7.Salute the last and everlasting day,Joy at the uprising of this Sunne, and Sonne,Yee whose just teares, or tribulationHave purely washt, or burnt your drossie clay;5Behold the Highest, parting hence away,Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon,Nor doth hee by ascending, show alone,But first hee, and hee first enters the way.O strong Ramme, which hast batter'd heaven for mee,10Mild Lambe, which with thy blood, hast mark'd the path;Bright Torch, which shin'st, that I the way may see,Oh, with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath,And if thy holy Spirit, my Muse did raise,Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise.
7.Salute the last and everlasting day,Joy at the uprising of this Sunne, and Sonne,Yee whose just teares, or tribulationHave purely washt, or burnt your drossie clay;5Behold the Highest, parting hence away,Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon,Nor doth hee by ascending, show alone,But first hee, and hee first enters the way.O strong Ramme, which hast batter'd heaven for mee,10Mild Lambe, which with thy blood, hast mark'd the path;Bright Torch, which shin'st, that I the way may see,Oh, with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath,And if thy holy Spirit, my Muse did raise,Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise.
7.Salute the last and everlasting day,
Joy at the uprising of this Sunne, and Sonne,
Yee whose just teares, or tribulation
Have purely washt, or burnt your drossie clay;
5Behold the Highest, parting hence away,
Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon,
Nor doth hee by ascending, show alone,
But first hee, and hee first enters the way.
O strong Ramme, which hast batter'd heaven for mee,
10Mild Lambe, which with thy blood, hast mark'd the path;
Bright Torch, which shin'st, that I the way may see,
Oh, with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath,
And if thy holy Spirit, my Muse did raise,
Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise.
Ascention.3 just1633,A18,D,H49,N,TC:true1635-69,B,S,S96,W8 way.] way,163310 Lambe,D,W:lambe1633-6911 Torch,D,W:torch,1633-69the way] thy wayesB,S,S96,W:theeA18,TCC
Ascention.
3 just1633,A18,D,H49,N,TC:true1635-69,B,S,S96,W
8 way.] way,1633
10 Lambe,D,W:lambe1633-69
11 Torch,D,W:torch,1633-69
the way] thy wayesB,S,S96,W:theeA18,TCC
Note
THOU hast made me, And shall thy worke decay?Repaire me now, for now mine end doth haste,I runne to death, and death meets me as fast,And all my pleasures are like yesterday;5I dare not move my dimme eyes any way,Despaire behind, and death before doth castSuch terrour, and my feeble flesh doth wasteBy sinne in it, which it t'wards hell doth weigh;Onely thou art above, and when towards thee10By thy leave I can looke, I rise againe;But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,That not one houre my selfe I can sustaine;Thy Grace may wing me to prevent his art,And thou like Adamant draw mine iron heart.
THOU hast made me, And shall thy worke decay?Repaire me now, for now mine end doth haste,I runne to death, and death meets me as fast,And all my pleasures are like yesterday;5I dare not move my dimme eyes any way,Despaire behind, and death before doth castSuch terrour, and my feeble flesh doth wasteBy sinne in it, which it t'wards hell doth weigh;Onely thou art above, and when towards thee10By thy leave I can looke, I rise againe;But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,That not one houre my selfe I can sustaine;Thy Grace may wing me to prevent his art,And thou like Adamant draw mine iron heart.
THOU hast made me, And shall thy worke decay?
Repaire me now, for now mine end doth haste,
I runne to death, and death meets me as fast,
And all my pleasures are like yesterday;
5I dare not move my dimme eyes any way,
Despaire behind, and death before doth cast
Such terrour, and my feeble flesh doth waste
By sinne in it, which it t'wards hell doth weigh;
Onely thou art above, and when towards thee
10By thy leave I can looke, I rise againe;
But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,
That not one houre my selfe I can sustaine;
Thy Grace may wing me to prevent his art,
And thou like Adamant draw mine iron heart.
Holy Sonnets.1633-69(followingLa Coronaas second group under the same general title),W:Devine Meditations.B,O'F,S96:no title,A18,D,H49,N,TCC,TCD.See noteI.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:omitted1633,A18,D,H49,N,TCC,TCD4 yesterday;Ed:yesterday,1635-697 feeble1635-69:febledB,O'F,S96,W12 my selfe I can1635-69:I can myselfB,S96,Wsustaine;1669:sustaine,1635-54
Holy Sonnets.1633-69(followingLa Coronaas second group under the same general title),W:Devine Meditations.B,O'F,S96:no title,A18,D,H49,N,TCC,TCD.See note
I.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:omitted1633,A18,D,H49,N,TCC,TCD
4 yesterday;Ed:yesterday,1635-69
7 feeble1635-69:febledB,O'F,S96,W
12 my selfe I can1635-69:I can myselfB,S96,W
sustaine;1669:sustaine,1635-54
AS due by many titles I resigneMy selfe to thee, O God, first I was madeBy thee, and for thee, and when I was decay'dThy blood bought that, the which before was thine;5I am thy sonne, made with thy selfe to shine,Thy servant, whose paines thou hast still repaid,Thy sheepe, thine Image, and, till I betray'dMy selfe, a temple of thy Spirit divine;Why doth the devill then usurpe on mee?10Why doth he steale, nay ravish that's thy right?Except thou rise and for thine owne worke fight,Oh I shall soone despaire, when I doe seeThat thou lov'st mankind well, yet wilt'not chuse me,And Satan hates mee, yet is loth to lose mee.
AS due by many titles I resigneMy selfe to thee, O God, first I was madeBy thee, and for thee, and when I was decay'dThy blood bought that, the which before was thine;5I am thy sonne, made with thy selfe to shine,Thy servant, whose paines thou hast still repaid,Thy sheepe, thine Image, and, till I betray'dMy selfe, a temple of thy Spirit divine;Why doth the devill then usurpe on mee?10Why doth he steale, nay ravish that's thy right?Except thou rise and for thine owne worke fight,Oh I shall soone despaire, when I doe seeThat thou lov'st mankind well, yet wilt'not chuse me,And Satan hates mee, yet is loth to lose mee.
AS due by many titles I resigne
My selfe to thee, O God, first I was made
By thee, and for thee, and when I was decay'd
Thy blood bought that, the which before was thine;
5I am thy sonne, made with thy selfe to shine,
Thy servant, whose paines thou hast still repaid,
Thy sheepe, thine Image, and, till I betray'd
My selfe, a temple of thy Spirit divine;
Why doth the devill then usurpe on mee?
10Why doth he steale, nay ravish that's thy right?
Except thou rise and for thine owne worke fight,
Oh I shall soone despaire, when I doe see
That thou lov'st mankind well, yet wilt'not chuse me,
And Satan hates mee, yet is loth to lose mee.
II.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:I.1633,A18,D,H49,N,TCC,TCD2 God, first1633:God. First1635-694 thine;1650-69:thine,1633-39:thine.W7 and,Ed:and1633-699 on1633-69,D,H49:inA18,B,N,S96,TC,W10 steale,] steale1633-39that's] what'sA18,TCC12 doe1633 and most MSS.:shall1635-69,O'F,S9613 me,] me.1633
II.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:I.1633,A18,D,H49,N,TCC,TCD
2 God, first1633:God. First1635-69
4 thine;1650-69:thine,1633-39:thine.W
7 and,Ed:and1633-69
9 on1633-69,D,H49:inA18,B,N,S96,TC,W
10 steale,] steale1633-39
that's] what'sA18,TCC
12 doe1633 and most MSS.:shall1635-69,O'F,S96
13 me,] me.1633
Note
OMIGHT those sighes and teares returne againeInto my breast and eyes, which I have spent,That I might in this holy discontentMourne with some fruit, as I have mourn'd in vaine;5In mine Idolatry what showres of raineMine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?That sufferance was my sinne; now I repent;'Cause I did suffer I must suffer paine.Th'hydroptique drunkard, and night-scouting thiefe,10The itchy Lecher, and selfe tickling proudHave the remembrance of past joyes, for reliefeOf comming ills. To (poore) me is allow'dNo ease; for, long, yet vehement griefe hath beeneTh'effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.
OMIGHT those sighes and teares returne againeInto my breast and eyes, which I have spent,That I might in this holy discontentMourne with some fruit, as I have mourn'd in vaine;5In mine Idolatry what showres of raineMine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?That sufferance was my sinne; now I repent;'Cause I did suffer I must suffer paine.Th'hydroptique drunkard, and night-scouting thiefe,10The itchy Lecher, and selfe tickling proudHave the remembrance of past joyes, for reliefeOf comming ills. To (poore) me is allow'dNo ease; for, long, yet vehement griefe hath beeneTh'effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.
OMIGHT those sighes and teares returne againe
Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,
That I might in this holy discontent
Mourne with some fruit, as I have mourn'd in vaine;
5In mine Idolatry what showres of raine
Mine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?
That sufferance was my sinne; now I repent;
'Cause I did suffer I must suffer paine.
Th'hydroptique drunkard, and night-scouting thiefe,
10The itchy Lecher, and selfe tickling proud
Have the remembrance of past joyes, for reliefe
Of comming ills. To (poore) me is allow'd
No ease; for, long, yet vehement griefe hath beene
Th'effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.
III.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:omitted1633,A18,D,&c.7 sinne; now IEd:sinne, now IB,W:sinne I now1635-69repent;Ed:repent,1633-69
III.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:omitted1633,A18,D,&c.
7 sinne; now IEd:sinne, now IB,W:sinne I now1635-69
repent;Ed:repent,1633-69
OH my blacke Soule! now thou art summonedBy sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion;Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath doneTreason, and durst not turne to whence hee is fled,5Or like a thiefe, which till deaths doome be read,Wisheth himselfe delivered from prison;But damn'd and hal'd to execution,Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lacke;10But who shall give thee that grace to beginne?Oh make thy selfe with holy mourning blacke,And red with blushing, as thou art with sinne;Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this mightThat being red, it dyes red soules to white.
OH my blacke Soule! now thou art summonedBy sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion;Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath doneTreason, and durst not turne to whence hee is fled,5Or like a thiefe, which till deaths doome be read,Wisheth himselfe delivered from prison;But damn'd and hal'd to execution,Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lacke;10But who shall give thee that grace to beginne?Oh make thy selfe with holy mourning blacke,And red with blushing, as thou art with sinne;Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this mightThat being red, it dyes red soules to white.
OH my blacke Soule! now thou art summoned
By sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion;
Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath done
Treason, and durst not turne to whence hee is fled,
5Or like a thiefe, which till deaths doome be read,
Wisheth himselfe delivered from prison;
But damn'd and hal'd to execution,
Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.
Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lacke;
10But who shall give thee that grace to beginne?
Oh make thy selfe with holy mourning blacke,
And red with blushing, as thou art with sinne;
Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this might
That being red, it dyes red soules to white.
IV.1635-69:II.1633,A18,D,&c.:V.B,O'F,S96,W1 Soule!1633:Soule1635-698 imprisoned.W:imprisoned;1633-69
IV.1635-69:II.1633,A18,D,&c.:V.B,O'F,S96,W
1 Soule!1633:Soule1635-69
8 imprisoned.W:imprisoned;1633-69
Note
IAM a little world made cunninglyOf Elements, and an Angelike spright,But black sinne hath betraid to endlesse nightMy worlds both parts, and (oh) both parts must die.5You which beyond that heaven which was most highHave found new sphears, and of new lands can write,Powre new seas in mine eyes, that so I mightDrowne my world with my weeping earnestly,Or wash it, if it must be drown'd no more:10But oh it must be burnt! alas the fireOf lust and envie have burnt it heretofore,And made it fouler; Let their flames retire,And burne me ô Lord, with a fiery zealeOf thee and thy house, which doth in eating heale.
IAM a little world made cunninglyOf Elements, and an Angelike spright,But black sinne hath betraid to endlesse nightMy worlds both parts, and (oh) both parts must die.5You which beyond that heaven which was most highHave found new sphears, and of new lands can write,Powre new seas in mine eyes, that so I mightDrowne my world with my weeping earnestly,Or wash it, if it must be drown'd no more:10But oh it must be burnt! alas the fireOf lust and envie have burnt it heretofore,And made it fouler; Let their flames retire,And burne me ô Lord, with a fiery zealeOf thee and thy house, which doth in eating heale.
IAM a little world made cunningly
Of Elements, and an Angelike spright,
But black sinne hath betraid to endlesse night
My worlds both parts, and (oh) both parts must die.
5You which beyond that heaven which was most high
Have found new sphears, and of new lands can write,
Powre new seas in mine eyes, that so I might
Drowne my world with my weeping earnestly,
Or wash it, if it must be drown'd no more:
10But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire
Of lust and envie have burnt it heretofore,
And made it fouler; Let their flames retire,
And burne me ô Lord, with a fiery zeale
Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heale.
V.1635-69:omitted1633,A18,D,&c.:VII.B,O'F,S96,W6 landsB,S96,W:land1635-69,O'F7 I1635-54:he16699 it,Ed:it:W:it1635-6910 burnt!Ed:burnt,1635-6911 haveB,S96,W:hathO'F:om.1635-6912 fouler;W:fouler,1635-69their] thoseW13 Lord] GodW
V.1635-69:omitted1633,A18,D,&c.:VII.B,O'F,S96,W
6 landsB,S96,W:land1635-69,O'F
7 I1635-54:he1669
9 it,Ed:it:W:it1635-69
10 burnt!Ed:burnt,1635-69
11 haveB,S96,W:hathO'F:om.1635-69
12 fouler;W:fouler,1635-69
their] thoseW
13 Lord] GodW
Note
THIS is my playes last scene, here heavens appointMy pilgrimages last mile; and my raceIdly, yet quickly runne, hath this last pace,My spans last inch, my minutes latest point,5And gluttonous death, will instantly unjoyntMy body, and soule, and I shall sleepe a space,But my'ever-waking part shall see that face,Whose feare already shakes my every joynt:Then, as my soule, to'heaven her first seate, takes flight,10And earth-borne body, in the earth shall dwell,So, fall my sinnes, that all may have their right,To where they'are bred, and would presse me, to hell.Impute me righteous, thus purg'd of evill,For thus I leave the world, the flesh, the devill.
THIS is my playes last scene, here heavens appointMy pilgrimages last mile; and my raceIdly, yet quickly runne, hath this last pace,My spans last inch, my minutes latest point,5And gluttonous death, will instantly unjoyntMy body, and soule, and I shall sleepe a space,But my'ever-waking part shall see that face,Whose feare already shakes my every joynt:Then, as my soule, to'heaven her first seate, takes flight,10And earth-borne body, in the earth shall dwell,So, fall my sinnes, that all may have their right,To where they'are bred, and would presse me, to hell.Impute me righteous, thus purg'd of evill,For thus I leave the world, the flesh, the devill.
THIS is my playes last scene, here heavens appoint
My pilgrimages last mile; and my race
Idly, yet quickly runne, hath this last pace,
My spans last inch, my minutes latest point,
5And gluttonous death, will instantly unjoynt
My body, and soule, and I shall sleepe a space,
But my'ever-waking part shall see that face,
Whose feare already shakes my every joynt:
Then, as my soule, to'heaven her first seate, takes flight,
10And earth-borne body, in the earth shall dwell,
So, fall my sinnes, that all may have their right,
To where they'are bred, and would presse me, to hell.
Impute me righteous, thus purg'd of evill,
For thus I leave the world, the flesh, the devill.
VI.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:III.1633,A18,D,&c.6 and soule,1635-69:and my soule,16337 Or presently, I know not, see that Face,B,D,H49,O'F,S,S96,W10 earth-borne1635-69:earth borne163314 flesh,] flesh1633the devill.] and devill.A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC,W
VI.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:III.1633,A18,D,&c.
6 and soule,1635-69:and my soule,1633
7 Or presently, I know not, see that Face,B,D,H49,O'F,S,S96,W
10 earth-borne1635-69:earth borne1633
14 flesh,] flesh1633
the devill.] and devill.A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC,W
Note
AT the round earths imagin'd corners, blowYour trumpets, Angells, and arise, ariseFrom death, you numberlesse infinitiesOf soules, and to your scattred bodies goe,5All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow,All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,Despaire, law, chance, hath slaine, and you whose eyes,Shall behold God, and never tast deaths woe.But let them sleepe, Lord, and mee mourne a space,10For, if above all these, my sinnes abound,'Tis late to aske abundance of thy grace,When wee are there; here on this lowly ground,Teach mee how to repent; for that's as goodAs if thou'hadst seal'd my pardon, with thy blood.
AT the round earths imagin'd corners, blowYour trumpets, Angells, and arise, ariseFrom death, you numberlesse infinitiesOf soules, and to your scattred bodies goe,5All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow,All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,Despaire, law, chance, hath slaine, and you whose eyes,Shall behold God, and never tast deaths woe.But let them sleepe, Lord, and mee mourne a space,10For, if above all these, my sinnes abound,'Tis late to aske abundance of thy grace,When wee are there; here on this lowly ground,Teach mee how to repent; for that's as goodAs if thou'hadst seal'd my pardon, with thy blood.
AT the round earths imagin'd corners, blow
Your trumpets, Angells, and arise, arise
From death, you numberlesse infinities
Of soules, and to your scattred bodies goe,
5All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow,
All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despaire, law, chance, hath slaine, and you whose eyes,
Shall behold God, and never tast deaths woe.
But let them sleepe, Lord, and mee mourne a space,
10For, if above all these, my sinnes abound,
'Tis late to aske abundance of thy grace,
When wee are there; here on this lowly ground,
Teach mee how to repent; for that's as good
As if thou'hadst seal'd my pardon, with thy blood.
VII.1635-69:IV.1633,A18,D,&c.:VIII.B,O'F,S96,W5 o'erthrow] overthrow16696 dearth,W:death,1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC8 woe.W:woe,1633-54:owe;166912 lowly] holy166914 thy] my1669
VII.1635-69:IV.1633,A18,D,&c.:VIII.B,O'F,S96,W
5 o'erthrow] overthrow1669
6 dearth,W:death,1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC
8 woe.W:woe,1633-54:owe;1669
12 lowly] holy1669
14 thy] my1669
Note
IF faithfull soules be alike glorifi'dAs Angels, then my fathers soule doth see,And adds this even to full felicitie,That valiantly I hels wide mouth o'rstride:5But if our mindes to these soules be descry'dBy circumstances, and by signes that beApparent in us, not immediately,How shall my mindes white truth by them be try'd?They see idolatrous lovers weepe and mourne,10And vile blasphemous Conjurers to callOn Iefus name, and PharisaicallDissemblers feigne devotion. Then turneO pensive soule, to God, for he knowes bestThy true griefe, for he put it in my breast.
IF faithfull soules be alike glorifi'dAs Angels, then my fathers soule doth see,And adds this even to full felicitie,That valiantly I hels wide mouth o'rstride:5But if our mindes to these soules be descry'dBy circumstances, and by signes that beApparent in us, not immediately,How shall my mindes white truth by them be try'd?They see idolatrous lovers weepe and mourne,10And vile blasphemous Conjurers to callOn Iefus name, and PharisaicallDissemblers feigne devotion. Then turneO pensive soule, to God, for he knowes bestThy true griefe, for he put it in my breast.
IF faithfull soules be alike glorifi'd
As Angels, then my fathers soule doth see,
And adds this even to full felicitie,
That valiantly I hels wide mouth o'rstride:
5But if our mindes to these soules be descry'd
By circumstances, and by signes that be
Apparent in us, not immediately,
How shall my mindes white truth by them be try'd?
They see idolatrous lovers weepe and mourne,
10And vile blasphemous Conjurers to call
On Iefus name, and Pharisaicall
Dissemblers feigne devotion. Then turne
O pensive soule, to God, for he knowes best
Thy true griefe, for he put it in my breast.
VIII.1635-69:omitted1633,A18,D,&c.:X.B,O'F,S96,W7 in us,W:in us1635-69.See note8 by] toB,S96,W10 vileW:vildeB,O'F,S96:stile1635-6914 trueW:om. 1635-69,B,S96inW:into1635-69,B,O'F,S96my] thyB,S96
VIII.1635-69:omitted1633,A18,D,&c.:X.B,O'F,S96,W
7 in us,W:in us1635-69.See note
8 by] toB,S96,W
10 vileW:vildeB,O'F,S96:stile1635-69
14 trueW:om. 1635-69,B,S96inW:into1635-69,B,O'F,S96
my] thyB,S96
Note
IF poysonous mineralls, and if that tree,Whose fruit threw death on else immortall us,If lecherous goats, if serpents enviousCannot be damn'd; Alas; why should I bee?5Why should intent or reason, borne in mee,Make sinnes, else equall, in mee more heinous?And mercy being easie, and gloriousTo God; in his sterne wrath, why threatens hee?But who am I, that dare dispute with thee10O God? Oh! of thine onely worthy blood,And my teares, make a heavenly Lethean flood,And drowne in it my sinnes blacke memorie;That thou remember them, some claime as debt,I thinke it mercy, if thou wilt forget.
IF poysonous mineralls, and if that tree,Whose fruit threw death on else immortall us,If lecherous goats, if serpents enviousCannot be damn'd; Alas; why should I bee?5Why should intent or reason, borne in mee,Make sinnes, else equall, in mee more heinous?And mercy being easie, and gloriousTo God; in his sterne wrath, why threatens hee?But who am I, that dare dispute with thee10O God? Oh! of thine onely worthy blood,And my teares, make a heavenly Lethean flood,And drowne in it my sinnes blacke memorie;That thou remember them, some claime as debt,I thinke it mercy, if thou wilt forget.
IF poysonous mineralls, and if that tree,
Whose fruit threw death on else immortall us,
If lecherous goats, if serpents envious
Cannot be damn'd; Alas; why should I bee?
5Why should intent or reason, borne in mee,
Make sinnes, else equall, in mee more heinous?
And mercy being easie, and glorious
To God; in his sterne wrath, why threatens hee?
But who am I, that dare dispute with thee
10O God? Oh! of thine onely worthy blood,
And my teares, make a heavenly Lethean flood,
And drowne in it my sinnes blacke memorie;
That thou remember them, some claime as debt,
I thinke it mercy, if thou wilt forget.
IX.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:V.1633,A18,D,&c.1 poysonous] poysons1639-54and if that] or if theB,O'F,S962 (else immortal)1635-695 or] andB,O'F,S966 mee] mee,16338 God;] God,16339-10 thee O God?W:thee? O God,1633-6912 memorie;] memorie,163314 forget.] forget,1633
IX.1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W:V.1633,A18,D,&c.
1 poysonous] poysons1639-54
and if that] or if theB,O'F,S96
2 (else immortal)1635-69
5 or] andB,O'F,S96
6 mee] mee,1633
8 God;] God,1633
9-10 thee O God?W:thee? O God,1633-69
12 memorie;] memorie,1633
14 forget.] forget,1633
DEATH be not proud, though some have called theeMighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.5From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,10And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
DEATH be not proud, though some have called theeMighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.5From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,10And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
5From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
10And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
X.1635-69:VI.1633,A18,D,&c.:XI.B,O'F,S96,W4 mee.] mee;16335 pictures1633 and MSS.:picture1635-698 deliverie.] deliverie1633-699 Chance,W:chance,1633-6910 dost] doth1633dwell,] dwell.163312 better] easierB,O'F,S96,W13 wake] liveB,S96,W14 more; death,Ed:more, death1633-69
X.1635-69:VI.1633,A18,D,&c.:XI.B,O'F,S96,W
4 mee.] mee;1633
5 pictures1633 and MSS.:picture1635-69
8 deliverie.] deliverie1633-69
9 Chance,W:chance,1633-69
10 dost] doth1633
dwell,] dwell.1633
12 better] easierB,O'F,S96,W
13 wake] liveB,S96,W
14 more; death,Ed:more, death1633-69
SPIT in my face you Jewes, and pierce my side,Buffet, and scoffe, scourge, and crucifie mee,For I have sinn'd, and sinn'd, and onely hee,Who could do no iniquitie, hath dyed:5But by my death can not be satisfiedMy sinnes, which passe the Jewes impiety:They kill'd once an inglorious man, but ICrucifie him daily, being now glorified.Oh let mee then, his strange love still admire:10Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment.AndIacobcame cloth'd in vile harsh attireBut to supplant, and with gainfull intent:God cloth'd himselfe in vile mans flesh, that soHee might be weake enough to suffer woe.
SPIT in my face you Jewes, and pierce my side,Buffet, and scoffe, scourge, and crucifie mee,For I have sinn'd, and sinn'd, and onely hee,Who could do no iniquitie, hath dyed:5But by my death can not be satisfiedMy sinnes, which passe the Jewes impiety:They kill'd once an inglorious man, but ICrucifie him daily, being now glorified.Oh let mee then, his strange love still admire:10Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment.AndIacobcame cloth'd in vile harsh attireBut to supplant, and with gainfull intent:God cloth'd himselfe in vile mans flesh, that soHee might be weake enough to suffer woe.
SPIT in my face you Jewes, and pierce my side,
Buffet, and scoffe, scourge, and crucifie mee,
For I have sinn'd, and sinn'd, and onely hee,
Who could do no iniquitie, hath dyed:
5But by my death can not be satisfied
My sinnes, which passe the Jewes impiety:
They kill'd once an inglorious man, but I
Crucifie him daily, being now glorified.
Oh let mee then, his strange love still admire:
10Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment.
AndIacobcame cloth'd in vile harsh attire
But to supplant, and with gainfull intent:
God cloth'd himselfe in vile mans flesh, that so
Hee might be weake enough to suffer woe.
XI.1635-69:VII.1633,A18,D,&c.:omittedB,S96:added amongOther Meditations.O'F:XIII.W3 onely] humblyW6 impiety] iniquityeD,H498 glorified.] glorified;163312 intent:] intent1633
XI.1635-69:VII.1633,A18,D,&c.:omittedB,S96:added amongOther Meditations.O'F:XIII.W
3 onely] humblyW
6 impiety] iniquityeD,H49
8 glorified.] glorified;1633
12 intent:] intent1633
Note
WHY are wee by all creatures waited on?Why doe the prodigall elements supplyLife and food to mee, being more pure then I,Simple, and further from corruption?5Why brook'st thou, ignorant horse, subjection?Why dost thou bull, and bore so seelilyDissemble weaknesse, and by'one mans stroke die,Whose whole kinde, you might swallow and feed upon?Weaker I am, woe is mee, and worse then you,10You have not sinn'd, nor need be timorous.But wonder at a greater wonder, for to usCreated nature doth these things subdue,But their Creator, whom sin, nor nature tyed,For us, his Creatures, and his foes, hath dyed.
WHY are wee by all creatures waited on?Why doe the prodigall elements supplyLife and food to mee, being more pure then I,Simple, and further from corruption?5Why brook'st thou, ignorant horse, subjection?Why dost thou bull, and bore so seelilyDissemble weaknesse, and by'one mans stroke die,Whose whole kinde, you might swallow and feed upon?Weaker I am, woe is mee, and worse then you,10You have not sinn'd, nor need be timorous.But wonder at a greater wonder, for to usCreated nature doth these things subdue,But their Creator, whom sin, nor nature tyed,For us, his Creatures, and his foes, hath dyed.
WHY are wee by all creatures waited on?
Why doe the prodigall elements supply
Life and food to mee, being more pure then I,
Simple, and further from corruption?
5Why brook'st thou, ignorant horse, subjection?
Why dost thou bull, and bore so seelily
Dissemble weaknesse, and by'one mans stroke die,
Whose whole kinde, you might swallow and feed upon?
Weaker I am, woe is mee, and worse then you,
10You have not sinn'd, nor need be timorous.
But wonder at a greater wonder, for to us
Created nature doth these things subdue,
But their Creator, whom sin, nor nature tyed,
For us, his Creatures, and his foes, hath dyed.
XII.1635-69:VIII.1633,A18,D,&c.:omittedB,S96:amongOther Meditations.O'F:XIV.W1 are wee] ame IW4 Simple,1633,D,H49,W:Simpler1635-69,A18,N,O'F,TC,Chambers9 Weaker I am,] Alas I am weaker,W10 timorous.W:timorous,1633-6911 a greater wonder,1633,D,H49,N,O'F(greate),TC,W:a greater,1635-69
XII.1635-69:VIII.1633,A18,D,&c.:omittedB,S96:amongOther Meditations.O'F:XIV.W
1 are wee] ame IW
4 Simple,1633,D,H49,W:Simpler1635-69,A18,N,O'F,TC,Chambers
9 Weaker I am,] Alas I am weaker,W
10 timorous.W:timorous,1633-69
11 a greater wonder,1633,D,H49,N,O'F(greate),TC,W:a greater,1635-69
Note
WHAT if this present were the worlds last night?Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,The picture of Christ crucified, and tellWhether that countenance can thee affright,5Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light,Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?No, no; but as in my idolatrie10I said to all my profane mistresses,Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely isA signe of rigour: so I say to thee,To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.
WHAT if this present were the worlds last night?Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,The picture of Christ crucified, and tellWhether that countenance can thee affright,5Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light,Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?No, no; but as in my idolatrie10I said to all my profane mistresses,Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely isA signe of rigour: so I say to thee,To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.
WHAT if this present were the worlds last night?
Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
5Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light,
Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,
Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?
No, no; but as in my idolatrie
10I said to all my profane mistresses,
Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely is
A signe of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,
This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.
XIII1635-69:IX.1633,A18,D,&c.:om. B,S96:amongOther Meditations.O'F:XV.W2 Marke] LookeW4 thatA18,N,O'F,TC,W:his1633-69,D,H496 fell.1639-69:fell1633-358 fierce] ranckW14 assuresA18,D,H49,N,O'F,TC,W:assumes1633-69
XIII1635-69:IX.1633,A18,D,&c.:om. B,S96:amongOther Meditations.O'F:XV.W
2 Marke] LookeW
4 thatA18,N,O'F,TC,W:his1633-69,D,H49
6 fell.1639-69:fell1633-35
8 fierce] ranckW
14 assuresA18,D,H49,N,O'F,TC,W:assumes1633-69
BATTER my heart, three person'd God; for, youAs yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee,'and bendYour force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.5I, like an usurpt towne, to'another due,Labour to'admit you, but Oh, to no end,Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue.Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved faine,10But am betroth'd unto your enemie:Divorce mee,'untie, or breake that knot againe,Take mee to you, imprison mee, for IExcept you'enthrall mee, never shall be free,Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.
BATTER my heart, three person'd God; for, youAs yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee,'and bendYour force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.5I, like an usurpt towne, to'another due,Labour to'admit you, but Oh, to no end,Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue.Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved faine,10But am betroth'd unto your enemie:Divorce mee,'untie, or breake that knot againe,Take mee to you, imprison mee, for IExcept you'enthrall mee, never shall be free,Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.
BATTER my heart, three person'd God; for, you
As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee,'and bend
Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.
5I, like an usurpt towne, to'another due,
Labour to'admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue.
Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved faine,
10But am betroth'd unto your enemie:
Divorce mee,'untie, or breake that knot againe,
Take mee to you, imprison mee, for I
Except you'enthrall mee, never shall be free,
Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.
XIV.1635-69:X.1633,A18,D,&c.:om. B,O'F,S96:XVI.W7 mee should] wee should16698 untrue.W:untrue,1633-699 lovedMSS.:lov'd1633-6910 enemie:W:enemie,1633-69
XIV.1635-69:X.1633,A18,D,&c.:om. B,O'F,S96:XVI.W
7 mee should] wee should1669
8 untrue.W:untrue,1633-69
9 lovedMSS.:lov'd1633-69
10 enemie:W:enemie,1633-69
WILT thou love God, as he thee! then digest,My Soule, this wholsome meditation,How God the Spirit, by Angels waited onIn heaven, doth make his Temple in thy brest.5The Father having begot a Sonne most blest,And still begetting, (for he ne'r begonne)Hath deign'd to chuse thee by adoption,Coheire to'his glory,'and Sabbaths endlesse rest.And as a robb'd man, which by search doth finde10His stolne stuffe sold, must lose or buy'it againe:The Sonne of glory came downe, and was slaine,Us whom he'had made, and Satan stolne, to unbinde.'Twas much, that man was made like God before,But, that God should be made like man, much more.
WILT thou love God, as he thee! then digest,My Soule, this wholsome meditation,How God the Spirit, by Angels waited onIn heaven, doth make his Temple in thy brest.5The Father having begot a Sonne most blest,And still begetting, (for he ne'r begonne)Hath deign'd to chuse thee by adoption,Coheire to'his glory,'and Sabbaths endlesse rest.And as a robb'd man, which by search doth finde10His stolne stuffe sold, must lose or buy'it againe:The Sonne of glory came downe, and was slaine,Us whom he'had made, and Satan stolne, to unbinde.'Twas much, that man was made like God before,But, that God should be made like man, much more.
WILT thou love God, as he thee! then digest,
My Soule, this wholsome meditation,
How God the Spirit, by Angels waited on
In heaven, doth make his Temple in thy brest.
5The Father having begot a Sonne most blest,
And still begetting, (for he ne'r begonne)
Hath deign'd to chuse thee by adoption,
Coheire to'his glory,'and Sabbaths endlesse rest.
And as a robb'd man, which by search doth finde
10His stolne stuffe sold, must lose or buy'it againe:
The Sonne of glory came downe, and was slaine,
Us whom he'had made, and Satan stolne, to unbinde.
'Twas much, that man was made like God before,
But, that God should be made like man, much more.
XV.1635-69:XI.1633,A18,D,&c.:XII.B,O'F,S96,W4 brest.W:brest,1633-698 rest.] rest;163311 Sonne1633:Sunne1633-6912 stolne,1633,A18,D,H49,N,TC:stole,1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W,Chambers
XV.1635-69:XI.1633,A18,D,&c.:XII.B,O'F,S96,W
4 brest.W:brest,1633-69
8 rest.] rest;1633
11 Sonne1633:Sunne1633-69
12 stolne,1633,A18,D,H49,N,TC:stole,1635-69,B,O'F,S96,W,Chambers
Note
FATHER, part of his double interestUnto thy kingdome, thy Sonne gives to mee,His joynture in the knottie TrinitieHee keepes, and gives to me his deaths conquest.5This Lambe, whose death, with life the world hath blest,Was from the worlds beginning slaine, and heHath made two Wills, which with the LegacieOf his and thy kingdome, doe thy Sonnes invest.Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet10Whether a man those statutes can fulfill;None doth; but all-healing grace and spiritRevive againe what law and letter kill.Thy lawes abridgement, and thy last commandIs all but love; Oh let this last Will stand!
FATHER, part of his double interestUnto thy kingdome, thy Sonne gives to mee,His joynture in the knottie TrinitieHee keepes, and gives to me his deaths conquest.5This Lambe, whose death, with life the world hath blest,Was from the worlds beginning slaine, and heHath made two Wills, which with the LegacieOf his and thy kingdome, doe thy Sonnes invest.Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet10Whether a man those statutes can fulfill;None doth; but all-healing grace and spiritRevive againe what law and letter kill.Thy lawes abridgement, and thy last commandIs all but love; Oh let this last Will stand!
FATHER, part of his double interest
Unto thy kingdome, thy Sonne gives to mee,
His joynture in the knottie Trinitie
Hee keepes, and gives to me his deaths conquest.
5This Lambe, whose death, with life the world hath blest,
Was from the worlds beginning slaine, and he
Hath made two Wills, which with the Legacie
Of his and thy kingdome, doe thy Sonnes invest.
Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet
10Whether a man those statutes can fulfill;
None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit
Revive againe what law and letter kill.
Thy lawes abridgement, and thy last command
Is all but love; Oh let this last Will stand!
XVI.1635-69:XII.1633,A18,D,&c.:IV.B,O'F,S96,W3 Trinitie] Trinitie,16338 doe1633:om. 1635-69:dothA18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC,Winvest.W:invest,1633-39:invest:1650-699 thyO'F,S96,W:these1633-69:thoseA18,D,H49,N,TC11 doth;] doth,1633but all-healingA18,D,H49,N,TC,W:but thy all-healing1633-69.See notespirit] Spirit,1633-6912 Revive againe] Revive and quickenB,O'F,S96,Wkill.1635-69:kill,163314 this1633-69:thatA18,D,H49,N,TC,W:thyB,O'F,S96
XVI.1635-69:XII.1633,A18,D,&c.:IV.B,O'F,S96,W
3 Trinitie] Trinitie,1633
8 doe1633:om. 1635-69:dothA18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC,W
invest.W:invest,1633-39:invest:1650-69
9 thyO'F,S96,W:these1633-69:thoseA18,D,H49,N,TC
11 doth;] doth,1633
but all-healingA18,D,H49,N,TC,W:but thy all-healing1633-69.See note
spirit] Spirit,1633-69
12 Revive againe] Revive and quickenB,O'F,S96,W
kill.1635-69:kill,1633
14 this1633-69:thatA18,D,H49,N,TC,W:thyB,O'F,S96
Note
SINCE she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debtTo Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,And her Soule early into heaven ravished,Wholly on heavenly things my mind is sett.5Here the admyring her my mind did whettTo seeke thee God; so streames do shew their head;But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,A holy thirsty dropsy melts mee yett.But why should I begg more Love, when as thou10Dost wooe my soule for hers; offring all thine:And dost not only feare least I allowMy Love to Saints and Angels things divine,But in thy tender jealosy dost doubtLeast the World, Fleshe, yea Devill putt thee out.
SINCE she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debtTo Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,And her Soule early into heaven ravished,Wholly on heavenly things my mind is sett.5Here the admyring her my mind did whettTo seeke thee God; so streames do shew their head;But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,A holy thirsty dropsy melts mee yett.But why should I begg more Love, when as thou10Dost wooe my soule for hers; offring all thine:And dost not only feare least I allowMy Love to Saints and Angels things divine,But in thy tender jealosy dost doubtLeast the World, Fleshe, yea Devill putt thee out.
SINCE she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debt
To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,
And her Soule early into heaven ravished,
Wholly on heavenly things my mind is sett.
5Here the admyring her my mind did whett
To seeke thee God; so streames do shew their head;
But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,
A holy thirsty dropsy melts mee yett.
But why should I begg more Love, when as thou
10Dost wooe my soule for hers; offring all thine:
And dost not only feare least I allow
My Love to Saints and Angels things divine,
But in thy tender jealosy dost doubt
Least the World, Fleshe, yea Devill putt thee out.
XVII.W:first printed in Gosse'sLife and Letters of John Donne, 18992 dead,] deadW6 their] yrWhead;] head,W10 wooe]speltwoeW12 divine,] divineW
XVII.W:first printed in Gosse'sLife and Letters of John Donne, 1899
2 dead,] deadW
6 their] yrW
head;] head,W
10 wooe]speltwoeW
12 divine,] divineW
Note
SHOW me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear.What! is it She, which on the other shoreGoes richly painted? or which rob'd and toreLaments and mournes in Germany and here?5Sleepes she a thousand, then peepes up one yeare?Is she selfe truth and errs? now new, now outwore?Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermoreOn one, on seaven, or on no hill appeare?Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights10First travaile we to seeke and then make Love?Betray kind husband thy spouse to our sights,And let myne amorous soule court thy mild Dove,Who is most trew, and pleasing to thee, thenWhen she'is embrac'd and open to most men.
SHOW me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear.What! is it She, which on the other shoreGoes richly painted? or which rob'd and toreLaments and mournes in Germany and here?5Sleepes she a thousand, then peepes up one yeare?Is she selfe truth and errs? now new, now outwore?Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermoreOn one, on seaven, or on no hill appeare?Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights10First travaile we to seeke and then make Love?Betray kind husband thy spouse to our sights,And let myne amorous soule court thy mild Dove,Who is most trew, and pleasing to thee, thenWhen she'is embrac'd and open to most men.
SHOW me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear.
What! is it She, which on the other shore
Goes richly painted? or which rob'd and tore
Laments and mournes in Germany and here?
5Sleepes she a thousand, then peepes up one yeare?
Is she selfe truth and errs? now new, now outwore?
Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermore
On one, on seaven, or on no hill appeare?
Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights
10First travaile we to seeke and then make Love?
Betray kind husband thy spouse to our sights,
And let myne amorous soule court thy mild Dove,
Who is most trew, and pleasing to thee, then
When she'is embrac'd and open to most men.
XVIII.W:first printed in Gosse'sLife&c.2 What!] WhatW3 tore]so I read W:loreGosse
XVIII.W:first printed in Gosse'sLife&c.
2 What!] WhatW
3 tore]so I read W:loreGosse
OH, to vex me, contraryes meet in one:Inconstancy unnaturally hath begottA constant habit; that when I would notI change in vowes, and in devotione.5As humorous is my contritioneAs my prophane Love, and as soone forgott:As ridlingly distemper'd, cold and hott,As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.I durst not view heaven yesterday; and to day10In prayers, and flattering speaches I court God:To morrow I quake with true feare of his rod.So my devout fitts come and go awayLike a fantastique Ague: save that hereThose are my best dayes, when I shake with feare.
OH, to vex me, contraryes meet in one:Inconstancy unnaturally hath begottA constant habit; that when I would notI change in vowes, and in devotione.5As humorous is my contritioneAs my prophane Love, and as soone forgott:As ridlingly distemper'd, cold and hott,As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.I durst not view heaven yesterday; and to day10In prayers, and flattering speaches I court God:To morrow I quake with true feare of his rod.So my devout fitts come and go awayLike a fantastique Ague: save that hereThose are my best dayes, when I shake with feare.
OH, to vex me, contraryes meet in one:
Inconstancy unnaturally hath begott
A constant habit; that when I would not
I change in vowes, and in devotione.
5As humorous is my contritione
As my prophane Love, and as soone forgott:
As ridlingly distemper'd, cold and hott,
As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.
I durst not view heaven yesterday; and to day
10In prayers, and flattering speaches I court God:
To morrow I quake with true feare of his rod.
So my devout fitts come and go away
Like a fantastique Ague: save that here
Those are my best dayes, when I shake with feare.
XIX.W:first printed in Gosse'sLife&c.3 that] ytW,so always4 and] &W,so always
XIX.W:first printed in Gosse'sLife&c.
3 that] ytW,so always
4 and] &W,so always
Note
SINCE Christ embrac'd the Crosse it selfe, dare IHis image, th'image of his Crosse deny?Would I have profit by the sacrifice,And dare the chosen Altar to despise?5It bore all other sinnes, but is it fitThat it should beare the sinne of scorning it?Who from the picture would avert his eye,How would he flye his paines, who there did dye?From mee, no Pulpit, nor misgrounded law,10Nor scandall taken, shall this Crosse withdraw,It shall not, for it cannot; for, the losseOf this Crosse, were to mee another Crosse;Better were worse, for, no affiction,No Crosse is so extreme, as to have none.15Who can blot out the Crosse, which th'instrumentOf God, dew'd on mee in the Sacrament?Who can deny mee power, and libertyTo stretch mine armes, and mine owne Crosse to be?Swimme, and at every stroake, thou art thy Crosse;20The Mast and yard make one, where seas do tosse;Looke downe, thou spiest out Crosses in small things;Looke up, thou seest birds rais'd on crossed wings;All the Globes frame, and spheares, is nothing elseBut the Meridians crossing Parallels.25Materiall Crosses then, good physicke bee,But yet spirituall have chiefe dignity.These for extracted chimique medicine serve,And cure much better, and as well preserve;Then are you your own physicke, or need none,30When Still'd, or purg'd by tribulation.For when that Crosse ungrudg'd, unto you stickes,Then are you to your selfe, a Crucifixe.As perchance, Carvers do not faces make,But that away, which hid them there, do take;35Let Crosses, soe, take what hid Christ in thee,And be his image, or not his, but hee.But, as oft Alchimists doe coyners prove,So may a selfe-dispising, get selfe-love,And then as worst surfets, of best meates bee,40Soe is pride, issued from humility,For, 'tis no child, but monster; therefore CrosseYour joy in crosses, else, 'tis double losse.And crosse thy senses, else, both they, and thouMust perish soone, and to destruction bowe.45For if the'eye seeke good objects, and will takeNo crosse from bad, wee cannot scape a snake.So with harsh, hard, sowre, stinking, crosse the rest,Make them indifferent all; call nothing best.But most the eye needs crossing, that can rome,50And move; To th'other th'objects must come home.And crosse thy heart: for that in man alonePoints downewards, and hath palpitation.Crosse those dejections, when it downeward tends,And when it to forbidden heights pretends.55And as the braine through bony walls doth ventBy sutures, which a Crosses forme present,So when thy braine workes, ere thou utter it,Crosse and correct concupiscence of witt.Be covetous of Crosses, let none fall.60Crosse no man else, but crosse thy selfe in all.Then doth the Crosse of Christ worke fruitfullyWithin our hearts, when wee love harmleslyThat Crosses pictures much, and with more careThat Crosses children, which our Crosses are.
SINCE Christ embrac'd the Crosse it selfe, dare IHis image, th'image of his Crosse deny?Would I have profit by the sacrifice,And dare the chosen Altar to despise?5It bore all other sinnes, but is it fitThat it should beare the sinne of scorning it?Who from the picture would avert his eye,How would he flye his paines, who there did dye?From mee, no Pulpit, nor misgrounded law,10Nor scandall taken, shall this Crosse withdraw,It shall not, for it cannot; for, the losseOf this Crosse, were to mee another Crosse;Better were worse, for, no affiction,No Crosse is so extreme, as to have none.15Who can blot out the Crosse, which th'instrumentOf God, dew'd on mee in the Sacrament?Who can deny mee power, and libertyTo stretch mine armes, and mine owne Crosse to be?Swimme, and at every stroake, thou art thy Crosse;20The Mast and yard make one, where seas do tosse;Looke downe, thou spiest out Crosses in small things;Looke up, thou seest birds rais'd on crossed wings;All the Globes frame, and spheares, is nothing elseBut the Meridians crossing Parallels.25Materiall Crosses then, good physicke bee,But yet spirituall have chiefe dignity.These for extracted chimique medicine serve,And cure much better, and as well preserve;Then are you your own physicke, or need none,30When Still'd, or purg'd by tribulation.For when that Crosse ungrudg'd, unto you stickes,Then are you to your selfe, a Crucifixe.As perchance, Carvers do not faces make,But that away, which hid them there, do take;35Let Crosses, soe, take what hid Christ in thee,And be his image, or not his, but hee.But, as oft Alchimists doe coyners prove,So may a selfe-dispising, get selfe-love,And then as worst surfets, of best meates bee,40Soe is pride, issued from humility,For, 'tis no child, but monster; therefore CrosseYour joy in crosses, else, 'tis double losse.And crosse thy senses, else, both they, and thouMust perish soone, and to destruction bowe.45For if the'eye seeke good objects, and will takeNo crosse from bad, wee cannot scape a snake.So with harsh, hard, sowre, stinking, crosse the rest,Make them indifferent all; call nothing best.But most the eye needs crossing, that can rome,50And move; To th'other th'objects must come home.And crosse thy heart: for that in man alonePoints downewards, and hath palpitation.Crosse those dejections, when it downeward tends,And when it to forbidden heights pretends.55And as the braine through bony walls doth ventBy sutures, which a Crosses forme present,So when thy braine workes, ere thou utter it,Crosse and correct concupiscence of witt.Be covetous of Crosses, let none fall.60Crosse no man else, but crosse thy selfe in all.Then doth the Crosse of Christ worke fruitfullyWithin our hearts, when wee love harmleslyThat Crosses pictures much, and with more careThat Crosses children, which our Crosses are.
SINCE Christ embrac'd the Crosse it selfe, dare I
His image, th'image of his Crosse deny?
Would I have profit by the sacrifice,
And dare the chosen Altar to despise?
5It bore all other sinnes, but is it fit
That it should beare the sinne of scorning it?
Who from the picture would avert his eye,
How would he flye his paines, who there did dye?
From mee, no Pulpit, nor misgrounded law,
10Nor scandall taken, shall this Crosse withdraw,
It shall not, for it cannot; for, the losse
Of this Crosse, were to mee another Crosse;
Better were worse, for, no affiction,
No Crosse is so extreme, as to have none.
15Who can blot out the Crosse, which th'instrument
Of God, dew'd on mee in the Sacrament?
Who can deny mee power, and liberty
To stretch mine armes, and mine owne Crosse to be?
Swimme, and at every stroake, thou art thy Crosse;
20The Mast and yard make one, where seas do tosse;
Looke downe, thou spiest out Crosses in small things;
Looke up, thou seest birds rais'd on crossed wings;
All the Globes frame, and spheares, is nothing else
But the Meridians crossing Parallels.
25Materiall Crosses then, good physicke bee,
But yet spirituall have chiefe dignity.
These for extracted chimique medicine serve,
And cure much better, and as well preserve;
Then are you your own physicke, or need none,
30When Still'd, or purg'd by tribulation.
For when that Crosse ungrudg'd, unto you stickes,
Then are you to your selfe, a Crucifixe.
As perchance, Carvers do not faces make,
But that away, which hid them there, do take;
35Let Crosses, soe, take what hid Christ in thee,
And be his image, or not his, but hee.
But, as oft Alchimists doe coyners prove,
So may a selfe-dispising, get selfe-love,
And then as worst surfets, of best meates bee,
40Soe is pride, issued from humility,
For, 'tis no child, but monster; therefore Crosse
Your joy in crosses, else, 'tis double losse.
And crosse thy senses, else, both they, and thou
Must perish soone, and to destruction bowe.
45For if the'eye seeke good objects, and will take
No crosse from bad, wee cannot scape a snake.
So with harsh, hard, sowre, stinking, crosse the rest,
Make them indifferent all; call nothing best.
But most the eye needs crossing, that can rome,
50And move; To th'other th'objects must come home.
And crosse thy heart: for that in man alone
Points downewards, and hath palpitation.
Crosse those dejections, when it downeward tends,
And when it to forbidden heights pretends.
55And as the braine through bony walls doth vent
By sutures, which a Crosses forme present,
So when thy braine workes, ere thou utter it,
Crosse and correct concupiscence of witt.
Be covetous of Crosses, let none fall.
60Crosse no man else, but crosse thy selfe in all.
Then doth the Crosse of Christ worke fruitfully
Within our hearts, when wee love harmlesly
That Crosses pictures much, and with more care
That Crosses children, which our Crosses are.
The Crosse.1633-69(following,1635-69,In that, ô Queene&c.p.427):similarly,A18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TCC,TCD8 paines] pangsJC12 Crosse;1635-69:Crosse.163313 affliction,Ed:affliction1633-6914 none.Ed:none;1633-54:none:166919 Crosse;Ed:Crosse,1633:Crosse,1635-6920 make] makesB,D,H49,Lec,Swhere] whenO'Ftosse;1635-69:tosse.163321 out] our166923 is] areA25,B26 But yet] And yetA18,D,JC,N,TC27 medicine] medicinesA25,B,JC33 make,1635-69:make:163334 take;Ed:take.1633:take:1635-6937 oftEd:oft,1633-6938 selfe-love,D:selfe-love.1633-6942 losse.Ed:losse,1633-6944 destruction] corruptionO'F45 seeke] see1650-6948 all; call nothing best.Ed:indifferent; call nothing best.1633 and MSS:indifferent; all, nothing best.1635-6950 To th'other th'objects1633:To th'others objects1635-6952 PointsA18,A25,N,P,S,TC:Pants1633-69,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,O'F53 dejections1633:detorsions1635-69,O'F55 the] thyA18,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC61 fruitfullyA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TC:faithfully1633-6963 ThatA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TC:The1633-69
The Crosse.1633-69(following,1635-69,In that, ô Queene&c.p.427):similarly,A18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TCC,TCD
8 paines] pangsJC
12 Crosse;1635-69:Crosse.1633
13 affliction,Ed:affliction1633-69
14 none.Ed:none;1633-54:none:1669
19 Crosse;Ed:Crosse,1633:Crosse,1635-69
20 make] makesB,D,H49,Lec,S
where] whenO'F
tosse;1635-69:tosse.1633
21 out] our1669
23 is] areA25,B
26 But yet] And yetA18,D,JC,N,TC
27 medicine] medicinesA25,B,JC
33 make,1635-69:make:1633
34 take;Ed:take.1633:take:1635-69
37 oftEd:oft,1633-69
38 selfe-love,D:selfe-love.1633-69
42 losse.Ed:losse,1633-69
44 destruction] corruptionO'F
45 seeke] see1650-69
48 all; call nothing best.Ed:indifferent; call nothing best.1633 and MSS:indifferent; all, nothing best.1635-69
50 To th'other th'objects1633:To th'others objects1635-69
52 PointsA18,A25,N,P,S,TC:Pants1633-69,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,O'F
53 dejections1633:detorsions1635-69,O'F
55 the] thyA18,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC
61 fruitfullyA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TC:faithfully1633-69
63 ThatA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TC:The1633-69
SLEEP sleep old Sun, thou canst not have repastAs yet, the wound thou took'st on friday last;Sleepe then, and rest; The world may beare thy stay,A better Sun rose before thee to day,5Who, not content to'enlighten all that dwellOn the earths face, as thou, enlightned hell,And made the darke fires languish in that vale,As, at thy presence here, our fires grow pale.Whose body having walk'd on earth, and now10Hasting to Heaven, would, that he might allowHimselfe unto all stations, and fill all,For these three daies become a minerall;Hee was all gold when he lay downe, but roseAll tincture, and doth not alone dispose15Leaden and iron wills to good, but isOf power to make even sinfull flesh like his.Had one of those, whose credulous pietieThought, that a Soule one might discerne and seeGoe from a body,'at this sepulcher been,20And, issuing from the sheet, this body seen,He would have justly thought this body a soule,If not of any man, yet of the whole.Desunt cætera.
SLEEP sleep old Sun, thou canst not have repastAs yet, the wound thou took'st on friday last;Sleepe then, and rest; The world may beare thy stay,A better Sun rose before thee to day,5Who, not content to'enlighten all that dwellOn the earths face, as thou, enlightned hell,And made the darke fires languish in that vale,As, at thy presence here, our fires grow pale.Whose body having walk'd on earth, and now10Hasting to Heaven, would, that he might allowHimselfe unto all stations, and fill all,For these three daies become a minerall;Hee was all gold when he lay downe, but roseAll tincture, and doth not alone dispose15Leaden and iron wills to good, but isOf power to make even sinfull flesh like his.Had one of those, whose credulous pietieThought, that a Soule one might discerne and seeGoe from a body,'at this sepulcher been,20And, issuing from the sheet, this body seen,He would have justly thought this body a soule,If not of any man, yet of the whole.Desunt cætera.
SLEEP sleep old Sun, thou canst not have repast
As yet, the wound thou took'st on friday last;
Sleepe then, and rest; The world may beare thy stay,
A better Sun rose before thee to day,
5Who, not content to'enlighten all that dwell
On the earths face, as thou, enlightned hell,
And made the darke fires languish in that vale,
As, at thy presence here, our fires grow pale.
Whose body having walk'd on earth, and now
10Hasting to Heaven, would, that he might allow
Himselfe unto all stations, and fill all,
For these three daies become a minerall;
Hee was all gold when he lay downe, but rose
All tincture, and doth not alone dispose
15Leaden and iron wills to good, but is
Of power to make even sinfull flesh like his.
Had one of those, whose credulous pietie
Thought, that a Soule one might discerne and see
Goe from a body,'at this sepulcher been,
20And, issuing from the sheet, this body seen,
He would have justly thought this body a soule,
If not of any man, yet of the whole.
Desunt cætera.
Resurrection, imperfect.1633-69(followingBy Euphrates&c.p.424),A18,N,O'F,TCC,TCD15 good,1633-69 and MSS.: Chambers queriesgold22 If] If,1633-69
Resurrection, imperfect.1633-69(followingBy Euphrates&c.p.424),A18,N,O'F,TCC,TCD
15 good,1633-69 and MSS.: Chambers queriesgold
22 If] If,1633-69
Note
TAMELY, fraile body,'abstaine to day; to dayMy soule eates twice, Christ hither and away.She sees him man, so like God made in this,That of them both a circle embleme is,5Whose first and last concurre; this doubtfull dayOf feast or fast, Christ came, and went away.Shee sees him nothing twice at once, who'is all;Shee sees a Cedar plant it selfe, and fall,Her Maker put to making, and the head10Of life, at once, not yet alive, yet dead.She sees at once the virgin mother stayReclus'd at home, Publique at Golgotha;Sad and rejoyc'd shee's seen at once, and seenAt almost fiftie, and at scarce fifteene.15At once a Sonne is promis'd her, and gone,Gabriell gives Christ to her, He her to John;Not fully a mother, Shee's in Orbitie,At once receiver and the legacie.All this, and all betweene, this day hath showne,20Th'Abridgement of Christs story, which makes one(As in plaine Maps, the furthest West is East)Of the'AngelsAve,'andConsummatum est.How well the Church, Gods Court of facultiesDeales, in some times, and seldome joyning these!25As by the selfe-fix'd Pole wee never doeDirect our course, but the next starre thereto,Which showes where the'other is, and which we say(Because it strayes not farre) doth never stray;So God by his Church, neerest to him, wee know,30And stand firme, if wee by her motion goe;His Spirit, as his fiery Pillar dothLeade, and his Church, as cloud; to one end both.This Church, by letting these daies joyne, hath shownDeath and conception in mankinde is one;35Or'twas in him the same humility,That he would be a man, and leave to be:Or as creation he hath made, as God,With the last judgement, but one period,His imitating Spouse would joyne in one40Manhoods extremes: He shall come, he is gone:Or as though one blood drop, which thence did fall,Accepted, would have serv'd, he yet shed all;So though the least of his paines, deeds, or words,Would busie a life, she all this day affords;45This treasure then, in grosse, my Soule uplay,And in my life retaile it every day.
TAMELY, fraile body,'abstaine to day; to dayMy soule eates twice, Christ hither and away.She sees him man, so like God made in this,That of them both a circle embleme is,5Whose first and last concurre; this doubtfull dayOf feast or fast, Christ came, and went away.Shee sees him nothing twice at once, who'is all;Shee sees a Cedar plant it selfe, and fall,Her Maker put to making, and the head10Of life, at once, not yet alive, yet dead.She sees at once the virgin mother stayReclus'd at home, Publique at Golgotha;Sad and rejoyc'd shee's seen at once, and seenAt almost fiftie, and at scarce fifteene.15At once a Sonne is promis'd her, and gone,Gabriell gives Christ to her, He her to John;Not fully a mother, Shee's in Orbitie,At once receiver and the legacie.All this, and all betweene, this day hath showne,20Th'Abridgement of Christs story, which makes one(As in plaine Maps, the furthest West is East)Of the'AngelsAve,'andConsummatum est.How well the Church, Gods Court of facultiesDeales, in some times, and seldome joyning these!25As by the selfe-fix'd Pole wee never doeDirect our course, but the next starre thereto,Which showes where the'other is, and which we say(Because it strayes not farre) doth never stray;So God by his Church, neerest to him, wee know,30And stand firme, if wee by her motion goe;His Spirit, as his fiery Pillar dothLeade, and his Church, as cloud; to one end both.This Church, by letting these daies joyne, hath shownDeath and conception in mankinde is one;35Or'twas in him the same humility,That he would be a man, and leave to be:Or as creation he hath made, as God,With the last judgement, but one period,His imitating Spouse would joyne in one40Manhoods extremes: He shall come, he is gone:Or as though one blood drop, which thence did fall,Accepted, would have serv'd, he yet shed all;So though the least of his paines, deeds, or words,Would busie a life, she all this day affords;45This treasure then, in grosse, my Soule uplay,And in my life retaile it every day.
TAMELY, fraile body,'abstaine to day; to day
My soule eates twice, Christ hither and away.
She sees him man, so like God made in this,
That of them both a circle embleme is,
5Whose first and last concurre; this doubtfull day
Of feast or fast, Christ came, and went away.
Shee sees him nothing twice at once, who'is all;
Shee sees a Cedar plant it selfe, and fall,
Her Maker put to making, and the head
10Of life, at once, not yet alive, yet dead.
She sees at once the virgin mother stay
Reclus'd at home, Publique at Golgotha;
Sad and rejoyc'd shee's seen at once, and seen
At almost fiftie, and at scarce fifteene.
15At once a Sonne is promis'd her, and gone,
Gabriell gives Christ to her, He her to John;
Not fully a mother, Shee's in Orbitie,
At once receiver and the legacie.
All this, and all betweene, this day hath showne,
20Th'Abridgement of Christs story, which makes one
(As in plaine Maps, the furthest West is East)
Of the'AngelsAve,'andConsummatum est.
How well the Church, Gods Court of faculties
Deales, in some times, and seldome joyning these!
25As by the selfe-fix'd Pole wee never doe
Direct our course, but the next starre thereto,
Which showes where the'other is, and which we say
(Because it strayes not farre) doth never stray;
So God by his Church, neerest to him, wee know,
30And stand firme, if wee by her motion goe;
His Spirit, as his fiery Pillar doth
Leade, and his Church, as cloud; to one end both.
This Church, by letting these daies joyne, hath shown
Death and conception in mankinde is one;
35Or'twas in him the same humility,
That he would be a man, and leave to be:
Or as creation he hath made, as God,
With the last judgement, but one period,
His imitating Spouse would joyne in one
40Manhoods extremes: He shall come, he is gone:
Or as though one blood drop, which thence did fall,
Accepted, would have serv'd, he yet shed all;
So though the least of his paines, deeds, or words,
Would busie a life, she all this day affords;
45This treasure then, in grosse, my Soule uplay,
And in my life retaile it every day.
The Annuntiation and Passion.1633-69:Upon the Annuntiation and Passion falling upon one day. Anno Dni 1608.B,O'F,S,S96:similarly,N,TCD:The Annuntiation.D,H49,Lec:no title,P1 Tamely, fraile body,Ed:Tamely fraile body1633:Tamely fraile flesh,1635-69,O'F,S96(1650-69 accidentally drop secondto day)6 away.] away;1633:away,1635-3910 yet dead.Ed:yet dead;1633,B,P,S:and dead;1635-69,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,TCD(full stop,MSS.)12 at Golgotha;Ed:at Golgotha.1633-6913 Sad and rejoyc'd] Rejoyc'd and sadB,O'F,P,S,S9618 legacie.Ed:legacie;1633-6924 these!Ed:these?D,TCD:these;1633:these.1635-6931 as1633:and1635-6932 both.1635-69:both:163333 theseB,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:those1633-69daies1633,D,H49,Lec,N,TCD:feasts1635-69,O'F,P,S,S9634 one;Ed:one.1633:are one.1635-69 (one1669)37 hath] hadB,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCD
The Annuntiation and Passion.1633-69:Upon the Annuntiation and Passion falling upon one day. Anno Dni 1608.B,O'F,S,S96:similarly,N,TCD:The Annuntiation.D,H49,Lec:no title,P
1 Tamely, fraile body,Ed:Tamely fraile body1633:Tamely fraile flesh,1635-69,O'F,S96(1650-69 accidentally drop secondto day)
6 away.] away;1633:away,1635-39
10 yet dead.Ed:yet dead;1633,B,P,S:and dead;1635-69,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,TCD(full stop,MSS.)
12 at Golgotha;Ed:at Golgotha.1633-69
13 Sad and rejoyc'd] Rejoyc'd and sadB,O'F,P,S,S96
18 legacie.Ed:legacie;1633-69
24 these!Ed:these?D,TCD:these;1633:these.1635-69
31 as1633:and1635-69
32 both.1635-69:both:1633
33 theseB,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:those1633-69
daies1633,D,H49,Lec,N,TCD:feasts1635-69,O'F,P,S,S96
34 one;Ed:one.1633:are one.1635-69 (one1669)
37 hath] hadB,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCD
Note
LET mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this,The intelligence that moves, devotion is,And as the other Spheares, by being growneSubject to forraigne motions, lose their owne,5And being by others hurried every day,Scarce in a yeare their naturall forme obey:Pleasure or businesse, so, our Soules admitFor their first mover, and are whirld by it.Hence is't, that I am carryed towards the West10This day, when my Soules forme bends toward the East.There I should see a Sunne, by rising set,And by that setting endlesse day beget;But that Christ on this Crosse, did rise and fall,Sinne had eternally benighted all.15Yet dare I'almost be glad, I do not seeThat spectacle of too much weight for mee.Who sees Gods face, that is selfe life, must dye;What a death were it then to see God dye?It made his owne Lieutenant Nature shrinke,20It made his footstoole crack, and the Sunne winke.Could I behold those hands which span the Poles,And turne all spheares at once, peirc'd with those holes?Could I behold that endlesse height which isZenith to us, and our Antipodes,25Humbled below us? or that blood which isThe seat of all our Soules, if not of his,Made durt of dust, or that flesh which was worneBy God, for his apparell, rag'd, and torne?If on these things I durst not looke, durst I30Upon his miserable mother cast mine eye,Who was Gods partner here, and furnish'd thusHalfe of that Sacrifice, which ransom'd us?Though these things, as I ride, be from mine eye,They'are present yet unto my memory,35For that looks towards them; and thou look'st towards mee,O Saviour, as thou hang'st upon the tree;I turne my backe to thee, but to receiveCorrections, till thy mercies bid thee leave.O thinke mee worth thine anger, punish mee,40Burne off my rusts, and my deformity,Restore thine Image, so much, by thy grace,That thou may'st know mee, and I'll turne my face.
LET mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this,The intelligence that moves, devotion is,And as the other Spheares, by being growneSubject to forraigne motions, lose their owne,5And being by others hurried every day,Scarce in a yeare their naturall forme obey:Pleasure or businesse, so, our Soules admitFor their first mover, and are whirld by it.Hence is't, that I am carryed towards the West10This day, when my Soules forme bends toward the East.There I should see a Sunne, by rising set,And by that setting endlesse day beget;But that Christ on this Crosse, did rise and fall,Sinne had eternally benighted all.15Yet dare I'almost be glad, I do not seeThat spectacle of too much weight for mee.Who sees Gods face, that is selfe life, must dye;What a death were it then to see God dye?It made his owne Lieutenant Nature shrinke,20It made his footstoole crack, and the Sunne winke.Could I behold those hands which span the Poles,And turne all spheares at once, peirc'd with those holes?Could I behold that endlesse height which isZenith to us, and our Antipodes,25Humbled below us? or that blood which isThe seat of all our Soules, if not of his,Made durt of dust, or that flesh which was worneBy God, for his apparell, rag'd, and torne?If on these things I durst not looke, durst I30Upon his miserable mother cast mine eye,Who was Gods partner here, and furnish'd thusHalfe of that Sacrifice, which ransom'd us?Though these things, as I ride, be from mine eye,They'are present yet unto my memory,35For that looks towards them; and thou look'st towards mee,O Saviour, as thou hang'st upon the tree;I turne my backe to thee, but to receiveCorrections, till thy mercies bid thee leave.O thinke mee worth thine anger, punish mee,40Burne off my rusts, and my deformity,Restore thine Image, so much, by thy grace,That thou may'st know mee, and I'll turne my face.
LET mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this,
The intelligence that moves, devotion is,
And as the other Spheares, by being growne
Subject to forraigne motions, lose their owne,
5And being by others hurried every day,
Scarce in a yeare their naturall forme obey:
Pleasure or businesse, so, our Soules admit
For their first mover, and are whirld by it.
Hence is't, that I am carryed towards the West
10This day, when my Soules forme bends toward the East.
There I should see a Sunne, by rising set,
And by that setting endlesse day beget;
But that Christ on this Crosse, did rise and fall,
Sinne had eternally benighted all.
15Yet dare I'almost be glad, I do not see
That spectacle of too much weight for mee.
Who sees Gods face, that is selfe life, must dye;
What a death were it then to see God dye?
It made his owne Lieutenant Nature shrinke,
20It made his footstoole crack, and the Sunne winke.
Could I behold those hands which span the Poles,
And turne all spheares at once, peirc'd with those holes?
Could I behold that endlesse height which is
Zenith to us, and our Antipodes,
25Humbled below us? or that blood which is
The seat of all our Soules, if not of his,
Made durt of dust, or that flesh which was worne
By God, for his apparell, rag'd, and torne?
If on these things I durst not looke, durst I
30Upon his miserable mother cast mine eye,
Who was Gods partner here, and furnish'd thus
Halfe of that Sacrifice, which ransom'd us?
Though these things, as I ride, be from mine eye,
They'are present yet unto my memory,
35For that looks towards them; and thou look'st towards mee,
O Saviour, as thou hang'st upon the tree;
I turne my backe to thee, but to receive
Corrections, till thy mercies bid thee leave.
O thinke mee worth thine anger, punish mee,
40Burne off my rusts, and my deformity,
Restore thine Image, so much, by thy grace,
That thou may'st know mee, and I'll turne my face.