The Oath.
I
Yes, As I live, I'll do't.—Nay stay
My Friend, if that be all, I may
Not rest on this Security;
Your swearing by
Your Life, doth but my Faith deter,
For you but by a Vapour swear.
II
Your Life! what Lease makes Life your own?
May not your flitting Breath be blown
Away by every moment's Blast?
Future, and past,
Quite out of thy possession are,
And present's gone as soon as here.
III
What mean'st thou then by As I Live?
Death can thy Confidence deceive,
And make thee dye a perjur'd Man
Precisely when
Thou'rt swearing by thy Life: Take heed,
That Oath thy Essence doth exceed:
IV
An Oath, which only doth become
The mighty Mouth of GOD, from whom
Life learn'd to live.—Ah, mortal Wight,
I sooner might
Yield on thy Credit to rely,
If thou but swearest, As I Dye!
