Yet, out he comes! and in this world is placed, Where all his Senses in perfection be; Where he finds flowers to smell, and fruits to taste, And sounds to hear, and sundry forms to see. When he hath passed some time upon this Stage, His Reason, then, a little seems to wake, Which though She spring, when Sense doth fade with age, Yet can She here, no perfect practice make. Then doth th' aspiring Soul, the Body leave, Which we call Death. But were it known to all, What Life our Souls do, by this death, receive; Men would it, Birth! or Gaol Delivery! call. In this third Life, Reason will be so bright, As that her Spark will like the sunbeams shine; And shall, of GOD enjoy the real sight, Being still increased by influence divine. [Illustration] [Sidenote: An acclamation!] O ignorant poor Man! what dost thou bear, Locked up within the casket of thy breast; What jewels, and what riches hast thou there. What heavenly treasure in so weak a chest! Look in thy Soul! and thou shall beauties find, Like those which drowned NARCISSUS in the flood; Honour and Pleasure both are in thy Mind, And all that in the world is counted Good. Think of her worth! and think that GOD did mean This worthy Mind should worthy things embrace! Blot not her beauties, with thy thoughts unclean; Nor her, dishonour with thy Passions base. Kill not her Quick'ning Power with surfeitings! Mar not her Sense with sensualities! Cast not her serious Wit on idle things! Make not her free Will slave to vanities! And when thou thinkest of her Eternity; Think not that Death against her nature is; Think it a Birth! and, when thou goest to die, Sing like a swan, as if thou wentst to bliss! And if thou, like a child, didst fear before, Being in the dark, when thou didst nothing see; Now I have brought thee Torch-light, fear no more. Now, when thou diest; thou canst not hoodwinked be. And thou, my Soul! which turn'st thy curious eye, To view the beams of thine own form divine; Know, that thou canst know nothing perfectly, While thou are _clouded_ with this flesh of mine. Take heed of _overweening_! and compare Thy peacock's feet, with thy gay peacock's train; Study the _best_ and _highest_ things that are; But of thyself, an humble thought retain! Cast down thyself! and only strive to raise The glory of thy Maker's sacred name! Use all thy powers, that Blessed Power to praise, Which gives thee power to Be, and Use the same. FINIS. [Illustration] HYMNS OF ASTRÆA, IN ACROSTIC VERSE. [Illustration] _LONDON:_ Printed for I. S. 1599. [Illustration] [_Hymns of ASTRÆA._] HYMN I. _Of ASTRÆA._