Steps to the temple ; The delights of the Muses ; and, Carmen Deo Nostro by Ric. Crashaw ...
Crashaw, Richard, 1613?-1649., Crashaw, Richard, 1613?-1649. Delight of the Muses., Crashaw, Richard, 1613?-1649. Carmen Deo Nostro.
Description of a Religious House and con∣dition of Life. (Out of BARCLAY.)
NO roofs of Gold o'r riotous Tables shining,
Whole Days and Suns devour'd with endless
Dining;
No Sails of Tyrian Silk proud pavements sweeping;
Nor ivory couches costlyer slumbers keeping;
False Lights of fl•…iring Gemms; tumultuous joys;
Halls full of flattering Men and frisking Boys;
Whate'r false shows of short and slippery good
Mix the mad sons of Men in mutual blood.
But Walks and unshorn Woods; and Souls, just so
Unforc't and genuine; but not shady tho:
Our Lodgings hard and homely as our Fare,
That Chaste and Cheap, as the few Clothes we wear.
Page 205
Those course and negligent, as the natural Locks
Of these loose Groves, rough as th' unpolisht Rocks.
A hasty portion of prescribed sleep;
Obedient slumbers that can wake and weep,
And Sing, and Sigh, and Work, and Sleep again;
Still rowling a round Sphear of still-returning pain,
Hands full of hearty labours, do much, that more they may,
And work for work, not wages; let to morrows
New drops wash off the sweat of this days sorrows.
A long and daily dying-life, which breaths
A respiration of reviving deaths,
But neither are there those ignoble stings
That nip the bosome of the World's best things
And lash Earth-laboring souls;
No cruel guard of diligent cares, that keep
Crown'd woes awake; as things too wise for sleep:
But Reverent Discipline, and Religious Fear,
And soft obedience find sweet biding here;
Silence, and sacred Rest; Peace, and pure joys;
Kind Loves keep house, lie close, and make no noise,
And room enough for Monarchs while none swels
Beyond the Kingdoms of contentful Cels.
The self-remembring Soul sweetly recovers
Her kindred with the Stars; not basely hovers
Below; but meditates her immortal way
Home to the original source of Light and intellectual
Day.
