1The

dubious1

raven2

doth her young forsake;

2Whilst

callow3

, she no care of them will take

3Till she perceives their plumes of sable hue,

4They being nourished with

celestial dew4

.

5If God the voice of

volatiles5

doth hear,

6Why should His children then so faint and fear?

7’Twas He that these hard-hearted birds did make

8

Of6

His Elijah constant care to take;

9When he involvéd was in want and sorrow,

10

They brought him bread and flesh both eve and morrow.7

11Thus God’s affections altereth every hour

12To show to us His infinite love and power.

13Then as thy friends and near relations die,

14To Him alone (to Him) for comfort fly;

15For though thy father and thy mother be

16In no capacity to comfort thee;

17And though successive sorrows and new fears

18

Makes8

thee His altar cover o’er with tears;

19Nay, though thy only love doth thee forsake,

20Yet He will then thee to His mercy take.

21Despair not then my soul, but patient be,

22For He that hears young ravens will hear thee.