Protect mee lord, preserve mee, sett mee free, from men that be, so vile, so violent: in whose intent, both force, and frawde doth lurke, my bane to worke, whose tongues are sharper thinges then Adders stinges, whose rustie lipps enclose, A poisoned hoord, such in the Aspick growes. Save I saie lord, protect mee, sett mee free, from those that be, so vile, so violent: whose thoughts are spent, in thinking how they maie My stepps betraie, how nett of fowle misshapp maie mee intrapp, how hidd in traytor grasse theire Cunning Cord, maie catch mee as I passe. But this O Lord I hould my God art thou: thou eare wilt bowe, what time thy aide I praie. In thee my staie, Jehova, thou do'st arme, against all harme, and guard my bedd in field. O then to yeeld theis wicked theire desire doe not accord, for still they will aspire. But yeeld O lord, that ev'n the head of those that me enclose, of this theire hott pursuite, maye taste the fruite: with deadlie venom stronge of theire owne tongue. Loe, loe, I see they shall yea Coales shall fall, yea flames shall flinge them low aye unrestor'd to drowne in deepest woe. For lyers Lord, shall never firmelie stand, and from the land whoe violentlie live mischiefe shall drive. But well I knowe the poore thou wilt restore: restore th'afflicted wight. That in thy sight, the just maie howses frame and gladd record, the honnour of thy name. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...I, TOO by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 52. WILLOWWOOD (4) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE ABSTINENT LOVER by ABUL BAHR SONNET by KATHARINE REBECCA ADAMS ON THE THRESHOLD by ASTLEY H. BALDWIN |