Rules And Lessons

When first thine eyes unveil, give thy soul leave To do the like: our bodies but forerun The spirit's duty. True hearts spread and heave Unto their God, as flowers do to the sun. Give Him thy first thoughts then; so shalt thou keep Him company all day, and in Him sleep. Yet never sleep the sun up: Prayer should Dawn with the day. There are set awful hours 'Twixt Heaven and us. The manna was not good After sunrising: far day sullies flowers. Rise to prevent the sun: sleep doth sin's glut, And Heaven's gate opens, when this world's shut. Walk with thy fellow-creatures; note the hush And whispers amongst them. There's not a spring Or leaf but hath his morning hymn; each bush And oak doth know I AM . Canst thou not sing? O leave thy cares and follies! go this way, And thou art sure to prosper all the day. To heighten thy devotions, and keep low All mutinous thoughts, what business e'er thou hast, Observe God in his works; how fountains flow, Birds sing, beasts feed, fish leap, and th' earth stands fast; Above are restless motions, running lights, Vast circling azure, giddy clouds, days, nights. When seasons change, then lay before thine eyes His wondrous method; mark the various scenes In Heaven; hail, thunder, rainbows, snow, and ice, Calms, tempests, light and darkness, by his means; Thou canst not miss his praise; each tree, herb, flower, Are shadows of his wisdom, and his power.