On a Drop of Dew
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- See how the Orient Dew,
- Shed from the Bosom of the Morn
- Into the blowing Roses,
- Yet careless of its Mansion new;
- For the clear Region where 'twas born
- Round in its self incloses:
- And in its little Globes Extent,
- Frames as it can its native Element.
- How it the purple flow'r does slight,
- Scarce touching where it lyes,
- But gazing back upon the Skies,
- Shines with a mournful Light;
- Like its own Tear,
- Because so long divided from the Sphear.
- Restless it roules and unsecure,
- Trembling lest it grow impure:
- Till the warm Sun pitty it's Pain,
- And to the Skies exhale it back again.
- So the Soul, that Drop, that Ray
- Of the clear Fountain of Eternal Day,
- Could it within the humane flow'r be seen,
- Remembring still its former height,
- Shuns the sweat leaves and blossoms green;
- And, recollecting its own Light,
- Does, in its pure and circling thoughts, express
- The greater Heaven in an Heaven less,
- In how coy a Figure wound,
- Every way it turns away:
- So the World excluding round,
- Yet receiving in the Day.
- Dark beneath, but bright above:
- Here disdaining, there in Love.
- How loose and easie hence to go:
- How girt and ready to ascend.
- Moving but on a point below,
- It all about does upwards bend.
- Such did the Manna's sacred Dew destil;
- White, and intire, though congeal'd and chill.
- Congeal'd on Earth: but does, dissolving, run
- Into the Glories of th' Almighty Sun.
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