THE HISTORY OF Tarquin
and Lucretia.
QUeen of all Cities in the World was
Rome,
The Nations far and near did thither come
To see their Glory, and themselves to please
There being all things Land could yeild or Seas;
Here was the Pomp, the Splendor, Living-high,
The Grandees of the world and Bravery.
Never was seen so great, so rich a Court,
Gallants and Beauties here in Troops resort;
Chariots and Guilded Rooms held them by daies,
The nights were spent in Balls, Treats, Masks, and Plaies.
To give delight nothing was wanting here,
Their Houses brave and nobly furnish'd were.
Set off with Painting, Marbles, and the Glories
Of Pictures, Statues, and the Antient Stories
Adorn'd with Walks, with Gardens, Bathing Courts
What e're with Pleasures suited, or with Sports:
Their Vestures were most rich, no want of Treasures,
They melted and dissolv'd in sostest pleafures.
Great
Romulus first wall'd and built this Place,
Stole
Subine Wives and peopled it apace:
So that in stead of wild Woods, Fields and Downs,
He founds a City, and establish'd Crowns;
And from that time to this they still have kept
The Earth in Awe, and there securely slept.
Brave
Collatine a Roman Senatour
From the proud City liv'd not very far,
He lead a pleasant and contented life,
Enjoy'd the world, and had a handsom Wife,
Who was so good and vertuous too withall,
That they the chast
Lucretia did her call.
No man was happier in his Choice than he,
Or any woman better pleas'd than she;
They liv'd and lov'd most dearly, at that rate,
As all did envy, or else wish their fate:
The Gods did bless them, and their Joys promove,
To shew what sweet delights there dwelt in Love.
Who e're but view'd and saw their Loves combine,
Plainly beheld th' Almighties great Design
When first he
Adam made and gave him
Eve,
As one should both his soul and sense relieve,
And he be to her both a Guard and Guide,
And greater friend than all the world beside.
Lucretia now was Young and in her Prime
The Beautie and the wonder of her time;
Thick Aurean pleasant hair bedeck'd her head,
None was more fair, or lovelier white and red;
A round of Glory like the radiant Sun
Behem'd her still, as a new Morn begun.
A kind of pleasant Clouds enclasp'd her myen
Transparent, and beyond what e're was seen,
Her sprightly Ayre so wav'd about her face,
As if it might be caught in every place;
Her seatures were transcendent, such her charms,
None veiw'd her shape but wish'd her in his arms.
The Great men had her all in Admiration,
Yet ne're came near her but by Contemplation;
For she so careful of her honour was,
Lest by her means a stain should come to pass;
That she did surely all the waies prevent
Might be her crime or husbands discontent.
But the fierce
Tarquin who was Prince of
Rome
Came to her when her Husband was from home,
Pretending business from her noble Lord,
Or else with him she had not spoke a word,
For she imploy'd was in her house and sphear,
Surveighing of her business ev'ry where.
None had more order in her Family,
All did obey the dictates of her eye;
Tarquin the wonder of her ways admir'd,
The more he saw, the more he still desir'd,
But in discourse at last he told her plain,
His Errand was her kindest love to gain.
What should so fair a Lady live so long
From Court. There store of all Admirers throng;
In th' Countrie all is dull, while here are Plays,
And all divertisements your soul can raise;
Gallants to court you, love you, and commend you,
Whilst all the Glories in the world attend you.
Madam in short I burn in love with you;
And nought before could e're my heart subdue.
What
Rome can give or all the Earth beside
Shall be your Lot if I am not deny'd;
Pardon my seeming error, so great Love
Changeth from vice, and doth a vertue prove.
O Sir, quoth she, and trembling as she stood,
Powring forth of her Christal tears a flood;
I am already to another wed,
And will be truly loyal to his Beb;
Women are lost and nothing signifie
If once they let their same and honour die.
We must not trust our selves with men alone,
They who will trust can trusted be by none;
For if we play, and love to courted be,
We shall resign to Importunity;
There's none can promise what may happen to
One that will freely let all persons woe.
Who love to be admired but in Jest,
Are sure to lose their name if not the rest;
I scorn the dirty follies of this age,
Who after various mixtures lust and rage,
Who marriage make but as a stalking horse,
That they may sure and slyly act things worse.
As for the crowds in Cities do appear
I value not, I'm best contented here;
I seek not others honour, praise, or love,
My Glory's constant to my Lord to prove;
The foolish Gallants with their glittering Train
Appear to me ridiculous and vain.
I wonder what you did see in my face
Should make you think I'd yeild to this disgrace;
A light deport should ne're with women stay,
Their very looks should fright ill thoughts away:
He comes too near who comes to be deny'd,
Vertue should keep us pure, at least our Pride.
Dear Madam what d'yee mean to think that I
Would injure you, or make your honour fly;
I'le love you, and will do you all the good,
And for your sake will spend my life and blood;
But now by all that's sacred here I vow,
I would not hurt or else dishonour you.
Grant me your love, and I will ever be
Your perfect Slave and constant Votarie:
What is true honour you do much mistake,
Honour doth never us unhappy make;
Well manag'd Love's allow'd, for secresie
Makes it true friendship, not dishonesty.
Love is a kind and natural appetite,
None can resist it, or with nature fight,
No more than thirst, the Doctors preachments can
Alter its course no more than alter man;
Or yet can any love whom that they will,
But where it comes they must its law fulfill.
The Gods themselves this Passion all appro
[...]e,
And veile their Dieties to own their Love;
This made the Thunderer lay by his Crown,
And oft to Beauties on the Earth come down;
Love breeds such softness by its warming gleams,
Melting the hardest Rocks to running streams.
What law can your commanding Beauty bind,
Such glorious Creatures must not be confin'd;
The common Rules are for the common sort,
You are above the world and all report;
Such lovely souls as you are made to be
Surely for more than ones felicity.
Marriage is but a humour politick,
Collatine got you by some cheat or trick;
I wonder in my soul he dar'd aspire
To warm his Genius at your heavenly fire;
You are design'd for better things than these,
All Kings and Thrones you may command with ease.
Be gon you Messenger of Ribaldry,
How dare you thus to tempt my honesty;
You make as if I were beyond good fame,
And honour that's so great were but a name;
But you shall know though honour were asleep,
Reason and Piety my Soul shall keep.
Were it no crime, which yet it is the worst,
A Whore of all things in the world's accurst,
So mean to satisfie base mens disease,
And then to be thrust off when e're they please,
And hist at by the world, and thrown about
As vilest Caitiffs by the Revel Rout.
Speak not of naturalness, I know all vice
Have in you men a very natural rise;
And if this Passion could not be declin'd,
All things in common would be soon resign'd;
These are but fallacies, Reason's our Guide,
Nature from Honesty doth ne're divide.
What do you tell me that I am exempt
From Laws, That is a poor thing me to tempt,
I have a soul, and in that Honour find
Which Queens themselves as well as others bind,
And Love must not be common, or too free,
But always circumscrib'd with Loyaltie.
Greatness or Riches tempt me not at all,
There's few enjoy that which we happy call:
They'r foolish Girls that fancy gawdy Flies,
The soul and person only take the wise;
Where each are pleas'd with each beyond all chance,
They spurn at Crowns as but a poor advance.
What's Wealth, or Power, or Splendour more to me
Then I enjoy my self: Felicity
Is much mistaken by us Women when
We think we're happy in the greatest men;
They please themselves: When others please us do,
And they are only happy that live so.
Who can have more than I who have a friend,
That nought but death to Love can put an end;
What I defire I have, and I desire
Nothing but what true friendship doth require:
Love is the Star that leads us, nothing eases
Each others mind but what each other pleases.
The Bounds are set which you and I must keep,
And plain to all whose souls are not asleep:
Let single Persons please themseves in friends,
Marry'd must not have such unworthy ends;
They are not then their own, but each the others,
They must live chast and all ill Passion smother.
Why do you tell me of my Beauty so,
They only hansome are that hansome doe;
An ounce of Vertu's worth a load of Beauty,
Who hav't are bound to heaven in greater duty,
'Twas given to make us happy, not more lewd,
And turn such blessings to Ingratitude.
You Atheist would you marriage too profane,
And make me break the sacred oath I have tane:
This is worst yet to palliate the crime,
To make fools of the Gods from first of time;
Know that in keeping firm this holy Pact,
The Gods the being of the world enact.
What e're design before had either part,
Hymen once past nothing must change the heart;
All wounds are salved and bound up in Love,
Nothing should ever this great League remove;
For all excuses then they come too late,
Both sides must bow and buckle to their fate.
I like not that you should ill words bestow
On
Collatine, or think him to lay low
In my esteem, for that's the common cheat,
It is not outside or the name of great
My soul can charm, the Genius I admire,
How e're none but my Lord I will defire.
Kings are but little things in my esteem,
Nought doth to me so great as vertue seem;
Our Passions and our crimes subdue we must,
I'le not mix Poysons, but will still be just,
Or harbour ill, for
Collatine is he
Hath all my heart, and shall my constancy.
Madam one word, once understand but Love
These seeming Rocks will quickly from you move;
Love is a Pleasure you ne're understood,
There is a sprightly Ayre in flesh and blood,
Which once well ken'd all other things are folly,
This makes the hearts and souls of those so jolly.
Converse with Nature that will quickly tell
How many Pleasures in this Passion dwell;
Trees, Birds and Beasts, and Fishes in the Seas
Till they have chose their Loves are ne're at ease;
There is a Loving Fury feizeth all
In Sea, Air, Earth and Heaven, both great and small.
The lively winged people of the Sky
Sing their amours with chanting melody;
The Stars of heaven at one another dart,
Which only is a kind and loving Art.
Why should we fear at all then to be kind
When all things that have life are so inclin'd.
What's all the Glory men or times possess,
But whom they love to pleasure and Caress,
Riches, Garb, Splendor, tend to heighten Love,
And servants are as it doth turn and move;
Love is the great wheel, here moves Gods and men,
And when we come to heav'n we love agen.
Wherefore what is there ere can nobler be
Than this which is so good, so great, so free:
Kept up 'tis at so sweet so kind a rate
It wings us clear above the frowns of Fate.
Then all things else as follyes I despise,
And wait the sentence of your scornful eyes.
You make me first an Atheist, then instill
Sweet melting love, so have me at your will;
But be assur'd for all you are a Prince,
Yet all your slights and art will ne're convince;
Tarquin you miss your aim, 'twill never do,
Yet love I understand as well as you.
Vertue and Love together I adore
Beyond the
Indies or the richest Ore:
Religion, Duty, Love, then strive to shew
Each its affection, each for to outdoe;
For there's the pleasure when the Love is free
From guilt: But yours is nought but Treachery.
Where harbours Vertue, Love and Innocence,
Pleasures as high as heaven there comence.
These are those pious fervours well begun
From which streams of content apace do run.
Nothings so dear as harmony of Hearts,
There's what's in Kingdoms, Empires, Crowns, or Arts.
Whose humourous fancy's lead them to be great,
Some forreign matters still with dangers threat,
And trouble too or Treason doth attend,
But all things rest and sweeten in a friend:
Friendship is that all things and creatures woe
Makes Life more pleasant than all else can doe.
Yet these true solid joys ther's none can tell
But those that do in Love's fair Kingdom dwell;
And this breeds the true pleasure when we know,
'Tis honest, lawfull, and we may do so,
Then without fear we may resign to Love:
What was a crime a duty now doth prove.
We may live merry if our Bounds we keep,
Wine we may drink, but must not go too deep.
Then
Tarquin understand and be at rest,
I've all things in the world that please me best;
I'm pleas'd in my condition and nmy state,
And I'le as constant be as holy Fate.
But did I him not like, nought else I'd love,
Our fancies should not wander, rowl, or move;
We must not straggle or raise needless dust,
For who does so loves to create a Lust;
I love not to be call'd a light-heel'd Dame,
And thought to be regardless of my fame.
What a poor spirit 'tis to be undrest,
And at the will of man to play the Beast,
And ever after must remain their slave,
If any comfort in their lives will have,
And for a moments folly must endure
A whole Life's shame, and always be impure.
These are the words which she to
Tarquin spoke,
Which did him not appease but more provoke;
For the more chast and vertuous was she,
The greater mind to rifle her had he:
But when she saw she could not him subdue,
She turn'd about and to her chamber flew.
But as the swift foot Greyhound breaks the Air,
And runs with speed when that he sees the Hare;
So follow'd
Tarquin, and broke in before
That she had time to shut the Chamber door;
He quickly shew'd how ill he had been bred,
For presently he laid her on the Bed.
And there contemplated the lovely make
Of all her dainty Limbs, His eyes did take
The greatest pleasure that the Earth could give
To any mortal in this world and live:
She had such Beauty dwelt in ev'ry part,
Beyond discription of the Pen or Art.
He was in heat before, but now in flame,
Longing for to enjoy this curious frame;
His heart and blood and soul was now confounded,
Torrents of Love on all sides him surrounded
Oh Gods quoth he why do you mortals tempt,
Yet by your Laws from pleasures them exempt?
He was resolved now to ransack all
That men do chastity or beauty call,
And bless himself upon this sweet composure,
Thinking he ne're should have the like enclosure;
Wherefore he speeded to make use of time
This Lady being in her chiefest Prime.
And without fear unto those parts made way,
Which as affecting make her fly or stay:
But then she vow'd that if he left her breath,
Before she'd yeild she'd surely be his death;
And there Conjur'd him not to touch her more,
Yet like a Supliant did him there implore.
With that he fell down on his bended knees,
Begging to grant him those felicity's;
Told her his Passion and his mighty flame,
An hundred Alters should burn to her name;
And all the honour in the world should be
A Sacrifice unto her memory.
But she a thousand thousand tears let fall,
And said this day should be her funeral
Before this wrong that she would undetgoe,
And humbly pray'd this thing he would not doe:
Pity said she use not this cruelty,
This is the worst of inhumanity.
But nothing would his humour now withstand,
He laid her body at his sole command,
And rufled all her Garments very rudely,
That he might view her loveliness more lewdly;
Nothing would keep him back, for he was bent
To ravish her if she would not consent.
And then he told her plain that since she could
Not grant him his desires he force her would,
And after kill her and her Negro too,
And lay him by her side and all should know
That he enjoy'd you, and that I was there,
And kill'd you both as in the act you were.
This dreadful Story in her mind she mus'd,
She's loth to yeild, yet loth to be abus'd;
But what with fear at last his wrath and thunder,
He forc'd her purest chastity asunder;
And between Will ye Nill ye did enjoy
His hot desires, and after went his way.
But she did rave like one that was stark mad,
Nothing could ease her heart it was so sad:
O Fool said she was I to suffer this,
Better that I had dy'd than done amiss;
For then I'd left the world pure innocent,
Now I must kill my self for discontent.
I lost my honour honour to enjoy,
My body now polluted I'le destroy;
Yet why should I? consent I did not give,
Which makes the sin, however I'le not live:
Unhappy womens beauty, and their fears
That draw them in such plunges and such snares.
I'le never live a minute longer sure,
Since nothing now my honour can secure;
I hate to see the light or else mankind,
No comfort in my life at all I find:
My guilt so startles me, the world will say
Lucretia like the rest loves private play.
O fatal day, oh horrid accident,
That robs me thus of honour and content:
Tell me ye Higher-powers what course to take
That I may yet my life but happy make:
What fond word did I say, o
[...] there's no Power
Can ever, ever what I lost restore.
Then take me death, my Shrowd my Tomb prepare,
My burden'd soul shall straight possess the Air;
I'le sacrifice my self for to appease
The angry Gods, and give my spirits ease:
With that she set a dagger to her breast,
And sent her soul unto eternal rest.
Her Women gave such shreeks to see her fall
Quickly resounded in the high-roof'd Hall,
Piercing the ears of all within the place,
Which made then flock and thunder up apace;
Where, oh Misfortune, they their Lady found
Near to deaths borders by her own hands wound.
Just as this Hurry was in agitation
Comes
Collatine with many men of fashion,
Who dream'd some ill had hapned to his Wife,
Which made him post away as for his life;
For no man ever lov'd a woman better,
And she was never unto him a debter.
He came up to the house, and in at door,
But none did fee, yet heard them cry and rear;
At last one bolder than the rest came down
That told the news, at which his breath was gone;
But he recovering himself at last,
Up stairs he went to see what there had past,
And found the story true to his great grief,
And could not see a way to get relief:
He wrung his hands, invok'd, made horrid wishes,
Then gave her fainting limbs ten thousand kisses;
He call'd
Lucretia loud just by her side,
She answer'd, I am thine alone, then dy'd.
And so now past all hope she did depart,
Which last adieu was like to break his heart;
No Doctors means or art was left unsought,
But all experiments did come to nought;
Her countenance chang'd at last and she grew cold
As he her body in his arms did hold.
Friends then perswaded him to come away,
And would not let him in her chamber stay.
Poor
Collatine did rave and tore his hair,
And with his dismal mones did pierce the Air:
At last some little comfort eas'd his breath,
Vowing revenge for his
Lucretia's death.
Quoth he she was constant to me all her life,
None was more loving or a better Wife;
And at the last from me she would not stray,
Though
Tarquin fain would had her quite away;
But she vow'd to him she would die before
That ere she'd goe from out her husbands door.
Who hearts deceitful have, vain, light, or lewd
I'de let them drive amongst the multitude,
I would not be their Jayler, for this know
Where freedom wo'nt oblige nothing will do:
Whose Mistress cleaves to him he's bound t'adore,
But he is mad strives for anothers Whore;
Like unto
Marcus Cassiado
[...]e the great,
Who had a Wife both light was and a cheat,
Who rob'd her Husband, and concealed lay
While she with
Damasus had private play;
Yet
Marcus fought his Rival, but was kill'd,
Whose Wife had then her end when's blood was spill'd.
So pious
Marcus weltred on the ground
Whilst his base Wife did dress the others wound:
O cruel wretch was't not enough to do
To leave him, but thus persecute him too:
What horrid treacheries was founded here,
Hell gave her counsel, and her course did steer.
What stony heart can now from tears refrain,
To think that mortals should such crimes retain:
The barbarous Nations round about us here,
Never so savage or so rude appear;
Honour, Love, Laws, Religion, Gratiude
Are lost and buried in a heart so lewd.
But dear
Lucretia thou didst love me so,
Greater affection none could ever shew;
Hadst thou inconstant been or false to me,
I'd never be concern'd or fight for thee,
I'd let thee pine and sink in thy own shame;
But now I'm bound to vindicate thy name.
O all ye Gods in the celestial state
If Justice is not with you out of date,
As 'tis on Earth your powers I do invoke
To help me at this plunge, your holy book
I yeild to, and your hard'st decrees obey,
Your Alters still shall flame, I'le all dues pay.
If this be suffer'd who can live at rest,
None will be found to keep an honest breast,
Marriage esteem'd was always, for if that
Be once profan'd farewel the sacred knot
Of all society, then farewel Laws,
Ruine attends upon so bad a cause.
Nature it self in Love commands Propriety,
Else no good off-springs would be or society,
No care of Child or how to manage Land,
But every one would grasp what comes to hand;
All Children would be Bastards, Men Deceivers,
No Government, Religion, or Believers.
All hold propriety a thing most dear,
But nothing ever like a Wife so near;
With that he paus'd: but could not grief asswage,
But plots the founding of a tragick age;
Strange Sceans are laid, confusions quickly flow,
Brutus the Rebel closes with him too,
And helpt the broyl: quoth he, we're void of fear,
All this whole Province for you will appear;
Collatia is already up in Arms,
And vow to keep you from all future harms.
I'le lead the forces and maintain the day,
Command me as your slave I will obey.
Now nought but quarrels gave their hearts contentment
These humours in their breasts had such resentment.
Armes at all points, nothing will them debar,
They'd Peace so long, that they are mad for War;
Both sides make ready, now the battle comes,
Which gives to many unexpected Tombs.
How thick the Hills were spred with lookers on,
While some for victory to the Templerun;
What shreiks are heard sometimes, then Trumpet sounds
Whet up their courage and their foesconfounds:
Here bodies mangled are, what direful slaughters,
What cries of mournful Widows, Wives and Daughters.
To tell of all the furies, heats, enragements,
Raunges of Battle, and the fierce Engagements:
Who lead the Wings of Horse up, who the Foot,
Which side gave ground, and which the best stood too't
Requires a Volume: and besides black night
Now summons both the Armies to retreat.
So here I'le leave and do as the Romances,
Lead up your thoughts with many pretty fancies.
Then leave you in a Cloud, and never close,
For then your mind would have too much repose;
But then 'tis best: when thoughts still farther bend,
For there the pleasure never hath an End.
FINIS.