A Sudden Flash, Part 2
A SPARK.
BUt ſee, here's of that Flaſh, a little Spark
Yet unextinguiſh'd; which, I pray you mark.
My lifes tenth Clymax is now ſpent well near,
And yet, my warfare is unfiniſh'd here.
I therefore, by this Flaſh a triall make,
How, if need be, Old Powder, fire will take;
That when occaſion calls mee ſo to do,
I, therewith might diſcharge a ſhot or two,
Or light a Beacon, timely to Alarm
Thoſe, who may by ſurprizall, ſuffer harm;
And ſave that, by th' Artillery of words,
Which, cannot be ſecur'd by Guns and Swords.
For, though by age, my Arms, are uſeleſs found,
My Heart ſo ſtrong remains, my Brain ſo ſound,
That both by Action, and by Contemplation,
I may, yet, ſome way ſerve this Generations;
Whoſe Welfare to promote, I have beſtown,
More time and coſt, then to advance mine own.
But, when my heart's broke, & hath crack't my brain,
When all thoſe helps, which unto life pertain;
When all the preſent hopes of things without me,
(Which to and fro, do flutter yet about me)
Are flown away; (as daily 'tis expected)
Then, will to mind be brought, things now neglected:
And that be done, which, yet, ſelf-love and pride
Obſtruct; and will, till they be laid aſide.
Yea, then, with good reſpect, that will be heard,
Which, at this preſent, hath but ſmall regard.
Mean-while, I reſt contented with my Lot;
For, I have that eſteem which others got
In former times, who did this way, declare
Thoſe Notions, wherewithall inſpir'd they were;
And, to diſcharge my duties, am a debter,
Though my requitall, never ſhould be better.
There lies a little Grain, rack'd up within,
From whence, my better-being will begin:
And, when moſt Weakneſſes appear in me,
My Powr, ſhall then, in full-perfection be:
Yea, when I have nor Life, Fleſh, Blood, nor Bone,
Then, that, which could not by thoſe Tools be done,
Shall be performd; and, many things which are
Yet dark, will plain, and uſefull, then, appear.
Mean-while, O God vouchſafe thou, to forgive
What, hinders their performance, whil'ſt I live.
So prays, Britans Remembrancer.