Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CONSTELLATION, by HENRY VAUGHAN



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CONSTELLATION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair, ordered lights (whose motion without noise
Last Line: And say, where god is, all agree.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
Subject(s): Constellations


Fair, ordered lights (whose motion without noise)
Resembles those true Joys
Whose spring is on that hil where you do grow
And we here tast sometimes below,)
With what exact obedience do you move
Now beneath, and now above,
And in your vast progressions overlook
The darkest night, and closest nook!
Some nights I see you in the gladsome East,
Some other neer the West,
And when I cannot see, yet do you shine
And beat about your endles line.
Silence, and light, and watchfulnes with you
Attend and wind the Clue,
No sleep, nor sloth assailes you, but poor man
Still either sleeps, or slips his span.
He grops beneath here, and with restless Care
First makes, then hugs a snare,
Adores dead dust, sets heart on Corne and grass
But seldom doth make heav'n his glass.
Musick and mirth (if there be musick here)
Take up, and tune his year,
These things are Kin to him, and must be had,
Who kneels, or sighs a lie is mad.
Perhaps some nights hee'l watch with you, and peep
When it were best to sleep,
Dares know Effects, and Judge them long before,
When th' herb he treads knows much, much more.
But seeks he your Obedience, Order, Light,
Your calm and wel-train'd flight,
Where, though the glory differ in each star,
Yet is there peace still, and no war?
Since plac'd by him who calls you by your names
And fixt there all your flames,
Without Command you never acted ought
And then you in your Courses fought.
But here Commission'd by a black self-wil
The sons the father kil,
The Children Chase the mother, and would heal
The wounds they give, by crying, zeale.
Then Cast her bloud, and tears upon thy book
Where they for fashion look,
And like that Lamb which had the Dragons voice
Seem mild, but are known by their noise.
Thus by our lusts disorder'd into wars
Our guides prove wandring stars,
Which for these mists, and black days were reserv'd,
What time we from our first love swerv'd.
Yet O for his sake who sits now by thee
All crown'd with victory,
So guide us through this Darknes, that we may
Be more and more in love with day;
Settle, and fix our hearts, that we may move
In order, peace, and love,
And taught obedience by thy whole Creation,
Become an humble, holy nation.
Give to thy spouse her perfect, and pure dress,
Beauty and holiness,
And so repair these Rents, that men may see
And say, Where God is, all agree.






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