The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift or, Fourteene Steps to the Throne of Glory. By the 7. Corporeall and 7. Spirituall Acts of Charitie, and those made Parallels. By Ralph Crane |
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Canto 3.
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 | The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift |  |
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Canto 3.
That 'tis a blessed thing
to Cloath the naked man,
MERCIE doth here diuinely sing,
(and wills him write it than.
He that vncouer'd the first Nakednesse
to Cloath the naked man,
MERCIE doth here diuinely sing,
(and wills him write it than.
Had the first Curse from Man: wch tongue did blesse
At the same instār, his two other sons
In whose Acts the first modest story runnes:
W'are taught by Gods Law we should not withhold
Our brothers Garment (his defence from cold,
And call'd his Couering) which instructs vs still
How well this worke is pleasing to Gods will,
To Cloath the Naked: To intice vs more
To this most seemely Mercy, to the poore;
The Lord himselfe the first example show'd
On our first Parents, whom he (naked) cloath'd.
Humanitie instructs vs to this care,
And Creatures that no name of reason beare:
That gentle Bird tender and kind to man
Seeing the barenesse of a Christian,
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Then sing a dirge vpon his Mossy brest
Who can so dull a Charity professe,
But will of all wants pitty Nakednesse;
If nothing stir him vp, this onely can
He see's his first-shame in an vn-cloath'd man.
That thought (I hope) wil raise him to this deed,
To which being mounted, he will still proceed,
And hauing got three Steps vp, he will see
In what distresse, and want poore Prisoners be.
| The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift | |