But while I grow in a straight line, Still upwards bent, as if heaven were mine own, Thy anger comes, and I decline: What frost to that? what pole is not the zone Where all things burn, When thou dost turn, And the least frown of thine is shown? And now in age I bud again, That I am he, On whom thy tempests fell at night. These are thy wonders, Lord of love, To make us see we are but flowers that glide: Which when we once can find and prove, Thou hast a garden for us, where to bide. Who would be more, Swelling through store, Forfeit their Paradise by their pride. DOTAGE. FALSE glozing pleasures, casks of happiness, Foolish night-fires, women's and children's wishes, Chases in arras, gilded emptiness, Shadows well mounted, dreams in a career, True earnest sorrows, rooted miseries, Plain demonstrations, evident and clear, But oh the folly of distracted men, Who griefs in earnest, joys in jest pursue ; THE SON. LET foreign nations of their language boast, I like our language, as our men and coast; So in one word our Lord's humility We turn upon him in a sense most true : A TRUE HYMN. My joy, my life, my crown! My heart was meaning all the day, And still it runneth muttering up and down Yet slight not these few words; The fineness which a Hymn or Psalm affords, He who craves all the mind, And all the soul, and strength, and time, Justly complains, that somewhat is behind Whereas if the heart be moved, Although the Verse be somewhat scant, God doth supply the want. As when the heart says (sighing to be approved), Oh, could I love! and stops; God writeth, Loved. THE ANSWER. My comforts drop and melt away like snow: M Flies of estates and sunshine. But to all, Who think me eager, hot, and undertaking, Scorns his first bed of dirt, and means the sky; A DIALOGUE-ANTHEM. CHRISTIAN, DEATH. CHR. Alas, poor Death! where is thy glory? DEA. Alas! poor mortal, void of story, Go spell and read how I have kill'd thy King. CHR. Poor Death! and who was hurt thereby? DEA. Let losers talk, yet thou shalt die; CHR. Spare not, do thy worst. I shall be one day better than before : Thou so much worse, that thou shalt be no more. THE WATER-COURSE. THOU who dost dwell and linger here below, For who can look for less that loveth (Life? But rather turn the pipe, and water's course Who gives to man, as he sees fit, (Salvation. Damnation. SELF-CONDEMNATION. THOU who condemnest Jewish hate, For choosing Barabbas a murderer Before the Lord of glory; Look back upon thine own estate, Call home thine eye (that busy wanderer), That choice may be thy story. He that doth love, and love amiss, The world an ancient murderer is |