The World

Summary

When Adam first did from his Dust arise,

He did not see,

Nor could there be

A greater joy before his Eys:

The Sun as bright for me doth shine;

The Spheres abov

Do shew his Lov,

While they to kiss the Earth incline,

The Stars as great a Service do;

The Moon as much I view

As Adam did, and all God's Works divine

Are Glorious still, and Mine.

Sin spoil'd them; but my Savior's precious Blood

Sprinkled I see

On them to be,

Making them all both safe and good:

With greater Rapture I admire

That I from Hell

Redeem'd, do dwell

On Earth as yet; and here a Fire

Not scorching but refreshing glows,

And living Water flows,

Which Dives more than Silver doth request,

Of Crystals far the best.

What shal I render unto thee, my God,

For teaching me

The Wealth to see

Which doth enrich thy Great Abode?

My virgin-thoughts in Childhood were

Full of Content,

And innocent,

Without disturbance, free and clear,

Ev'n like the Streams of Crystal Springs,

Where all the curious things

Do from the bottom of the Well appear

When no filth or mud is there.

For so when first I in the Summer-fields

Saw golden Corn

The Earth adorn,

(This day that Sight its Pleasure yields)

No Rubies could more take mine Ey;

Nor Pearls of price,

By man's Device

In Gold set artificially,

Could of more worth appear to me,

How rich so e'r they be

By men esteem'd; nor could these more be mine

That on my finger shine.

The azure Skies did with so sweet a smile,

Their Curtains spread

Abov my Head

And with its hight mine Ey beguile;

So lovly did the distant Green

That fring'd the field

Appear, and yield

Such pleasant Prospects to be seen

From neighb'ring Hills; no precious Stone,

Or Crown, or Royal Throne,

Which do bedeck the Richest Indian Lord,

Could such Delight afford.