Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot

Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?

The conscience, Friend, t have lost them over ply'd 10

In liberty's defence, my poble task, Of which all Europe rings from side to side. This thonght might lead me through the world's vain

mask, Content though blind, had I no better guide,

XXIII.

ON HIS DECEASED WIFE.
METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint

Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave,
Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave,

Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint.
Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of childbed taint

Purification in the old law did save, And such as yet once more I trust to have

Full sight of her in Heav'n without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind :

Her face was veil'd; yet to my fancied sight

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd
So clear, as in no face with more delight.

But O, as to embrace me she inclin'd,
I wak’d, she fled; and day brought back my night

10

PSALMS.

PSALM I.

5

Done into verse, 1653.
BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray
In counsel of the wicked, and i'th' way
Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat
Of scorners hath not sat. But in the great
Jehovah's law is ever his delight,
And in his law he studies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watry streams, and in his season knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which faun'd
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Nor sinners in th' assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows the upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

10

15

PSALM II.

Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzetti, WHY.do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations

Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand

With pow'r, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land

10

15

Against the Lord and his Messiah dear?

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 Heav'n doth dwell

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) Ou 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 hestow

Th' heathen; and, as thy conquest to be sway'd, Earth's utmost bounds : them shalt thou bring full low

With iron sceptre bruis'd, and them disperse

Like to a potter’s vessel shiver'd so.
And now be wise at length, ye Kings averse,
Be taught, ye Judges of the earth ; with fear

and let your joy converse With trembling ; kiss the Son lest he appear

In anger, and ye perish in the way,

If once his wrath take fire, like fuel sere. Happy all those who have in him their stay!

20

Jehovah serve,

25

PSALM III.

August 9, 1653.

When he fled from Absatorna
LORD, how many are my foes !

How many those
That in arms against me rise !

Many are they

10

That of my life distrustfully thus say ;
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,

Thee, through my story,
Th' exalter of my head I count;

Aloud I cry'd
Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd,
And heard me from his holy mount,
I lay and slept; I wak'd again;

For my sustain
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 abhorr'd
Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord;
Thy blessing on thy people flows.

PSALM IV.

1

August, 10, 1653.
ANSWER me when I call,
God of my righteousness;
In straits and in distress
Thou didst me disenthrall
And set at large; now spare,

Now pity me, and hear my earnest pray?r..
Great ones, how long will ye
My glory have in scorn ?

5

10

15

20

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 aw'd, and do not sin ;
Speak to your hearts alone,
Upon your beds, each one,
And be at

peace within. Offer the offerings just

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trusé.
Many there be that say,
Who yet will show us good ?
Talking like this world's brood;
But, Lord, thus let me pray;
Onus lift up the light,

Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright.
Into my heart more joy
And gladness thou hast part,
Then when a year of glut
Their stores doth over-cloy,
And from their plenteous grounds

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.
In peace at once will I
Both lay me down and sleep;
For thou alone dost keep
Me safe where'er 1 lie;