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THE 

POETICAL WORKS 

0¥ 



JOHN MILTO 



IN riVO VOLUMES. 
C^Mtatning 



PARADISE LOST, 
PAHADISB il£GAINEP| 
SAMSON AGOMISTEf, 

eouvs, 

I.*ALLEGRO, 
IL PENSEROBOy 
ARCADEiy 



LTCIDA8, 

POEMS UPON SEVBRAi; 

OCCASIONS, 
SONNETS, 
PSALMS, 
ELEGIES, ' 
0DE8> (5*^. \2fe* l^ti 



TO WHICH I» PREFIXED, 

THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 



nrei poets, in three different ages hrn^ 
Greece, Italy, and England did adorn* 
The Jirst in loftiness of thought surpast / 
The next in majesty ; in both the last. 
The force of Nature could no further go : 
7i maie a third, she joind the farmer two, 

DRTDENr 



VOL. II. 

Cupar^iTtfe ; 

PRINTED ilND SOLD B7 R. TULLIS, BOOKSELLEJU^^ 

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\ 4- 4T^ . ?.3 



NAIIVARD COLLEGE LIIRAIIY 

hTmemoky of 

LIONEL DE JERSEY HARVARD 
CLASS OF 1915 



Okn. 2,1^^1 



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CONTENTS 



OV 



VOLUME SECOND. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

Page. 
Booki. ------ r 

Book II. ------ x4 

Book 111* - - - - - - 47 

Book nr. - - - - - - 35^ 

Samson Agonistes, - - - - - 6x 

Comus: a Maak, - - - - - xo8 

jL' Allegro, - - * - - - X37 

n PenseroiOy - - - - - '4i 

Arcades, - - - - - - 14^ 

Lfddas, ------ IS^ 

POSM8 ON. SEVERAI. OCCA8IONI. 

On the death of an infant, - -" - 15^ 

At a Vacation exercise in the College, - - - 158 

pn the morning of Christ's Nativity, - - i6x 

The Passion, - - - - - 168. 

On Time, - _ - - - - - ^70 

On the Circumcisioii, - - - - - 171 

At a solemn Music, - - •* '7* 

An Epitaph on the Mardkioness of Winchester, * 175 

Song : on May morning, - •■ - /75 

On Shakespeare, - - - *^ *^>»d« 

On the university Garrieff -^ ^ - 17^ 

Another OB the same, - - - " *" '^2 

Ad Pyrrham, Ode v. Horace, - •" »7^= 

The fifth Ode of Horace, - - - ibiA. 

On the new forcers of conscience mder the Long Parliament, X79 

BONNETS. 

To the Nightingale, - - - »3x. 

Six Italian JSonnets,. - - x8i— 184 

On his being arrived at the age of ^3^, -r - 184 

When the assault was intended to the City, - 185 

To a virtuous young Lady, - - - - ibid. 

To the Lady Magarct Ley, * - - ^^^% 
On the detraiSliao which followed my writing certain treatises, ibid. 

On the s^me:,. - - . - - 187 



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lY CONTENTS. 

To Mr. H..Lawei, on his airs, - ^ j^y- 
On the religious memory of Mrs. Kiathrine: Thomson^ - z8S' 

To the Lord General Fairfax, ... ibid. 

To the Lord General Cromwell, - - 189. 

To Sir Henry Vane the younger, ... ibii 
On the late Massacre in Piedmont, - - -290 

On his blindness, .... xpr 

To Mr. Lawrence, - -• -- - . 191 

To Cyriac Skinner, ..... ibid- 

To the same, - - - • - 293 

On hu deceased wife» ... ibid. 

Psalms, - . . - . 194-— .jj^ 

POEM AT A. 

IXe Authore Tcstimonia,. — - • - 2Z1 

Elegiarum Liber Primus, - • . 2%S 

Elegia Prima,. ad Car oIumDeodatum, - • IblX 

Elegia Secunda. In bbitum praesulis Cantabrigiensis, 227 

Elegia Tertia. In obitum praesulis Wintoniensia) - 2^ 
Elegia Quarta. Ad Thomam Junium, prssceptorom suum, 
apud mercatores Hambvga? agentes, pastoris muneres 

fungentem, - - - - - 230 

Elegia Quinta. In adventum veris, • • 23^- 

Elegia Sexta. Ad Carohim Deodatum mri commorantem, 23 f- 

Elegia Septima, . - - • . - 23^ 

lu Proditionem Bombardicam, ... 242 

In eandem, - - - - - 243 

In eandem, - - - . ibid. 

In eandem, - - • » ibid; 

In inyentorem Bombards, - - ... ibjd. 

Ad-Leonoram Romx canentem, - • ' . 244 

Ad.eandem, - - - -- - ibid.' 

Ad eandem, - • • • ibid.- 

Apologus de Ruttico et Hero, - - • 245.- 

, SYLVARUM LIBER. 

In obitom Procancellarii Medici, - , • 246^ 

lb Quintum Novembris, « 1, • 24f 

In obitum Pnesulis Eliensis, - ' • . 253 . 

Naturam non pati seneum, ... ^ss' 

De idea Platonica ^acmadmodoa ArisCotdes intcUtxit, . 256^ 

Ad Patrem, - - - - 258 

Psalm cxir. - - - - 261 

liiilosophus ad regem quendam, dec • - ibid. 

In effigei ejus tculptorem, - - • 262 

Ad Salsilliim poetam Romanum sgrotantem. ScaMotet, 262 ' 

Minsos, - • - • 263 

Epitaphium Damonls, ... 26i 
' M Joannem Roiisium Oxpniensis Academis Bibliothecarium, 272 ' 

Ad Chriitinam Sueconim Reginam, nomine Cromwelli, 271 ^ 

PARADISE' 



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PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK L 

1 ,WHO erewhile the happy garden sungi 

B^ one man's disobedience lost, now sing . 

Recover'd Paradise to all mankind. 

By one man's firm obedience fully try'd 

Through all temptation, ajid the tempter foil'd f 

In all his wiles, defeated and repuls'd. 

And Eden rais'd in the waste wilderness. 

Thou Sp'rit who Icd'st the glorious eremite 
Into the desart, his viftorious field. 
Against the spiritual foe,, and brou^ht'st him thence lo 
By proof th' undoubted Son of God, inspire, 
As thou art wont, my prompted song, else mutCi 
And bear through height or depth of Nature's bounds 
With prosp'rous wing full summ'd, to tell of deeds 
Above heroic, though in secret done, 15 

And unrecorded left through many an age, 
Worthy t' have not remain'd so long unsung. 

Now had the great proclaimer, with a voice 
More awful than the sound of trumpet, cry'd 
Repentance, and Heav'n's kingdom nigh at hand 20. 
To all baptiz'd : to his great baptism flock'd 
With awe the regions round» and with them came 
From Nazareth the son of Joseph deem'd, 
To the flood Jordan, came as then obscure, 
Unmark'd, unknown 5 but him the Baptist soon 25 
Descry'd, divinely warn'd, and witness bore 
As to his wordiier, and would have resign'd 
To hiin his heav'nly ofiice : nor was long 
His witness unconfirm'd : on him baptiz'd 
Haav'n open'd, and in likeness of a dove 30 

The Sp'rit descended, while the Father's voice 
From heav'n pronounc'd him his beloved Son. 
, Vol. II. B , That 

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2 PARADISE REGAINED. Bool /. 

That heard the adversary, who roving still 
About the world, at that assembly fam'd 
Would not be last, -and with the voice divine 35 

Nigh thunderstruck, th' exalted man to whom 
Such high attest was giv*n, a while survey'd 
With wonder, then with envy fraught and rage, 
Flies to his place, nor rests, but in mid-air 
To council summons all his mighty peers, 40 

Within thick clouds and dark tenfold involved, 
A gloomy consistory ; and them amidst 
With looks aghast and sad he thus bespake : 

O ancient pow'rs of air and this wide world, 
For much more willingly I mention air, 45 

This our old conquest, than remember hell, 
Our hated habitation ; well ye know 
How many ages, as the years of men. 
This universe we have, possessed and rul'd 
In manner at our will th* affairs of earth, 50 

Since Adam and his facile consort Eve 
Lost Paradise deceiv'd by me, though since 
With dread attending when that fatal wound 
Shall be inflifted by the seed of Eve 
Upon my head : long the decrees of Heav'n 55 

Delay, for longest time to him is short ; 
And now too soon for us the circling hours 
This dreaded time have compass'd, wherein we 
Must bide the stroke of that long threatened wound. 
At least if so we can, and by the head <5o 

Broken be not intended all our power 
To be infriiig'd, our freedom and our being. 
In this fair empire won of earth and air 5 
For this ill news I bring, the woman's seed 
Destin^^d to this, is late of woman born : 6^ 

His birth to our just fear gave no small cause. 
But his growth now to youth's full flow'r, displaying 
All virtue, grace, and wisdom to achieve 
Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear. 
Before him a great prophet, to proclaim 70 

His coming, is sent harbinger, who all 
Invites, and in the consecrated stream 

Pretends 

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Book /• PARADISE REGAINED* J" 

Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them $o 

Purified to receive him pure, or rather 

To do him honour as their king ; all come, 75 

And he himself among them was baptiz'd, 

Not thence to be more pure, but to receive 

The testimony of Heav'n, that who he is, 

Thenceforth the nations may not doubt ; I saw 

The prophet do him reverence, on him rising 80 

Out of the water, heav'n above the clouds 

Unfold her chrystal doors, thence on his heacV 

A perfeft dove descend, whatever it meant. 

And out of heav'n the sovereign voice I heard. 

This is my Son belov'd, in him am pleas'd. 85 

His mother then is mortal, but his sire 

He who obtains the monarchy of heav'n ; 

And what will he not do t' advance his Son ? 

His first-begot we know, and sore have felt, , 

When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep : 90 

Who this is we must learn ; for man he seems 

In all his lineaments, though in his face 

The glimpses of his Father's glory shine. 

Ye see our danger, on the utmost edge 

Of hazard, which admits no long debate, 95 

But must with something sudden be oppos'd, 

Not force, but well couch'd fraud, well-woven snares. 

Ere at the head of nations he appear 

Their king, their leader, and supreme on earth. 

I, when no other durst, sole undertook 100 

The dismal expedition, to find out 

And ruin Adam, and th' exploit perform'd 

Successfully ; a calmer voyage now 

Will waft me •, and the way found prosp'rous once, 

Induces best to hope of like success. 105 

He ended, and his words impression left 
Of much amazement to th' infernal crew, 
Distrafted and surpriz'd with deep dismay 
At these sad tidings •, but no time was then 
For long indulgence to their fears or grief : no 

Unanimous they all commit the care 
And management of this main enterprize 

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4 PARADISE KEGAINED. Booh /• 

To him their great didiator, whose attempt 

At first against mankind so well had thriv'd 

In Adam's overthrow, and led their march 115 

From hell's deep-vaulted den to dwell in light, 

Regents and potentates, and kings, yea gods 

Of many a pleasant realm and provmce wide, 

So to the coast of Jordan be direils 

His easy ^teps, guarded with snaky wiles, 1 20 

Where he might likeliest find this new declared. 

This Man p£ Men, attested Son ^f i God, 

Temptation, and all guile on him to try j 

So to subvert whom he suspefted tais'd 

To end hj^ reign on 'earth so long enjoy'd : 125' 

But contrary unw^eting he fulfill'd 

The purpos'A counsel pre-ordaiu'd and fix'd 

Of the Most Higbi who m fuH fireqircnce bright 

Of Angels, thus to Oabrlel smiling spake : 

Gabrirf-j this^^ day by proof thou shalt behold, 130 
Thou and all angels conversant on earth 
With man or mens affairs, how I begin 
To verify that solemn message late. 
On which I sent thee to the virgin pure 
In Galilee, that she should bear a son 13 j 

Great in x^no^fn, and call'd the Son of God ; 
Then toldst her doubting how these things could be 
To her a virgin, that on her should come 
The Hoiy^Qhost, and the power of the Highest 
0!arshadow her^ this man bom jind now upgrown, 140 
To shew him worthy of his birth divine 
And high ptediQion, henceforth I expose 
To Satan ; let him^empt and now assay 
His utmost subtlety, because he boasts 
4nd vaunts of his great cunning to the throng 145 
Of his apostacy ; he might have learn'd 
Less overweening since he faiPd in Job, 
Whose constant perseverance overcame 
Whatever his cruel malice (»uld ipyent. 
He^ow shall know I can produce a man 150 

Of female seed, far abler: tp resist 
All his solicitations, and at length 

i .. All 

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Booi /. PARADISE REGAINED. J 

All his vast force, and drive him back to hell, 

Winning by conquest what the first man lost 

By fallacy surpriz'd. But first I mean 155 

To exercise him in the wilderness 5 

There he shall first lay down the rudiments 

Of his great warfare, ere I send him forth 

To conquer sin and death, the two grand foes, 

By humiliation and strong sufferance : t6o 

His weakness shall overcome Satanic strength. 

And all the world, and mass of sinful flesh : 

That all the angels and ethereal powers, 

They now, and men hereafter may discern. 

From what consummate virtue I have chose 165 

This perfeft man, by merit call'd my son, 

To earn salvation for the sons of men. 

So spake th' eternal Father, and all Heav'n 
Admiring stood a space, then into hymns 
Burst forth, and in celestial measures movM, 170 

Circling the throne and singing, while the band 
Sung with the voice, and this the argument : 

Viflory and triumph to the Son of God 
Now entering his great duel, not of arms. 
But to vanquish by wisdom hellish wiles. 17 j 

The Father knows the Son : therefore secure 
Ventures his filial virtue, though untry'd, 
Against whatever may tempt, whatever seduce, 
Allure, or terrify, or undermine. 
Be frustrate, all ye stratagems of hell, 1 80 

And devilish machinations come to nought. 

So they in heav'n their odes and vigils tunM v 
Meanwhile the Son of God, who yet some days 
Lodg'd in Bethabara where John baptiz'd. 
Musing and much revolving in his breast, 1 85 

How best the mighty work he might begin 
Of Saviour to mankind, and which way first 
Publish his godlike ofiice now mature. 
One day forth walk'd alone, the Spirit leading, 
And his deep thoughts, the better to converse 190 
With solitude, till far from traft of men. 
Thought following thought, and step by step led on, 
B3 He 

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6^ ^AI^A]?J3E, I^I^GA^NEP.. Book T. 

He enter'd n()w t)iaW<l'fiPg 4e$ert wild, 

And with darjc slvi^es^ahd rock^ eiwiroji'd round, 

His. holy meditajtipn^. di^is pu^^i^'d. . ipj; 

O what a multitude of thoughts at orice- 
Awaken'd in me 'swann, >vhile I consj/dex 
What from witliin \ feel myself, and hear 
What from without, comeS often to my ears, 200 

yi sorting with my present state compar'd ! 
When I, was yet a.child, no childish play 
To me w^s pleasing .; all my mind was set 
Serious to learn and know and thence to do 
What migljt be puhjlic good .; my§plf I thought 
B^fn to th^t end,i>orn to promote all truth, 205 

AH righteous, things : th^^pre above my years, 
The law of God I. read, and found it sweet. 
Made it «fy w^ole delight, and in it grew 
To such perfeflion, that ere yet my age 
JIad measur'd twice six years, at our great feast 21Q 
I went into the te^nple, there to hear 
The teachers of our 4^w, and to propose 
What migl\t improve my knowledge or their own ; 
And was ad^pir'd by ^11 : yet this not all 
To^ which my sp'rit a§pir'd 5 vidlorious deeds 215 
Flam'd i%:piy heart, heroic afts, one while 
To rescue Israel from the Roman yokp. 
Then to subdue ?ind quell o'er all tlje^ earth 
Brute violence and proud tyrannic power. 
Till truth were freed, and equity restored ; 220 

Yet held it 4n ore humane, more heav'nly, first 
By winning words to conquer willing hearts. 
And m^e persuasion do the work of fear : 
At least to try and teach the erring soul 
Not wilfully misdoing, but unware 225 

Misled 5 the stubborn only to subdue. 
These growing thoughts my mother soon perceiving 
By words at times cast forth, inly rejoic'd, 
And said to me apvt, High are thy thoughts, 
O son, but nourish them, and let them soar 230 

To what height sacred virtue and true worth 
Can raise them, though above example high j 
. . By 

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Book T '■ PARADiaE REGAINED. 7 

By matchless deeds, express thy matchless sire. 

For know, thou art no son of mortal man ; 

Though men esteem thee low of parentage, 235 

Thy father is th' eternal King who rules 

All heav'n ^nd earth, angels and sons of men ; 

A messenger from God foretold thy birth 

Conceived in me a virgin, he foretold 

Thou should'st be great, and sit on David's throne, 240 

And of thy kingdom there should be no end. 

At thy nativity a glorious choir 

Of angels in the fields of Bethlehem sung 

To shepherds watching at their folds by night, 

And told them the Messiah now was born, 24* 

"Where they might see him, and to thee they came, 

Direfted to the manger where thou lay'st, 

For in the inn was left no better room : 

A star, not seen before, in heav'n appearing 

Guided the wise men thitlicr from the East, 250 

To honour thee with incense, myrrh, and gold. 

By whose bright course led on they found the place. 

Affirming it thy star new grav'n in heav'n, 

By whiph they knew the King of Israel born. 

Ju5t Simeon and prophetic Anna, warn'd 255 

By vision, found thee, in the temple, and spake 

Before the altar atid the vested priest, 

Like things of thee to all that present stood. 

This having heard, straight I again revolv'd 

The law and prophets, searching what was writ 260 

Concerning the Messiah, to our scribes 

Known partly, and soon found of whom they spake 

I am ; this chiefly, that my way must lie 

Through many a hard assay ev'n- to the death, 

Ere I the promised kingdom can attain, 2^5 

Or work redemption far mankind, who§e sins 

Full weight inust be transferred upon my head. 

Yet neither thu§ disheartened or disraay'd, 

The time prefixed I waited, when behold 

The Baptist (of whose hirth I oft had heard, 27a 

Not knew by sight) now come, who was to come 

Before Messiah and his way prepare. 

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8 PARADISE REGAINED. Book /. 

I, ns all others, to his baptism came, 
Which 1 belicvM was from above ; but he 274 

Straight knew me, and with loudest voice proclaimed 
Me him, (for it was shown him so from hcav'n,) 
Me him whose harbinger he was ; and first 
Refus'd on mc his baptism to confer, 
As much his greater, and was hardly won : 
But as I rose out of the laving stream, 280 

Heav'n open'd her eternal doors, from whence 
The Spirit descended on me like a dove, 
And last the sum of all, my Father's voice. 
Audibly heard from heav'n, pronounced me his. 
Me his beloved Son, in whom alone 285 

He was well pleas'd ; by which I knew the time 
Now full, that I no more should live obscure^ 
But openly begin, as best becomes 
Th* authority which I deriv'd from Heav'n. 
And now by some strong motions I am kd 290 

Into this wilderness, to what intent 
I learn not yet, perhaps I need not know ; 
For what concenis my knowledge God reveals* 
So spake our Morning Star, then in his rise, 
And looking round on ev'ry side beheld i^^ 

A pathless desert, dusk with horrid shades ; 
The way he came not having mark'd, return 
Was difficult, by human steps untrod ; 
And still he on was led, but with such thoughts 
Accompanied by things past and to come, 300 

Lodg'd in his breast, as well might recommend 
Such solitude before choicest society. 
Full forty days he pass'd, whether on hill. 
Sometimes anon in shady vale, each night 
Under the covert of some ancient oak, 305 

Or cedar, to defend him from the dew, 
Or harboured in one cave, is not reveal'd ; 
Nor tasted human food, nor hunger felt 
Till those days ended, hunger'd then at last 
Among wild beasts \ they at his sight grew mild, 31a 
Nor sleeping him nor waking harm'd, his walk 
The fiery serpent fled, and noxious worm. 

The 

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Book I. PAI^ADISE REGAINED. J> 

The lion and fierce tjrger glar'd aloof. 

But nov^^ an aged man in rural weeds, 3 1 j 

Following, as seem'd, in quest of some stray ewe, 

Or withered sticks to gather, which might serve 

Against a winter's day, when winds blow keen, 

To warm him wet returned from field at eve. 

He saw approach, who first with curious eye 

Perus'd him, then with words thus uttcr'd spake, 3 2a 

Sir, what ill chance hath brought the to this place 

So far from road or path of men, who pass 

In troop or caravan ? for single none 

Durst ever, who fetum'd, and dropt not here 

His carcase, pin'd with hunger and with drought. 

I ask the rather and the more admire, 3 26 

For that to me thou seemst the man, whom late 

Our new baptizing prophet at the ford 

Of Jordan honoured so, and call'd thee Son 

Of God 5 I saw and heard, for we sometinjes 330 

Who dwell this wild, constrained by want, come forth 

To town or village nigh, (nighest is far), 

Where ^aught we hear, and curious are to hear, 

What happens new \ fame also finds us out. 

To whdm the Son of God. Who brought me hithef 
Will bring me hence, no other guide I seek. 336 

By miracle he may, reply'd the swain. 
What other way I see not, for we here 
Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inur'd 
More than the camel, and to drink go far, 340 

Men to much misery and hardship bom \ 
But if thou be the Son of God, command 
That out of these hard stones be made thee bread ; 
So shalt thou save thyself, and us relieve 
With food, whereof we wretched seldom taste. 34 J 

He ended, and the son of God rcply'd. 
Thinkst thou such force in bread ? Is it not written, 
(For I discern thee other than thou seem'st), 
Man lives not by bread only, but each word 
Proceeding from the mouth of God, who fed 3 jo 
Qur fathers here with manna ? In the mount 
Moses was forty days, nor eat nor drank \ 

And 

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10 PARADISE REGAINED. • Book I. 

And forty days Elijah without food 
Wander'd this barren waste ; the Same I now : 
Why dost thou then suggest to me distrust, 35 j 

Knowing who I am, as I know who thou art ? 

Whom thus answer'd th' archfiend now undisguised. 
*Tis true, I am that sp'rit unfortunate. 
Who leagu'd with millions more rash in revolt 
Kept not my happy station, but was driv'n 360 

With them from bliss to the bottomless deep ; 
Yet to that hideous place not so confin'd 
By rigour unconniving, but that oft 
Leaving my dolorous prison, I enjoy 
Large liberty to round this globe of earth 365 

Or range in th' air, nor from the heav'n of heav'n's 
Hath he excluded my resort sometimes. 
I came among the sons of God, when he 
Gave up into my hands Uzzean Job 
To prove him, and illustrate his high worth \ 370 
And when to all his angels he proposed 
To draw the proud king Ahab into fraud. 
That he might fall in Ramoth, they demurring, 
I undertook that office, and the tongues 
Of all his flattering prophets glibb'd with lies 375 

To his destruQion, as I had in charge. 
For what he bids I do : though I have lost 
Much lustre of my native brightness, lost 
To be belov'd of God, I have not lost 
To love, at least contemplate and admire 380 

What I see excellent in good, or fair. 
Or virtuous, I should so have lost all sense. 
What can be then less in me then desire 
To see thee, and t* approach thee, whom I know 
Declared the son of God, to hear attent 385 

Thy wisdom, and behold thy godlike deeds ? 
Men generally think me much a foe 
To all mankind : why should I ? they to me 
Never did wrong or violence ; by them . 
I lost not what I lost ; rather by them 390 

I gain'd what I have gain'd, and with them dwell 
Copartner in these regions of the world. 

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Book /. PARADISE REGAINED » J 

If not disposer ; lend them oft my aid. 

Oft my advice by presages and signs, 

And answers, oracles, portents, and dreams, 295 

Whereby they may dire£l their future life. 

Envy they say excites me, thus to gain 

Companions of my misery and woe. 

At first it may be ; but, long since with woe 

Nearer acquainted, now I feel by proof, 400 

That fellowship in pain divides not smart, 

Nor lightens ought each man's peculiar load. 

Small consolation then, were man adjoinM : 

This wounds me most, (what can it less ?) that man, 

Man fairn shall be restored, 1 never more. 405 

To whom our Saviour sternly thus reply'd : 
Descn'cdly thou griev'st, compos'd of lies 
From the beginning, and in lies wilt end 5 
Who boast'st release from liell, and leave to come 
Into tfie heav*n of heav'ns : thou com'st indeed, 410 
As a poor miserable captive thrall 
Comes to the place where he before had sat 
Among the prime and splendour, now deposed, 
Ejefted, emptied, gaz'd, unpitied, shunn'd, 
A speftacle of ruin or of scorn 415 

To all the host of heav'n : the happy place 
Imparts to thee no happiness, no joy. 
Rather inflames thy torment, representing 
I^ost bliss, to thee no more communicable. 
So never more in hell than when in heav'A. 4^0 

But thou art serviceable to heav'n's King. 
Wilt thou impute to obedience what thy fear 
Extorts, or pleasure to do ill excites ? 
What but thy malice, movM thee to misdeem 
Of righteous Job, then cruelly to afflidl him 425 

With all infliftions ? but his patience won. 
The other service was thy chosen task, 
To be a liar in four hundred mouths ; 
For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. 
Yet thou pretend'st to truth -, all oracles, 430 

By thee are giv'n, and what confessed more true 
Among the nations ? that hath been thy craft. 

But 

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t^ PARADISE REGAINED. £ooi I. 

By mixing somewhat trueto vent more lies. 

But what have been thy answers, what but dark, 

AmbisuouSi and with douUe sense deluding, 435* 

Which they who ask'd have seldom understood, 

And not well understood as good not known ? 

Whoever by consulting at thy shrine 

Return'd the wiser,, or the more instruft* 

To fly or follow what concern'd him most, 440 

And run no sooner to his fatal snare ? 

For God hath justly giv'n the nations up 

To thy delusions 5 justly, since they fell 

Idolatrous : but when his purpose is 

Among them to declare his providence 44J 

To thee not known, whence hast thou then thy truth. 

But from him or his angels president 

In every province ? who themselves disdaining 

T* approach thy temples, give thee in command 

What to the smallest tittle thou shalt say * 450 

To thy adorers ; thou with trembling fear, 

Or like a fawning parasite obey'st j 

Then to thyself ascrib'st the truth foretold. 

But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched j 

No more shalt thou by oracling abuse 45^* 

Tlie Gentiles •, henceforth oracles are ceas'd j 

And thou no more with pomp and sacrifice 

Shalt be inquired at Delphos or elsewhere. 

At least in vain, for they shall find thee mute. 

God hath now sent his living oracle 460 

Into the world to teach his final will. 

And sends his Sp'rit of truth henceforth to dwell 

In pious hearts, an inw^d oracle 

To all truth requisite for men to know. 

Sq spake our Saviour ; but the subtle fiend, 465 
Though inly stung with anger and disdain, 
Dissembled, and this answer smooth returned : 

Sharply thou hast insisted on rebuke. 
And urg'd me hard with doings, which not will. 
But pisery hath wrested from me ; where 47a 

Easily cgnst thou find one miserable, 
And not ertforc'd oft-times to part from truth j 
:,' ' If 

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Book /• PARADISB REGilNED. t} 

If it may stand him more in stead to lie. 

Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or abjure ? 

But thou art plac'd above me, thou art Lord ; 475 

From thee I can, and must submiss endure 

Check or reproof, and glad to 'scape so quit. 

Hard are the ways of truth, and rough to walk, 

Smooth on the tongue discours'd, pleasing to th' ear. 

And tuneable as sylvan pipe or song ; 480 

What wonder then if I delight to hear 

Her di£lates fr^m thy mouth ? most men admire 

Virtue, who follow not her lore ; permit me 

To hear thee when I come (since no man comes,) 

And talk at least, though I despair to attain. 485 

Thy Father, who is holy, wise, and pure, 

Suflfers the hypocrite or atheous priest 

To tread his sacred courts, and minister 

About his altar, handling holy things. 

Praying or vowbg, and vouchsaf M his voice 490 

To Balaam reprobate, a prophet yet 

Inspir'd ; disdain not such access to me. 

To whom our Saviour with unaltered brow. 
Thy coming hither, though I know thy scope, 
I bid not or forbid ; do as thou find'st 495 

Permission from above ; thou can'st not more* 

He added not ; and Satan bowing low 
His gray dissimulation, disappear'd 
Into thin air diffused : for now began 
Night with her sullen wings to double-shade 50a 
The desart •, fowls in their clay nests were couchM ; 
And now wild beasts came forth the woods to roam. 



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PARADISE REGAINED- 



BOOK It 

Meanwhile the ncw-Uptiz'^i who yet remain*^ 
At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen 
Him whom they beard so late expressly CidTd the 
Jesus Messiah Son of God'declar'd, 
And on that high authority believ'd, j 

And with him talk'd, and with him lodgMj I mcau 
Andrew and Simon, famous aftef known, 
With others though in holy writ not nam'd. 
Now missing him their joy so lately foun4s 
So lately found, and so abruptly gone^ ?^ 

Began to doubt, and doubted many days^ 
And as the days increased, increased their doubt : 
Sometimes they thought he might be only shown. 
And for a time caught up to God, as once 
Moses was in the mount, and missing long ; i; 

And the great Thisbite who on fiery wheels 
Rode up to heav'u, yet once again to come. 
Therefore as those young prophets then wi^b c^e 
Sought lost Elijah, so in each place thes? 
Nigh to Bethabara \ in Jericho 20 

The city of Palms, Enon, and Salem old, 
Machserus, and each town or city walFd 
On this side the broad lake Genezaret, 
Or in Perea ; but returned in vain. 
Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek, 25 

Where winds with reeds and osiers whisp'ring play, 
. Plain fishermen, no greater men them caU, 
Close in a cottage low together got. 
Their unexpefted loss and plaints outbreath'd. 

Alas ! from what high hope to what relapse * 30 
XTnlook'd for are we falFn ! our eyes beheld 
Messiah certainly now come, so long 

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Btiok II. PARADISE RECAINBD. 1 5 

Expefted of our fathers ; we have heard 

His words, his wisdom full of grace and truth ; 

How, now, for sure deliverance is at hand, 3^ 

The kingdom shall to Israel be restorM : 

Thus we rejoic'd, but soon our joy is tura'd 

Into perplexity and new amaze : , 

For whither is he gone, what accident 

Hath rapt him from us ? will he now retire 40 

After appearance, and thus prolong 

'Our expectation ? God of Israel, 

Send thy Messiah forth, the time is come ^ 

Behold the kings of th' earth how they oppress 

Thy chosen, to what height their power unjust 45 

They have exacted, and behind them cast 

All fearx)f thee ^ arise and vindicate 

Thy glory, free thy peopk from their yoke* 

But let us wait 5 thus far he hath performed, 

$ent his Anointed, and to us reveaPd him 50 

By his great prophet, pointed at and shown 

In public, and with him we have convers'd ; 

Let us be g1^ of this, and all our fears 

Lay on his providence ; he will not fail, 

Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recal, 55 

Mock us with his bless'd sight, then snatch him hence : 

Soon we shall see our hope,^ our joy return. 

Thus they out of their, plaints new hope resume. 
To find whom at the first they found unsought : 
But to his mother Mary, when she saw 60 

Others returned from baptism, not her son, 
Nor left at Jordan, tidings of him none. 
Within her breast tho' calm, her breast tho* pure, . 
Motherly cares and fears got head, and rais'd 
Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus^ clad^ 

O what avails me now that honour high 66 

To have conceiv'd of Qod, or that salute. 
Hail highly favoured, among women bless'd ! 
While I to sorrows am no less advanc'd^ ^ 

And fears as eminent, above the lot 7a 

Of other women, by the birth I bore. 
In such a season bom when scarce a shed 

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l6 PARADISE REGAIKED. Book lU 

Could be obtained to shelter him or me 

From the bleak air ; a stable was our warmth, 

A manger his ; yet soon enforcM to fly 75 

Thence into Egypt, till the murd'rous king 

Were dead who sought his life, and missing fiU'd 

With infant-blood the streets of Bethlehem ; 

From Egypt home retum'd, in Nazareth 

Hath been our dwelling many years \ his life 80 

Private, unaftive, calm, contemplative. 

Little suspicious to any king 5 but^now 

Full-grown to man, acknowledg'd, as I hear, 

By John the Baptist, and in public shown, 

Son own*d from heaven by his Father's voice 5 %^ 

I look'd for some great change \ to honour ? no. 

But trouble, as old Simeon plain foretold, 

That to. the fall and rising he should be 

Of many in Israel, and to a sign 

Spoken against, that through my very soul 90 

A sword shall pierce ; this is my favoured lot. 

My exaltation to afflidiions high ; 

Afflifted I may be, it seems, and bless'd ; 

I will not argue that, nor will repine. 

But where delays he now ? some great intent 95 

Conceals him : when twelve years he scarce had seen, 

I lo8t him, but so found, as well I saw 

He could not lose himself, but went about 

His father's business •, what he meant I mus'd. 

Since understand % much more his absence now 100 

Thus long to some great purpose he obscures. 

But I to wait with patience am inur'd 5 

My heart hath been a storehouse long of things 

And say'ngs laid up, portending strange events. 

Thus Mary, pond'ring oft, and oft to mind 105 
Recalling what remarkably had pass'd 
Since first her salutation heard, with thoughts 
Meekly composed awaited the fulfilling : 
The while her son tracing the desert wild. 
Sole but with holiest meditations fed, no 

Into himself descended, and at once 
All his great work to come before him set; 

How 

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Book II. PARADISE REGAINEO 17 

How to begin, bow to accomplish best 

His end of being on eanb» and mission high : 

For Satan with sly preface to return Hi 

Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone 

Up to the middk region of thick air, 

Vfh^xt all his potentates in council sat ; 

There without sign of boast, or sign of joy, 

Solicitous and blank, he thus began. I20 

Princes, heav'n's ancient sons, ethereal thrones, 
Demonian spirits now, from th* element 
Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd 
Powers of fire, air, water, and earth beneath. 
So may we hold our place and these mild seats 125 
Without new trouble : such an enemy 
Is risen to invade us, who no less 
Threatens than our expulsion down to hell ; 
I, as I undertook, and with the vote 
Consenting in full frequence was impower'd, 130 
Have found him, view'd him, tasted him, but find 
Far other labour to be undergone. 
Than when I dealt with Adam first of men, 
Though Adam by bis wife's allurement fell. 
However, to this man inferior far, 135 

If he be man by mother's side at least, 
With more than human gifts from heav'n adom'd, 
PerfeAions absolute, graces divine, 
And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. 
Therefore I am retum'd, lest confidence 140 

Of my success with Eve in Paradise 
Deceive ye to persuasion over-sure 
Of like succeeding here *, I summon all 
Rather to be in readiness, with hand 
Or counsel to assist, lest I, who erat 145 

Thought none my equal, npw be overmatch'd. 

So spake th' old serpent doubting, and from all 
With clamour was assur'd their utmost aid 
At his command \ when from amidst them rose 
Belial, the dissoluteat sp'rit that fell, 150 

The sensuallest, and after Asmodai 
The fleshliest incubus j and thus advised. 

C 3 Set 

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18 PARADISE REGAINED^ Book 11. 

Set women in his eye, and in his walk, 
Among daughters of men the fairest found s 
Manv are in each region passing fair 
As tne noon-sky ; more like to goddesses 
Than mortal creatures, graceful and discreet. 
Expert in amVous arts, inchanting tongues 
Persuasive, virgin majesty with mild 
And sweet allay'd, yet terrible t' approach, i6o 

Skiird to retire, and in retiring draw 
Hearts after theni tangled in am'rous nets. 
Such objeft hath the power to soften and tame 
Severest temper, smooth the rugged'st brow, 
Enerve, and with voluptuous hope dissolve, 165 

Draw out with credulous desire, and lead 
At will the manliest, resolutest breast. 
As the magnetic hardest iron draws. 
Women, when nothing else, beguil'd the heart 
Of wisest Solomon, and made him build, 170 

And made him bow to the gods of his wives. 

To whom quick answer Satan thus retum'd. 
Belial, in much uneven scale thou weigh'st 
All others by thyself ; because of old 
Thou thyself doat'dst on womankind, admiring 1 75 
Their shape, their colour, and attradive grace. 
None are, thou think*st, but taken with such toys. 
Before the flood thou with thy lusty crew. 
False titled sons of God, roaming the earth. 
Cast wanton eyes on the daughters of men, 180 

And coupled with them, and begot a race. 
Have we not seen, or by relation heard. 
In courts and regal chambers how thou lurk'dst. 
In wood or grove, by mossy fountain-side, 
fa valley or green meadow, to waylay 1 85 

Some beauty rare, Calisto, Clymene, 
Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa, 
Or Amymome, Syrinx, many more 
Too long, then lay'dst thy scapes on. names ador'd, 
Apollo, Neptune, Jupiter, or Pan, 190 

Satyr, or Faun, or Sylvan ? But these haunts 
Delight not all j among the sons of men, 

How 

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Book II. PAHiDISE RECAtNED. 1$ 

How many have with a smile made small account 

Of beauty and her luresi easily scorn'd 

All her assaults, on worthier things intent ? 195 

Remember that Pellean conqueror, 

A youth, how all the beauties of the east 

He slightly view'd, and slightly overpass'd ; 

How he sirnam'd of Africa dismiss'd 

la his prime youth the fair Iberian maid. 200 

For Solomon, he liv'd at ease, and full 

Of honour, wealth, high fare, aim'd not beyond 

Higher design than to enjoy his state ; 

Tlwnce to the bate of women lay expos'di 

But he whom we attempt is wiser far 205 

Than Solomon, of more exalted mind, 

Made and set wholly on th' accomplishment 

Of greatest things ; what woman will you find, 

Though of this age the wonder and the fame, 

On whom his leisure will vouchsafe an eye 2i8 

Of foul desire ? or should she confident. 

As sitting queen ador'd on beauty's throne. 

Descend with ail her winning charms begirt 

T' enamour, as the zone of Venus once 

Wrought that eScQ. on Jove, so fables tell; 215 

How would one look from his majestic brow. 

Seated as on the top of Virtue's hiU, 

Discount'nance her despis'd, and put to rout 

All her array ; her female pride dejeii. 

Or turn to rev'rent awe ? for beauty stands 220 

In th' admiration only of weak minds 

Led captive ; cease t' admire, and all her plumes 

Fall flat, and shrink into a trivial toy. 

At ev'ry sudden sighting quite abasb'd : 

Therefore with manlier obje£ls we must try 225 

His constancy, with sudi as have more show 

Of worth, of honour, glory, and popular praise ; 

Rocks whereon greatest men have oftcst wreck'd 5 

Or that which only seems to satisfy 

Lawful desires of nature, not beyond ; 230 

And now I know he hungers where no food > 

Is to be found, ia the wide wilderness ; 

- The 

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20 FARADI$£ KCGATNBD. Sooi Tin 

The rest commit to me ; I shall let pass 
No advantage, and hU atrength 113 oft assay. 

He ceas'dy and heard their grant in loud acclaim ; 
Then forthwith to him takes a chosen band 23<f 

Of spirits likest to himself in guile, 
To be at hand, and at his beck appear. 
If cause were to unfold some aftive scene 
Of various petsons, each to know his part ; 240 

Then to the desert takes with these -his flight ; 
Where still from shade to shade the Son of God 
After forty days fasting had remain'd, 
Now hungMng first, and to himself thus said. 

Where will this end ? four times ten days Tve passed 
Wand'ring this woody maze, and human food 246 
Nor tasted, nor had appetite ; that fast 
To virtue I impute not, or oount part 
Of what I suffer here ; if nature need not. 
Or God suppoart nature without repast 250 

Though needingt what praise is it to endure ? 
But now I feel I hunger, which declares 
Nature hath need of what she asks ; yet God 
Can satisfy that need some other way. 
Though hunger still remain : so it remain 255 

Without this body's wasting, I content me. 
And from the sting of famine fear no harm. 
Nor mind it, fed with better thoughts that feed 
Me hungering more to do my Father's will. 

It was the hour of night, when thus the Son 260 
Commun'd in siloit walk, then laid him down 
Under the hospitable covert nigh 
Of trees thick interwoven ; there he slept. 
And dream'd, as appetite is wont to dream. 
Of meats and drinks, nature's refreshment sweet ; 
Him thought, he by the brook of Cherith stood, 266 
And saw the ravens with their homy beaks 
Food to Elijah bringing ev'n and mom, [brought ; 
Though ravenous, taught t' abstain from what they 
He saw the prophet also how he fled 2 70 

Into the desert, and how there he slept 
Under a juniper ; then how awak*d>: 
.- : He 

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Book II. PARADISE REGAINED. 211 

He found his supper on the coals prepar'dj 

And by the angd was bid rise and eat. 

And eat the second time after repose, 275 

The strength whereof suffic'd him forty days ; 

Sometimes that with Elijah he partook. 

Or as a guest with Daniel at his pulse. 

Thus wore out night, and now the herald lark 

Left his ground-nest, high-tow'ring to descry 280 

The mom's approach, and greet her with his song : 

As lightly from his grassy couch up rose 

Our Saviour, and found all was but a dream. 

Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting wak'd. 

Up to a hill anon his steps he rearM, 285 

From whose high top to ken the prospefl: round, 

If cottage were in view, sheep-cote or herd ; 

But cottage, herd, or sheep-cote, none he saw ; 

Only in a bottom saw a pleasant grove, 

With chant of tuneful birds resounding loud } 290 

Thither he bent his way, determined there 

To rest at noon, and entered soon the shade 

High-rooft, and walks beneath, and alleys brown, 

That open'd in the midst a woody scene ; 

Nature's own work it seem'd, (nature taught art,) 

And to a superstitious eye the haunt 29<S 

Of wood-gods and wood-nymphs j he view'd it roundj 

When suddenly a man before him stood. 

Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad. 

As one in city, or court, or palace bred, 300 

And with fair speech these words to him address'd» 

With granted leave officious I return. 
But much more wonder that the Son of God 
In this wild solitude so long should 'bide, 
Of all things destitute, and well I know, 305 

Not without hunger. Others of some note, 
As story tells, have trod this wilderness ; 
The fugitive bond-woman with her son 
Out-cast Nebaioth, yet found here relief 
By a providing angel \ all the race 31^ 

Or Israel here had famish'd, had not God 
Rain'd from heav'n manna ; and that prophet bold. 

Native 

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12 PARADiSB RECAINBD. Booh IT. 

Native of Thcbcz, wand'ring here was fed 

Twice by a voice inviting him to eat : 

Of thee these forty days none hath regard, 315 

Forty and more deserted here indeed. 

To whom thus Je»us% What conclud'st thou hence ? 
They all had need, as I thou aeest have none. 

How hast thou hunger then ? Satan reply'd. 
Tell me if food were now before thee set, 330 

Would'st thou not eat ? Thereafter as I like 
The giver, answer'd Jesus^ Why should that 
Cause thy refusal ? said the subtle fiend. 
Hast thou not right to all created things ? 
Owe not all creatures by just right to thee 325 

Duty and service, not to stay till bid. 
But tender all their pow'r ? nor mention I 
Meats by the law unclean, or offered first 
To idols, those young Daniel could refuse ; 
Nor profer*d by an enemy, though who 33^ 

Would scruple that, with want oppress'd ? Behold 
Nature asham'd, or better to express, 
Troubled that thou should'st hunger, hath purveyed 
From all the elements her choicest store 
To treat thee as beseems, and as her Lord 335 

With honour, only deign to sit and eat. 

He spake no dream \ ixx^ as his words had end. 
Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheld 
In ample space under the broadest shade 
A table richly spread, in regal mode, 34^ 

With dishes pil'd, and meats of noblest sort 
And savour, beasts of chase, or fowl of game. 
In pastry built, or from the spit, or boil'd, 
Gris-amber steam'd; all fish from sea or shore. 
Freshet, or purling brook, of shell or fin, 345 

And exqutsitest name, for which was drain'd 
Pontus, and Lucrine bay, and Afric coast. 
Alas, how simple, to these cates compared. 
Was that crude apple that diverted Eve 1 
And at a stately side-board by the wine 350 

That fragrant smell diffused, in order stood 
Tall stripling youths rich clad, of fairer hue 

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Book lU PtRAD»B HEGJUHEO; %% 

Than Ganymede or Hylas ;* distant mcdpe 

Under the trees now tripp'd, now solemn stood 

Kyni|^s of Diana's train, and Naiads 3J^5 

With fruits and flow'rs from Amaithea'shom^ 

And ladies of th' Hesperides, that ^eem'd 

Fairer than feigned of old, or fabled since 

Of fairy damsels mpt in forest wide 

By knights of 'Logres, or of Lyones, 3(Jo 

Lancelot, or Pelleas, or Pelknore : 

And all the while harmonious airs were heard 

Of chiming strings, or charming pipes, and winds 

Of gentlest gale Arabian odours fannM 

From their soft wings, and Flora's earliest smells. 365 

Such was the splendor, and the tempter now 

His invitation earnestly renew'd. 

What doubts the Son of God to sit and eat ? 
These are not fruits forbidden \ no interdid 
Itefends the touching of these viands pure; 370 

Their taste no knowledge works at least of evil. 
But life preserves, destroys life's enemy. 
Hunger with sweet restorative delight. 
All these are sp'rits of air, and woods, and springs, 
ITiy gentle ministers, who come to pay 375 

Thee homage, and acknowledge thee their Lord : 
What doubt'st thou Son of God ? sit down and eat. 

To whom thus Jesus temp'rately reply'd. 
Said'st thou not that to all things I had right ? 
And who withholds my pow'r that right to use ? 380 
Shall I receive by gift what of my own. 
When and where likes me best, I can command ? 
I can at will, do\ibt not, as soon as thou. 
Command a table in this wilderness. 
And call swift flights of angels ministrant 385 

Array'd in glory on my cup t' attend : 
Why ahould'st thou then obtrude this diligence. 
In vain, where no acceptance it can find ? 
And with my hunger what hast thou to do ? 
Thy pompous delicacies I contemn, 3jjO 

And count thy specious gifts, no gifts, but guiles. 

To whom thus ana>ve?d Satan ipalecontent. 

That 

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tl4 PARADISE HECiXNEB. Bdoi II. 

That I have also pow*r to give thou sccst ; 

If of that pow^r I bring thee voluntary 

What I might have bestoVd on whom I pleas'd^ 395 

And rather opportunely in this place 

Chose to impart to thy apparent need, 

Why should'st thou not accept it ? but I sec 

What I can do or offer is susped ; 

Of these things others quickly will dispose, 400 

Whose pains have eam'd the far-fetch'd spoil. With that 

Both table and provision vanish'd quite. 

With sound of harpies wings and talons heard ; 

Only th' importune tempter still remain'd. 

And with these words his temptation pursued. 405 
By hunger, that each other creature tames. 

Thou art not to be harm'd, therefore not mov'd ; 

Thy temperance invincible besides. 

For no allurement yields to appetite, 

And all thy heart is set on high designs, 419 

High aftions ; but wherewith to be adiiev'd ? 

Great z€ts require great means of enterprize ; 
Thou art unknown, unfriended, low of birth, 

A carpenter thy father known, thyself 
Bred up in poverty and straits at home, 415: 

Lost in a desert here and hunger-bit ; 
Which way or from what hope dost thou aspire 
To greatness ? whence authority deriv'st ? 
What followers, what retinue canst thou gain. 
Or at thy heels the dizzy multitude, * 42to 

Longer than thou canst feed them on thy cost ? 
Money brings honour, friends, conquest, and realms : 
What rais'd Antipater the Edomite, 
And his son Herod plac'd on Judah's throne, 424 
(Thy throne), but gold that got him puissant friends I 
Therefore, if at great things thou would'st arrive, 
Get riches first, get wealth, ^nd treasure heap. 
Not difficult, if thou hearken to me ; 
Riches are mine, fortune is in my hand ; 
They whom I favour thrive in wealth amain, 430 
WhUe virtue, valour, wisdom, sit and want. 
To wliom thus Jesus patiently reply'd. 

Yet 

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Bo^ II* PARADISE REGAIKED. 2$ 

Yet wealth without these three is impotent 

To gain dominion, or to keep it gain'd. 

Witness those ancient empires of the earth, 53 5 

In height of al! their flowing wealth dissolved : 

But men cndow'd with these have oft attain'd 

In lowest poverty to highest deeds ; 

Gideon, and Jephtha, and the shef^erd lad. 

Whose offspring on the throne of Judah sat 440 

So many ages, and shall yet regain 

That seat, and reign in Israel without end. 

Among the Heathen, (for throughout the world 

To me is not unknown what hath been done 

Worthy of memorial), canst thou not remember 445 

Quintus, Fabricius, Curius, Rcgulus ? 

For I esteem those names of men so poor. 

Who could do mighty things, and could contemn 

Riches though offer'd from the hand of kings. 

And what in me seems wanting, but that I 450' 

May also in this poverty as soon 

Accomplish what they did, perhaps, and more 'i 

Extol not riches then, the toil of fools. 

The wise man's cumbrance, if not snare, more apt 

To slacken virtue, and abate her edge, 455 

Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise. 

What if, with like aversion, I rejeft 

Riches and realms 5 yet not for that a crown. 

Golden in show, is but a wreath of thorns. 

Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and sleepless nights 

To him who wears the regal diadem, 461 

When on his shoulders each man's burden lies % 

For therein stands the office of a king. 

His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise. 

That for the public all this weight he bears. 465 

Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules 

Passions, deshres, and fears, is more a king ; 

Which ev'ry wise and virtuous man attains : 

And who attains not, ill aspires to rule 

Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes, 470 

Subjed himself to anarchy within, 

Or lawless passions in him which he serves. 

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26 PARADISE REGAINED. 3<fct J/^ 

But to guide nitions in the way of trutk 

By saving do^flrine) and from error lead 

To know, and knowing wor^p God angbt, 475 

Is yet more kingly 1 thl* attra&s ^e aooly 

Governs the in^r maa, the noUer part ^ 

That other o'er the body only reigns, 

And oft by force, which to a generous mbd 

So reigning can be no sincere de%ht. 480 

Besides, to give a kingdom hath been thought 

Greater and nobler done, and to lay down. 

Far more magnanimous, than to assume. 

Riches are needless then, both for themsdves 

And for thy reason why they should be sought, 485 

To gain a sceptre, oftest better miss'd. 



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PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK IIL 

laO spake the Son of God ; and Satan-stood 

A while as mutC) confounded what to say, 

What to reply, confuted and convinced 

Of his weak arguing, and fallacious drift ; 

At iength coUeiling all his serpent wiles, J 

WiA soothing words rcnew'd, him thus accosts* 

I see thou know'st what is of use to know^ 
What best to say canst say, to do canst do ; 
Thy anions to thy words accord, thy words 
To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heart lO 
Contains of good, wise, just, the perfe£i shape. 
Should kings and nations from thy mouth consult. 
Thy counsel would be as the oracle 
Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems 
On Aaron's breast; or tongue of seers old 15 

Infallible : or wert tbou sought to deeds . 
That might require th' array of war, thy skill 
Of conduft would be such, that all the world 
Could not sustain thy prowess, or subsist 
In battle, though against thy few in arms. 20 

These godlike virtues wherefore dost thou hide, 
AfFefting private life, or more obscure 
In savage wilderness ? wherefore deprive 
All earth he;* wonder at thy adis, thyself 
The fame and glory, glory the reward 25 

That sole excites to high attempts, the flame 
Of most eredlcd sp'rits, most tempered pure 
Ethereal, who all pleasures else despise. 
All treasures and ail gain esteem as dross. 
And dignities and pow'rs all but the highest ? 30 

Thy years arc ripe, and over-ripe ; the son 
Of Macedonian Philip had ere these 
Won Asia, and the throne of Cyrus held 

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flS PARADISE REGAINED. Boot III. 

At his dispose ; young Scipio had brought down 
The Carthaginian pride ; young Pompcy quelFd 35 
The Pontic king, and in triumph had rode. 
Yet years, and to ripe years judgment mature. 
Quench not the thirst of glory, but augment. 
Great Julius, whom now all tne world admires. 
The more he grew in years, the more inflam'd 40 
With glory, wept that he had livM so long 
Inglorious : but thou yet art not too late. 

To whom our Saviour calmly thus reply'd. 
Thou ndther dost persuade me to seek wealth 
For empire's sake, nor empire to affe£l 45 

For glory's sake, by all thy argument. 
For what is glory but the blaze of fame, 
The people's praise, if always praise unmix'd ? 
And what the people but a nerd confus'd, 49 

A miscellaneous rabble, who extol [praise ? 

Things vulgar, and well weigh'd, scarce worth the 
They praise and they admire they know not what. 
And know not whom, but as one leads the other 5 
And what delight to be by such extoll'd, 
To live upon their tongues, and be their talk, 55 

Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise ? 
His lot who dares be singularly good. 
Th' intelligent among tliem and the wise 
Are few, and glory scarce.of few is rais'd* 
This is true glory and renown, when God 60 

Looking on th' earth, with approbation inarks 
The just man, and divulges him through heaven 
To all his angels, who with true applause 
Recount his praises : thus he did to Job, 
When to extend his fame thro' heav'n and earth, 6^ 
As thou to thy reproach may'st well remember. 
He ask'd thee, Hast thou seen my servant Job ? 
Famous he was in heav'n, on earth less known ; 
Where glory is false glory, attributed 
To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame. 70 
They err who count it glorious to subdue 
By conquest far and widcj to overrun 
Large countries, and in field great battles win, 

Great 

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£ook III. PARADISE REGAINED^ -^ 

Great cities by assault : what do these worthi^,, 
But rob and spoils burn^ slaughter, and iuslave 75 
Peaceable nations, neighboring, or remote^ 
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more 
Than those their conquerors, who leave behind 
Nothing but ruin wheresoever they rove, < 

And all the flourishing works of peace destroy, 8C> 
Then swell with pride, and must be titled gods. 
Great benefa&ors of mankind, deliverers, 
Worshipped with temple, priest and sacrifice ; 
One is the son of Jove, of Mars tlie other ; 
Till conqu'ror Death discovers them scarce men, 85 
Rolling in brutisix vices, and deform'd. 
Violent or shameful death their due reward. 
But if there be in glory ought of good. 
It may by means far different be attained 
.Without ambition, war, or violence ; 90 

By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent. 
By patience, temperance : I mention still 
Him whom thy wrongs with saintly patience borne 
Made famous in a land and times obscure ; 
Who names not now with honour patient Job i pj 
Poor Socrates, (who next more memorable ?) 
By what he taught and suffered for so doing, 
For truth's sabJ su&ring death unjust, lives now 
Equal in fame to proudest conquerors. ^ 

Yet if for fame and glory ought, be done, x^o 

Ought suffered ; if young African for fame 
His wasted country freed from Punic rage. 
The deed becomes unprals'd, the man at least, 
And loses, though but verbal, his reward. 
Shall I seek glory then as vain men seek, 105 

Oft not deserv'd ? I seek not mine, but his 
Who sent me, and thereby witness whence I am. 

To whom the tempter murm'riiig thus reply'd. ., 
Think not so slight of glory ; therein least • 
Resembling thy great Father ; he seeks glory, ,1 10 
And for his glory all things made, all things 
Orders and governs ; not content in heaven 
By all bis angels glorify'd, requires 

D3 Glory 

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30 PAtUmSE REGAINED. Bock III. 

Glory from men, from all men, good or bad. 

Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption i 115 

Above all sacrifice, or hallowed gift 

Glory he requires, and glory he receires 

Promiscuous from all nations, Jew, or Greeks 

Or barbarous, nor exception hath declared ; 

From us his foes pronounc'd, glory he exa£ls. lao 

To whom our Saviour fervently reply'd. 
And reason ; since his word all things produc'd^ 
Though chiefly not for glory as prime end. 
But to show forth his goodness, and impart 
His good communicable to every soul 1 25 

Freely ; of whom what could he less cxpeft 
Than glory and benedi<£iion, that is, thanks. 
The slightest, easiest, readiest recompense 
IVom them who could return him nothing else, 
JVnd not returning that would likeliest render 13^ 

Contempt instead, dishonour, obloquy i 
Hard recompense, unsuitable return 
For so much good, so much beneficence* 
But why should man seek glory ? who of his own 
Hath nothing, and to whom nothing belongs 135 

But condemnation, ignominy, and shame ? 
Who for so many benefits reccivM 
Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and hht^ 
And so of all true good himself despoilM, 
Yet, sacrilegious, to himself would take 140 

That which to God alone of right belongs ; 
Yet so much bounty is in God, such grace, 
That who advance his glory, not their own. 
Them he himself to glory will advance. 

So spake the Son of God ; and here again 145 

Satan had not to answer, but stood struck 
With guilt of his own sin, for he himself 
Insatiable of glory had lost all. 
Yet of another plea bethought him soon. 

fOf glory, as thou wilt, said he, so deem, 150 

Worth or not worth the seeking, let it pass 4 
But to a kingdom thou art bom, ordain'd 
To 4t upon thy father David's throne i 



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Book III. PAR1DIS£ REGAINED. 3 1 

By mother's side thy father 5 though thy right 

Be now iii powerful hands, that will not part 15^ 

Easily from possession won with arms : 

Judaea now and all the promis'd land, 

Reduc'd a province under Roman yoke. 

Obeys Tiberius 5 nor is always rul'd 

With temperate sway; oft have they violated 160 

The temple, oft the law with foul affronts. 

Abominations rather, as did once 

Antiochus ; and think'st thou to regain 

Thy right by sitting still, or thus retiring ? 

So did not Maccabeus : he indeed 165 

Retired into the desert, but with arms 5 

And o'er a mighty king so oft prevailed, 

That by strong hand lus family obtained, 

Tho* priests, the crown, and David's thr<>ne usurp'd. 

With Modin and her suburbs, once content. 170 

If kingdom move thee not, let move thee zeal 

And duty \ zeal and duty are not slow ; 

But on occasion's forelock watchful wait. 

They themselves rather are occasion best, 

Zeal of thy father's house, duty to free 175 

Thy country from her Heathen servitude 5 

So shalt thou best fulfil, best verify 

The prophets old, who sung thy endless reign 5 

The happier reign the sooner it begins ; 

Reign then, what canst thou better do the while ? 

To whom our Saviour answer thus retum'd. 181 
All things are best fulfiil'd in their due time. 
And time there is for all things, truth hath said : 
If of my reign prophetic writ hath told. 
That it shall never end, so when begin 185 

The Father in his purpose hath decreed. 
He in whose hand all times and seasons roll* 
What if he hath decreed that I shall first 
Be try'd in humbt3 state, and things adverse. 
By tribulations, injuries, insults, 190 

Contempts, and scorns, and snares, and violence, 
Sufierifig, abstaining, quietly expe^ing. 
Without ^trust or doubt, chs^t be may know 

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32 PARADISE REGAINED. Book III. 

What I can sufFer, how obey ? who best 
Can sufTer, best can do ; best reign, who first 195 
Well hath obey'd ; just trial ere I merit 
My exaltation without change or end. 
But what concerns it thee when I begin 
My everlasting kingdom, why art thou 
Solicitous, what mores tby inquisition ? 200 

Know'st thou not that my rising is thy fall. 
And my promotion will be tfiy destruction ? 
To whom the tempter inly rack'd reply'd- 
Let that come whe^ it comes ; all hope is lost 
Of my reception into grace 5 what worse ? 205 

For where no hope is left, is left no fear : 
If there be worse, the expeftation more 
Of worse torments me than the feeling can. 
I would be at the worst ; worst is my port. 
My harbour and my ultimate repose, 2io 

The end I would attain, my final good. 
My error was my error, and my crime 
My crime ; whatever for itself condemned. 
And will alike be punish'd, whether thou 
Reign or reign not ; tho* to that gentle brow 215 
Willingly I could fly, and hope thy reign. 
From that placid aspe£b and meek regard. 
Rather than a{(gravate my evil state. 
Would stand between me and thy father's ire, 
(Whose ire I dread mott than the fire of hell), X2o 
A shelter and a kind of shading cool 
Interposition, as a summer'^ cloud. 
If I then to the worst that can be haste, 
Why move thy feet so slow to what is best. 
Happiest both to thyself and all tlfe world, aa; 

That thou who worthiest art should be their King ? 
Perhaps thou linger'st in deep thoughts dcuin'd 
Of th' enterprize so hazardous and high ; 
No wonder, for thouglr in thee be united 
What of perfe£tion can in man be found, 230 

Or h^man nature can receive, consider 
Thy life; hath yet been private, most part spent 
At homej scarce view'd the Gialilean towns; 

And 

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Book III. PARADISE REGAINED. 33 

And once a-year Jerusalem, few days 234 

Short sojourn ; and what thence could'st thou observe ? 

The world thou hast not seen, much less her glory, 

Empires, and monarchs, and their radiant courts. 

Best school of best experience, quickest insight 

In all things that to greatest actions lead. 

The wisest, unexperienc'd will be ever 240 

Timorous and loath, with novice modesty, 

(As he who seeking asses found a kingdom). 

Irresolute, unhardy, unadvent'rous : 

But I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit 

Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes 245 

The monarchies of th* earth, their pomp and state. 

Sufficient introduftion to inform 

Thee, of thyself so apt, in regal arts. 

And regal mysteries, that thou may'st know 

How best their opposition to withstand. 250 

With that (such pow'r was giv*n him then) he took 
The Son of God up to a mountain high. 
It was a mountain at whose verdant feet ^ 

A spacious plain out-stretch'd in circuit wide, 
Lay pleasant 5 from his side two rivers flow'd, 255 
Th' one winding, th' other strait, and left between 
Fair champaign with less rivers interven'd, 
Then meeting join'd their tribute to the sea : 
Fertile of com the glebe, of oil and wine ; 259 

With herds the pastures throngM, with flocks the hills \ 
Huge cities and high tower'd, that well might seem 
The seats of mightiest monarchs, and so large 
The prospe£k was, that here and there was room 
For barren desert, fountainless and dry. 
To this high mountain top the tempter brought 265 
Our Saviour, and new train of words began. 

Well have we speeded, and oe'r hill and dale, . 
Forest, and field, and flood, temples and tow'rs 
Cut shorter many a league j here thou behold'st 
Assyria and her empire's ancient bounds, 270 

Araxes and the Caspian Lake, thence on 
As far as Indus east, Euphrates west. 
And oft beyoi^d j to south the Persian bay. 

And 

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J4 PARA0I8B KBGAXKED. Boot III. 

And inaccessible th' Arabian drought : 
Here Nihevefa, of length within her wall . 275 

Sevend days journey, built by Ninus old. 
Of that first golden monarchy the seat, 
And seat of Salmanassar, whose success 
Israel in long captivity still nK)ums ; 
There Babylon, the wonder of all tongues, 280 

As ancient, but rebuilt by him who twice 
Judah and all thy father David's house 
Led captive, and Jerusalem laid waste, 
Till Cyrus set them free •, Pcrsepolis 
His city there thou seest, and Badra there $ 2 6^, 

Ecbatana her stru£ture vast there showsi 
And Hecatompylos her hundred gates 5 
There Susa by Choaspes, amber stream, 
The drink of none but kings i of later fame^ 
Built by Emathian, or by Parthian hands> 290 

The great Sdeucia, Nisibis, and there 
Artaxata, Teredon, Ctesiphon, 
Turning with easy eye thou may*SPt behold. 
All these the Parthian, now some ages past, 
By great Arsaces led, who founded first 295 

That empire, under his dominion holds. 
From the luxurious kings of Antioch won. 
And just in time thou com'st to have a view 
Of his great power 5 for now the Parthian king 
In Ctesiphon hath gathered all his host 300 

Against the Scythian, whose incursions wild 
Have wasted Sogdiana ; to her aid «% 

He marches now in haste 5 see, though from far. 
His thousands, in what martial equipage 
They issue forth, steel bows, and shafts their arms. 
Of equal dread in flight, or in pursuit ; 30^ 

All horsemen, in which fight they most excel ; 
See how in warlike muster they appear. 
In rhombs and wedges, and half-moons, and wings- 
He look'd, and saw what numbers numberless 310 
The city-gates out-pour'd, light-armed troops 
In coats of mail and military pride ; 
In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong, 

Prancing 

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Soot ill. PARADISB REGAINED. 3{ 

Prancing their riders bore, the floVr and cboice 
Of many proytnces from bound to bounds 315 

From Aracbosiay from Candaor east. 
And Margiana to th' Hircanian cliffs 
Of Caucasis, and dark Iberian daks. 
From Atropatia and the neighb'ring plains 
Of Adiabene, Media, and the south 320 

Of Susiana, to Balsara's haven. 
He saw them in their forms of battle rang'd. 
How quick, they wheel'd, and flying behind them diot 
Sharp sleet of arrowy diow^rs against the face 
Of their pursuers, and overcame by flight ; 325 

The field all iron, cast a gleaming brown : 
Nor wanted clouds of foot, nor on each horn 
Cuirassiers all in steel for standing fight ; 
Chariots or elephants indors'd with towers 
Of archers, nor of laboring pioneers 330 

A multitude with spades and axes arm'd. 
To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill. 
Or wnere plain was, raise hiU, or overlay 
With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke ; 
Mules after ^hese, camels and dromedaries, 335 

And waggons fraught with utensils of war. 
Such forces met not, nor so wide a camp. 
When Agrican with all his northern powers 
Besieged Albracca, as romances tell. 
The city of Gallaphrone,i from thence to win 34Q 
The fairest of her sex, Angelica 
His daughter, sought by many prowest knights. 
Both Paynim, and the peers of Charlemagne. 
Such and so numerous was their chivalry ; 
At sight whereof the fiend yet more presum'd, 345 
And to our Saviour thus his words renew'd. , 
That thou may'st know I seek not to engage 
Thy virtue, and not every way secure 
On no slight grounds thy safety, hear and mark 
To what end I have brought thee hither, and shown 
All this fair sight: thy kingdom though foretold 351 
By prophet or by angel, unless thou 
Eadeavourf as thy father J>avid did. 

Thou 

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3tf PARADISB REGAIMEDt Book III 

Thou never shalt obtain ; prediQion still 

In all things, and all men, supposes means, 355 

Without means us'd, what it predids revokes. 

But say thou wert possessM of David's throne 

By free consent of all, none opposite 

Samaritan or Jew *, how could'st thou hope 

Long to enjoy it quiet and secure, 360 

Between two such inclosing enemies 

Roman and Parthian ? therefore one of these 

Thou itiust make sure thy own, the Parthian first 

By my advice, as nearer, and of late 

Found able by invasion to annoy 365 

Thy country, and captive lead away her kings, 

Antigonus and old Hyrcanus bound, 

Maugre the Roman : it shall be my task 

To render thee the Parthian at dispose ; 

Choose which thou wilt, by conquest or by league. 370 

By him thou shalt regain, without him not, 

Tnat which alone can truly reinstall thee 

In David's royal seat, his true successor. 

Deliverance of thy brethren, those ten tribes 

Whose offspring in his territory yet serve, 375 

In Habor, and among die Medes dispersed ; 

Ten sons of Jacob, two of Joseph lost 

Thus long from Israel, serving as of old 

Their fathers in the land of Egypt serv'd, ' 

This offer sets before thee to deliver. ' 380 

These if from servitude thou shalt restore 

To their inheritance, then, nor till then. 

Thou on the throne of David in full glory, 

From Egypt to Euphrates and beyond 

Shalt reign, and Rome or Caesar not need fear. 385 

To whom our Saviour answer'd thus unmovM. 
Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm. 
And fragile arms, much instrument of war 
Long in preparing, soon to nothing brought. 
Before mine eyes thou' hast sef, and in my ear 390 
Vented much policy, and projeds deep 
Of enemies, of aids, battles and leagues, 
Plausible to the world, to me worth nought* 

Means 

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Booh III. PARA0ISE REGAINED. 3.7 

Means I must use thou sayst, predi£iions else 

Will unpredift and fail me of the throne : 395 

My time I told thee (and that time for thee 

Were better farthest oiF) is not yet come 5 

When that comes, think not thou to find me slack 

On my part ought endeav'ringi or to need 

Thy politic maxims, or that cumbersome 40^ 

Luggage of war there shown me, argument 

Of human weakness rather than of strength. 

My brethren, as thou call'st them those ten tribeSj^ 

I must deliver, if I mean to reign 

David's true heir, and his full sceptre sway 405 

To just extent over all Israel's sons ; 

But whence to thee this zeal, where was it then 

For Israel, or for David, or his throne, 

When thou stood'st up his tempter to the pride 

Of numb'ring Israel, which cost the lives 41 

Of threescore and ten thousand Israelites 

By three days pestilence ? such was thy zeal 

To Israel then, the same that now to me. 

As for those captive tribes, themselves were they 

Who wrought their own captivity, fell off 415 

From God to worship calves, the deities 

Of Egypt, Baal next and Ashtaroth, 

And all th' idolatries of heathen rounds 

Besides their other worse than heath'nish crimes; 

Nor in the land of their captivity 420 

Humbled themselves, or penitent besought 

The God of their forefathers \ but so dy'd 

Impenitent, and left a race behind 

Like to themselves, distinguishable scarce 

From Gentiles, but by circumcision vain, 425 

And God with idols in their worship join'd. 

Should, I of these the liberty regard. 

Who freed, as to their ancient patrimonyi 

Unhumbled, unrepentant, unreform'd> 

Headlong would follow ; and to their gods perhaps 

Of Bethel, and of Dan ? no, let them serve 431 

Their enemies, who serve idols with God. 

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38 PAEADI8B RECAINBD. Book IIT. 

Yet he at length, time to himself best known, 
Remembering Abraham, by some wond'rous call 
May bring them back repentant and sincere, 435 

And at their passing cleave th^ Assyrian floods 
While to their native land with joy they haste, 
As the Red Sea, and Jordan once he cleft. 
When to the promised land their fathers pass'd \ 
To his due time and providence I leave them. 440 

So spake Israel's true King, and to the fiend 
Made answer meet, that made void all his wiles. 
So fares it when with truth falsehood contends. 



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PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK IV. 

PeRPLEX'D and troubled at his bad success 

The tempter stood, nor had what to reply, 

Discovered in his fraud, throw'n from his hope 

Sq oft, and the persuasive rhetoric 

That sleek'd his tongue, and won so much on Eve, 5 

So little here, nay lost 5 but Eve was Eve, 

This far his over-match, who self-deceiv'd 

And rash, beforehand had no better weigh'd 

The strength he was to cope with, or his own : 

But as a man who had^been matchless held 10 

In cunning, over-reach'd where least he thought. 

To salve his credit, and for very spite 

Still will be tempting him who foils him still. 

And never cease, though to his shame the more .; 

Or as a swarm of flies in vintage-time, 15 

About the wine-press where sweet must is pour'd, 

Beat oflT, returns as oft with humming sound j 

Or surging waves against a solid rock. 

Though all to shivers dash'd, th' assault renew. 

Vain batt'ry, and in froth or bubbles end ; 20 

So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse 

Met ever, and to shameful silence brought. 

Yet gives not o'er though desperate of success. 

And his vain importunity pursues. 

He brought our Saviour to the western side 25 

Of that high mountain, whence he might behold 

Another plain, long, but in breadth not wide, 

WashM by the southern sea, and on the north 

To equal length back'd with a ridge pf hills, 

That screen'd the fruits of th' earth and seats of men 

From cold Septentrion blasts, thence in the midst 3 1 

Divided by a river, of whose banks 

On each side an imperial city stoodi 

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40 PARADISE REGAINED. Book IF. 

With tow'rs and temples proudly elevate 
On seven small hills, with palaces adornM, 35 

Porches and theatres, baths, aquedufts, 
Statues and trophies, and triumphal arcs. 
Gardens and groves presented to his eyes, 
Above the height of mountains interpos'd : 
By what strange parallax or optic skill 40 

Of vision multiply'd through air or glass 
Of telescope, were curious to inquire : 
And now the tempter thus his silence broke. 
The city which thou seest no other deem 
Than great and glorious Rome, queen of the earth 
So far renown'd, and with the spoils enrich'd 46 

Of nations ; there the capitol thou seest 
Above the rest lifting his stately head 
On the Tarpeian rock, her citadel 
Impregnable, and there mount Palatine, ^0 

Th' imperial palace, compass huge, and high 
The strufture, skill of noblest archite£l:s. 
With gilded battlements, conspicuous far, 
Turrets and terrases, and glitt'ring spires. 
Many a fair edifice besides, more like 55 

Houses of God, (so well I have dispos'd 
My airy microscope), thou may'st behold 
Outside and inside both, pillars and roofs, 
Carv'd work, the hand of fam'd artificers 
In cedar, marble, ivory, or gold. Gq 

Thence to the gates cast round thine eye, and see 
What conflux issuing forth or entering in 
Prxtors, proconsuls to their provinces 
Hasting, or on return, in robes of state \ 
IAQ.0XS and rods, the ensigns of then: pow''r, 65 

I^egions and cohorts, turms of horse and wings : 
Or embassies from regions far remote 
In various habits on the Appian road, 
Or on th* Emilian, some from farthest south, 
Syene*, and where the shadow both way falls, 70 

Meroe Nilotic isle, and more to west 
The realm of Bocchus to the Black-moor sea ; 
From th' Asian kings and Parthian among these, 

From i 

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Bool ir. PARABISE HEGAINEDw 4I 

From India and the golden Chersonese, 

And utmost Indian isle Taprobanc, 75 

Dusk faces with white silken turbants wreath'd ; ^ 

From Gallia, Gades, and the British west, 

Germans and Scythians, and Sarmatians north 

Beyond Danubius to the Tauric pool. 

All nations tiow to Rome obedience pay, Z9 

To Rome's great emperor, whose wide domain 

In ample territory, wealth, and power, 

Civility of manners, arts and arms. 

And long renown, thou justly may'st prefer 

Before the Parthian ; these two thrones except, ^5 

The rest are barb'rous and scarce worth the sight, 

Shar'd among petty kings too far remov'd j 

These having shown thee, I have shown thee all 

The kingdoms of the world, and all their glory. 

This emp'ror hath no son, and now is old, 90 

Old and lascivious, and from Rome retired 

To Capreae, an island small, but strong. 

On the Campanian shore, with purpose there 

His horrid lusts in private to enjoy, 

Committing to a wicked favourite 95 

All public cares, and yet of him suspicious, 

Hated of all, and hating 5 with what ease 

Endu'd with regal virtues as thou art, 

Appearing, and beginning noble deeds, 

Might'st thou expel this monster from hts throne, 1 00 

Now made a stye, and, in his place ascending, 

A victor people free from servile yoke ? 

And with my help thou may'st 5 to me the pow^r 

Is giv'n, and by that right I give it thee. 

Aim therefore at no less than all the world, xoj 

Aim at the high'st, without the high'st attained 

Will be for thee no sitting, or not long. 

On David's throne, be prophesy'd what will. 

To whom the hon of God unmov'd reply'd. 
Nor doth this grandeur and majestic show 11 

Of luxury, though^caU'd magnificence, 
More than of arms before, allure mine eye. 
Much less my mind \ tho' thou should'st add to tell 
E 3 Their 

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4t PARADISE REGAINED. Book IF. 

Their sumptuous gluttonies and gorgeous feasts 

Oh citron tables or Atlantic stone, 115 

S)r I have -also heard, perhaps have read), 
eir wines of Setia, Cales, and Falerne, 
Chios and Crete, and how they quaff in gold. 
Crystal and myrrhine cups imboss'd with gems 
And studs of pearl, to me should'st tell who thirst 
And hunger still : then embassies thou show'st 1 25 
From nations far and nigh 5 what honour that. 
But tedious waste of time to sit and hear 
So many hollow compliments and lies. 
Outlandish flatteries ? then proceed'st to talk 1 25 

Of th' emperor, how easily subdu'd, 
How gloriously ; I shall, thou say'st, expel 
A brutish monster : what if I withal 
Expel a clevil, who first made him such ? 
Biet his tormentor conscience find him out ; 130 

For him I was not «ent, nor yet to free 
That people vidior once, now vile and base, 
Deservedly made vassal, 'who once just, 
Frugal, and mild, and temp'rate, conquer'd well. 
But govern ill the nations under yoke, 13 j 

Peeling their provinces, exhausted all 
By lust and rapine ; first ambitious grown 
Of triumph, that insulting vanity ; 
Then cruel, by their sports to blood inur'd 
Of fighting beasts, and men to beasts expos'd, 1 4^ 
Luxurious by their wealth, and greedier still, 
And from the daily scene effeminate. 
"What wise and valiant man would seek to free 
These thus degenerate, by themselves inslav'd, 
Or could of inward slaves make outward free ? 145 
Know therefore when my season comes to sit 
On David's throne, it shall be like a tree 
Spreading and overshadowing all the earth. 
Or as a Stone that shall to pieces dash 
All monarchies besides throughout the world, 150 
And of my kingdom there shall be no end : 
5^eans there shall be to this ; but what the means, 
Us 3iat for thee to know, nor me tp telL 

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Book /r. PARADISE RLGAlN£t). 43 

To whom the tempter impudent reply'd. 
1 see all offers made by me how slight 15^; 

Thou valuest, because offered, and rejeft'st : 
Nothing will please the difficult and nice. 
Or nothing more than still to contradift : 
On th' other side know also thou, that I 
On what I offer set as high esteem, i6# 

Nor what I part with mean to give for nought ; 
All these which in a moment thou behold'st. 
The kingdoms of the world to thee I give •, 
For giv'a to me, I give to whom I please, 
No trifle ; yet with this reserve, not else, 1 6^ 

On this condition, if thou wilt fall down. 
And worship 'me as thy superior Lord, 
Easily done, and hold them all of me ; ^ 

For what can less so great a gift deserve ? 

Whom thus our Saviour an^w^er'd with disdain. 
I never lik'd thy talk, thy offers less, 1 7 1 

Now both abhor, since thou hast dar'd to utter 
Th* abominable terms, impious condition ; • 
But I endure the time, till which expir'd. 
Thou hast permission on me. It is written 175 

The first of all commandments. Thou shalt worship 
The Lord thy God, and only him shalt serve ; 
And dar'st thou to the Son of God propound 
To worship thee accurs'd, now more accurs'd 
For this attempt, bolder than that on Eve, 180 

And more blasphemous ? which expeft to rue. 
The kingdoms of the world to thee were given, 
Permitted rather, and by thee usurp'd ; 
Other donation none thou canst produce : 
If giv'n, by whom but by the Kmg of kings, 185 

God over all supreme ? if giv'n to thee, 
By thee how fairly is the giver now 
Repaid ? But gratitude in thee is lost 
Long since. Wert thou so void of fear or shame. 
As offer them to me the Son of God, rpo 

To me my own, on such abhorred pa£l:. 
That I fall down and worship thee as God ? 
<}et thee 4)chi»d me j plain thou now ^ppear'sb 

That 

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44 



PARADISE REGAINED, Book JK. 



That evil one, Satan for ever damn'd. 

To whom the fiend, with fear abash'd, reply*d. 195 
Be not so sore offended. Son of God, 
Though sons of God both angels are and men, 
If I to try whether in higher sort 
Than these thou bear'st that title, have proposed 
What both from men and. angels I receive, aod 

Tetrarchs of fire, air, flood, and cJn the earth 
Nations besides from all the quartered winds, 
God of this world invok'd, and world beneath ; 
Who then thou art, whose coming is foretold 
To me so fatal, me it most concerns, 2oj 

The trial hath indamag'd thee no way. 
Rather more honpur left and more esteem ; 
Me nought advantag'd, missing what I aim'd. 
Therefore let pass, as they are transitory. 
The kingdoms of this world ; I shall no more 2 10 
Advise thee ; gain them as thou canst or not. 
And thou thyself secm'st otherwise inclined 
Than to a worldly crown, addi£l:ed more 
To contemplation and profound dispute, 
As by that early a6iion may be judg'd, atj 

When slipping from thy mother's eye thou wcnt'st 
Alone into the temple ; there wast found 
Among the gravest Rabbles disputant 
On points and questions fitting Moses chair. 
Teaching not taught ; the childhood shows the man. 
As morning shews the day. Be famous their 221 
By wisdom ; as thy empire must extend. 
So let extend thy mind o'er all the world 
In knowledge, all things in it comprehend : 
All knowledge is not couch'd in Moses law, 
The Pentateuch, or what the prophets wrote ; 225 
The Gentiles also know, and write, and teach 
To admiration, led by nature's light ; 
And with Gentiles much thou must converse, 
Ruling them by persu ision as thou mean'st ; 130 

Without their learning how wilt thou with them, 
Or they with thee hold conversation meet ? 
How wUt thou reason with them^ bow refute 

Their 

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Booh ir. PARADISE REGAINED. 



4J 



Their idolisms, traditions, paradoxes ? 

Error by his own arms is best evinc'd. 235 

Look once more ere we leave this specular mount 

Westward, much nearer by south-west, behold 

Where on the jEgean shore a city stands 

Built noby, pure the air, and light the soil, 

Athens the eye of Greece, mother of arts 240 

And eloquence, native to famous wits 

Or hospitable, in her sweet recess^ 

City or suburban, studious walks or shades ; 

See there the olive grove of Acad erne, 

P4ato's retirement, where the Attic bird 245 

Trills her thick warbi'd notes the summer long ; 

There flowry hill Hymettus, with the sound 

Of bees industrious murmur oft invites 

To studious musing ; there Ilissus rolls 

His whisp'ring stream : within the walls then view 250 

The schools of ancient sages ; his who bred 

Great Alexander to subdue the world, 

Lyceum there, and painted Stoa next : 

There thou shalt hear and learn the secret pow'r 

Of harmony in tones and numbers hit 255 

By voice or hand, and various measured verse, 

j9Lolian charms and Dorian Lyic odes, 

And his who gave them breath, but higher sung, 

Blind Melesigenes thence Homer calPd, 

Whose poem Phoebes challeng'd for his own. 260 

Thence what the lofty grave tragedians taught 

In Chorus or Iambic, teachers best - 

Of moral prudence, with delight receiv'd. 

In brief sententious precepts, while they treat 

Of fate, and chance, and change in human life ; 2^5 

High adions and high passions best desmbing : 

Thence to the famous orators repair. 

Those ancient, whose resistless eloquence 

Wielded at will that fir-rce democracy, 

Shook th* arsenal, and fulmin'd over Greece, syc 

To Macedon and Artaxerxes throne : 

To sage philosophy lend next thine ear, 

Fro4;n heav'n descended to the low rooft bouse 

Of 

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46 PARADISE REGAINED. Book IF. 

Of Socrates : see there his tenement. 

Whom well inspired the oracle pronounc'd 275 

Wisest of men : from whose mouth issu'd forth 

Melliflous streams that water'd all the schools. 

Of Academics old and new, with those 

Simam'd Peripatetics, and the se£h 

Epicurean, and the Stoic severe j ' 280 

These here revolve, or, as thou lik'st, at home, 

Till time mature thee to a kingdom's weight j 

These rules will render thee a king complete 

Within thyself, much more with empire join'd. 

To whom our Saviour sagely thus reply*d, 285 

Think not but that I know these things, or think 
I know them not ; not therefore am I short 
Of knowing what I ought : he who receives 
Light from above, from the Fountain of light, 
No other dodlrine needs, though granted true j 290 
But these are false, or little else, but dreams, 
Conjectures, fancies, built on nothing firm. 
The first and wisest of them all profess'd 
To know this only, that he nothing knew; 
The next to fabling fell, and smooth conceits ; 295 
A third sort doubted all things, though plain sense : 
Others in virtue plac'd felicity, 
But virtue join'd with riches and long life j 
Incorporeal pleasure he, and careless ease ; 
The Stoic last in philosophic pride, 300 

By him call'd virtue, and his virtuous man. 
Wise, perfcft in himself, and all possessing, 
Equals to God, oft shames; not to prefer. 
As fearing God nor man, contemning all 
Wealth, pleasure, pain, or torment, death, and life. 
Which when he lists he leaves, or boasts he can, 306 
For all his tedious talk is but vain boast. 
Or subtle shifts convi£lion to evade, 
Alas, what can they teach, and not mislead 
Ignorant of themselves, of God much more, 310 

And how the world began, and how man fell 
Degraded by himself, on grace depending 
Much of the soul ihey talk, but all awry. 

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£ooi IF. PAKADISfi REGAINED. 



47 



And in themselves seek virtue, and to themselves 

AH glory arrogate, to God give none, 315 

Rather accuse him under usual names, 

Fortune and Fate, as one regardless quite 

Of mortal things. Who therefore seeks in these 

True wisdom, finds her not, or by delusion 

Far worse, her false resemblance only meets, 320 

An empty cloud. However many books. 

Wise men have said, are wearisome ; who reads 

Incessantly, and to his reading brings not 

A spirit and judgement equal or superior. 

And (what he brings what needs he elsewhere seek ?) 

Uncertain and unsettled still remains, 326 

Deep-vers'd in books, and shallow, in himself. 

Crude or intoxicate, collefting toys. 

And trifles for ch6ice matters, worth a spunge 5 

As children gathering pebbles on the shore. 330 

Or if I would delight my private hours 

With music or with poem, where so soon 

As in our native language can I find 

That solace ? all our law and story strewM 

With hymns, our psalms with artful terms incrib'd. 

Our Hebrew songs and. harps in Babylon, 336 

That pleased so well our vi6lor's ear, declare. 

That rather Greece from us these arts deriv'd ; 

III imitated, while they loudest sing 

The vices of their deities, and their own, 340 

In fable, hymn, or song, so personating 

Their gods ridiculous, and themselves past shame* 

Remove their swelling epithets thick laid 

As varnish on a harlots cheek, the rest, 

Thin sown with ought of profit or delight, 345 

Will far be found unworthy to compare 

With Sion's songs, to all true tastes excelling, 

Where God is prais'd aright, and godlike men. 

The holiest of holies, and his saints \ 

Such are from God inspired, not such from thee, 350 

Unless where moral virtue is expressed 

By light of nature not in all quite lost. 

Ineir orators thou then extoU'st, a^s those 

The 

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48 PARADISE HECAINED. Book IK. 

The top of eloquence, statists indeed, 

And lovers of their country, as many seem ; 355 

But herein to our prophets far beneath, 

As men divinely taught, and better teaching 

The solid rules of civil government 

In their majestic unafFeded stile 

Than all th' oratory of Greece or Rome. 360 

In them is plainest taught, and easiest learnM, 

What makes a nation happy, and keeps it so. 

What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat ; 

These only witli our law best form a king. 

So spake the Son of God 5 but Satan now 36:5 

Quite at a loss, for all his darts were spent, 
Thus to our Saviour with stern brow reply'd. 

Since neither wealth, nor hpnour, arms nor arts. 
Kingdom nor empire pleases thee, nor ought 
By me proposed in life contemplative, . 370 

Or aftive, tended on by glory, or fame. 
What dost thou in this world ? the wilderness 
For thee is fittest place ; I found thee there, 
And thither will return thee ; yet remember 
What I foretel thee, soon thou shalt have cause 375 
To wish thou never had*st rejected thus 
Nicely or cautiously my ofFcr'd aid, 
Which would have set thee in a short time with ease 
On David's throne, or throne of all the world. 
Now at full age, fulness of time, thy season, 380 

When prophecies of thee are best fulfill'd. 
Now contrary, if I read ought in heav'n, 
Or heav'n write ought of fate, by what the stars 
Voluminous, or single characters, 
In their conjunction met, give me to spell, 385 

Sorrows and labours, opposition, hate, 
Attends thee, scorns, reproaches, injuries, 
Violence, and stripes, and lastly cruel death j 
A kingdom they portend thee, but what kingdom. 
Real or allegoric, I discern not, 390 

Nor when, eternal sure, as without end. 
Without beginning ; for no date prefi'x'd 
Directs me in the warry rubric set. 

So 

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Boot ir. PARADISE RECAIHED. 4^ 

So saying he took, (for still he knew his pow'r 
Not yet cxpir'd,) and to the wilderness . 395 

Brought back the Son of God, and left him there, 
Feigning to disappear. Darkness now rose. 
As day-light sunk, and brought in louring Night, 
Her shadowy offspring, unsubstantial both, 
Privation mere of light and absent day. 40# 

pur Saviour meek, and with untroubled mind. 
After his airy jaunt, though hurry *d sore, 
Hungry and cold betook him to his rest, 
Wherever, under some concourse of shades, 404 

Whose branching arms thick intertwinM might shield 
From dews and damps of night his sheltered head ^ 
But sheltered slept in vain, for at his head 
The tempter watch'd, and soon with ugly dreams 
Disturb'd his sleep; and either tropic now 409* 

'Gan thunder, and both ends of heav'n, the clouds 
From many a horrid rift abortive pour'd 
Fierce rain with lightning mix*d, water with fire 
In ruin reconcil'd : nor slept the winds 
Within their stony caves, but rush'd abroad 
From the four hinges of the world, and fell 415 

On the vex'd wilderness, whose tallest pines. 
Though rooted deep as high, and sturdiest oaks, 
Bow'd their stiff necks, loaden with stormy blasts. 
Or torn up sheer : ill wast thou shrouded then, 
O patient Son of God, yet only stood'st 420 

Unshaken ; nor yet staid the terror there, 
Infernal ghosts, and hellish furies, round 
EnvironM thee, some howFd, some yell'd, some shriek'd. 
Some bent at thee their fiery darts, while thou 
Sat'st unappaPd in calm and sinless peace. 425 

Thus pass'd the night so foul, till morning fair 
Came forth with pilgrim steps in amice gray. 
Who with her radiant finger stilPd the roar 
Of thunder, chas'd the clouds, and laid the winds. 
And grisly speftres, which the fiend had rais'd 430 
To tempt the Son of God with terrors dire. 
And now the sun with more effeftual beams 
Had chcer'd the face of earth, and dry'd the wet 
Vol. II, F From 

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50 PAkA0I$B miCAIMfiP. BcJt ir. 

From drooping pbnt, or djopping tree ; the YmAm, 

Who all things now behold more freah and greeny 

After a night of storm so riiinoiis» 436 

Clear'd up their choicest notes in budi and spray 

To gratulate the sweet return of mom 1 

^or yet aipidst this joy and brightest mom 

Was absent, after all his mischief done, 440 

The prince of darkness, glad would also seem^ 

Of this fair change, and to our Saviour came. 

Yet with no new dcTice, they^ all were spent. 

Rather by this his last afiront resolv'd. 

Desperate of better course, to vent his rage, 445 

And mad despite to be so oft repell'd. 

Him walking on a sunny hill he found, 

Back'd on the north and west by a thick wood ; 

Qut of the wood he starts in wonted shape. 

And, in careless nux>d« thus to him said. 450 

Fair morning yet betiHes t^ee, Son of Gk>d, 
After a dismal night ; I heard the wrack. 
As earth and sky would mii^le ; but myself 
Was distant ; and these flaws, tho' mortals fear them 
As dane'rous to the pillared frame of heav'n, 45; 

Or to the earth's dark basis underneath. 
Are to the main as inconsiderable. 
And harmless, if not wholesome, as a sneeze 
To man's less universe, and soon are gone ; 
Yet as being oft-times noxious where they Kght 460 
On man, beast, plant, wasteful and turbulent. 
Like turbulencies in th' aflairs of men. 
Over whose heads they roar, and seem to point. 
They oft fore-signify and threaten ill : 
This tempest at this desert most was bent ; 465 

Of men at thee, for only thpu here dwelFst. 
Did I not tell thee, if thou didst rejeA 
The perfeft season oflFer'd with my aid 
To win thy destin'd scat, but wilt prolong 
AU to the push of fate, pursue thy way 470 

Of gaining David's throne no man knows when. 
For both' the when and how is no where told, 
Thou sbalt be what thou art ordain'd, no doubt y 

For 

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Beak 7^. PARADISE RECAIKEB. jfl 

For angels have procbimM it, but concealing 

The time and means : each ad is rightliest done^ 47 j 

Not when it must, but when it may be best. 

If thou obsenre not this, be sure to find, 

VThat I foretold thee, many a hard assay 

Of dangers, and adversities, and pains, 

Ere thou of Israel's sceptre get fast held ; 480 

Whereof this ominous night that clos'd diee rounds 

So many terrors, voices, prodigies, 

May warn thee, as a sure foregoing sign. 

So talk'd he, while the Son of God went 00, 
And staid not, but in brief him answer'd thus. 485 

Me worse than wet thou fudd'st not ; other harm 
Those terrors which thou speak'st of Ad me none ; 
I never fear'd they could, thoi^h noising loud. 
And threat'ning nigh ; what can they do as signs 
Betok'ning, or ilUboding, I contemn 490 

As false portents, not sent from God, but thee ; 
Who, ki^owing I shall reign past thy preventing, 
Obtrud'st thy offered aid, that I accepting 
At least might seem to hold all pow'-r of thee. 
Ambitious sp'rit, and would'st be thought my God, 
And storm'st refus'd, thinking to terrify 49^' 

Me to thy will ; desist, thou art discem'd, 
And toil'st in vain, nor me in vain molest* 

To whom the fiend, now swoln with rage, rcply'd. 
Then hear, O Son of David, virgin-bom 5 500 

For Son of God to me is yet in doubt : 
Of the Messiah I have heard foretold 
By all the prophets ; of thy birth at length 
Announced by Gabriel with the first I knew, 
And of th' angelic song in Bethlehem field, gog 

On thy birth-night, that sung thee Saviour bom. 
From that time seldom have I ceas'd to eye 
Thy infancy, thy childhood, and thy youth. 
Thy manhood last, though yet in private bred ; 
TUI at the ford of Jordan, whither all $19 

Flock*d to the Baptist, I among the rest. 
Though not to be baptiz'd, by voice from heav'n 
Heaid thee pronouoc'd the Scm of God belo? 'd. 

F a Thenceforth 

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51 PAUADISB REGAIKED4 Bodi If, 

Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view. 

And narrower scrutiny, that I might learn 515 

In what degree or meaning thou art caiFd 

The son of God, which bears no singfe sense ; 

The son of God I also am, or was, 

And if I was, I am, relation stands ; ^ 

AU men are sons of God \ yet thee I thought 520 

In some rcspe£t far higher so declar'd ; 

Therefore I watch'd thy footsteps from that hour. 

And follow'd thee still on to this waste wild 5 

Where by all best conjeftures I colle£t. 

Thou art to be my fatal enemy. 52^ 

Good reason then, if I beforehand seek 

To understand my adversary, who 

And what he is ; his wisdom, pow'r, intent ; 

By pari, or composition, truce or league. 

To win him, or win from him what lean. 530 

And opportunity I here have had 

To try thee, sift thee, and confess have found thee 

Proof against all temptation, as a rock 

Of adamant, and as a centre, firm, 

To th* utmost of mere man both wise and good, 535 

*Not more j for honours, riches, kingdoms, glory, 

Have been before contemn'd, and may again : 

Therefore to know what more thou art than man. 

Worth naming Son of God by voice from heaVn, 

An(>ther method I must now begin. 540 

So saying he caught him up, and, without wirig 
Of hippogrif, bore through the air sublime 
Over the wilderness, and o'er the plain, 
Till underneath them fair Jerusalem, 
The holy city, lifted high her tow'rs, 545 

And higher yet the glorious temple rear'd 
Her pile, far off appearing like a mount 
Of alabaster, topt with golden spires : 
There on the highest pinnacle he set 
The Son of God, and added thus in scortL 550 

There stand, if thou wilt stand, to stand upright 
Will ask thee skill ; I to thy Father's house 
Have brought thee^ and highest plac'd \ highest is best. 

Now 

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Book jr. PimiDXSB REGlXII£tl« %% 

Now show Aj ptogenj i if not to stand 

Cast thyself down : safely, if Son of God 55; 

For it iswritten. He will give command 

Concerning thee to his angels, in their hands 

They shall uplift thee, lest at any time 

Thou chance to dash thy foot against a stone. 

To whom thus Jesus : Also it is wri^en, 56# 

Tempt not the Lpid thy God : he said, and stood: 

But Satan, smitten with amazement, felL 

As when earth's son Antaeus, (10 compare 

Small thbgs with greatest), in Irassa strove 

With Jove's Alcides, and oh foiled still rose^ ^6f 

B.ecdving from his mother Earth new strength 

Fresh from his fsdl^ and fiercer grapple joinM, 

Thxpttled at length in th' air, expired and fdl ; 

So after many a foil the tempter proud 

Renewing fresh assaults, amid^ his pride 570 

EeD whence he stood to see his viftor fall. 

And as that Theban monster that propos'd 

Her riddle, and him wh^ solvM it not devoured, 

That once found out and solv'd, for grief and spite 

Cast herself headlong fifom th' Ismenian steep ; 575 

3o struck with dread and anguish fell the fiend. 

And to his crew, that sat consulting, brought 

Joyless triumphals of his hop'd success. 

Ruin, and desperation, and dismay. 

Who durst so proudly tempt the son of God. 580 

So Satan fell ^ and strait a fiery globe 

Of angels on ftiU sail of wing flew nigh, 

WhQ on their plumy vans received him 40& 

From his uneasy station, and upbore, . 

As on a floating couch, through the blithe air, 5Sj^ 

Xben in a flow'ry valley set him down 

On a green bank, and set before him spread 

A table of celestial food, divine, 

Ambrosial fruits, fetchM from the tree of lifei 

And from ^e fount of life ambrobial drink, 590 

Tl^at soon refreshed him wearied, and lep^ur'd 

What hunger^ if aught hunger had impair'd, 

F3 Or 



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)4 Pl&ADISB KECAlNfip. 3l>oi It* 

Or thirst ; and, as he fed, an^ic dioirs 

Sung heavenly anthems of hi3 vifiory 

Over temptation, and the tempter proud* . ^^i 

True image of the Father, whedier thron-d 
In the bosom of blis8» and light of light 
Conceiving, or, remote from heav*n, inshrin'd . 
In fleshly tabernacle, and human form, 
Wand'ring the wilderness, whatever place - 606 

Habit, or state, or modon, still expressing 
The Son of God, with godlike force enda'd^ 
Against th' attempter of thy father's throne^ 
And thief of Paradise ; him long of 6kl ^ ,- 
Thou didst debel, and down from heav'n cast 60% 
With all his army, now thouhast avenged .; . 
Supplanted Adam, and by .vanquishing \ 
Temptation, hast re^in'd lost Paradise i 

And frustrated the conquest fxauduleait : 
He never mote henceforth will dare set foot 6le 

In Paradise to tempt ; his snares are broke ; 
For though that seat of esurthly bliss be fail'd» 
A fairer Paradise is fouilded now 
For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou 
A Saviour art come down to rc-install » 615 

Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be, 
Of tempter and temptation withoiK fear» 
But thou, infernal serpent, shalt not long 
&ule in the clouds ; like an autumnal ststr. 
Or lightning, thou shalt fall from heav'a ttod down 
Under his fcet : for proof ere this thou feel'st 62 1 
Thy wound, yet not thy last and deadliest wound^ 
By this repulse receiv'd, and boldest in hell 
No triuipph ; in all her gates Abaddon rues 
Thy bold attempt ; hereafter learn with awe ' .j^aj 
To dread die Son of God : be all unarm'd 
Shall chase thee with the terror of his vcmcc 
From thy demoniac holds, possession, fend. 
Thee and thy legions 5 yelling they shall fiy. 
And beg to hide them in a herd of swine, . . ^30 
Lest he command them down into the deqp 

Bound 



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MoollF. PARADISE REC^AXNED. 5^. 

Bound, and torment sent before their time. 

Hail Son of the Most High ! Heir of both worlds ! 

Queiler of Satan ! on thy glorious work 

Now enter, and begin to save mankind. 6^% 

Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek^ 
Sung viSor, and from heav'nly feast refreshed 
Brought on his way with joy 5 he unobser/d 
Home to his mother's house private retum'd. 



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SAMSON AGONISTES; 



A DRAMATIC J'OEM, 



^ragedia eti imtiatio a^ionh itrU, tstc* per mtserieorHgm Uf mthiM 

ftrfinens talium afftQuum lustrationem, 

Ariost. Poet. cap. 6. 



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Thb persons. 

Samson. 

Manoih» the Father rf Samnn. 

DaULA, his Wife. 

Harapha rf Goth. 

Public Officer. 

mcssettgtr. 

Chorus of Deittites. 

The Scene before the Prison in Geasa. 



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Of thtd sort (f DmjMATIC PomU ^hicb is cJUi 
Tragedy. 



JL RAGEDY, as k was ancieotlj composed, badi 
been ever held the gravest, moralest, and most profit* 
aUe of all other poems \ therefore said by Aristotle to 
be id power, by raising pity and fear, or terror, to 
purge the mind of those and such like passions ; that 
18, to temper and reduce them to just measure with a 
kind c^ delight, stirred up by reading or seeing those 
pasnons well imitated. Nor is Nature wanting in her 
own efiedts to make good his assertion ; for so in 
physic things of melancholic hue and quality are used 
s^inst melancholy, sour against sour, sa)t to remove 
sak humours. Hence philosophers and other gravest 
writers, as Cicero, Plutarch, and others, frequently 
cite- out ci tragic poets, both to adorn and illustrate 
their discourse. The apostle Paul himself thought it 
not unwordiy to insert a verse of Euripides into the 
the text of Holy Scripture, i Cor. xv. 33. 5 and Pa- 
raeus, commenting on the Revelation, divides the 
whole book, as a tragedy, info a6is distinguished by a 
chorus of heavenly harpings and song between* 
Heretofore men in highest dignity have laboured not a 
little to be thought able to compose a tragedy. Of 
that honour Dionysius the Elder was no Hless ambi* 
tious, than before his attaining to the tyranny. Au- 
gustus Caesar also had begun his Ajax, but, unable to 
please his own judgment with what he had begun, 
left it unfini^shed. Seneca the philosopher is bv some 
thought the author of those tragedies (at least tne best 
of them,) that go under that name. Gregory Na- 
zianzen, a father of the church, thought it not unbe- 
seeming the sandiity of his person to write a tragedy, 
which is intitled, Christ Suffering. This is mentioned 
to vindicate tragedy from the small esteem, or ratl^r 
infamy, which in the account of many it undergoes at 

this 

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6o OF DRAMATIC TRACEDT, &C. 

this day with other common interludes, happening 
through the poet's error of intermixing comic stuff 
with tragic sadness and gravity, or introducing trivial 
and vulgar persons, which by the judicious hath been 
counted absurd, and brought in without discretion, 
corruptly to gratify the people. And though ancient 
tragedy use no prologue, yet using sometimes, in case 
of self-defence or explanation, that which Martial 
calls an epistle, in behalf of this tragedy coming forth 
after the ancient manner, much different from what 
among us passes for best, thus much beforehand may 
be epistled, that chorus is here introduced after the 
Greek manner, not ancient only, but modem, and still 
in use among the Italians. In the modelling therefore 
of this poem, with good reason, the ancients and Ita- 
lians are rather followed, as of much more authority 
and fame. The measure of verse used in the chora$ 
is of all sorts, called by the Greeks Monostrophic, or 
rather Apolelymnon, without regard had to Strophe, 
Antistrophe, or Epod, which were a kind of stanzas 
framed only for the music, then used with the chorus 
that sung \ not essential to the poem, and therefore 
not material ; or, being divided into stanzas or pauses, 
they may be called Allaeostropha. Division into a& 
and scene referring chiefly to the stage, (to which this 
work never was intended), is here omitted. 

It suffices if the whole drama be found not produced 
be)^ond the fifth zGt. Of the style and uniformity, 
and that comnK)nly called the plot ^ whether intricate or 
explicit, which is nothing indeed but such oeconomy, 
or disposition of the fable, as may stand best with veri- 
similitude and decorum ; they only will best judge who 
are not unacquainted with .^schylus, Sophocles, and 
Euripides, the three tragic poets unequalled yet by any, 
and the best rule to all who endeavour to write tragedy. 
The circumscription of time, wherein the whole drama 
b^ins and ends, is, according to ancient rule, and best 
example, within the space of twenty-^fpur hours, 

. SAMSON 

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SAMSON AGONISTES. 



ARGUMENT. 



SamiOfty matfe captive, hlitid, and ninv In the prison at Gaza, there fo hioifr 
as in a cofnm9H nwrS^bouseyOn a festival diiy, in the general cetsatioA frotit 
labour f comet forth, iktt^tbi §pi*Mr, to a place nigh, tomnvbat ritittd^ 
thtre to sit a %uiiile and bemoan bis condition ; tobere be happens at ipngtb 
to be visited by certain friends and equals of bis tribe, (ivbicb make tba 
chorus,) vfbo seek to comfort him xvbat they can ; then By bit old father 
Ji/fiastoab, ivbo endeavours the UMe, and nvitbal tells bim bis purpose f# 
procure bis liberty by ranfom ; lastfy, that this feast teas proclaimed fy. 
the Philistines as a day of tbanisgrving for their deliverance from tbs 
hands of Samson, vubicb yet more troubles him. Manoah then departs t9 
prosecute bis endeavour tifitb the PbHistian lords for 8amson*s redentptio^j 
xvho in the meanvobile is visited by othet persons, and lastly by a public 
officer, to require bis coming to the feast before the lords and people^ to pld^ 
or sbenv bis strength in t^eir presence ; he at first refuses, dismissing tbm 
public officer toitb absolute denial to come , at length, persuaded inwardljf^ 
that this v/as ftom God, be yields to go along tvtith bim, xvbo time now 
the second time toitb great tbreatenings to fetch bim : the chorus yet re* 
mainimg on the place, Manoah returns, full of joyful hope to procure er€ 
long bis sons deliverance ; in the midst of ivbicb discourse, an HeBre%» 
come* in baste, confusedly atfnt, euul after tvards more distinBly relating 
the eatajtropBe, what Samson bad done to the Philistines^ and by aecidaiA 
to himself i ivbercwith the tragedy ends, 

Sams.p^ LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand 
To these dark steps, a little further on ; 
For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade : 
There I am wont to sit, wh6n any chance 
Relieves me from my task of servile toil, J 

Daily in the common prison else injoin'd me, 
Where I, a prisoner chain'd, scarte freely draw 
The air imprisoned also, close and damp, , 

Unwholesome draught : but here I feel amends, 
The breath of heav*n fresh blowing, pure and sweet. 
With day-spring born ; here leave me to respire. 1 1 
This day a solemn feast the people hold 
To Dagon their sea-idol, and forbid 
Vol. IL G Laborious 

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42 SAMSON AGOMISTES. 

Laborious works ; unwillingly this rest 

Their superstition yields me i hence with leave 15 

Retiring from the popular noise, I seek 

This unfrequented place to find some ease^ 

Ease to the body some, none to the mind 

From restless thoughts^ that like a deadly swarm 

Of hornets arm'dy no sooner found alone» 20 

But rush upon me thronging, and present 

Times pasty what once I was, and what am now. 

O wherefore was my birth from heav*n foretold 

Twice by an angel, who at last in sight 

Of both my parents all in flames ascended 25 

From off the altar, where an offering bum^dy 

As in a fiery column charioting 

His godlike presence, and from some great z€t 

Or benefit reveal'd to Abraham's race ? 

Why was my breeding order'd and prescrib'd 30 

As of a person separate to God, 

Design'd for great exploits ; if I nuist die 

Betray'd, captiv'd, and both my eyes put out, 

Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze ; 

To grind in brazen fetters under task 35 

With this heav'n-gifted strength ? O glorious strength 

Put to the labour of a beast, debas'd 

Lower than bond-slave I Promise was that I 

Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver ; 

Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 

Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves. 

Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke : 

Yet stay, let me not rashly call in doubt 

Divine predidion j what if all foretold 

Had been fulfill'd but thro' mine own default, 4$ 

Whom have I to complain of but myself ? 

Who this high gift of strength committed to me. 

In what part lodg'd, how easily bereft me. 

Under the seal of silence could not keep. 

But weakly to a woman must reveal it, 50 

O'ercome with importunity and tears. 

O impotence of mind, in body strong ! 

But what is strength without a double share 

^ of 

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SAMSON AGONISTfiS, 63 

Of Wisdom, vast, unwieldy, burdensome, 

Proudly secure, yet liable to fall 55 

By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, 

But to subserve where wisdom bears command I 

God, when he gave me strength, to show withal 

How slight the gift was, hung it in my hair. 

But peace, I must not quarrel with the will 60 

Of highest dispensation, which herein 

Haply hath ends above ir.y reach to know : 

Suffices that to me strength is my bane. 

And proves the source of all my miseries ; 

So many, and so huge, that each apart 65 

Would ask a life to wail 5 but chief of all, 

O . loss of sight, of thee I most complain ! 

Blind among enemies, O worse than chains. 

Dungeon, or beggary, or decripit age ! 

Light the prime work of God to me is extinQ:, 70 

And all her various objefts of delight 

AnnuU'd, which might in part my grief have eas'd. 

Inferior to the vilest now become 

Of man or worm j the vilest here excel me : 

They creep, yet see ; I dark in light expos'd 75 

To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong, 

Within doors, or without, still as a fool, 

In power of others, never in my own j 

Scarce half I seem alive, dead more than half. 

O dark, dark, dark, amidst the blaze of noon, 80 

Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse 

Without all hope of day ; 

O first created beam, and thou great word. 

Let there be light, and light was over all ; 

Why am I thus bereavM 3iy prime decree ? 85 

The sun to me is dark 

And silent as the moon. 

When she deserts the night 

Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. 

Since light so necessi'*y is to life, 9© 

And almost life itself, if it be true 

Th^it light is in the soul, 

She all hi every part ; why was the sight 

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C4 ' SAMSON AOOKI^TES< 

To such a tender ball as th* eye confin'd, 

So obvious, and so easy to be quench'd ? 95 

And not as feeling, through all parts diffiisM, 

That she might look at will through every pore i 

Then had I not been thus exil'd from light, 

As in the land of darkness, yet in light. 

To live a life half dead, a living death, 100 

And bury'd •, but O yet more miserable ! 

Myself my sepulchre, a moving grave, 

Bury'd, . yet not exempt 

By privilege of death and burial 

From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs, 105 

But made hereby obnoxious more 

To all the miseries of life. 

Life in captivity 

Among inhuitian foes. 

But who are these ? for with joint pace I hear 1 10 

The tread of many feet steering this way j 

Perhaps my enemies, who come to stare 

At my affliftion, and perhaps t' insult, 

Their' daily pra^ice to affliii mc more. 

Ckor. 'Fhis, this is he ; softly a while, 115 

Let us not break in upon him ; 
O change beyond report, thought, or belief ! 
See how he lies at random, carelessly diffused. 
With languisWd head unpropt. 

As one past hope, abandoned, 1 20 

And by himself given over ; 
In slavish habit, ill fitted weeds 
O'erworn and soil'd j 

Or do my eyes misrepresent ? can this be he. 
That heroic, that rcnown'd, ' 1 25 

Irresistible Samson ? whom unarm'd [stand j 

No strength of man, or fiercest wild beast could witb- 
Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid. 
Ran on imbattled armies clad in iron, 
And weaponless himself, 130 

Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery 
Of brazen shield and spear, the hammer'd cuirass, 
Chalybeau tempered steel, and frock of mail 

Ada^ 

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511IS0N ACONISTES. 6} 

Adamantean proof; 

Bat safest he who stood aloof, 13$ 

When insupportably his foot advancM, 
In scorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, 
Spum'd them to death by troops. The bold Ascalonite 
Fled from his lion ramp, old warriors turned 
Their plated backs under his heel ; 14^ 

Or grov'ling soil'd their crested helmets in the dust. 
Then with what trivial weapon came to hand. 
The jaw of a dead ass, his sword of bone, 
A thousand foreskins fell, the flow'r of Palestine, 
In Ramath-lechi, famous to this day. 145 

Then by main force puU'd up, and on his shoulders bore 
The gates of Gaza, post, and massy bar. 
Up to the hill by Hebron, seat of giants old. 
No journey of a sabbath-day, and loaded so ; 
Like whom the Gentiles feign to bear up heav'n, 150 
Which shall I first bewail. 
Thy bondage or lost sight. 
Prison within prison 
Inseparably dark ? 

Thou art become, (O worst imprisonment !) 155 

The dungeon of thyself 5 tby soul 
(Which men enjoying sight oft without cause complain) 
Imprisoned now indeed. 
In real darkness of the body dwells. 
Shut up from outward light 160 

T* incoporate with gloomy night 5 
For inward light alas 
Puts forth no visual beam. 
O mirror of our fickle state. 

Since man on earth unparallel'd ! 165 

The rarer thy example stands. 
By how much from the top of wond'rous glory, 
Strongest of mortal men. 

To lowest pitch of abje£t fortune thou art fall'n. 
For him 1 reckon not in high estate 170 

Whom long descent of birth, 
Or the sphere of fortune raises j 
But thee whose ;jtrength, while virtue was her mate, 
G 3 Might 

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6S 8AU80N ACONISTES. 

Might have subdu'd the earth, 

Universally crown'd with highest praises. lyj 

Sams. I hear the sound of words, their senaiK the air 
Dissolves unjointed e'er it reach my ear. 

Chor, He speaks, let us draw nigh. Matchless in 
The glory late of Israel, now the grief; [might, 

We come thy friends and neighbours not unknown 
From E^htaol and Zora^s fruitful vale, i8i 

To visit or bewail thee, or if better. 
Counsel or consolation we may bring, 
Salve to thy sores ; apt words have pow'r to swage 
The tumours of a troubkd mind, 1^5 

And are as balm to fester'd wounds. 

Sanu. Your coming, friends, revives me ; for I learn 
Now of my own experience, not by talk. 
How counterfeit a coin they are who friends 
Bear in their superscription, (of the most 190 

I would be understood), in prosp'rous days 
They swarm, but in adverse withdraw their head^ 
Not to be found, though sought. Ye see, O friends,. 
How many evils have enclos'd me round j 
Yet that which was the worst now least afflids me, 
Blindness; for had I sight,. confus'd with shame, ipd 
How could I once look up, or heave the head. 
Who like a foolish pilot have shipwreck'd 
My vessel trusted to itie from above. 
Gloriously rigg'd ; and for a word a tear, 200 

Fool, have divulg'd the secret gift of God 
To a deceitful woman ? tell me, friends. 
Am I not sung and proverb'd for a fool 
In ev*ry street ? do they not say how well 
Are come upon him his deserts i yet why i 205 

Immeasurable strength they might behold 
In me, of wisdom nothing more than mean ; 
This with the other should, at least have pair'd. 
These two proportioned ill drove me transverse. 

Chor. Tax not divine disposal ; wisest n:en 21a 
Have err'd, and by bad women been deceived ; 
And shall agam, pretend they ne'er so wise. 
De]c£k not then so overmuch thyself, 

Wha 

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SIMSOK AGONIST£S. 6f 

Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides ; 
Yet tFUth to say, I oft have heard men wonder 21^ 
Why thou should'st wed Philistian women rather 
Than of thine own tribe fairer, or as fair, * 

At least of thy own nation, and as noble. 

Sams. The first I saw at Timna, and she pleas'd 
Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed* 22^ 

The daujghter of an infidel : they knew not 
That what I motioned was of God ; I knew 
From intimate impulse, and therefore urg*d 
The marriage on ; that by occasion hence 
I might begin Israel's deliveratice, 22j 

The work to which I was divinely call'd. 
She proving false, the next I took to wife 
(O that I never had ! fond wish too late) 
Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, 
That specious monster, my accomplished snare. a3« 
I thought it lawful from my former a6l. 
And the same end ; still watching to oppress 
Israel's oppressors : of what now I suffer 
She was not the prime cause, but I myself, 
Who vanquished with a peal of words (O weakness fj 
Gave up my fort of silence to a woman, 236 

Chor. In seeking just occasion to provoke 
The Philistine, thy country's enemy. 
Thou never wast remiss, I bear thee witness : 
Yet Israel still serves with all his sons. , 240 

Sams. That fault I take not on me, bflft transfer 
On Israel's governors, and heads of tribes. 
Who seeing those great ads which God had done 
Singly by me against their conquerors, 
AcknowledgM not, or not at all considered 245 

Deliv'rance oflFcr^d : I on th* other side 
Us'd no ambition to commend my deeds | 
The deeds themselves, tho' mute, spoke loud the doer : 
But they persisted deaf, and would not seem 
To count them things worth notice, till at length 250 
Their lords the Philistines, with gathered pow'r$ 
EnterM Judea seeking me, who thtn 
Safe to the rock of £tlum was cetir'd^ 

Not 

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68 SAMSON AGOMISTES. 

Not flying, but fore-casting in what place 

To set upon them» what advantag'd best: 255 

Meanwhile the^men of Judah, to prevent 

The harrass of their land, beset me round ; 

I willingly on some conditions came 

Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 

To the uncircumcis'd a welcome prey, 264 

Bound with two cords j but cords to me were threads 

Touched Mrith the flame : on their whole host I flew 

Unarm*d, and with a trivial weapon felFd 

Their choicest youth ; they only liv'd who fled. 

Had Judah that day join'd, or one whole tribe, 265 

They had by this possessed the tow'rs of Gath, 

And lorded over them whom now they serve : 

But what more oft in nations grown corrupt. 

And by their vices brought to servitude, 

Tham to love bondage more than liberty, 270 

Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty ; 

And to despise, or envy, or suspect 

Whom God hath of his special favour rais'd 

As their deliverer ; if he ought begin, 

How frequent to desert him, and at last 275 

To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds ? 

Cbor. Thy words to my remembrance bring 
How Succoth, and the fort of Penuel 
Their great deliverer contemn'd, 
The matchless Gideon, in pursuit 280 

Of Madian and her vanquished kings : 
And how ingrateful Ephraim 
Had dealt with Jephtba, who by argument. 
Not worse than by his shield and spear. 
Defended Israel from the Ammonite, 28^ 

Had not his prowess quelPd their pride 
In that sore battle, when so many dy'd, 
Without reprieve adjudg'd to death. 
For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth. 

Sams. Of such examples add me to the roll ; 290 
Me easily indeed mine may neglect. 
But God's proposed deliverance not so. 

Chon Just are the ways of Qod, 

And 

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And justifiable to men ; , ^ 

Unless there be who think not God at all : 29jf 

If any be, thejr walk obscure ; 

For of such dodlrine never was there school^ 

But the heart of the fool, 

And no man therein dodior but himself. 

Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just. 
As to his own edids found contradidling ; 301 

Then give the reins to wand'ring thought. 
Regardless of his glory's diminution ; 
Till by their own perplexities involved. 
They revel more, still less resolv'd, 305 

But never find self-satisfying solution. 

As if they would confine th' interminable, 
And tie him to his own prescript, 
"Who madeour laws to bind us, not himself. 
And hath full right t' exempt 3191 

"Whom so it pleases him by choice 
From national obstriction, withput taint 
Of sin, or legal debt ; 
For with his own laws he can best dispense. 

He would not else, who never wanted means, 315 
Nor in respe<Sl of th* enemy just cause 
To set his people free, 
Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, 
Against his vow of striftest purity, 
To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 3 20 

Unclean, unchaste. 

Down reason then, at least vain reasonings down. 
Though reason here aver 
That moral verdiS quits her of unclean : 
Unchaste was subsequent, her stain not his. 325 

But see, here comes thy reverend sire. 
With careful step, locks white as down. 
Old Manoah : advise 
Forthwith how thou ought'st to receive him. 

Sams. Ay me, another inward grief awak'd 330 
With mention of that name renews th* assault. 

Man. Brethren and men of Dair, for such ye seem. 
Though in this uncouth place 5 if old respc£t, 

As 

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70 SAMION ACOMIiTBS. 

As I suppose, towards your once gloryM friend* 
My son, now captive, hither hath inform'd 335 

Your younger feet, while mine cast back with age, 
Came lagging after ; say if he be here. 

Cbor, As signal now in low deje£ted state. 
As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. 

Man. O miserable change ! is this the man» 340 
That invincible Samson, far renown'd, 
The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength 
Equivalent to angels walk'd the streets. 
None offering fight j who single combatant 
Duelled their armies rank'd in proud array, 345 

Himself an army, now unequal match 
To save himself against a coward arm'd 
At one spear's length ? O ever failing trust 
In mortal strength ! and Oh what not in man 
Deceivable and vain ? Nay what thing good jjo 

Pray'd for, but often proves our woe, our bane ? 
I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness 
In wedlock a reproach 5 I gain'd a son. 
And such a son as all men hailM me happy ; 
Who would now be a father in my stead i 35J 

O wherefore did God grant me my request, 
And as a blessing with such pomp adorn'd ? 
Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt 
Our earnest prayers, then given with solemn hand 
As graces, draw a scorpion's tail behind ? 360 

For this did the angel twice descend ? for this 
Ordain'd thy nurture Holy, as of a plant 
Seleft and sacred, glorious for a while. 
The miracle of men 5 then in an hour 
Insnar'd, assaulted, overcome, led bound, 365 

Thy foes derision, captive, poor, and blind. 
Into a dungeon thrust, to work with slaves ? 
Alas, methinks whom God hath chosen once 
To worthiest deeds, if he through frailty err, 
He should not so o'erwhelm, and as a thrall 370 

Subjeft him to so foul indignities, 
Be it but for honour's sake of former deeds. 

Sam, Appoint not heav'nly disposition, father ; 

Nothing 

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SAUSON AOOMIgTES* 7 1 

Nothing of all tb^se evils hath be£atUen me 

But justly $ I myself have brought them on^ 375 

Sole author I, sole cause : if ought seem vUe, 

As vile hath been my folly, who have pro&n'd 

The mystery Of God giv'n me under pledge 

Of vow, and hive befray'd it to a' woman^ 

A Canaanite, my faithless enemy, 380 

This well I knew, nor was at all surpris'd^ 

But warned by oft experience : did not she 

Of Timna first betray me, and reveal 

The secret wrested from me in her height 

Of nuptial love profess'd, carrying it strait 385 

To them who had corrupted her, my spies. 

And rival's ? In this other was there found 

More faith, who also in her prime of love. 

Spousal embraces, vitiated with gold. 

Though oflfer'd only by the scent conceived 390 

Her spurious first-born, treason against me ? 

Thrice she assay'd with flattering prayers and sighs. 

And amorous reproaches, to win from me . 

My capital secret, in what part my strength 

Lay stor'd, in what part summ'd, that she might know ; 

Thrice I deluded her and turn'd to sport 396 

Her importunity, each time perceiving 

How openly, and with what impudence 

She purpos'd to betray me, and (which was worse 

Than undissembled hate), with what contempt 40^ 

She sought to make me traitor to myself ; 

Yet the fourth time, when must'ring all her wiles. 

With blandish*d parlies, femine assaults, 

Tongue batteries, she surceas'd not day nor night 

To storm me over-watch'd and weary'd out, 40J 

At times when men seek most repose and rest, 

I yielded, and unlocked her all my heart. 

Who with a grain of manhood well resolv'd 

Might easily have shook of all her snares : 

But foul effeminancy held me yok'd 410 

Her bond-slave ; O indignity, O blot 

To honour and religion ! servile mind 

Rewarded well with servile punishment ! 



The 



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It SAUSOH' A06NmiU* 

The base degree to which I now^ am fall^ni 

Thfse rags <^ g^^<l<ngi is tiot yet so bkse 415 

As was my former s^nritudei ignoble. 

Unmanly, ignomkitbus, infa^mous, 

True slavery, and that blindness worse thati- this, 

That saw not how degenetatcty I 8er?*dl 

Man. I cannot prake thy marriage i^hoie^s^ Sdn, 420 
Rather approved them not ; but thOu dids^ ^lead 
Divine impulsion prompting ho«^ thou might'st 
Find some occasion to infest our foes. 
I state not that ; this I am sure, out foeS 
Found soon occasion thereby to make thee 425 

Their captive and their triumph \ thou the sooner 
Temptation found'st or over potent charms 
To violate the sacred trust of silence 
Deposited within thee ; which to have kept 
Tacit, was in thy power : true ; and thou bear'st 430 
Enough and more the burden of that fault ; 
Bitterly hast thou paid, ancj still art paying 
That rigid score. A worse thing yet remains ; 
This day the Philistines a popular feast 
Here celebrate in Gaza ; and proclaim 435 

Great pomp, and sacrifice, and praises loud 
To Dagon, as their god who hadi delivered 
Thee Samson, bound and blind into their hands. 
Them out of thine, who slew'st them many a slain. 
So Dagon shall be magnify'd, and God, 440 

Besides whom is no god, compar'd with idols, 
Disglorify'd, blasphem'd, and had in scorn 
By the idolatrous rout amidst their wine ; 
Which to have come to pass by means 0/ thee, 
Samson, of all thy sufferings think the heaviest, 445 
Of all reproach the most with shame that ever 
Could have befalFn thee and thy father's house. 

Sams. Father, I do acknowledge and confess 
That I this honour, I this pomp have brought 
To Dagon, and advanc'd his praises high 450 

Among the heathen round 5 to God have brought 
Dishonour, obloquy, and opM the mouths 
Of idolists and atheists 5 have brought scandal 

To 

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SAMSON AG0MI8TBS. 73 

To Israel, diffidence of God, a^d do^l>t 

In feeble hearts, propense enough before 455 

To waver, or fall off apd join with idols ; 

"Which is my chief affliftion, shame, and sorrow> 

The anguish of my soul, that suffers not 

Mine eyes to harbour sleep, or thou^^^ to r<st. 

This only hope relieves me, that the strife 4^0 

"With me hath end; all the contest is noV 

Twixt God and DagOn ; Dagon hath presHm'dj 

Me overthrown, to enter lists with Godj 

His deity comparing and preferring 

Before the God of Abraham. He, be sure^ 46; 

Will not connive, or linger, thus provok'd^ , 

But will arise, and his great n^v^Q assert : 

Dagon must stoop, and shall ere long receive 

Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil hipi 

Of all his boasted trophies won on me, 47(| 

And with confusion blank his worshippers. 

Man. With cause this hope^ relieves thee, ^nd thesp 
I as a prophecy receive ; for Qod, . £word$ 

Nothing more certain, will not long d^fcf 
To vindicate the glory of his name 47f 

Agaidst all competition, npr will long 
Endure it doubtful whether God be Lord> 
Or Dagon. But for thee what shall be done i 
Thou must not in the meanwhile here forgot 
Lie in this miserable loathsome plight 4I9 

Negle£led. I already have made way 
To some Fhilistian lords, with whom to tr^t 
About thy ransom : well they may by tjus 
Have satisfy'd their utmost of revenge 
By pains and slaveries, worse than death inflided 4J5 
On thee, who now no more canst do them harm. 

Sams. Spare that proposal, father, spare thp trouble 
Of that solicitation \ let me here, 
As I deserve, pay on my punishment ; 
And expiate, if possible, my crime, 49^ 

Shameful garrulity.' To have reveal'd 
Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend. 
How hainous had the faft been, how deserving 

Vol* II. H Contempt 

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74 SANSON AGONISTE^. 

CcMitcmpt and scorn of all, to be excluded " 

All friendship, and avoided as a blab» 4pj 

The mark of fool set on his front ? 

But I God's counsel have not kept, his holy secret 

Presumptuously have publishM, impiously. 

Weakly at least, and shamefully : a sin 

That Gentiles in their parables condemn, 500 

To their abyss and horrid pains confined. 

Man. Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. 
But a£^ not in thy own affli^ion, son ; 
Repent the sin, but if the punishment , 
Thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids ; 505 

Or th' execution leave to high disposal. 
And let another hand, not thine, exa^ 
Thy penal forfeit from thyself-, perhaps 
God will relent, and quit thee all his debt \ 
Who ever more approves and more accepts 51^ 

(Best pleas'd with humble and filial submission) 
Him who imploring mercy sues for life. 
Than who self-rigorous chuses death as due ; 
Which argues over-just, and self-<iispleas'd 
For self-offence, more than for God ofiended. 5 tj 
RejeA not then what offered means ; who knows 
But God hath set before us, to return thee 
Home to thy country and his sacred house, 
Where thou ma/st bring thy offerings, to avert 
His further ire, with pray'rs and vows rencw'd ? 520 

Sams. His pardon I implore % but^as for life. 
To what end should I seek it ? when in strength 
All mortals I excell'd, and great in hopes. 
With youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts 
Of birth from heav'n foretold and high exploits, 525 
Full of divine instinft, after some proof 
Of a£ls indeed heroic, far beyond 
The sons of Anak, famous now and blaz'd, 
Fearless of danger, like a petty god 
I walked about admir'd of all, and dreaded 530 

On hostile ground, none daring my affront. 
Then swolFn with pride into the snare I fell 
Of f^r fallacious looks^ venereal trains^ 

. . Softened 

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SAMSON AGONIST£S. Tg 

SoftenM with pleasure and voluptuous life ; 

At length to lay my head and hallow'd pledge 53 j 

Of all my strength in the lascivious lap 

Of a deceitful concubine, who shore me 

L»ike a tame wether, all my precious fleece, 

Then turn'd me out ridiculous, despoil'd, 

Shaven, and disarm'd among mine enemies. 54® 

Chor. Desire of wine and all dfelicious drinks, 
Which many a famous warrior overturns. 
Thou could'st repress, nor did the dancing ruby 
Sparkling, out-pour'd, the flavour, or the smell. 
Or taste, that cheers the heart of gods and men, 545 
Allure thee from the cool crystalline stream. 

Sams* Wherever fountain or fresh current flow'd 
Against the eastern ray, trartslucent, pure 
With touch ethereal of heaven's fiery rod, 
I drank, from the clear milky juice allaying . 550 

Thirst, and refiresh'd 5 nor envy'd them the grape 
Whose heads that turbulent liquor fills with fumes. 

Cbor. O madness, to think use of strongest whies 
And strongest drinks our chief support of health, 
When God with these forbidden made choice to rear 
His mighty champion, strong above compare, 556 
Whose drink was only from the liquid brook. 

Sams, But what avail'd this temp'rance, nofcomplete 
Against another obje£k more enticing ? 
What boots it at one gate to make defence, 56a. 

And at another to let in the foe, 
EflFeminately vanquished ? by which means, 
Now blind, disheartened, sham'd, dishonour'd, qucU'dj 
To what can I be useful, wherein serve 
My nation, and the work from heav'n imposed, 565 
But to sit idle on the household hearth, 
A burd'nous drone 5 to visitants a gaze. 
Or pity*d obje£t, these redundant locks 
Robustious to no purpose clustering down. 
Vain monuments of strength, tijl length of years 570 
And sedentary numbness craze my limbs 
To a contemptible old age obscure ? 
Here rather let me drudge and earn my bread, 

Hz TiU 

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*j6 liMsoH A(5;oKistfe5* 

Till vermin or the draff of servile food 

Consume me, and oft-invocated death j^j 

Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. 

Man. Wilt thou then serve the Philistines with that 
Which was expressly giv'n thee to annoy them ? fglft 
Better at home lie bed-rid> not only idle, 
Inglorious, unemployed, with age out- worn. 580 

But God, who causM a fountain at thy prayer 
From the dry ground to spring, thy thirst t* allay 
After the brunt of battle, can as easy 
Cause light again within thy eyes to spring, 
Wherewith to serve him better than thou hast 5 585 
And I persuade me so ; why else this strength 
Miraculous yet remaining- in those locks ? 
His might continues in thee not for nought. 
Nor shall his wond'rous gifts be frustrate thus. 58p 

Sams. All otherwise to me my tlioughts portend. 
That these dark orbs no more shall tfeat with lights 
Nor th' trther Kght of Kfe continue long, 
But ykM to double darkness nigh at hand : 
So much I fed my genial spirits droop. 
My hopes all flat, nature within me seems 595 

In all her funfiions weary of herself, 
My race of glory run, and race of shame. 
And I shall shortly be with thetn that rest. 

Man. Believe not these suggestions, which proceed 
Trom anguish of the mind and humours black, 600 
That mingle with thy fancy. I however 
Must not omit a father's timely care. 
To prosecute the means o{ thy deliverance 
By ransom, or how else : meanwhile be'calm. 
And healing words from these thy friends admit. 605 

Sams. O that torment should not be confined 
To the body's wounds and -sores, 
With maladies itmumeraWe 
In heart, hea4i breast, and reins ; 
®ut must secret passage find 610 

To th' inmost mind. 
There exercise all his fierce accidents. 
And on her purest spirits prey, 
/ As 

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8AM80K AC0KIST£9« 7f 

As on intrails» joints, and limbs» 

With answerable pains, but more intense 6ig 

llioagh void of corporal sense. 

My griefs not only pain me 
As a lingering disease. 
But finding no redress, ferment and rage^ 
Nor less than wounds immedicable 6%% 

Rankle, and fester, and gangrene^ 
To black mortification. 

Thoughts my tormentors armM with deadly stings 
Mangle my apprehensive t^aderest parts^ 
Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise 62^ 

Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb 
Or medicinal liquor can assuage. 
Nor breath of ^vernal air from snowy Alp. 
Sleep hath forsook and giv'n me o'er 
To death's benumbing opium as my only cure : 630 
Thence faintings, swoomngs of despair, 
And sense of heaven's desertion. 

I was his nursling once and choice delight, 
His destin'd from the womb, 

Promis'd by heavenly message twice descending : ^35 
Under his special eye 
Abstemious I grew up and thriv'd amain ^ 
He led me on to mightiest deeds« 
Above the nerve of mortal arm. 
Against th' uncircumcis'd, our enemies ; 640 

But now hath cast me off as never known. 
And to those cruel enemies. 
Whom 1 by his appointment had provok'd. 
Left me all helpless with th' irreparable loss 
Of. sight, rcserv'd alive to be repeated ^45 

The subje£l of their cruelty or scorn. 
Nor am I in the list of them that hope ; 
Hopeless are all my evils, all remediless ; 
This one prayer yet remains,' might I be heard^ v 

No long petition, speedy death, 650 

The close of all my miseries, and the balm. 

Cior. Many are the sayings of the wise 
In ancient and in modem books inroU'd^ 

H 3 E tolling 

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Y6 Wattnt AGONISTES. 

lExtoUing patience is 4lhc truest £cyptitude ; 

And to the heaving well «f all calaviifoeB, ^55 

All chances incident to man's frati >iife, 

Consolatorics writ 

With study'd argument, and mudi jievsasMion soa^it, 

Iienient of grief and anxious thought : 

Cot with th' affli£led in his pangs fhetr soond ^60 

Little prevails, or rather seems a tune 

Harsh, and of dissonant mood (mm his cem^latDt^ 

Unless ke if eel ¥ri^in 

Some source df conscfki^Mi &om above, 

iieeret refreshings, that repair his streng^, 66; 

And fainting 6pirits upheld. 

God of our fathers, what is man !. 
That thou tonn^rde "him with hand so utrious. 
Or might I say centrarious, 

Tjomper'-st'tfiy providence fhro* his siiort <:our8e 670 
Not cv'nly, as thou -ruPst 
Th' angelic orders and titferior creatures mute. 
Irrational and brute. 

Nor do I name of men the common vout, 
That wand'rjng loose about 675 

Grow up and perish, as the summer'^iy. 
Heads without •name no more remembered, 
But such as thou hasi: solemnly -ele&ed. 
With gifts and graces eminently adom'd 
To some great W0f k, thy glory, <S8o 

And people'-s 'Safely, which in part they efied : 
Yet towards these thus dignifyd, thou oft 
Amidst their height of noon Cg^vd 

Changest thy count'nance, and thy hiind with so !«- 
Of highest favours past 685 

From thee on them, ^r tlK^nto thee of serwe. 

Nor only dost degrade them, or remit 
To life obscured, which were a fiair dismission, 
But throw*st them lower than thou didst exalt them 
^Unseemly falls in human eye, Chi^ 

Too grievous for the trespass or. omission } ^6^ 

Oft leav'st them to the hostile sword 
Of heathen and profeoe^ their i^cades 



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SAMSON AC0NI8T£S« 79 

To dogs and fowls a prcjr, or dsc captiv'd 5 
Or to th' anjust tribanals^ under change of times, 695 
And condemnation of th' ingratcful multitude. 
If these they 'scape, perhaps in poverty 
With sickness and disease thou lx>w'st them down> 
Painful diseases and deform'd, 

in crude old age ; 709 

Tho' not disordinate, yet causeless suffering 
The puobhment of dissolute davs : in fine. 
Just or unjust alike seem miseraDlej 
For oft alike both come to evil rend. 704 

So deal not with this oace thy glorious champion^ 
The image of thy strength, and mighty minister. 
What do I beg ? how ^t thou dealt already ? 
. Behdld him in this state calamitous, and turn 
His labours, ibr thou canst, to peaceful jend. 

But who is thi$, what itbing of sea or land? 710 
Female of sex it seems, 
That so bedeck'd, ornate, and gay, ' 

Comes this way sailing 
Like a stately ship , 

Of Tarsus, bound for th' isles ytg 

Of J a van or Gadirc, 
With all her bravery on, «id tackle trim. 
Sails fiird, and streamers waving. 
Courted by all the winds that hold them pday, 
An amber scf nt of odorous perfume 7^(0 

Her harbinger, a damsel train behind 4 
Some rich Philistian matron she may seem. 
And now at nearer view, no other certain 
Than Dalila thy wile. 724 

£ams. My wife, my traitress, lethar not coine near me. 

iCbor^Yct anAhemoves, now stands andeye&thee&x'd^ 
About t' have spoke, -but now, with head dedin'd 
Like a fair 'flower ^urcharg'd with dew, she weeps^ 
And words addrese'd seem into tears dis6ohr'd> 
Wetting the borders of her silken veil : 730 

But now again she makes addre^ ilo «peak. 

DaL With doubtful feet and wavering resohittim 
I came. stiUvdreading thy displeasure. S^omon, 

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•o SIMSON AG0mSTE9» 

Which to have merited, without excuse, 

I cannot but acknowledge; yet if tears 73 j 

May ezpiatCy (tho' the faft more evil drew 

In the perverse ^cvent than I foresaw,) 

My penance hath not slacken'd, tho' my pardon 

No way assur'd. But conjugal affediion 

Pievailing over fear, and timorous doubt, 74^ 

Hath led me on, desirous to behold 

Once more thy face, and know of thy estate^ 

If ought in my ability may serve 

To lighten what thou suffer'st, and appease 

Thy mind with what amends is in my power, 74^ 

Tho' late, yet in some part to recompense 

My rash, but more unfortunate misdeed. 

Sams. Out, out. Hyaena ; these are thy wonted arts. 
And arts of every woman false like thee. 
To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray ; 759 

Then as repentant to submit, beseech. 
And reconcilement move witli feign'd remorse. 
Confess, and promise wonders in her change ; 
Not truly penitent, but chief to try 
Her husband, how far.urg'd his patience bears, 75 j 
His virtue or weakness which way to assail ; 
Then with more cautious and instru<5led skill 
Again transgresses, and again submits ; 
That wisest and best men full oft beguil'd, 
With goodness principled not to rejeS: ^6• 

The penitent, but ever to forgive. 
Are drawn to wear out miserable days« 
Intangled with a pois'nous bosom snake, 
if not by quick destruction soon cut off. 
As I by thee, to ages an example. 765 

Dal. Yet hear me Samson $ not that I endeavour 
To lessen or extenuate my offence. 
But that on the other side, if it be weighed 
By itself, with aggravations not surcharg'd. 
Or else with just allowance counterpoised, 770 

I may, if possible, thy pardon find 
The easier towards me, or thy hatred less, 
First granting as I dO| it was a weakness . 

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in me, but incident to ail our $ex. 
Curiosity, inquisitive, importune 775 

Of secrets, then with like infirmity 
To publish them ; both common female faults: 
Was it not weakness also to make known 
For importunity, that is, for nought. 
Wherein consisted all thy strength and safety ? 78O 
To what I did thou showM'st me first the way. 
But I to enemies reveal'd, and should not : 
Nor shouldst thou have trusted that to woman's frailty t 
Ere I to thee, thou to thyself was crud. 
Let weakness then with weakness come to parie, 785 
So near related, or die same of kind. 
Thine forgive mine, that men may censure thine 
The gentler, if severely thou exa^ not 
More strength ftom me, than in thyself was foundf. 
And what if love, which thou interpret*8t hate, 7pa, 
The jealousy of love, powerful of sway 
In human hearts, nor less in mine tow'rds thee, 
Caus'd what I did ? I saw thee mutable 
Of fancy, feat'd lest one day thou would^ leave me 
As her at Timna ; sought by all means therefore 795 
How to endear, and hold thee to me firmest : 
No better way I saw than by' importuning 
To learn thy secrets, get into my power 
The key of strength and safety : thou wilt say 
Why then reveal'd ? I was assur'd by those 800 

Who tempted me, that nothing was designed 
Against thee but safe custody, and hold : 
That made for me ; I knew that liberty 
Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprizes^ 
While I at home sat full of cares and fears, 805 

Wailing thy absence in my widowM bed ; 
Here I should still enjoy thee day and night, 
Mine and love's prisoner, not the Philistines, 
Whole to myself, unhazarded abroad. 
Fearless at home of partners in my love. 810 

These reasons in love*s law have pass'd for good, 
Tho' fond and reasonless to sonie perhaps ; 
And love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much woe 

Yet 

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62 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Tet always pity, or pardon hath obtain'd. 

Be not unlike all others, not austere 815 

As thou art strong, inflexible as steeL 

If thou in strength all mortals dost exceed. 

In uncompassionate anger do not so. 

Sams. How cunningly the sorceress displays 
Her own transgressions, to upbraid me mine ! 820 
That malice, not repentance brought thee hither, 
By this appears : I gave thou say'st th' example, 
I led the way ; bitter reproach, but true j 
I to myself was false ere thou to me 5 
Such pardon therefore as I give my folly, Sz; 

Take to thy wicked deed j which when thou seest 
Impartial, self-severe, inexorable, 
Thou wilt renounce my seeking, and much rather 
Confess it feign'd. Weakness is thy excuse, 
And I believe it ^ weakness to resist 830 

Philistian gold : if weakness may excuse. 
What murderer, what traitor, parricide. 
Incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it? 
AH wickedness is weakness ; that plea therefore 
With God or man will gain thee no remission* 83 J 
But love constrained thee ; call it furious rage 
To satisfy thy lust : love seeks to have love; 
My love how couldst thou hope, who took'st the way 
To raise in me inexpiable hate. 

Knowing, as needs 1 must, by thee betray'd ; 840 
In vain thou stiv'st to cover shame with shame. 
Or by evasions thy crime uncoverst more. 

Dal. Since thou determin'st weakness for no plea. 
In man or woman, though to thy own condemning, 
Hear what assaults I had, what snares besides, 845 
What sieges girt me round, ere I consented 
Which might have aw'd the best resolv'd of men. 
The constantest to have yielded without blame. 
It was not gold, as to my charge thou lay'st. 
That wrought with me, ; thou knowst the magistrates 
And princes of my country came in person, 851 

Solicited, commanded, threatened, urg'd, 
Adjur*d by all the bonds 0/ civil duty. 

And 

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9AMS0N AGOmSTES. 93 

And of religion, pressM how just it was 
How honourable, how glorious to intrap 855 

A common enemy, who had destroyed 
Such numbers of our nation : and the priest 
Was not behind, but ever at my ear. 
Preaching how meritorious with the gods 
It would be to insnare an irreligious 860 

Dishonourer of Dagon : what had I 
T oppose against such powerful arguments ? 
Only my love to thee held long debate. 
And combated in silence all these reasons 
With hard contest : at length that grounded maxim. 
So rife and celebrated in the mouths B6S 

Of wisest men. That to the public good 
Private respefts must yield, with grave authority 
Took full possession of me, and prevail'd ; 
Virtue, as I thought, truth, duty so enjoining. 870 
Sams. I thought where all thy circling wiles would 
In feign'd religion, smooth hypocrisy. [end 

But had thy love, still odiously pretended. 
Been, as it ought, sincere, it would have taught thee 
Far other reasonings, brought forth other deeds. 875 
I, before all the daughters of my tribe. 
And of my nation, chose thee from among 
My enemies, lov'd thee, as too well thou knewst. 
Too well, unbosomed all my secrets to thee. 
Not out of levity, but overpower'd 880 

By thy request, who could deny thee nothing ; 
Yet now am judged an enemy. Why then 
Didst thou at first receive me for thy husband. 
Then, as since then, thy country's foe profess'd ? 
Being once a wife, for me thou wast to leave 885 
Parents and country ; nor was I their subject, • 
Nor under their prote£^ion, but my own ; 
Thou mine, not theirs : if ought against my life 
Thy country sought of thee, it sought unjustly 
Against the law of nature, law of nations, 890 

No more thy country, but an impious crew 
Of men conspiring to uphold their state 
By worse than hostile deeds, violating the ends 



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84 SAlCtOH AGOMZSTU. 

For which our country 18 a name so de^; 

Not therefore to be obey'd. But zeal mov'd thee ; 

To please thy gods thou dklst it ; gods unable 9f^ 

T acquit themsehres and proeecute their foes 

But by ungodly deeds^ die contradi&ion 

Of their own deity : gods they cannot be ; 

Less therefore to oe pleasM» obeyed, or iear^d. 5)00 

These false pretexts and vamish'd colours faiiingf 

Bare in thy guilt how foul thou must appear ? 

DaL In argument with men a woman c?er 
Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause. 

Sams. For want of words, no doubt, or lack of breath; 
Witness when I was worried with thy peals. 906 

Dal. I was a fool, too rash, and quite mistaken 
In what I thought would have succeeded best. 
Let me obtain forgiveness of thee, Samson ; 
Afford me place to shew what recompense 910 

Towards thee I intend for what I have misdone. 
Misguided ; only what remains past cure 
Bear not too sensibly, nor still insist 
T' affli£i: thyself in vain : though sight be lost> 
Life yetiiath many solaces, enioy'd 915 

Where other senses want not their delights 
At home in leisure and domestic ease, 
Exempt from many a care and chance, to which 
Eye sight exposes daily men abroad. 
I to the lords will intercede, not doubting 920 

Their favourable ear, that I may fetch thee 
From forth this loathsome prison-house, to abide 
With me, where my redoubled love and care 
With nursing diligence, to me glad office. 
May ever tend about thee to old age, ^25 

With all things grateful chcer'd, and so supply^d. 
That what by me thou hast lost thou least shalt miss* 

Sams. No, no, of my conditbn take no care 5 
It fits not, thou and 1 long since are twain : 
Nor think me so unwary or accurs'd 930 

To bring my feet again into the snare 
Where once I have been caught •, I know thy trains. 
Though dearly to my cost, thy gins and toils ^ 

Thy 

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Thy fair inc^nted cupi and warbling ckarma 
No more on me have pow*r j their force is nuU'd 5 
So much of adder's wisdom I have learn'd 936 

To fence my ear against thy sorceries* 
If in my flower of yooth and strength, when all men 
Lov'd, honoured, feared me^ thon alone oouhbt hate me 
Thy husband, slight me, sell me, and forego me ;' 940 
How wouldst thou use me new, blind, and thereby 
Deceivable, in most things as a child 
Helpless, thence easily contemnM, and scom'd. 
And last negle6ied ? How wouldst thou insult^ 
When I must Hve uxorious to thy will 945 

In perfcfl: thraldom, how again betray me. 
Bearing my words and doings to the lords 
To gloss upon, and, censurmg, ttown or sm^t f 
This jail I count the house of liberty 
To thine, whose doors my feet ^all never enter. 5^0 

Dal. Let me approach at least, and touch thy hand. 

Sams. Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance wake 
My sudden rage to tear thee joint by joint. 
At distance I forgive thee ; go with that ; 
Bewail thy falsehood, and the pious works ^g^ 

It hath brought forth to make thee memorable 
Anftong ilhrstrtous women, faithful wives ; 
Cherish thy hastenM widowhood with the gold 
Of matrimonial treason : so farewell. 

Dti/. I see thou art implacable, more deaf 9<So 

To.pray'rs, than winds and seas ; yet winds tO seas' 
Arc reconcil'd at length, and sea to shore : 
Thy anger, unappeasable, still rages. 
Eternal tempest never to be cahn'd; 
why do I humble thus myself, and, suing g6^ 

For peace, reap nothing but repulse and lute ? 
Bid go with evil omen, and the brand 
Of infamy upon my name- dcnounc'd ? 
To mix with thy concernments I desist 
Henceforth, nor too much disapprove my own. 970 
Fame, if not double-fac'd, is doubfe-mouthM, ' 
And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds 5 
On both his wings, one black, the other white. 

Vol. II. I Bears 

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86 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Bears greatest names in his wild airy flight. 

My name perhaps among the circumcis'd 975 

In Dan, in JudaJi, and thjc bordering tribes^ 

To all posterity may stand defam'di 

With malediiUon mention'd» and the blot 

Of falsehood most unconjugal traduced. . 

But in my country where I most desire, 9S0 

In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, and in Gath, 

I shall be nam'd among the famousest 

Of women, sung at solemn festivals. 

Living and dead recorded, who, to save 

Her country from a fierce destroyer, chose, 985 

Above the faith of wedlock-bands, my tonii> 

With odours visited and annual flowers ; 

Not less renown'd than in mount Ephraim 

Jael, who with inhospitable guile 

Smote Sisera sleeping, thro' the temple nail'd. 990 

Nor shall I count it heinous to enjoy 

The public marks of honour and reward. 

Conferred upon me for the piety. 

Which to my country I was judg'd t' have shown. 

At this whoever envies or repines, 995 

I leave him to his lot, and like my own. 

Chor. She's gone, a manifest serpent by her sting 
Discover'd in the end, till now conceal'd. 

Sams. So let her go *, God sent her to debase me, 
And aggravate my folly, who committed 1000 

To such a viper his most sacred trust 
Of secrecy, my safety, and my life. 

Chor Yet beauty, tho' injurious, hath strange power, 
After offence returning, to regain 
Love once possessed, nor can be easily 1005 

Repuls'd, without much inward passion felt. 
And secret sting of amorous remorse. / 

Sams. Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end. 
Not wedlock-treachery indang'ring life.. 

Chor. Jt is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, loio 
Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit. 
That woman's love can win or long inherit j 
But what it is, hard is to say. 

Heard 

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SAMSON AGONISTES. 87 

Harder to hit, 

(Which way soever men refer it,) 1015 

Much like thy riddle, Samson, in one day 

Or seven, though one should musing sit. 

If any of these or all, the Timman bride 
Had not so soon preferr'd 

Thy paranymph, worthless to thee compar'd, 1020 
Successor in thy bed. 
Nor both so loosely disallay'd 
Their nuptials, nor this last so treacherously 
Had shorn the fatal harvest of thy head. 
Is it for that such outward ornament 1025 

Was lavish'd on their sex, that inward gifts 
Were left for haste unfinish'd, judgment scant. 
Capacity not rais'd to apprehend 
Or value what is best 

In choice, but oftest to zWcfk the wrong ? 1030 

Or was too much of self-love mix'd, 
Of constancy no root infix'd. 
That either they love nothing, or not long ? 

Whate'er it be, to wisest men and best 
Seeihing at first all heav'nly under virgin veil, 1035 
Soft, modest, meek, demure, 
Once join'd, the contrary she proves, a thorn 
Intestine, far within defensive arms 
A cleaving mischief, in his way to virtue 
Adverse and turbulent, or by her charms 1040 

Draws him awry inslav'd 
With dotage, and his sense deprav'd 
To folly and shameful deeds which ruin ends. 
What pilot so expert but needs must wreck 
Imbark'd with such a steers-mate at the helm ? 1045 

Favour'd of hcav'n who finds 
One virtuous rarely found, 
That in domestic good combines ; 
Happy that house I his way to peace is smooth : 
But virtue, which breaks thro' all opposition, 1050 
And all temptation can remove, 
Most shines, and most is acceptable above. 

Therefore God's universal law 

1 2 Gave 

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98 6AMS0M AGOmSTES. 

Gare to the roan despotic power 

Orer his female in due awe^ 1055 

Nor from that ri^t to part an hour. 

Smile she or lour : 

So shall he least confusion draw 

On his whole life, ijot sway'd 

Bj female usurpation, or dismajr'd. 1060 

But had we best retire, I see a storm ? 

Sams. Fair days have oft contracted wind and rain. 

Chor. But this another kind of tempest brings. 

Sams. Be less abstruse, my riddling days are paist. 

Cbor. Look now for no inchanting voice, nor fear 
The bait of honied words ; a rougher tongue 1066 
Draws hidierward, I know him by his sthdef 
The giant Harapha of Gath, his Iqpk 
Haughty, as is his pile high-built and proud. 
Comes he in peace i what wind hath biotm him hi^r 
I less conjedlure than when first I saw 1071 

The sumptuous Dalila floating this way : 
His habit carries peace, his brow defiance. 
.Sams..Or peace or not, aHke to me he comes. 1074 

Cbor. His fraught we soon shall know, he now arrives. 

Har. I come not, Samson, to condole thy chance^ 
As these perhaps, yet wish it had not been. 
Though for no friendly intent. . I am of Gathy - 
Men call me Harapha, of stock renown'd 
As Og or Anak, and the Emims old 1080 

That Kiriathaim held ; thou know'st me now 
If thou at all art known. Much I have heard 
Of thy prodigious might and feats performed 
Incredible to me, in this displeas'd. 
That I was never present on the plac« 1085 

Of those encounters, where we might have try*d 
Each other's force in camp or listed fieW 5 
And now am come to see of whom such noise 
Hath walkM about, and each limb to survey, 
H thy appearance answer loud report. io$0 

Sams. The way to know were not to see, but taste. 
Har.. Dost thou already single me ? I thought 
Gyves and the mill had tam*d th^. O that fortune 
V Had 

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8AMS0K A(^OKt$t£$« 89 

Had brought me to the field, where thou art fam'd 
T* have wrought such wonders with an ass's jaw ; 
I should have forc'd thee soon with other arms^ 1096 
Or left thy carcase where the ass lay thrown : 
So had the glory of prowess been recovered 
To Palestine, won by a Philistine, 
From the unforeskin'd race, of whom thou bear^st 
The highest name for valiant a£ts ^ that honour 11 01 
Certain t' have won by mortal duel from thee, 
I lose prevented by thy eyes put out. [do 

Sams. Boast not of what thou wouldst have done, but 
What then thou wouldst, thou seest it in thy hand. 

Har. To combat with a blind man I disdain, 1 106 
And thoujiast need much washing to be touch'd. 

Sams, Such usage as your honourable lords 
Afford me assassinated and betray'd, 
Who durst not with their whole united powers mo 
In fight withstand me single and unarm'd, 
Nor in the house with chamber- ambushes 
Close-banded durst attack me, no not sleeping. 
Till they had hir'd a woman with their gold, 
Breaking her marriage faith, to circumvent me. 1 1 1 5 
Therefore without feign'd shifts let be assigned 
Some narrow place inclos'd, where sight may give thee, 
Or rather flight, no great advantage on me ; 
Then put on all thy« gorgeous arms, thy helmet 
And brigandinc of brass, thy broad habergeon, 1 1 20 
Vant-brass, and greaves, and gauntlet, add thy spear, 
A weaver's beam, and sev'n-times folded shield ; 
I only with an oaken staff will meet thee. 
And raise such outcries on thy clatter'd iron, 
Which long shall not withhold from me thy head, 
That in a little time while breath remains thee, 1 1 26 
Thou oft shalt wish thyself at Gath, to boast 
Again in safety what thou wouldst have done 
To Samson, but shalt never see Gath more. 

Har. Thou durfet not thus disparage glorious arms. 
Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, 1131 

Their ornament and safety, had not spells 
And black inchantments> some magician's art, 

I 3 Arm'd 

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9d »AMscyN Ai5omsW8. 

AmniM thee or charmM thee strong ; -wfckh thou from 
Fcign'dst at thy birA Mra$ gW'n thee in Ay hair, pieav'n 
Where strength can least abide, tho* all thy hairs ii3($ 
Where brittles ranged like those that ridge the back 
Of chaTd wild boars, or ruffled porcupines. 

Sams. I knovir no spells, use no fotbidden arts ; 
My trust is in the M?itig God, who gate me 1 140 
At my nativity this strength, difius'd 
No less through all my sinews, joints, and bones. 
Hum thine, while 1 preservM these locks unshorn. 
The pledge of my unviolafted vow. 
For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god, 1145 

Go to bis temple, tnvocate his aid 
With solemnest devotion, spread hefore him 
Ho^ highly it concerns his glory now 
To frustrate and dissolve these magic spelb, 
Which I to be the pow*T of Israel's God 1 150 

Avowj and challenge Dagon to the test, 
Ofiering to combat thee hts champion bold. 
With th* utmost of his godhead seconded : 
Then thou shalt see, or rather to thy sorrow 
Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine 1155 

Har. Presume not on thy God, whate'er he be. 
Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off 
Quite from his people, and delivered up 
Into thy enemies hand, permitted them 
To put out both thine eyes, and fetter'd send thee 
Into the common prison, there to grind i itf t 

Among the slaves and asses thy comrades. 
As good for nothing else, no better service 
Widi those thy boisterous locks, no wonhy match 
For valour to assail, nor by the sword 1165 

Of noble warrior, so to stain his honour, 
But by the barber's razor best subduM. 

Sams. All these indignities, for such they are 
From thine, these evils 1 deserve and more. 
Acknowledge them from God inflided on me 1 170 
Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon 
Whose ear is ever open, and his eye 
Gracious to re^admit the suppliant 5 



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In confidence whereof I or^e again 

Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight 1 175 

By combat to decide M^ose God is God, 

Thine, or whom I with Israers sons adote. 

Har. Fair honour that thou dost thy God, intrusting 
He will accept thee to defend his -cause, 1 179 

A murderer, a revoker* and a robber* {[me these i 

Sams. Tongue-doughty giant, how dost thou ^tmc 

Har. Is not thy nation subjdft to our lords 9 
Their magistrates confessed it, when tfiey took thee 
As a league-breaker, and delivered bound 
foto our hands : for hadst thou not committed ^ \9^ 
Notorious murder cm those thirty men 
At Ascakm, who never did thee harm, 
Then Kke a robber striJ^pMst them of their robes ? 
The Philistines, when thou liadaft broke the league, 
Went up with armeA ypwYs thee only seeking, i v^i^ 
To others did no violence nor ^potl. 

Sams. Among the daughters of the PhilistiHes 
I chose a wife, which argu'd me no foe 5 
And in your city held my nuptial feast : 
But your ill-meaning politician lords, 1 195 

Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, 
Appointed to await me thirty spies. 
Who threat'ning cruel death, constrainM the bride 
To wring from me and tell to them my secret, 
That sdvM the riddle which I had proposM. 1200 
When 1 perceiv'd all set on enmity, 
As on my enemies, wherever chanc'd, 
I us*d hostility, and took their spoil 
To pay my uirderminers in their coin. 
My tiatioa was subjeded to your lords, X205 

It was the force of conquest ; forc6 with force 
Is well ejedled when the conquer'd can. 
Put I a private person, whom my country 
As a league-breaker gavfe up bound, presumed 
Single rebellion, and did imstiie ads. 1210 

I was no private, but a person raisM 
With strength sufficient and command from Heav'a 
To free my country 5 if their servile minds 

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9ia SAMSON AGONIS'fES. 

Me their deliTcrer sent would not receive. 

But to their masters gave me up for nought) 1 2 1 5 

Th* unworthier they ; whence to this day they serve. 

I was to do my part from Heav'n assign'd. 

And had perform'd it, if my known offence 

Had not disabled me» not all your force : 

These shifty refutedi answer thy appellant, i22« 

The' by his blindness' maim'd for high attempts. 

Who now defies .thee thrice to single fightj 

As a petty enterpnze of small enforce. 

Har. With thee a nian condemn'd, a slave inroll'd, 
Due bv the law to capital punishment ? 1225 

. To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. 

Sams. Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me. 
To descant on my strength, and give thy verdid r 
Come nearer^ part not hence so slight informed \ 
$ut take good heed my hand siii^y not thee. 1230 

Har. O Baalzebub ! can ray ears unus'd 
Hear these dishonours and not render death i 

Sams, No man withholds thee, nothing from thy 
Fear I incurable j bring up thy van, [hand 

My heels are fetter'd but my fist is free. . 1 235 

Har. This insolence other kind of answer fits. 

Sams. Go, bafiled (poward, lest I run upon thee. 
Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast. 
And with one buffet lay thy strudlure low 5 
Or swing thee in the air, then dash thee down 1246 
To th' hazard of thy brains and shatter'd sides. 

Har. By Astaroth ere long thou shalt lament 
These braveries in irons loaded on thee. 

Chor. His giantship is gone somewhat crest-fall'n. 
Stalking with less unconscionable strides, 1245 

And lower looks, but in a sjaltry chafe. 

Sams. I dread hiip not, nor all his giant*brood. 
Though fame divulge him father of five sons. 
All of giganticc size, Goliah chief. 

Chor. He will dire£kly to the Lords I fear, 1250 
And with malicious counsel stir them up 
Some way or other, yet further to afilid thee. 

Sams* He must alledge some cause, and offer'd fight 
^ ^ Will 

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AAM80N AC0NISTE8. ^} 

Will not dar^ mention, lest a question rise 

Whether he durst accept th' offer or not ; 125 j 

And that he durst not, plain Plough appeared. 

Much more afflt£tion than already f^lt 

Thejr cannot well impose, nor I sustain $ 

If they intend advantage of my labours. 

The work of many hands, which earns my keeping 

With no small profit daily to my owners. 1261 

But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove 

My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence» 

The worst that he can give to me the best. 

Yet so it may fall out, because their end 1 265 

Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine 

Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed. 

Cbor. Oh how comely it is and how reviving 
Tp the spirits of just men long oppressed I 
When God into the hands of dieir deliverer 1270 
Pats invincible might 

To quell the mighty of the earth, th' oppressor. 
The brute and boist'rous force of violent men, 
Hardy and industrious to support 
Tyrannic pow'r, but raging to pursue *?7$ 

The righteous, and all such as honour truth i 
He all their ammunition 
And feats of war defeats 
With plain heroic magnitude of mind 
And celestial vigour arm'd, IzBd 

Their armouries and magazines contemns, 
Renders them useless, while 
With winged expedition. 
Swift as the lightning glance he executes 
His errand on the wicked, who surprised X285 

Lose their defence distraded and amaz'd. 
But patience is more oft the exercise 
Of saints, the trial of their fortitude, 
Making them each his own deliverer, 
And viftor over all 1 290 

That tyranny or fortune can infli£^« 
Either of these is in thy lot, 
Samson, with might endu'd 

Above 

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p4 SAMSON AGOMISTES. 

Above the sons of men ; but sight bcreav'd 

May chance to number thee with those '■ 1 295 

Whom patience finally must crown. 

This idols day hath been to thee no day of rest. 
Labouring thy mind 
More than the working day thy hands. 
And yet perhaps more trouble is behind ; 1300 

For I descry this way 
Some other tending, in his hand 
A sceptre or quaint staff he bears, 
Comes on amain, speed in his look. 
By his habit I discern him now " 1305 

A public officer, and now at hand. 
His message will be short and voluble. 

Off, Hebrews, the pris'ner Samson here I seek. 

Chor. His manacles remark him, there he sits. 

Off, Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say ; 
This day to Dagon is a solemn feast, 131 1 

With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games ; 
Thy sirength they know surpassing human rate. 
And now some public proof thereof require 
To honour this great feast, and great assembly : 1515 
Rise therefore with all speed and come along. 
Where I will see thee hearten'd and fresh clad 
r appear as fits before th' illustrious lords. 

S/i/wx. .Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore tell 
Our law forbids at their religious rites fthem 

My presence ; for that cause I cannot come. 1321 

Off, This answer be assur'd will not content them. 

Sams, Have they not sword-players, and every sort 
Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, 
Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, 1325 
But they must pick me out, with shackles tir'd, 
And over-labour'd at their public mill. 
To make them sport with blind aftivity ? 
Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels 
On my refusal to distress me more, 1330 

Or make a game of my calamities ? 
Return the way thou cam'st, I will not come. 

Off, Regard thyself, this will offend them highly. 

%ams* 

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SAMSON AOOMI6TE8. 



95 



Sams. Myself I my consciei^ce and internal peace. . 
Can they think me so brokeiii so debas'd 1335 

With corporal servitudci . that my mind eyer 
Will condescend to such absurd commands ? . : 
Altho' their drudge, to be their fool or jester. 
And in my midst of sorrow and heart grief 
To show them feats, and play before their god, J34» 
The worst of all indignities, yet on me 
Join'd with extreme contempt ? I will not come. 

Q^. My message was impos'd on me with speed. 
Brooks no delay : is this thy resolution ? 1 344 

Sams. So take it with what speed thy message needs. 
Ojff^. I am sorrow what this stoutness will produce. 
Sams. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow indeed. 
Chor. Consider, Samson ; matters now are strain'd 
Up to the height, whether to hold or break ; 
He's gone, and who knows how he may report 1350 
Thy words, by adding fuel to the flame ? 
Exped another message more imperious. 
More lordly thundering than thou well wilt bear. 

Sams. Shall I abuse this consecrated gift 
Of strength, again returning with my hair 1355 

After my great transgression, so requite 
Favour rcnew'd, and add a greater sin 
By prostituting holy things to idols ; 
A Nazarite in place abominable, 
Vaunting my strength in honour of their Dagon ? 
Besides, how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, 1361 

What z£t more execrably unclean, profane ? 

Chor. Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines 
Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean ? 

Sams. Not in thsir idol worship, but by labour 
Honest and lawful to deserve my food 1366 

Of those who have me in their civil pow'r. [not. 

Chor. Where the heart joins not, outward afts defile 
Sams. Where outward force constrains,' the sentence 
But who constrains me to the temple of Dagon, [holds. 
Not dragging? the Philistian lords' command. 1371 
Commands are no restraints. If I obey them, 
I do it freely, venturing to displease 

God 

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God for the fear of man, and man prefefi 

Set God behind ; M^kich m his jealousy 1375 

Shall nerer^ umepemed, find forgiveness. 

Yet that he may dispense with me or thee 

Present in temples at idolatfous rites. 

For some important cause, thou needstnot don^ ^%^9 

CBor* Hotr thou wtk here come off surmouts my 

Sams. Be of good courage ; I benn to feel [readi* 
Some rousing motions in me, whioi dispose 
To something extraordinary my diov^fats. 
I with this messenger will go along, 
Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour 1^85 
Our law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. 
If there be ought of presage in the mind. 
This day wilt be remarkable in my life 
By some great aft, or of my days the last '38^ 

Chor. hi time thou hast rcsolv'd, the man rettarns* 

Off". Samson, this second message from our lords 
To thee I am bid say. Art thou our slave. 
Our captive, at the public mill our drudge, 
And dar'st thou at our sending and command 
Dispute thy coming ? come without delay; 1395 

Or we shall find such engines to assail 
And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of foroe, 
Tho* thou wert firmlier fastenM than a rock. 

Sams, 1 could be well content to try their art. 
Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. 
Yet knowing their advantages too many, 1 40 1 

Because they shall not trail me thro' the streets 
Like a wild beast, I am content to go. 
Masters commands come with a power resistless 
To such as owe them absolute subjeflion 5 1405 

And for a life who will not change his purpose ? 
(So mutable are all the ways of men) ; 
Yet this be sure,' in nothing to comply 
Scandalous, or forbidden in our law. 

Of, I praise thy resolution : dofF these links : 1410 
By this compliance thou wilt win the lords. 
To favoUV and perhaps to set yon free. 

Sams. Brethren, farewell ; your company along 

IwiU 

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SAMSON AGOMlSTBi. ' 97* 

I will not wish) lest it periiaps oSehd them 

To see me girt with friends ; and how the sight 1415 

Of me as of a common enemy» 

So dreaded once, may now exasperate them, 

I know not i lords are lordliest in their wine ^ 

And the well feasted priest then soonest fir'd 

"Wkh zeal, if ought religion seem concerned $ 1420 

No less the people on their holy-days 

Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable : 

Happen what may, of me expeft to hear 

Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy 

Our God, our law, our nation, or myself^ 14^5 

The last of me or no I cannot warrant. 

Chor. Gk>, and the Holy One 
Of Israel be thy guide 

To what may senrehis glory best, and spread his name 
Great among the Heathen round ; 1439 

Send thee the angel of thy birth, to stand 
Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field 
Rode up in flames, after his message told 
Of thy conception, and be now a shield 
Of fire ; that spirit that first rusb'd on thee 1435 
In the camp of Dan, 
Be efficacious in thee now at need. 
For never was from hcav'n imparted 
Measure of strength so great to mortal seed. 
As in thy wondrous adiions hath been seen. 1440 

But wherefore comes old Manoah in such haste. 
With youthful steps ? much livelier than erewhile 
He seems : supposing here to find his son. 
Or of him bringing to us some glad news ? (^hither 

Man. Peace with you, brethren ; my inducement 
Was not at present here to find my son, 144$ 

By order of the lords new parted hence 
To come and play before them at their feast. 
I heard all as I came ; the city rings. 
And numbers thither flock ; I had no will, I45« 

Lest I should see him forc'd to things unseemlv. 
But that which mov*d my coming now was chiefly 
To give you part with me what hope I have 

Vol- II. K With 

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f8 niMOv i^insTBs. 

With |;ood success to work bis liberty. 
- CJjfiT* That hope would moch rejoice us to partake 
With thee % say, rcTcrend sire, we thirst to bear* 1 456 

Man. I have attempted one b? ooe the lords 
Either at home, or ^ro' |be hiffh s!trect passi^g^ 
With supplicatiofi jNEone, and fathers tears, 
T* aocept of ransom ic^ my sou their pris'nqr* 14^0 
Some mjuch averse I found, and wondrous harsh. 
Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite \ 
That part most reverenced Dagon and his priests : 
Others more moderate seeming, but their aim 
Private rew^urd, for whidi both God and state 1465 
They easily would set to sale : a third 
More generous far and civil, who confessed 
They had enough reveng'd, having reduc'd 
Their foe to misery beiieath their fesMrs \ 
The rest was magnanimity to remit, <479 

If some convenient ran^m were proposed. 
What noise or diout was that ? it tore the sky. 

Chor. Doubtless the people shouting to behold 
'Their once great dread, captive, and blind before diem, 
Or at some proof of strength before them shown. 1475 

Man, His ransom, if my whole inheritance 
May compass it, shall willingly be paid 
And numbered down : much rather 1 shall chuse 
To live the poorest in my tribe, than richer, 
Au4 he in that calamitous prison left. 1480 

No, I am fiic'd not to part hence without him. 
For his redemption all my patrimony. 
If need be, I am ready to forego 
And quit : not wantbg him, I shall want nothing* 

Chm^. Fathers sure wont to lay up for their sons ; 
Thou for thy son art bent to lay out all : 1486 

Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age ; 
Thou in old age car'st how to nune thy son. 
Made older than thy age thro' i^ye-sight lost. 

Man. It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 1499 
And view him sitting in the house, ennobled 
With all UiQse high exploits by him achiev'dj 
And on his should^ waving down |ho$e Ipcksj 



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SAMSON AGOmSTBA. iff^ 

That of a nadon arm'd die strength contained : 

And I persuade me God had not pemlitted 149$ 

His strength again to grow op with his hair» 

Ganison'd round about him like a camp 

Of faithful soldiery, were Hpr his purpose 

To use him further yet in some great serrice i 

Not to sit idle with so great a gift 1509 

Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. 

And since his strength with eye-sight was noH lost, 

Grod will restore him eye-sight to his strength. 

Chor» Thy hopes are not ill-founded^ nor seem Taift 
Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon -^$^5 

Conceived, agreeable to a father's love. 
In both which we, as next, participate. [noise f 

Man. I know^ your friendly minds, and— — O what 
Mercy of heaven I what hideous noise was that i 
Horribly loud, unlike the formei* shout. 151^0 

Cbor. Noise call you it^r or universal gioan. 
As if the wiiole inhabitation petish'd i 
Blood, death, and deathful deeds arc in that noise. 
Ruin, destrudion, at the utmost point. 

~ Maff* Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise : 
Oh it continues ; they have slain my son I 15 ilS 

Ciar. Thy son is rather slaying mem ; that outcry 
From slaughter of one foe could vxyt ascend. 

Man. Some dismal accident it needs must be ; 
What shall we do ? stay here, or run and see? %S20 

Cbor. Best keep together here, lest running tfaithec 
We unawares run into danger's mouth*^ * 
This evil on the Philistines is fallen^ 
From whom could else a general cry be heard ? 
The sufferers then will scarce molest us here j. 1^525 
From other hands we need not much to fear. 
What if his eye-sight (for to Israel's God 
Nothing is hard,) by miracle rejBtor'd, 
He now be dealing dole among his foes^ 
And over heaps of slaughter'd walk his wav 1 ^S^ 

Man. Tliat were a joy presumptuous to be thought* 

Chor. Tet God hath wrought things as incrediboie, 
Fbr 1& people of old I wtett huMfers now ^ 

Z,% Man. 

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ilO# tflUSON IGONtSTBS. 

Man. He can I knotr, but doubt to think he urill ; 
Yet hope would £un subscribe, and tempts belief. 1 535 
A little st»y will bring some notice hither. 

Cbor. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner ; 
For eril news rides post, while good news baits. 
And to our wish I see one hither speeding. 
An Hebrew, as I guess, and <^ our tribe. 1540 

Miss. O whetl^ shall I run, or which way fly 
The sight of this so horrid spe^acle. 
Which erst my eyes beheld, and yet behold ? 
For dire imagination still pursues me. 
But proridence, or instind of nature seems, 1545 
Our reason tho* disturbed, and scarce consulted, 
"P hare guided me aright, I know not how, 
To thee first, reverend Manoah, and to these 
My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining^ 
As at some distance from the place of horror, 1550 
So in the sad event too much concem'd. 

Man. The accident was loud, and here before thee 
With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not \ 
No preface needs, thou seest we long to know. 

Mtss. It would burst forth j but I recover breath 
And sense distraA, to know well what I utter. 1556 

Man. Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. 

Mess. Graza yet stands, but all her sons are fall'n. 
All in a moment ovemiielm'd and fall'n. 
. Man. Sad, but diou know'st to Israelites not saddetf, 
I3ie desolation of a hostile city. 1561 

Mess. Feed on that first, there may in grief be surleit. 

Man. Relate by whom. 

Mess. By Samson. 

Man. That still lessens 
The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. 

Mess. Ah Manoah I refrain too suddenly 156; 
To utter what at last will come too soon, 
Lest evil tidings with too rude irruption 
Hitting thy aged ear should pierce too deep. 
. Man. Suspence in news is torture; speak them out. 
. Mess. Take then the worst in brief; Samson is dead. 

Man. Tt^e worst indeed : O all my hope's defeated 

Td 

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titifsoif Ad<mhi¥tsu Hit 

Tb free him hence f but death wha sets all free, I57X 

Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge^ 

What windy joy this day had I conceiT^d, 

Hopeful of his dcliVry, which now proves *S7f 

Abortive as the (irst-tom bloom of spring ; 

Nipt with the lagging rear of winter's frost? 

Yet, ere I give the reins to grief, say first. 

How died he ? Death to life is crowi^ or s^ame. 

Ail by him fell, thou say^st ; by whom fell he I r^Si^ 

What glorious hand gave Samson his death's wound? 

Mess. Un wounded of his enemies he fell. 

JUan. Wearied with ^laughter then^ or how? explain* 

Mess By his own hands. 

Man, Self violence ! what cause 
Brought him so soon at variance with himself 158$ 
Among his foes ? 

Mess Inevitable cause ; 
At once both to destroy, and be destroyM ; 
The edifice, where all were met to see him. 
Upon their heads and on his own he pulPd. ^S9^ 

Man, O lastly overstrong against thyself! 
A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge. 
More than enough we know ; but while mings yet 
Are m confusion give us if thou canst. 
Eye witness of what first or last was done. 
Relation more particular and distin£t. ^S9$ 

Mess. Occasions drew me eariy to this city. 
And as the gates I enter*d with sun-rise. 
The morning trumpets festival proclaimed 
Through each high street : little I had dispatch'd. 
When all abroad was rumour'd that this day 160O . 
Samson should be brought forth, to show the people 
Proof of his mighty strength in feats and games: 
I sorrowed at his captive state, but minded 
Not to be absent at that speflacle. 
The building was a spacious theatte, l6og 

Half round, on two main pillars vaulted high. 
With seats where all the lords, and each degree 
Of sort, might sit in order to behold y 
The other side was open, where the throng 

K3 ^ Oa 

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102 *iAll80N AG0NISTS8. 

On bankt and acafiblds under sky might stand } 1610 
I among these aloof obscurely stood. 
The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice 
Had fiird their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and wine, 
When to their sports they turnM. Immediately 
Was Samson as a public servant brought, 161; 

In their state liv'ry clad ; before him pipes' I 
And timbrels, on each side went armed guards, 
JBoth horse and foot, before him and behind 
Archers and slingers, catapradls, and spears. 
At sight of him, the people with a shout 1620 

Rifted the air, clamouring their god with praise. 
Who had made their dreaulful enemv their thrall. 
He patient, but undaunted, where ihey led him, 
Came to the place ; and what was set before him. 
Which without help of eye might be assay'd 1625 
To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still perform'd 
All with incredible stupenduous force. 
None daring to appear antagonist. 
At length for intermission sake they led him 
Between the pillars ; he his guide requested, 1630 
(For so from such as nearer stood we heard,) 
As over-tir'd to let him lean a while 
With both his arms on those two massy pillars. 
That to the arched roof gave main support. 
He unsuspicious led htm ^ which when Samson 1635 
Felt in his arms, with head a while inclin'd, 
^ And eyes fast fix'd, he stood as one who prajM, 
^ Or some great matter in his mind revolved ; 
At last with head cre€t thus cry'd aloud : 
Hitherto, lordsj what your commands imposed 1640 
i .have performed, as reason was, obeying, 
Not without wonder or delight beheld : 
Now of my own accord such other trial 
I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater. 
As with amaze snail strike all who benold. 1^45 

This uttered, straining all his nerves he bow'd. 
As with the force of winds and waters pent. 
When mountains tremble, those two massy pillars 
With horrible convulsions to and fro, 1649 

He 

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SAMSON ACONISTSS. 10} 

He tugg'd, he shooky till dowa they came and drew 
The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder. 
Upon the heads of all who sat beneath» 
Lordsy ladies, capuins, counsellors, or priests. 
Their choice nobilitv and flower, not only 
Of this, but each Paiiistian city round, ^^5S 

Met from all parts to solemnize this feast, 
Samson with these immix'd, ineTitably 
Puird down the same destru£lion on himself; 
The Tulgar only 'scap'd, who stood without 

Chor. O dearly bought revenge, yet glorious : i6(S« 
Living or dying thou hast fulfilled 
The work for which thou wast foretold 
To Israel, and now lv*st vidlorious 
Among thy slain, self kill'd. 

Not willingly, but tangled in the fold i66$ 

Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoined 
Thee with thy slaughter'd foes, in number more 
Than all thy life had slain before. (.sublime^ 

/. Semichor. While their hearts were jocund and 

Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, 167% 

And fat regorg'd of bulls and goats. 

Chanting their idol, and preferring 

Before our living Oread, who dwells 

In Silo his bright sanAuary : 

Among tbem he a sp'rit ot phrenzy sent, 1675 

Who hurt their minds, 

And urg'd them on with mad desire 

To call in haste for their destroyer \ 

They, only set on sport and play, 

Unweetingly importun'd i(Sfto 

Their own destrudion to come speedy upon them. 

So fond are mortal men 

Fall'n into wrath divine, 

As their own ruin on themselves f invite. 

Insensate left, or to sense reprobate, 1685 

And with blindness internal struck. 

//• Semicbor. But he, though blind of sights 

Despis'd, and thought extinguished quite^ 

With inward eyes ukuninatcd. 

' Hii 

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104 $iM90V AGOmSTES* 

His fiery virtue roua'd .r&g/9 

From under ashes into sadden flame, 

And as an evening-dragon came. 

Assailant en the perched roosts. 

And nests in order ranged 

Of tame villatic fowl ^ but, as anr eagle, *^P5 

His cloudless thunder bolted on their headf. 
'So virtue given for lost, 

Depressed, and overthrown, as seemed 

Like that self-begotten bird 

hi the Arabian woods imboss^d, 1700 

That no second knows nor thW^ 

And lay erewhtle a holocaust. 

From out her ashv womb now teem'd, ' 

Bevives, reflourisnes, then yigorous most 

When most unaftrve deem'd, 1 705 

And though her body die, her fame survives 

A secular bird ag^s of lives. 

Man. Come, come, no time for lamentation now, 

Nor much more cause ; Samson hath quit himself 

Like Samson, and heroicly hath fimsh'd 1 7 19 

A life heroic, on his enemies 

Fully reveng'd, hath left them jrears of mourning. 

And lamentation to the sons of Caphtor 

Through all Philistian bounds ; to f t^rael 

Honour hath left, and freedom, let but them 171 j 

Find courage to lay hold on this occasion $ 

T* himself and father's house eternal fame ; 

And, which is best and happiest yet, all this . 

With God not parted from him, as was fcat'd. 

But favouring and assisting to the end. 1720 

Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail 

Or knock the breast, no weakness, no contempt, ^ 

Dispraise, or blame, nothing but we^l and fair. 

And what may quiet us in a death so noble. 

Iget us go find the body where it lies ^l^S 

Sok'd in his enemies blood, and from the stream 

With lavers pure, and cleansing herbs wash off 

The clotted gore. J with what speed the while 

(Gaza is not in plight to say us nay,.) 

^WiU 

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SAMSON 1G0MISTBS« 



tos 



Will send for all mj kindred, all my friends^ 1730 

To fetch him hence, and solemnly attend 

With silent obsequv and funeral train 

Home to his fathers house : there will I build him 

A monument, and plant it round with shade 

Of laurel erer green, and branching palm, 1731 

With all his trophies hung, and z6ts inroll'd 

In copious legend, or sweet lyric song. 

Thither shall all the Taliant youth resort. 

And from his memory inflame their breasts 

To matchless valour, and adventures high : 1740 

The virgins also shall on feastful days 

Visit his tomb with flow'rs, only bewailing 

His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice. 

From whence captivity and loss of eyes. 

Cbor. All is best, though we oft doubt, 174; 

What th' unsearchable dispose 
Of highest wisdom brings about, 
And ever best found in Uie close. 
Oft he seems to hide his face. 
But unezpe^iedly returns, 1750 

And to his faithful champion hath in place 
Bore witness gloriously ; whence Gasa moumSf 
And all that band them to resist 
His uncontrollable intent *, 

His servants he, with new acauist 1755 

Of true experience from this great event. 
With peace and consolation hath dismist. 
And calm of mind all passion spent. 



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C O M U S: 

A MAS K. 

mtlKNTBO AT LUDLOW C48TLB, X$34i 

MMFORE THE EARL OF BRIDGEWATEE^ THEtf 
PRESWENT OF WALES. 

EBeu quid ^ui mihi I forihus auitrum 



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THE PERSONS. 

The attendant Spi&iTi i^erwards in the baUt 

of Thyrm. 
CoMUS, nvitb bis Crew. 
The Ladt. 
First Brother. 
Second Brother. 
Sabirna, tbe Nymph. 

The chief persons njuho presented were^ 

The Lord Brackly. 

Mr. Thomas Egerton, his Brother^ 

The Lady Alice Egerton. 



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COM U S: 

A MA S K, 

TKe first Scene discovers a wild Wood* 
The attendarU Spirit descends or enters^ 

15eFOR£ the starry threshold of Jove's court 

My mansion is, where those immortal shapes 

Of bright aerial spirits live inspher'd 

In regions mild of calm and seraie air^ 

Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot, j; 

Which men call Earth, and with low-thoughted care 

Confin'd, and pester'd in this pin-fold here» 

Strive to keep up a frail and feverish being. 

Unmindful <rf the crown that Virtue gives 

After this mortal change, to her true servants 10 

Amongst th' enthroned gods oti sainted seats. 

Tet 9ome there be that by due steps aspire 

To lay their just hands on that golden key. 

That opes the palace of eternity : * 

To such my errand is ( and but for such, 15 

I would not soil these pure ambrosial weeds 

With the rai\k vapours of this sin*wom mould. 

But to my task. Neptune, besides the sway 
Of every salt flood, and each ebbing stream. 
Took in by lot 'twixt high and nether Jove 2o 

Imperial rule of all the sea-girt isles. 
That like to rich and various gems inlay 
The unadorned bosom of the deep. 
Which he to grace his tributary gods 
By course commits to several government, 2j; 

And gives them leave to wear their sapphire <:rowns. 

Vol. II. L And 

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no coMus: 

And wield their little tridents : but this isle. 

The greatest and the best of all the main. 

He quarters to his blue-hair'd deities ; 

And all this trzGt that fronts the falling sun 30 

A noble peer of mickle trust and pow'r 

Has in his charge, with temper'd awe to guide 

An old and haughty nation proud in arms : 

Where his fair o£S4>ring mtrs'd in princely lore 

Are coming to attend their father's state, 35 

And it^w^ipsttGJsted sceptre j but their waf 

Lies thro' the perplexM paths of this drear wood. 

The nodding horror of whoee shady brows 

Threats the forlorn and wand'ring passenger 5 

And here their tender age. might suffer peril, 40 

But that by quiclc command from spv'reign Jove 

I was dispatched for their defence and guard ; 

And listen why, for I will tell you now 

What never yet w^'$ h^^rd in tale orVong, 

From old or modem biard, in hall or bow*r. 45 

Bacchus, that first from out the purple grape 
Crush'd the sweet poison of misused wine, 
After the Tuscan mariners' transformed, 
Coasting the Tyrrhene shore, as the winds listed. 
On Circe's island fell : (who knows not Circe, 50 
The daughter of the sun ? whose charmed cup 
Whoever tasted, Ibst his lipright shape, 
And downward fell into a grov'ling swine :) 
This nymph that gaz'd upbtt his clqst'ring loclcs. 
With ivy berries wreath'd, and his blithe youth, 55 
flad by hifti, ere he parted thence, a son 
Much like his fathi^r, bytt his mother more. 
Whom therefore she brought tip, and Comus nam'd. 
Who ripe and 'frolic of his ftiW-grown age. 
Roving the Celtic and Iberian fields, 60 

At last betakes him to this ominous wood. 
And in thick shelter of hhtk shades imbower'd, 
'Excels his mother art her mighty art^ 
Offering to every weary traveHer 
His orient liquor in a crystal glasf^, 6^ 

To qucndkthe.drough^of \PKofc%usi whidh as thiey taste 

'^ (For 

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A MAdfC. Ill 

^For most do tviste thro* fond intcmp'r^te thirst), 

Soon as the potion works, their hunjan, GOuntV^<?e* * 

Th' express resemblance of the goda, is chang'd 

Into some brutish form of wolf or bear, ^ . 70 

Or ounce, or tyger, hog, or b^ai'ded goat, ' 

All other parts remaining. as they Were 5 

And they, so perfeft is their mi«ery, ) 

Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, 

But boast themselves mdre coniely tlian before, 75 

And all their friends and native home forgpt, - 

To. roll with pleasure in a sensual sty» 

Therefore when any favoured of high Jove 

Chances to pass through this ^dvem*rou9L glade. 

Swift as the sparkle of a glancing star 80 

I shoot from heav'n to give him safe convoy, 

As. now I do : but first I must put off 

These ray sky+ipbes spun out of Iria woof, 

And take the weeds and hkeness of a swain,' 

That to the service of this house belongs, , 85 

Who with his soft pipe and smooth-dittiejd song. 

Well knows to still the wild winds whctn they roar, 

And hush the waving woods, rior of less f»ith» 

And in this office of his mountain w^ch. 

Likeliest, and nearest to the present aid .90 

Of this occasion, * But I bear ihe tread . 

Of hateful steps, I must be viewless now 

CoMUS enters with a charming rod in one hand^ his glasf 
ifi the other ; with him a rout of m^nstet's h^a'ied I'kt 
sundry sorts of wHd beasts^ but otherwise like m^n and 

•' ivomeny their apparel glittering ; they c^tne in making 
a riot^s and unruly noise^ with torches in thfir hands* 

Comus, The star that bid** the shepherd fold. 
Now rhe top of heav'n doth hold. 
And the gilded car of day 95 

His glowing axle doth allay 
In the steep AtUntic streftm, 
And the slop un his upward beam 
Shoots against the tlnsky pole, 

L 2 Pacing 

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lis C0MU9: 

Pacing toward the other goal io« 

Of his chamber in the east. 

Meanwhile welcome Joy and Feast, 

Midnight Shout and Revelry, 

Tipsy Dance and Jollity. 

Braid joar locks with rosy twinej icj 

Dropping odoars, dropping wine. 

Rigour now is gone to bed^ 

And Advice with scrupulous head> 

StriA Age and sour Severity, 

With their grave saws in slumber lie» iic 

We that are of purer fire 

Imitate the starry quire. 

Who in their nightly watchful spheres, 

Lead in swift rounds the months and years* 

The sounds and sea3, with all their finny drove, 115 

Now to the moon in wavering morrice move ; 

And on the tawny sands and shelves 

Trip the pert fairies and the dapper elves. 

By dimf^d brook and fountain brim, 

The wood-nymph decked with daisies trim, 120 

Their merry wakes and pastimes keep : 

What hath night to do with sleep ? 

fQght hath better sweets to prove, 

Venus now wakes, and wakens Ix>ve. 

Come let us our rites begin, 125 

^Tis only day-light that makes sin, 

Which these dun shades will ne'er report* 

Hail goddess'of nodumal sport, 

Dark-veil'd Cotytto, t' whom the secret 

Of midnight^torches bums ; mysterious dame, 130 

That ne'er art call'd, but when the dragon womb 

Of Stygian darkness spits her thickest gloom^ 

And makes one blot of all the air. 

Stay thy cloudy ebon chair, 

Wherein thou rid'st with Hecat', and befriend 135 

Us thy vow'd priests, till utmost end 

Of all thy dues be done, and none left out> 

Ere the blabbing eastern scout. 

The nice morn on th' Indian steep 

From 

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A MA»1^ IIJ 

From her caWn'd loophole peep, ' " X40 

And to thef tell-tale sun desery 

Our coticcal'd solcJmhity. ' 

Come, knit hands^ and beat the ground > 

In a light fantastic round. 



Tht 



measure. 



Break oflF, break ofF, I fee! the diferent (jade 14^ 

Of some chaste footing near about this ground. 

Run to your shrouds, within these brakes, and tfecs 5 

Oar number may affright : some tirg'm sure 

(For so I can distrngutsh by mine art) 

Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms, 15'd 

And to my wily trains ; I shall ere long 

Be well-stock'd with as fair a herd as grazed 

About my mother Circe. Thus I hurl - 

My dazzling spells into the spungy air,! 

OiF pow'r to cheat the eye with blear ilhision, 1 55 

And give it false presentments, lest the place 

And my quaint habits breed astonishment. 

And put the damsel to suspicious flight ; • * 

Which must not be, for that's- against my cmirse. f' 

I under fair pretence of friendly ends, ' i6d 

And well-plac'd words of gKxztng <:durtesy, 

Baited with reasons not unpkUsible, 

Wind me into the easy- hearted man. 

And hug him info snares. When once her eye 

Hath met^he virtue of thi^ magic dust, 165 

I shall appear some harrrrles^ yiiiager, \ 

Whom thrift keeps u^ about his country--gear. 

But here she eomes, I fairly step a^id^ - 

And hearken, if I may, her fttfsittdss here. * 



The Lady etiters. ' 

^liis Way the noise wa«, if ihrrte ear be true, 170 
My best gttide now ; methought it was the ^und ■ 
Of riorarnt-illl'manag'd mefrimsrrt, ' » 

Such"*^'^ jocimd flttte, or gamesome pipe 

L 3 Stirs 

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tI4 COMOS I 

Sun ap among the loose uolenerM hmi$^ 

When for their teeming flocks, and granges full, 17$ 

In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan, 

And thank the gods ami^s. I should be loatk 

To meet the rudeness and swill'd insolence 

Of such late wassailers ; yet O where else 

Shall I inform my unacquainted feet 1 8c 

In the blind mazes of this tangled wood ? 

My brothcfs when they saw me wearied out 

With this long way, resolving here to lodge 

Under the spreading f atour of these pines,. 

Stept, as they said» to the next thicket«side iZ^ 

To bring me berriesi or such cooling fruit 

As^ the kind hospitable wi)ods provide. 

They left me thenj when the gray-hooded Even^ 

Like a sad votarist in palmer^s weed, 189 

Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phcebus' wain« 

But where they are, and why they came not back,. 

Is, now the labour of' my thoughts ; 'tis likeliest 

They had engag'd their wand'ring steps too ^ur. 

And envious darkness, ere they could return. 

Had stole them from me i else, O thievish Night, 195 

Why slvuldst thou, but for same felonious end, 

2a thy dark lanthron thus close up the stars,. 

That Nature hung in heaVn, and filTd their lamps 

With everlasting oil, to j^ve due light 

To the misled and lonely traveller I 200 

This is the place, as well as I may guess. 

Whence ev^n now the tumult of loud mirtb 

Was rife and per£e£l in my lis^ning ear,, 

Yet nought but single darkness do I find*. 

What might this be ? A thousand fantasica^ 205 

Begin to throng into my memory. 

Of calling shapes ^d beck'ning shadows dire> 

And airy tongues, that syllable mens names. 

On sands, and ^ores, and desert wildernesses. 

These thoughts may startle well, but not astouod 2rt 

The virtuous mind, that ever walks attended 

£y a strong siding champion. Conscience* ■ ■ 

O welcome pure-eyed Fiiitbt whitc*banded Hope, 

Xbott 

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M MASK* tlj^ 

Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings. 

And thou unblemished form of Chastity ; 215 

I see ye visibly, and now believe 

That he, the supreme Good, t' whom all things Ul 

Are but as slavish officers of vengeance. 

Would send a glist'ring guardian, if need were, 

To keep my life and honour unassail'd. 220 

Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud 

Turn forth her silver lining on the night I 

I did not err, there does a sable cloud 

Turn forth her silver lining on the night, 

And casts a gleam over this tufted grove. 225 

I cannot hallow to my brothers, but 

Such noise as I can make to be heard farthest 

I'U venture, for my new-enliven'd spirits 

Prompt me \ sind they perhaps are not far off! 

SONG. 

Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st unseen 23.0 
Within thy airy shell. 
By slow Meander's margent green. 
And in the violet-embroider'd vale» 
Where the love-lorn nightingale 
Nightly to. thee her sad song mourneth well ^ 235 
Canst thou not tell me of a gentle pair 
That likest thy Narcissus are i 

O if Aou have 
Hide them in some flow'ry cave, 

Tell me but where, 240 

Sweet queen of parley, daughter of the sphere. 

So mayst thou be translated to the skies. 
And give resounding grace to all heav'n's harmonies* 

Comtu. Can any mortal mixture of earth's mould 
Breathe such divine inchanting ravishment ? 24^ 

Sure something holy lodges in that breast, 
And with these raptures moves the vocal air 
To testify his hidden residence : 
Haw tweetly did ;h^y float upon the wii^s 



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1 16 coMtJs : 

Of silence, tHro* the empty- vaulted night, 250 

J^t every fall smoothing the raven dovm 
Of darkness till it smif d ! I have oft heard 
My mother Circe, vrifh the Syrens three, 
Amidst the flow'ry kirtled Naia<lcs, 
Culling their potent kerbs and baleful drugs, 255 

Who, as they sung, would take the prison*d soul. 
And lap it in Elysium ; Scylla wept, 
And chid hef barking waves into attention, 
And fell Charybdis murmur'd soft applause : 
Yet they in pleasing slumber lulFd the sense^ 266 

And in sweet madness robbM it of itsdf ; 
But such a sacred and homefelt delight, 
Such sober certainty of waking bfiss 
I never heard fill now. I'll speak to her 264 

And she shall be my queen. Haif, foreign wonder, 
Whom certain these rough shades did never breed. 
Unless the goddess that in rural shrine 
Dwell'st here with Pan, or Sylvan, by bless'd song 
Forbidding every bleak unkindly fog 26^ 

To touch the prosperous growth of this tall wood. 
La. Nay, gentle shepherd, ill is lost that praise 
That is addressed to unattending ears j 
Not any boast of skii!, but extreme shift 
How to regam my severed company, 
Compeird me to awake the courreoua Echo 27 jf 

To give me answer from h^ mossy couch. 

Co. What chance, good JLady, hath bereft you thus ? 
Z,a. Dim darkness, and this leafy labyrinth. - 
Co. Could that divide you frdm near ushering guides ? 
La. They left mc weairy on a gra$sy turf. 2^0 

Co. By fafeehbod", or dtscoiirtefey, ot why ? 
• La. To secfc i' the valfey-som»e -CoorfricndFyspAig; 
Co. And left your fair side all unguarded, Lady ? 
La. They were but t w^in, and' purpos'd quick retm*n, 
. Co. Perhaps fbrestailing night prevented thcm^' 2BJ 
La. How easy my misfortune is t6' hit* f ^ ' ' ■* * 
Co. Imports their loss, besidef "the pVcsci^t rteed ? • 
La. No less than if 1 shotxJd" my brotlifcrs Ic^se".' 
^Co. WemJhey of maWy iWm^'d* yo<i(tiftI^fo<ttr.i 
* "' La, 

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A UASK. til 

La. As smooth as Hebe's their unrazor'd lips. 299 

Co» Two such I saw what time the laboured ox 
In his loose traces from the furrow came» 
And the swinkt hedger at his supper sat ; 
I saw them under a geen mantling vine 
That crawls along the side of yon small hill^ 295 

Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots ; 
Their port was more than human, as they stood : 
I took it for a fairy vision 
Of some gay creatures of the element. 
That in the colours of the rainbow live, 300 

And play i' th' plighted clouds. I was awe-«truck, 
And as I pass'd I worshipped ; if those you seek. 
It were a journey like the path to heaven^ 
To help you find them. 

La. Gentle villager, 
What readiest way would lead me to that place ? 305 

Cb. Due west it rises from this shrubby point. 

La. To find out that, good shepherd, I suppose^ 
In sudi a scant allowance of star light. 
Would overtask the best land pilot's art, 
Without the sure guess of well pra£^isM feet. 31a 

C0. I know each lane, and ev'ry alley green, 
Dingle, or bushy dell of this wild wood. 
And every bosky bourn from side to side. 
My daily walks and ancient neighbourhood } 
And if your stray attendance be yet lodg'd, 315 

Or shroud within these limits, 1 shall know 
Ere morrow wake, or the low roosted lark 
From her thatch'd pallat rouse ; if otherwise, 
I can condud you, Lady, to a low 
But loyal cottage, where you may be safe 32^ 

Till further quest. 

La. Shepherd, I take thy word. 
And trust thy honest ofFer'd courtesy, . 
Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds 
With smoky rafters, than in tap'stry halls 
And courts of princes,- where it first was nam'd 325 
And yet is most pretended : In a place 
Less warranted than this, or less secure,, 

I cannot 

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ti8 coMUs: 

I cannot be, tbtt I sfaould fear. to change it 

Eye mc, bk&s'd ProTidcnce» and square my. trial 

To my proportion'd strength* Shq)herd 1^ on. 330 

Tke iwo Brothers^ 

Eld. Br. Unmuffle ye faint stars, and thou fair nptocm^ 
That wont'st to love the traveller's baiisson. 
Stoop thy pale visage thro an amber cloud, x 

And disinherit Cha»s that reigns here . 
In double night of darkness and of shades ; . 335 
Or if Your influence be quite damn'd up . 
With black usurping mists, some gemk tapet^ 
Though a ru^*candle from the wicker hole 
Of some clay habitation, visit us 
With thy long levelFd rule of streaming lights • ^40 
And diou shalt be our star of Areadjr :. 
Or Tynan Cynosure. 1. . f 

T4 Bro. Or if our eyes . • 

Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear . 
The folded flocks penn'd in their watttltd cotes. 
Or sound of pastVal rt^A with oaten stops, -345 

Or whistle from the lodge or village cock 
Count the night watches to his fea^ery dames^ 
'Twould be some solace yet, some little cheering 
In this clo^e dungeon of innumerous boughs. 
But O that hapless virgin, our sister, '35^ 

Where may she wander -now, whither betake her 
From the chill dew, amongst rude burs and thistles ? 
Perhaps some cold bank is her bolster now. 
Or 'gainst the rugged bark of some broad elm 
Leans her unpillow'd head fraught with sad feaffSL 355 
What if in wild amazement, and affright, 
Or while we speak,, within the direful grasp - A 
Of savage hunger, or of savage heat ? 

Eld. Bro. Peace, brother, be not «ver-exquisite 
To cast the fashion of uncertain evils ; 36c 

For grant they be so, while they rest unknown, 
What need a man forestall his date of grief, 
And run to meet what he would most avoid ? 

Or 

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Or if they b^ but f atee aktrms^ of fear, 

How bitter is such 8eif*dehisibfl ? ^6g 

I d0 not think my sister so to seek, • 

Or so unprincipled: in Virttt^Vbook^ : - t 

And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ettTt 

As that the single want of light and noisfe 

(Not being in dangef, as I trt^ she is not) 37^ 

Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts. 

And put th^m into misbecoming plight. • 

Virtue could see to do whl|t virtue would 

By her own radiant Kght, tHo' sutt and moon 

Were in the flat sea sunk. And Wisdom*s self 375 

Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude, 

Where widi her best nurse Contemplation 

She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings, 

That in the various bustle of resort 

Wer^ all too ruflfed, and sometimes impaired. 380 

He that has light within his own clear breast 

May sit i' the centre, and enjoy bright day : 

But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts, 

Benighted walks under the mid-day sun 5 

Himself is his own dungeon. 

IT. Bre. 'Tis most true, 385 

That musing meditation most afFefts 
The pensive secrecy of desert cell, 
Far from the chcarful haunt of men and herds, 
And sits as safe as in a senate-house ; 
For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, 390 

His few books, or his beaHs, or mapple dish, 
Or do his gray hairs any violence ? 
But beauty, like the fair Hesperian 'tree 
Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard 
Of dragon- watch with uninchanted eye, 395 

To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit 
From the rash hand of bold incontinence. 
You may as well spread out the unsum'd heaps 
Of misers' treasure by an/)utlaw's den. 
And tell nue it is safe, as bid me hope 400 

Danger will wink on opportunity. 
And let a single harmless maiden pass 

Uninjur'd 

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110 COlCtTSS 

Uninjttt'd in this wild surroonding waste. 

Of nighty or loneliness, it recks me not ; 

I fear the dread ereots that dog them both, 40 j 

Lest jBome ill-greeting touch attempt the person 

Of our unowned sbter. 

Eld. Bro. I do not, brother. 
Infer, as if I thought my sister^s state 
Secure without all doubt or controrersy ; 
Tet where an equal poise of hope and fear 4i# 

Does arbitrate tb' event, my nature u 
That I incline to hope rather than fear, 
And gladly bankh squint suspicion. 
My sister is not so defenceless left 
As you imagine ; she has a hidden strength 415 

Which you remember not% 

T. Bro. What hidden strength, 
Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that i 

Eld. Bro. I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength| 
Which, if Heav'n gave it, may be term'd her own : 
'Tis chastity, my brother, chastity : 420 

She that has that, is clad in complete steel. 
And like a quiver'd nymph with arrows keen 
May trace huge forests, and unharbour'd heath6» 
Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds, 
Where thro* the sacred rays of chastity, 425 

No savage fierce, bandite, or mountaineer 
Will dare to soil her virgin purity : 
Yea there, where very desolation dwells 
By grots and caverns, shagg'd with horrid shades. 
She may pass on with unblench'd majesty, 430 

Be it not done in pride or in presumption* 
Some say no evil thing that walks by night. 
In fog, or fire, by lake or moorish fen, . 
Blue meager hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost, 
That breaks his magic chains at Curfeu time, 435 
No goblin or swart fairy of the mine. 
Hath hurtful power o'er true virginity. 
Do ye believe me yet, or shall I call 
Antiquity from the old schools of Greece 
To testify the arms of chastity ? 449 

Hence 

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A MASK. 121 

Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow. 

Fair silver-shafted queen, for ever chastCi 

Wherewith she tam'd the brinded lioness 

And spotted mountain pard, and set at nought 

The frivolous bolt of Cupid ; gods and men 445; 

Fear'd her stem frown, and she was queen o' the woods. 

What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield, 

That wise Minerva wore, unconqucr'd virgin. 

Wherewith she frecz^d her foes to congeal'd stone. 

But rigid looks of chaste austerity, 450 

And noble grace that dash'd brute violence 

With sudden adoration, and blank awe ? 

So dear to Heav'n is saintly chastity. 

That when a soul is found sincerely »o, 

A thousand liveried angels lacky her, 455 

Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt. 

And in clear dream and solemn vision, 

Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear. 

Till oft converse with heaVnly habitants 

Begin to cast a beam on th' outward shape, 460 

The unpolluted temple of the mind. 

And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence. 

Till all be made immortal : but when last. 

By unchaste looks, loose gestures, and foul talk. 

But most by lewd and lavish a£t of sin, 46$ 

Lets in defilement to the inward parts. 

The soul grows clotted by contagion, 

Imbodies and imbrutes, tUl she quite lose 

The divine property of her first being. 

Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp, 470 

Oft seen in charnei vaults and sepulchres, 

Lingering, and sitting by a new-made grave. 

As loth to leave the body that it lov'd. 

And link'd itself by carnal sensuality 

To a degenerate and degraded state. 475 

T. Bro, How charming is divine philosophy ! 
Not harsh and crabbed, as dull fools suppose. 
But musical as is Apollo's lute. 
And a perpetual feast of ncflar'd sweets, 
Where no crude surfeit reigns. 

Vol.il M Eld. 

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S22 COIIV^: 

Eld. Bfc. List, lift, I hear 
Some far ofF hallow break the ttlent air. 480 

IT. Bro. Methottght ao too \ what diould k be ? 

Eld. Bro. For certain 
Either some one Uke ns night^bimdei^d here. 
Or else some neighbour woodman ; or, at wor^^ 
Some roving robber calling to his fellows. 485 

T. Bro. Heay'n keep my sister. Again, s^in, and 
Best draw, and stand upon o«r guard. £near 1 

. ^^/.JJn?. I'll hallow > 
If he be frioidiy, he comes well \ if not. 
Defence is a good cause, and Heav'n be for us. 

The attendant Spirit, bsiited liie a sh^herd* 

That hallow I should know, what are you ? speak \ 
Come not too near^ you fall on iron stakes else. 491 

Spir. Whatvotce is that? my young Lord ? speakagain. 

T. Bro. O biother, 'tis my fathet^s shepherd, sure. 

£/({/. ^r^-Tbyrsis? whose artfulstrains hafeeoftdelay'd 
The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, 495 

And sweeten'd every mudorose of the dale. 
How cam'st thou here, good swain ? hath any ram 
Slipt from die fold, or young kid lost his dam. 
Or istraggling wedier the pent iodc forsook ? 499 

How could'st thou find this dark seque8ter*d nook ? 

Spir, O my lovM master's heir, and his next' joy, 
I came not hereon such a triirial toy 
As a strav'd ewe, or to pursue the stealth 
Of pilfenng wolf ; not all the fleecy wealth 
ihat doth enrich these downs, is worth a thought 
To this my errand, and the care it brought. 506 

But, O my virgin Lady, where is she ? 
How chance she is not in your company i 

Eld. Bro. To tell thee sadly, shepherd, widiout blame, 
Or our negleft, we lost her as we came. 510 

Spir. Ay me unhappy ! then my fears are true. 

Eld. Bro. What fears, good Thyrsis ? Pr'ythee briefly 

Spir. I'll tell you ; 'tis not vain or fabulous, [shew. 
(Though so estcem'd by shallow ignorance), ' 

What 

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A UAX. 123 

WTiat the sage poets, taught by th' hcaf'iJy nuise, 515 

Story'd of old in high immortal verse. 

Of dire chimeras and inchanted isles. 

And rifted rocks whose entrance leads to heS ; 

For such there be, but unbelief is blinds 'i 

Within the navel of this hideous wood^ 5^6 

Immured in cypress shades a sorcVer dwells, 
Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Como8> 
Deep-slcilFd in all his mother's witcheries^ ^ jij 
And here to ev'ry thirsty wanderer '^ • v 

By sly enticement gives his baneful cup, ^> 525 

With many murmurs mix'd, whose pleasif^g poison 
The visage quite transforms of him that drinks, 
And the inglorious likeness of a bea«t 
Fixes instead, un molding Reason's mintage 
ChSiraderM in the face ; this have I fcariPd , 530 
Tending my flocks hard by i' th* hilly crofts, 
Hiat te)w this bottom glade, whence night by night ' 
He and his monstrous rout are heard to howl 
Like stabled wolves or tygers at ihcir prey. 
Doing, abhorred rites to Hecate 53^ 

In their obscured haunts of inmost bow*rs» 
Tet have they many baits» and guileful speHsi 
To inveigle and invite the unwary sense: 
Of them that pass unweeting by the way. 
This ^ning late, by then the chewing flocks 540 
Had ta'en their supper on the sav'ry herb 
Of knot-grass-dew besprent, and were in fold, 
I sat me down to watch upon a bank. 
With ivy canopied, and interwove 
With flaunting honeysuckle, and began^ 54$ 

Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy, 
To meditate my rural minstrelsy, 
Till fancy had her fill j but» ere a close^ 
The wonted roar was up amidst the woods. 
And fill*d the air with barbarous dissonance j 550 
At which I ceas'd, and listened them a white> 
Tilt an unusual stop of sudden silence 
Gave respite to the drowsy flighted steeds. 
That draw the litter of closc-curtain'd sleep ; 

Ma At 

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124 couvs: 

At last a soft and solemn breathing sound 555 

Rose like a steam of rich distill'd perfumes^ 
And stole upon the air, that ev'n Silence 
Was took ere she was ware» and wish'd she might 
Deny her nature, and be never more 
Still to be so displac'd. I was all ear, 560 

And took in strains that niight create a soul 
Under tjbe ribs of death : but O ere long 
Too well I did perceive it was the voice 
Of my most honoured lady, your dear sister. 
Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with grief and fear^ 565 
And O poor hapless nightingale, thought I, 
How sweet thou sing'st, ^how near the deadly snare ! 
Then down the lawns I ran with headlong haste. 
Through paths and turnings often trod by day. 
Till guided by mine ear I found the place, 570 

-Where that damn'd wisard hid in sly disguise 
(For so by certain signs I knew,) had met 
Already, ere my best speed could prevent. 
The aidless innocent lady his wish'd prey, 
Who gently ask'd if he had seen such two, 57 j 

Supposing him some neighbour villager. 
Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess'd 
Ye were the two she meant ; with tnat I sprung 
Into swift flight, till I had found you here. 
But further know I not, 

jT. Bro. O night and shades, 58a 

How arc ye join'd with hell in triple knot. 
Against th* unarmed weakness of one virgin 
Alone, and helpless I Is this the confidence 
Tou gave me, brother ? 

£/d. Bro. Yes, and keep it still, 585 

Lean on it safely \ not a period 
Shall be unsaid tor me : against the threats 
Of malice of of sorcery, or that power 
Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm. 
Virtue may be assaird, but never hurt j 
Surprised by unjust force, but not inthrall'd } 590 

Yea ev'n that, which mischief meant most harm. 
Shall in the happy trial prove most glory : 

But 

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A MASK. N t2$ 

Sut evil on itself shall back recoil^ » 

^nd mix no more with goodness, when at last, 

Gathcr'd like scum, and settled to itself, ^95 

it shall be in eternal restless change 

Self-fed, and self-consumed : if this fail, 

1?he pillar'd firmament is rottenness, 

And earth^s base bulk on stubble. But come let'^ ox^ 

Against th' opposing will and arm of Heav'n 600 

]May never this just sword be lifted up ; 

But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt 

"With all the grisly legions that troop 

XTnder the sooty flag of Alcheron, 

Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms 60s 

'Twixt Africa and Ind, ITl find him out. 

And force him to restore his purchase back. 

Or drag him by the curls to a foul death, 

Curs'd as his life* 

^pir. Alas I good ventVous youth, 
I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise ; 610 

But here thy sword can do thee little stead ^ 
far other arms, and other weapons must 
Be those that quell the might of hellish charms : 
lie with his bare wand can unthred thy joints. 
And crumble all thy sinews. 

Eld. Bro. Why pr'ythee, shepherd, 5r j 

How durst thou then thyself approach so near. 
As to make this relation ? 

6pir. Care and utmost shifts. 
How to secure the lady from surprisal. 
Brought to my mind a certain shepherd lad. 
Of small regard to see tio, yet well skill'd 6%9 

In ev'ry Tirtuous plant and healing herb. 
That spreads her verdant leaf to th' mornihg ray : 
He lord me well, and oft would b^g me sing j 
Which when I did, he on the tefidcr grass 
Would sit, and hearken cv'n to ecstacy, 6%^ 

And in requital ope his leathern scrip. 
And show nte simples of a thoc^sand names, 
TeUing their strange and vigorous faculties; 
Among the rest a small unsightly root^ 

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126 coMUs; 

But of diviuc cfFeft, he cull'd me out ; djc 

The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it. 
But in another country, as he said. 
Bore a bright golden now'r, but not in this soil : 
Unknown, and like esteem'd, and the dull swain 
Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon ; • ^3S 
And yet more med'cinal is it than that Moly, 
That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave ; 
He call'd it Hsemony, and gave it me, 
And bade me keep it as of sov'reign use 
'Gainst all inchantments, mildew, blast, or damp, 640 
Or ghastly furies apparition. 
I purs'd it up, but little reck'ning made, 
Till now that this extremity compelled : 
But now I find it true 5 for by this means 
I^knew the foul inchanter tliough disguis'd, 64J 

Entered the very lime-twigs of his spells, . 
And yet came off: if you have this about you, 
(As I will give you when we go,) you may 
boldly assault the necromancer's hall ; 
Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood, (J50 

And brandish'd blade rush on him, break his glass. 
And shed the luscious liquor on the ground, 
But seize his wand ; though he and his curs'd crew- 
Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high, 
Or like the sons of Vulcan vomit smoke, 655 

Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink. 

Eld. Bro. Thyrsis, lead on apace. Til follow thcc. 
And some good angel bear a shield before us. 

The scene changes to a stately palace ^ set out with all 
manner of deliciousness ; soft music^ tables spread 
nuith all dainties, Comus appears ivith his rabble^ 
and the Lady set in an inchanted chair, to 'whom he 
offers his glass , which she puts by, and goes about 
to rise. 

Co, Nay, Lady, sit ; if I but wave this wand. 
Your nerves are all chained up in alabaster, 660 

And you a statue, or as Paphne was 

Root- 

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A MASK. 127 

Koot-bound^ that fled Apollo* 

La, Fool do not boast ; 
Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind, 
"V^ith all thy charms, although this corp'ral rind 
Thou hast immanackd, while Heav'n sees good. 66^ 

Co. Why are you vexed. Lady ? why do you frown ? 
Here dwell no frowns, nor anger ; from these gates 
Sorrow flies far : see here l^e ail the pleasures 
That Fancy can beget on youthful thoughts. 
When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns 670 
Brisk as the April buds in primrose season. 
And first behold this cordial julep here, 
That flames, and dances in his chrystal bounds, 
With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd. 
Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thonc (J75 
In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena, 
Is of such pow'r to stir up joy as this. 
To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst. 
Why should you be so cruel to yourself,. 
And to those dainty limbs which nature lent 680 

For gentle usage, and soft delicacy ? 
But you invert the covenants of her trust, . 
And harshly deal like an ill borrower 
With that which you receiv'd on other terms, 
Scorning the unexempt condition 685 

By which all mortal frailty must subsist, 
Refreshment after toil, ease after pain. 
That have been tir'd all day without repast. 
And timely rest have wanted ; but, fair virgin. 
This will restore all soon. 

La, Twill not, false traitor, 69^ 

Twill not restore the truth and honesty 
That tliou hast banished from thy tongue with lies. 
Was this the. cottage, and the safe abode 
Thou told'st me of i What grim aspefts are these, 
These ugly headed monsters i Mercy guard me \ 695 
Hence with thy brew'd inchantments, foul deceiver \ 
Hast thou betray'd my credulous innocence 
With visor'd falsehood, and base forgery ? 
And wottldst thou seek again to trap me here 

With 

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128 coMtJs: 

With liquorish baits fit to insnare a brute ? 700 

Were it a draft for Juno when she banquets, ' 

I would not taste thy treasonous ofler; none 

But such as are good men can give good things. 

And that which is not good, is not aeKcious 

To a wcfl.govem'd and wise appetite. 70 j 

Cd. O foolishness of men ( that lend their ears 
To those budge doClors of the Stok fur. 
And fetch their precepts from the Cynic tub. 
Praising the lean and sallow Abstinence. 
Wherefore did nature pour her bounticis forth, 7 ro 
With such a full and onwithdrawing hand, 
Covering the earth widi odours, fruits, an4 flocks. 
Thronging the sea« with spawn innumerable. 
Bat all to please and sate the curious taste f 
And set to work millions of spinning worms, 71 1 
That in their green shops weave the smooth-hatr'd silk 
To deck her sons, and that no comer might 
Be vacant of hetTplenty, In her own loins 
She hutcht tf]? all-worshipp'd ore, and precious gems 
To store her childreli with : if all the world yad 

Should in a pet of temperance feed <m pulse, 
Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but firielse, 
Th' All-giver would be unthank*d, wouM be unprars'd^ 
Not half his riches known, and yet <Jespis'd, 
And we should serve him as a grudjpng master, 715 
As a penurious niggard of his wealth. 
And live like Nature's bastards, not her sorts. 
Who would ngt be surcharged widi her own weight. 
And strangled with her waste fertility, 7^9 

Th* earth cumbered, andthewlngM air dark withplunrest 
The herds would over-multitude their lords. 
The sea o'erfiraught Mrbuld swell, and i3i* tmsouj^ 
Would so imWaze the forehead of the deep^ [diamondfe 
And so besmd with Stars, that i!hey below 
Would grow inured to fight, and come at laist 735 
To ga2e upon the sun with shameless brows. 
List, Lady, he not coy, and be not eosen'd 
With that same raunted name Virghxity. 
Beauty is Natures <oin^ must not oe hoarded. 

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A MASK. 12^ 

But must be current, and the good thereof 74Q 

Consists in mutual and partaken bliss, 

Unsavoury in th* enjoyment of itself ; 

If you let slip time, hke a neglefted rose 

It withers on the stalk with languished head. 

Beauty is Nature's brag, and must be shown 745 

In courts, in feasts, and high solemnities. 

Where most may wonder at the workmanship 5 

it is for homely features to keep home j 

They had their name thence ; coarse complexions, 

And cheeks of sorry grain will serve to ply 750 

The sampler, and to tease the housewife's wooL 

What need a vermeil-tinilur'd lip for that. 

Love darting eyes, or tresses like the mom ? 

There was another meaning in these gifts, 754 

Think what, and be advis'd, you are but young yet. 

La. I had not thought to have unlocked my lips 
In this unhallow'd air, but that this juggler 
Would think to charm my judgment, as mine eyes, 
Obtrudmg false rules, prankt in reason's garb. 
I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments, 760 

And virtue has no tongue to check her pride. 
Impostor, do not charge most innocent Nature, 
As if she would her children should be riotous 
With her abundance i she good cateress 
Means her provision only to the good, 765 

That live according to her sober laws. 
And holy didlate of spare temperance : 
If every just man, that now pines with want. 
Had but a moderate and beseeming share 
Of that which lewdly pamper'd luxury 770 

Now heaps upon some few with vast excess. 
Nature's full blessings would be well dispens'd, 
In unsuperfluous even proportion, 
And she no whit incumbered with her store. 
And then the giver would be better thank'd, ' 775 
His praise due paid ; for swinish gluttony 
Ne'er looks to hcav'n amidst his gorgeous feast. 
But with besotted base ingratitude 
Crams, and blasphemes his feeder. Shall I go on ? 

Or 

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130 COMtS! 

Or have I said enoQgh ? To him that dares 79a 

Arm bis orofane tongue with contemj^tuous words 
Against tne sun chd j^ow't of d^arity^ 
Fain would I somethbg say, yet to what end f 
Hiott hast not ear, nor soul to apprehend 
The sublime notion, and high mystery, 785 

That must be uttered to unfold the sage 
And serious doArine of yirginity. 
And thou art worthy that thou should'st not know- 
More happiness than this thy present lot. 
Enjoy your dear wit and gay rhetoric, 79# 

That hath so well been taught her da2zling fence. 
Thou art not fit to hear thyself conrinc'd ; 
Yet should I try, the uncontrolled worth 
Of this pure cause would kindle my rapt spirits 
To such a fian»e of sacred Tehemence, 795 

That dumb things would be mo?'d to sympathize. 
And the brute earth would lend her nerves, and shake^ 
Tin aU thy magic stru6tures rear'd so high, 
Were shattered into heaps o*er thy false head* 

Co. She fables not i I feel that I do fear 800 

Her words set of by some superior pow'r 5 
And though not mortal, yet a cold shuddering dew 
Dips me til o^cr, as when the wrath of Jove 
Speaks thunder, and the chains of Erebus 
To some of Saturn's crew. I must dissemble, 805 
And try her yet more strongly. Come, no more ; 
This is mere moral babble, and dire£k 
Against the canon laws of our foundation ; 
I must not sufier this ; yet 'tis but the lees 
And settlings of a melancholy blood : 810 

But this will cure all strait 5 one sip of this 
Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight 
Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste.— 

2Xe Brothers rush in with swords drawn f wrest his glass 
out of his hand^ and break it against the ground ; his 
rout make sign of resist ance^ but are all driven in ; the 
attendant Spirit comes in. 

Sj>ir 

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Sjfir. What, have yoa Id Ac fiil$c inAmHr 'wmpc f 
O ye ihistooW ye ihottld have tnttoVid hi9 WMd» d%s 
And bound him f^sti without hie toi TffV$r»^<^ 
And backward muttera of daasevering pow'fi 
We cannot in» the Lady Aat f i^ l^ce 
In stony fetters fixM, and motionless : 
Yet stay, be not disturb'd s now I bethink me, 820 
Some other means I have which may be us'd| 
Which once of Meiiboeus old I leam'd, 
lie soothest shepherd that e'er jpip'd 09 plfuiil» 

There is a gentle nymph n^t far from hence, 824 
That with m6i»t curb sways the smooth Severn sn^eam ; 
Sabrina is her name* a virgin pure ; 
Whilome she was the daughter of liocrine^ 
That had the sceptre from his father Brute 
She guiltless damsel, flying the mad pursuit 
Of bet enraged stepdame Guendolen, 830 

Commended her fair innocence to the Aood, 
That stay'd her flight with bis crjoss-flowing course. 
The water-nymphs, that in the bottom play'd. 
Held up their pearled wrists, and took her in. 
Bearing her strait to aged Nereus' hall, 835 

Who, piteous of her woes, rear'd her lank head. 
And gave her to hi3 daughters to imbathe 
In Be£lar'd Javers strow*!! with asphodil. 
And through the porch and inlet of each sense 
Dropt in ambrosial oils till she reviv'd, 840 

And underwent a quick immortal change, 
Made goddess of the river; still she retains 
Her maiden gentleness, and oft at eve 
Visits the herds along the twilight meadows, 
Helping all urchin blasts, and ilMudc signs 845 

That the shrewd meddling elf delights to make. 
Which she with precious vial'd liquors heals : 
For which the shepherds at their festivals 
Carol her goodness loud in rustic lays, 
And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream 
Of {Ancies, pinks, and gaudy daflbdils. 85 x 

And, as the old swain said, she can unlock 
The clasping charm, and thaw the numbing spell. 

If 

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T32 COM0S : 

If she be right invoke, in warbled song, 

For maidenhood she loves, and will be swift 855 

To aid a virgin, such as was herself, 

In hard besetting need \ this will I try, 

And add the pow'r of some adjuring verse. 

SONG. 

Sabrina fair. 

Listen where thou art sitting 860 

Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, 

In twisted braids of lilies knitting 
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair ; 

Listen for dear honour's sake, 

Goddess of the silver lake, 865 

Listen and save. 
Listen and appiear to us 
In name of great Oceanus, 
By th' earth-shaking Neptune's mace. 
And Tethys' grave majestic pace, 870 

By hoary Nereus wrinkled look, 
And the Carpathian wisard's hook. 
By scaly Triton's winding shell. 
And old soothsaying Glaucus' spell. 
By Leucothea's lovely hands, 875 

And her son that rules the strands. 
By Thetis tinsel slipper'd feet, 
And the songs of Svrens sweet. 
By dead Parthenope s dear tomb. 
And fair Ligea's golden comb, 88a 

Wherewith she sits on di'mond rocks. 
Sleeking her 50ft alluring locks, 
By all the nymphs that nightly dance 
Upon the streams with wily glance. 
Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head 885 

From thy coral- paven bed, 
And bridle in thy headlong wave, 
Till thou our summons answer'd have. 
Listen and save. 

f Sabrina 

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A MASC* t23 



Sabrina ris^s, attended by water-nymphs^ and sings. 

By the rushy*f ringed bank, '890- 

"Wherc grows the willow and the osier dankj 

My sliding chariot stays, 

Thick set with agat, and the azum ^en 

Of turkis blue, ^nd emrald green, 

That in the channel strays \ ^P5 

Whilst from off the waters fldet 
Thus 1 set my prindesS feet 
O'er the cot^r^lips velvet head, 
That bends not as I tread 5 
Gentle swain, at thy request pod 

I am here. 
Spir. Goddess dear, 
We implore thy powerful hand 
To undo the charmed band 

Of true virgin here distrest, poj 

Through the force; and through die wile 
Of unblessM inchanter vile. 

Sab, Shepherd, 'tis my office best 
To help insnared chastity : 

Brightest Lady, look on me ; 91 

Thus I sprinkle on thy breast 
Drops that from my fountain pure 
I have kept of precious cure. 
Thrice upon thy fingers tip, 

Thrice upon thy rubied lip j 91^ 

Next this marble venom'd seat, 
Smear'd with gums of glutenous heat, 
I touch with chaste palms, moist and cold: 
Now the spell hath lost his hold ; 
And I must haste ere morning-hour pXCf 

To wait in Amphitrite's bower. 

Sabrina descends ^ and the Lady rises out ef her seat^ 

Spir. Virgin, daughter of Locrke 
Sprung of old Anchises line, 
Vol.11. N . Ma/ 



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134 coMUS : 

May thy brimmed waves for this 

Tticir full tribute never miss 925 

From a thousand petty rills^ 

7hat tumble down the snowy hills : 

Summer drought, or singed air 

Never scorch thy tresses fair. 

Nor wet October's torrent flood 930 

Thy molten chrystal fill with mud ; 

May thy billows roll ashore 

The beryl, and the golden ore j 

May thy lofty head be crown'd 

With many a tow*r and terras round, 935 

And here and there thy banks upon 

With groves of myrrh and cinnamon. 

Come, Lady, while Heav'n lends us grace. 
Let us fly this cursed place, 

Lest the sorcerer us entice 94t 

With some other new device. 
Not a waste or needless sound. 
Till we come to holier ground i 
I shall be your faithful guide 

Through this gloomy covert wide, 945 

And not many furlongs thence 
Is your father's residence. 
Where this night are met in state 
Many a friend to gratulate 

His wished presence, and beside 950 

All the swains that near abide. 
With jigs, and rural dance resort ; 
We shall catch them at their sport. 
And our sudden coming there 

Will double all their mirth and cheer 5 955 

Come let us haste, the stars grow high, 
^ut Night sits monarch yet in the mid sky ! 

The scene changes^ presenting Ludlow town, and the 
Presidents , castle ; then come in country-dancerSf 
after them the attendant Spirit, with the two bro^ 
thers and the Lady* 



Vi- 



SONG. 

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A MASK* 



SONG. 



13$ 



Spin Back, shepherds, back, enough your p'ay. 
Till next sun-shine holiday ; 

Here be without duck or nod 96© 

Other trippings to be trod 
Of lighter toes, and such court-guise 
As Mercury did first devise 
With the mincing Dryades 
On the lawns, and on the leas. 9(^5 

Tie second song presents th^m to their father and mother* 

Noble Lord, and Lady bright, 

I have brought you new delight, 

Here behold so goodly grown 

Three fair branches of your own ; 

Heav'n hath timely try'd their youth, 97© 

Their faith, their patience, and their truths 

And sent them here through hard assays 

With a crown of deathless praise, 

To triumph in viftorious dance. 

O'er sensual folly and intemperance. 975 

The dances ended^ the Spirit epiloguizes. • 

Spir. To the ocean now I fly, 
Aiid those happy climes that lie 
Where day never shuts his eye. 
Up* in the broad fields of the sky : 
There I suck the liquid air 9S# 

All amidst the gardens fair 
Of Hesperus, and his daughters three. 
That sing about the golden tree : 
Along the crisped shades and bow'rs 
Revels the spruce and jocund Spring, 985 

The Graces and the rosy-bosom'd Hours^ 
Thither all their bounties bring ; 
There eternal Summer dwells, 

Hz An« 

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13$ COMUS: A MASK. 

And west-winds with musky wing 

About the cedam alleys fling g^ 

Nard and Cassia's balmy smells. 

Iris there with humid bow 

Waters the od'rous banks, that blow 

Flowers of more mingled hue 

Than her purfled scarf can shew, ppj 

And drenches with Ely^an dew 

(List, mortals, if your ears be true) 

Beds of hyacinth and roses, 

Where young Adonis oft reposes, ^ 

Waxing well of his deep wound loot 

In slumber soft, and on the ground 

Sadly sits th' Assyrian queen ; 

But far above in spangled sheen 

Celestial Cupid her fam'd son advanced. 

Holds her dear Psyche sweet in tranced, IC05 

After her wandering labours long. 

Till free consent the gods among 

Make her his eternal bride. 

And from her iur unspotted side 

Two blissful twins ape to be boinii, loit 

Youth and Joy 5 so Jove hath sworH' 

But now my task is -smoothly done, 
I can fly, or I can run. 
Quickly to the green earth's end, 
Where the bow'd welkin slo\v doth bend, 1015 

And from thence can soar as soo^ 
To the corners of the moon. 

Mortals that would follow me^ 
Love Virtue, she alone is free, 

,S&e can teach you how to climb- io2# 

Higher than the sphery chime ; 
Or if Virtue fed>te were, 
Heav'n itself would stoop to her* 



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L^ ALLEGRO .♦ 

Hence loathed Melancholy, 

Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight bom^ 

In Stygian cave forlorn 

^Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy^' 

Find out some uncouth cell, g 

Where brooding darkness spreads his jealous wingS9 
And the night raven sings \ 
There under ebon shades, and low-brow'd rocksy 
As ragged as thy locks, 

In^dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. . i • 

But come thou Goddess fair and free^ 
In heav'n ycleap'd Euphrosyne, 
And by men, heart-easing Mirth, 
Whom lovely Venus at a birth. 
With two sister Graces more, 15 

To- ivy crowned Bacchus bore ^ 
Or whether (as some sages sing,) 
The frolic wind that breathes the spring. 
Zephyr with Aurora playing. 

As he met her once a Maying* 2Q 

There on beds of violets blue. 
And fresh blown roses wash'd in dew, 
Fiird her with thee a daughter fair. 
So buxom, blithe, and debonair. 
Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee 25 

Jest and youthful Jollity, 
Quips and Cranks, and wanton Wiles, 
Nods and Becks, and wreathed Smiles, 
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek. 

And lov^ to live in dimple sleek } 30 

Sport that wrinkled Care derides. 
And Laughter holding both his sides. 
Come and trip it as you go. 
On the light fantastic toe, 

And in thy right hand lead with thee 35 

N3 Tho 

• i. r. The cheerful merry nuSf 

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138 l' allegro. 

The mountain-nymph, sweet Liberty ; 
And if I give th€e honour due, 
Mirth, admit me of thy crew. 
To live with her, and live with thee, 
In unreproved pleasures free ^ 40 

To hear the lark begiQ^ his flighty 
And singing startle the dull night. 
From his watch tower in the M€9^ 
Till the dappled dawn doth rise ; 
Then to come in spite of sorrow, 4j 

And at my window bid good-mocrow, 
Through the sweet briar, or the viBe, 
Or the twisted eglantine: 
While the cock with lively din 

Scatters the rear of davkness thin, 50 

And to the stack, or the barn-door. 
Stoutly struts his dantes before : 
Oft list'ning how the hounds and hom^ 
Cheerly rouze the slumbVing mom, 
From the side of some hoar hill, ' 55 

Through the high wood echoing shriB : ^ 
Some time waUcing not unseen 
By hedge-row elms, on hillocKS green, 
Kght against the eastern gate. 

Where the great sun begins his state, 60 

Rob'd in flames, and amber light 
The clouds in thousand liveries dight, ^ 

While the plowman near at hand 
Whistles o*er the furrow'd land. 
And the milkmaid singeth blithe, 6$ 

And the mower whets his scy&e 
And every shepherd tells his talc 
Under the hawthorn in the dak. 
Strait mine ey6 hath caught new pleasuTe8> 
Whilst the landskip round it measures, )# 

Russet lawns, and fallows gray, 
Where the nibbling flocks do stray. 
Mountains on whose barren breast 
The lab'ring clouds do often rest. 
Meadows trim with daisies pkd. \ 75 

ShaUow 

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iT ALLEGROk S3f 

Shallow, brooks, and rivets widk^ 
Towers and battlements it aces 
Bosom'd high in tufted trees. 
Where perhaps sooae beauty KeSj 
The Cynosure of neighboring eycsw to 

Hard by, a cottage ctuEnney unokcsy 
^From betwixt two aged oaks, 
Where Corydon and Thyras met 
Are at their sav^jury dtnoer set 

Of herbs, and other country inf88et> '^ Ijf 

Which the neat handed Philtis dre^es ; 
And then in haste has bow^ she leaves^ 
With Thestylis to hmd the sheaves ^ 
Or, if the earlier season lead 

To the tann'd haycock in d^ mead^ 9# 

Sometimes with secure delist 

The upland hamlets will invite^ 
When the merry bells ring rounds 

And the jocund rebecs sound 

To many a youth, and many a maid 95 

Dancing in the chequer'd shade ; 

And young and old come forth to play 

On a sunshine holy-day, 

Till the live-long day-li^t foil 5 

Then to the spicy nut-brown ale, loaf 

With stories told of many a feat, 

How fairy Mab the junckcts cat, 

She was pinch'd and pull'd, she said 

And he, by friar's lanthom led. 

Tells how the drudging goblin swet, l#j 

To earn his cream bowl d»ly set. 

When in one night, ere glimpse o£ mortii 

His shadowy ftail had thresh'd the eom^ 

That ten day labourers could not end ; 

Then lies him down the lubbar fiend, ' • I Vd 

And stretch'd out all the chimney^s lengdi^ 

Basks at the fire his hairy strength, 

And crop-full out of doors he flings. 

Ere the first cock his matin rings. 

Thus done the talcS| to bed they creepi 1 15 

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MO 

Bf whisp'ring winds 8cx>n lull'd asleep. 

Towcr'd cities please us then. 

And the busy hum of men. 

Where throngs of knights and barons bold 

Id weeds of peace high triumphs hold, 1 20 

With store of ladies, whose bright eyes 

Rain influence, and judge the prize 

Of wit, or arms, while both contend 

To win her grace, whom all commend* ^ 

There let Hymen oft appear t \^ 

In saflfron robe, with taper clear. 

And pomp, and feast, and revelry. 

With mask and antique pageantry. 

Such sights as youthful poets dream 

On summer eves by haunted stream. I3# 

Then to the well trod stage anon. 

If Johnson's learned sock be on. 

Or sweetest Shakespear, fancy's child. 

Warble his native wood-notes wild« 

And ever against eating cares, 135 

Lap me in soft Lydian airs, 

Married to immortal verse. 

Such as the meeting soul may pierce 

In notes with many a winding bout 

Of linked sweetness long drawn out, 140 

With wanton heed, aftd giddy cunning, 

The melting voice through mazes running, 

Untwisting all the chains that tie 

The hidden soul of harmony 5 

That Orpheus self may heave his bead 145 

t*rom golden slumber on a bed 

Of heap'd Elysian flowers, and hear 

Such strains as would have won the eat 

Of Pluto, to have quite set free 

His half regained Eurydice. 15O 

These delights if thou canst give^ 

Mirtb| wim thee I mean to live. 



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IL PENSEROSO*. 

Hence vam deluding joys. 

The brood of folly without father bred. 

How little you bested. 

Or fill thfe fixed mind with all jonx tays i 

Dwell in some idle brain^ j^ 

And fancies fond with gaudy shape possess^. 
As thick and numberless 
As the gay motes that people the smirbeamSj, 
Or likliest hovering dreams, 

- The fickle pensioners of Mprpheus train* If 

But hail thou goddess, sajpe and holy. 
Hail divinest Melancholy, 
Whose saintly visage ia too bright 
To hit the sense of human sight* 
And therefore to our weaker view I J 

O'^rlaid with blacky staid wisdom!^ hue *, 
Black, but such as in e84;ccm 
Prince Memnon's sister might beseem. 
Or that starred Ethiop qgeen that strove 
To set her beauties^ praise above 2M 

The sea-nymphs, and thjeir po^/rs offended : 
Yet thou art higher far descended ;, 
Thee bright-haird Vesta long of yore 
To, solitary Saturn bore; 

His daughter she, (in Saturn's re^' 313 

Such mixture was not held a stain). 
Oft in glimmering bow'rs and glade« 
He met her, and in secret shades 
Of woody Ida's inmost gcove, 

While yet there was no feai of Jove. 3f 

Come, pensive mm, devout and ptfre» 
Sober, stedfast, and demure^ ^ 

All in a robe of darkest grain. 
Flowing with majestic traia, 

Aii4 

* /. r. The thoughtful mclancholf tnub ^ 

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142 IZ* PENSBROSO. 

Atid sable stole of Cyprus lawn, " 3 j 

Over thy decent shoulders drawn. 

Come, but keep thy wonted state, 

With even step, and musing gait, 

And looks commercing with the skies. 

Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes : 40 

There held in holy passion still. 

Forget thyself to marble, till 

With a sad laden downward cast 

Thou fix them on the earth as fast ; 
, And join with thee calm Peace, and Quiet, 4^ 

Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet, 

And hears the Muses in a ring 

Ay round about Jove's altar sing ; 

And add to these retired Leisure, 

That in trim gardens takes his pleasure ; 50 

But first, and chiefest with thee bring 

Him that yon soars on golden wing, 

Guiding the fiery-wheeled throne. 

The cherub Contemplation ; 

And the mute Silence hiss'd along, 5j' 

'Less Philomel will deign a song, 
In her sweetest, saddest plight, 

Smoothmg the rugged brow of night. 

While Cynthia checks her dragon-yoke 

Gently o'er th' accustom'd oak ; 60 

Sweet bird that shunn'st the noise of folly, 

Most musical, most melancholy I 

Thee chantress oft the woods among 

I woo to hear thy even song ; 

And missing thee, I walk unseen , (Je 

On the dry smooth-shaven green. 

To behold the wand'ring moon. 

Riding near her highest noon. 

Like one that had been led astray 

Through the heav'n's wide pathless way, 70 

And oft, as if her head she bow'd. 

Stooping through a fleecy cloud. 

Oft on a plat of rising ground, 

I hear the far-off Cuifeu sound. 

Over 

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IL l»EN8ER0S0. 143 

Ov^r some wide-watcr'd shore, 75 

Swinging slow with sullen roarj 

Or if the air will not permit, 

Some still removed place will fit, 

Where glowing embers through the room ^ 

Teach light to counterfeit a gloom, 80 

Far from all resort of .mirth. 

Save the cricket on the hearth, 

Or the belman's drowsy charrti. 

To bless the doors from nightly harm : 

Or (et my lamp, at midiiight-liour, $^ 

Be seen in some High lonely tow'r, ^ '^ 

Where I may oft out-watch^ the fiear. 

With thrice great Hermes, or unsphere 

The sp'nt of Plato to unfold 

What worlds, or what vast regions hold^ 9# 

Th' immortal mind that hath forsook 

Her mansion in this fleshly nook : 

And of those demons that are found 

In tire, air, flood, or under ground. 

Whose power hath a true consent 95 

With planet or with element. 

Sometime let gorgeous Tragedy 

In scepter'd pall come sweeping by. 

Presenting Thebes, or Pelops line. 

Or the tale of Troy divine, 100 

Or what (though rare,) of later age 

Ennobled hath the buskin d stage. 

But, O sad virgin, that thy pow'r 

Might raise Musaeus from his bowV, 

Or bid tlie soul of Orpheus sing - 105 

Such notes as warbled to the string, 

Drew iron tears down Pluto's cheek, 

And made Hell grant what love did seek* 

Or call up him that left half-told 

The story of Cambuscan bold, IIO 

Of Camball, and of Algarsife, 

And who had Canace to wife. 

That own'd the virtuous ring and glas$. 

And of the wondrous horse of brass^ 

On 

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)44 ^ rBM«B&«so« 

On which the Tartar king did tide ; n^ 

And if ought else great bards beside 

In sage and solemn tunes have sung» 

Of tumeys and of trophies hung. 

Of forests, and tndk^ntments drear. 

Where more is meant than meets the can J8& 

Thus, Nighty oft see me in diyipakearecr^ 

Till civil-suited morn appear. 

Not tfick'd and frounc'd, as she was wOttti * 

With the Attic boy to hunt, 

Ikft kercheft in a comely doud, txjf 

While rocking virinds are piping ldtt4» 

Or usher'd wi^ a shower sytill, 

When the gust hath Uown his fiU^ 

Ending on the rustling leaves. 

With minute drops from oflF the eaves. 130 

And, when the sun begins to fling 

His flaring beams, me gqddess bvnig 

To arched w^lks of twilight groves. 

And shadows brown that Sylvan loves 

Of pine, or monumental t>ak, 1^5 

Where the rude ax with heaved stroke 

Was never heard the nymphs to daunt, 

Or fright them from their hallowM. haunt. 

There in close covert by some brook, 

Whfere no profancr eve may look, 140 

Hide me from day's garish eye, 

While the bee with honied thigh. 

That at her flowVy work doth sing. 

And the waters murmuring. 

With such consort as they keep, 145 

Entice the dcwy-feather'd sleep ; 

And let some strange mysterious dream 

Wave at his wings in airy stream 

Of lively portraiture displayed, 

Sofdy on my eye-hds laid. 15^ 

And as I wake sweet music breathe 

Above, about, or underneath, ^ 

Sent by. some s^'rit to mortals good. 

Or th' unseen Genius of the wood. 



But 



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IL MN8EKOS0. I45 

But let my due feet never fail 155 

To walk the studious cloysters pale, 

And love the high-embowed roof^ 

"With antic pillars massy proof, 

^nd storied windows richly dight. 

Casting a dim religious light. 160 

There let the pealing organ blow^ 

To the full-voic'd quire below. 

In service high, and anthems clear, 

As may with sweetness through mine ear, 

Dissolve me iiito ecstasies, 165 

And bring ail heav'n before mine eyes- 

And may at last my weary age 

Find out the peaceful hermitage, 

The hairy gown and mossy cell. 

Where I may sit and rightly spell X7# 

Of every star that heav'n doth shew. 

And ev'ry herb that sips the dew ; 

Till old experience do attain 175 

To something like prophetic strain. 

These pleasures, Melancholy give. 

And I with thee will choose to live* 



Vol. II. 



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ARCADES. 



Part of an entertainment presented to the Countest'domm' 
ger of Derby i at^ Harefield^ by some noUe persons of her 
family^ fvho appear on the scene in pastoral habit, mo^ 
ving towards the seat cf state nvith this song ♦. 

L SONG. 

JLOOK nymphs, and ^pherds look. 
What sudden blaze of tn^gestf 
Is that which we from hence deaciy. 
Too divine to be mistook { 
^ This, this is she ^ 

To whom our vows and wbhes bend; 
Here our solemn search kath etuL 

Fame that her high worth to todsei 

Scem'd erst so lavish and profuse, 

We may justly now accuse lo 

Of detraftion from her praise ; 

Less than half we find exprest, 

Envy bid conceal the rest. 

Mark 

* This lady must have been Alice, daughter of Sir John Speoser 
of Althorp, Northamptonshire, and widow of Ferdinand Stanley, 
the fifth Earl of Derby. And as Harefield is in Middlesex, and, 
according to Camden, licth a little to the north of Uxhridp, we 
may conclude, that Hilton made this poem when he rcsl^d i» that 
neighbourhood with hit father at Horton near Colebroke. It ihoold 
seem too, that it was made before the Mask at Ludlow, as it is a 
more imperfed essay. And Frances the second daughter of this 
CountesS'dowager of Derby being married to John Earl of Bridge- 
water, before whom was presented the Mask at Ludlow, we may 
conceive in some measure how Milton was induced to compose the 
one after the other. The alliance between the families naturally 
and easily accounts for it ; anid, in all probability, the Genius of the 
wood in this poem, as well as the attendant spirit in the Mahk, was 
Mr. Henry Lawes, who was the great master of music at that time, 
and taught most of the young nobility. 

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iltCADES. 147 

Mark what radiant state she spreadsi 

In circle round her shining throne, ij 

Shooting her beams like silver threads ; 

This, this is she alone, 

Sitting like a goddess bright 

In the centre of her light. 

Might she the wise Latooa be^ 20 

Or the tow'red Cyhele, 

Mother of a hundred gods ; 

Juno dares not give her odds ; 

Who had thought this clinae had held 

A deity so unparallel'd ? 25 

[jIs they come forward f the Gemus of the wo$d appears^ 
and, turning toward them, speaks*'^ 

Gen. Stay, gentle swains ; for tho' in this disguisCf 
I see bright honour sparkle thro' your eyes } 
Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung 
Of that renowned flood, so often sung. 
Divine Alpheus, who by secret sluce 30 

Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse f 
And ye, the' breathing roses of the wood. 
Fair silver-buskin'd nymphs as great and good, 
I know this quest of yours, and free intent 
Was all in honour and devotion meant 3j 

To the great mistress of yon princely shrine 
Whom with low reverence I adore as mine. 
And with all helpful service will comply 
To further this night's glad solemnity ; 
And lead ye where ye may more near behold 40 

What shallow-searching fame hath left untold ; 
Which I full oft amidst these shades alone 
Have sat to wonder at, and gaze uporf : 
For know by lot f^rom Jove I am the pow'r 
Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bow'r, 45 

To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove 
With ringlets quaint, and wanton windings wove. 
Aod all my plants I save from nightly iU 

Oa Of 

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148 ARCADES. 

Of noisome winds, and blasting vapours chiU : 
^And from the boughs brush off the evil dew, 50 

And heal the hanns of thwarting thunder blue. 
Or what the cross dire-looking planet smites," 
Or hurtful worm with cankered venom bites. 
When ev'ning gray doth rise, I fetch my round 
Over the mount, and all this hallow'd ground, 55 

And early ere the odorous breath of morn • 
Awakes the slumb'ring leaves, or tassel'd horn 
Shakes the high thicket, haste lall about. 
Number my ranks, and visit every sprout 
With puissant words, and murmurs made to bless ; 60 
But else in deep of night, when drousiness 
Hath lock'd up mortal sense, then listen I 
To the celestial sirens' harmony, 
That sit upon the nine infolded spheres, 
And sing to those that hold the vital shears, 65 

And turn the adamantine spindle round, 
On which the fate of gods and men is wound. 
Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie. 
To lull the daughters of Necessity, 
And keep unsteady Nature to her law, 70 

And the low world in measur'd motion draw 
After the heav'nly tune, which none can hear 
Of human mold with gross unpurged ear 5 
And yet such music worthiest were to blaze 
The peerless height of her immortal praise, 7J 

Whose lustre leads us, and for her most fit 
If my inferior hand or voice could hit 
Inimitable sounds ; yet as we go, 
Whate'er the skill of lesser gods can show, 
I will assay, her worth to celebrate, 80 

And so attend ye tow'rd her glittering state 5 - 
Where ye may all that are of noble stem , 
Approach, and Iciss her sacred vesture's hem. 

II. SONG. 

b*er the smooth enamell'd green. 
Where no print of step hath been, * 85 

Follow 

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ARCADES. t49 

Follow me as I sing. 

And touch the warbled string, 

Under the shady roof 

Of branching elm star-proof. 

Follow me, jjo 

I will bring yoU where she sits. 
Clad in splendor as befits 

Her deity. 
Such a rural queen 
All Arcadia hath not seen. j^5 

III. SONG. 

Nymphs and shepherds dance no more 
By sandy Ladon's lilied banks, 
On old Lycaeus or Cyllene hoar 

Trip no more in twilight ranks, 
.Though Erymanth your loss deplore, loa 

A better soil shall give ye thanks. 
From the stony Masnalus 
Bring your flocks and live with us ; 
Here ye shall have greater grace. 
To serve the lady of this place. X05: 

Though Syrinx your Pan's mistress were, 
Yet Syrinx well might wait on her. 
Such a rural queen 
All Arcadia hath not seen. 



03 



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L Y C I D A S*. 



In this monody the author bewails a learned friend^ un^ 
Jbrtunately drowned in his passage from Chester on the 
Irish seaSf 1637 ; and by occasion foretells the ruin of 
^ our corrupted clergy^ then in their height, 

X ET once more, O ye laurels, and once more 
Ic myrtles brown, with ivy never sere, 
I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude. 
And with forc'd fingers rude 

Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year. 5 

Bitter constraint, and sad occasion dear, 5 

Compels me to disturb your season due : 
For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime. 
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer : 
Who would not sing for Lycidas ? he knew 10 

Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhime. 
He must not float upon his watery bier 
Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, 
Without the meed of some melodious tear. 

Begin then, sisters of the sacred well, 15 

That from beneath the seat of Jove doth spring. 
Begin, and somewhat loudly sweep the string. 
Hence with denial vain, and coy excuse, 
So may some gentle muse 

With lucky words favour my destin'd unij 20 

And 3LS he passes turn^ 

And 

* This poem was made upon the unfortunate aod untimely death 
•f Mr. Edward King, son of Sir John King secretary for Ireland^ 
a fellow^collegian and intimate friend of Milton, who, as he wu 
going to visit his relations in Ireland, was drowned, Aug. xo, i637» 
yn. the 'ijth year of his age. This poem is made of the pastoral 
' kind, as hoth Mr. King and Milton had been designed for hol^r QT*^ 
tet and the pastorid carci. 



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LTCIDAS. 1 5 J 

And bid fair peace be to my sable shroud. 
For we were nurs'd upon the self-same hill, 
Fed the same, flock by fountain, shade, and rill. 

Together both, ere the high lawns appear'd t^ 

Under the op'ning eye-lids of the mom, 
We drove a- field, and both together heard 
What time the grey-fly winds her sultry horn, 
Batt'ning our flocks with the fresh dews of night, 
Oft till the star that roise at ev'ning bright, 30 

Tow'rd hcav'n's descent had slop'd his west'ring wheeh 
Meanwhile the rural ditties were not mute, 
Temper'd to the oaten flute, 
Rough Satyrs danc'd, and Fauns with cloven heel 
From the glad sound would not be absent long, 3 j 
And old Damaetas lov'd to hear our song. 

But O the heavy change, now thou art gone. 
Now thou art gone, and never must return ! 
Thee shepherd, thee, the woods and desert caves 
With wild thyme and the gadding vine o'ergrown, 40 
And ^11 their echoes mourn. 
The willows, and the hazel copses green. 
Shall now no more be seen. 
Fanning their joyous leaves to thy soft lays. 
As killing as the canker to the rose, 45 

Or taint-worm to the weanling herds that graze. 
Or frost to flow'rs that their gay wardrobe wear. 
When first the white thorn blows ; 
Such, Lycidas, thy loss to shepherds' ear. 

Where were ye, nymphs, when the remorseless deep 
Clos'd o'er the head of your lov'd Lycidas ? 51 

For neither w^e ye playing on the steep. 
Where your old bards, the fannlou^ Uruids, lie. 
Nor on the shaggy top of Mosa high,. 
Nor yet where Deva spreads her wtsard stream : 55 
Ay me ! I fondly dream 

Had ye been there, for what could that have done I 
What cpuld the muse herself that Orpheus bore^ 
The muse herself for her inchanttngsoni. 
Whom unirersal ](fature did ho&etit^ 60 

- ' Whea 



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15 a LTCIDAS 

When by the rout that aiade the hideous rotr. 
His goary viaage down the stream was sent^ * 
Down the swift Hebrus to the Lesbian shore ? 

Alas ! what boots it with incessant care 
To tend the homely slighted shepherd's tradcy 6$ 

And stri^ly meditate the thsmldess muse i 
Were it not better done^ as others use^ 
To sport with Amaryllis in the shades 
Or with the tangles of NeKra's hair ? 
Fame is. the spur diat the cliKir ap'rtt doth rai3e 70 
(That last infirmity of nobk minds) 
To scorn delights, and live bhoiSQiis days ; 
But the fair guerdon when we hope to find^ 
And think to burst out into sadden blaze» 
Comes the blind Fury with th' abhorred diears» 71 
And slilis the thi»^un life. But not the praise» 
Phoebus reply'dy aiul tonch'd my trembling eara 
Fame is no plant that grows on nuMttal soi^ » 
Nor in the gli^t'ring foil 

Set off to th' world, nor in bioaid rumour lics^ 80 
But lives and spreads aloft by those pure eyeSf 
And perfeft witness of all judging Jove ; 
As he pronounces lastly on eadi deed, 
Of so much fame in* hcav'h exped thy meed. 

O fountain Arethuse, and ^u honour*d floods f ; 

, Smooth sliding Mineiu3<, crown'd with vocal reeds* 
That strain I heard was of a higher mood : 
But now my oat proceecb, 
And listens to the herald of the sea 
That came in Neptune's plea ; 99 

He ask'd the waves, and ask'd the felon wifids,. 

* What hard mishap hath doomed this gende s^i^in i 
And questioned every gvst of ragged winds 
That blows feom off each beaked promontory ; 
They knew not of his story, yj 

And sage Hippotaides. duir answer brings,, 
That not a bkwt was foom his dufigeoastray'd^. 

The air was c^lm,, Toad on the level bnno 

Sleek Panope witfakail hey sisters pjiay'd». 

It 



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LTCIDAS. 153 

Tt was that fatal and perfidious bark I0€ 

Built in th* eclipse, and rigg'd with curses dark. 
That sunk so low that sacred head of thine. 

Next Camus, reverend sire, went footing slow. 
His mantle hairy, and his bonnet sedge. 
Inwrought with figures dim, and on the edge 105 
Like to that sanguine flow'r inscribed with woe. 
Ah ! who hath reft (quoth he) my dearest pledge ? 
Last came, and last did go. 
The pilot of the Galilean lake ; 

Two massy keys he bore, of metals twain, i x# 

(The golden opes, the iron shuts amain) 
He shook his miter'd locks, and stern bespake. 
How well could I have spar'd for thee, young swain 
Enow of such as for their bellies sake 
Creep, and intrude, and chmb into the fold? 115 

Of other care they little reckoning make, 
Than how to scramble it the shearers' feast. 
And shove away the worthy bidden guest ; 
Blind mouths I that scarce themselves know how to hold 
A sheep-hook, or have learn'd ought else the least 12a 
That to the faithful herdsman's art belongs I 
What recks it them? what need they ? They are sped; 
And when they list, their lean and flashy songs 
Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw 5 
The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed, 12J 

But swol'n with wind, and the rank mist they draw^ 
Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread : 
Be'=iides what the grim wolf with privy paw 
Daily devours apace, and nothmg said. 
But that two handed engine at the door " 130 

Stands ready to smite once, and smite no more. 

Return Alpheus, the dread voice is past. 
That shrunk thy streams ; return Sicilian muse, 
And call the vales, and bid them hither cast 
Their bells and flow'rets of a thousand hues. 1 35 

Ye vallies low, where the mild whispers use 
Of shades* and wanton winds, and gushing brooks. 
On whose fresh lap the swart star sparely looks. 

Throw 



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154 LTCIOIS* 

Throw hither all your quaint enamel'd eyesi 

That on the green turf suck the honied showers, 149 

And purple ^L the ground with vernal flow'rs* 

Bring the rathe primrose that fcursaken dies. 

The tufted crow-toe, and pale jessamine, 

Tiie white pink, and the pansy freakt with jet. 

The glowing violet, 145 

The musk-rose, and the well attir'd woodbine. 

With cowshps wan that han? the pensive head. 

And ev*ry flow'r that sad embroid'ry wears : 

6id amarantus all his beauty shed. 

And daffadilltes fill their cups with tears, 150 

To strow the laureate hesurse where Lycid lies. 

For so to interpose a little ease. 

Let our frail thoughu dally with false surmise* 

Ay me I whilst thee the shores and sounding seas 

Wash far away, where'er thy bones are hurFd, 155 

Whether beyond the stormy Hebrides, 

Where thou perhaps under the whelming tide 

Visit'st the bottom of the monstrousi world. 

Or whether thou to our moist view deny'd. 

Sleepst by the f^able of Bellerus of old, i6q 

Where the great vision of the guarded mount 

Looks toward Namancos and Bayona's hold ; 

Look homeward angel now, and melt W4th ruth : 

And, O ye dolpins, waft the hapless youth. 

Weep no more, woeful shepherds, weep no more. 
For Lycidas your sorrow is not dead, * 166 

Sunk though he be beneath the wat'ry floor i 
So sinks the day star in the ocean bed. 
And yet anon repairs his drooping head. 
And tricks his beams, and with new spangled ore 
Flames in the forehead of the morning sky : 171 

So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high, 
Thro' the dear might of him that walk'd the waves. 
Where other groves, and other streams along, 
With nedlar pure his oozy locks he laves, 1 7 j 

And hears the unexpressive nuptial sdng. 
In the bless'd kingdoms meek of joy and love. 

There 



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LYCIDAS. 155 

There entertain him all the saints above. 

In solemn troops and sweet societies* 

That sing, and singing in their giory move, 180 

And wipe the tears forever from his eyes. 

Now, Lycidas, the shepherds weep no move % 

Henceforth thou art the genius of the shore. 

In thy large recompense, and shalt be good 

To all that wander in that perilous flood. 185 

Thus sang the uncouth swain to th' oaks and rills. 
While the still mom went out Wrth sandals gray, 
He touch'd the tender stops of various quills. 
With eager thought warbling his Doric lay : 
And now the Sun had stretched out all the hills, ipa 
And now was dropt into the western bay ; 
At last he rose, and twitch'd his mantle blue : 
To-mcrrow to fresh vs^oods and pastures new. 



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POEMS 

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 



On the death of a fair tt^anty dying of the cough ♦• 

O FAIREST flowV, no sooner blown but blasted, 
Soft silken primrose fading ttmelessly. 
Summer's chief honour ; if thou hadst outlasted 
Bleak Winter's force that made thy blosom dry ; • 
For he being amorous on that lovely dye j 

That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss, 
But kiil'd, alas, and then bewaiPd his fatal bliss. 

II. 
For since grim Aquilo his charioteer 
By boibt'rous rape th* Athenian damsel got. 
He thought it touched his deity full near, lO 

If likewise he some fair one wedded not, 
Thereby to wipe away th' infamous blot 

Of long uncoupled bed, and childless eld, |[held. 
Which 'mongst the wanton gods a foul reproach was 

III. 
So mounting up in icy-pearl'd car, IJ 

Through middle empire of the freezing air 
He wanderM long, till thee he spyM from far; 
There ended was his quest, there ceas'd his care. 
Down he descended from his snow soft chair. 

But all unawares with his cold kind embrace ao 
Unhous'd thy virgin- soul from her fair biding-place. 

IV. 

Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate ; 

For 

♦ Composed in 1625, the 17th year of Milton's age— Thi« in- 
fant was the author's niece, a daughter of his sister Philips, and 
probably her first child. 

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POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, 1 57 

For so Apollo, with unweeting hand, 

Whilome did slay his dearly- loved mate, 

"Young Hyacinth born on Eurota's strand, 25 

IToung Hyacinth the pride of Spartan land ; 

But then ttansfprm'd him to a purpk flow'r : 
Alack that so to change thee Winter had no pow'r. 

V. 

Yet can I not persuade me thou art dead, 

Or that thy corse corrupts in earth's dark womb, 30 

Or that thy beauties lie m wormy bed. 

Hid from the world in a low delved tomb j 

Could Heav'n for pity thee so stricEily doom ? 

Oh no ! for something in thy face did shine 
Above mortality, that show'd thou wast divine, 3J 

- VI. 

Resolve me then, Oh aoul most surejy blest, 

(If so it be that thou these plaints dost hear). 

Tell me bright spirit where'er thou hoverest. 

Whether above that high first-moving sphere 

Or in the Elysian fields, (if such there were); 40 

O say me true, if thou wert mortal wight, 
And why from us so quickly thou didst take thy flights 

VII. 

Wert thou some star which from the ruin'd roof 
Of shak'd Olympus by mischance didst fall ; 
Which careful Jove in Nature's true behoof 45 

Took up, ^nd in fit place did reinstall ? 
Or did of late earth's sons besiege the wall 

Of sheeny heav'n, and thou some goddess fled 
Amongst us here below to hide thy ncftar'd bead ? 

vm. 
Or wert thou that just maid who once before 50 

Forsook the hated earth, O tell me sooth. 
And cam'st again to visit us once more ? 
Or wert thou that sweet smiling Youth ? 
Or that crown'd matron sage white-robed Truth f 
Or any other of that heav'nly brood 5 j 

Let down in cloudy throne to do the world some good? 

Vol. II. P Or 

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758 POfiaCS ON SEVEHAI. OCCASIONS. 

IX. 

Or wert thou of the golden-winged host. 

Who having clad thyself in human weed, 

To earth from thr prefixed seat didst post. 

And after short abode fly back with speed, do 

As if to show what creatures heav'n doth breed. 

Thereby to set the hearts of men on fire 
To scorn the sordid world, and unto heav'n aspire ? 

X. 

But oh why didst thou not stay here below 

To bless us with thy hear'n-lov'd innocence, 6^ 

To slake his wrath whom sin hath made our foe, 

To turn swift-rushing black perdition hence. 

Or drive away the slaughtering pestilence, 

To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart ? 6g 

But thou canst best perform that office where thou art 

XI. , 

Then thou the mother of so sweet a child. 
Her false imagined loss cease to lament, 
And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild ; 
Think what a present thou to God hast sent 
And render him with patience what he lent : 75 

This if thou do, he will an ofBpring give, 
That to the world's last end shall make thy name to Kve. 



jtt a vacation excercise in the college^ part Latin^ part 
English. The Latin speeches ended^ the English thus 
began*. 

JtlAIL, native language ! that by sinews weak. 
Didst move my first endeav'ring tongue to speak. 
And mad'st imperfeft words with childish trips. 
Half unpronouncM, slide through my infant lips. 
Driving dumb silence from the portal door, 5 

Where he had mutely sat two years before : 
Here I salute thee, and thy pardon ask, 
lliat now I use thee in my later task : 

Small 
* Composed in z 6a 7* 

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i»OEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 1 59 

Small loss it is that thence can come unto thee, 10 

I know my tongue but little grace can do thee : 

Thou need'st not be ambitious to be first, 

Believe me I have thither pack'd the worst : 

And, if it happen as. I did forecast, 

The daintiest dishes shall be served up last, 

I pray thee then deny me not thy aid, 15 

For this same small negleft that I have made : 

But haste thee then to do me once a pleasure. 

And from thy wardrobe bring thy chiefest treasure, 

Not those newfangled toys, and trimming slight 

Which takes our late fantastics with delight, 20 

But cull those richest robes, and gay'st attire, 

"Which deepest sp'rits, and choicest wits desire : 

I have some naked thoughts that rove about, 

And loudly knock to have their passage out 5 

And weary of their place do only stay 25 

Till thou hast deckt them in thy best array j 

That so they may without suspedt or fears 

Fly swiftly to this fair assembly's ears. 

Yet I had rather, if ! were to chuse. 

Thy service in some graver subjeft use, 30 

Such as may make thee search thy coffers round. 

Before thou clothe my fancy in fit sound : 

Such where the deep transported mind may soar 

Above the wheeling poles, and at heavn's door 

Look in, and see. each blissful deity, 3 j 

How he before the thunderous throne doth lie, 

List'ning to what unshorn Apollo sings 

To the touch of golden wires, while Hebe brings 

Immortal neftar to her kingly sire : 

Then passing thro' the spheres of watchful fire 4^ 

And misty regions of wide air next under. 

And hills of snow, and lofts of piled thunder, 

May tell at length how green ey'd Neptune raves. 

In hcav'n's defiance must'ring all his waves j 

Then sing of secret things that came to pass 4jf 

When beldam Nature in her cradle was ; 

And last of kings, and queens, and heroes old. 

Such as the wise Demodocus once told 

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l6o POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 

In solemn songs at King Alcinous' feast, 

While sad Ulysses' soul, and all the rest 50 

Are held with his melodious harmony 

In willing chains and sweet captivity. 

But fie my wand'ring muse, how thou dost stray ! 

Expeftance calls thee now another way 5 

Thou knowst it must be now thy only bent 55 

To keep in compass of thy predicament : 

Then quick about thy purposed business come, 

That to the next I may resign my room. 

Then Ens is represented as father of the Predicaments his 
ten sonSy whereof the eldest stood for Substance with hi J 
canons J which Ens' thus speakings explains. 

ij^OOD luck befriend thee, son •, for at thy birth 

The fairy ladies danc'd upon the hearth •, 60 

Thy drousy nurse hath sworn she did them spy 

Come tripping to the room where thou dtdst lie. 

And sweetly singing round about thy bed 

Srrow all their blessings on thy sleeping head. 

She heard them give thee this, that thou should'st still 

From eyes of moi^ls walk invisible : 66 

Yet there is something that doth force my fear ; 

For once it was my dismal hap to hear 

A Sibyl old, bow-bent with crooked age. 

That far events full wisely could presage, ^ 70 

And in Time's long and dark prospedtive glass 

Foretow what future days should bring to pass '5 

Your son, said she, (nor can you it prevent). 

Shall subje£k be to many an accident. 

O'er all his brethren he shall reign as king, 75 

Yet every one shall make him underling \ 

And those that cannot live from him asunder, 

Ungratefully shall strive to keep him under ; 

In worth and excellence he shall outgo them 5 

Yet being above them, he shall be below them : 80 

From others he shall stand in need of nothing. 

Yet on his brothers shall depend for clothing. 



To 



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POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. tdf 

To find a foe it shall not be his hap, 

And Peace shall lull him in her fiow'ry lap \ 

Yet shall he live in strife, and at his door 85 

Devouring war shall never cease to roar : 

Yea, it shall be his natural property 

To harbour those that are at enmity. 

What pow'r, what force, what mighty spell, if not 

Your learned hands, can loose this Gordian knot ? 90 

Tie next ^antiiy and ^ality spake in prose^ then iJ<- 
lation was called by his name, 

JCVIVERS arise 5 whether thou be the son 
Of utmost Tweed, or Oose, or gulphy Dun, 
Or Trent, who like some earth-born giant spreads 
His thirty arms along th* indented meads. 
Or sullen Mole that runneth underneath, 95 

Or Severn swift, guilty of maiden's death, 
Or rocky Avon, or of sedgy Lee, 
Or coaly Tine, or ancient hallow'd Dee, 
Or Humber loud that bears Scythian's name. 
Or Med way smooth, or royal towered Thame* xco 
(The rest was prose. J 



Tj 



0*n the mcrning of Christ's Nativity •. 

I. 

HIS is the month, and this the happy morn^ 
Wherein the Son of heav'n's eternal King, 
Of wedded maid, and virgin-mother born. 
Our great redemption from above did bring*, 
For so the holy sages once did sing, J 

That he our deadly forfeit should release. 
And with his father work us a perpetual peace. 

II. 
That glorious form, that light insufferable, 
And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty, 
Wh^ewith he wont at heav'n's high council-table 10 
P3 To 

J Composed in 1 62^» 

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%6% POEMd. ON S£VfiHAL OCCABlOm^ 

To sit the midst of Trmal Unity, 

He laid aside j and here with us to be, 

Forsook the courts of everlasting day, 

And chose wkh tts a darksome honse of mortal clay. 

jii. 
Say, heav*nly muse, shall not thy sacred vein^ 15 

Afford a present to the Infant God ? 
Hast thoa no verse, no hymn, of solemn strain, 
To welcome him to this his new abode. 
Now white the heav'n, by the sun's team untrod. 

Hath took no print of the approaching light, 20 
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons 
bright ? 

IV. 

See how from far, upon the eastern road. 

The star- led wisards haste with odours sweet : 

G run, prevent them with thy humble ode, 

And lay it lowly at his blessed feet ; 2J 

Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet. 

And join thy voice unto the angel quire. 
From out his secret altar touch'd with hallow'd fire. 

The Jlymn. 

It was the winter wild, 

While the heav'n-born child 30 

All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; 

Nature in awe to him 

Had dofPd her gaudy trim, 
With her great master so to sympathize : 

It was rto season then for her 3S 

To wanton with the sun her lusty paramour. 
II. 

Only with speeches fair 

She wooes the gentle air 
To hide her guilty front with innocent snow 

And on her naked sliame, 4^ 

Pollute with sinful blame. 
The saintly veil of maiden white to throw. 

Confounded 

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Confounded, that her Maker's eye« 
Should look so near upon her foql deformities* 

III. 
But he her fears to cease, 45 

Sent down the meek-ey'd Peace 5 
She crown'd with olive green, came softly sliding 
Down through the turniryg sphere 
His ready harbinger, 
With turtle wing the arftoifotis clouds diwdifigy jo 

And waving wide her myttle wand, 
She strikes an uni^rsal peace fihro' seff and land. 

IV. 
No war, or battle's sound 
Was heard the world around^ 
The idle spear and shidd were high up hung, 55 

The hooked chariot stood, 
Unstain'd with hostile blood, ' 
The trumpet spake not to the armfed t&rong, 

And kings sat still with awful eye, 
As if they surely kne^ their sov'reign Lord was by. 6m 

V. 
But peaceful was the night. 
Wherein the Prince of Light 
His reign of peace upon the earth began : 
The winds with wonder whist 
Smoothly the waters kist, 65 

Whisp'ring new joys to the mild ocean, 

- Who now hath quite forgot to- rave, 
While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave; 

The stars with deep amaxe 
Stand fix'd in stedfast gaze, 7^ 

lending one way their precious influence, 
And will not take their iight, 
For all the morning light. 
Or Lucifer that often wart/d them thence 5 

But in their glimmering orbs did glow, 75 

Until the Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. 

Vil. 

And though the shady gloom - 

Had 

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l64 POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCISIOMS. 

Had given day her room. 
The sun himself withheld his wonted speed. 

And hid his head for shame, 8q 

As his inferior flame 
The new-enlighten'd world no more should need ; 

He saw a greater sun appear 
Than his bright throne or burning axletree could bear* 

VIII. 

The shepherds on the lawn, Sg 

Or e'er the point of dawn, 
Sat simply chatting in a rustic row ; 

Full little thought they then. 

That the mighty Pan 
Was kindly come to live with them below ; jo 

Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep. 
Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. 

IX. 

When such music sweet 

Their hearts and ears did greet. 
As never was by mortal finger strook, 95 

Divinely warbled voice 

Answering the stringed noise. 
As all their souls in blissful rapture took : 

The air such pleasure loth to lose. 
With thousand echoes still prolongs each heav'nly close. 

X. 

Nature that heard such sound, 101 

Beneath the hollow round 
Of Cynthia's seat, the airy region thrilling. 

Now was almost won 

To think her part was done, 105 

And that her reign had here its last fulfilling j 

She knew such harmony alone 
Could hold all heav'n and earth in happier union. 

XI. 

At last surrounds their sight 
A globe of circular light, no 

That with long beams the shame-fac'd night array'd 5 
The helmed Cherubim 
And sworded Seraphim, 

Arc 

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POBMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 1 65 

Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displayed 

Harping in load and solemn quire^ 1 1 j 

With unexpressive notes to heav'n's new-born Heir, 

XII. 

Such music (as 'tis said) 

Before was never made, 
But when of old the sons of morning sung, * 

While the Creator gr^t I20 

His constellations set, 
And the well-balanc'd world on hinges hung, 

And cast the dark foundations deep, 
And bid the welt'ring waves their oozy diannel keep, 

XIII. 

Ring out ye crystal spheres, 125 

Once bless our human ears^ 
(If ye have powV to touch our scnaei so), 

And let your silver chime 

Move in melodious time. 
And let the base of heav'n's deep organ blow, 130 

And with your ninefold harmony 
Make up full consort to th' angelic symphony. 

XIV. 

For if such holy song 

Inwarp our fancy long, 
Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold, ijj 

And speckled Vanity ^ ^ 

Will sicken soon and die. 
And leprous Sin will melt from earthly mould. 

And Hell itself will pass away, 139 

And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. 

XV. 

Yea, Truth and Justice then 
Will down return to men, 
Orb'd in a rainbow 5 and like glories wearing 
Mercy will sit between, 

Thron'd in celestial sheen,. 145 

With radiant feet the tissu'd clouds down steering, 

And Heaven, as at some festival, 
Will open wide the gates of her high palace hall. 

" But 



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l66 PO£MS ON SEVERAL OCCASJOKS, 

xvf. 
But wisest Fate says no, • 

This must not yet be so, 150 

The Babe lies yet in smiling infancy, 
That on the bitter cross 
Must redeem our loss ^ 
So both himself and us to glorify : 1 54 

Yet first to those ychain'd in sleep, [deep. 

The wakeful trump of doobi must thunder through the 
xvn. 
With such a horrid clang 
As on mount Sinai rang. 
While the red fire and smould'ring clouds out brake : 
The aged earth aghast, <- 1 60 

With terror of that blast. 
Shall from the surface to the centre shake j 

W hen at the world's last session, 
The dreadful Judge in middle air shall spread his thronet 

XVIII, 

And then at last our bliss 165 

Full and perfed is, 
But now begins ; for from this happy day 

Th* old Dragon under ground 

In straiter limits bound. 
Not half so far casts his usurped sway, lyo 

And wroth to see his kingdom fail, ^ 
Swinges the scaly horror of his folded tail. 

XIX. 

The oracles are dumb. 

No voice or hideous hum 
Runs thro' the arched roof in words deceiving. lyg 

Apollo from his shrine 

Can no more divine. 
With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving. 

No nightly trance, or breathed spell. 
Inspires the pale-ey'd priest from the prophetic cell. 

XX. 

The lonely mountains o'er, l8t 

And the resounding shore, 
-A voice of weeping heard and loud lament j 

From 

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?0EM8 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS* I (5^ 

From haunted spring, and dale, 

EdgM with poplar pale, 185 

The parting genius is with sighing sent 5 

With flow'r-inwoven tresses torn [mourn. 

The nymphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets 

XXI., 

In consecrated earth, 

And on the holy hearth, ipo 

The Lars and Lemures moan with midnight-plaint; 

In urns and altars round, 

A drear and dying sound 
Affrights the Fiamens at their service quaint 5 

And the chill marble seems to sweat, j^g 

While each peculiar pow'r foi-goes his wonted cat. 

XXII. 

, Pedr and Baalim 

Forsake their temples dim, 
With that twice-batter'd god of Palestine 5 

And mooned Ashtaroth, 200 

Heaven's queen and mother both, 
Now sits not. girt with tapers holy shine ; 

The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn, [mourn. 

In vain the Tynan maids their wounded Thammuz 

XXIII 

And sullen Moloch fled, 205 

Hath left in shadows dread 
His burning idol all of blackest hue ; 

In vain with cymbals ring 

They call the grisly king. 
In dismal dance about the furnace blue ; 2 10 

The brutish gods of Nile as fast, 
Isis and Orus, and the dog Anubis, haste. 

XXIV. 

Nor is Osiris seen 

In Memphian grove or green, 
Trampling the unshowYd grass with lowings loud : 

Nor can he be at rest 21 5 

Within his sacred chest; 
Nought but profoundcst hell can be his shroud j 

In 

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1 58 P0BM8 ON SEVEaiL OCCASIONS. 

In vain with tinArd'd anthems daric 
The sablc-stoled sorcerers bear Ins worshipt ark. 220 

XXV. 

. He feels from Judah's laud 
The dreaded Infant's hand. 
The rays of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyn 5 
Nor all the gods beside 

Longer dar^ abide, 225 

Not Typhon huge ending in snaky twine : 
. Our Babe, to show his Godhead tru£. 
Can in his swaddling bands control the damned crew. 

XXVI, 

So when the sun in bed, 

Curtain'd with cloudy red, 230 

Pillows his chin upon an orient wav?, 

The flocking shadows pale 

Troop to th' infernal jail, 
Each fetter'd ghost slips to his several grave, 234 

And the yellow skirted Fayes ^ [maze. 

Fly after the night «teeds, leaving their moonJov'd 
xxvii. 

But see the virgin blest. 

Hath lay'd her babe to rest. 
Time is our tedious song should here have ending j 

Heav'n*8 youngest teemed star 240 

Hath fixed her polish'd car, 
Her sleeping Lord with handmaid lamp attending : 

And all about the courtly stable, 
Bright harnessed angels sit in order serviceable. 



The Passian*. 
I. 



REWHILE of music, and ethereal mirth; 
Wherewith the stage 6f air and earth did ring, 
And joyous news of hcav'nly Infant's birth, 
My muse with angels did divide to sing ; 

But 

• This poem seems to have been composed soop after the Ode on 
tKc Nativity. 

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fOEUS ON sfeVERAL OCCASIONS. l6^ 

But headlong joy is ever on the wing, 

In wintry solstice hke the shortened light, 5 

Soon jBwallow^d up in dark and long outliving night, 

II. 
For now to sorrow must I tune my song. 
And set my harp to notes of saddest woe, 
"Which on our dearest Lord did sieze ere long, 10 

Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse than so. 
Which he for us did freely undergo 5 

Most perfeft hero, try*d in heaviest plight 
Of labours huge and hard, too }^rd for human wieht.!,, 

He sovereign Priest stooping his regal hea4, ^S^ 

That dropt with od'rous oil down his fair eyes. 

Poor fleshly tabernacle entered. 

His starry front low-rooft beneath the skies ; 

O what a mask was there, what a disguise ! 

, Yet moye 5 the strokp of death he must abide, 20 
Then Jies' him meekly down fast by his brethren's side. 

IV. 

These latest scenes tonfine my roving verse, ^ 

To this horizon is my Phoebus bouad ; 

His godlikf afts, and his temptations fierce, 

And former sufFc:rings, other where are found 5 25 

Loud o'er the rest Cremona's, trump doth sound ; 

Me safter airs befit, and softer strings 
Of lute, or viol still, more apt for mournful things. 

V. 

Befriend me, Night, best patroness of grief. 

Over the pole thy thickest mantle throw, 30 

And work my flatter'd fancy to btiirf, 

That heav'n and eartlvare coloured with my woe; 

My sorrQWs are too dark, for day to know : 

The leaves should all be black whereon I write. 
And letters where my tears have wash'4 a Wanuidi white. 

VI. 

See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, 36 

That whirFd the prophet up at Chcbir flood ! 
My spirit some transporting cherub fcelji. 
To bear me where the towVs of S^lcm stobd. 
Vol. ir. Q Once 

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170 POEMS OK SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 

Once glorious to^^'rs, now sunk in gmkless blood ; 

There doth my soul in holy vision sit 41 

In pensive trance, and anguisn, and ecstatic fit. 

VII. 

Mine eye hath found that sad sepulchral rock. 
That was the casket of heaven's richest store ^ 
And here tho* grief my feeble hands up-lock| 45 

Yet on the softeh'd quarry would I score 
My plaining verse as lively as before ; 

For sure so well instruded are my tears, 
That^hey would fitly fall in order'd chara<9rers. 

! Vltl. 

Or should I thenc^, Kurried on viewless wing, 50 
Take up a weeping on the mountains wild, 
The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring 
Would sooh unbosotn all their echoes mild, 
And I (for grief is easily beguil'd,) 

Might think th* infeftion of my sorrow^ toud 55 
Had got a race of moUtrierd On some pregnant cloud. 

[Tkis suhjeft the author finding to he above the years k 
had when he wrote it, and . nothing satisfied tviti 
what was begun y ieft it unjflnishtd^2 



On time*; 



x LY, envious Time, till thou rurt out thy race. 
Call on the lazy leaden^stepping houfrs, 
Whose speed is but the heavy plumm€t*s pace ; 
And gltit thyself with What thy womb devours, 
Which is no'ri»ore than what i& false arid viiti> 5 

And merely mortar dtoss 5 
So little is our los^, 
So little is thy gain. 

Fbr 

* In these pc^ems where no date is prefixed, and no circumsitancef 
dire^ us to ascertain the time when they were composed, the order 
of Milton's dwi^ edition is followed. Before this copjr.of yers(Es»,.it 
«|^pear5.from tlie author^ manuscript, that he had written ^ them, 
to *tf ut on a chck'Cate^ 

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P0EM5 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 1)1 

For when as each thing bad thou hast intomb'd. 

And last of all thy greedy self consum'jd* - 10 

Then long Eternity s^all ,gre,et our "bli^a 

With an individual kiss ; 

And Joy shall overtake us as' a flpod, 

When every thing that is sincerely good 

And perfeftly divine, 15 

With truth, and peace, and love, shall ever diine 

About the supreme throne 

Of him, t' whose happy-making sight alone, 

When once our heaVnly-gUided soul shall climb, 

Then all this earthly grossness quit, 20 

Attir'd with st^rs, we shall for ever sit. 

Triumphing over D^ath, and Chance, and t]K;e> O Time. 



Upon the CIRCUMCiSIQN. 

jL E flaming pow'rs, and winged warriors bright^ 
That erst with music, and triumphant $ong. 
First heard by happy watchful shepherds ear, 
So sweetly sgjig your joy the cload^ alotng 
Thro' the so^t sUence of the listening i^ight 5 ,5 

Now mqurn, and if sad share with us to bear 
Your fiery essence can distil ijio t^ar, 
Burn in your sighs,^ and borrow 
Seas wept from our deep sorrow : 
He, who with all heav'n's hi^^aldry while dX^ 10 

Enter'd the world, now bleeds tp give m ?l^i 
Alas, how soon our sin 

Sore doth begin / 

His infancy to seize ! 
more exceeding love or law more justi 15 

Just law indeed, but ipore exceeding love ! 
For we by rightful doom f§ij^^4ilc6S 
Were lost in death, till he-tbat dw^k jkbeve. 
High thron'd in secret bliss, for u^ frail du^t 
Emptied his glory, ev'n to nakedness, 20 

And that great covensmt which wq still tnn%p:^ss, 

Q,Z Entirely 

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J72 ' POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 

Entirely satisfied, 

And the full wrath l>eside 

Of vengeful Justice bore for our excess, 

And seals obediepce first with wounding smart 25 

This day, but O ere long 

Huge pangs and strong 

Will pierce more near his heart. 



At a Solemn Music. 



i^LESS'D pair of Sirens, pledges of heav'n's joy, 
Sphere- born harmonious sisters, Voice and Verse, 
Wed your divine sounds, >Qnd mix'd pow'r employ, 
Dead things with inbreathed sense able to pierce. 
And to our high-rais'd phantasy present J 

That undistuTbc<f song of pure concent, 
Ay sung before the sapphirc-colour'd throne, 
To him that sits thereon, 
With saintly shout, and solemn jubilee, 
Where the bright seraphim in burning row 10 

Their loud up-lifted arigel-trumpets blow, 
And the therdbic host in tlvousand quires 
Touch their immortal harps of gulden wires. 
With those ja^t bp'rits that wear vi£lorious palms, 
Hymns devout and holy psalms 15 

Singing everlastingly ; 
'That we 'on earth \vith undiscording voice 
May rightly ai^swer that melodious noise j 
As once we did, till disproportkni'd sin 
Jarr'd against nature's chime, and with harsli din 20 
Broke the fair music that aft creatures made 
^o their gr6at Lord, whose love their motion sway'd 
In perfeft diapason, whilst they stood 
In first obedience, and th<*if- state of good. 
O may we^ soon aga'm tene^ that song, 25 

And keep iti tunef with liedv'n, till God ere long ' 
cfiCo his celestial consort us unitej 
To hve with him, slnd sing in endless morn of light. 
- : An 

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FOfiMS OK saVEViAL 0C€A^dH8* 1 7} 

An Epitaph on tie Marchioness ^ Wimhest^r K a 

1 HIS rich marble doth inter 
The honoured wife of Winchester, 
A Viscount's daughter, an EarFs heir. 
Besides what her virtues fair 

Added to her nobl6 birth , <§ 

More than she could own from earth. 
Summers three times eight ^ave.one 
She had told \ alas too soon, 
After so short time of breath, 

To house with darkness, and with death. lO 

Yet had the number of her days 
Been as complete as was her praise, 
Nature and Fate had had no strife 
In giving limit to her life. 

Her high birth, and her graces sweet, ijf 

Quickly found a lover meet ; 
The virgin quire for her request 
The god that sits at marriage-feast 5 
He at their invoking came 

But with a scarce well-lighted flame ; 2^ 

And in his garland, as he stood, 
Ye might discern a cypress bud. 
Once had the early matrons run 
To greet her of a lovely son, 

And now with second hope she goes, 2J 

And calls Lucina to her throws 5 
But, whether by n.ischance or blame, 
Atropos for Lucina came. 
And with remorseless cruelty 

Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree : 30 

Ine hapless babe before its birth 

Q 3 Had 

• This lady wa« Jane, daughter of Thomas I»or4 Vise. Sayage 
of Rock-Savage, Cheshire, who b/ marriage became the heir of 
JLord Darcjr Earl of Rivers, and was the wife of Jo))n Marquis ^f 
"Winchester, and the mother of Charles first Doke of Bolton. She 
died io childbed of a second sob, in the z^d year^f her age ^ aD4 
Jbliltoa made these versei »t Cambridge, 

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174 POEMS OK. SEVERAL OCCASIONSi 

Had burial, yet not laid in earth, 
And the languish*^ mothers ^omb 
Wis not long a living tomb. 

So have I seen some tender slip, • jj 

Sav'd with care from winter's nip, 
The pride of her carnation train, 
Pluck'd up by ^bmc unheedy s'waiu. 
Who only thought to crop tfee flow'r, 
4^ew shot up hofn vernal sl^bw*f ;^ . j^o 

But the fair blossQm lii^ings the he ^4 
Sideways, as on a dying bed, , 
And those pearls of dew she wears, 
Prove to be presaging tears, 

Which the sad morn had let fall 4J 

Oa her hast'ning funeral. 
Gentle Lady, may thy grave . j 
Peace and quiet ever have j 
^fter this thy travel ^ore ^/ 

^weet rest seize thee evermore,. 5a 

That, to give the world increase, 
Short'ned hast thy own life's lease. 
Here, besides the sorrowing 
/i'hat thy noble house doth bring, 
Here be tears of perfed moan 55 

Wept for thee in Helicon, 
And' some flowers, and some bays. 
For thy herse, to strow the ways, 
Sent thee from the banks of Cam, 60 

Devoted to thy virtuous name •, 
Whilst thou, bright saint, high sitt'st in glory, 
Next her much like to thee.m story. 
That fair Syrian shepherdess, 
Who, after years of barrenness, 
The highly favour'd Joseph bore ^S 

.To him that serv'd for her before, 
' And at her next birth, much like thee. 
Through pangs fled to felicity, 
Far within the bosom bright 

Of blazing majesty and light : 7^ 

Tliere with thee, new welgome saint, 

- Like 

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FOEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS 175 

Like fortunes may her soul acquaint, 
"With thee there clad in radiant sheen, 
No Marchioness, but now a Queen. 



SONG. On May jnorning, 

-iNOW-the bright morning-star, day's harbinger,^ 
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her 
The How'ry May, who from her green lap thrpws . 
Thfe yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose. 

Hail bounteous May that dost inspire j 

Mirth, and youth, and warm desire j 

Woods and groves are of thy dressing, 

Hill and dale both boast thy blessing. 
Thus we salute thee with our. early song, 
And Welcome thee, and wish thee long. la 



On SHAKESPEARE*. 

H AT needs my Shakespear for his.honour'd bones. 
The labour of an age in piled stones, ^ 

^ Or that his hallow'd reliques should be hid 
' Under a starry- pointing pyramid ? 
Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, 5 

What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name ? 
Thou in our wonder and astonishment 
Hast built thyself a live-long monument : 
For whilst to th' shame of slow-endeavouting art. 
Thy easy numbers flow, and that each heart lO 

Hath from the leaves of thy unvalued book 
Those Delphic lines with deep impression took. 
Then t;hou, our fancy of itself bereaving, 
Dost make us marble with too much conceiving j 
And so sepulcher'd in such pomp dost lie, 15 

•That kings for such a tomb would wisii to die» 

On 
• Composed in 1630* 

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176 POEMS ON SfeT^RAtr OCCASIOKa 

On the university^carrierf who ikkened h the time (f hU 
vacancy y being forbid to go to London by reason ^ tkc 
plague *. 

JriERE lies old Hobson ; Death hath broke his girt. 

And here, alas, hath laid him in the dirt, 

Or .else, the ways being foul, twenty to one. 

He's here stuck in a slough, and overthrown. 

*Twas such a shifter, that, if truth were known, 5 

Death was half glad when he had got him down ; 

For he had any time, this ten years full, 

Dodg'd with him betwixt Cambridge and the BulL 

And surely Death could never have prevailed, 

Had not his weekly course of carriage fail'd 5 i<| 

But lately finding him so long at home. 

And thinking now his journey's end was come. 

And that he had ta'en up his latest inn, 

In the kind office of a chajnberlain 

Show'd him his room where he must lodge that night, 

PuU'd oflF his boots, and took away the light : 16 

If any ask for him, it shall be said, 

Hobson has sup'd, and's newly gone to bed. 

Another 

• Wc have the following acccunt of this extraorditiary man m 
the Spedatbr, No. 509. ♦* Mr. Tobias Hobson was a carrier, and 
the first man in this isbrad, who let out hackney-hot ses. He lived 
la Cambridge ; and, observing that (he scholars rid hird, his manner 
was, to keep a large stable of horses, with boots, bridles, and whips* 
to furnish the gcntltmen at once, without going from college to cM- 
lege to borrow, as they have done siooe the death of this worthy 
man .** I say, Mr. Hobson kept a siable of forty good cattle, ^w.ajs 
.ready and fit for travelling ; but, when a man came for a horse, he 
was led into the stable, where there was great choice ; but he obli- 
ged him to take the herse which stood next to the stable-tie'^ ; so 
that every cttstomer was aKke well^served, according to his chance, 
and every horse ridden with the same justice. Froni whence it be- 
came a proverb, when 'what ought to be your ele<ftion was forced 
upon you, to say, Hobson*s choice. This memorable man stands 
(^awn in fresco at an inn (which he oscd) in Biahppsgate-t^re^ty 
with an hundred p^v^d b^g under his arm, with this inscription 
\VpoD the said bag, 

f* Tht fruHfut m^tbir i>f-an kyndrcd morc^^ 

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rOEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I'JJ 

Another on the same. 

JLIERE Jieth one, who did most truly prove, 

That he could never die while he could move ; 

So hung his destiny never to rot, 

While he might still jog on and keep his trot, 

Made of sphere-metal, never to decay, ' 5 

Until his revolution was at stay. 

Time numbers motion, yet (without a crime 

'Gainst old truth,) motion numbcr'd out his time; 

And like an engine mov'd with wheel and weight. 

His principles being ceas'd, he ended strait. 10 

Rest, that gives all men life, gave him his death, 

And too much breathing put him out of breath j 

Nor were it contradidtion to affirm, 

Too long vacatipn hastened on his term. . 

Merely to drive the time away he sicken'd, 15 

Fainted, and died, nor would with ale be quicken'd j 

Nay, quoth he, on his swooning bed our-stretch'd, 

If I mayn't carry, sure I'll he'^er be fetch'd. 

But vow, tho' the cross doftors all stood hearers. 

For one carrier put down to make six bearers.. 20 

Ease was his chief disease^ and to judge right. 

He dy'd for heaviness that his cart went light : 

His leisure told him that his time was come. 

And lack of load made his life burdensome. 

That ev'n to his last breath, (there be that say't,) 25 

As be were press'd to death, he cried more weight \ 

But» had his doings lasted as they were, 

He had been an immortal carrier. 

Obedient to the moon he spent his date 

In course reciprocal, and had his fate 33 

Link'd to the mutual flowing of the seas. 

Yet (strange to think,) his wane was his increase-: 

His letters are deliver'd all and gone. 

Only remains this superscription. 

A© 

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I7*S POfiMS OK 8ST£&AX. OCCASIONS, 

Ad Pyrrham. .Ode V. 

Horatius ex Pyrrhx illeccbris tanquam e naufragio en- 
ataVerat^ cujus amore irrecitos, affirmat esse mis^erofi. 

vJUIS multa gracilis tse puer in rasa 
Perfusus liquklis urgef odoribusj 

Grato, Pyrrba, sub antro ? 

Cut flavam religas coxnam, 

Sinrpkx munditiis ? heu quotks fid^m 5 

Mutatosque 4«os flcbit, & aspera 

Nigris «equora v^ntis 

Emirabitur tnsolens I 

Qui nunc te fruitur creduJus aur^a. 

Qui semper vacuam, semper amabifevt 10 

Sperat^ nescius autse 

Faliacts. Miseri quibus 

Intentata nites. Me tabula ^acer 
Votiva paries iiidkat uvida 

Suspendisse potentt, f 1^ 

Vestimema maris Deo. 

Jhe Fifth Ode of Horace, 1«ib. L 

Quis multa gracilis te paer in rosa, Rendered almost 
word for word without rhyme ^ according to the Latin 
measure i as near as the language wiH permits 

• W HAT slender youth bedewed with liquid odOurs 
Courts thee on roses in some pleasant cave, 

Pyrrha ? for whom bind'st thou 

In wreaths thy golden hair, 

Plain in thy neatness ? O how oft shall he 5 

On faith and changed gods complain, and seas 

Rough 

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POEM« ON SEVfeRiL OCCASfd*^; Ij^ 

ftotrgh with black winds ahd storms 
Unwonted shall admire ! 

Who now enjoys thee, credulous, aff goM^ 

"Who always vacartt, always amiable Id 

Hopes thee, of flatterirtg gales 

Unmindful. Hapless they^ 

To whom thou untf y'd seem'st Mr. Me in my vowM 
Picture the sacred wall declares t' have hung 

My dank and dropping weeds 

To the stern god of sea. 



On the new forcers of Conscience under the Long ^ 
Parliament *. 

JdECAUSE you have thrown off your Prelate Lord, 
And with stiff vows renounc'd his liturgy, 

To seize the widow'd whore Plurality 
From them whose sin ye envy'd, not abhorr'd, 
Dare ye for this adjure the civil sword 5 

To force our consciences that Christ set free, 

And ride us with a classic hierarchy f 
Taught ye by mere A. S. and Rutherford \ ? 
Men, whose life, learning, faith, and pure intent 
Would have been held in high esteem with Paul, 10 
Must now be nam'd and printed heritics 

By 

♦ This poem \% supposed to have been made, when the DireAory 
was established, and disputes ran high between the Prebyterians and 
Indcpendants in 1645, the Utter pleading for a toleration, and the 
former against it. 

f \VL the Prysbcterian form of goverment there arc congregational, 
classical, provincial, and national assemblies. 

\ It is not known who is meant by A S. Mr. Samuel Rutherford 
was Professor of Divinity at St. Andrews, and one of the Scotch 
commissioners to the Westminster assembly. 

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tSo poems on several occasions. 

By shallow Edwards* and Scots What-d'ye-call f : 

But we de hope to find out all your tricks, 

Tour plots and packing, worse than those of Trent, 

That so the Parliament ig 

May with their wholesome and preventive shears. 

Clip your phyladleries, though bauk your ears. 

And succour our just fears, 

When they shall read this clearly in your charge. 

New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ large. 29 

SONNEtS. 

• Mr. Thomas Edwards, author of the Gangrana, 

f Either Mr Alexander Henderson, or Mr. George GiUc^ie, 
both commissioners to the Westminster assembly. 



d by Google 



SONNETS*. 



I. To the Nightingale. 



o 



NIGHTINGALE, that on yon bloomy spray 
Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, 
Thou with fresh hope the lovers heart does fill. 

While the jolly hours lead on propitious M^y. 

Thy liquid notes, that close the eye of , day, 
First heard betore the shallow cuccoo's bill. 
Portend success in love ; O if Jove's will 

Have link'd that am'rous pow'r to thy soft lay. 
Now timely 'sing, ere the rude bird of hate 

Foretel my hojJeless doom in some grove nigh ; 
As thou from year to year hast sung too late 

For my relief, yet hadst no reason why ;" 

Whether the Muse, or Love, call thee his mate, 

Both them I serve, and of their train am I« 

n. 

UONNA leggiadra il cui bel nome honora 

L'herbosa val di Rheno, e il nobil varco. 
Bene e colui d'ogni valore scarco 
Qual tuo spirto gentil non innamora, 
Che dolcemente mostra si di fuora 

♦ The Sonnet (says Dr. Newton,) is a species of poetry of Ita- 
lian extradiom It consists generally of one thought, and that al« 
ways turned in fourteen verses of the length of our heroics, tw© 
stanzas or mca>urcs of four verses each, and two ol' three, the first 
eight verses havine no more than two rhymes. It is certainly one 
of the most difficult of all the lesser kinds of poetry, such simplicity 
and such corre^flnoss hcm^ required in the composition. The 

Sonnet (says Di. Johnson,) is a short poem consisting of fourteen 
lines, oi which the rhymes are adjusted hy a particular rule. It t» 
not very suitable to the English language, and has not bceo used 
by any man of eminence since Milton. 

Vol, II. R Dc 

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1 82 SONNETS. 

De 8ui atti soavi giamai parco, 
E i don*, che son d'amor saette ed arct, 
La onde V alta tua virtu s^infiora. 

Quando tu vaga parli, o lieta canti 
Che- aiover possa durb alpestre Icgno 

Guardi ciascun a gli ocdhi, ed a gli orecchi 
Le'entrata, chi di te si truova indeg(io ; 

Gratia sola di su gli vaglia, inanti / 
Che'l disio atnorosa al ctior s'invecchi. ' 

III. 

vlUAL in colle aspro, al iihbnmir di sera 

L'avezza giovenetta pastorella 

Va bagnando Therbetta strana e bella 

Che mal si spande a disuasta spera * 

Fuor di sua natia alma primavera, ^ 
Cosi Amor meco insu la lingua saella 
Desta il fior novo di strania favella, 

Mentre io di te, vezzosamente altera, 

Canto, dal mio buon popol non inteso , 

E'l bel Tamigi cangio col bel Arno. 

Amor lo volse, ed io a Taltrui peso 

Seppi cV Amor cosa mai volse indarno. 
Deh ! foss' il mio cuor lento e'l duro sent 
A chi pianta dal ciel si buon terreno. 



Canzone. 



R 



IDON^I donne e giovan^ amorosii 

M' accostaiidosi attorno, e perche scrivi, 
Petche tu scrivi in lingua ignota e straAa 
Vers^ggiando d' amor, e come t' osi j 
Dinne, se la tua speme sia mai vana, 
E de pcnsieri lo miglior t* arrivi i 
Cosi mi van burlando, altri rivi 
Al^i lidi t'anpettan, et altre onde 
Nelle cui verdi sponde 
^Spuntati ad hor, ad hor a la tua chi<ima 
Iji'immortal guiderdon d' eterne frolidi 

Perche 

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SONNETS. l5g 

Perche alle spalle tue soverchia soma ? 
Canzon dirrotti, e tu per me rispondi 
Dice mia Donna, e'l suo dir, e il mio cuorc 
Questa e lingua di cui si vanta Amore. * 

IV. 

XJ^IOD ATI, e t*ef diro con maraviglia, 

Quel ritroso io ch' amor spreggiar sole a 

E de supi lacci spesso mi ridea 

Gia caddi, ov'huom dabben talhpr s*impigUa. 
Ne trecci^ d' oro, ne guancia vermiglia 

M' abbaglian si, jna sotto nova idea ^ ' 

Pellegrina bellezzi che'l cuor bea, 

Portamenti alti honesti, e nelle cigUa 
Quel sereno lUlgor d' amabil nero, 

Parole adorne di lingua piu d't^naj^ ^ 

E'l cantar che di mczzq. rhemispero 
Traviar ben puo la faticosa Luna, 

E degli occhi suoi auventa-si gran fuoco' • 

Che Pincerar gli orecchi mi fia poco. 

V. 

JTER certo i bri yostr'occhi. Donna mi4 

Esser non puo ^he non sian lo mio sole 

Si mi percuoton forte, come ei suole 

Per I'arenc di Libia chi s'inviai 
Mentre un caldo vapqr (ne senti pria,) 

Da quel lato si spinge^ove mi duole^ 

Che force amanti nelle lor parole 

Chiaman sospir \ io non so che si sia : 
Parte nnchiusa, e turbida si cela 

Scosso mi il petto, e poi n'uscendo poco 

Quivi d'attomo o s'agghiaccia, o s'ingiela ; 
Ma quanto a gli occhi giunge a trovar loco 

Tutte le notti a me. suol far piovose 

Fincbe mia Alba rivien colma di rose. 

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1*4 SONNITS. 

VI. 

CjrIOVANE piano, e semplicetto amante 
Poi che fuggir me stesso in dubbio sono, 
Madona a voi del mio cuor rhumil dono 
Faro divoto ^ io certo a prove tante. 

L'hebbi fedele» intrepido, constante, 

• De pensierc leggiadro, accorto, e buono ; 

Quando rugge il gran mondo, e scocca il tuon#^ 
S'arma di se, e d'intero diamante, 

Tanto del forsc, e d'invidia sicuro, 
Di timori, e speranze al popol use 
Quanto d'ingegno, e d' alto valor vagOp 
, E di cctta sonora, c delle muse : 
Sol trovercte in tal parte men duro 
Ove amor mise I'msanabii ago, 

VII. On his being arrived at the age of 23. 

IrlOW soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, 
Stol'n on his wing my three and twentieth year ! 
My hasting days fly on with full career, 
But my late spring no bud or blossom dhew'th. 

Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth. 
That I to manhood am arriv'd so near, 
And inward ripeness doth much less appear, 
' That some more timely happy sp'rits indu'th. 

Tet be it less or more, or soon or slow. 
It shall be still in stridest measure ev^n 
To that same lot, however mean or high, 

Tow'rd which Time leads me, and the will of Hcav'n , 
All is, if I have grace to use it so, 
As ever in my great Task-master's eye. 

VII. 

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c 



$OKM£TS. t^f 

■* # 

▼III. When the Assault was intended, to the City *. 

r 

APTAIN, or Colonfel, or Knight in arms. 
Whose chance on these defenceless doors may seizcji 
If deed of honour did thee ever please, 
Guard them, and him within protefl; from harm$. 

He can requite thee, for he knows the charms 

That call fame on such gentle adla as these, 

And he can spread thy name o'er lands and seas^ 
Whatever clime the sun's bright circle warms. 

Lift not thy spear against the Muses' bow'r : 
The great Emathian conqueror bid spare 
The house of Pindarus, when temple' and tow'r 

W^t to the' ground ; and the repeated air 
Of sad Eledra's poet had the pow'r 
To save th' Athenian walls from ruin bare* 

IX. To a virtuous young lady. 

i^ADY that in the prime of earliest youth 

Wisely hast shunn'd the broad way and the green^ 
And with those few art eminently seen. 
That labour up the hill of heav'niy truth, 

The better part with Mary and with Ruth 
Chosen thou hast \ and they that overween, 
And at thy gro\King virtues fret their spleen. 
No anger find in thee but pity' and/ ruth. 

Thy care is fix'd, and ^jealously attends 

To fin thy od'rous lamp with deeds of light. 

And hope that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure 

Thou, when the bridegroom with his feastful fri,end$ 
Passes to bliss at the mid hour of night, 
Hast gain'd thy entrance, virgin wise and pure. 

R 3 2C 

• In the manuscript, after the title, is added 1644. it was ift 
November thafyear that the King marched with his army a»n^<^ 
at BrcD(ford| and put th« city io great coosternaUpn. 

I 

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It6 90KNBT9« 



X. To the Lady MARGARET Let'^. 



D 



AUGHTER of that good- Earl, once President 
Of England's council, and her treasury, 
Who liv'd in both, unstain'd with gold or fee. 
And left them both, more in himself content. 

Till the sad breaking of that parliament 
Broke him f , as that dishonest viftory 
At Chaeronea, fatal to liberty, 
Kill'd with report that old matti eloquent. 

Though later bom than to have known the days 
Wherein your father flourished, yet by you, 
Madam, methinks I see him living yet ; 

So well your word his noble virtues praise. 
That all both judge you to relate them true. 
And to possess them honoured Margaret. 

XI. On the deiraBion which followed upon my writing 
certain treatises J. 

A BOOK was writ of late call'd Tetrachordon, 
And woven close, both matter, form, and style ; 
The subjeft new ; it walk'd the town a while, 
Numb'ring good intellefts ; now seldom porM on. 

Cries the stall^reader, Bless us t what a word on 

A 

• This lady was daughter of Sir James Ley, afterwardi created 
Bar! of Marlborough. He was JLord High Treasurer, and Lord 
Prcftidcnt of the Council, to King James 1. This Lady Margaret 
was married to Captain Hohson of the Isle of Wight ; aod it ap- 
pears from Milton's Life, that in 1643 he frequently visited her 
and her husband. And about that time we may suppose this son* 
Bct was composed. 

f This lord died in an advanced age ; and Milton attributes hit 
4eath to the breaking of the parliament, which was dissolved March 
16, 1628-9, and the Earl died on the 14th of the same month. 

^ When Milton published his book of divorce, he was gready 
•ondcmned by the Presbyterian ministers, whose advocate and chain- 
^n he had-been before. He publinhed his Tetrachordon,'or ^' 
positions upon the four chief places in Scripture Trhich trcftt QlWVi^ 
riage^ or B«Uiti€9in marriage, in t^4j« 

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SONNETS. 187 

A title-page is this ! and some in file 
Stand spelling f^lse, while one might walk to Mile- 
End-Green. Why, is it harder, Sirs, than Gordon, 

Colkitto, or Macdonncl, or Galasp *? 

Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek. 
That would have made Quintilian stare and gasp. 

Thy age, lijce ours, O soul of Sir John Cheek, 
Hated not learning worse than toad or asp. 
When thou taught'st at Cambridge, and King £d« 
ward Greek. 



XII. On the same. 



I 



DID but prompt the age to quit their clogs 
By the known rules of ancient liberty, 
When straight a barbarous noise environs me 
Of owls and cuccoos, asses, apes and dogs : 

As- when those hinds that were transformed to frogi 
Rail'd at Latona's twin-born progeny. 
Which after held the sun and moon in fee. 
But this is got by casting pearls to hogs. 

That bawl for freedom in their senseless mood. 
And still revolt when truth would set them free. 
Licence they mean when they cry Liberty ; 

For who loves that must first be' wise and good ; 
But from that mark how far they rove we see. 
For all this waste of wealth, and loss of blood. 

XIIL To'' Mr. H. Lajves on his Airs f. 

JnlARRY, whose tuneful and well-measur'd song 
First taught our English music how to spaii 

Words 
• •* We may suppose," says Dr. Newton,^" that these were per* 
^ sons of note and eminence among the Scotch ministers who were 
" for pressing and enforcing the covenant." Mr. George Gillespie, 
here wrongously named Galasp^ was one of the Scotch commission- 
<rs at the Westminster assembly, but who the other persons were 
is not known. It appears from this sonnet, and the verses On tb§ 
fircert of Coiucienct^ that Milton treats the Presbyterians with great 
contempt. 

f This Mr. Henry Lawes was a gentleman of the King's chapel, 
md one of his band of muiici and an intimate friend of MiUon« 

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its ' SONKBTS* - 

Words with just note and accent, not to scat 
^ With Midas' earsi committing short and long j 
^7hy worth and skill exempts thee from t;he throngs 
With praise enough for envy to look wan j 
To after age thou shah be writ the man. 
That with smooth air could huipour best our tgngoe. 
Thou honour'st verse, and verse must lend her wing 
To honour thee, the priest of Phcebus' quire. 
That ton'st their happiest Hnes in hymn, or story. 
D^itfe shall give fame leave to set thee higher 
Than his Casella, whom he woo'd to sing, 
Met in the milder shades of purgatory. 

XrV. On the religious tnemory of Mrs, Kathertm Thm^ 
sottf my Christian friendy deceased Dec. 16, 1646* 

VV HEN Faith and Lore, which parted from thee 
Had ripen'd thy just soul to dwell with God, [never, 
MeeWy thou didst resign this earthly 4oad 
Of death, caird Life, which us from life doth seven 

Thy works, and alms, and all thy good endeavour. 
Staid not behind, nor in the grave were trod ; 
But, as faith pointed with her golden rod, 
Followed thee up to joy and bliss for eyer. 

Love led them on, and Faith, who knew them best 
Thy handmaids clad them o'er with purple beams 
And azure wings, that up they flew so drest, 

And spake the truth ot thee on glorious themes 
Before the Judge, who thenceforth bid thee rest, 
And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams. 
# 
XV. To the Lord General FAIRFAX *. 

JC AT RF AX, whose name in arms through Europe ringi 

\ Filling each mouth with envy or with praise. 
And all her jealous monardi's with ^msizc 

And 

• This sonnet appears from the manu5cri{>t to have bcon address 
*ed to Gen. Fairfax at the siege of CoI^^W, whicih wat can^^ 
«n in the tumfficr 1648. , v 

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SONNETS. lip 

And rumours loud, that daunt remotest kings i 

Thy firm unshaken virtue ever brings 

ViGtory home, though new rebellions raise 
Their Hydra heads, and the false North displays 
Her broken league to imp their serpent- wings. 

O yet a nobler task awaits thy hand, 

(For what can war but endless war still breed ?) 
Till truth and right from violence be freed, 

And public faith clear'd from the shameful brand 
Of public fraud. In vain doth valour bleed. 
While avarice and rapine share the land. 

XVI. To the Lord General CrqMJVELL*. 

v^ROMWELL, our chief of men, who through % 
Not of war only, but detradlions rude, [cloud. 

Guided by faith arid matchless fortitude. 
To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed. 

And on the neck of crowned fortune proud 

Hast rear'd God's trophies, and his work pursu'd, 
While Darwen stream with blood of Scots imbru'd, 
' And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud, 

And Worcester's laureat. wreath. Yet much remains 
. To conquer still \ peace hath her viSorics 
No less renown'd than war : new foes arise 

TTireat'ning to bind our souls with sec'lar chains ; 
Help us to save free conscience from the paw 
Of hireling wolves, whose gospel is their maw. 

XVli. To Sir Henry Vane the younger. 

V ANE, young in years, but in sage counsel old, 
Than whom a better senator ne'er held 
The helm of Rome, when gowns, not arms repell'd 
The fierce Epirot and th' African bold. 

Whether to settle peace, or to unfold 

The 

• In the author's manuscript is this xoscription : to the Lord Gene^ 
ral Cromwell, May 1625. On the propostUi of certain mlnittcri at *i§ 
tfmmitee/br fropagatton of the gospel* 

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tpO SONNETS. 

The drift of hollow states hard to be spelFd, 
Then to advise how. war may best upheld 
Move by her two maia rterves, lyon and gold. 

In. ail her equipage : besides, to know 

Both spiritual power and^civil, what each means^ 
What severs each thou hast leam'd, which few have 

The bounds of either sword to thee wc owe : [done : 
Therefore on thy firm hand Religion leans 
In pcace>. and reckons thee her eldest son. 

# 

XVIII. On tie late massacre in Piedmont % 

Avenge, O Lord thy slaughter^ jl saints, whose bones 
Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold ; 
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pura of old, 
When all our fathers worsliip'd stoc'is and stones, 

Forget not : in thy book t^cord their groajis, 
Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold 
Slain by the bloody Piedmontcse, that roll'd 
Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moa^S 

The vales redoubled to the hills, and they 

To hcav'n. Their m arty r'd blood and ashes sow 
O'er all th' Italian fields, where still doth sway 

Xht triple tyrant ; that from these may groy 
A hundred fold, who having learn'd the way 
Early may fly the Babylonian woef 

XIX. 

• This persecution of the Protestants in Piedmont broke out in 
16^5. In, May that yedr Cromwell wrote several letters to the Duke 
of Savoy, and other potentates and states, complaining of that persjC- 
cution, Echard tells us, that he proclaimed a fast, and caused large 
contributions to be gathered for them in England ; that he sent &t 
ageiits to the Duke of Savoy, a prince with whom he had no cor- 
itospondence or commerce, and the next year so engaged Cardinal 
A^azarine, and even terrified the Pope himself, without so much 
as rfoing any favour to the English Roman Catholics, that the Duke 
thought it necessary to restore alt that had been taken from theqi* 
and renew*d all those privileges they had formerly enjoyed, " So 
" great" (adds Echard,) ** was the terror of his namc.nothing being 
** (nore usual ihan his sayings that his ships in the Mediterranean 
"should visit ^Civita Vecchia, w4 the sound of his caoiion ^hottli 
? be heard in Rome." 

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XiX On his blindness. 

V^HEN J consider hovr my light is spent. 
Ere half my days, in this dark world aftd wide 
And that one talent which is death to hide, 
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more beflX 

To serve therewith my Maker, and present 
My true account, lest he returning chide ; 
Doth God exaA day labour, light deny'd, 
I fondly ask : but Patience, to prevent 

That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need 
Either man's work or ms own gifts, who best 
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best : his state 

Is kingly i thousands at his bidding speed, 
And post o'er land and oc^^an without rest ; 
They also serve who only stand and wait. 

XX. To Mr. Lawrence\ 

JLiAWRENCE, of virtuous father virtuous son, 
Now that the fields are dank and ways are mire. 
Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire 
Help waste a sullen day, what may be won 

From the hard season gaining ? Time will run 
On- smoother, till Favonius re*inspire 
The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire 
The lily and rose,N that neither sow'd nor spun. 

What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice. 
Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise 
To hear the lute well touch'd, or artful voice 

Warble immortal notes and Tuscan air ? 

He who of those delights can judge, and spare 
To interpose them oft, is not unwise. 

XXL 



♦Tliis^r. Lawrcritc was the son of the Prett4ent o£ GromwcU't 
cbunciL 



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1J^2 SdNMETr. 

XXI. To Ctriac Skj niter*. 

v^TRIAC, whose grandsire on the royal bench 
Of Britirfi Themis, with no mean applause 
Pronounc'd, and in his volumes taught our laws. 
Which others at their bar so often wrench j 

To-day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench 
In minh, that after no repenting draws 5 
Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause, 
And what the Swede intends and what the French. 

To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 
Tow'rd solid good what leads the nearest way j 
For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, 

And disapproves that care, though wise in show. 
That with supcrflous btirden loads the day, 
And, when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. 

XXII. ^ To the same* 

V.YRTAC, this three years day these eyes, tho'clear> 
I'o outward view, of blemish or of spot. 
Bereft of light their seeing have forgot, 
Nor to their idle orbs doth light appear 

Of sun, or moon, or star throughout the yeari 
Or" man, or woman. Yet I argue not 
Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot 
Of heart or hope ; but still bear up and steer 

Right onward. What supports, me dost thou ask ? 
The conscience, friend, to have lost them overply'd 
In liberty's defence, my noble task. 

Of which all Europe talks from side to side. 

This thought might lead me through the word's vain 
Content tho' blind, had I no better guide. [mask 

XXIIL 

• Cyriac Skinner was the son of William Skinner, Esq; and grand- 
con of Sc. Vincent Skinner, and his mother was daughter of the fs^ 
mous Lord chief Justice Coke. Mr Wood relates tnat he was one 
of Harrington's political cluh, and sometimes held the chair ; and 
farther adds, rkat he was a merchant's ton of London, an ingenious 
young gentleman, and a scholar to John Milton. 

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SONNETS. Ip3 

' XXIIL On bis deceased tvife *. 

MeTHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint 

' Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave. 
Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave. 
Rescued from death bv force, thb? pale and faint. 

Mine, as whom washed ;rom spot of childbed-taint, 
Purification in the old law did save, 
And suchi as yet once more I trust to have 
Full sight of her in hcav'n without restraint. 

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind : 
Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied sight 
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd 

So clear, as in no face with more delight. 
But O, as to embrace me she inclined, 
I wak'd, she fled, and d?y brought back my night. 

• This was his second wife, Katharine the daughter of Captain 
Woodcock of Hackney, who lived with him not above a year after 
Ihetr marriage^ a&d died in childbed of a daughter. 



VoL.n. ^ S PSALM& 



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PSALMS. 



Psalm I. Done into verse ^ ^^53* 

JjLESSED is the man who hath not walk'd astray 

In counsel of the wicked, and i' th' way 

Of sinners hath i^ot stood, and in the seat 

Of scorners hath not sat. But in the great 

Jehovah's law is ever his delight, 

And in his law he studies day and night. 

He shall be as a tree which planted grows 

By wat'ry streams, and in the seas6n knows 

To yield his fruit, and. his leaf shall not fall ; 

And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. 

Not so the wicked, but as chaflF which fann'd 

The wind drives ; so the wicked shall not stand 

In judgment, or abide their trial then, . . 

Nor sinners in th* assembly of just men. 

For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just, 

And the way of bad men to ruin must^ 

Psalm H. Done jiugust S, 16^^. Terzette. 

, A^HT'do the Gentiles ttimult, and the natiofl^r 

Musf a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand 
With power, and princes in their congregations 

Lay deep their plots together through each land 
Against the Lord and his Messiah dear ? 

Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand, 
Their bonds, and cast from us no more to wear 

Their twisted cords : he who in Heav'n doth dwell 
Shall laugh, the Lord shall scofF them, then severe 

Speak to them in his wrath^ and in his fell 
And fierce ire trouble them i but I, saith he. 

Anointed 

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PSALMS. 195 

Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) 
On Sion my holy hill. A firm decree 

I will declare ; the Lord to me hath said 
Thou art my son, I have begotten thee 

This day ; ask of me, and the grant is made ; 
As thy possession I on thee bestow 

Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd 
Earth's utmost bounds : them shalt thou bring full low 

With iron sceptre bruis'd, and them disperse 
Like to a potters vessel shiver'd so. 

And now be wise, at length, ye Kings averse, 
Be taught ye Judges of the earth 5 with fear 

Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse 
With trembling ; kiss the Son, lest he appear 

In anger, and ye perish in the way. 
If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere, 

Happy all those who have in him their stay. • 

Psalm. III. Aug, 9, 165.3. When he fled fror^ 
Absalom. 

-LiORD how many are my foes ? 
How many those 

That in arms against me rise ! 
Many are they 
That of my life distrustfully thus say. 

No help for him in God there lies. 
But thou, Lord I art my shield, my glory, 
Thee through my story 

Th' exalter of my head I count 5 
Aloud I cry'd 
Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd. 

And heard me from his holy mount. 
I lay and slept, I wak'd again, 
For my sustain 

Was the Lord. Of many millions 
The populous rout 
I fear not, though encamping round about 

They pitch'd against me their pavilions* 

S % Rise« 

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l^i PSALMS 

Rise) Lord, save me, my God, for thou 
Hast smote e*er now 

On the cheek-bone all my foes, 
Of man abhorr'd 

Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord ; 
Thy blessing on thy people flows. 

Psalm IV. Aug, 10. 1653. 

Answer me, when I call, 

God of my righteousness ; 

In straits and in distress , 

Thou didst me disirithral. 

And set at large v now spare, 

Now pity nie, arid Hear my earliest pray'r. 
Great ones, how long will ye 

My glory have in scorn, 

HoV loftg be thus forborti 
Still to love vanity. 

To love, to seek, to prize 

Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies ? , 
Yet know the Lord hath chose, 

Chose to himself apart. 

The good and meek of heart 
(For whom to choose he knows) 

Jehovah from on high 

Will hear my voice what time to him T cry. 
Beaw'd; aiid do nofsin ; 

Speak to your hearts >lone. 

Upon your beds each one. 
And be at peace within. 

Offer the offerings just 

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust. 
Many there be that say, 

Who yet will shew us good ? 

Talking like this world*s brood j 
But, Lord, thus let me pray. 

On us lift up the light. 

Lift up the favour of thy countenance bright 

^ Into 

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IPSALMS* f^7 

Into my heart more joy 

And gladness thou hast put^ 

Than when a year of glut 
Their stores doth over-cloy, 

And from their plenteous grounds 

With vast increase their corn and wind abounds* 
In peace at once will I 

Both lay me down and sleepi 
. For thou alone dost keep 
Me safe where'er I lie j 

As in a rocky cell 

Thou, Lord, alone, in safety mak'st me dwell. 

FsalmV. Aug. 12. 1653. 

J EHOV AH to my words give ear, 

My meditation weigh, 
The voice of my complaining hear, 

My King and God ; for unto thee I pray. 
Jehovah ! thou my early voice 

Shalt in the morning hear, 
F th' morning I to thee with choice 

Will rank my pray'rs, and watch till thou appear. 
For thou art not a God that takes 

In wickedness delight. 
Evil with thee no biding makes, 

Fools or madmen stand not within thy sight. 
All workers of iniquity 

Thou hat'st ; and them unblest 
Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie ; 

The bloody and guileful man God doth detest. 
But I will in thy mercies dear. 

Thy numerous mercies, go 
Into thy house ; I in thy fear. 

Will towVds thy holy temple worship low. 
Lord, lead me, in thy righteousness, 

Lead me because of those 
That do observe if I transgress, 
. Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. 

S3 Fot 

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Ip^ PSALMS. 

For in his faltring mouth unstable 

No word is firhi or s6oth ; 
Their inside, troubles miserable ; 

An open grave their throat, ttieif tongue they smooth. 
God find them gyilty ; let them fall 

6y their own counsels quelFd ; 
Push them in their rebellions all 

Still on, for against thee they have rebeird. 
Then all who trust in thee shalj bring 

Their joy, while thou from blame 
Defend'st them, they shall ever sing 

And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name. 
For thou Jehovah wilt be found 

To bless the jiist man still, 
As with a shield thoi^ wilt surround 
^ Him with thy lasting favour and good Will. 

Psalm VI. Aug. 13, 1653. 

Ip^RD ! in thine anger do not reprehend me, 
Nor in thy hot displeasure me correft j 
Pity me Lord, for I am much dejeft. 

And very weak and. faint •, heal and amend me : 

For all my bones, that even with anguish ake, 
Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore, 
And thou, O Lotd how long ? turn. Lord, restore 

My soul, O save me for thy goodness sake : 

For in death no remembrance is of thee ; 

Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise ? 
Wearied I am with sighing out my days. 

Nightly my^couch I make a kind of sea 5 • 

My bed I water with my tears ; mine eye 

Through grief consumes, is waxen old and darkj 
F th* midst of all mine enemies that mark. 

Depart all ye that work iniquity. 

Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping 
The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my pray t% 
rMy supplication with acceptance fair 

The Lord will own and have me in his keeping. 

Mine 

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l*SALKtS. t^ 

Mine enemies shall all be blank, and clasTiM 

With much confusion, then, grown red with shirri^ 
They shall rfeturn in haste the way they canie. 

And in a moment sKatt be quite abash'd. . - 4 • * - 

PsAL. VII, Aug, 14. 1653 /' 

Upon the words of Cush thi BenjamHt against hhfe 

Lord my God, to thee I fiy 
Save me and secure me under 
Thy prote£kion while I cry. 
Lest as a lion (and t\o wonder,) 
He haste to tear my soul asunder^ 
Tearing, and no rescue nigh. 

Lord my God, if I have thought 
Or done this, if wickedness 
Be in my hands, if I have wrought 
III to him that meant me peace, 
Or to him have render'd less. 
And not freed my foe for nought ; 

Let th* enemy pursue my soul, 
And overtake it, let him tread 
My life down to the earth, and roll 
In the dust my glory dead. 
In the dust, and there outspread 
Lodge it with dishonour foul. 

Rise, Jehovah, in thine ire. 
Rouse thyself amidst the rage 
Of my foes, that urge like fire ; 
And wake for me, their fury* asiuagc j 
Judgment here thou didst engage. 
And command which I desire. 



Sp th' assemblies of each nation 
Will sunound thee^ seeking right ^ 



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ftOO VSAtUSt 

Thence to thy glorious habitation . 
B^um on high, and in their sight, 
}ehovah judgelh most upright 
All people from th^,;WQrld's foundatloti. 

Judge me, Lord, be judge in this. 
Apcording to my righteousness, 
And the innocence which is 
Upon me: cause at length to cease 
Of evil men the wickedness. 
And their pow'r that do amiss« 

But the just establish fast. 
Since thou art the Just God that tries- 
Heart and reins. On God is cast 
My defence, and on him lies, 
In him who both just and wise. 
Saves th' upright of heart at last. 

God is a just judge and severe, 

And God is every day ofFended ; 

If the unjust will not forbear, 

His sword he whets, his bow hath bended 

Already, and for him intended 

The tools of death, that waits him near. 

^ (His arrows purposely made he 
' For them that persecute). Behold 
He travels big with vanity, 
Trouble he hath conceived of old 
As in a womb, and from that mold 
Hath at length brought forth a lie. 

He digg'd a pit, and delv'd it deep. 

And fell into the pit he made ^ . 

His mischief that due course doth keep, 

Turns on his head, and his ill trade 

Of violence will undelay'd 

Fall on his crown with ruin steep 



The* 

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PSALMS. 2<l ' 



Then will I jBhovah*s praise 
According to his justice raise, - 
And sing the Name and Deity 
Of Jehovah the Most High. 



Psalm. '^lU. Aug. 14. 1553. 



O 



JEHOVAH our Lord, how wondVous great 
And glorions is thy name through alf the earth I 
So as above the heav'ns thy praise to set 
Out of the tender mouths of latest birth. 

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings th^u 
Hast founded strength, because of all thy foes, 

To stint th* enemy, and slack th' avenger's bfow. 
That bends his rage thy providence t*. oppose. 

When I behold thy heav'ns thy fingers art. 

The moon and stars which thou so bright hast set 

In the pure firmament, then saith my heart, 
O what is man that thou, rcmembrest yet. 

And think'st upon him \ or of man begot, ^ 

That him thou visit'st, and of him art found ? 
Scarce to bc'^iess than gods thou ma^'st his lot. 
With honour and with state thou hast him crownM • 

0*er the works or thy hand thou niadst hirii lord, 
Thou hast put alluhdet his lordly ffeet. 

All flocks and herds by thy comntanding word| 
All beasts that in the &ld or forest meiet, 

Fowl of the hcav'nS, and fifeh that through the wet 
Sea-paths in shoals do slide, and know no dearth* 

O Jehovah our Lord, how wond'rous great 
And glorious is thy dame dtrough all the esurtll ! 

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2Qa TSALUS. 



Kine cfthe Psalms done into metre ^ wherein all, hut %uhat 
is tn a different character ^ are the very ivords of thi 
textf translated from the original. April 1648. J. M 

Psalm LXXX. 



Thou shepherd that dost Irael keep. 

Give car in time ofneed^ 
Who Icadeth like a flock of sheep 

Thy loved Joseph's seed, 
That sits between the cherubs bright^ 

Between their wings outspread^ 
Shine' forth, and from thy cloud give light. 

And on our foes thy dread. 
a In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's, 

And m Manasse's sight. 
Awake thy strength, come and be seen- 

To save us by thy might. » 

3 Turn us again, thy grace divine 

To uSf O God, vouchsafe; 
Cause thou thy face on us to shine. 
And then we shall be safe. 

4 Lor4 God of Hosts, how long wih thou, 

How long wilt thou declare 
Thy smoking wrath, and angry brow 
Against thy people's prayer! 

5 Thou feedst them with the bread of tears. 

Their bread with tears thy eat, ^ 
And mak'st them largely drink the tears 
Wherewith their cheeks are wet. 
6 A strife thou mak'st us, and a prey 
To every neighbour foe, • 
Among themselves they laugh, they play. 
And flouts at us they throw. • 

*j Return us, and thy grace divine, 
' O God of Hosts, vouchsafe ; ^ 
Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 
.. And then we shall be safe. 

8 A vin6 

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8 A Vine from Egypt thou hast J>rought, 
Thyjree love made it thine ; 
And drov'st out nations, proud and hauff ,, 

To plant this lovely vine. . , 

p Thou didst prep«ire for it a place^ ' > ' 

And robt it deep and fast, 
That it hegan to grow apace. 
And fiird the land ailast. 
ID With her green shade that covered all^ 
The hills vfcx^ovirspread^ '\ 
Her boughs as high as cedafrs tall 
Advanced their lofty head. 
1 1 Her branches on the western sid 
Down to the sea she sent. 
And upward to that river wtde 
Her other branches went. 
'i2 Why hast thou laid her hedges low. 
And broken down her fence. 
That all may phick her as they go. 
With rudest violence F 

13 The tusked boar out of the wood 

Up turns It by the roots ; 
Wild beasts there brouze, and make their food 
Her grapes and tender shoots, 

14 Return now, God of Hosts, look down 

From Heav'n, thy seat divine. 
Behold uSf but without a Jrown, 
• And visit this thy vine. 

15 Visit this vine, which thy right hand 

Hath set, and planted long^ 
And the young branch, that for thyself 
Thou hast made firm and strong. 

16 But now it is consumed with fire, 

And cut with axes down, 
They perish at thy dreadful ire, ^ 

At thy rebuke and frown. 

17 Upon the Man of thy right hand 

Let thy good hand helaid. 
Upon the Son of maif, whom thou 
Strong for thyself hast made. 

it 

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fj^ PSALMS* 

x8 So shall we not go back from thee 
To nvays of sin and shame ; 
Quicken us thou, then gladly we 
Shall call upon thy name. / 

Ip Return us, and thy grace divine. 

Lord God of Hosts, vouchsafe; 
Cause thou thy face on us to shine. 
And then Vft. shall be §afe. 

Px^iwLXXXI. 

I 1 O God our strength sing Iqud and cl^aff 
Sing loud to God our )iingy 
To Jacob's God> that all may hear. 
Loud acclamations ring, 
a Prepare ^ hymn, prepare a song. 
The timbrel hither bring ; 
The cheerful psaltfry bring along. 
And harp' with pleasant string. 

3 Blow, as is tvontj in the new ipoon 

With trumpets lofty sounds 
Th' appointed time, the day whereon 
Our solemn feast comes round* 

4 This was a statute given of old 

For Israel to observe, 
A law of Jacob's God, to hold, 

From Hvhence they might not swerve* 

5 This he a testimony prdain'd 

In Joseph, not to change, 
- When as he pass'd through Egypt land ; 
The tongue I heard was strange. 

6 From burden, and from slavish toily 

I set his shoulder free : 
His hands from pots, and miry soil^ . 
Delivered weVe ify me. 

7 When trouble did thee sore assaili 

On me then didst thou call. 
And I to free thee did not fail, 
And led thee out of thrill. 

I answered 

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I answer'd thee ki thunder deep) 

With clouds encompass'd round i 
I try'd thee at the water steep 
Of Mcriba ren&nmCi. 
8 Hear O my people, hearken nveU^ 
I testify to thee, 
Thou ancient flock of Israel^ '"^^ 

If thou wilt list to me ; : 

p Throughout the land of thy abode 
No alien god shall be, . 

Nor shalt thou to a foreign god 
In honour bend thy knee. ^ 
io I am the Lord thy God which brought 

Thee out of Egypt's land \ ^ 

Ask large enough, and I, besought^ 
Will grant thy full demand. 
X I And yet my people would not hear^ 
Nor hearken to my voice } 
And Israel^ nvhom I Md so dear, 
Mislik'd me for his choice. 

1 2 Then did I leave them to their will. 

And to their wand'ring mind ; 
Their own conceits they followed still , 
Their own devices bUnd. 

13 O that my people would be wise, 

To serve me all their days, ' 

And O that Israel would advise y 

To walk ray righteous ways : • 

14 Then would I soon bring down their foeSy 

That now so proudly rise, 
And turn my hand against all those 
That are their enemies. 
2$ Who hate the Lord should then be fmn 
To bow to him and bend \ 
But theyy hij people, should remain, 
Their time should have no end : 

1 5 And he would feed them from the shock \\ 

With flour of finest wheat. 
And satisfy them from the rock 
With hontj/or their meat. 
Vol. n. . T P/a/«^ 

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^z6 PSlLlCr 

-Pydftn LXXXII. 

1 VJ^OD in the great assembly stands 

Of kings and hfdiy states ; 
Among die gods, on both his biimls> 
He judges and debates* 

2 How Jong will ye pervert the right 

With judgment felse and wrong, 
Fav'ring the wicked by your trnght^ 
Who tkence groiv hold ai^d strong f 

3 Regard the weak and fatherless, 

Disp4t<h the poor man's eause, - 
And raise the man in deep distress 
By just afid equal laws. 

4 Defend the poor and desolate. 

And rescOe from the hands 
Of wicked men the low estate 
Of him ih(a hilp demands. 

5 They know not, Aor Will uridersfSnd, 

In darkness they walk on \ 
The earth's foundations all are mov*d, 
And out of order gone. 

6 I said that ye werej^s, yea all 

The sons of C©d Most High ; 

7 But ye shall die lik^ meti, skid fall 

As other priftm die. - 

8 Rise God, judgfe f}i6u the earth t»- fni^ht^ 

This ivicked e^rth fedtess \ 
For thou art he who shfelt by ^ht 
The nations all pods^ss.* * 

' JoE not thou stteA* «^W l^gfhi • .- 
^ O God hol^'ildtthy i)^ce, •- ' - » 

Sit thou Tiot ^tiirO Odd ^x/r^«j/Ai 

We cry ^ and do'not ctase. / ^^ 

2 For lo thy furi^idts^t^onvH^'R, '^ 
^. And storm outr^g6d§lf;- '^^\': • • ' 

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-And 



And they that hate thQ^%.proUd.md/cfff' ' '.- 
Exalt their heads full-high. 

3 Against thy peopie they contrive 

Their plots and counsels deep ; 
Them to insnare they chiefly strive, 
Whom thou dost bide and keep, 

4 Come, let us cut them off, say they, . 

Till they no nati<?n be, 
That Israers name for ever may 
Be lost in memory, 

5 For they consult with all their might, 

And all as one in mind, 
Themselves^ against thee they imite. 
And in firm union bind. 

6 The tents of Edom, and the brood 

Of scornful Ishmael, ' 

Moab, with them of Hagar^ .bloody : 
That in the desert dnvelly 

7 Gebal and Ammon thers conspire^ 

And hateful Amalec, 
The Philistines, and they of Tyre, 
- Whose hounds the sea doth check. 

8 With them great Ashur also bands. 

And doth confirm the knot : 
All these have lent their armed bands 
To aid the sons of Lot. 

9 Do to them as to Midian bokii 

That wasted all the coasts 
To Sisera, and as // told 

Thou didst to. labin's host^ 
When at the brook of KishoQ old 
They were repMlidand slairiy 
*io At Endor quite cut off, and roU'd 
As duog upon the pJain« 

11 As Zeb and Oreb evil speji, ; 

So let their princes s^ed ; 
As Zeba and Zalmunna &M>i % l.ri . 
So let their princes iftte^i , ... ' ' \ ' 

12 For they amidst their pride have said, 

By right naw ahall we sei^^e 

T % God'8 

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ZO^ PSALMS* 

God's houses^ and tvUl now invade 
Their stately palaces^. ^ 
13 My God, Oh make them as a whec}|. 
No quiet let them find; 
Giddy and restless let them reel^ 
. Like stubble from the wind. 
X4 As ivhen an aged wood t;dces fire, 
Which on a sudden strays^ 
The greedy flames run higher and higher. 
Till all the mountains bbze : 

15 So with thv whirlwind them pursue. 

And with thy tempest chase ; 

16 And till they yield thee honour due, 

Lord, fill with shame their face. 
y 7 Asham'd anl troubled let them be. 
Troubled and shamM for ever, 
£?er confounded, and so die . 
With shame, and ^ scape it never. 
\i Then shall they know that thou whose name 
Jehovah is, alone, 
Art the Most High, and thou the same 
O'er all the earth art one. 

Psalm LXXXIV. 

* tlOW lovely are thy dwellings fair! 
O Lord of Hosts how dear 
The pleasant tabernacles are, ' 
Where thou dost dwell so near I 

2 My soul doth long and almost die, 

Thy courts, O Lord, to see 5 
My heart and flesh aloud doth cry, 
O living God, for thee. 

3 There ev*n the sparrow, firmed from wrong. 

Shall find a house^j^ rest; 
Ihe swallow there, to lay hc» young, 

Hath built her brooding nest ; 
Ev'n by thy altars. Lord of hosts^ 

They find their safe abode^ 
And home they fiy from round the coasts 

Toward 

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PSALMS. itOp 

T<nu^rd thee^ my King, my God. 

4 Happy, who m thy house reside, 

Where thee they ever praise ; 

5 Happy whose strength in thee dodi 'bide, 

And in their hearts thy ways. 

6 They pass through Baca's thirsty vak, 

That dry and barren ground^ 
As t)jrough a fruitful wat'ry dale. 
Where springs and show'rs abound. 

7 They journey on from strength to strength 

With joy and gladsome cheer ^ 
Till all before our God at length 
In Sion do appear. 

8 Lord God of hosts, hear noitf my pray'r, 

O Jacob's GqjI, give ear ; 

9 Thou God, our shieJd, look pn the face 

Of thy anointed dear : ^ .' 

I o For one day in thy courts to be 

Is better, and more biestf 
Than in the Joys of vanity 

A thousand days at best* 
I in the temple of my God 

Had rather keep a door, * 
Than dwell in tents, and rich abode^ 

With sin^r evermore, 

I I For God the Lord both sun and shield 

Gives grace and glory I^right ; 
No good from them shall be with-held, 
Whose ways are just and right. 
1 2 Lord God of hosts, that reigtCst on high^ 
That man is truly blest j 
Who only on thee doth rely, 
And in thee only rest. 



Psalm LXXXV. 



Ti 



HT land to favour graciously 
Thou hast not. Lord, been slack j 
Thou hast Uom hard captivity 
Returned Jacob back. 

T3 aTh' 

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a Th* iniquity thou didst forgive, 
That wrought thy people woe. 
And all their sin, that did thee grieve^ 
Hast hid where none shall know. 

3 Thine anger all thou hadst rcmov'd. 

And calmly didst return 
From thy fierce wrath, which we had proved 
Far worse than fire to burn. 

4 God of our- saving health and peace, 

Tutu us, and us restore ; 
Thine indignation cause to cease 
Toward us, and chide no more. 

5 Wilt thou be angry without end, 

For ever angry thus? 
Wilt thou thy frowning ire extend^ 
From age to^ge on us ? 

6 Wilt thou^not turn and hear oar voice, 

And us again^^evivc, 
That so. thy people .may rejoice 
By thee preserved alive ? 

7 Cause us to see thy goodness, Lord, 

To us thy mercy shew 5 
Thy saving health to us afford, 
jind lifeJn ut rene^th, 

8 And now what God the Lord will speat, 

I wiW^go stratt and hear ; 
For to his people he speaks peace, 

And to Jiis saints full dear ; 
To his dear saints he will speak peace ; 

But let them never more 
Return to folly, but surcease 
To trespass as before. 
p Surely to such as do him fear. 
Salvation is at hand. 
And glory shall ere iqtig appear. 
To dwell within out land. 
IQ Mercy and Truth,, that long were missed ^ 
Ho-w joijfully are met ; 
Sweet Peace and Righteousness hate kiss'di 
And hand irr hand are set. 

■ ' I J Truth. 

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PSALM5. att 

n Truth from tke earth, like to a flowVf 
Shall bud and blossom, thm^ 
And Justice from her heav'nly bow'r 
Look down on mortal men* 
%2 The Lord will also then bestow 
Whatever thing is good, 
Our land in plenty forth shall throw 
Her fruits to be our food. 
13 Before him Righteousness shall go- 
His royal harbinger ; 
Then will he come, and not be 8low> 
His footsteps cannot err. . 

Psalm LXSXVh 

^ JL H Y gracious ear, O Lord, incline y 

hear me, / tiee pray ; 
For I am poor, and almost pine 

With need and sad decay. 

2 Preserve my soul, for I have trod 

Thy ways, and love the just 5 

Save thou thy servant, O my God, 

Who still m thee doth trust/ . 

3 Pity me, Lord, for daily thee . 

1 call ; 4 O make rejoice 

Thy servant's soul ; for. Lord, to thee 
I lift my soul and voice. 

5 For thou art good, thou, Lord, art prone 

To pardon, thou to all - 
Art full of mercy, thou alone 
, To them that on thee call. 

6 Unto my supplication. Lord, 

Give car, and to the cry , 
Of my incessant pray'rs. afford 
Thy hearing graciously. 

7 I in the day of my distress . ^ 

Will call on thee yir /j/i;. 
For thoutwilt grant me free access f' 
4fid answer what I pray' d. .. 

^ ^' 8 Like 

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^12 9SALMS. 

8 Like thee among ^e gods is non^ 

Lord nor any wodcs 

Of all that Gthir gods have done^ 
Like to thy glorkus works. 

9 The nations alt, n^hom thou hast made 

Shall come, and di shall frame 
To bow them low before thee, Lord, 
And glorify thy name. 

10 For great thou art, <md wonders gres^ 

By thy strong hand are done y 
Thou in thy ev6fta:sting seat 
Reraainest God alone. 

1 1 Teach mcj O Lord thy way most right^ 

1 in thy truth will bide ; 

To fear thy name my heart unite, 
So shall it. never, slide. 

1 2 Thee will I praise, O Lord njy God, 

Thee honour ^ and adore 
With my whole heart, and Waze abroad 
Thy name for evermore. 

13 For great thy mercy is toward me, ■ 

And thou hast freed my s6ul, 
Ev'n from the lowest hell set /rec> ' 
From deepest darknesr f^iiL . 

14 O God the proud agafcst nie^ri^e, ' ■ 

And violent meifi site met .- < 

To seek my life, aild In tlieir ^eyes 
No fear of thee l^ave s^t. 

15 But thou. Lord, art the fjoA most inild 

Readiest thy grace to shew,' ' 
Slow to be angry, zxi^'arl: styPd . \ . 

Most merciful, ',mo$t ttub. ' '-" ' 

16 O turn to me thffaceat'hn'^h; !*--■• 

And me have m6rcy 6ti 5 ' ' ♦* ^^ 
Unto thy servant give; thy ^tx^ngth, ; 

And save thy handmaid's son. . _ 

17 Some sign of good to me aflFord, ,. ' " 

And let my fqet then scc^ '• * '; " 
And be ashah\*d, \hecaifs6 tHoxfyLSid^ ," , ' 
• - r Dost help and coihfort me/'* ^^ ' 

Psalm 

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F61LMS. atj 



Psalm LXXXVIL 



Ai 



lMONG the holy mountains high 

Is his foundation fast ; 
There seated is his sanBuary 

His tempk there is placed. 
Zion's fair gates the Lord lores more 

Than all the dwellings /i/r 
Of Jacob's land^ though there be stoTe^ 

And all within his care^ 
City of God, most glorious things 

Of thee abroad are spoke ; 
I mention Egypt, where proud lings 

Did our forefdthers yoke, 
I mention Babel to my friends^ 

Philistiay«// of scorn. 
And Tyre with Ethiop's utmost ends^ 

Lo tnis man there was bom : 
But twice that praise shall in our ear 

Be said of Sion last^ 
This and that man was born in her, 

High God shall fix her fast, 
i The Lord shall ^nrite it in a scroll 

That ne*er shall be out- worn, 
When he the nations doth inrol, 

That this man there was bom. 
' Both they who sing, and they who dancey 

With sacred songs are there ; 
In thee fresh brooks and soft streams glance^ 

-/f/irf ail ftiy fbuntairis <-/f4r. 

Psalm LXXXVIII. 

^ JLORD God that dost me save and keep. 
All day to thee I cry ; 
And all night long, before thee weepy 
Before thee prostrate lie. 
\ Into thy presence let my pray'r 
With sighs devout ascend^ 

And 

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\14 J^UIM% 

Atid to my cries that ceaseless are. 
Thine ear with fjkve^ b^iKl, - 

3 For cloy'd with woes and troufele store 

Surcharged n>y. Bq^[ 4fHh i]^ . . 
My life at Deaths unchierftd 4oQrr 
Unto the grave drs^ws nigh. 

4 Reckoned I am with.th|^ip[^ ths^t |ASft 

I am a man, but wegl^jt)^! 
And for that Ham^ uftfit. 

5 From life discharged and parted qui|(6 

Among th^ d^ad tp skep^ 
And like the slain in bhody/^hi^ 

That in the grave lie 4e^ 
Whom thou rememb^rest p% BQ^prc^ 

Dost never mo|^ r^rdj 
Them from thy iiand deliver'd o'ltf 

Death's kid^l^ house h^th iarr^d. 

6 Thou in the lowest pit profoumi 

Hath set me all fprhrn^ 
Where thickest darkness hovers rfimd% 

In >horric| deeps to mourt^ 
y Thy wrath, from wikh no shelter ifnks^ ' 

Full sore cJoth pcess on me 5 
Thou break'st upon me ^11 thy wav^a, 

And all thy.^aves break me. 

8 Thou dost my friends from me cstrajoge. 

And naak'st me odious, 
Me to them odious, for they change^ 
And I tteere pent tip thus. 

9 Through sorrow and affliaion grearfi, . 

Mine eye grows dim anddead \ 
Lord, all the day I thee intreaf:, 
My hands to thee I spread. 

10 Wilt tho^ dp wonders on the dead ? 

Shall the deceased arise. 
And praise thee from their Iqaihsotw bed ^ 
With pale and hollow eyes ? ■ - . ■ 

11 Shall they thy loving kindness tdU, 

On whom the grave bath hold ^ 

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Or 



•WAtMS. ilj' 



Thy fatthfultiess>;j/&/rf ^ • " 

\2 In^ftfferfess (^rl tl^ mighty hand-^- " 



T 



Or #ofldi:^S aa!s'b^'fch(y^h$ • ;> V '^i 
'• T% jUstitd in the ^-A^wiy khd, = ' -^ - {'^' ^ 
■ Of i*ttry& oWrtibn ? ' • * : '' 

13 But I to thee, O Lwd, -da cfy^ 

Ere yet thy life be ^nt ; 
And «/ /^rA^f my pray'r <fe?ji^'&V 
Each: morh, and* ttiee prevent. - 

14 Why wilt thou, Lord, my soul forsake, 

And hide thy face from -^[le?. 

15 That am already bruis'd, and shake 

With terror sent from thee i , 
Bruis'd, and afflit^ed, and so lotx)^ 

As ready to expire. 
While I thy terrors undergo / 

Astonished with thine ire, 

16 Thy fierce wrath ov^r me dotb^oWy " 

Thy threatnings cut me -throi^h i \ 

1 7 All day they round about me f6^ 

Like waves they me pursue. 

18 Lover and friend thou hast rentcrvM, 

And sever'd frofm me far : 
T!\itjjly me now whom I have lov'd, 
And as in darkness are, 

'' A Paraphrase on Psalm CXIV. 

This and the following Pfalm were done by the Authdr ctt 
jifteen years hid. 

When the WessM seed of Terah's faithful ?pn 
After Idng toil their liberty Had won, . 
And pass'd from Pharian tields to Q^alafi latid, 
Led by the strength of the Almigtty's h^d, 
Jehovah's wonders were in Israel 3hown, 
His praise and glory ^as iti,!^srael ki^o>yn. 
That saw the troubled sea, and shivVii^^Aedi 
' And sought to hide his froth becurled liead 
. \ Low 

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)ttO HlllCft. 

Low in tbe earth ; Jordan's clear streams recoil^ 
As a faint host that hath recciv*d the (jpil, 
The high huge bellied mountains skip like rams 
Among their ewes, the little hills like lambs. 
Why fied the ocean, and why skipt the mountains ? 
Why turned Jordan tow'rd his chrystal fountains ? 
Shake earth, and at the presence be aghast 
Of him that ever was, and ay shall last 5 
That glassy floods from rugged rocks can crush. 
And make soft rills from fiery flint^stones gush. 

Psalm CXXXVL 

X^ET us with a gladsome mind, 
Praise the Lord, for he is kind ; 

For his mercies ay endure^ 

Ever faithful, ever sure. 

Let us blaze his name abroad, 
For of gods he is the God. 
For his, £5V. 

O let us his praises tell. 
Who doth the wrathful tyrants quell. 
For his, iifc. 

Who with his miracles doth make 
Amazed heav'n and earth to shake. 
For his, t2fc. ' 

Who by his wisdom did create 
The painted heav'ns, so full of state. 
For his, i^fc. 

Who did the solid earth ordain 
To rise above the wat'ry plain. 
For his, iifc. 

Who by his all commanding might 
Did fill the new made world with light. 
For hisj isfc. 

And 

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' And causM the golden tressed sun^ 
All the day long his poi^e to rufi. 
For his, (^c. 

The horned moon to shine by nigjbt, 
Among her spangled sisters bright. 
For his, i2fc. 

He with his thunder claspifig band 
Sniote the first bom of Egypt landt 

For his, isfc. ^ 

And in despite of Pharaoh fell. 
He brought from thence his Israel 
For his, &c. 

The ruddy waves he cleft 'm twaia 
Of the -Erythraean main. 
For his, i2fc. 

The floods stood still like walls q{^^%^ 
While the Hebrew bands did pass. 
For his, isfc. 

But full soon they did devour 
The tawny king with all his power. 
For his, isTc. 

His chosen people he did bless 
In the wasteful wilderness. 
For his, iffc. 

In bloodv battle he brought down 
Kings of prowess and renown. 
For his, iffc. 

He foil'd bold Seon and his host, 
That ruVd the Amorean coast. 
For his, £5*^. 

And large limb'd Og he did subduei 
"With all his over-hardy crew. 
For his, (5*r. 

Vol.il U An4 

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21 1 HALMS. 

And to his servant Israel 
He gave their land therein to dwell 
For his, £2fr. 

He hath with a piteous eye 
Beheld us in our misery. 
For his, ^c. 

And freed us from the slavery 
Of the invading enemy. 
For his, tj'Vr* 

All living creatures he doth feed. 
And with full hand supplies their need. 
For his, isfc. 

Let us therefore warble forth 
His mighty majesty and worth. 
For his, iiTc. 

That his mansion hath on high 
Above the reach of mortal eye. 

For his mercies ay endure, 
Ever faithful, ever sure. 



lOANNlS 



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JOANNIS MILTONI 

LONDINENSIS 
P E M A T J. 



J^orum pkraque intra annum atatis vlgesimuin 
conscripsit^ 



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jOL^C quae sequuntur de authorc testimonia, tametsi 
ipse intelligebat non tarn de se quam supra se esse 
difla> eo quod praeclaro ingenio viri, nee non amici ita 
fere solent laudare, ut omnia suis potius virtutibusj 
quam veritati copgruentia nimis cupide aflingant; 
noluit tamen horum egregiam in se voluntatem non 
esse notam ; cum alii praesertim ut id faceret magnoperc 
suaderent. Dum enim nimise laudis invidiam totis ab 
se viribus amolitur, sibique quod plus sequo est non 
attributum esse mavult, judicium interim hominum 
cordatorum atque illustrium quin summo sibi honori 
ducat, negare non potest. 

Joannes Bapttsta MansuSj Marchio Villensisj Neapoli" 
tanuSy ad Joannem Miltonium Anglum. 

\j T mens, forma, decor, facies, mos, si pietas sic> 
Non Anglus, verum hercle Angelus ipse fores. 

Ad Joannem Miltonem Anglumy trtplici poeseos laurea 
coronandum^ Graca nimirum^ Latina^ atque Hetruscoy 
epigramma Joannis Salsilli Romani. 

V^EDE, Meles, cedat depressa Minclus uma •, 

Sebetus Tassum desinat usque loqui ; 
At Thames is vi<ftor cunftis ferat altior undas> 

Nam per te, Milto, par tribus unus erit. 

Ad Joannem Milto/ium^ 

CjirRiECIA Maeonidem, jadct sibi Roma Maronem, 
Anglia Miltonum jaftat utrique parem. Sehaggr. 

Al Sigmor Gio. Miltoni nobile Inglcse^ 
O D K 

ErGIMI air Etrao Clio 
Perche di stelle intrecciero corona 

U J Non 

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222 DE AUTHORS TESTlMOKIib 

Nqp piCk del Biondo Dio 
La tronde eterna in Pindoi e in Elicoaa) 
Diensi a merto maggior, maggiori i freg^ 
A' celeste virtu celesri pregi. 

ffbn puo del tempo edace 
Rimaher prcda, etemo alto ralore 
Non puo FoWio rapace 
Furar dcflle memorie eccelso onore, 
Su r arco di mia cetra un dardo forte 
Virtii m'adatti, e ferir6 la mortc. 

Del ocean profondo 

Cinta dagli ampi gorght Anglia risiede 

Separata dal mondO| 

Per6 che il suo valor Tumana eccede : 

Questa feconda sh produrre Eroi, 

Ch' hanno a ragjon del sovruman tra noL 

Alia virtd sbandita 

Danno nei petti lor fido ricettOj 

Quella gli e sol gradita, 

Perchc in lei san trovar glob, e diletto ; 

Ridillo tu» Giovanni, e mostra in tanto 

Con tua vera virtii, vero il mio canto. 

Lungi dal Patrio lido 

Spinse Zeusi T industre ardente brania ; 

Ch* udio d* Helena il grido 

Con.aurea tromba rimbombar la fama, 

E per poterla effigiare al paro 

Dalle fiH belle Idee trasse il piu raro. 

Cosi Tape Ingegnosa 

Trae con industria il suo liquor pregiato. 

Dal giglio e <la)la rosa, 

E quanti vaghi fiori ornano il prato ; 

Formano un dolce suon diverse chorde,. 

Fan varie voci melodia Concorde. 

Di bella gloria amenta 

Milton dal Ciel natio per varie parti 

Le peregrine piante 

Yolgesti a ricercar scienze, ed arti i, 



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Del Gallo regnator vedesti i regni, 
£ del' Italia ancor gl' Erpi put degnu 

Fabro quasi divino 

Sol virtu rintracciando il tuo pensicro 

Vide in ogni confino 

Chi di nobil valor calca il senriero ; 

L* ottimo dal miglior dopo scegUea 

Per fabricar d'ogni virtu I'idea. 

Quanti nacquero in Flora 

in lei del parlar Tosco appreser 1* arte> 
La cui memoria^onora 

II mondo fatta eterna in dotte cartei 
Volesti ricercar per tuo tesoro, 
E parlasti con lor nell' opre loro. 

Neir altera Babelle 

Per te il parlar confuse Giove in vano, 

Che per varie favelle 

Di se steesa trofeo cadde su'l piano: 

Ch' ode oltr' all Anglia il suo piu degno idioma 

Spagna, Francia, ToscanOj e Grecia, e Roma. 

1 piu profondi arcani 

Ch' occulta la natura e in cielo e in terra 
Ch* a ingegni sovrunwni 
Troppo avaro tar* hor gli chiude, e serra^ 
Chiaromente conosci, e giuiigi al fine 
Delia moral virtude al gran confine. 

Non batta il tempo Tale, 

Fermisi immoto e an un fermin si gFanni^ 

Che di virtu immortale 

Scorron di troppo ingiuriosi a i danni ; 

Che s'opre degne di poema o storia 

Furon giai V hai presenti alia memoria. 

Dami tua dolce Cetra 

Se vuoi ch'io dica del tuo dolce canto^ 

Ch' inalzandoti all' Etra 

Di farti huomo celeste ottiene il vant0| 

II Tamigi il diri che gl' e concesso 

Fee te Hio cigno pareggiar Fermesso*. 

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2t4 D^ AtTTHORE TESTIMONIl* 

lo che in riva del Arao ^ 

Tentb spiegar tuo mcrto alto, c preclaro 

So che fatico indarno, 

£ ad ammirary non a lodarlo imparo ; 

Freno dunque la lingua, e ascolto il core 

Che ti prende a lodar con lo stupore. 

De/ Sig, Antonio Francini gentilhuomo Florentine* 

JoAMNi MiLTONi Londincnsi, 
yuveni patria, virtutibus cximio. 

V IRO qui multa percgrinatione, studio cunSa orbis 
terrarum loca perspexit, ut novus Ulysses omnia ubi- 
que ab omnibus apprehenderet : 

Polyglotto, in cujus ore linguae jam deperdit« sic 
reviviscunf, ut idiomata omnia sint in ejus laudibus in- 
facunda ; & jure ea percallet, ut admirationes & plau- 
sus populorum ab propria sapientiaexcitatosintelligat : 

Illi, cujus animi dotes corporisque sensus ad admi- 
rationem commovent, & per ipsam motum cuique 
auferunt; /:ujus opera ad plausus hortantur, sed vc- 
nustate vocem laudatoribus adimunt. 

Cui in memoria totus orbis j in intelleflu sapientia ; 
in voluHtate ardor glorix \ in ore eloquentia 5 harmo- 
nicos coelestium sph^rarum sonitus, astronomia duce, 
audienti ; charafteres mirabilium naturae, per quos 
Dei magnitudo describitur, magistra philosophia, le- 
genti ; antiquitatum latebras, vetustatis excidia, eru- 
ditionis ambages, comite assidua autorum Jeftione, 
Exquirenti, restaurant!, percurrenti. 
At cur nitor in arduum ? ^ 

Illi, in cujus virtutibus evulgandis ora famae non 
sufficiant, nee hominum stupor in laudandis satis est, 
reverentiae & amoris ergo, hoc ejus meritis debitum 
admirationis tributum offert Carolus Deodatus Patricitu 
Florentinusy 

Tamo hommi $ervus, tantae virtutis amator. 

ELEGtARUAf 

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ELEGIARUM 

LIBER PRIMUS. 



:«»= 



ELEGIA PRIMA. 
Ai CAROLfrai DioDAtoii. 



A ANDEM, chare, tuae tnihi pervenefe tabell«i 

Pertulit & voces nuncia charta tua^ j 
Pertulk occidu?i Devse Cestrensis ab ora 

Vergivium prono qua petit attine saluiji. 
Multum, crede, juvat terras atuisse remotas 

Pe£lus amaas nostri, tamque fidele capUt ; 
Quodqtic mihi lepidem teflus lotiginqua sodalem 

Debet, at unde bitvi reddete jussa ^litfeMJ . *^ 
Me tenet urbs reflua qiiam Tharnesis allStunaa^iT*' 

Meque nee mtitutn patria dulcis habet. 
Jam nee arnndifetutn mihi cora revisere Camuttt^ 

Nee dudum vetiti nie laris^ angit amor. 
Nuda nee arva placent, umbra squenegantia moHes^ 

Quam male Phoebicole$ convenit ille locus ! 
Nee duri Kbet usque minas preferre magistri, 

Caeteraque ingehio non subeunda meo. 
Si sit hoc exilium patrios acfiisse penates^ 

Et vacuum <niris otia grata sequi, 
Non^ego vel profugi nottien, ^rtetnve reciis^o, 

Lsetus & exilii conditione fruor. 
O utinam vates nunquam graviora tulisset 

Ille Tomitano flebilis exul agro \ 
Non tunc lonio quicquam cessisset Homero, 

Neve foret vidio laus tibi prima, Maro, 
Tempora nam licet hie placidis dare libera musis> 

Et totum rapiunt me mea vita libri. 
Excipit hinc fessum sinuosi pompa theatri, 

Et vocat ad plaasus garrula scena suos* 

Sett 

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2ZS HILTOITI POEMATA. 

Seu catus audltur seniori seu prodigus heres,. 

Seu procusy aut posita casside mOes adest, 
Sive decennali foecundus lite patronus 

Detonat inculto barbara verba foro ; 
Saepe vafer gnato succurrit servus amantij 

£t nasum rigid! fallit ubique patris ; 
Saepe novos illic virgo mirata caloreSj 

Quid 8cit amor nescit, dum quoque nescit^ amat. 
Sive cruentatum. furiosa Tragcedia sceptrum 

Quassat, & effusis crinibus ora rotat, 
£t dolet, & spedloy juvat & spe£bi se dolendo^ 

Interdum & lacrymis dulcis amaror inest : 
Seu puer infelix indelibata reliqiiit 

Gaudiaj & abrupto flendus amore cadit ; . 
Seu ferns e teiiebris iterat Styga criminis ultor^, 

Conscia funereo pe£lora torrc movens ; 
Seu moeret Pelopeia domus, seu nobilis Ili> 

Aui lyit incestos aula Creontis avos. 
Sed neque sub te£to semp er nee in urbe latemus^ 

Irrita itCo^a^^^^^'tdnpora veris eimt. 
Nos quoquer lucus habet vicina consitus ulm0| 

Atque suburbani nobilis umbra loci. 
Ssepius hie blandas spirantia sidera flammas 

Virgineos videas practeriisse choros. 
Ah quoties dignae stupui miraculi formae 

Quae possit senium vel repirare Jovis ! 
Ah quoties vidi superantia lumina gemmas^ 

Atque faces quotquot volvit uterque polus ; 
Collaque bis vivi Pelopis quae brachia vincant, 

Quaeque fluit puro neftare tinfta via, 
Et decus e^imium frontis, tremulosque capilloSj 

Aurea quae fallax retia tendit Amor ; 
Pellacesque genas, ad quas hyacinthina sordet 

Purpura, & ipse tui floris, Adoni, rubor ! 
Cedite laudatae toties Heroides olim, 

Et quaecunque vagum cepit amica Jovem. ^ 
Cedite Achaemeniae turrita fronte puellae, 

Et quot Susa colunt, ^Memnoniamque Ninon. 
Vos etiam Danaae fasces submittite nymphae, 

Et vos Iliacae, Romuleaeque nurus. 

Nee 

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MItTOKI ^OEMATA. piajf 

Nec Pompeianas Tarpeia musa columnas 

JaAet, & Ausonlis plena theatra stolis. 
Gloria virginibus debetur prima Britannisj 

Extera sat tibi sit foemina posse sequi. 
Tuque urbs Dardaniis Londinum stru£la colonis 

Turrigerum late conspicienda caput, 
Tu nimium felix intra tu^ moenia claudls 

Quicquid formosi pendulus orbis habet. 
Non tibi tot coclo scintillant astra sereno 

Endymionex turba ministra de^e, 
Quoc tibi conspicux formaque auroque puellaft 

Per medias radiant turba videnda vias. 
Creditur hue geminis venisse inveda columbit 

Alma pharetrigero milite cin£la Venus, 
Huic Cnidon, Sc riguas Simoentis flumine valleSy 

Huic Paphon, & roseam posthabitura Cyprou. 
Ast ego, dum pueri sinit indulgentia caeci, 

Moenia quam subito linquere fausto paro , 
£t Yitare procul malefidae infamia Circes 

Atria, divini Molyos usus ope. 
Stat quoque juncosas Cami remeare paludes, 

Atque iterum raucae murmur adire scholse.J 
Interea fidi parvum cape munus amici, 

Paucaque in altemos verba coa&a modos* 

Elegia Secunda, amo atatis 1 7. 
In obitum Praconis Academici Cantabrigiensis^ 

JL E, qui conspicuus baculo fulgente solebas 

Palladium toties ore ciere gregem. 
Ultima pracconum, praeconem te quoque saeva 

Mors raplt, ofEcio nec favet ipsa suo. 
Candidiora licet fuerint tibi tempora plumis^ 

Sub quibus accipimus delituisse Jovem, 
O dignus tamen Haemonia juvenescere succo, 

D^nus in ^sonlos vivere posse dies, 
Dignus quem Stygiis medica revocaret ab undls 

Arte Coronides, ssepe rogante dea» 



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aoft IIILTOKI POEJdATi. 

Tu 8i jttssus eras acieB acclre togata<^ 

£t celer a Pboebd nwiclas ire tuo ; 
Talis in (liaca stabat CyU^mus aula 

Alipes, xtherea missus ab arce Patris. 
Talis & Eurybates ante ora furentis AduU^'^ 

Retulit Atridae jussa severa duci^. 
Magna sepulchrorum r^gina^ satelles Aycmi 

Sxva nimis Musis, Palladi saeva nimisi 
Quin illos ragia^ <|ui pondus inutile terrX| 

Furba quidem est telis ista petenda tui^» 
Vestibus bunc ^itur pullis, academic luge^ 

£t madeant lachrymis nigra feretra tuis. 
Fundat & ipsa m9dos querebunda £Legcia tristes, 

Personet 8c totis nxnia moesta schoUs. 

SuoiA Tbrtia, anno jetatis 17* 
In . ^tum PrasMlif Jfl^tonienfis *. 

^ IVIqESTUS cram, & tacUus nullo comitantc Sfi4ftb3», 

Haereban^ue animo tristia plura meo ; 
Protinus en subiit funestx cladis imagOf 

Fecit in Angliaco quam Libitina sdo ^ ftumcs» 

Dum procerum ingressa est spelendentes marmote 

Dira sepulchrali mors metuenda face ; 
Pulsavitque auro gravidos & jaspide muros. 

Nee metuit satrapum stemere falce greges. 
Tunc memii)i clarique duels, fratrisque virendi 

Intempcstivis ossa cremata rogis : 
Et memini heroum quos vidit ad aethera raptoSj 

Flevit & amissos Belgia tota duces. 
At te praecipue luxi, dignissime prsesul, 

Wintoniaeque oUm gloria magna tuae ; 
Delicui fletu, & tristi si core querebar. 

Mors fera Tartareo diva secundi Jovis, 
Nonne satis quod sylva tuas persentiat iras, 

Et quod in herbosos jus tibi detur agros ; 
Quodque afflata tuo marcescant lilia tabo, 

Et crocus, & pulchrac Gypridi sacra ros^ ; 

Ncc 
•Lancelot Andrews, who died September 21. i6a6. 

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adlLT ONI POEilATA. 22j 

Nec slnis ut semper jBuvio contermina quercus 

Miretur lapsus praetereuntis aqu3c ? 
Et tibi suceumbit liquido quae plurima ccjelo 

Evehitur pennis, quamlibit augur, aivis ; 
Et qux mi lie nigris errant aaimalia sylvis, 

£t quod alunt mutum Proteos antra pecus. 
Invida, tanta tibi cum sit concessa potestas, - ^ 

Quid juvat humana tingere csede manus ? 
Nobileque in peiius cartas accuisse sagittas, 

Semidearpque animam csede fugassc sua? 
Talia dum hcrymans dto sub ^e^ore volva, 

Roscidus occiduis Hesperus exit aquis, 
Et Tartessiaco submerserat aequore currum 

Phoebus ab E'oo littore mensus iter. 
Nec mora, membra cavo ppsui refovei^d^ cubUi, . 

Condidergnt oc^ulos np*qt)^ sopprque meo^,: 
Cum mihi visus epm lato spa^tiai;iqr agro« , » 

Heu nequit ingenium yisa r^ferre meum, 
lUic punicea, radi4>aBt omnio luce, 

Ut matutino cum juga sole rubent. 
Ac veluti cum pandit opes Thaumantia proles, ; 

Vestitu nituit multicolore solum.' 
Non dea tarn variis ornavit floribus hortos 

Alcinoi, Zephyro Chloris amata levi» 
Flumina vernantes laipjibunt.argentea.campQS, 

Ditior Hesp^rio flavet arena Tago. 
Serpit odoriferas per opes levis aura Favonl^ 

Aura sub innumeris humida natajrosis. 
Talis in extremis terrae Gangeditis oris r 

Luciferi rpgis fingitur esse domus.. 
Ipse racemiferis dum densis vitibus un^bjras 

Et pellucentes miror ubique locos,/ 
Ecce mihi. subito Praesul Wintoni^s a^$tat, f 

Sidereum nitido fulsit yi ore jubar ; 
Vestis ad auratos defluxit Candida, talos, 

Infula divinum cinxerat alba caput. 
Dumque senex tali incedit venerandus ami^u, 

Jntremuitlaetofloreate.rro.SQno. 
Agmina gemmatis plaudunt cGclestia pennis, 

Pura triumphaii personat aethra tuba. 

Vol. II. X Quisque 

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^3^ HlfLTONl PO£MAT/t. 

Quisque' novum amplexu comitem cantdquc Salutat 

Hosque aliquis placido ititsit ab ore sonos ; 
Nate, veni, & pattii felix cape gaudia tegni, 

Semper abhiiic duro, nate, laborc vaca- 
Dixit et aligerae tetigerunt nabtia turmsc. 

At mihi-cum tencbris aurca ptilsa quies. 
Flcbam turbatos CephaleiS pellice 8omnos> 

Talia ccmtmgatit somliia ssepe mihi. 

liiEGiA QuAJiTA, anno atatis i^ 

Ad Thomatn '^uniutH praceptorem suufH^ apud ntircatorts 
Anglkos Hatnburga agenUs^ Pastoris munete fungerUetn. 

(L/URRfc perimirtensum smbita mca Kttera pontuflii 

I, pet© Teuedtiicos l»f e per aequor agros ; 
Scgnes rumpfe moraij & nil, pfecorj o4>stet eunti^ 

Et festinah^ ftir rembiretur it^. '" 
Ipse ego Sicanio fraaftatitem cai?c^^ f^nWs 

jEolon, & virides sdllicitabo I)eo9, 
Caeruleaitique.stiis comitatam Dorida njrfhpbid^ 

Ut tibi dent placidam per sua regna viam* 
At tu, si poteris, cekres tibi sume jugafe<> 

Vefta quibus Colchii fugit ab i)fe viri \ 
Aut queis Triptolemiis Scythias ^evetMt in oras 

Gratus Eleusina misisus ab*' urbe pT$tr. 
Atque ubi 6ermanas flaverc Videbis arenas- 

Ditis ad Hamburgh moema fle£le gradum, 
Dicitur occiso qasr'ducere nomen ab Han\a» 

Cimbrica quam fertur claya dediss^ ned^ 
Vivit ibi ant^uW'iHarus pietatid honere 

Prsesul, Christicolas pasdete dbftui oy^ : 
Ille quidem eit^amnife i^ttsquaiti^'i^rs^alterfiinbstrd;; 

Dimidio vita vivei^ togor^o* 
Hei mihi quot pehgi, quot montes interjcfti 

Me faciuiit aJia parte carere m*i ! 
Charior ilk miM, quam tu> ddftissime Gtaiurai 

Cliniadi, pronepos'^UiTdirtoftis eratt • 

Quamque Siagitites gtflt^bso itiagnus rfunino, 

Quern pepcrit Lybio^Ghaofris altoa Jovi. 

• QttaJis 

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MILTONI POEM ATA. ZJI 

Qualis Amyntorides, quaUs Philyreius heiros 

Myrmidonum regi, talis &c ilk mihi, 
Primus ego Aonios illo praeeunte xecesauf ,/' 

Lustrabam, & bifidi sacra vireta jugi^ . 
Pieriosque hausi latices, Clioujuefavente, 

Castalio sparsi Iseta rer ora mero. 
Flammeus at signura ter viderat arietis JEthon, 

Induxitque auro lanea terga novo,. 
Bisque novo terrain gpar^isti, Chlori, senilem 

Gramine,. bisque ,tuas abstulit Auster ope& : . - 
Necdum ejus licuit milji lumina pascere vultu^ . ., 

Aut linguae dukes aure bibisse soaos. i 

Vade igitur, cuijsuque Eurqm praeverte sonorum ; •; 

Quam sit opus tnonitis res docet> ipsa vid^. 
Invenies duki cum conjuge forte sedentem, 

Mulcentem gremio pignora diara suo > : 
Forsitan aut veterum praelarga yolumiuapatrum 

Versantem, aut veri Bibli^ sacra Dei ; 
Coelestive animas saturantem rore tenellas^ ' : 1 

Grande salutifers religionis opus. 
Utque sokt, multam sit dicere cura salutenfi, 

Dicere quam decuit, si modo. adesse;!, herumf 
Haec quoquc paulum pcuks in hup:^um defij^a i^od^s|x3Si; 

Verba verecuudo sis memor ore .loqui: 
H%c tibi> si tenens vacat inrter prselia Musisj ' j 

Mittit ab Angliaco littore fi4a ^nanus* 
Accipe sinceram, quamvis sit sera^ saluteipa.^ : 

Fiat & hoc ipso gratior ilia tibi. 
Sera quidem, sed vera fuit, quam ca$t;^ reccpi)^. :_ 

Icaris a lento Penelopeia yirp. -. ..,:::■' .i 

Ast ego quid volui manifestumtolkrc crina^- ^i 

Ipse quod ex omni parte lavarf nequit ? . -; <; 
Arguitur tardus merito, noxamque f «iteturj ;; 

£t pudet oScium deseruisse suum. 
-Tu modo da veniam fasso, veniamque rogant^ * 

Crimina diminui, quae patuere, soknt. 
Non fcrus in pavidos riftus diducit hiantes, 

Vulnifico pronos nee rapit uc^uc Jeo. 
S^pc sarifsifw crudclia pc£kQrd, Thracis ? . * \ 

Supplicis ad m^oestas ^i^licuete precc?* ; • 

X 2 Extenseque 

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7^2 MILTONI POEM ATA. 

Eitenseque tnanus avertunt fulminis iftus, 

Placat & iratos hostia parva Deos. 
Jamque diu scVipsissc tibi fuit impetus ilH, 

Neve moras ultra ducere passus amor. 
Nam vaga Fama refert, heu nuncia vera malorum \ 

In tibi finitimis bclla tumere locis, 
Teque tuamquc urbem truculento milite cingi, 

Et jam Saxonicos arma parasse duces. , 
Te circum late campos populator Enyo, 

Et sata came virftm jam cruor arva rigat ; 
Germanisque suum concessit Thracta Martem^ 

llluc Odrysios Mars pater egit equos ; 
Perpctuoquc comans jam dcflorescit oHva, 

Fugi^* & aerisonam Diva perosa tubam, 
Fugit lo terris, & jam non ultima virgo 

Creditur ad superas justa volasse domos. 
Te tamen interea belli circumsonat horror, 

Vivis & ignoto solus inopsque solo ; 
Et, tibi quam patrii nbn exhibuere penates, 

Sede peregrina quaeris egenus opem. 
Patria, dura parens, & saxis sscvior albis, 

Spuniea quse pulsat Kttoris iinda tui, 
Sfecine te decet innociios cxponere foetus, 

Siccine in cxtemam ferrea. cogis humum •, . 
Et sinis utF tctris qu^eraht alimenta remotis 

Quos tibi prospiciens miserat ipse Dcus, 
Et qui laeia ferunt de coelo nuncia. quique 

Quae via post cineres ducat ad astra; docent ? 
Digna quidem Stygiis quae vivas clausa tenebris, 

^ternaqufe animae dIgna perire fame ! 
Haud alitor vates terrae Thesbitidis olim 

Pressit inassueto devia tesqua pcde, 
Desertasquc^'Arabum salebras dum regis Achabt ■ 

EfFugit^ atque tuas, Sidoni dira, manus. 
Talis & horrisono laceratus membra flagelk>, 

Paulus ab jEmathia pellitur ufbe Cilix. 
Piscosseque ipsum Gergessae civis lesutri. 

Finibus ingratus jussit abire^ suis. ;* 

At tu sume animos, nec-8j5e« cadat anxii ciiris, ' [" 

Nee tua concutiat decolor ^bssa-riictu«.' •' *'-^- 
-:■■ ::-.. ^A Sis 

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Sis etenim <|namvis fulgentibus obaitu$ 9itmi$i 

Intententqu^ tibi miilia tela necem, , . 
At nuUU yel inerme teus violabitur armia, Z 

Deque tuo cuspis nulla cruore bibet. 
l^amque eos ipse Dei radiante sub aegide tutus ^ 

lUe tibi custoSf & pugil ille tibi ; 
Hie Sionaeae qui tot sub mcenibus arcis 

Assyrios fudit no£te wienie viros ; 
Inque fuga^ yertit quos in Samaritidas orae / 

Misit ab antiquis prisca Damdscjus agris^ 
Terruit & dwsas'p^ido cum rege cpbprtes, ' , 

Aere d^um vaquo buccina clara sonat» 
Cornea pulvereum dum verberat ungula campum, 

Currus arenosam dum quatit adus humUmi 
Auditurque biuQitus equorum ad bella rueiitiuiai» ^ 

Et strepitus ferri, murmuraque ajta wrAra, 
£t tu (quod ^^pevest mi$eris») s^per^ve melneotp^ 

£t tua magnaj^imo pediore viuc^ mala » 
Nee clubi|e» q»andoque frui m^opribi^s jannie^ 

Atque iterum pftti^p$ pom^ vi4ere l^rtss, ^ i 

ElSGIA Qointa, aftm atatis 2Q* 

In adventum verb. 

I\ '■ [ ■ • " . , 

N se pcrpet^o tempu^s revolubile gyro 

Jam revocat Zephyros vere tepentc iiovos ; ;.^ 
Induiturque brevem telk^s reparata juventam, 

Jamque soluta ^elu dulce virescit humus. . 
Fallor ? an et nobis redeunt in carmii-ia vires, 

Ingeniumque mibi munere v^ris adest ? 
Munere veris adest, iteruijjKjue vigesqit ab illo • ; 

(Quis putet ?) atque aliquod jzm sibi ^oscit opus* 
*CastaIis an^e>oculos» bifidumque cacumen oberrap, ; 

Et mihi Pyrenen ^pmnia noStc ferunt 5 
Concitaque arcano fervent mihi p€<Slora motu, 

Et furor, & sonitus me>$acer i;itus agit« 
JDelius ipse Y^nit^ video Peneidc lauro / 

ImpUcitos'grinesi Deliu^ ipse venit. 
•- . . , 'X3 ' Jam 

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ft34 UILTONI POEMATA* 

Jam mihl «Msm liqut^i rsiptatur in ardua cceli, 

Perquc vagus nubes corpore liber €0 ; 
Pcrque umbtas, percjue antra ftrof {penetralia vatum, 

. Et mihi f ana patent interiora deun^ ; 
Intuit ur({ue animus toto quid agatur Olympo, 

Nee fugiunt oculos Tartara cseca meos. 
Quid tam grande s6nat distento spirituft ore ? 

Quid parit ha^c rabies, quid sacer iste suror ? 
Ver mihi, qttod dedit ingenium cantabitui; illo » 

Profuerint ista reddita dona modo. 
Jam, Philomela, tuos foliis adoperta tiovellis- 

Instituis modules, dum silet omne nemus : 
Urbo ego, tu sylva, simul indpiamus utrique, 

Et simul adventum veris oterque canat. 
Veris io rediere vices, celebremus honores 

Veris, St hoc subeat Musa perenaiis opus. 
Jam sol, jElhiopa^ fugiafis^Tithoniaque arva, 

FIe£lit ad Ar£loas:a^rea lora palgas. 
Est breve noSis iter, brevis est mora noftiis opacse. 

Horrid a cum tenebris exulat ilia suis. 
Jamque Lycaonius, plaustrum cceleste, Bootes 

Non longa sequitur fesgus ut ante via » 
Nunc etiam solitas circum Jovis atria toto 

. Excubias agitant sidera rara polo,- 
Nam dolus, & caedes, & vis cum no£le recessit. 

Neve Giganteum Di timuere scclus. 
Forte aliquis scopuK recubans in vertice pastor> 

Roscida cum primo sole rubescit humus, 
J-Iac, ait, hac certe caruisti nofte puella 

Phoebe twa, celeres qme retineret equos. 
Laeta suas repetit sylvas, pharetramque resumit 

Cynthia, luciferas ut videt ^Ita totzSy 
Et tenues porrens radios gaudere'videtur 

OfHcium fiere tam breve fratris ope, 
Desere, Phoebus ait, thalamos, Aurora, scnileSj^ 

Quid juvat efFoeto procubuisse toro ? 
Te manet jEolides viridi venator in herba, 

Surge, tuos ignes altus Hymettus habet, 
. Flava verecundo dea crimen in ore fatetury 

£j matutinos ocius ui'get c.quoa,- - -' ^- 

' '- Exuil 

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Ixuxt invisam Tcllus rediviva senedam, 

£t cuplt amplexus, Phoebe, subtre taos ; 
Et cupit, & digna est; quid^enim formosius illa^ 

Pandit ut omniferos luxutiosa siiiuS) . . i 
Atque Arabum spirat messes, & ab pre yemist% 

Mitia cum Paphiis fundit amoma rosis I 
Ecce coronatur sacro frpns ardua luco, I 

Cingit ut Idaeam pine^ turris Opim ; 
Et vark> madidos intexit flor^ captHos, 

Floribus & visaest posse placere suis. ' 
Floribtis eflFusoscut erat redimita capillos, 'Z 

Tsenario placuit diva Sicana dec. 
Aspice, Phoebe, tibi faciles hortantur amores^ 

Mellitasque movent flamina verna preces. 
CinnameJ Zffphyrus leve plaudit odorifer ala, 

Blanditiasque tibi ferre videntur aves. 
Nee sine dote tuos temararia qu^rit amores 

Terra, nee optatos poscit egena tores ; 
Almac salutiferum medicos tibi gramen in usu6 

Praebet, & hinc titulos adjuvat ipsa tuos. 
Quod si te pretium, si te fulgentia tangunt 

Munera, (muneribus saepe coemptus amor) 
Ilia tibi ostentat quascunque sub aequore vasto^ 

Et superinjeftis montibus abdit opes. 
Ah qjaoties, cum tu clivoso fessus Olympo 

In vespertinas praecipitaris aquas, 
Cur te, inquit, cursu languentem, Phoebe diurno 

Hesperiis recipit caerula mater aquis ? 
Quid tibi cum Tethy ? Quid cum Tartesside lymphat 

Dia quid immundo perluis ora falo ? 
Frigora, Phoebe, mea melius captabis in umbra ; 

Hue ades, ardentes iml>ue rore comas. 
Molli0r egelida Tcnfet tibi somnua in herba j 

Hue ades,, dcgremio lumina pone meo. 
Quaqiie jaces circum miilc^bit lene susurranst 

Aura per hiunentes cor^tora fusa rosas^ 
Nee me (crede mihjy) tcrrcnt Semelcia fata; 

Nee PhxtORteo fitmidus axis equo s ' ". - 
Cum tu, Phoebe,, tuo sapientius uteris ignt \ 

Hue ades;. & gremior lumizja pone m^Q% 
?* ^ " Sic 

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23^ mLTOm POEMATA. 

Sic Tellus lascifa sao6 suspirat Mooter ; 

Matris in exemphnn caetera turba ttmat. 
Nunc «teniin tato currit vagus otbc Cupido* 

Languentesque £ovet jolfi ab ^e faces, 
imonueve novh leiiialia comua nervtSt 

Triste micant fiem> tela conuco noro. . . 

Jamque vel inyifbin tentat 8uperasse Dianamt 

Quaeque sedet aacro Vcstz ipudtca foco. 
Ipsa senescentem reparat Vemis annua foraiaoi* 

Atque iterum teptdo credkur acta mart. 
Marmoreas juTcncs damant, H7JKieniee^ per vakes^ 

Littus, lo Hymen, ic cava saxa sonant. 
Cultior ille vcnit tunic^ue decchtior sqptl, 

Puniceum rcdolet vBStis odoffo crocum* 
£greditua}ue frequens ad amceni gaiidia ^erls 

Virgineos auro cinda puella einus. [ttnum^ 

Votum est cuique suunii votum est.lamea «iimiihii« 

Ut sibi quern cupiat, det Cjpthefea vinim* 
Nunc qwoque septena modulator ar«ndtne .pastor^ 

£t sua quae jungat jcarmina PbyVis babct. 
Navita nodurno placat sua sidera ccmtu, 

Delphinasque ieres-ad vada summa rocat. 
Jupitet ipse alto cum conjuge ludit (Qlympo^ 

Convocat & famuLos ad -sua fe^a deos. 
Nunc etiamSatyri> cum sem crepuscula surgunt^ 

Pervolitant celeri^orea lura phono; 
Sylvanusqiie sua cyp^issi fiXHide vcTindhis^ 

Semicaperque deus, semtdeusqije;ca()cc. 
"Qusequc sub avborlbus Btyades latuexe vetustiat 

Per juga, per solos ezpalnantur agros. 
Per sata lu-xuriat fmticetaque MasnaUus JBan ; 

Vix Cybele-matec, 9ix sibirtutaXJems; 
Atque aliqiiam xupidus proadaturiQeeaidA Xa^vus^ 

Consulit in trepMlos diim:sibt>rijnn{^ptd)3Sb». 
Jamque blet, latttattsque x^pit mafe.tcAa yi^eti^ 

£t fugity & fu^ens pervc^ipsaiCapL 
Dii quoque*iMHi habitant ocdafnt^pomiseAjih/iae^ 

£t sua quisque <8ibi^minaiii,c«til iKiket. - 
£t sua quisquje din sibi iMimina^vcus iiafaettk^ :> j 

Ncc V03 aiborea, 4i& |xfccoi:/,ifte>^aio«t - - ^r i, 
— " !•« 

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MILTON! POEMATA. 23^ 

Te reJferrant miseris te, Jupiter, aurea terns - ■ ■ '- 
Saecla, quid ad nimbos aspera tela redis ? 

Tu saltern lente rapidos age, Phoebe, jugalcs, 
Qua potes, & sensim tempora veris eant : 

Brumaque produftas tarda ferat hispida nodies, 
Ingruat & nostro serior umbra polo. 

Elegia Sexta. 

j^d Carolum Dhdatutn ruri commoranttn^^ 
•* * . • . 

S^i cum Idibus Decemb. scripsisset^ et sua carmina ex* ^ 
c us art postulassety si solito minus esstnt bonay quod inter 
lautitias quibus erat c^ amicis exceptus^ baud satis 
felicem operant Musis dare se' posse a^rmabat^ hoc- 
habuit responsum. 

JYllTTO tibi sanam non pleno ventre salutem, 

Qua tu distehto forte carcre potes. 
At tua quid nostrum proleftat Musa camoenam, 

Nee sin it optatas posse sequi tenebras ? 
Carmine scire v^lis quam te redamemque colamque, 

Credc mihi vix hoc carmine scire queas. 
Nam neque noster amor modulis includitur arftis, ^ 

Nee venit ad claudbs integer ipse pedes. 
Quam bene solennes e^ulas, hilaremque Decembrim, 

Festaque ccelifugam qu« coluere Deum, 
Deliciasque refers, hyberni gaudia ruris, 

Haustaque per lepidos Gallica musta focos ! 
Quid quereris refugam vino dapibusque poesin ? 

Carmen amat Bacchum, carmina Bacchus amat* 
Nee pud'uit Phoebum ,virides gcstasse corymbos^ 

Atque hederam lauro praeposuisse suse. 
Ssepius Aontis clamavit collibus, Euct ! 

Mista Thyoneo turba novena choro. 
Naso CoralJaeis mala carmina misit ab agris : 

Non illic cpulee, non sata vitis erat. 
Quid nisi vina, rosasque i^cemiferumque Lyseum, 

Contavit brevibus Teia Musa modis ? 

Pinda- 

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23S MILTON! POAMATA. 

Pindaricosque inflat numero$ Teuoiesius Euan^ 

Et redolet «umpt«m pagina qu^que merum 3 
Dum graris evecso cumis crepat axe supinus, 

Et volat Eleo palv^re fuscus eques. 
Quadrimoque madens Lyricen Romanus laccho 

Dulce canit Glyceran, flavicomamque Chloen* 
Jam quoque lauta tibi generoso mensa paratu 

Mentis alit vires, ingeni unique fpvet. 
Massica foecundam despumant pocula venanii 

Fundis & ex ipso condtta metra cado. 
Addimus his artes, fumitnque perjcitkna Phoebom 

Corda 5 favent uni Bacchus, Apollo, Ceres. 
Scilicet haud mlrum tarn dukia <rarmina per te, 

Numinc composito, tres peperisse decs. 
Nunc quoque Thressa tibi c^elato barbites aiiro 

Insonat, arguti molKter tda manu ; 
Auditurque chelys suspensa tapetia ctrcuit)| 

VIrgineos tremula quae regat arte pedes. 
Ilia tuas-sakem teneant spedacula Musas, 

Et revocent, quatidim crapula pellit iners* 
Crede mihi, dum psalJit ebur, comitataque ptedruiift 

Implet odoratos festa chorea tholos, 
Percipies taciturn per pe&ora serpere Phoebum, 

4^uale repeatiiws permeat ossa calori 
PerqjAe pjg^Wes oc^os digitumqu^ sonantem 

Irruet in totos lapsa Thalia sinusr 
Namquerckgia levis multorum cura deorum estj 

Et vocat ad numeros quemlibet ilia suo^ ; 
Liber adest elegis, Eratoque^ Ceresque, Venusque^ 

Et cum puiipurea matre tenellus Amor. 
Talibus inde licent convivia larga poeii$, 

S^pius & veteri commaduisse men). 
At ^ui bella i^fert, Sc adulto sub ipve ^QtoQlwQat 

Heroasque pios, aemidio^que 4uoe% 
Et nunc san£ta canit superum ^ouauUa deorum^ 

Nunc latrata fero regna profwda cane, 
Ille quidem parce, Samii pro nM>re magistrif 

Vivat, es innocuos prsejbeat herbg cibp$i 
Stet pff^ f^feeo peilttcida ^HOf^ ««ti^ 

Sobriaque e puro .pocula jfcmlir tfcfttt 

: Additur 

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MILTOOT POEMATA". - ^5 

Additur huie scelerisque vaC^ns, & ost^ jiivcntUsi 

Et rigidi mores, & sine labc manus. 
Qaalis, veste nitens sacr^, & lastralibtts tindis * 

Surgis ad infensos, augur, iturc deosf. 
Hoc ritu vixisse ferunt post rapta sagacem "^ 

Lumina Tiresian, Ogygiumquc tinon, 
Et lare devoto profugum Calchanta, senemquc 

Orpheon Edomitis sola per antra feris 5 
Sic dapis ekiguus, sic rivi potor Homerud 

Dulichium vexit pet freta longa virum, 
Et per mon^trificam Perseise Phocbados aulatft, ^ 

Et vada foemincis xnsdiosa soni^ ; . 
Perque tuas, rex ime, domes, ubi sanguine nigrtt 

Dicitur urabrarum detinuisse greges. 
Diis etenirti sacer est vates, divumque sacerdbs ; 

Spirat & occultum peftus, & ora Jovem. '■ 
At tu, -siquid agam, scitabere, (si modo saftent^ 

Esse pucas tanti. noscere siquid agam), 
Paciferum cJintmus ccelesti scmine regem;- ' * 

Faustaqile sactatis secula pat9:a l&ris, 
Vagitumque Dd, & stabulantem paupere tefto 

Qui suprema suo cum Patre regna colit ; 
Stelliparumque polum, modulantcsque aethere turmas, 

Et subito elisos ad su^ fana deos. 
Dona quidenir dedimus Christi qatalibus ilia, 

Ilia sub auroraTn lux mihi prima tulit. 
Te quoquft pressai matiet patrirs meditata cicutis, 

Tu iilihi, cui recitem, judicis instar cris. 

El^GTA SfiPTiMA^ anno aiatis I^ 

NoNDUM blahda; tuafe Ic^es, Amathurfa, n&ram, 

Et Paphio vacuum pe^lus ab igne fuft» 
Saepe cupiditvg^, puerilia tela, sagittto, 

Atque tuum eprevi, maxitfic, numen^ Amor. 
Tu, puer^ imbelles, dixi^ tr^nsfige cohxifibas^ 

Conveniufit tenero mollia beila duci. 
Aut de passeribus tumidos age, parve, trtumpbos ; 

H^eC sunt militiae digna troplm ttt«. 

In 

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1^4^ IflLTOMI PO£MATA« 

» 

In genus hun^anum quid inanik dirigis arma ? 

Non valet in fortes ista pharetira viros. 
Non tu^t hoc Cyprius, (ncque enim deus ullus ad mi 

Promptior,) & duplici jam ferus igne calet. 
Ver erat, & summae radians per culmina villas 

Attulcrat primam lux tibi, Maie, diem : 
At mihi adhuc refugam quaerebant lumina noftem, 

Nac matutinum sustinuere jubar. ^ 
Astat amor ledio, piflis Amor impiger alis ; 

Prodidit astantem mota pharctra deutn : 
Prodidit & facies, & dulce minantis beelli, 

Et qulcquid puero dignum & Amore fuit. 
Talis in xterno juvenos Sigeius Olympo 

Miscet amatori pocula plena Jovi; 
At qui formosas pellexit ad oscula nymphas 

Thiodamantaeus Naiade raptus Hylas. 
Addideratque iras, sed & has decuisse putares^ 

Addidcratque truces, nee sine felje, minas. 
Et, miser, exemplo sapuisses tutius, inquit, 
' Nunc mea quid possit dextera, testis eris. 
Inter & cxpertos vires nuitierabere nostras, 

Et faciam vero per tua damna fidem. 
Ipse ego, 81 nescis, strato Pythone superbum 

Edomui Phoebum, cessit & illc mihi ; 
Et quoties meminit Pcneidos, ipse fatetur 

Certius & gravius tela noscere mea. 
Me nequit adduftum curvare pcritius arcum. 

Qui post terga solet vincere, Parthus eques ; 
Cydoniusque mihi cedit venator, & ille 

Inscius uxori qui necis author erat. 
Est etiam nobis ingens quoque vi^us Orion, 
Herculeseque manus, Herculeusque comes. 
Jupiter ipse licet sua fulmina torqu^at ill tne, 

Haerebunt lateri spicula nostra Jovis. ,- 
Caetera, quae dubitas, melius mea tela doccbunt, 

Et tua noil Icviter corda petenda mihi. 
Nee te, stulte, tuae poterunt defendere Musae, 

Nee tibi Phcebaeus porriget apguis opem. 
Dixit, & aurato quatiens mucrone sagittam, 
Evolat in tepidos Cypridos ille sinus. 

At 

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MJtTDNi POEM ATA. a4t 

At mihi risuro tofluit fe«us ore mkiaci, 

Et mihi de puero ikhi mefcus ullus erat 
Et modo qua nostri spatiatttur in urbe Quiritef , 

Et modo villarumprGxima tinra plac€«t. 
Turba frequens, facicq^e ^imiUima turba d€«nii% 

Splendida per medias it^ue feditque viae. 
Auftaque luce dies gemkio fuigore ceruscat ; 

Fallor ? an ^ radios hir»c quoque Phcebus^hAb^ 
Haec ego non fi\gi fipe<^ao»iii grata $&veruB^ 

Impetus & qitto 'me fen j«veny*$, sigor. 
Lumina lutnm^Bfimale pitovidue obvia mm^ 

Neve oculos potui continuisse <ni«os. 
Unatn forl>e alits euperemimiisse iK^baitij 

Principium nostri lux erat iUamiiii. 
Sic Venus optaret mortalibus ipsa videri. 

Sic regina deum conspicienda fuit. 
Hanc memor objecit nobis malus ille Ciypidoi 

Solus & hos nobis texuit ante dolos. 
Nee procol ipise vafer latuity multseque s^gkte^j 

Et facias a tergo ^rande pependit onus. 
Nee mora, nunic ciliis heesit, mine virginis ori| 

Insilit hinc labiis, insidet inde genis : 
£t quascunque agllis partes jaculator oberat^ 

Hei mihif miUe locis pe^us inerme ferit. 
Protinus insoliti sutoerum corda fuioresy 

Uror amans intu$, flamnoaque totus eram. 
Interea misero quae jam mihi solo placebat, 

Ablata est oculi^ non reditura meis. 
Ast ego progredior tacite queribundus, & excors^ 

Et dubius i^ui se&jfe tefmvc |>edem« 
Findor, & faaec remanet ; seqoitur pacs alteni v<^Mm, 

Raptaque tarn subito gaudta flere juvat. 
Sic dolet amissnm proles Jcmonia ccelum^ 

Inter Lemniacoe prseci[ntata focos. 
Talis & abreptum solem vespexit) ad Ovcimt^ 

Ve£lus ab attonitis Ampluairaiis equis. 
Quid faciam infelix, &: lu£hi vi6tus ? aniOTCS 

Nee licet inceptos ponere, nevi sequi. 
O utinam speAare semel mihi detur amatos 

Vultus, & coram tristia verba loqui j . 

Vol. II. Y Foysita^ 

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24^ illLTONl POEMiTi* 

Forsitan & duro non est adamante creata. 

Forte nee ad nostras surdeat ilia preces. 
Crede mihi, nullus sic infclieiter arsit ; 

Ponar in exemplo primus & unus ego. 
Parce, precor, feneri cum sis deus ales amorisi 

Pugnent officio nee tua fafta t«o, 
Jam tuus, O certe est mihi formidabilis arcus, 

Nate dea, jaculis nee minus igne potens : 
£t tua fumabunt nostris altaria donis, 

Solus & in superis tu mihi s'ummus ens. 
Deme meos tandem^ verum nee deme furores ; 

Nescio cur, miser est suaviter omnis amans : 
Tu modo da facilis, posthaec mea siqua futura est, 

Cuspis amaturos figat ut una duos. 

Xl^C ego mente olim laeva, studioque supino 

Nequitiae posui vana trophaea mese. 
Scilicet abreptum sic me malus impulit error, 

Indocilispue aetas prava magistra fuit. 
Donee Socriaticos umbrosa academia rivos 

Praebuit, admissum dedocuitque Jugum. - 
Protinus, extinSis ex illo tempore flammis, 

Cinfta rigent multo peftora nostro gclu. 
Unde suis frigus metuit puer ipse sagittis, 

Et Diomedeam vim timet ipsa Venus. 

In proditianem bombardicatn* 

V^UM simul in regem nujper satrapasque Britannos 

Ausis es infandum, pernde Fauxe, nefas, 
Fallor ? an & mitis voluisti ex parte videri, 

£t pensare mala cum pietate scelus ? 
Scilicet hos alti missurus ad atria coeli, 

Sulphurco curru flammivolisque rotis. ^ 
Qualiter ille ferris caput inviolabile Parcis 

Liquit lordanios turbine raptus agros- 



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- MILTONI POEMATA. 243 

In eandem* 

I^ICCINE tentasti coelo donassc Jacobum 

Qux septemgemino, Bellua, monte lates ? 
Ni meliora tuum poterit dare munera numen, 

Parce, precor, donis insidiosa tuis. 
Hie quidem sine te consortia serus adivit 

Astra nee inferni pulvcris usus ope. 
Sic potius foedos in coelum pelle cucullos, 

Et quot habet brutos Roma prof an a deos y 
Namque hac aut alia nisi quemque adjuveris arte, 

Crede mihi, coeli vix, bene scandet iter. 



In eandem. 



P 



URGATOREM atiimse derisit lacobus igncm, 

Et sine quo superum non adeunda domus. 
Frenduit hoc trina monstrum Latiale coronS, 

Movet & horrificum cornua dena minax. 
Et nee inultus, ait, temenes mea sacra, Britannc ; 

SuppUcium spreta religione dabis. 
Et si stelligeras unquam penetraveris arces, 

Non nisi per flammas triste patebit iter, 
O quam funesto cecinisti proxima vero, 

Verbaque ponderibus vix caritura suis ! 
Nam prope Tartareo sublime rotatus ab igni 

Ibat ad sethereas umbra perusta plagas. 

In eandem* 

^^UEM modo Roma suis devoverat impia diris, 
Et Stygc damnarat Taenarioque sinu, 

HunC) vice mutata, jam tollere gestit ad astra, 
Et cupit ad superos evehere usque deos. 



In inventorem bambarda. 



Iapeti 



lONIDEM laudavit cxca vetustas, 
Qui tulit 2Ctheream solis ab axe facem ; 

Ya At 



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244 MlLTONI POEMATA^ 

At mihi major erit^ qui lurida creditur arma^ 
£t trifidum fulmen surri,puisse Jovi. 

Ad Leonoratn Roma catjentem, 

jl\NGELUS umcuiqoe suu3 (sic credite geittes) 

Obttgit aethereia ales ab ordmibtts. 
Quid mirum^ Leonora, tibc si gloria major I 

Nam tua; praesentcm toz sonat ipsa dctun» 
Aut Dcus, ant yacui certe mens tertia codt 

Per tua secreto guttmra. scarpk agens; 
Serpit agens, facilisque docet mortalia corda 

Sensim immortali assuescere posse sono. 
Quod si cun^la quidem Deus est, per cun£taque fusus^ 

In te.una lofiutur^ caetcihi OMtos hsSMk 

Ad eandem. 

AlJ!TY,Vih Torquatom c^fiit: Leonora poctamy 

Cujus ab insane cessit amore furesis* 
Ah miser ille tuo qoaitta. fttitcias aeita 

Perditus, & propter te^ Leonanu^ foret?! 
Et te Pieria senesisset voce oanenteia^ 

Aurea matanap fik movere lyrse ! 
Quamvis Dircaeo. to|sisse« lunmia Penlbeo 

Saevior> aut totus desipuisset iners, 
Tu tamen errantes caeca vcrtigiae^sensus 

Voce eadem poteras composuisse tua ; 
Zt potenM'aegnr.'s^sirasv^siib €arde«piOBtem> 

I^exanimo canloK restiinime. aibi. 

Ai eandetn. 

'L/REDULA quid liquidam Sirena, NeapoH, ja£las, 
Claraque Parthenopes fana Acheloiados, 

Littoreamque tnS defunifum itfaiada rip^ 
Corpora Chafcidico sacra dexltsse rdgo ? 

Ilia 

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MILTOW POEMATA* 245 

ilia quidem vivitquc, & amoena Tibridis unda 

Mutavit rauci murmura Pausilipi. 
Illic Romulidum studiis omata secundis, 

Atque homines cantu detinet atque deos. 

Apologus de Rustico &J* Her9. 

XvUSTICCTS ex malo sapidissima poma quotannis 

Legit, & urbano leffca dedit domino : 
Hinc incredibili fru£ius dulcedine captus 

Malum ipsam in proprias transtulit areolas* 
Ha£tenus ilia ferax> sed longo debilis sevo, 

Mota solo assueto, protinus aret iners. 
Quod tandem ut patuit domino, spe lusus inani, 

Damnavit celeres in sua damna manus. 
Atque ait, heu quanto satius fuit ilia coloni 

(Parva licet) grato dona tulisse animo ? 
Possem ego avaritiam franare, gulamque voracem 

Nunc periere mihi & foetus & ipse parens; 



EI,E«IAXVM FINIS. 



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SYLVA.BIUM ILIB.E1L. 



Anno atatis i6. In obitum Procanccllari medici** 

pARERE fati disecte i^ibttSy 
Manusque Parcfli^ jam dafie^ &iif|>tieaS» 
Qui pendulum telluriii oib«m 
lapeti coUtb ne{)i#tes# 
Vos 81 relifto mors vaga Tenanra 
Semel vocacit fltlnlis^ heu merse 
Tentantur ineassum dotique} 

Per tenebvatt Sftfgi» iie, certum est* 
Si destinatam pelkre Ae^esz 
Mortem vaieiet^ non fcrus Heic€ile« 
Nessi veaenfttus cruo«e 
^mathia jacuisset Oeta. 
Nee fraude turpi Palladia invid?e 
Vidisset occisum Ilion Heftora^ aut 
Quein larva Pelidis peremit 
Ense locro, Jove lacrjrmante* 
Si triste fatum verba Hecateia 
Fugare possint, Tclegoni parens 
Vixisset infamis^ potentique 
^giali soror usa virga 
Numenque trinum fallere si queant 
Artes medentum^ ignotaque gramina^ 
Non gnarus herbarum Machaon 
Eurypyli cecidisset hasta. 
Lesisset & nee te, Philyreie, 
Sagitta echidnae perlita sanguine. 
Nee tela te fulmenque avitum, 
Caese pter^ genitricis alvo. 

Tuque 

* Dr. John Gosljn, Master of Cams college, anil the King'* 
Professor of Physic, who died "when Jbc wai a second time Vice- 
Chancellor, in Odobcr iM* 

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MILTOKI POBllATii %Jfy 

Gentis togsUae ctti regtmcn datum^ 
Frondosa qoem nunc Cifrba liq^. 
£t mediis Hdiooii in undi^ 
Jam prefuisses PaHadio gregt 
LaetuSy superstes, Mc sbie glori% 

Nee puppe lustnsses Cfaanmiis . . 

Horribiles- baratbri reces$u$( 
At fila rupit Fersrphone tva 
Irata^ cum te videitt airtibus 
Succoque poflenti tot atria 
Faucibas eripuisse mortis^ 
Colende praeses, membra^ preoof) toa 
Molli quiescant cesphe, & ex^ too 
Crescant rosasy cakhxque busto^. 
Purpureoque hyacinthu^ orcv 
Sit mite de te judicium j£acii 
Subrideatque MtviXA Proserpioa^ 
Interque feikes perennis 
Elysip spadere campo. 

In qmntutn NovembfiSi anno dttatts 1 7. 

J AM pius extrema veniens ISeobus ab ar£):o 
Teucrigenas populosi late<]^ patentia regna 
Albionum tenuit ; jamq«ie iRviolabik fcedua 
Sceptra Caledoniis conjunxerat Anglica Scotis : 
Pacificusque novo fclix divesque sedebat 
In solio> occultique doli securus & ho$ti8 : 
Cum ferus ignifluo regnans Acheronte tyranjiuSi 
Eumenidum pater, ssthereo vagos exul Olymp0|, 
Forte per immensum terrarum erraverat orbem^ 
Dinumerans scekris $ocioS| vemaaque iideies^ 
Participes regni post funera moessta fiitaro»> 
Hie tempestates medio ciet aSre diras, 
Uiic unanimee odium struk iilter amieos^ 
Armat dc ifuri^M ia mutua viscera geutes; 
Regnaque otivi&ra verttt floreotia pacej 
£t quoscus^pierTidfl* pUno Ytrtuttd a«iiii»tes> 

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248 MILTONI TOEUATA. 

Ho9 cupit adjicere imperio, fraudumque magister 
Tentat inaccessum sceleri corrumpere pedlus^ 
Insidiasque locat tacitas, caisesque latentes 
Tendity ut iucautos rapiat, seu Caspia tigris 
Insequitur trepidam deserta par avia praedam 
No£ie sub illuni, 8c somno ni£lantibus astris. 
TaJibus infestat populos Summanus & urbes 
Cindus caeruleae sumanti torbine flammae. 
Jamquc fluentisonis albentia mpibus anra 
Apparent, & terra deo dile^ marino, 
Cui nomen dederat quendam Neptunia proles^ 
Amphitryoniaden qui non dubitavit atrocem 
Equore tranato iuriali poscere belJo, 
Ante expugnatae crudelia secula Trojan. 

At simul banc opibusque 8c festa pace beatum 
Aspicitj 8c pingues donis Cerealibus agros, 
Quodque magis doluit, venerantem numina reri 
Sanfla Dei populum, tandem suspiria rupit 
Tartareos ignes 8c luridum olentia sulphur ; 
Qualia Trinacria trux ab Jove elausus in ^tna 
Efflat tabifico monstrosus ab ore Typhoeus. 
Ignescunt occuli, stridetque adamantinus ordo 
Dentis, ut armorum fragor, ifbaque cuspide cuspis. 
Atque pererrato (solum hoc lacrymabile) mundo 
Inveni, dixit, gens haec mihi sola rebellis, 
Contemtrixque jugi, nostraque potentior arte. 
Ilia tamen, mea si quicquam tentamina possunt; 
Non feret hoc impune diu, non ibit inulta. 
Ha^lenus ; 8c piceis liquido natat aere j>ennis ; 
Qua volat, adversi praecursant agmine venti, 
Densantur nubes, & crebra tonitrua fulgent. ~ 

Jamque pruinosas velox superaverat Alpes, 
Et tenet Ausoniae fines ; a parte sinistra 
Nimbifer Apenninus erat, priscique Sabini, 
Dextra veneficiis infamis Etrurra, nee non 
Te furtiva, Tibris, Thetidi videt oscula dantem ; 
Hinc Mavortigenae consistit in arce Quirini, 
Reddiderant dubiam jam sera crepuscula lucemj 
Cum circumgreditur totam tricoronifisr urbem, 
Panificosque Deos portat, scapulisque viromm 

^yehitur^ 

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Evehitur^ prseeunt stifamhso popltte rege% 
£t mendicantum series longisdima fratrwm ; 
Cereaque in manibus gestant fuaalia caect^ 
CimmeriiS) naii in tenebris, wtansque traheBies« 
Templa dein muhis subetint loeemia^ taedia^ 
(Vesper erat sacer iste Petro), fremkusqne caaetttitm 
Saepe tholos implet vaouosv ^' inane locorom. 
Quallter exululat Bromias, BronUEqne cafcervsiy 
Orgia cantantes in Echionio Aracyntboi 
Dum tremit attonitos vltreis Asopas in undts^. 
£t procul ipse cava respdnsat nape Cithasron^ 

His igitur tandem s^emni more pera£lb) 
Nox senLs amplexus Eribi tadtuma r^iiqatt, 
Praecipiiesqtie impeUit esdpos smmilanto flagrilo^ 
Captum ocutis Typhlonta, MehaKbartemqn& fefiocci»». 
Atque Acherontato prognatam pane Siopcn 
Torpidam, ^ hirsutisrharfcmein Pl»ca:oapilU% 
Interea regum domiioTi Phtegeto^ivs htrcsy* 
Ingredittir thadamo9 (neqoe eninr scsnobir adulter 
Producit steritos moHi sine pdHooe no&isa.) 
At vix composkos sornnu^ claudebarocello% 
Cum niger umbrartim domisrosy redDvifue. sikntcnii' 
Praedatorque homintim falM sixb ioragfino tB&us 
Astitit ; assumpti? micuerunt tempoca canes, 
Barba sinus promissd te^^ civstnocz longer 
Syrmate verrit huttmrn ves^, pefidetque cucuUusi 
Venice derase, er »€ qut^quam desir ad artes* 
Cannabeo lumboe oonnrrxit futie solaces. 
Tarda fenestratis' figens vest^ia. cakei«t 
Talis, uti fama est, ve«ta Franciscos evemo 
Tetra yagabatur solus per lustra ferannii, 
Sylvestriquc tuUt gemi pia tfefba salv^ 
Impius, atque lupos dotmAt^ iAbftoiqvfis^ Unaem 

Subdoius at tali stftpdAS vdattta ami£bi 
Solvit in has fallax ora etecrantia voces ; . 
Dormis, nate i Eiiamne tuos* soppr opprtmit artos ? 
Immemor O fidei, pecofrumque cMvte t«omm ! 
Dum cathedram> venerawde, ti£iam, diademJKpawtripte 
Ridct Hyperboreo gens barbara nata sub axe, 
Dumcjue pharetrati speirniiHt tua jura Britaimi 5 

Surg« 

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250 MILTONI PO£MATA« 

Surge, age, surge, piger, Latius quern Caesar adorat, 
Cui reserata patet convexi janua coeU, 
Turgcntcs animos, & fastus frange procaces, 
Sacnlegique sciant, tua quid maledi£^io, possit, 
£t quid Apostolicae possit custodia clavis ; 
Et memor Hesperiae disjedam ulciscere classem^ 
Mersaque Iberorum lato vexilla profundo, 
San£lorumque cruci tot corpora fixa probosx 
Thermodoontea nuper rcgnante puella. 
At tu si tenero mavis torpescerc lefio, 
Crescentesque negas hosti contundere vires, 
Tyrrhenum implcbit numcroso milite pontum, 
Signaque Aventino ponct fulgentia colle : 
Rdiquias vctcrum frangct, flammisquc cremabit, 
Sacraque calcabit pedibus tua colla profanis, 
Cujus gaudebant foleis dare basia reges. 
Nee tamen hunc bellis Sc aperto marte lacessesj 
Irritus ille labor; tu callidus utere fraude, 
Quxlibet hxreticis disponere retia fas est ; 
Jamque ad concilium extremis rex magnus ab oris 
Patricios vocat, 8c procerum de stirpe creatos, 
Grandxvosque patres trabea, canisque verendos ; 
Hos tu membratim poteris conspergere in auras, 
Atque dare in cineres, nitrati pulveris igne 
.£dibus injefio, qua convenere, sub imis. 
Protinus ipse igitur quoscunque habet Anglia fidos^ 
Propositi, fa£lique mone ; quisquamne tuorum 
Audebit summi non jussa facessere Papae ? 
Perculsosque metu subito, casuque stupentes 
Invadat vel Gallus atrox, vel saevus Iberus. 
Secula sic illic tandem Mariana redibunt, 
Tuque in belligeros iterum dominaberis Anglos. 
Et nequid timeas, divos divasque secundas 
Accipe, quotque tuis celebrantur numina fastis. 
Dixit, & a'dscitos ponens- malefidus amidtus 
Fueit ad infandam, regnum, illaetabile, Lethen. 

Jam rosea Eoas pandens Tithonia portas 
Vestit inauratas redeunti lumine terras ; 
Moestaque adhuc nigri deplorans funera hati 
Jrrigat ambrosiis montana cacwmina guttis j 

Cum 

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MlLTONI POEMATA, ^5! 

Cum somnos pepulit stellatx janitor aulx, 
No£kurnos visus, et somnia grata re vol vena. 

Est locus seterna septus caligine no£tis, 
Vasta ruinosi quondam fundamina te£ki. 
Nunc torvi spelunca Phoni, Prodotseque bilinguis, 
EflFera quos uno peperit Discordia partu# 
Hie inter caementa jacent prasruptaque saxa, 
Ossa inhumata virum, & trajed^a cadavera ferro ; 
Hie Dolus intortis semper sedet ater ocellis, 
Jurgiaque, & stimulis armata Calumnia fauces^ 
Et Furor, atque vi« moriendi mille videntur, 
Et Timor, exanguisque locum circumvolat Horror ; 
Perpetuoque leves per muta silentia manes 
^Exululant, tellus & sanguine conscia stagnat. 
Ipsi etiam pavidt latitant penetralibus antri 
Et Phonos, & Prodotes, nulloque sequente per atrumjL. 
Antrum horrens, scopulosum, atrum feralibus umbrit 
DifFugiunt sontes, & retro lumina vortunt j 
Hos pugiles Romx per secula longa fideles 
Evocat antistes Babylonius, atque ita fatur. 
Finibus occiduis circumfusum incolit sequor 
Gens exosa mihi, prudens natura negavit 
Indignam penitus nostro conjungere mundo : 
Illuc, sic jubeo, celeri contendite gressu, 
Tartareoque leves difBentur pulvere in auras 
Et rex & pariter satraps, scelerata propago, 
Et quotquot fidei caluere cupidine verx ; 
Consilii socios adhibite, operisque ministros. 
Einierat, rigidi cttpide paruere gemelli. 

Interea longo fle£lens curvamine coelos 
Despicit setherea Dominus qui fulgurat arcc, 
Vanaque perversae ridet conamina turbae, 
Atque sui causam populi volet ipse tueri. 

Esse ferunt spatium, qua distat ab Aside terra 
iFertilis Europe, & spefkat Mareoditas undas ; 
Hie turris posita est Titanidos ardua Famx 
-Srea, lata, sonans, rutilis vicinior astris 
Quam superimpositum vel Athos vel Pelion Ossse. 
Mille fores aditusque patent, totidemque fenestrse^ 
Amplaque per tenues translucent atria muros : 

Excitat 

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ifl^t iKLTQHI WQtBMAVA. 

Excitat hie wmos fkth% agglomerata flumiflBOS ; 
Qualiter imtrepttuit arcmn mulftraUa bomhk 
Agmina muacanim, ant texto per oviita juttco, 
Dum Canis aitivum cccli petit ardua culmen. 
Ipsa quidem sunrni^ scdct ubrix mattts in arce, 
Auribus innumerts cindum caput ^minet olU, 

SueU soaitum e^iguum trafait, atque kiTksima capiat 
uttnura, ab ectremis patuli con&nibus oibis. 
Nee tot Aristoride i ierfaioT imqtie jwnauut 
Isidos, thnmiti voiveins Jumina vuUU| 
Lumina son unquam tacko nutantia ^omnoiy 
Lumma subjefitas late 6ped»ntta tercas. 
Istis ilia so)^ loca luce careatia 6«{pe 
Perlustrare, etiam radianti iropervia «9U : 
Millenisque lequax avditaque ^risaque^ Ungtiis 
CuiKbet effundit rtemerari, veraque mesdai 
Nunc tninuit, modo confiAis setmonibtts ai^et 
Sed tamen h, nostro meroisti catmine laadks 
Fama, bonum quo non aliud vetacmfi uHum» 
Nobis digna cani^ ivee>te manoiaese pigdik 
Carmine tarn iongo \ servati scilicet Angii, 
Officiis vaga diva tuis, tibi veddimus tequa. 
Te DeuS) setemos motu qui tempecat igne6» 
Fulmine preraisso alloquituTi tsrraque tremente: 
Fama, siles ? an te lotet impia IVptstaruin 
Conjurata cohors in meque msosque Britaonoey 
£t nova sceptrigero cwd^s -meditata J'laobo ? 
Nee plura ; ilia statim pensk n\andata Tenantis^ 
£t; satis ante fugax, stridentes inimt zlm, 
Induit Sc variis e«iUa corpora piumts.; 
Dextra tubam gestat Temesaeo cac lere somnsam. 
Nee mora, jam pennts oedemes reroagat auraSi 
Atque parum est cursu oekresxpraevertieie nubes; 
Jam v«nftoS| jam sdlis equos post torga rdiquit : 
£t prim(f Angliacas solito de mooe per urbes 
Ambiguas voceS) kioertaque mutniiyra spai;gk« 
Mox arguta dolos, Sc 4etesta^ile Tulgat 
Prodhionis opus^ nee nwi fa£ta lior^da ^H&u, 
Authoresque addit sccfleris, nee gamida ccecis 
Insidiis leca ^tru£ta stiet ; Btupuoee jrelatifi^ 

; ' Et 

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MILTONI POEMATA. 



253 



Et pariter juvcnes, pariter tremucre puelte, 
Effoetiaue senes pariter, tantseque ruinae, 
Sensus ad aetatem subito penetraverat omnenu 
Attamen interea populi miserescit ab alto 
^thereus Pater, & crudelibus obstitit ausis 
Papiculum ; capti -pcenas raptantur ad acres : 
At pia thura Deo, ct grati solvuntur honores i 
Compita lasta focis genialibus omnia fumant ; 
Turba choFos juvenilis agit : Quintoque NoVembris 
Nulla dies toto occurrit celebratior anno. 

Anno atatis 17 In ohitum Prasttlis Eliensis^. 

jtjlDHUC madentes rorc squalcbant gense, 

Et sicca nondum lumina 
Adhuc liquentis imbre turgebant s^lis, 

Quern nup^r effiidi pius, 
Dum moesta charo justa persolvi^rogo 

Wintoniehsis Praesulis. 
Cum centilinguis Fama (proh semper maK 

Clad^sque vera nuntia !) 
Spargit per urbes divitis Brittaniae^ 

Populosque Neptuno satos, 
Cessisse morti, & ferreis sororibus ^ r 

Te generis humani decus^ 
Qui rex sacrorum ilia fuisti in insula 

Quae nomcn An^uillae tenet. 
Tunc inquietum pef^us ira protinus 

Ebulliebat fervida, 
TumuUs potentem saepe devovens deam : 

Nee vota Naso in Ibida 
Concepit alta diriora peftdre, 

Graiusque vates parcius . j L 

Turpem Lycambis execratus est dduihy 

Sponsamque Neobolen suam; .1 
At ecce diras ipse dum fundo graves, 

Et imprecor ncci ncccm, 
Audisse tales videor attonitus sonoi 

Leni, sub aura, flamine : 
. Vol. II. Z Caecos 

* Kicholat Feltoo, who died Odober 5. x62tf» 

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a53| MTLTOm FOEHfAT^. 

Caecos furores fKiney pone vkream 

l^ilemque & irritas fnints. 
Quid temei^e Ttolas iton nocenda nc 

ISubitoque ad iras percka ? 
Non est, ut arbhraris lekisus tnisor. 

Mors atra Noftis fiUa, 
Erebove patre creta, sive Eriimye, 

Vastove nata aub Chao : 
Ast iHa, coelo missa st^llato, Dd 

Messes ubique coiligit \ 
Animasque mole carnea 'reconditas 

In f ucem & auras evocat : 
Ut cum fugaces excitant Horx diem 

Themidos Jorisque filise ; 
Et sempitemi ducit ad vultis patrisi) 

At justa raptat impios 
Sub regna furvi luAuosa Tartaric \ 

Sedesque subterxaneas. 
Hanc ut vpcantem Isetus audi?!, cko. 

Fqedum reliqui cxrcerem, 
Volatilesque faustus inter mflites 

Ad astra sublimis feror : 
Vates ut olim raptus ad ceehtm Momti 

Auriga currus igott, 
Non me Bootis terruere IvuAH 

Sarraca tarda frigoare, aut 
Formidolosi Scorpionis bradlia, 

Non ensis, Oricm, to«s. 
Prsetervolavi fulgidi solus globum^ 

Longeque sd^fped^s deam 
Vidi triformem, dum cbercebat :Suo$ 

Fraenis dracones aureis. 
Erraticorum siderum per ordines. 

Per ladeas v^dioioplagas, 
Velocitatem saepe miratns aovam^ 

Donee nitentes^ead fm-es 
Ventum est Olympi, et regiam Cf5]rtaUnami ct 

Stratum smaragdis atrtum. 
Sed hie tacebo, nam quis :efiari4]ueat 
^»69undus humano patre 

.1 ,. Amoenitates 

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MILTON! POftMATl* ^S^ 



Amociiitatea illius loci ? mihi 
Sat est in eternum frui* 

Naturam non pati senium 

JriEU qiiam peirpetuis erroribus^ afta fatiscit 

Avia mens hominum, t^nebrisque imm^rsa profundi* 

QEdipodioniam volvit sub pe6lore no^em- ! 

Qux vesana suis metiri fa£la d^oram 

Audet, et incisas leges adamanteperenni 

Assimillare saiSy nulloque solubik seclo "^ 

Consilium fati perituris alligat horis. 

Ergone marcescet sulcantibus obstta rugis 
Naturae facies, ct rerum publica mater 
Omniparum contpa^a uterum sterilescet ab sevol 
Et se fassa senem male certts passibus ibit 
Sidereum tremebunda caput ? num tetra vetusta* 
Annorumque seterna fames, squalorque situsque 
Sidera vexabunt ? an ct insatiabiJe Tempos 
Esuriet Ccelum, rapletque in viscera pattern i 
Heu, potuitne soaa imprudens Jupiter arces^ 
Hoc contra munlsse nefas, & Temporis isto 
Exemisse malo, gyrosque dedisse perennes;/ 
Ergo erit ut quandoque sono dibpsa tremendo 
Convex! tabulata ruant, atque obvius i£tu 
Stridat uterq^ie polus, supetaque aut Olymptus a«l& 
Decidat, horribilisque rete£ta Gorgone Pallas | 
Qualis in jEgeam proles Junonia Lemnon 
Deturbata sacro cecidit de limine coeli ? 
Tu qaoque, Phoebe, tui casus imitabere nati 
Prxcipiti curru, subitaque fererc rain4 
Pronus, et extindl funiabit lampade Nereus^ 
Et dabit attonito feralia sibila ponto. 
Tunc etiam ae«i divulsis sedibus Haemi 
Dissultabit apex, imoque allisa barathro 
Terrebunt Stjrgium dejcfta Ceraunia Diten*, 
In superos quibus usus erat, fraternaque bella. 

At Pater Omnipotens, fundatis fortius astris^ 
Consuluit rerum summ^, certoque peregit 

Z 2 Pondere 

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25^ MILTONI POEMATA. 

Pondere (atorum lances^ atque ordine 8umm4 
Singula perpetuum jussit servare tenorem. 
Volvitur hinc lapsu niundi rota prima diurno ; 
Raptaty et anibitos socia vertigine coelos. 
Tardior baud solito ^aturnus, & aeer, ut olim 
Fulmineum rutilat cristata casside Mavors, 
Floridus xternum Phoebus juvenile coruscatj 
Nee fovet efFoetus loca per declivia terras \ 
Devexo temone Deus ; sed semper arnica 
Luce potcns eadem currit per signa rotarunu 
Surgit bdoratis pariter formosusab Indis 
JEthereum pecus albenti qui cogit Olympo 
Mane vocans, & serus agens in pascua coeli^ 
Temporis et gemino dispertir regna colore. 
Fulgfit, obitque vices alterno Delia comu, , / 
Cxruleumque ignem paribus cortiple£litur ulnis. 
Nee variant ekmenta fidem, solitoque fragore 
Jjurida perculsis iaculantur. fulmina rupes. 
Nee per innane furit I6vi(^i murmure Corus, 
Stringit & armiferos equaR horrore Gelonos 
- Trux AqUilo, spiratque hyemen, nimMlique volutat, 
Utque solct, Siculi deverberat ima Pelori 
Rex marisi et rauca circumstrepit sequora concha 
Oceani Tubicen» nee vasta mole minorem 
iEgeona ferunt dorso Balearico cete. 
Sed neque, Terra, tibi secli rigor ille vetustl 
Priscus abest, seryatque su^ni Narcissus odoreni, 
Et puer yie suum tenet, & puer ille decorem 
Phoebe tpusque & Cypri tuus, nee ditior olim 
Terra datum scelcri celavit montibus auruih 
Conscia, ir<:jl sub aquis gemmas. Sic denique in xvum 
Ibit can£larum series justissima rerum, 
Donee flamma orbem populabitur ultima, late 
Circumplexa poloSj & vasti culmine coeli ; 
Ingentique rogo flagrabit machina mundi. 

De idea Platonica^ quewadmodum Aristoteles intellexii* 

XJTCITE sacroxum praesides memorum, dex, 
Tuque^O novtni prebeata numinis . 

Maenxoriar 

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IfHTOKI PdftMATA. 15.7 

MaemorU matet, quseque in immenso procul 
Antro rec]umbis, otiosa ^ternitas, 
Monumenta servans^ , & ratas leges Jovis^ 
Coelique fastos atque ephemeridas Deum, 
Quis iHe primus, cujus ex imagine 
Natura solers finxit humanum gepusjt 
^ternus, incorruptus, aequaevus polo, 
Unusque, & universus, exemplar Dei ? 
Haud ille Palladis gemellus inubae 
Interna proles infldet mentii Jovis ^ 
Sed quamlibet natura fit communior, 
Tamen seorsis extat ad morem unius, 
£t, mira> certo stringitur spatio loci ; 
Seu sempiternus ille sidcrura comes 
Coeli pererrat ordines dec^mplicis, 
Citiimve terris incolit Lunae globum : 
Sire inter animas corpus adituras scdens. 
Obliviosa-s torpet ad Lethes aquas : 
Sive in remota forte terrarum plaga 
Incedit ingens hominis archetypus gigas, 
Et diis tremendus erigit celsum caput 
Atlante major portitore siderum. 
Non, cui profundum caecitas luminum dedit,, 
Dircaeus augur vidit hunc alto sinu ;, 
Non hunc silenti no£le Pletones nepos 
Vatum sagaci prxpes ostendit choro 5 
Non hunc sacerdos novit Assyrius, licet 
Longos vetusti commemoret atavos Nivi, 
Priscumque Bclon, inclitumque Osiiidem. 
Non ille trino gloriosus nomine 
Ter magnus Hermes (ut sit arcani sciens). 
Talem reliquit Isidis cultoribus^ 
At tu, petenne ruris academi decus, 
(Haec monstra si tu primus induxti scholis), 
Jam jam poetas urbis exulcs tuae 
Revocabis, ipse fabulator maximus, 
Aut institutof ipse migrabas foras, 

Z 3 " ;- '• ;' • Ad 

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»48 



MILTONI FOSlfATl. 



Ad Patretn. 



INUNCmea Pierios cupiam per pe^iora fontct 
Irriguas torqucre vias, totumque per ora 
Volverc laxatutti gemino de vertice rivum \ 
Ut tenues oblita sonq? audacibas alis 
Surgat in ofiicium venerandi Musa parentis. 
Hoc utcunque tibi gratum, per optiine^ carmen 
Exiguum meditatur opus> nee novynus ipsi 
Apciiis a nobis qux possint munera donis 
Respondere tuis^ quamvis nee maxima possint 
Respondere tuis, nedum ut par gratia donis 
Esse queat, vacuis qux redditur arida verbis. 
Sed tamen hxc nostros ostendit pagina census, 
£t quod habemus opum chart a numeravimus ista. 
Quae mihi sut^t nultiae, nisi quas dedit aurea Clio, 
Quas mihi semoto somni peperere sub antro, 
Et nemoris bureta sacri Parnassides umbrae. 

Nee t^ vatis opus divinum despice carmen,. 
Quo nihil aethereos ortus, & semina coeli, 
Nil magis bumanum commendat origine mentem, 
Sanfla Promethe^ retinens vestigia flamma?. 
Carmen amant superi, trcmebundaque Tartara carmeB^ 
Ima ciere valet, divosque ligare profiindos^ 
Et triplici duros nunes adamante coercet. 
Carmine sepositi retegunt arcana futun 
l^hoebades, & tremuiae pallentes ora Sibyllae ; 
Carmine sacriftcus solepnes pangit ad aras, 
Aurea seu sternit motantem corn\^a taurum j 
Seu cum fata sagax fumantibus abdita ;fibris 
Consulit, & tcpjdis Parcam scrutatur in.extist 
Nos etiam,'pairium tunc cum repetemus Qlympumt - 
^ttrnaeque morae stabunt immobiJis acvi^ 
Itnmus auratis per coeti templa coronis, 
Dulcia suaviloquo sociantes carmina pledro, 
' Astra quibuS} geminique poli convexa sonabunt. 
Spiritus & rapidos qui circinat igneus orbes. 
Hone quoque sidereis intercinit ipse choreia 

Immortak 

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MILTONI POEMATA. ^59 

Immortale mclos, inennarrabile cannen ; 
Torrida dum futilus compescit sibila serpens^ 
pemissoque ferox gla^io mansuescit Orion ; ^ 

Stellarum nee sentit onus Maurusius Atlas. 
Carmina regales epulas prnare solebant. 
Cum nondum Iuxus» vasta^que immensa vorago 
Nota guise, & medico spumabat ccena Lyaeo. ^ 

Turn de more sedens festa ad oonvivia vatet 
.£sculea ii^tonsos redimitus ab arbore crines, 
Heroumque a£lus, imitandaque gesta canebat> ' ' 

£t Chaos, & posttt late fundamina mundi^ 
Reptantesque deos, & alentes numina glandesy » 

£t nondum i&nseo quaesitum fulmen ab an^ro* 
Denique quid vocis modulamen inane juvabit, 
Verborum sensusque vacans, numerique loquaci$ I 
Silvestres decet iste chpros, non Orphea cantusy 
Qui tenuit fluvios & quercubus addidit aures 
Carmine, non citharl^, simulachraque fun^a canendo 
Co'mpulit in lacrymas ; habet has k carmine laudes. 
Nee tu perge, precor, sacras contemnere Musasy 
Nee vanas inopesque puta, quarum ipse perttus 
Munere, milLe sonos numeros componis ad aptoS) 
Millibus & vocem modulis variare canoram , ^ 

DoAus, Arionii meritd sis nominis heres. 
Nunc tibi quid mirum, si me genuisse poetam 
Contigerit, charo si tam prpp^ sanguine junfii 
Cognatas artes, studiumque affine*sequamur ^ 
Ipse volens Phcqbus se dispertire duobus. 
Altera dona mihi, dedit altera dona parenti, 

Dividuumque Deum genitorque puerque tenemus* 
Tu^tamen ut simules teneras odisse camcenas, 
Non odisse reor, heque enim, pater, ire jubebas 
Quk via lata patet, qu^ pronior area lucri, 
Certaque condendi fulget spes aurea nummi : 
Nee rapes ad leges, male custoditaque gentis 
Jura, nee insulsis damnas clamoribus aures. 
Sed magis excultam cupiens ditescere mentent^ 
Me procul urbano strepitu, secessibus altis 
# Abdu6tum Aonise jucunda per otia ripse 
Phcebxo latcri comitem sinis ire beatum. 

Officium 

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t6<^ MILTOIMX POEMATA. 

Officium charl tacea commune parentitfy 
Me poscunt majors j Hio, pater optimoi 8umpt» 
Cum mihi Romulex patuit fuciu^dia tinguae) 
£t Latii venenety &^tte Jovis-ova decebant 
Grandia magniloquss elac* vdcabuta .Gratis^ 
Addere aoasisti qaos jadaf Gallta flores^ 
Et quam degcneii n^rifr rtaKft> ore loquelam 
Fundit^ Barkuicoft testatus voce ttimulm99 

8uaK)ue PakeFtkn» k><|uitur iwysleria* va<>e9< 
enique ^cqoid habet qKhfrn^ subj^fftaque etsefo 
Terra paren^i'tsiiniquiQ!^ ocstb kiterfttHNsaery 
Quicqui^ &: mnda tegft> pofitiq«9 agitabile itiannof) 
Per te nos^eJiccty' p«i! te, si noiee libebi^ 
Dimotlqus T9«jt speflanda scientia mibe, 
Nuda(|ite coospkuos indiiHit ad oscular Tuku8> 
Ni fugiaae Tciim, nl sit lib&sse molestum. 

I nuncy. coitfer opes qais«piis- Q<iale9ana» avkaa 
Aostrioot gatotv Parllai»q«i« regna prseeptas» 
Quar potuit majoca patvir trSbuisfie, Tef ipse 
Jupimi^ exceptor dOfM»set ut omnia ^oelo ?* 
Non potiova dedit^ fuamvis 8c tuta fittissent, 
Fublicai qva juveni commisk lumin^ natb 
Atque Hypeiianios-ownuB, & Urswia die}> 
Et circum undan^cm radi«t& luc€ tiara m. 
Ergo ega jam dp^r pars quamlibet^ ima caterv^ 
Vidricesrhedcras intter» hw^OQqve seddbo^ 
Jamque nee dKcorus popoto miecebor inertJ> 
Vitabuntque oculo9 vestigia nostro profenos. 
Este procul vigibes cur», procul este qtKf«l»» 
InvUiaatffue adestran^Terso^ torftKs hirqiiOy 
Saeva nee angoiferos^ cxtende Calumnia ri^as*; 
In me tsiate nihil foedissima turba potestis^ 
Nee vestri suin jwris^cgo j s^airaqiue tutus 
Pe£);ora, tipereo gradiar su^imi^ ab idn. 

At tibi| chare pateXf pos^quam non xqua menentt 
Posse refen« datur, nee dona rependcre faftia, 
Sit memorasse satis, repetitaque munera grato 
Percensere antrao^ ftdaeque veponere menti. 

Et vos, O nostnn, juvenilia carmina> lusu9| 
Si modo pcrpelwos sperare aud^itifr arniesj 

Et 

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t 

MILTONI tOEUATA. Ojit 

Et dommi superesse rogo, lucemquc tucri. 
Nee spisso rapient.oblivia nigra. sub Oreo, 4^ 

Fprsitan has kudes, decantatumque parentU 
Nomen, ad exemplum, sero^ervabitis jevo. 

PSAL. CXIV. 
IS^AYtX OTC vaift; or ayXoi» ^uX* loexwCs 
Ai) TOrf fAS^ov SDV oo'iop y^y^ v»:s Js^os. 

Ex i* og£» o'xat^d^oio'iv ObirftgiTiA xXovcovro^ 
^i xf J0» fl-^ftyowklf? iyrfa^£f<^ iiraXc»m. 

Old va^^i 0:v^ify» pihui xjito fAnTiff apvf(. 
Tifrjg avy oiivx ^x\»inroi irt\(a^ f\)y$tS' ippwuTotf 
K\)fAcc\i iiAw/xfi>it fo^rj> ; ri f Of t^v^tM^^ni , 
If Of lof J*yu woTJ afyufOftJffli irijynv ; 
T»VI* ogiEd(. «'K«^9pot<rtv aTTftf €0*101 uXoyittf^t 
£1; Kfioi (r^^iyotailn^ sur^oif. ^(a iv UXcan j 

Z»fo yosia T^iHTcc dsoit fA&yat\* (KTU7rfo»1ai 
rottdi ^lov Tf$i8(r' VTr^Tov o'sStx; la-o'axi^ato, 
Oc Tf k) fx o-iriAcfc^cdy ir^Ttx^aq p^f po^fAuf ovlvcy 
KfumvT* afvaov wiTgnc «▼« (fflixjuoifl-o-nc. 

Philosophus ad regem quendam, qui cum tgnotum & 
insontem inter eos forte eaptum insctus damnaveratf 

Tjjv im ^avarta 7ro^euoi^v&' hxc subito misit. 

S^uy9¥ oA«; Jj^^ko-avlA, co^«raTO> (cd*! x«f9|Vdif 



d by Google 



ate iiita*o)a pcAttrrjfi^ 

Teif» ^ ix roAi^ ^iwwjtAoy aXxsc^ aX((nr«r* 
In effigiei ejus sculptorem. 

Ad Sabillum P'oetam Romanum ^rotanttm. 

S'CAZONTES, 

\J Musa^ gressum quae v.okns trahis claudum^ 
Vulcanioque tarda gaudes incessu, 
Nee sentis illud in loco minus- gratum,. 
QuStm cum decenles flave Deiope suras 
Alternat aureum ante Junonis IcSum, 
Adesdum Jt haec s'as vei^a pauco S^lto 
Refer, camoena nostra;^ cut tantanr est cordis 
Quamque illc: magnis praeiulit immuerito dijrtf •. 
Haec ergo alumnus ille Londini Milto» 
Diebus hisce qui suum linquens nidum 
Polique traf^um, (pessimus ubi ventonim, 
Insanientis impotensque pulmonis 
Pernix anhela sub Jove exercet flabra)^ 
Venit feraces Italia soli ad glebas, 
Visum supcrba cognitas urbcs fama 
Virosque do£leqae inddent juTentutis^- 
Tibi optat idem hie fausta multa, Salsille, 
H^bttucnque fiesffi) corpori penitus sanum % 
Cai mmc poo&inda bkUs infcstat renes^ 
Preeordiisque fixa damnosum spirat. 
Nee id pepereit impia quod tu Ropiano 
Tarn cultus ore Lesbium condis melos. 
O dulee divum munus, O salus Hebes 
Germana ! Tuque Phoebe, morborum terror 

Pythonc 

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ti^Qter audis, -hic^ttias 6a(oonlodjesl. 
Querccta Fattui, vogqUe fo»e wnofiO / 

Colics benigi»i,inli^sjE<va»drtiseli«8i" ■ / 

Si quid salubre^vaifib*i;d^fipoQd«t^jr©»tri8,, •!' 

Levamem CBgtoferte 0erte8im;«vari, . .. :. 

Sic ine^csliari&redieii^tVFSUm M««f$ /k. 

Vicina dulci{>wtB'mulc«bft ^cantu. 
Ipse inter atras emii^atout Iwcoe . . : ; \ 

Numa, ubi beatttin de|it btnwti ^sttenwrniy - :o ..,> '. 
Suam reclivis sewvper ^iSgeriam ^e^iois. . . i 

Tumidusque & ipse Tilivis hinc ^tdit^iuis-i ' ■ : O . 
Spei f avebit amnrae colonorutn : ; v /^ 

Nee in sepul<3hm ibit «db«e9Siim v^eiy 
Afimkim sanintTo 4axus irniens lo*o : 
Sed fraena me^iastemperadjit uf^dAmm, 
Adu^que curw «alda Tegna P^rtwmni. 

M A NS U S. 

Joannes 6aptl«^ Masfsus Marchio Villei»sis,>yir ingeim 
laude^ turn lijt«rarum studio, mec oon et bellica vjr« 
tute apud Itales x^larus in primis est. Ad qucm 
Torquati Tassi dialogus ex4«at de amicitia scriptus^ 
erat enim Tassi atnicisstm'Us ^ ab quo . etiam int^r 
Campanise pvincipfs cel^bratur, in ilk) poematde 
cut tituhasG£rusalemMe'£<mquii$aia^M, ao. 

Fra cavalier msgDanimo, d cortesi 
Risplende il Manso » 

Is authorem Meapoli commovantetn summa benevolen** 
tia pisosecuttts est, nauluque el detulic humanitatis 
oiBcia. Ad hunc itaque hospes ille antequam ab ea 
urbe discedereti utine dngratttmse ostendefet^ hoc 

- cafmcn misit* 

JTliEC .quoque, Manse, tuae medhantur carmina laudi 
PierideS) tibij Mansej-choronotissimePhoebi, 

\ Quando- 

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^S4 WLTOMI MBICITA. 

Quandoquidem ille afium haud^xquO est dignatus ho- 
ro8t GaUi cinereSf & Mecxnatis Hetrusci. [norC| 

Tu quoque, si nostraet tantum Talet aura camccmt^ 
Vi^ces hederas iiiter> laurosque ledcbis. 
Te pridem magno felix contordia Tassp 
Junzit, & aeternis inscripsit nomina chartis. 
Mox tibi dulciloquttm non inscia Musa Marinmii 
Tradidit, iUe tuum diet se gaudet aluinnuiD^ 
Dum cantt Assyrios dWum proUxus amores ; 
Mollis & Auionias s^p^ecit carmine nymphas. 
Die itidem moriens tibi soli debtta vaties 
Ossa tibi 8oli» supremaque vota reliquit. ' 

Nee manes pietas tuachara fefelit amiciy 
Vidimus aridentem operosa ex acre poetam. 
Nee satis hoc visum est in utrumque, & nee pia c^saat , 
Officia in tumulp, cupis integros rapere Oreo, 
Qu^ potes, atque^avidas Parcarum eludere lege»: 
Amborum genus^ & Taria sub sorte peraflam 
Deseribis vitam, moresque, & dona Minervae | 
JEmulus illius Mycalen qui natus ad altam 
Retulit JEoWi vitam facundus Homeri ; 
Ergo ego te Ciius & magni nomine Phcebi) 
Manse pater, jubeo longum salvere per aevum. 
Missus Hyperboreo juvenis feregrinis ab axe. 
Nee tu longinquam bonus aspemabere Musam, 
Quae nuper gelida vix cnutrita sub AvGto 
. Imprudcns Italas ausa est volitare per urbesi 
Nos etiam nostro modulantes flumine cygnos 
Credimus obscuras ho£fcis sensisse per umbraSj 
Qua Thamesis late puris argenteus urnis 
Oceani glaueos perfundit gurgite crines. 
Quin et ift has quondam pervenit Tytyrus oras. 
Sed neque nos genus incuUum, nee inutile Phcebe^ 
Quk plaga septeno mundi sulcata Trione 
Brumalem patitur longa sub node Bobten. 
Nos etiam colimus Phoebum, nos munera Phcebo' 
Flayentes spicas, & lutea mala canistris, 
Halantemque erocum (perhibet nisi vana vetiistas,) 
Misimus, & ledas Druidum de gente choreas. 
(Gens D^uides antiqua sacris operata deorum, 

Heroum 

•* ' : Digitized by Google 



MiLTOKl POEMATi. SMSJ 

Heroum laudes imitandaqtie gesta canebant). '■ • 
Hinc queries festocingunt akaria cantu 
Delo in herbosa Gtake de more puellse ' 

Carminibus l^is memorafit Corn^ida Loxoj ''•■' ''^ 

Fatidicamque Upin, cum flavicoma Hecaierge 
Nuda Caledonio variata$ pefkora fuco. > i ' '', 
Fortunate senex, ergo quacunque pcf^orbem • • 

Torquati decus, •& nomen celebrabitur ingens^ ' -^ 
Claraque perpetui succrcscet fama Marini, i ": ^ 

Tu quoqoe in ora frequens Vdiiies^plausumqtte W^Min^ 
Et parili carpes iter imitiorrale volatu. - ' -' ' •' ' ^^^'• 
Dicetur tum spont^ tuos liabita^e f«nate» . ) r j - 
CynthiuSy Be famttlals venisse ad limina Musas: *^ 

At non sponte domum tamen idem, & regis adtvifr \ ' 
Rura Pheretiadse coelo fugitivus Apollo } . * < 

Ille licet magnum Alciden ^usceperat hospes ; 
Tanti^m ubi damosos plaicuit vitare bubulcos^ 
Nobile Mansueti cessit Cbtroms in antrum, 
Irriguos inter saltus frondosaque tcGta, 
Peneium prope rivum : ibi s^epe sub illtce nigra 
Ad citharx strepitum blanda prece vi^us amici 
Exilii duros lenibat voce labores.^ 
Tum neque ripa suo, baratbro nee fixa sub imo 
Saxa stetere loco, nutat Tracbinia rupes. 
Nee sentit 8olitas> immania pondera^ sylvas, 
£motseque suis properaut de colltbus omi, 
Idulccnrurque novo maculosi carmine lyncet. 
Diis diledle. senex, tc Jiipitcr aequus oportet 7 - 
Nascentem, &,miii luHtrarit.lumint; PhoebuSy 

. Atlantisque nepos ; neque enim nisi cbarus ab orfti, 
Diis supcris potent magno favisse pcetae» 
Hinc longaeva tibi knto sub flore sene^us 
Vernat, & ^sontos lucratur vivida fusos, 
Nondum dcciduos servans tibi frontis honoris, 
Ingeniumque vigens, & adult um mentis acumen* 
O mihi si mea sors talem concedat amtcum 

. PhcebcBos decorasse viros qui tam bene norit, . 
Si quando indigenas revocabo in carmina reges^ 
Arturumque etiam sub terris bella moventem j 
Aut dicam invifiae sociali foedere mensae * 
Vol. II. At^ MagtM^ 

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^(66 MiLTOVH POSMATA. 

MagnaniniM Iwpoas, &: (O modo spiritea t4$it») 
Frangam Saxonicas Briteoum fiub .Marte fbalangee^ 
Tandem ubi non taokie ^pefrmtnms Cem{K»ra vitXf 
Annorumque sttunr ctneri sua ijim ffeUn^»am» 
lUe mthi le£U> mftdidis attaret oceliU, 
Asunti sat erit st ^icani) skn tibi cuvasi 
nie meos avtits livente morte solutoa 
Curaret panra compimi molliier tinia. 
Forsitan 8c nostsoe d«cattde mannoK ^Rdtus, 
Ne£tais aut P^hia myrti aut f amasaide kmi 
Frohde comasi at ego ^secura /pace ifuieacam. 
Turn quoque^ 81 qua fides, si pnemia ccttzhonorum^ 
Ipse ego cceHcol&m aemotus in sethera divfim^ 
Quh labcr & mens pura Tehunt, atqoe ignea yirtiis^ 
Secreti hsec aliqua mundi dc:parteviiideixi9 . 
(Quantum Fa«a simmt,)' & ^tota :nienle ^soreaum 
Ridens pucpiireo suAindar lumtne ^vuiitts, 
Et simul setkoeo plaudtm loalhi tlsBttis ^Ij^i^ptt.. 

T 

EPITiVPHEUM DAMONK. 

AROimSNTUM. 

Thjrsif^ Daimm eftsstUnh mcinia >fastmWyimh$u ftfi^ 
dsa jequuti k fmirtiii anuci enM^ mt qui phnrnmH^ 
Thyrsis afmni causi prsffsEius pirigri de Mtu iBmnoms 
nuncium acapH. Ucmum f$sia psnerms^ -^ifemitiM 
esse cornptifttf^ se^smvmtque tdihsdittem^ haenfrmim'de' 
. plorat. 'Dtnmnii mOem ^uk \petsoMd btc i$a9Migi$ttf 
Caroius Jhodatus^ en urhe Hitturia Luea fatHm$ 
genere cnundus^ .e*t^ra Angius : ingenio^ doBrifidf 
clarissimisqm imperii ^mttu^kUy nhmt wiVH^^ jMWmt 
egregius. 

HiMERTDES Npphae. ^(nam vos & D^hnin & 
Et plorata diu meministis fata Bionis,) X^bBf 

Dicite Sicelicum Thamesina per oppida cannen.^ 
Quas miser efFudit voces, quae murmura Thyfsi^ 
Et quibus assiduis cxercuit antra querelis, 
Fluminaquej Soote^ue K^if^osinempnimque recctsmw 

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Dum 8ibi pnereptism qvechnxr Domofia, neqoe adt^m 
Liidibu«^ exemk tiodiem loca solo peitttfran®. 
£t jam bi» viiidi surgebat culmus' arista^ 
£t totifkm flava&y numeratoant bomrea messes. 
Ex quo summa dies taUrat Damona sub umbraSy 
Nee dom adef a€ Thyrsts ; pastorem scilicet ilkM 
Dulcis amor Mas» Thnsca retinebat in urbe» 
Ast ubi mens eiq^a domumy pecorisque re^tS& 
Cura voeats stmul assiie«a sedftque sub ul mo, 
Turn ver6 arrHSsunif tmrn^ dfentque sdntk amic»tiH 
Coepic & iflftmensam sic exonerare dok>¥emb 

Ite domuiK^ impastt^ domino jam nen vacat, agiiv 
Hei mihi ! qufi^ terns, quae cticam numina coolo, 
Postquaifv te immiti rapuevunt funere, I>Knou ! 
Siccine nos Hnquis, tua sk sine nomine virtws* 
Ibit, & obsciifis numero sociabttur u«ibris l 
At non iHe, aiiimas Yirga qui drridit aiirea, 
Ista velit, digmtmque tui te dueat in agmeo, 
Ignavumque procu) pect»s arceat omne silentum* 

Ite domum impasti, dxmmo jam noii vacat, agnir 
Quicqvnd erit, cert^ nisi me lupus ant^ videbity 
Indeplorato non comminuef e sepukhvo, 
Constabttque'tutts tibi boni», longumque vigebit 
Inter pastores :, IIU tibi Tota secundo 
Solvere post Dapknin, 4K>st Daplmivi dieere laudet 
Gaudebunt, dum rura Pales, d»m Faunus amabit : ^ 
Si quid id est, prtscamqoe fidem coluisse, pii^mque, 
Palladiasque artes, aociumque habutsse canorucn. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vaeat, agnL 
Hsec tibi certa manent, tibi erunt hsdc premia) Damot^i; 
At mihi quid- tandem fiet mddo ? quis mihi fidus 
Haerebit lateri comes, ut tu ssepe sotebas 
Frigoribus duris, 8c per loca fasta pruinis, 
Aut rapido sub sole, siti morientibus herbis ? 
Sive opus in magnos fuit emin&s ire leonesi 
Aut avidos terrere lupos prsesepftbus akis j 
Quis fando sopire diem, cantuque solebit? 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vaeat, agnK 
Pefiora eui credam ? quis me lenire docebit 
Mordaces curasy quis longam fallere noflem 

A a 2 Dttlcibut 

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2^8 aaLTom posmata. 

Dnkibus ailoquiiSy gtalO cam sibilat t^i 

MoDe pyrum, & nucibus strepitat focu$, at malus Austerr 

Miscet cunda foris, 8c desupar intcmat ulmo i 

Ite domum impasti^ domino jam nofl^ vacat, agni. 
Aut aestate, dies medio dum vertitur axe» 
Cum Pan aesculea somnum caput abditus umbra» 
£t repetunt sub aquia sibi nota se^diiia nymphae > 
Psstore^que latent, stertit sub sepe colonua^ 
Quis mihi blandit asque tuas, quis turn <m\xi risus, 
Cecropiosque sales refcret, ciiJtosque lepores ? 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non yacat, agni. . 
At jam solus agroa, jam pascua soles oberro» 
Sicubi ramosae densaniur vaUibus umbrae> 
Hie serum expeQo» supra caput imber & Eutus 
Triste sonant, fraft^eque agitata crepuscula sylyae* 

Ite domum impastii domino jam non vacat, agni^ 
Heu quam culta mihi.priu^ arva procsKribus herbisL: 
Involvuntur, & ipsd. situ seges aha fatiscit ! 
Innuba ncglefto marcescit & uva racemo. 
Nee myrteta juvant ; ovium quoque taedet^ at ilte 
Moerenti inqu^ suum convertyDt ora niagistrum. 

Ite domum ipnpasti, domino jam non.vacat, agni. 
Tityrud ad corylos vocat, ^iP^^^^^^^ *^ ornos, 
Ad salices ^gon, ad flumina pulcher Amyntas : 
Hie gelidi fontesw hie iilita gramina musco, , 
Hie ^ephyri, hie plac;idas interstrepit arbutus undas i 
Ista canunt surdo, fruuces ego na£lu$ abibam. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
MojJsus ad haec, nam me reduentem forte not&rat, 
(PH callebat avium linguas, & srdera MopsuSj) 
Thyrsi quid ho^ ? dixit, quae te coquit improbabilis ? 
Aut te pcrdit amor, aut te-male fascinat astrum, 
Satumi grave 6^pe fuit pastoribus astrum, 
Intimaque pbUquo figit praecordia plumbo. 

Ite domum impas^i, domino jam non vacat agnL 
Mirantur nynipha?, & quid te, Thyrsi, futurum est ? 
Quid tibi vis.?, aiunt ; non hxc solet esse juventap . 
Nubila frons, pculique truces, vultusque severi ; 
Ilia choros, lasusque leves, & semper a morem v- 
Jure petit, \n$ ille n^iser qui serus amavit, , . 

. Xtc 

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Ite domum impasti, domino jam noa Tacs^ tgni. 
Vcnit Hyas, Drvopeque, & filia Baucidis JEgle ^ 
Do&z modos^ cithaneqoe scient^ sed pesdita fastu^ 
Venit Idamanii Chloris Ticina fluenti ; 
Nil me Uanditiat) nil me solantta veriia. 
Nil me, 81 qoid adcst, mo^et, aut 8pes uUa futisri. ^ 

Ite domum impasti) domino jam non vacat, agni* ^ 
Hei miht quam similes luduot per prata ju?encif 
Omoes unantmt secum sibi lege sodales. 
Nee magis hunc alto quisquam secemit amtcum 
De grege $ si densi ventunt ad pabula thoesy 
Inqui vicem kirsttti parSms junguntur onagri ; 
Lex eadem pelagi, deserto in Itttore Proteus 
Agmina phocarum numerate Tilisque volucrum 
Passer habet semper quicum sit, 8c omnia eircum 
Farra libens volitet, sero sua te£la revisens^ 
Quern si sors letho objecit, seu milms adunco 
^ta tulit rostro, seu stravit arundtne fotsoTi 
Protinus*ille alium socio petit inde volatu* 
Nos durum genus, & dins exercita fatts 
Gens homines s^tena animis, 8c ped^orc discorsy 
Vix sibi quisque parem de nriUibus invenit 'unumi 
Aut si sors dederit tandem Aon aspera votis, 
lUum inopina dies qui non speraveris hoA 
Surripit, aeteraum linquens in secula damnum* 

Ite domum trnpastt, domino jam non vacat, ag^ni. 
Heu quis me ignotas traxtt vagus error in oras 
Ire per a<freas mpes, Alpemque mrosam I 
Ecquid erat tanti Romam vidisse sepultatn, 
(Quamvis ilia foret, qualem dam ^seret olim^ 
Tityrus ipse suas & oves 8c rura reliquit,) 
Ut te tam daki possem caruisse sodale, 
Possem tot maria alta, tot tnterponere monteSi 
Tot sylvas, tot saxa tibi, fluviosque sonantes I 
Ah eerti exerem&m licui^set tangere dextram^ 
£t bene compositos placid^ morientts ocellosy 
£t dixisse rale, nostri memor ibis ad astra. 

Ite dottnmi impastii domifio jam non vacat, agni, 
Quamquam etiam vestri rranquam meminisse pigebiti 
Pastores Thii^ Musis operata ruventvsi 

Aa3 Hie 

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V}C^ MlLTOm POEMATiL. 

HiaQiarisy atque Lepos ; & Thuscus tu quoque Da- 
Antiqua genus unde petis Lucumonis ab urbe. Qmon> 
O ego quantus eram, gelkti cum stratus ad Ami 
Murmura, populeiimque nemusy qua moJlior berba, 
Carpere nunc viobis* nunc summas carp^re myrtoa, 
£t potm Ljrcidse certantem audire Menalcam ! 
Ipse etsam; t^ntare ausus sum, nee puto» multunv ' 
Displic|ii» nam sunt 8c apud n^ munera vestra 
Fisccllae, calathique, & cerca yincla cicutoe, 
Quin & nostra suas docuerunt nomiQa fjigos 
£t Datis, ^ Francinus^ erant & vocibus ambo. 
Est studiis notiy Lydorum sanguinis ambo. 

Ite domum impastit domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Haec mihi turn laeto didabat roscida luna^ 
Dum solus teneros claudebam cratibus hoedos. 
Ah quoties dizi* cilm te cinis ater habebat» 
Nunc caniti aut lepori nunc tendit, re.tia Damon, 
Vimina nupc texit, varioa sibi quod sit in usus I 
£t quae turn facili sperabam mente futura 
Arripui voto levis, & prsesentia finxi, 
He us bone numquid agis ? nisi te quid forte retardat, 
Imus ? & arguta pauli^m recubamus in umbra, 
Aut ad aquas Colni, aut uhi jugera Cassibelauni ? 
Tu mihi percurres medicos, tua granaina, succos, [thi, 
Helleborumque, humilesque crocos, fdiumque, hyacin- 
Quasque habet ista palus herbas, artesque medentum^ 
Ah pereant herbse, pereant artesque medentum« 
Gramina, postquam ipsi nil profecere magistro. 
Ipse etiam, nam nescio quid mihi grande sonabat 
Fistula, ab undecimi jam lux est altera node, 
£t turn forte nQvi$ admoram labra cicutis, 
Dissiluere tamen rupta compage, nee ultra 
Ferre graves potuere sonos, dubito quoque nc sioi 
Turgidulus, tamen & referam, vos gedite sylvae* 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Ipse ego Pardanias Rutupina per aequora puppes 
Dicam, & Pandrasidos regnum vetos Inogeniae, [num^ 
Brennumque Arvigarumque duces, priscumquc Beli- 
£t tandem Armoricos Britonum sub lege colonos y 
Tum gravidan) Arturo fat^li fraude logemcp, 
.1 Mcndacea 

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MILTOKI POEHATA. 2^1 

Mendaces vultus, assum tuque Gorlbis arma, 
Merlini dolus. O mihi turn si vita supersit^ 
Tu procul annosa pepdebis, fistula, pinu, .,;. ? r ,; 
Multum oblita ipihi,t^u^ patr^smutata c^met^i^, LoiCI 
Brittonicum strides, quid enim ? opnia nop licet ffl^jJ 
Non speras^.juni lic5it on[ipia,,wviiSati8 'AV^gj^ (j j ,, '»i () 
Merces, & mihi gran/de decu^ (sim igtiQtu^ i^^VAimTS 
Turn licet, externo penitusqu^ inglorius orbi),,^, ., . :,»} 
Si me flava comas, legat Usa, .& potqr -^huni, j- 

Vorticibu&que fr^uen^.jAbra, & n^njus.omnp Trj5su^taB|T 
Et rhamesis raeus ante orxines, &"fusca metajji^, , [^ 
Tamara, & exff emisfne ^li^C^ Qrcades un4i§, ^, ,, :^ 

Ite domum impasti, dqijiinp.jjun nop y^^fa^EP^.* . 
Haec tibi servabam lenta sub cortice lauri, 
Haec, & plura simul turn quae mihi procula Mansus^ 
Mansus Chalcidicx hot\ ultima gloria ripae, 
Bina dedity mirum artis o|)i\3i nstaiidur&'tpde^ LA 
Et circum gemino caelavcrat argum^nto : 
In medio rubri maris unda, & odoriferum vcr, 
Littora longa Arabum, & sudante^s balsama^^ylv^ /\ 
Has inter phoenix divina avis, unica terri^ 
Caeruleum fulgens diversiculoribus alis 
Auroram vitreis surgentem respicit undis. 
Parte alia polus omnipatens, 8i magnus Olympus, 
Quis putet ? hie quoque Amor, piSaequein nubepha- 
Arma corusca faces, & spicula tmftajpyropoj [rfetwei. 
Nee tenues animas, peftuaque ignobile vulgi : : , 
Hinc ferit, & circiim flammantia liirtiina torquenr::j:' 
Semper in eredlum spargit sua tela per orbes 
Impiger, & pronos nunquam collim^t ad i^u«y ]:/ 
Hinc mentes ardf^r^ sacrasi fortnaeque deorum. 

Tu quoque in his, nee nae i^iUt spes lubrica,:I>an:>on, 
Tu quoque in his cerr^ es^ . ^api, qu& tUM dulci&ahiret 
Santlaque simplicitas^ ^lana qud tiia caijdtda, virtus^ j' 
Nee te Lethaeo fas quaesivisbc sub orcoj . \ 1 

Nee tibi conveniunt lacrymse, nee fl^bimus ultrl; . 
Ite procul lacrymae, purum colit sethera Damon, 
^thera purus habet, pluvium pede reppulit arcum } 
Heroumque animas inter, divosqiji^ perthnes^ j 
^thereos haurit latices & guz^dia.potat; <:. : 

Ore 

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Ore sacro* Qtiin ta coeli post jura reeepfel 
Dexter adeV} placidusque fare quicunque yocarlS) 
Seu tu noeter eri9 Darnon, shre xquior audis 
DiodotuSy mo te <imiu> nomkie cun^^i 
C3delicohe normt, syhrisque vocabere Damon. 

8u6d tibi purpm^tis ptrdor, & sine labe jurentot 
rata fvit, qtiod nulla tori libata voluptas. 
En etiam titn Tirginei senrantnr honored ; 
Ipse caput ttitidum cindns mtilante corona, 
Llef^tte firondentis gesrans umbracula pahnse 
JEtemnm perages immortades hymemeos ; 
Cantus vbij choreisqae farit lyra mista beatiSy 
Fetta SionaBO bacchantnr & Orgia thyrso* 

Jan. 23. 1646. 

Ad iMMvmu Roosnjif, Oxonieans Acadenar 

Bibiiotbecariunu 

X)e Khv Poematmn amissoi quern iUe sibi denuo mitti 
postulabati vt cum aiiis nostris in Bibliotheca publics 
reponeretf Ode. 

vjEMELLE cidui tittipKci gaudens liber^ 

Eroode licet gemint^ 

Munditieqoe nitens aos opeioal^ 

Quam manus attutit 

Juvenilis olim, 

Sedula tamen kMid mmii pofe'tt ; 

Dum va^ Ausoniav nanc per mnbras,* 

Nunc Btfitanmca per vireta krait 

Insona populi> barbt«0qiie 4gm$ 

Indakit patf i0| mox itidem pe£Kne Daunio 

Louginquum intonuit melee 

Vicinby Ik faunium vix tttigit pede s ' 

jlntistrcphe* 

Quis te panre libcr» quia te fx«i»ibu$ 
Subduxit reliquiB isio ? 

Cum 

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^t'HMU PC^W44T1# ^1^ 



Cum tu missus ab urbc, / .; ^ , > ^-rrj ^r 


'\ ' * ' 


Doao jugiturobsec^gi^t^.^ipiwo,. : .,/ ^ 


i« 


IHustre tendebas iter . ., . : ; / ; ,- 


^ 


Thamesis ad incunabula . j . : < ; 




Caeruici patris, 


/ 


Fontes ubi limpidi 




Aonidum, thyasusque sacex" 




Orbi notus per immensos ^.^ . j . . . 


' - .() 


Temporum lapsus rcdeunte coelo, ; ,: ' 


I '' : 


Celcberque futurus ia;a?vum j , . * .. " . 


.... .) 


Strophe 2. • ''■^- -■ 


. 1 


Mod5 quis deus, aut editus deo 


'-'t 


Pristinam gentis miseritus indolcm. 




(Si satis noxas luimus priores. 




MoUique luxu degener otium), - 




Tollat nefandos civium tnmyltus, - - 


■ if'- : 


Almaque revocet studia san6%us> 




Et relegatas sine sede Musas 


' 


Jame pene totis finibus Anglig^num 5 




Immundasque volucres 


' 


Unguibus imminentes 




Figat Apollinea pharetrS, 




Phineamque abigat pestem proctil *mne Pegas6o. 


': J 


Artfistrap^e* 




Quin tu, libelle, nuncii licet inali 




Fide, vel oscitaritia ' ' ^ 


// 


Semel erraveris agrT>ine fratrum,: ,! ; 


:. 


Seu quis te teneat specus, . , 


' 's'' 


Seu qua te-J^^teliMra, fors^n undi yili . ; , 


t f 4 


Callo tereris institoris insuli, ■ ^ a 


'O 


Laetare felix, en iterum tibij •{ ., 




Spes nova fulgct posse profundam 


^ 


Fugere Lethen, vehique superam 




In Jovis aulam remige penna ; 




Strophe 3. 




Nam tc RoUsius sui 


■■ 


Optat pcculi, numcroquc justo .^. . 


I. \ 


" 


Sibi 



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2f4 •UXtf^m: POiWAVAy 

Sibi pollicitum queritur abesse, 
Rogatque venias ille, ctijti9 kielylft 
Sunt data Tirum monumenta curse ; 
Teque adytis etiam sacris 
Voluit rcponi, quibus & ipse praesidct 
iEtemorum operum custos fidelisy 

auxstorque gazae nobilioria^ 
uam cui pnefuit \6n 
Clanis Erechthcides 
Opulenta Dei per tcmpla pafeiHIid 
Fuhrosque tripodas, donaque Dtlphicai 
Ton A€t2A genitus Creusl 

Antistrophe. 
Ergo tu Tisere lucos 
Musarum ibis amoenos, 
Dtamque Phoebi rursut ibis ia domuait 
Ozonia quam ralle colitt 
Dela posthabita, 
Bifidoque Parnassi jugo : 
Ibis hone$tuS| 

Postquam egregiam tu quoque sortem 
Nafius abisi dextri prece solicitatus amlei> 
Ulic legikis imer aka nomina 
Authorum, Graiae simul & Latinx 
Antique gentis iumina, & verum decus. 

Epod$s. 
Vos tandem, baud Tacui mei labores^ 
Quicquid hoc sterile fudit ingenium, 
Jam sero placidam sperare jubeo 
Perfund^am invidia requiemj sedesque treatas 
Quas bonus Hermes 
Et tutela dabit solers RoUsl ; 

?;uo neque lingua procax rulgi penetiSiMti atqtie longd 
urba legentum prava fiacesset ; 
At ultimi nepotesi 
Et cordatior aetas 
Judicta rebus xquiora fbrsitan 
Adhibebit integro sinu. 
Turn livore sepulto^ 

Si 

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UILTOMI POEMATA. tfg 

Si quid meremur sana posteritas sciet 
Rolisio f avente. 

Ode tribus constat Strophis, totidemque Antistro* 
phis, una demum Epodo clausis ; quas, tametsi omnes 
nee versuum numero, nee certis, ubique coiis exa£l2 
respondeanty ita tamen secuimus, commodd legendt 
potiilkSy qu^m ad antiques concinendi modos rationem 
spediantes. Alioquin hoc genus re^iiis fortasse did 
monostrophicum debuerat. Metra paitim sunt uara 
ffX^^^^h partim a7ro\B7<ufAeva. Phaleucia quae sunt) Spon» 
dasum tertio loco bis admittunt, quod idem in secundo 
loco Catullus ad libitum fecit* 

M Christinam Suecorum Regtnam nomtne Cromwil/i*» 

BeLLIPOTENS Virgo, scptem re^na Trionum, 

Christina, Arftoi lucida steila poll, 
Cernis quas merui dura sub casside rugas^ 

Utque senex armis impiger ora ttro ; 
Invia fatorum dum per vestigia nitor, 

Exequor & populi fortia jussa manu. 
Ast tibi submittit frontem reverentior umbra | 

Nee sunt hi vuitus Regibus usque truces* 

* These verses were sent to ChrUtina, Queen of Sweden widi 
CromweU*s pidure, aifd are by Rome ascribed to Andrew Marvel, 
as by others to Milton : but I should rather think they were Mil- 
ten'* being more within hit province as lAtin Secretary; Nswtom t 



FINIS. 



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