. Emblems divine and moral . betwixt two, having- a desire to depart,and to he with Christ. What meant our careful parents so to wear And lavish out their ill-expended hours,To purchase for us large possesions here. Which (though unpurchased) are too truly ours ?What meant they, ah! what meant they, to endureSuch loads of needless labour to procureAnd make that thing our own, which was our own toosure? What mean these livries* and possessive keys ? What means these bargains, and these needless sales ?What mean these jealous, these suspicious ways,Of law-devisd and law-dissolved entails ?No nee
. Emblems divine and moral . betwixt two, having- a desire to depart,and to he with Christ. What meant our careful parents so to wear And lavish out their ill-expended hours,To purchase for us large possesions here. Which (though unpurchased) are too truly ours ?What meant they, ah! what meant they, to endureSuch loads of needless labour to procureAnd make that thing our own, which was our own toosure? What mean these livries* and possessive keys ? What means these bargains, and these needless sales ?What mean these jealous, these suspicious ways,Of law-devisd and law-dissolved entails ?No need to sweat for gold, wherewith to buyEstates of high-prizd land ; no need to tieEarth to their heirs, were they but cloggd with earthas I. O were their souls but cloggd with earth as I,They would not purchase with so salt an itch : They would not take of alms,* what now they buyNor call him happy whom the world counts rich : * Liveries: a law term, expressive of legal coaveyaace of an estate,t 0/ Alms: i. e., as a free TOTT^ /hi /vn/ti/ tiEi/rf/t, /ft/ ^//r/i/ /; . BOOK V. EMBLEMS. 95 They would not take sucb pains, project and prog,*To charge their shoulders with so great a log:Who hath the greater lands, hath but the greater clog. I cannot do an act which Earth disdains not; I cannot think a thought which Earth corrupts not:I cannot speak a word which Earth profanes not:I cannot make a vow Earth interrupts not:If I but offer an early groan,Or spread my wings to Heavens long darkens my complaints, and drags my offring down. Een like the hawk, (whose keepers wary hands Have made a prisner to her weathringf stock,) Forgetting quite the power of her fast bands Makes a rank bate:}: from her forsaken block: But her too faithful leash§ doth soon restain Her broken flight attempted oft in vain; It gives her loins a twitch, and tugs her back again. So, when my soul directs her better eye To Heavens bright palace, where my treasure lies,
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