Oh, let me take thee at the bound, Avarice. MONEY, thou bane of bliss, and source of wo, Whence com'st thou, that thou art so fresh and fine? I know, thy parentage is base and low : Man found thee, poor and dirty, in a mine. Surely thou didst so little contribute To this great kingdom, which thou now hast got; That he was fain, when thou wast destitute, To dig thee out of thy dark cave and grot. Then, forcing thee, by fire he made thee bright. Man calleth thee his wealth, who made thee rich; And, while he digs out thee, falls in the ditch. How well her name an ARMY doth present, To all Angels and Saints. O glorious spirits, who, after all your bands, See the smooth face of God, without a frown, Or strict commands; Where every one is king and hath his crown,— If not upon his head, yet in his hands: Not out of envy, or maliciousness, My vows to thee most gladly, blessed maid, Thou art the holy mine, whence came the gold, The great restorative for all decay In young and old. Thou art the cabinet where the jewel lay. But now, And where his pleasure no injunction lays, All worship is prerogative, and a flower Therefore we dare not from his garland steal, Although, then, others court you; if ye know Since we are ever ready to disburse, Employment. HE that is weary let him sit. And trade in courtesies and wit, To cold complexions needing it. Man is no star, but a quick coal Who blows it not, nor doth control Lets his own ashes choke his soul. When th' elements did for place contest And by the others is oppressed. Life is a business; not good cheer: The sun still shineth there or here; Whereas the stars Watch an advantage to appear. Oh, that I were an orange tree, Then should I ever laden be, And never want Some fruit for him that dresseth me. But we are still too young, or old; Before we do our wares unfold. So we freeze on, Until the grave increase our cold. Denial. WHEN my devotions could not pierce Then was my heart broken, as was my verse. My bent thoughts, like a brittle bow, Each took his way; some would to pleasure go, Of alarms. "As good go any where," they say, "As to benumb Both knees and heart, in crying night and day, Come, Come, my God! O come! But no hearing." Oh, that thou shouldst give dust a tongue, And then not hear it crying! All day long Therefore my soul lay out of sight, My feeble spirit, unable to look right, Oh, cheer and tune my heartless breast; That so, thy favors granting my request, Christmas. ALL after pleasures as I rid one day, I took up in the next inn I could find. There, when I came, whom found I, but my dear-- O thou, whose glorious, yet contracted light, |