NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
In st. vi. line 4, 'then' is = than, on which cf. our Phineas Fletcher, as before: in st. xvi. line 1, 'Ite' = 'go ye' of the Vulgate. 1670, st. ii. line 3, misprints 'these' for 'those:' st. viii. line 3, 'And Thou would'st be,' i.e. didst will to be,—not merely wished to be, but carried out Thy intent. G.
CHARITAS NIMIA, OR THE DEAR BARGAIN.[55]
Lord, what is man? why should he coste Thee1
So dear? what had his ruin lost Thee?
Lord, what is man? that thou hast ouerbought
So much a thing of nought?
Loue is too kind, I see; and can5
Make but a simple merchant-man.
'Twas for such sorry merchandise,
Bold painters haue putt out his eyes.
Alas, sweet Lord, what wer't to Thee
If there were no such wormes as we?10
Heau'n ne're the lesse still Heau'n would be,
Should mankind dwell
In the deep Hell:
What haue his woes to doe with Thee?
Let him goe weep15
O're his own wounds;
Seraphims will not sleep
Nor spheares let fall their faithfull rounds.
Still would the youthfull spirits sing;
And still Thy spatious palace ring;20
Still would those beauteous ministers of light
Burn all as bright.
And bow their flaming heads before Thee:
Still thrones and dominations would adore Thee;
Still would those euer-wakefull sons of fire25
Keep warm Thy prayse
Both nights and dayes,
And teach Thy lou'd name to their noble lyre.