Psalm 27 / Hebrews 4:1-16 / Romans 8:1-11

When without teares I looke on Christ, I see
only a story of some passion
Which any common eye may wonder on
butt if I look through tears Christ smiles on mee
yea there I see my selfe: and from that tree
he bendeth downe to my devotione
And from his side the blood doth spinn, whereon
My hart, my mouth, mine eyes, still sucking bee.
Like as in Optick workes,* one thing appears
In open gaze, in Closer otherwise:
Then since tears see the best I aske in teares
Lord either thaw mine eyes to tears, or freeze
my teares to eyes, or lett my hart tears bleede
or bringe, where eyes, nor tears, nor blood shall neede.

— William Alabaster (1568-1640)

*Optick workes: drawings or constructions designed according to theories of optics or perspective.