Affliction (I)

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1. WHen first thou didst entice to thee my heart,
2. I thought the service brave:
3. So many joyes I writ down for my part,
4. Besides what I might have
5. Out of my stock of naturall delights,
6. Augmented with thy gracious benefits.
7.  
8. I looked on thy furniture so fine,
9. And made it fine to me:
10. Thy glorious houshold-stuffe did me entwine,
11. And 'tice me unto thee.
12. Such starres I counted mine: both heav'n and earth
13. Payd me my wages in a world of mirth.
14.  
15. What pleasures could I want, whose King I served,
16. Where joyes my fellows were?
17. Thus argu'd into hopes, my thoughts reserved
18. No place for grief or fear.
19. Therefore my sudden soul caught at the place,
20. And made her youth and fiercenesse seek thy face:
21.  
22. At first thou gav'st me milk and sweetnesses;
23. I had my wish and way:
24. My dayes were straw'd with flow'rs and happinesse;
25. There was no moneth but May.
26. But with my yeares sorrow did twist and grow,
27. And made a partie unawares for wo.
28.  
29. My flesh began unto my soul in pain,
30. Sicknesses cleave my bones;
31. Consuming agues dwell in ev'ry vein,
32. And tune my breath to grones.
33. Sorrow was all my soul; I scarce beleeved,
34. Till grief did tell me roundly, that I lived.
35.  
36. When I got health, thou took'st away my life,
37. And more; for my friends die:
38. My mirth and edge was lost; a blunted knife
39. Was of more use then I.
40. Thus thinne and lean without a fence or friend,
41. I was blown through with ev'ry storm and winde.
42.  
43. Whereas my birth and spirit rather took
44. The way that takes the town;
45. Thou didst betray me to a lingring book,
46. And wrap me in a gown.
47. I was entangled in the world of strife,
48. Before I had the power to change my life.
49.  
50. Yet, for I threatned oft the siege to raise,
51. Not simpring all mine age,
52. Thou often didst with Academick praise
53. Melt and dissolve my rage.
54. I took thy sweetned pill, till I came neare;
55. I could not go away, nor persevere.
56.  
57. Yet left perchance I should too happie be
58. In my unhappinesse,
59. Turning my purge to food, thou throwest me
60. Into more sicknesses.
61. Thus doth thy power crosse-bias me, not making
62. Thine own gift good, yet me from my wayes taking.
63.  
64. Now I am here, what thou wilt do with me
65. None of my books will show
66. I reade, and sigh, and wish I were a tree;
67. For sure then I should grow
68. To fruit or shade: at least some bird would trust
69. Her houshold to me, and I should be just.
70.  
71. Yet, though thou troublest me, I must be meek;
72. In weaknesse must be stout.
73. Well, I will change the service, and go seek
74. Some other master out.
75. Ah my deare God! though I am clean forgot,
76. Let me not love thee, if I love thee not.