III.

O MIGHT those sighes and teares returne againe

Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,

That I might in this holy discontent

Mourne with some fruit, as I have mourn'd in vaine;

5In mine Idolatry what showres of raine

Mine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?

That sufferance was my sinne; now I repent;

'Cause I did suffer I must suffer paine.

Th'hydroptique drunkard, and night-scouting thiefe,

10The itchy Lecher, and selfe tickling proud

Have the remembrance of past joyes, for reliefe

Of comming ills. To (poore) me is allow'd

No ease; for, long, yet vehement griefe hath beene

Th'effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.

III. 1635-69, B, O'F, S96, W: omitted 1633, A18, D, &c.

7 sinne; now I Ed: sinne, now I B, W: sinne I now 1635-69

repent; Ed: repent, 1633-69


IV.

O H my blacke Soule! now thou art summoned

By sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion;

Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath done

Treason, and durst not turne to whence hee is fled,

5Or like a thiefe, which till deaths doome be read,

Wisheth himselfe delivered from prison;

But damn'd and hal'd to execution,

Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.

Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lacke;

10But who shall give thee that grace to beginne?

Oh make thy selfe with holy mourning blacke,

And red with blushing, as thou art with sinne;

Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this might

That being red, it dyes red soules to white.

IV. 1635-69: II. 1633, A18, D, &c.: V. B, O'F, S96, W

1 Soule! 1633: Soule 1635-69

8 imprisoned. W: imprisoned; 1633-69


[Note]