SAINT JOHN BAPTIST
by: William Drummond (1585-1649)
- HE last and greatest Herald of
Heaven's King,
- Girt with rough skins, hies to the deserts wild,
- Among that savage brood the woods forth bring,
- Which he than man more harmless found and mild.
- His food was locusts, and what young doth spring
- With honey that from virgin hives distill'd;
- Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing
- Made him appear, long since from earth exiled.
- There burst he forth: 'All ye, whose hopes rely
- On God, with me amidst these deserts mourn;
- Repent, repent, and from old errors turn!'
- --Who listen'd to his voice, obey'd his cry?
- Only the echoes, which he made relent,
- Rung from their marble caves 'Repent! Repent!'
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POEMS BY WILLIAM DRUMMOND |
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