Classic Poem

Give ear my children to my words
whom God has dearly bought.
Lay up his laws within your heart,
and print them in your thoughts.
I leave you here a little book
for you to look upon
That you may see your father's face
when he is dead and gone,
Who for the hope of heavenly things,
while he did here remain,
Gave over all his golden years
to prison and to pain.
Where I among my iron bands,
enclosed in the dark,
Not many days before my death,
I did compose this work,
And for example to your youth,
to whom I wish all good.
I send you here God's perfect truth,
and seal it with my blood.
To you, my heirs of earthly things,
which I do leave behind,
That you may read and understand,
and keep it in your mind,
That as you have been heirs of that
that once shall wear away,
You also may possess that part
which never shall decay.
Keep always God before your eyes,
with all your whole intent.
Commit no sin in any wise,
keep his commandment.
Abhor that errant whore of Rome,
and all her blasphemies,
And drink not of her cursed cup,
obey not her decrees.
Give honor to your mother dear,
remember well her pain,
And recompense her in her age,
with the like love again.
Be always ready for her help,
and let her not decay.
Remember well your father all,
who would have been your stay.
Give of your portion to the poor,
as riches do arise,
And from the needy, naked soul
turn not away your eyes,
For he that does not hear the cry
of those that stand in need
Shall cry himself and not be heard,
when he does hope to speed.
If God has given you increase
and blessed well your store,
Remember you are put in trust,
and should relieve the poor.
Beware of foul and filthy lust,
let such things have no place.
Keep clean your vessels in the Lord,
that He may you embrace.
You are the temples of teh Lord,
for you are dearly bought,
And they that do defile the same
shall surely come to naught.
Be never proud by any means,
build not your house too high,
But always have before your eyes
that you are born to die.
Defraud not him that hired is,
your labor to sustain,
And pay him still without delay,
his wages for his pain.
And as you would another man
against you should proceed,
Do you the same to them again
when they do stand in need.
Impart your portion to the poor,
in money and in meat,
And send the feeble, fainting soul
of that which you do eat.
Ask counsel always of the wise,
give ear unto the end,
And ne'er refuse the sweet rebuke
of him that is your friend.
Be always thankful to the Lord,
with prayer and with praise,
Begging of Him to bless your work,
and to direct your ways.
Seek first, I say, the living God,
and always Him adore,
And then be sure that he will bless
your basket and your store.
And I beseech almighty God
replenish you with grace,
That I may meet you in the heavens,
and see you face to face.
And though the fire my body burns,
contrary to my kind,
That I cannot enjoy your love,
according to my mind,
Yet I do hope that when the heavens
shall vanish like a scroll,
I shall see you in perfect shape,
in body and in soul.
And that I may enjoy your love,
and you enjoy the land,
I do beseech the living Lord
to hold you in His hand.
Though here my body be adjudged
in flaming fire to fry,
My soul I trust will straight ascend,
to live with God on high.
What though this carcass smart awhile,
what though this life decay,
My soul I trust will be with God,
and live in him for aye.
I know I am a sinner born,
from the original,
And that I do deserve to die
by my forefather's fall.
But by Our Savior's precious blood,
which on the cross was spilt,
Who freely offered up His life
to save our souls from guilt,
I hope redemption I shall have,
and all that in Him trust,
When I shall see Him face to face,
and live among the just.
Why then should I fear death's grim look,
since Christ for me did die?
For king and Caesar, rich and poor,
the force of death must try.
When I am chained to the stake,
and faggots gird me round,
Then pray the Lord my soul in heaven
may be with glory crowned.
Come welcome death, the end of fears,
I am prepared to die;
Those earthly flames will send my soul
up to the Lord on high.
Farewell my children, to the world,
where you must yet remain.
The Lord of host be your defense
till we do meet again.
Farewell my true and loving wife,
my children and my friends.
I hope in heaven to see you all,
when all things have their end.
If you go on to serve the Lord,
as you have now begun,
You shall walk safely all your days,
until your life be done.
God grant you so to end your days
as he shall think it best,
That I may meet you in the heavens,
where I do hope to rest.