Hymn XXII. For Winter.
[_]
Winter, is an Emblem of Old-Age: And this
Hymn remembers that from this Season, we
take Occasion to be mindfull of our later end;
and to meditate such other things also as may be
brought to our Consideration, by this unpleasant Season.
[1]
Now, the Earth begins to mourn,
And hath lost her Summer pride:
Her faire dressings lately worn,
Now, are wholy cast aside;
And the Trees that clothed were,
Fruitlesse, leafelesse, naked are.
2
Pleasures from our Groves are gone;
No delights the Meadows yield;
Little profit now, or none
Comes from Valley, Hill, or Field.
For the greatest winde that blows
Threatneth Floods, or Frosts, or Snows.
3
Earthly things thus passe away;
And in compasse of a year,
Of a Moneth, a Weeke, or Day,
Many Changes do appear.
That, in love we might not grow
With our Trifles here below.
4
They, who while the Spring doth last,
Or, while Summer doth remain,
Or, ev'r Harvest quite be past,
By their Labours, nothing gain.
May in Winter those things need,
Which their Flesh should cloth, and feed.
5
They who spend their youthfull prime,
In unprofitable waies,
And foole out their healthfull time,
Till the Winter of their Daies.
Shall be sure, when they are old,
To be hunger fed and cold.
6
Or, if these, this Plague escape,
Live they shall, still, cloth'd, and fed,
To incur their worse mishap,
Who lament when they are dead:
And their Sentence to abide,
Who their Talents, lose, or hide.
7
Praise, oh God, I give to thee,
That, I likely means have got,
Of those things that needfull be,
Now the Season yeelds them not;
And possesse a warme Abode,
When Discomforts are abroad.
8
Still, vouchsafe me, so, thy grace,
That, I still endeavour may
(Whilst I have both Time, and Place)
To prevent an Evill-Day.
And, what may not shunned be,
To endure, Lord, strengthen me.
