I came, I saw, and was undone;
Lightning did thro' my bones and marrow run;
A pointed pain pierc'd deep my heart
A swift cold trembling siez'd on ev'ry part;
My head turn'd round, nor could it hear
The poison that was enter'd there
So a destroying angel's breath
Blows in the plague and with it hasty Death;
Such was the pain did so begin
To the poor wretch when Legion enter'd in
"Forgive me, God," I cry'd, for I
Flatter'd myself I was to die;
But quickly to my cost I found
'Twas cruel Love, not Death had made the wound;
Death a more gen'rous rage does use
Quarter to all he conquers does refuse
Whilst Love with barbarous mercy saves
The vanquish'd lives to make them slaves
I am thy slave, then let me know
Hard master, the great task I have to do;
Who pride and scorn do undergo
In tempests and rough seas thy gallies row
They pant, and groan, and sigh, but find
Their sighs increase the angry wind
Like an Egyptian tyrand, some
Thou weariest out in building but a tomb;
Other with sad and tedious art
Labour i' the quarries of a stony heart
Of all the works thou dost assign
To all the sev'ral slaves of thine
Employ me, mighty Love, to dig the mine