I. ISAIAH XXVI. 9. My soul hath desired thee in the night. OOD God! what horrid darkness doth surround G de ny My groping soul! how are my senses bound The bold fac'd lamp of heav'n can set and rise, Can chase the shadows, and restore the day: Falls have their risings, wanings have their primes, And desp'rate sorrows wait their better times: Ebbs have their floods, and autumns have their springs ; All states have changes, hurry'd with the swings Of chance and time, still tiding to and fro : Terrestrial bodies, and celestial too. Hagard; i. e. a wild hawk. Mew; i, e. coop, or cage. & 3 Her Her broken flags,* preparing t' overlook The tim'rous mallard † at the sliding brook, ** Jets oft from perch to perch, from stock § to ground; *Flags; i. e. wing-feathers. † Mallard ; i. e. drake (water-fowl). Jets; i. e. hops. Stock; i. e. perch. Jesses; i, e. leather thongs that tied on the bells. ¶ Bate; i, e. flutter her wings. **Grate; i. e. lattice. The above are all terms in falconry, S. AU. S. AUGUST. Soliloq. Cap. 33. There was a great dark cloud of vanity before mine eyes, so that I could not see the Sun of Justice, and the Light of Truth: I, being the son of darkness, was involved in darkness, because I knew not thy light: I was blind, and loved my blindness, and did walk from darkness to darkness: but, Lord, thou art my God, who hast led me from darkness, and the shadow of death; hast called me into this glorious light, and behold, I see. EPIG. 1. My soul, cheer up; what if the night be long, Heav'n finds an ear, when sinners find a tongue; Thy tears are morning show'rs: Heav'n bids me say, When Peter's cock begins to crow, 'tis day. |