1 2 5 SHORTER POEMS OF JOHN MILTON A PARAPHRASE ON PSALM CXIV This and the following Psalm were done by the Author at fifteen years old WHEN the blest seed of Terah's faithful son And passed from Pharian fields to Canaan-land, That glassy floods from rugged rocks can crush, 10 PSALM CXXXVI LET us with a gladsome mind Ever faithful, ever sure. Let us blaze his name abroad, O let us his praises tell, Who doth the wrathful tyrants quell; For his, &c. Who with his miracles doth make Amazed heaven and earth to shake; Who by his wisdom did create The painted heavens so full of state; For his, &c. Who did the solid earth ordain To rise above the watery plain; For his, &c. Who, by his all-commanding might, And caused the golden-tracèd sun For his, &c. 309 19 10 The hornèd moon to shine by night He, with his thunder-clasping hand, And, in despite of Pharao fell, He brought from thence his Israel; The ruddy waves he cleft in twain For his, &c. The floods stood still, like walls of glass, For his, &c. But full soon they did devour The tawny king with all his power; His chosen people he did bless For his, &c. In bloody battle he brought down He foiled bold Seon and his host, For his, &c. 39 50 59 |