 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
A SPARK.
But see, here's of that Flash, a little Spark
Yet unextinguish'd; which, I pray you mark.
My lifes tenth Clymax is now spent well near,
And yet, my warfare is unfinish'd here.
I therefore, by this Flash a triall make,
How, if need be, Old Powder, fire will take;
That when occasion calls mee so to do,
I, therewith might discharge a shot or two,
Or light a Beacon, timely to Alarm
Those, who may by suprizall, suffer harm;
And save that, by th'Artillery of words,
Which, cannot be secur'd by Guns and Swords.
For, though by age, my Arms, are useless found,
My Heart so strong remains, my Brain so sound,
That both by Action, and by Contemplation,
I may, yet, some way serve this Generation;
Whose Welfare to promote, I have bestown,
More time and cost, then to advance mine own.
Yet unextinguish'd; which, I pray you mark.
My lifes tenth Clymax is now spent well near,
And yet, my warfare is unfinish'd here.
I therefore, by this Flash a triall make,
How, if need be, Old Powder, fire will take;
That when occasion calls mee so to do,
I, therewith might discharge a shot or two,
Or light a Beacon, timely to Alarm
Those, who may by suprizall, suffer harm;
And save that, by th'Artillery of words,
Which, cannot be secur'd by Guns and Swords.
For, though by age, my Arms, are useless found,
My Heart so strong remains, my Brain so sound,
That both by Action, and by Contemplation,
I may, yet, some way serve this Generation;
64
More time and cost, then to advance mine own.
But, when my heart's broke, & hath crack't my brain,
When all those helps, which unto life pertain;
When all the present hopes of things without me,
(Which to and fro, do flutter yet about me)
Are flown away; (as daily 'tis expected)
Then, will to mind be brought, things now neglected:
And that be done, which, yet, self-love and pride
Obstruct; and will, till they be laid aside.
Yea, then, with good respect, that will be heard,
Which, at this present, hath but small regard.
Mean-while, I rest contented with my Lot;
For, I have that esteem which others got
In former times, who did this way, declare
Those Notions, wherewithall inspir'd they were;
And, to discharge my duties, am a debter,
Though my requitall, never should be better.
When all those helps, which unto life pertain;
When all the present hopes of things without me,
(Which to and fro, do flutter yet about me)
Are flown away; (as daily 'tis expected)
Then, will to mind be brought, things now neglected:
And that be done, which, yet, self-love and pride
Obstruct; and will, till they be laid aside.
Yea, then, with good respect, that will be heard,
Which, at this present, hath but small regard.
Mean-while, I rest contented with my Lot;
For, I have that esteem which others got
In former times, who did this way, declare
Those Notions, wherewithall inspir'd they were;
And, to discharge my duties, am a debter,
Though my requitall, never should be better.
There lies a little Grain rack'd up within,
From whence, my better-being will begin:
And, when most Weaknesses appear in me,
My Powr, shall then, in full-perfection be:
Yea, when I have nor Life, Flesh, Blood, nor Bone,
Then, that, which could not by those Tools be done,
Shall be performd; and, many things which are
Yet dark, will plain, and usefull, then, appear.
Mean-while, O God vouchsafe thou to forgive
What, hinders their performance, whil'st I live.
From whence, my better-being will begin:
And, when most Weaknesses appear in me,
My Powr, shall then, in full-perfection be:
Yea, when I have nor Life, Flesh, Blood, nor Bone,
Then, that, which could not by those Tools be done,
Shall be performd; and, many things which are
Yet dark, will plain, and usefull, then, appear.
Mean-while, O God vouchsafe thou to forgive
What, hinders their performance, whil'st I live.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |