Book I, 47: On Martha and Mary

Martha, with joy, receiv'd her blessed Lord;
Her Lord she welcoms, feasts, and entertains:
Mary sae silent heares, but speakes no word;
Martha takes all, and Mary takes no paines:
Mary's to heare to feast him Martha's care is;
Now which is greater, Martha's love, or Mary's?

Martha is full of trouble, to prepare;
Martha respects his good beyond her owne:
Mary sits still at ease, and takes no care;
Mary desires to please her selfe, alone:
The pleasure's Maryes; Martha's all the care is;
Now which is greater, Martha's love, or Maryes?

Tis true; Our blessed Lord was Martha's Guest;
Mary was his; and, in his feast, delighted:
Now which hath greater reason to love best,
The bountifull Invitor, or th'invited?
Sure, both lov'd well; But Mary was the detter,
And therefore should, in reason, love the better

Marye's was spirituall; Martha's love was carnall;
T'one kist his hand; The other, but the Glove:
As far as mortall is beneath eternall,
So far is Martha's lesse then Marye's love:
How blest is he, Great God, whose heart remembers
Marye's to Thee; and Martha's to thy Members!