Emblemes and Epigrames Psal: Quum defecerit virtus mea, ne derelinquas me, Domine. [A.D. 1600, by Francis Thynne ... ]: Edited by F. J. Furnivall |
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(56) The olde Testament.
The Oke, bearing a corne, Ioues sacred tree,which, to wise Greekes, the Oracles did lend;
the Ayerye spredding beech, whose arms wee see,
frise clothed frut vnto the world doth sende;
In former Ages, and Earths infancie,
when eche Creature to natures lawe did bend,
with their swete nourishing mast fedd plenteouslie
our Auncient Syres, of other food deprived;
But wee, through Goddesse Ceres helpe revived,
comforting corne for Sustenance obteyne,
A pleasant foode, more exellent by kinde.
Soe nowe these trees noe needfull vse doe gayne,
but that to shade and buildinges they are sign'd,
which Moses lawe to vs doth signifie,
that was but mast, as stifneckd Iewes maye finde,
and shaddowes of the followinge veritie;
for nowe the immortall sonne of deitie,
Our Sauiour Christ, the autor of all good,
with rare bountie doth give abundantlie
his heavenlie corne to bee our dailie food;
wherbye wee leaue that mast and Iewish meate,
and hould that elder lawe confirm'd by blood
of beastes, and which but shaddowes doth repeate,
as figures onelie of Christes healthfull lore,
which is the perfect meate, whose signe the Iewes did eate before.
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