HIS LADY.]
HUDIBRAS.
427
For how can that which is above
All empire, high and mighty love, 90
Submit its great prerogative,
To any other pow'r alive?
Shall love, that to no crown gives place,
Become the subject of a case?
The fundamental law of nature, 95
Be over-rul'd by those made after?
Commit the censure of its cause
To any, but its own great laws?
Love, that's the world's preservative,
That keeps all souls of things alive; 100
Controls the mighty pow'r of fate,
And gives mankind a longer date;
The life of nature, that restores
As fast as time and death devours;
To whose free gift the world does owe 105
Not only earth, but heaven too:
For love's the only trade that's driven,
The interest of state in heaven,[1]
Which nothing but the soul of man
Is capable to entertain. 110
For what can earth produce, but love,
To represent the joys above?
Or who but lovers can converse,
Like angels, by the eye-discourse?
Address, and compliment by vision, 115
Make love, and court by intuition?
And burn in am'rous flames as fierce
As those celestial ministers?
All empire, high and mighty love, 90
Submit its great prerogative,
To any other pow'r alive?
Shall love, that to no crown gives place,
Become the subject of a case?
The fundamental law of nature, 95
Be over-rul'd by those made after?
Commit the censure of its cause
To any, but its own great laws?
Love, that's the world's preservative,
That keeps all souls of things alive; 100
Controls the mighty pow'r of fate,
And gives mankind a longer date;
The life of nature, that restores
As fast as time and death devours;
To whose free gift the world does owe 105
Not only earth, but heaven too:
For love's the only trade that's driven,
The interest of state in heaven,[1]
Which nothing but the soul of man
Is capable to entertain. 110
For what can earth produce, but love,
To represent the joys above?
Or who but lovers can converse,
Like angels, by the eye-discourse?
Address, and compliment by vision, 115
Make love, and court by intuition?
And burn in am'rous flames as fierce
As those celestial ministers?
- ↑ So "Waller:All that we know of those above,
Is, that they live and that they love.
But the Spanish priest Henriquez, in his singular book entitled "The business of the Saints in Heaven," printed at Salamanca, 1631, assumes to know more about them. He says that every saint shall have his particular house in heaven, and Christ a most magnificent palace! That there shall be large streets, great piazzas, fountains, and gardens. That there shall be a sovereign pleasure in kissing and embracing the bodies of the blest; and pleasant baths, where they shall bathe themselves in each other's company; that all shall sing like nightingales, and delight themselves in masquerades, feasts, and ballads; and that the angels shall be attired as females, and present themselves to the saints in full costume, with curls and locks, waistcoats and fardingales.
