The Poetical Works of John Milton Part 13

G.o.d is a just Judge and severe, And G.o.d is every day offended; If th' unjust will not forbear, His Sword he whets, his Bow hath bended Already, and for him intended The tools of death, that waits him near.

(His arrows purposely made he For them that persecute.) Behold 50 He travels big with vanitie, Trouble he hath conceav'd of old As in a womb, and from that mould Hath at length brought forth a Lie.

He dig'd a pit, and delv'd it deep, And fell into the pit he made, His mischief that due course doth keep, Turns on his head, and his ill trade Of violence will undelay'd Fall on his crown with ruine steep. 60

Then will I Jehovah's praise According to his justice raise And sing the Name and Deitie Of Jehovah the most high.

PSAL. VIII. Aug. 14. 1653.

O JEHOVAH our Lord how wondrous great And glorious is thy name through all the earth?

So as above the Heavens thy praise to set Out of the tender mouths of latest bearth,

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou Hast founded strength because of all thy foes To stint th'enemy, and slack th'avengers brow That bends his rage thy providence to oppose.

When I behold thy Heavens, thy Fingers art, The Moon and Starrs which thou so bright hast set, 10 In the pure firmament, then saith my heart, O What is man that thou remembrest yet,

And think'st upon him; or of man begot That him thou visit'st and of him art found; Scarce to be less then G.o.ds, thou mad'st his lot, With honour and with state thou hast him crown'd.

O're the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord, Thou hast put all under his lordly feet, All Flocks, and Herds, by thy commanding word, All beasts that in the field or forrest meet. 20

Fowl of the Heavens, and Fish that through the wet Sea-paths in shoals do slide. And know no dearth.

O Jehovah our Lord how wondrous great And glorious is thy name through all the earth.

APRIL, 1648. J. M. NINE OF THE PSALMS DONE INTO METRE,

Wherein all but what is in a different Character, are the very words of the Text, translated from the Original.

PSAL. Lx.x.x.

1 THOU Shepherd that dost Israel keep Give ear in time of need, Who leadest like a flock of sheep Thy loved Josephs seed, That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright Between their wings out-spread Shine forth, and from thy cloud give light, And on our foes thy dread.

2 In Ephraims view and Benjamins, And in Mana.s.se's sight 10 Awake* thy strength, come, and be seen *Gnorera.

To save us by thy might.

3 Turn us again, thy grace divine To us O G.o.d vouchsafe; Cause thou thy face on us to shine And then we shall be safe.

4 Lord G.o.d of Hosts, how long wilt thou, How long wilt thou declare Thy *smoaking wrath, and angry brow *Gnashanta.

Against thy peoples praire. 20 5 Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears, Their bread with tears they eat, And mak'st them* largely drink the tears *Shalish.

Wherewith their cheeks are wet.

6 A strife thou mak'st us and a prey To every neighbour foe, Among themselves they *laugh, they *play, *Jilgnagu.

And *flouts at us they throw.

7 Return us, and thy grace divine, O G.o.d of Hosts vouchsafe 30 Cause thou thy face on us to shine, And then we shall be safe.

8 A Vine from Aegypt thou hast brought, Thy free love made it thine, And drov'st out Nations proud and haut To plant this lovely Vine.

9 Thou did'st prepare for it a place And root it deep and fast That it began to grow apace, And fill'd the land at last. 40 10 With her green shade that cover'd all, The Hills were over-spread Her Bows as high as Cedars tall Advanc'd their lofty head.

11 Her branches on the western side Down to the Sea she sent, And upward to that river wide Her other branches went.

12 Why hast thou laid her Hedges low And brok'n down her Fence, 50 That all may pluck her, as they go, With rudest violence?

13 The tusked Boar out of the wood Up turns it by the roots, Wild Beasts there brouze, and make their food Her Grapes and tender Shoots.

14 Return now, G.o.d of Hosts, look down From Heav'n, thy Seat divine, Behold us, but without a frown, And visit this thy Vine. 60 15 Visit this Vine, which thy right hand Hath set, and planted long, And the young branch, that for thy self Thou hast made firm and strong.

16 But now it is consum'd with fire, And cut with Axes down, They perish at thy dreadfull ire, At thy rebuke and frown.

17 Upon the man of thy right hand Let thy good hand be laid, 70 Upon the Son of Man, whom thou Strong for thyself hast made.

18 So shall we not go back from thee To wayes of sin and shame, Quick'n us thou, then gladly wee Shall call upon thy Name.

Return us, and thy grace divine Lord G.o.d of Hosts voutsafe, Cause thou thy face on us to shine, And then we shall be safe. 80

PSAL. Lx.x.xI.

1 To G.o.d our strength sing loud, and clear, Sing loud to G.o.d our King, To Jacobs G.o.d, that all may hear Loud acclamations ring.

2 Prepare a Hymn, prepare a Song The Timbrel hither bring The cheerfull Psaltry bring along And Harp with pleasant string.

3 Blow, as is wont, in the new Moon With Trumpets lofty sound, 10 Th'appointed time, the day wheron Our solemn Feast comes round.

4 This was a Statute giv'n of old For Israel to observe A Law of Jacobs G.o.d, to hold From whence they might not swerve.

5 This he a Testimony ordain'd In Joseph, not to change, When as he pa.s.s'd through Aegypt land; The Tongue I heard, was strange. 20 6 From burden, and from slavish toyle I set his shoulder free; His hands from pots, and mirie soyle Deliver'd were by me.

7 When trouble did thee sore a.s.saile, On me then didst thou call, And I to free thee did not faile, And led thee out of thrall.

I answer'd thee in *thunder deep *Be Sether ragnam.

With clouds encompa.s.s'd round; 30 I tri'd thee at the water steep Of Meriba renown'd.

8 Hear O my people, heark'n well, I testifie to thee Thou antient flock of Israel, If thou wilt list to mee, 9 Through out the land of thy abode No alien G.o.d shall be Nor shalt thou to a forein G.o.d In honour bend thy knee. 40 10 I am the Lord thy G.o.d which brought Thee out of Aegypt land Ask large enough, and I, besought, Will grant thy full demand.

11 And yet my people would not hear, Nor hearken to my voice; And Israel whom I lov'd so dear Mislik'd me for his choice.

12 Then did I leave them to their will And to their wandring mind; 50 Their own conceits they follow'd still Their own devises blind 13 O that my people would be wise To serve me all their daies, And O that Israel would advise To walk my righteous waies.

14 Then would I soon bring down their foes That now so proudly rise, And turn my hand against all those That are their enemies. 60 15 Who hate the Lord should then be fain To bow to him and bend, But they, His should remain, Their time should have no end.

16 And he would free them from the shock With flower of finest wheat, And satisfie them from the rock With Honey for their Meat.

PSAL. Lx.x.xII.

1 G.o.d in the *great *a.s.sembly stands *Bagnadath-el Of Kings and lordly States, Among the G.o.ds* on both his hands. *Bekerev.

He judges and debates.

2 How long will ye *pervert the right *Tishphetu With *judgment false and wrong gnavel.

Favouring the wicked by your might, Who thence grow bold and strong?

3 *Regard the *weak and fatherless *Shiphtu-dal.

*Dispatch the *poor mans cause, 10 And **raise the man in deep distress By **just and equal Lawes. **Hatzdiku.

4 Defend the poor and desolate, And rescue from the hands Of wicked men the low estate Of him that help demands.

5 They know not nor will understand, In darkness they walk on, The Earths foundations all are *mov'd *Jimmotu.

And *out of order gon. 20 6 I said that ye were G.o.ds, yea all The Sons of G.o.d most high 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall As other Princes die.

8 Rise G.o.d, *judge thou the earth in might, This wicked earth *redress, *Shiphta.

For thou art he who shalt by right The Nations all possess.