Hymn CI. For one whose Beautie is much praised.
[_]
Beautie is a temporarie Blessing, which bringeth
advantages and disadvantages, according to their
disposition, who possesse it. Therefore this Hymn
remembers those, who are beloved or commended,
for that endowment; so to behave themselves that
God may receive glory thereby, and that it may not
become harmfull to themselves, or others.
Sing this as the Magnificat.
[1]
I well perceive, that God hath limb'd
My brittle Body, so,
And, so my Face with Features trim'd,
That, thanks, therefore, I owe:
For, though my self to overprize,
I, apt enough may be;
Yet, what I am, (by others eies)
I, somewhat rightly, see.
2
I do confesse, it cheeres my minde,
That, I those Beauties have,
Whereby my Self belov'd I finde,
Where love, my heart would crave:
And, I suspect the grief had been
Too great for me to bear,
Had I my self, so loathed seen,
As, oft, my Betters are.
3
Therefore, my God! I were too blame.
If Thee I praised not,
For making me, the same I am;
And, pleased with my Lot.
It is no blessing of the least:
Nor unbeseems it me
That, thus in private, I confesse,
What I receiv'd from Thee.
4
For Beautie, is an Oratour,
Which pleads with so much grace,
That, to prevaile, it hath a pow'r,
Almost, in ev'ry place.
It creeping through the Lovers eies,
Takes prisoner, now and than,
A greater, and a fairer prize,
Then Wealth, and Wisdome can.
5
I boast of no such Braves as these;
But, this I truly say,
It makes me with more Joy, and ease,
To passe my Youth away.
And, yet, I know, tis but a Flowre,
Now, faire to look upon;
And, in the compasse of an houre,
Defaced quite, and gone.
6
Lord, give me grace to prize it so,
(And neither more nor lesse)
As wisdome would; and hallow, too,
The Features I possesse;
That, I may minde how fraile, and thin,
Those outward Beauties are,
Which reach not half way through the skin;
Nor long continue there.
7
My Reason, teach thou, to apply
Her utmost pow'r, and wit,
Mine Inside, so to beautifie,
That, I thy love may get.
Let me not proudly tirannize,
Where I belov'd shall be;
Nor those discomfort, or despise,
Who lesse adorned be.
8
Let not my Beauties be a mean
Mine own base Lusts to feed;
Nor others tempt, to an unclean,
Or an uncomely deed.
But, make my Conversation such,
Oh Lord! (I thee implore)
That, they, who like my Beauty, much,
May love my Vertues, more.
9
So, when my Fleshly Form doth fade,
It shall not grieve my Heart,
That, things, but for a season made,
In their due Time depart.
But, I shall rather joyfull grow,
To feel my Soul put on
That, which, will make a fairer show,
Then Flesh and Blood have done.
