Du Bartas His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester |
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| The Proëm. |
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 | Du Bartas |  |
The Proëm.
A solid
Rock, farre-seated in the Sea
(Where many Vessels haue been cast away)
Though blackest Storms of blustering Winds dothress,
Though boistrous Rage of roaring Billowes beat;
Though it be reakt with Lightning, and with Thunder;
Though all at once assault, and Each asunder;
With massie Bulk of it Selfes Marble Tower,
Still, still repells th'ineuitable Stower;
And seemes still firmer, and more permanent,
The more the Tempest hath been violent:
Right so the Faithfull; in whose humble Brest
Religious feare of God is deepe imprest;
What-euer Stroak of Fortune threat his State,
What-euer Danger him discommodate,
What-euer Mischiefe that betide him shall,
VVhat-euer Losse, what-euer Crosse befall;
Inflexible, inuincible, pursues
The sacred Footings he did euer vse:
And aye more constant and confirm'd is He,
The more extream his sad Afflictions be.
(Where many Vessels haue been cast away)
Though blackest Storms of blustering Winds dothress,
Though boistrous Rage of roaring Billowes beat;
Though it be reakt with Lightning, and with Thunder;
Though all at once assault, and Each asunder;
With massie Bulk of it Selfes Marble Tower,
Still, still repells th'ineuitable Stower;
And seemes still firmer, and more permanent,
The more the Tempest hath been violent:
Right so the Faithfull; in whose humble Brest
Religious feare of God is deepe imprest;
What-euer Stroak of Fortune threat his State,
What-euer Danger him discommodate,
What-euer Mischiefe that betide him shall,
VVhat-euer Losse, what-euer Crosse befall;
Inflexible, inuincible, pursues
The sacred Footings he did euer vse:
And aye more constant and confirm'd is He,
The more extream his sad Afflictions be.
If any Spirit inspir'd with Holy-mood,
Carefully-curious of the Publike Good,
Would liuely limne th'immortall Excellence
Of such a Pattern of such Patience,
As neither Elements displaced quight,
Nor enuious Starres, nor angry Foes despight,
Nor all the Fiends insatiate Furie fell
(By fraud or force) could euer quail or quell:
Twere labour lost, to fable (Homer-like)
The strange long Voyage of a wily Greek;
The Paines, the Perills, and extream Disease
That he endured, both by Land and Seas;
Sith sacred Truth's Heav'n-prompted Books present
In Constant Iob, a worthier Argument.
Carefully-curious of the Publike Good,
Would liuely limne th'immortall Excellence
Of such a Pattern of such Patience,
As neither Elements displaced quight,
Nor enuious Starres, nor angry Foes despight,
895
(By fraud or force) could euer quail or quell:
Twere labour lost, to fable (Homer-like)
The strange long Voyage of a wily Greek;
The Paines, the Perills, and extream Disease
That he endured, both by Land and Seas;
Sith sacred Truth's Heav'n-prompted Books present
In Constant Iob, a worthier Argument.
Thou then, Vrania, to whom right belongs
The sacred Consort of Celestiall Songs,
Tune Thou my Voyce, Thou teach me to record
Who did incite, what did inuite the Lord,
With Miseries so rewfull and so rife,
So to disturb his quiet happy Life;
What haynous Sin, what horrid high Offence,
The Almightie's Vengeance mought so deep incense:
Or else what Cause, what Obiect, else might stir-it.
Boiles there such Wrath in an impassiue Spirit?
The sacred Consort of Celestiall Songs,
Tune Thou my Voyce, Thou teach me to record
Who did incite, what did inuite the Lord,
With Miseries so rewfull and so rife,
So to disturb his quiet happy Life;
What haynous Sin, what horrid high Offence,
The Almightie's Vengeance mought so deep incense:
Or else what Cause, what Obiect, else might stir-it.
Boiles there such Wrath in an impassiue Spirit?
Bvt
, O Presumption! Why haue I begun
(Alas! no Prophet, neither Prophet's Sonne?
No Priest, no Leuite; nay no Israelite
(Such as Nathanael) but a Cananite
Full of Corruption, foule of hand and hart)
To touch the Ark? to vnder-take This Part?
(Alas! no Prophet, neither Prophet's Sonne?
No Priest, no Leuite; nay no Israelite
(Such as Nathanael) but a Cananite
Full of Corruption, foule of hand and hart)
To touch the Ark? to vnder-take This Part?
Ah! pardon Lord; O! purifie mee all
From all Prophanenesse; from Sinne's bitter Gall:
And as yer-while it pleasd thee to infuse
In mine vnschooled and vnskilfull Muse
(By vertue of Thine All-sufficing Grace)
Immediat power du-Bartas Track to trace:
So as (how euer weak, and Art-lesse, I,)
That Worke findes Welcome with the grauest Eye:
Now more good Lord, my Wits and Words refine,
To treat diuinely Matter so Diuine:
O! sacred Spirit now sanctifie my Stile;
Let not my Sensuall, thy pure Sense defile:
But tune mee, right, to Eccho, as belongs,
Thy Hvssian's Sighs, and then Thy Iessean's Songs.
And to that end, vouchsafe me (at thy pleasure)
Lesse Need-full Life, in a lesse Care-full leasure.
From all Prophanenesse; from Sinne's bitter Gall:
And as yer-while it pleasd thee to infuse
In mine vnschooled and vnskilfull Muse
(By vertue of Thine All-sufficing Grace)
Immediat power du-Bartas Track to trace:
So as (how euer weak, and Art-lesse, I,)
That Worke findes Welcome with the grauest Eye:
Now more good Lord, my Wits and Words refine,
To treat diuinely Matter so Diuine:
O! sacred Spirit now sanctifie my Stile;
Let not my Sensuall, thy pure Sense defile:
But tune mee, right, to Eccho, as belongs,
Thy Hvssian's Sighs, and then Thy Iessean's Songs.
And to that end, vouchsafe me (at thy pleasure)
Lesse Need-full Life, in a lesse Care-full leasure.
Neere where Idume's dry and sandy Soile
Spreads Palmful Forests, dwelt a Man yer-while,
Of life vnblotted, and vnspotted Fame;
God-fearing, Iust, Sin-flying, Iob by Name.
Spreads Palmful Forests, dwelt a Man yer-while,
Of life vnblotted, and vnspotted Fame;
God-fearing, Iust, Sin-flying, Iob by Name.
With due respect to Heauen's and Nature's Law
In Wedlocks sweet Yoake did he seemly draw:
Whence, by that Bountie, whose all Blessings bee,
Seaven Sonnes he had, and louely Daughters Three.
Great was his Substance: for, of fleecie Sheep
Vpon the Downes seavn Thousand did he keep;
Fiue hundred yoak of Oxen did he owe;
Fiue hundred Ass shees, Camels six times so:
Great Train within doores, & great Train with-out,
Made him esteem'd through all the East about.
In Wedlocks sweet Yoake did he seemly draw:
Whence, by that Bountie, whose all Blessings bee,
Seaven Sonnes he had, and louely Daughters Three.
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Vpon the Downes seavn Thousand did he keep;
Fiue hundred yoak of Oxen did he owe;
Fiue hundred Ass shees, Camels six times so:
Great Train within doores, & great Train with-out,
Made him esteem'd through all the East about.
His Sons, by turns, their Sisters did inuite
And feast each other, in a Daily Rite:
Iob blest them euery Even; and euery Morn
When first Aurora's rosie beames return,
The good Old-man, to God, in humble-wise,
For each of them did offer Sacrifice:
Lest They might haue mis-don, mis-said, mis-thought,
Or (in their Feasts) offended God by ought.
And feast each other, in a Daily Rite:
Iob blest them euery Even; and euery Morn
When first Aurora's rosie beames return,
The good Old-man, to God, in humble-wise,
For each of them did offer Sacrifice:
Lest They might haue mis-don, mis-said, mis-thought,
Or (in their Feasts) offended God by ought.
While happy Iob thus brought the yeere about,
It came to pass one day when all the Rout
Of Light-full Angels did themselues present
Before the Foot-stoole of th'Omnipotent,
There also came the Executioner,
Th'ambitious Prince, Malicious Lucifer:
With whom the Lord expostulating, Thus
Said; Sathan, say, Whence comest Thou to Vs?
I come, said He, from walking in and out,
And compassing the Earthlie Ball about.
Hast thou not then suruey'd my Seruant Iob
(Reply'd the Lord) whose like in all the Globe
There is not found; so full of loving-feare,
So faithfull, fruitfull, rightfull, and sincere?
It came to pass one day when all the Rout
Of Light-full Angels did themselues present
Before the Foot-stoole of th'Omnipotent,
There also came the Executioner,
Th'ambitious Prince, Malicious Lucifer:
With whom the Lord expostulating, Thus
Said; Sathan, say, Whence comest Thou to Vs?
I come, said He, from walking in and out,
And compassing the Earthlie Ball about.
Hast thou not then suruey'd my Seruant Iob
(Reply'd the Lord) whose like in all the Globe
There is not found; so full of loving-feare,
So faithfull, fruitfull, rightfull, and sincere?
Is it for Nothing, said the subtle Foe,
That Iob adores, and loues and fears Thee so?
Hast thou not hedg'd him safe on euery side?
Hast thou not heapt him Blessings far and wide?
But, for awhile with-hold thy Fauour's stream,
With-draw thy hand, and hide thy Bounties beam,
Then shalt thou see (or double my Disgrace)
Hee will anon blaspheme thee to thy Face.
That Iob adores, and loues and fears Thee so?
Hast thou not hedg'd him safe on euery side?
Hast thou not heapt him Blessings far and wide?
But, for awhile with-hold thy Fauour's stream,
With-draw thy hand, and hide thy Bounties beam,
Then shalt thou see (or double my Disgrace)
Hee will anon blaspheme thee to thy Face.
Lo, said th'Eternall from this instant hower
All that he hath is in thy hand and power;
All, but Himselfe, Himselfe I sole exempt.
Satan eftsones assumes his bold Attempt.
All that he hath is in thy hand and power;
All, but Himselfe, Himselfe I sole exempt.
Satan eftsones assumes his bold Attempt.
As all his Children were together met,
Their elder Brothers hartie Cheere to eat
Came one to Iob running, and breathless nigh,
Scarce could he speak, yet weakly thus did cry,
Ah! woe is me to be the Messenger
Of so sad Newes as now I bring you, Sir:
As all your Oxen vnder painfull yoak,
Their pointed Iourneyes in your Fallowes broke;
And as your Asses in the Meads did feed,
Sabéan Thieues came forth with furious speed
And tooke them all, and all your Seruants slew,
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
Their elder Brothers hartie Cheere to eat
Came one to Iob running, and breathless nigh,
Scarce could he speak, yet weakly thus did cry,
Ah! woe is me to be the Messenger
Of so sad Newes as now I bring you, Sir:
As all your Oxen vnder painfull yoak,
Their pointed Iourneyes in your Fallowes broke;
897
Sabéan Thieues came forth with furious speed
And tooke them all, and all your Seruants slew,
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
While He yet spake, there came Another in,
Hared and hot, and Thus did He begin:
Sir, from the Heav'ns a suddaine Fire did fall
Among your Sheep, and hath consum'd them all,
And slaine your Seruants yer they could eschew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it You.
Hared and hot, and Thus did He begin:
Sir, from the Heav'ns a suddaine Fire did fall
Among your Sheep, and hath consum'd them all,
And slaine your Seruants yer they could eschew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it You.
While He yet spake, Another came, amaz'd,
And sadly said; Sir, while your Camels graz'd
In your owne Pastures vp and down the lands,
The proud Chaldeans, in three armed Bands,
Surpriz'd them all, and all your Seruants slew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
And sadly said; Sir, while your Camels graz'd
In your owne Pastures vp and down the lands,
The proud Chaldeans, in three armed Bands,
Surpriz'd them all, and all your Seruants slew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
While He yet spake, Another came and cryde
In pitious Fright (as if himselfe beside)
O, Sir! your Sonns and Daughters (all the rest)
Were met to day at my young Masters Feast,
VVhere, from beyond the VVilderness anon
A suddain VVhirle-wind, rose, and rusht vpon
The corners of the House, and shooke it so
That instantly it fell from Top to Toe,
And with the Fall them altogether slew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
In pitious Fright (as if himselfe beside)
O, Sir! your Sonns and Daughters (all the rest)
Were met to day at my young Masters Feast,
VVhere, from beyond the VVilderness anon
A suddain VVhirle-wind, rose, and rusht vpon
The corners of the House, and shooke it so
That instantly it fell from Top to Toe,
And with the Fall them altogether slew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
Then starting vp, Iob gan his clothes to rent,
Shaues his hoare haire, his head with ashes sprent;
As in a swoune falls to the ground with grones,
And sadly sighing Thus himselfe bemones
Ah! Naked came I from my Mothers wombe,
Naked I shall returne vnto my Tombe:
The Lord hath taken what himselfe hath giuen:
Blessed be God, th'Almighty Lord of Heauen.
Shaues his hoare haire, his head with ashes sprent;
As in a swoune falls to the ground with grones,
And sadly sighing Thus himselfe bemones
Ah! Naked came I from my Mothers wombe,
Naked I shall returne vnto my Tombe:
The Lord hath taken what himselfe hath giuen:
Blessed be God, th'Almighty Lord of Heauen.
Yet did not Iob, for all that him mis-fell,
Murmur at God, nor inly sink or swell;
Nor sinne against th'eternall Prouidence,
But suffred all with humble Patience.
Murmur at God, nor inly sink or swell;
Nor sinne against th'eternall Prouidence,
But suffred all with humble Patience.
Another day, when all the sacred Bands
Came all attending their high Kings commands,
Came also Hee, whose Envie (since Hee fell
From Heau'n hath striu'n to hale down Man to Hell;
With whom the Lord expostulateth Thus:
Now Sathan, say, Whence comest Thou to Vs?
I come said He, from walking in and out,
And compassing the Earthlie Ball about.
Then, Hast thou found, replyes the Omnipotent,
In all thy Circuit, Man more confident,
Or minde more Constant, or more faithfull Soule,
Therr Iob my Seruant: whom thine Enuy foule,
Late, vrg'd my Leaue by sharp Assaults to try?
How hast thou sped? What hast thou got thereby?
Came all attending their high Kings commands,
Came also Hee, whose Envie (since Hee fell
From Heau'n hath striu'n to hale down Man to Hell;
With whom the Lord expostulateth Thus:
Now Sathan, say, Whence comest Thou to Vs?
I come said He, from walking in and out,
And compassing the Earthlie Ball about.
Then, Hast thou found, replyes the Omnipotent,
In all thy Circuit, Man more confident,
898
Therr Iob my Seruant: whom thine Enuy foule,
Late, vrg'd my Leaue by sharp Assaults to try?
How hast thou sped? What hast thou got thereby?
Alas, said Hee, I reft him but the things
That flie from Men with transitory wings;
And therefore he regards his losse the lesse:
But would thy Power him somwhat neerer presse,
Would'st thou permit me touch him to the quick,
I yeeld me conquer'd, if he doe not kick;
If more he serue, trust, pray, or praise thy Grace,
If he, in fine, blaspheme not to thy Face.
Pinch but his Body, and then, Skin for Skin,
Hee'l wince without, and sodain flinch within.
That flie from Men with transitory wings;
And therefore he regards his losse the lesse:
But would thy Power him somwhat neerer presse,
Would'st thou permit me touch him to the quick,
I yeeld me conquer'd, if he doe not kick;
If more he serue, trust, pray, or praise thy Grace,
If he, in fine, blaspheme not to thy Face.
Pinch but his Body, and then, Skin for Skin,
Hee'l wince without, and sodain flinch within.
Go Fiend, said God; sith th'art so obstinate,
Fall on my Iob, him felly cruciat:
Touch not his Soule; his Body only touch.
Fall on my Iob, him felly cruciat:
Touch not his Soule; his Body only touch.
Hence Satan hyes, glad that he might so much.
Without Delay then, with the most Despight,
He sets on Iob; and in most pitious Plight,
With vlcerous Anguish fils his body so,
That crusted all in Scabs from top to toe,
Amid the Ashes, sad and desolate,
Scraping his Sores with shels (or sherds) he sate;
Yet Constant still, still calmely Patient,
Without a word of grudging Discontent.
Without Delay then, with the most Despight,
He sets on Iob; and in most pitious Plight,
With vlcerous Anguish fils his body so,
That crusted all in Scabs from top to toe,
Amid the Ashes, sad and desolate,
Scraping his Sores with shels (or sherds) he sate;
Yet Constant still, still calmely Patient,
Without a word of grudging Discontent.
Then said his Wife, VVhat helps Integrity?
What boots it, Man? alas! curse God, and die.
Go, foolish Woman, the good man reply'd,
Thy rebell heart doth thy rash tongue mis-guide:
Shall we, from God, of Good receiue our Fill;
And, at his pleasure, not partake of Ill?
So Iob as yet, for all that him mis-fell,
Displeas'd not God, but bore it wondrous well.
What boots it, Man? alas! curse God, and die.
Go, foolish Woman, the good man reply'd,
Thy rebell heart doth thy rash tongue mis-guide:
Shall we, from God, of Good receiue our Fill;
And, at his pleasure, not partake of Ill?
So Iob as yet, for all that him mis-fell,
Displeas'd not God, but bore it wondrous well.
By This, the light-foot, feather-tongued Dame
Had farr and wide spread and disperst the fame
Of Iob's Mis-fortunes (from the first begun)
That He was halfe dead, and was whole vndone.
Had farr and wide spread and disperst the fame
Of Iob's Mis-fortunes (from the first begun)
That He was halfe dead, and was whole vndone.
His Friends then, Eliphas the Themanite,
Bildad the Shuite, the Naamathite
Zophar (as others) hearing this report,
As soone as might be towards him resort;
Resolu'd with Comforts, to relieue in part
Their Friends Affliction, and asswage his Smart.
Bildad the Shuite, the Naamathite
Zophar (as others) hearing this report,
As soone as might be towards him resort;
Resolu'd with Comforts, to relieue in part
Their Friends Affliction, and asswage his Smart.
But, there arriued, at the very sight
Of his so wofull and so wretched Plight,
They all amaz'd their Garments sadly tore,
Their heads with Ashes all besprinkled o're;
And for seav'n dayes and nights in Sorow drown'd,
Lay grieuing, by him, groueling on the ground,
Without word speaking, lest vntimely trouble
Amid his Anguish should his Dolors double.
Of his so wofull and so wretched Plight,
They all amaz'd their Garments sadly tore,
Their heads with Ashes all besprinkled o're;
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Lay grieuing, by him, groueling on the ground,
Without word speaking, lest vntimely trouble
Amid his Anguish should his Dolors double.
O! Wo be to the Day when I was born:
O! be it euer of the Light forlorn:
O! may it euer vnder Darknes lie,
And neuer Sun vouchsafe it cheerfull eye;
Nor God regard it: let a deadly Shade
O're-clowde it aye, as euer Dismall made.
O! be it euer of the Light forlorn:
O! may it euer vnder Darknes lie,
And neuer Sun vouchsafe it cheerfull eye;
Nor God regard it: let a deadly Shade
O're-clowde it aye, as euer Dismall made.
O! wo be also to the Night wherein
My Mother my Conception did begin:
Lightning and Thunder thrill it euermore,
Whirle-wind and Tempest may it euer roare:
Of Fogs, of Frosts, of Showers, of Snowes, of Haile,
Of Mists, of Mil-drawes may it neuer faile:
May it no more in Calendar be plaç't;
But, from the Role of Months and Yeares be raç't:
May th'Euening Stars be dark: No light returning:
May it no more see th'Eye-lids of the Morning,
Because it clos'd not, at my wretched Birth,
The fruitful Doore that brought me weeping forth,
But let me passe into this woefull Light,
To vndergoe so miserable Plight.
My Mother my Conception did begin:
Lightning and Thunder thrill it euermore,
Whirle-wind and Tempest may it euer roare:
Of Fogs, of Frosts, of Showers, of Snowes, of Haile,
Of Mists, of Mil-drawes may it neuer faile:
May it no more in Calendar be plaç't;
But, from the Role of Months and Yeares be raç't:
May th'Euening Stars be dark: No light returning:
May it no more see th'Eye-lids of the Morning,
Because it clos'd not, at my wretched Birth,
The fruitful Doore that brought me weeping forth,
But let me passe into this woefull Light,
To vndergoe so miserable Plight.
O! Why, when shapelesse in my Mothers Womb
I lay as dead, VVhy did not Death strike home:
VVhy not (alas!) amid the bearing Throes,
VVhen I began to feele Mans feeble VVoes?
VVhy did the knees support me? VVhy the Brest
Supply me suck? VVhy was I swath'd and drest?
Sith else (alas!) I had now lien at ease,
Had been at rest, had slept in quietnesse,
Among the high and mighty Potentates,
Kings, Counsellors, great Lords, and Magistrates,
Who in the World to leaue their Names Renowne,
Haue built them Bowers which others shall pul-downe:
And those rich Princes that haue heapt of-old
Their houses full of Siluer and of Gold.
Or, VVhy (alas!) as an Abortiue Birth,
VVas I not hid and buried in the Earth?
There, Tyrants cease from their imperious Pride:
There, Vertuous VVorkers at their rest abide:
There, Prisoners rest from their Oppressors Braule:
There, Slaues are free from their fell Masters Thrall:
There, High and Lowe (without Disdain, or Dread)
Rest all together in one Common bed.
I lay as dead, VVhy did not Death strike home:
VVhy not (alas!) amid the bearing Throes,
VVhen I began to feele Mans feeble VVoes?
VVhy did the knees support me? VVhy the Brest
Supply me suck? VVhy was I swath'd and drest?
Sith else (alas!) I had now lien at ease,
Had been at rest, had slept in quietnesse,
Among the high and mighty Potentates,
Kings, Counsellors, great Lords, and Magistrates,
Who in the World to leaue their Names Renowne,
Haue built them Bowers which others shall pul-downe:
And those rich Princes that haue heapt of-old
Their houses full of Siluer and of Gold.
Or, VVhy (alas!) as an Abortiue Birth,
VVas I not hid and buried in the Earth?
There, Tyrants cease from their imperious Pride:
There, Vertuous VVorkers at their rest abide:
There, Prisoners rest from their Oppressors Braule:
There, Slaues are free from their fell Masters Thrall:
There, High and Lowe (without Disdain, or Dread)
Rest all together in one Common bed.
900
O! wished Death (more to be wisht then Life)
Thou breakst the Force of Enuies Engines rife:
Thou cuttest-off our Trauails Tediousnesse:
Thou kilst our Cares, Thou calm'st our most Distress.
O! to the wretched why is Light imparted?
Why Life (alas!) vnto the heauie-hearted?
(Who longs for Death: and if it linger long,
Would fainer seek it then euen Gold (among)
And gladder find it (as of Ioys the Chiefe)
Within their Graue to burie all their Griefe)
Especially, to Him whose Way is hid:
Whom God hath shut-vp, stopt and streightened?
Sith, yer I eate, My Sighes refell my Food,
My Roarings gush out like a raging Flood.
Thou breakst the Force of Enuies Engines rife:
Thou cuttest-off our Trauails Tediousnesse:
Thou kilst our Cares, Thou calm'st our most Distress.
O! to the wretched why is Light imparted?
Why Life (alas!) vnto the heauie-hearted?
(Who longs for Death: and if it linger long,
Would fainer seek it then euen Gold (among)
And gladder find it (as of Ioys the Chiefe)
Within their Graue to burie all their Griefe)
Especially, to Him whose Way is hid:
Whom God hath shut-vp, stopt and streightened?
Sith, yer I eate, My Sighes refell my Food,
My Roarings gush out like a raging Flood.
For (though my Plenty, neuer made me proud;
My Power imperious; nor to pleasure bow'd:)
What most I doubted I endure, (alas!)
And what I feared is euen comn to passe.
For Care and Feare, I had no rest before;
Yet Trouble's come, and trebbles more and more.
My Power imperious; nor to pleasure bow'd:)
What most I doubted I endure, (alas!)
And what I feared is euen comn to passe.
For Care and Feare, I had no rest before;
Yet Trouble's come, and trebbles more and more.
Iob ceasing so; began the Themanite,
Inly perplext, an Answer thus to dight:
If We presume to comfort thee, deer Friend,
Will our Discourse (I feare it will.) offend?
Will thy Disease our kinde Good-wills disdain?
But, in this Case (alas!) Who can refrain?
Who so hard-hearted, or vnciuill-bred,
That can vnmoued see thee thus bested?
To see and heare Thee in this deep Distresse,
Who can keep silence? Who can hold his peace?
Inly perplext, an Answer thus to dight:
If We presume to comfort thee, deer Friend,
Will our Discourse (I feare it will.) offend?
Will thy Disease our kinde Good-wills disdain?
But, in this Case (alas!) Who can refrain?
Who so hard-hearted, or vnciuill-bred,
That can vnmoued see thee thus bested?
To see and heare Thee in this deep Distresse,
Who can keep silence? Who can hold his peace?
Why! Thou wert wont, in thy Prosperities,
To stay weak hands, and strengthen feeble knees;
To counsell those that in their Course had stray'd,
To comfort those whom Crosses ouer-lay'd:
Now that Mis-hap on thine owne head hath hit,
Now that the Storm hath thine owne vessell smit,
Now that the Case is Thine, How art thou sunk
From thine owne Succor! From thy self how shrunk.
To stay weak hands, and strengthen feeble knees;
To counsell those that in their Course had stray'd,
To comfort those whom Crosses ouer-lay'd:
Now that Mis-hap on thine owne head hath hit,
Now that the Storm hath thine owne vessell smit,
Now that the Case is Thine, How art thou sunk
From thine owne Succor! From thy self how shrunk.
Where is alas! Where is thy Confidence,
Thy Constancy, thy Hope, thy Patience,
Thy Piety, thy Faith, thy Feare of God,
And th'vpright Path which Thou hast euer trod?
Thy Constancy, thy Hope, thy Patience,
Thy Piety, thy Faith, thy Feare of God,
And th'vpright Path which Thou hast euer trod?
O! ponder this: Who euer Innocent
Hath perished? Hath the Omnipotent
Eternall Iustice euer plagu'd the Iust;
Destroyd the Righteous who Him only trust:
As I haue seen Those that haue plough'd and sow'n
Iniquity, reap sodenly their owne;
When with the Blast of God they blasted fall,
And with his Breath are quick consumed all?
God, in his Fury starueth in distresse
The roaring Lion and the Lionesse;
Their rauening Whelps are scattered far away,
Their Teeth are broken, and they pine for Prey.
Hath perished? Hath the Omnipotent
Eternall Iustice euer plagu'd the Iust;
Destroyd the Righteous who Him only trust:
As I haue seen Those that haue plough'd and sow'n
Iniquity, reap sodenly their owne;
901
And with his Breath are quick consumed all?
God, in his Fury starueth in distresse
The roaring Lion and the Lionesse;
Their rauening Whelps are scattered far away,
Their Teeth are broken, and they pine for Prey.
I'll tell thee more: Once, in a certain Night,
Silent, I heard a Voyce, and saw a Sight.
(About the time when Sleep begins to seaze
Our drowzie Lids, our Daily Loads to ease)
Amaz'd with Feare my haire began to heaue,
My heart to tremble, euery part to leaue
His proper Part; When to mine eyes a-space
Appeerd the Image of an vnknowne Face:
One stood before me, Whence (yet more dismaid)
I heard a Voice, and Thus (me thought) it said:
Silent, I heard a Voyce, and saw a Sight.
(About the time when Sleep begins to seaze
Our drowzie Lids, our Daily Loads to ease)
Amaz'd with Feare my haire began to heaue,
My heart to tremble, euery part to leaue
His proper Part; When to mine eyes a-space
Appeerd the Image of an vnknowne Face:
One stood before me, Whence (yet more dismaid)
I heard a Voice, and Thus (me thought) it said:
Shall Man be iuster then his God (said He)?
The Creature purer then his Maker be?
Behold, he found not in his Angels bright
Firme Fealty, but Folly in his sight:
How much more, then, in Those whose habitation
Is but of Clay, but Dust their best Foundation?
Whose brittle Vessels heer so little last,
That yer they know them they are often past:
Whose fickle Garment (how-so-euer loath)
Shall be destroy'd and done, before the Moath:
Whose doubtfull Daies yer they begin, be gon;
Cut downe by Death, when least they think thereon:
Whose Dignities (how-euer graç't, or Great)
Shall die with them, and Them the Wormes shall eat.
The Creature purer then his Maker be?
Behold, he found not in his Angels bright
Firme Fealty, but Folly in his sight:
How much more, then, in Those whose habitation
Is but of Clay, but Dust their best Foundation?
Whose brittle Vessels heer so little last,
That yer they know them they are often past:
Whose fickle Garment (how-so-euer loath)
Shall be destroy'd and done, before the Moath:
Whose doubtfull Daies yer they begin, be gon;
Cut downe by Death, when least they think thereon:
Whose Dignities (how-euer graç't, or Great)
Shall die with them, and Them the Wormes shall eat.
Now call thou lowd, if any will reply:
Among the Saints where wilt thou turne thine eye?
Two sorts of Fooles (th'Idiot and Enuious) die;
Of Anger th'one, th'other of Iealousie.
I haue beheld the Foole faire rooted yerst:
Yet haue I soon his Habitation curst;
Because his Children succour-less shall suffer
By Iustice Doom, and none shall Pittie offer:
Him Selfe withall confounded void of Hope,
To gather-in his long expected Crop,
Which th'hunger-starued from the Thorns shal snatch;
The Thirstie shall his substance all dispatch;
A Misery, which God doth oft permit:
For, th'Earth it selfe is not the Cause of it;
Sith, were not Sin it should not barren be:
But, Man, for Sin, must toile him seruilelie,
In Sweatfull Labour, borne for Labour's end
As properly as Sparkles to ascend.
Among the Saints where wilt thou turne thine eye?
Two sorts of Fooles (th'Idiot and Enuious) die;
Of Anger th'one, th'other of Iealousie.
I haue beheld the Foole faire rooted yerst:
Yet haue I soon his Habitation curst;
Because his Children succour-less shall suffer
By Iustice Doom, and none shall Pittie offer:
Him Selfe withall confounded void of Hope,
To gather-in his long expected Crop,
Which th'hunger-starued from the Thorns shal snatch;
The Thirstie shall his substance all dispatch;
A Misery, which God doth oft permit:
For, th'Earth it selfe is not the Cause of it;
Sith, were not Sin it should not barren be:
But, Man, for Sin, must toile him seruilelie,
In Sweatfull Labour, borne for Labour's end
As properly as Sparkles to ascend.
902
But were My Case, as Thine; in this Distresse,
Rather to God would I my selfe addresse:
Him would I seek of Him would I enquire,
Whose Works are great, whose Wonders all admire;
Vnspiable, Vnspeakeable by Man;
Immutable, Inscrutable to scan:
Who on the Earth the raine at pleasure powres,
And in the Streets distills the liquid Showres:
Who lifts the Lowely vp, brings downe the Lofty;
And reares sad Mourners vnto Health and Safety:
Who dissipates the craftiest Policies;
And dis-appoints the Counsells of the Wise:
Who takes the wariest in their proper Wiles;
And Wicked ones in their owne Guile beguiles;
So that they meet with Darknes in the Day,
And, as at Midnight, grope at Noon their way:
But, He preserues the Poore, from sword & tongue,
And cruell hands of Tyrants, prone to wrong:
So that the Poore shall haue their blessed Hope:
But Wicked ones their cursed mouthes shal stop.
Rather to God would I my selfe addresse:
Him would I seek of Him would I enquire,
Whose Works are great, whose Wonders all admire;
Vnspiable, Vnspeakeable by Man;
Immutable, Inscrutable to scan:
Who on the Earth the raine at pleasure powres,
And in the Streets distills the liquid Showres:
Who lifts the Lowely vp, brings downe the Lofty;
And reares sad Mourners vnto Health and Safety:
Who dissipates the craftiest Policies;
And dis-appoints the Counsells of the Wise:
Who takes the wariest in their proper Wiles;
And Wicked ones in their owne Guile beguiles;
So that they meet with Darknes in the Day,
And, as at Midnight, grope at Noon their way:
But, He preserues the Poore, from sword & tongue,
And cruell hands of Tyrants, prone to wrong:
So that the Poore shall haue their blessed Hope:
But Wicked ones their cursed mouthes shal stop.
Lo, then, how happy he whom God correcteth?
Repine not therefore that he Thee afflicteth.
He wounds, and heales; he strikes and he restores:
He sendeth Plagues, and Plaisters for the Sores:
He in six Troubles, shall deliuer thee;
And in the seauenth, thou shalt be danger-free,
He will preserue thee from fel Famines rage;
And from the Sword of War thee dis-ingage:
Thou shalt be safe from scourging tongues of Momes,
Nor shalt thou fear Destruction when it comes:
Nay, thou shalt laugh at it, and dearth deride;
Not dreading Beasts of fellest Pawes and Pride.
Stones, thornes, and thistles shal be friends with thee:
With thee the Beasts in constant league shall be.
And, as without, thou shalt haue Peace within
Thy house; thou shalt behold it, and not sin.
Thou shalt perceiue thy Seeds seeds seed to spred
As Grass in Fields, and Flowers in euery Mead.
In a full Age to thine own Graue shalt Thou,
As, in due time, Come to the Barne or Mow.
Lo, This is Truth; and Thus we daily try-it:
Consider it, and to thy Selfe apply-it.
Repine not therefore that he Thee afflicteth.
He wounds, and heales; he strikes and he restores:
He sendeth Plagues, and Plaisters for the Sores:
He in six Troubles, shall deliuer thee;
And in the seauenth, thou shalt be danger-free,
He will preserue thee from fel Famines rage;
And from the Sword of War thee dis-ingage:
Thou shalt be safe from scourging tongues of Momes,
Nor shalt thou fear Destruction when it comes:
Nay, thou shalt laugh at it, and dearth deride;
Not dreading Beasts of fellest Pawes and Pride.
Stones, thornes, and thistles shal be friends with thee:
With thee the Beasts in constant league shall be.
And, as without, thou shalt haue Peace within
Thy house; thou shalt behold it, and not sin.
Thou shalt perceiue thy Seeds seeds seed to spred
As Grass in Fields, and Flowers in euery Mead.
In a full Age to thine own Graue shalt Thou,
As, in due time, Come to the Barne or Mow.
Lo, This is Truth; and Thus we daily try-it:
Consider it, and to thy Selfe apply-it.
Iob then reply'd: O! were my Sorows waigh'd,
And with my Suffrings in iust Balance layd,
They would exceed the Seas wet Sands in poize:
Therefore (alas!) they swallow vp my voice:
For th'Arrowes of th'Almightie, keen and quick,
Haue thrilled me, and still within mee stick;
Their Anguish makes my spirits faint and quaile me.
Alas! the Terrors of the Lord assaile me.
And with my Suffrings in iust Balance layd,
They would exceed the Seas wet Sands in poize:
Therefore (alas!) they swallow vp my voice:
For th'Arrowes of th'Almightie, keen and quick,
Haue thrilled me, and still within mee stick;
903
Alas! the Terrors of the Lord assaile me.
Braies the while Asse if he haue grass his fill?
Or lowes the Oxe if he haue fodder still?
Vnsauory things who without Salt can eat?
In whites of Eggs is there a taste of meat?
Yet am I faine, alas! and forç't (indeed)
Of what my soule abhorred most to feed.
Or lowes the Oxe if he haue fodder still?
Vnsauory things who without Salt can eat?
In whites of Eggs is there a taste of meat?
Yet am I faine, alas! and forç't (indeed)
Of what my soule abhorred most to feed.
O! that the Lord would daign me my desire,
Grant me my Longing, grant what I require:
Which is but This; that He would end my dayes,
Let goe his hand, and let me goe my waies.
So should I yet haue Comfort (though I burn
In bitter pangs of Death, I will not spurn.
Let him not spare me) for yet do not I
The holy Word of th'Holy-One denie.
But O! What Power haue I to persist?
What may ensue, if I shall long subsist?
Am I as hard, as tough, as strong (alas!)
As strongest Stones? or is my Flesh of Brass?
Nay, am I not already Impotent,
My spirits consumed, and my strength all spent?
Grant me my Longing, grant what I require:
Which is but This; that He would end my dayes,
Let goe his hand, and let me goe my waies.
So should I yet haue Comfort (though I burn
In bitter pangs of Death, I will not spurn.
Let him not spare me) for yet do not I
The holy Word of th'Holy-One denie.
But O! What Power haue I to persist?
What may ensue, if I shall long subsist?
Am I as hard, as tough, as strong (alas!)
As strongest Stones? or is my Flesh of Brass?
Nay, am I not already Impotent,
My spirits consumed, and my strength all spent?
In Crosses, comforts should Friends most afford:
But men (alas!) haue left to feare the Lord.
My Brethren haue deceiu'd mee, as a Brooke.
As rising Flouds, they haue me soone forsook;
Which, foule and deep, in VVinter all o're-flow,
Or, crusted thick with Ice, no moisture show;
Or else, in Summer, by Sol's thirsty Ray
Are licked-vp, and quicklie dry'd away,
While Trauailers to Thæma, and Saba thought
To water there, and for their succour sought;
But failing quite, and frustrate of the same,
They are confounded, and they blush for shame:
Even such are you, you see me ill appaid
In dismall Plight, and you are all dismaid:
Why are yee so? When haue I bid you bring,
Or out of yours supply me any thing?
Or crav'd of you auxiliarie Bands
To rescue me from Foes, or Tyrants hands?
Shew me mine Error, where I haue gone wrong:
Tell me my Fault, and I will hold my tongue.
But, bold and free's the speech of Innocence:
Which of you can reproue; and what Offence?
Thinke You aduantage of my words to haue,
As if Affliction made me wildely raue?
Then on the Orphan doth your furie fall;
You dig a Pit to catch your Friend withall.
But men (alas!) haue left to feare the Lord.
My Brethren haue deceiu'd mee, as a Brooke.
As rising Flouds, they haue me soone forsook;
Which, foule and deep, in VVinter all o're-flow,
Or, crusted thick with Ice, no moisture show;
Or else, in Summer, by Sol's thirsty Ray
Are licked-vp, and quicklie dry'd away,
While Trauailers to Thæma, and Saba thought
To water there, and for their succour sought;
But failing quite, and frustrate of the same,
They are confounded, and they blush for shame:
Even such are you, you see me ill appaid
In dismall Plight, and you are all dismaid:
Why are yee so? When haue I bid you bring,
Or out of yours supply me any thing?
Or crav'd of you auxiliarie Bands
To rescue me from Foes, or Tyrants hands?
Shew me mine Error, where I haue gone wrong:
Tell me my Fault, and I will hold my tongue.
But, bold and free's the speech of Innocence:
Which of you can reproue; and what Offence?
Thinke You aduantage of my words to haue,
As if Affliction made me wildely raue?
Then on the Orphan doth your furie fall;
You dig a Pit to catch your Friend withall.
904
Therefore, vouchsafe me better to revise;
Wrong me no more: My words be neither lyes,
Neither my deeds (as you shall find, I trust,
If you returne) in that behalfe vniust
Complain I causeless? Do I counterfait?
Is not my mouth with Anguish all repleat?
Wrong me no more: My words be neither lyes,
Neither my deeds (as you shall find, I trust,
If you returne) in that behalfe vniust
Complain I causeless? Do I counterfait?
Is not my mouth with Anguish all repleat?
Hath not Man's warfare his set limits heere,
As hath the Hireling (by the day, or yeere)?
As toyled Seruants for the Night attend;
And weary Taskers for their Labors end;
So haue I looked, but (alas!) in vain,
For end of Sorrowes, and for ease of Pain.
Perpetually my fruitlesse Months proceed;
My tedious Nights inceslantly succeed:
No sooner layd down but I long to rise,
Tired with tossing, till the Morning spies.
My Flesh is clad with Worms, with excrement
Of lothsom dust, my Skin doth rot and rent:
My Dayes flit faster then the Shuttles slide
From Weauers hands, whipping from side to side.
As hath the Hireling (by the day, or yeere)?
As toyled Seruants for the Night attend;
And weary Taskers for their Labors end;
So haue I looked, but (alas!) in vain,
For end of Sorrowes, and for ease of Pain.
Perpetually my fruitlesse Months proceed;
My tedious Nights inceslantly succeed:
No sooner layd down but I long to rise,
Tired with tossing, till the Morning spies.
My Flesh is clad with Worms, with excrement
Of lothsom dust, my Skin doth rot and rent:
My Dayes flit faster then the Shuttles slide
From Weauers hands, whipping from side to side.
Consider, Lord, my Life is but a Blast:
Mine eye no more shall see the Goodnes past:
Who now beholds me, shall no more, anon:
If Thou look-on Me, I eft-soones am gon.
As Clowdes do passe, and quite away do flit,
Whoso descends ascends not from the Pit;
Neither returnes vnto his wonted owne;
Nor of his place is any more be-known.
Mine eye no more shall see the Goodnes past:
Who now beholds me, shall no more, anon:
If Thou look-on Me, I eft-soones am gon.
As Clowdes do passe, and quite away do flit,
Whoso descends ascends not from the Pit;
Neither returnes vnto his wonted owne;
Nor of his place is any more be-known.
Therefore (alas!) I will not spare to speake;
I cannot hold, needs must I silence break,
Amid the anguish of my Spirits distresse,
And in the depth of my Soules bitternesse.
I cannot hold, needs must I silence break,
Amid the anguish of my Spirits distresse,
And in the depth of my Soules bitternesse.
Am I a Sea? or Whale? that with a Gard
Thou girtest me, and keep'st me in so hard?
If I haue said; In silence of the Night
(When drousie Humor fiels-vp every Sight;
When All, aboue, in, vnder Aire, Earth, Seas;
In quiet Slumber seem to take their Ease)
It may be that my painfull Pangs shall cease:
It may be that my Passions shall haue peace:
With fearefull Visions then thou doost affray me,
With Dreames and Fansies dreadfully dismay me:
So that my Soule had rather chuse (at once)
To die, then liue in Durance of my Bones.
Wearie of life, liue alwaies shall I not;
Then leaue me, Lord, alas! my dayes are nought.
Thou girtest me, and keep'st me in so hard?
If I haue said; In silence of the Night
(When drousie Humor fiels-vp every Sight;
When All, aboue, in, vnder Aire, Earth, Seas;
In quiet Slumber seem to take their Ease)
It may be that my painfull Pangs shall cease:
It may be that my Passions shall haue peace:
With fearefull Visions then thou doost affray me,
With Dreames and Fansies dreadfully dismay me:
So that my Soule had rather chuse (at once)
To die, then liue in Durance of my Bones.
Wearie of life, liue alwaies shall I not;
Then leaue me, Lord, alas! my dayes are nought.
O! What is Man that thou extoll'st him so?
That Thou on Him doost euen thy heart bestow?
That euery Morning Him thou visitest?
And euery Moment Him examinest?
How is it that Thou leau'st me not a little?
Alas! nor lett'st me swallow-in my spettle?
That Thou on Him doost euen thy heart bestow?
905
And euery Moment Him examinest?
How is it that Thou leau'st me not a little?
Alas! nor lett'st me swallow-in my spettle?
O! Thou Preseruer of Mankind, I knowe,
And I acknowledge I haue sinn'd: but, O!
What shall I say? What shall I do to Thee?
Why in thy Wrath doost Thou incounter Mee?
Why mak'st Thou Me (alas!) the Mark and White
To thy Displeasure, in my Self's despight?
Remit, O Lord, what I haue ill omitted:
Remoue (alas!) what I haue miss-committed.
For, now I goe down to the dust, to lie:
And, if Thou seek, to morrow, none am I.
And I acknowledge I haue sinn'd: but, O!
What shall I say? What shall I do to Thee?
Why in thy Wrath doost Thou incounter Mee?
Why mak'st Thou Me (alas!) the Mark and White
To thy Displeasure, in my Self's despight?
Remit, O Lord, what I haue ill omitted:
Remoue (alas!) what I haue miss-committed.
For, now I goe down to the dust, to lie:
And, if Thou seek, to morrow, none am I.
Bvt
Bildad then (loth longer to refrain)
Said; Iob, How long wilt thou this Plea maintain
VVith words, as high as Tempests vehemence,
Blow'n by the breath of thine Impatience?
Dar'st Thou averre, that God doth Right subuert?
Or that th'Almighty, Iudgement doth peruert?
Said; Iob, How long wilt thou this Plea maintain
VVith words, as high as Tempests vehemence,
Blow'n by the breath of thine Impatience?
Dar'st Thou averre, that God doth Right subuert?
Or that th'Almighty, Iudgement doth peruert?
Though, sith thy Sons had sinned them he sent
To the due Place of their sinnes punishment;
Yet, if Thou early vnto God repaire,
And to th Almighty make thine humble Prayer,
If Thou be pure, and in his sith sincere;
He will again awake to Thee: and reare
Thy ruin'd State; thy righteous House restore
With Peace and Plentie, manifoldly more.
To the due Place of their sinnes punishment;
Yet, if Thou early vnto God repaire,
And to th Almighty make thine humble Prayer,
If Thou be pure, and in his sith sincere;
He will again awake to Thee: and reare
Thy ruin'd State; thy righteous House restore
With Peace and Plentie, manifoldly more.
Aske of the Ages past: inquire (I pray)
Of th'Ancient Fathers (for, of yesterday
We Nouices knowe nothing in effect;
Our dayes are but a Shadow in respect)
Will not They teach thee (without wiles of Art)
And truly speak the language of their hart?
Of th'Ancient Fathers (for, of yesterday
We Nouices knowe nothing in effect;
Our dayes are but a Shadow in respect)
Will not They teach thee (without wiles of Art)
And truly speak the language of their hart?
Can Rushes spring? are Sedges seen to grow,
Where is no moisture; where no waters flow?
Say that they should: yet would they sooner wither,
Though neuer cut, then all else grasse together.
Such is the way of all that God forget:
So failes the Hope of th'Holy-Counterfait:
His Hope shall be cut off: his Confidence
Like busie Spider's brittle Residence:
He shall be leaning on his House, but it
Shall not be able to support him; yet
He shall hold fast, and theron fix him sure;
But that (alas!) shall neuer long endure:
As doth the Tree, which growing in the Sun,
O're-spreds an Orchard with fresh Boughes, anon,
His happy Roots among the Fountaines winding,
And round about the rockie banks them binding:
If from his Place to pluck it any ween,
It will denie; as safe as if not seen:
Lo, by this meanes it will reioyce, the while
That it may prosper in another Soile:
So God will neuer the Sincere reiect.
Neither the wicked by the hand erect.
Till he haue filld thy mouth with meriment,
Thy lips with triumph (in intire content)
Thy Foes shall all be with confusion clothed,
Wrapped in shame, disperst, despisd and loathed;
Th'vngodly shall be razed to the ground,
Their Tabernacle shall no more be found.
Where is no moisture; where no waters flow?
Say that they should: yet would they sooner wither,
Though neuer cut, then all else grasse together.
Such is the way of all that God forget:
So failes the Hope of th'Holy-Counterfait:
His Hope shall be cut off: his Confidence
Like busie Spider's brittle Residence:
He shall be leaning on his House, but it
Shall not be able to support him; yet
He shall hold fast, and theron fix him sure;
But that (alas!) shall neuer long endure:
As doth the Tree, which growing in the Sun,
O're-spreds an Orchard with fresh Boughes, anon,
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And round about the rockie banks them binding:
If from his Place to pluck it any ween,
It will denie; as safe as if not seen:
Lo, by this meanes it will reioyce, the while
That it may prosper in another Soile:
So God will neuer the Sincere reiect.
Neither the wicked by the hand erect.
Till he haue filld thy mouth with meriment,
Thy lips with triumph (in intire content)
Thy Foes shall all be with confusion clothed,
Wrapped in shame, disperst, despisd and loathed;
Th'vngodly shall be razed to the ground,
Their Tabernacle shall no more be found.
Iob then reply'd: I know, I grant you This;
I God's respect, that No Man righteous is.
No: if He argue, if He question;
O! Who can answer of a Thousand, one?
What heart so constant! O! what soule so clear,
That dares for Iust before that Iudge appear?
He is All-prudent, and All-powerfull too:
VVho thriues, that striues with what he minds to doo?
He mounts the Vallies, and he vailes the Mountains:
He shakes the Earth; he opes and stops the Fountains:
He bids the Sun shine, and forbids it soon:
He seales the Starres vp, he conceales the Moon:
He spreads alone the Heauens large Canapey:
He treads vpon the bound-lesse ground-lesse Sea:
He makes Arcturus Starre, the Stormy youth,
The Pleiades, and Climats of the South:
He worketh mighty things and manifold,
Miraculous, and more then can be told:
He passeth by me, and repasseth so,
Vnseen of me, and vnperceiued tho:
He, when him pleaseth, if a Prey he take,
Who can compell him to restore it back?
Nay: who so bold into his Acts to pry?
Or, Who dares question What he doth, or Why?
His Anger is not stopt, nor stoopt a whit;
But strongest helps are fain to stoop to it.
Then, how-much-less; O! how-much-less am I
Able (alas!) with Him my Case to try?
No: were I iust, I were not absolute;
But, to my Iudge would I make humble Sute:
And, to my Cry if he reply, yet hard
Can I beleeue that He my voyce hath heard.
For, with a Tempest he destroyes me sterne;
And wounds me Cause-lesse (for ought I discerne);
Nor suffers me so much as breathe at all;
But fills me still with Bitternesse and Gall,
I God's respect, that No Man righteous is.
No: if He argue, if He question;
O! Who can answer of a Thousand, one?
What heart so constant! O! what soule so clear,
That dares for Iust before that Iudge appear?
He is All-prudent, and All-powerfull too:
VVho thriues, that striues with what he minds to doo?
He mounts the Vallies, and he vailes the Mountains:
He shakes the Earth; he opes and stops the Fountains:
He bids the Sun shine, and forbids it soon:
He seales the Starres vp, he conceales the Moon:
He spreads alone the Heauens large Canapey:
He treads vpon the bound-lesse ground-lesse Sea:
He makes Arcturus Starre, the Stormy youth,
The Pleiades, and Climats of the South:
He worketh mighty things and manifold,
Miraculous, and more then can be told:
He passeth by me, and repasseth so,
Vnseen of me, and vnperceiued tho:
He, when him pleaseth, if a Prey he take,
Who can compell him to restore it back?
Nay: who so bold into his Acts to pry?
Or, Who dares question What he doth, or Why?
His Anger is not stopt, nor stoopt a whit;
But strongest helps are fain to stoop to it.
Then, how-much-less; O! how-much-less am I
Able (alas!) with Him my Case to try?
No: were I iust, I were not absolute;
But, to my Iudge would I make humble Sute:
And, to my Cry if he reply, yet hard
Can I beleeue that He my voyce hath heard.
For, with a Tempest he destroyes me sterne;
And wounds me Cause-lesse (for ought I discerne);
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But fills me still with Bitternesse and Gall,
If Strength we speak of; Who is strong but He?
If Iudgement; then, Who shall mine Vmpire be?
If I would iustifie my Selfe (with Him)
He by mine owne Mouth will me soon condemn:
If I would plead me perfect and vpright,
He, He would iudge me wicked, in his sight:
Though I were perfect (to my Selfe) from Sin;
Alas! I know not mine owne Soule within.
Therefore (Thus vexed and perplexed rise)
I loath alas! and I abhorre my life.
If Iudgement; then, Who shall mine Vmpire be?
If I would iustifie my Selfe (with Him)
He by mine owne Mouth will me soon condemn:
If I would plead me perfect and vpright,
He, He would iudge me wicked, in his sight:
Though I were perfect (to my Selfe) from Sin;
Alas! I know not mine owne Soule within.
Therefore (Thus vexed and perplexed rise)
I loath alas! and I abhorre my life.
Yet, grant I not; but that the Lord doth smite
(Which you deny) both Wicked and Vpright.
Else, when He strikes a People (old and young)
Would He seem smile at Good mens Stripes emong?
Would He bestowe vpon th'Vngodly-most
Earth's Soueraintie, and let them rule the Rost?
Would He permit profane Bribe-blinded ones
With blunted Sword to sit on Iustice Thrones;
While that the Vertuous to the wall are thrust?
While th'Innocent are troden in the Dust?
For, Who, but He, directs, acts, orders All
In all the World, what euer doth befall?
(Which you deny) both Wicked and Vpright.
Else, when He strikes a People (old and young)
Would He seem smile at Good mens Stripes emong?
Would He bestowe vpon th'Vngodly-most
Earth's Soueraintie, and let them rule the Rost?
Would He permit profane Bribe-blinded ones
With blunted Sword to sit on Iustice Thrones;
While that the Vertuous to the wall are thrust?
While th'Innocent are troden in the Dust?
For, Who, but He, directs, acts, orders All
In all the World, what euer doth befall?
My Daies far swifter then a poste haue past;
Past without sight of any Good (to-last):
As swiftest Ships, so haue they slid-away;
Or as the Eagle hasting to her prey.
If that I say, I will forget my Griefe,
Forgoe my VVrath, and yet re-hope Reliefe:
Ah! then my Torments all afresh affright,
VVith Terrours, lest Thou wilt not quit me quight.
For, if I be Vngodly, all in vaine
I cry to Thee, and to no end I plaine:
Or, if Vnguilty, Cleane, and White as Snowe
(In mine owne sight) in Thine I am not so;
But in the sight of Thy pure Eyes, as soild,
And with the Garment that I weare defil'd.
Past without sight of any Good (to-last):
As swiftest Ships, so haue they slid-away;
Or as the Eagle hasting to her prey.
If that I say, I will forget my Griefe,
Forgoe my VVrath, and yet re-hope Reliefe:
Ah! then my Torments all afresh affright,
VVith Terrours, lest Thou wilt not quit me quight.
For, if I be Vngodly, all in vaine
I cry to Thee, and to no end I plaine:
Or, if Vnguilty, Cleane, and White as Snowe
(In mine owne sight) in Thine I am not so;
But in the sight of Thy pure Eyes, as soild,
And with the Garment that I weare defil'd.
God is not Man, as I (in equall Sute)
That I with Him should argue or dispute:
Nor is there (should we meet) a Moderator,
Twixt Him and Me to arbitrate the Matter.
Let him leaue-off his hold, take-off his Rod,
Lay-off his Awfull Maiesty, as God;
Then will I speake, and freely, voyd of Feare:
But, as it is, I must, I will forbeare.
That I with Him should argue or dispute:
Nor is there (should we meet) a Moderator,
Twixt Him and Me to arbitrate the Matter.
Let him leaue-off his hold, take-off his Rod,
Lay-off his Awfull Maiesty, as God;
Then will I speake, and freely, voyd of Feare:
But, as it is, I must, I will forbeare.
As dead aliue, vpon my Selfe I'll lay
My sad Complaint; and in mine Anguish pray
Thus to the Lord: O Lord, condemne me not;
But show me, why thou huntest me so hot.
Lord! art Thou pleased to oppresse me Thus?
O! dost Thou iudge as do the Vnrighteous
(Vnheard, vntry'd, and vnsuspect) to trip
And cast-away thine owne hands Workmanship?
Seest Thou as Man? or hast Thou carnall Eyes?
Years as Mans Years? Daies as Mans Daies, who dies;
That thus Thou rack'st Me, and protractst Me still,
Searching and sifting to find out mine Ill?
I cannot sin, Thou know'st, but Thou must see:
For, from Thine hands can None deliuer Me.
My sad Complaint; and in mine Anguish pray
908
But show me, why thou huntest me so hot.
Lord! art Thou pleased to oppresse me Thus?
O! dost Thou iudge as do the Vnrighteous
(Vnheard, vntry'd, and vnsuspect) to trip
And cast-away thine owne hands Workmanship?
Seest Thou as Man? or hast Thou carnall Eyes?
Years as Mans Years? Daies as Mans Daies, who dies;
That thus Thou rack'st Me, and protractst Me still,
Searching and sifting to find out mine Ill?
I cannot sin, Thou know'st, but Thou must see:
For, from Thine hands can None deliuer Me.
Thy hands haue made Me, all, and euery part:
And wilt Thou now thine owne hands Work subuert?
Remember, Lord, how fraile and brittle stuff
Thou mad'st me of (then vse me not so rough)
Euen of the Clay, as is the Potters Crust:
And wilt Thou then re-crush me into Dust?
And wilt Thou now thine owne hands Work subuert?
Remember, Lord, how fraile and brittle stuff
Thou mad'st me of (then vse me not so rough)
Euen of the Clay, as is the Potters Crust:
And wilt Thou then re-crush me into Dust?
Thou pourd'st me out as Milk (within the womb)
Thou mad'st me there, as Cheese, a Crud becom;
With Skin and Flesh Thou cloth'dst me fair and fit,
With Bones and Sinewes fast together knit:
Inspir'dst me Life and Soule, Reason and Sense;
And still preseru'dst me by thy Prouidence.
These Things as hidden in thy Bosome bee:
But well I know, that it is so with Thee.
Thou mad'st me there, as Cheese, a Crud becom;
With Skin and Flesh Thou cloth'dst me fair and fit,
With Bones and Sinewes fast together knit:
Inspir'dst me Life and Soule, Reason and Sense;
And still preseru'dst me by thy Prouidence.
These Things as hidden in thy Bosome bee:
But well I know, that it is so with Thee.
If I haue sinned, Thou wilt sift me neer;
And of my Guilt Thou wilt not hold me cleer.
If VVicked I haue been; then Woe to Me:
If Righteous; Yet still will I humble be;
Though deep confounded, and amazed much,
To see, and feele, my sad Affliction Such.
And of my Guilt Thou wilt not hold me cleer.
If VVicked I haue been; then Woe to Me:
If Righteous; Yet still will I humble be;
Though deep confounded, and amazed much,
To see, and feele, my sad Affliction Such.
But, be it more: come, Lion-like set on-me;
Returne and show Thee maruelous vpon me:
And so (indeed) Thou doost: for, Thou renew'st
Thy plagues on me; and me more fierce pursew'st:
Changes of Woes, Armies of Paines extreame,
Afresh inuade me, and me round behem.
Returne and show Thee maruelous vpon me:
And so (indeed) Thou doost: for, Thou renew'st
Thy plagues on me; and me more fierce pursew'st:
Changes of Woes, Armies of Paines extreame,
Afresh inuade me, and me round behem.
Then, Why (alas!) VVhy didst thou bring me forth
From fruitfull VVomb (being no better worth)?
O! that I there had perished, vnseen:
And that I were as if I had not been,
Brought from the Womb (one Tomb, vnto Another)
To Earth my Mother, from my Earthly Mother.
From fruitfull VVomb (being no better worth)?
O! that I there had perished, vnseen:
And that I were as if I had not been,
Brought from the Womb (one Tomb, vnto Another)
To Earth my Mother, from my Earthly Mother.
Is not my Glasse neere out? My Date neer done?
O! let him cease, and leaue-off laying-on;
That I may take a little Comforts breath,
Yer quite I goe to to the dark land of Death;
A Land of Darkness, Darkness Selfe (I say)
And Shade of Death: where is no Light, no Day.
O! let him cease, and leaue-off laying-on;
That I may take a little Comforts breath,
Yer quite I goe to to the dark land of Death;
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And Shade of Death: where is no Light, no Day.
Then answered Zophar, the Naamathite;
Should words preuail? Shall prating pass for right?
Should all be mute? Shall no man dare reply,
To mock thy Mocks, and giue thy Lie the Lie?
Should words preuail? Shall prating pass for right?
Should all be mute? Shall no man dare reply,
To mock thy Mocks, and giue thy Lie the Lie?
For, Thou hast said (and that, too-vehement)
My Words, and Deeds, and thoughts, are innocent;
Pure in Thine eyes. But O! that God would speak;
That He would once His sacred Silence break)
To shew thee wisdome's Secrets: Thou might'st see,
Thou merit'st double what he layes on Thee;
And surely know that (in his Iustice strict)
After thy Sins, He doth not Sores inflict:
But seems to haue forgotten, or forgiuen
Thy Trespasses against Him Selfe and heauen.
My Words, and Deeds, and thoughts, are innocent;
Pure in Thine eyes. But O! that God would speak;
That He would once His sacred Silence break)
To shew thee wisdome's Secrets: Thou might'st see,
Thou merit'st double what he layes on Thee;
And surely know that (in his Iustice strict)
After thy Sins, He doth not Sores inflict:
But seems to haue forgotten, or forgiuen
Thy Trespasses against Him Selfe and heauen.
Canst Thou, by searching, God's deep Counsel find?
Conceiue th'Almighty? Comprehend His mind?
Reach His perfection? It doth Heauen excell
In Height; in Depth exceeds the lowest Hell:
Longer then Earth: larger then all the Seas.
O! What? When? Where? How wilt Thou measure These?
Conceiue th'Almighty? Comprehend His mind?
Reach His perfection? It doth Heauen excell
In Height; in Depth exceeds the lowest Hell:
Longer then Earth: larger then all the Seas.
O! What? When? Where? How wilt Thou measure These?
If He cut-off, shut-vp, collect, reiect;
Who can diuert Him? Who his Course correct?
He knowes vain Men: He sees their harts that hard them
In Guiles and Wiles, and will not He regard them?
That foolish man, made wise, may be reclaimed;
Borne brute and dull, as an Asse Colt, vntamed.
Who can diuert Him? Who his Course correct?
He knowes vain Men: He sees their harts that hard them
In Guiles and Wiles, and will not He regard them?
That foolish man, made wise, may be reclaimed;
Borne brute and dull, as an Asse Colt, vntamed.
If therefore, by Repentance, thou prepare
Thine humbled heart: if that, in hearty Prayer,
Thou stretch thine hands vnto his Throne aboue:
Though thou haue sinn'd; if Thou thy Sin remoue:
If Thou remoue it, and permit no more
Iniquity to dwell within thy Doore:
Then shalt Thou, doubtlesse, free from Fault and Feare,
Settled and safe, thy Face againe vpreare:
Then shalt thou sure forget thy Misery;
Or, but esteem it as a Streame past by:
Then shall thy Daies be then the Noon more bright;
And Thou shalt shine, as Morning after Night:
Then shalt thou rest secure and confident,
Hopefull and Happy, in thy proper Tent,
In thine owne Dwelling: where, for Eminence,
Sutors shall flock, with seemly Reuerence.
Thine humbled heart: if that, in hearty Prayer,
Thou stretch thine hands vnto his Throne aboue:
Though thou haue sinn'd; if Thou thy Sin remoue:
If Thou remoue it, and permit no more
Iniquity to dwell within thy Doore:
Then shalt Thou, doubtlesse, free from Fault and Feare,
Settled and safe, thy Face againe vpreare:
Then shalt thou sure forget thy Misery;
Or, but esteem it as a Streame past by:
Then shall thy Daies be then the Noon more bright;
And Thou shalt shine, as Morning after Night:
Then shalt thou rest secure and confident,
Hopefull and Happy, in thy proper Tent,
In thine owne Dwelling: where, for Eminence,
Sutors shall flock, with seemly Reuerence.
But, as for stubborne, wilfull Wicked-ones,
That still run-on in their Rebellions,
Their Helps shall faile, and all their Hap shall fall;
And as a Gasp, their Hopes shall vanish all.
That still run-on in their Rebellions,
Their Helps shall faile, and all their Hap shall fall;
And as a Gasp, their Hopes shall vanish all.
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Then said the Hussian: You, vndoubtedly,
You are the Men: Wisdom with you must dy:
Yet (would yee knew it) somwhat know I, too;
I vnderstand perhaps as well as you.
Nor will I yeeld you in this Iarre a iot:
VVhat you haue vrg'd I know: and Who doth not?
You are the Men: Wisdom with you must dy:
Yet (would yee knew it) somwhat know I, too;
I vnderstand perhaps as well as you.
Nor will I yeeld you in this Iarre a iot:
VVhat you haue vrg'd I know: and Who doth not?
Yee say, I lie; yee tell me that I mock:
But I am made my Fellowes Laughing-stock:
Who calls on God, and whom He heareth prest,
Th'Vpright and Iust (indeed) is made a Iest:
And He that's going downe (in state forlorne)
Like dying Lamp, is to the Rich a Scorne;
While (for the most) Oppressors prosper, sure;
And God-prouokers, safely and secure,
Haue in their hand (God in their hand hath put)
The Horne of Plenty, them at will to glut.
But I am made my Fellowes Laughing-stock:
Who calls on God, and whom He heareth prest,
Th'Vpright and Iust (indeed) is made a Iest:
And He that's going downe (in state forlorne)
Like dying Lamp, is to the Rich a Scorne;
While (for the most) Oppressors prosper, sure;
And God-prouokers, safely and secure,
Haue in their hand (God in their hand hath put)
The Horne of Plenty, them at will to glut.
Aske but the Beasts: inquire of Earth, or Seas;
Or Fowles, or Fish: for, which is it of These,
But knowes, and showes, and plainly tells thee This;
That God's their Maker: and of All that is:
That in His hand's the Life of all that liues:
That He alone, to All Men, Breathing giues.
Or Fowles, or Fish: for, which is it of These,
But knowes, and showes, and plainly tells thee This;
That God's their Maker: and of All that is:
That in His hand's the Life of all that liues:
That He alone, to All Men, Breathing giues.
Doth not the Eare try Speeches (bad or good)?
And, for it Selfe, the Palate aste the food?
So, Wisedom should be to the Many-year'd;
And Vnderstanding to the Hoary-hair'd.
And, for it Selfe, the Palate aste the food?
So, Wisedom should be to the Many-year'd;
And Vnderstanding to the Hoary-hair'd.
With Him it is (with th'Ancient of Daies)
VVith Him is Counsaile, Wisedom, Power and Praise:
Lo, He destroyes, and no man can restore:
VVhom He shuts-vp, can be let out no more:
He stops the Streams; then dry they vp and shrink;
He sends them forth; then all the Earth they sink.
VVith Him is Counsaile, Wisedom, Power and Praise:
Lo, He destroyes, and no man can restore:
VVhom He shuts-vp, can be let out no more:
He stops the Streams; then dry they vp and shrink;
He sends them forth; then all the Earth they sink.
With Him is Strength: with Him is All that is:
Who erreth, and VVho maketh erre, are His:
He doth distract the Counsailors of State:
He makes the Iudges as infatuate:
He breaks the Bonds of Kings Imperiall Awe;
And brings them bounden vnder Others Law:
He leads the Princes as a Captiue prey:
Dismounts the Mightie; and, with strange dismay,
He dulls the Learned, dumbs the Eloquent,
And reaues the Iudgement of the Ancient:
He powres contempt vpon the Noble-born:
He strips the Strong: He leaues the Stout forlorn:
He deepest Secrets soone discouereth:
He brings to light the darkest shades of Death:
He multiplieth People; and He mowes
Them down again (by Famin, Plague, or Blowes):
He sends them forth in Colonies to spread;
And brings them back (by wrack, lack, sack, or dread):
He reaues the hearts of those that rule the Earth,
And makes them roam through Desert sands of Dearth,
Where None go by; They grope as in the Dark;
They haue no Light, no Sight; no certain Mark;
They stray; they stumble; to and fro they wheel:
And He, He makes Them, Drunkard-like, to reel.
Who erreth, and VVho maketh erre, are His:
He doth distract the Counsailors of State:
He makes the Iudges as infatuate:
He breaks the Bonds of Kings Imperiall Awe;
And brings them bounden vnder Others Law:
He leads the Princes as a Captiue prey:
Dismounts the Mightie; and, with strange dismay,
He dulls the Learned, dumbs the Eloquent,
And reaues the Iudgement of the Ancient:
He powres contempt vpon the Noble-born:
He strips the Strong: He leaues the Stout forlorn:
He deepest Secrets soone discouereth:
He brings to light the darkest shades of Death:
He multiplieth People; and He mowes
Them down again (by Famin, Plague, or Blowes):
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And brings them back (by wrack, lack, sack, or dread):
He reaues the hearts of those that rule the Earth,
And makes them roam through Desert sands of Dearth,
Where None go by; They grope as in the Dark;
They haue no Light, no Sight; no certain Mark;
They stray; they stumble; to and fro they wheel:
And He, He makes Them, Drunkard-like, to reel.
Al This mine eies haue seen, mine eares haue heard:
All This my heart hath weigh'd, and well conferd.
So that, in This, what you haue known, I knew;
And am not Heerein to giue place to You.
All This my heart hath weigh'd, and well conferd.
So that, in This, what you haue known, I knew;
And am not Heerein to giue place to You.
But, as You wish, I also wish: O! would
Th'Almighty pleas'd that I might be so bold
(In his own Presence, at his Bar to stand)
To plead with him the Cause I haue in hand.
For, You, indeed, are too Sophisticall:
Silly Physicians, for my Sicknes, all.
O! that you therefore had still held you mute:
So might you still haue held a wise Repute.
But, list you now vnto my Arguing:
Mark well my Reasons, and the Proofes I bring.
Th'Almighty pleas'd that I might be so bold
(In his own Presence, at his Bar to stand)
To plead with him the Cause I haue in hand.
For, You, indeed, are too Sophisticall:
Silly Physicians, for my Sicknes, all.
O! that you therefore had still held you mute:
So might you still haue held a wise Repute.
But, list you now vnto my Arguing:
Mark well my Reasons, and the Proofes I bring.
Will You speak falsly for th'Almighty Lord?
Will you for Him pronounce a Guilefull word?
Will you be partiall for His persons sake?
Will you for Him, with Cauels vnder-take?
Shall it auaile you? will He con you Thank
At his great Audit for this double Prank?
(Or, ween you, smoothing, these Deceits to smother?
Or, but to mock Him, as one Man another)?
Will you for Him pronounce a Guilefull word?
Will you be partiall for His persons sake?
Will you for Him, with Cauels vnder-take?
Shall it auaile you? will He con you Thank
At his great Audit for this double Prank?
(Or, ween you, smoothing, these Deceits to smother?
Or, but to mock Him, as one Man another)?
No: you shall know, He wil not brook nor beare it,
Put chide you sharp; how-euer secret were it.
Shall not the brightnes of His Face affray you?
His Maiestie with awefull Rayes dismay you,
Meer Earth and Ashes (daring thus to play)
Your Best but Dust: your rest but Durt and Clay?
Hold you your tongues: no more your silence break
But (at my Perill) giue Me leaue to speak.
Put chide you sharp; how-euer secret were it.
Shall not the brightnes of His Face affray you?
His Maiestie with awefull Rayes dismay you,
Meer Earth and Ashes (daring thus to play)
Your Best but Dust: your rest but Durt and Clay?
Hold you your tongues: no more your silence break
But (at my Perill) giue Me leaue to speak.
Why should I teare me (as one out of Sense)
With mine own Teeth? or doe Selfe-Violence?
No: should He slay me, I would hope again
(Though in his sight I still my right maintaine)
For, He himselfe will saue and doe me right;
And cleere mee from your doome of Hypocrite:
Sith, in His presence Such can haue no place,
Nor hope such help of His assisting Grace.
Giue therefore eare vnto my words; and waigh
With due regard what I shall truly say.
Lo, heere I stand, as ready to be try'd
(And well I knowe I shall be iustifi'd)
Come, who will charge me, and oppose my Pleas?
(Alas! I die, if now I hold my peace)
Onely, but spare me in Two things: with-drawe
Thy heauie hand; with-hold thy glorious Awe
From frighting me: then from before thy face
I shall not hide me; nor betray my Case:
Then, at thy choice, be in this Cause dependant
(I am indifferent) Plaintif, or Defendant.
With mine own Teeth? or doe Selfe-Violence?
No: should He slay me, I would hope again
(Though in his sight I still my right maintaine)
For, He himselfe will saue and doe me right;
And cleere mee from your doome of Hypocrite:
Sith, in His presence Such can haue no place,
Nor hope such help of His assisting Grace.
Giue therefore eare vnto my words; and waigh
With due regard what I shall truly say.
912
(And well I knowe I shall be iustifi'd)
Come, who will charge me, and oppose my Pleas?
(Alas! I die, if now I hold my peace)
Onely, but spare me in Two things: with-drawe
Thy heauie hand; with-hold thy glorious Awe
From frighting me: then from before thy face
I shall not hide me; nor betray my Case:
Then, at thy choice, be in this Cause dependant
(I am indifferent) Plaintif, or Defendant.
What, and How-many are my Sins (pretended)?
Show me Wherein, and How, I haue offended,
That Thou should'st shun, and turn thee from me so;
And handle me as thy most hated Foe.
Doost Thou vouchsafe a witherd Leafe to crush?
Against dry Stubble doost Thou daign to rush?
That in so bitter and seuere a stile
Thou doost indight mee: and recite (the while)
My sinnes of Youth (them re-recording fresh,
VVith th'Heritage inherent vnto Flesh):
And putt'st my feet into the Stocks so strait;
VVatchest my VVaies, and at my heeles doost wait,
To finde some hole in my fore-acted Life
(Scourging mine Errors with thy Terrors rife)
VVhile, rotten-like, it wasteth, as a Cloth
Grown full of holes and eaten by the Moth.
Show me Wherein, and How, I haue offended,
That Thou should'st shun, and turn thee from me so;
And handle me as thy most hated Foe.
Doost Thou vouchsafe a witherd Leafe to crush?
Against dry Stubble doost Thou daign to rush?
That in so bitter and seuere a stile
Thou doost indight mee: and recite (the while)
My sinnes of Youth (them re-recording fresh,
VVith th'Heritage inherent vnto Flesh):
And putt'st my feet into the Stocks so strait;
VVatchest my VVaies, and at my heeles doost wait,
To finde some hole in my fore-acted Life
(Scourging mine Errors with thy Terrors rife)
VVhile, rotten-like, it wasteth, as a Cloth
Grown full of holes and eaten by the Moth.
Man, born of Man's and Womans loynes, alas!
Hath but few dayes, and those full sad, to pass.
Much like a Flower he shooteth vp, and fades;
Quickly cut downe: he vanisheth, as Shades;
Of no continuance [here]. Yet, dost Thou daign
To frowne at Such? and striue with Me, so vaine?
Hath but few dayes, and those full sad, to pass.
Much like a Flower he shooteth vp, and fades;
Quickly cut downe: he vanisheth, as Shades;
Of no continuance [here]. Yet, dost Thou daign
To frowne at Such? and striue with Me, so vaine?
Who, from Pollution, can pure thing extract?
O! there is None; none that is so exact.
Sith then his dayes Thou hast determined;
Sith that his Months with thee be numbered;
Sith Thou hast set the certain Time he has
(To Him vncertain) which He cannot pass,
Forbeare awhile, and from him looke away,
Till (as the Hireling) he hath done his Day.
O! there is None; none that is so exact.
Sith then his dayes Thou hast determined;
Sith that his Months with thee be numbered;
Sith Thou hast set the certain Time he has
(To Him vncertain) which He cannot pass,
Forbeare awhile, and from him looke away,
Till (as the Hireling) he hath done his Day.
For, though a Tree be felled; from the Root,
Yet is there hope that Branches will re-shoot:
Though in the Earth the Root be old and dry,
Though on the Earth the Trunk as dead do be;
Yet, by the Sent of the neer-winding blood,
It will reuiue, and as a Plant, re-bud:
But Man (man's Body from his Soule bereft)
Man down and dead; O! what of Him is left?
Sith, as Sea-waters, past, re-passe no more;
As Riuers, dry'd, returne not to their Shore:
Man, Dead-asleep, shall neuer wake againe;
Nor neuer rise, till Heav'n no more remaine.
Yet is there hope that Branches will re-shoot:
Though in the Earth the Root be old and dry,
Though on the Earth the Trunk as dead do be;
Yet, by the Sent of the neer-winding blood,
It will reuiue, and as a Plant, re-bud:
But Man (man's Body from his Soule bereft)
Man down and dead; O! what of Him is left?
913
As Riuers, dry'd, returne not to their Shore:
Man, Dead-asleep, shall neuer wake againe;
Nor neuer rise, till Heav'n no more remaine.
O! wert thou pleas'd, me in my Graue to hide,
Vntill thy Wrath were past and pacifi'd!
Or that there were some Time, or Term assign'd me,
When Thou wilt cease; & in thy Mercy mind me!
Or, shall a Man neer dead, heer liue againe;
Still liuing-dying in continuall Pain;
And shall I still, in this distressed state,
Wait, all the Dayes of mine appointed Date,
Vntill my Change (my Renouation) come;
When Thou shalt call me: nor shall I be dumb,
But answere thee: Then, then thou wilt approue
That Thou the Works of thine own hands doost loue;
Though now my steps thou numbrest so exact;
Not'st all my Sins, and seem'st them to haue packt
As in a sagge, safe sealed; yea, to add
New Trespasses vnto the old, I had.
So that, as Mountains, mouldring down do sink;
As from their places shiuer'd Rocks do shrink:
As waters break the Stones; as Showres surround
The dusty Earth; Thou doost Man's hope confound;
And tryumph'st euer ouer Him, deiected;
Transform'd in Face, as from thy Face reiected.
Nor knoweth He, whether his deer Posteritie
Shall poorely fare, or flourish in Prosperitie:
But, while his Soule his Body beares about,
That shall haue VVoe within; and This, without.
Vntill thy Wrath were past and pacifi'd!
Or that there were some Time, or Term assign'd me,
When Thou wilt cease; & in thy Mercy mind me!
Or, shall a Man neer dead, heer liue againe;
Still liuing-dying in continuall Pain;
And shall I still, in this distressed state,
Wait, all the Dayes of mine appointed Date,
Vntill my Change (my Renouation) come;
When Thou shalt call me: nor shall I be dumb,
But answere thee: Then, then thou wilt approue
That Thou the Works of thine own hands doost loue;
Though now my steps thou numbrest so exact;
Not'st all my Sins, and seem'st them to haue packt
As in a sagge, safe sealed; yea, to add
New Trespasses vnto the old, I had.
So that, as Mountains, mouldring down do sink;
As from their places shiuer'd Rocks do shrink:
As waters break the Stones; as Showres surround
The dusty Earth; Thou doost Man's hope confound;
And tryumph'st euer ouer Him, deiected;
Transform'd in Face, as from thy Face reiected.
Nor knoweth He, whether his deer Posteritie
Shall poorely fare, or flourish in Prosperitie:
But, while his Soule his Body beares about,
That shall haue VVoe within; and This, without.
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