University of Virginia Library

On the Parting of Ways in a Journey.

I often as I Travel, find
Divided ways divide my mind;
Perplext I stand, and don't well know
Whether I here or there should go:
At length I forward must advance,
Guided by guesses or by chance;
And when I have some paces gone,
I find they both do meet in one.
This gives my mind some recompence
For th' former trouble and suspence.
Thus in Religions nicer ways,
One here, and there another strays,
Each fiercely cries that he's i'th' right;
And both my tender mind affright:
Then to the Sacred Rule I go,
To see if this my way doth show;
This humble Souls in great things guides,
But subtle trifles ne're decides.
When nothing thence is understood,
The footsteps of the wise and good,
With care I trace, and on I hold,
Till my maturer thoughts grow bold
To slight this trifling difference,
As seeming of mean consequence;
Since in all things of weight they both agree,
And I in them, with both, this quiets me.