Satyre IIII. 1633-69, B, D, H49, HN (anno 1594 in margin), JC, Lec, O'F, P, Q, S, W: Mr. Dunns first Satire. A25: Another Satire by the same. J: D: Cy (where it is the third): Satyre. S96: no title, L74, N, TCD (in L74 it is second, in N, TCD third in order)
2 but I 1633, A25, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, S, W: but yet I 1635-69, Cy, O'F, S96
4 A recreacion to, and scarse Q: A recreation, and scant 1633-69, and other MSS.
5 neither 1633-69: nor some MSS. and Chambers, who wrongly attributes to 1635-39
8 Glaze 1633, D, H49, HN, Lec: Glare 1635-69, and rest of MSS.
9 To'a mass A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, N, S, S96, TCD, W: To Masse 1633-69, Cy, Q, Lec
10-11 curse; ... scapt, 1633-39: curse, ... scapt, 1650-69
12 of going, 1633, 1669, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD, W: in going, 1635-54, A25, O'F
14 as lustfull,] as om. 1635-69 and many MSS.
16 at Court, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: in Court, 1633-69, Lec
18 Niles] Nilus D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TCD
19 bred; W: bred, 1633-69
came; W: came: 1633-69
20 name; W: name, 1633: name: 1635-69
22 rarities. W: rarities, 1633-69
23 then strangers; 1633-69, A25, B, Cy, HN, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, TCD, W: then strangest. D, H49, JC (corr. from strangers), S
32 ground] the ground HN
35 This 1633: The 1635-69 saith, 1633-54, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN (sayeth), JC, L74, Lec, O'F, P, Q, S (saith he), TCD, W: faith, 1669, Chambers and Grolier, without note
36 belongs.] belongs, 1633
37 th'Accents,] the antient, HN: the ancients, (prob. for ancientest, but corrected to accents,) L74
38 no language; A25, Q: one language; 1633-69, and MSS. generally
43 beare] hear 1669
this: Q: this, 1633-69
44 With his tongue, 1669, Q: With his tongue: 1633-54
47 or] and Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, W
48 Surius,] Sleydon O'F (corrected to Surius), Q: Snodons, A25. See note
51 chuseth] chaseth P, Q
55 Sir; Ed: Sir. 1633-69
56 Some other HN: Some 1633-69 and most MSS.: two other S
57 There 1633 (T faintly printed): here 1635-69
59 Good pretty 1633-69: Pretty good Cy, O'F, Q, S, S96
Panurge 1635-54: Panirge 1633: Panurgus 1669 (omitting and), JC, O'F, Q
60 gentleman, all Ed: gentleman; All 1633-69
60-1 passe By travaile. 1633-54: pass. But travaile 1669
62 prais'd Ed: praised 1633-69
wonders 1635-69 and most MSS.: words 1633, Lec, N, TCD
67 lonenesse. 1635-69, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, P, Q, W: lonelinesse; 1633, L74, Lec, N, TCD
68 lonenesse 1635-69, A25, &c.: lonelinesse 1633, L74, &c.
fashion, 1633: fashion. 1635-69
69 last 1633, 1669, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD, W: taste 1635-54, O'F, Q (tast), S, S96
80 Kingstreet. 1633: Kingsstreet. 1635-39: Kings street. 1650-69
83 Mine? 1635-54 and MSS.: Fine, 1633: Mine, 1669
84 Frenchman, Ed: frenchman, 1633 and most MSS.: Sir, 1635-69, Q: here, Cy
85-6 cloth'd; I, ... Grogaram. Ed: cloth'd. I, ... Grogaram; 1633: cloth'd. I, ... Grogaram. 1635-69
86 your Grogaram 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: this Grogaram A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, S, W: the Grogaram P
89 ground Ed: grown'd 1633: grownd 1635-69
90 (foole)] no bracket 1633
92 addresse, N, TCD: addresse. 1633: dresse. 1635-39, D, W: dresse; 1650-69
96 lye. D, H49, W: lie, 1633-69
98 trash he knowes; He knowes D, H49, W: trash; He knowes; He knowes 1633: trash. He knowes; He knowes 1635-39: trash, He knowes; He knowes 1650-69
101 loves; whom; 1633: loves; whom, 1635-54: loves, whom; 1669: loves whom; Chambers and Grolier
104 and 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, S96, TCD: or A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, W
106 At blow-point or span-counter A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, S, S96, W they pay Cy, D, H49, HN, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: shall pay 1633-69, JC
108 what 1633-69, Cy, L74, Lec, N, TCD: which A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, P, Q, S, W
109 tries 1633, A25, D, H49, HN, L74, N, Q, TCD, W: cloyes 1635-69, O'F, S: tyres Cy, JC, P
111 thrusts on more; 1633-69, O'F: thrusts more; A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, P, Q, W: thrusts me more; L74, Lec, N, S, TCD: thrusts me P
as if he'd undertooke most MSS.: as if he'undertooke 1633, N, TCD: as he'had undertooke 1635-69
113 have] hath 1633, Lec
117 this] his B, L74, O'F, TCD, W
talke: In vaine; for D, W, and other MSS.: talke in vaine: For 1633, Q: talke, in vaine: For 1635-69
123 entail'd, and that there 1633: entailed, and there 1635-54: intailed and that there 1669
128 whores, Ed: Whores, 1633-69
132 Statutes] Statues 1639
133 in; for hearing him, 1669, N, P, TCD: in, for hearing him, 1650-54: in, for hearing him. 1633-39, A25, D, H49, L74, O'F, S, W
134-6 (That ... free:) represented by dashes in 1633
134 venome 1635-54: venomous 1669: venomd many MSS.
141 mercy now 1633-69: my redemption Cy, P: redemption now Q, S
145 Gave] Give Cy, D, H49
146 Though] Thou 1635
152 more ... then] such ... as 1669
154 make B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, S96, W: haste 1633-69, Lec, N, S, TCD (from previous line): om. A25
prison.] prison; 1633
156 precious 1633, L74, Lec, N, TCD: piteous 1635-69 and rest of MSS.
159 on 1633, Cy, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, TCD: o'r 1635-69, A25, B, D, H49, Q, S96, W
162 nones] none 1669
164 th'huffing braggart, 1669, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, W (but no commas in MSS.): huffing, braggart, 1633-54, Lec, N, TCD th'huffing, braggart, 1719
Nobility?] Nobility. 1633
169 your 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: yon A25, B, JC, O'F, Q, W: the Cy, D, H49, P, S, S96
170 Transported 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, TCD: Transplanted B, Cy, D, H49, JC, O'F, S, S96, W
to stand] to Strand L74 (stand being struck through), S
171 our Presence, 1633, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD: our Court here, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, Q, S, W: our Courtiers, 1635-69, O'F
173 are;] are, 1633
178 are found 1633, 1669: were found 1635-54
179 I, (God pardon mee.) 1633: I. (God pardon mee.) 1635: I. (God pardon me) 1639-69: aye—God pardon me— Chambers
180 their Apparrells] th'apparells B, Cy, D, H49, L74, W
182 cry the flatterers; 1633: cry his flatterers; 1635-54, P: cryes his flatterers; Cy, D, H49, JC, Q, S, W: cryes the flatterer; 1669, L74 (flatterers is changed to flatterer), Lec (flatterers)
185 players;] players, 1633
187 wardrops 1633: wardrobes 1635-69
Inventory.] Inventory; 1633
188 doe know 1633-69, Lec, N, Q, TCD: did know Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, P, S, S96, W
190 (as they think) 1669
194 scarlets] scarlett D, H49, Lec, O'F, P, Q, W
195 call'd] calls A25, HN, O'F, P, Q
195-6 net; ... set.] net.... set; 1633
198 hat] hat, 1633-54
199 As if the Presence ... Moschite, 1633-69, Lec (colon 1635-69): As the Presence ... Moschite, (or Meschite,) A25, B, Cy, HN, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, W: As the Queenes Presence ... Meschite, D, H49: As if the Queenes Presence ... meschite, S
203 fornicate:] fornicate. 1633
204 survay 1633-69, N, O'F, P, Q, TCD: survayes B, Cy, D, H49, JC, S, W
205 trye Ed: tryes 1633-69 and MSS.
206 to thighe. Ed: to thighes. 1633-69 and MSS.: to his thighes. Q
211 he arrests, 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: straight arrests, A25, Cy, D, H49, HN, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, W
215 whisperd 1633, D, H49, L74, N, TCD, W: whispers 1635-69
216 Topcliffe would have ravish'd him quite away JC, O'F, Q (JC and O'F alter to Pursevant)
217 of om. Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, P, Q, S, W
222 whom 1633, A25, B, D, H49, L74, N, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: or whom 1635-69, O'F
223 He cares not, His 1633 and MSS.: He cares not hee. His 1635-69
224 rusheth] rushes 1639-69
226 still 1635-69, Q, and other MSS.: yet still 1633, L74, N, TCD
229 I leave] Ile leave B, Cy, D, H49, W
230 men which from A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: men from 1633-69
232 sinnes?). Being Ed: sinnes) being 1633-39: sinnes?) being 1650-69: all the editions and some MSS. close the sentence at 236 wine.
236 Living barrells of beefe, flaggons of wine. 1633-54: Living, barrels of beef, and flaggons of wine. 1669
237 Spie.] Spie; 1633
238 Seas of Wit and Arts, B, Cy, L74, N, P, Q, TCD: Seas of Wits and Arts, 1633, D, H49, JC, Lec, S: Seas of witt and art, A25, HN: Great seas of witt and art, O'F, S96: Seas of all Wits and Arts, conj. Lowell
239 Drowne] To drowne O'F, S96
240 Which] Who MSS. am but a scarce brooke, 1633, L74, Lec, N, TCD: am but a scant brooke, 1635-69: am a scant brooke, B, HN, JC, O'F, P, Q, W: am a shallow brooke, Cy, D, H49, S, S96
241 the 1633-69: their A25, B, Cy, D, HN, JC, O'F, Q, S, W: these L74, N, TCD
Although] though 1633 and MSS.
242 the knowne merit 1633-69, JC, Lec, N, O'F, Q, TCD: known om. B, Cy, D, H49, HN, L74, P, S, W
243 wise man] wise men 1650-69, B, HN, L74, P, TCD, W
THOU shalt not laugh in this leafe, Muse, nor they
Whom any pitty warmes; He which did lay
Rules to make Courtiers, (hee being understood
May make good Courtiers, but who Courtiers good?)
5Frees from the sting of jests all who in extreme
Are wreched or wicked: of these two a theame
Charity and liberty give me. What is hee
Who Officers rage, and Suiters misery
Can write, and jest? If all things be in all,
10As I thinke, since all, which were, are, and shall
Bee, be made of the same elements:
Each thing, each thing implyes or represents.
Then man is a world; in which, Officers
Are the vast ravishing seas; and Suiters,
15Springs; now full, now shallow, now drye; which, to
That which drownes them, run: These selfe reasons do
Prove the world a man, in which, officers
Are the devouring stomacke, and Suiters
The excrements, which they voyd. All men are dust;
20How much worse are Suiters, who to mens lust
Are made preyes? O worse then dust, or wormes meat,
For they do eate you now, whose selves wormes shall eate.
They are the mills which grinde you, yet you are
The winde which drives them; and a wastfull warre
25Is fought against you, and you fight it; they
Adulterate lawe, and you prepare their way
Like wittals; th'issue your owne ruine is.
Greatest and fairest Empresse, know you this?
Alas, no more then Thames calme head doth know
30Whose meades her armes drowne, or whose corne o'rflow:
You Sir, whose righteousnes she loves, whom I
By having leave to serve, am most richly
For service paid, authoriz'd, now beginne
To know and weed out this enormous sinne.
35O Age of rusty iron! Some better wit
Call it some worse name, if ought equall it;
The iron Age that was, when justice was sold; now
Injustice is sold dearer farre. Allow
All demands, fees, and duties, gamsters, anon
40The mony which you sweat, and sweare for, is gon
Into other hands: So controverted lands
Scape, like Angelica, the strivers hands.
If Law be in the Judges heart, and hee
Have no heart to resist letter, or fee,
45Where wilt thou appeale? powre of the Courts below
Flow from the first maine head, and these can throw
Thee, if they sucke thee in, to misery,
To fetters, halters; But if the injury
Steele thee to dare complaine, Alas, thou go'st
50Against the stream, when upwards: when thou art most
Heavy and most faint; and in these labours they,
'Gainst whom thou should'st complaine, will in the way
Become great seas, o'r which, when thou shalt bee
Forc'd to make golden bridges, thou shalt see
55That all thy gold was drown'd in them before;
All things follow their like, only who have may have more.
Judges are Gods; he who made and said them so,
Meant not that men should be forc'd to them to goe,
By meanes of Angels; When supplications
60We send to God, to Dominations,
Powers, Cherubins, and all heavens Courts, if wee
Should pay fees as here, Daily bread would be
Scarce to Kings; so 'tis. Would it not anger
A Stoicke, a coward, yea a Martyr,
65To see a Pursivant come in, and call
All his cloathes, Copes; Bookes, Primers; and all
His Plate, Challices; and mistake them away,
And aske a fee for comming? Oh, ne'r may
Faire lawes white reverend name be strumpeted,
70To warrant thefts: she is established
Recorder to Destiny, on earth, and shee
Speakes Fates words, and but tells us who must bee
Rich, who poore, who in chaires, who in jayles:
Shee is all faire, but yet hath foule long nailes,
75With which she scracheth Suiters; In bodies
Of men, so in law, nailes are th'extremities,
So Officers stretch to more then Law can doe,
As our nailes reach what no else part comes to.
Why barest thou to yon Officer? Foole, Hath hee
80Got those goods, for which erst men bar'd to thee?
Foole, twice, thrice, thou hast bought wrong, and now hungerly
Beg'st right; But that dole comes not till these dye.
Thou had'st much, and lawes Urim and Thummim trie
Thou wouldst for more; and for all hast paper
85Enough to cloath all the great Carricks Pepper.
Sell that, and by that thou much more shalt leese,
Then Haman, when he sold his Antiquities.
O wretch that thy fortunes should moralize
Esops fables, and make tales, prophesies.
90Thou'art the swimming dog whom shadows cosened,
And div'st, neare drowning, for what's vanished.
Satyre V. 1633-69, A25, B, D, JC, Lec, O'F, Q, S, W: Satyre the third. P: no title, L74, N, TCD (in L74 it is third, in N, TCD fourth in order)
1 shalt] shal 1669
9 and] in 1669
12 implyes 1635-69: spelt employes 1633 and some MSS.
represents. 1635-69: represents, 1633
13 Officers] Officers, 1633-69
14 ravishing 1633-69: ravenous Q: ravening P, S
19 voyd. All 1669: voyd; all 1633-54
dust; W: dust, 1633-69
21 preyes? 1669: preyes. 1633-54
26 their 1633, D, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD, W: the 1635-69, O'F, P, Q
27 wittals; W: wittals, 1633-69
is.] is; 1633
33 authoriz'd, 1635-54: authorized, 1633: authoriz'd. 1669
35-6 Some ... equall it;] in brackets 1635-54
37-9
The iron Age that was, when justice was sold, now
Injustice is sold deerer farre; allow
All demands, fees, and duties; gamsters, anon
1633, D, JC (All claym'd fees), Lec, N, Q (All claym'd fees), TCD, W (All claym'd fees):
The iron Age that was, when justice was sold (now
Injustice is sold dearer) did allow
All claim'd fees and duties. Gamesters, anon
1635-54, B, O'F, P (the last two omit that was), Chambers (no italics):
The iron Age was, when justice was sold, now
Injustice is sold dearer far, allow
All claim'd fees and duties, Gamesters, anon
1669
46 Flow] Flows O'F, Chambers. See note
49 complaine,] complaine; 1633
go'st] goest 1633-39
50 when upwards: 1633-54, A25, B, D, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: upwards, 1669, Chambers
52 the, 1633: thy 1635-69
56 only who have] only, who have, 1633
more.] more 1633
57 he ... so, 1633-54: and he who made them so, 1669: he ... and cal'd (changed to stil'd) them so, O'F
58 that] om. 1669
59 supplications] supplication 1635-54
61 Courts, 1635-69, B, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, W: Court, 1633, D, Lec, N, S, TCD
63 'tis. Would 1669: 'tis, would 1633: 'tis; Would 1635-54
68 aske 1669, A25, B, D, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, W: lack 1633-54, Lec
17232comming?] comming; 1633
72 Speakes Fates words, and but tells us &c. Q, W, Chambers: Speakes Fates words, and tells who must bee 1633-69
76 men,] men; 1633
th'extremities, A25, B, D, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: extremities, 1633: extremities. 1635-69
78 comes to.] can come to. Q
80 which erst men bar'd 1635-69, B, O'F, Q, S, W: which men bared 1633, D, Lec, N, TCD: which men erst bar'd A25, L74, P
85 great om. Q
Carricks 1633-35: Charricks 1639-69
87 Haman, 1633: Hammon, 1635-69, P: MSS. generally vary between Haman and Hammond
when 1633, 1669, D, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD: if 1635-54, A25, B, JC, O'F, Q, S
90 Thou'art Ed: Thou art 1633-69
cosened,] cozeneth, 1669
91 And 1633: Which 1635-69: Whoe Q
div'st, 1633-54, N, P, S, TCD: div'st 1669: div'dst D, L74, Lec (altered from div'st), W: div'd A25, B, JC, O'F, S (Grosart), Q
what's vanished. N: what vanished. 1633-54 and rest of MSS.: what vanisheth. 1669
OH to what height will love of greatnesse drive
Thy leavened spirit, Sesqui-superlative?
Venice vast lake thou hadst seen, and would seek than
Some vaster thing, and found'st a Curtizan.
5That inland Sea having discovered well,
A Cellar gulfe, where one might saile to hell
From Heydelberg, thou longdst to see: And thou
This Booke, greater then all, producest now.
Infinite worke, which doth so far extend,
10That none can study it to any end.
'Tis no one thing, it is not fruit nor roote;
Nor poorely limited with head or foot.
If man be therefore man, because he can
Reason, and laugh, thy booke doth halfe make man.
15One halfe being made, thy modestie was such,
That thou on th'other half wouldst never touch.
When wilt thou be at full, great Lunatique?
Not till thou exceed the world? Canst thou be like
A prosperous nose-borne wenne, which sometimes growes
20To be farre greater then the Mother-nose?
Goe then; and as to thee, when thou didst go,
Munster did Townes, and Gesner Authors show,
Mount now to Gallo-belgicus; appear
As deepe a States-man, as a Gazettier.
25Homely and familiarly, when thou com'st back,
Talke of Will. Conquerour, and Prester Iack.
Go bashfull man, lest here thou blush to looke
Vpon the progresse of thy glorious booke,
To which both Indies sacrifices send;
30The West sent gold, which thou didst freely spend,
(Meaning to see't no more) upon the presse.
The East sends hither her deliciousnesse;
And thy leaves must imbrace what comes from thence,
The Myrrhe, the Pepper, and the Frankincense.
35This magnifies thy leaves; but if they stoope
To neighbour wares, when Merchants do unhoope
Voluminous barrels; if thy leaves do then
Convey these wares in parcels unto men;
If for vast Tons of Currans, and of Figs,
40Of Medicinall and Aromatique twigs,
Thy leaves a better method do provide,
Divide to pounds, and ounces sub-divide;
If they stoope lower yet, and vent our wares,
Home-manufactures, to thick popular Faires,
45If omni-praegnant there, upon warme stalls,
They hatch all wares for which the buyer calls;
Then thus thy leaves we justly may commend,
That they all kinde of matter comprehend.
Thus thou, by means which th'Ancients never took,
50A Pandect makest, and Vniversall Booke.
The bravest Heroes, for publike good,
Scattered in divers Lands their limbs and blood.
Worst malefactors, to whom men are prize,
Do publike good, cut in Anatomies;
55So will thy booke in peeces; for a Lord
Which casts at Portescues, and all the board,
Provide whole books; each leafe enough will be
For friends to passe time, and keep company.
Can all carouse up thee? no, thou must fit
60Measures; and fill out for the half-pint wit:
Some shall wrap pils, and save a friends life so,
Some shall stop muskets, and so kill a foe.
Thou shalt not ease the Criticks of next age
So much, at once their hunger to asswage:
65Nor shall wit-pirats hope to finde thee lye
All in one bottome, in one Librarie.
Some Leaves may paste strings there in other books,
And so one may, which on another looks,
Pilfer, alas, a little wit from you;
* I meane from one page which shall paste strings in a booke1
70But hardly* much; and yet I think this true;
As Sibyls was, your booke is mysticall,
For every peece is as much worth as all.
Therefore mine impotency I confesse,
The healths which my braine bears must be far lesse:
75Thy Gyant-wit'orethrowes me, I am gone;
And rather then read all, I would reade none.
I. D.
1I meane &c. side-note in 1611
Vpon Mr. &c. 1649, where it was placed with The Token (p. 72), at the end of the Funerall Elegies: appeared originally in Coryats Crudities (1611: see note) with heading Incipit Joannes Donne.
2 leavened 1611: learned 1649-69 and mod. edd.
7 longdst 1611: long'st 1649-69
19 sometimes.] sometime 1611
24 Gazettier. 1611: Garretteir 1649-69
28 booke,] booke. 1611
37 barrels; 1649-69: barrels, 1611
56 board, 1611: board 1649-69
Quot, dos haec, Linguists perfetti, Disticha fairont,
Tot cuerdos States-men, hic livre fara tuus.
Es sat a my l'honneur estre hic inteso; Car I leave
L'honra, de personne nestre creduto, tibi.
Explicit Joannes Donne.
In eundem &c. 1611, concluding the above
Viri seraphici Joannis Donne Qua-
dragenarij Effigies vera, Qui post
eam ætatem Sacris initiatus Ec-
clesiæ Sti Pauli Decanus obijt.
| Año | { | Dom̃ 1631o |
| Ætatis suæ 59o |
("A true portrait of that seraphic man John Donne at the age of 40;
he was later ordained into holy orders and died Dean of St Paul's
in the year of our Lord 1631 at the age of 59")
From the engraving prefixed to his son's edition of the Letters to Several Persons of Honour 1651, 1654
To Mr. Christopher Brooke.
Thou which art I, ('tis nothing to be soe)
Thou which art still thy selfe, by these shalt know
Part of our passage; And, a hand, or eye
By Hilliard drawne, is worth an history,
5By a worse painter made; and (without pride)
When by thy judgment they are dignifi'd,
My lines are such: 'Tis the preheminence
Of friendship onely to'impute excellence.
England to whom we'owe, what we be, and have,
10Sad that her sonnes did seeke a forraine grave
(For, Fates, or Fortunes drifts none can soothsay,
Honour and misery have one face and way.)
From out her pregnant intrailes sigh'd a winde
Which at th'ayres middle marble roome did finde
15Such strong resistance, that it selfe it threw
Downeward againe; and so when it did view
How in the port, our fleet deare time did leese,
Withering like prisoners, which lye but for fees,
Mildly it kist our sailes, and, fresh and sweet,
20As to a stomack sterv'd, whose insides meete,
Meate comes, it came; and swole our sailes, when wee
So joyd, as Sara'her swelling joy'd to see.
But 'twas but so kinde, as our countrimen,
Which bring friends one dayes way, and leave them then.
25Then like two mighty Kings, which dwelling farre
Asunder, meet against a third to warre,
The South and West winds joyn'd, and, as they blew,
Waves like a rowling trench before them threw.
Sooner then you read this line, did the gale,
30Like shot, not fear'd till felt, our sailes assaile;
And what at first was call'd a gust, the same
Hath now a stormes, anon a tempests name.
Ionas, I pitty thee, and curse those men,
Who when the storm rag'd most, did wake thee then;
35Sleepe is paines easiest salue, and doth fullfill
All offices of death, except to kill.
But when I wakt, I saw, that I saw not;
I, and the Sunne, which should teach mee'had forgot
East, West, Day, Night, and I could onely say,
40If'the world had lasted, now it had beene day.
Thousands our noyses were, yet wee'mongst all
Could none by his right name, but thunder call:
Lightning was all our light, and it rain'd more
Then if the Sunne had drunke the sea before.
45Some coffin'd in their cabbins lye,'equally
Griev'd that they are not dead, and yet must dye;
And as sin-burd'ned soules from graves will creepe,
At the last day, some forth their cabbins peepe:
And tremblingly'aske what newes, and doe heare so,
50Like jealous husbands, what they would not know.
Some sitting on the hatches, would seeme there,
With hideous gazing to feare away feare.
Then note they the ships sicknesses, the Mast
Shak'd with this ague, and the Hold and Wast
55With a salt dropsie clog'd, and all our tacklings
Snapping, like too-high-stretched treble strings.
And from our totterd sailes, ragges drop downe so,
As from one hang'd in chaines, a yeare agoe.
Even our Ordinance plac'd for our defence,
60Strive to breake loose, and scape away from thence.
Pumping hath tir'd our men, and what's the gaine?
Seas into seas throwne, we suck in againe;
Hearing hath deaf'd our saylers; and if they
Knew how to heare, there's none knowes what to say.
65Compar'd to these stormes, death is but a qualme,
Hell somewhat lightsome, and the'Bermuda calme.
Darknesse, lights elder brother, his birth-right
Claims o'r this world, and to heaven hath chas'd light.
All things are one, and that one none can be,
70Since all formes, uniforme deformity
Doth cover, so that wee, except God say
Another Fiat, shall have no more day.
So violent, yet long these furies bee,
That though thine absence sterve me,'I wish not thee.
The Storme. To Mr. Christopher Brooke. 1633 (1635-69 add from the Iland voyage with the Earle of Essex): The Storme, A Storme or Storme; A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: some add To Mr. C: B: or a longer note to the same effect as 1635-69: to Sr Basil Brooke JC, S
2 these 1633 and most MSS.: this 1635-69, O'F, S
4 an 1633: a 1635-69
7 such: Ed: such. 1633-69
11 soothsay, 1650-54: spelt Southsay 1633-39: gainsay 1669
12 and way. 1633, 1669: one way. 1635-54
18 lye] laie Q
19 fresh W: fresh, 1633-69
20 As W: As, 1633-69
23 'twas 1650-69: 'twas, 1633-39
30 fear'd] fear'd, 1633
37 not; Ed: not. 1633-69
38 I, and the Sunne, 1633-69 and most MSS.: yea, and the Sunne, Q
39 Day, Night, D, W: day, night, 1633-69
could onely say 1633-69: could but say Cy, HN, JC, L74, Q, N, S, TCD, W: could then but say O'F: could say H49, Lec: should say D
40 lasted, now 1633, 1669: lasted, yet 1635-54: Lasted yet, O'F
42 his] this 1669
44 before.] before; 1633
46 dye; Ed: dye. 1633-69
47 graves 1669, A25, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, TCD, W: grave 1633-54, Cy
49 tremblingly 1633, A25, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: trembling 1635-69, Cy, JC, O'F, P, S
50 Like 1633, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: As 1635-69
53 Then] There 1669
54 this] an 1635-69
56 too-high-stretched 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD, W (MS. spelling generally to and stretcht): too-too-high-stretch'd 1635-54: to too-high-stretch'd 1669, B, O'F
59 Even our Ordinance 1633 and MSS.: Yea even our Ordinance 1635-69
60 Strive 1633, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, S, TCD, W: Strives 1635-69, Chambers: Striv'd A25, B, Cy
66 Hell] Hell's S
lightsome] light B, Cy
and the'Bermuda 1633, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: and the Bermudas B, Cy, HN, P, S, Q: the Bermudas 1635-54, O'F: the Bermuda's 1669
67 elder A25, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: eldest 1633-69, B, Lec
68 Claims 1635-69 and MSS.: Claim'd 1633 this 1633, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, N, TCD: the 1635-69, A25, B, Cy, O'F, P, Q, S
O UR storme is past, and that storms tyrannous rage,
A stupid calme, but nothing it, doth swage.
The fable is inverted, and farre more
A blocke afflicts, now, then a storke before.
5Stormes chafe, and soone weare out themselves, or us;
In calmes, Heaven laughs to see us languish thus.
As steady'as I can wish, that my thoughts were,
Smooth as thy mistresse glasse, or what shines there,
The sea is now. And, as the Iles which wee
10Seeke, when wee can move, our ships rooted bee.
As water did in stormes, now pitch runs out:
As lead, when a fir'd Church becomes one spout.
And all our beauty, and our trimme, decayes,
Like courts removing, or like ended playes.
15The fighting place now seamens ragges supply;
And all the tackling is a frippery.
No use of lanthornes; and in one place lay
Feathers and dust, to day and yesterday.
Earths hollownesses, which the worlds lungs are,
20Have no more winde then the upper valt of aire.
We can nor lost friends, nor sought foes recover,
But meteorlike, save that wee move not, hover.
Onely the Calenture together drawes
Deare friends, which meet dead in great fishes jawes:
25And on the hatches as on Altars lyes
Each one, his owne Priest, and owne Sacrifice.
Who live, that miracle do multiply
Where walkers in hot Ovens, doe not dye.
If in despite of these, wee swimme, that hath
30No more refreshing, then our brimstone Bath,
But from the sea, into the ship we turne,
Like parboyl'd wretches, on the coales to burne.
Like Bajazet encag'd, the shepheards scoffe,
Or like slacke sinew'd Sampson, his haire off,
35Languish our ships. Now, as a Miriade
Of Ants, durst th'Emperours lov'd snake invade,
The crawling Gallies, Sea-goales, finny chips,
Might brave our Pinnaces, now bed-ridde ships.
Whether a rotten state, and hope of gaine,
40Or to disuse mee from the queasie paine
Of being belov'd, and loving, or the thirst
Of honour, or faire death, out pusht mee first,
I lose my end: for here as well as I
A desperate may live, and a coward die.
45Stagge, dogge, and all which from, or towards flies,
Is paid with life, or pray, or doing dyes.
Fate grudges us all, and doth subtly lay
A scourge,'gainst which wee all forget to pray,
He that at sea prayes for more winde, as well
50Under the poles may begge cold, heat in hell.
What are wee then? How little more alas
Is man now, then before he was? he was
Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit;
Chance, or our selves still disproportion it.
55Wee have no power, no will, no sense; I lye,
I should not then thus feele this miserie.
The Calme. 1633-69: similarly, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD
4 storke] stroke 1639
7 can wish, that my 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD: could wish that my Q: could wish my 1635-69, Chambers, who makes no note of 1633 reading
9 the Iles 1633-69: these isles D, H49, Lec, Chambers (no note): those Iles B, Cy, HN, JC, L74, N, P, Q, TCD
11 out: 1635-69: out 1633
14 ended] ending 1669
15 ragges] rage 1669
17 No] Now 1669
21 lost] lefte Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD
24 jawes: 1633, A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, Q, S, TCD: mawes, 1635-69, O'F, P, Chambers
29 these,] this, L74, Q, TCD
30 our 1633, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD: a 1635-69, A25, P
33 shepheards 1650-69: sheepheards 1633-39
37 Sea-goales, (or gayles &c.) 1633, 1669, Cy, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD: Sea-gulls, 1635-54, O'F, Chambers: Sea-snayles, B, JC
38 our Pinnaces, now 1635-54, B, O'F: our venices, now 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, S, TCD: with Vinice's, our 1669
40 Or] Or, 1633-69
44 and a coward 1633, MSS.: and coward 1635-69: a coward P, S
45 and all] and each B, Q, S
48 forget 1633-54, D, H49, Lec, P, S: forgot 1669, A25, HN, JC, L74, N, Q, TCD
50 poles] pole JC, Q
52-3 he was? he was Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit; 1633, N, P, S, TCD (but MSS. have no stop after Nothing): he was, he was? Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit; 1635-54: he was, he was? Nothing for us, we are for nothing fit; 1669, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, O'F, Q: but the MSS. have not all got a mark of interrogation or other stop after second he was. See note