Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NOBIS NATUS IN PRETIUM: NOBIS DATUS IN PRAETIUM, by PATRICK CAREY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NOBIS NATUS IN PRETIUM: NOBIS DATUS IN PRAETIUM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Great god! I had been nothing but for thee
Last Line: Save what th' hast bought at such a rate!
Subject(s): God; Conduct Of Life


I

GREAT GOD! I had been nothing but for thee;
Thy all-creating power first made me be:
And yet, no sooner had I got
A being, but I straight forgot
That thou (great God!) that thou hadst given it me.
My being somewhat I did spend
Only thy goodness to offend;
And, though chastis'd, yet ne'er would mend.

II

Christ! but for thee, I had remained so;
Thou didst redeem me, though I were thy foe.
And yet thou hadst no sooner spilt
Thy blood, to wash away my guilt,
But my ingratitude I straight did show.
My chains thou kindly didst unloose;
My liberty I soon did lose;
And, to become a slave, did choose.

III

Blest Spirit! once again my soul to try
Thou didst her cleanse, renew, and sanctify.
Scarce was she purged by thy flame,
But straight more horrid she became
Than ere (blest Spirit!) thou didst her purify.
All the three Persons now in vain
Had tried a perverse soul to gain,
Who was resolv'd on her own bane.

IV

Thus, though to save me, God strove ev'ry way,
To punishment I did myself betray.
I grieve for th' ill that I have done;
I weep to see myself undone;
But, in excuse, have not one word to say.
Yes (God!) since thou didst me create,
Then ransom, then sanctificate;
Save what th' hast bought at such a rate!





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