Book II, 7: On the refining of Gold

Hast thou observed how the curious hand
Of the Refiner seekes to understand
The inadult'rate purenesse of his Gold?
He waighs it first, and after does infold
In Lead; and then, commits it o the Fire;
And, as the Lead consumes, the Gold drawes igher
To his perfection, without wast or losse
Of his pure substanc, but his waight, his drosse:
The Great Refiner of Mans baser Heart
Vses the like, nay showes the selfe-same Art;
He weighs it, first, and finding it too full
Of Trash and Earth, he wraps it in some dull
And leaden crosse, of Punishment, or Sin;
Then, tryes it in Afflictions Fire; wherein,
The Lead and Drosse evaporate together,
And leaves the Heart refin'd, and quit of ither:
Thus though Mans Heart be lessen'd by the Crosse,
And lighter; 'Tis but lighter by the Drosse.