| Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845. | | | | Psalm XXIII | | XLIV. Francis Davison |
| | | GOD, who the universe doth hold | |
| In his fold, | |
| Is my shepherd kind and heedful,— | |
| Is my shepherd, and doth keepe | |
| Me his sheepe | 5 |
| Still supplied with all things needfull. | |
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| He feedes me in fieldes which beene | |
| Fresh and greene, | |
| Mottled with Spring’s flowry painting; | |
| Through which creepe with murmuring crookes | 10 |
| Christall brookes, | |
| To refresh my spirit’s fainting. | |
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| When my soule from heauen’s way | |
| Went astray, | |
| With earthe’s vanities seduced, | 15 |
| For his name sake kindly he | |
| Wandering me | |
| To his holy fold reduced. | |
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| Yea, should I stray throughe deathe’s vale, | |
| Where his pale | 20 |
| Shades did on each side enfold me; | |
| Dreadles, hauing thee for guide, | |
| Should I bide, | |
| For thy rod and staff vpholde me. | |
| |
| Thou my board with messes large | 25 |
| Dost surcharge; | |
| My bowles full of wine thou powrest, | |
| And before myne enemies’ | |
| Enuious eies | |
| Balme vpon my head thou showerest. | 30 |
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| Neither dures thy bounteous grace | |
| For a space; | |
| But it knowes nor bound nor measure. | |
| So my daies to my liue’s end | |
| I shall spend | 35 |
| In thy courtes with heauenly pleasure. | | | | |
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