Hymn VII. For a Courtier.
[_]
Courtiers are so frequently vitious, that some thinke
it impossible they should be virtuous. By the use of
this Hymn, the scandall if that censure may be
abated, and the honour and honesty of well-deserving
Courtiers may be the better preserved.
Sing this as the 23 Psalme, or Te Deum.
[1]
Though Princes Courts defamed are,
As blurr'd with ev'ry sin;
Yet, men whose Virtues blameles were,
Have famous Courtiers bin.
In Pharaohs house, chast Josephs waies,
Obtain'd a good report;
And Obadiah liv'd with praise,
In wicked Ahabs Court.
2
Wise Daniell, dar'd the truth to say,
Where flatt'ry did abound:
Within the breast of Mordecai,
An honest heart was found.
And many more, of glorious name,
Have Love with Honour gain'd;
And, kept in Court, a spotles fame,
Where evill Princes raign'd.
3
The Calling, therefore, or the Place
Makes not our manners ill;
But, rather want of heed and grace,
To certifie the Will.
And, no occasion, place, or time,
Wants means, a snare to lay
Ill habits to beget in him,
That heedeth not his way.
4
Him, had not Obadiah serv'd,
By whom, poore Naboth bled,
The Prophets had bin slain or starv'd,
Whom he in secret fed.
And should all Good-men shun that King,
Which doth in Vice delight,
His Lands to ruine it would bring;
And, root out Virtue, quite.
5
Lord, as thou do'st my Will renew,
Renew my Reason too;
And, Grace vouchsafe me to pursue,
What I am bound to doe.
Let nor Oppression, Lust nor Pride,
(Which rise in Courtiers grow)
Allure my heart, or feet, aside
From what I purpose now.
6
So, though the Place in which I live,
As bad a name had got,
As that, which heretofore, did grieve
The Soul of Righteous Lot;
I shall from ev'ry crying Sin,
Abide in Court, as free,
As they who being Cloystred in,
Securer seem to be.
