The Review. I

Did I grow, or did I stay?
Did I prosper or decay?
When I so
From Things to Thoughts did go?
Did I flourish or diminish,
When I so in Thoughts did finish
What I had in Things begun;
When from God's Works to think upon
The Thoughts of Men my Soul did com?
The Thoughts of Men, had they been Wise,
Should more delight me than the Skies:
They mighty Creatures are
For these the Mind
Affect, afflict, do eas or grind;
But foolish Thoughts ensnare.

Wise ones are a sacred Treasure;
Tru ones yield Substantial Pleasure:
Compar'd to them,
I Things as Shades esteem.
False ones are a foolish Flourish,
(Such as Mortals chiefly nourish)
When I them to Things compare,
Compar'd to Things, they Trifles are;
Bad Thoughts do hurt, deceiv, ensnare;
A good Man's Thoughts are of such price
That they create a Paradise:
But he that misemploys
That Faculty,
God, Men, & Angels doth defy:
Robs them of all their Joys.