IDENTILIN$$ F13600G|1669|pp. 180-82\JH copied A(?)\5-28-91\P:EWS\o(CSMH)\6-14-01\C:JSC\8-10-01\P:DAS\cd(L)\2-17-02\C:JSC\4-17-02\P&C:MEL\(CtY,TxAM,Matt)\11-13-07
136.00G.0HE %X%1To the Countess of Bedford%2.
136.00G.001 H%+Onour is so sublime perfection,
136.00G.002 And so refin'd; that when God was alone
136.00G.003 And creatureless at first, himself had none; 
136.00G.004 But as of the elements, these which we tread,
136.00G.005 Produce all things with which we are joy'd or fed,
136.00G.006 And, those are barren both above our head: 
136.00G.007 So from low persons doth all honour flow;
136.00G.008 Kings, whom they would have honoured, to us show,
136.00G.009 And but %1direct%2 our honour, not %1bestow%2. 
136.00G.010 For when from herbs the pure part must be won
136.00G.011 From gross, by stilling, this is better done
136.00G.012 By despis'd dung, than by the fire or Sun: 
136.00G.013 Care not then Madam, 'how low your praises ly;
136.00G.014 In labourers ballads oft more piety
136.00G.015 God finds, than in %1Te deums%2 melody. 
136.00G.016 And, Ordinance rais'd on Towers, so many mile
136.00G.017 Send not their voyce, nor last so long a while,
136.00G.018 As fires from th'earths low vaults in %1Sicil%2 Isle. 
136.00G.019 Should I say I liv'd darker then were true,
136.00G.020 Your radiation can all clouds subdue,
136.00G.021 But one, 'tis best light to contemplate you. [CW:You] 
136.00G.022 You, for whose Body God made better clay, [p.181]
136.00G.023 Or took Soules stuff, such as shall late decay,
136.00G.024 Or such as needs small change at the last day. 
136.00G.025 This, as an Amber drop enwraps a Bee,
136.00G.026 Coverings discover your quick Soul; that we
136.00G.027 May in your through-shine front our hearts thoughts see. 
136.00G.028 You teach (though we learn not) a thing unknown
136.00G.029 To our late times, the use of specular stone,
136.00G.030 Through which all things within without were shown. 
136.00G.031 Of such were Temples; so, and such you are;
136.00G.032 %1Being%2 and %1seeming%2 is your equal care;
136.00G.033 And %1vertues%2 whole %1summ%2 is but %1Know%2 and %1dare%2. 
136.00G.034 [37]But as our Souls of growth and Souls of sense,
136.00G.035 [38]Have birthright of our reasons Soul, yet hence
136.00G.036 [39]They fly not from that, nor seek precedence: 
136.00G.037 [40]Natures first lesson, so, discretion,
136.00G.038 [41]Must not grudge zeal a place, nor yet keep none,
136.00G.039 [42]Not banish it self, nor Religion. 
136.00G.040 [34]Discretion is a wise mans Soul, and so
136.00G.041 [35]Religion is a Christians, and you know
136.00G.042 [36]How these are one, her yea, is not her no.
136.00G.043 Nor may we hope to soder still and knit
136.00G.044 These two, and dare to break them; nor must wit
136.00G.045 Be colleague to Religion, but be it. 
136.00G.046 In those poor types of God (round circles) so
136.00G.047 Religions types the peeceless centers flow,
136.00G.048 And are in all the lines which alwayes go. [CW:If] 
136.00G.049 If either ever wrought in you alone [p.182]
136.00G.050 Or principally, then Religion
136.00G.051 Wrought your ends, and your ways discretion. 
136.00G.052 Go thither still, go the same way you went,
136.00G.053 Who so would change, doth covet or repent;
136.00G.054 Neither can reach you, great and innocent. 
136.00G.0SSom
136.00G.0$$ 18 3-ll. sts; no ind; st comprising ll.40-42 in this transcription follows l.33 in the source (repositioned 
in trs. to facilitate collation; source line nos. bracketed)