The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations/The Reprisall
¶ The Reprisall.
I Have consider'd it, and findeThere is no dealing with thy mighty passion:For though I die for thee, I am behinde;My sinnes deserve the condemnation.
O make me innocent, that IMay give a disentangled state and free:And yet thy wounds still my attempts defie,For by thy death I die for thee.
Ah! was it not enough that thouBy thy eternall glorie didst outgo me?Couldst thou not griefs sad conquests me allow,But in all vict'ries overthrow me?
Yet by confession will I comeInto the conquest. Though I can do noughtAgainst thee, in thee I will overcomeThe man, who once against thee fought.