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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| 3. | IOB. The third Booke.
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 | Du Bartas |  |
IOB. The third Booke.
Th' old Thæmanite, as mou'd withall, replies:
Can Man, to God (as to Him-selfe, the Wise)
Be profitable? Any pleasure is't
Vnto the Lord, if Righteous Thou persist?
If Thou be iust, if perfect, and vpright;
Is God the better? Gaines th'Almighty by't?
For feare of Thee, will He reproue thee (strict)
Enter in Iudgement, and thee thus afflict?
Is not thy Sin great and thy Wickedness;
And infinite thy foule Vnrighteousness?
Can Man, to God (as to Him-selfe, the Wise)
Be profitable? Any pleasure is't
Vnto the Lord, if Righteous Thou persist?
If Thou be iust, if perfect, and vpright;
Is God the better? Gaines th'Almighty by't?
For feare of Thee, will He reproue thee (strict)
Enter in Iudgement, and thee thus afflict?
Is not thy Sin great and thy Wickedness;
And infinite thy foule Vnrighteousness?
Yes: Thou hast ta'en thy Brothers Pledge for nothing,
And stripped euen the Naked of their Clothing:
Thou hast not giuen the wearie Drink, at need;
Nor to the Hungry, wherewithall to feed:
The Eminent and Mighty had their fill:
They held the Earth, and swayd thee at their will:
But silly Widowes hast thou empty packt;
And th'armes of Orphans haue bin crusht and crackt.
Thence is it, now, that Snares beset thee round,
And sodain Feares thee trouble and confound:
Or a black Darknes that thou canst not see;
And a huge Deluge that ore-whelmeth thee.
And stripped euen the Naked of their Clothing:
Thou hast not giuen the wearie Drink, at need;
Nor to the Hungry, wherewithall to feed:
The Eminent and Mighty had their fill:
They held the Earth, and swayd thee at their will:
But silly Widowes hast thou empty packt;
And th'armes of Orphans haue bin crusht and crackt.
Thence is it, now, that Snares beset thee round,
And sodain Feares thee trouble and confound:
Or a black Darknes that thou canst not see;
And a huge Deluge that ore-whelmeth thee.
Is not the Lord in th'High Empyreall Blisse?
Behold the Stars, how high their Distance is:
And then (saist Thou) What can th'Almighty mark?
How iudgeth He? What sees he through the Dark?
Clowds couer Him from spying so far hence:
He walketh in the Heav'ns Circumference.
Behold the Stars, how high their Distance is:
And then (saist Thou) What can th'Almighty mark?
How iudgeth He? What sees he through the Dark?
Clowds couer Him from spying so far hence:
He walketh in the Heav'ns Circumference.
But, hast not Thou obseru'd the ancient Track
The Wicked trod, to their vntimely Wrack;
Who, quick cut downe, supplanted where they stood,
Had their Foundations swallowed with the Flood?
Who said to God, Depart from vs; and thought,
What can th'Almighty doo to vs, in ought:
Yet, with good things He fill'd their habitations.
But, farre from me be their Imaginations.
The Wicked trod, to their vntimely Wrack;
924
Had their Foundations swallowed with the Flood?
Who said to God, Depart from vs; and thought,
What can th'Almighty doo to vs, in ought:
Yet, with good things He fill'd their habitations.
But, farre from me be their Imaginations.
This see the Righteous; safe the while, and glad:
And laugh at them, in their Destruction sad.
For, We shall stand; our Substance not decay:
But their Remainder shall the Fire destroy.
And laugh at them, in their Destruction sad.
For, We shall stand; our Substance not decay:
But their Remainder shall the Fire destroy.
Therefore, acquaint thee (and that quickly too)
With God; make peace: and Thou right wel shalt doo;
Receiue (I pray thee) from his mouth Direction;
And in thy heart, lay-vp his Words instruction.
With God; make peace: and Thou right wel shalt doo;
Receiue (I pray thee) from his mouth Direction;
And in thy heart, lay-vp his Words instruction.
If, to th'Almighty, Thou at-once returne;
Thou shalt be built-vp: and shalt brauely spurne
Iniquity faire from thy Selfe away;
And from thy Dwellings put it farre, for aye.
Then, as the Dust thou shalt hiue Gold, at will;
Pure Ophyr Gold, as Pebbles of the Rill:
Yea, the Almighty Thy defence shall be:
And store of Siluer shall be still with Thee.
For, in the Lord thy Pleasure shalt thou place;
And vnto Him shalt thou lift vp thy Face:
Him shalt thou pray-to; He shall heare thy Layes,
And grant thy Sute; and Thou return him Praise:
Thou shalt decree, and He shall make it good,
(So thy good Purpose shalt not be withstood):
And on Thy Wayes, and in all Works of Thine,
His Light of Grace (and glory too) shall shine.
Nay: when-as Others (as thy selfe art now)
Shall be cast downe; re-comfort them shalt Thou,
And Thus re-cheer them: Yet, yet may you rise;
For God will saue such as haue humbled eyes.
Yea: on the Noxious will he pittie take,
For th'Innocent; and spare them for thy sake.
Thou shalt be built-vp: and shalt brauely spurne
Iniquity faire from thy Selfe away;
And from thy Dwellings put it farre, for aye.
Then, as the Dust thou shalt hiue Gold, at will;
Pure Ophyr Gold, as Pebbles of the Rill:
Yea, the Almighty Thy defence shall be:
And store of Siluer shall be still with Thee.
For, in the Lord thy Pleasure shalt thou place;
And vnto Him shalt thou lift vp thy Face:
Him shalt thou pray-to; He shall heare thy Layes,
And grant thy Sute; and Thou return him Praise:
Thou shalt decree, and He shall make it good,
(So thy good Purpose shalt not be withstood):
And on Thy Wayes, and in all Works of Thine,
His Light of Grace (and glory too) shall shine.
Nay: when-as Others (as thy selfe art now)
Shall be cast downe; re-comfort them shalt Thou,
And Thus re-cheer them: Yet, yet may you rise;
For God will saue such as haue humbled eyes.
Yea: on the Noxious will he pittie take,
For th'Innocent; and spare them for thy sake.
Then answered Iob: Though to this Day my Mones
Right bitter be, my Griefe exceeds my Grones:
How is it then, that I, as yet, am held,
For hauing plain'd, as if I had rebeld?
Right bitter be, my Griefe exceeds my Grones:
How is it then, that I, as yet, am held,
For hauing plain'd, as if I had rebeld?
O! that I knew, that some would shewe me, VVhere
I might goe find my Souerain Arbitrer.
That I might speedy vnto him repaire;
And euen approach to His Tribunall Chaire.
I would before Him plead my iust Defence,
And fill my Mouth with pregnant Arguments.
Then would I know what should His Answer be:
And vnderstand what He would say to me.
Would He oppose me with his Power divine?
No: rather would He steel and strengthen mine.
There might the Iust in his iust Plea proceed:
And I should ever from my Iudge be freed.
I might goe find my Souerain Arbitrer.
That I might speedy vnto him repaire;
And euen approach to His Tribunall Chaire.
I would before Him plead my iust Defence,
And fill my Mouth with pregnant Arguments.
Then would I know what should His Answer be:
And vnderstand what He would say to me.
925
No: rather would He steel and strengthen mine.
There might the Iust in his iust Plea proceed:
And I should ever from my Iudge be freed.
But, Whether to the West I take my way;
Or to the pearly Portall of the Day;
Or, to the Norward, where hee worketh rife;
Or, to the South, the Cell of blustering-strife:
Whether I look before me or behinde;
On This, or That side: Him I cannot finde.
Or to the pearly Portall of the Day;
Or, to the Norward, where hee worketh rife;
Or, to the South, the Cell of blustering-strife:
Whether I look before me or behinde;
On This, or That side: Him I cannot finde.
Yet, knowes He well my Way: and hath me try'd:
And I, like Gold, shall come forth purified.
My Foot hath walked in His steps: His Way
Haue I observed; and not gon astray:
Nor haue I started from His Precepts set,
But priz'd them more then my appointed Mear.
And I, like Gold, shall come forth purified.
My Foot hath walked in His steps: His Way
Haue I observed; and not gon astray:
Nor haue I started from His Precepts set,
But priz'd them more then my appointed Mear.
Yet, He persisteth in one purpose still.
Who can divert him? He doth what he will;
And will perform what is of me decreed.
And many such things are with Him, indeed.
Who can divert him? He doth what he will;
And will perform what is of me decreed.
And many such things are with Him, indeed.
Therfore, before Him, am I wonder-smit;
Affraid of Him, when I consider it.
For, God hath suppled and made soft my heart,
And deep perplext me in my inward Part;
Because my Languors neither end, nor I:
Nor can I see, nor sound the Reason, Why.
Affraid of Him, when I consider it.
For, God hath suppled and made soft my heart,
And deep perplext me in my inward Part;
Because my Languors neither end, nor I:
Nor can I see, nor sound the Reason, Why.
Bvt, can it be (How can it other be?)
But that the Times of the Divine Decree
Concerning Iudgements more or less severe;
When, Why, and Who, and How, and What, and Where)
Hidden with God, and hidden from his Owne;
Should to the World, and wicked be vnknowne?
But that the Times of the Divine Decree
Concerning Iudgements more or less severe;
When, Why, and Who, and How, and What, and Where)
Hidden with God, and hidden from his Owne;
Should to the World, and wicked be vnknowne?
They shift the Land-marks from their ancient seat:
They take by force mens Flocks, to feed, or eat:
They driue away the silly Orphans Asse:
They take for Pledge the Widowes Ox (alas!):
They turn the Needy form their neerest Way:
They make the Poor together hide them aye:
Lo, Like wilde Asses in the Wilderness,
They ramp about their brutish Business:
Rising betimes for Boot (like Free-booters):
The Desart Field yeelds Food for them and theirs.
They reap them Each a Crop, from Others Crop:
They gather Each a wicked Vintage vp:
They cause the Naked without Clothes to lie,
Quivering for Cold, no Covering but the Skie;
Washt with the Showers that from the Mountains shed;
Embracing Clifts, for Shelter; Rocks for Bed:
They pluck the Pupill from the tender Brest:
They take from Poor a Pawne of all their best;
They leaue them Naked; Nay, the Hungry soule
Even of his Sheaf, and gleaned handfulls poule:
Yea; Labourers, that in Their service toyle;
That tread their Wine-press, and that make their Oyle,
That trudge and drudge in their Affairs; in fine
They let them starue, and even for thirst to pine.
They take by force mens Flocks, to feed, or eat:
They driue away the silly Orphans Asse:
They take for Pledge the Widowes Ox (alas!):
They turn the Needy form their neerest Way:
They make the Poor together hide them aye:
Lo, Like wilde Asses in the Wilderness,
They ramp about their brutish Business:
Rising betimes for Boot (like Free-booters):
The Desart Field yeelds Food for them and theirs.
They reap them Each a Crop, from Others Crop:
They gather Each a wicked Vintage vp:
They cause the Naked without Clothes to lie,
Quivering for Cold, no Covering but the Skie;
Washt with the Showers that from the Mountains shed;
Embracing Clifts, for Shelter; Rocks for Bed:
926
They take from Poor a Pawne of all their best;
They leaue them Naked; Nay, the Hungry soule
Even of his Sheaf, and gleaned handfulls poule:
Yea; Labourers, that in Their service toyle;
That tread their Wine-press, and that make their Oyle,
That trudge and drudge in their Affairs; in fine
They let them starue, and even for thirst to pine.
The Citie grones vnder their Wicked Thrall:
Th'oppressed, slain, and wounded, cry, and call:
Yet, 'tis apparant (as the Sun is cleer)
God doth not alwaies smite (nor cite) them heer.
Th'oppressed, slain, and wounded, cry, and call:
Yet, 'tis apparant (as the Sun is cleer)
God doth not alwaies smite (nor cite) them heer.
Yet, These are Those that aye the Light abhor:
Know not her Way, nor keep, nor care it for:
The Murd'rer rises (early) yer the Light;
To kill the Poor: and robbeth (late) at Night:
Th'Adulterer's Eye doth for the Twy-light wait;
And, muffled, thinks, None sees my quaint Deceit:
They (Burglars) digge through houses in the Dark,
Which, in the Day, they for their owne did mark.
But, Light they loath: Morning to Them is death:
Death's Terror, Day; which all discovereth:
On Waters swim they light and swift, for Fear:
On Earth, as Vagrants, fly they heer and there
(Their cursed portion) every-where vndon:
By-waies they seek, and the High-waies they shun.
Know not her Way, nor keep, nor care it for:
The Murd'rer rises (early) yer the Light;
To kill the Poor: and robbeth (late) at Night:
Th'Adulterer's Eye doth for the Twy-light wait;
And, muffled, thinks, None sees my quaint Deceit:
They (Burglars) digge through houses in the Dark,
Which, in the Day, they for their owne did mark.
But, Light they loath: Morning to Them is death:
Death's Terror, Day; which all discovereth:
On Waters swim they light and swift, for Fear:
On Earth, as Vagrants, fly they heer and there
(Their cursed portion) every-where vndon:
By-waies they seek, and the High-waies they shun.
As Heat and Drought, dissolve and drink the Snow;
The wicked-one the Graue shall swallow so.
The Womb that bare him, shall him quite forget;
And, to the Worm he shall be well-com Meat.
He shall, with Men, no more remembred be:
But broken-off, as is a withred Tree.
He weds the Barren that brings never forth;
And, if a Widowe, leaues her nothing worth.
Yet, by his power, He drags the Mighty down;
And none is safe, if He in Fury frown:
No; though, with Presents they his Patience buy,
And build on it; on Them he casts an eye.
The wicked-one the Graue shall swallow so.
The Womb that bare him, shall him quite forget;
And, to the Worm he shall be well-com Meat.
He shall, with Men, no more remembred be:
But broken-off, as is a withred Tree.
He weds the Barren that brings never forth;
And, if a Widowe, leaues her nothing worth.
Yet, by his power, He drags the Mighty down;
And none is safe, if He in Fury frown:
No; though, with Presents they his Patience buy,
And build on it; on Them he casts an eye.
Such, for a little, are aloft: Anon
As lowe as Others; as All others, gon:
Soon taken hence, shut-vp, cut-off, and shorn
As (with the Haile) the tufted ears of Corn.
If Thus it be not, Who will (I desire)
Disproue my Speech; and proue me now a Lyer.
To This, the Shuhite answered shortly Thus:
As lowe as Others; as All others, gon:
Soon taken hence, shut-vp, cut-off, and shorn
As (with the Haile) the tufted ears of Corn.
If Thus it be not, Who will (I desire)
Disproue my Speech; and proue me now a Lyer.
He is Almighty, Dradly-Glorious;
Whose Power imperiall, and All-humbling Aw,
Rules his High Places in most peacefull Law.
927
What Light so bright, but His hath over-shone?
How, then, may Man, with God, be iust defin'd?
Or, He be Clean, that's born of Woman-kind?
Behold, the Moon, before Him, is not bright:
Stars are not pure in his (All-pearcing) sight.
Then, How-much-less? How-much-less Man (alas!)
The Son of Man: a Worm, a Worthless Mass?
Iob, heervnto replyes incontinent:
Well haue ye said; but, How Impertinent!
How hast Thou holp the weak and feeble wight?
How fit defended him that hath no might?
How sweetly taught the simple and vnwise?
How full declar'd the Matter, as it lyes?
To Whom doost Thou this Speech of thine direct?
What mooues thee to it? and to what effect?
Well haue ye said; but, How Impertinent!
How hast Thou holp the weak and feeble wight?
How fit defended him that hath no might?
How sweetly taught the simple and vnwise?
How full declar'd the Matter, as it lyes?
To Whom doost Thou this Speech of thine direct?
What mooues thee to it? and to what effect?
For, I (for My part) know, that, Not alone,
Th'Eternall rules, on his supernall Throne
The things aboue, in their harmonious Course;
But heer belowe, the Better and the Worse.
Th'Eternall rules, on his supernall Throne
The things aboue, in their harmonious Course;
But heer belowe, the Better and the Worse.
Beneath the Waters, dead things formed bin;
And, dumb (their owne Inhabitants) within:
Hell is not hid from Him: Destructions Caue,
From His inspection, can no Covering haue.
He, th'ample Heav'ns over the Void extends:
He, vpon Nothing the sad Earth suspends:
Within his Clowds He bottles vp the Rain,
Which with it weight tears not the Clowds in twain:
He hath in-bowd the fore-front of his Throne,
And spread his clowdy Canapey thereon:
He hath begirt the Waters with a List
Shall ever last, till Day and Night desist.
The massie Pillers of the Pole doe shake
If He but chide; and at His check they quake.
He, by his Power, doth the deep Sea divide:
His Prudence smites her in her fellest pride:
He, by his Spirit, the spangled Heav'ns hath drest
With glittering Signes; the Serpent, and the rest.
And, dumb (their owne Inhabitants) within:
Hell is not hid from Him: Destructions Caue,
From His inspection, can no Covering haue.
He, th'ample Heav'ns over the Void extends:
He, vpon Nothing the sad Earth suspends:
Within his Clowds He bottles vp the Rain,
Which with it weight tears not the Clowds in twain:
He hath in-bowd the fore-front of his Throne,
And spread his clowdy Canapey thereon:
He hath begirt the Waters with a List
Shall ever last, till Day and Night desist.
The massie Pillers of the Pole doe shake
If He but chide; and at His check they quake.
He, by his Power, doth the deep Sea divide:
His Prudence smites her in her fellest pride:
He, by his Spirit, the spangled Heav'ns hath drest
With glittering Signes; the Serpent, and the rest.
Lo, These are parcels of his Waies suprem:
But, O! How little do we heare of Him!
Who can conceiue? Who vnderstands the Thunders
Of His more secret, and most sacred Wonders?
But, O! How little do we heare of Him!
Who can conceiue? Who vnderstands the Thunders
Of His more secret, and most sacred Wonders?
While none reply'd, Iob grauely Thus goes on:
As liues the Lord, th'Almighty Holy-One,
Who seems a space my Verdict to suppress,
Loading my Soule with brunts of Bitterness;
While Breath is in me; till my Spirit, inspir'd
By God, be gon, and from me quite expir'd;
My Lips shall speak no wickedness, no wile;
Nor shall my Tongue deliver any guile.
As liues the Lord, th'Almighty Holy-One,
Who seems a space my Verdict to suppress,
Loading my Soule with brunts of Bitterness;
While Breath is in me; till my Spirit, inspir'd
By God, be gon, and from me quite expir'd;
928
Nor shall my Tongue deliver any guile.
No; God forbid that I should iustifie
Your rash miss-Iudgement. Mine Integritie
I'll not abandon, to my Dying-day:
Mine Innocence I never will betray:
My Righteousness still will I fast retain;
And, my cleer Conscience, while I liue, maintain.
But, as the Wicked, be mine Enemies:
Those, as Vnrighteous, that against me rise.
Your rash miss-Iudgement. Mine Integritie
I'll not abandon, to my Dying-day:
Mine Innocence I never will betray:
My Righteousness still will I fast retain;
And, my cleer Conscience, while I liue, maintain.
But, as the Wicked, be mine Enemies:
Those, as Vnrighteous, that against me rise.
For, what's the Hope of th'hollow Hypocrite
(Though He haue heaped Treasures infinite)
When God shall take (in a disastrous Day)
His Land (his Life) his Goods (his Gods) away?
Will God regard, or heare his howling Cry,
When He is compast with Calamitie?
Or, in th'Almightie can He comfort take?
Will he to God continuall Prayer make?
(Though He haue heaped Treasures infinite)
When God shall take (in a disastrous Day)
His Land (his Life) his Goods (his Gods) away?
Will God regard, or heare his howling Cry,
When He is compast with Calamitie?
Or, in th'Almightie can He comfort take?
Will he to God continuall Prayer make?
I'll show you, how th'Almightie hand doth deale:
God's wonted Course I will not now conceale:
Nay; you your Selues you all haue seen it too.
Why talk ye then thus vainely as yee doo?
God's wonted Course I will not now conceale:
Nay; you your Selues you all haue seen it too.
Why talk ye then thus vainely as yee doo?
This is, with God, the Portion and the Part
Of the Vngodly and the Cruell heart:
This heritage shall impious Tyrants haue
From the Almightie, This they shall receaue:
Of the Vngodly and the Cruell heart:
This heritage shall impious Tyrants haue
From the Almightie, This they shall receaue:
If many Children he shall leaue behinde,
As many shall the Sword or Famine finde:
Or, if that any in Remain be left;
They, by the Plague, shall, vnbewail'd, be rest.
As many shall the Sword or Famine finde:
Or, if that any in Remain be left;
They, by the Plague, shall, vnbewail'd, be rest.
If He haue heaped Silver, as the Dust;
And Cloathes, as Clay; he may: but sure the Iust
Shall ioy his Silver, and his Treasures share;
And weare his Warde-robe, how-so rich and rare.
And Cloathes, as Clay; he may: but sure the Iust
Shall ioy his Silver, and his Treasures share;
And weare his Warde-robe, how-so rich and rare.
If braue he build; it is but like the Moth
(On others ground, as that in others Cloth)
Soon dispossest: or, like a Watch-house, soon
To be set vp, and suddenly pull'd-down.
(On others ground, as that in others Cloth)
Soon dispossest: or, like a Watch-house, soon
To be set vp, and suddenly pull'd-down.
Such Rich, shall die; and lie without regard,
Vngather'd to his Fathers Toomb prepar'd:
Nothing of Him remains in Memorie:
He vanisheth in Twinkling of an eye.
Horrors shall seize him, as a Flood, with Fright;
And as a Tempest hurry him in the night.
An Eastern Storm him quite away shall chase;
And, as a Whirle-winde, hurle him from his place.
So pittiless, in wrathfull Ielousie,
(While glad and fain he would his fingers flie)
Will God pursue him; and Good men shall smile,
And clap their hands, and hiss at him, the while.
Vngather'd to his Fathers Toomb prepar'd:
Nothing of Him remains in Memorie:
He vanisheth in Twinkling of an eye.
Horrors shall seize him, as a Flood, with Fright;
And as a Tempest hurry him in the night.
An Eastern Storm him quite away shall chase;
And, as a Whirle-winde, hurle him from his place.
So pittiless, in wrathfull Ielousie,
(While glad and fain he would his fingers flie)
929
And clap their hands, and hiss at him, the while.
Svre, there are Mynes and veinlings (vnder ground)
Whence Silver's fetcht, and wherein Gold is found:
Iron out of Earth, and out of Stone the Brass
Is melted down (into a purer mass).
Beyond the bounds of Darkness Man hath pry'd,
And th'Excellence of vnder-ground descry'd:
The rarest Stones, and richest Minerals,
From deadly Damps and horrid Darks he hales:
And, if som Torrent come there rushing in
(Such as no Foot hath felt, no Eye hath seen)
He can revert it, or divert it, soon,
Without Impeachment to his Work begun.
Whence Silver's fetcht, and wherein Gold is found:
Iron out of Earth, and out of Stone the Brass
Is melted down (into a purer mass).
Beyond the bounds of Darkness Man hath pry'd,
And th'Excellence of vnder-ground descry'd:
The rarest Stones, and richest Minerals,
From deadly Damps and horrid Darks he hales:
And, if som Torrent come there rushing in
(Such as no Foot hath felt, no Eye hath seen)
He can revert it, or divert it, soon,
Without Impeachment to his Work begun.
Earth's surface yeelds him Corn and Fruits, for Food;
Her vnder-folds, some burning Sulphury flood:
Amid the Quars of Stone are Saphires store:
Among the Dust, the precious Golden Ore
(Where never Bird, before did Path descry,
Where never Vultur cast her greedy Eye,
Where savage Whelps had never never traç't;
Nor furious Lion ever by had past):
On Cliffs of Adamant He layes his hands;
Their height and hardness He at will commands;
Slents them with Sledges, crops their clowdy crown:
He, by the roots turns Mountains vp-side down:
To let out Rills, He cleaveth Rocks insunder:
His Eye perceiues all that is precious, vnder:
He binds the Waters, that they shall not weep;
And diues for Riches in the deepest Deep.
Her vnder-folds, some burning Sulphury flood:
Amid the Quars of Stone are Saphires store:
Among the Dust, the precious Golden Ore
(Where never Bird, before did Path descry,
Where never Vultur cast her greedy Eye,
Where savage Whelps had never never traç't;
Nor furious Lion ever by had past):
On Cliffs of Adamant He layes his hands;
Their height and hardness He at will commands;
Slents them with Sledges, crops their clowdy crown:
He, by the roots turns Mountains vp-side down:
To let out Rills, He cleaveth Rocks insunder:
His Eye perceiues all that is precious, vnder:
He binds the Waters, that they shall not weep;
And diues for Riches in the deepest Deep.
All This, and more, hath Man. But where is found
That souerain Wisedom, sacred and profound?
That vnderstanding of the Waies divine,
Of God's supream and secret Discipline?
That souerain Wisedom, sacred and profound?
That vnderstanding of the Waies divine,
Of God's supream and secret Discipline?
Man knowes it not; nor kenns the worth of it:
It is not found in any living Witt.
The Deeps confess, the Sea acknowledgeth;
Tis not in Me; nor with Me; th'other faith.
It is not found in any living Witt.
The Deeps confess, the Sea acknowledgeth;
Tis not in Me; nor with Me; th'other faith.
Nor Gold, nor Silver, nor all Gems that are,
Can purchase it, nor equall it by farre:
No wedge of Ophir, never so refin'd;
No Æthiopian Topaze, Pearle of Inde,
No precious Onyx, neither Saphire pure
(Corall and Crystall passe I, as obscure)
No Carbuncle, no Diamant so rare;
No One, nor All, with Wisedom may compare.
Can purchase it, nor equall it by farre:
No wedge of Ophir, never so refin'd;
No Æthiopian Topaze, Pearle of Inde,
No precious Onyx, neither Saphire pure
(Corall and Crystall passe I, as obscure)
No Carbuncle, no Diamant so rare;
No One, nor All, with Wisedom may compare.
But, Whence is then, and Where is to be found
That sacred Wisedom, secret and profound?
Sith it is hidden from all humane Eyes;
And from the sight of every Foule that flyes.
Death and Destruction say; We of the same
Haue with our eares but onely heard the Fame.
That sacred Wisedom, secret and profound?
930
And from the sight of every Foule that flyes.
Death and Destruction say; We of the same
Haue with our eares but onely heard the Fame.
God, God alone, doth vnderstand it Way;
And knowes the place where it abideth aye.
For, He, at once beholdeth all that is
In all the World: All vnder Heav'n he sees,
To poyze the Winds, and portion (at his pleasure)
Vnto the Waters their due weight and measure.
And knowes the place where it abideth aye.
For, He, at once beholdeth all that is
In all the World: All vnder Heav'n he sees,
To poyze the Winds, and portion (at his pleasure)
Vnto the Waters their due weight and measure.
When for the Raine he stablisht a Decree,
And for the Thunder's Lightning Mutinie;
Then did He see it, and fore-see it fit:
He numbred, pondred, and prepared it:
And vnto Man This Maxime did apply;
GOD's Feare is Wisdom, and From Sin to flie.
And for the Thunder's Lightning Mutinie;
Then did He see it, and fore-see it fit:
He numbred, pondred, and prepared it:
And vnto Man This Maxime did apply;
GOD's Feare is Wisdom, and From Sin to flie.
Iob yet proceeded, and said furthermore,
O! were it with me, as it was of yore,
In my fore-passed Months, my former Dayes,
When God preserv'd me; when with gracious rayes
His Lightfull Lamp reflected on my head,
Whereby I walkt through Darkness, voyd of Dread:
As in my younger times, when yet the Lord
Vouchsaf't me Blessings of my Bed and Boord;
When yet the Lord was with me in my Tents,
And showred there his hidden Providence.
O! were it with me, as it was of yore,
In my fore-passed Months, my former Dayes,
When God preserv'd me; when with gracious rayes
His Lightfull Lamp reflected on my head,
Whereby I walkt through Darkness, voyd of Dread:
As in my younger times, when yet the Lord
Vouchsaf't me Blessings of my Bed and Boord;
When yet the Lord was with me in my Tents,
And showred there his hidden Providence.
When, where I went, my wayes were bath'd in Butter,
And Rocks about me Rills of Oyle did gutter:
When I had gone vnto the publique Gate
To take my place where all our Senate sate,
At sight of Me, would Young men hide them thence,
And th'Elder sort stand vp, for reuerence:
Nobles were silent if I present were;
And, if I spake, they turn'd their Tongue to Eare:
And th'Eare that heard me blessed me: and th'Eye,
That saw me, witnest mine Integritie.
And Rocks about me Rills of Oyle did gutter:
When I had gone vnto the publique Gate
To take my place where all our Senate sate,
At sight of Me, would Young men hide them thence,
And th'Elder sort stand vp, for reuerence:
Nobles were silent if I present were;
And, if I spake, they turn'd their Tongue to Eare:
And th'Eare that heard me blessed me: and th'Eye,
That saw me, witnest mine Integritie.
For, I delivered every Poor opprest,
The Orphan and the Helpless I redrest:
He blessed me that was wel-neer vndon:
The Widowes heart I cheered: I put-on,
I put on Iustice, as a seemly Gowne;
It was vnto me as a Robe and Crowne.
I, as an Eye vnto the blinde became;
And as a Foot vnto the Halt and Lame:
A Father was I to the Poor: and where
The Case was Dark, I would discuss it Cleer.
I also brake th'Oppressors greedy Iawes,
And took the Prey out of his Teeth and Pawes.
The Orphan and the Helpless I redrest:
He blessed me that was wel-neer vndon:
The Widowes heart I cheered: I put-on,
I put on Iustice, as a seemly Gowne;
It was vnto me as a Robe and Crowne.
I, as an Eye vnto the blinde became;
And as a Foot vnto the Halt and Lame:
A Father was I to the Poor: and where
The Case was Dark, I would discuss it Cleer.
I also brake th'Oppressors greedy Iawes,
And took the Prey out of his Teeth and Pawes.
931
Then thought I, sure, to die at home, in rest:
And said, I shall with long good Dayes be blest.
For, by the Waters was my Root out-spred:
Vpon my Top Heav'ns nightly Deaw was shed:
My Wealth increast, mine Honour daily grew,
My Bowe of Health (my Strength) did still renew.
And said, I shall with long good Dayes be blest.
For, by the Waters was my Root out-spred:
Vpon my Top Heav'ns nightly Deaw was shed:
My Wealth increast, mine Honour daily grew,
My Bowe of Health (my Strength) did still renew.
When I had spoken, every Eare was prest
To giue me eare, and in my Counsels rest,
Without Reply: and as the later Rain
The thirstie Earth, my Words they entertain.
If I had laught, or smil'd on any, neer,
They took no notice, nor would change my Cheer.
I sate as Chief, I onely rul'd the roast,
Dwelt as a King amid an armed Hoast;
And, as a Man, amid a mourning Rout,
That, from his lips, pours liuely Comforts out.
To giue me eare, and in my Counsels rest,
Without Reply: and as the later Rain
The thirstie Earth, my Words they entertain.
If I had laught, or smil'd on any, neer,
They took no notice, nor would change my Cheer.
I sate as Chief, I onely rul'd the roast,
Dwelt as a King amid an armed Hoast;
And, as a Man, amid a mourning Rout,
That, from his lips, pours liuely Comforts out.
Bvt now (alas!) My Puisnès Me deride:
The meanest mock me; Yea, and Those (beside)
Whose ragged Fathers I refus'd, to keep
My Shepheards Curs (much more to cure my Sheep).
For, to say truth, what service could they doo?
So idle bred (both Young and Elder too)
Weakned with Sloath, and wicked Conversation;
And waxen old, in wretched Desolation:
For Cold and Hunger wandring heer and there,
With Mallowes fed, and roots of Iuniper:
Pursewd as Theeues, hunted from place to place
With Hue and Cries; and ever had in Chase;
And therefore fain, for Shelter's sake, to creep
In Clifts and Caues; in Rocks and Dungeons deep:
Among the Thorns and Thickets roaring rife;
Wilde Out-lawes, leading a most beastiall life:
The Breed of Fooles, the Fry of basest birth,
Of name-less Men: indeed the Scums of Earth.
The meanest mock me; Yea, and Those (beside)
Whose ragged Fathers I refus'd, to keep
My Shepheards Curs (much more to cure my Sheep).
For, to say truth, what service could they doo?
So idle bred (both Young and Elder too)
Weakned with Sloath, and wicked Conversation;
And waxen old, in wretched Desolation:
For Cold and Hunger wandring heer and there,
With Mallowes fed, and roots of Iuniper:
Pursewd as Theeues, hunted from place to place
With Hue and Cries; and ever had in Chase;
And therefore fain, for Shelter's sake, to creep
In Clifts and Caues; in Rocks and Dungeons deep:
Among the Thorns and Thickets roaring rife;
Wilde Out-lawes, leading a most beastiall life:
The Breed of Fooles, the Fry of basest birth,
Of name-less Men: indeed the Scums of Earth.
And yet, to Such am I now made a Song,
A Ballad and a By-word on their tongue:
Yea, These despise me, and despight me too,
Spet in my Face, and make no more adoo.
Because the Lord my Bowe-string hath vnbent,
And slackt my Cord, therefore these insolent
Insulters Now loose and let-go the Raines
Of all Respect, vnto their lewd Disdaigns.
A Ballad and a By-word on their tongue:
Yea, These despise me, and despight me too,
Spet in my Face, and make no more adoo.
Because the Lord my Bowe-string hath vnbent,
And slackt my Cord, therefore these insolent
Insulters Now loose and let-go the Raines
Of all Respect, vnto their lewd Disdaigns.
Now, very Boyes doe take the Wall of me,
Trip at my Feet; and (in their Iollitie)
Mis-iudge my Life, and of me Rumors raise,
After their owne cruell and cursed Waies:
They mar my Path that I haue walked in,
Further my Woes, and haue no help therein:
As a wide Flood-breach they haue rushed on-me,
And with the Ruines have roul'd-in vpon-me.
Terrors are turn'd vpon me, and pursew
My Life as Winde; my Weale; as Vapours flew:
Therefore my Soule, in sore Afflictions vext,
Is poured out, and inly deep perplext.
Trip at my Feet; and (in their Iollitie)
Mis-iudge my Life, and of me Rumors raise,
After their owne cruell and cursed Waies:
They mar my Path that I haue walked in,
Further my Woes, and haue no help therein:
932
And with the Ruines have roul'd-in vpon-me.
Terrors are turn'd vpon me, and pursew
My Life as Winde; my Weale; as Vapours flew:
Therefore my Soule, in sore Afflictions vext,
Is poured out, and inly deep perplext.
Dayes dark and irksom haue vpon me seaz'd:
And in the Night (when others most are eas'd)
My very Bones within me are opprest,
Nay, pearced through; my Sinnewes take no rest:
My strange Disease, with angry violence
Of th'hot Impostumes loathsom Virulence,
Hath staind my Garments: and, with straining Dolor,
About my Neck it gripes me as a Coller.
Laid in the Dust, I roule the Mire among,
Becomn, indeed, like Ashes, Durt, and Dung.
And in the Night (when others most are eas'd)
My very Bones within me are opprest,
Nay, pearced through; my Sinnewes take no rest:
My strange Disease, with angry violence
Of th'hot Impostumes loathsom Virulence,
Hath staind my Garments: and, with straining Dolor,
About my Neck it gripes me as a Coller.
Laid in the Dust, I roule the Mire among,
Becomn, indeed, like Ashes, Durt, and Dung.
To Thee I cry, to Thee the while I call;
But, Lord, Thou hear'st not, nor doost heed at all.
Nay, Thou art also Cruell turn'd, to me;
With hot Assaults, as on an Enemie:
Thou lift'st me vp, (as in a Storm, the Stubble)
To ride a Whirle-winde, while (with Fear and Trouble)
I faint, and fall (dissolved, as it were)
In deadly Swoun, hurry'd I wot not where:
But well I wot, Thou soon wilt bring me home
To death, the House where all that liue shall come;
Whither, thy Hand thou wilt no longer stretch;
And Whence, no Prayers boot, nor need, to fetch.
But, Lord, Thou hear'st not, nor doost heed at all.
Nay, Thou art also Cruell turn'd, to me;
With hot Assaults, as on an Enemie:
Thou lift'st me vp, (as in a Storm, the Stubble)
To ride a Whirle-winde, while (with Fear and Trouble)
I faint, and fall (dissolved, as it were)
In deadly Swoun, hurry'd I wot not where:
But well I wot, Thou soon wilt bring me home
To death, the House where all that liue shall come;
Whither, thy Hand thou wilt no longer stretch;
And Whence, no Prayers boot, nor need, to fetch.
Did not I weep, for Others Wofulness?
Was not my Soule griev'd at the Poores Distress?
When Good I lookt for, Evill came: when Light,
A dismall Darkness, worse then blackest Night.
My bowels boyled with continuall heat;
A troublous time vpon me sudden set:
Not with the Sun, but Sorrow, black I turn'd:
Amid th'Assembly lowd I cry'd and mourn'd,
With hideous Noyse (for horrid Anguishes)
As kin to Dragons and to Ostriges.
My Harp is tuned to a heauy Tone;
My Musick turned to the voyce of Mone.
Was not my Soule griev'd at the Poores Distress?
When Good I lookt for, Evill came: when Light,
A dismall Darkness, worse then blackest Night.
My bowels boyled with continuall heat;
A troublous time vpon me sudden set:
Not with the Sun, but Sorrow, black I turn'd:
Amid th'Assembly lowd I cry'd and mourn'd,
With hideous Noyse (for horrid Anguishes)
As kin to Dragons and to Ostriges.
My Harp is tuned to a heauy Tone;
My Musick turned to the voyce of Mone.
I made a Covenant with my constant Eyes,
From gazing out on blazing Vanities:
(Having my Choyce, whereon my thoughts were staid)
Why should I once mis-think vpon a Maid?
For, O! for such, what Part, what Portion is
With God, aboue in th'Heritage of Bliss?
Nay: is there not destruction still behinde,
Strange Punishment, for Wicked (of this kinde)?
From gazing out on blazing Vanities:
(Having my Choyce, whereon my thoughts were staid)
Why should I once mis-think vpon a Maid?
For, O! for such, what Part, what Portion is
With God, aboue in th'Heritage of Bliss?
Nay: is there not destruction still behinde,
Strange Punishment, for Wicked (of this kinde)?
933
Are not my Paths apparant vnto God?
Doth not He see and summe the Steps I trod?
Doth not He see and summe the Steps I trod?
If I haue walkt in Vanitie and Pride:
If vnto Fraud my Foot haue ever hy'd:
In his iust Balance let him weigh me right,
And hee shall finde me by his Beam vpright.
If vnto Fraud my Foot haue ever hy'd:
In his iust Balance let him weigh me right,
And hee shall finde me by his Beam vpright.
If that my Steps haue straid, or trod awry:
If that my Heart haue hearkened to mine Eye:
If to my Hand haue cleaved any Spot:
If Blood or Bribes the same did ever Blot;
Then let me Sowe, and Others eat my Crop;
Yea, let my Plant be ever plucked-vp.
If that my Heart haue hearkened to mine Eye:
If to my Hand haue cleaved any Spot:
If Blood or Bribes the same did ever Blot;
Then let me Sowe, and Others eat my Crop;
Yea, let my Plant be ever plucked-vp.
If ever Woman haue my heart beguil'd;
Or I layd wait t'haue Others Wife defil'd:
Let mine again vnto Another grinde,
And me be punisht in my Sins owne kinde.
For This is sure a high and hainous Crime,
To be condemn'd and punisht in the prime:
Yea, 'tis a Fire, whose Fury would not cease,
But ruine all, and root out my Increase.
Or I layd wait t'haue Others Wife defil'd:
Let mine again vnto Another grinde,
And me be punisht in my Sins owne kinde.
For This is sure a high and hainous Crime,
To be condemn'd and punisht in the prime:
Yea, 'tis a Fire, whose Fury would not cease,
But ruine all, and root out my Increase.
If ever I despis'd my Man, or Maid,
Debating with me, and them over-waid;
What shall I doo? What Answer shall I make,
When God, as Iudge, their Cause shall vndertake?
Did not one Maker them and me create,
Of Matter like, in Manner like, and Fate?
Debating with me, and them over-waid;
What shall I doo? What Answer shall I make,
When God, as Iudge, their Cause shall vndertake?
Did not one Maker them and me create,
Of Matter like, in Manner like, and Fate?
If ever I delay'd the Poor's desire:
Or let the Widowes longing Hopes to tire:
Or ever eat my Morsels all alone,
And gaue the Orphan and the needy none
(He hath been with me from my Child-hood bred
As with a Father: Shee, in Husband's sted,
Hath ever had my Counsell for her Guide,
My Power for Guard; my Purse her Want supply'd.)
Or let the Widowes longing Hopes to tire:
Or ever eat my Morsels all alone,
And gaue the Orphan and the needy none
(He hath been with me from my Child-hood bred
As with a Father: Shee, in Husband's sted,
Hath ever had my Counsell for her Guide,
My Power for Guard; my Purse her Want supply'd.)
If I haue seen or suffered any Poor
To lie and die, Naked, or out of Door:
Nay, if his Loynes be-blest not me from harm,
Because my Fleece and Cottage kept them warm:
To lie and die, Naked, or out of Door:
Nay, if his Loynes be-blest not me from harm,
Because my Fleece and Cottage kept them warm:
If ever I, against the Impotent,
Poor, Father-less or Friend-less Innocent
(For Feare or Favour, of a Friend or Foe,
For Gain, or Grudge that I did ever owe)
Haue lift my hand, or him in right witstood;
Or, when I might haue, haue not don him good:
Then let mine Arme off from my Shoulder fall,
And from the bone be pasht to powder all.
For, God's drad Iudgements did I alwaies fear:
Whose Highness VVrath I could nor balk nor bear.
If I on Gold haue fixt my Hope, or Heart;
Or, to the Wedge haue said: My Trust thou art:
If I haue ioy'd for being grow'n so Rich;
Or for my Hands had gotten me so much:
Poor, Father-less or Friend-less Innocent
(For Feare or Favour, of a Friend or Foe,
For Gain, or Grudge that I did ever owe)
Haue lift my hand, or him in right witstood;
Or, when I might haue, haue not don him good:
Then let mine Arme off from my Shoulder fall,
And from the bone be pasht to powder all.
For, God's drad Iudgements did I alwaies fear:
Whose Highness VVrath I could nor balk nor bear.
934
Or, to the Wedge haue said: My Trust thou art:
If I haue ioy'd for being grow'n so Rich;
Or for my Hands had gotten me so much:
If, when I saw the Sun or Moon to shine,
My heart (intiç't) in secret did incline
To th'idle Orgies of an Idolist;
Or (Heathen-like) my Mouth my Hand hath kist:
Or, if, in Summer of my golden Dayes,
Or silver Nights shining with prosperous Rayes,
My heart in private hath been puft too-high,
Ascribing all to mine owne Industrie
(Which had been impious Sacrilege and Pride:
For, then had I the God of Heav'n deny'd):
My heart (intiç't) in secret did incline
To th'idle Orgies of an Idolist;
Or (Heathen-like) my Mouth my Hand hath kist:
Or, if, in Summer of my golden Dayes,
Or silver Nights shining with prosperous Rayes,
My heart in private hath been puft too-high,
Ascribing all to mine owne Industrie
(Which had been impious Sacrilege and Pride:
For, then had I the God of Heav'n deny'd):
If I reioyç't at Ruine of my Foes,
Or haue triumphed in their Overthrowes;
Or haue so much as let my Tongue to roule,
Or Heart to wish a curse vnto their Soule:
Though oft, my Servants, in their rage extream,
Would fain haue beaten, nay, haue eaten them:
Or haue triumphed in their Overthrowes;
Or haue so much as let my Tongue to roule,
Or Heart to wish a curse vnto their Soule:
Though oft, my Servants, in their rage extream,
Would fain haue beaten, nay, haue eaten them:
If I haue shut the Stranger out of Door;
Or let-not-in the weary Pilgrim poor:
If I (like ADAM) haue conceald my Sin,
And closely cloakt my Wickedness with-in:
(Although I could haue over-born, with Aw,
Whole multitudes; the meanest Groom I saw,
I feared so, I durst not wring, nor wrong,
Nor wrangle with: but kept my Tent and Tongue).
Or let-not-in the weary Pilgrim poor:
If I (like ADAM) haue conceald my Sin,
And closely cloakt my Wickedness with-in:
(Although I could haue over-born, with Aw,
Whole multitudes; the meanest Groom I saw,
I feared so, I durst not wring, nor wrong,
Nor wrangle with: but kept my Tent and Tongue).
O! that I had an equall Arbitrer,
(To heare, and waigh, consider, and confer).
Behold my Aime: th'Almightie I desire
(A certain Signe of mine Intent intire)
For, He, I know, would sentence on My side;
And witness for me, that I haue not ly'd.
(To heare, and waigh, consider, and confer).
Behold my Aime: th'Almightie I desire
(A certain Signe of mine Intent intire)
For, He, I know, would sentence on My side;
And witness for me, that I haue not ly'd.
Then, though against me (in his fell Despite)
Mine Adversarie should a Volume write,
It, as a Robe, I on my back would beare,
And as a Garland on my head it weare:
I would, by peece-meale, shew my Conversation,
All so vnlike to all his Accusation,
That clearing Me, it should him more convince,
To come and aske me Pardon, as a Prince.
Mine Adversarie should a Volume write,
It, as a Robe, I on my back would beare,
And as a Garland on my head it weare:
I would, by peece-meale, shew my Conversation,
All so vnlike to all his Accusation,
That clearing Me, it should him more convince,
To come and aske me Pardon, as a Prince.
But, if my Land against me plead or plain;
Or, If my Furrowes cry-out, or complain:
If, Tithe-less, Tax-less, Wage-less, Right-less, I
Haue eat the Crop, or caus'd the Owners die;
In sted of Barley, and the best of Corn,
Grow nothing there, but Thistles, Weeds and Thorn.
Or, If my Furrowes cry-out, or complain:
If, Tithe-less, Tax-less, Wage-less, Right-less, I
Haue eat the Crop, or caus'd the Owners die;
In sted of Barley, and the best of Corn,
Grow nothing there, but Thistles, Weeds and Thorn.
Heere Iob surceast.
| Du Bartas | |