Classic Poem

Song II

1

And now for such as are
Of dearest Friends bereft,
That in a Solitary state
Most desolate are left
Oh might I speak a word
That might allay your grief,
Instruct you how to bear your Cross,
Or lend you some relief.

2

Suppose a Friend had lent thee,
A Stock at thy desire,
To make thy best improvement of,
Till he should it require.
Would'st think thy Friend unkinde,
For taking of his own,
When as in lending it at all
Great Courtesie was shown.

3

Thy Wife, or Child, or Friend,
They were but Blessings lent thee:
They were the Lords both first and last;
And doth not this content thee?
May not the Lord require,
When he sees fit, his own?
Thou may'st be thankful unto him
They were no sooner gone.

4

Hast thou a part in God?
Canst him thy Father call?
Assure thy self thou hast a Friend
That doth surmount them all
This Friend doth still remain,
When other Friends are gone:
Therefore thou needest not to mourn
As if thou wert undone.

5

But if thou hast not got
Assurance of this Friend:
Acquaint thy self with him in time
Who lives and loves to th' end.
He is a better Friend
Then Father, Mother, Wife,
Or any other dearest Friend
Thou hadst in all thy life.

6

Let but Christ Jesus come
And dwell within thy Heart,
And he will chear thee wondrously,
And mitigate thy smart
He will a Father be,
Unto the Fatherless,
A Husband to the Widow sad,
A Judge in her distress.

7

Behold! he stands and knocks,
Haste, open speedily,
And he'll come in and thou shalt sup,
With him, and he with thee
Lift up your Heads ye Gates,
Ye Doors that last for ay
Be ye lift up, that enter in
The King of Glory may.

8

That Soul may change her chear:
And be no longer sorry,
That entertaineth such a Guest
Even the King of Glory.
Thou canst not be alone,
Nor want Society:
When God the Father, Son and Spirit,
Shall be thy Company.