From my years young in days of youth, <br />God did make known to me his truth, <br />And call'd me from my native place <br />For to enjoy the means of grace <br />In wilderness he did me guide, <br />And in strange lands for me provide. <br />In fears and wants, through weal and woe, <br />As pilgrim passed I to and fro: <br />Oft left of them whom I did trust; <br />How vain it is to rest on dust! <br />A man of sorrows I have been, <br />And many changes I have seen. <br />Wars, wants, peace, plenty have I known; <br />And some advanc'd, others thrown down. <br />The humble, poor, cheerful and glad; <br />Rich, discontent, sower and sad: <br />When fears with sorrows have been mixed, <br />Consolations came betwixt. <br />Faint not, poor soul, in God still trust, <br />Fear not the things thou suffer must; <br />For, whom he loves he doth chastise, <br />And then all tears wipes from their eyes. <br />Farewell, dear children, whom I love, <br />Your better father is above: <br />When I am gone, he can supply; <br />To him I leave you when I die. <br />Fear him in truth, walk in his ways, <br />And he will bless you all your days. <br />My days are spent, old age is come, <br />My strength it fails, my glass near run: <br />Now I will wait when work is done, <br />Until my happy change shall come, <br />When from my labors I shall rest <br />With Christ above for to be blest.<br /><br />William Bradford<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/epitaphium-meum-certain-verses-left-by-the-honoured-william-bradford-esq-governour-of-the-jurisdic/
