Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DISTRACTED PURITAN, by RICHARD CORBET


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DISTRACTED PURITAN, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Am I mad, o noble festus
Last Line: Come hear me pray nine times a daqy, %and fill your heads with crotchets
Alternate Author Name(s): Corbett, Richard
Subject(s): Puritans


Out of the church she [the servant] dragg'd him, and home did bring,
And by her virtue cured the deadly sin;
Who for five hours together durst not speak,
Only a fish-wife's language could he break:
But at the length, his silence he did break,
And thus bespake his wife; "My Joan, for thy sake,
I have this day escaped a deadly snare,
And therefore for my safety use more care:
Know you, my Joan, the Lord will not be mock'd,
And therefore for my soul I must provide;
No more shall ale or cakes my taste provoke,
For my religion wills that I should fast:
So shall my soul be with salvation blest,


For I have fasted most religiously."
At this his Joan began to cast her eyes
Aside, and to soliloquize:
Alas! how fond have I been all this while,
To take a Puritan to be my dear;
Yet I am sure he lov'd me at the first,
And for my beauty I did quench his thirst.
Oft would he sigh and look most pitiful,
And make long speeches 'gainst the scarlet whore;
But now, alas! his zeal hath made him mad,
And in his frenzy he hath lost his wit."


Thus did she mourn, while he did fast and pray,
Thinking thereby to cleanse his soul each day:
But he thereby grew leane and full of pain,
And being not well, grew every day more vain;
His eyes grew dim, his sight began to fail,
His stomach sick, his body thin and pale.
And to conclude, so clearly he was gone,
That to the church-yard he could walk alone.


The minister did comfort him, and said,
Good brother, be not troubled in your head;
Christ by his death hath sav'd thy sinful soul,
And with his blood hath wash'd thee in the bowl
Of his own mercy; therefore do not doubt,
But in his promise rest, for he's most stout;
Believe in him, and never be afraid,
For he is merciful as well as just."








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