Poems, and phancies written By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, And Excellent Princess The Lady Marchioness of Newcastle [i.e. Margaret Cavendish]. The Second Impression, much Altered and Corrected |
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 | Poems, and phancies |  |
176
Nature's Prospect.
Once at Imaginations Windows IStanding, a Prospect in the Mind did Spy;
The Eye of Ignorance I shut up close,
Lest th'Eye of Knowledge should this Prospect lose;
Drawing a Circle round of fine Conceit,
Extravagant Speeches Contracting strait,
The more I View'd, my Eye the farther went,
Till Understanding's Sight was almost Spent.
An Isle of Thoughts within a Church I View'd,
Fill'd full of Fancies light to me it shew'd,
Pillars of Judgement thick stood on a Row,
And in this Isle Motion walk'd to and fro;
Fear, Love, Humility Kneel'd down to Pray,
Desires did beg of all that pass'd that way;
Poor Doubts did Shake as if they had some harm,
Yet Mantles of good Hope did keep them warm;
But generous Faith seem'd bountifull and free,
She gave to all that ask'd her Charity;
All sorts of Sects in Pulpits seem'd to Preach,
Fables for Truth, no doubt, did many Teach:
But I heard not what their Opinions were;
For Prospect's in the Eye, none in the Ear.
| Poems, and phancies | |