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ANE GODLIE DREAME, SELECTION, by                    
First Line: I looked down, and saw a pit most black
Last Line: It is to come that I believed was past.
Alternate Author Name(s): Culcross, Lady


I looked down, and saw a pit most black,
Most full of smoke, and flaming fire most fell;
That ugly sight made me to fly aback,
I fear'd to hear so many shout and yell:
I him besought that he the truth would tell --
Is this, said I, the Papists' purging place,
Where they affirm that silly souls do dwell,
To purge their sin, before they rest in peace?

The brain of man most surely did invent
That purging place, he answer'd me again:
For greediness together they consent
To say that souls in torment may remain,
Till gold and goods relieve them of their pain.
O spiteful sprites that did the same begin!
O blinded beasts, your thoughts are all in vain,
My blood alone did save thy soul from sin.

This pit is Hell, where through thou now must go,
There is thy way that leads thee to the land:
Now play the man, thou need'st not tremble so,
For I shall help and hold thee by the hand.
Alas! said I, I have no force to stand,
For fear I faint to see that ugly sight;
How can I come among that baleful band?
Oh, help me now, I have no force nor might!

Oft have I heard that they that enter there
In this great gulf, shall never come again:
Courage, said he, have I not bought thee dear?
My precious blood it was not shed in vain.
I saw this place, my soul did taste this pain,
Or ere I went into my Father's gloire;
Through must thou go, but thou shalt not remain;
Thou needs't not fear, for I shall go before.

I am content to do thy whole command,
Said I again, and did him fast embrace:
Then lovingly he held me by the hand,
And in we went into that fearful place.
Hold fast thy grip, said he, in any case
Let me not slip, whatever thou shalt see;
Dread not the death, but stoutly forward press
For Death nor Hell shall never vanquish thee.

His words so sweet did cheer my heavy heart,
Incontinent I cast my care aside;
Courage, said he, play not a coward's part,
Though thou be weak, yet in my strength confide.
I thought me blest to have so good a guide,
Though I was weak I knew that he was strong;
Under his wings I thought me for to hide,
If any there should press to do me wrong.

Into that Pit, when I did enter in,
I saw a sight which made my heart aghast;
Poor damned souls, tormented sore for sin,
In flaming fire were burning fierce and fast:
And ugly sprites, and as we thought them past,
My heart grew faint and I began to tire;
Ere I perceived, one seized me at last
And held me high above a flaming fire.

The fire was great, the heat did pierce me sore,
My faith was weak, my grip was wondrous small,
I trembled fast, my fear grew more and more,
My hands did shake that I him held withal.
At length they loos'd, then they began to fall,
I cried, O Lord! and caught him fast again;
Lord Jesus, come! and take me out of thrall:
Courage, said he, now thou art past the pain.

With this great fear, I staggered and woke,
Crying, O Lord! Lord Jesus come again!
But after this no kind of rest I took,
I press'd to sleep, but that was all in vain.
I would have dream'd of pleasure after pain,
Because I know I shall it find at last:
God grant my guide may still with me remain,
It is to come that I believed was past.





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