Classic Poem

Psal — 114. Buchan[ani] Paraphra[sis]

When Israells lookes all homeward bent did stand
Being quitt of Pharao and His Barberous land
Hatefull alike, to Juda God Alone
Becomes of safety and Protection
Which the sea sees and with a trembling Tide
Commands Her waves astonisht to devide
And Jordans current noe more nature-led
Presses the waters back unto their head
Great mountaines now their craggy tops advance
In measure as the Flocks Pride leads the daunce
And Lesser Hills their heavy foreheads shake
Like Lambs that in the meadowes Pastimes take
What sawst thou Thetis that thou thus laydst dry
Thy channell? and Kind River tel me why
Thy Purlings back to seek their fountain went?
And mountaines struck as with astonishment
How com'st about yea seem to play like Ramms
Whilst Lesser Ridges imitate the Lambs
But thus: the God of Jacobs presence spoak
Terror to th'trembling world, whilst Altares smoakt
He that to Liquid use turnd hardest ston
Changing the flints hot vaynes to Helicon.