Part 12

The heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I Abjure my so much lov'd variety, And not with many youth and love divide? Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd: The sun that sitting in the chaire of light 5 Sheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright, Is not contented at one Signe to Inne, But ends his year and with a new beginnes. All things doe willingly in change delight, The fruitfull mother of our appetite: 10 Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are, Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr; And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet, Corrupts it self and what doth live in it. Let no man tell me such a one is faire, 15 And worthy all alone my love to share. Nature in her hath done the liberall part Of a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her art To make her loveable, and I aver Him not humane that would turn back from her: 20 I love her well, and would, if need were, dye To doe her service. But followes it that I Must serve her onely, when I may have choice Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? The law is hard, and shall not have my voice. 25 The last I saw in all extreames is faire, And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire; Her nymph-like features such agreements have That I could venture with her to the grave: Another's brown, I like her not the worse, 30 Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse. Others, for that they well descended are, Do in my love obtain as large a share; And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee To win their love onely for their degree. 35 And though I faile of my required ends, The attempt is glorious and it self commends. How happy were our Syres in ancient times, Who held plurality of loves no crime! With them it was accounted charity 40 To stirre up race of all indifferently; Kindreds were not exempted from the bands: Which with the Persian still in usage stands. Women were then no sooner asked then won, And what they did was honest and well done. 45 But since this title honour hath been us'd, Our weake credulity hath been abus'd; The golden laws of nature are repeald, Which our first Fathers in such reverence held; Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone, 50 And we're made servants to opinion, A monster in no certain shape attir'd, And whose originall is much desir'd, Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions, And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations. 55 Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes, And was dispoiled of his daring armes. A greater want then is his daring eyes, He lost those awfull wings with which he flies; His sinewy bow, and those immortall darts 60 Wherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts. Onely some few strong in themselves and free Retain the seeds of antient liberty, Following that part of Love although deprest, And make a throne for him within their brest, 65 In spight of modern censures him avowing Their Soveraigne, all service him allowing. Amongst which troop although I am the least, Yet equall in perfection with the best, I glory in subjection of his hand, 70 Nor ever did decline his least command: For in whatever forme the message came My heart did open and receive the same. But time will in his course a point discry When I this loved service must deny, 75 For our allegiance temporary is, With firmer age returnes our liberties. What time in years and judgement we repos'd, Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd, Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying; 80 But beauty with true worth securely weighing, Which being found assembled in some one, Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone.

[Elegie XVII. Variety. _Ed: printed for first time without title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719:_ An Elegie. _A10:_ Elegie 17^{the}. _JC_]

[1 motion, why _Ed:_ motion why, _1650-69_]

[3 love divide? _MSS.:_ lov'd divide? _1650-69_]

[4 diversifi'd: _Ed:_ diversifi'd _1650-69_]

[6 what else so ever doth seem _1650-69:_ what else is not so _A10_]

[12 fair-spreading _1650-69_, _JC:_ broad silver _A10_

and farr; _A10_, _JC:_ and cleare; _1650-69_]

[14 it self and _1650-69:_ it self, kills _A10_]

[16 And only worthy to be past compare; _A10_]

[19 aver] ever _1650-69_]

[20 would turn back from _1650-69:_ could not fancy _A10_]

[24 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? _A10:_ _om. 1650-69_]

[25-36 _omitted in A10_]

[30 brown, _Ed:_ brown _1650-69_]

[32 are _JC:_ were _1650-69_]

[39 crime! _Ed:_ crime? _1650-69_]

[43 Persian _1650-54_, _JC:_ Persians _1669_, _A10_]

[46 title _A10_, _JC:_ little _1650-69_]

[50 liberty's _Ed:_ liberty _1650-69_, _JC_

revers'd, our _A10:_ revers'd and _1650-69_, _JC_]

[51 we're _A10:_ we _1650-69_, _JC_]

[53 whose originall _1650-69_, _JC:_ one whose origin _A10_]

[54 goeing on it fashions _A10:_ growing on it fashions _JC:_ growing on its fashions, _1650-69_]

[55 manners and laws to _1650-69_, _JC:_ Lawes, Manners unto _A10_]

[57 armes. _A10:_ armes, _1650-69_]

[58 is _1650-69:_ of _A10_]

[61 bruise _1650-69_ wound _A10_

hearts. _Ed:_ hearts; _1650-69_]

[63 seeds of antient _1650-69_, _JC:_ seed of pristine _A10_]

[64 Love] love _1650-69_]

[70 of his _1650-69:_ under's _A10_]

[71 Nor ... decline _1650-69:_ Never declining from _A10_]

[72-7 _omitted in A10_]

[73 same. _Ed:_ same: _1650-69:_ flame _JC_]

[75 deny, _Ed:_ deny. _1650-69_]

[79 dispos'd, _Ed:_ dispos'd _1650-69_]

[80 obeying; _Ed:_ obeying, _1650-69_]

[81 securely _1650-69:_ unpartially _A10_]

[82 being _1650-69:_ having _A10_

one, _Ed:_ one _1650-69_]

[83 Wee'l love her ever, _Ed:_ Wee'l leave her ever, _1650-69_, _JC:_ Would love for ever, _A10_]

ELEGIE XVIII.

_Loves Progress._

Who ever loves, if he do not propose The right true end of love, he's one that goes To sea for nothing but to make him sick: Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take, 5 We erre, and of a lump a monster make. Were not a Calf a monster that were grown Face'd like a man, though better then his own? Perfection is in unitie: preferr One woman first, and then one thing in her. 10 I, when I value gold, may think upon The ductilness, the application, The wholsomness, the ingenuitie, From rust, from soil, from fire ever free: But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis made 15 By our new nature (Use) the soul of trade. All these in women we might think upon (If women had them) and yet love but one. Can men more injure women then to say They love them for that, by which they're not they? 20 Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloud Till I both be, and find one wise and good? May barren Angels love so. But if we Make love to woman; virtue is not she: As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thus 25 From her to hers, is more adulterous, Then if he took her maid. Search every spheare And firmament, our _Cupid_ is not there: He's an infernal god and under ground, With _Pluto_ dwells, where gold and fire abound: 30 Men to such Gods, their sacrificing Coles Did not in Altars lay, but pits and holes. Although we see Celestial bodies move Above the earth, the earth we Till and love: So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart, 35 And virtues; but we love the Centrique part. Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fit For love, then this, as infinite as it. But in attaining this desired place How much they erre; that set out at the face? 40 The hair a Forest is of Ambushes, Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles: The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain, And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again. Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would have 45 Immortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave. The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runs Not 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns; It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere On either side, and then directs us where 50 Upon the Islands fortunate we fall, (Not faynte _Canaries_, but _Ambrosiall_) Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come, We anchor there, and think our selves at home, For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and there 55 Wise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear; There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell, The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell. These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin Ore past; and the streight _Hellespont_ betweene 60 The _Sestos_ and _Abydos_ of her breasts, (Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts) Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eye Some Island moles may scattered there descry; And Sailing towards her _India_, in that way 65 Shall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay; Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made, Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd, Thou shalt upon another Forest set, Where many Shipwrack, and no further get. 70 When thou art there, consider what this chace Mispent by thy beginning at the face. Rather set out below; practice my Art, Some Symetry the foot hath with that part Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for that 75 Lovely enough to stop, but not stay at: Least subject to disguise and change it is; Men say the Devil never can change his. It is the Emblem that hath figured Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed. 80 Civilitie we see refin'd: the kiss Which at the face began, transplanted is, Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee, Now at the Papal foot delights to be: If Kings think that the nearer way, and do 85 Rise from the foot, Lovers may do so too; For as free Spheres move faster far then can Birds, whom the air resists, so may that man Which goes this empty and Ætherial way, Then if at beauties elements he stay. 90 Rich Nature hath in women wisely made Two purses, and their mouths aversely laid: They then, which to the lower tribute owe, That way which that Exchequer looks, must go: He which doth not, his error is as great, 95 As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat.

[Elegie XVIII. _&c._ _Ed:_ Elegie XVIII. _1669, where it is first included among the Elegies. It had already been printed in_ Wit and Drollery. By Sir J. M., J. S., Sir W. D., J. D., and the most refined Wits of the Age. _1661. It appears in A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, with title_ Loves Progress., _or_ Elegie. on Loves Progresse., _or with no title_]

[4 Love is a _1669:_ And Love's a _MSS._]

[5 strange _1661 and MSS.:_ strong _1669_]

[11 I,] I _1669_]

[14 ever _1669:_ for ever _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]

[16 (our new nature) use, _1661_]

[17 these _1669 and MSS.:_ this _1661_, _Cy_, _P_, _Chambers_]

[20 them] _om. 1661_]

[25 beauty'is not _1661 and MSS.:_ beauties no _1669_

thus] thus: _1669_]

[27 Then if he took] Then he that took _1661_, _B_ (takes), _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_

spheare] sphear _1669_]

[30 abound: _Ed:_ abound, _1669_]

[32 in _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ on _1669_, _A25_

holes.] holes: _1669_]

[38 infinite] infinit _1669_]

[40 erre _1661-69_, _S_, _S96:_ stray _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_]

[42 springes, _H49 and some MSS.:_ springs, _1669_]

[46 and _1661_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ but _1669_

our _1661_, _MSS.:_ a _1669_]

[47 first Meridian _1661 and MSS.:_ sweet Meridian _1669_.]

[52-3 (Not ... Ambrosiall) ... lips _&c._ _1661 and MSS._ (_not always with brackets and sometimes with_ No _for_ Not _and_ Canary): Not ... Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when we are come, _1669_]

[55 For they seem all: there _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ For they sing all their _1661_, _Cy_, _P_]

[57 There _1661 and MSS.:_ Then _1669_

swell, _Ed:_ swell _1669_]

[58 Rhemora _1669_]

[59 the glorious Promontory,] _brackets and no comma, 1669_]

[60 Ore past; ... betweene _1661 and MSS.:_ Being past the Straits of _Hellespont_ between _1669_]

[62 Loves] loves _1669_]

[63 yet] that _D, H49, Lec, and other MSS._]

[65 Sailing] Sailng _1669_]

[66 Navell] Naval _1669_]

[67 thence _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ there _1661-9_, _N_(?): hence _P_

thy _all MSS.:_ the _1661-9_]

[68 wouldst _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ shouldst _1669_]

[70 many _1669:_ some doe _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_]

[73 my _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD:_ thy _Chambers:_ thine _A18_, _TCC_]

[80 the] _bis 1669_]

[81-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face begonne, transplanted is _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]

[83 Imperial] imperial _1669_]

[86 too;] too. _1669_]

[90 elements _1661 and MSS.:_ enemies _1669_]

[91 hath] _Chambers omits_]

[93 owe,] owe _1669_]

[96 Clyster gave _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ glister gives _1669_]

ELEGIE XIX.

_Going to Bed._

Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie, Until I labour, I in labour lie. The foe oft-times having the foe in sight, Is tir'd with standing though he never fight. Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering, 5 But a far fairer world incompassing. Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear, That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there. Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme, Tells me from you, that now it is bed time. 10 Off with that happy busk, which I envie, That still can be, and still can stand so nigh. Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals, As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales. Off with that wyerie Coronet and shew 15 The haiery Diademe which on you doth grow: Now off with those shooes, and then safely tread In this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed. In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee 20 A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though Ill spirits walk in white, we easly know, By this these Angels from an evil sprite, Those set our hairs, but these our flesh uprigh Licence my roaving hands, and let them go, 25 Before, behind, between, above, below. O my America! my new-found-land, My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd, My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie, How blest am I in this discovering thee! 30 To enter in these bonds, is to be free; Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be. Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee, As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be, To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women use 35 Are like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views, That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem, His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them. Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made For lay-men, are all women thus array'd; 40 Themselves are mystick books, which only wee (Whom their imputed grace will dignifie) Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know; As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence, 45 There is no pennance due to innocence. To teach thee, I am naked first; why than What needst thou have more covering then a man.

[Elegie XIX. _&c. Ed: in 1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_

Appeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but with the heading_ To his Mistris going to Bed. _The MSS. include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or simply_ Elegye, _or numbered according to the scheme adopted: B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other titles_]

[4 he _1669:_ they _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC_]

[5 glittering] glistering _MSS._]

[8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair. _Cy_, _P_]

[10 it is _1669:_ 'tis your _MSS._]

[11 which] whom _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _TC_, _W_]

[14 from _MSS.:_ through _1669_

shadow] shadows _1669_]

[16 Diademe ... grow: _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC:_ Diadem which on your head doth grow: _1669:_ Diadems which on you do grow. _S_, _Chambers_]

[17 Now ... shooes, _1669_, _JC_, _W:_ Off ... shoes _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ Off with those hose and shoes _S_

safely _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ softly _1669_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_]

[20 Receavd by men; Thou _all MSS.:_ Reveal'd to men; thou _1669_]

[21 Paradise; _Ed:_ Paradice, _1669_]

[22 Ill _1669_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ All _B, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecture_

spirits _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S:_ angels _O'F_, _S96_

white, _Ed:_ white; _1669_]

[26 below. _Ed:_ below, _1669_]

[28 kingdome, _MSS.:_ Kingdom's _1669_

safeliest _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ safest, _1669_

man'd, _Ed:_ man'd. _1669_]

[29 stones, _Ed:_ stones: _1669_]

[30 How blest am I _all MSS.:_ How am I blest _1669_

this _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_, _W:_ thus _1669_, _A25_, _L74_, _S_

discovering] discovery _B_, _O'F_

thee! _Ed:_ thee? _1669_

be.] be, _1669_]

[35 Gems] Jems _1669: and so_ 37]

[36 like _1669:_ as _MSS._

balls, _MSS.:_ ball: _1669_]

[38 covet _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ court _1669_, _Cy_, _P_, _S_, _S96_

theirs, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ those _S:_ that, _1669_, _B_, _O'F_

them.] them: _1669_]

[39 pictures, _Ed:_ pictures _1669_

made _Ed:_ made, _1669_]

[40 lay-men, _Ed:_ lay-men _1669_

array'd; _Ed:_ arrayed _1669_]

[41 Themselves ... only wee _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ Themselves are only mystick books, which we, _1669_, _B_]

[43 see] be _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC_

reveal'd] revealed _1669_]

[44 a _all MSS.:_ thy _1669_

Midwife, _Ed:_ Midwife _1669_]

[45 hence, _Ed:_ hence _1669_]

[46 pennance due to innocence. _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _S:_ pennance, much less innocence; _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S96_, _W_]

[47 thee, _Ed:_ thee _1669_

first; _Ed:_ first, _1669_]

ELEGIE XX.

_Loves Warre._

Till I have peace with thee, warr other men, And when I have peace, can I leave thee then? All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thou O fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe To any one: In Flanders, who can tell 5 Whether the Master presse; or men rebell? Only we know, that which all Ideots say, They beare most blows which come to part the fray. France in her lunatique giddines did hate Ever our men, yea and our God of late; 10 Yet she relyes upon our Angels well, Which nere returne; no more then they which fell. Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possest Like to an Ague; now raging, now at rest; Which time will cure: yet it must doe her good 15 If she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood. And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give, We touch all gold, but find no food to live. And I should be in the hott parching clyme, To dust and ashes turn'd before my time. 20 To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrall Mee in a prison, that weare like to fall; Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwell In a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell. Long voyages are long consumptions, 25 And ships are carts for executions. Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flye Into an other World, as t'is to dye? Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye; Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye. 30 Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee; Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee. Other men war that they their rest may gayne; But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne. Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love, 35 There wee are alwayes under, here above. There Engins farr off breed a just true feare, Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here. There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye; There men kill men, we'will make one by and by. 40 Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall do In these Warrs, as they may which from us two Shall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile not To warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott To make at home; And shall not I do then 45 More glorious service, staying to make men?

[Elegy XX _&c._ _Ed: First published in F. G. Waldron's_ A Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry, 1802, _from a MS. dated 1625; then by Sir J. Simeon in his_ Philobiblon Society _volume of 1856. It is included among Donne's_ Elegies _in A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W. In B it has the title_ Making of Men. _The present text is based on W_]

[7 all _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ most _JC_, _Chambers_]

[8 They beare most blows which (_or_ that) _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ They must bear blows, which _Chambers_]

[9 giddiness] guidings _Sim:_ giddinge _Wald_]

[11 well,] well _W_]

[13 a strange] straying _Sim_]

[16 head] dead _Sim_]

[19 the _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ that _Chambers_, _A25_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_]

[24 swaggering] swaying _Chambers_]

[25 consumptions,] consumptions _W:_ _line omitted_, _Wald_]

[29 lye] _spelt_ ly

_W:_ _and so_ 30 dy]

[33 gayne;] gayne _W_]

[37 There] These _Sim_

and, that, with, which] _contracted throughout_, _W_]

HEROICALL EPISTLE.

_Sapho_ to _Philænis_.