Of fun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, Of which all Europe talks from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mafk Content though blind, had I no better guide. XXIII. On his deceased WIFE *. Methought I faw my late efpoufed faint Brought to me like Alceftis from the grave, Whom Jove's great fon to her glad husband gave, Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint. Mine, as whom wash'd from fpot of child-bed taint 5 And such, as yet once more I trust to have 10 * This was his fecond wife, Catharine the daughter of Captain Woodcock of Hackney, who lived with him not above a year after their marriage, and died in childbed of a daughter. So clear, as in no face with more delight. But O as to embrace me fhe inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night. XXIV. On occafion of the PLAGUE in LONDON. Found on a glafs window at Chalfont, in Buckinghamfhire, where Milton refided during the continuance of that calamity. [From Birch's Life.] Fair mirror of foul times; whofe fragile fheem Shall, as it blazeth, break; while Providence (Aye watching o'er his faints with eye unfeen) Spreads the red rod of angry peftilence, To fweep the wicked and their counsels hence; Yea, all to break the pride of lustful kings, Who heaven's lore reject for brutish sense; As erft he fcourg'd Jeffides' fin of yore, For the fair Hittite, when, on feraph's wings, He fent him war, or plague, or famine fore. PSALM S. PSAL B Lefs' M S. PSALM I. Done into verfe, 1653. Lefs'd is the man who hath not walk'd aftray Of finners hath not stood, Offcorners hath not fat. and in the feat But in the great PS AL. II. Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzette.. WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations 5 10 15 Mufe a vain thing, the kings of th' earth up stand With power, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land Against 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, Their twifted cords: He who in Heav'n doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord fhall fcoff 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 beftow ΙΟ 15 Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them fhalt thou bring full low With iron scepter bruis'd, and them disperse And now be wife at length, ye Kings averse, 20 25 PSAL. III. PSAL. III. Aug. 9, 1653. When he fled from Abfalom. LORD, how many are my foes! How many thofe That in arms against me rise ! Many are they That of my life diftruftfully thus fay, No help for him in God there lies. But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory, Th' exalter of my head I count; Aloud I cry'd Unto Jehovah, he full foon reply'd I lay and flept, I wak'd again, Was the Lord. Of many millions I fear not, though incamping round about Rife, Lord; fave me, my God; for thou Haft fmote ere now On the cheek-bone all my foes, Of men abhorr'd 5 10 15 20 Haft broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy bleffing on thy people flows. PSAL. IV. |