Thalia Rediviva The Pass-times and Diversions of a Countrey-muse, In Choice Poems on several Occasions. With Some Learned Remains of the Eminent Eugenius Philalethes. Never made Publick till now [by Henry Vaughan] |
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To Christian Religion.
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 | Thalia Rediviva |  |
To Christian Religion.
Farewel thou true and tried Refection
Of the still poor and meek Election!
Farewel Souls Joy, the quickning health
Of Spirits, and their secret wealth!
Farewel my Morning-star, the bright
And dawning looks of the true Light!
O blessed shiner! tell me whither
Thou will be gone, when night comes hither?
A Seer, that observ'd thee in
Thy Course, and watch'd the growth of Sin,
Hath giv'n his Judgment and foretold,
That West-ward hence thy Course will hold:
And when the day with us is done,
There fix, and shine a glorious Sun.
O hated shades and darkness! when
You have got here the Sway agen,
And like unwholsome fogs withstood
The light, and blasted all that's good:
Who shall the happy shepherds be
To watch the next Nativity
Of Truth and brightness, and make way
For the returning, rising day?
O! what year will bring back our bliss,
Or who shall live, when God doth this?
Of the still poor and meek Election!
Farewel Souls Joy, the quickning health
Of Spirits, and their secret wealth!
Farewel my Morning-star, the bright
And dawning looks of the true Light!
O blessed shiner! tell me whither
Thou will be gone, when night comes hither?
A Seer, that observ'd thee in
Thy Course, and watch'd the growth of Sin,
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That West-ward hence thy Course will hold:
And when the day with us is done,
There fix, and shine a glorious Sun.
O hated shades and darkness! when
You have got here the Sway agen,
And like unwholsome fogs withstood
The light, and blasted all that's good:
Who shall the happy shepherds be
To watch the next Nativity
Of Truth and brightness, and make way
For the returning, rising day?
O! what year will bring back our bliss,
Or who shall live, when God doth this?
Thou Rock of Ages, and the Rest
Of all, that for thee are opprest!
Send down the Spirit of thy truth,
That Spirit, which the tender Youth
And first growths of thy Spouse did spread
Through all the world, from one small head!
Then, if to blood we must resist
Let thy mild Dove, and our high Priest
Help us, when man proves false, or frowns,
To bear the Cross, and save our Crowns:
O! honour those, that honour thee!
Make Babes to still the Enemy:
And teach an Infant of few days
To perfect by his death, thy praise!
Let none defile what thou did'st wed,
Nor tear the garland from her head:
But chast and chearful let her dye,
And pretious in the Bridegrooms Eye!
So to thy glory, and her praise
These last shall be her brightest dayes.
Of all, that for thee are opprest!
Send down the Spirit of thy truth,
That Spirit, which the tender Youth
And first growths of thy Spouse did spread
Through all the world, from one small head!
Then, if to blood we must resist
Let thy mild Dove, and our high Priest
Help us, when man proves false, or frowns,
To bear the Cross, and save our Crowns:
O! honour those, that honour thee!
Make Babes to still the Enemy:
And teach an Infant of few days
To perfect by his death, thy praise!
Let none defile what thou did'st wed,
Nor tear the garland from her head:
But chast and chearful let her dye,
And pretious in the Bridegrooms Eye!
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These last shall be her brightest dayes.
| Thalia Rediviva | |