Poem by Edward Taylor

The Ebb and Flow

When first thou on me, Lord, wrought'st thy sweet print,
    My heart was made thy tinder box.
    My ’ffections were thy tinder in’t:
        Where fell thy sparks by drops.
Those holy sparks of heavenly fire that came
Did ever catch and often out would flame.
 
But now my heart is made thy censer trim,
    Full of thy golden altar’s fire,
    To offer up sweet incense in
        Unto thyself entire:
I find my tinder scarce thy sparks can feel
That drop out from thy holy flint and steel.
 
Hence doubts out bud for fear thy fire in me
    ’S a mocking ignis fatuus;
    Or lest thine altars fire out be,
        It’s hid in ashes thus.
Yet when the bellows of thy spirit blow
Away mine ashes, then thy fire doth glow.

1. Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children
2. Happy As the Day Is Long
3. The Preface
4. Upon a Spider Catching a Fly
5. Huswifery

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