Classic Poem

On thy help (Lord) I relye,
then, poore]
Perish must, if thou restraine it:
O then stretch thy helping-hand ,
or command
That I may with speede obtaine it:

For, as one forgotten quite,
out of sight
I (forlorne) in sorrow languish
Help, ├┤ help me then with speede:
for, I feed
(As on Bread ) on nought but Anguish!

If I sinne, I sigh therefore,
and deplore.
That I haue in ought offended;
Yea, my Soule doth waste with woe,
sith I know
Sinne doth marre what Thou hast mended

Faine I would, then, cease to sinne,
and beginne
Now to liue as thou hast willed:
But, if by Thee (that didst fire
that desire )
It be not, of me, fulfilled;

I, at best, but well shall will
doing ill ,
Then I shall for it be vexed:
So shall I but sinne and grieue
while I liue;
And in Conscience be perplexed.

Il is tedious to my Sp'rit
day and night .
Thus to sinne, then pine in passion :
For, being staid , yet still to fall ,
is no small
Signe of death or reprobation .

Help, then help me (Lord) lest I
doubtfull dye:
Make my sorrowes passe my sinning:
That I may so cease to sinne,
so to winne
Better end then my beginning:

For, in sinne , conceiu'd I was,
so (alas)
Sinnefull am, sith so conceiued:
Then, of force, sith I am such,
doe not grutch
I should be to Grace receiued.

With more griefe my Sinne I wound,
than I found
Pleasure in the sinne committing
O then let my sorrowes still
sinning kill,
While thy Graces vs be knitting.

Blessed God then make me grieue
while I liue,
For my grieuing thee so blessed:
Let my Teares still quench the fire
of thine Ire ,
Till I be of Grace possessed.

So shall I (to shunne thy wrath )
tread the Path
Of thy Eiddings , till my dying;
Or, on winges of Loues desire
still aspire
To thee; then, ├┤ take me flying .