Upon A Wasp Chilled With Cold

The bear that breathes the northern blastDid numb, torpedo-like, a waspWhose stiffened limbs encramped, lay bathingIn Sol’s warm breath and shine as saving,Which with her hands she chafes and standsRubbing her legs, shanks, thighs, and hands.Her petty toes, and fingers’ endsNipped with this breath, she out extendsUnto the sun, in great desireTo warm her digits at that fire.Doth hold her temples in this stateWhere pulse doth beat, and head doth ache.Doth turn, and stretch her body small,Doth comb her velvet capital.As if her little brain pan wereA volume of choice precepts clear.As if her satin jacket hotContained apothecary’s shopOf nature’s receipts, that prevailsTo remedy all her sad ails,As if her velvet helmet highDid turret rationality.As if her pettycoat were lined,With reason’s fleece, and hoists sailsAnd humming flies in thankful galesUnto her dun curled palace hallHer warm thanks offering for all.

Lord, clear my misted sight that IMay hence view Thy divinity,Some sparks whereof thou up dost haspWithin this little downy waspIn whose small corporation weA school and a schoolmaster see,Where we may learn, and easily findA nimble spirit bravely mindHer work in every limb: and laceIt up neat with a vital grace,Acting each part though ne’er so smallHere of this fustian animal.Till I enravished climb intoThe Godhead on this ladder do,Where all my pipes inspired upraiseAnd heavenly music furred with praise.

c.1683

l. 1: refers to the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear

l. 2: torpedo; a fish, similar to a stingray, which delivers a numbing shock by way of self-defense

l. 4: Sol; the sun

l. 10: digits; limbs

l. 14: capital; head

l. 19: receipts; prescriptions

l. 22: turret; contain

l. 31: up dost hasp; confine, enclose

l. 33: corporation; body, constitution

l. 40: fustian; dressed in coarse clothing

l. 44: furred; covered or decorated