Classic Poem

O that the grief surrounding me,
Were in a balance laid,
And my extreme calamity
Were now against it weigh'd!

Then let an equal judge appear,
His thoughts to signify,
Which scale the greatest weight does bear,
He'd soon decide with me.

My crosses over weigh my cries,
My loads of woe and pain
Exceed the pond'rous sand that lies
Around the ebbing main.

Unutterable are the groans,
My weary soul oppress:
Nor have I words to speak my moans,
Or show my deep distress.

The arrows of th' almighty God
Stick fast within my heart;
Each fest'ring wound burns up my blood,
And gives me deadly smart.

Arrows, whose heads like flaming eyes,
And pointed light'ning shine;
Steep'd in the strongest dregs and lees,
Of fiery wrath divine.

The poison thereof raging high,
Soon spreads without control;
Drinks up and drains my spirits dry,
And eats into my soul.

God's threat'ning terrors all drawn out,
In order and array,
For battle, closing me about,
Invade me every way.