University of Virginia Library

Meditat. VI. The Emblemes of the resurrection.

In beds of earth our latest rest we take,
Like fading roses, that intend to wake
After a winters nap; our bodies lie
Wither'd to all but to a Christian eye.
We are Gods tapers, this dark world's his night:
Death his extinguisher puts out our light:
Our bodies fall like snuffe; yet will he deigne
At his great fire to light us up again.
We see the Eastern bird, whose ashy nest
Is a rare embleme of our latest rest:
We see the flying serpent shift his slough
To frolick in a fresher: 'tis enough.
We see the sunnes bright empire leaves us all
Shut up in shade, in darknesse: then we fall

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To slumber, yet but till the rising day;
Then chides he slumber with an early ray.
All our farewells we celebrate with friends,
Though sad, yet ever in this cadence ends,
Farewell untill we meet again: So may
The soul departing to the body say.