GILES FLETCHER, B.D. PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND COMrANV EDINBURGH AND LONDON Ex Libris C. K. OGDEN THE COMPLETE POEMS OF GILES FLETCHER, B.D. EDITED, WITH i^cm0r{al=3ntrotiuctian mti Hotfs, BY THE REV. ALEXANDER B. GROSART. 5L0nt(0it : CHATTO AND WINDUS, PICCADILLY. 1S76. f -P UNIVER? ' : '. . ■ ■. ^rFORNIA 2 2^7/ SA2«}TA BAiiiiAilA A3 Preface. T INCLUDED the Poems of the Fletchers very early in my Fuller Worthies' Library; and within a few months of their private issue, the entire impressions were distributed among my fellow-students and lovers of our elder poetic literature. The number of copies (io6 8vo, and 156 i2mo) was so limited that I have had since to disappoint many applicants from far and near. It gives me accordingly no little pleasure to respond to the wish of the Publishers that I should furnish certain of the Fuller Worthies' Library to the general public. Giles will pave the way for Phineas Fletcher; and the Flet- chers, with Sir John Davies and Sir Philip Sydney, which are to be almost contemporaneously published, afford access to a wider circle to some of those literary treasures that/tir the first time it has been my privilege to collect and edit critically and worthily. Throughout I have re-collated every line and word with the Author's own texts — not without advantage in various ways, in that my earlier ^Vorthies were printed at a pro- vincial press, and with un-instructed and merely mechani- cal workmen, so much so that even a second and third revise-proof failed to secure attention to my corrections. VI PREFACE. I add to this new edition of Giles Fletcher a bright little poem from the Tanner MSS., first printed by me as an appendix to his Father's Poems (" Licia," &c.) in the Fuller Worthies' Miscellanies. I have also been enabled to add to the facts and criticisms of the Memorial-Introduction. As a Maker of real and unique genius, Giles Fletcher is only in these later days winning his deserved renown. By his great poem he has never ceased to hold across the centuries the " fit audience tho' few;" and to-day he is a living motif zn(\ imjoulse in the line of " Sursum : " " Onward and upward, whatever the way ; Gloomy or glad, through darkness and day : Vow'd to the end, be it distant or soon, Under the banner of Christ to march on ; Strong in His armour to war against ill ; With a will, with a will, Onward and upward. "■'■ ALEXANDER B. GROSART. From my Study, St George's, Blackburn, Lancashire. 1 Hymns by F. T. Palgrave, 1S70 (INIacmillan), 3d ed. To FRANCIS TURNER PALGRAVE, ESQ., late Scholar of Balliol and Fdlow of Exder College, Oxford ; a " Sweet Singer " and a Penetrative and judicially-deliberate Critic ; This first complete and ivorthy edition of an old Poet : — Very faithfully and admiringly, ALEXANDER B. GROSART. Contents. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX, X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XVI. XVII, PREFACE ..... DEDICATION ..... MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION — I. BIOGRAPHICAL ,, ,, II. CRITICAL NOTE. — DR GEORGE MACDONALD'S 'ANTIPHON' O JUSTICE AND MERCY AS PERSONIFIED IN 'CHRIST VICTORIE' ..... CHRIST'S VICTORIE AND TRIVMPH EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO NEVILE NETHERSOLE TO DR NEVYLE . TO THE READER .... PRELIMINARY POEMS BY PHINEAS FLETCHER AND NETHERSOLE CHRIST'S VICTORIE IN HEAVEN CHRIST'S VICTORIE ON EARTH CHRIST'S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH CHRIST'S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH LATIN VERSES BY THE AUTHOR AT END APPENDIX, CONTAINING 'LINES' FROM THE EXGRAV INGS OF THE EDITION OF 164O CANTO ON THE DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH FROM 'SORROWE's JOY ' . AFTER PETRONIUS TRANSLATION-VERSES FROM ' REWARD OF THE FAITHFULL : ' — (l.) The Heavenly Country . (2.) The Rose, and 'Black but Comely,' (3.) The Rich Poor Man (4.) The Ungodly Rich (5.) The ' Gods ' accused (6.) Husbandry (7.) Others . I 45 94 lOI 109 112 "3 119 125 161 191 221 244 245 251 256 258 259 261 262 262 263 264 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. I. BIOGRAPHICAL. 7DHINEAS, and not Giles Fletcher as usually supposed — was the first-born of his Family ; and hence such new facts and details as I have had the good fortune to discover (and recover) concerning the Fletchers, find most fitting place in the Memoir of him prefixed to our collection of his ' Poems.' ^ The father of our Poets was Giles Fletcher, LL.D., brother of Richard Fletcher, who died Bishop of London. He was a man who did valorous and varied service to his Country : his visit to Theodore Ivanowich, ' czar ' of Russia, and his book about it, being the most notable. Dr Giles Fletcher was son of good Richard Fletcher, the first Refor- mation 'pastor' of Cranbrook in Kent, and in his somewhat stormy and wandering life, he is found flitting to and fro between the paternal Vicarage and London. Phineas was born — as elsewhere we prove — in Cran- ^ In the Fuller Worthies' Library, 4 vols. 1S69. Sooner or later to be published uniform with this. A MEMORIAL-INTROD UCJION. BROOK; but Giles was born in London by the testimony of Thomas Fuller in his ' Worthies.' ^ His informant was the Rev. John Ramsey of 'Rougham in Norfolk' who married the widow of our Poet.- It is to be regretted that his birth-date was not given by Fuller. Chalmers'^ conjecture of 1588 seems improbable, as in the present volume will be found his 'Canto' upon the death of Elizabeth, originally published in 1603, that is, in such case, when he was in his 14th or 15th year. I do not forget that at the same age, if not younger, Milton put forth "the shooting of the infant oak which in later 'times was to overshadow the forest" — as Dr Symmons with unwonted vivacity describes his translations from the Psalms. But while these Psalms owe perhaps their choicest epithets and most vivid touches to Sylvester (' du-Bartas ') the ' Canto' is strictly original and altogether too prodigious a production for 1 Vol. II. 82 (edt. iSll by Nichols). 2 Fuller and after him his editors, and even Willmott, misspell this excellent man's name ' Rainsey.' It is Ramsey, as appears by a volume of his ' Sermons,' of ripe learning and rare quaintness and memorableness of thinking and style — which is in my library, viz : ' Prteterita or a Summary of several Sermons : the greater part preached many years past in several places, and upon sundry occa- sions. By John Ramsey, Minister of East Rudham in the County of Norfolk,' 1650 (4°). The ' Registers' of his Church and Parish are all gone till within a century of the present time ; and hence no memorial of him remains there. I have not met with another copy of his ' PrKterita.' In his Epistle Dedicatory to Duport, he de- scribes it as a 'second mite into the Churches Treasuiy : the com- mon gazophylacium of the Press.' ^ Biog. Diet, sub nomine. MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. a mere youth. The reader can turn to the ' Canto ' and judge for himself. Our first new fact — and a valuable one — we are able to add here viz : that his mother's name was Joan Sheafe of Cranbrook, Kent, daughter of one of the wealthy clothiers of the place. The ' Register ' shews that the marriage of this 'fair lady' with Giles Fletcher Senr., took place on i6th January, 15 So (o.s.) that is 1581.^ It is to be noted that Anthony a- Wood gives a place of honour to the son of Thomas Sheafe of Cranbrook, viz : Dr Thomas Sheafe, who lies in the Chapel of St George's, Windsor. In all probability this dignitary was brother of Joan, mother of our two poets. ^ Fuller further states that at an early age he was sent to 'Westminster' School, and that he was elected from it to Trinity College, Cambridge. On this Willmott — than whom few have been more pains- taking, as none had keener insight, or finer poetic sympathies, or a more unerring taste — remarks : — ^ I must heartily acknowledge the ungrudging labour of Mr William Tarbutt of Cranbrook, in aiding my Fletcher-re- searches. Painstaking, persevering and intelligent, without pre- tence, Mr Tarbutt is an enthusiast in all that honours his native town. We trust he will one day expand his occasional Lectures, and give us a ' History ' of it. Mr Tarbutt's investigations have yielded me important contributions to the Memoir of Phineas Fletcher and the Family generally. ^ Athense Oxon : by Bliss, sub 7iomine : his censure of another related Sheafe for leaving his money to 'laymen' and not the Church, is mere abuse, and utterly unwarranted. MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. " This is the relation of Fuller ; but I am unable to reconcile it with the declaration of Giles Fletcher himself. In the dedication of 'Christ's Victorie' to Dr Neville, he speaks, with all the ardour of a young and noble heart, of the kindness he had experienced from that excellent man. He mentions his having reached down ' as it were out of heaven, a benefit of that nature and price, than which he could wish none (only heaven itself excepted) either more fruitful and contenting for the time that is now present, or more comfortable and encouraging for the time that is already past, or more hopeful and promising for the time that is yet to come.' And further on, he expressly states that he was placed in Trinity College by Dr Neville's ' only favour, most freely, without either any means from others, or any desert in himself This praise could not have been consistent with truth, if Fletcher had obtained his election from Westminster School ; and a careful examination of the Register-Book enables me to add that he was not upon the Foundation." ^ This is decisive ; and yet no one will bear hard on dear Fuller, with such a mass of material to assort. I can testify, after following him in many recondite and special lines of inquiry, that his general accuracy is not less amazing than his immense industry. 1 Lives of the English Sacred Poets : by Robert Aris Willmott. and edition, 2 vols. l2mo, 1839 : Vol I. p. 64. This is preferable here to the first edition, as it corrects previous errors, and is fuller : but the first edition is preferable in other respects, as will appear. MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. The patronage of Dr Neville must have been well- timed ; for through the paternal responsibilities incurred as executor of his Bishop-brother, the Family were enduring at the period, painful hardships as an extant Letter — elsewhere to be used — gives pathetic evidence.^ It is probable that the Fletchers of Liversedge, York- shire, held places of trust in the service of the lordly house of the Nevilles there.^ That the ' Canto ' of young Master Giles found so prominent a place in so prominent a volume as 'Sor- rowe's Joy : ' wherein the ' wisest Fool ' (King James) was welcomed by nearly all the University ' singers,' including Phineas Fletcher — would seem to argue premature recognition. And yet very slender are the records of him even in his own College — renowned Trinity. Cooper's Athen/e Cantabrigienses strangely fails us altogether, though already covering the years of Giles' attendance.^ Wood's Athen^e designates him 'batchelour of divinity of Trinity College,' and adds with rare feeling for him " equally beloved of the muses and graces."* Does the mention of the ' Graces ' point to his personal beauty? If so — it recalls the 'comeliness' ^ See GUI' Memoir of Phineas as before : and Bond's ' Preface ' to Dr Fletcher's book on Russia, pp. cxxv-vi. ^ See Memorial-Introduction to Poems of Giles Fletcher, LL.D., in Misc. of F. W. L., as before, pp. S-io. ' Vol. I., 1500-85 : Vol. II., 1 586-1 609. Arc wc never to get Vol. III. ? * Fasti (by Bliss) I. 190, 191. ME MORI A L-IN TROD UC TION. and noble presence of his uncle (Bishop Fletcher) that so ' took ' Elizabeth. We are enabled to add to his Trinity dates. In the Scholars' Admission Book is the following entry in his own handwriting, under 'April 12th, 1605.' ' ^gidius Flctclierus, Discipulus juratus.' His name also occurs among the B.A. scholars in the Senior Bursar's Book for 1606. He is there shewn to have received two quarterly payments of 3s. 4d. The book for 1605 is missing, as is that for 1607; but in 1 60S his name appears as a B.A. scholar^ and he receives four quarterly payments of 3s. 4d. In 16 14-5, in the Senior Bursar's Book, are these two entries : Hem, Paid to Mr Fletcher for a quarter's allowance, at 3s. 4d. the weeke from St. Ladie day to Midsomer for Mr Gar- diner — xliijs. iiijd. : 16 15. Item, Spent in earring [j/V] of letters gratulatory to the King and Prince to Gren- wiche by my selfe ^ and Mr Fletcher, man and horse, 5 days, vl. xviijs. : 161 7. Finally, in the Conclusion Book is this : January 24th. : Mr Fletcher and Mr Kin- aston added to Catechise to those already appointed. ^ This Bursar (' myselfe ') -was a Thomas Fortho. ^Yith reference to the last entry it may be well to explain that Fellows who wished to qualify themselves for College preachers had to expound the Catechism a certain number of times in Chapel. Under the old statutes the College Preachers had certain privileges with regard to livings which they were allowed to hold with their Fellow- ship. MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. Such is all of ' Register '-memorial left ; slight but all new facts.^ There can be no doubt that from 1603 of the ' Canto,' to 1 61 7, he was laying up those stores of various learn- ing and of scholastic Divinity, for which he was after- wards so remarkable. In 16 ID, he published the poem — 'Christ's Victorie' — on which his Fame will rest immovably ' while there is any praise.'^ A second edition was not issued until 1632. It is sufficiently clear that no more than the im- mortal 'Folio' of 1623, 'Paradise Lost,' or 'Silex Scin- tillans,' Avas this consummate poem ' popular;' while from his brother's Lines it is evident that ' malicious tongues ' depreciated it j and that otherwise he was not sufficiently estimated. "We must here read the loving fraternal ' Lines.' " Upon my brother j\Ir G. F. his book en- tituled ' Christ's Victorie and Triumph,' Fond lads, that spend so fast your posting time, (Too posting time, that spends your time as fast) To chant light toyes, or frame some wantom rhyme, Where idle boyes may glut their lustfuU taste ; Or else with praise to clothe some fleshly slime With virgin roses and fair lilies chaste ; While itching blouds and youthfull eares adore it ; But wiser men, and once yourselves, will most abhorre it. But thou (most neare, most deare) in this of thine Hast prov'd the INIuses not to Venus bound ; Such as thy matter, such thy Muse, divine ; 1 I am deeply indebted to Mr W. Alois Wright, M.A., of Trinity College, for discovering these entries for me. - Southey's British Poets : Chaucer to Jonson, p. 807. MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. Or thou such grace with Mercie's self liast found, That she herself deignes in thy leaves to shine ; Or stoll'n from heav'n, thou brought'st this verse to ground, Which frights the nummcd soul with fearfuU thunder, And soon with honeyed dews thawes it 'twixt joy and wonder. Then do not thou malicious tongues esteem ; (The glasse, through which an envious eye doth gaze, Can eas'ly make a mole-hill mountain seem) His praise dispraises, his dispraises praise ; Enough, if best men best thy labours deem, And to the highest pitch tliy merit raise ; While all the Muses to thy song decree Victorious Triumph, triumphant Victorie. " -^ That ' Christ's Victorie ' had one supreme * student ' in John Milton every one discerns; and the 'one' is compensating renown. Surely and permanently, if slowly, the majority came round to the 'one;' and now whoever knows aught of English Literature, knows ' by heart' the 'thoughts that breathe and words that burn' of this truly divine and imperishable Poem. If Giles had lived to see his brother's 'Sicelides' (1631); and perchance he did see it in the Manuscript — he would doubtless have found cheer in these lines of the ' Epi- logue ' in answer to the question ' What euer feast could every guest content ? ' viz : " In this thought, this thought the Author eas'd Who once made all, all rules — all neuer pleas'd ; Faine would we please the best, if not the many And sooner will the best be pleased then any ; Our rest we set in pleasing of the best, So wish we you what you may give us : Rest." ^ ' Poeticall Miscellanies,' pp. loi, 102 (1633). MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. Fuller has neglected to inform us in what year our * sweet Singer ' received ordination ; but while in resi- dence at Cambridge he was much sought after as a ' preacher.' His pulpit was sacred ' St. Mary's ' from which have come perhaps the grandest Sermons ever spoken by mortal tongues, and to the most large-brained auditories found anywhere, not excepting ' Paule's Crosse.'^ A peculiarity of his ' prayers,' was that they usually consisted of one entire allegory ' not driven, but led on, most proper in all particulars.'- It is scarcely a loss that 'prayers' of this type have not been preserved, and yet one would have liked to see a specimen, as one rejoices that in sequestered places one may still see Gardens of the antique sort, wherein the God-made sylvage is transformed by art into all manner of Dutch fantastiques of beds and knots, ' without a leaf astray,' as ' Our Village ' describes. In '1612' Fletcher edited and published at Cam- bridge the ' Remains ' of a remarkable ' Oxford ' man — Nathaniel Pownoll. The ' Epistle Dedicatory ' is ad- dressed to John King, Bishop of London. ; ^ and is a bit of terse, thoughtful English. Willmot laments that he had not been able to obtain the book as '•' it would certainly tend to illustrate the poet's history." Between the first edition of his 'Lives' (1834) and the second ^ Cf. my Memoir of Dr Richard Sibbes, Vol. I. pp. lii., liii. : and Masson's ' Milton.' ^ Fuller, as before. ^ See my Memoir of Bishop King prefixed to reprint of his 'Jonah' [4to.] in Nichol's Puritan Commentaries. ME MORI A L- IN TROD UCTION. (1839) he seems to have despaired of ever seeing it, and drops out all mention of it.^ I am very pleased to be able to produce it from Selden's copy of Pownoll, preserved in the ' Bodleian.' - Here it is : — '■ To the Reverend Father in God John L[ord] Bishop of London. Right woorthie and reuerend Father in God : Blame not your ancient Obseruer, if nowe, after he hath recouered in a manner, at Cambridge, that life which he lost at his departure from Oxford, he rises aniew, as it wear out of his ashes, to do his humble seruice to his Lordship ; and, indeede, to whome can any fruit that comes from him, bee with more right pre- ^ Cf. the former, p. 34 : In a foot-note here, Wilmott is per- plexed with a contradiction between Watt's ' Bibliotheca Brittan- nica' and the antiquary CoLE, because the former describes Pow- noU's volume as printed at ' Canterbury : ' but tlie explanation is that there was a mistake of Watt's editors (for his work was post- humous) in reading Cant[abrigia;] : = Cambridge, as Canterbury. ^'The following is the full title-page ' The Young Divines Apologie for his continuance in the Universitie with Certain Meditations, written by Nathaniel Pownoll, late student of Christ- Church in Oxford. Printed by Cantrell Legge, Printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge ; and are to be sold in Paul's Church- yard by Matthew Lownes at the signe of the Bishop's head,' 1612, [i2mo.] Another edition of the 'Young Divine's Apology' was published at Oxford in 1658 'printed for T. Robinson' and to this are added (i) Kis Meditation upon the calling of the Ministrie at his first institution unto it. (2) A Meditation upon the first of the seauen penitentiall Psalmes of David. (3) His daily Sacrifice. AlEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. I r sented then to him, in whose garden, and onder Avhose shadoAV it griew ? Into whose hand should this small book, though wanting his owne Epistle, be deliuered, but onto that, to which it hath before given so many- Epistles ? whear can it looke for protection with more hope than whear it hath formerly, with all fauour founde it? If your Lordship thearfore will be pleased to be the defender of this Apologie, and to breath as I may truly say, the breath of life again e into his sequent Medita- tions, that so beeing annimated aniew with those on- speakable sighs, and alike feruent zeale of spirit, wher- with they wear first, as in fierie chariots, carried up into heau'n ; I doubt not but they will seeme, beeing so quickned, to any that shall reade them (especially if, as Job wished in a case not much onlike, his soule wear in his soules stead) no cold, or dull, or dead letters; and in so doing, you shall not onely follow him into his graue, but call him out of it with this so speciall a bene- fit, binding with the dead in one knot of thankfulnesse all his friends that yet live, and cannot but ioy to see your Lordship's fauour out-live the person on whom it These last three are contained in one volume at the end of the ' Apologie ' 1612, I notice that in the Will of our Giles' Uncle — Bishop Richard Fletcher — he bequeaths, among other things the following : * Item,' I geue vnto my sister Pownoll twenty poundes. (Dyce's Beaumont & Fletcher, Vol. I. Ixxxviii. ) Was this the mother of our Pownoll? If so then we have a key to our poet's interest in editing and publishing his ' Remaines : ' in such case he was his cousin. 12 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. is bestowed : of whome my selfe, being the leaste, shal euer tliinke I am most bound to be. Your L. to command in all good seruice G. Fletcher.' To this falls to be added an equally good ' Epistle ' to ' the Reader ' which follows : — ' The Authour of this small discourse, or rather (giue mee leaue so to call him) the Swan that, before his death, sung this diuine song, is now thear, whear he neither needs the praise, nor fears the envy of any : whose life, as it deserued so it was covetous of no mans commendation; himselfe being as farre from pride as his desert was neere it, yet because it was his griefe, that hee should die before he was fit to doe God the seruice hee desired ; and his friends desire, that beeing so fit as hee was for his service, hee might (if it had been possible) neuer have died at all; thearfore his booke was bould to thrust itselfe into that world which the Author of it had lately left, thereby to satisfye both his Makers desire, in doing the church of God some seruice ; and his friends griefe, in not suffering him alto- gether to lie dead. And truely what better seruice can it doe, then to persuade with reason, since Authoritie forces not, our young Neophytes to abide awhile in the schooles of the Prophets, at Bethel, before they presume to enter the Temple at Hierusalem ; and if reason can doe little with them, because happily they want it, yet let his ex- MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 13 ample (an argument that prevails much with the com- mon people, of whome such prophets are the tayle) make them at least see, and confesse, though they know not how to amend, their fault. Ten yeares had hee liued in the Uniuersitie, eight languages had hee learnt, and taught his tongue so many seueral waies by which to expresse a good heart ; watching often, daily exercis- ing, alway studying, in a word, making an end of him- selfe in an ouer-feruent desire to benefit others ; and yet, after hee had, as it wear out of himself, sweat out all this oyle for his lampe, after hee had with the sunne ran so many heauenly races, and when the sunne was laied abed by his labours, after hee had burnt out so many candles to giue his minde light (hauing alwaies S. Paul's querie in his minde nc, i:soc, tuvto. ixavog) hee neuer durst adventure to doe that, after all these studies done, and ended, which our young novices, doeing nothing, coumpt nothing to doe : but still thought him- selfe as unfit, as hee kniew all men weare unworthy of so high an honour, as to be the Angells of God. I could wish that he had left behinde him, if not all his learning, yet some of his modesty to be diuided among these empty sounding vessels, that want both ; but since in him so great examples of piety, knowledge, Industrie, and unaffected modesty are all fallen so deeply asleep, as I am afraid we shall hardly find in any of his age the like, (which I speak not to deny iust praise to the lining; but who will not afford a fiew flowers to strowe the cophine of the dead ? ) thear was 14 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. no way to awaken them, and in them him, but by laye- ing them up, not with him in his graue, but in these im- mortal monuments of the presse, the liuing Tombes proper to dead learning, wherein these flowers may Hue, though their roote be withered, and though the trunk be dead, the branches flowrish. Let rich men therefore in the guilded sepulchres and proud monuments of their death, beg for the memory of their lines : the righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance, without any such proud beggary ; nor shall he euer be beholding to a dead stone for the matter; and good reason. Righteousness being a shadow of that divine substance, which hath in it no shadow of change much less of corruption : only I could wish their lines wear as long as their memories ; that so this crooked age might haue as great store, as it hath need of them. G. R' Prefixed to the ' Bodleian ' copy of Pownoll is this Latin M.S. Epitaphum. ' Flos juvenum, decus Oxonii, spes summa parentum Te tegit ante diem (matre parante) lapis. — Hoc satis est cineri : reliqua immortalia coelo Condit amorque hominum, condit amorque Dei.' "When our Fletcher left Cambridge is not known ; but as we have seen he was appointed to 'catechise' in 1617, and thus must have remained at the University until then at least. That he was a Divinely-' called ' not merely Bisliop- ordained 'minister of the Gospel' is certain. For in MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. the invocation of his great Poem he adoringly acknow- ledges the one mighty change within, the gentle yet awful dower that alone warrants a man to accept the august office. As Phineas has like definite and deep words concerning the same central thing — as fully appears in his Memoir — it would almost seem as though the two brothers were moved, inclined, and enabled to give themselves to their Lord at the same time. With hush of awe, not without white tears, one reads the goldenly precious self-revelation, modest but frank, frank because confiding. They must find place here : "The obsequies of Ilim that could not die And death of life, ende of eternitie, How worthily He died, that died vnwortluly ; Is the first flame wherewith my whiter Muse Doth burne in heauenly love, such love to tell. O Thou that didst this holy fire infuse, And taught'st this brest, but late the graue of hell, Wherein a blind, and dead heart liu'd, to swell With better thoughts, send downe those lights that lend Knowledge, how to begin, and how to end The loue, that neuer was, nor euer can be pend." ^ Thus baptized with Fire ' from the Altar ' he became a servant-Shepherd under the Owner-shepherd. Fuller says " He was at last (by exchange of his living) settled in Suffolk." On this Wilmott observes " It seems improbable that he would have relinquished any other preferment for a situation which is supposed to have hastened the period of his death;" and he continues " [He] did not live long to reap the advan- 1 Part I. s. I, 3 1 6 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. tage of his preferment; the unhealthiness of the situa- tion combined with the ignorance of his parishioners, to depress his spirits and exhaust his constitution ; a lonely village in the maritime part of Suffolk, more than two hundred years ago, had few consolations to offer to one accustomed to the refined manners and elegant occupations of an University. We are told by Fuller in the quaint manner for which he is remarkable, that Fletcher's ' clownish and low-parted parishioners (having nothing but their shoes high about them) valued not their pastor according to his worth, which disposed him to melancholy and hastened his dissolution.'" ^ We are reminded of Herrick's like experience among his ' clownish ' Devonshire parishioners. Unfortunately the ' Registers ' of Alderton — the ' living ' of Fletcher — only go back to 1674 ; so that there are no accessible records to get at Facts and dates. ^ As before, p. 67: "He may have been" suggests Willraott here, "presented to the living by Sir Robert Naunton, whose family were the patrons of the Church and had their residence in the parish. Naunton was Public Orator during several years of Fletcher's residence at Cambridge, and being himself a member of Trinity was, probably, well acquainted with his poetry and genius." On this, in a little Paper which appeared in the Ipswich Journal, (March 12th, 1853) a local Writer adds "If Scipio departed from Rome to fix his residence in some remote locality, it was but natural that he should sigh for the companionship of his beloved Laelius." It is discreditable in no common degree to Suffolk that an appeal by the (then) Rector for funds in order to place a marble tablet in the wall of the 'old Rectory' in memory of Fletcher, remains (1875) un-responded to and the pious project unperformed. O Shame where is thy blush ? MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 17 While 'Rector' I do not doubt he discharged faithfully the functions of his office ; and his prose in the form of * Epistles ' and ' Prefaces ' already given, and those which precede his Poem, should alone warrant us in conclud ing that he had preaching-power. But besides it is our rare happiness to have before us a copy — one of three known to exist, and only three — of a prose treatise by our Worthy, that gives us in all likelihood the substance , of a series of sermons. As this book has escaped the knowledge of all our Fletcher's previous Biographers, I shall give first of all the title-page, next the ' Epistle De- dicator}',' and thereafter extracts illustrative of its thought and style. There is first the title-page The REWARD oj the Faithfull. Matli. 5. 6. They shall be satisfied. THE LABOVR OF the Faithfull. Genes. 20. 12. Then Isaac sowed in that Land. THE GROVNDS of our Faith. Acts 10. 43. To him giiie all the Prophets witnesse. At London printed by B. A. for Beniatnin Fisher, and are to be sold at the signe of the Tal- bot in Pater-iioster row 1623.1 1 I owed my use of this precious volume originally to my accom- plished friend George W. Napier, Esq., of Alderley Ed;^e, near B 1 8 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. The ' Epistle ' refers to ' favours ' conferred by Bacon. It is saddening that we cannot know more of their nature. Was it the ' presentation ' to Alderton ? and the graciousness of it ? It would almost seem so, for in Bacon's Liber Rc^is (ed. 1786, p. 782), under the head of Alderton I find this : — " Sir James Bacon pro duabus vicibus, olim Patr." Thus it is not improbable that the living was in the gift of the Bacons, and that ihe Bacon may have presented him to it. The ' Epistle ' is as follows : ' To the right Honorable and Religious, Sir Roger Townshend, Knight Baronet ; ^ all grace and peace. Honourable Sir, Benefits, they say, are alwayes best giuen when they are most concealed, but thanks when they are made most knowne. Giue my priuate estate leaue therefore Manchester. It is daintily covered with satin and silver wire-work in flowers — which kind of binding is usually ascribed to the ladies of Little Gidding. Since, I received the gift of a perfect copy (Mr Napier's lacking the title-page), and recently the British IMuseum has added a third to its treasures. ^ Sir John Townshend, Bart, M.P., married Anne, eldest daughter and co-heir of Sir Nathanael Bacon, K.B., half-brother of the Bacon. The eldest son of this marriage was the Roger of this Dedication, created a Baronet in 1617. From him descend the present Marquis Townshend, Viscount Sydney, Baron Bayning, &1:. (See 'Notes and Queries' 4th Series, May 23rd, 1868, p. 499). Phineas also dedicates his ' Locustae ' to Sir Roger, and his English ' Locusts ' to Lady Townshend. See our edition of Phineas Fletcher, m loco. John Yates dedicates his * Saints' Sufferings and Sinners' Sorrowes ' (1631) to Sir Roger Townsend, &c. G. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 19 to borrow the Art of the Printer, which is the publike Tongue of the learned, to expresse my selfe (though with no other learning then what your kinde respects haue taught mee) most grateful! vnto you : who indeed am bound, though principally, yet not onely to your Honoured selfe, but totj Genfj iucB, to the worthy Lady your mother, the religious Knight, Sir Nathaniel, your second Father, & without thought, not beyond my de- sire, to your most noble & learned Vncle, the Right Honorable Francis Lord Verulam, Viscount Saint Al- bones, my free and very Honourable Benefactor, whose gift, as it was worthy his bestowing, so was it speedily sent, and not tediously sued for; Honourably giuen, not bought with shame, to one whom he neuer knew or saw, but onely heard kindly slaundered with a good' re- port of others, and opinion conceiued by himselfe of sufficiencie and worth. For by your Fauours I con- fesse, my estate is something, but the sence of my pouertrie much more increased. For if we may beleeue Nero's wise Maister and Martyr ; ' There is none so poore, as he who cannot requite a benefit :' ^ but I am glad your Estates will be alwayes beyond any retaliating ^ kindnesses of mine who could not, indeed, without doing you much iniury, wish my selfe able to make you amends. ^ Seneca. G. * An example of a now disused sense of this word, such as illus- trates and confirms Trench's remarks on it in his wcU-knowa 'Study of Words.' G. MEMORIAL-INTROD UC TION. As therefore Aristippus came to Dionysius, so doe I to you 'Et/ rw ij,tTah(Jii Hailing received what I wanted, to returne what I had.^ Though in trueth this small present may bee better sayed to bee giuen by you to others, then by my self to you. who thought it worthy of more mens reading then your owne, which I pray God it may be. Surely if there be any worth in it, it is in the dignitie of the matter, and the fitnesse of it, for our nature and times. The matters are the Grounds, Exercise and Reward of the faithfuU, Heauenly Light, Bodily labour, Spirituall rest. The first of which brings with it light for our Soules ; the second, Health for our bodies, and the third for them both eternal Blessednesse. But in our times there are three vertues are so great strangers, in which there are so many euill heartes of vnbeliefe, all standing ready to depart from the liuing God, that wee had need to offer a holy violence to our nature, and to fall out with our times, that fall so fast away from God, or else it is to be feared least the tide and streame of them both carry vs not into the riuers of Paradise, there to bee landed vpon the mountaines of our saluation, but into the riuers of Brimstone, whether all are wafted that depart from God : as himselfe telleth vs ; ' Depart from mee yee cursed into euerlasting fire.' And so much the more need had wee, that Hue in this last Age of the world, to looke to the infirmitie of our ^ Diogenes Laertius, Vita Arislippi ii. 77. G. MEMORIAL-IN TROD UCTION. natures and diseases of the time : because natural infir- mities are alwayes greatest Tyrants in our Age, and it is no otherwise in this old world, then in old persons : If we were borne weake sighted, it is a venture but in age a great diranesse, if not a totall blindnesse doe not be- fall vs. If a lame hand by nature hath disabled the actions of our youth ; the hand which in youth could doe little, will doe nothing in our age ; if we have tra- duced a personal inclination from our parents to any vice, it is a grace if that inclination grow not to an affection in our youth, and in our age to a habite. So fast grow the ill weedes of Nature when Nature it selfe decayes in vs. Now wee cannot bee ignorant that in the very Spring of nature, these three strong infirmities were seeded in vs. The first vpon the effacing of God's Image, a dimme eye-sight or darknesse in our soule : the second a lame hand or idlenesse in the body, which grew when Mortalitie first broke in vpon vs, and left our nature consumed of that first-borne strength it then flowrished with : bringing in vpon our labour an accursed sweat, vpon our sweat, wearinesse, and consequently faynting, and languishing the whole body with vnrest, and disease: The third vpon the losse of our heavenly inheritance, an inclination and affection of the whole man to such a happinesse, as wee cannot build for our selues, out of the beautie and delights of this world : which Salomon hap- pily alluded vnto Eccles. 3. 11. where speaking of Humane happinesse, to reioyce, and doe good, that is, 22 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. to eate and to drinke, and to enioy the good of all our Labour, verse, 3, (Which questionlesse is therefore law- full, because it is there sayd to bee the gift of God) hee telleth vs ; that, ' God hath made every thing beautiful! in his season, and hath set D7J*n cxhim, the worlde, as it is translated, or the desire of perpetuitie in their heartes, so that no man can finde out the worke that God maketh from the beginning to the end.' Whereas it seemes to me, Salomon allowing vs this Humane feli- citie, as good in it selfe, yet secretly accuseth it (by reason of the immoderate affection, and desire of per- petuitie wee cast after it) for blinding the eye of our consideration so farre, as thereby wee cannot find out the worke that God maketh from the beginning to the end, which doub[t]lesse ^ can be no other then his worke of our Redemption, purposed from all eternitie in Christ our Lord who therefore as himself is called crswroVoxo; craffj]? Kriczug, the first-borne of all creatures, so his day is cald Nouissimns Dicriim, the last of all dayes, he onely being (as himselfe witnesseth) A and n and the First - and the Last, the beginning of all things and the ende of all things Colos. i.,^ 15; and in this worke onely consists the knowledge of our perfit happines wherein is both perpetuitie and sufficiency, which work of God's, most men therefore cannot finde out, because they ac- quiet their desires with this humane felicitie, and He downe vnder Issachars blessing, which indeed, is but a ^ Misprinted ' doublesse.' " Misprinted ' Frst.' 2 Misprinted ' 11.' MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. cursory and viatorie happinesse, seruing vs onely for the time and by the way. These then are the three great diseases of our soules, bodies, and persons : Bhndnesse of Spirit, Idlenesse of Body, Loue and rest in the world ; which the beginning of the world, made by corruption, naturall j and the Age of the world, by the second nature, and of custome, hath made delightfull to vs. And truely, if our owne experience did not teach vs how most men in our dales pleased themselues in these infirmities, and with what de- light wee are ignorant, idle, and enamored of the world : yet the Oracles of God would plainely euidence it vnto vs, wherein wee shall finde it prophecied of this last tempest of the world, that it should bee full of seducing Spirits to infideUtie, of idle busie-bodyes, of louers of pleasures more then louers of God. To cure which three great diseases ^ of our natures, and our times I haue sent abroade by your perswasion (and therefore haue burdened you with the Patronage of it) this short Prescript, which I pray God may worke by the power of his Spirit, soundnesse in vs. To the riches of whose grace, I most entirely commend you, and rest Your Worships in all hearty affection and Christian seruice. Giles Fletcher. I now proceed to select such portions of the work it- self as have arrested my attention in reading it.- Taken ^ Misprinted * diseased.' ^ The texts are St. Matthew v., 6, * They shall be satisfied,' pp. 1-127; Genesis xxvi., 12, pp. 127-3025 Actsx., 43, pp. 303-419. 24 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. as a whole it is scarcely worthy of a reprint ; but our gleanings will, it is believed, interest. The ' verse ' bits will be found in their own place among the poems. I submit our extracts seriatim from the commencement to the close. ^ (i) "So much almes, and often fasting & due pay- ment of tithes, what goodnesse haue they, if the almes must bee trumpeted abroad, and the fast must set a sowre face vpon the matter, and the tithes must bee boasted of, and layed as it were in Gods dish, when he comes to pray before him in the Temple, as though God who giues him all, were beholding to him, for restoring him the tenth part of his owne?" (p. 9.) Again : — (2) " Now it is a speech of our Sauiour which it may bee euery man remembers, but few men marke, when after fourty dayes fast in the wildernesse, he was tempted to satisfie his hunger by making bread of stones, he answered. That man liu'd not by bread onely, but by euery AVord that proceeded out of the mouth of God. Which speech though a prophane Ignorant will perhaps derisively ^ scoffe at, as thinking it impossible to liue by words, yet such words as proceed out of the mouth of God haue more vitall sweetnesse, and nourishable sap in them, than all his corne, and oyle, and wine haue. Was not the whole world made by the word of God ? ^ It is remarkable that this prose treatise of our Poet should not hitherto have been known after Phineas's well-known verses given onward. ^ Misprinted 'derisonly.' MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTIO.W Was not the soule of euery reasonable creature made by the same word, and so imbreathed into the body of the first father of our humane nature ? and is now still infused into euery one of our bodies, when they are perfectly instrumented, and made fit for the soule to dwell in?" (pp. 19-21.) Again: — (3) " If a man digging in a field, find a mine, we cal this fortune : but a mine must bee first there by nature, before any can finde it there by fortune. And therefore fortune that comes alwayes after nature, cannot bee the cause of nature." (p. 24.) Again: — (4) " What nature in earth obsueres the difi'erent motions of the heavenly bodies, and admires the methodicall wisedom of God in them, and thinkes vpon his couenant of mercy, when he sees the token of it shining in the waterie cloud (sweetly abusing the same waters to bee a token of his mercy, which before were the instrument of his iust revenge.") (p, 30, 31.) Again : — (5) " Whose eye lookes beyond the bright hilles of time, and there beholds eternity, or sees a spirituall world beyond this body, esteeming that farre discoasted region, his native country,^ but onely man? (p. 31.) Again : — (6) So with the body. But we cannot drinke too much of our spirituall rocke, nor eate too much of our heauenly Manna, after which we haue feasted our hearts with, we shall find noc more hunger, or thirst ; feele noe ^ Misprinted ' countey.' 26 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. more iniuries of age, or time ; feare noe more spoiles of mortality, or death. Neither is the soule nourished by this diuine food, as the body is, by wasting that whereby it selfe is preserued, and consuming that to maintaine it selfe, whereby it selfe is kept from corruption : but as the sight of al eyes is preserued and perfected by the light of the Sunne, whose beames can neuer be exhaust, so our spiritual life is nourished by the partici- pation of the life of Christ which is indeed rrrr/oLtuv Xjari, amiona cccli, the flower of heauen, neuer engrost by possessing, nor lost by vsing, nor wasted by nourishing, nor spent by enioying but hath that heauenly, and vnconsumable nature in it (being to nourish immortall soules) that it preserues al without decaying itselfe, it diuides it selfe to all without losse or diminution of it selfe ; it is imparted to all and replenished, and not impayred by any of those soules that banquet vpon it." (PP- 37-4°-) Again:— (7) " Like the twilight of an euening, or the first breake of day in which the shadows of earth, and the light of heauen are confused." (p. 42.) Again : — (8) " Makes vs of one spirit and one soule, as it were, with the Diuine being; not by the vnion of essence and information, but by inhabitance and par- ticipation." (p. 61.) Again: — (9) " But when the morning of glory shall arise, wherein our soules shall awaken from the heauy eye-lid of our flesh, and the veyle of our body shall first be reraoued, and after being depur'd from his drosse, be MEMORIAL-INTKOD UCTION, V refined into a bright and spirituall body, wee shall then see God as he is." (pp. 73, 74.) Again : — (10) ''So that looke as you see the very bright image of the Sunne so reflected vpon the water somtimes, that the dull Element seemes to haue caught downe the very glorious body it selfe, to paint her watry face with, and lookes more like a part of heauen, then like it selfe . who in the absence of the Sunne, is all sabled with blacknesse and darknesse, and sad obscurity ; but vpon the first beames of the heauenly body, is glazed with a most noble & illustrious brightnesse ; so is it with our wljole man. For when God shall thus imprint and strike himselfe into our darke being, O how beautiful! shall the feet of Gods saints bee? Esay 52. 7. What a Diadem of stars shall crowne their glorious heads? Reuelat. 12. How shall their amiable bodies shine in Sun-like Majesty? I\Iat. 13. 4." (pp. 77, 7S.) Again: — (11) " This carried the heart of olde Simeon into such a holy extasie of religious delight, that earth could hold him no longer, but he must needs, as it were, breake prison, and leape out of his olde body into heauen. O what a desire of departure to it, doth a true sight of this saluation kindle ! ' Lord,' sales he, ' now lettest,' &c. As if he should say. Lord, now the child is borne, let the olde man die, now thy son is come, let thy seruant depart, now I haue seene thy salvation, O let mee goe to enioy it. Now I haue beheld the humanity of thy Sonne, what is worth the looking vpon, but the diuinity of such a person, who is able to make my young Lord 28 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. heere euen proud of his Humilitie. For so great a ioy of spirit can neuer be thrust vp into so small a Vessell, as an olde shrunke-vp body of earth is. Since therefore I haue testified of thy Christ, since I haue made an end of my dying note, and sung thee my Christmasse song ; since I haue scene thee, O thou holy one of Israeli, whom no flesh can see & hue, what haue I to do to hue, O Lord? What should I weare this olde garment of flesh any more ? Thou hast left thy fatnesse off, O thou faire Oliue Tree and the oyle of it hath made mee haue a cheerefull countenance : thou hast forsaken thy sweetnesse, O thou beautifuU Vine, and thy fruit hg.th warm'd thine olde Seruant at the very hart. Now ther- fore being thou hast powred thy new wine into this old vessell, O giue the old bottle leaue to breake, O let me depart in peace \ for I haue enough, I liaue seen, mine eyes haue scene thy saluation." (pp. 111-114.) Again : — (12) " Exod. 20. 9 . . . which is not to be vnder- stood as a Permission, but as a Precept : as though God gaue vs onely leave, & not charge to labour. For hee sayes not, six daies thou Maist labour, but six dales thou Shalt labour." (p. 131.) Again : — (13) "Are not al things imbrightned with vse, and rustied with lying still ? Let but the little Bee become our mistresse. Is shee not alwaies out of her artificial! Nature, either building her waxen Cabinet, or flying abroad into the flowry jNIeadowes or sucking honey from the sweete plants, or loading her weake thighes MEMORIAL-IN TRODUCTIOW 29 with waxe to build with, or stinging away the theeuish Droan that would fain hiue it selfe among her labours, and liue vpon her sweete sweat ? Ignamim, fiicos, pecns a prcesepibus arceiity And shal this little creature, this Naturall goode hous wife thus set her selfe to her busi- nesse, and shall we droane away our time in idlenesse, and which alwaies foUowes it, vicious liuing?" (pp. 138, 139-) Again:— (14) It is indeede a naturall Truth, Oiiine Corpus naturale quicscit in loco propria. Euery naturall body is quiescent in his owne proper place : and yet wee see though all gladly rest in their owne regions, and inuade not the confines of their neighbour Elements, yet they are alwayes mouing and coasting about in their owne orbes and circuits, thereby teaching vs to labour euery man in the circle of his owne calling, and not to busie-body out abroad with other newe workes. The Aire breakes not into the quarters of heauen and yet, wee see, it is alwayes fann'd from place to place, and neuer sleepes idly in his owne regions : the reason is, because other- wise it would soone putrifie it selfe and poyson vs all with the stinking breath of it, did not the diuine pro- uidence of God driue it about the World with his Windes, that so it might both preserue it selfe and serue to preserue us, which otherwise it could never doe. So that in a word, euery thing moues for man, & should man only himselfe be idle and stand still." (pp. 143-146.) ISIore fully: — 1 Virq-il. Cw^. iv. l6S. G. 30 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. (15) "A faithfull Minister is a great labourer. I would not willingly make comparisons betweene him and the husbandman, and say his labour is beyond theirs ; but this I may safely say, that God himselfe compares him not onely to a husbandman, but to shew the greatnesse of his labour, to euery cahing indeed that is most sweated with Industrie and toyle. I know all men thinke their owne callings most laborious, but whether thinke you it easier to plow vpon hard ground, or vpon hard stones ? whether to commit your seed to those furrowes that will return you fruitfull thankes ; or those that for your labor will spoyle your seed, &. requite you with reproch and slander ? whether to such ground as is good, and naturally opens her bosome to drinke in the dewes of heauen that fall upon her, and gladly receiues the Sunne beames shed from God to warm and make fruitfull the seede credited to her wombe, or such ground as neuer thirsts after the watering of Apollos, though as Moses speakes (Deut. 32. 2.) his words drop as the raine, and his speech distill as the dew ; neuer can indure the light of heauen to shine vpon it, but lies alwayes in darkenesse and in the shadowes of death ? yet such ground (stones I should haue sayd) did the diuine courage of Stephen meet with in Jerusalem (Act. 7. 59), such S. Paul wrought on afLystra (Act. 14. 19.), such Moses and Aaron and losua toyled vpon in the wildernes (Num. 14. 10.) such the prophets (Matt. 21, 25.) such the Prince of the prophets found in his owne inheritance, though he had before (ag we see in Esay 5. ME MORI A L-IN TROD UCTION. 2.) pickt all the stones himselfe out of it (John 8, 59). What one difficultie or danger is the roughest calling assaulted with, that his is not. Does the plowmans labour know no end, but is it as the Poet speakes of it : Labor actus in orbem, Quique in se sua per vestigia voluitur? ^ So is his. Does the Shepheard, the sun-burnt and frosted shepheard, watch ouer his flockes by night, strengthen the diseased, set apart the sound, binde vp the bruised, seek out the lost, rescue those that are preyed vpon? So does he. Marches the soldier before the face of death ? Hues hee among the pikes of a thou- sand dangers? walks he throgh his owne wounds and blood? So does he: but as the ground this spirituall plowman tils is harder, so the wolves & Lyons this Shep- heard watches against are fiercer, and the Armies he graples with of another temper then such as are made like himselfe of flesh and blood ; being Powers and Principalities, spirituall wickednesses, & worldly gouer- nors, one of whom could in a nights space strike dead the lines of a hundred fourescore and fme thousand souldiers at once, all armed and embattayld together Isay 37. 36. Let all the Princes of valour that euer liued bring into the field their most tried and signall warriour, whose face and brest stand thickest with the ^ More accurately " Redit agricolis labor actus in orbem, Atque in se sua per vestigia volvitur annus." — Virgil Georg. «., 401, 402. G. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. honourable scarres ^ of braue aduentures ; if I doe not single out to encounter him one souldier that beares in his body the markes of the Lord lesus, who shall haue broken througla an Iliad of more dangers and perils, then he, let Gath and Ascalon triumph ouer Sion once againe, & let it be said that a second and more noble Saul is falne vpon his high places, then euer yet fell before. For wee shall finde him all the world ouer in labours more abundant, in iourneys more often, in more perils in the city, in the wilderness, in the sea, more often in watchings, and fastings, in hunger and thirst, in cold & nakednesse, in prison more frequent, and ofter in weari- nesse and death 2 Cor. 11. 23. &c. Let not him there- fore that sowes the earth with his labor, slander the spiritual! tilth of our soules with lazie thoughts. Alas ! in the time of peace contempt is the greatest haruest we reape and in the tempests of persecution, our blood is the first seed is sowne in the Church." (pp. 155 — 162). Again : — (16) " Isaac (i) a religious person sowes. (2) sowes in a time of famin and dearth. (3) ground of strangers. (4) reward." Again : — (17) " What would one of our small heires say, should I now turne Farmour. I thanke God I haue beene brought vp after another fashion, and haue ground enough of mine owne to liue upon by other mens labours. Well I make no question but Isaac was as 1 The original has 'honourable starres,' but 'markes' onward, shews it to be a misprint for * scarres ' as above. G. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 33 well brought vp as such idle, out of calling gentlemen, and yet he plowes, and sowes, not only another mans ground, but the ground of straungers, where hee could expect nothing but hard dealing, which indeed hee found." (pp. 171, 172.) Again : — (18) "God His are no Court-promises prodigally made, and purposely forgotten, (p. 177.) Again : — (19) "All these mischiefes happen not to rich men, but to men that will bee rich, not to men that haue money but to men that loue money and set their heart vpon it. ' If riches increase,' &c., sales Dauid. A man may haue riches, but riches must not haue the man." (p. 183.)- (20) " It may be thou art godly and poore. Tis well : but canst thou tell whether, if thou wert not poore, thou wouldst be godly? Sure God knows vs better then wee ourselues doe, and therefore can best fit the estate to the person." (pp. 211, 212.) Again: — (21) " Rest therefore thy selfe content with that estate God hath set thee in, that is best for thee, if thou beest a childe of God, and it is not God's order to giue thee his blessings to hurt thee with." (p. 212.) Again : — (22) " A covetous man is the poorest man aliue. For must not he needs be poore, whom God himselfe doth notsatisfie?" (p. 218.) Again: — (23) " But indeed to say true. — A couetous man that rauines and snatches at other mens goods is no more properly in God's sight a rich man, then we would call 34 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. him that had stollen a great summe of mony from an- other man, rich. We shall doe him no wrong if we call him a rich theefe. For yee know wee neuer reckon the goods of theeues their owne goods, because as soon as they are taken notice of, their goods are all seiz'd vpon to the King's vse : And so many times as soone as God sends out his pale Pursuiant to attach this couetous wretch, the goods presently are disposed of, all [as] God will have them : sometimes it may be to his honest heire, or perhaps to the destruction of such as inherit with his sinne his substance, as the rich Epuloes Brothers : but many times to the building of Hospitals or the erecting of Grammar Schooles, or putting out of Pren- tises or redeeming of Prisoners or founding of Colledges or releeuing of maimed Soldiers, or making of good waies, such as himselfe never walkt in (or which now is a rare point of pietie) in doing some good to the Church of God, by restoring to the right vse, vsurped and impro- priate tithes, or buying them from the dead hands they lie in, and laying them vpon God's Altar, that feedes not vnder the Gospel any mortmaines, such as were the hands of the Romane Clergie : but such as are more free, and active in the seruice of the Prince, and Com- monwealth, then any in the whole bodie politique of double their abilitie, and strength." (pp. 220 — 223.) — (24) " God's love is the beginning, and thy glory is the last end, the loue of God will bring thee to : but there be many meanes betweene the beginning and the ende, his loue and thy glory. First, God's loue elects MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 35 thee to be iustified, and to worke tliy iustification he cals thee, and that thou maiest be called, he infuses into thy heart faith in Christ, and that thou mightst beleeue, he causes thee to heare the word, that thou mightst heare, his Prophets must preach it to thee, before they can preach, they must be sent : So that in briefe. The Min- ister is sent to preach, he preaches that thou maist heare, thou hearest, that thou mightst be called, thou art called to beleeue in Christ, thou beleeuest that thou maiest be iustified, being iustified, thou art sure of thy Crowne of Glorie, and this glory the loue of God by all these meanes sets as it were vpon thy head. Betweene therfore our glory which is the end, & God's loue which is the beginning and cause of it, many interiacent meanes, you see, are cast betweene." (pp. 239 — 241.) Again : — (25) " If the Sunne be risen, wee shall finde him sooner by his beames vpon the tops of the Mountaines, then in the Orient of Heauen it selfe ; and so the Loue of God is sooner discouered to rise in thy heart by the beames of Grace it there shows abroad, then by the flame of it self that shines in his owne breast in heauen. If then grace imbrighten thy heart, thou maist from Grace assure thy selfe of God's loue, and thine own glorie : but if thou findest in thy selfe an impenitent and incorrigible heart, thou mayst then iustly worke vpon thy selfe a sence of thy misery : I dare not say thou art sure of God's wrath, but I must say, except thou repent, and God change thy heart, thou art yet in a fearefuil and 36 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. lost estate ; say not therefore thus. — God hath cast me out from his fauour, therefore my heart is obdurate, im- penitent, incorrigible. For this is to argue from that thou knowest not, whether God fauors thee or no : but thus rather, My heart is obdurate, impenitent, incorri- gible, therefore if I so continue, God will surely cast mee out from his fauour and presence. And this thou maist securely doe, because thine owne conscience is both a witnesse and a iudge of thy life, whether it be impeni- tent or not," (pp.251 — 3.) Again: — (26) " Nor was it a miracle to see rich mens daugh- ters (vnacquainted with new tires, and most fashionable dresses) busie themselues in laborious (and not curious needle) work, but it was ordinary in that old world to meete the young and beautifuU Rachel tending her father's sheepe, and watering the flocke, and Rebecca with a pitcher vpon her shoulder, drawing water both for her owne vse, and to water the Camels of Abraham's servant, an office that our nice virgins, who dresse vp themselues like so many gay silke-worms would thinke scorne of." (pp. 262—3.) Again: — (27) "Thus were the opinions of the old world, but it is a world to see now the prodigious change of Nature, when not onelie most men count Husbandrie a base and sordid businesse, vnfit to soyle their hands with : but some, who thinkes his breast tempered of finer clay then ours of the vulgar sort, call such as haue spent their times in the studies of Diuinity, no better then rixosum disputaiorum genus quorum vix in coqucndis oleribus con- silium admiilit" (pp. 274-275.) Again: — MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 37 (28) "Others bestow their time in Legall, and Call- ings vsefull to the Common-wealth, but as they abuse them, neyther honest, nor iustifiable before God. Such are our Tap-houses, and Gaming Innes : I meane not harbouring and viatory Innes, which questionless, in fit places, and where lustice is neere at hand, if rightly vsed, are not onely lawfuU and profitable, but necessarie and honest : for to lodge weary Trauellers as Rahab did the Spies of Israel, or to let the poore labouring man to have iust allowance of bread and drinke for his money can be accounted no other then necessary relief: but for our Tipling Innes in small and vntract Hamlets, without which our Country-Diuels of drunkennesse. Blasphemy, Gaming, Lying, and Queaning, could amongst vs finde no harbor (though perhaps in places of more resort they haue credit enough to be entertained in fairer lodgings) they are eyther the Diuel's vncleane Warehouses for his spiritual wickednesses to trade in ; or in our plaine world hee hath no traffique at all." (pp. 291-93). (29) " It was Eliah's speech from God to Ahab : ' Hast thou slaine, and also taken possession ;' and it may well be his Churche's to either of theirs. Hast thou taken possession, and wilt thou slay also ? not the body once, but for euer the soules, of innocent men. Let no man quar- rell with me, as Ahab did with Eliah. ' Hast thou found me O mine Enemie?' If he doe, I must borrow Saint Paule's answer ' Am I thine enemy, because I tell thee the Truth ? ' No (I speake not out of rash, but charitable zeale) thou art thine owne Enimie, thou art God's 38 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION, Enimie, thou art the enimie of his Church. For if thou didst loue him, thou wouldst feede his flock, feede his Sheepe, feede his Lambs. If thou diddest loue his Church, thou wouldest shew thy loue by thy obedience to it. Who enioynes euery one eleuen moneths resi- dence vpon his cure, and graunts him but one month's absence, whereas it is a venture, but without long search you may finde one that absents himselfe elevuen moneths, and is resident but once a yeare, and that is perhaps at haruest, or peraduenture at Easter, when his owne, and not so much the Church's profit calles him to his benefit, not his Benefice. He would being resident preach euery Sunday, as shee commaunds him in her 45. Cannon. Hee would labour to conuince Heretiques (which now in his absence growes vppon her) or see them at least censured as shee bids him in her 65. and 66. Canons. He would keepe the sound in safety, and visit the sicke, as shee directs him in her 67. Canon. Thus he would do, and not laugh at them that did thus, and would haue him doe so, as men more pre- cise, than wise, of more heate than discretion. I am not so intemperate as to rage against all Non-residency, which in case of insufiliciencie of one Lining, orpublique, and necessarie imployment, either in Vniversities or Court, must needs be allowable : but either our Church it selfe is precise, that bids him doe thus : or he that does the contrary without any ouerballancing reason, prooues himselfe a Bastard, and none of hir Children. A double wound it is our Church receiues from these MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 39 men. For as themselues haue not the grace to correct their cvvne sinne, so they haue commonly in their roomes certaine vnder-curats, so grossely ignorant, as not to know theh'S. They that know nothing themselues, are set by these to teach otliers, of whom we cannot say dies did, but nox nodi indicat sdentiam. One night teaches another, a blinde Prophet a blinde People." (PP- 397-402.) Again:— (30) " Those Ecclesiastical hon-;e-Droanes of our owne, which hiue themselues vnder the shadow of our Church (the wicked thiefe money, that siluer dropsie, that now raigns in vnconsionable Patrons, making way for them), and so beare indeed either no witnesse to Christ at all, or but very slight, and rash witnesse" (p. 397). He is very severe on non-residence at page 399 seqq : as earlier (page 371) he had passionately exclaimed (28) " O that there were not in Christ's militant Church, as there were in Othoe's military Campe, so many men, so few Soldiers, so many professors, so few Christians." That he could wield the lash effectively has already appeared : but here is an out-burst on contemporary literature somewhat unexpected : (31) "Among the crowde of this ranke (idlers) wee may thrust in our idle pamphleteers and loose poets, no better than the priests of Venus, with the rabble of stage-players, balleters and circumferaneous fidlers and brokers : all which if they were cleane taken out of the world there would bee little misse of them." Further: — (32) " I do not deny but that God is able to perfect his power in these mens weaknesse : [The under-curates 40 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. left by non-residents] For it is not impossible for our spiritual! Sampson (as hee ouercame his enemies, and was refreshed with a iawe of the seely beast) so to make the waters of Life spring between the teeth of these simple creatures : but these unsent Runners might do well to content themselues with one Cure, and not to be too busie in trudging between many, as some of them are." (p. 404.) {ZZ) " Neyther doe I denie but that such trading Preachers may find work enough for their mouths by making other mens labours runne through them. But this is to get their Liuing by the sweat of otlier men, and to wipe it off to their owne browes" (p. 405.) He then gets sorrowfully vulgar, abusive, and illogical, and apologetical, thus : — (34) " Pardon mee (right deerly beloued in our Lord and Sauiour) if when Thorns and Thistles grow vpon God's Altar, as the Prophet Hosea speakes, I am forced to vse a little fire of Zeale to consume them." (P- 413-) Besides these fuller specimens I have marked a num- ber of brief ones containing unusual words and turns of expression : e.g. (i) The name of the wicked ' rots ' — "And therefore our Sauiour in the Storie of Lazarus, and Dives, keepes the poore man's name aliue to the worlde's end, but in- dustriously leaues the rich man's name at vncertaintie, with 'There was a certaine rich man.' " (p. 207.) (2) " Purpled in glory by the bloud royall of our deere Lord" (p. 239.) MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION, 41 {3) " Those two mayne iettes .... Selfe-sufficiency and Perpetuitie." (p. 121.) (4) " Seioyn'd one from another." (p. 122.) (5) " Apting the bodies of men " (p. 269.) (6) " Our nakednesse was then our glory, it is now our shame : it was a curse to till the earth then, it is now a blessing to haue earth to till : so that wee haue learnt to turne by the corruption of our nature, our apparell that should couer our shame, to proclaime our pride : and our Lands that should feede vs by our labour, to the food of our luxurie " (pp. 277, 278.) (7) " They had need to be embalm'd as well before, as after their deaths." (p. 29S.) (8) " Lessoned our reason by sence" (p. 304.) (9) " The noon-Sunne." (p. 307.) (10) "The Christian impaths himselfe." (p. 321.) (11) " Defalke as much from God's word." (p. 323-) (12) " Some of these again spanging out of the Canon of the New Testament, all the Reuelation of S John. (p. 325O (13) ''Others farsing into the Canonicall writings, Apocriphall and vnknowne Authors." (p. 325.) (14) "The strict keeping of decorum, in figuring them [the four Evangelists] like beasts [' the four Beasts '] such as the Lamb himselfe is." (p. 331.) (15) '-The bulletting of a whole commonwealth." (p. 394-) (16) "An irrepugnable truth." (p. 30.) 42 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. (ly) " Were they not eftsoons reymbark't and stock't againe into the Tree of Life." (p. 43.) (18) " The first fulnesse or saturity." (p. 50.) (19) " Indeflowrishing and vnattainted health." (p. 51.) (20) " Measured them out by God, to vessel it up in." (p. 53 and again p. qi.) (21) " This is a retruse, and hidden, but in truth a very diuine motion " (p. 69.) (22) " The similitude it hath with it, in the act of in- tellection." (p. 70.) (23) " Inspired, and I may so speake. Spirited with the Holy Ghost." (p. 76.) (24) " Euigilant soules." (p. 85.) (25) " Imbondaged." (p. 107.) I know not that I leave anything worth-while in this Volume : but surely we have in these words from it, ' Apples of Gold ' in a * Basket of Silver.' Biogra- phically, our longer extracts numbered 15. and 17. are most interesting : and there are other personal touches that make the recovery of the ' Reward of the Faithfull ' no common treasure-trove toward our all too scant knowledge of this Worthy. That he was human is clear enough : infirm of temper and perchance over-vehement and over-Churchly, and in relation to the lowly men who outside of the Church of •England sought to 'speak' for the One Saviour and of the One ' Salvation ' mournfully without the large charity of the illustrious Jeremy Taylor in his ' Liberty of MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 43 Prophesying' — which may be called the 'Magna Charta' of ' Ecclesiastical History,' so potent is it still. Fuller leaves the death-date of our Poet imperfect thus 162 . . but Anthony a- Wood supplies it, viz., 1623.^ " I beheld," says the former, " the life of this learned poet, like those half-verses in Virgil's ^neid, broken off in the middle, seeing he might have doubled his days according to the ordinary course of nature." ^ That 1623 was our Worthy's death-year is confirmed in- ferentially by Phineas's over-looked verses headed " Upon my brother's book called, The grounds, labour and reward of failh," than which nothing can more meetly close the ' memorial ' part of our Introduction : " This lamp fiU'd up, and fir'd by that blest Spirit Spent his last oyl in this pure, heav'nly flame ; Laying the grounds, walls, roof of faith: this frame With life he ends ; and now doth there inlierit What here he built, crown'd with his laurel merit: Whose palms and triumphs once he loudly rang. There now enjoyes what here he sweetly sang. This is his monument, on which he drew His spirit's image, that can never die ; But breathes in these live words, and speaks to th' eye; In these his winding-sheets he dead doth shew To buried souls the way to live anew, And in his grave more powerfully now preacheth: Who will not learn, when that a dead man teacheth? "^ No stone, — and so no ' golden lie ' of epitaph — or any other outward memorial whatever, marks Giles 1 As before, s. n. ^ As before: ' Worthies ' s. n. ^ Poeticall Miscellanies, pp. 101, 102 (1663). 44 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. Fletcher's last resting-place. He left a Widow — as we have already seen — who transferred herself to an- other and neighbouring Rectory. Who she was, and whether she bore a family to her first husband, has not been ' written,' only it is recorded that Letters of Ad- ministration were issued 12th November 1623, in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury " on the estate of Giles Fletcher of Alderton, county Suff"olk, S. T. B. " to his relict Anne ; so that here we have the double-fact of his death in 1623, and her Christian name 'Anne.' And so the little life-story is told of one, concerning whom loveable old Livesey's eulogium of Chetham, holds, " They who excell[ed] him in grace, came short of him in learning : and they who excell'd him in learn- ing came short of him in grace." ^ Remembering then his noble Poem " Now his faith, his works, his ways, Nights of watching, toilsome days. Borne for Christ, 'tis meet we praise." ^ ' Greatest Loss,' page 9. II. CRITICAL. /^RDINARILY one might feel called on to apologize for coming between the Reader and his book with 'critical' remarks; but while to the necessarily select circle into which the Poetry of the Fletchers and their associates is likely to come, the works themselves should suffice — each being left to search out what of rare and vivid, beautiful and memorable, is to be found therein, — it nevertheless is my hope that some little service and help may be rendered to them — as to others — if from many- yeared loving and reverent familiarity with these fine old Singers, I illustrate successively their characteristics, estimate, or give materials for estimate, of their dis- tinctive worth, and trace their influence, contemporary and later; and so guide, perchance, to a higher recog- nition than is common of their place in the lustrous roll of the Poets of England. With reference to all the Fletchers extant criticism has been based on the merest 'shreds and patches' — 'purple patches' I allow — of extracts, and second-and-third-hand traditionary com- mon-places of quotation ; e.g. we have — and they are typical — on the one hand Henry Headly (in his "Select Specimens ") telling us that " Christ's Victorie " is a " rich and picturesque poem unenlivened by imper- sonation " — the antithesis of the fact in so far as ' im- 46 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. personation' is concerned, as will appear; and more recently even such-an-one as S. C. Hall (in his " Book of Gems") lavishing (apparently) well-weighed epithets in laudation of ' Elegies ' that have no existence, and con- firming his own verdict on Phineas Fletcher's ' Pisca- tory Eclogues ' with learning from Coleridge oi another altogether in a way that self-convicts him of never having read them, inasmuch as though their title be ' Pisca- tory ' they have nothing whatever to do with ' angling,' save in their slight framework. His condemnation of classical names and allusions brought together at ran- dom from scattered stanzas manifests amazing if also amusing ignorance, alike of them and the Poem. It may be as well to find a place for this egregious criticism, as thus : — " Of Christ's Victory we may speak in terms of the highest praise. The Poet has exhibited a fertility of invention and a rich store of fancy, worthy of the sublime subject. The style is lofty and energetic, the descriptions natural and graphic, and the construction of the verse graceful and harmonious. But unhappily he has introduced among his sacred themes — the birth, temptation, passion, resurrection and ascension of the Saviour — so many characters from and allusions to pro- fane history, as often to jar upon the sense and to render the poet justly liable to the charges of bad taste and inconsistency. Giles Fletcher indeed had no power in selecting his thoughts, or his reputation might have equalled his genius. He refers to the Graces, Mount Olympus, the Trojan boy, the Titans, * wild Pentheus,' MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 47 * staring Orestes/ Orpheus, Deucalion, Bacchus, Pan, Adonis, Arcady, Mount Ida, and the honey of Hybla — references that bear us away from the solemn grandeur of his great theme." On this empty twaddle three things may be said {a) Surely it is about time that objections to illustrations drawn from Greek Mytho- logy being used by Christian writers, were decently buried and forgotten ? For it is clear that our Fletchers and Milton did not regard these myths as merely heathen fables but as adumbrations of great truths to be revealed at the advent of Christianity. Of this there is striking exemplification in Giles Fletcher's " Christ's Triumph over Death " (st. 7, 8.) " Who doth not see drown 'd in Deucalion's name (When earth his men, and sea had lost his shore) Old Noah ? and in Nisus' lock, the fame Of Sampson yet alive ; and long before In Phaethon's, mine own fall I deplore : But he that conquer' d hell, to fetch againe His virgm widoive, by a serpent slaine. Another Orpheus was then dreaming poets feigne : " ^c. lS^'r. {b) That any man who could place between quotation- marks ' wild Pentheus ' and ' staring Orestes ' and 'Ida' and pronounce against the supremely grand text which contains them, proclaims his own utter incapacity and provides an admirable addition to the " Curiosities of Criticism " if a second DTsraeli ever arise to prepare such a volume : {c) That ' Lycidas ' 48 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. and ' Comus ' might be similarly travestied by shovelling together their classical names and allusions.^ Our Memoirs show that Phineas, and not Giles as usually supposed — was thi elder of the two brothers ; but as the quaint Puritan Preachers were wont quaintly to play on the ancient story of Esau and Jacob, the younger gat the blessing from the first-born ; or in plainer prose, published his chief poem long before his brother's appeared — albeit without one touch of ' sup- planting'' ; for never was there more winsome friendship than theirs. (It is evident indeed by " Christ's Triumph after Death " (st. 49, 50) that Giles must have read the " Purple Island " in manuscript. Probably " Christ's Victorie " and the " Purple Island " were written at the same time and mutually communicated : " But let the Kentish kd, that lately taught The oaten reed the trumpet's silver sound," (Cf. p. I. II. St. 2) " Who now shall teach to change my oaten quill For trumpet 'larms.") Turning then to " Christ's Victorie and Triumph in Heaven and Earth, over and after Death," it is due to the Poet to keep in mind its date, viz. 16 10. Preced- ing thus, even in publication and much longer in com- position, by upwards of half-a-century ' Paradise Lost ' and ' Paradise Regained,' it has the distinction of having 1 The Book of Gems : The Poets and Artists of Great Britain. By S. C. Hall. 3 vols. Svo, 1848. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 49 been the first ' sacred ' poem of any considerable length, that has left its mark on English Literature. I am very well aware that prior to 1610, Antiquarianism has dug up so-called religious verse ; but comparison therewith were an outrage. You may cull from some of them a radiant metaphor, a melodious couplet, a finely-touched epithet, a pregnant thought ; but you have no other single poem before ' Christ's Victorie ' whose whole warp and woof, substance and adornment, are ' sacred : ' so that in the outset, as the pioneer of England's reli- gious poetry in epic or semi-epic form, Giles Fletcher demands grateful praise. We can only surmise wist- fully the deduction that might have been called for from this, had we the lost treasure of Spenser's ' Ecclesiastes,' ' Canticum Canticorum,' ' Hours of our Lord,' and the ' Sacrifice of a Sinner.' Wither and Quarles, Her- bert and Crashaw and Vaughan, followed not pre- ceded him. Southwell's 'St Peter's Complaint' is much too short to be named with ' Christ's Victorie ' even if it were not in his lesser pieces that the saintly Jesuit wrought most cunningly. Nicholas Breton indeed was earlier and contemporary, and he verily has sung sweetly and divinely. Cognate with this honour of firstness — if the word be allowable — among the ' sacred ' Singers of our Country, is the simple, idiomatic, capital English, of * Christ's Victorie.' Hitherto your perfunctory editors and compilers have with stupid and uncritical superero- gation modernized the orthography of the great Poem. Never was the irreverent process less called for ; never D 5° MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. SO like to rough-handed brushing off the exquisite powder from a moth's wing or the fine meal ft-om an auricula. Our text — as in every case — is from the Poet's own, and the most hasty perusal will satisfy, that the great body of the wording is pure un -archaic Eng- lish, easily intelligible, terse, compact, musical. With all one's allegiance to Spenser, it is trying to feel, much more to think, one's way through the tropically thorny luxuriance of his language. And yet Master Giles Fletcher was a ' growing lad ' when ' dear Colin ' was laid softly in Westminster. Comparing ' Christ's Vic- torie ' with earlier and later Poems, I think it deserves no common praise for the naturalness, spontaneousness, inevitableness, of its English. The stanza is a modifi- cation of what is called the Spenserian, and it is astonishing how little of the contortion of the Sybil there is with the flood-tide of her inspiration, how much of the naked strength and disdainful greenness of the old English oak, without its nodosities. The perfection of the thought is equalled by the perfection of its utter- ance. There is the grand simplicity about it of our English Bible of 1611. And hence a famihar, sweetly * common ' sound in its every line almost. I open a chance page : and how vital, how modernlike are these stanzas that first meet my eye ! He is describing ' the faire Idea ' of God as ' Mercie.' ' If any aske wliy roses please the sight? Because their leaues vpon Thy clieekes doe bowre: If any aske why lillies are so white? Because their blossoms in Thy hand doe flowre: MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 51 Or why sweet plants so grateful! odours shoure ? It is because Thy breath so like they be: Or why the Orient sunne so bright we see ? What reason can we giue, but from Thine eies, and Thee ? Ros'd all in liuely crimsin ar Thy cheeks, Whear beawties indeflourishing abide, And, as to passe his fellowe either seekes, Seemes both doe blush at one another's pride ; And on Thine eyelids, waiting Thee beside. Ten thousand Graces sit, and when they mooue To Earth their amourous belgards from aboue, They flie from Heau'n, and on their wings conuey Thy love. All of discolour'd plumes their wings ar made. And with so wondrous art the quills ar wrought, That whensoere they cut the ayrie glade. The winde into their hollow pipes is caught: As seemes the spheres with them they down haue brought: Like to the seauen-fold i^eede of Arcadie, Which Pan of Syrinx made, when she did flie To Ladon sands, and at his sighs sung merily. As melting hony, dropping from the combe, So'still the words, that spring between Thy lipps : Thy lippes, Avhear smiling Sweetnesse keepes her home, And heau'nly Eloquence pure manna sipps: He that his pen but in that fountaine dipps, How nimbly will the golden phrases flie. And shed forth streames of choycest rhetoric, Welling celestiall torrents out of poesie ! Like as the thirstie land in Summer's heat, Calls to the cloudes, and gapes at euerie showre, As though her hungry clifts all heau'n would cat, Which if high God into her bosom powre, MEMORIAL-INTROD UCTION. Though much refresht, yet more she could deuoure ; So hang the greedie ears of angels sweete, And euery breath a thousand Cupids meete, Some flying in, some out, and all about her feet.' ^ Again of Christ : ' He is a path, if any be misled, He is a robe, if any naked bee ; If any chaunce to hunger, He is bread. If any be a bondman, He is free. If any be but weake, howe strong is Hee ! To dead men life He is, to sicke men health, To blinde men sight, and to the needle wealth, A pleasure without losse, a treasure without stealth.' '^ Subsequent appropriations have vulgarized and made (now) trite the illustrations here : but this only the more calls for our appreciation of their original. By the way, the dainty fancies of the ' portraicture ' of ' Mercie ' have always reminded me of Thomas Carew's ' Song ' (1642) ' Aske me no more where love bestowes When June is past, the fading rose: For in your beautie's orient deep These flowers, as in their causes, sleepe ' ^ The light-hearted ' Sewer in Ordinary to his Majesty ' had a deeper and more serious vein : and I think it were not difficult to produce other reminiscences of our 1 Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 45—49. 2 Ibid. St. 77. ^ Poems by Thomas Carew, Esquire 2d, edn. 1642, p. 180. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 53 Poet unconsciously taken — as the flavour of musk or rose-attar is by mere contact. Another noticeable thing about ' Christ's Victorie ' as in the mightier ' Paradise Lost ' is the atmosphere of personal devoutness which surrounds it. While con- temporaries were invoking after the Pagan fashion, the 'Muses' and other shadowy Patronesses, and seeking at most the refreshment of Helicon not ' Siloa's brook,' Giles Fletcher with adoring faith, and glowing grati- tude for what ' the grace of God ' had done for him, turns to the Giver of every good and perfect gift and looks to Him for inspiration and ' fit words.' A Critic, already named, has remarked hereon : " Milton's invoca- tion to the Holy Spirit in Paradise Lost is considered by Dunster ' supremely beautiful : ' it does not surpass the solemn and enraptured piety of Fletcher." ^ Another has made the same comparison and doubted whether Milton '"'equals this splendid and massive invocation."- We may read this earlier Introduction and ' Invocation,' which it will be remembered we saw to be of profound biographic value : ' The birth of Him that no beginning knewe, Yet giues beginning to all that are borne ; And how the Infinite farre greater grewe By growing lesse, and how the rising Morne ^ Willmott's 'Lives' as before: ist. edn. page 42: 'Paradise Regained ' is by oversight referred to for Paradise Lost. 2 Review of Willinott in Frazer's INIagazine, October 1S39, Vol. XX. p. 401. 54 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. That shot from heau'n did^ backe to heau'n retourne: The obsequies of Him that could not die, And death of life, ende of eternitie: How worthily He died, that died vnworthily ; — How God and Man did both embrace each other. Met in one person, Heau'n and Earth did kiss ; And how a Virgin did become a Mother, And bare that Sonne, Who the world's Father is, And Maker of His mother ; and how Bliss Descended from the bosome of the High, To cloath Himself in naked miserie, Sayling at length to Heau'n, in Earth, triumphantly,' ^ Chalmers and Southey misprint here ' and ' for ' did ' : and so throw the fine opening stanza into (grammatical) confusion. " In this place of * Christ's Victorie,' I refer to Palmer's ' Chris- tian Paradoxes. ' Besides Fletcher himself, I have met with kindred ' Paradoxes ' elsewhere, indeed abundantly. I note here the gentle Southwell in his "Nativity of Christ" published along with "St. Peter's Complaint" in 1634, and so long subsequent to our Poet: ' Behold the father is His daughter's sonne. The bird that built the nest is hatchd therein, The old of yeres an hower hath not outrunne, Eternall life to live doth nowe beginn, The Worde is dumm, the Mirth of heaven doth weepe, Mighte feeble is, and Force doth fayntely creepe.' (Poems by me : p. 128.) So too Crashaw, later still, in his 'Steps to the Temple ' (1646): ' Wellcome all wonders in one sight ! Eternity shutt in a span ! Sommer in W' inter ! Day in Night ! Heauen in Earth ! and God in man ! Great little One, Whose all-embracing birth Lifts Earth to Heauen, stoopes Heauen to earth,' (' Hymn of the Nativity : ' Works by me : Vol. I. pp. 73-4.) Cf. also his 'Sospetto d'Herode,' stanzas 21 — 24. .MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 55 Is the first flame, wherewith my whiter Muse Doth burne in heauenly loue, such loue to tell: O Thou that didst this holy fire infuse, And taught'st this brest — but late the graue of Hell, Wherein a blind and dead heart liu'd — to swell With better thoughts, send downe those lights that LEND Knowledge, how to begin, and how to end The loue, that neuer was, nor euer can be pen'd.' i I grant, if it be pressed, that there is in the outset somewhat of the ' conceits ' of a later age (curiously enough) : but the informing ' ideas ' are grand and as stated they found subsequently larger utterance in the ' Christian Paradoxes ' of Herbert Palmer, that were deep and wise enough to usurp unchallenged for two centuries, the great name of Bacon. The ' conceits ' in them are in kind with the 'clothing-adornments' male and female, of the Period : fantastic ruff, but of the ' finest linen,' oddly-shapen head-dress, bosom-dress, foot-dress : but gleaming with jewels of the first water : stiff", cumbrous, awkward altogether, yet the vesture of foremost, steep-browed men and ' ladies fair.' The intensity of the Poet's own Love and Faith, Hope and Graciousness lies over his Poem — like a bar of sun- light — as one has seen such shattering itself in dazzling glory against a heath-purpled mountain-side. In unex- pected turns, in equally unexpected places, you are reminded that you have no mere Singer working artisti- cally but a * Saint ' — in the Bible not Mediceval meaning ^ Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 1-3. S6 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. — pouring out tlie glad Worship of his wliole nature — a nature rich of faculty in itself and enriched with celestial riches. This inworking into the very 'stuff' of his Poem, of his own personality, imparts a tender human- ness to it : and came of that brave self-estimate or in another sense fine naturalness, which belongs to the greatest of our great names among those who have in- sight, — Shakespeare, and touchingly Bacon, Milton, Sir Thomas Browne. Approve or condemn, accept or reject, it is something to feel as you read that a man's own warm blood not the mere ink of his pen, flows and thrills through his book. I apprehend that everything immortal in Literature has had this basis of reality and personalness. Thus I explain the abidingness of your lilt of a Song when the ambitious outside-fashioned great Poem has passed into forgetfulness. William CowPER and Erasmus Darwin were contemporaries : but how has the lowlier russet outlasted the glittering Bal-masque costume, a genuine human heart beneath the one, a piece of mechanism, like a skeleton-clock, within the other : the one pure, true, beating, the other move- ment without life, energy without appliance. The bear- ing of this on our Poet — and in his favour — needs not to be pointed out. Passing now to the subject and plan of ' Christ's Victorie ' the former must be admitted to have been well and definitely chosen : and the latter if it have dis- advantages has also rare advantages to one of the cast of genius of Giles Fletcher. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 57 With respect to his subject, as we have seen, it sprung very much out of the Poet's heart-wish to ' magnify ' his Saviour, to exalt His ' triumph ' and to command allegi- ance by commending Him as the potent but gentle, gentle but potent Conqueror. With respect again, to the Plan of the poem, while the more carefully and vigilantly comparison is made, it Avill be found that the Personifications of * Christ's Victorie ' hold their own against those of * The Fairie Queen ' it must be con- ceded that the ground-idea of a succession of such Per- sonifications is to be traced to Sackville in his ' Induc- tion ' to the Mirrour for Magistrates, and to Spenser. Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, would be none the less dear to Fletcher, that 'uncle Richard' — afterwards Bishop — had obtained from him his first Living — as seen in the Memoir of Phineas — and both the brothers take every opportunity of paying homage to Spenser — as will appear more fully in our examination of Phineas's Poetry. In the ' Epistle ' to ' the Reader ' of our Giles, it will be remembered he thus speaks " our — I know no name more glorious than his own — Mr. Edmund Spencer." Thus ' led ' of his master to elect Personification as the medium whereby he would give ' form and pressure ' to his thick-coming conceptions, very magnificent is the Gallery of ' portraitures ' into which he introduces us, some having the sharp-defined lines and 'breathing' ex- pression of Sculpture, and some the glow, the radiance, the life, of the ancient Masters of portrait-painting, and 58 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. not a few having those accessories of landscape back- ground and clouded or luminous sky, for which they are scarcely less remarkable. It was not at all difficult to so opulent a mind as our Poet's to discern the fitness of such a subject as ' Christ's Victorie ' for such a treatment as self-evidently, he de- signed from the commencement. Looking at the first part which sings of the ' Victorie ' in Heaven, there were at once all the attributes of Almighty God to hinder the 'salvation' of fallen and guilty Man, and these in apparent conflict. And so there rose up before the creative imagination of the Singer his splendid ' Per- sonifications ' of Justice and Mercy, and in association with them and in the same large, grand mould. Repent- ance and Faith, and subsidiary to each, attendants admitting of equally striking Personification. Looking at the second part or the ' Victorie ' of Christ on Earth, there was The Temptation — afterwards selected by Mil- ton for * Paradise Regained ' — with its three-fold ' lures ' to Despair, Presumption, and Vain-Glory, with their varying elements and contrivances : than which it is scarcely possible to conceive more apt materials for his purpose of Personification, or more affluent in circum- stance or more suggestive in agencies, inviting thereto. Given the 'temptation' to Despair, how real does it make the whole, to have Christ face-to-face with a Being in his ' cave ' of dolour and darkness : given the ' temptation ' to Presumption, how most actual is it to have her taking the Lord to her ' pavilion ' of phantom and insecure attainment : and given the ' temptation ' to MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 59 Vain-Glory, how life-like to find her in the gorgeous * Garden,' and in that Garden, Luxury and Ambition, Lust and Avarice. Looking at the third part, or the ' Victorie ' of Christ over Death and the fourth part, or his ' Victorie ' after Death, the Personifications in them have the same character of inevitableness. Throughout — much more than in Spenser and equal to the ' Induction ' — the Personifications are substan- tive not shadowy, intensely even awfully real Beings, wherewith you are haunted as by the ' characters ' — shall I say ? — in John Eunyan's immortal Allegory. The Personifications of Collins and Gray are blood- less, bodiless, beside the outstanding creations of Giles Fletcher. The later Poets describe, the earlier makes appear, the former give you a felicitous epithet, the latter acts, that make the blackness or brightness of the per- sonality fall across his page and your spirit. It may be treason to traditional criticism to say so : nevertheless I must say that the Personifications of the ' Ode to the Passions' and the 'Progress of Poetry' grow thin and ghostly beside the great Personalties of Spenser and Sackville and the Fletchers. There is a dilettantisvi about Collins and Gray's imaginative Poetry that to me is decisive of the question of ' genius ' as distinguished from talent and artistic skill. The ' Ode ' to the memory of Thomson and the ' Elegy,' belong to a different region altogether. Returning upon this matter of the Personifications of 'Christ's Victorie:' which, — as the chosen medium whereby he would reveal his poetic genius and whereon 6o MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. he lavished his most cunning workmanship, — is the distin- guishing characteristic of the Poem, I would now present a few examples. For power such as Michael Angelo alone among men has shewn in his ' wizard sphere,' Justice stands out preeminent, as for loveliness does Mercy : and these two may suffice. Mercy is introduced as ' pleading ' with God the Father for Man : but Justice stands forth, and her interposition is grandly conceived, I italicize some lines for after-reference. ' But lusTiCE had no sooner Mercy scene Smoothing the wrinkles of her Father's browe, But vp she starts, and throwes her selfe betweene : As when a vapour, from a moory slough. Meeting with fresh Eoiis, that but now Open'd the world, which all in darkncsse lay. Doth heatin's bright face of his rayes disaray, And sads the smiling Orient of the springing day. She was a Virgin of austere regard ; Not as the world esteemes her, deafe and blind ; But as the eagle, that hath oft compared Her ey£ with IIeaiCn''s : so, and rnore brightly shind Her lamping sight ; for she the same could winde Into the solid heart, and with her eares The silence of the thought loude speaking heares, A7td in one hand a paire of eucn scoals [scales] she wcares. No riot of affection reuell kept Within her brest, but a still apathy Possessed all her soule, which softly slept Securely, without tempest ; no sad crie Awakes her pittie, but wrong'd pouertie, Sending her eyes to heau'n swimming in teares, With hideous clamours euer struck her eares, Whetting the blazing sword, that in her hand she beares. AiEMORlAL-INTRODUCTION. 6 1 The ^s•ingecl lightning is her Mercury, And round about her mightie thunders sound : Impatient of himselfe lies pining by Pale Sicknes with his kercher'd head vpwound, And thousand noysome plagues attend her round ; And if her clowdie browe but once growe foule, The flints doe melt, and rocks to water rowle, And ayrie mountaines shake, and frighted shadowes howle. Famine, and bloodies Care, and bloodie Warre, Want, and the want of knowledge how to vse Abundance, Age, and Feare, that runnes afarre Before his fellow Greefe, that aye pursues His zuittged steps ; for who would not refuse Greefe's companie, a dull and rawebon'd spright. That lankes the cheekes, and pales the freshest sight, Ynbosoming the cheereful brest of all delight. Before this cursed throng, goes Ignorance, That needes will leade the waye he cannot see r And, after all, Death, doeth his flag aduance. And, in the midst. Strife still would roaguing be, Whose ragged flesh and cloaths did well agree : And round about amazed Hori'or flies, And ouer all, Shame veiles his guiltie eyes, And vnderneath Hell's hungrie throat still yawning lies. Vpon two stonie tables, spread before her, She lean'd her bosome, more then stonie hard ; There slept th' vnpartiall Judge, and strict restorer Of wrong or right, with paine or with reward ; There hung the skore of all our debts, the card Whear good, and bad, and life, and death were painted : Was ncuer heart of mortall so vntainted, But when that scroule was read, with thousand terrors fainted. 62 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. Witnes the thunder that mount Sinai heard, When all the hill with fine clouds did flame, And vvandring Israel with the sight afeard, Blinded zuith seeing; durst not touch the sa?ne, But like a wood of shaking leaiies became. On this dead Justice, she, the Liuing Lawe Bowing herselfe with a majestique awe. All heau'n, to heare her speech, did into silence drawe.' ^ Then follows the address of Justice — somewhat un- equal but frequently sublime and impressive — and its effect is thus magnificently given : ' She ended, and the heau'nly Hierarchies, Burning in zeale, thickly imbranded weare ; Like to an armie that allarum cries. And euery one shakes his ydraded speare. And the Almightie's Selfe, as He would teare The Earth and her firme basis quite in sunder, Flam'd all in iust reuenge and mightie thunder ; Heau'n stole it selfe from Earth by clouds that moisterd vnder.' - * The awful grandeur of the celestial indignation ' observes Willmott, ' seems to lift itself up in the majesty of these lines. The sudden preparation of the heavenly warriors, the clangor of arms and the uprising 1 Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 9-16. Southwell later, puts the whole into a couplet in his delightful little poem, ' At home in Heaven ' — though mis-directed from Christ to Mary's ' beauty : ' " It made the rigour of His justice yelde, And crowned Mercy, Empresse of the feilde." Works by me, p. 88. TurnbuU misreads ' vigour.' ^ Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 40. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTIOM. 63 of the Deity himself, are splendid images, which are known to the reader of Paradise Lost not to have escaped tlie notice of Mi;.ton, The pause at the be- ginning of the stanza is a note of solemn preparation.' ^ Surely this long — not too long — and sustained pas- sage from a poem dating in publication 16 10, and in composition probably ten years if not more prior, were sufficient to vindicate for Giles Fletcher a far superior recognition to that which he has met. The gifted Biographer of the 'Sacred Poets' it will be noticed, recals that Milton had ' read ' ' Christ's Victorie.' There can be no question that both the Fletchers added to the splendid ' spoils ' from all books, of the great Poet. This indebtedness to the ' Purple Island ' and ' Locustse 'and ' Apollyonists ' and other lesser obligations, I shew in my Study of Phineas Fletcher's Poetry. But meanwhile glancing back upon the de- lineation of Justice interposing between the Almighty and Mercy, the fine image of the Eagle is transferred to the ' Areopagitica : ' the 'Scales' of one hand re- appears in ' Paradise Lost ' and the hush and stillness of the entire Universe waiting in awe for the opening of Justice's lips is reproduced in ' Paradise Regained,' when at the conclusion of the address of the Eternal Father to the angel Gabriel 'all heaven Admiring stood a space, then into hymns Burst forth' [b. i. v. 170] ^ Lives as before, Vol. i. p. 74. 64 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. The happy phrase 'blinded with seeing' is one of many similar, over which Milton lingered admiringly. * Dark with excess of bright ' cannot be said to surpass it. The whetted ' blazing sword,' the marshalling of the 'Shadows,' the Figure of 'Fear' on his swift far race, the whirling, centrifugal ' Horror,' the ' wood of shaking leaves ' as in the outset the ' vapours from the moory slough,' will arrest the most stone-eyed reader. From out the tumult and terror of celestial wrath, when Justice had spoken, INIercy steps ' like Morning brought by Night ' or as in Frazer ' like a rainbow in the storm.' ' As when the cheerful! sunne, elampuig wide, Glads all the world with his vprising raye, And wooes the widow'd Earth afresh to pride, And paints her bosome with the flowrie Maye, His silent sister steales him quite away, Wrap't in a sable clowde, from mortall eyes ; The hastie starres at noone begin to rise, And headlong to his early roost the sparrowe flies. But soone as he againe dishadowed is, Restoring the blind world his blemish't sight, — As though another day wear ncruely ris, The cooz'ned birds busily take their flight, And wonder at the shortnesse of the night : So Mercie once again her selfe displayes. Out from her sister's cloud, and open layes Those sunshine lookes, whose beames would dim a thousand dayes.'^ Then dazzled by the vision of his own creation, the Poet exclaims, 1 Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 41, 42. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 65 ' How may a worme, that cravvles along the dust, Clamber the azure inountaincs, tlirown so high, And fetch from thence thy faire Idea just. That in those sunny courts doth hidden lie, Cloath'd with such light, as blinds the angels' eye ; How may weake mortall euer hope to file His vnsmooth tongue, and his deprostiate stile ? O raise Thou from his corse Thy now entomb'd exile ! " ^ Earlier in these remarks we have introduced the ' por- trait' of Mercy that follows this. I add here the rich- worked delineation of her ' kind offices to man.' " If any wander, Thou doest call him backe ; If any be not forward. Thou incit'st him ; Thou doest expect, if any should grow slacke ; If any seeme but willing, Thou inuit'st him ; Or if he doe offend Thee, Thou acquit'st him ; Thou find'st the lost, and follow'st him that flies, Healing the sicke, and quick'ning him that dies : Thou art the lame man's friendly staffe, the blind man's eyes. So faire Thou art that all would Thee behold ; But none can Thee behold, Thou art so faire : Pardon, O pardon then Thy vassal bold, That with poore shadowes striues Thee to compare, And match the things, which he knowes matchlesse are, O thou vive mirrhour of celestiall grace. How can fraile colours pourtraict out Thy face. Or paint in flesh Thy beawtie in such semblance base? " - Mercy now pleads with God the Father, with the noble passion sprung of compassion, and presents the * Holy ^ Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 41-43. * Ibid. st. 51, 52. E 66 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. Child.' Very matterfull and melodious is this ' inter- cession/ with its great cry : " Oh let not lustice' yron sceptre breake A heart alreadie broke ; that lowe doth creep, And with prone humblesse her feets' dust doth sweep : Must all goe by desert ? is nothing free ? Ah ! if but those that onely woorthy be, None should Thee euer see, none should Thee euer see." ^ The result is to daring thus told : " With that the mightie thunder dropt away From God's vnwaiie arme, now milder growne, And melted into teares : as if to pray For pardon, and for pittie, it had knowne, That should haue been for sacred vengeance throwne : Thereto the armies angelique devo'wd Their former rage, and all to Mercie bow'd ; Their broken weapons at her feet they gladly strow'd." ^ Then turning her look toward the Earth, where — as one of our Poet's finest lines puts it — to guide the Shepherds to the manger-cradle * A Star comes dauncing up the Orient ' in words that might have been interwoven in his cousin's * Faithful Shepherdess,' or ' Comus ' itself, the infant Jesus is thus welcomed by Mercy : * Bring, bring, ye Graces, all your silver flaskets, Painted with euery choicest flowre that grovves, That I may soone vnflow'r your fragrant baskets, To strowe the fields with odours whear He goes, Let what so e're He treads on be a rose. 1 Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 75. ^ Ibid. st. 84. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 67 So downe shee let her eyelids fall, to shine Vpon the rivers of bright Palestine, Whose woods drop honie, and her rivers skip with wine.' ^ Place beside this, Crashaw's later ' welcome ' in his ' Hymn of Nativity : ' ' when young April's husband-showrs Shall blesse the fruitful Maja's bed, We'l bring the first-born of her flowrs, To kisse Thy feet, and crown Thy head. To Thee, dread Lamb ! Whose loue must keep The shepheards more then they the sheep. To Thee, meek Majesty ! soft King Of simple Graces and sweet Loves ! Each of vs his lamb will bring. Each his pair of sylver doues ! Till burnt at last in fire of Thy fair eyes, Ourselues become our own best sacrifice.'* Reverting to the striking account of Mercy's ' preva- lence ' with God (the Father,) it is very clear from text and context alike, especially the parallels of ' the Earth' and 'the Air' and ' the Sea' and 'the third Heaven' in their relation to Jklercy, — that Thomas Fuller drew his inspiration thence in his vivid 'intercession' of 'The Lamb' with 'The Father' in David's behalf. These two stanzas out of many will prove this : " Strait from His throne the Prince of Peace arose And wiih embraces did His Father binde, Imprisoning His amies. He did so close (As loving iyve on an oak did winde ^ Christ's Victorie in Heaven, st. 85. * Works by me, vol. i. pp. 75-6. 68 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. And with her curling flexures it betraile) His Father glad to finde His force to fayle Strugel'd as one not willing to prevaile : Thus then began the Spotlesse Lamb to speake One word of Whom would rend the sturdy rocke, Make hammer-scorning adamant to breake, And vnto sense perswade the senselesse stocke, Yea God Himselfe that knowes not to repent Is made by His petitions penitent, His Justice made with Mercy to relent." ^ Besides these figures of larger mould that we have thus far looked at, there are companion lesser ones, grouped around them as the ' Twelve ' stand around Thorwaldsen's 'Christ.' These will be 'sought out' by every reader who has one particle of poetic sympathy, Michael Angelo's chisel never smote the marble into a more sternly-grand ' creation ' than one of these, namely 'Judas' in his weird remorse, with its spectral back-ground and haunting voices. I can only spare space for a srnall portion of this supreme portraiture : " As when wild Pentheus, growne madde with fear, Whole troupes of hellish haggs about him spies ; Two bloodie sunnes stalking the duskie sphear, And twofold Thebes runs rowling in his eyes ; Or through the scene staring Orestes flies, ^ Our edition of Fuller's Poems, p. 56. On our Poet's Personi- fication of Justice and Mercy, Dr. George Macdonald in his Antiphon has made certain Theological critical remarks, which I feel constrained to traverse. See Note at the close of these remarks. MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 69 With eyes flung back vpon his mother's ghost, That, with iiifernall serpents all embost, And torches quencht in blood, doth her stern sonne accost : Such horrid Gorgons, and misformed formes Of damned fiends, flew dauncing in his heart, That, now, vnable to endure their stormes, ' Flie, fiie ' he cries, ' thyselfe, what ere thou art. Hell, hell, already burnes in eu'ry part.' So downe into his torturer's armes he fell, That readie stood his funeralls to yell, And in a clowd of night to waft him quick to Hell. Yet oft he snatch't, and started as he hung : So when the senses halfe enslumb'red lie, The headlong bodie, ready to be flung By the deluding phansie, from some high And craggie rock, recovers greedily. And clasps the yeelding pillow, halfe asleep And, as from heav'n it tombled to the deepe, Feeles a cold sweat through euery trembling member creepe. Thear let him hang, embo welled in blood, Thear neuer any gentle shepheard feed His blessed flocks, nor euer heav'nly flood Fall on the cursed ground, nor holesome seed. That may the least delight or pleasure breed : Let neuer Spring visit his habitation, But nettles, kixe, and all the weedie nation, "With empty elders growe : and signes of desolation I Thear let the Dragon keep his habitance, And stinking karcasses be throwne avaunt ; Faunes, Sylvans, and deformed Satyrs daunce. Wild-cats, wolues, toads, and skreech-owles direly chaunt ; Thear euer let some restles spirit haunt 70 MEMOR I Al -INTRODUCTION. With hollow sound, and clashing cheynes, to scarr Tiie passenj;;er, and eyes like to the stair That spaikles in the crest of angrie Mars afarr."^ The scholarly critic already quoted, has remarked here, * Euripides might have written these stanzas in the season of his solemn inspiration. In the 'staring Orestes' we seem to behold the wretched mourner burst from the enfolding arms of the weeping Electra, and fleeing in horror from the furies surrounding his couch' — ^ The English Poet by no means suffers from comparison with the classical original : OP. 'fi ii-i)rip, 't/cercuw ere \ir\in(yn e/ioi Tas atfiarunrovs Kal opaKovrwom /fopas Ai/rat yap avrai ir\r)(nov OpuaKovai p.ov ft ) Conceding — and it must be conceded — that Personification or Impersonation is legitimate, then if they were to be in character and keeping, it was equally demanded that Justice and Mercy should appear in opposition, even strife. I speak of Justice and Mercy per se, not as in the 'divine Unity' where opposition were impossible. I look at the two Personifications in their appare7it attitude toward man as fallen, and guilty in his Fall. So regarding Justice and Mercy, who that has adequately pondered the problem in debate, of man's guilt and the Plan of Redemption for that guilt, will gainsay apparent conflict, as between Justice and Mercy. Well ! This appearance is sufficient ground for poetic treatment, and it seems to me uncritical to pronounce it an 'un- suitable fiction' — as much so as to 'confuse' the Personifications in their separate utterances with their existence as attributes in the 'divine Unity.' This 'confusion' by Dr Macdonald is tl»e more remarkable, in that while objecting to Fletcher's Personifications he himself singles out Justice and Mercy and pronounces against possible ' opposition ' between thciii. (c) It is the very antithesis of the matter-of-fact once more, to say that Mercy " overthroivs the arguments of Justice," and that " the Poet -unintentionally nullifies the symbolism of the theologian (by) representing Justice as defeated." 'Overthrows' and 'defeated' are the worst possible words here. For how is it that Mercy achieves her 'pleading? ' Not by the ' overthrow ' of the arguments of Justice 96 MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. — for she admits their soHdity — not by the 'defeat' of Justice — for Justice acquiesces — but tlirough turning to and presenting Him, Who in His divinely-human and humanly-divine Person sustains the full demands of Justice — and so, — but only so — warrants the exercise of mercy : or to adhere to the Impersonation, affirmative response to the appeal of Mercy to God (the Father). It is transcendently necessary to remember — what Dr. Macdonald forgets — that it is not mercy as mercy per se : but Mercy pointing to a given Work (of atonement) that wins from GoD (the Father) man's pardon and Salvation. {(/) With reference to the words " unintentionally nullifies the symbolism of the theologian " they seem to me even more profoundly and pervadingly mistaken and pernicious, seeing that the burden of the poem as it bears in its four-fold title and in its entire working out, is the Victory of Christ not of 'hltxc^ per se, and His Victory not over Justice, but as the Poet himself puts it over ' Satan ' and ' Death.' As he quaintly describes in the ' Argument ' of the ' Victoria in Heaven,' Mercy (through Faith) " translates the principal fault vnto the Deuil" and Christ stands forth " as sufficient to satisfie as man was impotent." This the idea and 'intention' of our Singer does not ' nullify ' but vindicate the ' symbolism of the theologian ' but most emphatically — with all respectfulness I must be permitted to say — 'nullifies' the hasty 'criticism' of the Commentator, It is something monstrous (and the word is not too strong) to represent Mercy through Christ as a '■ dtfiat' of Justice — as other than su- premely JUST. Or regard it from another stand-point — the very love of righteousness on the part of God must move Him to do what will produce righteousness in His creatures, and so (in a sense) the very work of Righteousness will be peace. So that as Mercy finds One to satisfy the rightful demands of Justice, to withhold mercy were most unjust. {e) Given the Facts of man's guilt as before Justice, it is sorrow- fully amazing to read that " the grandest exercise of justice is mercy." Nay verily : ' the grandest exercise of Justice ' is to be just, and to be just is often to be merciless. To be merciful to the guilty/^ j^ involves injustice. Then behind such sentimentalism as this, the questions are started as one reads it, if mercy be '• the grandest exercise MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 97 of Justice" whence the terrible, close-grinding wheels of Providence — every wheel ' full of eyes ' and so looking down on the track and cognisant of all there, even to the ' little children ' lying across it ? whence the nameless sorrow and suffering everywhere ? whence the palpable retribution on wrong-doing even here ? God is not the weak, soft Being that this ' grandest exercise ' assumes. As another Poet hath it " A God all mercy were a God un-just." (f) Justice does mean in relation to a specific thing, as in the poetry before us, '■''vengeance upon sin:" but maugre the taunt at the 'Theologians' again, that is no contradiction to "the doittg of what is right. " To punish the guilty (or sin) is to take ' vengeance : ' and who will say it is not ' doing right ? ' On the other hand ' for Christ's sake' to exercise mercy toward every one accepting The Substitute, is equally ' doing right.' (g) Granted that " not to do what is just would be most un- merciful." But it is z. fetitio principii : for where guilt is — apart from the Redemption of Christ — Justice as ' just ' can shew no mercy — as toward the guilty /^^ se, is absolutely and tremendously merciless. In Jesus Christ ' God manifested in the flesh ' the awful mystery of sin (as the Bible and the God of the Bible are true) is counter-worked, and in and from Him, Mercy is gloriously available to All — thank God to ALL — but let the provided and offered Salvation be rejected or neglected there can only be the execution of the penalty on the individual transgressor : and that is ' to do right.'' William Shakespeare instructs us all on the double problem : " Wliy all the souls that were, were forfeit once ; Alas ! alas ! And He that might the vantage best have took, Found out the remedy. How would you be, If He, which is the top of judgment, should Viwi Judge yoji as you are ? Oh! think of that ; And mercy then will breathe within your lips, Like man new made." (' Measure for Measure ' ii. 2.) G MEMORIA L-INTR OD UC TION. Southwell in his 'St Peter's remorse' has also these fine and deep words : " sith so vile a worm Ilath wrought His greatest spite, Of highest treasons, well Thou may'st In rigour him indite. But Mercy may relent And temper Justice' rod, For Mercy doth as much belong As Justice to a God." Works, as before, in F. W. L.) and conversely. Justice as much as Mercy. {li) Returning upon the words "a dispute between Justice and Mercy, such as is often represented by the Theologians'''' as well might Dr Macdonald overweigh the true Poet by the cradities of abounding Versifiers, as class with ' Theologians ' those who make such representations. I will grant that Dr Macdonald may have received provocation from some ' popular ' Preacher. I myself have listened to sermons in which Justice and Mercy debated (as in a College Club) and the Father was perplexed (so-to-say) till the Son stepped in and offered to suffer, and the Spirit added ' I will anoint Him' &c. But (i) such Preachers are no 'Theologians' and (2) in these debates it was not Mercy that triumphed in argu- ment but always Justice. Meixy always found One to meet the claims of Justice : and so while the representation might be inac- curate, truth under-lay it. Further : I will concede that if you have regard to Justice and Mercy theologically and not as in Fletcher poetically, a two-fold evil result attends any separation of Justice and Mercy as divine attributes i.e. If (mentally) we give a sort of supremacy to either justice or mercy, we are like to miss somewhat of the glory of the One eternal God. {a) A man who sees righteousness filling the Universe may come to imagine that God the just needs reconciling to God the merciful : and so you have him crying out as a Hymn makes the sinner do : " Where shall the chief of sinners fly Eternal Justice from Thine eye ! " MEMORIAL-INTRODUCTION. 99 the question being, How to escape from God the just. On the other hand {b) When mercy seems the ruling attribute you get all sorts of sentimentalisin, and Christian ' virtue ' — in its deep, robust Pauline meaning — loses its grandeur and force. But save for Dr Macdonald's anxiety to get a hit at the * Theologians, ' it was a mistake, and a wrong — and to those who hold him in deepest love, a sorrow, — to drag such matters into a criticism of a purely ' poetical ' representation — albeit as we have seen, regarded theologically, Fletcher's Personifications and the substance and event of their 'pleading' alilce, rest on the firmest basis of Theology-proper. I give two additional examples of the theologic-poetic conception of Justice and Mercy in agreement with Fletcher. First, Dr Joseph Beaumont in his " Psyche" — a poem that bears the deep impress of both our Fletchers. The great ' Sacrifice ' of Calvary has been * offered ' and accepted : "Justice NOW had nothing more to say ; TJie blood which down the Cross its torrents threw All her objections had wash'd away ; And every page of her black Volume grew Full as serene and fair as is the skies Pure face when rescu'd from the clouds disguise. Dismissing therefore all her horrid train, Her satisfied self she strait withdrew : When Jesus looking up to Heav'n again, Perceiv'd the veil, which shadow'd had till now His Father's Face, remov'd. O blessed sight ! O cheerful Morning after heavy Night ! " [c. XIV, 203, 204.] Again trenchantly : "Hell at length will prick on mortall wit Against this Passion's merit to dispute, And all their syllogizing batteries set. In order their Redemption to confute. Thus to their Reason must their Faith give way j Though God be satisfy'd yet will not they. MEMORIAL-IN TROD UC TION. No ; they'll account His Mercy injur'd by Allowing Justice to be fully pay'd. Ah learned fool ! is Mercy's majesty Not here triumphant, when the load is lay'd. On God's own Son, to bear what else would crack Proud though you be, for evermore your back." [C. XIV. 221, 222.] The other is Samuel Speed in his " Prison-Pietie " (1677). "ON JUSTICE AND MERCY. Justice doth call for vengeance on my sins, And threatens death as guerdon for the same ; Mercy to plead for pardon then begins, With saying, Christ hath under-gone the shame. Justice shews me an angry God offended. And Mercy shews a Saviour crucifi'd : Justice says, I that sinn'd must be condemned : Mercy replies, Christ for my sins hath di'd. Grim Justice threats with a revengeful rod : Meek Mercy shews me an appeased God. Lord ! though my sins make me for Justice fit Through Christ let Mercy triumph over it." [pp. 151, 152.] However regarded therefore, our Poet is true and his Critic pro- foundly un-true : for as St Paul long since grandly argued out " All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God : being jus- tified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus : Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness : that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believelh in Jesus " (Rom. iii. 23-26). I rejoice that Dr Macdonald's mistakes as a very poorly-furnished Theologian in this instance, has not dimmed his vision as a Poet, or abated his high praise of our Singer. Nor am I forgetful or ungrateful for much genial and keen exposition of our old Worthies, albeit some of his judgments, as on Cowley, are as perverse as they are superficial. — G. CHRIST'S VICTORIE AND TRIUMPH. ^^^"" .''iNiis; NOTE. The original title-page, as well as those of the second and third editions, will be found annexed : also colla- tion of each edition. The changes from the first (1610) are wholly modernization of the spelling. Our text is that of 1 6 1 o ; to the orthography of which, throughout, we adhere strictly — save that the usual mark of apostrophe of the possessive case is inserted e.g. Rome's not Romes, and that the capitals and italics are occasionally diminished and occasionally en- creased — the former in the Divine names — nouns and pronouns — and in Impersonations. The punctuation is also accommodated to modern usage : the original consists mainly of a profusion of commas. As the Poet was dead before the second edition appeared, the text of 16 10 is the only one that bears his authority. Exemplifications of the faulty character of re-prints hitherto, will be found in the foot-notes, where the most flagrant mis-prints, etc., etc., of three of the best are given viz. (i) Richardson's : " Christ's Victory and Triumph in Heaven and Earth, over and after Death, in Four Parts. By Giles Fletcher. With 104 NOTE. an Original Biographical Sketch of the Author, &c. Also some Choice Pieces from the Poetical Writings of the Rev. George Herbert, Late Orator of the University of Cambridge. London : Published by T. Richardson, 98, High Holborn, and B. Clark. 1824. or. 8vo. pp. xiv. and pp. 130." This is a somewhat ambitious but a very poor edition. There is nothing ' original ' in the 'Biographical Sketch' except that while adding nothing to former scanty materials it contrives to multiply ' blunders.' The orthography is modernized throughout and the sense repeatedly mistaken. Pro- bably the Publisher — who was also the Printer — was his own Editor. I designate it by Richardson : but he is not to be confounded with Dr. Richardson, to ■whom we have frequent occasion to refer in our notes (2) Southey's : in his ' British Poets : Chaucer to Jonson.' (183 1, 8vo.) He disclaims responsibility for the proof-sheets : but he must be held responsible for the selection of his texts. (3) Cattermole's : in his "Sacred Poetry of the 17th Century." (1836, 2 vols. i2mo.) both modernized and carelessly read. I have not deemed it worth-while to add the like mis-prints and corruptions of the general collections of what are called 'The Poets' by Dr. Anderson and by Chalmers. That of 1783 (8vo) along with ' The Purple Island ' is beneath criticism. Throughout I have added foot-notes as required — passing over trite classical allusions and names. I have very heartily to acknowledge the scholarly aid of my friend W. Alois Wright, Esq., NOTE. 105 M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, in verifying and correcting such allusions and quotations as I found any difficulty with. He has rendered me careful and ungrudging helj) in all my labours on these Poets. I have also to thank my excellent correspondent George H. White, Esq., Glenthorne, Torquay, for various most painstaking and suggestive communications on this and other of my Worthies. G. I06 NOTE. {a) ist edition : CHRISTS VICTORIE, AND TRI- umj>h in Heaiien, and Earth, over, and after death. A te principiiim, tibi desinet, accipe iussis Carmina ccspta tuis, atque hanc sine tempoi'a circiim Inter victrucs hederatn tibi serpere lanros. [Wood-cut fleur-de-lis: motto 'Domino confido.'] Cambridge Printed by C. Legge. i6io. [small 4to.] Collation : Title-page — Epistle Dedicatory pp. 3 — Nethersole's * Verses ' i page — to the Reader pp. 5 — Phin. Fletcher's and Nethersole's ' Verses ' pp. 4 — [unpaged] — Poem pp. 83 and Latin * Lines ' I page. Opposite blank reverse of page 45 is a separate title-page ' Christ's Trivmph ouer and after Death. Vincenti dabitur. Printed by C. Legge, 1610. After page 79 by an oversight mispages 81 and so runs — NOTE. 107 {h) 2nd edition : CHRISTS VICTORIE AND TRIUMPH IN HEAVEN AND EARTH, OVER AND AFTER DEATH. A tc p7'incipium, tibi desinet : accipcjiissis Carmina ca-pta tnis, aiq. /lajic sine tevipora ciraim Inter victrices hcdera7>i tibi scrpere latiros. The second Edition. [Wood-cut. Hinc. Lvcem. et. Pocvla. Sacra. Alma Mater.] Cambridge : Printed for Francis Green. 1632. [Small 4to.] Collation : Title-page — Epistle Dedicatory pp. 3 — Nethersole's ' Verses ' I page — to the Reader pp. 4 — Phin. Fletcher's and Nethersole's ' Verses ' pp. 4 — [unpaged] — Poem pp. %i and Latin ' Lines ' on page 84, Opposite page 42 is the separate title as supra ' Christ's Triumph ouer and after Death. Vincenti dabitur. Printed by the Printers to the Universitic of Cambridge. Ann. Dom. 1632.' 108 NOTE. {c) 3rd edition. CHRISTS VICTORY AND TRIVMPH. In Heaven and Ea7-tJt, over and after Death. (Birth. I Circumcision. Wherein is ) • Baptism. T 1 r AC His \ lemptatton. lively fiirured I „ ^. •^ ° ' -T ass ion. Resurrection. , Ascention. In foure divine Poems. Cambridge : Printed by Jioger Daniel, for Riehard Royston. 1640. [Small 4to.] Collation : same as 2nd edition : and seven engravings as described in our Appendix to the Poem. The above separate title not in 3rd edition. G. EPISTLE DEDICATORY. To the Right Worshipvll, and Reverend Mr. Doctour Nevile, Deane of Canterbvrie, and the Master of Trinitie Colledge in Cambridge.^ Right worthie, and reverend Syr : As I haue ahvaies thought the place wherein I Hue, after heauen, principally to be desired, both because I most want and it most abounds with wisdome, which is fled by some with as much delight, as it is obtained by others, and ought to be followed by all : so I cannot but next unto God, for euer acknowledge myselfe most bound vnto the hand of God, (I meane yourselfe) that reacht downe, as it were out of heauen, vnto me, a benefit of that nature, and price, then which, I could wish none, (onely heauen itselfe excepted) either more fruitfull, and contenting for the time that is now present, or more comfortable, and encouraging for the time that is alreadie past, or more hopefull, and promising for the time that is yet to come. For as in all mens iudgements (that haue any iudge- ment) Europe is worthily deem'd the Queene of the 1 For notice of Dean Neville see Todd's 'Account of the Deans of Canterbury.' He died May 2, 1615. G. EPISTLE-DEDICA TOR Y. world, that Garland both of Learning, and pure Religion beeing now become her crowne, and blossoming vpon her head, that hath long since laine withered in Greece and Palestine ; so my opinion of this Island hath alwaies beene, that it is the very face, and beautie of all Europe, in which both true Religion is faithfully professed with- out superstition, and (if on earth) true Learning sweetly flourishes without ostentation : and what are the two eyes of this Land, but the two Vniversities ; which cannot but prosper in the time of such a Prince, that is a Prince of Learning as well as of People : ^ and truly I should forget myselfe, if I should not call Cambridge the right eye : and I thinke (King Henrie the 8. beeing the vniter, Edward the 3. the Founder, and your selfe the Repairer of this Colledge, wherein I Hue) none will blame me, if I esteeme the same, since your polishing of it, the fairest sight in Cambridge : in which beeing placed by your onely fauour, most freely, without either any meanes from other, or any desert in my selfe, beeing not able to doe more, I could doe no lesse, then acknowledge that debt, which I shall neuer be able to pay, and with old Silenus, in the Poet (vpon whome the boyes — injiciunt ipsis ex vincnla scriis^ making his garland, his fetters) finding my selfe bound vnto you by so many benefits, that were giuen by your selfe for ornaments, but are to me as so many golden cheines, to hold me fast in a kind of desired bondage, seeke (as he doth) my freedome with 1 James I. G. 2 YhgiX Eel. vi. 19. G. EPIS TLE-DEDICA TOR Y. a song, the matter whereof is as worthie the sweetest Singer, as my selfe, the miserable Singer, vnworthie so diuine a subiect : but the same fauour, that before re- warded no desert, knowes now as well how to pardon all faults : then which indulgence, when I regard my selfe, I can wish no more j when I remember you, I can hope no lesse. So commending these few broken lines vnto your's, and your selfe into the hands of the best Physitian, Iesvs Christ, with Whome, the most ill affected man in the midst of his sicknes, is in good health, and without Whome, the most lustie bodie, in his greatest iollitie, is but a languishing karcase, I humbly take my leaue, end- ing with the same wish, that your deuoted Observer, and my approoued Friend doth, in his verses presently sequent, that your passage to heauen may be slow to vs, that shall want you here, but to your selfe, that cannot want vs there, most secure and certeyne. Your Worship's, in all dutie, and seruice G. FLETCHER. 112 PRELIMINARY VERSES. THOMAS NEVYLE. MOST HEAVENLY. As when the Captaine of the heauenly host, Or else that glorious armie doth appeare Iir waters drown'd, with surging billowes tost, We know they are not, where we see they are ; We see them in the deepe, we see them mooue, We know they fixed are in heauen aboue : So did the Sunne of righteousnesse come downe Clowded in flesh, and seem'd be in the deepe : So doe the many waters seem to dro'Ame The starres his Saints, and they on earth to keepe. And yet this Sunne from heauen neuer fell, And yet these earthly starres in heauen dwell. What if their soules be into prison cast In earthly bodies ? yet they long for heauen ; What if this worldly Sea they haue not past ? Yet faine they would be brought into their hauen. They are not here, and yet we here them see, For euery man is there, where he would be. Long may you wish, and yet long wish in vaine, Hence to depart, and yet that wish obtaine. Long may you here in heauen on earth remaine. And yet a heauen in heauen hereafter gaine. Go you to heauen, but yet O make no hast, Go slowly slowly, but yet go at last. But when the Nightingale so neere doth sit. Silence the Titmouse better may befit. F. Nethersole. TO THE READER. Thear are but fewe of many that can rightly iudge of Poetry ; and yet thear ar many of those few, that carry so left-handed an opinion of it, as some of them thinke it halfe sacrilege for prophane Poetrie to deale with divine and heauenly matters, as though David wear to be sentenced by them, for vttering his graue matter vpon the harpe : others something more violent in their cen- sure, but sure lesse reasonable (as though Poetrie cor- rupted all good witts, when, indeed, bad witts corrupt Poetrie) banish it with Plato out of all well-ordered Commonwealths. Both theas I will strive rather to satlsfie, then refute. And of the first I would gladlie knowe, whither they suppose it fitter, that the sacred songs in the Scripture of those heroicall Saincts, Moses, Deborah, leremie, Mary, Simeon, Dauid, Salomon (the wisest Scholeman, and wittiest Poet) should bee elected from the canon, for wante of grauitie, or rather this erroure eraced out of their mindes, for wante of truth. But, it maye bee, they will giue the Spirit of God leaue to breath through what pipe it please, & will confesse, because they must needs, that all the song diltied by him, must needs bee, as H 114 TO THE READER. their Fountaine is, most holy : but their common clamour is, who may compare with God ? true ; & yet as none may compare without presumption, so all may imitat, and not without commendation : which made Nazianzen, on[e] of the Starrs of the Greeke Church, that now shines as bright in heauen, as he did then on earth, write so manie diuine Poems of the Genealogie, Miracles, Parables, Passion of Christ, called by him his Xlia-rlc, rraG-^w : ^ which when Basil, the Prince of the Fathers, and his Chamber fellowe, had seene, his opinion of them was, that he could haue deuised nothing either more fruitful! to others : because it kindly woed them to Religion, or more honourable to himselfe ov3b yuo fj.axaoiu)rsPOV edri tov rriv ayy'iKw yosj/an \v yrj /MifisTcSai, because by imitating the singing Angels in heau'n, himselfe became, though before his time, an earthly Angel. 2 What should I speake of luvencus, Prosper, and the wise Prudentius? the last of which, liuing in Hierom's time, twelue hundred yeares agoe, brought foorth in his declining age, so many, & so religious poems, straitly charging his soule, not to let passe so much as one either night or daye without some diuine song, Hymnis continuet dies, Nee nox tilla vacet, quin Dominum caiiat? And as sedulous Prudentius, so prudent Sedulius was famous in this poeticall diuinity, ^ The Cento called Christus Faiiens is printed in his Works, Vol. II. 253 (Paris 1636). G. * Epist. ad Gregorium Theolog. I. G. ^ Prudentius, Cathemerinon liber, prcef. 37, 38. G. TO THE READER. the coetan ^ of Bernard, who sung the historie of Christ with as much cleuotion in himself, as admiration to others ; all which wear followed by the choicest witts of Christendome ; Nonnius translating all Sainct John's Ghostpel into Greek verse, Sanazar, the late-liuinsr Image, and happy imitator of Virgil, bestowing ten yeares vpon a song, onely to celebrat that one day when Christ was borne vnto vs on earth, & we (a happie change) vnto God in heau'n : thrice-honoured Bartas, & our (I know no other name more glorious then his own) Mr. Edmund Spencer (two blessed Soules) not thinking ten years inough, layeing out their whole Hues vpon this one studie : Nay I may iustly say, that the Princely Father of our Countrey (though in my conscience, God hath made him of all the learned Princes that euer wear the most religious, and of all the religious Princes, the most learned, that so, by the one, hee might oppose hira against the Pope, the peste of all Religion and by the other, against Bellarmine the abuser of all good Learning) is yet so far enamour'd with this celestiall INIuse, that it shall neuer repent mee — calamo triiiissc labellum, when- soeuer I shall remember Hcec eadcm ut sciret quid non faciebai A7nyntas 1 ^ To name no more in such plenty, whear I may finde how to beginne, sooner then to end, Saincte Paule, by the Example of Christ, that wente singing to mounte Oiiuet, with his Disciples, after His last sup[p]er, exciteth the Christians to solace them- ^ Contemporary. G. " Virgil, Eel. II. 34, 35. G. il6 TO THE READER. selues with hymnes, and Psalmes, and spiritual! songs ; and thearefore by their leav's, be it an error for Poets to be Divines, I had rather err with the Scripture, then be rectifi'd by them : I had rather adore the stepps of Nazianzen, Prudentius, Sedulius, then followe their steps, to bee misguided : I had rather be the deuoute Admirer of Nonnius, Bartas, my sacred Soueraign, and others, the miracles of our latter age, then the false sectarie[s] of these, that haue nothing at all to follow, but their own naked opinions : To conclude, I had rather with my Lord, and His most divine Apostle sing (though I sing sorilie) the loue of heauen and earthe, then praise God (as they doe) with the woorthie guift of silence, and sitting still, or think I dispraisd Him with this poetical discourse. It seems they haue either not read, or clean forgot, that it is the dutie of the Muses (if wee maye beeleeue Pindare, and Hesiod) to set allwaies vnder the throne of lupiter, eius et laiides et heneficia v,a\iuo-jsac which made a very worthy German writer conclude it Ccrfb statuimiis, pt'oprhmi atqtie peciiliare poeiariun nuinus esse, Christi gloriam illiistrare, beeing good reason that the heauenly infusion of such Poetry should ende in His glorie, that had beginning from His goodnes, jit orator, nascitiir Poeta. For the secound sorte thearfore, that eliminat Poets out of their citie gates ; as though they wear nowe grown so bad, as they could neither growe woorse, nor better, though it be somewhat hard for those to bee the onely men should want cities, that wear the onely causers TO THE READER. H? of the building of them and somewhat inhumane to thrust them into the woods, to Hue among the beasts, who wear the first that call'd men out of the woods, from their beastly, and wilde life, yet since they will needes shoulder them out for the onely firebrands to inflame lust (the fault of earthly men, not heauenly Poetrie) I would gladly learne, what kind of professions theas men would bee intreated to entertaine, that so deride and disafifect Poesie : would they admit of Philo- sophers, that after they haue burnt out the whole candle of their life in the circular studie of Sciences, crie out at length, Sc nihil prorsus scire'} or should Musitians be welcome to them, that Dant sine inente sonum — bring delight with them indeede, could they as well expresse with their instruments a voice, as they can a sound? or would they most approve of Soldiers that defend the life of their countrymen either by the death of themselues, or their enemies ? If Philosophers please them, who is it, that knowes not, that all the lights of Example, to cleare their precepts, are borrowed by Philosophers from Poets ; that without Homer's examples, Aristotle would be as blind as Homer : If they retaine Musitians, who euer doubted, but that Poets infused the verie soule into the inarticulate sounds of musique ; that without Pindar & Horace the Lyriques had beene silenced for euer : If they must needes entertaine Soldiers, who can but con- fesse, that Poets restore againe that life to soldiers, which they before lost for the safetie of their country; that without Virgil, ^neas had neuer beene so much as heard Il8 TO THE READER, of. How then can they for shame deny commonwealths to them, who wear the first Authors of them \ how can they denie the blinde Philosopher, that teaches them, his light; the emptie Musitian that delights them, his soule ; the dying Soldier, that defends their life, immor- talitie, after his owne death ; let Philosophie, let Ethiques, let all the Arts bestowe vpon vs this guift, that we be not thought dead men, whilest we remaine among the liuing : it is onely Poetrie that can make vs be thought liuing men, when we lie among the dead, and therefore I think it vnequall to thrust them out of our cities, that call vs out of our graues, to thinke so hardly of them, that make vs to be so well thought of, to deny them to Hue a while among vs, that make vs Hue for euer among our Posteritie. So beeing nowe weary in perswading those that hate, I commend my selfe to those that love such Poets, as Plato speakes of, that sing divine and heroical matters, oD yao oyro; E/ff/V, 0/ raDra Afj^oi-rrs, aW o ©soj, 0:076^ sariv 6 X'lyuv,'^ recommending theas my idle howers, not idly spent, to good schollers, and good Christians, that haue ouercome their ignorance with reason, and their reason, with religion. 1 Plato 7^;/. p. iSi. D: G. PRELIMINARY VERSES. Fond ladds that spend so fast your poasting time, (Too poasting time, that spends your time as fast) To chaunt light toyes, or frame some wanton rime, Where idle boyes may glut their lustful tast ; Or else with praise to cloath some fleshly slime With virgins roses and faire lillies chast ; While itching bloods and youthfuU cares adore it ; But wiser men, and once yourselues, will most abhorre it. But thou (most neere, most deare) in this of thine Ha'st proov'd the Muses not to Venus bound ; Such as thy matter, such thy Muse, divine ; Or thou such grace with Merci's selfe hast found, That she herself deign's in thy leaues to shine ; Or stol'n from heav'n, thou broughts[t] this verse to ground, Which frights the nummed soule with fearefuU thunder, And soone with honied dewes melts it 'twixt ioy and wonder. Then doe not thou malitious tongues esteeme ; The glasse, through which an envious eye doth gaze, Can easily make a mole-hill mountaines seeme : His praise dispraises, his dispraises, praise ; Enough, if best men best thy labours deem, And to the highest pitch thy merit raise ; While all the Muses to thy song decree Victorious Triumph, Triumphant Victorie. Phin. Fletcher, Regal, PRELIMINA R Y VERSES. In 1632 edition there is added here a couplet : Defuncto fratri, Think (if thou cans't) how mounted on his spheare In heaven now he sings : thus sung he here. Phin. Fletcher. Regal. QviD 6, quid Veneres, Cupidinesque, Turturesque, iocosque, passeresque, Lascivi canitis greges, poetas ? Etiam languidulos amantum ocellos, Et mox turguidulas sinu papillas, lam risus ^ teneros, lachrymulasque,^ IMox suspiria, morsiunculasque, Mille basia ; mille, mille nugas ? Et vultus pueri, puellululjeve (Heu fusci pueri, puellulseque) Pingitis nivibus, rosunculisque, (Mentitis nivibus, rosunculisque) Quce vel pvimo hyemis rigore torpent, Vel Phoebi intuitu statim relanguent. Heu stulti nimium greges poetse ! Vt, quas sic nimis, ah nimis stupetis, (Nives candidulse & rosae pudentes) Sic vobis pereunt statim labores : Et solem fugiunt severiorem, Vel solem gelida rigent senecta : At tu qui clypeo, haud inane nomen (Minervre clypeo lovisque) sumens Victrices resonas Dei Triumphos, Triumphos lachrymis, metuque plenos, Plenos Isetitise, et spei triumphos, Dum rem carmine, Pieroque dignam Aggrederis, tibi res decora rebus ^ ' Fletus ' 1632 edn. G. * ' Cachinnulosque ' ib. G. PRELIMINARY VERSES. Prcebet carmina, Pieroque digna. Quin ille ipse tuos legens triumphos, Plenos militia, labore plenos ; Tuo propitius parat labori Plenos Isetitiae et spei triumphos. Phin. Fletcher, Regal. H' Mapta/i Mt; fii.apa. Beatissima virginum Maria, Sed materque simul beata, per quam Qui semper fuit ille coepit esse : Quae Vitse dederisque inire vitam : Et Luci dederis videre lucem : Quje fastidia, morsiunculasque Passa es quas grauidte solent, nee unquam (Audebas propior viro venire) Dum clusus ^ penetralibus latebat Matricis tunica undique involutus, Quem se posse negant tenere cceli. Quaa non virgineas premi papillas Passa, virgineas tamen dedisti Lactandas puero tuo papillas. Eia, die age, die beata virgo, Cur piam abstineas manum timesque Sancta tangere, Sanctuariumque Insolens fugias ? an inquinari Contactu metuis tuo sacrata ? Contactu metuit suo sacrata Pollui pia, cernis en ferentem, Lenimenta Dei furentis, ilia Fcedatas sibi ferre quse iubebat. Sis felix noua virgo-mater opto, Qu3e mollire Deum paras amicum. ^ ' Clausus ' il>. G. PRELIMINARY VERSES. Quin liic dona licet licet relinquas, Agnellumque repone, turturemque, Audax ingrediare inanis sedes Dei, tange Deo sacrata, tange QuK non concubitu coinquinata, Agnellum peperitque, Turturemque, Exclusit, facili Deo litabit Agno cum Deiis insit, et columbce. Nor can I so much say as much I ought, Nor yet so little can I say as nought. In praise of this thy worke, so heauenly pend, That sure the sacred Dove a quill did lend From her high-soaring wing : certes I know No other plumes, that makes man seeme so low In his owne eyes, who to all others sight Is mounted to the highest pitch of height : Where if thou seeme to any of small price. The fault is not in thee, but in his eyes : But what doe I thy flood of wit restreine Within the narrow bankes of my poore veyne ? More I could say, and would, but that to praise Thy verses, is to keepe them from their praise. For them who reades, and doth them not aduance, Of envie doth it, or of ignorance. F. Nethersole.^ ^ Nethersole was ' Public Orator ' of the University (of Cambridge), in which office he was succeeded by George Herbert, who, like Giles Fletcher, was a protege of Dean Nevile. Lowndes calls him Sir Francis as author of a forgotten Latin tractate (See s. n.) Nethersole fell under the scorpion lash of John Goodwin, who had been assailed by him very grossly and unrighteously. G. CHRIST'S VICTORIE AND TRIUMPH. THE ARGUMENT.! The Argument propounded in general! : Our redemption by Christ : St. i, 2. — The Author's inuocation for the better handling of it : st. 3, 4. — The Argument [in particular]: Man's redemption expounded from the cause — IMercie dwell- ing in heauen, and pleading for man now guiltie, with Justice described by her qualities: st. 5 — 11. Her retinue : St. 12 — 14. — Her subiect : St. 15, 16. — Her accusation of man's sinne : st. 17. And (I.) of Adam's first sinne: st. 18, 19. — Then of his posteritie's, in all kinde of Idolatrie : st. 20 — 24. How hopelesse any patronage of it :sL 25 — 27. — All the creatures hauingdisleaguedthemselues with him for his extreame vngratefulnes: 28 — 34, — So that beeng destitute of all hope or any remedie, he can look for nothing but a fearful sentence : st. 35 — 39. — The effect of lustice, her speech: the inflammation of the heauenly Powers appeased by Mercie, who is described by her cherfulnes to defend man : St. 40 — 42. — Our inabilitie to describe her : St. 43, 44. — Herbeautie resembled by the creatures, which are all fraile shadows of her essentiall perfection : st. 45, 46. — Her attendants : St. 46, 47. — Her persuasiue power : st. 48 — 50. — Her kind offices to man : St. 51, 52. — Her garments, wrought by her owne hands, wherewith shee cloaths herselfe, composd of all the creatures : St. 53. — The Earth : st. 54. — Sea ; St. 55, 56. — Ayre : St. 57, 58. — The celestiall bodies : st. 59, 60. — The third heauen : st. 61, 62. — Herobiects : st. 63. — Repentance : st. 64 — 66. — Faith : st. 67 — 6g.^ — Her deprecative spech for Man; in which she translates the principal fault vnto the Deuill ; and, repeating lustice her aggravation of man's sinne, mittigates it. (i) By a contrarie inference : (2) By interessingl her selfe in the cause, and Christ : st. 70 — 75. — that is, as sufficient to sati>fie, as Man was impotent : st. 76, 77. Whom shee celebrates from the time of His^natiuitie : st. 78. From the effects of it in Himselfe : St. 79, 80. — Egypt: St. 81. — The angels [and] men: st. 82, 83. — The effect of Mercie's speech : St. 84. — A transition to Christ's second victorie : St. 85. ! In the author's own edition and in those of 1632 and 1640, ' The Argument ' is dispersed over the margins opposite the several stanzas. It has been thought better to bring it together at the commencement of each Part. G. " Richardson, Southey, and Cattermole, misprint ' intercessing ' = interceding ; Fletcher himself as supra. G. Chris fs Victorie in Heaven. ' I "HE birth of Him that no beginning knewe, Yet giues beginning to all that are borne ; And how the Infinite farre greater grewe, By growing lesse, and how the rising Morne, That shot from heau'n, did ^ backe to heau'n retourne ; The obsequies of Him that could not die, And death of life, ende of eternitie. How worthily He died, that died unworthily ; — 2. How God and ]\Ian did both embrace each other, Met in one person, Heau'n and Earth did kiss ; And how a Virgin did become a Mother, And bare that Sonne, Who the world's Father is, And Maker of His mother; and how Bliss Descended from the bosome of the High, To cloath Himselfe in naked miserie, Sayling at length to Heau'n, in Earth, triumphantly — - ^ Southey and Chalmers misprint here 'and' for 'did.' G. ^ I may be allowed to refer to my " Lord Bacon not the Author 126 CHI^IST's VICT or IE IN HEAVEN. Is the first flame, wherewith my whiter Muse Doth burne in heauenly loue, such loue to tell. O Thou that didst this holy fire infuse, And taught'st this brest — but late the graue of hell, Wherein a blind and dead heart liu'd — to swell With better thoughts, send downe those lights that lend Knowledge, how to begin, and how to end The loue, that neuer was, nor euer can be pend.^ Ye Sacred Writings, in whose antique leaues The memories of Heau'n entreasur'd lie, Say, what might be the cause that Mercie heaues The dust of sinne aboue th' industrious skie, And lets it not to dust and ashes flie ? Could Justice be of sinne so ouer-wooed, Or so great ill be cause of so great good, That bloody man to saue, man's Sauiour shed His blood? of ' The Christian Paradoxes,' being a re-print of Memorials of Godliness and Christianity, by Herbert Palmer, B.D. With In- troduction, Memoir and Notes." 8vo, 1S65. Probably Palmer had the ' Paradoxes ' suggested by Fletcher. G. ^ ' Penned '== written or described: but cf. stanza 17, line 7 = confined. G. CHRIS -fs VICTOR! E IN HEAVEN. 1 27 5- Or did the lips of Mercie droppe soft speech For traytrous man, when at th' Eternall's throne Incensfed Nemesis ^ did Heau'n beseech With thundring voice, that Justice might be showne Against the rebells, that from God were flowne ? O say, say how could jNIercie plead for those That, scarcely made, against their JMaker rose ? Will any slay his friend that he may spare his foes ? 6. There is a place beyond that flaming hill, From -whence the starres their thin apparance shed ; A place, beyond all place, where neuer ill, Nor impure thought, was euer harboured, But sainctly heroes are for euer s'ed - To keepe an euerlasting Sabbaoth's rest, Still wishing that, of what th' ar still possest, Enioying but one ioy, — but one of all ioyes best. 7 Here, when the ruine of that beauteous frame, V.'hose golden building shin'd with euerie starre Of excellence, deform'd with age became, Mercy, remembring peace in midst of warre, Lift vp the musique of her voice, to barre 1 = Personification of Conscience, Cf. Ilcsiod, Tlieog. 223. G. ^ Southey ' su'd : ' Cattermole 'said:' Query = savbd? G. 128 CUI^IST's victor IE IN HEAVEN. Eternall Fate, least it should quite erace That from the world, which was the first world's grace, And all a^^aine into their nothint^ — Chaos — chase. For what had all this All, which man in one Did not vnite ? the earth, aire, water, fire, Life, sense, and spirit, nay, the powreful throne Of the diuinest Essence, did retire. And His owne image into clay inspire : So that this Creature well might called be Of the great world the small epitomie. Of the dead world, the Hue and quicke ^ anatomic. 9- But Justice had no sooner Mercy scene Smoothing the wrinkles of her Father's browe, But vp she starts, and throwes her selfe betweene : As when a vapour, from a moory slough. Meeting with fresh Eoiis," that but now Open'd the world, which all in darknesse lay, Doth heau'n's bright face of his rayes disaray. And sads the smiling Orient of the springing day. ^ Living, alive, as Shakespere, (Hamlet v. I.) " 'Tis for the dead, not for the quick." Cf. Numbers xvi. 30. G. ^ Eos : in Latin, Aurora, the goddess of the Morning who brings up the light of Day from the East. Cf. Hesiod. Theog. 371 &c. G. CHRIST S VICTOR IE IN HEAVEN. 1=9 She was a Virgin of austere regard ; Not as the world esteemes her, deafe and bHnd ; But as the eagle, that hatli oft compar'd Her eye with Heau'n's, so, and more brightly shin'd Her lamping sight ; for she the same could winde Into the solid heart, and with her eares The silence of the thought loude speaking heares. And in one hand a paire of euen scoals ^ she weares. II. No riot of affection reuell kept Within her brest, but a still apathy Possessed all her soule, which softly slept Securel}', witliout tempest ; no sad crie Awakes her pittie, but wrong'd pouertie. Sending her eyes to heau'n swimming in teares, With hideous clamours euer struck her eares, Whetting the blazing sword, that in her hand she beares. 12. The winged lightning is her Mercury, And round about her mightie thunders sound : Impatient of himselfe lies pining by 1 Scales. G. 130 CHRIST S VIC TOR IE IN HEAVEN. Pale Sicknes with his kercher'd ^ head vpwound, And thousand noysome plagues attend her round ; But if her clowdie browe but once grow foule, The flints doe melt, and rocks to water rowle, And ayrie mountaines shake, and frighted shadowes howle. 13- Famine, and bloodies Care, and bloodie Warre, Want, and the want of knowledge how to vse Abundance ; Age, and Feare that runnes afarre Before his fellowe Greefe, that aye pursues His winged steps ; for who would not refuse Greefe's companie, a dull and rawebon'd spright. That lankes the cheekes, and pales the freshest sight, Vnbosoming the cheereful brest of all delight. 14. Before this cursed throng, goes Ignorance, That needes will leade the way he cannot see : And, after all, Death doeth his flag aduance, And, in the midst, Strife still would roaguing - be, Whose ragged flesh and cloaths did well agree : And round about amazed Horror flies, And ouer all, Shame veiles his guiltie eyes, And vnderneath, Hell's hungrie throat still yawning lies. 1 Milton has ' Cliercheft' in II Pensoroso, 1. 125 ' But Cherclief't in a comely Cloud ' G. ^ Raging. G. CHRIST'S VIC TOR IE IN HEAVEN, I3I 15- Vpon two stonie tables, spread before her, She lean'd her bosome, more then stonie hard ; There slept th' vnpartiall ludge, and strict restorer Of wrong or right, with paine or with reward ; There hung the skore of all our debts, the card Whear good, and bad, and life, and death were painted : Was neuer heart of mortall so vntainted, But when that scroule was read, with thousand terrors fainted. 16. Witnes the thunder that mount Sinai heard. When all the hill with firie clouds did flame, And wandring Israel, with the sight afeard. Blinded with seeing, durst not touch the same, But like a wood of shaking leaues became. On this dead ^ Justice, she, the Lining Lawe Bowing herselfe with a majestique awe. All heau'n, to heare her speech, did into silence drawe. 1 'Dead : ' Cf. st. 15. II. i, 2. On this 'dead Justice,' that is the tables of the Written Law, the Living Law "bowed herself," leaning her elbows as it were on the Tables as she proceeded to speak. The emendation, wliich formerly I too hastily accepted, of 'dread ' destroys the antithesis between the aVac/ letter or decalogue and personified Justice. G. CHRIST S VICTOR IE IN HEAVEN. 17- 'Dread Lord of spirits, well Thou did'st deuise To fling the world's rude dunghill, and the drosse Of the ould Chaos, farthest from the skies, And thine Owne seate, that heare ^ the childe of losse Of all the lower heau'n, the curse and crosse, That wretch, beast, caytiue monster — Man, — might spend, (Proude of the mire in which his soule is pend) Clodded in lumps of clay, his wearie life to end. 1 8. ' His bodie dust : whear grewe such cause of pride ? His soule Thy image : what could be enuie ? Himselfe most happie : if he so would bide. Now grow'n most wretched, who can remedie ? He slewe himselfe, himselfe the enemie, That his owne soule would her owne murder wreake : If I were silent, Heau'n and Earth would speake And, if all fayl'd, these stones would into clamours breake. 19. * How many darts made furrowes in his side, When she, that out of his owne side was made ^ Richardson has 'hear,' Cattermole misprmts 'there.' G. CHRIS fS VICTORIE IN HEAVEN. 133 Gaue feathers to their flight ? ^ whear was the pride Of their newe knowledge ? whither did it fade, When, running from Thy voice into the shade, He fled Thy sight, himselfe of sight bereau'd ; And for his shield a leauie armour weau'd, With which, vain man, he thought God's eies to haue deceau'd ? ^ 20. * And well he might delude those eyes, that see, And iudge by colours : for who euer sawe A man of leaues, a reasonable tree ? ^ But those that from this stocke their life did drawe, Soone made their father godly, and by lawe Proclaimed trees almightie : gods of wood, Of stocks, and stones with crownes of laurell stood Templed, and fed by fathers with their children's blood. 'The sparkling fanes, that burne in beaten gould, And, like the starres of heau'n in mid'st of night ^ Cf. ^schylus, Myrmidones, frag. Bp.' Butler in his note on this fragment, quotes Waller's sonnet commencing ' That Eagle's fate, &c. Byron applies it pathetically to Kirke White. See a learned discussion of the whole question, by Gataker, Advers. Misc. Posth. cap. xii. G. - The close of this stanza has suffered from the Editors. Southey misprints (line 6th) 'light' for 'night,' and (line 7th) 'heavy' for ' leauie ' = leafy, and Cattermole drops (line 8th) ' vain man.' G. ^ = Adam so concealed in, and as it were blended with, the tree as to deceive human though not divine vision. G. 134 CHRIST S VICTOR IE IN HEAVEN. Blacke Egypt, as her mirrhours doth behould, Are but the denns whear idoll-snakes delight Againe to couer Satan from their sight : Yet these are all their gods, to whome they vie The crocodile, the cock, the rat, the flie : Fit gods, indeede, for such men to be serued by. 22. ' The fire, the winde, the sea, the sunne, and moone, The flitting ^ aire, and the swift-winged how'rs, And all the watchmen, that so nimbly runne, And centinel about the walled towers Of the world's citie, in their heau'nly bowr's ; And, least their pleasant gods should want delight, Neptune spues out the lady Aphrodite, And but in Heauen proude luno's peacocks skorne to hte. 23- ' The senselesse Earth, the serpent, dog, and catte, And woorse then all these, Man, and woorst of men, Vsurping love, and swilling ^ Bacchus fat, And drunke with the vine's purple blood ; and then The fiend himselfe they coniure from his denne, ^ Moving, changing. Cf. "Christ's Triumph after Death," st. 6. 1. 7- G. 2 Richardson and Cattermole misread ' sweUing. ' G. CHRIST S VIC TORI E IN HEAVEN. 135 Because he onely yet remain'd to be Woorse then the worst of men : they fiie from thee, And weare his altar-stones out with their pHant knee. 24. ' All that he speakes (and all he speakes are lies) Are oracles ; 'tis he (that wounded all) Cures all their wounds, he (that put out their eyes) That giues them light, he (that death first did call Into the world) that with his orizall ^ Inspirits Earth : he Heau'ns al-seeing eye. He Earth's great prophet, he, whom rest doth flie, That on salt billowes doth, as pillowes, sleeping lie. 25- ' But let him in his cabin restles rest, The dungeon of darke flames, and freezing fire, lustice in Heau'n against man makes request To God, and of his angels doth require Sinne's punishment : if what I did desire, Or who, or against whome, or why, or whear. Of, or before whom ignorant I wear, Then should my speech their sands of sins to mountaines rear. ^ Query ' rising ' as of the sun ? But I have not met with the word elsewhere. G. 13' ,6 Christ's victor ie in heaven. 26. ' Were not the heau'ns pure, in whose courts I sue ; The ludge, to whom I sue, iust to requite him ; The cause for sinne, the punishment most clue ; Justice her selfe the plaintiffe to endite him ; The angells holy, before whom I cite him ; He against whom, wicked, vniust, impure ; Then might he sinnefull hue, and die secure, Or triall might escape, or triall might endure. 27 ' The ludge might partiall be, and ouer-pray'd ; The place appeal'd from, in whose courts he sues ; The fault excus'd, or punishment delay 'd, The parties self-accus'd that did accuse ; Angels for pardon might their praiers vse : But now no starre can shine, no hope be got. Most wretched creature, if he knewe his lot, And yet more wretched farre, because he knowes it not. 28 ' What should I tell how barren Earth is growne, All for to sterue her children : didst not thou Water with heau'nly showers her Avombe vnsowne. And drop downe cloudes^ of flow'rs? didst not thou bowe ^ Southey misprints ' clods.' G. CHRIST S VIC TOR IE IN HEAVEN. 137 Thine easie eare vnto the plowman's vowe ? Long might he looke, and looke, and long in vaine Might load his haruest in an emptie wayne, And beat the woods, to finde the poor okes' hungrie graine. 29. * The swelling Sea seethes in his angrie waues, And smites the Earth, that dares the traytors nourish ; Yet oft his thunder ther light corke outbraues, Mowing the mountaines, on whose temples flourish Whole woods of garlands ; and their pride to cherish, Plowe through the seae's greene lields, and nets display To catch the flying winds, and steale away, Coozning the greedie Sea, prisning their nimble prey. ' How often haue I seene the wauing pine, Tost on a watrie mountaine, knocke his head At Heau'ns too patient gates, and with salt brine Queench the moone's burning homes, and safely fled From Heau'ns reuenge, her passengers all dead With stiffe astonishment tumble to Hell? , How oft the Sea all Earth would ouerswell. Did not thy sandie girdle binde the mightie well ? 138 CHRIS fs VICTOR IE IJV HE A FEN. * Would not the aire be fiU'd with steames ^ of death, To poyson the quicke ^ riuers of their blood, Did not thy windes, fan with their panting breath, The flitting region? would not the hastie flood Emptie it selfe into the Sea's wide wood, Did'st not thou leade it wand'ring from his way, To giue men drinke, and make his waters strey, To fresh the flowrie meadowes, through whose fields they play ? 32- ' Who makes the sources of the siluer fountaines From the flint's mouth, and rocky valleis slide, Thickning the ayrie bowells of the mountaines ? Who hath the wilde-heards of the forest tide In their cold denns, making them hungrie bide Till man to rest be laid ? can beastly he. That should haue most sense, onely senseles be, And all things else, beside himselfe, so awefuU see ? 33- ' Wear he not wilder then the saluage beast, Prowder then haughty hills, harder then rocks. Colder then fountaines, from their springs releast, Lighter then aire, blinder then senseles stocks, ^ Richardson, Southey, and Cattermole misprint ' streams.' G. ^ ' Living,' ' alive,' as before. G. CHUISTS VICTOR IE IN HEAVEN. 139 More changing then the riuers curHng locks : If reason would not, sense would soone reprooue him, And vnto shame, if not to sorrow, mooue him, To see cold floods, wild beasts, dul stocks, hard stones out-loue him. 34. ' Vnder the weight of sinne the Earth did fall, And swallowed Dathan ; ^ and the raging winde, And stormie sea, and gaping whale, did call For lonas ; - and the aire did bullets fmde, And shot from Heau'n a stony showre, to grinde The flue proud kings, that for their idols fought ; ^ The sunne it selfe stood still to fight it out,* And fire from heau'n flew downe, when sin to heau'n did shout. -^ 35- Should any to himselfe for safety flie ? The way to saue himselfe, if any were. Wear to flie from himselfe : should he relie Vpon the promise of his wife? but there. What can he see, but that he most may feare, ^ Numbers c. xvr. - Jonah i. i seqq. 11. l-io, &c. G. 3 Joshua X. II. G. ■* Joshua x. 12 seqq. G. ^ Genesis xviii. 20, and xix. 24. I40 CHRIST S VICTORIE IN HEAVEN. A syren, sweete to death : vpon his friends ? Who that he needs, or that he hath not, lends ; Or wanting aide himselfe, ayde to another sends ? ' His strength ? but dust : his pleasure ? cause of paine : His hope? false courtier: youth or beawtie? brittle : Intreatle ? fond : ^ repentance ? late, and vaine : lust recompence ? the world wear all too little : Thy loue ? he hath no title to a tittle : Hell's force ? in vaine her furies Hell shall gather : His seruants, kinsmen, or his children rather ? His child, if good, shall iudge ; if bad, shall curse his father. 37- ' His life ? that brings him to his end, and leaues him : His end ? that leaues him to beginne his woe : His goods ? what good in that, that so deceaues him ? His gods of wood ? their feete, alas, are slowe To goe to helpe, that must be help't to goe : Honour, great woorth ? ah, little woorth they be Vnto their owners : wit ? that makes him see He wanted wit, that thought he had it, wanting Thee. ^ Foolish. G. CHRIST S VIC TOR IE I.V HEAVEN. 1 41 ' The Sea to drinke him quicke? ^ that casts his dead : AngeUs to spare? they punish : night to hide ? The world shall burne in light ; the Heau'ns to spread Their wings to saue him ? Heaun it selfe shall slide, And rowle away like melting starres, that glide Along their oylie threads : his minde pursues him : His house to shrowde, or hills to fall and bruse him ? As sergeants both attache, and witnesses accuse him. 39- ' What need I vrge, what they must needs confesse. Sentence on them, condemn'd by their owne lust? I craue no more, and Thou canst giue no lesse. Then death to dead men, iustice to vniust ; Shame to most shamefull, and most shameles dust : But if Thy mercie needs will spare her friends, Let Mercie there begin where Justice endes. 'Tis cruel Mercie, that the wrong from right defends.' 1 ' Living,' 'alive,' as before. G. 142 CHRIST S VICTOR IE IN HEAVEN. 40. She ended, and the heau'nly Hierarchies, Burning in zeale, thickly imbranded^ weare ; Like to an armie that aUarum cries, And euery one shakes his ydraded ^ speare, And the Almightie's Selfe, as He would teare The Earth and her firme basis quite in sunder, Flam'd all in in iust reuenge and mightie thunder; Hea'un stole it selfe from Earth by clouds that moisterd ^ vnder. 41. As when the cheerfull sunne, clamping * wide, Glads all the world with his vprising raye, And wooes the widow'd Earth afresh to pride, And paints ^ her bosome with the flowrie Maye, His silent sister steales him quite away, ^ Cattermole explains this as ' mustered in arms ; ' but this is a mere adaptation to the context. Richardson in his great Dictionary says ' Perhaps armed with brands,' and then quotes from Fletcher, as above. ' Brand,' which means a ' torch ' is also used for a 'sword,' because in motion it glitters like a burning torch or fire-brand. Skinner. G. ^ Ydraded i.e. dreaded : Richardson and Cattermole substitute ' terrific' G. 3 Moistured, refreshed = dropt moisture or tears of rain. Southey and Cattermole misprint ' moisten' d.' G. * Enlightening like a lamp : Cf Spenser, Fairie Queen III. c. 3, s. I : and first Sonnet. Dr Richardson as before, quotes above. G. ^ Misprinted 'paint:' but m 1632 ed. corrected to 'paints' as supra, G, CHRIST S VICT 01? IE IN HEAVEN. 143 AVrap't in a sable clowde from mortall eyes ; The hastie starres at noone begin to rise, And headlong to his early roost the sparrowe flies. 42. But soone as he againe dishadowed is, Restoring the blind world his blemish't sight. As though another day wear newely ris,^ The cooz'ned birds busily take their flight, And wonder at the shortnesse of the night; So Mercie once againe her selfe displayes. Out from her sister's cloud, and open layes Those sunshine lookes, whose beams would dim a thousand dayes. 43- How may a worme, that crawles along the dust, Clamber the azure mountaines, thrown so high, And fetch from thence thy faire Idea iust, That in those sunny courts doth hidden lie, Cloath'd with such light, as blinds the angels' eye ; How may weake mortall euer hope to file His vnsmooth tongue, and his deprostrate stile ? O raise Thou from his corse Thy now entomb'd exile ! ^ Richardson, Roiithey and Cattermole, again sadly mar this line, by mis-reading from the previous one ' world ' for ' day ' and 'his ' for ' ris ' G, 144 CHRIST S VICTOR IE IN HEAVEN. 44. One touch would rouze me from my sluggish hearse, One word would call me to my wished home, One looke would polish my afHicled verse, One thought would steale my soule from her thicke lome, And force it wandring vp to Heau'n to come, Thear to importune, and to beg apace One happy fauour of Thy sacred grace, To see — what though it loose her eyes ? — tc see Thy face. 45- If any aske why roses please the sight ? Because their leaues vpon Thy cheekes doe bowre : If any aske why lillies are so white ? Because their blossoms in Thy hand doe flowre : Or why sweet plants so gratefull odours shoure ? It is because Thy^ breath so like they be : Or why the Orient sunne so bright we see? What reason can we giue, but from Thine eies, and Thee ? 46. Ros'd all in liuely crimsin ar Thy cheeks, Whear beawties indeflourishing abide. And, as to passe his fellowe eitlier seekes, Seemes both doe- blush at one another's pride ; Soutliey misprints ' their' G. ^ Here also misprints ' to.' G. CHRIST S VIC TOE IE IN HEAVEN. 145 And on Thine eyelids, waiting Thee beside, Ten thousand Graces sit, and when they mooue To Earth their amourous belgards ^ from aboue, They flie from Heau'n, and on their wings conuey Thy loue. 47. All of discolour'd plumes their wings ar made, And with so wondrous art the quills ar wrought, That whensoere they cut the ayrie glade, The winde into their hoUowe pipes is caught : As seemes the spheres with them they down haue brought : Like to the seauen-fold reede of Arcadie, Which Pan of Syrinx made, when she did flie To Ladon sands, and at his sighs sung merily.^ 48. As melting hony, dropping from the combe, So 'still the words, that spring between Thy lipps : Thy lippes, whear smiling Swetnesse keepes her home, And heau'nly Eloquence pure manna sipps : He that his pen but in that fountaine dipps. How nimbly will the golden phrases flie, And shed forth streames of choycest rhetoric, Welling celestiall torrents out of poesie ! ^ Belles regardes ' beautiful looks : ' Richardson, as before, quotes Fletcher as above : Cf Spenser F. Q. III. c. 9. 2 Cf. Ovid. Met. i. 691 &c. : Virgil, Eclog. ii. 31. G. K h6 Christ's victor ie in heaven. 49. Like as the thirstie land in Summer's lieat, Calls to the cloudes, and gapes at euerie showre, As though her hungry clifts all heau'n would eat, Which if high God into her bosome powre, Though much refresht, yet more she could deuoure ; So hang the greedie ears of angels sweete, And euery breath a thousand Cupids meete, Some flying in, some out, and all about her fleet. 50. Vpon her breast Delight doth softly sleepe, And of Eternal loy is brought abed : Those snowie mountelets, through Avhich doe creepe The milkie riuers, that ar inly bred In siluer cisternes, and themselues do shed To wearie trauailers, in heat of day To quench their fierie thrist, and to allay With dropping nectar floods, the furie of their way. 51- If any wander, Thou doest call him backe ; If any be not forward. Thou incit'st him ; Thou doest expect, if any should growe slacke ; If any seeme but willing, thou inuit'st him; Or if he doe offend Thee, Thou acquit'st him ; CHRIST S VICTOR IE IN HEAVEN. 147 Thou find'st the lost, and follow'st him that flies, Healing the sicke, and quickning him that dies : Thou art the lame man's friendly staffe, the blind man's eyes. 52. So faire Thou art, that all would Thee behold ; But none can Thee behold, Thou art so faire ; Pardon, O pardon then Thy vassal bold, That with poore shadowes striues Thee to compare, And match the things, which he knowes matchlesse are : O Thou vive ^ mirrhour of celestiall grace. How can fraile colours pourtraict out Thy face. Or paint in flesh Thy beawtie in such semblance base ? 53- Her vpper garment was a silken lawne, With needle-worke richly embroidered, Which she her selfe with her owne hand had drawne, And all the world therein had pourtrayed, With threads so fresh and liuely coloured. That seem'd the world She newe-created thear, And the mistaken eye would rashly swear The silken trees did growe, and the beasts lining wear. ^ Richardson and Catteimole translate ' vive ' into ' living ' and drop the ' O.' Drummond of Ilawthornden has the word and rhyme, e.g. 'O well-spring of this all, Thy father's image vive, Word, that from nought did call What is, doth reason, live.' G. 148 Christ's victorie in heaven. 54. Low at her feet the Earth was cast alone, (As though to kisse Her foot it did aspire, And gaue it selfe for her to tread vpon,) With so vnhke and different attire, That euery one that sawe it, did admire ^ What it might be, was of so various hewe ; For to it selfe it oft so diuerse grewe, That still it seem'd the same, and still it seem'd a newe. 55. And here and there, few men she scattered, (That in their thought the world esteeme but small And themselues great,) but she with one fine thread So short, and small, and slender, woue them all, That like a sort of busie ants, that crawle About some molehill, so they wandered ; And round about the wauing Sea ^ was shed : But, for the siluer sands, small pearls were sprinkled. 56. So curiously the vnderworke did creepe, And curling circlets so well shadowed lay, That afar off the waters seem'd to sleepe ; But those that neare the margin pearle did play, Hoarcely enwaued wear with hastie sway, ^ Wonder. G. ^ ■=■ The sea in waves. G. CHRIST S VIC TOR IE nV HEAVEN. 149 As though they meant to rocke the gentle eare And hush the former that enslumbred wear : And here a dangerous rocke the flying ships did fear. 57- High in the ayrie element tliere hung Another clowdy Sea, that did disdaine (As though his jDurer waues from heauen sprung) To crawle on Earth, as doth the sluggish maine : But it the Earth would water with his raine, That eb'd and flow'd, as winde and season would, And oft the Sun would cleaue the limber i mould To alabaster rockes, that in the liquid rowl'd. 5S. Beneath those sunny banks, a darker cloud. Dropping with thicker deaw, did melt apace, And bent it selfe into a hoUowe shroude, On which, if Mercy did but cast her face, A thousand colours did the bowe enchace. That wonder was to see the silke distain'd With the resplendance from her beawtie gain'd, And Iris paint her locks with beanies, so liuely feign'd. 59- About her head a Cyprus- heau'n she wore. Spread like a veile, vpheld with siluer wire, 1 Yielding. Cf. Milton P.L. ' wav'd their limber fans.' VII. 476. G. ^ 'Cyprus' is our modern word 'crape,' French ' crespecrape.' Christ's victor ie in heaven. In which the starres so burn't in golden ore, As seem'd, the azure web was all on fire : But hastily, to quench the sparkling ire, A flood of milke came rowling vp the shore, That on his curded waue swift Argus bore,^ And the immortall swan, that did her life deplore. 60. Yet strange it was, so many starres to see Without a sunne, to give their tapers light: Yet strange it was not, that it so should be ; For, where the sunne centers himselfe by right, Her face, and locks did flame, that at the sight The heauenly veile, that else should nimbly mooue, Forgot his flight, and all incens'd with loue With wonder, and amazement, did her beautie prooue. 61. Ouer her hung a canopie of state. Not of rich tissew, nor of spangled gold, But of a substance, though not animate, Yet of a heaun'nly and spirituall mould, That onely eyes of spirits might behold ; Therefore the text is = a canopy of crape. Cf. Milton, II Pensoroso, ' Sable stole of Cipres lawn Over thy decent shoulders draw'n.' G. ^ Southey repeats the misprint of ' wore ' here, from 1632 edn. G. Christ's victor ie iat heaven. 151 Such light as from maine ^ rocks of diamound, Shooting their sparks at Phebus, would rebound, And little angels, holding hands, daunc't all around. 62. Seemed those little sprights, through nimbless bold. The stately canopy bore on their wings But them it selfe, as pendants, did vphold; Besides the crownes of many famous kings : Among the rest, thear Dauid euer sings, And now, with yeares growne young, renewes his layes Vnto his golden harpe, and ditties playes, Psalming aloud in well-tun'd songs his Maker's prayse. 63- Thou Self-Idea of all ioyes to come. Whose loue is such, would make the rudest speake, Whose loue is such, would make the wisest dumbe, O, when wilt Thou Thy too-long silence breake And ouercome the strong to saue the weake ! If Thou no weapons hast, Thine eyes will wound Th' Almightie's selfe, that now sticke on the ground, As though some blessed obiect thear did them empound, 64. Ah ! miserable abiect - of disgrace, What happines is in thy miserie ? ^Sea-rocks. G. * Soulhey misprints 'object.' G. 152 Christ's victor ie in heaven, I both must pittie and enuie thy case ; For she that is the glorie of the skie, Leaues heaucn blind, to fix on thee her eye. Yet her (though Mercie's selfe esteems not small) The world despis'd ; they her Repentance call, And she her selfe despises, and the world, and all. 65. Deepely, alas ! empassioned she stood, To see a flaming brand, tost vp from hell, Boyling her heart in her owne lustfull blood, That oft for torment she would loudely yell ; Nowe she would sighing sit, and nowe she fell Crouching vpon the ground, in sackcloath trust : ^ Early and late she prayed, and fast she must, And all her haire hung full of ashes, and of dust. 66. Of all most hated, hated most of all Of her owne selfe she was; disconsolat (As though her flesh did but infunerall Her buried ghost) she in an arbour ^ sat Of thornie brier, weeping her cursed state ; And her before, a hastie river fled. Which her blind eyes with faithfull penance fed. And all about, the grasse with tears hung downe his head. ^ Trussed, i.e. dressed or girded. G. ^ Southey has 'harbour,' G. CHRIST S VICTORIR IN HEAVEN, 153 67. Her eyes, though bUnd abroad, at home kept fast ; Inwards they tum'd, and look't into her head : At which shee often started, as aghast To see so fearfull spectacles of dread ; And with one hand, her breast she martyred. Wounding her heart, the same to mortifie ; The other a faire damsel held her by, Which if but once let go, shee sunke immediatly. But Faith was quicke and nimble as the heau'n, As if of loue and life shee all had been, And though of present sight her sense were reauen, Yet shee could see the things could not be seen : Beyond the starres, as nothing wear between. She fixt her sight, disdeigning things belowe : Into the Sea she could a mountaine throwe. And make the sun to stande, and waters backewards flowe. Such when as Mercie her beheld from high, In a darke valley, drown'd with her owne tears, One of her Graces she sent hastily. Smiling Eirene,^ that a garland wears Of guilded oliue, on her fairer hears,^ 1 Tcace. G. "^ Hairs. G, ^54 Christ's victor ie in heaven. To crowne the fainting soule's true sacrifice ; Whom when as sad Repentance comming spies, The holy Desperado wip't her swollen eyes. 70. But Mercie felt a kinde remorse to runne Through her soft vaines, and therefore, hying fast To giue an end to silence, thus begunne : — * Aye-honour'd Father, if no ioy Thou hast But to reward desert, reward at last The deuil's voice, spoke with a serpent's tongue, — Fit to hisse out the words so deadly stung, — And let him die, death's bitter charmes so sweetley sung. 71- ' He was the father of that hopeles season. That, to serue other gods, forgot their owne : The reason was, Thou wast aboue their reason : They would haue any ^ gods, rather then none, A beastly serpent, or a senselesse stone : And these, as Justice hates, so I deplore ; But the vp-plowed heart, all rent and tore, Though wounded by it selfe, I gladly would restore. 72. ' He was but dust ; why fear'd he not to fall ? And, beeing fall'n, how can he hope to Hue ? ^ Southey misprints ' other.' G. Christ's victorie in heaven. i5S Cannot the hand destroy him, that made all ? Could He not take away, aswell as giue ? Should man depraue, and should not God depriue? Was it not all the world's deceiuing spirit, (That, bladder'd vp with pride of his owne merit, y Fell in his rise) that him of Heau'n did disinherit ? 73- ' He was but dust : how could he stand before Him ? And being fall'n, why should he feare to die ? Cannot the hand that made him first, restore him? Deprau'd of sinne, should he depriued lie Of grace? can He not hide^ infirmitie That gaue him strength ? vnworthy the forsaking, He is, who euer weighs, without mistaking. Or Maker of the man, or manner of his making. 74. ' Who shall Thy temple incense any more ? Or at Thy altar crowne the sacrifice ? Or strewe with idle flow'rs the hallow'd flore ? Or what should Prayer deck with hearbs and spice Her vialls, breathing orisons of price ? If all must paie that which all cannot paie? O first begin with race, and Mercie slaie, And Thy thrice honour'd Sonne, that now beneath doth strey. ^ Southey misprints 'find.' G. 156 Christ's victorie in heaven. 75. * But if or He or I, may Hue, and speake, And Heau'n can ioye to see a sinner weepe ; Oh let not Justice' yron sceptre breake A heart alreadie broke ; that lowe doth creep, And with prone humblesse her feets' dust doth sweep. Must all goe by desert ? is nothing free ? Ah ! if but those that onely woorthy be, None should Thee euer see, none should Thee euer see. 76. ' What hath man done, that man shall not vndoe, Since God to him is growne so neer a kin ? Did his foe slay him ? He shall slay his foe : Hath he lost all ? He all againe shall win : Is Sinne his master? He shall master Sinne : Too hardy soule, with Sinne the field to trie : The onely way to conquer, was to flie ; But thus long Death hath liu'd, and now Death's selfe shall die. 77- ' He is a path, if any be misled, He is a robe, if any naked bee j If any chaunce to hunger, He is bread, If any be a bondman, He is free, If any be but weake, howe strong is Hee ! To dead men life He is, to sicke men health, To blinde men sight, and to the needie wealth ; A pleasure without losse, a treasure without stealth. Christ's victor ie in heaven. i57 78.. ' Who can forget — neuer to be forgot — The time, that all the world in slumber lies, When, like the starres, the singing angels shot To Earth, and Heau'n awaked all his eyes, To see another sunne at midnight rise On Earth ? Was neuer sight of pareil ^ fame ; For God before, man like Himselfe, did frame, But God Himselfe now like a mortall man became. 79- * A Child He was, and had not learn't to speake, That with His word the world before did make ; His mother's armes Him bore. He was so weake, That with one hand the vaults of Heau'n could shake; See how small roome my infant Lord doth take, Whom all the world is not enough to hold ! Who of His yeares, or of His age hath told ? Neuer such age so young, neuer a child so old. 80. ' And yet but newely He was infanted, And yet alreadie He was sought to die ; Yet scarcely borne, already banished Not able yet to goe, and forc't to flie : But scarcely fled away, when, by and by, 1 'Equal.' G. 158 Christ's victorie in heaven. The tyran's ^ sword with blood is all defil'd, And Rachel, for her sonnes, with furie wild, Cries, ' O thou cruell king, and, O my sweetest child ! ' ' Egypt His nource became, wheat Nilus springs, "Who, streit to entertaine the rising sunne. The hasty haruest in his bosome brings ; But now for drieth ^ the fields wear all vndone. And now with waters all is ouerrunne : So fast the Cynthian mountaines powr'd their snowe, When once they felt the sunne so neere them glowe. That Nilus Egypt lost, and to a sea did growe. Z2. * The angells caroll'd lowd their song of peace ; The cursed oracles wear strucken dumb ; ^ To see their Sheapheard, the poor sheapheards press ; To see their King, the kingly Sophies * come ; And them to guide vnto his Master's home, ^ The contemporary and later spelling of ' tyrant's.' G. - Drought. G. ^ Cf : Milton's Ode ' on the IMorning of Christ's Natiuity ' stanza 19 : ' The Oracles are diim, No voice or hideous humm Runs through the arched roof/ G. ^ ^Yise men. Cf : Milton, P.L., X. 435 'Bactrian Sophi ' G. CHRIST S VIC TOR IE IN HEAVEN. 159 A starre comes dauncing vp the Orient, That springs for ioye over the strawy tent, Whear gold, to make their prince a crowne, they all present. 83. ' Young lohn, glad child ! before he could be borne, Leapt in the woombe, his ioy to prophecie : ^ Old Anna, though with age all spent and worne, Proclaimes her Sauiour to posteritie : ^ And Simeon fast his dying notes doeth plie.^ Oh, how the blessed soules about Him trace ! It is the Sire * of Heau'n thou dost embrace : Sing, Simeon, sing — sing, Simeon, sing apace ! ' 84. With that the mightie thunder dropt away From God's vnwarie ^ arme, now milder growne, 1 St. Luke I. 41. G. 2 St. Luke ir. 36. G. ^ St. Luke II. 29. G. ■* Southey misprints 'fire.' G. ^ Cf. 'The Purple Island' canto VI. stanza 19, lines 3, 4, where this special bit is finely praised, and where ' umvares ' shews that Phineas Fletcher understood it as = ' unwary.' "And charm'd the nimble lightning in Thy hand, That all unzva7-es it dropt in melting tears." This is bold, perhaps over-bold, but the whole conception of the contest between Justice and Mercy is carried out with startling audacity. See st. 40 and read it in the light of st. S4. The idea if not the word itself means — appeased rather than (literally) unwatchful or unexpecting, G. i6o Christ's victorie in heaven. And melted into teares : as if to pray For pardon, and for pittie, it had knowne, That should haue been for sacred vengeance throwne : Thereto the armies angelique devo'wd Their former rage, and all to Mercie bow'd ; Their broken weapons at her feet they gladly strow'd. 85. ' Bring, bring, ye Graces, all your silver flaskets, Painted with euery choicest flowre that growes, That I may soone vnflow'r your fragrant baskets, To strovve the fields with odours whear He goes, Let what so e're He treads on be a rose.' So downe shee let her eyelids fall, to shine Vpon the rivers of bright Palestine, Whose woods drop honie, and her rivers skip with wine. CHRIST'S VICTORIE AND TRIUMPH ON EARTH. THE ARGUxMENT. Clirist brought into the place of combat, the wildernes, among the wilde beasts: Mark I., 13 : st. i. — Described by His proper attribute, the Mercie of God : St. 2, 3 — Whom the creatures cannot but adore : st. 4, 5, — by His unitie with the Godhead : st. 6. — His proper place : St. 7. — The beautie of His body. Cant, v., 11; Psal. XLV., 2; Gen. XLix., 13; Cant, v., 10; and Isa. Lin., 2 : st. 8 — 15. — By preparing Himself to the combate with His adversarie that seem'd what he was not : St. 14, 15. — Some devout Essene : St. 16 — 19. — closely tempting him to despaire of God's prouidence, and prouide for Himself; st. 20, — But was what beseemed not, Satan, and would faine haue lead Him, i — To Desperation, characterd by his place, countenance, apparell, horrible apparitions, &c. : st. 21 — 30.— 2 — To Presumption : character'd by her place, attendants, &c. : st. 31 — 36. — and by her temptation St. 37. — 3 — To Vainglorie : poetically described from the place where her court Stood; a garden: st. 38 — 49, — from her court and courtiers : st. 51. — (i.) Pleasure in Drinking : st. 50, 51 ; in Luxury ; st. 52 ; (2.) Avarice : st. 53 — 55 ; (3.) Ambitious honour: st. 56 ; from her throne, [and] from her temptation: St. 57 — 59. — The effect of this victorie in Satan : St. 60 ; the angels : st. 61 ; the creatures : st. 62. Chris fs Vict or ie on Earth. nPHEAR, all alone, she spi'd, alas the while ! In shadie darknes, a poore Desolate, That now had measur'd many a wearie mile. Through a wast desert, whither heau'nly Fate And His owne will. Him brought ; He praying sate, And Him to prey, as He to pray began, ^ The citizens of the wilde forrest ran. And all with open throat would swallowe whole the man. Soone did the Ladie to her Graces crie, And on their wings her selfe did nimbly strowe, After her coach a thousand Loues did flie ; So downe into the wilderness they throwe ; Whear she, and all her trayne that with her flowe Thorough the ayrie waue, with sayles so gay. Sinking into His brest that wearie lay, Made shipwracke of themselues, and vanish't quite away. 1 Cf. Fuller : ' On her that pray'd so long, doth prey at last,' ' David's Heavie Punishment ; st. 14.' G. 1 64 CHR/ST's victor IE O.V EARTH. 3- Seembd that Man had them devoured all, Wliome to deuoure the beasts had made pretence ; But Him their saluage thirst did nought appall, Though weapons none He had for His defence : What armes for Innocence, but innocence ? For when they saw their Lord's bright cognizance Shine in His face, soone did they disadvaunce And some vnto Him kneele, and some about Him daunce. 4. Downe fell the lordly lion's angrie mood, And he himselfe fell downe in congies^ lowe ; Bidding Him welcome to his wastfull wood ; Sometime he kist the grasse whear He did goe, And, as to wash His feete he well did knowe, With fauning tongue he lickt away the dust ; And euery one would neerest to Him thrust. And euery one, with new, forgot his former lust. 5- Vnmlndfull of himselfe, to minde his Lord, The lamb stood gazing by the tyger's side, As though betweene them they had made accord ; And on the lion's back the goate did ride, Forgetful! of the roughnes of the hide : ^ Bows = salutations. G. Christ's victorie on earth. 165 If He stood still, their eyes upon Him bayted, If walkt, they all in order on Him wayted, And when He slept, they as His watch theraselues con- ceited. 6. Wonder doeth call me vp to see — O no, I cannot see, and therefore sinke in woonder : The Man that shines as bright as God, — not so, For God He is Himselfe, that close lies vnder That Man, — so close, that no time can dissunder That band ; yet not so close, but from Him breake Such beames, as mortall eyes are all too weake Such sight to see, — or it, if they should see, to speake. 7- Vpon a grassie hillock He was laid, With woodie primroses befreckel^d ; Ouer His head the wanton shadowes plaid Of a wilde oliue, that her bcwghs so spread, As with her leavs she seem'd to crowne His head. And her greene armes to embrace the Prince of Peace ; The sunne so neere, needs must the Winter cease, The sunne so neere, another Spring seem'd to increase. 8. His haire was blacke, and in small curls did twine, As though it wear the shadowe of some light ; i66 Christ's victorie on earth. And vnderneath, His face, as day did shine — But sure the day shined not halfe so bright, Nor the sunne's shadowe made so darke a night. Vnder His louely locks, her head to shroude, Did make ^ Humilitie her selfe growe proude : — Hither, to light their lamps, did all the Graces croude. 9- One of ten thousand soules I am, and more, That of His eyes, and their sweete wounds com- plaine : Sweete are the wounds of Loue, neuer so sore — Ah ! might He often slaie me so againe ! He neuer hues that thus is neuer slaine. What boots it watch ? those eyes for all my art, Mine owne eyes looking on, haue stole my heart : In them Loue bends his bowe, and dips his burning dart. 10. As when the sunne, caught in an aduerse clowde, Flies crosse the world, and thear a-new begets The watry picture of his beautie proude : Throwes all abroad his sparkling spangelets,^ And the whole world in dire amazement sets, 1 Cattermole reads ' meek.' G. ^ Spangles = rays of sunlight broken into drops, i.e. diminutive of ' spangles.' G. Christ's victorie on earth. 167 To see two dayes abroad at once ; and all Doubt whether nowe he rise, or nowe will ^ fall : So flam'd the Godly flesh, proude of his heau'nly thrall. II. His cheekes as snowie apples, sop't in wine, - Had their red roses quencht with lillies white, And like to garden strawberries did shine, Wash't in a bowle of milk, or rose-buds bright Vnbosoming their brests against the light : Here loue-sick soules did eat, thear dranke, and made Sweete-smelling posies, that could neuer fade, — But worldly eyes Him thought more like some liuing shade. 12. For Laughter neuer look't upon His browe, Though in His face all smilling ioyes did bide : No silken banners did about Him flowe — Fooles make their fetters ensignes of their pride : He was the best cloath'd when naked was His side.^ ^ Richardson and Cattermole misprint ' he.' G. ^ This seems a curious figure ; but a friend informs me that many years ago when he was young, there was a species of apple called "sops o' wine " — a dark red skin, but the flesh when peeled of most exquisite white and red as if dipped in bright red wine. It is probable that our Poet knew of this apple. G. 3 Cf. Fuller * Who most was nak't when cloathed in his weeds ' 'David's Ileavie Punishment' III. 6. See also the first of his buforc unpublished Epigrams. G. i68 Christ's victorie on earth. A Lambe He was, and wollen fleece He bore/ Woue with one thread : His feete low sandalls wore ; But bared were his legges, — so went the times of yore. 13- x\s two white marble pillars that vphold God's holy place, whear He in glorie sets, And rise with goodly grace and courage bold, To beare his temple on their ample ietts,^ Vein'd euery whear with azure rivulets : Whom all the people on some holy morne. With boughs and flowrie garlands doe ^ adome — Of such, though fairer farre, this temple was vpborne. 14. Twice had Diana bent her golden bowe, And shot from hea'un her siluer shafts, to rouse The sluggish saluages, that den belowe, And all the day in lazie couvert drouze. Since Him the silent wildernesse did house : The heau'n His roofe and arbour harbour was, The ground His bed, and His moist pillowe, grasse ; But fruit thear none did growe, nor riuers none did passe. ^ Richardson and Cattermole misprint 'wore.' G. ^ ' Projections : ' it occurs tlius in Sir John Davies. G. ^ Soutliey misprints 'to.' G. Christ's victor ie on earth. 169 15. At length an aged Syre farre off He sawe Come slowely footing ; euerie step he guest One of his feete he from the graue did drawe ; Three legges he had — the wooden was the best 3 ^ And all the waie he went, he euer blest With benedicities, and prayers' store ; But the bad ground was blessed ne'r the more ; And all his head with snowe of age was waxen hore. 16. A good old hermit he might seeme to be, That for deuotion had the world forsaken, And now was trauailing some Saint to see, Since to his beads he had himselfe betaken, Whear all his former sinnes he might awaken, And them might wash away with dropping brine. And almes, and fasts, and churche's discipline ; And dead, might rest his bones vnder the holy shrine. 17- But when he neerer came, he lowted lowe With prone obeysance, and with curt'sie kinde, That at his feete his head he seemd to throwe ; — What needs him now another Saint to finde ? ^ ' You are now come to go on three legs : ' Live?ey's ' Greatest Loss,' as before. G. I70 Christ's victorie on earth. Affections are the sailes, and faith the wind, That to this Saint a thousand soules conueigh Each hour : O happy pilgrims thither strey ! What caren they for beasts, or for the wearie way ? Soone the old palmer his deuotions sung, Like pleasing anthems, moduled in time ; For well that aged Syre could tip his tongue With golden foyle of eloquence, and lime, And licke his rugged speech with phrases prime. 'Ay me, quoth he, how many yeares haue beene. Since these old eyes the sunne of hcau'n have scene ! Certes the Sonne of Heau'n they now behold, I weene. 19. ' Ah, mote my humble cell so blessed be. As Heau'n to welcome in his lowely roofe. And be the Temple for Thy Deitie ! Loe how my cottage worships Thee aloofe. That vnder ground hath hid his head, in proofe It doth adore Thee with the seeling lowe — Here honie, milke, and chesnuts wild doe growe ; The boughs a bed of leaues vpon Thee shall bestowe. 20. ' But oh ! he said, and therewith sigh't full deepe, — The heau'ns, alas ! too enuious are growne, chfist's victor if. on earth. 171 Because our fields Thy presence from them keepe ; For stones doe growe where corne was lately sowne : (So stooping downe, he gather'd vp a stone :) But Thou with corne canst make this stone to eare. What needen^ we the angrie heau'ns to fear? Let them enuie vs still, so we enioy Thee here.' Thus on they wandred : but those holy weeds A monstrous serpent, and no man, did couer : So vnder greenest hearbs the adder feeds : And round about that stinking corps did houer The dismall Prince of gloomie night, and ouer His euer-damned head the Shadowes err'd - Of thousand pecant ghosts, vnseene, vnheard. And all the Tyrant feares, and all the Tyrant fear'd. He was the Sonne of blackest Acheron, Whear many frozen soules doe chattring lie, And rul'd the burning wanes of Phlegethon, Whear many more in flaming sulphur frie. At once compel'd to Hue, and forc't to die ; Whear nothing can be heard for the loud crie Of ' Oh ! ^ and ' Ah ! ' and ' Out alas ! that I Or once againe might Hue, or once at length might die!' ^ Richardson and Cattermole misread 'What need we their....' G. ' Wandered = hovered. G. 172 CHRIST S VICTOR IE ON EARTH. 23- Ere long they came neere to a baleful! bowre, Much like the mouth of that infernall caue, That gaping stood, all commers to deuoure. " Darke, dolefull, dreary, — like a dreary graue, That still for carrion carkasses doth craue : " ^ The ground no hearbs but venomous, did beare, Nor ragged trees did leaue, but euery whear Dead bones and skulls wear cast, and bodies hanged wear. 24. Vpon the roofe, the bird of sorrowe sat Elonging " ioyfull day with her sad note, And through the shady aire, the fluttring bat Did waue her leather sayles, and blindely flote ; While with her wings the fatall shreech-owle smote Th' vnblessed house ; thear, on a craggy stone, Celeno ^ hung, and made his direful! mone, And all about the murdered ghosts did shreek, and grone. 25- Like clowdie moonshine, in some shadowie groue Such was the light in which Despaire did dwell ; ^ Spenser : F. Q., B. i. c. 9. st. 33 : ' dreary ' = greedy ? G. ^ Lengthening : Dr Richardson, as before, quotes Fletcher above. G. ^ Celceno : one of the harpies. Cf. ^neid. iii. 2II. G. CHRIST S VICTOR IE ON EARTH. 1/3 But he hiraselfe with night for darknesse stroue. His black uncombed locks dishevell'd fell About his face ; through which, as brands of Hell, Sunk in his skull, his staring eyes did glowe, That made him deadly looke : their glimpse did showe Like cockatrice's eyes, that sparks of poyson throwe. 26. His cloaths wear ragged clouts, with thornes pind fast; And, as he musing lay, to stonie fright A thousand wild Chimeras would him cast : As when a fearfull dreame, in mid'st of night, Skips to the braine, and phansies to the sight Some winged furie, strait the hasty foot, Eger ^ to flie, cannot plucke vp his root. The voyce dies in the tongue, and mouth gapes without boot 2 27. Now he would dreame that he from heauen fell, And then would snatch the ayre, afraid to fall ; And now he thought he sinking was to hell, And then would grasp the earth ; and now his stall Him seemed Hell, and then he out would crawle ; ^ Eager. G. - To 110 purpose = dumb. G. 174 Christ's vie tor ie on earth. And euer, as he crept, would squint aside, Lest him, perhaps, some furie had espide. And then, alas ! he should in chaines for euer bide. 28. Therefore he softly shrunke, and stole away, Ne euer durst to drawe his breath for feare, Till to the doore he came, and thear he lay Panting for breath, as though he dying were ; And still he thought he felt their craples teare^ Him by the heels backe to his ougly denne ; Out faine he would haue leap't abroad, but then The Heau'n, as Hell he fear'd, that punish guilty men. 29. Within the gloomie hole of this pale wight The serpent woo'd Him with his charmes to inne ; Thear He might baite the day, and rest the night : But vnder that same baite a fearful grin - Was readie to intangle Him in sinne. But He vpon ambrosia daily fed. That grew in Eden, thus He answered : So both away wear caught, and to the Temple fled. 1 ' Claws : ' Spenser F. Q., v. 8. 40. G. - =Gin or trap, as in the English Bible of 161 1 in Job xviil, 9 : Psalms, CXL., 5 : CXLI., 9 Consult Mr W. Aldis Wright's inesti- mable ' Bible Word-Book ' under ' gin.' No one who values genuine help toward better Bible-knowledge will go without this Word- Book.' It is tvuly pmUum in paj-vo. G. CHJ?IST S VICTORIE ON EARTH. 3°- Well knewe our Sauiour this the serpent was, And the Old Serpent knewe our Sauiour well ; Neuer did any this in falshood passe, Neuer did any Him in truth excell : With Him we fly to Heau'n, from Heau'n we fell With him : but nowe they both together met Vpon the sacred pinnacles, that threat, With their aspiring tops, Astraea's starrie seat. Here did Presvmption her pauillion spread, Ouer the Temple, the bright starres among ; (Ah ! that her foot should trample on the head Of that most reuerend place!) and a lewd throng Of wanton boyes sung her a pleasant song Of loue, long life, of mercie, and of grace ; And euery one her deerely did embrace. And she herselfe enamour'd was of her owne face. 32. A painted face, belied with vermeyl store, Which light Euelpis ^ euery day did trimme, That in one hand a guilded anchor wore ; ^ ' Good Hope ' personified : I have not found it elsewhere. Cf. ' The Purple Island,' c. ix. st. 32, where she is personified as Elpinus. G. 176 Christ's victorib on earth. Not fixed on the rocke, but on the brimme Of the wide aire, she let it loosely svvimme : Her other hand a sprinkle ^ carried, And euer, when her Ladie wauered, Court holy-water all vpon her sprinkelt^d. Poor foole ! she thought herselfe in wondrous price With God, as if in Paradise she wear; But, wear she not in a foole's paradise, She might haue seene more reason to despere : But Him she, like some ghastly fiend, did feare ; And therefore, as that wretch hew'd out his cell Vnder the bowels, in the heart of Hell, So she aboue the moon, amid the starres would dwell. 34. Her tent with sunny cloudes was seel'd aloft, And so exceeding shone with a false light, That heau'n it selfe to her it seemed oft ; Heau'n without cloudes to her deluded sight. But cloudes Avithouten heau'n it was aright ; And as her house was built, so did her braine Build castles in the aire, with idle paine, But heart she neuer had in all her body vaine. 1 A vessel having a ' rose ' for scattering water finely, as used in a garden : here perhaps the thing used in Roman Catholic churches for ' sprinkling ' holy water. G. CHRIST S VICTOR IE ON EARTH. 177 35- Like as a ship in which no ballance ^ lies, Without a pilot, on the sleeping wanes, Fairely along with winde and water flies, And painted masts with silken sayles embraues,- That Neptune' selfe the bragging vessel saues, To laugh a while at her so proud aray ; Her waning streamers loosely shea lets play, And flagging colours shine as bright as smiling day : But all so soone as heau'n his browes doth bend, She veils her banners, and pulls in her beames. The emptie barke the raging billows send Vp to the Olympique wanes, and Argus seemes Againe to ride vpon our lower streames : Right so Presvmption did her selfe behaue. Tossed about with euery stormie wane, And in white lawne shee went, most like an angel braue. 37. Gently our Sauiour shee began to shrive,^ Whether He wear the Sonne of God, or no ; For any other she disdeign'd to wive : And if He wear, shee bid Him fearles throw Himselfe to ground ; and thearwithall did show 1 Qu : ballast ? G. - Eeautifics. G. ^ To examine as a confessor. G. M 178 Christ's vie tor ie on earth. A flight of little angels, that did wait, Vpon their glittering wings, to latch ^ Him strait, And longed on their backs to feele His glorious weight, 38. But when she saw her speech preuailed nought, Her selfe she tombled headlong to the flore : But Him the angels on their feathers caught, And to an ayrie mountaine nimbly bore, Whose snowie shoulders, like some chaulkie shore, Restles Olympus seem'd to rest vpon. With all his swimming globes : so both are gone, The Dragon with the Lamb — Ah, vnmeet paragon ! 39- All suddenly the hill his snowe deuours, In liew whereof a goodly garden grew. As if the snow had melted into flow'rs, Which their sweet breath in subtill vapours threw, That all about perfumed spirits flew : For what so euer might aggrate the sense, In all the world, or please the appetence, Heer it was powred out in lavish affluence. 40. Not louely Ida might with this compare, Though many streames his banks besiluer^d ; ^ Catch : Dr Richardson, as before, quotes Fletcher above. Richardson and Cattermole misread ' launch.' G. Christ's victor/ e on earth. 179 Though Xanthus with his golden sands he bare, Nor Hibla.i though his tliyme depastured As faste againe with honie blossomed ; Ne Rhodope, ne Tempe's flow'ry playne : Adonis' garden was to this but vayne, Though Plato on his beds a flood of praise did rayne. 41. For in all these, some one thing most did grow , But in this one, grew all things else beside ; For sweet Varietie herselfe did throw To euery banke : here all the ground she dide In llUie white ; there pinks emblazed wide ; And damask't all the earth ; and here shee shed Blew violets, and there came roses red ; And euery sight the yeelding sense, as captiue led. 42. The garden like a ladie faire was cut, That lay as if shee slumber'd in delight. And to the open skies her eyes did shut ; The azure fields of heau'n wear 'sembled right In a large round, set with the flow'rs of light, The flowr's-de-luce,- and the round sparks of deaw, That hung vpon the azure leaues, did shew, Like twinkling starrs, that sparkle in th' eau'ning blew. 1 Hybla. - Query — Ben Jonson's ' Plant and Flower of Light ' = Lily. G. i8o Christ's victor ie on earth. 43- Vpon a hillie banke her head shee cast, On which the bowre of Vaine-delight was built ; White and red roses for her face were plac't, And for her tresses marigolds wear spilt : Them broadly shee displaid, like flaming guilt, Till in the ocean the glad day wear drown'd ; Then vp againe her yellow locks she wound, And with greene filletts in their prettie calls ^ them bound. 44- What should I here depeint her lillie hand, Her veines of violets, her ermine brest, Which thear in orient colours lining stand ; Or how her gowne with silken leaues is drest ; Or how her watchmen, arm'd with boughie crest, A wall of prim- hid in his bushes bears,^ Shaking at euery winde their leauie spears, While she supinely sleeps, ne to be waked fears ! 45- Ouer the hedge depends the graping* elme, Whose greener head empurpuled in wine, ^ Caul = small caps. Cf. Aldis Wright, as before. G. 2 Privet. G. ^ The construction is — Or how a wall of prim . . . bears [i.e. a verb) — her watchmen armed, &c. G. ■* = Grape-supporting. G. chr/st's victorie on earth. iSi Seemed to wonder at his bloodie helme, And halfe suspect the bunches of the vine ; Least they, perhaps, his wit should vndermine. For well he knewe such fruit he neuer bore : But her weake arms embraced him the more, And with her ruby grapes laught at her paramour. 46. Vnder the shadowe of these drunken elmes A fountaine rose, where Pangloretta vses (When her some flood of fancie ouerwhelras. And one of all her fauorites she chuses) To bath herselfe, whom she in lust abuses, And from his wanton body sucks his soule. Which, drown'd in pleasure in that shaly ^ bowle And swimming in delight, doth amarously rowle ! ^ 47- The font of siluer was, and so his showrs In siluer fell, onely the guilded bowles (Like to a fornace, that the min'rall powres) Seem'd to haue moul't it in their shining holes; And on the water, like to burning coles, On liquid siluer, leaues of roses lay : But when Panglorie here did list to play. Rose-water then it ranne, and milke it rain'd they say 1 Shallow. G. * Nearly all this stanza is omitted by Cattermole. G. l82 CHRIST S VICTOR IE ON EARTH. The roofe thicke cloudes did paint, from which three boyes Three gaping mermaides with their eawrs^ did feed, Whose brests let fall the streame, with sleepie noise, To lions mouths, from whence it leapt with speede. And in the rosie lauer seem'd to bleed. The naked boyes unto the water's fall. Their stonie nightingales had taught to call. When Zephyr breath'd into their watry interall. 49- And all about, embayed in softe sleepe, A heard of charmed beasts aground were spread, Which the faire witch in goulden chaines did keepe. And them in willing bondage fettered ; Once men they liu'd, but now the men were dead, And turn'd to beasts ; so fabled Homer old, That Circe with her potion, charm'd in gold, Vs'd manly soules in beastly bodies to immould, so- Through this false Eden, to his leman's bowre, (Whome thousand soules devoutly idolize) Our first destroyer led our Sauiour : Thear in the lower roome, in solemn e wise. They daunc't around, and powr'd their sacrifice ^ Ewers = vases. G. Christ's victorie on earth. 183 To plumpe Lyaeus,^ and among the rest, The iolly priest, in yuie garlands drest, Chaunted wilde orgialls, in honour of the feast. 51- Others within their arbours swilling sat, (For all the roome about was arboured) With laughing Bacchus, that was grown e so fat, That stand he could not, but was carried. And euery euening freshly watered, To quench his fierie cheeks, and all about Small cocks broke through the wall, and sallied out Flagons of wine, to set on fire that spueing rout. 52. This their inhumed soules esteem'd their wealths. To crowne the bouzing kan from day to night. And sicke to drinke themselues, with drinking healths ; Some vomitting, all drunken with delight. Hence to a loft, carv'd all in yvorie white, They came, whear whiter ladies naked went, Melted in pleasure and soft languishment, And sunke in beds of roses, amourous glaunces sent.'^ 53. Flie, flie, Thou holy Child, that wanton roome ! And thou, my chaster Muse, those harlots shun, ^ Bacchus. G. ^ Cattermole drops out st. 51 & 52 without indicating the omis- sion. G. iS4 Christ's victor ie on earth. And with Him to a higher storie come, Whear mounts of gold, and flouds of sikier run, The while the owners, with their wealth vndone, Starve in their store, and in their plenty pine, Tumbling themselues vpon their heaps of mine,^ Glutting their famish't soules with the deceitful shine. 54. Ah ! who was he such pretious perills found ? How strongly Nature did her treasures hide. And threw vpon them^ mountains of thicke ground, To darke their orie lustre ! but queint Pride Hath taught her sonnes to wound their mother's side. And gage^ the depth, to search for flaring shells. In whose bright bosome spumie'^ Bacchus swells. That neither heau'n nor earth henceforth in safetie dwells. 55. O sacred hunger of the greedie eye, Whose neede hath end, but no end covetise, Emptie in fulnes, rich in pouertie. That hauing all things, nothing can suffice. How thou befanciest the men most wise ! 1 = Heaps from the mine. G. ^ Richardson and Cattermole misread ' him.' G. ^ Gauge. G. * Foamy : Dr Richardson, as before, quotes Fletcher above. Cf. Milton P.L., VI. 479 ' fierie spume.' G. Christ's victorie on earth. 1S5 The poore man would be rich, the rich man great, The great man king, the king, in God's owne seat Enthron'd, with mortal arme dares flames and thunder threat. 56. Therefore aboue the rest Ambition sat ; His court with glitterant pearle was all enwall'd, And round about the wall in Chaires of State, And most majestique splendor, were enstall'd A hundred kings, whose temples wear impal'd In goulden diadems, set here and thear With diamounds, and gemmed euerywhear. And of their golden virges ^ none disceptred wear. 57- High over all Panglorie's blazing throne, In her bright turret, all of christal wrought, Like Phcebus' lampe, in midst of heauen, shone ; Whose starry top with pride infernall fraught, Selfe-arching columns to vphold wear taught : In which her image still reflected was By the smooth christall, that, most like her glasse. In beauty and in frailtie, did all others passe. 58. A siluer wande the sorceresse did sway, And, for a crowne of gold, her haire she wore ; ■^ Rods : Dr Richaidson here also quotes Fletcher. G. 1 86 CHRIST'' S VICTORIE ON EARTH. Onely a garland of rose-buds did play- About her locks ; and in her hand she bore A hollowe globe of glasse, that long before ' She full of emptinesse had bladdered, And all the world therein depictured : Whose colours, like the rainbowe, euer vanished. 59- Such watry orbicles ^ young boyes do blowe Out of their sopy shells, and much admire The swimming world, which tenderly they rowe With easie breath, till it be waued higher : But if they chaunce but roughly once aspire, The painted bubble instantly doth fall. Here when she came, she 'gan for musique call, And sung this wooing song, to welcome Him withall : — Loue is the blossome whear thear blowes Euery thing that Hues or growes : Loue doth make the heau'ns to moue. And the sun doth burne in loue : Loue the strong and weake doth yoke, And makes the yuie climbe the oke ; Vnder whose shadowes lions wilde, Soft'ned by loue, growe tame and mild ; Loue no med'cine can appease, He burnes the fishes in the seas ; 1 Soap-bubbles. Dr Richardson, as before, quotes Fletcher above. G. Christ's victorie on earth. 187 Not all the skill his wounds can stench/ Not all the sea his fire can quench : Loue did make the bloody spear Once a leuie coat to wear, While in his leaues thear shrouded lay Sweete birds, for loue, that sing and play : And of all loue's ioyfuU flame, I the bud and blossome am : Onely bend Thy knee to mee, Thy wooeing shall Thy winning bee. See, see the flowers that belowe, Now as fresh as morning blowe ; And of all, the virgin rose, Thai; as bright Aurora showes ; How they all vnleaued die, Loosing their virginitie ; Like vnto a summer-shade, But now borne, and now they fade. Euery thing doth passe away, Thear is danger in delay : Come, come gather then the rose, Gather it, or it you lose : All the sand of Tagus' shore Into my bosome casts his o re : All the valleys' swimming corne To my house is yeerely borne ; - Staunch. G. CHRIST S VICTOR IE ON EARTH. Euery grape of euery vine Is gladly bruis'd to make me wine, While ten thousand kings, as proud, To carry vp my train haue bow'd, And a world of ladies send me In my chambers to attend me : All the starres in heau'n that shine, And ten thousand more, are mine. Onely bend Thy knee to mee, Thy wooing shall Thy winning bee. 60. Thus sought the dire Enchauntress in His minde Her guilefull bayt to haue embosomed ; But He her charraes dispersed into winde, And her of insolence admonished ; And all her optique glasses shattered. So with her sire to Hell shee took her flight, (The starting ayre flew from the damned spright,) Whear deeply both-^ aggriev'd, plunged themselues in night. 61. But to their Lord, now musing in His thought, A heauenly volie of light angels flew. And from His Father Him a banquet brought, Through the fine element ; for well they knew, After His Lenten fast He hungrie grew ; ^ = Presumption and Satan. G. CHRIST S VICTOR IE ON EARTH. And, as He fed, the holy quires combine To sing a hymne of the celestiall Trine ; All thought to passe, and each was past all thought divine, 62. The birds' sweet notes, to sonnet out their ioyes, Attemper'd to the layes angelicall ; And to the birds, the winds attune their noyse. And to the winds, the waters hoarcely call, And Eccho back againe revoyced all ; That the whole valley rung with victorie. But now our Lord to rest doth homeward flie : See how the Night comes stealing from the mountains hish ! CHRIST'S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. THE ARGUMENT. Christ's tryumph ouer death on the crosse, exprest. I. In generall by His ioy to vndergoe it, singing before He went to the garden : Matt. xxvi. 30, st. i — 3 — by His griefe in the vndergoing it : st. 4 — 6 — by the obscure fables of the Gentiles typing it: st. 7, 8 — by the cause of it in Him, His loue : st. 9 — by the effect it should haue in us : st. 10 — 12 — by the instrument, the cursed tree : St. 13. — II. Exprest in particular: i. By His fore-passion in the garden: St. 14 — 25 — by His passion it selfe amplified, (i.) From the general causes : St. z6, 27: parts, and effects of it : st. 28, 29. (2.) From the particular causes : st. 30, 31 parts, and effects of it — in heauen : st. 32 — 36 — in the heauenly spirits : A. 37 — in the creatures sub-celestiall : st. 38 — in the wicked Jewes : St. 39 — in ludas : st. 40 — 51 — ia the blessed saints, loseph [of Ari- mathea,] &c., st. 52 — 67. Chrisfs Trivmph over Death. O O downe the siluer streames of Eridan/ On either side bank't with a Hlly wall, Whiter then both, rides the triumphant swan, And sings his dirge, and prophesies his fall, Diuing into his watrie funerall : But Eridan to Cedron must submit His fiowry shore ; nor can he enuie it, If when Apollo sings, his swans doe silent sit. That heau'nly voice I more delight to heare, Then gentle ayres to breath, or swelling wanes Against the sounding rocks their bosomes teare. Or whistling reeds, that rutty ^ lordan laues. And with their verdure his white head embraues ^ The Po : The Saviour as " He singing goes " (st. 3) over Cedron to His death, is likened to the " triumphant swan " sailing down the silver Po — whiter than the lilies on its banks, and singing its dirge before it dies. G. - Query, ' course '-forming Jordan ? Dr Richardson, as before, quotes under ' rut.' G. N 194 Christ's trivmph over death. To chide the windes, or hiuing bees, that flie About the laughing bloosms of sallowie/ Rocking asleepe the idle groomes that lazie lie. 3 And yet, how can I heare Thee singing goe, When men incens'd with hate Thy death foreset ? Or els, why doe I heare Thee sighing so, When Thou inflam'd with loue, their life doest get, That loue, and hate, and sighs, and songs are met; But thus, and onely thus Thy loue did craue, To sende Thee singing for vs to Thy graue. While we sought Thee to kill, and Thou sought'st vs to saue, 4. When I remember Christ our burden beares, I looke for glorie, but find miserie ; I looke for ioy, but finde a sea of teares ; I looke that we should Hue, and finde Him die ; I looke for angels' songs, and heare Him crie : Thus what I looke I cannot finde so well ; Or rather, what I finde, I cannot tell, These bankes so narrowe are, those streames so highly swell. 5- Christ suffers, and in this His teares begin ; Suffers for vs — and our ioy springs in this ; ^ Willows : Cf. Dr Richardson as before, s. v. G. Christ's trivmph over death. 19 5 Suffers to death — here is His manhood seen ; Suffers to rise — and here His Godhead is. For man, that could not by himselfe haue ris, Out of the graue doth by the Godhead rise, And God, that could not die, in manhood dies, That we in both might line by that sweete sacrifice. 6. Goe, giddy braines, whose witts are thought so fresh, Plucke all the flowrs that Nature forth doth throwe, Goe sticke them on the cheekes of wanton flesh ; Poor idol (forc't at once to fall and growe) Of fading roses, and of melting snowe ! Your songs exceede your matter ; this of mine The matter which it sings, shall make diuine : The starres dull puddles guild, in which their beauties shine, 7- Who doth not see drown'd in Deucalion's^ name (When earth his men, and sea had lost his shore) Old Noah? and in Nisus'- lock, the fame Of Sampson yet aliue ; and long before In Phaethon's, mine owne fall I deplore : But he that conquer'd hell, to fetch againe His virgin widowe, by a serpent slaine, Another Orpheus was then dreaming poets fcigne : 1 Ovid, Md. I. 260, &c. G, 2 Apollod. III. 15. §§ 5, 6, 8. G. 196 Christ's trivmph over death. 8. This taught the stones to melt for passion, And dormant sea, to heare him, silent lie ; And at his voice, the watrie nation To flocke, as if they deem'd it cheape, to buy With their owne deaths his sacred harmonic : The while the waues stood still to heare his song, And steadie shore wau'd with the reeling throng Of thirstie soules, that hung vpon his fluent tongue. 9- What better friendship then to couer shame? What greater loue then for a friend to die ? Yet this is better to asself the blame ; ^ And this is greater, for an enemie : But more then this, to die, not suddenly. Nor with some common death, or easie paine, But slowely, and with torments to be slaine ; O depth, without a depth, farre better seene, then saine !- And yet the Sonne is humbled for the slaue. And yet the slaue is proude before the Sonne 3 Yet the Creator for His creature gaue Himselfe and yet the creature hasts to runne From his Creator, and self-good doth shunne; 1 Self-blame. G. - Said. G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 197 And yet the Prince, and God Himselfe doth crie To man, His traitour, pardon not to flic : Yet man his^ God, and traytour doth his prince defie. VvHio is it sees not that he nothing is, But he that nothing sees ? What weaker brest, Since Adam's armour fail'd, dares warrant his ? That, made by God of ah His creatures best, Strait made himselfe the woorst of all the rest : " If any strength we haue, it is to ill ; " But all the good is God's, both pow'r and will : " The dead man cannot rise, though he himself may kill. But let the thorny Schools their punctualls Of wills, all good, or bad, or neuter diss : ^ Such ioy we gained by our parentalls, That good, or bad, whether I cannot wiss, To call it a mishap or happy miss. That fell from Eden, and to Heau'n did rise : Albee the mitred card'nall more did prize His part in Paris then his part in Paradise.^ ^ Cattermole misprints ' is.' G. ^ = Discuss ? G. 3 A favourite monition of the Puritan Divinity, e.g. Thomas Brooks of Cardinal Borbonius : Cf. my edn. of Brooks, Vol. iv. p. 55 : and under Bourbon in Index. G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 13- A tree was first the instrument of strife, Whear Eue to sinne her soul did prostitute ; A tree is now the instrument of Hfe, Though ill that trunke and this faire body suit: Ah, cursed tree ! and yet O blessed fruit ! ^ That death to Him, this life to vs doth giue : Strange is the cure, when things past cure reviue. And the Physitian dies, to make his patient Hue. 14. Sweete Eden was the arbour of delight, Yet in his hony flowrs our poyson blew ; Sad Gethseman the bowre of balefuU night, Whear Christ a health of poyson for vs drewe, Yet all our hony in that poyson grewe : So we from sweetest flowrs could sucke our bane. And Christ from bitter venome could againe Extract life out of death, and pleasure out of paine. 1 Very pretty is St. Austin's remark upon this passage : [St. Luke XXIII. 45] " Christ," saith he, " in rescuing the poor thief upon the cross was but quits with the devil, for the devil took man from God out of the midst of Paradise ; Christ takes this poor man from Satan, when he was no less than in the very jaws of hell. Satan rimied man on the forbidden tree, and Christ saves them on the cursed tree." March in loco, quoted by Ford in the Gospel of St. Luke Illustrated. G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 199 15- A man was first the author of our fall, A man is now the author of our rise ; A garden was the place we perish t all, A garden is the place He payes our price ; And the Old Serpent with a newe deuise, Hath found a way himselfe for to beguile : So he, that all men tangled in his wile, Is now by one man caught, beguil'd with his own guile. i6. The dewie night had with her frostie shade Immant'led all the world, and the stiffe ground Sparkled in yce ; onely the Lord, that made All for Himselfe, Himselfe dissolved found : Sweat without heat ; and bled without a wound : Of heau'n, and earth, and God, and man forlore,^ Thrice begging helpe of those whose sinnes He bore. And thrice denied of those, not to denie had swore.- 1 Forlorn, lost : Dr Richardson, as before, quotes Fletcher above. G. - Richardson and Cattermole change 'those' into 'one,' and, literally taken, the correction is admissible : but they overlook — as is commonly done — that all the disciples had made the same pro- fession and promise with St. Peter, e.g. St. Mark xiv. 31. [St. Peter] " He spake the more vehemently, If I should die with Thee, I will not denie Thee in any wise. Likezvise also said they all. " — By 'forsaking' Him and 'fleeing' they all ' denied ' their Lord CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. ^7- Yet had He beene alone of God forsaken, Or had His bodie beene imbroyl'd alone In fierce assault ; He might, perhaps haue taken Some ioy in soule, when all ioy els was gone ; But that with God — and God to heau'n is flow'n : And Hell it selfe out from her graue doth rise, Black as the starles night : and with them flies, Yet blacker then they both, the sonne of blasphemies. 1 8. As when the planets with vnkind aspect, Call from her caues the meager pestilence ; The sacred vapour, eager to infect, Obeyes the voyce of the sad influence, And vomits vp a thousand noysome sents : The well of life, flaming his golden flood With the sicke ayre, fevers the boyling blood, And poysons all the bodie with contagious food. 19. The bold physitian, too incautelous, By those he cures himselfe is murdered ; though only St. Peter's articulate denial is told in detail. He indeed excelled the others, for he ' followed ' still, albeit ' afar off. Hence Fletcher, in the spirit, and looking deeper than Richardson' Cattermole, and the rest, is accurate : = And thrice denied {i.e. refused) the help He thrice begged (see previous line) in the Gar- den, by those who had sworn not to deny (in another sense). G. Christ's trivmph over death. 201 Kindnes infects, pitie is dangerous ; And the poore infant, yet not fully bred, Thear whear he should be borne, lies buried. So the darke prince, from his infernall cell, Casts vp his griesly torturers of Hell, And whets them to revenge, with this insulting spell : — * See how the world smiles in eternall peace ; While we, the harmles brats and rustic throng Of night, our snakes in curies doe pranke and dresse : Why sleep our drouzie scorpions so long ? Whear is our wonted vertue to doe wrong? Are we our selues ? or are we Graces growen ? The sonnes of hell or heau'n ? was neuer knowne Our whips so ouer-moss't and brands so deadly blowne ! * O long desir&d, neuer-hop't for howre. When our Tormentour shall our torments feele ! Arme, arme, your selues, sad Dires^ of my pow'r, And make our ludge for pardon to vs kneele : Slise, launch,^ dig, teare Him with your whips of Steele My selfe in honour of so noble prize. Will powre you reaking blood, shed with the cries Of hastie heyres,^ who their owne fathers sacrifice. 1 Dirse, the Furies. G. - = Lance. G. ^ Heirs. G. 202 CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. With that a flood of poyson, blacke as Hell, Out from his filthy gorge, the beast did spue, That all about His blessed bodie fell, And thousand flaming serpents hissing flew About His soule, from hellish sulphur threw, And euery one brandish't his firie tongue, And woorming all about His soule they clung ; But He their stings tore out, and to the ground them flung. 23. So haue I seene a rock's heroique brest. Against proud Neptune, that his ruin threats, When all his wanes he hath to battle prest, And with a thousand swelling billows beats The stubborne stone, and foams, and chafes, and frets To heaue him from his root, vnmooubd stand ; And more in heapes the barking surges ^ band, The more in pieces beat, flie weeping to the strand. 24. So may wee oft a vent'rous father see, To please his wanton sonne, his onely ioy. Coast all about, to catch the roving bee, 1 Cf. Milton later in Comus (1. 258) " chid her barking waves." G. Christ's trivmph over death, 203 And stung himselfe, his busie hands employ To saue the honie for the gamesome boy ; Or from the snake her rank'rous teeth erace, Making his child the toothles serpent chace, Or, with his little hands, her tum'rous^ gorge embrace. 25- Thus Christ Himselfe to watch and sorrow giues, While deaw'd in heavie sleepe, dead Peter lies : Thus man in his owne graue securely hues, While Christ aliue, with thousand horrours dies, Yet more for theirs then His owne pardon cries : No sinnes He had, yet all our sinnes He bare ; So much doth God for others' euills care, And yet so careles men for their owne euills are. 26. See drouzie Peter, see whear ludas wakes, Wliear ludas kisses Him whom Peter flies : O kisse more deadly then the sting of snakes ! False loue more hurtfull then true injuries ! Aye me ! how deerly God His seruant buies ! For God His man at His owne blood doth hold, And man his God, for thirtie pence hath sold : So tinne for siluer goes, and dunghill drosse for gold. ^ Soutliey misprints ' tim'rous.' G. -04 CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 27. Yet was it not enough for Sinne to chuse A seruant, to betray his Lord to them ; But that a subiect must his king accuse ; But that a pagan must his God condemne ; But that a Father must His Sonne contemne, But that the Sonne must His owne death desire ; That prince and people, seruant and the Sire, Gentil and Jevve, and He against Himselfe conspire? 28. Was this the oyle, to make thy saints adore Thee, The froathy spittle of the rascall throng ? Are these the virges,^ that ar borne before Thee, Base whipps of corde, and knotted all along? Is this thy golden scepter against wrong, A reedie cane ? is that the crowne adornes Thy shining locks, a crowne of spiny thornes ? Ar theas the angels' himns, the priests' blasphemous scornes ? 29. Who euer sawe Honour before asham'd ; Afflicted Majestic ; debased Height ; Innocence guiltie ; Honestie defam'd ; Libertie bound ; Health sick; the sunne in night? But since such wrong was offred vnto Right, ^ Rods, as before. G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 20 5 Our night is day, our sicknes health is growne Our shame is veil'd : this now remaines alone For vs : since He was ours that wee bee not our owne. 3°- Night was ordeyn'd for rest, and not for paine. But they, to paine their Lord, their rest contemne ; Good lawes to saue what bad men would haue slaine, And not bad iudges, with one breath, by them The innocent to pardon, and condemne : Death for reuenge of murderers, not decaie Of guiltles blood : but now, all headlong sway Man's murderer to saue, man's Sauiour to slaie. 31- Fraile multitude ! whose giddy lawe is list ^ And best applause is windy flattering ; Most like the breath of which it doth consist. No sooner blowne but as soone vanishing. As much desir'd as little profiting ; That makes the men that haue it oft as light As those that giue it ; which the proud inuite. And feare ; — the bad man's friend, the good man's hypo- crite. 32. It was but now their sounding clamours sung, 'Blessed is He that comes from the Most High !' ^ Choice. G. 2o6 Christ's trivmph over death. And all the mountaines with ' Hosanna !' rung ; And nowe, ' Away with Him — away ! ' they crie, And nothing can be heard but ' Crucifie !' It was but now, the crowne it selfe they saue And golden name of King vnto Him gaue ; And nowe, no king, but onely Caesar, they will haue. It was but now they gathered blooming May, And of his amies disrob'd the branching tree, To strowe with boughs and blossomes all Thy ^ way ; And now the branchlesse truncke a crosse for Thee And ]\Iay dismai'd, Thy coronet must be : It was but now they wear so kind, to throwe Their owne best garments vvhear Thy feet should goe, And now, Thy selfe they strip, and bleeding wounds they show. 34- See whear the Author of all life is dying : O fearefull day ! He dead, what hope of liuing ? See whear the hopes of all our Hues are buying : O chearfuU day ! they bought, what feare of grieuing ? Loue, loue for hate, and death for life is giuing : Loe, how His armes are stretcht abroad to grace thee, And, as they open stand, call to embrace thee ! Why stai'st Thou then, my soule ? O flie, flie, thither, hast thee ! ■^ Cattermole misprints ' the.' G. chr/st's trivmph over death. 207 35- His radious head, with shameful! thornes they teare, His tender backe, with bloody whipps they rent, His side and heart they furrowe with a spear, His hands and feete, with riuing nayles they tent ; ^ And, as to disentrayle His soule they meant. They iolly at his griefe, and make their game, His naked body to expose to shame. That all might come to see, and all might see, that came. 36. Whereat the heau'n put out his guiltie eye. That durst behold so execrable sight, And sabled all in blacke the shadie skie ; And the pale starres, strucke with vnwonted fright, Quenched their euerlasting lamps in night ; And at His birth, as all the starres heau'n had Wear not enough, but a newe star was made. So now, both newe and old and all, away did fade. 37. The mazed ^ angels shooke their fierie wings, Readie to lighten vengeance from God's throne. One downe his eyes vpon the manhood flings. Another gazes on the Godhead : none But surely thought his wits were not his owne; ^ Stretch : Dr Richardson has overlooked this example. G. " Southey misprints ' amazed.' G. 2o8 Christ's trivmph over death. Some flew to looke if it wear very Hee But when God's arm vnarmed they did see, Albee they sawe it was, they vow'd it could not bee. 38. The sadded aire hung all in cheerlesse blacke, Through which the gentle windes soft sighing flewe, And lordan into such huge sorrowe brake, (x\s if his holy streame no measure knewe.) That all his narrowe bankes he ouerthrewe ; The trembling earth with horrour inly shooke, And stubborne stones, such griefe vnus'd to brooke. Did burst, and ghosts awaking from their graues gan looke. 39- The wise philosopher cried, all agast, ' The God of Nature surely languished ! ' The sad Centurion cried out as fast, The Sonne of God, the Sonne of God was dead; ^ The headlong lew hung downe his pensiue head, And homewards far'd ; and euer, as he went. He smote his brest, half desperately bent : The verie woods and beasts did seeme His death lament. 40. The gracelesse traytour round about did looke (He lok't not long, the deuill quickely met him) ^ St. I.uke XXIII. 47. G. CHJ?!ST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 209 To finde a halter, which he found, and tooke ; Onely a gibbet nowe he needes must get him ; So on a withered tree he fairly set him. And helpt him fit the rope, and in his thought A thousand furies with their whippes, he brought ; So thear he stands, readie to Hell to make his vault. 41. For him a waking bloodhound, yelling loude, That in his bosome long had sleeping layde ; A guiltie conscience, barking after blood, Pursued eagerly, ne euer stai'd Till the betrayer's selfe it had betray'd. Oft chang'd he place, in hope away to winde ; But change of place could neuer change his minde Himselfe he flies to loose, and followes for to finde. 42. Thear is but two wayes for this soule to haue, When parting from the body, forth it purges ; To fly to heau'n, or fall into the graue, Where whippes of scorpions, with the stinging scourges, Feed on the howling ghosts, and firie surges Of brimstone, rowle about the caue of night; Where flames doe burne, and yet no sparke of light, And fire both fries and freezes the blaspheming spright. 210 Christ's trivmph over death. 43- Thear lies the captiue soule, aye-sighing sore, Reckoning a thousand yeares since her first bands ; Yet staies not thear, but addes a thousand more, And at another thousand neuer stands, But tells to them the starres, and heapes the sands : And now the starres are told, and sands are runne, And all those thousand thousand myriads done, And yet but now, alas ! but now all is begunne. 44- With that a flaming brand a Furie catch't And shooke, and tos't it rounde in his wilde thought : So from his heart all ioy, all comfort snatch't With eu'ry starre of hope ; and as he sought (With present feare, and future griefe distraught) To flie from his owne heart, and aide implore Of Him, the more He giues, that hath the more. Whose storehouse is the heauens, too little for His store: 45- * Stay wretch on earth,' cried Satan — ' restles rest ; Know'st thou not Justice liues in heau'n ; or can The worst of creatures Hue among the best : Among the blessed angels cursed man? Will ludas now become a Christian ? CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 211 Whither will Hope's long wings transport thy minde ? Or canst thou not thy selfe a sinner finde ? Or cruell to thy selfe, wouldst thou haue Mercie kinde ? 46. 'He gave thee life : why shouldst thou seeke to slay Him? He lent thee wealth : to feed thy avarice ? He cal'd thee friend : what, that thou shouldst betray Him? He kis't thee, though He knew His life the price ; He wash't thy feet : shouldst thou His sacrifice? He gaue thee bread, and wine, His bodie, blood, And at thy heart, to enter in He stood ; But then I entred in, and all my snakie brood.^ 47- As when wild Pentheus, growne madde with fear, Whole troupes of hellish haggs about him spies ; Two bloodie sunnes stalking the duskie sphear, And twofold Thebes runs rowling in his eyes ; Or through the scene staring Orestes flies. With eyes flung back vpon his mother's ghost. That, with infernall serpents all embost, And torches quencht in blood, doth her stern sonne accost : ^ 48. Such horrid Gorgons, and misformed formes Of damned fiends, flew dauncing in his heart, ^ Euripides, Bacch. 816, 954, &c. : Theocritus xxvi. 10. G. ' See Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus. G. 212 CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. That, now, vnable to endure their stormes, ' Fhe, flie,' he cries, ' thyselfe, what ere thou art, Hell, hell, alreadie burnes in eu'ry part.' So downe into his torturer's armes he fell, That readie stood his funeralls to yell. And in a clowd of night to waft him quick ^ to Hell. 49. Yet oft he snatch't, and started as he hung : So when the senses halfe enslumb'red lie, The headlong bodie, readie to be flung By the deluding phansie, from some high And craggie rock, recovers greedily. And clasps the yeelding pillow, halfe asleep And, as from heav'n it tombled to the deepe, Feeles a cold sweat through euery trembling member creepe. 50- Thear ^ let him hang, embowelled in blood, Thear neuer any gentle shepheard feed His blessed flocks, nor euer heav'nly flood ^ Fall on the cursed ground, nor holesome seed. That may the least delight or pleasure breed : ^ Living, alive, as before. G. 2 Misprinted ' Wliear.' G. ^ Richardson and Cattermole misprint ' food.' G. CHRIST S TKIVMPH OVER DEATH. 213 Let neuer Spring visit his habitation, But nettles, kixe,^ and all the weedie nation, With emptie elders grow : sad signes of desolation ! 51- Thear let the Dragon keep his habitance, And stinking karcasses be throwne avaunt ; Faunes, Sylvans, and deformed Satyrs daunce, Wild-cats, wolues, toads, and skreech-owles direly chaunt ; Thear euer let some restles spirit haunt. With hollow sound, and clashing cheynes, to scarr The passenger, and eyes like to the Starr That sparkles in the crest of angrie Mars afarr. 52. But let the blessed deawes for euer showr Vpon that ground, in whose faire fields I spie The bloodie ensigne of our Sauiour : Strange conquest, whear the Conquerour must die, And He is slaine, that winns the victorie ! But He that liuing, had no house, to owe it, Now had no graue : but Joseph must bestowe it : O runne, ye saints apace, and with sweete flowrs bestrowe it ! ^ Hemlock. The late lamented Dr Tregelles informed me that in Welsh and the ancient Cornwall, the word is ccgyx ; the c being hard k. G. 214 Christ's trivmph over death. 53. And )'e glad spirits, that now sainted sit On your coelestiall thrones, in beawtie drest. Though I your teares recoumpt, O let not it With after-sorrowe wound your tender brest, Or with new griefe vnquiet your soft rest : Inough is me your plaints to sound againe That neuer could inough my selfe complaine : Sing, then, O sing aloude, thou Arimathean swaine 54- But long he stood, in his faint arms vphoulding The fairest spoile heau'n euer forfeited, With such a silent passion griefe vnfoulding That, had the sheete but on himselfe beene spread, He for the corse might haue been buried : And with him stood the happie theefe that stole By night his owne saluation, and a shole Of Maries, drowned, round about him sat, in dole. 55- At length (kissing His lipps before he spake. As if from thence he fetcht againe His ghost) To Mary thus, with teares, his silence brake : * Ah, woeful! soule ! what ioy in all our cost. When Him we hould, we haue alreadie lost ? Christ's trivmph over death. 215 Once did'st thou loose thy Sonne, but found'st againe, Now find'st thy Sonne, but find'st Him lost and slaine. Ay mee ! though He could death, how canst thou life sustaine ? 56. ' Whear ere, deere Lord, thy Shadowe houereth, Blessing the place, wherein it deigns abide, Looke how the Earth darke horrour couereth, Cloathing in mournfull black her naked side, WiUing her shadowe vp to heau'n to glide, To see, and if it meet Thee wandring thear ; That so, and if her selfe must misse Thee hear. At least her shadow may her dutie to Thee bear. 57- ' See how the sunne in day-time cloudes his face, And lagging Vesper, loosing his late teame. Forgets in heau'n to runne his nightly race ; But, sleeping on bright Oeta's^ top, doeth dreame The world a chaos is ; no ioyfull beame Looks from his starrie bowre, the heau'n s do mone, And trees drop teares, least we should greeue alone ; The windes haue learn't to sigh, and waters hoarcely grone. 58- * And you sweete flow'rs, that in this garden growe, Whose happie states a thousand soules enuie ! ^ Mountain in south of Thessaly, G. 21 6 Christ's trivmph over death. Did you your owne felicities but knowe, Yourselues, vnpluckt ^ would to his funerals hie — You neuer could in better season die : O that I might into your places slide ! The gate of heau'n stands gaping in His side ; ^ Thear in my soule should steale, and all her faults should hide.^ 59- * Are theas the eyes that made all others blind ? Ah ! why ar they themselues now blemished ? Is this the face, in which all beawtie shin'd ? What blast hath thus His flowers debellished ? Ar these the feete that on the watry head Of the vnfaithfull ocean passage found? Why goe they now so lowely vnder ground, Wash't with our woorthless tears, and their owne pre- cious wound ? 6o. ' One hem but of the garments that He wore Could medicine ^ whole countries of their paine ; One touch of this pale hand could life restore ; One word of these cold lips reuiue the slaine : Well, the blinde man, Thy Godhead might maintaine : ^ Soiithey misprints 'uppluck'd.' G. ^ Cf. Hebrews X. 20. G. 2 " Rock of Ages ! cleft for me Let me hide myself in Tliee." — ToPLADY, G. ■* A Shakesperian word. See Cymbeline iv. 2, and Othello III. ■\. G. Christ's trivmph over death. 217 What, though the sullen Pharises repin'd ? He that should both compare, at length would finde The bhnde man onely sawe, the seers all wear blinde. 61. * Why should they thinke Thee worthy to be slaine ? Was it because Thou gau'st their bhnde men eyes ? Or that Thou mad'st their lame to walke againe ? Or for Thou heal'dst their sick men's maladies ? Or mad'st their dumbe to speake, and dead to rise ? O could all these but any grace haue woon, What would they not to saue Thy life haue done ? The dumb man would haue spoke, and lame man would haue runne. 62. ' Let mee, O let me neere some fountaine lie. That through the rocke heaues vp his sandie head ; Or let me dwell vpon some mountaine high, Whose hollowe root and baser parts ar spread On fleeting waters, in his bowells bred, That I their streames, and they my teares may feed : Or, cloathed in some hermit's ragged weed. Spend all my dales, in weeping for this cursed deed. * The life, the which I once did loue, I leaue ; The loue, in which I once did Hue, I loath ; 2i8 Christ's trivmph over death. I hate the Hght, that did my light bereaue : Both loue, and hfe, I doe despise you both. O that one graue might both our ashes cloath ! A loue, a life, a light, I now obteine, Able to make my age growe young againe — Able to saue the sick, and to reuiue the slaine. 64. ' Thus spend we teares, that neuer can be spent, On Him, that sorrow now no more shall see ; Thus send we sighs, that neuer can be sent, To Him that died to liue, and would not be, To be thear whear He would. Here burie we This heau'nly earth ; here let it softly sleepe. The fairest Sheapheard of the fairest sheepe : ' So all the bodie kist, and homeward went to weepe. 65- So home their bodies went, to seeke repose, But at the graue they left their soules behinde: O who the force of loue coelestiall knowes ! That can the cheynes of Nature's self vnbinde, Sending the bodie home without the minde : Ah, blessed Virgin ! what high angel's art Can euer coumpt thy teares, or sing thy smart, When euery naile that pierst His hand, did pierce thy heart ? CHRIST S TRIVMPH OVER DEATH. 219 66. So Philomel, perch't on an aspin sprig, Weeps all the night her lost virginitie, And sings her sad tale to the merrie twig, That daunces at such ioyfull miserie, Ne euer lets sweet rest inuade her eye ; But leaning on a thorne her daintie chest, For feare soft sleepe should steale into her brest, Expresses in her song greefe not to be exprest. 67. So when the larke, poore birde, afarre espi'th Her yet vnfeather'd children (whom to saue She striues in vaine) slaine by the fatall sithe, Which from the medowe her greene locks doeth shaue, That their warme nest is now become their graue ; The wofull mother vp to heauen springs, And all about her plaintiue notes she flings, And their vntimely fate most pittifully sings. CHRIST'S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. THE ARGUMENT. Christ's triumph after death, i — In His Resurrection, manifested by the effects in the creatures: st. i — 7. — In Himselfe : st. 8 — 12. — In His Ascension into Heauen ; whose ioyes are described : St. 13 — 16. — (i) By the accesse of all good, the blessed societie of saints, angels, &c. : st. 17 — 19. — The svveete quiet and peace inioyed under God : st. 20. — Shadowed by the peace we enioy vnder our soueraigne : st. 21 — 26. — The beauty of the place: st. 27. — The caritiel (as the Schoole calls it) of the saints bodies : st. 28 — 31. — The impletion of the appetite : st. 32, 33. — The ioy of the senses, &c. : st. 34. — (2) By the amotion of all euill : St. 35, 36. — By the accesse of all good againe : St. 37. — In the glorie of the holie citie : st. 38. — In the beatificall vision of God: St. 39 — 42. — And of Christ : st. 43. [seqq ' Querj', clarity? G. Chrisfs Trivjuph after DeatJi, "O VT now the second morning, from her bowre Began to glister in her beames ; and nowe The roses of the Day began to flowre In th' easterne garden ; for heau'ns smiling browe Haifa insolent for ioy begunne to showe : The early sunne came liuely dauncing out, And the bragge lambes ranne wantoning about, That heau'n and earth might seeme in tryumph both to shout. Th' engladded Spring, forgetfull now to weepe, Began t' eblazon from her leauie bed ; The waking svvallowe broke her halfe-yeare's sleepe, And euerie bush lay deepely purpured With violets ; the wood's late-wintry head Wide flaming primroses set all on fire, And his bald trees put on their greene attire, Among whose infant leaues the ioyeous birds conspire. 224 CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 3- And now the taller sonnes (whom Titan warmes) Of vnshorne mountaines, blowne with easie windes, Dandled the Morning's childhood in their armes, And if they chaunc't to slip the prouder pines, The vnder corylets ^ did catch the shines, To guild their leaues ; sawe neuer happier yeare Such ioyfull triumph and triumphant cheare, As though the aged world anew created wear. 4- Say, Earth, why hast thou got thee new attire, And stick'st thy habit full of dazies red ? Seems that thou doest to some high thought aspire, And some newe-found-out bridegroome mean'st to wed : Tell me, ye trees, so fresh apparrelled, So neuer let the spitefull canker wast you, So neuer let the heau'ns with lightening blast you. Why goe you now so trimly drest, or whither hast you ? 5- Answer me, Jordan, why thy crooked tide So often wanders from his neerest way. As though some other way thy streame would slide, And fain salute the place where something lay ? And you, sweete birds, that, shaded froni the ray, ^ Copses. G. CHRIST S TRIV.MPH AFTER DEATH. 225 Sit carolling and piping griefe away. The while the lambs to heare you daunce and play : Tell me, sweete birds, what is it you so faine would say ? 6. And thou, fair spouse of Earth, that euerie yeare Gett'st such a numerous issue of thy bride, How chance thou hotter shin'st, and draw'st more neere ? Sure thou somewhear some worthie sight hast spide, That in one place for ioy thou canst not bide : ^ And you, dead swallowes, that so liuely now Through the flit ^ aire your winged passage rowe, How could new life into your frozen ashes flowe ? Ye primroses and purple violets,^ Tell me, why blaze ye from your leauie bed', And wooe men's hands to rent you from your sets, As though you would somewhear be carried, With fresh perfumes and velvets garnished ? But ah, I neede not aske, tis surely so, You all would to your Sauiour's triumphs goe : There would ye all awaite and humble homage doe. ^ Southey misprints 'hide.' G. - Flitting = moving. Cf. "Christ's Victorie in Ileauen, st. 22. 1. 2. G. ^ Giles and Phineas Fletcher reserve their daintiest praise for these flowers. G. P 226 Christ's trivmph after death. 8. Thear should the Earth herselfe with garlands newe And louely flowrs embellished, adore : Such roses neuer in her garland grewe, Such lillies neuer in her brest she wore, Like beautie neuer yet did shine before : Thear should the sunne another sunne behold, From whence himselfe borrowes his locks of gold, That kindle heau'n, and earth with beauties manifold. 9- There might the violet, and primrose sweet, Beames of more liuely, and more louely grace, Arising from their beds of incense meet; Thear should the swallowe see new life embrace Dead ashes, and the graue vnheale ^ his face, To let the lining from his bowels creepe, Vnable longer his owne dead to keepe : Thear heau'n and earth should see their Lord awake from sleepe. — ID. Their Lord, before by others iudg'd to die. Now ludge of all Himselfe ; before forsaken Of all the world, that from His aide did flie. Now by the saints into their armies taken ; Before for an vnworthie man mistaken, ^ Unveil or uncover. G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 227 Nowe worthy to be God confest ; before With blasphemies by all the basest tore, Now worshipped by angels, that Hira lowe adore. Whose garment was before indipt in blood. But now imbright'ned into heau'nly flame, The sunne it selfe outglitters, though he should Climbe to the toppe of the celestiall frame, And force the starres go ^ hide themselues for shame Before, that vnder earth was buried But nowe aboue - the heau'ns is carried, And thear for euer by the angels heried 1^ So fairest Phosphor, the bright morning starre, But neewely washt in the greene element. Before the drouzie Night is halfe aware. Shooting his flaming locks with deaw besprent, Springs liuely vp into the Orient, And the bright droue, fleec't all in gold, he chaces To drinke, that on the Olympique mountaine grazes, The while the minor planets forfeit all their faces. ^ Richardson, Southey and Cattermole misprint 'to.' G. ^ Misprinted originally 'about :' corrected to 'above' in 1632 edn. G. * Honoured, praised. G. 228 Christ's trivmph after death. 13- So long he wandred in our lower spheare, That heau'n began his cloudy starres despise, Halfe enuious, to see on Earth appeare A greater light then flam'd in his own skies : At length it burst for spight, and out thear flies A globe of winged angels, swift as thought That on their spotted feathers liuely caught The sparkling Earth, and to their azure fields it brought. 14. The rest, that yet amazed stood belowe, With eyes cast vp, as greedie to be fed, And hands vpheld, themselues to ground did throwe : So when the Troian boy was rauished, As through th' Idalian woods they sale he fled. His aged gardians stood all dismai'd, Some least he should have fallen back afraid, And some their liasty vowes and timely prayers said. 15- * Tosse vp your heads, ye euerlasting gates,^ And let the Prince of glorie enter in ! ' 1 Dr. J. M. Neale in his " Hymns, chiefly Medieval, on the Joys and Glories of Paradise " (1866) gives a selection of stanzas — begin- ning with this — from this ' Part ' of Fletcher's poem, and pronounces them " perhaps the most beautiful original verses, in a strictly reli- gious poem, which the English language possesses," and adds further, CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 229 At whose braue voly of sideriall States, The sunne to blush and starres grow pale wear seene ; When, leaping first from Earth He did begin To climbe his angells wings : then open hang Your christall doores ! so all the chorus sang Of heau'nly birds, as to the starres they nimbly sprang. 16. Hearke 1 how the floods clap their applauding hands. The pleasant valleyes singing for delight ; The wanton mountaines daunce about the lands. The while the fieldes struck with the heau'nly light, Set all their flowrs a smiling at the sight ; The trees laugh with their blossoms, and the sound Of the triumphant shout of praise, that crown'd The flaming Lambe, breaking through Heau'n hath passage found. 17- Out leap the antique patriarchs, all in hast. To see the powrs of Hell in triumph lead, And with small starres a garland interchast Of oliue-leaues they bore, to crowne His Head, That was before with thornes degloried : " The reader to whom this poem is new will, I think, allow that nothing more exquisite was ever written than the 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, and 13 stanzas as here numbered: corresponding with 20, 28, 30, 33, 35 and 36 of the complete Poem." G. 230 CHE 1ST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. After them flewe the prophets, brightly stold In shining lawne, and wimpled manifold. Striking their yuorie harpes, strung all in chords of gold. To which the saints victorious carolls sung, Ten thousand saints at once ; that with the sound The hollow vaults of heau'n for triumph rung : The cherubins their clamours did confound With all the rest, and clapt their wings around : Downe from their thrones the dominations flowe And at His feet their crownes and scepters throwe, And all the princely soules fell on their faces lowe. 19. Nor can the martyrs' wounds them stay behind, But out they rush among the heau'nly crowd. Seeking their heau'n out of their heau'n to find, Sounding their siluer trumpets out so loude, That the shrill noise broke through the starrie cloude. And all the virgin soules, in pure arraie, Came dauncing forth, and making joyeous plaie : So Him they lead along into the courts of day. 20. So Him they lead into the courts of day, Whear neuer warre nor wounds abide Him more ; CHRIST^ S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 23 1 But in that house eternall peace doth plaie, Acquieting the soules that newe before,^ Their way to heav'n through their owne blood did skore, But now, estranged from all miserie, As farre as heau'n and earth discoasted lie, Swelter 2 in quiet waues of immortalitie ! 21. And if great things by smaller may be ghuest, So, in the mid'st of Neptune's angrie tide Our Britan Island, like the weedie nest Of true halcyon, on the waues doth ride, And softly sayling, skornes the water's pride : While all the rest, drown'd on the Continent And tost in bloodie waues, their wounds lament, And stand, to see our peace, as struck with woonderment.^ The ship of France, religious waues doe tosse, And Greec it selfe is now growne barbarous ; Spain's children hardly dare the ocean crosse, And Beige's field lies wast and ruinous ; That vnto those, the heau'ns ar invious, ^ Southey misprints 'besore.' G. ' =Grow warm ; Dr Neale changes to ' They bathe in quiet waves of immortality.' G. ' Misnumbered in edition of 1610 and also in those of 1632 and 1640 as ' 20 ' (bis) : so that there appear to be only 50 stanzas while there actually are 51. G. 232 CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. And vnto them, themselues ar strangers growne, And vnto these, the seas ar faithles knowne, And vnto her, alas ! her owne is not her owne. 23- Here only shut we lanus yron gates, And call the welcome Muses to our springs. And ar but^ pilgrims from our heav'nly states The while the trusty Earth sure plentie brings, And ships through Neptune safely spread their wings. Go blessed Island, wander whear thou please, Vnto thy God, or men, Heau'n, lands or seas : Thou canst not loose thy way, thy king with all hath peace. 24. Deere prince ! thy subjects' ioy, hope of their heirs, Picture of Peace, or breathing image rather; The certaine argument of all our prayrs, Thy Harrie's ^ and thy countrie's louely father ; Let peace in endles ioyes for euer bath her Within thy sacred brest, that at thy birth Brough'st her with thee from Heau'n, to dwell on Earth, Making our Earth a Heav'n, and paradise of mirth. 25- Let not my liege misdeem ^ these humble laies As lickt with soft and supple blandishment, 1 Southey misprints here 'put' for 'but.' G. ' = Henry's i.e. Prince Henry whose death was so lamented hy the nation. G. * Southey misprints ' disdain.' G. Christ's trivmph after death. -33 Or spoken to disparagon His praise \ For though pale Cynthia, neere her brother's tent, Soone disappeares in the white firmament, And giues him back the beames before wear his ; Yet when he verges, or is hardly ris, She the viue image of her absent brother is. 26. Nor let the Prince of Peace, his beadsman blame, That with His Stewart dares his Lord compare, And heau'nly peace with earthly quiet shame : So pines to lowely plants compared ar. And lightning Phoebus to a little starre : And well I wot, my rime, albee vnsmooth Ne saies but what it meanes, ne meanes but sooth, Ne harmes the good, ne good to harmefull person doth.^ 27. Gaze but vpon the house whear man embowrs ; With flowrs and rushes paued is his way, Whear all the creatures ar his seruitours ; The windes do sweepe his chambers euery day; And cloudes doe wash his rooms ; the seeling gay Starred aloft, the guilded knobs embraue : If such a house God to another gaue, How shine those glittering courts. He for Himselfe will haue ? ^ Cattermole drops, without marking the omission, stanzas 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. G. 234 Christ's trivmph after death. 28. And if a sullen cloud, as sad as night, In which the sunne may seeme embodied, Depur'd ^ of all his drosse, we see so ^ white Burning in melted gold his wat'rie head, Or round with yuorie edges siluered, What lustre super-excellent will He Lighten on those that shall His sunneshine see, In that all-glorious court in which all glories be ? 29. If but one sunne with his diffusive fires, Can paint the starres, and the whole world with light, And ioy, and life into each heart inspires, And eu'ry saint shall shine in heau'n, as bright As doth the sunne in his transcendent might, (As Faith may well beleeue what Truth once sayes) What shall so many sunnes' united rayes, But dazle all the eyes that nowe in heau'n we praise ? Here let my Lord hang vp his conquering launce. And bloody armour with late slaughter warme, And looking downe on His weake militants, Behold His saints, mid'st of their hot alarme Hang all their golden hopes vpon His arme ; ^ Purified. G. - Cattermole misprints 'no.' G, CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 235 And in this lower field dispacing wide, Through windie thoughts, that would their sayles mis- guide, Anchor their fleshly ships fast in His wounded side.^ 31- Here may the band, that now in tryumph shines, And that (before they wear inuested thus) In earthly bodies carried heauenly mindes, Pitch - round about in order glorious, Their sunny tents, and houses luminous ; All their eternall day in songs employing, loying their ende, without ende of their ioying. While their Almightie Prince destruction is destroying. 32. Full, yet without satietie, of that Which whetts, and quiets greedy appetite, Whear neuer sunne did rise, nor euer sat ; But one eternall day, and endles light Giues time to those whose time is infinite — Speaking with thought, obtaining without fee, Beholding Him whom neuer eye could see, And magnifying Him that cannot greater be. 33- How can such ioy as this want words to speake ? And yet what words can speake such ioy as this ? ^ The very striking close of this stanza is inserted with little variation in Phineas Fletcher's Purple Lland, c. 12. st. 52. G. ^ Cattermolc corrects ' pitcht ' by ' pitch : ' adopted. G. 236 Christ's trivmph after death. Far from the world, that might their quiet breake. Here the glad soules the face of beauty kisse ; Powr'd out in pleasure, on their beds of blisse ; And drunke with nectar-torrents, euer hold Their eyes on Him, whose graces manifold The more they doe behold, the more they would behold. 34. Their sight drinkes louely fires in at their eyes, Their braine sweete incense with fine breath accloyes, That on God^s sweating ^ altar burning lies ; Their hungrie eares feede on the heau'nly noyse. That angels sing, to tell their vntould ioyes ; Their vnderstanding, naked truth ; their wills The all, and selfe-sufticient Goodnesse, fills : That nothing here is wanting, but the want of ills. 35- No sorrowe now hangs clowding on their browe, No bloodies maladie empales their face, No age drops on their hayrs his siluer snowe, No nakednesse their bodies doeth embase. No pouertie themselues and theirs disgrace, No feare of death the ioy of life deuours. No vnchast sleepe their precious time deflowrs, No losse, no griefe, no change, waite on their winged hours. ^ Neale changes to ' That on the heavenly ' G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 237 But now their naked bodies skorne the cold, And from their eyes ioy lookes, and laughs at paine ; The infant wonders how he came so old, The old man how he came so young againe ; Still resting, though from sleep they still refraine ^ Whear all are rich, and yet no gold they owe,^ And all are kings, and yet no subjects knowe, All full, and yet no time on foode they doe bestow. 37- For things that passe are past : ^ and in this field The indeficient Spring no Winter feares ; The trees together fruit and blossome yield ; Th' unfading lilly leaues of siluer beares, And crimson rose a skarlet garment weares ; And all of these on the saints' bodies growe. Not, as they woont, on baser earth belowe : Three riuers heer, of milke, and wine, and honie, flowe. 38. About the holy citie rowles a flood Of moulten chrystall, like a sea of glasse ; ' Changed (probably by misprint) to ' restraine ' in 1632 edition. G. - Own. G. * Dr Neale says here ' He is simply translating the * Nam transire transiit' of S. Peter Damiani:' but this is too strong. Rich and glowing as his Hymn de Gloria Paradisi is in other thoughts, he is poor and faint in the antithetic-ideas so vividly 238 Christ's trivmph after death. On which weake streame a strong foundation stood : Of huing diamounds the building was, That all things else, besides itselfe, did passe : ^ Her streetes, instead of stones, the starres did paue, And little pearles, for dust, it seem'd to haue ; On which soft-streaming manna, like pure snovve, did wave. 39- In midst of this citie caelestiall, Whear the Eternall Temple should haue rose, Light'ned the Idea^ Beatificall : End, and beginning of each thing that growes ; Whose selfe no end, nor yet beginning know-es ; That hath no eyes to see, nor ears to heare ; Yet sees, and heares, and is all-eye, all-eare ; That nowhear is contain'd, and yet is euery whear : 40. Changer of all things, yet immutable ; Before and after all, the first and last ; That, moouing all, is yet immoueable ; Great without quantitie ; in Whose forecast Things past are present, things to come are past ; •worded by Fletcher in this stanza and the context. The mnst hasty comparison will prove this. G. ^ Sur-pass. G. 2 Neale substitutes 'Vision,' G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 239 Swift without motion ; to Whose open eye The hearts of wicked men vnbrested lie ; At once absent and present to them, farre, and nigh.^ 41. It is no flaming lustre, made of light ; No sweet concent, or well-tim'd harmonie ; Ambrosia, for to feast the appetite, Or flowrie odour, mixt with spicerie ; No soft embrace, or pleasure bodily ; And yet it is a kinde of inward feast, A harmony, that sounds within the brest, An odour, light, embrace, in which the soule doth rest. 42. A heav'nly feast, no hunger can consume ; A light vnseene, yet shines in euery place ; A sound, no time can steale \ a sweet perfume No winds can scatter ; an intire embrace That no satietie can ere vnlace : Ingrac't into so high a fauour, thear The saints, with their beaw-peers- whole worlds outwear; And things vnseene doe see, and things vnheard doe hear. ^ Dr Neale remarks, 'One of our Poet's most careless lines.' Surely, something like this would liave been better ? — "To whom the dark is light : to whom the far is nigh ;" but Fletcher's thought looks deeper : = God's eye is at once absent (to the thoughtless wicked) and present (in fact) to them, far off (in their forgetfulness) but nigh to them in reality. G. ^ Beau-pere = companion : Cf. Spenser F. Q. in. 1. 35. G. 240 CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 43- Ye blessed soules, growne richer by your spoile ; Whose losse, though great, is cause of greater gains; Here may your weary spirits rest from toyle, Spending your endlesse eav'ning that remaines, Among those white flocks and celestiall traines. That feed vpon their Sheapheard's eyes, and frame That heau'nly musique of so woondrous fame, Psalming aloude the holy honours of His name ! ^ 44- Had I a voice of steel to tune my song, Wear euery verse as smoothly fil'd as glasse,^ And euery member turned to a tongue, And euery tongue wear made of sounding brasse ; Yet all that skill, and all this strength, alas ! Should it presume to guild ^ wear misadvised. The place, whear Dauid hath new songs devis'd, As in his burning throne he sits emparadis'd. 45- Most happie prince, whose eyes those starres behold, Treading ours vnder feet ! now maist thou powre ^ Dr Neale adds here, " He is thinking no doubt of the Vesper Hymn : Largire clarum vesperem Quo vita nunquam decidat : both Poets, of course drawing their inspiration from Zech. xiv. 7." G. ^ Southey has 'smooth as smoothest glass.' G. 2 He substitutes ' t' adorn.' G. CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. 241 That ouerflowing skill, whearwith of ould Thou woont'st to combe ^ rough speech ; now maist thou showr Fresh streames of praise vpon that holy bowre, Which well we Heaven call ; not that it rowles But that it is the hauen of our soules — Most happie prince, whose sight so heau'nly sight behoulds ! 46. Ah, foolish sheapheards, that wear woont esteem Your god all rough and shaggy-hair'd to bee ; And yet farre wiser, sheapheards then ye deeme ; For who so poore (though who so rich) as hee When, with vs hermiting - in lowe degree. He wash't His flocks in Jordan's spotles tide; And, that His deare remembrance aie might bide,-"' Did to vs come, and with vs liu'd, and for vs di'd ? 47- But now so liuely colours did embeame His sparkling forehead, and so ^ shiny rayes ^ Here also he has 'smooth.' G. ^ Soulhey reads ' When sojourning with us in low degree.' Richardson and Cattermole ' When with us sojourniuL^ in low degree.' G. 3 The same mis-read ' And that his dear remembrance might abide.' G. ^ Southey misprints ' such.' G. Q 242 CHRIST S TRIVMPH AFTER DEATH. Kindled his flaming locks, that downe did stream In curies along his necke, whear sweetly playes (Singing His wounds of loue in sacred layes) His deerest Spouse,^ Spouse of the deerest Lover, Knitting a thousand knots ouer and ouer, And dying still for loue ; but they her still recover : — 48. Faire Egliset,^ that at His eyes doth dresse Her glorious face ; those eyes from whence ar shed Infinite belamours ; ^ whear, to expresse His loue, High God all heav'n as captive leads, And all the banners of His grace dispreads, And in those windowes doth His armes englaze And on those eyes the angels all doe gaze, And from those eies the lights of Heau'n doe gleane ^ their blaze. 49. But let the Kentish lad,^ that lately taught His oaten reed the trumpet's siluer sound — Young Thyrsilis, and for his musique brought 1 The Church. G. ^ Richardson, Southey, and Cattermole, substitute ' Fairest of Fairs.' G. ^ Southey reads ' attractions infinite : ' = attractions or love - spells. G. * Southey reads ' obtain,' and Richardson and Cattermole ' catch.' G. * Phineas Fletcher. — See our Memorial-Introduction. G. Christ's trivmph after death. 243 The willing sphears from heau'n, to lead a round Of dauncing nymphs and heards,^ that sung, and crown'd Eclecta's Hymen with ten thousand flowrs Of choycest prayse ; and hung her heau'nly bow'rs With saffron garlands, drest for nuptiall paramours ; — so- Let his shrill trumpet with her siluer blast, Of faire Eclecta and her spousall bed. Be the sweet pipe, and smooth encomiast : But my greene Muse, hiding her younger head Vnder old Chamus' flaggy banks, that spread Their willough locks abroad, and all the day With their owne watry shadowes wanton play — Dares not those high amours, and loue-sick songs assay. 51- Impotent words, weake lines, ^ that striue in vaine — In vaine, alas, to tell so heau'nly sight ! — So^ heav'nly sight, as none can greater feigne, Feigne what he can, that seemes of greatest might : Might any yet compare with infinite ? Infinite sure those ioyes, my words but light ; Light is the pallace where she dwells — O blessed wight ! ^ ^ Richardson and Cattermole read 'swains.' G - Misprinted 'sides ' in i6ioedn., and which Southey repeats. G. ^ Southey here, by misprinting 'To' for 'so,' and in line 5th ' could ' for ' might ' misses the echoing repetition — a device after- wards used by Milton. See our Memorial-Introduction in Phineas Fletcher. G. * Richardson and Southey read ' O then how briL^ht.' G. 244 Christ's trivmph after death. Reverse of p. 84. Ruina cceli pulchra : iam terris decus, Deusque : proles matris innuptce, et pater : Sine matre natus, sine patre excrescens caro : Quern nee mare, aether, terra, non coelum capit, Vtero puellos totus angusto latens ; ^qucevus idem patri, matre antiquior : Heu domite victor, et triumphator ; tui Opus opifexque ; qui minor quam sis, eo Maior resurgis : vita, quse mori velis, Atque ergo possis ; passa finem ^ternitas. Quid tibi rependam, quid tibi rependam miser ? Vt quando ocellos mollis inuadit quies, Et nocte membra plurimus Morpheus premit, Auide videmur velle de tergo sequens Effugere monstrum, et plumbeos frustra pedes Celerare ; media succidimus Ecgri fuga ; Solitum pigrescit robur, os quserit viam, Sed proditurus moritur in lingua sonus : Sic stupeo totus, totus hseresco, intuens Et ssepe repeto, forte si rependerem : Solus rependit ille, qui repetit bene. G. Fletcher. TAetov IcTTi., KoX reXwj' Geos reXos. * * In 1632 there follows here 'Eo'Tt Ts\Qv TO TfXos- TeXoj ^arl Qebs to TiKeiov. APPENDIX. 245 Appendix. "ENGRAVINGS IN THE RE-ISSUE OF 2nd EDITION (1632) IN 1640. 1. The Birth of Christ — opposite page i. At bottom these lines : — A new way here that prophets text may p)ass for truth : the oxe his owner knew, the ass his master's crib : thus thus in cradled lay your King, your Lord, your Christ : there fix, there stay thy stoopinge, low, deiiected thoughts ; shall I since he lay thus depressed, care where I lie. Esay I. 3. 2. The Circumcision of Christ — opposite page 23. At bottom these Unes : — View well this sacred portraiture, and see what pangs thy Sauio[or] felt, and all for thee : Wilt thou returne a sacrifice may please him who had felt all this ? be then all these : Be thou both preist and knife : re-act each part thy selfe againe, Go circumcise thy heart. 3. The Baptism of Christ — opposite page 26. At bottom these lines : — How many riddlinge thoughts strangly appeare Unfolded in this shadow : for first here 246 APPENDIX. I see the Fountaine in the Streams : I see the water wa[s]lid by washing in't : And wee through nature black to pitch and inck, are scour'd to snow, while water's on an other pour'd I see againe. He not say all I can least I tume Jordan to an ocean, 4. The Temptation of Christ — opposite page 30. At bottom these lines : — 'Tis written : Thus the tempter taught : (and thus by Scriptures wrack'd he oft preuailes on vs weake flesh and blood) But that he thus did dare By Moses and the prophets to insnare the Sonne of God ; thinck it not strange that he become confounded in his policie for sure it could but slender hopes afford he by the Scriptures should orecome ye Word. 5. The Crucifixion of Christ — opposite page 49. At bottom these lines : — What you see here does but the picture show of sorrowes picture : miracle of woe ! Greefe was miscall'd till now : what plaints before e're mou'd the bowells of the earth or toare the rocks ? nay more, the heaun's put out their light And truc'd with darkness to auoide that sight. Blind Israel ! this this your hardness shewes ye then turn'd stones whilst thus those stones tum'd Jewes. ^ 6. The Resurrection of Christ — opposite page 69. At bottom these lines : — Forget those horrid stiles of death : see here who died, and by his presence there inbalm'd the graue. See here who rose : and so left hell infeebled, and the powers below APPENDIX. 247 and death suppress'd. So that a child (no doubt) may safly play w'^'t now the sting's pluck'd out. 7. The Ascension of Christ — opposite page 81. At bottom these lines : — Tis finish'd : and hees now gon vp on high rich in the spoyles of hell : in maiesty, and glorie (and glorie glorious farre above all words) each glimpse treads out a starre, dazles the sun : And whether true this bee here written, follow him, and you shall see. ' Geo. Yate ' is the ' sculpt[or] ' of these ' engravings ' which are grotesque in the extreme, though in the ' Baptism ' and ' Ascension ' there are evident reminiscences of the great sacred Painters. Eveiy- where perspective and proportion are violated. — The ' Temptation ' is ludicrous in its attempt to group the three temptations together. Generally the faces are hideous. It is just possible that as these Engravings did not appear until 1 640 and so were posthumous, the Verses may belong to Phineas not Giles : but their place seems appropriate in Giles' volume. G. MINOR POEMS. NOTE. Thi: sources of these minor poems are given in the places. G. A CANTO VPON THE DEATH OF ELIZA. 25 1 A Canto vpon the Death of Eliza} '"PHE early Howres were readie to unlocke The doore of Morne, to let abroad the Day; When sad Ocyroe sitting on a rocke, Hemmed " in with teares, not glassing as they say Shee woont, her damaske beuties (when to play Shee bent her looser fancie) in the streame, That sudding^ on the rocke, would closely seeme To imitate her whitenesse with his frothy creame. But hanging from the stone her careful head, That shewed (for griefe had made it so to shew) A stone itselfe, that only differed, That those without, these streames within, did flow, Both euer ranne ; yet neuer lesse did grow ; ^ Originally published in ' Sorrowe's Joy, or a Lamentation for our Deceased Soveraigne Elizabeth, with a Triumph for the Prosperous succession of our Gratious King James. Printed by John Legat, printer to the University of Cambridge, 1603.' Our text is taken from Nichol's 'Progresses of James I.,' Vol. i. pp. 17 — 19. In the margin are variations from the reprint in Nichol's ' Progresses of Queen Elizabeth,' Vol. iii. 257 — 259. G. ' Hemnid. G. ^ Query — foaming as in frothy (soap) 'suds?' G. 252 A CANTO VPON THE DEATH OF ELIZA. And tearing from her head her amber haires, Whose like or none, or onely Phoebus weares, Shee strowd them on the flood to waite vpon her teares. About her many Nymphs sate weeping by, That when shee sang were woont to daunce and leape ; And all the grasse that round about did lie. Hung full of teares, as if that meant to weepe ; Whilst th' vndersllding streames did softly creepe, And clung about the rocke wiih winding wreath, To heare a Canto of Elizae's^ death ; Which thus poore nymph shee sung, whilest Sorrowe lent her breath. Tell me, ye blushing cuitoIs that bunch out, To cloath with beuteous red your ragged sire ^ To let the sea-greene mosse curie round about, With soft embrace (as creeping vines do wyre Their loved elmes) your sides in rosie tyre ; So let the ruddie vermeyle of your cheeke Make stain'd carnations fresher liueries seeke. So let your braunched armes grow crooked, smooth, and sleeke. So from your growth late be you rent away, And hung with silver bels and whistles shrill ; ^ Elizaes. G. 2 Misprinted ' fire ' in Prog, of King James. G. A CANTO VPON THE DEATH OF ELIZA. 253 Vnto those children be you giuen to play, Where blest Eliza raign'd ; so neuer ill Betide your caues, nor them with breaking spill ; Tell me if some vncivill hand should teare Your branches hence, and place them otherwhere ; Could you still grow, and such fresh crimson ensignes beare ? Tell me, sad Philomele, that yonder sit'st Piping thy songs vnto the dauncing twig, And to the waters fall thy musicke fit'st; So let the friendly prickle never digge Thy watchful! breast with wound, or small, or bigge. Whereon thou lean'st ; so let the hissing snake. Sliding with shrinking silence, neuer take Th' vnwarie foote, whilst thou perhaps hangst half ^ awake. So let the loathed lapwing, when her nest Is stolne away, not as shee vses, fiie, Cousening the searcher of his promis'd feast, But, widdow'd of all hope, still Itis crie, And nought but Itis, Itis till shee die. Say, sweetest querister of the airie quire, Doth not thy Tereu, Tereu, then expire, When Winter robs thy house of all her greene attire ? Tell me, ye veluet-headed violets That fringe the crooked banke, with gawdie blewe ; 1 Ilalfe. G. 254 A CANTO VPON THE DEATH OF ELIZA. So let with comely grace your pretie ^ frets Be spread ; so let a thousand ^ Zephyrs sue To kisse your willing heads, that seeme t' eschew Their wanton touch with maiden modestie ; So let the siluer dewe but lightly lie, Like little watrie worlds within j^our azure skie. So when your blazing leaues are broadly spread, Let wandring nymphes gather you in their lapps, And send you where Eliza lieth dead, To strow the sheete that her pale bodie wraps ; Aie me, in this I enuie your good haps ; Who would not die, there to be buried ? Say if the sunne denie his beames to shedde Upon your liuing stalkes, grow you not withered ? Tell me, thou wanton brooke, that slipst away T' avoid the straggling banks still flowing cling, So let thy waters cleanely tribute pay, Vnmixt with mudde, vnto the sea your king ; So neuer let your streames leaue murmuring, Vntil they steale by many a secret furt ^ To kisse those walls that built Elizaes Court, Drie you not when your mother springs are choakt with durt? Yes, you all say, and I say, with you all, Naught without cause of ioy can ioyous bide, 1 Prettie. G. ^ Thousand. G. ^ ^ fo^th ? G. A CANTO VPON THE DEATH OF ELIZA. 255 Then me, vnhappie nymph, whom the dire fall Of my ioyes spring : — but there, aye mee, shee cried. And spake no more ; for sorrow speech denied, And downe into her watrie lodge did goe ; The very waters when shee sunke did showe With many wrinkled ^ ohs, they sympathiz'd her woe : The sunne in mourning clouds inveloped. Flew fast into the westearne world to tell Newes of her death ; Heaven itselfe sorrowed With teares that to the earthes dank bosome fell ; But when the next Aurora 'gan to deale ' Handfuls of roses 'fore the teame of day, A shepheard - droue his flocke by chance that way, And made the nymph to dance that mourned yesterday. G. Fletcher, Trinit. ' Wiinckled. G. ^ Sheappheard, G. 25^ AFTER PETRONIUS. AFTER PETRONIUS. (From Tanner MSS., Vol. 465, Fol. 42.1) Nisis amore pio pueri, &c. IT was at euening, and in Aprill mild, Of twelue sounes of the yeare, the fairest child ; When Night and Day their strife to peace doe bring, To haue an equall interest in the Spring, The sunne being arbiter : I walkt to see How Nature drew a meddow, and a tree. In orient colours ; and to smell what sent Of true perfume the winds the aire had lent. When with a happy carelesse glance I spy One pace, a shade : Encolpus cry'd 'tis I ; And soe vnmaskt his forehead, brancht more faire Than locks of grasse — our motley Rhea's haire. I had mine eyes soe full of such a freind, That Flora's pride was dimm'd ; and in the end I askt some time, before I could perswade My senses it was Spring ; the silken blade Of cowslips lost their grace ; the speckled pancie Came short to flatter, though he smil'd, my fancie. » On the margin Bancroft has written that he had obtained this poem from a Mr Blois, and he notes that (as supra) it was from the Encolpus of Petronius. AFTER PETRONIUS. -57 If later seasons had the roses bredd, I doubt the modest damaske had turn'd redd, Stain'd with a parallel ; but it was good They swadled were, like infants, in the bud ; Solsequium,' gladd of this excuse, begunne To close his blushes with the setting sunne. Thrice chanting philomel beganne a song, Thrice had no audience for Encolinis' tongue. This thorne did touch her breast to be rejected, And tun'd a moane ; not heard, she was neglected. I thought vncurteous Time would wait, but Night Appear'd, Orion's whelpes had chas'd the light Into the Westerne couerts ; judge from hence How farre a beauty commands reuerence. The neighbour starres in loue were waxen clearer, The farthest shott methought, to view him nearer. My Vranoscopy said, the moone did cast Faint beames and sullen glimpses ; when at last I spy'd in her a new and vncouth spott, — Doubtles through envy all the rest she gott : And then she held her palenes in a shrowd Borrowing the pleighted curtaines of a clowd.- Flowers, birds, and starres, all to Encolpus yields, As to Adonis doe Adonis fields. Oh had some other, thus describ'd, and scene ! I came a partiall judge, to praise the screene. G. Fletcher. Sunflower. Cf. Milton later, "play in \\\q. pli^hUd clouds''' (Comus, ]. 300). R 258 FROM ''REWARD OF THE FAITHFULL. From Reward of the Fait /if nil} (i.) THE HEAVENLY COUNTRY. . . . . " Which diuine thought wee shall not find in the hearts alone of the children of light, that haue the starres of heauen shining thicke in them, (Hebr. 11, 16) but in 1 THE REWARD of the Faithfidl. Math. 5. 6. They shall be satisfied. THE LABOVR OF the Faithfull. Genes. 26. 12. Then Isaac sowed in that Land. THE GROVNDS of our Faith. Acts 10. 43. To him giue all the Prophets ivitnesse. At London printed by B. A. for Beniamin Fisher, and are to be sold at the signe of the Tal- bot in Pater-noster row 1623. 16°. [10 leaves [unpaged] and i leaf blank and pp. 419 : some of the pages are mis-numbered. See Introduction. G. FROM ''REWARD OF THE FAITHFULLY 259 the minds of heathen men, that lay shadowed in their owne naturall wisedome, out of which tlie banisht Consul of Rome, Boetius, could sing Htec, dices, memini patria est mihi, Hinc ortus, hie sistam gradum. O this my country is, thy soule shall say, Hence was my birth, and here shall be my stay." (pp. 29, 30.) [Boethius, Cons. Phil, iv., metr. i, 1. 25, 26. G.] (2.) THE ROSE and 'BLACK BUT COMELY.' " Cleane opposite are these glories, and delights, and this ambition to those of our vnder-world. Gather all the roses of pleasure that grow vpon the earth, sayes not the Greek Epigram truely of them : Ti poSov a.K/J.d^€i. jBatov xp<'>vov, fjV ok irapeXOy, ^■qrCiv evprjcreis ov p68ov, dXXd. ^drov. The Rose is faire and fading, short and sweet, Passe softly by lier : And in a moment you shall see her fleet, And turne a bryer. They looke fairely, but they are sodainely dispoiled : whereas, contrary, all the flowers of Paradise (like the Church, Canf. i. 5. 6.) sun-burnt and frosted with the heat and cold of this tempestuous world, looke black 26o FROM ''REWARD OF THE FAITHFULL!' and homely, but flourish inwardly with diuine beauty, and are all glorious within. So that wee may well say of the Church as the Poet sings : — She's black : what then ? so are dead coales, but cherish, And with soft breath them blow. And you shall see them glow as briglit and flourish, As spring-borne Roses grow. (pp. 120, 121.) [The author of the Epigram on the Rose seems unknown : but Jakobs gives a German translation as follows : — " Wenige Tage nur wahrt die Rosenzeit ; sind sie verschwunden, Siehst du die Rose nicht niehr ; sondern die Dornen allein." Dr Johnson quotes it in his 'Rambler,' No. 71, with the sole difference of irapeXdys for the last word of the first line : which elsewhere occurs as -jrapeXdri (as in Fletcher). Johnson gives no author's name but translates " Soon fades tlie rose ; once past the fragrant hour, The loiterer finds a bramble for a flower." [See Notes and Queries, 4th. S. nth April 1S68 : p. 351, and Anthologia Gra;ca, iv. 126, ed. Jacobs.] A Correspondent of 'Notes and Queries,' with reference to the Epigram, communicates an amusing Gi-eek pun from it, which he heads ' Cane and Birch.' — " The occasion of it was a complaint of a friend to an old-fashioned pedagogue that, objecting to the corporal punishment of little boys at school, he had sent his son to one where it was said Mrc/i was unknown, but found that a very cruel and severe use of f/ic cane was substituted for it. Ah ! " said the old-fashioned school-master exultingly, whose meditations, like Fielding's Thwackum's, were full of birch, " Z-qrSiv kvp-!](sm ov 'POAOX dXXcl EATOX" FROM ''REWARD OF THE FAITHFULLY 261 The reply was pedantic, but it was appropriate. [As before, May 1 6th, p. 467.] Perhaps it may be well to remember on the whole, the fine words of Dr F. W. Faber : — " Roses grow on briars, say the wise men of the world, with that sententious morality which thinks to make virtue truthful by making it dismal. Yes ! but as the very different spirit of piety would say, it is a truer truth that briars bloom with roses. If roses have thorns, thorns also have roses. This is the rule of life. Yet everybody tells us one side of this truth, and nobody tells us the other."— (" The Precious Blood," p. 216.) [The second Epigram stipra, is too corruptly given in the Greek (by Fletcher) for restoration : and too unimportant to spend pains on. G.] (3.) THE RICH POOR MAN. "Letvs graunt Diues the happinesse to die a rich man, which he shall neuer doe (for as the heathen sings of death, Involuit humile parlter et celsum caput, .^quatque summis infima. Death and the Graue, make euen all estates. There, high, and low, and rich, and poor are mates." (p. 203.)^ [Boethius: De Cons. Phil. lib. Ii., metr. 7, 1. 13, 14. G.] 1 LiVESEY (as before) gives this more tersely : — * There is no difference : Death hath made Equal the sceptre and the spade.' (p. 66. 262 FROM ''reward of THE FAITHFULLY (4.) UNGODLY RICH. " To speake soothly, as the last of the best, and the best of the last, Poets sales of all morall helpes which Fabricius, and Cato, and Brutus, three of the most famous of the Romane Worthies thought to eternize themselues by, Cum sera vobis rapiet hoc etiam dies, lam vos secunda mors manet : So may the vngodly rich more truly say of himselfe, and all worldly meanes, whereby he hoped to perpetu- ate ^ his life and memorie. The poor man dies but once : but O that I Ah-eady dead, baue yet three deaths to die. For, being dead in his bodie, he still remaines aliue in his soule, estate, and posteritie to suffer death, and therefore death is said to gnaw, and feed vpon him. Psal. 49. 14. (p. 205-207.)" [Boethius is the poet referred to, supra: De Cons : Phil: lib ii. metr. 7, 1. 25, 26. G.] (5.) THE 'GODS' ACCUSED. " Neither did simple women onely, but the wisest of the heathen Gouernors loade their Gods with their proper crimes : 6*70; 5' ovK a'LTi.bs elfii, AXXct Zeiis Kal fioTpa /cat TjepocpdiTis 'Epivijs, ^ Misprinted 'perpetrate.' G. FROM ''REWARD OF THE FAITHFULL. Sayes great Agamemnon, alas ! It was not lie that did them injuria, But loue and Fate, and the night Furie. But lupiter's answer is recorded by the same Poet : 'E^ y]iJ.ihv ydp 0acrt kchc ^/x/xevai oi S^ Kal avTol 71aration. "Blake is a real name, I assure you, and a most extraordinary man he is, if he still be living. He is the Blake whose wild designs accompany a splendid edition of Blair's 'Grave.' He paints in water-colours marvellous strange pictures — visions of his brain — which he asserts he has seen. They have great merit. I must look upon him as one of the most extraordinary persons of the age."— Charles Lamb. BLANCHARD'S (Laman) POEMS. Now first Collected. 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LONGFELLOW'S PROSE WORKS, Complete. With Portrait and Illustrations by Valentine Bromley. 800 pages, crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 7 J. td. *t* This is hy far the most complete edition ever issued in this country. " Outre-ATer" contains two additional chapters, restored from the first edition; while " The Poets and Poetry of Europe" and the little collection of Sketches entitled " Driftwood" are naiv first introduced to the Etiglish public. LONGFELLOW'S POETICAL WORKS. With numerous fine Illustrations. Crown Svo, cloth extra, gilt, 7^. 6d. [/« the press. LOST BEAUTIES OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. An Appeal to Authors, Poets, Clergymen, and Public Speakers. By Charles Mackay, LL.D. Crown Svo, cloth e.\tra, 6s. 6d. LOTOS LEAVES: Original Stories, Essays, and Poems, by Wii.kie Collins, Mark Twain, Whitelaw Reid, John Hay, Noah Brooks, John Brougham, P. V. Nasby, Isaac Bromley, and others. 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It affords a simple, clear, and most conclusive elucidation of a great number of passages in our great dramatic poets — ay, and in the works of those of Greece and Rome- -against which commentators and scholiasts have been trying their wits for centuries. 3rd. It throws a flood of light upon the manners, usage.s, and sports of our ancestors, from the time of the Anglo-Saxons down to the reign of Charles the Second. And lastly, it at once removes a vast number of idle traditions and ingenious fables, which one compiler of history, copying from another, has succeeded in transmitting through the lapse of four or five hundred years. " It is not often the fortune of a painful student of antiquity to conduct his readers through so splendid a succession of scenes and events as those to which Dr. Meyrick here successively introduces us. But he does it with all the ease and gracefulness of an accomplished cicerone. 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Fitted to all Humours, having each their proper Tune for either Voice or Instrument; most of the Songs being new set. London: Printed by W. Pearson, for J. Tonson, at Shakespeare's Head, over against Catherine Street in the Strand, 1719. An exact reprint. In Six Vols., large fcap. Svo, printed on antique laid paper, antique boards, .£3 3.?. EARLY NEWS SHEET. ^ — The Russian Invasion of Poland in 1563. (Memorabilis et perinde stupenda de crudeli Moscovitarum Expedi- tione Narratio, e Germanico in Latinum conversa.) An exact Facsimile of a Contemporary Account, with Introduction, Historical Notes, and full Translation. Large fcap. Svo, antique paper, half-Roxburghe, 7.5. dd. ENGLISH ROGUE (The), described in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and other Extravagants, comprehending the most Eminent Cheats of both Sexes. By Richard Head and Francis Kirkman. 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JOE MILLER'S JESTS : The politest Repartees, most elegant Bons-mots, and most pleasing short Stories in the English Language. London: printed by T. Read. 1739. A Facsimile of Orig. Edit. 8vo, half-morocco, 9^. 6i^. LITTLE LONDON DIRECTORY OP 1677. The Oldest Printed List of the Merchants and Bankers of London. Reprinted from the Rare Original, with Introduction by J. C Hotten. i6mo, binding after the original, 6s. td. MERRY DROLLERY, Complete; or, a Collection of Jovial Poems, Merry Songs, Witty Drolleries, intermingled with Pleasant Catches. Collected by W.N.C.B.R.S.J.C, Lovers of Wit. The two Parts in i Vol. A page-for-page and literal reprint. Eaited, with Indexes and Notes, by J. Woodfall Ebsworth, M.A. Cantab. Large fcap. 8vo, antique paper and cloth boards, \is. 6d : Large paper copies, 25^. MUSARUM DELICTI ; or. The Muses' Recreation, 1656 ; Wit Restored, 1658 ; and Wit's Recreations, 1640. The whole compared with the Originals. 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Three Vols., 8vo, with a fine Portrait of Wilson, and 103 Plates, exhibiting nearly four hundred figures of Birds accurately engraved and beautifully printed in Colours, half-bound morocco. A few Large Paper copies will also be issued, with the Plates all carefully Coloured by hand. [/« tlie press. "The History of American Birds by Alexander Wilson is equal in elegance to the most distinguished of our own splendid works on Ornithology."— Cuvier. WILSON'S FRENCH-ENGLISH AND ENGLISH-FRENCH DICTIONARY ; containing full Explanations, Definitions, Synonyms, Idioms, Proverbs, Terms of Art and Science, and Rules for the Pronunciation of each Language. Compiled from the Dictionaries of the French Academy, Bover, Chambaud, Garnier, Laveaux, Des Carrieres and Fain, Johnson, and Walker. Imperial 8vo, 1,323 closely-printed pages, cloth extra, 15J. WONDERFUL CHARACTERS : Memoirs and Anecdotes of Remarkable and Eccentric Persons of every Age and Nation. By Henry Wilson and James C.^ulfield. 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