Poems and Songs by Thomas Flatman. The Fourth Edition with many Additions and Amendments |
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Psalm XV. Paraphrased.
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| I. |
| II. |
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 | Poems and Songs |  |
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Psalm XV. Paraphrased.
VERSE I.
Who shall approach the dread Jehovah's ThroneOr dwell within thy Courts, O Holy One!
That happy man whose feet shall tread the Road
Up Sion's Hill, that holy Hill of God!
VERSE II.
He that's devout and strict in all he does,That through the sinful world uprightly goes,
The desp'rate heights from whence the great ones fall
(Giddy with Fame) turn not his head at all:
Stands firm on Honours Pinacle, and so
Fears not the dreadful Precipice below.
Of Conscience, not of Man, he stands in aw,
Just to observe each tittle of the Law!
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His breast is open, and he speaks his heart.
VERSE III.
He that reviles not, or with cruel words
(Deadly as venome, sharp as two-edg'd swords)
Murthers his Friends repute, nor dares believe
That Rumor which his neighbor's soul may grieve:
(Deadly as venome, sharp as two-edg'd swords)
Murthers his Friends repute, nor dares believe
That Rumor which his neighbor's soul may grieve:
But with kind words embalms his bleeding Name,
Wipes off the rust, and polishes his fame.
Wipes off the rust, and polishes his fame.
VERSE IV.
He in whose eyes the bravest sinners beExtremely vile, though rob'd in Majesty;
But if he spies a righteous man (though poor)
Him he can honour, love, admire, adore:
In Israel's humble Plains had rather stay,
Than in the Tents of Kedar bear the sway:
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No mental reservation dares allow,
But what he swears, intends; will rather die,
Lose all he has, than tell a solemn Lie.
VERSE V.
He that extorts not from the needy Soul,
When Laws his Tyranny cannot controul;
He whom a thousand Empires cannot hire,
Against a guiltless person to conspire.
When Laws his Tyranny cannot controul;
He whom a thousand Empires cannot hire,
Against a guiltless person to conspire.
He that has these perfections, needs no more;
What Treasures can be added to his store?
The Pyramids shall turn to dust, to hide
Their own vast bulk, and haughty Founders pride.
Leviathan shall die within his Deep;
The eyes of Heaven close in eternal sleep;
Confusion may o're whelm both Sea, and Land;
Mountains may tumble down, but he shall stand.
What Treasures can be added to his store?
The Pyramids shall turn to dust, to hide
Their own vast bulk, and haughty Founders pride.
Leviathan shall die within his Deep;
The eyes of Heaven close in eternal sleep;
Confusion may o're whelm both Sea, and Land;
Mountains may tumble down, but he shall stand.
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