I said I will bee wary in my way;
Lest I offend in that my tongue should say,
I will my mouth as with a bridle hould,
While wicked men with enuy mee behould:
I dumb did stand and from all speech refraine,
Euen from good words, which was to mee a paine:
My heart was hott: while I such doubts did cast,
The fire brake out, and thus I spake at last:
'Lord of my life reueale to mee the end,
The period showe, to which my dayes doe tend'!
My life is but the measure of a spann,
Nought as to Thee, so vaine a thinge is man:
Who dreaminge walks, and toyles for wealth in vaine,
And doth not know to whome it shall remaine.
But what doe I expect? what is my hope!
Of my desires Thou art the only scope.
Lord! from my synnes Thine indignation turne
And make mee not to wicked fooles a scorne,
When Thou didst strike I silent was and dum[b]
Because I knewe the blowe from Thee did come.
Remoue Thy hand, withdrawe Thy plague from me
Wherewith my vitall spirrits consumèd bee:
Thy plagues for sinne doth like a moth consume
Man's beauty vaine, which is nought else but fume.
Lord! heare my prayer, and listen to my cries,
Let not Thy gracious eye my teares dispise:
For I am but Thy guest, and sojourne heare,
On earth a pilgrim as my fathers were;
O spare a little, and my strength restore
Before I goe from hence to come noe more.