The Poetry of Anne Askew
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Poetry of Anne Askew These are the words of ballads attributed to Anne |
A Ballad of Anne Askew
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I Am a Woman Poor and Blind
| My trust I did put in the Devil's works, thinking sufficient my soul to save, Being worse then either Jews or Turks, thus Christ of his merits I did deprave. I might liken my self with a woeful heart, unto the dumb man in Luke the Eleven, From whence Christ caused the Devil to depart, but shortly after he took the other seven. My time thus, good Lord, so wickedly spent, alas, I shall die the sooner therefore. Oh Lord, I find it written in thy Testament, that thou hast mercy enough in store For such sinners, as the scripture sayeth, that would gladly repent and follow thy word, Which I'll not deny whilst I have breath, for prison, fire, *****, or fierce sword. Strengthen me good Lord in thy truth to stand, for the bloody butchers have me at their will, With their slaughter knives ready drawn in their hand my simple carcass to devour and kill. O Lord forgive me mine offense, for I have offended thee very sore, Take therefore my sinful body from hence, Then shall I, vile creature, offend thee no more. I would with all creatures and faithful friends for to keep them from this Gardener's hands, For he will bring them soon unto their ends, with cruel torments of fierce firebrands. I dare not presume for him to pray, because the truth of him it was well known, But since that time he hath gone astray, and much pestilent seed abroad he hath sown. Because that now I have no space, the cause of my death truly to show, I trust hereafter that by God's holy grace, that all faithful men shall plainly know. To thee O Lord I bequeath my spirit, that art the work-master of the same, It is thine, Lord, therefore take it of right, my carcass on earth I leave, from whence it came. Although to ashes it be now burned, I know thou canst raise it again, In the same likeness as thou it formed, in heaven with thee evermore to remain. |
The Ballad which Anne Askew is believed to have writtenand sang when she was in Newgate Prison |
Like as the armed knight Appointed to the field, With this world will I fight And Faith shall be my shield. Faith is that weapon strong Which will not fail at need. My foes, therefore, among Therewith will I proceed. As it is had in strength And force of Christes way It will prevail at length Though all the devils say nay. Faith in the fathers old Obtained rightwisness Which make me very bold To fear no world's distress. I now rejoice in heart And Hope bid me do so For Christ will take my part And ease me of my woe. Thou saist, lord, who so knock, To them wilt thou attend. Undo, therefore, the lock And thy strong power send. More enmyes now I have Than hairs upon my head. Let them not me deprave But fight thou in my stead. | On thee my care I cast. For all their cruel spight I set not by their haste For thou art my delight. I am not she that list My anchor to let fall For every drizzling mist My ship substancial. Not oft use I to wright In prose nor yet in rime, Yet will I shew one sight That I saw in my time. I saw a rial throne Where Justice should have sit But in her stead was one Of moody cruel wit. Absorpt was rightwisness As of the raging flood Sathan in his excess Suct up the guiltless blood. Then thought I, Jesus lord, When thou shalt judge us all Hard is it to record On these men what will fall. Yet lord, I thee desire For that they do to me Let them not taste the hire Of their iniquity. |