Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.
A Godlie Prayer Giuen to Her MaiestieCXXXV. Thomas Nelson
O
To me, that prostrate stand,
And graunt my prayer may be perfourmde
With thy most mightie hand.
Elizabeth by name,
May florish still in happie state
And euerlasting fame.
In health and perfect peace:
Graunt that her foes may be cut of;
Her friends, O Lord, encrease.
To do that which is right,
For safetie of her person, and
This realme, both day and night.
And lords of high renowne,
May liue in duetie to their prince,
And true still to the crowne.
Their dueties in this land,
To beate downe sinne and wickednesse,
Which hath the vpper hand.
To doe that which is right,
That widdowes nor the fatherlesse
Be not opprest by might.
The straunger and the poore,
Who sundry tymes by violence
Is thrust cleane out of doore.
God graunt that children now may growe
Obedient as they ought;
And that their parents haue a care
They may be duely taught
Their parents and their peeres;
So shall they better teach their owne,
When that they come of yeeres.
To doe their duetie still;
First to please God, to liue in feare,
And doe their maisters’ will.
Reuengement for to shunn:
For God a iust reuenger is
Of wrongs that hath bene donn.
God graunt our endes be good;
That we may rest with Christ himself,
Who bought vs with his blood!