The Temple of Fame

This temple is divided in two parts:
Some open lie, others obscure1 as hearts;
Some light as day, others are2 dark as night,
By time’s obscurity worn out of sight.
The outward rooms are3 glorious to the eye,                             5
In which Fame’s image placed are4 on high,
Where5 all the windows are triangulars cut,
Where one face into millions is6 put,
And builded is in squares, just like a cube,7
Which way to double, hard is in dispute.8                                10
Echoes therein do like as9 balls rebound
From every corner, making a great sound.
The walls are hung with chapters10 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.
That11 makes truth there so12 difficult to know,
As a new world in the bright moon13 to show.
The steepl’and pillars are14 of goose-quills built,
And plastered over with white paper gilt;                                 20
The painting is with ink as15 black as jet,
In several works and figures like a net.
The steeple’s high, and yet16 not very light,
But as an17 evening is, ’twixt day and night.
Five tongues, the five bells through18 the world do ring,       25
And to each several ear much news do bring.
The philosopher’s tongue doth give a deep sound,19
But the historian’s is no better found;20
Th’orator’s tongue doth make great noise; the sound21
Of critics harsh, as full of flaws is found;22                               30
The small bell, a poet’s tongue, changes23 oft,
Whose motion is24 quick, smooth, even,25 and soft.
The ropes they hang26 by, one cannot27 well see,
For they are28 long small threads of vainglory.
And when they ring, they make a fine29 sweet chime,           35
Especially when poets’ tongues do30 rhyme.
The belfry-man’s31 a printer by his skill,
Who,32 if he pleases, may ring when he will.
When priest to matins, or to vespers go,
To the high altar they bow very33 low.                                       40
This altar, where34 they offer unto Fame,
Is made of brains, arms, and hearts, without35 blame,
On which lies wisdom, wit, strength, courage, love,
As36 sacrifices to great Fame37 above.
Vertues, arts, sciences as priests here stand,38                         45
But Fortune, prioress, doth all command.39
Incense of noble deeds to Fame she sends;
Nothing is offered, but what she commends,40
For Fortune brings more into Fame’s high court
Than all the41 virtues with their great resort.                           50

  1. obscure] are Hid 1664 are hid, 1668
  2. are] as 1653, 1668
  3. are] all 1653
  4. are] is 1653, 1664, 1668
  5. Where] And 1664, 1668
  6. one face into millions is] from one face a million of faces 1653
  7. And builded is in squares, just like a cube,] Its Form is Square, and like a Cube doth show, 1664, 1668
  8. 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
  9. Echoes therein do like as] Wherein the Ecchoes do like 1653
  10. chapters] chapiters 1653
  11. That] And this 1664, 1668
  12. there so] so 1664, 1668
  13. As a new world in the bright moon] As for the bright Moone, a new world 1653
  14. steepl’and pillars are] Steeple, or Pillars, 1653
  15. is with ink as] thereof with Inke 1653
  16. The steeple’s high, and yet] This Steeple high is, and 1653; The Steepl’ is High, and yet 1664
  17. But as an] As a faire 1653
  18. the five bells through] like Bells, through all, 1664; like Bells, through all 1668
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. Th’orator’s tongue doth make great noise; the sound] The Oratours Tongue doth make a great noyse, 1653
  22. Of critics harsh, as full of flaws is found;] Grammarians sound harsh, as if it had flawes: 1653
  23. 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
  24. Whose motion is] Doth change, whose Motion’s 1664, 1668
  25. even,] ev’n 1664; ev’n, 1668
  26. hang] hung 1653
  27. one cannot] we could not 1653
  28. are] were 1653
  29. And when they ring, they make a fine] But yet when they did ring, made a 1653
  30. poets’ tongues do] the Poet he did 1653
  31. belfry-man’s] Belfrey man, 1653
  32. Who,] That, 1653
  33. very] downe 1653
  34. where] whereon 1653
  35. brains, arms, and hearts, without] Arms, Brains, Hearts without a 1664, 1668
  36. As] Offer’d as 1653
  37. great Fame] Fame 1653
  38. priests here stand,] Priest here stands, 1653
  39. doth all command.] all these commands. 1653
  40. commends,] recommends. 1653
  41. the] their 1653