Did I grow, or did I stay?

Did I prosper or decay?

When I so

From Things to Thoughts did go?

Did I flourish or diminish,

When I so in Thoughts did finish

What I had in Things begun;

When from God'ss Works to think upon

The Thoughts of Men my Soul did com?

The Thoughts of Men, had they been Wise,

Should more delight me than the Skies.

They mighty Creatures are

For these the Mind

Affect, afflict, do eas or grind;

But foolish Thoughts ensnare.

Wise ones are a sacred Treasure;

Tru ones yield Substantial Pleasure:

Compar'd to them,

I Things as Shades esteem.

False ones are a foolish Flourish,

(Such as Mortals chiefly nourish)

When I them to Things compare,

Compar'd to Things, they Trifles are;

Bad Thoughts do hurt, deceiv, ensnare.

A good Man's Thoughts are of such price

That they creäte a Paradise:

But he that misemploys

That Faculty,

God, Men, and Angels doth defy;

Robs them of all their Joys.