 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
117
A Concluding Epigram.
VVith these Cards, I, an After-game have play'd,
But, there's one Card, by shuffling, so mislaid,
That, now my fore-game's lost; yet, if I may
Just Dealing find, Fair Gamsters, and Fair-play,
What ever happens, I no question make
But, I at last, may thereby save my stake;
And, when the Sett is ended, win much more
Then ere I got by Play, or Work before.
But, there's one Card, by shuffling, so mislaid,
That, now my fore-game's lost; yet, if I may
Just Dealing find, Fair Gamsters, and Fair-play,
What ever happens, I no question make
But, I at last, may thereby save my stake;
And, when the Sett is ended, win much more
Then ere I got by Play, or Work before.
If any good Effects, hereby ensue,
A Thanks to GOD, is for my Troubles due:
For, had he not made way to send me hither,
These Fragments, had not thus been scrap'd together.
Those Papers, which are hitherto supprest,
Shall that occasion, which will manifest
(At last) a more effectual operation
Then, if they might have had free Publication.
If, also, God, me, here shall exercise
With greater Tryals, better Fruits then these
They will produce: Therefore, they shall to me
Be welcome, when, or whatsoere they be.
A Thanks to GOD, is for my Troubles due:
For, had he not made way to send me hither,
These Fragments, had not thus been scrap'd together.
Those Papers, which are hitherto supprest,
Shall that occasion, which will manifest
(At last) a more effectual operation
Then, if they might have had free Publication.
If, also, God, me, here shall exercise
With greater Tryals, better Fruits then these
They will produce: Therefore, they shall to me
Be welcome, when, or whatsoere they be.
Yet, for the sakes of other men, well pleas'd
I should be, from my Tronbles to be eas'd;
Because, until mine shall have some redresse,
Their suff'rings, are not likely to be lesse.
LORD, therefore, if thou please, make it a sign,
Their Troubles will soon end, by ending mine.
I, thereof, am a little hopeful made,
By some foretokens, which I newly had.
Three likely signs thereof, he daigned hath;
For, my Beloved Consort, he from death,
Was pleas'd to raise (ev'n whilst within this place
I have remain'd, exposed to disgrace
And Poverty) he, for my Children too,
Whilst this was writing, hath provided so
That, without Portions, to their good content,
They married are, without disparagement;
All parties, Christian confidence professing
Of their dependance on GOD's future blessing.
He, in the presence, and amidst my Foes,
Hath spread my Table; and, such bounty showes,
That, these are nothing, but the Scraps and Crums
Of that supply, which, dayly, from him comes.
I should be, from my Tronbles to be eas'd;
Because, until mine shall have some redresse,
Their suff'rings, are not likely to be lesse.
LORD, therefore, if thou please, make it a sign,
Their Troubles will soon end, by ending mine.
I, thereof, am a little hopeful made,
By some foretokens, which I newly had.
118
For, my Beloved Consort, he from death,
Was pleas'd to raise (ev'n whilst within this place
I have remain'd, exposed to disgrace
And Poverty) he, for my Children too,
Whilst this was writing, hath provided so
That, without Portions, to their good content,
They married are, without disparagement;
All parties, Christian confidence professing
Of their dependance on GOD's future blessing.
He, in the presence, and amidst my Foes,
Hath spread my Table; and, such bounty showes,
That, these are nothing, but the Scraps and Crums
Of that supply, which, dayly, from him comes.
Appello DEUM, REGEM, POPULUM, PARLIAMENTUM.
I do, appeal, to judge of my intent,
To GOD, King, People, and the Parliament:
For, one of these, I'm sure, my Friend will be,
And, I hope well, of all the other three;
But, they know not my heart, so well as he.
To GOD, King, People, and the Parliament:
For, one of these, I'm sure, my Friend will be,
And, I hope well, of all the other three;
But, they know not my heart, so well as he.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |