When, all the yeare, our fields are fresh and greene, And, while sweet _Flowers_, and _Sunshine_, every day, (As oft, as need requireth) come betweene The Heav’ns and earth; they heedles passe away. The fulnes, and continuance, of a blessing, Doth make us to be senseles of the good: And, if it sometime flie not our possessing, The sweetnesse of it, is not understood. Had wee no _Winter_, _Sommer_ would be thought Not halfe so pleasing: And, if _Tempests_ were not, Such Comforts could not by a _Calme_, be brought: For, things, save by their _Opposites_, appeare not. Both _health_, and _wealth_, is tastles unto some; And, so is _ease_, and every other _pleasure_, Till _poore_, or _sicke_, or _grieved_, they become: And, then, they relish these, in ampler measure. _God_, therefore (full as _kinde_, as he is _wise_) So tempreth all the _Favours_ he will doe us, That, wee, his _Bounties_, may the better prize; And, make his _Chastisements_ lesse bitter to us. One while, a scorching _Indignation_ burnes The Flowers and Blosomes of our HOPES, away; Which into _Scarsitie_, our _Plentie_ turnes, And, changeth _vnmowne-Grasse_ to _parched-Hay_; Anon, his fruitfull _showres_, and pleasing _dewes_, Commixt with cheerefull _Rayes_, he sendeth downe; And then the Barren-earth her cropp renewes, Which with rich Harvests, Hills, and Vallies Crowne: For, as to relish _Ioyes_, he sorrow sends, So, Comfort on _Temptation_, still, attends. _To brawle for =Gaine=, the =Cocke= doth sleight; But, for his =Females=, he will fight._ [Illustration: PRO GALLINIS ILLVSTR. IX. _Book. 2_]