Today is Elizabeth Melville Day, with a series of events in Edinburgh celebrating this pioneer woman poet.
In this second sample of her writing, Christopher Marlowe's Passionate Shepherd takes on the mantle of Christ. (Poems of Elizabeth Melville, Lady Culross, edited by Jamie Red Baxter, published by Solsequium.)
from A CALL TO COME TO CHRIST
Come live with me and be my love
And all these pleasurs thou shalt prove
That in my word hath warned thee
O loath this life and live with me
This life is but a blast of breath
Nothing so sure as dreadful death
And since the time no man can know
Sett not thy love on things below
For things below will wear away
And beautie brave will soon decay
Look to that life that lasts for ever
And love the love that failes thee never
I never failed thee in thy need
I call I cry ye come with speed
Come near and gain a crown of Glore
Give me thy heart I seek no more
They heart is mine I bought it deir
Then send it not a whooring here
This lawless lust and love prophane
Such pleasures false shall end in pain
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