University of Virginia Library

An Honest Poore Man, 44.

Hee is a Proofe and Map of Miserie,
In patient porting of his Penurie.
With Wants vnknowne, hee doth resolue to sterue,
Than those relieue, and with Discredit serue.
Hee prooues his Patience and her strength hee tryes,
In suffring Griefe but grudge, even while hee dyes.
His Little is Much, his meane and sober Rent,
Affords him Store, rich quyet, and content,
Yet some times so the Touch of Want him plyes,
That from his Heart Teares burst out at his Eyss:
And from his Soule such Pailes of Sighs, and smoake,
Are sent, that would impatient Spirits choake.
Bot so his Reason his hote Passions temper,
That it controules, and moderates them Semper.
Yet blushes oft for shame of Beggarie,
Or with the Sense of his Necessitie.
For Rich Men shun, and flee him like Infection,
His Wants refuse, his Sutes, finds all Rejection.
And with a Frowning, cold and carelesse Eye.
Or with a Skoffe th'vpbraide him going by.
His Lodging is the Earth, and oftimes even
The Banke his Bed, his Courtanes clouds of Heaven.
Rootes his Repaste, bot fending or'e his Fare,
And such poore Portion as the Godly spare,
The Sunne his Summer-Comfort vntill Night,
The Moone his Torch, his Lampe, and Winter Light.
His Mournings are the Musicke of his Breath.
His Songs are Swan-like, sung before his death.
His studie, Patience, and his Labour Prayer:
And yet with-all, meeke are his Forms, and faire.
His Life below a Pilgrimage doth prooue,
His Resting Rowme and Home, is Heaven aboue.
Hee lightlie liues, and as no Man, neglected,
And dyes not moand, not mist, no, nor respected;
Yet tho the Worlde his Wants and State contemne,
Hee shall inherite th'High Iervsalem.
And more nor hee (stands in the State of Grace,)
That hath the Worlds Prosperitie and Peace.
Hee fullie hath the Favour of the LORD,
And hee with Faith, with Hope, and Loue is stor'd:
And there-in hath for him reserv'd a Treasure,
Past Reckning, Rich, Great, past all Meanes & Measure.