IDENTILIN$$  F15800A|1633(M)|metem|sig.B-E2|pp.1-27\E:pjt\fs\11-11-97\P:JAH&AWJ\mf(MH,CtY);cd(TxAM(1),DFo)\2.2-14.05\C:JAH\2-16-05/DRD cor Dec. 06.
158.00A.HE1 %XTHE /%XPROGRESSE /%XOF THE SOULE.
158.00A.HE2 %X%1First Song.%2
158.00A.HE3om
158.00A.HE4om
158.00A.HE5om
158.00A.001 %XI./I%+ Sing the progresse of a deathlesse /soule,
158.00A.002 Whom Fate, which God made, /but doth not controule,
158.00A.003 Plac'd in most shapes; all times /before the law
158.00A.004 Yoak'd us, and when, and since, /in this I sing.
158.00A.005 And the great world to his aged evening; 
158.00A.006 From infant morne, through manly noone I draw.
158.00A.007 What the gold Chaldee, or silver Persian saw,
158.00A.008 Greeke brasse, or Roman iron, is in this one;
158.00A.009 A worke t'outweare %1Seths%2 pillars, bricke and stone,
158.00A.010 And (holy writs excepted) made to yeeld to none. [CW:II.]
158.00A.011 %XII/Thee, eye of heaven, this great Soule envies not, [p.2]
158.00A.012 By thy male force, is all wee have, begot,
158.00A.013 In the first East,[east,(MH)] thou now begins to shine,
158.00A.014 Suck'st early balme, and Iland spices there,
158.00A.015 And wilt anon in thy loose-rein'd careere
158.00A.016 At Tagus, Po, Sene, Thames, and Danon dine.
158.00A.017 And see at night thy Westerne land of Myne,[mine,(MH)]
158.00A.018 Yet hast thou not more nations seene then shee,
158.00A.019 That before thee, one day beganne to bee,[be,(MH)]
158.00A.020 And thy fraile light being quench'd, shall long, long %/(out live thee.
158.00A.021 %XIII./Nor holy %1Ianus%2 in whose soveraigne boate
158.00A.022 The Church, and all the Monarchies did floate;
158.00A.023 That swimming Colledge, and free Hospitall
158.00A.024 Of all mankinde, that cage and vivarie
158.00A.025 Of fowles, and beasts, in whose wombe, Destinie
158.00A.026 Us, and our latest nephewes did install
158.00A.027 (From thence are all deriv'd, that fill this All)
158.00A.028 Did'st thou in that great stewardship embarke
158.00A.029 So diverse shapes into that floating parke,
158.00A.030 As have beene moved, and inform'd by this heavenly %/(sparke. [CW:IV.]
158.00A.031 %XIV./Great Destiny the Commissary[commissary(MH)] of God, [p.3]
158.00A.032 That hast mark'd out a path and period
158.00A.033 For every thing, who, where wee of-spring tooke,
158.00A.034 Our wayes and ends seest at one instant;[~.(MH)] Thou
158.00A.035 Knot of all causes, thou whose changelesse brow
158.00A.036 Ne'r[Ne're(MH)] smiles nor frownes, O vouch-safe thou to looke
158.00A.037 And shew my story, in thy eternall booke.
158.00A.038 That (if my prayer be fit) I may 'understand
158.00A.039 So much my selfe, as to know with what hand,
158.00A.040 How scant, or liberall this my lifes race is spand.
158.00A.041 %XV./To my sixe lustres almost now outwore,
158.00A.042 Except thy booke owe mee so many more,
158.00A.043 Except my legend be free from the letts
158.00A.044 Of steepe ambition, sleepie povertie,
158.00A.045 Spirit-quenching sicknesse, dull captivitie,
158.00A.046 Distracting businesse, and from beauties nets,
158.00A.047 And all that calls from this, and to others whets,
158.00A.048 O let me not launch out, but let mee save
158.00A.049 Th'expense of braine and spirit; that my grave
158.00A.050 His right and due, a whole unwasted man may have. [CW:VI.[~VII.(MH,*mis)]]
158.00A.051 %XVI./But if my dayes be long, and good enough, [p.4]
158.00A.052 In vaine this sea shall enlarge, or enrough
158.00A.053 It selfe; for I will through the wave, and fome,
158.00A.054 And shall in sad love wayes, a lively spright
158.00A.055 Make my darke heavy Poe%Um light, and light.
158.00A.056 For though through many streights, & lands I roame,
158.00A.057 I launch at paradise, and I saile towards home;
158.00A.058 The course I there began, shall here be staid,
158.00A.059 Sailes hoised there, stroke here, and anchors laid
158.00A.060 In Thames, which were at Tigrys, and Euphrates %/(waide.
158.00A.061 %XVII./For the great soule which here amongst us now
158.00A.062 Doth dwell, and moves that hand, and tongue, & brow,
158.00A.063 Which as the Moone the sea, moves us, to heare
158.00A.064 Whose story, with long patience you will long;
158.00A.065 (For 'tis the crowne, and last straine of my song)
158.00A.066 This soule to whom %1Luther%2, and %1Mahomet%2 were
158.00A.067 Prisons of flesh; this soule which oft did teare,
158.00A.068 And mend the wracks of th'Empire, and late Rome,
158.00A.069 And liv'd when every great change did come,
158.00A.070 Had first in paradise, a low, but fatall roome. [CW:VIII.]
158.00A.071 %XVIII./Yet no low roome, nor then the greatest, lesse, [p.5]
158.00A.072 If (as devout and sharpe men fitly guesse)
158.00A.073 That Crosse, our joy, and griefe, where nailes did tye
158.00A.074 That All, which alwayes was all, every where
158.00A.075 Which could not sinne, and yet all sinnes did beare;
158.00A.076 Which could not die, yet could not chuse but die;
158.00A.077 Stood in the selfe same roome in Calvarie,
158.00A.078 Where first grew the forbidden learned tree,
158.00A.079 For on that tree hung in security
158.00A.080 This Soule, made by the Makers will from pulling %\(free.
158.00A.081 %XIX./Prince of the orchard, faire as dawning morne, 
158.00A.082 Fenc'd with the law, and ripe as soone as borne
158.00A.083 That apple grew, which this Soule did enlive[om(MH,TxAM.1]
158.00A.084 Till the then climing serpent, that now creeps
158.00A.085 For that offence, for which all mankinde weepes,
158.00A.086 Tooke it, and t'her whom the first man did wive
158.00A.087 (Whom and her race, only forbiddings drive)
158.00A.088 He gave it, she, t'her husband, both did eate;
158.00A.089 So perished the eaters, and the meate:
158.00A.090 And wee (for treason taints the blood) thence die %/(and sweat. [CW:X.]
158.00A.091 %XX./Man all at once was there by woman slaine, [p.6]
158.00A.092 And one by one we'are here slaine o'er againe
158.00A.093 By them.  The mother poisoned the well-head,
158.00A.094 The daughters here corrupts us,
158.00A.095 No smalness scapes, no greatnesse breaks[breake(MH)] their nets,
158.00A.096 She thrusts[thrust(MH)] us out, and by them we are led
158.00A.097 Astray, from turning, to whence we are fled.[~,(MH)]
158.00A.098 Were prisoners Judges, t'would seeme rigorous,
158.00A.099 Shee sinn'd, we here, part of our paine is, thus
158.00A.100 To love them, whose fault to this painfull love %/(yoak'd us.
158.00A.101 %XXI./So fast in us doth this corruption grow,
158.00A.102 That now wee dare aske why wee should be so.
158.00A.103 Would God (disputes the curious Rebell) make
158.00A.104 A law, and would not have it kept?  Or can
158.00A.105 His creatures will, crosse his?  Of every man
158.00A.106 For one, will God (and be just) vengeance take?
158.00A.107 Who sinn'd? t'was not forbidden to the snake
158.00A.108 Nor her, who was not then made; nor i'st writ
158.00A.109 That Adam cropt, or knew the apple; yet
158.00A.110 The worme and she, and he, and wee endure for it. [CW:XII.]
158.00A.111 %XXII./But snatch mee heavenly Spirit[~,(MH)] from this vaine [p.7]
158.00A.112 Reckoning their vanities, lesse is their gaine
158.00A.113 Then hazard still, to meditate on ill,                                                 
158.00A.114 Though with good minde, their reasons like those %/(toyes
158.00A.115 Of glassie bubbles, which[with(MH)] the gamesome boyes
158.00A.116 Stretch to so nice a thinnes through a quill
158.00A.117 That they themselves breake, doe themselves spill,
158.00A.118 Arguing is heretiques game, and Exercise
158.00A.119 As wrastlers, perfects[perfect(MH)] them; Not liberties
158.00A.120 Of speech, but silence; hands, not tongues, end %/(heresies.
158.00A.121 %XXIII./Just in that instant when the serpents gripe,
158.00A.122 Broke the slight veines, and tender conduit-pipe,
158.00A.123 Through which this soule from the trees root did %/(draw
158.00A.124 Life, and growth to this apple, fled away
158.00A.125 This loose soule, old, one and another day,[~.(MH)]
158.00A.126 As lightning, which one scarce dares say, he saw,
158.00A.127 'Tis so soone gone, (and better proofe the law
158.00A.128 Of sense, then faith requires) swiftly she flew
158.00A.129 To a darke and foggie Plot; Her, her fates threw
158.00A.130 There through th'earths-pores,[th'earth-pores(MH)] and in a Plant hous'd %/her a new. [CW:XIV.]
158.00A.131 %XXIV./The plant thus abled, to it selfe did force [p.8]
158.00A.132 A place, where no place was; by natures course
158.00A.133 As aire from water, water fleets away
158.00A.134 From thicker bodies, by this root thronged so
158.00A.135 His spungie confines gave him place to grow,
158.00A.136 Just as in our streets, when the people stay
158.00A.137 To see the Princesse,[Prince,(MH,TxAM.1)] and so fill'd the way
158.00A.138 That weesels scarce could passe, when she comes nere
158.00A.139 They throng and cleave up, and a passage cleare,
158.00A.140 As if, for that time, their round bodies flatned were.
158.00A.141 %XXV./His right arme he thrust out towards the East,
158.00A.142 West-ward his left; th'ends did themselves digest
158.00A.143 Into ten lesser strings, these fingers were:
158.00A.144 And as a slumberer stretching on his bed;
158.00A.145 This way he this, and that way scattered
158.00A.146 His other legge, which feet with toes upbeare;
158.00A.147 Grew on his middle parts, the first day, haire,
158.00A.148 To show, that in loves businesse hee should still
158.00A.149 A dealer bee, and be us'd well, or ill:
158.00A.150 His apples kinde, his leaves, force of conception %/(kill. [CW:XVI.]
158.00A.151 %XXVI./A mouth, but dumbe, he hath; blinde eyes, deafe eares, [p.9]
158.00A.152 And to his shoulders dangle subtile haires;
158.00A.153 A young %1Colossus%2 there hee stands upright,
158.00A.154 And as that ground by him were conquered
158.00A.155 A leafie garland weares he on his head
158.00A.156 Enchas'd with little fruits, so red and bright
158.00A.157 That for them you would call your Loves lips white;
158.00A.158 So, of a lone unhaunted place possest,
158.00A.159 Did this soules second Inne, built by the guest
158.00A.160 This living buried man, this quiet mandrake, rest.                                                 
158.00A.161 %XXVII./No lustfull woman came this plant to grieve,
158.00A.162 But t'was because there was none yet but Eve:
158.00A.163 And she (with other purpose) kill'd it quite;
158.00A.164 Her sinne had now brought in infirmities,
158.00A.165 And so her cradled child, the moist red eyes
158.00A.166 Had never shut, nor sleept since it saw light,
158.00A.167 Poppie she knew, she knew the mandrakes might;
158.00A.168 And tore up both, and so coold her childs blood;
158.00A.169 Unvirtuous weeds might long unvex'd have stood;
158.00A.170 But hee's short liv'd, that with his death can doe %/(most good. [CW:XVIII.]
158.00A.171 %XXVIII./To an unfetterd soules quick nimble hast
158.00A.172 Are falling stars, and hearts thoughts, but slow pac'd:
158.00A.173 Thinner then burnt aire flies this soule, and she
158.00A.174 Whom foure new comming, and foure parting Suns
158.00A.175 Had found, and left the Mandrakes tenant, runnes
158.00A.176 Thoughtlesse of change, when her firme destiny
158.00A.177 Confin'd, and enjayld her, that seem'd so free,
158.00A.178 Into a small blew shell, the which a poore                                              
158.00A.179 Warme bird orespread, and sat still evermore,
158.00A.180 Till her uncloath'd child kickt, and pick'd it selfe a %/(dore.
158.00A.181 %XXIXOutcrept a sparrow, this soules moving Inne,
158.00A.182 On whose raw armes stiffe feathers now begin,
158.00A.183 As childrens teeth through gummes, to breake with %/(paine,
158.00A.184 His flesh is jelly yet, and his bones threds,
158.00A.185 All downy a new mantle overspreads,
158.00A.186 A mouth he opes, which would as much containe
158.00A.187 As his late house, and the first houre[howre(CtY)] speaks plaine,
158.00A.188 And chirps alowd for meat.  Meat fit for men
158.00A.189 His father steales for him, and so feeds then                                             
158.00A.190 One, that within a moneth, will beate him from his %\(hen. [CW:XX]
158.00A.191 %XXX./In this worlds youth wise nature did make hast, [p.11]
158.00A.192 Things ripened sooner, and did longer last;
158.00A.193 Already this hot cocke in bush and tree
158.00A.194 In field and tent oreflutters his next hen,
158.00A.195 He asks her not, who did so tast, nor when,
158.00A.196 Nor if his sister, or his neece shee be,
158.00A.197 Nor doth she pule for his inconstancie
158.00A.198 If in her sight he change, nor doth refuse
158.00A.199 The next that calls; both liberty doe use;
158.00A.200 Where store is of both kindes, both kindes may %/(freely chuse.
158.00A.201 %XXXI./Men, till they tooke laws which made freedome lesse,
158.00A.202 Their daughters, and their sisters did ingresse,
158.00A.203 Till now unlawfull, therefore ill; t'was not
158.00A.204 So jolly, that it can move this soule;[~,(CtY)] Is[is (CtY)]
158.00A.205 The body so free of his kindnesses,
158.00A.206 That selfe preserving it hath now forgot,
158.00A.207 And slackneth so the soules, and bodies knot,
158.00A.208 Which te%Mperance streightens; freely on his she friends
158.00A.209 He blood, and spirit, pith, and marrow spends,
158.00A.210 Ill steward of himself, himselfe in three yeares ends. [CW:XXII.]
158.00A.211 %XXXII./Else might he long have liv'd; man did not know [p.12]
158.00A.212 Of gummie blood, which doth in holly grow
158.00A.213 How to make bird-lime, nor how to deceive
158.00A.214 With faind calls, his nets, or enwrapping snare
158.00A.215 The free inhabitants of the Plyant aire.
158.00A.216 Man to beget, and woman to conceive
158.00A.217 Askt not of rootes, nor of cock-sparrows, leave:
158.00A.218 Yet chuseth hee, though none of these he feares,
158.00A.219 Pleasantly three, then streightned twenty yeares
158.00A.220 To live, and to encrease, himselfe outweares.
158.00A.221 %XXXIII./This cole with overblowing quench'd and dead,
158.00A.222 The Soule from her too active organs fled
158.00A.223 T'a brooke; a female fishes sandie Roe
158.00A.224 With the males jelly, newly lev'ned was,
158.00A.225 For they intertouched as they did passe,
158.00A.226 And one of those small bodies, fitted so,
158.00A.227 This soule inform'd, and abled it to roe
158.00A.228 It selfe with finnie oares, which she did fit,
158.00A.229 Her scales seem'd yet of parchment, and as yet
158.00A.230 Perchance a fish, but by no name you could call it. [CW:XXIV.]
158.00A.231 %XXXIV./When goodly, like a ship in her full trim, [p.13]
158.00A.232 A swan, so white that you may unto him                                                                     
158.00A.233 Compare all whitenesse, but himselfe to none,
158.00A.234 Glided along, and as he glided watch'd,
158.00A.235 And with his arched necke this poore fish catch'd.
158.00A.236 It mov'd with state, as if to looke upon
158.00A.237 Low things it scorn'd, and yet before that one
158.00A.238 Could thinke he sought it, he had swallowed cleare
158.00A.239 This, and much such, and unblam'd devour'd there
158.00A.240 All, but who too swift, too great, or well arm'd %/(were
158.00A.241 %XXXV./Now swome a prison in a prison put,
158.00A.242 And now this Soule in double walls was shut,
158.00A.243 Till melted with the Swans digestive fire,
158.00A.244 She left her house the fish, and vapour'd forth;
158.00A.245 Fate not affording bodies of more worth
158.00A.246 For her as yet, bids her againe retire
158.00A.247 T'another fish, to any new desire
158.00A.248 Made a new prey; For, he that can to none
158.00A.249 Resistance make, nor complaint, sure is gone.
158.00A.250 Weaknesse invites, but silence feasts oppression. [CW:XXVI.]
158.00A.251 %XXXVI./Pace with the native streame, this fish doth keepe, [p.14]
158.00A.252 And journeyes with her, towards the glassie deepe,
158.00A.253 But oft retarded, once with a hidden net
158.00A.254 Though with great windowes, for when need first %\(taught
158.00A.255 These tricks to catch food, the%M they were not wrought
158.00A.256 As now, with curious greedinesse to let
158.00A.257 None scape, but few, and fit for use to get,                                                                     
158.00A.258 As, in this trap a ravenous pike was tane,
158.00A.259 Who, though himselfe distrest, would faine have slain
158.00A.260 This wretch;[~,(CtY)] So[so(CtY)] hardly are ill habits left again.[againe.(CtY)]
158.00A.261 %XXXVII./Here by her smallnesse shee two deaths orepast,
158.00A.262 Once innocence scap'd, and left the oppressor fast;
158.00A.263 The net through-swome, she keepes the liquid path,
158.00A.264 And whether she leape up sometimes to breath
158.00A.265 And suck in aire, or finde it underneath,
158.00A.266 Or working parts like mills, or limbecks hath
158.00A.267 To make the wether thinne, and airelike faith
158.00A.268 Cares not, but safe the Place she's come unto
158.00A.269 Where fresh, with salt waves meet, and what to doe
158.00A.270 She knowes not, but betweene both makes a boord %/(or two [CW:XXVIII.]
158.00A.271 %XXXVIII./So farre from hiding her guests, water is [p.15]
158.00A.272 That she showes them in bigger quantities
158.00A.273 Then they are.  Thus doubtfull of her way,
158.00A.274 For game and not for hunger a sea Pie
158.00A.275 Spied through this traiterous spectacle, from high,
158.00A.276 The seely fish where it disputing lay,
158.00A.277 And t'end her doubts and her, beares her away,
158.00A.278 Exalted she'is, but to the exalters good,
158.00A.279 As are by great ones, men which lowly stood.
158.00A.280 It's[It(CtY)] rais'd, to be the Raisers instrument and food.
158.00A.281 %XXXIX./Is any kinde subject to rape like fish?
158.00A.282 Ill unto man, they neither doe, nor wish:
158.00A.283 Fishers they kill not, nor with noise awake,
158.00A.284 They doe not hunt, nor strive to make a prey
158.00A.285 Of beasts, nor their yong sonnes to beare away;                                              
158.00A.286 Foules they pursue not, nor do undertake
158.00A.287 To spoile the nests industruous birds do make;
158.00A.288 Yet them all these unkinde kinds feed upon,
158.00A.289 To kill them is an occupation,
158.00A.290 And lawes make fasts, & lents for their destruction. [CW:XXX,(miscatch)]
158.00A.291 %XXXX./A sudden stiffe land-winde in that self houre [p.16]
158.00A.292 To sea-ward forc'd this bird, that did devour                                               
158.00A.293 The fish; he cares not, for with ease he flies,
158.00A.294 Fat gluttonies best orator: at last
158.00A.295 So long hee hath flowen, and hath flowen so fast
158.00A.296 That leagues o'er-past at sea, now tir'd hee lyes,
158.00A.297 And with his prey, that till then languisht, dies,
158.00A.298 The soules no longer foes, two wayes did erre,
158.00A.299 The fish I follow, and keepe no calender
158.00A.300 Of the other; he lives yet in some great officer.
158.00A.301 %XXXXI./Into an embrion fish, our Soule is throwne
158.00A.302 And in due time throwne out againe, and growne                                             
158.00A.303 To such vastnesse, as if unmanacled
158.00A.304 From Greece, Morea were, and that by some
158.00A.305 Earthquake unrooted, loose Morea swome,
158.00A.306 Or seas from Africks body had severed
158.00A.307 And torne the hopefull Promontories head,
158.00A.308 This fish would seeme these, and, when all hopes faile,
158.00A.309 A great ship overset, or without saile
158.00A.310 Hulling, might (when this was a whelp) be like this %\(whale. [CW:XXXII.]
158.00A.311 %XXXXII./At every stroake his brazen finnes do take [p.17]
158.00A.312 More circles in the broken sea they make
158.00A.313 Then cannons voices, when the aire they teare:
158.00A.314 His ribs are pillars, and his high arch'd roofe
158.00A.315 Of barke that blunts best steele, is thunder-proofe,
158.00A.316 Swimme in him swallowed Dolphins, without feare,
158.00A.317 And feele no sides, as if his vast wombe were
158.00A.318 Some Inland sea, and ever as hee went
158.00A.319 Hee spouted rivers up, as if he ment
158.00A.320 To joyne our seas, with seas above the firmament.
158.00A.321 %XXXXIII./He hunts not fish, but as an officer,
158.00A.322 Stayes in his court, at his owne net, and there
158.00A.323 All suitors of all sorts themselves enthrall;
158.00A.324 So on his backe lyes this whale wantoning,
158.00A.325 And in his gulfe-like throat, sucks every thing
158.00A.326 That passeth neare.  Fish chaseth fish, and all,
158.00A.327 Flyer and follower, in this whirlepoole fall;
158.00A.328 O might not states of more equality
158.00A.329 Consist? and is it of necessity
158.00A.330 That thousand guiltlesse smals, to make one great, %\(must die? [CW:XXXIV.]
158.00A.331 %XXXXIV./Now drinkes he up seas, and he eates up flocks, [p.18]
158.00A.332 He justles Ilands, and he shakes firme rockes.
158.00A.333 Now in a roomefull house this Soule doth float,
158.00A.334 And like a Prince she sends her faculties
158.00A.335 To all her limbes, distant as Provinces.
158.00A.336 The Sunne hath twenty times both crab and goate
158.00A.337 Parched, since first lanch'd forth this living boate.
158.00A.338 'Tis greatest now, and to destruction
158.00A.339 Nearest; There's no pause at perfection.
158.00A.340 Greatnesse a period hath, but hath no station.
158.00A.341 %XXXXV./Two little fishes whom hee never harm'd,
158.00A.342 Nor fed on their kinde, two not throughly arm'd
158.00A.343 With hope that they could kill him, nor could doe
158.00A.344 Good to themselves by his death: they did not eate
158.00A.345 His flesh, nor suck those oyles, which thence outstreat,
158.00A.346 Conspir'd against him, and it might undoe
158.00A.347 The plot of all, that the plotters were two,
158.00A.348 But that they fishes were, and could not speake.
158.00A.349 How shall a Tyran wise strong projects breake,
158.00A.350 If wreches can on them the common anger wreake? [CW:XXXVI,(miscatch)]
158.00A.351 %XXXXVI./The flaile-find Thresher, and steel-beak'd Sword-fish [p.19]
158.00A.352 Onely attempt to doe, what all doe wish.
158.00A.353 The Thresher backs him, and to beate begins;
158.00A.354 The sluggard Whale yeelds to oppression,
158.00A.355 And t'hide himselfe from shame and danger, downe
158.00A.356 Begins to sinke; the Swordfish upward spins,
158.00A.357 And gores him with his beake; his staffe-like finnes,
158.00A.358 So were the one, his sword the other plyes,
158.00A.359 That now a scoffe, and prey, this tyran dyes,
158.00A.360 And (his owne dole) feeds with himselfe all %/(companies.
158.00A.361 %XXXX#VII./Who will revenge his death? or who will call
158.00A.362 Those to account, that thought, and wrought his fall?
158.00A.363 The heires of slaine kings, wee see are often so
158.00A.364 Transported with the joy of what they get,
158.00A.365 That they,[they(TxAM1)] revenge, and obsequies forget,
158.00A.366 Nor will against such men the people goe,
158.00A.367 Because h'is now dead, to whom they should show
158.00A.368 Love in that act.  Some kings by vice being growne
158.00A.369 So needy of subjects love, that of their own
158.00A.370 They thinke they lose, if love be to the dead Prince %\(shown. [CW:XXXVIII.]
158.00A.371 %XXXXVIII./This Soule, now free from prison, and passion, [p.20]
158.00A.372 Hath yet a little indignation
158.00A.373 That so small hammers should so soone downe beat
158.00A.374 So great a castle.  And having for her house
158.00A.375 Got the streight cloyster of a wreched mouse
158.00A.376 (As basest men that have not what to eate,
158.00A.377 Nor enjoy ought, doe farre more hate the great
158.00A.378 Then they, who good repos'd estates possesse)
158.00A.379 This Soule, late taught that great things might by lesse
158.00A.380 Be slain, to gallant mischiefe doth herselfe addresse.
158.00A.381 %XXXXIX./Natures great master-peece, an Elephant,
158.00A.382 The onely harmlesse great thing; the giant
158.00A.383 Of beasts; who thought, no more had gone, to make %/(one wise
158.00A.384 But to be just, and thankfull, loth to offend,
158.00A.385 (Yet nature hath given him no knees to bend)
158.00A.386 Himselfe he up-props, on himselfe relies
158.00A.387 And foe to none, suspects no enemies,
158.00A.388 Still sleeping stood; vex't not his fantasie
158.00A.389 Blacke dreames, like an unbent bow, carelesly
158.00A.390 His sinewy Proboscis did remisly lie. [CW:XL.]
158.00A.391 %XL./In which as in a gallery this mouse [p.21]
158.00A.392 Walk'd, and surveid the roomes of this vast house,
158.00A.393 And to the braine, the soules bedchamber, went,
158.00A.394 And gnaw'd the life cords there; Like a whole towne
158.00A.395 Cleane undermin'd, the slaine beast tumbled downe,
158.00A.396 With him the murtherer dies whom envy sent
158.00A.397 To kill, not scape, for, only hee that ment
158.00A.398 To die, did ever kill a man of better roome,
158.00A.399 And thus he made his foe, his prey, and tombe:
158.00A.400 Who cares not to turn back, may any whither come.
158.00A.401 %XLI./Next, hous'd this Soule a Wolves yet unborne whelp,
158.00A.402 Till the best midwife, Nature, gave it helpe,
158.00A.403 To issue.  It could kill, as soone as goe,
158.00A.404 Abel, as white, and milde as his sheepe were,
158.00A.405 (Who in that trade of Church, and kingdomes, there
158.00A.406 Was the first type) was still infested soe,
158.00A.407 With this wolfe, that it bred his losse and woe;
158.00A.408 And yet his bitch, his sentinell attends
158.00A.409 The flocke so neere, so well warnes and defends,
158.00A.410 That the wolfe, (hopelesse else) to corrupt her, %/(intends. [CW:XLII.]
158.00A.411 %XXLII./Hee tooke a course, which since, succesfully, [p.22]
158.00A.412 Great men have often taken, to espie
158.00A.413 The counsels, or to breake the plots of foes,
158.00A.414 To Abels tent he stealeth in the darke,
158.00A.415 On whose skirts the bitch slept; ere she could barke,
158.00A.416 Attach'd her with streight gripes, yet hee call'd those,
158.00A.417 Embracements of love; to loves worke he goes,
158.00A.418 Where deeds move more then words; nor doth she %/(show,
158.00A.419 Nor much resist, nor needs hee streighten so
158.00A.420 His prey, for, were shee loose, she would nor barke, %/nor goe.
158.00A.421 %XXLIII./Hee hath engag'd her; his, she wholy bides;
158.00A.422 Who not her owne, none others secrets hides,
158.00A.423 If to the flocke he come, and Abell there,
158.00A.424 She faines hoarse barkings, but she biteth not,
158.00A.425 Her faith is quite, but not her love forgot.
158.00A.426 At last a trap, of which some every where
158.00A.427 Abell had plac'd,[~^(TxAM1)] ends[end(TxAM1)] all his losse, and feare,[~^(TxAM1)]
158.00A.428 By the Wolves death; and now just time it was
158.00A.429 That a quicke soule should give life to that masse
158.00A.430 Of blood in Abels bitch, and thither this did passe. [CW:XLIV.]
158.00A.431 %XXLIV./Some have their wives, their sisters some begot, [p.23]
158.00A.432 But in the lives of Emperours you shall not
158.00A.433 Reade of a lust the which may equall this;
158.00A.434 This wolfe begot himselfe, and finished
158.00A.435 What he began alive, when hee was dead,
158.00A.436 Sonne to himselfe, and father too, hee is
158.00A.437 A ridling lust, for which Schoolemen would misse
158.00A.438 A proper name.  The whelpe of both these lay
158.00A.439 In Abels tent, and with soft Moaba,
158.00A.440 His sister, being yong, it us'd to sport and play.
158.00A.441 %XXLV./Hee soone for her too harsh, and churlish grew,
158.00A.442 And Abell (the dam dead) would use this new
158.00A.443 For the field, being of two kindes made,
158.00A.444 He, as his dam, from sheepe drove wolves away,                                          
158.00A.445 And as his Sire, he made them his owne prey.
158.00A.446 Five yeares he liv'd, and cosened with his trade,                                                                      
158.00A.447 Then hopelesse that his faults were hid, betraid
158.00A.448 Himselfe by flight, and by all followed,
158.00A.449 From dogges, a wolfe; from wolves, a dogge he fled;
158.00A.450 And, like a spie to both sides false, he perished. [CW:XLVI.]
158.00A.451 %XXLVI./It quickned next a toyfull Ape, and so [p.24]
158.00A.452 Gamesome it was, that it might freely goe
158.00A.453 From tent to tent, and with the children play,
158.00A.454 His organs now so like theirs hee doth finde,
158.00A.455 That why he cannot laugh, and speake his minde,
158.00A.456 He wonders.  Much with all, most he doth stay
158.00A.457 With Adams fift daughter %1Siphatecia%2,
158.00A.458 Doth gaze on her, and, where she passeth, passe,
158.00A.459 Gathers her fruits, and tumbles on the grasse,
158.00A.460 And wisest of that kinde, the first true lover was.
158.00A.461 %XXLVII./He was the first that more desir'd to have
158.00A.462 One then another; first that ere did crave
158.00A.463 Love by mute signes, and had no power to speake;
158.00A.464 First that could make love faces, or could doe
158.00A.465 The valters sombersalts, or us'd to wooe
158.00A.466 With hoiting gambolls, his owne bones to breake
158.00A.467 To make his mistresse merry; or to wreake
158.00A.468 Her anger on himselfe.  Sinnes against kinde
158.00A.469 They easily doe, that can let feed their minde
158.00A.470 With outward beauty, beauty they in boyes and %/(beasts do find. [CW:XLVIII.]
158.00A.471 %XXLVIII./By this misled, too low things men have prov'd,
158.00A.472 And too high; beasts and angels have beene lov'd;
158.00A.473 This Ape, though else through-vaine, in this was wise,
158.00A.474 He reach'd at things too high, but open way
158.00A.475 There was, and he knew not she would say nay;
158.00A.476 His toyes prevaile not, likelier meanes he tries,
158.00A.477 He gazeth on her face with teare-shot eyes,
158.00A.478 And up lifts subtly with his russet pawe
158.00A.479 Her kidskinne apron without feare or awe
158.00A.480 Of nature; nature hath no gaole, though shee hath %/(law.
158.00A.481 %XXLIX./First she was silly and knew not what he ment,
158.00A.482 That vertue, by his touches, chaft and spent,
158.00A.483 Succeeds an itchie warmth, that melts her quite,
158.00A.484 She knew not first, now cares not what he doth,
158.00A.485 And willing halfe and more, more then halfe Tooth
158.00A.486 She neither puls nor pushes, but outright
158.00A.487 Now cries, and now repents; when %1Tethelemite%2
158.00A.488 Her brother, entred, and a great stone threw
158.00A.489 After the Ape, who, thus prevented, flew,
158.00A.490 This house thus batter'd downe, the Soule possest a %\(new. [CW:L.]
158.00A.491 %XL./And whether by this change she lose or win, [p.26]
158.00A.492 She comes out next, where the Ape would have gone %\(in,
158.00A.493 %1Adam%2 and %1Eve%2 had mingled bloods, and now
158.00A.494 Like Chimiques equall fires, her temperate wombe
158.00A.495 Had stew'd and form'd it: and part did become
158.00A.496 A spungie liver, that did richly allow,
158.00A.497 Like a free conduit, on a high hils brow,
158.00A.498 Life keeping moisture unto every part,
158.00A.499 Part hardned it selfe to a thicker heart,
158.00A.500 Whose busie furnaces lifes spirits do impart.
158.00A.501 %XLI./Another part became the well of sense,
158.00A.502 The tender well arm'd feeling braine, from whence,
158.00A.503 Those sinowie strings which do our bodies[bod[]es(MH,L)] tie,
158.00A.504 Are raveld out, and fast there by one end,
158.00A.505 Did this Soule limbes, these limbes a soule attend,
158.00A.506 And now they joyn'd: keeping some quality
158.00A.507 Of every past shape, she knew treachery,
158.00A.508 Rapine, deceit, and lust, and ills enow
158.00A.509 To be a woman. %1Themech%2 she is now,
158.00A.510 Sister and wife to %1Caine%2, %1Caine%2 that first did plow. [CW:LII.] 
158.00A.511 %XLII./Who ere thou beest that read'st this sullen Writ, [p.27]
158.00A.512 Which just so much courts thee, as thou dost it, 
158.00A.513 Let me arrest thy thoughts, wonder with mee, 
158.00A.514 Why plowing, building, ruling and the rest, 
158.00A.515 Or most of those arts, whence our lives are blest, 
158.00A.516 By cursed %1Cains%2 race invented be, 
158.00A.517 And blest %1Seth%2 vext us with Astronomie, 
158.00A.518 Ther's nothing simply good, nor ill alone, 
158.00A.519 Of every quality comparison, 
158.00A.520 The onely measure is, and judge, opinion. [CW:HOLY.]
158.00A.0SS [dbl horiz rule]
158.00A.0$$ 2 horiz. rules frame HE2; last l. ea. st. ind.; in 52 10-l. sts separated by 
space & numbered in roman caps centered above each st%2; l. breaks in 1-4 are due to adorned 
drop cap; conjectured semi in l.472 looks like comma in M but poorly inked semi in rest.