But as cold hands are angry with the fire, So I do lay the want of my desire, Not on my sins, or coldness, but thy will. Yet hear, O God, only for his blood's sake, For though sins plead too, yet like stones they make His blood's sweet current much more loud to be. XL. THE CHURCH-FLOOR. MARK you the floor? that square and speckled stone, Which looks so firm and strong, Is Patience: And the other black and grave, wherewith each one Is checker'd all along, Humility: The gentle rising, which on either hand Leads to the quire above, Is Confidence: But the sweet cement, which in one sure band And Charity. Hither sometimes Sin steals, and stains The marble's neat and curious veins : But all is cleansed when the marble weeps. Sometimes Death, puffing at the door, Blows all the dust about the floor: sweeps. But while he thinks to spoil the room, he XLI. THE WINDOWS. LORD, how can man preach thy eternal word? Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford But when thou dost anneal in glass thy story, The holy Preachers, then the light and glory Doctrine and life, colours and light, in one When they combine and mingle, bring XLII. TRINITY-SUNDAY. LORD, who hast form'd me out of mud, Purge all my sins done heretofore; Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me, XLIII. CONTENT. PEACE muttering thoughts, and do not grudge to Gad not abroad at every quest and call To court each place or fortune that doth fall, Mark how the fire in flints doth quiet lie, Give me the pliant mind, whose gentle measure Complies and suits with all estates; Which can let loose to a crown, and yet with pleasure Take up within a cloister's gates. This soul doth span the world, and hang content From either pole unto the centre : Where in each room of the well-furnish'd tent He lies warm, and without adventure. The brags of life are but a nine days' wonder: Only thy Chronicle is lost and yet Better by worms be all once spent, Than to have hellish moths still gnaw and fret When all thy deeds, whose brunt thou feel'st alone, Are chaw'd by others' pens and tongue, And as their wit is, their digestion, Thy nourish'd fame is weak or strong. Then cease discoursing soul, till thine own ground; He that by seeking hath himself once found, XLIV. THE QUIDDITY. My God, a verse is not a crown; It cannot vault, or dance, or play ; It is no office, art, or news; XLV. HUMILITY. I SAW the Virtues sitting hand in hand Humility, who sat the lowest there To execute their call, When by the beasts the presents tender'd were, Gave them about to all. The angry Lion did present his paw, Which by consent was given to Mansuetude. The jealous Turkey brought his coral chain, That went to Temperance. On Justice was bestow'd the Fox's brain, Kill'd in the way by chance. At length the Crow, bringing the Peacock's plume, Till they fell out; which when the beasts espied, F |