Emblemes by Francis Quarles.

CANTICLES 3. 1.

In my bed by night I sought him that my soul loved; I sought him, but I found him not.

THe learned Cynick, having lost the way To honest men, did in the height of day, By Taper-light, divide his steps about The peopled streets to find this dainty out; But fail'd: The Cynick search'd not where he ought: The thing he sought for was not where he sought. The Wisemens task seem'd harder to be done, The Wisemen did by Staire-light seek the Sonne, And found: the Wisemen search'd it where they ought; The thing they hop'd to find was where they sought. One seeks his wishes where he should; but then Perchance he seeks not as he should, nor when: Another searches when he should, but there He fails; not seeking as he should, nor where: Whose soul desires the good it wants, and would Obtain, must seek Where, As, and When he should: How often have my wild affections led My wasted soul to this my widdow'd bed, To seek my Lover, whom my soul desires! (I speak not, Cupid, of thy wanton fires: Thy fires are all but dying sparks to mine; My flames are full of Heav'n, and all Divine) How often have I sought this bed, by night, To find that greater by this lesser light!

How oft have my unwitnest grones lamented Thy dearest absence! Ah how often vented The bitter tempests of despairing breath, And tost my soul upon the waves of death! How often has my melting heart made choice Of silent tears, (tears louder then a voyce) To plead my grief, and woo thy absent eare! And yet thou wilt not come, thou wilt not heare: O is thy wonted love become so cold? Or do mine eyes not seek thee where they should? Why do I seek thee, if thou art not here? Or find thee not, if thou art ev'ry where? I see my errour; 'T is not strange I could not Find out my love: I sought him where I should not. Thou art not found in downy beds of ease; Alas, thy musick strikes on harder keyes: Nor art thou found by that false, feeble light Of Natures candle; Our Aegyptian night Is more then common darknesse; nor can we Expect a morning, but what breaks from thee. Well may my empty bed bewail thy losse, When thou art lodg'd upon thy shamefull crosse: If thou refuse to share a bed with me, We'll never part, I'll share a crosse with thee.

ANSELM. in Protolog. cap. 1.

Lord, if thou art not present, where shall I seek thee absent? If every where, why do I not see thee present? Thou dwellest it light inaccessible; and where is that inaccessible light? Or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall I have accesse to light inaccessible? I beseech thee, Lord, teach me to seek thee, and shew thy self to the seeker; because I can neither seek thee, unlesse thou teach me, not find t•…•…e, unlesse thou shew thy self to me: Let me seek thee, in de∣•…•… thee, and desire thee in seeking thee; Let me find thee it loving thee, and love thee in finding thee.

EPIG. 10.

Where shouldst thou seek for rest, but in thy bed? But now thy rest is gone, thy rest is sled: 'T is vain to seek him there: My soul be wise; Go ask thy sinnes; they 'll tell thee where he lies,