Before man's fall the rose was born, St. Ambrose says, without the thorn; But for man's fault then was the thorn Without the fragrant rose-bud born; But ne'er the rose without the thorn. 252. GOD'S TIME MUST END OUR TROUBLE. God doth not promise here to man that He Will free him quickly from his misery; But in His own time, and when He thinks fit, Then He will give a happy end to it. 253. BAPTISM. The strength of baptism that's within, It saves the soul by drowning sin. 254. GOLD AND FRANKINCENSE. Gold serves for tribute to the king, The frankincense for God's off'ring. 255. TO GOD. God, who me gives a will for to repent, Will add a power to keep me innocent; That I shall ne'er that trespass recommit When I have done true penance here for it. 256. THE CHEWING THE CUD. When well we speak and nothing do that's good, We not divide the hoof, but chew the cud; But when good words by good works have their proof, We then both chew the cud and cleave the hoof. 257. CHRIST'S TWOFOLD COMING. Thy former coming was to cure My soul's most desp'rate calenture; Thy second advent, that must be To heal my earth's infirmity. _Calenture_, delirium caused by excessive heat. 258. TO GOD, HIS GIFT. As my little pot doth boil, We will keep this level-coil, That a wave and I will bring To my God a heave-offering. _Level-coil_, the old Christmas game of changing chairs; to "keep level-coil" means to change about. 259. GOD'S ANGER. God can't be wrathful: but we may conclude Wrathful He may be by similitude: God's wrathful said to be, when He doth do That without wrath which wrath doth force us to. 260. GOD'S COMMANDS. In God's commands ne'er ask the reason why; Let thy obedience be the best reply. 261. TO GOD. If I have played the truant, or have here Failed in my part, oh! Thou that art my dear, My mild, my loving tutor, Lord and God! Correct my errors gently with Thy rod. I know that faults will many here be found, But where sin swells there let Thy grace abound. 262. TO GOD. The work is done; now let my laurel be Given by none but by Thyself to me: That done, with honour Thou dost me create Thy poet, and Thy prophet Laureate. 263. GOOD FRIDAY: REX TRAGICUS; OR, CHRIST GOING TO HIS CROSS.