University of Virginia Library

A sickness which is Epidemical
(In some degree) hath seized upon all,
And, ease we cannot have, till that hath wrought
VVhich to procure a remedy is brought.
VVhen Cures are to distempers first appli'd,
VVe must expect, more torments to abide
Than if we felt our Maladies alone,
VVithout a Medicine working thereupon.
Of our malignant humours to be eas'd,
To take some poys'nous Drugs we must be pleas'd;
For, our Physician, who doth truly know
Their and our Natures, hath prescribed so.
Diseases otherwhile need letting bloud,
Though with what is corrupt, that which is good
Seems also lost: Gangrenes require sometimes
To save the Whole, by cutting off of Limbs.
Yea, otherwhile a welfare doth redound
In common, when that suffers which is sound;
And, once when sick to death the Body lay,
'Twas cur'd by taking of the Head away.
GOD, who of evil things can make good uses,
And, by what is unwholsome, Health produces,
Vouchsafeth to make passage now and then,
To signal blessings, by the sins of men;
As when the sons of Jacob, who inslaved
Their Brother, were thereby, from Famine saved.
VVhich teacheth us, to be contented still
To let him act, both when and how he will;
To search into our own corruptions nearly,
And not to censure any too severely.