Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PREPARATORY MEDITATIONS, 2D SERIES: 38, by EDWARD TAYLOR



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PREPARATORY MEDITATIONS, 2D SERIES: 38, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: If that my power was answerable to
Last Line: My tune's to thee al-tashcheth mictam sweet.
Subject(s): Puritans In Literature


If that my Power was answerable to
My minde, my Lord, my little mite would rise
With something in its hand of Worth to 'stow
And send to thee through the bright azure Skies.
For next unto Infinity, I finde
Its Love unto thyselfe of boundless kinde.

Its Love, Desire, Esteem of thee all scorn
Confining limits, whose Dimensions stand
Immeasurable, but my Power's down born,
Its impotency; Cannot heave a Sand
Over a Straw, that all the fruites my Will
Can e're produce can't * * * or one Sin kill.

This Wracks my heart, and low my person layes
And rowles mee in the dust at thoughts hereon.
That thou, who dost deserve all glorious praise
Should with an Empty Will, whose power is none
Be paid, indeed; But yet, (O pardon mee)
I want a power, not will to honour thee.

Thou Wisdom art, Wisdom's the heads Chiefe thing,
Thou the Beginning art of Gods Creation.
And therefore art of Excellence the Spring
And the Beginning of all Holy Station.
First born from th'Dead: Sun like thy Excellence
All Good things doth like Sunbeames forth dispense.

All Love, and Praise, all Service, Honour bright
From all the Sons of men is but thy due.
Thou their beginning art: they and their might
Should sing thy glory out and it forth show.
But, oh my Shame, I have no Power nor Skill
To do the Same, onely an Empty Will.

But, O my Lord, thou the Beginning art,
Begin to draw afresh thine Image out
In Shining Colours, on my Life, and Heart
Begin anew thy foes in mee to route.
Begin again to breize upon my Soule
Breize after brieze untill I touch the goale.

Thou the Beginning art of Order, and
Art Head of Principalities and Power
Archont of Kings, Archangell to the Band
Of Angells, and Archangells in their flower.
Thou art, Lord, Principall: whose Beings run
And all best things, like Sun beames from the Sun.

Be ever, Lord beginning till I end,
At carrying on thine Intrest in my Soule.
For thy beginning will my marrd minde mende
And make it pray Lord, take mee for thy tole.
If mee as Wheate thy Tole-Dish doth once greet
My tune's to thee Al-tashcheth Mictam Sweet.





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