University of Virginia Library

Another Song.

[Excessive worldy Greife the Soule devouers]

Excessive worldy Greife the Soule devouers
And spoyles the activnesse of all the Powers,
Through indisposing them to exercise
What should demonstrate their abilities,
By practicall improvment of the same
Unto the Glory of the givers name.
Though Envy wait to blast the Blossoms green
Of any Vertu soon as they are seen,
Yet none may therfore just occasion take
To shun what Vertu manifest should make,
For like the Sun shall Vertu be beheld
VVhen Clouds of Envy shal be quite dispeld;
Though there be some of no ditast at all
Who no degree in worth can lower fall.
Prefer'd before the Verteous whom they taunt
Onely because of some apparent want,
Which is as if a Weed without defect
Before the Damask Rose should have respect,
Because the Rose a lease or two hath lost,
And this the Weed of all his parts can boast;
Or elce as if a monstrous Clout should be
Prefer'd before the purest Lawn to see,
Because the Lawn hath spots and this the Clout
Is equally polluted thoroughout
Therefore let such whose vertu favours merits,
Shew their divinly magnanimious spirits
By disregarding such their approbacion
Who have the worthlesse most in estimacion,
For who loves God above all things, not one
Who understands not that in him alone
All causes that may move affection are,
Glimpses wherof his creatures doe declare,
This being so, who can be troubled
When as his gifts are undervalued,
Seeing the giver of all things likewise
For want of knowledg many underprise.