SILEX SCINTILLANS.

PART I.

B

Silex Scintillans, &c.

Regeneration.

Ward, and ftill in bonds, one day
I ftole abroad;

It was high-fpring, and all the way
Primrosed, and hung with fhade;
Yet was it froft within;

The furly wind

Blasted my infant buds, and finne

Like Clouds ecclipfed my mind.

2.

Storm'd thus; I ftraight perceived my spring
Meere stage and show,
My walke a monftrous, mountain'd thing
Rough-cast with Rocks and snow;
And as a Pilgrim's Eye,

Far from reliefe,

Measures the melancholy skye,

Then drops, and rains for griefe,

3.

So figh'd I upwards still; at last

"Twixt steps, and falls,

I reach'd the pinacle, where plac'd

I found a paire of scales;

I took them up, and layd

In th' one late paines ;

The other fmoake and pleasures weigh'd, But prov'd the heavier graines.

.4.

With that some cryed, Away; ftraight I Obey'd, and led

Full Eaft, a faire, fresh field could spy;
Some call'd it, Jacob's Bed;

A Virgin foile, which no
Rude feet ere trod;

Where, fince He stept there, only go
Prophets and friends of God.

5.

Here I repos'd; but scarce well fet

A grove descryed

Of stately height, whose branches met

And mixt on every

fide;

Found all was chang'd, and a new spring Did all my fenfes greet.

6.

The unthrift Sunne fhot vitall gold

A thousand peeces,

And heaven its azure did unfold

Chequer'd with fnowie fleeces.

The aire was all in spice,
And every bufh

A garland wore; Thus fed my Eyes,
But all the Eare lay hush.