The plague of Athens which hapned in the second year of the Peloponnesian Warr / first described in Greek by Thucydides, then in Latin by Lucretius, now attempted in English by Tho. Sprat. Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713. 1667 Approx. 55 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 21 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A61164 Wing S5041 ESTC R31007 11761329 ocm 11761329 48692 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A61164) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 48692) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1493:6) The plague of Athens which hapned in the second year of the Peloponnesian Warr / first described in Greek by Thucydides, then in Latin by Lucretius, now attempted in English by Tho. Sprat. Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713. Thucydides. Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679. [7], 6, 24 p. Printed by E.C. for Henry Brome ..., London : 1667. "Let this book be printed, Roger L'Estrange, March 28, 1665" from verso t.p. "Contents : Thucydides, Lib. 2, As it is excellently translated by Mr. Hobbs." on p. 1-6 (first numbering) Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Greece -- History -- Peloponnesian War, 431-404 B.C. -- Poetry. 2006-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-05 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-06 Derek Lee Sampled and proofread 2006-06 Derek Lee Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE Plague of Athens , Which hapned in the SECOND YEAR OF HE Peloponnesian Warr. First described in Greek by Thucydides ; Then in Latin by Lucretius . Now attempted in English , By THO. SPRAT . LONDON , Printed by E. C. for Henry Brome at the Gun in Ivy-lane , 1667. Let this Book be Printed , Roger L'Estrange . March 28. 1665. To my VVorthy and Learned Friend , Dr. Walter Pope , late Proctor of the University of Oxford . SIR , I Know not what pleasure you could take in bestowing your commands so unprofitably , unless it be that for which Nature sometimes cherishes and allows Monsters , The love of Variety . This only delight you will receive by turning over this rude and unpolisht Copy , and comparing it with my excellent Patterns , the Greek and Latin. By this you will see how much a noble Subject is chang'd and disfigured by an ill hand , and what reason Alexander had to forbid his Picture to be drawn but by some celebrated Pencil . In Greek Thucydides so well and so lively expresses it , that I know not which is more a Poem , his description , or that of Lucretius . Though it must be said , that the Historian had a vast advantage over the Poet ; He having been present on the place , and assaulted by the disease himself , had the horror familiar to his Eyes , and all the shapes of the misery still remaining on his mind , which must needs make a great impression on his Pen and Fancie . Whereas the Poet was forced to allow his foot-steps , and onely work on that matter he allow'd him . This I speak , because it may in some measure too excuse my own defects : For being so far remov'd from the place whereon the disease acted his Tragedy ; and time having denied us many of the circumstances , customes of the Countrey , and other small things which would be of great use to any one who did intend to be perfect on the subject ; besides only writing by an Idaea of that which I never yet saw , nor care to feel , ( being not of the humor of the Painter in Sir Philip Sidney , who thrust himself into the midst of a Fight , that he might the better delineate it . ) Having , I say , all these disadvantages , and many more , for which I must onely blame my self , it cannot be expected that I should come near equalling him , in whom none of the contrary advantages were wanting . Thus then , Sir , by emboldning me to this rash attempt , you have given opportunitie to the Greek and Latin to Triumph over our Mother tongue . Yet I would not have the honour of the Countries or Languages engaged in the comparison , but that the inequality should reach no farther than the Authors . But I have much reason to fear the just indignation of that excellent Person , ( the present Ornament and Honour of our Nation ) whose way of writing I imitate : for he may think himself as much injured by my following him , as were the Heavens by that bold man's counterfeiting the sacred and unimitable noise of Thunder by the sound of Brass and Horses hoofs . I shall only say for my self , that I took Cicero's advice , who bids us in imitation propose the Noblest pattern to our thoughts ; for so we may be sure to be raised above the common Level , though we come infinitely short of what we aim at . Yet I hope that renowned Poet will have none of my crimes any way reflect on himself ; for it was not any fault in the excellent Musician , that the weak Bird , indeavouring by straining its throat , to follow his Notes , destroyed her self in the Attempt . Well , Sir , by this , that I have chosen rather to expose my self than be disobedient , you may ghess with what zeal and hazard I strive to approve my self , SIR , Your most Humble and Affectionate Servant , THO. SPRAT . THUCYDIDES , Lib. 2. As it is excellently Translated by Mr. Hobbs . IN the very beginning of Summer , the Peloponnesians , and their Confederates , with two thirds of their forces , as before invaded Attica , under the conduct of Archidamus , the son of Zeuxidamas , King of Lacedaemon , and after they had encamped themselves , wasted the Countrey about them . They had not been many dayes in Attica , when the Plague first began amongst the Athenians , said also to have seized formerly on divers other parts , as about Lemnos , and elsewhere ; but so great a Plague , and Mortality of Men , was never remembred to have hapned in any place before . For at first , neither were the Physicians able to cure it , through ignorance of what it was , but died fastest themselves , as being the men that most approach'd the sick , nor any other art of man availed whatsoever . All supplications to the Gods , and enquiries of Oracles , and whatsoever other means they used of that kind , proved all unprofitable ; insomuch as subdued with the greatness of the evil , they gave them all over . It began ( by report ) first , in that part of Aethiopia that lieth upon Aegypt , and thence fell down into Aegypt and Afrique , and into the greatest part of the Territories of the King. It invaded Athens on a sudden , and touched first upon on those that dwelt in Pyraeus , insomuch as they reported that the Peloponnesians had cast poyson into their Wells ; for Springs there were not any in that place . But afterwards it came up into the high City , and then they died a great deal faster . Now let every man , Physician , or other , concerning the ground of this sickness , whence it sprung , and what causes he thinks able to produce for great an alteration , speak according to his own knowledge ; for my own part , I will deliver but the manner of it , and lay open only such things , as one may take his Mark by , to discover the same if it come again , having been both sick of it my self , and seen others sick of the same . This year , by confession of all men , was of all other , for other Diseases , most free and healthful . If any man were sick before , his disease turned to this ; if not , yet suddenly , without any apparent cause preceding , and being in perfect health , they were taken first with an extream ache in their Heads , redness and inflamation of the Eyes ; and then inwardly their Throats and Tongues grew presently bloody , and their breath noysome and unsavory . Upon this followed a sneezing and hoarsness , and not long after , the pain , together with a mighty cough , came down into the brest . And when once it was setled in the Stomach , it caused vomit , and with great torment came up all manner of bilious purgation that Physicians ever named . Most of them had also the Hickeyexe , which brought with it a strong Convulsion , and in some ceased quickly , but in others was long before it gave over . Their bodies outwardly to the touch , were neither very hot , nor pale , but reddish , livid , and beflowred with little pimples and whelks ; but so burned inwardly , as not to endure any the lightest cloaths or linnen garment to be upon them , nor any thing but meer nakedness , but rather , most willingly to have cast themselves into the cold water . And many of them that were not looked to , possessed with insatiate thirst , ran unto the Wells ; and to drink much , or little , was indifferent , being still from ease and power to sleep as far as ever . As long as the disease was at the height , their bodies wasted not , but resisted the torment beyond all expectation , insomuch as the most of them either died of their inward burning in 9 or 7 dayes , whilest they had yet strength , or if they escaped that , then the disease falling down into their bellies , and causing there great exulcerations and immoderate loosness , they died many of them afterwards through weakness : For the disease ( which took first the head ) began above , and came down , and passed through the whole body ; and he that overcame the worst of it , was yet marked with the loss of his extreme parts ; for breaking out both at their Privy-members ; and at their Fingers and Toes , many with the loss of these escaped . There were also some that lost there Eyes , & many that presently upon their recovery were taken with such an oblivion of all things whatsoever , as they neither knew themselves nor their acquaintance . For this was a kind of sickness which far surmounted all expression of words , and both exceeded Humane Nature , in the cruelty wherewith it handled each one , and appeared also otherwise to be none of those diseases that are bred amongst us , and that especially by this . For all , both Birds and Beasts , that use to feed on Humane flesh , though many men lay abroad unburied , either came not at them , or tasting perished . An Argument whereof as touching the Birds , is the manifest defect of such Fowl , which were not then seen , neither about the Carcasses , or any where else ; but by the Dogs , because they are familiar with Men , this effect was seen much clearer . So that this disease ( to pass over many strange particulars of the accidents that some had differently from others ) was in general such as I have shewn ; and for other usual sicknesses , at that time , no man was troubled with any . Now they died , some for want of attendance , and some again with all the care and Physick that could be used . Nor was there any , to say , certain Medicine , that applied must have helped them ; for it did good to one , it did harm to another ; nor any difference of Body for strength or weakness that was able to resist it ; but it carried all away what Physick soever was administred . But the greatest misery of all was the dejection of Mind , in such as found themselves beginning to be sick , ( for they grew presently desperate , and gave themselves over without making any resistance ) as also their dying thus like Sheep , infected by mutual visitation : For if men forbore to visit them for fear , then they dyed forlorn , whereby many Families became empty , for want of such as should take care of them . If they forbore not , then they died themselves , and principally the honestest men . For out of shame , they would not spare themselves , but went in unto their friends , especially after it was come to this pass , that even their Domesticks , wearied with the lamentations of them that died , and overcome with the greatness of the calamity , were no longer moved therewith . But those that were recovered , had much compassion both on them that died , and on them that lay sick , as having both known the misery themselves and now no more subject to the like danger : For this disease never took any man the second time so as to be mortal . And these men were both by others counted happy , and they also themselves , through excess of present joy , conceived a kind of light hope , never to die of any other sickness hereafter . Besides the present affliction , the reception of the Countrey people , and of their substance into the City , oppressed both them , and much more the people themselves that so came in . For having no Houses , but dwelling at that time of the year in stifling Booths , the Mortality was now without all form ; and dying men lay tumbling one upon another in the streets , and men half dead about every Conduit through desire of water . The Temples also where they dwelt in Tents , were all full of the dead that died within them ; for oppressed with the violence of the Calamity , and not knowing what to do , Men grew careless , both of Holy and Prophane things alike . And the Laws which they formerly used touching Funerals , were all now broken ; every one burying where he could find room . And many for want of things necessary , after so many deaths before , were forced to become impudent in the Funerals of their Friends . For when one had made a Funeral Pile , another getting before him , would throw on his dead , and give it fire . And when one was in burning , another would come , and having cast thereon him whom he carried , go his way again . And the great licentiousness , which also in other kinds was used in the City , began at first from this disease . For that which a man before would dissemble , and not acknowledge to be done for voluptuousness , he durst now do freely , seeing before his Eyes such quick revolution , of the rich dying , and men worth nothing inheriting their Estates ; insomuch as they justified a speedy fruition of their Goods , even for their pleasure , as Men that thought they held their Lives but by the day . As for pains , no man was forward in any action of Honour , to take any , because they thought it uncertain whether they should die or not , before they atchieved it . But what any man knew to be delightful , and to be profitable to pleasure , that was made both profitable and honourable . Neither the fear of the Gods , nor Laws of men , awed any man. Not the former , because they concluded it was alike to worship or not worship , from seeing that alike they all perished : nor the latter , because no man expected that lives would last , till he received punishment of his crimes by Judgements . But they thought there was now over their heads some far greater Judgement decreed against them ; before which fell , they thought to enjoy some little part of their Lives . The Plague of ATHENS . I. UNhappy Man ! by nature made to sway , And yet is every Creatures prey , Destroy'd by those that should his power obey . Of the whole World we call Man-kind the Lords , Flattring our selves with mighty words ; Of all things we the Monarchs are , And so we rule , and so we domineer ; All creatures else about us stand Like some Praetorian Band , To guard , to help , and to defend ; Yet they sometimes prove Enemies , Sometimes against us rise ; Our very Guards rebel , and tyrannize . Thousand Diseases sent by Fate , ( Unhappy Servants ! ) on us wait ; A thousand Treacheries within Are laid weak Life to win ; Huge Troops of Maladies without , ( A grim , a meager , and a dreadful rout : ) Some formal Sieges make , And with sure slowness do our Bodies take ; Some with quick violence storm the Town , And all in a moment down : Some one peculiar sort assail , Some by general attempt prevail . Small Herbs , alas , can only us relieve , And small is the assistance they can give ; How can the fading Off spring of the Field Sure health and succour yield ? What strong and certain remedie ? What firm and lasting life can ours be ? When that which makes us live , doth ev'ry Winter die ? II. Nor is this all , we do not only breed Within ourselves the fatal seed Of change , and of decrease in ev'ry part , Head , Bellie , Stomach , and the Root of Life the Heart , Not only have our Autumn , when we must Of our own Nature turn to Dust , When Leaves and fruit must fall ; But are expos'd to mighty Tempests too , Which do at once what that would slowlie do , Which throw down Fruit and Tree of Life withal . From ruine we in vain Our bodies by repair maintain , Bodies compos'd of stuff , Mouldring and frail enough ; Yet from without as well we fear A dangerous and destructful VVar , From Heaven , from Earth , from Sea , from Air. VVe like the Roman Empire should decay , And our own force would melt away By the intestine jar Of Elephants , which on each other prey , The Caesars and the Pompeys which within we bear : Yet are ( like that ) in danger too Of forreign Armies , and external foe , Sometimes the Gothish and the barbarous rage Of Plague or Pestilence , attens Mans age , Which neither Force nor Arts asswage ; Which cannot be avoided , or withstood , But drowns , and over-runs with unexpected Flood . III. On Aethiopia , and the Southern-sands , The unfrequented Coasts , and parched Land , Whither the Sun too kind a heat doth send , ( The Sun , which the worst Neighbour is , and the best Friend ) Hither a mortal influence came , A fatal and unhappy flame , Kindled by Heavens angry beam . With dreadful frowns the Heavens scattered here Cruel infectious heats into the Air , Now all their stores of poyson sent , Threatning at once a general doom , Lavisht out all their hate , and meant In future Ages to be innocent , Not to disturb the World for many years to come . Hold ! Heavens hold ! Why should your Sacred Fire , Which doth to all things Life inspire , By whose kinde beams you bring Each year on every thing , A new and glorious Spring , Which doth th' Original seed Of all things in the womb of Earth that breed , With vital heat and quick'ning feed , VVhy should you now that heat imploy , The Earth , the Air , the Fields , the Cities to annoy ? That which before reviv'd , why should it now destroy ? IV. Those Africk Desarts strait were double Desarts grown , The rav'nous Beasts were left alone , The rav'nous beasts then first began To pity their old enemy Man , And blam'd the Plague for what they would themselves have done . Nor stay'd the cruel evil there , Nor could be long confin'd unto one Air , Plagues presently forsake The Wilderness which they themselves do make , Away the deadly breaths their journey take . Driven by a mighty wind , They a new booty and fresh for age find . The loaded wind went swiftly on , And as it past was heard to sigh and groan . On Aegypt next it seiz'd , Nor could but by a general ruine be appeas'd . Aegypt in rage back on the South did look , And wondred thence should come th' unhappy stroke , From whence before her fruitfulness she took . Egypt did now curse and revile Those very Lands from whence she has her Nile ; Egypt now fear'd another Hebrew God , Another Angels Hand , a second Aarons Rod. V. Then on it goes , and through the Sacred Land It s angry Forces did command , But God did place an Angel there , Its violence to withstand , And turn into another road the putrid Air. To Tyre it came , and there did all devour , Though that by Seas might think it self secure : Nor staid , as the great Conquerors did , Till it had fill'd and stopt the tyde , Which did it from the shore divide , But past the waters , and did all possess , And quickly all was wilderness . Thence it did Persia over-run , And all that Sacrifice unto the Sun ; In every limb a dreadful pain they felt , Tortur'd with secret coals did melt ; The Persians call'd upon their Sun in vain , Their God increas'd the pain . They lookt up to their God no more , But curse the beams they worshipped before , And hate the very fire which once they did adore . VI. Glutted with ruine of the East , She took her wings and down to Athens past ; Just Plague ! which dost no parties take , But Greece as well as Persia sack . VVhile in unnatural quarrels they ( Like Frogs and Mice ) each other slay ; Thou in thy ravenous claws took'st both away . Thither it came , and did destroy the Town , VVhilst all its Ships and Souldiers lookt upon : And now the Asian Plague did more Than all the Asian Force could do before . VVithout the VValls the Spartan Army sate , The Spartan Army came too late ; For now there was no farther work for fate . They saw the City open lay , An easie and bootless prey , They saw the rampires empty stand , The Fleet , the VValls , the Forts Unman'd . No need of cruelty or slaughters now The Plague had finisht what they came to do : They might now unresisted enter there , Did they not the very Air , More than th' Athenians fear . The Air it self to them was wall , and bulwarks too . VII . Unhappy Athens ! it is true , thou wert The poudest work of Nature and of Art : Learning and strength did thee compose , As soul and body us : But yet thou only thence art made A nobler prey for Fates t' invade . Those mighty numbers that within thee breath , Do only serve to make a fatter feast for Death . Death in the most frequented places lives , Most tribute from the croud receives ; And though it bears a sigh , and seems to own A rustick life alone : It loves no VVilderness , No scattred Villages , But mighty populous Palaces , The throng , the tumult , and the town ; VVhat strange , unheard of Conqueror is this , VVhich by the forces that resist it doth increase ! VVhen other Conquerors are Oblig'd to make a slower war , Nay sometimes for themselves may fear , And must proceed with watchful care , VVhen thicker troops of enemies appear ; This stronger still , and more successeful grows ; Down sooner all before it throws , If greater multitudes of men do it oppose . VIII . The Tyrant first the haven did subdue , Lately the Athenians ( it knew ) Themselves by wooden walls did save , And therefore first to them th' infection gave , Least they new succour thence receive . Cruel Fyraeus ! now thou hast undone , The honour thou before hadst wone : Not all thy Merchandize , Thy wealth , thy treasuries , VVhich from all Coasts thy Fleet supplies , Can to atone this crime suffice . Next o're the upper Town it spread , VVith mad and undiscerned speed , In every corner , every street , VVithout a guide did set its feet , And too familiar every house did greet . Unhappy Greece of Greece ! great Theseus now Did thee a mortal injury do , VVhen first in walls he did thee close , VVhen first he did thy Citizens reduce , Houses and Government , and Laws to use . It had been better if thy people still Dispersed in some field , or hill , Though Salvage , and undisciplin'd did dwell , Though barbarous , untame , and rude , Than by their numbers thus to be subdu'd ; To be by their own swarms anoid , And to be civilized only to be destroid . IX . Minerva started when she heard the noise , And dying mens confused voice . From Heaven in haste she came to see VVhat was the mighty prodigie . Upon the Castle pinacles she sate , And dar'd not nearer fly , Nor midst so many deaths to trust her very Deity . VVith pitying look she saw at every gate Death and destruction wait ; She wrung her hands , and call'd on Jove , And all th' immortal powers above ; But though a Goddess now did pray , The Heavens refus'd , and turn'd their ear away . She brought her Olive , and her Shield , Neither of these Alas ! assistance yeild . She lookt upon Medusaes face , Was angry that she was Her self of an Immortal Race , Was angry that her Gorgons head Could not strike her as well as others dead ; She sate , and wept a while , and then away she fled . X. Now Death began her sword to wher , Not all the Cyclops sweat , Nor Vulcans mighty Anvils could prepare Weapons enough for her , No weapon large enough but all the Air ; Men felt the heat within 'um rage , And hop'd the Air would it asswage , Call'd for its help , but th' Air did them deceive , And aggravate the ills it should relieve . The Air no more was Vital now , But did a moral poyson grow ; The Lungs which us'd to fan the heart , Onely now serv'd to fire each part , VVhat should refresh more as'd the smart , And now their very breath , The chiefest signe of life , turn'd the cause of death . XI . Upon the Head first the disease , As a bold Conqueror doth seize , Begins with Mans Metropolis , Secur'd the Capitol , and then it knew It could at pleasure weaker parts subdue . Blood started through each eye ; The redness of that Skie , Fore-told a tempest nigh . The tongue did flow all ore With clotted Filth and Gore ; As doth a Lyons when some innocent prey He hath devoured and brought away : Hoarsness and sores the throat did fill , And stopt the passages of speech and life ; No room was left for groans or grief ; Too cruel and imperious ill ! Which not content to kill , With tyrannous and dreadful pain , Dost take from men the very power to complain . XII . Then down , it went into the breast , There are all the seats and shops of life possest , Such noisomo smells from thence did come , As if the stomach were a tomb ; No food would there abide , Or if it did , turn'd to the enemies side , The very meat new poysons to the Plague supply'd . Next to the heart the fires came , The heart did wonder what usurping flame , What unknown furnace shou'd On its more natural heat intrude , Strait call'd its spirits up , but found too well , It was too late now to rebel . The tainted blood its course began , And carried death where ere it ran , That which before was Natures noblest Art , The circulation from the heart , VVas most destructful now , And Nature speedier did undoe , For that the sooner did impart The poyson and the smart , The infectious blood to every distant part . XIII . The belly felt at last its share , And all the subtil labyrinths there Of winding bowels did new Monsters bear . Here seven dayes it rul'd and sway'd , And ofner kill'd because it death so long delay'd . But if through strength and heat of age , The body overcame its rage , The Plague departed , as the Devil doeth , VVhen driven by prayers away he goeth . If Prayers and Heaven do him controul , And if he cannot have the soul , Himself out of the roof or window throws , And will not all his labour lose , But takes away with him part of the house : So here the vanquisht evil took from them VVho conquer'd it , some part , some limb ; Some lost the use of hands , or eyes , Some armes , some legs , some thighs , Some all their lives before forgot , Their minds were but one darker blot ; Those various pictures in the head , And all the numerous shapes were fled ; And now they ransackt memory Languish'd in naked poverty , Had lost its mighty treasury ; They past the Lethe-Lake , although they did not die . XIV . Whatever lesser Maladies men had , They all gave place and vanished ; Those petty tyrants fled , And at this mighty Conqueror shrunk their head . Feavers , Agues , Palsies , Stone , Gout , Cholick , and Consumption , And all the milder Generation , By which Man-kind is by degrees undone , Quickly were rooted out and gone ; Men saw themselves freed from the pain , Rejoyc'd , but all alas , in vain , 'T was an unhappy remedie , Which cur'd 'um that they might both worse and sooner die . XV. Physicians now could nought prevail , They the first spoils to the proud Victor fall , Nor would the Plague their knowledge trust , But feared their skill , and therefore slew them first : So Tyrants when they would confirm their yoke , First make the chiefest men to feel the stroke , The chiefest and the wisest heads , least they Should soonest disobey , Should first rebell , and others learn from them the way . No aid of herbs , or juyces power , None of Apollo's art could cure , But helpt the Plague the speedier to devour . Physick it self was a disease , Physick the fatal tortures did increase , Prescriptions did the pains renew , And Aesculapius to the sick did come , As afterwards to Rome , In form of Serpent , brought new poysons with him too . XVI . The streams did wonder , that so soon As they were from their Native mountains gone , They saw themselves drunk up , and fear Another Xerxes Army near . Some cast into the pit the Urn , And drink it dry at its return : Again they drew , again they drank ; At first the coolness of the stream did thank , But strait the more were scorch'd , the more did burn ; And drunk with water in their drinking sank : That Urn which now to quench their thirst they use , Shortly their Ashes shall inclose . Others into the Chrystal brook , With faint and wondring eyes did look , Saw what a ghastly shape themselves had took , Away they would have fled , but them their leggs forsook . Some snach'd the waters up , Their hands , their mouths the cup ; They drunk , and found they flam'd the more , And only added to the burning store . So have I seen on Lime cold water thrown , Strait all was to a Ferment grown , And hidden seeds of fire together run : The heap was calm , and temperate before , Such as the Finger could indure ; But when the moistures it provoke , Did rage , did swell , did smoke , Did move , and flame , and burn , and strait to ashes broke . XVII . So strong the heat , so strong the torments were , They like some mighty burden bear The lightest coverig of Air. All Sexes and all Ages do invade The bounds which Nature laid , The Laws of modesty which Nature made . The Virgins blush not , yet uncloath'd appear , Undress'd do run about , yet never fear . The pain and the disease did now Unwillingly reduce men to That nakedness once more , Which perfect health and innocence caus'd before . No sleep , no peace , no rest , Their wandring and affrighted minds possest ; Upon their souls and eyes , Hell and Eternal horrour lies , Unusual shapes , and imagies , Dark pictures , and resemblances Of things to come , and of the World below , O're their distemper'd fancies go : Sometimes they curse , sometimes they pray unto The Gods above , the Gods beneath ; Sometimes they cruelties , and fury breath , Not sleep , but waking now was sister unto death . XVIII . Scattered in Fields the Bodies lay , The earth call'd to the Fowls to take their Flesh away . In vain she call'd , they come not nigh , Nor would their food with their own ruine buy , But at full meals , they hunger , pine and die . The Vulters afar off did see the feast , Rejoyc'd , and call'd their friends to taste , They rallied up their troops in haste , Along came mighty droves , Forsook their young ones , and their groves , Each one his native mountain and his nest ; They come , but all their carcases abhor , And now avoid the dead men more Than weaker birds did living men before . But if some bolder fowls the flesh essay , They were destroy'd by their own prey . The Dog no longer bark't at coming guest , Repents its being a domestick Beast , Did to the woods and mountains haste : The very Owls at Athens are But seldome seen and rare , The Owls depart in open day , Rather than in infected Ivy more to stay . XIX . Mountains of bones and carcases , The streets , the Market-place possess , Threatning to raise a new Acropolis . Here lies a mother and her child , The infant suck'd as yet , and smil'd , But strait by its own food was kill'd . There parents hugg'd their children last , Here parting lovers last embrac'd , But yet not parting neither , They both expir'd and went away together . Here pris'ners in the Dungeon die , And gain a two-fold liberty , They meet and thank their pains VVhich them from double chains Of body and of iron free . Here others poyson'd by the scent VVhich from corrupted bodies went , Quickly return the death they did receive , And death to others give ; Themselves now dead the air pollute the more , For which they others curs'd before , Their bodies kill all that come near , And even after death they all are murderers here . XX. The friend doth hear his friends last cries , Parteth his grief for him , and dies , Lives not enough to close his eyes . The father at his death Speaks his son heir with an infectious breath ; In the same hour the son doth take His fathers will , and his own make . The servant needs not here be slain , To serve his master in the other would again ; They languishing together lie , Their souls away together flie ; The husband gasp'th and his wife lies by , It must be her turn next to die , The husband and the wife Too truly now are one , and live one life . That couple which the Gods did entertain , Had made their prayer here in vain ; No fates in death could then divide , They must without their priviledge together both have dy'd . XXI . There was no number now of death , The sisters scarce stood still themselves to breath : The sisters now quite wearied In cutting single thred , Began at once to part whole looms . One stroak did give whole houses dooms ; Now dy'd the frosty hairs , The Aged and decrepid years , They fell , and only beg'd of Fate , Some few months more , but 't was alas too late , Then Death , as if asham'd of that , A Conquest so degenerate , Cut off the young and lusty too ; The young were reck'ning ore VVhat happy dayes , what joyes they had in store ; But ffate , er'e they had finish'd their account , them slew . The wretched Usurer dyed , And had no time to tell where he his treasures hid . The Merchant did behold His Ships return with Spice and Gold ; He saw 't , and turn'd aside his head , Nor thank'd the Gods , but fell amidst his riches dead . XXII . The Meetings and Assemblies cease , no more The people throng about the Orator , No course of Justice did appear , No noise of Lawyers fill'd the ear , The Senate cast away The Robe of Honour , and obey Deaths more restless sway , VVhilest that with Dictatorian power Doth all the great and lesser Officers devour . No Magistrates did walk about ; No purple aw'd the rout , The common people too A purple of their own did shew ; And all their Bodies ore , The ruling colours bore , No Judge , no Legislators sit Since this new Draco came , And harsher Laws did frame , Laws that like his in blood are writ . The Benches and the Pleading-place they leave , About the streets they run and rave : The madness which Great Solon did of late But counterfeit For the advantage of the State , Now his successors do too truly imitate . XXIII . Up starts the Souldier from his bed , He though Deaths servant is not freed , Death him cashier'd , ' cause now his help she did not need . He that ne're knew before to yield , Or to give back or lead the Field , Would fain now from himself have fled . He snatch'd his sword now rusted o're , Dreadful and sparkling now no more , And thus in open streets did roar : How have I death so ill deserv'd of thee , That now thy self thou shouldst revenge on me ? Have I so many lives on thee bestow'd ? Have I the earth so often dy'd in blood ? Have I to flatter thee so many slain ? And must I now thy prey remain ? Let me at least , if I must dye , Meet in the Field some gallant enemy . Send Gods the Persian troops again ; No they 're a base and degenerate train ; They by our Women may be slain . Give me great Heavens some manful foes , Let me my death amidst some valiant Grecians choose , Let me survive to die at Syracuse , Where my dear Countrey shall her Glory lose For you Great Gods ! into my dying mind infuse , What miseries , what doom Must on my Athens shortly come : My thoughts inspir'd presage , Saughters and Battels to the coming Age ; Oh! might I die upon that glorious stage : Oh that ! but then he grasp'd his sword , & death concludes his rage . XXIV . Draw back , draw back thy sword , O Fate ! Lest thou repent when 't is too late , Lest by thy making now so great a waste , By spending all Man-kind upon one feast , Thou sterve thy self at last : What men wilt thou reserve in store , Whom in the time to come thou mayst devour , When thou shalt have destroyed all before : But if thou wilt not yet give o're , If yet thy greedie Stomach calls for more , If more remain whom thou must kill , And if thy jawes are craving still , Carry thy fury to the Scythian coasts , The Northern wildness , and eternal frosts ! Against those barbrous crouds thy arrows whet , Where Arts and Laws are strangers yet ; Where thou may'st kill , and yet the loss will not be great , There rage , there spread , and there infect the Air , Murder whole towns and families there , Thy worst against those Savage nations dare , Those whom Man-kind can spare , Those whom man-kind it self doth fear ; Amidst that dreadful night , and fatal cold , There thou may'st walk unseen , and bold , There let thy Flames their Empire hold . Unto the farthest Seas , and Natures ends , Where never Summer Sun its beams extends , Carry thy plagues , thy pains , thy heats , Thy raging fires , thy torturing sweats , Where never ray , or heat did come , They will rejoyce at such a doom . They 'l bless thy Pestilential fire , Though by it they expire , They 'l thank the very Flames with which they do consume . XXV . Then if that banquet will not thee suffice , Seek out new Lands where thou maist tyrannize ; Search every forrest , every hill , And all that in the hollow mountains dwell ; Those wild and untame troops devour , Thereby thou wilt the rest of men secure , And that the rest of men will thank thee for . Let all those humane beasts be slain , Till scarce their memory remain ; Thy self with that ignoble slaughter fill , 'T will be permitted thee that blood to spill . Measure the ruder world throughout , March all the Ocean shores about , Only pass by and spare the British Isle . Go on , and ( what Columbus once shall do , When daies and time unto their ripeness grow ) Find out new lands , and unknown countries too . Attempt those lands which yet are hid From all Mortalitie beside : There thou maist steal a victory , And none of this world hear the cry Of those that by thy wounds shall die ; No Greek shall know thy cruelty , And tell it to posterity . Go , and unpeople all those mighty Lands , Destroy with unrelenting hands ; Go , and the Spaniards sword prevent ; Go , make the Spaniard innocent ; Go , and root out all man-kind there , That when the Europaean Armies shall appear , Their sin may be the less , They may find all a wilderness , And without blood the gold and silver there possess . XXVI . Nor is this all which we thee grant ; Rather than thou should'st full imployment want , We do permit in Greece it self thy Kingdom plant . Ransack Lycurgus streets throughout , They 've no defence of walls to keep thee out . On wanton and proud Corinth seize , Nor let her double waves thy flames appease . Let Cyprus feel more fires than those of Love : Let Delos which at first did give the Sun , See unknown Flames in her begun , Now let her wish she might unconstant prove , And from her place might truly move : Let Lemnos all thy anger feel , And think that a new Vulcan fell , And brought with him new Anvils , and new hell . Nay at Athens too we give thee up , All that thou find'st in Field , or camp , or shop , Make havock there without controul Of every ignorant and common soul . But then kind Plague , thy conquests stop ; Let Arts , and let the learned there escape , Upon Minerva's self commit no rape ; Touch not the sacred throng , And let Apollo's Priests be ( like him ) young , Let him be healthful too , and strong . But ah ! too ravenous Plague , whilst I Strive to keep off the misery , The learned too as fast as others round me die ; They from corruption are not free , Are mortal though they give an immortality . XXVII . They turn'd their Authors o're , to try What help , what cure , what remedy All Natures stores against this Plague supply , And though besides they shunn'd it every where , They search'd it in their books , and fain would meet it there . They turn'd the Records of the antient times , And chiefly those that were made famous by their crimes ; To find if men were punish'd so before , But found not the disease nor cure . Nature alas ! was now surpriz'd , And all her Forces seiz'd , Before she was how to resist advis'd : So when the Elephants did first affright The Romans with unusual fight , They many battels lose , Before they knew their foes , Before they understood such dreadful troops t' oppose . XXVIII . Now ev'ry different Sect agrees Against their common adversary the disease , And all their little wranglings cease ; The Pythagoreans from their precepts swerve , No more their silence they observe , Out of their Schools they run , Lament , and cry , and groan ; They now desir'd their Metempsychosis ; Not only do dispute , but wish That they might turn to beasts , or fowls , or fish . If the Platonicks had been here , They would have curs'd their Masters year , When all things shall be as they were , When they again the same disease should bear : And all the Philosophers would now , What the great Stagyrite shall do , Themselvs into the waters head-long throw . XXIX . The Stoick felt the deadly stroke , At first assault their courage was not broke , They call'd to all the Cobweb aid , Of rules and precepts which in store they had ; They bid their hearts stand out , Bid them be calm and stout ; But all the strength of precepts will not do 't . They cann't the storms of passions now asswage , As common men , are angry , grieve , and rage . The Gods are call'd upon in vain , The Gods gave no release unto their pain , The Gods to fear even for themselvs began . For now the sick unto the temples came , And brought more than a holy flame , There at the Altars made their prayer , They sacrific'd and died there , A sacrifice not seen before ; That Heaven , only us'd unto the gore Of Lambs or Bulls , should now Loaded with Priests see its own Altars too . XXX . The woods gave fun'ral piles no more , The dead the very fire devour , And that almighty Conqueror over-power . The noble and the common dust Into each others graves are thrust , No place is sacred , and no tomb , 'T is now a priviledg to consume ; Their ashes no distinction had ; Too truly all by death are equal made . The Ghosts of those great Heroes that had fled From Athens long since banished , Now o're the City hovered ; Their anger yielded to their love , They left th' immortal joys above , So much their Athens danger did them move , They came to pity and to aid , But now , alas ! were quite dismay'd , When they beheld the marbles open lay'd , And poor mens bones the noble Urns invade : Back to the blessed seats they went , And now did thank their banishment , By which they were to die in forein Countries sent . XXXI . But what , Great Gods ! was worst of all , Hell forth its magazines of Lusts did call , Nor would it be content With the thick troops of souls were thither sent ; Into the upper world it went. Such guilt , such wickedness , Such irreligion did increase , That the few good who did survive , Were angry with the Plague for suffering them to live , More for the living than the dead did grieve . Some robb'd the very dead , Though sure to be infected ere they fled , Though in the very Air sure to be punished . Some nor the shrines nor temples spar'd , Nor Gods , nor Heavens fear'd , Though such examples of their power appear'd . Vertue was now esteem'd an empty name , And honesty the foolish voice of fame ; For having pass'd those tort'ring flames before , They thought the punishment already o're , Thought Heaven no worse torments had in store ; Here having felt one Hell , they thought there was no more . FINIS . A List of some choice Books , Printed for Henry , Brome at the Gun in Ivy-lane . POems Lyrique , by Mr. Henry Bold . POems Macronique , by Mr. Henry Bold . POems Heroique , &c. by Mr. Henry Bold . Songs and Poems by Mr. A. Brome , the second Edition . All the Songs and Poems on the Long Parliament , from 1640 till 1661. by Persons of Quality . Songs and Poems by the Wits of both Universities . Scarronides , or Virgil Travestie , a Mock-Poem , being the first Book of Virgils Aeneis in English , Burlesque . Scarronnides , or Virgil Travestie , a Mock-Poem , being the fourth Book of Virgils Aeneis in English , Burlesque : both by a Person of Honour . Also , a List of what Damages we have received by the Dutch ; And a brief History of the late War with the Turks . Sir George Downings Reply . PLAYES . The English Moor. The Love-sick Court. The New Academy . The Weeding of Covent-garden . The Royal Exchange . The Jovial Crew ; or the Merry Beggers . All by Mr. Bichard Brome . Two excellent pieces of Musick , the Division Viol , or the Art of playing extempore on a Ground in folio . The principles of Practical Musick in a Compendious Method for Beginners either in Singing or Playing , both by Mr. Ch. Simpson . Diodates Notes , on the whole Bible in fol. The Compleat History of Independency in 4 Parts , by Clement Walker Esq . Bp. Ushers 18 Sermons preached at Oxon. Blood for Blood , in 35 Tragical Stories . The Temple of Wisdom , by John Heyden . Trapp on the Major Prophets , in fol. The Alliance of Divine Offices , by Hamond Lestrange . Dr. Sparks Devotions on all the Festivals of the year , adorned with sculpture . Bp. Sandersons 5 Cases of Conscience , lately published . Divine Anthems sung in all great Cathedrals in England . A Brief rule of Life . A Guide to Heaven from the word , or directions how to close savingly with Christ , with strict Observations on the Lords Day , in 12. A Geographical Descripton of All Townes , Countreys , Ports , Seas , and Rivers , in the whole VVorld . Justice Revived , or the whole Office of a Countrey Justice , 8o. The Exact Constable : Both by Mr. Wingate Esq . All Mr. L'Estrange's pieces against the Presbyterians .