 | Cotton Mather's verse in English |  |
AN ELEGY ON The Much-to-be-deplored DEATH OF That Never-to-be-forgotten PERSON, The Reverend Mr. NATHANAEL COLLINS;
Who after he had been many years a faithful Pastor to the Church at Middletown of Connecticut in New-England, about the Forty third year of his Age Expired; On 28th. 10. moneth 1684.
FUNERAL-TEARS At the Grave of the much Desired And Lamented Mr. NATHANEEL COLLINS, Who changed Death for LIFE, December 28. 1684.
—But shall he unobserved steal away?
Or Israel not afford an hand to lay
An Evil-boding Death to heart? no Son
Of All the Prophets when Elijah's gone
Look after him?
Forbid this, Heaven! Showr
On a bereaved Clod of Earth a pow'r
To yield a spire of grass whereon may grow
The Name of COLLINS, help a verse to show
His Vertues, as that Flock acknowledged
Their Doe when to the Spicy Mountains fled.
Assist mee, thou who hast engag'd the Just
A Memory, to whom the precious dust
Of Saints Dissolv'd remains united!—
Or Israel not afford an hand to lay
An Evil-boding Death to heart? no Son
Of All the Prophets when Elijah's gone
Look after him?
64
On a bereaved Clod of Earth a pow'r
To yield a spire of grass whereon may grow
The Name of COLLINS, help a verse to show
His Vertues, as that Flock acknowledged
Their Doe when to the Spicy Mountains fled.
Assist mee, thou who hast engag'd the Just
A Memory, to whom the precious dust
Of Saints Dissolv'd remains united!—
I SIGH the Fate for which our broached eyes
Spend floods of brine; at which a dire surprise
Of a soul-chilling horrour doth invade
The Soul not stone before; at which are made
In serious minds as many wounds as were
To Caesar given. Reader, shake to hear:
Spend floods of brine; at which a dire surprise
Of a soul-chilling horrour doth invade
The Soul not stone before; at which are made
In serious minds as many wounds as were
To Caesar given. Reader, shake to hear:
The DEATH of COLLINS tis. He dead without
A Paper winding sheet to lay him out!
A Shame. O that Egyptian Odours, and
Embalmers too were not at my command!
I want them. But Hyperboles withdraw,
Be gone Licentious Poets. What I saw
On this occasion let some countrey Rymes
That call a Spade a Spade, tell after-Times.
DEPRIV'D of Charrets & of Horsmen too,
I on the wings of Contemplation flew;
Into the howling desart thus I went,
The cut-off garden where our David sent
His sheep to feed and fold, from which he drave
The Rav'nous Tigre-brood, in which he gave
His herds a Rest at noon. On Jordans Banks
I meant to sit with Thoughts on this and Thanks.
But there found I an Elect Lady, There
Grov'ling in Ashes, with dishev'led hair,
Smiting her breast, black'd with a mourning dress,
Resembling mother Sion in distress;
Or like a Rachel in a Bethl'em plight,
But with a Beauty glittering too, that might
The Features show that Judah's preaching King
Much did once in his machless Raptures sing;
I found her. There amaz'd, into a Tree
Almost transformed with passion: Sympathie
Produced this Enquiry, Who I wonder,
Seems Sorrow's Center, Sorrow's Essence yonder?
Lo, I no sooner had approached near,
Then from above this voice did thunder; Here
Pitty, the Church of Middletown bespeaks
Set in the midst of swoons and sobs and shrieks.
With Bowells full of it I hastned to
The Wet place, asking Why she grieved so;
And had this Answer.
A Paper winding sheet to lay him out!
A Shame. O that Egyptian Odours, and
Embalmers too were not at my command!
I want them. But Hyperboles withdraw,
Be gone Licentious Poets. What I saw
On this occasion let some countrey Rymes
That call a Spade a Spade, tell after-Times.
DEPRIV'D of Charrets & of Horsmen too,
I on the wings of Contemplation flew;
Into the howling desart thus I went,
The cut-off garden where our David sent
His sheep to feed and fold, from which he drave
The Rav'nous Tigre-brood, in which he gave
His herds a Rest at noon. On Jordans Banks
I meant to sit with Thoughts on this and Thanks.
But there found I an Elect Lady, There
Grov'ling in Ashes, with dishev'led hair,
Smiting her breast, black'd with a mourning dress,
Resembling mother Sion in distress;
Or like a Rachel in a Bethl'em plight,
But with a Beauty glittering too, that might
The Features show that Judah's preaching King
Much did once in his machless Raptures sing;
I found her. There amaz'd, into a Tree
Almost transformed with passion: Sympathie
65
Seems Sorrow's Center, Sorrow's Essence yonder?
Lo, I no sooner had approached near,
Then from above this voice did thunder; Here
Pitty, the Church of Middletown bespeaks
Set in the midst of swoons and sobs and shrieks.
With Bowells full of it I hastned to
The Wet place, asking Why she grieved so;
And had this Answer.
Sir, Ask you this? Are you a Sojourner
Within New-Englands bounds & know not why?
I've lost great COLLINS, man! O that, O there,
From this Tears-Fountain is my misery.
Within New-Englands bounds & know not why?
I've lost great COLLINS, man! O that, O there,
From this Tears-Fountain is my misery.
Immortal COLLINS! what a Charm is in
So dear a Name? 'Tis Honey mixt with gall
To think, I had him, but I miss him; Seen
He was, sad word! but so no more be shall.
So dear a Name? 'Tis Honey mixt with gall
To think, I had him, but I miss him; Seen
He was, sad word! but so no more be shall.
My love is Talkative: tis fit that I
Thus vent my smother'd Fire. The Rabbins say
That when good old Methusela did dye,
His Wife nine husbands lost in him that day.
Thus vent my smother'd Fire. The Rabbins say
That when good old Methusela did dye,
His Wife nine husbands lost in him that day.
Like Looser I will speak: The Lamentation
Over Jerus'lems Woe doth suit me well,
A Widow how is she become! Privation
Seems now to be my only Principle.
Over Jerus'lems Woe doth suit me well,
A Widow how is she become! Privation
Seems now to be my only Principle.
Once did I prise, I'l now praise what I had.
The box of his Fames Oyntment now shall send
Abroad its Odours. Alexander dead
Had not the scent which doth from him ascend.
The box of his Fames Oyntment now shall send
Abroad its Odours. Alexander dead
Had not the scent which doth from him ascend.
Some Elogyes compose to try their Wits;
The Gout, the Feavour, yea & Injustice,
Folly and Poverty have in the Fits
Of Ranting Writers had a comeliness.
The Gout, the Feavour, yea & Injustice,
Folly and Poverty have in the Fits
Of Ranting Writers had a comeliness.
My Theme, my Humour is not such an one:
Who to prove Cicero not eloquent,
Pen'd Books, who truth & worth for guards disown
Such only count Collins not excellent.
Who to prove Cicero not eloquent,
Pen'd Books, who truth & worth for guards disown
Such only count Collins not excellent.
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Bright COLLINS, Star of the first Magnitude,
Extol him how could I! I sha'n't be chid
If as much time on him my gazes shou'd
Spend, as that Greek in's Panegyric did.
Extol him how could I! I sha'n't be chid
If as much time on him my gazes shou'd
Spend, as that Greek in's Panegyric did.
O that Apelles were my servant now
To limn this Hero, but his utmost All
Would blush, and draw a vail upon the Brow
Below whose Majesty his skill would fall.
To limn this Hero, but his utmost All
Would blush, and draw a vail upon the Brow
Below whose Majesty his skill would fall.
I would that you, my Friend, each drop of Ink
Could fill with Elogyes no fewer then
The little eels that may swim in't: I think
They all should celebrate this Flow'r of men.
Could fill with Elogyes no fewer then
The little eels that may swim in't: I think
They all should celebrate this Flow'r of men.
I would too that each syllable all round
This Globe with perfum'd Air might fly about;
Or your Stentorophonic Tube might found
The praise of admirable Collins out.
This Globe with perfum'd Air might fly about;
Or your Stentorophonic Tube might found
The praise of admirable Collins out.
Death, thou All-biting
Prodigall, a blow
Of thine hath laid within the ground a plant
Surpassing Cedars. I did hardly know
A spice whose quantity on it was scant.
Of thine hath laid within the ground a plant
Surpassing Cedars. I did hardly know
A spice whose quantity on it was scant.
Good Nature and good Education were
In him conjoyn'd to such an high degree,
As gain'd the Title of that Emperour,
In this rare soul Mankinds delight we see.
In him conjoyn'd to such an high degree,
As gain'd the Title of that Emperour,
In this rare soul Mankinds delight we see.
Facetious Snow-balls from his candid breast
With early Magic hence would captivate
His near, Familiars, so that he was blest
Who could have leave to be his Intimate.
With early Magic hence would captivate
His near, Familiars, so that he was blest
Who could have leave to be his Intimate.
Hence from his Cradle clothes his neat discretion,
Mounted upon bridled Urbanity,
Before a most obliging Disposition,
Triumphant rode in ev'ry Company.
Mounted upon bridled Urbanity,
Before a most obliging Disposition,
Triumphant rode in ev'ry Company.
But Oh the fruits of Heav'nly Graces dew
Upon so rich a soyl! Let Peter bid
His Brethren add one graces pearl unto
The rest; The whole heap was in Collins hid.
Upon so rich a soyl! Let Peter bid
His Brethren add one graces pearl unto
The rest; The whole heap was in Collins hid.
67
You'd scarce believe the FAITH residing in
This Child of Abraham, the strong Impression
On his heart of Realities unseen,
Of Gospel glories, of things past expression:
This Child of Abraham, the strong Impression
On his heart of Realities unseen,
Of Gospel glories, of things past expression:
How dearest to him his Redeemer; how
With brave Ignatius he could warble out
O Christ my Love; how we might e'en allow
A JESUS grav'd within his breast no doubt.
With brave Ignatius he could warble out
O Christ my Love; how we might e'en allow
A JESUS grav'd within his breast no doubt.
His VERTUE took this sister by the hand;
And with her train accompanyed thus,
In vert'ous flights he went—how much beyond
An Aristides; or a Regulus!
And with her train accompanyed thus,
In vert'ous flights he went—how much beyond
An Aristides; or a Regulus!
For KNOWLEDGE, tho in him poor Harvard lost
One of her tallest sons, one of the best
Souldiers in her Minerva's Camp, my boast
Of higher Wisdom in him i'n't the least.
One of her tallest sons, one of the best
Souldiers in her Minerva's Camp, my boast
Of higher Wisdom in him i'n't the least.
My Moses, he in Egypts Learning verst
Had more then that; Accomplishments Divine
In exercise of which, while he converst
With Isr'els Jah, to us his face did shine.
Had more then that; Accomplishments Divine
In exercise of which, while he converst
With Isr'els Jah, to us his face did shine.
Yare at his GRAMMAR, kenning how and when
To speak: his tongue a tree of life, no (dross
Proceeding from this Chrysostom) the penn
Of Ready writers like, not barbarous.
To speak: his tongue a tree of life, no (dross
Proceeding from this Chrysostom) the penn
Of Ready writers like, not barbarous.
How lofty in his RHET'RIC, when with cryes
To the Omnipotent reduc'd to say
Let me alone, thereby he scal'd the Skyes,
And with the old Artill'ry got the day.
To the Omnipotent reduc'd to say
Let me alone, thereby he scal'd the Skyes,
And with the old Artill'ry got the day.
In the best LOGIC, Oh how Rational!
How able to spy Canaan through! how ready
To baffle a Temptation! and withal
Full of his Oracles sound, solid, steady!
How able to spy Canaan through! how ready
To baffle a Temptation! and withal
Full of his Oracles sound, solid, steady!
How right was his ARITHMETIC that knew
Wisely to measure his own dayes! How right
Was his GEOMETRY, that found the true
Bulk of the earth! a point not worth the sight.
Wisely to measure his own dayes! How right
Was his GEOMETRY, that found the true
Bulk of the earth! a point not worth the sight.
68
In his ASTRONOMY how ripe his eye
Reaching to things beyond the stars! Alwayes
Exact in this no-vain PHILOSOPHY,
That in all things he found his Makers praise.
Reaching to things beyond the stars! Alwayes
Exact in this no-vain PHILOSOPHY,
That in all things he found his Makers praise.
Master of all the Arts that shew us what
Tis from each Bad unto each Good to goe;
To all his Knowledge last subjoyning that,
All that I know is, that I nothing know.
Tis from each Bad unto each Good to goe;
To all his Knowledge last subjoyning that,
All that I know is, that I nothing know.
For TEMPERANCE, he liv'd upon it, hee
Like Hooper spar'd much in his diet, more
In 's speech, but most in Time; the hateful Three
Fly-gods o' the' world mean while he car'd not for.
Like Hooper spar'd much in his diet, more
In 's speech, but most in Time; the hateful Three
Fly-gods o' the' world mean while he car'd not for.
To Meat a
Daniel; and a Rechabite
To Drink; like a John Baptist in his Rayment;
His sleep, like David, robbing in the Night;
Still putting Nature off with scanty payment.
To Drink; like a John Baptist in his Rayment;
His sleep, like David, robbing in the Night;
Still putting Nature off with scanty payment.
Abstemious in all things at such a rate,
Some (like Eliza in her Brothers eyes,
Him Brother Temp'rance could denominate.
And Justice caus'd what e'er lookt otherwise.
Some (like Eliza in her Brothers eyes,
Him Brother Temp'rance could denominate.
And Justice caus'd what e'er lookt otherwise.
For PATIENCE whole beds and loads of it
In his soul flourisht. What Affliction meant
He felt as much as most do talk, and yet
Groans might from him, but Grumbles ne're be sent.
In his soul flourisht. What Affliction meant
He felt as much as most do talk, and yet
Groans might from him, but Grumbles ne're be sent.
And under Provocation, 'twas a care
By him maintaind to smile Affronts away.
Not fireing when meer Cock-boats landed are,
Seldom decoy'd from his mild Yea, or Nay.
By him maintaind to smile Affronts away.
Not fireing when meer Cock-boats landed are,
Seldom decoy'd from his mild Yea, or Nay.
No Brother of Achilles;
like unto
The Upper Regions free from Tempests; full
Of the doves temper: Able for to go
Over an Alphabet, tho Anger pull.
The Upper Regions free from Tempests; full
Of the doves temper: Able for to go
Over an Alphabet, tho Anger pull.
His GODLINESS steer'd
all his motions still:
God had his thrice-hot love, his life, his Whole:
Gods Honour was his End, and in the Will
Of God he moulded his renewed soul.
God had his thrice-hot love, his life, his Whole:
Gods Honour was his End, and in the Will
Of God he moulded his renewed soul.
69
His sev'rall Turns on a Religious threed
He sought to string: fixing that Motto on
What signal he in both his Callings did,
With much devotion, Lord for thee alone.
He sought to string: fixing that Motto on
What signal he in both his Callings did,
With much devotion, Lord for thee alone.
How James-like were his
Pray'rs, how did the word
Of Life, his heart Christs Library affect!
What God-ward flames did his pure mind afford
Of any Ord'nance dreading a Neglect!
Of Life, his heart Christs Library affect!
What God-ward flames did his pure mind afford
Of any Ord'nance dreading a Neglect!
BROTHERLY-KINDNESS did procure the Law
Of Kindness in his lips, a Denison
Of Philædelphia in him we saw;
Heir to the soul of the Apostle John.
Of Kindness in his lips, a Denison
Of Philædelphia in him we saw;
Heir to the soul of the Apostle John.
A Zwinglian entire that ever said
Let me see Christ in anyone, I shall
Him with both Armes embrace. Whatever made
Distinctions, this with him removed all.
Let me see Christ in anyone, I shall
Him with both Armes embrace. Whatever made
Distinctions, this with him removed all.
And CHARITY in him warm Beams extended
To all the Race of Man; Philanthropy
Him like a shaddow every where attended;
COLLINS made up of Love, we us'd to cry.
To all the Race of Man; Philanthropy
Him like a shaddow every where attended;
COLLINS made up of Love, we us'd to cry.
An Injury seldom resenting more
Than Cranmer or the Martyrologer
Who urn'd his Ashes, of whom tis notour,
Of good, for ill, Turns from them sure you were.
Than Cranmer or the Martyrologer
Who urn'd his Ashes, of whom tis notour,
Of good, for ill, Turns from them sure you were.
In fine, As the
Philosopher did give
His friend advice, suppose a Cato's eye
On you, and so be wise; when I would live
Uprightly, I'd imagine COLLINS by.
His friend advice, suppose a Cato's eye
On you, and so be wise; when I would live
Uprightly, I'd imagine COLLINS by.
Thus was he for a Christian, and thus he
With Conversation lightned, every Deed
Of his in print a Sermon yeeldeth mee:
But now what as a Minister you'l heed.
With Conversation lightned, every Deed
Of his in print a Sermon yeeldeth mee:
But now what as a Minister you'l heed.
Methinks I see how fraught the Pulpit was
Of Grace, of Gravity, of Wisdom, when
With most harmonious notes a Barnabas
He now was, and a Boanerges then:
Of Grace, of Gravity, of Wisdom, when
With most harmonious notes a Barnabas
He now was, and a Boanerges then:
70
How deep his Sermons were, where Elephants
Might take content, and yet withal how plain,
Suited unto the leather Dublet's Wants.
All in a near unimitable Strain:
Might take content, and yet withal how plain,
Suited unto the leather Dublet's Wants.
All in a near unimitable Strain:
What undasht
wine he gave me: what a Zeal
For me consum'd him: how material
He was in Dispensations aim'd to heal
Distempers in me, yet how Spiritual:
For me consum'd him: how material
He was in Dispensations aim'd to heal
Distempers in me, yet how Spiritual:
He like an Ox was alwaies labouring
To feed me, but he like an Eagle too
Did soar to Pisgah's Top, from thence to bring
Celestial Visions pore-blind us unto.
To feed me, but he like an Eagle too
Did soar to Pisgah's Top, from thence to bring
Celestial Visions pore-blind us unto.
One is a Doctor most
Invincible
Another most Profound, a Third is counted
A Subtil one; (Scholastic Records tell)
A Fourth Angelical by none surmounted:
Another most Profound, a Third is counted
A Subtil one; (Scholastic Records tell)
A Fourth Angelical by none surmounted:
COLLINS was all of this. The noble
Three
Geneva Crowns, enlightening Calvin, and
The thundring Farel join' auspiciouslie
With shouring Viret, here in one did stand.
Geneva Crowns, enlightening Calvin, and
The thundring Farel join' auspiciouslie
With shouring Viret, here in one did stand.
For Memory almost a Seneca,
For Judgement and Fancy inferior
To few: in Learning rich, and ev'ry way
He was a furnisht Gospel-Orator.
For Judgement and Fancy inferior
To few: in Learning rich, and ev'ry way
He was a furnisht Gospel-Orator.
How many
Lydian-hearts reputed him
A Claviger, by him unlocked? To us
For Light giv'n to our House how much Esteem
He had as an Oecolampadius!
A Claviger, by him unlocked? To us
For Light giv'n to our House how much Esteem
He had as an Oecolampadius!
To save poor me and mine, Oh how severe
His Labours were! how lasting his Renown
Must to my Offspring be, Once (saying) were
Doves eyes within the Locks of Middletown!
His Labours were! how lasting his Renown
Must to my Offspring be, Once (saying) were
Doves eyes within the Locks of Middletown!
My Neighbourhood shar'd with me too; he gave
Some Spirit unto them: and then his Haven
He chose: So on the Day we us'd to have
Heaven from him, from us he flew to Heaven.
Some Spirit unto them: and then his Haven
He chose: So on the Day we us'd to have
Heaven from him, from us he flew to Heaven.
71
The Age of Perkins
just attaind, he thought
It time to follow him. But Why so fast?
The cause you know that of such things is brought
Belong'd to him, he only grew too fast.
It time to follow him. But Why so fast?
The cause you know that of such things is brought
Belong'd to him, he only grew too fast.
More would I say but Heart-corroding Anguish
Layes that check on me, you have lost him now.
Broken with thy big Loss dear Friend, I languish.
Hence would my Tears more than my River flow.
Layes that check on me, you have lost him now.
Broken with thy big Loss dear Friend, I languish.
Hence would my Tears more than my River flow.
Now in Micaiahs Trance
I seem to see
For Food on mountains, wandring Shepherdless,
And Shiftless rambling, what belongs to me.
Wast Park of mine that now no Keeper has!
For Food on mountains, wandring Shepherdless,
And Shiftless rambling, what belongs to me.
Wast Park of mine that now no Keeper has!
Lord, is my Night come shall Impenitent
Transgressours now continue so? Shall it
Upon my Meeting-House, while men repent,
This and that man born here no more be writ?
Transgressours now continue so? Shall it
Upon my Meeting-House, while men repent,
This and that man born here no more be writ?
Shall a forsaken now Society
Without its Head, its Heart, its Eyes remain?
And like Isaiah's woful Vineyard ly
With with'ring Grapes abandon'd by the Rain?
Without its Head, its Heart, its Eyes remain?
And like Isaiah's woful Vineyard ly
With with'ring Grapes abandon'd by the Rain?
O Ghastly Omens! if Paræus dy
Let Heidleberge look to't. If Austin go
Let Hippo tremble. If Elisha fly
After his Master, next year brings a wo.
Let Heidleberge look to't. If Austin go
Let Hippo tremble. If Elisha fly
After his Master, next year brings a wo.
I fear of both sorts now
Mortalities,
Of Famines too I fear the worst, I fear
The Gallop of no less Calamities
Then can be wrap'd in a pale Comets Hair.
Of Famines too I fear the worst, I fear
The Gallop of no less Calamities
Then can be wrap'd in a pale Comets Hair.
Amidst these hideous Frights perplext, I mourn
With Incohærent Throbs you see. Now tell me
Whether it be not just that thus forlorn
I here bewail this that has late befel me.
With Incohærent Throbs you see. Now tell me
Whether it be not just that thus forlorn
I here bewail this that has late befel me.
SHE said; Her heavy words were hardly out
When, as one planet-struck, a doleful shout
Of the surviving COLLINSes detaind
Me from Replies to what had been complain'd.
When, as one planet-struck, a doleful shout
Of the surviving COLLINSes detaind
Me from Replies to what had been complain'd.
72
To fill the Stage there seem'd to throng a croud
Of his Relations to us. First aloud
His Aged Parents with drench'd Hankerchiefs
Saw and had cause thus to proclaim their Griefs:
Of his Relations to us. First aloud
His Aged Parents with drench'd Hankerchiefs
Saw and had cause thus to proclaim their Griefs:
A Son, our Staff and
Stork; (said they) A Son,
Our Benjamin, Alas, must he be gone
To his Long-Home before us? Heaven more
May now be Heaven to us than before.
Farewel, thou world of
Dirt; we meekly wait
Our Benjamin, Alas, must he be gone
To his Long-Home before us? Heaven more
May now be Heaven to us than before.
But for a Call too. This deplored: Straight
His Brethren not as a Jehoiakim
But as a Jonathan, bemoaned him,
With this, We live to see the Joseph die,
Whom we thought born for our Adversity!
His Widdow then, (the tender Whiting swam
Thro' the Black sea of Death to us) I came
(Said She) to bear a part with you. But I
Must in deep Silence do't. That ev'ry Sigh
Of mine—O that it Marbles might erect
To him, for lack of whom I'm thus deject.
And then his Orphans, all ensabled add
O could be say—that once a Father had,
A Father whose paternal over-sight
Did make us over happy, whose Delight
Was in our Welfare, whose Behaviours
Still taught us—Mercy! what a loss is our's!
In this Distraction mixing once again
A Consolation-cup; Thick Mists amain
About us gathering; a Murmur there
Of the blest Shade himself we then might hear.
A Consolation-cup; Thick Mists amain
About us gathering; a Murmur there
Of the blest Shade himself we then might hear.
FOND Mortals; wipe your eyes (said he) pray keep
That liquor for your selves. poor Envy 'tis
Which prompts your Threnodies for me. To weep
For my Sake, is but to Ignore my Bliss.
That liquor for your selves. poor Envy 'tis
Which prompts your Threnodies for me. To weep
For my Sake, is but to Ignore my Bliss.
O what a world of smoke of dust of Folly
Am I sayl'd from! No sin shall me annoy,
And no Temptation more to be unholy
Shall e'er molest me in my Masters JOY.
Am I sayl'd from! No sin shall me annoy,
73
Shall e'er molest me in my Masters JOY.
I have my Ragged mantle dropt; I have
All Vanity and all Vexation
Escap'd, my Clay safe kept within a Grave
Preserv'd lies for the Resurrection.
All Vanity and all Vexation
Escap'd, my Clay safe kept within a Grave
Preserv'd lies for the Resurrection.
No Cross
shall ever gall my shoulders more,
From God, correcting my disorders, and
No Club e're strike me, red with ancient Gore,
Still by each Cain retained in his hand.
From God, correcting my disorders, and
No Club e're strike me, red with ancient Gore,
Still by each Cain retained in his hand.
I'm got within the Vail, and there I see
The ever-glorious Face of the GOD-MAN;
And He with Transports doth convey to me
As much of GOD as entertain I can.
The ever-glorious Face of the GOD-MAN;
And He with Transports doth convey to me
As much of GOD as entertain I can.
I Know, I Live, I Love; But How? forbear
To be inquisitive: It can't be told
To you; No, tho you all Hebricians were:
Nor can shell-vessels this things meaning hold.
To be inquisitive: It can't be told
To you; No, tho you all Hebricians were:
Nor can shell-vessels this things meaning hold.
I find besides my loving Guardians here,
Here the Good Angels that convey'd me thro'
The Divel-haunted-Dungeon-Atmosphere,
To mine annext their Hallelujahs do.
Here the Good Angels that convey'd me thro'
The Divel-haunted-Dungeon-Atmosphere,
To mine annext their Hallelujahs do.
Here, me the Chorus of the glorify'd,
The polisht stones, now in the Temple plac't
The twice cloath'd Souls, salute on ev'ry side;
I see Nathaneel here, I know the rest.
The polisht stones, now in the Temple plac't
The twice cloath'd Souls, salute on ev'ry side;
I see Nathaneel here, I know the rest.
Be glad that I am here, and after hye,
Your selves with diligence, all posting hither,
Precepts and Patterns left, my Counsels eye,
And Copyes, so we shall be soon together.
Your selves with diligence, all posting hither,
Precepts and Patterns left, my Counsels eye,
And Copyes, so we shall be soon together.
Souls, follow me. Anon the Stars, the Sands.
The Atoms of the Universe—a Scrol
Like Heaven fill'd with Nines, for cypher stands,
Compar'd to the Long joyes that over us may roll.
The Atoms of the Universe—a Scrol
Like Heaven fill'd with Nines, for cypher stands,
Compar'd to the Long joyes that over us may roll.
74
A PERIOD this puts to the Tragedy.
He vanisht; They retir'd; confused I
Now quite alone, have nothing else to do,
But to pour out a short Hosannah to
The Worlds Almighty GOVERNOUR to where
On this account now these Petitions come
From lifted Hands, and bended Knees—
Dread Lord,
By whom vast hosts of Beings with a Word
Are made and mov'd: Let they much-hop'd Salvation
Shield us, like Walls from much-fear'd Desolation.
O Save New-Englands Churches; Let them be
Still golden Candlesticks, belov'd by thee,
Still Puritans; Still Iv'ry Pallaces.
Keep up the Quickset Hedge about them; Please
To keep the gladsome Streams of them alive.
Save Middletown, and cause the Place to thrive
Under Fat Clouds still, and that Bochim let
By thy Provision be a Bethel yet.
Save ev'ry soul that reads this Elegy;
Like COLLINS let us live, like COLLINS dy. AMEN.
He vanisht; They retir'd; confused I
Now quite alone, have nothing else to do,
But to pour out a short Hosannah to
The Worlds Almighty GOVERNOUR to where
On this account now these Petitions come
From lifted Hands, and bended Knees—
Dread Lord,
By whom vast hosts of Beings with a Word
Are made and mov'd: Let they much-hop'd Salvation
Shield us, like Walls from much-fear'd Desolation.
O Save New-Englands Churches; Let them be
Still golden Candlesticks, belov'd by thee,
Still Puritans; Still Iv'ry Pallaces.
Keep up the Quickset Hedge about them; Please
To keep the gladsome Streams of them alive.
Save Middletown, and cause the Place to thrive
Under Fat Clouds still, and that Bochim let
By thy Provision be a Bethel yet.
Save ev'ry soul that reads this Elegy;
Like COLLINS let us live, like COLLINS dy. AMEN.
| Cotton Mather's verse in English | |