Poetry Codex

Tudor & Elizabethan

John Davies of Hereford

c. 1565–1618

John Davies of Hereford (c. 1565–1618) was an Anglo-Welsh poet and the writing-master of Hereford, later teaching penmanship in Oxford and London. He added "of Hereford" to his name to distinguish himself from his contemporary Sir John Davies, the author of Nosce Teipsum, who has a separate entry in this archive.

The Muses Sacrifice, or Divine Meditations (1612) gathers his devotional verse: meditations and penitential poems, versions of the seven penitential psalms in The Dolefull Dove, funeral elegies in Obit-Rights, and a long run of fourteen-line Essaies. It is dedicated to the Countesses of Bedford and Pembroke and to Lady Cary.

Poems (275)

  1. To the Most Noble Ladyes, Lucy, Countesse of Bedford; Mary, Countesse-Dowager of Pembrooke; and Elizabeth, Lady Cary
  2. The Sacrifices of God are a contrite Spirit: A contrite and a broken Heart, O God, thou wilt not dispise. Psal. 51.17
  3. Another of the same (AS in the Sacrifices of the Law)
  4. Another (DEscend sweet hallowed Fire from that high FLAME)
  5. To ouer-curious Critiques
  6. To the Indifferent Readers
  7. The Author, of, and to his Muse
  8. A Confession of sinnes, with petition for grace
  9. A Sinners acknowledgement of his Vilenesse and Mutabilitie
  10. A Confession of a Sinner, acknowledging the misery of humane frailtie
  11. The longing of the Soule to be with God
  12. The Complaint of a Sinner
  13. The thirst of the Soule after God, the Fountaine of Life
  14. An acknowledgement of Gods gifts, with desire of vnion with the Giuer
  15. A thankfull remembrance of our preseruation notwithstanding our manifold sinnes
  16. The sighes of a Pensiue Soule, groaning vnder the burden of sinne
  17. Of Lifes breuitie, the Fleshes frailtie, the Worlds vanitie, and the Diuels tyranny
  18. The Soule desireth to know God
  19. A Thankesgiuing for our Being
  20. A Meditation gratulatory for our redemption
  21. A Thanksgiuing for our Vocation
  22. Of Gods vnutterable Being, with desire of the Soule to be swallowed vp with the loue of his Maiestie
  23. A Repetition of Gods many Benefits, and Preseruations, with desire of the continuance thereof
  24. For Power and Grace to withstand the Flesh, the World, and the Diuell
  25. The Sinner, confessing his sinne, striueth with God (by importunitie of Prayer) for Grace
  26. The Sinner confessing he can neyther will, thinke, nor doe any good thing without Gods preuenting and assisting Grace, importunes the same
  27. The Sinner because of the darknesse of his vnderstanding, confesseth his inabilitie to come to the knowledge of Gods will by his Word; and desireth to be holp and enlightened by Gods spirit therin
  28. An Inuocation against vse of offending, or bad Custome
  29. The Sinner refers his Will to Gods will in all things desiring helpe for perseuerance therein
  30. The Sinner desires fruition of the Deitie; and that his Soule should be euer the habitation thereof
  31. A soueraigne Salue against Sinne and Despaire out of S. Augustine
  32. The crazed Soule being almost in dispaire, desireth Grace to hope in Gods mercy
  33. A desire of the louing Soule, of God, to be kissed with the kisse of Peace
  34. Sith all Gods Creatures are against those that are against GOD, in action, the Sinner desireth to be in vnitie with him
  35. The Sinner desireth to haue the bent of his Will, made appliable to Gods
  36. The Sinner inueighes against his fleshes frailtie, desiring God to strengthen it with his pow'r, and Grace
  37. The Sinner recounting his manifold transgressions, and finding himselfe thereby in danger of perdition, desireth Grace, through a world of sorrowes, to auoid both Sinne, and damnation
  38. That the vertuous haue the Promises of this life, as well as of that to come
  39. For perfect Vnion with God, and Grace to shunne all Lets that may hinder it
  40. The Sinner in great sorrow for Sinne, relyeth on God for grace and comfort
  41. The Sinner acknowledging repugnant desires in himselfe; desireth to be enabled to performe his good desires
  42. The Sinner desireth, not to be as he is; but, as he ought to be
  43. In respect of the breuitie and vncertaintie of mortall life; the Sinner desires grace, in time, to prepare for Death
  44. The carefull Soule because of the momentany condition of transitory life, desireth to wash away the filth of sin with the teares of continuall penitencie
  45. A short Meditation of the breuitie of life; with an Incitation to make good vse of the present time
  46. A short meditation of Mans Miserie
  47. That our Saluation comes from God
  48. A serious Meditation of the last Iudgement: worthy to be often minded, and repeated
  49. The Sinner acknowledges and admires his owne frailtie: desiring Grace and strength to stand in Vrtue, and with-stand Vice
  50. Domine ne in furore. Psal. 6
  51. Beati quorum. Psal. 32
  52. Domine ne in furore. Psal. 38
  53. Miserere mei Deus. Psal. 51
  54. Domine exaudi. Psal. 102
  55. De profundis clamaui. Psal. 130
  56. Domine exaudi. Psal. 143
  57. A Funerall Elegie, on the death of the most vertuous, and no lesse louely, Mirs. Elizabeth Dutton
  58. An Epitaph on the death of the right vertuous Lady Liegh
  59. The Picture of an happy Man
  60. This Life is but Death
  61. True Wealth
  62. An Angel-like Man
  63. A sicke Mindes Potion for all in Tribulation in Body: or for the sauing of their Soule
  64. A Parable
  65. The Morall
  66. To attaine a quiet Life
  67. A Cordiall to cheare the Heart vnder the Crosse of Confinement: written to a great Lord, once a perpetuall Prisoner
  68. A Dumpe, or Swans-song
  69. The Foole hath said in his heart, there is no God. Psal. 14.1
  70. No pleasure to the pleasure of the Spirit
  71. Vanitie of Vanities, all is but Vanitie. Eccles. 1.2
  72. Fly vaine Pleasures, as Paines intollerable
  73. To the good, the Worst fals out for the Best
  74. To the Lady Anne Glemmam, vpon the death of her noble Father
  75. That to sinne finally malitiously, is irremissible
  76. That mortall Life is a mortall Plague
  77. Too much Honie breakes the Belly
  78. The Foole makes a mocke of Sinne. Pro. 14.9
  79. The World is in a desperate plight, for which Christ refused to pray
  80. That all Heresies are grounded on the infallible Scriptures erroniously interpreted
  81. That the Eye is Sinnnes Burning-glasse, working vpon the Heart and Soule
  82. To take is to giue; for a Gift, Liberty
  83. Againe, of the same (ANd yet blinde Iustice sees hr Sword to sheath)
  84. To him that hath, shall be giuen; and from him that hath not, shall be taken away, that which it semes he hath. Mat. 25.2
  85. Of the Neglect of Arte and Vertue. To mine ingenious, deere, and well-accomplish'd Friend, Mr. Iohn Sandford, of Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford
  86. Yee haue made a mocke of the counsell of the Poore. Psal. 14.10
  87. Against Fortune-tellers, commonly called, Wise-men
  88. Sinfull Curiositie had rather be acquainted with the Diuell, then with God, or his Saints
  89. Againe, of the same (WEre Bacon, and that Vandermast aliue, (Aire))
  90. That Persecutors of Truth, are their owne Tormentors
  91. The righteous, in Ioy or Griefe, Life, or Death, GOD keepes as his Treasure
  92. That mens Deuotions towards God and Goodnesse, are most mutable
  93. To my most honored and approued best Friend, and Alye, Sr. Fran: Louell, Knght. God takes the Will for the Deede
  94. The Vertuous, liue well for Vertues sake; the Vicious, for feare of Punishment
  95. That there is no peace to the Wicked
  96. That a vexed Conscience is the onely Hell on Earth
  97. Phantasie a great Comforter, or Tormenter
  98. A wounded Conscience, who can beare?
  99. Death makes Things appeare as they are
  100. God and Conscience tels truely what we are; and are not as we seeme
  101. That Truth, being One and still the same, is made by wicked mn to countenance Falshood, which is manifold, and still vnlike
  102. That we are naturally bent to Ill, but supernaturally to Goodnesse
  103. Abuse is familiar with humane Flesh and Bloud
  104. That it is farre better not Be, then to be Ill
  105. Sinne and Grace cannot dwell in one place
  106. In rainy-gloomy Weather
  107. Our Wits are vnable to please our Wils
  108. To my most deare, and no lesse worthily-beloued Friend and Pupill, Henry Mainwarring Esquier
  109. Rob not the Poore, because he is poore; neyther wrong him in Iudgement. Pro. 22.22
  110. To my worthy witty, long-approued, and beloued Friend, Mris. Ioyce Ieffreies
  111. The CONCLVSION
  112. To the Right noble, and Highly honored Lord Phillip Herbert. Earle of Mountgomery and Baron of Shurland. &c.
  113. Againe, To the same truelie-noble Earle, and his most honorable other halfe Sir Iames Haies knight, &c.
  114. The Author to his Muse
  115. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 1
  116. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 2
  117. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 3
  118. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 5
  119. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 6
  120. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 7
  121. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 8
  122. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 9
  123. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 10
  124. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 11
  125. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 12
  126. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 13
  127. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 14
  128. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 15
  129. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 16
  130. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 17
  131. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 18
  132. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 19
  133. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 20
  134. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 21
  135. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 22
  136. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 23
  137. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 24
  138. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 25
  139. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 26
  140. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 27
  141. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 28
  142. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 29
  143. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 30
  144. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 31
  145. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 32
  146. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 33
  147. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 34
  148. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 35
  149. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 37
  150. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 38
  151. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 39
  152. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 40
  153. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 41
  154. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 42
  155. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 43
  156. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 44
  157. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 45
  158. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 46
  159. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 47
  160. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 48
  161. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 49
  162. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 50
  163. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 51
  164. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 53
  165. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 54
  166. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 55
  167. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 56
  168. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 57
  169. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 58
  170. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 59
  171. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 60
  172. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 61
  173. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 62
  174. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 63
  175. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 65
  176. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 66
  177. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 67
  178. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 69
  179. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 71
  180. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 72
  181. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 74
  182. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 76
  183. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 77
  184. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 78
  185. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 79
  186. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 81
  187. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 82
  188. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 83
  189. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 84
  190. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 85
  191. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 86
  192. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 87
  193. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 88
  194. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 89
  195. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 90
  196. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 91
  197. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 92
  198. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 93
  199. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 94
  200. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 95
  201. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 96
  202. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 97
  203. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 98
  204. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 99
  205. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 101
  206. Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 102
  207. Inuentions Life, Death, and Funerall
  208. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 1
  209. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 3
  210. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 4
  211. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 5
  212. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 7
  213. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 8
  214. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 9
  215. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 10
  216. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 12
  217. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 13
  218. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 14
  219. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 15
  220. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 16
  221. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 17
  222. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 18
  223. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 19
  224. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 20
  225. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 21
  226. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 22
  227. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 23
  228. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 24
  229. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 25
  230. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 26
  231. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 27
  232. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 28
  233. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 29
  234. Other Sonnets vpon other Subiects, 30
  235. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 1
  236. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 2
  237. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 3
  238. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 4
  239. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 5
  240. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 6
  241. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 7
  242. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 8
  243. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 9
  244. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 10
  245. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 11
  246. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 12
  247. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 13
  248. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 14
  249. 5. Sonnets in praise of Eminency or a publike Life, 15
  250. An amorous Colloqui twixt Dorus, and Pamela
  251. The picture of Formosity
  252. Suum cuique pulchrum
  253. Stultus Stulta loquitur
  254. Candidae musarum ianuae:
  255. Mortall Life compared to Post, and Pare
  256. My Corollarie
  257. Written to the Right Noble, and well-accomplished Ladie the Countesse Dowager of Pembroke
  258. Gratious is the end that ends all our paines
  259. Enuy is blind and can do nothing but dispraise Vertue
  260. Againe
  261. WHat gaine gets witlesse Courage but the losse
  262. Blessed is the Man that doth meditate honest things by Wisedome. Ecclus. 14. 21
  263. Sic transit gloria Mundi
  264. Respice finem
  265. A blind man cannot see the default of his Eyes
  266. There is no greater plague then Boldnesse and Powr, when they are accompanied with Ignorance
  267. In iudicando criminosa est celeritas
  268. Fortuna vitrea est, quae cum splendet, frangitur. Publi
  269. I (aid vnto Laughter, what art thou mad? And to Mixth what dost thou. Eccles. 2. 2
  270. Omnium rerum vicissitudo est. Terence
  271. I long for Life, vnlike to Death
  272. An Ode in commendation of Musick
  273. Nihil tam bene dictum, quod non fuit dictum prius
  274. Inough's as good as a feast
  275. Of my selfe

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