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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REPENTANCE (1), by                    
First Line: Last sunday at st. James's prayers
Last Line: By half so much repent
Subject(s): Public Worship;repentance; Church Attendance;penitence


LAST Sunday at St. James's prayers,
The prince and princess by,
I, dressed in all my whale-bone airs,
Sat in a closet nigh.
I bowed my knees, I held my book,
Read all the answers o'er;
But was perverted by a look,
Which pierced me from the door.
High thoughts of Heaven I came to use,
With the devoutest care;
Which gay young Strephon made me lose,
And all the raptures there.
He stood to hand me to my chair,
And bowed with courtly grace;
But whispered love into my ear
Too warm for that grave place,
'Love, love,' said he, 'by all adored,
My tender heart has won.'
But I grow peevish at the word,
And bade he would be gone.
He went quite out of sight, while I
A kinder answer meant;
Nor did I for my sins that day
By half so much repent.





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