37. Rules and Lessons

WHEN first thy Eies unveil, give thy Soul leave

To do the like; our Bodies but forerun

The spirits duty; True hearts spread, and heave

Unto their God, as flow’rs do to the Sun.

Give him thy first thoughts then; so shalt thou keep

Him company all day, and in him sleep.…

Walk with thy fellow-creatures: note the hush

And whispers amongst them. There’s not a Spring,

Or Leafe but hath his Morning-hymn; Each Bush

And Oak doth know I AM; canst thou not sing?

O leave thy Cares, and follies! go this way

And thou art sure to prosper all the day.…

Spend not an hour so, as to weep another,

For tears are not thine own; If thou giv’st words

Dash not thy friend, nor Heav’n; O smother

A vip’rous thought; some Syllables are Swords.

Unbitted tongues are in their penance double,

They shame their owners, and the hearers trouble.…

When Seasons change, then lay before thine Eys

His wondrous Method; mark the various Scenes

In heav’n; Hail, Thunder, Rain-bows, Snow, and Ice,

Calmes, Tempests, Light, and darknes by his means;

Thou canst not misse his Praise; Each tree, herb, flowre

Are shadows of his wisedome, and his Pow’r.