Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of King James the First. 1847. Mans Great Enemy XXXI. William Hall
SATHAN 1 did tempt our parents first of all,
And the forbidden fruite causd them to eate,
Eating this fruite it broughts all into thrall;
Our misery no tongue can halfe repeate:
Deceiuer-like, hee said, Yee shall not dye, 5
To which they condescended willingly,
And eate the fruite forbidden of the Lord:
Hee first vnto the woman did it giue,
Shee to her husband; thus with one accord
Both sure of death, though promised to liue: 10
By his inticements hee them both allured,
By which he them eternall woe procured.
Against the feebler sex his rage is showne;
The woman he did first of all attempt;
Thus his deceit was at the first made knowne; 15
Yet from seducing he would not exempt,
Nor free himself, but, like an old deceiuer,
Of soule and bodies good hees a bereauer.
Hees alwayes ready for to lay his baites,
To catch all silly soules, and to insnare 20
Them in his subtil and deceiuing slight;
For to withstand him then we must prepare;
We cannot him resist doe what we can;
Help vs, Lorde, for vaine is the helpe of man.
Note 1. XXXI. William Hall.He wrote Mortalities Meditation; or, a Description of Sinne: with a definition and plaine setting forth of Mans three chiefest and greatest enemies; to wit, the World, the Flesh, and the Divill. 1624. [back ]