Weighing the steadfastness and state

Of some mean things which here below reside,

Where birds, like watchful clocks, the noiseless date

And intercourse of times divide;

Where bees at night get home and hive; and flowers,

Early as well as late,

Rise with the sun, and set in the same bowers; --

I would (said I) my GOD would give

The staidness of these things to Man! For these

To His divine appointments ever cleave,

And no new business breaks their peace;

The birds nor sow nor reap, yet sup and dine;

The flowers without clothes live;

Yet Solomon was never drest so fine.

Man hath still either toys, or care;

He hath no root, nor to one place is tied,

But ever restless and irregular

About this Earth doth run and ride.

He knows he hath a home, but scarce knows where;

He says it is so far [152] ,

That he hath quite forgot how to go[1**above line] there.

He knocks at all doors, strays and roams,

Nay hath not so much wit as some stones [153] have,

Which in the darkest nights point to their homes,

By some hid sense their Maker gave;

Man is the shuttle, to whose winding quest

And passage[1**above line] through these looms

GOD order'd motion, but ordain'd no rest.

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Footnotes:

[152] far--how to go--passage, misprinted for--height--pastage (1650)

[153] some stones, the magnet