i - itnu mm in i m i i ii 1 1 u mi i ■ i ittttt hh ii ■ m ip ■ m u m i i i f f i mFT i f m itt^ lew WltfJEftEfl ILLISWICKE] ^N ^Sv ^^ 3t*Mt**^J»:fe>J« x WV^* K «\y^%\V^VAV.^VA^V.'V.\V/y ' V Vr^V.-:^ \V y V V. ^*L^UW> mn i Uuiiit/i l iliimMiUiiiiniuniiiii i M i. . t , ■ >., { ,. < t W i in . uit u .i i rtMutn . nu i mum i iin i iwijmn. LIBRARY OF THE U N IVER.SITY Of ILLINOIS •) ■) s»Mt Fovvre Hymnes, MADE BY E d m. Spenser. London, Primed for William Ponfonby,' TO THE RIGHT Ho- norable AND MOST VER- tuous Ladies 3 the Ladie Margaret Counteflc of Cumberland, and the Ladie Marie Countefle of Warwicke« Auing in the greener times of my youth , compofed theft former two Hymnes in the praife of Loue and beaut ie^ and finding that the fame too much pleafed thofe of like age & dijpofttio , which being too vehemently caried with that kind of affeBion, do rather fucke outpoyfon to their (Irongpaf ion , then hony to their hone ft delight 3 1 was mouedby the one of you two moft excellent Ladies 5 to call in the fame. But being vnablefo to doe , by reafon that many copies thereof were formerly fatter ed abroad 3 / rejoluedat leaft to amende and by way of retractation to refonne them, making in ft ead of thofe two Hymnes of earthly or naturallloue andbeautiejwo others ofheauenly and celeftiall. The which I doe dedicate ioyntly vnto yctt two honorable fijfers 3 us to the moft excellent and rare ornaments of all true loue and beaut ie 3 both in the one 49 and the other kinde, humbly be feechingyou to vouch- fafe the patronage of them, and to accept this my hum- ble feruice\ in lieu of the great graces and honourable fauours which ye doyly shew vnto mejuntillfuch time as I may by better meanesyeeld you fome more notable teflimonieofmythankfullmindanddutifuliaeuotion, ^And euen fo I pray for your happineffe. Greenwich thisfirft of September. Tour Honors mrftbounden euer in a/I humble feruicc. EcLSp. i we ; AN HYMNE IN HONOVR OF LOVE, LOue,that Ion g fince haft to thy mi ghty powre,. Perforce fubdude mypoore captiued hart, And ra ging now therein with reftlefle ftowre, Dbeft tyrannize in euerie weaker part ; Faine would I feeke to eafe my bitter fmart, By any (eruice I might do to thee 5 Or ought that elle might to thee plcafing bee.. And now t'aflwage the force of this new flame, And make thee more propitious in my need, I meane to fing the praifes of thy name 3 And thy victorious conquefts to areed ; By which thou madeft many harts to bleed^ Of mighty Victors, with wyde wounds embrewed 3 And by thy cruell darts to thee fub dewed, Onely I feare my wits enfeebled late, ( bred. Through the fharpefbrrowes, which thou haft me Should faint, and words fhould faile me,to relate The wondrous triumphs ofthy great godhed. But if thou wouldft vouchfafe to ouedpred Aiij 2 AN HYMNE Mc with the fhadow of thy gentle wing, I fhould enabled be thy a&es to fing. Come then, 6 come,, thou mightie God of loue, Out ofthyfiluer bowres and fecret blifle, Where thou doeft fit in Venus lap aboue, Bathing thy wings in her ambrofiallkifle, That fweeter farre then any Ne&ar is ; Come fbftly , and my feeble b reaft infpire With gentle furie, kindled of thy fire. And ye fweet Mufes, which haue often proued The piercing points of his auengefull darts $ And ye faire Nimphs, which oftetimes haue loued The cr uell worker of your kindly fmarts, Prepare your felues, and open wide your harts, For to rcceiue the triumph ofyour glorie. That made you merie oft, when ye were 1 brie. And ye faire bloflbmes of youths wanton breed, Which in the conquefts ofyour beautieboft. Wherewith your louers feeble eyes you feed, But fteruc their harts,that needeth nourture moff. Prepare your felues,to march amongft his hoft. And all the way this facred hymne do fing. Made in the honor ofyour Soueraigne king. Great OF LOVE. 3 GReat god of might,that reigneft in the mynd, And all the bodie to thy heft doeft frame, Vi&or ofgods,fubduer ofmankynd, That doeft the Lions and fell Tigers tame. Making their cr uell rage thy fcornefull game. And in their roring taking great delight ; Who can exprefle the glorie of thy might ? Or who aliue can perfedtly declare, The wondrous cradle of thine infancie ? When thy great mother Ventu firft thee bare, Begot of Plentie and of Penurie, Though elder then thine owne natiuitie y And yet a chyld, renewing ftill thy yearesj And yet the eldeft of the heauenly Peares. For ere this worlds ftill mouing mightie mafte, Out of great Chaos vgly prifon crept, In which his goodly face long hidden was From heauens view, and in deepe darknefie kept, Loue, that had now long time fecurely flept In PV/ft%flap, vnarmed then and naked, Gan reare his head, by Clotho being waked. And taking to him wings ofhis owneheate, Kindled at firft from heauens life-giuingfyrc, He gin to moue out ofhis idle feate, Weakely at firft, but after with defy re Lifted aloft,he gan to mount vp hyre. And like frefh Eagle,make his hardie flight Through all that great wide waft * yet watinglight; 4 AN HYMNE Yet wanting light to guide his wandring way, His owne fiitc mother, for all creatures fake, Did lend him light from her owne goodly ray : Then through the world his way he gan to take, The world that was not till he did it make ; Whole fundrie parts he fro them fellies didfeuer, The which before had lyen confufed euer. The earth, the ayre 3 the water, and the lyre, Then gin to raunge them fellies in huge array, And with contrary forces to conlpyre Each againft other, by all meanes they may, Threatning their owne confufion and decay : Ayre h ated earth, and water hat&fyre. Till Loue relented their rebellious yre. He then them tooke, and tempering goodly well Their contrary diflikes with loued meanes, Did place them allin order, andcompell To keepe them felues within their llindrie raines, Together linkt with Adamantine chaines ; Yet fo, as that in euery lining wight They mixe themfelucs, & fhe w their kindly might. So euer lince they firmely haue remained, And duly well obferued his beheaft ; (ned Through which now all thele things that are cotai- Within this goodly cope,both moft and leaft ,. .j Their beinghaue, and dayly are increaft, Through fecret Iparks of his infufed fyre, Which in die b arraine cold he doth inlpyre. Thereby OF LOVE. 5 Tliercby they all do Hue, and moiied are To multiply the likencffc of their kynd, Whileft they feeke oncly, without further care. To quench the flame, which they in burning fynd : But man,that breathes a more immortall mvnd, Not for lufts fake, but for eternitie, Seekes to enlarge his laftingprogenie. For hauing yet in his dedu&ed fpright, Some fparks remaining of that heauenly fyre,' He is enlumind with that goodly light, Vnto like goodly femblant to alpyre : Therefore in choice of loue, he doth deiyrc That feemes on earth mod heauenly , to embrace, That fame is Beautie, borne of heauenly race. For fure of all, that in this mortall frame Contained is, nought more diuine doth feemc d Or that refembleth more th'immortall flame Of heauenly light, then Beauties glorious beame. What wonder then, if with fuch rage extreme Fraile men,\vhofe eyes feek heauenly things to fee, At fight thereof fo much enrauifht bee ? Which well perceiuing that imperious boy, Doth therwith tip his fharp empoifhed darts;(coy, W 7 hich glancing through the eyes with coutenuce Reft not, till they haue pierft the trembling harts, And kindled flame in all their inner parts, Which fuckes the blood, and drinketh vp the lyfe Of carefull wretches with confuming gricfe. 6 AN HYM'HE Thenceforth they playne,& make ful piteous monc Vnto the author of their balefull banc ; (grone, The daiestheywafte, the nights theygricue and Their Hues they loath, andheauens.lightdifdaine; No light but that, whofe lampe doth yet remaine Frefh b urnin g in the image of their eye, They deigne to fee , andfeeing it ftill dye. The whylft thou tyrant Lbue doeft laugh & (corne At their complaints, making their paine thy play; Whyleft they lye Ian guifhing like thrals forlorne, The whyles thou doeft triumph in their dec.\y, And otherwhyles, their dying to delay, Thou doeft emmarble the proud hart of her* Whofeloue before their life they doe prefer* ' So haft thou often done (ay me the more ) To me thy vafiTall, whofe yet bleeding hart, Withthoufand wounds thou mangled haft Co fore That whole remaines fcarfe any little part , Yet to augment the anguiili of my fmart, Thou haft enfrofen her difdainefull breft, That no one drop of pitie there doth reft* Whv then do I this honor vnto thee, Thus to ennoble thy victorious name, Since thou doeft fhewno fauour vnto mee r Nc once moue ruth in that rebellious Dame, Somewhat to flacke the rigour of my flame ? Certes fmall gJory doeft thou winne hereby , To let her Hue thus free^ and me to dy. But OF LOVE. 7 Butifthoubc indeede, as men thee call, The worlds great Parent, the moft kind preferucr Of liuing wights, the foucraineLord of all, How failcs it then, that with thy furious feruour 3 Thou doeft afflict as well the not deferuer 3 As him that doeth thy louely hearts defpize^ And on thyfiibie&s moft doeft tyrannize? Yet herein eke thy glory feemeth more, By (b hard handling thofe which beft thee feme. That ere thou doeft them vnto grace reftore, Thou mayeft well trie if they will euerfwerue 3 And mayeft them make it better to deferue ^ And hauing got it,may it moreefteeme^ For things hard got.ten,men more dearely deeme.. So hard diofe heauenly beauties be enfyred, As things diuine,leaft paffions doeimprefle/ Thc more of ftedfaft mynds to be admyred 3 The more they ftayed be on ftedfaftnefle : Butbafeborne mynds fueh lamps regard the lefle, Which at firft blowing take not haftie fyre 3 Such fancies feele no loue^but iooie delyrc. For loue is Lord of truth and loia!tie 3 Lifting himfelfc out of the lowly duft 3 On golden plumes vp to the pureft skie, Ab oue the reach of loathly finfull luft, Whole bafe affeft through cowardly diftruft Of his weake wings 5 dare not to heauen fly. Butiike amoldwarpein the earth idoth ly, % - Bij i 8 AN. HYMN E His dunghill thoughts 5 which do themfHues enure To dirtie drofle, no higher dare afpyre 5 Ne can his feeble earthly eyes endure The flaming light ofthat celcftiall fyre, Which kindleth loue in generous defyre 3 And makes him- mount aboue the natiue might Of heauie earthy vptathe heauens hight. Such is the powre ofthat fiveet paffion. That it all fordid bafenefle doth expell^ And the refyned mynd doth newly fafliion Vnto a fairer forme, which now doth dwell In his high thou ght 3 that would it fclfe excell £ Which he beholding ftill with conftant fight^ Admires the mirrour of ib heauenly light. Whofe image printing in his deepefl: wit, He thereon feeds his hungrie fantafy y Still full, yet neuer fatisfyde with it. Like Tannic that ihftbre doth fterued ly t So doth he pine in moil i atie ty 3 For nought may quench his infinite defyre, Once kindled through thatfirft concerned fyre,,! Thereon his mynd affixed wholly is, Ne thinks on oughty but how it to attaine ^ His care 5 hjs ioy 3 his hope isallon this^ That feemes in it alfblifles to containe, In fight whereof, all other blifle feemes vame. Thrife happie man, might he the fame pofiefle ; Hefaines himfelfe., anddoth his fortune blefTe. OF LOVE. 9 And though he do not win his wifh to end, Yet thus farre happie he him felfe doth weene, That heauens fuch happie grace did to him lend, As thing on earth Co heauenly,to haue feene, His harts enfhrined faint, his heauens queenc, Fairer then faireft, in his fayning eye, Whofe fole afpefl: he counts felicitye. Then forth he cafts in his vnquiet thought, W hat he may do, her fauour to obtaine ^ What braue exploit ,what perill hardly wrought-, What puifiant conqueft>what aduenturons paine., May pleafe herbeft,and gracevntohim gaine : He dreads no danger, nor misfortune fearcs, His faith 3 his fortune^ in his breaft he beares. Thou art his god, thou art his mightie guyde, Thou being blind, letfthimnotfee his feares, But cane ft him to that which he hath eyde, Through feas^ through flames , through thoufand fwords and Ipeares : Ne ought fo ftrong that may his force withftand^ With which thou armefl his refiftlefie hand. Witnefle Lewder^ in the Euxine waues. And ftout AEneaA in the Troianc fyre., ^Achilles preafling through the Phrygian glaiues^ And Orphetts daring to prouoke theyrc Of damned fiends 3 to gethisloue retyre : For both through heauen & hell thou makeft way. To win them worfhip which to thee obay. B iij i.o AN HYMNE And if by all thefc perils and thefc paynes, He may but purchafe lyking in her cyc 5 What heauens of ioy 3 then to himfelfe he faynes 3 Eftfoones he wypes quite out of memory, What euer ill before he did aby, Had it bene death 3 yet would he die againe, To Hue tlius happie as her grace to gaine. Yet when he hath found fauour to his will. He nathemore can (b contented reft 3 Butfprceth further on,, andftriueth dill T^pproch more neare, till in her inmoft breft. He may embofomd bee, and loued beftj And yet not beft, but to be lou'd alone 3 For loue can not endure aParagone, The feare whereof, 6 how doth it torment His troubled mynd with more then hellifhpaine! And to his %ningfanfiereprefent Sights neuer feene ? and thoufand fhadowes vaine, To breake his fleepe 3 and wafte his ydlebraincj Thou that haft neuer lou'd canft not befceue, Leaft part of tfreuils which poors Ipuers greewe* r The gnawingemue, the hart-fretting fcare, The vaine furmizes, the diftr uftfull uiowes 3 The. ftlfe reports that flying tales doe beare, . The doubts,thedaungers 9 the delaycs^hc woes^" The foyned friends^ the vnafliired foes. With thoufandsworc then anv tongue can tcllj Doe make 3 louers life a wretches hell . ... . ....... _. . - <» » Yet: OF LOVE. ii Yet is there one morecurfed then they all, That cancker worme, that monfter Gelofie, Which eates the hart, and feedes vpon the gal!;, Turning all loues delight to miferie,. Through feareof loofinghis felicitie. Ah Gods, that ener ye that monfter placed In gentle loue,that all his ioyes defaced. By thefe, 6 Loue,thou doeft thy entrance make, Vnto thy heauen 3 and doeft the more endecre, Thy pleafures vntothofe which them partake,. As after ftormes when clouds begin to cleare, The Sunne more bright &c glorious doth appeare; So thou thy folke, through paines of Purgatorie, Doftbeare vnto thy blifTe,andheauens glorie. There thou them placeft in a Paradize Of all delight, and ioyous happie reft, Where they doe feede on Ne&ar heauenly wize. With Hercules and Hebe, and the reft Of r^/^Jdearlings 3 through her bountie bleft, And lie like Gods in yuorie beds arayd. With rofe and HUies ouer them difplayd. There with thy daughter P/ea/ure they doe play Their hurtlefte (ports, without rebuke or blame, And in her fnowy bofome boldly lay Their quiet heads, deuoyd of guilty fhame. After full ioyancc of their gentle game, (Queene, Then her they crowne their Goddefle and their And decke with floures thy altars well befeene. U AN HYMNEOF LOVE Ay me,deare Lord, that cuer I might hope. For all the paincs and woes that I endure, To come at length vnto the wifhed {cope Of my defire, or might my felfe aflurc, That happie port for euer to recure. Then would I thinke thefe paines no paines at all, And all my woes to be but penance fmall. Then would I fing of thine immortall prai/c An heauenly Hymne, fuch as the Angels fing, And thy triumphant name then would I raife Boue all the gods, thee onely honoring, My guide, my God, my vi&or, and my king; Till then, dread Lord, vouchfafe to take of me This limple fong, thus fram'd in praife of thee, FINIS. AN AN HYMNE IN HONOVR OF BEAVTIE. AH whither, Loue,wilt thou now carrie mec? What wontlefle fury doft thou now inspire Into my feeble breaft 3 too full of thee? Whyleftfceking to aflake thy raging fyre, Thou in mekindleftmuch more great defyrc, And vp aloft aboue my ftrength doeft rayfe The wondrous matter of my fyre toprayfe. That as I earft in praiie of thine owne name^ So now in honour of thy Mother deare, An honourable Hymne I eke fhould frame, And with the brightnefle of herbeautie cleare. The rauifht harts of gazefull men might rcare, To admiration of that heauenly lights From whence proceeds fuchfoule enchaunting (might, Therto do thou great Goddefle,queene of Beauty, Mother oflouc, and of all worlds delight, Without whofe fouerayne grace and kindly dewty. Nothing on earth fecmes fayre to flelTily fight, Doe thou vouchfafe with thy loue-kindling light^ Tilluminate my dim and dulled eyne, Andbeautifietnisfacredhymneofthyne, i 4 AK HYMME Thatboth to thee, to whom I meanc it moft 3 And eke to h er 3 whofe faire immortall beame, Hath darted fyre into my feeble ghoft, That now it wafted is with woes extreame, It may fo pleafe that fhe at length will ftreamc Some deaw ofgrace^into my withered hart, After long forrow and confumingfmart. (didcaft W Hat time this worlds great workmaifter Tomake al things/uchas we nowbehold It feemes that he before his eyes had plait A s;oodly Paterne to whofe perfect mouldy He falbiond them as comely as he could. That now fo faire and feemely they appeare, As nought may be amended any whearc. That wondrous Paterne wherefbere it bee. Whether in earth layd vp in fecret flore 5 Or elfe in heauen^that no man may it fee With finfull eyes ., for feare it to deflore, Is perfect Beautie which all men adore, Whofe face andfeature doth fb much cxcell AU jnortall fence, that none the fame may tell. Thereof as enery earthly thing partakes. Or more or leflc by influence diuitie , So it morefaire* accordingly it makes, And the grofle matter of this earthly myne, Which clotheth it, thereafter doth refyne, Doing away the droflc which dims the light Of that faire beanie, which thercinis empighc For 0£ BE A V TIE. 15 For through infufion of celcftiall powr e, The dullcrcarth it quickneth with delight, Aad life-full (pints priuily doth povvre Through all the parts, that to the lookers fight They feerae to pleafe.That is thy fbueraine might, O Cyprian Queene, which flowin g from the beamc Of thy brightftarrejthou into them doeft ftreame. That is the thing which giueth pleafant grace To all things faire, thatkindlethliucly fyre, Light of thy lampc, which fhyning in the face, Thence to the foule darts amorous defyre, And robs the harts of thofe which it admyre, Therewith thou pointeft thy Sons poyfiied arrow, That wounds the life,& waftes the inmoft marrow* How vainely then doe ydlc wits inuent, Thatbcautie is nought elfe, but mixture made Ofcolours faire, and goodly temp'rament Of pure complexions, that (hall quickly fade Andpafleaway,liketoafbmmcrs fhade, Or that it is but comely compofition Ofpartswcll meafurd,withmeetdiipofition. Hath whitejand red in it fuch wondrous powre, That it can pierce through th'eyes vnto the hart, And therein ftirre fuch rage and rcftlefle ftowre, As nought but death can ftint his dolours fmart? Or can proportion of the outward part, Moue fuch affection in the inward mynd, Thatitcanrobbothfenfc and reafbnblynd? Cy u AN HY'MNE Why doc not then the bloffomes of the field, Which are arayd with much more orient hew, And to the fenfe moft daintie odours yield, Worke like impreflion in; the lookers vew ? Or why doe not faire pictures like powrc fhe w, In which oftimes, we Nature fee of Art Exceld, in perfed limming euery part. But ah, b elceue me, there is more then fo That workes fuch wonders in the minds of men. I that haue often prou*d, too well it know 5 And who fo lift the like aflayes token, Shall find by tryall, andconfefleit then, That Bcautie is not, as fond men miiHeeme, An outward ihew of things, that onely feeme* For that fame goodly hew of white and red, With which the cheekes are fprinckled,fhal decay* And thofe fweete rofy leaucs fb fairely fpred Vpon the lips, fhallfade and fall away To thatthey were,euen to corrupted clay. That golden wyre,thofe fparckling ftars fb bright Shall turne to duft^nd loofe their goodly light. But that faire Iampe, from whofc celcftiall ray That light proceedes, which kindleth Iouersfire, Shall neuer be cxtinguifht nor decay. But when the vitall fpirits doe expyre,, Vnto her natiue planet fhallretyre, For it is heauenly borne and can not die,, Being a parcellof the pureft side* For OF BEAVTIE. 17 For when the foulc ,the which deriued was At firft, out of that great immortall Spright^ By whom all Hue to loue, whilome did pas Downe from the top ofpureft heauens highr. To be embodied here, it then tooke light And liuely fpirits from that fayrcft ftarre. Which lights the world forth from his fine carre. Which powre retayning ftill or more or leflc, When (he in flefhly feede is eft enraccd, Through euery part (he doth the fame imprefle, According as the heauens haue her graced. And frames her houfe,in which fhe will be placed, Fit for her felfe, adorning it with fpoyle Of thheauenly riches,which ihe robd crewhyle. Thcrof it comes 3 that thefe fairc fouIes,which hauc The moft refemblance of that heauenly light, Frame to themfelues moft beautifull and braue Their flefhly bowre ,moft fit for their delight, And the grofle matter by a fbueraine might Tempers fb trim, that it may well be feene, A pallace fit for fuch a virgin Qu^enc. So euery fpirit 3 as it is moft pure. And hath init the more of heauenly light, So it the fairer bodie doth procure To habit in, and it more faircly dight With chearefull grace and amiable fight. For of the foulc the bodie forme doth take : For foule is formc^ and doth the bodie make. C iij iZ AN HYMNE Therefore where euer that thou doeft behold A comely corpfc , with beau tie faire endewed, Know this for ccrtaine, that the fame doth hold A beauteous lonlc/vith faire conditions the wed f Fit to rcceiuc the feedc of vertue ftrewed. For all that faire is, is by nature good 5 That is a figne to know the gentle blood. Yetoftit falles,that many a gentle mynd Dwels in deformed tabernacle drownd. Either by chauncejagainft thecourfe ofkynd. Or through vnaptnefle in the fubftance fownd 3 Which it afllimcd of fome ftubborne grownd, That will not yield vnto her formes dire&ion, But isperform'd with fome foule imperfection^ And oft it falles ( ay me the more to rew) That goodly bcautie, albe heauenly borne, Is foule abufd, and that celeftiall hew, Which doth the world with her delight adorne, Made but the bait of finnc 3 and finners fcorne; Whilefi enery one doth leeke and lew to haue it 3 But euery one doth feeke^but to depraue it. Yet nathemore is that faire beauties blame/ But theirs that do abufe it vnto ill : Nothingfo good, but that through guilty iliame May be corrupt 3 and wrefted vnto will. Nathelefle the foule is faire and beauteous ftillj How euer flefhes fault it filthy make : For things immortall no corruption take. But OF BEAVTIE. i 9 But yc faireDamcSjthc worlds deare ornaments, And liuely images of hcaucns light, Let not your beames with fuch difparagements Be dimd 3 and your bright glorie darkned quight, But mindfull (till of your firft countries fight., Doe ftill preferueyour firft informed grace, Whofe ihadow yet fhynes in your beauteous face. Loath that foule blot, that hellifh fierbrand, Difloiallluftjfairebeauties^fouleftblamej That bafe affe&ios, which your eares would bland, Commend to you by loues abufed name s But is indeede the bondflaue of defame, Which will the garland of your glorie marrc, And quech the light of your bright fhyning ftarrc. But gentle Louc 3 thatloiallisandtrew, Will more illumine your refplendent ray, And adde more brightnefle to your goodly hew, From light of his pure fire, which by like way Kindled of yours , your likeneffe doth difplay, Like as twomirroursby oppofd reflexion, Doc bothcxpreflc the faces firft impreflion. Therefore to make your beautie more appeaTC, It you behoues to loue, and forth to lay That heauenly riches , which in you yebeare, That men the more admyre their fountaine may, For elfe what booteththatceleftiall ray, If it in darknefie be enfhrined euer, Thatit of Iouing eyesbc vewedneuer? 2 o AN HYMNE But in your choice of Loues, this well aduize, ; That likeft to your felucs ye them fele&, The which your forms firft fourfe may fympathize, And with like beauties parts be inly deckt ; For if you loofely loue without refpeft, It is no loue, but adifcordant warre, Whole vnlikc parts anion gft themfelues do iarrc. For Loue is a celeftiall harmonic, Of likely harts compofd of ftarres concent, Which ioync together in fweete fympathie, To worke ech others ioy and true content , Which they haue harbourd fince their firft defcet Out of their heauenly bowres , where they did fee And know ech other here belou'd to bee. Then wrong it were that any other twaine Should in loues gentle band combynedbce, But thofe whom hcauen did at firft ordaine, And made out of one mould the more t'agree : For all that like the beau tie which they fee, Streight do not loue : for loue is not fb light, As ftreight to burne at firft beholders^fight. But they which loue indeede, looke otherwife, 9 With pure regard and fpotleflc true intent, Drawing out oftheobiedt of their eyes, A more refyned forme, which they prcfent Vnto their mind,voide of allblemifhmentj Which it reducing to her firft perfe&ion, Beholdeth free from flefticsfraylc infe&ion. And OF BEAVTIE. ai And then conforming it vnto the Iight 3 Which in it felfe it hath remaining ftill Of that firft Sunne, yet fparckling in his fight. Thereof he fafhions in his higher skill. An heauenly beautie to his fancies will, And it embracing in his mind en tyre. The mirrour of his owne thought doth admyre. Which feeing now Co inly faire to be. As outward it appeareth to the eye, And with4usfpirits proportion to agree, He thereon fixeth all his fantafie , And fully fetteth his felicitie, Counting it fairer, then it is indeede, And yet indeede her faireneffe doth exceede. For louers eyes more fharply fighted bee Then other mens, and in deare Tones delight See more then any other eyes can fee , Through mutuall receipt of beames bright, Which carrie priuie meflage to the fpright^ And to their eyes that inmoft faire difplay , As plaine as light difcouers dawning day, Therein they fee through amorous eye-glaunces^ Armies of loues ftill flying too and fro, Which dart at them their Title fierie launces, Whom hauing wounded,backc againe they go, Carrying companion to their louely foe 5 Who feeing her faire eyes fo fharpe effeft, Cures all their forrowes with one fweete afpeI:forethis worlds great frame 3 in which al things Are now contained found any being place. Ere flitting Time could wag his eyas wings About that rnightie bound, which doth embrace The rolling Sphere s,& parts their houres by (pace, That high eternall powre, which now doth moue In all theie things, moud in it felfe by loue. It lou'd it felfe^becanfe it felfe was faire 5 (For faire is lou'd; ) and of it felfe begot Like to it felfe his eldeft fbnne and heire, Eternall, pure, and voide of finfull blot, The firftling of his ioy, in whom no iot Of loues diflike, or pride was to be found. Whom he therefore with equall honour crown d. With him he raignd, before all time prefcribed, In endlelTe glorie and immortall might. Together with that third from them deriued, Moft wife,moft holy, moft almightie Spright, Whofe kingdomes throne no thought ofearthly Can coprehed,much lefle my trebling verfe(wight With equall words can hope it to reherfe. Yet 6 moft blefled Spirit,pure lampe of light, Eternall fpring of grace and wifedome trew, Vouchfafe to (bed into my barren fpright, Some little drop of thy celeftiall dew. That may my rymes with fweet infufe embrew, And giue me words equall vnto my thought,, To tell the marueiles by thy mercie wrought. D iij 26 AN HYMNE OF Yet being pregnant ftill wich powrefull grace, And full of fruitfull loue, that loues to get Things like himfelfe, and to enlarge his race. His fecond brood though not in powre fo great, Yet full of beautie, next he did beget An infinite increafe of Angels bright, All gliftring glorious in their Makers light. To them the heauens illimitable hight, Not this round heaue,which we fro hence behold, Adornd with thoufand lamps of burning light, And with ten thoufand gemmes of fhyning gold, He gaue as their inheritance to hold, That they might ferue him in eternallblis, Andbe partakers of thofe ioyes of his. There they in their trinall triplicities About him wait , and on his will depend, Either with nimble wings to cut the t 'skies. When he them on his meflages doth lend, Or on his owne dread prefence to attend, Whererfiey behold thegbrie of his light, And carollHymnes of loue both day and night. • Both day and night is vnto them all one, For he his beames doth ftill to them extend, That darknefle there appeareth neuer none, Ne hath their day , ne hath their blifle an end, But there their termelefle time in pleafure fpend, Ne euer fhould their happinefle decay, Had not they dar'd their Lord to difobay. • But HEAVENLY LOVE. 27 But pride impatient of long refting peace 3 Did pufte them vp with greedy bold am bition 3 That they gan call their ftate how to increafe, Aboue the fortune of their firft condition^ Aad fit in Gods owne feat without commiffion : The brighteft Angell, euen the Child of light Drew millions more againft their God to fighu Th'Almighty feeing their fb bold aflay 3 ' Kindled the flame of his confliming yre, And with his onely breath them blew away From hea uens hight 3 to which they did afpyre^ To deepeft hell,and lake of damned fyre 5 Where they in darknefle and dread horror dwell, Hating the happie light from which they fell. So that next off-fpring of the Makers loue^. Next to himfelfe in glorious degree,. Degendering to hate fellfrom aboue Through pride $ ( for pride^nd folic may ill agree) And now of finne to all enfample bee : How then can finfull flefh it felfe afliire, Sith pureft Angels fell to be impure ? But that eternall fount of loue and grace, Still flowing forth his goodnefle vnto all, Now feeing left a wafte and emptie place In his wyde Pallace, through thofe Angels fall 3> Caft to fupply the fame > and to enftall A new vnknowen Colony the rein 3 (begin, Whofe root from earths baft groundworke (hold 2 8 AN HYMNE Therefore ofclay.bafc^ile^nd next to nought* Yet form" d by wondrous skill, and by his might: According to an heauenly patterne wrought. Which he had rafhiond in his wife forefieht. He man did make, and breathd a liuing lpright Into his face moil beautifull and fayre, fcnde wd with wifedomes riches,heauenly 3 rare. Such he him made, that he refemble might Himfelfe 3 as mortall thing immortall could; Him to be Lord of euery liuing wight 3 He made by lone out of his owne like mould , In whom he might his mightie felfe behould .* For loue doth loue the thing belou'd to fee, That like it felfe in louely fhape may bee. But manforgetfull of his makers grace, No lefle then Angels, whom he did enfew, Fell from the hope of promift heauenly place, Into the mouth of death to finners dew 3 And all his off-fpring into thraldome threw: Where they for euer fhould in bonds remaine, Of neuer dead,yet cuer dying paine. Till that great Lord of Loue, which him at firfl: Made of meere loue, and after liked welJ^ Seeing him lielikc creature'Iong accurft, In that deepe horror of defpeyred hell, Him wretch in doole would let no lenger dwell 3 But caft out of that bondage toredeeme, And pay the price, all were his debt extrceme. Out HEAVENLY LOVE. ip Out of the bofomc of cternall bliffej In which he reigned with his glorious fyre 3 He downe defcended 3 like a moft demifle Andabie<5tthrall 3 in flefhesfraileattyrej That he for him might pay finnes deadly hyre 3 And him reftore vnto that happie ftate^ In which he flood before his haplefle fate. In flefh at firft the guilt committed was y Therefore in flefh it muftbe fatisfyde : Nor fpirit 3 nor Angell, though they man furpas, Could make amends to God for mans mifguyde^ But onely man himfclfe 3 who felfe did flyde. So taking flefh of facred virgins wombe 3 For mans deare fake he did a man become. And that moft blefled bodie 3 which was borne Without allblemifh or reprochfull blame 3 He freely gaue to be both rent and tornc Of cruel! hands, who with defpightfull fhame Reuyling him, that them moft vile became, At length him nayled on a gallow tree 3 And flew the iufl^by moft vniuft decree* O huge and moft vnfpeakeable impreffion Of loues deepe wound 3 that pierft the piteous hart Of that deare Lord with fb entyre affedion. And fharply launching euery inner part 3 Dolours of death into his foule did dartj Doing him die 3 that neucr it deferued 5 To free his foes^ that from his hcaft had iwerued; E 3 o; an hymne of Whathart can feele leafttouch of fo fore launch, ) Or thought can t!i ink the depth of fodcare wound? Whofe bleeding fourlc their ftreames yet neuer But ftil do flow, & freilily ftill rewound, (Haunch* To hcale the fores of finfull (bules vnfound. And elenfe the guik of that infefted cryme x Which was enrooted in all flcllily flyius. O bleflfed well of loue, 6 flotire of grace, O glorious Morning ftarre,6 lampe of light, Mod litiely image of thy fathers fece, EternallKingof glorie, Lord ofmight, Meeke lambe of God before all worlds behighc. How can wq thee requite for alkhis good fa Or what; can prize that thy mod precious blood? Yet nought thou ask'fl: in lieu of all this loue, | • But loue ofvs for guerdon of thy paine. Ay me; what can vs leffe then that behoue? . HaAhe required life ofvs againe, Had it beene wrong to aske his owne with gaine> . He gaue vs life, he it reftored lofty Thenlife v^erc leaft 5 that vsio litlecoft. But he our life hath left vnto vs free. Free that was thrall, and blefled that was band; Ne ought demaunds, but that we louing bee,, As he nimfelfe hath lou'd vs afore hand, And bound thcrto with an eternall band,. Him firft to loue, that vs (b dearely bought, And.next^our brethren tohis image wrought. -.._, \ ■ Him HEAVENLY LOVE 3 j Him firft to loue, great right and reafon is. Who firfl to vs our life andbeinggaue; And after when we fared had amifle 3 Vs wretches from the fecond death did faue ; And laft the food of life, which now we haue Euen himfelfe in his dearelacrament^ To feede our hungry fbiilcs vnto vs lent. Then next to lone our brethren, that were made Of that felfe mould, and that felfe makers hand,, That we,and to the fame againe fhall fade, Where they fhall haue like heritage of land, How euer here on higher fteps we ftand ; Which alfo were with felfe fame price redeemed That we, how euer of vs light efteemed. And were they not, yet fince that louing Lord Commaundedvs to loue them for his iake 3 Euen for his fake, and for his (acred word, Which in his laft bequeft he tovs /pake, We fhouldthem loue,& with their needs partakej Knowing that whatfoere to them we giue 3 W T e giue to him, by whom we all doe liue. Such mercy he by his moft holy reede Vnto vs taught , and to approue it trew 3 Enfampled it by his moft righteous deede, Shewing vs mercie miferable crew, That we the like fhould to the wretches fheWj And loue our brethren 5 thereby to approue. How much himfelfe that loued vs, we.loue* Eij 1% AN fcYM'NE OF Then rouze thy fclfe, 6 earth, out of thy fbyle, In which thou wallowed like to filthy fwyne, And doeft thy my nd in durty pleafures moykj Vnmindfull of that deareft Lord of thyne j Lift vp to him thy heauie clouded eyne. That thou his (bueraine bountie mayft behold, And read through louc his mercies manifold. Beginne from firft, where he encradled was In fimple cratch , wrapt in a wad of hay, Betweene the toylefull Oxe and humble Afle> And in what rags, and in how bale aray, The glory of out heauenly riches lay, When him the filly Shepheards came tofee, Whom greateft Princes fought on loweft knee* , From thence reade on the ftorie of his life, Hishumble carriage, his vnfaulty wayes, His cancred foes, his fights, his toyle,his ftrife* His paines,hispouertie, his fharpe afiayes, Through which he paft his miferable dayes, Offending none, and doing good to all, Yet being malift botfiof great and fmalL And looke at lafthow of moft wretched wights, He taken was,betrayd, and falfe accufed, How with moft fcornefull taunts, & fell defpights He wasreuyld,difgraft,andfoule abufed,(bruled^ Howfcourgd , how crownd, how buffeted, how And hftly how twixt robbers crucifyde, (&fyde. With bitter wounds through hands^througb fret Then HEAVENLY LOVE. jj Then let thy flinty hart that feeles no painc, Empierced be with pittifull remorfe, And let thy bowels blcede in euery vaine, At fight of his moft facred heauenly corfe, So torne and mangled with malicious forfe, And let thy foule, whofe fins his forrows wrought, Melt into teares, and grone in grieued thought. With fence whereof whileftfb thy fbftencd fpirit Is ihly toucht 3 and humbled with meeke zeale, Through meditation of his endlefle merit 3 Liftvp thy mind to th'author of thy weale, And to his fbueraine mercie doe appealer Learne him to lone, that loued thee fb deare, And in thy breft his blcfled image beare. With all thy hart 5 with all thy fbule and mind. Thou muft him loue 5 and his beheafts embrace^ All other loues, with which the world doth blind Weake fancies^ and ftirre vp affe&ions bafe, Thou muft renounce, and vtterly difplace. And giue thy felfevnto him full and free, That full and freely gaue himfelfe to thee. Then fbalt thou fcele thy fpirit fb pofleft, And rauifht with deuouting great defire Of his deare felfe, that fhall thy feeble breft Inflame with loue, and fet thee all on fire With burnin g zealc 3 through euery part entire^ That in no earthly thing thou lhalt delight^. But in his fweetand amiable fight. E iij J4 AN HYMNE OF Thenceforth all worlds defire will in thee dyc y And all earthes glorie on which men do gaze, Seeme durt and drofle in thy pure fighted eye, Compar'd to that celeftiall beauties blaze, Whofe glorious beames all Hefhly fenfe doth daze With admiration of their paffing light, Blinding the eyes andluminingthefpright. Then fhall thy rauiflit fbule inipired bee With heauely thoughts, farrc aboue humane skil,. And thy b right radiant eyes fhall plainely fee Thldee of his pure glorie prefent ftill , Be fore thy face,that all thy fpirits fhall fill Witt) fweete enragement of celeftiall loue, Kindled through fight of thofe faire things aboue. FINIS. AN ■' - 35" AN HYMNE OF HEAVENLY BEAVTIE. D Ape with the rage of mine own rauifht thought,. Through cotemplation of thofe goodly fights, And glorious images in heauen wrought, Whofc wodrous beauty breathing fweet delights. Do kindle loue in high conceipted fprights : I faine to tell the things that I behold, But feele my wits to faile, and tongue to fold. Vouthfafe then, 6 thou moft almightie Spright,. From whom all guiftsof wit and knowledge flow.; To (lied into my bread fome fparkling light- Of thine eternall Truth, that I may (how Some litle beanies to mortall eyes below, Of that immortall beautie,there with thee, Which in my weake diftraughted mynd I fee; That with the glorie of fb goodly fight, The hearts ofmen 5 which fondly here admyre Fairerfeeming fhewes, and feed on vaine delight, Tranfponed with celeftiall dsfyre Of thofe wire formes, may lift themfelues vp hyfccj And learne to loue with zealous humble dewty Ih'cternallfountainepfthatheauenly beauty,. . s $£ AN HYMNE OF Beginning then below, with th'eafie vcw Of this bale world 3 fubie&ro flcfhly eye, From thence to mount aloft by order dew, To contemplation of th'immortall sky, Of the foarefaulconfb Ilearne to fly, That flags awhile her fluttering wings beneath. Till fhe her felfe for ftronger flight can breath. Then looke who lift, thy gazefull eyes to feed With fight of that is faire, looke on the frame Of this wyde vniuerfe^mA therein reed The endlefle kinds of creatures, which by name Thou caft not coiit 3 much lefle their natures aime: All which are made with wondrous wile relpeft. And all with admirablebeautie deckt. Firft th*Earth, on adamantine pillers founded, Amid the Sea engirt with brafen bands ; Then th* Aire ftill flitting, but yet firmely bounded On euerie fide 3 with pyles of flaming brands, Neuer confum'd nor quencht with mortall hands 5 And laft 3 that mightie (Timing chriftall wall, Where with he hath encompafled this All. By view whereof, it plainly may appeare, That ftill as euery thing doth vpward tend, And further is from earth, lb ftill more cleare And faire it growes 3 till to his perfeft end Of pureft beautie, it at laft alcend : Ayrc more then water , fire much more then ayre, And heauen then fire appeare* more pure & fayrc. Looke HEAVENLY BE A VTIE. 37 Looke thou no further ,but affixe thine eye, On that bright fhynie round ftill mouing Mafie, The houfe of blefled Gods, which men call Skye^ Allfbwd with gliftringftars more thicke the grafle, Whereof each other doth in brightnefie paflej But thofe two moft,which ruling night and day, As King and Queene,the heauens Empire fway. And tell me then, what haft thou eucr feene, That to their beautie may compared bee, Or can the fight that is moft fharpe and keene, Endure their Captains flaming head to fee? How much lefle thofe, much higher in degree, And Co much fairer, and much more then thefe, As thefe are fairer then the land and feas? For farre aboue thefe heauens which here wc fee, Be others farre exceeding thefe in light, Not bounded, not corrupt,as thefe fame bee, But infinite in largeneffe and in hight , Vnmouing 3 vncorrupt,andfpotlefle bright. That need no Sunne t'illuminate their fpheres, But their owne natiue light farre paffing theirs. And as thefe heauens ftill by degrees arize, Vntill they come to their firft Mouers bound. That in his mightie compafle doth comprize. And carrie all the reft with him around, So thofe likewife doe by degrees redound, And rife morefaire, till they at laft ariue To the moft fake, whereto they all do ftriuc, F }8 AH HYMNS QV Faire is the heauenjwhcre happy fbules haue place, In full enioyment of feliritie, Whence they doe ftill behold , theglorious face Of the diuine etemaH Maicftie; More faire is that, where thole ideeson hie Hnraunged be,which P/atofo adniyred, And pure Intelligences from God infpyred. Yet fairer is thatheauen, in which doe raine The foueraine Powres and mightie Potentates^ Which in their high protections doe contains All mortaH Princes,and imperiall States; And fayrer yet, whereas the royal! Seates And heauenly Domznatfonsztc &t, From whom all sardily gouemance isfet* . zA Yet farre more faire be thofe bright Cherubwt y Which all with golden wingsLare ouerdight^ And thofe eternal! burning Serapbins y Which from their faces dart out fierie lights Yet fairer then they both, and much more bright Be th ? Angels and ArchangQls^hich attend- On Gods owneperfon 3 withotttteft or end; Thefe thus in faire each other farre excelling, As to the Higheft they apprpchniQre neare, ., Yet is that Higheft farre beyond all.tellitig,: Fairer then all the reft which there appsare, Though all their beauties ioynd together werer Mow then can mortall toilgtiehope tQ$xfictfc x Theiniage of flieh ehdtefie perfe&nefle* HEAVENLY BEAVTIE. i9 Ceafe then my tongue ,and lend vnto my mynd Leaue to bethinke how great that beautie is, Whofevtmoft parts lb beautifulllfynd, How much more thofe effeqtiall parts of bis, His truth, his loue, his wifedome, and his blis, His grace, his doome,his mercy and his might, By which he lends vs of himfelfe a fight. Thofe vnto all he daily doth difplay, And fhew himfelfe in th'image of his grace, As in a looking glafle , through whichhemay Be feene 3 of all hiscreatures vile and bafe, That are vnableeUe to fee his face, His glorious face which gliftereth elfe fp bright, That th'Angels felues can not endure his fight. But we fraile wights,whofe fight cannot fuftaine The Suns bright beames,whe he on vs doth Ihyne, But that their points rebutted backe againe Are d uld, how can we iecj with feeble ey nc, The glory of that Maieftie diuine, In fight of whom both Sun and Moone are dar&e, Compared to his leaft relplendcnt fparke ? The meanes therefore which vnto vs is lent, Him to behold, is on his workes to looke, Which he hath made in beauty excellent And in thefame, as in abrafen booke, To reade enregiftredin euery nooke His goodneffe, which his beautie doth declare. For allthats good 3 is beautifull andfaire, Fi; 4 o AN HYMNEOJF Thence gathering plumes of perfeft {peculation, To impe the wings of thy high flying mynd, Mount vp aloft through heauenly contemplation, From this darke world , whole damps the foulc do And like the natiue brood of hagles kynd, (blynd^ On that bright Sunne of glorie fixe thine eyes, Clear'd from grofle mifts of fraile infirmities. Humbled with fearc and awfull rcuerencc. Before the footeftoole of his Maicftie, Throw thy felfe downe with trembling innocence., Ne dare looke vp with corruptible eye, ; sS On the dred face of that great Deity y For feare, left ifhechaunce to looke on thee, Thou turne to nought, and quite confounded beidT But lowly fallbeforehis mercie ieate^ Clofe couered with the Lambes integrity, From the iuftwrath of his aiietigefull fhreate, That fits vpon the righteous throne on hy; His throne is built vpon Eternity, More firmeatid durable thenfteele or brafle, Or the hard diaqiond.which them bothdoth pafle. His fcepter is the rod of Righteoufnefle, With which hebrufeth all his foes to duft 3 And the great Dragon ftronglydoth reprefle, Vnder the rigour of his judgement iuft ; His feate isTrutb, to whkh the faithful! tnift; Ero whenceproeeed herbeames fo pure & bright,: That all aboutfrim (heddeth glorious light. tight HEAVENLY BEAVTIE. 41 Light farre exceeding that bright blazing fparke, Which darted is from TiUns flaming head, That with his beames enlumineth the darke The dark & dampifh aire,wherby al things are red: Whofe nature yet fo much is maruelled ' Of mortal! wits, that it doth much amaze The greateft wifords, which thereon do gaze. But that immortall light which there doth fhine, Is many thoufand times morecleare, More excellent, more glorious, more diuine, Through which to Godallmortall anions here, And euen the thoughts of men 3 do plaine appearer For from th*eternall Truth it doth proceed, Through heauenly vertue, which her beames doc (breed* With the great glorie of that wondrous light, Histhroncis all encompafied around^ And hid in his owne brightneffe from the fight Of all that looke thereon with eyes vnfbund : And vnderneath his feet are to be found, Thunder, and lightning, and tempeftuous fyre^ The inftrumertts ofhis auenging yre. There in his bofbme Sapience doth fir, The fbucraine dearling of the Deity , Clad like a Queene in royall robes,moft fit For Co great powre and peerelefie maiefly. And all with gemmes and iewels gorgeoufly Adornd, that brighter then the ftarres appeare, And make her natiue brighmes feem more cleate. V ilj: 4 i AN HYMNE OF And on her head a crowne of pureft gold Is fct,in fignc of higheftfoueraignty, And in her hand a fcepter die doth hold, With which fbe rules the houfe of Godcfrnhy, And menagcth the euer-mouing sky. And in the fame thefe lower creatures all, Subic&ed to her powre impcriall. Both he auen and earth obey vnto her will, And all the creatures which they both containe: For of her fukeflewhich the world doth fill, They all partake, and do in ftate remainc, As their great Maker did at firftordaine, Through obferuation of her high beheaft, By which they firft were madc,and ftill increaft. The fairenefle of her face no tongue can tell, For fhe the daughters of all wemens race, And Angels eke, iti heautie doth excell, Sparkled.on her from Gods owne glorious face, And more increaft by her owne goodly graccy That it doth farre exceed all humane thought, Ne can on earth compared be to oughts Ne could that Painter (had he liucd yet) Which pi&uredffeta*. wkh£> curious quill, That all pofteritie admyred it, Hauepurtrayd this,for all his maiftring skills Ne fhe h^r fclfe,had (he remained ftill, And wereas faire, as fabling wits dofaync, Couldonce come neare this beauty fcuerayne. But HEAVENtY BEAVTIE, 43 But had thofe wits the wonders of their dayes, Or that fweete Tehn Poet which did fpend His plenteous vaine in fetting forth her prayfe, Seene but a glims of this,which Ipretend 3 How wondroufly would he her face commend, Aboue that Idole of his fayning thought, That all the world {hold with his rimes b-e fraught? How then dare I 5 thenoniceofhis Art, Prefume to picture fo diuine a wight,. Or hope t'exprcfle her leaft perfe&ionsparr. Whole beautie flllesthe heauens with her light, And darkes the earth withfhadow of her fight> Aligentle Mule thou art too weake and faint, The pourtraict of fo heauenly hew to paint, Let Angels which her goodly face behold And fee at will, herfbueraigne prai/es fing , And thofe moft facred myfteries vnfold, Of that faire loue of mightie heauens king„ Enough is me t'admyrefb heauenly thing, And being thus with her huge loue pofleft, In th'only wonder of her felfe to reft* But who fo may,thrife happie man him hold, Of all on earth y whom God fb much doth gracc 5 . And lets his owne Beloued to behold: For in the view of her celeftiall face, All ioy,aIlblifle, all happinefle haue place, Ne ought on earth can want vnto the wight. Who of her felfe can win the wifhfull fight. 44 AN HYMN E OF For fhc out of her fecrct thrcafury, Plentic of riches forth on him will powre, Euenheaucnly riches, which there hidden ly Within the clofet of her chafteft bowre, Th'eternall portion of her precious dowre, Which mighty God hath giuen to her free. And to all thofe which thereof worthy bee. None thereof worthy be,buttho(e whom fhee Vouchfafeth to her prefence to receaue, Affd letteth them her louely face to fee, Wherof fuch wondrous pleafures they conceaue, And fweete contentment, that it doth bereaue Their foule of fenfe, through infinite delight, . And them tranfport from flefti into the fpright. In which they fee fuch admirable things, As carries them into an extafy, And hearefuch heauenly notesjandcarolings Of Gods high praife, that filles the brafen sky. And feelc fuch ioy and pleafure inwardly, That maketh them all worldly cares forget, Andonely thinke on thatbefore them fet. Ne from thenceforth doth any flefhly fenfe, Or idle thought of earthly things remainc, But all that earft fecmd fweet 3 feemes now offenfe, And all that plqafed earft,now feemes to paine, Their ioy, their comfort, their defire,their gaine, Is fixed all on that which now they fee, All other fights but fayned fhadowes bee. And HEAVENLY BEAVTIE. 45 And that fairelampe, which vfeth to enflamc Th c hearts of men with felfe confuming fyre, Thenceforth feemes fowle, & full of finfull blame; And all that pompe , to which proud minds afpyre By name of honor, and Co much defyrc, Secmcs to them bafenefie, and all riches drofle, And all mirth fadnefle, and all lucre lofle. So full their eyes are of that glorious fight, And fenfes fraught with fuch fatietie, That in nought elfe on earth they can delight. But in th'afpeft of that felicitie, Which they haue written in their inward cy ; On which they feed, and in their fattened mynd All happie ioy and full contentment fynd. Ah then my hungry fbule, which long haft fed On idle fancies of thy foolifh thought, And with falfe beauties flattring bait mifled, Haft after vaine deceiptfull lTiadowes (ought, Which all are fled,and now haue left thee nought^ But late repentance through thy follies pricf] Ah ccafle to gaze no matter of thy grief. And looke at laft vp to that fbueraine light, From whole pure beams al perfeft beauty fprings, That kindleth loue in euery godly upright, Euen the loue of God,which loathing brings Of this vile world,and thele gay feeming things; With whole {weete pleafures being fo pofleft, Thy ftraying thoughts henceforth tor euer reft, G " - ' Oil! j I - Jit. <& JUUJSU £7£\ . . ~Tr ^■•^. *m( ' T T r f V V»i^^>^^^rt^^^?^^.A/A.^^^^^7•^7f:*^^^**»i^7^xJ»^aMf^* ^V -^^ . - i " f fern* * t '** *3l^^!!ia^^*!^#**^***>tf^Vi^^^^ fin i iiiV ml J in Hi qnn rrrnimnirnn i 1 1 111 n i im m o^^u^y^mmm^^^^m^^mm^