ZIONS' SONNETS. Sung By SOLOMON the King, And PERIPHRASED By FRA. QVARLES. LONDON Printed by W. Stansby for Thomas Dew, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstanes Church-yard. 1625. TO THE TRULY NOBLE AND NO LESS GOOD THAN GREAT LORD, JAMES, MARQVES Hamleton. SIR, HAd these Lines been loose, and lascivious, I had either picked out a less honourable Patron, or stood to the courtesy of every wanton Reader; But being (as they are) of a divine subject, therefore subject to the ill-digested humours of light heads, by your favour (thrice noble Lord) you are bound to protect it, being the known Patron to goodness. There are too few such: This makes glorious Vice so bold, and bashful Virtue so inglorious. You are a bright Star in our Orb; on which, all good eyes are fixed, and by the special influence of which, these presented Lines, had their conception, their birth, their being; and now crept forth, repay themselves to You, hope to receive honour from You, and sue for protection under You. So I commit them to the honour of so great a fortune. SIR, The true honourer of your admired worth, FRANCIS QVARLES. To the Readers. REaders, now you have them. May the end of my pains be the beginning of your pleasures. Excuse me for soaring so high, else give me leave to excuse myself; Indeed I slew with Eagles feathers; otherwise I had not flown, or fall'n. It is the Song of Songs, I here present you with: The Author, King SOLOMON, the wisest of Kings; The matter mystical, the divinest of subjects: The Speakers, CHRIST, the Bridegroom; the CHURCH, the Bride; The end, to invite you all to the weddïng. Farewell. AN EPITHALME TO THE BRIDEGROOM. HOSANNA to the Highest. joy betid The heavenly Bridegroom, and his holy Bride: Let Heaven above be filled with songs, Let Earth triumph below; For ever silent be those tongues, That can be silent now. You Rocks, and Stones, I charge you all to break Your flinty silence, if men cease to speak. You, that profess that sacred Art, Or now, or never show it, Plead not, your Muse is out of heart, Here's that creates a Poet. Be ravished Earth, to see this contract driven, 'Twixt sinful Man, and reconciled Heaven. Dismount you Choir of Angels; come, With Men, your joys divide; Heaven never showed so sweet a GROOM, Nor Earth, so fair a BRIDE. ZIONS' SONNETS. BRIDE. SONNET I. 1. O That the bounty of those lips divine, CAP. 1. Would seal their favours, on these lips of mine, That by those welcome * Sensible graces. kisses, I might see The mutual love, betwixt my Love and me, For truer bliss, no worldly joy allows, Then sacred Kisses, from so sweet a Spouse, With which, no earthly pleasures may compare, rich Wines are not so delicate as thay're. 2. NOr Myrrh, nor Cassia, nor the choice perfumes Of unctuous Narde, or Aromatic fumes Or hot Arabia, do enrich the air With more delicious sweetness, than the fair Reports, that crown the merits of thy Name, With heavenly Laurels of eternal fame, Which makes the * Pure in heart. Virgins fix their eyes upon thee, And all that view thee, are enamoured on thee. 3. O, Let the beauty of thy Sunlike face Inflame my soul, and let thy glory chase Disloyal thoughts; Let not the World allure My chaste desires, from a Spouse, so pure; But when as Time shall place me on thy c The Kingdom of Heaven. Throne, My fears will cease, and interrupt by none, I shall transcend the style of Transitory, And full of glory, still be filled with glory. 4. But you, my curious (and too nice) Allies, That view my fortunes, with two narrow eyes, You say my face is d Through apparent infirmities. black, and foul; 'tis true; I'm beauteous, to my Love, though black to you, My censure stands not upon your esteem, He sees me as I e Glorious in him. am; you, as I seem; You see the Clouds, but he discerns the Sky; Know, 'Tis my f Weakness of the flesh. Mask that looks so black, not I 5. What if Afflictions do dis-imbellish My natural glory, and deny the relish Of my adjourned beauty, yet disdain not Her, by whose necessary loss, you gain not; I was enforced to swelter in g Afflictions. the Sun, And h Forced to Idolatrous superstitions. keep a stranger's Vine, left mine alone; I left mine own, and kept a stranger's Vine; The fault was i By reason of my weakness. mine, but was k Being seduced by false prophets. not only mine. 6. O Thou, whose love I prise above my life, More worthy far t'enjoy a fairer wife, Tell me, to what cool shade, dost thou resort? Where graze thy Sheep, where do thy Lambs disport Free from the scorching of this l Persecutions. sowltrie weather? O tell thy Love, and let thy Love come thither: Say (gentle Shepherd) fits it thee, to cherish Thy private Flocks, and let thy true Love m By Idolatry. perish? BRIDEGROOM. SONNET. II. ILlustrious Bride, more radiant and more n Through my merits and thy sanctification. bright, Then th' eye of Noon, thrice fairer than the light; Thou dearest offspring of my dying blood, And treasure of my soul, why hast thou stood Parching so long in those ambitious beams? Come, come and cool thee in these silver o The doctrine of the true Prophets. streams; Vnshade thy Face, cast back those golden Locks, And I will make thee p Teacher of my Congregations. Mistress of my Flocks. 2. O Thou, the Centre of my choice desires, In whom I rest, in whom my soul respires; Thou art the flower of beauty, and I prise thee Above the World, how e'er the World disprize thee: The blind imagines all things black, by kind; Thou art as beautiful, as they are blind: And as the fairest troops of Pharaoh's Steeds Exceed the rest, so Thou, the rest exceeds. 3. THy q Thy most visable parts. Cheek (the garden where fresh beauty plants Her choicest flowers) no adorning wants; There wants no relish of r Sanctification diviner grace, To sum completeness, in so sweet a face; Thy Neck, without a blemish, without blot, Then pearle's more orient, clear from stain or spot; Thy Gems and jewels, full of curious art, Imply the sacred treasures of thy heart. 4. THe Sunne-bright glory of thy resounding fame, Adds glory, to the glory of my Name; The more's thy honour (Love) the more thou strivest To honour me; Thou gainest, what thou giv'st: My Father (whom our Contract hath made thine) Will give thee large endowments of f The riebes of his holy Spirit. divine, And everlasting treasure; Thus by me Thou shalt be rich, that am thus rich, in Thee. BRIDE. SONNET III. OH, how my soul is ravished with the joys, That spring like fountains from my true love's voice! How cordial are his lips! How sweet his tongue! Each word, he breathes, is a melodious song; He absent (ah) how is my glory dim! I have no beauty, not derived from Him; What e'er I have, from Him alone, I have, And He takes pleasure in those gifts, he gave. 2. AS fragrant Myrrh, within the bosom hid, Scents more delicious, then (before) it did, And yet receives no sweetness, from that breast, That proves the sweeter, for so sweet a guest; Even so, the favour of my dearest Spouse, Thus prized, and placed in my heart, endowes My ardent soul, with sweetness, and inspires With heavenly ravishment, my rapt desires. 3. Who ever smelled the breath of morning flowers, New sweerned with the dash of twilight showers, Or pounded Amber, or the flowering Thyme, Or purple Violets, in their proudest prime, Or swelling Clusters, from the Cypress tree? So sweet's my Love; I, far more sweet is He: So fair, so sweet, that heavens bright eye is dim, And flowers have no scent, compared with Him. BRIDEGROOM. SONNET FOUR O Thou, the joys of my suff●●ed heart, The more thou think'st me fair, the more thou art; Look in the Crystal mirrors of mine eyes, And view thy beauty; there thy beauty lies: See there, th'unmated glory of thy Face, Well mixed with Spirit, and divinest grace; The eyes of Doves, are nor so fair, as thine: O, how those eyes, instanie these eyes of mine t The holy Prophets. BRIDE. SONNET V. MOst radiant, and refulgent Lamp of light, Whose midday beauty, yet ne'er found a night, 'Tis thou, 'tis only thou art fair; from Thee Reflect those * The holy Spirit. rays, that have englightned me, And as bright Cynthia's borrowed beams do shine From Titan's glory, so do I, from thine; So daily flourishes our fresh delight, In daily * In giving grace and receiving glory. giving, and receiving light. 2. NOr does thy glory shine to me alone; What place, wherein thy glory hath not shone? But o, how fragrant with rich odour, smells That * The Congregation of Saints sacred House, where thou my true Love dwells? Nor is it strange; How can those places be But filled with sweetness, if possessed with Thee! My heart's a Heaven, for Thou art in that heart, Thy presence makes a Heaven, where e'er thou art. BRIDEGROOM. SONNET VI. THou sovereign Lady ' of my select desires, CAP. II. I, I am He, whom thy chaste soul admires; The Rose, for smell; the Lily, to the eye, Is not so sweet, is not so fair as I; My veiled beauty's not the glorious prize a Not in outward glory. Of common sight; b In inward graces. within, my beauty lies; Yet nevertheless, my glory were but small, If I should want, to honour thee withal. 2. NOr do I boast my Excellence alone, But thine (dear Spouse) as whom, the world hath none So true to Faith, so pure in love, as whom lives not a Bride so fits, so chaste a Groom; And as the fairest Lily doth exceed The fruitless Bramble, or the foulest weed, So far (my Love) dost thou exceed the rest, In perfect beauty, of a loyal breast. BRIDE. SONNET VII. Look how the fruitful Tree (whose laden boughs, With swelling pride, crown Autumns smiling brows Surpasses idle shrubs; even so, in worth, My love transcends the Worthies of the earth: He was my Shore, in Shipwreck; and my Shelter In Storms; my Shade, when I began to Swelter; If hungry, he was Food; and if oppressed With wrongs, my Advocate; with toil, my Rest. 2. I Thirsted; and, full charged to the brink, He gave me * The holy Scriptures. bowls of Nectar, for my drink, And in his Sides, he broached me (for a sign Of dearest love) a Sacramental wine; He freely gave; I freely drank my fill; The more I drank, the more remained still: Did never Soldier, to his Colours prove More chaste, than I, to so entire a Love.. 3. O How his beauty sets my soul on fire! My spirits languish, with extreme desire; Desires, exceeding limits, are too lavish, And wanting means to be effected, ravish; Then let thy * Thy sweet Promises. breath, like flagons of strong wine, Relieve and comfort this poor heart of mine; For I am sick, till time (that doth delay Our Marriage) bring our joyful Marriage day. 4. TIll then, o let my dearest Lord, by whom, These pleasing pains of my sweet sorrows come, Perform his vows, and with his due resort, Bless me, to make the sullen time seem short: In his sweet presence, may I still be blest, Debarred from whom, my soul can find no rest; O let all times be prosperous, and all places Be witness to our undefiled Embraces. 5. ALl you, whose seeming favours have professed The true affection of a loyal breast, I charge you all, by the true love you bear To friendship, or what else ye count most dear, * Vex not his Spirit with your sins. Disturb ye not my Love; O do not reive Him of his joys, that is so apt to grieve; Dare not to break his quiet slumbers, lest You rouse a raging Lion from his rest. 6. Hark, hark, I hear that thrice-celestiall voice, Wherein my spirits, rapt with joys, rejoice; A voice, that tells me, my beloued's nigh; I know the Music, by the Majesty: Behold he comes; 'Tis not my * The imperfections of my present state. blemished face, Can slake the swiftness of his winged pace; Behold he comes; His Trumpet doth proclaim, He comes with speed; A truer love ne'er came. 7. BEhold the fleetness of his nimble feet; The Roebuck, and the Hart were ne'er so fleet: The word I spoke, slew not so speedy from me, As He, the treasure of my soul comes to me; He stands behind my Wall, as if in doubt Of welcome; Ah, this * The weakness of my flesh. Wall debars him out: O, how injurious is this Wall of sin, That bars my Lover out, and bolts me in! The BRIDE in the person of the BRIDEGROOM. SONNET VIII. Hark, hark, me thinks I hear my true Love say, Break down that envious bar, and come away; Arise (my dearest Spouse) and dispossess The soul of doubtful fears, nor over-presse Thy tender spirits, with the dull despair Of thy demerits; (Love) thou art as fair, As earth will suffer; Time will make thee clearer; Come forth (my Love) than whom, my life's not dearer. 2. COme forth (my joy;) What bold affront of fear Can fright thy soul, and I, thy Champion, here? 'Tis I that calls, 'tis I, thy Bridegroom, calls thee, Betid it me, what ever evil befalls thee: The winter of thy sharp Affliction's gone; Why fearest thou cold, and art so near the Sun? I am thy Sun, if thou be cold, draw nearer; Come forth (my Love) than whom, my life's not dearer. 3. COme forth (my dear) the spring of joys invite thee, The * The Elect. Flowers contend for beauty, to delight thee, Their sweet ambition's only, which might be Most sweet, most fair, because most like to thee: The * Angels. Birds (sweet Heralds of so sweet a Spring) Warble high notes, and Hymenaeans sing; All sing, with joy, t'enjoy so sweet a Hearer; Come forth (my Love) than whom, my life's not dearer. 4. THe prosperous * The Congregation of the faithful. Vine, which this dear hand did plant, Tenders due service to so sweet a Saint: Her hidden Clusters swell with sacred pride, To * To offer up the frist fruits of obedience. kiss the lips of so, so fair a Bride; Masqued in their leaves, they lurk, fearing to be Descried by any, till first seen by Thee; The Clouds are past; the Heavens cannot be clearer; Come forth (dear love) than whom, my life's not dearer. 5. MY Dove, whom daily * Persecutions. dangers teach new shifts, That, like a Dove, dost haunt the secret Cliffs Of solitary Rocks; How e'er thou be Reserved from others, be not strange to me, Call me to rescue, and this brawny Arm Shall quell thy Foe, and fence thy soul, from harm; Speak (Love;) Thy voice is sweet; What if thy face Be drenched with tears? Each teare's a several grace. 6. ALl you, that wish prosperity, and peace, To crown our Contract, with a long increase Of future joys, o shield my simple Love, From those that seek her ruin, and remove The base Opposers of her best designs; Destroy those Foxes, that destroy her Vines; Her Vines are fruitful, but her tender grapes Are spoiled by Foxes, clad in humane shapes: The BRIDE in her own person. SONNET IX. WHat greater joy can bless my soul, than this, That my Beloued's mine, and I am His! Our souls are knit; the world cannot untwine The joyful union of His heart, and Mine; In Him, I live; in Him, my soul's possessed With heavenly solace, and eternal rest: Heaven only knows the bliss, my soul enjoys; Fond earth's to dull, to apprehend such joys. 2. THou sweet perfection of my full delights, Till that bright * The day of judgement. Day, devoted to the rites Of our solemnised Nuptials, shall come, Come live with me, and make this heart, thy Home: Disdain me not: Although my face appear Deformed and cloudy, yet my heart is * By sanctification. clear; Make haste: Let not the swift-foot Roebuck flee The following Hounds so fast, as thou, to me. 3. I Thought my Love had taken up his rest, CAP. III. Within the secret * In my soul. Cabin of my breast; I thought the closed Curtains did immure His gentle slumbers, but was too secure; For (driven with love) to the false bed I * By strict examination. stepped, To view his slumbering beauty, as he slept, But he was gone; yet plainly there was seen The curious dint, where he had lately been. 4. IMpatient of his absence, thus bereaven Of him, than whom, I had no other heaven, I raved a while; not able to digest So great a loss, to lose so fair a Guest: I left no path vntraced; no * Amongst the wisest worldlings. place unsought; No secret Cell unsearched; no way vnthought; I asked the Shade, but shadows could not hide him; I asked the World, but all the World denied him. 5. MY jealous Love, distempered with distraction, Made fierce with fear, unapt for satisfaction, Applies fresh fuel, to my flaming fires, With Eagles wings supplies my quick desires; Up to the walls I rambled, where I spied The * The Ministers of the Word. City watch, to whom, with tears, I cried; Ah gentle Watchmen, you aloft descry What's dark to us; Did not my Love pass by? 6. AT length, when dull despair had gained the ground Of tired hopes, my Faith fell in a swound; But He, whose sympathising heart did find The tyrant passion, of my troubled mind, Forthwith appeared; What Angels tongue can let The World conceive our pleasures, when we met? And till the joys of our espoused hearts Be made * At the Resurrection. complete, the World ne'er more shall part's. BRIDEGROOM. SONNET X. NOw rests my Love: Till now, her tender breast Wanting her joy, could find no peace, nor rest: I charge you all, by the true love, you bear To friendship, or what else you count most dear, Disturb her not, but let her sleep her fill; I charge you all, upon your lives, be still: O, may that labouring soul, that lives oppressed For me; in me, receive eternal rest. 2. What curious face is this? What mortal birth Can show a beauty, thus * Through sanctification by my merits. unstained with earth! What glorious Angel wanders thus alone, From earth's foul Dungeon, to my Father's Throne! It is my Love; my love that hath denied The world, for me; It is my fairest Bride: How fragrant is her breath! How heavenly fair Her Angel face! Each glorifying the Air. BRIDE. SONNET XI. O, How I'm * By heavenly contemplation. ravished with eternal bliss! Who e'er thought heaven a joy, compared to this? How do the pleasures of his glorious Face, Add glory to the glory of this place! See, how Kings Courts surmount poor Shepherd's cells, So this, the pride of Solomon, excels; Rich wreathes of glory crown his royal Head, And troops of Angels wait upon his Bed. 2. THe Court of Princely Solomon was guarded With able men at arms; their faith rewarded With fading honours, subject to the fate Of Fortune, and the jealous frowns of State; But here th' harmonious Choir of heaven attend, Whose prize is glory, glory without end, Unmixed without doubtings, or degenerous fear; A greater Prince, than Solomon, is here. 3. THe Bridal bed of Princely Solomon, (Whose beauty ' amazed the greedy lookers on, Which all the world admired to behold) Was but of Cedar; and her Sted of gold; Her Pillars silver; and her Canopy Of silks, but richly stained with pupil die; Her Curtains wrought in works, works rarely led By th' needle's art; such was the bridal bed. 4. Such was the bridal bed, which Time, or Age Durst never warrant from th' opprobrious rage Of envious fate; Earth's measure's but a minit; Earth fades; all fades upon it; all, within it; O, but the glory ' of this diviner place, No Age can injure, nor yet Time deface; To bright an object, for weak eyes to bide, Or tongues t'express: Who ever saw't, but died? 5. Who e'er beheld the royal Crown, set on The nuptial brows of Princely Solomon? His glorious pomp, whose honour did display The noised Triumphs of his Marriage day? A greater Prince, than Solomon, is here, The beauty of whose Nuptials, shall appear More glorious far, transcending his, as far As heaven's bright Lamp outshines th' obscurest Star. BRIDEGROOM SONNET XII. HOw orient is thy a Through the gifts of my Spirit. beauty! CAP. FOUR How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to thine! Thy veiled b The modesty and purity of thy judgement. eyes outshine heavens greater light, Unconquered by the shady Cloud of night; The curious * Ornaments of necessary ceremonies. Tresses dangle, all unbound With unaffected order, to the ground: How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to thine! 2. THy ivory d Sincere Ministers. Teeth in whiteness do outgo The down of Swans, or Winters driven snow, Whose even proportions lively represent Th' harmonious Music of unite consent, Whose perfect whiteness, Time could never blot, Nor Age (the Canker of destruction) not: How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to thine! 3. THe ruby Portals of thy ballaneed e Doctrine of thy holy Prephets. words, Send forth a welcome relish, which affords A heaven of bliss, and makes the earth rejoice, To hear the Accent of thy heavenly voice; The maiden blushes of thy f Modest graces of the Spirit. Cheeks, proclaim A shame of guilt, but not a guilt of shame: How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to thine! 4. THy * Magistrates. Neck (unbeautifyde with borrowed grace) Is whiter than the Lilies of thy face, If whiter may; for beauty, and for power, 'Tis like the glory of David's princely Tower: What vassal spirit could despair, or faint, Finding protection from so sure a Saint? How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to Thine! 5. THe dear-bought fruit of that forbidden Tree, Was not so dainty, as thy Apples be, These curious Apples of thy snowy * The old and new Testaments. breasts, Wherein a Paradise of pleasure rests; They breathe such life into the ravished c The sanctified and zealous reader. Eye, That the inflamed beholder, cannot d The second Death. die: How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to Thine! 6. MY dearest Spouse, I'll e I will withdraw my bodily presence. hie me to my home, And till that long-expected f The day of judgement. Day shall come, The light whereof, shall chase the night, that showdes Thy veiled beauty, in these envious g Infirmities of the flesh. Clouds; Till then, I go, and in my Throne, provide A glorious welcome, for my fairest Bride; Chapplets of conquering Palm, and Laurel boughs Shall crown thy Temples, and adorn thy brows. 7. Would beauty fain be flattered with a grace She never had? May she behold thy face: Envy would burst, had she no other task, Then to behold this face, without a Mask; No spot, no venial blemish could she find, To feed the famine of her rancorous mind; Thou art the flower of beauty's Crown, and thay're Much worse than foul, that think thee less than fair. 8. Fear not (my Love) for when those sacred bands Of wedlock shall conjoin our promised hands, I'll come, and quit thee from this redious * This vale of misery. place, Where thou art forced to sojourn for a space; No foreign Angle of the utmost Lands, Nor seas Abyss shall hide thee from my hands; No night shall shade thee from my curious eye, I'll rouse the graves, although grim Death stand by. 9 ILlustrious beams shot from thy flaming * Thime eye of Faith. eye, Made fierce with zeal, and sovereign Majesty Have scorched my soul, and like a fiery dart Transfixed the Centre of my wounded heart; The Virgin sweetness of thy heavenly grace Hath made mine eyes glad prisoners to thy face; The beauty of thine eyeballs hath bereft Me of my heart: O sweet, o sacred theft! 10. O Thou, the dear Inflamer of mine eyes, Life of my soul, and hearts eternal prize, How delectable is thy love! How pure! How apt to ravish, able to allure A frozen soul, and with thy secret fire, T' affect dull spirits with extreme desire! How do thy joys (though in their greatest dearth) Transcend the proudest pleasures of the earth! 11. THy lips (my dearest Spouse) are the full treasures Of sacred * Divine harmony. Poesy, whose heavenly measures Ravish with joy the willing heart, that hears, But strike a deafness in rebellious ears: Thy words, like Milk and Honey, do requite The seasoned soul, with profit and delight: Heavens higher Palace, and those lower places Of dungeon-earth are sweetened with thy graces. 12. MY Love is like a Garden, full of flowers, Whose sunny banks, and choice of shady bowers Give change of pleasures, pleasures walled about With armed Angels, to keep Ruin out; And from m The two Testaments. her Breasts n Riddles to profane readers. (enclosed from the ill Of loser eyes) pure o Celestial comforts. Crystal drops distil, The fruitful sweetness of whose gentle showers Enrich her flowers with beauty ', and banks with flowers. 13. MY love is like a Paradise, a beset With rarest grifts, whose fruits (but tender yet) The world ne'er tasted, dainties far more rare Than Eden's tempting Apple, and more fair: Myrrh, Aloes, Incese, and the Cypress tree Can boast no sweetness, but is breathed from thee; Dainties, for taste; and flowers, for the smell Spring all from Thee, whose sweets, all sweets excel. BRIDE. SONNET. XIII. O Thou (my dear) whose sweets, all sweets excel, Fron whom my fruits receive their taste, their smell, How can my thriving p The Faithful Plants refuse to grow, Thus quickened with so sweet a q The Son of righteousness. Sun as thou? How can my flowers, which thy Ewers nourish With showers of living waters, choose but flourish? O thou, the Spring, from whence these waters burst, Did ever any taste thy streams, and thirst? 2. AM I a Garden? May my Flowers be So highly honoured to be smelled by Thee, Inspire them with thy sacred breath, and then Receive from them, thy borrowed breath again; Frequent thy Garden, whose rare fruit invites Thy welcome presence, to his choice Delights; Taste where thou list, and take thy full repast, Here's that will please thy smell, thine eye, thy taste. BRIDEGROOM. SONNET XIIII. THou sacred Centre of my soul, CAP. V. in whom I rest, behold thy wished-for Love is come; Refreshed with thy delights, I have repasted Upon thy r Obedience. pleasures, my full soul hath tasted Thy s Strong works of Faith. ripened dainties, and hath freely been Pleased with those Fruits, that are (as yet) but t The new born fruits of the Spirit. green: All you that love the honour of my Bride, Come taste her Viands, and be diefide. BRIDE. SONNET XV. IT was a u Too much security. night, a night as dark, as foul As that black Error, that entraunced my Soul, When as my best beloved came and knoct At my * My heart. dull gates, too too securely locked; Unbolt (said he) these churlish doors (my Dove,) Let not false x The pleasures of the Flesh. slumbers bribe thee from thy love; Hear him, that for thy gentle sake came hither, Long injured by this y Thy hardhearted unkindness nights ungentle wether. 2. I Herd the voice, but the perfidious pleasure Of my sweet slumbers, could not find the leisure To open my drowsy doors; My Spirit could speak Words fair enough; but ah, my flesh was weak, And fond excuses taught me to betray My sacred vows to a secure delay: Perfidious slumbers, how have you the might To blind true Pleasures, with a false delight! 3. WHen as my Love, with oft repeated knocks Could not avail, shaking his dewy locks, Highly displeased, he could no longer bide My sleight neglect, but went away denied; No sooner gone, but my dull soul discerned Her drowsy error; my grieved spirit * Repent. yearned To find him out; these seiled eyes that slept So sound fast, awaked, much faster wept. 4. THus raised, and roused from my deceitful rest, I opened my doors, where my departed Guest Had been; I thrust the churlish Portals from me That so denied my dearest Bridegroom to me; But when I smelled of my returned hand, My soul was rapt, my powers all did stand Amazed as the * The sweetness of his graces. sweetness they did find, Which my neglected Love had left behind. 5. I Opened my door, my Myrrhe-distilling door, But ah, my Guest was gone, had given me o'er: What curious Pen, what Artist can define A mateless sorrow; Such, ah, such was mine; Doubts and despair had of my life deprived me Had not strong hopes of his return revived me, I sought, but he refused to appear, I called but he would nor be heard, nor hear. 6. THus, with the Tyranny of grief distraught, I ranged around, no place I left unsought, No ear unasked; The * False teachers. Watchmen of the City a With their false doctrines. Wounded my soul, without remorse or pity To Virgin tears; They taught my feet to stay, Whose steps were apt enough to lose their way, With taunts and scorns they check me, and derided, And called me Whore, because I walked, unguided. 7. YOu hallowed Virgins, you, whose tender hearts E'er felt th'impression of * Divine love. love's secret darts, I charge you all, by the dear faith you owe To Virgin pureness, and your Vestal vow, Commend me to my Love, if ere you meet him, O tell him, that his lovesick Spouse doth greet him, O let him know, I languish with desire T' enjoy that heart, that sets this heart on fire. VIRGINS. SONNET XVI. O Thou the fairest flower of mortal birth, If such a beauty may be borne of earth, Angel or Virgin, which? or both in one, Angel by beauty, Virgin by the moan, Say, who is He that may deserve these tears, These precious drops? Who is't can stop his ears At these fair lips? Speak Lady, speak at large, Who is't? For whom giv'st thou so strict a Charge? BRIDE. SONNET XVII. MY Love is the perfection of delight, Roses, and Doves are not so red, so white, Vnpatterned beauty summoned every grace To the composure of so sweet a face; His body is Heaven, for in his breast, The perfect Essence of a God doth rest; The brighter eye of heaven did never shine Upon an other glory, so divine. 2. HIs * His Deity. Head is far more glorious, to behold, Then fruitful Ophyres oft refined gold, 'Tis the rich Magazine of secret treasure, Whence Graces spring in unconfined measure; His curled and dangling * His Humanity. Tresses do proclaim A Nazarite, on whom ne'er Razor came, Whose Raven-black colour gives a curious relish To that, which beauty did so much embellish. 3. LIke to the eyes of Doves are his fair * His judgement and care of his Church. Eyes, Wherein stern justice, mixed with Mercy, lies; His eyes are simple, yet Majestical, In motion nimble, and yet chaste withal, Flaming like fire, and yet burn they not, Unblemished, undistayned with a spot, Blazing with precious beams, and to behold, Like two rich Diamonds in a frame of gold. 4. HIs * The discovery of him in his Word. Cheeks are like two fruitful beds, o'ergrown With Aromatic flowers newly blown, Whose odours, beauty, please the smell, the sight, And doubling pleasures, double the delight: His * His promises. lips are like a Crystal spring, from whence Flow sweetened streams of sacred Eloquence, Whose drops into the ear distilled, do give Life to q Those that die to sin. the Dead, true joys to r That live to righteousness. them that live. 5. HIs f His actions. Hands are decked with rings of t With pureness. gold; the rings, With costly jewels, fitting none but Kings. Which (of themselves though glorious, yet) receive More glory from those fingers, than they gave; His u His secret counsels. Breasts like ivory, circled round about With x Inwardly glorious. veins, like Saphires, winding in and out, Whose beauty is (though darkened from the eye) Full of divine, and secret Majesty 6. HIs * His ways constant, firm, and pure. Legs like purest Marble, strong and white, Of curious shape, (though quick) unapt for flight: His Feet (as gold that's oft refined) are Like his upright proceedings, pure and fair; His * His whole carriage. Portis Princely, and his Stature tall, And, like the Cedar, stout, yet sweet withal: O, who would not repose his life, his bliss, Upon a Base so fair, so firm as this! 7. HIs Mouth-But stay; What need my lips be lavish, In choice of words, when one alone will ravish? But shall, in brief, my ruder tongue discover The speaking Image of my absent Lover? Then let the curious hand of Art refine The race of Virtue's moral, and divine, From whence, by heaven let there extracted be A perfect Quintessence; Even such is He. VIRGINS. SONNET XVIII. THrice fairer than the fairest, whose sad tears, And smiling words, have charmed our eyes, our ears; Say, whither is this prize of beauty gone, More fair than kind, to let thee weep alone? Thy tempting lips have whet our dull desire, And till we see Him, we are all on fire; we'll find him out; if thou wilt be our guide: The next way to the Bridegroom, is the * The Church is the way to Christ Bride. BRIDE. SONNET. XIX. IF Error lead not my dull thoughts amiss, CAP. VI My Genius tells me, where my true Love is; he's busy labouring on his flowery * Congregation of the faithful. banks, a Giving graces. Inspiring sweetness, and b Receiving glory. receiving thanks, Watering those plants, whose tender roots are c Despairing souls. dry, And pruning such, whose Crests aspire d Not yet thoroughly humbled. too high, Transplanting, grafting, reaping fruits from some, And covering others, that are * Strengthening the weak in spirit. newly come. 2. What if the frailty of my feebler part, Locked up the Portals of my drowsy heart? He knows the weakness of the flesh incumbers Th'unwilling spirit, with sense-bereaving slumbers; My hopes assure me, in despite of this, That my Beloued's mine, and I am His; My hopes are firm, (which Time shall ne'er remove) That He is mine, by Faith; I, His, by love. BRIDEGROOM. SONNET XX. THy timely grief, (my teares-baptized Love) Compels mine ears to hear, thy tears, to move; Thy blubbered beauty, to mine eye appears More bright then't was: Such is the * The force of Repentance. strength of Tears: Beauty, and Terror, meeting in thine eye, Have made thy face the Throne of Majesty, Whose awful beams, the proudest heart will move To love for fear, until it fear for love. 2. Repress those flames, that furnace from thine eye, They ravish with too bright a Tyranny; Thy fires are too too fierce: O turn them from me, They pierce my soul, and with their rays o'ercome me, Thy curious * Tresses dangle, all unbound With unaffected order, to the ground: How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to Thine! 3. THy ivory * Sincere Ministers. Teeth in whiteness do outgo The down of Swans, or Winters driven snow; Whose even proportions lively represent Th' harmonious Music of unite consent; Whose perfect whiteness, Time could never blot, Nor Age (the envious Worm of Ruin) rot: How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to thine! 4. THy * Thy visible parts. Temples, are the Temples of chaste love, Where beauty sacrificed her milk-white Dove, Upon whose Azure paths, are always found The heaven-borne Graces dancing in a round: Thy maiden * Modesty, and zeal. Blushes gently do proclaim A shame of guilt, but not a guilt of shame: How orient is thy beauty! How divine! How darke the glory of the earth, to thine! 5. YOu, you brave spirits, whose imperial hand Enforces, what your looks cannot command, Bring forth your pampered Queens, the lustful prize, And curious wrecks of your imperious eyes; Surround the Circle of the Earth, and levy The fairest Virgins in love's fairest bevie, Then take from each to make one perfect Grace, Yet would my Love out shine that borrowed face. 6. I Thou art she, corriualled with no other, Thou glorious Daughter of thy glorious Mother The new jerusalem, whose Virgin-birth Shall Diefie, the c The pure in heart. Virgins of the earth: The Virgins of the Earth have seen thy beauty, And stood amazed, and in a prostrate duty Have sued to kiss thy hand, making thine eyes Their Lamps to light them, till the Bridegroom rise. 7. Hark, how the Virgin's hallowed with thy fire And wonder smitten with thy beams, admire. Who, who is this (say they) whose cheeks resemble Aurora's blush, whose Eye heavens lights dissemble? Whose face is brighter than the silent Lamp That lights the earth, to breathe her nightly damp; Upon whose brow sits dreadful Majesty, The frown whereof commands a Victory. 8. Fair Bride, why was thy troubled soul dejected, When I was absent? was my Faith suspected Which I so firmly plighted? Couldst thou think My love could shake, or such a Vow could shrink? I did but walk among my tender Plants, To smell their Odours, and supply their wants, To see my Stocks, so lately grifted, sprout, Or if my vines began to burgeon out. 9 THough gone was I, f My Spirit. my heart was in thy breast, Although to thee (perchance) an unkowne guest, 'T was that, that gave such wings to thy desire, T' enjoy thy love, and set thy soul on fire; But my return was quick, and with a mind More nimble (yet more constant) then the wind, I came; and as the winged shaft doth fly With undescerned speed; Even so did I. 10. Return, (O then return) thou child of Peace To thy first joys, O let thy tears surcease; Return thee to thy Love; let not the g Security. night With flattering h Worldly pleasures. slumbers, tempt thy true delight; Return thee to my bosom, let my breast. Be still thy Tent; Take there eternal rest; Return, o Thou, in whose enchanted eye, Are Darts enough, to make an army fly. 11. Fair Daughter of the highest King, CAP. VII. how sweet Are th' unaffected graces of thy i Thy wages. Feet! From every step, true Majesty doth spring, Fitting the Daughter of so high a King: Thy Waste is circled with a h The girdle of truth. Virgin Zone, Embellished round with many a precious I The precious gifts of the spirit. Stone, Wherein the curious Workman did fulfil The utmost glory of his Diviner skill. 12. THy m Whereby there is a receipt of spiritual Conceptions. Navel, where thy holy Embryo doth Receive sweet nourishment, and heavenly growth, Is like a Crystal spring, whose fresh supply Of living waters, Sun, nor Drought can dry: Thy n Increase of the Faithful. fruitful Womb is like a winnowed heap Of purest grain, which heavens blessed hand did reap, With Lilies fenced: True Emblem of rare treasure; Whose grain denotes increase; whose Lilies, pleasure. 13. THy dainty o The Old and New Testament Breasts, are like fair Twins, both swelling In equal Majesty; in hue excelling The newfallen Snow upon th' untrodden Mountains, From whence there flows, as from exub'rous Fountains, Rivers of heavenly Nectar, to allay The holy thirst of Souls: Thrice happy they, And more than thrice, whose blessed affections bring Their thirsty palates to so sweet a Spring. 14. THy p Magistrates. Neck doth represent an ivory Tower, In perfect pureness, and munited power, Thine q Teachers. Eyes (like pools at a frequented gate For every comer, to draw water at) Are common treasures, and like Crystal glasses, Shows each his lively visage, as he passes: Thy r Glorious in all parts. Nose, the curious Organ of thy Scent, Wants nothing more, for use, for ornament. 15. THy Tires of gold (enriched with glorious Gems, s The Ceremonies of the Church. Rare Diamonds, and Princely Diadems,) Adorn thy brows, and with their native worth Advance thy glory, and set thy beauty forth; So perfect are thy Grace, so Divine, And full of heaven, are those fair looks of thine. That I'm inflamed with the double fire Of thy full beauty, and my fierce desire. 16. O Sacred Simetrie! O rare Connexion Of many perfects, to make one perfection! O heavenly Music, where all parts do meet In one sweet strain, to make one perfect sweet! O glorious Members, whose each several feature Divine, compose so, so divine a Creature! Fair soul, as all thy parts united, be Entire, so summed are all my joys in thee. 17. THy curious Fabric, and erected stature Is like the generous Palm, whose lofty nature In spite of envious violence, will aspire, When most suppressed, the more it mounts the higher: Thy lovely Breasts, (whose beauty reinuites My oft remembrance to her oft delights) Are like the swelling Clusters of the vine, So full of sweetness are those breasts of thine. 18. ARt thou my Palm? My busy hand shall nourish Thy fruitful roots, and make thy branches flourish: Art thou my Vine? my skilful arm shall dress, Thy t Despairing souls. dying Plants; my living Springs shall bless Thy u Young Converts. infant Buds; my blasting breath shall quell * Opposers of the Truth. Presumptuous weeds, and make thy Clusters swell: And all that love thee, shall attain the favour To taste thy sweetness, and to smell thy savour. 19 THose Oracles that from thy lips proceed, With sweet Euangels, shall delight and feed Th' attentive ear, and like the Trumpets voice Amaze faint hearts, but make brave Spirits rejoice: Thy breath, whose Dialect is most Divine, Incends quick flames, where Embered sparks but shine; It strikes the Pleaders Reth'ricke with derision, And makes the dullest Soul a Rhetorician. BRIDE. SONNET XXI. MY Faith, not merits hath assured thee, mine, Thy Love, not my Desert hath made me, thine: Unworthy I, whose drowsy soul rejected Thy precious favours, and (secure) neglected Thy glorious presence, how am I become A Bride befitting so divine a Groom! It is no merit, no desert of mine, Thy love, thy love alone, hath made me thine. 2. SInce then the bounty of thy dear election Hath styled me thine, o let the sweet reflection Of thy illustrious beams, my soul inspire, And with thy Spirit, inflame my hot desire; Unite our Souls; O let thy Spirit rest And make perpetual home within my breast; Instruct me so, that I may gain the skill, To suit my service to thy sacred will. 3. COme, come (my Souls preserver) thou that art Th' united joys of my united heart, Come, let us visit, with the morning light Our prosperous x Congregation of the Faithful Vines; with mutual delight Let's view those Grapes, whose Clusters being y By affliction. pressed, Shall make rich wines, to serve our Marriage feast, That by the thriving plants it may appear, Our joyes-perfecting Marriage draweth near. 4 BEhold my z Young Converts new disclosed Flowers present Before thy gates, their tributary Sent, Reserve themselves for Garlands, that they may Adorn the Bridegroom, on his Marriage day: My a Assemblies. Garden's full of b Faithful. Trees, and every Tree Laden with c Faith and good Works. Fruit, which I devote to thee, Eternal joys betid that happy guest, That tastes the dainties of the Bridgroomes' feast. 5. O Would to God mind eyes, CAP. VIII. (these fainting Eyes Whose eager appetite could ne'er devose A dearer object) might but once behold My love (as I am) clad in fleshly mould, That each may corporally converse with other, As friend to friend; as sister to her brother, O how mine eyes could welcome such a sight; How would my soul dissolve, with ore-delight! 6. THen should this hand conduct my fairest Spouse To taste a Banquet at my Mother's * The universal Church. House; Our fruitful Garden should present thine eyes With sweet delights, her trees should sacrifice Their early fruits to thee; our tender Vine Should cheer thy palate with her unpressed Wine; Thy hand should teach my living Plants to thrive; And such, as are a dying, to revive. 7. THen should my Soul enjoy within this breast, A holy Sabbath of eternal Rest; Then should my Cause that suffers through despite Of Error, and rude Ignorance, have right; Then should these * Tears and sorrows. streams, whose Tides so often rise, Be ebbed away, from my suffused eyes; Then should my spirits, filled with heavenly mirth, Triumph o'er Hell, and find a Heaven on Earth. 8. ALl you, that wish the bountiful increase Of dearest pleasures, and divinest peace, I charge you all (if ought my charge may move Your tender hearts) * Not to vex and grieve his holy Spirit. not to disturb my Love; Vex not his gentle spirit, nor bereive Him of his joys, that is so apt to grieve; Dare not to break his quiet slumbers, lest You rouse a raging Lion from his rest. 9 WHo ever loved, that ever loved as I That for his sake renounce myself, deny The world's best joys, and have the world forgone? Who ever loved so dear, as I have done? I sought my Love, and found him * In humility. lowly laid Beneath the tree of Love, in whose sweet shade He rested; there his eye sent forth the fire, That first inflamed my amorous desire. 10. MY dearest Spouse, O seal me on thy heart So sure, that envious Earth may never part Our joined Souls; let not the world remove My chaste desires, from so choice a Love; For, O, my love's not sleight, her flames are serious, Was never Death so powerful, so imperious; My jealous zeal is a consuming fire, That burns my soul, through fear and fierce desire. 11. Fire's may be quenched, and flames, though ne'er so great, With many drops shall faint, and lose their heat; But these quick fires of love, the more suppressed, The more they flame, in my inflamed breast; How dark is Honour! how obscure and dim Is earth's bright glory, but compared with Him! How foul is Beauty! what a toil is Pleasure! How base is Wealth! how base a thing is Treasure? 12. I Have a h The Church of the Gentiles then uncalled. Sister, which by thy divine And bounteous Grace, our Marriage shall make thine; She is mine own, mine only Sister, whom My mother bare, the youngest of her Womb: she's yet a i Uncalled to the Truth. Child, her beauty may improve, Her breasts and small, and yet too green for love; When Time and Years shall add perfection to her, Say (dearest Love) what honour wilt thou do her? BRIDEGROOM. SONNET XXII. IF she be fair, and with her beauty, prove As chaste, as loyal to her virgin-love, As thou hast been, then in that high degree I'll honour her, as I have honoured thee: Be she as constant to her Vestal vow, And true to her devoted Faith, as Thou, I'll Crown her head, and fill her hand with Power, And give a Kingdom to her for a Dower. BRIDE. SONNET XXIII. WHen Time shall ripen these her green desires, And holy Love, shall breathe her heavenly fires Into her Virgin breast, her heart shall be As true to love, as I am true to thee: O, when thy boundless bounty shall conjoin Her equall-glorious Majesty, with mine, My joys are perfect; then, in Sacred bands Wedlock shall couple our espoused hands. BRIDEGROOM. SONNET. XXIIII. I Am thy Gardener, Thou my fruitful. Vine, Whose ripened Clusters swell with richest Wine; The vines of Solomon were not so fair, His Grapes were not so precious, as thine are; His vines are subject, to the vulgar will Of hired hands, and mercenary skill; Corrupted Carls are merry with his Vines, And at a price, return their battered Wines. 2. But mine's a Vineyard, which no ruder hand Shall touch, subjected to my sole command; Myself, with this laborious arm, will dress it, My presence with a busy eye shall bless it; O Princely Solomon, thy thriving vine Is not so fair, so bountiful as mine; Thy greedy sharers claim an earned hire, But mine's reserved, and to myself entire. 3. O Thou, that dwellest k In the great Congregation. where th'eternal fame Of my renown so glorifies my name, Illustrious Bride, in whose celestial tongue, Are Sacred spells t'enchaunt, the ruder throng; O let thy lips, like a perpetual story Diuulge my graces, and declare my glory; Direct those hearts, that Error leads astray, Dissolve the l The penitent. Wax, but make obdure the m The presumptuous. Clay. BRIDE. SONNET. XXV. MOst glorious Love, and honourable Lord, My heart's the vowed Servant of thy Word, But I am weak, and as a tender Vine Shall fall, unpropped by that dear hand of thine: Assist me therefore, that I may fulfil What thou command'st, and then command thy will; O leave thy sacred Spirit in my breast, As earnest of an everlasting Rest. FINIS.