Self-Conflict, Verse dialogue

Self-Conflict · Verse dialogue

p. 1THE INTRODUCTION.

WHen Potiphar's fair Wife in various kind,

Had oft undreſs'd the paſſions of her mind

To youthful Joſeph, and when this her pain

In ſighs ſhe ſhew'd, but ever ſigh'd in vain;

Yet would ſhe not for this the palm reſign,

But having fixed a new-fram'd deſign,

Secur'd her houſhold, ordered the hour,

Lo, yet once more ſhe ſummons all her power.

Much like a Prince, who with ſucceſs unbleſs'd

A walled Town hath long with War diſtreſs'd,

Now draws up all his Men, and with a cry

Once more ſets on to gain the place, or dye:

So ſhe; who now had well obſerv'd the room

In which ſhe knew young Joſeph was to come,

Where when the youth alone ſhe ſpy'd, thus ſhe

Her mind diſplay'd, as ſhe might entring be.

SEPHYRA.

HOw long, ſweet boy, ſhall ſcorn thy breaſt poſſeſs

Towards my grief, and I in vain expreſs

That grief to thee! how long a ſuppliant knee

Shall I yet bend, unentertain'd by thee?

…he more my ſighs diſcover am'rous fire,

…he more thy frozen Soul, with croſs deſire,

p. 2Fronts thoſe kind flames, whilſt I the while in vain

Purſue blew ſhadows, and no ſubſtance gain.

O dwells in thee ſuch barbarous deſires?

And muſt I thus conſume in tedious fires

That noble blood, that in my heart reſides,

And but for thee yet in its veins abides?

Adviſe thy actions; that's but kindneſs feign'd,

By importunity which is, or force obtain'd:

For what by flatt'ry with long pains is ſought,

Though priceleſs gain'd, yet is it dearly bought.

Let him, who for his help would thanks receive,

Th' afflicted's caſe without delay relieve:

For him alone we count of courteous mind,

Whoſe help we readily performed find.

But thou'rt of Marble ſure, that can'ſt refrain

Of thy bland youth to looſe the ſturdy reign,

And view me thus o'rewhelm'd with plenteous grief,

(Nor cruel leſs) deny yet all relief.

What may I think thou with thy ſelf ſo days,

So nights revolv'ſt! O moſt diſtaſteful ways

To me they are. But wherefore thus ſhould'ſt thou

Thy young deſires to ſullen ſlavery bow?

What can more aptly ſuit youths ſoft deſires,

Than with a Paramour to cool his fires?

For Natures inſtinct 'tis to all imbred,

Delights to ſeek in Loves triumphant bed.

So lumpiſh ſoul'd, ſo phlegmatick none are,

Who with their kind ſeek not their kind to pair.

Behold, diffus'd it is in ev'ry thing,

Youths teeming pleaſures forth by force to bring.

Nor doth in barren lands ſo dearth abound,

Wherein no memory of Love is found▪

As in all-pleaſing Ver to bring things forth,

Soft procreation to our widow'd earth

p. 3Gently deſcends, which then the leaf doth ſhoot,

And fragrant flowers, and ſweet delicious fruit.

This teeming time when come, there where it ſets,

That Land's ſtra…t checquer'd with ſoft Violets,

Guilt-bowly-Daffadils▪ each thing anew

Gets life, on which it breaths its fruitful dew.

Lo, whilſt it thus begins to fan its charms,

The lofty Cedars wide out-ſtretching arms,

Yet bald with Winter-blaſt, and Rime yet gray,

Now put on green againſt a Summers day.

Goes it through ſmiling fields, or ambient airs,

Beaſts joy in frisks, of birds in Notes appears.

…f on the ſtrand, the fiſh, that ſcaled be,

Bubble in ſtreams, and dance upon the Sea.

Salute's it man, what wonders works it then!

…f penſive he, it comforts him again;

Refines his mind, if he is ſwain-like …oul'd;

Makes him, if dull, his ſluggiſh arms unfold:

…f bred a Clown, in Courtſhip ſmooth him skills,

Or elſe, if mute, in him ſwift ſpeech ….

There needs no more. Thus, when poſſeſ… with Love,

Our time we ſpend, our joys thus ſoar above

Their uſual ſtrain; and then each youthful Male,

All means aſſays, how he may oft prevail,

To gratifie his flames; how here and there,

He in his toyls a beauty may enſnare.

Auſpicious youth, how ſingular's thy hap,

Whom Love with liberal hands flings in thy lap

Her balmy pleaſures; thou who ne'er haſt been

Afflicted for her, or yet ſighing ſeen?

When Midianites thee of thy Brethren bought,

And in our Memphian Egypt thou waſt brought,

…rom that time I was made thy Regent Dame,

And mighty Potiphar thy Lord became;

p. 4A man enſlav'd to ſplendid Court-affairs,

And wholly bent to mount on Honours ſtairs;

A head for great attempts, of reſtleſs kind,

Who for the world, nor body ſpares, nor mind.

Before the morning-bluſh can night intrance,

And with unmuffling light in day advance,

Before the gray-brow'd dawn can early day

Fore-run, I grope, but Potiphar's away:

Already clad, he ſtrikes him on a light,

In lucubrations ſpends that part of night,

And therein drown'd, reads, meditates, and writes,

Till him to other things high day invites:

Then haſtes to Court, within thoſe buſie Halls

Then walks, where care to thoughts unceſſant calls:

In Conſults dwells, until his reſtleſs brain

Fumes Oven-like, that cann't its heat contain:

Thence hies to th' Prince, where yet again his mind

Muſt move with humours of uncertain kind;

Nor leſs his Wits muſt work, ſince none is more

Eſteem'd than flatterers that Crowns adore.

Nor yet is this enough, lo, home-bred ſorrow

Genders new care for this day and to morrow;

That ſo, no hour there is throughout the day,

Wherein his Soul might reſt, he once can ſay.

Unhappy Lord, enſlav'd by too vaſt things;

Thy purchas'd greatneſs thee but ſorrow brings!

Forſake the Court's too cumbrous cares, and come,

Joyn with thy Wife to manage things at home.

But whilſt my Lord him in theſe cares imploys,

Therewith his buzzing head and Soul annoys,

I his forſaken, his forgotten Wife,

Wiſh for this cauſe a more delightful life:

And am reſolv'd (nor deem it void of reaſon)

Not ſo to laviſh this my youthful ſeaſon:

p. 5Let him, ſince he will always be at Court,

Frequent ſtrange beds, one ſhall to mine reſort;

And thou art he ſelected hereunto,

Sweet Joſeph, who of this long ſince didſt know.

Mine eye my heart bewray'd, that did deſcry,

What kind of paſſions in my breaſt did fry.

When once the heart feels Love hath made a wound,

The Senſes diſlocate, the Tongue is bound,

The Mind, with grief poſſeſt, is fill'd with dread,

And then the eye the tongues defect muſt plead.

… know thou haſt obſerv'd my ſtrong deſires;

From my ſad eyes dart ſymptomes of my fires;

Nor leſs didſt thou perceive thoſe flames in me,

When neer my bed I ſent ſo oft for thee:

O long ere them (I know) this tongue expreſs'd,

Thou felt'ſt theſe dire commotions in my breaſt;

And yet thou glori'dſt ever to appear

As if thou nothing waſt of this aware.

If thee alone I found, where none could ſee,

Or over-look what paſs'd 'twixt thee and me,

Away thou fledſt, when thou but thought'ſt 'twas I,

As though ſome Ghoſt thee thence compell'd to fly.

Theſe were the preſſures which ſo mov'd my mind,

That ſhame no longer could my paſſions bind;

Which forc'd, broke forth, conſtraining me to bow

My neck to thee, and court my ſervant now.

Yet woe is me, though I diſcloſe my fires,

All I can ſay, cann't thaw thy chill deſires;

▪Tis neither Rhetorick, nor deep-fetch'd groans

Can move thy ſpirit to regard my moans.

O can no languid ſighs, no Eloquence

Thy marble-breaſt to tenderneſs diſpence?

Nor can yet goodneſs once prevail with thee?

Then rigour ſhall, which thou ſhalt quickly ſee:

p. 6Though I am more … ▪ perſwaſions rather

Will melt thy Soul▪ and we ſhall yet together

Joyn flames to flames: come …hen▪ why ſhould ſuch fell

And rough deſires in ſuch ſweet ſavour dwell?

JOSEPH.

ME, what prodigious things do I now hear▪

Are theſe your w…ds, and, Madam, I ſo near?

Surely you mean them not▪ Ah me, but why

Seek you then once again my …oul to try?

It is confeſs'd that I am yours, and his

Who is your Husband… but to none of this

Sure was I ſold: we are not ſold to … ▪

Till of our ſelves we do that Sale begin.

Has providence lent you ſuch gifts in vain,

To which ſo many wi…h they might attain?

So fair a flower has God created you,

That to your Lord you ſhould be found untrue?

Though p…tly body, amiable face,

Though wiſe diſcourſe your Sex ſo much doth grace,

Theſe yet, if modeſty you ſet to ſale,

Will not that loſs of Vertue countervail.

You're of Illuſtrious Race, of Royal kind,

With beauty gifted, and tranſcendent mind;

Remember this, and let your Soul diſdain

Your honour ſo with Sta…ion▪luſt to ſtain,

Much more to love your …. Ah me, what is't

Has poyſon'd you ſuch matters to inſiſt?

Why ſhould thus Reaſons beauty be defac'd?

Why ſhould your glory thus become diſgrac'd?

Why ſhould luſt reign, and why that ſpirit Divine,

That doth the Soul to vertuous ways incline,

p. 7And therein guide, be quench'd, and force a…ay'd▪

Through baſe-born luſt, and that the Soul invade?

For ſhame, adjourn theſe Soul-deluding dreams,

Youths baſe product, which you ſo ill beſeems,

Which death portend: let them be ſtraight deny'd:

Fire's quickly maſter'd, when help's ſoon apply'd.

He who from luſts vile bondage would be freed,

Its primier flames to ſuffocate muſt …eed.

Sin is a plant, which if not from the root

Soon pluckt, will ſoon to ſpreading miſchief ſhoot▪

Which if it does, its venom ſoon we find

Infecting all our blood, and all our mind▪

And that's a Fort with ever-watchful eyes

Which ſhould be guarded from ſins ſwift ſurprize.

But if we thus deſtroy it, then with eaſe

Our hearts may be ſecur'd from this diſeaſe▪

And that calm-virgin peace as erſt regain,

The greateſt bliſs that Souls can here obtain.

Well, though it be, (which let me not believe)

That you're inclin'd brief pleaſure ſhould bereave

You of your fame, your eyes in vain on me

Yet look, in whom thoſe joys abhorred be.

Ah, how may I my precious Soul reſig…

To ſuch falacious luſt? how thus incline

To wound my Conſcience, and ſupremely prize

Thoſe flames, and therein my ſelf exerciſe?

Am I not of that houſe, which from the reſt

Of all the world God for his people bleſt?

Chooſing them ſuch, or ever form he layd

Of this huge Globe, and of his promiſe made

Peculiar Heirs? Am I not Abram's ſeed,

The faithful's Father, by Gods call decreed,

And Prince of Race Divine? and ſhould I prize

Foul luſt, and theſe advantages deſpiſe?

p. 8Theſe members ſo abuſe, that God upbraid,

Who his loves covenant thereon hath made;

And thus Soul-ſhipwrack in one inſtant make?

Help, Lord, nor me do ever thus forſake.

But how you erre! although God did create

In all he made, a power to propagate

As was its kind; yet what, alas, makes this

For you? as blind, ſo you the mark do miſs.

But 'tis perceiv'd, what by your errour's meant:

You braſs to me for ſolid Gold preſent,

Which I ſhould ſo, ſay you, with you believe,

That luſt as love acceptance might receive.

Who ſees not this? but better things we know;

From our great God to man no luſt did flow:

He at the firſt did then in him inſpire,

In beaſts, in fowl, and fiſh, an upright fire;

Bleſſing them generally, with words of theſe:

Be greatly fruitful, and the earth increaſe.

Of theſe, yet Man, when he began to live,

One meet help onelyonly did from God receive,

(Fleſh of his fleſh, bone formed of his bone)

And this command, You two ſhall be but one.

Thus that delight is but 'twixt two confin'd,

Where one Male-female are together joyn'd;

A third deſtroys the pleaſure, ſowrs the ſweet,

For love is onelyonly 'twixt two ſouls compleat.

And this thus God injoyns. As with his hands

He Man and Wife unites in wedlock-bands,

Which none may part. To th'Bridal ſheets this Seal,

By him affix'd, their purity reveal.

How ſhould it then ſeem ſtrange, if he conſume

Such who his work to ſully dare preſume?

If with fierce plagues, hurl'd from his kindled Ire,

He ſatisfaction ſhould from them require?

p. 9Who in Gods houſe leud ſhame commits, him he

To ſhame will bring, from whence he ſhall not flee;

And Curſes on his body he ſhall find

Thenceforth, and plagues poſſeſſing all his mind.

For God is holy; his bright eyes are pure,

Which will by no means luſtful flames endure.

The airy Soul doth in the blood reſide,

The Soul's God's Temple, where nought foul may 'bide:

Within his preſence-chamber none may dare

His heſts pollute, that undefiled are.

My Lord hath days and nights, you argue next,

Inceſſant cares, wherewith his thoughts perplext

And captivated are, and therefore he

Needs by his Conſort muſt abuſed be.

O foul concluſion! which now makes me hate

Your luſts addreſs the more: for ſure my fate

Muſt be much worſe than his, if I believe

That womans words that doth her Lord deceive.

Ah, ſhould the painful Husband grind and toyl

His Houſhold to maintain, and ſhould the while

His wife prove falſe! he ſpend his ſtrength for gains

And ſhe devour by whoredom all his pains?

So at ſuch coſt ſhall fame ſuperb be ſought

By Potiphar, and you for worſe than nought

Yours forfeit to your ſlave? O miſery,

The certain iſſue of theſe deeds! who thee

May duely here deſcribe? unhappy they

Who by ſuch things for thy approach give way!

In vain the Husband doth employ his pains,

To grow in riches, and increaſe in gains;

In vain he ſeeks to keep an earthly Treaſure,

If the wife proſtitutes to ſtrangers pleaſure.

For where the Nuptial ſheets defiled be,

All good departs that Houſe, all bleſſings flee,

p. 10And fearful ruine with a curſe ſucceeds,

Taking due vengeance for ſuch diſmal deeds.

I gave you no advantage to expreſs

With words your minde, ſay you, and therefore leſs

Your Luſt would not permit, than by your Eyes

To ſhew the Symptomes of your Maladies.

What ſhall I ſay? Had you been ever dumb,

This language to my ears had never come:

Nor blind if you, had you for ever known

Theſe obſcene flames, now ſo puiſſant grown.

And would you had been ſo, this for your ſake

I wiſh, ſo ſure a death do you partake

In your own wiſhes. O! expreſs no more

With Tongue or Eyes ſuch matters, I implore.

Was it for me to fix a buſie eye

Upon your looks, your pleaſure to deſcry?

(For this neglect you render my diſdain,

And ſtately pride, as glorying in your pain.)

No, this your Maidens ſhould obſerve, not I;

They on your looks may fix a curious eye,

And ſudden motions may regard with awe:

Your Will to them may be a binding Law.

But as for me, my obſervations muſt

About my Lord be plac'd; He may my juſt

Regard alone demand, but never you:

His eyes alone may teach me what to do.

And this he will confeſs, ſo I have been

Obedient, where my Duty ſhould be ſeen.

Do you conceive my Lord your ways ſhould like,

Or yield to my compliance? O! he'd ſtrike

On us much rather all that ſenſe he bore

Of horrour to them; ſo that we no more

Should need the pleaſure, or his ſecond rage

Againſt our ſin his vengeance to engage.

p. 11What now avails it you to fix your minde

On that where you may … enjoyment finde?

If your vile fleſh ſo burns in luſtful flame,

Go there where you may cool it without …lame.

Why did you not at firſt ſuppreſs that fire,

Which towards me inflam'd ſuch foul deſire▪

Why did you gratifie your trayterous eyes,

When you had warming Luſt through them ſurprize

Had made upon your Heart▪ Have you forgot,

Or did you never hear, how Eve was brought

To loſs of Eden, by her buſie eye▪

On fruit forbidden, and poſterity?

This is the little limb which can alone

The careleſs Soul of Happineſs unthrone.

Behold the ſafe, who this unguarded leave,

A Thief obtain, ere they ought ill perceive.

I did endeavour to avoid, 'tis true,

Your preſence, leſt I might alone by you

Be taken by ſurprize: Sin lyes at catch

For man in ſolitude, neglecting watch.

Sham… you confeſs, your …uſt did drive away▪

And I can tell you then, your beſt array▪

Is gone, which was your Glory: Not the blaze

Of all your Gems reverberating rays

Can yield that luſtre; but as Light that dwells

With Day, compar'd with Night, ſo that excels.

God did a Shamefac'dneſs in Women-kinde

Implant, to guard at all times their ſoft Minde;

Which if they drive regardleſsly from thence,

Their Chaſtity reſts void of all defence.

Not languid Eyes they be that can excuſe,

Nor winning Eloquence, which you abuſe,

That can maintain your ways; them therefore ceaſe,

While time may free you, and reſtore your peace.

p. 12Nay, know, the more you therein yet ſhall preſs,

So much your perſon will but pleaſe me leſs.

Once more deſiſt, I therefore yet implore,

Let rampant Luſt poſſeſs your minde no more:

Which ſince it will conclude in endleſs pains,

That fool is wiſe, who in't not long remains.

SEPHYRA.

OFt though thou haſt my ſuit with proud diſdain

Repuls'd, my minde yet doth unmov'd remain.

I'm what I ever was. In Amours chaſe,

'Tis perſeverance gains the Victor's praiſe.

So ſolid Iron waſtes at length by ruſt,

And Steel, yet harder, crumbles into duſt.

So ſturdy Oakes yield to the frequent wound

By Axes given, till they kiſs the ground.

Of you, as Dame, I have ſupreme Command,

Which your condition ſuits not to withſtand:

My Money bought you, ſubject to my Will

Therefore you are, and muſt my Law fulfil;

Nor Miſtreſſes can Servants that injoyn,

Which their Obedience juſtly ſhould decline.

Well then, my Will fulfil, and wherefore not?

Sure that's at our command which we have bought:

All your whole Body's mine, that I may kill,

Or ſave alive, or torture as I will;

And if the whole is ſold to my deſire,

Well may I then the fruit of part require.

Nor to oppoſe me think that thou art free,

Who to my humour muſt devoted be.

All Nations yield to this, of old and yet,

That with their Slaves each do as they think fit.

p. 13And if long ſince Love had return'd from you,

'T had been but duty to your Miſtriſs due;

But that's now paſt, beware that thus no more

Thou of ſuch errours treaſur'ſt greater ſtore.

Or didſt thou doubt my loves reality,

As if I feign'd it but thy pulſe to try?

Never indeed did I poſſeſs that mind,

To ſuch injurious double thoughts inclin'd:

Which if that onelyonly lets, O ſtraight diſcharge

Thoſe thoughts, nor more let them ſuch doubts enlarge.

For lo, my wounded heart, all in a flame,

Offering oblations to ſweet Joſeph's name.

Preſs but this boſom, and there feel it lye,

A panting victim to thy wounding eye.

Behold my ſtretcht-out arms, my naked breaſt,

Wooing thy kindneſs; what can be expreſt

More plain? alas, I have no other way:

If yet thou doubt'ſt, the reſt thy ſelf aſſay.

This day our Aegypt's gaudy Gentry are

At Memphis entertain'd, with Banquets, where

Thy Lord is likewiſe with our chiefeſt Train;

I onelyonly for thy ſake at home remain;

Which to procure, I ſickneſs did pretend,

That thoſe few hours I might with Joſeph ſpend.

My Lord roſe early up, my bed I kept,

As ſick at heart, though nothing leſs, then wept;

He griev'd, impreſs'd a frozen kiſs or two,

Phyſick advis'd, then ſigh'd, and bid adieu.

And yet I'm ſick, though well: ſtrange, may I ſay,

Are adverſe things in us, where love bears ſway,

Whoſe myſteries more deep than moſt conceive,

And various are, or yet than moſt believe.

I yiel'd its depth, I am not skill'd to ſpell,

Yet that my cure's in thee, I know right well:

p. 14For thence came my diſeaſe, and 'tis from thee

I therefore muſt expect my remedy.

Pain tortures not my body, but my mind;

I'm ſick or well, as thou art coy or kind.

O then relent, and eaſe my fierce diſeaſe;

If thou deny'ſt, I dye by its increaſe:

Nor let me more beſeech thee thus in vain,

Or reap the fruits of arrogant diſdain.

Diſcard that dulneſs; why ſhould ſoft delight

Be ſo oppos'd? why ſo ſhould love affright

Thy tender mind, which teeming youth requir…s?

Why ſhould dull ponderings drink up thoſe deſires?

We deem it in our age no faulty crime,

For youth now flouriſhing in manly prime,

To pluck a ſtrangers Vine, and taſte its grape,

If he the owners eye do but eſcape.

But why thy Fathers in ſuch glory dreſt?

Were things with them as is by thee expreſt?

I've heard their fame, and know thy frail defence;

Thy Hebron is not ſo far diſtant hence.

It ſeems that cuſtom thou haſt learned too,

With other ſtrangers mighty things to ſhew

Of thy grave Progeny, which put to teſt,

Will be found nothing, or but frail at beſt.

Did not that Prince, from whom thou drew'ſt thy life,

His ſeed elſewhere evade than with his Wife?

Compreſs'd he not his maid, though he had yet

A ſpouſe, and on her Iſhmael beget?

This was th'Egyptian Hagar, who his mind

So pleas'd, that he, now gray, afreſh inclin'd

Became to luſtful dalliance; behold,

Our Egypt yielding Females fair of old.

Nor ever may'ſt thou with me hold the day;

For Jacob too, with many women lay:

p. 15Though Lea was his wife, he could not reſt,

Till he was likewiſe with fair Rachel bleſt.

Nor was this all; behold▪ his Maids likewiſe

He both def…owrs, where ſee how they deviſe

Ways ſoft to cool their luſt; Zilpa this night,

Then Bilha next, proſtrates to his delight.

This might ſuffice, and yet where can'ſt thou find

A man contented with one woman kind?

The Bridal-ſheets, at firſt for two intended,

Through change of times to many more's extended.

That's now forgot, what God to Adam ſpake;

Did not blind Lamech two Wives to him take,

While Adam yet ſurviv'd, with whom his vein

Of luſt he cool…d, and Adams rib in twain

So ſplit? Each few or many wives, we ſee,

Do take, as they can beſt maintained be.

If this may not ſuffice, to Lot then turn,

And ſee his mind in love inceſtuous burn;

Then ſhew us who yet judgments underwent,

That in theſe pleaſures hours redundant ſpent.

No, no, thou never canſt that ſeaſon name,

In which againſt this God did ought proclaim.

Obſerve we but the face of modern times,

Whoredoms abound, nor deem'd are any crimes.

And if at home this Kingdom we ſurvey,

Them we hear Am'rets term'd, and youthful play.

With gay ſolemnity and Tables ſwell'd,

Pharaoh his day of Coronation held,

Some time agon. Our Nobles all were there

Aſſiſtants, and partakers of the cheer;

Thy Lord withal, who had the charge to ſee

Each at the Table plac'd in their degree,

And as their ſtate requir'd; and thou likewiſe,

On whom I all day fix'd my wandring eyes.

p. 16My place was then where Princes chiefly were,

From whom at firſt I wiſe diſcourſe did hear

Of this worlds great affairs: the frolick glaſs

With cheering liquor ſcarce three rounds did paſs,

When, lo, promiſcuous ſounds the groaning board

Loud ill-conſorting murmurings did afford.

Among them one roſe up, whoſe hand a pauſe

Of liſtning ſilence in each gueſt did cauſe;

Whilſt of Adultery he undertook

Something to ſay, which with a wanton look

He nam'd kind Courtſhip, and derided thoſe,

Who a chaſt converſation rather choſe.

Methoughts his words and eyes bewray'd a mind▪

Inclinable to pleaſures of each kind.

Many conceits dropp'd from his lips, and ſome

I yet remember, which I thence brought home.

I know not why, ſaid he, another's Treaſure

We covet ſo, and in our own no pleaſure

Contentedly can take; why thus our mind

Should be to ſtrange, not home-bred things inclin'd.

And yet 'tis ſo; no men with pleaſure go

To drink of ſtreams beſides their gates that flow.

Convenient dyet therefore is deſpis'd,

Becauſe its plenty renders it low priz'd.

Vermilion-Cherries men the more admire

For growing high, for ſo they draw deſire.

We love no low-grown fruits, though ne'r ſo prime;

'Tis thoſe pleaſe beſt, for which we high muſt climb.

So in the Rooſt fill▪d grain-troughs ſet, and we

From feather'd Hens may this our nature ſee;

Who from thoſe troughs tho they their fill may

Yet wantonly for grains they dunghils rake.

Sauces acerb and biting, reliſh food;

Nor without Salt or Pepper are they good.

p. 17Clogging Conſerves pleaſe Palats Feminine;

But that which bites, the nobler Maſculine.

From buſie Cooks we love to ſteal a bit▪

Behind their backs, and that in corners eat.

Nor need we here the reaſon why entreat,

All know the Proverb, Stollen Bread is ſweet.

In ſhort, ſo well his minde with words he dreſt,

That then a wanton Dream my brains poſſeſt

All that ſweet Night; whence I was firſt aware,

Thence more t'have carry'd, than I'd eaten there:

Sin I could leſſen ſtrait, nor wanton Love

Did I with moſt then longer vile approve,

Though in th'Eſpous'd. When good we deem of ill,

So prove to us infallibly it will.

JOSEPH.

URge me no more; the Rock unmov'd outbraves

Tempeſtuous Seas reverberating Waves;

Where after long diſpute, held with deſpight,

Froth is but all the iſſue of the fight.

With minde reſolv'd againſt ſins deadly rage,

'Tis beſt our hearts now early we engage:

And with this boſome-gueſt a bargain ſtrike,

That to reſiſt, and all its ways diſlike.

This I endeavour, and this now muſt do,

By ſo oppoſing all that comes from you;

Since all your aim, I now too well do know,

Is at my Soul, to work its overthrow.

But I am taught with fleſh and blood to fight,

That fleſh and blood in which you ſo delight;

And this Conteſt I muſt as long maintain,

As Sin, or you, my Tempter ſhall remain.

p. 18Where know, ſo God will plead my righteous Cauſe,

Built on the bottom of his ſacred Laws;

That all ſhall yield to my prevailing arm,

That hath a tendency my Soul to harm.

You are indeed my Miſtreſs, this I grant,

Whilſt you your Lord obey, nor ways do haunt,

Or upon me impoſe, forbidden known;

Therefore ceaſe boaſting, you are not your own.

Theſe things pleaſe not my Lord's, although your mind▪

Though you're my Dame, your own you're not, you'll find.

Your body's no more yours, (loſt by one word)

But now for ever Potiphar's, your Lord.

And by old Proverbs ſince you can contend,

Let me, I pray, one likewiſe recommend,

Well known to you: Each Wife (by fixed lot)

Is Miſtris of her Lord, but body not.

Muſt I your Law impos'd on me fulfil?

If juſt it be indeed, I muſt and will:

But if this Law with Piety contends,

It is not juſt, nor ſerve I wicked ends.

None are by Vaſſalage ſo ſtrictly bound,

That they to ſin ſhould be obedient found;

Nor if a Miſtris doth things vile impoſe,

Do Slaves rebel, that thoſe commands oppoſe.

O how you erre, to think in means men great,

May as they pleaſe employ their vaſt eſtate!

What means the Law, (ſure thus is its abuſe,

Where men their means to hurtful ends do uſe)

But to enjoyn their uſe to wholeſome ends,

On which ſo much the Countreys good depends?

And 'tis good Counſel, Madam, though from me,

Let not your Slave by you employed be

To things unjuſt: This Counſel where rejected,

There with diſdain I've ſeen commands neglected.

p. 19If with your Honour you your Servant truſt,

And on his ſhoulders yoaks impoſe unjuſt,

With dear repentance you will quickly ſee,

That truſted Honour vilify'd ſhall be.

He through Fame's Trumpet ſhall your deeds proclaim,

And then through Towns & Countries your dear Name

Shall be worſe render'd than from …nnit fled,

Though his firſt Story much the truth outſaid.

Where therefore faithful Service you would have,

No Privy-Counſellor make of your Slave.

Within my Breaſt no Luſt I entertain,

Yet, truſt me; this not out of proud diſdain:

In me no ſcornful Spirit I do finde,

Fear to my God is that which awes my Minde.

But now your Loves eſteem you would advance,

And conquer me to that vile dalliance,

By ſhewing how your glozing tongue obtain'd

This ſtay at home, and for me ſickneſs feign'd.

Alas! are theſe the Symptomes of a minde

To ſimple Truth and Faithfulneſs inclin'd;

Or not much rather to injurious deeds,

Of Perjury that from falſe hearts proceeds?

And yet how deſperate too, to hang a cloak

Of Sickneſs over all, and ſo provoke

The Mighty God; as if he were not worth

His Creatures fear that crawls upon the earth.

But we may Preſidents to witneſs call,

How oft ſuch minds in his juſt hands do fall.

And now ſhall ſtretcht-out Arms, or naked Breaſt,

Or Pray'rs devout unto my name addreſt,

Perſwade my minde, think you, belief to pay

To ſuch pretences, and their Mood obey?

Forbidden Luſt it is that is your aim,

And thence yet never upright dealing came.

p. 20Falſe to your Lord, to me you can't be true;

For dalliance over, then all Faith adieu.

Truth never flows from Lies, theſe can't agree

Friendly Indwellers in one breſt to be.

And with what Art do you Adultery ſeek

To qualifie of guilt? a youthful trick

It only name, in faſhion now adays;

Not Criminal, becauſe now common ways.

But is not Theft a Crime? And pray what Theft

Is now allow'd? Or where's a man bereft

Of greater good, than of his Second-ſelf?

To whom all goods beſides are but as pelf.

Thieves that rob here, ſteal more from honeſt men,

Than what they ever can reſtore agen.

O, of its vileneſs when I do reflect,

What horrour doth it not in me inject!

Of ſins with which ſo humane hearts abound,

Sure than this Luſt no viler there is found:

Which at its height becomes in this moſt vile,

Where Wedlock's ſacred ſheets it doth defile.

For other ſins that univerſal charm

Have not, nor do they work in men that harm;

They being rather of external kinde,

As to the Body; this enſlaves the minde

Not only, but each limb, and pierceth through

Marrow and bone (where Virtue bids adieu,)

So holding on, till Strength be gone and Grace.

And deep Remorſe and Plagues ſupply their place.

O! How may I Adulterous Limbs embrace!

How thus God's Image in my Soul deface!

Ay me! and how the ſweets of Luſt enjoy,

And all my preſent peace of Soul deſtroy!

Shall Joſeph be in ways adulterous found?

Sins vileſt Luſt, and where all Sins abound?

p. 21As in uncleanſed ſinks of venemous kinde,

All ſorts of Vermine we behold conjoyn'd:

Ah! Lord aſſiſt, let this not ſeize on me;

By thy ſoft Grace let me reſtrained be:

And in ſure bonds hold thou my thoughts impure,

That my dear Soul may be from Luſt ſecure.

Particular acts of men will not ſuffice

Infallibly to teach us what to prize,

And what things not; what kinde of ways to chuſe,

Or on the other hand what to refuſe.

Our building's on God's Precepts, that's the ground

Where true direction for our walk is found:

And ſo as we to theſe our ſteps direct,

So far we Luſt diſcover and reject.

Your Cauſe is not for Abram's fact allow'd;

Should we our Crimes with others failings ſhroud?

And yet no others Wife did he defile,

Or Heritage with a falſe Heir beguile.

Nor ſought he Sarah to deceive hereby,

'Twas her firſt Will made him here to comply.

Nor Luſt to cool by this, was his intent;

But of his houſe th'enlargement only meant.

Produce you Jacob too? Nor will you finde

There ought that warrants this to Womankinde.

Yeilds God to Man this right? Who doth not ſee

That Women here no ways concerned be?

For once let Wives with many Men unite,

What Generations ſhall be kept upright?

Or how the Iſſue underſtand at all,

Who its own Father it may truely call?

I know you can no inſtance once produce,

Where Hebrew-wives, provok'd by Luſt, did uſe

Th'eſpouſed Womb, or pre-engaged heart,

Than to their Husbands otherwiſe impart.

p. 22Did Sarah ever to her Lord thus ſay,

By you I cannot bear; another way

I'll therefore chuſe? O no, her lips ne'er ſpake

Such impious words, much leſs did undertake▪

The far more impious deed. With reſtleſs minde

Though Rachel longs for Iſſue, yet this kinde

Of way abhorr'd to take; nor ever known

Were women with us ſo laſcivious grown.

But now how confidently next of Lot

You vent your thoughts? though who is free of ſpot?

And leprous ſin, where it once leave obtains,

Forward and forward towards act it gains.

But did Luſt reign in him? Dare you aver,

That this above all good he did prefer?

O no; lo, God for his juſt Soul takes care,

And this ſole man in all he had doth ſpare.

So witneſſing that he was only found

Guiltleſs of Luſt, for which God curſt the ground.

And if we on his fault, you hint, reflect;

'Twill but your frail defence the more detect.

Before him, of a fire that rag'd behinde

Fly ill-aboding ſparks, where all Mankinde

That there drew breath, and Flocks, and ſtately Towers

Are fuel to thoſe ſtrange prodigious ſhowers.

Till afterwards he ſees no more his Mate,

Or hears her footſteps he but heard of late.

For which huge griefs upon his ſpirits ſeize,

More ſtrong than can by tears finde reſtful eaſe▪

Whoſe force the better therefore to eſcape,

He for a Cordial dreins the bleeding Grape;

Where over-free with this uxorious fruit,

He, drunken, yields to its too ſtrong diſpute.

In this Lot fail'd, for which God on him ſent

Judicial Judgments of a large extent:

p. 23So that enthral'd therewith, he then knew not

Wherein ſo greatly he himſelf forgot.

Thus when Temptations do our Souls ſurprize

With falſe delight, and ſeaſon the diſguiſe

Unto our time of grief, ſcarce the ſincere

Can then conſider what they ſee or hear

Beyond their griefs deſire, and then the heart

Who knows, forgives and heals the tempted part▪

For he the Will conſiders if upright,

Or Minde that erres, if but by overſight,

And cancels thoſe tranſgreſſions, as not done

By him that did them through ſurprize led on;

Though for example, and for his behoof,

If lov'd by him, he frees not from reproof.

But with premeditated luſt to rage,

The fleſh by provocation to engage

In thoſe unruly obſcene flames, ah me

How ſhould this juſtify'd in this caſe be?

You unſurpriz'd have time to weigh your caſe,

Yet obſtinate, no Counſel will embrace.

Lot knew not what he did by's Cups abus'd;

Your guilt, you ſee, is therefore unexcus'd,

O how your mind is bound in Chains of error,

To think no time the great Jehovah's terror

Againſt luſts fire in judgments did make known,

Although, as yours, ſo formidable grown▪

Lo, Wedlocks Ordinance as ſoon was laid,

As the fair Female for the Man was made,

Who, though but one, yet ſo ſufficient known,

For help to him, with her becoming one.

God's Spirit by each Vice to hate's alarm'd;

But chiefly he his wrath with fury arm'd

Brings on hot luſt, and that doth ſwiftly turn

In ſhowrs on thoſe who in ſuch flame… do burn.

p. 24This caus'd of old thoſe floods o'r Hills to flow,

Where flocks once graz'd, where feet of men did go.

The skies themſelves were threatned: what before

Was Land, for this lo, Sea without all Shoar;

Nor any thing that breath'd would God then ſpare;

But onelyonly of each kind one ſingle pair

Of Male and Female; other unpair'd heaps

Th' floods Pris'ners were, and periſh'd in thoſe deeps.

If this ſuffice not, then I more can ſhew:

Once Abram came with Sarah here, who grew

Soon famous at this Court, which entertain'd

Him better for her ſake; there both remain'd

As of one womb, (ſhe being ſiſter call'd

By him) until her beauty high extoll'd

Saluted Pharaohs ears, whoſe heart in flame

Of growing luſt by that report became.

Yet when with her this luſt he did intend

To cool, ſee how God on his houſe did ſend

Unuſual judgments, puniſhments unknown,

Till he reſtor'd to Abraham his own.

And thus if God a fault of ignorance

In Princes plagues for luſt, he'll ſure advance

Worſe on that ſlave, that boldly dare defile

His Maſters bed, and know his guilt the while.

When Abram afterwards did ſteer about

His courſe to Gerar, (though it fell not out)

Yet did not God that Prince to death aſſign,

Told in a Dream, becauſe he did incline

In luſt to wiſe? Mark but what words ſevere;

Abimilech, thou'rt dead, except my fear

Conſtrain thee ſtraight the Marry'd to reſtore

Untouch'd unduely, as ſhe was before.

Thus luſt by God abhorr'd, we by this time

May learn, and held by men a heinous crime:

p. 25For hereupon, Abimelech, we ſee,

Declaring this alike moſt vile to be.

And if you look where our large flocks do feed,

And where our Herdſmen them to Paſture lead,

You ſhall not ſhew that yet at any time

Our Hebron left unpuniſh'd ſuch a crime.

How very nigh had Thamar been expos'd

To cruel flames, if ſhe had not diſclos'd

Then Judah's pledge, by whom with child ſhe went,

And doom'd for that to this fierce puniſhment?

Nor think that Judah firſt that Law did make,

As if deſign'd alone for Thamar's ſake;

He was nor Head nor Judge within that Land,

Nor doom could give but as thoſe Laws did ſtand.

But why our Maids behaviour bring you here,

Since nothing there can for your Cauſe appear?

What Sarah erſt and Rachel ſince did do,

Were different ways from theſe now choſe by you.

Withal, your Husband if not once content,

Sure hereunto you never will conſent

To lend him to anothers bed, you who

To two at once with heated luſt now glow;

And yet withal how vainly you uphold

This evil Cauſe from Tales by Courtiers told,

As if the wanton Court ſhould Precepts give

To honeſt minds for Guidance how to live?

But that man in beſt things who would excel,

Muſt ſhun the Court, there doth no Virtue dwell

And they who liſten to unchaſt diſcourſe,

Though well inclin'd, are made thereby the worſe.

So it provokes lewd thoughts, and to impure

Deſires unwary minds it doth allure.

But what comes here? ſhould Reſt in Pain be plac'd?

Or things ſweet held, for being ſowre of taſte?

p. 26With labour hazardous what will be gain'd,

Shall that the more with love be entertain'd

Becauſe forbid on pain of death, ſhall we

Love what's forbid, and Rebels chooſe to be?

Sure that man's mad whoſe principle's ſo vain,

To place his Eaſe in Danger, Reſt in Pain.

So Flies corruption love, there build their Cell;

Nor can thoſe humming Inſects elſewhere dwell:

So Fenny Leeks refection find in blood,

And bruitiſh Aſſes thiſtles make their food.

O praiſe no things as ſweet, that are thus ſowre;

We love no ſummers froſt, nor winters flower.

Who with allowed food cann't nature ſtill,

Hath an unnatural appetite to ill:

Who hath ſo gormandizers greedy ſeen,

That Meats by others which beſpew'd have been

Yet have devour'd? Not any ſure's ſo wild

To creep in beds whoſe ſheets he knows defil'd.

The flower when dreined of its Virgin ſmells,

And grape of liquor which dull grief repels,

Nothing is left but that which none will uſe:

Sapleſs unſavory relicks all refuſe.

The ſick of youth, who hates a ſingle life,

A Maid befits, not any husbands wife:

For him a Noſegay's good, freſh pluckt, not one

In other's hands, whence all the ſtrength is gone,

Methinks in ſpotleſs love, where of one mind,

In Hymen's band, two are for ever joyn'd,

Whom, except death, no evil can divide,

There ſure ſereneſt comfort muſt reſide.

O in our primier years what ſweet is there,

Where ſuch agreeing minds together pair!

Who in their chaſt delight withal obtain

This added peace, that this God did ordain.

p. 27But where lewd wives, inclin'd to nought but ill,

Their bodies proſtitute to ſtrangers will▪

There is no true delight; for joy cann't …e

Whence chaſtity diſgrac'd is made to flee.

SEPHYRA.

THou haſt a fluent tongue for Virtu's praiſe,

And ſtill injoyn'ſt unimitable ways:

But of thoſe many things thou doſt rehearſe,

Unjuſteſt Doctrine doſt with all diſperſe.

What, ſhall men onelyonly their refection have

Of dalliance, and ſhall the Wife be ſlave?

Since, as thou ſayſt, ſhe's made for his delight,

Who yields her due when powerleſs to deny't.

It will not hold, when Souls of men we ſee

Incline to luſt, that women yet ſhould be

From thoſe ſweet joys debarr'd: why ſhould not pleaſure

As well as grief to both be ſhar'd like meaſure?

Lo, when a Father from a ſingle ſtate

His Daughter to a Marryed will tranſlate,

Is't not his care that ſhe, his fond delight,

May wedded be to one propitious wight,

Who can in amour ſweetly with her ſpend,

And to her paſſions equal flames extend?

For this I judge firſt Wedlock was ordain'd,

That marry'd pairs in that ſtrict union chain'd,

As well to joy as grief alike ſhould be

Yoakt, and for ever in thoſe terms agree.

Who in this ſtate then ſteps, he ſhould incline

Thenceforth to's wife, and all his youth reſign

To the full pleaſures of her mind in chief:

And this who doth not do, is ſure a thief.

p. 28Poor Soul, ſhe onelyonly 'tis that pays the ſmart,

If he elſewhere divides from her his heart;

Or if abroad he breaks his head with cares,

Thereby at home ſhe's left to divers ſnares.

This for a rule I ſtate, nor without reaſon,

That each kind Husband ſhould at every ſeaſon

Be to his wife devoted with pure thought;

Which who neglects, performs not what he ought.

Where once the man his Covenant-bonds doth break,

The wife there leave obtains hers off to ſhake:

For why to him ſhould ſhe devoted be,

If to his duty he will not agree?

Well, let my Lord frequent the Royal Throne,

But ſhall then I, though Marryed, yet alone,

In hateful ſingleneſs my youth thus ſpend?

O no, this mind doth other things intend.

As I more am'rous am, more ſoft inclin'd,

So to thoſe paſſions I'le refreſhment find

From ſtrangers hands. When fire is in a Town,

By forrain ſtreams men bring its fury down.

Methinks my Lord with cares enough was ply'd,

When th'Court with daily meats he did provide,

And when whatever th'Royal board depreſs'd,

By his direct command was onelyonly dreſt:

Yet could not this ſuffice; Ambition knows

No bounds, but after greatneſs ever grows,

More eager bent: the heart once gone aſtray

From the mid-road, content thence haſts away.

The late Lord Chamberlain few days ſince paſt,

Through heart-ſick pain upon his bed was caſt:

A fit of Frenzy, with a lung-bred cold,

Of deaths approach, by his fore-runners told;

Each ready made, and from all corners drew

The ſick to viſit, all with mournful ſhew,

p. 29But merriment of mind. One for the ſtate,

Another for the tempting gold laid wait.

Your Lord, not ſloweſt of theſe Mammon-friends,

His Intereſt 'gainſt theſe ſo well defends

To his dear Prince, that he the place obtain'd,

While yet the Patient here alive remain'd.

And with this Charge now he is overcome,

Nor can regard what things are done at home.

The Royal Chamber doth his Soul poſſeſs;

There's his converſe, there reſts his happineſs.

'Tis of huge conſequence the Prince's mind

Each morning to diſcover how inclin'd,

And ſeek to gain it. Sleep then cares allay,

And that's the hour of all the following day:

For from repoſe new rais'd, he's beſt of mind,

And favours then from him more free we find,

Than through the day may kindly be obtain'd.

With him who breakfaſts, him that day hath gain'd.

This my Lord tells me; and before each day

Can peep, haſts thither, where though I his ſtay

Implore, he's deaf: and though in tears, yet ſo

Forſakes me comfortleſs. But let him go:

His own injuſtice turns his Right to me

So forfeited by him eternally.

For ſince his body he to me denies,

My Marriage-promiſe I'le as much deſpiſe.

Wherefore, I pray, ſhould I thus tedious nights

Languiſh for want of conjugal delights;

And ſcorched with exceſs of youthful fires,

Periſh without redreſs in thoſe deſires?

He to his Prince conveys himſelf away,

Him to ſalute before approaching day;

Whilſt I am left without the ſlender bliſs

Of Nights repaſt, or Mornings farewel-kiſs.

p. 30But what I thus have born ſhall now ſuffice:

Ways for my own content I will deviſe

As well as he; nor ought ſhall me deter,

Or move me this concluſion to defer.

He who to ſtrangers beds ſo much is bent,

Gives cauſe that others do his Wives frequent.

JOSEPH.

AH, think you thus with ſhew of right to hide

The groſſeſt Crimes, whilſt you all rights deride!

Methinks it empty ſounds, (like hollow walls)

Which eaſily before right reaſon falls.

Is't juſt a Wi…e to thoughts luxurious bent,

To others ſhould bold accuſations vent,

Becauſe her husbands better temper'd mind

Not always is with hers to luſt inclin'd?

Should ſhe how he (unto her ſlave) diſcloſe

In bed towards his wiſe doth him diſpoſe?

O no! the Bridal Curtains drawn muſt be,

Where no officious eyes may pierce to ſee.

Thirds there ſo bold may never be to pry,

When Man and Wife in their Pavilion lye.

A pregnant ſaying ſome time ſince I learn'd,

Which very much the Nuptial ſheets concern'd:

There, whether joy or miſery accrue,

Let it be wiſely ſecret kept 'twixt two.

As head, the Man's not bound the luſtful will

At all times of his Conſort to fulfil.

'Twixt them a difference we are taught to make,

She being onelyonly formed for his ſake.

If Similies might rectifie your mind,

A teaching one you in the Mill might find,

p. 31Whoſe wings ne'r move in circulating courſe,

But as they're whirl'd by winds of greater force▪

And this the Wife ſhould to her ſelf improve,

Who from her ſelf ſhould neither ſtir nor move,

But by her Lord; his temper well diſcern,

And move as his deſires chill grow or burn.

Is he now drown'd in ſorrows …able plight?

'Tis then no time to covet …uſts delight.

She of his changes ſhould be well aware:

If blithe, rejoyce with him; if ſad, forbear.

And though it poſſibly ſhould ſo befal,

That in Domeſtick things no care at all

He would vouchſafe, yet ſhould no marryed wife

For that break Faith, and lead a Harlots life.

Alone it is through ways adulterous found,

The Gordian knot of Wedlock is unbound:

And though the Wife ſhould blameleſs be, yet ſhe

Ought not a proſtitute to others be,

But firſt ſhould be divorced from his ſide,

And ſingle ſo become, ſo years abide;

Or what I value more, thenceforth abſtain

From love, and manleſs all her days remain.

But you ſeek not for things that you betide

To be divorc'd, but would 'twixt two divide

Your bodies uſe, and veil'd in wedlocks ſhew,

The eaſier ſeek to gain for one man two.

This but too well is ſeen: for who will ſay

But thus your fleſh ſeeks out of bounds to ſtray,

And craftily behind a maſque doth aim

To play the Harlot, and be freed from ſhame?

Well then, the cheat is plain, and plain I'le be

To tell you thereto I ſhall not agree.

I have a Lord above, though ſure you are

My Miſtriſs, therefore ſuch things ſhall forbear.

p. 32SEPHYRA.

BUt though unjuſt my Cauſe thou deem'ſt to be,

Yet let not now this rare Occaſion flee

Neglected; ſince acceſs is by my Lord

To thee vouchſaf'd, what his age can't afford

To do with me. Himſelf hath brought us hither,

That as by his own conduct we together

In Loves might ſwim: O ſhame, if ſuch a day

Without fruition ſhould then ſlip away!

He on the Court and that ambitious ſtate

Has fixt his Heart, and all his future Fate

There now and ever dwells. I all the day

Am here alone; What then obſtructs thy way?

His time's employ'd to journey up and down,

As Envoy unto Realms of great renown

That influence this Court; So that we ſee

None ſo belov'd by his dear Prince as he.

And 'tis the Princes Minion which his heart

Covets to be, that by the Vulgar part

He might be worſhipped, and Egypts Land

Obſervance yield unto his ſole Command.

O how he thirſts a thouſand Knees to ſee

For his good Favour ſuppliant to be!

And as he ever dwells at Court, his minde

Thence cannot come, to be at home inclin'd:

Where if he be ſometimes, what need we fear,

Since his Mind's abſent, whilſt his Body's there?

Thus who by Courtly Glory is deceiv'd,

All ſhews to him as real are believ'd:

And he his home who makes not his delight,

May eaſily be turn'd out from his Right.

p. 33Who can ſo fair an hour for this deſign

View free from dangers, and yet not incline

To uſe the ſeaſon? ſure 'tis thy belief,

That oft an open door creates a thief▪

And yet here's more: amongſt our Serving-men

My Lord more fit none deems for Steward than

Wiſe Joſeph; none to him may Rival be:

There's nothing pleaſeth, but what comes from thee;

On whom he dotes; nor can he entertain

Hard thoughts of Joſeph, or them long retain.

If ſporting with his Wife he ſaw ſhee lye,

Yet to Civilities he'd all apply.

See then how ſweet a bit ſalutes thy lip

Now to a taſte; if yet thou let'ſt it ſlip,

Thou merit'ſt ſhame. He who what ſeaſon gives

Will not accept, in after-ſorrow lives.

JOSEPH.

THough Time and Place at your deſign may ſmile,

Yet no occaſion ſerves men to be vile;

Though opportunities to wiſh attend,

Yet theſe no ſinful practice may befriend.

Conſult your Caſe with cunning men, that know

The influences of the Stars below;

They never there, I'm ſure, obſerv'd that day

In which men might unlawful luſt obey▪

O no! conveniency may never make

Unjuſt things juſt, which you now undertake.

'Tis true▪ occaſion ſwiftly hence doth b…nd,

But this no foul Tranſgreſſions doth intend.

Though my Lord's buſineſs him oft cal… from hence,

This … to duty ſhould the more incenſe.

p. 34More faithfulneſs from ſervants hands, men ſay,

Expected is when Maſters are away.

Let him be who he will, he who will ply

His duty onelyonly in his Maſters eye,

I deem a Varlet; for who fears the Lord,

Like pains unſeen will as when ſeen afford.

They who their ſervants value would diſcry,

Muſt eye them when they think no viewer nigh.

Hate, me from Hebron drove, whence by Gods hand

Men me a Slave brought into Egypts Land;

In which ſtate God I know expects I ſhew

That faithfulneſs to whom 'tis now his due.

Deſpis'd though firſt I was, voyd of reſpect,

Me yet, ſo low, my God would not reject.

This ſaid I to my ſelf, Behold thy call,

Serve Potiphar; but ſerve thy God withal;

Be ſure thou never doſt from him depart,

He loves in every ſtate the pure of heart:

Which ſingleneſs, what ever from Gods hand

Be…ides thee, in thy breaſt ingrav'd let ſtand.

Though but humanity I would reſpect,

And for a warrant my mean thoughts direct

To Laws of men, here were enough for me

The foul embracements of your flames to flee.

My Maſters houſe moſt largely God hath crown'd

As with rich ſhowrs, with bleſſings that abound;

His numerous bleating flocks encreas'd hath he,

That graze on Hills, and Ships that coaſt the ſea;

His Houſhold multiplies, his Land doth bring

All ſtore of fruits, his ſtate grows with the King;

He is at Court belov'd by high and low,

And ſo at home, where all things proſperous go;

This likewiſe well he knows: …n words compos'd

Of plaineſt dreſs he frequently diſclos'd,

p. 35That God for my ſake him thus greatly bleſs'd,

Which too in grateful language he expreſs'd.

And now his private things attend my will,

All's well I do, nor can I do what's ill.

Such conſtant love to me I find he bears,

As men would yield unto their only Heirs.

Of all things ample power I did obtain,

You only did excepted here remain.

If therefore to the Laws I inſtitute

I make this houſe comply, this doth but ſute

With what's my charge; but none of theſe extend

Unto your perſon; there arriv'd, they end.

You an Incloſure hallow'd are to none

But him, and unto him muſt be alone.

Nothing may be ſo hardy to frequent

Your borders, and your honour circumvent:

How could I then but prove abhorred, vile,

If thus I ſhould my Maſters bed defile;

Thus bring unto ſo baſe, ſo foul a fall

His boſomes Treaſure, love, and life, and all?

Surely from Reaſon then I ſhould decline,

Or from what's humane, common diſcipline;

So bold if I ſhould be both to deſpiſe

My God and Maſters favour, in that wiſe.

Much better I no more drew breath to live,

Than hate for kindneſs, bad for good to give.

So double guile abhorred is by me▪

None (above all deep-truſted) falſe ſhould be.

What buſie rumours ſhould through Egypt ring,

What ſcandal on our people ſhould I bring,

If in thoſe ways which you have now begun

With you I equally ſhould chuſe to run!

Is this the youth (would be the ſay) the ſeed

Of Abram, this of them whom God decreed

p. 36His people, this the Lad ſo highly prais'd,

And beyond others to preferment rais'd?

Hence thou and all thy kin; from whom it ſeems

In vain 'twas not, part of your luſtful limbs

Were forc'd, as ſoon, almoſt, as men did find

You breath; what pity ought was left behind?

Well, 'tis my Charge of our Domeſticks, each

To keep in bounds, ſubjection due, and teach

By rods the Criminal; ſo here I ſtand

Judge and Law-giver by my Lords command.

But ſhall I, their Supreme, a Judge ſevere,

By heavy hands for each offence appear?

Shall I on others Laws impoſe, and yet

My ſelf the fouleſt practices commit?

Or ſhall I when the lazy do neglect

Their work, forthwith their negligence correct;

Yet wholly deſtitute of ſhame the while,

As like a Goat, my Maſters bed defile?

The Chief when he in vicious courſes lives,

More than the ſin is the offence he gives:

For as to th'ſin, that wounds alone his ſcore;

But the offence extends to many more.

O therefore kill theſe thoughts, which ſo abuſe

Your noble mind ſuch ſordid things to chuſe.

How ſhould it ever be for Vaſſals meet,

Their Lords dear Name to trample under feet;

And on by luſtful inclinations led,

Uncover and pollute their Maſters bed?

p. 37SEPHYRA.

IF Reaſon cannot move your marble-mind,

Yet let that goodneſs which in me you find

Towards you, to the like awaken you.

Love may produce what Reaſon could not do.

As Lime in laſting Pyramids, we find,

Each little ſtone therein doth firmly bind:

So Friendſhip is, in Love's uniting chains,

Which hearts together joyns, and join'd maintains.

Unworthy amongſt Sons of men to live,

Is he, for love who no return will give;

And thus unworthy you'l your ſelf approve,

If all my kindneſs you to none may move.

Though here you came an ignominious ſlave,

Yet as at home, all liberty you have,

And by my means: from Potiphar you ſee

Large ſigns of love, but larger far from me.

On our beſt things to put you 'tis our ſtrife;

He works of honour gives, I of ſweet life:

So that no greater evil here you find,

Except to you perchance we are too kind.

He with affairs that takes away at night

Your reſt, employs you; I with ſoft delight.

With ponderous things your care he loads, where I

Bid you but fix on me a courteous eye.

No day doth paſs wherein I don't accoſt

You in ſome place or other, where I'm loſt

In ſighs unutterable, looking ſo

As ſad dejected lovers uſe to do.

If then alone I find you, language ſweet,

Which but for Husbands, not for ſlaves is meet,

p. 38I give. By your neglect if ought is miſt,

I calmly take it, nor on pay inſiſt.

Amongſt our Nobles are you introduc'd;

That my good will alone for you produc'd.

When in Apparel any dreſs that's new

Ariſes, that's procur'd forthwith for you;

Though ſeemingly to honour Potiphar,

Becauſe his Steward, and with him you are.

But ah how far from that is the deſign

To which my ſoul ſo ſtrongly doth incline?

How I revive, within this Court to view

A youth of Body and of Limbs like you!

As ſprightly, lordly, and ſo courtly clad;

The bare remembrance makes my fancy glad.

Rich preſents whereſoere they may be gain'd,

I thenceforth plot how they may be obtain'd

Beſt for you onelyonly, ſo that none may be

Dividers with you, but the whole for thee.

If tidings for my Lord for ſome to tell

Falls out, and know I it may pleaſe him well▪

I charge you with it: mournful tydings are

For common wretches, not for you to bear.

Beſtows my Lord upon our Family

A new-years-gift, or what may th'like imply;

You both at firſt with them alike do fare,

And after get from me a nobler ſhare.

If of my Gentlewomen 'tis deſir'd

One may the errand bear, of you requir'd

'Tis firſt of all; for nothing's good eſteem'd,

Not good or pertinent by Joſeph deem'd.

But why thus heap I words? on every ſide

Thus you through me ſurcharg'd with love abide:

But where's my lone? how are you grateful ſeen?

When one hand waſhes tother, both's made clean.

p. 39Can he with Reaſon, although ſcarce upright,

Her for her love with ſullen hate requite;

Nay, and reſiſt it too? has he the face

To meet his Ladies ſuit will foul diſgrace?

Lo, Diſcipline, and common Brotherhood,

Teacheth us love for love to render good

For good: and ſhould you not that love which I

Have ſhewn you▪ yield me back with uſury?

Ingrate! ſo be thou call'd, for favours ſake

So num'rous which of me thou didſt partake,

Since all no one return again can move:

How are thoſe looks, though lovely, void of love!

My ſweeteſt hopes to this diſaſtrous day,

As with ſwift winds, I ſee are ſnatch'd away.

From thee nor languid ſighs, lamenting moans

Once notice move, nor yet my dying groans.

To Court I ſent thee, there ſome time to ſpend,

By which I ſo thy breeding did intend:

But that it ſeems with thee found favour ſmall▪

For where it ſhould be ſhown, there's none at all.

But ſtay, forgetful I too far advance:

I know this flows not from dull ignorance;

The will's perverſe. Cann't Joſeph if he would?

O yes, but fancy doth his power withhold.

JOSEPH

to himſelf.

A Harlots favours, like gilt Pills appear,

Which pleaſe the eye, but eat, the bowels …ear▪

Diſguſt the palate, like to filthieſt drink;

Gripe the faint ſtomack, and depart with ſtink.

This now I plainly ſee.

Seph.

What's that you ſay?

What is't you in thoſe murmurs overlay,

p. 40I muſt not hear? How will you in a Cloud

Abſcond your reaſons now? reply aloud.

How with your mind did my laſt reaſons ſpeed?

Prevail'd they ought?

Joſ.

Not any thing indeed.

Seph.

Can kindneſs gain from you then no return?

Joſ.

Yes, but in you, that grace I cann't diſcern.

Seph.

Is this my lone? then I my pains may blame.

Joſ.

Self-intereſt favours none will kindneſs name.

Seph.

But what unkindneſs have I ſhewn you? ſay.

Joſ.

What e're you could to ſteal my heart away.

Ah me! when men falſe baits to fiſhes hold,

Freighted with ſweetneſs, but which death infold,

Is this a kindneſs? flows this from good will?

The very love pretended 'tis doth kill.

And ſuch your favours are, ſo they abuſe

The Soul with lyes▪ and certain death produce.

But I, of other favours too can ſing,

Than yours more real far, and great, which bring

Upon their wings Salvation, and intend

A love indelible, that hath no end.

That God it is, in whom I boaſt this love,

Who in theſe ways you run, forbids me move:

Whoſe ſo great favours I ſhould ill repay,

(If that were all) if I ſhould diſobey.

He from my Bretherens Blood-thirſty-hands,

From a deep Dungeon, fierce enſlaving bands,

Inevitable death prepar'd for me,

Hath reſcu'd, and from danger ſet me free.

At length me in this happy ſtate hath plac'd,

And therein, with high honours greatly grac'd;

Affording me conduct in that affair

Committed to my charge, and to my care.

Thus hath God done, and ſhall I him offend,

And draw his wrath upon me without end?

p. 41For ſuch unſtable flitting joys, ſhall I

Chuſe laſting woe, and from my bleſſing fly?

To Carnal loves ſhall I my ſelf betake,

And fooliſhly the love of God forſake?

Then lead my future days in grief of heart,

Where nothing earthly, comfort can impart.

If kindneſſes ſhould hearts moroſeſt tame,

And to the Donor with kind love inflame;

Sure then I ought to yield my God this mind,

Who has to me, beyond you far, been kind.

SEPHYRA.

TUſh, what has God to do with me or you?

Our good adds not to him, nor is it true

That he fond man regards; for him be griev'd,

Whoſe trouble in his thoughts he ne're receiv'd?

'Tis madneſs: what of Gods fierce plagues is ſaid,

Serves but to make the Vulgar ſort afraid;

And that th'unlearned rabble of a Land

Might by ſuch means be kept in ſtrait command.

In Heav'nly Altitudes God dwells, to know

For us too high; what ſhould he do below

Amongſt ſuch clods of earth, or mortals mind,

Who in his Image his delight doth find?

Should that great Prince, that's Father of the Light,

That boundleſs power, judge man's vain works of night,

Here on this dreary dale? ſhould his great Soul

Conſider ſilly worms in duſt that roul?

He in high Paradiſe 'bove Angels ken,

Triumphant ſits, and rules, whence ways of men

He cann't ſurvey. As that abode is great,

Ev'n ſo contemptible's this lower ſtate.

p. 42My houſe is ſtor'd with moſt retir'd Alcoves,

Fitted to entertain us in our loves.

Profoundly hid, they cunningly lye clos'd,

In ambages perplexing, where expos'd

No part is to the Sun: to this I ways

Have all that hinders to remove. Delays

Nor any may preſume, but ſtrait muſt go

Then far enough. What is't love cannot do?

Knots though moſt intricate we can exvolve,

When taught by Love, and ſayings dark reſolve.

In moſt ambiguous matters, ways find out

The prize to gain, and bring our ends about.

I, ever ſince Love ſet my mind on flame,

Soon Miſtriſs of theſe Myſteries became;

Though chiefly fraud, I couzen whom I will

My fervent paſſions to obey, fulfil.

Nor without lyes ſhall ever Lover be

Poſſeſſor of's deſir'd felicity.

JOSEPH.

THink you ſo cloſely then your Plots to hide,

That by no piercing eye they ſhould be ſpide?

Shall none your works of darkneſs undiſguiſe?

O you're deceiv'd, things ſhall go otherwiſe.

He who the eye did make, ſhould he not ſee,

Who all theſe Beings faſhioned that be?

Should he not all things ſee, that made the ſight,

That fram'd the Sun, and firſt produc't the Light?

Obſcure in gloom of night your filthy works,

(And true it is, ſin ſtill in darkneſs lurks;)

Within the moſt retir'd Alcoves prepare

To take your pleaſure▪ and no eye think there:

p. 43Yet know, that eye that ſlumbers not nor ſleeps▪

Sees all, and of your ways ſtrict reckoning keeps,

Even to your inmoſt thoughts. No Cave can hide

You, or your works from his bright eyes divide.

Put on the clipping pinions of the day,

And to Earths bounds haſt then, and wing away:

Or where the Ocean ends, there you will find

Him likewiſe preſent, fathoming your mind;

Your mind, whoſe thoughts afar off he ſurveys,

Before Conception has there hatch'd its ways:

Your mind, which cannot think, or cannot do,

Can he not know, and better know than you?

It boots you not in loweſt Vaults to lurk,

Or by Night favour'd, deeds of Night to work:

For Night is Day to God, darkneſs as light,

And all things naked to his piercing ſight.

Well, but it ſeems to God the Heav'ns you'd give,

So, as you pleas'd, you in the world might live.

But me! how vain is this which you conceive!

With God it is not as you would believe.

O your Creator better learn to know,

And more reſpect with due ſubmiſſion ſhow,

When of him you diſcourſe. No mortal he,

Nor humane is, as you would have him be.

Heaven his ubiquity by ſight doth know;

And though not ſeen▪ yet is he here below;

Both here, and every where▪ nor may you name

That place where his dread Spirit never came.

And at that inſtant I now know him here,

I likewiſe know him preſent every where,

Yet undivided, and eſſentially.

Whilſt we fly from him, unto him we fly.

Had you the power by counterfeiting ſhews,

The eyes of men and reaſon to abuſe,

p. 44'Twould not avail you; 'tis not here or there

Will hide your deeds to God which naked are.

As wicked boys who ſo their Plots contrive,

That into them none of the youth can dive,

What boots it yet, if he them underſtands,

Who for their puniſhments the rod commands?

But what ſpeak we of Man, made of a clod

Of deſpicable Earth! let's on his God

That made him now reflect, whoſe powerful hand

Nor Heaven, nor Earth, nor can the Seas withſtand.

Nay, Seas their rage forget, Winds calm remain,

When he commands, and rocks do rend in twain.

Heavens melt for fervent heat, oppreſt with fears,

Like man diſtreſs'd, that ſheds for anguiſh tears.

Moves he his voice, and gives the ſea its doom;

Thus far, but farther not your Waves may come:

The banks muſt check their fury, force detain,

As fiery Steeds when curbed by the rein.

Forth from his mouth huge damps like night do go;

Then following flames, which Nations overflow.

To ſtone-heaps Towns he turns, and down doth fell

All things againſt his judgment that rebel.

His Chariot-ſteeds are th' pinions of the wind;

His way begirt with darkneſs, none may find.

Swift flying Clouds that 'longſt the Heaven glides,

His nimble Chariot is, on which he rides.

Th'Thunders his voice, if that breaks forth, then there

Where Sylvanes Eccho, Hinds do calve that bear,

And caſt their unripe fruit o'th' trembling way.

Hills skip affrighted, Plains do run away;

His Hoſts are Thrones of mighty Cherubim,

They hide his Char, attend as Guards on him.

Of theſe Angelick Quarries numberleſs,

That threat fierce din of War, doth he poſſeſs,

p. 45Commixt with flames: a Night-reſembling ſmoke

Shoots from his noſtrils when we him provoke,

And clouds the Air, ſo that the whole Sylvane

Withers its leaf, and faints for anxious pain.

He in the Clouds his ſigns doth ſhew, which threat

Plague, Sword, or Famine, which here woes compleat.

The Suns and Moons vaſt Orbs his word obey:

Commands he, they ſtand ſtill, or run their way.

From him the three-fork'd Lightning darts its flaſh;

Which wheth'r it doth on rocks or Turrets daſh,

Such ruinous way it makes, that th' earth her womb

Ghaſtly extends, and offers man a Tomb.

The arched Rainbow, with embroidered rays,

Strait from the troubled skies its light diſplays,

When he commands; where then it takes its place

Right oppoſite where the Sun promotes his race.

About the Sphere he thouſand ſtars doth guide,

Which never err, but ever ſurely glide:

Their ſtrength he knows, and numbers of them all;

Each by his name diſtinctly de doth call.

As with thick wool, with ſnow he doth infold

The naked fields. He ſends his fearful cold

That charmeth flowing ſtreams; then a ſouth-wind,

Which them from numbneſs doth again unbind.

His dreadful Judgments over Realms he ſhakes;

From calm repoſe the ſleeping ſea he wakes

To horrible uproar, as with his hands

Drives ſhips in unknown deeps, men on ſtrange lands.

Leviathan, the terror of the Main,

With pannick fear he troubles, till again

He yields his borrowed Life, and until he

Makes where he dyes, an Iſland in the ſea.

So awful is this glorious Majeſty,

Who whilſt we onelyonly name, our inwards be

p. 46Arreſted ſtrait with dread; nor can we find

Repoſe whilſt this continues in our mind.

Come, Madam, then, your young affections yield

To Heavenly things; let them no more be fill'd

With earthly traſh, but thence withdraw your love,

And henceforth fix it upon things above;

Where no remorſe for ſin nor pain doth dwell,

But laſting joys, which theſe do far excel;

And where theſe joys, in one immortal May,

Inebriate and fill the Soul for aye.

This bliſsful ſtate let's labour then to gain;

What though it coſt us ſelf-denying pain?

Since here we muſt the luſt of fleſh oppoſe,

Or that felicity for ever looſe;

Let us that luſt with angry zeal controul,

Unweariedly, which would deprive the Soul

Thus of its reſt. As wax before the fire,

So ſpurious Luſt would dye in our deſire,

If we would force our backward thoughts to be

Converſing with theſe matters frequently.

When in us things of God we overlay,

Our minds it ſtrengthens, and drives ſin away.

SEPHYRA.

BUt hold, fond Boy, Gods judgments let them heed,

Whoſe ſteps are drawing near the grave, who ſpeed

Now down-hill to their end; let them reflect

On ſuch dull Phantaſms, and theſe joys reject.

But why ſhould we, that have not reach'd our Noon,

Think on the period of our days ſo ſoon;

Diſturb, by thoughts of other worlds, our reſt

And flee thoſe joys of which we are poſſeſt?

p. 47Age blith like Youth, like hoary age Youth grave!

Things more diſcording not on earth we have.

Dalliance becomes beſt Youth, as hand in hand

With joy Youth couples, knits in am'rous band.

Both their deſigns is Mirth and ſoft delight,

As doth their Names, their humour's ſo unite;

And both one ſoul (ſo they agree) poſſeſs;

What the one covets, t'other craves no leſs.

Hymen in ſtricter union never joyn'd

Two pleaſant pairs of more agreeing mind.

Youth in his bloom, and now when South inſpires

Life in the Spring, and gathers into quires

The ſcatter'd Nightingales, and decks the Hills

With cheerful green, and Banks of gliding Rills:

When Gardens re-aſſume their Summers pride,

Where Art and Nature both in triumph ride,

Whoſe various Flowers deceive the raſher eye,

In taking them for curious Tapiſtry:

Then three chief pleaſures he to him aſſumes,

With which the haſty minutes he conſumes.

Jocundity the firſt, compos'd of air,

That knows no ſadneſs, nor doth laughter ſpare;

Who not on Earth, but as on Air doth tread;

Each ſtep he makes with e…e… toſſing head.

Next, Play, whoſe fingers ſtrike the warbling ſtring,

Which moves the Soul, and into tune doth bring;

Whoſe muſick regulates dividing feet,

That move in dance, and makes both fitly meet.

And laſtly, Chace, to fallow-Deer inclin'd,

But which in Cities, not in Woods we find▪

Hotly purſuing, till within his toyls

He has obtain'd ſome of thoſe beautious ſpoyls.

Then ſweet-lip'd Joy attractively array'd,

With ſoft Habiliments, whereon pourtray'd

p. 48Are Loves inventions, though her brighter air

Plunge hearts far deeper into am'rous care.

The Onyx and the Jaſpers various die,

And Diamonds darken at her brighter eye:

The Saphyr's blew, by her more azure veins,

Seem to confeſs they ſerve but there for ſtains;

And bluſhing Rubies ſeem to looſe their die,

When her more Ruby lips are moving by.

The curious Apples of her ſwelling breaſts,

In which a Paradiſe of pleaſure reſts,

Surpaſs the whiteſt Syndon which ſhe wears,

And gazing eyes to raviſhment enſnares.

Thus clad and qualified, likewiſe ſhe

For her diverſion has made choice of three.

Song firſt, with quavering throat, who in ſoft lays

Of moving Verſe Loves myſteries diſplays:

Or of Salmacis ſtreams a Song indites,

Which turns her liſtners to Hermaphrodites.

p. 49Looſe Riot next to revelling inclin'd▪

So to ſupply the concaves of her mind,

Which muſt by merry …outs a vent obtain

Of that light Spirit▪ active in her brain.

And laſtly, Snap the belly-friend, whoſe taſte

In well-fed fleſh than fruit finds more repaſt;

Whoſe blood like Kids upon a mo…y plain,

Doth skip and dance Leval… 's in each vein.

Lo, what a jolly company is here!

Methinks my youthful Soul with new-born chee…,

At their remembrance over-ſpread I feel▪

Which in each faculty doth gently ſteal.

We both yet young, now flouriſh in our prime:

You twenty ſeven ſcarce reckon of your time,

I not ſo much; if now it may not be

A time to love, that time we ne're ſhall ſee.

Ah, why ſhould youth his ſweet deſires controul,

And with too penſive thoughts torment his Soul,

Juſt when the fragrant bloom of Youth would ſprout

But 'tis in vain, for youthful luſt will out;

It will have all its due: let th'aged grieve,

Who now of love have took eternal leave;

Let them with ſighs converſe, and groan to know

High things, who with a third leg added go.

As to like years, we to like mood incline;

Of Sex both fit in acts of love to joyn.

So kindly Nature hath our tempers wrought,

That whilſt we're two, we're made thus one in thought.

Well then, cheer up, dull Soul, no… longer now

To ſpend thy days in grief thy ſelf allow:

O do but ſee how all theſe joys do move,

To ſerve thee in the practices of love!

When aged furrows once thy face ſhall plough,

No more then theſe delights will Love allow:

p. 50Of things uncomely, we the chiefeſt find,

When age like youth to dalliance is inclin'd.

Come then, to Nature, Mother of each thing,

Let's for an Offring our youths verdure bring:

Her Prieſts we are, her Temple my rooms name;

My bed her Altar, and her fire ou… flame.

Our days worſt part is, when declining age

Suddenly takes us with a deaths preſage.

Pluck therefore flowers; my youth, e're ſpring be paſt;

Let's love that moſt, which doth but ſhortly laſt.

Doſt thou yet muſe? Or is it timerous fear

Withholds thy hand? Behold, thy blooming year

With ſpeedy feet to falling Autumn hies;

And he who gets this fall, no more doth riſe.

JOSEPH.

NOr reaſon, nor Religion 'tis, that I

Should waſt my youth in carnal luxury.

Too ſoon, you judge it, that with prudent care

I for my haſting end ſhould now prepare:

But is there any one, or can you tell

When death ſhall ring us our departing knell?

None can the meaſure of his days divine,

Or when his Sun ſhall in its grave decline.

Even now we by that Purſevant may be

Hurried from hence to that Eternity,

Where no repentance is allowed more

To us, nor mercy which we ſcorn'd before.

And yet you think the ſhortneſs of our days

To ſo much more induſtry in the ways

Of luſt ſhould us elicite. O much beguil'd▪

Nor unto pooreſt reaſon reconcil'd.

p. 51Should he who ſhortly muſt account produce

Of his led life, be therefore more profuſe

Of his moſt precious minutes, and excite

His youthful vigor to obſcene delight?

'Tis as unreaſonable, as tis ſure,

By many ſins, we many plagues procure.

O think how oft we crimſon cheeks do view

Suddenly change into deaths bloodleſs hue!

How oft vermilion-lips have been ſurpriz'd

With hue more pale than box, and ſacrific'd

By deaths inevitable ſtroak, to dwell

With Spirits juſt, or evermore in Hell!

Nay, though as young as you, yet have we ſeen

…risk morning looks, at evening who have been

Wrapt in a winding-ſheet; and oft at night,

Eyes ſhut to ſleep, that more ne're view'd this light

We daily ſee, (nor is it more a wonder)

…ans Sun at noon declining, going under.

And that which we on others acted ſee,

…orewarns may happen either you or me.

Gay youths as ſmoak, that quickly fades away;

We as our laſt ſhould therefore think each day,

And ſtrive, as that perſwaſion did require,

By ſetling things before it ſhould expire.

To God the fatteſt of the fold we yield,

And ſo the firſt-fruits of the tilled field▪

How ſhould we dare then with our own refuſe

Of feeble age, his Majeſty abuſe?

… to the fleſh our youth we give, and bring

To God a crazy ſtump for offering,

…embers repleat by age with pains and akes,

Whoſe palſie joynts for deaths approaches ſhakes;

What will he ſay? or how can we conceive

… our performances ſhould then receive?

p. 52More wiſely therefore let's our time redeem,

Whilſt youth remains, which God doth moſt eſteem:

The young that ſeek him never fail to find,

Nor he to give them graces in their mind:

But he in time who this neglects, anon

When he ſhall knock, ſhall find his ſeaſon gone.

SEPHYRA.

THis yet agrees not with our years: men ſay,

Deep thoughts on death make hairs untimely gray▪

Farewel good days to him who hereon pores;

To theſe dull humours therefore ſhut thy dores.

Sorrow comes ſoon enough; why with ſuch kind

Of pond'rings ſhould we then afflict our mind?

He who on evils will before-hand muſe,

When come, in him will but more grief infuſe.

Yet let them mope that pleaſe; how ill it ſuits

With thee, fair boy, however! ſtrong diſputes

'Twixt Chaſtity and ſuch fair looks as thine

Are never wanting, till that grace incline

To yield to the allurements which are layd

In ambuſh for her, whereby ſhe's betray'd.

Behold, from lips the Coral which tranſcend,

Soft moving words do flow, that love intend,

And ſue for a complyance; nor can breaſts

More hard than Rocks deny their kind requeſts:

And Pleaſures thereto joyn'd, on every ſide,

Of every kind ſtill Virtue doth beſtride,

And conquer: Although never ſo auſtere,

Even Virtue muſt the Charms of Love revere.

But woe is me, to whom do I addreſs

All this diſcourſe? 'tis my unhappineſs

p. 53To ſpend my ſighs unto a flint, a ſtone;

Yet ſtones have tears to weep, but thou haſt none.

Though nature made thee thus ſurprizing fair,

(And ſure where beauty is, Loves ſeat is there)

Yet can my words, though from a troubled mind,

In thee no pity, no compaſſion find.

How can it be that in thoſe looks ſhould dwell

Such cruel nature? O that fierceneſs quell!

Be not ſo bloody-minded; imitate

Thy lovely air; be kindly paſſionate.

Thoſe ſlaves who in the fierceſt battles bear

The brunt, and in worſt dangers muſt appear;

Or thoſe who are transfix'd unto the Oare,

Or who the plough do follow, can't be more.

Them poſſibly it might become to be

As rough as their rough skins, but never thee,

Whoſe looks ſo ſweet, ſo lovely do appear

As if they ſaid it, Gentleneſs is here.

Thy education, and thy yet few days,

Soft dalliance more becomes, and Bacchus ways.

Sweet Malmſey with a Song, and on the knee

A ſpritely Damſel, wondrouſly agree

And ſuite with thy ſmooth Chin; nor can thy age

…t ſelf from theſe ſoft pleaſures diſengage.

Alas! to what, I pray, is beauty good?

…t bears no fruit, nor eat▪ we it as food;

Nor likewiſe was it for the plough deſign'd,

…t muſt be therefore but a ſhade or wind.

…f greater good may not be drawn from thence,

Which who doth not deduce, is void of ſenſe.

…s fruit is purely joy, no good beſides

Within the borders of its view reſides.

…he bluſhing Roſe, though from the ſtalk ne're wreſted,

…r in gay wreaths by Virgin-hands inveſted,

p. 54Or by a Lover to his female friend

Never beſtow'd, yet ſhould its beauty end

To ſoon, behold how that its thirſty leaves

Extends for dew each morning, and receives;

Which when they once no more obtain, they fade,

Nor leave o'th' ſtalk more than the wither'd blade.

Why ſhouldſt thou ſpare that youth which waſts away

So of it ſelf? time onelyonly a decay

Works on it, and impairs its comely guiſe:

This ſeaſon therefore ſlip not, art thou wiſe.

Do I love thee? I therewith thee accuſe;

Thy beauty 'tis that doth this love infuſe:

Whoever ſuch ſurprizing looks beheld,

And was not more than to eſteem compell'd?

None thirſty view the Font's aſpiring ſource,

Yet from a taſt can their parcht throats enforce;

Nor any fang'd with hunger, well-dreſs'd meat

Before them ſee, yet can refrain to eat.

Wine fill'd in glaſſes of a Chriſtal white,

Is drank with more refreſhment and delight.

Thou know'ſt though meats be ne'r ſo toothſome mad…

They're loath'd, if not in cleanly diſhes layd.

'Tis ſtrange, yet true; by ſilence beauty gains

Rough hearts to yield, nor once by words complains

Although with eyes, yet melteth frozen breaſts,

And the obdurate, by thoſe dumb requeſts.

Nothing that from the lips of beauty ſtreams,

But like a dew, of birth celeſtial ſeems,

And overtakes with raviſhment the heart,

Whether in jeſt addreſs'd, or earneſt part.

p. 55JOSEPH.

HOw! ſhall then Beauty, humane natures praiſe,

Be made a glaſs where luſtful eyes may gaze?

When comely objects are beheld, then muſt

The fleſh, think you ariſe in flames of luſt?

Was this the end when Natures hand did grace

With thoſe Divine perfections humane race?

O no, the gifts of our great God invite

By no means man unto ſin-born delight:

Nor was this giv'n it ſelf by luſt to pleaſe,

But by chaſt Wedlock man-kind to encreaſe;

His Maſculine perfections her delight▪

Her female graces him to love excite.

He loving her alone, ſhe him, there are

No thirds that in their bliſs can claim a ſhare.

He gives, ſhe draws his gifts by her fair eye;

Nor can ſhe crave the thing he can deny▪

And her deſires agreeing ſo with his,

They both contribute to compleat their bliſs.

This is the end of beauty, to allure

Thus chaſt affections that may long endure▪

And they, if chaſt indeed, when beauty's gone,

That beauty will out-live, that led them on.

The words of beauty, you alledge prevail,

Ev'n though they ſhould hearts made of rocks aſſail…

And I am fair, ſay you, O but admit

I might now ſay what moſtly might befit

Your ſo obdurate heart, and that might be

Diſſolved by the words that flow from me.

Yet there is more, I for your Intereſt

Humbly adviſe and preſs you; my requeſt

p. 56Seeks but your ſafety, whereas yours to me

Moves towards that which will my ruine be.

Be then advis'd (and ſure 'tis highly beſt)

Let not henceforth your eyes upon me reſt

Luſt to excite, but when you Joſeph view,

Think than a ſervant he's no more to you.

'Tis not enough if we refrain the deed;

Luſts in the thoughts from guilty breaſts proceed.

And they who are inflamed in that kind,

Bear before God a ſin-polluted mind.

Yet if the while my object in your breaſt

Your luſt ſhould heighten, and deſtroy your reſt,

Great would my ſorrow be: Nay, I before

This ſhould ſucceed, my face in purple gore

Would certainly convert; my killing eyes

I would reward with equal cruelties:

Within theſe cheeks my nails I would indent,

And in that manner them ſo oft torment,

Until no marks of beauty there ſhould be

More left, but horrour, whence all eyes ſhould flee.

But you that beauty ſeek, convert your eyes

Unto that glorious Helion; a ſurprize

Will ſeize your ſoul, from the firſt ſight you gain,

Which fixed there in wonder will detain,

And ardent love, and that will quite extrude,

Which in your breaſt you now ſo cloſe include.

How vain, alas, is that we beauty call,

In looks decypher'd which we ſo extol!

Take thence the veil, and that which meets our ſight

Is ſores which very nature doth affright.

No ſooner from our body is expreſt

That ſuſpiration wherein life doth reſt;

No ſooner are our noſtrils ſtopt; but ſtrait

Our beauty's gone, our glory finds a date.

p. 57The Corps then ſo forſook, extended are,

Which with ſad …bſe…uies men mourning bear

Unto their ſable graves, where then they muſt

Meaſure their cold proportions in the duſt.

There now behold your lovely beauty lye,

Nor long expect, and you may feeding ſpy

Self-quickning worms upon that fleſh, whoſe ſight

Could once your Souls entireſt thoughts delight.

Well, therefore pray from thence revert your eyes;

Nor longer with the world ſuch beauty prize,

But raiſe them up unto thoſe things above,

Which will both kindle and protect your love:

For there is nothing in this lower ſphear

Which ſhall not into nothing diſappear.

But now, alas, your words too plainly ſhew,

Not beauty 'tis, but horrour you purſue.

The uglineſs of ſin who can expreſs?

And yet 'tis this at which your Soul doth preſs.

If pencils could by deep and heightings art

This Monſter unto humane eyes impart,

And half its uglineſs delineate, we

As from infernal plagues thence ſtruck ſhould flee.

Produce us what you can that genders fright,

Or huge amazement, or afflicts the ſight;

All the deformities which you can ſhew,

Though ne're ſo diſmal, yet ſo black a view

Have not as this you ſeek. But here I ſtay

Too long; I to my charge muſt haſte away:

With leave I therefore go: it is not fit

Dames with men-ſlaves long privacies admit.

p. 58SEPHYRA.

NO, thou ſhalt ſtay: nor think to ſhrink ſo hence;

Thy oppoſitions but the more incenſe

My raging flames▪ a ſuffocated fire,

When once broke forth, flames with the greater ire.

But let me know, I earneſtly requeſt,

Whence is it thus thy Soul is pre-poſſeſt

With theſe ſo ponderous things? where was't thou brought

Or trained up? none here have ſo been taught.

Our Men, thou ſee'ſt, are waggiſhly inclin'd,

Nor wanton leſs do I our women find:

Who knows how things would go, if their deſire

Had all the liberty it would require?

Thou onelyonly art exempted; thou alone

Art more relentleſs then obdurate ſtone.

In theſe affairs than thee none ſo unmov'd,

Who love deny'ſt, though much thou art belov'd.

Bleſs me! what is it thus withholds thy mind,

And breeds diſtate in thee to women-kind,

Nay to all joy? what want ſuſtain'ſt thou here,

That againſt pleaſure makes thee ſo ſevere?

Behold, my Palace ſeated for delight,

Within a Grove, where a ſmooth brook more bright

Than ſhining-Chryſtal glydes a thouſand ways,

And in amuſing tracts it ſelf diſplays,

Frequently waſhing the beloved ſides

Of her delightful banks with loving Tides;

Where waves call waves, and glide along in ranks,

And prattle to the water-edging banks:

Unto whoſe murmuring, yet gentle falls,

Melodious birds ſing ſolemn Madrigals,

p. 59And where white Swans do clap their ſilver wing,

And on the breaſt of its Meanders ſwim.

Nor in my gates doth any grief reſide:

Mirth onelyonly, Halcyon pleaſures here abide

In all variety, which recommend

Enjoyment, and for eminence contend.

Here on the Lesbian Lute by skilful hand

Soft ſtrains are ſtruck, which all the Soul command;

Or the Chitarh, or Threcian Harp, which break

Hearts made of Rocks, and them their captives make:

Though of theſe Symphonies none can expel

Thoſe rough deſires which in thy boſome dwell;

In melancholly notions whoſe delight

Is rather plac'd, which humane ſouls affright.

My Tables daily groan, as though each feaſt

Would as a floud devour all Fowl and Beaſt;

So Princely are they ſerv'd: There Bacchus flows

In burniſh'd Gold, and frolick Cups beſtows.

Nay, of things wild here I have likewiſe ſtore;

Of Fowl, of Venſon, and the ſalvage Boar:

OnelyOnly in theſe I ever am beguil'd

Of my due ſhare, ſince Joſeph is not wild.

And yet by Feaſts, where Tables glutted are,

Loves practices we find moſt active there:

The tox'd with wine, and dainties over-fed▪

With heightned luſt go evermore to bed

Eaſe genders teeming fleſh, nor he ſoft days

Who doth enjoy, can chuſe but run her ways.

A belly fill'd with meats of various kind,

Seeks where an exit the exceſs may find.

Methinks that youth, whilſt him fair Dames careſs,

Their love who yet endeavours to ſuppreſs,

Or who in midſt of mirth ſits ſably ſad,

Doth either dream, or elſe is plainly mad.

p. 60Indeed thou art a dreamer, and from thee

What doth proceed, th'effect of fancies be.

They robb'd thee firſt (if Fame doth not beguile)

Of Brethrens love, and wrought thee this exile:

Nor, if thy dreams thou leav'ſt not, wilt thou be

Leſs hated in this Palace, both by me

And by my Lord; by him, through my deviſe:

O therefore dream no more, if thou art wiſe.

In one hour that, which tenſcore years thrice told,

From ſhameful view old Noah did withhold,

Wine ſhow'd to tranſient eyes; and ſhall its ſprite

Raiſe in thy youthful members no delight?

Why ſhould not eaſe as others, work on thee?

Canſt thou leſs feeling then all mortals be,

When tender Love doth her ſoft charms inject?

Wherein haſt thou than others more defect?

Alas, what is't thus I am forc'd to ſee

Two contrarieties made up in thee?

My Chamber with all lovely pomp is deck'd,

Which eyes with wonder and with love affect:

Egyptian needles there have ſhewn what skill,

And patience▪ and induſtry can fulfil;

So lively, that there ſeems a doubtful ſtrife

Betwixt the ſenceleſs ſhadows and the life.

My bed then with this Arras over-laid,

Thereon Egyptian Amours are diſplaid

With skill ſo tempting, that they charm delight

In the moſt cold, and with command invite

To thoſe ſo pleaſing pleaſures, whilſt they ſpeak,

And in fair ſtories their intentions break.

All ſmell of Soveraign balms compounded ſo,

That in their mixture they Conceit outgo▪

More precious than the fragrant breath which moves

The whiſpering leaves in the Panchain Groves.

p. 61The Arabian wind, whoſe breathing gently blows

Purple to th'Violet, bluſhes to the Roſe,

Did never yield an odour like to theſe,

So greatly which that ſmelling ſenſe doth pleaſe:

No Myrrhe, no Caſſia, nor more choice perfumes

Of untouch'd Nard, or Aromatick fumes

Of hot Arabia doth enrich the air

With more delicious ſweetneſs, or more rare.

O come then, let us in the downy plume

Tumble with boldneſs, and in claſps conſume

The hours in feats of love, pledging each other

In mutual flames, and daſtard ponderings ſmother.

Nor need we fear an abſent Husband now,

Whom we involv'd in Court-concerns do know,

So deeply too, that he no thought behind

Hath left at home of his ſo cumber'd mind.

Well, for a cloſe then, get thee without fear

To th'door of my withdrawing chamber, where

Thrice ſoftly knock, and then as oft be ſtill;

Then knock again, the door ſhall do thy will.

Be this thy warning, and forthwith advance

With undiſturbed mind. In dalliance

We ſo ſome hours will ſpend. Moſt happy boy,

Who without ſighs ſo freely mayſt enjoy

That bliſs for which ſo many ſigh'd in vain,

Nor any fruit could of their ſuit obtain.

JOSEPH.

BUt whilſt your Chambers glory thus you raiſe,

With far-fetch'd words, the ſubtil Merchants ways

I find you uſe, who doth the beſt expoſe

Of his bad wares, nor will their faults diſcloſe.

p. 63You golden pleaſures offer unto me,

But of a wounded mind can ſilent be:

Of momentany joys you glibly tell,

But leave untouch'd the future woes of Hell.

Though therefore thus you Chambering dalliance praiſe,

Within my breaſt yet this no luſt can raiſe:

For ſweet though theſe delights are to your mind,

Yet I therein much bitterneſs do find;

On which when I reflect, from trembling then

No ſtay I have: as with an iron pen

I find it in my fear-poſſeſſed mind

Deeply engraven. He who is inclin'd

To acts adulterous with his neighbours wife,

Sports with his body, Soul, and future life.

Behold, the evil Conſcience, that great Book

Wherein vile deeds as black as Hell do look;

That memorable record, where is writ

All ill men do all goodneſs they omit:

If ſuch mine be, a tempeſt in my mind,

An ever-barking dog I there ſhall find:

Nor ſhall my fears, my ſorrows, my affrightings,

My late-wiſh'd had I wiſts, remorſeful bitings,

From thence proceeding, ever have an end,

But with thoſe plagues for evermore contend.

Guilt makes us ſhake when ruffling leaves we hear;

When a light breath but moves the graſs, we fear:

Before the naked walls, our looks grow pale;

Nor whilſt the cauſe abides, can help avail.

The Husbands fear both needs muſt overtake,

Who vengeance claims for his robb'd honours ſake;

He will no bribe accept; no gold will blind

Or lay the rage of his incenſed mind:

Pale jealouſie, with ever-waking eyes,

Will ſeek, when once alarmed, to ſurprize

Both in the filthy act, which when it ſhall,

One ſate they both ſhall have, and ſink one fall.

Now think if Potiphar ſhould once obtain

Light of our practices, my God! what pain,

What whips, or wracks, or cruel deaths ſhould be

Cruel enough for ſuch a wretch as me?

No more then words, but deeds would ſpeak his mind;

Me on the ſlaughtering bank to ſ…ay he'd bind;

And there begin, where in a fatal time

Began my ſo injurious mortal crime:

He'd ſpit my Carcaſe then; that roaſted, he

Would throw to dogs, for them to feed on me.

Nay, whatſoever plagues might be devis'd,

Together ſhould on me be exercis'd.

Nor yet ſhould this at all his rage attone,

But unto more revenge, he'd ſeek each bone,

And them, now bare, together fitly knit,

As like a chair, where you forlorn ſhall ſit;

A chair ſo fram'd, where days with panting breath

You in the Ribs ſhall dwell as chain'd in death,

And where of life though I am diſpoſſeſt,

Your guilty Limbs yet in my lap ſhall reſt.

Shall reſt, ſaid I? O no! What thing can give

Repoſe to you, who but to grief ſhall live?

Shall live! nor can that be; what life is there,

Where death is found, or ever-dying fear?

This tender skin which doth my face impale,

Shall then for yours become a Harlots veil.

Nay, ſtartle not; for this is but the way

Whereby your lips you to your Loves may lay.

This skul ſhall be your Cup, whence you ſhall drink,

Which ſhall aſſiſt you on your joys to think.

Theſe locks by you ſo comely deem'd to me,

Shall your bald Crown inveſt, and border be.

p. 64My skin all day ſhall hang to intercept

Your Limbs where you ſhall priſoner be kept:

And on the roof men ſo the ſame ſhall haſp,

As if it would you in its arms inclaſp.

But when the penſive night her wings ſhall ſpread,

And drowzineſs in eyes of mortals ſhed;

When nothing's heard but now and then the howl

Of ſome vile Cur, or whooping of the Owl;

And when the horned Moon by her pale light

The more ſhall raiſe the horrour of the night:

Then this ſame skin your limbs ſhall over-ſpread,

As burying you alive among the dead.

And why all this is done when you inquire,

Remember but the things you now deſire;

No farther ſearching you ſhall need to make,

But for ſufficient anſwer that may take.

O my good God! but what ſhould I then do,

Heaped with plagues more diſmal far then you?

p. 65Within whoſe mind a ſorer load ſhould dwell,

…y how much more my guilt ſhould yours excel.

…magine I were taken in the fact,

…nd forthwith ſo to deaths dominions packt,

…urried away by a ſuperiour hand;

…hink how my caſe then in Gods ſight ſhould ſtand.

… as the lofty Tree doth fall, it lyes;

…nd ſo doth earth-born man, when once he dyes:

…o as his dying fleſh he puts off here,

…o he before Gods judgment muſt appear;

…nd as he doth unto his grave go down,

…o he ſhall riſe to ſhame or high renown.

The day doth come when all the world ſhall lye

…rying in flames, and Time it ſelf ſhall dye;

When ſeas with skies, and skies with ſeas ſhall joyn▪

…nd ſtars with ſtars confounded, looſe their ſhine:

When the whole hinge of theſe inferiour things

…hall all be broke, and run into their ſprings;

When the dread T…ump ſhall thunder through the deep,

…nd wake dead Mortals from their longeſt ſleep;

And when the dreadful Judge, in middle air,

…hall ſummon Souls before him to appear.

O how wilt thou approach, vile fleſh, that eye

Of God, who like the ſwine didſt live and dye,

When he ſhall on his great Tribunal ſit,

And judge the Treſpaſſes thou didſt commit▪

… thy paſt days of fleſh? when thy own breaſt

Shall teſtifie againſt thee, and infeſt

…hy ſoul with horrid fear, whilſt thou doſt ſtand

… foul Contemner of Gods great Command?

When all thy works ſhall be diſclos'd to thee,

…ow vaſt, how manifold, how black they be?

…d when thou ſhalt behold that all is known

…hatever thou haſt evil thought and done?

p. 66Wilt thou be then as now, ſo bold? no, fear

Will make thy courage quickly diſappear:

Cold ſweat, joynts knocking, and ſtiff briſtling hair

Do plainly ſhew no courage to be there.

Fear is the palſie of the mind and ſoul,

A Tempeſt which no cunning can controul;

No bribes, or blandiſhments, or Charms, its rage,

By guilt ingender'd, ever can aſſwage:

But after Tryal, then the Sentence flies

Like thunder, at which voice the ſinner dyes

(Not mortally) ſo horrible the tone,

Depart thou curſed: whereupon a groan

(Far dolefuller than thoſe in pangs of death)

Are fetcht by guilty hearts as in a breath.

When we depart from life, to death we come;

And God once gone, then Devils take his room.

Shut out from Heaven, we muſt go to Hell,

There with our ſins and their effects to dwell.

Ay me! who can deſcribe that place of woe?

But thoſe that feel it, by their feeling do.

They ſurely erre, who dream there Hydra ſtands,

Or Scylla, Briareus with his hundred hands,

Or flam'd Chimera's, Harpies, full of rape,

Or ſnaky Gorgons, Gerions triple ſhape,

Or thoſe three Furies, daughters to old Night,

Implacable, and hating all delight,

Who whilſt before the flaming gates they ſit,

With wrathful Combs their ſnaky curls unknit;

Or Dis with his fierce Daemons, or the Hoſt

Of fleſhly Ghoſts in ſenſual flames that roſt;

Or other fictions more: but I am ſure

There ſorrows dwell which evermore endure:

And an immortal God ſhall then lay on

Plagues which both cannot, and yet muſt be born.

p. 67He'll plague then like a God, whilſt wretched we

Muſt bear them (though we cann't) eternally.

O thou Eternity, what great amaze

Does thy reflection in my inwards raiſe!

Thy endleſs thought creates another Hell

In midſt of it, if not its woes excel.

But theſe things in your thoughts are fond, you ſh…w,

And I in your conce…t for ſimple go.

Well, though I do, yet the divine Beliefs

Of God in ſimple uprightneſs conſiſts.

Then as a dreamer you 'gainſt me exclaim,

Although than this I have no greater name:

Nay, whoſoever for this cauſe may frown,

Yet on my head I'll bear it as my Crown,

And for it praiſe my God; hereby I ſee,

That in my ways his Spirit is with me.

When Sov'raign ſleep deſcendeth from on high,

And on their Couch theſe members ſtretcht do lye,

My ſprightly Soul, that part of Heavenly fire,

Nor ſleeps nor ſlumbers, but remains entire

In action. By ſtrange viſions of the night,

I in my ſoul perceive the God of light,

Whoſe Spirit then, whilſt others ſlumbers bind,

Graciouſly communes with my raviſh'd mind,

Plainly fore-ſhewing to my ſelf what ſhall,

And mighty Realms, in future days befal.

Though from my ſoil for dreams Hate baniſh'd me,

Again by dreams yet I ſhall raiſed be;

And thoſe this evil who have wrought me, ſhall

With ſuppliant knee unto my mercy fall;

That ſeek with contrite tears, deep groans, and ſee

Their hate then paſt ſhall be forgot by me.

Nor ſhall I ſeek revenge, but they ſhall find

To them I'll bear a loving brothers mind.

p. 68But grant I had power, and ſhould with crafty wile,

The watchful eyes of Jealouſie beguile;

Alas, what help yet for me in that hour,

When guilty thoughts ſhould all my peace devour?

Who knows not, though with care by th'vicious ſought,

Yet their own mind to peace cannot be bought;

That lowdly vengeance crying, each vile heart

So Condemnation muſt to't ſelf impart.

You may obſcure your deeds in graves below,

Or in thick darkneſs them abſcond: but know,

Although the Conſcience you may charm aſleep,

That yet you never ſhall long ſilent keep.

O no, your injur'd God, while drowſie night

Your eye-lids cloſe, your thoughts with ſhapes ſhall fright,

Reſembling juſt your guilt; and unto day

Your works produce, which in oblivion lay.

That there's a God, nor need you ſeek to find;

Turn but within, and ſee him in your mind:

Examine there, and you will quickly know

That he's above, and in your thoughts below.

When heat of luſt doth in the luſtful ceaſe,

Strait deep remorſe becomes their minds diſeaſe.

Pleaſures once over-blown, and youth decay'd,

Regret and Trembling doth the Soul invade.

Who's pleas'd when he compares his ſhort joys ſpent,

With laſting woes, their purchaſe, which torment

The Mind and Body with far greater pain,

Than all thoſe joys before did pleaſure gain?

For ſeeds of pleaſure, we but ever find,

Are cowardiſe and horrour in the mind.

Do, go, enjoy your ſwing, chooſe carnal things;

Theſe are thoſe ſoft delights with deadly ſtings,

The death of Souls, confuſion of all grace,

The worm that gnaws for never-ending ſpace.

p. 69Well then, (O much deceiv'd) if true delight

You yet deſire, then bravely ſhew deſpight

To luſt; deny your eyes, ſuperbly ſpurn

At Love, which doth in luſt forbidden burn.

Alas! and what's theſe joys? youth ſwiftly flies

To hoary age, and with it Pleaſure dies;

Our day-ſun ſet, and ſable night come on,

Our woes ſo come, and ſo our joys are gone.

Still to do good, and overcome the heart,

Doth evermore unto the Soul impart

All comfort, and thence grief compels to flye:

'Tis the beſt pleaſure, Pleaſure to deny.

O thou tranſcendent joy, celeſtial reſt,

How happy are thoſe Souls by thee poſſeſt!

No joy or pleaſure like to that we find,

Whoſe fix'd abode is in a righteous mind.

SEPHYRA.

WEll then, I ſee that kindneſs is too weak

Thy ſavage temper to ſubdue or break;

Which ſince it cannot my great cauſe defend,

That then on other motives I muſt bend.

I know that ſlothful jades refuſe to ſtir,

Till in their ſides they feel the gauling ſpur.

If thou art ſuch, (and ſuch thou ſeem'ſt to be)

Expect the fruits then of my hate on thee.

Once when a woman proſtrates her good …

Her Honour, Vertue, Chaſtity, her Fame,

To him ſhe loves, if her deſigns ſhe miſs,

As one beſides her ſelf ſtark mad ſhe is;

Big with revenge, therein impatient grows,

And frantickly all hindrance overthrows

p. 70Croſſing her end; no charms may her aſſwage;

Even friends ſhe ſacrifices to her rage.

The ſweeter wine at firſt is found to be,

The tarter, when corrupted, proves, we ſee.

Of once denyed curteſies we find

The ſtrongeſt malice ever left behind.

And theſe all menace thee, if to that joy

I kindly woe thee to, thou wilt be coy:

Where know, thou ſhalt no ſooner this deny,

But in extreameſt Tortures thou ſhalt dye.

Our paſſions to extremities dilate;

Flying the mean, we over-love or hate.

Thou then who art reſolv'd no love to ſhow,

Know, from this hour my hate on thee doth grow

Fierce and implacable. War I declare,

And what I can deviſe, I ſhall prepare

To work thy woe; all miſchief then on thee

That falls, be confident it comes from me.

In deeds of black revenge we ever ſee,

The womans faculties more pregnant be

Than thoſe of man; for in profound deceit▪

And wiſe conduct ſhe is the moſt compleat.

Well, what invented or perform'd can be

Of fierceſt plagues, ſhall all be flung on thee.

Each act of thine, or word thou ſhalt have ſaid,

Shall kill thee, ſuch conſtructions ſhall be made.

Nor yet enough, things worſe I'll do than theſe:

This crime of mine (ſuch are our practices)

I'le turn on thee, and ſtifly this to be

A truth affirm, Thou wouldſt have raviſh'd me.

This to effect, my thoughts now in me frye:

No holding helps, all my inventions flye

Where anger leads▪ for me there is no cure;

Thou muſt my love obey, or rage endure,

p. 71Like a brave Soul, who when in priſon pent,

Then more than ever in deſire is bent

T'enjoy loſt liberty. 'Tis ſ…arce believ'd

What by extremities have been atchiev'd.

This dire affair I muſt and will conclude,

Though Earth, Sea, Fire, and Air ſhould be renew'd

In their firſt Chaos: And although thou art

Ne'r ſo reſolved againſt my raging ſmart,

Yet I'll proceed, and imitate the ſnake,

Whoſe head if catcht, a tail-defence doth make.

So if I find there is no other way,

Thou thy denial with thy blood ſhalt pay;

Hereto I am arriv'd with ſtedfaſt mind,

As links in Chains, ſo ſinful deeds are joyn'd.

Who ill contrives, he muſt proceed therein,

And for his cloak with nimble skill begin

His falſe complaint: they who firſt audience gain,

Though criminal, the juſt mans right obtain.

He who a villany hath undertook,

Upon no lyes with tender thoughts muſt look:

A face of braſs muſt his defence become,

Leſt ignominious ſhame ſhould prove his doom.

When potent might is joyn'd with mortal hate,

What evil cannot theſe two powers create?

Like Thunder-bolts, all letts they overthrow;

And fear'ſt thou not what all my power can do?

Think on thy caſe; my Husband will believe

My words, and thee of all thy ſtate bereave:

Commit thee to a Goal as dark as night,

Where neither Sun nor horned moon give light:

There then a cruel hangman ſhall torment

Thy fleſh, and for thy mind fierce plagues invent:

A hand ſhall then (that never knew reſpect)

Diſ-robe thy body, nakedneſs detect;

p. 72And on the painful Wrack thy members bind,

Them by his art unſufferably wind,

And ſever joynt from joynt, from foot to hand,

As men before the fire the wax expand:

By a fierce wretch thy fleſh then ſhall be prickt

With pointed gads; he ſhall thy mind afflict,

That from wiſh'd reſt deprive, and the long night

Extract ſo all thy ſtrength and youthful ſp'rite.

Yet more! then water one ſhall pour in thee,

Which ſhall by ſtamps again expreſſed be▪

So that all tortures which can be devis'd,

Together ſhall on thee be exercis'd.

In that mean while if one ſhould ſadly ask,

Why thus thou muſt perform this baleful task,

Say then the truth: Becauſe a beauty us'd

Kindneſs, love offer'd, which yet I refus'd.

Unheard-of folly! who will not deride

This frenzy? for thereto will be apply'd

Thy hateful deeds: O, moſt of all unwiſe,

Will all exclaim, who pleaſure didſt deſpiſe!

Juſtly doth ſorrow now thy life devour,

Who bliſs refuſedſt when within thy power.

Thou'rt duely plagu'd, whom pleaſure did invite

To eaſe, yet who in dreams took'ſt more delight.

Thy patience thus ſhall ſtanders by employ,

Though the ſweet ſin thou never didſt enjoy.

All ſhall thy innocency then accuſe,

And becauſe guiltleſs, with all ſcorn abuſe.

One that's tormented for deſerved crimes,

Thinks for his ſins this is of former times,

And therefore bears his plagues with quiet heart:

But guiltleſs to be plagu'd, 's a bearleſs ſmart.

Some eaſe it is in midſt of all his grief,

To recollect paſt joys; 'tis ſome relief

p. 73Pleaſures to bring to mind enjoy'd of late;

But plagues unmerited are plagues too great.

When then long pains ſhall through thy vitals preſs,

Then ſhalt thou yet at laſt all true confeſs

Which ſhall be layd againſt thee, though ne're done;

And then is thy good name and glory gone.

What ſignifies a good report, if we

As criminals ſhall executed be?

If with tranſgreſſours 'tis our lot to fall?

For th'end if bad, there's nothing good at all.

Be not beguil'd, the fleſh is falſely frail;

Pain ſhall with thee (though juſt) to lye prevail.

How many Innocents when come to dye,

Hath torments pain'd, hath pain conſtrain'd to lye?

But go ſoft-headed, for a beauty chuſe

Fantaſtick dreams, which do thy mind abuſe;

For peaceful eaſe, ſwoln grief; for pleaſure, pain;

Hate, for ſoft love; repining loſs, for gain;

Uneaſie Priſon, fleſh-oppreſſing bands,

For ſoft embracements in loves cluſtring hands;

The wracks fierce torments, for my eaſie bed,

And with all plagues for pleaſures to be fed▪

Thus weeping chooſe, inſtead of to rejoyce.

But ah! betwixt them there's too great a choyce:

Far wiſer 'tis thy Sephyra to love;

Thy youth to cheriſh is a wit above

The quenching of its heat; why ſhouldſt thou tame

That in thy breaſt, which is but natures flame?

So many men throughout their lives there be,

Who on pitch'd planks do plough the pathleſs ſea,

Hazarding Life and Soul for but ſmall gain,

Whilſt thou through love may'ſt mighty wealth obtain.

Since I my bed preſent, well may'ſt thou gueſs

Thee I deſign beſides all happineſs.

p. 74Thy whole deſire, that but by ſigns expreſt,

Shall ſtrait be done unto thy hearts requeſt;

Preſerve this leſſon; he who can contrive

How in our ſheets he may to hunt arrive,

His work is done; thenceforth the gentle prey

Clings to her Hunter, and doth him obey.

When once a wife doth ſtrangers beds frequent,

The ſpare-box gets a crack, the purſe a rent:

Whoſe golden bowels then become poſſeſt

By him, who hath moſt value in her breaſt.

What ſhall I adde? ſhe who hath given away

The key of all her honour, ſhe the way

Hath to her treaſure open laid, beſides

Sharer in bed, in goods the ſame abides.

Haſt thou not heard, that Riches to obtain

Through ſmooth Adultery is ſo ſweet a gain,

So pleaſant a contrivance, lightſome task,

That youth could never for a choiſer ask?

Well, I have done; onelyonly this more would ſay,

As but a means from thee my rage to ſtay:

If yet thou wouldſt but eaſe my inward pains,

For Iron-ſhackles thou with golden chains

Shouldſt honour'd be, nor evermore moleſted

With ſlavery henceforth; but now inveſted

With freedome: nay, forthwith for thee I'd have

A place at Court, which I would either crave

Of Potiphar, or of the Prince: all know

How far with both of them my word can go.

But if thou ſeek'ſt wealth, freedom or renown,

Grant my requeſt, and they are all thy own.

p. 75JOSEPH.

HOw! think you love may be by force upheld?

O you're deceiv'd, no love will be compell'd,

It moves of's own accord; ill muſt they fare,

Whoſe minds forc'd wedlock doth together pair.

To deſp'rate ſhifts though fear a man may move,

Yet no coaction can be laid on love;

That free inclin'd, ſubmits to no command,

Nor doth of fear it ſelf leaſt moved ſtand.

If good, your cauſe you ſhould with grounds uphold

More ſtrong; but now remember what of old

Is ſaid: the maid though coy, may yet be won;

But if the man refuſe, the love's undone.

And ſure I am, few ever found ſucceſs,

Who love from any ſought by force to preſs.

…mall recreation in their chaſe they find,

Unwilling Hounds who force by ſtripes unkind.

By various plagues you threaten I ſhall dye,

If I your paſſions to aſſwage deny.

With lyes you ſay you'll over-ſpread my name,

And to my Lord detract my ſpotleſs fame.

Yet I'm unmov'd. Ay me! ſhould I reſpect

The precepts of proud duſt, and ſo neglect

The Oracles of God! my giddy head

And heart from reaſon then would be miſ-led;

Should I a mortal fear? a wife before

My God with lowly bended knee adore?

A woman ſo unconſtant, whoſe frail time

Hath oft a period in its youthful prime?

No, God forbid this folly; let me not

My ſelf lay on my name a worſer blot,

p. 76By fooliſhly aſſenting to your crime,

Than you can do but for a ſpace of time.

Let come what will; let ſowr-ey'd ſcoffers mock;

Let ſcandalizing tongues diſgorge their ſtock

Of venemous report; let cruel man

My mind and body torture all he can.

With obloquy, although I ſhould be flung,

With malice torn, with fiery tongues be ſtung;

Though ſhame her excrements, and hate her gall

Should caſt, I'd value none of them at all.

Who marks of truth hath in his Soul diſcry'd,

Doth with the Moon the ſnails of dogs deride.

A blameleſs mind is fearleſs, and outvies

The higheſt rage of hate, or braſs-brow'd lyes.

This makes us fear no pain, which death will eaſe,

When rage has done its worſt, and us releaſe:

Nor may the worſt of tortures be compar'd

Unto the future joys for us prepar'd.

Yea, let your bloody Inſtruments with ſtrict

And cruel plagues my tender fleſh afflict

Beyond its ſtrength, this ſhall be my relief,

My breaſt ſhall chear me in the midſt of grief.

Though on ſoft fires I ſhould be laid to burn,

Or with red Tongs ſhould be aſunder torn,

Or dropt with ſcalding pitch whilſt I am frying,

Or broken on the painful wheel, or dying

Through extream tortures long endur'd, yet I

To God with comfort would advance mine eye.

He will, I know, the force of theſe aſſwage,

Or ſtrengthen me in their extreameſt rage:

That whilſt my hangmen in their malice toyl,

I in their looks in ſpight of them ſhall ſmile.

If then 'tis ask'd, why ſuffers thus this youth?

While I can ſpeak I'll anſwer, Of a truth,

p. 77Becauſe he rather choſe this diſmal end,

Than in foul pleaſures all his days to ſpend.

But when my honeſt deed ſhall come to light,

(Nor can truth long lye hid in envious night)

Then ſo much earth I would but onelyonly crave,

Where reſt at laſt my mangled bones might have;

Next, that this Epitaph might likewiſe be

On that black Marble rent, which ſhadows me.

Hereunder lyes a ſlave in diſmal grief who fell,

Becauſe he lov'd his Miſtriſs and his Lord too well.

A little beaſt there is, of ſnow-white skin,

Which placed down upon the ground, within

A ring of muck, from whence it cannot flee,

Unleſs its Fur ſhall all-defiled be,

There ſhall it ſtand, nay death much rather chuſe,

Than the leſt filth its pureneſs ſhould abuſe.

O if my Marble likewiſe this expreſt

In life-like action, 'twere my third requeſt:

Thus then at leaſt I ſhall this reſt obtain,

Where ſuch as you no more ſhall grieve again

My perſecuted Soul, and this ſame thing

Among my bones ſhall make my ſpirit ſing;

Adieu, vain world, alas, how vain to me!

That wouldſt not yield me one days reſt from woe.

My days, though but ſpan-long, yet in them be

A world of griefs which me did over-flow.

Now they are done, and with them done my fears

Of reſtleſs evils, with my reſtleſs tears.

p. 78When in the world I liv'd with wordly men,

Their wicked Souls deep ſtain'd in ſinful ſpot,

Would either ſtain me too, or grieve me then,

Nor might I 'ſcape their ſcourge, if ſo their blot.

But now I'm there where wicked numbers ceaſe

From troubling more, and where I reſt in peace.

Becauſe affliction ſat upon my brow,

And was my mate, how men did chaſe my life!

Nor Goal nor Priſon could ſuffice; for how

Men moſt might plague me was their manly ſtrife.

But now their rage is done, no more I hear

The fierce Oppreſſors voice far off or near.

How have I groan'd beneath the toylſome yoak

Of ſin, and woes, which ſinful deeds infold!

How have I wept my ſins which God provoke,

So wearyed out till all my days were told.

Now my tir'd bones this grave which doth receive,

From all theſe toyls gives me a ſafe reprieve.

And while I thus rejoyce, here yet will be

Thoſe that will bleſs my happy memory;

In Sacred Hymns compoſed for this ſake,

When in their hearts chaſt melody they make.

Thus I ſhall ever live, though dead, when you

In infamy ſhall live for ever too.

Whoſe memory will but exalt my name,

And infamy encreaſe my greater fame.

From which of your perſwaſions then ſhould I

Fear all your deaths, ſince I can never dye?

No, ſince my death will be a gain to me,

And by your rage, from trouble ſet me free?

p. 79Well, I'm reſolv'd, death then I'll rather chuſe,

Than my chaſt body with vile luſt abuſe.

Think not I ſhall relent, I'm fix'd herein,

As much as you are to commit the ſin.

Alas! you're ſtill deceiv'd, not pleaſures paſt,

Shall the tormented then with eaſe repaſt,

If the effects of ſin; 'tis guiltleſneſs

Shall comfort ſuch in their extream diſtreſs.

'Tis known, they who are plagu'd for ſin do dwell

That while, as in the diſmal woes of Hell.

On God 'tis I depend: he'll make me taſt

Of his ſweet life in death. Methinks I haſt

Towards him with all joy, (though through the fire

You threaten) with inſatiate deſire.

O therefore think not I for fear of you

Shall God offend, and luſt with you purſue.

SEPHYRA.

NOw muſt I ſay, (though ſorry for thy ſake)

Thou than to bend doſt rather chooſe to break.

As clear as day I find it now moſt true,

What fancy will in ſturdy humours do.

But what's this Spirit, thus that all things weighs,

That againſt every pleaſure ſo inveighs?

Surely a ſickneſs in the crazy mind,

When that to melancholy is inclin'd.

The lunatick of Caſtles in the air

So dream, and labour with ludibrious care,

Something, they know not what, to bring to paſs▪

So thou but dream'ſt of things that never was.

'Tis fumes of brain which in a foggy ſtate

Of weather cloud it, and do diſſipate;

p. 80When eaſt-winds purge the air, and skyes do ſmile.

This to regard I think not worth the while.

Shall I add more?—

JOSEPH.

N—No, 'tis enough, forbear;

Nor may you ſay, nor may I longer hear

Such Blaſphemies. O thou long-ſuffering grace,

That ſuch reproaches ſuffer'ſt to thy face▪

You ſpeak but by him, yet that tongue employ

To utter words that would himſelf deſtroy!

This Spirit is no dizzineſs of brain,

But what in fleſh and blood no faith can gain.

I do not marvail you cannot conceive

What in your thoughts you never did receive:

The Spiders cob-web can infold no winds,

Nor can the Spirit reſt in carnal minds.

Night-Owls and twilight-Bats abhor the light,

And Sol's bright rays but chear the bleſt with ſight.

The Spirit in our Souls from God above

Is given, as an earneſt of his love.

This is our comforter, our guide, our light,

Our Sanctuary in this gloomy night

Of grief, of errour, darkneſs, and diſtreſs:

By this our wants in prayers we expreſs;

Without it we're unſafe, nor can we ſay

What 'tis we want, much leſs for bleſſings pray.

Hereby our heart's celeſtially ſublime,

And rais'd, become above the Moon to climb,

Above the ſtars, even to the ſacred breaſt

Of God, the Summum bonum of our reſt.

His hereby we are known; this is his Seal,

Which us his own, and him doth ours reveal.

p. 81It clears the clouds of ignorance away▪

Us to our ſelves doth needfully diſplay;

Begets all graces in us, kindles love

Within our breaſts, which towards God doth move;

Deſtroyeth then all wordly love from thence,

And ſhields us from its hurtful influence.

The flowing honey-combs delicious taſt

Is not comparable to the repaſt

This gives the Soul, in which its beams when ſhot,

It changes earthly pleaſures into nought.

SEPHYRA.

NO way, I ſee, there's for me to prevail,

This Spirit or I mu… with might aſſail;

For all what I produce, and o… thee gain,

This wind repels, and renders quite in vain.

I'm bent againſt this Spirit with fierce hate.

But come, I'le know more thoroughly its ſtate.

Firſt, what's the Fleſh?

Joſ.

Our nature ſince the Fall.

Seph.

The Spirit?

Jo.

That, which frees us from that thrall.

Seph.

Is Fleſh our nature, which yet you reſiſt?

Enough, hereon I purpoſe to inſiſt.

For once, I'll of our nature take the part.

Joſ.

That you have long ſince done, with ſnaky art.

What ever you have ſaid, I took the ſame,

As from the fleſh ſubſtantially it came.

Hence if the fleſh its ſta…e you would detect,

On your own language then you muſt reflect.

Seph.

Now, be thou then the Spirit, that defend;

With thee this caſe to weigh I condeſcend.

What clauſe makes this▪ thou ſay'ſt, that each with hate

Should always with his fleſh and blood debate?

p. 82Peace is commended by all men, we ſee;

But where there's war, how can there quiet be?

Where hate vindictive dwells, diſpos'd to fight,

How can there grow the fruit of loves delight?

We are injoyn'd to love, which grace muſt flow

Continually from us; but do we ſhow

Any thing of it, when with deadly rage,

Our fleſh and blood to tortures we engage?

What contradiction and what madneſs too,

Does thy Soul utter and perſwade us to!

We muſt ſeek peace, and yet muſt broyls maintain;

Both love our ſelves, and put our ſelves to pain;

Our happineſs deſign, yet that deſtroy:

Such Medlies does thy little Soul employ.

But in thy judgment none will joyn with thee,

I think, that are not mad, or changelings be.

All men commend the tractable, but none

The ſowre, moroſe, they're hated by each one.

He proſpers in the world who to the times

Does ſuit himſelf, and yields to leſſer crimes.

A creditable name hereby he gains,

And every where acceſs and love obtains.

But the preciſe, how odious are they!

Such humours beſt Fanaticks does diſplay.

JOSEPH.

OF pious peace indeed, much might be ſaid,

But ſhall conſpiracy with ſin be made

The peace injoyn'd? Can darkneſs dwell with light?

Or peacefully the Heat with Cold unite?

The living will not with the dead intwine;

Nor love the ſound with the diſeas'd to joyn.

p. 83The ſpriteful ſtripling will not be content

The flower of his affections ſhould be ſpent

Upon a loathſome Carcaſs, voyd of Soul,

Whence crawling vermine in thick knots do rowl.

And yet who with his vices is at peace,

Worſer enormities commits than theſe.

Who will indure him in his houſe alive,

That of her honour would his wife deprive?

None ſure will ſuffer in his tender breaſt

Venemous ſerpents peacefully to reſt.

With him, you know, the Law is not content

To be at peace, whoſe mind's to Murder bent.

Chaſt women ſhould at every ſeaſon be

In feuds with Luſt, and its temptations flee.

Peace is preſerv'd, not broke thereby, whoſe end▪

To laſting reſt within the mind doth tend.

The world the plyant love, ſay you, but hate

Thoſe whom you call moroſe, and does debate

With them by adverſe Fortune evermore,

Till they by tears their miſery deplore.

But who are here theſe tractable you mean?

And who then thoſe moroſe? the worlds eſteem

Here will not ſtand, which muſt once judged be

By him, who then her Enemies will free

From their imputed guilt, condemn th…n thoſe

Who yielded to the Laws ſhe did impoſe.

Perſwaſions dreſt in moving eloquence

For ſinful ends, do therefore oft incenſe

Chaſt minds from hearing, and ſo them engage

To fly from that which doth their death preſage.

For this give not reproachful names to theſe;

'Twill but the more diſcover your diſeaſe,

More odious far than thoſe vile terms you vent

Againſt them, who to you are innocent.

p. 84Indeed in this reſpect we ſhould give way,

When good perſwaſions move us to obey:

Here the untractable do merit ſhame▪

And juſtice for their puniſhment does claim.

If to Gods word you order your requeſts,

We are agreed; farewel then our conteſts:

But if injuſtice you require, our peace

In that would but our miſery increaſe.

Like the fond Ape, who with a ſtrict embrace,

From her beloved brat doth life expreſs:

Or like the fonder Mother, who a knife

Gives to her babe, with which it ends its life.

The Gardner prunes his ſpreading Vine, we know,

Nor barren branches doth permit to grow:

This is not ſtrange, for which of us don't ſee,

That ſo the bearing may more fruitful be?

The feſtring … is by the Surgeons cut,

Unto more ſtrong and painful dolors put;

And yet it is notorious by this ſame

Proceeding, that a cure is all his aim.

Sharp corroſiving plaiſters, that are made

For dangerous ſores, pain when thereon they're laid;

But when they are apply'd upon that part

That's ſound, 'tis not at all perceiv'd they ſmart.

My words, though harſh, if you cannot digeſt,

Your ſelf's the cauſe, you're with ſore plagues poſſeſt.

The Spirits balm, which works in you that pain,

Had you the will, would yield you greateſt gain.

p. 85SEPHYRA.

HOw woful is that ſtate which ever toyls

In midſt of fierce contentions, cruel broyls▪

How miſerable's he▪ who in his mind

A mutiny againſt himſelf muſt … ▪

Juſtly this Spirit doth …plaints provoke,

So inſupportable that makes our yoak▪

That preſſeth our aſſent above the skie,

Though we are made of earth▪ and cannot flie.

The mightieſt Realms do certainly decay,

If in its bowels civil ….

Cities nor Families can longe… ſtand,

When deadly fewds within uſurp command.

How ſhould the heart within mans narrow breaſt

Find place in ſuch a compaſs to digeſt▪

All thoſe fierce broyls, upheld with mutual hate,

Frays, quarrels, fights, which muſt admit no date?

For what is man but gliding ſmoak, a vapour,

A fleeting ſhade, a ſelf-conſuming Taper,

An empty air, a wind, a bri…tle thing,

And what elſe frail we … for likeneſs bring.

If with this Veſſel thou'… be thus ſevere,

Needs muſt the bands of life aſunder tear.

As like a Mine, preſs'd with embowel'd fire,

Gives way▪ unable to contain its ire.

Wherefore ſhould man ſo his endeavours bend

Againſt himſelf, and with himſelf contend?

Maintain within his Soul continual wars,

So being with himſelf at reſtleſs jars?

Mankind from women did, thou know'ſt, proceed,

Whoſe Mother was obtained with that ſpeed,

p. 86When wooing words and fruit did her allure,

Againſt that force unable to indure.

Nor more than ſhe can we, her iſſue, chuſe

To fall at words, ſuch charms do they infuſe:

What comes from Cats, is prone to fleſh of Mice.

Our ſelves both love we cannot and deſpiſe,

Or our deſires. Who can his natures frame

Forſake, or croſs the dictates of the ſame?

We're of frail crudities, in luſt begun,

Crudled as Cream, as Cheeſe together run,

Born in the Womb, fed with the breaſts white flood,

Rockt with ſoft ſongs; in ſhort, we're fleſh and blood.

How will this nothing his deſires aſſail,

Or with ſucceſs againſt himſelf prevail,

Whoſe cruel victory does but portend

His miſerable ruine in the end?

JOSEPH.

THough you diſguiſe your luſt in reaſons dreſs,

Againſt it my diſlike yet I'll expreſs;

Though againſt me your utmoſt you engage,

Yet I'll oppoſe but with a juſter rage.

Bleſt he, who in this quarrel doth perſiſt,

With ſin its curſed dictates to reſiſt;

Happy that mind which evermore doth fight

With its own luſts, and contradicts their might.

There is a bleſt conteſt, a holy war,

An upright enmity, a gainful jar;

Again, there is a peace, a reſt, a joy,

Which doth our Souls of all its peace deſtroy.

'Tis not our loſs that luſts a war maintain

Within our Souls, and put our fleſh to pain▪

p. 87Our ſins to ſee doth not proceed from ſin.

To feel ſins evil doth from good begin.

Though this ſeems ſtrange, and wounds you to the Soul,

Yet it is true, our luſts we muſt controul.

That evil which our certain death will prove,

We by its death ſhould ſurely firſt remove.

Our moſt beloved luſts, our deareſt pleaſures,

Our carnal comforts, all our earthly Treaſures,

We in our hearts muſt not endure to dwell,

Or elſe their fierce allurements there repel.

The moſt occult receſſes of our mind,

That whereunto our nature is inclin'd,

Our frame, our conſtitution, we in chains

Muſt bind, as Rebels, and afflict with pains.

For by the Fall ſo hapleſs man declin'd,

That all was ſpoylt within his heedleſs mind:

And ſince ſo totally did ſin deprave

His Off-ſpring, that 'tis onelyonly ſin they crave.

Would it were with me as I'd wiſh to be,

Both from this world, and from my ſelf I'd flee;

Such treacherous Companions do I find

Remaining in my bones, and in my mind.

Why hug we thus this world and worldly things,

Which no content, but ſour vexation brings!

How is it that our Heaven-born Souls ſo prone

Are unto Earth, and not to God alone!

They that for Heaven intend, of Heaven muſt ſpeak,

Heaven-wards muſt look, and through Heavens gates muſt break;

And they by conſtant labour muſt outdo

The reſtleſs malice of the Tempter too.

But why thus heap I words, where words are vain?

Briefly, Heavens road not eaſie is, or plain.

A thorny way, and through a thorny gate

It is that leads unto that bliſsful ſtate.

p. 88Our hearts, I know, are full of crook'd deſires,

In our beſt duties much of ſin ſuſpires;

Yet comfort we unſpeakable may find,

That are his Children, for our troubled mind.

'Tis beyond doubt the bleſſed Prince of peace

Shall come, and make our expectations ceaſe:

His day I ſaw already in my mind,

And preſs'd his lips with ſalutation kind.

Long ſince I have beheld, as from afar,

A ſtrange far-blazing glory, a bright ſtar,

Boding great light, prepar'd for Zeb'luns day,

To viſit thoſe who in deep darkneſs lay.

Behold the wonder which on earth is done,

A Maid conceives, and doth bring forth a Son;

A Child, a wondrous Child, Heav'n us doth grant,

Emanuel call'd, Prince o'th' new-Covenant.

He was a man of grief, by's own neglected,

Deſpis'd, abus'd, defamed, mockt, rejected.

Patiently he upon his own ſelf brought

Our ſhame, for ſins which we had onelyonly wrought.

His Soul God fill'd with plagues, his Limbs were rent

With wounds, he by himſelf our puniſhment

Suſtain'd, and we are by his ſtripes, his pain,

To God aton'd, and wholly heal'd again.

In unknown paths we wander'd from our way,

As ſcatter'd ſheep without their ſhepherd ſtray,

But by the bleſſing of his Spirits guide,

Thenceforth a better way he doth provide.

As like a Lamb he's to the ſlaughter brought,

There as dumb ſheep, when by the ſhearers caught,

He opens not his mouth, himſelf prepares

For greateſt plagues, and all with patience bears.

For our cauſe he to our Tribunal went,

There ſentence took, and thence to death was ſent;

p. 89Whom when they firſt with bitter ſcoffs revil'd,

They from the living to the dead e…il'd▪

But when his blood he ſhall for offering give,

His ſeed ſhall riſe, and through him ever live:

For by his ſufferings as our debt he paid▪

So ſhall the Fathers wrath then quite be laid.

Well, cheer up then, my Soul, no… now give way

To thy corruptions, or their laws obey.

Though thou by nature waſt in luſt conceiv'd,

Yet from this Fall thou art by grace up heav'd.

God gives his Spirit which with might aſſails

Our luſts, and with ſure victory prevails.

Which ſanctifies the feeble Soul withal,

That elſe would down to each temptation fall.

SEPHYRA.

NOw I ſhall looſe my wits. Prepoſterous fool,

Am I no neerer, all this while, my goal!

Still ſo unmov'd! no Songs but of conſtraint!

Come, 'tis enough, this is the old complaint.

Baſe is that mind that quiet peace diſturbs,

To freedome that prefers enſlaving curbs.

Withhold, thou cry'ſt, afflict, deny, reſtrain,

Force, over-rule, ſuppreſs, torment with pain,

Baniſh, nay kill out-right. Great Nile, what's here!

Unheard▪of Prodigies by humane ear!

Ah ſlave, how well the ornament of chains

Befits thee, who delight'ſt in ſlaviſh pains!

But thou'dſt enſlave us too through ſly adviſe;

Fool, didſt thou then believe us ſo unwiſe?

My blood now riſes into ſcornful ſpite,

To ſee thee in ſuch follies take delight.

p. 90At once thou ſubject of all ſcorn and hate,

Methinks I in thy looks now read thy fate.

Fantaſtick ſop, that tak'ſt delight in woe,

Beſotted friend of Tears, ſoft pleaſures foe,

Rebellious-minded ſoul, at reſt in jars;

In peace as reſtleſs, friend to cruel wars.

Thou perfect Bugbear to refining love,

Who ominous againſt thy ſelf doſt prove;

Mankinds misfortune, in a hapleſs time

Who ſure waſt born, and in a fatal clime.

Thou neither muſt nor wilt, reſolv'd thou ar…

But unto what, thy riddle pray impart?

Forſooth, a ſtrange conceit within thy mind

There is of lagging miſeries behind.

Didſt ever feel them, fool? who told thee ſo?

O grave Tradition, whether true or no.

But thou ſhalt feel them now; thy ſelf then tell,

If greater this, or thy conceited Hell.

I'll now conclude, nor think that I'll regard

Compaſſion more; let death be thy reward,

Or happy life, as thou ſhalt yield, or chuſe;

Yield to my paſſions, or that love refuſe.

Fool, thou'rt too frail thy paſſions to defie

To a fierce conflict, or thy fleſh deny.

Who with too rigid force his youth conſtrains,

Provokes his mind to break with-holding reyns.

Joſ.

Since now you have been pleas'd with ſnaky guile,

As for the fleſh to argue ſtiff ſome while,

I pray permit me then accordingly,

That for the Spirit I may make reply.

Seph.

No, Joſeph, time will thus be ſpent in vain,

What I have ſaid, I now repeat again;

To my requeſt if thou no ear wilt give,

Thou ſhalt repent that thou on earth didſt live.

p. 91Obſerve it well. Yet how can I believe

That Joſeph ſhould himſelf of Bliſs bereave?

Sure if I'm right, more wit doth in him dwell,

And he'll be wiſe when he conſiders well.

Thus by theſe things thou mayſt behold my heart,

How thou moſt truly there beloved art.

Accept my caution, Joſeph, have a care;

Embrace thy fortune, and of woe beware.

That which by th'chiefeſt Nobles of the Land

Hath been purſu'd, now thou haſt in thy hand;

What erewhiles Potiphar with doubtful fears,

With dangers long, with pains, with Lovers tears

Obtained at length, and that by wondrous hap,

That of its ſelf now tumbles in thy lap,

Sues for thy favour, preſt with reſtleſs fires,

Sports with thy Net, and to be caught deſires,

Hangs on thy Neck, to thee flings up that dore

Through which our youth have ſought to go before;

That craves thy aid, towards thee lo that wings,

Offers itſelf, about thee gently clings,

Not to become thy Wife, but Love; invites

Not unto Wedlocks yoak, but luſts delights.

Needs muſt thou be a ſtock devoyd of pleaſure,

Empty of every amiable treaſure,

Nay humane ſenſe; and ſure, if ſo, muſt then

Deſerve exile from reaſonable men.

If thy own happineſs thou wilt forſake,

Nor wilt of theſe my choice delights partake,

Needs muſt thou be ſome ſtone, ſome ſapleſs leaf,

Froward as ſeas, or than their banks more deaf,

Than Tops more whimſical, than hoary Ice

More nipping cold, and more than fools unwiſe.

…ut no, it cannot be, I ſhall prevail,

Nor longer thus my grief in vain bewail.

p. 92Whom do not courteous ſmiles move inwardly?

What heart can ſtand before a woeing eye?

What inclination is ſo ſtrangely nice,

Whom ruby lips ſhould not to kiſs entice?

With whom don't mirth prevail, ſmooth-fac'd delight▪

Whom tempt not dainties bleſs'd with appetite?

Who if to him I ſay, Thee 'tis I chuſe,

So kind a Love yet baſely can refuſe?

Who can thoſe arms, wherein he's ſtraitly claſp'd,

(As like the Oak with cluſtering joy graſp'd)

Break looſe with unkind force? Who can refuſe

A beauteous Female for his Love that ſues?

Well, I have done, what's ſaid ſhall now ſuffice;

And ſure enough is ſaid to make thee wiſe.

Lo, for a while thy ſight I will ſuſpend,

But inſtantly to come again intend.

Be no more fond; thy ſelf that while adviſe

To take good warning, to beware, be wiſe.

I leave thee thy own judge, thou from thy choice

Thy ſelf may'ſt ſentence with unerring voice. Exit.

JOSEPH

alone.

DEar Soul, awaken, thou't become the game;

Againſt thy life is now this womans aim,

Swell'd with revenge. By her fierce looks appear,

And wild behaviour, what thou haſt to fear.

She now her utmoſt valency aſſays,

To fright thee from all chaſt and pious ways;

To cool thy zeal, for which ſhe doth produce

What to her Cauſe may ſeeming ſtrength infuſe.

Thee ſometimes fain ſhe would with luſt poſſeſs:

Deny'd, her note then doth in threatnings dreſs.

p. 93One while with flatt'ry ſtroaks, then with conſtraint

Cruelly cha…es: alas, who can …

…n ſuch uncertain conflicts, and ſo ſtrong,

Where from our ſelf proceeds our greateſt wrong!

With what a ſhew of reaſon does ſhe dreſs

Her luſtful Cauſe! nor equitable leſs

Does ſhe in her unjuſteſt force appear,

…f we obſerve her with a carnal ear.

Alas, how Piety is ſtill oppreſt,

And innocency of right diſpoſſeſt!

The way we walk moſt ſlippery is found,

Where a ſmall trip deprones us on the ground.

…ow am I baffled with uncertain things?

My heart, if croſt, ſinks low; if proſperous, wings

Above aſpiring Hermon, more indeed

That bears than can from humane ſtrength proceed.

This luſtful Eve to me her fruit commends,

…nd with fair ſigns my obſervation bends

To gueſs the taſte, whilſt I its beauty view,

…ut 'tis ſure death if I her end purſue:

…nd yet my fleſh this danger will not ſee,

…hough in the taſte I know a death to be.

…ur Father Adam ſo his wife believ'd

…efore his God, and his dear Soul bereav'd

Of all its bliſs. Ah! by his ſtrength if he

…hough perfect could not ſtand, how then ſhall we

…he Off-ſpring of his Fall, in wavering ways

…hat are but conſtant, toſs'd in evil days?

…he world's a Sea, our ſtrong Deſires the Winds,

…he Ship our Fleſh, the ſwelling ſails our minds.

… left, we drive; and when in ſtraits we fall,

… do we then find Ankors help at all:

…hen mighty waves advance, then ſail our minds;

… yet behold more tempeſts, fiercer winds.

p. 94We whilſt we reſt purſue, but toyl acquire;

And what ſhould quench our griefs, but feeds their …

When my fierce thirſt to cool I do intend,

Enraged fires then lo my inwards rend.

My carnal guſt in that great ſweet doth find,

Which yet as Wormwood taſts unto my mind.

The vulgar tale if true, my caſe then ſeems

Like theirs on bed big with nocturnal dreams,

Who are with Night-mares, as with charms oppreſt,

And then it ſeems a Rock is on their breaſt:

In which ſad caſe, their ſpirits a cold ſweat

Poſſeſs, who labour from this load to get;

They cry unheard, nor ſtir, for fear yet ſhake,

Till they again become as when awake.

Or I am like one who through ſurges breaks,

And him t'a ſhip in lifes diſtreſs betakes,

Where whilſt for help his hands upheaved be,

Lo, by the Current he's compell'd to ſea.

Yet now methinks I'm like Rebecca more,

When ſhe fierce Eſau and my Father bore,

Where by two different natures of this pair,

She was of tumults in her womb aware.

Ay me, what ſtrong commotions, what a fray

Afflicts my mind! I feel the thing I ſay.

But what's more ſtrange? of one behold now two▪

Mortally bent each other to ſubdue:

This is the fruit of Soul-beguiling ſin.

I fear not forrain, but ſtrong powers within;

My boſome breeds the jar, the field's my heart,

Where two in battle each the other thwart.

To hate ſins ways, the Law inſtructs my mind,

Yet in my members ſin poſſeſt I find.

I in the ſpirit upright paths would tread,

But by the fleſh in ways perverſe am led.

p. 95… am in health, and ſick, ſafe and forlorn;

… live and dye, am buried and new-born;

…y zeal is hot, ſometimes than froſt more …old▪

Now I'm afraid, and then again as …old.

… burn and freeze, am blith and ſad of mind;

I ſtand, and down I fall; I looſe and find.

Provok'd by youth, that which fond youth doth pleaſe

I love, yet contrite tears produce my eaſe.

What man yet ever of ſuch wonders read?

My health is by perpetual ſickneſs … ▪

I'm chas'd though I purſue, ſcourg'd though I ſtrike▪

Even my own affections I diſlike.

I'm my own ſlave, yet my own ſelf I fear.

What works my grief, eftſoon… I count moſt dear;

…y theſe mixt thoughts I'm driven to and fro;

Sometimes I'm toſt on high, then plung'd as low.

Alternately thus they diſturb my reſt,

Whilſt one commends what t'other did deteſt.

Alas, what benefits a bolted dore,

Since that's within which is my greateſt ſore?

Whilſt above earth ſometimes I mount on wing,

My groſs deſires me down amain do bring.

Now I'm refreſh'd, then with my tears agreed.

Now retrograde I fly, then on proceed.

Now joys I feel, then grief my joys offend.

Now towards Heaven, then towards Hell I bend.

Now I'm a Prince, then nothing ſtraight at all.

Now ſtrong I ſtand, then beneath thoughts I fall.

Now am I yea, then no; a ſtorm, then ſtill;

Now ebb, then flood; nor know I mine own will▪

Ah where's my help? my breaſt cannot contain

Theſe differing powers; where ſhall my Soul remain,

Luſt to eſcape? what by the Eye's eſpy'd,

And crav'd by th'fleſh, by Reaſon is deny'd.

p. 96How ſtrange a thing … I? what can expreſs

My compoſition in law …?

Half I am …, half M…n, half black, half white;

Deform'd and … ▪ and half wrong, half right.

What doſt … do, my Soul? …ith ſuppliant knee

Go ſeek thy God, in this thy … go flee

To him for help, th… know'ſt him great and ſtrong,

And ſo for thoſe that unto him belong.

He is the Lord of Battle, and will be

Thy Conqueſt; … thou … thy victory.

He'll make thee …, and will lend

Thee ſafety, and thy life from hurt defend.

OnelyOnly for this thou muſt approach his Throne

Of mercy, and to him addreſs thy moan.

No ſin ſo … yet with cruel might▪

Which prayer did not compel to ſhameful flight.

Prayer is our Harneſs which our minds doth ſhield.

That elſe to Satans fiery darts would yeild.

Then I begin: Great God, my Strength, my Aid,

Grant I may ſtand this conflict undiſmay'd;

Give me the Conqueſt, let ſucceſsful ſpeed

Crown my weak …, thou Saviour in our need.

O let not luſtful flames, deſires unchaſt,

Whereby ſo oft thy ſtamp's in us defac'd,

Prevail a jot, but, Father, … me,

A Conſcience pure to offer unto thee.

In myry Pits, behold, confounded I

Am come, where almoſt overwhelm'd I lye;

Where, Lord, I find no ſtanding for my feet,

Thou muſt ſend help, or I my … meet.

Alas, how frail is man, whoſe holyeſt works

Are but vile rags, where ugly evil lurks?

His higheſt Sanctity's a withered leaf,

And even vile beyond his own belief.

p. 97His mind's whole frame through his whole courſe of life,

With evil times as with the ſtream doth drive

In this worlds ſea, with various blaſts …here …,

And here, Lord, if thou help'ſt not, he is loſt.

My feet in ſlippery places now abide,

With my own luſts I'm ſtorm'd on every ſide;

All hands they break, they to rebellion run;

Lord, thy reſtraining grace, or I'm undone.

And thy directing Spirit give thou me,

Eaſe thou my groans, ſupport my feeble knee;

Defend thy child that truſts in thee from ſhame,

Salvation give, and glorifie thy Name.

Diſtil thy Doctrine like a gentle ſhowr

Into my narrow breaſt, there comforts powr.

Drench with thy living ſtreams my thirſting mind,

And of thy right-hand-pleaſures let me find

That meaſure in my Soul, that may exile

Thence ſinful joys, as ſavourleſs and vile.

In times of old thy goodneſs thou haſt ſhown

To me, whom thou adopted'ſt for thine own;

O then thine own defend, teach me to fight

Againſt my paſſions, which in ſin delight.

Theſe are but ſtrangers in my ſoul, and ſhe

That takes their part, a ſtranger unto thee.

On me O let them not gain any ground,

But their attempt do thou with ſhame confound.

I beg no worldly Power, nor Wealth do crave,

Or Regent Thrones, nor Monuments would have

Rais'd to my Name; nor pray I for great ſtate,

Which Fame or humane glory might create.

This onelyonly thing I wiſh I might obtain,

That of my heart a conqueſt I might gain

At this ſad hour. If I'm but ſafe within,

All outward force ſhall never make me ſin.

p. 98Then cheer thee, Soul, God bows to thy complaint

A willing ear; I feel his loves conſtraint

Rejoycing me: In tears, methinks, my ſong

I now can make; at weakeſt I am ſtrong.

O my dear Soul, the riches of that grace

Obſerve which fills thy heart: thy Saviours face

Go meet, behold thy God doth now begin

To knock at thy hearts door, haſte, let him in.

What means proud luſt to tempt my pure deſire?

I in my Soul poſſeſs a better fire,

A holier Spirit, a more cogent power,

Which liberally God in my breaſt doth ſhower.

The new tunn'd Muſt, before it vent obtains,

Strong groans ejects, as if oppreſt with pains

In the ſtrait Veſſel, wherein bridled long,

The bands at laſt it burſts, and then too ſtrong,

The ſtaves aſunder rends, thence with uproar,

As with light feathers, in free air doth ſoar.

Thus with mans mind it is, now prone it lyes

Diſhearten'd, then encouraged doth riſe,

So exercis'd, until the field it gains,

And by Gods hand firm victory obtains,

Until immortal powers it can withſtand,

And as it's ſelf, ſo all the world command.

Well, what remains? ſhall this perſwade my mind,

Becauſe my Lady is to me inclin'd?

Shall her mad love enflame me with delight?

Or not much rather from ſuch love affright?

For, how deteſtable it is when wives

Do ſell themſelves to lead laſcivious lives?

When with unbridled luſt the upright mind,

Themſelves they tempt to deeds of bruitiſh kind?

Thoſe Monſters with their eloquence impure,

Prompted by luſt, even men themſelves allure;

p. 99Aſſault the chaſt, and that from them requeſt,

Which (though deſir'd) ſhould never be expreſt.

Ay me, how have theſe things afflicted me!

From this vile woman I could ne'r be free:

For when my Lord ſtill abſent was from home,

I could not go where ſhe'd not likewiſe come.

Where then in luſtful Rhetorick ſhe dreſſes

Her lawleſs love, or that by ſigns expreſſes,

Such as her eyes can yield, or breaſts expos'd,

When to Adultery ſhe is moſt diſpos'd.

O with what art ſhe ſounds my tender mind,

Whether or no it be as hers inclin'd!

Sometimes my hand ſhe kiſſes, then ſhe woes

With fervent looks, nor know I what ſhe does.

But who can love, nay, who will not deteſt

That ſuit firſt vile▪ and then by them expreſt

Who ſhould be woe'd, and in whoſe breaſts ſhould dwell,

That modeſt grace which doth in them excel.

'Tis monſtrous if it does not, ſince we ſee

Of this by nature they poſſeſſors be;

And ſince a want hereof doth in the vile

Conſtrain their love affrighted to recoil.

The moſt laſcivious of their luſt yet gain

Do make, and gold and lordly gifts obtain;

But me this woman gives no reſt at all,

Her body proſtitutes, and gifts withal.

The profligateſt wretch with luſtful …ires

Although he burns in his deprav'd deſires,

Will yet pull in his flames at ſuch a time

When luſtful wives do court him to that crime.

Ah in my breaſt ſha'nt I then horrour feel,

With her, who her Lords bed defiles, to deal?

To have to do with her, who would conſtrain

Me to ſubmiſſion to her luſtful pain?

p. 100Sure modeſty is womens chiefeſt grace,

A lowly eye, an humble baſhful face,

Even then that bluſhes with a conſcious red,

When, though of Marriage, ought to her is ſaid.

Nor do I think is any man more vile

Than he who doth the Nuptial bed defile.

So he his Neighbours Heritage deceives,

And ſtones unknown upon his building heaves.

O thou luxurious fleſh, ſhall now thy flame

Deprive my Soul of its moſt peaceful frame,

Of all its preſent eaſe, and ſacred reſt?

O no, thy valency, lo, is ſuppreſt,

Thy fire extinct, thy chains ſhook off, and broke,

Thy embers are now aſhes, flames but ſmoak;

Thy itch is cool'd, nor haſt thou power more;

I'm now another creature than before.

O hater of Heavens reſt, the Souls diſeaſe,

Friend to luxurious pleaſures, to baſe eaſe,

To gormandizing luſt, to deeds of night,

To all exceſs of ſenſual delight,

On me why fly'ſt thou with thy big diſcourſe?

I am above thy menaces or force;

In ſpight of thee henceforward thou ſhalt ſtand

Devoted unto my more ſtrong command.

For vain ſhall be thy charms, and vain thy force;

Chuſe either, thou in both ſhalt have the worſe.

To God I have my Soul in prayer deſolv'd,

Since which I find my mind far more reſolv'd

In holy ways; and now a covenant

I with my ſelf have made, no more to grant

The leaſt complyance unto leprous ſin,

However formidably ſhe ſteps in.

Firſt with my eyes this bargain I have made,

That my heart by them ſhould not be betray'd,

p. 101Nor that they ſhould a fatal glance convey

Upon a woman in a luſtful way.

My curious ear I have ſeverely charg'd,

No more attentively to be …nlarg'd

To ſoul-invading words; and to my hands,

To keep from violence I have heap'd commands.

Then in my Soul this charge I have infus'd,

Never by any means to be ſeduc'd.

To luſt in my deſires bounds I have ſet,

Leſt they ſhould fall within this womans net.

My rolling tongue I've threatned to take heed,

That from it no licentious words proceed.

And laſtly, I a watch have ſet to keep

My thoughts both waking and in dreams aſleep.

Well, now my Armour's on, wherewith I know

All oppoſition I ſhall overthrow.

My Helm is Gods Salvation, Faith my ſhield,

My Sword's his Word; and thus I take the field.

Though now my Lady come▪ arm'd i'th' defence

Of more encroaching or ſmooth Eloquence

Than the moſt oylie tongues of Whores yet knew,

My yeilding yet ſhould not for this enſue.

Although ſhe now were here, and ſo to try

My mind, or cloak her crime, ſhould raiſe a cry,

I would deſpiſe as well her love, as ſpight,

And ſtand unmov'd, or take a ſpeedy flight.

Although her curious limbs ſhe now ſhould ſhow,

Fair as the morning, white as new-fal… ſnow;

Her Ivory breaſts though ſhe ſhould open lay,

And all her nakedneſs to me diſplay;

Though richeſt preſents ſhe ſhould offer me,

Wherewith the covetous beguiled be;

I'd all alike deſpiſe, and be aware

From falling by them in her fatal ſnare.

p. 102If at my feet ſhe fell, I would not fear,

But ſoon if I could not ſtep over her,

I'd trample on her body, then with flight

Make my eſcape, and get me out of ſight.

Or with her arm if ſhe to force me ſtand,

Should hold my cloak, I'd leave it in her hand,

Then if ſhe ſhould eject a clam'rous cry,

If needs I muſt, then out of dores I'd fly.

SEPHYRA.

LO here I come again, now I ſhall ſee

Whether thou art of men or beaſts that be

Sprung from obdurate rocks, now know ſhall I

Whether or no thou from thy bliſs wilt fly.

Come then celeſtial Soul, beauties renown,

My hearts deſire, my joy, my glories crown,

My whole repoſe, my comfort, onelyonly reſt,

My love and pleaſure wherein I am bleſt.

Wiſdom's reſidance, where beſt things reſort,

Breath of my ſighs, and my lifes chief ſupport,

My flame's original, my boſomes key,

Long who art woe'd, yet cann't entreated be:

I warn thee by the favours thou didſt find,

From me, by my ſtrong fires, by thy great mind,

Yet humble ſoul, by my tormenting ſmart,

By thy ſoft nature, by my wounded heart,

By thy large gifts, by a diſtreſſed's prayer,

By my deſires, by thy ſurpriſing air,

By my affliction, thy profeſſed truth,

Vouchſafe compaſſion on my tender youth;

Pity theſe cheeks from whence their bluſh is fled,

On which a flowing ſtream of tears are ſhed,

p. 103And this ſad mind repleat with heavy cheer,

That bears thee onelyonly love and awful fear.

Pity, I pray thee, my blood-drinking groans,

My low eſtate, my heart-conſuming moans,

And ſome refreſhment to a Lover give,

Without thy favour that no hour can live.

Help my diſtreſs, I can no longer be

Delay'd; my grave extends its jaws for me,

My feet draw near to death: at laſt relent,

Set free my captive Soul with ſorrow ſpent.

Thou ſeeſt my woe from my quick-riſing tears,

From blubber'd cheeks, from looks all pale with fears.

And thou may'ſt ſee my wounded heart now pant;

But can'ſt thou ſee theſe, yet no pity grant?

O Boy, can'ſt thou deſpiſe the conqu'ring charms

Of my fair body, of my naked arms?

Can'ſt thou refuſe to mitigate my pain?

But woe is me, my ſighs are all in vain.

I ſee I cannot thy fierce temper pleaſe.

As like a rock amidſt enraged Seas,

Unmov'd thou art. O unrelenting ſtone,

I'm whether mild or fierce, to thee all one.

But if't be ſo, I by Oſiris ſwear,

By the great Cat whom we a God revere,

Nay by the Goat, the awful Crocodile,

And by the ſeven ſtreams of ſacred Nile;

By Iris, Seraphis, and what elſe more

In Egypt we as powerful Gods adore;

I ſwear by my own Soul, by Egypts Head,

Or thou art this day mine, or with the dead.

Upon this day depends our end of ſtrife,

Or of my luſt, or thy beloved life:

Howe're with me it goes, or I muſt flow

This day in pleaſures, or in torturing woe.

p. 104Obſerve my words, without all doubt on thee

I'll be reveng'd, or fraud ſhall lack in me.

But wherefore rave I? Joſeph cann't deny,

No, 'tis my pulſe he onelyonly firſt would try.

He till the laſt contains his young deſire.

Wood that's yet green, will not at firſt take fire;

But when that wood doth once receive the ſame,

No piece ſo burneth with that ſolid flame.

Well, is it this, my dear, thou doſt contrive?

Muſt firſt my paſſions to exceſs arrive?

O dally then no more; that minute's come,

Which will denounce, before it ends, my doom.

Thou therefore the neceſſity behold,

Which in it ſo much danger doth infold.

This is the utmoſt puſh, the laſt aſſay,

Which muſt conclude this ſo important day.

Although a Monſter ſprung from woods you were,

Fed with the Milk of Lyoneſs or Bear;

Although a Snake from craggy cliffs you came,

Yet ſure my ſighs would thy fierce nature …ame.

Then come, nor more my tender touch deny.

Joſ.

Hold, think it not.

Seph.

You muſt.

Joſ.

I'll rather dye.

Sep.

Now Joſeph.

Jo.

Be aſham'd.

Sep.

Ah might I!

Jo.

Still?

Seph.

Prithee embrace me, Boy.

Joſ.

Who I? I will—

Seph.

And yet thou ſhalt not go.

Joſ.

How then, I pray?

Seph.

Here thou ſhalt tarry, I have more to ſay.

Joſ.

No Madam, 'tis enough, and all in vain.

Seph.

But friend, I hold thee, I'll thy flight reſtrain.

Joſ.

De'e ſport?

Seph.

Come here.

Joſ.

My mantle tears, let go.

Seph.

Come here, I ſay.

Joſ.

No.

Seph.

But I'll make thee know

Thou ſhalt, and love me too, ere I have done.

Joſ.

Since it muſt be, then take my cloak; I'm gone

To make my beſt eſcape.

Seph.

This thou ſhalt rue.

Jor, Zepho, Thinna, Gos, all▪ all purſue

p. 105The wretch, 'tis higheſt time; my name's the aim,

I here endure unſufferable ſhame.

Joſ.

Good God, what impudence! how will this end?

Seph.

Haſte, haſte, your Lady from a Rape defend;

A trayt'rous villain, brought from Hebrons ſoyl,

Upon me runs, my body to defile.

His violence a… quickly, quickly tame;

The ſlave is full of luſt, and void of ſhame.

JOSEPH.

ME, what anointed fraud! Hark, hark, I hear

Purſuing feet through all the houſe that bear

Sure death. Ah woe is me, what pur…ue cryes.

Now ſhall this woman cloak her guile with lyes,

And make a ſad complaint, me to accuſe

Of that which ſhe againſt my ſelf did uſe.

The Cloak I left her, when from her I brake,

Shall for her fraud no ſmall advantage make.

My God, what help? what ſafety then have I?

Alas! I know not which way I ſhall fly.

The changes of theſe lower things, behold,

They but what's ſmoak and empty wind infold,

As like a Bubble now appearing fair,

Which in a … diſſolves in humid air.

Earths greateſt dignities and chiefeſt good

Are like the flowing and the ebbing flood.

In ſplendid honour I this day did ſwell,

And now from thence am hurl'd as low as Hell.

Though guiltleſs now a ſhameful fall I bear,

Uncertain what muſt be my future ſhare.

Ah me, on what, on what ſhall I reſolve?

How in my breaſt ſhall I my caſe revolve?

p. 106Shall I with baſe ſubjection, like a ſlave,

Her guilt my guilt confeſs, and pardon crave?

Sure no, If I till now have luſt deny'd,

In that good mind I'll to the end abide.

How then? ſhall I unto the Court repair,

And there unto my Lord the truth declare?

O no, that houſe with happy peace that's bleſt,

May not be griev'd for my deſired reſt.

Well, but what then? Shall I my ſelf betake

Within, and there to each relation make

Of all that's paſs'd? Nor that, 'tis not done well,

The crimes of Ladies to their ſlaves to tell.

What then? ſhall I the Countrey fly with ſpeed?

As guilty, fly? that were a ſhameful deed.

'Tis better patiently the worſt to bear;

For flyers ever guilty we declare.

Beſides, when ſlaves preſume to run away,

For that they with their backs or necks muſt pay.

What then ſhall I conclude? high time 'tis now:

Reſolve then this, my Soul, not hence to go.

Then be it ſo; I'll wait here what may be

By Gods Decree ſelected out for me.

To him I pray'd, through him my fight renew'd;

With him ſtood firm, and by him luſt ſubdu'd.

From him the reſt I'll wait, and laugh at ſhame.

What ſhould he fear, that truſts upon his Name?

Now I return to give due thanks to thee,

Great God, that from my ſelf haſt reſcu'd me.

Although vain beauty did aſſault my eyes,

Thou helpedſt me its witchraft to deſpiſe.

My feet from ſhameful fall preſerv'd thou haſt;

My Soul from ruine when with luſt oppreſt.

Be thine the praiſe; I'll in thy Name delight,

So well who haſt inſtructed me to fight

p. 107In thy dear cauſe. Towards thee I aſpire

With longing Soul, thou end of my deſire.

Henceforward my endeavours I will bend

In thy unſpotted ways my days to ſpend.

Then ſhall my ways be in thy eyes upright,

When thou ſhalt aid me by thy Spirits might.