Hymn LVII. For a Prisoner.
[_]
Men in Affliction are somewhat cased when they
can finde words whereby to expresse their sufferings;
To help them who want expression of their
endurance, in imprisonment; and, to remember
prisoners, of such Meditations as are pertinent to
their condition, is the intent of this Hymn.
[1]
I, whom of late
No thraldome did molest;
Of that estate,
am, wholly, dispossest.
My feet, once free,
Are, strictly now confin'd;
Which, breeds in me,
A discontented mind.
2
Those prospects faire,
Which I was wont to have;
That wholsome aire,
Which fields and medows, gave;
Are changed, now,
For close unpleasant cells:
Where secret woe,
And, open-sorrow, dwels.
3
Insteed of Strains,
Delightfull to mine eare,
Gives, bolts and Chains
Are all my musick, here:
And, er'e I get
Those things, for which I pay,
I must entreat,
With patience, in delay.
4
To feed, or sleep,
To work, or take mine ease;
I, now, must keep
Such houres, as others please.
To make me sad,
Complaints are likewise heard;
And, often made,
Of wrongs, without regard.
5
Lord! as I ought,
My freedome had I us'd;
Of this, (no doubt)
I might have been excus'd.
But, I confesse,
The merit of my sin,
Deserves no lesse,
Then hath inflicted bin.
6
Let not, oh God!
My sin, thine anger move:
But, let this Rod,
Correct my faults in love.
With patient minde,
Let me thy stripes endure;
And, freedome finde,
When they have wrought their cure.
7
Whilst, here, I bide
(Though I unworthy be)
Do thou provide
All needfull things, for me.
And, though friends grow
Vnkinde, in my distresse;
Yet, leave not thou
Thy servant, comfortlesse.
8
So, though in thrall
My body must remain;
In minde, I shall
Some freedome, still, retain?
And, wiser made
By this restraint, shall be,
Then, if I had
Vntill my death, been free.
