Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SATYR, by ELIZABETH TIPPER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SATYR, by                    
First Line: As dungeons are for criminals prepared
Last Line: Make me true christian, tho' no satyrist.
Subject(s): Life; Prisons & Prisoners; Sin; Women


As Dungeons are for Criminals prepar'd,
Tyburn and Gyves too is their just Reward;
So Satyr's Lash dipt, poison'd in Disgrace,
Is fit to scourge the Vice of Human Race.
Did not the Lamb of God, with Sacred Terror,
Reprove all Pharisaic Sins and Error?
Where's then my Muse? Does my Poetick Vein!
Want Skill or Courage for this useful strain?
Baptismal Vows engage Heroic Minds,
Women are valiant, tho' of different Kinds,
And tho' my Sex is weak, my Heart's not so:
Lead on my Chief, I fear not where I go.
Instruct me Lord, I wait for thy Command,
Without it I dare stir not Foot or Hand.
I begg'd again, and then my Lord reply'd,
My Precepts and Example be your Guide;
Go follow them. Strait then I call'd to mind
His Golden Rule, propitious left behind:
First cast away the Beam that hides the Light
Of thine own Eye, deluded Hypocrite;
Which, once remov'd, thou better may'st discern
The little Mote thy Brother does concern,
And with more reason ask to pull it out,
When thy clear Light dispels his darker Doubt:
But if black Vice thy Life it self betray,
And thou pretend'st to Guide the perfect Way,
'Tis like a blind Man raving in a Heat,
Inspir'd by some ridiculous Conceit,
He's able to lead all that go astray;
His Tongue crys out, his Feet quite miss the way;
Sometimes his Steps are right, but rarely so;
Still with invective Bawls, you falsly go.
Should this his Conduct be by Prudence try'd,
Would he be thought a Madman or a Guide?
Our Savior, e're such Work he did begin,
Ask'd, Which of you convinces me of Sin?
And must his spotless Life a Pattern be
Imitable for such a Worm as me?
The great Example I can never reach,
Alas! I want time more to Watch than Preach.
My Self is Task sufficient to look o're,
I find no Moment where I need explore
The Faults of others, but my own deplore.
And now I beg, since my Design has mist,
Make me true Christian, tho' no Satyrist.





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