The complete poems of Dr. Joseph Beaumont ... For the first time collected and edited: With memorial-introduction, notes and illustrations, glossarial index, and portrait &c. by the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart |
 | I, II. |
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Scripture Translated.
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 | The complete poems of Dr. Joseph Beaumont |  |
Scripture Translated.
I
Of Babes in Christ is this your care,To let them dang'rous Weapons wear?
What you esteem the safely-handled Word,
Is sharper than a two-edg'd Sword:
Must Children's fond Temerity
With two-edg'd Tools intrusted be?
II
Yes, Sophister, with this they may:Altho' themselves with it they slay,
245
When they a broken Heart present:
And only by this Sword they can
Cut off their old condemned Man.
III
The sturdy Heretick it is,And not the tender Babe, whom this
Weapon doth arm for Mischief: that wild Wight
Under Hell's Dragon loves to fight:
But Heaven's most gentle Lamb of all
Meek harmless Babes, is General.
IV
And He doth by his own sweet mightTeach them to weild this Sword aright.
To God thou need'st not lend thy Caution thus,
For fear his Gift prove dangerous:
Thou may'st thy Preachers, but 'tis odd
Methinks, for Man to silence God.
V
Yet if he will in Latin teach,He shall thy License have to preach,
And Sermons he ad Clerum when he please
May freely make. But have not these
Lay simple Souls more need, good Sir,
Than your learn'd Scholars, Him to hear?
VI
Come, come; 'twas ne'er Saint Peter's mindThe Spirit's Sword should be confin'd,
And under his Keys locked up: 'tis you
Who in your Latin Scabbard now
Keep it so close, I more than fear
That Rust, at least, it gathers there.
VII
Then draw it out, for shame, and letCareful Translations furbish it:
The oft'ner thus you draw it, you will see
It brighter, and more genuine be.
Draw, draw; if not for Laymen, yet
For your own Priests it may be fit.
| The complete poems of Dr. Joseph Beaumont | |