OCR Text |
Show „g T 0 E M S. i Happinefs. N A t u r e courts Happinefs, although it be Unknown as the Athenian Deity. It dwells not in Man's Senfe, yet he fupplies H That want by growing fond of its difguife. The falfe appearances of Joy deceive, And feeking her unto her like w e cleave. For finking M a n hath fcarce fenfe left to know Whether the Plank he grafps will hold or no. While all the bufineft of the World is this, T o feek that Good which by miftake they mift. And all the feveral Paffions men expreft Are but for Pleafure in a difT'rent drefs. They hope for Happinefs in being Great, Or Rich, or Lov'd, then hug their o w n conceit. But the Good man can find this treafure out, For which in vain others do dig and doubt 3 And hath fuch fecret full Content within, Though all abroad be ftorms, yet he can fing. His peace is made, all's quiet in that place, Where Nature's cur'd and exercis'd by Grace. This inward Calm prevents his Enemies, For he can neither envy nor defpife : But in the beauty of his ordered Mind Doth ftill a new, rich fatisfaction find. Innocent Epicure! whofe fingle breaft Can furnifh him with a continual feaft. A Prince at home, and Scepters can refufe 5 Valuing only what he cannot lofe. He ltudies to do good 5 ("a man may be Harmlefs for want of Opportunity :) But he's induftrious kindnefs to difpence, And therein onely covets eminence. Others do court applaufe and fame, but he Thinks all that giddy noife but Vanity. He T% 0 EMS. He takes no pains to be obferv'd or feen, While all his acts are echoed from within. He's ftill himfelf, when Company are gone, Too well employ'd ever to be alone. For ftudying G o d in all his volumes, he Begins the bufinefs of Eternity. And unconcern'd without, retains a power T o fuck (like Bees) a fweet from ev'ry flower. And as the Manna of the Ifraelites Had feveral taftes to pleafe all Appetites : So his Contentment is that Catholick food, That makes all ftates feem fit as well as good. He dares not wifh, nor his o w n fate propound; But, if G o d fends, reads Love in every wound : And would not lofe for all the joys of fenfe The glorious pleafures of Obedience. His better part can neither change nor lofe, And all God's will can bear, can do, can chufe. Death. 1! HOw weak a Star doth rule Mankind, Which owes its ruine to the fame Caufes which Nature had defign'd T o cherifh and preferve the frame! 2* As Commonwealths may be fecure, And no remote Invafion dread 5 Yet may a fadder fall endure From Traitors in their bofom bred : 3'v |