Category: PART V

A thought, for breeding, would a traveller be,
The several countries in the brain to see.
Spurred with desires he was,¹⁹ booted with hope,
His cap, curios’ty, patience was his²⁰ cloak.
Thus suited, then²¹ a horse he did provide:                               5
Strong Imagination he got²² to ride,
Which, saddled with ambition, girt²³ with pride,
Bridled with doubt, and²⁴ stirrups on each side
Of resolution, he did mount, and²⁵ went
In a full gallop of a good intent.                                                10
Some ways i’th’brain were ill and foul withal,²⁶
Which made him oft into deep errors fall.²⁷
Oft was he hid by mountains high of fear, ²⁸
Then slid down precipices of despair; ²⁹
Woods of forgetfulness he oft passed³⁰ 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, he³¹ drew out
Truth from³² Time’s scabbard, and fought well and³³ stout;
With an innocent thrust he left spite dead,
Wiped off the blood of slander, purple red.
Then coming³⁴ to a river of temptation,                                 25
Which deep and dang’rous was³⁵ of tribulation,
He swam with Temp’rance, and³⁶ got out at last,
And with security all dangers past.
At last got to the city³⁷ of power,
Where tyranny did stand, a great high tower,³⁸                   30
With discords populous, where³⁹ Riot rules;
Great colleges there were,⁴⁰ to breed up fools;
Large houses of extortion⁴¹ 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.⁴²
Markets of plentiful⁴³ circuits were there,
Where all sorts came, and did⁴⁴ 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,⁴⁵
And understanding, which Truth sold, some bought.⁴⁶
Yet what is bought proves good or bad by chance,⁴⁷
For some were cozened by false ignorance.
Then forthwith into shamble row he went,                           45
Where store of meat hung up, for ’twas not⁴⁸ Lent;
There lay a head⁴⁹ with wit and fancies filled,⁵⁰
And many hearts by⁵¹ grief and sorrow killed.
Tongues of eloquence hung upon an ear;⁵²
Bladders of windy opinions were there;⁵³                             50
Weak livers of great fear lay there to sell,
And spleens of malice very big did swell; ⁵⁴
Tough lungs of willfulness were hard⁵⁵ and dry,
Whole guts of self-conceit did hang thereby.
Then to a poult’rers⁵⁶ shop he went, to see                            55
What fowl there were,⁵⁷ 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’rels⁵⁸ lay there close beside.                        60
Capons of expectation, crammed with hope,
Swans⁵⁹ of large desires lay in the shop.
Reproachful words were sold by dozens there,
And ignorant gulls did lie⁶⁰ everywhere;
Poetical birds were many⁶¹ to sell,                                          65
More fowl, which he remembered not to tell.
But being a traveller, he’d⁶² see all there,
So straight he went⁶³ to churches of great fear,
Where each one⁶⁴ 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,⁶⁵ that they would give
Worldly request, not grace for souls to live.
But travails⁶⁶ of experience he would see,                             75
Which made him go to th’court⁶⁷ 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,⁶⁸
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’council⁶⁹ 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 him⁷⁰ 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 rode⁷¹ upon an ass.

There is a cruël battle ’twixt⁷² two foes;
When Nature will decide it, none yet knows.
These two are Life and Death, which th’world⁷³ divide,
And whilst⁷⁴ it lasts, the cause will none⁷⁵ decide.
First, Life is active, seeking to enjoy,                                       5
And Death is envious, striving⁷⁶ to destroy.
When Life a curious piece of work doth make,
And thinks she will therein some pleasure⁷⁷ take,
Then in comes Death, with rancor and with spleen,
Destroys it so, that nothing can be seen,                              10
For fear the⁷⁸ ruins beauty might present,
Leaves not so much to make⁷⁹ 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 for⁸⁰ Death’s slave to be.
“I am his food; his sharp teeth do⁸¹ me tear;
When⁸² I cry he no⁸³ 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 think⁸⁴ away from him to run,
I fall⁸⁵ into his jaws, no ways can shun.
But why do I thus sigh, mourn, and lament,⁸⁶
And use no means his inj’ry to prevent?⁸⁷
I will call all my friends their strength to try;                     25
Either I’ll⁸⁸ perish quite, or Death shall die.”
Then brings she Motion, nimble at each turn,
And Courage, which like to fire doth⁸⁹ burn,
Preventing and inventing wits, to make
Sconces and forts, too strong for death to take.                  30
A regiment of arts, which⁹⁰ with their skill
Assault⁹¹ her foes, and them sometimes do⁹² kill.
A brigade of clear strengths stands⁹³ firm and sure,
And can all fierce⁹⁴ assaults of Death endure.
A party of good⁹⁵ healths, armèd⁹⁶ 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 such⁹⁷ companies were⁹⁸ there,
As all the passions, chiefly Hope and Fear.                          40
Love leads⁹⁹ this army, his motto a heart;
Their arms are¹⁰⁰ their free wills; all bear¹⁰¹ a part.
Death’s armies¹⁰² are¹⁰³ all to destruction bent,
As Wars and Famine, both these pestilent.
Fury, Despair, and Rage did¹⁰⁴ run about,                             45
Seeking which way that they may¹⁰⁵ Life put out.
Troops, regiments, brigades in numbers are,¹⁰⁶
As Sickness, Dullness, Grief, and Pensive Care.¹⁰⁷
Of Feeble Age were¹⁰⁸ few; they scarce could¹⁰⁹ stand,
Yet in Death’s battle, fight will¹¹⁰ hand to hand.                   50
Hate leads¹¹¹ the army in a dull slow pace,
And for his motto has¹¹² a lean, pale face.
With several weapons Death poor Life doth¹¹³ take
Her as a prisoner, and his slave doth¹¹⁴ make.
And on her ashes doth¹¹⁵ in triumph ride,                            55
And by his conquest swells he¹¹⁶ big with pride.

Life’s force was strong enough to keep her state,
If Death had not befriended been with Fate,¹¹⁷
For she ’gainst Death could make her party good,¹¹⁸
Had not the Fates her happiness withstood,                        60
Who spin¹¹⁹ 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;¹²⁰ when closely she would hide                 65
Herself from Death, she¹²¹ 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, she¹²² flies
About from Death, and yet she¹²³ never dies,                       70
Runs into several forms Death to avoid,¹²⁴
And yet those forms are all by Death destroyed.¹²⁵
Death, like a snake, in Nature’s bosom lies,
Like one that flatters, but i’th’heart¹²⁶ envies.
And Nature seems to Life an enemy,                                     75
Because she still lets Death a conqu’ror¹²⁷ be.

The¹⁰³ temple was built of cornelian red,
To signify that much blood there¹⁰⁶ was shed.
The altars all were carved of¹¹¹ agate stone,
And musk flies there were sacrificed upon.¹¹⁵
A priest there was, who sang¹²² her praises loud,                     5
Whereat the people kneeled¹²⁸ all in a crowd,
For though she’s¹²⁹ blind and cannot clearly¹³⁰ see,
Yet she her hearing hath most perfectly.¹³¹
The steeple black was built of¹³² mourning jet,
And finely carvèd,¹³³ with many a fret.                                   10
The bells were¹³⁴ nightingales’ tongues, which did ring
As sweetly as they in¹³⁵ the spring do¹³⁶ sing.
Their holy fire was¹³⁷ made of sweet¹³⁸ spice,
And kept by virgins young that know no vice.
Their gods sometimes did they¹³⁹ place in a bower,             15
Which made is of a¹⁴⁰ jasmine¹⁴¹ flower,
And all her sacred groves in which she walks
Are set with roses, which do grow on¹⁴² stalks.
Thus in procession her about they bear,
And¹⁴³ none but in devotion cometh there.                            20
The king and queen did¹⁴⁴ wait where she did¹⁴⁵ go,
And all about sweet incense they did¹⁴⁶ strew.
Nature frowned¹⁴⁷ to see her so respected,
Thought by these honors she was much¹⁴⁸ rejected.
“Wherefore,” said¹⁴⁹ 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 is¹⁵⁰ my vassal low, you soon shall see.
For I with virtues do the mind inspire,
And clothe¹⁵¹ the soul in beautiful attire.                                30
The body equal I do make, and¹⁵² strong,
The heart with courage, to revenge a wrong.
I’th’brain¹⁵³ invention, wit, and judgment lies,
Creating like a god, ord’ring¹⁵⁴ as wise.
The senses all as perfectly are made,                                      35
To hear, to see, to taste, to touch, persuade.¹⁵⁵
I’th’soul do passions and affections¹⁵⁶ live;
There’s nothing done, but what my powers¹⁵⁷ give.
All which to Mutability I throw,
And she doth in perpetual motion¹⁵⁸ 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.
For¹⁵⁹ I throughout the world do make things range,           45
And constant am in nothing, but in change.
Then let your worship of¹⁶⁰ blind Fortune fall,
Or else shall my displeasure bury all.
But false devotion unto men is sweet,
Whilst¹⁶¹ 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,¹⁶² that can in peace not be!¹⁶³                     55
For with himself he cannot well agree.
Sometimes he hates what he before approves,¹⁶⁴
And¹⁶⁵ in a constant course doth never move.¹⁶⁶
Nor to himself, nor God who’s¹⁶⁷ good, can stay,
He ever¹⁶⁸ seeking is some unknown way.                              60
No sad example he by warning takes;
If none will do him hurt, he¹⁶⁹ mischief makes,
As if he feared¹⁷⁰ in happiness to live,
And¹⁷¹ to himself a deadly wound will give.
But why do I complain that man is bad,                                 65
Since what he hath,¹⁷² or is, from me he had?
Not only man, the world, but gods also,
And nothing greater than myself I know.”
All this did make¹⁷³ them take high Fortune down,
And in her room they did¹⁷⁴ great Nature crown.                 70

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, and¹⁴⁶ another kingdom sought.
Like Goths and Vandals, they did range about                        5
With force, to find another kingdom¹⁷⁵ 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,¹⁷⁶
And where delight, like flow’rs on banks, doth grow.¹⁷⁷.       10
Here let us pitch, and try if fortune will
Join with our courage, all our foes to¹⁷⁸ 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’ron¹⁷⁹ a great¹⁸⁰ war prepared,
Which made his queen and all his court afeared;¹⁸¹
His council grave and wise he straight did¹⁸² call,
Which came with formal busy faces all,                                 20
Where¹⁸³ everyone did speak their mind full free,
Disputing much; at last all did¹⁸⁴ 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, encourage¹⁸⁵ and persuade,
And thus they mustered all their army¹⁸⁶ stout
To meet their en’my, and to beat¹⁸⁷ 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 rode¹⁸⁸ and bravely did¹⁸⁹ discharge.
Their¹⁹⁰ saddles were of a velvet peach skin;
Their bridles were small strings which spiders¹⁹¹ spin;
Besides, their stirrups, which their feet in stayed,¹⁹²
Of a green rush, round like a ring, were made.¹⁹³                  40
Of small cockle-shells their targets were made,¹⁹⁴
And for their long swords¹⁹⁵ a rosemary blade.
Their flags, colored flowers glorious to see,¹⁹⁶
Give several sweet smells when flying they be.¹⁹⁷
And how they were armed, it well did appear:¹⁹⁸                  45
In a bean’s hull, just like a cuirassier.¹⁹⁹
Their guns were pipes of glass, slender and small;²⁰⁰
Their bullets were round seeds to shoot withall.²⁰¹
Their drums of filbert skins were very strong,²⁰²
And wheaten straws, for sticks to beat thereon.²⁰³                50
Their van, their rear,²⁰⁴ their left wing, and their right,
Were placèd so, as they saw good to fight.
Their colors flying, and their drums when²⁰⁵ beat,
Their trumpets sounding, none sought a retreat.
The forms and files²⁰⁶ the Pygmies placed themselves         55
Were²⁰⁷ like in figure unto mussel shells,
To pierce through en’mies, and give²⁰⁸ way to friends,
The midst being broad, and sharp at²⁰⁹ the two ends.
But Fairies like a half moon fought, that so²¹⁰
When both ends meet, they might encircle th’foe,²¹¹            60
Where in the midst King Oberon rode²¹² full brave,
For²¹³ he the honor of this day shall have.
Thus this warrior in²¹⁴ armor bright and strong,
As foremost man, his soldiers led²¹⁵ 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 enemies²¹⁶ till they be dead!
Let not your foes with scorn upbraid your flight,
But let them see you can with courage²¹⁷ fight,                      70
And teach them what their folly rash hath brought
Upon themselves, when they this kingdom sought.
But O, vain princes,²¹⁸ that for glory seek,²¹⁹
Which will not let poor subjects in peace keep.²²⁰
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,²²¹
I hand to hand will fight my enemy.”²²²                                   80
With that he sent a²²³ herald stout and bold,
Which to King Pygmy he this message told,
Which was, King Ob’ron²²⁴ him a challenge sent,
To save their men, and much blood to prevent,
That they two might a duel²²⁵ fight alone,                               85
And let both armies all²²⁶ the while look on.
Then laughed King Pygmy,²²⁷ “What’s your king,” said he,
“That in a²²⁸ 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,
Where²²⁹ by direction they my skill may know.
Herald, go back, and tell your king from me
He’ll know my strength when pris’ner²³⁰ he shall be.”
Then spake he to his men in voice full²³¹ high:                      95
“Here’s none,” said he, “I hope this day will fly.
You know, my soldiers, we came here to fight
Not from²³² ambition, or through²³³ envy’s spite,
But we by famine, with a²³⁴ meager face,
Were²³⁵ sent about to seek a fertile place.                               100
Then here’s a land²³⁶ which needs not be manured,
And we are²³⁷ people not to work inured,
For we by nature no great pains can²³⁸ take,
Nor by our²³⁹ sweat a livelihood out make.
For who would live in pain, or grief, or care,                        105
And always of their²⁴⁰ goods would²⁴¹ stand in fear?
Who lives in trouble is²⁴² not very wise,
Since in the grave there do no troubles²⁴³ rise.
Then let us fight e’en²⁴⁴ for sweet pleasure’s sake,
Or let us die, that we no care may take.”                                110
Thus did the kings their²⁴⁵ soldiers’ courage raise,
And in orations did²⁴⁶ their valor praise.²⁴⁷
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,²⁴⁸               115
Would²⁴⁹ die under their burthen, but not yield.
In caprioles those²⁵⁰ grasshoppers did²⁵¹ move,
By which their²⁵² riders’ skill they soon would²⁵³ prove.
Some think for war it is an air unfit,²⁵⁴
Whose motion swift lets not the rider²⁵⁵ fight                        120
Or take his turns, and vantages²⁵⁶ to have,
Unless by leaping high himself²⁵⁷ can²⁵⁸ save.
But they do err, for in some case ’tis²⁵⁹ 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,²⁶⁰ which are the life of all,²⁶¹
Can only serve in their due time and call.
So some may say²⁶² this air of horsemanship
Is²⁶³ good, hills²⁶⁴ of dead men to overleap.                              130
For if that they go low²⁶⁵ upon the ground,
Where dead men, horse, and arms are strewèd²⁶⁶ round,
Or else in heaps they lie, like to²⁶⁷ a wall,
The horse will stumble with the man, and²⁶⁸ fall.
Thus horses of manège,²⁶⁹ taught in measure,                       135
Many do think are²⁷⁰ only fit for pleasure
And not for war, where no use for²⁷¹ them is,
As though²⁷² their rules did make them go amiss.
But they’re²⁷³ mistaken, for like men they’re taught,
For to obey their rider²⁷⁴ 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 passions²⁷⁵ to abate,
Not to be resty²⁷⁶ with fear, anger, hate,²⁷⁷
And by applause, great courage they have got,                     145
That they dare go upon a cannon shot.
Not that they senseless into dangers²⁷⁸ run,
For horses cowardly danger do²⁷⁹ 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,²⁸⁰
And²⁸¹ going back, and forward, turning round,
Sideways, both high and low upon the ground.
Sometimes in a large circle²⁸² compass take,                        155
And then with art, a lesser circle make.
But horses that unlearned are in²⁸³ 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 to²⁸⁴ kill.                   160
For ’tis not blows and thrusts which²⁸⁵ do the feat,
Or going forward, or by a retreat;
Man²⁸⁶ 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,²⁸⁷
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 doth²⁸⁸ sit.                             170
No stratagems were used²⁸⁹ 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,²⁹⁰ thieves more courage in their actions²⁹¹ show,
Who²⁹² 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 foes²⁹³ to use,
For thieves by their deceit their²⁹⁴ friends abuse.
But ’tis not so,²⁹⁵ 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,²⁹⁶
But kill or pursue with swords in their hands,
Without any²⁹⁷ fraud or treacherous²⁹⁸ bands.
Just so fought these brave valiant cavaliers,
As it by their unhappy end²⁹⁹ 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,³⁰⁰ 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,³⁰¹ 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 breaths³⁰² such mists did raise
It³⁰³ made a cloud, which³⁰⁴ darkened the sun’s rays.
With several noises that rebounded far,
Armies of echoes were heard in the air.³⁰⁵
Here bodies hid with smoke, smothered, lay dead,              205
While formless sounds were in the air outspread.³⁰⁶
Thus were they earnest and active in their³⁰⁷ fight,
As if to kill or die were a delight.
Here beasts and men both in their blood lay mashed,
As if³⁰⁸ a French cook had them³⁰⁹ minced and³¹⁰ hashed, 210
Or did their blood unto³¹¹ a jelly boil
That he might³¹² 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
To³¹³ call to Oberon king to try his strength:
“Let’s here,” said he, “our skill and fortunes try,
To conquer³¹⁴ 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,³¹⁵ not yielding any way.
Their bright sharp swords with motion quick did fly,³¹⁶
Like subtle lightning in each other’s eye.³¹⁷
King Pygmy, he was strong,³¹⁸ 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 ran³¹⁹ 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 to³²⁰ Ob’ron,³²¹ “I have got my death.”
Grew faint, then sinking on the ground did lie,
Finding his soul would from his body³²² fly,
Saying, “King Ob’ron, pray do³²³ mercy show,
And let my army freely from you go.                                      240
And those that here lie slain, pray³²⁴ let them have
Just rites in burial, and their bones i’th’grave,³²⁵
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 that³²⁶ his soldiers heard their king was dead,
Their hearts did fail, yet none of them there fled,                250
But to him ran,³²⁷ like shuttles in a loom,
And with their bodies did his corpse entomb.
For through their loyal breast they dug³²⁸ their grave,
Because their king a monument should have.
So all did die; no story yet hath shown                                   255
That ever any Pygmies more were³²⁹ known.
Then did their wives with sighs lament their falls,
And with their tears did strew their funerals;
Those³³⁰ tears did mix with blood upon the ground,
Where rubies since hath³³¹ 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 do³³² blow here and there,       265
And all their bodies transmigrated³³³ are.
Unhappy battle!³³⁴ 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 much³³⁵ their fortune sad;
They³³⁶ 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,³³⁷                            275
Where superstition idols doth afford.³³⁸
But Oberon king there built a temple³³⁹ high,
In which he Fortune’s³⁴⁰ name did magnify.

With grief and sorrow Honor²¹² did complain,
How that her sons and servants all are²⁵¹ slain,
And none was³²⁷ left but those that did³²⁸ her slight,
And in rebellion did³⁴¹ against her fight,
And how³⁴² this age did³⁴³ dirt upon her throw,                               5
Lest she the baseness of the next should³⁴⁴ show.
Thus mournèd³⁴⁵ 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’³⁴⁶ sword, made foes retire.                           10
Pallas’ headpiece did³⁴⁷ as her footstool stand,³⁴⁸
By whose support she rose and did command.³⁴⁹
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,
And³⁵⁰ by her counsel being well advised,³⁵¹
Did raise an army to maintain her right;
Resolved she was Dishonor for to fight.                                      20
Courage the van, Wisdom and Wit each wing³⁵²
Did lead, the rear Fidelity did bring;³⁵³
Invention doth th’artillery³⁵⁴ command;
Patience and Constancy as sent’nels³⁵⁵ stand.
Sciences pioneers are³⁵⁶ of great skill,                                          25
Which undermine towns, castles when they will,
And trenches make, where soldiers safely³⁵⁷ sleep,
And³⁵⁸ for a guard a watchful eye do keep.
Arts, like dragoons, do³⁵⁹ serve on foot and horse,
To skirmish, or an enemy³⁶⁰ enforce.                                           30
The colors high doth Resolution³⁶¹ bear,
And with the bag and baggage standeth Care.
Prudence, quarter-master, allots them³⁶² place;
Who disobeys is punished with disgrace.
Industry, as purvey’r,³⁶³ provides the meat,                               35
And Temperance³⁶⁴ proportions what they³⁶⁵ eat.
Truth, scout-master,³⁶⁶ intelligence doth³⁶⁷ give,
By which the army doth in safety live.
The drum is faith, braced with reasons clear,³⁶⁸
The sticks that beat thereon are hope and fear.                       40
Trumpeters, orators, sound loud and high,³⁶⁹
And³⁷⁰ call to horse when th’enemy draws nigh.³⁷¹
The treas’rer, Gratitude, doth th’army pay,³⁷²
Gen’rosity, as³⁷³ 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 ordered³⁷⁴ that day,
Unthankfulness on th’right³⁷⁵ did bear the sway.                     50
Suspicion was the scout, to search the way,
And Envy close in ambuscado lay.
Revenge, as cannoneer, did take³⁷⁶ the aim,
But missed the mark, which made him high exclaim.
Envy and Malice, were two engineers,                                      55
Which subtilty³⁷⁷ had practised many years;
Their drum was ignorance; stupidity³⁷⁸
Was one stick, th’other was obstinacy,³⁷⁹
And braced it was³⁸⁰ with rudeness, which sounds³⁸¹ harsh
On strings of willfulness that’s³⁸² ever rash.                              60

³⁸⁰

Some with sharp swords—to tell, O most accursed!—³⁸³
Were above half into their³⁸⁴ bodies thrust,
From whence fresh streams of blood run all along³⁸⁵
Unto the hilts, and there lay clodded on.
Some, their legs dangling³⁸⁶ by the nervous strings,                       5
And shoulders cut, hung loose like flying wings.
Heads here were cleft in pieces,³⁸⁷ brains lay³⁸⁸ mashed,
And all their faces into slices hashed.
Brains only in the pia mater thin,
Did³⁸⁹ quivering lie³⁹⁰ within that little skin,                                    10
Their skulls all broke and into pieces burst,
By horses hooves and chariot wheels were crushed.³⁹¹
Others, their heads did lie³⁹² on their own laps,
And some again, half cut, lay³⁹³ on their paps,
Whose tongues out of their mouths were thrust³⁹⁴ at length.   15
For why?³⁹⁵ The strings were³⁹⁶ cut that gave them strength.
Their eyes did³⁹⁷ stare; their lids were open wide,³⁹⁸
For the small nerves were shrunk on every side.³⁹⁹
In⁴⁰⁰ some again, those glassy balls hung⁴⁰¹ by
Small slender strings, as chains to tie the eye.                            20
Those⁴⁰² strings, when broke, eyes fall, which⁴⁰³ trundling round
Until⁴⁰⁴ the film is⁴⁰⁵ broke upon the ground.
In death, their teeth strong set, their lips left⁴⁰⁶ bare,
Which grinning seem’d⁴⁰⁷ as if they angry were.
Their hair⁴⁰⁸ upon their eyes in clodded gore                              25
So wildly spread, as ne’er it did before.⁴⁰⁹
With frowns their foreheads did in⁴¹⁰ furrows lie,
As graves their foes to bury when they die.
Their spongy lungs heaved up⁴¹¹ through pangs of death,
With pain and difficulty fetched short breath.                           30
Some grasping hard, their hands through pain provoked,
Because⁴¹² the rattling phlegm their throats had choked;⁴¹³
Their bodies now bowed⁴¹⁴ up, then down did⁴¹⁵ fall,
For want of strength to make them stand withall.
Some staggering on their legs did⁴¹⁶ feebly stand,                      35
Or leaning on their sword with either hand,
Where on the pummel did⁴¹⁷ their breast rely,
More grieved they could not⁴¹⁸ fight, than for to die.
Their hollow eyes sunk deep into their brains,⁴¹⁹
And hard-fetched groans did from each heartstring strain.⁴²⁰ 40
Their knees pulled up to keep their bowels in,⁴²¹
But all too little through their blood doth swim;⁴²²
Guts did,⁴²³ 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 did⁴²⁴ quickly wish to die;
Rolling from off their back upon their belly,
Did tumble⁴²⁵ in their blood as thick as jelly.
And gasping lay⁴²⁶ with short breaths and constraint,
With cold sweat drops upon their faces faint.                            50
Heaving their dull pale eyeballs, up did⁴²⁷ look,
As if through pain, not hate, the world forsook.
Some chilly cold, as in shiv’ring⁴²⁸ agues, are;
Some burning hot, as in high fevers were;
Some spewing⁴²⁹ blood from stomachs that are sick;                55
Through parching heats their tongues to’th’roofs⁴³⁰ did⁴³¹ stick.
Their bodies with loud groans their souls called⁴³² 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 flame⁴³³ whose oil is spent,
Or fire that’s smothered out and⁴³⁴ wanteth vent,
And some did⁴³⁵ fall like strong and hardy oaks
Which are hewn down⁴³⁶ 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 lay⁴³⁷ all awry,
And⁴³⁸ on their horses’ manes, as pillows, lie.                             70
Some in a careless garb lay⁴³⁹ on the ground,
As life despised, since honor in death’s⁴⁴⁰ found.
Some called for Death, and some did⁴⁴¹ Life desire;
Some cared not; some did burials⁴⁴² require;
Some beat their breasts as if they’d done some ill;⁴⁴³                 75
Some burned with hot revenge their foes to kill;⁴⁴⁴
Some lay as if to hear the trumpet sound,
And others did lie⁴⁴⁵ sprawling on the ground;
Some wished their death’s revenge upon their foe,
Others⁴⁴⁶ with dying eyes their friends not know;                      80
Some their parents, children cried to⁴⁴⁷ see;
Others wished life, some difference to agree.
But lovers, with a soft and panting heart,
Did wish their mistress, at their last⁴⁴⁸ depart,
To shut their eyes, their gaping⁴⁴⁹ wounds to close,                    85
Whose dying spirits⁴⁵⁰ to their mistress goes.
Foes’ hands into each others wounds thrust wide,
As if their hearts they’d⁴⁵¹ pull out from each side;
Some⁴⁵² friends, in dear embracements, closely⁴⁵³ twined,
By their affections⁴⁵⁴ strong in death were⁴⁵⁵ joined;                  90
Some wished to live, yet longed⁴⁵⁶ for death through pain;
Others died⁴⁵⁷ grieving that their foe’s not slain;
Some did⁴⁵⁸ repent what they so rash had⁴⁵⁹ done,
And wished⁴⁶⁰ the battle were to be begun;
Some gently sinking, by a⁴⁶¹ fainting fall,                                      95
Yield quietly to Death when he did⁴⁶² call;
Some drunk with death not able were⁴⁶³ to stand,
But⁴⁶⁴ reeling fell,⁴⁶⁵ struck down by Death’s cold hand;
Some lingered⁴⁶⁶ long, as lovers when they⁴⁶⁷ must
Part; some did⁴⁶⁸ willing yield to fate their dust,                          100
And sweetly lay⁴⁶⁹ as if asleep at⁴⁷⁰ night;
Some stern, as if new battles they would⁴⁷¹ fight;
Some softly murmuring, like a bubbling stream,
Did⁴⁷² sweetly smile in death, as in a dream.
Their⁴⁷³ souls with soft-breathed sighs to heav’n did fly,⁴⁷⁴        105
To live with th’gods⁴⁷⁵ above the starry sky.
Thus several noises through the air did⁴⁷⁶ ring,
And several postures Death to men did⁴⁷⁷ bring:
Where some did⁴⁷⁸ die outrageous⁴⁷⁹ in despair,
Others so gentle as without all⁴⁸⁰ fear.                                           110
With heaps of bodies, hills up high were grown,⁴⁸¹
Where hair as grass, and teeth as seed were sown.⁴⁸²
Their heads⁴⁸³ 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 flying⁴⁸⁴ like moving woods did show,
On whose tops various colors seemed⁴⁸⁵ to grow,
As if flow’rs from high trees had sprouted out,⁴⁸⁶
Or in the open air were strewed about;⁴⁸⁷                                   120
Now all were fallen, and into pieces torn,⁴⁸⁸
Their mottos razed that⁴⁸⁹ did their sides adorn;
Some did like⁴⁹⁰ winding sheets their bearers shroud,
Which was an honour fit to make Death proud.
Some were⁴⁹¹ like virgins, which their eyes cast⁴⁹² low            125
Through shamefastness, although no fault they⁴⁹³ know,
Nor guilty are,⁴⁹⁴ but overcome with strength,
Not by their own consent, but⁴⁹⁵ forced at length,
For courage, like to chastity,⁴⁹⁶ we find
Is forced to lay down arms, though ’gainst its⁴⁹⁷ mind.             130
Here gauntlets, corslets, gorgets, saddles thrown,⁴⁹⁸
Flags, pikes, drums, guns, bullets, all o’er strown,⁴⁹⁹
And plumes⁵⁰⁰ of feathers which waved with the wind,
And proudly tossed, like to some haughty mind,
Like to⁵⁰¹ prosperity when overborne,                                         135
Now humbly lay, and were in pieces torn.⁵⁰²
Horses, which proudly pranced⁵⁰³ when backed they⁵⁰⁴ were
By men of courage, never knowing fear,
Now overpowered lay⁵⁰⁵ by strong assault,
And lost by force; ’twas⁵⁰⁶ not their courage fault,                    140
For they on Death’s dull face could boldly stare,
Since life should hate, if not⁵⁰⁷ victorious were.
Dead horses lay on⁵⁰⁸ backs, their heels up flung;
Their eyes were sunk, heads⁵⁰⁹ turned; their jaws down hung.
Their thick curled manes, which grew down to the ground,  145
Or by their masters⁵¹⁰ in fine ribbons bound,
Were⁵¹¹ torn half off, or singed by fire from guns,
Or snarled in knots or clods that⁵¹² backward runs.
Their nostrils wide, from whence thick smoke outwent,
Which vapor from their hot stout hearts was⁵¹³ sent,             150
Their sleek bright hair o’th’skin⁵¹⁴ like coats of mail,
Their courage fierce, that nothing could them⁵¹⁵ quail,
All in death lay;⁵¹⁶ by Fortune they were cast,
And Nature to new forms went⁵¹⁷ on in haste,
For neither beauty, strength, nor⁵¹⁸ nimble feet                       155
Can⁵¹⁹ serve in death; all beasts alike there meet.
Thus horse and man in several postures⁵²⁰ lies,
With several pains; in several places dies.
When horses die, they know no reason why,
But⁵²¹ men do venture life for vainglory.                                   160
Smoke from their blood⁵²² into red clouds did rise,
Which flashed like lightning in all living eyes;⁵²³
Their groans into the middle region went,
And echoes did⁵²⁴ the air like thunder rent;
From sighs, winds rarified⁵²⁵ such gusts did blow,                  165
As if ascended⁵²⁶ from the shades below.
Men strive⁵²⁷ to die, to make their names to live,
When gods no certainty to fame⁵²⁸ will give.

Courage against Prudence a war did make,
For Rashness (her foe, his favorite)’s³⁹⁷ sake.
For Rashness ’gainst⁴¹⁶ Queen Prudence had a spite,
And did persuade great Courage for to fight.
Courage did raise⁴¹⁷ an army vast and great,                            5
That for the⁴²⁴ numbers Tamberlaine might beat,
Cloathed all in glist’ring⁴²⁶ coats,⁴³¹ which made a show,
And tossing feathers⁴³⁵ which their pride did blow.
Such fiery horses⁴³⁹ men could hardly wield,
And in this equipage they took the field.                                10
Loud Noise⁴⁶³ spoke of this⁴⁷⁵ Army everywhere,
Until at last it came to Prudence’s⁴⁷⁶ ear.
Prudence a council called of all the wise,
And aged⁴⁷⁷ experience, her⁴⁷⁸ to advise.
Then Industry⁴⁹⁴ was called, which close did wait,               15
And orders had to raise an army straight.
But out, alas!⁵¹¹ her kingdom was so small,
That scarce an army could be raised of all.
At last they did about ten thousand get,
And⁵²⁹ care employèd was their⁵³⁰ arms to fit;                        20
Discipline trained and taught each several man,⁵³¹
How they should move, and in what posture stand.
Great store of victuals Prudence did provide,
And ammunition of all sorts beside.
The foot were clothed in coarse yet⁵³² warm array,              25
Their wages small, yet had they constant pay.
Well armed they were all, breast, back, and pot,
Not for to tire them, but to keep out shot.
Each had their muskets, pikes, and banners right,
That nothing might be wanting when they⁵³³ fight.              30
The cavalry was armèd as in frocks,⁵³⁴
Gauntlet and pistols, and some firelocks,⁵³⁵
Swords by their sides, and at their saddle bow
Hung poleaxes to strike, and give a blow.
Horses they had, not⁵³⁶ pampered in a stable,                        35
But from the plow, which were both strong and able
To make⁵³⁷ a long march, or⁵³⁸ endure a shock,
That quietly will stand firm⁵³⁹ as a rock,
Not starting, though⁵⁴⁰ the guns shot⁵⁴¹ in their face,
But as they’re guided, went⁵⁴² from place to place.               40
Prudence for men and horses⁵⁴³ did provide
Physicians, surgeons, farriers, smiths beside,⁵⁴⁴
Wagons and carts, all luggages to bear,
That none might want when in the field they were.
Strict order she did give to everyone,                                      45
Lest through mistake some wrong there might be done,⁵⁴⁵
And as they marched, scouts every way did go,
To bring intelligence where lay the foe.
And when the army stayed some rest to take,
Prudence had care what sentinels to make:                          50
Men that were watchful, full of industry,
Not such as are debauched, or⁵⁴⁶ lazy lie,
For armies oft by negligence are lost,
Which had they fought, might of their valor boast.
But Prudence, she with care still had an eye                         55
That everyone had match and powder by.
Besides, through a wise care, and⁵⁴⁷ not afraid,
She always lay entrenchèd where she stayed.
At last the armies both drew near in sight,
Then both began to order for the⁵⁴⁸ fight.                               60
Courage his army was so vast and great,
As they did scorn the en’my⁵⁴⁹ when they met.
Courage did many a scornful message send,
But Prudence still made Patience by her stand;
Prudence did call⁵⁵⁰ to Doubt for his advice,⁵⁵¹                       65
But in his answers he was very nice.
Hope, of that army great, did make⁵⁵² but light,
Persuaded Prudence by all⁵⁵³ means to fight:
“For why,” said Hope, “they do us so despise
That they grow careless; error blinds their eyes.                 70
Whereby we may such great advantage make,
As we may win, and many prisoners take.”
Then Prudence set her army in array,
Choosing the⁵⁵⁴ Roman custom, and their way.
In bodies small her army she did part,                                   75
In dollops,⁵⁵⁵ which was done with care and art.
Ten in⁵⁵⁶ a rank, and sev’n files⁵⁵⁷ deep they were;
Between each part a lane of ground lay bare,
For single and loose men about to run,
To skirmish first, before the fight begun.                               80
The battle ordered, in three parts was set;
The next supplied⁵⁵⁸ when the first part was⁵⁵⁹ beat,
And⁵⁶⁰ Prudence rode about from rank to rank,
Taking great care to strengthen well the flank.
Prudence the van did lead, Hope the right wing,                 85
Patience the left, and Doubt the rear did bring.
The en’my’s⁵⁶¹ army fiercely up did ride,
As thinking presently them to divide.
But they were much deceived, for when they met,
They saw an army small, whose force was great.                90
Then did they fight, where⁵⁶² Courage bore up high,
For though the worst he had, he scorned to fly.

Doubt round⁵⁵⁹ the fort of Hope intrenchèd⁵⁶⁰ lay,
Stopped all provisions that should pass that way,
Digging⁵⁶³ forth earth to raise up rampires high;
Against Hope’s curtains did their cannons⁵⁶⁴ lie.
The line being long, it seemed the weakest place,                           5
Or else to batter down the frontier’s face.
There pioneers did dig a mine to spring,
Balls and grenados in the⁵⁶⁵ fort did fling;
Rams they did place, to beat their walls down flat,
With many engines more,⁵⁶⁶ as good as that.                                    10
But when⁵⁶⁷ Doubt breaches made in any part,
Hope’s industry soon closed it up⁵⁶⁸ with art.
Yet Doubt did resolve⁵⁶⁹ fierce assaults to make,
And did set⁵⁷⁰ ladders up the fort to take;
When Hope perceived,⁵⁷¹ great stones and weights down flung, 15
Which many killed as they on ladders hung.
Many did fall, and in the ditch did lie,
But then fresh men did straight their place supply.
Upon the walls of Hope many lay dead,
And those that fought did on their bodies tread.                            20
Thus various fortune on each side did fall,
And Death was th’only⁵⁷² conqueror of all.

Hope, hearing Doubt an army great did bring⁵⁷³
For to assault the castle she was in,⁵⁷⁴
For her defense she made that castle⁵⁷⁵ strong,
Placing great ord’nance on the wall along.⁵⁷⁶
Bulwarks she⁵⁷⁷ built at every corner’s end;                                5
A curtain long the middle did defend.⁵⁷⁸
Two faces make⁵⁷⁹ a point, from whence the⁵⁸⁰ cannons play;
Two points do make⁵⁸¹ a third to stop the en’mies⁵⁸² way;
The wings were not⁵⁸³ too short, nor curtains were⁵⁸⁴ too long;
The points were not⁵⁸⁵ too sharp, but blunt to make them strong.⁵⁸⁶ 10
Round⁵⁸⁷ the castle, enemies out to keep,
A ditch was dug,⁵⁸⁸ which was both wide and deep;
Bridges were⁵⁸⁹ made to draw or let at length;
The gates had iron bars of wondrous strength.
Soldiers upon the curtain’s line did stand,                               15
And each did hold⁵⁹⁰ a musket in his hand.
When Hope had ordered all about her fort,
Then she did call a council to her court.
“I hear,” said she⁵⁹¹ “that Doubt a war will make,
And bring great force this castle for to take,                            20
Wherefore, my friends, provisions must be sought,
And first of all, good store of victuals bought:
Hunger doth lose more forts, than force doth win,
Then must we with the stomach first begin.
The next is arms, the body for to guard;                                   25
Those that unarmèd⁵⁹² are, are soon’st afeared.
For⁵⁹³ to small use we make a ditch or wall
Without armed men to keep that⁵⁹⁴ wall withall.
Shall we neglect men’s lives and all their strength,⁵⁹⁵
More than a wall, that may be broke at length?⁵⁹⁶                  30
For ammunitïons, that mighty power,
Engines of death, which armies,⁵⁹⁷ towns devour,
Yet are they of no use, unless mankind
Hath strength, skill, will, to use them as design’d.
’Tis wisdom⁵⁹⁸ to advise what ways are best                            35
Us to defend, that we be not⁵⁹⁹ oppressed.”
Then Expectation, being gray with age,
Advises⁶⁰⁰ Hope by no means to engage
Too near her castle, but let that be free.
“Draw out a line about the town,” said she,                             40
“There make some works, soldiers entrench therein,
Let not the wars close at your gates begin.”
With that, Desire, though young, yet wisely spake:⁶⁰¹
“Alas,” said she, “Doubt that small line will⁶⁰² take;
So great a compass will your strength divide,                         45
A body weak may break through any side.
Besides, the soldiers will more careless be
When they a rescue strong behind them see.
But in the castle, where lies all their good,
There they will fight to the last drop of blood.”                      50