ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN TO CYRIAC SKINNER, CYRIAC, whose grandsire, on the royal bench Of British Themis, with no mean applause bones Pronounc'd, and in his volumes taught, our laws, Lie scatter'd on the Alpine mountains cold Which others at their bar so often wrench; Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, To-day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench 5 When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and In mirth that, after, no repenting draws; stones, Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause, Forget not: in thy book record their groans 5 And what the Swede intends, and what the Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold French: Slain by the bloody Piedmontese, that rollid To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 9 Mother with infant down the rocks. Their Tow'rd solid good what leads the nearest way; moans For other things mild Heaven a time ordains, The vales redoubled to the hills, and they 9 And disapproves that care, though wise in show, To Heaven. Their martyr'd blood and ashes sow That with superfluous burden loads the day, O'er all th' Italian fields, where still doth sway And, when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. The triple Tyrant ; that from these may grow A hundred fold, who having learn'd thy way, Early may fly the Babylonian woe. 5 TO THE SAME. CYRIAC, this three-years-day these eyes, though Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, clear, And that one talent which is death to hide, To outward view, of blemish or of spot, Lodg‘d with me useless, though my soul more Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;: bent Nor to their ide orbs doth sight appear To serve therewith my Maker, and present 35 Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, My true account, lest he, returning, chide Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not Doth God exact day-lahour, light denied ? Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot 3 I fondly ask: but Patience, to prevent Of heart or hope , but still bear up and steer That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need: 5 Right onward. 'What supports me dost thou ask? Either man's work, or his own gifts; who best-10. The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overplied 10 Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best; his state Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed, In liberty's defence, my noble task, And post o'er land and ocean without rest; Of which all Europe rings from side to side. They also serve who only stand and wait. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask 4 TO MR. LAWRENCE. LAWRENCE, of virtuous father virtuous son, Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire Help waste a sullen day, what may be won ON HIS DECEASED WIFE. On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave, What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice, Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave, Of Attic taste, with wine whence we may rise 10 Rescued from death by force, though pale and To hear the lute well touch'd, or artful voice, faint. Warble immortal notes, and Tuscan air ? Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint taint He who of those delights can judge, and spare Purification in th' old Law did save, To interpose them oft, is not unwise. And such, as yet once more I trust to have Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind : • This persecution of the Protestants in Pied- Her face was veil'd; yet, to my fancied sight, mont broke out in 1655. In May, that year, Crom- Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd well wrote several letters to the Duke of Savoy, So clear, as in no face with more delight: 11 and other potentates and states, complaining of that But ! as to embrace me she inclin'd, persecution. Echard tells us, that he proclaimed I wak'd; she fled; and day brought back my a fast, and caused large contributions to be gathered night. for them in England; that he sent his agents to the Duke of Savoy, a prince with whom he had no correspondence or commerce, and, the next year, so engaged Cardinal Mazarine, and even terrified the • Cyriac Skinner was the son of William SkinPope himself, without so much as doing any favour ner, Esq. and grandson of Sir Vincent Skinner, and to the English Roman Catholics, that the Duke his mother was daughter of the famous Lord Chief Justice Coke. Mr. Wood relates that he thought it necessary to restore all that he had taken from them, and renewed all those privileges they was one of Harrington's political club, and somehad formerly enjoyed. "So great (adds Echard) times held the chair; and further adds, that he was the terror of his name; nothing being more was a merchant's son of London, an ingenious usual than his saying, that his ships in the Medi: young gentleman, and scholar to John Milton. terranean should visit Civita Vecchia, and the + This was his second wife, Catharine, the danghsound of his cannon should be heard in Rome." ter of Captain Woodcock of Hackney, who lived This Mr. Lawrence was the son of the Presi. with him not above a year after their marriage, and dent of Cromwell's council. died in child-bed of a daughter. L PSALMS. PSALM I. (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, 5 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 musta Aloud I cried 10 For my sustain 15 20 On the cheek-bone, all my foes ; Of men abhorr'd Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Thy blessing on thy people flows. Lord; PSALM IV. PSALM II. (Done August 8, 1653.] Tersetti. Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand With power, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land Against the Lord and his Messiah dear? 5 Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords : He, who in heaven 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 hath said, Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee 15 This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy possession I on thee bestow The 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. Be taught, ye judges of the earth; with fear Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse Ia anger, and ye perish in the way, (August 10, 1653.1 Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer. 10 To love, to seek, to prize Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chose, Chose to himself apart, The good and meek of heart; 15 (For whom to choose he knows) Jehovah from on high Will hear my voice, what time to him I cry. 20 Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust. Many there be that say, 25 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 bast 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; 40 As in a rocky cell Thou, Lord! alone, in safety mak'st me dwell. PSALM III. 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 5 | Ill to him that meant me peace; Shalt in the morning hear; Or to him have render'd less, l'th' morning I to thee with choice And not freed my foe for nought; Let th' enemy pursue my soul 10 And overtake it, let him tread Evil with thee no biding makes; My life down to the earth, and roll 15 Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight. In the dust my glory dead, All workers of iniquity In the dust; and, there outspread, Thou hat'st: and them unbless'd Lodge it with dishonour foul. Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie; 15 The bloody' and guileful man God doth detest. Rise, Jehovah! in thine ire, But I will, in thy mercies dear, Rouse thyself amidst the rage 20 Thy numerous mercies, go Of my foes that urge like fire; Into thy house; 1, in thy fear, And wake for me, their fury' assuage; And command, which I desire. So th' assemblies of each nation 25 Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. Will surround thee, seeking right; For, in his faltering mouth unstable, 25 Thence to thy glorious habitation No word is firm or sooth: Return on high, and in their sight. Their inside, troubles miserable ; Jehovah judgeth most upright An open grave their throat, their tongue they All people, from the world's foundation. 30 smoothe. God ! find them guilty, let them fall Judge me, Lord; be judge in this By their own counsels quell'd; 30 According to my righteousness, Push them in their rebellions all And the innocence which is Of evil men the wickedness, 35 Their joy; while thou from blame And their power that do amiss. Defend'st them, they shall ever sing, 35 And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name : But the just establish fast, For thou, Jehovah! wilt be found Since thou' art the just God that tries To bless the just man still ; Hearts and reins. On God is cast As with a shield, thou wilt surround My defence, and in him lies: 40 Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 40 In him who, both just and wise, Saves the upright of heart at last. God is a just judge and severe, And God is every day offended; 45 Already, and for him intended The tools of death, that wait him near. (His arrows purposely made he Pity me, Lord, for I am much deject, For them that persecute :) Behold, 50 And very weak and faint ; heal and amend me: He travels big with vanity; restore He digg'd a pit, and delv'd it deep, 55 Por in death no remembrance is of thee; And fell into the pit he made; Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise ? 10 His mischief, that due course doth keep, Wearied I am with sighing out my days; Turns on his head; and his ill trade Nightly my couch I make a kind of sea ; Of violence will, undelay'd, My bed I water with my tears; mine eye Fall on his crown with ruin steep. 60 Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark I'th' midst of all mine enemies that mark. 15 Then will I Jehovah's praise Depart, all ye that work iniquity, According to his justice raise, Of Jehovah the Most High! PSALM VIII. shame, They shall return in haste the way they came, (August 14, 1653.) And in a moment shall be quite abash'd. 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 birth. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, thou 5 (August 14, 1653.] Hast founded strength, because of all thy foes, To stint the enemy, and slack th' avenger's brow, Upon the words of Chush, the Benjamite against That bends his rage thy providence to oppose. When I behold thy heavens, thy fingers' art, LORD, my God, to thee I fly; The moon, and stars, which thou so bright hast Save me, and secure me under set 10 Thy protection, while I cry; In the pure firmament: then saith my heart, Lest, as the lion, (and no wonder) O, what is man that thou rememb’rest yet, He haste to tear my soul asunder, 5 Tearing, and no rescue nigh. And think'st upon him; or of man begut, That him thou visit'st, and of him art found ! Lord, my God, if I have thought Scarce to be less than gods, thou mad'st his lot, 15 Or done this; if wickedness With honour and with state thou hast hire Be in my hands; if I have wrought 10 crown'd. him. 69 65 70 75 80 5 O'er the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord, 14 Return now, God of Hosts! look down From heaven, thy seat divine; All beasts that in the field or forest meet; 20 And visit this thy' vine. Hath set, and planted long,' Thou hast made firm and strong. 16 But now it is consum'd with fire, And cut with axes' down; They perish at thy dreadful ire, At thy rebuke and frown. [April, 1648. J. M.] 17 Upon the man of thy right hand Nine of the Psalms done into metre, wherein all, Let thy 'good' hand be laid;' but what is distinguished by inverted commas, Upon the son of man, whom thou are the very words of the text translated from Strong for thyself hast made. the original. 18 So shall we not go back from thee 1 THOU, Shepherd, that dost Israel' keep' . To ways of sin and shame;' Give ear in time of red; Quicken us thou ; then 'gladly' we Shall call upon thy Name. 19 Return us, ' and thy grace divine,' That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright;' 5 Lord God of Hosts ! vouchsafe;' Between their wings outspread ;' Cause thou thy face on us to shine, Shine forth, and from their cloud give light,' And then we shall be safe. *And on our foes thy dread.' 2 In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's, And in Manasse's sight, 10 PSALM LXXXI. Awake thy strength, come, and be seen' *To' save us by thy might.' 1 TO God our strength sing loud and clear,' 3 Turn us, again; 'thy grace divine' Sing loud to God. our King;' "To us, God, vouchsafe;' To Jacob's God, that all may hear; Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 15 Loud acclamations ring. And then we shall be safe. 2 Prepare a hymn, prepare a song, 4 Lord God of Hosts! how long wilt thou, The timbrel hither bring; How long wilt thou declare The cheerful' psaltery bring along, Thy + smoking wrath,' and angry brow' And harp with' pleasant string.' Against thy people's prayer! 20 3 Blow, as is wont,' in the new moon 5 Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears; With trumpets' lofty sound,' Their bread with tears they eat; Th' appointed time, the day whereon Our solemn feast' comes round.' 4 This was a statute given of old,' 6 A strife thou mak'st us and a prey' 25 For Israel “ to observe;' To every neighbour foe; A law of Jacob's God, to hold,' Among themselves they || laugh, they play, I From whence they might not swerve.' And | flouts at us they throw. 5 This he a testimony' ordain'd 7 Return us, and thy grace divine,' In Joseph, not to change;' O God of Hosts ! Vouchsafe;' 30 When as he pass'd through Egypt land; Cause thou thy face on us to shine, The tongue I heard was strange. And then we shall be safe. 8 A vine from Egypt thou hast brought, 6 From burden, and from slavish toil, I set his shoulder free: • Thy free love made it thine,' His hands from pots,' and miry soil,' 7 When trouble did thee sore assail, 9 Thou didst prepare for it a place, On me then' didst thou call; And root it deep and fast, And I to free thee did not fail, That it' began to grow apace,' And led thee out of thrall. And' fill'a the land at last.' 40 I answer'd thee in * thunder deep 10 With her 'green' shade that cover'd'all,' With clouds incompass'd round; The hills were overspread;' I tried thee at the water steep' Her boughs as high as' cedars tall Of Meriba' renown'd.' *Advanc'd their lofty head.' 8 Hear, O my people, hearken well, 11 Her branches on the western side' 45 I testify to thee, Down to the sea she sent, "Thou ancient stock of' Israel, And upward' to that river wide' If thou wilt list to me: Her other branches. went.' 9 Throughout the land of thy abode 12 Why hast thou laid her hedges low, No alien god shall be, And broken down her fence, 50 Nor shalt thou to a foreign god That all may pluck her, as they go, In honour bend thy knee. « With rudest violence?' 10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought 13 The 'tusked' boar, out of the wood, Thee out of Egypt land; Ask large enough, and I, besought, 56 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 • Gnorera. Gnashanta. Shalish. || Jilgnagu. • Be Sether regnam. 11 And yet my people would not 'hear,' 454 Come, let us cut them off, say they, Nor' hearken to my voice; Till they no nation be And Israel, whom I lov'd so dear,' That Israel's name for ever may 15 Mislik'd me for his choice. Be lost in memory. 12 Then did I leave them to their will, 5 For they consult with all their might, And to their wand'ring mind; 50 And all, as one in mind, Their own conceits they follow'd still, Themselves against thee they unite, Their own devices blind. And in firm union bind. 20 13 O that my people would be wise,' 6 The tents of Edom, and the brood To serve me all their days!" Of scornful' Ishmael, And O, that Israel would 'ad vise' 55 Moab, with them of Hagar's blood, «That in the desert dwell; 25 . That now so proudly rise;' And hateful' Amalec, The Philistines, and they of Tyre, 60 Whose bounds the sea doth check;' 15 Who hate the Lord should then be fain' 8 With them great' Ashur also bands, .To' bow to him and bend; And doth confirm the knot: 30 But they, his people, should remain,' All these have lent their armed hands' Their time should have no end. To aid the sons of Lot. 16 And he would feed them from the shock' 65 9 Do to them as to Midian 'bold,' With flower of finest wheat, «That wasted all the coast ;' And satisfy them from the rock To Sisera; and, as ' is tola,' 35 With honey for their meat.' Thou didst' to Jabin's host," . They were repuls'd and slain, 10 At Endor quite cut off, and roll'a 40 1 GOD in the great assembly stands Of kings and lordly states;' 11 As Zeb and Oreb evil sped, Among the gods, t on both his hands So let their princes speed; He judges and debates. As Zeba, and Zalmunna' bled,' So let their princes' bleed.' 2 How long will ye pervert the right 5 With judgment false and wrong, 12'For they amidst their pride' have said, 45 Favouring the wicked, by your might,' By right now shall we seize God's houses, and will now invade' Their † stately palaces. 3 Regard the weak and fatherless, Dispatch the poor man's cause, 10 13 My God! oh make them as a wheel, And raise the man in deep distress No quiet let them find;' 50 Giddy and restless' let them reel' Like stubble from the wind. + 4 Defend the poor and desolate, And rescue from the hands 14 As' when' an'aged' wood takes fire Of wicked men the low estate 15 55 Of him that help demands.' The greedy' flame runs higher and higher Till all the mountains blaze; 5 They know not, nor will understand, In darkness they walk on; 15 So with thy whirlwind them pursue, The earth's foundations all are s moved, And with thy tempest chase; 20 CO 6 I said that ye were gods; yea, all The sons of God Most High; 17 Ashamed, and troubled let them be, 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall Troubled, and sham'd for ever; As other princes die.' Ever confounded, and so die With shame, and scape it never.' 18 Then shall they know, that Thou, whose name 66 For thou art he who shalt by right The nations all possess. Art the Most High, and thou the same' O'er all the earth art One! PSALM LXXXIII. 1 BE not thou silent now at length,' PSALM LXXXIV. o God! hold not thy peace; Sit thou not still; O God of strength,' 1 HOW lovely are thy dwellings fair! We cry, and do not cease.' O Lord of Hosts, how dear The pleasant' tabernacles are, 2 For lo, thy 'furious' foes 'now' tt swell 5 Where thou dost dwell so near" 2 My soul doth long and almost die Exalt their heads full high. Thy courts, Lord, to see, My heart and flesh aloud do cry, 3 Against thy people they #1 contrive O living God! for thee. Their plots and counsels deep; 10 Them to insnare they chiefly strive, 3 There e'en the sparrow freed from wrong' Whom thou dost hide and keep. Hath found a honse of rest;' Hath built her brooding' nest; • Lev jachdau. #1 Jagnarimu. Sod. II Jirthjagnatsu gnal. + Neuth Elcbir tears both. 14 Tsephuneca. They seek thy Name. Heb. 10 **Shiphta. |
