“Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children (Paraphrased)”

A Curious flowerbed God made in paradise,
And drew it out polished neatly and well.
It was a true-love flowerbed, more good than bad,
And it was set with a gorgeous wedding dress.
It’s a wedding that can’t be ruined:
Nothing in this world can stop it.

The cuttings were planted, growing happy and glorious:
Unless a hellish breath gets rid of them.
Here Primrose, Cowslips, Roses, and Lilies bloom,
With Violets and Pinks that emit good scents:
Whose beautiful leaves overlaid with Honey Dew,
And chanting birds chirp out sweet music.

When I was in this flowerbed I planted my stem
Soon came out a manly flower.
And after it, my branch did it again
Brought out another Flower, it’s a sweet-breathed child.
One gave to the other, to the other’s place
They had chuckling smiles in each other’s face

But Oh! A glorious hand came
Guarded with Angels, they soon did take this flower
Which almost tore the root out again,
At that surprising, gloomy, and dark hour.
In Prayer to Christ the scent did rise,
And bright angels took it to heaven.

But pausing, on to this sweet scent of my thought:
Christ would in glory have a Flower, Choice, Prime,
And having choice, he chose my branch,
Lord takes it. I thank you; you take it out of mine:
It is my pledge in glory and part of me
The Lord is glorified with it.