 | Poems upon Several Occasions |  |
A Paraphrase on Psal. 128.
I.
Hearken, (for it concerns you near) to meAll you that happy wish to be.
Would you be certain not to miss
Of Peace on Earth, in Heav'n of Bliss?
Then let th' Almighty's Fear within you reign
To teach you Virtue, and from Vice restrain;
Walk in the Ways of God: his Ways are safe and plain.
Blessed art thou who thus thy Steps dost guide,
Blessed and safe on ev'ry side.
Thy peaceful Temples shall be crown'd
With Garlands of fresh Honours all around.
81
Above thy Head, and underneath thy Feet.
Of thine own Labours thou shalt eat
(An wholsom and well-relish'd Food
That needs no Sauce to make it savoury and good)
And freely shalt enjoy the Fruit of all thy Toil and Sweat.
II.
To this an happy Wife shall added be;An happy Wife shall fall to thee,
Who round thy Neck her gentle Arms will twine
Like Tendrels of the fertile Vine,
And Kisses give that far surpass the richest Wine:
And from an unexhausted Store
Of Love and Meekness evermore
Fresh Comforts, and new Charms she will apply,
And by dividing double all thy Joy.
Each others mutual Help, blest Pair, ye shall be made;
Thou her supporting Wall, she thy refreshing Shade.
Meet-helper, She! Her pleasant Usefulness
82
For she thy Spirit will revive, and cheer thy Heart no less.
III.
A gen'rous Off'spring to thy Bed she'll bring,An honest healthful Race from her will spring,
Who round the Table shall be seen,
Straight as young Plants, like Olives fresh and green.
These thou with Joy shalt view, and tender Love,
And then a secret Bliss will move
With Raptures not to be exprest,
In thy Contented and Paternal Breast.
Yet think not, happy Man, that this
Thy whole and final Portion is:
Far better Things God hath for thee in store,
And choicer Blessings on thy Head will pour,
Blessings from Sion, his own House, from whence
His best Gifts he doth still dispence.
And loves to have us come to fetch them thence,
83
In her Prosperity a lib'ral Share.
Thus thou shalt live, and gladly see
Thy Children, and their hopeful Progeny,
A num'rous and wel-govern'd Family.
And further, that thou may'st be sure
This prosp'rous State will long endure,
A publick Peace thy private Blessings shall secure.
| Poems upon Several Occasions | |