The Works of Michael Drayton :: :: University of Virginia Library

Yee Heavens above, unto my speach attend,
And Earth below, give eare unto my will:
My doctrine shall like pleasant drops discend,
My words like heavenly dew shal down distil,
Like as sweet showers refresh the hearbs again
Or as the grasse is nourish'd by the raine.

I will describe Jehovahs name aright,
And to that God give everlasting praise:
Perfect is he, a God of woondrous might,
With judgment he directeth all his waies.
He onely true, and without sinne to trust,
Righteous is he, and he is onely just.

With loathsome sinne now are you all defilde,
Not of his seed, but Bastards, basely borne:
And from his mercie therefore quite exilde,
Mischievous men, through follie all forlorne.
Is it not he which hath you dearly bought:
Proportion'd you, and made you just of nought?

Consider well the times and ages past.
Aske thy forefathers, and they shall thee tell,
That when Jehovah did devide at last,
Th'inheritance that to the Nations fel:
And seperating Adams heires, he gave
The portion, his Israell should have.

His people be the portion of the Lord,
Jacob the lot of his inheritance:
In wildernesse he hath thee not abhorr'd,
But in wild Deserts did thee still advance.
He taught thee still and had a care of thee,
And kept thee as the apple of his eie.

Like as the Eagle tricketh by her neast,
Therein to lay her litle birdes full soft,
And on her backe doth suffer them to rest,
And with her wings doth carie them aloft.
Even so the Lord with care hath nourisht thee,
And thou hast had no other God but he.

And great Jehovah giveth unto thee,
The fertilst soyle the earth did ever yeeld:
That thou all pleasure mightst beholde and see,
And tast the fruit of the most pleasant field:
Honey for thee out of the flint he brought,
And oile out of the craggie rocke he wrought.

With finest butter still he hath thee fed,
With milke of Sheep he hath thee cherished:
With fat of Lambes, and Rammes in Bazan bred,
With flesh of Goates he hath thee nourished.
With finest wheat he hath refresht thee still,
And gave thee wine, thereof to drink thy fill.

But hee that should be thankfull then for this,
Once waxing fat, began to spurne and kicke:
Thou art so crancke, and such thy grosenesse is,
That now to lust thy provender doth pricke.
That he that made thee, thou remembrest not,
And he that sav'd thee thou hast clean forgot.

With Idols they offend his gracious eies,
And by their sinne provoke him unto yre:
To devils they doo offer sacrifice,
Forsake their God, and other goddes desire.
Gods whose beginnings were but strange & new,
Whom yet their fathers never fear'd nor knew.

He which begat thee is cleane out of mind,
The God which form'd thee thou doost not regard:
The Lord to angre was therewith inclinde,
His sonnes and daughters should him so reward.
And there he vow'd his chearfull face to hide,
To see their end, and what would them betide.

For faithlesse they and froward are become,
And with no God move me to jelousie:
To angre they provoke me all and some,
And still offend me with their vanitie:
And with no people I will moove them then,
And angre them with vaine and foolish men.

For why? my wrath is kindled like the fire,
And shall descend to the infernall lake:
The earth shall be consumed in mine ire,
My flames shal make the mighty mountains quake.
With many plagues I wil them stil annoy,
And with mine arrowes I will them destroy.

With hunger, heat and with destruction,
I wil them burne, consume and overthrow:
They shal be meat for beasts to feed uppon,
The ground invenom'd whereupon they goe.
In field, in chamber stil my sword shall slay
Man, maid & child, with him whose head is gray.

And I will scatter them both far and neare,
And hence foorth make their memorie to cease,
Save that the furious enemie I feare,
And that his pride should thereby more increase.
And they should say, and foorth this rumor ring,
That they and not the Lord have done this thing.

They are a nation void of counsell quite,
To understand, there doth not one intend:
But were they wise, in it they woule delite,
And would consider of their latter end.
Can one or two put thousands to the flight,
Except the Lord do help them with his might?

For with our God their Gods may not compare,
Our foes themselves will still the same confesse:
Their Vines of Sodome and Gomorra are,
Their grapes of gaule, clusters of bitternesse.
Their wine is like to Dragons poison sure,
Or gaule of Aspes, that no man may endure.

And have not I laid up in store this thing,
Amongst my treasures doo I not it hide?
The recompence with vengeance wil I bring,
And all in time their foot awry shall slide.
For their destruction (loe) is nowe at hand,
And mischief here even at their heels doth stand.

For why? the Lord doth judge the earth alone,
And to his servants shew himselfe most kinde:
When he shall see their power is past and gone,
And none kept up in hold nor left behind.
When men shal say, let us your goddes behold,
Where be they now, whom ye so much extold?

Which oft did eat the fatted sacrifice,
And dranke the wine of the drinke offering:
Unto your helpe now let us see them rise:
Loe, I am God, and there is no such thing:
I kil, give life, I wound, make whole againe,
Out of my handes no man can ought retaine.

I lift my hands on high to heaven above,
Immortall I, and onely live for ever:
My glittering sword I sharpe for my behoove,
In righteous judgment still I doo persever.
I wil send vengeance on mine enemies,
And many plagues on them which me dispise.

Mine arrowes then of blood shal have their fill,
My sword shal eate the verie flesh of men:
For such my Saintes as they doo slay and kill,
And for the Captives they imprison then.
And when I once begin revenge to take,
From plague & vengeance then I will not slake.

Ye nations all, honour his people then,
He will revenge his servantes guiltlesse blood,
And surely plague the vile and wicked men,
Which stoutlie have against him ever stood.
He will shew mercie stil unto his land,
And on his people, brought foorth by his hand.

A SONG OF MOSES AND THE ISRAELITES, FOR THEIR DELIVERANCE OUT OF EGYPT.

The xv. Chap. of Exodus.

I will sing praise unto the Lord for aie,
Who hath triumphed gloriously alone,
The horse and rider he hath overthrowen,
And swallowed up even in the raging sea.

He is my strength, he is my song of praise,
He is the God of my salvation.
A Temple will I build to him alone,
I will exalt my fathers God alwaies.

The Lord Jehovah is a man of warre,
Pharao, his chariots, and his mightie hoste
Were by his hand in the wilde waters lost,
His Captaines drowned in red Sea so farre,

Into the bottom there they sanke like stones,
The mightie depthes our enemies devour,
Thy owne right hand is gloorious in thy power,
Thy owne right hand hath bruised al their bones.

And in thy glorie thou subverted hast
The rebels rising to resist thy power,
Thou sentst thy wrath which shall them all devour,
Even as the fire doth the stubble wast.

And with a blast out of thy nostrilles
The flowing flood stood still as any stone,
The waters were congealed all in one,
And firme and sure as any rockes or hilles.

The furious foe so vainly vaunteth stil,
And voweth to pursue with endlesse toile,
And not returne til he have got the spoile,
With fire and sword they wil destroy and kill.

Thou sentst the wind which overwhelm'd them all,
The surging seas came sousing in againe,
As in the water, so with might and maine,
Like lead, unto the bottome downe they fall.

Oh mightie Lord, who may with thee compare?
Amongst the Gods I find none like to thee:
Whose glorie's in holines, whose feares in praises be,
Whose chiefe delights in working woonders are.

Thou stretchest out thy right and holy arme,
And presently the earth did them devour:
And thou wilt bring us by thy mightie power,
As thou hast promist without further harme.

And for thy people (Lord) thou shalt provide,
A place and seat of quietnesse and rest:
The nations all with feare shall be opprest,
And Palestina quake for all her pride.

The Dukes of Edom shal hang downe the head,
The Moabites shall tremble then for feare,
The Cananites in presence shall appeare,
Like unto men whose fainting heartes were dead,

And feare and dread shall fall on them alas,
Because thou helpest with thy mighty hand:
So stil as stones amazed they shal stand,
Oh mightie Lord, while thine elect doo passe.

And thou shalt bring thy chosen and elect,
Unto the mount of thine inheritance:
A place prepared thy people to advance,
A Sanctuary there thou shalt erect,

Which thou (oh Lord) establish'd hast therefore,
And there thy name shal raigne for evermore.

THE MOST EXCELLENT SONG WHICH WAS SALOMONS,

wherein is declared the true and unfained love betweene Christ and his Church, containing, viii. Chapters.

Chap. 1.

Let him imbrace his Deare, with many a friendly kisse,
For why? thy love than any wine to me more pleasant is:
In smel thou art most like, sweet odors unto me,
Thy name like precious ointment is, so sweet as sweet may be:
Therefore the Virgins al, of thee enamored are,
Entice me on to follow thee, loe, we our selves prepare:
The King hath brought me in, to chamber richly dight,
He is my joy, his love is sweet, the good in him delight.
Ye daughters of Jerusalem, although that browne I bee,
Than Arras rich or Cedars fruits, I seemlier am to see,
Disdaine me not although I be not passing faire,
For why? the glowing sunny raies discolloured have my laire:
My mothers darlings deare, with envie swelling so,
Have me constrain'd to keep their Vine, thus I mine own forgoe.
Tell me my sweet and deare, where thou thy flocke doost feed,
Or where thy litle Lamblings rest, about midday indeed?
Els shall I walke about, all wandring like a stray,
And seeke thee after other flocks, through many an unknowne way:
If that my pathes (oh Paragon) be so unknowen to thee,
Go feed thy flock amongst the tents, wher none but shepherds be.
My true and loyal Love, I may thee well compare
To famous Pharaos horses great, which in his chariots are,
Thy cheeks bedect with precious stone, most lovely to behold,
About thy neck likewise do hang great massy chaines of gold.
Fine costlie borders for my Love, of gold we wil prepare,
With silver studs accordinglie of worke surpassing rare.
Whiles he at table sat, perfumes then did I make
Of Spicknard sweet and delicate, al for my true Loves sake:
My love more sweet than Myrrhe, between my breasts doth ly,
Or Camphere, that doth spring and grow in vine of Engady.
How faire art thou my Love, my Dove, my Darling deare,
Thine eies most like unto the Doves, in sight to me appeare.

Oh how exceeding faire, and seemly to be seene,
The bed where we together lie, is hung with pleasant greene:
The beames our house uphold, they all of Cedar be,
The reaching Rafters of the same, of Fyrre, that stately tree.

The second Chapter.

I am the fragrant Flower, of brave vermilion hue,
And Lilie in the valey low, ysprong up fresh and new:
As Lillie flower excels the thorne, or litle chyer of grasse,
So far my Love the Virgins all in beautie doth surpasse.
Or as the barren crooked stocke unto the straightest tree,
No more the sonnes unto my Love may ought compared be:
To rest by his sweet side, to mee a heavenly blisse,
The fruit that springeth from my Love, exceeding pleasant is.
To Celler he me brings, of wine aboundant store,
His love displaied over me, how can I wish for more?
Fil foorth your Flagons then, whereof the fume may flie,
Bring forth your cates to comfort me, ah me, for love I die.
His left hand clipping close, about my necke doth hold,
His right doth sweetly me imbrace, and eke my corps enfold.
I charge you by the Roes and Hinds, ye Jewish daughters all,
Not once to stir nor wake my Love, until she please to call.
But stay, me thinks this is, mine owne Loves voice I heare,
Loe, how he skips from hill to hill, loe, yon he doth appeare.
My Love is like a Roe, that frisketh in the wood,
Or like the strong and stately Hart, in prime and lusty blood.
He closely shroudes himselfe behind our wall I see,
And through the gate he dooth disclose and shew himselfe to me.
And calling then, he saith, come to thine owne my Deare,
For lo, the clouds are past and gone, the skies are christal cleare:
The flowers in the field, so faire and freshly spring,
The birds do chant with merie glee, the Turtle now doth sing:
The fig-trees bear such store, that boughs with waight are bent,
The Vines with blossoms do abound, which yeeld a sweet accent.
Come to thine owne my deare, my Darling and my Dove,
Leave thou the place of thine abode, come to thine own true love:
Let me behold thy face, most pleasant to the sight,
And heare my best beloveds voice, that most doth me delight.
Destroy the subtil Fox, that doth the grapes devoure,
For loe, behold, the time is come, the vines do bud and floure.

My Love to me is true, and I likewise his owne,
Which in the Lilles takes repast, himselfe even all alone:
Until the day doth spring, or shadowes fade away,
Be as a Roe or like the Harts, which on the mountaines play.

The third Chapter.

By night within my bed, I romed here and there,
But al in vain, I could not find my Love and friendly Fere.
Then straight waies up I rose, and searching every street
Throughout the city far and neer, but him I could not meete.
The watchmen found me tho, to whom I then can say,
Have ye not seen mine owne true Love, of late come this a way:
Then passing them, I found my Love I long had sought,
And to my mothers chamber then, my darling have I brought.
I charge you by the Roes and Hinds, this vow to me you make,
Ye Jewish daughters, not to call my Love till she doe wake.
Who's that which doth from wildernes, in mighty smoke appeare,
Like the perfumes of odors sweet, which Merchants hold so dear.
About the bed of Salomon, behold, there is a band
Of threescore valiant Israelites, which al in armour stand,
All expert men of war, with sword stil ready prest,
Least foes in night time should approch, when men suspect them least:
King Salomon hath made of Liban tree so sure,
A Pallace brave, whose pillers strong are al of silver pure:
The pavement beaten gold, the hangings purple graine,
The daughters of Jerusalem with joy to entertaine.
Ye Sion daughters, see, where Salomon is set
In Royall throan, and on his head, the princely Coronet,
Wherewith his mother first, adorn'd him (as they say)
When he in mariage linked was, even on his wedding day.

The fourth Chapter.

Behold, thou art al faire my Love, my hearts delight,
Thine eies so lovely like the Doves, appear to me in sight,
Thy haire surpassing faire and seemely to the eie,
Like to a goodly heard of Goates, on Gilead mountaine hie.
Thy teeth like new washt sheep, returning from the flood,
Whereas not one is barren found, but beareth twinnes so good.
Thy lips like scarlet thred, thy talke dooth breed delight,
Thy temples like pomgranet faire doth shew to me in sight.

Thy necke like Davids Tower, which for defence doth stand,
Wherein the shieldes and targets be, of men of mightie hand.
Thy brests like twinned Roes, in prime and youthfull age,
Which feed among the Lillies sweet, their hunger to asswage.
Until the day doe spring, and night be banisht hence:
I will ascend into the mount of Myrrhe and Frankensence.
Thou art all faire my Love, most seemly eke to see,
From head to foot, from top to toe, there is no spot in thee.
Come downe from Libanon, from Libanon above,
And from Amanahs mountain hie, come to thine own true love.
From Shevers stately top, from Hermon hil so hie,
From Lions dens & from the cliffes, where lurking Leopards lie.
My Spouse and sister deare, thy love hath wounded me,
Thy lovely eie and seemly neck, hath made me yeeld to thee.
Thy love far better is, than any wine to me,
Thy odors sweet doth far surpasse, the smell where spices be.
Thy lips like hony combe, under thy tongue doth lie
The honey sweet: thy garments smel, like Libanon on hie.
My Spouse a garden is, fast under locke and kay,
Or like a Fountaine closely kept, where sealed is the way.
Like to a pleasant plot I may thee well compare,
Where Camphere, Spicknard, dainty fruits, with sweet Pomgranets are.
Even Spicknard, Saffron, Calamus & Synamon do growe,
With Incense, Myrrhe and Alloes, with many spices moe.
Oh Fountaine passing pure, oh Well of life most deare.
Oh Spring of loftie Libanon, of water christal cleare.
Ye North and Southern winds upon my garden blow,
That the sweet spice that is therein, on every side may flow.
Unto his garden place, my Love for his repast
Shall walke, and of the fruites therein, shal take a pleasant tast.

The fift Chapter.

Within my garden plot, loe, I am present now,
I gathered have the Myrrhe & spice, that in aboundance growe:
With honey, milke and wine, I have refresht me here.
Eat, drink my friends, be mery there, with harty friendly cheare.
Although in slumbering sleepe, it seemes to you I lay,
Yet heare I my beloved knock, me thinks I heare him say,
Open to me the gate my Love, my hearts delight,
For loe, my locks are all bedewed with drizling drops of night.

My garments are put off, then may I not doo so,
Shal I defile my feet I washt, so white as any snow.
Then fast even by the dore to me he shew'd his hand,
My heart was then enamoured, when as I saw him stand.
Then straight waies up I rose, to ope the dore with speed,
My handes and fingers dropped Myrrhe, upon the bar indeed.
Then opened I the dore, unto my Love at last,
But all in vaine, for why? before, my Love was gone and past.
There sought I for my love, then could I crie and call,
But him I could not find, nor he, nould answer me at all.
The watchmen found me then, as thus I walk'd astray,
They wounded me, and from my head, my vaile they took away.
Ye daughters of Jerusalem, if ye my Love doo see,
Tell him that I am sicke for love, yea, tel him this from me.
Thou peerelesse Gem of price, I pray thee to us tell,
What is thy Love, what may he be, that doth so far excell?
In my beloveds face, the Rose and Lilly strive,
Among ten thousand men not one, is found so faire alive.
His head like finest gold, with secret sweet perfume,
His curled locks hang all as black, as any Ravens plume.
His eies be like to Doves, on Rivers banks below,
Ywasht with milk, whose collours are, most gallant to the show.
His cheeks like to a plot, where spice and flowers growe,
His lips like to the Lilly white, from whence pure Myrrh doth flow,
His hands like rings of gold, with costly Chrisalet,
His belly like the Yvory white, with seemly Saphyrs set.
His legs like Pillers strong, of Marble set in gold,
His countenance like Libanon, or Cedars to behold.
His mouth it is as sweet, yea, sweet as sweet may be,
This is my Love, ye Virgins loe, even such a one is he.
Thou fairest of us al, whether is thy Lover gone,
Tel us, and we will goe with thee, thou shalt not goe alone.

The sixt Chapter.

Downe to his garden place, mine own true Love is gone,
Among the Spice and Lillies sweet, to walke himselfe alone.
True am I to my Love, and he my loving make,
Which in the Lillies makes abode, and doth his pleasure take,
With Tirzah or Jerusalem, thy beautie may be waide,
In shew like to an Armie great, whose Ensignes are displaid.

Oh turne away thine eies, for they have wounded me,
Thy haires are like a heard of Goats, on Gilead mount that be,
Thy teeth like new washt sheep, returning from the flood,
Whereas not one is barren found, but beareth twins a good,
The temples of thy head, within thy locks to showe,
Are like to the Pomgranet fruit, that in the Orchards grow.
Of Concubines four score there are, of Queens twice treble ten,
Of Virgins for the multitude, not to be numbred then.
But yet my Dove alone, and undefiled Fere,
Her mothers only daughter is, to her exceeding deare.
The Virgins saw my Love, and they have lik'd her well,
The Queens and eke the Concubines, they say she doth excell.
Who's she I doo behold, so like the morning cleare,
Or like the Moon, when towards the ful, in pride she doth appear,
Bright as the radiant raies, that from the Sun descend,
Or like an Army terrible, when Ensignes they extend.
Unto the nuts downe will I goe, and fruitfull valeyes lowe,
To see if that the Vine doo bud, and the Pomgranets growe.
My selfe I know not I, ne nothing knew I then,
Let me be like a chariot, even of thy noble men.
Return againe, oh make returne, thou Shulamite so deare,
Let us enjoy thy company, I pray thee sojorne here.
What see you in the Shulamite, in her what may you see,
But like a troupe of warlike men that in the armies be.

The seventh Chapter.

How stately are thy steps with brave and lofty pace,
Thou daintie princesse, darling deare, with comely gallant grace.
The joints of thy fair thighs, the which so straight do stand,
Are like to curious jewels wrought, by cunning workmans hand.
Thy navell like a goblet is, which stil with wine doth flowe,
Thy belly like an heape of wheat, about which, Lillies growe.
Thy breasts I may compare like to two litle Roes,
Which follow on their mothers steps, when forth to feed she goes.
Thy necke like to a Tower, of costly Ivory fram'd,
Thine eies like Heshbon waters clear, by that Bathrabbin nam'd.
Thy nose like Libanon Tower, most seemly to the eie,
Which towards Damascus citie faire, that stately town doth ly.
Thy head like Scarlet red, thy haire of purple hue,
The King in thee doth take delight, as in his Lady true.

How faire art thou my Love, and seemly to the sight,
The pleasures that abound in thee, they are my chiefe delight:
Thy stature like the Palme, the tall and straightest tree,
Thy brests, the which do thee adorne, most like to clusters be.
Upon the pleasant palme, I said I wil take holde,
And rest upon her pleasant boughes, I said I wil be bolde.
Thy breasts are like a bunch of grapes, on the most fruitful vine,
Thy nose in smel like to the fruit, of al most pure and fine.
The roofe of thy sweet mouth, like purest wine doth tast,
Which makes the very aged lagh, forgetting sorrowes past.
I am unto my Love, a faithfull friendly Fere,
And he is likewise unto me, most tender and most deare.
Goe we into the field, to sport us in the plaine,
And in the pleasant villages (my Love) let us remaine.
Then early will we rise and see, if that the vine do flourish,
And if the earth accordingly do the Pomgranets nourish.
I feele the Mandrakes smell, within our gates that be:
The sweetest things both new & olde (my Love) I kept for thee.

The eight Chapter.

Oh that thou weart my brother borne, that suckt my mothers breast:
Then sweetly would I kisse thy lippes, and by thee take my rest.
Unto my mothers closet sure, mine own Love will I bring,
And be obedient unto him in every kind of thing.
There wil I give to thee (my Love) the daintie spiced wine,
And pleasant liquor that distils from the Pomgranet fine.
With his left hand he shal support, and eke my head upreare,
And with the right most lovingly he shal imbrace his deare.
Ye daughters of Jerusalem, doo not my Love disease,
But suffer her to take her rest, so long as she shall please.
Who's that which from the wildernes, yon commeth from above,
And in this sort familiarly dooth leane upon her Love:
Under a pleasant aple tree, from whence like fruit doth spring,
Thy mother first conceived thee, even forth which did thee bring.
Let it be like a privie seale, within thy secret heart,
Or like a Signet on thy hand, thy secrets to impart:
For jealousie is like the grave, and love more strong than death,
From whose hot brands ther doth proceed a flaming fiery breath:
The flouds cannot alay his heat, nor water quench his flame,
Neither the greatest treasure, can countervaile the same.

Our litle sister hath no breasts, what shal we doo or say,
When we shal give her to her Spouse, upon her wedding day?
If that she be a wall, on that foundation sure,
A princely pallace wil we build, of silver passing pure.
And if she be a doore, she shall inclosed be
With brave and goodly squared boords, of the fine Cedar tree.
I am a mightie wall, my breasts like Towers hie,
Then am I passing beautifull in my beloveds eie.
King Salomon a vinyard had, in faire Baalhamon field,
Each one in silver yeerely dooth, a thousand peeces yeeld,
But yet my vineyard (Salomon) thy vine doth far excell,
For fruit and goodnes of the same, thou know'st it very wel.
A thousand silver peeces are, even yearely due to me,
Two thousand likewise unto them, the which her keepers be.
Oh thou that in the garden dwell'st, learne me thy voice to know,
That I may listen to the same, as thy companions doo.
Flie my beloved hence away, and be thou like the Roe,
Or as the Hart on mountaine tops, wheron sweet spices growe.

THE SONG OF ANNAH, for the bringing foorth of Samuel her sonne.

The second Chap. of the first booke of Samuel.

My heart doth in the Lord rejoice, that living Lord of might,
Which doth his servants horn exalt, in al his peoples sight.
I wil rejoice in their despight, which erst have me abhord,
Because that my salvation dependeth on the Lord.
None is so holie as the Lord, besides thee none htere are:
With our God there is no God, that may himselfe compare.
See that no more presumptuously, ye neither boast nor vaunt,
Nor yet unseemly speak such things, so proud and arrogant.
For why? the counsell of the Lord, in depth cannot be sought,
Our enterprises and our actes, by him to passe are brought.
The bowe is broke, the mightie ones subverted are at length,
And they which weake and feeble were, increased are in strength:
They that were ful & had great store, with labor buy their bread,
And they which hungrie were & poore, with plenty now are fed.
So that the womb which barren was, hath many children born,
And she which store of children had, is left now all for orne.
The Lord doth kill and make alive, his judgments all are just,

He throweth downe into the grave, and raiseth from the dust.
The Lord doth make both rich & poore, he al our thoughts doth trie.
He bringeth low & eke againe, exalteth up on hie.
He raiseth up the simple soule, whom men pursude with hate,
To sit amongst the mightie ones, in chaire of princely state.
For why? the pillers of the earth, he placed with his hand,
Whose mighty strength doth stil support, the waight of al the land.
He wil preserve his Saints likewise, the wicked men at length
He wil confound: let no man seem, to glory in his strength.
The enemies of God the Lord, shal be destroied all,
From heaven he shal thunder send, that on their heads shal fall.
The mightie Lord shall judge the world, & give his power alone
Unto the King, and shal exalt his owne annointed one.

THE SONG OF JONAH IN THE WHALES BELLIE.

In the second Chap. of Jonah.

In griefe and anguish of my heart, my voice I did extend,
Unto the Lord, and he therto, a willing eare did lend:
Even from the deep and darkest pit, & the infernall lake,
To me he hath bow'd down his eare, for his great mercies sake.
For thou into the middest, of surging seas so deepe
Hast cast me foorth: whose bottom is, so low & woondrous steep.
Whose mighty wallowing waves, which from the floods do flow,
Have with their power up swallowed me, & overwhelm'd me tho.
Then said I, loe, I am exilde, from presence of thy face,
Yet wil I once againe behold, thy house and dwelling place.
The waters have encompast me, the floods inclosde me round,
The weeds have sore encombred me, which in the seas abound.
Unto the valeyes down I went, beneath the hils which stand,
The earth hath there environ'd me, with force of al the land.
Yet hast thou stil preserved me, from al these dangers here,
And brought my life out of the pit, oh Lord my God so deare.
My soule consuming thus with care, I praied unto the Lord,
And he from out his holie place, heard me with one accord.
Who to vain lieng vanities doth whollie him betake,
Doth erre also, Gods mercie he, doth utterly forsake.
But I wil offer unto him the sacrifice of praise,
And pay my vowes, ascribing thanks unto the Lord alwaies.

THE PRAIER OF JEREMIAH, bewailing the captivitie of the people.

In the fift Chap. of his Lamentations.

Cal unto mind oh mightie Lord, the wrongs we daily take,
Consider and behold the same, for thy great mercies sake.
Our lands & our inheritance, meere strangers do possesse,
The alients in our houses dwel, and we without redresse.
We now (alas) are fatherlesse, & stil pursude with hate,
Our mourning mothers nowe remaine in wofull widdowes state.
We buy the water which we drink, such is our grievous want,
Likewise the wood even for our use, that we our selves did plant.
Our neckes are subject to the yoke, of persecutions thrall,
We wearied out with cruell toile, and find no rest at all:
Afore time we in Egypt land, and in Assyria served,
For food our hunger to sustaine, least that we should have sterved:
Our fathers which are dead & gone, have sinned wondrous sore,
And we now scourg'd for their offence, ah, woe are we therefore.
Those servile slaves which bondmen be, of them in fear we stand,
Yet no man doth deliver us, from cruel Caitives hand.
Our livings we are forc'd to get, in perils of our lives,
The drie and barren wildernesse therto by danger drives.
Our skins be scortcht as though they had, bin in an oven dride,
With famine, and the penury, which here we doo abide.
Our wives and maides defloured are, by violence and force,
On Sion, and in Juda land, sans pity or remorce.
Our kings by cruel enimies, with cordes are hanged up,
Our gravest, sage and ancient men, have tasted of that cup.
Our yoong men they have put to sword, not one at al they spare,
Our litle boyes upon the tree, sans pitie hanged are.
Our elders sitting in the gates, can now no more be found,
Our youth leave off to take delight, in musicks sacred sound.
The joy and comfort of our heart, away is fled and gone,
Our solace is with sorrow mixt, our mirth is turn'd to mone.
Our glory now is laid full low, and buried in the ground,
Our sins ful sore do burthen us, whose greatnes doth abound.
Oh holy blessed Sion hill, my heart is woe for thee,
Mine eies poure foorth a flood of teares, this dismal day to see,
Which art destroied and now lieth wast, from sacred use & trade,

Thy holie place is now a den, of filthy Foxes made.
But thou the everliving Lord, which doost remaine for aye,
Whose seat above the firmament, full sure and still doth stay.
Wherefore dost thou forsake thine owne? shal we forgotten be?
Turne us good Lord, and so we shall be turned unto thee.
Lord cal us home from our exile, to place of our abode,
Thou long inough hast punisht us, oh Lord, now spare thy rod.

THE SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARACKE.

The fift Chap. of Judges.

Praise ye the Lord, the which revenge on Israels wrongs doth take:
Likewise for those which offered up themselves for Israels sake.
Heare this, ye kings, ye princes al, give eare with one accord,
I wil give thanks, yea sing the praise, of Israels living Lord.
When thou departedst (Lord) from Seir, and out of Edom field,
The earth gan quake, the heavens rain, the cloudes their water yeeld.
The mountains hie before the Lord, have melted every del,
As Synay did in presence of, the Lord of Israell.
In time of Sangar, Anaths sonne, and in old Jaels daies,
The paths were al unoccupied, men sought forth unknown waies.
The townes & cities there lay wast, and to decay they fel,
Til Deborah, a matrone grave, became in Israell.
They chose them gods, then garboils did, within their gates abound,
A spear or shield in Israel, there was not to be found.
In those which govern Israel, my heart doth take delight,
And in the valiant people there, oh, praise the Lord of might.
Speak ye that on white Asses ride, & that by Midden dwell,
And ye that daily trade the waies, see forth your minds you tell.
The clattering noise of archers shot, when as the arrowes flew,
Appeased was amongst the sort, which water daily drew.
The righteousnesse of God the Lord, shal be declared there,
And likewise Israels righteousnes, which worship him in feare.
The people with rejoicing hearts, then all with one consent:
I mean the Lords inheritance, unto the gates they went:
Deborah up, arise and sing, a sweet and worthy song,
Baracke, lead them as Captives forth, which unto thee belong.
For they which at this day remaine, do rule like Lords alone,
The Lord over the mightie ones, gives me dominion.
The roots of Ephraim arose, gainst Amalecke to fight,

And so likewise did Benjamin, with all their power and might.
From Macher came a company, which chiefest sway did beare,
From Zebulon, which cunning clarks, & famous writers were.
The kings which came of Isacher were with Deborah tho,
Yea Isacher and Barack both attend on her also.
He was dismounted in the vale, for the devisions sake,
Of Ruben the people there, great lamentation make.
Gilead by Jorden made abode, and Dan on ship boord lay,
And Asher in the Desart he, upon the shore doth stay.
They of Zebulon and Nepthaly, like worthy valiant wightes,
Before their foes even in the field, advanc'd themselves in fight.
The kings themselves in person fought: the kings of Canaan,
In Tanach plaine, wheras the streame, of swift Megido ran.
No pay, no hyer, ne coine at all, not one did seem to take,
They served not for greedy gain, nor filthy lucre sake.
The heavens hy & heavenly powers, these things to passe have brought,
The stars against proud Sisera, even in their course have fought.
The stream of Kishons ancient brook, hath overwhelm'd them there,
My soule, sith thou hast done thy part, be now of harty cheare.
The hardened hooves of barbed horse, were al in peeces broke,
By force of mightie men which met, with many a sturdy stroke.
The Angel hath pronounc'd a curse, which shal on Meroz fall,
And those that doo inhabite there, a curse light on them all.
Because they put not forth their hands to help the living Lord,
Against the proud and mighty ones, which have his truth abhord.
Jaell the Kenit Hebers wife, most happy shal be blest,
Above al other women there, which in the tents do rest.
He asked water for to drink, she gave sweet milk to him,
Yea butter in a lordly dish, which was full tricke and trim.
Her left hand to the naile she put, her right the hammer wrought,
Wherewith presumptuous Sisera unto his death she brought.
And from his corps his head she cut, with mortal deadly wound,
When through the temples of his head, she naild him to the ground.
He bowed then unto the earth, and at her feet can fall,
And where he fell there still he lay, bereav'd of sences all.
The mother then of Sisera, in window where she lay,
Doth marveil much that this her sonne doth make so long a stay.
Her Ladies then, they hearing that, make answer by and by.
Yea, to her speaches past before, her selfe doth this replie:
Hath he not gotten mightie spoiles, and now division makes,

Each one a Damosell hath or twaine, which he as captive takes.
Sisera of costly coloured robes, ful rich, with needle wrought,
Hath got a pray, which unto him, as chiefest spoiles are brought.
So let thine enemies (O Lord) sustaine and suffer blame,
And let thy chosen blessed ones, that love and feare thy name,
Be like the Son, when in the morne, his glorie doth increase:
Or like the land, which many a yeare, hath bin in rest and peace.

AN OTHER SONG OF THE FAITHFULL, FOR THE MERCIES OF GOD.

In the xii. Chap. of the prophesie of Isaiah.

Oh living Lord, I still will laude thy name,
for though thou wert offended once with me:
Thy heavy wrath is turn'd from me againe,
and graciously thou now doost comfort mee.

Behold, the Lord is my salvation,
I trust in him, and feare not any power:
He is my song, the strength I leane upon,
the Lord God is my loving Saviour.

Therefore with joy out of the well of life,
draw foorth sweet water, which it dooth affoord:
And in the day of trouble and of strife,
cal on the name of God the living Lord.

Extol his works and woonders to the sunne,
unto al people let his praise be showne:
Record in song the mervails he hath done,
and let his glorie through the world be blowne.

Crie out aloud and shout on Sion hill,
I give thee charge that this proclaimed be:
The great and mightie king of Israell,
now onely dwelleth in the midst of thee.

A SONG OF THE FAITHFULL.

In the third Chap. of the prophesie of Habacucke.

Lord, at thy voice, my heart for feare hath trembled,
Unto the world (Lord) let thy workes be showen:
In these our daies now let thy power be knowen,
And yet in wrath let mercie be remembred.

From Teman loe, our God you may behold,
The holie one from Paran mount so hie:
His glorie hath cleane covered the Skie,
And in the earth his praises be inrolde.

His shining was more clearer than the light,
And from his hands a fulnesse did proceed,
Which did contain his wrath and power indeed.
Consuming plagues and fire were in his sight.

He stood aloft and compassed the land,
And of the Nations doth defusion make,
The mountains rent, the hilles for feare did quake,
His unknown pathes no man may understand.

The Morians tentes even for their wickednes,
I might behold the land of Midian:
Amaz'd and trembling like unto a man,
Forsaken quite, and left in great distresse:

What, did the rivers move the Lord to ire?
Or did the floods his Majesty displease:
Or was the Lord offended with the seas,
That thou camest forth in chariot hot as fire.

Thy force and power thou freely didst relate,
Unto the tribes thy oath doth surely stand,
And by thy strength thou didst devide the land,
And from the earth the rivers seperate.

The mountaines saw, and trembled for feare,
The sturdy streame, with speed foorth passed by,
The mighty depthes shout out a hideous crie,
And then aloft their waves they did upreare.

The Sun and Moon amid their course stood still,
Thy speares and arrowes forth with shining went,
Thou spoilest the land, being to anger bent,
And in displeasure thou didst slay and kill.

Thou wentest foorth for thine owne chosens sake,
For the savegard of thine annointed one:
The house of wicked men is overthrowne,
And their foundations now goe all to wracke.

Their townes thou strikest by thy mightie power,
With their own weapons, made for their defence:
Who like a whyrl-wind came with the pretence,
The poore and simple man quite to devoure.

Thou madest thy horse on seas to gallop fast.
Upon the waves thou ridest here and there:
My intrals trembled then for verie feare,
And at thy voice, my lips shooke at the last.

Griefe pierc'd my bones, and feare did me annoy,
In time of trouble, where I might find rest:
For to revenge, when once the Lord is prest,
With plagues he wil the people quite destroy.

The fig-tree now no more shall sprout nor flourish,
The pleasant vine no more with grapes abound:
No pleasure in the citie shall be found:
The field no more her fruit shal feed nor nourish.

The sheep shall now be taken from the fold,
In stall of Bullocks there shall be no choice.
Yet in the Lord my Saviour I rejoice,
My hope in God yet wil I surely hold.

God is my strength, the Lord my only stay,
My feet for swiftnesse, it is he will make
Like to the Hinds, who none in course can take:
Upon high places he will make me way.

A SONG OF THANKES TO GOD, in that hee sheweth himselfe Judge of the world, in punishing the wicked, and maintaining the godlie.

In the xxv. Chap. of the prophesie of Isaiah.

Oh Lord my God, with praise I wil persever,
Thy blessed name in song I wil record:
For the great wonders thou hast done O lord,
Thy trueth and counsels have bene certain ever.

A mightie citie thou makest ruinat.
The strongest townes thou bringest to decay:
A place where strangers usually do stay,
And shall not be reduc'd to former state.

The proudest people therefore stoupe to thee,
The strongest cities have thee still in feare:
Thou strengthnest the poore man in dispaire:
And helpest the needie in necessitie.

Thou art a sure refuge against a shower,
A shadow which doth from the heat defend:
The raging blasts the mighty forth doth send,
Is like a storme which shakes the stateliest tower.

Thou shalt abate the forraine strangers pride,
Like as the heat doth drie the moistest place,
The glorie of the proud thou shalt deface,
Like as the cloudes the sunny beames doo hide.

The Lord of hostes shal in this mount provide,
And to his people here shal make a feast,
Of fatted things and dainties of the best,
Of Marrow and wines finely purified.

And in this Mountaine by his mightie hand,
That same dark cloud the Lord wil cleane destroy,
Even with the vaile which doth his folke annoy.
And death no more before his face shall stand.

The Lord will wipe out of his chosens eies,
The teares which doo their faces so distaine:
And their rebuke shal now no more remaine,
Thus saith the Lord, these be his promises.

And men shal say (then) loe, this same is he,
This is our God, on whom we did attend,
This is the Lord that will us stil defend,
We will be glad and joyfull (Lord) in thee.

Thy hand (oh Lord) here in this mount shall rest,
And cursed Moab shall by thee be beaten,
As in thy judgment thou of long doost threaten,
As in Mamena straw of men is thresht.

And over them the Lord his hand shal holde,
As he that swimmeth, stretcheth him at length,
And by his power and by his mighty strength,
The proud and stout by him shal be controlde.

Thy highest walles and towers of all thy trust,
He shall bring downe and lay them all full lowe,
Unto the ground his hand shall make them bow,
And lay thy pride and glorie in the dust.

AN OTHER SONG OF THE FAITHFULL, wherein is declared in what consisteth the salvation of the Church.

In the xxvi. Chap. of the prophesie of Isaiah.

And in that day, this same shal be our song,
In Juda land this shall be sung and said,
We have a citie which is woondrous strong,
And for the walles, the Lord himself our aid.

Open the gates, yea set them open wide,
And let the godly and the righteous passe:
Yea let them enter, and therein abide,
Which keepe his lawes, and do his trueth imbrace:

And in thy judgment thou wilt sure preserve,
In perfect peace those which doo trust in thee:
Trust in the Lord, which dooth all trust deserve,
He is thy strength, and none but onelie he.

He will bring downe the proud that looke so hie,
The stateliest buildings he wil soone abase:
And make them even with the ground to lie,
And unto dust he will their pride deface.

It shall be troden to the verie ground,
The poore and needy downe the same shal tread:
The just mans way in righteousnes is found,
Into a path most plaine thou wilt him lead.

But we have waited long for thee, oh Lord
And in thy way of judgment we do rest:
Our soules doth joy thy name still to record,
And thy remembrance doth content us best.

My soule hath long'd for thee (oh Lord) by night,
And in the morn my spirit for thee hath sought:
Thy judgments to the earth give such a light,
As al the world by them thy trueth is taught.

But shew thy mercie to the wicked man,
He wil not learne thy righteousnes, to know,
His chiefe delight is still to curse and ban,
And unto thee, himselfe he will not bow.

They doo not once at all regard thy power,
Thy peoples zeale shall let them see their shame,
But with a fire thou shalt thy foes devoure,
And cleane consume them with a burning flame.

With peace thou wilt preserve us (Lord) alone,
For thou hast wrought great woonders for our sake
And other Gods beside thee have we none:
Only in thee we all our comfort take.

The dead and such as sleep within the grave,
Shal give no glorie, nor yeeld praise to thee:
Which here on earth no place nor being have,
And thou hast rooted out of memorie.

Oh Lord thou doost this nation multiply,
Thou Lord hast blest this nation with increase:
Thou art most glorious in thy majesty,
Thou hast inlarg'd the earth with perfect peace.

We cride to thee, and oft our hands did wring,
When we have seen thee bent to punishment.
Like to a woman in childbyrth traveiling,
Even so in paine we mourne and doo lament.

We have conceiv'd and laboured with paine,
But only wind at last we forth have brought:
Upon the earth no hope there doth remaine,
The wicked world likewise availes us nought.

The dead shal live, and such as sleep in grave
With their own bodies once shal rise againe:
Sing ye, that in the dust your dwelling have,
The earth no more her bodies shall retaine.

Come, come my people to my chamber here,
And shut the doores up surely after thee:
Hide thou thy selfe, and doo not once appeare,
Nor let thine eies mine indignation see.

For from above the Lord is now dispos'd
To scourge the sinnes that in the world remaine:
His servants blood in earth shal be disclosde,
And she shal now yeeld up her people slaine.

Finis.

HEREAFTER FOLLOWE CERTAIN OTHER SONGS AND PRAIERS of godly men and women, out of the Bookes of Apocripha.

THE PRAIER OF JUDITH, FOR THE DELIVERANCE OF THE PEOPLE.

In the ix. Chap. of the book of Judith.

Oh Lord, the God of Simeon, my soveraigne Father deare:
To whom thou gavest strength and might, the sword in hand to beare,
To take revenge on those which first, the maidens wombe did tame,
And spoiled her virginitie, with great reproch and shame.
For which offence, thou gavest up, their princes to be slaine,
So that their wounds with gory blood, their beds did all distain.
Their servants with their lords ech one, have felt thy wrath alike,
Who sitting in their roial seat, thou sparest not to strike.
Their wives, their daughters, & their goods, thou gav'st for thy behove
As prais, as captives, & as spoiles, to those whom thou didst love.
Who moov'd with zeale, could not abide, their blood defil'd to see,
Then heare me Lord, a widow poore, which here do cal to thee.
Things past, & things not yet discern'd, thy providence hath wrought,
Things present & the things to come, by thee to passe are brought.
Each thing is present at thy call, thy wisdome doth devise,
Thy secret judgments long before, thy knowledge doth comprise.
Th'Assirians now in multitude, a mighty number are,
Whose horsmen on their barbed horse, themselves to war prepare.
Their hope in footmen doth consist, in sling, in speare and shield,
They know not thee to be the Lord, whose force doth win the field.
Let all their force, their strength & power, be by thy might abated,
Who vow thy Temple to defile, which thou hast consecrated.
Yea, to pollute thy Tabernacle, thy house and holy place,
And with their instruments of war, thine Altars to deface.
Behold their pride, and poure on them, thy wrath and heavy yre,
And strength my hand to execute, the thing I now desire.
Smite thou the servant and the Lord, as they together stand,
Abate their glory and their pride, even by a womans hand.
For in the greatest multitude, thou takest not delight,
Nor in the strong and valiant men consisteth not thy might.
But to the humble, lowly, meeke, the succourlesse and poore,
Thou art a help, defence, refuge, and loving saviour,
My father in thy name did trust, O Israels Lord most deare,
Of heaven, of earth, of sea and land, doo thou my praier heare.

Grant thou me wit, sleight, power, strength, to wound them which advance
Themselves over thy Sion hil, & thine inheritance.
Declare to nations far and neare, and let them know ful well,
Thou art the Lord, whose power & strength, defendeth Israell.

THE SONG OF JUDITH, HAVING SLAINE HOLOPHERNES.

In the xvi. Chap. of the book of Judith.

Tune up the Timbrels then with laud unto the Lord,
Sound foorth his praise on Simbals loud, with songs of one accord,
Declare & shew his praise, also his name rehearse,
In song of thankes exactly pend, of sweet and noble verse.
The Lord he ceaseth warres, even he the verie same,
Tis he that doth appease all strife, Jehovah is his name.
The which hath pitcht his tent, our surest strength and aide,
Amongst us here, least that our foes, shuld make us once dismaid.
From northern mountain tops, proud Assur came a downe,
With warlike men a multitude, of famous high renowme.
Whose footmen stopt the streams, where rivers woont to flowe,
And horsmen covered all the vales, that lay the hilles belowe.
His purpose was for to destroy my land, with sword and fire,
To put my yongmen to the sword, did thirst with hot desire.
My children to captivitie, he would have borne away,
My virgins so by rape and force, as spoiles and chiefest pray,
But yet the high and mighty Lord, his people doth defend,
And by a silly womans hand, hath brought him to his end.
For why? their mightie men, with Armes were not subdude,
Nor with their blood our yoong mens hands, were not at al imbrude.
No, none of Titans line, this proud Assirian slue,
Nor any Gyants aid we crav'd, this souldier to subdue.
But Judith she alone, Meraris daughter deere,
Whose heavenly hue hath bred his baine, and brought him to his beere.
She left her mourning weed, and deckt her selfe with gold,
In royall robes of seemly showe, all Israell to behold.
With odors she perfum'd her selfe, after the queintest guise,
Her haire with fillet finely bound, as Art could wel devise.
Her slippers neat and trim, his eies and fancie fed,

Her beautie hath bewitcht his mind, her sword cut off his head.
The Perseans were amaz'd, her modestie was such,
The Medes at her bold enterprise, they marveiled as much.
Amongst th'Assyrians then, great clamors can arise,
When as the fact so lately done, apear'd before their eies.
The sons which erst my daughters have, even on their bodies born
Have slaine them as they fled in chace, as men so quite forlorne.
Even at the presence of the Lord, the stoutest turn'd his backe,
His power did so astonish them, that al things went to wracke.
A song now let us sing, of thankes unto the Lord,
Yea, in a song of pleasant tune, let us his praise record.
Oh God, thou mightie Lord, who is there like to thee,
In strength and power, to thee oh Lord, none may compared be.
Thy creatures all obey, and serve thee in their trade,
For thou no sooner spakst the word, but every thing was made.
Thou sentest foorth the spirit, which did thy worke fulfill,
And nothing can withstand thy voice, but listen to thy will.
The mountains shal remove, wher their foundation lay,
Likewise the floods, the craggy rocks, like wax shal melt away.
But they that feare the Lord, and in him put their trust,
Those will he love and stil impute, amongst the good and just:
But woe be those that seeke, his chosen flocks decay,
The Lord God wil revenge their wrongs, at the last judgement day,
For he such quenchlesse fire, and gnawing wormes shal send,
Into their flesh, as shal consume, them world without an end.

A PRAIER OF THE AUTHOUR.

In the xxiii. Chap. of Ecclesiasticus.

Lord of my life, my guide and governour,
Father, of thee this one thing I require,
Thou wilt not leave me to the wicked power,
Which seeke my fall, and stil my death desire.

Oh, who is he that shall instruct my thought,
And so with wisdom shall inspire my heart:
In ignorance that nothing may be wrought
By me with them whose sinne shall not depart.

Least that mine errors growe and multiplie,
And to destruction through my sinnes I fall:
My foes rejoice at my adversitie,
Who in thy mercie have no hope at all.

My Lord and God, from whom my life I tooke,
Unto the wicked leave me not a pray:
A haughty mind, a proud disdainfull looke,
From me thy Servant take thou cleane away.

Vaine hope likewise, with vile concupiscence,
Lord of thy mercie take thou cleane from me:
Retaine thou him in true obedience,
Who with desire daily serveth thee.

Let not desire to please the greedy mawe,
Or appetite of any fleshly lust:
Thy servant from his loving Lord withdraw,
But give thou me a mind both good and just.

THE PRAIER OF SALOMON.

In the ix. Chap. of the book of Wisdome.

Oh God of our forefathers all, of mercie thou the Lord:
Which heaven and earth, and al thinges els, createdst with thy word.
And by thy wisdome madest man, like to thy selfe alone,
And gavest him over thy workes, the chiefe dominion.
That he shoud rule upon the earth, with equity and right,
And that his judgments should be pure, and upright in thy sight.
Give me that wisdome, which about, thy sacred throne doth stay,
And from amongst thine own elect (Lord) put me not away.
For I thy servant am, and of thy handmaid borne,
A sillie soule, whose life alas, is short and all forlorne.
And do not understand at all, what ought to be my guide,
I mean thy statutes and thy lawes, least that I slip aside.
For though a man in worldly things, for wisdome be esteem'd,
Yet if thy wisdom want in him, his, is but folly deem'd.
Thou chosest me to be a King, to sit on royall throne,
To judge the folk which thou of right, dost chalenge for thy own.
Thou hast commanded me to build, a Temple on thy hill,
And Altar in the self same place, where thou thy selfe doost dwel.
Even like unto thy Tabernacle, in each kind of respect,
A thing most holy, which at first, thy selfe thou didst erect.
Thy wisdome being stil with thee, which understands thy trade,
When as thou framedst first the world, and her foundation laid.
Which knew the thing that most of all, was pleasant in thy sight,
Thy wil and thy commandements, wherein thou takst delight.
Send her down from that heavenly seat, wheras she doth abide,
That she may shew to me thy will, and be my onely guide.
For she dooth know and understand, yea, al things doth foresee,
And by her works and mighty power, I shall preserved bee.
Then shal my works accepted be, and liked in thy sight,
When I upon my fathers throne, shall judge thy folke aright.
Who knoweth the counsell of the Lord, his deep and secret skil,
Or who may search into his works, or know his holy will?
For why? the thoughts of mortal men, are nothing els but care,
Their forecasts and devises all, things most uncertaine are.
The bodie is unto the soule, a waight and burthen great,

The earthly house depresseth down, the mind with cares repleat. Salomons
The things which here on earth remain, we hardly can discern, Praier
To find their secret use and trade, with labor great we learne.
For who doth search or seek to know, with traveill & with care,
The secrets of the mightie Lord, which hie in heaven are.
Who can thy counsels understand, except thou doo impart
Thy wisdome, and thy holy spirit doost send into his heart?
For so the waies of mortal men, reformed are and taught,
The things that most delighteth thee, which wisdom forth have brought.

A SONG OF JHESUS THE SONNE OF SIRACH.

In the last Chap. of Ecclesiasticus.

I will confesse thy name O Lord,
And give thee praise with one accord:
My God, my King, and Saviour,
Unto thy name be thankes and power.

I have bene succoured by thee,
And thou hast still preserved me:
And from destruction kept me long,
And from report of slaunderous tongue.

From lips stil exercisde with lies,
And from my cruell enemies,
Thou me in mercie doost deliver,
Thy blessed name be praisde for ever.

From monsters, that would me devoure,
From cruell tyrants, and their power:
In all affliction paine and griefe,
Thou succourest me with some reliefe.

From the cruell burning flame,
Poore I inclosde within the same:
From the deepe infernall pit,
From venom'd tongues that poison spit.

From speeches that of malice spring,
From accusation to the king,
From all reproch and infamy,
From slander, and like villanie.

My soule, to death praise thou the Lord,
And laud his name with one accord:
For death was readie thee to take,
And thou neare the infernall lake.

They compassed me round about,
But there was none to helpe me out:
I look'd when succour would appeare,
But there was none that would come neare.

Upon thy mercies then I thought,
And on the wonders thou hast wrought:
How from destruction thou doost save,
Such as in thee affiance have.

In praier then I did persever,
That thou from death wouldst me deliver:
Unto the Lord I crie and call,
That he would rid me out of thrall:

Therefore I still will praise thy name,
And ever thanke thee for the same:
My praiers shall of thee be heard,
And never from thy eares debard.

Thou sav'st me from destruction,
And other mischiefs more than one:
Therefore wil I praise thee O Lord,
And in my songs thy name record.

THE PRAIER OF HESTER, for the deliverance of her and her people.

In the xiiii. Chap. of Hester.

O mighty Lord, thou art our God, to thee for aid I crie,
To help a woman desolate, sith danger now is nie:
Even from my youth I oft have hard my predecessors tel,
That from amongst the nations all thou chosest Israell.
And chosest those our fathers were, from theirs that went before
To be thine owne and hast perform'd, thy promise evermore.
Now Lord we have committed sin, most grievous in thine eies,
Wherfore thou hast delivered us, unto our enemies.
Because that to their heathen gods, with worship we have gone,
Knowing that thou art God the Lord, the righteous Lord alone.
Yet not content, nor satisfied, with these our captives bands,
But with their Idols they themselves, have join'd & shaken hands
Quite to abolish and subvert, what thou appointed hast,
And this thine owne inheritance even utterly to waste.
To shut and stop the mouthes of those, that yeeld thee thanks and praise,
Thy glorious temples to defile, thine Altars up to raise:
And to induce the heathen folke, to laud their Idols might,
To magnifie a fleshly King, a man, a mortall wight.
Then let not such the Scepter sway, whose glorie is of nought,
Least they deride us when that we, to miserie are brought.
And those devises they have wrought, t'intangle us withall,
May turne unto their owne decay, and on their heads may fall.
Remember Lord, and shew thy selfe, to us in time of need,
And strengthen me thou King of kings, & Lord of power indeed.
Instruct my tongue with eloquence, my speaches to impart.
Before the Lions face, and by, thy wisdome turne his heart,
To hate our deadly enemie, so wholly bent to ill,
Destroy him, and al such as doo consent unto his will.
But let thy hand deliver us, and help and succour me,
Sith I am now left comfortlesse, and have no help but thee.
Thou know'st right well all things O Lord, & this thou knowest then,
I hate the glory and the pompe, of wicked sinful men,
And utterly detest the bed, of any heathen wight,
Uncircumcised, most unpure, and odious in thy sight:

Thou knowest my necessitie, and that with hate I beare
This token of preheminence, which on my head I weare.
And as a filthy menstruous cloath, I take thereof such shame,
As being by my selfe alone, I never weare the same.
And that at Hamans table yet, thy handmaid hath not fed,
Nor tooke delight in princes feast, nor drank wine offered,
And never joi'd in any thing, since first I hether came,
Until this day but in the Lord thou God of Abraham.
Oh thou the high and mightie God, heare thou the voice & crie
Of them, whose hope, whose trust and stay, only on thee doth lie.
And now in need deliver us, out of their cruell hand,
And from the dread and feare O Lord, wherin we dayly stand.

THE PRAIER OF MARDOCHEUS.

In the xiii. Chap. of Hester.

Oh Lord, my Lord, that art the King of might,
Within whose power all thinges their being have:
Who may withstand that liveth in thy sight,
If thou thy chosen Israell wilt save.
For thou hast made the earth and heaven above,
And al things els that in the same do moove.

Thou madest all things, and they are all thine own,
And there is none that may resist thy will:
Thou know'st all things, and this of thee is knowne,
I did not erst for malice nor for ill,
Presumption nor vaine glorie els at all,
Come nor bow downe unto proud Hamans call.

I could have bin content for Israels sake,
To kisse the soles even of his verie feet:
But that I would not mans vaine honor take,
Before Gods glorie, being so unmeet.
And would not worship none (O Lord) but thee:
And not of pride, as thou thy selfe doost see.

Therefore (oh Lord) my God, and heavenly king
Have mercie on the people thou hast bought:
For they imagine and devise the thing,
How to destroy and bring us unto nought.
Thine heritance, which thou so long hast fed,
And out so far from Egypt land hast led.

Oh heare my praier, and mercie doe extend,
Upon thy portion of inheritance,
For sorrowe now some joy and solace send,
That we may live thy glorie to advance.
And suffer not their mouthes shut up oh Lord,
Which stil thy name with praises doo record.

A PRAIER IN THE PERSON OF THE FAITHFULL.

The xxxvi. Chap. of Ecclesiasticus.

Have mercie on us blessed Lord,
Which madest all thinges with thy word:
Behold us Saviour from above,
Illuminate us with thy love.

And let the wicked dread thy name,
Which never sought unto the same:
And knowe that thou art God alone,
And like (in woonders) to be none.

Oh Lord lift up thy mightie hand,
The world thy power shall understand:
As by us thou art sanctified,
By them so be thou magnified.

That they may learne thy power to knowe,
As we that be thy servantes doo,
Thou art the living Lord alone,
And other Goddes besides thee none.

Renew the signes (Lord) thou hast showne,
And let thy woonderous woorks be knowne:
Declare the strength of thy right hand,
Let them thy power understand.

Arise to judgment in thine yre,
Poure out thy wrath as hot as fire:
Destroy the cruell adversarie,
To spoile our foes (Lord) doo not tarie.

Shorten thou these wicked daies,
Thinke on thine oath at all assaies:
Let thy woonders (Lord) appeare.
And be thou praised farre and neare.

In burning fire (Lord) let them die,
Which doe escape, and seek to flie:
And let them perish with annoy,
Which seeke thy people to destroy.

Cleave thou the heads of mighty kings,
Our enemies in godly things:
And let the world behold and see,
That we are chosen unto thee.

Lord, gather Jacob unto thee,
That they thy might & power may see:
That they thy wondrous works may show
And to be thine themselves may know.

Unto thy folke impute no blame,
Which ever cald upon thy name:
To Israel Lord be thou milde,
Thy only heir thy first borne child.

Unto Jerusalem shew pitie,
Thy sanctuarie and thy citie:
Blesse Sion where thy prophets live,
Thy glorie to thy people give.

And be thou witnesse unto those,
Which have bene thine still to dispose:
And raise them up oh Lord, on hie,
Which in thy name doo prophesie.

Reward them (Lord) that waite for thee,
That they thy Prophets trueth may see:
Heare thou thy servants praier oh Lord,
As thou to Aaron gavest thy word.

Guide us in way of righteousnesse,
The earth thy glorie shall expresse:
And to the world it shall be knowne:
Thou are eternall and alone.

A PRAIER OF TOBIAS, EXHORTING ALL MEN TO PRAISE THE LORD.

Tobias. Chap. xiii.

Bless'd be that king which evermore shal raign,
So ever may his kingdome blessed be:
Which punisheth and pittieth againe,
Which sends to hell, and likewise setteth free.
Before whose presence may no creature stand,
Nor any thing avoid his heavie hand.

Ye children of his chosen Israell,
Before the Gentles stil confesse his name:
With whom he hath appointed you to dwell,
Even there (I say) extol and laude his fame:
He is a Lord and God most gracious,
And still hath bene a father unto us.

He wil scourge us for our iniquitie,
Yet mercie will he take on us againe,
And from those nations gathered shall we be,
With whom as strangers now we do remaine.
Yf in your harts he shal repentance find,
And turne to him with zeale and willing mind.

When as your dealings shall be found upright,
Then wil he turn his face from you no more:
Nor thenceforth hide his presence from your sight,
But lend his mercie, then laid up in store,
Therefore confesse his name, & praises sing,
To that most great and highest heavenly King.

I will confesse him in captivitie,
And to a wicked people shewe his might,
Oh turne to him, vile sinners that you be,
And doo the thing is upright in his sight.
Who's there can tell if he will mercie showe,
Or take compassion on you, yea or noe?

I will extoll and laude thy name alwaies,
My soule, the praise of heavens King expresse:
All tongues on earth shall spread abroad his praise,
All nations shew foorth his righteousnesse.
Jerusalem thou shalt be scourged then,
But he wil spare the sonnes of righteous men.

Faile not to give the Lord his praises due,
And still extoll that everlasting King:
And help to build his Tabernacle newe,
In which his Saints shall ever sit and sing.
In which the captives shall have end of griefe,
In which the poore shall ever find reliefe.

Many shall come from countries far and neare,
And shall great giftes unto his presence bring,
Many before his presence shall appeare,
And shal rejoice in this great heavenly King,
Cursed be those which hate thy blessed name,
But bless'd be those which love & like the same.

Triumph with joy, ye that be good and just,
Though scattered now, yet shall you gathered be:
Then in the Lord fix all your hope and trust,
And rest in peace till you these blessings see.
Blessed be those which have bin touch'd with griefe
When they have seen thee scourg'd, & want reliefe.

Those only shall rejoice with thee againe,
And those shall be partakers of thy glorie:
And shall in blisse for ay with thee remaine,
Now passed once these troubles transitorie.
Then (oh my soule) see thou rejoice and sing,
And laud the great and highest hevenly King.

And he will build Jerusalem full faire,
With Emeralds and Saphyrs of great price,
With precious stones he will her walles repaire,
Her towers of golde with worke of rare device.
And all her streetes with Berall will he pave,
With Carbunckles and Ophirs passing brave.

And all her people there, shall sit and say,
Praised be God with Aleluiah.

FINIS.