Christendom

Summary

When first mine Infant-Ear

Of Christendom did hear,

I much admir'd what kind of Place or Thing

It was of which the Folk did talk:

What Coast, what Region, what therin

Did mov, or might be seen to walk.

My great Desire

Like ardent fire

Did long to know what Things did ly behind

That Mystic Name, to which mine Ey was blind.

Som Depth it did conceal,

Which till it did reveal

Its self to me, no Quiet, Peace, or Rest,

Could I by any Means attain;

My earnest Thoughts did me molest

Till som one should the thing explain:

I thought it was

A Glorious Place,

Where Souls might dwell in all Delight and Bliss;

So thought, yet fear'd that I the Truth might miss:

Among ten thousand things,

Gold, Silver, Cherub's Wings,

Pearls, Rubies, Diamonds, a Church with Spires,

Masks, Stages, Games and Plays,

That then might suit my yong Desires,

Feathers, and Farthings, Holidays,

Cards, Musick, Dice,

So much in price;

A City did before mine Eys present

Its self, wherin there reigned sweet Content.

A Town beyond the Seas,

Whose Prospect much did pleas,

And to my Soul so sweetly raise Delight

As if a long expected Joy,

Shut up in that transforming Sight,

Would into me its Self convey;

And Blessedness

I there possess,

As if that City stood on my own Ground,

And all the Profit mine which there was found.

Among ten thousand things,

Gold, Silver, Cherub's Wings,

Pearls, Rubies, Diamonds, a Church with Spires,

Masks, Stages, Games and Plays,

That then might suit my yong Desires,

Feathers, and Farthings, Holidays,

Cards, Musick, Dice,

So much in price;

A City did before mine Eys present

Its self, wherin there reigned sweet Content.

A Town beyond the Seas,

Whose Prospect much did pleas,

And to my Soul so sweetly raise Delight

As if a long expected Joy,

Shut up in that transforming Sight,

Would into me its Self convey;

And Blessedness

I there possess,

As if that City stood on my own Ground,

And all the Profit mine which there was found.