Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS. THE SEVEN BEADMEN. Spenser. Eftsoon unto an holy hospital, That was foreby the way, she did him bring, In which seven beadmen, that had vowed all Their life to service of high heavens King, Did spend their days in doing godly thing : Their gates to all were open evermore That by the weary way were travelling, And one sat waiting ever them before, To call in comers-by, that needy were and poor. The first of them that eldest was and best,Of all the house had charge and government,As guardian and steward
Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS. THE SEVEN BEADMEN. Spenser. Eftsoon unto an holy hospital, That was foreby the way, she did him bring, In which seven beadmen, that had vowed all Their life to service of high heavens King, Did spend their days in doing godly thing : Their gates to all were open evermore That by the weary way were travelling, And one sat waiting ever them before, To call in comers-by, that needy were and poor. The first of them that eldest was and best,Of all the house had charge and government,As guardian and steward of the rest:His office was to give entertainment CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS. 281 And lodging unto all that came and went;Not unto such as could him feast again,And double quite for that he on them spent,But such as want of harbour did constrain ;Those for Gods sake his duty was to entertain. The second was as almner of the place : His office was the hungry for to feed, And thirsty give to drink, a work of grace : He feared not once himself to be in need, Ne
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectreligio, bookyear1848
