Why should I think to be
From calumny or slander free,
When I see men afford
No better language to my Lord?
My Lord though free from sin,
Free from detraction hath not been:
If to a feast He come,
He is a glutton called by some.
If wine He drink, O then they crie
He is a drunkard presently;
If He converse with common people, then
He's friend to publicans and sinful men.

My God! since Thou didst bear
Such vile reproaches, I'l not fear
The like, nor be asham'd
By wicked men to be defam'd:
It is the godlie's lot,
A blessing rather then a blot.
Their tongue no slander is,
They kill me when they kiss.
When they revile, I'm ne're the worse
When they commend me, 'tis a curse.
Their commendation is a sign that I
Too much with their ill courses do comply.

Let them then do their worst,
And swell with poison till they burst,
Spit all their venom on me,
Till they believe they have undone me,
Cast all the dirt they can
To make me like them, a bad man;
It shall not trouble me,
Since so they servèd Thee.
My Lord and Master suffered so,
Why should I scot-free think to go?
Whiles Thou art witness of my innocence
I'l take it for a favour, no offence.