¶ Obedience.
My God, if writings may Convey a Lordship any way Whither the buyer and the seller please; Let it not thee displease, If this poore paper do as much as they. On it my heart doth bleed As many lines, as there doth need To passe itself and all it hath to thee. To which I do agree, And here present it as my speciall deed. If that hereafter Pleasure Cavill, and claim her part and measure, As if this passed with a reservation, Or some such words in fashion; I here exclude the wrangler from thy treasure. O let thy sacred will All thy delight in me fulfill! Let me not think an action mine own way, But as thy love shall sway, Resigning up the rudder to thy skill. Lord, what is man to thee, That thou shouldst minde a rotten tree? Yet since thou canst not choose but see my actions; So great are thy perfections, Thou mayst as well my actions guide, as see. Besides, thy death and bloud Show’d a strange love to all our good: Thy sorrows were in earnest; no faint proffer, Or superficiall offer Of what we might not take, or be withstood. Wherefore I all forgo: To one word onely I say, No: Where in the deed there was an intimation Of a gift or donation, Lord, let it now by way of purchase go. He that will passe his land, As I have mine, may set his hand And heart unto this deed, when he hath read; And make the purchase spread To both our goods, if he to it will stand. How happie were my part, If some kinde man would thrust his heart Into these lines; till in heav’ns court of rolls They were by winged souls Entred for both, farre above their desert!1 |
1 Premise [Student Note]: If the poem were a legal document, the writer would deed over himself. |
Please Push The Button, but be warned, push it only once, or face the consequences!!!! |
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