Nature’s Grange

Grounds of great loss, with sorrows were deep plowed,1
Wherein the fertile seed of care was sowed;2
Horses of hopes did draw the cart of pains,3
With expectations filled, to th’barn of brains;4
Cows of content did give5 the milk of ease;                              5
Curds pressed with love did make6 a friendship cheese;
Cream of delight was put in7 pleasure’s churn,
In a short time to butt’r of joy did turn;8
Sweet whey of tears from laughing eyes did flow:9
Thus all her housewif’ry did Nature show.10                           10
Eggs of revenge were laid by some design;
Chickens of mischief hatched by11 words divine.
Life’s nourishment12 the poultry fat doth cram,
And so she doth all creatures else, and man.13
And Nature makes the Fates14 to sit and spin,                         15
And Destiny lays out and brings flax in.
In this her housewif’ry doth Nature15 take
Such great delight,16 the cloth of life to make,
That17 every garment she herself cuts out,
Disposing18 to her creatures all about.                                      20
Where some wear them so long, till they be19 torn,
And some do cast them off before half worn.
Thus busy Nature20 doth her self employ
On every creature small, until they21 die.
When any22 dies, that work is at an end;23                               25
Then to a new she doth her study bend.24

  1. great loss, with sorrows were deep plowed,] losse was plow’d with Sorrowes deep, 1653
  2. the fertile seed of care was sowed;] was sowed Cares, a Fertile Seed. 1653
  3. Horses of hopes did draw the cart of pains,] Carts of Industry Horses of Hopes drew, 1653
  4. With expectations filled, to th’barn of brains;] Laden with Expectations in Barnes of Braines they threw. 1653
  5. did give] which gave 1653
  6. did make] which made 1653
  7. was put in] put into 1664, 1668
  8. In a short time to butt’r of joy did turn;] Wherein short time the Butter of Joyes come. 1653; In a short time to Butter of Joy did turn; 1664
  9. flow:] run: 1653
  10. all her housewif’ry did Nature show.] Houswifery Nature her selfe hath done. 1653
  11. by] with 1653
  12. Life’s nourishment] Nourishment 1653
  13. she doth all creatures else, and man.] all Creatures else, both Wild and Tame; 1664; all Creatures else, both Wild and Tame. 1668
  14. And Nature makes the Fates] The Fates doth Nature make 1664; The Fates doth Nature make 1668
  15. In this her housewif’ry doth Nature] For Nature in this Housewifry doth 1653
  16. Such great delight,] Great pleasure, 1653
  17. That] And 1653
  18. Disposing] Giving them 1664, 1668
  19. wear them so long, till they be] do weare them long, all thread-bare 1653
  20. busy Nature] Nature busily 1653
  21. until they] till they do 1653
  22. When any] And when one 1664, 1668
  23. at an end;] done, 1653
  24. Then to a new she doth her study bend.] And then a new work is begun. 1653