[Footnote 128: In 1599 and 1608 editions, 'since,' as before. G.] [Footnote 129: Scents. G.] FEELING. _Lastly, the feeling power_, which is Life's root, Through euery liuing part it selfe doth shed; By sinewes, which extend from head to foot, And like a net, all ore the body spred. Much like a subtill spider, which doth sit In middle of her web, which spreadeth wide; If ought doe touch the vtmost thred of it, Shee feeles it instantly on euery side. By _Touch_, the first pure qualities we learne, Which quicken all things, _hote_, _cold_, _moist_ and _dry_; By _Touch_, _hard_, _soft_, _rough_, _smooth_, we doe discerne; By _Touch_, _sweet pleasure_, and _sharpe paine_, we try. * * * * * These are the outward instruments of Sense, These are the guards which euery thing must passe Ere it approch the mind's intelligence, Or touch the Fantasie, _Wit's looking-glasse_. THE IMAGINATION OR COMMON SENSE. And yet these porters, which all things admit, Themselues perceiue not, nor discerne the things; One _common_ power doth in the forehead sit, Which all their proper formes together brings. For all those _nerues_, which _spirits of Sence_ doe beare, And to those outward organs spreading goe; Vnited are, as in a center there, And there this power those sundry formes doth know. Those outward organs present things receiue, This inward _Sense_ doth absent things retaine; Yet straight transmits all formes shee doth perceiue, Vnto a higher region of the _braine_. THE FANTASIE. Where _Fantasie_, neere _hand-maid_ to the mind, Sits and beholds, and doth discerne them[130] all; Compounds in one, things diuers in their kind; Compares the black and white, the great and small. Besides, those single formes she doth esteeme, And in her ballance doth their values trie; Where some things good, and some things ill doe seem, And neutrall some, in her _fantasticke_[131] eye. This busie power is working day and night; For when the outward _senses_ rest doe take, A thousand dreames, fantasticall and light, With fluttring wings doe keepe her still awake.[132] [Footnote 130: Misprinted 'then' in 1622 edition, but as above correctly in 1599 and 1608 editions. G.] [Footnote 131: Misprinted 'Fancasticke' in 1622 edition. G.] THE SENSITIUE MEMORIE. Yet alwayes all may not afore her bee; Successiuely, she this and that intends; Therefore such formes as she doth cease to see, To _Memorie's_ large volume shee commends. The _lidger-booke_ lies in the braine behinde, Like _Ianus'_ eye, which in his poll was set; The _lay-man's tables, store-house of the mind_, Which doth remember much, and much forget.