1

Come1

, my dear

pledges2

of

our3

constant loves,

2Come look upon these pretty, innocent

doves4

,

3See how they swallow

orient pearls5

like peas;

4A

cordial6

, which our greatest

faintings7

ease.

5And with their lives ere with these pearls they’ll part;

6So, treasure sacred truths within your heart.

7Though tyrant

lapidaries8

show their spite,

8Your graces, like these pearls, will shine more bright.

9Despair not, though you at their mercy lie;

10Your virtues live although your bodies die.

11Then if you will in glory live above,

12Like these white doves those

blessed unions9

love,

13But shun those people which are like those

swine10

14Which at God’s word and ministers

repine11

.

15Throw them the choicest orient pearls you have,

16They’ll

trample’m in the dirt12

and

ramp13

and rave,

17And when you think their malice at an end,

18If God restrain not, they’ll your bowels

rend14

.

19Of these,

the boar God’s vineyards that destroy15

,

20And with their filth His

sacred fane annoy16

.

21So mad

Antiochus17

the temple stained,

22Even so

our janissaries18

Paul’s profaned19

,

23Making the church a

stable20

and a

stews21

,

24The while

imprisoning nobles in the mews22

.

25The greatest miracle our saviour wrought

26Was when

He scourged out those which sold and bought23

.