University of Virginia Library


164

Psalme. LVIII.

The Argument.

Saules counsaylours: so far fro ryght,
This Psalme doth here dewray:
Whose craftes wyth like: shall God requite.
To sing once well away.

Si vere vtique.


1

If iust your myndes: be truly set,
ye counsaylours to ryght?
Iudge equally: in weyght and met,
ye sonnes of men in syght.

2

Yea ye in hart: do nothyng lesse,
in earth to wrong ye bende:
Your handes do worke: all wyckednes,
though ye the ryght pretende.

3

These wycked walke: in froward wyse,
from euen theyr mothers mylke:
Once borne they stray? and talke but lyes,
theyr wordes yet soft as silke.

4

Theyr poyson lyke: the poyson is,
of venome cockatryce:
Euen Adder lyke: all deafe I wis,
who stopth her eares to ryse.

5

Who hateth to heare: the charmers voyce,
charme he so neuer wyse:
Of ryght and wrong: they make no choyce,
all warnyng they despyse.

6

Wythin theyr mouthes: theyr teeth O God,
crushe thou, they be to sharpe:
The Lyons mouthes: theyr iawes so brode,
breke Lord, proud wordes they carpe.

165

7

To nought they passe: as water swyft,
wythin it selfe doth slyde:
And when to shoote: theyr shaftes they list,
let them go broken wyde.

8

As snayle that wasth: let them so wast,
thus creepyng crookedly:
As womans byrth: to tymely cast,
let them no sunne espy.

9

As tender ympes: of wycked thorne,
before theyr pryckes be hard:
Men roote them vp: so all be torne,
by wrath they shall be marde.

10

Then shall reioyce: the iust and good,
to see Gods vengeaunce come:
To bathe hys handes: in sinners bloud,
and thanke for hys good dome.

11

Then man shall say: wythouten mis,
the iust hath iust reward:
No doubt a God: in earth there is,
to iudge in ryght regard.