Study Desk

But nowe they that are yonger then I, haue mee in derision, whose fathers I would haue disdained to haue set with the dogs of my flocke.

Yea whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom olde age was perished?

For want and famine they were solitarie: flying into the wildernesse in former time desolate and waste:

Who cut vp mallowes by the bushes, and Iuniper rootes for their meate.

They were driuen foorth from among men, (they cried after them, as after a thiefe.)

To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in caues of the earth, and in the rockes.

Among the bushes they brayed: vnder the nettles they were gathered together.

They were children of fooles, yea children of base men: they were viler then the earth.

And now am I their song, yea I am their by-word.

They abhorre me, they flee farre from me, and spare not to spit in my face.

Because hee hath loosed my cord and afflicted me, they haue also let loose the bridle before me.

Upon my right hand rise the youth, they push away my feete, and they raise vp against mee the wayes of their destruction.

They marre my path, they set forward my calamitie, they haue no helper.

They came vpon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselues vpon me.

Terrours are turned vpon mee: they pursue my soule as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloude.