1

Mark but1

those hogs which, underneath

yon2

tree

2

Nuzzling3

and eating acorns, you may see:

3

They never cast an eye to those which shake;4

4So thankless people do God’s blessings take

5And never do His bounteous love adore,

6But swinishly root on and grunt for more;

7So

griping worldlings5

still their wealth increase

8And only pray their

bags6

may rest in peace;

9So grumbling farmers still turn up the earth,

10

Fearing that every shower will cause a dearth.7

11Even so

voluptuous gallants8

dance along,

12Their meetings ending in a drunken song.

13When, like the chaste and constant turtledove,

14Which takes a sip then throws her eyes above,

15God’s children here but sip of

terrene toys9

,

16Then turn their thoughts to true celestial joys,

17Like innocent doves, they often victims die,

18When

hogs His sacred altar come not nigh10

.

19Then let the reader

try11

which best he loves

20To imitate: base hogs or turtledoves.

21But as for me, ’tis my soul’s sole desire

22Like

spotless12

doves to live and so expire.