Giles and Phineas Fletcher Volume 1; Poetical Works (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ...scrue into their conscience; Or with steel, poyson, dagges dislodge the sprite. If any quench or dampe this Orient light, Or foile great Jesus name, it is the Jesuite. When late our whore of Rome was disaray'd, Strip't of her pall, and skarlet ornaments, And all her hidden filth lay broad displayd, Her putride pendant bagges, her mouth that sents As this of hell, her hands with scabbes array'd, Her pust'led skin with ulcer'd excrements; Her friends fall off; and those that lov'd her best, Grow sicke to think of such a stinking beast: And her, and every limbe that touch't her, much detest. 3 Who help't us then? Who then her case did rue? These, onely these their care, and art appli'de To hide her shame with tires, and dressing new: They blew her bagges, they blanch't her leprous hide, And on her face a lovely pidture drew. But most the head they pranck't in all his pride With borrowed plumes, stolne from antiquitie: Him with blasphemous names they dignine; Him they enthrone, adore, they crowne, they deifie. 31 As when an image gnawne with wormes, hath lost His beautie, forme, respedt, and lofty place, Some cunning hand new trimmes the rotten post, Filles up the worme-holes, paints the soyled face With choicest colours, spares no art, or cost With precious robes the putride trunck to grace. Circles the head with golden beames, that shine Like rising Sun: the Vulgar low incline; And give away their soules unto the block divine. 32 So doe these Dedale workmen plaster over, And smooth that Stale with labour'd polishing; So her defedts with art they finely cover, Cloth her, dresse, paint with curious colouring: So every friend againe, and every lover Returnes, and doates through their neate pandaring: They fill her cup, on knees drinke healths to th' whore; The d...