[_On his Shadow._] The text is taken from King's autograph in Rawlinson Poet D. 317, foll. 173-4: it has neither heading nor signature. At line 25, the last on this page of the MS., the catchword reads 'Yet when', which is slightly more appropriate, but the text continues 'And when'. There is a copy in Harleian MS. 6917, fol. 97 verso-98, entitled _On his Shadow._ There are the following variants:]
[Line: 55 could] could not (but compare l. 31).]
_For this new, and all succeeding years:_
If wishes may enrich my boy, My Jack, that art thy father's joy, They shall be showered upon thy head As thick as manna, angel's bread; And bread I wish thee--this short word Will furnish both thy back and board; Not Fortunatus' purse or cap Nor Danae's gold-replenished lap Can more supply thee: but content Is a large patrimony, sent 10 From him who did thy soul infuse. May'st thou this best endowment use In any state; thy structure is I see complete--a frontispiece Promising fair; may it ne'er be Like Jesuit's volumes, where we see Virtues and saints adorn the front, Doctrines of devils follow on't: May a pure soul inhabit still This well-mixed clay; and a straight will 20 Biassed by reason, that by grace. May gems of price maintain their place In such a casket: in that list Chaste turquoise, sober amethyst That sacred breastplate still surround: Urim and Thummim be there found, Which for thy wearing I design, That in thee King and Priest may join, As 'twas thy grandsire's choice, and mine. May'st thou attain John the Divine 30 Chief of thy titles, though contempt Now brand the clergy; be exempt, I ever wish thee, from each vice That may that calling scandalize: Let not thy tongue with court oil flow, Nor supple language lay thee low For thy preferment; make God's cause Thy pulpit's task, not thine applause; May'st thou both preach by line and life; That thou live well and chaste, a wife 40 I wish thee, such as is thy sire's, A lawful help 'gainst lustful fires; And though promotions often frown On married brows, yet lie not down In single baudry; impure monks, That banish wedlock, license punks. Peace I do wish thee from those wars Which gownmen talk out at the bars Four times a year; I wish thee peace Of conscience, country, and increase 50 In all that best of men commends, Favour with God, good men thy friends. Last, for a lasting legacy I this bequeath, when thou shalt die, Heaven's monarch bless mine eyes, to see My wishes crowned, in crowning thee.