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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A CHILD MY CHOICE by ROBERT SOUTHWELL

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: LET FOLLY PRAISE THAT FANCY LOVES, I PRAISE AND LOVE THAT CHILD
Last Line: CORRECT MY FAULTS, PROTECT MY LIFE, DIRECT ME WHEN I DIE.
Subject(s): JESUS CHRIST; RELIGION; THEOLOGY;

Let folly praise that fancie loves, I praise and love that child,
Whose hart, no thought; whose tong, no word: whose hand no deed defiled.
I praise him most, I love him best, all praise and love is his:
While him I love, in him I live, and not live amisse.

Loves sweetest mark, Laudes highest theme, mans most desired light;
To love him, life: to leave him, death: to live in him, delight.
He mine, by gift: I his, bu debt: thus each, to other due:
First friend he was: best friend he is: all times will try him true.

Though young, yet wise; though small, yet strong: though man, yet God he is:
As wise, he knows: as strong, he can: as God, he loves to blisse.
His knowledge rules: his strength, defends: his love, doth cherish all:
His birth, our Joye: his life, our light: his death, our end of thrall.

Alas, he weepes, his sighes, he pants, yeat doo his Angels sing:
Out of his teares, his sighes, and throbs, doth bud a joyfull spring.
Almightie babe, whose tender arms can force all foes to flie:
Correct my faults, protect my life, direct me when I die.



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