 Miscellaneous Poems by John Miltner This Libra Vox recording is in the public domain, recording by Thomas Copeland. The Fifth Ode of Horrors, Book One, Quis multogroquilis te puer in rosa, rendered almost word for word without rhyme according to the Latin measure as near as the language permit. What slender youth, bedewed with liquid odors, quartz thee on roses in some pleasant cave, here are for whom binds thou in reeds thy golden hair, plain in my neatness. O how oft shall he on faith and change at God's complain, and sees rough with black winds and storms unwanted shall admire. Who now enjoys thee, credulous, all gold? Who, always vacant, always amiable, hopes thee for flattering gales unmindful? Hapless they to whom thou untried seems fair. Me in my vowed picture the sacred wall declares to have hung my dank and dropping weeds to the stern god of sea. The Latin text follows. Sonnets. Eleven. A book was writ of late called Tetra Cordon, and woven close, both matter, form, and style. The subject knew. It walked the town a while, numbering good intellects, now seldom bored on. Prize the stall reader. Bless us what a word on a title page is this. And some, in file, stand spelling false while one might walk to Mylon Green. Why is it harder, sirs, than Gordon, to call Kitto on MacDonald or Golasp? Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek that would have made Quintillions stare and gasp. Thy age, like ours, O solo, Sir John Cheek, hated not learning worse than Toad or Asp, when thou taught Cambridge and King Edward Reek. Note, Cambridge Autograph supplies title on the detraction which followed my writing certain treatises. Twelve. On the same. I did but prompt the age to quit their clogs by the known rules of ancient liberty, when straight a barbarous noise environs me of owls and cuckoos, asses, apes, and dogs, as when those hines that were transformed to frogs railed at Latona's twin-born progeny, which after held the sun and moon in fee. But this is got by casting pearl to hogs, that ball for freedom in their senseless mood and still revolt when truth would set them free. License they mean when they cry liberty. For who loves that? Must first be wise and good, but from that mark how far they rove we see for all this waste of wealth and loss of blood. Thirteen. To Mr. H. Laws on his heirs. Harry, whose tuneful and well-measured song first taught our English music how to span words with just note and accent, not to scan with Midas ears, committing short and long. Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng, with praise enough for envy to look wan. To after age thou shalt be writ the man that with smooth air could stew her best our tongue. Thou onest verse and verse must send her wing to honour thee. The priest of Phoebus Choir that dunes their happiest lines in him or story. Dante shall give fame leave to set thee higher than his gasella whom he would to sing met in the milder shades of purgatory. Note nine. Send. Lend. Cambridge Autograph manuscript. Fourteen. When faith and love, which parted from thee never, had ripened thy just soul to dwell with God, meekly thou didst resign this earthly load of death called life, which us from life doth sever. Thy works and alms and all thy good endeavour stayed not behind, nor in the grave were draw'd, but as faith pointed with her golden rod followed thee up to joy and bliss for ever. Love let them on, and faith, who knew them best thy handmaids, clad them o'er with purple beams and azure wings, that up they flew so dressed and spake the truth of the unglorious themes before the judge, who thenceforth bid thee rest and drink thy fill of pure immortal streams. Note, Cambridge Autograph supplies title on the religious memory of Catherine Thompson, my Christian friend, deceased 16 December 1646. Fifteen. On the Lake Massacre in Piedmont. Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones lie scattered on the Alpine Mountains cold, even them who kept thy truth so pure of old when all our fathers worshipped stocks and stones, forget not. In thy book record their groans, who were thy sheep, and in their ancient folds slain by the bloody Piedmontese that rolled mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans, the bales redoubled to the hills and they to heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes so, o'er all the Italian fields where still doth sway the triple tyrant, that from these may grow a hundredfold, who, having learnt thy way, early may fly the Babylonian woe. Sixteen. When I consider how my light is spent, ere half my days in this dark world and wide, and that own talent which is death to hide, lodged with me useless, though my soul were bent to solve there with me maker, and present my true account lest he return and chide, doth God exact day labour light deny'd, I fondly ask. But patience to prevent that murmur soon replies. God doth not need either man's work or his own gifts. Who best bear his mild yoke? They solve in best. His state is kingly. Thousands at his didn't speed and post all and an ocean without rest. They also solve, who only stand and wait. Seventeen. Lawrence, a 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 may be one from the hard season gaming? Time will run on smoother till Havonius re-inspire the frozen earth, and clothe in fresher tire the lily and rose, that neither sowed nor spun. What neat repasse shall feast us, light and choice, of attic taste with wine, whence we may rise to hear the lute well touched, or artful voice warble immortal notes and tusk and air. He who of those delights can judge and spare to interpose them off is not unwise. Eighteen. Syriac, whose grandsire on the royal bench of British Temus with no mean applause pronounced, and in his volumes taught our laws, which others at their bar so often wrench. Today deep thoughts resolve with me to drench in mirth, that after no repenting draws. Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause, and what the Swede intend and what the French. To measure life learn now betimes, and know towards solid good what needs the nearest way. For other things mild heaven the time ordains, and disapproves that care though wise in show, that with superfluous burden loads the day, and when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. Nineteen. The thought I saw my latest spouse of saint brought to me like Alcestus from the grave, whom Joe's great son to her glad husband gave, rescue from death by force, though pale and faint. Mine, as whom washed from spot of childbed taint, purification in the old lauded save, 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. Her face was veiled, yet to my fancied sight love, sweetness, goodness in her person shines so clear as in no face with more delight. But oh, as to embrace me she inclined, I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night. On the new forces of conscience under the long parliament, because you have thrown off your prelate lord and with stiff vows renounced his liturgy, to seize the widowed whore plurality from those whose sin ye envied not of horde, dare ye for this adjure the civil sword to force out consciences that Christ set free and ride us with a classic hierarchy taught ye by mere A.S. and Rutherford? Men whose life, learning, faith, and pure intent would have been held in high esteem with Paul must now be named and printed heretics by shallow Edwards and Scotch, what ye call. But we do hope to find out all your tricks, your plots, and packing worse than those of Trent, that so the parliament may, with their wholesome and preventive shears, clip your phylacteries, though balk your ears, and succour our just fears when they shall read this clearly in your charge, new presbyter is but old priest writ large. The four following sonnets were not published until 1694 and then in a mangled form by Phillips in his life of Milton. They are here printed from the Cambridge manuscript where that Fairfax is in Milton's autograph. On the Lord General Fairfax at the Siege of Colchester. Fairfax, whose name in arms through Europe rings filling each mouth with envy or with praise and all her jealous monarchs with amaze and rumours loud that daunt remotest kings, thy firm unshaken virtue ever brings victory home, though new rebellions raise their hydroheads and the false north displays her broken league to imp their serpent wings. O yet a nobler task awaits thy hand. Yet what can war but endless war still breed till truth and right from violence be freed and public faith cleared from the shameful brand of public fraud. In vain doth the valour bleed while avarice and rapids share the land. To the Lord General Promwell, May 1652. On the proposals of certain ministers at the Committee for Propagation of the Gospel. Promwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud, not a war only but detractions rude, guided by faith and matchless fortitude to peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed. And on the neck of crowned fortune proud hast reared God's trophies and his works pursued while Darwin's stream with blood of scots and brood and Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud and Worcester's laureate wreath. Yet much remains to conquer still. Peace, pather victory's no less renowned than war. New foes arise, threatening to bind our souls with secular chains. Help us to save free conscience from the paw of hireling wolves whose gospel is their maw to Sir Henry Vane the Younger. Vane, young in years but in sage council, owed than whom a better senator nair-held the helm of Rome when gowns, not arms, repelled the fears of pirate and African bold. Whether to settle peace or to unfold the drift of hollow states hard to bespelled, then to advise how war may best upheld, move by her two main nerves, iron and gold, in all her equipage, besides to know both spiritual power and civil what each means, what severs each, thou'st learned, which few have done, the bounds of either sword to thee we owe, therefore on thy firm hand religion leans in peace and reckons thee her eldest son. To Mr. Syriac skinner upon his blindness. Syriac, this three years day, these eyes, though clear to outward view of blemish or of spot, bereft of light their seeing have forgot, nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear of sun or moon or star throughout the year, o man or woman. Yet I argue not against heaven's hand or will, nor bait a jot of heart or hope, but still bear up and steer right onward. What supports me does thou ask, the conscience friend to have lost them over plied in liberty's defence, my noble task of which all Europe talks from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask content, though blind, and I know better, Guy, Psalm 1, done into verse 1653. Blessed is the man who hath not walked a stray in counsel of the wicked, and the way of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat of scorners hath not sate. 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 season knows to yield his fruit, and hisly shall not fall. And what he takes in hand shall prosper all, not so the wicked, but as chaff, which fan the wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand in judgment, or abide their trial then, nor sinners in the assembly of just men. For the Lord knows the upright way of the just, and the way of bad men to ruin must. Psalm 2, done August 8, 1653. Terzetti Why do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations muse a vain thing? The kings of the 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 bombs, 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 fair and fierce ire trouble them. But I, saith he, anointed of my king, though ye rebel, on Zion my whole hill, a firm decree I will declare, for the Lord to me hath said, Thou art my son. I have begotten thee this day. Ask of me, and the grant is made. As thy possession, I on thee bestowed even, and as thy conquest to besuade earths at most bounds, them shall thou bring full low with iron scepter bruised, and them disperse like to a potter's vessel shivered so. 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, lest he appear in anger, and ye perish in the way. If once his wrath take fire like fuel sear, happy all those who have him in their stay. John 3, August 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 God there lies. But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory. Thee, through my story, the exalted of my head I count. Allowed I cried unto Jehovah, he full soon replied, and heard me from his holy mount. I lay and slept, I waked again, for my sustain was the Lord. Of many millions the populace rout I fear not, though in camping-round about they pitch against me their pavilions. Rise, Lord, save me, my God, for thou hast smote air now on the cheekbone all my foes. Of men abhorred hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord. Thy blessing on thy people flows. Psalm 4, August 10, 1653 Answer me when I call God of my righteousness. In straits and in distress thou didst me disenthrall and set 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 forlorn still to love vanity, to love, to seek, to prize things false and vain, and nothing else 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 do I cry? Be awed and do not sin, 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 show us good, talking like this world's brood. But, Lord, thus let me pray, on us lift up the light, lift up the favor of thy countenance bright. Into my heart more joy and gladness thou hast put than when a year of glut their stores doth over ploy, and from their plentious 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 as in a rocky cell. Thou, Lord, alone in safety makes me dwell. Psalm 5, August 12, 1653 Jehovah, 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, shalt in the morning hear, is 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 mates, fools or madmen stand not within thy sight. All workers of iniquity thou wilt destroy, that speak a lie, the bloody and guileful man God 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 worship low. Lord, lead me in thy righteousness. Lead me, because of those that do observe if I transgress. Set thy ways right before where my step goes, for in his faltering mouth unstable no word is firm or sooth. There inside troubles miserable, and open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth. God find them guilty, let them fall by their own counsels quelled, push them in their own rebellions all still on, for against thee they have rebelled. Then all who trust in thee shall bring their joy, while thou from blame defends them. They shall ever sing and shall triumph in thee who love thy name. For thou Jehovah will be found to bless the just man still, as with a shield thou will surround him with thy lasting favour and good will. Psalm 6, August 13th, 1653 Lord, in thine anger do not reprehend me, nor in thy hotest pleasure me correct. Pity me, Lord, for I am much deject, am very weak in fate, heal and amend me, for all my bones that even with anguish ache are troubled. Yea, my soul was troubled sore, and thou, O Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, restore my soul, O save me for thy goodness sake, for in death no remembrances of thee who in the grave can celebrate thy praise. Wearyed I am with sighing out my days, nightly my couch I make a kind of sea, my bed I water with my tears, when I, through grief consumes, is wax and old and dark amidst of all my enemies that mark, depart tall ye that work iniquity, depart from me, for the voice of my weeping the Lord hath heard. The Lord hath heard my prayer, my supplication with acceptance fair the Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. My enemies shall all be blank and dashed with much confusion, then grow red with shame, they shall return in haste the way they came, and in a moment shall be quite abashed. Psalm 7, August 14th, 1653, upon the words of Coosh, the Benjamin, against him, Lord, my God, to thee I fly, save me, and cure me under thy protection while I cry. Lest, as a lion, and no wonder, he haste to tear my soul asunder, tearing and no rescue nigh. Lord, my God, if I have thought or done this, if wickedness be in my hands, if I have wrought ill to him that meant me peace, or to him have rendered less, and not freed my foe for naught, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, let him tread my life down to the earth, and roll in the dust my glory dead, in the dust, and there outspread, lodge it with dishonour foul. Rise, Jehovah, in thine ire, rouse thyself amidst the rage of my foes that urge like fire, and wake for me their furious wage, judgment here thou didst engage, and command which I desire. So the assemblies of each nation will surround the seeking right, thence to thy glorious habitation return on I, and in their sight. Jehovah, judgment, most upright all people from the world's foundation. 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 God that tries hearts and reins. On God is cast my defense, and in him lies, in him who, both just and wise, saves the bright of heart at last. God is a just judge, and severe, and God is every day offended, if th' unjust will not forbear, his sword he wets, his bow hath bended already, and for him intended the tools of death that waits him near. His arrows purposely made he for them that persecute. Behold, he travels big with vanity, trouble he hath conceived of old as in a womb, and from that mold hath at length brought forth a lie. He digged a pit, and delved it deep, and fell into the pit he made. His mischief that you course doth keep turns on his head, and his ill trade of violence will underlaid fall on his crown with ruined steam. Then will I Jehovah's praise according to his justice raise, and sing the name and deity of Jehovah the Most High. Psalm 8, August 14, 1653 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, out of the tender mouths of latest birth, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, thou hast founded strength because of all thy foes to stint the enemy, and slack the vengeance brow that bends his rage thy providence to oppose. When I behold thy heavens, thy fingers art, the moon and stars which thou so brightest set in the pure firmament, then set my heart, O what is man that thou rememberest yet, and thinks upon him, for of man begot that him thou visitst, and of him art found, scarce to be less than God's thou madest his lot, with honour and with state thou hast encrowned. O the works of thy hand thou madest in lord, thou hast put all under his lordly feet, all flocks and herds, by thy commanding word, all beasts that in the field of forest meet, foul of the heavens and fish that through the wet sea paths in shoals do slide, and no no dearth. O Jehovah our Lord, how wondrous, great, and glorious is thy name through all the earth. April 1648 J.M. Nine of the Psalms done into meter, wherein all but what is in a different character are the very words of the text translated from the original. Psalm 80 Thou shepherd that dost Israel keep, give ear in time of need, who leadest like a flock of sheep, thy lover Joseph's seed, that sits between the cherubs bright, between their wings outspread, shine forth, and from thy cloud give light, and on our foes thy dread. In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's, and in Manasseh's sight, awake thy strength, come and be seen to save us by thy might. Turn us again, thy grace divine to us, O God, thou safe, cause thou thy face on us to shine, and then we shall be safe. Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou, how long wilt thou declare thy smoking wrath and angry brow against thy people's prayer? Thou feeds them with the bread of tears, their bread with tears they eat, and makes them largely drink the tears wherewith their cheeks are wet. A strife thou makes us, and a prey to every neighbour's fold, among themselves they laugh, they play, and flounce us as they throw. Return us, and thy grace divine, O God of hosts, thou safe, cause thou thy face on us to shine, and then we shall be safe. A vine from Egypt thou has brought, thy free love made it thine, and drosed out nations proud and hot to plant this lovely vine. Thou didst prepare for it a place and root it deep and fast, that it began to grow apace and fill the land of last. With her green shade that covered all the hills were overspread, her boughs as high as cedars tall advanced their lofty head, her branches on the western side down to the sea she sent, and upward to that river-wide her other branches went. Why hast thou laid her hedges low and broken down her fence, that all may pluck her as they go with rudest violence? The tusk had bore out of the wood, up turns it by the roots, while beasts there browse and make their food her grapes and tender shoots. Turn now, God of hosts, look down from heaven thy seat divine. Behold us, but without a frown, and visit this thy vine. Visit this vine which thy right hand hath set and planted long, and the young branch that for thyself thou hast made firm and strong. But now it is consumed with fire and cut with axes down. They perish at thy dreadful ire, and rebuke and frown. Upon the man of thy right hand let thy good hand be laid, upon the son of man whom thou strong for thyself hast made. So shall we not go back from thee to ways of sin and shame, quicken us thou, then gladly we shall call upon thy name. Return us, and thy grace divine, Lord God of hosts, vouch safe, cause thou thy face on us to shine, and then we shall be safe. Psalm 81 To God our strength sing loud and clear, sing loud to God our King, to Jacob's God, that all may hear loud acclamations ring. Prepare a hymn, prepare a song, the timbrel hither bring, the cheerful sultry bring along, and harp with pleasant stream. Blow as his want in the new moon with trumpet's lofty sound, the pointed time, the day whereon our solemn feast comes round. This was a statute given of old for Israel to observe, a law of Jacob's God to hold, from quents they might not swerve. This he a testimony ordained in Joseph not to change, when, as he passed through Egypt land, the tongue I heard was strange, from burden and the slavish toil I set his shoulder free, his hands from pots and myery soil delivered were by me. When trouble did thee soar sail, on me then didst thou call, and I to free thee did not fail, and led thee out of thrall. I answered thee in thunder deep, with clouds encompassed round, I tried thee at the water steep of Meribah renowned. Here, O my people, harken well, I testify to thee, thou ancient flock of Israel, if thou wilt list to me, throughout the land of thy abode no alien God shall be, nor shout thou to a foreign God in honor bend thy knee. I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of Egypt land, as large enough, and I, besought, will grant thy full demand. And yet my people would not hear, nor harpon to my voice, and Israel, whom I loved so dear, misliked me for his choice. Then did I leave them to their will, and to their wandering mind, their own conceits they followed still, their own devices blind. O that my people would be wise to serve me all their days, and O that Israel would advise to walk my righteous ways. Then would I soon bring down their foes that now so proudly rise, and turn my hand against all those that are their enemies. Who hate the Lord should then be feigned to bow to him and bend, but they his should remain, their time should have no end. And he would free them from the shock with flower of finest wheat, and satisfy them from the rock with honey for their meat. Psalm 82 God in the great assembly stands of kings and lordly states. Among the gods on both his hands he judges and debates. How long will he pervert the right with judgment false and wrong, favoring the wicked by your might, who then grow bold and strong? Regard the weak and fatherless, dispatch the poor man's cause, and raise the men in deep distress by just and equal laws. Defend the poor and desolate, and rescue from the hands of wicked men the lowest state of him that help demands. They know not nor will understand. In darkness they walk on. The earth's foundations all are moved to order gone. I said that you were gods, yea all the sons of God most high, but ye shall die like men, and fall as other princes die. Rise, God, judge thou the earth in might, this wicked earth redress, for thou art he who shalt by right the nations all possess. Psalm 83 Be not thou silent, now at length. O God, hold not thy peace. Sit not thou still, O God of strength. We cry and do not cease. For lo, thy furious foes now swell and storm out rageously, and they that hate thee proud and fell exalt their heads full high. Against thy people they contrive their plots and counsels deep. Them to ensnare they chiefly strive whom thou dost hide and keep. Come, let us cut them off, say they, till they know nation be that Israel's name forever may be lost in memory. For they consult with all their might and all as one in mind themselves against thee, the unite and in firm union bind. The tents of Edom and the brood of scornful Ishmael, Moe, with them of Hagar's blood that in the desert dwell Duval and Ammon their conspire and hateful Amalek, the Philistines and they of Tyre whose bounds the sea doth check. With them great Asher also bands and doth confirm the knot. All these have lent their armoured hands to aid the sons a lot. Due to them as to Midian bold that wasted all the coast, to Cezara and as is told thou didst to Jabin's host, when at the brook of Kishon old they were repulsed and slain and Endor quite cut off and rolled as dung upon the plain. As Zeb and Aureb evil sped, so let their princes speed as Zeba and Zelman abled, so let their princes bleed. For they, amidst their pride, have said, By right now shall we seize God's houses and will now invade their stately palaces. My God, oh make them as a wheel, no quiet let them find, giddy and restless let them reel like stubble from the wind. As when an aged wood takes fire which on a sudden strays, the greedy flame runs higher and higher till all the mountains blaze, so with thy whirlwind them pursue and with thy tempest chase, and till they yield the honoured you Lord, fill with shame their face, ashamed and troubled let them be, troubled and shamed for ever, ever confounded and so die with shame and escape it never. Then shall they know that thou whose name Jehovah is alone art the most high and thou the same or all the earth art one. Psalm 84 How lovely are thy dwellings fair, oh Lord of hosts, how dear the pleasant tabernacles are where thou dost dwell so near. My soul doth long and almost die thy court so, Lord, to see, my heart and flesh allowed to cry a living God for thee. There even the sparrow freed from wrong hath found a house of rest, the swallow there to lay her young hath built her brooding nest. Even by thy altars, Lord of hosts, they find their safe abode, and home they fly from round the coasts toward thee my king, my God. Happy who in thy house reside where thee they ever praise, happy who strengthen thee doth bide and in their hearts thy ways, they pass through Baca's thirsty veil that dry and barren ground as through a fruitful watery dale where springs and showers abound. They journey on from strength to strength with joy and gladsome cheer till all before our God at length in Zion do appear. Lord God of hosts, here now my prayer, O Jacob's God, give ear, thou God our shield, look on the face of thy anointed dear. For one day in thy courts to be is better and more blessed than in the joys of vanity, a thousand days at best. I in the temple of my God hath rather keep adore than dwell in tents and rich abode with sin forevermore. For God the Lord, both son and shield, gives grace and glory bright. No good from him shall be withheld whose ways are just and right. Lord God of hosts that ranged on high, that man is truly blessed who only on thee doth rely and in thee only rest. Psalm 85 Thy land, to favor graciously, thou hast not, Lord, been slack, thou hast from hard captivity to return it, Jacob, back. The niquity thou didst forgive that wrought thy people woe, and all their sin that did thee grieve hast hid where none shall know. Thine anger all thou hadst removed and calmly didst return from thy fierce wrath, which we had proved far worse than fire to burn. God of our saving, health and peace, turn us and us restore indignation caused to cease toward us and chide no more. Wilt thou be angry with our end, for ever angry thus, wilt thou thy frowning ire extend from age to age on us? Wilt thou not turn and hear our voice and us again revive that so thy people may rejoice by thee preserved alive? Cause us to see thy goodness, Lord, to us thy mercy shoo, thy saving health to us afford, and life in us renew. And now, what God the Lord will speak, I will go straight and hear, for to his people he speaks peace, and to his saints full dear. To his dear saints he will speak peace, but let them never more return to folly, but so cease to trespass as before. Surely to such as do him fear salvation is at hand, and glory shall ere long appear to dwell within our land. Mercy and truth that long were missed, now joyfully are met, sweet peace and righteousness have kissed, and hand in hand are set. Truth from the earth, like to a flower, shall bud and blossom then, and justice from her heavenly bower look down on mortal men. The Lord will also then bestow whatever thing is good our land shall forth in plenty throw her fruits to be our food. Before him righteousness shall go, his royal harbinger, then will he come, and not be slow, his footsteps cannot err. Psalm 86 Thy gracious ear, O Lord, incline, O hear me, I thee pray, for I am poor and almost pine with need and sad decay, preserve my soul, for I have trod thy ways and loved the just, save thou thy servant, O my God, who still in thee doth trust. Pity me, Lord, for daily the I call, O make rejoice thy servant's soul, for, Lord, to thee I lift my soul and voice, for thou art good, thou, Lord, art prone to pardon, thou, to all, art full of mercy, thou alone, to them that on they call. Unto my supplication, Lord, give ear, and do the cry of my incessant prayers afford thy hearing graciously. I, in the day of my distress, will call on thee for aid, for thou wilt grant me free access and answer what I prayed. Like thee, among the gods, is none, O Lord, nor any works of all that other gods have done like to thy glorious works. The nations all whom thou hast made shall come, and all shall frame to bow them low before thee, Lord, and glorify thy name. For great thou art, and wonders great by thy strong hand are done, thou in thy everlasting seat remainest God alone. Teach me, O Lord, thy way most right, I in thy truth will bide, to fear thy name my heart unite, so shall it never slide. Thee will I praise, O Lord my God, thee honor and adore with my whole heart, and blaze abroad thy name forevermore. For great thy mercy is toward me, and thou hast freed my soul, even from the lowest hell set free from deepest darkness. O God, the proud against me rise, and violent men are met to seek my life, and in their eyes no fear of thee have set. But thou, Lord, of the God most mild, readiness thy grace to shoo, slow to be angry, and art-styled most merciful, most true. O turn to me thy face at length, and me have mercy on, unto thy servant give thy strength, and save thy handmaid's son. Some sign of good to me afford, and let my foes then see and be ashamed, because thou, Lord, dost help and comfort me. Psalm 87 Among the holy mountains high as his foundation fast, there seated in his sanctuary his temple there is placed. Science, fair gates, the Lord loves more than all the dwellings fair of Jacob's land, though there be store, and all within his care. City of God, most glorious things of thee abroad are spoken. I mention Egypt, where proud kings did our forefathers' yoke. I mention Babel to my friends, Philistia full of scorn, and Tyre with Ethiopia's utmost ends, though this man there was born. But twice that praise shall in our ear be said of Zion last. This and this man was born in her. I God shall fix her fast. The Lord shall write it in a scroll that ne'er shall be outworn, when he the nations doth enrol that this man there was born. Both they who sing and they who dance with sacred psalms are there. In thee fresh brooks and soft streams glance, and all my fountains clear. Psalm 88 Lord God, that dost me save and keep, all day to thee I cry, and all night long before thee weep, before thee prostrate lie. Into thy presence let my prayer with sighs devout ascend, and to my cries that ceaseless are, thine ear with favour bend. For cloyed with woes and trouble stores her charge my soul doth lie. My life at death's uncearful door unto the grave draws nigh. Wreckened I am with them that pass down to the dismal pit. I am a man, but weak alas, and for that name unfit. From life discharged and parted quite among the dead to sleep, and like the slain and bloody fight that in the grave lie deep, whom thou rememberest no more, dost never more regard. Them from thy hand delivered o'er death's hideous house hath barred. Thou in the lowest pit profound hast set me all forlorn, where thickest darkness hovers round in horrid deeps to mourn. Thy wrath from which no shelter saves full sore doth press on me. Thou breaks'd upon me all thy waves, and all thy waves break me. Thou dost my friends from me astrange, and makes'd me odious. Me to them odious, for they change, and I here pent up thus. Through sorrow and affliction great mine eye grows dim and dead. Lord, all the day I thee entreat, my hands to thee I spread. Whilt thou do wonders on the dead? Shall the deceased arise and praise thee from their loathsome bed with pale and hollow eyes? Shall they thy loving kindness tell, on whom the grave hath hold, or they who in perdition dwell, thy faithfulness unfold? In darkness can thy mighty hand or wondrous acts be known, thy justice in the gloomy land of dark oblivion? But I to thee, O Lord, do cry, ere yet my life be spent, and up to thee my prayer doth high each morn thee prevent. Why wilt thou, Lord, my soul forsake, and hide thy face from me, that am already bruised and shake with terror sent from thee, bruised and afflicted, and so low as ready to expire while I thy terrors undergo, astonished with thine iron? Thy fierce wrath over me doth flow, thy threatenings cut me through. All day they round about me go, like waves they may pursue. Lover and friend thou hast removed and severed from me far. They fly me now whom I have loved, and as in darkness are. Finis. Collection of passages translated in the prose writings from of Reformation in England, 1641. Now, Constantine, on how much ill was cause, not the conversion, but those rich domains that the first wealthy pope received of thee. Dante, Inferno, 19, 115. Founded in chaste and humble poverty, against them that raise thee, dost thou lift thy horn impudent o'er? Where hast thou placed thy hope? Thy adulterers, o' thy ill-got wealth? Another Constantine comes not in haste. Petrarcha, Sonnet 108. And to be short, at last, his guide him brings into a goodly valley, where he sees a mighty mass of things strangely confused, things that on earth were lost or were abused. Then passed he to a flowery mountain green, which once melt sweet, now stinks as odiously. This was that gift, if you the truth will have, that Constantine to Good Sylvestro gave. Ariosto Orlando Frioso, 34, 80. From reason of church government, 1641. When I die, let the earth be rolled in flames. From Apology for Smectimnus, 1642. Laughing to teach the truth what hinders, as some teachers give to boys junkets and knacks that they may learn apace. Horace, Satire 1, 924. Gesting decides great things, stronger and better off than Ernest can. Ibid, Book 1, Satire 10, 914. It is you that say it, not I. You do the deeds, and your ungodly deeds find me the words. Sophocles Electra, 624. From Area Pagetica, 1644. This is true liberty. When free-born men having to advise the public may speak free, which he who can and will deserves high praise. Who neither can nor will may hold his peace. What can be juster in a state than this? Euripides, Supplements 438. From Tetracordom, 1645. Whom do we count a good man? Whom but he who keeps the laws and statutes of the senate, who judges in great suits and controversies, whose witness and opinion wins the cause. But his own house and the whole neighborhood see his foul inside through his whited skin. Horace Epistles, Book 1, No. 16, 940. From the tenure of kings and magistrates, 1649. There can be slain no sacrifice to God more acceptable than an unjust and wicked king. Seneca, Hercules Forens, 922. From history of Britain, 1670. Brutus thus addresses Diana in the country of Leogicia. Goddess of shades and huntress, who it will walk on the rolling sphere and through the deep, on thy third reign the earth look now and tell what land, what seat of rest thou bits me seek, what certain seat where I may worship thee for a, with temples vowed and virgin choirs. To whom, sleeping before the altar, Diana in a vision that night thus answered. Brutus, far to the west, in the ocean wide beyond the realm of Gaul, a land there lies, sea-girt it lies where giants dwell to bow, now void it fits thy people, thither bend thy course, there shall thou find a lasting seat, there to thy sons another Troy shall rise, and kings be born of thee whose dreaded might shall awe the world and conquer nations bold. End of Miscellaneous Poems. End of Milton's Minor Poems.