University of Virginia Library


171

Nature's Exercise and Pastime.

Great Nature doth by Variations Live,
For she to none a Constant Course doth give;
We find, in Change she swiftly Runs about,
To keep her Health, and get long Life (no doubt)
And we for Nature are the only Food,
Her Meat's our Flesh, and her strong Wine our Blood;
The Trees, and Herbs, Fruits, Roots, and Flowers sweet,
Are but her Sallets, or such Cooling meat;
The Sea's her Bathe, to wash and cleanse her in,
VVhen weary she hath on a Journey been;
The Sun's her Fire, which serves her many ways,
His Light her Looking-glass and Beauty's praise;
The Winds, her Horses, Pace as she doth please,
The Clouds her Chariot, where she Sits with ease;
The Earth's her Ball, which she oft Trundles round,
She in this Exercise much good hath found;
Night is her Bed, her Rest therein to take,
Silence doth watch lest Noise might her awake;
The Spheres her Musick, and the Milky way
Is, where she Dances, whilst those Spheres do Play.