The synagogue, or, the shadow of the temple Sacred poems, and private ejaculations. In imitation of Mr George Herbert [by Christopher Harvey] |
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Travels at home. |
 | The synagogue, or, the shadow of the temple |  |
Travels at home.
Oft have I wisht a traveller to be;Mine eyes did even itch the sights to see,
That I had heard and read of. Oft I have
Been greedy of occasion, as the grave
That never sayes enough; yet still was crost
When oportunities had promis'd most.
At last I said: What meanst thou wandring else
To straggle thus? Goe travell first thy selfe:
Thy little world can shew thee wonders great;
The greater may have more, but not more neat
And curious pieces. Search, and thou shalt finde
Enough to talk of. If thou wilt, thy minde
Europe supplies, and Asia thy will,
And Africk thine affections. And if still
Thou list to travell further, put thy sences
For both the Indies. Make no more pretences
Of new discoveries, whilst yet thine own
And neerest little world is still unknown.
Away then with thy quadrants, compasses,
Globes, tables, cards, and mappes, and minute glasses:
Lay by thy journals and thy diaries,
Close up thine annalls and thy histories:
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In thine own book, thy conscience: Is it fit
To labour after other knowledge so,
And thine own neerest, dearest selfe not know?
Travels abroad both deare and dangerous are,
Whil'st oft the soule payes for the bodies fare:
Travels at home are cheape and safe. Salvation
Comes mounted on the wings of meditation,
He that doth live at home, and learns to know
God and himselfe, needeth no further goe.
| The synagogue, or, the shadow of the temple | |