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Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

Ascention

II. John Donne

SALUTE the last, and everlasting day,

Joy at the uprising of this Sunne and Sonne,

Yee whose just teares, or tribulation,

Have purely washt, or burnt your drossie clay:

Behold the Highest, parting hence away,

Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon;

Nor doth hee by ascending show alone,

But first hee, and hee first enters the way.

O strong Ramme, which hast batter’d heaven for mee;

Mild Lambe, which with thy blood hast mark’d the path;

Bright Torch, which shin’st, that I the way may see;

Oh! with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath:

And if thy Holy Spirit my muse did raise,

Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise.