University of Virginia Library

A Palinode.

On a resolution to do pennance with Ashes.

Happy chance which hath me lent,
Deaths head to wait my time mispent.
Some in gold do Deaths head wear,
I view your looks; and read her there.
Since dust to dust we all must go.
He's wise who timely can do so.
Thus I bequeath my self to th' grave
While death and I ev'n portions have.
Thus holier Hermits choose their Cells,
An Anchoret in his grave thus dwells.
The Nun views deaths head, book, and grave,
Thus they have all, who nothing have.
If I the Lady lov'd refin'd?
Sure I must you by age Calcin'd.
If yellow prais'd, I praised you;
You jealous were, so yellow too,
I lov'd to traffick with the dead,
Books were like you, which I have read:
In them, as you, I times past find;
You'l Grandam Eve reduce to mind:
Of good and bad show me the tree;
Sure the fruits of knowledge are in thee:
Since in your parchment skin must lie,
Strange records of antiquity.
But oh can youths flames so expire,
That I these records turn not fire?

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83

Of thee I would no bonefire make:
Doth flesh for fear thy bones forsake?
Why Palsies? fear not: who nigh lies
Each touch of thee him mortifies,
Bless'd resurrection need he fear,
Continual Lent who thus keeps here?
Or woh'd disdain to take the bone,
Since all who marry have but one?
Here is true love, to wed a mind:
No body here to love I find:
Who marry flesh, they wed their lust,
Which Christians us'd to charm with dust,.