Man , (Screen'd, by Flesh and Blood, and wrapt within
Th' impenetrable Curtaine, of his Skin)
How shall wee pourtray out? what antique Quill,
Or famous moderne, boasts of such a Skill?
Not great Apelles, nor fam'd Titian
Had anie Colour, for the inward Man;
Much Celebrated Angelo, could give
Life to his worke almost, in perspective;
And our late honoured Vandike, may raise
Himselfe a Trophie, froManothers Face.
But this exceeds their Cunning; all wee know
Of this rests in our Selves, & what wee owe
Unto Philosophie; whose gentle hand
Can put aside the Vaile; and then wee stand
Naked, and plaine;
As in the outward face, and all the parts
Exterior; each severall imparts
A diverse Feature; & noe two can bee
Soe like in Face, such Twinn's in Symmetrie,
But a discerning Eye, may eas'ly find
A difference. Soe is it in the Mind:
Noe two in the same mold; and unto Each
(As in the Bodie Naturall) his pitch
Is limited; and not one Inch can adde
In Stature, to the measure that he had;
Nor Change his Face, to a Complexion
Fairer, then that which Nature made his owne.
Soe is the diverse Face of Reason; and
The understanding, cannot put a hand,
Beyond that Reine.
It now appeares, as plainly to my Eye,
The Mind, and Intellectuall Phisniomie,
As the Corporeall Shape; and I perceive
The same Discordances, which wee conceive
In all exterior formes; and Each man best
Suits with his proper owne. Can I divest
My Swartie Hewe? and put upon my face
A better Tincture? or new features place
Where the old were imperfect? Neither may
I put away my Reason; though it Stray
And be a Monster, to anothers Eyes!
Yet knitt soe Close unto my Faculties
It cannot part; noe more, then heat from fire,
A Qualitie Inhærent, and Entire.
It is the Same
In understanding; given severallie
To the proportion; & shall therefore I
Despise my selfe? because my Stature is
Perhaps an Inch, or Cubit, below his?
Because he (with a longer Arme) can reach
That thing with Ease, which I with all my Stretch
Cannot attaine? There is a height beyond
His utmost; Man is all of Pigmey kind;
And though our Giant understandings reare
Themselves, on Tiptoes, to the wished Sphere,
How are they lesse, then nothing? & his leape
Is but to fall againe; whilst others reape
A larger Harvest, with a lesser Toyle;
But noe man has the Stocke; noe Inke, nor oyle,
Can bring a Name,
Beyond his Circumscribed Power. Wee All
Have proper Motions; and they rise, to fall
Unpittied, who adventure on a path
Of soe much ruine, as noe lesse then Death
Attends each Step; yet man, in Time, be wise.
Bee thy owne Mirror; See Deformities
As well as Beauties; and correct them there
With as much Diligence, and as great Care
As in a glass thy face, shouldst thou perceive
A Spott to lessen Beautie. Tis, beleive,
More worth thy Care, to rectifye this part
Then all thy Face. Bee happie, as thou art;
That is; Bee pleased with thy owne; and See
Some Creatures Creepe, as well as others Flee.