University of Virginia Library

Whose Soul is once betroth'd, can ever he
From that engagement disobliged be?
The hearts, which love unites in loyal bands,
Are chain'd as fast, as by their tongues and hands.
Even thus am I in heart engag'd, my mind
Is firmly fixt, but on no Female-kind:
The blessed Jesus is my Lord, my Love;
He is my choice, from him I'll never move.
Away, then, all you objects that divert,
And seek to draw from my dear Lord my heart:
Go, Riches, Honours, Beauty, Bravery, go,
Tempt these mean Souls who nothing better know.
That uncreated Beauty, which hath gain'd
My ravisht Heart, hath all your glory stain'd;
His loveliness my Soul hath prepossest,
And left no room for any other guest:
Cease then with knockings to assault my Door,
Disturb not my repose, attempt no more
These gates which to the King of Glory be
Made to fly open, and to none but he.
For him I sigh, I wishly look, and long
To be releas'd from this ensnaring throng
Of poor bewildred Mortals, from whose sight
My Soul doth meditate a nobler flight
Into the Regions of eternal Joy,
Where nothing shall her blessful peace annoy;
There's her own home, her Country's there above,
That blessed Land of Life, of Light and Love;
There my dear Friends fled hence, with God are blest;
Thither are swiftly hasting all the rest;
There lives my Lord, and there I long to live,

He gave these longings, and himself will give.
Hast then, pale Death, accomplish my design;
Thou that break'st others wedlocks, finish mine.
This naked breast strike with thy sharpest Dart,
The sweetest Cordial to a fainting Heart.
Release my pained Soul from this dull clod
Of prisoning Earth, and take her to her God,
That there she may her Nuptials solemnize,
Where neither Sin nor Death shall spoil her Joys.
Lord, hear these groanings, and some pity take
On a poor gasping Soul, which for thy sake,
From earthly home, Freinds, Joys, and all would part,
To be with thee for ever where thou art.
O make me meet for this Translation, and
Then on this happy message death command.
In the mean time, Lord, shew thy self to me,
Till thou shalt please to take me up to thee.
So to mine Eyes thy glory still display,
That they may never look another way.
So let me taste the sweetness of thy Love,
That no allurements may my mind once move.
Quicken my longings, and encrease that flame,
Which Heaven-wards lifts the Soul from whence it came.
Let flames of holy Love all others burn,
And opposition into fewel turn.
Let thy Sun-beams on a dark heart shine clear,
All our earth kindled fires will disappear.
In thee now let me find so much of Rest,
As may with more impatience fill my breast;
Till fill'd with thee, the pains of love increase,
Till they shall in a full fruition cease.
So seize on me, that we ne're more may part;
Till thou shalt take my Soul, Lord, keep my heart,
And dwell in me, till I with thee shall dwell.
This Earth with thee is Heaven; without thee, Hell.