Name)  
But they by studying Numbers rather knew  
To make those happy whom they did subdue.  
Here let me shift my Sails! and higher bear  
My Course than that which moral Poets steer!  
For now (best Poet!) I Divine would be;  
And only can be so by studying Thee.  
Those whom thy Flights do lead shall pass no more  
Through darkening Clouds when they to Heaven would sore;  
Nor in Ascent fear such excess of Light  
As rather frustrates than maintains the Sight;  
For thou dost clear heavens darkened Mysteries,  
And mak'st the Luster safe to weakest Eyes.  
Noiselesse, as Planets move, thy Numbers flow,  
And soft as Lovers Whispers when they woe!  
Thy laboured Thoughts with Ease thou dost dispense,  
Clothing in Maiden Dress a Manly Sense.  
And as in narrow Room Elixir lies;  
So in a little thou dost much comprise.  
Here fix thy Pillars! which as Marks shall be  
How far the Soul in heavens discovery  
Can possibly advance; yet, whilst they are  
Thy Trophies, they but warrant our Despair:  
For, humane Excellence hath this ill Fate  
That where it Virtue most doth elevate  
It bears the blot of being singular;  
And Envy blasts that Fame it cannot share:  
Even good Examples may so Great be made  
As to discourage whom they should persuade.  
WILL. D'AVENANT. TOWER, May 13th 1652.   

For the much Honoured AUTHOR.  
THe winged Intellect once taught to fly  
By Art and Reason, may be bold to pry  
Into the Secrets of a wand'ring Star,  
Although its Motions be irregular:  
And from the Smiles and Glances that those bright  
Corrivals cast, that do embellish Night,  
Guess darkly at, though not directly know,  
The various Changes that fall here below.  
And perching on the highest Perimeter,  
May find the Distances of every Sphere,  
Which in full Orbs do move, tunicled so  
That the less Spheres within the greater go,  
As Cell in Cell, spun by the dying Fly;  
Or Ball in Ball, turned in smooth Ivory.  
Each hath a Prince circled upon a Throne,  
In a refulgent Habitation.  
Only the Constellations seem to be  
Like Nobles, in an Aristocracy.  
Their milky Way like Innocence, and thus  
Should all great Actions be Diaphanous.  
But the great Monarch, Light, disposes All:  
His Stores are Magazine, and Festival:  
And by his Power Earth's Epicycle may  
Move in a silver Sphere, as well as They.  
Else, her poor little Orb appears to be  
A very Point to their Immensity.  
Thus strung, like Beads, They on their Centres move;  
But the great Centre of this All, is LOVE.  
Though the brute Creatures by the height of Sense  
Foretell their calm and boisterous Influence,  
Yet to find out their Motions is Man's part,  
Not by the help of Nature, but of Art,  
Which rarefies the Soul, and makes it rise,  
And sees no farther than that gives it Eyes.  
And by that Prospect will directly tell  
What Regions stoop to every Parallel.  
Which Cities furred are with Snow, which lie  
Naked, and scorched under heavens Canopy.  
How Men, like Cloves stuck in an Orange, stand  
Still upright, with their Feet upon the Land.  
And where the Seas opposed to us do flow,  
Yet quench they not that Heat where Spices grow.  
It sees fair Mornings rising Neck beset  
With orient Gems, like a rich Carcanet.  
Who every Night doth send her Beams to spy  
In what dark Caves her golden Treasures lie:  
And there they brood and hatch the callow Race,  
Till they take wing, and fly in every place.  
It sees the frozen Fir shrouding its Arms,  
While Cocus Trees are courted with blessed Charms,  
That swell their pregnant Womb: whose Issue may  
Sweeten our World, but that they die by th' Way.  
It sees the Seasons lying at the Door,  
Some warm and wanton, and some cold and poor;  
And knows from whence they come, both foul & fair,  
And from their Presence gilds, or soils the Air.  
It sees plain Nature's Face, how rude it looks  
Till it be polished by Men and Books;  
And most of her dark Secrets can discover  
To open View of an industrious Lover.  
What ever under heavens great Throne we prise  
Or value, in Arts Chamber-practise lies.  
But when before the ALMIGHTY JUDGE he come  
To speak of HIM, my Orator is dumb.  
Go then, thou silent Soul, present thy Plea  
By the fair Hand of sweet THEOPHILA.  
Haply thy harsh and broken Strains may rise  
In the Perfume of her sweet Sacrifice:  
And if by this Access thou findest a Way  
To th' highest THRONE, alas! what canst thou say?  
What can the Bubble (though its Breath it bring  
Upon the gliding Stream) say of the Spring?  
Can the proud painted Flower boast that it knows  
The Root that bears it, and whereon it grows?  
Or can the crawling Worm, though ne'er so stout,  
With its Meandring find the Centre out?  
Can INFINITE be measured by a Span?  
And what art thou, less than all these, o Man?  
Man is a thing of nought! yet from ABOVE  
There beams upon his Soul such Rays of LOVE,  
As may discover by Faith's Optic, where  
The burning Bush is, though not see HIM there.  
The meekest Man on Earth did only see  
His Shadow shining there, it was not HERALD  
And if that great Soul, who with holy Flame,  
And ravished Spirit to the Third Heaven came,  
Saw Things unutterable, What can We  
Express of those Things that we ne'er did see?  
The Senses strongest Pillars cannot bear  
The Weight of the least grain of GLORY there.  
No more than where to bond, or comprehend  
infinity, they can Begin, or End.  
Since then the Soul is circumscribed within  
The narrow Limits of a tender Skin;  
Let us be Babes in Innocence, and grow  
Strong upwards, and more weak to things below.  
By sacred Chemistry, the Spirit must  
Ascend and leave the Sediment to Dust.  
This Cordial is distilled from the Eyes,  
And we must sprinkle it on th' Sacrifice:  
Offered i'th' Virtue of THEOPH'LAS Name,  
Which must be to it Holocaust and Flame.  
Then, winged with Zeal, we may aspire to see  
The hallowed Oracles expressed by THEE,  
Who art LOVES Flamen, and with Holy Fire  
Refin'st thy Muse, to make her mount the Higher.  
ARTH. WILSON.   

For the Renowned COMPOSER.  
APOETS Ashes need nor Brass, nor Stone  
To be their Wardrobe; Since his Name alone  
Shall stand both Brass and Marble to the Tomb.  
Nor doth he want the Cere-cloths balmy Womb  
T' enwrap his Dust, until his drowsy Clay  
Again enlivened by an active Ray,  
Shot from the last Day's Fire, shall wake, and rise,  
Attired with Light. No; When a POET dies,  
His Sheets alone wind up his Earth, They'll be  
Instead of Mourner, Tomb, and Obsequy;  
And to embalm It, his own Ink he takes:  
Gum Arabic the richest Mummy makes.  
Then, Sir, You need no Obelisk, that may  
Seclude your Ashes from Plebeian Clay.  
For, from your Mine of Fancy, now we see  
YE have digged so many gems of Poesy,  
That out of them you raise a glorious Shrine,  
In which your ever-blooming Name will shine;  
Free from th' Eclipse of Age, and Clouds of Rust,  
Which are the Moths to other common Dust.  
Then, could we now collect th' all worshipped Oar,  
With which kind Nature paves the Indian Shore;  
And gather to one mass that Stock of Spice,  
Which copies out afresh old Paradise,  
And in the Phoenix odorous Nest is penned,  
All would fall short of This rich Monument.  
About the Surface of whose Verge, You stick  
So many fragrant Flowers of Rhetoric,  
That Lovers shall approach in Throngs, and seek  
With their rich Leaves t' adorn each Beauty's Cheek;  
So that, these sacred Trophies will become  
In Aftertimes your Altar, not your Tomb.  
To which the Poets shall in well-dressed Lays,  
Offer their Victimes, with a Grove of Bayes.  
For here among these Leaves, no speckled Snake,  
Or Viper doth his Bed of Venom make:  
No Lust-burnt Goat, nor loser satire weaves  
His Cabin out, among these spotless Leaves.  
A Virgin here may safely dart her Eye,  
And yet not blush for Fear, lest any by  
Should see Her read. These Pages do dispense  
A Julep, which so charms the Itch of Sense,  
That we are forced to think your guiltless Quill  
Did, with its Ink, the Turtles Blood distil.  
T. Philipot.   

Pietatis, Poeticesque Cultori.  

IGne cales tali, quali cum Nuncius Ora  
Seraphicus sacro tetigit Carbone Prophetae.  
Macte DEI plenum Pectus; Te his dedito Flammis,  
Sancte Poetarum Phoenix! Reparabilis Ignis  
Te voret hîc Totum; Quo plus consumeris Illo,  
Hoc magis Aeterno Tu consummaberis Aevo.   

INCIPE Censurâ major, qui Fonte Camaenas  
Idalias tingis casto; Tua Metra Sionem  
Parnassus jungunt celebri; tam digna Lituris  
Nulla canis, quam sunt omni dignissima Laude.  
THEIOPHILAM resonare docens Modulamine diam,  
Impia priscorum lustrâsti Carmina Vatum.   

PERGE; beatifico correptus NUMINE, PERGE,  
Vivida felici fundendo Poemata Flatu,  
Pectore digna tuo, COELI penetrare Recessus:  
Et quae densa tegit Nubes Mysteria claro  
Lumine perlustra, solito non concite Plectro,  
Quaelibet altisono prosterne Piacula Versu.   

PERFICE, terrenum transcende, POETA, Cacumen:  
Conversus converte Vagos; Quos decipit Error  
Incautos, Meliora doce; Britonesque bilingues  
Lingua fac erudiat Britonum, sit quanta superbi  
Pectoris Ambitio & Veri Caligo; Camaenis  
Subdola vesani depinge Sophismata Sêcli.   
IO. GAUDENTIUS. S. T. D.   

In Sanctos THEOPHILAE Amores.  
VIx mihi Te vidisse semel concessit Apollo,  
Inque tuo pictam Carmine THEIOPHILAM:  
Quum gemino Ipse miser, sed fortunatus AMORE  
Deperii; dubius sic Ego factus Amans.  
Cur Dubius? Fallor. Nam, quamvis partibus aequis,  
Igne simul duplici me novus urat Amor,  
Afficitur tamen Objecto, atque unitur in uno,  
Totaque divisis una Favilla manet.  
Ne, Lector, mirêre; Novum est. Sed protinus Ignes,  
Si sine felle legas, experiêre meos.  
THEIOPHILA! In cunctis Praecellentissima Nymphis;  
Nominis ad Famam quot Tibi Corda cadent!  
Corporis, Ingeniique Bonis dotata triumphas,  
Binaque cum summa Laude, Trophaea geris.  
DOCTE, Tibi aeternae quales Spectacula Chartae,  
Quotque Illi efficient Pagina docta Procos!  
Sexus uterque pari, visâ HAC, ardebit Amore;  
HACque frui ex aequo Sexus uterque volet.  
Ne vercare tamen, Cuncti licet Oscula figant  
THEIOPHILAE, ne sit casta, vel una TIBI.  
Famae Ejus nil detrahitur si publica fiat;  
Hanc ut ament Omnes, Nil Tibi, AMICE, perit.  
Tu solus DOMINA dignus censeberis Illâ,  
ILLAM qui solus pingere dignus eras.  
P. de CARDONEL.   

In celeberrimam THEOPHILAM, feliciter elucubratam.  
A Nne novi, veterisve prius Monumenta revolvam  
Ingenii? & Tragicos superantia Scripta Cothurnos,  
Atque Sophoclaeis numerari digna Triumphis?  
quam bene vivificis depingitur Artibus ECHO?  
quam bene monstriferas Vitiorum discutis Hydras?  
Carminibusque doces quantum peccaverit Aevum?  
Quanta Polucephalis repserunt Agmina Sectis?  
SPHINGE THEOLOGICA quae dia Poemata pangis?  
Mira & Vera canens, nodosa Aenigmata solvis.  
Nec vitae pars ulla perit, nec transigis unam  
Ingratam sine Luce Diem; dum pervigil Artes  
Exantlas, avidisque bibis Permessida Labris.  
jam, velut primo Phoenix revocatus Eoo,  
Apparet nostris nova Sponsa THEOPHILA Terris.  
Illius è roseis flammatur Purpura malis;  
Et Gemmis Lux major adest, & blandius Aurum  
A Calamo, BENLOSE, tuo; dum Dotibus amplis  
Excolis, Ingeniique Opibus melioribus ornas.  
Lactea Ripheas praecellunt Colla Pruinas;  
Fronte Decor radiat, sanctoque Modestia Vultu;  
Suada verecundis & Gratia plena Labellis  
Assidet, & casti Mores imitata Poetae,  
Te Moderatorem fusis amplectitur Vlnis.  
Hi●ce Triumphatrix decorata THEOPHILA Gemmis,  
Celsior assurgit, Mundumque nitentior intrat  
Virgineis comitata Choris; QUAM Tramite longo  
Agmina Cecropiis stipant Heliconia Turmis.  
Non aliter quoties adremigat Aequoris Vndas  
Fraenatis Neptunus Equis, fluit ocyùs Antris  
Nereidum Gens tota suis, Dominumque salutant,  
Blandula caeruleo figentes Oscula Collo.  
P. F.   

Qui Virtutes THEOHILAE praedicat, Religioni non Gloriae studeat. Noverim Te, DOMINE, noverim me!  

LAudis in Oceano me submersistis, Amici;  
Maxima pars Decoris me, nihil esse, patet.  
Laus, famulare DEO, submissi Victima Cordis  
Est Hecatombaeis anteferenda Sacris.  
CHRIST, meae da par ut sit mea Vita Camaenae;  
Sim neque Laus Aliis prodiga, parca TIBI.   

O'ercome me not with your Perfumes, o Friends!  
My greatest Worth, to show I'm nothing, tends.  
Praise, wait on HEAVEN. Th' Host of an humble Heart  
Excels the sacred Hecatombs of Art.  
Grant, LORD, my Life may parallel my Lays!  
They me too much, I THEE too little, praise.    

IN DIVINOS POETAS.  
SAncto SANCTA COLUMBA Musa Vati.  
Parnassus superae CACUMEN AETHRAE.  
CHRISTI GRATIA Pegasus supremus.  
Vati Castalis Vnda DIUS IMBER.  
Pennam dat SERAPHIN suis ab Alis.  
AGNI scribitur Optimi CRUORE.  
Vati Bibliotheca SPHAERA COELI.  
VITAE è CODICE faenerans Medullam,  
Internos penetrat POLI RECESSUS.  
O, CONAMINA fructuo●iora!  
O, SOLAMINA delicatiora!  
Per Quae creditur ANGELUS Poeta,  
PATRONUSque pio DEUS Poetae!   

ON DIVINE POETS.  
A Hallowed Poets Muse is Th'HOLY DOVE.  
Parnassus th' EMPYRAEAN HEIGHT Above.  
His lofty-soaring Pegasus CHRIST'S LOVE.  
heavens Shower of GRAOE is his Castalian Spring.  
A SERAPHIN lends Pen from his own Wing.  
His Ink is o● the best LAMBS purple Die.  
To Him heavens SPHERE is a vast Library.  
Raised by th' Advantage of th' ETERNAL BOOK,  
His piercing Eye even into HEAVEN does look.  
O, what ENDEAVOURS can more fruitful be!  
What COMFORTS can we more delightful see!  
By which the Poet we an ANGEL deem;  
Yea, GOD to's sacred Muse does PATRON seem.   

Ergo brevi stringam COELESTIA Cantu.  

AIming to profit as to please, We bring  
No usual Hawk to try her Wing.  
Come, come THEOPH'LA, fresh as May:  
Hark how the Falkner lures! This is Love's Holiday.   

Her stretch is for Devotions Quarry, which  
Mounts up her Zeal to Eagle-pitch:  
Cheer Thou her present timorous Flight,  
Whilst She thus cuts with Wing the driving Rack of Height.   

From thence, 'bove sparkling Stars, She'll sprightly move,  
Her Plumes of Faith being pruned by Love.  
AS GRACE. shall imp her Pineon, more,  
Or less, she will, or flag, or 'bove what's mortal, soar.    


The Author musing here survey,  
How He may THEOPHI● portray:  
Where Others Art surpassed you ●ind,  
They draw the Body, HE the Mind.  
The World's beneath his Foot; while SHE  
HEAVEN, by the Heavenly Sphere, does see.  
A CROWN is reached HER from the SKIES,  
Up with his BOOK an Eagle flies.   
THE PRELIBATION To the SACRIFICE.  
CANTO I.  
ARGUMENT.  

Spes alit occiduas qui Sublunaribus haeret;  
Rivales IESVS non in Amore sinit.  
Quid mihi non sapiat Terrâ, mihi dum sapit AETHER?  
Sed sapiet, sapias nî mihi, CHRIST, nihil.   

Awake, Arise, LOVES Steersman, and first taste  
Delight; Sound That; ere Anchor's cast  
On JOY; steer hence a pray'rful Course to HEAVEN at last.   

STANZA I.  
MIght Souls converse with Souls, by AN●EL-way,  
Enfranchised from their pris'ning Clay,  
What STRIANS by INTUITION, would They then convey!   

II.  
But, Spirits, sublimed too fast, evap'rate may,  
Without some interposed Alloy;  
And Notions, subtilised too thin, exhale away.   

III.  
The Gold (Sols Child) when in Earth's Womb it lay  
As precious was, though not so gay,  
As, when refined, it doth Itself abroad display.   

IV.  
Mount, Fancy, then through Orbs to GLORIES Sphere;  
(wild is the Course that ends not there:)  
You, who are VIRTUES Friends, lend to her Tongue an Ear.   

V.  
Let not the wanton Love-fights, which may rise  
From vocal Fifes, Flame-darting Eyes,  
(Beauties Munition) Hearts with Wounds unseen surprise:   

VI.  
Whose Basilisk-like Glances taint the Air  
Of VIRGIN pureness, and ensnare  
Entangled Thoughts i'th' Trammels of their Ambush-hair.   

VII.  
Love's Captive view, who's Days in warm Frosts spends;  
On's Idol dotes, to Wit pretends;  
Writes, blots, & rents; nor heeds where he begins or ends.   

VIII.  
His Stock of Verse in Comic Fragments lies:  
Higher than Ten'riffs Pique He flies:  
Sols but a spark; Thou outray'st all Diamonds of the Skies.   

IX.  
Victorious Flames glow from thy brighter EYE;  
Cloud those twin-lightning ORBS (They'll ●rie  
Anice-veined Monk) cloud Them, or, PLANET-struck, I die.   

X.  
Indians, pierce Rocks for Gems; Negroes, the Brine  
For Pearls; Tartars, tohunt combine  
For Sables; Consecrate all Offerings at HER SHRINE.   

XI.  
Crouch low. OH, Vermeil-tinctured CHEEK! for, thence  
The Organs to my Optic Sense  
Aredazled at the Blaze of so bright ANGELENCE.   

XII.  
Does Troy-bane Helen (Friend) with ANGELS share?  
All Lawless Passions Idols are:  
Frequent are fuco'd Cheeks; The Virtuosa's rare:   

XIII.  
A Truth authentic. Let not skin-deep white  
And red, perplex the nobler Light  
O'th' Intellect; nor mask the SOULS clear piercing Sight.   

XIV.  
Burn Odes, Lusts Paperplots; Fly Plays, its Flame;  
eat guileful Courtisms; Forge for Shame  
No Chains; Lip-traffick, and Eye-dialogues disclaim.   

XV.  
Hark how the frothy, empty Heads within  
Roar and carouse i'th' jovial Sin,  
Amidst the wild Levaltoes on their merry Pin!   

XVI.  
Drain dry the ransacked Cellars, and resign  
Your Reason up to Riot, join  
Your Fleet, & sail by Sugar-rocks through Floods of Wine:   

XVII.  
Send Care to dead Sea of Phlegmattick Age;  
Ride without Bit your restive Rage;  
And act your Revel-rout Thus on the tippling Stage.   

XVIII.  
Swell us a lusty BRIMMER,- more,- till most;  
So Vast, that none may spy the Coast:  
we'll down with ALL, though therein sailed LEPANTO'S Host:   

XIX.  
Top and Top-gallant hoist; We will outroar  
The bellowing Storms, though shipwrackt more  
Healths are, than tempting'st Siren's did inchant of yore   

XX.  
Each Gallon breeds a Ruby;- Drawer, score'um;  
Cheeks died in Claret seem o'th' Quorum,  
When our Nose-carbuncles, like Link-bois, blaze before'um.   

XXI.  
Such are their Ranting Catches to unsoul,  
And outlaw Man; They stagger, roll,  
Their ●eet indent, their Sense being drunk with Circe's Bowl.   

XXII.  
Entombed Souls! Why rot ye thus alive,  
Melting your Salt to Lees? and strive  
To strangle Nature, and hatch Death? Healths, Health deprive.   

XXIII.  
The sinless Herd loathes your Sense-stifling Streams,  
When long Spits point your Tale: Ye Bream  
In Wine and Sleep, your PRINCES are but Fumes, and Drea●s.   

XXIV.  
I'd rather be preserved in Brine, than rot  
In Nectar. Now to Dice they're got:  
Their Table's snare in both; Then what can be their Shot?   

XXV.  
Yet Blades will throw at A●l, sans Fear, or Wit;  
Oa●h● black the Night when ●ice don't hit;  
When Winners lose at Play, can Losers win by it?   

XXVI.  
Egypt's Spermatick Nurse, when her spread Floor  
Is flowed 'bove sev'nteen Cubits o'er,  
Breeds Dearth: And Spendthrifts waste, when they inflame the Score.   

XXVII.  
Tell me, ye pybald Butterflies, who poise  
Extrinsic with intrinsic Joys;  
What gain ye from such short-lived, fruitless, empty Toys?   

XXVIII.  
Ye Fools, who barter Gold for Trash, report,  
Can Fire in Pictures warm? Can Sport  
That stings, the mock-sense fill? How lows your HEAVEN! how short!   

XXIX.  
Go, chaffer BLISS for Pleasure▪ which is had  
More by the Beast, than Man; the Bad  
Swim in their Mirth: (CHRIST wept, ne'er laughed) The Best are sad.   

XXX.  
Brutes covet nought but what's terrene; heavens Choir  
Do in eternal Joys conspire;  
Man 'twixt them Both does intermediate Things desire.   

XXXI.  
Had we no Bodies, we were ANGELS; and  
Had we no Souls, we were unmanned  
To Beasts: Brutes are all Flesh, all Spirit the Heavenly BAND.   

XXXII.  
At first GOD made them One thus, by subjecting  
The Sense to Reason; and directing  
The Appetite by th' Spirit: But Sin by infecting   

XXXIII.  
Man's freeborn Will, so shatters Them; that They  
At present nor cohabite may  
Without ●Regret, nor without Grief depart away.   

XXXIV.  
Go, cheating World, that dancest o'er thy Thorns;  
Lov'st what undoes; hat'st what adorns:  
Go, idolise thy Vice, and VIRTUE load with Scorns.   

XXXV.  
Thy luscious Cup, more deadly than Asps Gall,  
Empoys'neth Souls for Hell: Thou all  
Times Mortals dost enchant with thy delusive Call.   

XXXVI.  
Who steals from Time, Time steals from him the Prey:  
Pastimes pass Time, pass HEAVEN away:  
Few like the blessed Thief do steal SALVATIONS Day.   

XXXVII.  
Fools rifle Times rich Lott'rie: Who misspend  
Lives peerless Gem, alive descend;  
And Antedate with Stings their neverending End.   

XXXVIII.  
Whose vast Desires engross the boundless Land  
By Fraud, or Force; Like Spiders stand,  
Squeezing small Flies; Such are their Nets, & such their Hand.   

XXXIX.  
When Nimrods' Vulture-Talons pared shall be,  
Their Houses Name soon changed you'll see;  
For their Bethesda shall be turned to Bethanie.   

XL.  
Better destroyed by Law, than ruled by Will;  
What Salves can cure, if Balsams kill?  
That Good is worst that does degenerate to iii.   

XLI.  
Had not GOD left the BEST within the Power  
Of Persecutors, who devour;  
We had nor MARTYRS had, nor yet a SAVIOUR.   

XLII.  
SAINTS melt as Wax, Fools-clay grows hard at Cries  
Of that scarce-breathing Corpse, who lies  
With dry Teeth, meager Cheeks, thin Maw, & hollow Eyes.   

XLIII.  
GOD made Life; Give't to Man; By opening Veins,  
Death's sluiced out, and Pleuretick Pains:  
Make GOD thy Pattern, Cure thyself, Alms are best gains.   

XLIV.  
heavens GLORY to achieve, what scantling Span  
Hath the frail Pilgrimage of Man!  
Which sets, when risen; ends, when it but now began.   

XLV.  
Who fight with outward Lusts, win inward Peace;  
judgements against Self-Iudges cease:  
Who face their Cloaks with Zeal do but their Woes increase.   

XLVI.  
The Mighty, mighty Torments shall endure,  
If impious: Hell admits to Cure.  
The best Security is ne'er to be secure.   

XLVII.  
Oaks, that dare grapple with heavens Thunder sink  
All shivered; Coals that scorch do shrink  
To Ashes; Vapouring Snuffs expire in noisome Stink.   

XLVIII.  
Time, strip the writheled Witch; Pluck the black Bags  
From off Sins grizly Scalp; the Hags  
Plague-sores show then more loathsome than her leprous Rags.   

XLIX.  
'Twas She slew guiltless Naboth; 'twas she curled  
The painted jezabel; she hurled  
Realms from their Centre; She unhinged the new-framed World.   

L.  
Blessed then who shall her dash against Rocks; (her Groans,  
Our Mirth) and wash the bloody Stones  
With her own cursed Gore; repave them with her Bones.   

LI.  
By Salic Law She should not reign: Storms swell  
By her, which Halcyon Days dispel:  
Nought's left that's good where she in Souls possessed does dwell.   

LII.  
'Twas her Excess bred Plagues! Infecting Stars,  
Infesting Dearth, Intestine Wars  
Surfeit with Graves the Earth, amongst Living making Jars.   

LIII.  
My Soul, enlabyrinthed in Grief, spend Years  
In Sackcloth, chamleted with Tears,  
Retired to Rocks dark entrails, court unwitnessed Fears.   

LIV.  
There pass with Heraclite a gentler Age,  
Free from the sad ACCOUNT of Rage,  
That acts the toilsome World on its tumultuous Stage.   

LV.  
There sweet RELIGION strings, and tunes, and skrues  
The Souls Theorb ', and doth infuse  
Grave Doric Epods in th' Enthusiastic MUSE.   

LVI.  
There LOVE turns trumpets into Harps, which call  
Off Sieges from the gunshot Wall;  
Alluring them to HEAVEN, her Seat Imperial.   

LVII.  
Thence came our joy, and Thence HYMNS eased our Grief;  
Of which th' ANGELICAL was chief;  
Glory to GOD; Earth Peace; Good Will for Man's Relief.   

LVIII.  
Quills, plucked from Venus' Doves, impress but shame:  
Then, give your Rhymes to Vulcan's Flame;  
he'll elevate your badger Feet: He's free, though lame.   

LIX.  
Things fall, and Nothings rise! Old VIRTUE framed  
Honour for WISDOM: WISDOM famed  
Old VIRTUE: Such Times were! Wealth than Arts Page was named   

LX.  
Lambeth was Oxford's Whetstone: Yet above  
Preferments Pinnacle they mov●,  
Who string the Universe, and bracelet It for LOVE.   

LXI.  
Virtues magnific Orb inflames their Zeal;  
By high-raised ANTHEMS Plague's they heal;  
And threeforked Thunders in HEAUNS' outstretched Arm repeal.   

LXII.  
Shall Larks with shrill-chirpt Matins rouse from Bed  
Of curtained Night Sols orient Head?  
And shall quick SOULS lie numbed, as wrapped in Sheets of Lead?   

LXIII.  
Awake from slumbering Lethargy; The gay  
And circling Charioteer of Day,  
In's Progress through the azure Fields sees, checks our Stay.   

LXIV.  
Arise; and rising, emulate the rare  
Industrious Spinsters, who with fair  
Embroid'ries checker-work the Chambers of the Air.   

LXV.  
Ascend; Sol does on Hills his Gold display,  
And, scattering Sweets, does spice the Day,  
And shoots delight through Nature with each arrowed Ray.   

LXVI.  
The Opal-coloured Dawns raise Fancy high;  
Hymns ravish those who Pulpits fly;  
Convert dull Lead to active Gold by LOVE-CHYMIE.   

LXVII.  
As Nature's prime Confectioner, the Bee,  
By her Flow'r-nibling Chemistry,  
Turns Vert to Or: So, VERSE gross Prose does rarify.   

LXVIII  
Powers cannot Poets, as They Powers up-buoy;  
Whose Soul-enliv'ning Charms Decoy  
Each wrinkled Care to the Pacifick Sea of Joy.   

LXIX.  
As, where from jewels sparkling Lustre darts,  
Those Rays enstarre the dusky Parts:  
So, Beams of Poesy give Light, Life, Soul to Arts.   

LXX.  
Rich POESY! Thy more irradiant Gems  
Give Splendour unto DIADEMS,  
And with coruscant Rays emblazest HONOURS Stems.   

LXXI.  
Thee MUSE (Arts ambient Air, Inventions Door,  
The Stage of Wits) both Rich and Poor  
Do court. ●A PRINCE may glory to become thy WOOER.   

LXXII.  
POETS ly'entombed by KINGS. Art's Gums dispense;  
By Rumination bruised, are thence  
By VERSE so fired, that their Perfume ENHEAV'NS the Sense.   

LXXIII.  
It's The'ory makes All wiser, yet Few better;  
Practice is Spirit, Art the Letter;  
Use artless doth enlarge, Art useless does but fetter.   

LXXIV.  
Sharp Sentences are Goads to make Deeds go;  
Good Works are Males, Words Females show:  
Whose Lives act Precedents, prevent the Laws, and Do.   

LXXV.  
So far We know, as we obey GOD; and  
HE counts We leave not his Command,  
When as our Interludes but 'twixt our Acts do stand.   

LXXVI.  
Honour's brave SOUL is in that Body shrined,  
Which floats not with each giddy Wind,  
(Fickle as Courtly Dress) but WISDOMS Sea does find:   

LXXVII.  
Steering by GRACES Polestar, which is fast  
In th' APOSTOLIC Zodiac placed,  
Whose Course at first four EVANGELIC Pilots traced:   

LXXVIII.  
The THEANTHROPICK WORD; That mystic Glass  
Of Revelations; That mass  
Of Oracles; That Fu'el of Prayer; That Wall of Brass;   

LXXIX.  
That Print of HEAVEN on Earth; That Mercies Treasure,  
And Key; That Evidence, and Seizure;  
Faiths Card, Hope's Anchor; Loves full Sail; Abyss of Pleasure.   

LXXX.  
Such SAINTS high Tides ne'er ebb so low, to shelf  
Them on the Quicksand of their self▪  
Swallowing Corruption: Sin's the Wrack, They fly that (Elf.   

LXXXI.  
Gloomier than West of Death; than North of Night;  
Than Nest of Triduan Blacks, with Fright  
Which Egypt scared, when HE brought Darkness, WHO made Light.   

LXXXII.  
Compared to whose Storm, thundering Peals are calm:  
Compared to whose Sting, Asps yield Balm:  
Compared to whose loathed Charm, Death is a Mercy-Psalm.   

LXXXIII.  
Her Snares escaped, soar, Muse, to HIM, whose bright  
Spirit-illuminating Sight  
Turns Damps to glorious Days; turns Fogs to radiant Light.   

LXXXIV.  
RELIGION's Wisdoms Study; That display,  
LORD, countermand what goes astray;  
And smite the Ass (rude Flesh) when it does start or bray.   

LXXXV.  
Soul, thou art less than MERCIES least; Three ne'er  
Depart from Sin; Shame, Gild, and Fear:  
Fear, Shame, Gild, Sin, are Four; Yet All in One appear.   

LXXXVI.  
Crest-faln by Sin, how wretchedly I stray!  
Me thinks 'tis Pride in me to pray:  
HEAVEN aid me struggling under this sad Load of Clay.   

LXXXVII.  
No Man may merit, yet did ONE, we hold;  
Who most do vaunt their Zeal, are cold:  
Thus Tin for Silver goes with these, and Brass for Gold.   

LXXXVIII.  
Renew my Heart, direct my Tongue; unseal  
My Hand, inspire my Faith, reveal  
My Hope, increase my Love, and my Backslidings heal!   

LXXXIX.  
Let Language (Man's choice Glory) serve the Mind:  
Thy SPIRIT on Bezaliel shined:  
Help, BLOOD, by Faith applied! Thy spital cured the Blind.   

XC.  
Turn Sense to Spirit; Nature's changed alone  
By GRACE; THAT is the Chymick-stone:  
And thy all-powerful WORD is pure Projection;   

XCI.  
TRUTH'S Touchstone, surest Rule that ere was fra'md,  
(Tradition, Man's dark Map, 's disclaimed)  
The Paper burns me not, yet I am all inflamed:   

XCII.  
For, as I read, such inward Splendour glows;  
Such Life-renewing Vigour flows,  
That All, what's known of thy most righteous WILL, It shows:   

XCIII.  
Whose Spells make enoch's walk with THEE; withhold  
Corruption, and translate e'er old:  
All Vaticans are dross; THIS, Magisterial Gold.   

XCIV.  
Thus, poor numbed Tartars, when th' are brought into  
Warm Persias Gem-paved Court, are so  
Revived, that then They live; till then half dead with Snow.   

XCV.  
Good Thoughts from THEE infused I do derive;  
Good Words effused THOU dost me give;  
Good Works diffused by THEE, in THEE do live, & thrive.   

XCVI.  
Nerve-stretching Muse, thy Bow's new strung; shoot then  
Hymns to the BEST, from worst of Men;  
Make Arts thy Tributaries, twist Heart, Tongue, & Pen.   

XCVII.  
But how can Eves degenerate Issue, bend  
To Sin, in its weak Measures vent  
Thy PRAISE? Unmeasurable! and Omnipotent!   

XCVIII.  
Shrubs cannot Cedars, nor Wrens Eagles praise;  
Nor purblind Owls on Sols Orb gaze:  
What is a drop to Seas, a Beam to boundless Rays?   

XCIX.  
Yet Hope, and Love may raise my drooping Flight;  
And Faith in THEE embeam my Night:  
Great LOVE, supply Faith's Nerves, with winged Hope— I WRITE.   

C.  
My Spirit, LORD, my Soul, my Body, all  
My Thoughts, Words, Works hereafter shall  
Praise THEE, and Sin bemoan.  
JESUS, how lov'dst THOU me!  
Me blessed, thy LOVE make!  
Me raised, Thy LOVE take!  
JESUS, my precious ONE!  
May This, LOVES OFFERING be.  
My Heart, Tongue, Eye, Hand, bowe● Knee,  
As All came from, let All return to THEE!   

NVnc sacra primus habet Finem, mea Cura, Libellus;  
Iàm precor impellat sanctior Aura ratem!  
I felix, rapidas diffindas Caerula Syrteses;  
Te Divina regit DEXTERA; Sospes abi.   NON NOBIS DOMINE.  

THEOPHILAS' LOVE-SACRIFICE.  
The Summary of the Poem.  
THEOPHILA, or Divine Love, ascends to her BELOVED by three Degrees. By Humility, by Zeal, by Contemplation. In the First She is Sincere, In the Second Fervent, In the Third Ecstatical. In her Humiliation She sadly condoles her Sin, in her Devotion She improves her Grace, In her Meditation She antidates her Glory, and triumphantly congratulates the Fruition of her SPOUSE. And by three Ways, which Divines call the Purgative, Illuminative, and unitive; She is happily led into the Disquisition of Sin by Man; of Suffering by CRIST as SPONSOR; of Salvation, by HIM as REDEEMER. In the Purgative Way she falls upon Repentance, Mortification, Self-denial; helped in part by the Knowledge of herself, which breeds Contrition, Renuntiation, and Purpose of Amendment: In the Illuminative she pursues Moral Virtues, Theological Graces, and Gospel-promises, revealed by CHRIST, as the Great APOSTLE, which begets in her Gratitude, Imitation and, Appropriation. In the unitive she is wholly taken up with Intuition of supercoelestial Excellencies, with beatifical Apprehensions, and Adherencies, as to CHRIST in Body, to the Holy GHOST in Spirit, to GOD the FATHER in a bright Resemblance of the Divine NATURE. All which are felt by the Knowledge of CHRIST as MEDIATOR; whence flow Admiration, Elevation, consummated in GLORIFICATION. And were Mysteriously intimated in the Symbolical Oblations of the Star-led Sophies, Who, by their Myrrh, signified Faith, Chastity, Mortification, the Purgative Actions; by their Incense implied Hope, Prayer, Obedience, the Illuminative Devotions; by their Gold importing Charity, Satiety, Radiancy, the unitive Eminencies: And it is the only Ambition of THEOPHILA to offer these presents to her BELOVED; by whom her Sin is purged, her Understanding enlightened, her Will and Affections inflamed to the Communion of all his GLORIES. Thus, She by recollecting past Creation, present Corruption, and future BEATIFICAL VISION, endeavours to rouse us up from Hellish Security, Worldly Solicitude, and Carnal Concupiscence, that being raised, we may conform to the will, submit to the Power, and sympathise with the SPIRIT of CHRIST, by a total Resignation of Self-comforts, Abilities, Ends; and by the internal Acts of Love, Devotion, Contemplation, She makes Sense subservient to Reason, Reason to Faith, and Faith to the written Word. By Faith she believes what he has revealed, and yields him up all her Understanding: By Hope She waits for his Promises, and refers to Him all her Will. By Charity she Loves his Excellencies, and resigns to him all her Affections. And by all these She triumphs over Sin, Death, Hell, in the sensual World, and by his Virtue, Grace, Favour, enjoys an eminent Degree of PERFECTION in the Intellectual.   

THE AUTHOR'S PRAYER.  
O THOU most High, distinct in PERSONS, undivided in ESSENCE! Eternal PRINCIPLE of all Substances, essential BEING of all Subsistencies, CAUSE of all Causalities, LIFE of our Souls, and SOUL of our Lives! Whose DEITY is as far beyond the Comprehension of our Reason, as thy OMNIPOTENCY transcends our Impotency: We, wretched Dust, acknowledge, that Adam's Fall, as it deprived us of all Good, so hath it depraved us with all Evil; for, from our production, to our Dissolution, our Life, if strictly discussed, will be found wholly tainted, always tempted with Sin. We discover our Condition to be more corrupt than we can fully discover: The Sense of our Sin stupifies us, the Sight of it reveals our Blindness, and the Remembrance thereof doth put us in Mind of our forgetfulness of THEE. The Number of our Transgressions surpasseth our Skill in Arithmetic; their Weight is insupportable, depressing us even to the Abyss; their Gild more extense than any thing but thy MERCY. O LORD, we have loved Darkness more than Light, because our Deeds were evil! therefore THOU hast showed us terrible Things; We have sucked out the Dregs of deadly Wine: Our National Crimes have extorted from thy JUSTICE National judgements: Our hellish Sins inflame thy WRATH; and thy WRATH inflames Hell-fire against us! We want so much of Happiness, as of Obedience (our Beatitude consisting in a through Submission of our Determinations unto thy Disposing, and our Practice to thy Providence) which causeth us, with humbly-pressing Importunity, to implore thy GOODNESS (for HIS SAKE, who of mere Love took upon Him a Nature of Infirmities to cure the Infirmities of our Nature) that THOU wouldst give us a Sense of our Senselesness, and a fervent Desire of more Fervency; and true Remorse and Sorrow for want of Remorse and Sorrow for these our Sins. O, Steer the mystical Ship of thy CHURCH safe amidst the Rocks and Quicksands of Schism and Heresy, Superstition and Sacrilege into the fair Havens of PEACE and TRUTH! Give to thy disconsolate Spouse, melting in Tears of Blood, the Spirit of Sanctity and Prudence! May the Light which conducts her to thy Celestial CANAAN be never mocked by new false Lights of apostatising Hypocrisy, nor extinguished by Barbarism! Thou, our FATHER, art the GOD of Peace; thy SON, our SAVIOUR, the Prince of Peace, Thy SPIRIT, the Spirit of Peace, thy Servants the Children of Peace, whose Duty is the Study of Peace, and the End of their Faith the Peace of GOD which passeth all Understanding! Let All submit to thy SCEPTRE, adore thy JUDGEMENTS, revere thy LAWS, and love THEE above All, for thine OWN SAKE, and others (even their Enemies) for THY SAKE, having THEE for our Pattern, thy PRECEPTS for our Rule, and thy SPIRIT for our Guide.  
And now, in particular, I throw myself (who have unmeasurably swarved from thy Statutes) upon thy Mercies; beseeching THEE to give me a deep Sense of my own unworthiness, and yet withal sincere Thankfulness for thy Assistancies: Grant that my Sorrow for Sin may be unfeigned, my Desires of Forgiveness fervent, my purpose of Amendment steadfast; that so my Hopes of HEAVEN may be advanced, and, what THOU hast sown in thy MERCY, THOU mayest reap from my Duty! Let Religion and right Reason rule as Sovereign in me, and let the irascible and concupiscible Faculties be their Subjects! Give me an Estate balanced between Want and Waste, Pity and Envy; Give me Grace to spend my Wealth and Strength in thy Service; Let all my Melancholy be Repentance, my joys spiritual Exultations, my Rest Hope, my Peace a good Conscience, and my Acquiescence in THEE! In THEE, as the Principle of Truth, in thy Word as the Measure of Knowledge, in thy Law as the Rule of Life, in thy Promise as the Satisfaction of Hope, and in thy Union as the highest Fruition of Glory! O, Thou Spring of Bounty, who hast given thy SON to Redeem me, Thy Holy SPIRIT to sanctify me, and Thy SELF to satisfy me; give me a generous Contempt of sensual Delusions, that I may see the Vanity of the World, the Deceitfulness of Riches, the Shame of Pleasures, the folly of Sports, the Inconstancy of Honours, the Danger of Greatness, and the strict Account to be given for All! O, then give me an undaunted Fortitude, an elevated Course of Contemplation, a Resignation of Spirit, and a sincere Desire of thy Glory! Add, O LORD, to the Cheerfulness of my Obedience, the Assurance of Faith, and to the Confidence of my Hope, the Joys of Love! O, THOU who art the Fountain of my Faith, the Object of my joy, and the Rock of my Confidence, guide my Passion by Reason, my Reason by Religion, my Religion by Faith, my Faith by thy Word; be pleased to improve thy Word by thy SPIRIT; that so, being established by Faith, confirmed in Hope, and rooted in Charity, I may be only ambitious of THEE, prising THEE above the Delights of Men, Love of Women, and Treasures of the World! Nothing being so precious, as thy Favour, so dreadful as thy Displeasure, so hateful as Sin, so desirable as thy Grace! Let my Heart be always fixed upon Thee, possessed by Thee, established in Thee, true unto Thee, upright toward Thee, and entire for Thee! that being thus inebriated with the sweet and pure streams of thy Sanctuary, I may serve Thee to the utmost of each Faculty, with all the Extension of my Will, and Intention of my Affections, till my Love shall ascend from Earth to HEAVEN, from small Beginnings to the Consummation of a well-regulated and never ceasing Charity! O GOD, who art no less infinite in Wisdom than in Goodness, let me where I cannot rightly know Thee, there reverently admire Thee, that in Transcendencies my very Ignorance may honour Thee. Let thy Holy SPIRIT inflame my Zeal, inform my Judgement, conform my Will, reform my Affections, and transform me wholly into the Image and Imitation of Thy Only SON! Grant that I may improve my Talon to thy Glory, who art the Imparter of the Gift, the Blesser of the Action, and the Assister of the Design! So that having sown to the Spirit, I may by thy Mercies, and Thy SONS Merits (who is the SON of thy Love, the Anchor of my Hope, and the Finisher of my Faith) reap Life everlasting! And now, in his only Name vouchsafe to accept from dust and ashes the Oblation of this weak, yet willing Service; and secure the Possession to THYSELF, that Sin may neither pollute the Sacrifice, divide the Gift, nor question the Title. Fill my Mouth with Praises for these happy Opportunities of Contemplation, the managing of public Actions less agreeing with my Disposition; and though my Body be retired, yet let my Soul be enlarged (like an uncaptived Bird) to soar in the Speculation of Divine Mysteries! O, be praised, for that, in this general Combustion of Christendom, THOU hast vouchsafed me a little Zoar, as Refuge, in which my Soul doth yet live to magnify Thee; But above All for my Redemption from the Execution of thy Wrath by the Execration of the SON of thy Love, having made Innocence to become guilty, to make the guilty innocent, and the Sun of Righteousness to suffer a total Eclipse to expiate the Deeds of Darkness: Be THOU exalted for the Myriads of thy Mercies in my Travels through Europe, as far transcending my Computation as Compensation; But chiefly for the Hope Thou hast given me, that when I have served Thee inhumbly-strict Obedience to the Glory of thy Name, THOU art pleased that I shall enter into the GLORY of my LORD to all Eternity; where I shall behold THEE in thy Majesty, CHRIST thy SON in his Glory, the SPIRIT in his Sanctity, the Hierarchy of Heaven in their Excellency, and the Saints in their Rest; in which Rest there is perfect Tranquillity, and in this Tranquillity joy, and in this joy Variety, and in this Variety Security, and in this Security Immortality, with Thee, Who reignest in the Excellencies of transcendency, and in the infinite Durations of a blessed Eternity. To WHOM with the IMAGE of thy GOODNESS, and the BREATH of thy LOVE, o most glorious TRINITY, and ineffable UNITY be all Sanctity and Adoration sacrificed now, and for evermore. Amen, Amen.  

INto the most Holy TREASURIE  
Of the ever-glorious PRAISES  
Of the MEDIATOR between  
GOD & Man, CHRIST JESUS;  
The Empyraean Flame of the DIVINITY,  
Indefinible, Interminable, Ineffable;  
The Immaculate Earth of the HUMANITY,  
Inseparable, Inconfusible, Inconvertible;  
Mysterious in an Hypostatical UNION,  
WHO is,  
The true LIGHT enlightening the World,  
The ETERNAL WORD,  
By ENERGY Incarnated,  
Embrightning our knowledge,  
Enlivening our FAITH,  
Quickening our HOPE,  
Enflaming our LOVE:  
Prostrated dust and ashes,  
With an adoring Awfulness, & trembling Veneration,  
To his INFINITE MAJESTY  
Doth humbly cast this Mite;  
(Acknowledging from GOD all Opportunities of Good)  
to be improved by His GRACE, to His GLORY.    

THEOPHILAS' LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO II. The Humiliation.  
ARGUMENT.  

Vnde superbit Homo? cujus Conceptio, Culpa;  
Nasci, Poena; Labour, Vita; necesse mor●.  
Totus homo pravus; Caro, Mens, Natura, Voluntas;  
Coelicus act Hominis Crimina tollit AMOR.   

The Deiformed Soul deformed by Sin, reputes;  
In Prayers and Tears, her Grief She vents,  
And, till Faith cheer her by CHISTS Love, Life, Death, laments.   

STANZA I.  
ALMIGHTY POWER, Who didst All Souls Create;  
Who didst Redeem their fallen Estate;  
Who still dost Sanctify, and them Redintegrate.   

II.  
Source, River, Ocean of all Bliss, instill  
Springtides into my low-ebbed Quill:  
Each graceful Work flows from (what works all Grace) Thy Will.   

III.  
LORD! Thou, before Time, Matter, Form, or Place,  
Wast All; ere Nature's mortal Race:  
Thyself, Host, Guest, and Palace, Nature's total Space.   

IV.  
When yet (though not discerned) in that Abyss  
CREATOR, WORD, and SPIRIT of Bliss,  
In UNITY the TRINE, one GOD, adored is.   

V.  
ere THOU the Chrystal-mantled HEAVEN didst rear,  
Or did the Earth, Sols Bride, appear,  
First Race of Intellectuals mad'st, THEE to revere.   

VI  
Praise best doth Inexpressibles express:  
Soul, Th' ARCHITECT of Wonders bless;  
Whose All-creating WORD embirthed a nothingness.   

VII.  
Who brooding on the Deep, Production  
Disposed, then called out Light, which on  
The formless World's rude Face was all dispers'dly thrown.   

VIII.  
When callow Nature, plucked from out her Nest  
Of Causes, was awaked from Rest,  
Her shapeless Lump with fledged effects He trimly dressed.   

IX.  
Then newborn Day HE gilded with glittering Sun  
(Contracted Light); with changing Moon  
He Night adorned, and hung up Lamps, like spangled Bullion.   

X.  
The Earth, with Water mixed, HE separates:  
Earth Plants brought forth, and Beasts All Mates;  
The Water's Fowl, and Fish to yield Man delicates.   

XI.  
Then did of th' El'ements Dust Man's Body frame  
A perfect Microcosm, the Same  
He quickened with a sparkle of Pneumatick Flame.   
 

XII.  
More Heavenly specified by Life from th' WORD;  
That, Nature doth, This, Grace afford;  
And Glory from the SPIRIT designed, as threefold Cord.   

XIII.  
Man, ere a Child; by ' Infusion wise; though He  
Was of, yet not for Earth, though free  
Chanc'lour installed of Eden's University.   

XIV.  
His Virgin-Sister-Wife i'th' Grove He wooed,  
(heavens Nursery); new Fruit his Food,  
Skin was his Robe: Clouds washed, Winds swept his Floor. All good.   

XV.  
Envy, that GOD should so love Man, first moved  
Satan, to ruin heavens Beloved:  
The Serpent Deviled Eve, She's Dam to Adam proved.   

XVI.  
Both taste, by tasting, tastlesse B became;  
Who All would know, knew nought but Shame:  
They blush for That which They, when righteous, could not name.   

XVII.  
Still in our Maw that Apples Core doth stick,  
Which they did swallow, and the thick  
Rind of forbidden Fruit has left our Nature sick.   

XVIII.  
Now serves our Guiltiness, as winding Sheet,  
To wrap up Lepers; Cover meet;  
While thus stern Vengeance does our Wormships sadly greet.   

XIX.  
Disloyal Slaves, look out, see, Mischief revels;  
Look in, see your own Den of Evils;  
Look up, see heavens dread JUDGE; Look down, see Hells fierce Devils.   

XX.  
Created in GOD'S Image to look high;  
Corrupted, like to Brutes, you lie:  
Perdition's from yourselves: No Cure for those will die.   

XXI.  
Your Beauty, Rottenness skinned o'er, does show  
Like to a Dunghill, blanched with Snow,  
Your glorious Nature's by embasing Sin brought low.   

XXII.  
Hence you the heavy Doom of Death do gain,  
Enforced unto laborious Pain;  
And th' ANGEL'S flaming Sword doth you, expulsed, restrain.   

XXIII.  
Thus She reproached; Yet more (alas) remained;  
Man's Issue in his Loins is stained:  
Sin set his Throne in Him, and since o'er all has reigned.   

XXIV.  
Black Sin! more hideous than green Dragon's Claws,  
Dun Griffins Talons, swart Bears Paws,  
Then chequered Panther's Teeth, or tawny Lions Jaws.   

XXV.  
Forfeit to the CREATOR'S thus Man's Race,  
And by the WORD withdrawn is Grace,  
From him the SPIRIT of GLORY turned his pleasing Face.   

XXVI.  
Yet that this Second Race, in fallen Plight,  
Might not with th' First be ruined quite,  
The WORD doth interpose to stop th' incensed MIGHT.   

XXVII.  
Then undertakes for Man to satisfy,  
And the sad loss of GRACE. supply,  
That us He might advance to GLORIES Hierarchy.   

XXVIII.  
Then Peace is preached i'th' Woman's SEED; but then  
As Men increase; So, Sins of Men,  
And Actual on Original heaped, GOD's vexed again.   

XXIX.  
Till drenched they were in Deluge, had no Shore;  
And burnt in Sodom-Flames, of yore;  
Plagued in Egypt, plunged into the Gulf of Core.   

XXX.  
And gnawn by Worms in Herod: Sin's Asps Womb,  
Plotter, Thief, Plaintiff, Witness, Doom,  
Sledge, Executioner, Hell's Inmate, Horrors Tomb.   

XXXI.  
Misgotten Brat! thy Trains are infinite  
To ruin each entangled Wight:  
Mischiefs ne'er rest in Men, th' have everlasting Spite.   

XXXII.  
Spite wageth War, than War turns Law to Lust;  
Lust crumbles Faith into Distrust;  
Distrust by causeless Jealousy betrays the Just;   

XXXIII.  
The Just are plundered by thy Rage; thy Rage  
Bubbleth from Envy; envy's Page  
To thy Misdeeds; Misdeeds their own Misfate engage.   

XXXIV.  
Thus linked to Hell's thy Chain! Cursed be that Need  
Makes Sinners in their Sins proceed:  
Shame, to Guilts forlorn Hope, leads lefthand Files. Take heed.   

XXXV.  
GOD'S Fort (the Conscience) in the worst does stand;  
Though Sin the Town keeps by strong Hand,  
Yet lies it open to the Check at heavens Command.   

XXXVI.  
Hence Hell surrounds them: In their Dreams to fall  
Headlong they seem, then start, groan, crawl  
From Furies, with excessive Frights which them appal.   

XXXVII.  
ne'er was more Mischief, ne'er was less Remorse;  
Never Revenge on his black Horse  
Did swifter ride; Never to GOD so slow Recourse!   

XXXVIII.  
The Age-bowed Earth groans under Sinners Weight;  
While guiltless Blood cries to heavens Height,  
JUSTICE soon takes th' Alarm, whose steeled Arm will Smite.   

XXXIX.  
Inevitable Woes a while may stay,  
Vengeance is GOD'S, Who will repay  
The desperately Wilful, nor will long delay.   

XL.  
'Tis darkest near daybreak. HE will overturn  
Th' Implacable, who Mercy spurn;  
Superlative Abuses in th' Abyss shall burn.   

XLI.  
Death's Hell Death's Self out-deaths! Vindictive Place!  
Deep under Depths! Eccentric Space!  
Horror Itself, than Thee, wears a less horrid Face!   

XLII.  
Where Pride, Lust, Rage, (Sin treble-pointed) dwell;  
Shackled in red-hot Chains they yell  
In bottomless Extremes of never-slaking Hell!   

XLIII.  
Riddle! Compelled, at once, to live and die!  
Frying they freeze, and freezing fry!  
On helpless, hopeless, easeless, endless Racks they lie!   

XLIV.  
And rave for what they hate! Cursing in vain,  
Yet each Curse is a Prayer for Pain,  
For, cursing still their Woe, they woe GOD'S Curse again!   

XLV.  
Devils and Shrieks their Ears, their Eyes affright!  
There's blazing Fire, yet darkest Night!  
Still paying, ne'er discharged. Sins Debt is Infinite!   

XLVI.  
Angels by one Sin fell; So, Man: How then  
May Sinners stand! Let's quit Sins Den:  
This Moment's Ours; Life hasts away; Delays gangrene.   

XLVII.  
Conviction ushers Grace; Fall to prevent  
Thy Fall, Times Forelock take; Relent.  
Shall is to come; and Was is past; then, Now repent.   

XLVIII.  
Before the Sun's long Shadows span up Night;  
ere on thy shaking Head Snowes light;  
ere round thy palsyed Heart Ice be congealed quite;   

XLIX.  
ere in thy Pocket thou thine Eyes dost wear;  
ere thy Bones serve for Calendar;  
ere in thy Hand's thy Leg, or Silver in thy Hair;   

L.  
Preventing Physic use. Think, now ye hear  
The Dead-awakening Trump; Lo, there  
The queazie-stomackt Graves disgorge Worms fattening Cheer.   

LI.  
Sins Sergeants wait t' attach you; Then, make haste,  
Lest you into Despair be cast:  
The JUDGE unswayed: Take Days at best, count each your Last.   

LII.  
Time posts on loose-reined Steeds. The Sun ere't face  
To West, may see Thee end thy Race:  
Death is a Noun, yet not declined in any Case.   

LIII.  
The Cradle's nigh the Tomb. That Soul has Woe,  
Whose drowsy March to HEAVEN is slow,  
As drawling Snails, whose slime glues them to Things below.   

LIV.  
Anathema to lukewarm Souls.- Lo, here  
THEOPHILA'S unhinged with Fear,  
Clammed with i'll sweat, when as her rankling Sins appear.   

LV.  
Perplexed in Crimes meandring Maze, GOD'S Law,  
And Gild, that does strict judgement draw,  
And her too carnal, yet too stony Heart She saw.   

LVI.  
Yet Rocks may cleave (she cries.) Then, weeps for Tears,  
And grieves for Grief; fears want of Fears;  
She Hell, heavens Prison, views; Distress, for Robe, She wears.   

LVII.  
Depraved by Vice, deprived of GRACE.; with Prayer,  
She runs Faith's Course; breaks through Despair,  
O'ertakes Hope. Broken Legs by setting stronger are.   

LVIII.  
Shame, native Conscience, views That HOLY ONE,  
Who came from GOD to Man undone,  
Whose Birth produced a Star, Whose Death eclipsed the Sun.   

LIX.  
She sees Man-GOD in Stamp  
Of Him, who shakes, but does not cramp  
The bruised Reed; Snuffs puts not out the sputtring Lamp.   

LX.  
She sees for Creatures the CREATOR came  
To die; The SHEPHERD proved the Lamb  
For Sacrifice, when Jews released a spotted Ram.   

LXI.  
She sees defamed Glory, wronged Right,  
Debased Majesty, crushed Might,  
Virtue condemned, Peace robbed, Love slain! And All by Spite.   

LXII.  
She, streaming, sees, like Spouts, each broached Vein  
With Gore, not to be matched again!  
Her Grief thence draws up Mists to fall in weeping Rain.   

LXIII.  
Vast Cares, long dumb, thus vent. Flow Tears, Souls Wine,  
juice of an Heart oppressed; Incline,  
LORD, to this heart-broke Altar cemented with Brine!   

LXIV.  
Romorsefull Clouds, dissolve in Showrs; 'Tis Blood  
Turns rocky Hearts into a Flood:  
Eyes, keep your Sluices open; HEAVEN best by Tears is wooed.   

LXV.  
THOU, Who one Shoarless Sea of All didst make,  
Except one floating Isle, to take  
Vengeance on Gild; My Salt Flood raised, drown Sin i'th' Lake.   

LXVI.  
O, how these Words, Arise to Judgement quell!  
On Wheels in Torments broke I'd dwell,  
So as by Grace I might be saved from endless Hell.   

LXVII.  
To Angel-Intercessor, I'm forbid  
To pray; Yet pray to ONE that did  
Pray to ANOTHER for HIMSELF when's Blood-drops slid.   

LXVIII  
FATHER! Perfections Self in CHRIST does shine;  
Thy Justice then in HIM confine;  
Through's Merits, make thy Mercies, both are endless, mine!   

LXIX.  
See not, but through's abstersive Blood, my Sin;  
By which I being cleansed within,  
Add Perseverance. 'Tis as hard to hold, as win.   

LXX.  
Her Eyes are Sentinels to Prayer, to Moans  
Her Ears, her Nose courts Charnel-bones;  
Her Hands Breast-hammers are, her constant Food is Groans.   

LXXI.  
Her Heart is hung with Blacks, with Dust she cloys  
Her golden Tresses; Weds Annoys,  
Breeds Sighs, bears Grief, which, Ibis-like, Sin-snakes destroys.   

LXXII.  
Thus mounts she drizzling Olivet; the Plains  
Of jericho she leaves. (While Rains  
The Farmer wet, they fully swell his ear-ring Grains.)   

LXXIII.  
She, her own Farmer, stocked from HEAVEN, is bend  
To thrive; Care 'bout the Pay-day's spent.  
Stange! She alone is Farmer, Farm, and Stock, and Rent.   

LXXIV.  
The Porcupine so's Quiver, Bow, and Darts  
To ' herself along; has all Wars Arts;  
Her own Artillery needs no Aid from foreign Parts.   

LXXV.  
Sad Votaress! thy Earth, of late oregrown  
With Weeds, is ploughed, tilled harrowed, sown.  
The Seed of Grace sprouts up when Nature is kept down.   

LXXVI.  
Thy Glebe is melowed with Faith-quickning Juice;  
The Furrows thence Hope-blades produce;  
Thy Valley clothed with LOVE will Harvest Joys diffuse.   

LXXVII.  
Live, Phoenix, from Self-death. I'th' Morn who dies  
To Sin, does but immortalize:  
Who study Death, ere dead, ere th' Resurrection rise.   

LXXVIII.  
Rachel! thy Children Goal and Crown have won,  
Ere they had Skill or Will to run.  
Blessed, who their whole Days Work in their Life's Morn have done.   

LXXIX.  
Like misty Morn, She rose in Dew; so found  
She ne'er was, till this Sickness, sound;  
Till Sin, in Sorrows flowing Issue (Tears) lay drowned.   

LXXX.  
Soul's Life-blood Tears, prevailing Pleaders, tame  
Such Rebels, as by Eve did shame  
Man's Glory; only These the old fallen World new frame.   

LXXXI.  
Lust causeth Sin, Sin Shame, Shame bids repent,  
Repentance weeps, Tears Sorrow vent,  
Sorrow shows Faith, Faith Hope, Hope Love, Love Souls Content.   

LXXXII.  
Thus, from bruised Spiceries of her Breast, doth rise  
Incense, sweet-smelling Sacrifice:  
Whilst she lifts up to HEAVEN, her Heart, her Hand, her Eyes.   

LXXXIII.  
I'm sick with trembling, sunk with mourning, blasted  
With sinning, and with sighing wasted;  
New Life begins to breath; O, joy, too long untasted!   

LXXXIV.  
Twice didst new Life (by Breath, by Death) bestow  
On Man prevaricating, Who,  
By yielding to a Woman, made Man yield to Woe.   

LXXXV.  
Then didst his Soul restore (as first inspire)  
With second Grace, renewing Fire;  
Whence He hath part again in thy Celestial Quire.   

LXXXVI.  
Once more for this Heav'n-Denison didst get  
A never-fading Coronet,  
Which was with two bright jewels, Grace and Glory, set.   

LXXXVII.  
'Twas at my bloodstained Birth Thy Love said, Live:  
Links of Thy praevious Chain revive  
Even crumbled Dust: So, Thou my Soul from Death reprieve!   

LXXXVIII.  
CHRIST, Th' Unction art, Salvation JESUS; in  
Thy Death Redemption, Blood for Sin  
Gives Satisfaction, Thy Ascension Hope does win;   

LXXXIX.  
Thy Session Comfort. Though I did offend,  
LORD, Fears disband, give Grace t' amend,  
That, Hope, which reaps not shame, may rise, & Peace descend.   

XC.  
My Pardon sign. The Spear pierced thee's the Pen,  
Thy Blood the Ink, Thy Gospel then  
The Standish is, O, let my Soul be Paper clean!   

XCI.  
Kind, angry LORD, since Thou dost wound, yet cure;  
I'll bear the Yoke, the Cross endure;  
Lament, and Love; and, when set free, keep Conscience pure.   

XCII.  
Thus mourns she, and, in mourning thus, she joys;  
Even that adds Comfort, which annoys;  
Sighs turn to Songs & Tears to Wine, Fear Fear destroys.   

XCIII.  
As holy Flame did from her Heart arise,  
Dropped holy Water from her Eyes,  
While Prayer her Incense was, & LOVE her SACRIFICE.   

XCIV.  
Arm! Arm! She breaks in with strong ZEAL; The Place.  
Sin quits, now garrisoned by GRACE.;  
Illustrious Triumphs do the Steps of Victor's trace.   

XCV.  
When the loud Volleys of her Prayers begin  
To make a Breach, they soon take in  
The Parapets, Redouts, and Counterscarps of Sin.   

XCVI.  
At once she works and fights: With Lamp she waits,  
Midst Virgins, at the BRIDEGROOM'S Gates,  
With HIM to feast▪ Her with his BRIDAL DELICATES.   

XCVII.  
To HEAVEN now goes she on her Knees; which cry  
Loud, as her Tongue; much speaks her Eye:  
HEAVEN, stormed by Violence, yields. Eyes, Tongue, and Knees scale high.   

XCVIII.  
My Last crave Pardon for my First Extremes;  
Be praised, who crownest my Morn with Beams;  
Converted Age sees Visions, erring Youth dreamt Dreams.   

XCIX.  
RELIGION's its own Lustre; Who This eat,  
Night-foundered grope at midday Sun.  
Rebellion is its own self-tort'ring Dungeon.   

C.  
Man's restless Mind, GOD'S Image, can't be blest  
Till of this ONE, This ALL, possessed.  
THOU our Soul's Centre art, our everlasting REST!   

Pars superata Freti, Lucem praebentibus Astris;  
Longior at nostrae Pars superanda Viae.  
Dam, DEUS, ut Cursus suscepti nostra propinquet  
Meta, laboranti grata futura Rati.   Magnificat Anima mea DOMINUM.  

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO III. The Restauration.  
ARGUMENT.  

Laetior una Dies, JESV, tua SACRA Canenti;  
quam sine TE, melicis Secula mille Lyris.  
Vt paveam Scelus omne, petam super Omnia COELUM;  
Da mihi Fraena TIMOR, Da mihi Calcar AMOR!   

The Author's Rapture; GRACE. is praised; a Flood  
Of Tears is poured for Albion's Blood,  
Shed in a Mist; for smote Micaiahs' PEACE is wooed.   

STANZA I.  
MUSE, twang the powerful Harp, & brush each String  
O'th' warbling Lute, and Canzons sing  
May ravish Earth, and thence to HEAVEN in Triumph spring.   

II.  
Noble Dubartas, in a high-flown Trance,  
Observed to start from's Bed, and dance;  
Said: Thus by me shall caper all the Realm of France.   

III.  
As viscous Meteors, framed of earthy Slime,  
By Motion fired, like Stars, do climb  
The woolly-curdled Clouds, & there blaze out their Time.   

IV.  
Streaming with burnished Flames; yet Those but ray  
To spend Themselves, and light our Way;  
And panting Winds, to cool ours, not their own Lungs, play.   

V.  
So, my enlivened Spirits ascend the Skies,  
Wasting to make the Simple wise.  
Who bears the Torch, himself shades, lightens others Eyes.   

VI  
As Lust for Hell, ZEAL sweats to build for HEAVEN,  
When fervent Aspirations, driven  
By all the Souls quick Powers, to that high Search are given.   

VII.  
High is the Sphere on which FAITHS Poles are hinged:  
Pure Knowledge, Thou art not restringed,  
Thy Flames enfire the bushy Heart, yet leave't unsinged.   

VIII.  
Suburbs of PARADISE! Thou, Saintly Land  
Of Visions, Wooed by WISDOMS Band;  
By dull Mules in gold-trappings how dost slighted stand!   

IX.  
Whose World's a frantic Sea; more cross Winds fly  
Than Sailor's Compass knows; SAINTS ply  
Their Sails through airy Waves, & anchor still on HIGH.   

X.  
'Tis HOLINESS lands there; where None (distasted)  
Rave with Guilts Dread, nor with Rage wasted;  
Nor Beauty-dazled Eyes with Female Wantoness blasted.   

XI.  
No childish Toys; no boiling Youths wild Thirst;  
No ripe Ambition; no accursed  
Old griping Avarice; no doting Sloth there's nursed:   

XII.  
No Glutt'nies' Maw-worm; nor the Itch of Lust;  
No Tympany of Pride; nor Rust  
Of Envy; no Wraths Spleen; nor Obdurations Crust:   

XIII.  
No Canker of Self-Love; nor Cramp of Cares;  
No Schism-Vertigo; nor night-Mares  
Of inward Stings affright; here lurk no penal Snares.   

XIV.  
Hence Earth a dim Spot shows; where Mortals toil  
For shot-bruised Mud-walls (childish broil;)  
For pot-gun-cracks against Ant-hill-works; o, what a Coil!   

XV.  
Where Glutt'ny is full gorged; where Lust still spawns;  
Where Wrath takes Blood, and Avarice pawns;  
Where Envy frets, Pride struts, and dull Remissness yawns.   

XVI.  
Where Mars th' Ascendant's: How Realms shattered lie,  
With scattered Courts, beneath mine Eye;  
Which show like atoms chased by Wind's Inconstancy.   

XVII.  
Here, th' Universe in NATURES Frame doth stand,  
Upheld by TRUTH, and WISDOMS Hand:  
Zanzummims show from hence as Dwarves on Pigmy land.   

XVIII.  
How viles the World! Fancy, keep up thy Wings,  
(Ruffled in Bustle of low Things,  
Tossed in the common Throng) then acquiesce 'bove Kings.   

XIX.  
Thus, Thou being rapt, and struck with Enthean Fire,  
In SKIES Star-chamber strike thy Lyre:  
Proud Rome, not all thy Caesars could thus high aspire.   

XX.  
Man's spirit'ual State, enlarged, still widening flows,  
As th' Helix doth: A Circle shows  
Man's natural Life, which Death soon from its Zenith throws.   

XXI.  
heavens Perspective is over-reas'ning FAITH,  
Which Soul-entrancing VISIONS hath;  
Truths Beacon, fired by Love, joys Empire open lay'th.   

XXII.  
This All-enforming LIGHT i'th' pregnant Mind,  
The Babe THEOPHILA enshrined:  
GRACE. dawns when Nature sets: Dawn for fair Day designed.   

XXIII.  
Breathe in thy dainty Bud, sweet Rose; 'Tis Time  
Makes Thee to ripened VIRTUES climb,  
When as the SUN of GRACE. shall spread Thee to thy Prime.   

XXIV.  
When her Lifes-Clock struck twelve (Hopes Noon) so bright  
She beamed, that Queen admired her Sight,  
Viewing, through Beauty's Lantern, her intrinsic Light.   

XXV.  
As, when fair Tapers burn in Crystal Frame,  
The Case seems fairer by the Flame:  
So, does heavens brighter LOVE brighten this lovely Dame,   

XXVI.  
Her Soul the Pearl, her Shell out-whites the Snow,  
Or Streams that from stretched Udders flow;  
Her Lips Rock-rubies, and her Veins wrought Sapphires show.   

XXVII.  
Attractive Graces dance about her Lips;  
Spice from those scarlet Portals skips;  
Thence Gileads mystic Balm (Griefs sov●ragin Balsam) slips.   

XXVIII.  
Such precious Fume the incensed ALTAR vents:  
So, Gums in Air breath Compliments:  
So, Roses damaskt Robe, pranked with green Ribbons, scents.   

XXIX.  
Her Eyes amaze the Viewers, and inspire  
To Hearts a warm, yet chaste Desire,  
(As Sol heats all) yet feel they in Themselves no Fire.   

XXX.  
Those Lights, the radiant Windows of her Mind,  
Who would portray, as soon may find  
A way to paint the viewless, poise the weightless Wind.   

XXXI.  
But, might we her sweet Breast, LOVES Eden, see;  
On those Snow- mountlets Apples be,  
May cure those Mischiefs wrought by the forbidden Tree.   

XXXII.  
Her Hands are soft, as swannie Down, and much  
More white; whose temperate Warmth is such,  
As when ripe Gold and quickening Sunbeams inly touch.   

XXXIII.  
Ye Sirens of the Groves, who, perched on high,  
Tune gutt'ral Sweets, Air-Minstrels, why  
From your Bough-Cradles, rocked with Winds, to HER d'ye fly?   

XXXIV.  
See, Lilies, gowned in Tissue, simper by Her;  
With Marigolds in flaming Tire;  
Green sattined Bays, with Primrose fringed, seem all on Fire.   

XXXV.  
The art silver-voiced, Teeth- pearled, thy Head's gold-thatcht,  
Nature's Reviver, Flora's patched,  
Though tricked in May's new Raiment, when with Thee She's matched.   

XXXVI.  
THOU, chaste as fair, Eve ere she blushed: From Thee  
The Libe'ral Arts in Capite,  
The Virtues by Knight-service, Graces hold in Fee.   

XXXVII.  
A gracious Soul, figured in Beauty, is  
Best Portraiture of Heavenly Bliss,  
Drawn to the Life: Wit-feigned Pandora vails to This.   

XXXVIII.  
So, Cynthia seems Star-chambers Precedent,  
With crescent Splendour from Sol lent,  
Rallying her starry Troop to guard her glittering Tent.   

XXXIX.  
(Pearled Dews add Stars) yet Earth's Shade shuts up soon.  
Her Shop of Beams; Whose Cone doth run  
'Bove th' horned Moon, beneath the golden-tressed Sun.   

XL.  
Wh ' on Sky, Clouds, Seas, Earth, Rocks doth Rays disperse,  
Stars, Rainbows, Pearls, Fruits, Diamonds pierce;  
The World's Eye, Source of Light, Soul of the Universe.   

XLI.  
Who glows like Carbuncles, when winged Hours  
Dandle the Infant-Morn, which scours  
Dame Luna, with her twinkling Spies, from azure towers.   

XLII.  
Thee, THEOPHIL, Day's sparkling Eye we call;  
Thy Faith's the Lid, thy Love the Ball,  
Beautying thy graceful Mein with Form ANGELICAL.   

XLIII.  
That Lady-Prioress of the cloistered Sky,  
Coached with her spangled Vestals nigh,  
Vails to this Constellation from DIVINITY.   

XLIV.  
Virtue ' s her Spring of Honour, her Allies▪  
Are Saints, Guard Angels, HEAVEN her Prize;  
Whose Modesty looks down, while thus her Graces rise.   

XLV.  
Eugenia Wit, Paidia Art affords,  
Eusebia Truth for Her uphords.  
(Poets have Legislative Power of making Words.)   

XLVI.  
Her Heart's a Court, her richly-tempered Breast  
A Chapel for Love's regent GUEST:  
Here feasts She sacred Poets, SHE Herself a Feast.   

XLVII.  
Ye Bay-crowned Lords, Who dig from Wisdoms Pits  
The Oar of Arts, and with your Wits  
Refineed, who prop the doting World in staggering Fits▪   

XLVIII.  
And in Fame's Court raise Obelisks divine;  
Such Symphonies do ye combine,  
As may inspirit Flesh with your Soul-ravishing Wine.   

XLIX.  
While Winter Autumn, Summer clasps the Spring;  
While tentered Time shall Paeans sing,  
Your Eagle-plumes (that others waste) shall imp Fame's Wing.   

L.  
The rampant Juice of Teneriffe recruits  
Wildly the routed Spirits: So, Lutes,  
Harps, Viols, Organs; ah! and Trumpets, Drums & Flutes!   

LI.  
Though Art should humour grumbling Bases still,  
Torturing the deepmouthed Catiline's, till  
Hoarse-thundring Diapasons should the whole Room fill;   

LII.  
Yet those— But string this LADY'S Harp; She'll try  
Each Chords tuned Pulse, till She descry  
Where mosts harmonious Musics mystic Soul does lie.   

LIII.  
Now Grace with Language chimes; Thrice blest, who taste.  
Their HEAVEN on Earth, in Life's Book graced;  
Who leaving Sense with Sense, their Spirit with SPIRITS have placed.   

LIV.  
With those divine Patritians, who being not  
Eclipsed with Sense, or Body's Spot,  
Are in the Spring of living FLAME Seraphic hot.   

LV.  
One TASTE gives Joys! Joys, at which, Words but rove;  
Schools, purblind, grope at Things Above,  
Cymmerian-like, on whose Suns brow Clouds darkly move.   

LVI.  
heavens Paths are traceless; by Excess of Light;  
O're-fulgent Beams dazed Fies benight.  
Say Ephata, and Clay's Collyrium for my Sight!   

LVII.  
Transported in this Ecstasy, befriend  
Me, like the Stagirite, to end  
My Thoughts in That Euripus, None can comprehend!   

LVIII.  
This mystic Chain, o, lengthened still! imparts  
Links, fettering 'bove all Time-born Arts;  
Such sweet Divisions from tuned Strings may ravish Hearts.   

LIX.  
Best Tenure holds by th' Ear: In Saul, disguised,  
When Satan oft Tarantulized,  
The Psalming Harp was 'bove they swaying Sceptre prized.   

LX.  
This Hymn, ZEALS burning Fever, does refine▪  
My gross hydropic Soul; Divine  
Anthems unbowel BLISS, and ANGELS down incline.   

LXI.  
ANGELS shot forth the happiest CHRISTMAS News;  
Even CHRIST to warble Hymns did use;  
When heavens highest DOVE does soar, He Wings of Verse doth choose.   

LXII.  
No Verse, no Text. Since Verse charms All, Sing on;  
Let Sermons wait till PSALMS be done;  
Soul-raisers, ye prevent the RESURRECTION.   

LXIII.  
But, ah! in War (Wraths Midwife) which does tyre,  
Yet never fills the Jaws of Ire,  
(Keen as the Evening Wolf) can She yet use her 〈◊〉.   

LXIV.  
Yes. She's unmoved in Earthquakes, tuned in jars;  
(Fear argues Gild) She stands in Wars,  
And Storms of thundering Brass, bright as coruscant Stars▪   

LXV.  
Virtue ' s a Balsam to Itself. Invoke  
She MERCY did to oil steels Yoke:  
Thus, in an iron Age, This golden VIRGIN spoke.   

LXVI.  
Dread GOD! Black Clouds surcharged with Storms,  
When P●ple Robes hide Scarlet Sin,  
Ingrained from that Life-blood, which mo●ted their Soul's 〈◊〉 begin,   

LXVII.  
Our Sea-girt World (once Fortunate Isle, O, Change  
Deplorable!) t' It self seems strange;  
Unthrifty Death has spread where thriving Peace did range.   

LXVIII.  
War hath our lukewarm Claret broached with Spears:  
LORD, save thy Ark from Floods of Fears,  
Or thy sad Spouse may sink as deep in Blood, as Tears!   

LXIX.  
She chaws Bread tleept in Woes, gulpt down with Cries;  
She drinks the Rivers of her Eyes;  
Plunged in Distress for Sin, to THEE She fainting flies.   

LXX.  
Tune th' Irish Harp from Sharps to Flats! Compose  
Whatever vicious Harshness grows  
Upon the Scottish Thistle, or the English Rose!   

LXXI.  
No ramping Lion its own Kind does fear,  
No tusked Boar, no ravening Bear:  
Man, Man's Apollyon, doth CHRIST'S mystic Body tear.   

LXXII.  
Ye Sons of Thunder, if You'll needs fight on,  
Led your fierce Troops against Turkish Moon,  
Out of the Line of FAITH'S Communication.   

LXXIII.  
The large-commanding Thracian Force defy:  
Like Gun-stocks, though your Corpse may fly  
To Earth, Your Souls, like Bullets, will ascend on HIGH.   

LXXIV.  
If GOD be then i'th' Camp, much more will HE  
In's Militant Church (His Temple) be,  
To chasten Schism, and pervicacious Heresy.   

LXXV.  
LORD▪ rent's thy Coat, Loves Type! This, sads the Good!  
Though Presters, rudely fierce, fain would  
Be heard; THOU hat'st uncivil Prayer, and civil Blood.   

LXXVI.  
Ah, could dissembling Pulpeteers cried Good  
To wade through Seas of native Blood,  
Break greatest Ties, play fast and loose, beneath Smects Hood!   

LXXVII.  
By Such were Catechisms, Communions, Creeds  
Disused! As March spawns Frogs; so, Weeds  
Sprung hence. Worst Atheist from corrupted Churchman breeds.   

LXXVIII.  
Use the LORDS Prayer, be th' Publican; recant  
The Pharisee; Or else, avaunt  
With your six-hundred-sixtie-six-word- Covenant.   

LXXIX.  
LORD, they, through faithless Dreams, the Feast disown  
Of thy SON'S INCARNATION!  
(Then whether will such Proteus-tants at last be blown?)   

LXXX.  
That FEAST of Feasts, Archangels joy, Heaven here  
Espoused to Earth, Saint's Bliss, most dear  
Prerogative o'th' Church, The Grand Day of the Year.   

LXXXI.  
Man, first made Good, Himself unmade, and then▪  
The WORD, made Flesh, must dwell with Men,  
That, Man, thus worse than nought, may bettered be again.   

LXXXII.  
Dare to own Truth. Drones seized the Bees full Bower;  
All's paint that Butterflies deflower;  
As Ants improve; so, Grasshoppers impair their Hour.   

LXXXIII.  
When Pirat-wasps sail to the honeyed Grot,  
They'll find a Trap-glasse, Death i'th' Pot:  
Levites, slight not your Breast-work for vain Outworks got.   

LXXXIV.  
We ken Kirk-Interest; Draco's Laws recall;  
Repair the old Church; Saints the Wall,  
True Pastors Conduits, Grace the Font, Love cements All.   

LXXXV.  
Pass freely would we of Oblivion  
An Act, and pardon all bygone,  
Would you smite Hand on Thigh, and say, What have we done!   

LXXXVI.  
Truth's Pensioners! your Flocks bleat; Food they need;  
CHRIST'S Flesh, their Meat; Blood, Drink indeed:  
View GLORIES Crown; In Season, out of Season, feed.   

LXXXVII.  
Ye Friends to th' BRIDEGROOM, Stewards to the Bride,  
With Oracles of Truth us guide;  
Truth blesseth Church and State; Faithful, till crowned, abide.   

LXXXVIII.  
So, when the JUDGE with his Reward appears,  
You'll reap in Joy what's sown in Tears:  
Moist Seed-times crown the Fields with golden-bearded Ears.   

LXXXIX.  
JUDGE-ADVOCATE to th' wronged; sure, THOU to Gild,  
Which would unmake thy Creatures, wilt  
Be just, when Inquisition's made for Blood that's spilt.   

XC.  
At our Ears Port land Peace and Truth! O, then,  
Welcome, as Sol to th' Russ in's Den!  
As Shoar to shipwrackt, as to Towns dismantled, Men!   

XCI.  
O, might a second ANGEL-QUIRE ne'er cease  
To Worms, worn out with Wars Distress,  
To sing, in all men's hearing, their blessed Song of PEACE!   

XCII.  
Peace! Home of Pilgrims, first Song at CHRIST'S Birth;  
Peace, His last Legacy on Earth;  
Peace, gen'ral Preface to all Good; Peace, SAINTS true Mirth.   

XCIII.  
Love, Thou, Support to Martyrs! as jet Straw,  
So Us to our BELOVED dost draw;  
Thou art Golds true Elixir, Thou summ'st up the Law.   

XCIV.  
Who can Divine Love speak in words of Sense?  
Since, Man, as ransomed, Angels thence  
Transcends! Such is CHRIST'S Passions high Pre-eminence!   

XCV.  
Here did She seal her Lips, unsluce her Eyes  
To flowing empiric, and descries  
The World's a Cask, its Wine false Mirth, its Lees Fools Prize.   

XCVI.  
And now, by lympid Spring of Life-joy, where  
Crystal is lymbect all the Year  
To GOD She would her Heav'n-ascending Raptures rear.   

XCVII.  
Taught hence, misguided Zeal, whom Heats dispose  
To Animosities, may close;  
And bloody Furies CONVERTS be, by pondering Those.   

XCVIII.  
Harmonious Beauty, feast our Ear! They're Kings  
At least, who hear, when LOVE thus sings:  
LOVE, to high Grace's Key skrues up low Nature's Strings.   

XCIX.  
Love, Thou canst Ocean-flowing Storms appease;  
And such oregrown Behemoths please,  
As tax the scaly Nation, and excise the Seas.   

C.  
If, THEOPHIL, thy LOVESONG can't assuage  
The Fate incumbent on this Age,  
No Time to write, but weep; For we are ripe for Rage!   

Ite sacrosanctae Tabulata per Alta Carinae;  
Non opus est Fluviis, Lintea pando Mari.  
Ite Rates Ventis, quo vos rapit Aura, secundis:  
Brittica Cymba pias findat AMORIS Aquas.   — Animarum Sponsus JESUS.  


The Soul against Complations fights,  
Whom Death and Hell present with ●ights:  
The World with 〈◊〉 call't and ●onour cou●ts;  
The Flesh's Glass invites to Spouts:  
But THEOPHIL by Faith her Shield,  
And Hopes firm anchor stands the Field;  
Accompany●d with GRACE. and LOVE,  
By ANGELS SHE does upward move.   
THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO IU. The Inammoration.  
ARGUMENT.  

O, DEUS, aut nullo caleat mihi Pectus ab Igne!  
Aut solo caleat Pectus ab Igne Tui!  
Languet ut Illa DEO, mihi Mens simul aemula languet!  
Coelitùs ut rapitur, me Violenta rapit!   

She Onset makes, first with Love-darts aloof;  
Then, with ZEALS Fireworks, storms heavens Roof;  
Whose FAITHS Shield, & SALVATIONS Helmet are Hell-proof.   
THEOPHILA'S soliloquy.  

STANZA 1.  
WHen heavens LOVE! Paramount, HIMSELF reveals,  
And to the suppliant Soul, her Pardon seals,  
At feard-Hopes doubtful Gate, with trembling fell,   

2.  
(Who Heav'n-ward sails, coasts by the Cape of Hell)  
That Her HE deigns to take, She joys in Woes,  
To have in Labour passed the Parturition Throes.   

3.  
All Travell-pangs, all New-birth Heart-deep Groans,  
All After-births of Penitential Moans,  
Are swallowed up in living Streams of Bliss;   

4.  
When as the heaven-born Heir, the Newman is,  
By th' quickening SPIRIT of the HIGHEST reborn:  
Time past hath passed her Night, present presents her Morn.   

5.  
See joy in Light, See Light in joy; O, see,  
Poor worthless Maid, Fruit brought thee from Lifes-Tree,  
By th' SPOUSE & SPIRIT, Saints sole Supporters! Rise   

6.  
Then, Hell's Apostate, and be Heavenly wise:  
THOU art (Lets interpledge our Soul my ONE,  
My ALL, though not by UNITY, by Union!   

7.  
Ineffably mysterious Knot begun;  
Saints mount, as Dew allured by beckoning Sun:  
Loves faithful Friends, what parallels your Guard,   

8.  
Where Truth is Sentinel, and Grace the Ward?  
The Way is Flow'r-strown, where the Guide is Love:  
His SPIRIT with you below, your Spirit with HIM Above.   

9  
Reciprocal Excess of joy! Then, soar  
My Soul to HIM, Who Man became; Nay more,  
Took Sin itself, to cleanse thy fully'd Clay,   

10.  
But took it, only to take it away.  
O, SELF DONATION! peerless GIFT, unknown!  
Now since that HE is Thine, be never Thou thine own▪   

11.  
O, Prodigy of Great and Good! Faith, sound  
This LOVES Abyss, that does so strangely bound  
ALMIGHTINESS ITSELF! From Whose Veins, see,   

12.  
Unsluced, LOVES purple Ocean, when His Free  
Red-streaming Life did vanquish Death & Hell!  
That thou mightst live, HE died! That thou might rise, HE fell!   

13.  
GOD so loved Man, that Naturalists may deem  
GOD to set Man before HIMSELF did seem!  
When Man, with seeing blind, against GOD arose,   

14.  
And slew his only FRIEND, GOD saved his Foes!  
Sol mour'nd in blacks! heavens Viceroy, Nature, swooned!  
Excess Loves Reason was, Immensity Love bounded!   

15.  
Ye Twins of Light, as Sun-flow'rs be inclined  
To th' SUN of RIGHTEOUSNESS; Let Taste, refined,  
Like nothing as LOVES Heavenly Manna; and   

16.  
Let all but CHRIST feel rough, as Esau's Hand;  
Let nought like's Garment smell; Let Ears rejoice,  
But in expresles Dictates of LOVES whispering Voice!   

17.  
HE'S thy bright Sun; 'twixt WHOM, and thy Souls Bliss,  
Thy earthy Body interposed is;  
Whereby such dread Eclipses caused are,   

18.  
As famed Ast●●●omers can ne'er declare:  
Yet oft HE shines; Then, vanish servile Fears;  
Then, Heav'n-ward filial Hopes dry up thy trickling Tears.   

19  
Spiritual Light Spirituals clears: In HEAVEN  
Thou'lt view that full what now by Glimpse, like Steph'n  
Thou can●st but spy; There, shalt thou Face to Face,   

20.  
His Light, His joy, His Love, His Power, His Grace,  
And His ALL-FILLING GLORY clearly see▪  
In optic Emanations from ETERNITY!   

21  
I'th' RING of boundless LUSTER, from whose Ray  
This petty World gleaneth its peep of Day:  
Thou shalt be Crowned with Wreaths of endless Light:   

22.  
Here, oft's an Interview in Heat, and Might,  
By Inter-lucidations from ABOVE,  
Twining Embraces with's ensphearing ARM of LOVE!   

23  
Most blessed Souls, to whom He does appear,  
Folded within your Arms chaste Hemisphere!  
O, Condescend! How's LIPS shed Love! Life, Merit!   

24.  
He makes his Angel's Court of Guard! By's SPIRIT  
HE crowns you with his Grace! So, with his BLOOD,  
When HE Redeemed you, and consigned His FLESH for Food!   

25  
Meat came from th' Eater, from the Strong did Due  
Sweetness; when as, incomparably true,  
OMNIPOTENCIES SELF did largely shed   

26.  
His mystic Oil of joy upon thy● Head:  
Then, trample Sin in Babylon's golden Cup;  
Treasures away She trifles, Trifles treasures up.   

27  
Oil of this Lamp, obsequious Soul, lights Thee  
To thine approaching HEAVEN▪ In Sancti●ie  
Be actuated then; Being up assumed   

28.  
By this bright Sun, with this rich Oil perfumed,  
The art prepossessed with Heavenly Comforts, which,  
With their Soul-chearing Sweets, both ravish and enrich.   

29  
Poor, panting Heart, Loves Seat, yearn for joys Pith!  
To have (thy highest Bliss!) Communion with  
The FATHER & the SON, one SPIRIT with CHRIST!   

30.  
And One in THEM, as THEY are One! Thou fliest  
Through Grace to GLORY! VISION shall sublime  
Thy Faith, FRUITION Hope, ETERNITY thy Time!    

THEOPHILA'S LOVESONG.  

STANZA. 31.  
SELF! o, how mean an Harmony it breeds!  
JESUS! All Names this NAME of Names exceeds!  
This Name's GOD'S Mercy at full Sea, 'tis LOVES   

32.  
High Tower, joys Loadstone; This, my Spirit moves.  
Hark: Rise my Love, my Fair One, Come away;  
Lingering breeds Loss; I am thy Leader, Light, and Way.   

33.  
What Speed Speeds self can make, Soul, fly withal;  
GREATNESS and GOODNESS most Magnetical!  
Shoot, like a Flashof Fire, to th' ruby Wine,   

34.  
His precious BLOOD, transcendently Divine!  
(How poor those costly pearls were, drunk by Some)  
My LORD, drink Blood to me! Let It to th' World's Health come!   

35  
All Hope's unanchored but in THAT. THOU art,  
'Bove Indies Womb, rich to my Lovesick Heart!  
Flesh-fair Endowments are but Skin-deep Brags,   

36.  
Varnished Corruption; Wealth is but Cares Bags;  
The Bag impostomed chokes. Gold, Beauty, Fame  
Are sublunary Mists to SAINTS Seraphic Flame.   

37  
JESUS! THIS fans my Fire, which has at best  
But Grains of Incense, Pounds of Interest.  
Go, Interest; Take the Principal, Thine own:   

38.  
Divine LOVE loves thy loveliness alone!  
What Flames to THINE proportionable be!  
LORD, hadst not first loved Man, Man could not have loved THEE!   

39  
Why lov'st us, but because THOU wouldst? O, why  
For Lepers would the UNDEFILED die?  
That Pen was dipped i'th' Standish of thy Blood,   

40.  
Which wrote th' Indenture of our termless Good!  
O, LOVE, 'bove Wish! Never such LOVE enroled!  
Who think their utmost Flames enough for THEE, are cold.   

41.  
Whose HIGHNESS did not to be low disdain,  
Yet, when at Lowest, Highest did remain!  
Who bow'dst heavens Altitude, refresh with Flowers,   

42.  
With JESSES sovereign Flower, my fainting Powers,  
Which sink (as shaft-struck Hart embossed) 'twixt Grief,  
And joy: Grief for my Sin, joy for thy free Reliefs   

43.  
Wracked is with bitter-sweet Extremes my Mind,  
Shelled, sheathed, caged, coffined in her treacherous friend;  
Her always tempting mass of Flesh She bears,   

44.  
Her Hopes, did they not sprout from Thee, were fears:  
HOPE, Thou Perfume of LOVERS, for thy Sake  
LOVE'S generous, throws at All: Life's but a petty Stake;   

45  
Scarce worth the Prize. LOVE makes two Spirits but one;  
Me, Counterpart to thy Indenture, own;  
I, active then as Light, tread Air and Flame,   

46.  
Without or Wing, or Chariot; and disclaim  
All the faint Sweets of Earth. Thy SPIRIT views  
How in Love's torrid Zone thy sweltering Martyr stews.   

47  
Row me, ye Dove-wingd Oars, whom Hope does buoy,  
To wished-for Haven, flowing with Tides of joy!  
Yet wish I not, my Joy, thy joys Above,   

48.  
Merely for joy; nor Pleasures of thy LOVE,  
Only for Love of Pleasure; No, let free  
Spiritual Languors teem! Fruitful, yet Virgins be!   

49  
Give, give me Children, or I die! LOVE, rest  
Thy Head upon the Pillows of my Breast!  
When me THOU shalt impregned with Virtues make   

50.  
A fruitful Eden, All the Fruitage take!  
Thy Passion, jonathan, below did move;  
Rapt SPIRITS, in high Excess flame with intensest Love!   

51  
My Life is hid with THEE in GOD! Descry  
THYSELF, o, THOU, my plighted SPOUSE, that I  
May ever glorious be! That my joyed Soul   

52.  
With THEE may make up Marriage! and my whole  
Self THEE for Bridegroom have! My Hope still sends  
Up Come, that I may enter with thy feasted Friends!   

53.  
O, That long-longed for COME! o, COME! mine Eyes,  
LOVES Sentinels, watch, like officious Spies!  
Strike Sparks of JOY t'inflame LOVES Tinder! make   

54.  
The Exile view her Home, the Dreamer wake!  
Tears raise the Fire of LOVE! Ease Sighs of Air,  
Fires Passion, watery Tears, and earthy self Despair!   

55.  
My Sighs, condensed to Drops, compute Hours spent!  
Cancel the Lease of my Clay-Tenement,  
Which pays dear Rent of Groans! o, grant a Writ   

56.  
Of Ease! I languish out, not live! Permit  
A Pass to ZIONS MOUNT! But, I resign  
My green-sick Will, though sick of LOVE, to that of Thine!   

57  
Waitings, which ripen Hopes, are not Delays;  
Presence how great, how true's LOVE, Absence says:  
While Lungs my Breath shall organ, I'll press still   

58.  
Th' Exinanition of my overgrown Will.  
Behold, I quickly come. O're-joyd I'm here!  
O Come! Till then, each Day's an Age, each Hour a Year.   

59  
JESUS! (That NAME's joys Essence!) hasten on!  
Throng amorous Sighs for Dissolution!  
Fastidious Earth, avaunt; With Love-plumes soar,   

60.  
My Soul, to meet thy SPOUSE, Canst wish for more?  
Only Come! give a RING! Re-eccho then,  
O, Come. Even so, LORD JESV, Come! Amen. Amen.   

LXI.  
Who's this Enamoured VOT'RESSE? Like the Morn  
From Mountain unto Mountain born?  
Who first, with Night-drops dewed, seemed Turtle Dove forlorn?   

LXII.  
But now, e'er warped Body, near Decay,  
Stands, Bow-like, bend, to shoot away  
Her Soul, Ere prone Looks kiss her Grave, ere her last Day,   

LXIII.  
She (Love-filled) wants no Mate, has rather one  
Body too much. I'th' SPIRITS Throne  
CHRIST'S Peace is fullest Choir! Such Loneness, least alone!   

LXIV.  
When soft-flying Sleep, Death's Sister, Wings does spread  
Over that curtained Grave, her Bed,  
Then, with prophetic Dreams the HIGHEST crowns her Head.   

LXV.  
Behold, a comely PERSON, clad in white,  
The all-inlightning Sun, less bright  
Than that illustrious FACE of HIS, which blessed her Sight.   

LXVI.  
To Her, in MAJESTY, His Way HE broke,  
And, softly thus to Her HE spoke.  
Come, Come away. My JESUS? says She. So, She work.   

LXVII.  
Her Prayers, more passionate, than witty, rise,  
As Sols Postilion, bright; her Eyes,  
Wrestling with GOD for GRACE., bedew Love's Paradise.   

LXVIII  
Betimes, when keen breathed Winds, with frosty Cream,  
Peri'wig bald Trees, glaze tattling Stream:  
(For May-games past, white-sheet- peccavi is winter's Theme.   

LXIX.  
Those Day-breaks give good Morrows, which she takes  
With Thanks, so, doubly Good them makes.  
Who in GOD'S Promise rests, in GOD'S Remembrance wakes.   

LXX.  
SAINTS nothing more, SAINTS nothing less regard,  
Than LOVES SELF, than self-Love; unscared,  
Though racked into an Anagram, their Souls being spared.   

LXXI.  
Through Virtuous Self-mistrust They acted move  
Like Needle, touched by th' Stone of Love.  
Blessed Magnet, which attracts, and Souls directs ABOVE!   

LXXII.  
Were She but mortal, She were satisfied,  
So GOD lived in Her, till She died;  
His WORD, her Deed, his WILL, her Warrant; BOTH, her (Guide.   

LXXIII.  
Thus, this DEVOTA breathes out yerning Cries.  
Let not Dust blind my sensual Eyes,  
When as my Spirits Energy transcends the Skies!   

LXXIV.  
VIRTUES raise Souls. All's FILIAL to ABOVE;  
Low'st Step is Mercenary Love;  
Fraternal are the Sides that SAINTS Ascent improve.   

LXXV.  
Manna to my enamoured Soul, art THOU!  
The SPIRIT of Heaven, distilled, does flow  
From thy ASPECT; By That, from Brutes, we ANGELS grow.   

LXXVI.  
Had I, o, had I many Lives, as Years;  
As many Loves, as Love hath Fears;  
All, All were THINE, had I as many Hearts, as Hairs!   

LXXVII.  
From THEE my JOY-EXTENSIONS spreading flow;  
Dilating, as Leaf-gold! be ned slow,  
O, THOU, my All, and more! Love-lorn, THEE still I woe!   

LXXVIII.  
The Widow pressed, till THEE to grant She bound;  
The VIRGIN sought THEE, till she found;  
The Publican did knock, till opening, knocking crowned.   

LXXIX.  
Though nought but dross I in myself can spy,  
Yet melted with THY beaming EYE,  
My Refuse turns to Gold, by mystic Alchemy;   

LXXX.  
Then, whet thy blunt Sith, Time, and wing thy Feet:  
Life, not in Length, but Use, is sweet:  
Come, Death, (the Body brought a bed o'th' SOUL) Come, fleet!   

LXXXI.  
Be Pulse, my passing-Bell; be Skin, my Hearse:  
Nights sable Curtains that disperse  
The Rays of Day, be Shroud: Dews, weep my funeral Verse!   

LXXXII.  
Pity me, Lovesick Virgins! Then, She swoon;  
O'ercome with Zeal, She sunk to th' Ground:  
Darts of intolerable Sweets her Soul did wound.   

LXXXIII.  
She lay with flaming LOVE empierced to th' Heart:  
Waked, As She bled, She kissed the Dart;  
Then sighed. Take all I am, or have! All, All THOU art!   

LXXXIV.  
Then, sunk again. Revived, LOVES BOW She bend  
And married String to Shaft, and sent  
Ejaculations, which the Skies, like Lightning, rent.   

LXXXV.  
Piercing Them through (feathered with Sighs) to show  
She little paid, yet much did owe:  
The Feathers sung, and fired, as they did upward go.   

LXXXVI.  
No ice-fringed Cloud may quench LOVES soaring Flame:  
LOVE is more strong than Death, or Shame.  
Grown up all Soul, the Flesh sinks in a triple Qualm.   

LXXXVII.  
I charge ye, ZION VIRGINS, let Her still  
Enjoy her disencloystred Fill  
In These high Ecstasies of UNION and WILL.   

LXXXVIII.  
Do not with Claps of Hands, or noise of Feet,  
Awake Her from what is more sweet,  
Till the bright rising Daystar light Her to heavens Street.   

LXXXIX.  
Yield Her, what her unfettered Rapture gives,  
Since She's more where She loves, than lives:  
Transanimations, scaling HEAVEN, break carnal Gyves.   

XC.  
In LOVES triumphant Chariot placed She is;  
Concentric are her JOYS with HIS  
Encharioted in Fire, her Spirit HEAV'N-ripe for Bliss.   

XCI.  
They're only sound, who Thus are lost in Trance;  
Transported to the Highest Advance,  
With Him, who was in Spirit rapt to ' expreffeles Glance.   

XCII.  
Returned; She cried. O, slay me thus again!  
ne'er lives she who thus ne'er is slain!  
How sweet the Wounds of LOVE! No Pleasure to LOVES pain!   

XCIII.  
In furnaced Heat, Pyrausta-like, I fry!  
To live is Faith! 'tis Gain to die!  
One Life's enough for Two! THOU liv'st in me, not I!   

XCIV.  
How, midst Regalios of LOVES Banquet, I  
Dissolve in Sweets Extremity!  
O, Languors! Thus to live is in pure Flames to die!   

XCV.  
Three Kings three Gifts to th' KING of Kings did bring;  
Myrrh, Incense, Gold, to Man, GOD, King:  
For Myrrh, Tears; Incense Prayers; Gold, take Loves Offering!   

XCVI.  
O, take Love's Hecatomb! Then, through her Eyes  
Did LOVE inamoring Passions rise:  
HIGHEST GLORY crowns THEOPHILA's Love-Sacrifice.   

XCVII.  
Not She, Mortality alone did die;  
Death's but Translation to the Sky:  
All Virtues fired in her pure BREAST their Spicery.   

XCVIII.  
As, when Arabia's Wonder Spices brings,  
Which fanned to Flames by her own Wings,  
She, from the glowing Holocaust in Triumph springs:   

XCIX.  
So, VIRTUES Pattern, (Priestesse, Altar, Fire,  
Incense, and Victim) up did spire;  
VICTORIA, VICTORIA, sung All heavens CHOIR.   

C.  
She Echoing (Echo, which does all surpass!  
GOD'S Sight is GLORIES Looking-glass!)  
MAGNIFICATS, HOSANNAS, HALLELUJAHS!  
Pars Cursûs emensa mei, Pars restat aranda:  
Ex aequo Metam Vesper & Ortus habent.  
Ergo per immensos properent cava Lintea Fluctus:  
jactatam capiant Littora sancta Ratem!   — Amans Animâ satiatur Amantis.  


View See the Author's ●ig● Designs,  
His Book displayed, ●is caper's shine,  
Is A●honian Bird, 〈◊〉 Dog, and Cat,  
〈…〉 intimate.  
TIEOPHLA. doth before Him stand  
Amused wit● erected Hand●;  
And, like an Eagle, upward flies,  
〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 ANGELS to the SKIES.   
THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO V. The Representation.  
ARGUMENT.  

Mundus Opens, Animam COELUM, Terramque resumpsit  
Terra: DEUS, Vitam cum tulit, IPSE dedit.  
Solus AMOR facit esse DEUM; QUEM, Mente capaci,  
Si Quis conciperet, posset & esse DEUS.   

The Author's Vision, Her Ascent, heavens Place  
Descried, where reigns all glorious GRACE.,  
Where's all-sufficient GOOD, the Sum of BLISS She has.   

STANZA I.  
I'M vile, a thing impure, Corruptions Son,  
Earth-crawling Worm, by Sin undone,  
Whose suppliant Dust doth own its Shame, and the HEAVEN doth run.   

II.  
GRACE., intervene 'twixt Sin and Shame, and tie  
A hopeful BLISS to Misery!  
LORD, pardon dust and ashes: both, yea worse, am I!   

III.  
Though dust, thy Work: though Clay, Thy HAND did turn  
This Vessel; and, though ashes, th' URN  
THOU art, them to restore when Sky & Earth shall burn.   

IV.  
Whilst that my Heav'n-allyed-Soul does stay  
Wholly on THEE, not Europa's Sway  
Can elevate my Wish, like one Grace-darted Ray.   

V.  
Meet, meet my prisoned Souls Address! oh, might  
She view, through mouldering Earth, thy SIGHT!  
GRACE. perfects Nature's want: Say here, Let there be Light!   

VI  
Then, though in Flesh my Spirit pris'ned be,  
She may by FAITH ascend to THEE,  
And up be raised, till she shall mount to Liberty.   

VII.  
Clear-sighted FAITH, point out the Way; I will  
Neglect curled Phrases frizzled Skill:  
Humble DEVOTION, lift Thou up my flagging Quill;   

VIII.  
Which faints at first Approach; my Faith's too light  
To move This MOUNTAIN, reach This HEIGHT:  
Can squeaking Reeds sound forth the Organs full delight?   

IX.  
I'm mute, for only Light can Light declare;  
A Diamond must a Diamond square;  
Yet, where I dare not speak, there yet adore I dare.   

X.  
Ear has not heard, nor Eye has seen, nor can  
Man's Heart conceive (vast Heart of Man)  
The Riches treasured up in GLORIES Ocean!   

XI.  
Tomes full of mystic Characters enfense  
Those Seas of BLISS! To write to Sense  
heavens Chronicle, would ask a HEAV'ND- Intelligence.   

XII.  
How then, from Flood of Tears may an Arkt Dove try  
Its venturous Pinions, to descry  
That Land, unknown to Nature? Vast ETERNITY!   

XIII.  
Fear Gulfs unfathomable; nor desire,  
Ere of GOD'S Court thou art, t' aspire  
To be of's Counsel; Pry not, but with Awe admire.   

XIV.  
Dwarf-words do limp, do derogate, do scan  
Nor Height, nor Depth. Since Time began,  
What constitutes a Gnat was ne'er found out by Man.   

XV.  
Dares mortal Slime, with ruder tongue, express  
What even CELESTIALS do confess  
Is inexpressible? Thou Clod of Earth, first guess   

XVI.  
In like Degrees from Aequinoctial Track,  
Why Men are tawny, white, and black?  
Why Bactrias' Camel two? Arabs, one Bunch on's Back?   

XVII.  
Canst lead Leviathan with a silken String?  
Canst cover with a Hornets Wing  
Behemoth? Canst thou Seas into a Nutshell bring?   

XVIII.  
Canst Motion fix? count Sands? recall past Day?  
Show Height, Breadth, Length o'th' spreading Ray?  
Discardinate the Spheres? and rapid whirlwinds stay?   

XIX.  
Tell, tell how ponderous Earth's huge proplesse Ball  
Hangs poised in the fluent Hall  
Of fleeting Air? how Clouds sustained are from Fall?   

XX.  
How burned the Bush, when Verdure clothed its Fire?  
How from the Rock, Rod-struck in Ire,  
Did Cataracts gush out? How did the Sea retire?   

XXI.  
Canst thou take Post-Horse with the coursing Sun,  
And with Him through the Zodiac run?  
How many Stages be there ere the Race be done?   

XXII.  
Then, tell how once He shot his Beams downright  
From the same Zenith, while for Night,  
Mortals stood gazing at a doubled Noon-dayes-Light?   

XXIII.  
Tell, how that Planet did in after-days  
Turn Cancer, shooting Parthian Rays,  
Ten whole Degrees reversed, which did the World amaze.   

XXIV.  
Poor thingling Man! Propitious HEAVEN, assign  
Some ANGEL for this high DESIGN!  
heavens HISTORY requires at least a SERAPHIN.   

XXV.  
O, might some glorious SPIRIT then retire,  
And warble to a sacred Lyre  
The Song of Moses and the LAMB in heavens full Choir!   

XXVI.  
'Twas at Night's Noon, when Sleep th' Oppressed had drowned;  
But sleepless were Oppressors found;  
'Twas, when Skies spangled Head in sable Veil was bound:   

XXVII.  
For, thievish Night had stole, and closed up quite,  
In her dark Lantern, starry Light:  
No Planet seen to sail in that dead Ebb of Night:   

XXVIII.  
When, lo, all-spreading RAYS the Room surround!  
Like such Reflections, as rebound,  
Shooting their Beams to th' Sun, from Rocks of Diamond.   

XXIX.  
This, to a Wonder, summoned my Sight,  
Which dazzled was at so pure Light!  
A FORM ANGELLICK there appeared divinely bright!   

XXX.  
I wished myself more Eyes to view this Gleam;  
I was awake, I did not dream;  
Too exquisite Delight makes true Things feigned seem.   

XXXI.  
Model of HEAVEN it was; I floated long  
'twixt joy and Wonder; Passion strong,  
Wanting due Vent, made Sight my Speech, & Eyes my Tongue!   

XXXII.  
Oft, my rapt Soul, ascending to the Eye,  
Peeped through upon ANGELITIE,  
Whose Blaze did burnished Plate of sparkling Sol outvie!   

XXXIII.  
If gracious Silence shined forth any where  
With sweet Aspect, 'twas in this Sphere;  
The Soul of Sweetness, and the SPIRIT of joys mixed here.   

XXXIV.  
From out LOVES Wing He must a Pencil frame,  
Who, on Time's cloth, would paint this Flame:  
None can portray this glorious Draft but who's the same.   

XXXV.  
Veil then, Ti●antes-like, this guessed at FACE,  
(The Curtain of That inward GRACE)  
Whose Forehead with Diaphanous Gold impaled was.   

XXXVI.  
For, starry Knobs, like Diamonds, did attire  
That Front with GLORY, and conspire  
To lavish out their Beams, to radiate that Fire.   

XXXVII.  
Whose Amber-curling Tresses were unbound,  
And, like a glittering Veil, spread round,  
And so about the snowy Shoulders sweetly wound.   

XXXVIII.  
Whose Robe shot forth a Tissue-waving Shine,  
Which seemed loose-flowing, far more fine  
Than any interwoven Silk with silver-Twine.   

XXXIX.  
With gracious Smile, approaching nearer, sat  
This glorious THING: o, humble State!  
Yet, on the VISION inexpressive RAYS did wait.   

XL.  
'Twas glorified THEOPHILA sat there.  
ay, mute, as if I tongueless were,  
Till Her Voice-Musick drew my Soul into mine Ear:   

XLI.  
'Twas 'bove Lutes sweetest Touch, or richest Air!  
I bring Thee Things (says She) are rare:  
All subcoelestial Streams Drops to this OCEAN are.   

XLII.  
Hear, first, my Progress. Loosed from Nature's Chain,  
And quit from Clay, I did attain,  
Swift as a glancing Meteor to th' Aerial Plain:   

XLIII.  
Where, passing through, I did perfume the Air  
With sacred Spice, and incensed Prayer;  
While grateful Clouds their liquid Pearl, as Gift, prepare.   

XLIV.  
I spare t●unlock those Treasuries of Snow;  
Or tell what paints the rainy Bow;  
Or what cause Thunders, Lightnings, Rains; or whence Winds flow.   

XLV.  
Those Regions passed, where bearded Comets light  
The World to fatal Woes; a bright  
Large Orb of harmless Fire inflamed my Heav'n-ward Flight.   

XLVI.  
To azure-arched Sky ascends my Soul,  
(Thence view I North and Southern Pole)  
Where Globes in Serpentine, yet ordered Motions roll.   

XLVII.  
Thence by the changing Moons alternate Face,  
Up, through unwearied Phosphors Place,  
I mount to Sols Diurnal and his Annual Race:   

XLVIII.  
By whose propitious Influence Things are  
Quickened below, this Monarch Star,  
Making his Progress through the Signs, unclouds the Air;   

XLIX.  
And, eight-score Times out-bulks the Earth; whose Race  
In four and twenty Hours space  
'Bove fifty Million of Germanic Leagues does pace.   

L.  
This Giant with as many Tongues as Rays,  
Speaks out, so oft as He displays  
His Beams, which gilled the World; that Man his LORD should praise.   

LI.  
Through Spheres I passed to Stars, that nail heavens Court,  
(My Stay was with Skie-wonders short,)  
Which, by first Movers Force, are whirled about their Fort.   

LII.  
Through the blew-spangled Frame, my psalming Tongue  
Made th' Orbs suspend their usual Song,  
To hear Celestial Hymns the glistering Quires did throng.   

LIII.  
Chime out, ye Crystal Spheres, and tune your Poles;  
Skies, sound your Base, ere ye to Coals  
Dissolve, and tumble on the Bonfire World in Shoals.   

LIV.  
The Primum Mobile does seem immense,  
And doth transfused Influence  
Through all inferior Orbs, as swift as Thought, dispense.   

LV.  
Suppose, a Millstone should from thence be hurled  
Unto the Centre of this World,  
'Twould make up sixscore Years, ere it could down be whirled.   

LVI.  
Now, entered I heavens Suburbs, 〈…〉;  
No orient Jewels cast such 〈◊〉  
(O, might this Verse be wreathed but with 〈◊〉 Diadems!)   

LVII.  
Sols radiant Fulgence in meridian Skies  
Seemed Shade unto those CLARITIES;  
Where Beauty's Self might beautify her fairest Eyes.   

LVIII.  
'Tis 'bove highest Verge, where Reason dares be bold;  
That HEAVEN of GOD is of such Mould,  
That Eyes, till glorified, cannot the same behold.   

LIX.  
'Tis purely spiritual, and so must be,  
Above compare in all Degree,  
With Aught that draws its Line from th' six Day's Pedigree.   

LX.  
'Tis immaterial, 'bove the highest Sphere,  
Doth brighter than the rest appear;  
Than Orbs of Fire, Moon, Sun, or crystalline more clear.   

LXI.  
'Tis Space immense, from whence Apostates driven,  
Their Rooms might so to Men be given  
With Those confirmed SONS, th' Indigenae of HEAVEN.   

LXII.  
Absurdly some Philosophers did dream,  
That heavens an uncreated Beam  
Which forth eternally from GOD HIMSELF did stream.   

LXIII.  
'Tis but a Creature, though its Essence be  
To change unsubject, standing free  
On never shaken Pillars of infinity.   

LXIV.  
Ocean of JOYS! Who can THEE fully state?  
For clearer knowledge Man must wait;  
First shoot Death's Gulf, thy Soul may then arrive thereat:   

LXV.  
For no One enters There, till He hath trod  
Death's Path, then, from that Period  
Elected Souls ascend to Heaven, to BLISS, to GOD!   

LXVI.  
(Zeal through me fir's its way to speak, that I  
Would thither; like winged Lightning, flie,  
Were my Flesh-curtain drawn that clouds my Spirits Eye!   

LXVII.  
What Heights would Souls affect, could they undress  
Themselves of Rags, that them depress!  
How beautiful ' s the Form of naked HOLINESS!   

LXVIII  
New Light, Life, Love, Joy, Bliss there boundless flow!  
There shall my Soul thy GLORY know,  
When She her Robe of Clay shall to Earth's wardrobe throw!   

LXIX.  
Fond that I am to speak. Pass on to BLISS,  
That with an individual Kiss.  
Greets Thee for ever! Pardon this Parenthesis.)   

LXX.  
Faith's the Souls Eye; As nothing were between,  
They that believe, see Things unseen:  
Close then thy carnal, thy spiritual Eyes unscreen.   

LXXI.  
For, my transplanted Spirit shall emblaze  
Words, may make Wonder stand at Gaze:  
Vnboundless Bliss doth even the sep'rat Spirit amaze!   

LXXII.  
O, Fleet of Intellectuals, Glory-fraught,  
(Inestimable Arras, wrought  
With Heart-orecoming Colours) how ye pass all Thought!   

LXXIII.  
THOU All-comprizing, uncomprized! WHO art  
Ever, yet never made, impart  
THOU (Loves Abyss, without or Ebb, or Shoar) an Heart   

LXXIV.  
Of WISDOM to attempt, proceed, and end  
what never Was, Is, Can be penned!  
(May Spots in Maps (dumb Teacher) Empires comprehend?   

LXXV.  
The Skie-enchased Diamonds lesser show  
Than Julies' hairy Worms that glow,  
Sampled with those Rebounds unbounded GLORIES throw.   

LXXV.  
That Vessel of Election, rapt to th' Soil  
Of highest BLISS, did here recoil:  
I'th' same Attempt 'tis Honour to confess a Foil.   

LXXVII.  
Sense knows not 'bove Court-Triumphs, Thrones, or Kings,  
Gems, Music, Beauties, Banquet,  
Without such Tropes it can't unfold Spiritual Things.   

LXXVIII.  
O, how That most unutterable BLAZE  
Of heavens all-luminating RAYS  
Does Souls (disrobed of Flesh) both brighten, & amaze!   

LXXIX.  
That boundless Solstice, with transparent Beams,  
Through heavens triumphant ARCHES streams,  
And, gliding through each Spirit with intrinsic Gleams   

LXXX.  
Pierceth to th' little World, and doth dispel  
The gloomy Clouds of Sin, that swell  
The Soul, decoying it to ever-burning Hell!   

LXXXI.  
By GLORY, how are SPIRITS made divine!  
How super-radiantly They shine  
From th' everflowing SPRING of the refulgent TRINE!   

LXXXII.  
Beyond Report of highest Discourse They dart  
Their Radiations, 'bove all Art!  
This cath'like BLISS o'erflows the most capacious Heart!   

LXXXIII.  
Conceive a Court, where all Joys domineer,  
Where Seas of Sweets o'erflow, and where  
GLORIES exhaustless Mines, Sports endless Springs, appear:   

LXXXIV.  
Where infinite Excess of Sweets ne'er cloys!  
Where, still Fruitions Feast employs  
Desire! where Who enjoy the lest can't count their Joys!   

LXXXV.  
One may t' a Glimpse, None to a Half can rise,  
Had He more Tongues, than HEAVEN has Eyes!  
Such, nothing see, as would in Words this SIGHT comprise!   

LXXXVI.  
Can Measures such UNMEASURABLES hold?  
Can Time infinity unfold?  
Superlative DELIGHTS may be admired, not told.   

LXXXVII.  
When GLORIES Heaven is all one Sunny Blaze,  
That flowing RADIANCE doth amaze,  
While on That inconceivable RESULT we gaze!   

LXXXVIII.  
What King would not court Martyrdom, to ●old  
In Capite a City ' of Gold,  
Where, look how many Gates, so many Pearls are told!   

LXXXIX.  
The Structure's Square; A firm Foundation,  
Twelve-fold, for Each a precious Stone,  
The LAMB'S APOSTLES Names engraven thereupon.   

XC.  
There sparkles forth the verdant Emerald,  
The blue-eyed Saphyr therein walled,  
The Topaz too, with that Stone which from Gold is called:   

XCI.  
There, Jasper, Chaloedon, Chrysoprase shine,  
There Sardonix, and Sardius join,  
There Beryl, Hyacinth, and Amethyst combine.   

XCII.  
No, sympathising Turquois there, to tell  
By Paleness th' Owner is not well,  
For, Grief's exiled to Earth, and Anguish groans in Hell!   

XCIII.  
The Streets with Gold perspicuous are arrayed,  
With blazing Carbuncles inlaid;  
Yet, All seem Night, to GLORIES from the LAMB desplayed:   

XCIV.  
For, thousand Suns make an Eclipse to THOSE!  
The Diamond there for Pavement grows,  
As, on its glittering Stock, and all its Sparkles throws.   

XCV.  
And there, on every Angel-trodden Way  
Loose Pearls, instead of Pebbles, play,  
Like dusky atoms in the Sun's embrightning Ray.   

XCVI.  
Had I a Quill sent from a SERAPHS Wing,  
And Skill to tuneed! I could not sing  
The Moiety of that Wealth, which That All-glorious KING   

XCVII.  
Of HEAVEN enstates Those in, who follow Good,  
And prize●t above their vital Blood!  
HEAVEN my be gained on Earth, but never understood!   

XCVIII.  
As, when the Sun shakes off the Veil of Night,  
And scatters on the Dawn his Light,  
He soon takes Prisoner to Himself th' engaged Sight:   

XCIX.  
So, when I view those indeficient BEAMS,  
O, They in overfulgent GLEAMS,  
Like Diamonds, thawed to Air, embubble forth in Streams!   

C.  
Even SPIRITS, who have disrobed their Rags of Clay,  
Laid up in Wardrobe till that Day,  
O'ercome, They dazzled are by each IMPERIOUS RAY!   

Sexta repercussi, Pars antepenultima, Ponti,  
Imparibus restat perficienda Modis;  
Quam (si praestiterit Mentem DEUS OPTIMUS) addam  
Flammiferos Phoebus cum jug at ortus Equos.   Ex obscuro spectabile COELUM.  

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VI The Association.  
ARGUMENT.  

Panduntur COELI, juvat hinc invisere Diuûm  
Atria, mortali non adeunda Pede:  
Hîc, Animae pennis advecta THEOPHILA, cernit  
Agmina COELICOLÛM ducere fancta Choros.   

heavens Order, Beauty, Glory is descried;  
Here, read the State o'th' GLORIFIED,  
Which THEOPHIL i'th' Heraldry of HEAVEN had eyed.   

STANZA I.  
THose happy Mansions, glorious SAINT, discover,  
Where the bright Host of Spirits hover!  
Bring down all HEAVEN before the Eyes o'th' HEAVENLY LOVER.   

II.  
Frail Man, with Zeal, and Wonder here behold  
Clay cast into a Heavenly Mould:  
Faith did, now VISION does BEATITUDE unfold.   

III.  
The Tenants in This splendid FRAME are They  
Whose grosser and unpolish Clay,  
Calcined in Graves, now Robes of GLORY do array.   

IV.  
Here MARTYRS sit enthroned, who late did bleed  
Sap from their fertile Wounds, to feed  
With Oil the Church's Lamps, and with red Dew her Seed.   

V.  
These ovant Souls, KNIGHTS of Saint VINCENT are,  
For high Achievements gained; each Scar,  
To make a golden Constellation, seems a Star.   

VI  
Not by inflicting, but receiving Blows,  
By suffering, They overcame their Foes:  
How long, LORD, ere THOU dost avenge their Blood on Those?   

VII.  
These own their Bliss, sprung from the Word & Will  
O'th' LAMB, by Whom They conquered still  
Themselves, and that revolted Band that Hell does fill.   

VIII.  
Therefore, Each prostrate Casts, with th' Elders, down  
At the LAMB'S Feet their Palm and Crown,  
Beholding round all Eminencies, but their own.   

IX.  
Th' APOSTLES here, with Him, in whose sweet Tongue  
The Lute of high-tuned LOVE was strung,  
When through so many Regions He the GOSPEL sung.   

X.  
The loving, loved EVANGELIST here lives  
On LOVES pure Influence, and gives  
No Bounds to's flaming Love, but how to heighten't strives.   

XI.  
LOVE was his only Theme. SHE, here is crowned,  
Who, near Death's Tomb, Life risen found;  
Whose Eye-bowl was Tear-brimmed, whose Towel Hair unbound.   

XII.  
Parched Africks' GLORY, born in's Mother's Eyes,  
(An happier Offspring of her Cries,  
Than of her Womb) here to ecstatick LOVE does rise.   

XIII.  
The Bounds are boundless of divine AMOUR;  
Love hopes, and yet hath all Things, for,  
In heavens eternal Heraldry, true LOVE is Or.   

XIV.  
Fruition LOVE enfires, thence Zeal's renewed;  
LOVE hath the SPIRITS Plenitude,  
Burning with Flames in SPLENDOUR of BEATITUDE!   

XV.  
LOVE caused the SON of GOD from's Throne dismount,  
And make HIMSELF of no Account,  
Become a Man of Sorrows, Who of joy's the Fount!   

XVI.  
This LOVE, by Choir of HEAVEN scarce understood!  
Could so much Ill cause so much Good,  
For Man's Redemption that GOD'S SON should shed His Blood?   

XVII.  
THOU, LOVE, when as my guilty Soul did dwell  
In Nest of Ruin, didst unshell  
My Spirit (fledged with GRACE.) from that disordered Cell,   

XVIII.  
And, having crushed the outward Film of Earth,  
Gav'st Her, new formed with GLORY, Birth  
That She might sty to th' SEAT of Beatific Mirth!   

XIX.  
And praise THEE, with those VIRGIN-SOULS, who in  
The Cloisters of their Flesh have been  
Washed in their SAVIOUR'S Bath of Blood from Spots of Sin.   

XX.  
Flowers on our Heads, as on their Stems, do grow,  
Which into fadeless Colours flow,  
Nor Cold to blast, nor Heat to scorch, nor Age they know.   

XXI.  
Scenting 'bove thousand precious Ointments, shed  
On consecrated AARON'S Head;  
Above pearled Dew on Hermons ever-fragrant Bed.   

XXII.  
How far, immaculate FLAMES, do You excel  
All that in Thoughts high Turret dwell!  
What then can Optics see? What then can Volumes tell?   

XXIII.  
If Beauty's Self we could incarnate see,  
Teeming with Youth and joy, yet She  
Would not so beauteous as the VIRGIN-MOTHER be.   

XXIV.  
Who, like a full-orbed Moon, our Stars outshined  
In glorious Fulgurance of Mind!  
For whose surpassing Splendour I this Ode desig'nd.   

XXV.  
Hail, blessed VIRGIN-SPOUSE, who didst bequeath  
Breath unto HIM, Who made Thee breathe!  
And gav'st a Life to HIM, Who gave the Life from Death!   

XXVI.  
Who borest HIM in thy Womb, Whose Hands did stack  
The studded Orbs with Stars, and tack  
The glowing Constellations to the Zodiac!   

XXVII.  
And, what improves the Mystery begun,  
New Mysteries from Thee were spun,  
HE did, at once, become thy Father, Spouse, and Son!   

XXVIII.  
Conceiving HIM, as by the Womb, so th' Ear!  
By th' ANGEL'S Tongue HEAVEN cast Seed there!  
Thou heard'st, believ'dst, & thence didst breed, & thence didst bear!   

XXIX.  
Thou only may'st (so it be humbly) boast  
To have brought forth the ETERNAL HOST  
By mystic OBUMBRATION of the HOLY GHOST!   

XXX.  
By Thee did GOD and Man embrace Each other!  
Thus, HEAVEN to Earth became a Brother!  
Thus, Thou, a VIRGIN, to thy MAKER waste a MOTHER!   

XXXI.  
Thy Fleece was wet, when all the Ground lay dry!  
Dry, when all moist about did lie!  
As AARON'S rootless Rod, so didst Thou fructify!   

XXXII.  
Thou art, from whence FAITHS Burgeon sprung, the Ground!  
Before, in, after Birth was found  
Pureness untouched, with VIRGIN-MOTHERS' Honour crowned!   

XXXIII.  
Thou, Shrine of GLORY, Ark of BLISS, Thou, high  
Fair Temple of DIVINITY,  
In Thee, the Masterpiece of Nature I descry!   

XXXIV.  
My ravished Soul (said She) extols His NAME,  
Who rules the heavens expansed Frame,  
Whose MERCY raised me up to magnify the SAME.   

XXXV.  
Who can anatomize the glorious List  
Of Heirs to GOD, Coheirs with CHRIST,  
Who Royalize it There by GRACES high Acquist?   

XXXVI.  
Whose several GLORIES admirable are!  
And yet as INFINITE, as Fair!  
Where Alls' enjoyed at Full; where every Thing is rare!   

XXXVII.  
The joy of EACH ONE is the joy of ALICE!  
BEATITUDE'S reciprocal!  
They drink CHRIST'S Cup of flowing Wine, who pled'gd his Gall!   

XXXVIII.  
Silence most Rhet'rick hath, and GLORIES best  
Do portray forth that Royal FEAST,  
At which each blessed SAINT is an Eternal GUEST!   

XXXIX.  
Nor can a Thought of earthly Friends Annoys  
Extenuate one Grain of JOYS,  
While MERCY saves the Wise, while JUSTICE Fools destroys!   

XL.  
Strangely their Intellects enlightened be!  
Nature's Compendium did not see  
One half; yea, ere He tasted the forbidden Tree!   

XLI.  
If, that Sea-parting PRINCE, from cleft Rocks Space  
Viewing GOD'S Backparts, thought it Grace,  
What Honour is it then to see HIM FACE to FACE!   

XLII.  
WHO doth inspirit the indeficient Ray,  
Not dimmed with a minute Allay;  
Where, though no Sun ere rose, yet 'tis ETERNAL DAY!   

XLIII.  
Where, ALL are filled, yet ALL from Food abstain!  
Where ALL are Subjects, yet ALL reign!  
ALL rich, yet have no Bags that stifled Wealth contain!   

XLIV.  
Where each SAINT does a glorious Kingdom own;  
Where each KING hath a starry Crown;  
Each CROWN a Kingdom, free from the rude People's Frown.   

XLV.  
Where Each hath All, yet, more than All, They owe;  
All Subjects, yet no KINGS They know,  
Save KING of Kings, & LORD of Lords, who quelled their Foe.   

XLVI.  
Where highest JOY is their perpetual Fare;  
Their Exercise HOSANNAS are;  
SPIRIT'S the Choristers, the Subject PRAISE and PRAYER.   

XLVII.  
The Laureate KING his Psalming Voice doth raise,  
And sings to's solemn Harp high Lays,  
Being HIMSELF the Organ to His MAKER'S Praise.   

XLVIII.  
Inflamed with holy Zeal, and high Desire,  
Encircled with the Enthean CHOIR,  
Warbles This Epinician Canzon to his Lyre.   

XLIX.  
Thou, CROWN of BLISS, whose Footstool's Earth, whose Throne  
Outshines ten thousand Suns in One,  
Who art the Radi'cal LIFE of all true JOY alone!   

L.  
Royal PROTECTOR! when in THEE, Lights Sun,  
Mortals would deem the last Hour run,  
We find no Wane of Day, but a SOLSTITIAL Noon!   

LI.  
When, We Times Volumes of past Thousands scan,  
Thy ORIGEN with Time to span,  
We find no Track in Infant Age when It began!   

LII.  
ANCIENT of DAYS! to WHOM all Times are Now;  
Before Whom, SERAPHIMS do bow,  
Though highest CREATURES, yet to their CREATOR, low!   

LIII.  
Who art by Light-surrounded POWERS obeyed,  
(heavens Host Thy ministering SPIRITS made)  
Clothed with UBIQUITY, to WHOM all Light is Shade!   

LIV.  
Whose Thunder-clasping HAND does grasp the Shoal  
Of total Nature, and unroul  
The spangled Canopy of HEAVEN from Pole to Pole!   

LV.  
Who, on the Clouds and Winds, thy Chariot, rid'st;  
And, bridling wildest Storms, them guid'st;  
Who, moveless, All dost move; Who, changing All, abid'st!   

LVI.  
The Ocean Thou begirt'st with misty Shrouds;  
That Monster wrapt'st in swathing Clouds,  
And, with thy mighty WORD controul'st tempestuous Floods!   

LVII.  
Earth-circling Oceans Thy DISPLEASURE flee;  
Mountains dismounted are by THEE;  
Those airy Giant's smoke if THOU incensed be!   

LVIII.  
Innumerable Troops of Joys do stand  
Before Thy boundless PRESENCE, and  
Uncessantly attend Thy ever-blissefull HAND!   

LIX.  
Thou, LORD; Good, without Quality, dost send  
Bliss to All Thine; Great, without End;  
Whose Magnitude no Quantity can comprehend!   

LX.  
What's worthless Man? what his earth-crawling Race?  
That THOU shouldst such a shadow grace,  
And in unspeakable triumphant GLORY place!   

LXI.  
Who may thy MERCIES Height, Depth, Breadth extend?  
In Height It does to HEAVEN ascend,  
Confirms the ANGELS, and in Depth doth low descend,   

LXII.  
Lessening the Pains o'th' damned even in HELL;  
In Breadth, from East to West does swell,  
And over all the World, and all thy WORKS excel!   

LXIII.  
Immense EXISTENCE! HEAVN'S amazed at thy  
incomprehensibility!  
INTELLIGENCIES dread Thine All-commanding-EYE!   

LXIV.  
Ye winged HERO'S, whom all BLISS embow'rs,  
To HIM in Anthems strain your powers,  
Whose Sea of Goodness has no Shoar, whose Age, no Hours!   

LXV.  
Then, o'er the trembling Cords his swift Hand strays,  
And closed All with full Diapaze;  
As, in a sounding Choir the well-strook Consort plays.   

LXVI.  
Victorious jubilies, when Echoed clear  
From the Church-Militant, are dear  
To heavens triumphing CHOIR; Such no gross Ear can hear.   

LXVII.  
Music's first Martyr, Stradas Nightingale,  
Might ever wish (poor Bird)) to fall  
On that excelling HARP, and joy i'th' Funeral!   

LXVIII.  
Had it but heard Those AIRS, where Music meets  
With Raptures of Voice-warbled Sweets,  
Flowing with ravishing EXCESS in ZIONS STREETS.   

LXIX.  
All, what Symphonious Breathes inspire, All, what  
Quick Fingers touch, compared, sound flat:  
Could I but coin a Word beyond all Sweets! 'Twere THAT   

LXX.  
What Orders in NEW-SALEMS HIERARCHY,  
In what Degrees They ' enstated be,  
Are Wings that mount my Thoughts to high Discovery.   

LXXI.  
Blessed Sight, to see heavens ordered HOST to move  
In Legions glistering ALL Above,  
Whose Armour is true ZEAL, whose Banner is pure LOVE!   

LXXII.  
Bright-harnessed INTELLIGENCIES! Who  
Enucleate can your ESSENCE so,  
As Men may both your mighty Power, & Nature know!   

LXXIII.  
Invisible, impassive, happy, fair,  
High, incorporeal, active, rare,  
Pure, scientifick and illustrious SPIRITS youare.   

LXXIV.  
Guests at their Strength, by ONE; Was not almost  
Two hundred thousand of an Host  
By ' an ANGEL slain, when Assurs Chief against HEAVEN (did boast?   

LXXV.  
In Brightness They the Morning Star outvie;  
In Nimbleness the Winds out-flie;  
And far surpass the Sunbeams in Subtility.   

LXXVI.  
ARCHANGELS, Those superior SPIRITS, are  
GOD'S LEGATES, when he will declare  
His Mind to's Chosen; GABRIEL did thus prepare   

LXXVII.  
GOD'S Embassy, when his BELOVED did tie  
Our Flesh to his DIVINITY;  
GRACE. was the Kiss, the UNION was the Ring from High;   

LXXVIII.  
ANGELS the Posy sung: This, made our Clay  
O'er Empyraean Courtiers sway,  
When as the SPOUSE his mystic NUPTIALS did display.   

LXXIX.  
No sooner shall That great ARCHANGEL sound  
His wakeful Trump of Doom to th' Ground,  
And Echo shall, as banded Ball, make quick Rebound;   

LXXX.  
But, pampered Graves, with all their jaws, shall yawn;  
And Seas, Floods Nurse, strange Shoals shall spawn  
Of Men, to wait o'th' dreadful JUDGE at's judgements Dawn.   

LXXXI.  
To Incorruption then Corruptions Night  
Shall turned be; for That strange Sight  
Inebriates Souls with deepest Woes, or highest DELIGHT!   

LXXXII.  
Then shall my Ear, my Nose, my Hand, Tongue, Eye,  
Always hear, smell, feel, taste, espy,  
Hosannas, Incense, Offerings, Feasts, Felicity!   

LXXXIII.  
To act GOD'S WILL, o'er sublunary Things,  
The DOMINATIONS sway, as Kings;  
He curbs Aerian Potentates, by th' POWERS HE wings;   

LXXXIV.  
The PRINCIPATES, of Princes take the Care,  
T' enlarge their Realms, or to empair;  
VIRTUES in acting of his WILL have their full Share;   

LXXXV.  
THRONES HIM contemplate, nor from's Presence move;  
To CHERUBS HE reveals Above  
Hid Things; He SERAPHINS inflames with ardent Love.   

LXXXVI.  
Praecelling SERAPHS show GOD'S ARDOUR still;  
Wise CHERUBS his ABYSS of SKILL  
In Governing of ALL; beauteous THRONES instill   

LXXXVII.  
To us his STEDDINES in's blessed THRONE,  
Ever unalterably ONE;  
Powers, Virtues, Principates to his Commands are prone;   

LXXXVIII.  
Dominions own his REGAL SWAY; and so  
ARCHANGELS, ANGELS swiftly show  
Agility that from the DEITY does flow.   

LXXXIX.  
Their Number's numberless, not half so few  
As orient Pearls of early Dew;  
Like Aromatic Lamps THEY in heavens TEMPLE show:   

XC.  
And yet of THEM though vast the Number be,  
The Thing that most does glorify  
Their MAKER's This, THEY differ specifically.   

XCI.  
Of the first Machine THEY the Parcels are;  
Yet, if we Them with GOD compare,  
Then with, their Wings they screen Themselves, though else most fair.   

XCII.  
Lawless Desire does never pierce their Breast;  
Th' ALMIGHTY'S FACE is still their FEAST;  
Their BLISS in Service lies, in Messages their REST:   

XCIII.  
They speak with Thought, achieve without a Fee;  
Silence They hear, Ideas see;  
Still magnifying HIM, who cannot GREATER be!   

XCIV.  
Thus, THEY, with one fleet Glance intuitive,  
Into Each others Knowledge dive;  
And, by Consent, Thoughts, else inscrutable, unrive.   

XCV.  
Each ONE in Psalms ETERNITY employs;  
Where Use nor tires, nor Fullness cloys;  
Enjoying GOD, their END, without an end of JOYS!   

XCVI.  
Each ravishing Voice, each Instrument, each Face  
Composed such MUSIC, that I was  
In Doubt, Each so in Tune, which did precede in GRACE.:   

XCVII.  
The sprightly Instruments did sweetly smile;  
The Faces played their Parts; mean while  
The Voices, with both Graces, did them Both beguile.   

XCVIII.  
The Ninefold CHOIR such Heavenly Accents there  
In Sweets EXTENSION still do rear,  
As over-pow'r the Windings of a mortal Ear.   

XCIX.  
Who MUSIC hate, in barbarous Discord roll;  
In HEAVEN there is not such a Soul;  
For, there's All-Harmony. SAINTS sing, the damned howl.   

C.  
Celestial Sweets did this Discourse excite;  
Firm joy, fast Love, fixed Life, fair Sight!  
But may a Creature, its CREATOR'S GLORY write?   

Nunc alti Plumbum scrutatur Viscera Ponti,  
Viscera Navarchae non repetenda Manu!  
Hinc, procul optatam divino LUMINE Terram  
Cernimus, optatum perficiamus Iter!   Te DEUM Laudamus.  

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VII. The Contemplation.  
ARGUMENT.  

Pango nec humanis Opus enarrabile Verbis,  
Quae meliùs possem Mira silendo loqui!  
Dam, DEUS, Illa canam, quae Vox non personet ulla,  
Metiar ut minimis MAXIMA MIRA modis!   

She launcheth into shoarlesse SEAS of LIGHT,  
Inexplicable, Infinite!  
Whose BEAMS both strike her blind, and renovate her (Sight!   

STANZA I.  
WEre all Men Maro's, were those Maro's all  
EVANGELISTS, met in Earth's Hall  
For Grand-Inquest of That which we ETERNAL call:   

II.  
Draw Time from's Cradle (Innocence) could They,  
And piled Heaps of Ages lay  
Amassed in one Scale; Those would they find to weigh,   

III.  
Balanced with THEE, no more (when All is done)  
Than, if They vainly had begun  
To poise minutest atom with the MIGHTY SUN.   

IV.  
Could They Earth's Ball, with Numbers quilted see;  
Yet, those thronged Figures sum not THEE,  
They were but Ciphers to immense ETERNITY!   

V.  
Should every Sand for thousand Ages run,  
When emptied Shores of Sands were done,  
That Glass no more THEE measures, then if now begun!   

VI  
Had Tongues heavens Mint, to coin each ANGEL-GRACE  
In Dialect; They'd fail o'th' Space,  
Where All to come is One with All that ever was!   

VII.  
FAITH, stretch thy Line, yet That's too short, to ●ound  
SEA without BOTTOM, without BOUND;  
As Circular, as Infinite, o Shoarlesse Round!   

VIII.  
Immense ETERNITY! What mystic Art  
Of THEE may copy any Part,  
Since THOU an indeterminable CIRCLE art!   

IX.  
Whose very CENTRE so diffused is found,  
That not heavens Circuit can It bound,  
Than what, what may the whole CIRCUMFERENCE surround?   

X.  
heavens HERO'S, can ye find for th' ENDLESS End?  
Can POWERS IMMENSITY extend?  
UBIQUITY enclose? The BOUNDLESS comprehend?   

XI.  
JEHOVAH's Zone to this uncentred BALL,  
Ecliptic, and Meridional,  
Who WAS before, Is with, and SHALL be after All!   

XII.  
But now behold Its Height, Above all Height!  
Placed beyond Place! Above Lights Light!  
Rapt were the three APOSTLES by a Glimpse o'th' Sight!   

XIII.  
O, Thou all-splendent, all transcending Throne!  
Compact of Highest Dominion!  
That 'bove the Supereminence of LUSTRE shone!   

XIV.  
From Each of Thine ineffably bright Sides  
Diffusion of such Splendour glides,  
As rowls 'bove thousand Seas of JOYS in flaming Tides   

XV.  
With such Refulgence, that, if CHERUBS might,  
With Face unveiled, gaze on That Sight,  
Straight their Spiritual Natures would be nothinged quite.   

XVI.  
Nature, put on thy most coruscant Vest;  
Thy Gaieties show, brought to this Test,  
As a crude jelley dropped from dusky Clouds at best.   

XVII.  
Couldst Thou impov'rish every Indian Mine,  
And, from each golden Cell, unshrine  
Those Beams, that with their Blaze outface Days em'lous Shine:   

XVIII.  
Couldst find out secret Engines to unlock  
The treasu'ring Casket of each Rock,  
And reap the glowing Harvest of that sparkling Shock:   

XIX.  
Couldst thread the Stars (fixed and erratic) here,  
That stud the luminated Sphere,  
That all those Orbs of Light one Constellation were:   

XX.  
Couldst join Mines, Gems, Skie-Tapers, All in one;  
Whose neer-Immense Reflection  
Might both outrival, and outvie the glorious Sun:   

XXI.  
Could all thy Stones be Gems, Seas liquid Gold,  
Air Crystal, Dust to Pearl enrolled,  
Each Star a Sun, that Sun more bright a thousand fold:   

XXII.  
Yet would those Gems seem Flints, those Seas a Plash,  
Those Stars a Spark, That Sun a Flash;  
Pearled Islands, Diamond Rocks, Gold Mines, All sully'd trash:   

XXIII.  
Yea, were all Eyes of Earth, Sky, HEAVEN combined,  
And to one Optic point confined,  
This super-radiant OBJECT would even strike That blind●   

XXIV.  
Blind, as the sable Veil of gloomy Night;  
(The GOSPEL'S SEL● but hints This SIGHT)  
All seem obscurer Shades to THIS nonparel LIGHT▪   

XXV.  
Amazing! Most Inexplicably RARE!  
O, if, but Those Who Worthy are,  
None may This LIGHT declare; None may This LIGHT declare!   

XXVI.  
Best Eloquence is languid, highest Thoughts veil,  
To think, to speak, Wit, Language fail;  
'Tis an ABYSS, through which no SPIRIT'S Eye can sail!   

XXVII.  
Here GLORY dwells, with Lustres so surrounded,  
That brightest RAYS are quite confounded,  
When they approach this radiant Eminence unbounded!   

XXVIII.  
Forth from This FULGURANCE such Splendours fly,  
As shall draw up frail Dust on HIGH;  
Which, else, would in its lumpish Urn still bedrid lie.   

XXIX.  
Before the ALMIGHTY'S Throne my Soul I throw,  
WHENCE All, that's Good and Great, does flow.  
LORD, I that GRACE. implore, which may this GLORY show!   

XXX.  
GREAT GOD! THOU All-beginning, Unbegun!  
Whose Hand the Web of Nature spun!  
At once the Plenitude of All, and yet but ONE!   

XXXI.  
PARENT of Being's, Entities sole Stud!  
Spirits eternal SPRING and FLOOD!  
Sprung of THYSELF, or rather no way sprung! CHIEF GOOD!   

XXXII.  
Abstract of joys, whose WISDOM an ABYSS!  
Whose POWER OMNIPOTENCY is!  
Whose Soul-enlivening SIGHT'S the Universal BLISS!   

XXXIII.  
THOU dost descend on Wings of Air displayed,  
'Bove Majesty Itself arrayed,  
Curtained with Clouds, the HOST of HEAVEN Attendants made!   

XXXIV.  
ESSENCE of Glory, SUMMITY of Praise!  
Abashed at thy All-piercing RAYS,  
heavens CHOIR does chant uncessant ALLELUIAHS!   

XXXV.  
Diamonds than Glass, than Diamonds Stars more bright;  
Than Stars the Sun, than Sun heavens Light;  
But infinitely purer than heavens Self's THY SIGHT!   

XXXVI.  
Great is the Earth, more large the Airs Extent:  
Planets exceed; The Firmament  
Of Stars outvies; Vnlimited's the HEAVENLY TENT:   

XXXVII.  
But, as my tentered Mind its Spirits still  
Strains forth, from less to more (LORD, fill  
My outspent Raptures by thy All-repairing SKILL!)   

XXXVIII.  
When I above Air, Stars, HEAVEN, on would press  
Racked Thoughts to SPHERES beyond EXCESS;  
Myriad of Spheres seem Motes to thy Immense ONENESS!   

XXXIX.  
ETERNITY is but THINE Hourglass!  
IMMENSITY but fills THY Space!  
Whole Natures six Days Work took up but six Word● place!   

XL.  
One Word did th' All-surrounding Skie-roof frame,  
With all its Starry sparkling Flame!  
Not all created Wisdom can spell out THY NAME!   

XLI.  
Supreme COMMANDER of the rolling Stars!  
Thy LAW sets to their Progress Bars,  
Does Epicycle their obliquely gliding Cars!   

XLII.  
No Lines, Poles, Tropics, Zones can THEE enthrall,  
First MOVER of the Sphearick Ball,  
Above, Beneath, Without, Within, Beyond them All!   

XLIII.  
What could, but thy All-potent HAND, sustain  
Those Magazines of Hail, Snow, Rain,  
Lest They should fall at once, and deluge All again?   

XLIV.  
By Them THOU Plenty dost to Earth distil;  
And Man's dependent Heart dost fill:  
Winds are Van-couriers, & Postilions to THY WILL!   

XLV.  
'Tis That the ominous Cause of Earthquakes binds  
In Subterranean Grotts; That finds  
Strange Ruptures to enfranchise th' ever-strugling Winds!   

XLVI.  
Thy Sandy Cord does proudest Surges bound;  
And Seas unfathomed Bottoms sound;  
Thy semi-circling Bow i'th' Clouds thy Covenant crowned!   

XLVII.  
Earth's Hinges hang upon thy Fiat; set  
Midst Air-surrounding Waters, yet  
Stand fixed on That, like Which, what is so Firm, so Great!   

XLVIII.  
Yet Earth's fast Columns at thy Frown do quake;  
And Ocean's dreadful Horrors make;  
Flints melt, the Rocks do roll, the airy Mountains shake!   

XLIX.  
Yea, heavens SELF trembled, and the Centre shook,  
With thy amazing PRESENCE struck,  
When POWER of Powers on Sina's Mount His Station took!   

L.  
Each Ens (as linked to PROVIDENCE, thy Chain)  
Is governed by thy FINGERS Rein!  
THOU, seeing us, we GRACE; we, THEE, do GLORY gain!   

LI.  
WHO hast no Eyes to see, nor Ears to hear;  
Yet●eest ●eest, and hearest, All-EYE, All-EAR!  
WHO, no where art contained, yet art THOU every where!   

LII.  
The optic Glass we of thy PRESCIENCE may  
Call th' Ark, where all Ideas lay,  
By which each Entity THOU dost at first portray!   

LIII.  
Future Events are preaexistent here,  
As if they lately acted were;  
Then any new dissect Anatomy more clear!   

LIV.  
Each where, at once, THOU totally art still  
The same unchanged; yet, at thy Will,  
THOU changest All; Who, though THOU art unmoved, dost fill   

LV.  
Things that are most remote; In whose Forecast  
Contingencies do crowd so fast,  
As if, past Things were now, and Things to come were passed!   

LVI.  
Though Acts on Earth cross to thy WILL are done,  
Besides thy WILL yet acteth None;  
Preceding and succeeding Will, in THEE are One!   

LVII.  
Of whose vast MANOR all the Earth's Demains!  
Though Earth, nor Air, nor HEAVEN contains,  
Yet each obscurer Grott thy OMNIPRESENCE gains!   

LVIII.  
Though nought accrues to Thy unbounded STATE  
From Spirits, which THOU didst create,  
Yet They thy GOODNESS and thy LOVE shall still dilate!   

LIX.  
THOU, who mad'st All, mad'st neither Sin, nor Death;  
Man's Folly first gave them their Breath;  
That did abase whole Nature with itself beneath.   

LX.  
But Sin to cure, THOU in a Crib gav'st Man  
EMANUEL! DIVINE- humane!  
WHO differing Natures joined; Whose REIGN no Ages scan!   

LXI.  
And THOU, O MEDIATOR! THOU, whose PRAISE,  
Like Morning Dewes, to first of Days  
Was sung by Heavenly CHORISTERS in SERAPH LAYS!   

LXII.  
GOD, by the HOLY ●HOST, begat THEE, LORD!  
Flesh took by the ETERNAL WORD!  
Whose Self-Eternal EMANATION None record!   

LXIII.  
As thy Eternal EMANATION's past;  
So to ETERNITY shalt last!  
In the beginning was the WORD, shows still THOU wast!   

LXIV.  
There GOD in ESSENCE, One in PERSONS Three!  
Here NATURES two in One agree!  
THOU, sitting in the Midst of TRINAL-UNITY   

LXV.  
At heavens High Councel-Table, dart'st such Rays,  
As strike even CHERUBS with amaze!  
Of which the School, disputing All, it nothing says.   

LXVI.  
Search we the Ages passed so long ago,  
None, None this MYSTERY could show,  
Till in that Maiden-Birth, 'twas acted here below!   

LXVII.  
A Dove hatched in that Nest THYSELF did build!  
A LAMB that Thine own Flock does shield!  
A Wintersp FLOWER that framed, from whence it sprung, the Field●   

LXVIII  
The jewish Shepherds all affrighted are,  
When HERALDS THEE proclaimed i'th' Air!  
Yea, Magi came t' adore, led by a newborn Star!   

LXIX.  
Yet, though thus wondrously begot, thus born,  
SPONSOR for us, fallen Race, forlorn,  
T'ingratiate us with GOD, becamest to Man a Scorn!   

LXX.  
The GRACE SELF th' Honour t' Evangelize!  
The sacred FUNCTION, as a Prize,  
Thou took'st, yet That not on, till called in Aaron's Guise!   

LXXI.  
Which GOD it Apostolize did bring to pass,  
By th' HOLY GHOSTS Descent, at Face  
Of jordan's then blessed Streams, of Which John Witness was!   

LXXII.  
Thence, led by th' HOLY GHOST to th' Wilderness,  
There tempted by the Fiends address,  
Him overcam'st by Scriptum est; Hence our Release!  
Then forth thou went'st.—   

LXXIII.  
Thy SERMONS, Oracles; ACTS, Wonders were!  
THOSE Faith begot, THESE OTHERS Fear!  
By BOTH, thus wrought in us, to THEE ourselves we rear!   

LXXIV.  
THOU gav'st the Lame swift Legs, the Blind clear Eyes!  
THOU heal'dst all humane Maladies!  
THOU mad'st the Dumb to speak! THOU mad'st the Dead to rise!   

LXXV.  
And art to Dead Men LIFE, to sick men HEALTH!  
SIGHT to the Blind, to th' Needy WEALTH!  
A PLEASURE without Pain! a TREASURE without Stealth!   

LXXVI.  
LORD, in, not of this World, Thy KINGDOM is;  
Thy chos'n Apostles preached thy Bliss,  
That none of all thy Creatures might SALVATION miss.   

LXXVII.  
Abra'ham, long dead before, yet saw THY DAY,  
In Isaac born, and Vows did pay!  
Type first, than Antitype, and quicken'st every way!   

LXXVIII.  
Thy Gospel WISDOMS Academy showed;  
Thy Mercy, JUSTICE calmed; Life, viewed  
Is TEMPERANCE; Thy Death the Flag of FORTITUDE!   

LXXIX.  
Thou, Altar, Sanctuary, Sacrifice,  
Priest, Bread of Life dost All suffice!  
Ne'er cloying Feast, where Appetite by Food doth rise!   

LXXX.  
And, SON of MAN, dost Sin of Man forgive!  
To be THY victim Hearts do strive,  
Who liv'dst that Life might die, and didst that Death might live!   

LXXXI.  
Yet didst THOU not, but that (Spîrit quickened) free  
THOU mightst Saints Paradised see,  
Rejoiced Assurance give to Them rejoiced in THEE!   

LXXXII.  
And that, from thence, to Satan's gloomy Shades,  
Made Prison for the damned Hades,  
Thou mightst Thy CONQUEST show, Thy GLORY that ne'er fades!   

LXXXIII.  
Thence loosed Death's Chains from BODY, up to rear IT,  
That, when RAISED STATE THOU dost inherit,  
THOU mightst become to us an ever-quickning SPIRIT!   

LXXXIV.  
The FATHER to reveal giveth to his SON  
THEE, HOLY GHOST (thus THREE in ONE)  
Of All peculiar SANCTIFIER, yet not Alone!   

LXXXV.  
The FATHER'S Love, and SONS; Adoptions Seal,  
The SPRING of Sanctity, The WEAL  
O'th' Church: THYSELF in Light of fiery Tongues reveal!   

LXXXVI.  
O LIGHT unscanned! Of Wisdom every Glance  
Beams only from Thy COUNTENANCE;  
Whose STORE, when emptied most Itself most doth advance!   

LXXXVII.  
Whose Fruits are Gentleness, Peace, Love, and Joy,  
All crowned with Bliss▪ freed from Annoy;  
Which neither Time, World, Death, Hell, Devil can destroy!   

L●XXVIII.  
THOU art a Feast, framed of that fruitful Fare,  
Which Hunger's waist not, but repair!  
A rich Perfume, no Winds can winnow into Air!   

LXXXIX.  
A Light unseen, yet in each Place dost shine!  
A Sound no Art can e'er define!  
A pure Embrace, that Time's Assault can ne'er untwine!   

XC.  
Floods of unebbing Joys from THEE do roll!  
Which, to each Sin-disdaining Soul  
THOU dost exhibit in an unexhausted Bowl!   

XCI.  
This Wine of ECSTASY, by th' SPIRIT given,  
Doth raise the ravished Souls to HEAVEN!  
Affording them those COMFORTS are of Earth's bereaven!   

XCII.  
Thy UNION is as strict, as large thy MERIT!  
No HEAVEN but THEE, which SAINTS inherit  
Through Grace, divinest Sap, deriv●d by th' HOLY SPIRIT!   

XCIII.  
When Souls inflamed by that highest LIGHT,  
Fix on Thy glorifying SIGHT,  
All Glories else, compared to THAT, are dusky Night!   

XCIV.  
When highest INFUSIONS pass our highest Sense,  
Amazement is high Eloquence,  
'Bove all Hyperboles which fall to Exigence.   

XCV.  
Blessed TRINITY, TH' art ALL; Above All, GOOD!  
Beatitudes' BEATITUDE!  
Which swallows us, yet swim we in this LIVING FLOOD!   

XCVI.  
TH' art KING of Kings, of Lords LORD! None like THEE!  
Who, for thy Style hast MAJESTY!  
And for thy Royal Robes hast IMMORTALITY.   

XCVII.  
MERCY for Throne! for Sceptre JUSTICE hast!  
IMMENSITY ' s for Kingdom placed!  
And for thy Crown such GLORY as doth ever last!   

XCVIII.  
For Peace, what passeth Understandings Eye!  
Power, IRRESISTABILITIE!  
For HOLINESS, All what's most sacred, pure, and high!   

XCIX.  
For Truth, thy WORD! WISDOM for Counsellor!  
OMNIPOTENCE does Guard Thy TOWER!  
Thou ministering Angels haste to act thy Sovereign POWER!   

C.  
OMNISCIENCE Thine Intelligencer is!  
For Treasure Thou hast Endless BLISS!  
For Date ETERNITY! O, swallow me ABYSS▪   

Ite, pii Cantus, Cantus quibus arduus Aether  
Est Portus; Portum, quem videt alma Fides.  
Visuram Littus Navem, sacra Serta coronent,  
Serta per innumeros non per●tura Dies!   Gloria in excelsis DEO.  

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VIII. The Admiration.  
ARGUMENT.  

COELI trina MONAS, TRIAS una, faveto precanti!  
PERSONAS unâ Tres DEITATE colo!  
Sunt tria, sunt & idem, Fons, Flumen, Gurges aquartum:  
Sic tria sunt unum, Sol, Jubar, at▪ Calor.   

Th' Elixir centuplies Itself. But, o  
Myriads of Myriad must She so,  
T'express GOD'S ESSENCE which no Intellect can show!   

STANZA I.  
PRojection to my Soul! Thy SIGHT's a Wreath  
Of GLORY; Thou dost VIRTUE breath;  
Thy Words, like sacred Incense, Fuel, & Flame bequeath.   

II.  
THOU MAID of Honour in heavens Court! to break  
Thy Gold-twist LINES shows Judgement Weak;  
Yet deign to hear my Suit; Of GOD'S hid NATURE speak!   

III.  
Can Counters sum up INFINITE▪ Fond Man,  
Couldst grasp whole Oceans in thy Span,  
And Phoebus couldst outface in his Meridian;   

IV.  
Tear Rocks of Adamant, and scale the Wall  
O'th' glorious Empyraean HALL.;  
And Worms to Supereminence of SERAPHS call!   

V.  
Yet THIS, even then, thou couldst nor learn, nor teach:  
The World, unravelled, cannot stretch  
To sound th' ABYSS. ITSELF alone Itself can reach.   

VI  
Of all Intelligencies not all Light  
Mustered into one Optic Sight,  
Can speak what each where is, yet no where seen to th' Height!   

VII.  
WHO out of Nothing all Things did compact;  
Whose Will's His Work, whose Word his Act:  
Of WHOM, who says the most, must from His WORTH detract?   

VIII.  
How from the ESSENCE the CREATOR flows!  
Or how the WORD, what Creature knows!  
How th' SPIRIT, All in't, All from't, does heavens Assembly pose!   

IX.  
Here they, who leave the Church's Ship, are tossed  
Till irrecoverably lost!  
Whose Rudder is GOD'S Word, Steersman, th' HOLY GHOST.   

X.  
ARCHESSENCE! THOU, self-ful! Self-Infinite!  
Residing in approachlesse LIGHT!  
In the INCOMPREHENSIBILITIES of HEIGHT!   

XI.  
Thy peerless uncreated NATURE is  
The SUPER-EXCELLENCE of BLISS!  
Where Holiness & Power; where Truth & Goodness kiss!   

XII.  
WHO only in THYSELF subsists, without  
Or Form, or Matter! yet, no doubt,  
Inform'st the Matter of the Universe throughout!   

XIII.  
No Need compels THEE, no Disasters sad  
Disturb thy STATE, no Mirth makes glad;  
Oblivion takes not from THEE, nor can Memory add!   

XIV.  
With prudent reverence, Thus. What ever's in GOD,  
His ESSENCE is; There's His ABode;  
Whose Will his Rule, whose Heaven his Court, whose Hell his Rod.   

XV.  
He ' exists an active ENS, uphoulding both  
ITSELF, and every Thing that doth  
Exit; without distinction or of Parts, or Growth!   

XVI.  
Not made by Nothing, Nothing Nothing makes;  
Nor Birth from any Thing HE takes;  
For, what gives Birth, precedes: Springs usher in their Lakes.   

XVII.  
Were HE Material, than HE local were;  
All Matter being in Place; So, there  
Th' INCIRCUMSCRIPTIBLE would circumscribed appear.   

XVIII.  
HE'S so diffusive, that HE'S All in All!  
All in the Universal Ball!  
All out of It! The only WASPE, the IS, the SHALL.   

XIX.  
To help thy Reason, think of Air; there see  
Vbiquitie● unseen, and free  
From Touch; Inviolable, though it pierced be.   

XX.  
Mere Air corrupts not, though conveyed unto  
All Lungs; for, thither It does go  
To cool them; Quickeneth All, as the World's Soul doth show:   

XXI.  
Moisture and Heat, its Qualities, are Cause  
Of all Production: yet, because  
This Element's a Creature, GOD CREATOR pause.   

XXII.  
SELF-LIFE the Attribute of's BEING is!  
His WILL, of Governing! and His  
COMMAND of Execution! and his LOVE of Bliss!   

XXIII.  
All's tied in this Love-knot: JEHOVAH's LOVE.  
Time's Birth the TRINITY does prove:  
CREATOR made, WORD spoke, & SPIRIT of GOD did move:   

XXIV.  
Let us in our own Image Man create.  
Which, Solomon does explicate;  
Remember the CREATORS in thy youthful State.   

XXV.  
The FATHER spoke, the SON i'th' Stream did move  
At his Baptising; from Above  
The HOLY GHOST descended in the Form o'th' DOVE.   

XXVI.  
Of HIM, to HIM, and through HIM all Things be:  
Of, through, and to declare the THREE;  
And in the HIM, the UNITY of GOD we see.   

XXVII.  
Thus HOLY, HOLY, HOLY'S named, to show  
A TERNION we in UNION know:  
The Notions issuing from the TRINE, int' ONE do flow.   

XXVIII.  
Whilst that I think on THREE, I am confined  
To ONE! while I have ONE in Mind,  
I am let forth to THREE! Yet THREE in ONE combined!   

XXIX.  
O, Inconceivable INDENTITIE!  
In ONE how may a PLURAL be!  
COAEQUAL both in ATTRIBUTES, and MAJESTY!   

XXX.  
The FATHER is true GOD i'th' TERNION:  
The WORD unborn, yet after SON:  
The SPIRIT GOD Coessential; THREE, cause THREE from ONE!   

XXXI.  
The FATHER & WORD are ONE! ONE, shows their Power:  
Are, distinct PERSONS. ONE does shower  
On Tritheits Vengeance: Are, does Arrians devour.   

XXXII.  
ONE, yet not One! The FATHER and the SON  
In PERSONS two, from FATHER one  
By th' SPIRIT; SON is one by Resignation!   

XXXIII.  
The WORD is what HE was; yet, once was not  
What now HE is! for, HE hath got  
A NATURE more than once HE had, to cleanse our Spot!   

XXXIV.  
For, ne'er had Man from Earth to Heaven attained,  
Had GOD from Heaven to Earth not deigned  
His SON! now unto GOD Man's way by MAN is gained!   

XXXV.  
EQUAL, and SON, the form of Servant takes!  
The World, unmade by Sin, new makes!  
EQUAL, SON, Servant! All are Mysteries, not Mistakes!   

XXXVI.  
Thus, by free GRACE. is Man's Defection healed:  
Behold the Mystery revealed.  
WORD, equal; shado'wing, SON; Unction is Servant sealed!   

XXXVII.  
Because GOD'S equal, Serpents Tempts are quelled:  
Yet HE, as SON, to Death must yield  
For us; by Resurrection to regain the Field.   

XXXVI●I.  
The SPIRIT is true GOD; from Ever HE  
Did reign with BOTH! The TRINITY  
COEQUAL, COETERNAL, COESSENTIAL be!   

XXXIX.  
The FATHER's full, though th' SON hath All engrossed!  
Nor yet is aught of this All lost,  
Though th' FATHER give HIMSELF to th' SON by th'H●LY GHOST!   

XL.  
For, though HE freely thus give All his STORE;  
Yet hath He INF'INITE, as before!  
Conceive for Glimps●some ●some endless Spring, or Mine of Ore!   

XLI.  
What Soul will have this TRIAD for his Book,  
With Faith must on the Backparts look,  
For, with HIS glorious FACE, blind are even SERAPHS struck!   

XLII.  
By Speculation from Sols Substance● we  
The FATHER; from its Splendour see  
The SON; from's Heat the HOLY GHOST. Here, One is Three.   

XLIII.  
The Intellect, the Memory, the Will  
Resemblance make o'th' TRINE; These fill  
One Soul, yet are distinct in outward Workings still!   

XLIV.  
Thus, to restore from Fall, we may descry  
THE TRINITY in UNITY!  
Inscrutable ABYSS rebates our weaker Eye!   

XLV.  
Be Ever-Ever-Ever blest, o, TRINE!  
Ever UNITEDNESSE divine!  
WHO dost as well in Ants, as in ARCHANGELS shine!   

XLVI.  
The Principats, Thrones, Dominations, all  
Archangels, Powers Celestial  
Are Ministers attending on thy SOVEREIGN CALL!   

XLVII.  
The Government 'bove Star-embroidred Hall,  
Thus truly is Monarchical,  
Where All are Kings, and yet one KING does rule Them All!   

XLVIII.  
Less than the thousand Part I have expressed;  
Man's Weakness cannot bear the Rest.  
For thy Expresselesse NATURE, LORD, be ever blest!   

XLIX.  
SOUL of all Sweets! my Love, Life, Joy and Bliss!  
To ' enjoy THEE'S Heaven! Hell THEE to miss!  
What's Earth's! Even Heaven hath its Beatitude from THIS!   

L.  
Remove the Needle from the Polestar, and  
'Tis still with trembling mot●on fanned,  
Till it returns. No Fixure but in GOD does stand.   

LI.  
To Saints all other Objects priceless be;  
In GOD, the ALL of All, we see:  
Feast to the Taste, all Beauty to the Sight is HE!   

LII.  
Music to th' Ear; and Those whom HE unites,  
Partake with HIM in highest DELIGHTS!  
Springtides of Pleasures over-whelm their ravished Spirits!   

LIII.  
But, Contraries, when opposite, best show,  
(As Foils set Diamonds off, we know)  
See Hell, where Caitiffs pine, yet still their Tortures grow!   

L●V.  
As Metals fiery Waves in Furnace swell,  
That Founders run, to cast each Bell;  
This, not endured; more Rage ten thousand Times is Hell!   

LV.  
Where Souls still rave, adust with horrid Pain!  
They tug, they tear, but all in vain,  
For, them from raging Smart, HOPE never shall unchain!   

LVI.  
O, that for trash these Esau's sold their BLISS!  
For Sin, that worse than Nothing is!  
This desperates their Rage! How they blaspheme at This   

LVII.  
This Viper clings, corrodes, against which no Ward!  
GOD'S BEATIFIC SIGHT debarred,  
Renders their Case, 'bove all the Pains of Sense more hard!   

LVIII.  
O, never-sated Worm! unpityed Woes!  
Unintermitted! what Sin owes,  
Hell pays! The Damned are Anvils to relentless Blows!   

LIX.  
Fiends forfeit not their Energy. There Cain  
Fries, but for one Lamb by him slain!  
O, what Flames then shall Butchers of CHRIST'S Flock sustain?   

LX.  
Earth's fatal Mischief, prosperous Thief, that Thunder  
Which tore the Nations all asunder,  
Whom Just Fate flew, i'th' World's Revenge, that conquering Wonder,   

LXI.  
That Ghost of Philip's hot-brained Son may tell  
Heart-breaking Stories of his Hell!  
Too late He finds one Soul did his whole World excel!   

LXII.  
There, cursed Oppressors dreadful Racking feel!  
Whose Hearts were Rocks, and Bowels Steel!  
O, scorching Fire! (cries Dives) for one Drop I kneel!   

LXIII.  
Obliged is Man, GOD'S Steward, to supply  
Brethren, in CHRIST Coheirs, who lie  
Gasping in stiff'ning Frosts, no Covering but the Sky:   

LXIV.  
Whose withered Skins, fear as the sapless Wood,  
Cleave to their Bones, for want of food,  
Seem Nature's Monsters thrown a Shoar by miseries Flood.   

LXV.  
Though all their Physic's but a Diet spare;  
Have no more Earth, than what they are,  
Nor more o'th' World, than Graves, yet in heavens Love they share.   

LXVI.  
Inestimable LOVE, from None bereaven!  
HEAVEN sunk to Earth, Earth mounts to HEAVEN!  
Just JUDGE! to Dives Hell, to Laz'rus Heaven is given!   

LXVII.  
LOVE, Disengage us of our selves! LOVE has  
Nor Bi●, nor Reins! Rich, 'bove Earth's Mass!  
Fixed in Ideas of LOVES Soul-inliv'ning GRACE.!   

LXVIII  
O, LOVE! o HEIGHT, above all Height, to THINE!  
Thy FAVOUR did to Foes incline!  
Unmeasurable MEASURE! endless END of Line!   

LXIX.  
LOVE darts all Thoughts to its BELOVED; doth place  
All BLISS in waiting on His GRACE;  
It languisheth with Hope to view HIM Face to Face!   

LXX.  
And ushers in that BEATIFIC LOVE,  
Which so divinely flames Above,  
And doth to VISION, UNION, and FRUITION move!   

LXXI.  
Ice is a thing distinct from th' Ocean wide;  
But, melted by the Sun, does glide  
Into't, becomes one with't, and so shall e'er abide.   

LXXII.  
Desire's a Tree, whose Fruit is Love, the Showers  
That ripen it are Tears, the Flowers  
Are Languors, Leaves Afflictions, Blossoms Pray'r-spent Hours.   

LXXIII.  
O, Mental PRAYER, thy joys are high! Resort  
By Thee's to GOD! Thou art the Port  
Of inward Peace from Storms! The Path to ZIONS Court!   

LXXIV.  
By Prayer GOD's served betimes; Remember Who  
The Blessing got by Wrestling so;  
Who early pray, they healthy, holy, happy grow.   

LXXV.  
Then pray, before Lights rosy Blush displays  
I'th' Orient Sols enchearing Rays,  
When He from's Opal East to West oblikely strays:   

LXXVI.  
Before the Cock, Lights Herald, daybreak sings  
To's Feathr'ie Dames; ere roost- Lark springs,  
Morn's Usher; when the Dawn its mongrel hour forth brings●   

LXXVII.  
PRAYER, Thou art Life's best Act, Souls silent Speech,  
The Gate of GRACE.; Saints GOD beseech  
By Prayer, but joined with Alms & Fasts they HIM besiege!   

LXXVIII.  
Fasting, the Souls delicious Banquet, can  
Add Strength to PRAYER, feast th' inner Man,  
And throw up to ETERNITY the Body's Span!   

LXXIX.  
Fasts, sackcloth, ashes, grovelling on the ground  
SAINTS studied have with Pain, and found  
With joy, that what degrades the Sense, in HEAVEN is crowned!   

LXXX.  
Prize FAITH, the Shield of Martyrs, joys Confection,  
Souls Light, the PROPHET'S sure Direction,  
Hope's Guide, Salvations Path, the Pledge of all Perfection!   

LXXXI.  
In Faith's mysterious EDEN make abode;  
With Jacob's Staff, and Aaron's Rod  
Frequents its Grove, where none are but the LOVED of GOD!   

LXXXII.  
The Radiations of FAITH'S Lamp excite  
Such a Colosse of sparkling Light,  
That Saints, through worldly Waves may steer Life's Course aright.   

LXXXIII.  
Being in, not of this World, They Comforts rear  
Above the Pitch of servile Fear:  
Terrestrial Blossoms first must die, ere Fruit They bear●   

LXXXIV.  
No clogging Fetters of imprisoning Clay,  
No wry-mouth squint-eyed Scoff can stay  
Their swift Progression, soaring in their HEAVENLY Way!   

LXXXV.  
Thoughts on the endless Weight of GLORY shall  
Render even Crowns, as Dung, and all  
Afflictions light, as Chaff chased on Earth's empty Ball.   

LXXXVI.  
The Torch that shines in Night, as Eye of Noon,  
Is but as Darkness to the Sun:  
Run after Shades, they fly; fly after Shades, they run.   

LXXXVII.  
All worldly Gayes are Reeds, without Support,  
Fitly with Rainbow gleams they sort,  
Want Solidness; when gained, they are as false, as short.   

LXXXVIII.  
While Fools, like silly Larks, with Feathers play,  
And stoop to th' Glass, are twitched away,  
Amidst their pleasing Madness, to Hell's dismal Bay!   

LXXXIX.  
O, could embodied Souls Sins Bane view well,  
Rather in Flames they'd choose to dwell!  
Not so much Ill, as Sin, have all the Pains of Hell!   

XC.  
A smiling Conscience (wronged) does sweetly rest,  
Though starved abroad, within doth feast;  
Has HEAVEN Itself for Cates, has GOD HIMSELF for Guest!   

XCI.  
May call HIM FATHER; ●His Vicegerent be!  
An Atom of DIVINITY!  
Redeemed by's SON, by the SPIRIT inspired, blest by ALL THREE!   

XCII.  
His JUDGE becomes his ADVOCATE! hath Care  
To plead for Him! The ANGELS are  
His Guardians! from his GOD Him Heights, nor Depths may scare.   

XCIII.  
O, Blest, who in His COURTS their Days do spend!  
And on that SOVEREIGN GOOD depend!  
His WORD, their Rule; his SPIRIT, their Light; HIMSELF their End!   

XCIV.  
While Pride of Life, and Lust o'th' Eye do quite  
Dazzle the World, SAINTS out of Sight  
Retire, to view their BLISS: On which some Cantos write:   

XCV.  
For, Souls, sincerely good, in humble Cell  
Encloistered, near Devotions Bell,  
By Contemplation's Groves and Springs near HEAVEN do dwell.   

XCVI.  
Bright-gifted soaring MINDS (though Fortune trod)  
Are careless of dull Earth's dark Clod;  
Enriched with higher Donatives; their PRIZE is GOD!   

XCVII.  
Farewell. As vanished Lightning then She flies.  
O, how in Me did Burnings rise!  
The only Discord was Farewell. Hearts outreach Eyes.   

XCVIII.  
The Air respires those quintessential Sweets  
From whence She breathed, and who so meets  
With Such, the tuneful Orbs He in that Zenith greets.   

XCIX.  
Dwell on This joy, my Thoughts, re-act her Part;  
Such Raptures on thy shuddering Heart  
Make Thee all- Ecstasie● by Spirit-seizing Art!   

C.  
Chewing upon those HEAV'N-enchanting Strains,  
My Soul Earth's giddy Mirth disdains;  
Fleet joy runs Races in my Blood through thousand Veins!   

Contingit gratam victrix Industria Metam;  
Et mea nunc Portu fessa potire Ratis.  
Est Opus exactum, Cujus non poenitet Acti:  
Me juvat at Caepti Summa videre mei.   — OMNIA in UNO, & in OMNIBUS UNUS. 

MIra mih● inter Authorem & Opus occurrit Symphonia: Ille Caelebs, Hoc Virgineum; ●lle Philomusicus; Hoc, ipsum Melos; Ille Dilectus, Hoc 〈◊〉 Dilect●o: Quis en●m ad ●im Amoris explicandum, vel copiosiùs dixit, vel impensiùs Opere perfecit, quam Autor hîc in sua THEOPHILA? quae tantâ Florum●●rietate ●●rietate con●●ersa est, ut quid prius legam, aut laudem, vix mihi post 〈◊〉 Lectionem constare possit. Quid etiam Jucundiùs Animi Oculis, quam siti●ntem tam coelesti Nect are Animam adimplere? Sine me Deliciis igitur istis inebriari: & me Epulis his●e, Mel & Amorem spirantibus, jugiter accumbere. Mo●us amandi DEUM non habet modum; nullus planè in hoc Genere Excessus datur● Scripserunt De Arte Amandi Varii, sed imperfectè admodum, & impurè●ac si, non tam Amandi quam Peccandi Artem edocere profes● essent: Quia hujusmodi illecebrae, dum sensìm sine sensu Venenum hauriunt, Morbo sine Medelâ afficiunt. Hîc autem sunt Dictu honesta, Lectu jucunda, Scitu utilia, Observatu digna, & Factu praestantissima. Eximium ergo hoc felicis Ingenii Specimen, propter Multiplices Aculeos in Legentium Animos suavitèr penetrantes, & penitiorem ae●ternae Veritatis Cognitionem instillatam, Auresque harmonice demulcentem, in Lucem emitti, non possum non laetari.  
M. G. S. T. D.   


I am satìs expertus Briticum Mare, contraho Vela;  
Naviget Ausonio Musa Latina Salo.  
Fallo●, an externo venit Aura secundior Orbe?  
Portus in Latios versa Triremis eat.   
   

Ad piae Poesios Cultum Invitatio.  
VOS, Eruditionis Candidati, quibus Crux DOMINI Gloriae, Religio Cordi, Integritas Honori, Doctrina Ornamento, Poesis sacra Oblectamento, qui Cupiditates Rationi, Rationem Religioni, ut Christiani, subjugâstis, cum Musis convivamini devotioribus, ut perpetuâ Posterorum vigeatis Memori●. Non ad Mundi deliria, VOS, Animae piè anhelantes sed, fulguris more, ad Sublimia nascimini. Credite Vosmetipsos DE●I Filios, respondete Generi, vivite Coelo, PATREM Similitudine re●erte; Quid enim evidentius coelestis Originis Indicium, quam humano Corpore Mentem Angelicam circumferre, Vosmetipsos ergo erigite, Dictatores, Magna loquimini, Magna vivite; Caeteros, ad inferiora depressos, Quadrupedes non esse natos, paeni●●eat. O, quam divina Res est Mens variis ornata Disciplinis! Acquisitio Sapientiae Carbunculos, & pretiosissimas Orientis Gazas antecellit: Nihil, Vobis, ● Animae, DEI insignitae Imagine, desponsatae Fide, dota●ae Spir●●u, redemptae Sanguine, deputatae cum Angelis, capaces Beatitudinis, aequè sit Curae, quám ut omnes altiores Animi vestri Vires in summum Illius Honorem, qui primum Illum Vobis inspiravit Aestum, ex●ratis, Tanti enim est Quisque quanti Mens, quae, praeter DEUM, nihil excelsius in Terris Seips● complecti potest. Ad Se igitur revocetur, Secum versetur, in Se abeat, Sibi tota intendat, deque sua Sublimitate, & Autore semper adorando, cogitet. Hoc autem praestare non possit, nisi Vitia Corporis ableget, nisi Avaritiae & Ambitioni renuntiet, nisi sui Juris sit, nisi Se denique a Sensibus separata, penitiùs perfruatur; tunc enim ad DEUM, Objectum suum, libera assurgat; Haec autem ipsius in Seipsam Conversio a● Defixio, ●antae est Voluptatis, ut excogitari nulla in hac Vita possit, quae vel ad aliquam ejus particulam accedat. Ut igitur ad summum hoc Bonum, summis Ingeniis Propositum, perveniatis, Votis & Vocibus cohortamur: Imo DEUS in Vobis & velle, & persicere operetur; Ipse Autor, Ipse Remunerator, Ipse Cansa effectiva & finalis; Cui soli, Nobilissimi, incumbite, & Vnum Hoc agite● ut vos, DEO & Davidicae Pietati consecratos, Sedes in GLORIae Templ● aeternae excipiant. Sed, quia● Heroes alloquimur, heroico nostram han● Paraenesin Carni●e substringemus.   


THEOPHILAES AMORIS HOSTIA. HECATOMBE IX. RECAPITULATIO. Animae piè anhelantis Descriptio.  
Beato THEOPHILAE Virginis Incendio  
Quisquis flagrare gestis,  
In quo felicior Salamandrâ triumphes,  
Et instar Pyraustae nascaris, instar Phoenicis moriaris;  
Vt AEVITERNITATI resurgas,  
Non tam vitam deserens, quam conserens:  
Sanctioris Ovidii Carmina  
Cordis Oculis, & Oculorum Corde perlustres:  
Debuissent Incendia dia Adamantino Stylo  
In Tabula IMMORTALITATIS incîdi;  
Sed, quoniam pennae ductibus scribenda fuêre,  
Pennas porrigat Scribenti Pietas pennatior Ave,  
Et centum Oculos Legenti oculatior Argo.  

PORTICUS.  
Amor erga Magistrum, & Sodalem  
Languidiùs se movet, & quodamodo vegetat;  
Erga Parentem & Conjugem  
Expansiùs se exerit, & quasi sentit;  
Erga Patriam, & Patriae Patrem  
Elatiùs se erigit, & Rationem induit:  
At erga DEUM  
Totus Ecstasin patitur, Sese transcendit,  
Nec Modi, nec Limitis capax;  
Sed, separatarum instar Animarum,  
Cupit, aestuat, ebullit, anhelat!  
Finitus INFINITATEM ambit, ac suspirat!   

ARGUMENTUM.  
Musa sacrata struens Aras, ut NUMEN honoret,  
Calcat, & odit haras, Musa peligna, tuas:  
Est Haec, ut Clytie, studiosa Pedissequa SOLIS;  
Sol DEUS est, SOLIS Lumen AMANTIS amat.   


Distichon 1.  
MUsa, silere potes, vaga dum Citharistria Sylvae  
Crispillat tremulo gutture mille Sonos?   

2.  
Ars acuit Concepta, Poesis accuminat Artem;  
Spicula jactet Epos; jacta coronet Eros:   

3.  
Spes Arcus, sit Amor tibi Dextra, Fidesque Sagitta;  
A Spe missa Fides, NUMEN Amore petit.   

4.  
Est sacrum quod conor Opus: DEUS, annue Coeptis!  
Seminat Ista Fides, Spes alit, auget Amor.   

5.  
Mundus Ager, Semen VERBUM, DEUS Ipse Colonus,  
Latro Satan, Lolium Gens mala; Sancta, Seges.   

6.  
Da mihi Coelipetae Fastigia, NUMEN, Alaudae;  
Mens, ut Avis, pennâ remige sulcet Iter●   

7.  
Nôsse DEUM, bene posse BONUM, sunt Vota Piorum:  
Da mihi nôsse Bonum, da mihi posse, DEUS!   

8.  
Notio non COELI, sed habet Dilectio Palmam:  
Tu mihi nôsse dabas COELICA, velle dabis.   

9  
Quod volo, quod possum, quod sum, Tibi debeo, CHRIST:  
Quod sum, quod possum, quod volo, CHRIST, cape.   

10.  
Nil video sine TE, sapio nil, nil queo; Solus  
SOL meus es, meus es SAL, mea sola SALUS.   

11.  
Lux, Via, Vita pio, DEUS; hac Face, Tramite, Cord,  
Qui videt, it, vivit, non cadit, errat, obit.   

12.  
Da cumulem tua centenis ALTARIA Donis!  
Victima sint Versus, Ara Cor, Ignis Amor.   

13.  
Thura Preces, Lachrymae Myrrhae, Pietasque sit Aurum:  
Mentis Opus, Clysmus Cordis, Amoris Opes.   

14.  
Hoc Hecatombaei TIBI Carminis offero Libum:  
Vt Tu millenos, Nate Davide, Boves.   

15.  
Vult pia Musa DEUM! Quoties volat altiùs, Alas  
Flagitat assiduè, SANCTA COLUMBA, Tuas!   

16.  
Ferre per Aethereas volitante Vigore PHALANGES,  
Fulgida Chrysolithûm Lux ubi stellat Iter.   

17.  
Carmine ducat Amor, quos terret Concio; Mentes  
Elevet in COELUM, quò nequit ire Fides!   

18.  
Grata repercussi referant Modulamina Nervi;  
Unica nec nostrae sit Synalaepha Lyrae.   

19  
Vmbra mihi DEUS.— i, patulae, Maro, tegmine fagi;  
Tu, Siloame, veni; Castalis Vnda, vale.   

20.  
Vana profanorum calcando crepundia Vatum,  
Spirituale pius parturit Author Opus.   

21.  
Vita quid est? Fumus. Quid Forma? Favilla. Quid Aurum?  
Idolum. Quid Honos? Bulla. Quid Orbis? Onus:   

22.  
Vita repentè fugit, citò Forma polita recedit,  
Aurum fallit, Honor deficit, Orbis hebet.   

23.  
Vita Voluptatis brevis est, Vitaeque Voluptas;  
Non capit illa DEO quid sit AMANTE capi.   

24.  
Illa maritali quae Taeda parata Leandro,  
Illa Sepulturae Taeda parata fuit.   

25.  
Mille Viae Morti, proh, mille! sed unica Vitae:  
Crimina qui non hîc eluet, ille luet.   

26.  
Bellica faedifragos pessundabit Ira Tyrannos:  
Non Vobis, Sceleri vincitis; Vltor adest.   

27.  
Peccantûm Limen, Peccati linquite Semen;  
Contagem ducit Proximitate Pecus.   

28.  
Hinc, Josephe, fugis, fugis hinc sine Veste, Johannes;  
Proh Dolor! Ipse manes, Petre, manendo negas!   

29.  
Conscia Mens Noctesque, Diesque, Domique, Forisque  
Pungitur: In Sese Verbera Tortor agit!   

30.  
Jussa decem, bis sex Credenda, Sacratio Caenae,  
Heu, nimis in Templis, LEGE loquente, silent!   

31.  
Grex perit hinc! Veniet, quâ nou speratur in horâ,  
JUDEX: Terribilis Sontibus ULTOR adest!   

32.  
Nec Prece, nec Pretio, nec Fraude, nec Arte, nec Irâ  
Vincitur! In Paenas Flamma perennis erit!   

33.  
Imbre rigante Genas, quoties Tibi CHRIST, querebar,  
Nocte vigil, nullo Teste, MEDELA, veni!   

34.  
Aspicis, & Pateris? Scelus omne repelle, Colonus  
Nec great Arma suâ quâ serit Arva Manu!   

35.  
Vis, Amor, est exorsa DEO; data GRATIA gratìs;  
Hanc Vim THEIOPHILAE Nomine Musa vocat.   

36.  
Vreris ignifluis confossa THEOPHILA Telis!  
Sacra beatificans si cremet Ossa Calor,   

37.  
Quo magìs ardescis, magìs, hoc, sis Follis ad Ignes;  
Omnibus exundet, qui calet intùs, AMOR.   

38.  
Vre Tepescentes, Viresque, Calentibus adde;  
Igne crema, recrea Lumine, Mente bea.   

39  
Et Mare tentanti Pharos● esta, BENIGNA, Poetae,  
Dum pandit Vento Lintea plena sacro!   

40.  
Vela pius Genius, Tu Sidus, Acumina Remi,  
Vates Nauta, Salum Vena, Poema Ratis.   

41.  
Confecro Fraena tuae moderanda Poetica Dextrae;  
Sunt Donantis Honor, sed CAPIENTIS Amor.   

42.  
Stringe soluta, recude proterva, revelle prophana,  
Supple manca, poli scabra, superba preme.   

43.  
Irrita sulphurei rides Crepitacula Mundi;  
Regnaque pro Nidis, quae fabricantur, habes.   

44.  
Despicis Orbis Opes, opulentior Orbe, minorque  
Orbis, majori pulchrior Orbe, micas.   

45.  
Congestas effundis Opes, releventur ut Aegri:  
Sic ab Amante tuo semper amére DEO.   

46.  
Scisque DEUM, notumque doces, doctumque vereris;  
Praxis habet Cultum; Quae canis, illa facis.   

47.  
Osa Malis, pretiosa Piis, Lyra viva Poetis,  
Casta Fide, Genio candida, chara DEO.   

48.  
Sylva Smaragdicomas quae ventilat, invidet Auro  
Crinis, & ad Cirros GRATIA trina rubet.   

49.  
Gaudia tot spargunt splendentia Sidera Vultûs,  
Quot fovet Attis, Apes, quot gerit Aethra Faces.   

50.  
Invidet igniparis Adamantinus Ardor Ocellis,  
Vibrat abindè sacras Pupula casta Faces.   

51.  
Emula puniceis Tinctura Corallina Labris;  
Livet ad Ambrosias pensilis Wa Genas.   

52.  
Mirarer Labrique Rosas, & Lilia Malae,  
Mala sed exuperat Lilia, Labra Rosas.   

53.  
Suavia mellifluo dimanant Verba Palato,  
Verbula Nectareis limpidiora Cadis.   

54.  
Quas non Delicias, radiantibus ebria Guttis,  
Psaltria dia, creas! Ore Mel, Aure Melos.   

55.  
Spiras Tota Crocos, Violas, Opobalsama, Myrrhas,  
Bdellia, Thura, Cedros, Cinnama Narda, Rosas.   

56.  
Ruris Aroma Rosas. Quot Cantica sacra profundis,  
Tota paris Ore Favos, tot jacis Ore Faces.   

57  
Dum jaciuntur ab Ore Favi, superaeque Favillae,  
Pascor, ut incendar; Flamma dat ipsa Dapes!   

58.  
Languet Olor dum spectat Ebur Cervicis: Ad AGNUM  
Haec Via susceptum Lactea monstrat Iter.   

59  
Ningit in Alpinis mansura Pruina Papillis;  
Anser es His Cornix, Nix nigra, sordet Olor.   

60.  
Vellera cana Nivis, Manibus collata, lutescunt;  
Figis ubi Gressum pressa resultat Humus.   

61.  
Lilia Lacte lavet, Violas depurpuret Wâ,  
Aere Crocos tingat, Murice, Flora, Rosas;   

62.  
Nec potis est meritam Tibi texere Flora Corollam;  
Te, nec hyperbolicus, dum cano, Cantor ero.   

63.  
Floribus omnigenis, Gemmisque nitentibus ardens,  
Tu Paradisiaci PRAEDA videris Agri.   

64.  
Quaelibet in Vitâ VIRTUS sic aequa relucet;  
Vt dubitetur an haec, illa, vel ista praeit.   

65.  
Desuper extat Amor; Tibi Mens contermina Coelo,  
Regnat Honor, radiat Forma, triumphat Amor.   

66.  
Illud es Elixir, Chymicâ quod protinùs Arte,  
Mutet in auratas me, rude Pondus, Opes.   

67.  
Igne Cinis fit agente Vitrum; micat Igne Metallum;  
Corpus & hoc fieri SPIRITUS Igne potest.   

68  
Magneti salit è Ferro celer Ignis Amoris;  
Imò Silex faculas, quis putet? intus alit.   

69  
Durius at Saxo nil est, nil mollius Igne:  
Dura sed ignitus Saxa resolvit AMOR.   

70.  
Haec meditans, quis non Facibus soluatur Amoris?  
Tu Charis es, Studiis Tu Cynosura meis.   

71.  
Gemmula Mentis, Ocella Sinûs, pia Flammula Cordis:  
Incepi Duce Te, Te Duce caepta sequar.   

72.  
Sponsa creata DEO, Virtutum fulgida Caetu,  
Jus colis, Affectus supprimis, Acta regis.   

73.  
Est Tibi Vita DEUS, Pietas Lex, Gloria CHRISTUS,  
Expetis HUNC, Tibi Qui semper AMORE praeit.   

74.  
Quid Te, CHRIST, Crucem perferre coegit? Amoris  
Ardor! Amaroris Pignus Amoris erat!   

75.  
Factus Amans, fit & Esca DEUS! Te nutrit JESUS:  
O BONITAS! Quales Hoc in AMANTE Dapes!   

76.  
Est mihi CHRISTUS (ais) Laus, Splendor, Aroma, Triumphus,  
Musica, Vina, Dapes, Fama, Corona, DEUS.   

77.  
Omnia Tu JESUS! prae TE, nihil Omnia! COELUM  
Exploraturae, quam mihi sordet Humus!   

78.  
Orbis es Exilium, Mors janua, Patria COELUM;  
Dux sit Amor, Baculus Spes, Comes alma Fides.   

79.  
Diffluat in Gemmas Oriens, in Carmina COELUM;  
Nec Meritis Oriens, nec POLUS aequa ferat.   

80.  
Fac timeam, fac amem; Quae Te timet, acriùs ardet;  
Nempe tui Cultûs Fons Timor, Amnis Amor.   

81.  
Vox tua Norma mihi; Tibi Palmes adhaereo VITI;  
Totus es IPSE mihi, sim tua tota DEUS!   

82.  
Comprecor exaudi, patior succurre, molestor  
Auxiliare, premor protege, flagro fave!   

83.  
TE voco, laudo, rogo, colo, diligo, quaero, REDEMPTOR,  
Affectu, Prece, Re, Spe, Pietate, Fide!   

84.  
Si TE contueor, liquefio, perusta Favillis;  
Ni TE contueor, sum glaciata Gelu!   

85.  
O, Facibus superadde Faces, ut Tota liquescam!  
Sim vel Mortis Odor, sim vel Amantis Amor.   

86.  
Grata Procella, jugum mihi gratum, gratus & Ignis,  
Me quibus immergit, deprimit, urit AMOR!   

87.  
Non mea sum, sed Amore DEI languesco! Sorores,  
Me stipate Rosis, languet Amore Sinus!   

88  
Nil Animantis habet, quae Pectore vivit Amantis:  
Hoc in Amore mihi sit mora nulla mori!   

79.  
Unio sit Nobis, Animamque liquamur in unam!  
Vnaque Vita Duos stringat, Amorque Duos!   

80.  
Tu super Omne places! Tua sum, Tu noster, & Ambos  
Mutuus Ardor agit, possidet unus Amor.   

81.  
Uror ●o; Redamatur Amor! Votoque; fruiscor!  
Dum quod Amans redamor, dum quod Amante fruor.   

82.  
O, quid Amare! Quid est Redamari! GAUDIA nacta  
Tanta, stupendo tacet! Tanta, tacendo stupet!   

83.  
Vivo DEO, morior Mundo, moriendo resurgo;  
Indè, catenato Dite, triumphat AMOR.   

84.  
Sic amet omnis Amans, sic immoriatur Amanti:  
Vt Lyra, Lusciniae Vitaque Morsque; fuit.   

85.  
Si mea Lumen habent, si Nomen Carmina; Lumen  
Ex Oculo SPONSI, Nomen ab Ore venit.   

86.  
Argus eat, qui Talpa venit, radiatus Amore;  
Vates Sperati fidus Amoris ero.   

87.  
Cingant THEIOPHILAE potius mea Tempora Lauri,  
quam gemmans Capiti sit Diadema meo.   

88  
Nam, quid erunt, Animae Damno, Diademata Mundi?  
Celsa ruunt, fugiunt Blandula, prava necant.   

99  
Vt praesens novit, sic postera noverit Aetas,  
Siuc premamus Humum, Sive premamur Humo.   

100  
Finis Fine caret, nec Terminus ullus Amantem  
Terminat; Hîc Modus est non habuisse Modum.   

Imus in Albionis, Freta per Latialia, Littus;  
Siste Britannales, Hâc Vice, Musa, Pedes.  
Anglica num praestent Latiis, Briticisve Latina  
Scire velim: Placeant quae magìs, Illa dabo.     

THEOPHILAS' LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO IX. The RECAPITULATION. And Portrait of a Heavenly breathing Soul.  
Whoso delights to burn in holy Fire  
Of VIRGIN fair THEOPHILA,  
Joy, Salamander, in that Flame;  
Thou so, Pirausta born, may'st like the Phoenix burn,  
That to ETERNITY thou rise,  
Not losing Life, but sowing well the same:  
A holier Ovid's smoothed Verse  
With Eyes of Heart, with Heart-all-Eyes, behold:  
Such sacred Flames by Adamantine Hand  
Ought to be placed in lasting Urns;  
But, 'cause these Writings needed Aid of Pens,  
Virtue, than Birds more swift, unto the Scribe lend Wing,  
And let the Readers Care more Eyes than Argus bring.  

The PORTICO.  
Love to the Master, and the Mate  
Stirs itself feebly in Life's lowest Sphere;  
That to our Parent, and the Bed  
More large extends, and breathes a Life of Sense;  
That to our Country, and its Sire  
Self raises loftier in Reason's Air:  
But, That to GOD,  
Ravished with Ecstasy, Itself transcends,  
Nor Bounds, nor Limits would It own;  
But, narrowed That (like Lovers, kept apart)  
Warms, heats, yea boils, boils up and over!  
Longs for th' Eternal, sighs for HIM, beyond that Lover!   

THE ARGUMENT.  
Blessed Muse the Altar builds, where love's adored;  
And throweth down, loose Wit, thy Nest abhorred:  
She, Clytie-like, to th' Sun of Glory turns;  
GOD is her Sun, with Light of ZEAL She burns.   


Distich 1.  
MUSE, canst be silent, when each charmed Grove  
Harbours a thousand warbling Notes of Love?   

2  
Art whets the Mind, and Hymns set Edge on Art:  
Dart up an Epod; ZEAL, crown thou the Dart.   

3.  
Hope be thy Bow, thy Hand Love, Faith the Shaft;  
Let Hope shoot Faith to GOD with Love's strong Draft.   

4.  
Sacred's my Theme; may my first Fruits HIM please!  
Faith plants, Hope nourishes, Love ripens These.   

5.  
This World's the Field, GOD sows, his WORD the Seed,  
Satan the Thief, the Good, Corn, th' Ill the Weed.   

6.  
LORD, mount me to the Pitch of Larks on High;  
That I, as Birds winged Oars, may cut the Sky!   

7.  
SAINTS would know GOD, so, as they Good may do:  
Let me both know this Good, and act It too!   

8.  
heavens Love, not knowledge doth the Palm acquire:  
Who Heavenly Knowledge gave, will give Desire,   

9  
That Ought I will, can, am, is, CHRIST, from Thee:  
CHRIST, what I am, can, will, accept from me!   

10.  
No Light, Taste, Strength without THEE; Thou alone  
Art Health unto my Soul, my Salt, my Sun.   

11.  
Thou, Light, Way, Life; who sees, walks, liveth by  
That Flame, Path, Strength, does not fall, fail▪ nor die.   

12.  
Upon thy Altars let my Verses prove  
The Victim, Heart the Altar, the Fire Love!   

13.  
Prayer Frankincense, Tears Myrrh, be Gold, Souls Health:  
The Minds best Work, Heart's Laver, & Love's Wealth.   

14.  
I This Verse- Hecatomb to THEE do bring;  
As Solomon his numerous Offering.   

15.  
The pious Muse courts HEAVEN; when highest Things  
She soars for, still She craves, BLESSED DOVE, thy Wings!   

16.  
With active Plumes fly up to th' ANGEL-QUIRE,  
Where Chrysolites to gild thy Way conspire.   

17.  
Love may Them lead by Verse, whom Sermons fright;  
Bring Them, where Faith comes not, into heavens Light.   

18.  
O may our Numbers in sweet Music flow;  
Nor the least Harshness of Elisions know!   

19  
Shade me, o LORD! I seek not Virgil's Tree;  
Hence Springs profane; Glide, Siloam, by me!   

20.  
Trampling vain Labours▪ with loose Wits defiled,  
The Hallowed BRAIN brings forth a Sprightly Child.   

21.  
What's Life? a Vapour; Beauty? Ashes; Gain?  
An Idol; Honour? Bubble; the World? vain:   

22.  
Life flits away, and Beauty wanes at full,  
Gold cheats, and Honour fades, the World is dull.   

23.  
Life Pleasure's short, and Pleasure's Life is vain;  
It knows not highest Bliss, GOD'S LOVE, to gain.   

24.  
That Torch which flamed so bright in Hero's Room▪  
Did light her loved Leander to his Tomb.   

25.  
To Death a thousand Ways, to Life but one:  
For Sin who groans not, he for Sin shall groan.   

26.  
Armed Wrath perfidious Tyrants throws from high;  
They conquer Right, Sin Them; Th' AVENGER'S nigh.   

27.  
Sinners first Steps, Sins Seed, and Fruit avoid;  
Many by near Infection are destroyed.   

28.  
Kill Vice i'th' Egg: john, joseph, Robelesse fly;  
Peter, Thou stayest, and stayest but to deny!   

29  
By Night and Day, at Home, and when Abroad,  
Gild stings the Soul, and thereon lays its Load!   

30.  
Of Decalogue, Creed, Supper of the LORD,  
Though Laws speak loud, our Church hath scarce a Word!   

31.  
Hence Flocks are pined. The JUDGE in Time will come  
Unthought of: Near to Guilt's the AVENGERS' Doom!   

32.  
Nor Prayer, nor Price, nor Fraud, nor Rage, nor Art  
Can help; Ah, fear then Flames eternal Smart!   

33.  
Wet-cheekt, how oft I've moaned to THEE my DEAR,  
All Night awake, alone, o Cure, appear!   

34.  
Seest THOU, and suff'rest? Stop Sins Course, & Birth;  
Let not that Hand bear Arms, that sows the Earth.   

35.  
LOVES Pow'r's infused from GOD, a free-giv'n Grace;  
THEOPHILA from Love takes Name and Race.   

36.  
Thou burnest, pierced THEOPHIL, with fiery Dart;  
If blessed Heat inflames thy vigorous Heart,   

37.  
The more Thou burnest, the more be Bellows still;  
As thy Flames grow, Let those Flames Others fill!   

38.  
Heat the Lukewarm, to Those, more hot, give Fire;  
Bless GOD; Refresh with GRACE., inflame Desire.   

39  
The Poets Pharos be that sets forth sail,  
While he steers sheet-filled with a holy Gale.   

40.  
Pure Wit's the Sails, quick judgement Oars, Thou th' Star;  
Pilot the Scribe, Sea Vein, the Ship Hymns are.   

41.  
I give Wits Tackling to thy guiding Hands:  
Honour in giving, Love in taking stands.   

42.  
Bind up what's loose, what's rash new-mold, refel  
What's ill, lame help, smooth rough, depress what swell.   

43.  
Thou slightest Earth's rattling Squibs, with Sulphur filled:  
Kingdoms such Nests are as the Birds do build.   

44.  
Above all Worldly Wealth thy Riches rise;  
Thy Microcosm the Macrocosm outvies.   

45.  
Thou layest out hoarded Gold the Poor to aid;  
So, with GOD'S Love, thy Love to GOD's repaid.   

46.  
Thy sacred Skill imparted Reverence breeds;  
Thy Worship's Practice, and thy Words are Deeds.   

47.  
Fiend's Hate, Saints Prize, whence Lyric Strings sound clear,  
Of spotless Faith, pure Mind, to th' HIGHEST dear.   

48.  
The Emerald-Grove envies thy golden Hair,  
Whose Curls make GRACES blush Themselves more fair.   

49.  
As many joys thy starry Beauties shed,  
As Bees in Attis, Gems in Skies are spread.   

50.  
The Diamond sparkleth Rage at thine Eye-Beams,  
Whose chaste Orbs brandish thence their sacred Gleams.   

51.  
The Coral Die is blanked at Lips so red,  
And livid Grapes at rosy Cheeks hang head:   

52.  
I'd gaze o'th' Lilied Cheek, and the Lips Rose,  
But o, thy Cheek, thy Lip surpasseth those!   

53.  
Grace pours sweet-flowing Words from charming Lips,  
Sparkling 'bove Nectar which i'th' Crystal skips.   

54.  
Rare PSALTRESSE, with Heav'n-drops inebriate,  
What Sweets to Mouth, and Ear dost Thou create?   

55.  
Sweet Violets, Saffron, Balm, Myrrh from Thee flows,  
Bdell, Incense, Cedar, Cinn'amon, Nard, the Rose.   

56.  
The Rose, Swains Spice: Such Heav'n-dewed Verse dost frame,  
As sweet as Honeycomb, as bright as Flame.   

57  
While Combs, and Flames divine from THEE are cast,  
I'm fed, as fired; Even Flames do nurse my Taste!   

58.  
The Swan pines at thy Neck; This Milky Way  
Doth Steps, begun to th' Holy LAMB, display.   

59  
There falls on thine Alp-Breasts a lasting Snow,  
To which Snow's black, Swans foul, the Goose a Crow.   

60.  
The hoary Frost turns Dirt, vied with thy Hand,  
And, where thy Fooot does tread, it prides the Land.   

61.  
On Lilies Milk, on Violets Purple throw,  
On Saffron Gold, Scarlet o'th' Rose bestow;   

62.  
Wreaths, worthy Thee, fair Flora ne'er can wove;  
Nor can our highest Strains THEE higher heave.   

63.  
With all-bred Flowrs, & glittering Buds THOU beam'st;  
As if t'have cropped all Paradise THOU seem'st.   

64.  
Each virtue's in thy Life, so poised, so fine;  
What's first? This? That? or Tother? since All shine.   

65.  
Love to thy Soul derived is from Above,  
Where Honour reigns, sparks Beauty, triumphs Love.   

66.  
In Chemic Art Thou my Elixir be;  
Convert to Gold the worthless Dross in me.   

67.  
Fire makes of Ashes Glass, makes Metals shine;  
This Fire my Body may to Spirit calcine.   

68  
Enamoured Ir'on does to the Magnet fly;  
Yea Sparks in hardest Flints concealed lie.   

69.  
Nothing more hard than Stone, more soft than Fire;  
Yet Stones are melted by inflamed Desire.   

70.  
Is't so? Who'd not dissolve in Flames of Love?  
Be THOU the Grace, Thou my Thoughts Lodestar prove.   

71.  
Minds Gem, Eyes Apple, Heart's intenser Flame;  
THOU showd'st the Way, I'll prosecute the Same.   

72.  
For GOD created, bright in VIRTUES Train,  
Weighest Right, quell'st Passions, & o'er Deeds dost reign.   

73.  
GOD is thy Life, Law Virtue, Glory CHRIST;  
HIM, who leads Thee by Love, Thou lov'st HIM highest.   

74.  
CHRIST, to endure the Cross, what did THEE move?  
The Pledge of Bitterness was Pledge of LOVE!   

75.  
IS GOD both Meat, and Lover? CHRIST thy Food?  
What Banquet is This LOVER! As Sweet, as Good!   

76.  
CHRIST's Spice (Thou sayest) Light, Triumph, Praise to me;  
Music, Wine, Feast, Fame, Crown, GOD; All to Thee.   

77.  
LORD, Thou art All in All! Thou lost, All's nought;  
How base seems muddy Earth, where HEAVEN is sought!   

78.  
Earth's Exile, Death the Gate, my Home's Above;  
My Staff's Hope, Faith Companion, Leader Love.   

79.  
Turn Indie into jewels, HEAVEN to Verse,  
Nor Indie can thy Worth, nor HEAVEN rehearse.   

80.  
Let me Thee fear, and love; Fear Loves Heat blows;  
Fear is DEVOTIONS Fount, whence LOVE o'erflows.   

81.  
Thy Word's my Rule, I cleave to THEE, my Vine;  
LORD, Thou art All to me, I'm wholly Thine.   

82.  
O, hear my Prayer, my Sufferings bear, my Task  
Take off, redress my Wrongs, grant what I ask!   

83.  
With Prayer, Desire, Faith, Zeal, Hope, Deed I call,  
Laud, seek, love, pray, worship THEE All in All.   

84.  
If I behold THEE, I'm all flaming Spice;  
If not behold THEE, I'm congealed to Ice!   

85.  
Add Flames to Flames, that I may melt away!  
Be I beloved of THEE, or else Death's Prey!   

86.  
Sweet Seas, light Yoke, a friendly Flame I find,  
Which me with Love doth drown, and burn, and bind.   

87.  
I'm not mine own, but faint for GOD above!  
Rose-deck me VIRGINS, for I'm sick of LOVE!   

88  
Nought of a Liver, hath a Lover's Heart;  
Or, live beloved, or Life-bereft, depart!   

89.  
Let us be One! In One, Two melted flow!  
Let one Life, as one Love, inform us Two!   

90.  
My only joy, I'm Thine; THOU mine; and Both  
The like Flame burns; Th' One loves, as t' Other doth.   

91.  
Fire! Fire! Love is Beloved! My MAKER'S mine!  
Loving, I'm loved! while with my SPOUSE I twine!   

92.  
O Love beloved! Her, who such joys partakes▪  
Silence makes Wonder, Wonder Silence makes!   

93.  
To HEAVEN I live, to Earth I die; dying rise!  
So, Hell being chained, LOVE takes the Victor's Prize.   

94.  
Lovers so love, as for the Loved to die!  
As Stradas Lute was Life and Destiny.   

95.  
If these my Lays have either Light, or Name,  
Name from thy Word, Light from thy Grace doth flame.   

96.  
Who came a Mole, goes Argus hence by LOVE;  
I shall Faiths Priest to hopeful Charis prove.   

97.  
THEOPHILAS' Bays to Me more Honour brings,  
Than Gems that blaze on the proud Heads of Kings.   

98.  
For what boot worldly Crowns with SOULS loss bought,  
Heights fall, spruce Courtship fades, Vice brings to nought.   

99  
We may hereafter, as we now have found  
The Voice of Fame above, so, under Ground.   

100  
The Last shall last; Term can't Vacation lend  
To th' LOVER; Here 'tis End to have no END.   

To see, not know, is not to see:  
Then, let our English Reader be  
Warned, not on Latian Alps to roam;  
The next Vales path will lead Him home.      

PRAELIBATIO AD THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIAM: Quae unica Cantio à Domino ALEX. ROSSAEO in Carmen Latinum conversa est. CANTIO I.  
ARGUMENTUM.  
Evigiles, surgas, divini Rector Amoris;  
Delicium priûs explores, quam Gaudia tentes:  
Ad Coelos Cursum tandèm pia Vota gubernent.  

Tristichon I.  
MUtua si Mentes agerent Commercia Secum,  
Angelicum in Morem, terrenâ Mole solutae,  
Intuitu quales possent effundere Cantus!   

II.  
Spiritus ut subitô si sublimetur, abibit  
In Fumum, nimium chymicus nisi temperet Aestum;  
Haud alitèr perit omne nimîs subtile Noema.   

III.  
Aurum, Sole satum, Terrae inter Viscera clausum,  
Non pretio cessit, quamvis non splenduit aequè,  
Qualiter excoctum flagranti fulgurat Igne.   

IV.  
Mens age, nunc Famae Sphaeram conscende per Orbes▪  
Errat enim quisquis non Cursum dirigit illuc:  
Virtutis Comites, Aures adhibete Docenti.   

V.  
Ergò, nè Veneris lascivae Praelia, Cornu  
Vocali accensa, aut Oculis flammantibus Igne,  
(Formae Armis) cedant inopinis Pectora Plagis.   

VI  
Quarum pestiferis Oculis, jaculantibus Ignem,  
Virginitatis Honos purus maculatur, & ipsa  
Mens capitur Laqueis fictarum incauta Comarum.   

VII.  
Aspice Captivum Veneris, qui transigit Aevum  
In fervente gelu, colit Umbram; atque Ingeniosum  
Se credens, scribit, delet, laceratque, furitque.   

VIII.  
Ejus Opes Fragmenta quidèm sunt Comica, quorum  
Praesidio superat Tenariffae Verticis auram.  
Sol Tibi scintilla est, Tu Lumine Sidera vincis.   

IX.  
Victrix Flamma tuis Oculis micat acribus, Orbes  
Obnubas geminos lucentes, n●mque rigentem  
Accendent Monachum, vel fiam Morte Bidental.   

X.  
Ob Gemmas Indi penetrant Saxa, Aethiopesque  
Oceanum ob Conchas, pretiosis Pellibus instat  
Tartara Gens; Omnes ejus dant munera Templo.   

XI.  
Flagrantes dimitte Genas, quae fulgure nostras  
Perstringis Oculorum Acies, non ferre valentes  
Tales Angelico radiantes Lumine Vultus.   

XII.  
Estne Helen, Trojana Lues, atque Angelus idem?  
Passio non domita est insanae Mentis Idolum:  
Multae se fucant, Paucae Virtutibus ornant.   

XIII.  
Veriùs hoc nihil est; Cutis alba, rubore Rosarum  
Permista, eximium Lumen ne Mentis obumbret,  
Neuè Animae Visum penetrantem obnubulet unquam.   

XIV.  
Ure Odas, Veneris Stratagemata chartea; Ludos  
Effuge, sunt Flammae; fabrices ne Vinc'la, Dolosque  
Neve loquare Oculis; Oris Commercia vita.   

XV.  
Spumea nonne audis Cerebella, & inania, ut intùs  
Et rugeant, nec non Joviali in Crimine Potu  
Luxurient, saltentque furentes, atque cachinnent?   

XVI.  
Praedatas Cellas siccate, & mox Rationem  
Luxuriae Vinclis submittite; per Freta Vini, &  
Mellis arundinei Scopulos date vela furentes.   

XVII.  
Ad Senii Mare mortiferum transmittite Curas:  
Quadrupedem effraenem defessi agitate Furoris  
Bacchantes, Rabiem in Vini monstrate Theatro.   

XVIII.  
Turgescant Vino Carchesia, donec in altum  
Provehimur Bacchi, Terraeque Vrbésque recedant:  
Omnia sorbemus, sit ibi Naupactia Classis.   

XIX.  
Aplustrum simul & Carchesia pandite, Fluctus  
Horrisonos Fremitus superemus; Plura Salutis  
Naufragia hìc, quam cum cecinerunt Monstra marina.   

XX.  
Amphora quaeque parit (signato, Prome,) Pyropum;  
Et tinctae Baccho Buccae, mihi saepè videntur  
Tediferae, quoties Gemmis micat undique Nasus.   

XXI.  
Cantibus alternis Homines sese esse negantes,  
Exleges fiunt. Titubant, seseque volutant,  
Atque Pedes sinuant, potant Circaea Venena.   

XXII.  
O, tumulatae Animae, vivae putrescitis! usque  
Ad Faeces Vester liquefit Sal: Quisque coercet  
Naturam, & Mortem accelerat, Spernitque Salutem.   

XXIII.  
Insontes Pecudes vestros odêre Liquores  
Cum Nugas Vomitu & Punctis distinguitis: Aci,  
In Vino & Somno; Proceres nisi Fumus & Umbra.   

XXIV.  
Mallem condiri Muriâ, quam Nectare dulci  
Putrere. Invitat miseros nunc Alea, Mensae  
Illaqueant, nunquam felix datur Exitus illis.   

XXV.  
Sed sine Mente uno jactu Patrimonia perdunt:  
Obscurant Noctem cum decipit Alea Diris.  
Vincitur en Victor; num Victus vincere posset?   

XXVI.  
Denis & septem Cubitis si Nilus inundat  
Fertilis Egypti Campos, miseranda sequetur  
Esuries, Tabes sequitur sic saeva Nepotes.   

XXVII.  
Dicite vos pictae, vos, dicite, Papiliones,  
Gaudia quae Veris pensatis falsa, quid estis  
Lucratae, ex infrugiferis Nugisque caducis?   

XXVIII.  
Stulti qui propter Nugas divenditis Aurum,  
Dicite, num caleat quae Flamma est picta? Voluptas  
Num stimulans juvat? ô, angustum Coelum, inferiusque!   

XXIX.  
Ite, & Deliciis (fruitur queîs Bestia sola)  
Gaudia mutetis vera; at Gens impia turget  
Deliciis; CHRISTUS flevit; Gens optima luget.   

XXX.  
Nil nisi terrenum cupiunt Animalia Bruta;  
Coelestes Animae coelestia Gaudia quaerunt;  
Ast Homines mediae Naturae Dona requirunt.   

XXXI.  
Gens humana foret si moles Corporis expers,  
Angelicae Naturae esset; si Mente careret,  
Brutiginae: Caro Brutorum est, Mens Angelicorum.   

XXXII.  
Principio Deus Hos univit, subjiciendo  
Sensum Judicio Rationis, tùm moderando  
Affectum Arbitrio Mentis, verum inficiendo   

XXXIII.  
Libertatem Animae, Crimen concussit, ut Ip●ae  
Jam nequeunt habitare simul, nisi Lucta sequatur;  
Nec sine Tristitiâ divelli posse videmus.   

XXXIV.  
Jam valeat Mundus fallax, spinosa Voluptas  
Cui Cordi est, quod perdit amat, quod Nobile spernit.  
I, Cole nunc Vitium, ride Virtutis Amantes.   

XXXV.  
Mellito Cyatho, at Felle Aspidis haud meliore,  
Inficis incautas Animas ad Tartara, semper  
Mortales Magico & fallaci decipis Ore.   

XXXVI.  
Dum Tempus fallis, Tempus te fallit, & aufert  
Praedam, dum Tempus perdis, Coelestia perdis,  
Sed, cum Fure bono, pauci furantur Olympum.   

XXXVII.  
Projiciunt Stulti pretiosum Temporis Aurum:  
Qui Vitae Gemmam generosam prodigit, ille  
Ad Barathrum graditur, Stimulisque agitatur Averni.   

XXXVIII.  
Cui Terram amplecti vastam furiosa Cupido est,  
Vique Doloque simul; Muscis hic Retia tendit,  
Ut foribus laxos suspendit Aranea Casses.   

XXXIX.  
Cum Mors praescindet Nimrodi Vulturis ungues,  
Nomina cernemus subitò mutata Domorum:  
Bethesda his fiet tandem Bethania tristis.   

XL.  
Arbitrio subdi pejus, quam Lege perire;  
Pharmaca quae curare valent, si Balsama perdunt?  
Namque Bono quod degenerat, nil pejus habetur.   

XLI.  
Sique Tyrannorum arbitrio non traderet ullos  
OMNIPOTENS Sanctos, crudeli Morte premendos,  
Nullum Martyrium foret, aut Salvator jesus.   

XLII.  
Stulti durescunt, sed Sancti, ut Cera, liquescunt:  
Corporis ad gemitum morientis, jamque jacentis  
Nudo Dente, Genis macris, Oculisque cavatis.   

XLIII.  
Vitae Author Vitam praebet, largire Misellis;  
Dissectis Venis praeclusa est Janua Lethi:  
Sit Deus Exemplar; te cura; pasce Famentes.   

XLIV.  
Ut Coelum obtineas, heu, quantula Portio Vitae  
Hîc peregrinantis superest! namque excipit Ortum  
Occasus subito, Finisque ab Origine pendet.   

XLV.  
Cum Vitiis cui Bella foris, Pax permanet intùs:  
Cessat Judicium. quùm sese judicat ullus:  
Extrà vestiri Zelo est augere Dolores.   

XLVI.  
Magnates, Vos magna manent Tormenta, Tyranni  
Si sitis. Infernus Medicinam haud exhibet ullam:  
Securus nè sis, securus si cupis esse.   

XLVII.  
Robora franguntur quae Coeli Murmura temnunt;  
Ardentem in Cineres Prunam considere cernes;  
Nec non in fumos clarum vanescere Lychnum.   

XLVIII.  
Exue rugosam Sagam, jam Tempus, & aufer  
Peccati Achanis velamina nigra, Magarum  
Leprosis pannis superabunt Ulcera foeda.   

XLIX.  
Insontem hoc Naboth Ferro superavit, idemque  
Jezabelis pinxit Faciem, Centroque removit  
Tota Regna, atque novum dimovit Cardine Mundum.   

L.  
Felices hujus qui spargent Saxa Cerebro,  
Quique ea loturi maledicto Sanguine, sternetque  
Osse Vias: Cujus Gemitus sunt Gaudia nostra.   

LI.  
Non debet Salicâ regnare Haec Lege, Procellas  
Excitat, Halcyonumque Dies dispellit, in Aula  
Mentis nil habitat Bonitatis, si regit Illa.   

LII.  
Luxuries ejus quot Morbos edidit? Astra  
Inficit, Esuriemque auget, Vivisque molesta est  
Dum crapulantur humum Tumulis civilia Bella.   

LIII.  
Mens mea, Maestitîae Labyrinthis septa, quot Annis  
In sacco, Lachrymis baccato, transige Vitam!  
Clàm nigris in Speluncis ambito Timores!   

LIV.  
Cumque Heraclito pacatum transige Tempus,  
A Turbis procul, & procul à Discordibus Armis,  
Quae Mundum insanum turbato in Pegmate versant.   

LV.  
Illic Relligio dulcis vel Pectine pulsat,  
Vel Digitis Cytharam, vel Cantu personat Antra,  
Divinae inspirat vel Dorica Carmina Musae.   

LVI.  
Proque Tubis resonabit Amor Testudine, solvens  
Obsidione Urbes, quassatas Marte, vocansque  
In Coelum, Imperii Sedem, mortalia Corda.   

LVII.  
Nostra hinc Laetitia, hinc Hymni Solatia nostra,  
Praecipuè Angelici. Summo sit Gloria PATRI,  
Pax Terris, Hominum succedat prompta Voluntas!   

LVIII.  
Pennae quas Veneris Volucres dant, Dedecus addunt;  
Ergò, Vulcano Versus committite; tollet  
Ille pedes Melis; liber, sed claudicat Ille.   

LIX.  
Tollitur en Nihil, ast Aliquid cadit! ô, ubi Merces  
Antiquae Virtutis Honos! Sapientia quondam  
Virtutem evexit; coluisti, Plute, Minervam.   

LX.  
Cos fuit Oxonii Lambeth! tamen Ille Volatu  
Exuperat longè Pinnacula Divitiarum,  
Qui Virtutem ambit, puro Virtutis Amore.   

LXI.  
Virtutis Radiis accenditur Illius Ardor,  
Et Pestes omnes Modulis fugat ille canoris,  
Fulminaque extinguit per Coeli Expansa trisulca.   

LXII.  
An matutinae Volucres cantando citabunt  
Solem ex nocturnis Tenebris, tectoque Cubili?  
Atque Animae vivae in Tenebris & Morte jacebunt?   

LXIII.  
Evigilate ergò de Somno, & Nocte soporâ;  
Increpat ecce Moras nostras Auriga Diei,  
Sol dum caeruleos moderatur in Aethere Currus.   

LXIV.  
Jamque experrecti, Textrices mille Laborum  
Conspicite aerias, quae fingunt Arte stupendâ  
Maeandros, texuntque suis per inania Telis.   

LXV.  
Surgite, Sol Aurum per summa Cacumina spargit,  
Conduit Aromatibus Lucem, dum spargit Odores,  
Cuncta sagittiferis Radiis Dulcedine replet.   

LXVI.  
Erigit in Coelum Mentes Lux aurea Phoebi:  
Pulpita qui fugiunt, Hymnis capiuntur. In Aurum  
Vertit Amor Plumbum, Chymico praestiantior omni.   

LXVII.  
Utque Opifex Naturae Apis est, Tragemata fingens  
Mellea, dum sugens chymicè transformat in Aurum  
Flores; ditatur sic plumbea Carmine Prosa.   

LXVIII.  
Hicque THEANTHROPOS Sermo, tum mystica Vitra  
Oris fatidici, nec non Oracula tanta,  
Fomentumque Precum, tum Murus Aheneus hîc est;   

LXIX.  
Coeli Sculptura hîc, Pietatis Clavis, & ipsa  
Gaza, Instrumentum, Spesque Anchora, Charta fidelis,  
Atque Voluptatis Gurges, sic Navis Amoris.   

LXVIII. 
Prima 68 & 69. post 77. relegantur.   
Nullus REX VATEM, sed Regem Carmine VATES  
Evehit, Ille Animas languentes excitat, Ille  
Ad Mare Pacificum Curas transmittit edaces.   

LXIX.  
Ut Gemmae radiant, atque aemula Lumina Stellis,  
Per Loca transmittunt tenebrosa: ita docta Poesis  
Et Lucem, ac Animam, Vitamque dat Artibus ipsam.   

LXX.  
O dives, ridens, radiansque Poetica Gemmis,  
Nobilitas Splendore tuo Diademata Regum!  
Tu Gentilitium Clypeum depingis Honoris.   

LXXI.  
Te, (quae circundas Artes velut Aere) Teque  
Rerum inventarum Portam, Scenam Ingeniorum,  
Tam dives, quam pauper amat, Regesque procando.   

LXXII.  
VATES & REGES Tumulo conduntur eodem;  
Ruminat Ars quodcunque accenditur Igne Poetae,  
Sensibus ut nostris divinum exhalet Odorem.   

LXXIII.  
Prudentes reddit Speculatio, non meliores:  
Littera solum Ars est, sed Praxis Spiritus; Usus  
Arte valet, sic Ars usu; qui seperat, aufert.   

LXXIV.  
Languida Facta quidem Dictis stimulantur acutis,  
Verba ut Femellis, Maribus sic Facta probantur▪  
Sit Vita Exemplar, fac, Leges praeveniantur.   

LXXV.  
Maxima Cognitio nostra est servire TONANTI,  
Tunc nos morigeros Mandatis aestimat, Actus  
Excipiunt quandò quaedam Interludia nostros.   

LXXVI.  
Illorum Mentes sola ad Sublimia tendunt,  
Quorum non quovis agitantur Pectora Vento,  
Utque Aula instabiles, sed in Aequore nant Sapientis.   

LXXVII.  
Non alia his Cynosura nitet quam Gratia, quamque  
Portat Apostolicus collustrans Signifer Orbem:  
Hâc Evangelici Cursum rexere Magistri.   

LXXX. 
Hic lege prima 68 & 69.   
Nunquam sic refluit Sanctorum Fluctus, ut ipsos  
Urgeat in Syrtes Errorum cuncta vorantes,  
Peccati Clades fugiunt, ut naufraga saxa.   

LXXXI.  
Ut Casus Mortis, Noctis Septentrio, Non tam  
Obscuri, aut Tenebrae triduanae, quas super omnem  
Egyptum induxit, qui Lucem & Sydera fecit.   

LXXXII.  
Tempestati hujus collata Tonitrua languent;  
Si Stimulos spectes Aspis fert Balsama, Mors est  
Velure Pietas, hujus cum Carmina faeda videbis.   

LXXXIII.  
Hujus cum laqueos mea Musa evaseris, illuc  
Tende Alis, ubi Lux Mentes quae luminat, ardet;  
Et Nebulas abigit, tenebrasque Nitore resolvit.   

LXXXIV.  
Sit tibi Relligio curae, quam discute, meque  
Errantem cohibe, DEUS alme, & percute Carnis  
Ignavae (si quando salit vel rudet) asellum.   

LXXXV.  
Mens minor es minimo COELI indulgentis Amore:  
Peccatum haud linquunt Terror, Pudor, atque Reatus;  
Quatuor hi Comites Coetum glomerantur in unum.   

LXXXVI.  
Peccato defectus ego, nunc perditus erro;  
Namque orare mihi vesana Superbia visa est.  
Luctantem, DEUS alme, leva sub Pondere Terrae.   

LXXXVII.  
Nemo merere potest, meruit tamen UNUS, & horum  
Qui jactant Sese, Zelum frigescere cernis,  
His stannum, Argentum est, aes Aurum saepè videtur.   

LXXXVIII.  
Cor renova, Linguam mihi dirige, porrige Dextram,  
Inspiresque Fidem, Spem velo detege tectam:  
Erige collapsum, crescat Vis semper Amoris.   

LXXXIX.  
Lingua, Decus nostrum, Menti servire memento.  
SPIRITUS ille tuus Bezaliel illustravit.  
Mors Fide me salvat, Caecis das Lumina sputo.   

XC.  
Spiritus ex sensu fiat, nam Gratia sola  
Naturam vertit, chymichus Lapis ecce repertus,  
Et Verbum omnipotens sola est Projectio pura.   

XCI.  
VERBUM, Cos veri, nec Regula certior ulla:  
Rejicimus Mappam tenebrosam Traditionum.  
Non urit me Charta, tamen Mens ignibus ardet.   

XCII.  
Dum lego, Mens intùs magno Splendore coruscat,  
Et novus ecce Vigor penetrat Praecordia, namque  
Omnia describit Placitorum Arcana tuorum.   

XCIII.  
Hujus Carminibus tecum versantur Enochi;  
Avertit Mortem, transfert nos ante Senectam:  
Dat Vaticanus Scoriam, purum hîc nitet Aurum.   

XCIV.  
Sic cum pigra gelu Gens Tartara, splendida Gemmis  
Tecta subit Sophiae, subito Fervore refecta,  
Quae nive semianimis fuerat, se vivere sentit.   

XCV.  
Infundis mihi Tu Meditamina sancta, meoque  
Effundis pia Verba Ore, & laudando per Orbem  
Diffundis mea Facta, tuo quae Munere vivunt.   

XCVI.  
Musa, mihi Chordas tendens, cane Facta Bonorum  
Hymnis, sed pravos taceas; Artesque Tributum  
Dent tibi, tu Cordi Linguam, Pennamque ligabis.   

XCVII.  
Degener at Soboles Evae, pollutaque Culpis,  
An TE Mensurâ tenui comprêndere posset,  
Omnipotens quum sis, nec mensur abilis unquam?   

XCVIII.  
Arbustum Cedros, Aquilam non regulus effert  
Laudibus, aut cernit Phoebeas noctua Flammas,  
Gutta quid Oceano? Radiis Jubar infinitis?   

XCIX.  
Languentem sed Spes & Amor per inane volatum  
Ferre valent, in TE noctem Fiducia lustrat;  
Grandis AMOR, suppleto Fidem, Spêi scribimus Alis!   

C.  
Spiritus, alme Deus, Mens, Corpus, & omnia Facta,  
Et Verba, & Mentis Meditamina, po●●ea discent  
Et Laudes celebrare tuas, & Crimina fle●e.   

O, quantum JESUS me diligis! Ergo Beatum  
Me tua jam reddat Dilectio, suscipiatque  
Erectum rursus Dilectio MAXIME JESUS!   

Haec ara est, atque haec mea victima dulcis amoris.  
Cor, Oculus, Lingua, atque Manus, Poplesque reflexus  
A te sunt Cuncta haec, ad te sint Cuncta vicissim   
Post Homerum Iliada, post Vossaeum Grammaticen, post Rossaeum, celeberrimum illum Virgilii Evangeliz antis Autorem, Carmen Heroicum conscribere audax planè videatur Facinus. Tenuitatis quippe meae, & imparis longè in Poesi venae conscius, cum non possum quod vellem, volo tamen quod possum effundere.  Est aliquid prodire tenus si non datur ultra.  

THEOPHILAES AMORIS HOSTIA: CANTIO III. Latino Carmine donata. Restauratio.  
ARGUMENTUM.  
Authoris Raptus, laudatur Gratia; fusae  
Sunt Lachrymae charo Britonum pro Sanguine fuso  
Obscurè, petitur Pax ictis prisca Michaiis.  

Tristichon I.  
SOllicites mea Musa Lyram, digitoque pererra  
Argutae Chelyos Chordas, & Cantica psallas  
Quae rapiant Terras, & scandant Astra Triumphis.   

II.  
Ecstatico raptus Motu Bartaeius Heros,  
Lecto subsiliens, alacres ducensque Choraeas,  
Dixit; In hunc Morem saltabunt Gallica Regna.   

III.  
Seu Meteora Soli viscoso Semine facta,  
Quae, motu succensa suo, super ardua tendunt  
Nubila, Stellarum nec non de More coruscis   

IV.  
Effulgent Flammis; Duntaxat at illa relucent  
Vt Sese absumant, & nos per Compita ducant;  
Nec pro se Venti, sed Nobis, Flamina spirant:   

V.  
Enthea sic superas mea Mens ascendit ad Arces,  
Sese dispendens, Stolidos ut reddat Acutos:  
Qui Taedam praefert Aliis, Se Lumine privat.   

VI  
Qualitèr Inferno sudat vesana Libido:  
Sic Coelo aspirat divini Zelus Amoris;  
Scrutari Hoc Mentis contendit tota Facultas.   

VII.  
Cardinibus subnixa Fides convertitur altis;  
Purior haud ullis praeclusa Scientia Metis;  
Flamma, Cor accendens, non Ignis Signa relinquit.   

VIII.  
Horti florentis blandùm Poimaeria, sancta  
Visorum Tellus, Sapientum grata Cohorti,  
Auratis Asini Phaleris Ludibria prostas.   

IX.  
Hui● Mare fit rabidum Mundus, Discordia major  
Est ubi Ventorum, quam Pyxis nautica nôrit:  
Incumbit Sanctus Velis, tenet, Anchora Coelum.   

X.  
Appulit hîc Pietas, ubi non confracta Dolore  
Conscia Mens fremitat, Rabie aut consumpta malignâ;  
Lumina lascivae Veneris nec Fulgure tacta.   

XI.  
Non Nugae hìc Pueri; Juvenis non fervidus Aestus;  
Ambitus Aetatis maturae nullus; Avari  
Grandaevi haud Vitium; non Otia pigra coluntur.   

XII.  
Non Gula, lascivi aut Pruritus turpis Amoris,  
Turgidus haud Fastus, non invidiosa Rubigo,  
Ira nec ardescens, aut Obduratio Cordis.   

XIII.  
Non Amor invadit proprius, vel Pectora Curae  
Scindentes, Schisma aut Doctrinae mobile flatu,  
Non caeci pungunt Stimuli, nec Poena Latebris.   

XIV.  
Hinc macula apparet Tellus obscura ubi; certant  
Pro vanis Homines, puerilis more tumultûs;  
Formicae, veluti peterent, munimina, scloppis.   

XV.  
Est ubi Luxuries satiata, Libidoque spumat,  
Sanguis ubi Irato, petiturque ubi Pignus Avaro,  
Turget ubi Ambitio, Livor fremit, Otia torpent.   

XVI.  
Imperio Martis remanent quam Regna revulsa,  
Dispersis Aulis! sub nostro Lumine quae sunt  
Pulvis ut exiguus Ventorum Flatibus actus.   

XVII.  
Hic stat formosi polydaedala Machina Mundi,  
Sustentata Manu Veri, summique JEHOVAE.  
Apparent instar Nanorum exindè Gigantes.   

XVIII.  
quam vilis Mundus! pia Musa, innitere Pennis  
Firmis, (terreno fueras detenta Tumultu,  
jactatâ & Turbâ) demùm transcende Monarchas.   

XIX.  
Raptus in hunc morem divino concitus Igne,  
Aetheris in Camerâ stellatâ percute Chordas:  
Aspirate tui nequeunt huc, Roma, Regentes.   

XX.  
Sese dilatans Animus fit latior usquè  
Sicut Helix; Hominis status at Nativus, ut Orbis,  
Quem subitò à Zenith deturbant Fata superno.   

XXI.  
Perspiciens Ratione Fides oculatior Aulam  
Sideream, Mentes rapiunt sua Visa serenas;  
Veri accensa Pharos per Amorem Gaudia pandit.   

XXII.  
Haec Lux quae Radiis convestit singula claris,  
THEIOPHILAM, inclusit Praegnanti Mente decoram;  
Excipit occiduum Naturae, Gratia, Solem.   

XXIII.  
Fundat Aroma Calyx, ●osa quam dulcissima, Virtus  
Illustris matura siet tua Tempore justo,  
Explicet ac Radius divinus Floris Honorem.   

XXIV.  
Anni Procursu duodeni sic sua Forma  
Enituit, Formam Dominae stupuîre potentes;  
Spectantes Animae Lucem per Corporis Vmbram.   

XXV.  
Ardet Crystallo veluti Lucerna polito,  
Cujus transparens decoratur Fabrica Flammis;  
Haec ita divino splendescit VIRGO Nitore.   

XXVI.  
Mens Gemmam superat, superat s●a Concha pruinam,  
Flumina vel Lactis manantia ab Vbere pleno:  
Venae Saphiros praecellunt, Labra Rubinos.   

XXVII.  
Circùm Labra volant Charites sua●nille venustae,  
Suavia Puniceis labuntur Aromata Portis,  
Indè fluunt cunctos medicantia Balsoma Morbas.   

XXVIII.  
Emittunt tales Altaria Sancta Vapores;  
Tales Blanditias halant Fragrantia Gummi;  
Sic Rosa coccineâ spirat praesslorida Veste.   

XXIX.  
Attonitos reddunt Spectantûm Lumina Vultus,  
Afficiunt quampi● Pracordia fervida castis,  
Attamen Ardoris sunt ipsa immunia, Flammis.   

XXX.  
Lampadas hasce volet quisquis depingere, quisquis  
Exprimeret clarâ radiantes Luce Fenestras,  
Pingeret Aspectum fugientem, ponderet Austrum.   

XXXI.  
Suave videremus Pectus, micat Eden Amoris,  
Illis Monticulis nascuntur Mala decoris,  
Quae Mala de vetitâ sanarent Arbore nata.   

XXXII.  
Mollities, Candorque Manûs transcendit Oloris  
Plumas; est talis cujus moderatior Ardor,  
Qualis cum coeunt Radius Phoebeus & Aurum.   

XXXIII.  
jucundae Nemoris Syrenes, Musica turba,  
Gutturibus quarum dimanat dulcior Aer,  
Illam quid petitis cúnabula vestra perosae?   

XXXIV.  
Ecce Latus●laudunt ●laudunt Argentea Lilia castum,  
Calthae fulgentes Auri flammantis amictu,  
Ignes evibrat cum Lauro Primula Veris.   

XXXV.  
Margaron excellunt Dentes; Tegmen, Caput, Auri,  
Vox praeit Argento, de TE Natura Vigorem  
Sumit, Panniculis est prae TE squallida Flora.   

XXXVI.  
O, Formosa, Pudica tamen, seu Chava, priusquàm  
Candida purpureo suffuderat Ora Rubore  
A TE Virtutes, Artes, Charitesque profectae.   

XXXVII.  
Ad vivum depicta manet non Pulchrior Icon  
quam pia Mens pulchro quae splendet Corpore clausa:  
Hujus Coelesti cedit Pandora Decori.   

XXXVI●I.  
Aulae Sideribus pictae sic Cynthia Praeses  
Apparet, Phoebi Splendoribus aucta refractis,  
Fulgida Stellarum dum stipant cas●ra Phalanges.   

XXXIX.  
(Astra Pruma refert) subitò Telluris at Umbrâ  
Objectâ Lucem retrahit, cui Conus opacus  
Falcatam supra Lunam, sub Lumine Solis.   

XL.  
Qui Coelum, Nubes, Terras, Mare, Saxaque lustrat,  
Qui penetrat Gemmas, Fructus, Stellas, Adamantas;  
Mundi Oculus, clarae Promus, Condusque Die●.   

XLI.  
Cujus gliscentes imitatur Flamma Pyropos,  
Purpureas Aurora Foreste dum pandit Eoo,  
Noctis lucentem Dominam, Famulasque repellens.   

XLII.  
THEIOPHILAM radians Lumen Te appello Diei,  
Palp●bra quippè Fides tua fit, seu Pupula Fervor,  
Vultus Angelico speciosos More venustans.   

XLIII.  
Aetheris illa potens, casta & Regina, reclusi,  
Plurima vestalis quam cingit Virgo propinqua,  
Disparet, dia haec si CONSTELLATIO splendet.   

XLIV.  
Nobilitas vera est Virtus, Cognatio Sancti,  
Tutela Angelicus Chorus est, COELUMque Brabium;  
Cujus demissus, dum surgit Gratia, Vultus.   

XLV.  
Eugenia Ingenium, Paidia ministrat Acumen;  
Thesauros Veri charos Eusebia praebet.  
(Cudendi Voces Vati concessa Potestas.)   

XLVI.  
Aula Cor est formosa sibi, divinius Ejus  
Pectus, Sacrati Penetralia candida AMORIS;  
Hîc Sibi Delicio est, Sanctos reficit●q Poetas.   

XLVII.  
Illustres Domini, quos Laurea Serta coronant,  
Artes qui eruitis, qui cultas redditis Artes,  
Estis & infirmi qui Sustentacula Mundi;   

XLVIII.  
Qui struitis Famae Monumenta perinclyta Templo,  
Mellea de Vobis Modulamina talia manent,  
Qualia divino mulcerent Pectora Succo.   

XLIX.  
Dum succedit Hiems Autumno, Ver premit Aestas,  
Dum recitat Modulis Tempus Poeana vetustis,  
Vestris Vos Famae Plumis reparabitis Alas.   

L  
Illud quod praebent sublimia Taenera Vinum,  
Insanè Vires poterit reparare fugatas;  
Sic Citharae, atque Tubae, sic Organa, Tympana, Sistra.   

LI.  
Conciliat quamvis reboantia Murmura Basso  
Ars, torquens Nervos graviores usque, sonoro  
Fulmine dum complent Aulam Diapasona totam;   

LII.  
Ista parùm valeant; DOMINAE Testudine tensâ  
Hujus, Chordarum Pulsum tentaverit Omnem,  
Dum Mens Harmoniae pertracta est Pollice docto.   

LIII.  
Gratia inest Verbis; O, terque quaterque beati,  
Queîs Coelum Terris, aeterno CODICE scripti!  
Qui, Sensu amoti, cupiunt Commercia Mentis!   

LIV.  
Inter Eos qui divino de Semine creti,  
Non obscurati Sensu nec Corporis Umbrâ,  
Seraphicè exardent vivacis ORIGINE Flammae.   

LV.  
Gaudia dat Gustus, non exequanda Loquelis!  
Ritu Cimmerioque Scholis palpanda superna,  
In quorum Solis Frontem sunt Nubila densa.   

LVI.  
Calais inaccessus nimio fit Lumine CoeLI;  
Splendidior Radius teneros perstringit Ocellos:  
Ephata fare, Lutum Visu me reddet acuto.   

LVII.  
Hoc Raptu emotus divino, fac mihi talis  
Contingat Finis, Stagaritae qualis, in illo  
Euripo, quem non ullus comprêndere posset!   

LVIII.  
Mystica praebe at haec (ô sit protensa!) Catena  
Nexus, qui string at vel quavis fortius Arte!  
Talia lenitos rapiant Modulamina Sensus.   

LIX.  
Musica pervadit Mentes, cum percitus Oestro  
Insano Saulus, Genio fremuitque maligno,  
Gemmea prae Plectris sordebant Sceptra Tyranni.   

LX.  
Hujus inardescens HYMNI me Flamma repugnat  
Foecibus à Terrae: Cantus Penetralia Coeli  
Divini reserant, deducunt Agmina pura:   

LXI.  
Agmina pura DEI celebrant NATALIA laeta;  
Hymnos vel CHRISTUS modulatur; SANCTA COLUMBA  
COELI, summa petens, Numerorum deligit Alas.   

LXII.  
Nî Versus, non sit Textus, quia quaelibet HYMNI  
Incantant; actis famuletur Concio PSALMIS,  
Ante Diem summum, per Vos demortua surgunt!   

LXIII.  
Ast ubi grassatur Furiis Bellona tremendis,  
Stragibus, heu, lassata, sed haud satiata recedens,  
Praedatrice Lupá truculentior, Organa pulset?   

LXIV.  
Est equidèm non Mota Solo, pacata Tumultu:  
Degeneres trepidant; manet illa invicta Catervis,  
Displosi metuit nec rauca Tonitrua Scl●ppi.   

LXV.  
Insunt Virtuti sua Bal●ama; 〈◊〉  
Intensè NUMEN Gladii mollire 〈◊〉:  
Aetatis Ferro sic AUREA 〈◊〉 profatur.   

LXVI.  
Ingruit, O, NUMEN V●●●RANDUM! dira Procella,  
Coccina purpureae cum velant Crimina Vestes,  
Effuso tinctae pretioso Sanguine Vitae!   

LXVII.  
Orbis Aquis cinctus, fortunatissimus olim,  
O, deplorandum! quantum mutatus ab illo!  
Pax ubi floruerat pia, Mors ibi prodiga regnat!   

LXVIII.  
Rubrum deprompsit Vinum Mavortius Ardor!  
Conserves Arcam, DEUS, in Torrente Timorum,  
Aut tua subsidat Lachrymis, tum Sanguine, SPONSA!   

LXIX.  
Est Panem Lachrymata suum, Gemitusque resorbet:  
Lumina pro Potu sua sunt in Flumina versa!  
Ipsa, immersa Malis, ad TE Se languida confert.   

LXX.  
Ad Modulos Compone graves, PATER Orbis, acutos  
Hybernae Chelios! quaevis Discordia Concors  
Esto, Scoti fuerit super, aut Insignibus Angli!   

LXXI.  
Non inter Socios saevo Formido Leoni;  
Vel praedabundis inter se convenit Vrsis;  
Mutua Pernicies, lacerat, Virro, CORPUS JESUS!   

LXXII.  
Si modò fert Animus, pugnetis Fulmina Martis,  
Turcico & invisam Labaro deducite Lunam,  
Sacra relinquentes Fidei Confinia rectae.   

LXXIII.  
Agminibus Thracum densis contendite; quamvis  
Sclopporum seu Truncus iners, Caro vestra deorsùm  
Tendat, summa petent Animae de more Globorum.   

LXXIV.  
NUMINIS in mediis si sit Praesentia Castris,  
In TEMPLO residet multò magis ILLE sacrato,  
Haeresin ut pellat, perversaque Schismata purget.   

LXXV.  
Haec Tunicam rupêre Tuam, Dolor undè Bonorum!  
Zelotae quamuìs raucâ TE Voce fatigant,  
Voto indignaris civili Sanguine mixto.   

LXXVI.  
Fallaces potuêre Bonum suadere fuisse  
Praecones, per Diluvium vadare Cruoris?  
Praestigiis uti, Summosque resolvere Nexus?   

LXXVII.  
Ind Catechismi neglecti, & sacra Synaxis!  
Herbae hinc syl●estres, seu Ranae Vere Palustres!  
Athea Schismatici Corruptio pessima Cleri.   

LXXVIII.  
Praetextus fugiant speciosos, sunto fideles;  
Cultu divino repetantque PRECAMEN JESU;  
Foederis aut valeant Mysteria dira trisexti.   

LXXIX.  
Sic seduxerunt illos Insomnia vana,  
Vilescant illis ade●ut NATALIA CHRISTI!  
(Nemo tenet Nodis mutantem Protea Vultum.)   

LXXX.  
FESTUM Festorum, supremae dulce COHORTI;  
Inclinat COELUM hîc Terris, hinc Gaudia SANCTIS;  
Judice Relligione Dies primarius Anni.   

LXXXI.  
Factus Homo bonus est primùm, tum degener; IPSE  
SERMO Caro Factus, nostra haud Commercia vitans,  
Pejor ut is nihilo, meliori Sorte fruatur.   

LXXXII.  
Audetis Verum profiteri? Pabula pascunt  
Fuci aliena; merum Pigmentum Papiliones;  
Tettix deperdit, redemit sibi Tempora Myrmex.   

LXXXIII.  
Mellea dum repetunt Vespae Spelaea rapaces,  
Illis Insidiis structis merguntur in Ollâ,  
Corporis haud tanti sint ac Munimina Mentis.   

LXXXIV.  
Kirk-Int'rest kenimus; Leges revocate Draconis,  
Instaurate vetus Templum; Sunt Moenia Sancti,  
Seu Tubus est Pastor, Fons Gratia, Gluten Amorque.   

LXXXV.  
Vobis praeteritos ignoscat Musa Furores,  
Singula propitio condant Oblivia Velo,  
De Rebus moveat si Vos Metanoea peractis.   

LXXXVI.  
Veri Cultores, balantes pascite CHRISTI  
Agnos; quippè Merum SANGUIS, CARO dapsilis Esca:  
Illos pascentes semper, spectate CORONAM.   

LXXXVII.  
Dispensatores SPONSO, Sponsaeque fideles,  
Nos sacra divini ducant ORACULA Veri,  
Relligione Status floret, data GLORIA Fidis.   

LXXXVIII.  
cum JUDEX veniet, Merces erit ampla Labori,  
Pro Lachrymis Vobis manabunt Gaudia Rivis,  
Auratae surgunt Spicae sementibus udis.   

LXXXIX.  
Laesis, Omnipotens VINDEX! certò aequa rependes  
Illis, qui sese foedo maculâre Reatu,  
Sanguinis innocui cum sit Detectio fusi!   

XC.  
Aurea Pax aures, Verunque appellat amicum!  
Lumina non Phoebi latebris tam grata Borusso,  
Urbibus exersis Homines, vel Littora Fractis.   

XCI.  
O, si coelestis vel tandem TURMA secunda,  
Nobis, Bellorum diris Cruciatibus haustis,  
Grata salutiferae resonaret Cantica PACIS!   

XCII.  
PAX Domus est fessis, PAX ad NATALIA CHRISTI  
Cantio prima fuit, Terris suprema VOLUNTAS,  
PAX Bonitatis amans, PAX Sanctis vera Voluptas.   

XCIII.  
Martyribus fulcimen AMOR, ceu stramen Achates  
Attrahit; ad nostrum sic nos perducis AMANTEM,  
Elixir Auri verum, Compendia Legis!   

XCIV.  
Ullanè Divinum narret Facundia Amorem?  
Quippè redemptus Homo Naturas nobiliores  
Angelicas superat; Tanti sit Passio CHRISTI!   

XCV.  
Hîc demùm tacuit, Lachrimarum Flumina manant  
Ex oculis, illi Mundus Cadus esse videtur,  
Gaudia falsa Merum, Stultorum portio Faeces.   

XCVI.  
Et nunc Laetitiae vivae de Fonte micanti,  
Pura vbì perpetuo Chrystalla fluentia Cursu,  
Mens erit aethereas conscendere Raptibus Oras.   

XCVII.  
Hinc Documenta sibi Zelus malesanus habebit,  
Ardores Cujus tradunt in Praelia saevi,  
〈◊〉 fera depositis mitescant Secula Bellis.   

XCVIII.  
Aur●bus exhibeas Epulum, selecta VENUSTAS!  
Dum si● cantat AMOR, Reges dulced●●e capti:  
GRATIA Naturae Nervos intendit AMORE.   

XCIX.  
Horrisonas Amor ipse potes sedare Procellas,  
Cantibus & placare tuis immania Cete,  
Quae Dominatrici diverrunt Marmora Caudâ.   

C.  
Si tua, VIRGO, nequit compescere Erotica Musa  
Incumbens Aevo Fatum miserabile nostro,  
Pro Scriptis Lachrymae; Nam Gens●est danda FURORI●   

Provecti, tandèm Latiales linquimus Oras,  
Te petimus Patrium, Terra Britanna, Solum.  
Hîc ubi Nemo citis designet Littus Ocellis:  
Egressae faveant Fluctus, & Aura Rati.    

Upon the Vanity of the World.  

LOng have I sought the Wish of All  
To find; And what it is Men call  
True Happiness; But cannot see  
The World hath It, which It can be,  
Or with It hold a Sympathy.   

He that enjoys what here below  
Frail Elements have to bestow,  
Shall find most sweet bare Hopes at first;  
Fruition by Fruition's burst,  
Sea-water so allays the Thirst.   

Who ever would be happy then,  
Must be so to Himself; for, when  
Judges are taken from without,  
To Judge what we are, fenced about,  
They do not judge, but guess, and doubt.   

His Soul must hug no private Sin;  
For, that's a thorn conceal d i'th' Skin;  
But Innocence, where She is nursed  
Plants valiant Peace; So, Cato durst  
Ev●n then be best, when Rome was worst.   

GOD-built He must be in his Mind;  
That is, Divine; whose Faith no Wind  
Can shake; when firmly ●e relies  
Upon the ALMIGHTY, He outflies  
Low Chance, and Fate of Destinies.   

As Fountains rest not till they lead,  
Meandring high, as their first Head:  
S●, Man rests not till He hath trod  
Death's Height: then, by that Period,  
He rests too, raised in Soul to GOD.   Owen Feltham.  


POtestas Culminis est Tempestas Mentis, Splendorem habet Titulo, cruciatum Animo; desuntque Inopiae multa, Avaritiae omnia. Ne petas igitur, devota Anima, esse qualis in Anglia DUX Buckingamiae, & in Aula Caesaria Princeps ab Eggenberg, & in Hispania Comes D' Olivares, & in Imperio Ottomanico Mustapha Bassa fuere; nec tibi magis arrideant cerussatae Laudes, & calamistrata Encomia, quam sincerae & sacrosanctae Amoris Anhelationes. Seculi delectatiunculas devita, & Coelorum Jubilo recreaberis: delicatula nimis es, si velis gaudere cum Mundo, & postea regnare cum CHRISTO: Amarescat Mundus, ut dulcescat DEUS. Quamdiù est in te Aegypti Farina, Manna coeleste non gustabis; Gustat DEUM cui Libido Seculi Nauseam parit: Exinanitio nostra plenitudinis Coeli capaces reddit. Si vis frui Sole, verte dorsum Umbrae: nec amaris à Mundo, nisi à CHRISTO repulsa, nec à CHRISTO, nisi à Mundo spreta. Dejicit se de Culmine Majestatis qui à DEO ad Consolatiunculas Creaturulae confugit. O qu●am contempta recula est homo nisi supra humana se erexerit! Beatum nil facit Hominem, nisi qui fecit Hominem; minimum enim Dei omnis Orbis Magnitudine est magnificentius. Paucis, nec tibi ignominiosum sit pati quod passus est CHRISTUS, nec gloriosum facere quod fecit Judas. Morere Mundo, ut vivas DEO. Quicunque cum DEO habet Amicitiam, Felicitatis tenet Fastigium. Haec unica Laus, hic Apex Sapientiae est, ea viventem appetere, quae morienti forent appetenda: Mortis ergò Meditationi, & Aeternitatis Contemplationi Lucernulae tuae Oleum impendas. Vale.   

STorms on the Mind from Honour's Hill descend;  
Titles external Beams add not to Bliss:  
The Poor wants much, the Covetous All. My Soul,  
No painted Praise, nor flowered Encomiums prise  
Equal to pious Breathe of pure Love:  
Eschew the petty Pleasures of the Time,  
And heavens Refreshments make thy Jubilee:  
Imagine not to swim in worldly Pomp,  
And afterwards to reign with CHRIST in Bliss;  
Earth must be Gall, that GOD may Honey prove:  
He the best Relish hath of Heaven, who most  
Disdains the base Licentiousness o'th' Age;  
We must be emptied of ourselves, before  
We can have Entrance into th' Heavenly Court:  
If we desire Fruition of the Sun,  
Then must our Backs upon the Shade be turned;  
Disclaimed by CHRIST are those the World doth love,  
And those whom CHRIST does love, the World contemns:  
He of his Greatness doth Himself divest,  
Who goes from GOD, and Creature-comforts seeks.  
O, what a mean despised thing is Man,  
Unless he raise Himself above the Earth,  
Since nought but his CREATOR makes him high!  
Let's think't no Shame t' endure what CHRIST endured,  
Nor glory to do that which Judas did;  
Dead to the World, let's be alive to GOD,  
Who gain his Favour are supremely blest:  
This is the Height of Wisdom, to desire  
Those things in Life, which Thou wouldst dying crave:  
Then on the Thoughts of Death thy Lamps Oil spend,  
And muse upon that State which ne'er shall end.    

Mundo immundo.  
NOn possum, non Arte loqui; Furor addit Acumen:  
Crimina taxantur, Nomina salva latent.  
Munde, quid hoc sibi vult? tantò longinquiùs erras,  
Quantò plùs graderis; Te Cacoethes habet.  
In quos Schismaticas torsisti saeviùs Hastas,  
quam quos Virtutis coelitùs Vmbo tegit.  
Protege me, Coelum! Quis adest? Oppressor avarus,  
Cui prior est NUMMUS Numine, LIBRA Libro.  
Numme, potens Deus es! Sic undique supplicat AURO,  
Omnipotens veluti Numen inesset Ei;  
Aurum Nequitiae Pater est, & Filius Orci;  
Os promit Nectar; Mens Aconita vomit.  
Hic vorat, utque rapax ruit in nova frusta Molossus;  
Vasta Sitim pariunt Aequora, Terra Famem;  
Tota nec explerent Pellaeas Aequora Fauces,  
Terraque sat tantae non erit una Fami.  
Perfida quisquis amat, se perdit, & odit amando:  
Plus habet Ille DEI, qui minus Orbis habet.  
Dum captat, capitur; Daemon licèt Omnia spondet,  
Dat Mundus, magnum praeter inane, nihil.  
Plena Fames, mellita Lues, Persuasio fallax,  
Gloria Flos, Pulvis Gaza, Tiara cinis.  
Tendiculas, Pigmenta, Dolos, Crepitacula, Fumos;  
Has rauco Merces Gutture laudet Anus.  
Insatiata Fames rapto superincubet Auro,  
Porcus & aggestas grunniat inter Opes.  
Littera R hebraea, pelasga, latina notabunt  
Quòd, malus, eR-RO-RES h, nil nisi, Mundus habet.   

THE VANITY OF THE WORLD. CANTO X. The Abnegation.  
ARGUMENT.  
What's potent opulency? What's remiss  
Voluptuousness? World, what's All This,  
To That the SOUL'S created for, ETERNAL BLISS?  

STANZA I.  
VArious are Poet's Flames; Some, Eclogues write,  
Others describe a horrid Fight,  
Some Lyric Strains, and some the Epic do delight:   

II.  
But, here my sharpened Muse shall entertain  
The Scourges of Satiric Vein,  
To lash the World, in which such Store of Vices reign.   

III.  
No Grandee Patron court I, nor entice  
Love-glances from enchanting Eyes,  
Nor Blandishments from lisping Wantoness vocal Spice.   

IV.  
No such trite Themes our fired Genius fit,  
Of which so many Pens have writ:  
Prudential Souls affect sound Reason, not sleight Wit.   

V.  
Blessed Talents which the GOSPEL'S PEARL do buy:  
Frail Hopes that on the World rely,  
Where None are saved by Faith, but by ' Infidelity.   

VI  
The way to gain more Ground, is to retreat;  
Our Flight will be our Foes Defeat;  
Minds conquering great Delights, triumph in JOYS more great:   

VII.  
Pull me not, World; nor can, nor will I stay;  
juggler, I know what thou canst say:  
Thy magic Spells charm easy Sense but to betray.   

VIII.  
Wit's toil to please Thee, Sables yield their Skins;  
The Silkworm to thy Wardrobe spins;  
Rocks send their Gems, Seas Pearls, to purvey for thy Sins.   

IX.  
Thou brightnest Cupboards with thronged massy Plate;  
Heap'st Ermined Mantles of Estate;  
Show'st rich caparisoned champing Coursers at thy Gate.   

X.  
Thou cull'st of Nature's Spoil from Air, Earth, Seas,  
The winged, hoofed, finny Droves, to please  
Gluttons, who make themselves Spitals of each Disease.   

XI.  
And shall, like Dives, a sad Reckoning pay;  
Feasts hastened on his Funeral Day;  
Death brought the Voider, and the Devil took away.   

XII.  
Tell me no more, The art sweet, as spicy Air;  
Or, as the blooming Virgin, fair;  
And canst with jovial Mirth resuscitate from Care.   

XIII.  
Boast not of Rubie-Lips, and Diamond-Eyes,  
Rose-Cheeks, and Lilie-Fronts, made Prize,  
With dimpled Chins, the Trap-pits where a Fondling lies.   

XIV.  
Death's Sergeant soon thy courted Helen's must  
Attach, whose Eyes, now Orbs of Lust,  
The Worms shall feed on, till they crumble into Dust.   

XV.  
Boast, World, who unto Revels dost decoy  
Thy favourites, that they're bathed in joy;  
Disdaining Saints, who precious Time in PRAYER employ:   

XVI.  
Who, where they come, with purer Rays of Light,  
Dazzle thy bat-eyed Legions quite,  
Rage, Impudence, and Ignorance, the Imps of Night.   

XVII.  
Fool, thy Attractives, in no Limits penned,  
Indulge to Surfeits, not Content,  
And, but illude the Mind, not give It Ornament.   

XVIII.  
Gilled o'er thy bitter Pills with guileful Arts;  
Sweet Potions brew for frolic Hearts:  
When most thou smil'st, thou actest most perfidious Parts.   

XIX.  
With Thee dwells fawning Craft, and glozing Hate,  
Th' Allurements of Imperious State,  
Which, Barks, like Calms, invite unto a Shipwrackt Fate.   

XX.  
Guile, rule the World, that doth in Madness roll:  
Great Things the Better oft control,  
Where Pride is coached, Fraud shopt, & Taverns drown the Soul.   

XXI.  
Follie in ruffling Storms with Frenzy meets,  
Ebbing, and flowing o'er the Streets  
O'th' care-filled pompous City, which exiles true Sweets.   

XXII.  
O fretting Broils in populous Bustle penned,  
Where still more Noise than Sense they vent,  
And, now as much to Gold, as, late to Battles bend!   

XXIII.  
World, reason if thou canst. Thy Sports leave Stings;  
Thy Scenes, like Thee, prove empty Things;  
Thou glorious seem'st in Paint, from whence all Falsehood Springs.   

XXIV.  
So, Rainbow Colours on Doves Necks have shone  
In Hue so divers, yet so one,  
That Fools have thought them all, the Wiser knew them none.   

XXV.  
I'll countercharm thy Spells, that SOULS, ere thee,  
May trust wild Irish Seas; Who flee  
Distressed to thy Relief, Thou sayest; What's that to me?   

XXVI.  
Fawn, and betray, and Treason's self outdare,  
T' o'erthrow by raising is thy Care,  
But I'll ungull thy Minions, undisguize thy Ware.   

XXVII.  
Thy Gold's Dross, glittering Troubles are thy Bliss,  
By Pomp thou cheatest, thy All's amiss:  
Thou art Sins Stage, the Devil prompts, Flesh Actor is.   

XXVIII.  
Spectator- Sense applauds each witching Gin,  
But, unto Reason's Eye within,  
Thou seem'st Hell's Broker, and the servile Pimp of Sin.   

XXIX.  
Thus Peaches do rough Stones in Velvet tyre;  
Thus rotten Sticks mock Starry Fire;  
Thus Quagmires with green Emeralds crown their cheating Mire.   

XXX.  
So, Mermaids lovely seem in Beauties Guise,  
With Voice, and Smiles, draw Ears, and Eyes,  
But whom they win, they sink; those never more shall rise.   

XXXI.  
Thy Shop's but an Exchange of apish Fashion,  
Thy Wealth, Sports, Honours are Vexation,  
Thy Favours glistering Cares, sweet Surfeits, wooed Damnation.   

XXXII.  
Base Proverbs are thy Counsels to enthrall.  
Each for himself, and God for All:  
Young SAINTS (I dread to speak it) to old Devils fall.   

XXXIII.  
Rain on thy Darlings Head a Danaen Shour,  
Let him be drenched in Wealth, and Pour;  
What then? Th' haste Stormed, & seized on All in one short hour.   

XXXIV.  
O, thou Pride's restless Sea! swollen Fancies blow  
Thee up, dost blue with Envy grow,  
Brinish with Blood, like the Red Sea, with Lust dost flow.   

XXXV.  
Remorceless Rage! thou in thy fifth Acts Breath,  
When Blood does freeze to Ice of Death,  
And Life's jailed up for Nature's Debt, where art? Beneath.   

XXXVI.  
World, even Thy Name a whirling Storm implies,  
Where Men, in Generations rise,  
Like Bubbles, dropsyed Bladders of the rainy Skies.   

XXXVII.  
Some straight sink down, whom Water's Sheet does hide;  
Some, floating up and down, abide;  
The longest are so circumvolved, as Rests denied.   

XXXVIII.  
So, have we rid out Storms, when Eol's Rave  
Ploughed up the Ocean, whose each Wave  
Might waken Death with Noise, and make its Paunch a Grave.   

XXXIX.  
The sick Ship groaned, fierce Winds her Tacklings rend;  
The proud Sea scorned to be Shoar-pent;  
We seemed to knock at Hell, and bounce the Firmament.   

XL.  
Clouds then ungilt the Skies, when Lightnings Light  
Flashed thousand glimmering Days t'our sight,  
But Thunder's Canons soon turned those flashed Days to Night.   

XLI.  
Thus art thou, World, Life's Storm, at Death Distress;  
Starvings the Bottom of Excess:  
Thy Self a piteous Creature, how canst me redress?   

XLII.  
No: hadst less cruel been, th' hadst been less kind;  
oil's in thy Gall to heal my Mind:  
Thus Hell may help to HEAVEN, Satan a Soul befriend:   

XLIII.  
A good Cause with good Means some use, yet fare  
But ill, when Others, of thy Care,  
Whose Cause is bad, and Means ill used, successful are.   

XLIV.  
No Wonder Sins Career, unchecked, runs on,  
Since here Life's Joy it hath alone,  
Which, though thou bragg'st is given, no soon's given, than gone.   

XLV.  
Pomp, Pleasure, Pelf, idolatrized by Fools,  
Dispute we now in WISDOMS Schools:  
Ambitions quenchless Fire i'th' Spring of judgement cools.   

XLVI.  
Pride bladders tymp'nous Hearts, till pricked by Fear,  
Soon they subside by venting there:  
Unsafe Ascents to Power do watching Dangers rear.   

XLVII.  
Fearful, and feared is Pomp; Ambition steep  
Does Envy get, and Hatred keep;  
High State wants Station; Honour-thirsting Minds can't sleep.   

XLVIII.  
Summon ASPIRO, with his Looms of State  
To wove Pride's Web, in spite of Fate;  
Who, once got up, throws down the Steps did elevate.   

XLIX.  
He hates Superiors, 'cause Superiors, and  
Inferiors, lest they's Equals stand;  
And on his Fellows squints, that are in joint Command.   

L.  
Th' Ambitious treacherous are, and hoodwinked quite;  
Their giddy Heads have dazzled Sight,  
For, jealousy clothes Truth in double Mists of Spite.   

LI.  
His Eye must see, and wink; his Tongue must brave,  
And flatter too; his Ear must have  
Audience, yet careless be: Thus acts he KING & Slave.   

LII.  
So, brightest Angel blackest Devil hides;  
Highest Rise to lowest Downfall slides;  
A Mathematic point thus East and West divides.   

LIII.  
Bright Wisdom sends dark Policy to School,  
Proves the Contriver but a Fool,  
Who builds his Maxims on a Precipice, or Pool.   

LIV.  
Great Ones, keep Realms from Want; They'll you from Hate:  
Life's not so dear as Wealth; For, That  
Holds single Bodies, This the Body of the State.   

LV.  
Who bad Desires conceive, they soon wax Great  
With Mischief, then bring forth Deceit,  
So, brood They Desolation, till it grows complete.   

LVI.  
Let such as sail against VIRTUE'S Wind, use Skill  
To tack about; for, what's first Ill,  
Grows worse by Use, and worst by Prosecution still.   

LVII.  
Even That to which Prides touring Project flies,  
When grasped, soon by Fruition dies:  
Great Fears, great Hopes, great Plots, great Men make Tragedies!   

LVIII.  
Achitophel and Absalon proved This,  
Whose Brains of their Designs did miss;  
Teaching deep Machavels; Fraud worst to th' Plotter is.   

LIX.  
Fallacious They, and fallible have been,  
Who made RELIGION cloak their Sin:  
Man's greatest Good, or greatest Ill is from Within.   

LX.  
Those Policies that hunt for Shadows so,  
As let at last the Substance go,  
Which ever lasts, make wretched End in endless Wo.   

LXI.  
Hadst for thy Householdstuff the Spoil of Realms,  
Couldst thou engross Cathaiahs' Gems,  
And more than triplicate Rome's triple Diadems;   

LXII.  
Couldst with thy Feet toss Empires into Air,  
And sit i'th' Universal Chair  
Of State; were Pageants made for Thee the whole World's Mayor;   

LXIII.  
Yet those but Pageants were; Thou, Slave to Sense;  
To him, not's own, all Things dispense  
But Storms; Thou happier waist i'th' Preterperfect Tense.   

LXIV.  
Steward, give up th' Account, the Audit's near  
To reckon how, and when, and where;  
Where much is lent, there's much required: Day's severe.   

LXV.  
Thus, proud Ambition is by Conscience pealed;  
Vapours sent up, a while concealed,  
In thundering Storms pour down at length, when All's revealed.   

LXVI.  
Though Pride's high Head doth brush the Stars, yet shall  
Its Carcase like a Sulphur Ball,  
Plunge into Flames Abyss. Pride concaved Satan's Hall.   

LXVII.  
The Mighti'st are but Worms; pale Cowards they  
Abashed shall stand at that GREAT DAY,  
When Conscience, King of Terrors, shall their Crimes display.   

LXVIII.  
Giants of Earth, Avisoes may you tell,  
That though with envied State you swell,  
Yet, soon within Corruptions Charnel-house you'll dwell.   

LXIX.  
Sceptres are frail, as Reeds: who had no Bound,  
Are clasped within six foot of Ground;  
Whose Epitaphs next Age will be Oblivion found.   

LXX.  
Such Yesterday, as would have been their Slave,  
To day may tread upon their Grave,  
That flats the Nose: Best Lectures dust-seeled Pulpits   

LXXI.  
Who tossed the Ball of Earth, in dark Vaults rest:  
All what that General once possessed  
Was but a Shirt in's Tomb, who vanquished all the East.   

LXXII.  
Invading Cyrus in a Tub of Gore,  
Might quaff his Fill, who evermore  
Had thirsted Blood: Him timeless Fate midst Triumphs tore.   

LXXIII.  
Weigh Things; Life's frail, Pomp vain; remember Paul,  
(The way to rise will be to fall)  
In's high Commission low, in's low, Conversion, tall.   

LXXIV.  
Soul, w'udst aspire to th' Highest? clip Tumours Wing;  
To th' Test of HEAVEN thy Axioms bring:  
Best Polit'ick David was. Who conquers Sin's the King.   

LXXV.  
Let raised Thoughts, Elijah-like, aspire  
To be encharioted in Fire:  
Faith, Love, Joy, Peace, the Wheels to Saints sublime Desire.   

LXXVI.  
Avaro cite, as void of Grace, as stored  
With Gold, the GOD his Soul adored;  
Wealth twins with Fear: Why startest? Unlock thy unsunned Hord:   

LXXVII.  
I'll trebleed by the Philosophic Stone;  
This makes thee stare. Why, thus 'tis done,  
To Passives Actives join in due Proportion.   

LXXVIII.  
Behold vast Sums unowned! Thou hutch-cramed Chink,  
Art made as Nothing with a Wink,  
Thou, bred from Hell, with Hell-deeds Souls to Hell dost sink.   

LXXIX.  
Gold is the Fautress of all civil Jars,  
Treasons Reward, the Nerve of Wars,  
Nurse of Profaneness, suckling Rage that Kingdoms mars.   

LXXX.  
Thou potent Devil, how dost thou bewitch  
The dreggy Soul, spott'st it with Itch!  
This Slave to thee, his slave, was never poor, till rich.   

LXXXI.  
Now chest th' all worshipped o'er with reverend Awe;  
Sols Gold, and Luna's Silver draw  
(Should Hell have these, 'twould plundered be) to sat thy Maw.   

LXXXII.  
While Gripes of Famine mutiny within,  
And tan, like Hides, the shrivelled Skin  
O'th' Poor, whose pining Want can not thy Pity win:   

LXXXIII.  
Having their Gravestones underneath their Feet,  
Breath out their Woes to All they meet,  
While thou to them are flintier than their Bed, the Street.   

LXXXIV.  
Blinded with Tears, with crying hoarse, forlorn  
They seem to be of All, but Scorn:  
Death than Delay (Wants bloudless Wound) is easier born.   

LXXXV.  
Thy Dropsy breeds Consumption in thine Heir;  
Who thus t' himself;— I'll ease your Care,  
Measure not Grounds, but your own Earth: Die now to spare.   

LXXXVI.  
What's raked by Wrong, and kept by Fear, when mine,  
Shall spread, as I'm— Then brood the Shine,  
Penurious Wretch, till thou by empty Fullness pine.   

LXXXVII.  
Thy Care's to lessen Cost; how slow thy Pays!  
How quick Receipts! Lov'st Fasting-dais,  
But 'tis to save; thus starv'st in Store, thee Plenty slays.   

LXXXVIII.  
When shall I rifle every Trunk and Shelf  
Of this old muckie wretched Elf,  
Who turns, as Chemists do, all that he scrapes, to Pelf?   

LXXXIX.  
O, sordid Frenzy! Anxious Maze of Care!  
O, gripple Covetise to spare,  
And dream of Gold! The Miser's Heaven, the Indians Snare.   

XC.  
Oppression is the Bloodshot in their Eyes;  
Bribes blanche Gehesa till he dies:  
Fool, read, this Night Death may thy dunghill Soul surprise.   

XCI.  
Think not for whom thou dost thy Soul deceive,  
And injured Nature so bereave;  
But still thy knotty Brain with wedg-like Anguish cleave.   

XCII.  
Sruck blind with Gold, brood on thy Rapines, till  
Thou hatch up stinging Cares to th' fill:  
The heaviest Curse on this side Hell's to thrive in iii.   

XCIII.  
Go, venture for't with Sharks; haste, Miser old  
To th' Hook, because the Bait is Gold:  
Pawn thy Soul for't, as judas did, when's LORD he sold.   

XCIV.  
Possessors are as Saul possessed, who cross  
heavens Law; Gain, got by Guile, proves Loss;  
Getting begits more Itch; Lust's specious Ore is dross.   

XCV.  
Who sow to Sin shall reap to judgement; Train  
To Hell is Idolised Gain.  
Canst Death, or Vengeance bribe? If not, dread ceaseless Pain.   

XCVI.  
Why so fast posted by thy struggling Cares,  
And Self-slaying Fraud, with all their Snares?  
Stay, view thyself; Destruction her cracked Glass prepares.   

XCVII.  
His pursy Conscience opens now. I've run  
On Rocks (he houls) too late to shun,  
Lost Use, and Principle! Gold, I'm by Thee undone!   

XCVIII.  
If, to exhort be not too late, attend  
The wholesome Counsel of a Friend,  
Renounce thy Idol, and prevent thy wretched End.   

XCIX.  
Sound for Faith's Bottom with Hope's anch'ring Cord;  
Repent, Restore, large Alms afford,  
The dismal Fraught of sinking Sins cast overboard.   

C.  
He who returns to is Avarice left, his Sore  
Grows desperate, Deadlier than before,  
His Hopes of HEAVEN much less, his Fears of Hell much more.   

Oceani Monstrum natat infraenabile, Lingua;  
Naves saepè pias haec Echeneis habet;  
Cui paro Naumachiam, Freta conturbata pererrans,  
Sit Remoque meo, Lis, Remoraeque tuae.   
— Spes rebus affixa fugacibus, uno  
Frangitur Afflatu—   

THE VANITY OF THE WORLD. CANTO XI. The Disincantation.  
ARGUMENT.  

Crispulus hic, nulli Nugarum Laude secundus,  
Cui Mens Lucisinops, Stulta Ruina Domûs;  
Qui Cereri, Bromioque litat, Luxuque liquescit;  
Huic ne putrescat, pro Sale Vita datur.   

Volupto, crowned with Bliss of Fools, is bend  
To Wine, Feasts, Gauds, loose Merriment;  
Runs on in Lust's Career, till Grace stops-with Repent.   

STANZA I.  
O Headless, heady Age! O giddy Toys!  
As humble Cots yield quiet Joys;  
So prouder Palaces are Drums of restless Noise.   

II.  
'Twas in the blooming Verdure of the Year,  
When through the Twins Sol's Course did steer,  
That a spruce Gallant did, on Summons, straight appear.   

III.  
glittering in Bravery, like the Knight o'th' Sun;  
Whose Nags in Hyde-park Races run  
This Even. 'Tis sure Volupto, old Avaros Son.   

IV.  
Hot shows the Day, by th' Dust upon his Head,  
And all his Clothes so loosely spread,  
He's so untrust, as if it were not long to Bed:   

V.  
His Hands keep Time to th' Tune of's Feet, his Pace  
Is danced Measures, and 'tis Grace  
Enough, ore's Shoulder to afford a quarter-face.   

VI  
Act, 'bove French Monkeys, Antimasks he might  
Before the Apes (Spectators right)  
Such Dops, Shrugs, Puppet-plays show best by Candle-light.   

VII.  
How mimic humorous Garbs in various kind  
Do checquer Whimsies in the Mind!  
As differing Flowers on Perus Wonder Gardeners find.   

VIII.  
Hast thou black Patches too? for Shame, forbear;  
Smooth Chins should not have Spots, but Hair:  
But thou art modish, and canst vapour, drink, & swear.   

IX.  
How blazing Tapers waste Life's blink away  
In Socket of their mouldering Clay!  
How powdered Curls do sin-polluted Dust bewray!   

X.  
As Prudence framed Art to be Nature's Ape;  
So Pride forms Nature to Arts Shape:  
Corrupted Wine is worst that's pressed from richest Grape.   

XI.  
Wilt Reason's Sense dissolve in senseless Wine?  
And sing, while Youths frail Gem does shine,  
Come, Laughter, stretch our Spleen; Come Sack in Crystal Shrine!   

XII.  
First, Wine shall set, next shall a wanton Dame  
Our Blood on Fire, then quench our Flame.  
But, Brute, Repentance shall, or Hell thy wildfire tame.   

XIII.  
Now, with the Gallon ere thou try'st a Fall,  
Think o'th' Handwriting on the Wall:  
If Bacchus th' Inturn gets, down Conscience goes & All.   

XIV.  
Shouldst thou but once the swinish Drunkard view,  
Presented in a Mirror true,  
Quite soused in Tavern Juice; in him, thyself thou'dst rue.   

XV.  
A nobler Birth, with an ignoble Breast,  
Rich Corpse without a mind's a Beast:  
He's razed from Honour's Stem, who, Riot, is thy Guest;   

XVI.  
Thy Guests swollen Dropsies, and dull Surfeits are:  
The Gluttons Teeth their Graves prepare;  
They're sick in Health, & living dead, whose Maws their Care.   

XVII.  
Go, Corm'rants, go, with your luxurious Flock,  
Raped from three Elements; we mock  
Your musky Jelly, Pheasant, candid Apricock.   

XVIII.  
To Arabs, that they send their Phoenix write;  
In's spice Nest be cooked it might:  
Far fetch't, dear bought, best suits the Apician Appetite.   

XIX.  
Go, with thy Stags embalmed, entombed in Paste;  
On Tenants Sweat feeds rampant Waste:  
We prise 'bove wild intemperance, a Carthusian Fast.   

XX.  
Excess enhanceth Rates: Thou, on this Score,  
Grind'st 'twixt thy Teeth the starving Poor,  
Who beg dry Crumbs, which they with Tears would moisten o'er.   

XXI.  
Laz'rus, thy Skin's Death's Sheet, 'twixt that & Bone  
There's no Parenthesis! bemoan,  
Dives, CHRIST'S Members now, or thou shalt ever groan.   

XXII.  
Prance, pampered Stallions, to the Grave y'are driven:  
Nought satisfies the Soul but HEAVEN,  
thouart empty, World, from Morn, through Noon to doting Even.   

XXIII.  
In twice-dyed Tyrian Purple thou dost nest,  
Restless, with heaving Fumes oppressed,  
Which cause tumultuous Dreams, Foes to indulgent Rest.   

XXIV.  
From hence the Spark, (what pity ' 'tis!) is Ill  
Grown cropsick. Post for Physics Skill;  
Phlebotomize he must, and take the Vomit Pill.   

XXV.  
Doctor, the Cause of this Distemper state us.  
His cachexy results from Flatus  
Hypocondrunkicus ex Crapulâ creatus.   

XXVI.  
School him, whose HEAVEN is Sense, whose Reason dim;  
Who wastes his Time, as Time wastes him:  
Give o'er his Soul, Divine; Tailor makes Body trim.   

XXVII.  
Now, sheathed in rustling Silks, new Suits display;  
Thy clothes outworth Thee: Wisemen say,  
Hedg-creeping Glow-worm's never mount to starry Ray.   

XXVIII.  
Yet, who's born under jupiter shall move  
I'th' Sphere of Honour, Riches, Love;  
Say Wizards. Under Jove w' are all born, none above.   

XXIX.  
Still to be pounct, perfumed, still quaintly dressed,  
Still to be guarded to a Feast  
By fawning Looks, & squinting hearts— like an Arrest.   

XXX.  
Still to have toting Waits un●eel thine Eyes,  
In Bed, at Board, when sit, when rise:  
Such, Card'nal-like, their Paris prize 'bove Paradise.   

XXXI.  
Know, Worldlings, that Prosperitie's a Gin,  
If wantonized, breeds Storms within:  
To Torture turns the Metamorphosis of Sin.   

XXXII.  
Pomp it's own Burden is, Whose slippery State  
Oft headlong, by too rash Debate,  
Tumbles for value of a Straw, pulls on its Fate.   

XXXIII.  
His Heartblood seethes; that Blood sends up in Heat  
Fierce Spirits; those, i'th' Eye, their Seat,  
Fires kindle; fiery Eyes, like Comets, Ruin threat.   

XXXIV.  
Fierce Balaam, hold thy Hand, and smite no Ass  
But him i'th' Saddle; he alas  
Wounds through her Sides himself: Wrath through the Soul doth pass.   

XXXV.  
Duels for Blood, like Molocks' Idol, gape.  
Thou, turned a Swine out of an Ape,  
First puttest on Peacock's Pride, at last the Tiger's Shape.   

XXXVI.  
They're gross, not Great, who serve wild Laws of Blood;  
Such, only Great, who dare be Good:  
GRACE. buoys up Honour, which, without It, sticks in mud.   

XXXVII.  
Make through Search: As hard to find thy Cure,  
As Circles puzzling Quadrature,  
Or, next Way by North-Sea to sail to China sure.   

XXXVIII.  
Lo, idle Sloth in Lap of Sodom placed.  
Here lies He— did Occasions waste,  
Invaluable now, irreparable past.   

XXXIX.  
Go, wanton with the Wind: misused Hours have  
A Life, no other than the Grave:  
Most, for Life's circumstance, the Cause of living wave.   

XL.  
The privy Council of the glorious TRINE  
Did in creating Man combine;  
Angels looked on, and wondered at the Soul divine!   

XLI.  
Which, Storehouse of three living Natures is,  
Doth the vast World epitomise,  
Of whom, even All we see's but a Periphrasis!   

XLII.  
Now, to what End can we conceive Man's Frame,  
Save to the Glory of GOD'S Name,  
And his eternal Bliss, included in the Same.   

XLIII.  
Fools, living die; SAINTS, dying live: Seeds thrive  
When earthed: Who die to Sin survive;  
So, to come richer up, Pearl-fishers deeper dive.   

XLIV.  
Now's Courtesan appears, who blows Love's Fire,  
Her prattling Eyes speak vain Desire;  
To catch this art-fair fly the following Trout aspire.   

XLV.  
The gamesome Fly that round the Candle plays,  
Is scorched to Death i'th' courted Blaze:  
Thus is the Amourist destroyed by lustful Gaze.   

XLVI.  
This Dame of Pleasure, does, to seem more bright,  
Lattice her Day with bars of Night;  
Spots this fair Sorceress Cloud, more to enforce Delight.   

XLVII.  
This Helen, who does Beauty counterfeit,  
And on her Face black Patches set  
(Like Tickets on the Door) shows that She may be Let.   

XLVIII.  
She'd Coach Affection on her Cheek: But why  
Would Cupid's Horses climb so high  
Over her alpine Nose, t'o'erthrow it in her Eye?   

XLIX.  
Truth's Apes, beware; such Wheels your Earth do wear;  
Horses with rugged Hoof will tear;  
Who livings coached with Pride, shall dying fall with Fear.   

L.  
(But, noble LADIES, VIRGINS chaste, as fair;  
Sweet modest Sex, that Virtuous are,  
Ye First, my Honour; my Respect, ye Second, share.   

LI.  
ANGELIC FORMS, far be it to perplex,  
Or cast Aspersion on your Sex:  
Lose Art in Those, your native beaming Lustre decks.   

LII.  
So, have I seen the Limners Hand design  
A ruder Piece, near one Divine,  
With this course face, to make That other Beauty shine.)   

LIII.  
Her Eyes spread Nets, her Lips Baits, & her Arms  
Enthralling Chains: Sense hugs the Charms  
Of Idleness and Pride, while Reason's free from Harms.   

LIV.  
Tempestuous whirlwinds revel in the Air  
Of her feig'nd Sighs; her Smile's a Snare,  
Which she as slighly sets, as subtly does prepare.   

LV.  
Scarce is the Toy at Noon to th' Girdle dressed;  
Nine Pedlars need each Morn be pressed  
To launch her forth: A ship as soon is rigged to th' West.   

LVI.  
At length she's built up with accoutred Grace;  
The Spark's inflamed with her set Face,  
Her glancing Eye, her lisping Lip, her mincing Pace.   

LVII.  
On those, his optic Faculties do play,  
Like frisking Motes in sunny Day,  
Like gaudy nothings in the Trigon Glass that ray.   

LVIII.  
On her, profusely now he spends his Ore;  
Scarce the Triumvir lavished more  
When he did costly treat his stately Memphian Whore.   

LIX.  
Thou, inconsiderate Flash, spendest precious Days  
In Dances, Banquets, Courtisms, Plays,  
To gain the Shade of Joy, which, soon as gained, decays.   

LX.  
Which, barely tasted makes thee long the more;  
Enjoyed, 'tis loathed, was loved before:  
Thus, nor Mirth's Flood, nor ebb can please, nor Sea, nor Shore.   

LXI.  
His Pulse beats Cupid's March, and's itching Vein  
Must vent loose Lines, whence Souls are slain;  
Which, by augmenting Lust, will but augment his Pain.   

LXII.  
Ah, might too forward Sin be checked by Fear!  
But, what may cure that Eye, that Ear,  
Which, being blind and deaf, brags best to see & hear!   

LXIII.  
Thy Juno's but a Cloud: She is not She  
Thy fond Esteem makes Her to be;  
Her Basilisks double Eyesight kills with viewing Thee.   

LXIV.  
She murders Poisons, thence Complexion's found  
To murder Hearts. O, Joys unsound  
From light-bred Daughters, though they weigh ten thousand pound!   

LXV.  
Tell me not, simpering Lais, that thy Ray  
Can Blood, turned Ice, unfreeze, like May;  
Whose spotted Face to Virtue does Soul spots betray.   

LXVI.  
Ceruse, not Lilies there; thy blushing Rose  
Its Tincture to Vermilion owes:  
Cursed be those civil Wars LOVES ROYALTY oppose.   

LXVII.  
Say not, a noble Love to thee he bears;  
While's Hand writes Odes, his Eye drops Tears;  
That tim'rously he's bold, burns, freezes, dares, and fears.   

LXVIII.  
Nor tell me, Nymphadoro, that Loves Throes  
For her, rob thy Repast, Repose:  
Thou peul'st not to repent, but to bebrine thy Woes:   

LXIX.  
Woes, worse than Waitings at the five men's trade;  
Worse than, when sick, through Sloughs to wade  
In Stormy Night, hard jolted on a dull tired Jade.   

LXX.  
Shake off these Remoras would thee undo:  
The VIRTUOUS loveli'est are. GRACE. woe;  
What Jeweller for Glass will orient Pearl forgo?   

LXXI.  
The Soul, that Beauteousnesse of GRACE. exquires,  
And to decline By-paths Desires,  
Must inward bend the Rays of his selected Fires.   

LXXII.  
Unmuffle, ye dim Clouds, and disinherit  
From black usurping Mists his Spirit;  
From Rocks, that split vain Hopes, to Heavenly Comforts rear it.   

LXXIII.  
B'entrencht ere midnight Larums; undergo  
The Penance of repentant Snow,  
Which, melting down, will quench, & cleanse, as it doth flow.   

LXXIV.  
Repentance Health is, given in bitter Pill;  
Best Rectifier of the Will;  
The Joy of Angels, Love of GOD, the Hate of iii.   

LXXV.  
Action's the Life of Counsel; bath thy Soul,  
I'th' LAMBS red Laver; in Dust roll,  
Before Despair; Hell's Sergeant comes, drink Sorrows Boul.   

LXXVI.  
Ere th' icy Mantle of a wrinkled Skin  
Candy's the Bristles of thy Chin,  
Repent; ere chap-faln Door shall let Death's Terrors in.   

LXXVII.  
Never too late does true Repentance sue;  
Yet, late Repentance seldom's true:  
Who would not, when they might, may, when they would, It rue.   

LXXVIII.  
For Minutes of impertinent Delight,  
Lose not, o, lose not INFINITE!  
Scorn to be Vassal to base Sin, and hellish Spite.   

LXXIX.  
Why dost outsin the Devil? He ne'er soiled  
With Lust, or Glutt'ny was; ne'er foiled  
With Drink, ne'er in the Net of Slothfulness entoyled.   

LXXX.  
I may persuade, yet not prevail! Sin-charms  
Bewitch him, till Wrath cries to Arms:  
Sins first Face smiles, her second frowns, her third alarms.   

LXXXI.  
Sinners are fond blind when they transgress;  
All Woes are, than such Blindness, less:  
That Wretch most wretched is, who sleights his Wretchedness.   

LXXXII.  
Presumption slays her thousands! too late then  
Foe to advise of Danger, when  
Vengeance, that dogs their Steps, shall worry them in's Den.   

LXXXIII.  
Gallants, Should Trophies Caesarize your Power,  
Should Beauty Helenize your Flower,  
Should Mammon Danaize ye with his golden Shower;   

LXXXIV.  
Yet, when REVENGE shall inward Thunders send,  
And Sodom-Storms on Souls descend,  
Salvation scorned, what rests but every torturing Fiend!   

LXXXV.  
That GOD refused, who you from Depth of nought  
To Being, nay Wellbeing brought!  
Ingrate, for Talents lent, return yourselves Sin-fraught.   

LXXXVI.  
Bad Great Ones are Great Bad Ones: Foul Defect  
It is, when Power doth Shame protect;  
Such, will do what they will, but, what they ought, neglect.   

LXXXVII.  
Virtue by Practice to her Pitch does soar;  
But they, who such a Course give o'er,  
Shall sadly wish for Time, when Time shall be no more.   

LXXXVIII.  
Ye, brittle Sheds of Clay, resolve ye must  
Into Originary Dust,  
When swift-heeld Death o'ertakes you. Where's then all your Trust?   

LXXXIX.  
Men in their Generations live by turns;  
Their Light soon to its Socket burns;  
Then to converse with Spirits they go, & None returns.   

XC.  
Tomb-pendant Scutcheons, pompous Rags of State,  
Those gorgeous Bubbles but relate  
The thing that was, ne'er lived: 'Tis Goodness gildeth Fate.   

XCI.  
Grace outlasts marble Vaults; That crowns Expense;  
Brass is shortlived to Innocence:  
Times greedy Self shall one Day find its Praeter-tense.   

XCII.  
When heavens that had their Deluge-dropsie, shall  
Their burning Fever have; When All  
Is one Combustion; when Sol seems a black burnt Ball:   

XCIII.  
When Nature's laid asleep in her own Urn;  
When, what was drowned at first, shall burn;  
Then, Sinners into quenchless Flames, Sins Mulct, shall turn!   

XCIV.  
Near shall a cooling Julep Such appease,  
Whom Brimstone Torrents without Ease  
Enrage, i'th' dungeon of dark flames, and burning Seas!   

XCV.  
In Centre of the terrible Abyss,  
Remotest from supernal Bliss,  
That horrid, hideous, gloomy, endless Dungeon is!   

XCVI.  
Fools, who hath charmed you? Sue betimes Divorce  
From your vain World, where power did force  
A Rape, there let not Choice make Marriage, which is worse.   

XCVII.  
Man is a World, and more; For this huge Mass  
Shrunk, as a Scroul, away shall pass;  
Whilst His pure Substance is as everlasting Glass.   

XCVIII.  
The World is like the Basilisks fell eyes;  
Whose first sight kills; first seen, it dies:  
Man, by a brave Disdain, its poisoning Venom flies.   

XCIX.  
Gay World, who Thee adores, thou great wilt make;  
Pearl may he quaff, and Pleasures take  
Of Sense, but must descend into the sulphury Lake!   

C.  
Is Hell the Upshot thou to thine canst lend?  
Crawl, grovelling Trifles, to your End;  
Vanish beneath my Scorn. Go, World, recant, amend.   

Provehimur Portu, Terramque relinquimus illam  
Quae natum Gremio prima rigente tulit.  
O felix Oculus Portum visurus Amantis,  
Sit licet in Lacrymas naufragus ipse suas!   Dedignor Indigna. 
  

In lenocitantes hujus Tempestatis Venerillas, Juvenum Scrobes, Animarum Voragines.  
IN nova fert Animus mutatas dicere Formas  
Spectra, salax quarum Mente Libido furit.  
Ludicra depicti jam prodit Imago Theatri,  
En hîc Scena vafris insidiosa Dolis.  
Ergò mihi nunquam nisi Personata videnda es?  
Si vis Personam sumere, sume tuam.  
Cui loquor? Ipse tuâ deludor Imagine; Vera  
Quid facies, cum vel fallere picta potes?  
Picta Genas, discincta Sinus, nudata Papillas;  
Albor Cerufsâ, fit, Minioque Rubor.  
Vendere si non vis Carnem, conclude Macellum;  
Nec Lupa mentitâ decipe Carne Procos.  
Nunc emere haud fas est, quia Quadragesima, Carnes;  
Venales Mammas ergô Lanissa, tege.  
Affigis Maculas dum Signa loquacia Malis,  
Mercandum Pretio Corpus adesse notas.  
Quae primam extenuat Culpam, rea saepè secundae est;  
Saepiùs è primâ Labe secunda venit.  
Plurima compositos conservat capsa Colores;  
Sic Faciem tibi, cum caetera vendis, emis.  
Suavia viscosis renuo libare Labellis,  
Ne teneat Fucus fixa Labella tuus.  
quam levis Incessus! quam Lumina paeta vagantur!  
Verbula quam molli Gutture fracta fluunt!  
Quid me blanda tuis fallacibus obruis Hirquis?  
Serpentem Gremio, Virus in Ore geris.  
Non amat, hamat Amor tuus, ô Trivenefica, nostro  
Non opus est Cultu, Te nimis ipsa colas.  
Sidera contendas Oculi sint, Purpura Malae,  
Electrum Crines, Dens Ebur, Ora Favi.  
Consulto Speculo geris Omnia; fallet Imago:  

* Versus cancrinus quo●d Literas.  Te nam (an jurares) sera Ruina manet.  
Sed quorsum in miseras labuntur Carmina Nugas?  
Praesens, est absens, pars minor illa sui.  
Quid velit haec Pictura loquens? quem postulat Usum?  
Ut suspendatur nonnè Tabella nitet?  
Quid tunc è tanto restabit Amantibus Igne?  
Fumus iners, tristis Faex, inamoenus Odor.  
Ne jactes igitur Formam, fucata; Megaeram  
Formosam fieri sic quoque posse reor.  
Dicite, Doctores, huic quae Complexio? Quinta.  
Quis placet huic Sensus, dicite? Sextus erit.  
Sub quo signo orta? Opposito sub Virginis Astro  
Edita sub caudâ, credo, Draconis erat.  
Quaenam illi fuerit Mens? Subdola. Lingua? dolosa.  
Quae Metamorphosis? Prodigiosa sibi.  
Naso, suam Metamorphosin quî scribere possit,  
Quotidiè Formas cum novet ista Venus?  
  

In sceleratissimam Seculi Licentiam, cujus in melius commutandi exilis admodùm supersit Spes.  
TOtus adeò in Maligno (mali ligno) positus est Mundus, ut vehementer hujusmodi Satyris egeat. Vbiquè nunc locorum damnosa Malorum Vitia, noxiarum instar herbarum, citissimè pullulescunt. Perjuria, Superbia, Temulentia, etc. Terram sub Mole Peccatorum non ruere admirabile, cum Coeli, qui ingentia illa Corpora Solis, Lunae, Stellarum, praeter suam Vastitatem non solùm ferunt, sed circumferunt, absque Ruinae Periculo; unicum tamen Peccatum ferre nequiverunt, sed statim per solidas illas Machinas, peccatum, cum suo Authore Lucifero, delapsum, etiam Terram penetrans, ad Fundum Abyssi infernalis descendit.  
ACtor Homo, Coelum Spectator, grande Theatrum Mundus, Vita frequens Fabula, Scena Dies.  
Undè ego, sublimi positus, Deliria Mundi  
Defleo, dum Vitij Pondere tristè gemit.  
Esse quid hoc dicam, perversa quod Omnia cerno!  
Denis quam Tenebris mergitur Orbis iners!  
Talia tartareo crevere Piacula Seclo,  
Vix Terris Scelerum mox Modus ullus erit.  
Luxus ovans, impurus Amor, maculosa Libido,  
Persica Mollicies, Spes levis, Ira gravis.  
Carnificina Boni, sed Iniqui sedula Nutrix,  
Orbis es, Illecebras nil nisi turpis habes.  
Fraus juvat, hinc justa est, fallique & fallere gaudes;  
Mors Jocus, Infernus Fabula, S●anna Polus.  
Heu, Pietas ubi prisca! Profana ò Tempora! Mundi  
Faex, Vesper, propè Nox; ô mora! CHRIST, Veni●  
 
TE rapit aerio ventosa Superbia Curru;  
Siste rotas, Currus ferventes siste; Loquamur.  
Nunc opus est leviore Lyrâ. Tu, Cyprie Bubo,  
Ore procax, Novitatis amans, Venerisque Satelles,  
Callidus incautas Philtris mollire Puellas,  
Splendida rimaris petulanti Lumine Spectra,  
Et Mala quaeque Bonis praefers, Deliria Veris,  
Frivola vaniloquo Mendacia gutture jactas,  
Mentis inops, Ratione carens, Virtutis inanis,  
Volveris effuso suadente Libidine Luxu,  
Lauta coronatis ambis Convivia Mensis,  
Sunt tibi Deliciae, Risus, Jocularia Cordi,  
Futilibus fatuus Garritibus Aera pulsas,  
Quique ciet Nugas, Donaria summa reportat,  
Illicitumque putas nihil; Omne, quod officit, optas;  
Expetis ut fulvum Mundus vertatur in Aurum;  
Auritâ de Gente Midae reor esse Nepotem:  
Stulte, tuas Vestes, Avis ut Junonia plumas,  
Aspicis; in Cute curandâ malè conteris Aevum.  
O, Genus insipidum! sani tibi mica Cerebri?  
Auscultet tumido Gens implacabilis Ore.  
Luxuries praedulce Malum, blanditur, & angit:  
Innumeras parit ipsa Cruces, nutritque, Voluptas:  
Vita vices morientis habet, morerisque superstes.  
Sed, quid ago? Surdis cantatur Fabula▪ Fati  
Vespera mox veniet! quid inexorabilis haeres?  
Cuncta tenere putes; tu percipis omnia; Solùm  
Hoc nescis, Pant●n quod es insanissimus Andr●n.  
  

In strenuos hujus Seculi Compotores, & Gulones Perditissimos.  
QValis hîc Boatus? quae Vociferatio? Auscultemus. Aut bibite, aut hunc Cantharum, quantus quantus est, in Capita impingam vestra. Sic enim assuefacti (à sue facti) sunt; Qui tamen Ipsi nondum hesternam edormiverunt Crapulam. Heu, quam petitis perituri peritura! Labantes ad Praecipitium impellitis, & ad Infernum proruentibus, calcar subditis! Interim tamen vos accusat Conscientia, Testis est Memoria, Ratio judex, Voluptas Carcer, Timor Tortor, Oblectamentum Tormentum! Vndè, high vorando, bibendo, ludendo, dormiendo, moriendo, justè obliviscantur sui, qui vivendo (nisi jurando) semper obliti sunt Dei.  
TUrgidus iste quis est? ambas perpotus ad Aures,  
Qui tradit rabidae Fraena soluta Gulae;  
Qui plures avido Calices ingurgitat haustu;  
Cui Venus in Vinis, Ignis in Igne furit;  
Cui Venter Deus est, & lauta Culina Sacellum;  
Orgia cui madidi grata profana Dei;  
Cui sunt Liba Dapes, & Compotatio Festum;  
Et Pietas plenâ Lance litare Gulae;  
Plurima qui spondet, perfusus Tempora Baccho;  
Omnia quae Socijs, cras, sine fronte negat;  
Cujus Lingua vomit spumantia Vota Salutis,  
Obrutus est nimio dum sine Mente Mero.  
Vivamus liquidi, potemus, edamus, ovemus;  
Nulla Sepultorum nascitur Wa Cavis:  
Mordaces Curas solvamus Vociferando,  
Sic permittamus laetiùs ire Dies:  
Falle Diem, strue Serta, Scyphum rape, tingere Nardo;  
Si tibi Cura mei, sit tibi Cura Meri:  
Prome Falerna, remitte Pavenda, propellito Nubes:  
Leviathae Os utinàm nunc mihi grande foret!  
Gemmatis si Musta bibam flammantia Poclis,  
Ind frequens Naso Gemma repentè micet●  
Plurima sic olidis epotat Vina Tabernis,  
Vt referat brutas sordida Vita Sues:  
Immersus Vitij Barathro, Scelerisque Profundo,  
Ebrius Errorum Nectare, Porcus ovat.  
Immemor ipse sui, nimiùm memor ipse Suorum,  
Carneus iste Cadus, Viva Culina cluat.  
Nocturno reboat dum caeca Plataea Tumultu,  
Quodvis ex animo suauè peregit Opus.  
Una Salus tibi sit nullam potare Salutem:  
Te Puer in triviis erudijsse potest.  
Qui mihi Discipulus, Bibo sis, cupis atque doceri;  
Huc ades, Abdomen spernere disce tuum.  
Pondus iners, Carnis Cumulus, Vinique Culullus,  
Progenies Grylli, Dux Epicurus harae;  
Coenum, non Coelum sapis, Ingluviemque saginas,  
Non Mentem; solùm pro sale Vita datur.  
Ditia sorbebit subit● Patrimonia Guttur;  
Quod tua peccarunt Guttura, Vitra luunt.  
Quae Mare, Terra, Polus, Pisce, Alite, Vite ministrant,  
Desidis alta Gulae Cuncta Barathra vorant.  
Effera Tempestas Cellae, Barathrumque Macelli!  
Examines tumulet mortua Turba tuos!  
Hoc verbo concludo, nec os tibi sublino: Nequam es:  
Exitio, nisi te corrigis, Ipse tibi.  
EHeu, quam Magnificus iste jam aegrotat miserè! ecce, Linteola Manu contrahit, distorto Ore & distento Labia dispandit, anhelis Pulmonibus difficile spirat, longum Vale Mundo dicit, tenebrescentes Oculos circumvolvit, & suburbia Mortis intrat. Lectores, clarum hîc Speculum Fragilitatis cernite. Gregor. Magnus Lib. 4. Cap. 38. Dialogorum, de Chrysorio Romano tradit Historiam, de quo, an Divitijs, seu Vitijs magis abundaverit, incertum fuit. cum, quasi expirans, anxiaretur, apparuere illi teterrimi, Daemones, ipsum certatim prensantes, traheréque ad Inferna annixi; Ille, Horrore tremuit, seque super Lectum huc atque illuc vertere miseris coepit Modis. Nec dubitaret Quisquam Spiritus sibi apparuisse, qui probè illius Gestus; & Lamenta consideraret. Postremò, ipse, cum jam Amicorum Auxilio desperasset, ad Hostes conversus, Inducias, oro, Inducias, inquit, Inducias, vel tantùm usque ad mane! cui, Daemones; Stulte, hac nocte eripietur tibi Anima. Dum hoc poscendo ingeminat, Animam exhalavit! Vae vobis miseris, qui in ipsis Voluptatum Blandimentis, saevis Pa●perum Oppressionibus, & iniquis Praeliandi Ardoribus subitò auferimini!  
INstare, heu, summum, Mens, tibi crede Diem,  
Actus Fabellae jam tibi quintus adest,  
Namque stat ad Mortis Limina Vita tremens;  
Quid modò, dum Muris imminet Hostis, agas?  
Te rapiet subitò Mors inopina Gradu!  
An non supremi judicis Ora times?  
Mente soporatâ Cuncta quieta fluunt,  
Exagitat saevis evigilante Minis!  
Stat vinctum rigido sons Adamante jecur,  
Undique constrictum Crimine, Lege, Nece!  
Stare tamen nullo mens queat aegra Loco!  
Afflictum Pectus quis tolerate potest!  
Me Tremor, Impietas, Flagra, Gehenna rotant!  
Totus in Aspectu sum rea Massa Dei!  
Heu, quam terribilis Sontibus Vltor adest!  
Qui Flagellorum millia mille parat!  
Quis dabit hisce Modum, quêis Modus omnis abest!  
Supplicium Aeternum! Dirus ut ille Sonus!  
Nullis Inferni Flamma domatur aquis!  
Aestus at infusae Gurgite crescit Aquae!  
Nunc, Mundi quid Honos, Gaza, Jocusque, valent!  
Vos, speciem fumi, quicquid habetis, habet;  
Perfidiosa sequi Ludicra Mundus amat;  
Tristia sub placido melle Venena latent;  
Quo magis arrident, sunt metuenda magis;  
Turgida ventoso Pectora Folle replent.  
Inter Acidalias, ceu Sybarita, Rosas  
Crevi, Praeda feris discrutianda Rogis!  
Praedonum Paphiâ mitior Ira face;  
Cultorem perdis; qui tibi vivit, obit;  
Arbore seu Chavae, prima Venena necis,  
Arbore sic CHRISTI Vita secunda fluit.  
Hac, hac sit nostrâ Meta terenda rotâ!  
Jam nunc Justorum Fata lubire velim!  
Pro Te, CHRIST, pati, est vincere, Vita mori:  
Te peto dum superest Halitus; Oro, fave.  
Hanc, DEUS, ex magno mittis Amore Crucem:  
Sum miser, ah, misero fer miseratus Opem!  
Nunc opus est Precibus, nunc Ope, CHRIST, tuâ!  
Unus Opem, Vulnus qui dedit, Ille ferat!  
Poenitet admissi Criminis; oro DEUS,  
Sanguinis inspergat, Gutta vel una tui!  
●perem, vix ullam Spes ubi cernat Opem!  
Singula baptizem Corporis Acta mei!  
Sint Lachrymae Mentis Gaudia sola meae!  
Quae suaves aliquid, Nectaris instar, habent;  
Tristia qui spargit, Gaudia abindè metet;  
Laetitiae Segetem flebilis Unda parit:  
Langueo, sola sones Lachryma! Lingua sile.  Haec, Lector, siccis quì tueare Genis!  

Mundi Contemptus.  
DEliciae, Luxus, laqueata Palatia, Gemmae,  
Incautos, veluti blanda Venena, ●ecant;  
In Trabea Livor, Gemmâ Timor, Ira sub Auro;  
Bullatum his Pectus plurima Pestis agit.  
Est Honor umbra Rei. Quid Honoris Spes? minus umbrâ;  
Umbram finge umbrae, spes id Honoris erit;  
Dum placet, illudit; dum splendit, fallit; amoenam  
Sic referens bullam, frangitur illa micans:  
Aurea pacatam turbant Laquearia Mentem,  
Et Vigiles Noctes Purpura saepè trahit;  
Oblongas videt ire vigil sua Taedia Noctes,  
Praeque ipsis longas Noctibus ire Dies:  
Saepè Equitem excussit, fractâ Cervice Sedentis,  
Ad Titulos properans Ambitionis Equus:  
Illis, sceptrigeri quos lactat Gloria Mundi  
Auratis Tectis, fit peregrina Salus.  
Divitias Avidus per aperta Pericula Ponti,  
Retia quae Mentis, concumulare studet.  
Haec, mihi ne noceant cauto, cretata facessat  
Ambitio, & fulvi sordida Cura Luti.  
Felix qui streperi Ludibria rideat Orbis,  
Aspernans Aevi luxuriantis Opes.   

THE SWEETNESS OF RETIREMENT, OR The Happiness of a Private Life. CANTO XII. The Segregation.  
ARGUMENT.  
TV, mihi Thema, Quies Animae, sanctusque Recessus;  
Rores dum saturant me, Deus alme, tui.  
Vera Quies, Paucos nosti, notissima Paucis;  
Dum fugio Plures, te peto, vera Quies.  
Carmina Secessum? potius Devotio quaerit:  
Sic quadrant Modulis Pectora sancta suis.  
Turbat Apollineas clamosa Molestia Musas;  
Christicolae Modulos sed magìs illa gravat.  
Sit procul Vrbs, prope Vota mihi; mihi reddar, & intùs  
Plena Fide perstet Mens mea, plena Deo!  
Hoc Nemus est Templum, patuli Laquearia Rami;  
Fit sacrae Truncus quisque Columna Domûs:  
Pervia Sylva patens est Porta, Cacumina Pinnae;  
Baptismi Pignus Rivulus omnis habet:  
Dat Mensam Collis sacram mihi Cespite tectus;  
Pectoris Ara Fides, Zelus Amorque focus.  
Si quis Baptistes in Eremo praedicet, Ecce  
Pulpita, in arboreâ Sede locata, patent.  
Hìc licet elatâ dare Verba precantia Voce;  
Et si●e Teste, Deo nec nisi Teste, loqui.  
Ipsa monent tremulas quatientia Flamina frondes,  
Per nos fundendas Corde trement Preces.  
Antevolansque cavo Suspiria nostra Susurro,  
Dum gemit Aura levis, Tugeme, Cultor, ait.  
Voce Deum celebro; Concords sponte Choristae,  
Sunt Praecentores, dum modulantur, Aves.  
Amen subijcio; dat Amen, quasi Clericus, Echo.  
Sylva placet, Luxus Desidiose, Vale.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
True Bliss! Thou knowst but Few, to Few art known;  
While we eat Many, Thee alone  
We court, and All enjoy in Thee, when All are gone.  

STANZA I.  
WAste not an other Word on Fools; Forsake  
What grates the Ear, pure Notions take;  
Know, that the smoothest Hones, the sharpest Razors make.   

II.  
Ill suits it with a Russet Life, to write  
Court- Tissue: Swayns, by thresholds Sight,  
Observe, as well, as Lords by Clocks of Gold, Time's flight.   

III.  
Whose Crystal Shrines, like Oysters, gape each hour,  
Discovering Time by Figures Power:  
That is the nobler Watch, foreshows the threatening Shower.   

IV.  
While comb'rous Gain does various Cares obtrude,  
The richer Mind courts Solitude,  
And does Guile (subtle to beguile itself) exclude.   

V.  
More than high Greatness humble Goodness draws;  
Elm Rafters, mantled O'er with straws,  
Out-blesse Escurial Tours that seem heavens Cupulas.   

VI  
Each City-Shop's a Trap; each Toy, a Yoke;  
What Wiseman willingly would choke  
Himself in thicker Clouds of griping Care, than Smoke?   

VII.  
Who would not fly that Broil, whence Bliss is flown;  
Where, in Time's dregs, Religion's grown  
From Best, to All (flow Tears of Blood!) from All, to none.   

VIII.  
LORD, guide thy Church, which Interests empair;  
Who, without Knowledge, factious are,  
They little mind the Flock, so they the Fleece may share.   

IX.  
Why climbed they else the Pulpit, as Lot's Brother,  
With Fire in one Hand, Knife i'th' other?  
'Twas viprous Nero slew his own indulgent Mother.   

X.  
As Peace heavens Blessing; so is War His Rod,  
Manhunting Beast, a Scourge from GOD,  
Which doth unhinge the World; fierce Grapes in Wraths Press trod.   

XI.  
Let me, in Griefs Prerogative, be bold  
To question Such, as dare to hold  
That they the SHEPHERD loved, when they forsook the Fold.   

XII.  
Such Scramblers at the Shearing Feasts, I eat;  
Forgetting, and forgotten, run  
To fraudless Swains. I have a FRIEND compliant won;   

XIII.  
By his Example may my Life be penned,  
May He read, like Himself, his Friend:  
Souls in Conjunction should, like Stars, kind Influence send.   

XIV.  
Us Sympathy, the Minds true Priest, does join;  
'Tis Grace makes Sociall Love, divine;  
Tuned Octaves Uni'sons are, Duos in One combine.   

XV.  
When two enweaved are in one high Desire,  
They feel like ANGELS, mutual Fire;  
Flames Intellective live, material Flames expire.   

XVI.  
Vain World, thy Friends are Thiefs of Time; Twice they  
Are robbed; for, Time's Self steals away,  
Leaving a dull December for a sportive May.   

XVII.  
Fools Chat is built on Sand; But blest who hives  
Discourse, that on heavens Sweetness lives,  
Such, as to raise the Fire to highborn Virtue strives.   

XVIII.  
For Birds of Paradise the proper Fare  
Is purest Vapour of the Air;  
Souls nourished from the Influ'nce of GOD'S SPIRIT are.   

XIX.  
Dew fattens Earth, the Earth yields Plants, and then  
The Plants feed Beasts, the Beasts feed Men;  
Man on His WORD should feed, who gave him Origen.   

XX.  
From Public Roads, to private joy's our Flight;  
To view GOD'S Love, we leave Man's sight;  
Rich in the Purchase of a Friend, who gilds Delight.   

XXI.  
Thus go we, like the Heros of old Greece,  
In Quest of more than Golden Fleece,  
Retreating to sweet Shades, our shattered Thoughts we piece.   

XXII.  
So, when the Sun, Commander of the Day,  
Muffles with Clouds his glorious Ray,  
He clearer afterwards doth his bright Face display.   

XXIII.  
Kings, too much seen, grow mean. Renown does dawn  
From Cotts, unsightly hanged, and drawn  
With Spider-woven Arras, and their Cobweb-Lawn.   

XXIV.  
Victorious Charles the fifth, who had acquired  
Fame, Wealth, and what could be desired  
By greatest Emperors, left All, to live retired.   

XXV.  
That Sea-dividing PRINCE, whose Sceptered Rod  
Wrought Freedom to the Church of GOD,  
Made in the Mount of Horeb forty Days Abode.   

XXVI.  
In Wilderness the BAPTIST shined more clear,  
In Life's Night Starry Souls appear:  
They who Themselves eclipse, are to heavens Court more dear.   

XXVII.  
But, now what need we cite Examples more,  
This by our SAVIOUR heretofore  
Was practised, Who, whole Nights retired, did GOD implore.   

XXVIII.  
Examples are best Precepts. Sweet Secesse,  
The Nurse to inbred Happiness,  
How dost Thou Intellects with fuller Knowledge bless!   

XXIX.  
Waft us, All-guiding power, from wild Resort,  
By Cape of Hope, to Virtue's Port,  
Where Conscience, that strong Champion, safely guards the Fort.   

XXX.  
Here, Liberty, even from Suspicion free,  
Does terminate our Fears; by Thee  
We conquer Lusts: Each Sense wears Reason's Livery.   

XXXI.  
With Thee, like cloistered Snails, is better State,  
Than to be Lions in a Grate:  
The World hers, cooped like Bajazet, does captivate.   

XXXII.  
But, here (the Type of ever-smiling Joys,  
Without disturbing Fears, or Noise)  
We bright-eyed Faith, with quick-eyed Art, in Truth's Scale poise.   

XXXIII.  
Religious Mary's Leisure we above  
Encumbered Martha's Cares approve;  
Uncloystred, we this Course beyond Courts Splendour love.   

XXXIV.  
Seated in safe Repose (when circling Earth  
Suffers by Rage of War, and Dearth)  
Secure from Plagues and angry Seas, we manage Mirth.   

XXXV.  
The low-built Fortune harbours Peace, when as  
Ambitious high-rooft Babel's pass  
Through Storms; Content with Thankfulness each Blessing has.   

XXXVI.  
So fragrant Vilets, blushing Strawberries  
Close shrouded lurk from lofty Eyes,  
The Emblem of sweet Bliss, which low and hidden lies.   

XXXVII.  
No masked Fraud, no Tempest of black Woes,  
No flaunting Pride, no Rage of Foes,  
Bends hitherward, but soon is laid, or over-blows.   

XXXVIII.  
We rule our conquered Selves; what need we more?  
To gadding Sense we shut the Door;  
Rich in our Mind alone. Who wants himself, is Poor.   

XXXIX.  
Slander is stingless, Envy toothless here;  
The Russet is well lined we wear;  
Let Citts make Chains the Ensigns of their Pomp appear.   

XL.  
Faith linked with Truth, and Love with Quiet too,  
o'er pleasant Lawns securely go;  
The golden Age, like Jordan's Stream, does here reflow.   

XLI.  
For Fields of Combat, Fields of Corn are here,  
For Trooping- Tree-ranks appear;  
War steels the heart, but here we melt Heart, Eye, and Ear.   

XLII.  
O, might a sacred Muse Earth's Frenzy calm!  
On That we'd pour such suppling Balm,  
As might vain Trophies turn to an unfading Palm.   

XLIII.  
Then should each He, who wears the Face of Man,  
Discern their Emptiness, and span  
The Vulgars' trivial Idols, and their Follies scan.   

XLIV.  
Though in rough shells our Bodies kerneld are,  
Our Roof is neat, and sweet our Fare,  
Banished are noisome Vapours to the pent-up Air.   

XLV.  
No subtle Poison in our Cup we fear,  
Goblets of Gold such Horrors bear;  
No Palace Furies haunt, o rich CONTENT! thy Cheer.   

XLVI.  
How Great are Those who use, like Gold, their Clay;  
And who like Clay, Gold, Great are they;  
To Grandeur, slighted Titles are the ready Way.   

XLVII.  
Court's amplest Shine nor adds, nor takes from MINDS  
That pierce the World, true MERIT binds  
Bright Souls unto It, whilst Fog th'ignoble blinds.   

XLVIII.  
Humble, not slaved; without Discomfort sad;  
Timorous, without despair; and glad,  
Without wild Freaks we are. The World's or Fool, or Mad.   

XLIX.  
From Taurus when Sols Influence descends,  
And Earth with verdant Robe befriends,  
And richer Showers, than fell on Danae's Lap, dispends;   

L.  
When early Phosphor lights from Eastern Bed  
The gray-eyed Morn, with Blushes red;  
When Opal-Colours prank the Orient Tulips Head:   

LI.  
Then walk we forth, where twinkling Spangles show,  
Entinseling like Stars the Dew,  
Where Buds, like Pearls, and where we Leaves, like Em'ralds, view:   

LII.  
Birds by Grovets in feathered Garments sing  
New Ditties to the non-aged Spring;  
O, how those tracelesse Minstrels cheer up every Thing!   

LIII.  
To hear acquaint Nightingales, the Lutes o'th' Wood,  
And Turtle-Doves, by their Mates wooed,  
And smelling Vio'let sweets, how do These cheer the Blood!   

LIV.  
While teeming Earth flow'rd Satin wears, embossed  
With Trees, with Bushes shagged, with most  
Clear rivulets edged, by rocking Winds each gently tossed;   

LV.  
The branching Standarts of the chirping Grove,  
With rustling Boughs, and Streams that move  
In murmuring Rage, seem Nature's Consort, tuned by Love.   

LVI.  
We to their hoarse Laments lend listening Ears;  
And sympathise with them in Tears,  
Sadly remembering British Zions acted Fears!   

LVII.  
Then, our sad Hearts are pricked, whence spring forth Cries;  
From those, drained through the bruised Soul, rise  
Faith-fumes, by heavens Fire drawn, which drop through melting Eyes!   

LVIII.  
'Cause hungry Swords devoured Man's Flesh, like Food,  
And thirsty Spears were drunk with Blood:  
LORD, how thy Spouse turns mummyed Earth! her Gore a Flood!   

LIX.  
Edge-hill with Bones looked white, with Blood looked red,  
Mazed at the Number of the Dead:  
A Theme for Tears in unborn Eyes to be still shed!   

LX.  
How many bound with Iron, who did scape  
The Steel! and Death commits a Rape  
On them in jails, who Her defied in warlike Shape!   

LXI.  
Cross-biasnesse to Grace our Ruin spinned!  
Harrowed with Woes, be HEAVEN our Friend!  
Sodom against Nature, We against Light of TRUTH have sinned!   

LXII.  
This draws Eye-tribute from Compunctions Den;  
GRACE., guard thy prostrate Suppliant then,  
Who am the Chief of Sinners, and the Worst of Men!   

LXIII.  
My Gild before thy MERCY-SEAT I lay,  
For HIS sake save me, who gave way  
To die for Sinners! Ah, Sin kills HIM every Day!   

LXIV.  
Sin ne'er departs, till humbled in deep Fears,  
Embalmed in Prayers, and drowned in Tears,  
The fragrant Araby breathes no Perfume like Theirs.   

LXV.  
More fruitful Those, unwitnessed, appear;  
Gems are too cheap for every Tear:  
Deep Sorrow from It-Self doth its high Comfort rear.   

LXVI.  
Salt Tears, the pious Converts sweetest Sport,  
To hopeful Joys the entering Port,  
Ye waft blest Mariners to Zions glorious Court.   

LXVII.  
But whether stray'st thou, Grief? Pearld Dew arrays  
As yet the Virgin-Meads, whose Gays  
Unbarbed, perk up to prank the curled Stream that plays.   

LXVIII.  
By rushy-fringed Banks with purling Rill,  
Meandring underneath the Hill:  
Thus, Stream-like, glides our Life to Death's broad Ocean still.   

LXIX.  
The pleasant Grove triumphs with blooming May,  
While Melancholy scuds away;  
The painted Choir on motley Banks sweet Notes display.   

LXX.  
Earth's flow'r-wov'n Damask doth us gently woe,  
On her embroidered Mantle to  
Repose, where various Gems, like Constellations, show.   

LXXI.  
Ourselves here steal we from ourselves, by Qualms  
Of Pleasure, raised from new-coined Psalms,  
When Skies are blue, Earth green, and Meadows flow with Balms.   

LXXII.  
We there, on grassy tufted Tapestries,  
In guiltless Shades, by full-haired Trees,  
Leaning unpillowed Heads, view Nature's Ants, & Bees.   

LXXIII.  
Justly admiring more those agile Ants,  
Than Castle-bearing Elephants;  
Where Industry, epitomised, no Vigour wants.   

LXXIV.  
More than at Tusks of Boars we wonder at  
This Moths strange Teeth! Legs of this Gnat  
Pass large-limmed Griffins; Then on Bees we musing sat;   

LXXV.  
How Colonies, Realms Hope, they breed; Proclaim  
Their King; how Nectar-Courts they frame;  
How they in waxen Cells record their Prince's Fame:   

LXXVI.  
How Kings amidst their Bands in Armour shine;  
And great Souls in small Breasts confine;  
How under strictest Laws they keep up Discipline;   

LXXVII.  
How All agree, while their King lives, in one;  
But dead, the public Faith's o'erthrown,  
Their State becomes a Spoil, which was so plenteous grown.   

LXXVIII.  
Abstruser Depths! here Aristotle's Eye  
(That Ipse of Philosophy,  
Nature's Professor) purblind was, to search so high.   

LXXIX.  
Thinking, which Some deem Idleness, to me  
It seems Life's Heaven on Earth to be;  
By Observation GOD is seen in all we see.   

LXXX.  
Our Books are HEAVEN above us, Air and Sea  
Around, Earth under; Faith's our Stay,  
And Grace our Guide, the Word our Light, & CHRIST our Way.   

LXXXI.  
Friend, view that Rock, and think from Rocks green Wound  
How thirst-expelling Streams did bound:  
View Streams, and think how jordan did become dry Ground.   

LXXXII.  
View Seas, & think how Waves, like Walls of Glass,  
Stood fixed, while Hebrew Troops did pass;  
But closed the Pharian Host in one confused Mass.   

LXXXIII.  
These Flowers, we see to Day, like Beauty, brave,  
At Even will be shut up, and have  
Next Week their Death, then buried soon in Stalks, their Grave.   

LXXXIV.  
beauty's a Flower, Fame Puff, high State a Gaze,  
Pleasure a Dance, and Gold a Blaze,  
Greatness a Load: These soon are lost in Times short Maze!   

LXXXV.  
As solemn Statesmen slight mere childish toil,  
Framing Card-structures: ANGELS smile,  
And pity so, when Life straight flits, Man's tearing Broil.   

LXXXVI.  
Search Empires Dawn, unwind Times Ball again,  
Unreel through Ages its snarled Skein;  
Run back, like Sol on Ahaz Dial; See- All's vain.   

LXXXVII.  
This did I from THEOPHILA descry,  
(Not her fair-feathered Speech could fly  
To Ground, but my Ears Pitfall caught it instantly;   

LXXXVIII.  
Though her informing Voice be parted hence,  
Tides of impressive Notions thence  
Flow, soft as Shours on Balm, & sweet as Frankincense.)   

LXXXIX.  
The Conqueror who wades in Blood for Power,  
Cannot ensure th' ensuing Hour;  
Death soon may his Ovations sweetest Nectar sour.   

XC.  
All's vain. Th' Assyrian Lion, Persian Bear,  
Greek Leopard, Roman Eagle-where?  
Where is famed Troy, that did so proudly domineer?   

XCI.  
Troy's gone, yet Simois stays. O, Fortune's Play!  
That which was fixed is fled away,  
And only what was ever-flitting still does stay!   

XCII.  
Vast Pyramids upreared t'interre the Dead,  
Themselves, like Men, are sepulchred;  
Ambitious Obelisks, Ostents of Pride, Dust wed.   

XCIII.  
HEAVEN sees the crumbling Fabric of Earth's Ball,  
That Dust is Man's Original;  
To HIM All Nature is as withered Leaves that fall:   

XCIV.  
Terrestrials transient are. King's fight for Clods;  
heavens HEIR is mightier PRINCE by odds,  
Even All is His, and He is CHRIST'S, & CHRIST is GOD'S.   

XCV.  
Thoughts, dwell on This. Let's be our own Deaths-Head.  
The glorious Martyr lives, though dead,  
Sweet Rose, in his own fadelesse Leaves enveloped:   

XCVI.  
HEAVEN was his Watch, whose starry Circles wind  
All Ages up; the Hand that signed  
Those Figures, guides them; World, thy Clocks are false & blind.   

XCVII.  
Time in ETERNITY'S immense Book is  
But as a short Parenthesis;  
Man's Life, a point; GOD'S Day is never-setting Bliss.   

XCVIII.  
Could Man sum up all Times, so, as if there  
A Moment not remaining were;  
Yet all those close-thronged Figures seem but Ciphers here.   

XCIX.  
Could Calculators multiply times Glass  
To Myriad more of Years; alas,  
Those Sands, to This DURATION, as a Minute pass.   

C.  
Such mental Buds we from each Object take,  
And, for CHRIST'S Spouse, of Them we make  
Spiritual Wreaths, nor do we Her own Words forsake.   

CI.  
Arise, o, North, and thou, o, south-wind, blow;  
Let Scent of Flowers, and Spices flow,  
That the BELOVED may into his Garden go.   

CII.  
Whose Beauty Flowers, whose Height made lofty Trees,  
Whose Permanence made Time, & These  
Pay Tribute by Returns to HIM, as Springs to Seas.   

CIII.  
This steals our Soul from her thick Loom, t' aspire  
To Canzons, tined with Enthean Fire;  
Taking high Wing to soar up to the Angel-Quire.   

CIV.  
By such like Speculations would we sty  
To th' SUN of Righteousness! though I  
A Star am less than least of all the Galaxy.   

CV.  
The Burden to each Hymn is This. Thy Ways,  
LORD, are inscrutable! All Days,  
All Tongues, are few, are weak, to sound thy endless Praise▪   

CVI  
O, that a VOICE more audible, and high  
Than that shrill Trump, when All's on Fire,  
Might all men's Hearts & Tongues with thy Renown inspire!   

CVII.  
Nature, bless GOD, His Benefits be sung,  
While that an Ear can hear a Tongue;  
Commerce with HIM is th' only Trade, All else but Dung.   

CVIII.  
But Dung— the wild Inhabitant repeats  
From her inhospitable Seats:  
But, now 'tis Noon; prepare we for our costless Meats.   

CIX.  
LORD of all grassy and all glassy Plains!  
Whose mighty Hand doth wield Fates Reins,  
Who dost embase the Hills, emboss the woody Veins.   

CX.  
By THEE, the Pirate, who by Nile being bred  
Has Land for Table, Pool for Bed,  
Camels, Arabia's wand'ring Ships, by THEE are ●ed;   

CXI.  
THOU with thy inexpressibly immense  
Finger of active Providence,  
The World's great HARBINGER, dost All to Each dispense.   

CXII.  
Strict Temperance so cooks our Mess, that we  
With no Brain-clouds eclipsed be:  
The driest Clearness makes the brightest Ingeny.   

CXIII.  
The Mount's our Table, Grass our Carpet, Well  
Our Cellar, Trees our Banquet, Cell  
Our Palace, Birds our Music, and our Plate a Shell.   

CXIV.  
Nature, pays all the Score. Next Fountain has  
Bath, Drink, and Glass; but our Soul's Glass  
Presents Religion's Face. Our Meal's as short as Grace.   

CXV.  
See, where the udderd Cattle find us Food;  
As, those Sheep Cloth; these Hedg-rowes Wood  
See, now a Present brought us from the Neighbourhood:   

CXVI.  
Even th' Herb that Cramp and Toothache drives away▪  
And bribes Ear-Minstrels not to play;  
And from arched Roofs to spongy Bellows Dews does stay;   

CXVII.  
That makes quick Spirits and agile Fancy rove,  
And genuine Warmth i'th' Brain does move,  
'Bove Furs or Fires; Whose Pipe's both Ventiduct, & Stove;   

CXVIII.  
That mounts Invention with its active Smoke;  
Draught of Promethean fir'd-Air took,  
Renerves slack joints, and ransacks each Phlegmattick Nook.   

CXIX.  
That Lust cloys which Expectance swells; but, here  
Are DAINTIES, that whet Taste and Ear;  
Where all are cheered with joy, and overjoyed with Cheer.   

CXX.  
But, having traversed more of Ground to Day,  
Let us, for our Refreshment, stay,  
And with next rising Sun, complete next closing Lay.   

Irati saevas Maris evitare Procellas  
Quae potuit, felix est nimìs illa Ratis;  
Littoris optati Prospectu Navita gaudet;  
Gratulor emensam nec minùs ipse Viam.   Animi Pabulum Contemplatio.  


Tam formosa nitet, tam suauè THEOPHI●A. spiral,  
●umin● collustrat, perfundit Odoribus Auram:  
Est Opus exactum, quâvisque ex Parte politum,  
●orpore, nonse●us ac, effulget, Mente Venustas:  
Ingenium, Dulcedo, Decus, Symmetria grata,  
Absque Pari certant Vnitis Viribus Illâ.  
(THEOPHI●A's filled with Sweetness, & so 〈…〉  
〈…〉 her Breath perfumes 〈…〉  
〈…〉- composed 〈…〉  
Complete in Mind, & as exact in Feature●:  
〈…〉 & proportioned well,  
〈…〉 mee● without a Parallel.  
〈…〉   
THE PLEASURE OF RETIREMENT CANTO XIII. The Reinvitation.  
ARGUMENT.  
FElix qui Suus est, Animi propriique Monarcha;  
Laus est Imperii ponere Iura Sibi.  
Felice's Animae, pulso Plutone Tyranno,  
Queîs datur Elysiis imperitare Plagis!  
Maximus internum quisquis superaverit Hostem,  
Major Alexandro, Caesare major erit.  
Fabritium Aeacidae, Senecam praepono Neroni,  
Hic hiat Immenso, postulat Ille parùm.  
Ecquid habent Reges, nisi Membris Tegmen & Escam?  
Quae vel Nob●●cum vile Mapale tenet.  
Ipse mihi Regnum, summâ dominabor in Aula  
Mentis, & hôc quod sum vel minor esse velim.  
Rex est quem R●tio regit, & quem ducit Honestum;  
De Regno videas regia Sceptra queri.  
Aspice quid Cinere● sit Caesaris inter, & Iri,  
Est unus Color his omnibus, unus Odour.  
Ergo.  
Affectus superans, & qui superatur ab illis,  
Non nisi Victor ovat, non nisi Victus obit.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Who Chance, Change, Hopes, and Fears can underbring;  
Who can obey, yet rule each Thing,  
And slight Misfortune with a brave Disdain, He's King.  

STANZA I.  
WHen lavish Phoebus pours out melted Gold;  
And Zephyrs breath does Spice unfold;  
And we the blue-eyed Sky in Tissue-Vest behold.   

II.  
Then, view the Mower, who with big-swollen Veins,  
Wieldeth the crooked Sith, and strains  
To barb the flowery Tresses of the verdant Plains.   

III.  
Then view we Valleys, by whose fringed Seams  
A Brook of liquid Silver streams,  
Whose Water Crystal seems, Sand Gold, and Pebbles Gems;   

IV.  
Where bright-scaled gliding Fish on trembling Line  
We strike, when they our Hook entwine:  
Thence do we make a Visit to a Grave Divine.   

V.  
With harmless Shepherds we sometimes do stay,  
Whose Plainness does outvie the Gay,  
While nibbling Ewes do bleat, & frisking Lambs do stray.   

VI  
With Them, we strive to recollect, and find  
Dispersed Flocks of our rambling Mind;  
Internal Vigils are to that due Work designed.   

VII.  
No puffing Hopes, no shrinking Fears Them fright;  
No begging Wants on Them do light;  
They wed Content, while Sloth feels Want, & Bravery Spite.   

VIII.  
While Swains the burth'ning Fleeces shear away,  
Oat-pipes to pastoral Sonnets Play,  
And all the merry Hamlet Bells chime Holy Day.   

IX.  
In neighbouring Meads, with Ermine Mantles proud,  
Our Eyes and Ears discern a Crowd  
Of wide-horned Oxen, trampling Grass with Lowing loud.   

X.  
Next Close feeds many a strutting uddered Cow;  
Hard by, tired Cattle draw the Plough,  
Whose galled Necks with Toil and Languishment do bow.   

XI.  
Near which, in restless Stalks, waved Grain promotes  
The skipping Grasshoppers hoarse Notes;  
While round the airy Choristers distend their Throats.   

XII.  
Dry Seas, with golden Surges, ebb and flow;  
The ripening Ears smile as we go,  
With Boasts to crack the Barn, so numberless they show.   

XIII.  
When Sol to Virgo Progresse takes, and Fields  
With his prolonged Lustre gilds;  
When Sirius chinks the Ground, the Swain his Hope then builds.   

XIV.  
Soon as the Sultry Month has mellowed Corn,  
Gnats shake their Spears, and wind their Horn;  
The Hinds do sweat through both their Skins, & Shopsters' scorn.   

XV.  
Their Orchards with ripe Fruit impregned be,  
Fruit that from Taste of Death is free,  
And such as gives Delight with choice Variety.   

XVI.  
Yet who in's thriving Mind improves his State,  
And Virtue Steward Makes, his Fate  
Transcends; He's rich at an inestimable Rate.   

XVII.  
He shuns Prolixer Lawsuits; nor does wait  
At Thoughtful Grandees prouder Gate;  
Nor alarming Trumpets him, nor drowning Storms amate.   

XVIII.  
From costly Bills of greedy empirics free,  
From Plea of Ambo-dexters Fee,  
From Vicar Any Thing, the worst of all the Three.   

XIX.  
He in Himself, Himself to rule, retires;  
And can, or blow, or quench his Fires:  
All Blessings up are bound in bounding up Desires.   

XX.  
His little World commands the Great: He there  
Rich Memory has for Treasurer;  
The Tongue is Secretary to his Heart, and Ear.   

XXI.  
While May-days London Gallants take a Pride,  
Coached through Hide Park, to eye, be eyed,  
Which Days vain Cost might for the Poor a Year provide;   

XXII.  
He may to Groves of Myrrh in Triumph pace,  
Where Roots of Nature, Flowers of Grace,  
And Fruits of Glory bud. A Glimpse of HEAVEN the Place.   

XXIII.  
This the Spring-Garden to spiritual Eyes,  
Which fragrant Scent of Gums outvies;  
Three Kings had thence their triple mystic Sacrifice.   

XXIV.  
O, happi●● Walks, where CHRIST, and none beside  
Is Journeys End, and Way, and Guide!  
Where from the humble Plains are greatest Heights descried.   

XXV.  
Heav'nward his Gaze. Here does a Bower display  
His Bride-room, and SCRIPTURIA  
Herself is Bride; Each Morn presents his Marriage-Day.   

XXVI.  
What Ecstasie's in this delicious Grove!  
Th' unwitnessed Witness of his Love!  
What Power so strongly can as flamed Affections move!   

XXVII.  
The Larks, winged Travellers, that trail the Sky,  
Unsoyled with Lusts, aloft do fly,  
Warbling SCRIPTURIA, SCRIPTURIA on high.   

XXVIII.  
(T' have been affected by a Virgin Heir,  
Rich, young, and chaste, wise, good, and fair,  
Was once his first Delight, but HEAVEN restrained that Care!   

XXIX.  
Thou, Providence, didst both their Wills restrain;  
Thou mad'st their Losses turn to Gain;  
For Thou gav'st Heaven to her, on him dost Blessings rain!)   

XXX.  
But stop, pleased Thoughts; A high'r Love's here designed;  
Fit in each Breast to be enshrined;  
Bright Angels do admit no Sex, nor does the Mind.   

XXXI.  
To all her Lovers thousand Joys accrue;  
And Comforts, thicker than May's Dew,  
Shower down on their rapt Souls, as Infinite as new!   

XXXII.  
Her Oracles directing Rules declare,  
Unerring Oracles, Truth's Square;  
Her Soul-informing Light does Earth for HEAVEN prepare.   

XXXIII.  
All beatizing Sweets, as in their Hive,  
At her fair Presence do arrive,  
Which are to drooping Spirits best Restorative.   

XXXIV.  
To whose Sight Eagles, paralleled, are blind;  
Had Argus thousand Eyes, he'd find  
Darkness, compared with her illuminating Mind.   

XXXV.  
The Sun does glean his Splendour from her Eyes;  
Thence burn we ' in Sweets, as Phoenix lies  
Glowing on Sols Ray-darted Pile of Spiceries.   

XXXVI.  
From precious Limbeck sacred Loves distil  
Such Sublimations, as do fill  
Minds with amazed Raptures of their Chemic Skill.   

XXXVII.  
That such Soul-Elevations still might stay,  
We'd bear and do, both vow and pay,  
And serve the LORD of Lords by her directive Way!   

XXXVIII.  
Soon as our Ear drinks in His Command,  
Be't acted by our Heart, and Hand;  
Under his Banner we shall Satan's Darts withstand.   

XXXIX.  
May He accept the Music of our Voice,  
While on his Goodness we rejoice,  
And while each melting Psalm makes on His GRACE its Choice.   

XL.  
On feast-days from that Bour to Church we haste,  
Where HEAVEN dissolves into Repast,  
When we Regalios of the mystic BANQUET taste.   

XLI.  
O, Deliccays, infinitely pure!  
To Souls best Nutriment and Cure!  
Where Knowledge, Faith, and Love Beatitude ensure.   

XLII.  
Poor Solomon's Provision, poor to This,  
Manna, Heav'n-dewing Banquet, is:  
Who reigns in Heaven becomes on Earth our Food and Bliss.   

XLIII.  
O, Sacramental Cates, divinely dressed!  
GOD the Feast-maker, CHRIST the Feast,  
The HOLY GHOST Inviter, and the Soul the Guest!   

XLIV.  
All joys await the blessed Convives, knit  
All Excellencies are in It,  
This overcomes our Spirits, overpowrs our Wit!   

XLV.  
For us, poor Worms, that ●lories SOVEREIGN died!  
O, let our fleshly Barks still ride  
At Anchor in calm Streams of His empierced SIDE!   

XLVI.  
This is heavens Antepast! By Union  
He's One to ●ll, and All to One  
In Love's intrinsic Mystery to Souls alone!   

XLVII.  
Ecstatick Raptures lose our Hearts on high  
With Joys Ineffabilitie!  
Exub'rant Sweets orewhelm, as Torrents, Tongue & Eye.   

XLVIII.  
Such Life-infusing Comforts, from Above,  
Our Souls with inward Motions move,  
That totally for GOD we quit all Creature Love!   

XLIX.  
Should HE condemn us, yet would Love compel  
Him down with us, and we would dwell  
Rather than without HIM in Heaven, with HIM in Hell.   

L.  
Soul of my Soul! when I a joy receive  
Disjoined from THEE, let my Tongue cleave  
To's Palate! Me of All, not of this Feast bereave!   

LI.  
Not in the winter Solstice of my Years,  
When shivering Snow surrounds deaf Ears,  
And dreary Languishment Death's ghastly Vizard wears;   

LII.  
When they shall tremble that the House defend;  
The Columns which support it bend;  
The Grinders fail, the Watch through Casements Objects blend;   

LIII.  
Then shine, dear LORD! when quivering Winter Dress  
Is icicled with hoary Tress;  
When all Streams frozen are, but Tears, through Love's Excess;   

LIV.  
When periwiged with Snow's each baldpate Wood,  
Bound in Ice-Chains each struggling ●lood;  
When North-Seas bridled are, pris'ning their scaly Brood.   

LV.  
Then let those freezing How're be thawed by Prayer!  
As Wells in Winter warmer are  
By Circumsession of refrigerating Air.   

LVI.  
That, nipped with Cold, or parched with Heat, resign  
We may our Will in each to THINE,  
Be't less or more, be't low or high, be't Storm or Shine.   

LVII.  
After Night's Soot smears Heaven, Day gilds its Face;  
Wet April past, sweet May takes place;  
And Calm Air smiles, when ruffling Winds have run their Race.   

LVIII.  
Who hope for Mines, scorn Dross; Such only get  
Who lose a Game to win the Set:  
Worldlings, He's rich who's Above's his Cabinet.   

LIX.  
To well-tuned Tempers Things that disagree  
Have oft some Likeness; thus, we see  
Wind kindles Fire; Discord makes Concord Harmony.   

LX.  
Affliction tunes the Breast to rise, or fall,  
Making the whole Man Musical;  
We may Affliction Christians second Baptism call.   

LXI.  
Who CHRIST for Spouse, his Cross for Jointure has;  
His Hand supports, where's Rod doth pass:  
The LORD of Angels, He the KING of Sufferings was.   

LXII.  
Love's Life took Death, that Death Loves Life might gain!  
The Sovereign died that Slaves might reign!  
The World can't Books that should be writ of HIM contain.   

LXIII.  
Those have the greatest Cross, who Cross ne'er bore;  
They're rich in Want, who GOD adore;  
Who does supply all Emptiness with His full Store.   

LXIV.  
Saint Paul, the Gentiles Doctor, rich 'bove Kings,  
And high 'bove Oratories Wings,  
Rapt up to HEAVEN, had Nothing, yet possessed all Things.   

LXV.  
The Rav'n of Birds proves Caterer, and feasts  
Elijah; so the Lion of Beasts  
Was Samsons Purveyor; Quails to murmuring Jews were Guests.   

LXVI.  
Midst Thorns environed, Love sweet Roses finds;  
Steep ways lie plain t●inamor'd Minds;  
Love gilds all Chains (surprised not thralled) with Comfort binds.   

LXVII.  
Then, threaten, World, a Goal shall bolt me in;  
He's free, as Air, who serves not Sin;  
who's gathered in Himself, His self is his own Inn.   

LXVI●I.  
Then let fierce Goths their strongest Chains prepare;  
Grim Scythians me their Slave declare;  
My Soul being free, those Tyrants in the Face I'll stare.   

LXIX.  
Man may confine the Body, but the Mind  
(Like Nature's Miracles, the Wind  
And Dreams) does, though secured, a free enjoyment find.   

LXX.  
Rays drawn in to'a point more vigorous beam;  
Joys more to Saints, engoaled, did stream;  
Linnets their Cage to be a Grove, Bars Boughs esteem.   

LXXI.  
Burnished to Glory from Afflictions Flame,  
From Prison to a Scepter●came  
The loved and feared ELIZA-Titles veil t'Her Name.   

HAving reform Religion: established Peace: reduced Coin to the just value: delivered Scotland from the French: revenged domestical Rebellion▪ saved France from headlong Ruin by Civil War: supported Belg●a: overthrown the Spanish invincible Navy: expelled the Spaniards out of Ireland: received the Irish into Mercy: enriched England by her most prudent Government 45 Years: Elizabeth a virtuous and triumphant Queen: in the 70th year of her Age, in most happy and peaceable manner departed this Life: leaving here her mortal parts until by the last Trump she shall rise immortal.   

LXXII.  
She passed the Furnace to be more refined;  
From Flames drew Purity of Mind,  
Not heat of Passion; hence, being tried, She brighter shined.   

LXXIII.  
Here wound, here launce me, LORD, thy Austin cries,  
Dissect me here for Paradise!  
The Cross the Altar be, so Love be Sacrifice!   

LXXIV.  
Imprint thy LOVE so deep into my Heart,  
That neither Hunger, Thirst, nor Smart,  
Gain, Loss, nor Thraldom, Life nor Death Us ever part!   

LXXV.  
Should Foes rip up my Breast with piercing Blade,  
My Soul would but have Passage made,  
Through which to HEAVEN she might in Purple rivulets wade.   

LXXVI.  
Forbid the Banes 'twixt Soul and Body joined,  
The Corpse but falls to be refined,  
And re-espoused unto the Glorified high Mind.   

LXXVII.  
Who makes th' ALMIGHTY his Delight, He goes  
To Martyrdom, as to Repose;  
The Red Sea leads to PALESTINE, where all joy flows.   

LXXVIII.  
Steeled against Afflictions Anvel, let's become  
Proud of the World's severest Doom;  
No Majesty on Earth is like to Martyrdom.   

LXXIX.  
Enter into thy Master's joy ' s so great,  
This Thought is with such Flames replete,  
That from th' High Court of Mercy Souls all Death's defeat.   

LXXX.  
Who saith, Fear not, HIM must we fear alone;  
Blest, whom no Fear makes Faith be gone;  
How many must they fear, who fear not only ONE!   

LXXXI.  
We are but once to our Graves Port brought in,  
To which from Birth w' have sailing been,  
It matters not what Way, so we scape Rocks of Sin.   

LXXXII.  
But, hark, 'tis late; the Whistlers knock from Plough;  
The droyling Swineheards' Drum beats now;  
Maids have their Curtsies made to th' spungy-teated Cow.   

LXXXIII.  
Larks roosted are, the folded Flocks are penned  
In hu●dled Grates, the tired Ox sent  
In loose Trace home, now Hesper lights his Torch 〈◊〉 Tent.   

LXXXIV.  
See glimmering Light, the Pharos of our Cot;  
By Innocence protected, not  
By Guards, we thither tend, where Ev'n-song's not forgot   

LXXXV.  
O, Prayer! Thou Anchor through the Worldly Sea!  
Thou sov'raign empiric, 'bove the Plea  
Of Flesh! that feedest the fainting Soul, thou art 〈◊〉 Key.   

LXXXVI.  
Blessed Season, when Day's Eye is closed, to win  
Our Heart to clear th' Account, when Sin  
Has passed the Audit, Ravishments of Soul begin.   

LXXXVII.  
Who never wake to meditate, or weep,  
Shall ●ure be sentenced for their Sleep;  
Night to forepast Day should still strict Centrie keep.   

LXXXVIII.  
O let them perish midst their flaring Clay,  
Who value Treasures with a Day  
Devoutly spent! faith's the true Gem, the World a Gay.   

LXXXIX.  
So wasteful, Vs●rer, as thyself, there's None,  
Who 〈◊〉 three true Gems for one  
〈…〉; Thy Rest, Fam●, Soul for ever gone!   

XC.  
When 〈◊〉 Mists our Hemisphere invade,  
Of all the Air when one Blot's made,  
〈…〉   

XCI.  
Then for an Hour, (Elixir of Delight!)  
We, Heaven beleag'ring, pray and write,  
When every Eye is locked, but those that watch the Night.   

XCII.  
Saints fight on bended Knees; their Weapons are  
Defensive Patience, Tears, and Prayer;  
Their Valour most, when without Witness, Hell does scare.   

XCIII.  
May whiter Wishes, winged with Zeal, appear  
Lovely unto Thy purest Ear,  
Where nothing is accepted but what's chaste, and clear!   

XCIV.  
Life's hectic Fits find Cordials in Prayers Hive,  
Transcendently Restorative,  
Which might our Iron Age to its first Gold retrieve.   

XCV.  
See, listening Time runs back to fetch the Age  
Of Gold, when Prayer does Heaven engage;  
Devotion is Religion's Life-blood; 'tis God's Page,   

XCVI.  
Who brings rich Bliss by Bills of sure Exchange;  
The Blessings that the Poor arrange  
For Alms received that Day, beatifies our Grange.   

XCVII.  
Dance, nabal's, with large Sails on smiling Tides,  
Till the black Storm against you rides,  
Whose pitchy Rains interminable Vengeance guides!   

XCVIII.  
But, LORD, let Charity our Table spread;  
Let Unity adorn our Bed;  
And may soft Love be Pillow underneath our Head!   

XCIX.  
Enriched, le's darn up Want; what Fortune can  
Or give, or take away from Man,  
We prise not much: HEAVEN pays the good Samaritan.   

C.  
Thus, Life, still blessing, and still blest, we spend;  
Thus entertain we Death, as Friend,  
To disapparel us for GLORIES endless End.   

CI.  
Who, thus forgot, in Graces grows, as Years,  
Loves cherished Prayer, unwitnessed Tears,  
Rescued from monstrous Men, no other Monster fears.   

CII.  
They who their dwelling in Abdera had,  
Did think Democritus was mad;  
He knew 'twas so of them. The Application's sad.   

CIII.  
Knew but the World what COMFORTS, tiding on,  
Flow to such Recollection,  
It would run mad with Envy, be with Rage undone.   

CIV.  
O, Sequestration! Rich, to Worldlings Shame;  
A Life's our Object, not a Name:  
Herostratus did sail, like Witch, i'th' Air of Fame.   

CV.  
Get long-breathed Chronicles, ye need such Alms,  
Sue from Diurnal Breefs for Palms,  
Injurious Grandeur for its frantic Pride wants Balms.   

CVI  
In Airy Flatteries Rumour, not Fame lies;  
Inconstancy, Time's Mistress, cries  
It up, which soon by arguing Time, Truth's Parent, dies.   

CVII.  
Fame's Plant takes Root from Virtue, grows thereby;  
Pure Souls, though Fortune-trod, stand high,  
When mundane shallow-searching Breath Itself shall die.   

CVIII.  
O, frail Applause of Flesh! swollen Bubbles pass.  
Turf-fire more Smoke than Splendour has;  
What Bulwark firm on Sand? What shell for Pearl may pass?   

CIX.  
But Saints with an attentive Hope from High,  
On heavens Paroll do live and die;  
Passing from Life's short Night to Day's ETERNITY.   

CX.  
Wh● blessedly so breathe, and leave their Breath,  
Of dying Life make living Death;  
Each Day, spent like the last, does act a HEAVEN beneath.   

CX●.  
Death's one long Sleep, and humane Life no more  
Than one short Watch an Hour before:  
World! after thy mad Tempest 'tis the landing Shore.   

CXII.  
Mid point betwixt the Lives of Loss, and Gain;  
The Path to boundless joy, or Pain;  
Saints Birthday, Nature's Dread: GRACE. doth this Bandog chain.   

CXIII.  
When Moses from high Pisgahs' Top descried  
Fair Canaan, Type o'th' HEAVENLY B●IDE,  
He breathed out his Joy-ravisht Soul, so sweetly died.   

CXIV.  
To IMMORTALITY the Grave's a Womb;  
We pass into a Glorious Room  
Through the gloomy Entry of a narrow Tomb.   

CXV.  
LORD, as THOU mad'st (most powerful ONE in THREE)  
The World of nothing; so, let me  
Make nothing of the World, but make my All in THEE!   

CXVI.  
Pardon the By-steps that my Soul has trod,  
Most Great, Good, Glorious, Gracious GOD!  
Seal THOU the Bill of my Divorce to Earth's dull clod!   

CXVII.  
Thy boundless Source of GRACE. the scarlet Spot  
Scoured white as Wool, that first did blot  
Th' Original in Man, that was so fairly wrote.   

CXVIII.  
Check not my Hope, but spur my Fear to THEE,  
Virtue to court, and Vice to flee!  
Love, lend thou me thy Spur; Fear, thou my Bridle be.   

CXIX.  
From hence, to run in Heavenly Paths, I'll strive;  
My slender Pen to th' World I give;  
My only study shall be how to live, to live.   

CXX.  
None Blest, but Those, who, when last Trump shall send  
It Summons, find the JUDGE their Friend.  
The End doth crown the Work; great GOD crown thou my END.   

O, ter felicent, fortunatumque quieto  
Cui natat in Portu nescia Cymba Metûs!  
ODEUS! optato sistant mea Carbasa Coelo!  
Omnis ab aethereis Spes sit habenda Plagis.   — Est summus, JESUS, tua Gratia Quaestus.  

VIvitur exiguo-Facilè assentior sapientissimo Aguri, DEUM obsecranti ut nec Divitias sibi, nec Egestatem, sed tantùm ad degendam Vitam donaret Necessaria. Vita privata, quam delectas! Corporis spectem Valetudinem? Nusquam salubrior Aer. Frugalitatem? Nusquam minoris vivitur. Quaestum? Nusquam Lucrum innocentius. Vitae Integritatem? Nusquam alibi minùs Corruptelae.  

Navis es in Portu, tumidae secura Procellae;  
Mens Desideriis hîc vacat alta suis.  
Liberiore POLUM contemplor Cord, quiescit  
Hîc Mens tuta, sibi libera, plena DEO.  
Quae, sibi multa petit, petit anxia multa, Voluntas;  
Et cui plura dedit Sors, Mala plura dedit.  
Alta cadunt, inflata crepant, cumulata fatiscunt;  
Crimine vixque suo plena Crumena caret.  
Celsior immundi Mens despicit Orgia Mundi,  
Indignabundo proterit illa Pede.  
Munde, vale; quid me fallacibus allicis Hamis?  
Sophrosynen sacrâ Sobrietate colo:  
Regia sit ramosa Domus, Rivusque Falernum;  
Arcta, sed ampla, DEUM si capit, illa Domus.  
Florea gemmatâ subrident Pascua Veste,  
Faetaque nativas explicat Arbor Opes.  
Caltha, Rosae, Tulipae, Violae, Thyma, Lilia florent,  
Dum gravido Zephyrus rore maritat Humum.  
Frugibus exultant Valles, Grege Pascua, Rupes  
Fontibus, intonso Crine triumphat Ager;  
Terra Famem, levat Vnda Sitim, fugat Vmbra Calorem;  
Dat Togam Ovis, Lignum Sylva, Focumque Silex.  
Quod satìs est Vitae, satìs est; Praestetur Egenis  
Quod reliquum: Vitae sat Toga, Panis, Aqua.  
Non Mensis quaecunque Dapes celebrantur in istis  
Praegustantis egent; Vite Venena latent.  
Hîc Parasitus abest, fugit hinc Gnathonica Pestis;  
Cura nec hîc Animos irrequieta coquit.  
Cholica, Spasmus, Hydrops, Vertigo, Podagra recedunt;  
Grata Sapore beat Mensa, Sopore Thorus.  
Pange DEO Laudes, positis Mens libera Curis;  
Caetera si desint, NUMINE dives eris.  
Sis modico contenta, gravis Nulli; Ipsa Misellis  
Quas impendis Opes, has an habebis? habes.  
Quod CHRISTUM decuit, deceat Te. Noverit uti  
Quisquis praesenti Sorte beatus erit.  
Sic Abrahae gaudebo Sinu; dum, Dives, in Orco  
Aeternùm diro deliciose peris.  
Vita beata, tuas quî possim pangere laudes?  
Mille cui Vitas, si mihi mille, darem!   

Da, velut spero, bene, CHRIST, spirem!  
Da, velut credo, bene, CHRIST, vivam!  
Vnus hac qui Spe fruitur, fruetur  Mortuus ASTRIS.  

Amico  
Si lenis tremulâ Quies in Vmbra  
Sit Cordi, huc propera, ferasque Tecum  
Totum quicquid habes Libentiarum.    

THEOPHILAES AMORIS HOSTIA. CANTIO VII. A Domino Jeremiâ Colliero in Versus latiales traducta. Contemplatio.  
ARGUMENTUM.  
Proripit in vastum Lucis se VIRGO Profundum,  
Quam nullae exequent Voces, nec Limite claudant;  
Obtundunt Radii Visum, renovantque Vigorem.  

Tristicon 1.  
SI Maro Quisque foret, fierent si quique Marones  
Praecones sacri, Conventus & Orbis apertus,  
Quo scrutarentur Virtus AETERNA quid esset.   

2.  
Si vel ab innocuis possent deducere Cunis  
Primaevum Tempus, congestaque Secula mille  
Inferrent Trutinae; tamen haec sub Pondere justo   

3.  
Ponentes, norînt tandem non mominis esse  
Majoris, frustrà quam si cum Sole potenti  
Exiles tentent atomos librare Bilance.   

4.  
Si Terrae Molem numeris spectare refertam  
Possent, non istis tua constet Summa Figuris,  
AETERNO cyphrae comparent qualitèr AEVO!   

5  
Si Sabulum flueret, per Saecula mille marinum,  
Quando deficeret vacuatis Littus Arenis,  
Aequè TE primò mensum est Clepsammion illud.   

6.  
Coelitùs impertita foret Facundia, Linguis  
Aligeros referens, Spatium tamen haud aequarent,  
Est ubi prorsus idem cum fluxis OMNE futurum.   

7.  
Tende FIDES bolidem, brevis at nimìs illa nequibit  
Expertis Fundi Maris explorare PROFUNDUM,  
Limite constricti nullo, nec Littore cincti.   

8.  
AETERNA haud unquam commensurabilis Aetas,  
Nulla TUI partem poterit describere Penna;  
CIRCULUS es siquidem cui non est Terminus ullus.   

9  
Velure cujus Centrum tam se diffuderit, ipsum  
Ambitus ingentis nequeat circundare COELI,  
Exterius poterit quid circumcingere Corpus?   

10.  
Vos, quibus Aethereus Vigour est, num Fine carentem  
Finem exquiratis? num IMMENSUM extendere fasest?  
Claudere UBIQUE manens? comprêndere & INFINITUM?   

11.  
Hujus Zona DEUS sine puncto, maximus, Orbis  
Ante Mare, et Terras, et quod tegit omnia CO●LUM,  
Qui fuit, est, & erit cum cuncta creata peribunt.   

12.  
Quin contemplemur suprà Sublimia quaeque,  
Vltra quemque Locum, super omnes Luminis Orbes!  
Pectus Apostolicum rapuit Radiatio trinum.   

13.  
Circumquaque micans. SOLIUM Praesigne! supremo  
Imperio constans, & Majestate verendâ!  
Caetera transcendens, quem nullus Fulgor adaequet!   

14.  
Cingit utrumque LATUS vel inenarrabile LUMEN!  
Quod circumfusum tanto SPLENDORE coruscat,  
Aequora Laetitiae superet flammantia mille.   

15.  
Quod sic EFFULGENS si conspectare liceret,  
Detectâ FACIE Cherubinis, Lumine tanto  
Perculsi, in Nihilum remearent illicò primum.   

16.  
Indue Te Tunicâ, dives Natura, coruscâ,  
Ornamenta tamen, tanto collata decori,  
Sunt tua, concretus seu lapsus Nubibus Humor.   

17.  
Indorum posses Opibus spoliare Fodinas,  
Illos, auratis, Radiosque recludere, Cellis,  
Qui collucentes cum Phoebi Lampade certant:   

18.  
Arcanâ posses reserare peritiùs Arte  
Intima cujusvis ditis penetralia Rupis,  
Illinc Thesauros nec non auferre nitentes:   

19  
Errantes, fixasque simul connectere Stellas  
Posses, quae rutilis exornant Aethera Bullis,  
Luminis ut coeant cuncti Orbes Sydus in unum:   

20.  
jungere si posses Gemmas, Aurique Fodinas,  
Aethereasque Faces, radiata Reflectio quarum  
Fulgida rivalis superaret Lumina Solis:   

21.  
Si Lapides Gemmae, riguum Mare funderet Aurum,  
Margara si Pulvis fieret, Chrystallus & Aer,  
Sol quodvis Sydus, plures Sibi mille Nitores;   

22.  
Gemmae illae Silices essent, Mare parva lacuna,  
Stellae istae Scintilla forent, Flagratio Phoebus:  
Aurum, Gemma micans, Adamantes, sordida Scruta:   

23.  
Si Terrae, complexa forent, & Lumina COELI,  
Optica & unius peterent Confinia Centri,  
Hoc prius Objectum vel caecum redderet illud.   

24.  
Caecum, seu piceae Velamen Noctis opacum,  
(Innuitur Sacro duntaxat Visio Textu)  
Hujus respectu LUCIS sunt quaelibet Vmbrae.   

25.  
O, planè infandam, summoque Stupore refertam!  
Si Nemo nisi qui dignus describere possit,  
Hanc sanè LUCEM possit describere Nemo.   

26.  
Selecti Eloquii cujusvis languet Acumen,  
Defecit Ingenium, Verborum hîc curta supellex;  
Hanc Lumen Mentis nullius tranet ABYSSUM.   

27.  
Hîc residet tantis circundata GLORIA Flammis,  
Quales confundant Aciem vel maximè acutam,  
Huc tendat propiore nimis quae improvida Gressu.   

28.  
SPLENDOR dimanat talis Fulgoribus istis,  
Qualis pulveream sublimet in ardua Molem,  
Vrnâ quae compôsta secùs remanêret inerti.   

29.  
NUMINIS ante Thronum Summi provolvo meipsum,  
Profluit undè Bonum quodvis ut ab ubere Fonte:  
Hoc Decus ut pandam faveat tua GRATIA Coeptis.   

30.  
Magne DEUS, sine Principio, tamen omnis Origo,  
Cujus Naturae telam Manus inclyta nevit;  
Vná qui Virtute tuà Loca singula comples.   

31.  
Alme PARENS rerum; qui fulcis quodque creatum,  
Vitam Spiritibus qui praebes, continuasque,  
Ortus es ipse Tibi, Bonitatis Origo supremae.   

32.  
Laetitiae SUMMA es, cujus Sapientia Abyssus,  
Ad quodvis sese tendit tua vasta Potestas,  
Ac cunctos Facies reddet jucunda beatos.   

33.  
Aeris expansis puncto dilaberis Alis,  
Induis Augustae Te Majestatis amictu,  
TE Nubes velant, TE stipant Agmina Coeli.   

34.  
Omnis Honoris Apex, Summae es Fastigia Laudis,  
Ad Radios latè sparsos suffusa Pudore  
Hymnos decantat, coelestis Turma, perennes.   

35.  
Gemmae quam superant vitrum! quam Sidera Gemmas!  
Sidera quam Phoebus! quam Phoebum Gloria Coeli!  
Pur●o● ast ipsis longè est tua VISIO COELIS.   

36.  
Magna quidem Tellus, se profert latiùs Aer,  
Planetae excedunt, Stellarum Regia major,  
Supremi fines nec habent Tentoria Coeli.   

37.  
Mens mea dum Zelo conatur plura referre  
Fervida protenso, Pectus, DEUS alme, repleto  
Igne novo, nullum languorem Carmina noscant.   

38.  
Cum super Aerios tractus, & Sidera Musae  
Vrgeo Progressus, uni TIBI mille videntur  
Sphaerae, non secus ac atomi sub Sole minuti   

39  
Est Aetas aeterna tibi seu clepsydra tantum,  
Immensum nisi sit Spatium complere valet nil▪  
Cujus sex Verbis rerum Natura creata est.   

40.  
Omnia complectens totius Fabrica Coeli,  
Cum Stellis rutilis, Verbo surgebat ab uno,  
Quomodò mortalis narret Sapientia NOMEN?   

41.  
Aetheris, Arbitrio, Crystalla micantia volvis,  
Illis consignat Virtus tua coelica Metas,  
Obliquos horum moderatur Dextera Currus.   

42.  
Nullae Te Zonae, Tropic●ve, Pol●ve retardent,  
Cum sis Sphaeralis Motor ` Primarius Orbis,  
Intra, extra, supra, quìn ultrà singula perstans.   

43.  
Ingentes Pluviae atque Nivis sustentat acervos  
Omnipotens tua sola Manus, quâ nempè remotâ  
Diluvium humanum perdat genus omne secundum.   

44.  
Hisce ministratur stillatis Copia Terris,  
Et confisa ●IBI mortalia Corda replentur,  
Flamina Ventorum peragunt tua Jussa per Orbem;   

45.  
Haec Tu, quando voles, caecis inclusa cavernis  
Constringis, vilidoque sinis prorumpere motu,  
Vndè Tremore gravi Tellus concussa dehiscit.   

46.  
Vndarum furias Vinclis compescis Arenae,  
Oceani arcanum vasti scrutare Profundum,  
Te memorem pacti monstrat Thaumantias Iris.   

47.  
Cardinibus Verbi Tellus innixa potentis,  
Aer quam cingit, nec non circumfluus Humor,  
Ponderibus librata suis immobilis astat.   

48.  
Ejus sed Frontem Te corrugante Columnae  
Firmatae trepidant, Fremitu Mare Littora plangit,  
Solvuntur Silicum Rupes, Montesque vacillant.   

49.  
Insuper intremuêre Poli, Centrumque recussum  
Terrae, quae Vultûs perculsa Stupore verendi,  
Accedit Montem Sina dum summa POTESTAS.   

50.  
Imbutum Vitâ quodvis tua Cura focillat,  
Divinis Cursum cujusvis flectis Habenis,  
Gratia de Vultu, de Vultu Gloria manat.   

51.  
Non Tibi sunt Aures, non sunt Tibi Lumina, verùm  
Percipis Auditu quodvis, & cernis acutè;  
Te Locus haud capiat, tamen Ipse per Omnia praesens.   

52.  
Optica coelestis dicamus Specla Pronoias,  
Arcam, quâ positas Idaeas videris omnes,  
Ad quas conceptas formaveris Icona quamvis.   

53.  
Quippè praeexistunt sic hîc Eventa futura,  
Sicut abhinc multo non tempore gesta fuissent;  
Cernimus haud dissecta recèns tàm Corpora clarè.   

54.  
Totus ubique s●mel remanes, Tu semper es idem,  
Attamen Arbitrio commutas omnia solo,  
Tu complêre remota soles Immobilis Ipse.   

55.  
Sic interponunt se contingentia Turmis  
Sollerti Curae, quae mirè cuncta gubernat,  
Ac modò praeteritum, sit praeteritumque futurum.   

56.  
Arbitrio quamvis malè fint conformia quaedam,  
Nil tamen omninò citra hoc procedat in Actum;  
Praevia, successura simul manet una Voluntas.   

57  
Te penes ingentis sunt Climata dissita Mundi,  
Quamvis nec Tellus, nec Temet continet Aether,  
Obscurum lustrat Praesentia quodlibet-antrum.   

58.  
Quamvis ab istis quas tu formaveris olim  
Mentibus, accedat nil ad Praeconia clara,  
Attamen aeternùm celebrabunt munera Amoris.   

59  
Praeter Peccatum & Mortem tu cuncta creasti,  
Haec sua Stultitiae humanae primordia debent,  
Illud Naturam conspersit Sordibus omnem.   

60.  
Sed quò curares Peccati Vulnera, Nobis  
Donas IMMANUEL, sibi qui non sumere nostram  
Naturam renuit, qui non Praesepe recusat.   

61.  
O, dulcis noster Mediator! Munera cujus  
Laudis seu rores, AETERNO, matutini  
Sunt celebrata Choro caelesti Cantibus altis.   

62.  
Concurrrente, Deus, genuit Te Flamine Sancto,  
Tu Verbo aeterno contentus sumere Carnem;  
Qualitèr emanas homini fas dicere non est.   

63.  
Sicut ab Aeterno fuit Emanatio mira;  
Haec sic aeternum mir●e durabit in aevum:  
Principio Verbum, monstrat Te cuncta praeisse.   

64.  
Vnum est esse Tibi, paritèr Tutrinus & unus;  
Et duplex Natura Tibi conspirat in unâ,  
Ipse trin-unius resides Deitatis Honore;   

65.  
Deque tuo Radii Solio tot mille refulgent,  
Quales Aligerûm non possint Lumina ferre;  
De quibus evolvunt Nil docta Noemata Cleri.   

66.  
Aetatum, pateat, Monumenta legendo priorum,  
Haec sacra quòd nullus potuit Mysteria nobis  
Pandere, Virgineo prius ac sunt edita Partu:   

67.  
Nido à Se structo fuit hîc exclusa Columba,  
Ille Gregem partus fuit hîc qui protegat Agnus,  
Se producentem, Flos, qui formaverat Agrum:   

68  
Agmine Coelicolûm Te Concelebrante corusco;  
Pectora Pastorum subito trepidâre pavore;  
Te, monstrante Magi venerantur Sydere Cursum.   

69.  
cum sis divinâ mirandus Origine tali,  
Vilia mortalis pateris Convitia Gentis,  
Iratout possis nos conciliare PARENTI.   

70.  
Laetus Honoris erat proprii tua Gratia Praeco,  
Es tu dignatus sacratum Munus obire,  
Ast Aaronis eras solito de more vocatus.   

71.  
Ac ut divino constarent singula Verbo,  
In te de superis descendit Spiritus auris,  
Lenes propter aquas Iordanes, teste Johanne.   

72.  
Hinc in Desertum perductus Flamine sacro,  
Daemonis appulsu tentatus, Codice verùm  
Hunc superas Scripto, fluit undè Redemptio nostra.  
Protinùs egressus—.   

73.  
Actus Sermones, Oracula mira fuêrunt,  
Haec genuêre Fidem, nec non genuêre Timorem,  
Erectas Animas ad Te tollamus utrisque.   

74.  
Firmatum claudis gressum tribuisti, Lumina Caecis,  
Morbo languentes diro quocunque levabas,  
Defunctis Vitam, Mutis dederasque Loquelam.   

75.  
Defunctis T● Vita, Salus mortalibus aegris,  
Tu caecis Lumen, Tu rerum copia egenis,  
Thesaurus furtum spernens, sincera Voluptas.   

76.  
Non ex hoc Mundo Regnum Tibi, RECTOR OLYMPI,  
Nuncia Apostolico procedunt Pectore laeta,  
Vttua sit totum Miseratio nota per Orbem.   

77.  
Mortuus ante Diem conspexit fidus Abraham,  
Vota Tibi pariter nato solvebat Isaco,  
Antitypum atque Typus, versare per omnia vivus.   

78.  
Est Evangelicus, Sapiens Academia, Codex,  
Justitiam vicit Clementia blanda severam,  
Sobrius ut Vitam ducebas, Fortis obibas.   

79.  
Es Tu, sacra Domus, Tu purum Altare, Sacerdos,  
Tu Vitae Panis, citrà fastidia Festum,  
Ex Escis ubi acuta novis exurgit Orexis.   

80.  
Mortali natus mortalia Crimina deles,  
Victima grata foret Tibi quodvis Pectus honestum,  
Ob Genus humanum qui velles fundere Vitam.   

81.  
Non dedignatus, Crucis es tolerare probrosae  
Tormina, quò nobis concessus sit Paradisus;  
Quò pia Sanctorum Solentur Gaudia Mentes.   

82.  
Ferrea Tartarei diffringens Claustra Tyranni,  
Dira tenebrosi Phlegetontis Monstra coerces:  
Sic tua cuncta Tibi subigebat Dextera victrix.   

83.  
Tu Virtute tuâ solvebas Vincula Mortis,  
Atque reviviscens superam contendis in Arcem,  
Inspirat Vitam Laethatis Spiritus Oris.   

84.  
Te, Pater, electis ut signet Dona Salutis  
SHIRITUS ALME, dedit NATO (sic Trinus in Vno)  
Sanctificas Omnes propriè, non solus at Omnes.   

85.  
PATRIS Amor, nec non NATI, coeleste Sigillum,  
Praesidium Sanctis, felix Pietatis Origo,  
Alta salutiferae pandas Mysteria Linguae.   

86.  
O jubar immensum Radiis insigne coruscis,  
Omnis ab aspectu Sophiae Radiatio clara,  
Non collata potest minui tua Copia cunctis.   

87.  
Gaudia sunt Comites, Clementia, Pacis Amorque;  
Quorum pacatum perturbant nulla Tenorem  
Tristia; Quem Mundus, nec Mors, nec destruat Orcus.   

88  
Festum ex selectis quod constet talibus Escis,  
Qualitèr haud acris possit consumere Orexis,  
Dives Odor quem non dispergat Ventus in Auram:   

89.  
LUX Oculos fugiens, tamen Ipse per Omnia splendes,  
Tu Sonus es qualem non Musicus explicet ullus,  
Arctus es Amplexus, quem Tempora nulla resolvant.   

90.  
Exindè irrefluo volvuntur Gaudia Cursu,  
Qualia inexhaustis soleas praebere Culullis,  
Cordibus, a foedá Peccati Labe remotis.   

81.  
Ecstaticum hoc Vinum quod tradit SPIRITUS ALMUS,  
Sidereum motas extollit ad Aethera Mentes;  
Terrenis orbas Coeli Solatia mulcent.   

82.  
O quam sacrati connectit Gluten Amoris!  
Ros fluit Ambrosiae divino qualis ab Ore!  
Sunt tua quae solùm faciunt Commercia Caelum.   

93.  
Illustres Animae, succensae hoc Lumine summo,  
Quando tuos Vultus radiantes Luce tuentur,  
Quodque Decus reputant obscurae Noctis adinstar.   

94.  
Sublimis nostros superans Infusio S●nsus,  
Tu stupor Eloquii Nomen mereare profundi,  
Aequet hyperbolicus quem nullus Sermo superbus.   

95.  
Sacrosancta TRIAS, complecteris Omnia solùm,  
Exuperans quodcunque Bonum, super Omnia Felix,  
Nos haustura, tamen vivo hoc in Fonte natamus:   

96.  
Imperio REX magne tuo par nulla Potestas,  
Augusto cujus Majestas provenit Ore,  
Pulchrâes perpetui praecinctus Veste Decoris.   

97.  
justitia est Sceptrum, Solium miseratio Mitis,  
Regna perimmensos extendunt coelica Tractus,  
Gloria permansura, Tibi, per Sêcla Corona.   

98.  
Pax Intellectûs tua quodvis praestat Acumen,  
Obsisti poterit tua vasta Potentia frustrà,  
NUMEN es Ipse sacrum, Sacro purgatius omni.   

99  
Ore fluit Verum, Sapientia Pectore manat,  
Ante tuam excubias agit Omnipotentia Turrim,  
Aligeri peragunt tua jussa verenda Ministri.   

100  
Perspicit Obtutu vel cuncta Scientia primo,  
Thesauro frueris per Te sine Fine beato,  
Tempus es Aeternum; Quae me demergat ABYSSUS!    

Peroratio Eucharistica.  
SUmmas TIBI agit Grates, maxime Coelorum PRAESES, aeternùmque adorandum NUMEN, Servus tuus humillimus, quem post tot varias mundanarum Sollicitudinum Procellas, vastosque Curarum Fluctus, cum olim Hollandiam, Brabantiam, Artesiam, Germaniam, Austriam, Hungariam, Styriam, Carinthiam, partem Italiae, nec non Galliae incolumem in Patriam reduxisti. quam gratum enim mihi placidum, post tot periculosas inter peregrinandum Agitationes, Quietis Pacisque Intervallum, ut devotae LEGUM tuarum Observationi totus exindè vacem! Tu, benigne DEUS, dulcissimum hoc mihi Otium concedis, quo TIBI Soli prompto libentique Animo inservire statui: sicut per TE vivo, sic TIBI viverem, & quicquid a Gratiâ acceperim, in Honorem refunderem! Haec ergò Laudi & Gloriae solius sapientis & immortalis DEI submissè consecrentur.  
CONDITOR Omnipotens Coelique Solique! supremum  
Cujus ad Arbitrium cuncta creata fluunt;  
Clementèr Finem lassis imponito Rebus,  
Nec plùs terrenis Mens operosa vacet:  
Omnia solertèr sub utroque jacent●ia Phoebo  
Perpendens, tandem non nisi vana scio.  
Quà sese bifido Scaldis discriminat Alveo  
Vidi, Teque tuâ, Rhine palustris, Aqua:  
Non iter excelsae remoratae Nubibus Alps,  
Quae nec in aeriis Nix sedet alta Jugis;  
Vidimus oppositos vario sub Climate Mores;  
Vidimus innnmeras quas vehit Ister Aquas:  
Diverso didici diversa Idiomata Tractu,  
Quaeque Observatu sunt bene digna, scio:  
Gallica Mobilitas, Fraus Itala, Fastus Iberi,  
Teutonica Ebrietas nota fuere nimis.  
Quamlibet in Partem Regina Pecunia Mundum  
Flectit, acerba Meum Bella Tuumque gerunt.  
Me conservanti per mille Pericula, Grates  
Quî possim meritas solvere, CHRIST, Tibi!  
Cerno, detestans Vitium, lassusque Tumultu,  
Quod, non Vita▪ prior Vita, sed Error erat.  
Velle Meum, sit velle Tuum, REGNATOR Olympi!  
CUI soli Grates Mens agit, egit, aget.  
Si plures mihi Vita futura superstet in Annos,  
Huic sit juncta piâ Sedulitate Fides!  
Nam nil contulerim benè docto sanus Amico,  
Spiritus ut sano Corpore sanus agat.  
Nosse, & amare DEUM; Promissis credere CHRISTI,  
Consulere Afflictis edocuisse Rudes,  
Accumulare Bonis Inopes, succurrere Lapsis,  
Obnixè Votis Ista petenda meis.  
Vertam Bodleias, congesta Volumina, Gazas,  
Quae Vaticano proxima, Roma, tuo:  
Nocturnâ versanda tamen, versanda diurnâ,  
Prae cunctis aliis BIBLIA SACRA Manu:  
Undè, ut Apis sese sustentat Mectare Cellae;  
Sic vivam lectis Floribus hisce piis.  
Talia fac, vives, Lector; Quicunque beatus  
Esse cupis, tali Vita sit acta modo.  
Me Vitam, atque Necem tibi proposuisse memento:  
Elige ●ivè velis vivere, ●ivè mori.  
FINIS.   

MORTE DEDIT MORTI MORTEM, MORS MORTIS, JESUS  
  

In glorioss: passionem. & Resurrectionem 〈…〉 Christj. G. G.  

Aslesuia aima dies 〈◊〉  
Red decus maesto, red  
De letio redijt soet  
ExaniMEM TENuit. que  
Occisum, & TOrtum mil  
At nunc full Mineo ca●●  
Mortis inex●● Etae, reseran  
Obvia s Idereo vi  
Ru●●atur Chaos horr  
Exist é t Umulo claus  
Te Christ ì Mineritó te  
Udumoculis Udis coelu  
Induitur VEstem av  
Marmora fi Nduntur, re  
Uit● def, Ectos', rursu  
Nuta●te in't Remuit●uatefa  
Delu bro In sancto s  
In●reuere Suis ●ach  
Singustantque t Ibj torvu  
Ast Vbj Nunc gremio  
Laetius os o Rbj●red  
Victor hab Es meritó s●  
Aaetheria reGione co●ior  
Terra re Nascent● r  
Ocea●us ●la Uait cla  
Rugitu inge Mnat, ferit a  
I ●●●ego 〈◊〉 Te 〈◊〉 t  
Exe●uias h Umiles quale  
Su●●liciter Undo: Te  
〈◊〉 Mih● dulc  
〈◊〉 sacra 〈◊〉 M  
DE aurea saecula mund o  
US quem ignobilis arbour  
M illus IT TU 〈◊〉 s  
Es Mo●ESque●remebant  
Vtatrum ●er 〈…〉 u  
Squé se●ulc Hra subact 〈…〉  
Detaurea side Ravult u  
Endum 〈◊〉 Ite ●ro●han l  
Us, victu Sque trium●●● t  
Stratum mor Te malign a  
Mius on's ● Uget, & a troth m  
Erso sol S●ualidus ore  
Vomunt reclu Sa se●ulchra  
Schaos horr Et, & orb e  
Cta & ter Rita tellu s.  
〈◊〉 a Usaea fatis●●t;  
Rijmis turb Ata ●luenta  
Mqué ferun Tur 〈◊〉 aequor  
E●●urgis t Elluris, & illud  
Dis rediu Iuus ovante  
Eci●s a trow P●aea trium●ho  
Scoelesti S & a●ma  
Editum gratat Ur ovantem  
Runque celeus Ma canoro  
Vrea, sid Era●●lamor  
Ibj deilinc Tissimus i●se  
Smihj carmi Na ●raetant  
Tedulcj in's ono cantu  
●ssime Chri Ste canent●