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."
Having questioned the Spirit’s devotion, the Flesh tempts the Spirit with earthly wealth: “Earth hath more silver, pearls and gold…Take they fill/Earth hath enough of what you will.”  This temptation of the spirit is reminiscent of the serpent tempting Eve in the garden.  In both cases, the subject (Eve and the Spirit) are tempted away from their spiritual devotion/faith with earthly reward (the apple of knowledge and wealth).  Here, Bradstreet confronts the continuation of temptation of the spirit on earth after the temptation of Eve gave rise to original sin. 

Flesh and the Spirit The