Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/268

258 Let them, as thou to us, inexorable prove, Nor age, nor sex, their deaf compassion move; Rapes, murders, slaughters, funerals, And all thou durst attempt within our Sion's walls, Mayst thou endure, and more, till joyful we Confess thyself outdone in artful cruelty. Blessed, yea thrice blessèd, be that barbarous hand (O grief, that I such dire revenge commend!) Who tears out infants from their mothers' womb, And hurls them yet unborn unto their tomb; Blessed he who plucks them from their parents' arms, That sanctuary from all common harms, Who with their skulls and bones shall pave thy streets all o'er, And fill thy glutted channels with their scattered brains and gore.

O Thee, God, we thy just praises sing, To Thee, we Thy great name rehearse: We are Thy vassals, and this humble tribute bring To Thee, acknowledged only Lord and King, Acknowledged sole and sovereign monarch of the universe! All parts of this wide universe adore, Eternal Father! Thy Almighty power; The skies, and stars, fire, air, and earth, and sea, With all their numerous nameless progeny, Confess, and their due homage pay to Thee; For why? Thou spak'st the word, and mad'st them all from nothing be. To Thee all angels, all Thy glorious court on high, Seraph and cherub, the nobility,