Adams Complaint The Olde Worldes Tragedie. Dauid and Bathsheba. A Ioue Musa [by Francis Sabie] |
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Dauid and Beersheba. |
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Dauid and Beersheba.
Svch time as Tytan with his fiery beames
In highest degree, made duskish Leo sweat:
Field-tilling Swains driue home their toiling teams,
Out-wearied with ardencie of heat:
And country heards to seeke a shadie seate:
All mortall things from seruency of weather,
In sheltring shades doe shroud themselues together.
In highest degree, made duskish Leo sweat:
Field-tilling Swains driue home their toiling teams,
Out-wearied with ardencie of heat:
And country heards to seeke a shadie seate:
All mortall things from seruency of weather,
In sheltring shades doe shroud themselues together.
Beersheba wife vnto Vrius stout,
A Captaine vnder Ioab of renowne:
Whom princely Dauid with a warring rout
Had sent to beat the pride of Ammon downe.
And to besiege and ransacke Rabbah towne,
Betooke her selfe into a garden faire,
Inricht with flowers, which sent a pleasant ayre.
A Captaine vnder Ioab of renowne:
Whom princely Dauid with a warring rout
Had sent to beat the pride of Ammon downe.
And to besiege and ransacke Rabbah towne,
Betooke her selfe into a garden faire,
Inricht with flowers, which sent a pleasant ayre.
On euery side this garden was beset,
With choice of rare delights and Arbors geason:
The Lentisk, fig-tree, and Pomgranet great,
Grew there in order, far surpassing reason.
The ground was deckt with Gyliflowers fine,
Carnations sweet, and speckled sops, in wine.
With choice of rare delights and Arbors geason:
The Lentisk, fig-tree, and Pomgranet great,
Grew there in order, far surpassing reason.
The ground was deckt with Gyliflowers fine,
Carnations sweet, and speckled sops, in wine.
There might you heare vpon the pleasant trees,
The little birds melodiously to sing:
Vpon the blossoms wrought the painfull Bees,
Neere was it to the pallace of the King,
Within it also was a pleasant spring.
Whose liquid humour moystened the same,
A garden worthy of so worthy dame.
The little birds melodiously to sing:
Vpon the blossoms wrought the painfull Bees,
Neere was it to the pallace of the King,
Within it also was a pleasant spring.
Whose liquid humour moystened the same,
A garden worthy of so worthy dame.
Now gathereth she the sweetest of the sweet,
And pretilie from flower to flower trippeth,
Soone after to the fountaine turnes her feet,
Then daintily her hands of gloues she strippeth,
And in the Chrystall waues her fingers dippeth.
She likes it well, and calles it passing coole,
And minds to bath her bodie in the poole.
And pretilie from flower to flower trippeth,
Soone after to the fountaine turnes her feet,
Then daintily her hands of gloues she strippeth,
And in the Chrystall waues her fingers dippeth.
She likes it well, and calles it passing coole,
And minds to bath her bodie in the poole.
Then nimbly castes she off her Damaske frocke,
Her Satten stole most curiously made:
Her Partlet needle-wrought, her Cambricke smocke,
And on a seat thereby them nicely laid.
And so to wash her in the well assay'd.
O shut thine eies Narcissus come not neere,
Least in the well a burning fire appeare.
Her Satten stole most curiously made:
Her Partlet needle-wrought, her Cambricke smocke,
And on a seat thereby them nicely laid.
And so to wash her in the well assay'd.
O shut thine eies Narcissus come not neere,
Least in the well a burning fire appeare.
Sleep still King Dauid in thy Princely bed,
Where now thou takst thine after-dinners nap:
O rouse not vp from sleep thy kingly head.
Least by mischaunce thou fall into a trap,
See heere of mans fragilitie a map:
Thou canst not (Dauid) needs must thou vpstart,
Thy God will haue thee know how frayle thou art.
Where now thou takst thine after-dinners nap:
O rouse not vp from sleep thy kingly head.
Least by mischaunce thou fall into a trap,
See heere of mans fragilitie a map:
Thou canst not (Dauid) needs must thou vpstart,
Thy God will haue thee know how frayle thou art.
Now riseth he, and vp in haste he flies,
Vpon the highest turret of his tower:
There standing, all the Cittie ouerpries
Her carued Bulwarkes, and ech goodly bower.
But O vnlucky time, O dismall hower!
Stop Ishas sonne thine eares, keep sayles on hie,
Least Syrens songs doe drawe thy mind awry.
Vpon the highest turret of his tower:
There standing, all the Cittie ouerpries
Her carued Bulwarkes, and ech goodly bower.
But O vnlucky time, O dismall hower!
Stop Ishas sonne thine eares, keep sayles on hie,
Least Syrens songs doe drawe thy mind awry.
Suruaying thus his towne, at length he cast
His eye-lids downe, and saw Beersheba naked:
His princely heart, which neuer yet did tast
Of euill, stroke with burning feuer quaked:
A fire he caught, by no waues to be slaked.
And as he striues to quench this flaming fire,
Still kindles it with bellowes of desire.
His eye-lids downe, and saw Beersheba naked:
His princely heart, which neuer yet did tast
Of euill, stroke with burning feuer quaked:
A fire he caught, by no waues to be slaked.
And as he striues to quench this flaming fire,
Still kindles it with bellowes of desire.
Much better hadst thou kept within thy pallace,
There on thy harpe t'aue fed thy mind with joy:
Or entertain'd some pretie pleasing sollace.
But are the godly subject to annoy?
Must they be ruled by a wanton boy?
His eie approou'd, his heart it gaue consent,
And both were spurres vnto his bad intent.
There on thy harpe t'aue fed thy mind with joy:
Or entertain'd some pretie pleasing sollace.
But are the godly subject to annoy?
Must they be ruled by a wanton boy?
His eie approou'd, his heart it gaue consent,
And both were spurres vnto his bad intent.
With washing waues her breast he saw her decke,
He cals it Nectar, wherof Angels drinke:
With Iuory armes she rubs her milky necke,
White Doues which fall on snow he doth them thinke
He wisheth he himselfe were at the brinke.
But with the candle whilst he thus doth play,
At last his wings were burned quite away,
He cals it Nectar, wherof Angels drinke:
With Iuory armes she rubs her milky necke,
White Doues which fall on snow he doth them thinke
He wisheth he himselfe were at the brinke.
But with the candle whilst he thus doth play,
At last his wings were burned quite away,
And now begins the combatant assault,
Betweene the willing flesh and nilling spirit.
The flesh alluring him vnto the fault,
The spirit tels him of a dreadfull merit.
And in the end flesh conquered the spirit.
He sends, she came, he wooes, she gaue consent,
And did the deed, not fearing to be shent.
Betweene the willing flesh and nilling spirit.
The flesh alluring him vnto the fault,
The spirit tels him of a dreadfull merit.
And in the end flesh conquered the spirit.
He sends, she came, he wooes, she gaue consent,
And did the deed, not fearing to be shent.
What hast thou done, O Psalmist? blush for shame,
Thinkst thou thy sinne will neuer come to light.
No, no, Iehouah will reueale the same,
Though thou hadst don't in silence of the night.
Yet would he bring it into open sight:
T'was he would put thy piety in triall,
To see if thou wouldst yeeld or make denyall.
Thinkst thou thy sinne will neuer come to light.
No, no, Iehouah will reueale the same,
Though thou hadst don't in silence of the night.
Yet would he bring it into open sight:
T'was he would put thy piety in triall,
To see if thou wouldst yeeld or make denyall.
Now three times Cynthia in the Welkin bright
Her circle full vnto the earth did lend:
Thrise had she lost againe her borrowed light,
Since Dauid with Beersheba did offend,
And now began she feele her wombe extend.
What should she doe? her fault she could not couer,
Of many dayes she had not seen her louer.
Her circle full vnto the earth did lend:
Thrise had she lost againe her borrowed light,
Since Dauid with Beersheba did offend,
And now began she feele her wombe extend.
What should she doe? her fault she could not couer,
Of many dayes she had not seen her louer.
And now shee moanes her to the King, and sayes
In mournfull sort, shee feeles her selfe with child:
His guilty mind disturbed many wayes,
(Wit waites on feare) finds out a pretie wild,
Wherwith he hopes his maker to beguild.
But what? can Prophets then so grosly slide,
And from their God suppose their sinnes to hide?
In mournfull sort, shee feeles her selfe with child:
His guilty mind disturbed many wayes,
(Wit waites on feare) finds out a pretie wild,
Wherwith he hopes his maker to beguild.
But what? can Prophets then so grosly slide,
And from their God suppose their sinnes to hide?
He sendeth word to Ioab presently,
His true estate in letters to expresse:
And therewith send Vrias speedilie,
Vrias comes, he readeth their successe,
And bids him goe vnto his wife in peace.
But see the more he labour'd to conceale it,
So much the more God labour'd to reueale it,
His true estate in letters to expresse:
And therewith send Vrias speedilie,
Vrias comes, he readeth their successe,
And bids him goe vnto his wife in peace.
But see the more he labour'd to conceale it,
So much the more God labour'd to reueale it,
Vrias would not goe vnto his house,
But gathered strawe, and layd it in the yard,
And caring not to frolike with his spouse,
He laid him down to sleep amid the Gard.
As soone as Dauid had these tydings hard,
He askes him why he rested not at home,
From toyling warres art thou not lately come?
But gathered strawe, and layd it in the yard,
And caring not to frolike with his spouse,
He laid him down to sleep amid the Gard.
As soone as Dauid had these tydings hard,
He askes him why he rested not at home,
From toyling warres art thou not lately come?
No (quoth Vrias) tis for me vnfit
To sleep within, whilst Ioab is without:
Vnseemly tis to see the seruant fit,
And let his maister toyle and run about:
What, lyeth not the Arke of God without?
I sweare by Dauids crowne and princelie head,
Whilst things goe thus, I will not come in bed.
To sleep within, whilst Ioab is without:
Vnseemly tis to see the seruant fit,
And let his maister toyle and run about:
What, lyeth not the Arke of God without?
I sweare by Dauids crowne and princelie head,
Whilst things goe thus, I will not come in bed.
And now is Dauid vexed worse and worse,
And euery way is forc'd his wits to sift:
By this he hath deuis'd a second course,
And means to put in vre a pretie shift,
To make Vrias drunken was his drift.
So thinkes he, hee'ill forget his dutie quite,
And mooued be therewith to some delight.
And euery way is forc'd his wits to sift:
By this he hath deuis'd a second course,
And means to put in vre a pretie shift,
To make Vrias drunken was his drift.
So thinkes he, hee'ill forget his dutie quite,
And mooued be therewith to some delight.
He charg'd his seruantes entertaine him well,
To giue him store of wine, and comfits daintie:
Before the King to banquetting they fell,
Sweet syrrops there they had, and wine great plentie:
He dranke to twentie, and he pledged twenty.
They quaft off flagons full, and spared not,
The third sell alwayes to Vrias lot.
To giue him store of wine, and comfits daintie:
Before the King to banquetting they fell,
Sweet syrrops there they had, and wine great plentie:
He dranke to twentie, and he pledged twenty.
They quaft off flagons full, and spared not,
The third sell alwayes to Vrias lot.
Heere, heer (saith one) I drinke vnto my brother,
Ile pledge him (quoth Vrias) hees my friend:
I drinke to such a Captaine (quoth another)
And he to all a good carrouse would send:
Surcharg'd with wine, he staggerd in the end.
He walketh vp and downe the stately hall,
But alwaies leanes, and cleaues vnto the wall.
Ile pledge him (quoth Vrias) hees my friend:
I drinke to such a Captaine (quoth another)
And he to all a good carrouse would send:
Surcharg'd with wine, he staggerd in the end.
He walketh vp and downe the stately hall,
But alwaies leanes, and cleaues vnto the wall.
Full glad was Dauid now, and hop'd his plot
Would take effect, he almost was secure:
He heard the souldiour talke he knew not what,
He with Beershebas name did him allure,
He thought that night would breed contentment sure
But what so ere he built, it could not stand,
For all his worke was built vpon the sand.
Would take effect, he almost was secure:
He heard the souldiour talke he knew not what,
He with Beershebas name did him allure,
He thought that night would breed contentment sure
But what so ere he built, it could not stand,
For all his worke was built vpon the sand.
Now night was come, all creatures went to rest,
Downe lay the Hitthite where he slept before:
King Dauid with a sea of cares opprest,
Was driuen welnigh to dispaire his doore,
Yet still against the streame he labours more.
Thus euermore sinne leadeth vnto sinne,
A lesser ends, and greater doth begin.
Downe lay the Hitthite where he slept before:
King Dauid with a sea of cares opprest,
Was driuen welnigh to dispaire his doore,
Yet still against the streame he labours more.
Thus euermore sinne leadeth vnto sinne,
A lesser ends, and greater doth begin.
Stay sinfull King, looke backe, and aske thy pardon,
It boots thee not alas thy selfe to hide:
So guiltie Adam hid him in the garden,
So Ionah fled vpon the surging tide.
Yet quickly had Iehouah them espide.
Looke backe (I say) confesse it is much better,
To hide a lesser sinne doe not a greater.
It boots thee not alas thy selfe to hide:
So guiltie Adam hid him in the garden,
So Ionah fled vpon the surging tide.
Yet quickly had Iehouah them espide.
Looke backe (I say) confesse it is much better,
To hide a lesser sinne doe not a greater.
And now againe hee's driuen to inuent,
And vp and downe for pollicies to roue:
Yet finds he nothing vnto his content,
At length the deuill a deadly plot doth moue,
And he thereof doth presently approue.
In errour blind still walkes the Letcher further,
And thinks to hide adultery with murther.
And vp and downe for pollicies to roue:
Yet finds he nothing vnto his content,
At length the deuill a deadly plot doth moue,
And he thereof doth presently approue.
In errour blind still walkes the Letcher further,
And thinks to hide adultery with murther.
Obliuious Prophet, call to minde thine oth,
Thou vowdst to keep the couenant of thy Lord:
More sweet thou saydst then combe or honey both,
More deare then Gems which Tagus doth afford.
Thou brag'dst thou joyedst only in his word.
Chose he not thee his tender lambes to keepe?
And like a Wolfe wilt thou deuoure his sheep?
Thou vowdst to keep the couenant of thy Lord:
More sweet thou saydst then combe or honey both,
More deare then Gems which Tagus doth afford.
Thou brag'dst thou joyedst only in his word.
Chose he not thee his tender lambes to keepe?
And like a Wolfe wilt thou deuoure his sheep?
And now begins this deuilishnesse to bud,
He vnto Ioab letters doth indite,
O fearfull letters, messengers of bloud,
He wils him place him foremost in the fight,
And let him die, whilst they escape by flight.
And by Vrias sends he him away,
he guiltlesse beares a sword himselfe to slay.
He vnto Ioab letters doth indite,
O fearfull letters, messengers of bloud,
He wils him place him foremost in the fight,
And let him die, whilst they escape by flight.
And by Vrias sends he him away,
he guiltlesse beares a sword himselfe to slay.
He guiltlesse beares a sword himselfe to flay,
And harmlesse feares no treason to be wrought:
So doth the Cony fall into the hay,
So is the bird vnto the Lyme-bush brought,
So on the hooke the nibling Fish is caught.
he to his Captaine doth his letters bring,
Who readeth them, and minds to doe the thing.
And harmlesse feares no treason to be wrought:
So doth the Cony fall into the hay,
So is the bird vnto the Lyme-bush brought,
So on the hooke the nibling Fish is caught.
he to his Captaine doth his letters bring,
Who readeth them, and minds to doe the thing.
Soone after causd he them the towne to sacke,
Next to the walles Vrias preass'd amaine:
The Rabbanits came out, Ioab fled backe,
And many of his souldiours there were slaine,
Among the which Vrias caught his bane.
O joyfull tydings to th'offenders eares,
Now frolickes he, and no suspition feares.
Next to the walles Vrias preass'd amaine:
The Rabbanits came out, Ioab fled backe,
And many of his souldiours there were slaine,
Among the which Vrias caught his bane.
O joyfull tydings to th'offenders eares,
Now frolickes he, and no suspition feares.
Securely now he layes him downe to sleepe,
As he were blemisht with no sinfull spot,
As all his sinnes were drowned in the deepe,
Or Lethes waues, where all thinges be forgot,
As though Iehouah wink'd and saw him not.
Till at the last vnto his vile disgrace,
Thus Nathan sent, reproou'd him to his face.
As he were blemisht with no sinfull spot,
As all his sinnes were drowned in the deepe,
Or Lethes waues, where all thinges be forgot,
As though Iehouah wink'd and saw him not.
Till at the last vnto his vile disgrace,
Thus Nathan sent, reproou'd him to his face.
Ah Churle (quoth he, and sadly tels the tale,)
Within a little cittie dwelling was:
Much cattell had he feeding in his pale,
And pastures faire, which yeelded hay and grasse,
None could be seene in riches him to passe.
Great store of golde he had, of Gems and treasure,
He felt no want, but liued at his pleasure.
Within a little cittie dwelling was:
Much cattell had he feeding in his pale,
And pastures faire, which yeelded hay and grasse,
None could be seene in riches him to passe.
Great store of golde he had, of Gems and treasure,
He felt no want, but liued at his pleasure.
A very poore man neere vnto him dwelled,
One little sheep, who fostered at his manger,
To which in loue he mightily excelled
And in his bosome shrouded her from danger.
Now to this Misers house there came a stranger.
And sparing all his owne, vnto the feast
He butchted vp, and eat the poore mans beast.
One little sheep, who fostered at his manger,
To which in loue he mightily excelled
And in his bosome shrouded her from danger.
Now to this Misers house there came a stranger.
And sparing all his owne, vnto the feast
He butchted vp, and eat the poore mans beast.
Hereat was Dauid verie sore incenst,
He chas'd, and rag'd thereat exceedinglie:
Without reuenge his wrath could not be quench'd,
He swore the man that did the sinne should die,
Himselfe would see him tortur'd by and by.
Thou, thou (quoth Nathan) art the man indeed
That hath commitred this detested deed.
He chas'd, and rag'd thereat exceedinglie:
Without reuenge his wrath could not be quench'd,
He swore the man that did the sinne should die,
Himselfe would see him tortur'd by and by.
Thou, thou (quoth Nathan) art the man indeed
That hath commitred this detested deed.
Thus sayth thy God, thou wert a shepheards boy,
A seruile arte, and feddest sheep in field:
Then wert thou subject vnto much annoy,
A russet cloake did thee from weather shield.
And liuedst of the fruite thy flocke did yeeld.
A shepheards hooke vpon thy back thou borest,
A lether scrip about thy necke thou worest.
A seruile arte, and feddest sheep in field:
Then wert thou subject vnto much annoy,
A russet cloake did thee from weather shield.
And liuedst of the fruite thy flocke did yeeld.
A shepheards hooke vpon thy back thou borest,
A lether scrip about thy necke thou worest.
Then ioyest thou to gather Filberds ripe,
To play at Barly-breake amongst the Swaines:
To tune rude Odes vpon an Oaten pipe,
Thy feeding heards to follow on the plaines,
And driue them backe againe, no little paines
From greedy Wolues to shield thy tender Lambes,
And meat to fetch vnto their blating Dams,
To play at Barly-breake amongst the Swaines:
To tune rude Odes vpon an Oaten pipe,
Thy feeding heards to follow on the plaines,
And driue them backe againe, no little paines
From greedy Wolues to shield thy tender Lambes,
And meat to fetch vnto their blating Dams,
And now thy title low I haue suborned,
Made thee my Prophet of a shepheard base:
And with a Regall Crowne thine head adorned,
I chaung'd thy sheep-hook to a princelie Mace:
What earthly man is now in higher place?
Thou hadst seuen brethren goodlier in blee.
Yet I refusing them, made choise of thee.
Made thee my Prophet of a shepheard base:
And with a Regall Crowne thine head adorned,
I chaung'd thy sheep-hook to a princelie Mace:
What earthly man is now in higher place?
Thou hadst seuen brethren goodlier in blee.
Yet I refusing them, made choise of thee.
I ouerthrew Goliah with thy sling,
Thou but a dwarfe, and he a Gyant tall,
I gaue to thee the daughter of a King,
I sau'd thee from the hands of murthring Saulo,
I gaue thee wiues, and concubines and all.
I made thee feed my people Israell,
And all because I loued thee so well.
Thou but a dwarfe, and he a Gyant tall,
I gaue to thee the daughter of a King,
I sau'd thee from the hands of murthring Saulo,
I gaue thee wiues, and concubines and all.
I made thee feed my people Israell,
And all because I loued thee so well.
And if in heart thou hadst desired more,
More also had I added to thy life:
But thou of wiues although thou haddest store,
Hast taken vnto thee Vrias wife,
And caus'd him to be slaine by Ammons knife.
And walking still in this absurditie,
Thinkst to conceale this haynous sin from me.
More also had I added to thy life:
But thou of wiues although thou haddest store,
Hast taken vnto thee Vrias wife,
And caus'd him to be slaine by Ammons knife.
And walking still in this absurditie,
Thinkst to conceale this haynous sin from me.
Now whilst thou liu'st, for this which thou hast done,
The sword shall neuer from thy house depart:
And of thy seed thou shalt beget a sonne,
Which shall pursue thee with a deadly dart.
Now is the Psalmist stroken to the heart.
Three sundry times endeuoured he to speake,
Three times he sob'd as though his heart would break
The sword shall neuer from thy house depart:
And of thy seed thou shalt beget a sonne,
Which shall pursue thee with a deadly dart.
Now is the Psalmist stroken to the heart.
Three sundry times endeuoured he to speake,
Three times he sob'd as though his heart would break
And now at last begins he to relent,
A showre of teares distilled from his eyes:
His heart is humbled, fearing to be shent,
And lifting mind and hands vnto the skies,
Peccaui Deus, manie times be cries
Rise vp (quoth Nathan) God doth heare thy crie
Thy sin is pardon'd, but thy child shall die.
A showre of teares distilled from his eyes:
His heart is humbled, fearing to be shent,
And lifting mind and hands vnto the skies,
Peccaui Deus, manie times be cries
Rise vp (quoth Nathan) God doth heare thy crie
Thy sin is pardon'd, but thy child shall die.
And then in heart as lowly as a childe,
Betakes him to his chamber all alone:
There weepeth he before his maker milde,
And oftimes sobbing, maketh piteous mone,
Complayning other help it he hath none.
Thus in the end distressed as he stood,
He tooke his harpe and warbled out this Ode.
Betakes him to his chamber all alone:
There weepeth he before his maker milde,
And oftimes sobbing, maketh piteous mone,
Complayning other help it he hath none.
Thus in the end distressed as he stood,
He tooke his harpe and warbled out this Ode.
DAVIDS ODE.
O Great Creator of the starrie Pole,
and heauenly things:
O mightie founder of the earthly mole,
chiefe king of Kings.
Whose gentle pardon euermore is nere,
To them which crie vnfaynedly with feare,
Distrest with sin,
I now begin,
To come to thee, O Lord giue eare,
and heauenly things:
O mightie founder of the earthly mole,
chiefe king of Kings.
Whose gentle pardon euermore is nere,
To them which crie vnfaynedly with feare,
Distrest with sin,
I now begin,
To come to thee, O Lord giue eare,
O Lord look down frō thy chrystallin throne,
enuirond round,
With Seraphins, and Angels manie one,
thy praise who sound:
Such fauour Lord on me vouchsafe to send,
As on thy chosen flock thou doest extend.
To thee alone
I make my mone.
Some pittie father on me send.
enuirond round,
With Seraphins, and Angels manie one,
thy praise who sound:
Such fauour Lord on me vouchsafe to send,
As on thy chosen flock thou doest extend.
To thee alone
I make my mone.
Some pittie father on me send.
Remember Lord, that it is more then need,
to send redresse,
My sore will grow (vnlesse thou help with speed)
remedilesse.
Therfore in mercie looke down from aboue,
And visit me with thy heart-joying loue.
Alas, I see
No cause in me
Which vnto pitie may thee moue.
to send redresse,
remedilesse.
Therfore in mercie looke down from aboue,
And visit me with thy heart-joying loue.
Alas, I see
No cause in me
Which vnto pitie may thee moue.
With sinne I only haue offended thee,
O Lord my God,
And therwithall I purchas'd haue to me
thine heauie rod:
The waight of it doth presse me verie sore,
And brings me wel nigh to dispaire his doore.
Alas I shame
To tell the same:
It is before thee euermore.
O Lord my God,
And therwithall I purchas'd haue to me
thine heauie rod:
The waight of it doth presse me verie sore,
And brings me wel nigh to dispaire his doore.
Alas I shame
To tell the same:
It is before thee euermore.
And this is not first time I sinn'd alas,
by many moe:
Within the wombe in sin conceiu'd I was,
Borne was I so.
And since that day I neuer yet did cease,
From time to time thy highnesse to displease.
My life hath bin
A race of sin:
Me with thy comfort somewhat ease.
by many moe:
Within the wombe in sin conceiu'd I was,
Borne was I so.
And since that day I neuer yet did cease,
From time to time thy highnesse to displease.
My life hath bin
A race of sin:
Me with thy comfort somewhat ease.
O why did I offend thy glorious Grace
so hainously?
Why fear'd I not the presence of thy face
who stoodest by?
Because I should acknowledge thee most just,
And in mine owne vprightnes shuld not trust:
Fraile is my fleshs
I must confesse,
And nought is it but sinne and dust.
so hainously?
Why fear'd I not the presence of thy face
who stoodest by?
Because I should acknowledge thee most just,
Fraile is my fleshs
I must confesse,
And nought is it but sinne and dust.
If thou shalt me asperge with sprinkling grasse,
or Hysope greene:
As Chrystall pure, or as the shining glasse,
I shall be cleane,
And if thou wilt me wash with water cleare,
More white then Scythan snow I shall appeare
Then whitest snow
which wind doth blow
From place to place both farre and neere.
or Hysope greene:
As Chrystall pure, or as the shining glasse,
I shall be cleane,
And if thou wilt me wash with water cleare,
More white then Scythan snow I shall appeare
Then whitest snow
which wind doth blow
From place to place both farre and neere.
My mind O Lord, infectious and foule,
make cleane and pure:
Into thy hands I humbly giue my soule
to heale and cure.
Out of thy booke all mine offences blot,
And with thy blood quite take away my spot.
So shall my hart
Be free from smart,
And mine offences quite forgot.
make cleane and pure:
Into thy hands I humbly giue my soule
to heale and cure.
Out of thy booke all mine offences blot,
And with thy blood quite take away my spot.
So shall my hart
Be free from smart,
And mine offences quite forgot.
Turn back thy face which al things doth behold
from heauens vault:
Least thou espie my trespasse manifold,
and hainous fault.
My faults, which are in number many more
Then little sands which are vpon the shore,
refraine thine ire,
I thee desire,
And also heale my deadly sore.
from heauens vault:
Least thou espie my trespasse manifold,
and hainous fault.
My faults, which are in number many more
Then little sands which are vpon the shore,
refraine thine ire,
And also heale my deadly sore.
Within my breast (O Lord) an humble spirit,
do thou create:
And of thy comfort doe not me disherit,
I thee intreat.
Let me enjoy the sun-shine of thy face,
Take not from me the solace of thy grace,
The holy Ghost:
My comfort most.
Let me retaine in any case.
do thou create:
And of thy comfort doe not me disherit,
I thee intreat.
Let me enjoy the sun-shine of thy face,
Take not from me the solace of thy grace,
The holy Ghost:
My comfort most.
Let me retaine in any case.
My tongue vntie, my lips (O Lord) resolue,
thou art the key:
So will my tongue thy mercie great reuolue,
from day to day.
Then shall the wicked learne by mine example,
To keep thy statutes which be sweet and ample
And seeing me,
shall turne to thee,
And in the right way learne to trample.
thou art the key:
So will my tongue thy mercie great reuolue,
from day to day.
Then shall the wicked learne by mine example,
To keep thy statutes which be sweet and ample
And seeing me,
shall turne to thee,
And in the right way learne to trample.
Wouldst thou haue bin with sacrifice content,
much fat of Rammes,
Much incense sweet on thee wold I haue spent
and blood of Lambes:
But thou (O God) therto hast no respect,
A broken heart thou neuer wilt reject:
That sacrifice
Is of most price,
That onlie with thee takes effect.
much fat of Rammes,
Much incense sweet on thee wold I haue spent
and blood of Lambes:
But thou (O God) therto hast no respect,
A broken heart thou neuer wilt reject:
That sacrifice
Is of most price,
That onlie with thee takes effect.
Be gentle Lord to thy Sionian towne,
bow downe thy face,
And on thy Shalem send thy mercie downe,
and louing grace:
Reedifie her bulwarkes like to fall,
And vp againe build her decaying wall.
Then will I praise
Thy name alwayes.
And giue burnt offrings therewithall.
bow downe thy face,
And on thy Shalem send thy mercie downe,
and louing grace:
Reedifie her bulwarkes like to fall,
And vp againe build her decaying wall.
Then will I praise
Thy name alwayes.
And giue burnt offrings therewithall.
And ceaseth not from day to day to mone,
His heart with anguish of his sorrowe faints.
And still he kneels before his makers throne.
At midnight sends he manie a grieuous grone.
So did his God in mercie on him looke.
And all his sinnes did race out of his booke.
| Adams Complaint | |