Prison-pietie, or, Meditations divine and moral digested into poetical heads, on mixt and various subjects : whereunto is added a panegyrick to the right reverend, and most nobly descended, Henry Lord Bishop of London / by Samuel Speed ...

¶ On Sighs and Groans.

SIgh on, sad Heart, as hard as Diamond-stone, At ev'ry breathing usher forth a groan: For such, although thou dost not speak, Sufficient are thy minde to break.

Or if thy groans are smothered with grief, And steal out softly as a cunning thief, God hears and understands the cry Better than he that lets them fly.

For many sighs and groans are poured out, Loaded with thoughts; so that this heavy scout Hath such an Errand then to tell, Where to begin he knows not well.

God hath a Bottle for the sinners Tear, And ready is (as we to speak) to hear: Heav'n is attentive to a sinners sute, And sighs are vocal, though the tongue be mute.