Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher Containing Salomons Sermons or Commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H. L. Gentleman [i.e. Henry Lok]. Whereunto are annexed sundrie Sonets of Christian Passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate Sonets of a feeling conscience of the same Authors |
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| III. |
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| 12. | Chap. 12. |
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 | Chap. 12. Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher |  |
107
Chap. 12.
1. Remember thy creator then, in these thy youthfull dayes,
Ere croked age all pleasure to thy lothed life denayes.
Ere croked age all pleasure to thy lothed life denayes.
1.
And since thou canst not shun deaths fatall day,
And as the tree doth fall so shall it rise,
(Whilst yet thou mayst) prepare a quiet way
Vnto thy soule, which in such danger lies,
If thou in time reliefe do not deuise.
And as the tree doth fall so shall it rise,
(Whilst yet thou mayst) prepare a quiet way
Vnto thy soule, which in such danger lies,
If thou in time reliefe do not deuise.
The earth and earthly things, do helpe denay,
Heauen is the harbor, where thy soule doth dwell,
Let not thy hope on earth then longer stay,
But it and workes thereof from hart expell,
Delay no time in hope long life to haue,
Youth may, age must, ere long time go to graue.
Heauen is the harbor, where thy soule doth dwell,
Let not thy hope on earth then longer stay,
But it and workes thereof from hart expell,
Delay no time in hope long life to haue,
Youth may, age must, ere long time go to graue.
To heauen thy progresse thou dost wish to make,
Then cloth thy selfe accordingly therefore,
The clogs of worldly loue and lust forsake,
And thinke them burdens to thee euermore,
And in thy life, haue lights of vertue store.
Then cloth thy selfe accordingly therefore,
The clogs of worldly loue and lust forsake,
And thinke them burdens to thee euermore,
And in thy life, haue lights of vertue store.
Let thought of thy creator thee awake
From sinnes of youth, hart burdensome in age,
Remember God account of thee will take,
If thy repentance not his wrath asswage,
Yea leaue thou sinne, ere lust leaue tempting thee,
Thy abstinence else, cannot vertue bee.
From sinnes of youth, hart burdensome in age,
Remember God account of thee will take,
If thy repentance not his wrath asswage,
Yea leaue thou sinne, ere lust leaue tempting thee,
Thy abstinence else, cannot vertue bee.
108
2. Whilst sunne, moone, stars seeme light: and rayny clouds are farre,
3. Whilst keepers of thy house are strong, whose pillers stedfast are.
3. Whilst keepers of thy house are strong, whose pillers stedfast are.
2.
The feeble members which haue lost their might,
(Through which their senses did affection proue)
No maruell now, if they take lesse delight
In vaine prospects which they tofore did loue,
Since they the meanes do want doth liking moue.
(Through which their senses did affection proue)
No maruell now, if they take lesse delight
In vaine prospects which they tofore did loue,
Since they the meanes do want doth liking moue.
The sunne, moone, stars (heauens ornamēt, earths light)
Can yeeld small comfort to the senslesse corse,
When all thy ioynts begin by day and night,
Do tyre thy life, and breed the soules remorse,
No maruell if thou then, proue continent,
But thou shouldst temp'rance euen in youth frequent.
Can yeeld small comfort to the senslesse corse,
When all thy ioynts begin by day and night,
Do tyre thy life, and breed the soules remorse,
No maruell if thou then, proue continent,
But thou shouldst temp'rance euen in youth frequent.
3.
Before this glorious building do decay,
Wherein thy soule doth soiourne as a guest,
Thy comely body which erecteth aye,
The thought and eyes to heauen as mansion blest,
Grow feeble, and therein thou find no rest.
Wherein thy soule doth soiourne as a guest,
Thy comely body which erecteth aye,
The thought and eyes to heauen as mansion blest,
Grow feeble, and therein thou find no rest.
When trembling hand, his duety doth denay,
And brainefalne thighes, and legs bend vnder thee,
When lamed limbs on others strength must stay,
And crouches (in their steed) of force must bee,
What time thou twise a child, shalt weary grow,
That thou the strength of youth didst euer know.
And brainefalne thighes, and legs bend vnder thee,
When lamed limbs on others strength must stay,
And crouches (in their steed) of force must bee,
What time thou twise a child, shalt weary grow,
That thou the strength of youth didst euer know.
109
Ere teeth wax few, and windowes closd, deny thy eyes the light.
4. And dore shut vp, thy grinding iaws, to chaw haue lost their might.
4. And dore shut vp, thy grinding iaws, to chaw haue lost their might.
Before the Cators of thy diet fayle,
Those Iuorie teeth which do thy food prepare,
Which lost or loose, their labours not auayle,
But broths and minst-meats must become thy share,
And sharpned knife, thy toothlesse gums must spare.
Those Iuorie teeth which do thy food prepare,
Which lost or loose, their labours not auayle,
But broths and minst-meats must become thy share,
And sharpned knife, thy toothlesse gums must spare.
Before that darksome mists thy eyes assayle,
Whose watchfull sight thy Centinell should bee,
When (christall humor failing) they shall quayle,
And spectacles must teach them now to see,
Or closed windowes force thee take thy leaue
Of worlds vaine shades, which did the soule deceaue.
Whose watchfull sight thy Centinell should bee,
When (christall humor failing) they shall quayle,
And spectacles must teach them now to see,
Or closed windowes force thee take thy leaue
Of worlds vaine shades, which did the soule deceaue.
4.
Before thy wanny cheekes sinke hollowed in,
(In which well formed words should fashion haue)
And corrall lips which haue their portall bin,
And plyant tongue which elocution gaue,
Now faltering signes, for interpretors do craue.
(In which well formed words should fashion haue)
And corrall lips which haue their portall bin,
And plyant tongue which elocution gaue,
Now faltering signes, for interpretors do craue.
Whilst those white cliffes (the bounders which begin,
The repercussion causing sweet resound)
Stand firme on rocke of their iaw ioyning chin,
Through which they gracious passage somtimes sound,
And form'd that powrefull gift of eloquence,
The root of sweet content and sharp offence.
The repercussion causing sweet resound)
Stand firme on rocke of their iaw ioyning chin,
Through which they gracious passage somtimes sound,
And form'd that powrefull gift of eloquence,
The root of sweet content and sharp offence.
110
Ere sleeplesse braine, at birds voice start, and singing pipes be base.
5. And high assents, do make thee feard, and almonds bud on face.
5. And high assents, do make thee feard, and almonds bud on face.
Before thy dryed braynes doe rest denye
Vnto thy tyred bones, and carefull mind,
And comfortlesse the longsome night thou lye
In bed (thy graue) for ease tofore assignd,
And starts at each birds chirpe, or puffe of wind.
Vnto thy tyred bones, and carefull mind,
And comfortlesse the longsome night thou lye
In bed (thy graue) for ease tofore assignd,
And starts at each birds chirpe, or puffe of wind.
Before thy organe pypes with horcenesse dry,
Restraine the passage of thy breathing voyce,
Wherewith (resembling heauens true harmony)
Thy musicke notes vsed eares and hearts reioyce,
In liew whereof should hollow coffes succeede,
Which in corrupted loongs obstructions breed.
Restraine the passage of thy breathing voyce,
Wherewith (resembling heauens true harmony)
Thy musicke notes vsed eares and hearts reioyce,
In liew whereof should hollow coffes succeede,
Which in corrupted loongs obstructions breed.
5.
Before thou tyr'd at euery step must stay,
And clamber small assents on hand and knee,
And stumbling at each straw lyes in the way,
A spectacle of feeble nature bee,
To all that doth thy fearefull fashion see.
And clamber small assents on hand and knee,
And stumbling at each straw lyes in the way,
A spectacle of feeble nature bee,
To all that doth thy fearefull fashion see.
Before the harbengers of age (I say)
Euen griesly haires do blossome on thy chin,
(Which for most part declyning state bewray,
As Almond bud, showes sommer to begin)
Prepare thy selfe, for death the haruest due,
Which after spring time, must of course insue.
Euen griesly haires do blossome on thy chin,
(Which for most part declyning state bewray,
As Almond bud, showes sommer to begin)
Prepare thy selfe, for death the haruest due,
Which after spring time, must of course insue.
111
Ere weaknesse make the grashopper, a burden seeme, and lust
Consume, for sure concupiscence, with age doth weare to dust.
Consume, for sure concupiscence, with age doth weare to dust.
Before the childish toyes of infants lust,
Begin to want the wings of warmed blood,
And that thy body yeeld (as once it must)
To age, by which that humor is withstood,
To leaue the vse thereof I thinke it good.
Begin to want the wings of warmed blood,
And that thy body yeeld (as once it must)
To age, by which that humor is withstood,
To leaue the vse thereof I thinke it good.
For looke how of May deaw, and sommers dust,
The wanton Grashopper doth quickly grow,
And singes in haruest tide vntill he brust,
So doth lusts pleasure vanish ere you know,
Like to Ephemeris, that Tanaish flie,
Morne bred, noone borne, that very night to die.
The wanton Grashopper doth quickly grow,
And singes in haruest tide vntill he brust,
So doth lusts pleasure vanish ere you know,
Like to Ephemeris, that Tanaish flie,
Morne bred, noone borne, that very night to die.
Not those faire frutes which by Gemorra grow,
Which touched once, straight vnto dust do fall,
Are more deceitfull then this sinne in show,
Nor yet that fruit which first deceiu'd vs all,
Although regard thereof we haue but small.
Which touched once, straight vnto dust do fall,
Are more deceitfull then this sinne in show,
Nor yet that fruit which first deceiu'd vs all,
Although regard thereof we haue but small.
Lust like a Torrent soone doth ouerflow,
If that accesse of nutriment abound,
But in a moment straight it waxeth low,
As by experience hath bene euer found:
Not Ammons (of faire Thamor) foule desyre
So fierce, but quencht, with loathing did retyre.
If that accesse of nutriment abound,
But in a moment straight it waxeth low,
As by experience hath bene euer found:
Not Ammons (of faire Thamor) foule desyre
So fierce, but quencht, with loathing did retyre.
112
Before in ages bed (thy graue) thou lie, whilst thee they morne.
6. Thy siluer cord and golden ewre, and liues pure cesterne worne,
6. Thy siluer cord and golden ewre, and liues pure cesterne worne,
Then leaue that lothsome snare of humane kind,
The common cankor of the best concait,
Most powrefull passion that doth reason blind,
And to more brutish sins, th'alluring bait,
And thinke on death which doth on thee awaight.
The common cankor of the best concait,
Most powrefull passion that doth reason blind,
And to more brutish sins, th'alluring bait,
And thinke on death which doth on thee awaight.
Suppose each ringing knell puts thee in mind,
That thou art in the way vnto thy graue,
Take heed that death thee vnprepar'd not find,
But so in all thy life, thy selfe behaue,
As if thou were the man whose turne is next,
And wouldst not with a sudden death be vext.
That thou art in the way vnto thy graue,
Take heed that death thee vnprepar'd not find,
But so in all thy life, thy selfe behaue,
As if thou were the man whose turne is next,
And wouldst not with a sudden death be vext.
6.
Before (I say) the vitall spirits faile,
Or that thy radick humors all be spent,
That cramps do siluer cords of raynes assaile,
And natures intercourse no more be sent
From liuer hart and braine as earst it went.
Or that thy radick humors all be spent,
That cramps do siluer cords of raynes assaile,
And natures intercourse no more be sent
From liuer hart and braine as earst it went.
Before warme bloud with I sey-fleame do quaile,
And pulslesse leaue thy ouer emptie vaine,
Before the (cesterne made for liues auaile)
Thy stomake now no sustenance retaine,
But all the wheles of nature lacking strength
To giue them motion, they do faile at length.
And pulslesse leaue thy ouer emptie vaine,
Before the (cesterne made for liues auaile)
Thy stomake now no sustenance retaine,
But all the wheles of nature lacking strength
To giue them motion, they do faile at length.
113
7. And flesh to dust, thy spright to God returne that it did make:
8. For all is vaine (the preacher saith) and all will vs forsake.
8. For all is vaine (the preacher saith) and all will vs forsake.
7.
For then (be sure) thy dayes are neere an end,
And flesh dissolued turneth vnto dust,
Then yeeld thereto, before perforce thou bend,
And in thy strength of youth repose no trust,
Nor place thy ioy in earth or earthly lust.
And flesh dissolued turneth vnto dust,
Then yeeld thereto, before perforce thou bend,
And in thy strength of youth repose no trust,
Nor place thy ioy in earth or earthly lust.
Thy nobler part (thy soule) it did descend
From God, first mouer of all life and grace,
Who therefore doth chiefe interest pretend
In thee and it, and will thy soule imbrace,
Amidst the heauens of his eternall rest,
If faith and loue haue once thy way adrest.
From God, first mouer of all life and grace,
Who therefore doth chiefe interest pretend
In thee and it, and will thy soule imbrace,
Amidst the heauens of his eternall rest,
If faith and loue haue once thy way adrest.
8.
Thus haue I (sayth this Preacher) proued true,
The proposition that I first did make,
That earthly things are vaine in vse and view,
That in them we, can not sound comfort take,
And that in th'end we must them all forsake.
The proposition that I first did make,
That earthly things are vaine in vse and view,
That in them we, can not sound comfort take,
And that in th'end we must them all forsake.
That wisedome only, vertue should insue,
And vertue is the way to happinesse,
Which after death, doth life againe renue,
A life more happie then the world can gesse,
When we shall liue from lewd affections free,
And in that world no vaine delights shall bee.
And vertue is the way to happinesse,
Which after death, doth life againe renue,
A life more happie then the world can gesse,
When we shall liue from lewd affections free,
And in that world no vaine delights shall bee.
114
9. These things and more he spake, for more he knew the more he taught,
His people knowledge, for their good, in all his words he sought.
His people knowledge, for their good, in all his words he sought.
9.
Full many other learned workes beside
He wrote, for more he knew the more he taught,
Whereby themselues the godly sort might guide,
Vnto the wisedome which they wrongly sought,
And he with care and study dearely bought.
He wrote, for more he knew the more he taught,
Whereby themselues the godly sort might guide,
Vnto the wisedome which they wrongly sought,
And he with care and study dearely bought.
Three thousand morall rules in writ abide,
In prouerbs and in adages for skill,
So sound that they worlds censure may abide,
And to a ciuill life reduce thee will,
Without offence of lawes, and with content
Of such with whom thou daily shalt frequent.
In prouerbs and in adages for skill,
So sound that they worlds censure may abide,
And to a ciuill life reduce thee will,
Without offence of lawes, and with content
Of such with whom thou daily shalt frequent.
Of natures workes with supernaturall skill,
He many volumes did compose likewise,
Not curious workes as some profanely will,
Of Alcumy, or iudgements which arise
By heauenly motions, farre aboue the skies.
He many volumes did compose likewise,
Not curious workes as some profanely will,
Of Alcumy, or iudgements which arise
By heauenly motions, farre aboue the skies.
But he his knowledge hath contained still,
Within the lawfull bounds of Gods decree,
And therefore many volumes he did fill
With medcinable vse, of things which bee
Abstracted out, of tree, shrub, mettall, stone,
Of beast, fish, fowle, and creatures euery one.
Within the lawfull bounds of Gods decree,
And therefore many volumes he did fill
With medcinable vse, of things which bee
Abstracted out, of tree, shrub, mettall, stone,
Of beast, fish, fowle, and creatures euery one.
115
He sought by parables to giue, them precepts how to liue.
10. And with adorned words, to them he doubly grace did giue.
10. And with adorned words, to them he doubly grace did giue.
His heauenly Muse with wings of zeale did fly
Aboue the common pitch of earthly men,
And so inflamed were his thoughts thereby,
With holy liking of his loue as then,
That he could not containe his gratefull pen.
Aboue the common pitch of earthly men,
And so inflamed were his thoughts thereby,
With holy liking of his loue as then,
That he could not containe his gratefull pen.
In thousand songs and fiue his powers did try,
The prayses of his sacred soules delight,
In whom sweet peace and loue he did espy,
Which from him, loue of world did banish quight;
Among the which that song of songs by name,
Describes her beautie, did him so inflame.
The prayses of his sacred soules delight,
In whom sweet peace and loue he did espy,
Which from him, loue of world did banish quight;
Among the which that song of songs by name,
Describes her beautie, did him so inflame.
10.
But this his large discourse was chiefly ment,
To teach the world to know how farre they stray,
That do by earthly helpes a meane inuent
To leade their liues vnto a happie day,
Since nature wholy doth the same denay.
To teach the world to know how farre they stray,
That do by earthly helpes a meane inuent
To leade their liues vnto a happie day,
Since nature wholy doth the same denay.
Which (for it crosseth carnall mens content,
And hardly may amongst most wise haue place)
By this most pleasant stile, about he went
To giue to naked truth a comely grace:
For hardly can corrupted man digest
Right wholesome food, vnlesse it well be drest.
And hardly may amongst most wise haue place)
By this most pleasant stile, about he went
To giue to naked truth a comely grace:
For hardly can corrupted man digest
Right wholesome food, vnlesse it well be drest.
116
11. For wise words, are like goades and nailes which workmens hands do ding
12. Vaine bookes and reading shun, they weariness of flesh do bring.
12. Vaine bookes and reading shun, they weariness of flesh do bring.
11.
And wise mens sayings, spoken to the wise,
Well fraught with matter couched well by art,
Adornd with words, and figures (whence arise
Content vnto the eare, and moue the hart)
Most soone do worke impressions in each part.
Well fraught with matter couched well by art,
Adornd with words, and figures (whence arise
Content vnto the eare, and moue the hart)
Most soone do worke impressions in each part.
And as they sooner pierce, so firmlier lies,
The mind resolued in such fownded ground,
Than any planke or post you can deuise,
With nayle (by hammers) forced nere to sound;
And such this princely Prophets words esteeme,
Which are more waighty far, theē thou woulst deeme.
The mind resolued in such fownded ground,
Than any planke or post you can deuise,
With nayle (by hammers) forced nere to sound;
And such this princely Prophets words esteeme,
Which are more waighty far, theē thou woulst deeme.
12.
And let this graue aduice of father mild,
Which louingly he wrote, I bring to thee,
Be neuer from thy hart so farre exild,
That with the world againe sedust thou bee,
Wherein is nought but wretchednesse you see.
Which louingly he wrote, I bring to thee,
Be neuer from thy hart so farre exild,
That with the world againe sedust thou bee,
Wherein is nought but wretchednesse you see.
And striue to practise as you knowledge build,
Else is your learning vnto little end,
These many bookes where with this world is fild,
Do slender profit to the readers lend,
Which stuft with words of superficiall show,
But little fruit by them to world doth grow.
Else is your learning vnto little end,
These many bookes where with this world is fild,
Do slender profit to the readers lend,
Which stuft with words of superficiall show,
But little fruit by them to world doth grow.
117
13. Heare th'end of all; feare God, & keepe his law, this is man's dew:
14. For God wil iudge ech work, & bring our secret thoghts to vew.
14. For God wil iudge ech work, & bring our secret thoghts to vew.
13.
The end of all true wise dome is in this,
To know the will of God, and it obserue;
To know his will, and yet to walke amis,
A double chastisement must needs deserue,
Then feare henceforth therefro so oft to swarue.
To know the will of God, and it obserue;
To know his will, and yet to walke amis,
A double chastisement must needs deserue,
Then feare henceforth therefro so oft to swarue.
No seruile feare which I perswade it is,
But such as gratefull child to parent owes,
VVho though he feele the smart, the rod will kisse,
Because the fruit of fathers loue he knowes;
And this doth God require of man indeed,
That our obedience should from loue proceed.
But such as gratefull child to parent owes,
VVho though he feele the smart, the rod will kisse,
Because the fruit of fathers loue he knowes;
And this doth God require of man indeed,
That our obedience should from loue proceed.
14.
The breach whereof will heauie iudgement call,
When God the searcher of the heart and raines,
Shall vnto reckning with vs for them fall,
And pay our passed ioyes with lasting paines;
For sinfull worke no other guerdon gaines.
When God the searcher of the heart and raines,
Shall vnto reckning with vs for them fall,
And pay our passed ioyes with lasting paines;
For sinfull worke no other guerdon gaines.
O happie then shall they be most of all,
VVhose heedfull liues, in holy workes were spent,
The gaine of this their trauell, is not small;
For blessed they the narrow path that went.
And though this narrow gate few enter in,
Yet who runs on this race, the prize shall win.
VVhose heedfull liues, in holy workes were spent,
The gaine of this their trauell, is not small;
For blessed they the narrow path that went.
And though this narrow gate few enter in,
Yet who runs on this race, the prize shall win.
| Chap. 12. Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher | |