m^: DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY I I The Glenn Negley Collection of Utopian Litcrntiirc 1 i'3r ERRATA. I N the PREFACE, jag. 2', fevettj r.iJx, line 22t for Tage 2 5 58 64 70 i6i 172 219 226 Stanza 9 76 34 00 8 67 34 41 I I 3 2 I 3 3 4 2 2 for Lujiy, for Trine for Thirds for //j;^, for f cd/c, for Beedles, for ^on?, for morn, for /c/e, for a?«.j/^5 Mend. Lafting, Time. Thrids, His. Seife. Needles whom. Moon. Loofe. ourwea- (ker. ONDIBERT AN HEROICK ^OE WRITTEN BY iir WILLIAM D' A V EN ANT. LONDON, led for John Holden , and are fold at his Shop at the fign of the An- hor in the New-Exchange, 1651. $/%f J i% (O «^ <*» tjj^ «I^» ^iju THE AuTHOURS PREFACE To his much honour d Friend M' HOB S. 5 I Rj Since you have done me the honour to allow this Poem a daily examination as it was wri« ting, I willprefume, now it hath attain'd more length , to give yon a longer trouble ", that foU may yield me as great advantages by cenfuring the Me- thod , as by judging the Numbers and the Matter, And becaufe you fhall pafs through this New Building with more ejfetoyour difquifition , I will acquaint you what care I took of my materials, ere I began to work. But firft give me leave (remembering with what difficul- ty' the world can fliew any Heroick Poem, that in a pcrfed: glafs of Nature gives us a familiar and cafie view of our I telves) to take notice of thofe quarrels , which the Living have with the Dead : and I will (according as all times hjve applied their revtrence J begin with How?/, who, though he feems ro me ftandine upon the Poets famous hill , like the eminent Sea-mark , by which they have in 20^138 '""' z 7 he Preface former Ages AecrM ; and though he ought noc to be re- moved from that eminence, left Pofterity fhould prcfum- ptiioufly miftake ihcir courle i yet fome (fharply oblcrviiig how his Succcllburs have proceeded no farther than a per- fedion of imitating him) lay, that as Sea-marks are chiefly ufefull to Coafters , and ferve not thofe who have the am- bition of Difcovcrers , that love to fayl in untry'd Seas ', fo he hath rather prov'daGuide forchofc, whole latisfied Wit will not venture beyond the track of others y than to them, v^dio aflfed a new and remote way of thinking ", who cfteem jta deficiency and meanefs of mind, toftay and depend upon the authority ofexample. Some there are jdiatobjed that even in thelikelyhoods of S:ory Cand S:ory wliere ever it fcems moft Iikely,grows moft pleafint ) he doth too frequently inte mixe Inch Fa- bles, as arc objcfts lifted above the Eyes of Nature *, and as he ofteilinterrogates his Mufe, not as his rational Spirit but as a Famili.rr , feparated from his body , fq her replies bring him where he Ipends time in immortal convcrlation; whileft fupernaturaliy he doth often advance his men to the quality of X3ods, anddepofe hH Gods to the condi- tion of men., -/ollh .^ KisSucceiTour to fame, ( and confequently tocehrure) is p-^i:{ril ', whofe toyls nor virtue cannot free him from the peevifhnefs (or rather ourioftty) of divers Headers. He is upbraided by fome (who perhaps are affeded Antiquaries, a.:d make priority of time the meafure of excellence ) for gaining his renown by ihe imitation of Ho^f) r ; Whileft others (no lefs bold with that ancient Guide) fay. He hath fo often led him into Heaven and Hell, till by conveifation with Gods and Ghofts , he fomttimes deprives us of thofe natural probabilities in Story , which arc inftru(Sive to hu- mane life: And others artirni (if it be not irreverence to record their opinion) That even in Wit, he leems defici- ent by many omilliorisj as if he had defign'd a penance of gravity to himlelf and to pofterity : And by their ob- ferving that continued gravity , me thinks they look upon him. to GONDlBBRt. 5 him, as on a Mufttian compofing of Anthems % whofe eXT- cclldnce conlifts more in the folcmnefsj than in the fancy ' and upon the body of his Work , as on t/ie body of a Gi" ant, whofc force hath moreofftrength, than quickners,and of patience thanartivicy. But thcfe bold Cenfurers are in danger of fo many Ene*- ' niies , as I Oiall wiftiy fhtink from thera ; and onely ob- ferve. That if anv Dilcipl*:sof unimitablc I'^ir^il can prove foformal,as totfte.^m Wit (as if it were levity) an imputa- tion to the HeroickMufe (by which malevolent word, ii'n, they would difgrace her extraordinary heights) yetif thofe grave Judges will be held wife , they muft endure the fate of Wife men', who always have but few of their fociety^for many more than confift of their number ( perhaps not ha- ving the fullennefs to be of it ) are taken with thofe bold flights, and think, 'tis with the Mnfc (whofe noble Quarry is men) as with the Eagle , who when he foars high, ftoops more profperoufly, and is mofl certain of his prey. And furely Poe'ts (whofe bufmefs fhould reprefent the Worlds true image often to our view ) are not lefs prudent than Painters, who when they draw Landlchaps , entertain not the Eye wholly wi:h even Profpe<^t ? and a continued Flat* but Cfor variety) terminate the fight with lofty Hills, whofe obfcure heads are fometimes in the clouds. Lucan^ who chofe to wri te the greateft actions that ever > were allowed to be true (which for fear of contemporary witnelfcs, obligM him to a very clofe attendance upon Fame) did not obferve that fuch an enterprizc rather be- feem'd an Hiftorian , than a Poet : for wife Poets think ic more worthy to feek out truth in the Paffions , than tore- cord the truth of Adionsj and praftifc to defer ihe Man- kind , juflas we are pcrlwadcd or guided by inftin;?t , noc particular perion5,as t'^ey are lifred,or levellM by the force of Fate, it being nobler to contemplate the general Hiflory of Nature, than a felefted Diary of Fortune : And Painters are no more than Hiffcorians, when ihty draw eminent per- fons ^though they term that drawing to the life) but when • 20713^ • ">' The Preface by alTcnibling clivers figures in a larger volume, they draw Paflions (though they ccrmic but Scory) then they incieafe in dignity and become Poets. I have been thus hardy to call him to account for the choice of his Argument, not meerly as it was Story , but bccaufe the anions he recorded were fo emment , and lo near his time, that he could not afiift Truth with (uch or- naments as Foets, for ufcfull plealure , have allowed her , left the fained completion might render the true lufpcft- cd. And now I will leave toothers the prefumption of meafuring his Hyperboles, by whofe fpace and height they maliciouily take the dimcniion of wit ', and fo miftake him in his boy ling Youth fwhich had marvellous forces ) as we difrelifh Wine, when fuming in the Lee. S^?f//^(with whom we may conclude the old Heroicks) is as accomptable to fome for his obligations to VirgU , as y^iygil is to others for what he owes to Homer \ and more clofely than F^/m/ waits on Homer^doth Statins attend K*/- gilj and follows him there alfo where Nature never comes, even into Heaven and Helhand therefore he cannot efcape fuch as approve the wifdom of the beft Dramaticksi who in reprefenration of examples, believe they prevail moft on our manners, when they lay the Scene at home in their own Countrey \ fo much they avoid thofe remote Regions of Heaven and Hell: as if the People (whom they make civil by an cafie communication with rcafon (and familiar reafon is that which is call'd the civility of the Stage) were become more difcreet than to have their eyes perlwadtd by thedefcendingof Gods in gay Clouds, and more manly, than to be frighted with the riling of Ghofls in Smoke. Tajjo (who rcviv'd the Heroick flarre after it was many Ages quench'd) is held both in time and merit, the firft of the Moderns *, an honour by which he gains not much,be- caufe the number he excells mufl needs be few, which af- fords but one fit ro fuccetd him ; for I will yield to their opinion, who permit not Arlofto , noncr Dti Eartai in this eminent rank of the Heroicks: rather than ro make way . ■ :■ > by 10 GONDIB BRT. 5 by their admiflion for Dante , Marino, and otliers. Tajfo's honour too is chiefly allow'd him , where he mofl endea- vours to makeK/rg?/ his Pattern : And again, when we confider from whom Virgil\ fpiric is derived , we may ob- ferve how rarely humane excellence is found •, for Heroick Poefie (which, if it exad in it lelf , yields not to any other ' humane work) flow'dbut in few , and even thofeftreams defcended but from one Grecian Spring', and 'tis with ori- ginal Poems, as with the Original Pieces of Painrers,whofe Copies abate the exccffive price of the firft Hand. But r^j(/(;,though he came late into the world,mufl have his fharc in that Critical War, which never ceafes amongft the Learned i and he feems moft unfortunate , becaufe his crrours, which are derivM from the Ancients when exa- min'd', grow in a great degree excufablc in them , and by being his admit no pardon. Such as are his Councel alTem- bled in Heaven,his Witches Expeditions through the Air, and enchanted Woods inhabited with Ghofls. Vox though the elder Poets (which were then the facred Priefts ) fed the World with liipernatural Tales , and fo compounded the Religion, of Pleafure and Myfterie , ( two Ingredients which never fail'd to work upon the People)whileft for the eternity of their Chiefs (more refinM by education) they furely intended nofuchvain provifion.) Yet a Chriftian Poet, whofc Religion little needs the aids of Invention, liathlefs occafion toimiratefuch Fables, as meanly iliu- flrare a probable Heaven , by the fafhion and dignity of Courts J and make a refeniblance of Hell , out of the Dreams of frighted Women", by which they coniinuc and increafe the melancholy miftakcs of the People. Spencer may {land here as the hft of this fliort File of Heroick Poets :; Men.whofe intelle^uals were of fo giear a making, ("though feme have thought them lyable to thofe iewCcnfurcs we have mentioned ) as perhaps they vvill in worthy memory out- laft,tven Makers of Laws,and Found- ers of Empires , ard aU bur luch av mufi: therefore live c- qually wirh thenijbtcaufe they have recorded their names A 4 and 6 The Preface and confequcntly wiih their own hands led them to the Temple of Fame. And iince we have darM to remember thofe exceptions which the Curious have againfl them , it will not be expected I fhould forget what is objeftcd a- giindSpcficcr -, whofc obfolete Language we arc conftrain- ed to mention, though it be grown the moft vulgar accufa- tion that is laid to his charge. Language (which is the onely Creature of Man's crea- t'on) hath like a Plant, feafons of flourifhing and decay *, like Plants is removM from one foyl to another,and by be- ing fo tranfplanted, doth often gather vigour and increafe. But as it is falfe huibandrie to graft old branches upon young ftocks : fo we may wonder that our Language (not long before his time created out of a confufion of others,& then beginning to flourifh like a new Plant)rhould(ai helps to its increafe ) receive from his hand , new grafts of old withered words. But this vulgar exception , fhall onely have the vulgar excufeiwhich is^that the unlucky choice of hisSi.7/;^^, hath by repiritionof Rhirae, brought him to the necefTity of many exploded words. If we proceed from his Language to his Argument , we muft obferve with others , that his noble and moft artful! hands defervM to be employed upon matter of a more na- tural , and therefore of a more ufefull kind. His allegori- cal Story (by many held defc(ftive in the connexion ) re- fcmbling (me thinks) a continuance of extraordinarie Dreams ', fuch as excellent Poets , and Painters, by being over-flu lious, may have in the beginning of Feavers : And thofc moial Vifjonsare juft of fo much ufe to humane ap- plication, as painted Hiflory, when with the coufenage of lights, it is reprcfented in Scenes, by which we are much lefs informed than by anions on the Stage. Thus, Sir, I have (perhaps) taken pains to make you think me malicious, in ol^ferving how far rhe Curious have look'd into the erroui s of others *, Errcurs which the na- tural humour of imitacion harh made lb like in all ( even from HoMir to Spc/iccr ) as the accuuuions againft the firf^ appear to G ON Dl BERT. 7 appear bnc little more tbanrepiticion in every procefsa- gainfl the reft : and comparing the rcfemblance of errour in perfons of one generation , to that which is in thofe of another age; wcmay find it exceeds not any where, no- torioufly , the ordinary proportion. Such limits to the pro- grcfs of every thing (even of worthincfs as well as defed) *doth imitation give : for whileft we imitate others, we can no more excel them , than he that fayls by others Maps can make a new difcovery : and to Imitation , Nature (which is the onely vifible power, and operation of God) perhaps doth needfully enclineus , to keep us from excef- fes. For though every nun be capable of worthinefs and unworthinefs fas they are defined by Opinion) yet no man is built ftrong enougii to bear the extremities of either, without unloading himfelf upon others fhoulders, even to the wearinefs of many. If courage be worthinefs , yet where it is over-grown into extrcams, it becomes as wilde and burrfull as ambition ', and fo what was reverenced for proredion, grows to be abhorr'd for oppreflion : U Lcarn- ing (which is nc^z Ilnowkdge , but a continued Sayling by fantaftick and uncertain winds towards it) be worthinefs, yet it hath bounds in all Philofophers', and Nature that meafut'd thofe bounds , fecms not fo partial, as to allow it in any one a much larger extent than in another : as if in our ilefhly building, fheconfjderd the furniture and the room, alike,and together; for as the compafs of Diadems commanly fits -the whole fucctfiion of thofe Kings that wear them; fo throughout the whole World , a very few inches may diflinguifh the circumfcrenceof the heads of their Subjcds: Nor need we repine that Nature hath not fome Favcri es , to whom fhe doth difpence this Treafure, ivwjr/rt/^r , with a prodigious Liberality. For as there is no one that can befaid vaftly tocxceed all mankind j fo divers that have in learning tranfccnded all in fome one Province, have ccrrupted many with that great quantity of falfe gold; and the authority ol their ftronger Science hath often krv'd to diftracfr, cr pervert their weaker difciples. And S The Preface And as the qualities which arc rerm'd good , arc bound- ed, fo arc the bad", and likewifc limiucd , as wr I las- gotten by imirarion ; for amongfl chofe that are extraordinary, cither by birth or brain ((or with the iifLial pride of Poets, I pafs by common crowds, as negligently as Princes move from throngs, that are not their own Sirbjedts ) we cannot find any ont fo egregious (admitting cruelty and avarice for the chiefeft evils 7 and errours in government or do- ^rine,ro be the greaccfl errours) but that divers of former or fucceeding times may enter the fcales with them , and make the Ballance even j though the paflion of Hiftorians would impofe the contrary on our belief-, who in difpraifc of evil PrinceSjare often 2s unjuft and exceflive,as the com- mon People: for there was never any Monarch To cruel, but he had living fnbjeds , nor fo avaricious, but that his Snbjeds were richer than himfelf j nor ever any difcafe in government fo extrcamly infe(^tious, as to make univcrfal Anarchy, or any en our in Dod^rine fo (Irong by the Main- tainer, but that Truth (though it wreftled with her often, and in many places ) hath at feme fealbn , and on fonie ground , made her advantages and fuccelVcs apparent : Therefore we may conclude, that Nature, for rhelafery of mankind, hath as well (by dulling and flopping our pro- grefs with the conitant humour of imitation ) given limits ro courage anri to learning, to wickednefs and to crrour, as Jc harli ordain'd the fiielves before the fliore, to rcftrain the rage and excefTcs of the Sea. But I feel (Sir) that I am falling into the dangerous Fit of a hot Writer •, for in flead of performing the promifc which begins this Preface , and dorh oblige me (after I had given you the judgement of fome upon otheis)to pre- fenr my fclf to your cenfure , lam wandering after new thoughts: buclfhall afk your pardon , and return to my undertaking. My Argument I refolv'd fliould confifl of ChriAian per* fons ', for fmce Re!u;ion do:h generally beget, and govern manners , I thought the example of their anions would prevail to GONDIBBRT, 9 prevail mofl upon our own,by being derWd from the fame dortriiic and authority j as the paicicular Se^rf, confifted in the vain pride of Empire, and never enjoyn'd a jewifti feparation, but drew all Nations together*, yet not as their companions ot the fame fpt cies, but as flaves to a Yoke : Their fanfti- ty was Honour, and their Honour onely 'an impudent cou- rage, or dexterity in deftroying. But Chriflian Religion hath the innocence of Village ntighbour-hocd, and did an- 10 The Preface anciently in its politicks rather promote the intereft of Mankind than of Stares j and rather of all Stares -than of one*, for particular cndcavojrs onely in behalf of our own homt- s, are ligns of a narrow moral education , not of the vafl kindnefs of Chriflian Religion, which likewife or- dainM as well an univtrfal communion of boloms^as a com- munity of Wealth. Such isChriftian Religion in the p.e*- cepts, and was once fo in the pradice. But I refolv'd my Poem fhould reprefent thole of a former Age , perceiving 'tis with thefervantsofChrifl, aswithoiher (ervants un- der temporal power, who with all cleannefs, and even wirh officious diligence perform their duty in rhtrirMafters fight, but flill as lie grows longer abfent, become more flothfull, unclean and falfe. And this,who ever compares the prefenc with the Primitive times, may too palpably diftcrn. When I confider'd the adions which I meant to defcribe, (thofe inferring thepeifosjl was again perfwaded ratherto chufe thofe of a formerAge,than the prefent-.& in a Centu- ryfo far removed, as might preferve me from their improper eKaminations, who know not the requifites of a Poem, nor how much pleafure they lofe ( and even the pleafures of Heroick Poetic are not unproricable)vvho take away the li- berty of a Poet, and fetter his feet in rhc fhackles of an Hi- ftorian : For why fhould a Poet doubt in Srory to mend the intrigues of Fortune by more delightfnll conveyances of probable fictions , bccaufe auftere Hiflorian? have en- tef d into bond to truth ? an obligation which were in Poets, as fooli/h and unnecelTary as is the bondage of falfe Martyrs, who lye in chains for a miftaken opinion ; but by this I would imply, that Truth narrative and paft,is the Idol of Hlflorians, (who worfliip a dead thing ) and truth operative, and by tfleds cpntinually alive , is the Mirtrefs of Poets , who hath not her exiflence in matter , but in reafon- I was likewife more willing to derive my Theme from cider times, as thii.king it no little mark oi fkilfulnefs to comply with the coiumon Infirmity ', for men (even of the bcft to GONDIB E Rt. ll bed education) difcover rhetr eyes to be weak, when rhey look upon the glory of virtue (which is great adions) and rather endure it at diftance than near ; being more apt to believe, and love the renown of PredecelTorSjthan of Con- temporaries , whofe deeds excelling theirs in their own Sghr, feem to upbraid them, and are not reverencM as ex- amples of Virtue, but envi'd as the favours of Fortune: Buc to make great Anions credible, is the principal Arc of Po- cts> v»'ho rhough they allow the utilitie of Kidions , fhould not ( by altering and fubliming Storie) make ufe of their priviledge to rhc detriment of the Reader ; whofe incredii- litie (when things are not reprefented !nproporrion)doth much allay therclifli of his pitie, hope, )oy, and other Paf- fions : for we may dcfcend to ccmpare the deceptions in Poclie to thofe of them thatprofefs dexteritie of Hand, which refembles Conjuring, and to fuch we come nor with the intention of /:/z)7_)r>-5 to examine the evidence of Fafts, buc are content (if we like the carriage of their feigned mo- tion^ to pay for being well deceiv'd. As in the choife of rime,fo of place , I have comply'd wi(h the weaknefs of ihe generalitie of mtny-vho think the befl objefls of their own countrey fo little to the fize of thofc abroad, as if they were fhewM them by the wrong end of a Profpedive : For man (continuing the appetites ofhis firfl Childhood, till+jc arrive at his fecond which is more froward ) muft be quieted with foraething that he thinks excellent, which he may call his own j but when he fees the like in other places (not flaying to compare them) wrangles at all he has. This leads us toobferve the crafti- nefs of the Com(l(s , who are onely willing when they de- fcribe humour (and humour is the drunknefs of a Nation which no flcep can cure ) to lay the Scspne in their own counrrcy'^ as knowing we are (like the Son of :''Oah) fo lit- tle difladed to beho'd each oriiers fhime , that v/e delighc to fee even that of a Father : yet when they would fee forth grcarnefs and excellent virtue, ( which is the Theme of Tragedic) publickly to the pcople',thcy wifely (to avoid the 12 The Preface, the quarrels of neighbourly envie) remove the Seine from home. And by tht ir example 1 travell'd too", and Italic (which was once the Stage of the World) I have made the Theatre, where I fliew in either Sex, Tome patterns of hu» mane life, that are (perhaps) fit to be follow'd. Having told you why I took the anions that fliould be my Argument from men of cur own Religion , and given you rcafons for rhe choyce of the time and place delign'd for thole adions \ 1 muft next acquaint you with the Schools where they were bred j not meaning the Schools where they took their Religion, but Moraiicic, for I know Beligion is univerlally rather inherited than taught: and the mofl tflf^ftual Schools of Moralitie are Courts and Camps-, Yet towards the firfl, thj people are unquiet through envie', and towards the other through fear i and always jealous of bothfor Injuflice , which is the natural fcandal cafl upon authoritie and great force. They look upon the outward glory or blaze of Courts ,as wild Eeafts in dark nights flare on their Hunters Tcrchcs '•► but though the expences of Courts ( whereby they fliine ) is that con- fuming glory in which the people ihink their libertie is wafted (for wealth is their libertie and lovM by them even tojealoufie ( being themfelvcs a courfer fort of Princes, apter to take than to pay ) yet Courts (I mean all abflrafts cfthemultitude*, either by King, or AlTemblies ) are not the Schools where men are bred to opprefTiun ,but the Temples where fometimes OpprefTours take fanduarie ', a fufetie which our reafon mufl allow them- For the ancient laws of Sanc^uarie fdertvedfiom God) provided chiefly for adjons that proceeded from nectflirie; and who can ima- gine Icfs than a ncceffjrie of opprefling the people , fmce they are never willing either to buy their Peace , or to pay for War ? Nor arc Camps the Schools of wicked Deftroyers, more than the I'l'is of Court fbeing the Nurferie of Judges ) are the Schools of Murderers j for as judges are avengers of private men againft private Robbers '? fo are Armies the a- vengers to GONDIB E RT. IJ vcngers of the Publick againil publick Invaders , cither civil or forrcign : and Invaders are Robbers , though more in countenance than thofe of the High way , becaufe of their number. Nor is there other difference between Armies when they move towards Sieges or Battel, and Jjudges moving in their Circuit ( during the danger of ex* traordinariemalefaftors)wirh the guards of rhcCountie f hut that the latter i^ a lefs Army, and of lefs Difcipiine. If any man can yet doubt of the necciVarie ufe of Armies , let himftudic that which was anciently call'd a Monfter, the Multitude , (for Wolves are commonly harmlefs when they are met alone , but very uncivil in Herds) and be will not find that all his kindred by A dim are fo tame and gentle, as thofe Lovers that were bred in Arcadia : or to reform his opinion, let him afk why ( during the utmoft age of Hiftorie ) Cities have been at the charge of defen- five Walls, and why Fortification hath been praftic'd fo long, till it is grown an Art ? I may now believe I have ufefully taken from Courts and Camps, the patterns of fuch as will be fit to be imitated by the moft neceflfary men ', and the noofl necelTary men are thofe who become principal by prerogative of bloud, (which is feldom unatfifled with education )or by greatnefs of mind, which in exad definition is Virtue. The common Crowd (of whom we arc hopelefs^ we deferc, being rather tobecorrefted by laws (where precept is accompanied with puniniment)than to be taught by ?ocfie?for few have arriv'd at the Ikill ofOrphem^ or at his good fortune,whonv we may fuppofe to have met with extraordinarie Grecian Beafls,when fo fuccesfully he reclaimM them with his Harp, Nor is it needful! that Heroick Poefie fhould be levell'd to the reach of Common nic n : for if the examples it prcfents prevail upon their Chiefs, the delight of Imitation (which we hope we have prov'd to be as effeftual to good as ro evil) will re(f^ifie by the rules, which thofe Chiefs eftablifh of their own lives, the lives of all that behold them, for the example of life, doth as much furpafs the force of Precept, as Life doth exceed Dt aril. ^ In 14 The Vreface. In tlie choice of thelcObjti^ts (which are as Sea-marks to direct the dangerous voyage o{ life) I thought fit to fol- low the rule of Ccafting Maps, where the Shelves and Rocks arc defcrib'd as well as the lafe Channel; the care being equal how to avoid as to proceed : and the Chara- d:crs of ir.( n (whole pafTions arc to be efchew'd) I have dc- riv'd from the difttmpcrs of Love cr Ambition : for Love and Ambition are too often the raging Feavers of great niiiids. Yet Ambition (if the vulgar acception of the word Were correded) would fignifie no more than an extraordi- nary lifting of the feet in the rough ways of Honour, over the impediments of Fortune? and hath a warmth (till it be chaf'd into a Fever) which is neceilary for every virtuous breaft : for good men are guiltie of too little appetite to greatncil-, and it either proceeds from that they call con- tentedners(butcontentedners, when examin'd,doth mean fomething of Lafmcfs as well as Moderation^ or from fome melancholy precept of the Cloyfler j where they would make life (for which the world was onely made ) more un- pleafanr than Death : as if Nature, the Vicegerent of God (who in providing d^lightfull varieties , which virtuous greatnefscan beft pclTcfs, or alTure peaceably to others, implicitly commanded the ufe of them ) fhould in the ne- cellaricsof life ( life being her chief bufmels) though in her whole reign flic never committed one error, need the- counfel of Fryars, whole folitude makes them no more fie forfuch dirertion , than Prifoners long fertcr'd are for a race. .s In faying this, I onely awaken fuch retii'd men , as eva-- porate their ftrcngth of mind by clofe and long thinking; and would every where feparare the Soul from the Bodie, ere wc are dead, by pcrfwading us (though they were both created and have been long companions together) that the preferment of the one muft meerlv confifl in de- Terting the other j teaching us tocourttheGiave, as if du- ring the whole leafe of life , we were like Moles to live under ground i or as M long and well dying, were the certain to GONDIB ER T. 15 certain means to live in Heavcn:Yer Rcaron(which though the mbft profirahle Talent God hath given us , feme Di- vines would have Philofophers to bmy in the Napkin, and not put it to ufc) perfA'adc us , that the painfull aftivencfs of Virtue (for Faith on which fome wholly depend , fecms but a contemplative boaft till the cffeds of it grow exem- plary by adion ) will more probably acquire cverlafting dignities. And fnrely if thefe ftvere Mafters (who though obfcure in Cells , take it ill if their very opinions rule not all abroad ) did give good men leave to be induflrious in getting a Shaieof governing the world , the Multitudes (which are but Tenants to a few Monarchs) would endure that fubicdion which God hath decreed them, with better order, and mere eafe j for the world is ontly ill governed, bccaufc the wicked take more pains to get authority, than the virtuous V for the virtuous are often preachM into re- tirement j which is to the publick as unprofitable as their fleepj and theerroneoufnefsof fuchlazyrert, let Philo- fophers judge'* fmce Nature ('ofwhofc body man thinks himfclf the chiefell member) hath nor any where, at any time, been refpited from aftion (in her, callM motion) by which Hie univerfaliy preferves and makes Life. Thus much of Ambition which fliould have fucceeded fome- thing I was faying of Love. Love , in the interpretation of the Envious, is Sofrnefs* in the Wicked , good men fufped" it for LuH: > and in the Good, fomc fpiritual men have given it ihe name of Cha- rity : And thefeare but teims to this which fecms a more conlidcr'd definition ', that indefinite Love is Luft i and Luflwhen it is determined to one, is Love > This defini- tion too but intrudes it fcif on what I was about to fay, wliich island fpoken with fobtrnels though like a Lay-man^ that Love is the mofl acceptable impofition of Niture,ihe caufeand prcftrvation of Life , and tlie very healthfulnefs, of the Mind, as well as of the Body i bur Luft ("our ra- ging Feavcr) is more dangerous in Cities, than the Ca- lenture in Ships. B Now \6 ihe Preface Now (Sir) 1 again al}[ you pardon , for I have again di-, grclTed j myin)nicdiare bufmcfs being totellyou^ That the diftempcrs of Love and Ambition are the onely Cha- radcrs I defign d to e^pofe as objed's of cerrour : and my purpofe was alfo to aflure you , that I never meant to pro- flitute Wickednefs in the Images of low and contempti- ble people, as if 1 expeded the meaneft of the multitude for my Readers (fince onely the Rabble is feen at common executions ) nor intended to raife iniquity to that height of horrour , till it might feem the fury of fomething worfe than a beaft. In order to the firft I believe the Spiivtam (who to deter their children from drunkennefsjaccuftom'd their Slaves to vomit before them ) did by fuch fulfom ex- amples J rather teach them to difdain the Slaves , than to loath Wine, for Men feldom take notice of the vice in ab- jcft perfons ,, efpecially where neceflicy conftrains it. And in obfervation of the fecond , 1 have thought, that thofe horrid fpeftades (when the latter race of GUdiators made up the excelTcs of Romane feafts j did more induce the Gucfts to deteft the cruelty of mankind,than increafe their courage by beholding fuch an impudent fcorn of Life. I have now given you theaccompt of fuch provifions as I made for this new Building; and you may next pleafe (having cxaminM the fubftance ) to take a view of the fornu and obferveiflhave methodically and with difcre- tion, dilpos'd of the materials , which with fome curiofity 1 have coUefted. I cannot difcern by any help from read- ing, or learned men, ( who have been to me the bcft and briefeft Indexes of Books ) that any Nation hath in repre- fentment of great a<^tions ( either by Hcroiclis or Drama.' tul(s) digeflcd Story intofo pleafanc and inftrud:ivea me- thod as the Englifh by their Drama : and by that regular fpecies ( though narratively and not in Dialogue) I have drawn the body of an Heroick Poem : In which I did not onely obfervc the Symmetrie (proportioning five Books to five A^s, and Civ.to's to Scc7>cs , (the Sceiics having their number ever govcrn'd by occafion) but all ihc JhadowingS', kappy to GONDIBE Rr. ij happy liroJiesjfccrct grace fy and even the drapery (which to- gerhor make the fecond beauty ) I have (I hope) exa for I had fo much hear ( which you , Sir , may call pride,\ iince pride may be allow'd in l\gafis , if it be a praile ro] other Horfes ) as to prefuiiic rhty might ( like the Works of Himir ere they were joyn'd together , and made VL Volume by the Athenian Kinp) be funi* at: Village- feafts; th ugh not to Monarchs after Vidory ,nor to Arivies before battel. For fo (as an infpiration of glory into the one, and of valour into the other) did HomrS Spirit , long after his bodies reft, wander in mulick about Greece. Thus you have the Model of what I have already builr, or fhall hereafter )cyn to the fame frame. If I be accusM of Innovation , or to have tranfgrefsM againft the method of the Ancients % I fhall think my felf fccure in beheving, that a Poet who ha:h wrought with his own inftruments ac a new deiign , is no more anwerable for difobedience to PrcdecelTours, than Uim-mai{cn are lyable tothofeold Laws which themfelveshave repealed. Having d^fcrib'd the outward frame, the large rooms within, tile lelTer conveyances , and now the furniture ; it were orderly to let you examine the matte^r of which that furniture is made : But though every OA'ner who hath the Vanity to fhew his ornamenr,or Hangings,muft endue the curiolity,and cenfureof him that beholds thennyct I ftiill not give you the trouble of enquiring what is, but tell you of what I dciign'd their fubftancev which is, nnt : And irit «s the laborious , and the lucky refultances of Thought,ha- ing towards its excellence (as we (ay of the Arokesof I'ainting) as well a happinefs as care, it is a Web confift- : ing of the fubt'lcft threds> and like that of the Spider , is \ confiderately woven out of our felves'-. for a Spidrr may be faid to confider, not onely rcfperting his folcmnefs and ta- cit pofture ( like a grave Scout in ambufh fo« his Enemy) bur becaufeall things done, are either fiom confideration, or rhauceiand the work of Chance are accompliOimentsof .u^ iuftanr, having commonly a diflimilitude h but hers arc the works of time,and have their contextures alike. B 3 "''' ao 7hc Preface i''it is not onely the luck anrf labour, but alfo the dexre- ritieof thought, rounding the world , like the Sun , with unim3ginahle motion^ and bringing fwiftly home- to the memoric, univtrlal furveys. It is rhc Souls Prnvdcr^which when luppreft (as forbidden from flying upward^ blows up the rcftrainr,and lofeth all force in a farther afcenfion to- wards Heaven ( the region of God ) and yet by nature is much lels able to make any inquilition downward towards Hell, the Ctl of the Dcvilj but breaks through all about it (as far as ihc ucmofi: it can reach) removes, uncovers,makes way for Light, where Darknefs was inclosM , till great bo- dies are more examinable by being fcattef d into parcels j and till ail that find its flrength (but moft of mankind are Grangers to wr , as Indians are to Powder ) worfhip it for the effcds,as derivM from the Deitie It is in Divines, Humilitie, Exemplarinefs and Moderation 'j in Statef-men, Gravitie, Vigilance, Benign ComplacenciejSecrecie, Pati- ence and Diipatch ', in Leaders of Armies, Valor, Painful- nefs, Ttmperancc,Bountie, Dexteritie in Punifhing and Rewarding, and a facred Certitude of Promife : It is in Poets, a full comprehenfion of all recited in all thefe? and an abilitie to bring thofe comprehenfions intoaftion,when they fhall fo far forget the true meafure of what is of great- eft confequence to humanitie, (which are things righteous, pleafant and ufefull) as to think the delights of Greatnefs equal to that of Poefiei or the Chiefs of any ProfefTion more nectifary to the world, than excellent Poets. Laflly, though A/'i: be not the envie of ignorant Men, 'tis often of evil Scatef-men, and of all fuch imperfed great fpirits , as have it in a lefs degree than Poets : for though no man en- vies the excellencieof ihat,wh5chin no proportion he ever tafted, ( as men cannot be faid to envie the condition of Angels) yet we may fay the Devil envies the Supremacie of God , becaufe he was in fome degree partaker of his glory. That which is not, yet is accounted, ?nV, Iwillbuc flcightly remember, v/hich fecms very incident to imperfeft youth, to GONDlBBRt. 21 youth, and fickly age \ Young men (as if they were noc quite deliver'd from Childhood ,whofe firft exercife is Lan- guage) imagine it confifts in the Mufick of Words , and believe they are made wife by refining their fpeech, above the vulgar Dialed; which is a miftake almoft as great as that of the people, who think Orators,( which is a title thac crowns at riper years thofe that have praftis'd the dexteri- tie of tongue) the ableft men; who are indeed fo much more unapt for governing, as they are mere fit for Sediti- on : and it may be faid of them as of the Witches of Nor- n'^)',who can fell a Storm for a Da//. r,which for Ten Thou- fand they cannot allay. From the efleem of fpeaking they proceed to the admiration of what are commonly calPd Conceits^ tffings that found like the knacks or toys of ordi- narie Epigrammatists: and from thence, after more conver- fation .ind varietie of objefts , grow up tx) fome force of Fa-ficic'j Yet even then, like young Hawks , they ftray and flie far off, ufing their libertie as if they would nere return to the Lure? and often go at check, ere they can make a fledie view, and know their game. Old men, that have forgot their firft Childhood and are returning-to their fccond, think it lies in agnom'mationsy and in a kind of an alike tinkling of words j or elfe in a grave telling of wonderfull things, or in comparing of times without a difcoverM partialities which they perform fo ill by favouring the part, that, as Vis obferv'd , if the bodies of men fhould grow lefs, though but an unmeafurable pro- portion in Seven years , yet reckoning from the Flond^thty would not remain in the Stature of Frogs*, So if Stares and particular perfons had impaired in government 5 and in- creased in wickednefs proportionably to what Old men af- firm they have done, from their own infancie to their age; all publick Policic had been longfmce Confufion, and the congregated World would not fuffice now to people a Village. The laft thing they fuppofe to be Jvit, is their bitter Mo- rals ,when they almoft declare themfclves Enemies to B 4 Youth 2 2 7he Preface. Y'outh ScBcainie'^by which fevcricie they feem cruel as He- rod whcMi he furpris'd the flccVing Children cf Uithlcm: for Youth is lo far from wanting Enemies,thac it is mortally its ownvfo unpradis'd,that it is every where cofenM more than a Hranger amo^g few f, & haih an inftrniitie cf fight mere Jui.'tfull than Blindnefs to Blind men*, for though it cannor chu'e the way it fcorns to be led. And Beautie , though many call thenifelves her Friends, ha:h few but fuch as are filfc to her : Though tlic Wrrld fetsher in a Throne, yec all about her (even her graved Counfellors ) are Traytors, though not in confpiracie, yet in their dillinft defigns'^and ro make her certain not onely of diftrefs but ruin , file is ever piuiuVl by her nioft cruel enemie,the great Deftroyer, Time. But I will proceed nofarther upon old men , nor in recording miflakes ; left finding fo many more , than there be Verities, we might btlicve we walk in as great obfcurity as the Egyptians when Darknefs was their Plague. Nor will I prefume to call the matter of which the Ornaments or Siibftantial parts of this Poem are compo^M, n7f *, but oncly tell you my endeavour was, in bringing Truth ( too often abfeiu) home to mens bofoms , to lead her through unfrequenttd and new ways, and from the moft remote Shades^ by reprefcnting Nature, though not in an affe^cd, yet in an uiual diefs. 'Tis now fit, after I have given you fo long a furvay of the Building, to render you fome accomptof the Builder, that you may know by what time , p:;iiis , and affiftants 1 have proceeded, or may hereafter finifh my work : and in this I fhall take occafion to accufe, and condemn, as papers unworthy of light, all thofe haftic digeftions of thought which were publiflicd in my Youth; a fentence not pro- nouncM out of nielancliolly rigour , but frcma cheerfuU obedienceto the juft authoritie.cf e: and that after obtaining more years > thofe muft needs vr^^'pheiie wieh ill lucctrls, who make life of thtir Vifions.in Wine > That when the ancient Poets were valu'd as Prophets, they were long and pain- fijJl in watching the coirefpondence of Caufcs.erc they prelimiM to foretel efiPcCis : awd th. t 'tis a high pefumpti- on ^o entertain a Nation (who arc I'octs ftanding Gueft, and require Monarchical refpe^tj with haflie provifions*, as if a Poet might imitate a familiar difparch of Faulkoners, mount his Tcg.^fifs , unhood his