Author: liza.blake

¹

Some with sharp swords—to tell, O most accursed!—²
Were above half into their³ bodies thrust,
From whence fresh streams of blood run all along⁴
Unto the hilts, and there lay clodded on.
Some, their legs dangling⁵ by the nervous strings,                       5
And shoulders cut, hung loose like flying wings.
Heads here were cleft in pieces,⁶ brains lay⁷ mashed,
And all their faces into slices hashed.
Brains only in the pia mater thin,
Did⁸ quivering lie⁹ within that little skin,                                    10
Their skulls all broke and into pieces burst,
By horses hooves and chariot wheels were crushed.¹⁰
Others, their heads did lie¹¹ on their own laps,
And some again, half cut, lay¹² on their paps,
Whose tongues out of their mouths were thrust¹³ at length.   15
For why?¹⁴ The strings were¹⁵ cut that gave them strength.
Their eyes did¹⁶ stare; their lids were open wide,¹⁷
For the small nerves were shrunk on every side.¹⁸
In¹⁹ some again, those glassy balls hung²⁰ by
Small slender strings, as chains to tie the eye.                            20
Those²¹ strings, when broke, eyes fall, which²² trundling round
Until²³ the film is²⁴ broke upon the ground.
In death, their teeth strong set, their lips left²⁵ bare,
Which grinning seem’d²⁶ as if they angry were.
Their hair²⁷ upon their eyes in clodded gore                              25
So wildly spread, as ne’er it did before.²⁸
With frowns their foreheads did in²⁹ furrows lie,
As graves their foes to bury when they die.
Their spongy lungs heaved up³⁰ through pangs of death,
With pain and difficulty fetched short breath.                           30
Some grasping hard, their hands through pain provoked,
Because³¹ the rattling phlegm their throats had choked;³²
Their bodies now bowed³³ up, then down did³⁴ fall,
For want of strength to make them stand withall.
Some staggering on their legs did³⁵ feebly stand,                      35
Or leaning on their sword with either hand,
Where on the pummel did³⁶ their breast rely,
More grieved they could not³⁷ fight, than for to die.
Their hollow eyes sunk deep into their brains,³⁸
And hard-fetched groans did from each heartstring strain.³⁹ 40
Their knees pulled up to keep their bowels in,⁴⁰
But all too little through their blood doth swim;⁴¹
Guts did,⁴² like sausages, their bodies twine,
Or like the spreading plant, or wreathing vine.
Their restless heads, not knowing how to lie,                             45
Through grievous pains did⁴³ quickly wish to die;
Rolling from off their back upon their belly,
Did tumble⁴⁴ in their blood as thick as jelly.
And gasping lay⁴⁵ with short breaths and constraint,
With cold sweat drops upon their faces faint.                            50
Heaving their dull pale eyeballs, up did⁴⁶ look,
As if through pain, not hate, the world forsook.
Some chilly cold, as in shiv’ring⁴⁷ agues, are;
Some burning hot, as in high fevers were;
Some spewing⁴⁸ blood from stomachs that are sick;                55
Through parching heats their tongues to’th’roofs⁴⁹ did⁵⁰ stick.
Their bodies with loud groans their souls called⁵¹ back,
While smarting wounds did set them on the rack,
And on their arms their faces lay across,
As if in death they were ashamed of loss.                                    60
Some dying lay, like flame⁵² whose oil is spent,
Or fire that’s smothered out and⁵³ wanteth vent,
And some did⁵⁴ fall like strong and hardy oaks
Which are hewn down⁵⁵ with fierce and cruel strokes,
Their limbs chopped small, as wood for fire to burn,               65
Or carved, or chipped out for joiner’s turn.
Some underneath their horses’ bellies flung;
Some by the heels in their own stirrups hung.
Others their heads and neck lay⁵⁶ all awry,
And⁵⁷ on their horses’ manes, as pillows, lie.                             70
Some in a careless garb lay⁵⁸ on the ground,
As life despised, since honor in death’s⁵⁹ found.
Some called for Death, and some did⁶⁰ Life desire;
Some cared not; some did burials⁶¹ require;
Some beat their breasts as if they’d done some ill;⁶²                 75
Some burned with hot revenge their foes to kill;⁶³
Some lay as if to hear the trumpet sound,
And others did lie⁶⁴ sprawling on the ground;
Some wished their death’s revenge upon their foe,
Others⁶⁵ with dying eyes their friends not know;                      80
Some their parents, children cried to⁶⁶ see;
Others wished life, some difference to agree.
But lovers, with a soft and panting heart,
Did wish their mistress, at their last⁶⁷ depart,
To shut their eyes, their gaping⁶⁸ wounds to close,                    85
Whose dying spirits⁶⁹ to their mistress goes.
Foes’ hands into each others wounds thrust wide,
As if their hearts they’d⁷⁰ pull out from each side;
Some⁷¹ friends, in dear embracements, closely⁷² twined,
By their affections⁷³ strong in death were⁷⁴ joined;                  90
Some wished to live, yet longed⁷⁵ for death through pain;
Others died⁷⁶ grieving that their foe’s not slain;
Some did⁷⁷ repent what they so rash had⁷⁸ done,
And wished⁷⁹ the battle were to be begun;
Some gently sinking, by a⁸⁰ fainting fall,                                      95
Yield quietly to Death when he did⁸¹ call;
Some drunk with death not able were⁸² to stand,
But⁸³ reeling fell,⁸⁴ struck down by Death’s cold hand;
Some lingered⁸⁵ long, as lovers when they⁸⁶ must
Part; some did⁸⁷ willing yield to fate their dust,                          100
And sweetly lay⁸⁸ as if asleep at⁸⁹ night;
Some stern, as if new battles they would⁹⁰ fight;
Some softly murmuring, like a bubbling stream,
Did⁹¹ sweetly smile in death, as in a dream.
Their⁹² souls with soft-breathed sighs to heav’n did fly,⁹³        105
To live with th’gods⁹⁴ above the starry sky.
Thus several noises through the air did⁹⁵ ring,
And several postures Death to men did⁹⁶ bring:
Where some did⁹⁷ die outrageous⁹⁸ in despair,
Others so gentle as without all⁹⁹ fear.                                           110
With heaps of bodies, hills up high were grown,¹⁰⁰
Where hair as grass, and teeth as seed were sown.¹⁰¹
Their heads¹⁰² and heels, horsemen together lay,
Smothered to death which could not get away.
Their arms lay hacked, and all were thrown about,                  115
And targets full of holes, that kept death out.
Their flags flying¹⁰³ like moving woods did show,
On whose tops various colors seemed¹⁰⁴ to grow,
As if flow’rs from high trees had sprouted out,¹⁰⁵
Or in the open air were strewed about;¹⁰⁶                                   120
Now all were fallen, and into pieces torn,¹⁰⁷
Their mottos razed that¹⁰⁸ did their sides adorn;
Some did like¹⁰⁹ winding sheets their bearers shroud,
Which was an honour fit to make Death proud.
Some were¹¹⁰ like virgins, which their eyes cast¹¹¹ low            125
Through shamefastness, although no fault they¹¹² know,
Nor guilty are,¹¹³ but overcome with strength,
Not by their own consent, but¹¹⁴ forced at length,
For courage, like to chastity,¹¹⁵ we find
Is forced to lay down arms, though ’gainst its¹¹⁶ mind.             130
Here gauntlets, corslets, gorgets, saddles thrown,¹¹⁷
Flags, pikes, drums, guns, bullets, all o’er strown,¹¹⁸
And plumes¹¹⁹ of feathers which waved with the wind,
And proudly tossed, like to some haughty mind,
Like to¹²⁰ prosperity when overborne,                                         135
Now humbly lay, and were in pieces torn.¹²¹
Horses, which proudly pranced¹²² when backed they¹²³ were
By men of courage, never knowing fear,
Now overpowered lay¹²⁴ by strong assault,
And lost by force; ’twas¹²⁵ not their courage fault,                    140
For they on Death’s dull face could boldly stare,
Since life should hate, if not¹²⁶ victorious were.
Dead horses lay on¹²⁷ backs, their heels up flung;
Their eyes were sunk, heads¹²⁸ turned; their jaws down hung.
Their thick curled manes, which grew down to the ground,  145
Or by their masters¹²⁹ in fine ribbons bound,
Were¹³⁰ torn half off, or singed by fire from guns,
Or snarled in knots or clods that¹³¹ backward runs.
Their nostrils wide, from whence thick smoke outwent,
Which vapor from their hot stout hearts was¹³² sent,             150
Their sleek bright hair o’th’skin¹³³ like coats of mail,
Their courage fierce, that nothing could them¹³⁴ quail,
All in death lay;¹³⁵ by Fortune they were cast,
And Nature to new forms went¹³⁶ on in haste,
For neither beauty, strength, nor¹³⁷ nimble feet                       155
Can¹³⁸ serve in death; all beasts alike there meet.
Thus horse and man in several postures¹³⁹ lies,
With several pains; in several places dies.
When horses die, they know no reason why,
But¹⁴⁰ men do venture life for vainglory.                                   160
Smoke from their blood¹⁴¹ into red clouds did rise,
Which flashed like lightning in all living eyes;¹⁴²
Their groans into the middle region went,
And echoes did¹⁴³ the air like thunder rent;
From sighs, winds rarified¹⁴⁴ such gusts did blow,                  165
As if ascended¹⁴⁵ from the shades below.
Men strive¹⁴⁶ to die, to make their names to live,
When gods no certainty to fame¹⁴⁷ will give.

With grief and sorrow Honor¹ did complain,
How that her sons and servants all are² slain,
And none was³ left but those that did⁴ her slight,
And in rebellion did⁵ against her fight,
And how⁶ this age did⁷ dirt upon her throw,                               5
Lest she the baseness of the next should⁸ show.
Thus mournèd⁹ Honor, veiled in clouds of night,
When heretofore her garments were of light.
Her crown was laurel wreathed with fancy’s tire,
Her scepter, Mars’¹⁰ sword, made foes retire.                           10
Pallas’ headpiece did¹¹ as her footstool stand,¹²
By whose support she rose and did command.¹³
And thus did Honor live with great applause;
All did obey her; none did break her laws.
But now Dishonor, armed ’gainst her, doth rise,                      15
And all her laws she utterly denies.
Then Honor, fearing she should be surprised,
And¹⁴ by her counsel being well advised,¹⁵
Did raise an army to maintain her right;
Resolved she was Dishonor for to fight.                                      20
Courage the van, Wisdom and Wit each wing¹⁶
Did lead, the rear Fidelity did bring;¹⁷
Invention doth th’artillery¹⁸ command;
Patience and Constancy as sent’nels¹⁹ stand.
Sciences pioneers are²⁰ of great skill,                                          25
Which undermine towns, castles when they will,
And trenches make, where soldiers safely²¹ sleep,
And²² for a guard a watchful eye do keep.
Arts, like dragoons, do²³ serve on foot and horse,
To skirmish, or an enemy²⁴ enforce.                                           30
The colors high doth Resolution²⁵ bear,
And with the bag and baggage standeth Care.
Prudence, quarter-master, allots them²⁶ place;
Who disobeys is punished with disgrace.
Industry, as purvey’r,²⁷ provides the meat,                               35
And Temperance²⁸ proportions what they²⁹ eat.
Truth, scout-master,³⁰ intelligence doth³¹ give,
By which the army doth in safety live.
The drum is faith, braced with reasons clear,³²
The sticks that beat thereon are hope and fear.                       40
Trumpeters, orators, sound loud and high,³³
And³⁴ call to horse when th’enemy draws nigh.³⁵
The treas’rer, Gratitude, doth th’army pay,³⁶
Gen’rosity, as³⁷ general, leads the way.
When this army was in battalia set,                                            45
Dishonor, with her army, near did get:
Partiality did lead the van awry,
And Treachery the rear, which came not nigh;
Perjury the left wing ordered³⁸ that day,
Unthankfulness on th’right³⁹ did bear the sway.                     50
Suspicion was the scout, to search the way,
And Envy close in ambuscado lay.
Revenge, as cannoneer, did take⁴⁰ the aim,
But missed the mark, which made him high exclaim.
Envy and Malice, were two engineers,                                      55
Which subtilty⁴¹ had practised many years;
Their drum was ignorance; stupidity⁴²
Was one stick, th’other was obstinacy,⁴³
And braced it was⁴⁴ with rudeness, which sounds⁴⁵ harsh
On strings of willfulness that’s⁴⁶ ever rash.                              60

King Oberon, and the Pygmies tall and stout,
Did go to war; the cause was just no doubt,
For Pygmy king, out of his kingdom brought
His people, and¹ another kingdom sought.
Like Goths and Vandals, they did range about                        5
With force, to find another kingdom² out.
At last into the Fairy land they went,
For to that fertile place their hearts were bent.
“This is the place,” said they, “where pleasures flow,³
And where delight, like flow’rs on banks, doth grow.⁴.       10
Here let us pitch, and try if fortune will
Join with our courage, all our foes to⁵ kill.”
Then on they went, and plundered everywhere;
The Fairies all ran crying in great fear,
And fire on all their beacons placèd high,                              15
Which warning is to give, when danger’s nigh.
Whereat King Ob’ron⁶ a great⁷ war prepared,
Which made his queen and all his court afeared;⁸
His council grave and wise he straight did⁹ call,
Which came with formal busy faces all,                                 20
Where¹⁰ everyone did speak their mind full free,
Disputing much; at last all did¹¹ agree:
“In war,” said they, “’tis better that we die,
Than to be slaves unto our enemy.”
Then said the King, “an Army we must raise,                        25
In which I’ll die,” said he, “or win the bays.”
Straight officers of all degrees were made,
To lead and rule, encourage¹² and persuade,
And thus they mustered all their army¹³ stout
To meet their en’my, and to beat¹⁴ them out.                        30
Well armed they were, and put in good array,
Which made them fight with courage all that day.
Their trumpets were made of small silver wire,
Calling the horse to charge, or to retire.
These horses for war were grasshoppers large,                    35
On which they rode¹⁵ and bravely did¹⁶ discharge.
Their¹⁷ saddles were of a velvet peach skin;
Their bridles were small strings which spiders¹⁸ spin;
Besides, their stirrups, which their feet in stayed,¹⁹
Of a green rush, round like a ring, were made.²⁰                  40
Of small cockle-shells their targets were made,²¹
And for their long swords²² a rosemary blade.
Their flags, colored flowers glorious to see,²³
Give several sweet smells when flying they be.²⁴
And how they were armed, it well did appear:²⁵                  45
In a bean’s hull, just like a cuirassier.²⁶
Their guns were pipes of glass, slender and small;²⁷
Their bullets were round seeds to shoot withall.²⁸
Their drums of filbert skins were very strong,²⁹
And wheaten straws, for sticks to beat thereon.³⁰                50
Their van, their rear,³¹ their left wing, and their right,
Were placèd so, as they saw good to fight.
Their colors flying, and their drums when³² beat,
Their trumpets sounding, none sought a retreat.
The forms and files³³ the Pygmies placed themselves         55
Were³⁴ like in figure unto mussel shells,
To pierce through en’mies, and give³⁵ way to friends,
The midst being broad, and sharp at³⁶ the two ends.
But Fairies like a half moon fought, that so³⁷
When both ends meet, they might encircle th’foe,³⁸            60
Where in the midst King Oberon rode³⁹ full brave,
For⁴⁰ he the honor of this day shall have.
Thus this warrior in⁴¹ armor bright and strong,
As foremost man, his soldiers led⁴² along.
Then spake he to them in a temper meek:                             65
“These enemies,” said he, “our ruin seek.
Go on all you brave born, and valiant bred,
And fight your enemies⁴³ till they be dead!
Let not your foes with scorn upbraid your flight,
But let them see you can with courage⁴⁴ fight,                      70
And teach them what their folly rash hath brought
Upon themselves, when they this kingdom sought.
But O, vain princes,⁴⁵ that for glory seek,⁴⁶
Which will not let poor subjects in peace keep.⁴⁷
Foolish ambition sets the world on fire,                                 75
Which ruins all to compass its desire.
I only fight to keep what is my own,
And not to rob another kingly throne.
But if this quarrel can’t decided be,⁴⁸
I hand to hand will fight my enemy.”⁴⁹                                   80
With that he sent a⁵⁰ herald stout and bold,
Which to King Pygmy he this message told,
Which was, King Ob’ron⁵¹ him a challenge sent,
To save their men, and much blood to prevent,
That they two might a duel⁵² fight alone,                               85
And let both armies all⁵³ the while look on.
Then laughed King Pygmy,⁵⁴ “What’s your king,” said he,
“That in a⁵⁵ duel hopes to conquer me?
I came not here a single strength to try,
A kingdom for to win, or else to die.                                        90
I prouder am, my subjects’ strength to show,
Where⁵⁶ by direction they my skill may know.
Herald, go back, and tell your king from me
He’ll know my strength when pris’ner⁵⁷ he shall be.”
Then spake he to his men in voice full⁵⁸ high:                      95
“Here’s none,” said he, “I hope this day will fly.
You know, my soldiers, we came here to fight
Not from⁵⁹ ambition, or through⁶⁰ envy’s spite,
But we by famine, with a⁶¹ meager face,
Were⁶² sent about to seek a fertile place.                               100
Then here’s a land⁶³ which needs not be manured,
And we are⁶⁴ people not to work inured,
For we by nature no great pains can⁶⁵ take,
Nor by our⁶⁶ sweat a livelihood out make.
For who would live in pain, or grief, or care,                        105
And always of their⁶⁷ goods would⁶⁸ stand in fear?
Who lives in trouble is⁶⁹ not very wise,
Since in the grave there do no troubles⁷⁰ rise.
Then let us fight e’en⁷¹ for sweet pleasure’s sake,
Or let us die, that we no care may take.”                                110
Thus did the kings their⁷² soldiers’ courage raise,
And in orations did⁷³ their valor praise.⁷⁴
Then did they both in order, rank, and file
Prepare themselves each other for to spoil.
Their horses stout, whereon they rode i’th’field,⁷⁵               115
Would⁷⁶ die under their burthen, but not yield.
In caprioles those⁷⁷ grasshoppers did⁷⁸ move,
By which their⁷⁹ riders’ skill they soon would⁸⁰ prove.
Some think for war it is an air unfit,⁸¹
Whose motion swift lets not the rider⁸² fight                        120
Or take his turns, and vantages⁸³ to have,
Unless by leaping high himself⁸⁴ can⁸⁵ save.
But they do err, for in some case ’tis⁸⁶ good,
Though not in all, if truly understood.
What’s in the world that’s to all use employed,                     125
But at some times and seasons is denied?
Fire and water,⁸⁷ which are the life of all,⁸⁸
Can only serve in their due time and call.
So some may say⁸⁹ this air of horsemanship
Is⁹⁰ good, hills⁹¹ of dead men to overleap.                              130
For if that they go low⁹² upon the ground,
Where dead men, horse, and arms are strewèd⁹³ round,
Or else in heaps they lie, like to⁹⁴ a wall,
The horse will stumble with the man, and⁹⁵ fall.
Thus horses of manège,⁹⁶ taught in measure,                       135
Many do think are⁹⁷ only fit for pleasure
And not for war, where no use for⁹⁸ them is,
As though⁹⁹ their rules did make them go amiss.
But they’re¹⁰⁰ mistaken, for like men they’re taught,
For to obey their rider¹⁰¹ as they ought:                                 140
To stop, to go, to leap, to run, and yet
Obey the heel, the hand, the wand, the bit.
Beside, they’re taught their passions¹⁰² to abate,
Not to be resty¹⁰³ with fear, anger, hate,¹⁰⁴
And by applause, great courage they have got,                     145
That they dare go upon a cannon shot.
Not that they senseless into dangers¹⁰⁵ run,
For horses cowardly danger do¹⁰⁶ shun,
And are so full of fears as they will shake,
And will not go, which proves their hearts do quake.         150
Besides, all airs in war are very fit,
As curvets, demi-voltes, and pirouette,¹⁰⁷
And¹⁰⁸ going back, and forward, turning round,
Sideways, both high and low upon the ground.
Sometimes in a large circle¹⁰⁹ compass take,                        155
And then with art, a lesser circle make.
But horses that unlearned are in¹¹⁰ this way,
May march straight forth, or in one place may stay.
So men, when they do fight, having no skill,
May venture life, but few may chance to¹¹¹ kill.                   160
For ’tis not blows and thrusts which¹¹² do the feat,
Or going forward, or by a retreat;
Man¹¹³ must the center be, his sword the line,
His feet his compass, with his strength to join.
These are the arts for horse, and men of war,                      165
Unless with stratagems they think to scare,¹¹⁴
Which shows more wit than courage in the field;
So ’tis to run away, or else to yield.
But here the bodies of each army’s knit
So close, as skin unto the flesh doth¹¹⁵ sit.                             170
No stratagems were used¹¹⁶ to have men slain,
But they did fight upon an open plain.
For those that use slight stratagems in wars
No fighters are, but cruel murderers.
Nor is it bravely done, as some think ’tis,                               175
For every petty thief has skill in this.
Nay,¹¹⁷ thieves more courage in their actions¹¹⁸ show,
Who¹¹⁹ if their plots do fail must die, they know.
Warriors’ designs found out, they do not care,
Because no hanging for that act they fear.                             180
They’ll say ’tis different, thus foes¹²⁰ to use,
For thieves by their deceit their¹²¹ friends abuse.
But ’tis not so,¹²² for cozenage is the thief,
And of that order generals are the chief.
Fighting’s the soldier’s trade, not to entrap,                           185
Nor, like the fox, with craft the prey t’entrap,¹²³
But kill or pursue with swords in their hands,
Without any¹²⁴ fraud or treacherous¹²⁵ bands.
Just so fought these brave valiant cavaliers,
As it by their unhappy end¹²⁶ appears,                                   190
For they did join, and fierce together fight,
Which was to all a lamentable sight.
Some lay upon the ground, without a head,
Others did gasping lie,¹²⁷ but not quite dead.
Their groans were heard, and cries of several notes;          195
Some ruttling lay, with thick blood in their throats.
Here a headpiece lay,¹²⁸ there a corslet thrown,
Bodies so mangled that none could be known.
Rivers of blood like to a full high tide,
Or like a sea where shipwrecked bodies died.                      200
And their laborious breaths¹²⁹ such mists did raise
It¹³⁰ made a cloud, which¹³¹ darkened the sun’s rays.
With several noises that rebounded far,
Armies of echoes were heard in the air.¹³²
Here bodies hid with smoke, smothered, lay dead,              205
While formless sounds were in the air outspread.¹³³
Thus were they earnest and active in their¹³⁴ fight,
As if to kill or die were a delight.
Here beasts and men both in their blood lay mashed,
As if¹³⁵ a French cook had them¹³⁶ minced and¹³⁷ hashed, 210
Or did their blood unto¹³⁸ a jelly boil
That he might¹³⁹ make a bouillon of the spoil,
For Nature’s table several dishes brings,
By her directions in transforming things.
At last the Pygmies found themselves quite spent,               215
And of their war begun now to repent,
Which made their king, though little, yet at length
To¹⁴⁰ call to Oberon king to try his strength:
“Let’s here,” said he, “our skill and fortunes try,
To conquer¹⁴¹ one, or both in graves to lie.”                          220
“Content,” said Oberon king. “Though most unjust
You have yourself into my kingdom thrust,
Yet will I not refuse this offer bold,
And if I live, this day will sacred hold.”
Then like two lions fallen out for prey,                                   225
Encountered they,¹⁴² not yielding any way.
Their bright sharp swords with motion quick did fly,¹⁴³
Like subtle lightning in each other’s eye.¹⁴⁴
King Pygmy, he was strong,¹⁴⁵ two handfuls tall,
But Oberon king was low, and very small.                             230
Yet was he dextrous in his skillful art,
And by that means struck Pygmy near the heart,
Whose blood ran¹⁴⁶ warm and trickling down his side,
That where he stood, the grass was purple dyed.
Then leaning on his sword, as out of breath,                         235
Said he to¹⁴⁷ Ob’ron,¹⁴⁸ “I have got my death.”
Grew faint, then sinking on the ground did lie,
Finding his soul would from his body¹⁴⁹ fly,
Saying, “King Ob’ron, pray do¹⁵⁰ mercy show,
And let my army freely from you go.                                      240
And those that here lie slain, pray¹⁵¹ let them have
Just rites in burial, and their bones i’th’grave,¹⁵²
That their free souls in quiet peace may sleep,
And for this act the gods your fame will keep.
I care nor grieve not for my own sad fall,                              245
But for my subjects that are ruined all.”
And in a deep-fetched sigh, and hollow groan,
His soul went forth unto a place unknown.
When that¹⁵³ his soldiers heard their king was dead,
Their hearts did fail, yet none of them there fled,                250
But to him ran,¹⁵⁴ like shuttles in a loom,
And with their bodies did his corpse entomb.
For through their loyal breast they dug¹⁵⁵ their grave,
Because their king a monument should have.
So all did die; no story yet hath shown                                   255
That ever any Pygmies more were¹⁵⁶ known.
Then did their wives with sighs lament their falls,
And with their tears did strew their funerals;
Those¹⁵⁷ tears did mix with blood upon the ground,
Where rubies since hath¹⁵⁸ in the Earth been found.         260
Their bodies moist to vapor rarified,
And now in clouds do near the sun reside.
When they their grief unto remembrance call,
Those sullen clouds in show’ring tears do fall.
Their sighs are winds, that do¹⁵⁹ blow here and there,       265
And all their bodies transmigrated¹⁶⁰ are.
Unhappy battle!¹⁶¹ to destroy a race
That on the earth deserved the chiefest place,
For they were valiant, and did love their king,
Without dispute obeyed in everything.                                  270
Nature did pity much¹⁶² their fortune sad;
They¹⁶³ by her favor a remembrance had,
For she their bones did turn to marble white,
Of which are statues carved for man’s delight,
And in some places are as gods adored,¹⁶⁴                            275
Where superstition idols doth afford.¹⁶⁵
But Oberon king there built a temple¹⁶⁶ high,
In which he Fortune’s¹⁶⁷ name did magnify.

The¹ temple was built of cornelian red,
To signify that much blood there² was shed.
The altars all were carved of³ agate stone,
And musk flies there were sacrificed upon.⁴
A priest there was, who sang⁵ her praises loud,                     5
Whereat the people kneeled⁶ all in a crowd,
For though she’s⁷ blind and cannot clearly⁸ see,
Yet she her hearing hath most perfectly.⁹
The steeple black was built of¹⁰ mourning jet,
And finely carvèd,¹¹ with many a fret.                                   10
The bells were¹² nightingales’ tongues, which did ring
As sweetly as they in¹³ the spring do¹⁴ sing.
Their holy fire was¹⁵ made of sweet¹⁶ spice,
And kept by virgins young that know no vice.
Their gods sometimes did they¹⁷ place in a bower,             15
Which made is of a¹⁸ jasmine¹⁹ flower,
And all her sacred groves in which she walks
Are set with roses, which do grow on²⁰ stalks.
Thus in procession her about they bear,
And²¹ none but in devotion cometh there.                            20
The king and queen did²² wait where she did²³ go,
And all about sweet incense they did²⁴ strew.
Nature frowned²⁵ to see her so respected,
Thought by these honors she was much²⁶ rejected.
“Wherefore,” said²⁷ Nature, “let me take the place,             25
And let not Fortune proud me thus outface,
When all that’s good you do receive from me.
She is²⁸ my vassal low, you soon shall see.
For I with virtues do the mind inspire,
And clothe²⁹ the soul in beautiful attire.                                30
The body equal I do make, and³⁰ strong,
The heart with courage, to revenge a wrong.
I’th’brain³¹ invention, wit, and judgment lies,
Creating like a god, ord’ring³² as wise.
The senses all as perfectly are made,                                      35
To hear, to see, to taste, to touch, persuade.³³
I’th’soul do passions and affections³⁴ live;
There’s nothing done, but what my powers³⁵ give.
All which to Mutability I throw,
And she doth in perpetual motion³⁶ go.                                 40
Thus all invention from my power comes,
For arts in men are but by scraps and crumbs.
So Fate and Fortune are my handmaids sure,
For what they do shall never long endure.
For³⁷ I throughout the world do make things range,           45
And constant am in nothing, but in change.
Then let your worship of³⁸ blind Fortune fall,
Or else shall my displeasure bury all.
But false devotion unto men is sweet,
Whilst³⁹ truth’s kicked out, and trodden under feet.           50
Their minds do ebb and flow just like the tide,
And what is to be done is cast aside.
This makes that men are never in the way,
But wander up and down like sheep astray.
O wretched man,⁴⁰ that can in peace not be!⁴¹                     55
For with himself he cannot well agree.
Sometimes he hates what he before approves,⁴²
And⁴³ in a constant course doth never move.⁴⁴
Nor to himself, nor God who’s⁴⁵ good, can stay,
He ever⁴⁶ seeking is some unknown way.                              60
No sad example he by warning takes;
If none will do him hurt, he⁴⁷ mischief makes,
As if he feared⁴⁸ in happiness to live,
And⁴⁹ to himself a deadly wound will give.
But why do I complain that man is bad,                                 65
Since what he hath,⁵⁰ or is, from me he had?
Not only man, the world, but gods also,
And nothing greater than myself I know.”
All this did make⁵¹ them take high Fortune down,
And in her room they did⁵² great Nature crown.                 70

There is a cruël battle ’twixt¹ two foes;
When Nature will decide it, none yet knows.
These two are Life and Death, which th’world² divide,
And whilst³ it lasts, the cause will none⁴ decide.
First, Life is active, seeking to enjoy,                                       5
And Death is envious, striving⁵ to destroy.
When Life a curious piece of work doth make,
And thinks she will therein some pleasure⁶ take,
Then in comes Death, with rancor and with spleen,
Destroys it so, that nothing can be seen,                              10
For fear the⁷ ruins beauty might present,
Leaves not so much to make⁸ Life’s monument.
This makes Life mourn, to see her pains and cost
Destroyed, for what she doth in Death is lost.
Weeping, complains at Nature’s cruelty,                              15
That only made her for⁹ Death’s slave to be.
“I am his food; his sharp teeth do¹⁰ me tear;
When¹¹ I cry he no¹² pity hath, nor care.
The pain he puts me in doth make me roar,
And his pale face that’s grim affrights me sore.                 20
And when I think¹³ away from him to run,
I fall¹⁴ into his jaws, no ways can shun.
But why do I thus sigh, mourn, and lament,¹⁵
And use no means his inj’ry to prevent?¹⁶
I will call all my friends their strength to try;                     25
Either I’ll¹⁷ perish quite, or Death shall die.”
Then brings she Motion, nimble at each turn,
And Courage, which like to fire doth¹⁸ burn,
Preventing and inventing wits, to make
Sconces and forts, too strong for death to take.                  30
A regiment of arts, which¹⁹ with their skill
Assault²⁰ her foes, and them sometimes do²¹ kill.
A brigade of clear strengths stands²² firm and sure,
And can all fierce²³ assaults of Death endure.
A party of good²⁴ healths, armèd²⁵ so well                          35
As Death how to destroy them cannot tell.
A troop of growths, at first small, weak, and low,
Increasing every minute, numbers grow.
And many more such²⁶ companies were²⁷ there,
As all the passions, chiefly Hope and Fear.                          40
Love leads²⁸ this army, his motto a heart;
Their arms are²⁹ their free wills; all bear³⁰ a part.
Death’s armies³¹ are³² all to destruction bent,
As Wars and Famine, both these pestilent.
Fury, Despair, and Rage did³³ run about,                             45
Seeking which way that they may³⁴ Life put out.
Troops, regiments, brigades in numbers are,³⁵
As Sickness, Dullness, Grief, and Pensive Care.³⁶
Of Feeble Age were³⁷ few; they scarce could³⁸ stand,
Yet in Death’s battle, fight will³⁹ hand to hand.                   50
Hate leads⁴⁰ the army in a dull slow pace,
And for his motto has⁴¹ a lean, pale face.
With several weapons Death poor Life doth⁴² take
Her as a prisoner, and his slave doth⁴³ make.
And on her ashes doth⁴⁴ in triumph ride,                            55
And by his conquest swells he⁴⁵ big with pride.

Life’s force was strong enough to keep her state,
If Death had not befriended been with Fate,⁴⁶
For she ’gainst Death could make her party good,⁴⁷
Had not the Fates her happiness withstood,                        60
Who spin⁴⁸ the thread of life so small and weak,
That of necessity it needs must break.
If not, they cut it into pieces small
And give it Death, to make him nets withal
To catch Life in;⁴⁹ when closely she would hide                 65
Herself from Death, she⁵⁰ in this net is tied,
Or in the chains of destiny is hung,
The world from side to side about is flung.
Having no rest nor settlement, she⁵¹ flies
About from Death, and yet she⁵² never dies,                       70
Runs into several forms Death to avoid,⁵³
And yet those forms are all by Death destroyed.⁵⁴
Death, like a snake, in Nature’s bosom lies,
Like one that flatters, but i’th’heart⁵⁵ envies.
And Nature seems to Life an enemy,                                     75
Because she still lets Death a conqu’ror⁵⁶ be.

A thought, for breeding, would a traveller be,
The several countries in the brain to see.
Spurred with desires he was,¹ booted with hope,
His cap, curios’ty, patience was his² cloak.
Thus suited, then³ a horse he did provide:                               5
Strong Imagination he got⁴ to ride,
Which, saddled with ambition, girt⁵ with pride,
Bridled with doubt, and⁶ stirrups on each side
Of resolution, he did mount, and⁷ went
In a full gallop of a good intent.                                                10
Some ways i’th’brain were ill and foul withal,⁸
Which made him oft into deep errors fall.⁹
Oft was he hid by mountains high of fear, ¹⁰
Then slid down precipices of despair; ¹¹
Woods of forgetfulness he oft passed¹² through;                  15
To find the right way out, had much ado.
In troubles he had travelled a long way;
At last he came where thieves of spite close lay,
Who, coming forth, drew out reproachful words
Which wounded reputation, as sharp swords.                      20
When he did feel the wound smart, he¹³ drew out
Truth from¹⁴ Time’s scabbard, and fought well and¹⁵ stout;
With an innocent thrust he left spite dead,
Wiped off the blood of slander, purple red.
Then coming¹⁶ to a river of temptation,                                 25
Which deep and dang’rous was¹⁷ of tribulation,
He swam with Temp’rance, and¹⁸ got out at last,
And with security all dangers past.
At last got to the city¹⁹ of power,
Where tyranny did stand, a great high tower,²⁰                   30
With discords populous, where²¹ Riot rules;
Great colleges there were,²² to breed up fools;
Large houses of extortion²³ high were built,
And all with prodigality were gilt.
Their streets were pitched with dull and lazy stone,           35
Which never hurt the feet when trod upon.²⁴
Markets of plentiful²⁵ circuits were there,
Where all sorts came, and did²⁶ buy without care.
Herbs of repentance there were in great store,
But roots of ignorance were many more.                               40
The carts of knowledge much provision brought,²⁷
And understanding, which Truth sold, some bought.²⁸
Yet what is bought proves good or bad by chance,²⁹
For some were cozened by false ignorance.
Then forthwith into shamble row he went,                           45
Where store of meat hung up, for ’twas not³⁰ Lent;
There lay a head³¹ with wit and fancies filled,³²
And many hearts by³³ grief and sorrow killed.
Tongues of eloquence hung upon an ear;³⁴
Bladders of windy opinions were there;³⁵                             50
Weak livers of great fear lay there to sell,
And spleens of malice very big did swell; ³⁶
Tough lungs of willfulness were hard³⁷ and dry,
Whole guts of self-conceit did hang thereby.
Then to a poult’rers³⁸ shop he went, to see                            55
What fowl there were,³⁹ if any good there be.
There lay wild geese, though black and heavy meat,
Yet some gross appetite liked them to eat.
The choleric turkey, and the peacocks pride,
The foolish dott’rels⁴⁰ lay there close beside.                        60
Capons of expectation, crammed with hope,
Swans⁴¹ of large desires lay in the shop.
Reproachful words were sold by dozens there,
And ignorant gulls did lie⁴² everywhere;
Poetical birds were many⁴³ to sell,                                          65
More fowl, which he remembered not to tell.
But being a traveller, he’d⁴⁴ see all there,
So straight he went⁴⁵ to churches of great fear,
Where each one⁴⁶ kneeled upon the knee of pain,
And prayers said with tongues that were profane.              70
Petitioning tears dropped from coveting eyes,
Deceitful hearts on altars of disguise.
Earnest they were to th’gods,⁴⁷ that they would give
Worldly request, not grace for souls to live.
But travails⁴⁸ of experience he would see,                             75
Which made him go to th’court⁴⁹ of Vanity.
The porter Flattery sat at the gate,
Who civil was, and carried him in straight.
To Beauty’s presence chamber first he went,⁵⁰
There stayed some time, with great and sweet content.     80
Next to the privy chamber of Discourse,
Where Ignorance and Nonsense had great force.
Then to the bedchamber of Love’s delights;
The grooms which served there were carpet knights.
Thence he to th’council⁵¹ of Direction went,                         85
Where great Disorder sat as president.
No sooner that poor stranger he did view,
Reproachful words out of his mouth he threw,
Commanding Poverty, a sergeant poor,
To take that stranger, cast him⁵² out of door.                        90
Straight Flattery for him entreated much,
But he Disorder’s ear doth seldom touch.
For cast he was into necessity,
Which is a prison of great misery.
But Patience got him an expedient pass,                                95
So home he went, but rode⁵³ upon an ass.