What if this present were the worlds last night?
Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light,
Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,
Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?
No, no; but as in my idolatrie
I said to all my profane mistresses,
Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely is
A signe of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,
This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.
[XIII 1635-69: IX. 1633, A18, D, &c.: om. B,
S96: among Other Meditations. O'F: XV. W]
[2 Marke] Looke W]
[4 that A18, N, O'F, TC, W: his 1633-69, D,
H49]
[6 fell. 1639-69: fell 1633-35]
[8 fierce] ranck W]
[14 assures A18, D, H49, N, O'F, TC, W: assumes
1633-69]