The Garden of Zion, Part 13 – To the reader 2
THE GARDEN OF ZION. The Booke of Eccleſiastes.
A Prayer.
OF Wiſdomes precepts how to guide o… wayes
We have laſt ſung in our moſt ſacred layes;
Now come Jovan my heart strings put in …
To warble how all things under the Sun
Which heer in greateſt estimation be,
Are nothing als but very vanitie:
All things below have an uncertaine ſeat,
See how Boats ſlide where ploughs did ſlic… late
And ploughs now till where Boats before did ſlide,
…nder the welkin what can faſt abide?
Heere climbs one, there on the top of the wheele
Another stands, anone up goes his heele
And down his head, then ſhuffled his deſigns
All topſie turvie upſide downe God brings;
…ome are moſt baſe, and ſome with toll and tax,
…et up on hie, do break poor peoples backs;
…ome hunts for this, and ſome for that, at laſt
Death all away doth cary with a blaſt:
…hen where is man, and where are his deſigns?
Lord draw our hearts far from ſuch naughtie things
To keep thy Law in doing what we can,
For this the duety is of every man.
Now by thy grace both purge our heart and heade
From dirtie darnell ſins vile cockleweede,
That while we hear of vaine things the diſcourſe
Without a curſe we may run out our courſe.
CHAP. I.
THeſe be the weighty words wiſe
of preacher Solomon,
Who was King in Jeruſalem
and of David the Son.
2 All vanitie of vanities
the Preacher ſaith truelie
Yea, vanitie of vanities,
all is but vanitie.
3 What profite hath a man of all
his labour here begun,
Which he with a moſt carking care
doth take under the Sun?
4 One generation among men
away doth quickly ſlide,
Another generation comes,
but th' earth doth ſtill abide.
5 The ſun alſo ariſeth and
he goeth down quickly,
And haſteth to the place where he
at morning roſe earely.
6 From South to North the wind doth go,
it whiles continualy,
According to its circuits it
doth turne againe quickly.
7 The rivers all run to the ſea,
the ſea yet is not full;
Unto the place from whence they come
returne they thither ſtill.
8 Man can not utter how all things
are full of labour here,
With ſight th'eyes are not ſatisfi'd,
nor with hearing the ear.
9 The thing that hath beene is which ſhall
be, and that which is done
Is that which ſhall be, and there is
no new thing under Sun.
10 Is there a thing whereof it may
be ſaid, ſee this is new,
It hath already beene before
of old time with ſome ſhew.
11 No remembrance of former things
there is, nor ſhall there be
Of things to come with theſe that ſhall
come after us quicklie.
12 The preacher I who cunningly
in preaching did excell,
Was in the faire Jeruſalem
king over Iſrael.
13 I gave my heart by wiſdome to
ſearch all things that are done,
By ſuch paine God doth exerciſe
men here under the Sun.
14 Under the Sun I have ſeene all
the workes that done there be,
Behold all is vexation great
of ſprite and vanitie.
15 That which is crooked can not be
by men againe made ſtraight,
And that which wanting is, can not
be numbred once aright.
16 I penſed, ſaying, I am come
to great eſtate and more
Have gotten wiſedome, then all they
that have been me before.
Yea my heart by the LORD inſpir'd,
in every exigence
Of wiſedome, and of knowledge had
a great experience.
17 I gave my heart wiſedome to know,
and to know madneſſe eke
And foly, I ſaw that this was
vexation of the ſprite.
11 For in much wiſdome ſurely is
much grief and heavineſſe,
And he that groves in knowledge great
doth ſorrow als increaſe.
Chap. 2.
In mine heart ſaid, now go to
with mirth I prove will thee,
…ake pleaſure therefore; and behold
this als is vanitie,
I deeply penſing in my thoughts
of laughter ſaid it's mad,
Of mirth like wiſe I did affirme
that it is vaine and bad.
I in my heart did further ſeek
to give my ſelf to wine,
…nd to lay hold on folly great,
ev'n by wiſedome divine.
…ll I might ſee what was that good
for ſonnes of men alwayes,
…hich under heav'n they all ſhould doe,
dureing their painfull dayes.
I made me great works, I did build
me houſes pleaſantly,
planted alſo with great paines
me vineyards as ye ſee.
I made me pleaſant gardens and
o…chards with flowers and roots,
alſo planted trees in them
even of all kinds of fruites.
6 I made me pooles of water deep,
as though they had been ſeas,
To water therewith pleaſantlie
the wood with goodly trees.
7 With ſilver I did ſervants buy,
and alſo maidens faire,
I had borne alſo in mine houſe
in vertue ſervants rare.
I had poſſeſſions great alſo
of cattell leſſe and more,
Above all theſe that did excell
in Salem me before.
8 Silver and gold I gath'red als
with great dexteritie,
And the peculiar treaſure of
Kings and Provinces hie.
Men ſingers and maid ſingers I,
and the delights of men,
With inſtruments moſt muſicall
of all ſorts got I then.
9 So I increaſed more then all
that in Salems city
Were me before; my wiſdome als
remained ſtill in me.
10 And whatſoever thing that was
deſired by mine eye,
did it not keep back from them
that they it ſhould not ſee.
y heart I not with held from joy,
for my heart did rejoice
all my labour; and this was
my portion and my choice.
11 Then did I look on all the workes
that my hand had wrought ſo,
…d on the labour that I had
much labour'd for to do.
ehold vexation of the ſprite
and vanitie was all
nder the Sun, there ſurely was
no profite great or ſmall.
When this was done, I ſpeedily
my ſelf did turne againe,
…ſdome and madneſſe to behold,
and als mans foly vaine;
or what can do the man that comes
after the mightie king,
…en that which hath already been
done, even the ſelf ſame thing.
Then did I ſee that wiſdome did
all folly far excell,
s far as light doth darkneſſe black,
when it doth it expell.
14 The wiſe mans eyes are in his head,
but men of judgement ſmall
Walk all in darkneſſe, One event
doth happen to them all.
15 Then I anone ſaid in my heart,
when I this thing did ſee,
As it doth happen to the fool,
ſo hapneth it to me.
And why was I more wiſe then they,
who were thought fooles to be?
Then I againe ſaid in my heart
this als is vanitie.
16 For there no more remembrance is
of the wiſe, no thing differ,
Then of the fool that nothing knowes,
all is forgot for ever.
Seeing that which is at this time,
ſhall be in latter dayes
Forgot, And how as fooliſh men,
likewiſe do die the wiſe?
17 Therefore I hated life becauſe
all work under the Sun
Is grievous; yea, is vanitie,
and a vexation.
18 Yea, I did hate my labour all,
which I below did ſee,
Becauſe I ſhould leave it to him
that ſhould come after me.
And who by his intelligence,
can know whether he ſhall
man be unto wiſdome given,
or one of judgement ſmall:
…t of my painfull labours all
he ſhall the maſter be,
… that I have he ſhall command,
this als is vanitie.
Therefore thus penſive in my minde,
I went about with care,
all the labour which I tooke
to cauſe my heart deſpaire.
For on the earth there is a man,
whoſe labour ſeemes to be
wiſdome and in knowledge great
and als in equitie.
…t ſhall he leave it to the man
who labour'd not a white,
his alſo is a vanitie,
and a great ill of ſprite.
For of his labour what hath man
that may content his heart,
herein he hath under the Sun
ſore toil'd in every part.
23 For all his dayes are ſorrowes great
travaile and greef ſurely,
Yea his heart reſts not in the night,
this als is vanitie.
24 There is no better thing for man,
then eat drink and the good
Of his labour well to enjoy,
as from the hand of God.
25 For who among the Princes all
hath power great more then I
To eat? Or who can heerunto
more haſten by and by?
26 F…r God doth give unto the man,
that doth himſelf imploy
In good, he gives him wiſdome and
great knowledge with much joy.
But he to ſinners travel gives
to gather and up heap
For good men; This is vanitie,
a vexing of the ſprite.
Chap. 3.
TO every thing ſurely there is
a ſeaſon ſet to be,
And to each purpoſe is a time,
under the heav'n moſt hie.
2 There is a time for to be borne,
and als a time to die,
A time to plant and to pluck up
things that now planted be.
3 There is a time alſo to kill,
a time to heal the ſlaine,
There is a time for to break downe,
a time to build againe:
4 A time to weep, a time to laugh
with chearfull countenance,
There is a time alſo to mourne,
and a time for to daunce.
5 A time for ſtones to caſt away
and gather them againe,
Time to embrace, and alſo from
embracing to refraine.
6 A time to get, a time to loſſe,
nothing ſtands at a ſtay,
There is alſo a time to keep,
and time to caſt away.
7 A time there is to make a rent,
and to ſow for to ſeek,
A time there is to keep ſilence,
and als a time to ſpeak.
8 A time to love, a time to hate,
each time it hath its place,
A time there is for fearfull war
and als a time for peace.
9 He that doth work with greateſt paines
what is his profit ſweet,
In that wherein he labours much
with painfull toile and ſweate?
10 The travaile which GOD gives to men,
I have ſeen with mine eyes,
For ſuch is his good pleaſure ſtill
men ſo to exerciſe.
1… The LORD who in all wiſedome is
moſt excellent and prime,
Hath by his hand made beautifull
each thing in i'ts owne time.
He alſo hath the world ſet
in their heart all about,
That none of all the ſons of men,
GODS great work can find out.
12 I know there is no good in them,
but for man far from ſtrife,
With all his heart for to rejoice,
and do good in his life.
13 And that each man ſhould eat and drink.
and als enjoy the good
Of all his labours on the earth,
it is the gift of GOD.
14 What ever God doth, that I know
ſhall even for ever be,
No thing put to nor yet from it
can taken be ſurely.
And God by his Almighty hand
It worketh leſſe or more,
That all men with a great reſpect
ſhould ſtill fear him before.
15 That which hath been is now; and that
which is to be hath beene,
And God requires that which is paſt,
which men have heard or ſeene.
16 More I of judgement ſaw the place
that there was wickedneſſe,
And that iniquitie was in
the place of righteouſneſſe.
17 The bad and righteous God ſhall judge
I ſaid then in mine heart,
…or for each purpoſe is a time,
and als for every worke,
18 I in mine heart of mens eſtate,
ſaid, God might eaſily
…hem manifeſt, and that they might
themſelves ſee beaſts to be.
19 For that which all the ſonnes of men
befalleth, doth befall
Unto the beaſts; even one thing doth
befall unto them all,
They all have one breath; as the one
ſo doth the other die,
Above a beaſt they have no place,
for all is vanitie.
20 All things below unto one place
do go as is moſt plaine,
All of the duſt are, and alſo
all turne to duſt againe.
21 Who knowes the ſprite of man that goes
even upward to the heav'n,
And the ſprit of the beaſts that is
unto the earth down driv'ne?
22 Wherefore I ſee now that there is
no better thing for choice,
Then that a man in all his workes
ſhould conſtantly rejoice.
For that is even his portion all,
alloted for to be.
And what ſhall be done after him
who ſhall bring him to ſee?
Chap. 4.
SO I returned in my ſprite,
and did conſider ſoone,
All the oppreſſions great that are
heere done under the ſunne.
Behold the teares of men oppreſt,
no comforter they had,
Their ſpoiling foes ſure power had great,
but they had comfort bad.
2 Wherefore the dead I praiſed much,
that were already dead,
Yea more then all the living which
are yet alive indeed.
3 Yea better then both they he is
which hath yet never been.
Who the ill work done under ſunne,
as yet hath never ſeene.
4 Againe I did conſider well,
and carefully remarke,
All travaile undergone by man,
and alſo every worke;
For this man of his neighbour is
croſſd greatly with envy,
This is vexation of the ſprite
and alſo vanity.
5 The fool his hands folding will not
work for to winne his meat,
Therefore he pinch'd with poverty,
is forc'd his fleſh to eat.
6 Much better is with quietneſſe
an handfull that is meet,
Then both hands full with travell and
vexation of the ſprite.
7 Then I returned ſpeedily
to ſee all that was done,
And I ſaw a great vanitie,
that was under the Sun.
8 Ther's one alone, and there is not
a ſecond or another;
Yea, he is ſo alone, that he
hath neither childe nor brother.
Yet ſtill he labours, and can not
for whom he labours tell,
This alſo is great vanitie,
yea, it's a ſore travell.
9 Together in ſocietie
two better are then one,
Becauſe they have a good reward
for all their labour done.
10 For if they fall the one will lift
his fellow, but much wo
To him that is alone, for when
he falls, none helps him ſo.
11 Againe if in a ſtormy time
two ſhall together ly,
Then they have heat; but how can one
be warmed by and by?
12 And if againſt him one prevaile,
on this he may rely
Two ſhall withſtand; a threefold cord
men break not eaſily.
13 A poor and wiſe childe better is
then an old fooliſh King,
Who will no more by counſell good
admoniſh'd be to reigne.
14 For out of priſon he doth come
to reigne in high degree,
But th'other in his kingdome borne
comes all to povertie.
15 The living which walk here below,
I did perceive indeed,
All walking with the ſecond childe,
that ſhall ſtand is his ſtead.
16 Th'inconſtant people have no end
of all that was before,
Theſe that come after ſhall not pleaſe,
this is vexation ſore.
Chap. 5.
WHen thou go'ſt to the houſe of GOD,
as children to the ſchooles,
Then keep thy foot, hear rather then
give ſacrifice of fooles.
For they in their great fooliſhneſſe
conſider not wiſely,
That while they do that outward work,
they do iniquity.
2 See with thy mouth thou be not raſh,
thine heart let it not be
Swift for to utter any thing,
before GODS Majeſtie
For GOD is in the Heaven above,
and thou with little ſhew
Art upon earth, therefore let all
thy wordes be wiſe and few.
3 A dreame comes through the multitude
of carefull buſineſſe,
A fools voice is well known when he
doth many words expreſſe,
4 When unto GOD thou vow'ſt a vow,
defer it not to pay,
For he no pleaſure hath in fooles,
ſo pay without delay.
5 Not to vow it far better is,
then that thou every day
Should make fair vowes unto the LORD,
and them neglect to pay.
6 Permit not once thy mouth to cauſe
thy fleſh for to treſpaſſe,
Nor yet before the Angel ſay,
that it an error was.
Wherefore ſhould GOD be at thy voice
provok'd thee to annoy,
And after the work of thine hands
in wrath thee to deſtroy?
7 For in the m…ltitude of dreames
and many words there be
A number great of vanities,
but fear thou the moſt Hie.
8 If thou th'oppreſſion of the poor
and judgement falſe doſt ſee,
And juſtice in a Province als,
let it no marvell be;
For he that then the higeſt is
higher, without delay
Regardeth ſuch things, and there be
ſome higher even then they.
9 The profit of the earth below,
moreover is for all.
The King is ſerved by the field,
ev'n whether great or ſmall.
10 He that loves ſilver, ſilver ſhall
him not once ſatisfie,
Nor he that loveth great increaſe,
this als is vanitie.
11 When goods upon this earth increaſe
for wealth or yet for meat,
They alſo much increaſed are
who all ſuch things do eat:
And what good to their owners is
among all companies?
Thay onelyonly have this that they may
behold them with their eyes.
12 The work-mans ſleep it is moſt ſweet,
though he eat leſſe or much,
But plenty great doth mar alwayes
the ſleep of him that's rich.
13 There is a ſore ill which I have,
perceiv'd under the ſun,
Ev'n riches for the owners kept
to their great hurt therein.
15 But theſe riches by travell ill,
do periſh in the land,
And he begets a ſon, and there
is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came from his mothers womb,
ſo without all delay,
He naked ſhall returne, nothing
he cary ſhall away.
16 This is a ſore ill that as he
came, even ſo ſhall he go,
That gaine hath he that for the wind
he labour'd ſo and ſo?
17 All the dayes of his life alſo
he doth in darkneſſe eate,
nd he much ſorrow hath and wrath
when he is griev'd and ſick.
18 Behold what I have ſeene; It's good
for one to drink and eat,
nd take part of that GOD hath giv'n,
to be his portion meet.
19 This is GODS gift when of riches
man learnes to make good uſe,
…d of his portion eats, and in
his labour doth rejoice.
For ſo his dayes in mirth do paſſe,
and ſeeme moſt ſhort to be,
… GOD him anſwreth in the joy
of his heart chearfully.
Chap. 6.
UNder the Sun there is an ill,
which often now and then
…ve ſeen common for to be,
among the ſonnes of men.
2 A man to whom the Lord hath given
wealth, honour, and richeſſe,
So that he wants not for his ſoul,
all that he would poſſeſſe,
Yet God him not the power then gives,
to eate thereof gladly,
But ſtrangers it do eat; This is
diſeaſe and vanitie,
3 If that a man yeers many live,
and children much beget,
So that the dayes even of his yeares
be in a number great
If his ſoul be not fil'd with good,
and als not bu…ied be,
I ſay that an untimely birth,
much better is then he.
4 For he comes in with vanitie,
and in darkneſſe departs,
And his name ſhall ſtill cov'red be
with darkneſſe in all parts.
5 Moreover he hath not the ſunne
ſeene, nor knowne any thing;
This more reſt then the other hath,
whoſe heart much greef doth wring.
6 Yea though he live a thouſand yeares,
twice told in a long ſpace.
…et hath he ſeen no good at all;
all go unto one place.
7 Of poore man all the laboure great,
is for his mouth even ſt…ll,
…nd yet his appetite moſt large
nothing can ever fill.
8 For what have wiſe men heere below,
then the moſt fooliſh more?
What hath the poor that knowes to walk
the living here before?
9 Of the eyes better is the ſight,
then wandring thoughts can be;
…his of the ſprite vexation is
and alſo vanitie.
10 That which hath been already nam'd
is well known man to be,
With him he can not well contend,
that ſtronger is then he.
11 Since that there be ſo many things,
that vanitie increaſe,
…hat is poor man bettred thereby,
on the earth more or leſſe?
12 For who doth know what's good for man
in this life to the end,
…e dayes of his vaine life which he
doth as a ſhadow ſpend.
For who can by his art or skill,
unto a man well tell
What ſhall be after him, though he
in wiſedome great excell?
Chap. 7.
A good name is more precious ſure
then ointment is alway,
And betrer is the day of death
then is a mans birth day.
2 Far better it is for to goe
where men do dayly mourne,
Then to reſort unto the houſe,
where men feaſt turne by turne.
For of all men that is the end
who dwell in any part,
And he that on the earth doth live,
will lay it to his heart.
3 Sorrow, then laughter better is,
for by a count'nance ſad,
The heart of man that it beholds
is much more better made.
4 The hearts of wiſe men from the houſe,
of mourning go not foorth,
But the heart of theſe that be fooles
is in the houſe of mirth.
5 It better is to hear rebuke,
and learne in wiſemens ſchooles,
Then for a man at any time
to heare the ſong of fooles.
6 For as the crackling of dry thornes,
beneath pots ſeemes to be,
So is the laughter of the foole,
this als in vanitie.
7 Oppreſſion ſurely maketh mad
a wiſe man in each part,
And bribes and gifts do ſo corrupt,
that they deſtroy the heart.
8 The end of things much better is
then their beginnings be,
And patient men be better then
the proud that looke ſo hie.
9 Beware of anger; in thy ſprite,
to haſt it is not beſt,
…or in the boſome of all fooles
great anger ſtill doth reſt.
10 Say not, wherefore were former dayes,
then theſe now better be;
For who concerning this enquires,
he doth not prudently.
11 If with a rich inheritance
great wiſedome alſo be,
It's good; by it there profit is,
to them that right do ſee.
12 Wiſedome and money a defence
are mens lives for to ſave,
But knowledge ſurely giveth life
to all them that it have.
13 Conſider well the work of GOD,
for who by his great might
Can that which he hath crooked made,
againe make to be ſtreight?
14 Be thou moſt joyfull in the day
of thy proſperitie,
But well conſider in the time
of great adverſitie.
God th' one againſt the other hath
ſet wiſely in their kind,
Ev'n for this end that after him,
nothing vaine man ſhould find.
15 All things that are heere under ſunne
I with attentive eye
Have ſeene clearely even in the dayes
of my great vanitie:
There is a juſt man that is loſt
even in his righteouſneſſe,
Als wicked men prolong their life,
in their great wickedneſſe.
16 Be not thou too too righteous,
nor yet in a vaine toy
Be overwiſe, why ſhouldeſt thou,
in this thy ſelf deſtroy?
17 Be not als wicked overmuch,
nor yet too fooliſh be;
Why ſhouldeſt thou before the time,
thy ſelf make for to die?
18 It good is that earely in time,
of this thou ſhould'ſt take hold,
Yea from this to withdraw thine hand
ſee that thou be not bold.
For he that in the feare of God,
doth dayly on him call,
Shall have in all things ſucceſſe good
and ſhall come foorth of all.
19 Wiſedome the wiſe doth ſtrengthen more
then ten men that excell
In mighty ſtrength, which pleaſantly
in cities fair do dwell.
20 For on the face of all the earth,
no man can finde or ſee,
A man that's juſt or that doth good,
or that of ſin is free.
21 Als take no heede unto all wordes,
that by men ſpoken be,
Leſt that thou hear thy ſervant griev'd
with curſes curſing thee.
22 For often als thine owne heart knowes,
that thou in great diſtreſſe
Provoked, others curſed haſt
and that with bitterneſſe.
23 All this I have by wiſdome prov'd,
I ſaid alſo ſurely,
I will be wiſe grave and diſcreet,
but it was far from me.
24 That which is far from us remov'd
and deep exceedingly,
Who can by wiſdome finde it out
where ever hidde it be?
25 I did apply mine heart to know,
and to ſearch round about,
And wiſdome, and the reaſon of
things weighty to ſeek out,
And als of folly for to know
clearly the wickedneſſe,
Even of the fooliſhneſſe of men
and of their great madneſſe.
26 And bitter more then death I finde
the woman whoſe vaine heart
Is ſnares and nets, her hands as bands,
to catch in every part:
Who ſo in GODS good favour is,
ſhall from her ſpeedily
Eſcape moſt ſafe, but ſinners ſhall
even by her taken be.
27 Behold, the preacher wiſely ſaith,
this have I found anone
To weigh and finde out the account
even counting one by one.
28 Which yet my ſoul with diligence,
doth ſeek and als eſſay
All meanes to get it, but can not
it finde by any way.
One man among a thouſand I
have found and underſtood,
But ſure among all women kinde
not one I have found good.
29 Loe this onelyonly well found I have,
that God without all doubt
Man hath made upright, but they have
inventions vaine ſought out.
Chap. 8.
WHo is the wiſe man on the earth?
who hath underſtanding
To know th'interpretation good,
of any doubtfull thing?
A mans wiſdome doth make his face
moſt gloriouſly to ſhine,
And of his face the boldneſſe ſhall
unto a change incline.
2 To keep the Kings commandments all,
I now do counſell thee,
And that becauſe of the great oath,
which ſhould obſerved be.
3 Goe not with ſpeed out of his fight,
from every ill thing ceaſe,
For he doth whatſoever things
his minde content and pleaſe.
4 Where the word of a great King is,
might is there to affray;
What doſt thou now in this or that
Who dar unto him ſay?
5 Who ſo keeps the commandment faſt,
ſhall ſurely feel no ill,
A wiſe mans heart the judgement and
the time diſcerneth well.
6 Becauſe the time and judgement als
by man not by and by
Obſerved are, therefore on him
comes a great miſery.
7 For for to know the things to come,
he doth not ſo excell
In wiſdome great, when it ſhall be
who among men can tell?
8 There is no man that any ſtrength
hath to retaine the breath,
He likewiſe hath no power at all
when comes the day of death.
Of weapons there no caſting is,
or in that war diſcharge,
Nor yet ill men ſhall wickedneſſe
a… any time enlarge.
9 This have I ſeene under the Sun,
and clearly underſtood,
Some time a man ov'r others rules
againſt his proper good.
10 Such a great man I have well ſeene
with great pompe laide in grave,
So taken he was from his ſeat,
forgotten like a ſlave.
11 Becauſe GOD wrath not executs
'gainſt wicked ſpeedily,
Therefore mens hearts are fully ſet,
to do moſt wickedly.
12 Though hundred times a ſinner ſin,
and death him ſtill forbeare,
Yet ſure it ſhall be well with them
who GOD do truely feare.
13 But wicked men ſhall not be ſo,
nor ſhall prolong their dayes
Which as a ſhadow are; becauſe
they feare not GOD alwayes.
14 There is upon the earth below,
done a great vanitie,
Unto juſt men it happens as
to theſe that wicked be.
Againe there be moſt wicked men,
to whom befals ſurely,
According as to righteous folk,
this als is vanitie.
16 Then mirth I did commend becauſe
mans cheef thing under ſunne,
Is to eate, drink, with merrineſſe,
untill this life be done.
For of his labour that with him,
ſhall all his dayes abide,
Which GOD upon him doth beſtow
under the Heav'ns moſt wide.
16 When I did wiſedome ſeek to know,
and things on earth to ſee,
There were who neither day nor night,
did ſleep once with their eye.
17 Then I beheld the work of GOD,
that no man by his minde,
The worke that is done under ſunne
can clearely all out find.
Chap. 9.
FOR all this I well in mine heart
conſidered to declare,
That righteous and wiſe with their workes
in GODS hand ſurely were.
No man upon the earth below,
doth either leſſe or more
Know love or hatred by all that,
which is heere him before.
2 All things alike do come to all
there is one event ſure,
Both to the good and to the cleane
and to him that's impure.
To him that ſacrificeth als
in fervent zeal moſt hote,
And likewiſe to him that profane
als ſacrificeth not,
As is the good of godly life,
ſo is the ſinner both,
And he that ſweareth moſt profane,
as he that feares an oath.
3 This is an ill all things among,
though they be great or ſmall.
Under the Sun, even that there is
one event unto all.
Yea, als the hearts of ſonnes of men
are full of ill indeed,
They live in madneſſe, after that
they go unto the dead.
4 For unto him that liveth heere
there is hope more or leſſe,
For better far a living dog
then a dead Lion is.
5 The living know that they ſhall die
but dead both great and ſmall
Know nothing, they have no reward
they are forgotten all.
6 Their love, hatred and envie als
is periſh'd quite away,
Of all that's done under the ſunne,
no portion more have they.
7 Now go and eate thy bread with joy
and with a merrie heart.
Als drink thy wine, for God thy workes
accepteth in good part.
8 Let all thy garments which thou weares
be alwayes white and cleane,
Let not thy head at any time
lake ointment that hath beene.
9 With thy deare wife ſee all thy dayes
thou live moſt joyfully,
For that thy portion in this life
is moſt aſſuredly.
10 What thing thine hand ſhall find to do,
it do with all thy might,
For neither work nor wiſdome is
in graves all void of light.
11 I did returne and ſaw below,
the ſonnes of men among,
That to the ſwift is not the race,
nor battells to the ſtrong,
Nor bread nor riches nor favour,
unto wiſe men of skill.
But time and chance unto them all
do happen ever ſtill:
12 For man alſo moſt ignorant,
knowes not his time that's ſet
As fiſhes all, that taken are
in a deceitfull net,
And as birds that are caught in ſnares,
ſo are the ſons of men
Snar'd in an ill time when it falls
moſt quickly upon them.
13 This wiſedome worthy of reſpect
have I ſeene with mine eye,
Under the Sun, ſuch was its worth,
it ſeemed great to me.
14 A little city with few men
there was, and againſt it
A great King came and it beſieg'd,
and built his bulwarks great.
15 There was in it a poor man found,
who by his wiſdome great
Did ſave the city, yet no man
remembred him a white.
16 Then ſaid I wiſdome better is
then ſtrength; nevertheleſſe
The poor mans wiſdome is deſpiſde,
and his wordes more or leſſe.
17 In quiet wiſe mens wordes are heard
as in moſt learned ſchooles,
More then the cry of him that rules
among the lofty fooles.
18 Then warriours weapons better is
wiſdome that bringeth joy,
But one ſinner that wicked is,
much good will ſoone deſtroy.
Chap. 10.
DEad flies do cauſe the ointment beſt
of Apothecarie,
To ſend foorth even a ſavour vile
ſtinking moſt filthilie,
So doth a little foly als,
moſt ſhamefully diſgrace.
Him that for wiſdome and honour
among men hath a place.
2 As the right hands of any men
to worke moſt nimble be
So is the wiſe mans heart, but hearts
of fooles like left hands be.
3 Yea alſo when he that's a foole,
walkes by the way anone,
His wiſdome failes that hee's a fool,
he ſaith to every one.
4 If the ſprite of the Ruler great
ſhall riſe up againſt thee,
…eave not thy place, for yeelding doth
offences pacifie.
5 There is an ill under the ſun
which I have ſeene indeed,
As an errour which ſurely from
the Ruler doth proceed.
6 Foly is ſet in dignity,
which is a great diſgrace,
While theſe who truly able are
do ſit in a low place,
7 I have on horſes ſervants ſeene,
and after I anone
Have Princes ſeene as ſervants baſe
walking the earth upon.
8 He that for others digs a pit,
ſhall ſurely in it fall,
And who ſo breaketh down an hedge,
a ſerpent bite him ſhall,
9 Who ſo removeth ſtones, ſhall be
hurt therewith by and by;
And he that cleaveth wood, ſhall be
endangered thereby.
10 If that yron be blunt and he
do not the edge well whet,
Then muſt he quick put to more ſtrength;
but wiſdome muſt direct.
11 Except the ſerpent venemous
by charmes inchanted be
Sure bite he will, a babler vaine
no better is then he.
12 Of a good wiſe mans mouth the wordes
are gracious; but the lip
Of one that is a babling fool,
himſelf will ſwallow up.
13 While he begins to ſpeak, his wordes
are but meere fooliſhneſſe,
Likewiſe the end of his diſcourſe
is nothing but madneſſe.
14 A fool is fill'd with wordes, no man
can well tell what ſhall be,
And what then ſhall be after him,
Who can him tell ſurelie?
15 Fooles do themſelves with labour great
even weary every day,
Becauſe they do not know ſo much
as the broad cities way.
16 Woe unto thee, O wretched land
when childiſh is thy king,
And thy Princes as gluttons eat
early in the morning.
17 Bleſt art thou land when thy King is
come of a noble race,
And thy Princes eat ſoberly,
for ſtrength not drunkeneſſe.
18 By ſlothfulneſſe the building all
moſt quickly doth decay,
And through great idleneſſe the houſe
it droppeth through alway.
19 A feaſt ſure is for laughter made,
and wine makes merry men,
…ut money anſw'reth conſtantly
all things both now and then.
20 See that the King that rules the land
thou curſe not in thy thought,
And likewiſe curſe thou not the rich
to thy bedchamber brought:
For a bird of the aire the voice,
ſhall cary by and by.
That which hath wings the matter ſhall
tell even as it doth ly.
Chap. 11.
UPon the waters caſt thy bread,
and ſpare it not alwayes,
For thou ſhalt ſure it finde againe,
though after many dayes.
2 To ſeven or eight a portion give
and that moſt liberally,
For thou know'ſt not what hindrance ſoone
upon the earth may be.
3 If that the clouds of heaven above
be filled well with raine,
They for the fruits upon the earth
emptie themſelves againe.
If towards ſouth, or yet the north,
at laſt ſhall fall the tree,
In the ſame place where it doth fall,
there alſo ſhall it be.
4 He that too ſtrict obſerv's the wind,
ſhall not well ſow his ſeed.
He that too ſtrict regards the clouds,
ſhall ſheaves not reape with ſpeed.
5 The ſprites way thou know'ſt not, nor how
bones in the womb do grow,
Even ſo thou not the workes of God
who maketh all, doſt know.
9 When it's morning then ſow thy ſeed,
upon thy labour'd land,
And in the evening time alſo
with hold thou not thine hand.
For whether this ſhall proſper well
or that, not underſtood
It is by any, who can tell
if both alike be good?
7 Truely the light is ſweet and als,
a pleaſant thing it ſeemes,
Unto the eyes for to behold
the ſunnes faire gliſtring beames:
8 But if a man live many yeeres,
and in them more or leſſe
Rejoice, let him remember well
the dayes of great darkneſſe;
For they unpleaſant ſurely ſhall
in a great number be,
All that which comes under the ſun
is very vanitie.
9 O young man in thy youth rejoice,
and let thy heart thee pleaſe,
Walk in the wayes of thy heart, and
in the ſight of thine eyes.
But know thou this aſſuredly
that even for every thing,
God in his juſtice thee at laſt
will into judgement bring.
10 Therefore all ſorrow from thy heart
ſee thou remove quicklie,
Put ill away, for childhood and
youth are but vanitie.
Chap. 12.
THy Creator remember well,
in youth while the ill day
Is not come, nor the yeares draw nigh
when thou ſhall ſurely ſay,
In all ſuch things under the ſun,
no pleaſure I at all
Have in my heart, I loth ſuch things
yea whether great or ſmall.
2 While the Sun, light, or yet the Moone,
or the ſtarres in their traine,
Be not darkned nor yet the clouds
returne after the raine,
3 In the day when the keepers of
the houſe as in palſie
Shall tremble, and the ſtrong men ſhall
themſelves bow faintingly.
The grinders then ſhall ceaſe to be,
as mouldred all away,
And theſe that out at windowes looke
als dark'ned be alway.
4 And in the ſtreetes the doores ſhall be
ſhut when the grinding ſound
Is low, he at the chirp of birds
ſhall riſe from ſleep unſound.
His ſprits alſo ſhall be ſo dull,
that he ſhall nothing know,
The daughters all of muſick then,
ſhall be brought very low.
5 Of high things they ſhall be afraid,
and feares als in the way
Shall be, and als the Almond tree
ſhall flouriſh white alway.
Deſire ſhall faile, a graſhopper
a burden ſhall be ſo,
Becauſe man dies, the mourners then
about the ſtreetes doe go.
6 Before als that the ſilver cord
be looſed at the length,
Or that the golden bowle at laſt
be broken with its ſtrength.
Or that the pitcher broken be,
even at the maine fountaine:
Or yet that broken be the wheele
that's hard by the ciſterne.
7 Then ſhall the duſt returne to earth,
as it was moſt vile duſt,
Then ſhall the ſprite returne to God
who gave it at the firſt.
8 Even vanitie of vanities,
the Preacher well doth call
The things that are on earth below,
yea vanitie is all.
9 Becauſe the Preacher wiſe was, he
did tea…h the people ſtill,
Yea he gave good heed, and ſought out
wiſe Proverbes with great skill.
10 The Preacher ſought to find out wordes
acceptable to heare,
What written was it was upright,
words to the truth moſt neere.
11 Wiſe words are like to goads and nailes,
by preachers faſtned well,
Which from one ſhepheard are all given
who doth the ſame reveale.
12 By theſe my ſon admoniſh'd be,
of makeing bookes no end
There is; much ſtudy als the fleſh
with wearineſſe doth ſpend:
13 Let us now heare the end of all
feare God, and as thou can
His precepts keep, for ſure this is
the duety all of man.
14 For God in judgement every work
moſt clearly ſhall reveale,
With every ſecret thing alſo
yea whether good or ill.
The Uſe.
LET Men heere learne where all may clearly ſee
VnderUnder the Welkin all but vanitie:
Heer tears in eyes, and fears in heart as houſe
With many ſorrows have their Rendevouz:
Of earthly things the vaſt confuſed crowd
Is now or then all cov'red with a clowd;
Though men on Thrones advanced have their Seat,
All's nought except they be as Good as Great;
Loke not to ſee beneath the Firmament.
A state of life that heer gives full content;
A dying ſtill is in poor queaſie man,
His life at longeſt is but like a ſpan;
It like a Poſt doth paſſe even in a ſtreame,
And is anone forgotten like a dreame;
Gods holy Law is only pure and plain,
In life and death Chriſt is our only gaine:
Let us heer learn in time to turn our back,
On vanitie, and quickly it forſake:
With bended knees and als with broken hearts,
Let us be carefull that we in all parts
May fear the Lord, and dayly on him call
For this to do, it is the end of all.
All other thoughts are ſurely vile and vaine,
A brood moſt baſe even of a burly braine:
Who ſo profane this earthly glory ſeeks,
Shall loſse his life among ſuch crooked creeks:
O happy he who hating vanitie,
Doth rest content Gods penſioner to be;
Not careing for the leeks and garlick fell,
Th' Egyptian hotch potch which Gods Iſrael
Preferr'd to Man their whilom-Angels food,
Admir'd at firſt but well not underſtood
…hile it moſt ſweet like Coriander round,
… like hoare froſt did ly upon the ground:
… heav'n above is onelyonly reſt, below
he Trump of war doth ſtill Tantara blow.
reat troops of ills as long as we are heere,
…ill vex us ſtill betweene both faith and feare;
…t O when this our diſmall time is paſt,
o all the godly joy ſhall come at laſt:
et us therefore returne to God with ſpeede
rom vanities, and ſee that we take heede,
… ſeeke the best part, that we by his grace,
ike crawling Ivie may the Lord embrace;
et this our care be in theſe latter times,
rofeſſion bare ſerves but to cloake our crimes.
THE HOLY SONGS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT: Dedicated to the Royall Lady Mary, his Majeſties Elder Daughter, Princeſſe of ORANGE.
By M. Zacharie Boyd.
Printed at Glaſgow by George Anderſon, 1645.
To the Reader.
I As yet have known none that in poeſi hath turned all the ſong of Scripture, except Theodore Beze, who hath done it very acurately in the French tongue; I… the Song of Songs, and the Songs of Moſ… Deborah, Hannah, Ezekiah, Mary, Simeo… and Zechariah and divers others, be ſo he… venly as all may ſee, it were to be wiſh… that in the Church they had place to be ſun with the Pſalmes of David, unto the whic they are not inferiour.