University of Virginia Library



CHAP. II. A mortified mans melancholy expressed in the person of Heraclitus, who alwaies wept.



[A dolefull case desires a dolefull song]

A dolefull case desires a dolefull song
Without vaine Art or curious complement;
And squallid fortune into basenesse flung
Doth scorne the pride of woonted ornament.


[A wretched world, the den of wretchednesse.]

A wretched world, the den of wretchednesse.
Deform'd with filth and foule iniquitie,
A wretched world, the house of heauinesse,
Fild with the wreaks of mortall miserie.
O wretched world, and all that is therein,
The vassals of Gods wrath, and slaues to sinne.

[Which did in former time Gods image beare?]

Which did in former time Gods image beare?
And was at first, faire, good, and spotlesse pure.
But since with sinnes hir beauties blotted weare,
Doth of all sights hir owne sight least indure.

[Since haruest neuer failes, but euer must]

Since haruest neuer failes, but euer must,
Be torturd with the racke of his owne frame:


For he that holds no faith, shall finde no trust,
But sowing wrong, is sure to reape Gods blame.

[For when the soule findes here no true content]

For when the soule findes here no true content,
And like Noahs Doue can no sure footing take:
She doth returne from whence she first was sent,
And flies to him that first hir wings did make.