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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WRITTEN IN A LADY'S PRAYER BOOK by JOHN WILMOT

Poet Analysis

First Line: FLING THIS USELESS BOOK AWAY
Last Line: THROUGH ALL THE JOYS ON EARTH TO THOSE ABOVE.
Subject(s): BOOKS; LOVE; READING;

1.

Fling this useless book away,
And presume no more to pray.
Heaven is just, and can bestow
Mercy on none but those that mercy show.
With a proud heart maliciously inclined
Not to increase, but to subdue mankind,
In vain you vex the gods with your petition;
Without repentance and sincere contrition,
You're in a reprobate condition.

2.

Phyllis, to calm the angry powers
And save my soul as well as yours,
Relieve poor mortals from despair,
And justify the gods that made you fair;
And in those bright and charming eyes
Let pity first appear, then love,
That we by easy steps may rise
Through all the joys on earth to those above.



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