[note]Him Down] it down. 1664, 1668 [/note]
Oak
Why cut you off my boughs, which largely bend,[note]which largely bend,] both large, and long, 1653 [/note]
And from the scorching sun do you defend,[note]And from the scorching sun do you defend,] That keepe you from the heat, and scorching Sun; 1653; And from the scorching Sun you do defend? 1664; And from the scorching Sun do you defend? 1668 [/note]
Which[note]Which] And 1653 [/note] did refresh your fainting limbs from sweat,[note]sweat,] sweat? 1653 [/note]
And kept you free from thund’ring rains and[note]And kept you free from thund’ring rains and] From thundering Raines I keepe you free, from 1653 [/note] wet,
When on my bark your weary head you’d[note]you’d] would 1653 [/note] lay, 5
Where quiet sleep did take all cares away,
The whilst my leaves a gentle noise did make,
And blew cool winds that you fresh air might take?[note]take?] take. 1653, 1668 [/note]
Besides, I did invite the birds to sing,
That their sweet voice might you some pleasure bring, 10
Where everyone did strive to do their best,
Oft changed their notes, and strained their tender breast.
In winter-time,[note]winter-time,] Winter time, 1653; Winter time 1664 [/note] my shoulders broad did hold
Off blust’ring storms, that wounded with sharp cold.
And on my head the flakes of snow did fall, 15
Whilst you under my boughs sat[note]sat] sate 1653, 1668 [/note] free from all.
And will you thus requite my love,[note]will you thus requite my love,] shall thus be requited my 1664, 1668 [/note] good will,
To take away my life, and body kill?[note]To take away my life, and body kill?] That you will take my Life, and Body kill? 1664; That you will take my Life, and Body kill? 1668 [/note]
For all my care and service I have passed,
Must I be cut and laid on fire at last? 20
See how[note]See how] And thus 1653 [/note] true love you cruelly have slain,
Invent all ways[note]Invent all ways] Invent alwaies 1653; And try’d all ways 1664, 1668 [/note] to torture me with pain.
First you do peel my bark, and flay my skin,
Hew down my boughs, so chops off every limb.[note]Hew down my boughs, so chops off every limb.] Chop off my Limbs, and leave me nak’d and thin, 1664; Chop off my Limbs, and leave me naked, thin: 1668 [/note]
With wedges you do pierce my sides to wound, 25
And with your hatchet knock me to the ground.
I minced shall be in chips and pieces small,
And thus[note]thus] this 1664, 1668 [/note] doth man reward good deeds withal.
Man[note]Man] Oak. 1668 [/note]
Why grumble you[note]grumble you,] grumblest thou, 1653 [/note], old Oak, when you have[note]you have] thou hast 1653 [/note] stood
This hundred years as king of all the wood?[note]wood?] Wood. 1653 [/note] 30
Would you forever live, and not resign
Your place to one that is of your own line?
Your acorns young, when they grow big and tall,
Long for your crown, and wish to see your fall,
Think every minute lost whilst you do live, 35
And grumble at each office you do give.
Ambition doth fly[note]doth fly] flieth 1653 [/note] high, and is above
All sorts of friendship and of nat’ral[note]and of nat’ral] strong, or Naturall 1653 [/note] love.
Besides, all subjects do[note]do] they 1653 [/note] in change delight;
When kings grow old, their government they slight. 40
Although in ease, and peace, and wealth they[note]they] do 1653 [/note] live,
Yet all those happy times for change they’ll[note]they’ll] will 1653 [/note] give,
Grow[note]Grow] Growes 1653 [/note] discontent, and factions still do make,
What good so e’er he doth, as evil take.
Were he as wise as ever Nature made, 45
As pious, good, as ever Heav’n has saved,[note]Heav’n has saved,] Heaven sav’d: 1653; Heav’n has sav’d: 1668 [/note]
Yet when they die[note]they die] he Dyes, 1664; He dyes, 1668 [/note] such joy is in their face,
As if the Devil had gone from that place.
With shouts of joy they run a new to crown,
Although next day they strive to pull him down. 50
Oak
Why, said the Oak, because that they are mad,
Shall I rejoice,[note]rejoice,] rejoyce? 1668 [/note] for my own death be glad?
Because my subjects all ungrateful[note]ungrateful] ingratefull 1653; Ingratefull 1664 [/note] are,
Shall I therefore my health and life impair?
Good kings govern justly at all times,[note]at all times,] as they ought, 1653 [/note] 55
Examine not men’s humours, but their crimes,[note]Examine not men’s humours, but their crimes,] Examines not their Humours, but their Fault. 1653 [/note]
For when their crimes appear, ’tis time to strike,
Not to examine thoughts how[note]how] what 1664, 1668 [/note] they do like.
Though[note]Though] If 1653 [/note] kings are never loved till they do die,
Nor wished to live till in the grave they lie, 60
Yet he that loves himself[note]himself] hinself 1664 [/note] the less because
He cannot get every man’s high applause
Shall by my judgment be condemned to wear
The asses ears, and burdens for to bear.
But let me live the life that Nature gave, 65
And not to please my subjects dig my grave.
Man
But here, poor Oak, you live[note]you live] thou liv’st 1653 [/note] in ignorance,
And never seek your[note]seek your] seek’st thy 1653 [/note] knowledge to advance.
I’ll cut you down, that knowledge you may[note]you down, that knowledge you may] the downe, ’cause Knowledge thou maist 1653 [/note] gain,
And[note]And] Shalt 1653, 1664 [/note] be a ship to traffic on the main. 70
There shall you[note]shall you] shalt thou 1653 [/note] swim, and cut the seas in two,
And trample down each wave as you do[note]you do] thou dost 1653 [/note] go.
Though they rise high,[note]rise high,] do rise, 1664, 1668 [/note] and big are swelled with pride,
You[note]You] Thou 1653 [/note] on their shoulders broad, and back, shall[note]shall] shalt 1653 [/note] ride,
And bow their lofty heads, their pride to check,[note]And bow their lofty heads, their pride to check,] Their lofty Heads shalt bowe, and make them stoop, 1653 [/note] 75
Shall set your steady foot upon their neck.[note]Shall set your steady foot upon their neck.] And on their Necks shalt set thy steddy Foot: 1653 [/note]
They on their breast your[note]They on their breast your] And on their Breast thy 1653 [/note] stately ship shall[note]shall] shalt 1653 [/note] bear
Till your[note]your] thy 1653 [/note] sharp keel the wat’ry womb doth tear.
Thus shall you[note]shall you] shalt thou 1653 [/note] round the world, new land to find,
That from the rest is of another kind. 80
Oak
O![note]O!] O, 1653 [/note] said the Oak, I am contented well
Without that knowledge in my wood to dwell.
For I had rather live and simple be
Than run in danger,[note]Than run in danger,] Then dangers run, 1653 [/note] some strange[note]strange] new strange 1653 [/note] sight to see.
Perchance my ship against a rock may hit; 85
Then were[note]were] am 1664, 1668 [/note] I straight in sundry pieces split.
Besides, no rest, nor quiet shall I[note]shall I] I should 1653 [/note] have:
The winds will[note]will] would 1653 [/note] toss me on each troubled wave;
The billows rough will beat on every side;
My breast will ache to swim against the tide. 90
And greedy merchants may me overfreight;
Then[note]Then] So 1653 [/note] should I drownèd be with my own weight.
With[note]With] Besides with 1653 [/note] sails and ropes men will my[note]men will my] my 1653 [/note] body tie,
And I,[note]And I,] Just like 1653 [/note] a prisoner, have no liberty.
And being always wet, shall take such colds,[note]shall take such colds,] such Colds shall take, 1664, 1668 [/note] 95
My ship may get a pose, and leak through holes,[note]and leak through holes,] through Holes, and Leak, 1664; through Holes, and Leak, 1668 [/note]
Which they to mend, will put me to great pain;
Besides, all patched and pieced I shall remain.
I care not for that wealth, wherein the pains
And troubles are[note]troubles are] trouble, is 1653 [/note] far greater than the gains. 100
I am contented with what Nature gave;
I’d[note]I’d] I 1653; I’l 1664; I’le 1668 [/note] not repine, but one poor wish would have,[note]would have,] I’ld have, 1664; I’ld have; 1668 [/note]
Which is, that you my agèd life would save.
Man
To build a stately house I’ll cut you[note]you] thee 1653 [/note] down,
Wherein shall princes live of great renown. 105
There shall you[note]shall you] shalt thou 1653 [/note] live with the best company;
All their delight and pastime you shall[note]you shall] thou shalt 1653 [/note] see.
Where plays, and masques, and beauties bright will shine,
Your[note]Your] Thy 1653 [/note] wood all oiled with smoke of meat and wine.
There shall you[note]shall you] thou shalt 1653 [/note] hear both men and women sing, 110
Far pleasanter than nightingales in[note]in] i’th’ 1664, 1668 [/note] spring.
Like to a ball, their echoes shall rebound
Against the wall, yet can no[note]yet can no] and yet no 1653, 1668 [/note] voice be found.
Oak
Alas,[note]Alas,] Alas! 1668 [/note] what music shall I care to hear,
When on my shoulders I such burthens bear? 115
Both brick and tiles upon my head are laid—
Of this preferment I am sore afraid—
And many times with nails and hammers strong[note]And many times with nails and hammers strong] With Nails and Hammers they will often wound, 1664; With Nails and Hammers, they will often wound, 1668 [/note]
They[note]They] And 1664, 1668 [/note] pierce my sides, to hang their pictures on.[note]on.] round; 1664; round. 1668 [/note]
My face is smutched with smoke of candle lights, 120
In danger to be burnt in winter nights.
No, let me here, a poor old oak, still grow;
I care not for these vain delights[note]I care not for these vain delights] Such vain Delights I matter not 1664; Such Vain Delights, I matter not 1668 [/note] to know.
For fruitless promises I do not care;
More honor ’tis my own green leaves to bear. 125
More honor ’tis to be in Nature’s dress
Than any shape that men by art express.
I am not like to man, would praises have,
And for opinion make myself a slave.
Man
Why do you wish to live and not to die, 130
Since you no pleasure have, but misery?
Here you the sun with scorching heat doth burn,[note]Here you the sun with scorching heat doth burn,] For here you stand against the scorching Sun: 1653 [/note]
And all your leaves so green to dryness turn.[note]And all your leaves so green to dryness turn.] By’s Fiery Beames, your fresh green Leaves become 1653 [/note]
Also[note]Also] Wither’d; 1653 [/note] with winter’s cold you quake and shake;
Thus in no time or season rest can take. 135
Oak
I’m happier far, said th’Oak, than you mankind,[note]I’m happier far, said th’Oak, than you mankind,] Yet I am happier, said the Oake, then Man; 1653 [/note]
For I content in my condition find;[note]For I content in my condition find;] With my condition I contented am. 1653 [/note]
Man[note]Man] He 1653 [/note] nothing loves but what he cannot get,
And soon doth surfeit of one dish of meat,
Dislikes all company, displeased alone, 140
Makes grief himself if fortune gives him none.
And as his mind is restless, never pleased,
So is his body sick and oft diseased.
His gouts and pains do make him sigh and cry,
Yet in the midst of pains[note]pains] them 1664, them, 1668 [/note] would live, not die. 145
Man
Alas, poor Oak,[note]Oak,] Oak! 1668 [/note] you do not know,[note]you do not know,] thou understandst, 1653 [/note] nor can
Imagine half the misery of man.
All other creatures only in sense join,
But man hath[note]hath] has 1664, 1668 [/note] something more, which is divine.
He hath a mind, doth[note]doth] and doth 1664, 1668 [/note] to Heav’n[note]Heav’n] the Heavens 1653 [/note] aspire; 150
For curiosities he doth[note]For curiosities he doth] A Curiosity for to 1653 [/note] inquire;
A wit that nimble is, which[note]which] and 1664, 1668 [/note] runs about,
In every corner to seek Nature out.
For she doth hide herself, afraid[note]afraid] as fear’d 1653 [/note] to show
Man all her works, lest he too powerful grow, 155
Like as[note]as] to 1653 [/note] a king, his favorite waxing[note]waxing] makes so 1653 [/note] great,
May well suspect that he his pow’r will[note]May well suspect that he his pow’r will] That at the last, he feares his Power hee’ll 1653 [/note] get.
And what creates desire in[note]in] in a 1664, 1668 [/note] man’s breast,
That[note]That] A 1653 [/note] nature is divine, which seeks the best,
And never can be satisfied, until[note]And never can be satisfied, until] For no Perfection he at all doth prize, 1664, 1668 [/note] 160
He, like a god, doth in perfection dwell.[note]He, like a god, doth in perfection dwell.] Till he therein the Gods doth Equalize: 1664; Till he, therein, the gods doth equalize. 1668 [/note]
If you, as man, desire like gods to be,
I’ll spare your life, and not cut down your tree.