| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| William Drummond, of Hawthornden. 1585–1649 |
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| 232. Saint John Baptist |
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| THE last and greatest Herald of Heaven's King, | |
| Girt with rough skins, hies to the deserts wild, | |
| Among that savage brood the woods forth bring, | |
| Which he than man more harmless found and mild. | |
| His food was locusts, and what young doth spring | 5 |
| With honey that from virgin hives distill'd; | |
| Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing | |
| Made him appear, long since from earth exiled. | |
| There burst he forth: 'All ye, whose hopes rely | |
| On God, with me amidst these deserts mourn; | 10 |
| Repent, repent, and from old errors turn!' | |
| —Who listen'd to his voice, obey'd his cry? | |
| Only the echoes, which he made relent, | |
| Rung from their marble caves 'Repent! Repent!' | |
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