Either man's work or his own gifts; who beft 10 Bear his mild yoke, they ferve him beft: his state Is kingly; thoufands at his bidding speed, And poft o'er land and ocean without rest; They alfo ferve who only stand and wait. XX. To Mr. LAWRENCE. Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous son, XXI. To CYRIAC SKINNER. Cyriac, whofe grandfire on the royal bench Το To measure life learn thou betimes, and know Toward folid good what leads the neareft way; 10 For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And difapproves that care, though wife in show, That with fuperfluous burden loads the day, And when God sends a chearful hour, refrains. Cyriac, this three years day these eyes, though clear, 5 Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer Right onward. What fupports me, dost thou ask? The confcience, Friend, to have loft them overply'd In liberty's defenfe, my noble task, Of which all Europe talks from fide to fide. This thought might lead me through the world'svain Content though blind, had I no better guide. [mask XXIII. On his deceased WIFE. Methought I saw my late efpoufed faint II Brought to me like Alceftis from the grave, Whom Jove's great fon to her glad husband gave, Refcued from death by force, though pale and faint. Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint -5 Purification in the old Law did fave, And fuch, as yet once more I trust to have, Came Came vested all in white, pure as her mind; I wak'd, fhe fled, and day brought back my night PSAL M S. PSALM I. Done into verse, 1653, Lefs'd is the man who hath not walk'd aftray And in his law he ftudies day and night. PSAL. II. done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzette. WHY HY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations Mufe a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upftand With pow'r, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land Againft Against the Lord and his Meffiah dear? Let us break off, fay they, by ftrength of hand Their bonds, and caft from us, no more to wear, Theirtwiftedcords: He who in Heav'n doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord fhall feoff them, then fevere Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, faith 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; afk of me, and the grant is made; As thy poffeffion I on thee beltow IO Th' Heathen, and as thy conqueft to be fway'd Earth's utmoft bounds: them fhalt thou bring full low With iron fcepter bruis'd, and them difperfe 20 Like to a potter's veffel fhiver'd fo. And now be wife at length ye Kings averse, appear 25 PSAL. III. Aug. 9. 1653. When he fled from L Abfalom. ORD how many are my foes! That in arms against me rife! Many are they That of my life diftruftfully thus fay, No help for him in God there lies. But thou Lord art my fhield, my glory, Th Th' exalter of my head I count; Unto Jehovah, he full foon reply'd Was the Lord. Of many millions The populous rout I fear not, though incamping round about On the check-bone all my foes, Of men abhorr'd 15 20 Haft broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy bleffing on thy people flows. A PSAL, IV, Aug. 10. 1653. NSWER me when I call, In ftraits and in distress Thou didst me difinthrall And fet at large; now fpare, Now pity me, and hear my earnest pray'r. Great ones how long will ye My glory have in scorn, How long be thus forborn Still to love vanity To love, to seek, to prize Things falfe and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chofe, Chose to himself apart, The good and meek of heart (For whom to choose he knows) Jehovah |