No More Learning

Take then no vitious purge, but be content
With cordiall vertue, your knowne nourishment. 90


[the _&c. _ _1633-69:_ To the Countesse of B. _N_, _O'F_,
_TCD_]

[5 debt _1669_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ doubt _1633-54_]

[7 soe; _Ed:_ soe, _1633-54:_ soe. _1669_

_nothings_, _1635-54:_ _nothing_, _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_
_Nothing_ _1669_

may] may, _1633_]

[14 hath] have _1633:_ _om. _ _N_, _TCD_ (have _inserted_)

_Dian's_ _1635-54:_ Dian's _1633:_ _Dina's_ _1669_]

[20 or all It; You. _1635-54:_ or all it, you. _1669_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TCD:_ or all, in you. _1633_ (you, _some copies_)]

[25 Your (or you) vertue _O'F:_ Your, or you vertue,
_1633-54:_ You, or you vertue, _1669_]

[26 preserves. _Ed:_ preserves; _1633-69_]

[28 you:] you. _1633-39_]

[30 is some] it some _1633_]

[32 Stoop, others ills] Stoop (Stop _1633_) others ills,
_1633-54:_ Stoop others ills _1669_]

[34 excuse; _Ed:_ excuse, _1633-69_, _Grosart_ (_who
transposes_ should _and_ would), _Chambers:_ excuse _Grolier_.
_See note_

would: _Ed:_ would] _1633-69_]

[36 the hills. _Ed:_ the hills; _1633-69_]

[37 Philosophy. Phylosophy _1633 some copies_, _1669_]

[45 raise;] raise _1633_]

[46 this,] these _1669_]

[50 strayes; _Ed:_ strayes. _1633-69_]

[51 Let] Let but _1669_]

[54 Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove _Ed:_ Wee but
no forraine tyrants could, remove _O'F:_ Wee but no forraigne
tyrants could remove, _1633-54_ (tyrans _1633_): We, but no
forrain tyrants, could remove _1669_, _Chambers and Grolier_.
_See note_]

[55 dignities, _Ed:_ dignities _1633-69_]

[56 Palaces: _1633-35:_ Palaces. _1639-69_]

[58 not naturally free. _Ed:_ not naturally free; _1633_, _N_,
_TCD:_ borne naturally free; _1635-69_, _O'F_]

[59 prisons, new soules _1633:_ prisons now, soules _1635-69_,
_O'F:_ prisons, now soules _N_, _TCD_]

[60 vice _1635-69_, _O'F:_ it _1633_, _N_, _TCD_]

[66 That] That, _1633_

grow? _1639-69:_ grow. _1633-35_]

[74 ill. ] ill, _1633-35_]

[75 you, _1669:_ you _1635-54:_ your _1633_]

[78 suspition; _Ed:_ suspition. _1633-69_]

[79 makes] make _1635-39_]

[87 Commonwealth, . . . you,] _no commas 1633_]




_To the Countesse of_ Bedford.

_On New-yeares day. _


This twilight of two yeares, not past nor next,
Some embleme is of mee, or I of this,
Who Meteor-like, of stuffe and forme perplext,
Whose _what_, and _where_, in disputation is,
If I should call mee _any thing_, should misse. 5

I summe the yeares, and mee, and finde mee not
Debtor to th'old, nor Creditor to th'new,
That cannot say, My thankes I have forgot,
Nor trust I this with hopes, and yet scarce true
This bravery is, since these times shew'd mee you. 10

In recompence I would show future times
What you were, and teach them to'urge towards such.
Verse embalmes vertue;'and Tombs, or Thrones of rimes,
Preserve fraile transitory fame, as much
As spice doth bodies from corrupt aires touch. 15

Mine are short-liv'd; the tincture of your name
Creates in them, but dissipates as fast,
New spirits: for, strong agents with the same
Force that doth warme and cherish, us doe wast;
Kept hot with strong extracts, no bodies last: 20

So, my verse built of your just praise, might want
Reason and likelihood, the firmest Base,
And made of miracle, now faith is scant,
Will vanish soone, and so possesse no place,
And you, and it, too much grace might disgrace.