began his stryfe Whose myght my power doeth holde from doyng harme To thee or them that in my merites trust O let therfore in me thy feble arme With all thy strength continually be trust Vpon thyne arme o set me as a seale And as a bracelet bynde me all along For loue as death and eke the gelous zeale J beare to thee as hell is myghtie strong For whiche my loue J nought requyre agayne But thankfulnes that maye my mercy moue For all my zeale my lyfe my death my payne Nought J requyre saue only loue for loue Whose coales are fyerye and a very flame Sent of the Lorde true loue is suche a fyer That many waters can not quenche the same No troubles can a faythfull louer tyer Ne may the streames of persecucion drounde This earnest loue yea yf a man woulde geue For loue all goodes that in his house are founde He woulde them all count nothyng J beleue This loue therfore that is so strong and sure Beare thou agayne to me that fyrste began So shall my loue and zeale for aye endure With thee and thyne to further what J can WE haue a litle sister whiche as yet hath no brestes What shall we doe to our Syster whan we shall speake to her ¶ The Argument WHan Christe hath finished his song his Spouse accordyng as he desyred setteth hym as a seale at her heart and as a bracelet about her arme and than remembryng heâ— sister whome she left whan she came to Christe and desyrous through her preachyng to bryng her to Christe doeth aske of Christe and his perfect frendes what she shall doe singyng The Spouse to Christe lxvi WE haue a sister young and small Whome J dyd leaue behynde Within the place where ye dyd call Me from my mother blynde She is so young in Christes truthe That yet she hath no teates She wanteth brestes to feede her youth With sounde and perfect meates To our sister therfore so weake What shall we doe saye you Whan we to her the wurdes shall speake Of Christes gospell true J in my harte desyer ryght sore My sister rude to teache What must we doe to her therfore Whan we begyn to preache IF she be a wall we wyll buylde a syluer bulwarke thervpon yf she be an open dore we wil fasten her with borders of Cedre ¶ The Argument CHriste seyng the carefulnes of his Spouse for her yong sister teacheth what must be doen to her saying If she be aâ—al that is as sum take it elect and yet not in the fayth and as other sum take it instructed in the faythe but yet not perfecte we wyll buylde vpon her a syluer bulwarke that is accordyng to eleccion a strong and valiaunt fayth according to fayth the gyftes of the holy gost as knowlege vtterance power to wurke myracles c. whiche bothe agree well to the matter but the last is moste nere and proper But yf she be an open dore that is in state of grace apte to receyue any kynde of doctrine we wyll garnishe or fasten her with borders of cedre tree with good doctrine good bokes good constant and perfect preachers whiche shall kepe her close from errour Thus sayth Christ she must be doen by singyng to his spouse as foloweth The Beloued to his Spouse lxvii YF that thy sister be a wall Vpon the same than buylde we shall A bulwarke of syluer Yf that she be an open dore We wyll her fasten close before With borders of Ceder I Am a wall and my brestes lyke towers Than was I as one that hath founde fauoure in hys syght ¶ The argument THe Younglynges hearyng what Christe sayde answere that they are a wall strong constant and able to kepe out errours and wrong opinions and beyng made his Spouse sayeth she hath brestes lyke towers well furnyshed with vytayles of good doctrine to succour and helpe them that nede For the whiche properties they hauyng founde fauour in the syght of God declare all to theyr sister syngyng The Younglynges to the Spouse lxviii A Wall am I Strong thycke and hye Jn truthe J beare me bolde And with the same Myself I frame All errours to outholde Also my brestes where succour restes Are lyke to towers strong Whiche vitayled are For to kepe warre With all that would them wrong Because J was A wall and as The towers had brestes of myght Swete peace J founde And doe abounde With fauour in Gods syght SAlomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon and this vineyarde let he out to kepers that euery one for the fruicte thereof shoulde geue hym a thousande pieces of syluer My vineyarde is in my syght And to thee O Salomon I wyl paye a thousande and two hundred to the kepers with the fruite ¶ The argument CHriste hauyng by fayth coupled all his Churches together and made them all one vineyard calleth to mynde the vineyarde whiche Kyng Salomon had at Baalhamon a place nere Ierusalem whiche vineyarde he let out to hyer receyuyng of euery keper a thousande pieces of syluer for the fruicte This story Christe counteth to his Spouse that she maye know howe muche he loueth her better than Salomon dyd his in that he wyll kepe her hym selfe And geue to Salomon that is euery peacefull person an inestimable reward and to the kepers that are his byshoppes two hundred and the fruite O happy kepers that shall be so rewarded This promis maketh he to his Spouse syngyng Christe to his Spouse lxix OF all the gydes that Jsrael euer had Jn wyt in welth in peace prince Salomon The chyefest Kyng was not a litle glad Of a vineyard he had at Baalhamon Whiche vineyard though it pleased his desyer Yet at the length he let it furth to hyer To kepers suche who yerely euery one Should for suche frute as they tooke thence away Of syluer good a thousand pieces paye Thus dyd this kyng with his beloued vine But J contrary haue so great delyght That J myself this vineyard of myne My churche I mean wyll kepe styll in my syght And vnto thee O salomon J geue A thousande pieces for thy good beleue Eke to them all that kepe my vine vpryght J geue two hundred and the fruite to boote Of lyfe eterne whiche spryngeth from the roote If Salomon myght iustly well requier A thousande for his vineyarde let to hyer Howe muche than is my churche nowe bounde to me Who doe both paye and also ouersee THou that dwellest in the gardeyns O let me heare thy voyce that my Companions maye hearken o the same ¶ The Argument WHan Christe hath styrred vp his Churche to yelde hym thankes for his beneficiall diligence toward her he stirreth her vp to preach that his felowes whiche are false christians maye heare her true preaching that beyng confounded therwith they may coÌ„uert and becum true christians in dede syngyng to her as foloweth Christe to his Spouse lxx THou my spouse that doest excell Jn fayth
nedefull that al whiche wyl be partakers of the benefites and swete consolacions of Christe muste also be partakers of his troubles and bitter affliccions For persecucion foloweth the gospell eyther inwardly by temptacion of the wicked deuyll orels outwardly by the malice of his cruel ministers therfore the Churche by example of her self warneth the Younglynges herof syngyng as foloweth The Churche to the Younglinges v. O ye fayer Daughters of Jerusalem Ye faythful folke whiche pleased are so wel â–ª In Christes teates in whiche there is no wem And in his restful parlers where ye dwel Now take good heed and learne ye al by me Jn fayth to stande in stormie troubles stoute Loe J am blacke welfauored though J be For persecucion toucheth me without Without J am lyke to the Scithicke tentes Whiche outward blacke kepe treasures hyd within For though J be afflict with diuers dentes No farther yet pearce they than to the skin The peace of Christe doeth styll within me dwel And J am lyke to Salomons curtin For purple sylke with fayth adorned wel And with Gods spirit in stede of Cherubin Despise me not therfore though I be broun In syght of men bothe abiect vayne and vyle For why the Sunne euen Christe hath shyned doun And burnt my soule whiche sinnes do sore defyle So that my wurkes appere now through his lyght Ful foule God wote the best not free from sin Yet by his beames that shyne on me so bright J mortifie olde Adam hyd within Why I am blacke an other cause there is My mothers sonnes for Eua is mother of all Fel out with me the cause wherof is this J damne my wurkes on Christes mercies J call True fayth in Christe all only maketh me iust Thus J beleue wherat they all repyne And would compel me on my wurkes to trust Eke in theyr vines theyr lawes to bad for swyne â–ª They haue me set a keper for to be Of Sathanas the Synagog they arre A minister wherof they dyd make me Which made me blacke and doeth my beautie marre They made me thinke that false hypocrisie With ryghtles rites deuised by theyr brayne Were able ynough my soule to iustifie By meanes wherof Kristes death I counted vayne And these theyr lawes repugnant to the truth Theyr vineyardes vile I haue attended long But myne owne vyne my soule euen from my youth I haue not kept but euermore gone wrong O Thou whoÌ„ my soul loueth tel me wher â—hou fedest where thou restest at none tyde lest I begin to wander after thy felowes flockes ¶ The Argument THe yonglinges hauing heard the spouses open declaracion both of her lyfe passed and also of her presente estate and doubting lest they may be deceiued seduced as she before tyme had beene because they would be sure commit themselues to her giding custody But y e church knowlegyng her vnablenes by her owne wit power to kepe herselfe coÌ„mitteth to Christ the cure of altogether And to theÌ„tent she be not prouoked through the subtil deceite of false doctrine to wandre stray from the trueth she desireth her beloued to shew her the right way where and how to finde him synging as foloweth The Spouse to her beloued O Christ my loue beloued of my soule J know that thou delyting in the light In mid day time when men in fayth be hole Doest feede and rest through pleasure and delight But in what place thou doest thee feede and rest I am not sure wherfore J thee desyre To teache me that lest I with al the rest By wandryng wyde defyle vs in the myre The Churche malignant with her many mockes To be thy felow boldly doeth her boast And in thy name hath gathered myghty flockes Whiche straye abrode welnygh in euery caost Newe foldes new faythes she dayly doeth diuice Her flockes to feede wherein alas they stray And as for thyne she counteth of no price Praying by force all shepe from them away Yet in thy name her office she doeth holde Makyng her vaunt that she the true Church is Enforcyng all that would be of thy folde Suche weedes to eat as she hath sowen amis That J therfore lead not thy yong awrye Nor fall among thy fayned felowes flocke Enfourme me where thou doest thee feede and lye O Christ my lyght my shepherd and my rocke IF thou know not thy self O thou fayrest among women cum furth and followe the footsteppes of thy flocke and feed thy kyddes hard by the shepherdes tentes ¶ The Argument BEcause the Churche distrustyng her selfe putteth her whole confidence in her Beloued praying hym so earnestly to teache her how she may ryghtly instruct her YouÌ„glynges he hauyng heard and allowed her humble peticion maketh answer to her request syngyng as foloweth ¶ Christe to his Spouse vii YF thou the fayrest of all woman kynde That euer J founde most faythful in dede Doest not of thy self know where me to fynde Except by my grace thou therto procede Because all wisdom of flesh is to blynde To searche out the place where I lye and fede Because J thee loue and am to thee kynde The trueth wyl J teache thee yf thou wylt spede Cum furth fro thy selfe Cum furth fro thy self cum furth fro the darkesum trust in thy deades wherof all the packe That man may deuise are not wurth a sparke Of fayth in my blud where can be no lacke Although that the church malignant doe barke Cum furth from her foldes and bear on thy backe My Lode Crosse and yoke whiche shall be thy marke For her to detest and put thee to wracke Yet trace thou my steppes Yet trace thou my steppes so shalt thou be sure To gyde ryght thy yong that long to be fed And sith that thou hast of suche taken cure Whiche young are in truth lyke kiddes lately bred Fyrst feede theym with mylke let loue theym allure Than strength theym with fayth of scripture the head By good shepheardes tentes my wurd that is pure Learne theym by the lyfe of Saynctes that are dead Jn fayth to be firme I Haue lykened thee O my Loue to myne oaste in Pharaos charriots Thy chekes are fayer lyke the Turtle doue Thy necke is lyke vnto a goodly Iewel we wyll make thee a neckebande of golde beset with syluer buttons ¶ The argument CHriste hauyng taught his Spouse where and howe to fynde hym and after what sorte she shall instructe her Younglynges nowe that the Younglynges maye delyte in her the more begynneth to prayse her not for because she hath any thyng prayse wurthy of her selfe but for the good gyftes that he hath geuen her whiche neuertheles he calleth hers because he gaue her theym freelye she confessyng also that whatsoeuer good she hath cummeth from hym whiche hath made her beautyfull For whiche and many other good gyftes he wyllyng to prayse her syngeth before the Younglynges as foloweth ¶ Christe to his Spouse viii THee o my
of affliccion and embraced with the ryght hande of consolacion obteyneth perfect peace and layeth her doune to slepe and rest in Christe Who takyng vpon hym to saue and kepe her in quiet chaurgeth that none wake her through errours or new opinions singyng Christe to the Younglynges xvii O All ye daughters of Jerusalem I charge ye all bothe by the Roes and Hyndes The spirites of Angels bryghter than the gem And in your help far swyfter than the wyndes Whiche runne about as hynde or roe in field To help the good that in my churche do dwell By these I charge you as ye wyll they yield Theyr seruice due to saue and kepe you wel That at no hande ye touche or cause to wake The Churche my Spouse that resteth in my lap With vayne beleues whiche flesly braynes doe make For snafflyng snares my faythful to betrap But let her lye tyll by her owne accorde She wake her self compelled by the zeale She bearth to you to leade you to the Lorde That only can your soules sore wounded heale I Hear the voyce of my Beloued Loe he cummeth hoppyng in the mountaynes leapyng ouer the litle hilles My Beloued is lyke a Goat or an Hartes hynde Loe where he standeth behynd our wal lokyng in at the window and pepyng through the lattesses ¶ The Argument THe Church hearyng Christe geue so strayte charge that none wake her knoweth so well his voyce that she affirmeth it to be his And that it may the better be regarded she declareth to the younglynges what he is that hath geuen the charge syngyng The Spouse to the Younglynges xviii OF my Beloued this is the voyce For J doe know his voyce in dede Whiche causeth me muche to reioyce That he to me wyll take suche hede Loe how he leapeth vpon the hylles And daunseth doune the dales by stealth Whiche in his flesh al maner ylles And scorne hath borne to geue me health Yea Christe my Loue moste good and kynde His Spouse to help in tyme of nede Js swyft as Angel Roe or Hynde But much more ruche in makyng spede Loe where he stands behynde our wall Our flesh that doeth the soule diuyde From God the good through Adams fall Whose sin within our flesh doeth byde Through which he by his gyftes of grace Doeth pepe and looke in at our grate And shyne through fayth our wyndoe place To bend and mend our woful state MY Beloued answered me and sayde Aryse make hast my loue my doue my most bewtifull and cum ¶ The Argument The Churche whome no man may wake vp but her Beloued asketh hym continually what she shal doe And whan he hath made her an answer she publysheth it to the Younglynges syngyng ¶ The Churche to the Younglinges xix MY Loue whome in my harte alway J aske what wurke he wyll J doe Made answer thus without delay And louely spake me to Aryse arise Vp vp my Loue my doue my frende Make haste whome J haue made so fayer And cum to me J wyll thee sende My flocke for to repayre Aryse arise NOwe the wynter is past the rayne shower is goen and departed The flowers haue appeared in our land The singing tyme is cum The Turtles voyce was heard in oure lande The fygge tree hath brought furth her buddes and the flowred vines haue yelded theyr smell Up therfore my Loue make haste my darlyng and cum O my doue in to the holes of the rocke into the hyd ladder degrees and shewe me thy face and let me heare thy voyce For thy voyce is swete and thy face beautiful ¶ The Argument CHriste seyng hys Spouse ready to ryse encourageth her to make great haste and exhortyng her to preache declareth howe bothe the tyme and place is nowe fit therefore openly syngyng ¶ Christe to his Spouse xx OF vnbelefe now is cowlde wynter past The stormes lykewyse of blyndnes and of trust Jn mannes deuice the whiche dyd ouercast The truth are goen are knowen to be but rust And loe the flowers of faythful men and iust In the erth our lande in beautie bud and bloome So that the tyme for whiche thou long didst lust The syngyng tyme the tyme to preache is cum The turtles voyce the voyce of the holy gost The wurd of God sincerely as it ought Was heard abrode in our landes litle coast And as it shoulde effectually hath wrought The fygtree loe her blossomes furth hath brought The budded vines haue yelded out theyr smel The faythfull folke to whom my truth was tought Jn fayth and wurkes excedyngly excell Aryse therfore my Spouse my special Loue Make haste make spede purely my wurde to preache And cum to me cum cum to me my doue To whome J geue myne holy goste to teache Cum to the Rocke to me thy stedy leache Cum to the hoales the merites of my death Cum to the hyd degrees of fayth that reache To perfectnes assisted by my breath Then turne to me thy face and let me hear Thy voyce aloude lyke thunder in the ayer Thy preachyng voyce is pleasaunt to myne ear And in myne â—ye thy face is very fayer CAtch vs the foxes the litle foxes that waste the vines and our vine bourgeons ¶ The Argument WHyles the Church accordyng to Christes commaundement preacheth remission of sinnes through fayth in his blud death and merites false Apostles seyng the people ready to receyue what soeuer is taught â–ª fayne themselues to be the Spouses healpers and vnder that title deceyuyng the surple rude soules preach for theyr profit theyr own dremes and inuencions promisyng merit and satisfaccion for supersticious wylwurkes Whiche Christe perceyuyng geueth his Spouse warnyng of them streytly chargyng her to preach agaynst them syngeth ¶ Christ to his Spouse xxi CAtche vs the false foxes that preache not the truth Those young litle foxes whiche flatter my youth Catche them with scripture declare them theyr follie Teache them to preache true my wurd that is hollie And stroy not my vineyardes They labour with learnyng the truth to deny And through theyr false faynyng to lead men awry Wastyng my vineyard my people most holly Therfore catche them quickly that they by theyr folly Destroy not my vineyardes For loe now my vine trees begyn thycke to bud Jn bryngyng furth bourgeons the whiche wyll be good Catche then these foxes ye preachers most holly Least by theyr flattring and false fayned folly They stroy al my vineyardes MYne is my Beloued and I his whiche fedeth among the lilies vntyl the day break and tyll the shadowes be goen ¶ The argument THe Spouse consyderyng the carefulnes that her Beloued taketh for her and her maydens admonisheth them therof and declaring what loue she beareth hym agayne and wyll doe euer syngeth ¶ The Spouse to the Younglynges xxii CHriste my Beloued whiche styl doth fede Among the flowers hauyng delyght Among his faythful lilies Doeth take great care for me in dede And J agayne with all
my myght Wyll do what so his wyl is My Loue in me and I in hym Conioynde by loue wyll styl abyde Among the faythful lilies Tyll day doe breake and truth do dym All shadowes darke and cause them slyde Accordyng as his wil is REturne O my Beloued and be lyke a Roe yong Hart vpon the mountains Bather ¶ The argument The Church accordyng to Christes commaundment goeth about to catch the foxes admonishing them of theyr wikednes and shewyng what hurt they do to the Lordes vineyardes with preachyng theyr own dreamed diuices supersticious wurkes charitably exhortyng them to ceasse from peruertyng the people and abusyng the holy scriptures But the foxes are so proude stubberne and stoute that they wyll not yelde but wylfully resist styl the truth Wherfore she supposing that God hath geuen them ouer by withdrawing his grace from them instauntly prayeth her Beloued to returne vnto them and to mollifie theyr hardened heartes that they may repent and be saued syngyng ¶ The Spouse to Christe xxiii REturne my Loue to these that are so blynde And geue them grace for lacke wherof they erre Cum swyft my Loue lyke to a Roe and hynde Vpon these proude these mountaynes of †Bather For from thy truth these proude deuided be Of stomake haute with troubles vexed sore But meken them and make them cum to me Whiche soone shall be if thou thy grace restore ⧠Here endeth the second Chapter ¶ The thirde Chapiter ⧠BY nyght in my bed I soughte him whom my soule loueth ye diligently sought I him but I found him not I will get vp thought I and goe aboute the citie in the wayes in all the stretes will I seeke hym whome my soule loueth but when I sought him I found him not The watchmen also that goe aboute the citye founde me Sawe ye not hym whome my soule loueth So when I was a litle past them I found him whome my soule loueth I haue gotten holde vpon hym and will not let hym goe vntyll I bryng hym into my mothers house and into her chaumber that bare me I charge you O ye daughters of Ierusalem by the Roes and Hyndes of the fielde that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her tyll she be content her selfe Who is thys that cummeth vp oute of the wildernes lyke vapours of smoke as it were a smell of Myrre frankencense and all manier spyces of the Apoticary Beholde about Salomons bedstede there stand .lx. valeaunte men of the moste mightie in Israell They holde sweordes euerye one and are experte in warre Euerye man also hath hys sweorde vpon hys thygh because of feare in the nyght Kyng Salomon had made hymselfe a palace of the wood of Libanus the pillers are of siluer the coueryng of gold the seate of purple the grounde is pleasantly paued with loue for the daughters of Ierusalem Goe foorthe O ye daughters of Sion and beholde Kyng Salomon in the croune wherewith hys mother crouned hym in the day of his mariage and in the day of the gladnes of his heart ¶ The thirde Chapter BY nyghte in my bed sought I for hym whome my soule loueth I sought him but I found hym not I wyl ryse nowe and goe about the citie by the lanes stretes wyll I seke him whome my soule loueth I sought hym but I founde hym not The kepers whiche goe aboute the citie founde me Haue ye not seen hym whome my soule loueth Whan I was a little passed furth from them I founde hym whome my soule loueth I got holde vpon hym and wyll not let hym go agayn vntyll I haue brought hym into my mothers house and in to the Chamber of her that bore me ¶ The Argument AT the desyer of his Spouse Christe cummeth vpon the mountaines of Bather the harde harted Foxes that destroyed his vineyardes mekenyng through his grace theyr loftie stomakes so humbling them that they acknowlegyng theyr wyckednes do repent and recant the false doctrine that they taught And nowe receyued through sayth and humilitie into the felowshyp of Christes holy Churche they confesse and openly publish the vaynenes of theyr former lyfe and of the tradicions and glorious wyl wurkes which they so stifly mayntayned singyng The new conuerted Spouse to the Younglynges xxiiii IN wysedome of the flesh my bed Fonde trust in wurkes of mannes deuise By nyght in darkenes of the dead J sought for Christe as one vnwyse Whome my soule loueth J sought hym long but founde hym not Because I sought hym not aryght J sought in wurkes but now I wot He is found by fayth not in the nyght Whome my soule loueth J wyll vp thought I and get me out Jn lanes and stretes my Loue to fynde And wandre others wurkes about To seke hym in that citie blynde Whome my soule loueth J sought hym there but coulde not spede The watche that of that citie been False preachers there founde me in dede Of whom I askt yf they had seen Whome my soule loueth They saw hym not nor greatly past My soule that sought hym to confounde But whan I was a lytle past Fro them and theyrs than hym I founde Whome my soule loueth I caught hym quycke by fayth and grace And wyll not suffre hym depart Tyl I haue brought hym to the place Where I hym sought with blynded hart Whome my soule loueth Tyl J hym bryng into the place Of vnbelief my mothers house And Chaumber that she may embrace His wurde and be with me his spouse Whome my soule loueth I Charge you o ye daughters of Ierusalem by the Roes Hyndes of the fyelde that ye wake not vp my Loue nor touche her tyll she be content her selfe ¶ The Argument SO earnest is theyr zeale whom God calleth to the truth that after themselues haue by fayth and grace obteyned Christe and the true sence of his holy spirite they can not be quiet vntyl they haue brought all other vnbeleuers of whose secte sumtyme they wer vnto the state that they nowe be in Whiche whan this newe conuerted churche hath brought to passe she committeth her selfe wholly to Christe who laying her downe to rest in the bed of quietnesse of conscience commaūdeth that none wake her singing the same again which in the seconde chapter he song to the yonglynges Christe to the Younglynges xxv O O ye daughters of Jerusalem ▪ c. As before in the fowertenth song in the second Chapter THe rest of this chapter is the spech of the ministers of y e fyrst churche whiche beyng nowe perfect are becum the frendes of God that is to saye his true and constaunt preachers ▪ whiche shrinke not for any kynde of tribulacion but boldly preache his wurd in the middes of persecucion WHo is she that cūmeth vp by the wyldrenes lyke a spyre of smoke made of the odours of Myrrhe and frankincence with al other kyndes of Apothecary spices WHyle the newe conuerted Spouse resteth in the sweete peace of
Of cumly heygth that spryng in goodly wyse Jn thee doeth grow spykenarde and Calamus With Saffron Camphor and the swete cypres And all the trees that grow in Libanus Swete Cynamome strong Myrrhe and Aloes With all hote spices aromatical These are the elect and faythfull that doe dwell Jn thee my church in office seueral Who all through fayth excedyng swete do smel And thou my spouse of gardeyns art a wel Thy dewie fayth doth moysten euery coost Thou art also a poole the whiche doeth wel Vp lyuely springes from out the holy goost With these thy streames whiche calmly take theyr course From Libanus my wurde that mountayne clere Thou waterest the gardens fine or course Of all good folke that in thy waye appere Vp North wynde vp vp tribulacion Cum blast my gardeyn that J may it trye Cum Southwynde eke cum consolacion And cherysh it least sum part hap to dye That whyle ye two vpon my churche do blow The fragrant smell of truth may from her flow LEt my beloued cum into hys gardeyn and eate the swete fruites therof ¶ The Argument AFter the north and southwynde haue so long blowen vpon the churche that her fruites of pacience humblenes obedience and charitie are rype she calleth Christe vnto her his gardeyn desyryng hym to eat his fruites that is to accept for good the wurkes which she through fayth in hym hath brought surth syngyng as foloweth ¶ The Spouse to her Beloued xxxiiii NOw that J am proued Let my best Beloued Whome mercie hath moued To make me his gardeyn Cum eat and for good take My wurkes for his blood sake The fruites let hym good make Whiche grow in my gardeyn ⧠Here endeth the fowerth Chapter ¶ The fyft Chapter I Am cum into my gardē O my sister my spouse I haue gathered my Myrre with my spyce I haue eaten hony with my hony combe I haue dronke my wyne with my mylke Eate O ye frendes drynk and be mery O ye beloued As I am a slepe and my herte is waking I hear the voyce of my beloued whē he knocketh Open to me O my syster my loue my doue my derlyng for my heade is ful of dewe and the lockes of my hearre are full of the nyght droppes I haue putte of my cote howe can I do it on agayne I haue washed my fete how shall I fyle them agayne My loue put in his hand at the hole and my herte was moued within me I stode vp to open vnto my beloued and my handes dropped with Myrre and the Myrre ranne downe my fingers vpon the locke I opened vnto my beloued but he was departed and gone his way Now when he spake my heart was goen I sought hym but I could not fynde hym I cried vpon him neuertheles he gaue me no answer So the watchmen that went about the citie founde me smote me wounded me yea they that kept the walles toke away my kercheaf fro me I charge you therefore O ye daughters of Ierusalem yf ye fynde my Beloued that ye tell hym how I am sick for loue What maner of man is thy loue aboue other louers O thou fayrest among wemen Or what can thy Loue doe more than other louers that thou chargest vs so straytly As for my loue he is white and red coloured a goodly person among ten thousand his head is as the most fyne golde the lockes of his heare are busshed blak as a crow His iyes are as the iyes of doues by the water brokes as though they were wasshed with mylke and are set lyke perles in gold His chekes are lyke a garden bed wherein the Apotecaries plant all maner of swete thynges Hys lyppes are lyke Roses that drop swete smellyng Myrre His handes are lyke gold ringes hauing enclosed the precious stone of Tharsis His body is as the pure yuory deckt ouer with Saphires His legges are as the pillers of Marble set vpon sokets of golde his face is as Libanus as the beautie of the Cedre trees The wurdes of his mouth are swete yea he is altogether louely Such one is my loue O ye daughters of Ierusalem suche one is my Loue. ¶ The fifth Chapter I Am cum into my gardein my sister my Spouse I haue gathered my myrrhe with my spice I haue eaten my hunnie combe with my hunney I haue drunke my wine with my mylke ¶ The Argument AT his Spouses request Christ cūmeth into his gardeyn and gathereth his mirrhe with his spices the vertuous dedes whiche through hym she bryngeth surth and eateth his hunney combe with his hūney and drynketh his wyne with his mylke that is he accepteth well her good doctrine wherwith she nurissheth comforteth the Younglynges Whiche al he calleth his because that for his sake she did them and whan he hath so doen he certifieth his Spouse therof syngyng Christe to his Spouse xxxv TO thee my Spouse my gardeyn great of price My syster dere J am cum at thy request J haue cropt my myrrhe and odourykyng spice Good wurkes whiche fayth hath gendred in thy brest My hunney combe with hunney of the best My wurde my truth my promise J haue eat J stande therto and wyll perfourme the rest That graunted is in swete so fyne a meat My cheryng wyne the strongest of my truth Whiche in mennes heartes through preachyng depe is sounk Myxt with my mylke weak doctrine for my youth Powrde out by thee I haue both seen and drounk EAt o my frendes and drynke and be drunke my best beloued CHriste seyng his Spouses fruites of most holsum doctrine to be excellent good calleth his fyrst Churche the whiche now are his frendes vnto his banket willyng them not only to eat and drynke his churches mylk and wyne that is the doctrine of holy scripture but also to be drunke that is to haue all carnall iudgement cleane ouercum with the perfect knowlege of his wurde syngyng to them ¶ Christe to his Spouse xxxvi EAt my frendes and drynke My Spouses mylke and wine My wurde whiche to the brynke Js full of foode diuine Both meat and drynke My Frendes whome I loue moste Drynke drinke tyll ye be drounk Drynke tyll my holly goste Jn you be throughly sunke Drinke and be drunke I Slepe and my hart waketh I hear the voice of my Beloued knockyng ¶ The Argument THe Spouse hyndred with the heauy burden of the flesh falleth oft becummeth negligent in her ministerie and slepeth as touchyng the flesh but in her hart and spirit watcheth continually alwayes attentiue and hearkenyng whan God wyl moue and wake her vp to doe any thyng Whiche she confesseth her selfe syngyng to the Yonglynges· ¶ The Spouse to the Younglynges xxxvii I I my selfe whome flesh doeth ouermatche Doe slepe in sinne obey my worldly wyll But yet my harte and sprite doe wake and watche To serue the Lorde his lawes for to fulfyll With harte and mynde But whyle J thus in fleshly slepe am