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

Sonet LXXXI

XI. Henry Lok

From the “Second Centurie”

LO, how I groueling vnder burden lie

Of sin, of shame, of feare, Lord, of thy sight;

My guilt so manifold dare not come nie

Thy throne of mercy, mirror of thy might.

With hidden and with ignorant sinnes I fight,

Dispairing and presumptuous faults also:

All fleshly frailtie on my backe doth light,

Originall and actuall with me go.

Against a streame of lusts my will would roe

To gaine the shoare of grace, the port of peace:

But flouds of foule affections ouerfloe,

And sinke I must; I see now no release,

Vnlesse my Sauiour deare this burden take,

And faith a ship of safetie for me make.