| |
| IF from a friend some trifle we receiue, | |
| Some bracelet, gloues, or some such common thing, | |
| We think ourselues ungratefull if we leaue | |
| These vnrequited; and can we lesse bring | |
| To Him, which giues us all that we possess, | 5 |
| Than the poore heart’s true loue and thankfulnesse? | |
| |
| How can his roiall bounties be exprest? | |
| The things ordained for ornament and vse; | |
| The various fare prepared to feast his guests, | |
| Where each one for his appetite may choose. | 10 |
| Oh, who can count the various kinds of creatures, | |
| Their wondrous shapes, their colours, and their features! | |
| |
| Ten thousand flocks that ore our heads still houers | |
| Which daily seeme to bid us kill and eat; | |
| Ten thousand fruits, which time to vs discouers; | 15 |
| Ten thousand plants, and rootes, and seeds for meat; | |
| The sculles, oh Lord, of all the lakes and fountaines, | |
| The heards are thine upon ten thousand mountaines. | |
| |
| Ten thousand creatures for delight assign’d; | |
| Ten thousand stones that precious vertues hold; | 20 |
| Ten thousand flowers to recreate the mind; | |
| Ten thousand healthfull drugs, more worth than gold; | |
| Ten thousand more then I can sum or count; | |
| Thy blessings, Lord, all tongues and wits surmount. | |
| |
| And euery blessing is so double blest, | 25 |
| That they not only food for us containe, | |
| But bounteous Nature locks within the least | |
| Of these some helpe for our disease and paine: | |
| One thing sometimes hath such varietie, | |
| That many pretious vertues hidden lie. | 30 |
| |
| For all which God requires but thankfulnes, | |
| Though thanklesse we too often not agnize | |
| The Author of these benefits of his, | |
| But either Chance or Nature’s gift them prize; | |
| For those that with these blessings most abound | 35 |
| Are commonly the most ingratefull found. | |
| |
