ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN

TO CYRIAC SKINNER.
PIEDMONT.

CYRIAC, whose grandsire, on the royal bench AVENGE, O Lord, thy slaughter'd saints, whose

Of British Themis, with no mean applause bones

Pronounc'd, and in his volumes taught, our laws, Lie scatter'd on the Alpine mountains cold

Which others at their bar so often wrench; Evin them who kept thy truth so pure of old,

To-day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench 5 When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and In mirth that, after, no repenting draws; stones,

Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause, Forget not : in thy book record their groans 5

And what the Swede intends, and what the Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold

French: Slain by the bloody Piedmontese, that rollid

To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 9 Mother with infant down the rocks. Their

Tow'rd solid good what leads the nearest way; moans

For other things mild Heaven a time ordains, The vales redoubled to the hills, and they 9

And disapproves that care, though wise in show, To Heaven. Their martyr'd blood and ashes sow

That with superfluous burden loads the day, O'er all th' Italian fields, where still doth sway

And, when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. The triple Tyrant ; that from these may grow A hundred fold, who having learn'd thy way, Early may fly the Babylonian woe.

TO THE SAME.
ON HIS BLINDNESS.
WHEN I consider how my light is spent

CYRIAC, this three-years-day these eyes, though Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

clear, And that one talent which is death to hide,

To outward view, of blemish or of spot, Lodgʻd with me useless, though my soul more

Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;:, bent

Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear To serve therewith my Maker, and present 75

Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, 을 My true account, lest he returning, chide;

Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not Doth God exact day-labour, light denied ?

Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot I fondly ask : but Patience, to prevent

Of heart or hope,

but still bear up and steer That murmur, soon replies, God doth

not need 5 Right onward.What supports me dost thou ask? Either man's work, or his own gifts; who best-10

The conscience, Friend, to' have lost them over. Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best ; his state

plied

10 Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed,

In liberty's defence, my noble task, And post o'er land and ocean without rest;

Of which all Europe rings from side to side. They also serve who only stand and wait.

This thought might lead me through the world's

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

4

TO MR. LAWRENCE.
LAWRENCE, of virtuous father virtuous son,
Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire,
Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire
Help waste a sullen day, what niay be won

ON HIS DECEASED WIFE.
From the hard season gaining ? time will run 5
On smoother, till Favonius

re-inspire
The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire

METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint The lily' and rose, that neither sow'd nor spun."

Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave, What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice,

Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave, Of Attic taste, with wine whence we may rise 10

Rescued from death by force, though pale and To hear the lute well touch'd, or artful voice,

faint. Warble immortal notes, and Tuscan air? Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taintz

He who of those delights can judge, and spare
To interpose them oft, is not unwise.

And such, as yet once more I trust to have

Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind: • This persecution of the Protestants in Pied Her face was veil'd; yet, to my fancied sight, mont broke out in 1655. In May, that year, Cromwell wrote several letters to the Duke of Savoy, So clear, as in no face with more delight:

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd

11 and other potentates and states, complaining of that But ! as to embrace me she inclin'd, persecution. Echard tells us, that he proclaimed I wak'd; she fled; and day brought back my a fast, and caused large contributions to be gathered

night. for them in England; that he sent

his agents to the Duke of Savoy, a prince with whom he had no correspondence or commerce, and, the next year, so engaged Cardinal Mazarine, and even terrified the

• Cyriac Skinner was the son of William SkinPope himself, without so much as doing any favour

ner, Esq. and grandson of Sir Vincent Skinner, and to the English Roman Catholics, that the Duke

his mother was daughter of the famous Lord thought it necessary to restore all that he had taken

Chief Justice Coke. Mr. Wood relates that he from them, and renewed all those privileges they

was one of Harrington's political club, and somehad formerly enjoyed. "So great (adds Echard) times held the chair; and further adds, that he was the terror of his name; nothing being more

was a merchant's son of London, an ingenious usual than his saying, that his ships in the Medi. young gentleman, and scholar to John Milton. terranean should visit Civita Vecchia, and the

+ This was his second wife, Catharine, the daugh. sound of his cannon should be heard in Rome."

ter of Captain Woodcock of Hackney, who lived | This Mr. Lawrence was the son of the Presi.

with him not above a year after their marriage, and dent of Cromwell's council.

died in child-bed of a daughter.

PSALM I.

Aloud I cried

10
Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied,
(Done into verse, 1653.]

And heard me from his holy mount.

I lay and slept; I wak'd again; BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray

For my sustain In counsel of the wicked, and i' th' way

Was the Lord. Of many millions

15 Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat

The populous rout Of scorners hath not sat: but in the great

I fear not, though encamping round about, Jehovah's law is ever his delight,

5 They pitch against me their pavilions. And in his law he studies, day and night.

Rise, Lord; save me, my God; for thou He shall be as a tree which planted grows

Hast smote, ere now,

20
By wat'ry streams, and in his season knows On the cheek-bone, all my foes;
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,

Of men abhorrd
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. 10 Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd

Lord;
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand Thy blessing on thy people flows.
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Not sinners in th' assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows the upright way of the just, 15
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

PSALM IV.

(August 10, 1653.1 PSALM II.

ANSWER me when I call,
(Done August 8, 1653.]

God of my righteousness;
In straits, and in distress,

Thou didst me disinthral
Tersetti.
And set at large; now spare,

5 WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer.

Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand Great ones, how long will ye

With power, and princes in their congregations My glory have in scorn? Lay deep their plots together through each

land How long be thus forborn Against the Lord and his Messiah dear? 5

Still to love vanity?

10
Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand To love, to seek, to prize
Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies?
Their twisted cords: He, who in heaven doth Yet know the Lord hath chose,
dwell,

Chose to himself apart,
Shall laugh; the Lord shall scoff them; then The good and meek of heart;

15
severe

(For whom to choose he knows) Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell 10 Jehovah from on high

And fierce ire trouble them; but I, saith he, Will hear my voice, what time to him I cry.

Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) Be awed, and do not sin; On Sion my holy' hill. A firm decree

Speak to your hearts alone,

20
I will declare the Lord to me hath said, Upon your beds, each one,
Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee 15 And be at peace within :
This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; Offer the offerings just
As thy possession I on thee bestow

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust.
The Heathen; and as thy conquest to be sway'd, Many there be that say,

25 Earth's atmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full Who yet will show us good ? low

Talking like this world's brood; With iron sceptre bruis'd, and them disperse 20 But, Lord, thus let me pray; Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so.

On us lift up the light,
And now be wise at length, ye kings averse,

Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright. 30
Be taught, ye judges of the earth; with fear Into my heart more joy
Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse

And gladness thou bast put,
With trembling; kiss the Son lest he appear 25 Than when a year of glut
In anger, and ye perish in the way,

Their stores doth over-cloy,
If once his wrath take fire, like fuel sere.

And from their plenteous grounds

35
With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

In peace at once will I
PSALM III.

Both lay me down and sleep;
For thou alone dost keep
Me safe where'er I lie;

40
(August 9, 1653.)

As in a rocky cell

Thou, Lord! alone, in safety mak'st me dwell.
When he fled from Absalom.
LORD, how many are my foes!
How many thoše,

PSALM V.
That in arms against me rise !
Many are they,

(August 14, 1653.) That of my life distrustfully thus say;

5 No help for him in God there lies.

JEHOVAH! to my words give ear,
But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,

My meditation Weigh;
Thee, through my story,

The voice of my complaining hear,
Th' exalter of my head I count;

My King and God; for unto thee I pray.

Jehovah ! thou my early voice

5 Ill to him that meant me peace ; Shalt in the morning hear;

Or to him have render'd less, l'th' morning I to thee with choice

And not freed my foe for nought;
Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear.
For thou art not a God that takes

Let th' enemy pursue my soul
In wickedness delight;

10 And overtake it, let him tread Evil with thee no biding makes;

My life down to the earth, and roll

15 Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight. In the dust my glory dead, All workers of iniquity

In the dust; and, there outspread, Thou hat'st: and them unbless'd

Lodge it with dishonour foul. Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie;

15 The bloody' and guileful man God doth detest. Rise, Jehovah! in thine ire, But I will, in thy mercies dear,

Rouse thyself amidst the rage

20 Thy numerous mercies, go

Of my foes that urge like fire; Into thy house; I, in thy fear,

And wake for me, their fury' assuage;
Will tow'rd thy holy temple worship low. 20 Judgment here thou didst engage
Lord ! lead me in thy righteousness,

And command, which I desire.
Lead me, because of those
That do observe if 1 transgress;

So th' assemblies of each nation
Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. Will surround thee, seeking right;
For, in his faltering mouth unstable, 25

Thence to thy glorious habitation
No word is firm or sooth:

Return on high, and in their sight.
Their inside, troubles miserable;

Jehovah judgeth most upright
An open grave their throat, their tongue they All people, from the world's foundation.

30 smoothe. God ! find them guilty, let them fall

Judge me, Lord; be judge in this By their own counsels quell'd;

30 According to my righteousness, Push them in their rebellions all

And the innocence which is
Still on ; for against thee they have rebell'd. Upon me: cause at length to cease
Then all, who trust in thee, shall bring

Of evil men the wickedness,

35 Their joy; while thou from blame

And their power that do amiss. Defend'st them, they shall ever sing,

35 And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name : But the just establish fast, For thou, Jehovah ! wilt be found

Since thou' art the just God that tries To bless the just man still;

Hearts and reins. On God is cast As with a shield, thou wilt surround

My defence, and in him lies:

SO Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 40 In him who, both just and wise,

Saves the upright of heart at last.

God is a just judge and severe,
PSALM VI.

And God is every day offended;
If the unjust will not forbear,

45
His sword he whets, his bow hath bended
(August 13, 1653.]

Already, and for him intended

The tools of death, that wait him near.
LORD, in thine anger do not reprehend me,
Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct;

(His arrows purposely made he Pity me, Lord, for I am much deject,

For them that persecute :) Behold,

50 And very weak and faint; heal and amend me:

He travels big with vanity; Por all my bones, that e'en with anguish ake, 5

Trouble he hath conceiv'd of old, Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore,

As in a womb; and from that mold And thou, 6'Lord! how long? Turn, Lord, Hath at length brought forth a lie.

restore My soul; O save me for thy goodness' sake!

He digg'd a pit, and delv'd it deep,

55 For in death no remembrance is of thee;

And fell into the pit he made; Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise ? 10

His mischief, that due course doth keep, Wearied I am with sighing out my days;

Turns on his head; and his ill trade Nightly my couch I make a kind of sea;

Of violence will, undelay'd, My bed I water with my tears; mine eye

Fall on his crown with ruin steep.

60 Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark I'th' midst of all mine enemies that mark. 15

Then will I Jehovah's praise Depart, all ye that work iniquity,

According to his justice raise,
Depart from me ; for the voice of my weeping, And sing the Name and Deity
The Lord hath heard; the Lord hath heard my

Of Jehovah the Most High!
prayer,
My supplication with acceptance fair
The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. 20
Mine enemies shall all be blank, and dash'd

PSALM VIII.
With much confusion; then, grown red with

shame, They shall return in haste the way they came,

(August 14, 1653.) And in a moment shall be quite abash'd.

O JEHOVAH our Lord, how wondrous great

And glorious is thy Name through all the earth! So as above the heavens thy praise

to set PSALM VII.

Out of the tender mouths of latest birth.

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, thou 5 (August 14, 1653.]

Hast founded strength, because of all thy foes,

To stint the enemy, and slack th' avenger's brow, Upon the words of Chush, the Benjamite against That bends his rage thy providence to oppose. him.

When I behold thy heavens, thy fingers' art, LORD, my God, to thee I fly;

The moon, and stars, whích thou so bright hast Save me, and secure me under

10 Thy protection, while I cry;

In the pure firmament: then saith my heart, Lest, as the lion, (and no wonder)

O, what is man that thou rememb'rest yet, He haste to tear my soul asunder,

5 Tearing, and no rescue nigh.

And think'st upon him; or of man begot,

That him thou visit'st, and of him art found ! Lord, my God, if I have thought

Scarce to be less than gods, thou mad'st his lot, 15 Or done this; if wickedness

With honour and with state thou hast hirs Be in my hands; if I have wrought

10

crown'd.

set

O'er the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord, | 14 Return now, God of Hosts ! look down
Thou hast put all under his lordly feet;

From heaven, thy seat divine;
All flocks, and herds, by thy commanding word, Behold' us, but without a frown,'

All beasts that in the field or forest meet; 20 And visit this 'thy' vine.
Fowl of the heavens, and fish that through the 15 Visit this vine, which thy right hand
wet

Hath set, and planted "long,'
Sea-paths in shoals do slide, and know no dearth: And the young branch, that for thyself
O Jehovah our Lord, how wondrous great

Thou hast made firm and strong.
And glorious is thy Name through all the earth!

16 But now it is consum'd with fire,

And cut with axes' down;
PSALM LXXX.

They perish at thy dreadful ire,

At thy rebuke and frown. [April, 1648. J. M.]

17 Upon the man of thy right hand Nine of the Psalms done into metre, wherein all,

Let thy 'good' hand be laid;' but what is distinguished by inverted commas,

Upon the son of man, whom

thou are the very words of the text translated from

Strong for thyself hast made. the original.

18 So shall we not go back from thee 1 THOU, Shepherd, that dost Israel. keep'

"To ways of sin and shame;' Give ear in time of red;'

Quicken us thou; then gladly' we
Who leadest like a flock of sheep

Shall call upon thy Name.
Thy loved' Joseph's seed;

19 Return us,' and thy grace divine, That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright,' 5

Lord God of Hosts ! vouchsafe;'
Between their wings outspread ;'.

Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
Shine forth, and from their cloud give light,'

And then we shall be safe.
And on our foes thy dread.'
2 In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's,
And in Manasse's sight,

10

PSALM LXXXI.
Awake thy strength, come, and 'be seen'
.To' save us by thy might.'

1 TO God our strength sing loud and clear,' 3 Turn us, again; thy grace divine

Sing loud to God' our King;' "To us, God, vouchsafe;'

To Jacob's God, 'that all may hear; Cause thou thy face on us to shine,

15 Loud acclamations ring. And then we shall be safe.

2 Prepare a hymn, prepare a song, 4 Lord God of Hosts! how long wilt thou,

The timbrel hither bring; How long wilt thou declare

The cheerful' psaltery bring along, Thy + smoking wrath,' and angry brow'

And harp' with' pleasant string.' Against thy people's prayer!

20

3 Blow, as is wont,' in the new moon 5 Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears;

With trumpets lofty sound, Their bread with tears they eat;

Th' appointed time, the day whereon
And mak'st them & largely drink the tears

Our solemn feast comes round.'
Wherewith their cheeks are wet.'

4 This was a statute given of old,' 6 A strife thou mak'st us and a prey'

25 For Israel to observe;' To every neighbour foe;

A law of Jacob's God, 'to hold,' Among themselves they || laugh, they play, I

From whence they might not swerve.' And | flouts at us they throw.

5 This he a testimony ordain'd 7 Return us, and thy grace divine,'

In Joseph, not to change;' O God of Hosts ! vouchsafe;'

30 When as he pass'd through Egypt land; Cause thou thy face on us to shine,

The tongue I heard was strange. And then we shall be safe. 8 A vine from Egypt thou hast brought,

6 From burden, and from slavish toil,'

I set his shoulder free:
Thy free love made it thine,'
And drov'st out nations proud and haught,' 35

His hands from pots,' and miry soil,'

Deliver'd were by me.' To plant this lovely' vine.

7 When trouble did thee sore assail, 9 Thou didst prepare for it a place,

On me then' didst thou call; And root'it deep and fast,

And I to free thee did not fail,'
That it' began to grow apace,'

And led thee out of thrall.
And fill'd the land at last.'

40

I answer'd thee in thunder deep 10 With her 'green' shade that cover'd'all,'

With clouds incompass'd round; The hills were overspread ;'

I tried thee at the water steep' Her boughs as high as' cedars tall

Of Meriba' renown'd.' *Advanc'd their lofty head.'

8 Hear, O my people, hearken well, 11 Her branches on the western side'

45

I testify to thee, Down to the sea she sent,

Thou ancient stock of Israel, And 'upward' to that river wide'

If thou wilt list to me: Her other branches" went.'

9 Throughout the land of thy abode 12 Why hast thou laid her hedges low,

No alien god shall be, And broken down her fence,

50 Nor shalt thou to a foreign god That all may pluck her, as they go,

In honour bend thy knee. With rudest violence ?'

10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought 13 The 'tusked' boar, out of the wood,

Thee out of Egypt land; Up turns it by the roots;

Ask large enough, and I, 'besought, Wild beasts there browse, and make their food Will grant thy full demand. * Her grapes and tender shoots.'

56

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Gnorera. Gnashanta. Shalish. || Jilgnagu.

• Be Sether regnam.

11 And yet my people would not 'hear,' 45,4 Come, let us cut them off, say they, Nor hearken to my voice;

Till they no nation be And Israel, 'whom I lov'd so dear,'

That Israel's name for ever may

15 Mislik'd me for his choice.

Be lost in memory. 12 Then did I leave them to their will,

5 For they consult with all their might, And to their wand'ring mind;

50 And all, as one in mind, Their own conceits they follow'd still,

Themselves against thee they unite, Their own devices blind.

And in firm union bind.

20 13 0 that my people would be wise,'

6 The tents of Edom, and the brood "To serve me all their days!

Of scorful' Ishmael, And 0, that Israel would advise'

55

Moab, with them of Hagar's blood,
To walk my 'righteous' ways!

That in the desert dwell;'
14 Then would I soon bring down their foes, 7 Gebal and Ammon ' there conspire,

25 That now so proudly rise;'

And hateful' Amalec, And turn my hand against all those'

The Philistines, and they of Tyre, *That are their enemies.

60

Whose bounds the sea doth check;' 15 Who hate the Lord should then be fain'

8 With them great Ashur also bands, * To' bow to him and bend;

And doth confirm the knot:

30 But they, his people, should remain,'

All these have lent their armed hands Their time should have no end.

To aid the sons of Lot. 16 And he would feed them from the shock' 65 9 Do to them as to Midian 'bold, With flower of finest wheat,

That wasted all the coast; And satisfy them from the rock

To Sisera ; and, as is tola,'

35 With honey for their meat.'

• Thou didst' to Jabin's 'host,"
When' at the brook of Kishon' old,

They were repuls'd and slain,
PSALM LXXXII.

10 At Endor quite cut off, and roll'a

As dung upon the plain. 1 GOD in the great * assembly stands Of kings and lordly states;'

11 As Zeb and Oreb evil sped, Among the gods, t on both his hands

So let their princes speed; He judges and debates.

As Zeba, and Zaimunna' bled,'

So let their princes' bleed.' 2 How long will ye # pervert the right

5 With judgment false and wrong,

12'For they amidst their pride' have said, 45 Favouring the wicked,' by your might,

By right now shall we seize
Who thence grow bold and strong ?

God's houses, and will now invade'

Their stately palaces.
3 Regard the weak and fatherless,
Dispatch the poor ( man's cause,

10
13 My God! oh make them as a wheel,

50 And || raise the man in deep distress

No quiet let them find;'
By I just and equal laws.

Giddy and 'restless' let them reel'

Like stubble from the wind. 4 Defend the poor and desolate, And rescue from the hands

14 As` when' an' aged' wood takes fire

• Which on a sudden strays,' Of wicked men the low estate

15 Of him that help demands.'

The' greedy' flame runs higher and higher 55

Till all the mountains blaze; 5 They know not, nor will understand, In darkness they walk on;

15 So with thy whirlwind them pursue, The earth's foundations all are s mov'd,

And with thy tempest chase;
And out of order gone.

20
16 And, till they yield thee honour due,
Lord! fill with shame their face.

co 6 I said that ye were gods; yea, all The sons of God Most High;

17 Ashamed, and troubled let them be, 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall

Troubled, and sham'd for ever; As other princes die.'

Ever confounded, and so die

With shame, and scape it never.'
Rise, God; ** judge thou the earth in might,' 52
This wicked' earth redress;

18 Then shall they know, that Thou, whose name For thou art he who shalt by right

Jehovah is alone,

66 The nations all possess.

Art the Most High, and thou the same'

O'er all the earth art One!"

5

PSALM LXXXIII.
1 BE not thou silent now at length,'

PSALM LXXXIV.
O God! hold not thy peace;
Sit thou not still; O God of strength,'

1 HOW lovely are thy dwellings fair! We cry, and do not cease.'

O Lord of Hosts, how dear

The pleasant' tabernacles are, 2 For lo, thy furious' foes' now' it swell 5

Where thou dost dwell so near!"
And It storm outrageously,
And they that hate thee proud and fello

2 My soul doth long and almost die Exalt their heads full high.

Thy courts, O Lord, to see,

My heart and flesh aloud do cry, 3 Against thy people they +1 contrive

O living God! for thee. Their i plots and counsels

deep:

10 Them in to insnare they chiefly strive,

3 There e'en the sparrow freed from wrong' Whom I thou dost hide and keep.

Hath found a honse of rest ;'
The swallow there, to lay her young

Hath built her brooding' nest;
• Bagnadath-el. Bekerev. Tishphetu gnavel.
Shiphtu-dal. Hatzdiku. Jimmotu.
** Shiphta. tt Jehemajun.

• Lev jachdau. #1 Jagnarimu. 19 Sod. TI Jirthjagnatsu gnal.

+ Neoth Elobiy tears both.

# They seek thy Name. Heb. L3

10

Toephuneca."