Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/128

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��POEMS DURING CIVIL WAR AND PROTECTORATE

��Of men abhorred Hast broke the teeth. This help was

from the Lord; Thy blessing on thy people flows.

PSALM IV (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 forborne

Still to love vanity ? ic

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 to him I cry.

Be awed, 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 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 count'nance bright. 30

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: 40

As in a rocky cell

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

��PSALM V {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; I' the 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; i

Evil with thee no biding makes ; Fools or mad men stand not within thy

sight. All workers of iniquity

Thou hat'st; and them unblest Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie; The bloody and guileful man doth God de- test.

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. 20

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 bis faltering mouth unstable

No word is firm or sooth ; Their inside, troubles miserable; An open grave their throat, their tongue

they smooth. God, find them guilty; let them fall

By their own counsels quelled; 30 Push them in their rebellions all Still on; for against thee they have re- belled.

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 shield thou wilt surround Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 4

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