The Minor Poems of Joseph Beaumont ... Edited from the autograph manuscript with introduction and notes by Eloise Robinson |
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The Servant
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 | The Minor Poems of Joseph Beaumont |  |
413
The Servant
May 25.
1
Now on my Conscience thou art rightMy Heart, who tellst me, I
This morning full as justly might
Have let my anger fly
At my forgetfull sinfull self, as at
My Servant who my strait Command forgot.
2
I have a Master too: nor isMy Servant bound to my
Commands, so much as I to His
In whose great family
Were I not entertained I could not live;
'Tis He, who to myself myself doth give.
3
Ah patient Master of bold Me,How oft hast thou renued
Thy soft Commands, & ernestlie
My fugitive heart persued;
Yea, and (what I could hardly stoop to do)
Vouchaf'd thy Slaves obedience to woo!
414
4
How gross in my Injustice, whoCould not this fault digest
From mine own Servant, yet can so
Gentle a Lord resist!
And now could I for shame expect that he
When I disloyal am, should faithfull be!
5
O teach me holy policie,Great Lord, & never let
Me copies of disloyaltie
To my own Servants set.
Subdue my stubborn Will, for then I shall
Best have it, when I have it not at all.
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