CHOICE PSALMS PUT INTO MUSIC, For Three Voices. The most of which may properly enough be sung by any three, with a Through Base. COMPOSED by Henry and William Laws, Brothers; and Servants to His Majesty. With divers Elegies, set in Music by several Friends, upon the death of WILLIAM LAW. And at the end of the Through Base are added nine Canons of Three and Four Voices, made by William Laws. LONDON, Printed by James Young, for Humphrey Moseley, at the Prince's Arms in S. Paul's Churchyard, and for Richard Wodenothe, at the Star under S. Peter's Church in Cornhill. 1648. portrait of Charles I (By the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland) in oval frame Carolus D: G: Rex Ang: Sco: Fran: et Hiber: Regi, Regis, etc. Regum Ar╌ca╌na cano. Henricus Laws Regiae Majestatis à sacra Musica. TO HIS Most Sacred Majesty, CHARLES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, King of great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. I Could not answer mine own Conscience (most Gracious Sovereign) should I dedicate these Compositions to any but Your Majesty; they were born and nourished in Your Majesty's service, and long since designed (such as they are) an Offering to Your Royal hand. Many of them were composed by my Brother (William Laws,) whose life and endeavours were devoted to Your service; whereof, I (who knew his heart) am a surviving witness, and therein he persisted to that last minute, when he fell a willing Sacrifice for Your Majesty: I were unworthy such a Brother, should I tender aught that is his, or mine, to any but our Gracious Master (from whose Royal Bounty both of us received all we enjoyed;) and such an Inscription would not only seem a Theft and Alienation of what is Your Majesties, but (which I most abhor) would make me taste of these ungrateful days. Your Majesty knows when the Regal Prophet first penned these Psalms, he gave them to the Musicians to be set to tunes; and they humbly brought them to David the King. Besides, Mr. Sandys inscribes his Translation to Your Sacred Majesty; so that this I offer is Your Majesties in all capacities, and doth not so properly come, as rebound back to Your Majesty. I was easily drawn to this presumption, by Your Majesties known particular affection to David's Psalms, both because the Psalter is held by all Divines one of the most excellent parts of holy Scripture; as also in regard much of Your Majesty's present condition, is lively described by King David's pen. The King of Heaven and Earth restore Your Majesty according to Your own righteous heart, which is the daily earnest prayer of Your Majesty's most humble, most loyally devoted Subject and Servant, HENRY LAW. To the READER. THese following Compositions of mine and my Brothers, set at several times, and upon several Occasions, (having been often heard, and well approved of, chiefly by such as desire to join Music with Devotion) I have been much importuned to send to the Press, and should not easily have been persuaded to it now, (especially in these dissonant times) but to do a Right (or at least to show my Love) to the Memory of my (Brother, unfortunately lost in these unnatural Wars; yet lies in the Bed of Honour, and expired in the Service and Defence of the King his Master. Living, he was generally known, and (for his Parts) much honoured by Persons of best quality and condition. To give a further Character of him I shall forbear, because of my near relation, and rather refer that to those Elegies which many of his noble Friends have written in a peculiar Book: But, as to what he hath done in Music, I shall desire the present and the future Age, that so much of his Works as are here published, may be received, as the least part of what he hath composed, and but a small Testimony of his greater Compositions, (too voluminous for the Press) which I the rather now mention, lest being, as they are, dispersed into private hands, they may chance be hereafter lost; for, besides his Fancies of the Three, Four, Five and Six Parts to the Viols and Organ, he hath made above thirty several sorts of Music for Voices and Instruments: Neither was there any Instrument then in use, but he composed to it so aptly, as if he had only studied that. As for that which is my part in this Composition, I had not thought at all (though much urged) to publish; but that, as they had their birth at the same time with his, and are of the same kind, so they might enter both into the light together, and accompany one another being so near allied; Mine taking precedence of order only, not of worth. I may be thought too partial in what I have spoke of a Brother; but here are following many of our Friends and Fellows, (whose excellency in Music is very well known) who do better speak for him, while they mourn his Obsequies: yet I (obliged before all other) cannot but bewail his loss, and shall celebrate his memory to my last hour. Henry Laws. To the Incomparable Brothers, Mr. Henry, and Mr. William Laws (Servants to His Majesty) upon the setting of these Psalms. THe various Music, both for Aire and Art, These Arch-Musicians, in their several ways Composed, and Acted, merit higher praise Then wonder-wanting knowledge can impart. Brothers in blood, in Science and Affection, Beloved by those that envy their Renown; In a False Time true Servants to the Crown: Laws of themselves, needing no more direction. The depth of Music one of them did sound, The tother took his flight into the air: O then thrice happy and industrious pair, That both the depth and height of Music found. Which my sweet Friend, the life of Lovers pens, In so mild manner hath attained to do, He looks the better, and his hearers too; So in exchange all Ladies are his friends. And when our Meditations are too mean To keep their raptures longer on the wing, They soared up to that Prophet and that King, Whose Love is God, and Heaven his glorious Scene: Setting his Psalms, whereby both they and we May singing rise to immortality. A. Tounshend. To his Friend Mr. Henry Laws, upon his Compositions. TO chain wild Winds, calm raging Seas, recall From profound Hell, and raise to Heaven, are all Of Harmony no fables, but true story; Man has within a storm, a pain, a glory: And these in me struck by that art divine, Submit to Music, above all to thine. J. Harington. To my Friend Mr. Henry Laws. 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 couldst humour best our tongue. Thou honour'st Verse, and Verse must lend her wing To honour thee, the Priest of Phoebus' Choir, That tun'st their happiest Lines in hymn or * The story of Ariadne set by him in Music. story. Dantè shall give Fame leave to set thee higher Than his Casella, whom he wooed to sing, Met in the milder shades of Purgatory. J. Milton. To my worthy Friend (and Countryman,) Mr. Henry Laws, upon his own, and his Brother Mr. William Lawes' incomparable Works. WHere shall I place my wonder, when I see Such right in both to't, such equality Of worth in either, that it can't be known Which does the greatest, and the highest own? So when two Tapers mix their beams, we say, Not this more lustre has, or that more ray; But each has title to the light, and they Make up one, common, undistinguished day: Or, as when th' Flamen divers incense fires, The perfume severs not, but in one aspires; So that from this Spice, or that piece of Gum, We cannot say, such, or such odours come: But mounting in a general unknown cloud, The wonder of the breath's to each allowed; So here, such equal worth from each does flow, That to each light, to each we incense owe. 'Twas no necessity (yet) this Union made, (As when a weaker light does droop, and fade, Unless assisted by another) No: Each singly could full beams and odours throw. No wanton, ruder airs affright your ear; theyare pious only, and chaste numbers here: (Such was that lovely Poean, when the displeased Incensed God th' Achaick Host appeased,) Becoming or the Temple, or the Shrine, Fit to the words they speak; like them, divine. Such numbers does the soul consist of, where she Meeting a glance of her own harmony, Moves to those sounds she hears; and goes along With the whole sense and passion of the song; So to an equal height, two strings being wound, This trembles with the others stroke; and th' sound Which stirred this first, the other does awake, And the same harmony they both partake. Nor do they only with the soul agree In this; they share too in its eternity: And this, the one part of this work has tried; For, though himself removed, this does abide, And shall do ever: here, his memory Shall still survive, and contemn destiny. The same waits you (Sir) and when e'er you're sent From us, you'll live here your own monument. Fr. Sambrooke. Of 3. Voc. Bassus. I. Henry Laws. THat man is truly blest, who never strays by false advice, nor walks in sinners ways; nor sits infected with their scornful pride, who God contemn, and piety deride: He shall be like the tree that spreads his root by living streams, producing timely fruit; his leaf shall never fall: The Lord shall bless all his endeavours with desired success, the Lord shall bless all his endeavours with desired, desired success. II. Henry Laws. WHo trusts in thee, O let not shame deject, thou ever Just, my chased soul secure: Lord lend a willing ear, with speed protect, be thou my rock with thy strong arm immure. III. Henry Laws. O Thou from whom all mercy springs, compassionate my sufferings, and pity me who trusts in thee: O shelter with thy shady wings, until these storms of woe clear up, or o╌ver blow. IV. Henry Laws. NOt in thy wrath against me rise, nor in thy fury Lord chastise: Thy arrow's wound, nail to the ground, to the ground, thy hand upon me, thy hand upon me lies. V. Henry Laws. LOrd judge my cause, thy piercing eye beholds my soul's inte╌grity. How can I fall, when I, and all my hopes on thee rely? when ay, and all my hopes on thee rely. VI Henry Laws. CAst off and scattered in thine ire, Lord on our woes with pity look: The Lands enforced foundations shaken, whose yawning ruptures sighs expire. O cure the breaches thou hast rend, and make them firmly permanent. VII. Henry Laws. THy beauty Israel is fled, sunk to the dead, sunk, etc. How are the valiant, the valiant fall'n? the slain, the slain thy mountain's stain. O let it not in Gath be known, nor in the streets of Askalon, lest that sad story should excite their dire delight, lest in the torrent of our woe, of our woe their pleasure flow; lest their triumphant daughters ring their Cymbals, ring their Cymbals, ring their Cymbals, and cursed Paeans sing, ring their Cymbals, and cursed Paeans sing. VIII. Henry Laws. WIth sighs and cries to God I prayed, to him my supplication made; poured out my tears, poured out my tears, my cares and fears, my wrongs before him laid, before him laid. IX. Henry Laws. LOrd, for thy promise sake defend, and thy all-saving shield extend. O hear my cries, my cries, O hear my cries, which with wet eyes and sighs to thee ascend, and sighs to thee, and sighs to thee ascend. X. Henry Laws. O Hear my cries, O hear my cries, preserve his life, who will thy Laws, thy Laws obey, and just commands fulfil: Mine eyes outwatch the night, my cries prevent the ear╌ly morn, in due devotion spent; hear and revive, and revive, thy justice execute on lawless men; but thine own preserve from their pursuit: Thy oft tried mercies ever are at hand, thy judgements on eternal Bases stand, thy judgements, thy judgements on eternal Bases stand, on eternal Bases stand. XI. Henry Laws. Woo is me, that I from Israel exi╌led must in Mesech dwell, and in the tents, in the tents of Ishmael. O how long shall I live with those, whose savage minds sweet peace oppose, and fury by dissuasion grows, by etc. and fury, etc. XII. Henry Laws. TO hear me Lord be thou inclined, my thoughts O ponder in thy mind, and let my cries acceptance find: Thou hearst my morning sacrifice, to thee, before the daystar rise, my prayers ascend, my, etc. my, etc. ascend with steadfast eyes. XIII. Henry Laws. LOrd shower on us thy grace, enrich with gifts divine: Let thy illustrious face upon thy servants shine, that all below the arched sky, may thee and thy salvation know, salvation know. XIV. Henry Laws. HOw are the Gentiles all on fire? why rage they with vain menacings? Earth's haughty Potentates and Kings 'gainst God, against his Christ conspire: Break we (say they) their servile bands, and cast their cords, cast their cords from our free hands. XV. Henry Laws. HAppy he, happy he, who God obeys, nor from his direction strays: Thou shalt of thy labours feed, all shall to thy wish, all, etc. all shall to thy wish succeed. Like a fair and fruitful Vine, by thy house thy wife shall join; sons obedient to command, shall about, shall about thy table stand: Like green plants of Olives set by the moistening Rivulet, he who fears the power above, thus shall prosper in his love. XVI. Henry Lawes. LAudate Dominum omnes Gentes: Laudate eum omnes Populi: Quoniam confirmata est, confirmata est super nos miseri╌cor╌dia ejus, & veritas Domini manet in aeternum, & veritas Domini manet in aeter╌num, manet in aeternum, in aeternum, aeter╌num. XVII. Henry Laws. Depressed with grief, depressed, etc. depressed with grief, when all relief and humane pity failed, I cried, My God, O look on me thou ever Just, thou ever Just th' afflicted free. O from the grave, O from the grave thy servant save, O from, etc. for mercy, for mer╌cy lives in thee: O from the grave, O from the grave thy servant save, thy servant save, for mercy lives in thee. XVIII. Henry Laws. Blessed, O thrice blest is he, O thrice, etc. whose sins remitted be; and whose impieties God covers from his eyes, to whom his sins are not imputed as forgot, his soul with guile unstained: while silent I remained, my bones consumed, my bones consumed away, my bones, etc. I roared all the day, I roared all the day; for on me day and night thy hand did heavy light: I than my sins confessed, how far I had transgressed, when all I had revealed, thy hand, thy hand my pardon sealed, thy hand my pardon sealed. XIX. Henry Laws. LOrd, to my prayer, to my prayer incline, incline thine ear, and thy afflicted, afflicted servant hear; nor these salt rivers of mine eyes, these salt rivers of mine eyes, my God despise: A stranger as my fathers were, a stranger, etc. I sojourn here, I sojourn here. O let me gather strength before I pass away, before I pass away, and be no more, before I pass, I pass away, and be no more. XX. Henry Laws. WHen grief, when grief my labouring soul confounds, thou pourest balm, thou, etc. thou pourest balm into her wounds; for thou, O Lord, art my defence, my refuge, my refuge and my recompense: The vicious shall by vices fall, by their own sins be swept, be swept from hence. God shall cut off their breath, God shall cut off their breath, and give them up, and give them up to death. XXI. Henry Laws. LEt our foes with terror quake, with terror quake; let the earth's foundation shake: Judgement our great God affects, yet with e╌quity directs, yet with equity directs. These celestial twins embrace, these reflect on jacob's race: O how holy, O how holy above all honour, honour, and at his footstool fall. XXII. Henry Laws. HOw long? Lord, how long? how long? how long, O Lord? let me not for ever be forgot. How long? how long, my God, wilt thou contract thy clouded brow? contract, etc. How long in mind perplexed shall I be daily vexed? Consider and hear my cries, illuminate mine eyes, lest with exhausted breath I ever sleep, I e╌ver sleep in death. XXIII. Henry Laws. ACcept my prayers, nor to the cry of my affliction stop thine ear: Lord, in the time of misery and sad restraint, se╌rene appear; the sighing of my spirit hear, and when I call, with speed reply. XXIV. Henry Laws. THe bounty of Jehovah praise, this God of gods all sceptres sways: Thanks to the Lord of lords afford, and his amazing wonders blaze; for from the King of kings eternal mercy springs. XXV. Henry Laws. YOu who the Lord adore, and at his Altar wait, and keep your watch, and, etc. before the threshold of his gate, his praises sing, his praises sing by silent night, till cheerful light, till, etc. till cheerful light i'th' Orient spring. XXVI. Henry Laws. NOw the Lord his reign begins, throned between the Cherubins: O how great in Zions Towrs! high above, high above all earthly powers. Great and terrible his Name, since so holy, praise the same, since so holy, since so holy, praise the same. On his holy Hill glory, glorify and worship still, and worship still. Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah. XXVII. Henry Laws. NOw in the winter of my years, of my years, when time hath snowed upon my hairs, upon, etc. Abandon, etc. abandon not, O Lord, till I unto this age proclaim thy mighty power in songs, the same, etc. unto the next record, till, etc. thy mighty power in songs unto the next record. XXVIII. Henry Laws. THe King Jehovah with thy justice crown, and in a Godlike reign his Son renown; he shall with equity thy people sway, and judgement, and judgement in the scales, and judgement in the scales of justice weigh. He shall descend like plenty, like plenty dropping showers, which cloth the earth, and fill her lap, and fill her lap, and fill her lap with flowers. XXIX. Henry Laws. MY soul, my soul, my soul and all my faculties Jehovah praise; sing, sing, sing till the skies re-eccho, re-eccho his ascending fame: My soul, my soul, O celebrate his Name; for he will not e╌ver chide, nor constant to his wrath abide; but mildly from his wrath relents, and shortens our due punishments, and shortens our due punishments: His glorious Name, with sweet accord, join thou my soul, join thou my soul to praise the Lord. XXX. Bassus. Henry Laws. OUr fervent souls on God attend, our help, who only can defend, who only, etc. in whom our hearts exult for joy, in whom, etc. because we on his Name rely. Great God, to us propitious be, as we have fixed our hopes on thee, as we have fixed, have fixed our hopes on thee. Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halle╌luiah, Halleluiah. A Pastoral Elegy to the memory of my dear Brother, William Laws. Of 3. Voc. Bassus. CEase, O cease, ye jolly Shepherds, cease your merry lays; Pipe no more, in meadows green, crowned with Ivy and with Bays: let your flocks no more be seen on the verdant hillocks spread; but tune your oaten reeds with saddest notes, with saddest notes to mourn: for gentle Willy, your loved Laws is dead. Weep Shepherd Swains, weep Shepherd Swains, for him that was the glory of your plains: He could appease the sullen seas, and calm the fu╌ry of the mind; but now (alas) in silent urn he lies, hid from us, and never must return, never, never must return, and ne╌ver must return. Henry Laws. An Elegy to the memory of his Friend and Fellow, Mr. William Laws, servant to his Majesty. Of 3. Voc. Bassus. O Do not now lament and cry, O do, etc. 'tis Fate concludes we all must die; rather rejoice that he is there, mending the Music of the Sphere: we are dull souls of little worth, and coldly here his praise set forth, who doth that truly sure must be instructed by divinity. Hark, O hark, the celestial Choir doth pause to hear his sweeter Lyre: there he is set free from vain fears, or heart-heaved sighs, or brinish tears. Couldst thou thy fancy send us down, in Music we would place a crown, so harmonious on thy fair Hearse, should out-tongue Ovid in his sweetest Verse. By John Wilson Doctor in Music. To the memory of his much respected Friend and Fellow, Mr. William Laws. BUt that, loved Friend, we have been taught, our dearest dust to mix with dust, I'm with thy Lyre so strangely caught, my true affection counts it just, and grounds it on a pious care, thy ashes to involve in air, involve in air: for thy rare fancy from its birth, far inconsistent is with earth, or any inferior element. How can dull clay press down thine eyes, and not an earthquake strait arise? John Taylor. An Elegy on the death of his Friend and Fellow-servant, Mr. William Laws. Bassus. Dear Will is dead, dear Will is dead, Will Laws, whose active brain gave life to many sweet, to, etc. to, etc. harmonious strain; whose boundless skill made Music speak such sense, as if't had sprung from an intelligence, as if't had, etc. as if't had, etc. In's just proportioned songs, in's just pro╌portio╌ned songs might you find, his soul conversed with heaven, his, etc. with heaven, heaven with his mind, and in such language that Rhet'rick never knew, for his were Rhetoric, and sweet Music too, and sweet Music too: Like that which brought from the Im╌periall sky Angels to men, Angels to men, from men made Devils fly, made Devils fly. But (oh) he's dead, he's dead: but, etc. he's dead. To heaven is he gone? is he gone? the life of Music, laus, laus of our Nation. By John Cob, Organist of his Majesty's Chapel Royal. To the memory of his Friend, Mr. William Laws. BRave Spirit, art thou fled? and shall not we, since thou so soon art dead shed tears for thee? O let our eyes like Limbeks be, still dropping, dropping tears for thee. By Captain Edmond Foster. An Elegy on the death of his dear fraternal Friend and Fellow, Mr. William Laws, servant to his Majesty. LAment and mourn, he's dead and gone, lament, etc. that was the most Admired one, renowned Laws, General of the Forces all in Europe that were musical. Have we not cause to weep and mourn, when as the children yet unborn may make us sad, to think that neither girl nor boy, shall ever live for to enjoy such Laws, such Laws as once they had. By Simon Ive. An Elegiac Dialogue on the sad loss of his much esteemed Friend, Mr. William Laws, servant to his Majesty. Of 3. Voc. Bassus. NOt well? O no: Draw you black cloud, and see the soul of mine and all our harmony drenched deep in blood and unstained loyalty, my dear Medora lies. Hard hap to say, Time was, 'twas he; but now he's ever, ever lost to time and me. A fatal breath of honour challenged death with death. Virtue to have a loyal fame, a royal grave. O now all pour, good Will, good Will and Laws is gone, and I forlome am come to pour my balm into his wounds, and shower these liquid streams, until I be (dear Ghost) changed to a ghost like thee. Indeed my springs are dry: With thy warm dew bathe his breast, for he is cold, cold as death, cold as death, and laid to rest. Then join our woes, and let our joys dissever, we'll sing in grief, sing in grief, and drop, drop, drop, drop our tears, and drop our tears together. The Muses all do mutually assent, in this sad Dirge t' erect his Monument. Chorus of 3. Harmonious souls, now let your verse, with love and honour crown his Hearse; all your spicy odours lend to the ashes of a friend: bath him in a crystal flood, till you wash away the blood, till you wash away the blood, till, etc. Gently wind him, and then bring fresh Bays and Laurel from the Spring. Time will fade them, make them die: All other Trophies now lay by, no triumph to eternity, no triumph, no triumph to eternity. John Jinkins. An Elegy on his Friend Mr. William Laws. Of 3. Voc. Bassus. BOund by the near con╌junction of our souls, thus I condole thee, thus be╌dew thy Hearse; and whilst my throbbing heart thy Exit tolls, tolls, tolls, accept this sacrifice of weeping verse. What eyes can drily stubborn be, when Laws resteth at such a long continued pause? Let tears, let tears, like pendents, garnish every note, waved too and fro with gales of mournful sighs, and let the widowed Muses jointly vote, to celebrate with grief thy Obsequies: for with thee vanished all their airy pride, muffled in clay, muffled, etc. that erst was stellified. Since then i'th' centre sleeps true harmony, let him (that's greedy of that sacred gain, that sacred gain,) close to his mother earth his ear apply; there wait to hear some sad melodious strain. Within this womb hath pale impartial death, too soon, too soon confined the Quintessence of breath. John Hilton. Of 3. Voc. Bassus. I. William Laws. LOrd, as the Hart embossed with heat brays after the cool Rivulet, so sighs my soul for thee, my soul thirsts for the living God: when shall I enter his abode, and there his beauties see? Tears are my food both night and day, whiles where's thy God they daily say? My soul in plaints I shed, when I remember how in throngs, we filled thy house with praise, with praise and songs. II. William Laws. LEt God, the God of Battle rise, and scatter his proud enemies: O let them fly before his face like smoke, which driving tempests chase; as wax dissolves with scorching fire, so perish in his burning ire. III. William Laws. OUt of the horror of the Deep, where fear and sorrow never sleep, to thee my cries in sighs arise; Lord from despair thy servant keep: O lend a gracious ear, O lend a gracious ear, and my petitions hear. IV. William Laws. OFt from my early youth have they afflicted me, may Israel say, oft from my early youth assailed, as oft have their endeavours failed: As ploughshares tear the patient ground, as ploughshares, etc. The ever Just hath broke their bands, and saved me from their cruel hands. V. William Laws. HOw like a widow? Ah! how desolate this City sits, thrown from the pride of state? How is this potent Queen, who laws to all the neighbouring Nations gave, become a thrall, become a thrall? who nightly tears from her salt fountains sheds, which fall upon her cheeks in liquid beds. Of all her lovers, none regard her woes, and her perfidious friends increase her foes. VI William Laws. JUdah in ex╌ile wanders: Ah subdued by vast afflictions, ah subdued, and base servitude among the Heathen finds no rest. Ah! see how Si╌on mourns, how Zion mourns, her gates and ways lie unfrequented on her solemn, on her solemn days. Her Virgins weep, her Virgins weep, her Priests lament, her Priests lament, her Priests lament, and all her sweets convert to gall, and all, etc. VII. William Laws. HOw hath Jehovah's wrath, O Zion, spread a veil of clouds about thy daughter's head! From heaven to earth thy beauty Israel is thrown, nor in his fierce displeasure spared his own, nor in his fierce displeasure spared his own: yet Lord thou e╌ver liv'st, thy Throne shall last, when Funeral flames the world to cinders waste. VIII. William Laws SIng to the King of kings, sing in unusual lays, that hath wrought wondrous things, his conquests crown with praise, whose arm alone and sacred hands their impious bands have overthrown, their impious, etc. Let all that dwell on earth their high affections raise with universal mirth, and loudly sing his praise; to Music join the warbling voice: let all rejoice, let all rejoice, let all rejoice with joy divine, let all rejoice, rejoice with joy divine. IX. William Laws. PRaise the Lord enthroned on high, praise him in his sanctity; praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him who in power exceeds: praise with Trumpet pierce the skies, praise him with Harps and Psalteries: praise with Timbrels, Organs, Flutes, praise on Violins and Lutes: with silver Cymbals, silver Cymbals sing, praise on those which loudly ring. Angels all of humane birth, praise the Lord of heaven and earth, praise, etc. of heaven and earth. Singing Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah. X. William Laws MY God, O why hast thou forsaken? why O so far withdrawn thine aid? nor when I roared pity took: My God, by day to thee I prayed, and when nights curtains were displayed, yet wouldst not thou vouchsafe a look; yet thou art holy, throned on high: The Israelites thy praise resound, the Israelites, etc. our fathers did on thee rely, their faith with wreaths of conquest crowned, they sought thee, and deliverance found. XI. William Laws. MY God, my rock, regard my cry, lest I unheard, like those that die, in shades of dark oblivion lie: to my ascending grief, to my ascending grief give ear, when I my hands devoutly rear, before thy mercys; eat with fear: He hears, his Name be magnified. O thou that art to thine a tower, my songs shall celebrate thy power, my songs shall celebrate thy power. XII. William Laws. THey who the Lord their fortress make, shall like the towers of Zion rise, which dreadful earthquakes never shake, nor all the raging, the raging tumults of the skies, nor all, etc. Lo, as the hills of Salima divine Jerusalem enclose, so shall his Angels in the day of danger shield and save them from their foes, save them from their foes. XIII. William Laws. BEhold, behold how good and joyful a thing it is, Brethren to dwell together in unity, Brethren, etc. 'tis like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down unto the beard, even unto Aaron's beard, and went down, and went down to the skirts of his clothing, like as the dew of Hermon, which fell upon the Hill of Zion, upon the Hill of Zion: For the Lord promised there his blessing: for the Lord promised there his blessing: for the Lord, etc. and life for evermore, and life for evermore. XIV. William Laws. O Sing unto the Lord a new song, O sing unto the Lord a new song: let the congregation of Saints praise him, let Is╌rael rejoice in him that made him, and let the children of Zion be joyful in their King: Let them praise his Name in the dance, let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hands, and a two-edged sword in their hands, to be avenged on the Heathen, and to rebuke the people, to bind their Kings in chains, to bind their Kings in chains, and their Nobles in links of ir'n, that they may be avenged of them. Such honour have all his Saints, such, etc. such honour, etc. such, etc. Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Hallelluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah. XV. William Laws. I Am weary of my groaning, I am, etc. my beauty is gone for very trouble, and worn away because of mine enemies: O save me, for in death who remembreth thee? Or who will give thee thanks in the pit? or who will give thee thanks, or who will give thee thanks in the pit? in the pit. XVI. William Laws. IN the substraction of my years, I said with tears, Ah! now I to the shades below must naked go; cut off by death before my time, and like a flower cropped in my prime, and like a flower cropped in my prime, in my prime. XVII. William Laws. HOw long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face, thy face from me? How long shall mine enemy's triumph over me, over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord: Lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death, that I sleep not in death; lighten mine eyes, etc. that I sleep not in death. XVIII. William Laws. LOrd, thy deserved wrath assuage, nor punish in thy burning ire; let mercy mitigate thy rage, before my fainting soul expire: O heal, my bones with anguish ache; my pensive heart, my pensive heart with sorrow worn: How long wilt thou my soul forsake? O pity, O pity, O pity, and at length return. XIX. William Laws. THou Mover of the rolling spheres, I through the glasses of my tears to thee mine eyes erect, as servants mark their master's hands, as maid's their mistress' commands, and liberty expect; so we depressed by enemies and growing troubles, fix our eyes on God who sits on high, till he in mercy shall descend, till he in mercy shall descend, till he, etc. to give our mi╌serieses an end, to give our miseries an end. XX. William Laws. TO thee I cry, Lord hear my cries, O come with speed unto mine aid: Let my sad prayers before thee rise, like incense on the Altar laid; or, as when I with hands displayed present my evening sacrifice. XXI. William Laws. THou that art enthroned above, thou by whom we live and move: O how sweet! how excellent, is't with tongue and hearts consent, thankful hearts and joyful tongues, to renown, to renown thy Name in songs, when the morning paints the skies, when the sparkling stars arise, thy high favours to rehearse, thy firm faith in grateful verse? Take the Lute and Violin, let the solemn Harp begin: Instruments tuned with ten strings, while the silver Cymbal rings: from thy works my joy proceeds, while I triumph, while, etc. while, etc. triumph in thy deeds. Who thy wonders can express? all thy thoughts are fathomless, all thy thoughts are fathomless, hid from men in knowledge blind, hid from fools to vice inclined: who that tyrant Sin o╌bey, though they spring like flowrs in May, parched with heat, and nipped with frost, soon shall fade, soon, etc. soon shall fade, for ever lost. XXII. William Laws. COme sing the great Jehovah's praise, whose mercies have pro╌longed, prolonged our days, sing with a loud and cheerful voice, with bending knees and raised eyes, your God adore, in sacred hymns, in sacred hymns rejoice. XXIII. William Laws. TO thee, O God, my God I prayed, before the dawning of the day, my soul and wasting flesh with thirsty ardour thee desire, in scorched soil with Etherial fire, whose drought no showrs, whose drought no showrs refresh. XXIV. William Laws. TO the God whom we adore, sing a song unsung before; his im╌mortall praise rehearse, where his holy Saints converse. Israel, O thou his choice, in thy Maker's Name rejoice, Israel, etc. XXV. William Laws. Ye Nations of the earth, our great Preserver praise, all ye of humane birth, to heaven his glory raise, whose mercy hath no end nor bound, his promise crowned with constant faith. Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah. XXVI. William Laws. LEt all with sweet accord clap hands, their voices raise in honour of the Lord, and loudly sing his praise; who from above dire lightning flings, the King of kings of all that move. XXVII. William Lawes. NE irascaris, Ne, etc. Ne, etc. Domine: Satis, & ne ultra me mineris, iniquitatis nostrae. Populus tuus omnes nos, Populus, etc. Civitas Sancti tui facta est deserta. Zion deserta facta est. Jerusalem, Je╌rusalem deso╌la╌ta est, de╌so╌lata est. XXVIII. William Laws. MEmento, Memento Domine congregationis tuae; Memento Domine, Memento Domine: quam possedisti ab initio, quam, etc. quam, etc. quam, etc. quam posse╌disti ab initio. Libera eos, li╌bera eos ex omnibus tribulatio╌nibus, tribulatio╌nibus, tribulationi, tribulatio╌nibus, & mitte eis auxilium, & mitte, etc. & mitte, etc. & mitte, etc. & mitte, etc. & mitte eis auxilium. XXIX. William Laws. IN resurrectione, in, etc. in, etc. tua Domine, tua Domine, in re╌sur╌recti╌one, in, etc. tua Domine, tua Domine, in, etc. tua Domine. Laetentur coeli, & exultet terra, & exultet terra, exul╌tet terra, exul╌tet terra, exultet ter╌ra, & exul╌tet terra. Halleluiah, Halle╌luiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halle╌luiah Halleluiah, Hallelui╌ah, Halleluiah. XXX. William Laws. GLoria, gloria, gloria Patri, & Filio, & Spiritui sancto, & Spiritui sancto, Et, etc. & Spi╌ritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, sicut, etc. Et nunc, & semper, & semper, & in secu╌la, seculorum, Amen. Secula, seculorum, Amen. Secu╌la, seculorum, Amen. Secula, seculorum, A╌men. Seculorum, A╌men. An Elegy on the death of his very worthy Friend and Fellow-servant, M. John Tomkins, Organist of his Majesty's Chapel Royal. Music, Music, the Master of thy Art is dead, and with him all thy ravished sweets are fled; then bear a part in thine own Tragedy: let's celebrate strange grief with Harmony. Let's howl, let's howl sad notes stolen from his own pure verse, in stead of tears shed on his mournful Hearse, let's howl sad notes stolen from his own pure verse, from his own pure verse. By William Laws. CHOICE PSALMS PUT INTO MUSIC, For Three Voices. The most of which may properly enough be sung by any three, with a Through Base. COMPOSED by Henry and William Laws, Brothers; and Servants to His Majesty. With divers Elegies, set in Music by several Friends, upon the death of WILLIAM LAW. And at the end of the Through Base are added nine Canons of Three and Four Voices, made by William Laws. LONDON, Printed by James Young, for Humphrey Moseley, at the Prince's Arms in S. Paul's Churchyard, and for Richard Wodenothe, at the Star under S. Peter's Church in Cornhill. 1648. Regi, Regis, etc. Regum Ar╌ca╌na cano. Henricus Lawes Regiae Majestatis à sacra Musica. TO HIS Most Sacred Majesty, CHARLES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, King of great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. I Could not answer mine own Conscience (most Gracious Sovereign) should I dedicate these Compositions to any but Your Majesty; they were born and nourished in Your Majesty's service, and long since designed (such as they are) an Offering to Your Royal hand. Many of them were composed by my Brother (William Laws,) whose life and endeavours were devoted to Your service; whereof, I (who knew his heart) am a surviving witness, and therein he persisted to that last minute, when he fell a willing Sacrifice for Your Majesty: I were unworthy such a Brother, should I tender aught that is his, or mine, to any but our Gracious Master (from whose Royal Bounty both of us received all we enjoyed;) and such an Inscription would not only seem a Theft and Alienation of what is Your Majesties, but (which I most abhor) would make me taste of these ungrateful days. Your Majesty knows when the Regal Prophet first penned these Psalms, he gave them to the Musicians to be set to tunes; and they humbly brought them to David the King. Besides, Mr. Sandys inscribes his Translation to Your Sacred Majesty; so that this I offer is Your Majesties in all capacities, and doth not so properly come, as rebound back to Your Majesty. I was easily drawn to this presumption, by Your Majesties known particular affection to David's Psalms, both because the Psalter is held by all Divines one of the most excellent parts of holy Scripture; as also in regard much of Your Majesty's present condition, is lively described by King David's pen. The King of Heaven and Earth restore Your Majesty according to Your own righteous heart, which is the daily earnest prayer of Your Majesty's most humble, most loyally devoted Subject and Servant, HENRY LAW. To the READER. THese following Compositions of mine and my Brothers, set at several times, and upon several Occasions, (having been often heard, and well approved of, chiefly by such as desire to join Music with Devotion) I have been much importuned to send to the Press, and should not easily have been persuaded to it now, (especially in these dissonant times) but to do a Right (or at least to show my Love) to the Memory of my Brother, unfortunately lost in these unnatural Wars; yet lies in the Bed of Honour, and expired in the Service and Defence of the King his Master. Living, he was generally known, and (for his Parts) much honoured by Persons of best quality and condition. To give a further Character of him I shall forbear, because of my near relation, and rather refer that to those Elegies which many of his noble Friends have written in a peculiar Book: But, as to what he hath done in Music, I shall desire the present and the future Age, that so much of his Works as are here published, may be received, as the least part of what he hath composed, and but a small Testimony of his greater Compositions, (too voluminous for the Press) which I the rather now mention, lest being, as they are, dispersed into private hands, they may chance be hereafter lost; for, besides his Fancies of the Three, Four, Five and Six Parts to the Viols and Organ, he hath made above thirty several sorts of Music for Voices and Instruments: Neither was there any Instrument then in use, but he composed to it so aptly, as if he had only studied that. As for that which is my part in this Composition, I had not thought at all (though much urged) to publish; but that, as they had their birth at the same time with his, and are of the same kind, so they might enter both into the light together, and accompany one another being so near allied; Mine taking precedence of order only, not of worth. I may be thought too partial in what I have spoke of a Brother; but here are following many of our Friends and Fellows, (whose excellency in Music is very well known) who do better speak for him, while they mourn his Obsequies: yet I (obliged before all other) cannot but bewail his loss, and shall celebrate his memory to my last hour. Henry Laws. To the Incomparable Brothers, Mr. Henry, and Mr. William Laws (Servants to His Majesty) upon the setting of these Psalms. THe various Music, both for Aire and Art, These Arch-Musicians, in their several ways Composed, and Acted, merit higher praise Then wonder-wanting knowledge can impart. Brothers in blood, in Science and Affection, Beloved by those that envy their Renown; In a False Time true Servants to the Crown: Laws of themselves, needing no more direction. The depth of Music one of them did found, The tother took his flight into the air: O then thrice happy and industrious pair, That both the depth and height of Music found. Which my sweet Friend, the life of Lovers pens, In so mild manner hath attained to do, He looks the better, and his hearers too; So in exchange all Ladies are his friends. And when our Meditations are too mean To keep their raptures longer on the wing, They soared up to that Prophet and that King, Whose Love is God, and Heaven his glorious Scene: Setting his Psalms, whereby both they and we May singing rise to immortality. A. Tounshend. To his Friend Mr. Henry Laws, upon his Compositions. TO chain wild Winds, calm raging Seas, recall From profound Hell, and raise to Heaven, are all Of Harmony no fables, but true story; Man has within a storm, a pain, a glory: And these in me struck by that art divine, Submit to Music, above all to thine. J. Harington. To my Friend Mr. Henry Laws. 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 couldst humour best our tongue. Thou honour'st Verse, and Verse must lend her wing To honour thee, the Priest of Phoebus' Choir, That tun'st their happiest Lines in hymn or * The story of Ariadne set by him in Music. story. Dantè shall give Fame leave to set thee higher Than his Casella, whom he wooed to sing, Met in the milder shades of Purgatory. J. Milton. To my worthy Friend (and Countryman,) Mr. Henry Laws, upon his own, and his Brother Mr. William Lawes' incomparable Works. WHere shall I place my wonder, when I see Such right in both to't, such equality Of worth in either, that it can't be known Which does the greatest, and the highest own? So when two Tapers mix their beams, we say, Not this more lustre has, or that more ray; But each has title to the light, and they Make up one, common, undistinguished day: Or, as when th' Flamen divers incense fires, The perfume severs not, but in one aspires; So that from this Spice, or that piece of Gum, We cannot say, such, or such odours come: But mounting in a general unknown cloud, The wonder of the breath's to each allowed; So here, such equal worth from each does flow, That to each light, to each we incense owe. 'Twas no necessity (yet) this Union made, (As when a weaker light does droop, and fade, Unless assisted by another) No: Each singly could full beams and odours throw. No wanton, ruder airs affright your ear; theyare pious only, and chaste numbers here: (Such was that lovely Poean, when the displeased Incensed God th' Achaick Host appeased,) Becoming or the Temple, or the Shrine, Fit to the words they speak; like them, divine. Such numbers does the soul consist of, where she Meeting a glance of her own harmony, Moves to those sounds she hears; and goes along With the whole sense and passion of the song; So to an equal height, two strings being wound, This trembles with the others stroke; and th' sound Which stirred this first, the other does awake, And the same harmony they both partake. Nor do they only with the soul agree In this; they share too in its eternity: And this, the one part of this work has tried; For, though himself removed, this does abide, And shall do ever: here, his memory Shall still survive, and contemn destiny. The same waits you (Sir) and when e'er you're sent From us, you'll live here your own monument. Fr. Sambrooke. Thorough Base. Henry Laws. I. That man is truly blest, etc. II. Who trusts in thee, etc. III. O thou from whom, etc. IV. Not in thy wrath, etc. V. Lord, judge my cause, etc. VI Cast off, etc. VII. Thy beauty, Israel, etc. VIII. With sighs, etc. IX. Lord, for thy promise sake, etc. X. O hear my cries, etc. XI. Woe is me, etc. XII. To hear me, Lord, etc. XIII. Lord, shower on us, etc. XIV. How are the Gentiles, etc. XV. Happy he, etc. XVI. Laudate, etc. XVII. Depressed with grief, etc. XVIII. Blessed, O thrice blest, etc. XIX. Lord, to my prayer, etc. XX. When grief, etc. XXI. Let our foes, etc. XXII. How long, etc. XXIII. Accept my prayer, etc. XXIV. The bounty of Jehovah, etc. XXV. You who the Lord, etc. XXVI. Now the Lord, etc. Halleluiah, etc. XXVII. Now in the winter, etc. XXVIII. The King Jehovah, etc. XXIX. My soul, etc. XXX. Our fervent, etc. Halleluiah, etc. A Pastoral Elegy to the memory of my dear Brother, William Laws. Thorough Base. Cease, O cease, etc. Henry Laws. An Elegy to the memory of his Friend and Fellow, Mr. William Laws, servant to His Majesty. O do not now lament, etc. By John Wilson, Doctor in Music. To the memory of his much respected Friend and Fellow, Mr. William Laws. Thorough Base. John Taylor. An Elegy on the death of his Friend and Fellow-servant, Mr. William Laws. Dear Will is dead, etc. John Cob. An Elegy on the death of his dear Friend and Fellow-servant, Mr. William Laws. Lament and mourn, etc. Simon i've. To the memory of his Friend, Mr. William Laws. Brave Spirit, etc. By Captain Edmond Foster. An Elegiac Dialogue on the sad loss of his much esteemed Friend, Mr. William Laws, servant to his Majesty. Thorough Base. Why in this shade of night, etc. Chorus of 2. Chorus of 3. John Jinkins. An Elegy on his Friend, Mr. William Laws. Bound, etc. John Hilton. Thorough Base. William Laws. I. Lord, as the Hart, etc. II. Let God the God of battle rise, etc. III. Out of the horror, etc. IV. Oft from my early youth, etc. V. First Part. How like a widow, etc. VI Second part. Judah in exile, etc. VII. Third part. How hath Jehovah, etc. VIII. Sing to the King of kings, etc. IX. Praise the Lord, etc. Halleluiah, etc. X. My God, O why, etc. XI. My God my rock, etc. XII. They who the Lord adore, etc. XIII. Behold, etc. XIV. O sing unto the Lord, etc. Halleluiah, etc. XV. I am weary, etc. XVI. In the substraction, etc. XVII. How long, etc. XVIII. Lord, thy deserved wrath, etc. XIX. Thou Mover, etc. XX. To thee I cry, etc. XXI. Thou that art enthroned, etc. XXII. Come sing, etc. XXIII. To thee, O God, etc. XXIV. To the God whom we adore, etc. XXV. Ye Nations, etc. Halleluiah, etc. XXVI. Let all rejoice, etc. XXVII. Ne irascaris, etc. XXVIII. Memento, etc. XXIX. In resurrectione, etc. Halleluiah, etc. XXX. Gloria Patri, etc. An Elegy on the death of his very worthy Friend and Fellow-servant, M. John Tomkins, Organist of his Majesty's Chapel Royal. Music, etc. William Laws. William Laws. A Canon of 3. Voc. in the Unison: LOrd, thou hast been favourable to thy Land, thou hast brought back, thou hast brought back the captivity of Ja╌cob, the captivity of Jacob; thou hast covered their fin: Turn us O God of our salvation, of our salvation. A Canon of 3. Voc. in the 4th and 8th below. HHappy sons of Israel, who in pleasant Canaan dwell, fill the air with shouts of joy, shouts redoubled from the sky, sing the great, sing the great Jehovahs' praise, Trophies to his glo╌ry raise. A Canon of 3. Voc. in the 4th and 8th. These salted rivers of mine eyes do not despise: O let me gather strength before I pass away, and be no more. A Canon of 3. Voc. in the 4th and 8th. Why weepst thou Mary? Why weepst, etc. They have taken away my Lord, they have, etc. and I know not where they have laid him, and I, etc. A Canon of 3. Voc. in the Unison, and 5. below. 'Tis joy to see how deadly sin by faith in Christ doth mercy win, by faith in Christ, by faith in Christ doth mercy win. A Canon of 3. Voc. in the 5th and 4th below. Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria, etc. gloria, etc. in ter╌ra pax, & hominibus bona voluntas, bona voluntas. A Canon of 4. Voc. in the 5.8. and 5th. Regi, Regis regum Arcana cano. A Canon of 4. Voc. in the Unison. Regi, Regis regum Ar╌ca╌na, Arcana cano. A Canon of 4. Voc. in the Unison. She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are in her cheeks, her Priests sigh, her Virgins are afflicted, and among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her. A Canon of 3. Voc. in the Unison. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is harmonious, a sound of greatest fame to us, a sound, etc. Jesus, Jesus, a name most high, a name most high to be adored, Jesus, Jesus sweet eternal bliss is therein stored, Jesus, Jesus, etc. Jesus hath us redeem'ed, Jesus, no name like that, no name, etc. must be esteemed, Je╌sus, Jesus. THE TABLE Henry Laws. THat man is truly blest, etc. 1 Who trusts in thee. 2 O thou from whom all mercy springs. 3 Not in thy wrath; etc. 4 Lord, judge my cause. 5 Cast off and scattered, etc. 6 Thy beauty Israel, etc. 7 With sighs and cries, etc. 8 Lord for thy promise, etc. 9 O hear my cries, etc. 10 Woe is me. 11 To hear me Lord. 12 Lord shower on us. 13 Now are the Gentiles, etc. 14 Happy he, etc. 15 Laudate, etc. 16 Depressed with grief, 17 Blessed, O thrice blest, etc. 18 Lord to my prayer, etc. 19 When grief, etc. 20 Let our foes, etc. 21 How long, etc. 22 Accept my prayer, etc. 23 The bounty of Jehovah, etc. 24 You who the Lord, etc. 25 Now the Lord his reign, etc. 26 Now in the winter, etc. 27 The King Jehovah, etc. 28 My soul, etc. 29 Our fervent souls, etc. 30 Elegies on William Laws. 8 William Laws. LOrd, as the Hart, etc. 1 Let God arise, etc. 2 Out of the horror, etc. 3 Oft from my early youth, etc. 4 How like a widow, etc. 5 Judah in exile, etc. 6 How hath Jehovahs' wrath, etc. 7 Sing to the King of kings. 8 Praise the Lord enthroned, etc. 9 My God, etc. 10 My God my rock, etc. 11 They who the Lord, etc. 12 Behold, etc. 13 O sing unto the Lord, etc. 14 I am weary, etc. 15 In the substraction, etc. 16 How long wilt thou, etc. 17 Lord, thy deserved wrath, etc. 18 Thou Mover of, etc. 19 To thee I cry, etc. 20 Thou that art enthroned, etc. 21 Come sing the great Jehovahs' praise. 22 To thee O God, etc. 23 To the God whom we adore. 24 Ye Nations, etc. 25 Let all with sweet accord, etc. 26 Ne irascaris, etc. 27 Memento, etc. 28 In resurrectione, etc. 29 Gloria Patri. 30 An Elegy on Mr. John Tomkins. Canons of 3. and 4. Voices. 9 FINIS.