CONSOLATION. Are the _consolations_ of God small with thee?--Job, xv. 11. Woe unto you that are rich; for you have received your _consolation_.--Luke, vi. 24. Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, the son of _consolation_.--Acts, iv. 36. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our _consolation_ also aboundeth by Christ.--II. Corinthians, i. 5. Many are the sayings of the wise, In ancient and in modern books enroll’d, Extolling patience as the truest fortitude; And to the bearing well of all calamities, All chances incident to man’s frail life _Consolatories_ writ With studied argument, and much persuasion sought Lenient of grief and anxious thought; But with the afflicted, in his pangs their sound Little prevails, or rather seems a time Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint; Unless he feels within Some source of _consolation_ from above, Secret refreshings, that repair his strength, And fainting spirits uphold. _Milton._ A faded flower, a bud of beauty blasted, A broken lute, a precious diamond shattered, A stream of purest water, early wasted, A priceless essence on the desert scattered, Like these thou hast perished, in thy beauty mild. To which shall we compare thee, lovely child? If to the faded flower, we know its fruit Is garner’d up midst Heaven’s holy treasures; If to the lovely-toned, but broken lute, Its echo mingleth now, in heavenly measures; The diamond is not lost; its fragments gather Into a star before the Eternal Father. The stream beside the stream of life is flowing, And ever fed from their celestial springs; The essence round the Throne eternal, going Embodied on a Seraph’s radiant wings; Oh, lost one!--let us call thee what we will, The very name hath _consolation_ still. _Anon._ CONTENT. But godliness, with _contentment_, is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith _content_.--I. Timothy, vi. 6, 7, 8. I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be _content_.--Philippians, iv. 11. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be _content_ with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.--Hebrews, xiii. 5. Poor and _content_ is rich and rich enough. _Shakspere._ My conscience is my crown, _Contented_ thoughts my rest; My heart is happy in itself, My bliss is in my breast. Enough I reckon wealth, A mean the surest lot; That lies too high for base contempt, Too low for envy’s shot. _Robert Southwell._