Solitude
Poem by Mary Mollineux (1651?-1695)
How sweet is harmless Solitude?
What can its Joys controul?
Tumults and Noise may not intrude,
To interrupt the Soul
That here enjoys it self, retir’d
From Earth’s seducing Charms;
Leaving her Pomp, to be admir’d
By such as Court their Harms;
While she, on Contemplations Wings,
Soars far beyond the Sky,
And feeds her Thoughts on Heav’nly Things,
Which in her Bosom lye.
Great Priviledges here, of old,
The wise Men did obtain;
And Treasure, far surpassing Gold,
They dig’d for, not in vain.
The Tincture of Philosophers
Here happily — they found;
The Musick of the Morning-Stars
Here in their Hearts did sound.
Moses , that meek and prudent Prince
Of Isr’el , did with Joy,
By th’Burning Bush, Experience
This Sacred Mystery;
When in Retirement he withdrew,
And led his tender Flock
Beyond the Desart, he might view
The Wonders of the Rock.
So Heav’ns high honour’d Favourite,
Did often choose to dwell
Less for a Refuge, than delight
Upon the Mount Carmel:
For in th’Incensed Justice, he
From Heaven call’d down Fire,
To curb vain Man’s Authority,
That did by Force require
The holy Prophet to submit
Unto their proud Command,
Or to come down, till Heav’n thought fit
Thereto to condescend.
There’s neither Stateliness of Court,
Nor any Frantick Mirth,
Deluded Mortals Childish Sport,
Nor Glories of the Earth,
Can Counterpoise that inward Peace,
Which in her Bosom dwells;
Joys here abounding, Sorrows cease;
Delight all Grief expels.
Here may the Soul, secur’d from Noise,
In Calmness meditate;
And waiting, hear the still small Voice,
Which makes the Mountains shake.
But Consolates the Soul and Mind,
As with a sweet Repose,
Which here, as from its Dross refin’d,
Participates of those
Diviner Joys, whereto by Birth
She hath a Sacred right;
Which far transcends all Joys on Earth,
In spotless true Delight.
But those that covet to enjoy
The Sweets of Solitude,
Must bid Adieu to Vanity;
Not let the World intrude,
Like an alluring Dalilah,
into their Privacy;
For her design is to betray
By subtil Flattery:
Which, who by Watchfulness doth learn
Discreetly to — repel,
Such, to their Solace, shall discern
Where perfect Peace doth dwell:
And in Retirement, always find
Such Innocent Delight,
As fully Satiates the Mind,
And plenteously requite
Denial of all Earthly Things,
Which ne’er can satisfie
The Noble Soul, whose Solace springs
From Immortality.
The Glorious Joys of Seraphims;
For which each daily sings
High Praises, and Melodious Hymns,
Unto the King of Kings.
Mary Mollineux (born Mary Southworth) differed from her Quaker contemporaries because of her early education in Latin, Greek, science, and arithmetic. She was imprisoned in Lancaster Castle in 1684 for attending Quaker Meetings.
