The Hesperides & Noble Numbers Part 85

The body's salt the soul is; which when gone, The flesh soon sucks in putrefaction.

1117. ABSTINENCE.

Against diseases here the strongest fence Is the defensive virtue, abstinence.

1118. NO DANGER TO MEN DESPERATE.

When fear admits no hope of safety, then Necessity makes dastards valiant men.

1119. SAUCE FOR SORROWS.

Although our suffering meet with no relief, _An equal mind is the best sauce for grief_.

1120. TO CUPID.

I have a leaden, thou a shaft of gold; Thou kill'st with heat, and I strike dead with cold.

Let's try of us who shall the first expire; Or thou by frost, or I by quenchless fire: _Extremes are fatal where they once do strike, And bring to th' heart destruction both alike_.

1121. DISTRUST.

Whatever men for loyalty pretend, _'Tis wisdom's part to doubt a faithful friend_.

1123. THE MOUNT OF THE MUSES.

After thy labour take thine ease, Here with the sweet Pierides.

But if so be that men will not Give thee the laurel crown for lot; Be yet a.s.sur'd, thou shall have one Not subject to corruption.

1124. ON HIMSELF.

I'll write no more of love; but now repent Of all those times that I in it have spent.

I'll write no more of life; but wish 'twas ended, And that my dust was to the earth commended.

1125. TO HIS BOOK.

Go thou forth, my book, though late: Yet be timely fortunate.

It may chance good luck may send Thee a kinsman, or a friend, That may harbour thee, when I With my fates neglected lie.

If thou know'st not where to dwell, See, the fire's by: farewell.

1126. THE END OF HIS WORK.

Part of the work remains; one part is past: And here my s.h.i.+p rides, having anchor cast.

1127. TO CROWN IT.

My wearied bark, O let it now be crown'd!

The haven reach'd to which I first was bound.

1128. ON HIMSELF.

The work is done: young men and maidens, set Upon my curls the myrtle coronet Washed with sweet ointments: thus at last I come To suffer in the Muses' martyrdom; But with this comfort, if my blood be shed, The Muses will wear blacks when I am dead.

_Blacks_, mourning garments.

1129. THE PILLAR OF FAME.

Fame's pillar here, at last, we set, Outduring marble, bra.s.s, or jet.

Charm'd and enchanted so As to withstand the blow Of o v e r t h r o w; Nor shall the seas, Or o u t r a g e s Of storms o'erbear What we uprear.

Tho' kingdoms fall, This pillar never shall Decline or waste at all; But stand for ever by his own Firm and well-fix'd foundation.

To his book's end this last line he'd have placed: _Jocund his muse was, but his life was chaste_.

HIS

n.o.bLE NUMBERS:

_OR_,

HIS PIOUS PIECES,

Wherein (amongst other things)

he sings the Birth of his CHRIST; and sighes for his _Saviours_ suffering on the _Crosse_.

HESIOD.

?de? ?e?dea p???? ???e?? ?t???s?? ???a.

?de? d', e?t' ?????e?, ?????a ???sas?a?.

[Ill.u.s.tration]