W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

For the Prodigall

William Drummond of Hawthornden (1585–1649)

I CHANGED countries new delights to find,

But ah! for pleasure I did find new pain;

Enchanting pleasures so did reason blind,

That father’s love and words I scorn’d as vain.

For tables rich, for bed, for following train

Of careful servants to observe my mind;

These herds I keep my fellows are assign’d,

My bed’s a rock, and herbs my life sustain,

Now while I famine feel, fear worser harms,

Father and Lord, I turn! thy love yet great,

My faults will pardon, pity mine estate.

This where an aged oak had spread its arms

Thought the lost child, while as the herds he led,

And pin’d with hunger on wild acorns fed.