Otia Sacra Optima Fides [by Mildmay Fane] |
 | I. |
Humiliation without Reformation, a foundation without a Building; Reformation without Humiliation, a Building without a foundation.
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 | II. |
 | Otia Sacra Optima Fides |  |
Humiliation without Reformation, a foundation without a Building; Reformation without Humiliation, a Building without a foundation.
Best Architects whether in Brick or Ston,
Cast first to lay a sure Foundation,
Then raise the Fabrick; Confident hereby
T'assign't a term of perpetuity:
While Lesser Artists failing of that Care
And skill, erect them Castles in the Aire,
An Element unconstant, which betrayes
To Ruine whatsoever there those raise.
Such, and no Other are They, so profess
To add by Reformation, happiness;
Yet want the Basis for to build upon
To make it last, Humiliation;
When others seemingly cast on the flore,
Yet are reform'd no better than before:
So here Foundation without Building is,
And there a Building on a Precipice.
Cast first to lay a sure Foundation,
Then raise the Fabrick; Confident hereby
T'assign't a term of perpetuity:
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And skill, erect them Castles in the Aire,
An Element unconstant, which betrayes
To Ruine whatsoever there those raise.
Such, and no Other are They, so profess
To add by Reformation, happiness;
Yet want the Basis for to build upon
To make it last, Humiliation;
When others seemingly cast on the flore,
Yet are reform'd no better than before:
So here Foundation without Building is,
And there a Building on a Precipice.
Wherefore let me be humbled first, and then
Reform so, as never to sin agen:
Blending these two together, with intent
To Build an Everlasting Monument.
Reform so, as never to sin agen:
Blending these two together, with intent
To Build an Everlasting Monument.
| Otia Sacra Optima Fides | |