Hymn XVIII. For an Anniversarie Funerall-Day.
[_]
Because there are some, whose Passionate Affections
make them resolve to keep private Anniversaries
in memoriall of Dear-Friends deceased: This
Hymn was intended to direct them to those musings,
which at such Times, will make their Commemorations
more pious, and more profitable. If it be a Woman which is commemorated, let
the word Her, be used instead of Him
.
Sing this, as In sad and Ashie weeds.
[1]
The Day is now return'd
Which in memoriall of my Friend
(When first for him I mourn'd)
To set apart I did intend.
'Tis now a year
Since for my Dear,
This yearly Rite was done;
And, I as yet,
Do not forget
My losses to bemoan.
2
I must indeed confesse
That (though to Love, still, true I am)
My Passions now are lesse:
And, that my Grief is not the same;
For, Time assures,
More perfect Cures,
When Sorrow woundeth man,
Then all the pow'rs
Of Herbs, and Flow'rs,
Or Humane-Reason can.
3
Thy Name, oh God, I praise
That, thou, by Time, hast eas'd me so.
For, doubtlesse, length of dayes
Without thy Mercy, lengthens Woe.
When thou do'st please,
From Paine, to Ease,
We in a Night return.
And when we grieve,
Thou must relieve,
Or, we shall ever mourn.
4
That yeerely Rite, therefore,
Which to my Friend, my Passion vow'd;
Shall honour him the more,
If on thy Praise, it be bestow'd,
And, If this Day
Will passe away,
In thankfull Thoughts of Thee;
Which once I meant
To have mispent,
In Griefs, that fruitlesse be.
5
Nor is my Friend forgot
Though thus I turn from Him, to Thee.
The lesse I love him not,
Though now I sing thy Love to me.
Whilst Thee I minde,
In Thee I finde
My Friend again reviv'd.
When Him, alone,
I think upon
I, for One Dead, am griev'd.
6
The Vertues of this Friend
Within my Self, let me improve:
And to that noble End,
Cause, his memoriall me to move.
For, if we stray
From their Just-way,
Whom we, in life, approv'd;
Those whom we seem'd
To have esteem'd,
We never truly lov'd.
7
Lord, I am drawing neer,
To his estate whom I bemone;
Yea, neerer by a yeer
Then, when this dutie last was done.
And, still I come
The further from
The State, I did deplore;
As neerer to
That State, I grow
Which equals Rich and Poore.
8
Vouchsafe oh God! I pray,
That, hence remov'd when I shall be,
In Thee, behold I may,
All those that were belov'd of me.
Yea, let none here,
To me be Deare,
But, those whom I shall finde
Enjoy that Love,
In Heaven above,
Which they on Earth should minde.
