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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Of CONTENT.
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Of CONTENT.
Who seeks a Prize where 'tis not to be found,Makes his Confusion but the more abound:
So they that dote on Riches that have Wings,
Or any other transitory things,
Do but with great perplexing Cares prevent
That which they most pretend to seek, Content.
Where may it then be sought? Behold, it lies
Hid, as a Treasure, from the Vult'rous Eyes:
Yet there's a Garden where this Plant doth grow,
Which who desires to find, must learn to know
A Heart that's well refin'd and purify'd
From high-aspiring discontented Pride;
Disdaining to admire that Idol, Gold,
But can, as with undazled Eyes, behold
Its Earth-bred Lustre; knowing how to use it,
Not hoarding it to rust, that's to abuse it;
That cannot for vile Pleasures prostitute
The noble Soul to grovle with the Brute;
That cannot be so bound to Humane Fashion,
As to be over-sway'd with Furious Passion:
But doth, as with a well-composed Mind,
Hear Self revil'd and scorn'd; yet not inclin'd
Unto Revenge, but still refers the wrong
To Him, to whom all Vengeance doth belong;
And can in inward Purity rejoyce,
Tho' Vertue's branded with the Name of Vice;
That doth in Joy such equal Temper know,
That Sorrow cannot make it stoop too low,
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Nor yet forget himself, through vain Renown;
That counts an Injury worth no Reward,
Save only this, a Noble Disregard;
That's unto slavish Fear so much a Stranger,
That it undaunted meets approaching Danger;
Yea, high and low Estates can calmly bear,
Without Disturbance or distracting Care;
That honours Vertue, though in Poverty,
Rather than Vice, puff'd up with Dignity;
Whose equal Justice cannot vex his Foe,
Nor spare his Friend, if that his Cause says, No;
Who, tho' in Pow'r, would not inflict a Wrong;
Nor yet can see th' Oppressed suffer long,
Without Relief; but cheerfully doth lend
A Helping-hand to Enemy or Friend;
Whose Word's more binding than a Golden Chain,
Who stedfast to his Promise doth remain;
And will perform it, tho' no Ear attend,
To testify betwixt him and his Friend;
Who, in great multiplicity, can find
A calm and wisely-recollected Mind;
Knowing, that Heav'n did never This ordain
A Slave to Earth, but over it to reign:
And having Treasure, which no Rust can rot,
Doth use the World, as if he us'd it not:
And cheerfully submit to Providence,
(Not by constraint) in what it doth dispence;
Whether in Storms or Trials; for he knows
That Promis'd Comforts appertain to those
That mourn; or if his Lord and Master please,
Can Joy in Sun-shine, or more prosp'rous Days;
Knowing th' Eternal Wisdom never errs,
Therefore sincerely in his Thoughts prefers
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Wisdom and Love in all things to discern;
Who need not boast what Ancestors have been,
When all their Vertues shine more bright in him;
Which is a greater Honour than to be
The Refuse of some Famous Pedigree;
This knows such Peace the World can ne'er prevent,
Here's that much sought-for, durable Content.
1680.
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