Poems, by J.D. VVith elegies on the authors death

CHAP. I.

1

HOw sits this citie, late most populous, Thus solitary, and like a widdow thus? Amplest of Nations, Queene of Provinces She was, who now thus tributary is?

2

Still in the night shee weepes, and her teares fall Downe by her cheekes along, and none of all Her lovers comfort her; Perfidiously Her friends have dealt, and now are enemie.

3

Unto great bondage, and afflictions Juda is captive led; Those nations With whom shee dwells, no place of rest afford, In streights shee meets her Persecutors sword.

4

Emptie are the gates of Sion, and her waies Mourne, because none come to her solemne dayes. Her Priests doe groane, her maides are comfortlesse, And shee's unto her selfe a bitternesse.

5

Her foes are growne her head, and live at Peace, Because when her transgressions did increase, The Lord strooke her with sadnesse: Th'enemie Doth drive her children to captivitie.

6

From Sions daughter is all beauty gone, Like Harts, which seeke for Pasture, and find none, Her Princes are, and now before the foe Which still pursues them, without strength they go.

7

Now in their daies of Teares, Jerusalem (Her men slaine by the foe, none succouring them) Remembers what of old, shee esteemed most, Whiles her foes laugh at her, for what she hath lost.

8

Jerusalem hath sinn'd, therefore is shee Remov'd, as women in uncleannesse bee; Who honor'd, scorne her, for her foulnesse they Have seene, her selfe doth groane, and turne away.

9

Her foulnesse in her skirts was seene, yet she Remembred not her end; Miraculously Therefore shee fell, none comforting: Behold O Lord my affliction, for the Foe growes bold.

10

Upon all things where her delight hath beene, The foe hath stretch'd his hand, for shee hath seene Heathen, whom thou command'st, should not doe so, Into her holy Sanctuary goe.

11

And all her people groane, and seeke for bread; And they have given, only to be fed, All precious things, wherein their pleasure lay: How cheape I'am growne, O Lord, behold, and weigh.

12

All this concernes not you, who passe by mee, O see, and marke if any sorrow bee Like to my sorrow, which Jehova hath Done to mee in the day of his fierce wrath?

13

That fire, which by himselfe is governed He hath cast from heaven on my bones, and spred A net before my feet, and mee o'rthrowne, And made me languish all the day alone.

14

His hand hath of my sinnes framed a yoake Which wreath'd, and cast upon my neck, hath broke My strength. The Lord unto those enemies Hath given mee, from whence I cannot rise.

15

He under foot hath troden in my sight My strong men; He did company invite To breake my young men, he the winepresse hath Trod upon Juda's daughter in his wrath.

16

For these things doe I weepe, mine eye, mine eye Casts water out; For he which should be nigh To comfort mee, is now departed farre, The foe prevailes, forlorne my children are.

17

There's none, though Sion do stretch out her hand To comfort her, it is the Lords command That Iacobs foes girt him. Ierusalem Is as an uncleane woman amongst them.

18

But yet the Lord is just, and righteous still, I have rebell'd against his holy will; O heare all people, and my sorrow see, My maides, my young men in captivitie.

19

I called for my lovers then, but they Deceiv'd mee, and my Priests, and Elders lay Dead in the citie; for they sought for meat Which should refresh their soules, they could not get.

20

Because I am in streights, Iehova see My heart return'd, my bowells muddy bee, Because I have rebell'd so much, as fast The sword without, as death within, doth wast.

21

Of all which heare I mourne, none comforts mee, My foes have heard my griefe, and glad they be, That thou hast done it; But thy promis'd day Will come, when, as I suffer, so shall they.

22

Let all their wickednesse appeare to thee, Doe unto them, as thou hast done to mee, For all my sinnes: The sighs which I have had Are very many, and my heart is sad.