Bitter-Sweet

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arkallen

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Bitter-Sweet

Ah my deare angrie Lord,
Since thou dost love, yet strike;
Cast down, yet help afford;
Sure I will do the like.

I will complain, yet praise;
I will bewail, approve;
And all my sowre-sweet dayes
I will lament, and love.

George Herbert (1594 - 1633)
 
Roderick, I came across Herbert's poetry in my bookmarks :) and thought I'd tag on to your offering. Spaces between the two speakers are added by me to make reading it easier.

A DIALOGUE-ANTHEM.

CHRISTIAN, DEATH.

Chr. ALAS, poor Death ! where is thy glory ?
Where is thy famous force, thy ancient sting ?

Dea......... Alas, poor mortal, void of story !
Go spell and read how I have killed thy King.

Chr. Poor Death ! and who was hurt thereby ?
Thy curse being laid on Him makes thee accurst.

Dea........ Let losers talk, yet thou shalt die ;
These arms shall crush thee.

Chr.................................... Spare not, do thy worst.
I shall be one day better than before ;
Thou so much worse, that thou shalt be no more.
 
That's such thought provoking verse Ann. It is very spare, but digs into questions that I think we modern christians sometimes overlook in our long-winded confidence. Sometimes older writers sound a bit bleak to my ears, but perhaps they were more connected to life's stark realities?
 
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