Page:Omniana 2.djvu/178

 :In silent night when mortalls be at rest,
 * And bathe their molten limbs in slothful sleep,
 * My troubled ghost strange cares did straight molest,
 * And plucked my heavie soul in sorrow deep:
 * Large floods of tears my moistned cheeks did steep,
 * My heart was wounded with compassionate love
 * Of all the creatures: sadly out I creep
 * From men's close mansions, the more to improve

My mournfull plight; so softly on I forward move.


 * Aye me! said I, within my wearied breast,
 * And sighed sad, wherefore did God erect
 * This stage of misery? thrice, foure times West
 * Whom churlish Nature never did eject
 * From her dark womb, and cruelly object
 * By sense nndand [sic] life unto such balefull smart;
 * Every slight entrance into joy is checkt
 * By that soure step-dames threats, and visage tart:

Our pleasure of our pain is not the thousandth part.


 * Thus vex'd I was 'cause of mortality.
 * Her curst remembrance cast me in this plight.
 * That I grew sick of the world's vanity,
 * Ne ought recomfort could my sunken spright;
 * What so I hate may do me no delight,
 * Few things (alas!) I hate, the more my wo.
 * The things I love by mine own sad foresight.
 * Make me the greater torments undergo.

Because I know at last they're gone like idle show.