Neither do I see how it can be offensive to our friends, that we should desire our English Metaphrase bettered. I say nothing to the disgrace of that we have: I know how glad our adversaries are of all such advantages; which they are ready enough to find out without me, ever reproachfully upbraiding us with these defects. But, since our whole translation is now universally revised, what inconvenience or shew of innovation can it bear, that the verse should accompany the prose? especially since it is well known, how rude and homely our English Poesy was in those times, compared with the present; wherein, if ever, it seeth her full perfection.

I have been solicited by some reverend friends to undertake this task; as that, which seemed well to accord with the former exercises of my youth, and my present profession. The difficulties I found many; the work, long and great: yet not more painful than beneficial to God's Church: whereto as I dare not profess any sufficiency; so I will not deny my readiness and utmost endeavour, if I shall be employed by Authority.

Wherefore, in this part, I do humbly submit myself to the grave censures of them, whose wisdom manageth these common affairs of the Church; and am ready either to stand still or proceed, as I shall see their Cloud or Fire go before or behind me. Only, howsoever, I shall, for my true affection to the Church, wish it done by better workmen: wherein, as you approve, so further my bold, but not unprofitable motion, and commend it unto greater ears; as I do you to the Greatest.

Non-such,
July 3.

Your loving Kinsman,

JOSEPH HALL.

SOME FEW OF

DAVID'S PSALMS METAPHRASED.

PSALM I.

IN THE TUNE OF THE CXLVIIth PSALM,

"Give laud unto the Lord."

WHO hath not walkt astray,
In wicked men's advice,
Nor stood in sinners' way;
Nor in their companies

That scorners are,
As their fit mate,
In scoffing chaire,
Hath ever sate:

2 But in thy lawes divine,
O Lord, sets his delight,
And in those lawes of thine
Studies all day and night:
Oh, how that man
Thrice blessed is!
And sure shall gaine
Eternall blisse.

3 He shall be like the tree
Set by the water-springs,
Which, when his seasons be,
Most pleasant fruit forth brings,
Whose boughs so greene
Shall never fade,
But covered beene
With comely shade.

So, to this happy wight,
All his designes shall thrive:

4 Whereas the man unright,

As chaffe, which windes doe drive,

With every blast

Is tost on hie,
Nor can at last

In safety lie.

5 Wherefore, in that sad doome,
They dare not rise from dust:
Nor shall no sinner come,
To glory of the just.
For, God will grace
The just man's way;
While sinners' race
Runs to decay.

PSALM II.

IN THE TUNE OF THE CXXVth PSALM.

"Those, that do put their confidence.”

WHY do the Gentiles tumults make, And nations all conspire in vaine, 2 And earthly princes counsell take Against their God; against the raigne Of his deare Christ? let us, they saine, 3 Breake all their bonds: and from us shake Their thraldome, yoke, and servile chaine. 4 Whiles thus, alas! they fondly spake,

He, that aloft rides on the skies,

Laughs all their lewd device to scorne;
5 And, when his wrathfull rage shall rise,
With plagues shall make them all forlorne ;
And, in his fury, thus replies:

6 But I, my King with sacred horne
Anointing, shall, in princely guise,
His head with royall crowne adorne.
Upon my Sion's holy mount
His empire's glorious seat shall be.
And I, thus rais'd, shall farre recount
The tenour of his true decree.

7 My Sonne thou art, said God; I thee
Begat this day, by due account:
Thy scepter, doe but aske of me,
All earthly kingdomes shall surmount.
8 All nations to thy rightful sway,
I will subject from furthest end

9 Of all the world; and thou shalt bray Those stubborne foes, that will not bend, With iron mace, like potters' clay,

10 In peeces small: ye kings attend; And yee, whom others wont obey, Learne wisdome, and at last amend.

11 See ye serve God, with greater dread
Than others you: and, in your feare,
Rejoyce the while; and, lowly spread,
12 Doe homage to his Sonne so deare:
Lest he be wroth, and doe you dead
13 Amids your way, If kindled

His wrath shall be: O blessed those,
That doe on him their trust repose.

PSALM III.

AS THE CXIIIth PSALM,

"Ye children, which &c."

AH, Lord! how many be my foes! How many are against me rose, 2 That to my grieved soule have sed, Tush, God shall him no succour yeeld; 3 Whiles thou, Lord, art my praise, my shield, And dost advance my carefull head!

4 Loud with my voice to God I cry'd:
His grace unto my sute reply'd,
From out his holy hill.

5 I laid me downe, slept, rose againe :
For thou, O Lord, dost me sustaine,
And sav'st my soule from feared ill.
6 Not if ten thousand armed foes
My naked side should round enclose,
Would I be thereof ought a-dread.
Up, Lord, and shield me from disgrace:
7 For thou hast broke my foe-men's face,
And all the wicked's teeth hast shed.

8 From thee, O God, is safe defence;
Do thou thy free beneficence
Upon thy people largely spread.

PSALM IV.

AS THE TEN COMMANDMENTS,

"Attend my people."

THOU witnesse of my truth sincere,
My God, unto my poore request
Vouchsafe to lend thy gracious eare:
Thou hast my soule from thrall releast.

7

2 Favour me still, and daigne to heare
Mine humble sute. O wretched wights,
3 How long will ye mine honour deare
Turne into shame through your despights?
Still will ye love what thing is vaine,
4 And seeke false hopes? know then at last,
That God hath chose, and will maintaine
His favourite, whom ye disgrac't.

God will regard my instant mone.
5 Oh! tremble then, and cease offending;
And, on your silent bed alone,

Talke with your hearts, your wayes amending 6 Offer the truest sacrifice

Of broken hearts; on God besetting
7 Your onely trust. The most devise
The wayes of worldly treasure getting:
But thou, O Lord, lift up to me

The light of that sweet looke of thine;
8 So shall my soule more gladsome be,
Than theirs. with all their corne and wine.
9 So I in peace shall lay me downe,
And on my bed take quiet sleepe;
Whiles thou, O Lord, shalt me alone
From dangers all securely keepe.

PSALM V.

IN THE TUNE OF THE CXXIVth PSALM,

"Now Israel may say, &c."

Bow downe thine eare,

Lord, to these words of mine,

And well regard

The secret plaints I make.

2 My King, my God,

To thee I doe betake

My sad estate:

Oh, doe thine eare incline

To these loud cries,

That to thee powred bin.

3 At early morne

Thou shalt my voice attend:
For, at day break,

I will myselfe addresse

Thee to implore,

And wait for due redresse.