Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH COLONIAL LITERATURE
So at the last, whilest men sleep fast
in their security,
Surpriz’d they are in such a snare
as cometh suddenly.
V
For at midnight broke forth a light,
which turn’d the night to day:
And speedily an hideous cry
did all the world dismay.
Sinners awake, their hearts do ake,
trembling their loyns surprizeth;
Am [. . .] z’d with fear, by what they hear,
each one of them ariseth.
VI
They rush from beds with giddy heads,
and to their windows run,
Viewing this Light, which shines more bright
than doth the noon-day Sun.
Straightway appears (they see’t with [. . .] ears)
the Son of God most dread,
Who with his train comes on amain
to judge both Quick and Dead.
VII
Before his face the Heavens give place,
and Skies are rent asunder,
With mighty voice and hideous noise,
more terrible then Thunder.
His brightness damps Heav’ns glorious l [. . .] mps,
and makes them hide their heads:
As if afraid, and quite dismaid,
they quit their won [. . .] ed steads.
VIII
Ye sons of men that durst contemn
the threatnings of Gods word,
How cheer you now? your hearts (I trow)
are thrill’d as with a sword.
Now Atheist blind, whose bru [. . .] ish min [. . .]
a God could never see,
Page | 186