The Winter being over

In order comes the Spring,

Which doth green Hearbs discover

And cause the Birds to sing;

The Night also expired,

Then comes the Morning bright,

Which is so much desired

By all that love the Light;

This may learn

Them that mourn

To put their Griefe to flight.

The Spring succeedeth Winter,

And Day must follow Night.

He therefore that sustaineth

Affliction or Distresse,

Which ev’ry member paineth,

And findeth no relesse;

Let such therefore despaire not,

But on firm Hope depend

Whose Griefes immortall are not,

And therefore must have end:

They that faint

With complaint

Therefore are too blame,

They ad to their afflictions,

And amplify the same.

For if they could with patience

A while posesse the minde,

By inward Consolacions

They might refreshing finde,

To sweeten all their Crosses

That little time they ’dure;

So might they gain by losses,

And harp would sweet procure;

But if the minde

Be inclinde

To Vnquietnesse

That only may be called

The worst of all Distresse.

He that is melancolly

Detesting all Delight,

His Wits by sottish Folly

Are ruinated quite;

Sad Discontent and Murmors

To him are insident,

Were he posest of Honors,

He could not be content:

Sparks of joy

Fly away,

Floods of Cares arise,

And all delightfull Mocions

In the conception dies.

But those that are contented

However things doe fall,

Much Anguish is prevented,

And they soon freed from all;

They finish all their Labours

With much felicity,

Theyr joy in Troubles savours

Of perfect Piety,

Chearfulnesse

Doth expresse

A setled pious minde

Which is not prone to grudging

From murmoring refinde.

Lascivious joy I prayse not,

Neither do it allow,

For where the same decayes not

No branch of peace can grow;

For why, it is sinister

As is excessive Griefe,

And doth the Heart sequester

From all good: to be briefe,

Vain Delight

Passeth quite

The bounds of modesty,

And makes one apt to nothing

But sensuality.