University of Virginia Library

previous section The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan
next section

CXL.

1

Mee from the evill man, from men
Who violence do vse,
Deliuer and preserve, O Lord;

2

In harts who mischeeff muse,

3

For war who dayly meet; made scharp
Who haue, as serpents sting,
Their tongs; from whose envenom'd lips
Doth asps' hott poyson spring.

4

Me from the wickeds' hand, O save;
Me from the violent
Preserve, O God; who, to orthrow
My wayes, do wayes invent.

5

For me a snair, evin cords the proud
Have hid and spredd a nett,
Me by the wayside to surpryse;
They grins for me have sett.

6

Lord, thow my God art; heare the voyce
Of my requeist, I sayd.

7

O, God the Lord, my saveing strenth,
In day of armes (belay'd
217

By foes) thow coveredst my head.

8

Lord, the desires repell,
The wickeds' plots let not prevail,
Lest they with pryd do swell.

9

The speciall who doth me persew,
Them who besett me round,
Of ther owne lips the mischeef may
Quite cover and confound;

10

Vpon them burning coals may fall;
In flames let them be throwne;
In gulfes from whose vast deeps to rise
No regresse back is known.

11

The evill tong'd, not stablish'd, shall
From earth be swept away;
And evill shall the violent
Hunt quickly to decay.

12

The cause of the aflicted wight
I know thow will mantaine;
Yea, (doubtles) thow, O Lord, will right
The poore when they complaine.

13

Due prayse the just wnto thy name
Assuredly shall give;
And wpright ones (by the protect'd)
Shall in thy presence live.
previous section The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan
next section