The poems and verse-translations of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor For the first time collected and edited after the author's own text: With introduction. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart [in Miscellanies of The Fuller Worthies' Library] |
 | II. |
 | III. | III. Job's Curse. |
| IV. |
| V. |
 | The poems and verse-translations of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor |  |
44
III. Job's Curse.
[Let the night perish, cursèd be the morn]
Let the night perish, cursèd be the mornWherein 'twas said there is a man-child born!
Let not the Lord regard that day, but shroud
It's fatal glory in some sullen cloud.
May the dark shades of an eternal night
Exclude the least kind beam of dawning light;
Let unknown babes as in the womb they lye,
If it be mention'd, give a groan and dye.
No sounds of joy therein shall charm the ear,
No sun, no moon, no twilight star appear,
But a thick vale of gloomy darkness wear.
Why did I not, when first my mother's womb
Discharg'd me thence, drop down into my tomb?
Then had I been as quiet: and mine eyes
Had slept and seen no sorrow; there the wise
And subtil councillor, the potentate,
Who for themselves built palaces of state,
Lie hush't in silence; there's no midnight cry
Caus'd by oppressive tyranny
45
From labour, there the prisoner sleeps in peace,
The rich, the poor, the monarch, and the slave,
Rest undisturb'd, and no distinction have
Within the silent chambers of the grave.
| The poems and verse-translations of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor | |