Psalm LVIII. Si vere utiq; justitiam, &c.
I
Are you, as by your place you ought to be,
True Judges of the Poor mans wrong?
Or rather do you not his suit prolong,
And then bind o're, when you should set him free?
You would be thought both good, and just,
And if not so, at least Just though severe;
But when you personate it most,
Your mouth condemns that, which your heart would spare;
For when bribes hold the Scale, the lightest cause most weight do's bear.
II
The Wicked from the womb are gone astray,
Their wand'rings with their life begun,
And will no sooner than their life be done,
Nor seek they, what they know not, the right way:
Under their tongues conceal'd, and close,
A deadlier poyson than the Serpents lyes;
Adders less cautiously expose
Their ears to Charms, than they to hear the Wise,
As deaf to Counsel, as they greedy are of flatteries.
III
Break out the Lions teeth, nor let them more
The Innocent so proudly tear!
Let the young Lions, Lord, themselves in fear,
Not o're their prey, but torn with famine roar!
And as the Sand, though kind Heav'n poures
The like streams there, as on the fruitful Plain,
To Heav'n returns no thanks in flowers,
But only as it falls, drinks up the rain,
Like rain by Sand drunk up, let them be never rais'd again!
IV
When against me they throw their poyson'd darts,
And in their rage their bows do bend,
Or let them be too weak the shafts to send?
Or turn the Pykes into the Shooters hearts!
And as a Snail, which leaves behind
A silver film, along the way she pass'd,
But if you follow it you find
Both that, and her in slime conclude at last,
So let them perish, and from filthy slime, to Nothing wast!
V
Like an Abortive, which ne're saw the Sun,
But dy'd, e're it had any birth,
Born only that it might be thrown to th' Earth,
Let their Race end, e're it be well begun!
E're briars with the thorn can close,
And in their clasping Arms each other take,
Which grew acquainted as they rose,
And only forc't by fire, their holds forsake,
Let their ends be as suddain, as those their embraces make!
VI
The Just shall see't, and at the sight rejoyce,
And in their blood his Garments wash;
Without fear shall this Red Sea view, and pass,
And with such Acclamations raise his voice,
“Lo, for the Just what Crown remains!
“And what Reward God do's for Him provide;
“There is a King, who o're all reigns,
“And He with Justice shall each cause decide,
“By whose most Equal Laws judges themselves, and Thrones are try'd.
