A friendly apology, in the behalf of the womans excellency together with some examples of women-worthies : as also the character of a virtuous and accomplished woman : wherein ladies of pleasure are taxed and admonished
Golborne, John.
Page 45
Of Mary Magdalen.
OUr Saviour hath foretold, the lu•gs of fame
Should still indebted be to Ma•ies name;
That mirror of Gods mercy, once possest
By many evil spirits, made a blest
House for the Holy Ghost. The blackest night
Of sinful state turn'd into glorious light.
Do not upbraid her that her crimes were such:
All was forgiven, and she loved much.
The costly Spicknard which she poured forth
Upon his head, did not come near the worth
Of her great love. To those, who grudged there
At needless waste, Christ was not half so dear.
This humble handmaid judged it most meet
To sit, as a Disciple, at his feet,
And gather up the precious words, that fell
From the mouth of Rabbi Immanuel.
His feet she bathes in fountain of her eyes,
Them with the flaxen of her hairs she dryes.
Her sober sadness he blasphemes that jeers,
From her derives the cheat of Maudlin-tears.
And she as holy women did supply
With purse the humbled Alsufficiency.
And follows him at last, with drowned eyes
And broken heart, beholds him as he dyes;
Who at his death, and after was most dear,
His last care first appearance makes appear•
Venus a female Planet so doth run
Her course, to wait upon the setting Sun;
And she again gives notice by her bright
Rayes, of the coming of the Monarch light.
