Saint Marie Magdalens conuersion

SAINT MARY MAGDALENS CONVERSION . OF Romes great conquest in the elder age , When she the worlde made subiect to her thrall , Of louers giddy fancies , and the rage , Wherwith that passion is possest withall , When ielousie with loue doth share apart , And breedes a ciuill warre within the harte . Of Helens rape , and Troyes beseiged Towne , Of Troylus faith , and Cressids falsitie , Of Rychards stratagems for the english crowne , Of Tarquins lust , and lucrece chastitie , Of these , of none of these my muse nowe treates , Of greater conquests , warres , and loues she speakes , A womans conquest of her one affects , A womans warre with her selfe-appetite , A womans loue , breeding such effects , As th' age before nor since nere brought to light , Of these ; and such as these , my muse is prest , To spend the idle houres of her rest . Thou blessed Saint , whose life doth teach to liue , Intreate that louing and best loued Lord of thine , That he vouchsafe such liuely grace to giue Vnto these dull , and liueles rimes of mine , That such as read this good , ( though ill told ) story , May be ( like thee ) for their offences sorry . When first the worlds Creator our dread Lord , Did with his presence blesse Iudeae land , And to all sortes of people did afforde , His gratious fauour and all helping hand , Restoring by his power Omnipotent , The lazar , deafe , blind , lame , and impotent . Amongst the daughters of the sonnes of men , Shee that did most his gratious mercy proue , Was ( Mary Marthas sister ) Magdalen , Who loued most , and had most cause to loue , Her wounded soule he cur'de with sinnes opprest , Natures deffects in others he redrest . Shee needed not the ritch mans golden ring , That all desires , seldome well gott , good , Shee needed not the Herauldes deif'ing , To make her gentle of vngentle bloud , Shee needed not the painters white and red , Nature those colors in her face had shed . Her eyes vnto their Mistres yeelded light , All though her selfe , within herselfe , were blind , Shee was nor lame , nor deafe , nor lazar-like , Perfecc'ous store to each lime was asin'de , With natures gifts she plent'iously was graced , But sinne those ornamentes had all defaced . Sinne made her want , in middest of her store , Sinne made her seruile in her libertye , Of all good graces sinne did make her poore , And ritch in nothing but in misery , Her soule was subiect to a thousand euilles , Her body combred with as many Diuilles . But her dear Lord through his life-giuing grace , This many-headed Monster draue away , And those foule fendes who did his workes deface , His blessed presence from her did affray , He thought not meete , that such vnseemely gest , Should in so faire an Arbour build their nest . After her foes were thus disperst and gone . Her captiue soule b'inge franchis'de from their thrall , And shee transformed by that mighty one , From her life best ' all to celestiall , Her Lord affirmed that her loue was such , That shee deserued to bee pardoned much . Her Lawles lustes shee chaing'de to lawfull loue , Her many pleasures to one chiefe delighte , All other ioyes shee did from her remoue , And only ioyed in his blessed sighte , Who best deserued to bee loued most , Sauinge her soule from death , by sinne b'inge lost . Shee hateth nowe , what shee had lou'de before , Shee loueth him , to whome all loue was due , Her former mispent life shee doth deplore , And nowe endeauors for to lyue anewe , Herselfe , vnto herselfe did hatefull growe , When thus enlight'ned shee her-selfe did knowe . This Holy hatred did true loue encrease ; Shee lou'de the more in that shee hated soe , This Holy hatred did her false loues cease , And howe to loue arighte to her did showe , O Hatred thow are only good in this , In all thinges else thow doest worke amisse . Like to a monster to her selfe shee seem'ed , And of her selfe , her selfe was now afraide , Shee sawe 't was otherwyse then shee had deem'ed , And loth'de to see how fondly shee had straied , Shee now perceaues the errors of her life , Which makes her with her selfe to be in strife O how haue I deceaued beene ( quoth shee ) With the false shew of counterfeyt delight ? Were these the pleasures ? this the vanities , Which now so much my gilty soule affright ? Haue I incurr'd the losse of life and fame , To purchase sorrow and repentant shame ? Did I for this , my fathers house forsake , Leauing my carefull sister sisterles ? Did I for this , of frendes me frendles make , Shaming my kindred through my sinnefullnes ? Did I for this , leaue sister , frends and all , And from the seruice of my maker fall ? O sinne , thou art a serpent full of fleyght , Thy face seem'de not so fowle as now I see , Thou dost bewitch vs with a strong deceipte , Of seeming good though full of miserye , Our soules thou woundest with thy poysonus dart , And we ( as senceles ) neuer feele the smart . Thou art the losse of heauen , and hels best frend ; How many ( like a Syren ) here thee sing ? How many by in chantment dost thou send , To Plutoes Kingdome , ere they feele thy sting , But why doe I exclaime against thee so , When I was partner in my ouer throw ? I gaue consent that thou shoul'dst worke my fall , I pleased was with what thou did'st suggest , I was attendant to ech seruill call , And basely subiect to thy foule be-hest , I grew a cunning Artist in thy trade , And with thy Charmes haue many soules insnar'de . O sinne of sinnes and the worst of euills , To poyson others with thy stinking breath , No meruaile though I was a lodge for Deuilles , And worthely became a hell on earth ; Wast not enoughe that thou thy selfe did'st sinne , But that thou others to the same must winne ? O my lost soule , how foule wilt thou appeare , How full of feare , in that last dreadfull day , When thou shalt bitter exclamations heare , Of such , whome thou did'st guilefully betray , What canst thou say ? What colour canst thou bring , T' excuse thy selfe of this infecting sinne ? O none at all ; for sinnes-selfe I am growne ; There is no sinne but what in me remaines , To be a publick sinner I am knowne , The note of shame , which all my kinred staines , The blott , which I would wash of with my bloud , To purchase to my selfe the name of good : But I haue bin so long sinnes seruingman , That men will thinke I cannot from him part , They will obiect , I am a publican , And by long custome grounded in the arte ; From custome we another nature take , In good or ill shee doth vs perfect make . If to my sister home-againe I take me , Shee will reiect me , least I spott her fame , If to my kinsfolkes , they will all forsake me ; Through my misdeedes I haue incur'de such blame , I dare not to a strainger showe my face H' will wounde my soule with wordes of foule disgrace . Like to Mineruas bird , when shee appeares And showes her hated selfe vnto the light , Eache fath'red foule against her Clamors reares , And makes her all ashamed take her flight , They all pursuing her with ●ill and winge , And shee as fast away doth from them flinge : So doth it farre with me distressed one , When in the peopled streets . I chaunce to walke , There man nor woman doth respect my moane , But all of my losse life doe seeme to talke , All seeme to wonder at me a I goe , And Monster-like me to their children showe . Me thinkes I see some from their windowes looke , And with their fingers pointing out my shame , And some ( who cannot ) my foule presence brooke , With lauish tounges to publish my defame , All handes and tounges conspiring my disgrace , Whil'st I a lothed Creature veyle my face . For though it bee a common act to fall , And sinne it selfe is too well Cherished : Yet is the sinner hattefull vnto all ; Compass'on now 'mong'st men is perished , The plea of mercie will not hold in lawe , Eache Pettyfogger in it findes a flawe . The begger alwaies for offences bleedes , And feeles the hande of grim Seueritie , The ritch mans gold can cancell out misdeedes , And blind the sight of bleare-eyed briberie : But I am ritch in nothing , but in sinne , That would I all forgoe some grace to winne . If in my life I had but once misdone , Then had I not such vrgent cause to mourne , Or to offend if I had newe begunne , Then were there some smale hope of backe-returne : But long vs'●e sinnes from all this hope bereaues , And of their good conceptes me hopeles leaues . Much like a crasie weather-beaten boate , Who hauing all his sayles and tacklinges loste , Amid the surges of the seas doth floate , And too and fro with euerie guste is toste : So waues my anxious soule mid'st stormy feares No harbor can shee finde no calme appeares . But since of freindes my sinnes hath me bereft , I will returne vnto that Nazarite , Who of his pitty hath good tokens left In me for lorne wretched Israelite , He is for all afflicted and distrest A harbor , hauen , and a port of rest . A God-like man ( if I may terme him soe ) Or rather God ; for dowbtles so he is , More then a man to bee , his deedes doe showe , Eache eye his acc'ons more then humane fees : But how shall I bee gratefull to the best When I a sinner doe my selfe detest ? For beinge good ( as hee no other seemes ) As chiefest good , he hateth all that 's ill , Like Traytors to his crowne he sinners deemes , Who still oppose themselues against his will ; Nothing in God but sinne can hatred breede ; How then shall I the worst of sinners speede . Through his all-seing wisedome he doth knowe The passed faultes of my transgressing life ; How great the woundes haue bin the Scarres will showe : As yet my sinfull soares are bleeding rife ; More then all others , I did him offend , Lesse cause there is that he should succor lend . What ( he will say ) now all men thee reiect , Canst thou suppose that I will thee receaue ? Mee most deseruing thou did'st least respect , And for a shadow , did'st the substance leaue , All that thou hast , I gaue ; yet thou vniuste Did'st moste offend him who did giue thee moste . I did Create thee of a different state From other Creatures of a lesse respect , I mighte haue made thee , like in forme and shape , Vnto the Monsters , of a feirce aspect : But I did giue thee natures ornament Beautie , which thou hast lauishlie mispent . I gaue thee will , for to desire the best , And vnderstandinge to discerne the same , Thou wast not ignorant of my behest : For all thy Nation inuocate my name ; If thou had'st beene a Gentile , thy abuse Might haue put on some colour of excuse : But thou did'st knowe what did to me belong , And what thy selfe in duty should'st haue done , Yet thou did'st neuer cease to worke me wrong , Persistinge alwaies in thine ill begunne , I sparinge thy deserued punishment , Expectinge still thy sinnes relinquishment . He that his Creditor hath long delay'de With dilatory hopes , of payements due , Hauing made breache of promise grows dismai'de , Least irefull rigor will his fault ensue , His Creditors fear'de presence he forsakes , Tyll due repayement some atonement makes : But thou art farre ingaged in my debt ; For what hast thou which I did not bestowe ? Hou canst thou then newe credite now expect , Who neuer pai'st but euer seek'st to owe ? For nowe thou com'st no olde debtes to defray : But mercies newe disbursementes for to pray . Canst thou imagine I my selfe forgette ? Or that calme mercy reuengefull Iustice staies ? Although ( t is true ) I sitt on mercies seate , Yet my right hand the sword of Iustice swaies ; Mercie and Iustice are at my dispence , To pardon or to punish eache offence . Thou hast already tasted mercies store , In that I did so long thy life sustaine , Now Iustice doth require , thou should'st restore , Thy borrow'd talent , with an earned gaine , But banckrout-like , thou hast mispent the stocke , And now asham'd at mercies gate doest knocke . I knowe this Lord ; I know I haue offended , And am in debted more then I can pay , I humbly craue that mercy be extended , And I no more will runne so fare astray , Teares spent her speach ( for now shee wept a mine ) And after teares shee thus beganne againe . If thou ( O Lord ) wilt cancell my olde debt , And once againe restore me to thy grace , If thou wilt all my former wronges forgett , And smoothe the wrinckels of thy angery face , The remnant of my purchas'd life I vowe , In thy true seruice wholy to bestowe . Here silent griefe supprest her further moane , And stopt the current of her flowing teares , Shee could not speake , nor weepe , her soule alone , The heauy waight of sorrowes burthen beares , When outward sences once haue spent their store , Then inward passions doe offlicte the more . Her soule within her holdes a parlament , And summons all her powers to appeare , And they ( as ready for to giue content ) Vnto their Lady lend awilling eare , Within themselues they seriously debate , How to redresse their mistres troubled state . First memorie ( the mindes best Register ) Telles her of many ( Like her selfe ) distrest , Who were reliued by this comforter , And had their former euilles all redrest , How that the proude he vseth to reiect , But mercies-beggars allwayes doth erect , Here Hope conceaueth ( from examples past ) A good conceipt that like may now ensue , She doth suggest , how that his mercies last , And are bestow'de on them that humbly sue , Hope doth perswade her sad Contrition , Will for offences begge Remission . Now strong opinion doth posses her brest , And her ensureth of a good successe , And free-borne will ( as handmaide to the rest ) Is now behinde to entertaine such gesse : Only distrust and euer-douting feare , Her springing hapes doe crosse with dead dispayre . They bid her looke aright on her misdeedes , And shee should finde 't was not as shee suppo'de , Which chookes in her the growth of hopefulll seede , And makes her doubt what earst had beene propos'de ; As oft as Hope her fainting soule imbouldes : Distrust and feare the same as oft controwles . Like to a Trau'ler in an vnknowne way Who hauing sundrye pathes to passe along , Is carefull which to take , fearing to stray , And still he doubts , that which he takes is wrong , So her sad soule with doudtfull feares opprest , Knowes not which course to take but wills the best Now Hope his wonted pirtie dote relate , And then Distrust bids her his Iustice eye ; Yet fearefull Hope at length doth animate , Her Consious soule , his mercies doome to trye , Shee now resolues ( all feare b'eing lade aside ) Vnder his mercies winges her selfe to hide . And least the vice hatefull to God and man , Ingratitude ; that ill repaying sinne , Should in her brest erect his mansion , From forth her store sweet oyntment shee doth bring , Which shee intends vpon him to bestow , That out-ward acte her inward loue might showe . Shee was not like those ill-deseruinge Iewes , In clensed bodies haching leprous soules , Their healthes-restorer nine of them refuse : But shee his loue within her brest infoldes , And gratefully her precious oyle doth shed , On his deuine and far more precious hed . This acte of hers her Lord doth so regard , That he comaundes it should for aye be knowne , And where his lifs true storie should be hearde , This deede of hers should like-wise there be showne , This acte of hers her Lorde somuch regarded , That he the same with double pay rewarded . O what are we ( o Lord ) that thou should'st way , Our dutious seruice at so high a rate , All that we borrow , Iustice bindes to pay , We owe thee all ; from the we all did take , How comes it then that thou so well accep'sts , If we discharge the tent'he of our due debtes ? What did shee giue thee ; but a cruse of oyle , Which now shee had no further cause to vse ? Shee will no more her well form'de visage soile , And Natures workmanship by arte abuse , But thou did'st weigh the loue where-with shee gaue it , Which made thee graciously vouchsafe to haue it . Now shee proceedes ; and from his head descendes , Vnto his feete , where prostrate shee doth lye ; For former Pride shee faine would make amendes , With this deuout vnfain'de Humilitie , Shee loulie setts her at his blessed feete , Meane while her eyes riuers of teares doe weepe . Teares of true sorrowe for offences done , Her watrie eyes like prodigalles doe spend , Wherewith the feete of great Iehouans Sonne , For to imbalme , shee humblie doth intend , Those feete of his , these teares of hers , make faire , And being wett shee dries them with her haire . O well spent teares ; you did but clense the spottes , Which wery iornies , and foule waies had maide : But you did wash of many thousand blottes , Wherewith foule sinne her gilty soule had smear'de , O happy teares ; and happely bestowed , You did defray what ere your mistres owed . After this worke of Charity was past , Her loue was such , shee would not from him part , No earthly stormes her heauenly loue could blast , It was so deeply rooted in her hart , With modest silence tempering her loues heate , Her silent loue by silence growing greate . O silence ; Companion of the wise , Thou surest note of spotles Chastitie , All our fraile passions thou dost temporise , And kindlest Holy thoughtes in secresie ; Thou art a vertue rarely found on earth , Of vertues store there is so great a dearth . In Princes Coortes thou canst no harbor finde , Thy seruice there is but of sleighte regarde , Thou canst not flatter ; thou art not the winde , Wherewith ambitious toylinge gestes are rear'de , Thou canst not fill the sailes of Enuies boate , Nor sett the ship of longe-tong'de Fame a floate . Thou art no tradseman for the Citties vse ; Thou canst not harbor manie tounges in one ; The Countriemen with thee haue broken truce , And entred league with fell dissention , The woodes the babling Ecco entertaine , Which eache worde iterates and makes one twaine . Both Coort and Cittie , Countrie and the woodes Are vnto Sylence straingers , now vnknowne , And shee hath left them to their brain-sicke moodes , And to the heauens ( from whence shee came ) is flowne , Shee seldome now doth visite this our coaste : Far if shee comes shee knowes not where to hoaste . This vertue first possessed Maries brest , And did dispose her vnto higher grace : For where garrulitie doth buylde her nest , There modest vertues haue no biding place , By this her new-reformed life was knowne , By this hereafter constancie was showne . For when the Lord of life our Ransome pai'de , And by his death , gaue life vnto the dead , When his Disciples fearefully dismai'de , From persecutions angrie presence fled , Shee constantlie attendes him to his passion , And feares no threates of her life-killing Nation . Euen at the foote of that fruit-baring tree , Which cur'de the wounde by former tree receaued , Shee humblie settes her downe , greiuing to see : His blessed presence , from her thus bereaued ; In steade of feete , shee powres her liberall teares On that dead truncke , which now his body beares . This shee imbraceth in her twisted armes , Mixing her salt teares with his luke-warme bloude , Which from his woundes distil'de ( to salue our harmes ) Like forced streames proceading from some flude , Which when shee sees it makes her sad soule bleede , In strong compassion of so foule a deede . O thou my Lord , my Loue , my Soules delighte , Thy sighte was earst ( quoth shee ) my chiefest ioye , To see thee thus , it doth my soule affrighte , And turnes all former pleasure to annoye , To see thee thus , how can I chose but weepe When for my teares thy bloud doth wash thy feete . How can I chose but weepe , to see thy head Inuiron'de with a crowne of sharpest thorne , To see thy louely count'nance palle and dead , Which once with beautie did the heauens adorne , To see the brightest lampes which light the skies Obscur'de by bloud and death ; thy blessed eyes , To see those euer-working handes of thine , So sauadglie affixed to this woode , Which with a touch , gaue lighte to blindest eyne , And alwaies were imploi'de in doing good ; To see that hart , where Charitie doth dwell Peirced with Enuies speare , the dart of Hell . To see those worne but neuer-wear'ed feete , Who manie longe and toyle some iorneys made To seeke vs loste , and euer-wandringe sheepe , In the vaste desert of blacke sinne insnar'de , Now nether going , standing , nor at rest , But to a peece of woode with nayles addrest ; To see that body which the purest wombe Of an vnspotted Virgin , once contain'de , Now to bee fitter for some gastlie tombe , By cruell stripes and woundes deform'de and stain'de , Thy selfe dispised , naked , and for lorne , Bereft of freindes , and to thy foes a scorne . How can I chose ( o Lord ) but weepe and moane , In sad remembrance of these dire aspectes , How can I chose but sigh , to heare the grone , Vnder the heuie loade of our defects , Was there no other meanes to pay our losse , But thou must needes be naled to this Crosse ? O wounderfull effectes , of wonderous loue , He that of late gaue life vnto the dead . And from possessed bodies did remoue , Legions of Diuelles that his presence fled , For them that kills him , doth his life bestow , And paies the debt , which they themselues did owe . O you vngratefull bloudy-mynded Iewes , Allwaies imbr'de in spilling righteous bloode ; How can you thus this innocent abuse , Who neuer in the way of sinners stoode ? What hath he done that you should vse him thus ? Was he not euer mercifull and iust ? Did hee not feede the hongrie of the lande , And cure the sicke through his health-giuinge mighte ? Did hee not make the lame to goe and stande , And to the blinde restore desired sighte ? Did not both poore , and sicke , both lame , and blinde Through his milde pitty health and comfort finde ? O you are more in humane beast-like men , Then sauadge beastes in wildest desertes bred ; They for a good deede still haue gratefull ben , And such as did releiue them , they haue fed : But you do pay the hire of ill desart To him , that did all good to you impart . This maks the heauens ( who earst were bright & cleare ) To chainge their purple weedes to saddest blacke , No signes of ioye in heauen or earth appeare , Because the Lord of ioye and blisse they lacke ; The Sonne himselfe doth hide his glorious face , Lothing to see his makers foule disgrace . The earth doth tremble att this horred deede , Frighting the ghostes of the infernall deepe , Her wombe bringes forth straing and vntimelie seede , The dead arise which in her bosome sleepe , The adamantine rockes doe cleaue a sunder ; Their stonie hartes do rent to see this wonder : But you whose hartes are harder then the rockes , You bloody actors of this tragicke sceane ; You that repay sweete Charitie with mockes , And seeke his losse who doth your welfare meane ; You neither earth belowe , nor heauen aboue , With their vnwonted prodigies can moue . O thou sad mother of a sadder Sonne , Thou art spectator too of this great losse Thy ioyes are past , thy sorrowes newe-begunne , Whome once the Cribe receau'de , now beares the Crosse , Vnto his Birth the one did harbor tend , Vpon the other hee his Life doth spend . My greeued soule is wounded with remorce , To see thy swollen eyes ; to heare thy groanes , The very sight would flinty hartes enforce , To take compassion of thy bitter moanes , Thou art more like the dead , or deathes palle wife , Then to the mother of the Lord of life Shall you and I ( deare Ladie ) plight our troth , And wed our selues to sorrowes restles bed ; Our loue and ioye is taken from vs both , And we are lefte for to bewale the dead , Wee both lament the losse of him that 's gonne , I , a most louing Lord , thou , a blessed Sonne . Sall wee be take vs to a Heremitage , In some wilde desert vnto men vnknowne , And there weare out the remnant of our age , Filling the wide woodes with our ceaseles moane , Lette me take part of this thy heauy cheare , And for ech figh of thine i le spend a teare ? Fellowes in misery lessens sorrowes waight : But I vnworthy am to be thy mate , I haue a spotted soule with sinnes full fraight : But thou a Virgine art Immaculate ; Thou art assin'de vnto a Virgines keeping , I will alone betake my selfe to weeping . By that time this her sad complaint was done , He that giues life had vanquish'de death by dying , And Ioseph comes t'interr this Holy one , Which in this weeper breedes newe cause of crying ; Before shee wept , to see him so tormented , Because shee sees him not , shee now lamented : For Ioseph had newe tane him from the Crosse , And lai'de him in a Sepulchre of stone ; Not his spent life , but his dead bodies losse , Is now the cause of this her second moane , Shee sees the tree of life of fruit bereft : But her loue-wounded soule vncured left . Which makes her thus to speake ; O sacred tree , His precious bloud hath left thee sanctified , Thou wert ordain'de an Aulter for to bee , Whereon this offring should bee sacrified , Since hee is gone , who was thy ornament To thee my sad complaintes shall all bee bent . I le sett thee for an obiect fore myne eyes ; In seing thee , I shall not him forget , Who did vouchsafe on thee to sacrifice , His owne deare life , to pay our sinnefull debt : Though for my Sauiours shame they did thee make Yet I will honour thee for his sweete sake . With these and such like plaintes the day was spent And duskie nighte had darkened all the sckye , Which when shee sawe vnto her home shee went , And there absentes her from all companye , Like to a Turtle hauing lost her mate : So shee without her Lord is desolate . This restles night and Saboathes rest b'eing past , ( A day of sorrowe and vnrest to her ) Vnto the Monument early shee did hast , Where they his Precious Body did intier , Shee doth present the rising of the sunne , And takes her Iorney ere the day begunne , Noe wonted daungers of the fearfull night , Coulde make her from her enterprise to staye , When Ghostes and Sprites night-walkers vse to fright , When Wolues and rauonous Beastes doe wach their pray , When none but murderrers and theeues did wake : Then all-alone this Pilgrimage shee takes . Shee might haue fear'de the Souldiers cruell garde , Who did about that Holy place attende , And night and day his toumbe did watch and warde , And from all Visitores the same defend , But her stout harte these perilles could not touch Her loue was more , although her daunger much . Loue made her strong , although herselfe were weake , Loue gaue swifte winges vnto her quicke desire , Loue added fire to her former heate ; Of doubtes nor daungers Loue doth not enquire , O powerfull loue , thou dost no perilles cast , The bitt'rest pilles seeme pleasant to thy taste . By this time loue had brought her to his toumbe , Which shee findes open by the stones remoue , But nought shee sees with in his emptie toumbe , But linnen cloths , which had inwrapt her loue Whome when shee findes not , shee doth weep & moane , Imaginning that he was stolne and gone . O you profaine and Sacraligious theeues , Who haue ( quoth shee ) his sacred corps bereft ; It is a sinne , to rob from him that liues , To rob the house of death , is dubble theft , Was not your enuy by his dying past , But after death the same must also last ? O Enuy ; thou art a more blaker sinne , Then bloudy murder , who seekes naught but death , His thirstie appetie hath quenshed beene , But thou thy killing sworde dost neuer sheath , The act being done he often doth relent , But thy hell-borne malice nere is spent . I had not long enioy'de his blessed sight , But thou did'st take him to the Crosse from mee , Where hauing kill'de him in thy selfe dispite , Thou seem'dst content that he intomb'de should bee , There did I thinke I should his presence haue , But thou hast also taine him from his graue . Vnhappie I to come no sooner hether , I might aswell haue come the day before , Now they haue taine him hence I know not whether , And I am neuer like to see him more , The Spice and Oyntments which with me I brought , I cannot now bestow on him I sought . With this two Glorious Angelles doe appeare , To Comforte this vncomfortable one , They tell her h 'is risen , bids her not feare . But cease her sad complaintes and heauy moane , Whilst shee standes doubtfull of this happie newes , Her louing Lord himselfe vnknowne shee vewes . Shee takes him to bee gard'ner of that place , And gentlie doth bespeake him ( as dismai'de ) That if he did his body thence displace , Hee would enforme her where the same was lai'de ; Hee louingly discouers whome he is , Shee doth adore when thus her Lord shee sees . Her humbled body to the earth shee bowes , In odarac'on of his Dietie , Meane while her ioyfull soule her-selfe bestowes In Contemplac'on of this Misterie ; Of heauenlie ioy shee feeles so sweete a taste ; That shee forgettes her auncient sorrowes paste . O thou that art the heauens and earthes Creator , Thou great dispensor of Caelestiall treasure , Thou that of Angelles , Men , and Beastes art maker , Whose profound wisedome hath nor end nor measure , How mercifull ( O Lord ) art thou ; for each good deede , Thou doest repay vs with a dubble meede . Shee wash'de thy feete with teares her eyes had shed , To clense her soule thy bloud thou did'st perfuse , Shee powr'de her precious oyntement on thy hed , In her thou did'st Caelestiall grace infuse , Shee for thy absence did great sorrowe take , Thou with thy presence did'st her ioyfull make . Giue grace ( O Lord ) to me vnworthy one , To imitate this blessed Saint of thine , Fill thou myne eyes with teares , my hart with moane , That I may wayle those greuious sinnes of myne , And if salt teares vnto myne eyes be scant , Bee mercifull ( O Lord ) for this my want . Make me ( like her ) all worldlie ioyes reiect , And lett my soule bee wedded to thy loue , Thy louing sweetenes lett me not forgete , All other fancies from my hart remoue , And if I do not loue thee as I should , Haue mercie Lord ; accept of that I would . Finis Deo gratias .

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