A TRANSLATION OF CERTAIN PSALMS. 105 



This earth, as with a veil, once cover d was, 



The waters over-flowed all the mass : 



But upon his rebuke away they fled, 



And then the hills began to shew their head ; 



The vales their hollow bosoms open d plain, 



The streams ran trembling down the vales again : 



And that the earth no more might drowned be, 



He set the sea his bounds of liberty ; 



And though his waves resound, and beat the shore, 



Yet it is bridled by his holy lore. 



Then did the rivers seek their proper places, 



And found their heads, their issues, and their races ; 



The springs do feed the rivers all the way, 



And so the tribute to the sea repay : 

 Running along through many a pleasant field, 

 Much fruitfulness unto the earth they yield : 

 That know the beasts and cattle feeding by, 

 Which for to slake their thirst do thither hie. 

 Nay desert grounds the streams do not forsake, 

 But through the unknown ways their journey take : 

 The asses wild, that hide in wilderness, 

 Do thither come, their thirst for to refresh. 

 The shady trees along their banks do spring, 

 In which the birds do build, and sit, and sing ; 

 Stroking the gentle air with pleasant notes, 

 Plaining, or chirping through their warbling throats. 

 The higher grounds, where waters cannot rise, 

 By rain and dews are water d from the skies ; 

 Causing the earth put forth the grass for beasts, 

 And garden herbs, serv d at the greatest feasts; 





