WILLIAM MORRELL FROM NEW-ENGLAND Those well seene Natives in grave Natures hests 5 ΙΟ They're wondrous cruell, strangely base and viled, Stately and great, as read in Rules of state; Incensd, not caring what they perpetrate. Whose hayre is cut with greeces, yet a locke 15 Is left, the left side bound up in a knott. Their males small labour but great pleasure know, Who nimbly and expertly draw the bow; Or what attempt so ere may make them bold; 20 Of body straight, tall, strong, mantled in skin Of Deare or Bever, with the hayre-side in; An Otter skin their right armes doth keepe warme, To keepe them fit for use and free from harme. 25 30 Themselves they warme, their ungirt limbes they rest, In straw and houses like to sties. Distrest With Winters cruell blasts, a hotter clime They quickly march to; when that extreame time I Is over, then contented they retire To their old homes, burning up all with fire: 1625. 35 ANONYMOUS FROM THE WHOLE BOOKE OF PSALMES 23 A PSALME OF DAVID The Lord to mee a shepheard is, doth cause mee downe to lie: for his names sake leade mee. Yea, though in valley of deaths shade I walk, none ill I 'le feare; because thou art with mee, thy rod and staffe my comfort are. For mee a table thou hast spread in presence of my foes: 5 ΙΟ 1636-40. the flouds lift up, Lord, flouds lift up, the flouds lift up their noyse. The Lord on high then waters noyse more strong, then waves of sea. Thy words most sure: Lord, holines becomes thine house for aye. PSALME 133 A song of degrees, of David How good and sweet, o see, It's like choise oyle that fell the head upon, that downe did flow the beard unto, beard of Aron; The skirts of his garment that unto them went downe; Like Hermons dews descent the Lords blessing, commandeth hee. ΤΟ 5 IO 15 1640. EDWARD JOHNSON FROM WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE OF SIONS From silent night, true Register of moans, From saddest soul consum'd in deepest sin, 5 Lord, stay thy hand; thy Jacobs number 's small; Bottle their tears, and pity their sad groans. Not we, but all thy Saints the world throughout That doth create him armies every day. 1654. ANNE BRADSTREET THE PROLOGUE To sing of Wars, of Captains, and of Kings, But when my wondring eyes and envious heart A Bartas can do what a Bartas will, But simple I according to my skill. From school-boyes tongue no rhet'rick we expect, ΙΟ 15 5 ΙΟ 15 Nor can I, like that fluent sweet-tongu'd Greek Art can do much; but this maxime's most sure, A weak or wounded brain admits no cure. I am obnoxious to each carping tongue 20 25 30 But sure the antique Greeks were far more mild, 35 Let Greeks be Greeks, and women what they are, Men have precedency and still excell: It is but vain unjustly to wage warre; 40 And oh ye high flown quills that soar the Skies, 45 Will make your glistring gold but more to shine. 1650. FROM OF THE FOUR AGES OF MAN Lo now four other act upon the stage: |