The canticles or balades of Salomon, phraselyke declared in Englysh metres, by William Baldwin

OPen to me my sister, my Loue my Doue,* 1.1 my darling: for my Head is full of dewe, and my lockes of hear are full of Nyghte droppes.

¶The Argument.

WHan Christe (accordyng to the confession of his welbe∣loued Spouse) hath styerred and waked her vp by the secret wurkyng of his grace, from the sluggysh rest whiche she had in her disobedient and vnruly flesh, he cummeth hym selfe vnto her, with his head God the father hye head of all, full of the dewe of his grace, truth and mercie: hauyng hys heary lockes full of the nyght droppes of tribulacion, per∣secucion, and affliccion. (For all that receyue Christe with the dewe of his fathers truth and mercye, must also receyue the troubleous nyghtdroppes of his heares.) And now desirous that she should so receyue hym, syngeth.

¶Christe to his perfect Spouse. xxxviii.

OPen to me, my syster, my Loue, Receyue my truthe, that J shal to thee shew: Open to me my darlyng, my Doue, For loe my head, my head is full of dewe, Of truth, grace, and mercie. Also my hears with nyght drops abounde, My truth is full of tribulacion: Fear thou not yet, for fayth shall thee grounde And make thee strong in persecucion, Through truth, grace, and mercie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Text.