The Flesh And The Spirit

In secret place where once I stood     Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood,     I heard two sisters reason on     Things that are past and things to come.     One Flesh was call'd, who had her eye     On worldly wealth and vanity;     The other Spirit, who did rear     Her thoughts unto a higher sphere.     "Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou on     Nothing but Meditation?     Doth Contemplation feed thee so     Regardlessly to let earth go?     Can Speculation satisfy     Notion without Reality?     Dost dream of things beyond the Moon     And dost thou hope to dwell there soon?     Hast treasures there laid up in store     That all in th' world thou count'st but poor?     Art fancy-sick or turn'd a Sot     To catch at shadows which are not?     Come, come. I'll show unto thy sense,     Industry hath its recompence.     What canst desire, but thou maist see     True substance in variety?     Dost honour like? Acquire the same,     As some to their immortal fame;     And trophies to thy name erect     Which wearing time shall ne'er deject.     For riches dost thou long full sore?     Behold enough of precious store.     Earth hath more silver, pearls, and gold     Than eyes can see or hands can hold.     Affects thou pleasure? Take thy fill.     Earth hath enough of what you will.     Then let not go what thou maist find     For things unknown only in mind."