Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
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A Meditation.
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 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
A Meditation.
O who would think it such a task to findA vigilant and truly stable Mind!
Low center'd down in that Eternal Light,
Which, with its Brightness, drives away the Night
Of gross Egyptian Darkness, that it may,
Like pleasant Phospher, usher in the Day.
Alas, what Heart can rightly apprehend
The Soul-amazing Conflicts, that attend
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How they're opposed by the Roaring Lion,
That goes about, still seeking to destroy,
And hinder from true Everlasting Joy.
Ah, none but those that walk the narrow Way,
Can see the Snares laid to entice astray,
And draw aside from that Protecting Pow'r,
Which only can preserve them in the Hour
Of great Temptation. Ah, thrice happy they
That know the Sheepfold, where they safely may
Lie down secure, and need not be afraid
Of any Beast of Prey, that would invade
The couching Lambs, whose Shepherd never sleeps,
But, as an Army, them securely keeps:
Here may they Pasture sweetly, safely, bless'd;
But from this Fold there is no place of Rest.
1669.
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