The Ruin of this Island

1

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, and2 did the gods displease.
She flung their altars down, her own set up,3                           5
And she alone would have divine worship.4
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 men5 were at great odds,
And found them apt to change, thought it did show6
As if the gods did not poor men foreknow.7
“For why,” said they, “if men do evil grow,                                15
The gods, foreseeing all, men’s hearts did8 know
Long, long before they did man first create;9
If so, what need they change or alter fate?
’Twas in their pow’r10 to make them good or ill;
Wherefore,11 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,
Two12 equal deities it plainly shows;
The one pow’r cannot keep obedience long,13                          25
If disobedient power14 be as strong.
And,15 being ignorant how men will prove,
Know not16 how strong or long will last their love.”17
But may’t not be the course of gods’ decree18
To love obedience whensoe’er it be?19                                       30
They from the first a changing power create,20
And for that work make21 destiny and fate.22
It is the mind of man23 that’s apt to range;
The minds of gods are not subject to change.24
Then did the Fates unto the planets go,                                      35
And told them they malignity must throw
Into this island, for the gods would25 take
Revenge on them who did26 their laws forsake.
With that, the planets drew, like27 with a screw,
Bad vapors from the Earth, and then did view28                      40
What place to squeeze that poison, in29 which all
The venom was, that’s got from the world’s ball,30
Which31 through men’s veins, like molten lead, it came,
And did like oil their spirits all inflame,32
Where malice boiled with rancor, spleen, and spite.               45
In war and fraud, injustice took delight,
Thinking which way their lusts they might fulfill,33
Committed thefts, rapes, murthers at their will;34
Parents and children did unnat’ral grow,35
And every friend was turned a cruel foe;36                               50
Nay,37 innocency no protection had;
Religious men were thought to be stark mad;
In witches, wizards they did38 put their trust;
Extortions, bribes were thought to be most just;
Like Titans’ race, all in a tumult rose,39                                      55
Blasphemous words against high Heaven throws.40
The gods41 in rage unbound42 the winds to43 blow
In foreign nations,44 formerly their foe.
Where they did plant themselves, no Britons live,45
For why the gods their lives and land them give.46                  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.47
And ever after like the gods shall be,
Enjoy all pleasure, know no misery.

  1. this Island] the Island. 1653
  2. and] so 1653
  3. her own set up,] and in their stead 1664, 1668
  4. 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
  5. That they and mortal men] That Mortall Men, and they 1653
  6. thought it did show] they thought it shew’d, 1653
  7. As if the gods did not poor men foreknow.] As if poore Man the Gods had not foreknow’d. 1653
  8. did] do 1653
  9. did man first create;] made, or were create; 1653
  10. pow’r] power 1653; Power 1664
  11. Wherefore,] If so, 1653
  12. Two] To 1653
  13. The one pow’r cannot keep obedience long,] Having no Power to keep Obedience long, 1653
  14. power] Pow’r 1668
  15. And,] As 1653
  16. Know not] Nor know 1653
  17. [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.
  18. may’t not be the course of gods’ decree] may not Gods decree on this Line run, 1653
  19. be?] come? 1653
  20. They from the first a changing power create,] So from the first Variation creates, 1653
  21. make] made 1653
  22. fate.] Fates. 1653
  23. It is the mind of man] Then tis the Mind of Men, 1653
  24. 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
  25. would] will 1653
  26. Revenge on them who did] Even high Revenge, since she 1653
  27. like] up 1653
  28. Bad vapors from the Earth, and then did view] The Vapour bad from all the Earth, then view 1653
  29. in] on, 1664, 1668
  30. 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
  31. Which] Then 1664, 1668
  32. did like oil their spirits all inflame,] like to Oile, did all their Spirits flame. 1653
  33. Thinking which way their lusts they might fulfill,] Studying which way might one another rob, 1653
  34. Committed thefts, rapes, murthers at their will;] In open fight do Ravish, boldly Stab. 1653
  35. Parents and children did unnat’ral grow,] To Parents Children unnat’rally grow, 1653
  36. every friend was turned a cruel foe;] former Friend-ship now’s turn’d cruell Foe. 1653
  37. Nay,] For 1653
  38. they did] did they 1653
  39. in a tumult rose,] did in Tumults rise, 1664, 1668
  40. Blasphemous words against high Heaven throws.] And ’gainst the Heavens utter Blasphemies; 1664; And, ‘gainst the Heavens, utter Blasphemies. 1668
  41. The gods] Gods 1653
  42. rage unbound] a Rage unbind 1653
  43. to] and 1653
  44. foreign nations,] a strange Nation, 1664, 1668
  45. did plant themselves, no Britons live,] themselves did Plant, the Natives all 1664; themselves did plant; the Natives all 1668
  46. 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
  47. in graves shall quiet lie.] i’th’Grave rest Quietly; 1664; i’th’Grave rest quietly: 1668