the Shakespearean sonnet (three quatrains rhyming abab, cdcd, efef, and a final couplet: gg).

O! What a lady love that holds me dear
Through the hot summers' fire and winters' cold
Us arm in arm, we have nothing to fear
Our Lord protects us, this world doth grow bold.

O! If I could but take from this cruel world
All those that intend to cause you such pain
They won't stop 'til their plan in unfurled
As they try to pull us down yet again.

This mortal world doeth have a cruel master
Promises riches, leaves them with nothing
Ensnare them into his own disaster
But this one is not our Ruler and King.

The Lord of Hosts does nothing on a whim
He wants to take your burden. Just Ask Him.

Eric Funk
Oct 9, 2002