xvii. Christe to the Younglynges.
The Argument.
The
Spouse hauyng drunke in the wyne celler of her Beloued,
the secret misteries of his holy spirit, sitten vnder
his shadow, eaten the apples of gostly graces, garnished with
the swete smellyng flowers of many faythful people, vnderlayed
with the left hand of affliccion, and embraced with the
ryght hande of consolacion, obteyneth perfect peace: and layeth
her doune to slepe and rest in Christe. Who takyng vpon
hym to saue and kepe her in quiet, chaurgeth that none wake
her through errours or new opinions, singyng.
O all ye daughters of Ierusalem,
I charge ye all bothe by the Roes and Hyndes,
The spirites of Angels, bryghter than the gem,
And in your help far swyfter than the wyndes:
Whiche runne about as hynde or roe in field,
To help the good that in my churche do dwell:
By these I charge you, as ye wyll they yield
Theyr seruice due, to saue and kepe you wel,
That at no hande ye touche or cause to wake,
The Churche my Spouse, that resteth in my lap:
With vayne beleues, whiche flesly braynes doe make
For snafflyng snares my faythful to betrap.
But let her lye tyll by her owne accorde
She wake her self, compelled by the zeale
She bearth to you, to leade you to the Lorde
That only can your soules sore wounded, heale.
