Of fun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, 5

Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot

Of heart or hope ; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?

The conscience, Friend, to' have lost them overply'd

In liberty's defence, my noble talk, Of which all Europe talks from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's

vain mark Content though blind, had I no better guide.

XXIII.

On his deceased WIFE *.

Methought I saw my late espoused saint

Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,
Whom Jove's great fon to her glad husband gave,

Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint. : Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taints

Purification in the old Law did save,
And such, as yet once more I trust to have
Full sight of her in Heav'n without restraint,
Came vested all in white, pure as her mind :

Her face was veild, yet to my fancied tight
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person Thin'd

* This was his second wife, Catharine the daughter of Captain Woodcock of Hackney, who lived with him not above a year after their marriage, and died in child. bed of a daughter.

So

IO

NA

So clear, as in no face with more delight.

But O as to embrace me lhe inclin'd,
I wak'd, the fled, and day brought back my night.

XXIV.

On occasion of the PLAGUE in LONDON. Found on a glass window at Chalfont, in Buckingham

thire, where Milton resided during the continuance of that calamity.

[From Birch's Life.] Fair mirror of foul times; whose fragile sheen

Shall, as it blazeth, break; while Providence (Aye watching o'er his faints with eye unseen)

Spreads the red rod of angry pestilence,

To fweep the wicked and their counsels hence; 5 Yea, all to break the pride of lustful kings,

Who heaven's lore reject for brutish sense ; As erst he scourg'd Jeslides' fin of yore,

For the fair Hittite, when, on seraph's wings, He sent him war, or plague, or famine fore.

PSA L M S.

B Lefs d is the man who hath not walk d aftray

5

of i
Of finners hath not stood, and in the seat
Of fcorners hath not fat. But in the great
Jehovah's law is ever his delight,
And in his law he studies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watery streams, and in his feason knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Nor finners in th' assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows th’ upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

10

15

PSAL. II. Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzette. W

HY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations

Muse a vain thing, the kings of th’earth up stand With power, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land

Against

A

10

PS A L. IV. Aug. 10, 1653.
NSWER me when I call,

God of my righteousness,
In straits and in distress
Thou didst me disinthrall
And set at large; now spare,

5 Now pity me, and hear my earnest

prayer,
Great-ones, how long will ye
My glory have in scorn,
How long be thus forborn
Still to love vanity;
To love, to seek, to prize

Things false and vain, and nothing elfe but lies?
Yet know the Lord hath chose,
Chose to himself apart,
The good and meek of heart
(For whom to choose he knows):
Jehovah from on high

Will hear my voice what time to him I cry.
Be aw'd, and do not fin,
Speak to your hearts alone,
Upon your beds, each one,
And be at peace within.
Offer the offerings just

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust.
Many there be that say
Who yet will now us good ?
Talking like this world's brood;
But, Lord, thus let me pray,

15

20

Lift up

30

On us lift up the light,

the favor of thy count'nance bright. Into

my

heart more joy
And gladness thou hast put,
Than when a year of glut

Their stores doth over-cloy,
And from their plenteous grounds

35
With yast increase their corn and wine abounds,
In peace at once will I
Both lay me down and sleep,
For thou alone dost keep
Me safe where'er I lie;

40 As in a rocky cell

Thou, Lord, alone in safety mak'ft me dwell.

PS AL. V. Aug. 12, 1653.

JEHON
EHOVAH, to my words give ear,

My meditation weigh,
The voice of my complaining hear
My King and God; for unto thee I pray.
Jehovah, thou my early voice

S
Shalt in the morning hear,
I'th' morning I to thee with choice
Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear.
For thou art not a God that takes

In wickedness delight,
Evil with thee no biding makes,
Fools or mad men stand not within thy light.