. Emblems divine and moral . an neer except one verdict twixt two laws. BOOK IV.—EMBLEM II. Psalm cxix. that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! Thus I, the object of the worlds disdain, With pilgrim pace, surround the weary earth : I only relish what the world counts vain ; Her mirths my grief; her sullen grief my mirth ;Her light my darkness ; and her truth my error; Her freedom is my gaol; and her delight my terror. Fond earth! proportion not my seeming love To my long stay; let not thy thoughts deceivethee;Thou art my prison, and my homes above ;My lifes a preparation but to l
. Emblems divine and moral . an neer except one verdict twixt two laws. BOOK IV.—EMBLEM II. Psalm cxix. that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! Thus I, the object of the worlds disdain, With pilgrim pace, surround the weary earth : I only relish what the world counts vain ; Her mirths my grief; her sullen grief my mirth ;Her light my darkness ; and her truth my error; Her freedom is my gaol; and her delight my terror. Fond earth! proportion not my seeming love To my long stay; let not thy thoughts deceivethee;Thou art my prison, and my homes above ;My lifes a preparation but to leave thee : Like one that seeks a door I walk about thee :With thee I cannot live; I cannot live without The worlds a labrinth, whose anfractuous* waysAre all composd of rubs and crookd meanders :No resting here ; he s hurried back that staysA thought; and he that goes unguided, wanders :Her way is dark ; her path untrod, unevn ;So hards the way from earth; so hards the way toHeavn. * Anfractuous, iatricate. BOOK r^. KZfS^BLElVi: 2. Plahix lit). 5 .C //i((f Ntvirit/{t/rt/t(/ .y/r//.v /lui/A/ i///ti/i f/ ((■ BOOK iv EMBLEMS. 29 This gyring* labrinth is betrench d about On either hand with streams of sulphrous fire, Streams closely sliding, erring in and out,But seeming pleasant to the fond descrier ; AVhere, if his footsteps trust their own invention, He falls without redress, and sinks beyond dimension. Where shall I seek a guide ? where shall I meetSome lucky hand to lead my trembling paces ? What trusty lantern will direct my feet To scape the danger of these dangrous places ?What hopes have I to pass without a guide Where one gets safely through, a thousand fall beside. An unrequested star did gently slide Before the wise men to a greater light:Backsliding Isrel found a double guide ;A pillar, and a cloud; by day by night:Yet in my desprate dangers, which be farMore great than theirs, I have nor pillar, cloud, norstar. O that the pinions of a cliping* dove Would c
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