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Anne Kingsmill Finch - Fragment
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SO here confin`d, and but to female Clay, 
ARDELIA`s Soul mistook the rightful Way: 
Whilst the soft Breeze of Pleasure`s tempting Air 
Made her believe, Felicity was there; 
And basking in the warmth of early Time, 
To vain Amusements dedicate her Prime. 
Ambition next allur`d her tow`ring Eye; 
For Paradice she heard was plac`d on high, 
Then thought, the Court with all its glorious Show 
Was sure above the rest, and Paradice below. 
There plac`d too soon the flaming Sword appear`d, 
Remov`d those Pow`rs, whom justly she rever`d, 
Adher`d too in their Wreck, and in their Ruin shar`d. 
Now by the Wheels inevitable Round, 
With them thrown prostrate to the humble Ground, 
No more she takes (instructed by that Fall) 
For fix`d, or worth her thought, this rolling Ball: {1} 
Tow`rds a more certain Station she aspires, 
Unshaken by Revolts, and owns no less Desires. 
But all in vain are Pray`rs, extatick Thoughts, 
Recover`d Moments, and retracted Faults, 
Retirement, which the World Moroseness calls, 
Abandon`d Pleasures in Monastick {2} Walls: 
These, but at distance, towards that purpose tend, 
The lowly Means to an exalted End; 
Which He must perfect, who allots her Stay, 
And That, accomplish`d, will direct the way. 
Pity her restless Cares, and weary Strife, 
And point some Issue to escaping Life; 
Which so dismiss`d, no Pen or Human Speech 
Th` ineffable Recess can ever teach: 
Th` Expanse, the Light, the Harmony, the Throng, 
The Bride`s Attendance, and the Bridal Song, 
The numerous Mansions, and th` immortal Tree, 
No Eye, unpurg`d by Death, must ever see, 
Or Waves which through that wond`rous City roll. 
Rest then content, my too impatient Soul; 
Observe but here the easie Precepts given, 
Then wait with chearful hope, till Heaven be known in Heaven.
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