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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ANNIVERS: BAPTISMI, by JOSEPH BEAUMONT First Line: How much worse than in vain Last Line: When thou, not I, sole owner art of me. Subject(s): Baptism; Birth; Christianity; Christenings; Child Birth; Midwifery | |||
HOW much worse than in vain Had I been Born That other Morn, Had I not now been Born again! For that was but my Death's, but this Alone of my true Life the Birthday is. 2 The Wormes own crawling Brother I then was Born, Vile & forlorn Corruption being my foule Mother; From whome I could no Title have Of Heir to any Land, but to my Grave. 3 But by this second Birth I Kinred had With Heavn & God; For She who now did bring Me forth Was Gods own Spouse, that Holy She Whose Catholik Wombe breeds Christianitie. 4 She brought Me forth; & I Was now the Heir Unto the fair Inheritance prepar'd on high For those who study to maintain That Title They did by their Baptisme gain. 5 But has my study bin Thus provident; Or rather bent My own hearts Bliss to undermine? Like some wilde Heir, spurrd on by Hell Did I not Heavns Reversion madly sell? 6 Alas, I did: & all The wretched price I took, did rise To nothing but a flood of Gall: For what can all this World to Me Afford, but most vexatious Vanitie? 7 O King of my poor Heart, Whose gratious ear Delights to hear A Sinners Crie: O Thou who art The Same forevermore, though I Alas, be chang'd into Deformity, 8 Remember thine own Love, And so forget How I on it Have heapd Ingratitude, & strove To be, what yet I would not be Were the Worlds total Value offerd Me. 9 O no, sweet Lord, I would Be Thine, & none But Thine alone: And though fond I my Bliss have sold To Vanity; I will not sell My Hope, since Thou art my Redeemer still. 10 Baptise Me then again In Mercies Flood, Which is thy Blood: And so no longer shall a Stain My woefull Difinition be, Nor Guilt the onely Clothes which cover Me. 11 So shall thy Glory shine Afresh in my New Purity; So, though the Happines be Mine, Yet still it shall belong to Thee, When Thou, not I, sole Owner art of Me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHY I AM AFRAID OF TURNING THE PAGE by CATE MARVIN ACCIDENTS OF BIRTH by WILLIAM MEREDITH ONE FOR ALL NEWBORNS by THYLIAS MOSS CURRICULUM VITAE by LISEL MUELLER FOUND IN THE CABBAGE PATCH by LISEL MUELLER Γενεθλιακον by JOSEPH BEAUMONT Γενεθλιακον by JOSEPH BEAUMONT A CONCLUSORIE HUMNE TO THE SAME WEEK; & FOR MY FRIEND by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |
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