FROM HORACE.

Wном 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 neighbourhood,
Sees his foul inside through his whited skin.

FROM EURIPIDES.

THIS is true liberty, when freeborn 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?

FROM HORACE.

Laughing to teach the truth,

What hinders? As some teachers give to boys
Junkets and knacks, that they may learn apace.

FROM HORACE.

Joking decides great things, Stronger and better oft than earnest can.

FROM SOPHOCLES.

'Tis you that say it, not I. You do the deeds, And your ungodly deeds find me the words.

FROM SENECA.

There can be slain

No sacrifice to God more acceptable,
Than an unjust and wicked king.

PSALM I.

Done into verse, 1653.

BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray
In counsel of the wicked, and i' the way
Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat
Of scorners hath not sat: 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 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 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 II.

Done Aug. 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 bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: He, who in heaven doth

dwell,

[vere,

Shall laugh; the Lord shall scoff them; then, seSpeak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, saith he, Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) On Sion my holy hill. A firm decree

I will declare: 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 bestow The heathen; and, as thy conquest to be sway'd, Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full-low With iron sceptre bruis'd, and them disperse Like to a potter's vessel shiver'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, lest 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!

PSALM 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 God there lies.

But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,
Thee, through my story,

The' exalter of my head I count;
Aloud I cried

Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied,
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, encamping round about,

They pitch against me their pavilions.

Rise, Lord; save me, my

Hast smote, ere now

for thou

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.

PSALM IV. Aug. 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 forborne

Still to love vanity?

To love, to seek, to prize,

Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies?

ز

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 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 favour of thy countenance 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

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'er I lie;

As in a rocky cell

Thou, Lord! alone, in safety mak'st me dwell.