Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | Johannes Milton Senex |
Robert Bridges (1844–1930) |
| | | SINCE 1 I believe in God the Father Almighty, | |
| Man’s Maker and Judge, Overruler of Fortune, | |
| ’Twere strange shd I praise anything & refuse Him praise, | |
| Shou’d love the creature forgetting the Creator, | |
| Nor unto Him in suff’ring and sorrow turn me: | 5 |
| Nay how coud I withdraw me from His embracing? | |
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| But since that I have seen not, and cannot know Him, | |
| Nor in my earthly temple apprehend rightly | |
| His wisdom, and the heav’nly purpose eternal; | |
| Therefor will I be bound to no studied system | 10 |
| Nor argument, nor with delusion enslave me, | |
| Nor seek to please Him in any foolish invention, | |
| Which my spirit within me, that loveth beauty | |
| And hateth evil, hath reprov’d as unworthy: | |
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| But I cherish my freedom in loving service, | 15 |
| Gratefully adoring for delight beyond asking | |
| Or thinking, and in hours of anguish and darkness | |
| Confiding always on His excellent greatness. | |
| | | Note 1. Robert Bridges. Johannes Milton Senex. From Oxford edition of Poems, p. 443. This shows the Latin scazon in English verse. [back] | | |
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