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Home  »  The Poetical Works  »  Praise of certain Psalms of David. Translated by Sir Thomas [Wyatt] the elder

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517–47). The Poetical Works. 1880.

Songs and Sonnets

Praise of certain Psalms of David. Translated by Sir Thomas [Wyatt] the elder

THE GREAT Macedon, that out of Persia chased

Darius, of whose huge power all Asia rung;

In the rich ark Dan Homer’s rhymes he placed,

Who feigned gests of heathen princes sung.

What holy grave, what worthy sepulture,

To Wyatt’s Psalms should Christians then purchase?

Where he doth paint the lively faith, and pure,

The steadfast hope, the sweet return to grace,

Of just David, by perfect penitence;

Where Rulers may see in a mirror clear,

The bitter fruit of false concupiscence;

How Jewry bought Urias’ death full dear.

In Princes’ hearts God’s scourge imprinted deep,

Ought them awake out of their sinful sleep.