 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither
|  |
|
It is, that Mercy, and that righteousness,
Which, hypocritically we profess,
When we do shut our doors, our eyes, and ears,
Against the sad Petitions, cries, and tears
Of men oppress'd, and cast away that Bread
To dogs and swine, that Children should have fed.
'Tis self-denial, and not that alone
Which ought by all men to be undergone,
But also that in chief, which by a Vote
Was once pretended, and e'r since forgot.
It is a conscientious reparation
Of this Republicks Faith, whose violation
Makes all unprosp'rous which we take in hand;
And, which hath brought a Curse upon this Land
That will not be remov'd, till we have payd
Those Vows, which have been shamelesly delay'd.
'Tis want of meekness upon either side,
And Charity, which (making men divide,
And subdivide) doth day by day, encrease
Those Discords, which destroy the common peace;
For, nor mens wrath, nor their Phanatick zeal,
Compleats GOD's will, or cures the Commonweal,
Or edifies his Church: But, Righteousness,
And Truth profess'd, with sincere soberness.
'Tis these things, that must cure our Grand disease,
And, if we perish, 'tis through want of these.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither
| |
|
