Emblemes by Fra: Quarles

V. PSAL. CXIX.XXXVII. Turne away mine eyes from regarding vanitie.

1

HOw like to threds of Flaxe That touch the flame, are my inflam'd desires! How like to yeelding Waxe, My soule dissolves before these wanton fires! The fire, but touch'd; the flame, but felt, Like Flaxe, I burne; like Waxe, I melt.

2

O how this flesh does draw My fetter'd soule to that deceitfull fire! And how th'eternall Law Is baffled by the law of my desire! How truly bad, how seeming good Are all the Lawes of Flesh and Blood!

3

O wretched state of Men, The height of whose Ambition is to borrow What must be paid agen, With griping Int'rest of the next dayes sorrow! How wild his Thoughts! How apt to range! How apt to varie! Apt to change!

4

How intricate, and nice Is mans perplexed way to mans desire! Sometimes upon the Ice He slips, and sometimes fals into the fire; His progresse is extreme and bold, Or very hot, or very cold.

5

The common food, he doth Sustaine his soule-tormenting thoughts withall▪ Is honey, in his mouth, To night; and in his heart, to morrow, Gall; 'Tis oftentimes, within an houre, Both very sweet, and very sowre.

6

If sweet Corinna smile, A heav'n of Ioy breaks downe into his heart: Corinna frownes a while? Hels Torments are but Copies of his smart: Within a lustfull heart does dwell A seeming Heav'n; a very Hell.

7

Thus worthlesse, vaine and void Of comfort, are the fruits of earths imployment; Which, ere they be enjoyd, Distract us; and destroy us in th'enjoyment; These be the pleasures that are priz'd When heav'ns cheape pen'worth stands despis'd.

8

Lord quench these hasty flashes, Which dart as lightning from the thundring skies; And ev'ry minut, dashes Against the wanton windowes of mine eyes: Lord, close the Casement, whilst I stand Behind the curtaine of thy Hand.

S. AUGUST▪ Soliloq. cap. 4.

O thou Sonne that illuminates both Heaven and Earth; Woe be unto those eyes which doe not behold thee: Woe be unto those blind eyes which cannot behold thee: Woe be unto those which turne away their eyes that they wil not behold thee: Woe be unto those that turne not away their eyes that they may behold vanity.

S. CHRYS. sup. Matth. 19.

What is an evill women but the enemy of friendship, an una∣voidable paine, a necessary mischiefe, a naturall tentation, a desi∣derable calamity, a domestick danger, a delectable inconvenience, and the nature of evill painted over with the colour of good!

EPIG. 5.

'Tis vaine, great God, to close mine eyes from ill, When I resolve to keepe the old man still: My rambling heart must cov'nant first with Thee, Or none can passe betwixt mine eyes and me.