The Peasant History of Albino and Bellama, Poem 1

The Peasant History of Albino and Bellama · Poem 1

THE PLEASING HISTORY OF ALBINO AND BELLAMA.

WHen Britiſh I fles begirt with moiſtned ſand,

Neptunes blew pallace, & the Tritons walk,

Albania hight, her name who firſt did land

Of all the Siſters, or from rocks of chalke;

From ſad oppreſſion had unyoakt their necks,

And payd obedience unto Ad…ll's beckes.

Then in thoſe Halcyon dayes of peace and joy,

A vertuous Lady moſt tranſcendent creature,

Fairer then her whoſe beautie cyndar'd Troy;

Grace deckt her minde, her mind grace her feature,

So that each part made Helen out of date,

And every grace a goddeſſe could create.

Vertue and beautie both in her did ſtrive

Which ſhould in worth and grace ſurpaſſe the other,

Nor age of conſiſtency, both did thrive

Till this Dian' out-rayde, that Cupids mother.

Nay men by beames of her cleare beautie might

Scale Titans Chariot, and out-ray his light.

p. 2'Mongſt Natures precious things we finde a jem,

Bluſhed and purpled ore with Amathiſles,

Which fiery Carbuncles with ſparkles hem,

And which the Emrauldes pureſt vert entwiſts,

Meeting ſo well that Lapidaries wiſt,

'Twas Emraulde, Carbuncle and Amathiſt.

So in this precious Payre, pure Agathite,

Aurora's purpling bluſh was clearely ſeene,

Saba's bright Roſe, and Leda's Swan-like white,

The true proportion of Adonis Queene.

Blended ſo well, that in this curious frame,

Aurora, Saba, Leda, Venus came.

And as the hony-making waxen thigh'de

Inhabitants of Hyblaes fragrant vailes,

Whom onelyonly Natures dimme inſtinct does guide,

Chuſe their commander with their tunefull hailes▪

Pay homage, honour him, and feare his frownes▪

With ſame obſervance, as the people, Crownes.

So by the ſame inſtinct the bluſhing Roſe,

Vail'd bonnet to her cheekes admired red,

The Lillyes to her boſome, brow and noſe,

The Phoenix ſtript her ſelfe to Crowne her head:

The chirping Choriſters with willing choyce,

Sat ſilent to admire her warbling voyce.

Perfum'd Arabia with her Spice and Gummes,

Payde homage to the odours of her lips;

To her with fawning poſtures, lickes and hummes

The yellow Lyon and the Tyger skips:

Fire dares not ſcorch her face, nor winter chill he…

And death himſelf lookt pale whē cald to kill he…

p. 3The amorous Sunne if ſhee walkt out by day

Would veine his j…nnets to behold her face,

And wrapt in admiration, by his ſtay

Had rather melt the Orbes than mend his pace;

And if the middle Ayre in walles of jet

Enjoyde his beames, hee thawed into wet.

If in the raigne of ſilent night, abroade

Shee rang'd, the Empreſſe of the loweſt Spheare

Amaz'd at her perfections, left her roade,

And rang'd about, where ſhee appear'd t' appeare.

Nay mournd in darkneſſe if denide her ſight,

As when dayes Hanchman does deny her light.

The curled tapers of the Firmament

Did ceaſe to twinke, but gaz'd with fixed eyes,

In their owne Orbe refuſing to be pent,

And ſtrove to leape upon the lower skies:

Nay did oth' ſecond Ayre like Comets hang

To dart their c…iſpes at beauties onelyonly ſpang.

The Sea-borne-Planet popped out her Lampe,

And t' ſee her ſelfe out-ſhind by her, did rage,

The marching War-god did remoove his campe,

With faire Lady Curtaine warre to wage:

Hermes by Jove being of an errand ſent,

Stay'd on her face, in her embraces pent.

Dull-aged Saturne (on whoſe ſullen brow

Nere dwelt a Smile ſince Iove uſurpt his Crowne)

To gaze on her his waightie head did bow,

And with a ſmile un-plaiced every frowne;

Nay Iove himſelfe deſcended from his chayre

To take a full ſurvay of this—this fayre.

p. 4And more, her winning looks diſperc'd ſuch charmes

All eyes commanding, and all hearts ſurprizing,

That Venus bad her Sonne provide him armes,

Fearing his ſetting by this bright Starres riſing:

For though men ſay loues eyes are more then dim

Yet her faire beautie did enlighten him.

But with entreaties he had beate the Ayre,

And on the Tawney-moore his waters caſt;

For having pow're to conquer, being faire,

Sh'ad pow're not to be conquerd, being chaſte:

So that his amorous ſleights and winged arrow

Could not have op't her breaſt o▪ pierc'd her marrow.

This Phoenix was Bellama call'd (a word

Well ſuiting her deſerts) ſhee daughter was

And heire apparant to a wealthy Lord,

Who had more acres, then an acre, graſſe:

He lou'd his lands, and hugd his minted treaſure,

Yet his Bellama was his ſoule of pleaſure.

His place of reſidence was in a Chace

Checkquerd with thick-growne thornes and ſturdy oakes,

Wherein majeſtick Stags and Buckes did pace

That ſcornd the hounds, & dard th… barbed ſtroakes;

'Twas called Riuelount, not diſtant far

From Starley, of that ſhire, the metro-Star.

The neighbouring ſwaines were pauld with coaches thunder,

And loud curvaitings of their foaming Steeds,

Whoſe irond hoofes did craſh the rockes in ſunder,

Happie was he, who (ſheath'd in coſtly weeds)

Could win admiſſion to this happie place,

Where Natur… wealth was lockt up in a face.

p. 5Each glance ſhee ſent the object did engem,

And he that wan a ſmile poſſeſſ'd a mine,

A haire was prized at a Diadem,

A ribban made the treade the ecliptick line;

A ring out-face a thunder, but a kiſſe

Was the elixar, heart and ſoule of bliſſe.

Some, of their lands, ſome, of their valours ſpoke,

Some, of their Falcons and their merry bels;

Some, reade the price of ſuch a ſuite and cloake,

And one of hounds and running horſes tells;

All ſpeake of ſomething, yet but few with wit,

All aim'd at wiſe, yet few could purchaſe it▪

Some ſpake in oathes, as if they thought the earth

Was peopled ore with faithleſſe infidells,

Another ſwore, becauſe he feard a dearth

Of other Language, yet in oathes excells:

All ſweare enough, and he that did it leaſt

Might be grand ſwearer at Ven-Bacchus feaſt.

Others there were that could not bigly prate,

Who did their evidences bring with them;

One brought his halls to plead, one his eſtate,

This brought a Watch to court and that a Gem;

One brought a large deſcent white and blacke,

Which derived from old Pergams Sack.

One brought a reverent Syre, whom he cald Father,

To be the tongue of his reſerved Sonne;

Others with much expence of wax did gather

Some printed Rimes to ſpeak when they were gone▪

All had their ſpeakers w^ch unclaſp'd their graces,

Yet their court-language dwelt on plaits & places.

p. 6One of theſe Suters was approov'de to be

A match whoſe thouſands aequi-ballanc'd hers,

The parents oft would ſay, this ſhall be he,

The mother then a bill of louelove prefers.

But ſtill Bellama faults, and vowes, that gold

Shall never force her louelove to have and hold.

The teſty Father with a ſurrow'd brow

Comes to Bellama with demanding why?

Sayes mine owne girle thou muſt be ruled now,

Each tener payes duty to Don Fuco's eye:

And age well knowes Bean-mannours, lands and treaſures

Doe cement lovers hearts, & injoy their pleaſures.

Thou muſt not Wench be coy, alas! we finde

Beautie as eaſily bought when money bids,

(Though't be ith' Non-ſuch of the female kinde,

As Horſe or Cow, the Lambe, or frisking Kids▪

If he be rich, we beare his witleſſe brags,

A wealthy foole's more worth then witty rags.

Bellama with a looke fraught with diſdaine,

(Though hatred did not make her anger bold)

Sayes Sir, I'me ſorry you doe entertaine

Such high conceits of folly hemde with gold:

Thinke you no marriage good if equall lands

Be not match-makers and doe joyne their hands.

Don Fuco has ten thouſand pounds a yeare,

With weightie titles would oreloade a Mule,

A piece of Arras finely wrought and deare;

But does he ſquare his life to vertu's rule?

With vice, as wealth to count-leſſe ſums he thriues

But is, in vertue, full as poore, as wiues.

p. 7He knowes to ſteere an horſe, and holloe hounds,

But not to guide his actions, leſſe his tongue:

He ſpeakes in ſtate, but ev'ry ſentence ſounds

Of Comick fragments, or ſome Taverne ſong.

And ſhall I him, hail'd by unworthy pelfe,

Take to rule me, who cannot rule himſelfe?

Shall I ſee other female veſſels thrive

With mine owne Nectar, and they fee'd with mony,

Whilſt I, like carefull Bee, doe keepe my hive,

And work the combe for them to ſuck the hony?

No, I'le no ſharers have in my delight,

I'le have it one, and onelyonly, elſe good night.

'Tis a fine thing to ſee a Satten paint

That feares to looſe her beauty in a preſſe,

That onelyonly cares to be preciſely quaint,

And ſpends a twelve-months pleaſure on a dreſſe:

To ſee this ſtroke his honour, and he clip her,

Span eu'ry part, and unreſiſted lip her.

But I doe notin a rank humour raile

'Gainſt ſober purples, and diſcreeter robes,

Nor lock up vertues in the paper-jayle

With Ink-hornes, Pens, Spheares, Globes and Albo-globes,

Religion on my heart does love en-neale

To thoſe bright Tapers of our Common-weale.

Yet where, in ſtead of ſtate, proud lookes do dwell,

Where wit and wiſedome are unlockt with oathes,

Courte-ſhip and comelineſſe are in the ſhell,

And honour onelyonly ſits▪ upon the cloathes.

Pardon, if unto ſuch I pl…it my brow,

And ſteere my thought unto a virgine-v…w.

p. 8Fye, ſayes the father, you'r a fooliſh girle,

'Gainſt Ermins with that heightned ſpleen to raile,

Doſt think there's vice and folly in an Earle?

Then vertue ſure does penance in the jayle.

To kiſſe and ſport with us is held no ſin,

If that our dalliance doe not paſſe the skin.

Perchance 'tis not a point of ſtate to have

To large a ſtock of wiſedome in this age,

The Epithete to greatneſſe is not grave;

Thoſe that the Muſes in their celles incage,

Let them ſpeak oyle and civet: but we are Lords

Can ſpeak by ſignes, and not expres'… by words.

Wherefore doe we to Sable give the roome,

And greater numbers farre of Adels ſtampes,

Then to our Stewart, or our Ladies groome,

'Cauſe with reproofs he our choice pleaſures damps?

No, cauſe indedications he ſhould name us,

And by ſome witty pamphlet make us famous.

Our morall vertues are no guiding rule

To high Nobility, or looking glaſſe,

No more then t'earth the ne plus ultra's Thule,

As 'fore America was found, it was.

Tis fit for thoſe, whoſe boſome-friends are lice,

To know the paine, not ſweet delights of vice.

Doſt ſee yon' tender webs Arachne ſpins,

Through which with eaſe the luſty Bumbles break,

But to the feeble gnats that meſh their gins,

So thoſe ſage precepts which our Sophies ſpeake,

Fetter the paſſions of each worthleſſe ſlave;

But over us no ſoveraigne awe they have.

p. 9My Lord, the name of Father ſtrikes, quoth ſhe,

An awfull dread, and makes my eare obey,

Yet ſlip my duty downe unto the knee,

And in my ſilent thoughts, check, chide, and ſay,

Can they that taſte forbidden waters, thrive?

My chaſte demeanour I will ne're ſurvive.

T'avoid the doom of—therfore I'le make choyc… ▪

Of one, whoſe vertue outs all love to vice,

Not thoſe ſ…eek skins which am'rous are in voyce,

Lip-love, which as ſoone borne, dies in a trice.

Our loves reciprocall ſhall be ſtill duſt,

Whi…h into exile packes unlawfull luſt.

As they diſcourſt, Don Fuco entred in,

With ſtately garbes befitting ſuch an one,

His body ſhelled in a Satten skin

Of a zure dye, beſtar'd with Topaz ſtone,

A milke white Bever, with an Oſtrich plume,

His very rowels ſpake a lowd perfume.

Having compos'd his hinged lookes, he glanc'd

With piercing eyes upon her curious face,

And ſteeping ſighes in teares and ſweat, advanc'd

Himſelfe to plead with courtly garb and grace.

But Fu…s lead by moſt mimetick Apes,

Could not depinge Don Fuco's antick ſhapes.

Such were the poſtures of his hands and eye,

That had he treaſur'd up his mirthfull tones,

They wereingredients for a Comedy,

Would into laughter change a widowes grones:

And ſince that time (Bellama ſmil'd ſo then)

Love in her dimpled cheekes has found a den.

p. 10Madam, ſayes he, be pleas'd to trutinate,

And wiſely weigh your ſervants gracefull voyce,

Give due attendance to the ayres of ſtate,

I have engraven you Don Fuco's choyce.

Give free aſſent, and let the ſcornfull no

Be quite expunged from the Chriſſe-croſſe row.

Alas, I'me not beholding unto letters,

Wherewith our Rabbies ſtuffe their ſwelling books,

I have a way of complementing better,

To win thy love with comely garbes and lo…kes.

And if theſe faile, the name of Counteſſe w…ll

Speake with a power above the Sidney-skill.

I hate long-winded ſentences, which doe

Vnbreath a man, and hazard …uch his bellowes,

Or pocket-flaſhes, which inſtr…t to wooe,

The onelyonly vertues of ſome Ink-horne fellowes.

I ſcorn their trothes, indods, their ifs or ands.

Or their O Lord ſir, when their wit's oth' ſands.

A fluent Raſcall that can ſpeake in oyle,

And cloath his words with ſilken eloquence,

I know may give a virgine ſtrength the foyle.

But a blunt Earle, that ſcarcely ſpeakes in ſence,

Whom thouſands honour with the cap and leg,

Beates downe a Fortreſſe like a Roaring M…g.

He needs no Roſcian language, but does ſend

His velvet-coated Herauld to proclaime

The noble Titles which his worth attend:

For honour is th' ambitious Ladies aime.

Feature and ſpiced words but lead the Van,

Honour the Front, the Noble is the Man.

p. 11My Lord, ſayes ſhe, your valour I approve,

That with three Selves thus warranteth your ſuit,

With Selfe▪ conceit, Selfe-confidence, Selfe-love,

Such trees w…ll beare your Lordſhip glorious fruit,

It well befits your greatneſſe not to thinke,

There can denyals dwell in aire or inke.

Your trencher clokes, and your Recognizance,

Your coate of Armes with noble Ermines dight,

Your Ruſſian Satten, with the cut of Fra…ce,

Your talking rowels, and your feathred white,

Are battring rams & guns, that ſpe…kin thunder,

To crack a breaſt, and ſplit a heart in ſunder.

But my minde is, Diana's chaſteſt ſeat,

O're which the breath of greatneſſe hath no power,

The quiver-bearing boy ſounds a retreat,

And love availes not with his yellow ſhowre,

The veſtall fire out-ſhines blinde Cupids flame,

Which oft's eclips'd with ſorrow, dampt with ſhame.

And, troth, my Lord, had I but wit enough,

T'aſſiſt your Lordſhip in your nuptiall tede,

Your Lordſhip ſhold not pl…y a… blind mans blough,

(Elſe heavens ſhould renounce their Ganimede)

For they that purblinde are, may plainly ſe…,

You groſly hood winkt are in courting me.

The faults of ſtate I cannot Vertues name,

And beare my ſelfe upon the wings of pride,

Nor light my Taper at anothers flame,

Or uſe the Art at beauties eventide.

I brooke not dalliance, or the Venus kiſſe,

That way o… am'rouſneſſe, or that, or this.

p. 12I cannot ſeale a welcome with an oath,

To thoſe whoſe abſence I had rather have,

Nor venture hundreds at that paper-ſloath

Of Miſtreſſe Isbel and the Pennell-knave.

I know no masking poſtures, nor with grace,

Can treade the Brawles, or true Currantoe pace.

I cannot at the feaſt of ryot ſit,

When ſea, land, aire, are ſerved up in plate,

Nor like Tripherus, with a carving wit,

Read precepts this and this to diſſecate,

Nor in deare Murrin charged to the brim,

Health it about untill our mullets ſwim.

I do not love to have my husband be

Diſcreet by Pioxee's, by his Chaplaines wiſe,

Nor doe I like the too much cringing knee,

Whoſe formall bends his black conceits diſguiſe.

Thoſe fawning ſharkes I cannot call to table,

Which into Ermins change your Lordſhips ſable.

To have my uſher preſſe his maſters ſaddle,

In my opinion cannot paſſe for good,

I doe not love to have my pillow addle,

Mean while my woman lets your Lordſhip blood.

I am no Androgyne, nor doe delight

To diet Pages, or your Catamit.

Madam, what paſſion does untune your minde?

What fiend (ſayes he) in you thus rails on greatneſſe?

Who viceth honour, lyes, and he is blinde

That ſayes Court-ſattens are not trimd with neatneſſe.

Speak then in Balmes, forget the peeviſh, why?

And to the Wilt thou have this?—anſwer I.

p. 13No, no, ſayes ſhe, yet might I know your Saint,

If my endevours can advantage you,

With your endowments I would her acquaint,

And limbe your rare perfections in her view.

In this one act I may my ſelfe approve

More loving, then in entertaining love.

I'le ſay with what dexteritie you can

Run o're the poſtures of the court-ſalute,

How trimly you can kiſſe a Ladies Fan,

And neatly manage an embroydred ſute.

How finely Spaniſh leg-ſhells you can plaite,

And tune your rowels at the court retraite.

I might ſay you are witty, if't be true,

That jeſts and gingles are in brother-hood,

Ile ſpeak your skill in Haukes, at flight in mue,

And at all hunting ceremonies good:

How gracefully you wave your gallant plumes,

And deeply are engag'd to deep perfumes.

How kind you are unto our chamber-ſhees,

How to our Marmoſets and trencher-pages,

How oylie-fingerd unto ſupple knees,

How faine to th'muſick of our wyer cages.

How quaintly you ſupply the Vſhers roome,

How ſweetly you can act the privy-groome.

Much more in blazoning your matchleſſe worth,

And counting all your ſpecials, might I ſay

But nature ne're a ſecond did bring forth,

Which to ſuch known perfections can ſay nay.

Ile ceaſe to praiſe them, leſt my praiſes make

Your veines of pride with ſelfe-conceit to ake.

p. 14I will performe what I have promis'd, Sir,

Pleaſe you t'impart your Lady to my maid,

I ſee my words your liver-wort does ſtir

Into your face, which in your channels ſtraid.

No more of trouble then, my Lord adiew.

This courteous doore divorceth me and you.

Away flings ſhe, and leaves my Lord alone,

More penſive then a widow, which bedewes

Her husbands corps with teares, a womans moane,

Or then the Lupa of diſeaſed ſtewes:

So that who ſaw his jigging head would ſweare,

Wiſedome nor wit did ne're inhabite there.

Don Riuelezzo ſent a ſmiling glance,

That they might his conſent read in his eye;

But ſeeing Fuco in a ſtupid trance,

He was poſſeſt with equall phrentezy,

The mother came to th' reſcue, and well nigh

Sent her own wit to boare theirs company.

Faine would he tell the cauſe of his diſaſters,

And eagerly her parents ſtrove to know it,

Yet ſtrangely, them this paſſion over-maſters,

That neither they could aske, nor he could ſhow it,

As though an Incubus with vaprous throngs,

Enclaſpt their boſomes, and un-voyc'd their tongues.

At length Don Fuco cry'd, Bellama cruell,

What evill planet revelld at thy birth,

Or what incenſed god provided fuell

To make me feele hells tortures upon earth?

Was there no way to puniſh me for ſin,

But by a maid? No, there our woes begin,

p. 15When I with admiration view'd her face,

I boldly durſt give any tongue the lye,

That dar'd to ſay, with ſuch ſupernall grace

There dwelt one Atom of this tyranny.

But—if that virgines Hierogliphicks be

Of love and mildneſſe, take them all for me.

I'le make a caſement with this ſteely blade,

In my full breaſt, through which my ſoule ſhal peep,

And make my heart in ſanguine liquor wade,

And intrals all in juyce of liver ſteepe.

Nay, ſtraight-way give hells Ferry-man his pay,

For wafting me o're black Cocytus Bay.

Or unto Proſerpine I'le poſt a ſprite,

To fetch m' a cup of moiſt oblivion,

Wherewith the Fairy Queene exiled quite

Fury from her ſtout knight, and Oberon,

That I not onelyonly may forget diſgrace,

But quite forget I ever ſaw her face.

Let not, ſayes Rinelez, a peeviſh girle,

Hang fetters on your heart, untune your ſoule:

Dwels there not courage with a worthy Earle,

Blinde Cupids bow and quiver to controule.

My Lord, take heed, the ſquinting boy works treaſon,

By paſſions to diveſt your ſoule of reaſon,

He by his ſlye inſinuations oft

A good opinion in the heart doth win▪

The moſt obdurate are by him made ſoft,

And homage pay to Love their ſoveraigne ſin,

Fire's in, nor hurts the Flint, but Cupid can

With flames to cinders waſte the Flinty man.

p. 16A wily ſiſher-man hath ſtore of baites,

Wherewith for Amoriſts he wiſely angles,

With glittring pompe he for th' ambitious waites,

The greedy Carle with ſilver twiſts entangles:

The ſilke-laſcivious with a wanton eye,

The auſtere Stoick with a modeſt Fye.

The ſtudious Templant he with Ergo calles,

The grave preciſian with a matrone g…a…e,

The vertuous minde with vertue he enthrailes,

A landed heire with a bluſht-lilly face.

For Epicurean love he wiſely trowles,

With ſpiced rarities and frothing bowles.

The croſſe-adorers he with croſſing catches,

Yet ſtrange it is that croſſing ſhould joyne hands,

But to Sir Love-all, all are equall matches,

Grace, beauty, feature, honour, vertue, lands,

This has a dainty hand; that, lip, or eye,

This chaſte, that ſeeming, that will not deny.

None are love-free, unleſſe uncapable

Of thoſe choyce bleſſings Venus ſole-ſonne proffers,

None, whom age, fortune, nature does enable

With peeviſh noes, neglecteth Hymens offers.

All are inclin'd to love, and all muſt bow,

If Cupids arrow doe but write, Love thou.

Inveſt your noble thoughts with courage, Don,

Let reaſon, maugre love, triumphant ride,

Millions of Ladies breath in Albion,

Have more Roſe-lillies, and leſſe ſtore of pride.

Ile warrant, though Bellama now ſay noe,

Shee I finde ere long, denyall was her foe.

p. 17Hah! quoth Don Fuco, with a far-fetcht ſigh,

Which all that time was drencht o're-head in grieſe,

Am I to black Cocytus yet drawne nigh?

Where are th' Elizian ſhades, thou totrred thiefe?

Call Rhadamanthus forth, juſtice Ile have,

Or in his breaſt my ſteele ſhall dig a grave.

Call forth the Furies with their ſnakie haires,

Pale-cheekt Erynnis, and her ſiſter Hagges,

Tell Nemeſis Ile fetch her downe the ſtaires,

And try what truth dwels in her wrathfull bragges.

Diſpoyſon Vipers, Toades, and crawling Adders,

And with their venom ſtretch her ſpacious bladders.

Bid Cerberus belch from his triple jawes,

A barking thunder which the earth may ſhake:

Ile fetch the Dragons and the Scorpions pawes

From the full Zodiaque, her face to rake.

Come forth Demagoras, thy cunning try,

To masque all beauty with a leproſie.

We will no more our Lilly-ſtems tranſplant,

And ſet our Roſes on their cheekes and lippes,

Their fairneſſe ſhall not hence ſurpaſſe the Ante,

Their crymſon dye, the brick or writh led hips.

Beauty ſhall be exilde, deſpight ſhall end her,

Or elſe wee'l change her to another gender.

The Thracian Harper was a ſilly Aſſe,

That for his wife paſt through the Stygian ſtench.

The Club-mans foolerie did his ſurpaſſe,

That ſpun and carded for a Lidian wench.

The Greekes were fooles, that for a light-skirt ſtrumpet,

Chang'd the ſtil vial to a lowd-mouthd trumpet.

p. 18Ioves Black-ſmith was no privie Counſeller,

To many Venus for the ſore-head flagge,

The jolly Huntsman ſure did ſomething erre,

To ſee a goddeſſe, and become a ſtagge.

Iove was no golden ſhowre, ſure 'twas a gull,

Nor e're transform'd him ſelfe into a Bull.

Peace good my Lord, Don Rivelezzo ſayes,

What uncoth paſſion doth your ſoule en-trance,

Your words are like the Bacchinalian layes,

Where with the Prieſts their god of wine enhance.

What, man, though this fond ſhe from you did ſtart,

Another'l ſay, My Lord, with all my heart.

Obſerve the practiſe of Doves maſculine,

Which woo their females, with I come to woe,

Not in a fit of woman cry and whine,

Straight to another haſte, if ſhe ſayes noe.

If to one face, our ſtock of love we ope,

We pinion Cupids wings, and fetter hope.

Bellama ſlights; what then? ſhall we conclude,

All women will deny you their aſſent?

A ſtrange induction; Call all Ladies lewd:

'Cauſe Flora and ſome few to Venice went

Amongſt a thouſand maids, theres ſcarcely two,

As coy Bellama now hath done, will doe.

Wherefore created were thoſe glorious lights,

Which in the azure firmament appeare?

Why was dayes Charrioter with luſtre dight?

OnelyOnly to gu…ld with rayes his proper Spheare?

No, to lend bright neſſe to the borrowing lampes,

And cleare the earth from nights obſcuring damps.

p. 19Why has Dame Nature ſo much brightneſſe lent

To Diamonds, Topazes, and other gems?

OnelyOnly t'enrich themſelves? no, to augment

The glory of our rings and Diadems,

The Oſtridge for himſelfe wearesnot his plumes,

Nor for's owne noſe the Civet Cat perfumes.

So on our ſpruceſt Ladies, matchleſſe graces

Were not beſtowed, to delight themſelves.

Pandora was not treaſur'd up in faces,

To bring content unto poſſeſſing elves.

But 'cauſe our Hero's ſhould the comfort finde

Of winning beauty and a willing minde.

The maid of Babylon, I know, was faire,

And rich in all the lineaments of beauty;

Yet was ſhe kinde, which did not them empaire,

But ſhewd to Natures heſtes her forward duty:

For Natures bounty beſt requited is,

By yeelding free aſſent to Hymens bliſſe.

The Queen of Carthage deare reſpects beſtowd

VponUpon the ſtraggling Prince of ruin'd Troy.

Choyce love unto Leander, Hero ſhowd:

The Cyprian goddeſſe woo'd her ſappey boy.

All fraught with pitty, but that peeviſh girle,

'Bout whoſe ſleek waſte hels vipers winde & twirle.

Nor ſuch examples wants our lateſt age,

Of virgine-lovers theſe to parallell

Who, ev'ry way, thoſe former equipage,

With whom records and moderne pamphlets ſwell.

Then courage Don, feare not to finde a face,

That hath more pitty, and more lovely grace.

p. 20Much eaſe (quoth Fuco) to my love-ſick heart,

My Lord, is by your ſage adviſement brought,

For I ſuppos'd, th' Idalian yonkers dart,

Had feſtred ſo, no eaſement could be bought:

I on her lookt through ſuch a pleaſing glaſſe,

As though that ſex in her contracted was.

I thought t' have ſent my Phyſick Doctor forth

VntoUnto his Herball, to addreſſe my ill,

T'ask Aeſculapius for ſome earth-borne worth,

Which might accompliſh my intended will.

But that tis ſayd, Apollo once complaind,

No hearb to cure loves fevers could be gaind.

Whilſt an opinion of her matchleſſe grace,

Scorched my boſome with affections gleames,

Mine eyes ne're ſtraggled to another face,

Nor could I bathe my thoughts in Lethes ſtreames;

But now Ile ſound retrait, reclaime my minde,

Not catch a falling ſtarre, nor graſpe the winde.

This ſaid, with ſparkling ſack he waſht the lane,

Which to the Limbeck of his body leades,

Health to Bellama, and a health againe,

Till, where his feet, his winged Bever treades,

So well he took his ſack without a toſt,

That 'ſtead of kiſſing her, he kiſt the poſt.

Diſpaſſiond quite, as in a breathleſſe calme,

Don Rivelezzo bids Don Fuco diew,

But hooted lowdly like a ſhrill-ton'd ſhalme,

When his ſwift ſtee… tooke farewell o… his view.

Accurſing Fate, and railing on his daughter,

Which might beget in Heraclitus laughter.

p. 21Have I (ſayes he) ſuch Craſſian heapes of gold,

Condemn'd to ſleepe in iron-ribbed cheſts?

Did I delight in veſtments courſe and old,

Wherein Anthropoph…ges have dug them neſts?

Nay, wiſht there were no taverne-juyce, or ſports,

Or change of faſhions, but in Princes Courts?

Have I ſate brooding o're my treaſur'd plate,

And ſum'd the ſurpluſage of each yeares rent,

Confin'd my ſpendings to a weekly rate,

Enjoynd a penance when th'allowance ſpent?

And when an Earle tun'd every grace to win her,

She ſlights his vowes, nor gales nor gold can pin her.

But ſince ſhe ſlights my matches, I will match her,

She ſhall of peeviſhneſſe the harveſt reape,

Since this Dons matchleſſe fortunes could not catch her.

I ſhall ere long make her affections cheap.

Her love ſhall ſtoope to court a common Farme,

A Lordſhip then ſhall ſcorne to fold an arme.

My Lord, her mother Lady Arda ſayd,

A parents …re ought not to force aſſent,

Wealth blend with vice can ne're diſheart a maide,

To whom bleſt vertue is the choyce content.

There's other things doe maids affections ſtirre,

Beſide a Mannour, and a Pleaſe you Sir.

Madame (quo…h he) in vaine you doe excuſe

Your daughters folly with your friendly aire,

The next I offer ſhe ſhall not refuſe.

Sirrah, goe harneſſe ſtraight my wheeling chaire:

Ile try if leſſe content and pleaſure dwells

In Princes courts, then in Monaſtick cells.

p. 22When he was coach'd, the Lady Arda went

To faire Bellam', bedew'd with ſtreaming teares,

The gods, ſayd ſhe, have ravel'd thy content,

Sorrowes uncomfort will thy virgine yeares:

For unto Darwey does thy father haſte,

Where he will vow thee everlaſting chaſte.

Madam, ſayes ſhe, I feed on nought but gall,

Aloes and Rue, 'cauſe of my fathers wrath,

Th' occaſion though of his diſpleaſure, ſhall

With Bayes, in ſtead of Cypreſſe, ſtrew my path.

When vertue ſeales the contract, welcome Hymen,

But till that, ever ſhall my heart deny men.

Thus ſate they parling: Lady Arda urg'd

Producing reaſons to enforce aſſent:

Bellama anſwer'd, beg'd, excus'd, and purg'd

Herſelfe from blame, by urging love, content.

But urging and excuſing, let them ſit,

And ſee the father champing on the bit.

Who comming to the cage of virgine-pride,

Knockt at the wicket with the iron ctow,

To whoſe ſmall neck white phillets nere were tyde,

Which in more ancient dayes did child-bed ſhow.

He rapt ſo hard, the ſound did fright the aire,

Yet ſtill none came, none was not lockt in prayer.

At length the Ianitor, of ſtature large,

With Crozier ſtaffe, girt in a haire-cloath Frock,

Whoſe meagre lookes did call for Charons Barge,

And all whoſe body was a ſapleſſe ſtock,

Came, and with churliſh voyce, demanded who

With ſuch ſhrill hoh's rejoyc't their civill croe?

p. 23Friend, ſayes my Lord, my errand wings my ſpeed,

Speakes high importance with the Prioreſſe:

Thou in theſe Angell-lookes my haſte mayſt read;

Helpe me to th' preſence of the Abbateſſe.

The Porters heart ſoone ſtept into his eye,

Tuning his language to a quick reply.

My Lord, ſayes he, obedience is my duty,

Whilſt your commands ſpeak in ſo high a tone,

Yet leſt your ſmooth chind youths lay ſiege to beauty,

Your Lordſhip ſpight of ſtate muſt walk alone.

I am an Eunuch, elſe in vaine I vow'd,

I had miſtook my pillow in a crowd.

Him he conducted to the Kitchin, where

Store of Anatomies imployed was;

Some did the candle-ſtickes, ſome lavers cleare,

Some ſcowred pewter, ſome reburniſht braſſe,

Don askes the cauſe: the Porter him acquaints,

'Twas gainſt a Feaſt of high account, All-Saints▪

Within the Hall, a yonger ſort of Girles,

Yet courſe enough, did bruſh vermilion lookes,

Some, croſſes rub'd; ſome, ropes of praying pearles:

Some duſted veſtments; ſome, their guilded bookes.

Some kneaded wafers, and his effige ſtampt,

Whoſe purple ſtreames the Dragons ſulphures dampt.

All at Don Rivelezzo were amaz'd▪

And, looking, one rub'd off a noſe of wax,

A ſecond raz'd a cheek, another gaz'd,

And pluckt from Kath' her periwigge of flax.

One blinded Serrat, and did rend her ſilke,

One broke the cruze, and ſpilt the virgine-milke.

p. 24Don paſt through theſe into an inner roome,

Where was another rank of virgine-fry,

Some weaving Arras on the nimble loome,

And inter-twiſting gold with tapeſtry,

With ſilke of Naples twiſted in ſmall ropes,

Some did the Cowles embroider, ſome the Copes.

At laſt he came into an upper place,

Climbing thereto by richly guilded ſtaires,

Where ſate another troope of nobler race,

On quilted Cuſhions, and in Ivorie Chaires.

About the center, in a robe of ſtate,

The matrone Veſta of the Virgines ſate.

Theſe were employd about farre nobler things:

For ſome of Sainted haire did bracelets twine:

Others ſtrung Beades to ſtint the knees of Kings:

Some trim'd with coſtly Gems the Ladies ſhrine.

One tun'd the muſick, and a witty other,

Footed an Ave to the Virgine-mother.

The grave old Matrone crawling from her throne

Of Indian teeth, archt o're with cloth of gold,

VponUpon her aged knees with zealous tone,

Sayes, Heavens meſſenger, what is't you would?

Th'amazed Lord with wonder quarreld long,

E're he could unvoyce his ſilenc'd tongue.

Madam, ſayes he, why pay you reverence?

Why are you guilty of th'adoring ſin?

'Tis a deluſion of your weakned ſence,

I am no Cherub, Pow're, nor Seraphin:

The Heraulds ſtile me Rivelezzo's Don,

Your friend and ſervant with a cap and con—

p. 25My Lord, quoth ſhe, excuſe my fond miſtake,

For o're my ſight I we are a duskiſh glaſſe,

My zeale in pious actions ſure did make

Me give you more reſpects then civill was.

But take your ſeate, and if my power or skill,

Can crowne your wiſhes, be you ſure I will.

Madam, ſayes he, I have a ſcornfull Laſſe,

Whom Nature has enricht with ſpeciall grace,

To whoſe perfections her reflecting glaſſe

Is paraſite; addes pride unto her face:

So that, though Earldomes court her, her diſdains

Non-ſuites their ſervice, and her brow un-plains,

Into your number of chaſte-zealous ſhees,

Entrance unto this girle vouchſafe, I pray,

VntoUnto your order, I the conſtant fees

Of gold and acres, and of vowes will pay:

Since ſhe Don ſlighted, I have vowd to ſee

How long ſhee'l honour the religious knee.

Quoth ſhe, thoſe virgines which my hallowd roofe

Does canopy, my prudence does protect:

I make blinde love and folly ſtand allofe,

And all loves paper-plots I doe detect.

Great ones have oft aſſayd, but yet my care

Has buried their intreaties in the aire.

With godly precepts I enrich their mindes,

And make them (which is rare) at eighteen good

I'dmit no Royſters, onelyonly Maids and Hind…s

To doe them ſervice, and prepare us food▪

Pleaſe you to ſend your daughter, ſhe …

Crownd with delights of moſt …

p. 26Heavens, ſayes Don, crowne your enſuing dayes

With all delights which wait your holy orders:

May the ſad Cypreſſe, and the Bridall Bayes,

Ne're ſprigge nor bloſſome in your quiet borders.

Ile plume my ſwift endevours, I'le make haſte,

T'inveſt Bellama with your habits chaſte.

When Dons farewell had ceaſt to move the aire,

Sayes Piazzella to her virgine traine,

We, with th'enjoyment of this Lady faire,

Shall ſtuffe our Carkanets with mickle gaine.

Wee'l frolicke it, and taſte the choyceſt pleaſures,

Nor ſhall our joyes be liſted in with meaſures.

The credulous world we gull with ſilver ſhrines,

Our grave behaviours, and retired lives,

When we in naked truth are Libertines,

And taſte the pillow-joyes of ſprightfull wives,

When through the vault our luſty ſhavelings pace,

All the choyce meaſures of delight to chaſe.

Thus leave them with their haire-lacke crownes,

And ſee Rivelezzo now ariv'd at home,

Who by that time had plaind his brow from frowns,

And all be-calmd with ſugred words doth come:

Then tels his Lady he had found a towre,

Would guard Bellama from Ioves yellow ſhowre.

Servants are poſted to the old Exchange,

Others to ſellers of the ſilke-wormes ſpoyles,

Some to briske Proteuſſes, ſmirke Taylors range.

Some to the Stationers, ſome haſte for oyles.

One carves the image of a martyrd Saint,

Another breathes a ſoule with gold or paints.

p. 27None muſt be idle, till in marſhald rankes,

All things be ordred for this virgine-vow.

Farewell ye ſpongie teates, and puft-paſte flankes,

Bellama's brid all tede is lighted now.

Her husband is Vlrginitie, yet looke,

Her beads for rings, for ſongs ſhee'l change her booke.

The Coach is harneſſed, Bellama come,

The father ſayes, Hence with that dew of griefe,

Give not a ſad adiew unto our home,

But in thy thoughts let comfort rule as chiefe.

She crav'd a bleſſing on her globe-like joynts,

Then coached thither where her Sire appoints.

As the ſweet-voyced Philomele does ſit

I'th piked Eglantine, with ſorrow dreſt,

▪ Cauſe ſome rude Sylvane in a raging fit,

Snatcht her faint chickens from their downy neſt.

So did the Lady Arda dight with mourning,

Deplore Bellama's loſſe with her returning.

As when ſlye Reynald in his widened jawes,

Is ſeizing on the nimbly-frisking lambe,

Or when the Tyger with his ſharpned pawes,

Hath caught the infant of the becking damme.

And then the Shepheards care prevents the ſharks,

One lowdly howles, the other hoarſ…y barkes▪

So ſemblably, when as the waiting crew,

Saw the departing of their golden age,

One gives Bellama, with eye-dew, adiew,

Another s…griefunlockt the phrenzie cage

Some tore their haire, ſome rent their ſhouldring bands▪

Some thwackt their breaſts, and wrung their oylie hands▪

p. 28But all in vaine, their Indian Mine was gone,

Their minting houſe deprived of the ſtampe,

Their coſtly gemmes were chang'd to pebbell ſtone

Their Hemiſphere forſaken by their lampe,

Saturne's exilde, Jove awes this maſſie Ball,

And now the Iron age un-goldeth all.

The wandring wheeles be-ſtud with Iron knobs,

Poſted Bellama to the Virgin-tower,

Which freed her from the noyſe of ſervile throbs;

Is ēntertained like a goddy power,

Led by the ſeeming Saints, unto the place,

Where ſate Pazzella with a Matrone grace.

If Rivelezzo's preſence frighted them,

Much more they at Bellama were amaz'd:

They cald her Phoenix, beauties onelyonly gem,

And all with fixed tapers on her gaz'd:

Some had a meane, ſome curious were before,

But her firſt ſight ſhewd ſelfe-conceit the dore.

For as when Tithons bride breakes out a farre,

And through th'expanſe ſpreads forth her yongeſt light

She by degrees, pops out each twinkling ſtar,

And dims at length the miſtreſſe of the night.

As winter Chappel-clarks, when prayers are done

Diſ-light each flazing wax, or tallow Sun.

So when Bellama brightly did appeare,

With mourning rayes in the Monaſtick hall,

She vail'd each face that moved in that ſpheare:

And further, by degrees un-faced all.

Nay, at the laſt, the miſtreſſe of the traine,

Lookt like pale Phoebe in her darkned waine.

p. 29And as dayes Prince, light luſtres archy-beame,

Lends to the Moone her ſilver mid-night rayes,

As from the Ocean watry current ſtreame,

Though ev'ry cadent to that Chaos ſtrayes,

As to a roome be-fog'd with miſts of night,

Th'incenſed weekes do lend a mid-day light.

So to each brow, Bellama's brow gives white,

To ev'ry cheek, Bellama's cheek gave roſies:

To ev'ry eye, Bellama's eye gave ſight:

To ev'ry breath, Bellama's breath gave poſies▪

To ev'ry part, Bellama's part gave grace:

To ev'ry face, Bellama gave a face.

Some cald her goddeſle of the Cyprian Ile,

Some ſayd Troyes ruine was untombd againe,

Some her the ſelfe-enamourd boy did ſtile,

Some ſayd the Boat-boy did delude their traine.

One nam'd her thus, one ſayd ſhe was another,

But all confeſt ſh'exceeded Cupids mother.

The aged Patroneſſe with palſi'd lips,

Muttred a welcome to her lovely gueſt,

But at that time the Moone was in eclypſe,

Which with en-feebling feares did them arreſt.

Some ſhrilly ſcreamd, ſome brazen pans did clang,

To eaſe her travell, and abate her pang.

And when the monthly-horned Queen had got▪

Her face againe with ſilver glitter rayd,

Save onelyonly what the Dragons taile does ſpot,

On their pale Lillies bluſhing Clarret ſtrayd:

Then did the aged voyce repeat againe,

Welcome faire Lady to my Mayden-…raine.

p. 30Her inſtauration was ſome what ſtrange,

Led by nine veſtals (for th'odde number was

Highly eſteemed in their ſacred range,

As by the Poet in his quaffing glaſſe)

Each of her joynted Lillies one did hold,

Save onelyonly that which waites the wedding gold.

Adornd with veſtures, white as bleached ſnow,

A Cypreſſe mantell, over which was caſt,

So lightly hung, 't would not abide a blow,

A milke white Ribben lockt unto her waſte,

Grac'd with a crucifix: her ſlender wriſts,

With praying beads were wreath'd on ſable twiſts.

Grave Piazella uſherd her along,

Bravely attended with her choyſeſt Nuns,

Without Drum, Trumpet, or an armed throng,

Or champing courſers, or the wide-mouth'd Guns,

Each held religion in ſome holy right,

With holy water, which the divels fright.

Into the place of holy worſhip, they

Entred, where gawdie ſuperſtition was,

Saints, Altars, ſtore of crucifixes gay.

Whoſe ſtately worths my weak expreſſion paſſe.

Scarce was there knowne a canonized Saint,

Which carving did not there beger, or paint.

With ſtrong devotion all the virgines prayd,

At the direction of the praying Bead,

Their Ave-Maries, Santo, Salve's ſayd,

Invoking ev'ry Saint to intercede.

Piezza then, Bellama kneeling downe,

Did wreath her temple with the virgine-crowne.

p. 31Theſe rites perform'd, behinde an iron grate

Appeared breathing cowles, and walking copes,

Whoſe writhed lookes their births did ante-date,

And change the cyphers girdled in with ropes.

Their haire had purchas'd wings, and flew away.

So did their braines as ſome did whiſpring ſay.

VntoUnto this Monaſtry in gloomy ſhades,

From Croſ…ſull Priory thoſe ſhavelings pace,

D…ſtant from hence not two Italian ſtades,

Ear…hs bloudleſſe womb was wimbled all the ſpace▪

VnderUnder the craggy rocks and champian did

A road-way lye, from vulgar prying hid.

This dark ſome path they uſually did tread,

To traffique with their ſhe-ſequeſtred zeale,

With whom for curtaine-dalliance oft they plead,

But their ſucceſſe my muſe dares not en-neale.

Theſe loving ſportings are not faults, the ſin

Is, when our walles keepe not the ſcand all in.

Amongſt the holy men that hither came,

To joyne their iſſue with the ſiſter-hood,

A votary, Albino cal'd by name;

Not Fortunes white-boy, yet of Abby-bloud:

His great-grand-father ſome few ages ſince,

Of Glaſtenbury Primate was, and Prince.

His ſtature did not reach the tip-toe height,

Nor with the long neckt Cranes did conflicts wage,

Something compleat by nature, not by ſlight,

Some twenty circled ſnakes ſum'd up his age,

Diſcreet as Tyro's are, had ſtore of wit,

In that he knew to uſe, and husband it.

p. 32By civill carriage, and his modeſt looke,

He gaind the love of his Lord Prioriſt,

He bowled, courſed, angled in the brooke,

His pleaſure was his joy and pleaſures liſt.

Oft would he rove (had his content a dearth)

Through th'hollow belly of th'un-boweld earth.

Sometimes permitted, ſometimes by command

From his Lord Prior to the holy mother,

Convaying voyces, or the paper-hand

Oft-times alone, ſcarce ſorted with another.

The Matron did with courteous eye reſpect him,

Knowing no ill of him, did not ſuſpect him.

She oft would praiſe his Monkſhip to her traine,

Calling his breaſt bleſt vertues choyces ſhrine,

And vowd ſhe ſeldome ſaw ſuch beauty raigne

VponUpon a face thats purely maſculine.

And 'twas not common at his yeares to finde

So neat a perſon with ſo pure a minde.

Hee'd freedome of diſcourſe, not privacie,

Jeſts, ſporting, laughter, and lip-dalliance;

Oft on Bellama would he fix his eye,

And ſhe to him would anſwer glance for glance.

They gazd ſo long and oft, till they did tye

Their hearts together onelyonly by the eye.

Loves fever at the caſements of the ſoule

Entring, enflamed every ſecret part,

That paſſion now his reaſon doth controule,

And with the gyves of Love en-chaines his heart:

And walking with Bardino, ſeeking pleaſures,

He did Bellama ſing in loftie meaſures.