University of Virginia Library

On the same.

[As I in hoary Winter's night]

As I in hoary Winter's night
Stood shivering in the Snow,
Surpriz'd I was with sudden heat,
Which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful Eye
To view what Fire was near:
A pretty Babe all burning bright
Did in the Ayr appear;
Who, scorched with excessive heat,
Such floods of tears did shed,
As though his floods should quench his flames,
Which with his tears were bred.
Alas! (quoth he) but newly born,
In fiery heats I fry;
Yet none approach to warm their heart's
Or feel my fire but I:
My faultless breast the furnace is,
The fuel wounding thornes:
Love is the fire, and sighs the smoak,
The ashes shames and scorns;
The fuel justice layeth on,
And mercy blows the coles,
The metal in this furnace wrought,
Are mens defiled Souls;
For which, as now on fire I am,
To work them to their good:
So will I melt into a Bath,
To wash them in my Blood.
With this he vanisht out of sight,
And swiftly shrunk away;
And straight I called unto mind,
That it was Christmas Day.