Poetry Codex

Metaphysical & Cavalier

Thomas Jordan

c. 1612–1685

Thomas Jordan (c. 1612–1685) was an English actor, dramatist and poet. He began as a player in London before the theatres were closed in 1642, and published his verse in small, miscellaneous volumes through the Civil War, the Interregnum and the Restoration.

His Divine Raptures (1646) turns everyday sights — a weathercock, a windmill, a ship — into pious meditations; the later volumes gathered here, Divinity and Morality in Robes of Poetry and The Muses Melody, both printed undated, mix moral epigrams, elegies, acrostics and occasional verse with amorous and satirical pieces.

Poems (112)

  1. CHRISTS BIRTH AND PASSION.
  2. CANT. 8.7. Much water cannot quench love, neither can the floods drowne it.
  3. Mans naturall infirmity.
  4. The Melancholicke Soules comfort.
  5. The Soule in love with Christ.
  6. Lord why hidest thou thy face from me.
  7. Christs Resurrection.
  8. Sanctificat.
  9. A Meditation on a Mans shadow.
  10. A Meditation on Childrens rashnesse.
  11. A Meditation on a good Father having a bad Sonne.
  12. A Meditation on a Weathercocke.
  13. A Meditation on Cockfighting.
  14. A Meditation on an Echo and a Picture.
  15. A Meditation on Noahs Dove.
  16. A Meditation on a Shippe.
  17. A Meditation on a Windmill.
  18. A Meditation on Organs.
  19. A Meditation on an Apes love.
  20. On contempt of the World.
  21. A Meditation on a meane.
  22. On Sathans tempting Eve.
  23. On a Spunge.
  24. A Meditation on a chime of Bells.
  25. A Meditation on the burning a torch at noone day.
  26. A Meditation on the sound of a crackt Bell.
  27. A Meditation on a silly Sheepe.
  28. A Meditation on the Flowers of the Sunne.
  29. A Meditation on a Loadstone, and Iet.
  30. A Meditation on false lookin-glasses.
  31. A Meditation on hunting the Hare.
  32. A Meditation on the pride of Womens apparrell.
  33. A Meditation on a Wax Candle lighted.
  34. A Meditation on an Elephant.
  35. A Meditation on a Bird in a Cage.
  36. A Meditation on the fire.
  37. A meditation on boyes swimming with bladders.
  38. On Cain and Abels offerings.
  39. On an Apprentices Boxe.
  40. On Eves Apple.
  41. On a faire house having ill passage to it.
  42. Preambulation.
  43. On forgetfulness in holy Duties.
  44. On the Heart.
  45. On rash Iudgment.
  46. On an Evil Tongue.
  47. A Dialogue betwixt the Flesh, and the Spirit.
  48. Spirit alone.
  49. An Acrostich on my very worthy friend Mr. MARKE WARD.
  50. An Epitaph in an Acrostich, composed on the Name of his vertuous Sister Mrs. Joane Ward.
  51. An Elegiack, in a double Acrostich, sacred to the memory of the most truly vertuous Mrs. MARGARET JESSOP, Wife to the much honoured WILLIAM JESSOP Esq. who deceased the first of November, 1651.
  52. The CHARACTER of a Corrupt STATES-MAN, that is solely devoted to Selfe-Ends, But pretends to Piety.
  53. The Politician in Person.
  54. The Author.
  55. The Doctor.
  56. Envy.
  57. Pride.
  58. Riches.
  59. Hypocrisie.
  60. Warre.
  61. Covetousnesse.
  62. Oppression.
  63. Tyranny.
  64. Perjurie.
  65. The Doctor.
  66. The Author.
  67. On Ambition.
  68. On Peace.
  69. On these Civill Warres.
  70. On our Saviour, his being called the Carpenter.
  71. A Paraphrase upon the Pater Noster,
  72. To an unnaturall Elder Brother that beguiled him of his Portion.
  73. An Allarme in 1645.
  74. An Elegy and Epitaph composed on the death of an Infant Lady.
  75. The Epitaph.
  76. On the event of these Wars betwixt the Dutch and English.
  77. On those women, who pretend that poverty provoketh to inchastity.
  78. The Proselite.
  79. To the much honored Pair, and most pious Preservers of Love and Loyalty in Wedlock, Mr. Nathaniel Lownes Merchant Adventurer, &c. and the perfect Patern of Vertue Mrs. Melior Lownes his beloved Consort.
  80. On Reason.
  81. On Henry the VIII.
  82. An Epigram on one, who said, He liv'd by his wits.
  83. On Ribaldry.
  84. Good Wits may Iump.
  85. On a School-Master.
  86. An Elegy and Epitaph on the deplored death of the much worthy William Barklay Esquire, one of the Aldermen of the City of London; dedicate to Mr. Hen. Barklay.
  87. The Epitaph.
  88. On Intemperance.
  89. On pious Poverty.
  90. On vain delights.
  91. On the Eucharist.
  92. The happy estate of the Blessed, Matth. 5,
  93. The wretched estate of the cursed, Deut. 27.
  94. On a Citizen that was so unreasonably jealous of his wife, that he durst not trust her with the neerest in blood of her own kindred.
  95. Peccavi, to a vertuous Lady, who was vitiously solicited by a Gentleman whilst she was in her mourning.
  96. An Apology to a coy Lady for a passionate Letter which a Gent. writ to her when she returned back to him a Diamond which he before had presented.
  97. On a cruel Creditor.
  98. On Rebellion.
  99. UILLAINIE. Anagram, I LIVE IN AL.
  100. An Epitaph on a scold.
  101. On Jack Summer, who with two shillings, won twenty pounds of Captaine Swallow.
  102. On Scorta.
  103. An Epitaph on Mr. Will. Lawes Batchelor in Musick, who was mortally shot at the siege of Westchester.
  104. A Defence for Musick in its Practique and Theorick, Dedicated to all Lovers of Harmony, but more especially to the much honored Mr. JOHN ROGERS.
  105. An Epigram on a Mad-man.
  106. To his disdainful Mistress, from whom he receiv'd a Repulse at the presentment of his service to lead her by the Arm in the street.
  107. On Mrs. Howlet, and Mrs. Boone.
  108. An Epitaph on a Prisoner for Debt, who dyed of Feaver in the Counter.
  109. A Bull made Sense.
  110. On Cavaliers wearing of much Ribbon.
  111. To the great lover and protector of Honor and Sciences Sir Henry Newton Knight, &c.
  112. Coronemus nos Rosis antequam marcescant

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