IDENTILIN$$ F13900G|1669|pp. 163-65\JH copied ?\5-30-91\P:EWS\o(CSMH)\6-14-01\C:JMK\7-20-01;JSC\9-7-01\P:DAS\cd(L)\8-20-02\C:JSC\4-24-03\p:mvf\fs(TxAM)\11-15-07\c:mvf\librarian(CSmH)\10-7-08 139.00G.0HE %X%1To the Countess of Bedford%2 /[blank_line] /%X%1On New-years day%2. 139.00G.001 T%+His twiligt[sic] of two years, not past nor next, 139.00G.002 Some emblem is of me, or I of this, 139.00G.003 Who (Meteor-like, of stuff and form perplext, 139.00G.004 Whose %1what%2 and %1where%2, in disputation is,) 139.00G.005 If I should call me %1any%2 %1thing%2 %1should%2 %1miss%2. 139.00G.006 I summe the years, and me, and finde me not 139.00G.007 Debtor to th'old, nor Creditor to th'new, 139.00G.008 That cannot say, My thanks I have forgot, 139.00G.009 Nor trust I this with hopes, and yet scarce true. 139.00G.010 This bravery is since these times shew'd me you. 139.00G.011 In recompence I would shew future times 139.00G.012 What you were, and teach them to urge towards such, [CW: Verse] 139.00G.013 Verse embalms vertue; and Tombs or Thrones of rimes, [p.164] 139.00G.014 Preserve frail transitory fame, as much 139.00G.015 As spice doth bodies from corrupt airs touch. 139.00G.016 Mine are short-liv'd; the tincture of your name 139.00G.017 Creates in them, but dissipates as fast, 139.00G.018 New spirits; for, strong agents with the same 139.00G.019 Force that doth warm and cherish us, do wast; 139.00G.020 Kept hot with strong extracts, no bodies last. 139.00G.021 So, my verse built of your just praise, might want 139.00G.022 Reason and likelihood, the firmest Base, 139.00G.023 And made of miracle, now faith is scant, 139.00G.024 Will vanish soon, and so possess no place, 139.00G.025 And you, and it, too much grace might disgrace. 139.00G.026 When all (as truth commands assent) confess 139.00G.027 All truth of you, yet they will doubt how I 139.00G.028 (One corn of one low Ant-hills dust, and less,) 139.00G.029 Should name, know or express a thing so high, 139.00G.030 And (not an inch) measure infinite. 139.00G.031 I cannot tell them, nor my self, nor you, 139.00G.032 But leave, lest truth b'endanger'd by my praise, 139.00G.033 And turn to God, who knows I think this true, 139.00G.034 And useth oft, when such a heart mis-saies, 139.00G.035 To make it good, for such a praiser praies. 139.00G.036 He will best teach you, how you should lay out 139.00G.037 His stock of %1beauty%2, %1learning%2, %1favour%2, %1blood%2; 139.00G.038 He will perplex security with doubt, 139.00G.039 And clear those doubts; hide from you, & shew you good, 139.00G.040 And so increase your appetite and food. [CW: He] 139.00G.041 He will teach you, that good and bad have not [p.165] 139.00G.042 One latitude in cloysters, and in Court, 139.00G.043 Indifferent there the greatest space hath got, 139.00G.044 Some pity is not good there, some vain disport, 139.00G.045 On this side, sin, with that place may comport. 139.00G.046 Yet he as he bounds seas, will fix your hours, 139.00G.047 Which pleasure, and delight may not ingress, 139.00G.048 And though what none else lost, be truliest yours, 139.00G.049 He will make you, what you did not, possess, 139.00G.050 By using others, not vice, but weakness. 139.00G.051 He will make you speak truths, and credibly, 139.00G.052 And make you doubt that others do not so: 139.00G.053 He will provide you keys, and locks, to spy, 139.00G.054 And scape spies, to good ends, and he will show 139.00G.055 What you will not acknowledg, what not know. 139.00G.056 For your own Conscience, he gives innocence, 139.00G.057 But for your fame, a discreet wariness, 139.00G.058 And (though to scape, then to revenge offence 139.00G.059 Be better,) he shews both, and to repress 139.00G.060 %Joy%2, when your state swels %1sadness%2, when tis less. 139.00G.061 From need of teares he will defend your soul, 139.00G.062 Or make a rebaptizing of one tear; 139.00G.063 He cannot (that's he will not) dis-inroul 139.00G.064 Your name; and when with active joy we hear 139.00G.065 This private Gospel, then 'tis our New Year. [CW: %1To%2] 139.00G.0SSom 139.00G.0$$ 13 five-line sts; ll. 2,4,5 of each st ind 3 sps