_Pater Cœlestis._ To further anger thou dost me yet compel. _David._ For what matter, Lord? I beseech thy goodness tell. _Pater Cœlestis._ Why didst thou number the children of Israel? Supposest in thy mind therein thou hast done well? _David._ I cannot say nay, but I have done indiscreetly To forget thy grace for a human policy. _Pater Cœlestis._ Thou shalt of these three choose which plague thou wilt have, For that sinful act, that I thy soul may save. A scarceness seven years, or else three months' exile, If not, for three days a pestilence most vile, For one thou must have, there is no remedy. _David._ Lord, at thy pleasure, for thou art full of mercy. _Pater Cœlestis._ Of a pestilence then, three score thousand and ten, In three days shall die of thy most puissant men. _David._ O Lord, it is I who have offended thy grace, Spare them and not me, for I have done the trespace.[620] _Pater Cœlestis._ Though thy sins be great, thine inward heart's contribution Doth move my stomach in wonderful condition. I find thee a man according to my heart; Wherefore this promise I make thee, ere I depart. A fruit there shall come forth issuing from thy body, Whom I will advance upon thy seat for ever. His throne shall become a seat of heavenly glory His worthy sceptre from right will not dissever, His happy kingdom, of faith shall perish never. Of heaven and of earth he was author principal, And will continue, though they do perish all. This sign shalt thou have for a token special, That thou mayst believe my words unfeignedly, Where thou hast minded, for my memorial, To build a temple, thou shalt not finish it truly; But Solomon thy son shall do that action worthy, In token that Christ must finish everything That I have begun, to my praise everlasting. _David._ Immortal glory to thee, most heavenly King, For that thou hast given continual victory To me thy servant, ever since my annointing, And also before, by many conquests worthy. A bear and lion I slew through thy strength only. I slew Goliath, who was six cubits long. Against thine enemies thou madest me ever strong. My fleshly frailness made me do deadly wrong, And clean to forget thy laws of righteousness. And though thou visitedst my sinfulness among, With pestilent plagues, and other unquietness; Yet never tookst thou from me thy plenteousness Of thy godly spir't, which thou in me didst plant. I having remorse, thy grace could never want. For in conclusion, thy everlasting covenant Thou gavest unto me for all my wicked sin; And hast promised here by protestation constant, That one of my seed shall such high fortune win, As never did man since this world did begin. By his power he shall put Satan from his hold, In rejoice whereof to sing will I be bold. [_Then he begins in a musical voice an antiphon, "O Adonai," which the chorus (as before) follows with instruments._