Sing aloud, His praise rehearse, Who hath made the Universe. He the boundless Heavens has spread, All the vital Orbs has kned [170] ; He that on Olympus high Tends His flocks [171] with watchful eye, And this eye [172] has multiplied Midst each flock for to reside: Thus as round about they stray, Toucheth each with out-stretch'd ray; Nimble they hold on their way, Shaping out their Night and Day. Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring, Their inclinéd Axes bring. Never slack they; none respires, Dancing round their central fires. In due order as they move, Echoes sweet be gently drove Thorough Heaven's vast hollowness, Which unto all corners press: Music that the heart of Jove [173] Moves to joy and sportful love; Fills the listening Sailors' ears Riding on the wandering spheres. Neither Speech nor Language is Where their voice is not transmiss. [174] GOD is Good, is Wise, is Strong, Witness all the creature-throng, Is confess'd by every tongue. All things back from whence they sprung, As the thankful rivers pay What they borrow'd of the sea. Now myself I do resign; Take me whole, I all am thine. Save me, GOD! from Self-desire, Death's pit, dark Hell's raging fire, Envy, Hatred, Vengeance, Ire: Let not Lust my soul bemire. Quit from these, Thy praise I'll sing, Loudly sweep the trembling string. Bear a part, O Wisdom's sons! Freed from vain Religïons. Lo! from far I you salute, Sweetly warbling on my lute, Indie, Egypt, Araby, Asia, Greece, and Tartary, Carmel-tracts and Lebanon, With the Mountains of the Moon, From whence muddy Nile doth run; Or where ever else you won [175] Breathing in one vital air, One we are, though distant far. Rise at once let's sacrifice, Odours sweet perfume the skies. See how heavenly lightning fires Hearts inflamed with high aspires! All the substance of our souls Up in clouds of incense rolls. Leave we nothing to ourselves, Save a voice, what need we else? Or an hand to wear and tire On the thankful lute or lyre. Sing aloud, His praise rehearse Who hath made the Universe. Footnotes: [170] kned, knit [171] flocks, the stars [172] eye, sun [173] Jove, used for Jehovah [174] transmiss, sent through [175] won, abide |
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