xi. The Spouse to her Beloued.
The Argument.
The
Churche so hyghlye commended of Christe for the
simplicitie of her true and vpryght iudgemente, yeldeth
hym thankes agayne bothe because it pleased hym to geue it
her, and also to accept it so wel in wurth: and to encorage the
Younglynges to loue hym the better, she prayseth his beautie
and other benefites, syngyng.
Thou thou o Christe, it is that arte so fayer,
Yeà my Beloued, most beautifull art thou:
As for my borowed beautie may appayer,
Whiche wer but fylth except thou it allow.
But sith thou Lorde, moste fayre, moste beautiful,
Imputest to me parte of thy beautie bryght,
Beholde our Bed, our peace most plentiful
Of conscience, doeth florish through thy myght.
Our houses eke of fayth wherin we dwell,
Haue sylynges fine, the scriptures truly taught,
Of Cedre tree, whose euerlastyng smel
Shal styll endure whan all thynges cum to naught.
With these sylynges Crosse ioynters ioyned are
Of Cypresse swete, a wood that wyl not rot:
Good wurkes in whiche we do our fayth declare,
Through lyuely loue, with death that dyeth not.