Mary Mollineux (c. 1648-1695). To Her Lord. J. C. Squire, ed. 1921. A Book of Women's Verse

J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.

To Her Lord

By Mary Mollineux (c. 1648–1695)


ALAS, how hard a Thing
It is to bring
Into a true Subjection Flesh and Blood,
Quietly to entertain
(And not complain)	5
Those Exercises that attend for Good!

My Life, my Joy, my Love,
If thus thou please to prove
And exercise my poor perplexèd Mind,
Teach me to wait in Fear,	10
That I may learn to hear
What Trials may attend, of any Kind:

And, guarded by thy Ray,
Walk in the Way,
That leads directly to the Throne of Grace;	15
Where in Humility,
Poor I may be
Admitted to sit down i’ th’ heav’nly Place.

And there to thee discharge
My griefs at large,	20
As to a Bosom-Friend, that bears with me,
And often passes by
Faults of Infirmity:
Alas, I cannot bear too much for thee!