Classic Poem

For Mr Conyers Darcy At Merworth March — II: 1644

If I must needs discover
I am in Love: be Christ again my Lover
And let His Passion bring
My Actions to their Touch and Censuring
Who in this world was Borne
Liv'd in it, and was put to Dearth with skorne
That I to sinn might Die
Being borne again; soe Live Eternally
Thus I'le noe Longer make
Addresses to my Glass for This Curle's sake
Or that Quaint Guarbe wherby
I may enchaunted be with Flattery
Nor on Luxurious vowe
Becircling Rose-budds Crave to Gert my Browe
But with a Melting Thought
Bring Home the Ransome, wherat I was bought
In Contemplation
Of that same Playted Crown He once had on
And when my Glove or Shooe
Wants Ribbond, Call for th'nailes that pierct Him too
Else farther to be Drest
Borrow the Tincture of His naked Brest
Nor wash but in Soule-Pride
Then use noe other Bason than His side
Soe up, and Redy, Think
How He, for Me Lowe in the grave did sinke
That I again might rise
With Him that was both Priest and Sacrefize
To make attonement in
The difference 'twixt His Fathers wrath, Mans sinn.
Wherto it must remaine
That I through Faith requite this Love again.