The Poetry of Anne Askew

Poetry of Anne Askew These are the words of ballads attributed to Anne

A Ballad of Anne Askew This ballad, by an unknown author (possibly Anne Askew herself), remained popular through much of the seventeenth century. The following version is based on a broadsheet printed in 1635, almost a hundred years after her death.

I Am a Woman Poor and Blind I am a woman poor and blind and little knowledge remains in me, Long have I sought, but fain would I find, what herb in my garden were best to be. A garden I have which is unknown, which God of his goodness gave to me, I mean my body, wherein I should have sown the seed of Christ's true verity. My spirit within me is vexed sore, my flesh striveth against the same: My sorrows do increase more and more, my conscience suffereth most bitter pain: I, with myself being thus at strife, would fain have been at rest, Musing and studying in mortal life, what things I might do to please God best. With whole intent and one accord, unto a Gardenthat I did know, I desired him for the love of the Lord, true seeds in my garden for to sow. Then this proud Gardener seeing me so blind, he thought on me to work his will, And flattered me with words so kind, to have me continue in my blindness still. He fed me then with lies and mocks, for venial sins he bid me go To give my money to stones and stocks, which was stark lies and nothing so. With stinking meat then was I fed, for to keep me from my salvation, I had trentals of mass, and bulls of lead, not one word spoken of Christ's passion. In me was sown all kind of feigned seeds, with Popish ceremonies many a one, Masses of requiem with other juggling deeds, till God's spirit out of my garden was gone. Then was I commanded most strictly, If of my salvation I would be sure, To build some chapel or chantry, to be prayed for while the world doth endure. "Beware of a new learning," quoth he, "it lies, which is the thing I most abhor, Meddle not with it in any manner of wise, but do as your fathers have done before."

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 written and 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.