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Du Bartas

His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester

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IOB. THE FOVRTH BOOK.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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935

IOB. THE FOVRTH BOOK.

Here also ceast the Three fore-named Friends
From farther Speech (as hopeless of their ends)

Cap. 32.


Sith Iob so stifly still maintain'd his right
Of Righteousness, in his owne proper sight.
Then angry Zeale began to swelt and swell
In Elihu the sonne of Barachel,
The Buzite born, and of the Race of Ram:
Both against Iob began his wrath to flame
(Because, as tenor of his words imply'd,
Rather Himselfe, then God, he iustify'd)
And also Those his Foe-friends, for so strict
Condemning Iob, vntry'd, and vnconvict.
His modestie him hitherto with-held,
As giving place to others of more Eld:
But, seeing Iob to a full Period come;
And th'other Three without Reply, as dumb;
His Zeal burst out, and Thus in briefe began:
I must confess, I am too young a man
T'haue interrupted you (so old) before
In This Dispute; and therefore I forbore:
I was in doubt; I durst not speak (till now)
My weak Opinion, and present it you.
For, Dayes (thought I) and Years can farther reach:
And long Experience Wisedom best can teach.
Men haue a Soule, and Reason's light inherit:
But, Wisedom is inspir'd by th'Holy-Spirit
(Which bloweth where it will, and worketh free,
Not ty'd to Age, nor to Authoritie):
For, Great men alwaies are not wisest found,
Nor the most Ancient still the most profound.
Therfore awhile to Me giue eare, I pray;
And let Me also mine Opinion say.

936

I well observ'd your words, with diligence
I scan'd your Reasons, markt your Arguments:
Yea, neer and narrow haue I watcht and waigh'd
What Each of you, and All of you haue said:
Yet is there None of you (apart, or ioynt)
Convinces Iob; or answers to the Poynt.
Lest You should say; We Wisedom compass can,
God will evince him; not the Wit of Man.
For Me, Me yet hee never did gain-say:
Nor doe I mean to answer him, your way.
Heer-with amaz'd, they still continuing mute
Without Reply, or shew of more Dispute
(For I expect dyet some Speech from some:
I waited still: and when as none would come)
I will, said I, now prosecute my Part,
To giue my Censure from a single heart:
For, I am full of matter to the top;
My Spirit within me, strains me, stirs me vp:
My Brest is like a Wine-Butt, wanting Vent,
Ready to burst; or Bottles, like to slent.
I'll therefore speak, that I may yet re-spire;
And ope my mouth, to fanne mine inward fire.
Yet None, I pray, from Me the while expect
Smooth, soothing Titles; personall Respect:
For, soothing Titles know not I to giue;
Nor, should I, would my Maker let me liue.

Cap. 33.

Now therefore, Iob, hark with attentiue heed

To all the Words that from me shall proceed:
For, what I speak, premeditated is;
Not out of Passion, or of Preiudice:
But most sincere, and from a single heart,
Out of cleer Knowledge (without Clowds of Art).
One and the same, of the same Mass of Mire,
Made Me, as Thee; and did my Spirit inspire:
Fear not therefore, if Thou haue ought to say;
Oppose and answer: put thy Words in ray:
I am (according to thy wish) to plead
And parley with thee, in th'Almighties stead;
And yet, a Man: My Terrors shall not fright thee,
Neither my hand with heauy Tortures smite thee.
Lo, Thou hast sayd (I heard and markt it well)
In Mee, there none Iniquity doth dwell:
I am Vpright, and Clean, and Innocent:
Yet, as a Foe, Hee is against mee bent:
Hee picks occasions to inflict mee Stroaks;
Sifts all my Waies, and sets mee in the Stocks.
And lo, in This, even in This saying so,
Thou art not Iust: for (if thou know'st not) know,

937

That God is Greater than All Men: then, Why
Striv'st Thou with Him? whose supreme Soveraignty.
Yeelds vs no Reason, nor Account at all,
Of His high Counsails; Why, or How, they fall.
For once, yea twice, to Man th'Almighty speaks;
Yet Man perceiues not (or it little reaks)
By Dream, or Vision of the Night, in Sleep
Vpon his Bed; or in some Slumber deep:
Then opens He Mens eares, and him revealeth,
And sweetly there their meet Instruction sealeth;
To turn a Man from his intended Ill,
And hide the Pride of his ambitious Will:
To keep his Soule back from the brink of Hell;
And saue his Life from Death and Dangers fell.
Some-times, Hee's also chast'ned on his Bed,
With grievous Sicknes, from the foot to head;
Incessant burning in his Bones and Blood:
So that he loatheth the most dainty Food.
His Flesh consumed, and his Bones so high
That they appeare (as an Anatomie):
His Life and Soule draw neer vnto the Pit,
(The Graue doth gape, and Worms doo wait for it).
If with Him be a holy Messenger
(One of a Thousand) an Interpreter,
To shew to Man the Iustice of his God,
In his Correction, with his sharpest Rod;
And, Rightly humbled, re-advance the Meek,
By Faith, aboue his Righteousness to seek,
And pray to Him; He will propitious stand,
And to his Servant He will Thus command,
Deliver him from going to the Graue,
I am appeas'd: a Ransom found I haue.
Then, than a Childe shall fresher be his Flesh,
He shall return vnto his Youth afresh:
Then shall he call on God, and God shall be
Right gracious to him: He with ioy shall see
His glorious Face. For, He will render than
(He will impute) His Righteousness to Man.
He visits Men; and if that any say,
I haue offended: I haue gon astray:
I haue miss-done: I haue perverted Right:
O! I haue sinn'd, and had no profit by't;
He will deliver, from Infernall Doom,
His Soule; his Life from an vntimely Toomb.
Lo, all These things doth God doo twice or thrice
(Oft and again) to Man (too prone to Vice)
To re-reduce his Soule from Death's dark Night;
To be enlightned with the living Light.

938

Iob, mark it well, And harken farther yet
What I shall speak: saue, when thou seest it fit,
If ought thou haue to answer, or obiect,
Speak on, in God's Name (for I much affect
To iustifie and cleer thee (if I may):
If otherwise, if nought thou haue to say;
List, and obserue with silence, I beseech;
And I shall teach thee Wisedom, by my Speech.

Cap. 34.

So, he proceeded, and said furthermore:

Heare Me, ye Sages; Men of Skilfull lore:
For, as the Palate doth discern of Food,
Th'Eare tryeth words (how they be bad, or good).
Let's then debate This Matter, among vs;
Examine it, and what is right, discuss.
For, Iob hath said: O! I am Iust, Vpright;
And yet (saith He) GOD hath bereft my Right.
Should I belye my Cause? My thrilled Wound
Is past all Cure; and yet no Crime is found.
What man, like Iob, himselfe so over-thinks?
Who (wilfully) Contempt, like Water, drinks:
Who, with the Wicked and Vngodly walks,
Iumps iust with Them, and in their language talks.
For, he hath said; Man hath no profit by 't
To walk with GOD, and in Him to delight.
But, heare me now, all yee that vnderstand;
O! be it farre from the All-ruling hand
Of Iustice Selfe (th'Almighty God, most High)
To doe Iniustice, or Iniquitie.
No: He to Each man his owne Work repayes;
And makes him finde according to his Waies.
Vndoubtedly, the Lord of Hosts, the Strong,
Nor hath, nor doth, nor will, nor can, do wrong.
Who hath to Him charge of the Earth impos'd?
And, Who but He, hath the whole World dispos'd?
If He but please on Man to set his minde,
To re-assume his Spirit, his Breath, his Winde;
All Flesh at once (if He but hold his breath)
Shall turn to Dust; and perish all, in death.
Now note Thou this, if so thou hast a heart
To vnderstand; list what my Words impart:
Shall He haue Rule, that Iudgement loathes (and lacks)?
And for vniust, wilt Thou the Iustest tax?
Beseems it Any to a King to say,
O! Thou art Wicked (in thy partiall Sway)?
Or vnto Princes (to vpbraid them) Thus,
You are Vngodly, you are Impious?
Then, how-much-less to Him that puts no Ods
Touching the Persons of those Earthly Gods;

939

Nor twixt the Rich and Poor, the Great and Small;
For, they (alike) are his owne Hands-work, all.
They (at His will) shall in a moment die;
Yea, even at Midnight (vnexpectedly)
The People shall be troubled and transported;
And even the Princes, without hands subverted.
For, evermore His Eyes are open wide
On all Mens Waies, on every Step and Stride.
There is no Darkness, nor no Shade of Death,
For Wicked-ones to hide them vnder-neath:
Nor, will he Any yet so over-load,
That they may iustly grudge, or plead with God.
By Heaps, will He to peeces grinde the Great,
And (in their steed) set Others in their seat:
For, vnto Him, their Works are manifest;
Night turn'd to Light: and they shall be supprest.
Them, as most Wicked, smites he (as it were,
In all mens sight, in open Theatre)
Because from Him they did revolt and swerue;
And would not any of his Waies obserue:
But caus'd the loud Cries of the Poor ascend
To Him, who alwaies doth their Cries attend.
When He giues Quiet, who dares be so bold
To cause Disturbance? And, if He with-hold
His Countenance, who then behold Him can;
Whether a People, or a Private man?
That th'Hypocrite no more may Raign (as King)
Nor, vnder him, the snared People wring.
Vs therefore Thus beseems, to say to God:
I beare with Patience thy correcting Rod:
I will not murmur, nor burst out therfore;
But sigh in silence, and offend no more:
Shew me my Sins I see not, nor perceiue;
And, Hence forth will I all Iniustice leaue.
Or, should it be after Thy pleasure ay?
No: will-thou-nill, He will (not I) repay.
Now, therefore speak thy Conscience seriously;
And let the prudent mark and testifie,
That, voyd of Knowledge, Iob hath mis-averr'd;
And, wide of Wisdom, his Discourse hath err'd.
Would therefore (Father) he might yet be try'd:
Sith for the Wicked he hath so reply'd;
For, to his Sin he doth Rebellion ad:
Claps hands at vs, as He the Better had:
And (too-too-pure in his too-prudent Eyes)
Against th'Almighty, Words he multiplies.
Elihu speaking, Thus moreover said:

Cap. 35.


Thinkst Thou this right (if it be rightly waid)

940

Which thou hast spoken (or thy Speech imply'd)
My Righteousness is more than God's (O Pride!).
For, Thou hast said, What will it vantage mee,
What shall I gain, if I from Sin be free?
I'll answer thee; and with Thee, All so dreaming:
Look-vp, and see the Heav'ns aboue thee gleaming;
Behold, how high: If therefore thou transgress,
And multiply thy Sin and Wickedness;
What hurt doost Thou to God? What Detriment?
On th'other side, if Thou be Innocent,
If Iust; What doost Thou to his Goodnes giue?
Or, from Thy hand, What, What doth He receiue?
Thy Wickedness may hurt a Man (like thee):
Thy righteousness, to Man may helpfull be.
For manifold and frequent Tyranny,
Oppressors make oppressed-ones to cry;
Yea, to cry-out for cruell Violence
Of Mighty-ones, of Men of Eminence:
But, there is None that saith (as due belongs)
Where's God, my Maker (Who by Night giues Songs,
Who teacheth vs, hath vs more Wisedom given,
Than Beasts of Earth, or to the Fowles of Heaven).
There cry they oft; but none doth heare or heed,
For, th'Evils sake (who in all Ills exceed):
For, Vanity, God doth not, hath not heard;
Nor ever will th'Almighty it regard.
Now, though Thou saist, thou seest Him not, Hee's Iust:
With Him is Iudgement; therefore in Him trust:
For want whereof, his Wrath hath visited;
Yet not so hot as Thou hast merited.
Therefore doth Iob open his Mouth in vain:
And voyd of Knowledge, yet, yet, mis-complain.

Cap 36.

Elihu said: A little suffer me;

For I haue yet more to alledge to Thee,
On God's behalfe. I'll fetch mine Arguments
From farre (confirm'd by long Experience)
To iustifie my Maker's Holiness,
Giue Him his owne, and right his Righteousness.
I'll speake no Falshood, nor no Fraud propound:
All my Discourse shall be sincere and sound.
Lo, God is Mighty; yet doth none despise:
Omnipotent, Omniscient; Strong and Wise.
He spareth not the Life of Wicked wights;
But, the Oppressed in their wrongs he rights:
His Eyes are never off the Righteous sort:
Them on the Throne He doth with Kings consort:
Them He advances; and beyond all Term
Doth them establish, and them fast confirm.

941

Or, if that ever Fetters them befall,
Or, they be holden in Afflictions Thrall;
He lets them see their Works, their Wickedness,
Their wandring By-waies, and their bold Excess;
And opens then their Eare to Disciplin,
Commanding quick, that they return from Sin.
If they return, to serue and Him obey,
Their Dayes and Years right happy spend shall They:
If not; the Sword shall smite them suddenly:
And in their wilfull Folly shall they die.
But Hypocrites, the Men of double heart,
They heap-vp Wrath: they cry not when they smart.
They die in Youth; their Life among th'Vncleane,
Most Insolent, most Impudent, Obscœne.
He th'humble Poor in his Affliction frees:
Their Eares he opens, in Calamities:
So would He, Thee from Thy Distress haue freed,
And brought thee forth far from the Streits of Need,
To spacious Plenty; and thenceforth thy Boord
Should with the best and fattest haue been stor'd:
But, Thou, too-wicked-like, too-stiffe hast stood;
As their presumptions seeming to make good;
Not stoopt, but strutted in Contesting Pride.
Therefore, on Thee doth Iudgement yet abide.
Sith wroth he is, beware to tempt him more;
Lest with his Stroak, he sudden smite thee ore:
Or hisse thee hence with his all-mighty Breath:
Then can no Ransom thee redeem from Death.
Will He regard thy Goods? or reak thy Gold?
Thy State, or Strength (how much, or manifold?
Nor wish Thou (hope-less) for the (hap-less) Night,
When from their place People are taken quight:
Beware, regard not Thou Iniquitie;
Neither (alas!) through faint Infirmitie,
Chuse rather That, than thine Affliction's Part,
With humble Patience of a Constant heart.
Behold the Lord is, for his Power, suprem:
And, for his Prudence, Who doth teach like Him?
Who hath appointed vnto Him his way?
Or, Who can tell him, Thou hast gon astray?
Rather, remember that thou magnifie
His publike Works, apparant to our Eye;
So visible, that both the young and old,
Them from a farre do bright and brim behold.
Lo, God is Greater then We comprehend:
Nor can the Number of his years be kend.
He makes the thick exhaled Vapours thin,
That down again in silver Deaws they spin,

942

From strouting Clowds aboundantly distilling
For th'vse of Man, the Plains with Plenty filling.
Also, can Any vnderstand th'Extent
Of Clowds, or know the Rattling of his Tent?
Behold, He spreadeth out his Light there-over,
And even the bottom of the Sea doth cover.
For, by the same He worketh divers-waies,
Both to his Iustice and his Mercie's Praise:
That, through excess causing a fearfull Flood;
This, temperate, producing store of Food.
He vailes the Light with Clowds that come between,
Forbids it shine, and lets it not be seen:
Boading a Shower, or Storms approaching rage:
Which oft, even Cattell of the Field presage.

Cap. 37.

Here-at, my Heart trembles for inward Feare,

As if remov'd from it owne place it were:
Hark, hark with heed vnto the hideous Noyce,
The horrid Rumbling of his dreadfull Voyce,
Which, with his Lightning, he directeth forth,
Vnder whole Heav'n, and over all the Earth.
After the Flash, a Clash there roareth high;
He thunders-out his Voyce of Maiestie:
And then no longer will He keep them back,
When that is heard over our heads to crack.
God, with his Voyce, doth thunder wondrously,
And works great things that we cannot discry:
He bids the Snow to cover Hill and Plain;
So, drizling Showers; and so, his Mighty Rain;
Whereby, From Field-works He seals-vp mens hands,
That they may know His works how He commands.
Then, to their Den the Savage Heards do hie;
And for a season in their Covert lie.
From Southern Chambers the hot Whirl-wind coms:
From Northren Cels, That which with Cold benumbs.
The Frost is given vs, by the breath divine;
When Crusts of Crystall spreading Floods confine.
The blackest Clowd He doth exhaust of waters:
And, his bright Clowd (the Lightnings shroud) he scatters.
And (by the Counsaile of his Providence)
All This, by Turns, in round Circumference
Is turn'd about: and ready at his Call,
Throughout the World, to do his will, in all.
For, He commands them come, for Punishment,
Or Loue to His; or else Indifferent.
Harken to This, O Iob; stand still, and ponder
The Works of God, so full of waight and wonder.
Know'st Thou (alas!) when He disposed them;
Or caus'd the Light out of his Lump to beam?

943

Know'st Thou the Clowd's iust Poize (the high or lower)
And wondrous works of the All-perfect Knower?
How, when He calms the Earth with Southern puff,
Thy thinnest Clothes thou findest warm enough.
Hast Thou, with Him, spred forth the spangled Skie,
That (liquid Crystall-like) strong Canopie?
If so; then shew vs, what to say to Him:
For, what to say, we are (alas!) too dim.
Should I mis-speak, needs any Him inform?
Nay, should I not be swallowed vp (in storm)?
None fixly can (when clowds be clear'd away)
Behold the bright and shining Lamp of Day.
From out the North stream goodly Beams of gold:
With God is Light more bright by manifold,
More pure, more pearcing, past a mortall Eye;
More dreadfull farre. His glorious Maiestie
(Dwelling aboue, in Splendors inaccessible)
For vs to find out, is a poynt impossible.
Hee's excellent in Prudence: passing Strong:
Plentious in Iustice: and doth No man wrong.
Therefore Men fear him: Yet, for Their desert,
Regards not He those that are Wise of heart.
Then, drad Iehova from a Whirle-wind spake
In sacred tearms; and Thus with Iob hee brake:

Cap. 38.


Where? Who is He, that (to Himselfe so holy)
Darkens my Counsailes, with contentious Folly?
Come, gird thy loynes, prepare thee, play the Man;
I will oppose thee: answer, if thou can.
Why! Where wert Thou, tell (if thou know'st, dis-maid)
When the Foundations of the Earth I laid?
Who marked first the Measure of it out?
Or (canst Thou tell) Who stretcht the Line about?
What Bases had it; and fixt Where-upon?
Or, Who thereof layd the first Corner-stone,
When Morning-Stars for Ioy together sang,
And all God's Children cheerfull eccho rang?
Or, Who with Doores, shut-in the Sea so streight,
When from the Womb it rushed with such weight?
When as I made the Clowd a Clowt for it,
And blackest Darkness as a Swathe-band fit:
And Cradled it, in mine appointed place,
With Bars about, and Doores at every pace:
And sayd vnto it; Hitherto extend;
And farther, not: Heer, thy proud Waues be pend.
Hadst Thou the Morning from thy birth, at beck?
Mad'st thou the Dawn in his due place to break;
That it might reach the Earth's Circumference,
And that the wicked might be shaken thence:

944

To stamp it (various, as the Potters Clay)
With many Formes, in manifold array,
When as th'Vngodly shall be all descry'd;
That Iustice hand may break the armes of Pride?
Hast Thou gon down into the Sea it selfe;
Walkt in the Bottom; searched every Shelfe;
Survaid the Springs? Or have the Gates of Death
Been opened to Thee; and those Dores beneath
Death's gastly shadows? Know'st Thou (to conclude)
(Tell, if thou know'st) the Earth's iust Latitude?
Which is the way where louely Light doth dwell?
And as for Darkness, where hath Shee her Cell;
That Thou should'st Both, in both their bounds comprise;
And know their dwellings, and their Paths, precise?
Needs must Thou know them: Thou wert born yer than:
No doubt Thou wert, Thou art so old a man.
Hast Thou the Treasures of the Snow survay'd?
Or seen the Store-house of my Hail (vp-layd
And hid in heaps, against a time of need)
For War-like Battry, where I haue decreed?
Which is the way whence Lightning flasheth out,
Scattering th'vnhealthy Eastern Gales about?
Who hath dispos'd the vpper Spouts and Gutters,
Whereby the Aire his over-burthen vtters?
Or given the Lightning and the Thunder way,
To cause it rain on places parcht away;
On thirstie Desarts, where no People pass;
On barren Mountains, to reviue the Grass?
Had Rain a Father? Or, begot by whom
Was pearly Deaw? Or, from what pregnant Womb
Came crystall Ice? Or, canst Thou rightly render,
Who did the hard and hoary Frosts ingender,
When Waters creep vnder a Stone-like cover,
And th'Oceans surface is thick-glased over?
Canst Thou restrain the pleasant Influing
Of Pleiades (the Vshers of the Spring)?
Or, canst Thou lose Orion's Icie Bands
(Who rules the Winter with his chill Commands)?
Canst Thou bring forth (the soultry Summers Guide)
Bright Mazaroth (or Dog-star) in his Tide?
Or canst thou lead Arcturus (and his Train,
Th'Autumnall Signes) his Sons or Charls his Wain)?
Know'st Thou the Statutes of the Heav'ns aboue?
Or canst Thou (here) them in their order moue?
Wilt Thou command the Clowds, and Rain shall fall?
Will Lightning come, and answer, at thy call?
Who hath infus'd Wisedom in th'inner part?
Or Vnderstanding who hath given the hart?

945

Who can sum-vp the Clowds, or clear the Sky?
Or ope Heav'ns bottles, when the Earth is dry?
To steep the Dust, and knead the clotted Clay,
Yerst over-baked with too-hot a Ray?
Wilt Thou go hunt, th'old Lioness to help;

Cap. 39.


Or fetch-in prey to fill her greedy whelp,
When they are couchant in their Den, or watch
For passant Heards, their wonted Boot to catch?
Who, for the Raven, provideth timely Food;
When as her hungry greedy-gaping Brood,
Wandring about, and wanting what to eat,
Doe (croaking) call, and cry to Me for meat?
Know'st Thou the time when mountain Goats and Hindes
Doe yean and calue according to their Kindes)?
Canst Thou keep reckning of the Months they go,
And how their Burdens to their Birth-time grow;
When they but bow them, and forthwith let fall
Their tender Fruit, and all their Pains withall?
Who hath sent out the Wilde Ass, free to feed;
Or let him loose (from serving humane need)
Whose house and haunt I haue ordaind express
Within the brackie barren Wilderness?
He scorns the Cities multitude and noyse:
He reaks not of the yawning Drivers voyce:
The craggy Cliffs his shaggy Pastures been;
Where, off he croppeth what he findeth green.
Will th'Vnicorn thee willingly obay?
Or, will hee come vnto thy Crib, for Hay?
Will he be brought to harrow or to plow?
Or, will he bring thy Corn vnto thy Mow?
Wilt Thou presume of Him, for strength in fight?
Orleane to him, thy Labour to acquite?
Didst Thou bestow the Peacocks goodly Fan?
Or, gav'st Thou Feathers to the Stork (or Swan)?
Or, to the Ostridge her delicious Tress
(Th'ambitious Badge as well of War as Peace)
Who layes her egges, and leaues them in the Dust,
To hatch them there, with radiant Heat adust,
Without her help, or heed; lest Tread or Track,
Of Man or Beast them all to peeces crack:
Vnkindest Dam, the labour of her wombe
That dares annull; while Hers not Hers become:
So void I made her of Intelligence,
And kinde instinct of Natures Influence:
Yet, with her Wings and Feet so fast she skips,
That Shee the Horse and Rider both out-strips.
Hast Thou indew'd the Horse with strengthfull wonder,
And cloath'd his crest, and fill'd his brest with thunder?

946

Canst Thou affright Him, as a Grass-hopper;
Whose nostrils pride snorts Terrors every where?
He pawes the Plain, he stately stamps, and neighs,
And glad goes-on against the arm'd Arraies,
Disdaining Fear. For, for the Sword and Shield,
Dart, Pike, and Lance, He 'll not forsake the Field,
Nor turn his back (how-ever thick they shiver)
Nor for the Cross-bow, and the rattling Quiver.
He swallowes-vp the Earth in furious heat;
Nor will beleeue the Sound of the Retreat.
Among the Trumpets, sounds his cheerfull Laugh,
Ha-Ha-ha-ha: hee smelleth a far-off
The wished Battaile; hears the thundring Call
Of proud Commanders; and lowd Shouts of all.
Is 't by thy wisedom that the Hawk doth mew,
And to the Southward spreads her winged Clew?
Doth th'Eagle mount so high at thy Behest,
And build aloft (so neer the clowds) her Nest?
Shee dwels vpon the Rock and ragged Cliffe,
And craggy places the most steep and stiffe:
From whence, about to seek her prey she flies;
Which, from afar, her quick keen Sight espies:
Her young ones also, onely Blood doo suck:
And where the Slain are, thither doo they ruck.

Cap. 40.

Moreover, yet, The Lord, proceeding, said

To Iob: Shall He that dares with God to plead,
Teach Him His Part? Let him (who God doth tax)
Heer let me hear the Answer that he makes.
Iob sadly then Thus humbly did reply:
O! Lord, behold; O! most-most Vile am I.
What shall I answer Thee? What shall I say?
Onely, my hand vpon my mouth I'll lay.
Once haue I spoke, and twice; and too-too bold:
But now, for ever I my Tongue will hold.
Again, the Lord out of the Whirle-winde spake,
And said to Iob: Yes, yes; thy Theam re-take:
Gird vp thy loyns again, and play the Man:
I'll question thee: now answer, if Thou can.
Wilt Thou make voyd my Iudgements (iust and hie);
Condemning Me, thy Selfe to iustifie?
Hast thou an Arme like to the Arme divine?
Or is Thy Voyce as Thunder-like as Mine?
Put-on thy Robes of Maiestie and Might:
Deck Thee with Glory, and with Bewty bright;
Dart forth the Lightnings of thy wrathfull Frown,
Against the Proud, and bring them tumbling down:
Behold Thou all and every one that's Proud,
And down with Them, and all the Wicked Croud:

947

Trample vpon them, in their very Place:
Hide them in Dust at once; there binde their Face:
Then will I grant (what Thou hast vrg'd so braue)
That thine owne Selfe thine owne right hand can saue.
But, Now, behold (thy Fellow) Behemoth,
Thy fellow Creature; for, I made you Both.
He, like an Ox amid the Field doth graze:
In's Loynes and Navell his most Strength he has:
He whisks his sinnewie Taile, stiff as a Ceder;
His Stones (within) with Nerues are wreathd together.
His Bones and Ribs be strong as Brazen Bars,
And as vnyeelding as the Iron-Spars:
Hee's of the Master-peeces of the Lord,
Who also arm'd him with a ready Sword.
The Mountains yeeld him meat; where night and day,
All other Beasts doo fear-less feed and play.
Beneath the broad-leav'd shady Trees he lodges
Amid the Fens, among the Reeds and Sedges,
Compast with Willowes of the Brook about:
Where, when he enters (in the time of Drought)
The massie bulk of his huge bodie bayes
The Torrents course, and even the Current stayes:
There, yer he go, the River dry he drinks;
And in his Thirst to swallow Iordan thinks.
Dare any come, before him, Him to take,
Or bore his Snout, of Him a Slaue to make?
Canst Thou hale vp the huge Leviathan,

Cap. 41.


With hook and line amid the Ocean?
Canst Thou his tongue with steely Crotchets thrill;
Or with a Thorn his snuffing Nose, or Guill?
Will He come sue, by Supplications, to-thee?
Will He with smooth and soothing Speeches woo-thee?
Will He by Covenant, serue thee, at thy beck;
Or, be thy slaue, for ever at thy Check?
Wilt Thou with Him, as with a Sparrow, play;
And giue him, ty'd, vnto thy Girles, away?
Shall Fisher-men of Him a Feast prepare?
Shall They his flesh among the Marchants share?
Canst Thou his skin with barbed pheons pearce?
Or plant his Head with groues of Otter-spears?
Lay hold on Him: set on him: but, before
Think on the Battell, and come there no more.
For, 'tis so farre from hope of Victory,
That even His sight would rather make thee fly.
There's none so fierce that dares Him rouze or hunt.
[Then, Who shall safely Me my Selfe affront?
Who hath prevented Me? To Whom haue I
Been first beholding for a Curtesie,

948

Or bound at all for any Benefit
Bestow'd on Me, that I should guerdon it?
Why? is not All Earths ample arms confine,
All vnder Heav'n, All in the Ocean, Mine?
I will not hide his Parts and Properties;
Neither his Strength, nor seemly Symmetries.
Who shall vnhood him? Who with double Rain
Shall bridle him, with Snaffle, Trench, or Chain?
Or put the Bit between his Iawes (his Portall)
Impal'd with Terror of his Teeth so mortall?
His Shield-like Scales, he chiefly glories in,
So close compact, glew'd, sealed; that, between,
No Aire can enter, nor no Engin pearce,
Nor any Point dis-ioyne them or disperse.
His Sneesings cause a Light, as brightly burning;
His Eyes are like the Eye-lids of the Morning;
Out of his Mouth flowe blazing Lamps, and flie
Quick Sparks of Fire, ascending swift and hie:
Out of his Nostrils, Smoak, as from a Pot,
Kettle or Caldron when it boyleth hot:
His Breath doth kindle Coals, when with the same
He whirleth-out a Storm of Fume and Flame:
Strength dwelleth in his Neck; so that he ioyes
In saddest Storms, and triumphs of Annoyes:
His Flakes of Flesh are solid to his Bone;
His Heart's as hard as Wind-mils neather-stone.
To see Him rise, and how he breaks withall;
The stoutest stoop, and to their Prayers fall.
No Weapons of Defence, or of Offence,
Can Him offend, or from Him be Defence:
Iron and Brasse He waighes as Sticks and Straw:
Sling-stones and Arrowes Him do never aw:
Darts daunt Him not, more then they Stubble were:
He laugheth at the shaking of a Speare:
Sharp ragged Stones, Keen-poynted Sherds and Shels,
He resteth on, amid his muddy Cels.
He makes the deep Sea like a Pot to boyl,
A Pot of Oyntment (casting scummy Soyl):
Where He hath past, he leaues vpon the streams
A shining Path, and th'Ocean hoary seems.
In Earth is Nothing like Him to be seen;
So Fear-less made, so full of hawty Spleen;
Despising all high things, Him-selfe beside.
He is the King of all the Sons of Pride.

Cap. 42.

Iob, prostrate then, Thus to the Lord profest:

Drad God, I know, and I acknowledge prest,
That All Thou canst; and all Thou kennest too:
Our Thoughts not hid; Thine owne not hard to doo.

949

I am the Man, Who (to my self too-Holy)
Darkned thy Counsells, with Contentious Folly.
For, I haue spoken what I vnderstood not,
Of wondrous things which comprehend I could not.
Yet, Lord, vouchsafe, vouchsafe, I thee beseech,
An Eare, and Answer to my humble Speech.
Till now, mine Eare had only heard of Thee:
But, now, mine Eye thy Gratious Selfe doth see.
Therefore, My Selfe I loath, as too-too-bad;
And heer repent in Dust and Ashes, sad.
Now, after This with Iob; it came to passe,
The Lord did also speake to Eliphaz
The Thæmanite; and Thus to him said He:
My wrath is kindled with thy Friends and Thee:
For None of You haue spoken of My Path,
So tight and iust as Iob my Seruant hath.
Therefore go take you Rams and Bullocks faire,
Seav'n of a sort; and to my Iob repaire;
Bring for your Selues your Burnt Oblations due,
And Iob my Seruant He shall pray for you,
(For, Him will I accept) lest, Iustly-strict,
After your Folly I reuenge inflict;
Because You haue not spoken of my Path,
So right and iust as Iob my Seruant hath.
So Eliphaz, the ancient Thæmanite,
Bildad the Shuhite, the Naamathite
Zophar (together) them prepar'd and went
And did according God's Commandement.
Also the Lord accepted Iob, and staid
His Thral-full State (when for his Friends he praid)
And turned it to Solace-full, from sad;
And gaue him double all the Goods he had.
Then all his Brethren, Sisters all, and Kin;
And all that had of his acquaintance bin,
Came flocking to his House, with him to feast;
To wail his Woes, and comfort him their best,
For all the Euill which the Lord (of late)
Had brought vpon his Person and his state.
And Each man gaue him (as best beare they could)
A peece of Money and Ear-ring of Gold.
So, that the Lord blessed Iob's later Time,
With more abundance then his flowry Prime.
For, Fourteen Thousand Sheep were now his flock;
Camels six Thousand; Steers a Thousand yoak;
Shee-Asses twice fiue Hundred; Familie
Iust as before: Seuen Sons, and Daughters Three.
Th'Eldest Iemima, Kezia the Next:
And Keren-Happuch (saith my sacred Text)

950

The Third he named (Names of goodly Sense,
Alluding to some Gracefull Excellence:
The first, as much as Lustre of the Morn;
Cassia, the Next; last, Albastrine Horn)
In all the Countrey were no Women found
So faire as These. Iob, of his Goods and Ground,
Among their Brethren gaue them Heritage.
Yet, after This, Iob liv'd a goodly age,
Twice Seauenty yeers, and saw his Sons Sons Sons,
Successiuely, Four Generations:
And then He dy'd, Ancient and Full of Dayes.
To GOD, for Him, and all his Saints, be Praise,
And for his Succour in These sacred Layes. AMEN.
VVho, SELF, The World, & Satan, triumphto're;
Who, Wealth's & Health's & Children's rufull, Losse;
Who, Frends Rebuke, Foes rage, Wifes cursing Crosse;
Hevns Frowne, Earth's force, Hels Furie, Calmely bore:
Th'Inuincible in Vertue, IOB, Her Pheere,
The Virgin Patience (Widow now) toomb'd Heer.