And they would, when he did rise,
Do him early Sacrifice
Of the rich, and purest Gum,
That from any Plant could come;
And would look at him as far
As they could discern his Carr:
Grieving that they might not ever
See him; and when Night did sever
Their Aspects, they sate and wept
Till he came, and never slept:
Insomuch, that at the length
This their Fervor gat such strength,
As they would a Journey prove,
By the guard, and aid of Love.
Hither to the farthest West:
Where they heard, as in the East,
He a Palace, no less bright,
Had, to Feast in every Night
With the Ocean, where he rested
Safe, and in all state invested.
I, that never left the side
Of the Fair, became their Guide.
But behold, no sooner landing
On (a) this Isle, but this commanding
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(a) The
meaning
of this is, that these Ladies being the perfect issue of Beauty, and all
worldly grace, were carried by Love to celebrate the Majesty and
Wisdom of the King, figur'd in the Sun, and seated in these extreme
parts of the World; where they were rudely received by Ignorance,
on their first approach, to the hazard of their Affection, it being
her Nature to hinder all Noble Actions; but that the Love which
brought them thither, was not willing to forsake them, no more than
they were to abandon it; yet was it enough perplex'd, in that the
Monster Ignorance still covets to enwrap it self in dark and obscure
terms, and betray that way, whereas true Love affects to express it
self, with all clearness and simplicity.
Monster Sphynx, the Enemy
Of all Actions great, and high,
Knowing, that these Rites were done
To the wisdom of the Sun,
From a Cliff surpriz'd them all.
And, though I did humbly fall
At her Lyons feet, and pray'd
As she had the face of Maid,
That she would Compassion take
Of these Ladies, for whose sake
Love would give himself up; she
Swift to evil, as you see
By her wings, and hooked hands,
First did take my offer'd bands,
Then, to Prison of the Night
Did condemn those Sisters bright,
There, for ever to remain,
'Less they could the knot un-strain
Of a Riddle, which she put,
Darker, than where they're shut:
Or, from thence their freedoms prove
With the utter loss of Love.
They unwilling to forego
One, who had deserved so
Of all beauty, in their names,
Were content to have their flames
Hid in lasting Night, e're I
Should for them untimely dy.
I, on th'other side as glad
That I such advantage had,
To assure them mine, engag'd
Willingly my self, and wag'd
With the Monster, that if I
Did her Riddle not unty,
I would freely give my Life
To redeem them, and the strife.
S P H Y N X.
Ha' you said, Sir? Will you try,
Now, your known dexterity?
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You presume, upon your Arts,
Of tying, and untying Hearts:
And it makes you confident;
But, anon, you will repent.
L O V E.
No, Sphynx, I do not presume,
But some little heart assume
From my Judges here, that sit
As they would not lose Love yet.
S P H Y N X.
You are pleasant, Sir, 'tis good.
L O V E.
Love do's often change his mood.
S P H Y N X.
I shall make you sad agen.
L O V E.
I shall be the sorrier, then.
S P H Y N X.
Come, Sir, lend it your best Ear.
L O V E.
I begin t'have half a Fear.
S P H Y N X.
First, Cupid, you must cast about
To find a World the World without,
Wherein what's done, the Eye doth do;
And is the light, and treasure too.
This Eye still moves, and still is fixed,
And in the powers thereof are mixed
Two Contraries; which time, till now,
Nor Fate knew where to join, or how.
Yet, if you hit the right upon,
You must resolve these, all, by one.
L O V E.
Sphynx, you are too quick of tongue:
Say't again, and take me along:
S P H Y N X.
I say, you first must cast about
To find a World, the World without.
L O V E.
I say, that is already done,
And is the new World i'th'Moon.
S P H Y N X.
Cupid, you do cast too far;
This World is nearer by a Star.
So much light I'le give you to't.
L O V E.
Without a Glass? Well, I shall do't.
Your World's a Lady, then; each creature
Humane, is a World in feature,
Is it not?
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