 | Poems on several subjects |  |
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[Methuselah liv'd to the greatest age]
METHUSELAH.Methuselah liv'd to the greatest age
Of any e'er was on this earthly stage;
Yet of the longest liv'd nought can be said,
But that they once did live, and now are dead.
NOAH.
Six score of years good Noah was employ'd
Building an ark, before the flood destroy'd
The world for sin; and ev'ry stroke he gave
Bade men repent, that God might mercy have:
But none regarded, till the deluge drown'd
Them all at once; no man alive was found,
Save Noah's houshold, eight in number, were
Preserv'd alive by God's peculiar care;
With two and two of ev'ry bird and beast,
That ever since to multitudes increas'd.
NOAH's THREE SONS.
Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah's three sons were:
A father's curse the wretched Ham must bear;
Because he saw his father's shame expos'd,
And to his brethren had the same disclos'd.
Who spread a garment on their shoulders straight,
Went back, and screen'd their father's shame from sight.
A father's curse the wretched Ham must bear;
Because he saw his father's shame expos'd,
And to his brethren had the same disclos'd.
Who spread a garment on their shoulders straight,
Went back, and screen'd their father's shame from sight.
Ham was the father of Canaan: 'tis said
By Japheth were the Gentile isles o'erspread:
But in Shem's family the church of God
For ages had, and shall have its abode.
By Japheth were the Gentile isles o'erspread:
But in Shem's family the church of God
For ages had, and shall have its abode.
NIMROD.
Gigantic Nimrod was a mighty man,
He was the first that monarchy began:
He and his people, journeying from the East,
In Shinar's plains at last their tents they plac'd;
“Come (said they) let us here a city build,
And an high tow'r, our lives from harm to shield,
Whose top may reach to heaven's gates, that when
We please we may an access thereto gain;
And let us make ourselves a name, that we
Scatt'red no more throughout the earth may be.”
He was the first that monarchy began:
He and his people, journeying from the East,
In Shinar's plains at last their tents they plac'd;
“Come (said they) let us here a city build,
And an high tow'r, our lives from harm to shield,
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We please we may an access thereto gain;
And let us make ourselves a name, that we
Scatt'red no more throughout the earth may be.”
But God beheld what these vile miscreants did,
And that nonght could their enterprize forbid;
Said he, All mankind have one kind of speech,
And their design is heaven's gates to reach
By their hand-work; I will confound them so,
That one another's speech they shall not know.”
And that nonght could their enterprize forbid;
Said he, All mankind have one kind of speech,
And their design is heaven's gates to reach
By their hand-work; I will confound them so,
That one another's speech they shall not know.”
Then ev'ry man spake language that none knew
Except himself, and yet he knew not how:
“Bring me (said one) a load of brick;” and they,
Instead thereof, brought him a load of hay:
One call'd and bid make fast a rope; and he
That was below, made haste to let it flee.
Except himself, and yet he knew not how:
“Bring me (said one) a load of brick;” and they,
Instead thereof, brought him a load of hay:
One call'd and bid make fast a rope; and he
That was below, made haste to let it flee.
Thus all confus'd, their tools they tumbled straight,
And like bewitched fools began to fight,
All scatter'd round; each one another chas'd;
Dispers'd abroad to North, South, East and West.
And like bewitched fools began to fight,
All scatter'd round; each one another chas'd;
Dispers'd abroad to North, South, East and West.
ABRAHAM.
From Chaldea the patriarch Abraham,
At God's command, a sojourner he came
Unto Canaan, which land God promise made
To him, that he would give it to his seed,
Yet childless, and his wife tho' barren still,
She was intent that promise to fulfil;
Gave him her handmaid, that she might conceive,
And she by her a borrowed child might have.
At God's command, a sojourner he came
Unto Canaan, which land God promise made
To him, that he would give it to his seed,
Yet childless, and his wife tho' barren still,
She was intent that promise to fulfil;
Gave him her handmaid, that she might conceive,
And she by her a borrowed child might have.
So she conceiv'd, and bare Abram a son,
Suppos'd the heir of all his sire had won:
But lo! three angels in the form of men
Came walking to Abram along the plain,
Whom he saluted, to his tent them call'd,
And with a rural feast them well regall'd.
In compensation they call'd for his wife,
And said, “According to the time of life,
Thou shalt conceive and bear a son, who shall
Be thy sole heir, and possessor of all:”
At which Sarai laugh'd in heart to hear
That one past age, and barren too, should bear;
For which they chid her, and affirm'd that she
Should the bless'd mother of great nations be.
Suppos'd the heir of all his sire had won:
But lo! three angels in the form of men
Came walking to Abram along the plain,
Whom he saluted, to his tent them call'd,
And with a rural feast them well regall'd.
In compensation they call'd for his wife,
And said, “According to the time of life,
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Be thy sole heir, and possessor of all:”
At which Sarai laugh'd in heart to hear
That one past age, and barren too, should bear;
For which they chid her, and affirm'd that she
Should the bless'd mother of great nations be.
When they departed, Abram courteously
And in good manners made them a convoy:
When at some distance two went off; but one
Abode with Abram till he was made known,
And told him plainly that he was his God,
And bade him lift his eyes and look abroad,
And view the land from North, South, East and West,
For of the same his seed should be possess'd.
And in good manners made them a convoy:
When at some distance two went off; but one
Abode with Abram till he was made known,
And told him plainly that he was his God,
And bade him lift his eyes and look abroad,
And view the land from North, South, East and West,
For of the same his seed should be possess'd.
But Abram had forgot God's promise made,
And for Ishma'l his son did intereced;
“Lord, thou hast promis'd, and I do believe
That thou to me a progeny wilt give;
Therefore Ishmael, if 'tis thy sov'reign will,
Grant he may live thy promise to fulfil.”
And for Ishma'l his son did intereced;
“Lord, thou hast promis'd, and I do believe
That thou to me a progeny wilt give;
Therefore Ishmael, if 'tis thy sov'reign will,
Grant he may live thy promise to fulfil.”
God said, “Sarai, as I have told you, shall
Bear thee a son, whom thou shalt Isaac call;
With him I will my covenant renew
Which I have made, and still have kept with you,
Lift up thine eyes, and tell the stars, if ye
Can number them, so shall thy offspring be;
For mighty nations shall be of thy seed,
And potent kings shall from thy loins proceed.
Also I heard, and gave thee no denial
Concerning thy first-born son Ishmael;
For he shall live, become exceeding great,
And he in time twelve princes shall beget.
Bear thee a son, whom thou shalt Isaac call;
With him I will my covenant renew
Which I have made, and still have kept with you,
Lift up thine eyes, and tell the stars, if ye
Can number them, so shall thy offspring be;
For mighty nations shall be of thy seed,
And potent kings shall from thy loins proceed.
Also I heard, and gave thee no denial
Concerning thy first-born son Ishmael;
For he shall live, become exceeding great,
And he in time twelve princes shall beget.
But I my covenant will 'stablish sure
With Isaac, whom thy wife shall to thee bear,
And with his seed; and this shall be the sign,
That you and yours, yea ev'ry male of thine,
Be circumcis'd, and in their foreskin hold
My cov'nant's seal, when they are eight days old.
They shall be strangers in a foreign land
Four hundred years, press'd by a tyrant's hand,
From whence I'll bring them by my mighty arm,
(And no man shall have power to do them harm),
And plant them in this fruitful land, wherein
You hitherto a sojourner have been:
But thou shalt die in good old age and peace,
And the fourth generation of thy race
They shall possess the Am'rites land at will,
But their iniquities are not yet full.”
With Isaac, whom thy wife shall to thee bear,
And with his seed; and this shall be the sign,
That you and yours, yea ev'ry male of thine,
Be circumcis'd, and in their foreskin hold
My cov'nant's seal, when they are eight days old.
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Four hundred years, press'd by a tyrant's hand,
From whence I'll bring them by my mighty arm,
(And no man shall have power to do them harm),
And plant them in this fruitful land, wherein
You hitherto a sojourner have been:
But thou shalt die in good old age and peace,
And the fourth generation of thy race
They shall possess the Am'rites land at will,
But their iniquities are not yet full.”
LOT.
Lot, Abram's friend, in Sodom pitch'd his tent:
But lo! two angels unto him were sent,
And warned him from that vile place to flee,
For in short time it would destroyed be;
He and his wife, two daughters, and no moe,
Deliv'red were from that dire overthrow.
His wife, who lov'd the place, began to halt,
And looking back was turned into salt:
She of God's wrath a monument was made,
That others might to God's commands take heed.
But lo! two angels unto him were sent,
And warned him from that vile place to flee,
For in short time it would destroyed be;
He and his wife, two daughters, and no moe,
Deliv'red were from that dire overthrow.
His wife, who lov'd the place, began to halt,
And looking back was turned into salt:
She of God's wrath a monument was made,
That others might to God's commands take heed.
He and his daughters to a city went;
But fear'd to dwell therein, because the scent
Of fire and brimstone reach'd thro' all the plain;
They fled, and in the mountains did remain:
There the two maids suppos'd the human race
Was quite extinct, and none left to increase;
They made their father drink till he was drunk,
Lay down with him when he in sleep was sunk;
The force of wine and warmth him so beguil'd,
That he unwitting got them both with child:
Each of the two brought forth a son, from whom
The Moabites and Ammonites did come.
But fear'd to dwell therein, because the scent
Of fire and brimstone reach'd thro' all the plain;
They fled, and in the mountains did remain:
There the two maids suppos'd the human race
Was quite extinct, and none left to increase;
They made their father drink till he was drunk,
Lay down with him when he in sleep was sunk;
The force of wine and warmth him so beguil'd,
That he unwitting got them both with child:
Each of the two brought forth a son, from whom
The Moabites and Ammonites did come.
ISAAC.
Young Isaac now appears upon the stage,
Born of his mother when she was past age;
At eight days old was circumcis'd, and grew
Till he was wean'd, belov'd of not a few,
Except Ishmael, Hagar's son, who smil'd
When he old Sarah pamp'ring him beheld;
At which she said (and kick'd him out of doors)
“This harlot's son shall not be heir with ours.”
Born of his mother when she was past age;
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Till he was wean'd, belov'd of not a few,
Except Ishmael, Hagar's son, who smil'd
When he old Sarah pamp'ring him beheld;
At which she said (and kick'd him out of doors)
“This harlot's son shall not be heir with ours.”
It came to pass, that God call'd Abraham;
To which he answered, “Lord, here I am.”
God said, “Take Isaac, now thine only son;
And nothing grudge, it is what must be done;
Take him, I say, and to Meriah go,
And on a mountain, which I shall thee show,
Offer him up a sacrifice to me:
As all is mine, I challenge this of thee.”
To which he answered, “Lord, here I am.”
God said, “Take Isaac, now thine only son;
And nothing grudge, it is what must be done;
Take him, I say, and to Meriah go,
And on a mountain, which I shall thee show,
Offer him up a sacrifice to me:
As all is mine, I challenge this of thee.”
Then Abram said, “Can this be true I hear,
That I should sacrifice mine only heir?
Nay, sure I dream—nay, nay, I am awake;
Some Deity it was that to me spake.
Can God, who is most Holy, Just and Good,
Require a sacrifice of human blood?
No—'tis some daemon, mankind's enemy,
That would seduce me to idolatry;
God is too good his promise to make void;
If Isaac die, my hopes are all destroy'd:
But hold! what do I say? why should I doubt
Of God's great pow'r his promise to make out?
What tho' my Isaac should to ashes burn?
God's pow'r can make him unto life return;
I in my God will trust, who hitherto
All my difficulties hath brought me thro';
Yea, rather than I should my God displease,
My darling Isaac I will sacrifice:
If I'm deceiv'd, God will my error show,
And me preserve from my infernal foe.”
That I should sacrifice mine only heir?
Nay, sure I dream—nay, nay, I am awake;
Some Deity it was that to me spake.
Can God, who is most Holy, Just and Good,
Require a sacrifice of human blood?
No—'tis some daemon, mankind's enemy,
That would seduce me to idolatry;
God is too good his promise to make void;
If Isaac die, my hopes are all destroy'd:
But hold! what do I say? why should I doubt
Of God's great pow'r his promise to make out?
What tho' my Isaac should to ashes burn?
God's pow'r can make him unto life return;
I in my God will trust, who hitherto
All my difficulties hath brought me thro';
Yea, rather than I should my God displease,
My darling Isaac I will sacrifice:
If I'm deceiv'd, God will my error show,
And me preserve from my infernal foe.”
Thus forth he ventur'd in the name of God;
He and his son upon two asses rode:
Wood, fire, a knife, two servants, then took he
With him, and went into the land Mori':
Three days they walked, till the place they spied
Afar; then Abram to his young men said,
“Stay with the asses, till the lad with me
Go worship yonder, and return to thee.”
So he took wood, and bound it on his son,
Fire in his hand; and on their way they're gone.
He and his son upon two asses rode:
Wood, fire, a knife, two servants, then took he
With him, and went into the land Mori':
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Afar; then Abram to his young men said,
“Stay with the asses, till the lad with me
Go worship yonder, and return to thee.”
So he took wood, and bound it on his son,
Fire in his hand; and on their way they're gone.
Now, as they walked, Isaac look'd him round,
And said, “My father, here we do abound
With preparations for an off'ring; but
A lamb for sacrifice I see it not.”
Then Abram said, “God that requires the thing
Will sure provide a lamb for offering.”
So on they walk'd towards the place, and there
Abram made haste an altar to prepare;
And laid the wood in order thereupon,
Then stretched out his hand to take his son.
And said, “My father, here we do abound
With preparations for an off'ring; but
A lamb for sacrifice I see it not.”
Then Abram said, “God that requires the thing
Will sure provide a lamb for offering.”
So on they walk'd towards the place, and there
Abram made haste an altar to prepare;
And laid the wood in order thereupon,
Then stretched out his hand to take his son.
Isaac, affrighted, cry'd with tears, and said,
“O father, father, I am sore afraid
That you are desp'rate, or some frantic fit
Has seiz'd your senses, and expell'd your wit:
What cruel thing is this you mean to do?
Would ye your hands in your own blood imbrue?
“O father, father, I am sore afraid
That you are desp'rate, or some frantic fit
Has seiz'd your senses, and expell'd your wit:
What cruel thing is this you mean to do?
Would ye your hands in your own blood imbrue?
“No, no, my son; you quite mistake the case:
All human reason must to God give place:
No doubt I love you as I do my life;
And certainly this sacrificing knife
Should as soon sheath in my own bowels as thine,
Wer't not I must regard commands divine.”
All human reason must to God give place:
No doubt I love you as I do my life;
And certainly this sacrificing knife
Should as soon sheath in my own bowels as thine,
Wer't not I must regard commands divine.”
“O father, father, has not God once said,
Who sheds man's blood by man shall his be shed?
And at the hand of ev'ry man he wou'd
Require his brother's or his neighbour's blood?
Much more of you: O father dear, forbear,
And to seducing spirits give not ear.”
Who sheds man's blood by man shall his be shed?
And at the hand of ev'ry man he wou'd
Require his brother's or his neighbour's blood?
Much more of you: O father dear, forbear,
And to seducing spirits give not ear.”
“Oh not, my son; full well I understand
I'm not deceiv'd; it is God's own command:
And rather than my God I should displease,
My all, my Isaac, I will sacrifice.”
I'm not deceiv'd; it is God's own command:
And rather than my God I should displease,
My all, my Isaac, I will sacrifice.”
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“Father, did God 'gainst nature give me life,
To lose it by this sacrificing knife?
No; sure he did some higher-end propose,
Than against nature I the same should lose?
Oft have you told me for a truth most valid,
God said, in me your seed was to be called:
Is God a man, his promise to deny?
Or son of man, that he should make a ly?
Beware, dear father, what you do; forbear,
And to seducing spirits give not ear.”
To lose it by this sacrificing knife?
No; sure he did some higher-end propose,
Than against nature I the same should lose?
Oft have you told me for a truth most valid,
God said, in me your seed was to be called:
Is God a man, his promise to deny?
Or son of man, that he should make a ly?
Beware, dear father, what you do; forbear,
And to seducing spirits give not ear.”
“Forbear, dear child; no intercession may
Prevail with me my purpose to delay:
It is no spirit, but my God; and still
I will believe him, and obey his will:
I'm confident his promise he'll make good;
Tho' here I slay you, and pour out your blood,
And I do here your bones to ashes burn,
His pow'r can make you unto life return.”
Prevail with me my purpose to delay:
It is no spirit, but my God; and still
I will believe him, and obey his will:
I'm confident his promise he'll make good;
Tho' here I slay you, and pour out your blood,
And I do here your bones to ashes burn,
His pow'r can make you unto life return.”
“Since now, dear father, you are resolute,
And all my arguments you still refute,
Unto God's will and yours I do submit,
To do with me all that you judge most fit.
If you're deceived in this strange intent,
I pray the God of heav'n you to prevent;
And if it be his sovereign blessed will,
I own we should all his commands fulfil:
Therefore to him I recommend my spirit,
That thro' Messiah that's to come his merit,
I may be rais'd from death to life again,
And reign with him time without end. Amen.”
And all my arguments you still refute,
Unto God's will and yours I do submit,
To do with me all that you judge most fit.
If you're deceived in this strange intent,
I pray the God of heav'n you to prevent;
And if it be his sovereign blessed will,
I own we should all his commands fulfil:
Therefore to him I recommend my spirit,
That thro' Messiah that's to come his merit,
I may be rais'd from death to life again,
And reign with him time without end. Amen.”
Then on the altar laid he Isaac bound,
And took the knife to give the fatal wound:
But lo! an angel call'd from heav'n, and said,
“Lay not thine hand upon the harmless lad;
For now I know thou fearest God truly,
Since thou didst not thine only son deny.”
And took the knife to give the fatal wound:
But lo! an angel call'd from heav'n, and said,
“Lay not thine hand upon the harmless lad;
For now I know thou fearest God truly,
Since thou didst not thine only son deny.”
Then Abraham lift up his eyes, and spied
A ram in thickets by his horns tied:
With joyful heart he ran and caught the prize,
And off'red him, in's stead, a sacrifice:
Jehovah-Jireh then he call'd the place,
That is, God will provide in such a case.
A ram in thickets by his horns tied:
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And off'red him, in's stead, a sacrifice:
Jehovah-Jireh then he call'd the place,
That is, God will provide in such a case.
Again the angel spake to him, and shew'd,
That God for this his promise had renew'd,
That he would bless him greatly, and his seed
Should as the sand on shores be multiplied;
That in his seed all nations he would bless,
And that their en'mies gates they should possess;
Because thou hast obey'd my voice, I will
All this and more for you and yours fulfil.
That God for this his promise had renew'd,
That he would bless him greatly, and his seed
Should as the sand on shores be multiplied;
That in his seed all nations he would bless,
And that their en'mies gates they should possess;
Because thou hast obey'd my voice, I will
All this and more for you and yours fulfil.
So they took journey to return again:
And as they walk'd along the lonely plain,
Abraham said, “My son, you plainly see
The folly of your arguments with me.”
And as they walk'd along the lonely plain,
Abraham said, “My son, you plainly see
The folly of your arguments with me.”
“My dearest father, now I see indeed
God is a present help in time of need;
Upon his goodness and his mercies I
Will meditate, until the day I die:
To us this day he manifested hath
Enough to make us stedfast in our faith;
I'll ne'er forget how I was ransomed,
And in a figure raised from the dead:
I'll love the Lord, and serve him all my days,
For this is matter of eternal praise.”
Thus on they walked, both still praising God,
Towards Beersheba, where was their abode.
God is a present help in time of need;
Upon his goodness and his mercies I
Will meditate, until the day I die:
To us this day he manifested hath
Enough to make us stedfast in our faith;
I'll ne'er forget how I was ransomed,
And in a figure raised from the dead:
I'll love the Lord, and serve him all my days,
For this is matter of eternal praise.”
Thus on they walked, both still praising God,
Towards Beersheba, where was their abode.
So Sarah died, and Abram purchas'd straight
A burial-place to hide her from his sight;
Four hundred shekels was the price he paid,
For field and cave wherein his wife was laid.
A burial-place to hide her from his sight;
Four hundred shekels was the price he paid,
For field and cave wherein his wife was laid.
When Abram saw his son was grown a man,
He to provide him in a wife began;
And call'd his servant, unto whom he said,
“Here is a point in which I want your aid:
Put now thine hand below my thigh, and swear,
As thou the God of heav'n and earth shalt fear,
Take not a wife to my son Isaac here;
Go to my country, and my kindred, there
Find out a virgin, pious, chaste and fair,
Bring her from thence to be my Isaac's wife,
The only joy and solace of his life.”
He to provide him in a wife began;
And call'd his servant, unto whom he said,
“Here is a point in which I want your aid:
Put now thine hand below my thigh, and swear,
As thou the God of heav'n and earth shalt fear,
Take not a wife to my son Isaac here;
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Find out a virgin, pious, chaste and fair,
Bring her from thence to be my Isaac's wife,
The only joy and solace of his life.”
Then said the servant, “Sir, perhaps the maid
She will not come to do as you have said;
Must I your son bring thither back again,
In your own native country to remain?
She will not come to do as you have said;
Must I your son bring thither back again,
In your own native country to remain?
“No, no, (replied the patriarch), take care,
And take not back again my Isaac there;
For if the maiden will not follow you,
Ye shall be clear and free of this your vow.”
And take not back again my Isaac there;
For if the maiden will not follow you,
Ye shall be clear and free of this your vow.”
Then took the servant jewels, bracelets, rings,
Gold, furniture, and other costly things,
And went toward Mesopotamia,
And near the town where Nahor dwelt did draw.
Then towards ev'ning, near the city he
Stood by a well; and praying earnestly,
He said, “O Lord God of my master, now
Unto my master's son thy kindness shew:
Send me good speed; and let it be, when I
The damsels come to draw their waters spy,
And she to whom I say, Maid, draw for me,
Shall answer, I will you and yours supply,
Let it be her thou hast ordain'd thro' life
To be my master's son young Isaac's wife.”
Gold, furniture, and other costly things,
And went toward Mesopotamia,
And near the town where Nahor dwelt did draw.
Then towards ev'ning, near the city he
Stood by a well; and praying earnestly,
He said, “O Lord God of my master, now
Unto my master's son thy kindness shew:
Send me good speed; and let it be, when I
The damsels come to draw their waters spy,
And she to whom I say, Maid, draw for me,
Shall answer, I will you and yours supply,
Let it be her thou hast ordain'd thro' life
To be my master's son young Isaac's wife.”
When he had ended this his wishful pray'r,
Rebekah came, who did a pitcher bear;
Which when she fill'd with water, “Maid (said he)
Allow a draught thereof I pray to me.”
Rebekah came, who did a pitcher bear;
Which when she fill'd with water, “Maid (said he)
Allow a draught thereof I pray to me.”
“My lord (said she) it is at your command,
And straight let down her pitcher on her hand;
Also I'll draw for all thy camels, till
They ev'ry one of them shall drink their fill.”
And straight let down her pitcher on her hand;
Also I'll draw for all thy camels, till
They ev'ry one of them shall drink their fill.”
The man then wond'ring at her beauty, said,
“Whose daughter art thou, O thou charming maid?
And can your father lodge us here this night,
Until we see the morrow's morning light?
“Whose daughter art thou, O thou charming maid?
And can your father lodge us here this night,
Until we see the morrow's morning light?
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Said she, “I am Bethuel's daughter, he
The son of Nahor; that's my pedigree:
Also we want not room for you to lodge,
And likewise straw and provender I judge.”
The son of Nahor; that's my pedigree:
Also we want not room for you to lodge,
And likewise straw and provender I judge.”
Then pull'd he forth a great ear-ring of gold,
And bracelets, saying, “Maid, I pray thee hold,
For your good will and service done to me,
Too small regard to be bestow'd on thee.”
And bracelets, saying, “Maid, I pray thee hold,
For your good will and service done to me,
Too small regard to be bestow'd on thee.”
Then ran Rebekah; and her mother told
About the man, and of her gifts of gold;
Which when her brother Laban saw, he ran,
And courteously intreated in the man,
And gave him water there to wash his feet,
Set meat before him, urging him to eat;
But he refus'd; said, “I'll not eat a crumb,
Till I have told the errand I am come.”
About the man, and of her gifts of gold;
Which when her brother Laban saw, he ran,
And courteously intreated in the man,
And gave him water there to wash his feet,
Set meat before him, urging him to eat;
But he refus'd; said, “I'll not eat a crumb,
Till I have told the errand I am come.”
Then Laban said, “Speak on, Sir, let us hear;
You shall be welcome to our utmost here.”
You shall be welcome to our utmost here.”
Said he, “My master Abraham is one
Whom God hath bless'd with riches, and a son
That's grown a man, his only hopeful heir;
Wherefore he made me to protest and swear,
That I should take my journey to this place,
And fetch a wife for him of his own race:
Also I see, so far as I have gone,
That God doth bless the enterprize begun;
For, as I stood by yonder well, I pray'd
That God would send to me the very maid
He had provided for my master's son,
And by that means I wish'd she might be known;
If I said, “Maiden, I am very dry,
Pray let me have some water for supply,
If she should say, “Sir, I will give to you,
And to your servants, and your camels too;”
Let that be her from whom these words shall flow,
That God ordains shall to my master go:
Scarce had I done with praying in my mind,
When lo! Rebekah came, and prov'd so kind.
Then did I ask her of her kindred syne,
And found that she was of my master's line:
Then did I worship rev'rently the Lord;
And call'd my master's words unto record,
“God will (said he) his angel send with you,
And guide you to the place, and maiden too:
Therefore, if you regard my master say;
If otherwise, then frankly tell me, nay;
That I may turn to either hand, and see
What success God provided hath for me.”
Whom God hath bless'd with riches, and a son
That's grown a man, his only hopeful heir;
Wherefore he made me to protest and swear,
That I should take my journey to this place,
And fetch a wife for him of his own race:
Also I see, so far as I have gone,
That God doth bless the enterprize begun;
For, as I stood by yonder well, I pray'd
That God would send to me the very maid
He had provided for my master's son,
And by that means I wish'd she might be known;
If I said, “Maiden, I am very dry,
Pray let me have some water for supply,
If she should say, “Sir, I will give to you,
And to your servants, and your camels too;”
Let that be her from whom these words shall flow,
That God ordains shall to my master go:
Scarce had I done with praying in my mind,
When lo! Rebekah came, and prov'd so kind.
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And found that she was of my master's line:
Then did I worship rev'rently the Lord;
And call'd my master's words unto record,
“God will (said he) his angel send with you,
And guide you to the place, and maiden too:
Therefore, if you regard my master say;
If otherwise, then frankly tell me, nay;
That I may turn to either hand, and see
What success God provided hath for me.”
Then answer'd Laban and Bethuel both,
“Friend, to dissemble we'll be very loth;
The thing, it seems, proceeds from God alone,
And cannot sure by us be overthrown:
Behold Rebekah! let her with you go,
And be his wife, since God will have it so.”
“Friend, to dissemble we'll be very loth;
The thing, it seems, proceeds from God alone,
And cannot sure by us be overthrown:
Behold Rebekah! let her with you go,
And be his wife, since God will have it so.”
So when the man had heard this kindly word,
He bow'd his head, and worshipped the Lord,
Did eat and drink, and went to sleep that night,
And rose to-morrow by the morning light.
Then said he, “Since the Lord hath prospered
My journey hither, I would now implead
You not to hinder, but send me away
Unto my master without more delay.”
He bow'd his head, and worshipped the Lord,
Did eat and drink, and went to sleep that night,
And rose to-morrow by the morning light.
Then said he, “Since the Lord hath prospered
My journey hither, I would now implead
You not to hinder, but send me away
Unto my master without more delay.”
Said they, “We'll call the damsel in, and see
If she inclines to go along with thee:
She being call'd, did instantly consent
To go with him, seem'd very well content.
Then did they bless her, and sent her away;
And to Canaan they came without delay.
If she inclines to go along with thee:
She being call'd, did instantly consent
To go with him, seem'd very well content.
Then did they bless her, and sent her away;
And to Canaan they came without delay.
Now as they walked, and drew near their home,
They spied a man out in the fields to come:
Rebekah said unto the servant, “See,
There is a man that meets us, who is he?
His looks are steady, and his pace but slow,
And with a careless air he seems to go.”
They spied a man out in the fields to come:
Rebekah said unto the servant, “See,
There is a man that meets us, who is he?
His looks are steady, and his pace but slow,
And with a careless air he seems to go.”
The servant said, “It is my master's son,
He loves to walk forth in the fields alone
To meditate on things that are divine,
That elevates his good and holy mind;
For he is good, and leads an holy life,
With him you'll be a very happy wife.”
He loves to walk forth in the fields alone
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That elevates his good and holy mind;
For he is good, and leads an holy life,
With him you'll be a very happy wife.”
Then did Rebekah vail her face, that he
At first might not her virgin blushes see,
While Isaac took her by the hand, and went
With her unto his mother Sarah's tent:
So she became his wife, with love transported:
After his mother's death he was comforted.
Then Abraham took him another wife,
With whom he spent his residue of life.
By whom he sev'ral other children had:
To each of them he certain portions paid;
But unto Isaac, his beloved heir,
He gave his stock, and all he had to spare;
So Abraham gave up the ghost and died,
And was by Sarah in Macphelah laid.
At first might not her virgin blushes see,
While Isaac took her by the hand, and went
With her unto his mother Sarah's tent:
So she became his wife, with love transported:
After his mother's death he was comforted.
Then Abraham took him another wife,
With whom he spent his residue of life.
By whom he sev'ral other children had:
To each of them he certain portions paid;
But unto Isaac, his beloved heir,
He gave his stock, and all he had to spare;
So Abraham gave up the ghost and died,
And was by Sarah in Macphelah laid.
Now Isaac pray'd his wife a child might have
(For she was barren), and she did conceive:
And lo! the children struggled in her womb,
As if each grudged of too little room;
Then she enquir'd of God the reason why
That she was troubled after such a way;
God told her, twins were in her womb, and she
The mother of two diff'rent sons must be;
Two kinds of people shall from thee divide,
The younger o'er the elder shall preside.
So in due time Rebekah at one birth
Two lively children that were males brought forth:
The boy first born was all o'ergrown with hair,
And Esau nam'd; the other smooth and fair,
And Jacob nam'd, because he strove to feel,
When he was born, his brother Esau's heel:
Both circumcis'd when they were eight days old;
Both grew to men, and Esau rough and bold
Was a great hunter of wild venison,
But Jacob dwelt in tents upon the plain.
(For she was barren), and she did conceive:
And lo! the children struggled in her womb,
As if each grudged of too little room;
Then she enquir'd of God the reason why
That she was troubled after such a way;
God told her, twins were in her womb, and she
The mother of two diff'rent sons must be;
Two kinds of people shall from thee divide,
The younger o'er the elder shall preside.
So in due time Rebekah at one birth
Two lively children that were males brought forth:
The boy first born was all o'ergrown with hair,
And Esau nam'd; the other smooth and fair,
And Jacob nam'd, because he strove to feel,
When he was born, his brother Esau's heel:
Both circumcis'd when they were eight days old;
Both grew to men, and Esau rough and bold
Was a great hunter of wild venison,
But Jacob dwelt in tents upon the plain.
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Now Isaac loved Esau, for the meat
He often of his venison did eat:
But lo! Rebekah loved Jacob best,
And often in her heart she Jacob bless'd.
He often of his venison did eat:
But lo! Rebekah loved Jacob best,
And often in her heart she Jacob bless'd.
One day, as Esau had at hunting been,
He turned faint; and after he had seen
Some pottage Jacob for himself made ready,
His wish was eager, and his eyes were steady,
And said, “Dear brother, pray now give to me
Some of your pottage, for I'm like to die.”
He turned faint; and after he had seen
Some pottage Jacob for himself made ready,
His wish was eager, and his eyes were steady,
And said, “Dear brother, pray now give to me
Some of your pottage, for I'm like to die.”
Then Jacob said, “Sell me thy birth-right now,
And I'll the pottage frankly give to you.”
And I'll the pottage frankly give to you.”
“Tush, tush! (said Esau) take it unto thee,
'Tis of small value when I'm like to die.”
'Tis of small value when I'm like to die.”
Said Jacob, “Swear that this birth-right of thine
In ev'ry point shall afterwards be mine:”
So Esau sware; and Jacob gave him bread,
And pottage both: thus was the bargain made,
In ev'ry point shall afterwards be mine:”
So Esau sware; and Jacob gave him bread,
And pottage both: thus was the bargain made,
Then Isaac called Esau his first-born,
And said, “My son, you see with age I'm worn:
Mine eyes are dim; my taste is almost gone;
Go therefore out, and catch some venison,
And make me meat, such as I love, that I
May eat, and bless thee here before I die.”
Rebekah hearing what was said and done,
She call'd for Jacob her beloved son,
And told him all, bids him go to the fold,
And on two fat and well-grown kids lay hold;
I'll make that meat your father loves, that he
May eat, and bless thee now before he die.
And said, “My son, you see with age I'm worn:
Mine eyes are dim; my taste is almost gone;
Go therefore out, and catch some venison,
And make me meat, such as I love, that I
May eat, and bless thee here before I die.”
Rebekah hearing what was said and done,
She call'd for Jacob her beloved son,
And told him all, bids him go to the fold,
And on two fat and well-grown kids lay hold;
I'll make that meat your father loves, that he
May eat, and bless thee now before he die.
But Jacob said, “My brother is all hair,
My father knows that I am smooth and bare;
If he shall feel me, and the cheat discover,
He'll count me nothing but a false deceiver:
Thereby I would incur his cursing rather
Than the kind blessing of a loving father.”
Rebekah said, “Obey my voice: let me
The only object of his cursing be:”
Jacob obey'd; she made the sav'ry meat,
And cunningly she to conceal the cheat
Took Esau's garments, judging it no sin,
And cloth'd him therewith, and the hairy skin
Put on the smooth parts of his hands and neck,
That so his father might not him suspect.
My father knows that I am smooth and bare;
If he shall feel me, and the cheat discover,
He'll count me nothing but a false deceiver:
Thereby I would incur his cursing rather
Than the kind blessing of a loving father.”
Rebekah said, “Obey my voice: let me
The only object of his cursing be:”
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And cunningly she to conceal the cheat
Took Esau's garments, judging it no sin,
And cloth'd him therewith, and the hairy skin
Put on the smooth parts of his hands and neck,
That so his father might not him suspect.
The good old man thought 'twas his eldest son,
Bless'd him as such: and Jacob scarce outgone,
When Esau from his hunting came, and had
Of's venison the sav'ry morsel made,
Yet miss'd the blessing; and resolv'd to slay
His brother Jacob, but he fled away
To Padan-aram, there to save his life,
Where fourteen years he served for a wife.
Jacob became exceeding rich, and had
Twelve sons, by whom a nation was o'erspread:
Great kings, and many, from him did proceed,
As unto Abraham God had promised.
Bless'd him as such: and Jacob scarce outgone,
When Esau from his hunting came, and had
Of's venison the sav'ry morsel made,
Yet miss'd the blessing; and resolv'd to slay
His brother Jacob, but he fled away
To Padan-aram, there to save his life,
Where fourteen years he served for a wife.
Jacob became exceeding rich, and had
Twelve sons, by whom a nation was o'erspread:
Great kings, and many, from him did proceed,
As unto Abraham God had promised.
JOSEPH.
Joseph was sold in Egypt for a slave:
But he fear'd God, and did so well behave,
That soon he was advanc'd to high degree,
And none in Egypt more esteem'd than he.
MOSES.
Like Moses, none of all the human race
Of God had so much countenance and grace:
For meekness he all other men excell'd;
Yet at the waters rashly he rebell'd:
So that the promis'd land afar he view'd;
But there to enter he was not allow'd.
JOSHUA.
Brave Joshua led Isra'l to Canaan,
Fought valiantly, subdu'd each heathen man;
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To ev'ry tribe, what they by lot should have.
Still resolute to serve the Lord was he;
And so in peace and good old age did die.
HANNAH and SAMUEL.
Thus Hannah pray'd most fervently in thought,
And earnestly from God a child besought;
“And if (said she) God me a man-child give,
I'll lend him to the Lord while he shall live.”
So she conceiv'd, and Samuel did bring forth,
A man of great integrity and worth.
DAVID.
David, a man of early piety,
And so God rais'd him to great dignity,
From a mean shepherd to a royal throne;
Such is God's goodness unto ev'ry one
That fear and serve him with their heart and mind:
Who seek God early will him surely find.
ABSALOM.
Absalom for beauty did excel,
Yet he against his father did rebel,
For which he was in battle overthrown,
And doubtless unto hell the wretch is gone
So beauty is no sign of goodness, sure;
Fair Helen was but an adult'rous whore.
SOLOMON.
King Solomon, the wisest of mankind;
And yet he prov'd an arrant fool, we find.
MANASSEH.
Manasseh was a wicked wretch; yet he
Found mercy when he sought it earnestly:
Yet this is no encouragement to sin;
It only shews great sinners sav'd have been.
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Job patiently did great afflictions bear;
He feared God, and held religion dear:
So that his wife, his friends, and Satan's art
Could never make him from it once depart.
ESTHER.
God's providence brought Esther to a throne,
To save the Jews from being overthrown.
HAMAN.
Upon the gallows Haman had design'd
For Mordecai, himself was hang'd we find,
Pride and unjustice sure at length will be
Brought to disgrace and endless misery.
The PROPHETS.
The Prophets all were holy men, and were
Inspir'd of God his purpose to declare.
Saint JOHN the Baptist.
He honour'd was to go before, and tell
Redemption was at hand for Israel.
JOSEPH and MARY.
Joseph and Mary well met man and wife,
Both just and good, and happy in their life:
The blessed mother of our Lord was she;
And he his father was suppos'd to be.
The four EVANGELISTS.
Four write the hist'ry of our blessed Lord;
They all in one and the same things accord:
All pointedly relate his lowly birth;
His life, and doctrine taught by him on earth;
His cruel death; how from the dead he rose,
And his ascension each exactly shows.
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Christ twelve Apostles chose, to witness bear
Of all he said, and did, and taught while here;
And that they might his doctrine spread abroad,
As they should after be inspir'd of God.
JUDAS.
But one of them a trait'rous wretch did prove,
For money did forfeit his master's love:
But he despair'd, and after hang'd himself;
Surely to him it was a dear-bought pelf.
HEROD.
Proud Herod, when prais'd by a foolish mob,
Did the Almighty of his glory rob:
So that God's judgments seiz'd him in a trice,
That he was eaten quick of worms and lice.
| Poems on several subjects | |