To provide pleasures, and shall we be niggards At plentiful boards? He's a discourteous guest That will observe a diet at a feast.
When Nature thought the earth alone too little To find us meat, and therefore stored the air With winged creatures; not contented yet, She made the water fruitful to delight us! Nay, I believe the other element too
Doth nurse some curious dainty for man's food, If we would use the skill to catch the salamander. Did she do this to have us eat with temperance ? Or when she gave so many different odours Of spices, unguents, and all sorts of flowers, She cried not, "Stop your noses." Would she So sweet a choir of wing'd musicians, [give us To have us deaf? or when she placed us here- Here in a paradise, where such pleasing prospects, So many ravishing colours, entice the eye, Was it to have us wink? When she bestow'd So powerful faces, such commanding beauties, On many glorious nymphs, was it to say, Be chaste and continent? Not to enjoy All pleasures, and at full, were to make Nature Guilty of that she ne'er was guilty of- A vanity in her works.
COLAX TO PHILOTIMIA, OR THE PROUD LADY.
Colax. MADAM Superbia, You're studying the lady's library,
The looking-glass: 'tis well, so great a beauty Must have her ornaments; nature adorns The peacock's tail with stars; 'tis she arrays The bird of paradise in all her plumes, She decks the fields with various flowers; 'tis she Spangled the heavens with all their glorious lights; She spotted th' ermine's skin, and arm'd the fish In silver mail: but man she sent forth naked- Not that he should remain so-but that he, Endued with reason, should adorn himself With every one of these. The silk-worm is Only man's spinster, else we might suspect That she esteem'd the painted butterfly Above her master-piece; you are the image Of that bright goddess, therefore wear the jewels Of all the East-let the Red Sea be ransack'd To make you glitter!,
THE PRAISE OF WOMAN. FROM HIS MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
He is a parricide to his mother's name, And with an impious hand murthers her fame, That wrongs the praise of women; that dares write Libels on saints, or with foul ink requite The milk they lent us! Better sex! command To your defence my more religious hand, At sword or pen; yours was the nobler birth, For you of man were made, man but of earth- The sun of dust; and though your sin did breed His fall, again you raised him in your seed. Adam, in 's sleep, again full loss sustain'd, That for one rib a better half regain'd, Who, had he not your blest creation seen In Paradise an anchorite had been. Why in this work did the creation rest, But that Eternal Providence thought you best Of all his six days' labour? Beasts should do Homage to man, but man shall wait on you; You are of comelier sight, of daintier touch, A tender flesh, and colour bright, and such As Parians see in marble; skin more fair, More glorious head, and far more glorious hair; Eyes full of grace and quickness; purer roses Blush in your cheeks, a milder white composes Your stately fronts; your breath, more sweet than his,
Breathes spice, and nectar drops at every kiss.
If, then, in bodies where the souls do dwell, You better us, do then our souls excel? No *
Boast we of knowledge, you are more than we, You were the first ventured to pluck the tree; And that more rhetoric in your tongues do lie, Let him dispute against that dares deny Your least commands; and not persuaded be With Samson's strength and David's piety, To be your willing captives.
Thus, perfect creatures, if detraction rise Against your sex, dispute but with your eyes, Your hand, your lip, your brow, there will be sent So subtle and so strong an argument, Will teach the stoic his affections too, And call the cynic from his tub to woo.
[Born, 1582. Died, 1635.]
THE anecdotes of this facetious bishop, quoted by Headley from the Aubrey MSS. would fill several pages of a jest-book. It is more to his honour to be told, that though entirely hostile in his principles to the Puritans, he frequently softened, with his humane and characteristic
pleasantry, the furious orders against them which Laud enjoined him to execute. On the whole he does credit to the literary patronage of James, who made him dean of Christ's Church, and successively bishop of Oxford and Norwich.
But now, then, for these parts he must Be enstiled Lewis the Just, Great Henry's lawful heir;
When to his stile to add more words, They'd better call him King of Birds, Than of the great Navarre.
He hath besides a pretty quirk, Taught him by nature, how to work In iron with much ease; Sometimes to the forge he goes, There he knocks and there he blows, And makes both locks and keys ;
Which puts a doubt in every one, Whether he be Mars or Vulcan's son, Some few believe his mother; But let them all say what they will, I came resolved, and so think still, As much th' one as th' other.
The people too dislike the youth, Alleging reasons, for, in truth, Mothers should honour'd be;
Yet others say, he loves her rather As well as ere she loved his father, And that's notoriously—
His queen*, a pretty little wench, Was born in Spain, speaks little French, She's ne'er like to be mother; For her incestuous house could not Have children which were not begot By uncle or by brother.
Nor why should Lewis, being so just, Content himself to take his lust With his Lucina's mate,
And suffer his little pretty queen, From all her race that yet hath been, So to degenerate?
'Twere charity for to be known
To love others' children as his own, And why it is no shame, Unless that he would greater be Than was his father Henery, Who, men thought, did the same. [* Anne of Austria.]
THOMAS MIDDLETON.
[Born, 1570. Buried, 4th July, 1627.]
THE dates of this author's birth and death are both unknown, though his living reputation, as the literary associate of Jonson, Fletcher, Massinger, Dekker, and Rowley, must have been considerable. If Oldys be correct*, he was alive after November 1627. Middleton was appointed chronologer to the city of London+ in 1620, and in 1624 was cited before the privy council, as author of The Game of Chess. The verses of Sir W. Lower, quoted by Oldys, allude to the poet's white locks, so that he was probably born as early as the middle of the 16th century. His tragicomedy, The Witch, according to Mr. Malone, was written anterior to Macbeth, and suggested to Shakspeare the witchcraft scenery in
the latter play. The songs beginning "Come away," &c. and "Black Spirits," &c. of which only the two first words are printed in Macbeth, are found in the Witch. Independent of having afforded a hint to Shakspeare, Middleton's reputation cannot be rated highly for the pieces to which his name is exclusively attached. His principal efforts were in comedy, where he deals profusely in grossness and buffoonery. The cheats and debaucheries of the town are his favourite sources of comic intrigue. With a singular effort at the union of the sublime and familiar, he introduces, in one of his coarse drafts of London vice, an infernal spirit prompting a country gentleman to the seduction of a citizen's wife§.
LEANTIO APPROACHING HIS HOME. FROM THE TRAGEDY OF "WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN."
How near I am now to a happiness That earth exceeds not! not another like it. The treasures of the deep are not so precious As are the conceal'd comforts of a man Lock'd up in woman's love. I scent the air Of blessings, when I come but near the house. *MS. notes on Langbaine.
[t Or city poet. Jonson and Quarles filled the office after Middleton, which expired with Elkanah Settle in 1723-4.] [The verses in question I believe to be a forgery of Chetwood.-DYCE's Middleton, vol. i. p. xiii.]
What a delicious breath marriage sends forth, The violet bed's not sweeter! Honest wedlock Is like a banqueting house built in a garden, On which the spring's chaste flowers take delight To cast their modest odours; when base lust, With all her powders, paintings, and best pride, Is but a fair house built by a ditch side.
[§ Middleton's dramatic works, since this was written. have been collected by the Rev. A. Dyce, a gentleman to whom the pristine literature of England is greatly indebted.]
Now for a welcome Able to draw men's envies upon man ; A kiss, now, that will hang upon my lip As sweet as morning dew upon a rose, And full as long.
LEANTIO'S AGONY FOR THE DESERTION OF HIS
Leantio, a man of humble fortune, has married a beautiful wife, who is basely seduced by the Duke of Florence. The duke, with refined cruelty, invites them both to a feast, where he lavishes his undisguised admiration on his mistress. The scene displays the feelings of Leantio, restrained by ceremony and fear, under the insulting hospitality, at the conclusion of which he is left alone with Livia, a lady of the court, who has fallen in love with him, and wishes to attach his affections.
Leantio. (Without noticing Livia.) O HAST thou left me then, Bianca, utterly?
O Bianca, now I miss thee! Oh! return, And save the faith of woman. I ne'er felt The loss of thee till now: 'tis an affliction
Of greater weight than youth was made to bear; As if a punishment of after life
Were fall'n upon man here, so new it is
To flesh and blood; so strange, so insupportable; A torment even mistook, as if a body
Whose death were drowning, must needs therefore suffer it
In scalding oil.
Livia. Sweet sir!
Lean. (Without noticing her.) As long as mine eye saw thee,
I half enjoy'd thee.
Liv. Sir!
Lean. (Without noticing her.) Canst thou forget The dear pains my love took? how it has watch'd Whole nights together, in all weathers, for thee, Yet stood in heart more merry than the tempest That sung about mine ears, like dangerous flatterers, That can set all their mischiefs to sweet tunes, And then received thee from thy father's window, Into these arms, at midnight; when we embraced As if we had been statues only made for't, To show art's life, so silent were our comforts; And kiss'd as if our lips had grown together. Liv. This makes me madder to enjoy him now. Lean. (Without noticing her.) Canst thou forget all this, and better joys
That we met after this, which then new kisses Took pride to praise ?
Liv. I shall grow madder yet :-Sir !
To make away all your good thoughts at once of her, Know, most assuredly, she is a strumpet.
Lean. Ha! most assuredly? Speak not a thing So vile so certainly, leave it more doubtful. Liv. Then I must leave all truth, and spare my knowledge,
A sin which I too lately found and wept for. Lean. Found you it ?
Liv. Ay, with wet eyes.
Lean. Oh, perjurious friendship!
Liv. You miss'd your fortunes when you met with her, sir.
Young gentlemen, that only love for beauty, They love not wisely; such a marriage rather Proves the destruction of affection;
It brings on want, and want's the key of whoredom. I think you'd small means with her?
Lean. Oh, not any, lady.
Liv. Alas, poor gentleman! what mean'st thou,
Quite to undo thyself with thine own kind heart? Thou art too good and pitiful to woman: Marry, sir, thank thy stars for this bless'd fortune, That rids the summer of thy youth so well From many beggars, that had lain a sunning In thy beams only else, till thou hadst wasted The whole days of thy life in heat and labour. What would you say now to a creature found As pitiful to you, and as it were
E'en sent on purpose from the whole sex general, To requite all that kindness you have shown to't? Lean. What's that, madam?
Liv. Nay, a gentlewoman, and one able To reward good things; ay, and bears a conscience to't:
Couldst thou love such a one, that (blow all fortunes) Would never see thee want?
Nay more, maintain thee to thine enemy's envy, And shalt not spend a care for❜t, stir a thought, Nor break a sleep? unless love's music waked thee, No storm of fortune should look upon me, And know that woman.
Lean. Oh, my life's wealth, Bianca ! Liv. Still with her name? will nothing wear it That deep sigh went but for a strumpet, sir.
Lean. It can go for no other that loves me. Liv. (Aside) He's vex'd in mind; I came too soon to him:
Where's my discretion now, my skill, my judgment? I'm cunning in all arts but my own, love. 'Tis as unseasonable to tempt him now So soon, as [for] a widow to be courted
Lean. (Without noticing her.) This cannot be Following her husband's corse; or to make bargain
but of some close bawd's working:—
Cry mercy, lady! What would you say to me? My sorrow makes me so unmannerly, So comfort bless me, I had quite forgot you. Liv. Nothing, but e'en in pity to that passion Would give your grief good counsel.
Lean. Marry, and welcome, lady, It never could come better.
By the grave side, and take a young man there : Her strange departure stands like a hearse yet Before his eyes; which time will take down shortly.
Lean. Is she my wife till death, yet no more mine ? [for? That's a hard measure: then what's marriage good Methinks by right I should not now be living,
And then 'twere all well. What a happiness Had I been made of had I never seen her ; For nothing makes man's loss grievous to him, But knowledge of the worth of what he loses ; For what he never had, he never misses : for ever, utterly; there is
She's gone As much redemption of a soul from hell, As a fair woman's body from his palace. Why should my love last longer than her truth? What is there good in woman to be loved, When only that which makes her so has left her? I cannot love her now, but I must like Her sin, and my own shame too, and be guilty Of law's breach with her, and mine own abusing; All which were monstrous! then my safest course For health of mind and body, is to turn My heart, and hate her, most extremely hate her; I have no other way: those virtuous powers Which were chaste witnesses of both our troths, Can witness she breaks first!
SCENE FROM "THE ROARING GIRL."
Persons.-Mr. and Mrs. GALLIPOT.
Mrs. Gallipot, the apothecary's wife, having received a letter from her friend Laxton that he is in want of money, thus bethinks her how to raise it.
ALAS, poor gentleman! troth, I pity him. How shall I raise this money? thirty pound? 'Tis 30, sure, a 3 before an 0;
I know his 3's too well. My childbed linen, Shall I pawn that for him? then, if my mark Be known, I am undone; it may be thought My husband's bankrupt : which way shall I turn ? Laxton, betwixt my own fears and thy wants I'm like a needle 'twixt two adamants.
Mr. G. What letter 's that? I'll see't. [She tears the letter. Mrs. G. Oh! would thou hadst no eyes to see the downfall
Of me and of thyself-I'm for ever, ever undone ! Mr. G. What ails my Prue? What paper's that thou tear'st!
Mrs. G. Would I could tear
My very heart in pieces! for my soul
Lies on the rack of shame, that tortures me Beyond a woman's suffering.
Mr. G. What means this?
Mrs. G. Had you no other vengeance to throw down,
But even in height of all my joys
Mr. G. Dear woman!
Mr. G. Heavens bless me !-Are my barns and houses,
Yonder at Hockley Hole, consumed with fire?I can build more, sweet Prue.
Mrs. G. "Tis worse! 'tis worse!
Mr. G. My factor broke or is the Jonas sunk ? Mrs. G. Would all we had were swallow'd in
Rather than both should be the scorn of slaves! Mr. G. I'm at my wit's end. Mrs. G. O, my dear husband! Where once I thought myself a fixed star, Placed only in the heaven of thine arms, I fear now I shall prove a wanderer. O Laxton! Laxton! is it then my fate To be by thee o'erthrown?
Mr. G. Defend me, wisdom,
From falling into phrenzy! On my knees, Sweet Prue, speak-what's that Laxton, who so Lies on thy bosom ? [heavy
Mrs. G. I shall sure run mad!
Mr. G. I shall run mad for company then:
I'm Gallipot, thy husband. Prue-why, Prue, Art sick in conscience for some villanous deed Thou wert about to act?-didst mean to rob me? Tush, I forgive thee.-Hast thou on my bed Thrust my soft pillow under another's head?— I'll wink at all faults, Prue-'Las! that's no more Than what some neighbours near thee have done before.
Sweet honey-Prue-what's that Laxton ? Mrs. G. Oh !
Mr. G. Out with him.
Mrs. G. Oh! he-he's born to be my undoer! This hand, which thou call'st thine, to him was given; To him was I made sure i'the sight of heaven. Mr. G. I never heard this-thunder! Mrs. G. Yes, yes-before
I was to thee contracted, to him I swore. Since last I saw him twelve months three times old The moon hath drawn through her light silver bow; But o'er the seas he went, and it was said- But rumour lies-that he in France was dead: But he's alive-oh, he's alive !—he sent That letter to me, which in rage I rent, Swearing, with oaths most damnably, to have me, Or tear me from this bosom.-Oh, heavens save me!
Mr. G. My heart will break-Shamed and undone for ever!
Mrs. G. So black a day, poor wretch, went o'er thee never.
Mr. G. If thou shouldst wrestle with him at
Thou'rt sure to fall; no odd slight, no prevention.
Mrs. G. When the full sea of pleasure and delight I'll tell him th' art with child.
Seem'd to flow over me
Mr. G. As thou desirest
To keep me out of Bedlam, tell what troubles thee.— Is not thy child at nurse fall'n sick or dead? Mrs. G. Oh, no !
Mr. G. Or give out, that one of my men was ta'en abed with thee.
Mrs. G. Worse and worse still; You embrace a mischief to prevent an ill.
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