A godlie dreame compiled by Elizabeth Melvill, Ladie Culros younger, at the request of a friend.

A GODLY DREAME . VPon a day , as I did mourne full sore , For sundry things wherwith my soule was grieued , My griefe increased , and grewe more and more : I comfort fled , & could not be relieued , With heauinesse my heart was so mischieued : I loath'd my life , I could not eate nor drinke : I might not speake , nor looke to none that liued , But mus'd alone , and diuers things did thinke . This wretched world did so molest my minde , I thought vpon this false and Yron age : And how our heartes were so to vice inclinde , That Sathan séemde most fearfullie to rage , Nothing on earth my sorrow could asswadge : I felt my sinne most stronglie to increase , I grieued the Spirit , that wont to be my pledge , My soule was plung'd into most déepe distresse . All merrinesse did aggrauate my paine , And earthly ioyes did still increase my woe : In companie I could no wise remaine , But fled resort , and so alone did goe . My sillie soule was tossed to and fro With sundrie thoughts , which troubled me full sorè : I preas'd to pray , but sighes our set me so , I could doe nought , but groane , and say no more . The trickling teares aboundantlie ran downe : Mine heart was eas'd when I had mourn'd my fill . Then I beganne my Lamentation , And said , O Lord , how long is it thy will , That thy poore Sainctes shall be afflicted still ? Alas ! How long shall subtile Sathan rage ? Make haste , O Lord , thy promise to fulfill : Make hast to ende our painfull Pilgrimage . Thy sillie Sainctes are tossed to and fro : Awake , O Lord , why sléepest thou so long ? We haue no strength against our cruell fo , In sighes and sobbes now changed is our song . The World preuailes , our enemies are strong . The Wicked rage , but we are poore and weake . O! shewe thy selfe , with spéed reuenge our wrong . Make short these daies , euen for thy Chosens sake . Lord Iesus come and saue thine owne Elect , For Sathan séekes our simple soules to stay . The wicked World doth stronglie vs infect : Most monstrous sinnes increase doe day by day . Our loues growes cold , our zeale is worne away : Our faith is faild , and wée are like to fall . The Lyon roares , to catch vs as a prey : Make hast , O Lord , before we perish all . These are the daies , which thou so long foretold , Should come before this wretched world should end Now Uice aboundes , and Charitie growes cold : And euen thine owne most stronglie do offend : The Deuill preuailes , his forces he doth bend , If it could be to wrack thy Children deare : But we are thine , therefore some succour send : Receiue our soules , we wearie wandring héere . What can we do ? we clogged are with sinne , In filthie vice our senselesse soules are drownde . Though we resolue , we neuer can beginne , T' amend our liues , but sinne doth still abound . Uuhen wilt thou come ? when shal thy trumpet sound ? UUhen shall we sée that great and glorious Day ? O saue vs , Lord , out of that pit profound , And reaue vs from that loathsome lump of clay . Thou knowst our harts , thou seest our whole desire , Our secret thoughtes they are not hid from thée . Though we offend , thou knowst we strangely tire . To beare this weight , our spirit would faine be frée . Alas , O Lord , what pleasure can it bée , To liue in sinne ? that sore doth presse vs downe . Oh! giue vs winges , that we aloft may flie , And ende the sight , that we may weare the crowne . Before the Lord when I had thus complainde , My minde grew calme , mine heart was then at rest : Though I was faint , from foode yet I refrainde , And went to Bede , because I thought it best . With heauinesse my spirit was sore opprest . I fell on sléepe : And so againe me thought , I made my moane : and so my griefe increast : And from the Lord with teares I succour sought . Lord Iesus , come , saide I , and ende our griefe , My spirit is vext , the captiue would be frée . All vice aboundes , now send vs some reliefe . I loath to liue , I wish dissolu'd to bee . My spirit doeth long , and thirsteth after thée . As thirstie ground requires a showre of raine , Mine heart is drie : as fruitlesse barren frée I féele my selfe : How can I héere remaine ? With sighes and sobbes as I did solament , Into my dreame I thoght there did appeare , A sight most swéete , which did mée well content , An Angel bright , with visage shining cleare , With louing lookes , and with a smiling cheare : He asked me , Why art thou thus so sad ? Why groan'st thou so ? what dost thou dwining here , With carefull cries , in this thy bailfull Bed ? I heare thy sighes , I sée thy trickling teares , Thou séemst to be in some perplexitie : What mean thy mones : what is that thing thou fears ? Whom would thou haue , in what place would thou be ? Faint not so fast in thine aduersitie . Mourne not so sore , sith mourning may not mend : Lift vp thine heart declare thy griefe to me , Perchance thy paine bringes pleasure in the end . I sigh'd againe , and said , Alas , for wo , My griefe is great , I can it not declare : Into this earth I wander to and fro . A Pilgrime poore , consum'd with sighing sore . My sinnes , alas , increase doe more and more . I loath my life , I wearie wandring here , I long for Heauen , mine Heritage is there . I long to liue with my Redéemer deare . Is this the cause ? said he rise vp anone , And follow me , and I shall be thy guide : And from thy sighes leaue off , thine heauie mone : Refraine from teares , and cast thy care aside : Trust in my Strength and in my Word confide , And thou shalt haue thine heauie heartes desire : Rise vp with spéede , I may not long abide , Great diligence this matter doeth require . My soule rejoc'd to heare his sword so swéete , I looked vp , and saw his Face most fayre : His countenate reuiu'd my wearie spirite , Incontinent I cast aside my care : With humble heart I prayd him to declare What was his Name ? He answered me againe , I am thy God , for whome thou sigh'st so sore , I now am come , thy teares are not in vaine . I am the Way , I am the Trueth , and Life , I am thy spouse , that bringes thée store of grace : I am thy Lord , that soone would end thy strife , I am thy Loue , whome thou wouldst faine imbrace . I am thy joye , I am thy rest and peace : Rise vp anone , and follow after mée , I shall thée lead into thy dwelling place , The Land of rest , thou long'st so sore to sée . With joyfull heart I thanked him againe , Readie am I , said I , and well content , To follow thée ; for héere I liue in paine : A wretch vnworth , my daies are vainelie spent : Not one is just , but all are fiercelie bent , To runne to vice . I haue no force to stand , My sinnes increase , which makes mée sore lament : Make hast , O Lord , I long to sée that Land . Thine haste is greaf , he answerd me againe : Thou thinkst thée there , thou art transported so . That pleasant place must purchast be with paine , The way is straite , and thou hast farre to go . Art thou contenttd wander to and fro ? Through great Desarts , throgh water , & throgh fire ? Through thorns and briers , and many dangers mo ? What sayest thou now ? Thy feeble flesh will tire . Alas , said I , although my flesh be weake , My spirit is strong , and willing for to flie . O leaue me not , but for thy mercies sake Performe thy word , or els for doole I die . I feare no paine , since I should walke with thée : The way is long , yet bring me through at last , Thou answerst well , I am content , said hée , To be thy guide , but see thou gripe me fast Then vp I rose , and made no more delay , My feeble armes about his neck I cast : He went before , and still did guide the way , Though I was weake , my spirit did follow fast , Through mosse & mire , throgh ditches déep we past , Through pricking thorns , throgh water & throgh fire , Throgh dreadfull dennes , he made mine hart agast : He bare me vp , when I began to fire . Sometime we clamb on craigie mountaines hie , And sometime slaide on vglie brayes of sande : They were so stay , that wonder was to sée . But when I fearde , he held me by the hand , Through thick & thin through sea , & eke throgh land : Through great Desartes we wandred on our way . When I was weake , and had no strength to stand , Yet with a looke he did refresh me aye . Through waters great we were compeld to wade , Which were so déepe , that I was like to drowne : Sometime I sanke ; but yet my gracious guide Did draw me vp halfe dead , and in a swowne . In Woods most wilde , and farre from anie Towne , We thrusted through , the Briers together stack : I was so weake , their strength did beat me downe , That I was forc'd for feare to flée aback . Courage , said he , thou art mid-way and more : Thou mayst not tire , nor turne aback againe . Hold fast thy gripe , on me cast all thy care : Assay thy strength , thou shalt not fight in vaine . I told thee first , That thou shouldst suffer paine . The nearer Heauen , the harder is the way . Lift vp your heart , and let your hope remaine , Since I am guide thou shalt not goe astray . Forward wee past , on narrow brigs of trée , Ouer waters great , which hiddeoustie did roare . There lay below that fearefull was to see , Most vglie Beastes , which gaped to deuoure . Mine head grew light , and troubled verie sore : Mine heart did feare , my féete began to slide : But when I cryde he heard me euermore , And helpt me vp : O blessed be my Guide . Wearie I was , and thought to sit at rest : But he said , Nay , thou mayst not sit nor stand . Hold on thy course , and thou shalt finde it best , If thou desirst to sée that pleasant land . Though I was weake , I rose at his command , And held him fast . At length he let me sée That pleasant place , that seemde to be at hand , Take courage now , for thou art neare , said hee . I looked vp into that Castle faire , Glistring like Golde , and shining Siluer bright . The statelie Towre did mount aboue the aire : They blinded me , they cast so great a light . Mine heart was glad to sée that joyfull sight . My voyage then I thought was not in vaine : I him besought to guide me there aright , With many vowes , Neuer to tire againe . Though thou be neare , the way is verie hard , Said he againe , therefore thou must be stout : Faint not for feare , for cowardes are debard , That haue none heart to goe their voyage out . Pluck vp thine heart , and gripe me fast about , Out through this trance together we must go : The way is low , remember for to lout , If this were past , we haue not many mo . I held him fast , as hée did giue command , And through the trance together then wée went : Where in the mides great prickes of Yron did stand : Wherewith my féet were all betorne and rent . Take courage now , said hée and bée content To suffer this , the pleasure comes at last . I answerd not but ranne incontinent Out ouer the fire , and so the paine was past . When this was done , mine heart did dance for joy , I was so neare , I thought my voyage ended : I ranne before , and sought not his conuoy . Nor askt the way , because I thought I knew it . On stately stepps , most stoutly I ascended . Without his help I thought to enter there . Hée followed fast , and was right sore offended , And hastily did draw me downe the staire . What hast ? said hée , Why ranne thou so before ? Without mine help thinkest thou to climbe to hie ? Come downe againe , thou yet must suffer more , If thou desirst that dwelling place to sée , This statelie staire , it was not made for thée : Holdst thou that course , thou shalt be thrust aback . Alas , said I , long wandring wearied mée , Which made me runne , the nearest way to take . Then he began to comfort me againe , And said , My friend , thou must not enter there : Lift vp thine heart , thou yet must suffer paine , The last assault of force it must be sore . This goodlie way , although it séeme so faire , It is too high , thou canst not climbe so stay : But looke below , beneath a statelie staire , And thou shalt sée another kinde of way . I looked downe , and saw a pit most black , Most full of smoke , and flaming fire most fell . That vglie sight made me to flée aback : I feard to heare so manie shout and yell . I him besought , that he the trueth would tell : Is this , said I , the Papists purging place ? Where they affirme , that sillie soules do dwell , To purge their sinnes , before they rest in peace . The braine of man most warelie did inuent , That purging place , he answerd me againe : For gréedinesse together they consent , To say , That soules in torments must remaine , While gold and goods relieue them of their paine . O spitefull spirits , which did the same begin ! O blinded Beastes ! your thoughts are all in vaine : By Blood alone did cleanse the soule from sinne . This pit is Hell ; where through thou now must go : There is the way that leades thée to thy Land . Now play the man : thou néedst not tremble so , For I shall help and hold thée by the hand . Alas , said I , I haue no force to stand , For feare I faint , to sée that vglie sight . How can I come amongst that bailfull band ? Oh , help me now , I haue no force nor might . Oft haue I heard , That they that enter héere , In this great golfe , shall neuer come againe . Courage , said hée , haue I not bought thée deare ? My precious Blood it was not shed in vaine , I saw this place , my soule did taste this paine , Ere euer I went into my Fathers glore . Through must thou go , but thou shalt not remaine , Thou néedst not feare , for I shall goe before . I am content to doe thy whole command , Said I againe , and did him fast imbrace : Then louinglie he held me by the hand , And in we went into that fearefull place . Hold fast thy gripe , said he , in any case . Let me not slip what euer thou shalt sée : Dread not the death , but stoutlie forward preásse , For death nor hell shall neuer vanquish thée . His words so swéet did cheare mine heauie heart , Incontinent I cast my care aside . Courage , said he , play not a cowardes part : Though thou be weake , yet in my strength confide . I thought mée blest , to haue so good a guide . Though I was weake , I knew that hee was strong . Under his wings I thought mee for to hide , If anie there should preasie to doe mée wrong . Into that pit when I did enter in , I saw a sight , which made mine heart agast : Poore damned soules , tormented sore for sinne , In flaming fire were frying verte fast : And vglie spirites . And as I had them past . Mine heart grew faint , and I beganne to tirè . Ere I was ware one griped mée at last . And held me high aboue a flaming fire . The fire was great , the heate did pierce me sore , My faith grew weake , my gripe was very small : I trembled fast , my feare grew more and more . Mine handes did shake , that I him held withall . At length they loosed : then I began to fall , And cride aloude , and caught him fast againe . Lord Iesus , come , and rid me out of thrall . Courage , said he , now thou art past the paine . UUith this great feare I started , and awoke ▪ Crying aloude , Lord Iesus , come againe . But after that no kinde of rest I tooke : I preas'd to sléepe , but it was all in vaine . I would haue dreamde of pleasure after paine , Because I know I shall it finde at last . God grant my Guide may still with me remaine : It is to come that I belieu'd was past . This is a Dreame , and yet I thought it best , To write the same and kéepe it still in minde : Because I knew there was none earthlie rest Preparde for vs , that haue our hearts inclinde To séeke the Lord : we must be purgde and finde : Our drosse is great , the fire must trie vs sore . And yet our God is mercifull and kinde , He shall remaine , and help vs euermore . The way to Heauen , I sée , is verie hard : My Dreame declares , that we haue farre to goe . We must be stout , for cowardes are debard . Our flesh of force must suffer paine and wo. These dririe wayes , and many dangers mo . Awaite for vs : we can not liue in rest . But let vs learne , since we are warned so . To cleaue to Christ , for he can help vs best . O sillie soules , with paine so sore opprest , That loue the Lord , and long for Heauen so hie : Change not your mindes , for ye haue chose the best . Prepare your selues , for troubled must ye bée . Faint not for feare in your aduersitie : It is the way that leades you vnto life . Suffer a while , and ye shall shortly sée The Land of rest , when ended is your strife . In Wildernesse ye must be tride a while . Yet forward preasse , and neuer flée aback : Like Pilgrimes poore , and Strangers in exile . Through faire and foule your journey ye must take , The Deuill , the World , and all that they can make , Will send their force to stop you in the way : Your flesh will faint , and sometime will grow stack , Yet come to Christ , and he shall help you aye . The thornie cares of this deceitfull life , Will reut your hearts and make your souls to bléed : Your flesh and spirit will be at deadly strife , Your cruell foe will hold you still in dread , And throw you downe , yet rise againe with spéed . And though yée fall , yet lye not loytring still : But call on Christ , to help you in your néed , Who will not faile his promise to fulfill . In floods of woe when yée are like to drowne , Yet climbe to Christ , and gripe him verie fast : And though yée sinke , and in the déep fall downe , Yet crie aloude , and he will heare at last . Dread not the death nor bée not sore agast , Though all the earth against you should conspire , Christ is your guide : and when your paine is past , Yée shall haue joye aboue your heartes desire . Though in this earth ye shall exalted be , Feare shall be left , to humble you withall : For if ye climbe on toppes of Mountaines hie : The higher vp , the nearer is your fall : Your honey swéet shall mixed be with gall . Your short delight shall end with paine and griefe . Yet trust in God , for his assistance call : And he shall help , and send you soone reliefe . Though waters great doe compasse you about , Though Tyrants threat , though Lions rage & rore , Defie them all , and feare not to winne out : Your Guide is neare , to help you euermore , Though prickes of yron doe pricke you verie sore , As noysome luttes , which séeke your soules to stay : Yet crie on Christ , and hee shall goe before : The nearer Heauen , the harder is the way . Runne out your race , yée must not faint nor tire , Nor sit , nor stand , nor turne aback againe , If yee intend to haue your heartes desire . Preasse forward still , although it were with paine : No rest for you , so long as yée remaine , As Pilgrimes poore , into this loathsome life . Fight out your fight , it shall not be in vaine , Your rich reward is worth a greater strife . If after teares yée liue a while in joye , And get a taste of that Eternall glore , Bée not secure , nor slip not your conuoy : For if ye doe , yee shall repent it sore . Hée knowes the way , and hée shall goe befor . Climbe you alone , yee shall not misse a fall . Your filthie flesh , it must be troubled more , If ye forget vpon your God to call . If Christ bée gone although yée séeme to flie , With golden winges , aboue the Firmament : Come downe againe , yée shall not better bée : That pride of yours yée shall right sore repent . Then hold him fast , with humble heart aye bent . To follow him , although through Hell and Death , Hée went before his soule was torne and rent , For your desertes , hée felt his Fathers wrath . Though in the ende yée suffer torments fell , Cleaue fast to him , that felt the same before : The way to Heauen , must be through death and hel . The last assault will trouble you full sore . The Lyon then most cruellie will roare : His time is short , his forces hée will bend . The greater strife , the greater is your glore : Your paine is short , your joye shall neuer ende . Rejoyce in God , let not your courage faile , Yée chosen Sainctes , that are afflicted héere . Though Sathan rage , hée neuer shall preuaile . Fight to the ende , and stoutlie perseuere : Your God is true , your blood is to him deare . Feare not the way , since Christ is your conuoy . When clouds are past , the weather wil grow cleere : Yee sow in teares , but yée shall reape in joye . But death and hell haue lost their cruell sting , Your Captaine Christ hath made them all to yeeld . Lift vp your heartes , and praises to him sing : Triumph for ioye , your enemies are kilde . The Lord of Hostes , that is your Strength & Shield , The Serpents head hath stoutlie trodden downe : Trust in his strength , passe forward in the field : Ouer come in fight , and ye shall weare the crowne . The King of kinges , if hée bée on our side , Wée néede not feare : who dare against vs stand ? Into the field may we not boldlie hide , When hée shall help vs with his mightis hand ? Who sits aboue , and rules both Sea and Land : Who with his breath doth make the hilles to shake : The Hostes of Heauen are armde at his command , To fight the field , when we appeare most weake . Pluck vp your heartes , yée are not left alone , The Lambe of God shall lead you in the way : The Lord of Hostes , that reignes on royall Throne , Against your foes his Banner will display , The Angels bright shall stand in good array , To hold you vp : yée néed not feare to fall , Your enemies shall flée , and bée your prey : Yée shall triumph , and they shall perish all . The joye of Heauen is worth a moments paine : Take courage then lift vp your hearts on hie . To judge the Earth when Christ shall come againe , Aboue the cloudes yée shall exalted bée . A Crowne of Ioye , and true Felicitie , Awaites for you , when finisht is your fight . Suffer a while , and yée shall shortlie sée , A Glore most great , and infinite of weight . Prepare your selues , bée valiant men of warre , And thrust with force out through the narrow way : Hold on your course , and shrinke not back for feare , Christ is your guide , yée shall not goe astray . The time is neare , bée sober , watch , and pray , Hee sées your teares , and hée hath laid in store , A rich reward , which in that joyfull day , Yée shall receiue , and reigne for euermore . Now to the King that create all of nought ; The Lord of Lordes , that rules both land and sea : That sau'd our soules , and with his blood vs bought , And vanquisht Death , triumphing on a Trée : Unto the great and glorious Trinitie , That saues the Poore , and doeth his owne defend : Bée Laude and Glore , Honour and Majestie , Power and Praise : Amen , World without end . FINIS .