Classic Poem

A morning Fancy upon the Berth of my Sonn Mildmay the 3d of December-1640. And the hopes of My owne recovery of the smallpox

Mark but the Sluggerds shame, the Change
Wher Pissmires numerously doe range
And you'l conclude noe sight soe quick to trye
Distinction in those Creatures industry

See but a showre of motes that seem to bear
Some busy traffick in a Sun-beams heat
Then tel me what eye's soe distincticall
As for to single one out of them all

This and much less is man whose numerous frye
Fills the world to preserve posterity
And yet ther is an Eye both fround and smild
A sicknes heer, and ther a lovely Child

Singling out one, to show at once the room
Wher's mercies doe his judgments overcome
And when the Fatherly chastisement's don
Crownes him the joyfull Father of a Sonn

What can be heer returnd? the full expence
Of a whol sumers toyle and providence?
Or such a part of lighter merchandize
As in the sun delight to exercise:

These, and noe better are what we can raise
To shew our thankes, saving a hart of praise
Which God himself must guive, thents noe more
Than t'borrow of one to pay the same a scoar

Yet Lord heer be my Creditor and lend
A Soul that may soe much to thankes pretend
That whilst I seek thine own but to restore
Thou, through acceptance maist create it more.