The Poetical Works of John Milton Part 12

BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray In counsel of the wicked, and ith'way Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat Of scorners hath not sate. But in the great Jehovahs Law is ever his delight, And in his law he studies day and night.

He shall be as a tree which planted grows By watry streams, and in his season knows To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall.

And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. 10 Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand In judgment, or abide their tryal then Nor sinners in th'a.s.sembly of just men.

For the Lord knows th'upright way of the just And the way of bad men to ruine must.

PSAL. II Done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzetti.

WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations Muse a vain thing, the Kings of th'earth upstand With power, and Princes in their Congregations Lay deep their plots together through each Land, Against the Lord and his Messiah dear.

Let us break off; say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: he who in Heaven doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell 10 And fierce ire trouble them; but I saith hee Anointed have my King (though ye rebell) On Sion my holi' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath say'd Thou art my Son I have begotten thee This day, ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy possession I on thee bestow Th'Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earths utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With Iron Sceptir bruis'd, and them disperse 20 Like to a potters vessel s.h.i.+ver'd so.

And now be wise at length ye Kings averse Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear Jehovah serve and let your joy converse With trembling; Kiss the Son least he appear In anger and ye perish in the way If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere.

Happy all those who have in him their stay.

PSAL. III. Aug. 9. 1653

WHEN HE FLED FROM ABSALOM.

LORD how many are my foes How many those That in arms against me rise Many are they That of my life distrustfully thus say, No help for him in G.o.d there lies.

But thou Lord art my s.h.i.+eld my glory, Thee through my story Th' exalter of my head I count Aloud I cry'd 10 Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd And heard me from his holy mount.

I lay and slept, I wak'd again, For my sustain Was the Lord. Of many millions The populous rout I fear not though incamping round about They pitch against me their Pavillions.

Rise Lord, save me my G.o.d for thou Hast smote ere now 20 On the cheek-bone all my foes, Of men abhor'd Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy blessing on thy people flows.

PSAL. IV. Aug. 10.1653.

ANSWER me when I call G.o.d of my righteousness; In straights and in distress Thou didst me disinthrall And set at large; now spare, Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r.

Great ones how long will ye My glory have in scorn How long be thus forlorn Still to love vanity, 10 To love, to seek, to prize Things false and vain and nothing else but lies?

Yet know the Lord hath chose Chose to himself a part The good and meek of heart (For whom to chuse he knows) Jehovah from on high Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie.

Be aw'd, and do not sin, Speak to your hearts alone, 20 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 shew us good?

Talking like this worlds brood; But Lord, thus let me pray, On us lift up the light Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright. 30

Into my heart more joy And gladness thou hast put Then when a year of glut Their stores doth over-cloy And from their plenteous grounds With vast 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 ere I lie 40 As in a rocky Cell Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell.

PSAL. V. Aug. 12.1653.

JEHOVAH to my words give ear My meditation waigh The voyce of my complaining hear My King and G.o.d for unto thee I pray.

Jehovah thou my early voyce Shalt in the morning hear Ith'morning I to thee with choyce Will rank my Prayers, and watch till thou appear.

For thou art not a G.o.d that takes In wickedness delight 10 Evil with thee no biding makes Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight.

All workers of iniquity Thou wilt destroy that speak a ly The bloodi' and guileful man G.o.d doth detest.

But I will in thy mercies dear Thy numerous mercies go Into thy house; I in thy fear Will towards thy holy temple wors.h.i.+p low. 20 Lord lead me in thy righteousness Lead me because of those That do observe if I transgress, Set thy wayes right before, where my step goes.

For in his faltring mouth unstable No word is firm or sooth Their inside, troubles miserable; An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth.

G.o.d, find them guilty, let them fall By their own counsels quell'd; 30 Push them in their rebellions all Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd; Then all who trust in thee shall bring Their joy, while thou from blame Defend'st them, they shall ever sing And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name.

For thou Jehovah wilt be found To bless the just man still, As with a s.h.i.+eld thou wilt surround Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 40

PSAL. VI Aug. 13. 1653.

LORD in thine anger do not reprehend me Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct; Pity me Lord for I am much deject Am very weak and faint; heal and amend me, For all my bones, that even with anguish ake, Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore And thou O Lord how long? turn Lord, restore My soul, O save me for thy goodness sake For in death no remembrance is of thee; Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise? 10 Wearied I am with sighing out my dayes.

Nightly my Couch I make a kind of Sea; My Bed I water with my tears; mine Eie Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark Ith' mid'st of all mine enemies that mark.

Depart all ye that work iniquitie.

Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my prai'r My supplication with acceptance fair The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. 20 Mine enemies shall all be blank and dash't With much confusion; then grow red with shame, They shall return in hast the way they came And in a moment shall be quite abash't.

PSAL. VII. Aug. 14. 1653.

UPON THE WORDS OF CHUSH THE BENJAMITE AGAINST HIM.

Lord my G.o.d to thee I flie Save me and secure me under Thy protection while I crie Least as a Lion (and no wonder) He hast to tear my Soul asunder Tearing and no rescue nigh.

Lord my G.o.d if I have thought Or done this, if wickedness Be in my hands, if I have wrought Ill to him that meant me peace, 10 Or to him have render'd less, And fre'd my foe for naught;

Let th'enemy pursue my soul And overtake it, let him tread My life down to the earth and roul In the dust my glory dead, In the dust and there out spread Lodge it with dishonour foul.

Rise Jehovah in thine ire Rouze thy self amidst the rage 20 Of my foes that urge like fire; And wake for me, their furi' a.s.swage; Judgment here thou didst ingage And command which I desire.

So th' a.s.semblies of each Nation Will surround thee, seeking right, Thence to thy glorious habitation Return on high and in their sight.

Jehovah judgeth most upright All people from the worlds foundation. 30

Judge me Lord, be judge in this According to my righteousness And the innocence which is Upon me: cause at length to cease Of evil men the wickedness And their power that do amiss.

But the just establish fast, Since thou art the just G.o.d that tries Hearts and reins. On G.o.d is cast My defence, and in him lies 40 In him who both just and wise Saves th' upright of Heart at last.