THE HARMONY of the Church.  
Containing, The Spiritual Songs and holy Hymns, of godly men, patriarchs and Prophets: all, sweetly sounding, to the praise and glory of the highest.  
Now (newly) reduced into sundry kinds of English Meeter: meet to be read or sung, for the solace and comfort of the godly.  
By M. D.  
LONDON. Printed by Richard Ihones, at the Rose and Crown, near Holborn Bridge. 1591.   

To the Godly and virtuous Lady, the Lady jane Devoreux, of Meriuale.  
GOod Madam, oft imagining with myself how to manifest my well meaning unto your Ladyship, and in my love towards you, most unwilling to be found ingrateful, either in the behalf of my Country or the place of my birth: To the one, your godly life being a precedent of perfect virtue: to the other, your bountiful hospitality an exceeding relief.  
Then (good Lady) myself, as an admirer of your many virtues, and a wellwisher unto your happy and desired estate, do here present the fruits of my labours unto your modest and discreet consideration, hoping that you will measure them, not by my ability, but by their authority: not as Poems of Poets, but prayers of Prophets: and vouchsafe to be their gracious Patroness against any graceless Parasite: And endeavour yourself with this good Deborah, Hester and judith, (whose songs of praise I here present to your Ladyship) to the advancing of God's glory, and the beautifying of his Church. Thus committing your Ladyship and all your actions to the protection of the Almighty, and my short translation to your courteous censure, I humbly take my leave. London, this 10. of Feb. 1590·  
Your Ladyships to command, in all dutiful services. Michael Drayton.   

To the courteous Reader.  
GEntle Reader, my meaning is not with the variety of verse to feed any vain humour, neither to trouble thee with devices of mine own invention, as carrying an overweening of mine own wit: but here I present thee with these Psalms or Songs of praise, so exactly translated as the prose would permit, or sense would any way suffer me: which (if thou shalt be the same in heart thou art in name, I mean a Christian) I doubt not, but thou wilt take as great delight in these, as in any Poetical fiction. I speak not of Mars, the god of Wars, nor of Venus, the goddess of love, but of the Lord of Hosts, that made heaven and earth: Not of Toys in Mount Ida, but of triumphs in Mount Zion: Not of Vanity, but of Verity: not of Tales, but of Truths.  
Thus submitting myself unto thy clemency, and my labours unto thy indifferency, I wish thee as myself.  
Thine, as his own. M. D.   

The Spiritual Songs and holy Hymns, contained in this Book.  

1 THe most notable Song of Moses, which he made a little before his death.  
2 The Song of the Israelites, for their deliverance out of Egypt.  
3 The most excellent Song of Solomon. Containing eight Chapters.  
4 The Song of Annah,  
5 The Prayer of jeremiah.  
6 The Song of Deborah and Barach.  
7 A Song of the Faithful, for the mercies of God.  
8 Another Song of the Faithful.  
9 A Song of thanks to God.  
10 An other Song of the Faithful.   

Other Songs and Prayers out of the books of apocrypha.  

11 The Prayer of judith.  
12 The Song of judith.  
13 A Prayer in Ecclesiasticus of the Author.  
14 The Prayer of Solomon.  
15 A Song of Jesus' the son of Sirach.  
16 The Prayer of Hester.  
17 The Prayer of Mardocheus.  
18 A Prayer in the person of the Faithful.  
19 A Prayer of Tobias.    
FINIS.   

The most notable Song of Moses, containing Gods benefits to his people, which he taught the Children of Israel, a little before his death: and commanded them to learn it, and teach it unto their children, as a witness between God and them.  Deutronom. Chap. xxxii. 

Ye Heavens above, unto my speech attend,  
And Earth below, give ear unto my will:  
My doctrine shall like pleasant drops descend,  
My words like heavenly dew shall down distill,  
like as sweet showers refresh the herbs again  
Or as the grass is nourished by the rain.   

I will describe jehovahs' name aright,  
And to that God give everlasting praise:  
Perfect is he, a God of wondrous might,  
With judgement he directeth all his ways.  
He only true, and without sin to trust,  
Righteous is he, and he is only just.   

With loathsome sin now are you all defiled,  
Not of his seed, but Bastards, basely borne:  
And from his mercy therefore quite exiled,  
Mischievous men, through folly all forlorn.  
Is it not he which hath you dearly bought:  
Proportioned you, and made you just of nought?   

Consider well the times and ages past.  
Ask thy forefathers, and they shall thee tell.  
That when jehovah did divide at last,  
Th'inheritance that to the Nations fell:  
And separating adam's heirs, he gave  
the portion, his Israel should have.   

His people be the portion of the Lord,  
jacob the lot of his inheritance:  
In wilderness he hath thee not abhorred,  
But in wild Deserts did thee still advance.  
He taught thee still and had a care of thee.  
And kept thee as the apple of his eye.   

Like as the Eagle tricketh up her nest,  
Therein to lay her little birds full soft,  
And on her back doth suffer them to rest,  
And with her wings both carry them aloft.  
Even so the Lord with care hath nourished thee.  
And thou hast had no other God but he.   

And great jehovah giveth unto thee,  
The fertilst soil the earth did ever yield:  
That thou all pleasure mightst behold and see,  
And taste the fruit of the most pleasant field:  
Honey for thee out of the flint he brought,  
And oil out of the craggy rock he wrought.   

With finest butter still he hath thee fed,  
With milk of Sheep he hath thee cherished:  
With fat of Lambs, and Rams in Bazan bred,  
With flesh of Goats he hath thee nourished.  
With finest wheat he hath refreshed thee still,  
And gave thee wine, thereof to drink thy fill.   

But he that should be thankful then for this,  
Once waxing fat, began to spurn and kick:  
Thou art so crank, and such thy grossness is,  
That now to lust thy provender doth prick.  
That he that made thee, thou remember'st not,  
And he that saved thee thou hast clean forgot.   

With Idols they offend his gracious eyes,  
And by their sin provoke him unto ire:  
To devils they do offer sacrifice,  
Forsake their God, and other god's desire.  
Gods whose beginnings were but strange & new,  
Whom yet their fathers never feared nor knew.   

He which begat thee is clean out of mind,  
The God which formed thee thou dost not regard:  
The Lord to anger was therewith inclined,  
His sons and daughters should him so reward.  
And there he vowed his cheerful face to hide,  
To see their end, and what would them betide.   

For faithless they and froward are become,  
And with no God move me to jealousy:  
To anger they provoke me all and some,  
And still offend me with their vanity:  
And with no people I will move them then,  
And anger them with vain and foolish men.   

For why? my wrath is kindled like the fire,  
And shall descend to the infernal lake:  
The earth shall be consumed in mine ire,  
My flames shall make the mighty mountains quake  
With many plagues I will them still annoy,  
And with mine arrows I will them destroy.   

With hunger, heat and with destruction,  
I will them burn, consume and overthrow:  
They shall be meat for beasts to feed upon,  
The ground envenomed whereupon they go.  
In field, in chamber still my sword shall slay  
Man, maid & child, with him whose head is grey.   

And I will scatter them both far and near,  
And hence forth make their memory to cease,  
Save that the furious enemy I fear,  
And that his pride should thereby more increase.  
And they should say, and forth this rumour ring,  
that they and not the Lord have done this thing.   

They are a nation void of counsel quite,  
To understand, there doth not one intend:  
But were they wise, in it they woule delight,  
And would consider of their latter end.  
Can one or two put thousands to the flight,  
Except the Lord do help them with his might?   

For with our God their Gods may not compare,  
Our foes themselves will still the same confess:  
Their Vines of Sodom and Gomorra are,  
Their grapes of gall, clusters of bittenesse.  
Their wine is like to Dragon's poison sure,  
or gall of Asps, that no man may endure.   

And have not I laid up in store this thing,  
Amongst my treasures do I not it hide?  
The recompense with vengeance will I bring,  
And hast in time their foot awry shall slide.  
For their destruction (lo) is now at hand,  
And mischief here even at their heels doth stand.   

For why? the Lord doth judge the earth alone,  
And to his servants show himself most kind:  
When he shall see their power is past and gone,  
And none kept up in hold nor left behind.  
when men shall say, let us your gods behold,  
Where be they now, whom ye so much extolled?   

Which oft did eat the fatted sacrifice,  
And drank the wine of the drink offering:  
Unto your help now let us see them rise:  
Lo, I am God, and there is no such thing:  
I kill, give life, I wound, make whole again,  
Out of my hands no man can aught retain.   

I lift my hands on high to heaven above,  
Immortal I, and only live for ever:  
My glittering sword I sharp for my behove,  
In righteous judgement still I do persever.  
I will send vengeance on mine enemies,  
And many plagues on them which me despise.   

Mine arrows then of blood shall have their fill,  
My sword shall eat the very flesh of men:  
For such my Saints as they do slay and kill,  
And for the Captives they imprison then.  
And when I once begin revenge to take,  
From plague & vengeance than I will not slake.   

Ye nations all, honour his people then,  
He will revenge his servants guiltless blood,  
And surely plague the vile and wicked men,  
Which stoutly have against him ever stood,  
He will show mercy still unto his land,  
And on his people, brought forth by his hand.    

A Song of Moses and the Israelites, for their deliverance out of Egypt.  The xv. Chap. of Exodus. 

I Will sing praise unto the Lord for aine,  
Who hath triumphed gloriously alone,  
The horse and rider he hath overthrown,  
And swallowed up even in the raging sea.   

He is my strength, he is my song of praise,  
He is the God of my salvation.  
A Temple will I build to him alone,  
I will exalt my father's God always,   

The Lord jehovah is a man of war,  
Pharaoh, his chariots, and his mighty host  
Were by his hand in the wild waters lost,  
His Captains drowned in red Sea so far,   

Into the bottom there they sank like stones,  
The mighty depths our enemies devour,  
Thy own right hand is gloorious in thy power,  
Thy own right hand hath bruised all their bones.   

And in thy glory thou subverted hast  
The rebels rising to resist thy power,  
Thou sent'st thy wrath which shall them all devour,  
Even as the fire doth the stubble w●st,   

And with a blast out of thy nostrils  
The flowing flood stood still as any stone,  
The waters were congealed all in one,  
And firm and sure as any rocks or hills.   

The furious foe so 〈…〉 still,  
And voweth to pursue with endless toil,  
And not return till he have got the spoil,  
With fire and sword they will destroy and kill.   

Thou sent'st the wind which overwhelmed them all,  
The surging seas came sousing in again,  
As in the water, so with might and main,  
Like lead, unto the bottom down they fall.   

Oh mighty Lord, who may with thee comp●●●▪  
Amongst the Gods I find none like to thee:  
whose glory's in holiness, whose fears in praises be  
whose chief delights in working wonders are.   

Thou stretchest out thy right and holy arm,  
And presently the earth did them devour:  
And thou wilt bring us by thy mighty power,  
As thou hast promised without further harm.   

And for thy people (Lord) thou shalt provide,  
A place and seat of quietness and rest:  
The nations all with fear shall be oppressed,  
And Palestina quake for all her pride.   

The Dukes of Edom shall hang down the head,  
The Moabites shall tremble then for fear,  
The Canaanites in presence shall appear,  
Like unto men whose fainting hearts were dead,   

And fear and dread shall fall on them alas,  
Because thou helpest with thy mighty hand:  
So still as stones amazed they shall stand,  
Oh mighty Lord, while thine elect do pass.   

And thou shalt bring thy chosen and elect,  
Unto the mount of thine inheritance:  
A place prepared thy people to advance,  
A Sanctuary there thou shalt erect,   

Which thou (oh Lord) established haste therefore,  
And there thy name shall reign for evermore.    

The most excellent Song which was salomon's, wherein is declared the true and unfeigned love between Christ and his Church, containing, viii. Chapters.  

Chap. 1.  
LEt him embrace his Dear, with many a friendly kiss,  
For why? thy love than any wine to me more pleasant is:  
In smell thou art most like, sweet odours unto me,  
thy name like precious ointment is, so sweet as sweet may be  
Therefore the Virgins all, of thee enamoured are,  
Entice me on to follow thee, lo, we ourselves prepare:  
The King hath brought me in, to chamber richly dight,  
He is my joy, his love is sweet, the good in him delight.  
Ye daughters of jerusalem, although that brown I be,  
Than Arras rich or Cedars fruits, I seemlier am to see,  
Disdain me not although I be not passing fair,  
For why? the glowing sunny rays discolloured have my lair:  
My mother's darlings dear, with envy swelling so,  
Have me constrained to keep their Vine, thus I mine own forego.  
Tell me my sweet and dear, where thou thy flock dost feed,  
Or where thy little Lambling rest, about midday indeed?  
Else shall I walk about, all wandering like a stray,  
And seek thee after other flocks, through many an unknown way:  
If that my paths (oh Paragon) be so unknown to thee,  
Go feed thy flock amongst the tents, where none but shepherds be,  
My true and loyal Love, I may thee well compare  
To famous pharao's horses great, which in his chariots are,  
Thy cheeks bedecked with precious stone, most lovely to behold,  
About thy neck likewise do hang great massy chains of gold.  
Fine costly borders for my Love, of gold we will prepare,  
With silver studs accordingly of work surpassing rare.  
Whiles he at table sat, perfumes then did I make  
Of Spicknard sweet and delicate, all for my true loves sake:  
My love more sweet than Myrrh, between my breasts doth lie,  
Or Camphor, that doth spring and grow in vine of Engady.  
How fair art thou my Love, my Dove, my Darling dear,  
Thine eyes most like unto the Doves, in sight to me appear.  
Oh how exceeding fair, and seemly to be seen,  
The bed where we together lie, is hung with pleasant green:  
The beams our house uphold, they all of Cedar be,  
The reaching Rafters of the same, of fir, that stately tree.   

The second Chapter.  
I Am the fragrant Flower, of brave vermilion hue,  
And Lily in the valley low, ysprung up fresh and new:  
As Lillie flower excels the thorn, or little chyer of grass,  
So far my Love the Virgins all in beauty doth surpass.  
Or as the barren crooked stock unto the straightest tree,  
No more the sons unto my Love may aught compared be:  
To rest by his sweet side, to me a heavenly bliss,  
The fruit that springeth from my Love, exceeding pleasant is,  
To Cellar he me brings, of wine abundant store,  
His love displayed over me, how can I wish for more?  
Fill forth your Flagons then, whereof the fume may fly,  
Bring forth your cates to comfort me, ah me, for love I die.  
His left hand clipping close, about my neck doth hold,  
His right doth sweetly me embrace, and eke my corpse enfold.  
I charge you by the Roes and Hinds, ye jewish daughters all,  
Not once to stir nor wake my Love, until she please to call.  
But stay, me thinks this is, mine own loves voice I hear,  
Lo, how he skips from hill to hill, lo, yond he doth appear.  
My Love is like a Roe, that frisketh in the wood,  
Or like the strong and stately Hart, in prime and lusty blood.  
He closely shrouds himself behind our wall I see,  
And through the gate he doth disclose and show himself to me.  
And calling then, he saith, come to thine own my Dear,  
For lo, the clouds are past and gone, the skies are crystal clear:  
The flowers in the field, so fair and freshly spring,  
The birds do chant with merry glee, the Turtle now doth sing:  
The figtrees bear such store, that boughs with weight are bend,  
The Vines with blossoms do abound, which yield a sweet accent.  
Come to thine own my dear, my Darling and my Dove,  
Leave thou the place of thine abode, come to thine own true love  
Let me behold thy face, most pleasant to the sight,  
And hear my best beloveds voice, that most doth me delight.  
Destroy the subtle Fox, that doth the grapes devour,  
For lo, behold, the time is come, the vines do bud and flower.  
My Love to me is true, and I likewise his own,  
Which in the Lilles takes repast, himself even all alone:  
Until the day doth spring, or shadows fade away,  
Be as a Roe or like the Hearts, which on the mountains play.   

The third Chapter.  
By night within my head, I rome here and there,  
But all in vain, I could not find my Love & friendly Fere.  
Then strait ways up I rose, and searching every street  
throughout the city far & near, but him I could not meet.  
The watchmen found me tho, to whom I then can say,  
Have ye not seen mine own true Love, of late come this a way:  
Then passing them, I found my Love I long had sought,  
And to my mother's chamber then, my darling have I brought.  
I charge you by the Roes and Hinds, this vow to me you make,  
Ye jewish daughters, not to call my Love till she do wake.  
Who's that which doth from wilderness, in mighty smoke appear,  
Like the perfumes of odours sweet, which Merchants hold so dear.  
About the bed of Solomon, behold, there is a band  
Of threescore valiant Israelites, which all in armour stand,  
All expert men of war, with sword still ready priest,  
Lest foes in night time should approach, when men suspect them least:  
King Solomon hath made of Liban tree so sure,  
A Palace brave, whose pillars strong are all of silver pure:  
The pavement beaten gold, the hangings purple grain,  
The daughters of jerusalem with joy to entertain.  
Ye Zion daughters, see, where Solomon is set  
In Royal throan, and on his head, the princely Coronet,  
Wherewith his mother first, adorned him (as they say)  
When he in marriage linked was, even on his wedding day.   

The fourth Chapter.  
BEhold, thou art all fair my Love, my heart's delight,  
Thine eyes so lovely like the Doves, appear to me in sight,  
Thy hair surpassing fair and seemly to the eye,  
Like to a goodly heard of Goats, on Gilead mountain high.  
Thy teeth like new washed sheep, returning from the flood,  
Whereas not one is barren found, but beareth twins so good.  
Thy lips like scarlet thread, thy talk doth breed delight,  
Thy temples like pomegranate fair doth show to me in sight.  
Thy neck like David's Tower, which for defence doth stand,  
Wherein the shields and targets be, of men of mighty hand.  
Thy breasts like twinned Roes, in prime and youthful age,  
Which feed among the Lilies sweet, their hunger to diswage.  
Until the day do spring, and night be banished hence:  
I will ascend into the mount of Myrrh and Frankincense.  
Thou art all fair my Love, most seemly eke to see,  
From head to foot, from top to toe, there is no spot in thee.  
Come down from Libanon, from Libanon above,  
And from Amanah's mountain high, come to thine own true love.  
From Shevers stately top, from Hermon hill so high,  
From Lion's dens & from the cliffs, where lurking Leopards lie.  
My Spouse and sister dear, thy love hath wounded me,  
Thy lovely eye and seemly neck, hath made me yield to thee.  
Thy love far better is, than any wine to me,  
Thy odours sweet doth far surpass, the smell where spices be.  
Thy lips like honey comb, under thy tongue doth lie  
The honey sweet: thy garments smell, like Libanon on high.  
My Spouse a garden is, fast under lock and key,  
Or like a Fountain closely kept, where sealed is the way.  
Like to a pleasant plot I may thee well compare,  
Where Camphor, Spicknard, dainty fruits, with sweet pomegranates are.  
Even Spicknard, Saffron, Calamus, & cinnamon do grow,  
With Incense, Myrrh and Aloes, with many spices more.  
Oh Fountain passing pure, oh Well of life most dear.  
Oh Spring of lofty Libanon, of water crystal clear.  
Ye North and Southern winds upon my garden blow,  
That the sweet spice that is therein, on every side may flow.  
Unto his garden place, my Love for his repast  
Shall walk, and of the fruits therein, shall take a pleasant taste.   

The fift Chapter.  
WIthin my garden plot, lo, I am present now,  
I gathered have the Myrrh and spice, that in abundance grow:  
With honey, milk & wine, I have refreshed me here.  
Eat, drink my friends, be merry there, with hearty friendly cheer.  
Although in slumbering sleep, it seems to you I lay,  
Yet h●●r● I my beloved knock, me thinks I hear him say,  
Open to me the gate my Love, my heart's delight,  
For 〈◊〉 my locks are all bedewed with drizzling drops of night.  
My garments are put off, then may I not do so,  
Shall I defile my feet I washed, so white as any snow.  
Then fast even by the door to me he show'd his hand,  
My heart was then enamoured, when as I saw him stand.  
Then strait ways up I rose, to open the door with speed,  
My hands and fingers dropped Myrrh, upon the bar indeed.  
Then opened I the door, unto my Love at last,  
But all in vain, for why? before, my Love was gone and passed.  
There sought I for my love, than could I cry and call,  
But him I could not find, nor he, ●ould answer me at at all.  
The watchmen found me then, as thus I walked astray,  
They wounded me, and from my head, my vail they took away  
Ye daughters of jerusalem, if ye my Love do see,  
Tell him that I am sick for love, yea, tell him this from me.  
Thou peerless Gone of price, I pray thee to us tell,  
What is thy Love, what may he be, that doth so far excel?  
In my beloved's face, the Rose and Lily strive,  
Among ten thousand men not one, is found so fair alive.  
His, head like finest gold, with secret sweet perfume,  
His curled locks hang all as black, as any ravens plume.  
His eyes be like to Doves, on rivers banks below,  
Ywasht with milk, whose colours are, most gallant to the show.  
His cheeks like to a plot, where spice and flowers grow,  
his lips like to the Lily white, from whence pure Mirth doth flow,  
His hands like rings of gold, with costly Chrisales,  
His belly like the Ivory white, with seemly Sapphires set.  
His legs like Pillars strong, of Marble set in gold,  
His countenance like Libanon, or Cedars to behold.  
His mouth it is as sweet, yea, sweet as sweet may be,  
This is my Love, ye Virgins lo, even such a one is he.  
Thou fairest of us all, whether is thy Lover gone,  
Tell us, and we will go with thee, thou shalt not go alone.   

The sixth Chapter.  
Down to his garden place, mine own true Love is gone,  
Among the Spice and Lilies sweet, to walk himself alone.  
True am I to my Love, and he my loving make,  
Which in the Lilies makes abode, and doth his pleasure take,  
With Tirzah or jerusalem, thy beauty may be weighed,  
In show like to an Army great, whose Ensigns are displayed.  
Oh turn away thine eyes, for they have wounded me,  
Thy hairs are like a heard of Goats, on Gilead mount that be  
Thy teeth like new washed sheep, returning from the flood,  
Whereas not one is barren found, but beareth twins a good,  
The temples of thy head, within thy locks to show,  
Are like to the Pomegranate fruit, that in the Orchards grow.  
Of Concubines four score there are, of Queens twice triple ten  
Of Virgins for the multitude, not to be numbered then.  
But yet my Dove alone, and undefiled Fere,  
Her mother's only daughter is, to her exceeding dear.  
The Virgins saw my Love, and they have liked her well,  
The Queens & eke the Concubines, they say she doth excel.  
Who's she I do behold, so like the morning clear,  
Or like the Moon, when towards the full, in pride she doth appear  
Bright as the radiant rays, that from the Sun descend,  
Or like an Army terrible, when Ensigns they extend.  
Unto the nuts down will I go, and fruitful valleys low,  
To see if that the Vine do bud, and the pomegranates grow.  
Myself I know not I, ne nothing knew I then,  
Let me be like a chariot, even of thy noble men.  
Return again, oh make return, thou Shulamite so dear,  
Let us enjoy thy company, I pray thee sojourn here.  
What see you in the Shulamite, in her what may you see,  
But like a troop of warlike men that in the armies be.   

The seventh Chapter.  
HOw stately are thy steps with brave and loftypace,  
Thou dainty princess, darling dear, with comely gallant grace.  
the wives of thy fait thighs, the which so strait do stand  
Are like to cutions jewels wrought, by cunning workman's hand  
Thy navel like a gobler is, which still with wine doth flow,  
Thy belly like an heap of wheat, about which, Lilies grow.  
Thy breasts I may compare like to two little Roes,  
which follow on their mother's steps, when forth to feed she goes.  
Thy neck like to a Tower, of costly ivory framed,  
thine eyes like Heshbon waters clear, by that Bathrabbin named  
Thy nose like Libanon Tower, most seemly to the eye,  
Which towards Damascus' city fair, that stately town doth ly.  
Thy head like Starlet red, thy hatre of purple hue,  
The King in thee doth take delight, as in his Lady true.  
How fair art thou my Love, and seemly to the sight,  
The pleasures that abound in thee, they are my chief delight:  
Thy statute like the Pasive, the call and straightest tree,  
Thy breasts, the which do thee worn, most like to clusters be.  
Upon the pleasant palm, I said I will take hold,  
And rest upon her pleasant boughs, I said I will be bold.  
Thy breasts are like a bunch of grapes, on the most fruitful vine,  
Thy nose in smell like to the fruit, of all most pure and fine.  
The roof of thy sweet mouth, like purest wine doth cast,  
Which makes the very aged lagh, forgetting sorrows past.  
I am unto my Love, a faithful friendly Fere,  
And he is likewise unto me, most tender and most dear.  
Go we into the field, to sport us in the plain,  
And in the pleasant villages (my Love) let us remain.  
Then early will we rise and see, if that the vine do flourish,  
And if the earth accordingly do the pomegranates nourish.  
I feel the Mandrake's smell, within our gates that be:  
The sweetest things both new & old (my Love) I kept for thee.   

The eight Chapter.  
OH that thou wert my brother borne, that sucked my mother's breast:  
Then sweetly would I kiss thy lips, and by thee take my rest.  
Unto my mother's closet sure, mine own Love will I bring,  
And be obedient unto him in every kind of thing.  
There will I give to thee (my Love) the dainty spiced wine,  
And pleasant liquor that distills from the Pomgravet fine.  
With his left hand he shall support, and eke my head uprear,  
And with the right most lovingly he shall embrace his dear.  
Ye daughters of jerusalem, do not my Love disease,  
But suffer her to take her rest, so long as she shall please.  
Who's that which from the wilderness, you cometh from above,  
And in this sort familiarly doth lean upon her Love:  
Under a pleasant apple tree, from whence like fruit doth spring,  
Thy mother first conceived thee, even forth which did thee bring  
Let it be like a privy seal, within thy secret heart,  
Or like a Signet on thy hand, thy secrets to impart:  
For jealousy is like the grave, and love more strong than death  
From whose hot brands there doth proceed a flaming fiery breath  
The floods cannot allay his heat, nor water quench his flame,  
Neither the greatest treasure, can countervail the same.  
Our little sister hath no breasts, what shall we do or say,  
when we shall give her to her Spouse, upon her wedding day?  
If that she be a wall, on that foundation sure,  
A princely palace will we build, of silver passing pure.  
And if she be a door, she shall enclosed be  
With brave and goodly squared boards, of the fine Cedar tree.  
I am a mighty wall, my breasts like Towers high,  
Then am I passing beautiful in my beloved's eye.  
King Solomon a vineyard had, in fair Baalhamon field,  
Each one in silver yearly doth, a thousand pieces yield,  
But yet my vineyard (Solomon) thy vine doth far excel,  
For fruit and goodness of the same, thou knowst it very well.  
A thousand silver pieces are, even yearly due to me,  
Two twousand likewise unto them, the which her keepers be.  
Oh thou that in the garden dwell it, learn me thy voice to know  
That I may listen to the same, as thy companions do.  
Fly my beloved hence away, and be thou like the Roe,  
Or as the Hart on mountain toys, whereon sweet spices grow.    

The Song of Annah, for the bringing forth of Samuel her son.  The second Chap. of the first book of Samuel, 
MY heart doth in the Lord rejoice, that living Lord of might,  
which doth his servants horn exalt, in all his people's light.  
I will rejoice in their despite, which erst have me abhorred,  
Because that my salvation dependeth on the Lord.  
None is so holy as the Lord, besides thee none there are:  
With our God there is no God, that may himself compare.  
See that no more presumptuously, ye neither boast nor vaunt,  
Nor yet unseemly speak such things, so proud and arrogant.  
For why? the counsel of the Lord, in depth cannot be sought  
Our enterprises and our acts, by him to pass are brought.  
The bow is broke, the mighty ones subverted are at length,  
And they which weak and feeble were, increased are in strength  
They that were full & had great store, with labour buy their bread  
And they which hungry were & poor, with plenty now are fed.  
So that the womb which barren was, hath many children born,  
And she which store of children had, is left now all forlorn.  
The Lord doth kill and make alive, his judgements all are just,  
He throweth down into the grave, and raiseth from the dust.  
The Lord doth make both rich & poor, he all our thoughts doth try.  
He bringeth low & eke again, exalteth up on high.  
He raiseth up the simple soul, whom men pusude with hate,  
To sit amongst the mighty ones, in chair of princely state.  
For why? the pillars of the earth, he placed with his hand,  
whose mighty strength doth still support, the weight of all the land.  
He will preserve his Saints likewise, the wicked men at length  
He will confound: let no man seem, to glory in his strength.  
The enemies of God the Lord, shall be destroyed all,  
From heaven he shall thunder send, that on their heads shall fall.  
The mighty Lord shall judge the world, & give his power alone  
Unto the King, and shall exalt his own anointed one.   

The Song of jonah in the Whale's belly.  In the second Chap. of jonah. 
IN grief and anguish of my heart, my voice I did extend,  
Unto the Lord, and he thereto, a willing ear did lend:  
Even from the deep and darkest pit, & the infernal lake,  
To me he hath bowed down his ear, for his great mercy's sake.  
For thou into the midst, of surging seas so deep  
Hast cast me forth: whose bottom is, so low & wondrous steep.  
Whose mighty wallowing waves, which from the floods do flow  
have with their power up swallowed me, & overwhelmed me tho.  
Then said I, lo, I am exiled, from presence of thy face,  
Yet will I once again behold, thy house and dwelling place.  
The waters have encompassed me, the floods enclosed me round,  
The weeds have sore encumbered me, which in the seas abound.  
Unto the valleys down I went, beneath the hills which stand.  
The earth hath there environed me, with force of all the land.  
Yet hast thou still preserved me, from all these dangers here,  
And brought my life out of the pit, oh Lord my God so dear.  
My soul consuming thus with care, I prayed unto the Lord,  
And he from out his holy place, heard me with one accord.  
Who to vain lying vanities doth wholly him betake,  
Doth err also, God's mercy he, doth utterly forsake.  
But I will offer unto him the sacrifice of praise,  
And pay my vows, ascribing thanks unto the Lord always.   

The Prayer of jeremiah, bewailing the captivity of the people.  In the fift Chap. of his Lamentations. 
Call unto mind oh mighty Lord, the wrongs we daily take  
Consider and he hold the same, for thy great mercy's sake.  
Our lands & our inheritance, mere strangers do possess,  
The alients in our houses dwell, and we without redress.  
We now (alas) are fatherless, & still pursued with hate,  
Our mourning mothers now remain in woeful widows state.  
We buy the water which we drink, such is our grievous want,  
Likewise the wood even for our use, that we ourselves did plant.  
Our necks are subject to the yoke, of persecutions thrall,  
We wearied out with cruel toil, and find no rest at all:  
Afore time we in Egypt land, and in Assyria served,  
For food our hunger to sustain, lest that we should have starved  
Our fathers which are dead & gone, have sinned wondrous sore,  
And we now scourged for their offence, ah, woe are we therefore.  
Those servile slaves which bondmen be, of them in fear we stand  
Yet no man doth deliver us, from cruel Cattives hand.  
Our livings we are forred to get, in perils of our lives,  
The dry and barren wilderness thereto by danger drives.  
Our skins be scorched as though they had, been in an oven dried,  
With famine, and the penury; which here we do abide.  
Our wives and maids deflowered are, by violence and force,  
On Zion, and in juda land, sans pity or remorse.  
Our kings by cruel enemies, with cords are hanged up,  
Our gravest, sage and ancient men, have tasted of that cup.  
Our young men they have put to sword, not one at all they spare,  
Our little boys upon the tree, sans pity hanged are.  
Our elders sitting in the gates, can now no more be found,  
Our youth leave off to take delight, in musics sacred sound.  
The joy and comfort of our heart, away is fled and gone,  
Our solace is with sorrow mixed, our mirth is turned to moon.  
Our glory now is laid full low, and buried in the ground,  
Our sins full sore do burden us, whose greatness doth abound.  
Oh holy blessed Zion hill, my heart is woe for thee,  
Mine eyes pour forth a flood of tears, this dismal day to see.  
Which art destroyed and now lieth waste, from sacred use & trade,  
Thy holy place is now a den, of filthy Foxes made.  
But thou the everliving Lord, which dost remain for aye,  
Whose seat above the firmament, full sure and still doth stay.  
Wherefore dost thou forsake thine own? shall we forgotten be?  
Turn us good Lord, and so we shall be turned unto thee.  
Lord call us home from our erile, to place of our abode,  
Thou long enough hast punished us, oh Lord, now spare thy rod.   

The Song of Deborah and Baracke.  The fift Chap. of judges. 
PRaise ye the Lord, the which revenge on Israel's wrongs doth take:  
Likewise for those which offered up themselves for Israel's sake.  
Hear this, ye kings, ye princes all, give ear with one accord,  
I will give thanks, yea sing the praise, of Israel's living Lord.  
When thou departedst (Lord) from Seir, and out of Edom field,  
The earth 'gan quake, the heavens rain, the clouds their water yield  
the mountains hie before the Lord, have melted every del,  
As Synay did in presence of, the Lord of Israel.  
In time of Sangar, Anaths' son, and in old jael's days,  
the paths were all unoccupied, men sought forth unknown ways.  
The towns & cities there lay waste, and to decay they fell,  
Till Deborah, a matron grave, became in Israel.  
They chose them gods, than garboils did, within their gates abound  
A spear or shield in Israel, there was not to be found.  
In those which govern Israel, my heart doth take delight,  
And in the valiant people there, oh, praise the Lord of might.  
Speak ye that on white Asses ride, & that by Midden dwell.  
And ye that daily trade the ways, see forth your minds you tell.  
The clattering noise of archers shot, when as the arrows flew,  
Appeased was amongst the sort, which water daily drew.  
The righteousness of God the Lord, shall be declared there,  
And likewise Israel righteousness, which worship him in fear.  
The people with rejoicing hearts, than all with one consent:  
I mean the Lords inheritante, unto the gates they went:  
Deborah up, arise and sing, a sweet and worthy song,  
Baracke, lead them as Captives forth, which unto thee belong.  
For they which at this day remain, do rule like Lords alone,  
The Lord over the mighty ones, gives me dominion.  
The roots of Ephraim arose, 'gainst Amalecke do fight.  
And so likewise did Benjamin, with all their power and might.  
From Macher came a company, which chiefest sway did bear,  
From Zebulon, which cunning clarks, & famous writers were.  
The kings which came of Isacher were with Deborah tho,  
Yea Isacher and Barack both attend on her also.  
He was dismounted in the vale, for the divisions sake,  
Of Reuben the people there, great lamentation make.  
Gilead by Iorden made abode, and Dan on ship board lay,  
And Asher in the Desert he, upon the shore doth stay.  
They of Zebulon and Nepthaly, like worthy valiant wights.  
Before their foes even in the field, advanced themselves in fight.  
The kings themselves in person fought: the kings of Canaan,  
In Tanach plain, whereas the stream, of swift Megido ran.  
No pay, no higher, ne coin at all, not one did seem to take,  
They served not for greedy gain, nor filthy lucre sake.  
The heavens hy and heavenly powers, these things to pass have brought  
The stars against proud Sisera, even in their course have fought  
The stream of kishons ancient brook, hath overwhelmed them there  
My soul, sith thou hast done thy part, be now of hearty cheer.  
The hardened hooves of barbed horse, were all in pieces broke,  
By force of mighty men which met, with many a sturdy stroke.  
The Angel hath pronounced a curse, which shall on Meroz fall,  
And those that do inhabit there, a curse light on them all.  
Because they put not forth their hands to help the living Lord,  
Against the proud and mighty ones, which have his truth abhorred  
jael the Kenit Heber's wife, most happy shall be blest,  
Above all other women there, which in the tents do rest.  
He asked water for to drink, she gave sweet milk to him,  
Yea butter in a lordly dish, which was full trick and trim.  
her left hand to the nail she put, her right the hammer wrought.  
Wherewith presumptuous Sisera unto his death she brought.  
And from his corpse his head she cut, with mortal deadly wound,  
When through the temples of his head, she nailed him to the ground.  
He bowed then unto the earth, and at her feet can fall,  
And where he fell there still he lay, bereaved of senses all.  
The mother then of Sisera, in window where she lay,  
Doth marvel much that this her son doth make so long a stay.  
Her Ladies then, they hearing that, make answer by and by.  
Yea, to her speeches passed before, herself doth this reply:  
Hath he not gotten mighty spoils, and now division makes,  
Each one a damosel hath or twain, which he as captive takes.  
Sisera of costly coloured robes, full rich, with needle wrought,  
Hath got a prey, which unto him, as chiefest spoils are brought.  
So let thine enemies (O Lord) sustain and suffer blame,  
And let thy chosen blessed ones, that love and fear thy name,  
Be like the Son, when in the morn, his glory doth increase:  
Or like the land, which many a year, hath been in rest and peace.   

Another Song of the faithful, for the mercies of God.  In the xii. Chap. of the prophesy of Isaiah. 

OH living Lord, I still will laud thy name,  
for though thou wert offended once with me:  
Thy heavy wrath is turned from me again,  
and graciously thou now dost comfort me.   

Behold, the Lord is my salvation,  
I trust in him, and fear not any power:  
He is my song, the strength I lean upon,  
the Lord God is my loving Saviour.   

Therefore with joy out of the well of life,  
draw forth sweet water, which it doth afford:  
And in the day of trouble and of strife,  
call on the name of God the living Lord.   

Extol his works and wonders to the sun,  
unto all people let his praise be shown:  
Record in song the marvels he hath done,  
and let his glory through the world be blown.   

Cry out aloud and shout on Zion hill,  
I give thee charge that this proclaimed be:  
The great and mighty king of Israel,  
now only dwelleth in the midst of thee.    

A Song of the faithful.  In the third Chap. of the prophesy of Habacucke. 

LOrd, at thy voice, my heart for fear hath trembled,  
Unto the world (Lord) let thy works be shown:  
In these our days now let thy power be known,  
And yet in wrath let mercy be remembered.   

From Teman lo, our God you may behold,  
The holy one from Paran mount so high:  
His glory hath clean covered the Sky,  
And in the earth his praises be enrolled.   

His shining was more clearer than the light,  
And from his hands a fullness did proceed,  
Which did contain his wrath and power indeed.  
Consuming plagues and fire were in his sight.   

He stood aloft and compassed the land,  
And of the Nations doth defusion make  
The mountains rend, the hills for fear did quake,  
His unknown paths no man may understand.   

The Morions tents even for their wickedness,  
I might behold the land of Midian:  
Amazed and trembling like unto a man,  
Forsaken quite, and left in great distress:   

What, did the rivers move the Lord to ire?  
Or did the floods his Majesty displease:  
Or was the Lord offended with the seas,  
That thou camest forth in chariot hot as fire.   

Thy force and power thou freely didst relate,  
Unto the tribes thy oath doth surely stand,  
And by thy strength thou didst divide the land,  
And from the earth the rivers separate.   

The mountains saw, and trembled for fear,  
The sturdy stream, with speed forth passed by,  
The mighty depths shout out a hideous cry,  
And then aloft their waves they did uprear.   

The Sun and Moon amid their course stood still,  
Thy spears and arrows forth with shining went,  
Thou spoilest the land, being to anger bend,  
And in displeasure thou didst slay and kill.   

Thou goest forth for thine own chosens sake,  
For the safeguard of thine anointed one:  
The house of wicked men is overthrown,  
And their foundations now go all to wrack.   

Their towns thou strikest by thy mighty power,  
With their own weapons, made for their defence:  
Who like a whirlwind came with the pretence,  
The poor and simple man quite to devour.   

●●ou madest thy horse on seas to gallop fast.  
Vpo●●●e waves thou ride here and there:  
My ●●●als trembled then for very fear,  
〈◊〉 at thy voice, my lips shook at the last.   

Grief pierced my bones, and fear did me annoy,  
In time of trouble, where I might find rest:  
For to revenge, when once the Lord is priest,  
With plagues he will the people quite destroy.   

The figtree now no more shall sprout nor flourish,  
The pleasant vine no more with grapes abound:  
No pleasure in the city shall be found:  
The field no more her fruit shall feed nor nourish.   

The sheep shall now be taken from the fold,  
In stall of Bullocks there shall be no choice.  
Yet in the Lord my Saviour I rejoice,  
My hope in God yet will I surely hold.   

God is my strength, the Lord my only stay,  
My feet for swiftness, it is he will make  
Like to the Hinds, who none in course can take:  
Upon high places he will make me way.    

A Song of thanks to God, in that he showeth himself judge of the world, in punishing the wicked, and maintaining the godly.  In the xv. Chap. of the prophesy of Isaiah. 

OH Lord my God, with praise I will persever  
Thy blessed name in song I will record:  
for the great wonders thou hast done O lord,  
Thy truth and counsels have been certain ever.   

A mighty city thou makest ruinat.  
The strongest towns thou bringest to decay:  
A place where strangers usually do stay,  
And shall not be reduced to former state.   

The proudest people therefore stoop to thee,  
The strongest cities have thee still in fear:  
Thou strengthnest the poor man in despair:  
And helpest the needy in necessity.   

Thou art a sure refuge against a shower,  
A shadow which doth from the heat defend:  
The raging blasts the mighty forth doth send,  
Is like a storm which shakes the stateliest tower.   

Thou shalt abate the foreign stranger's pride,  
Like as the heat doth dry the moistest place,  
The glory of the proud thou shalt deface.  
Like as the clouds the sunny beams do hide.   

The Lord of hosts shall in this mount provide,  
And to his people here shall make a feast,  
Offatted things and dainties of the best,  
Of Marrow and wines finely purified.   

And in this Mountain by his mighty hand,  
That same dark cloud the Lord will clean destroy,  
Even with the vail which doth his folk annoy.  
And death no more before his face shall stand.   

The Lord will wipe out of his chosens eyes,  
The tears which do their faces so distain:  
And their rebuke shall now no more remain,  
Thus saith the Lord, these be his promises.   

And men shall say (then) lo, this same is he,  
This is our God, on whom we did attend,  
This is the Lord that will us still defend,  
We will be glad and joyful (Lord) in thee.   

Thy hand (oh Lord) here in this mount shall rest,  
And cursed Moab shall by thee be beaten,  
As in thy judgement thou of long dost threaten.  
As in Mamena straw of men is threshed.   

And over them the Lord his hand shall hold.  
As he that swimmeth, stretcheth him at length,  
And by his power and by his mighty strength.  
The proud and stout by him shall be controlled.   

Thy highest walls and towers of all thy trust,  
He shall bring down and lay them all full low,  
Unto the ground his hand shall make them bow,  
And lay thy pride and glory in the dust.    

another Song of the faithful, wherein is declared in what consisteth the salvation of the Church.  In the xvi. Chap. of the prophesy of Isaiah. 

ANd in that day, this same shall be our song,  
In juda land this shall be sung and said,  
We have a city which is wondrous strong,  
And for the walls, the Lord himself our aid.   

Open the gates, yea set them open wide,  
And let the godly and the righteous pass:  
Yea let them enter, and therein abide,  
Which keep his laws, and do his truth embrace:   

And in thy judgement thou wilt sure preserve,  
In perfect peace those which do trust in thee:  
Trust in the Lord, which doth all trust deserve,  
He is thy strength, and none but only he.   

He will bring down the proud that look so high,  
The stateliest buildings he will soon abase:  
And make them even with the ground to lie,  
And unto dust he will their pride deface.   

It shall be trodden to the very ground,  
The poor and needy down the same shall tread:  
The just man's way in righteousness is found,  
Into a path most plain thou wilt him lead.   

But we have waited long for thee, oh Lord  
And in thy way of judgement we do rest:  
Our souls doth joy thy name still to record,  
And thy remembrance doth content us best.   

My soul hath longed for thee (oh Lord) by night,  
And in the morn my spirit for thee hath sought:  
Thy judgements to the earth give such a light,  
As all the world by them thy truth is taught.   

But show thy mercy to the wicked man,  
He will not learn thy righteousness, to know,  
His chief delight is still to curse and ban,  
And unto thee, himself he will not bow.   

They do not once at all regard thy power,  
Thy people's zeal shall let them see their shame,  
But with a fire thou shalt thy foes devour,  
And clean consume them with a burning flame.   

With peace thou wilt preserve us (Lord) alone,  
For thou hast wrought great wonders for our sake  
And other Gods beside thee have we none:  
Only in thee we all our comfort take.   

The dead and such as sleep within the grave,  
Shall give no glory, nor yield praise to thee:  
Which here on earth no place nor being have,  
And thou hast rooted out of memory.   

Oh Lord thou dost this nation multiply,  
Thou Lord hast blest this nation with increase:  
Thou art most glorious in thy majesty,  
Thou hast enlarged the earth with perfect peace.   

We cried to thee, and oft our hands did wring,  
When we have seen thee bend to punishment.  
Like to a woman in childbirth traveling,  
Even so in pain we mourn and do lament.   

We have conceived and laboured with pain,  
But only wind at last we forth have brought:  
Upon the earth no hope there doth remain,  
The wicked world likewise avails us nought.   

The dead shall live, and such as sleep in grave  
With their own bodies once shall rise again:  
Sing ye, that in the dust your dwelling have,  
The earth no more her bodies shall retain.   

Come, come my people to my chamber here,  
And shut the doors up surely after thee:  
Hid thou thyself, and do not once appear,  
Nor let thine eyes mine indignation see.   

For from above the Lord is now disposed  
To scourge the sins that in the world remain:  
His servants blood in earth shall be disclosed,  
And she shall now yield up her people slain.   
Finis. Hereafter follow certain other Songs and Prayers of godly men and women, out of the Books of apocrypha.   

The Prayer of judith, for the deliverance of the people.  In the ix. Chap. of the book of judith. 
OH Lord, the God of Simeon, my sovereign Father dear:  
To whom thou gavest strength and might, the sword in hand to bear.  
To take revenge on those which first, the maiden's womb did tame,  
And spoiled her virginity, with great reproach and shame.  
For which offence, thou gavest up, their princes to be slain.  
so that their wounds with gory blood, their beds did all distain.  
Their servants with their lords each one, have felt thy wrath alike  
who sitting in their royal seat, thou sparest not to strike.  
Their wives, their daughters, & their goods, thou gav'st for thy behove  
As prais, as captives, & as spoils, to those whom thou didst love.  
who modued with zeal, could not abide, their blood defiled to see,  
Then hear me Lord, a widow poor, which here do call to thee.  
things past, & things not yet discerned, thy providence hath wrought,  
Things present & the things to come, by thee to pass are brought.  
Each thing is present at thy call, thy wisdom doth devise,  
Thy secret judgements long before, thy knowledge doth comprise.  
Th' Assyrians now in multitude, a mighty number are,  
Whose horsemen on their barbed horse, themselves to war prepare.  
Their hope in footmen doth consist, in sling, in spear and shield,  
They know not thee to be the Lord, whose force doth win the field.  
Let all their force, their strength & power, he by thy might abated,  
Who vow thy Temple to defile, which thou hast consecrated.  
Yea, to pollute thy Tabernacle, thy house and holy place,  
And with their instruments of war, thine Altars to deface.  
Behold their pride, and pour on them, thy wrath and heavy ire,  
And strength my hand to execute, the thing I now desire.  
Smite thou the servant and the Lord, as they together stand,  
Abate their glory and their pride, even by a woman's hand.  
For in the greatest multitude, thou takest not delight,  
Nor in the strong and valiant men consisteth not thy might.  
But to the humble, lowly, meek, the succourless and poors,  
Thou art a help, defence, refuge, and loving saviour,  
My father in thy name did trust, O Israel's Lord most dear,  
Of heaven, of earth, of sea and land, do thou my prayer hear.  
Grant thou me wit, sleight, power, strength, to wound them which advance  
Themselves over thy Zion hill, & thine inheritance.  
Declare to nations far and near, and let them know full well,  
Thou art the Lord, wohse power & strength, defendeth Israel.   

The Song of judith, having slain Holophernes.  In the xvi. Chap. of the book of judith. 
TVne up the Timbrels then with laud unto the Lord,  
Sound forth his praise on Simbals loud, with songs of one accord,  
Declare & show his praise, also his name rehearse,  
In song of thanks exactly penned, of sweet and noble verse.  
The Lord he ceaseth wars, even he the very same,  
'tis he that doth appease all strife, jehovah is his name.  
The which hath pitched his tent, our surest strength and aid,  
Amongst us here, lest that our foes, should make us once dismayed  
From northern mountain tops, proud Assur came a down,  
With warlike men a multitude, of famous high renown.  
Whose footmen stopped the streams, where rivers wont to flow,  
And horsemen covered all the vales, that lay the hills below.  
His purpose was for to destroy my land, with sword and fire,  
To put my youngmen to the sword, did thirst with hot desire.  
My children to captivity, he would have borne away,  
My virgins so by rape and force, as spoils and chiefest prey,  
But yet the high and mighty Lord, his people doth defend,  
And by a silly woman's hand, hath brought him to his end.  
For why? their mighty men, with Arms were not subdued,  
Nor with their blood our young men's hands, were not at all imbrued.  
No, none of Titan's line, this proud Assyrian slew,  
Nor any giants aid we craved, this soldier to subdue.  
But judith she alone, Meraris daughter deer,  
Whose heavenly hue hath bred his vain, and brought him to his beer.  
She left her mourning weed, and decked herself with gold,  
In royal robes of seemly show, all Israel to behold.  
With odours she perfumed herself, after the queintest guise,  
Her hair with fillet finely bound, as Art could well devise.  
Her slippers neat and trim, his eyes and fancy fed,  
Her beauty hath bewitched his mind, her sword cut off his head.  
The Persians were amazed, her modesty was such,  
The Medes at her bold enterprise, they marveled as much.  
Amongst th' Assyrians then, great clamours can arise,  
When as the fact so lately done, appeared before their eyes.  
the sons which erst my daughters have, even on their bodies born  
Have slain them as they fled in chase, as men so quite forlorn.  
Even at the presence of the Lord, the stoutest turned his back,  
His power did so astonish them, that all things went to wrack.  
A song now let us sing, of thanks unto the Lord,  
Yea, in a song of pleasant tune, let us his praise record.  
Oh God, thou mighty Lord, who is there like to thee,  
In strength and power, to thou oh Lord, none may compared be.  
Thy creatures all obey, and serve thee in their trade,  
For thou no sooner spak'st the word, but every thing was made.  
Thou sentest forth the spirit, which did thy work fulfil,  
And nothing can withstand thy voice, but listen to thy will.  
The mountains shall remove, where their foundation lay,  
Likewise the floods, the craggy rocks, like wax shall melt away.  
But they that fear the Lord, and in him put their trust,  
Those will he love and still impute, amongst the good and just:  
But woe be those that seek, his chosen flocks decay,  
The Lord God will revenge their wrongs, at the last judgement day  
For he such quenchless fire, and gnawing worms shall send,  
Into their flesh, as shall consume, them world without an end,   

A Prayer of the Author.  In the xxiii. Chap. of Ecclesiasticus. 

LOrd of my life, my guide and governor,  
Father, of thee this one thing I require,  
Thou wilt not leave me to the wicked power.  
Which seek my fall, and still my death desire.   

Oh, who is he that shall instruct my thought,  
And so with wisdom shall inspire my heart:  
In ignorance that nothing may be wrought  
By me with them whose sin shall not departed.   

Lest that mine errors grow and multiply,  
And to destruction through my sins I fall:  
My foes rejoice at my adversity,  
Who in thy mercy have no hope at all.   

My Lord and God, from whom my life I took,  
Unto the wicked leave me not a pray:  
A haughty mind, a proud disdainful look,  
From me thy Servant take thou clean away.   

Vain hope likewise, with vile concupiscence,  
Lord of thy mercy take thou clean from me:  
Retain thou him in true obedience,  
Who with desire daily serveth thee.   

Let not desire to please the greedy maw,  
Or appetite of any fleshly lust:  
Thy servant from his loving Lord withdraw,  
But give thou me a mind both good and just.    

The Prayer of Solomon.  In the ix. Chap. of the book of Wisdom. 
OH God of our forefathers all, of mercy thou the Lord:  
Which heaven and earth, and all things else, createdst with thy word.  
And by thy wisdom madest man, like to thyself alone,  
And gavest him over thy works, the chief dominion.  
That he should rule upon the earth, with equity and right,  
And that his judgements should be pure, and upright in thy sight.  
Give me that wisdom, which about, thy sacred throne doth stay,  
And from amongst thine own elect (Lord) put me not away.  
For I thy servant am, and of thy handmaid borne,  
A silly soul, whose life alas, is short and all forlorn.  
And do not understand at all, what ought to be my guide,  
I mean thy statutes and thy laws, lest that I slip aside.  
For though a man in worldly things, for wisdom be esteemed,  
Yet if thy wisdom want in him, his, is but folly deemed.  
Thou choosest me to be a King, to sit on royal throne,  
To judge the folk which thou of right, dost challenge for thy own.  
Thou hast commanded me to build, a Temple on thy hill,  
And Altar in the self same place, where thou thyself dost dwell.  
Even like unto thy Tabernacle, in each kind of respect,  
A thing most holy, which at first, thyself thou didst erect.  
Thy wisdom being still with thee, which understands thy trade,  
When as thou framedst first the world, and her foundation laid.  
Which knew the thing that most of all, was pleasant in thy sight  
Thy will and thy commandments, wherein thou tak'st delight.  
Send her down from that heavenly seat, whereas she doth abide,  
That she may show to me thy will, and be my only guide.  
For she doth know and understand, yea, all things doth foresee.  
And by her works and mighty power, I shall preserved be.  
Then shall my works accepted be, and liked in thy sight,  
When I upon my father's throne, shall judge thy folk aright.  
Who knoweth the counsel of the Lord, his deep and secret skill.  
Or who may search into his works, or know his holy will?  
For why? the thoughts of mortal men, are nothing else but care,  
Their forecasts and devices all, things most uncertain are.  
The body is unto the soul, a weight and burden great,  
The earthly house depresseth down, the mind with cares replete  
The things which here on earth remain, we hardly can discern,  
To find their secret use and trade, with labour great we learn.  
For who doth search or seek to know, with travail & with care,  
The secrets of the mighty Lord, which hie in heaven are.  
Who can thy counsels understand, except thou do impart  
Thy wisdom, and thy holy spirit dost send into his heart?  
For so the ways of mortal men, reformed are and taught,  
The things that most delighteth thee, which wisdom forth have brought.   

A Song of Jesus' the son of Sirach.  In the last Chap. of Ecclesiasticus. 

I Will confess thy name O Lord,  
And give thee praise with one accord:  
My God, my King, and Saviour,  
Unto thy name be thanks and power.   

I have been succoured by thee,  
And thou hast still preserved me:  
And from destruction kept me long,  
And from report of slanderous tongue.   

From lips still exrcisde with lies,  
And from my cruel enemies,  
Thou me in mercy dost deliver,  
Thy blessed name be praised for ever.   

From monsters, that would me devour,  
From cruel tyrants, and their power:  
In all affliction pain and grief,  
Thou succourest me with some relief.   

From the cruel burning flame.  
Poor I enclosed within the same:  
From the deep infernal pit,  
From venomed tongues that poison spit.   

From speeches that of malice spring,  
From accusation to the king,  
From all reproach and infamy,  
From slander, and like villainy.   

My soul, to death praise thou the Lord,  
And laud his name with one accord:  
For death was ready thee to take,  
And thou near the infernal lake.   

They compassed me round about,  
But there was none to help me out:  
I looked when succour would appear,  
But there was none that would come near.   

Upon thy mercies then I thought,  
And on the wonders thou hast wrought:  
How from destruction thou dost save,  
Such as in thee affiance have.   

In prayer than I did persever,  
That thou from death wouldst me deliver:  
Unto the Lord I cry and call,  
That he would rid me out of thrall:   

Therefore I still will praise thy name,  
And ever thank thee for the same:  
My prayers shall of thee be heard,  
And never from thy ears debarred.   

Thou sau'st me from destruction,  
And other mischiefs more than one:  
Therefore will I praise thee O Lord,  
And in my songs thy name record.    

The Prayer of Hester, for the deliverance of her and her people.  In the xiiii. Chap. of Hester. 
O Mighty Lord, thou art our God, to thee for aid I cry,  
To help a woman desolate, sith danger now is nigh:  
Even from my youth I oft have hard my predecessors tell,  
That from amongst the nations all thou choosest Israel▪  
And chosest those our fathers were from theirs that went before  
To be thine own and hast performed, thy promise evermore.  
Now Lord we have committed sin, most grievous in thine eyes,  
Wherefore thou hast delivered us, unto our enemies.  
Because that to their heathen gods, with worship we have gone,  
Knowing that thou art God the Lord, the righteous Lord alone.  
Yet not content, nor satisfied, with these our captives bands.  
But with their Idols they themselves, have joined & shaken hands  
Quite to abolish and subvert, what thou appointed haste,  
And this thine own inheritance even utterly to waste.  
To shut and stop the mouths of those, that yield thee thanks and praise,  
Thy glorious temples to defile, thine Altars up to raise:  
And to induce the heathen folk, to laud their Idols might,  
To magnify a fleshly King, a man, a mortal wight.  
Then let not such the Sceptre sway, whose glory is of nought,  
Lest they deride us when that we, to misery are brought.  
And those devices they have wrought, t'intangle us withal,  
May turn unto their own decay, and on their heads may fall.  
Remember Lord, and show thyself, to us in time of need,  
And strengthen me thou King of kings, & Lord of power indeed.  
Instruct my tongue with eloquence, my speeches to impart.  
Before the Lion's face, and by, thy wisdom turn his heart  
To hate our deadly enemy, so wholly bend to ill,  
Destroy him, and all such as do consent unto his will.  
But let thy hand deliver us, and help and secure me,  
Sith I am now left comfortless, and have no help but thee.  
Thou knowst right well all things O Lord, & this thou knowest then  
I hate the glory and the pomp, of wicked sinful men,  
And utterly detest the bed, of any heathen wight,  
Uncircumcised, most unpure, and odious in thy sight:  
Thou knowest my necessity, and that with hate I bear  
This token of pre-eminence, which on my head I wear.  
And as a filthy menstruous cloth, I take thereof such shame,  
As being by myself alone, I never wear the same.  
And that at Hamans' table yet, thy handmaid hath not fed,  
Nor took delight in prince's feast, nor drank wine offered,  
And never wied in any thing, since first I hither came,  
Until this day but in the Lord thou God of Abraham.  
Oh thou the high and mighty God, hear thou the voice & cry  
Of them, whose hope, whose trust and stay, only on thee doth lie.  
And now in need deliver us, out of their cruel hand,  
And from the dread and fear O Lord, wherein we daily stand.   

The Prayer of Mardocheus.  In the xiii. Chap. of Hester. 

Oh Lord, my Lord, that art the King of might,  
Within whose power all things their being have:  
Who may withstand that liveth in thy sight,  
If thou thy chosen Israel wilt save.  
For thou hast made the earth and heaven above,  
And all things else that in the same do move.   

Thou madest all things, and they are all thine own,  
And there is none that may resist thy will:  
Thou knowst all things, and this of thee is known,  
I did not erst for malice nor for ill,  
Presumption nor vain glory else at all,  
Come nor bow down unto proud haman's call.   

I could have been content for Israel's sake,  
To kiss the soles even of his very feet:  
But that I would not man's vain honour take.  
Before God's glory, being so unmeet.  
And would not worship none (O Lord) but thee:  
And not of pride, as thou thyself dost see.   

Therefore (oh Lord) my God, and heavenly king  
Have mercy on the people thou hast bought:  
For they imagine and devise the thing,  
How to destroy and bring us unto nought.  
Thine heritance, which thou so long hast fed,  
And out so far from Egypt land hast led.   

Oh hear my prayer, and mercy do extend,  
Upon thy portion of inheritance,  
For sorrow now some joy and solace send,  
That we may live thy glory to advance.  
And suffer not their mouths shut up oh Lord,  
Which still thy name with praises do record.    

A Prayer in the person of the Faithful.  The xxxvi. Chap. of Ecclesiasticus. 

Have mercy on us blessed Lord,  
Which madest all things with thy word:  
Behold us Saviour from above,  
Illuminate us with thy love.   

And let the wicked dread thy name,  
Which never sought unto the same:  
And know that thou art God alone,  
And like (in wonders) to be none.   

Oh Lord lift up thy mighty hand,  
The world thy power shall understand:  
As by us thou art sanctified,  
By them so be thou magnified.   

That they may learn thy power to know,  
As we that be thy servants do,  
Thou art the living Lord alone,  
And other Gods besides thee none.   

Renew the signs (Lord) thou hast shown,  
And let thy wondrous works he known:  
Declare the strength of thy right hand,  
Let them thy power understand.   

Arise to judgement in thine ire,  
Pour out thy wrath as hot as fire:  
Destroy the cruel adversary,  
To spoil our foes (Lord) do not tarry.   

Shorten thou these wicked days,  
Think on thine oath at all assays:  
Let thy wonders (Lord) appear.  
And be thou praised far and near.   

In burning fire (Lord) let them die,  
Which do escape, and seek to fly:  
And let them perish with annoy,  
Which seek thy people to destroy.   

Cleave thou the heads of mighty kings,  
Our enemies in godly things:  
And let the world behold and see,  
That we are chosen unto thee.   

Lord, gather jacob unto thee,  
That they thy might & power may see:  
that they thy wondrous works may show  
And to be thine themselves may know.   

Unto thy folk impute no blame,  
Which ever called upon thy name:  
To Israel Lord be thou mild,  
Thy only heir thy first borne child.   

Unto jerusalem show pity,  
Thy sanctuary and thy city:  
Bless Zion where thy prophets live,  
Thy glory to thy people give.   

And be thou witness unto those,  
Which have been thine still to dispose:  
And raise them up oh Lord, on high,  
Which in thy name do prophesy.   

Reward them (Lord) that wait for thee,  
That they thy Prophet's truth may see:  
Hear thou thy servants prayer oh Lord,  
As thou to Aaron gavest thy word.   

Guide us in way of righteousness,  
The earth thy glory shall express:  
And to the world it shall be known:  
Thou art eternal and alone.    

A Prayer of Tobias, exhorting all men to praise the Lord.  Tobias. Chap. xiii. 

Blessed be that king which evermore shall reign,  
So ever may his kingdom blessed be:  
Which punisheth and pitieth again,  
Which sends to hell, and likewise setteth free.  
Before whose presence may no creature stand,  
Nor any thing avoid his heavy hand.   

Ye children of his chosen Israel,  
Before the Gentles still confess his name:  
With whom he hath appointed you to dwell,  
Even there (I say) extol and laud his fame:  
He is a Lord and God most gracious,  
And still hath been a father unto us.   

He will scourge us for our iniquity,  
Yet mercy will he take on us again,  
And from those nations gathered shall we be,  
With whom as strangers now we do remain.  
If in your hearts he shall repentance find,  
And turn to him with zeal and willing mind.   

When as your dealings shall be found upright,  
Then will he turn his face from you no more:  
Nor thenceforth hide his presence from your sight,  
But lend his mercy, then laid up in store,  
Therefore confess his name, & praises sing,  
To that most great and highest heavenly King.   

I will confess him in captivity,  
And to a wicked people show his might,  
Oh turn to him, vile sinners that you be,  
And do the thing is upright in his sight.  
Who's there can tell if he will mercy show,  
Or take compassion on you, yea or Noah?   

I will extol and laud thy name always,  
My soul, the praise of heavens King express:  
All tongues on earth shall spread abroad his praise,  
All nations show forth his righteousness.  
jerusalem thou shalt be scourged then,  
But he will spare the sons of righteous men.   

Fail not to give the Lord his praises due,  
And still extol that everlasting King:  
And help to build his Tabernacle new,  
In which his Saints shall ever sit and sing.  
In which the captives shall have end of grief,  
In which the poor shall ever find relief.   

Many shall come from countries far and near,  
And shall great gifts unto his presence bring,  
Many before his presence shall appear,  
And shall rejoice in this great heavenly King,  
Cursed be those which hate thy blessed name,  
But blessed be those which love & like the same.   

Triumph with joy, ye that be good and just,  
Though scattered now, yet shall you gathered be:  
Then in the Lord fix all your hope and trust,  
And rest in peace till you these blessings see.  
blessed be those which have been touched with grief  
when they have seen thee scourged, & want relief.   

Those only shall rejoice with thee again,  
And those shall be partakers of thy glory:  
And shall in bliss for ay with thee remain,  
Now passed once these troubles transitory.  
Then (oh my soul) see thou rejoice and sing,  
And laud the great and highest heavenly King   

And he will build jerusalem full fair,  
With Emeralds and Sapphires of great price,  
With precious stones he will her walls repair,  
Her towers of gold with work of rare device.  
And all her streets with Berall will he pave.  
With Carbunckles and Ophirs passing brave.   

And all her people there, shall sit and say,  
Praised be God with Aleluiah.   
FINIS.