Part 36 (2/2)

Commands and t.i.tles, the vain world's device, With gold--the forward seed of sin and vice-- He never minds: his aim is far more high, And stoops to nothing lower than the sky.

Nor grief, nor pleasures breed him any pain, He nothing fears to lose, would nothing gain, Whatever hath not G.o.d, he doth detest, He lives to Christ, is dead to all the rest.

This Holy One sent hither from above A virgin brought forth, shadow'd by the Dove; His skin with stripes, with wicked hands His face And with foul spittle soil'd and beaten was; A crown of thorns His blessed head did wound.

Nails pierc'd His hands and feet, and He fast bound Stuck to the painful Cross, where hang'd till dead, With a cold spear His heart's dear blood was shed.

All this for man, for bad, ungrateful man, The true G.o.d suffer'd! not that suff'rings can Add to His glory aught, Who can receive Access from nothing, Whom none can bereave Of His all-fulness: but the blest design Of His sad death was to save me from mine: He dying bore my sins, and the third day His early rising rais'd me from the clay.

To such great mercies what shall I prefer, Or who from loving G.o.d shall me deter?

Burn me alive, with curious, skilful pain, Cut up and search each warm and breathing vein; When all is done, death brings a quick release, And the poor mangled body sleeps in peace.

Hale me to prisons, shut me up in bra.s.s, My still free soul from thence to G.o.d shall pa.s.s.

Banish or bind me, I can be nowhere A stranger, nor alone; my G.o.d is there.

I fear not famine; how can he be said To starve who feeds upon the Living Bread?

And yet this courage springs not from my store, Christ gave it me, Who can give much, much more I of myself can nothing dare or do, He bids me fight, and makes me conquer too.

If--like great Abr'ham--I should have command To leave my father's house and native land, I would with joy to unknown regions run, Bearing the banner of His blessed Son.

On worldly goods I will have no design, But use my own, as if mine were not mine; Wealth I'll not wonder at, nor greatness seek, But choose--though laugh'd at--to be poor and meek.

In woe and wealth I'll keep the same staid mind, Grief shall not break me, nor joys make me blind: My dearest Jesus I'll still praise, and He Shall with songs of deliv'rance compa.s.s me.

Then come, my faithful consort! join with me In this good fight, and my true helper be; Cheer me when sad, advise me when I stray, Let us be each the other's guide and stay; Be your lord's guardian: give joint aid and due, Help him when fall'n, rise, when he helpeth you, That so we may not only one flesh be, But in one spirit and one will agree.

FOOTNOTES:

[69] The original has _gry_.

From _Hermetical Physic_: translated from Henry Nollius (1655).

1. [HORACE. EPIST. I. 1, 14-5.]

Where'er my fancy calls, there I go still, Not sworn a slave to any master's will.

2. [INCERTI.]

There's need, betwixt his clothes, his bed and board, Of all that Earth and Sea and Air afford.

3. [INCERTI.]

With restless cares they waste the night and day, To compa.s.s great estates, and get the sway.

4. [JUVENAL. SATIRE XV. 160-164.]

Whenever did, I pray, One lion take another's life away?

Or in what forest did a wild boar by The tusks of his own fellow wounded die?

Tigers with tigers never have debate; And bears among themselves abstain from hate

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