Of a Young Lady at Oxford, 1646

Sources

Of a Young Lady at Oxford, 1646

Poem 43

Original Source

Hester Pulter, Poems breathed forth by the nobel Hadassas, University of Leeds Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt q 32

Versions

Facsimile of manuscript: Photographs provided by University of Leeds, Brotherton Collection
Transcription of manuscript: By Leah Knight and Wendy Wall.
Elemental edition: By Leah Knight and Wendy Wall.
Amplified edition: By Lara Dodds.

How to cite these versions

Conventions for these editions

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Notes: Transcription

Title note

  Physical note 

straight line under second half of “Oxford” and all of “1646”; end of previous poem occupies top of page

  Editorial note 

In these transcriptions we preserve as many details of the original material, textual, and graphic properties of Hester Pulter’s manuscript verse as we have found practical. Whenever possible, for instance, original spelling, punctuation, capitalization, lineation, insertions, deletions, alterations, spacing between words and lines, and indentation are all maintained; abbreviations and brevigraphs are not expanded; and superscript and subscript representations are retained. See full conventions for the transcriptions here.

Line number 3

  Physical note 

struck-through with multiple horizontal lines; “noe wonder” directly above “then”

Line number 7

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“h” in H2

Line number 19

  Physical note 

“y” appears corrected from earlier “i”

Line number 22

  Physical note 

in H2

Line number 38

  Physical note 

third “i” appears written over “u”

Line number 40

  Physical note 

“w” written over other letter

Line number 44

  Physical note 

“st” crowded between surrounding words

Line number 56

  Physical note 

written over illegible erased word(s)

Line number 56

  Physical note 

in H2

Line number 65

  Physical note 

"sle" written over earlier letters

Line number 70

  Physical note 

“e” imperfectly erased

Line number 74

  Physical note 

imperfectly erased ascender suggests final “t” corrected to “e”

Sorry, but there are no notes associated with any currently displayed witness.

Transcription

Of A young Lady at

Physical Note

straight line under second half of “Oxford” and all of “1646”; end of previous poem occupies top of page

Oxford 1646

Of a Young Lady at

Critical Note

Oxford was a royalist stronghold in the first English civil war, which ended in 1646 with royalist surrender to parliamentary opponents.

Oxford, 1646

Of a Young Lady at

Critical Note

Oxford was a Royalist stronghold and home to King Charles’s court during the First Civil War (1642-46). Oxford was besieged by Parliamentarian forces for three months in Spring 1646, and the Royalist garrison surrendered to General Thomas Fairfax on 24 June 1646. The reference to the death of Sir George Lucas and Sir Charles Lisle later in the poem indicates that the poem must have been completed in 1648 or later; however, the date in the title suggests that the story in the first half of the poem may be associated with the siege of Oxford.

Oxford, 1646

The aim of the elemental edition is to make the poems accessible to the largest variety of readers, which involves modernizing spelling and punctuation as well as adding basic glosses. Spelling and punctuation reflect current standard American usage; punctuation highlights syntax which might otherwise be obscure. Outmoded but still familiar word forms (“thou,” “‘tis,” “hold’st”) are not modernized, and we do not modernize grammar when the sense remains legible. After a brief headnote aimed at offering a “way in” to the poem’s unique qualities and connections with other verse by Pulter or her contemporaries, the edition features a minimum of notes and interpretative framing to allow more immediate engagement with the poem. Glosses clarify synonyms or showcase various possible meanings in Pulter’s time. Other notes identify named people and places or clarify obscure material. We rely (without citation) primarily on the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the Oxford Reference database, and the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. When we rely on Alice Eardley’s edition of Pulter’s work, we cite her text generally (“Eardley”); other sources are cited in full. The result is an edition we consider a springboard for further work on Pulter’s poetry. See full conventions for this edition here.

— Leah Knight and Wendy Wall

I have modernized spelling and punctuation in this poem with the aim of enhancing clarity and readability. The notes gloss unfamiliar words and provide cultural and literary contexts.

— Leah Knight and Wendy Wall

What was a young lady doing at Oxford in 1646? Shooting herself, according to Pulter, who reports what sounds like a cross between melodrama and a news bulletin of yet another example of the never-ending collateral damage of war. The speaker’s point, however, is not to regret this instance of self-murder, but to ennoble it through analogy with various other female suicides, before criticizing her own soul for lingering on earth despite allegedly loving Christ and seeking union with him in heaven. As part of a pep-talk to speed her own death, the speaker takes various rhetorical tacks. She recounts her inspired vision of the crucifixion, for instance, and compares Christ’s extraordinary heroism favorably with exemplary male friends who died for one another (since Christ outdid them by dying, not for his friends, but the “foes” of depraved humanity). All this is canvassed as part of the speaker’s somewhat haranguing campaign for her soul to leave her body without delay: a goal the young lady accomplished with the pull of a trigger, but which the Christian speaker, despite her evident admiration of this act and yearning for death, cannot achieve in the same manner while remaining loyal to her self-sacrificing (if not quite suicidal) “Redeemer.”

— Leah Knight and Wendy Wall

In “Of a Young Lady at Oxford, 1646,” Pulter develops complex relationships between political, erotic, and religious registers. The poem’s title refers to the anecdote that takes up about the first third of the poem, which describes the deaths of an unnamed pair of lovers during the Siege of Oxford in 1646. When the Lady learns that her lover, a Royalist soldier, has died in battle, she takes her own life in imitation of famous female suicides, Lucrece and Thisbe. This exemplum of erotic devotion, which Pulter describes as “earthy love,” prompts the speaker’s reflection upon the state of her soul. In an extended apostrophe to her soul, the speaker questions how her soul can desire to stay on earth when Christ, the soul’s proper companion, has already left it. Pulter mirrors the anecdote in the first part of the poem with the examples of five pairs—brothers, friends, lovers, and soldiers—who are famous for their devotion and willingness to die for one another. These exempla raise questions about whether different forms of human devotion are models for (or imitations of) the soul’s desire for union with Christ. The middle of the poem, however, includes several Biblical allusions that frame and reframe the classical allusions that begin and end the poem. While the unnamed Lady and the famous male heroes sacrifice themselves for friends or lovers, Christ dies for humans who are enemies (“cursed foes”) by dint of their sins (Romans 5: 7-8), a sacrifice that informs the speaker’s final, urgent questioning of her own soul.

— Leah Knight and Wendy Wall

A Noble pair in Love without Compare

A noble pair, in love without compare,

A noble pair in love without compare,

Heroick Spirits both Lovly and fair

Heroic spirits both, lovely and fair,

Heroic spirits both lovely and fair,

Whoſe Hearts were Counterchanged then

Physical Note

struck-through with multiple horizontal lines; “noe wonder” directly above “then”

~~then~~^noe wonder

Whose hearts were

Gloss Note

exchanged

counterchanged—then no wonder

Whose hearts were counterchanged; then no wonder,

They could not poſſible Subsist aſunder

They could not possibly subsist asunder.

Hee in this Grand Rebellion Late was kild

He, in this grand

Gloss Note

English civil war

rebellion late was killed

He in this grand rebellion late was killed.

ffor his good King his Loyall Blood was ſpild

For his good king; his loyal blood was spilled,

For his good king his loyal blood was spilled,

Which from the pregnant

Physical Note

“h” in H2

earth Sprung up in fame

Which from the pregnant earth sprung up in fame,

Which from the pregnant earth sprung up in fame

Honouring him with a never dying Name

Honoring him with a never-dying name.

Honoring him with a never dying name.

This Gallant Las, thus having lost her Love

This gallant lass, thus having lost her love,

This gallant lass thus having lost her love,

Disdaind to imitate the Turtle Dove

Disdained to imitate the

Critical Note

a bird noted for affection to its mate

turtledove,

Disdained to imitate the

Critical Note

birds renowned for their monogamy and devotion. The turtledove is the subject of “The Poor Turtledove” (Emblem 20) [Poem 85].

turtledove,

Who mourning Sits upon a withred Spray

Who mourning sits upon a withered

Gloss Note

twig or shoot

spray:

Who mourning sits upon a withered spray.

Her Noble Heart Refuſd to Live one Day

Her noble heart refused to live one day

Without her Love, earth noe contentment yields

Without her love. Earth no contentment yields.

Shee vowes to follow him to the Elizian ffields

She vows to follow him to the

Critical Note

In Greek myth, this was the paradisal place where heroes went after death.

Elysian fields,

She vows to follow him to the

Critical Note

in Greek mythology, a blessed land where heroes live happily after their deaths.

Elysian fields;

then

Then takes a Pistol in her Snowey Hand

Then takes a pistol in her snowy hand.

Then takes a pistol in her snowy hand,

Like a Roman Lucrece Soe did Shee Stand

Like a Roman

Critical Note

Lucrece was a married Roman woman who, after being brutally raped, chose to commit suicide rather than live in perceived dishonor.

Lucrece, so did she stand,

Like a Roman Lucrece so did she stand

Who did prefer her Honour ’fore her Life

Who did prefer her honor

Gloss Note

before

’fore her life,

Who did prefer her honor ’fore her life

And in her trembling Boſom thrust her Knife

And in her trembling bosom thrust her knife;

Or like that

Physical Note

“y” appears corrected from earlier “i”

Babylonish Virgin Sweet

Or like that

Critical Note

Thisbe, in love with Pyramus, kills herself when she thinks him dead.

Babylonish virgin sweet

Or like that Babylonish virgin sweet

Who Saw her Love lie bleeding at her feet

Who saw her love lie bleeding at her feet—

Who saw her love lie bleeding at her feet

Shee with his Sword, her Spotles Breast did pierce

She, with his sword, her spotless breast did pierce,

She with his sword, her spotless breast did pierce

Which makes her live Still in

Physical Note

in H2

\im \ Mortal verſ

Which makes her live still in immortal verse—

Which makes her live

Critical Note

the young lady of Oxford is compared to two famous women whose suicides are also memorialized in poetry: Lucrece, who killed herself after she was raped by Tarquin in 510 BCE, and Thisbe (“Babylonish virgin sweet”) who commits suicide after she discovers the death (also a suicide) of her lover Pyramus. The stories of both of these women have repeatedly been the subject of poetry. Ovid writes of Lucrece in book II of Fasti, and Shakespeare adopts the story in The Rape of Lucrece (1594). The earliest version of the Pyramus and Thisbe story is found in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (book 4). Shakespeare uses this story for the plot of the play-within-a-play in A Midsummer’s Night Dream and also adapts it in Romeo and Juliet. Pulter updates these tales of heroic female suicide by including a modern weapon (the pistol).

still in immortal verse;

Soe this Heroick Maid display’d her Breast

So this heroic maid displayed her breast

So this heroic maid displayed her breast,

On which the God of Love was proud to Rest

On which the

Gloss Note

Cupid

god of love was proud to rest;

On which the god of love was proud to rest,

The Sulpherus mouth plac’d at her generous Heart

The sulfurous

Gloss Note

i.e., of the gun

mouth placed at her generous heart,

The sulfurous mouth placed at her generous heart,

Her Noble Mind triumphs or’e Death and Smart

Her noble mind triumphs o’er death and

Gloss Note

pain; grief

smart.

Critical Note

Pulter interprets the Lady’s suicide as heroic, which corresponds to Stoic philosophy but is in conflict with Christian ethics. I have not been able to identify a specific historical analogue for the anecdote of a young lady’s suicide in Oxford during the Civil Wars, though the mixture specific historical details with classical precedent suggests that more research is warranted. If this story is fictional, Pulter has invented her own “fable” to place beside the classical exempla cited in the poem. If the story is historical, it is notable that Pulter does not condemn the Lady’s suicide, but interprets it as evidence of her nobility of spirit.

Her noble mind triumphs o’er death and smart.

To Heaven Shee Rowls her Sparkling dieing Eyes

To Heaven she rolls her sparkling, dying eyes;

To Heaven she rolls her sparkling dying eyes;

ffrom her undaunted Breast her Spirit fflyes

From her undaunted breast her spirit flies.

From her undaunted breast her spirit flies,

Even Soe a Spotles Lylley ffals and Dies

Even so a spotless lily falls and dies.

As this declares a m^agnanimous Spirit

As this declares a

Gloss Note

noble; courageous

magnanimous spirit,

As this declares a magnanimous spirit,

Soe Shee the Glory of it doth inherit

So she the glory of it doth inherit.

This Shee did doe to follow Earthey Love

This she did do to follow earthy love,

This she did do to follow

Critical Note

“consisting of earth, or of material resembling earth. Also used fig. of the human body, esp. a dead body” (OED "earthy" n. 1.c.). Pulter’s use of “earthy” rather than the more common “earthly” may reflect the interest in the elements displayed elsewhere in her poetry. See O, My Afflicted Solitary Soul [Poem 28] and The Invocation of the Elements [Poem 41].

earthy love,

And thou my Soule whoſe Joys and Hope’s aboue

And thou, my soul, whose joys and hopes above

Are placed Still Hanckrest hovering here below

Are placed, still

Gloss Note

lingers

hank’rest, hovering here below:

Are placed, still hankerest, hovering here below.

Oh when wilt thou to thy Redeemer goe

O, when wilt thou to thy Redeemer go?

Oh, when wilt thou to thy redeemer go?

Thou keep’st a ffluttring here bout thiſ baſe earth

Thou keep’st afluttering here ’bout this base earth.

Thou keep’st afluttering here ’bout this base earth;

My Soul I doubt thou dos’t forget thy Birth

My soul, I

Gloss Note

fear; suspect

doubt thou dost forget thy birth:

My soul, I doubt thou dost forget thy birth.

thou

Thou art a Ray of that

Physical Note

third “i” appears written over “u”

inviſible Light

Thou art a ray of that invisible light:

Thou art a ray of that invisible light,

Thy wings noe impeing need, then take thy ffleight

Thy wings no

Gloss Note

engrafting feathers in a bird’s wing to remedy losses or deficiencies, and so restore or improve the powers of flight

imping need; then take thy flight!

Thy wings no

Critical Note

“to engraft feathers in the wing of a bird, so as to make good losses or deficiencies” (OED "imp," v. 4.). Compare to George Herbert’s “Easter Wings,” in which the speaker desires to “imp” his wing on Christ: “For, if I imp my wing on thine, / Affliction shall advance the flight in me.”

imping need, then take thy flight.

Leav then this

Physical Note

“w” written over other letter

Low and Gloomey earthly Spheir

Leave then this low and gloomy earthly sphere;

Leave then this low and gloomy earthly sphere.

What dost thou mean, what dost thou hope, or fear

What dost thou mean—what dost thou hope, or fear?

What dost thou mean? What dost thou hope, or fear?

Tell mee is thy eternall buſines here

Tell me, is thy eternal business here?

Hee whom thou lovest is gone, to Heaven hee’s ffled

He whom thou lovest is gone: to Heaven He’s fled.

He whom thou lovest is gone; to Heaven he’s fled.

Why dost thou Seek the Living

Physical Note

“st” crowded between surrounding words

amongst the Dead

Why dost thou seek the living amongst the dead?

Critical Note

Pulter alludes to Luke 24:5: “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (AV)

Why dost thou seek the living amongst the dead?

My active ffaith took wing and Late did fly

My active faith took wing and late did fly

Upto the top of Canaans Calvary

Up to the top of

Critical Note

Calvary was where Christ was crucified; Canaan is the biblical promised land.

Canaan’s Calvary;

Up to the top of Canaan’s

Critical Note

the location of Christ’s crucifixion.

Calvary.

There did I See with ffaiths Resplendent Eye

There did I see, with faith’s

Gloss Note

shining, brilliant

resplendent eye,

There did I see with

Critical Note

Pulter describes her faith as an “active” aid to vision. The “resplendent” (shining) eye of faith allows her to “see” the crucifixion of Christ. Compare to This Was Written in 1648, When I Lay In, With my Son John [Poem 45] in which the speaker’s “thoughts” allow a vision of the planets.

faith’s resplendent eye

The ffountain of all Love my Saviour Die

The fountain of all love, my Saviour, die.

The fountain of all love, my savior, die.

There did Longuives Peirce that guiltles brest

There did

Critical Note

Longeus, Longius, or Longinus is the traditional name for the Roman soldier at the Crucifixion who pierced Christ’s side with his spear to ensure that Christ was dead.

Longuives pierce that guiltless breast

There did

Critical Note

the name traditionally given to the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus with his lance. See John 19:34: “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out of blood and water” (AV).

Longinus pierce that guiltless brest

In which the ffaithfull Shall in Glory Rest

In which the faithful shall in glory rest.

Ay mee there did his dieing Quickni^ng Blood

Ay me, there did His dying,

Gloss Note

life-giving

quickening blood

Ay me! There did his dying

Critical Note

“to come or bring to life” (OED, "quicken," v. 1.); “dying quickening blood” is a paradox, suggesting that Christ’s blood renews life through death.

quickening blood

fflow from his Side for our eternal good

Flow from His side for our eternal good;

Flow from his side for our eternal good.

To Heaven his Righteous Soul did take his fflieght

To Heaven His righteous soul did take His flight,

To Heaven his righteous soul did take his flight,

Leaving the Univerſ Lapt up in Night

Leaving the universe lapped up in night.

Critical Note

upon the death of his body, Christ’s soul returns to Heaven, leaving all of the created universe in darkness (“lapped up in night”). Compare Of Night and Morning [Poem 5].

Leaving the universe lapped up in night.

O admirable, unparraleld affection

O admirable, unparalleled affection,

O admirable, unparalleled affection;

Thus by \

Physical Note

written over illegible erased word(s)

his fall

Physical Note

in H2

his ffall \ recovering o:r defection

Thus, by His fall, recovering our

Gloss Note

imperfection, shortcoming; abandonment of one’s religion, moral duty, cause or country

defection!

Thus by his fall recovering our defection.

I am amazed at his infinite Love

I am amazed at His infinite love;

I am amazed at his infinite love;

ffor ^us hee left his Glorious Throne aboue

For us he left his glorious throne above.

Though for a good Man one would Deign to die

Though for a good man one would

Gloss Note

condescend; graciously accept

deign to die,

Though for a good man one would deign to die,

Yet who would doe Soe for his enemie

Yet who would do so for his enemy?

Critical Note

Pulter paraphrases Romans 5:7-8: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (AV). This allusion frames the exempla that follow because each includes sacrifice on behalf of a friend or “good man” rather than an enemy, while Christ dies for humans who are his “cursed foes.”

Yet who would do so for his enemy?

Damon, and Pithias, would Die for one another

Critical Note

In classical legend, these faithful friends each strove to save the other from a sentence of death.

Damon and Pythias would die for one another;

Damon and Pythias would die for one another,

Pollux divided Splendour with his Brother

Critical Note

Zeus changed Pollux and his twin brother, Castor, into the constellation Gemini after Castor died and Pollux refused to part from him.

Pollux divided splendor with his brother;

Pollux divided splendor with his brother,

Patrocles, and Achillis, loues excell

Critical Note

In classical myth, these were Greek soldiers in the Trojan war. When Patroclus is killed by Hector, Achilles (who has until then refused to fight) avenges his best friend’s death by returning to battle and killing Hector.

Patroclus and Achilles’s loves excel;

Patroclus’ and Achilles’ loves excel,

Theſeus reveng’d Perithous death in Hell

Critical Note

Theseus and Pirithous were close comrades who went to Hades; Theseus survived, but Pirithous did not.

Theseus revenged Pirithous’s death in Hell;

Theseus revenged Pirithous’ death in Hell,

When lovly

Physical Note

"sle" written over earlier letters

Liſle Saw Lucas Bleeding Lie

When lovely

Critical Note

George Lisle and Charles Lucas were Royalist commanders in the siege of Colchester during the English civil war, who were executed by a firing squad without trial after their defeat and capture at Colchester in 1648. See Pulter’s On Those Two Unparalleled Friends.

Lisle saw Lucas bleeding lie,

When lovely Lisle saw Lucas bleeding lie,

Hee on his trembling Booſome Strait did die

He on his trembling bosom straight did die.

Thus doe theſe Storyes and theſe ffables teach

Thus do these

Gloss Note

i.e., histories

stories and these fables teach

Critical Note

Pulter identifies five famous pairs to serve as partial analogues for Christ’s love and sacrifice for humans: 1) Damon offered himself as surety for his friend Pythias; 2) The immortal Pollux offered to share his immortality with his mortal twin Castor; 3) Patroclus is killed by Hector, and Achilles returns to battle to avenge the death of his lover; 4) Theseus and his friend Pirithous attempt travel to the underworld, where they intend to capture Persephone so Pirithous can marry her; when they fail, Pirithous is stranded in the underworld, and Theseus tries, and fails, to rescue him; 5) Lucas and Lisle are well known Royalist soldiers who were captured and executed by Parliamentarian forces at Colchester in 1648. While there is quite a bit of variation in the “love” demonstrated by each of these stories, the final pair is distinct because they are Pulter’s contemporaries. Lucas and Lisle were considered Royalist martyrs and were commemorated in numerous panegyrics and poems. See also Pulter’s On Those Two Unparalleled Friends, Sir George Lisle and Sir Charles Lucas [Poem 7].

Thus do these stories and these fables teach,

And Shew to us how fare our Love may Reach

And show to us how far our love may reach;

And show to us how far our love may reach.

But^hee (my Soul) his precious Blood did loſe

But He (my soul) His precious blood did lose

But he (my soul) his precious blood did lose

ffor us (Ay mee) for us his Curſſed

Physical Note

“e” imperfectly erased

ffoeſe

For us (ay me), for us: His curséd foes.

For us (ay me) for us his cursed foes.

Conſidering this my Soul how canst thou Stay

Considering this, my soul, how canst thou stay?

Considering this, my soul, how canst thou stay

Now hee is Gon, dost thou not know the way?

Now He is gone, dost thou not know

Critical Note

See John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

the way—

Now he is gone? Dost thou not know the way?

When little Infants new Created Souls

When little infants’ new-created souls

When little infants’ new created souls

Doe eaſily ffly

Physical Note

imperfectly erased ascender suggests final “t” corrected to “e”

aboue or Star, or Poles,

Do easily fly above

Gloss Note

either

or star or poles,

Do easily fly above or star, or poles,

And ffrom their tender Mothers Ubrious Brest

And from their tender mother’s

Gloss Note

full; nourishing

uberous breast

And from their tender mother’s

Critical Note

“supplying milk or nourishment in abundance” (OED, “uberous,” adj. 1.a.). Though “tender” mothers nourish their infants with milk from their own breasts, children often die, but unlike the speaker’s own soul, they know the way to heaven. Their souls escape the earth and travel to a “star” or the “poles,” and they “fly to their eternal rest.”

uberous breast

Doe often ffly to their eternall Rest

Do often fly to their eternal rest?

Do often fly to their eternal rest;

And thou my Soul witherd and Worn w: th Grief

And thou, my soul, withered and worn with grief:

And thou, my soul, withered and worn with grief,

Think’st in this Dunghill earth to find Relief

Think’st in this

Gloss Note

filthy, excrement-like

dunghill earth to find relief?

Think’st in this dunghill earth to find relief?

Believe it Terren hopes are all But vain

Believe it:

Gloss Note

earthly

terrene hopes are all but vain,

Believe it:

Gloss Note

“belonging to the earth or to this world; earthly, worldly, secular, temporal, material, human” (OED, "terrene," adj. 1.a.)

terrene hopes are all but vain;

ffor thou must cast thy Haccle once again

For thou must

Gloss Note

cast off

cast thy

Critical Note

covering, as skin, or outer garment; the speaker proposes the skin or other earthly forms must be cast off “again” by way of returning to an original condition.

hackle once again

For thou must cast thy

Critical Note

“a cloak, a mantle, an outer garment”; or, “A covering or skin of any kind, esp. a snake’s skin” (OED, "hackle," n. 1. and 2.). Here “hackle” refers to the speaker’s body, which serves as a covering or “skin” for the soul.

hackle once again

Before thou canst poſſes thoſe endles Joyes

Before thou canst possess those endless joys,

Cōpar’d with which all worldly Pomps are Toyes.

Compared with which all worldly pomps are

Gloss Note

trivial things

toys.

Compared with which all worldly pomps are toys.

Notes: Elemental Edition

Title note

  Critical note 

Oxford was a royalist stronghold in the first English civil war, which ended in 1646 with royalist surrender to parliamentary opponents.

  Editorial note 

  Headnote 

Line number 3

  Gloss note 

exchanged

Line number 5

  Gloss note 

English civil war

Line number 10

  Critical note 

a bird noted for affection to its mate

Line number 11

  Gloss note 

twig or shoot

Line number 14

  Critical note 

In Greek myth, this was the paradisal place where heroes went after death.

Line number 16

  Critical note 

Lucrece was a married Roman woman who, after being brutally raped, chose to commit suicide rather than live in perceived dishonor.

Line number 17

  Gloss note 

before

Line number 19

  Critical note 

Thisbe, in love with Pyramus, kills herself when she thinks him dead.

Line number 24

  Gloss note 

Cupid

Line number 25

  Gloss note 

i.e., of the gun

Line number 26

  Gloss note 

pain; grief

Line number 30

  Gloss note 

noble; courageous

Line number 34

  Gloss note 

lingers

Line number 37

  Gloss note 

fear; suspect

Line number 39

  Gloss note 

engrafting feathers in a bird’s wing to remedy losses or deficiencies, and so restore or improve the powers of flight

Line number 46

  Critical note 

Calvary was where Christ was crucified; Canaan is the biblical promised land.

Line number 47

  Gloss note 

shining, brilliant

Line number 49

  Critical note 

Longeus, Longius, or Longinus is the traditional name for the Roman soldier at the Crucifixion who pierced Christ’s side with his spear to ensure that Christ was dead.

Line number 51

  Gloss note 

life-giving

Line number 56

  Gloss note 

imperfection, shortcoming; abandonment of one’s religion, moral duty, cause or country

Line number 59

  Gloss note 

condescend; graciously accept

Line number 61

  Critical note 

In classical legend, these faithful friends each strove to save the other from a sentence of death.

Line number 62

  Critical note 

Zeus changed Pollux and his twin brother, Castor, into the constellation Gemini after Castor died and Pollux refused to part from him.

Line number 63

  Critical note 

Line number 64

  Critical note 

Theseus and Pirithous were close comrades who went to Hades; Theseus survived, but Pirithous did not.

Line number 65

  Critical note 

Line number 67

  Gloss note 

i.e., histories

Line number 72

  Critical note 

See John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Line number 74

  Gloss note 

either

Line number 75

  Gloss note 

full; nourishing

Line number 78

  Gloss note 

filthy, excrement-like

Line number 79

  Gloss note 

earthly

Line number 80

  Gloss note 

cast off

Line number 80

  Critical note 

covering, as skin, or outer garment; the speaker proposes the skin or other earthly forms must be cast off “again” by way of returning to an original condition.

Line number 82

  Gloss note 

trivial things

Sorry, but there are no notes associated with any currently displayed witness.

Elemental Edition

Of A young Lady at

Physical Note

straight line under second half of “Oxford” and all of “1646”; end of previous poem occupies top of page

Oxford 1646

Of a Young Lady at

Critical Note

Oxford was a royalist stronghold in the first English civil war, which ended in 1646 with royalist surrender to parliamentary opponents.

Oxford, 1646

Of a Young Lady at

Critical Note

Oxford, 1646

A Noble pair in Love without Compare

A noble pair, in love without compare,

A noble pair in love without compare,

Heroick Spirits both Lovly and fair

Heroic spirits both, lovely and fair,

Heroic spirits both lovely and fair,

Whoſe Hearts were Counterchanged then

Physical Note

struck-through with multiple horizontal lines; “noe wonder” directly above “then”

~~then~~^noe wonder

Whose hearts were

Gloss Note

exchanged

counterchanged—then no wonder

Whose hearts were counterchanged; then no wonder,

They could not poſſible Subsist aſunder

They could not possibly subsist asunder.

Hee in this Grand Rebellion Late was kild

He, in this grand

Gloss Note

English civil war

rebellion late was killed

He in this grand rebellion late was killed.

ffor his good King his Loyall Blood was ſpild

For his good king; his loyal blood was spilled,

For his good king his loyal blood was spilled,

Which from the pregnant

Physical Note

“h” in H2

earth Sprung up in fame

Which from the pregnant earth sprung up in fame,

Which from the pregnant earth sprung up in fame

Honouring him with a never dying Name

Honoring him with a never-dying name.

Honoring him with a never dying name.

This Gallant Las, thus having lost her Love

This gallant lass, thus having lost her love,

This gallant lass thus having lost her love,

Disdaind to imitate the Turtle Dove

Disdained to imitate the

Critical Note

a bird noted for affection to its mate

turtledove,

Disdained to imitate the

Critical Note

birds renowned for their monogamy and devotion. The turtledove is the subject of “The Poor Turtledove” (Emblem 20) [Poem 85].

turtledove,

Who mourning Sits upon a withred Spray

Who mourning sits upon a withered

Gloss Note

twig or shoot

spray:

Who mourning sits upon a withered spray.

Her Noble Heart Refuſd to Live one Day

Her noble heart refused to live one day

Without her Love, earth noe contentment yields

Without her love. Earth no contentment yields.

Shee vowes to follow him to the Elizian ffields

She vows to follow him to the

Critical Note

In Greek myth, this was the paradisal place where heroes went after death.

Elysian fields,

She vows to follow him to the

Critical Note

in Greek mythology, a blessed land where heroes live happily after their deaths.

Elysian fields;

then

Then takes a Pistol in her Snowey Hand

Then takes a pistol in her snowy hand.

Then takes a pistol in her snowy hand,

Like a Roman Lucrece Soe did Shee Stand

Like a Roman

Critical Note

Lucrece was a married Roman woman who, after being brutally raped, chose to commit suicide rather than live in perceived dishonor.

Lucrece, so did she stand,

Like a Roman Lucrece so did she stand

Who did prefer her Honour ’fore her Life

Who did prefer her honor

Gloss Note

before

’fore her life,

Who did prefer her honor ’fore her life

And in her trembling Boſom thrust her Knife

And in her trembling bosom thrust her knife;

Or like that

Physical Note

“y” appears corrected from earlier “i”

Babylonish Virgin Sweet

Or like that

Critical Note

Thisbe, in love with Pyramus, kills herself when she thinks him dead.

Babylonish virgin sweet

Or like that Babylonish virgin sweet

Who Saw her Love lie bleeding at her feet

Who saw her love lie bleeding at her feet—

Who saw her love lie bleeding at her feet

Shee with his Sword, her Spotles Breast did pierce

She, with his sword, her spotless breast did pierce,

She with his sword, her spotless breast did pierce

Which makes her live Still in

Physical Note

in H2

\im \ Mortal verſ

Which makes her live still in immortal verse—

Which makes her live

Critical Note

still in immortal verse;

Soe this Heroick Maid display’d her Breast

So this heroic maid displayed her breast

So this heroic maid displayed her breast,

On which the God of Love was proud to Rest

On which the

Gloss Note

Cupid

god of love was proud to rest;

On which the god of love was proud to rest,

The Sulpherus mouth plac’d at her generous Heart

The sulfurous

Gloss Note

i.e., of the gun

mouth placed at her generous heart,

The sulfurous mouth placed at her generous heart,

Her Noble Mind triumphs or’e Death and Smart

Her noble mind triumphs o’er death and

Gloss Note

pain; grief

smart.

Critical Note

Her noble mind triumphs o’er death and smart.

To Heaven Shee Rowls her Sparkling dieing Eyes

To Heaven she rolls her sparkling, dying eyes;

To Heaven she rolls her sparkling dying eyes;

ffrom her undaunted Breast her Spirit fflyes

From her undaunted breast her spirit flies.

From her undaunted breast her spirit flies,

Even Soe a Spotles Lylley ffals and Dies

Even so a spotless lily falls and dies.

As this declares a m^agnanimous Spirit

As this declares a

Gloss Note

noble; courageous

magnanimous spirit,

As this declares a magnanimous spirit,

Soe Shee the Glory of it doth inherit

So she the glory of it doth inherit.

This Shee did doe to follow Earthey Love

This she did do to follow earthy love,

This she did do to follow

Critical Note

earthy love,

And thou my Soule whoſe Joys and Hope’s aboue

And thou, my soul, whose joys and hopes above

Are placed Still Hanckrest hovering here below

Are placed, still

Gloss Note

lingers

hank’rest, hovering here below:

Are placed, still hankerest, hovering here below.

Oh when wilt thou to thy Redeemer goe

O, when wilt thou to thy Redeemer go?

Oh, when wilt thou to thy redeemer go?

Thou keep’st a ffluttring here bout thiſ baſe earth

Thou keep’st afluttering here ’bout this base earth.

Thou keep’st afluttering here ’bout this base earth;

My Soul I doubt thou dos’t forget thy Birth

My soul, I

Gloss Note

fear; suspect

doubt thou dost forget thy birth:

My soul, I doubt thou dost forget thy birth.

thou

Thou art a Ray of that

Physical Note

third “i” appears written over “u”

inviſible Light

Thou art a ray of that invisible light:

Thou art a ray of that invisible light,

Thy wings noe impeing need, then take thy ffleight

Thy wings no

Gloss Note

engrafting feathers in a bird’s wing to remedy losses or deficiencies, and so restore or improve the powers of flight

imping need; then take thy flight!

Thy wings no

Critical Note

imping need, then take thy flight.

Leav then this

Physical Note

“w” written over other letter

Low and Gloomey earthly Spheir

Leave then this low and gloomy earthly sphere;

Leave then this low and gloomy earthly sphere.

What dost thou mean, what dost thou hope, or fear

What dost thou mean—what dost thou hope, or fear?

What dost thou mean? What dost thou hope, or fear?

Tell mee is thy eternall buſines here

Tell me, is thy eternal business here?

Hee whom thou lovest is gone, to Heaven hee’s ffled

He whom thou lovest is gone: to Heaven He’s fled.

He whom thou lovest is gone; to Heaven he’s fled.

Why dost thou Seek the Living

Physical Note

“st” crowded between surrounding words

amongst the Dead

Why dost thou seek the living amongst the dead?

Critical Note

Pulter alludes to Luke 24:5: “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (AV)

Why dost thou seek the living amongst the dead?

My active ffaith took wing and Late did fly

My active faith took wing and late did fly

Upto the top of Canaans Calvary

Up to the top of

Critical Note

Calvary was where Christ was crucified; Canaan is the biblical promised land.

Canaan’s Calvary;

Up to the top of Canaan’s

Critical Note

the location of Christ’s crucifixion.

Calvary.

There did I See with ffaiths Resplendent Eye

There did I see, with faith’s

Gloss Note

shining, brilliant

resplendent eye,

There did I see with

Critical Note

faith’s resplendent eye

The ffountain of all Love my Saviour Die

The fountain of all love, my Saviour, die.

The fountain of all love, my savior, die.

There did Longuives Peirce that guiltles brest

There did

Critical Note

Longeus, Longius, or Longinus is the traditional name for the Roman soldier at the Crucifixion who pierced Christ’s side with his spear to ensure that Christ was dead.

Longuives pierce that guiltless breast

There did

Critical Note

Longinus pierce that guiltless brest

In which the ffaithfull Shall in Glory Rest

In which the faithful shall in glory rest.

Ay mee there did his dieing Quickni^ng Blood

Ay me, there did His dying,

Gloss Note

life-giving

quickening blood

Ay me! There did his dying

Critical Note

“to come or bring to life” (OED, "quicken," v. 1.); “dying quickening blood” is a paradox, suggesting that Christ’s blood renews life through death.

quickening blood

fflow from his Side for our eternal good

Flow from His side for our eternal good;

Flow from his side for our eternal good.

To Heaven his Righteous Soul did take his fflieght

To Heaven His righteous soul did take His flight,

To Heaven his righteous soul did take his flight,

Leaving the Univerſ Lapt up in Night

Leaving the universe lapped up in night.

Critical Note

upon the death of his body, Christ’s soul returns to Heaven, leaving all of the created universe in darkness (“lapped up in night”). Compare Of Night and Morning [Poem 5].

Leaving the universe lapped up in night.

O admirable, unparraleld affection

O admirable, unparalleled affection,

O admirable, unparalleled affection;

Thus by \

Physical Note

written over illegible erased word(s)

his fall

Physical Note

in H2

his ffall \ recovering o:r defection

Thus, by His fall, recovering our

Gloss Note

imperfection, shortcoming; abandonment of one’s religion, moral duty, cause or country

defection!

Thus by his fall recovering our defection.

I am amazed at his infinite Love

I am amazed at His infinite love;

I am amazed at his infinite love;

ffor ^us hee left his Glorious Throne aboue

For us he left his glorious throne above.

Though for a good Man one would Deign to die

Though for a good man one would

Gloss Note

condescend; graciously accept

deign to die,

Though for a good man one would deign to die,

Yet who would doe Soe for his enemie

Yet who would do so for his enemy?

Critical Note

Yet who would do so for his enemy?

Damon, and Pithias, would Die for one another

Critical Note

In classical legend, these faithful friends each strove to save the other from a sentence of death.

Damon and Pythias would die for one another;

Damon and Pythias would die for one another,

Pollux divided Splendour with his Brother

Critical Note

Zeus changed Pollux and his twin brother, Castor, into the constellation Gemini after Castor died and Pollux refused to part from him.

Pollux divided splendor with his brother;

Pollux divided splendor with his brother,

Patrocles, and Achillis, loues excell

Critical Note

Patroclus and Achilles’s loves excel;

Patroclus’ and Achilles’ loves excel,

Theſeus reveng’d Perithous death in Hell

Critical Note

Theseus and Pirithous were close comrades who went to Hades; Theseus survived, but Pirithous did not.

Theseus revenged Pirithous’s death in Hell;

Theseus revenged Pirithous’ death in Hell,

When lovly

Physical Note

"sle" written over earlier letters

Liſle Saw Lucas Bleeding Lie

When lovely

Critical Note

Lisle saw Lucas bleeding lie,

When lovely Lisle saw Lucas bleeding lie,

Hee on his trembling Booſome Strait did die

He on his trembling bosom straight did die.

Thus doe theſe Storyes and theſe ffables teach

Thus do these

Gloss Note

i.e., histories

stories and these fables teach

Critical Note

Thus do these stories and these fables teach,

And Shew to us how fare our Love may Reach

And show to us how far our love may reach;

And show to us how far our love may reach.

But^hee (my Soul) his precious Blood did loſe

But He (my soul) His precious blood did lose

But he (my soul) his precious blood did lose

ffor us (Ay mee) for us his Curſſed

Physical Note

“e” imperfectly erased

ffoeſe

For us (ay me), for us: His curséd foes.

For us (ay me) for us his cursed foes.

Conſidering this my Soul how canst thou Stay

Considering this, my soul, how canst thou stay?

Considering this, my soul, how canst thou stay

Now hee is Gon, dost thou not know the way?

Now He is gone, dost thou not know

Critical Note

See John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

the way—

Now he is gone? Dost thou not know the way?

When little Infants new Created Souls

When little infants’ new-created souls

When little infants’ new created souls

Doe eaſily ffly

Physical Note

imperfectly erased ascender suggests final “t” corrected to “e”

aboue or Star, or Poles,

Do easily fly above

Gloss Note

either

or star or poles,

Do easily fly above or star, or poles,

And ffrom their tender Mothers Ubrious Brest

And from their tender mother’s

Gloss Note

full; nourishing

uberous breast

And from their tender mother’s

Critical Note

uberous breast

Doe often ffly to their eternall Rest

Do often fly to their eternal rest?

Do often fly to their eternal rest;

And thou my Soul witherd and Worn w: th Grief

And thou, my soul, withered and worn with grief:

And thou, my soul, withered and worn with grief,

Think’st in this Dunghill earth to find Relief

Think’st in this

Gloss Note

filthy, excrement-like

dunghill earth to find relief?

Think’st in this dunghill earth to find relief?

Believe it Terren hopes are all But vain

Believe it:

Gloss Note

earthly

terrene hopes are all but vain,

Believe it:

Gloss Note

“belonging to the earth or to this world; earthly, worldly, secular, temporal, material, human” (OED, "terrene," adj. 1.a.)

terrene hopes are all but vain;

ffor thou must cast thy Haccle once again

For thou must

Gloss Note

cast off

cast thy

Critical Note

covering, as skin, or outer garment; the speaker proposes the skin or other earthly forms must be cast off “again” by way of returning to an original condition.

hackle once again

For thou must cast thy

Critical Note

hackle once again

Before thou canst poſſes thoſe endles Joyes

Before thou canst possess those endless joys,

Cōpar’d with which all worldly Pomps are Toyes.

Compared with which all worldly pomps are

Gloss Note

trivial things

toys.

Compared with which all worldly pomps are toys.

Notes: Amplified Edition

Title note

  Critical note 

  Editorial note 

I have modernized spelling and punctuation in this poem with the aim of enhancing clarity and readability. The notes gloss unfamiliar words and provide cultural and literary contexts.

  Headnote 

Line number 10

  Critical note 

birds renowned for their monogamy and devotion. The turtledove is the subject of “The Poor Turtledove” (Emblem 20) [Poem 85].

Line number 14

  Critical note 

in Greek mythology, a blessed land where heroes live happily after their deaths.

Line number 22

  Critical note 

Line number 26

  Critical note 

Line number 32

  Critical note 

Line number 39

  Critical note 

Line number 44

  Critical note 

Pulter alludes to Luke 24:5: “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (AV)

Line number 46

  Critical note 

the location of Christ’s crucifixion.

Line number 47

  Critical note 

Line number 49

  Critical note 

Line number 51

  Critical note 

“to come or bring to life” (OED, "quicken," v. 1.); “dying quickening blood” is a paradox, suggesting that Christ’s blood renews life through death.

Line number 54

  Critical note 

upon the death of his body, Christ’s soul returns to Heaven, leaving all of the created universe in darkness (“lapped up in night”). Compare Of Night and Morning [Poem 5].

Line number 60

  Critical note 

Line number 67

  Critical note 

Line number 75

  Critical note 

Line number 79

  Gloss note 

“belonging to the earth or to this world; earthly, worldly, secular, temporal, material, human” (OED, "terrene," adj. 1.a.)

Line number 80

  Critical note 

Sorry, but there are no notes associated with any currently displayed witness.

Amplified Edition

Of A young Lady at

Physical Note

straight line under second half of “Oxford” and all of “1646”; end of previous poem occupies top of page

Oxford 1646

Of a Young Lady at

Critical Note

Oxford was a royalist stronghold in the first English civil war, which ended in 1646 with royalist surrender to parliamentary opponents.

Oxford, 1646

Of a Young Lady at

Critical Note

Oxford, 1646

I have modernized spelling and punctuation in this poem with the aim of enhancing clarity and readability. The notes gloss unfamiliar words and provide cultural and literary contexts.

— Lara Dodds

A Noble pair in Love without Compare

A noble pair, in love without compare,

A noble pair in love without compare,

Heroick Spirits both Lovly and fair

Heroic spirits both, lovely and fair,

Heroic spirits both lovely and fair,

Whoſe Hearts were Counterchanged then

Physical Note

struck-through with multiple horizontal lines; “noe wonder” directly above “then”

~~then~~^noe wonder

Whose hearts were

Gloss Note

exchanged

counterchanged—then no wonder

Whose hearts were counterchanged; then no wonder,

They could not poſſible Subsist aſunder

They could not possibly subsist asunder.

Hee in this Grand Rebellion Late was kild

He, in this grand

Gloss Note

English civil war

rebellion late was killed

He in this grand rebellion late was killed.

ffor his good King his Loyall Blood was ſpild

For his good king; his loyal blood was spilled,

For his good king his loyal blood was spilled,

Which from the pregnant

Physical Note

“h” in H2

earth Sprung up in fame

Which from the pregnant earth sprung up in fame,

Which from the pregnant earth sprung up in fame

Honouring him with a never dying Name

Honoring him with a never-dying name.

Honoring him with a never dying name.

This Gallant Las, thus having lost her Love

This gallant lass, thus having lost her love,

This gallant lass thus having lost her love,

Disdaind to imitate the Turtle Dove

Disdained to imitate the

Critical Note

a bird noted for affection to its mate

turtledove,

Disdained to imitate the

Critical Note

birds renowned for their monogamy and devotion. The turtledove is the subject of “The Poor Turtledove” (Emblem 20) [Poem 85].

turtledove,

Who mourning Sits upon a withred Spray

Who mourning sits upon a withered

Gloss Note

twig or shoot

spray:

Who mourning sits upon a withered spray.

Her Noble Heart Refuſd to Live one Day

Her noble heart refused to live one day

Without her Love, earth noe contentment yields

Without her love. Earth no contentment yields.

Shee vowes to follow him to the Elizian ffields

She vows to follow him to the

Critical Note

In Greek myth, this was the paradisal place where heroes went after death.

Elysian fields,

She vows to follow him to the

Critical Note

in Greek mythology, a blessed land where heroes live happily after their deaths.

Elysian fields;

then

Then takes a Pistol in her Snowey Hand

Then takes a pistol in her snowy hand.

Then takes a pistol in her snowy hand,

Like a Roman Lucrece Soe did Shee Stand

Like a Roman

Critical Note

Lucrece was a married Roman woman who, after being brutally raped, chose to commit suicide rather than live in perceived dishonor.

Lucrece, so did she stand,

Like a Roman Lucrece so did she stand

Who did prefer her Honour ’fore her Life

Who did prefer her honor

Gloss Note

before

’fore her life,

Who did prefer her honor ’fore her life

And in her trembling Boſom thrust her Knife

And in her trembling bosom thrust her knife;

Or like that

Physical Note

“y” appears corrected from earlier “i”

Babylonish Virgin Sweet

Or like that

Critical Note

Thisbe, in love with Pyramus, kills herself when she thinks him dead.

Babylonish virgin sweet

Or like that Babylonish virgin sweet

Who Saw her Love lie bleeding at her feet

Who saw her love lie bleeding at her feet—

Who saw her love lie bleeding at her feet

Shee with his Sword, her Spotles Breast did pierce

She, with his sword, her spotless breast did pierce,

She with his sword, her spotless breast did pierce

Which makes her live Still in

Physical Note

in H2

\im \ Mortal verſ

Which makes her live still in immortal verse—

Which makes her live

Critical Note

still in immortal verse;

Soe this Heroick Maid display’d her Breast

So this heroic maid displayed her breast

So this heroic maid displayed her breast,

On which the God of Love was proud to Rest

On which the

Gloss Note

Cupid

god of love was proud to rest;

On which the god of love was proud to rest,

The Sulpherus mouth plac’d at her generous Heart

The sulfurous

Gloss Note

i.e., of the gun

mouth placed at her generous heart,

The sulfurous mouth placed at her generous heart,

Her Noble Mind triumphs or’e Death and Smart

Her noble mind triumphs o’er death and

Gloss Note

pain; grief

smart.

Critical Note

Her noble mind triumphs o’er death and smart.

To Heaven Shee Rowls her Sparkling dieing Eyes

To Heaven she rolls her sparkling, dying eyes;

To Heaven she rolls her sparkling dying eyes;

ffrom her undaunted Breast her Spirit fflyes

From her undaunted breast her spirit flies.

From her undaunted breast her spirit flies,

Even Soe a Spotles Lylley ffals and Dies

Even so a spotless lily falls and dies.

As this declares a m^agnanimous Spirit

As this declares a

Gloss Note

noble; courageous

magnanimous spirit,

As this declares a magnanimous spirit,

Soe Shee the Glory of it doth inherit

So she the glory of it doth inherit.

This Shee did doe to follow Earthey Love

This she did do to follow earthy love,

This she did do to follow

Critical Note

earthy love,

And thou my Soule whoſe Joys and Hope’s aboue

And thou, my soul, whose joys and hopes above

Are placed Still Hanckrest hovering here below

Are placed, still

Gloss Note

lingers

hank’rest, hovering here below:

Are placed, still hankerest, hovering here below.

Oh when wilt thou to thy Redeemer goe

O, when wilt thou to thy Redeemer go?

Oh, when wilt thou to thy redeemer go?

Thou keep’st a ffluttring here bout thiſ baſe earth

Thou keep’st afluttering here ’bout this base earth.

Thou keep’st afluttering here ’bout this base earth;

My Soul I doubt thou dos’t forget thy Birth

My soul, I

Gloss Note

fear; suspect

doubt thou dost forget thy birth:

My soul, I doubt thou dost forget thy birth.

thou

Thou art a Ray of that

Physical Note

third “i” appears written over “u”

inviſible Light

Thou art a ray of that invisible light:

Thou art a ray of that invisible light,

Thy wings noe impeing need, then take thy ffleight

Thy wings no

Gloss Note

engrafting feathers in a bird’s wing to remedy losses or deficiencies, and so restore or improve the powers of flight

imping need; then take thy flight!

Thy wings no

Critical Note

imping need, then take thy flight.

Leav then this

Physical Note

“w” written over other letter

Low and Gloomey earthly Spheir

Leave then this low and gloomy earthly sphere;

Leave then this low and gloomy earthly sphere.

What dost thou mean, what dost thou hope, or fear

What dost thou mean—what dost thou hope, or fear?

What dost thou mean? What dost thou hope, or fear?

Tell mee is thy eternall buſines here

Tell me, is thy eternal business here?

Hee whom thou lovest is gone, to Heaven hee’s ffled

He whom thou lovest is gone: to Heaven He’s fled.

He whom thou lovest is gone; to Heaven he’s fled.

Why dost thou Seek the Living

Physical Note

“st” crowded between surrounding words

amongst the Dead

Why dost thou seek the living amongst the dead?

Critical Note

Pulter alludes to Luke 24:5: “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (AV)

Why dost thou seek the living amongst the dead?

My active ffaith took wing and Late did fly

My active faith took wing and late did fly

Upto the top of Canaans Calvary

Up to the top of

Critical Note

Calvary was where Christ was crucified; Canaan is the biblical promised land.

Canaan’s Calvary;

Up to the top of Canaan’s

Critical Note

the location of Christ’s crucifixion.

Calvary.

There did I See with ffaiths Resplendent Eye

There did I see, with faith’s

Gloss Note

shining, brilliant

resplendent eye,

There did I see with

Critical Note

faith’s resplendent eye

The ffountain of all Love my Saviour Die

The fountain of all love, my Saviour, die.

The fountain of all love, my savior, die.

There did Longuives Peirce that guiltles brest

There did

Critical Note

Longeus, Longius, or Longinus is the traditional name for the Roman soldier at the Crucifixion who pierced Christ’s side with his spear to ensure that Christ was dead.

Longuives pierce that guiltless breast

There did

Critical Note

Longinus pierce that guiltless brest

In which the ffaithfull Shall in Glory Rest

In which the faithful shall in glory rest.

Ay mee there did his dieing Quickni^ng Blood

Ay me, there did His dying,

Gloss Note

life-giving

quickening blood

Ay me! There did his dying

Critical Note

“to come or bring to life” (OED, "quicken," v. 1.); “dying quickening blood” is a paradox, suggesting that Christ’s blood renews life through death.

quickening blood

fflow from his Side for our eternal good

Flow from His side for our eternal good;

Flow from his side for our eternal good.

To Heaven his Righteous Soul did take his fflieght

To Heaven His righteous soul did take His flight,

To Heaven his righteous soul did take his flight,

Leaving the Univerſ Lapt up in Night

Leaving the universe lapped up in night.

Critical Note

upon the death of his body, Christ’s soul returns to Heaven, leaving all of the created universe in darkness (“lapped up in night”). Compare Of Night and Morning [Poem 5].

Leaving the universe lapped up in night.

O admirable, unparraleld affection

O admirable, unparalleled affection,

O admirable, unparalleled affection;

Thus by \

Physical Note

written over illegible erased word(s)

his fall

Physical Note

in H2

his ffall \ recovering o:r defection

Thus, by His fall, recovering our

Gloss Note

imperfection, shortcoming; abandonment of one’s religion, moral duty, cause or country

defection!

Thus by his fall recovering our defection.

I am amazed at his infinite Love

I am amazed at His infinite love;

I am amazed at his infinite love;

ffor ^us hee left his Glorious Throne aboue

For us he left his glorious throne above.

Though for a good Man one would Deign to die

Though for a good man one would

Gloss Note

condescend; graciously accept

deign to die,

Though for a good man one would deign to die,

Yet who would doe Soe for his enemie

Yet who would do so for his enemy?

Critical Note

Yet who would do so for his enemy?

Damon, and Pithias, would Die for one another

Critical Note

In classical legend, these faithful friends each strove to save the other from a sentence of death.

Damon and Pythias would die for one another;

Damon and Pythias would die for one another,

Pollux divided Splendour with his Brother

Critical Note

Zeus changed Pollux and his twin brother, Castor, into the constellation Gemini after Castor died and Pollux refused to part from him.

Pollux divided splendor with his brother;

Pollux divided splendor with his brother,

Patrocles, and Achillis, loues excell

Critical Note

Patroclus and Achilles’s loves excel;

Patroclus’ and Achilles’ loves excel,

Theſeus reveng’d Perithous death in Hell

Critical Note

Theseus and Pirithous were close comrades who went to Hades; Theseus survived, but Pirithous did not.

Theseus revenged Pirithous’s death in Hell;

Theseus revenged Pirithous’ death in Hell,

When lovly

Physical Note

"sle" written over earlier letters

Liſle Saw Lucas Bleeding Lie

When lovely

Critical Note

Lisle saw Lucas bleeding lie,

When lovely Lisle saw Lucas bleeding lie,

Hee on his trembling Booſome Strait did die

He on his trembling bosom straight did die.

Thus doe theſe Storyes and theſe ffables teach

Thus do these

Gloss Note

i.e., histories

stories and these fables teach

Critical Note

Thus do these stories and these fables teach,

And Shew to us how fare our Love may Reach

And show to us how far our love may reach;

And show to us how far our love may reach.

But^hee (my Soul) his precious Blood did loſe

But He (my soul) His precious blood did lose

But he (my soul) his precious blood did lose

ffor us (Ay mee) for us his Curſſed

Physical Note

“e” imperfectly erased

ffoeſe

For us (ay me), for us: His curséd foes.

For us (ay me) for us his cursed foes.

Conſidering this my Soul how canst thou Stay

Considering this, my soul, how canst thou stay?

Considering this, my soul, how canst thou stay

Now hee is Gon, dost thou not know the way?

Now He is gone, dost thou not know

Critical Note

See John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

the way—

Now he is gone? Dost thou not know the way?

When little Infants new Created Souls

When little infants’ new-created souls

When little infants’ new created souls

Doe eaſily ffly

Physical Note

imperfectly erased ascender suggests final “t” corrected to “e”

aboue or Star, or Poles,

Do easily fly above

Gloss Note

either

or star or poles,

Do easily fly above or star, or poles,

And ffrom their tender Mothers Ubrious Brest

And from their tender mother’s

Gloss Note

full; nourishing

uberous breast

And from their tender mother’s

Critical Note

uberous breast

Doe often ffly to their eternall Rest

Do often fly to their eternal rest?

Do often fly to their eternal rest;

And thou my Soul witherd and Worn w: th Grief

And thou, my soul, withered and worn with grief:

And thou, my soul, withered and worn with grief,

Think’st in this Dunghill earth to find Relief

Think’st in this

Gloss Note

filthy, excrement-like

dunghill earth to find relief?

Think’st in this dunghill earth to find relief?

Believe it Terren hopes are all But vain

Believe it:

Gloss Note

earthly

terrene hopes are all but vain,

Believe it:

Gloss Note

“belonging to the earth or to this world; earthly, worldly, secular, temporal, material, human” (OED, "terrene," adj. 1.a.)

terrene hopes are all but vain;

ffor thou must cast thy Haccle once again

For thou must

Gloss Note

cast off

cast thy

Critical Note

covering, as skin, or outer garment; the speaker proposes the skin or other earthly forms must be cast off “again” by way of returning to an original condition.

hackle once again

For thou must cast thy

Critical Note

hackle once again

Before thou canst poſſes thoſe endles Joyes

Before thou canst possess those endless joys,

Cōpar’d with which all worldly Pomps are Toyes.

Compared with which all worldly pomps are

Gloss Note

trivial things

toys.

Compared with which all worldly pomps are toys.

All Notes

Transcription

Title note

  Physical note 

straight line under second half of “Oxford” and all of “1646”; end of previous poem occupies top of page

Elemental Edition

Title note

  Critical note 

Oxford was a royalist stronghold in the first English civil war, which ended in 1646 with royalist surrender to parliamentary opponents.

Amplified Edition

Title note

  Critical note 

Transcription

  Editorial note 

Elemental Edition

  Editorial note 

Amplified Edition

  Editorial note 

I have modernized spelling and punctuation in this poem with the aim of enhancing clarity and readability. The notes gloss unfamiliar words and provide cultural and literary contexts.

Elemental Edition

  Headnote 

Amplified Edition

  Headnote 

Transcription

Line number 3

  Physical note 

struck-through with multiple horizontal lines; “noe wonder” directly above “then”

Elemental Edition

Line number 3

  Gloss note 

exchanged

Elemental Edition

Line number 5

  Gloss note 

English civil war

Transcription

Line number 7

  Physical note 

“h” in H2

Elemental Edition

Line number 10

  Critical note 

a bird noted for affection to its mate

Amplified Edition

Line number 10

  Critical note 

birds renowned for their monogamy and devotion. The turtledove is the subject of “The Poor Turtledove” (Emblem 20) [Poem 85].

Elemental Edition

Line number 11

  Gloss note 

twig or shoot

Elemental Edition

Line number 14

  Critical note 

In Greek myth, this was the paradisal place where heroes went after death.

Amplified Edition

Line number 14

  Critical note 

in Greek mythology, a blessed land where heroes live happily after their deaths.

Elemental Edition

Line number 16

  Critical note 

Lucrece was a married Roman woman who, after being brutally raped, chose to commit suicide rather than live in perceived dishonor.

Elemental Edition

Line number 17

  Gloss note 

before

Transcription

Line number 19

  Physical note 

“y” appears corrected from earlier “i”

Elemental Edition

Line number 19

  Critical note 

Thisbe, in love with Pyramus, kills herself when she thinks him dead.

Transcription

Line number 22

  Physical note 

in H2

Amplified Edition

Line number 22

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 24

  Gloss note 

Cupid

Elemental Edition

Line number 25

  Gloss note 

i.e., of the gun

Elemental Edition

Line number 26

  Gloss note 

pain; grief

Amplified Edition

Line number 26

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 30

  Gloss note 

noble; courageous

Amplified Edition

Line number 32

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 34

  Gloss note 

lingers

Elemental Edition

Line number 37

  Gloss note 

fear; suspect

Transcription

Line number 38

  Physical note 

third “i” appears written over “u”

Elemental Edition

Line number 39

  Gloss note 

engrafting feathers in a bird’s wing to remedy losses or deficiencies, and so restore or improve the powers of flight

Amplified Edition

Line number 39

  Critical note 

Transcription

Line number 40

  Physical note 

“w” written over other letter

Transcription

Line number 44

  Physical note 

“st” crowded between surrounding words

Amplified Edition

Line number 44

  Critical note 

Pulter alludes to Luke 24:5: “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (AV)

Elemental Edition

Line number 46

  Critical note 

Calvary was where Christ was crucified; Canaan is the biblical promised land.

Amplified Edition

Line number 46

  Critical note 

the location of Christ’s crucifixion.

Elemental Edition

Line number 47

  Gloss note 

shining, brilliant

Amplified Edition

Line number 47

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 49

  Critical note 

Longeus, Longius, or Longinus is the traditional name for the Roman soldier at the Crucifixion who pierced Christ’s side with his spear to ensure that Christ was dead.

Amplified Edition

Line number 49

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 51

  Gloss note 

life-giving

Amplified Edition

Line number 51

  Critical note 

“to come or bring to life” (OED, "quicken," v. 1.); “dying quickening blood” is a paradox, suggesting that Christ’s blood renews life through death.

Amplified Edition

Line number 54

  Critical note 

upon the death of his body, Christ’s soul returns to Heaven, leaving all of the created universe in darkness (“lapped up in night”). Compare Of Night and Morning [Poem 5].

Transcription

Line number 56

  Physical note 

written over illegible erased word(s)

Transcription

Line number 56

  Physical note 

in H2

Elemental Edition

Line number 56

  Gloss note 

imperfection, shortcoming; abandonment of one’s religion, moral duty, cause or country

Elemental Edition

Line number 59

  Gloss note 

condescend; graciously accept

Amplified Edition

Line number 60

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 61

  Critical note 

In classical legend, these faithful friends each strove to save the other from a sentence of death.

Elemental Edition

Line number 62

  Critical note 

Zeus changed Pollux and his twin brother, Castor, into the constellation Gemini after Castor died and Pollux refused to part from him.

Elemental Edition

Line number 63

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 64

  Critical note 

Theseus and Pirithous were close comrades who went to Hades; Theseus survived, but Pirithous did not.

Transcription

Line number 65

  Physical note 

"sle" written over earlier letters

Elemental Edition

Line number 65

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 67

  Gloss note 

i.e., histories

Amplified Edition

Line number 67

  Critical note 

Transcription

Line number 70

  Physical note 

“e” imperfectly erased

Elemental Edition

Line number 72

  Critical note 

See John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Transcription

Line number 74

  Physical note 

imperfectly erased ascender suggests final “t” corrected to “e”

Elemental Edition

Line number 74

  Gloss note 

either

Elemental Edition

Line number 75

  Gloss note 

full; nourishing

Amplified Edition

Line number 75

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 78

  Gloss note 

filthy, excrement-like

Elemental Edition

Line number 79

  Gloss note 

earthly

Amplified Edition

Line number 79

  Gloss note 

“belonging to the earth or to this world; earthly, worldly, secular, temporal, material, human” (OED, "terrene," adj. 1.a.)

Elemental Edition

Line number 80

  Gloss note 

cast off

Elemental Edition

Line number 80

  Critical note 

covering, as skin, or outer garment; the speaker proposes the skin or other earthly forms must be cast off “again” by way of returning to an original condition.

Amplified Edition

Line number 80

  Critical note 

Elemental Edition

Line number 82

  Gloss note 

trivial things

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Manuscript X (Close panel)