Hymn XXVII. For a Widower, or a Widow deprived of a loving Yoke-fellow.
[_]
That such as be deprived of their most deare companions,
may not be swallowed up in excessive griefe,
and so forget their Christian hopes and duties, this
Hymn teacheth a moderate expressing of their naturall
Passions; and remembers them of things not to be forgotten in their sorrow.
Sing this, as I loved thee once.
[1]
How neer me, came the hand of Death,
When at my side, he struck my Dear!
And took away the precious breath,
Which quick'ned my beloved Peer?
How helplesse, am I thereby made!
By day, how griev'd! by night, how sad!
And, now my lifes delight is gone,
Alas! how am I left alone!
2
The Voice, which I did more esteem,
Then musick in her sweetest key;
Those eies which unto me did seem,
More comfortable then the day:
Those, now by me (as they have been)
Shall never more be heard or seen;
But, what I once enjoy'd in them,
Shall seem hereafter as a dream.
3
All earthlie comforts vanish thus:
So little hold of them have we,
That, we from them, or they from us,
May in a moment ravish'd be.
Yet, we are neither just nor wise,
If present mercies we despise;
Or mind not, how there may be made
A thankfull use of what we had.
4
I therefore, do not so bemoan
(Though these beseeming tears I drop)
The losse of my beloved-One,
As they that are depriv'd of hope;
But, in expressing of my grief,
My heart receiveth some relief;
And, joyeth in the good I had,
Although my sweets, are bitter made.
5
LORD, keep me faithfull to the trust,
Which my dear Spouse repos'd in me.
To him now dead, preserve me just;
In all, that should performed be:
For, though our being Man and Wife,
Extendeth only to this life;
Yet, neither Life nor Death, should end
The being of a faithfull-Friend.
6
Those helps which I through him enjoy'd,
Let thine continuall ayd supplie;
That, though some hopes in him are voyd,
I, alwaies may on thee relie.
And, whether I shall wed again,
Or, in a single-state remain,
Vnto thine honour, let it be;
And, for a blessing unto me.
