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Gilfillan, George, 1813-1878

"Specimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets, Volume 3"


36 'Ah, godlike Henry! God forefend
And guard thee and thy son,
If 'tis his will; but if 'tis not,
Why, then his will be done.
37 'My honest friend, my fault has been
To serve God and my prince;
And that I no timeserver am,
My death will soon convince.
38 'In London city was I born,
Of parents of great note;
My father did a noble arms
Emblazon on his coat:
39 'I make no doubt that he is gone
'Where soon I hope to go;
Where we for ever shall be blest,
From out the reach of woe.
40 'He taught me justice and the laws
With pity to unite;
And likewise taught me how to know
The wrong cause from the right:
41 'He taught me with a prudent hand
To feed the hungry poor;
Nor let my servants drive away
The hungry from my door:
42 'And none can say but all my life
I have his counsel kept,
And summed the actions of each day
Each night before I slept.
43 'I have a spouse; go ask of her
If I denied her bed;
I have a king, and none can lay
Black treason on my head.
44 'In Lent, and on the holy eve,
From flesh I did refrain;
Why should I then appear dismayed
To leave this world of pain?
45 'No, hapless Henry! I rejoice
I shall not see thy death;
Most willingly in thy just cause
Do I resign my breath.


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