Time's Darling:
Or, A Love worth liking:
Being a fit Companion for all Men, abroad and at home, at bed and at board, that lacketh
good Company. Tune of, If you love me tell me so; Or; Loves tide.
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YOu Lovers all where e're you be,
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Draw near and listen unto me,
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Here in this Song you may behold,
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That which I more esteem than Gold:
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No fond delight, nor fictions strange,
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Shall make my constant heart to range;
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Search through the world, & you shall find
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No love like a contented mind.
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Perhaps you'l ask where you may see
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One in these times content to be?
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Or where that treasure may be found,
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Now in this Age on English ground?
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Yet by experience I can tell,
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Where a contented mind doth dwell:
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Read but these lines, and you shall find
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No love like a contented mind.
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If thou art Rich, then be content,
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Forget not thou from whom 'twas sent;
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If God hath lent thee treasure store,
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Thou art but the Steward for the Poor,
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One day, be sure, thou must appear,
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To give account what thou didst here:
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And when these lines thou true shalt find,
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No Wealth like a contented mind.
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If thine Estate be took from thee,
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And thou art brought to Poverty,
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By Crosses or Afflictions strong,
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Murmur nor grieve at any wrong;
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'Tis God that hath a hand o're all,
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To raise thee up, or let thee fall:
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Perhaps the Lord would try to find,
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If thou hadst Jobs contented mind.
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If honours or preferments great,
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Shall raise thee up to Justice Seat.
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Or that by place or Dignity,
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A Judge of Causes thou must be,
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Think that Heavens Court of justice high
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O're all your Actions cast an eye;
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That mighty Judge be sure can find,
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The secrets of your heart and mind.
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If that Gods Laws thou break, be sure,
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Or by oppression wrong the Poor,
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Or if of Men thou stand'st in fear,
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To do what they would have thee here;
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Or let the mighty bear the sway,
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And turn the poor man's Cause away;
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He that doth this, be sure will find,
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A troubled discontented mind.
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IF otherwise thou seem'st to be,
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A judge of Right and Equity,
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And will the poor mans cause defend,
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As well as his that hath means to spend
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And right the wrongs of the Fatherless,
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Likewise the Widdow in distress:
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A reward in Heaven thou then shalt find,
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And on earth a sweet contented mind.
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If thou art Rich, thou poor may'st be,
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If thou art poor, wealth may'st thou see,
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If thou to honour rise or fall,
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Be sure thou be content withal:
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This World is subject still to change,
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Then let not thine affections range;
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Nothing on earth be sure thou'lt find,
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Compar'd to a contented mind.
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If God hath sent thee Children store,
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And yet perhaps thou art but poor,
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Dispair not, but contented be,
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He will provide for them and thee:
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To every mouth he bread will send,
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And still will stand the poor mans friend;
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Relief from him thou sure shalt find,
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If thou hast a contented mind.
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What if this World doth frown on thee,
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For thy Faith and Fidelity;
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Or that thou beest in Prison cast,
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The Lord may bring thee out at last?
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If not, thou hadst better there to dye,
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Than from the true Religion flye;
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Keep but thy Faith, and thou shalt find,
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In Prison a sweet contented mind.
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If that thy Conscience tells to thee
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Thy cause is just, be rul'd by me;
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Let not the Thrones of mighty Men
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Take thy good Conscience from thee then;
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They of thy body shall have power,
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Be sure thy Soul they can't devour;
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In a quiet conscience thou shalt find
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A continual feast to please thy mind.
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If that thou think a God there be,
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That rules the heaven and earth we see
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Then think he hath a hand o're all,
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To raise men up, or let them fall:
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All Rulers great by Sea and Land,
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Must stoop, if once he gives command;
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He must protect you, else you'l find,
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A sad and discontented mind.
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Content is a jewel, and a Feast,
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Content is a rich and welcome Guest,
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Content is of such a high Renown,
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'Tis better than an earthly Crown:
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Content is of such a precious store
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That he that hath it need no more;
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If you gain it; you sure shall find
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No joys like a contented mind.
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But if Content you needs will gain,
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I'le tell you where it doth remain;
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Inquire where conscience keeps his Court
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And where Plain-dealing doth resort;
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Then truth will lead you by the hand,
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And bring you where Content doth stand:
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Imbrace him then and you shall find
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No Wealth to a Contented mind.
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