The Shepherd Boy’s Song

The Shepherd Boy’s Song He that is down needs fear no fallHe that is low, no pride;He that is humble ever shallHave God to be his guide. I am content with that I have,Little be it or much;And Lord, contentment still I crave,Because Thou savest such. Fullness to such a burden isThat go on pilgrimage;Here […]

Who Would True Valour See

Who Would True Valour See Who would true Valour seeLet him come hither; Who would true Valour seeLet him come hither;Who would true Valour seeLet him come hither;One here will Constant be,Come Wind, come Weather.There’s no Discouragement,Shall make him once Relent,His first avow’d Intent,To be a Pilgrim. Who so beset him round,With dismal Storys,Do but […]

Upon the Whipping of the Top

Upon the Whipping of the Top Tis with the whip the boy sets up the top,The whip makes it run round upon its toe; Tis with the whip the boy sets up the top,The whip makes it run round upon its toe;The whip makes it hither and thither hop:‘Tis with the whip the top is […]

Upon the Vine Tree

Upon the Vine Tree What is the vine, more than another tree?Nay most, than it, more tall, more comely be. What is the vine, more than another tree?Nay most, than it, more tall, more comely be.What workman thence will take a beam or pin,To make ought which may be delighted in?Its excellency in its fruit […]

Upon the Skilfull Player of an Instrument

Upon the Skilfull Player of an Instrument He that can play well on an instrument,Will take the ear, and captivate the mind He that can play well on an instrument,Will take the ear, and captivate the mindWith mirth or sadness; for that it is bentThereto, as music in it place doth find. But if one […]

Upon the Sacraments

Upon the Sacraments Two sacraments I do believe there be,Baptism and the Supper of the Lord; Two sacraments I do believe there be,Baptism and the Supper of the Lord;Both mysteries divine, which do to me,By God’s appointment, benefit afford.But shall they be my God, or shall I haveOf them so foul and impious a thought,To […]

Upon the Pismire

Upon the Pismire Must we unto the pismire go to school,To learn of her in summer to provide Must we unto the pismire go to school,To learn of her in summer to provideFor winter next ensuing. Man’s a fool,Or silly ants would not be made his guide. But, sluggard, is it not a shame for […]

Upon the Lark and the Fowler

Upon the Lark and the Fowler Thou simple bird, what makes thou here to play?Look, there’s the fowler, pr’ythee come away. Thou simple bird, what makes thou here to play?Look, there’s the fowler, pr’ythee come away.Do’st not behold the net? Look there, ’tis spread,Venture a little further, thou art dead. Is there not room enough […]

Upon the Fish in the Water

Upon the Fish in the Water The water is the fish’s element;Take her from thence, none can her death prevent; The water is the fish’s element;Take her from thence, none can her death prevent;And some have said, who have transgressors been,As good not be, as to be kept from sin. 2. The water is the […]

Upon the Disobedient Child

Upon the Disobedient Child Children become, while little, our delights!When they grow bigger, they begin to fright’s. Children become, while little, our delights!When they grow bigger, they begin to fright’s.Their sinful nature prompts them to rebel,And to delight in paths that lead to hell. Their parents’ love and care they overlook,As if relation had them […]

Upon the Bee

Upon the Bee The bee goes out, and honey home doth bring,And some who seek that honey find a sting. The bee goes out, and honey home doth bring,And some who seek that honey find a sting.Now would’st thou have the honey, and be freeFrom stinging, in the first place kill the bee. Comparison. This […]

Upon the Barren Fig-Tree in God’s Vineyard

Upon the Barren Fig-Tree in God’s Vineyard What, barren here! in this so good a soil?The sight of this doth make God’s heart recoil What, barren here! in this so good a soil?The sight of this doth make God’s heart recoilFrom giving thee his blessing; barren tree,Bear fruit, or else thine end will cursed be! […]

Upon Over-Much Niceness

Upon Over-Much Niceness Tis much to see how over nice some areAbout the body and household affair, Tis much to see how over nice some areAbout the body and household affair,While what’s of worth they slightly pass it by,Not doing, or doing it slovenly. Their house must be well furnished, be in print,Meanwhile their soul […]

Upon Apparel

Upon Apparel God gave us Cloaths to hide our Nakedness,And we by them, do it expose to View. God gave us Cloaths to hide our Nakedness,And we by them, do it expose to View.Our Pride, and unclean Minds, to an excess,By our Apparel we to others shew. John Bunyan

Upon a Sheet of White Paper

Upon a Sheet of White Paper This subject is unto the foulest pen,Or fairest handled by the sons of men. This subject is unto the foulest pen,Or fairest handled by the sons of men. ‘Twill also show what is upon it writ,Be it wisely, or nonsense for want of wit, Each blot and blur it […]

On the Cackling of a Hen

On the Cackling of a Hen The hen, so soon as she an egg doth lay,(Spreads the fame of her doing what she may.) The hen, so soon as she an egg doth lay,(Spreads the fame of her doing what she may.)About the yard she cackling now doth go,To tell what ’twas she at her […]

On Promising Fruitfulness of a Tree

On Promising Fruitfulness of a Tree A comely sight indeed it is to seeA world of blossoms on an apple-tree: A comely sight indeed it is to seeA world of blossoms on an apple-tree:Yet far more comely would this tree appear,If all its dainty blooms young apples were. But how much more might one upon […]

Of the Going Down of the Sun

Of the Going Down of the Sun What, hast thou run thy race, art going down?Thou seemest angry, why dost on us frown? What, hast thou run thy race, art going down?Thou seemest angry, why dost on us frown? Yea, wrap thy head with clouds and hide thy face,As threatening to withdraw from us thy […]

Of the Fly at the Candle

Of the Fly at the Candle What ails this fly thus desperately to enterA combat with the candle? Will she venture What ails this fly thus desperately to enterA combat with the candle? Will she ventureTo clash at light? Away, thou silly fly;Thus doing thou wilt burn thy wings and die. But ’tis a folly […]

Of The Boy and Butterfly

Of The Boy and Butterfly Behold, how eager this our little boyIs for a butterfly, as if all joy, Behold, how eager this our little boyIs for a butterfly, as if all joy,All profits, honours, yea, and lasting pleasures,Were wrapped up in her, or the richest treasuresFound in her would be bundled up together,When all […]

Of Child with Bird at the Bush

Of Child with Bird at the Bush My little bird, how canst thou sitAnd sing amidst so many thorns? My little bird, how canst thou sitAnd sing amidst so many thorns?Let me a hold upon thee get,My love with honour thee adorns. Thou art at present little worth,Five farthings none will give for thee,But pr’ythee, […]

Meditations upon a Candle

Meditations upon a Candle Man’s like a candle in a candlestick,Made up of tallow and a little wick; Man’s like a candle in a candlestick,Made up of tallow and a little wick;And as the candle when it is not lighted,So is he who is in his sins benighted. Nor can a man his soul with […]

Christian Conduct

Christian Conduct When understand my meaning by my words,How sense of mercy unto faith affords When understand my meaning by my words,How sense of mercy unto faith affords Both grace to sanctify, and holy makeThat soul that of forgiveness doth partake. Thus having briefly showed you what is The way of life, or sanctity, of […]