Silex Scintillans sacred poems and private ejaculations. The second Edition, In two Books; By Henry Vaughan, Silurist |
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White Sunday. |
 | Silex Scintillans |  |
White Sunday.
VVellcome white day! a thousand Suns,
Though seen at once, were black to thee;
For after their light, darkness comes,
But thine shines to eternity.
Though seen at once, were black to thee;
For after their light, darkness comes,
But thine shines to eternity.
Those flames which on the Apostles rush'd
At this great feast, and in a tyre
Of cloven Tongues their heads all brush'd,
And crown'd them with Prophetic fire:
At this great feast, and in a tyre
Of cloven Tongues their heads all brush'd,
And crown'd them with Prophetic fire:
Can these new lights be like to those,
These lights of Serpents like the Dove?
Thou hadst no gall, ev'n for thy foes,
And thy two wings were Grief and Love.
These lights of Serpents like the Dove?
Thou hadst no gall, ev'n for thy foes,
And thy two wings were Grief and Love.
Though then some boast that fire each day,
And on Christs coat pin all their shreds;
Not sparing openly to say,
His candle shines upon their heads:
And on Christs coat pin all their shreds;
Not sparing openly to say,
His candle shines upon their heads:
Yet while some rays of that great light
Shine here below within thy Book,
They never shall so blinde my sight
But I will know which way to look.
Shine here below within thy Book,
They never shall so blinde my sight
But I will know which way to look.
For though thou doest that great light lock,
And by this lesser commerce keep:
Yet by these glances of the flock
I can discern Wolves from the Sheep.
And by this lesser commerce keep:
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I can discern Wolves from the Sheep.
Not, but that I have wishes too,
And pray, These last may be as first,
Or better; but thou long ago
Hast said, These last should be the worst.
And pray, These last may be as first,
Or better; but thou long ago
Hast said, These last should be the worst.
Besides, thy method with thy own,
Thy own dear people pens our times,
Our stories are in their set down
And penalties spread to our Crimes.
Thy own dear people pens our times,
Our stories are in their set down
And penalties spread to our Crimes.
Again, if worst and worst implies
A State, that no redress admits,
Then from thy Cross unto these days
The rule without Exception fits.
A State, that no redress admits,
Then from thy Cross unto these days
The rule without Exception fits.
And yet, as in nights gloomy page
One silent star may interline:
So in this last and lewdest age,
Thy antient love on some may shine.
One silent star may interline:
So in this last and lewdest age,
Thy antient love on some may shine.
For, though we hourly breath decays,
And our best note and highest ease
Is but meer changing of the keys,
And a Consumption that doth please;
And our best note and highest ease
Is but meer changing of the keys,
And a Consumption that doth please;
Yet thou the great eternal Rock
Whose height above all ages shines,
Art still the same, and canst unlock
Thy waters to a soul that pines.
Whose height above all ages shines,
Art still the same, and canst unlock
Thy waters to a soul that pines.
Since then thou art the same this day
And ever, as thou were of old,
And nothing doth thy love allay
But our hearts dead and sinful cold:
And ever, as thou were of old,
And nothing doth thy love allay
But our hearts dead and sinful cold:
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As thou long since wert pleas'd to buy
Our drown'd estate, taking the Curse
Upon thy self, so to destroy
The knots we tyed upon thy purse,
Our drown'd estate, taking the Curse
Upon thy self, so to destroy
The knots we tyed upon thy purse,
So let thy grace now make the way
Even for thy love; for by that means
We, who are nothing but foul clay,
Shal be fine gold, which thou didst cleanse.
Even for thy love; for by that means
We, who are nothing but foul clay,
Shal be fine gold, which thou didst cleanse.
O come! refine us with thy fire!
Refine us! we are at a loss.
Let not thy stars for Balaams hire
Dissolve into the common dross!
Refine us! we are at a loss.
Let not thy stars for Balaams hire
Dissolve into the common dross!
| Silex Scintillans | |