TRUE LOVE. ET me not to the marriage of true minds Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove : O, no! it is an ever-fixèd mark, That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved. A PICTURE. 10! as a careful housewife runs to catch One of her feathered creatures broke away, Sets down her babe, and makes all swift despatch In pursuit of the thing she would have stay; So runn'st thou after that which flies from thee, So will I pray that thou mayst have thy 'Will,' SOUL AND BODY. OOR soul, the centre of my sinful earth, Why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth, Painting thy outward walls so costly gay? So shalt thou feed on Death, that feeds on men, CONTENT. H, sweet Content, where is thy mild abode? Is it with shepherds and light-hearted swains Which sing upon the downs and pipe abroad, Tending their flocks and cattle on the plains? Ah, sweet Content, where dost thou safely rest? In heaven, with Angels which the praises sing Of Him that made and rules at his behest The minds and hearts of every living thing? Ah, sweet Content, where doth thine harbour hold? Is it in churches with religious men Which please the gods with prayers manifold, And in their studies meditate it then? Whether thou dost in heaven or earth appear, Be where thou wilt, thou wilt not harbour here. THE TALENT. RACIOUS, Divine, and most Omnipotent! It to best use he could, when it was lent: I know my fault, I did not as I should; But since I did endeavour what I could, From Thy rich treasuries of endless grace; |