Anguish by Henry Vaughan (1622–1695)
Henry Vaughan (1622–1695)
Henry Vaughan was a medical doctor in Wales. He also was a poet and prior to 1650 his poetry was primarily secular. However, after suffering a serious illness Henry Vaughan experienced a spiritual awakening which influenced his poetry. His style was greatly influenced by George Herbert.
Vaughan took his literary inspiration from his native environment and chose the descriptive name "Silurist," derived from his homage to the Silures, the Celtic tribe of pre-Roman south Wales which strongly resisted the Romans.
This poem he offers to God.
Anguish
My God and King! to Thee
I bow my knee;
I bow my troubled soul, and greet
With my foul heart thy holy feet.
Cast it, or tread it! it shall do
Even what thou wilt, and praise thee too.
My God, could I weep blood,
Gladly I would,
Or if thou wilt give me that art,
Which through the eyes pours out the heart,
I will exhaust it all, and make
Myself all tears, a weeping lake.
O! ’tis an easy thing
To write and sing;
But to write true, unfeigned verse
Is very hard! O God, disperse
These weights, and give my spirit leave
To act as well as to conceive!
O my God, hear my cry;
Or let me die!
by Henry Vaughan
Sleep well dear Knights of Camelot….
Lady Sharon
Scribe of Camelot
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