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Monday, October 26, 2015

William Baldwin

William Baldwin (c.1515—c.1563) is a poet from southwest England who worked at Edward Whitchurch's Printing House in London — the house that published the first complete edition of the Bible in English.

Little is known about Baldwin's life, although it is believed that he graduated from Oxford University in 1533. He was well known as a writer, translator and editor — having published numerous books, including many religious works. He was a supporter of the Protestant Reformation, and outspoken in his opposition to the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1555 Baldwin completed A Mirror For Magistrates, which included four of his own poems, but it could not be published during Queen Mary's reign.

Christ To His Spouse

Lo , thou, my love, art fair;
Myself hath made thee so:
Yea, thou art fair indeed,
Wherefore thou shalt not need
In beauty to despair;
For I accept thee so,
--------------For fair.

For fair, because thine eyes
Are like the culvers' white,
Whose simpleness in deed
All others do exceed:
Thy judgement wholly lies
In true sense of sprite
--------------Most wise.

Entry written by D.S. Martin. His latest poetry collection, Conspiracy of Light: Poems Inspired by the Legacy of C.S. Lewis, is available from Wipf & Stock as is his earlier award-winning collection, Poiema.