Religion

Sinfull Curiositie had rather be acquainted with the Diuell, then with God, or his Saints

by John Davies of Hereford c. 1565–1618

From Essaies (1612)

Religion

HAue any made a Cou'nant with blacke Hell,
and are Familiar with infernall Sprights?
They shall be sought to, wheresoe'er they dwell;
for, many Soules desire to see those sights.

But liues Elias (most familiar
with GOD and Heau'n) where great ones most frequent,
He liues as in his firie Cach he were;
for, none comes neere so meere an Innocent.

Thus doth the Diuell Lord it o'er the Aire,
and those that most doe prize It; while his slaues
Are more sought to then Saints or Angels faire,
though such Fiends bideing be among the graues:
Then, what so senselesse, as the World, to take
Delight in Diu'ls, and in Hell, for their sake?

MLA

Hereford, John Davies of. “Sinfull Curiositie had rather be acquainted with the Diuell, then with God, or his Saints.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/davies_jh/87/.

Chicago

Hereford, John Davies of. “Sinfull Curiositie had rather be acquainted with the Diuell, then with God, or his Saints.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/davies_jh/87/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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