So clear, as in no face with more delight.

But O as to embrace me fhe inclin'd,

I wak'd, fhe fled, and day brought back my night.

XXIV.

On occafion of the PLAGUE in LONDON.

Found on a glass window at Chalfont, in Buckinghamshire, where Milton refided during the continuance of that calamity.

[From Birch's Life.]

Fair mirror of foul times; whofe fragile sheen 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 counfels hence; Yea, all to break the pride of luftful kings,

Who heaven's lore reject for brutish sense

As erft he fcourg'd Jeffides' fin of yore,

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For the fair Hittite, when, on feraph's wings, He fent him war, or plague, or famine fore.

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PSALM S.

PSALM S.

PSALM I. Done into verfe, 1653.

BLefs'd is the man who hath not walk'd aftray

In counfel of the wicked, and i' th' way

of finners hath not stood, and in the feat
Of fcorners hath not fat. But in the great
Jehovah's law is ever his delight,
And in his law he ftudies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watery ftreams, and in his feafon knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,
And what he takes in hand fhall profper all.
Not fo the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd
The wind drives, fo the wicked shall not ftand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Nor finners in th' affembly of just men.
For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

PSAL. II. Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzette.

WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations

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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

Againft

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

ΤΟ

I will declare; the Lord to me hath faid 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

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Th' Heathen, and as thy conqueft to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them fhalt thou bring full

low

With iron scepter bruis'd, and them disperse
Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so.

And now be wife at length, ye Kings averse,
Be taught, ye Judges of the earth; with fear
Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse
With trembling; kifs the Son, left he appear
anger, and ye perish in the way,

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If once his wrath take fire like fuel fere. Happy all those who have in him their stay!

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PSAL. III.

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,
Thee through my story

Th' exalter of my head I count;

Aloud I cry'd

Unto Jehovah, he full foon reply'd
And heard me from his holy mount.

I lay and flept, I wak'd again,
For my sustain

Was the Lord. Of many millions
The populous rout

I fear not, though incamping round about
They pitch againft me their pavilions.

Rife, Lord; fave me, my God; for thou
Haft fmote ere now

On the cheek-bone all my foes,

Of men abhorr'd

S

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Haft broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord;

Thy bleffing on thy people flows.

PSA L. IV. Aug. 10, 1653.

ANSWER me when I call,

God of my righteoufnefs,

In ftraits and in diftrefs

Thou didft me difinthrall

And fet at large; now fpare,

Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer.

Great-ones, how long will ye

My glory have in scorn,

How long be thus forborn

Still to love vanity;

To love, to feek, to prize

Things falfe and vain, and nothing else but lies?

Yet know the Lord hath chofe,

Chofe to himself apart,

The good and meek of heart

(For whom to choose he knows):

Jehovah from on high

Will hear my voice what time to him I cry.

Be aw'd, and do not fin,

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