_To his Valentine._
MUSE, bid the Morn awake!
Sad Winter now declines,
Each bird doth choose a Make;
This day's Saint VALENTINE's.
For that good Bishop's sake
Get up, and let us see
What Beauty it shall be
That Fortune us assigns!
But, lo, in happy hour,
The place wherein she lies;
In yonder climbing Tower,
Gilt by the glitt'ring Rise!
O, JOVE, that in a shower
(As once that Thunderer did,
When he in drops lay hid)
That I could her surprise!
Her canopy I'll draw,
With spangled plumes bedight:
No mortal ever saw
So ravishing a sight;
That it the Gods might awe,
And pow'rfully transpierce
The globy Universe,
Outshooting every light.
My lips I'll softly lay
Upon her heavenly cheek,
Dyed like the dawning day,
As polished ivory sleek;
And in her ear I'll say:
"O thou bright Morning Star!
'Tis I, that come so far,
My Valentine to seek.
"Each little bird, this tide,
Doth choose her lovèd pheere;
Which constantly abide
In wedlock all the year,
As Nature is their guide;
So may we Two be true
This year, nor change for new;
As turtles coupled were.
"The sparrow, swan, the dove,
Though VENUS' birds they be;
Yet are they not for love,
So absolute as we!
For reason us doth move;
But they by billing woo.
Then try what we can do!
To whom each sense is free.
"Which we have more than they,
By livelier organs swayed;
Our Appetite each way
More by our Sense obeyed.
Our Passions to display,
This season us doth fit;
Then let us follow it.
As Nature us doth lead!
"One kiss in two let's breathe!
Confounded with the touch,
But half words let us speak!
Our lips employed so much,
Until we both grow weak:
With sweetness of thy breath,
O smother me to death!
Long let our joys be such!
"Let's laugh at them that choose
Their Valentines by lot;
To wear their names that use,
Whom idly they have got."
Saint VALENTINE, befriend!
We thus this Morn may spend:
Else, Muse, awake her not!
_The Heart._
IF thus we needs must go;
What shall our one Heart do,
This One made of our Two?
Madam, two Hearts we brake;
And from them both did take
The best, one Heart to make.
Half this is of your Heart,
Mine in the other part;
Joined by an equal Art.
Were it cemented, or sewn;
By shreds or pieces known,
We might each find our own.
But 'tis dissolved and fixed;
And with such cunning mixed,
No diff'rence that betwixt.
But how shall we agree,
By whom it kept shall be:
Whether by you or me?
It cannot two breasts fill;
One must be heartless still,
Until the other will.
It came to me to-day:
When I willed it to say,
With Whether would it stay?
It told me, "In your breast,
Where it might hope to rest:
For if it were my guest,
"For certainty, it knew
That I would still anew
Be sending it to you!"
Never, I think, had two
Such work, so much, to do:
A Unity to woo!
Yours was so cold and chaste:
Whilst mine with zeal did waste;
Like Fire with Water placed.
How did my Heart intreat!
How pant! How did it beat,
Till it could give yours heat!
Till to that temper brought,
Through our perfection wrought,
That blessing either's thought.
In such a height it lies
From this base World's dull eyes;
That Heaven it not envies.
All that this Earth can show,
Our Heart shall not once know!
For it's too vile and low.
_The Sacrifice to APOLLO._
PRIESTS of APOLLO, sacred be the room
For this learned meeting! Let no barbarous groom,
How brave soe'er he be,
Attempt to enter!
But of the Muses free,
None here may venture!
This for the Delphian Prophets is prepared:
The profane Vulgar are from hence debarred!
And since the Feast so happily begins;
Call up those fair Nine, with their violins!
They are begot by JOVE.
Then let us place them
Where no clown in may shove,
That may disgrace them:
But let them near to young APOLLO sit;
So shall his foot-pace overflow with wit.
Where be the Graces? Where be those fair Three?
In any hand, they may not absent be!
They to the Gods are dear:
And they can humbly
Teach us, ourselves to bear,
And do things comely.
They, and the Muses, rise both from one stem:
They grace the Muses; and the Muses, them.
Bring forth your flagons, filled with sparkling wine
(Whereon swollen BACCHUS, crownèd with a vine,
Is graven); and fill out!
It well bestowing
To every man about,
In goblets flowing!
Let not a man drink, but in draughts profound!
To our god PHŒBUS, let the Health go round!
Let your Jests fly at large; yet therewithal
See they be Salt, but yet not mixed with Gall!
Not tending to disgrace:
But fairly given,
Becoming well the place,
Modest and even,
That they, with tickling pleasure, may provoke
Laughter in him on whom the Jest is broke.
Or if the deeds of Heroes ye rehearse:
Let them be sung in so well-ordered Verse,
That each word have its weight,
Yet run with pleasure!
Holding one stately height
In so brave measure
That they may make the stiffest storm seem weak;
And damp JOVE's thunder, when it loud'st doth speak.
And if ye list to exercise your vein,
Or in the Sock, or in the Buskined strain;
Let Art and Nature go
One with the other!
Yet so, that Art may show
Nature her mother:
The thick-brained audience lively to awake,
Till with shrill claps the Theatre do shake.
Sing Hymns to BACCHUS then, with hands upreared!
Offer to JOVE, who most is to be feared!
From him the Muse we have.
From him proceedeth
More than we dare to crave.
'Tis he that feedeth
Them, whom the World would starve. Then let the lyre
Sound! whilst his altars endless flames expire.
_To his Rival._
HER loved I most,
By thee that 's lost,
Though she were won with leisure;
She was my gain:
But to my pain,
Thou spoilest me of my treasure.
The ship full fraught
With gold, far sought,
Though ne'er so wisely helmèd,
May suffer wrack
In sailing back,
By tempest overwhelmèd.
But She, good Sir!
Did not prefer
You, for that I was ranging:
But for that She
Found faith in me,
And She loved to be changing.
Therefore boast not
Your happy lot;
Be silent now you have her!
The time I knew
She slighted you,
When I was in her favour.
None stands so fast
But may be cast
By Fortune, and disgracèd:
Once did I wear
Her garter there,
Where you her glove have placèd.
I had the vow
That thou hast now,
And glances to discover
Her love to me;
And She to thee,
Reads but old lessons over.
She hath no smile
That can beguile;
But, as my thought, I know it:
Yea to a hair,
Both when, and where,
And how, she will bestow it.
What now is thine
Was only mine,
And first to me was given;
Thou laugh'st at me!
I laugh at thee!
And thus we two are even.
But I'll not mourn,
But stay my turn;
The wind may come about, Sir!
And once again
May bring me in;
And help to bear you out, Sir!
_The Crier._
GOOD folk, for gold or hire,
But help me to a Crier!
For my poor Heart is run astray
After two Eyes, that passed this way.
Oh yes! O yes! O yes!
If there be any man,
In town or country, can
Bring me my Heart again;
I'll please him for his pain.
And by these marks, I will you show
That only I this Heart do owe [_own_]:
It is a wounded Heart,
Wherein yet sticks the dart.
Every piece sore hurt throughout it:
Faith and Troth writ round about it.
It was a tame Heart, and a dear;
And never used to roam:
But having got this haunt, I fear
'Twill hardly stay at home.
For God's sake, walking by the way,
If you my Heart do see;
Either impound it for a Stray,
Or send it back to me!
_To his coy Love._
A Canzonet.
I PRAY thee leave! Love me no more!
Call home the heart you gave me!
I but in vain that Saint adore
That can, but will not, save me.
These poor half kisses kill me quite!
Was ever man thus servèd?
Amidst an ocean of delight.
For pleasure to be starvèd.
Show me no more those snowy breasts
With azure riverets branchèd!
Where whilst mine Eye with plenty feeds,
Yet is my thirst not staunchèd.
O TANTALUS, thy pains ne'er tell!
By me thou art prevented:
'Tis _nothing_ to be plagued in Hell;
But, _thus_, in Heaven, tormented!
Clip me no more in those dear arms;
Nor thy "Life's Comfort" call me!
O these are but too powerful charms;
And do but more enthrall me.
But see how patient I am grown,
In all this coil about thee!
Come, nice Thing, let thy heart alone!
I cannot live without thee!
_A Hymn to his Lady's Birth-place_.
[Sidenote: Coventry finely walled.]
[Sidenote: The shoulder-bone of a Boar of mighty bigness.]
COVENTRY, that dost adorn
The country [_County_] wherein I was born:
Yet therein lies not thy praise;
Why I should crown thy Towers with bays?
'Tis not thy Wall, me to thee weds;
Thy Ports; nor thy proud Pyramids;
Nor thy trophies of the Boar:
But that She which I adore,
(Which scarce Goodness's self can pair)
First there breathing, blest thy air.
IDEA; in which name I hide
Her, in my heart deified.
For what good, Man's mind can see;
Only her ideas be:
She, in whom the Virtues came
In Woman's shape, and took her name.
She so far past imitation
As (but Nature our creation
Could not alter) she had aimed
More than Woman to have framed.
She whose truly written story,
To thy poor name shall add more glory,
Than if it should have been thy chance
T' have bred our Kings that conquered France.
[Sidenote: Two famous Pilgrimages: one in Norfolk, the other in Kent.]
Had she been born the former Age,
That house had been a Pilgrimage;
And reputed more Divine
Than Walsingham, or BECKET's Shrine.
[Sidenote: GODIVA, Duke LEOFRIC's wife, who obtained
the freedom of the city of her husband, by riding through it naked.]
That Princess, to whom thou dost owe
Thy Freedom (whose clear blushing snow
The envious sun saw; when as she
Naked rode to make thee free),
Was but her type: as to foretell
Thou shouldst bring forth One should excel
Her bounty; by whom thou shouldst have
More Honour, than she Freedom gave.
[Sidenote: Queen ELIZABETH.]
And that great Queen, which but of late
Ruled this land in peace and State,
Had not been; but Heaven had sworn
A Maid should reign when She was born.
[Sidenote: A noted street in Coventry.]
[Sidenote: His Mistress's birthday.]
Of thy streets, which thou hold'st best,
And most frequent of the rest;
Happy _Mich Park!_ Every year,
On the Fourth of August there,
Let thy Maids, from FLORA's bowers,
With their choice and daintiest flowers
Deck thee up! and from their store,
With brave garlands crown that door!
The old man passing by that way,
To his son, in time, shall say:
"There was that Lady born: which
Long to after Ages shall be sung."
Who, unawares being passed by,
Back to that house shall cast his eye;
Speaking my verses as he goes,
And with a sigh shut every Close.
Dear City! travelling by thee,
When thy rising Spires I see,
Destined her Place of Birth;
Yet methinks the very earth
Hallowed is, so far as I
Can thee possibly descry.
Then thou, dwelling in this place,
(Hearing some rude hind disgrace
Thy city, with some scurvy thing
Which some Jester forth did bring)
Speak these Lines, where thou dost come,
And strike the slave for ever dumb.
[Footnote 19: In Warwickshire.]
[Illustration]
THOMAS, third Lord FAIRFAX.
_Short Memorials
of some things to be cleared
during my Command in the Army._
[1645 to 1650 A.D.]
[From the holograph,
now _Fairfax MS._ 36,
in the Bodleian Library,
Oxford.]
[These _Memorials_ are not written in a strictly chronological
sequence. They are of surpassing interest: being the recollections,
about 1665, of many stirring events in England between 1642 and 1650,
by a chief Actor in the same; whose personal motto was, _Mon DIEU, je
servirai tant que je vivrai_.]
NOW when GOD is visiting the nation [? _an allusion to the Plague of
London in 1665_] for the transgressions of their ways, as formerly
he did to one sort of men so doth he it to another sort; so that all
may see their errors and his justice: and as we have cause to implore
his mercy, having sinned against him; so must we still vindicate his
justice, who is always "clear when he judgeth." [_Ps._ li. 4.]
Now therefore, by his grace and assistance, I shall truly set down
the grounds my actions moved upon during that unhappy War; and those
actions which seemed to the World the more questionable in my steering
through the turbulent and perilous seas of that time.
The first embarking into the sad calamities of War was about the year
1641 when the general distemper of the Three Kingdoms had kindled such
a flame even in the hearts (I mean the Difference between the King
and Parliament), as every one sought to guard his own house by the
authority of both these. But the different judgements and ways were
so contrary that, before a remedy could be found out, almost all was
consumed to ashes.
I must needs say my judgement was for the Parliament, as the King's,
and Kingdom's, great and safest Council; as others were for the King,
and averse to Parliament, as if it could not go high enough for the
Perogative.
Upon which division, different Powers were set up, viz.: The Commission
of Array for the King; and [the Militia for] the Parliament. But those
of the Array so exceeded their Commission by oppressing many honest
people; whom, by way of reproach, they called Roundheads: they being
(for Religion, Estates, and Interest) a very considerable part of the
country; that occasioned them to take up arms in their own defence,
which was afterwards confirmed by Parliamentary authority.
Now my father being yet at his house at Denton, where I then waited
on him, though he had notice from his friends that it was resolved
that he should be sent for, as a prisoner, to York: yet he resolved
not to stir from his own house; not knowing anything in himself to
deserve it. But the country [_Yorkshire_] suffering daily more and
more, many were forced to come and intreat him to join with them in
defence of themselves and country [_Yorkshire_]; which [were] being
sadly oppressed by those of the Array, which afterwards had the name of
Cavaliers.
And being much importuned by those that were about him; he was
resolved, seeing his country [_Yorkshire_] in this great distress, to
run the same hazard with them for the preservation of it.
* * * * *
Then did the Parliament grant a Commission to him, to be General of
the Forces in the North: myself also having a Commission under him, to
be General of the Horse. But it is not my intention, in this place,
to mention the several Services that were done in this Cause of the
Parliament: being rather desirous to clear my actions in it than to
declare them. Therefore I shall say no more [_See however pp. 577-610_]
of this Three Years' War in the North; there being nothing, I thank
GOD! in all that time to be alleged against me.
* * * * *
But now I shall come to say something how I came to be engaged in the
South.
There being some years spent, in those parts, in a lingering War
between the forces of the King and [the] Parliament; and several
battles so equally fought, as could scarce be known on which side the
business in dispute would be determined; though it must be confessed
the Parliament's Army was under the command of a very noble and gallant
person, [ROBERT DEVEREUX] the Earl of ESSEX: yet finding Time and
Delay gaining more advantage on their affairs than Force had done;
the Parliament resolved to make a change in the constitution of their
Army; hoping by it to find a change also in businesses, which were then
something in a declining condition.
So as, in this distemper of affairs, the Army was New Modelled; and
a new General was proposed to command it. For which, by the Votes of
the Two Houses of Parliament [in February 1645], myself was nominated;
though most unfit: and so far from desiring of it, that had not so
great an authority commanded obedience, [I also] being then unseparated
from the royal Interest; besides the persuasions of nearest friends,
not to decline so free and general a Call; I should have "hid myself
[among the stuff," 1 _Samuel_ x. 22.] to have avoided so great a
charge. But whether it was from a natural facility in me, that betrayed
my modesty; or the powerful hand of GOD, which all things must obey: I
was induced to receive the Command.
Then was I immediately voted by the Parliament [in February 1645], to
come to London to take up my charge [_where he arrived on 18th February
1645_]; though not fully recovered of a dangerous wound, which I had
received a little before; and which, I verily believe, without the
miraculous hand of GOD had proved mortal.
But here, alas! when I bring to mind the sad consequences that
designing men have brought to pass since, from these first innocent
undertakings, I am ready to let go that confidence I had, with
JOB to say: "Till I die, I will not remove my integrity from
me; nor shall my heart reproach me so long as I live" [_Job_ xxvii. 5].
But now more fit to take up his Complaint with a little alteration and
to say, Why did I not die when I had that hurt? Why did I not give up
the ghost when my life was on the confines of the grave? [See _Job_ x.
18.]
But GOD having been pleased thus to give me my life as a prey; I took
my journey southward: hoping I might be someway serviceable to the
Public. But when I came thither, had it not been in the simplicity
of my heart, I could not have supported myself under the frowns and
displeasures showed me by those who were disgusted at this alteration;
in which many of them were themselves so much concerned: and these did
not only outwardly express it, but sought by all means to obstruct my
proceedings in this new charge. Who though they could not prevent what
the necessity of affairs pressed most to do, viz.: To march speedily
out with the Army; yet were we, by them, made so inconsiderable for
want of fit and necessary accommodations, as it rather seemed that we
were sent to be destroyed and ruined than to do any service for the
Kingdom by it. Insomuch as when I went to take my leave of a Great
Person [_Can this have been DENZIL HOLLES?_]; he told me, He
was very sorry I was going out with the Army, for he did believe we
should be beaten.
Surely then had some of our ends been Self Interest merely, this might
have discouraged us: but it working no such effects, gave the more
hopes of future success; as it did to the Parliament's advantage. But
if any ill use hath been made of such mercies, let the mercies be
acknowledged from GOD: but let the abuses receive their due reward of
shame and punishment.
* * * * *
Thus, being led on by good success, and clear intentions of a Public
Good; some of us could not discern the serpent which was hid in these
spreading leaves of so Good Fortune: nor could believe the fruits of
our hopes would prove as cockatrice's eggs; from whence so viperous a
brood should afterwards spring up.
But, how ill deserving so ever we were: yet still it pleased GOD to
give the Army such success in the years [16]45 and [16]46; that there
remained in England neither Army nor fortress to oppose the Parliament
in settling the peace of the Kingdom.
But this shining mercy soon became clouded with the mists of abominable
hypocrisy [and] deceit; even in those men, who had been instrumental in
bringing this War to a conclusion. Here was the vertical point on which
the Army's honour and reputation turned into reproach and scandal. Here
the power of the Army, which I once had, was usurped by the Forerunners
of Confusion and Anarchy, viz.: the Agitators. [_The Army appointed a
Committee of Adjutators on 14th May 1647._]
My Commission as General bound me to act with [the co-operation of my]
Council: but the arbitrary and unlimited power of this new Council
would act without a General: and all that I could do, could not prevail
against this stream; especially when the Parliament itself became
divided, so that the pay was withheld from the Army, which heightened
their distempers.
Then followed, Free Quarter [in November 1647]; and that brought a
general discontent through the whole nation: which gave these factious
Agitators matter enough for the carrying on of their designs; viz., To
raise their own fortunes by the ruin of others.
But now, being much troubled to see things in this condition, I did
rather desire to be a sufferer than to be a Commander: but, before I
laid down my Commission, I thought it fit to consult with some friends
rather than gratify my private sense and reason, which much desired
it; especially having received it from a Public Authority, which might
justly expect to have notice of it before I laid it down. Which was
the cause of my continuing in the Army longer than I would have done
(seeing I could not have my desire granted): which did indeed preserve
the Parliament for some time, from those confusions and breakings,
which afterwards Time and Confidence emboldened these men to.
* * * * *
But now I shall descend to some particulars of their Agitation:
At Nottingham was the first time that I took notice of it, by the
soldiers' meetings to frame a _Petition_ to the Parliament about their
arrears [of pay]. The thing seemed just: but, not liking the way, I
spake with some Officers that were principally engaged in it; and got
it suppressed for that time.
Which was but as the cutting off of Hydra's head, which soon sprang
up again (though not so near the Head Quarters; but in more remote
corners of the Army, which I could not so timely prevent) so that they
presented it to the Parliament; which they were highly displeased with.
And now falling into difference[s]; the consequence of which proved
fatal not only to the King, but also destructive to one another. The
one striving to uphold his authority: the other (who had a spirit
of unsettlement) to preserve themselves from the ruin they feared.
This (with a natural inclination to change) I believe created the
thoughts of a New Government; which, in time, attained the name of a
Common Wealth: though it never arrived to the perfection of it; being
sometimes Democratical, sometimes Oligarchial, lastly Anarchial--as
indeed all the ways attaining to it seemed nothing but a Confusion.
For now the Officers of the Army were placed and displaced by the
will of the new Agitators; who, with violence, so carried all things,
as it was above my power to restrain it. This made me have recourse
to my friends to get me a discharge of my Command; so as there was a
consultation with several Members of Parliament, who met about it: but
none would undertake to move it to the House, as affairs then stood.
And they perceiving that such a Motion would be unpleasing to them:
which was the answer I received from them. And further that I should
satisfy myself: for it would be the Parliament's care to compose all
things in as good order as might be most for the good and settlement
of the Kingdom. But these hopes, though they something supported my
spirit; yet could not they balance the grief and trouble I had, that
I could not get my discharge. So that, if you find me carried on with
this stream; I can truly say, It was by the violence of it, and no
consent of mine.
* * * * *
But the Army, having gotten this power and strength by correspondence
with some in Parliament (who themselves did after find it [to their
disadvantage] in the end) they [_the_ _Army_] march nearer London
[26th June 1647]: and, at Windsor [20th November 1647], after two days'
debate in a Council of War, it was resolved to remove all out of the
House [of Commons] whom they conceived to "obstruct," as they called
it, "the Public Settlement."
Upon which expedition in this march, I was vehemently pressed: but here
I resolved to use a restrictive power, when I had not a persuasive
one. So when the Lieutenant General [_Oliver Cromwell_] and others
pressed me to sign orders for marching, I still delayed the doing of
it [in November 1647]; as always dreading the consequences of breaking
Parliament, and at a time when the Kingdom was falling into a new War:
which was so near, that my delaying but three or four days giving out
Orders, diverted this humour of the Army from being Statesmen to their
more proper duty of soldiers.
For, even then, Colonel POYER declared [for the King] in
Wales; great forces were raised with the Lord GORING in
Kent; and Duke [of] HAMILTON (almost at the same time) with
a powerful Army of the Scots. All which set out work enough for that
summer [of 1648].
This I write to shew how, by Providence, a few days' delay did prolong
the Parliament more than a year from the violent breaches that
afterwards happened to them.
Here again might be mentioned the great and difficult businesses the
Army went through that year [1648]: hoping, as well aiming, it would
be a good service to the Kingdom. But, seeing the factious Party grew
more insolent as success made them more powerful, I shall forbear to
relate those Actions; which would, otherwise, have deserved a better
remembrance than, in modesty, [it] were fit for me to record: and [I]
will rather punish myself here, with the continuance of the Story of
the Army's Irregularities.
* * * * *
But one thing, of very great concernment in all after changes, should
have been inserted before the mention of this Second War: but [it] will
come in well enough in this place, without much interruption of this
Discourse, viz.: