[note]this Island] the Island. 1653 [/note]
This island lived in peace full many a day,
So long as she unto the gods did pray.
But she grew proud with plenty and with ease,
Adored herself, and[note]and] so 1653 [/note] did the gods displease.
She flung their altars down, her own set up,[note]her own set up,] and in their stead 1664, 1668 [/note] 5
And she alone would have divine worship.[note]And she alone would have divine worship.] Set up her Own, and would be Worshipped: 1664; Set up her own, and would be worshipped. 1668 [/note]
The gods grew angry, and commanded Fate
To alter and to ruin quite the state.
For they had changed their mind of late, they said,
And did repent unthankful man th’had made. 10
Fates wondered much to hear what said the gods,
That they and mortal men[note]That they and mortal men] That Mortall Men, and they 1653 [/note] were at great odds,
And found them apt to change, thought it did show[note]thought it did show] they thought it shew’d, 1653 [/note]
As if the gods did not poor men foreknow.[note]As if the gods did not poor men foreknow.] As if poore Man the Gods had not foreknow’d. 1653 [/note]
“For why,” said they, “if men do evil grow, 15
The gods, foreseeing all, men’s hearts did[note]did] do 1653 [/note] know
Long, long before they did man first create;[note]did man first create;] made, or were create; 1653 [/note]
If so, what need they change or alter fate?
’Twas in their pow’r[note]pow’r] power 1653; Power 1664 [/note] to make them good or ill;
Wherefore,[note]Wherefore,] If so, 1653 [/note] men cannot do just what they will. 20
Then why do gods complain against them so,
Since men are made by them such ways to go?
If evil power hath gods to oppose,
Two[note]Two] To 1653 [/note] equal deities it plainly shows;
The one pow’r cannot keep obedience long,[note]The one pow’r cannot keep obedience long,] Having no Power to keep Obedience long, 1653 [/note] 25
If disobedient power[note]power] Pow’r 1668 [/note] be as strong.
And,[note]And,] As 1653 [/note] being ignorant how men will prove,
Know not[note]Know not] Nor know 1653 [/note] how strong or long will last their love.”[note][Editors’ note:] We have added the closing quotation mark here, assuming that the Fates condemn the gods’ omniscience but the poet clarifies the issue; however, it might also be possible to place the closing quotation mark at the end of line 34, thereby allowing the Fates to reason out for themselves the answer to their own question. [/note]
But may’t not be the course of gods’ decree[note]may’t not be the course of gods’ decree] may not Gods decree on this Line run, 1653 [/note]
To love obedience whensoe’er it be?[note]be?] come? 1653 [/note] 30
They from the first a changing power create,[note]They from the first a changing power create,] So from the first Variation creates, 1653 [/note]
And for that work make[note]make] made 1653 [/note] destiny and fate.[note]fate.] Fates. 1653 [/note]
It is the mind of man[note]It is the mind of man] Then tis the Mind of Men, 1653 [/note] that’s apt to range;
The minds of gods are not subject to change.[note]The minds of gods are not subject to change.] And not the Mindes of Gods, subject to Change. 1653; The Minds of Gods, subject are not to change. 1668 [/note]
Then did the Fates unto the planets go, 35
And told them they malignity must throw
Into this island, for the gods would[note]would] will 1653 [/note] take
Revenge on them who did[note]Revenge on them who did] Even high Revenge, since she 1653 [/note] their laws forsake.
With that, the planets drew, like[note]like] up 1653 [/note] with a screw,
Bad vapors from the Earth, and then did view[note]Bad vapors from the Earth, and then did view] The Vapour bad from all the Earth, then view 1653 [/note] 40
What place to squeeze that poison, in[note]in] on, 1664, 1668 [/note] which all
The venom was, that’s got from the world’s ball,[note]was, that’s got from the world’s ball,] had, got from the World’s great Ball; 1664; had got from the World’s great Ball. 1668 [/note]
Which[note]Which] Then 1664, 1668 [/note] through men’s veins, like molten lead, it came,
And did like oil their spirits all inflame,[note]did like oil their spirits all inflame,] like to Oile, did all their Spirits flame. 1653 [/note]
Where malice boiled with rancor, spleen, and spite. 45
In war and fraud, injustice took delight,
Thinking which way their lusts they might fulfill,[note]Thinking which way their lusts they might fulfill,] Studying which way might one another rob, 1653 [/note]
Committed thefts, rapes, murthers at their will;[note]Committed thefts, rapes, murthers at their will;] In open fight do Ravish, boldly Stab. 1653 [/note]
Parents and children did unnat’ral grow,[note]Parents and children did unnat’ral grow,] To Parents Children unnat’rally grow, 1653 [/note]
And every friend was turned a cruel foe;[note]every friend was turned a cruel foe;] former Friend-ship now’s turn’d cruell Foe. 1653 [/note] 50
Nay,[note]Nay,] For 1653 [/note] innocency no protection had;
Religious men were thought to be stark mad;
In witches, wizards they did[note]they did] did they 1653 [/note] put their trust;
Extortions, bribes were thought to be most just;
Like Titans’ race, all in a tumult rose,[note]in a tumult rose,] did in Tumults rise, 1664, 1668 [/note] 55
Blasphemous words against high Heaven throws.[note]Blasphemous words against high Heaven throws.] And ’gainst the Heavens utter Blasphemies; 1664; And, ‘gainst the Heavens, utter Blasphemies. 1668 [/note]
The gods[note]The gods] Gods 1653 [/note] in rage unbound[note]rage unbound] a Rage unbind 1653 [/note] the winds to[note]to] and 1653 [/note] blow
In foreign nations,[note]foreign nations,] a strange Nation, 1664, 1668 [/note] formerly their foe.
Where they did plant themselves, no Britons live,[note]did plant themselves, no Britons live,] themselves did Plant, the Natives all 1664; themselves did plant; the Natives all 1668 [/note]
For why the gods their lives and land them give.[note]For why the gods their lives and land them give.] Were by them Kill’d, for th’ Gods had Sworn their fall; 1664; Were by them kill’d: for th’Gods had sworn their fall. 1668 [/note] 60
Compassion wept, and Virtue wrung her hands
To see that right was banished from their lands.
Thus winds and seas, the planets, fates, and all
Conspired to work her ruin and her fall.
But those that keep the laws of God on high 65
Shall live in peace, in graves shall quiet lie.[note]in graves shall quiet lie.] i’th’Grave rest Quietly; 1664; i’th’Grave rest quietly: 1668 [/note]
And ever after like the gods shall be,
Enjoy all pleasure, know no misery.