XII. William Hunnis. A Lamentation Touching the Follies and Vanities of Our Youth. Edward Farr, ed. 1845. Select Poetry, Chiefly Devotional, of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth

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

A Lamentation Touching the Follies and Vanities of Our Youth

XII. William Hunnis


ALACK, when I looke back
Vpon my youth that’s past,
And deepelie ponder youth’s offense,
And youth’s reward at last;

With sighes and sobs I saie:—	5
O God, I not denie
My youth with follie hath deseru’d
With follie for to die.

But yet if euer sinfull man
Might mercie mooue to ruth,	10
Good Lord, with mercie doo forgiue
The follies of my youth.

In youth I rangde the fields,
Where vices all do grow;
In youth I wanted grace	15
Such vice to ouerthrow.

In youth what I thought sweet,
Most bitter now I finde:
Thus hath the follies of my youth
With follie kept me blinde.	20

Yet as the eagle casts hir bill,
Whereby hir age renuth;
So, Lord, with mercie doo forgiue
The follies of my youth.