Prison-Pietie or, Meditations Divine and Moral. Digested into Poetical Heads, On Mixt and Various Subjects. Whereunto is added A Panegyrick to The Right Reverend, and most Nobly descended, Henry, Lord Bishop of London. By Samuel Speed, Prisoner in Ludgate, London |
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On Singing of Psalms. |
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On Singing of Psalms.
Birds sweetly chirp and sing, but Nature gaveMe a harsh voice, more fit (than sing) to rave.
Should I use Art for a melodious strain,
'Twould be to spend my pretious time in vain.
When I sing Psalms and Hymns to God on high,
With devout praises to the Deity,
How can I think my voice shall please his ear,
When to my self it meanly doth appear?
Yet though I cannot chaunt a warbling tale
With the sweet musick of the Nightingale,
Or with the Blackbird chirp, I Swallow-like
Will chatter, or will with the Raven strike
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Than to be silent; for there may accrew
A Blessing by my will. If I want Art,
God thus commands, My son, give me thy heart.
Had God bestow'd on me a better voice,
With better musick I would then rejoyce:
But since 'tis so the Spirits influence
Shall salve my want of skill with store of sence.
To that end, blessed Lord, in me create
A heart unfeigned, new; and in that state,
With heart and understanding, I'll rejoyce,
And rest contented with my present voice.
Yet one thing more of God I do desire;
Make me a Quirester in Heaven's Quire.
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