To day deep thoughts refolve with me to drench And what the Swede intend, and what the French. To measure life, learn thou betimes, and know Toward folid good what leads the nearest way; For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with fuperfluous burden loads the day, And when God fends a cheerful hour, refrains. XXII. To Mr. Cyriac Skinner. Upon his Blindness. AYRIAC this Three years day, thefe Eyes though CYR clear To outward view of blemish or of Spot, Bereft of Sight, their Seeing have forgot: Nor to their idle Orbs doth day appear, Or Sun, or Moon, or Star, throughout the Year; Or Man, or Woman; yet I argue not Against Heaven's Hand, or Will, nor bate one jot Of Heart or Hope; but ftill bear up, and steer Right onward. What fupports me, doft thou ask? The Conscience, Friend, to have loft them over In Liberties Defence, my noble task ; [ply'd Of which all Europe rings from side to side. This thought might lead me through this World's vain mask Content, though blind, had I no other Guide. ΜΕ XXIII. ETHOUGHT I saw my late espoused Saint Brought to me like Alceftis from the grave, Whom Joves great Son to her glad Husband gave, Refcu'd from death by force though pale and faint. Mine as whom washt from spot of child-bed taint, Purification in the old Law did fave, And such, as yet once more I trust to have Full fight of her in Heaven without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind: Her face was vail'd, yet to my fancied fight, Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd So clear, as in no face with more delight. But O as to embrace me she enclin'd I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night. Pfalms. PSAL. I. Done into Verfe, 1653. B LESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd aftray In counsel of the wicked, and ith' of finners hath not ftood, and in the feat way And in his Law he ftudies day and night. 10 PSAL. II. Done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzetti. HY do the Gentiles tumult, and the Na tions [earth upstand Muse a vain thing, the Kings of th' With power, and Princes in their Congrega tions Lay deep their plots together through each Land, Against the Lord and his Meffiah dear. Let us break off, say they, by ftrength of hand Their bonds, and caft from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: he who in Heaven doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord fhall fcoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I faith hee Anointed have my King (though ye rebell) On Sion my holi' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath say'd Thou art my Son I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy poffeffion I on thee bestow 10 Th' Heathen, and as thy conqueft to be fway'd Earths utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With Iron Scepter bruis'd, and them disperse And now be wife at length ye Kings averse 21 With trembling; kifs the Son least he appear If once his wrath take fire like fuel fere. Happy all those who have in him their stay. PSAL. III. Aug. 9. 1653. When he fled from Abfalom. ORD how many are my foes That in arms against me rise Many are they That of my life distrustfully thus fay, Th' exalter of my head I count Aloud I cry'd Unto Jehovah, he full foon reply'd Was the Lord. Of many millions I fear not though incamping round about On the cheek-bone all my foes, Of men abhor'd 10 20 Haft broke the teeth. This help was from the Thy bleffing on thy people flows. [Lord; |