XIII.

WHAT if this present were the worlds last night?

Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,

The picture of Christ crucified, and tell

Whether that countenance can thee affright,

5Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light,

Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.

And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,

Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?

No, no; but as in my idolatrie

10I said to all my profane mistresses,

Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely is

A signe of rigour: so I say to thee,

To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,

This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.

XIII 1635-69: IX. 1633, A18, D, &c.: om. B, S96: among Other Meditations. O'F: XV. W

2 Marke] Looke W

4 that A18, N, O'F, TC, W: his 1633-69, D, H49

6 fell. 1639-69: fell 1633-35

8 fierce] ranck W

14 assures A18, D, H49, N, O'F, TC, W: assumes 1633-69

BATTER my heart, three person'd God; for, you

As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;

That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee,'and bend

Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.

5I, like an usurpt towne, to'another due,

Labour to'admit you, but Oh, to no end,

Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,

But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue.

Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved faine,

10But am betroth'd unto your enemie:

Divorce mee,'untie, or breake that knot againe,

Take mee to you, imprison mee, for I

Except you'enthrall mee, never shall be free,

Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.

XIV. 1635-69: X. 1633, A18, D, &c.: om. B, O'F, S96: XVI. W

7 mee should] wee should 1669

8 untrue. W: untrue, 1633-69

9 loved MSS.: lov'd 1633-69

10 enemie: W: enemie, 1633-69