Comedies, Tragi-comedies, With other Poems by Mr William Cartwright ... The Ayres and Songs set by Mr Henry Lawes |
On the Circumcision.
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Comedies, Tragi-comedies, With other Poems | ||
On the Circumcision.
1.Gently, O Gently, Father, do not bruise
That Tender Vine that hath no Branch to lose;
2.
Be not too Cruel, see the Child doth Smile,
His Bloud was but his Mothers Milk erewhile,
1 Lev.
Fear not the pruning of your Vine,
Hee'l turn your Water into Wine;
2 Lev.
The Mothers Milk that's now his Bloud,
Hereafter will become her Food.
Chor.
'Tis done; so doth the Balsam Tree endure
The Cruell Wounds of those whom it must Cure.
1 Lev.
'Tis but the Passions Essay: This young loss
Only preludes unto his Riper Cross.
1.
Avert, good Heav'n, avert that Fate
To so much Beauty so much Hate.
2 Lev.
Where so great Good is meant
The Bloud's not lost, but spent.
Chor.
Thus Princes feel what People do amise;
The swelling's Ours, although the Lancing his.
2.
When ye fair Heavens White Food bled,
The Rose, say they, from thence grew Red,
319
Must spring from this diviner Floud?
2 Lev.
When that the Rose it self doth bleed,
That Bloud will be the Churches Seed.
Cho.
When that the Rose, &c.
Comedies, Tragi-comedies, With other Poems | ||