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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ANNIVERSARIUM BAPTISMI (5) by JOSEPH BEAUMONT

First Line: WOE IS ME, BUT EVEN NOW
Last Line: SOONER WE TO HEAVN SHALL RISE.
Subject(s): BAPTISM; WORSHIP; CHRISTENINGS;
WOE is me, but even now
Proud & fond I studied how
To erect some gallant Vow
On this pretious Mornings Brow,
Whoe to Heavn allready ow
Whatsoe'r I can bestow.

2

From a Childe ingaged I
Stand in all Obligements by
Baptisme's sacred Bonds, which tie
Me so strait, that should I die
For my LORD, I still must crie
Spare thy Debtors Povertie.

3

But how often have I broke
That which then I undertook
And my Masters Wrath awoke!
Well may my Demerits look
For his Judgements heavy stroke
Whome so highly they provoke.

4

Clean He washd Me then, & white,
And with Graces Me bedight;
Which his Favour to requite,
I free promise made to fight
(Helpd by his inspiring Might,)
With all Those whoe Him despight.

5

Yet I foulie falsifie'd
All my Vows, & madly trie'd
How to serve the Hostile Side:
In which Service had I die'd,
What had my rebellious Pride
Gaind, but endless Torments Tide?

6

Would destroying @3Satan@1 save Me?
Would this fadeing World releive Me?
Or could rotten @3Flesh@1 repreive Me?
And (which most of all doth greive Me)
Could my wronged @3Lord@1 forgive Me?
Or his scorned Heavn receive Me?

7

O my Hart, what shall we doe!
What, but with Confession to
@3Mercie's@1 blessed footstool goe?
@3Mercie,@1 is our @3Master,@1 whoe
Allways pittieth the Woe
Of his meek repentant Foe.

8

Lend, sweet @3JESU,@1 lend thine ear,
Loe my Hart, & I, am heer,
No ambitious Vow to rear;
But in guiltie woefull fear,
To beseech Thee Us to spare
Whoe our old ones down did bear.

9

Down We bore them all as We
Able were; yet still they be
Fixed sure above with Thee,
Nor could all our Treacherie
Break those Bonds & sett Us free
From our bounden Loyaltie.

10

Help Us then again to take
Up the Yoak We strove to break.
Light it is; Yet thy dear Sake
It by farr will lighter make.
Help Us, Lord, & from our Back
Let no force this Burden shake

11

O these Worldly Vanities
Whose heap'd Froth upon Us lies,
Cheat our shoulders in that guise,
And prove heavie Miseries:
Yf thy Cross their place supplies,
Sooner We to Heavn shall rise.



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