This temple is divided in two parts:
Some open lie, others obscure[note]obscure] are Hid 1664 are hid, 1668[/note] as hearts;
Some light as day, others are[note]are] as 1653, 1668[/note] dark as night,
By time’s obscurity worn out of sight.
The outward rooms are[note]are] all 1653[/note] glorious to the eye, 5
In which Fame’s image placed are[note]are] is 1653, 1664, 1668[/note] on high,
Where[note]Where] And 1664, 1668[/note] all the windows are triangulars cut,
Where one face into millions is[note]one face into millions is] from one face a million of faces 1653[/note] put,
And builded is in squares, just like a cube,[note]And builded is in squares, just like a cube,] Its Form is Square, and like a Cube doth show, 1664, 1668[/note]
Which way to double, hard is in dispute.[note]way to double, hard is in dispute.] how to Doubl’, is hard for Men to know; 1664; how to doubl’, is hard for Men to know. 1668[/note] 10
Echoes therein do like as[note]Echoes therein do like as] Wherein the Ecchoes do like 1653[/note] balls rebound
From every corner, making a great sound.
The walls are hung with chapters[note]chapters] chapiters 1653[/note] all of gold,
In letters great all actions there are told.
The temple door is of prospective glass, 15
Through which a small beam of our eye can pass.
That[note]That] And this 1664, 1668[/note] makes truth there so[note]there so] so 1664, 1668[/note] difficult to know,
As a new world in the bright moon[note]As a new world in the bright moon] As for the bright Moone, a new world 1653[/note] to show.
The steepl’and pillars are[note]steepl’and pillars are] Steeple, or Pillars, 1653[/note] of goose-quills built,
And plastered over with white paper gilt; 20
The painting is with ink as[note]is with ink as] thereof with Inke 1653[/note] black as jet,
In several works and figures like a net.
The steeple’s high, and yet[note]The steeple’s high, and yet] This Steeple high is, and 1653; The Steepl’ is High, and yet 1664[/note] not very light,
But as an[note]But as an] As a faire 1653[/note] evening is, ’twixt day and night.
Five tongues, the five bells through[note]the five bells through] like Bells, through all, 1664; like Bells, through all 1668[/note] the world do ring, 25
And to each several ear much news do bring.
The philosopher’s tongue doth give a deep sound,[note]The philosopher’s tongue doth give a deep sound,] Philosophers, their Tongue sounds Grave and Deep, 1664; Philosophers, their Tongue sounds grave and deep: 1668[/note]
But the historian’s is no better found;[note]But the historian’s is no better found;] Th’ Historians Tongue no better Sound doth keep; 1664; Th’Historian’s Tongue, no better Sound doth keep. 1668[/note]
Th’orator’s tongue doth make great noise; the sound[note]Th’orator’s tongue doth make great noise; the sound] The Oratours Tongue doth make a great noyse, 1653[/note]
Of critics harsh, as full of flaws is found;[note]Of critics harsh, as full of flaws is found;] Grammarians sound harsh, as if it had flawes: 1653[/note] 30
The small bell, a poet’s tongue, changes[note]The small bell, a poet’s tongue, changes] The Poets Tongue is a small Bell, which 1664; The Poet’s Tongue is a small Bell, which 1668[/note] oft,
Whose motion is[note]Whose motion is] Doth change, whose Motion’s 1664, 1668[/note] quick, smooth, even,[note]even,] ev’n 1664; ev’n, 1668[/note] and soft.
The ropes they hang[note]hang] hung 1653[/note] by, one cannot[note]one cannot] we could not 1653[/note] well see,
For they are[note]are] were 1653[/note] long small threads of vainglory.
And when they ring, they make a fine[note]And when they ring, they make a fine] But yet when they did ring, made a 1653[/note] sweet chime, 35
Especially when poets’ tongues do[note]poets’ tongues do] the Poet he did 1653[/note] rhyme.
The belfry-man’s[note]belfry-man’s] Belfrey man, 1653[/note] a printer by his skill,
Who,[note]Who,] That, 1653[/note] if he pleases, may ring when he will.
When priest to matins, or to vespers go,
To the high altar they bow very[note]very] downe 1653[/note] low. 40
This altar, where[note]where] whereon 1653[/note] they offer unto Fame,
Is made of brains, arms, and hearts, without[note]brains, arms, and hearts, without] Arms, Brains, Hearts without a 1664, 1668[/note] blame,
On which lies wisdom, wit, strength, courage, love,
As[note]As] Offer’d as 1653[/note] sacrifices to great Fame[note]great Fame] Fame 1653[/note] above.
Vertues, arts, sciences as priests here stand,[note]priests here stand,] Priest here stands, 1653[/note] 45
But Fortune, prioress, doth all command.[note]doth all command.] all these commands. 1653[/note]
Incense of noble deeds to Fame she sends;
Nothing is offered, but what she commends,[note]commends,] recommends. 1653[/note]
For Fortune brings more into Fame’s high court
Than all the[note]the] their 1653 [/note] virtues with their great resort. 50