Yet if thou stayest still, why must I stay?

My God, what is this world to me?
This world of woe? Hence, all ye clouds, away,
Away; I must get up

I must get up and see.
O show thyself, &c.

.

What is this weary world ; this meat and drink,

That chains us by the teeth so fast ? What is this woman-kind, which I can wink Into a blackness and distaste?

O show thyself, &c.

a

With one small sigh thou gavest me th’ other day

I blasted all the joys about me :
And scowling on them as they pined away,
Now come again, said I, and flout me.

O show thyself, &c.

Nothing but drought and dearth, but bush and brake,

Which way soe'er I look, I see.
Some may dream merrily, but when they wake,
They dress themselves and come to thee.

O show thyself, &c.

We talk of harvests; there are no such things,

But when we leave our corn and hay : There is no fruitful year, but that which brings The last and loved, though dreadful day.

O show thyself, &c.

O loose this frame, this knot of man untie,
That my free soul

may use her wing,
Which now is pinion'd with mortality,
As an entangled, hamper'd thing.

O show thyself, &c.

What have I left, that I should stay and groan?

The most of me to heaven is fled :
My thoughts and joys are all pack'd up and

gone, And for their old acquaintance plead.

O show thyself, &c.

Come, dearest Lord, pass not this holy season,

My flesh and bones and joints do pray:
And even my verse, when by the rhyme and reason
The word is Stay, says ever, Come.

O show thyself to me,
Or take me up to thee !

THE BRITISH CHURCH.

I Joy, dear Mother, when I view
Thy perfect lineaments and hue

Both sweet and bright :
Beauty in thee takes up her place,
And dates her letters from thy face,

When she doth write.

A fine aspect in fit array,
Neither too mean, nor yet too gay,

Shows who is best :
Outlandish looks may not compare ;
For all they either painted are,

Or else undrest.

She on the hills, which wantonly
Allureth all in hope to be

By her preferr'd,

Hath kiss'd so long her painted shrines, That even her face by kissing shines,

For her reward.

She in the valley is so shy
Of dressing, that her hair doth lie

About her ears :
While she avoids her neighbour's pride,
She wholly goes on th' other side,

And nothing wears.

But, dearest Mother (what those miss),
The mean thy praise and glory is,

And long may be.
Blessed be God, whose love it was
To double-moat thee with his grace,

And none but thee.

THE QUIP.

The merry world did on a day
With his train-bands and mates agree
To meet together, where I lay,
And all in sport to jeer at me.

First, Beauty crept into a Rose ;
Which when I pluck'd not, Sir, said she,
Tell me, I pray, whose hands are those ?
But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.

Then Money came, and chinking still, What tune is this, poor man? said he :

I heard in Music you had skill :
But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.

Then came brave Glory puffing by
In silks that whistled, who but he !
He scarce allow'd me half an eye :
But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.

Then came quick Wit and Conversation,
And he would needs a comfort be,
And, to be short, make an oration.
But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.

Yet when the hour of thy design
To answer these fine things shall come ;
Speak not at large, say, I am thine,
And then they have their answer home.

VANITY.

Poor silly soul, whose hope and head lies low;
Whose flat delights on earth do creep and grow :
To whom the stars shine not so fair, as eyes ;
Nor solid work, as false embroideries;
Hark and beware, lest what you now do measure,
And write for sweet, prove a most sour displeasure.

O hear betimes, lest thy relenting

May come to late!
To purchase heaven for repenting

Is no hard rate.
If souls be made of earthly mould,

Let them love gold;

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
Is but a bubble, and makes thee a boy.

THE DAWNING.

AWAKE, sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns :

Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth, Unfold thy forehead gather'd into frowns : Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth :

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,
Which, as it riseth, raiseth thee:

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.

JESU.

JESU is in my heart, his sacred name
Is deeply carved there : but the other week
A great affliction broke the little frame,
Even all to pieces; which I went to seek :

H