Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Dora ReadGoodale

1595 The Judgement

THOU hast evil

And given place to the devil;

Yet so cunningly thou concealest

The thing which thou feelest,

That no eye espieth it,

Satan himself denieth it.

Go where it chooseth thee,

There is none that accuseth thee;

Neither foe nor lover

Will the wrong uncover;

The world’s breath raiseth thee,

And thy own past praiseth thee,

Yet know thou this:

At quick of thy being

Is an eye all-seeing,

The snake’s wit evadeth not,

The charmed lip persuadeth not;

So thoroughly it despiseth

The thing thy hand prizeth,

Though the sun were thy clothing,

It should count thee for nothing.

Thing own eye divineth thee,

Thine own soul arraigneth thee;

God himself cannot shrive thee

Till that judge forgive thee.