XXII.

TO THE SAME. CYRIAC, this three years day these eyes, thougla

clear,
To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;

Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun. or moon, or star, throughout the year,

Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heav'n's hand or will, por bate a jot

Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, Friend, to have lost them over
ply'd

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

vain mask Content though blind, had I no better guides

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 gate,

Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint. Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of childbed taint 5

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 10

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, Iwak’d; she fled; and day brought back my night:

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 wat’ry 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. 10 Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'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, 15 And the way of bad men to ruin must.

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

Against the Lord and his Messiah dear?
Let us break off, say they, by sirength of hand

A

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 10

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 bath 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

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 20

Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so.
And new be wise at length, ye Kings averse,

Be taught, ye Judges of the earth ; with fear

Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse With trembling; kiss the Sun 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 !

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;
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,

Thee, through my story,

TL'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'u Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the

Lord;
Thy blessing on thy people flows.

PSALM IV.

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 ?
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 bath chose,
Chose to himself a part,
The good and meek of heart;

15 (For whom to choose he knows ;)

10

25

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 trust.
Many there be that say,
Who yet will show us good ?
Talking like this world's brood;
But, Lord, thus let me pray;
On us lift up the light,

Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright. 30
Into my heart more joy
And gladness thou hast put,
Than when a year of glut
Their stores doth over-cloy,
And from their plenteous grounds .

35 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 I lie; As in a rocky cell Thou, Lord, alone, in safety mak'st me dwell.

40

PSALM V.

August 12, 1653.
JEHOVAH, to my words give ear,

My meditation weigh;
The voice of my complaining hear,
My King and God; for unto thee I pray.
Jehovah, thou my early voice

Shalt in the morning hear;
I'th' morning I to thee with choice
Will rank my pray’rs, and watch till thou appears