The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet A Critical Edition by Amy M. Charles |
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The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet | ||
303
[11] The Bankrupte
God, with the breath of life did mee inspire,And in the world mee landed, where,
I like a stranger could but things admire,
Being unfitt for pratticke there:
For I, of language had not the least tittle;
Could neither call for drinke, or bread:
But when I grew acquainted but a little,
And could without a Truchman trade:
Then I forgott my home, and did neclect
Th' imployment, I was sent about;
I forraine pleasures then 'gan to affect,
And like unthrifty Factours sought,
Not my Lords profite, but mine owne delight:
Both wine, and women did mee please:
The women of the land were faire to sight,
And made mee leave my busynes.
My Lord did then of my debauchments heare,
And to a strict account mee brought,
But I could not responsible appeare,
I so extremely had runne out.
Then I emprisonment, and bonds did feare,
And like a perplex'd Caitife stood:
Untill a freind did whisper in mine eare,
And told me that my Lord was good:
Hee mee advis'd to sue for mercy: Then
I fell downe prostrate at his feet,
Which with my teares to bathe I did beginne,
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My gracious Lord did then my debt remitt;
Nor did his goodnes end in this
For Hee to mee more treasures did committ,
And more esteem'd commodityes,
Then Hee with mee before intrusted had;
Thus I who was his wretched Debtour,
His Beneficiarye blest was made,
And then resolv'd to serve him better.
The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet | ||