Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

A Prayer for Gentlewomen and Other to Use

XIV. Sir Nicholas Breton

VOUCHSAFE, O Lord! to be our guide;

The Spirit of grace into us powre!

Defende our cause on every side,

That we may pass into the bowre,

Where as those heavenly flowres do growe

By Christ that garden first dyd sowe.

Illuminate our inwarde minde

To seeke to Thee continually;

From worldly errours that be blind

Preserve us for thy majestie.

Teach us, as we in wordes professe,

In deedes each one to do no lesse.

Assist us dayly to beginne

Spiritually to enter fight

Agaynst the worlde, the flesh, and sinne;

That we may shunne the duskie night,

In whiche our eneime, the devill,

Doth watche to worke each Christian evyll.

Arm us with fayth, to beare the shielde,

And sworde of heavenlie puritie;

Crowne us with helmet in the fielde

Of thy surpassing veritie.

Graunt this, O bounteous Jesu sweete,

That we with Thee at last may meete.