His state That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need XV. TO MR. LAWRENCE. LAWRENCE, of virtuous father virtuous son, The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise He who of those delights can judge, and spare XVI. TO CYRIAC SKINNER. CYRIAC, whose grandsire on the royal bench Of British Themis, with no mean applause, Pronounced, and in his volumes taught, our laws, Which others at their bar so often wrench, To-day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench In mirth that after no repenting draws; Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause, And what the Swede intends, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know Toward solid good what leads the nearest way; And disapproves that care, though wise in show, XVII. TO THE SAME. CYRIAC, this three years' day these eyes, though clear. Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of which all Europe rings from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave, And such as yet once more I trust to have Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined So clear, as in no face with more delight. But, oh! as to embrace me she inclined, I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night. PSALMS. PSALM 1. Done into verse 1653. Blessed is the man who hath not walked astray Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat And in His law he studies day and night. PSALM II. Done August 8, 1653.-Terzetti. Why do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations "Let us break off," say they, "by strength of hand, Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords." He who in Heaven doth dwell ΤΟ Shall laugh; the Lord shall scoff them, then severe Speak to them in His wrath, and in His fell And fierce ire trouble them. "But I," saith He, "Anointed have My King (though ye rebel) On Sion, My holy hill." A firm decree I will declare the Lord to Me hath said, : "Thou art My Son; I have begotten Thee This day; ask of Me, and the grant is made: As Thy possession I on Thee bestow The heathen, and, as Thy conquest to be swayed, Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt Thou bring full low And now be wise at length, ye kings averse; If once His wrath take fire, like fuel sere. IO 20 PSALM III. August 9, 1653. When he fled from Absalom. LORD, how many are my foes! How many those That in arms against me rise. Many are they That of my life distrustfully thus say, The exalter of my head I count : Aloud I cried Unto Jehovah; He full soon replied, And heard me from His holy mount. 10 I lay and slept; I waked again : Was the Lord. Of many millions The populous rout I fear not, though, encamping round about, They pitch against me their pavilions. Rise, Lord; save me, my God! for Thou Hast smote ere now On the cheek-bone all my foes, Of men abhorred Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; い PSALM IV. August 10, 1653. ANSWER me when I call, And set at large: now spare, Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer. Great ones, how long will ye My glory have in scorn? How long be thus forborne Still to love vanity? To love, to seek, to prize Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chose, Chose to Himself apart, The good and meek of heart (For whom to choose He knows); Jehovah from on high Will hear my voice what time to Him I cry. Be awed, and do not sin; |