Classic Poem

O Lord thou seest my wrongs abound;
Lyons enrag'd my Soul surround,
With poi'snous words
Their Tongues like Swords,
Their teeth like Arrows wound.

My foes reproach me all the day,
And sworn deceits together lay;
My God! how long
Shall they grow strong,
Who with vain Lies inveigh?

The Calumnies which they have sown
On every side to thee are known,
Hold not thy peace
Lest they increase,
And bury my Renown.

The Lier thou wilt ruinate,
The Bloody and the false do'st hate;
Let my upright
Intents, a light,
Clear as the Sun dilate.

My patience let not wrath out-weigh,
Nor silence Innocence betray,
That I may tread,
As thou hast led,
Curses with blessings pay.

Shimei , when his envenom'd pride
Seem'd by thy judgements justifi'd,
Thou didst ore-throw:
But deal not so
With them that me deride.

My Pray'r and Patience in these wrongs,
Like water, cool, and quench their toungs;
Enflam'd with Ire,
By that black fire
Which unto Hell belongs.

O let my Deeds their Words refute,
Nor they enjoy the deadly fruit
Which (dip'd in gall)
Their lipps let fall:
But my indulgent suit.

My Soul to meek Devotion win:
That I thy boundlesse mercies, in
Their malice, may
With joy survay;
Thy justice in their sin.

O let the Curses they have thrown
At me, invite thy blessings down.
What some refuse,
Be pleas'd to chuse
For the Head corner stone.

Look down from thy eternall Tower,
Redeem from them that would devoure:
My Soul O hide,
From mens bold pride,
From their invective power.