English

1

Man's Nature sociable
Delights in Company,
Declines and dreadeth Solitude,
And loves Society.
Hence to be stript of Friends
And to be left alone,
Must needs be grievous in it self,
A sore Affliction.

2

But bitter though it be,
God's presence can allay,
The bitterness of Sollitude

To be alone sometimes
And want no Company
Whilst men are Musing; this you'l say
Is no great Rarity.
But when we are alone
To have Good Company,
The best that ever man enjoy'd,
This is a Mystery.

How such a thing can be,
Although Religion teach it,
And many can discourse thereof,

XI.

Yet here ingenious labour reigns:
For whom poor Artist dost thou toil?
Reap'st thou the profit of thy pains,
Is thine this richly cultur'd soil?
A tear suffuses his meek eye,
He faints for want; I see him die!
My breast with indignation heaves.

VI.

She told why rulers were assign'd,
And salutary laws ordain'd;
What fit restrictions these confin'd;
How those wild anarchy restrain'd.
She spoke with extacy impell'd:
Along the banks of foaming Scheld
The peaceful Fleming, arm'd for fight,

I.

C OLD , distant far, the Sun scarce seems
To give his salutary ray,
Moist vapours chill his struggling beams,
And cloud the transitory day.
Soon to his glowing south he flies,
And evening, deep'ning all her dyes,
Calls full orb'd Cynthia and her train:
To me yon starry choir appear

VII.

O Goddess of the brave and wise!
Where'er thy radiant seat is plac'd
Beneath mild Britain's temper'd skies,
Or in the cold Sarmatian waste,
There still, as in their native air,
The nobler virtues flourish fair.
Firm constancy, unwearied zeal,

I.

S WEET Muse, to whose protecting shrine,
Driv'n by the spectre Care, I flee,
When oft, at busy days decline,
I sigh for leisure and for thee;
Say, in earth's habitable round,
Can perfect happiness be found,
Proportion'd to the craving soul?

Meditation V

1

This Meditation
Mine heart hath comforted;
That he who feeds the Dogs with crumbs,
Will give his Children Bread.
By Bread I mean both that
Which our frail Body feeds,
And also that which doth relieve
Our Spiritual wants and needs.

2

That's Bread of Life indeed,

Meditation IV

1

O Man of little faith!
Behold the winged Fowls,
The Ravens, Crows, and Cormorants
The Kites, the Hawks, the Owls,
Also the numerous Doves
Whose flocks make dark the Air:
And tell me who for all this Crew
Doth kindly food prepare.

2

The Heavenly Father's wise

Meditation III

A Dialogue, the Speakers being Faith and Unbelief.

Unbelief.

1

Thou speakest sleighty now
Of all these outward things:
But what, when Poverty thee wounds
With all her Pois'ned Stings?
What if thy Weaknesses
Bring on distressing wants?
How wilt thou then behave thy self?
Or live without complaints?

Faith