NATURE

NAture descends from far above the spheres, To frolic here in fair Utopia, Wheremy chief works do flourish in their prime, And wanton in their first simplicity. Here I survey the pictured firmament, With hurtless flames in concave of the Moon, The liquid substance of the welkins waste: Where moistures treasury is clouded up, The mutual Jointure of all swelling seas, And all the creatures which their waves contain, Lastly the rundle of this Massive earth, From utmost face unto the Centers point, All these, and all their endless circumstance, Here I survey, and glory in my self. But what means Discord so to knit the brows, With sorrows cloud eclipsing our delights? I tell thee Discord while you twain attend On Nature's train, your work must prove but one, And in your selves though you be different, Yet in my service must you well agree. For Nature works her will from contraries, But see where our Utopian Shepherds come. Stand up, and tell the sum of your desire, The boon were great that Nature would not grant: It ever was and shall be still my joy, With wholesome gifts to bless my workmanship. A female shall you have my lovely swains, Like to your selves, but of a purer mould: Mean while go hence, and tend your tender flocks, And when I send her, see you hold her deer. Exeunt Shepherds, singing a roundelay in praise of Nature. Now Virgins put your hands to holy work, That we may frame new wonders to the world. They draw the Curtains from before Nature's shop, where stands and Image clad and some unclad, they bring forth the clothed image. When I arayde this lifeless Image thus, It was decreed in my deep providence, To make it such as our Utopians crave, A merror of the earth, and heavens despite, The matter first when it was void of form, Was purest water, earth, and air, and fire, And when I shaped it in a matchlesle mould, (Whereof the like was never seen before) It grew to this impression that you see, And wants nothing now but life and soul. But life and soul I shall inspire from heaven. So hold it fast, till with my quickening breath, I kindle inward seeds of sense and mind. Now fire be turned to choler, air to blood, Water to humour purer then it self, And earth to flesh more clear then Crystal rock. And Discord stand aloof, that Concords hands, May join the spirit with the flesh in league. Concord fast embraceth the Image. Then let her stand or move or walk alone. The Image walks about fearfully. Herein hath Nature gone beyond her self, And heaven will grudge at beauty of the earth, When it espies a second son below. Discord, unloose her tongue, to serve her turn, For in distress that must be her defence: And from that root will many mischiefs grow, If once she spot her state of innocence. Image speaks. Pandora kneeling. Hail heavenly Queen, the author of all good, Whose will hath wrought in me the fruits of life, And filled me with and understanding soul, To know the difference betwixt good and bade. Nature lifting her up. I make thee for a solace unto men, And see thou follow our commanding will. Now art thou Nature's glory and delight, Compact of every heavenly excellence: Thou art indowd with Satur's deep conceit Thy mind as hawte as Jupiters high thoughts, Thy stomach Lion-like, Like Mavors heart, Thine eyes bright beamde, Like Solemnizing in his array, Thy cheeks more fair, then are fair Venus cheeks, Thy tongue more eloquent then Mercuries, Thy forehead whiter then the silver Moons: Thus have I robbed the Planets for thy sake. Beside all this, thou hast proud Juno's arms, Aurora's hands, and lovely Thetis foot: Use all these well, and Nature is thy friend, But use them ill, and Nature is thy foe. Now that thy name may suit thy qualities, I give to thee Pandora for thy name. What foul contempt is this you Planets use Against the glory of my words and work? It was my will, and that shall stand for law, And she is framed to darken all your prides. Ordained not I your motions, and your selves? And dare you check the author of your lives? Were not your lights contriude in Nature's shop? But I have means to end what I begun. And make Death triumph in your lives decay: If thus you cross the meed of my deserts, Be sure I will dissolve your harmony, When once you touch the fixed perjod: Mean while I leave my worthy workmanship Here to obscure the pride of your disdain. Exit. Envious planets you have done your worst. Yet in despite of you Pandora lives, And seeing the shepherd's have abjured her love, She shall be placed in one of your seven orbs. But thou that hast not served her as I wild, Vanish into a Haythorne as thou standest Near shalt thou wait upon Pandora more. I'll have thee be her vassal, murmur not. Now rule Pandora in fair Cynthia's steed, And make the moon inconstant Like thy self, Reign thou at women's nuptials, and their birth, Let them be mutable in all their loves. Fantastical, childish, and foolish, in their desires, Demanding toys: and stark mad When they cannot have their will. Now follow me you wandering lights of heaven, And grieve not, that she is not placed with you, All you shall glance at her in your aspects, And in conjunction dwell with her a space. I charge thee follow her, but hurt her not. Speak my Pandora where wilt thou be? And Stesias since thou settest so light on her, Be thou her slave, and follow her in the Moon.