 | Pharonnida |  |
The purple-robe, his births unquestion'd right,
For the course habit of a Carmelite
Being now exchang'd, and we retir'd from both
Our fears and hopes, like private Lovers loth
When solve from the observant Spy, to be
Disturb'd by friends, for want, or greatness, free
Secure and calm, we spent those happy days
In nought ambitious, but of what might raise
Our thoughts towards heav'n, with whom each hour acquaints
In prayr more frequent then afflicted saints
Our happy souls, which here so long had bin
Refining, till that grand reward of sin,
Death, did by age (his common harbinger)
Proclaim's approach, and warn'd us to defer
For the earths trivial business) nought that might
Concern eternity, lest life and light
Forsaking our dark mansions leave us to
Darkness and death, unfurnisht of a clew
Which might conduct (when time shall cease to be)
Through the meanders of eternitie.
For the course habit of a Carmelite
Being now exchang'd, and we retir'd from both
Our fears and hopes, like private Lovers loth
When solve from the observant Spy, to be
Disturb'd by friends, for want, or greatness, free
Secure and calm, we spent those happy days
In nought ambitious, but of what might raise
Our thoughts towards heav'n, with whom each hour acquaints
In prayr more frequent then afflicted saints
Our happy souls, which here so long had bin
Refining, till that grand reward of sin,
Death, did by age (his common harbinger)
Proclaim's approach, and warn'd us to defer
83
Concern eternity, lest life and light
Forsaking our dark mansions leave us to
Darkness and death, unfurnisht of a clew
Which might conduct (when time shall cease to be)
Through the meanders of eternitie.
| Pharonnida | |