AUTOR scale paradisi. Fear not, O Bride, nor despair; think not thyself contemned, if thy Bridegroom withdraw his face awhile. ANON. If the Church hath true love towards Christ, time and absence will but make it more binding-for the Spirit doth sometimes appear to be absent, and the Church suffers persecutions that it may be tried—but the Bridegroom will not tarry long away: therefore be ye faithful to Martyrdom. CANT., chap. 2, v. 14, 16. Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is lovely. My beloved is mine and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. IB., chap. 3, v. 1. By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but found him not. EPIG. The true True-lovers'-knot but firmer ties The farther lovers part-hold thou but fast— The tie contracts-the union's sure to last. EMBLEM X. PSALM 119, v. 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments. -I. How could I trust yon antic swain With cap and bells and toy? Some planet, sure, did turn my brain With him to keep fools' holiday I gambol'd far away I followed where he led-he led astray II. Thoughtless we pass'd Mount Sinai : Loud thunderings smote my ear: Fork'd lightnings glared my wanton eye, But life was in the glare! I took alarm--on feet of thought Jordan's pure stream I sought; I found a sterile country-parch'd with drought! III. I turn'd my steps to Bethsaida, But found no waters fair No "pool!" no Ishmaelitish trader Halted his camels there. I fled-my antic snare pursued And would again have woo'd— I stopt my ears-and all his lures withstood. IV. I sought Bethesda's fount of fame, But found its waters "still." I watch'd-no friendly angel came To agitate the rill— Distracted o'er the earth I roam I've dared the Ocean's foam ! Do tell me if thou canst-my pathway home! |