Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 16. Take an harp, and go about the City (thou harlot that hast been forgotten) make sweet melody, sing mo song's that thou mayst be remembered.

Vers. 16. Take an harp, and goe about the Citie (thou harlot that hast been forgotten) make sweet melodie, sing mo song's that thou mayst be remembred.

HE compares Tyre to an harlot, who having passed all her youth in whoredoms and filthiness, at last becoming old (by reason whereof all forsake and despise her) yet can she not forget her first gain, nor her wicked pranks, but desires to revive and refresh her old spirits. And that she may the better draw men out of all parts of the City unto her, she goes singing, and playing upon Instruments, to delight her companions. For such whores become mad as it were when they see themselves despised because of their age: we see also that the Poet Horace flouts an harlot called Lydia for the fame cause.¹ So Tyre, being destroyed and as it were buried in oblivion, shall again pluck up her courage, using all her wits and devises to recover her first estate.

HE compares Tyre to an harlot, who hauing passed all her youth in whoredomes and filthines, at last becomming old (by reason whereof all forsake and despise her) yet can she not forget her first gaine, nor her wicked prancks, but desires to reuiue and refresh her old spirits. And that she may the better draw men out of all parts of the Citie vnto her, she goes singing, and playing vpon Instruments, to delight her companions. For such whores become mad as it were when they see themselues despised because of their age: we see also that the Poet Horace flouts an harlot called Lydia for the fame cause.¹ So Tyre, being destroyed and as it were buried in obliuion, shall againe pluck vp her courage, vsing all her wits and deuises to recouer her first estate.

1. 1