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The CONTEST.
Upon the death of my dear S. Mrs. M. S.
1673.
Dear precious Soul! tho now thou shin'st more bright
Than new born Phœbus swath'd about with light;
Accept this gloomy, tho free Sacrifice;
If it can pierce the mounting Clouds of Sighs.
My Grief, and Love (like two fierce storms) contest,
And raise an Earthquake in my trembling breast,
Both strive for mastery, yet neither yield;
Grief sometimes, and Love sometimes gains the Field;
As two stout Mutineers in Fortress penn'd,
Ruine that Place by strife, they should defend.
Than new born Phœbus swath'd about with light;
Accept this gloomy, tho free Sacrifice;
If it can pierce the mounting Clouds of Sighs.
My Grief, and Love (like two fierce storms) contest,
And raise an Earthquake in my trembling breast,
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Grief sometimes, and Love sometimes gains the Field;
As two stout Mutineers in Fortress penn'd,
Ruine that Place by strife, they should defend.
O! that our Souls, of a cœlestial Race,
And neither circumscrib'd to time or place;
Should (whilst they're clog'd with flesh) not have the arts
T'obey the motions of our loving Hearts;
Each other (tho at distances) to greet,
And at each moment in imbraces meet.
But we shall meet e're long, tho I be slow,
And with mine unfledg'd Pinnions stay below.
Thy Soul (being born on glorious Angels wings)
And guided by those bright and friendly things,
Did get the start, and fly to Heav'n before me,
Altho I set out fourteen years before thee.
But none can be the glorious Bridegroom's Guest,
Unless accouter'd for the Wedding-Feast.
They're thrust, alas, as bold Pretenders thence,
Who glitter not in robes of Innocence;
Shine not in Chastity, Devotion, Peace,
Humility, and such like Gems as these.
And neither circumscrib'd to time or place;
Should (whilst they're clog'd with flesh) not have the arts
T'obey the motions of our loving Hearts;
Each other (tho at distances) to greet,
And at each moment in imbraces meet.
But we shall meet e're long, tho I be slow,
And with mine unfledg'd Pinnions stay below.
Thy Soul (being born on glorious Angels wings)
And guided by those bright and friendly things,
Did get the start, and fly to Heav'n before me,
Altho I set out fourteen years before thee.
But none can be the glorious Bridegroom's Guest,
Unless accouter'd for the Wedding-Feast.
They're thrust, alas, as bold Pretenders thence,
Who glitter not in robes of Innocence;
Shine not in Chastity, Devotion, Peace,
Humility, and such like Gems as these.
Thou having gain'd those Ornaments before,
And brought by Angels as a fitting Guest;
Saint Peter open'd soon the shining Door,
And gladly let thee in amongst the rest.
And brought by Angels as a fitting Guest;
Saint Peter open'd soon the shining Door,
And gladly let thee in amongst the rest.
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