ix. The Spouse to the Younglynges.
The Argument.
Scarce
hath Christ finished his song, but that his Spouse
accordyng to her dutie, rendereth hym thankes therefore,
transcrybyng vnto hym that wurketh in her bothe the wyll
and dede of all goodnes, the prayse of all her goodly beautie.
And that the Younglynges whome she hath taken charge of
maye knowe howe to wear the neckebande of good wurkes,
whiche God hath prepared & geuen her, so that her Beloued
maye be pleased withall, she teacheth the Younglynges by
example of herself, syngyng as foloweth.
VVyle that I walkt in wurkes of mannes deuice,
Thinkyng my self of power my selfe to saue,
I dyd good dedes, but they wer of no price:
For faulte of fayth I coulde no merit haue.
But after Christe had sowed in my brest
The seede of fayth, through his beneuolence:
And as a Kyng had layed hym doune to rest
Vpon his Couche, my quiet conscience:
Than dyd my Narde, myne oyntment of belief
Yelde furth the smell, the fruteful wurkes of faythe,
Among the which my charitie for chief
God doeth accept, and most of value wayeth.
So that my Loue whome I to be doe know
A bundle of Myrrhe, though bytter, yet in seint
Excedyng good, and makyng all thynges slow
For to corrupt, that therwithal be meint:
Betwene my brestes, suche cumfort as I show
To all that nede, delyteth for to dwel.
Ye Christe my Loue from whom all fayth doeth flow,
In me his Churche so pleasauntly doeth smell,
That to my taste he is the goodly grayne
Of Cypresse swete, whiche commonly doeth spryng
Among the vines, the elect that do remayne
In Engaddi, Gods truth, the true kyddes spryng.
