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A Hymne to God.
WHo giues me then an Adamantine Quill?
A Marble tablet? And a Dauids skill?
To blazon foorth the praise of my dear Lord
In deep grau'n letters, aye vpon Record
To last, for times eternall processe, suer,
So long, as Sunne, and Moone, and Stars enduer:
Had I as many mouthes, as Sands there are,
Had I a nimble tongue for euery Starre,
And euery word I speake, a Caractere,
And euery minutes time ten ages were,
To chaunt foorth all thy praise it nought auaile,
For tongues, and words, and time, and all would faile:
Much lesse can I poore Weakling tune my tongue,
To take a taske befits an Angels song;
Sing what thou canst, when thou canst sing no more,
Weep then as fast that thou canst sing no more,
Be blurre thy booke with teares, and goe thy wayes,
For euery blurre will proue a booke of praise.
Thine Eye that viewes the mouing Spheares aboue,
Let it giue praise to him that makes them moue:
Thou riches hast; Thy Hands that hold, and haue them,
Let them giue praise to him, that freely gaue them:
Thine Armes defend thee, then for recompence,
Let them praise him, that gaue thee such defence:
Thy Tongue was giuen to praise thy Lord, the giuer,
Then let thy Tongue praise highest God for euer:
Faith comes by hearing, and thy faith will saue thee;
Then let thine Eares praise him, that hearing gaue thee:
Thy heart is begg'd by him that first did make it,
My sonne, giue me thy heart; Lord, freely take it:
Eyes, hands, and armes, tongues, eares, and hearts of men,
Sing praise, and let the people say, Amen.