Mr. Thiesmeyer’s English III – American Literature


 

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­­ Huswifery


 

Huswifery

Edward Taylor

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  Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheel complete.

       Thy Holy Worde my Distaff[1] make for me.

  Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers[2] neat

       And make my Soul thy holy Spool to be.

       My Conversation make to be thy Reel

       And reel the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheel.

 

  Make me thy Loom then, knit therein this Twine:

       And make thy Holy Spirit, Lord, wind quills:

  Then weave the Web thyself. The yarn is fine.

       Thine Ordinances make my Fulling Mills[3].

       Then dye the same in Heavenly Colors Choice,

       All pinked with Varnish Flowers of Paradise.

 

  Then clothe therewith mine Understanding, Will,

       Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory

  My Words, and Actions, that their shine may fill

       My ways with glory and thee glorify.

       Then mine apparel shall display before ye

       That I am Clothed in Holy robes for glory.

 

 

 

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[1] Distaff. N. A staff on which wool is wound for spinning

[2] Swift Flyers. N. Pl. Part of a loom: twists yarn before winding it onto the spindle

[3] Fulling Mills. N. Pl. A mill for processing cloth with fuller’s earth to soften fabric