Classic Poem

more strictly translated.

1

O me accurst, since I haue set on me
(Incenst so sternely) my so meeke Redeemer;
And haue bene proud in prides supreme degree;
Of his so serious law, a sleight esteemer.

2

I left the narrow right way with my will,
In bywaies brode, and farre about transferred:
And euery way found toyle, and euery ill,
Yet still in tracts more rough, and steepe I erred.

3

Where one or other of the brutish heard
My feete encounterd, yet more brute affected:
Euen to the dens of sauage beasts I err'd,
And there my manlesse mansion house erected.

4

I haunted pleasure still, where sorrow mournd,
My couch of ease, in sharpest brambles making:
I hop't for rest, where restlesse torment burnd,
In ruines bosome, sleepes securely taking.

5

Now then, aye me, what resteth to be done,
Where shall I turne me, where such dangers tremble?
My youths faire flowres, are altogether gone,
And now a wretched shipwracke I resemble.

6

That (all the merchandise, and venture lost,)
Swims naked forth, with seas and tempests tost.

7

Farre from my hauen, I roue, touch at no streme
That any course to my saluation tenders:
But waies sinister, rauish me with them:
I see a little; which more grieuous renders.

8

My inward conflict; since my charges passe
Vpon my selfe; and my sad soule endanger:
Anger with sinne striues; but so huge a masse
Of cruell miseries oppresse mine anger,

9

That it confounds me, nor leaues place for breath.
Oft I attempt to flie, and meditation
Contends to shake off my old yoke of death,
But to my bones cleaues the vncur'd vexation.

10

O that at length, my necke his yoke could cleare,
Which would be straite, wouldst thou o highest will it:
O that so angrie with my sinne I were,
That I could loue thee, though thus late fulfill it.

11

But much I feare it, since my freedome is
So with mine owne hands out of heart, & sterued:
And I must yeeld, my torment iust in this,
Sorrow, and labor, wring me most deserued.

12

Mad wretch, what haue I to my selfe procured?
Mine owne hands forg'd, the chains I haue endur'd.

13

In deaths blacke ambush, with my will I fell,
And wheresoeuer vulgar brode waies traine me:
Nets are disposde for me, by him of hell.
When more retir'd, more narrow paths containe me.

14

There meete my feete with fitted snares as sure,
I (wretch) looke downeward, and of one side euer;
And euerie slipperie way I walke secure,
My sins forget their traitrous flatteries neuer.

15

I thought the grace of youth could neuer erre,
And follow'd where his boundles force wold driue me,
Said to my selfe; Why should th'extremes deterre,
Before youths season, of the meane depriue me?

16

Each age is bounded in his proper ends;
God, I know, sees this, but he laughs and sees it:
Pardon, at any time, or prayre attends;
Repentance still weeps when thy wish decrees it.

17

Then vilest custome challengeth his slaue,
And laies on hand, that all defence denies me;
And then no place reseru'd for flight I haue:
Subdu'd I am, and farre my refuge flies me.

18

Die in my sinne I shall, vnlesse my aide
Stoopes from aloft, of which deserts depriue me.
Yet haue thou mercie, Lord, helpe one dismaide,
Thy word retain, & from hell mouth retriue me.

All glorie to the Father be,
And to the Sonne as great as he:
With the coequall sacred Spirit;
Who all beginnings were before,
Are, and shall be euermore.
Glorie, all glorie to their merit.