Then came quick Wit and Conversation, Yet when the hour of thy design To answer these fine things shall come; LXXXV. VANITY. POOR silly soul, whose hope and head lies low; O hear betimes, lest thy relenting To purchase heaven for repenting If souls be made of earthly mould, If born on high, Let them unto their kindred fly: For they can never be at rest, Till they regain their ancient nest. Then silly soul, take heed; for earthly joy LXXXVI. THE DAWNING. AWAKE sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns: up thine eyes, which feed on earth, Take Awake, awake; And with a thankful heart his comforts take. But thou dost still lament, and pine, and cry; And feel his death, but not his victory. Arise sad heart; if thou dost not withstand, Christ's resurrection thine may be: Do not by hanging down break from the hand, Arise, arise; And with his burial linen dry thine eyes. Christ left his grave-clothes, that we might, when grief Draws tears, or blood, not want a handkerchief. LXXXVII. JESU. JESU is in my heart, his sacred name When I had got these parcels, instantly I sat me down to spell them, and perceived That to my broken heart he was I EASE YOU, And to my whole is JESU. LXXXVIII. BUSINESS. CANST be idle? canst thou play, Rivers run, and springs each one If, poor soul, thou hast no tears, Winds still work: it is their plot, If thou hast no sighs or groans, But if yet thou idle be, Foolish soul, Who died for thee? Who did leave his Father's throne, If he had not lived for thee, He so far thy good did plot, If he had not died for thee, Two lives worse than ten deaths be. And hath any space of breath He that loseth gold, though dross, He that finds a silver vein, Who in heart not ever kneels, LXXXIX. DIALOGUE. SWEETEST Saviour, if my soul Were but worth the having, Quickly should I then control Any thought of waving. But when all my care and pains What (child), is the balance thine? Thine the poize and measure? If I say thou shalt be mine, Finger not my treasure. What the gains in having thee Who for man was sold, can see, But as I can see no merit, Leading to this favour: So the way to fit me for it, As the reason then is thine; That is all, if that I could Get without repining ; And my clay my creature would Follow my resigning : That as I did freely part With my glory and desert, Left all joys to feel all smart Ah! no more thou break'st my heart. |