Wit
Mixed rose and lily, why are you so proud,
Since fair is not in all minds like[note]like] best 1653 [/note] allowed?
Some do like[note]do like] like the 1653 [/note] black, some[note]some] the 1653 [/note] brown, and some like[note]and some like] as well as 1653 [/note] white;
In all complexions some eyes[note]In all complexions some eyes] Some Eys in all Complexions 1664; Some Eyes in all Complexions 1668 [/note] take delight.
Nor doth one Beauty in the world still reign, 5
For Beauty is created in the brain.
But say there were a body perfect made,
Complexion pure, by Nature’s pencil laid,
A countenance where all sweet spirits meet,
A hair that’s thick and[note]and] or 1653 [/note] long, curled to the feet, 10
Yet were it like a statue made of stone,
The eye would weary grow to look thereon.[note]thereon.] upon; 1664; upon: 1668 [/note]
Had it not[note]not] no 1664, 1668 [/note] Wit the mind still to delight,
It soon would[note]would] wonld 1653 [/note] weary be, as well as sight.
For Wit is fresh and new, doth sport and play, 15
And runs about the humour every way.
With all the passions Wit can well agree;
Wit tempers them and makes them pleased to be.
Wit’s ingenious,[note]Wit’s ingenious,] Ingenious ’tis, 1664, 1668 [/note] doth new inventions find,
To ease the body, recreate[note]recreate] and divert 1664, 1668 [/note] the mind. 20
Beauty
When I appear, I strike the optic nerve;
I wound the heart; I[note]I] and 1664, 1668 [/note] make the passions serve.
Souls are my pris’ners,[note]Pris’ners,] Prisoners,1653 [/note] yet love me so well,[note]yet love me so well,] yet do love me well; 1664; yet do Love me well: 1668 [/note]
My company is Heaven,[note]Heaven,] Heav’n, 1664; Heav’n, 1668 [/note] my absence Hell.
Each knee doth bow to me, as to a shrine, 25
And all the world accounts me as divine.
Wit
Beauty, you cannot long devotion keep:
The mind grows weary; senses fall asleep.[note]asleep.] a sleep. 1653 [/note]
As those which in the house of God do go
Are very zealous in a prayer or two, 30
But if they kneel an hour long[note]kneel an hour long] must an Hour-long kneel 1664, 1668 [/note] to pray,
Their zeal grows cold, nor know they what they say.
So admirations are: they do not last;[note]are: they do not last;] last not very long, 1653 [/note]
After nine days the greatest wonder’s past.[note]past.] gone. 1653 [/note]
The mind, as[note]as] as th’ 1664, 1668 [/note] senses all, delights in change; 35
They nothing love but what is new and strange.
But subtle Wit can please both[note]please both] both please 1653 [/note] long and well,
For to the ear a new tale Wit[note]a new tale Wit] Wit a new Tale 1664; Wit a new Tale 1668 [/note] can tell.
And for the taste, doth dress meat[note]doth dress meat] meat dresses 1653 [/note] several ways
To please the eye, new[note]please the eye, new] th’ Eye it can new 1664; th’ Eye, it can new 1668 [/note] forms and fashions raise. 40
And for the touch, Wit spins both silk and wool,
Invents new ways to keep touch warm and cool.
For scent, Wit mixtures and compounds doth make,
That still the nose a fresh new smell may take.
I by discourse can represent the mind 45
With several objects, though the eyes be blind.
I can create ideas in the brain,[note]I can create ideas in the brain,] I’th’ Brain I can Create Ideas, and 1664; I’th’ Brain I can create Idea’s, and 1668 [/note]
Which to the[note]Which to the] Those make to th’ 1664; Those make to th’ 1668 [/note] mind seem real, though but feigned.
The mind like to a shop of toys I fill[note]mind like to a shop of toys I fill] Mind’s a Shop, where sorts of Toys I Sell, 1664; Mind’s a Shop, where sorts of Toys I sell; 1668 [/note]
With fine conceits; I fit all humours well.[note]I fit all humours well.] all sorts of Humours sell. 1653 [/note] 50
I can the work of Nature imitate,
And in the brain each several shape create.[note]And in the brain each several shape create.] And change my selfe into each severall Shape. 1653 [/note]
I conquer all, am master of the field;
I[note]I] And 1664, 1668 [/note] make fair Beauty in love’s wars to yield.