Of the Progresse of the Soule

Wherein,

By occasion of the Religious death of

Mistris Elizabeth Drvry,

the incommodities of the Soule in

this life, and her exaltation in

the next, are contemplated.

The second Anniversary.

The Harbinger to the PROGRESSE.

TWO Soules move here, and mine (a third) must move

Paces of admiration, and of love;

Thy Soule (deare virgin) whose this tribute is,

Mov'd from this mortall Spheare to lively blisse;

5And yet moves still, and still aspires to see

The worlds last day, thy glories full degree:

Like as those starres which thou o'r-lookest farre,

Are in their place, and yet still moved are:

No soule (whiles with the luggage of this clay

10It clogged is) can follow thee halfe way;

Or see thy flight, which doth our thoughts outgoe

So fast, that now the lightning moves but slow:

But now thou art as high in heaven flowne

As heaven's from us; what soule besides thine owne

15Can tell thy joyes, or say he can relate

Thy glorious Journals in that blessed state?

I envie thee (Rich soule) I envy thee,

Although I cannot yet thy glory see:

And thou (great spirit) which hers follow'd hast

20So fast, as none can follow thine so fast;

So far, as none can follow thine so farre,

(And if this flesh did not the passage barre

Hadst caught her) let me wonder at thy flight

Which long agone hadst lost the vulgar sight,

25And now mak'st proud the better eyes, that they

Can see thee less'ned in thine ayery way;

So while thou mak'st her soule by progresse knowne

Thou mak'st a noble progresse of thine owne,

From this worlds carkasse having mounted high

30To that pure life of immortalitie;

Since thine aspiring thoughts themselves so raise

That more may not beseeme a creatures praise,

Yet still thou vow'st her more; and every yeare

Mak'st a new progresse, while thou wandrest here;

35Still upward mount; and let thy Makers praise

Honor thy Laura, and adorne thy laies.

And since thy Muse her head in heaven shrouds,

Oh let her never stoope below the clouds:

And if those glorious sainted soules may know

40Or what wee doe, or what wee sing below,

Those acts, those songs shall still content them best

Which praise those awfull Powers that make them blest.

Of the Progresse &c. 1612-69: The second Anniversary. 1612-69 (in 1612-21 it stands at head of page)

The Harbinger &c.] In 1612-25 this poem printed in italics

8 are:] are 1612-25

12 that now] as now 1635-69, Chambers

27 soule] soules 1612

28 owne, 1635-69: owne. 1612-33

34 while] whilst 1669

35 upward] upwards 1612

Note