So clear, as in no face with more delight. But O as to embrace me she inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night. XXIV. On occafion of the PLAGUE in LONDON. Found on a glass window at Chalfont, in Buckinghamfhire, where Milton refided 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 unfeen) Spreads the red rod of angry peftilence, To fweep the wicked and their counfels hence; yore, For the fair Hittite, when, on feraph's wings, He fent him war, or plague, or famine fore. 5 FO PSALMS. PSALM S. PSALM I. Done into verfe, 1653. BLefs'd is the man who hath not walk'd aftray In counsel of the wicked, and i' th' way of finners hath not stood, and in the feat PSAL. II. Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzette. W 5 10 15 HY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth up ftand With power, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land Against Against the Lord and his Meffiah dear? Let us break off, fay they, by ftrength of hand Their bonds, and caft from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: He who in Heav'n doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord fhall fcoff them, then fevere Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, faith he, Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) On Sion my holy' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath faid Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day; afk of me, and the grant is made; As thy poffeffion I on thee beftow 10 15 Th' Heathen, and as thy conqueft to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them fhalt thou bring full low With iron fcepter bruis'd, and them disperse If once his wrath take fire like fuel fere. 20 25 PSAL. III. PSAL. III. Aug. 9, 1653. When he fled from Abfalom. LORD, how many are my foes! How many thofe That in arms against me rise ! That of my life diftruftfully thus fay, But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory, Th' exalter of my head I count; Aloud I cry'd Unto Jehovah, he full foon reply'd I lay and flept, I wak'd again, Was the Lord. Of many millions I fear not, though incamping round about Rife, Lord; fave me, my God; for thou Haft fmote ere now On the cheek-bone all my foes, Of men abhorr'd 5 10 15 20 Haft broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy bleffing on thy people flows. PSAL. IV. PS AL. IV. Aug. 10, 1653. ANSWER me when I call, God of my righteousness, In ftraits and in distress Thou didst me difinthrall And fet at large; now spare, 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 feek, to prize Things falfe and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chofe, Chofe 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 |