Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/237

 The Four Ages of Man. 151

I gave no hand nor vote for death or life,

I'd nought to do 'twixt King" and peoples ftrife.

No Statift I, nor Martilift in'th field,

Where ere I went mine innocence was fhield.

My quarrels not for Diadems did rife, [47]

But for an apple, plum, or fome fuch prize:

My ftrokes did caufe no blood " no w^ounds or skars.

My little wrath did end^ foon as my Warrs ;

My Duel was no challeng nor did feek

My foe fhould weltring in his bowels reek.

I had no fuits at law neighbours to vex,

Nor evidence for lands did me perplex.

I fear'd no florms, nor all the wind that blowes,

I had no fhips at fea; nor fraights to loofe.

I fear'd no drought nor wet, I had no crop,

Nor yet on future things did fet' my hope.

This was mine innocence, but ah! the feeds

Lay raked up of all the curfed weeds

Which fprouted forth in mine enfuing age,

As he can tel that next comes on the flage:

But yet let me relate before I go

The fins and dangers I am fubje6l to.

Stained from birth with Adams finfull faft,

Thence I began to fin as foon as aft;

A perverfe will, a love to what's forbid,

A ferpents fting in pleafing face lay hid:

A lying tongue as foon as it could fpeak,

And fifth Commandment do daily break.

« Prince. " death. / ceafe. 9 place.

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