On a Drop of Dew

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  1. See how the Orient Dew,
  2. Shed from the Bosom of the Morn
  3. Into the blowing Roses,
  4. Yet careless of its Mansion new;
  5. For the clear Region where 'twas born
  6. Round in its self incloses:
  7.  
  8. And in its little Globes Extent,
  9. Frames as it can its native Element.
  10. How it the purple flow'r does slight,
  11. Scarce touching where it lyes,
  12. But gazing back upon the Skies,
  13. Shines with a mournful Light;
  14. Like its own Tear,
  15. Because so long divided from the Sphear.
  16. Restless it roules and unsecure,
  17. Trembling lest it grow impure:
  18. Till the warm Sun pitty it's Pain,
  19. And to the Skies exhale it back again.
  20. So the Soul, that Drop, that Ray
  21. Of the clear Fountain of Eternal Day,
  22. Could it within the humane flow'r be seen,
  23. Remembring still its former height,
  24. Shuns the sweat leaves and blossoms green;
  25. And, recollecting its own Light,
  26. Does, in its pure and circling thoughts, express
  27. The greater Heaven in an Heaven less,
  28. In how coy a Figure wound,
  29. Every way it turns away:
  30. So the World excluding round,
  31. Yet receiving in the Day.
  32. Dark beneath, but bright above:
  33. Here disdaining, there in Love.
  34. How loose and easie hence to go:
  35. How girt and ready to ascend.
  36. Moving but on a point below,
  37. It all about does upwards bend.
  38. Such did the Manna's sacred Dew destil;
  39. White, and intire, though congeal'd and chill.
  40. Congeal'd on Earth: but does, dissolving, run
  41. Into the Glories of th' Almighty Sun.

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