My calling is Divine, And I from God am sent; I will no chop-church be, Nor pay my patron rent,
Nor yield to sacrilege; But like the kind true mother, Rather will lose all the child Than part it with another.
Much wealth I will not seek, Nor worldly masters serve, So to grow rich and fat While my poor flock doth starve.
My occupation is The noble trade of kings The trial that decides The highest right of things.
Though Mars my master be, I do not Venus love, Nor honour Bacchus oft, Nor often swear by Jove.
Of speaking of myself I all occasion shun, And rather love to do, Than boast what I have done.
The law my calling is; My robe, my tongue, my pen Wealth and opinion gain And make me judge of men.
The known dishonest cause, I never did defend Nor spun out suits in length, But wish'd and sought an end;
Nor counsel did bewray, Nor of both parties take, Nor ever took I fee For which I never spake.
I study to uphold The slippery state of man, Who dies when we have done The best and all we can.
From practice and from books I draw my learned skill, Not from the known receipt Or 'pothecary's bill.
The earth my faults doth hide, The world my cures doth see, What youth and time effects Is oft ascribed to me.
My trade doth everything To every land supply, Discovers unknown coasts, Strange countries doth ally.
I never did forestall, I never did engross, Nor custom did withdraw Though I return'd with loss.
I thrive by fair exchange, By selling and by buying, And not by Jewish use, Reprisal, fraud, or lying.
Though strange outlandish spirits Praise towns and countries scorn, The country is my home, I dwell where I was born.
There profit and command With pleasure I partake, Yet do not hawks and dogs My sole companions make.
I rule, but not oppress; End quarrels, not maintain; See towns, but dwell not there To abridge my charge or train.
The first of all our sex Came from the side of man, I thither am return'd From whence our sex began.
I do not visit oft, Nor many when I do, I tell my mind to few And that in counsel too.
I seem not sick in health, Nor sullen but in sorrow; I care for somewhat else Than what to wear to-morrow.
My dying husband knew How much his death would grieve me, And therefore left me wealth To comfort and relieve me.