The World

    Love built a stately house， where Fortune came，

    And spinning fancies， she was heard to say

    That her fine cobwebs did support the frame，

    Whereas they were supported by the same；

    But Wisdom quickly swept them all away.

    The Pleasure came， who， liking¹ not the fashion，

    Began to make balconies， terraces，

    Till she had weakened all by alteration²；

    But reverend laws， and many a proclomation

    Reforméd all at length with menaces.

    Then entered Sin， and with that sycamore

    Whose leaves first sheltered man from drought and dew，

    Working and winding³ slily evermore，

    The inward walls and summers cleft⁴ and tore；

    But Grace shored these， and cut that as it grew.

    Then Sin combined with death in a firm band，

    To raze⁵ the building to the very floor；

    Which they effected，——none could them withstand；

    But Love and Grace took Glory by the hand，

    And built a braver palace than before.