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 PARADISE REGAINED.
 
 Printed by S. HAMILTON, Weybridge, Surrey.

 
 
 Published bj J. Mawnum and the other Proprietors 
 1817
 
 PARADISE REGAINED, 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN MILTON. 
 
 SELECT NOTES SUBJOINED; 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED, 
 
 A COMPLETE COLLECTION 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS, 
 
 ENGLISH AND LATIN. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR F.C. AND J. RIVINGTON; J.NICHOLS AND SON; 
 G.WILKIE} J.NUNN; CADELLAND DAVIES; CARPENTER 
 AND SON ; SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN ; LONGMAN, 
 HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN ; JOHN RICHARDSON ; 
 LACKINGTON AND CO.; W. LOWNDES; GALE AND FENNER ; 
 J. OTRIDGE; W.STEWART; J. MAWMAN J WALKER AND 
 EDWARDS; BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; R. HUNTER ; 
 AND G. COWIE AND CO. 
 
 1817.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The Subject proposed. Invocation of the Holy Spirit The Poem 
 opens with John baptizing at the river Jordan. Jesus coming 
 there is baptized; and is attested, by the descent of the Holy 
 Ghost, and by a voice from Heaven, to be the Son of God. 
 Satan, who is present, upon this, immediately flies up into the 
 regions of the air; where, summoning his infernal' Council, he 
 acquaints them with his apprehensions that Jesus is that Seed of 
 the Woman, destined to destroy all their power ; and points out 
 to them the immediate necessity of bringing the matter to proof, 
 and of attempting, by snares and fraud, to counteract and defeat 
 the person, from whom they have so much to dread. This office 
 he offers himself to undertake; and, his offer being accepted, 
 sets out on his enterprise. In the mean time God, in the as- 
 sembly of holy Angels, declares that he has given up his Son 
 to be v tempted by Satan; but foretels that the Tempter shall 
 be completely defeated by him: upon which the Angels sing 
 a hymn of triumph. Jesus is led up by the Spirit into the 
 wilderness, while he is meditating on the commencement of his 
 great office of Saviour of Mankind. Pursuing his meditations 
 he narrates, in a soliloquy, what divine and philanthropick im- 
 pulses he had felt from his early youth, and how his mother 
 Mary, on perceiving these dispositions in him, had acquainted 
 him with the circumstances of his birth, and informed him that 
 he was no less a person than the Son of God ; to which he adds 
 what his own inquiries and reflections had supplied in confirma- 
 tion of this great truth, and particularly dwells on the recent 
 attestation of it at the river Jordan. Our Lord passes forty 
 days, fasting, in the wilderness ; where the wild beasts become 
 mild and harmless in his presence. Satan now appears under 
 the form of an old peasant; and enters into discourse with our 
 
 s2
 
 IV ARGUMENT. 
 
 Lord, wondering what could have brought him alone into so 
 dangerous a place, and at the same time professing to recognize 
 him for the person lately acknowledged by John, at the river 
 Jordan, to be the Son of God. Jesus briefly replies. Satan 
 rejoins with a description of the difficulty of supporting life in 
 the wilderness ; and entreats Jesus, if he be really the Son of 
 God, to manifest his divine power, by changing some of the 
 stones into bread. Jesus reproves him, and at the same time 
 tells him that he knows who he is. Satan instantly avows him- 
 self, and offers an artful apology for himself and his conduct. 
 Our blessed Lord severely reprimands him, and refutes every 
 part of his justification. Satan, with much semblance of humi- 
 lity, still endeavours to justify himself; and, professing his ad- 
 miration of Jesus and his regard for virtue, requests to be per- 
 mitted at a future time to hear more of his conversation ; but is 
 answered, that this must be as he shall find permission from 
 above. Satan then disappears, and the Book closes with a short 
 description of night coming on in the desert
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 I, WHO ere while the happy garden sung 
 By one Man's disobedience lost, now sing 
 Recovered Paradise to all mankind, 
 By one Man's firm obedience fully tried 
 Through all temptation, and the Tempter foiled 
 In all his wites, defeated and repulsed, 
 And Eden raised in the waste wilderness. 
 
 Thou Spirit, who ledst this glorious eremite 
 Into the desert, his victorious field, 
 Against the spiritual foe, and brought'st him thence 
 By proof the undoubted Son of God, inspire, 
 As thou art wont, my prompted song, else mute; 
 And bear, through highth or depth of Nature's bounds, 
 With prosperous wing full summed, to tell of deeds 
 Above heroick, though in secret done, 
 And unrecorded left through many an age; 
 Worthy to have not remained so long unsung. 
 
 Now had the great Proclaimer, with a voice
 
 O PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I. 
 
 More awful than the sound of trumpet, cried 
 Repentance, and Heaven's kingdom nigh at hand 
 To all baptized : To his great baptism flocked 
 With awe the regions round, and with them came 
 From Nazareth the son of Joseph deemed 
 To the flood Jordan ; came, as then obscure, 
 Unmarked, unknown ; but him the Baptist soon 
 Descried, divinely warned, and witness bore 
 As to his worthier, and would have resigned 
 To him his heavenly office ; nor was long 
 His witness unconfirmed : On him baptized 
 Heaven opened, and in likeness of a dove 
 The Spirit descended, while the Father's voice 
 From Heaven pronounced him his beloved Son. 
 That heard the Adversary, who, roving still 
 About the world, at that assembly famed 
 Would not be last, and, with the voice divine 
 Nigh thunder-struck, the exalted Man, to whom 
 Such high attest was given, a while surveyed 
 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, 
 Within thick clouds and dark ten-fold involved, 
 A gloomy consistory ; and them amidst, 
 With looks aghast and sad, he thus bespake. 
 
 O ancient Powers of air, and this wide world, 
 (For much more willingly I mention air, 
 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 ruled,
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. / 
 
 In manner at our will, the affairs of earth, 
 
 Since Adam and his facile consort Eve 
 
 Lost Paradise, deceived by me 5 though since 
 
 With dread attending when that fatal wound 
 
 Shall be inflicted by the seed of Eve 
 
 Upon my head. Long the decrees of Heaven 
 
 Delay, for longest time to him is short ; 
 
 And now, too soon for us, the circling hours 
 
 This dreaded time have compassed, wherein we 
 
 Must bide the stroke of that long-threatened wound, 
 
 (At least if so we can, and by the head 
 
 Broken be not intended all our power 
 
 To be infringed, our freedom and our being, 
 
 In this fair empire won of earth and air,) 
 
 For this ill news I bring, the Woman's Seed, 
 
 Destined to this, is late of woman born. 
 
 His birth to our just fear gave no small cause: 
 
 But his growth now to youth's full flower, displaying 
 
 All virtue, grace, and wisdom to achieve 
 
 Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear. 
 
 Before him a great Prophet, to proclaim 
 
 His coming, is sent harbinger ; who all 
 
 Invites, and in the consecrated stream 
 
 Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them, so 
 
 Purified, to receive him pure, or rather 
 
 To do him honour as their king : All come, 
 
 And he himself among them was baptized j 
 
 Not thence to be more pure, but to receive 
 
 The testimony of Heaven, that who he is 
 
 Thenceforth the nations may not doubt. I saw 
 
 The Prophet do him reverence ; on him, rising
 
 8 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I. 
 
 Out of the water, Heaven above the clouds 
 
 Unfold her crystal doors ; thence on his head 
 
 A perfect dove descend, (whate'er it meant,) 
 
 And out of Heaven the sovran voice I heard, 
 
 ' This is my Son beloved, in him am pleased.' 
 
 His mother then is mortal, but his Sire 
 
 He who obtains the monarchy of Heaven; 
 
 And what will he not do to advance his Son? 
 
 His first-begot we know, and sore have felt, 
 
 When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep : 
 
 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, 
 
 But must with something sudden be opposed, 
 
 (Not force, but well-couched fraud, well-woven snares,) 
 
 Ere in the head of nations he appear, 
 
 Their king, their leader, and supreme on earth. 
 
 I, when no other durst, sole undertook 
 
 The dismal expedition to find out 
 
 And ruin Adam j and the exploit performed 
 
 Successfully : a calmer voyage now 
 
 Will waft me; and the way, found prosperous once, 
 
 Induces best to hope of like success. 
 
 He ended, and his words impression left 
 Of much amazement to the infernal crew, 
 Distracted and surprised with deep dismay 
 At these sad tidings ; but no time was then 
 For long indulgence to their fears or grief: 
 Unanimous they all commit the care
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. 
 
 And management of this main enterprise 
 To him, their great dictator, whose attempt 
 At first against mankind so well had thrived 
 In Adam's overthrow, and led their march 
 From Hell's deep-vaulted den to dwell in light, 
 Regents, and potentates, and kings, yea Gods, 
 Of many a pleasant realm and province wide. 
 So to the coast of Jordan he directs 
 His easy steps, girded with snaky wiles, 
 Where he might likeliest find this new-declared, 
 This Man of men attested Son of God, 
 Temptation and all guile on him to try^ 
 So to subvert whom he suspected raised 
 To end his reign on earth, so long enjoyed : 
 But, contrary, unweeting he fulfilled 
 The purposed counsel, pre-ordained and fixed, 
 Of the Most High ; who, in full frequence bright 
 Of Angels, thus to Gabriel smiling spake. 
 
 Gabriel, this day by proof thou shalt behold, 
 Thou and all Angels conversant on earth 
 With man or men's affairs, how I begin 
 fo verify that solemn message, late 
 On which I sent thee to the Virgin pure 
 In Galilee, that she should bear a son, 
 Great in renown, and called the Son of God ; 
 Then told'st her, doubting how these things could be 
 To her a virgin, that on her should come 
 The Holy Ghost, and the power of the Highest 
 O'er-shadow her. This Man, born and now up-grown, 
 To show him worthy of his birth divine 
 And high prediction, henceforth I expose
 
 10 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I. 
 
 To Satan; let him tempt, and now assay 
 
 His utmost subtlety, because he boasts 
 
 And vaunts of his great cunning to the throng 
 
 Of his apostasy : he might have learnt 
 
 Less overweening, since he failed in Job, 
 
 Whose constant perseverance overcame 
 
 Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. 
 
 He now shall know I can produce a Man, 
 
 Of female seed, far abler to resist 
 
 All his solicitations, and at length 
 
 All his vast force, and drive him back to Hell ~, 
 
 Winning, by conquest, what the first Man lost, 
 
 By fallacy surprised. But first I mean 
 
 To exercise him in the wilderness ; 
 
 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 : 
 
 His weakness shall o'ercome Satanick 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 
 
 This perfect Man, by merit called my Son, 
 
 To earn salvation for the sons of men. 
 
 So spake the Eternal Father, and all Heaven 
 Admiring stood a space, then into hymns 
 Burst forth, and in celestial measures moved, 
 Circling the throne and singing, while the hand 
 Sung with the voice, and this the argument. 
 
 Victory and triumph to the Son of God,
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. H 
 
 Now entering his great duel, not of arms, 
 But to vanquish by wisdom hellish wiles ! 
 The Father knows the Son ; therefore secure 
 Ventures his filial virtue, though untried, 
 Against whate'er may tempt, whate'er seduce, 
 Allure, or terrify, or undermine. 
 Be frustrate, all ye stratagems of Hell, 
 And, devilish machinations, come to nought ! 
 
 So they in Heaven their odes and vigils tuned : 
 Mean while the Son of God, who yet some days 
 Lodged in Bethabara, where John baptized, 
 Musing, and much revolving in his breast, 
 How best the mighty work he might begin 
 Of Saviour to mankind, and which way first 
 Publish his God-like office now mature, 
 One day forth walked alone, the Spirit leading 
 And his deep thoughts, the better to converse 
 With solitude, till, far from track of men, 
 Thought following thought, and step by step led on, 
 He entered now the bordering desert wild, 
 And, with dark shades and rocks environed round, 
 His holy meditations thus pursued. 
 
 O, what a multitude of thoughts at once 
 Awakened in me swarm, while I consider 
 What from within I feel myself, and hear 
 What from without comes often to my ears, 
 111 sorting with my present state compared ! 
 When I was yet a child, no childish play 
 To me was pleasing ; all my mind was set 
 Serious to learn and know, and thence to do, 
 What might be publick good ; myself I thought
 
 12 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I. 
 
 Born to that end, born to promote all truth, 
 
 All righteous things : therefore, above ray years, 
 
 The law of God I read, and found it sweet, 
 
 Made it my whole delight, and in it grew 
 
 To such perfection, that ere yet my age 
 
 Had measured twice six years, at our great feast 
 
 I went into the temple, there to hear 
 
 The teachers of our law, and to propose 
 
 What might improve my knowledge or their own ; 
 
 And was admired by all : yet this not all 
 
 To which my spirit aspired 5 victorious deeds 
 
 Flamed in my heart, heroick acts ; one while 
 
 To rescue Israel from the Roman yoke ; 
 
 Then to subdue and quell, o'er all the earth, 
 
 Brute violence and proud tyrannick power, 
 
 Till truth were freed, and equity restored : 
 
 Yet held it more humane, more heavenly, first 
 
 By winning words to conquer willing hearts, 
 
 And make persuasion do the work of fear j 
 
 At least to try, and teach the erring soul, 
 
 Not wilfully misdoing, but unware 
 
 Misled; the stubborn only to subdue. 
 
 These growing thoughts my mother soon perceiving, 
 
 By words at times cast forth, inly rejoiced, 
 
 And said to me apart ; ' High are thy thoughts, 
 
 O Son ; but nourish them, and let them soar 
 
 To what highth sacred virtue and true worth 
 
 Can raise them, though above example high; 
 
 By matchless deeds express thy matchless Sire, 
 
 For know, thou art no son of mortal man ; 
 
 Though men esteem thee low of parentage,
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. 13 
 
 Thy Father is the Eternal King who rules 
 
 All Heaven and Earth, Angels and sons of menj 
 
 A messenger from God foretold thy birth 
 
 Conceived in me a virgin j he foretold, 
 
 Thou should' st be great, and sit on David's throne, 
 
 And of thy kingdom there should be no end. 
 
 At thy nativity, a glorious quire 
 
 Of Angels, in the fields of Bethlehem, sung 
 
 To shepherds., watching at their folds by night, 
 
 And told them the Messiah now was born, 
 
 Where they might see him, and to thee they came, 
 
 Directed to the manger where thou layest, 
 
 For in the inn was left no better room : 
 
 A star, not seen before, in Heaven appearing, 
 
 Guided the wise men thither from the east, 
 
 To honour thee with incense, myrrh, and gold; 
 
 By whose bright course led on they found the place, 
 
 Affirming it thy star, new-graven in Heaven, 
 
 By which they knew the King of Israel born. 
 
 Just Simeon and prophetick Anna, warned 
 
 By visicn, found thee in the temple, and spake, 
 
 Before the altar and the vested priest, 
 
 Like things of thee to all that present stood.' 
 
 This having heard, straight I again revolved 
 
 The Law and Prophets, searching what was writ 
 
 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, even to the death, 
 
 Ere I the promised kingdom can attain, 
 
 Or work redemption for mankind, whose sins
 
 14 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I. 
 
 Full weight must be transferred upon my head. 
 Yet, neither thus disheartened or dismayed, 
 The time prefixed I waited ; when behold 
 The Baptist, (of whose birth I oft had heard, 
 Not knew by sight,) now come, who was to come 
 Before Messiah, and his way prepare ! 
 I, as all others, to his baptism came, 
 Which I believed was from above ; but he 
 Straight knew me, and with loudest voice proclaimed 
 Me him, (for it was shown him so from Heaven,) 
 Me him, whose harbinger he was; and first 
 Refused on me his baptism to confer, 
 As much his greater, and was hardly won : 
 But, as I rose out of the laving stream, 
 Heaven opened 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 Heaven, pronounced me his, 
 Me his beloved Son, in whom alone 
 He was well pleased; by which I knew the time 
 Now full, that I no more should live obscure, 
 But openly begin, as best becomes, 
 The authority which I derived from Heaven. 
 And now by some strong motion I am led 
 Into this wilderness, to what intent 
 I learn not yet ; perhaps I need not know, 
 For what concerns my knowledge God reveals. 
 So spake our Morning- Star, then in his rise, 
 And, looking round, on every side beheld 
 A pathless desert, dusk with horrid shades , 
 The way he came not having marked, return
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. 15 
 
 Was difficult, by human steps untrod ; 
 And he still on was led, but with such thoughts 
 Accompanied of things past and to come 
 Lodged in his breast, as well might recommend 
 Such solitude before choicest society; 
 Full forty days he passed, whether on hill 
 Sometimes, anon on shady vale, each night 
 Under the covert of some ancient oak 
 Or cedar to defend him from the dew, 
 Or harboured in one cave, is not revealed ; 
 Nor tasted human food, nor hunger felt 
 Till those days ended; hungered then at last 
 Among wild beasts : they at his sight grew mild, 
 Nor sleeping him nor waking harmed; his walk 
 The fiery serpent fled and noxious worm, 
 The lion and fierce tiger glared aloof. 
 But now an aged man in rural weeds, 
 Following, as seemed, the 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 
 Perused him, then with words thus uttered spake. 
 Sir, what ill chance hath brought thee to this 
 
 place 
 
 So far from path or road of men, who pass 
 In troop or caravan ? for single none 
 Durst ever, who returned, and dropt not here 
 His carcass, pined with hunger and with drouth. 
 I ask the rather, and the more admire, 
 For that to me thou seem'st the Man, whom late
 
 16 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I 
 
 
 
 Our new baptizing Prophet at the ford 
 
 Of Jordan honoured so, and called thee Son 
 
 Of God : I saw and heard, for we sometimes 
 
 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 whom the Son of God: Who brought me 
 
 hither, 
 Will bring me hence ; no other guide I seek. 
 
 By miracle he may, replied the swain ; 
 What other way I see not; for we here 
 Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inured 
 More than the camel, and to drink go far. 
 Men to much misery and hardship born : 
 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 ! 
 
 He ended, and the Son of God replied .- 
 Think'st 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 
 Our fathers here with manna ? In the mount 
 Moses was forty days, nor eat, nor drank ; 
 And forty days Elijah, without food, 
 Wandered this barren waste ; the same I now : 
 Why dost thou then suggest to me distrust, 
 Knowing who I am, as I know who thou art ! 
 Whom thus answered th'Arch-Fiend, now undisguised.
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. 17 
 
 'Tis true, I am that Spirit unfortunate, 
 
 Who, leagued with millions more in rash revolt, 
 
 Kept not my happy station, but was driven 
 
 With them from bliss to the bottomless deep, 
 
 Yet to that hideous place not so confined 
 
 By rigour unconniving, but that oft, 
 
 Leaving my dolorous prison, I enjoy 
 
 Large liberty to round this globe of earth, 
 
 Or range in the air j nor from the Heaven of Heavens 
 
 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 j 
 
 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 glibbed with lies 
 
 To his destruction, as I had in charge ; 
 
 For what he bids I do. Though I have lost 
 
 Much lustre of my native brightness, lost 
 
 To be beloved of God, I have not lost 
 
 To love, at least contemplate and admire, 
 
 What I see excellent in good, or fair, 
 
 Or virtuous ; I should so have lost all sense : 
 
 What can be then less in me than desire 
 
 To see thee and approach thee, whom I know 
 
 Declared the Son of God, to hear attent 
 
 Thy wisdom, and behold thy God-like deeds ? 
 
 Men generally think me much a foe 
 
 To all mankind : why should I ? they to me
 
 18 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I. 
 
 Never did wrong or violence ; by them 
 
 I lost not what I lost, rather by them 
 
 I gained what I have gained, and with them dwell 
 
 Copartner in these regions of the world, 
 
 If not disposer ; lend them oft my aid, 
 
 Oft my advice by presages and signs, 
 
 And answers, oracles, portents, and dreams, 
 
 Whereby they may direct 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, 
 
 That fellowship in pain divides not smart, 
 
 Nor lightens aught each man's peculiar load. 
 
 Small consolation then, were man adjoined : 
 
 This wounds me most, (what can it less ?) that Man, 
 
 Man fallen shall be restor'd, I never more. 
 
 To whom our Saviour sternly thus replied. 
 Deservedly thou griev'st, composed of lies 
 From the beginning, and in lies wilt end ; 
 Who boast'st release from Hell, and leave to come 
 Into the Heaven of Heavens : thou com'st indeed, 
 As a poor miserable captive thrall 
 Comes to the place where he before had sat 
 Among the prime in splendour, now deposed, 
 Ejected, emptied, gazed, unpitied, shunned, 
 A spectacle of ruin, or of scorn, 
 To all the host of Heaven : the happy place 
 Imparts to thee no happiness, no joy ; 
 Rather inflames thy torment ; representing 
 Lost bliss, to thee BO more communicable,
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. 19 
 
 So never more in Hell than when in Heaven. 
 But thou art serviceable to Heaven's King. 
 Wilt thou impute to obedience what thy fear 
 Extorts., or pleasure to do ill excites ? 
 What but thy malice moved thee to misdeem 
 Of righteous Job, then cruelly to afflict him 
 With all inflictions ? but his patience won. 
 The other service was thy chosen task, 
 To be a liar in four hundred mouths j 
 For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. 
 Yet thou pretend' st to truth ; all oracles 
 By thee are given, and what confessed more true 
 Among the nations ? that hath been thy craft, 
 By mixing somewhat true to vent more lies. 
 But what have been thy answers, what but dark, 
 Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding, 
 Which they who asked have seldom understood, 
 And not well understood as good not known ? 
 Who ever by consulting at thy shrine 
 Returned the wiser, or the more instruct, 
 To fly or follow what concerned him most, 
 And run not sooner to his fatal snare ? 
 For God hath justly given the nations up 
 To thy delusions ; justly, since they fell 
 Idolatrous : but, when his purpose is 
 Among them to declare his providence 
 To thee not known, whence hast thou then thy truth, 
 But from him, or his Angels president 
 In every province, who, themselves disdaining 
 To approach thy temples, give thee in command 
 What, to the smallest tittle, thou shalt say 
 
 c2
 
 20 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK I. 
 
 To thy adorers ? Thou, with trembling fear, 
 
 Or like a fawning parasite, obey'st : 
 
 Then to thyself ascrib'st the truth foretold. 
 
 But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched ; 
 
 No more shalt thou by oracling abuse 
 
 The Gentiles; henceforth oracles are ceased, 
 
 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 
 
 Into the world to teach his final will, 
 
 And sends his Spirit of truth henceforth to dwell 
 
 In pious hearts, an inward oracle 
 
 To all truth requisite for men to know. 
 
 So spake our Saviour; but the subtle Fiend, 
 Though inly stung with anger and disdain, 
 Dissembled, and this answer smooth returned. 
 Sharply thou hast insisted on rebuke, 
 And urged me hard with doings, which not will 
 But misery hath wrested from me. Where 
 Easily canst thou find one miserable, 
 And not enforced oft-times to part from truth, 
 If it may stand him more in stead to lie, 
 Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or abjnre ? 
 But thou art placed above me, thou art Lord ; 
 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 discoursed, pleasing to the ear, 
 And tuneable as sylvan pipe or song; 
 What wonder then if I delight to hear
 
 BOOK I. PARADISE REGAINED. 21 
 
 Her dictates from 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. 
 Thy Father, who is holy, wise, and pure, 
 Suffers the hypocrite or atheous priest 
 To tread his sacred courts, and minister 
 About his altar, handling holy things, 
 Praying or vowing ; and vouchsafed his voice 
 To Balaam reprobate, a prophet yet 
 Inspired : 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 
 Permission from above; thou canst not more. 
 
 He added not ; and Satan, bowing low 
 His gray dissimulation, disappeared 
 Into thin air diffused : for now began 
 Night with her sullen wings to double-shade 
 The desert; fowls in their clay nests were couched; 
 And now wild beasts came forth the woods to roam. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST BOOK.
 
 THE 
 
 SECOND BOOK 
 
 OP 
 
 PARADISE REGAINED.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The Disciples of Jesus, uneasy at his long absence, reason amongst 
 themselves concerning it. Mary also gives vent to her maternal 
 anxiety : in the expression of which she recapitulates many cir- 
 cumstances respecting the birth and early life of her Son. Sa- 
 tan again meets his Infernal Council, reports the bad success 
 of his first temptation of our Blessed Lord, and calls upon them 
 for counsel and assistance. Belial proposes the tempting of 
 Jesus with women. Satan rebukes Belial for his dissoluteness, 
 charging on him all the profligacy of that kind ascribed by the 
 poets to the Heathen Gods, and rejects his proposal as in 
 no respect likely to succeed. Satan then suggests other modes 
 of temptation, particularly proposing to avail himself of the 
 circumstance of our Lord's hungering; and, taking a band 
 of chosen Spirits with him, returns to resume his enterprise. 
 Jesus hungers in the desert Night comes on ; the manner 
 in which our Saviour passes the night is described. Morning 
 advances. Satan again appears to Jesus, and, after express- 
 ing wonder that he should be so entirely neglected in the 
 wilderness, where others had been miraculously fed, tempts him 
 with a sumptuous banquet of the .most luxurious kind. This he 
 rejects, and the banquet vanishes. Satan, finding our Lord not 
 to be assailed on the ground of appetite, tempts him again by 
 offering him riches, as the means of acquiring power : this 
 Jesus also rejects, producing many instances of great actions 
 performed by persons under virtuous poverty, and specifying the 
 danger of riches, and the cares and pains inseparable from 
 power and greatness.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 MEAN while the new-baptized, who yet remained 
 
 At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen 
 
 Him whom they heard so late expressly called 
 
 Jesus Messiah, Son of God declared, 
 
 And on that high authority had believed, 
 
 And with him talked, and with him lodged ; I mean 
 
 Andrew and Simon, famous after known, 
 
 With others though in Holy Writ not named 5 
 
 Now missing him, their joy so lately found, 
 
 (So lately found, and so abruptly gone,) 
 
 Began to doubt, and doubted many days, 
 
 And, as the days encreased, encreased 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, 
 
 And the great Thisbite, who on fiery wheels 
 
 Rode up to Heaven, yet once again to come : 
 
 Therefore, as those young prophets then with care
 
 28 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 Sought lost Elijah, so in each place these 
 
 Nigh to Bethabara, in Jericho 
 
 The city of palms, ^Enon, and Salem old, 
 
 Machserus, and each town or city walled 
 
 On this side the broad lake Genezaret, 
 
 Or in Peraea; but returned in vain. 
 
 Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek, 
 
 Where winds with reeds and osiers whispering play, 
 
 Plain fishermen, (no greater men them call,) 
 
 Close in a cottage low together got, 
 
 Their unexpected loss and plaints out breathed. 
 
 Alas, from what high hope to what relapse 
 Unlocked for are we fallen ! our eyes beheld 
 Messiah certainly now come, so long 
 Expected of our fathers ; we have heard 
 His words, his wisdom full of grace and truth ; 
 Now, now, for sure, deliverance is at hand, 
 The kingdom shall to Israel be restored ; 
 Thus we rejoiced, but soon our joy is turned 
 Into perplexity and new amaze : 
 For whither is he gone, what accident 
 Hath rapt him from us ? will he now retire 
 After appearance, and again prolong 
 Our expectation ? God of Israel, 
 Send thy Messiah forth, the time is come ! 
 Behold the kings of the earth, how they oppress 
 Thy chosen ; to what highth their power unjust 
 They have exalted, and behind them cast 
 All fear of thee j arise, and vindicate 
 Thy glory j free thy people from their yoke ! 
 But let us wait 5 thus far he hath performed,
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 29 
 
 Sent his Anointed, and to us revealed him, 
 
 By his great Prophet, pointed at and shown 
 
 In publick, and with him we have conversed ; 
 
 Let us be glad of this, and all our fears 
 
 Lay on his Providence j he will not fail. 
 
 Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, 
 
 Mock us with his blest 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 
 Others returned from Baptism, not her son, 
 Nor left at Jordan, tidings of him none, 
 Within her breast though calm, her breast though 
 
 , 
 
 pure, 
 
 Motherly cares and fears got head, and raised 
 Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus clad. 
 
 O, what avails me now that honour high 
 To have conceived of God, or that salute, 
 ' Hail, highly favoured, among women blest !' 
 While I to sorrows am no less advanced, 
 And fears as eminent, above the lot 
 Of other women, by the birth I bore; 
 In such a season born, when scarce a shed 
 CouJd be obtained to shelter him or me 
 From the bleak air ; a stable was our warmth, 
 A manger his ; yet soon enforced to fly 
 Thence into Egypt, till the murderous king 
 Were dead, who sought his life, and missing filled 
 With infant blood the streets of Bethlehem j 
 From Egypt home returned, in Nazareth
 
 30 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 Hath been our dwelling many years ; his life 
 
 Private, unactive, calm, contemplative, 
 
 Little suspicious to any king ; but now, 
 
 Full grown to man, acknowledged, as I hear, 
 
 By John the Baptist, and in publick shown, 
 
 Son owned from Heaven by his Father's voice, 
 
 I looked for some great change ; to honour ? no j 
 
 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 
 
 A sword shall pierce : this is my favoured lot, 
 
 My exaltation to afflictions high j 
 
 Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest ; 
 
 I will not argue that, nor will repine. 
 
 But where delays he now ? some great intent 
 
 Conceals him : when twelve years he scarce had seen, 
 
 I lost him, but so found, as well I saw 
 
 He could not lose himself, but went about 
 
 His Father's business ; what he meant I mused, 
 
 Since understand ; much more his absence now 
 
 Thus long to some great purpose he obscures. 
 
 But I to wait with patience am inured ; 
 
 My heart hath been a store-house long of things 
 
 And sayings laid up, portending strange events. 
 
 Thus Mary, pondering oft, and oft to mind 
 Recalling what remarkably had passed 
 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,
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 31 
 
 Into himself descended, and at once 
 
 All his great work to come before him set 5 
 
 How to begin, how to accomplish best 
 
 His end of being on earth, and mission high : 
 
 For Satan, with sly preface to return, 
 
 Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone 
 
 Up to the middle region of thick air, 
 
 Where all his potentates in council sat ; 
 
 There, without sign of boast, or sign of joy, 
 
 Solicitous and blank, he thus began. 
 
 Princes, Heaven's ancient Sons, ethereal Thrones j 
 Demonian Spirits now, from the element 
 Each of his reign allotted, rightlier called 
 Powers of fire, air, water, and earth beneath ! 
 (So may we hold our place and these mild seats 
 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 impowered, 
 Have found him, viewed him, tasted him j but find 
 Far other labour io be undergone 
 Than when I dealt with Adam, first of Men, 
 Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell, 
 However to this Man inferiour far; 
 If he be Man by mother's side, at least 
 With more than human gifts from Heaven adorned, 
 Perfections absolute, graces divine, 
 And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. 
 Therefore I am returned, lest confidence 
 Of my success with Eve in Paradise
 
 32 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 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 erst 
 Thought none my equal, now be over-matched. 
 
 So spake the old Serpent, doubting ; and from all 
 With clamour was assured their utmost aid 
 At his command: when from amidst them rose 
 Belial, the dissolutest Spirit that fell, 
 The sensuallest, and, after Asmodai, ^ 
 The fleshliest Incubus ; and thus advised. 
 
 Set women in his eye, and in his walk, 
 Among daughters of men the fairest found : 
 Many are in each region passing fair 
 As the noon sky ; more like to Goddesses 
 Than mortal creatures j graceful and discreet ; 
 Expert in amorous arts, enchanting tongues 
 Persuasive, virgin majesty with mild 
 And sweet allayed, yet terrible to approach ; 
 Skilled to retire, and, in retiring, draw 
 Hearts after them tangled in amorous nets. 
 Such object hath the power to soften and tame 
 Severest temper, smooth the rugged' st brow, 
 Enerve, and with voluptuous hope dissolve, 
 Draw out with credulous desire, and lead 
 At will the manliest, resolutest breast, 
 As the magnetick hardest iron draws. 
 Women, when nothing else, beguiled the heart 
 Of wisest Solomon, and made him build, 
 And made him bow, to the Gods of his wives. 
 
 To whom quick answer Satan thus returned.
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 33 
 
 Belial, in much uneven scale thou weigh'st 
 
 All others by thyself ; because of old 
 
 Thou thyself doat'dst on womankind, admiring 
 
 Their shape, their colour, and attractive 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, 
 
 And coupled with them, and begot a race. 
 
 Have we not seen, or by relation heard, 
 
 In courts and regal chambers how thou lurk'st, 
 
 In wood or grove, by mossy fountain side, 
 
 In valley or green meadow, to way-lay 
 
 Some beauty rare, Calisto, Clymene, 
 
 Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa, 
 
 Or Amyinone, Syrinx, many more 
 
 Too long; then lay'st thy scapes on names adored, 
 
 Apollo, Neptune, Jupiter, or Pan, 
 
 Satyr, or Faun, or Sylvan ? But these haunts 
 
 Delight not all ; among the sons of men, 
 
 How many have with a smile made small account 
 
 Of Beauty and her lures, easily scorned 
 
 All her assaults, on worthier things intent ! 
 
 Remember that Pelican conqueror, 
 
 A youth, how all the beauties of the East 
 
 He slightly viewed, and slightly overpassed; 
 
 How he, surnamed of Africa, dismissed, 
 
 In his prime youth, the fair Iberian maid. 
 
 For Solomon, he lived at ease, and full 
 
 Of honour, wealth, high fare, aimed not beyond 
 
 Higher design than to enjoy his state j
 
 34 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 Thence to the bait of women lay exposed : 
 But he, whom we attempt, is wiser far 
 Than Solomon, of more exalted mind, 
 Made and set wholly on the 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 
 Of fond desire ? Or should she, confident, 
 As sitting queen adored on Beauty's throne, 
 Descend with all her winning charms begirt 
 To enamour, as the zone of Venus once 
 Wrought that effect on Jove, so fables tell ; 
 How would one look from his majestick brow, 
 Seated as on the top of Virtue's hill, 
 Discountenance her despised, and put to rout 
 All her arrayj her female pride deject, 
 Or turn to reverent awe ! for Beauty stands 
 In the admiration only of weak minds 
 Led captive ; cease to admire, and all her plumes 
 Fall flat, and shrink into a trivial toy, 
 At every sudden slighting quite abashed. 
 Therefore with manlier objects we must try 
 His constancy ; with such as have more show 
 Of worth, of honour, glory, and popular praise, 
 Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wrecked j 
 Or that which only seems to satisfy 
 Lawful desires of nature, not beyond ; 
 And now I know he hungers, where no food 
 Is to be found, in the wide wilderness : 
 The rest commit to me 5 I shall let pass 
 No advantage, and his strength as oft assay.
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 35 
 
 He ceased, and heard their grant in loud acclaim j 
 Then forthwith to him takes a chosen band 
 Of Spirits, likest to himself in guile, 
 To be at hand, and at his beck appear, 
 If cause were to unfold some active scene 
 Of various persons, each to know his part: 
 Then to the desert takes with these his flight ; 
 Where, still from shade to shade, the Son of God 
 After forty days fasting had remained, 
 Now hungering first, and to himself thus said. 
 
 Where will this end ? four times ten days I've passed 
 Wandering this woody maze, and human food 
 Nor tasted, nor had appetite ; that fast 
 To virtue I impute not, or count part 
 Of what I suffer here ; if nature need not, 
 Or God support nature without repast 
 Though needing, 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 
 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 
 Communed in silent walk, then laid him down 
 Under the hospitable covert nigh 
 Of trees thick interwoven; there he slept, 
 And dreamed, as appetite is wont to dream, 
 Of meats and drinks, nature's refreshment sweet : 
 
 02
 
 36 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 Him thought, he by the brook of Cherith stood, 
 
 And saw the ravens with their horny beaks 
 
 Food to Elijah bringing, even and morn, 
 
 Though ravenous, taught to abstain from what they 
 
 brought : 
 
 He saw the Prophet also, how he fled 
 Into the desert, and how there he slept 
 Under a juniper ; then how awaked 
 He found his supper on the coals prepared, 
 And by the Angel was bid rise and eat, 
 And eat the second time after repose, 
 The strength whereof sufficed him forty days : 
 Sometimes that with Elijah he partook, 
 Or as a guest with Daniel at his pulse. 
 Thus wore out night j and now the herald lark 
 Left his ground-nest, high towering to descry 
 The Morn'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 j 
 Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting waked. 
 Up to a hill anon his steps he reared, 
 From whose high top to ken the prospect round, 
 If cottage were in view, sheep-cote, or herdj 
 But cottage, herd, or sheep-cote, none he saw$ 
 Only in a bottom saw a pleasant grove, 
 With chant of tuneful birds resounding loud : 
 Thither he bent his way, determined there 
 To rest at noon 5 and entered soon the shade 
 High roofed, and walks beneath, and alleys brown, 
 That opened in the midst a woody scene j 
 Nature's own work it seemed, Nature-taught Art,
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 37 
 
 And, to a superstitious eye, the haunt 
 
 Of Wood-Gods and Wood-Nymphs : he viewed it round. 
 
 When suddenly a man before him stood ; 
 
 Not rustick as before, but seemlier clad 
 
 As one in city, or court, or palace bred, 
 
 And with fair speech these words to him addressed. 
 
 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, 
 Not without hunger. Others of some note, 
 As story tells, have trod this wilderness j 
 The fugitive bond-woman, with her son 
 Out-cast Nebaioth, yet found here relief 
 By a providing Angel; all the race 
 Of Israel here had famished, had not God 
 Rained from heaven manna; and that Prophet bold, 
 Native of Thebez, wandering here was fed 
 Twice by a voice inviting him to eat : 
 Of thee these forty days none hath regard, 
 Forty and more deserted here indeed. 
 
 To whom thus Jesus. What conclud'st thou hence ? 
 They all had need ; I, as thou seest, have none. 
 
 How hast thou hunger then ? Satan replied. 
 Tell me, if food were now before thee set, 
 Wouldst thou not eat ? Thereafter as I like 
 The giver, answered 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 
 Duty and service, nor to stay till bid.
 
 38 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 But tender all their power ? Nor mention I 
 
 Meats by the law unclean, or offered first 
 
 To idols, those young Daniel could refuse ; 
 
 Nor proffered by an enemy, though who 
 
 Would scruple that, with want oppressed ? Behold, 
 
 Nature ashamed, or, better to express, 
 
 Troubled, that thou shouldst hunger, hath purveyed 
 
 From all the elements her choicest store, 
 
 To treat thee, as beseems, and as her Lord, 
 
 With honour : only deign to sit and eat. 
 
 He spake no dream ; for, 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, 
 With dishes piled, and meats of noblest sort 
 And savour ; beasts of chase, or fowl of game, 
 In pastry built, or from the spit, or boiled, 
 Gris-amber-steamed -, all fish, from sea or shore, 
 Freshet or purling brook, of shell or fin, 
 And exquisitest name, for which was drained 
 Pontus, and Lucrine bay, and Africk coast. 
 (Alas, how simple, to these cates compared, 
 Was that crude apple that diverted Eve !) 
 And at a stately side-board, by the wine 
 That fragrant smell diffused, in order stood 
 Tall stripling youths rich clad, of fairer hue 
 Than Ganymed or Hylas ; distant more 
 Under the trees now tripped, now solemn stood, 
 Nymphs of Diana's train, and Naiades 
 With fruits and flowers from Amalthea's horn, 
 And ladies of the Hesperides, that seemed
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 39 
 
 Fairer than feigned of old, or fabled since 
 
 Of faery damsels, met in forest wide 
 
 By knights of Logres, or of Lyones, 
 
 Lancelot, or Pelleas, or Pellenore. 
 
 And all the while harmonious airs were heard 
 
 Of chiming strings, or charming pipes ; and winds 
 
 Of gentlest gale Arabian odours fanned 
 
 From their soft wings, and Flora's earliest smells. 
 
 Such was the splendour ; and the Tempter now 
 
 His invitation earnestly renewed. 
 
 What doubts the Son of God to sit and eat ? 
 These are not fruits forbidden ; no interdict 
 Defends the touching of these viands pure ; 
 Their taste no knowledge works, at least of evil, 
 But life preserves, destroys life's enemy, 
 Hunger, with sweet restorative delight. 
 All these are Spirits of air, and woods, and springs, 
 Thy gentle ministers, who come to pay 
 Thee homage, and acknowledge thee their Lord : 
 What doubt' st thou, Son of God? Sit down and eat. 
 
 To whom thus Jesus temperately replied. 
 Said'st thou not that to all things I had right? 
 And who withholds my power that right to use ? 
 Shall I receive by gift what of my own, 
 When and where likes me best, I can command ? 
 I can at will, doubt not, as soon as thou, 
 Command a table in this wilderness, 
 And call swift flights of Angels ministrant 
 Arrayed in glory on my cup to attend : 
 Why shouldst thou then obtrude this diligence, 
 In vain, where no acceptance it can find ?
 
 40 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 And with my hunger what hast thou to do ? 
 
 Thy pompous delicacies I contemn, 
 
 And count thy specious gifts no gifts, but guiles. 
 
 To whom thus answered Satan malecontent. 
 That I have also power to give, thou seest j 
 If of that power I bring thee voluntary 
 What I might have bestowed on whom I pleased, 
 And rather opportunely in this place 
 Chose to impart to thy apparent need, 
 Why shouldst thou not accept it? but I see 
 What I can do or offer is suspect ; 
 Of these things others quickly will dispose, 
 Whose pains have earned the far-fet spoil. With that 
 Both table and provision vanished quite 
 With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard : 
 Only the importune Tempter still remained, 
 And with these words his temptation pursued. 
 
 By hunger, that each other creature tames, 
 Thou art not to be harmed, therefore not moved ; 
 Thy temperance, invincible besides, 
 For no allurement yields to appetite j 
 And all thy heart is set on high designs, 
 High actions : but wherewith to be achieved ? 
 Great acts require great means of enterprise ; 
 Thou art unknown, unfriended, low of birth, 
 A carpenter thy father known, thyself 
 Bred up in poverty and straits at home, 
 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,
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 41 
 
 Or at thy heels the dizzy multitude, 
 
 Longer than thou canst feed them on thy cost ? 
 
 Money brings honour, friends, conquest, and realms : 
 
 What raised Antipater the Edomite, 
 
 And his son Herod placed on Judah's throne, 
 
 Thy throne, but gold that got him puissant friends ? 
 
 Therefore, if at great things thou wouldst arrive, 
 
 Get riches first, get wealth and 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, 
 
 While virtue, valour, wisdom, sit in want. 
 
 To whom thus Jesus patiently replied. 
 Yet wealth, without these three, is impotent 
 To gain dominion, or to keep it gained. 
 Witness those ancient empires of the earth, 
 In highth of all their flowing wealth dissolved : 
 But men endued with these have oft attained 
 In lowest poverty to highest deeds ; 
 Gideon, and Jephtha, and the shepherd lad, 
 Whose offspring on the throne of Judah sat 
 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 
 Quintius, Fabricius, Curius, Regulus ? 
 For I esteem those names of men so poor, 
 Who could do mighty things, and could contemn 
 Riches, though offered from the hand of kings. 
 And what in me seems wanting, but that I
 
 42 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK II. 
 
 May also in this poverty as soon 
 
 Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more ? 
 
 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, 
 
 Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise. 
 
 What if with like aversion I reject 
 
 Riches and realms ? 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, 
 
 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 publick all this weight he bears. 
 
 Yet he, who reigns within himself, and rules 
 
 Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king ; 
 
 Which every wise and virtuous man attains ; 
 
 And who attains not, ill aspires to rule 
 
 Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes, 
 
 Subject himself to anarchy within, 
 
 Or lawless passions in him, which he serves. 
 
 But to guide nations in the way of truth 
 
 By saving doctrine, and from error lead 
 
 To know, and knowing worship God aright, 
 
 Is yet more kingly ; this attracts the soul, 
 
 Governs the inner man, the nobler part ; 
 
 That other o'er the body only reigns, 
 
 And oft by force, which, to a generous mind, 
 
 So reigning, can be no sincere delight. 
 
 Besides, to give a kingdom hath been thought
 
 BOOK II. PARADISE REGAINED. 43 
 
 Greater and nobler done, and to lay down 
 Far more magnanimous, than to assume. 
 Riches are needless then, both for themselves, 
 And for thy reason why they should be sought, 
 To gain a scepter, oftest better missed.
 
 THE 
 
 THIRD BOOK 
 
 OP
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Satan, in a speech of much flattering commendation, endeavours 
 to awaken in Jesus a passion for glory, by particularising va- 
 rious instances of conquests achieved, and great actions per- 
 formed, by persons at an early period of life. Our Lord replies, 
 by showing the vanity of worldly fame, and the improper means 
 by which it is generally attained; and contrasts with it the true 
 glory of religious patience and virtuous wisdom, as exemplified 
 in the character of Job. Satan justifies the love of glory from 
 the example of God himself, who requires it from all his crea- 
 tures. Jesus detects the fallacy of this argument, by showing 
 that, as goodness is the true ground on which glory is due to 
 the great Creator of all things, sinful Man can have no right 
 whatever to it. Satan then urges our Lord respecting his claim 
 to the throne of David : he tells him that the kingdom of 
 Judea, being at that time a province of Rome, cannot be got 
 possession of without much personal exertion on his part, and 
 presses him to lose no time in beginning to reign. Jesus refers 
 him to the time allotted for this, as for all other things; and, 
 after intimating somewhat respecting his own previous suffer- 
 ings, asks Satan, why he should be so solicitous for the exalta- 
 tion of one, whose rising was destined to be his fall. Satan re- 
 plies, that his own desperate state, by excluding all hope, leaves 
 little room for fear ; and that, as his own punishment was equally 
 doomed, he is not interested in preventing the reign of one, from 
 whose apparent benevolence he might rather hope for some in- 
 terference in his favour. Satan still pursues his former incite- 
 ments ; and, supposing that the seeming reluctance of Jesus to 
 be thus advanced might arise from his being unacquainted with 
 the world and its glories, conveys him to the summit of a high 
 mountain, and from thence shows him most of the kingdoms of 
 Asia, particularly pointing out to his notice some extraordinary 
 military preparations of the Parthians to resist the incursions of 
 the Scythians. He then informs our Lord, that he showed him
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 this purposely that he might see how necessary military exer- 
 tions are to retain the possession of kingdoms, as well as to 
 subdue them at first ; and advises him to consider how impossi- 
 ble it was to maintain Judea against two such powerful neigh- 
 bours as the Romans and Parthians, and how necessary it would 
 be to form an alliance with one or other of them. At the same 
 time he recommends, and engages to secure to him, that of the 
 Parthians ; and tells him that by this means his power will be 
 defended from any thing that Rome or Caesar might attempt 
 against it, and that he will be able to extend his glory wide, and 
 especially to accomplish, what was particularly necessary to 
 make the throne of Judea really the throne of David, the de- 
 liverance and restoration of the ten tribes, still in a state of cap- 
 tivity. Jesus, having briefly noticed the vanity of military ef- 
 forts and the weakness of the arm of flesh, says, that when the 
 time comes for ascending his allotted throne he shall not be 
 slack : he remarks on Satan's extraordinary zeal for the de- 
 liverance of the Israelites, to whom he had alwaj'S showed him- 
 self an enemy, and declares their servitude to be the conse- 
 quence of their idolatry ; but adds, that at a future time it may 
 perhaps please God to recall them, and restore them to their 
 liberty and native land.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 So spake the Son of God ; and Satan stood 
 A while, as mute, confounded what to say, 
 What to reply, confuted, and convinced 
 Of his weak arguing and fallacious drift ; 
 At length, collecting all his serpent wiles, 
 With soothing words renewed him thus accosts. 
 
 I see thou know'st what is of use to know, 
 What best to say canst say, to do canst doj 
 Thy actions to thy words accord ; thy words 
 To thy large heart give utterance due j thy heart 
 Contains of good, wise, just, the perfect 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 
 Infallible : or wert thou sought to deeds 
 That might require the array of war, thy skill 
 Of conduct would be such, that all the world
 
 50 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK III. 
 
 Could not sustain thy prowess, or subsist 
 In battle, though against thy few in arms. 
 These God-like virtues wherefore dost thou hide, 
 Affecting private life, or more obscure 
 In savage wilderness ? Wherefore deprive 
 All Earth her wonder at thy acts, thyself 
 The fame and glory; glory, the reward 
 That sole excites to high attempts, the flame 
 Of most erected spirits, most tempered pure 
 Ethereal, who all pleasures else despise, 
 All treasures and all gain esteem as dross, 
 And dignities and powers all but the highest ? 
 Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe ; the son 
 Of Macedonian Philip had ere these 
 Won Asia, and the throne of Cyrus held 
 At his dispose ; young Scipio had brought down 
 The Carthaginian pride ; young Pompey quelled 
 The Pontick king, and in triumph had rode. 
 Yet years, and to ripe years judgement mature, 
 Quench not the thirst of glory, but augment. 
 Great Julius, whom now all the world admires, 
 The more he grew in years, the more inflamed 
 With glory, wept that he had lived so long 
 Inglorious : but thou yet art not too late. 
 
 To whom our Saviour cdmly thus replied. 
 Thou neither dost persuade me to seek wealth 
 For empire's sake, nor empire to affect 
 For glory's sake, by all thy argument. 
 For what is glory but the blaze of fame, 
 The people's praise, if always praise unmixed ? 
 And what the people but a herd confused,
 
 BOOK III, PABADISE REGAINED. 51 
 
 A miscellaneous rabble who extol 
 
 Things vulgar, and, well weighed, scarce worth the 
 praise ? 
 
 They praise, and they admire, they know not what, 
 
 And know not whom, but as one leads the other ; 
 
 And what delight to be by such extolled, 
 
 To live upon their tongues, and be their talk, 
 
 Of whom to be dispraised were no small praise ? 
 
 His lot who dares be singularly good. 
 
 The intelligent among them and the wise 
 Are few, and glory scarce of few is raised. 
 This is true glory and renown, when God 
 
 Looking on the earth, with approbation marks 
 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 through Heaven and Earth, 
 As thou to thy reproach mayst well remember, 
 He asked thee, " Hast thou seen my servant Job?" 
 Famous he was in Heaven, on Earth less known ; 
 Where glory is false glory, attributed 
 To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame. 
 They err, who count it glorious to subdue 
 By conquest far and wide, to over-run 
 Large countries, and in field great battles win, 
 Great cities by assault : what do these worthies, 
 But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave 
 Peaceable nations, neighbouring, or remote, 
 Made captive, yet deserving freedom more 
 Than those their conquerours, who leave behind 
 Nothing but ruin wheresoe'er they rove, 
 
 E 2
 
 52 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK HI. 
 
 And all the flourishing works of peace destroy ; 
 Then swell with pride, and must be titled Gods, 
 Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers, 
 Worshipped with temple, priest, and sacrifice ? 
 One is the son of Jove, of Mars the other ; 
 Till conquerour Death discover them scarce men, 
 Rolling in brutish vices, and deformed, 
 Violent or shameful death their due reward. 
 But if there be in glory aught of good, 
 It may by means far different be attained, 
 Without ambition, war, or violence ; 
 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 ? 
 Poor Socrates, (who next more memorable ?) 
 By what he taught, and suffered for so doing, 
 For truth's sake suffering death, unjust, lives now 
 Equal in fame to proudest conquerours. 
 Yet if for fame and glory aught be done, 
 Aught fuffered ; if young African for fame 
 His wasted country freed from Punick rage ; 
 The deed becomes unpraised, the man at least, 
 And loses, though but verbal, his reward. 
 Shall I seek glory then, as vain men seek, 
 Oft not deserved ? I seek not mine, but his 
 Who sent me; and thereby witness whence I am. 
 To whom the Tempter murmuring thus replied. 
 Think not so slight of glory ; therein least 
 Resembling thy great Father : He seeks glory.
 
 BOOK III. PARADISE REGAINED. 53 
 
 And for his glory all things made, all things 
 Orders and governs ; nor content in Heaven 
 By all his Angels glorified, requires 
 Glory from men, from all men, good or bad, 
 Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption ; 
 Above all sacrifice, or hallowed gift, 
 Glory he requires, and glory he receives, 
 Promiscuous from all nations, Jew or Greek, 
 Or barbarous, nor exception hath declared; 
 From us, his foes pronounced, glory he exacts. 
 
 To whom our Saviour fervently replied. 
 And reason j since his Word all things produced, 
 Though chiefly not for glory as prime end, 
 But to show forth his goodness, and impart 
 His good communicable to every soul 
 Freely ; of whom what could he less expect 
 Than glory and benediction, that is, thanks, 
 The slightest, easiest, readiest recompence 
 From them who could return him nothing else, 
 And, not returning that, would likeliest render 
 Contempt instead, dishonour, obloquy ? 
 Hard recompence, 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, 
 But condemnation, ignominy, and shame? 
 Who; for so many benefits received, 
 Turned recreant to God, ingrate and false, 
 And so of all true good himself despoiled ; 
 Yet, sacrilegious, to himself would take 
 That which to God alone of right belongs :
 
 54 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK lit. 
 
 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 
 Satan had not to answer, but stood struck 
 With guilt of his own sin j for he himself, 
 Insatiable of glory, had lost all ; 
 Yet of another plea bethought him soon. 
 
 Of glory, as thou wilt, said he, so deem ; 
 Worth or not worth the seeking, let it pass. 
 But to a kingdom thou art born, ordained 
 To sit upon thy father David's throne, 
 By mother's side thy father ; though thy right 
 Be now in powerful hands, that will not part 
 Easily from possession won with arms : 
 Judaea now and all the Promised Land, 
 Reduced a province under Roman yoke, 
 Obeys Tiberius ; nor is always ruled 
 With temperate sw T ay ; oft have they violated 
 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 
 Retired unto the desert, but with arms ; 
 And o'er a mighty king so oft prevailed, 
 That by strong hand his family obtained, 
 Though priests, the crown, and David's throne usurped, 
 With Modin and her suburbs once content. 
 If kingdom move thee not, let move thee zeal 
 And dutyj zeal and duty are not slow,
 
 BOOK III. PARADISE REGAINED. 55 
 
 But on occasion's forelock watchful wait : 
 
 They themselves rather are occasion best j 
 
 Zeal of thy father's house, duty to free 
 
 Thy country from her Heathen servitude. 
 
 So shalt thou best fulfil, best verify 
 
 The Prophets old, who sung thy endless reign ; 
 
 The happier reign, the sooner it begins : 
 
 Reign then ; what canst thou better do the while ? 
 
 To whom our Saviour answer thus returned. 
 All things are best fulfilled 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. 
 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 tried in humble state, and things adverse, 
 By tribulations, injuries, insults, 
 Contempts, and scorns, and snares, and violence, 
 Suffering, abstaining, quietly expecting, 
 Without distrust or doubt, that he may know 
 What I can suffer, how obey ? Who best 
 Can suffer, best can do ; best reign, who first 
 Well hath obeyed ; 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 moves thy inquisition ? 
 Know'st thou not that my rising is thy fall, 
 And my promotion will be thy destruction ? 
 
 To whom the Tempter, inly racked, replied.
 
 56 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK III. 
 
 Let that come when it comes ; all hope is lost 
 
 Of my reception into grace : what worse ? 
 
 For where no hope is left, is left no fear: 
 
 If there be worse, the expectation more 
 
 Of worse torments me than the feeling can. 
 
 1 would be at the worst : worst is my port, 
 
 My harbour, and my ultimate repose : 
 
 The end I would attain, my final good. 
 
 My errour was my errour, and my crime 
 
 My crime j whatever, for itself condemned ; 
 
 And will alike be punished, whether thou 
 
 Reign, or reign not; though to that gentle brow 
 
 Willingly could I fly, and hope thy reign, 
 
 From that placid aspect and meek regard, 
 
 Rather than aggravate my evil state, 
 
 Would stand between me and thy Father's ire, 
 
 (Whose ire I dread more than the fire of Hell,) 
 
 A shelter, and a kind of shading cool 
 
 Interposition, as a summer's 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 the world, 
 
 That thou, who worthiest art, shouldst be their king ? 
 
 Perhaps thou linger'st, in deep thoughts detained 
 
 Of the enterprise so hazardous and high ; 
 
 No wonder ; for, though in thee be united 
 
 What of perfection can in man be found, 
 
 Or human nature can receive, consider, 
 
 Thy life hath yet been private, most part spent 
 
 At home, scarce viewed the Galilean towns, 
 
 And once a year Jerusalem, few days'
 
 BOOK III. PARADISE REGAINED. 57 
 
 Short sojourn; and what thence couldst 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, unexperienced, will be ever 
 
 Timorous and loth, with novice modesty, 
 
 (As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom,) 
 
 Irresolute, unhardy, unadventurous : 
 
 B.ut I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit 
 
 Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes 
 
 The monarchies of the earth, their pomp and state ; 
 
 Sufficient introduction to inform 
 
 Thee, of thyself so apt, in regal arts, 
 
 And regal mysteries ; that thou mayst know 
 
 How best their opposition to withstand. 
 
 With that, (such power was given him then,) he took 
 The Son of God up to a mountain high. 
 It was a mountain at whose verdant feet 
 A spacious plain, outstretched in circuit wide, 
 Lay pleasant j from his side two rivers flowed, 
 The one winding, the other straight, and left between 
 Fair champain with less rivers interveined, 
 Then meeting joined their tribute to the sea : 
 Fertile of corn the glebe, of oil, and wine} 
 Withherds the pastures thronged, with flocks the hills ; 
 Huge cities and high-towered, that well might seem 
 The seats of mightiest monarchs ; and so large 
 The prospect was, that here and there was room 
 For barren desert, fountamless and dry. 
 To this high mountain top the Tempter brought
 
 58 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK 
 
 Our Saviour, and new train of words began. 
 
 Well have we speeded, and o'er hill and dale, 
 Forest and field and flood, temples and towers, 
 Cut shorter many a league ; here thou behold'st 
 Assyria, and her empire's ancient bounds, 
 Araxes and the Caspian lake j thence on 
 As far as Indus east, Euphrates west, 
 And oft beyond : to south the Persian bay, 
 And, inaccessible, the Arabian drouth : 
 Here Nineveh, of length within her wall 
 Several days journey, built by Ninus old, 
 Of that first golden monarchy the seat, 
 And seat of Salmanassar, whose success 
 Israel in long captivity still mourns 5 
 There Babylon, the wonder of all tongues, 
 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 ; Persepolis, 
 His city, there thou seest, and Bactra there ; 
 Ecbatana her structure vast there shows, 
 And Hecatompylos her hundred gates,- 
 There Susa by Choaspes, amber stream, 
 The drink of none but kings ; of later fame, 
 Built by Emathian or by Parthian hands, 
 The great Seleucia, Nisibis, and there 
 Artaxata, Teredon, Ctesiphon, 
 Turning with easy eye, thou mayst behold. 
 All these the Parthian, (now some ages past, 
 By great Arsaces led, who founded first 
 That empire,) under his dominion holds,
 
 BOOK III. PARADISE REGAINED. 59 
 
 From the luxurious kings of Antioch won. 
 
 And just in time thou com'st to have a view 
 
 Of his great power ; for now the Parthian king 
 
 In Ctesiphoii hath gathered all his host 
 
 Against the Scythian, whose incursions wild 
 
 Have wasted Sogdiana ; to her aid 
 
 He marches now in haste ; 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 ; 
 
 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 looked, and saw what numbers numberless 
 The city gates out-poured, lightrarmed troops, 
 In coats of mail and military pride ; 
 In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong, 
 Prauncing their riders bore, the flower and choice 
 Of many provinces from bound to bound j 
 From Arachosia, from Candaor east, 
 And Margiana to the Hyrcanian cliffs 
 Of Caucasus, and dark Iberian dales j 
 From Atropatia and the neighbouring plains 
 Of Adiabene, Media, and the south 
 Of Susiana, to Balsara's haven. 
 He saw them in their forms of battle ranged, 
 How quick they wheeled, and flying behind them shot 
 Sharp sleet of arrowy showers against the face 
 Of their pursuers, and overcame by flight j 
 The field all iron cast a gleaming brown : 
 Nor wanted clouds of foot, nor on each horn
 
 60 PARADISE REGAINED. ROOK HI. 
 
 Cuirassiers all in steel for standing fight, 
 Chariots, or elephants indorsed with towers 
 Of archers ; nor of labouring pioneers 
 A multitude, with spades and axes armed 
 To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill, 
 Or where plain was raise hill, or overlay 
 With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke ; 
 Mules after these, camels and dromedaries, 
 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, from whence to win 
 The fairest of her sex Angelica, 
 His daughter, sought by many prowest knights, 
 Both Paynim, and the peers of Charlemain. 
 Such and so numerous was their chivalry : 
 At sight whereof the Fiend yet more presumed, 
 And to our Saviour thus his words renewed. 
 
 That thou mayst 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 
 By Prophet or by Angel, unless thou 
 Endeavour, as thy father David did, 
 Thou never shalt obtain ; prediction still 
 In all things, and all men, supposes means ; 
 Without means used, what it predicts revokes. 
 But, say thou wert possessed of David's throne, 
 By free consent of all, none opposite,
 
 BOOK III. PARADISE REGAINED. 61 
 
 Samaritan or Jew; how couldst thou hope 
 
 Long to enjoy it, quiet and secure, 
 
 Between two such enclosing enemies, 
 
 Roman and Parthian ? Therefore one of these 
 
 Thou must make sure thy own ; the Parthian first 
 
 By my advice, as nearer, and of late 
 
 Found able by invasion to annoy 
 
 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 : 
 
 By him thou shalt regain, without him not, 
 
 That which alone can truly re-install thee 
 
 In David's royal seat, his true successour, 
 
 Deliverance of thy brethren, those ten tribes, 
 
 Whose offspring in his territory yet serve, 
 
 In Habor, and among the 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 served, 
 
 This offer sets before thee to deliver. 
 
 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. 
 
 To whom our Saviour answered thus, unmoved. 
 Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm 
 And fragile arms, much instrument of war, 
 Long in preparing, soon to nothing brought,
 
 62 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK III. 
 
 Before mine eyes thou hast set ; and in my ear 
 
 Vented much policy, and projects deep 
 
 Of enemies, of aids, battles and leagues, 
 
 Plausible to the world, to me worth nought. 
 
 Means I must use, thou sayest ; prediction else 
 
 Will unpredict, and fail me of the throne : 
 
 My time, I told thee, (and that time for thee 
 
 Were better farthest off,) is not yet come : 
 
 WTien that comes, think not thou to find me slack 
 
 On my part aught endeavouring, or to need 
 
 Thy politick maxims, or that cumbersome 
 
 Luggage of war there shown me, argument 
 
 Of human weakness rather than of strength. 
 
 My brethren, as thou call'st them, those ten tribes 
 
 I must deliver, if I mean to reign 
 
 David's true heir, and his full scepter sway 
 
 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 numbering Israel, which cost the lives 
 
 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 
 
 From God to worship calves, the deities 
 
 Of Egypt, Baal next and Ashtaroth, 
 
 And all the idolatries of Heathen round, 
 
 Besides their other worse than heathenish crimes ; 
 
 Nor in the land of their captivity
 
 BOOK III, PARADISE REGAINED. 63 
 
 Humbled themselves, or penitent besought 
 The God of their forefathers ; but so died 
 Impenitent, and left a race behind 
 Like to themselves, distinguishable scarce 
 From Gentiles, but by circumcision vain} 
 And God with idols in their worship joined. 
 Should I of these the liberty regard, 
 Who, freed, as to their ancient patrimony, 
 Unhumbled, unrepentant, unreformed, 
 Headlong would follow ; and to their Gods perhaps 
 Of Bethel and of Dan? No; let them serve 
 Their enemies, who serve idols with God. 
 Yet he at length, (time to himself best known,) 
 Remembering Abraham, by some wonderous call 
 May bring them back, repentant and sincere, 
 And at their passing cleave the Assyrian flood, 
 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 passed : 
 To his due time and providence I leave them. 
 
 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. 
 
 END OF THE THIRD BOOK.
 
 THE 
 
 FOURTH BOOK 
 
 OF 
 
 PARADISE REGAINED.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Satan, persisting in the temptation of our Lord, shows him Impe- 
 rial Rome in its greatest pomp and splendour, as a power which 
 he probably would prefer before that of the Parthians; and tells 
 him that he might with the greatest ease expel Tiberius, restore 
 the Romans to their liberty, and make himself master not only 
 of the Roman Empire, but by so doing of the whole world, and 
 inclusively of the throne of David. Our Lord, in reply, ex- 
 presses his contempt of grandeur and worldly power, notices the 
 luxury, vanity, and profligacy of the Romans, declaring how 
 little they merited to be restored to that liberty, which they had 
 lost by their misconduct, and briefly refers to the greatness of 
 his own future kingdom. Satan, now desperate, to enhance the 
 value of his proffered gifts, professes that the only terms, on 
 which he will bestow them, are our Saviour's falling down and 
 worshipping him. Our Lord expresses a firm but temperate 
 indignation at such a proposition, and rebukes the Tempter by 
 the title of " Satan for ever damned." Satan, abashed, attempts 
 to justify himself: he then assumes a new ground of tempta- 
 tion, and, proposing to Jesus the intellectual gratifications of 
 wisdom and knowledge, points out to him the celebrated seat of 
 ancient learning, Athens, its schools, and other various resorts 
 of learned teachers and their disciples, accompanying the view 
 with a highly-finished panegyrick on the Grecian musicians, 
 poets, orators, and philosophers of the different sects. Jesus 
 replies, by showing the vanity and insufficiency of the boasted 
 Heathen philosophy ; and prefers to the music, poetry, elo- 
 quence, and didactick policy of the Greeks, those of the inspired 
 Hebrew writers. Satan, irritated at the failure of all his at- 
 tempts, upbraids the indiscretion of our Saviour in rejecting his 
 offers ; and, having, in ridicule of his expected kingdom, fore- 
 told the sufferings that our Lord was to undergo, carries him 
 back into the wilderness, and 1 leaves him there. Night comes 
 on : Satan raises a tremendous storm, and attempts further to 
 
 F 2
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 alarm Jesus with frightful dreams, and terrifick threatening 
 spectres ; which however have no effect upon him. A calm> 
 bright, beautiful morning succeeds to the horrours of the night. 
 Satan again presents himself to our blessed Lord, and, from 
 noticing the storm of the preceding night as pointed chiefly at 
 him, takes occasion once more to insult him with an account of 
 the sufferings which he was certainly to undergo. This only 
 draws from our Lord a brief rebuke. Satan, now at the height of 
 his desperation, confesses that he had frequently watched Jesus 
 from his birth, purposely to discover if he was the true Mes- 
 siah; and, collecting from what passed at the river Jordan 
 that he most probably was so, he had from that time more as- 
 siduously followed him, in hopes of gaining some advantage 
 over him, which would most effectually prove that he was not 
 really that Divine Person destined to be his " fatal Enemy." 
 In this he acknowledges that he has hitherto completely failed ; 
 but still determines to make one more trial of him. Accord- 
 ingly he conveys him to the Temple at Jerusalem, and, placing 
 him on a pointed eminence, requires him to prove his Divinity 
 either by standing there, or casting himself down with safety. 
 Our Lord reproves the Tempter, and at the same time mani- 
 fests his own Divinity by standing on this dangerous point. Sa- 
 tan, amazed and terrified, instantly falls ; and repairs to his In- 
 fernal Compeers, to relate the bad success of his enterprise. 
 Angels in the mean time convey our blessed Lord to a beautiful 
 valley, and, while they minister to him a repast of celestial food, 
 celebrate his victory in a triumphant hymn.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 PERPLEXED and troubled at his bad success 
 
 The Tempter stood, nor had what to reply, 
 
 Discovered in his fraud, thrown from his hope 
 
 So oft, and the persuasive rhetorick 
 
 That sleeked his tongue, and won so much on Eve, 
 
 So little here, nay lost; but Eve was Eve; 
 
 This far his over-match, who, self-deceived 
 
 And rash, before-hand had no better weighed 
 
 The strength he was to cope with, or his own : 
 
 But as a man, who had been matchless held 
 
 In cunning, over-reached 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, 
 
 About the wine-press where sweet must is poured, 
 
 Beat off, returns as oft with humming sound ; 
 
 Or surging waves against a solid rock,
 
 70 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 Though all to shivers dashed, the assault renew, 
 (Vain battery!) and in froth or bubbles end; 
 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 
 Of that high mountain, whence he might behold 
 Another plain, long, but in breadth not wide, 
 Washed by the southern sea, and, on the north, 
 To equal length backed with a ridge of hills 
 That screened the fruits of the earth, and seats of men, 
 From cold Septentrion blasts ; thence in the midst 
 Divided by a river, of whose banks 
 On each side an imperial city stood, 
 With towers and temples proudly elevate 
 On seven small hills, with palaces adorned, 
 Porches, and theatres, baths, aqueducts, 
 Statues, and trophies, and triumphal arcs, 
 Gardens, and groves, presented to his eyes, 
 Above the highth of mountains interposed : 
 (By what strange parallax, or optick skill 
 Of vision, multiplied through air, or glass 
 Of telescope, were curious to enquire :) 
 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 renowned, and with the spoils enriched 
 Of nations ; there the Capitol thou seest, 
 Above the rest lifting his stately head 
 On the Tarpeian rock, her citadel
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 71 
 
 Impregnable ; and there mount Palatine, 
 
 The imperial palace, compass huge, and high 
 
 The structure, skill of noblest architects, 
 
 With gilded battlements conspicuous far, 
 
 Turrets, and terraces, and glittering spires : 
 
 Many a fair edifice besides, more like 
 
 Houses of gods, (so well I have disposed 
 
 My aery microscope,) thou mayst behold, 
 
 Outside and inside both, pillars and roofs, 
 
 Carved work, the hand of famed artificers, 
 
 In cedar, marble, ivory, or gold. 
 
 Thence to the gates cast round thine eye, and see 
 
 What conflux issuing forth or entering inj 
 
 Praetors, proconsuls to their provinces 
 
 Hasting, or on return, in robes of state, 
 
 Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power, 
 
 Legions and cohorts, turms of horse and wings : 
 
 Or embassies from regions far remote, 
 
 In various habits, on the Appian road, 
 
 Or on the Emilian : some from farthest south, 
 
 Syene, and where the shadow both way falls, 
 
 Meroe, Nilotick isle; and, more to west, 
 
 The realm of Bocchus to the Black-moor sea; 
 
 From the Asian kings, and Parthian among these ; 
 
 From India and the golden Chersonese, 
 
 And utmost Indian isle Taprobane, 
 
 Dusk faces with white silken turbans wreathed ; 
 
 From Gallia, Gades, and the British west ; 
 
 Germans, and Scythians, and Sarmatians, north 
 
 Beyond Danubius to the Taurick pool. 
 
 All nations now to Rome obedience pay ;
 
 72 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 To Rome's great emperour, whose wide domain, 
 
 In ample territory, wealth, and power, 
 
 Civility of manners, arts, and arms, 
 
 And long renown, thou justly mayst prefer 
 
 Before the Parthian. These two thrones except, 
 
 The rest are barbarous, and scarce worth the sight, 
 
 Shared among petty kings too far removed : 
 
 These having shown thee, I have shown thee all 
 
 The kingdoms of the world, and all their glory. 
 
 This emperour hath no son, and now is old, 
 
 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 
 
 All publick cares, and yet of him suspicious ; 
 
 Hated of all, and hating. With what ease, 
 
 Endued with regal virtues, as thou art, 
 
 Appearing, and beginning noble deeds, 
 
 Mightst thou expel this monster from his throne, 
 
 Now made a stye ; and, in his place ascending, 
 
 A victor people free from servile yoke ! 
 
 And with my help thou mayst ; to me the power 
 
 Is given, and by that right I give it thee. 
 
 Aim therefore at no less than all the world j 
 
 Aim at the highest : without the highest attained, 
 
 Will be for thee no sitting, or not long, 
 
 On David's throne, be prophesied what will. 
 
 To whom the Son of God, unmoved, replied. 
 Nor doth this grandeur and majestick show 
 Of luxury, though called magnificence,
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 73 
 
 More than of arms before, allure mine eye, 
 
 Much less my mind ; though thou shouldst add to tell 
 
 Their sumptuous gluttonies, and gorgeous feasts 
 
 On citron tables or Atlantick stone, 
 
 (For I have also heard, perhaps have read,) 
 
 Their wines of Setia, Gales, and Falerne, 
 
 Chios, and Crete, and how they quaff in gold, 
 
 Crystal, and myrrhine cups, embossed with gems 
 
 And studs of pearl ; to me ehouldst tell, who thirst 
 
 And hunger still. Then embassies thou show'st 
 
 From nations far and nigh : 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 
 
 Of the emperour, how easily subdued, 
 
 How gloriously: I shall, thou say'st, expel 
 
 A brutish monster 5 what if I withal 
 
 Expel a Devil who first made him such ? 
 
 Let his tormenter conscience find him out j 
 
 For him I was not sent ; nor yet to free 
 
 That people, victor once, now vile and base j 
 
 Deservedly made vassal j who, once just, 
 
 Frugal, and mild, and temperate, conquered well, 
 
 But govern ill the nations under yoke, 
 
 Peeling their provinces, exhausted all 
 
 By lust and rapine ; first ambitious grown 
 
 Of triumph, that insulting vanity ; 
 
 Then cruel, by their sports to blood inured 
 
 Of fighting beasts, and men to beasts exposed j 
 
 Luxurious by their wealth, and greedier still, 
 
 And from the daily scene effeminate.
 
 74 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 What wise and valiant man would seek to free 
 These, thus degenerate, by themselves enslaved ? 
 Or could of inward slaves make outward free? 
 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 ; 
 And of my kingdom there shall be no end : 
 Means there shall be to this ; but what the means, 
 Is not for thee to know, nor me to tell. 
 
 To whom the Tempter, impudent, replied. 
 I see all offers made by me how slight 
 Thou valu'st, because offered, and reject'st: 
 Nothing will please the difficult and nice, 
 Or nothing more than still to contradict : 
 On the other side know also thou, that I 
 On what I offer set as high esteem, 
 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, given to me, I give to whom I please,) 
 No trifle ; yet with this reserve, not else, 
 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 answered with disdain. 
 I never liked thy talk, thy offers less ; 
 Now both abhor, since thou hast dared to utter 
 The abominable terms, impious condition :
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 75 
 
 But I endure the time, till which expired 
 
 Thou hast permission on me. It is written, 
 
 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 accursed ? now more accursed 
 
 For this attempt, bolder than that on Eve, 
 
 And more blasph6mous ; which expect to rue. 
 
 The kingdoms of the world to thee were given ? 
 
 Permitted rather, and by thee usurped j 
 
 Other donation none thou canst produce. 
 
 If given, by whom but by the King of kings, 
 
 God over all supreme ? If given 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 ? 
 
 To me my own, on such abhorred pact, 
 
 That I fall down and worship thee as God ? 
 
 Get thee behind me ; plain thou now appear'st 
 
 That Evil-one, Satan for ever damned. 
 
 To whom the Fiend, with fear abashed, replied. 
 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, 
 Tetrarchs of fire, air, flood, and on the earth, 
 Nations beside from all the quartered winds, 
 God of this world invoked, and world beneath : 
 Who then thou art, whose coming is foretold
 
 76 PARADISK REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 To me most fatal, me it most concerns ; 
 
 The trial hath indamaged thee no way, 
 
 Rather more honour left and more esteem ; 
 
 Me nought advantaged, missing what I aimed. 
 
 Therefore let pass, as they are transitory, 
 
 The kingdoms of this world ; I shall no more 
 
 Advise thee ; gain them as thou canst, or not. 
 
 And thou thyself seem'st otherwise inclined 
 
 Than to a worldly crown ; addicted more 
 
 To contemplation and profound dispute, 
 
 As by that early action may be judged, 
 
 When, slipping from thy mother's eye, thou went'st 
 
 Alone into the temple, there wast found 
 
 Among the gravest Rabbies, disputant 
 
 On points and questions fitting Moses' chair, 
 
 Teaching, not taught. The childhood shows the man, 
 
 As morning shows the day: be famous then 
 
 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 couched in Moses' law, 
 
 The Pentateuch, or what the Prophets wrote j 
 
 The Gentiles also know, and write, and teach 
 
 To admiration, led by Nature's light, 
 
 And with the Gentiles much thou must converse, 
 
 Ruling them by persuasion, as thou mean'st ; 
 
 Without their learning, how wilt thou with them, 
 
 Or they with thee, hold conversation meet ? 
 
 How wilt thou reason with them, how refute 
 
 Their idolisms, traditions, paradoxes ? 
 
 Errour by his own arms is best evinced.
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 77 
 
 Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount, 
 
 Westward, much nearer by southwest, behold ; 
 
 Where on the JEgean shore a city stands, 
 
 Built nobly, pure the air, and light the soil ; 
 
 Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts 
 
 And eloquence, native to famous wits 
 
 Or hospitable, in her sweet recess, 
 
 City or suburban, studious walks and shades. 
 
 See there the olive grove of Academe, 
 
 Plato's retirement, where the Attick bird 
 
 Trills her thick -warbled notes the summer long 5 
 
 There flowery hill Hymettus, with the sound 
 
 Of bees' industrious murmur, oft invites 
 
 To studious musing ; there Ilissus rolls 
 
 His whispering stream : within the walls, then view 
 
 The schools of ancient sages ; his, who bred 
 
 Great Alexander to subdue the world, 
 
 Lyceum there, and painted Stoa next : 
 
 There shalt thou hear and learn the secret power 
 
 Of harmony, in tones and numbers hit 
 
 By voice or hand ; and various-measured verse, 
 
 jEolian charms and Dorian lyrick odes, 
 
 And his, who gave them breath, but higher sung, 
 
 Blind Melesigenes, thence Homer called, 
 
 Whose poem Phoebus challenged for his own : 
 
 Thence what the lofty grave tragedians taught 
 
 In Chorus or Iambi ck, teachers best 
 
 Of moral prudence, with delight received 
 
 In brief sententious precepts, while they treat 
 
 Of fate, and chance, and change in human life, 
 
 High actions and high passions best describing :
 
 78 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 Thence to the famous orators repair, 
 Those ancient, whose resistless eloquence 
 Wielded at will that fierce democratic, 
 Shook the arsenal, and fulmined over Greece 
 To Macedon and Artaxerxes' throne : 
 To sage Philosophy next lend thine ear, 
 From Heaven descended to the low-roofed house 
 Of Socrates ; see there his tenement, 
 Whom well inspired the oracle pronounced 
 Wisest of men ; from whose mouth issued forth 
 Mellifluous streams, that watered all the schools 
 Of Academicks old and new, with those 
 Surnamed Peripateticks, and the sect 
 Epicurean, and the Stoick severe ; 
 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 joined. 
 
 To whom our Saviour sagely thus replied. 
 Think not but that I know these things, or think 
 I know them not j not therefore am I short 
 Of knowing what I ought : he, who receives 
 Light from above, from the fountain of light, 
 No other doctrine needs, though granted true ; 
 But these are false, or little else but dreams, 
 Conjectures, fancies, built on nothing firm. 
 The first and wisest of them all professed 
 To know this only, that he nothing knewj 
 The next to fabling fell, and smooth conceits ; 
 A third sort doubted all things, though plain sense ; 
 Others in virtue placed felicity,
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 79 
 
 But virtue joined with riches and long life j 
 
 In corporal pleasure he, and careless ease ; 
 
 The Stoick last in philosophick pride, 
 
 By him called virtue ; and his virtuous man, 
 
 Wise, perfect in himself, and all possessing 
 
 Equal 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, 
 
 For all his tedious talk is but vain boast,. 
 
 Or subtle shifts conviction to evade. 
 
 Alas ! what can they teach, and not mislead, 
 
 Ignorant of themselves, of God much more, 
 
 And how the world began, and how man fell 
 
 Degraded by himself, on grace depending ? 
 
 Much of the soul they talk, but all awry, 
 
 And in themselves seek virtue ; and to themselves 
 
 All glory arrogate, to God give none; 
 
 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, 
 
 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, 
 
 Deep versed in books, and shallow in himself, 
 
 Crude or intoxicate, collecting toys
 
 80 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge ; 
 
 As children gathering pebbles on the shore. 
 
 Or, if I would delight my private hours 
 
 With musick or with poem, where, so soon 
 
 As in our native language, can I find 
 
 That solace ? All our law and story strewed 
 
 With hymns, our psalms with artful terms inscribed, 
 
 Our Hebrew songs, and harps, in Babylon 
 
 That pleased so well our victors' ear, declare 
 
 That rather Greece from us these arts derived; 
 
 111 imitated, while they loudest sing 
 
 The vices of their Deities, and their own, 
 
 In fable, hymn, or song, so personating 
 
 Their Gods ridiculous, and themselves past shame. 
 
 Remove their swelling epithets, thick laid 
 
 As varnish on a harlot's cheek, the rest, 
 
 Thin sown with aught of profit or delight, 
 
 Will far be found unworthy to compare 
 
 With Sion's songs, to all true tastes excelling, 
 
 Where God is praised aright, and God-like men, 
 
 The Holiest of Holies, and his Saints, 
 
 (Such are from God inspired, not such from thee,) 
 
 Unless where moral virtue is expressed 
 
 By light of Nature, not in all quite lost. 
 
 Their orators thou then extoll'st, as those 
 
 The top of eloquence ; statists, indeed, 
 
 And lovers of their country, as may seem ; 
 
 But herein to our prophets far beneath, 
 
 As men divinely taught, and better teaching 
 
 The solid rules of civil government, 
 
 In their majestick unaffected style,
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 81 
 
 Than all the oratory of Greece and Rome. 
 In them is plainest taught, and easiest learnt, 
 What makes a nation happy, and keeps it so, 
 What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat 3 
 These only with our law best form a king. 
 
 So spake the Son of God ; but Satan, now 
 Quite at a loss, (for all his darts were spent,) 
 Thus to our Saviour with stern brow replied. 
 
 Since neither wealth nor honour, arms nor arts, 
 Kingdom nor empire pleases thee, nor aught 
 By me proposed in life contemplative 
 Or active, 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 
 To wish thou never hadst rejected, thus 
 Nicely or cautiously, my offered aid, 
 Which would have set thee in short "time with ease 
 On David's throne, or throne of all the world, 
 Now at full age, fulness of time, thy season, 
 When prophecies of thee are best fulfilled. 
 Now contrary, if I read aught in Heaven, 
 Or Heaven write aught of fate, by what the stars 
 Voluminous, or single characters, 
 In their conjunction met, give me to spell, 
 Sorrows and labours, opposition, hate 
 Attend thee, scorns, reproaches, injuries, 
 Violence and stripes, and lastly cruel death ; 
 A kingdom they portend thee, but what kingdom, 
 Real or allegorick, I discern not;
 
 82 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 Nor when -, eternal sure, as without end, 
 Without beginning ; for no date prefixed 
 Directs me in the starry rubrick set. 
 
 So saying he took, (for still he knew his power 
 Not yet expired,) and to the wilderness 
 Brought back the Son of God, and left him there, 
 Feigning to disappear. Darkness now rose, 
 As day-light sunk, and brought in lowering Night, 
 Her shadowy offspring; unsubstantial both, 
 Privation mere of light and absent day. 
 Our Saviour meek, and with untroubled mind 
 After his aery jaunt, though hurried sore, 
 Hungry and cold, betook him to his rest, 
 Wherever, under some concourse of shades, 
 Whose branching arms thick intertwined might shield 
 From dews and damps of night his sheltered head ; 
 But, sheltered, slept in vain j for at his head 
 The Tempter watched, and soon with ugly dreams 
 Disturbed his sleep. And either tropick now 
 'Gan thunder, and both ends of Heaven -, the clouds, 
 From many a horrid rift, abortive poured 
 Fierce rain with lightning mixed, water with fire 
 In ruin reconciled : nor slept the winds 
 Within their stony caves, but rushed abroad 
 From the four hinges of the world, and fell 
 On the vexed wilderness, whose tallest pines, 
 Though rooted deep as high, and sturdiest oaks, 
 Bowed 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 
 Unshaken ! Nor yet staid the terrour there ;
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 83 
 
 Infernal ghosts and hellish furies round 
 
 Environed thee, some howled, some yelled, some 
 
 shrieked, 
 
 Some bent at thee their fiery darts, while thou 
 Sat'st unappalled in calm, and sinless peace ! 
 Thus passed the night so foul, till Morning fair 
 Came forth, with pilgrim steps, in amice gray> 
 Who with her radiant finger stilled the roar 
 Of thunder, chased the clouds, and laid the winds, 
 And grisly spectres, which the Fiend had raised 
 To tempt the Son of God with terrours dire. 
 And now the sun with more effectual beams 
 Had cheered the face of earth, and dried the wet 
 From drooping plant, or dropping tree j the birds, 
 Who all things now behold more fresh and green, 
 After a night of storm so ruinous, 
 Cleared up their choicest notes in bush and spray, 
 To gratulate the sweet return of morn. 
 Nor yet, amidst this joy and brightest morn, 
 Was absent, after all his mischief done, 
 The Prince of darkness ; glad would also seem 
 Of this fair change, and to our Saviour came 3 
 Yet with no new device, (they all were spent,) 
 Rather by this his last affront resolved, 
 Desperate of better course, to vent his rage 
 And mad despite to be so oft repelled. 
 Him walking on a sunny hill he found, 
 Backed on the north and west by a thick wood ; 
 Out of the wood he starts in wonted shape, 
 And in a careless mood thus to him said. 
 Fair morning yet betides thee, Son of God, 
 
 G 2
 
 84 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 After a dismal night : I heard the wrack, 
 
 As earth and sky would mingle ; but myself 
 
 Was distant j and these flaws, though mortals fear them 
 
 As dangerous to the pillared frame of Heaven, 
 
 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 light 
 
 On man, beast, plant, wasteful and turbulent, 
 
 Like turbulencies in the affairs 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; 
 
 Of men at thee, for only thou here dwell'st. 
 
 Did I not tell thee, if thou didst reject 
 
 The perfect season offered with my aid 
 
 To win thy destined seat, but wilt prolong 
 
 All to the push of fate, pursue thy way 
 
 Of gaining David's throne, no man knows when, 
 
 For both the when and how is no where told ? 
 
 Thou shalt be what thou art ordained, no doubt , 
 
 For Angels have proclaimed it, but concealing 
 
 The time and means. Each act is rightliest done, 
 
 Not when it must, but when it may be best : 
 
 If thou observe not this, be sure to find, 
 
 What I foretold thee, many a hard assay 
 
 Of dangers, and adversities, and pains, 
 
 Ere thou of Israel's scepter get fast hold ; 
 
 Whereof this ominpus night, that closed thee round, 
 
 So many terrours, voices, prodigies,
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 85 
 
 May warn thee, as a sure fore-going sign. 
 
 So talked he, while the Son of God went on 
 And staid not, but in brief him answered thus. 
 
 Me worse than wet thou find'st not , other harm 
 Those terrours, which thou speak' st of, did me none ; 
 I never feared they could, though noising loud 
 And threatening nigh : what they can do, as signs 
 Betokening, or ill-boding, I contemn 
 As false portents, not sent from God, but thee ; 
 Who., knowing I shall reign past thy preventing, 
 Obtrud'st thy offered aid, that I, accepting, 
 At least might seem to hold all power of thee, 
 Ambitious Spirit ! and wouldst be thought my God ; 
 And storm'st refused, thinking to terrify 
 Me to thy will ! desist, (thou art discerned, 
 And toil'st in vain,) nor me in vain molest. 
 
 To whom the Fiend, now swoln with rage, replied. 
 Then, hear, O Son of David, Virgin-born, 
 For Son of God to me is yet in doubt ; 
 Of the Messiah I had heard foretold 
 By all the Prophets ; of thy birth at length, 
 Announced by Gabriel, with the first I knew, 
 And of the angelick song in Bethlehem field, 
 On thy birth-night that sung thee Saviour born. 
 From that time seldom have I ceased to eye 
 Thy infancy, thy childhood, and thy youth, 
 Thy manhood last, though yet in private bred; 
 Till at the ford of Jordan, whither all 
 Flock to the Baptist, I among the rest, 
 (Though not to be baptized,) by voice from Heaven 
 Heard thee pronounced the Son of God beloved.
 
 86 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view 
 
 And narrower scrutiny, that I might learn 
 
 In what degree or meaning thou art called 
 
 The Son of God; which bears no single sense. 
 
 The Son of God I also am, or was ; 
 
 And if I was, I am ; relation stands ; 
 
 All men are Sons of God ; yet thee I thought 
 
 In some respect far higher so declared : 
 
 Therefore I watched thy footsteps from that hour, 
 
 And followed thee still on to this waste wild ; 
 
 Where, by all best conjectures, I collect 
 
 Thou art to be my fatal enemy : 
 
 Good reason then, if I before-hand seek 
 
 To understand my adversary, who 
 
 And what he is ; his wisdom, power, intent ; 
 
 By parl or composition, truce or league, 
 
 To win him, or win from him what I can : 
 
 And opportunity I here have had 
 
 To try thee, sift thee, and confess have found tkee 
 
 Proof against all temptation, as a rock 
 
 Of adamant, and, as a center, firm ; 
 
 To the utmost of mere Man both wise and good, 
 
 Not more : for honours, riches, kingdoms, glory, 
 
 Have been before contemned, and may again. 
 
 Therefore to know what more thou art than Man, 
 
 Worth naming Son of God by voice from Heaven, 
 
 Another method I must now begin. 
 
 So saying he caught him up, and, without wing 
 Of hippogrif, bore through the air sublime, 
 Over the wilderness and o'er the plain, 
 Till underneath them fair Jerusalem,
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 87 
 
 The holy city, lifted high her towers, 
 And higher yet the glorious temple reared 
 Her pile, far off appearing like a mount 
 Of alabaster, topped with golden spires : 
 There, on the highest pinnacle, he set 
 The Son of God ; and added thus in scorn. 
 
 There stand, if thou wilt stand j to stand upright 
 Will ask thee skill; I to thy Father's house 
 Have brought thee, and highest placed: highest is 
 
 best : 
 
 Now show thy progeny ; if not to stand, 
 Cast thyself down ; safely, if Son of God : 
 For it is written, " He will give command 
 " Concerning thee to his Angels, in their hands 
 " They shall up lift thee, lest at any time 
 " Thou chance to dash thy foot against a stone." 
 
 To whom thus Jesus : Also it is written, 
 " Tempt not the Lord thy God." He said, and stood : 
 But Satan, smitten with amazement, fell. 
 As when Earth's son Antaeus, (to compare 
 Small things with greatest,) in Irassa strove 
 With Jove's Alcides, and, oft foiled, still rose, 
 Receiving from his mother Earth new strength, 
 Fresh from his fall, and fiercer grapple joined, 
 Throttled at length in the air, expired and fell ; 
 So, after many a foil, the Tempter proud, 
 Renewing fresh assaults amidst his pride, 
 Fell whence he stood to see his victor fall : 
 And as that Theban monster, that proposed 
 Her riddle, and him who solved it not devoured, 
 That once found out and solved, for grief and spite
 
 88 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 Cast herself headlong from the Ismenian steep ; 
 
 So, struck with dread and anguish, fell the Fiend, 
 
 And to his crew, that sat consulting, brought 
 
 (Joyless triumphals of his hoped success) 
 
 Ruin, and desperation, and dismay, 
 
 Who durst so proudly tempt the Son of God. 
 
 So Satan fell ; and straight a fiery globe 
 
 Of Angels on full sail of wing flew nigh, 
 
 Who on their plumy vans received him soft 
 
 From his uneasy station, and upbore, 
 
 As on a floating couch, through the blithe airj 
 
 Then, in a flowery valley, set him down 
 
 On a green bank, and set before him spread 
 
 A table of celestial food, divine 
 
 Ambrosial fruits, fetched from the tree of life, 
 
 And, from the fount of life, ambrosial drink, 
 
 That soon refreshed him wearied, and repaired 
 
 What hunger, if aught hunger, had impaired, 
 
 Or thirst : and, as he fed, angelick quires 
 
 Sung heavenly anthems of his victory 
 
 Over Temptation and the Tempter proud. 
 
 True image of the Father j whether throned 
 In the bosom of bliss, aud light of light 
 Conceiving, or, remote from Heaven, enshrined 
 In fleshly tabernacle, and human form, 
 Wandering the wilderness ; whatever place, 
 Habit, or state, or motion, still expressing 
 The Son of God, with God-like force endued 
 Against the attempter of thy Father's throne, 
 And thief of Paradise ! Him long of old 
 Thou didst debel, and down from Heaven cast
 
 BOOK IV. PARADISE REGAINED. 89 
 
 With all his army ; now thou hast avenged 
 
 Supplanted Adam, and, by vanquishing 
 
 Temptation, hast regained lost Paradise, 
 
 And frustrated the conquest fraudulent. 
 
 He never more henceforth will dare set foot 
 
 In Paradise to tempt , his snares are broke : 
 
 For, though that seat of earthly bliss be failed, 
 
 A fairer Paradise is founded now 
 
 For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou, 
 
 A Saviour, art come down to re-install, . 
 
 Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be, 
 
 Of Tempter and Temptation without fear. 
 
 But thou, infernal Serpent ! shalt not long 
 
 Rule in the clouds ; like an autumnal star, 
 
 Or lightning, thou shalt fall from Heaven, trod down 
 
 Under his feet: for proof, ere this thou feel'st 
 
 Thy wound, (yet not thy last and deadliest wound,) 
 
 By this repulse received, and hold'st in Hell 
 
 No triumph : in all her gates Abaddon rues 
 
 Thy bold attempt. Hereafter learn with awe 
 
 To dread the Son of God : He, all unarmed, 
 
 Shall chase thee, with the terrour of his voice, 
 
 From thy demoniack holds, possession foul, 
 
 Thee and thy legions ; yelling they shall fly, 
 
 And beg to hide them in a herd of swine, 
 
 Lest he command them down into the deep, 
 
 Bound, and to torment sent before their time. 
 
 Hail, Son of the Most High, heir of both worlds, 
 
 Queller of Satan ! On thy glorious work 
 
 Now enter ; and begin to save mankind.
 
 90 PARADISE REGAINED. BOOK IV. 
 
 Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek, 
 Sung victor, and, from heavenly feast refreshed, 
 Brought on his way with joy ; he, unobserved, 
 Home to his mother's house private returned. 
 
 END OF PARADISE REGAINED.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES, 
 
 DRAMATICK POEM. 
 
 <rTt8$,\ot.$, x. r. A. 
 
 Tragcedia est imitatio actionis seriae, &c. per misericordiarn et 
 metum perficiens talium aflectuum lustrationem. 
 
 ARISTOT. Poet. Cap. 6.
 
 OF 
 
 THAT SORT OF DRAMATICK POEM 
 
 WHICH IS CALLED TRAGEDY. 
 
 TRAGEDY, as it was anciently composed, hath been 
 ever held the gravest, moralest, and most profitable 
 of all other poems : therefore said by Aristotle to be of 
 power by raising pity and fear, or terrour, to purge the 
 mind of those and such like passions, that is, to tem- 
 per and reduce them to just measure with a kind of 
 delight, stirred up by reading or seeing those passions 
 well imitated. Nor is Nature wanting in her own ef- 
 fects to make good his assertion : for so, in physick, 
 things of melancholick hue and quality are used against 
 melancholy, sour against sour, salt to remove salt hu- 
 mours. Hence philosophers and other gravest writers, 
 as Cicero, Plutarch, and others, frequently cite out of 
 tragick poets, both to adorn and illustrate their dis- 
 course. The apostle Paul himself thought it not un- 
 worthy to insert a verse of Euripides into the text of 
 Holy Scripture, 1 Cor. xv. 33 ; and Paraeus, com- 
 menting on the Revelation, divides the whole book as 
 a tragedy, into acts distinguished each by a chorus 
 of heavenly harpings and song between. Heretofore 
 men in highest dignity have laboured not a little to
 
 94 OF TRAGEDY. 
 
 be thought able to compose a tragedy. Of that ho- 
 nour Dionysius the elder was no less ambitious, than 
 before of his attaining to the tyranny. Augustus 
 Caesar also had begun his Ajax ; but, unable to please 
 his own judgement with what he had begun, left it un- 
 finished. Seneca the philosopher is by some thought 
 the author of those tragedies (at least the best of 
 tlxem) that go under that name. Gregory Nazianzen, 
 a father of the church, thought it not unbeseeming 
 the sanctity of his person to write a tragedy, which is 
 entitled Christ Suffering. This is mentioned to vin- 
 dicate tragedy from the small esteem, or rather in- 
 famy, which in the account of many it undergoes at 
 this day with other common interludes ; happening 
 through the poet's errour of intermixing comick stuff 
 with tragick sadness and gravity; or introducing 
 trivial and vulgar persons, which by all judicious hath 
 been counted absurd; and brought in without dis- 
 cretion, corruptly to gratify the people. And though 
 Ancient Tragedy use no prologue, yet using some- 
 times, in case of self-defence, or explanation, that 
 which Martial calls an epistle ; in behalf of this tra- 
 gedy coming forth after the ancient manner, much 
 different from what among us passes for best, thus 
 much before-hand may be epistled; that Chorus is 
 here introduced after the Greek manner, not ancient 
 only but modern, and still in use among the Italians. 
 In the modelling therefore of this poem, with good 
 reason, the Ancients and Italians are rather followed, 
 as of much more authority and fame. The measure 
 of verse used in the Chorus is of all sorts, called by
 
 OF TRAGEDY. 95 
 
 the Greeks Monostrophick, or rather Apolelymenon, 
 without regard had to Strophe, Antistrophe, or Epode, 
 which were a kind of stanzas framed only for the 
 musick, then used with the Chorus that sung; not es- 
 sential to the poem, and therefore not material; or 
 being divided into stanzas or pauses, they may be 
 called Allseostropha. Division into act 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 pro- 
 duced beyond the fifth act. Of the style and uni- 
 formity, and that commonly called the plot, whether 
 intricate or explicit, which is nothing indeed but such 
 economy or disposition of the fable as may stand best 
 with versimilitude and decorum ; they only will best 
 judge who are not unacquainted with ^Eschylus, 
 Sophocles, and Euripides, the three tragick poets un- 
 equalled yet by any, and the best rule to all who en- 
 deavour to write tragedy. The circumscription of 
 time, wherein the whole drama begins and ends, is 
 according to ancient rule, and best example, within 
 the space of twenty-four hours.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Samson, made captive, blind, and now in the prison at Gaza, there 
 to labour as in a common workhouse, on a festival day, in the 
 general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a 
 place nigh, somewhat retired, there to sit a while and bemoan 
 his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by 
 certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, 
 who seek to comfort him what they can; then by his old father 
 Manoah, who endeavours the like, and withal tells him his pur- 
 pose to procure his liberty by ransom ; lastly, that this feast was 
 proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their 
 deliverance from the hands of Samson, which yet more troubles 
 him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the 
 Philistine lords for Samson's redemption ; who in the mean while 
 is visited by other persons ; and lastly by a publick officer to re- 
 quire his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to play 
 or show his strength in their presence ; he at first refuses, dis- 
 missing the pubiick officer with absolute denial to come; at 
 length, persuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to 
 go along with him, who came now the second time with great 
 threatenings to fetch him : the Chorus yet remaining on the 
 place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure ere long 
 his son's deliverance : in the midst of which discourse an He- 
 brew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and afterward more 
 distinctly, relating the catastrophe, what Samson had done 
 to the Philistines, and by accident to himself; wherewith the 
 tragedy ends.
 
 THE PERSONS. 
 
 SAMSON. 
 
 MANOAH, the Father of Samson. 
 
 DALILA, his JVife. 
 
 HARAPHA of Gath. 
 
 Publlck Officer. 
 
 Messenger. 
 
 Chorus of D unites. 
 
 The Scene before the Prison in Gaza.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Samson, [Attendant leading him.] 
 A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand 
 To these dark steps, a little further onj 
 For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade : 
 There I am wont to sit, when any chance 
 Relieves me from my task of servile toil, 
 Daily in the common prison else enjoined me, 
 Where I, a prisoner chained, scarce freely draw 
 The air imprisoned also, close and damp, 
 Unwholesome draught : but here I feel amends, 
 The breath of Heaven fresh blowing, pure and sweet, 
 With day-spring born ; here leave me to respire. 
 This day a solemn feast the people hold 
 To Dagon their sea-idol, and forbid 
 Laborious works j unwillingly this rest 
 Their superstition yields me ; hence with leave 
 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 
 
 H 2
 
 100 SAMSON AGOMSTES. 
 
 Of hornets armed, no sooner found alone, 
 
 But rush upon me thronging, and present 
 
 Times past, what once I was, and what am now. 
 
 O, wherefore was my birth from Heaven foretold 
 
 Twice by an Angel, who at last in sight 
 
 Of both my parents all in flames ascended 
 
 From off the altar, where an offering burned, 
 
 As in a fiery column charioting 
 
 His God-like presence, and from some great act 
 
 Or benefit revealed to Abraham's race ? 
 
 Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed 
 
 As of a person separate to God, 
 
 Designed for great exploits ; if I must die 
 
 Betrayed, captived, and both my eyes put out, 
 
 Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze ; 
 
 To grind in brazen fetters under task 
 
 With this Heaven-gifted strength ? O glorious strength, 
 
 Put to the labour of a beast, debased 
 
 Lower than bond-slave ! Promise was that I 
 
 Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver ! 
 
 Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 
 
 Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves, 
 
 Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke : 
 
 Yet stay, let me not rashly call in doubt 
 
 Divine prediction ; what if all foretold 
 
 Had been fulfilled but through mine own default, 
 
 Whom have I to complain of but myself ? 
 
 Who this high gift of strength committed to me, 
 
 In what part lodged, how easily bereft me, 
 
 Under the seal of silence could not keep, 
 
 But weakly to a woman must reveal &?
 
 SAMSON AOONISTES. 161 
 
 O'ercome with importunity and tears. 
 
 O impotence of mind, in body strong ! 
 
 But what is strength without a double share 
 
 Of wisdom ? vast, unwieldy, burdensome, 
 
 Proudly secure, yet liable to fall 
 
 By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, 
 
 But to subserve where wisdom bears command ! 
 
 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 
 
 Of highest dispensation, which herein 
 
 Haply had ends above my 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 
 
 Would ask a life to wail ; but chief of all, 
 
 O loss of sight, of thee I most complain ! 
 
 Blind among enemies, O worse than chains, 
 
 Dungeon, or beggery, or decrepit age ! 
 
 Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct. 
 
 And all her various objects of delight 
 
 Annulled, which might in part my grief have eased, 
 
 Inferiour to the vilest now become 
 
 Of man or worm j the vilest here excel me ; 
 
 They creep, yet see ; I, dark in light, exposed 
 
 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 to live, dead more than half. 
 
 O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, 
 
 Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse
 
 102 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Without all hope of day ! 
 
 O first created Beam, and thou great Word, 
 
 " Let there be light, and light was over all j" 
 
 Why am I thus bereaved thy prime decree? 
 
 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 necessary is to life, 
 
 And almost life itself, if it be true 
 
 That light is in the soul, 
 
 She all in every part; why was the sight 
 
 To such a tender ball as the eye confined, 
 
 So obvious and so easy to be quenched? 
 
 And not, as feeling, through all parts diffused, 
 
 That she might look at will through every pore ? 
 
 Then had I not been thus exiled from light, 
 
 As in the land of darkness, yet in light, 
 
 To live a life half dead, a living death, 
 
 And buried ; but, O yet more miserable ! 
 
 Myself my sepulchre, a moving grave j 
 
 Buried, yet not exempt, 
 
 By privilege of death and burial, 
 
 From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs ; 
 
 But made hereby obnoxious more 
 
 To all the miseries of life, 
 
 Life in captivity 
 
 Among inhuman foes. 
 
 But who are these ? for with joint pace I hear 
 
 The tread of many feet steering this way j 
 
 Perhaps my enemies, who come to stare
 
 SAMSON A60NISTES. 103 
 
 At iny affliction, and perhaps to insult, 
 Their daily practice to afflict me more. 
 
 [Enter] Chorus. 
 
 Chor. This, this is he j softly a while, 
 Let us not break in upon him : 
 O change beyond report, thought, or belief ! 
 See how he lies at random, carelessly diffused, 
 With languished head unpropped, 
 As one past hope, abandoned. 
 And by himself given over $ 
 In slavish habit, ill-fitted weeds 
 O'er- worn and soiled ; 
 
 Or do my eyes misrepresent ? Can this be he, 
 That heroick, that renowned, 
 Irresistible Samson ? whom unarmed 
 No strength of man, or fiercest wild beast, could 
 
 withstand ; 
 
 Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid; 
 Ran on embattled armies clad in iron j 
 And, weaponless himself, 
 Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery 
 Of brazen shield and spear, the hammered cuirass, 
 Chaiybean tempered steel, and frock of mail 
 Adamantean proof? 
 But safest he who stood aloof, 
 When insupportably his foot advanced, .c^sm . 
 In scorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, 
 Spurned them to death by troops. The bold Ascalonite 
 Fled from his lion ramp; old warriours turned 
 Their plated backs under his heel ; 
 Or, groveling, soiled their crested helmets in the dust.
 
 104 8AM80N AGONISTES. 
 
 Then with what trivial weapon came to hand, 
 
 The jaw of a dead ass, his sword of bone, 
 
 A thousand fore-skins fell, the flower of Palestine, 
 
 In Ramath-lechi, famous to this day. 
 
 Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders 
 bore 
 
 The gates of Azza, post, and massy bar, 
 
 Up to the hill by Hebron, seat of giants old, 
 
 No journey of a sabbath-day, and loaded so j 
 
 Like whom the Gentiles feign to bear up Heaven. 
 
 Which shall I first bewail, 
 
 Thy bondage or lost sight, 
 
 Prison within prison 
 
 Inseparably dark? 
 
 Thou art become (O worst imprisonment!) 
 
 The dungeon of thyself; thy soul, 
 
 (Which men enjoying sight oft without cause com- 
 plain) 
 
 Imprisoned now indeed, 
 
 In real darkness of the body dwells, 
 
 Shut up from outward light 
 
 To incorporate with gloomy night j 
 
 For inward light alas ! 
 
 Puts forth no visual beam. 
 
 O mirrour of our fickle state, 
 
 Since man on earth, unparallelled ! 
 
 The rarer thy example stands, 
 
 By how much from the top of wonderous glory, 
 
 Strongest of mortal men, 
 
 To lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen. 
 
 For him I reckon not in high estate
 
 SAMSON AOONISTES. 105 
 
 Whom long descent of birth, 
 
 Or the sphere of fortune, raises j 
 
 But thee whose strength, while virtue was her mate, 
 
 Might have subdued the earth, 
 
 Universally crowned with highest praises. 
 
 Sams. I hear the sound of words ; their sense the 
 
 air 
 Dissolves unjointed ere it reach my ear. 
 
 Chor. He speaks, let us draw nigh. Matchless in 
 
 might, 
 
 The glory late of Israel, now the grief; 
 We come, thy friends and neighbours not unknown, 
 From Eshtaol and Zora's fruitful vale, 
 To visit or bewail thee ; or, if better, 
 Counsel or consolation we may bring, 
 Salve to thy sores ; apt words have power to swage 
 The tumours of a troubled mind, 
 And are as balm to festered wounds. 
 
 Sams. 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 
 I would be understood j) in prosperous days 
 They swarm, but in adverse withdraw their head, 
 Not to be found, though sought. Ye see, O Friends, 
 How many evils have enclosed me round 5 
 Yet that which was the worst now least afflicts me, 
 Blindness ; for had I sight, confused with shame, 
 How could I once look up, or heave the head, 
 Who, like a foolish pilot, have shipwrecked
 
 106 .SAMSON AGOXISTEfc. 
 
 My vessel trusted to me from above, 
 Gloriously rigged ; and for a word, a tear, 
 Fool ! have divulged the secret gift of God 
 To a deceitful woman ? tell me, Friends, 
 Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool 
 In every street ? do they not say, how well 
 Are come upon him his deserts ? yet why ? 
 Immeasurable strength they might behold 
 In me, of wisdom nothing more than mean 5 
 This with the other should, at least, have paired, 
 These two, proportioned ill, drove me transverse. 
 
 "Chor. Tax not divine disposal ; wisest men 
 Have erred, and by bad women been deceived j 
 And shall again, pretend they ne'er so wise. 
 Deject not then so overmuch thyself, 
 Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides : 
 Yet truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder 
 Why thou shouldst 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 Tirana, and she pleased 
 Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed 
 The daughter of an infidel : they knew not 
 That what I motioned was of God ; I knew 
 From intimate impulse, and therefore urged 
 The marriage on ; that by occasion hence 
 I might begin Israel's deliverance, 
 The work to which I was divinely called. 
 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,
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 107 
 
 That specious monster, my accomplished snare. 
 
 I thought it lawful from my former act, 
 
 And the same end ; still watching to oppress 
 
 Israel's oppressours : of what now I suffer 
 
 She was not the prime cause, but I myself, 
 
 Who, vanquished with a peal of words, (0 weakness !) 
 
 Gave up my fort of silence to a woman. 
 
 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. 
 
 Sams. That fault I take not on me, but transfer 
 On Israel's governours and heads of tribes, 
 Who, seeing those great acts which God had done 
 Singly by me against their conquerours, 
 Acknowledged not, or not at all considered, 
 Deliverance offered : I on the other side 
 Used no ambition to commend my deeds ; 
 The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the 
 
 doer; 
 
 But they persisted deaf, and would not seem 
 To count them things worth notice, till at length 
 Their lords the Philistines with gathered powers 
 Entered Judea seeking me, who then 
 Safe to the rock of Etham was retired -, 
 Not flying, but fore-casting in what place 
 To set upon them, what advantaged best : 
 Mean while the men of Judah, to prevent 
 The harrass of their land, beset me round j 
 I willingly on some conditions came 
 Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me
 
 108 SAMSON' AGON18TES. 
 
 To the uncircumcised a welcome prey, 
 
 Bound with two cords ; but cords to me were threads 
 
 Touched with the flame : on their whole host I flew 
 
 Unarmed, and with a trivial weapon felled 
 
 Their choicest youth ; they only lived who fled. 
 
 Had Judah that day joined, or one whole tribe, 
 
 They had by this possessed the towers of Gath, 
 
 And lorded over them whom they now serve : 
 
 But what more oft, in nations grown corrupt, 
 
 And by their vices brought to servitude, 
 
 Than to love bondage more than liberty, 
 
 Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty ; 
 
 And to despise, or envy, or suspect 
 
 Whom God hath of his special favour raised 
 
 As their deliverer ? if he aught begin, 
 
 How frequent to desert him, and at last 
 
 To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds ? 
 
 Chor. Thy words to my remembrance bring 
 How Succoth and the fort of Penuel 
 Their great deliverer contemned, 
 The matchless Gideon, in pursuit 
 Of Madian and her vanquished kings ; 
 And how ingrateful Ephraim 
 Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument, 
 Not worse than by his shield and spear, 
 Defended Israel from the Ammonite, 
 Had not his prowess quelled their pride 
 In that sore battle, when so many died 
 Withotit reprieve, adjudged to death, 
 For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth. 
 
 Sams. Of such examples add me to the roll j
 
 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 109 
 
 Me easily indeed mine may neglect, 
 But God's proposed deliverance not so. 
 
 Chor. Just are the ways of God, 
 And justifiable to Men; 
 Unless there be, who think not God at all : 
 If any be, they walk obscure ; 
 For of such doctrine never was there school, 
 But the heart of the fool, 
 And no man therein doctor but himself. 
 
 Yet more there be, who doubt his ways not just, 
 As to his own edicts found contradicting, 
 Then give the reins to wandering thought, 
 Regardless of his glory's diminution; 
 Till by their own perplexities involved, 
 They ravel more, still less resolved, 
 But never find self-satisfying solution. 
 
 As if they would confine the Interminable, 
 And tie him to his own prescript, 
 Who made our laws to bind us, not himself, 
 And hath full right to exempt 
 Whom so it pleases him by choice 
 From national obstruction, without taint 
 Of sin, or legal debt; 
 For with his own laws he can best dispense. 
 
 He would not else, who never wanted means, 
 Nor in respect of the enemy just cause, 
 To set his people free, 
 Have prompted this heroick Nazarite, 
 Against his vow of strictest purity, 
 To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 
 Unclean, unchaste.
 
 110 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 Down, reason, then j at least vain reasonings, 
 
 down; 
 
 Though reason here aver, 
 That moral verdict quits her of unclean : 
 Unchaste was subsequent, her stain not his. 
 
 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. 
 
 <Sow. Ay me ! another inward grief, awaked 
 With mention of that name, renews the assault. 
 [Enter] Manoah. 
 
 Man. Brethren, and men of Dan, for such ye seem, 
 Though in this uncouth place ; if old respect, 
 As I suppose, towards your once gloried friend, 
 My son, now captive, hither hath informed 
 Your younger feet, while mine cast back with age 
 Came lagging after ; say if he be here. 
 
 Chor. As signal now in low dejected state, 
 As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. 
 
 Man. O miserable change ! is this the man, 
 That invincible Samson, far renowned, 
 The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength 
 Equivalent to Angels walked their streets, 
 None offering fight ; who single combatant 
 Duelled their armies ranked in proud array, 
 Himself an army, now unequal match 
 To save himself against a coward armed 
 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
 
 SAMSOX AGONISTES. Ill 
 
 Prayed for, but often proves our woe, our bane ? 
 
 I prayed for children, and thought barrenness 
 
 In wedlock a reproach ; I gained a son, 
 
 And such a son as all men hailed me happy j 
 
 Who would be now a father in my stead? 
 
 O wherefore did God grant me my request, 
 
 And as a blessing with such pomp adorned? 
 
 Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt 
 
 Our earnest prayers, then, given with solemn hand 
 
 As graces, draw a scorpion's tail behind ? 
 
 For this did the Angel twice descend? for this 
 
 Ordained thy nurture holy, as of a plant 
 
 Select, and sacred, glorious for a while, 
 
 The miracle of men ; then in an hour 
 
 Ensnared, assaulted, overcome, led bound, 
 
 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 
 
 Subject him to so foul indignities, 
 
 Be it but for honour's sake of former deeds. 
 
 Sams. Appoint not heavenly disposition, Father ; 
 Nothing of all these evils hath befallen me 
 But justly ; I myself have brought them on, 
 Sole author I, sole cause : if aught seem vile, 
 As vile hath been my folly, who have profaned 
 The mystery of God given me under pledge 
 Of vow, and have betrayed it to a woman, 
 A Canaanite, my faithless enemy. 
 This well I knew, nor was at all surprised,
 
 112 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 But warned by oft experience : did not she 
 
 Of Tirana first betray ine, and reveal 
 
 The secret wrested from me in her highth 
 
 Of nuptial love professed, carrying it straight 
 
 To them who had corrupted her, my spies, 
 
 And rivals ? In this other was there found 
 
 More faith, who also in her prime of love. 
 
 Spousal embraces, vitiated with gold, 
 
 Though offered only, by the scent conceived 
 
 Her spurious first-born, treason against me ? 
 
 Thrice she assayed with flattering prayers and sighs, 
 
 And amorous reproaches, to win from me 
 
 My capital secret, in what part my strength 
 
 Lay stored, in what part summed, that she might 
 
 knowj 
 
 Thrice I deluded her, and turned to sport 
 Her importunity, each time perceiving 
 How openly, and with what impudence 
 She purposed to betray me, and (which was worse 
 Than undissembled hate) with what contempt 
 She sought to make me traitor to myself j 
 Yet the fourth time, when, mustering all her wiles, 
 With blandished parlies, feminine assaults, 
 Tongue-batteries, she surceased not, day nor night, 
 To storm me over-watched, and wearied out, 
 At times when men seek most repose and rest, 
 I yielded, and unlocked her all my heart, 
 Who, with a grain of manhood well resolved, 
 Might easily have shook off all her snares j 
 But foul effeminacy held me yoked 
 Her bond-slave ; O indignity, O blot
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 113 
 
 To honour and religion ! servile mind 
 Rewarded well with servile punishment ! 
 The base degree to which I now am fallen, 
 These rags, this grinding is not yet so base 
 As was my former servitude, ignoble, 
 Unmanly, ignominious, infamous, 
 True slavery, and that blindness worse than this, 
 That saw not how degenerately I served. 
 
 Man. I cannot praise thy marriage choices, Son, 
 Rather approved them not ; but thou didst plead 
 Divine impulsion prompting how thou inightst 
 Find some occasion to infest our foes. 
 I state not that ; this I am sure, our foes 
 Found soon occasion thereby to make thee 
 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 
 Enough, and more, the burden of that fault ; 
 Bitterly hast thou paid, and still art paying, 
 That rigid score. A worse thing yet remains j 
 This day the Philistines a popular feast 
 Here celebrate in Gaza 5 and proclaim 
 Great pomp, and sacrifice, and praises loud, 
 To Dagon, as their God who hath delivered 
 Thee, Samson, bound and blind into their hands, 
 Them out of thine, who slew'st them many a slain. 
 So Dagon shall be magnified, and God, 
 Besides whom is no God, compared with idols, 
 Disglorified, blasphemed, and had in scorn
 
 114 SAMSON AGOMSTES. 
 
 By the idolatrous rout amidst their wine ; 
 Which to have come to pass by means of thee, 
 Samson, of all thy sufferings think the heaviest, 
 Of all reproach the most with shame that ever 
 Could have befallen 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 advanced his praises high 
 Among the Heathen round j to God have brought 
 Dishonour, obloquy, and oped the mouths 
 Of idolists, and atheists ; have brought scandal 
 To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt 
 In feeble hearts, propense enough before 
 To waver, or fall off and join with idols ; 
 Which is my chief affliction, shame and sorrow, 
 The anguish of my soul, that suffers not 
 Mine eye to harbour sleep, or thoughts to rest. 
 This only hope relieves me, that the strife 
 With me hath end; all the contest is now 
 'Twixt God and Dagon ; Dagon hath presumed, 
 Me overthrown, to enter lists with God, 
 His deity comparing and preferring 
 Before the God of Abraham. He, be sure, 
 Will not connive, or linger, thus provoked, 
 But will arise, and his great name assert : 
 Dagon must stoop, and shall ere long receive 
 Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil him 
 Of all these boasted trophies won on me, 
 And with confusion blank his worshippers. 
 
 Man. With cause this hope relieves thee, and these 
 words
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 115 
 
 I as a prophecy receive ; for God, 
 
 Nothing more certain, will not long defer 
 
 To vindicate the glory of his Name 
 
 Against all competition, nor will long 
 
 Endure it doubtful whether God be Lord, 
 
 Or Dagon. But for thee what shall be done ? 
 
 Thou must not, in the mean while here forgot, 
 
 Lie in this miserable loathsome plight, 
 
 Neglected. I already have made way 
 
 To some Philistian lords, with whom to treat 
 
 About thy ransom : well they may by this 
 
 Have satisfied their utmost of revenge 
 
 By pains and slaveries, worse than death, inflicted 
 
 On thee, who now no more canst do them harm. 
 
 Sams. Spare that proposal, Father j spare the 
 
 trouble 
 
 Of that solicitation ; let me here, 
 As I deserve, pay on my punishment ; 
 And expiate, if possible, my crime, 
 Shameful garrulity. To have revealed 
 Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend, 
 How heinous had the fact been, how deserving 
 Contempt, and scorn of all, to be excluded 
 All friendship, and avoided as a blab, 
 The mark of fool set on his front ? But I 
 God's counsel have not kept, his holy secret 
 Presumptuously have published, impiously, 
 Weakly at least, and shamefully ; a sin 
 That Gentiles in their parables condemn 
 To their abyss and horrid pains confined. 
 
 Man. Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite j 
 
 i2
 
 116 SAMSOX AGONISTES, 
 
 But act not in thy own affliction, Son : 
 Repent the sin ; but, if the punishment 
 Thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids ! 
 Or the execution leave to high disposal, 
 And let another hand, not thine, exact 
 Thy penal forfeit from thyself : perhaps 
 God will relent, and quit thee all his debt ; 
 Who ever more approves, and more accepts, 
 (Best pleased with humble and filial submission,) 
 Him, who, imploring mercy, sues for life, 
 Than who, self-rigorous, chooses death as due j 
 Which argues over-just, and self-displeased 
 For self-offence, more than for God offended. 
 Reject 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 mayst bring thy offerings, to avert 
 His further ire, with prayers and vows renewed. 
 Sams. His pardon I implore 5 but as for life, 
 To what end should I seek it ? when in strength 
 All mortals I excelled, and great in hopes 
 With youthful courage, and magnanimous thoughts 
 Of birth from Heaven foretold, and high exploits, 
 Full of divine instinct, after some proof 
 Of acts indeed heroick, far beyond 
 The sons of Anak, famous now and blazed, 
 Fearless of danger, like a petty God 
 I walked about admired of all and dreaded 
 On hostile ground, none daring iny affront. 
 Then swollen with pride into the snare I fell 
 Of fair fallacious looks, venereal trains,
 
 SAMSOX AGONI8TE8. 117 
 
 Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life ; 
 At length to lay my head and hallowed pledge 
 Of all my strength in the lascivious lap 
 Of a deceitful concubine, who shore me 
 Like a tame wether, all my precious fleece, 
 Then turned me out ridiculous, despoiled, 
 Shaven, and disarmed among mine enemies. 
 
 Chor. Desire of wine and all delicious drinks, 
 Which many a famous warriour overturns, 
 Thou couldst repress ; nor did the dancing ruby 
 Sparkling, out-poured, the flavour, or the smell, 
 Or taste that cheers the heart of Gods and Men, 
 Allure thee from the cool crystalline stream. 
 
 Sams. Wherever fountain or fresh current flowed 
 Against the eastern ray, translucent, pure 
 With touch ethereal of Heaven's fiery rod, 
 I drank, from the clear milky juice allaying 
 Thirst, and refreshed : nor envied them the grape 
 Whose heads that turbulent liquour fills with fumes. 
 
 Chor. O madness, to think use of strongest wines 
 And strongest drinks our chief support of health, 
 When God with these forbidden made choice to rear 
 His mighty champion, strong above compare, 
 Whose drink was only from the liquid brook. 
 
 Sams. But what availed this temperance, not 
 
 complete 
 
 Against another object more enticing? 
 What boots it at one gate to make defence, 
 And at another to let in the foe, 
 Effeminately vanquished ? by which means, 
 Now blind, disheartened, shamed, dishonoured, quelled,
 
 118 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 To what can I be useful, wherein serve 
 
 My nation, and the work from Heaven imposed, 
 
 But to sit idle on the houshold hearth, 
 
 A burdenous drone ; to visitants a gaze, 
 
 Or pitied object, these redundant locks 
 
 Robustious to no purpose clustering down, 
 
 Vain monument of strength ; till length of years 
 
 And sedentary numness craze my limbs 
 
 To a contemptible old age obscure ? 
 
 Here rather let me drudge, and earn my bread ; 
 
 Till vermin, or the draff of servile food, 
 
 Consume me, and oft-invocated death 
 
 Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. 
 
 Man. Wilt thou then serve the Philistines with 
 
 that gift 
 
 Which was expressly given thee to annoy them ? 
 Better at home lie bed-rid, not only idle, 
 Inglorious, unemployed, with age outworn. 
 But God, who caused a fountain at thy prayer 
 From the dry ground to spring, thy thirst to 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; 
 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 wonderous gifts be frustrate thus. 
 
 Sams. All otherwise to me my thoughts portend, 
 That these dark orbs no more shall treat with light, 
 Nor the other light of life continue long, 
 But yield to double darkness nigh at hand :
 
 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 119 
 
 So much I feel my genial spirits droop, 
 My hopes all flat, Nature within me seems 
 In all her functions weary of herself j 
 My race of glory run, and race of shame, 
 And I shall shortly be with them that rest. 
 
 Man. Believe not these suggestions, which proceed 
 From anguish of the mind and humours black, 
 That mingle with thy fancy. I however 
 Must not omit a father's timely care 
 To prosecute the means of thy deliverance 
 By ransom, or how else : mean while be calm, 
 And healing words from these thy friends admit. 
 
 Sams. O that Torment should not be confined 
 To the body's wounds and sores, 
 With maladies innumerable 
 In heart, head, breast, and reins 5 
 But must secret passage find 
 To the inmost mind, 
 There exercise all his fierce accidents, 
 And on her purest spirits prey, 
 As on entrails, joints, and limbs, 
 With answerable pains, but more intense, 
 Though 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 
 Rankle, and fester, and gangrene, 
 To black mortification. 
 Thoughts, my tormenters, armed with deadly stings,
 
 120 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Mangle niy apprehensive tenderest parts, 
 
 Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise 
 
 Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb 
 
 Or med'cinal liquour can asswage, 
 
 Nor breath of vernal air from snowy Alp. 
 
 Sleep hath forsook and given me o'er 
 
 To death's benumming opium as my only cure : 
 
 Thence faintings, swoonings of despair, 
 
 And sense of Heaven's desertion. 
 
 I was his nursling once, and choice delight, 
 His destined from the womb, 
 Promised by heavenly message twice descending. 
 Under his special eye 
 Abstemious I grew up, and thrived amain j 
 He led me on to mightiest deeds, 
 Above the nerve of mortal arm, 
 Against the uncircumcised, our enemies : 
 But now hath cast me off as never known, 
 And to those cruel enemies, 
 Whom I by his appointment had provoked, 
 Left me all helpless with the irreparable loss 
 Of sight, reserved alive to be repeated 
 The subject 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, 
 No long petition, speedy death, 
 The close of all my miseries, and the balm. 
 
 Chor. Many are the sayings of the wise, 
 In ancient and in modern books inrolled, 
 Extolling patience as the truest fortitude j
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 121 
 
 And to the bearing well of all calamities,, 
 
 All chances incident to man's frail life, 
 
 Consolatories writ 
 
 With studied argument, and much persuasion sought 
 
 Lenient of grief and anxious thought : 
 
 But with the afflicted in his pangs their sound 
 
 Little prevails, or rather seems a tune 
 
 Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint ; 
 
 Unless he feel within 
 
 Some source of consolation from above, 
 
 Secret refreshings, that repair his strength, 
 
 And fainting spirits uphold. 
 
 God of our fathers, what is man ! 
 That thou towards him with hand so various, 
 Or might I say contrarious, 
 
 Temper'st thy providence through his short course, 
 Not evenly, as thou rul'st 
 
 The angelick orders, and inferiour creatures mute, 
 Irrational and brute. 
 Nor do I name of men the common rout, 
 That wandering loose about 
 Grow up and perish, as the summer-fly, 
 Heads without name no more remembered j 
 But such as thou hast solemnly elected, 
 With gifts and graces eminently adorned, 
 To some great work, thy glory, 
 And people's safety, which in part they effect : 
 Yet toward these thus dignified, thon oft, 
 Amidst their highth of noon, 
 
 Changest thy countenance, and thy hand, with no 
 regard
 
 122 SAMSON AGON1STES. 
 
 Of highest favours past 
 
 From thee on them, or them to thee of service. 
 
 Nor only dost degrade them, or remit 
 To life obscured, which were a fair dismission, 
 But throw' st them lower than thou didst exalt them 
 
 high ; 
 
 Unseemly falls in human eye, 
 Too grievous for the trespass or omission j , 
 Oft leav'st them to the hostile sword 
 Of Heathen and profane, their carcasses 
 To dogs and fowls a prey, or else captived ; 
 Or to the unjust tribunals, under change of times, 
 And Condemnation of the ingrateful multitude. 
 If these they 'scape, perhaps in poverty 
 With sickness and disease thou bow'st them down, 
 Painful diseases and deformed, 
 In crude old age ; 
 
 Though not disordinate, yet causeless suffering 
 The punishment of dissolute days : in fine, 
 Just, or unjust, alike seem miserable, 
 For oft alike both come to evil end. 
 
 So deal not with this once thy glorious champion, 
 The image of thy strength, and mighty minister. 
 What do I beg ? how hast thou dealt already ! 
 Behold him in this state calamitous, and turn 
 His labours, for thou canst, to peaceful end. 
 
 But who is this, what thing of sea or land ? 
 Female of sex it seems, 
 That so bedecked, ornate, and gay, 
 Comes this way sailing 
 Like a stately ship
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 123 
 
 Of Tarsus, bound for the isles 
 
 Of Javan or Gadire 
 
 With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, 
 
 Sails filled, and streamers waving, 
 
 Courted by all the winds that hold them play, 
 
 An amber scent of odorous perfume 
 
 Her harbinger, a damsel train behind ; 
 
 Some rich Philistian matron she may seem ; 
 
 And now at nearer view, no other certain 
 
 Than Dalila thy Wife. 
 
 Sams. My Wife ! my Traitress : let her not come 
 near me. 
 
 Chor. Yet on she moves, now stands and eyes thee 
 
 fixed, 
 
 About to have spoke ; but now, with head declined, 
 Like a fair flower surcharged with dew, she weeps, 
 And words addressed seem into tears dissolved, 
 Wetting the borders of her silken veil : 
 But now again she makes address to speak. 
 [Enter] Dalila. 
 
 Dal. With doubtful feet and wavering resolution 
 I came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, 
 Which to have merited, without excuse, 
 I cannot but acknowledge ; yet, if tears 
 May expiate, (though the fact more evil drew 
 In the perverse event than I foresaw,) ru'* 
 My penance hath not slackened, though my pardon 
 No way assured. But conjugal affection, 
 Prevailing over fear and timorous doubt, 
 Hath led me on, desirous to behold 
 Once more thy face, and know of thy estate,
 
 124 SAMSON AGONISTKS. 
 
 If aught in my ability may serve 
 To lighten what thou suffer'st, and appease 
 Thy mind with what amends is in my power, 
 Though 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, 
 Then as repentant to submit, beseech, 
 And reconcilement move with feigned remorse, 
 Confess, and promise wonders in her change ; 
 Not truly penitent, but chief to try 
 Her husband, how far urged his patience bears, 
 His virtue or weakness which way to assail : 
 Then with more cautious and instructed skill 
 Again transgresses, and again submits ; 
 That wisest and best men, full oft beguiled, 
 With goodness principled not to reject 
 The penitent, but ever to forgive, 
 Are drawn to wear out miserable days, 
 Entangled with a poisonous bosom snake, 
 If not by quick destruction soon cut off, 
 As I by thee, to ages an example. 
 
 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 surcharged, 
 Or else with just allowance counterpoised, 
 I may, if possible, thy pardon find 
 The easier towards me, or thy hatred less.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 125 
 
 First granting, as I do, it was a weakness 
 
 In me, but incident to all our sex, 
 
 Curiosity, inquisitive, importune 
 
 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 ? 
 
 To what I did thou showed' st me first the way. 
 
 But I to enemies revealed, and should not : 
 
 Nor shouldst thou have trusted that to woman's frailty : 
 
 Ere I to thee, thou to thyself wast cruel. 
 
 Let weakness then with weakness come to parle, 
 
 So near related, or the same of kind, 
 
 Thine forgive mine; that men may censure thine 
 
 The gentler, if severely thou exact not 
 
 More strength from me, than in thyself was found. 
 
 And what if love, which thou interpret'st hate, 
 
 The jealousy of love, powerful of sway 
 
 In human hearts, nor less in mine towards thee, 
 
 Caused what I did ? I saw thee mutable 
 
 Of fancy, feared lest one day thou wouldst leave me 
 
 As her at Timna, sought by all means therefore 
 
 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 
 
 Thy key of strength and safety : thou wilt say, , j s ,y 
 
 Why then revealed ? I was assured by those . v g 
 
 Who tempted me, that nothing was designed ., 7 (\ 
 
 Against thee but safe custody, and hold : , P/r 
 
 That made for me ; I knew that liberty
 
 126 SAMSON AUONISTES. 
 
 Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprises, 
 
 While I at home sat full of cares and fears, 
 
 Wailing thy absence in my widowed 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. 
 
 These reasons in love's law have past for good, 
 
 Though fond and reasonless to some perhaps ; 
 
 And love hath oft, well-meaning, wrought much woe, 
 
 Yet always pity or pardon hath obtained. 
 
 Be not unlike all others, not austere 
 
 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 ! 
 That malice, not repentance, brought thee hither, 
 By this appears: I gave, thou say'st, the example, 
 I led the way 5 bitter reproach, but true ; 
 I to myself was false ere thou to me ; 
 Such pardon therefore as I give my folly, 
 Take to thy wicked deed ; which when thou seest 
 Impartial, self-severe, inexorable, 
 Thou wilt renounce thy seeking, and much rather 
 Confess it feigned : weakness is thy excuse, 
 And I believe it 5 weakness to resist 
 Philistian gold : if weakness may excuse, 
 What murderer, what traitor, parricide, 
 Incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it ? 
 All wickedness is weakness : that plea therefore
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 127 
 
 With God or Man will gain thee no remission. 
 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 I must, by thee betrayed? 
 In vain thou striv'st to cover shame with shame, 
 Or by evasions thy crime uncover'st 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, 
 What sieges girt me round, ere I consented ; 
 Which might have awed the best-resolved 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 know'st the magistrates 
 And princes of my country came in person, 
 Solicited, commanded, threatened, urged, 
 Adjured by all the bonds of civil duty 
 And of religion, pressed how just it was, 
 How honourable, how glorious, to entrap 
 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 ensnare an irreligious 
 Dishonourer of Dagon : what had I 
 To oppose against such powerful arguments ? 
 Only my love of thee held long debate, 
 And combated in silence all these reasons 
 With hard contest ; at length that grounded maxim,
 
 J28 SAMSON AGOXISTKSJ. 
 
 So rife and celebrated in the mouths 
 Of wisest men, that to the publick good 
 Private respects must yield, with grave authority 
 Took full possession of me, and prevailed ; 
 Virtue, as I thought, truth, duty, so enjoining. 
 
 Sams. I thought where all thy circling wiles would 
 
 endj 
 
 In feigned religion, smooth hypocrisy ! 
 But had thy love, still odiously pretended, 
 Been, as it ought, sincere, it would have taught thee 
 Far other reasonings, brought forth other deeds. 
 I, before all the daughters of my tribe 
 And of my nation, chose thee from among 
 My enemies, loved thee, as too well thou knew'stj 
 Too well ; unbosomed all my secrets to thee, 
 Not out of levity, but over-powered 
 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 professed : 
 Being once a wife, for me thou wast to leave 
 Parents and country ; nor was 1 their subject, 
 Nor under their protection but my own, 
 Thou mine, not theirs : if aught against my life 
 Thy country sought of thee, it sought unjustly, 
 Against the law of nature, law of nations ; 
 No more thy country, but an impious crew 
 Of men conspiring to uphold their state 
 By worse than hostile deeds, violating the ends 
 For which our country 7 is a name so dear ; 
 Not therefore to be obeyed. But zeal moved thee j
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 129 
 
 To please thy gods thou didst it j gods unable 
 
 To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes 
 
 But by ungodly deeds, the contradiction 
 
 Of their own deity, gods cannot be ; 
 
 Less therefore to be pleased, obeyed, or feared. 
 
 These false pretexts and varnished colours failing, 
 
 Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear ! 
 
 Dal. In argument with men a woman ever 
 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. 
 
 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 show what recompence 
 Towards thee I intend for what I have misdone, 
 Misguided ; only what remains past cure 
 Bear not too sensibly, nor still insist 
 To afflict thyself in vain : though sight be lost, 
 Life yet hath many solaces, enjoyed 
 Where other senses want not their delights 
 At home in leisure and domestick ease, 
 Exempt from many a care and chance, to which 
 Eye-sight exposes daily men abroad. 
 I to the Lords will intercede, not doubting 
 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
 
 130 SAM80N AGONISTES. 
 
 With all things gr?*eful cheered, and so supplied, 
 That what by me thou hast lost, thou least shalt miss. 
 
 Sams. No, no; of iny condition take no care ; 
 It fits not ; thou and I long since are twain : 
 Nor think me so unwary or accursed, 
 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 fair enchanted cup, and warbling charms, 
 No more on me have power; their force is nulled; 
 So much of adder's wisdom I have learned, 
 To fence my ear against thy sorceries. 
 If in my flower of youth and strength, when all men 
 Loved, honoured, feared me, thou alone couldst hate 
 
 me 
 
 Thy husband, slight me, sell me, and forego me ; 
 How wouldst thou use me now, blind, and thereby 
 Deceivable, in most things as a child 
 Helpless, thence easily contemned, and scorned, 
 And last neglected ! How wouldst thou insult, 
 When I must live uxorious to thy will 
 In perfect thraldom ; how again betray me, 
 Bearing my words and doings to the Lords 
 To gloss upon, and, censuring, frown or smile ! 
 Tliis jail I count the house of liberty 
 To thine, whose doors my feet shall never enter. 
 
 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
 
 by J-Mawtnan and th* other Proprietors 
 1817
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 131 
 
 Bewail thy falshood, and the pious works 
 It hath brought forth to make thee memorable 
 Among illustrious women, faithful wives ! 
 Cherish thy hastened widowhood with the gold 
 Of matrimonial treason ! so farewell. 
 
 Dal. I see thou art implacable, more deaf 
 To prayers than winds and seas ; yet winds to seas 
 Are reconciled at length, and sea to shore : 
 Thy anger, unappeasable, still rages, 
 Eternal tempest, never to be calmed. 
 Why do I humble thus myself, and, suing 
 For peace, reap nothing but repulse and hate; 
 Bid go with evil omen, and the brand 
 Of infamy upon my name denounced ? 
 To mix with thy concernments I desist 
 Henceforth, nor too much disapprove my own. 
 Fame, if not double-faced, is double-mouthed. 
 And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds ; 
 On both his wings, one black, the other white, 
 Bears greatest names in his wild aery flight. 
 My name perhaps among the circumcised 
 In Dan, in Judah, and the bordering tribes, 
 To all posterity may stand defamed, 
 With malediction mentioned, and the blot 
 Of falshood most unconjugal traduced. 
 But in my country, where I most desire, 
 In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, and in Gath, 
 I shall be named among the famousest 
 Of women, sung at solemn festivals, 
 Living and dead recorded, who, to save 
 Her country from a fierce destroyer, chose 
 
 K 2
 
 132 SAMSON AGONISTE8. 
 
 Above the faith of wedlock-bands ; iny tomb 
 
 With odours visited and annual flowers ; 
 
 Not less renowned than in mount Ephraim 
 
 Jael, who with inhospitable guile 
 
 Smote Sisera sleeping, through the temples nailed. 
 
 Nor shall I count it heinous to enjoy 
 
 The publick marks of honour and reward, 
 
 Conferred upon me for the piety, 
 
 Which to my country I was judged to have shown. 
 
 At this whoever envies or repines, 
 
 I leave him to his lot, and like my own. [Exit. 
 
 Chor. She's gone, a manifest serpent by her sting 
 Discovered in the end, till now concealed. 
 
 Sams. So let her go ; God sent her to debase me, 
 And aggravate my folly, who committed 
 To such a viper his most sacred trust 
 Of secresy, my safety, and my life. 
 
 Chor. Yet beauty, though injurious, hath strange 
 
 power, 
 
 After offence returning, to regain 
 Love once possessed, nor can be easily 
 Repulsed, without much inward passion felt 
 And secret sting of amorous remorse. 
 
 Sams. Love -quarrels oft in pleasing concord end, 
 Not wedlock-treachery endangering life. 
 
 Chor. It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, 
 Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit, 
 That woman's love can win or long inherit ; 
 But what it is, hard is to say, 
 Harder to hit, 
 (Which way soever men refer it,)
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 133 
 
 Much like thy riddle, Samson, in one day 
 Or seven, though one should musing sit. 
 
 If any of these, or all, the Timnian bride 
 Had not so soon preferred 
 Thy paranymph, worthless to thee compared, 
 Successour in thy bed, 
 Nor both so loosly disallied 
 Their nuptials, nor this last so treacherously 
 Had shorn the fatal harvest of thy head. 
 Is it for that such outward ornament 
 Was lavished on their sex, that inward gifts 
 Were left for haste unfinished, judgement scant, 
 Capacity not raised to apprehend 
 Or value what is best 
 In choice, but oftest to affect the wrong ? 
 Or was too much of self-love mixed, 
 Of constancy no root infixed, 
 That either they love nothing, or not long ? 
 
 Whate'er it be, to wisest men and best 
 Seeming at first all heavenly under virgin veil, 
 Soft, modest, meek, demure, 
 Once joined, 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 
 Draws him awry enslaved 
 With dotage, and his sense depraved 
 To folly and shameful deeds which ruin ends. 
 What pilot so expert but needs must wreck, 
 Lrnbarked with such a steers-mate at the helm I 
 
 Favoured of Heaven, who finds
 
 134 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 
 
 One virtuous, rarely found, 
 
 That in domestick good combines : 
 
 Happy that house ! his way to peace is smooth : 
 
 But virtue, which breaks through all opposition, 
 
 And all temptation can remove, 
 
 Most shines, and most is acceptable above. 
 
 Therefore God's universal law 
 Gave to the man despotick power 
 Over his female in due awe, 
 Nor from that right to part an hour, 
 Smile she or lour : 
 So shall he least confusion draw 
 On his whole life, not swayed 
 By female usurpation, or dismayed. 
 
 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 past. 
 
 Chor. Look now for no enchanting voice, nor fear 
 The bait of honied words ; a rougher tongue 
 Draws hitherward ; I know him by his stride, 
 The giant Harapha of Gath, his look 
 Haughty, as is his pile high-built and proud. 
 Comes he in peace? what wind hath blown him 
 
 hither 
 
 I less conjecture than when first I saw 
 The sumptuous Dalila floating this way : 
 His habit carries peace, his brow defiance. 
 
 Sams. Or peace or not, alike to me he comes. 
 
 Chor. His fraught we soon shall know, he now 
 arrives.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 135 
 
 [Enter] Harapha. 
 
 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 Gath j 
 Men call me Harapha, of stock renowned 
 As Og, or Anak, and the Emims old 
 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 displeased, 
 That I was never present on the place 
 Of those encounters, where we might have tried 
 Each other's force in camp or listed field j 
 And now am come to see of whom such noise 
 Hath walked about, and each limb to survey, 
 If thy appearance answer loud report. 
 
 Sams. The way to know were not to see but taste. 
 
 Har. Dost thou already single me ? I thought 
 -Gyves and the mill had tamed thee. O that fortune 
 Had brought me to the field, where thou art famed 
 To have wrought such wonders with an ass's jaw ! 
 I should have forced thee soon with other arms, 
 Or left thy carcass where the ass lay thrown : 
 So had the glory of prowess been recovered 
 To Palestine, won by a Philistine, 
 From the unforeskined race, of whom thou bearest 
 The highest name for valiant acts j that honour, 
 Certain to have won by mortal duel from thee, 
 I lose, prevented by thy eyes put out. 
 
 Sams. Boast not of what thou wouldst have done, 
 but do
 
 136 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 What then thou wouldst ; thou seest it in thy hand. 
 
 Har. To combat with a blind man I disdain, 
 And thou hast need much washing to be touched. 
 
 Sams. Such usage as your honourable lords 
 Afford me, assassinated and betrayed, 
 Who durst not with their whole united powers 
 In fight withstand me single and unarmed, 
 Nor in the house with chamber-ambushes 
 Close-banded durst attack me, no, not sleeping, 
 Till they had hired a woman with their gold 
 Breaking her marriage-faith to circumvent me. 
 Therefore, without feigned shifts, let be assigned 
 Some narrow place enclosed, where sight may give 
 
 thee, 
 
 Or rather flight, no great advantage on me ; 
 Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet 
 And brigandine of brass, thy broad habergeon, 
 Vant-brace and greves, and gauntlet, add thy spear, 
 A weaver's beam, and seven-times-folded shield ; 
 I only with an oaken staff will meet thee, 
 And raise such outcries on thy clattered iron, 
 Which long shall not withhold me from thy head, 
 That in a little time, while breath remains thee, 
 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 durst not thus disparage glorious arms, 
 Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, 
 Their ornament and safety, had not spells 
 And black enchantments, some magician's art.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 137 
 
 Armed thee or charmed thee strong, which thou from 
 
 Heaven 
 
 Feign'dst at thy birth was given thee in thy hair, 
 Where strength can least abide, though all thy hairs 
 Were bristles ranged like those that ridge the back 
 Of chafed wild boars, or ruffled porcupines. 
 
 Sams. I know no spells, use no forbidden arts; 
 My trust is in the living God, who gave me 
 At my nativity this strength, diffused 
 No less through all my sinews, joints, and bones, 
 Than thine, while I preserved these locks unshorn, 
 The pledge of my unviolated vow. 
 For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy God, 
 Go to his temple, invocate his aid 
 With solemnest devotion, spread before him 
 How highly it concerns his glory now 
 To frustrate and dissolve these magick spells, 
 Which I to be the power of Israel's God 
 Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test, 
 Offering to combat thee his champion bold, 
 With the utmost of his Godhead seconded : 
 Then thou shalt see, or rather, to thy sorrow, 
 Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine. 
 
 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 fettered send thee 
 Into the common prison, there to grind 
 Among the slaves and asses thy comrades, 
 As good for nothing else j no better service
 
 138 SAMSON AGOMSTES. 
 
 With those thy boisterous locks, no worthy match 
 For valour to assail, nor by the sword 
 Of noble warriour, so to stain his honour, 
 But by the barber's razor best subdued. 
 
 Sams. All these indignities, for such they are 
 From thine, these evils I deserve, and more, 
 Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 
 Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon, 
 Whose ear is ever open, and his eye 
 Gracious to re-admit the suppliant : 
 In confidence whereof I once again 
 Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight, 
 By combat to decide whose God is God, 
 Thine, or whom I with Israel's sons adore. 
 
 Har. Fair honour that thou dost thy God, in trusting 
 He will accept thee to defend his cause, 
 A Murderer, a Revolter, and a Robber ! 
 
 Sams. Tongue-doughty Giant, how dost thou prove 
 me these? 
 
 Har. Is not thy nation subject to our lords ? 
 Their magistrates confessed it, when they took thee 
 As a league-breaker, and delivered bound 
 Into our hands : for hadst thou not committed 
 Notorious murder on those thirty men 
 At Ascalon, who never did thee harm, 
 Then like a robber stripp'dst them of their robes ? 
 The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league, 
 Went up with armed powers thee only seeking, 
 To others did no violence nor spoil, 
 
 Sam$. Among the daughters of the Philistines 
 I chose a wife, which argued me HO foe ;
 
 SAMSON AGON 1ST KS. 139 
 
 And in your city held my nuptial feast : 
 
 But your ill-meaning politician lords, 
 
 Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, 
 
 Appointed to await me thirty spies, 
 
 Who, threatening cruel death, constrained the bride 
 
 To wring from me, and tell to them, my secret, 
 
 That solved the riddle which I had proposed. 
 
 When I perceived all set on enmity, 
 
 As on my enemies, wherever chanced, 
 
 I used hostility, and took their spoil, 
 
 To pay my underminers in their coin. 
 
 My nation was subjected to your lords j 
 
 It was the force of conquest ; force with force 
 
 Is well ejected when the conquered can. 
 
 But I, a private person, whom my country 
 
 As a league-breaker gave up bound, presumed 
 
 Single rebellion, and did hostile acts. 
 
 I was no private, but a person raised 
 
 With strength sufficient, and command from Heaven, 
 
 To free my country 5 if their servile minds 
 
 Me, their deliverer sent, would not receive, 
 
 But to their masters gave me up for nought, 
 
 The unworthier they ; whence to this day they serve. 
 
 I was to do my part from Heaven assigned, 
 
 And had performed it, if my known offence 
 
 Had not disabled me, not all your force : 
 
 These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, 
 
 Though by his blindness maimed for high attempts, 
 
 Who now defies thee thrice to single fight, 
 
 As a petty enterprise of small enforce. 
 
 ffar. With thee ! a man condemned, a slave inrolled,
 
 140 SAMSON AGONI8TES. 
 
 Due by the law to capital punishment! 
 
 To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. 
 
 Sams. Camest thou for this, vain boaster, to sur- 
 vey me, 
 
 To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict ? 
 Come nearer ; part not hence so slight informed ; 
 But take good heed my hand survey not thee. 
 
 Har. O Baal-zebub ! can my ears unused 
 Hear these dishonours, and not render death ? 
 
 Sams. No man withholds thee, nothing from thy hand 
 Fear I incurable} bring up thy van, 
 My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. 
 
 Har. This insolence other kind of answer fits. 
 
 Sams. Go, baffled coward ! lest I run upon thee, 
 Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast, 
 And with one buffet lay thy structure low, 
 Or swing thee in the air, then dash thee down 
 To the hazard of thy brains and shattered sides. 
 
 Har. By Astaroth, ere long thou shalt lament 
 These braveries, in irons loaden on thee. [Exit. 
 
 Chor. His giantship is gone somewhat crest-fallen, 
 Stalking with less unconscionable strides, 
 And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe. 
 
 Sams. I dread him not, nor all his giant brood, 
 Though Fame divulge him father of five sons, 
 All of gigantick size, Goliah chief. 
 
 Chor. He will directly to the lords, I fear, 
 And with malicious counsel stir them up 
 Some way or other yet further to afflict thee. 
 
 Sams. He must allege some cause, and offered fight 
 Will not dare mention, lest a question rise
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 141 
 
 Whether he durst accept the offer or not ; 
 
 And, that he durst not, plain enough appeared. 
 
 Much more affliction than already felt 
 
 They 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. 
 
 But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove 
 
 My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence j 
 
 The worst that he can give, to me the best. 
 
 Yet so it may fall out, because their end 
 
 Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine 
 
 Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed. 
 
 Chor. Oh how comely it is, and how reviving 
 To the spirits of just men long oppressed ! 
 When God into the hands of their deliverer 
 Puts invincible might 
 
 To quell the mighty of the earth, the oppressour, 
 The brute and boisterous force of violent men, 
 Hardy and industrious to support 
 Tyrannick power, but raging to pursue 
 The righteous and all such as honour truth ; 
 He all their ammunition 
 And feats of war defeats, 
 With plain heroick magnitude of mind 
 And celestial vigour armed j 
 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,
 
 142 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Lose their defence, distracted and amazed. 
 
 But patience is more oft the exercise 
 Of saints, the trial of their fortitude, 
 Making them each his own deliverer, 
 And victor over all 
 That tyranny or fortune can inflict. 
 Either of these is in thy lot, 
 Samson, with might endued 
 Above the sons of men j but sight bereaved 
 May chance to number thee with those 
 Whom patience finally must crown. 
 
 This idol's 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, 
 For I descry this way 
 Some other tending; in his hand 
 A scepter or quaint staff he bears, 
 Comes on amain, speed in his look. 
 By his habit I discern him now 
 A publick officer, and now at hand ; 
 His message will be short and voluble. 
 [Enter] Officer. 
 
 Off. Hebrews, the prisoner 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, 
 With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games : 
 Thy strength they know surpassing human rate, 
 And now some public proof thereof require 
 To honour this great feast, and great assembly ;
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 143 
 
 Rise therefore with all speed, and come along, 
 Where I will see thee heartened, and fresh clad, 
 To appear, as fits, before the illustrious lords. 
 
 Sams. Thouknow'st I am an Hebrew, therefore tell 
 
 them, 
 
 Our Law forbids at their religious rites 
 My presence} for that cause I cannot come. 
 
 Off. This answer, be assured, will not content them. 
 
 Sams. Have they not sword-players, and every 
 
 sort 
 
 Of gymnick artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, 
 Juglers, and dancers, anticks, mummers, mimicks, 
 But they must pick me out, with shackles tired, 
 And over-laboured at their publick mill, 
 To make them sport with blind activity? 
 Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels 
 On my refusal to distress me more, 
 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. 
 
 Sams. Myself ? my conscience, and internal peace. 
 Can they think me so broken, so debased 
 With corporal servitude, that my mind ever 
 Will condescend to such absurd commands ? 
 Although 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, 
 The worst of all indignities, yet on me 
 Joined with extreme contempt ? I will not come. 
 
 Off. My message was imposed on me with speed, 
 Brooks no delay : is this thy resolution ?
 
 144 8AMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Sams. So take it with what speed thy message 
 needs. 
 
 Off. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce. 
 
 \Extt. 
 
 Sams. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow 
 indeed. 
 
 Chor. Consider, Samson ; matters now are strained 
 Up to the highth, whether to hold or break : 
 He's gone, and who knows how he may report 
 Thy words by adding fuel to the flame ? 
 Expect 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 
 After my great transgression ; so requite 
 Favour renewed, and add a greater sin 
 By prostituting holy things to idols ? 
 A Nazarite in place abominable 
 Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon ! 
 Besides, how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, 
 What act more execrably unclean, profane ! 
 
 Chor. Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Phi- 
 listines, 
 Idolatrous, uncircumcised, unclean. 
 
 Sams. Not in their idol-worship, but by labour 
 Honest and lawful to deserve my food 
 Of those, who have me in their civil power. 
 
 Chor. Where the heart joins not, outward acts 
 defile not. 
 
 Sams. Where outward force constrains, the sen- 
 tence holds.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 145 
 
 But who constrains me to the temple of Dagon, 
 
 Not dragging? the Philistian lords command. 
 
 Commands are no constraints. If I obey them> 
 
 I do it freely, venturing to displease 
 
 God for the fear of Man, and Man prefer, 
 
 Set God behind j which in his jealousy 
 
 Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. 
 
 Yet that he may dispense with me, or thee, 
 
 Present in temples at idolatrous rites 
 
 For some important cause, thou need'st not doubt. 
 
 Chor. How thou wilt here come off surmounts my 
 reach. 
 
 Sams. Be of good courage ; I begin to feel 
 Some rousing motions in me, which dispose 
 To something extraordinary my thoughts. 
 I with this messenger will go along, 
 Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour 
 Our Law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. 
 If there be aught of presage in the mind, 
 This day will be remarkable in my life 
 By some great act, or of my days the last. 
 
 Chor. In time thou hast resolved, the man returns. 
 
 Off. Samson, this second message from our lords 
 To thee I am bid say. Art thou our slave, 
 Our captive, at the publick mill our drudge, 
 And dar'st thou at our sending and command 
 Dispute thy coming ? come without delay j 
 Or we shall find such engines to assail 
 And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, 
 Though thou wert firmlier fastened than a rock. 
 
 Sams. I could be well content to try their art, 
 
 ft
 
 146 SAMSON AGONISTE8. 
 
 Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. 
 
 Yet, knowing their advantages too many, 
 
 Because they shall not trail me through their streets 
 
 Like a wild beast, I am content to go. 
 
 Masters' commands come with a power resistless 
 
 To such as owe them absolute subjection} 
 
 And for a life who will not change his purpose? 
 
 (So mutable are all the ways of men j) 
 
 Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply 
 
 Scandalous or forbidden in our Law. 
 
 Off. I praise thy resolution : doff these links : 
 By this compliance thou wilt win the lords 
 To favour, and perhaps to set thee free. 
 
 Sams. Brethren, farewell ; your company along 
 I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them 
 To see me girt with friends ; and how the sight 
 Of me, as of a common enemy, 
 So dreaded once, may now exasperate them, 
 I know not : lords are lordliest in their wine ; 
 And the well-feasted priest then soonest fired 
 With zeal, if aught religion seem concerned ; 
 No less the people, on their holy-days, 
 Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable : 
 Happen what may, of me expect to hear 
 Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy 
 Our God, our Law, my Nation, or myself, 
 The last of me or no I cannot warrant. 
 
 Chor. Go, and the Holy One 
 Of Israel be thy guide 
 
 To what may serve his glory best, and spread his 
 Name
 
 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 147 
 
 Great among the Heathen round j 
 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 rushed on thee 
 In the camp of Dan, 
 Be efficacious in thee now at need ! 
 For never was from Heaven imparted 
 Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, 
 As hi thy wonderous actions hath been seen. 
 But wherefore comes old Manoah in such haste 
 With youthful steps ? much livelier than ere while 
 He seems ; supposing here to find his son,, 
 Or of him bringing to us some glad news ? 
 [Enter] Manoah. 
 
 Man. Peace with you, Brethren ; my inducement 
 
 hither 
 
 Was not at present here to find my son, 
 By order of the lords now 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, 
 Lest I should see him forced to things unseemly. 
 But that, which moved my coming now, was chiefly 
 To give ye part with me what hope I have 
 With good success to work his liberty. 
 
 Chor. That hope would much rejoice us to partake 
 With thee; say, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. 
 
 Man. I have attempted one by one the lords 
 Either at home, or through the high street passing,
 
 14$ SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 With supplication prone and father's tears, 
 To accept of ransom for my son their prisoner. 
 Some much averse I found and wonderous harsh, 
 Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite j 
 That part most reverenced Dagon and his priests : 
 Others more moderate seeming, but their aim 
 Private reward, for which both God and State 
 They easily would set to sale: a third 
 More generous far and civil, who confessed 
 They had enough revenged; having reduced 
 Their foe to misery beneath their fears, 
 The rest was magnanimity to remit, 
 If some convenient ransom were proposed. 
 What noise or shout was that ? it tore the sky. 
 
 Chor. Doubtless the people shouting to behold 
 Their once great dread, captive) and blind before them, 
 Or at some proof of strength before them shown. 
 
 Man. His ransom, if my whole inheritance 
 May compass it, shall willingly be paid 
 And numbered down : much rather I shall choose 
 To live the poorest in my tribe, than richest, 
 And he in that calamitous prison left. 
 No, I am fixed not to part hence without him. 
 For his redemption all my patrimony, 
 If need be, I am ready to forego 
 And quit : not wanting him, I shall want nothing. 
 
 Chor. Fathers are wont to lay up for their sons,, 
 Thou for thy son art bent to lay out all ; 
 Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age, 
 Thou in old age car'st how to nurse thy son, 
 Made older than thy age through eye-sight lost.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 149 
 
 Man. It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 
 And view him sitting in the house, ennobled 
 With all those high exploits by him achieved, 
 And on his shoulders waving down those locks 
 That of a nation armed the strength contained : 
 And I persuade me, God had not permitted 
 His strength again to grow up with his hair, 
 Garrisoned round about him like a camp 
 Of faithful soldiery, were not his purpose 
 To use him further yet in some great service; 
 Not to sit idle with so great a gift 
 Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. 
 And since his strength with eye-sight was not lost, 
 God will restore him eye-sight to his strength. 
 
 Chor. Thy hopes are not ill-founded, nor seem vain 
 Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon 
 Conceived, agreeable to a father's love, 
 In both which we, as next, participate. 
 
 Man. I know your friendly minds and O what 
 
 noise ! 
 
 Mercy of Heaven ! what hideous noise was that r 
 Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. 
 
 Chor. Noise call you it, or universal groan, 
 As if the whole inhabitation perished ! 
 Blood, death, and deathful deeds, are in that noise, 
 Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. 
 
 Man. Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise : 
 Oh ! it continues, they have slain my son. 
 
 Chor. Thy son is rather slaying them ; that outcry 
 From slaughter of one foe could not ascend. 
 
 Man. Some dismal accident it needs must be;
 
 150 SAMSON AGONISTEB. 
 
 What shall we do, stay here or run and see ? 
 
 Chor. Best keep together here, lest, running thither, 
 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 
 From other hands we need not much to fear. 
 What if, his eye-sight (for to Israel's God 
 Nothing is hard) by miracle restored, 
 He now be dealing dole among his foes, 
 And over heaps of slaughtered walk his way ? 
 
 Man. That were a joy presumptuous to be thought. 
 
 Chor. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible 
 For his people of old ; what hinders now ? 
 
 Man. He can, I know, but doubt to think he will ; 
 Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief. 
 A little stay will bring some notice hither. 
 
 Chor. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner j 
 For evil news rides post, while good news bates. 
 And to our wish I see one hither speeding, 
 An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. 
 [Enter] Messenger. 
 
 Mess. O whither shall I run, or which way fly 
 The sight of this so horrid spectacle, 
 Which erst my eyes beheld, and yet behold ? 
 For dire imagination still pursues me. 
 But providence or instinct of nature seems, 
 Or reason though disturbed, and scarce consulted, 
 To have guided me aright, I know not how, 
 To thee first, reverend Manoah, and to these 
 My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining,
 
 SAMSON AGOXISTES. 151 
 
 As at some distance from the place of horrour, 
 So in the sad event too much concerned. 
 
 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. 
 
 Mess. It would burst forth, but I recover breath 
 And sense distract, to know well what I utter. 
 
 Man. Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. 
 
 Mess. Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are fallen. 
 All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen. 
 
 Man. Sad, but thouknow'st to Israelites not saddest 
 The desolation of a hostile city. 
 
 Mess. Feed on that first ; there may ingrief be surfeit. 
 
 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 
 To utter what will come at last too soon : 
 Lest evil tidings with too rude irruption 
 Hitting thy aged ear should pierce too deep. 
 
 Man. Suspense in news is torture, speak them out. 
 
 Mess. Take then the worst in brief, Samson is dead. 
 
 Man. The worst indeed ! O all my hopes defeated 
 To free him hence ! but death, who sets all free, 
 Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge. 
 What windy joy this day had I conceived 
 Hopeful of his delivery, which now proves 
 Abortive as the first-born bloom of spring 
 Nipt with the lagging rear of winter's frost ! 
 Yet ere I give the reins to grief, say first,
 
 152 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 How died he ; death to life is crown or shame. 
 All by him fell, thou say'st; by whom fell he? 
 What glorious hand gave Samson his death's wound? 
 
 Mess. Unwounded of his enemies he fell. 
 
 Man. Wearied with slaughter then, or how? explain. 
 
 Mess. By his own hands. 
 
 Man. Self-violence ? what cause 
 
 Brought him so soon at variance with himself 
 Among his foes? 
 
 Mess. Inevitable cause 
 
 At once both to destroy, and be destroyed ; 
 The edifice, where all were met to see him, 
 Upon their heads and on his own he pulled. 
 
 Man. O lastly over-strong against thyself! 
 A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge. 
 More than enough we know ; but while things yet 
 Are in confusion, give us, if thou canst, 
 Eye-witness of what first or last was done, 
 Relation more particular and distinct. 
 
 Mess. Occasions drew me early to this city; 
 And, as the gates I entered with sun-rise, 
 The morning trumpets festival proclaimed 
 Through each high street : little I had despatched, 
 When all abroad was rumoured that this day 
 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 spectacle. 
 The building was a spacious theatre 
 Half-round, on two main pillars vaulted high, 
 With seats where all the lords, and each degree
 
 SAMSON A60NISTE8. 153 
 
 Of sort, might sit in order to behold; 
 
 The other side was open, where the throng 
 
 On banks and scaffolds under sky might stand ; 
 
 I among these aloof obscurely stood. 
 
 The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice 
 
 Had filled their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and 
 
 wine, 
 
 When to their sports they turned. Immediately 
 Was Samson as a publick servant brought, 
 In their state livery clad ; before him pipes 
 And timbrels, on each side went armed guards, 
 Both horse and foot, before him and behind 
 Archers, and slingers, cataphracts, and spears. 
 At sight of him the people with a shout 
 Rifted the air, clamouring their God with praise, 
 Who had made their dreadful enemy their thrall. 
 He patient, but undaunted, where they led him, 
 Came to the place ; and what was set before him, 
 Which without help of eye might be assayed, 
 To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still performed 
 All with incredible, stupendious force j 
 Non daring to appear antagonist. 
 At length for intermission sake they led him 
 Between the pillars ; he his guide requested 
 (For so from such as nearer stood we heard) 
 As over-tired 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 him ; which when Samson 
 Felt in his arms, with head a while inclined, 
 And eyes fast fixed he stood, as one who prayed,
 
 154 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Or some great matter in his mind revolved : 
 
 At last with head erect thus cried aloud ; 
 
 ' Hitherto, Lords, what your commands imposed 
 
 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 shall strike all who behold.' 
 
 This uttered, straining all his nerves he bowed ; 
 
 As with the force of winds and waters pent, 
 
 When mountains tremble, those two massy pillars 
 
 With horrible convulsion to and fro 
 
 He tugged, he shook, till down they came and drew 
 
 The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder 
 
 Upon the heads of all who sat beneath, 
 
 Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests, 
 
 Their choice nobility and flower, not only 
 
 Of this but each Philistian city round, 
 
 Met from all parts to solemnize this feast. 
 
 Samson, with these inmixed, inevitably 
 
 Pulled down the same destruction on himself j 
 
 The vulgar only 'scaped who stood without. 
 
 Chor. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious ! 
 Living or dying thou hast fulfilled 
 The work for which thou wast foretold 
 To Israel, and now ly'st victorious 
 Among thy slain self-killed, 
 Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 
 Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoined 
 Thee with thy slaughtered foes, in number more 
 Than all thy life hath slain before.
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 155 
 
 1 Semichar. While their hearts were jocund and su- 
 blime, 
 
 Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, 
 
 And fat regorged of bulls and goats, 
 
 Chauating their idol, and preferring 
 
 Before our living Dread who dwells 
 
 In Silo, his bright sanctuary : 
 
 Among them he a Spirit of phrenzy sent, 
 
 Who hurt their minds, 
 
 And urged them on with mad desire 
 
 To call in haste for their destroyer j 
 
 They, only set on sport and play, 
 
 Unweetingly importuned 
 
 Their own destruction to come speedy upon them. 
 
 So fond are mortal men, 
 
 Fallen into wrath divine, 
 
 As their own ruin on themselves to invite, 
 
 Insensate left, or to sense reprobate, 
 
 And with blindness internal struck. 
 
 2 Semichor. But he, though blind of sight, 
 Despised and thought extinguished quite, 
 With inward eyes illuminated, 
 
 His fiery virtue roused 
 
 From under ashes into sudden flame, 
 
 And as an evening dragon came, 
 
 Assailant on the perched roosts 
 
 And nests in order ranged 
 
 Of tame villatick fowl > but as an eagle 
 
 His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads. 
 
 So. Virtue, given for lost, 
 
 Depressed, and overthrown, as seemed,
 
 156 SAMSON AGONISTES. 
 
 Like that self-begotten bird 
 
 In the Arabian woods embost, 
 
 That no second knows nor third, 
 
 And lay ere while a holocaust. 
 
 From out her ashy womb now teemed, 
 
 Revives, reflourishes, then vigorous most 
 
 When most unactive deemed ; 
 
 And, though her body die, her fame survives 
 
 A secular bird ages of lives. 
 
 Man. Come, come ; no time for lamentation now, 
 Nor much more cause ; Samson hath quit himself 
 Like Samson, and heroickly hath finished 
 A life heroick j on his enemies 
 Fully revenged, hath left them years of mourning, 
 And lamentation to the sons of Caphtor 
 Through all Philistian bounds ; to Israel 
 Honour hath left, and freedom, let but them 
 Find courage to lay hold on this occasion ; 
 To himself and father's house eternal fame j 
 And, which is best and happiest yet, all this 
 With God not parted from him, as was feared, 
 But favouring and assisting to the end. 
 Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail 
 Or knock the breast ; no weakness, no contempt, 
 Dispraise, or blame ; nothing but well and fair. 
 And what may quiet us in a death so noble. 
 Let us go find the body where it lies 
 Soaked in his enemies blood ; and from the stream 
 With lavers pure, and cleansing herbs, wash off 
 The clotted gore. I, with what speed the while, 
 (Gaza is not in plight to say us nay,)
 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. 17 
 
 Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, 
 
 To fetch him hence, and solemnly attend 
 
 With silent obsequy, and funeral train, 
 
 Home to his father's house : there will I build him 
 
 A monument, and plant it round with shade 
 
 Of laurel ever green, and branching palm, 
 
 With all his trophies hung, and acts inrolled 
 
 In copious legend, or sweet lyrick song. 
 
 Thither shall all the valiant youth resort, 
 
 And from his memory inflame their breasts 
 
 To matchless valour, and adventures high : 
 
 The virgins also shall, on feastful days, 
 
 Visit his tomb with flowers ; only bewailing 
 
 His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice, 
 
 From whence captivity and loss of eyes. 
 
 C/ior. All is best, though we oft doubt 
 What the unsearchable dispose 
 Of highest Wisdom brings about, 
 And ever best found in the close. 
 Oft he seems to hide his face., 
 But unexpectedly returns, 
 And to his faithful champion hath in place 
 Bore witness gloriously ; whence Gaza mourns, 
 And all that band them to resist 
 His uncontrollable intent : 
 His servants he, with new acquist 
 Of true experience, from this great event 
 With peace and consolation hath dismissed, 
 And calm of mind all passion spent. 
 
 END OF SAMSON AGONISTES.
 
 POEMS 
 
 UPON 
 
 SEVERAL OCCASIONS, 
 
 COMPOSED AT SEVERAL TIMES. 
 
 Baccare fronton 
 
 Cingite, ne vati noceat mala lingua future. 
 
 VIRGIL. Eclog. 7.
 
 POEMS 
 
 ON 
 
 SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 
 
 ANNO ^ETATIS 17. 
 
 ON THE DEATH OP A FAIR INFANT, DYING 
 OP A COUGH. 
 
 I. 
 
 O FAIREST flower, no sooner blown but blasted, 
 Soft silken primrose fading timelessly, 
 Summer's chief honour, if thou hadst out-lasted 
 Bleak Winter's force that made thy blossom dry j 
 For he, being amorous on that lovely dye 
 
 That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss, 
 But killed, alas ! and then bewailed his fatal bliss. 
 
 II. 
 
 For since grim Aquilo, his charioteer, 
 
 By boisterous rape the Athenian damsel got, 
 He thought it touched his deity full near, 
 If likewise he some fair one wedded not, 
 Thereby to wipe away the infamous blot
 
 162 POEMS. 
 
 Of long-uncoupled bed and childless eld, 
 Which, 'mongst the wanton Gods, a foul reproach 
 was held. 
 
 III. 
 
 So, mounting up in icy-pearled car, 
 
 Through middle empire of the freezing air 
 He wandered long, till thee he spied from far ; 
 There ended was his quest, there ceased his care : 
 Down he descended from his snow-soft chair, 
 
 But, all unwares, with his cold-kind embrace 
 Unhoused thy virgin soul from her fair biding place. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate j 
 
 For so Apollo, with unweeting hand, 
 Whilom did slay his dearly-loved mate, 
 Young Hyacinth, born on Eurotas' strand, 
 Young Hyacinth, the pride of Spartan land ; 
 
 But then transformed him to a purple flower: 
 Alack, that so to change thee Winter had no power ! 
 
 V. 
 
 Yet can I not persuade me thou art dead, 
 
 Or that thy corse corrupts in earth's dark womb, 
 Or that thy beauties lie in wormy bed, 
 Hid from the world in a low-delved tomb j 
 Could Heaven for pity thee so strictly doom ? 
 Oh no ! for something in thy face did shine 
 Above mortality, that showed thou wast divine. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Resolve me then, oh Soul most surely blest, 
 
 (If so it be that thou these plaints dost hear j) 
 Tell me, bright Spirit, where'er thou hoverest,
 
 POEMS. 163 
 
 Whether above that high first-moving sphere, 
 Or in the Elysian fields, (if such there were ;) 
 Oh say me true, if thou wert mortal wight, 
 And why from us so quickly thou didst take thy flight ? 
 
 VII. 
 
 Wert thou some star which from the ruined roof 
 
 Of shaked Olympus by mischance didst fall ; 
 Which careful Jove in Nature's true behoof 
 Took up, and in fit place did reiastall ? 
 Or did of late Earth's sons besiege the wall 
 
 Of sheeny Heaven, and thou, some Goddess fled, 
 Amongst us here below to hide thy nectar' d head ? 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Or wert thou that just Maid, who once before 
 
 Forsook the hated earth, O tell me sooth, 
 
 And cain'st again to visit us once more ? 
 
 Or wert thou that sweet-smiling youth ? 
 
 Or that crowned matron sage white-robed Truth ? 
 
 Or any other of that heavenly brood 
 Let down in cloudy throne to do the world some good ? 
 
 IX. 
 
 Or wert thou of the golden winged host, 
 
 Who, having clad thyself in human weed, 
 To earth from thy prefixed seat didst post, 
 And after short abode fly back with speed, 
 As if to show what creatures heaven doth breed j 
 
 Thereby to set the hearts of men on fire 
 To scorn the sordid world, and unto heaven aspire ? 
 
 X. 
 
 But oh ! why didst thou not stay here below 
 
 To bless us with thy heaven-loved innocence, 
 
 M2
 
 164 POEMS. 
 
 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 ? 
 But thou canst best perform that office where thou art. 
 
 XL 
 
 Then thou, the Mother of so sweet a child, 
 
 Her falserimagined loss cease to lament, 
 And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild j 
 Think what a present thou to God hast sent, 
 And render him with patience what he lent} 
 This if thou do, he will an offspring give,. 
 That, till the world's last end, shall make thy name 
 to live. 
 
 ANNO ^TATIS 19. 
 
 AT A VACATION EXERCISE IN THE COLLEGE, PART 
 LATIN, PART ENGLISH. THE LATIN SPEECHES 
 ENDED, THE ENGLISH THUS BEGAN: 
 
 ,' 
 
 HAIL, native Language, that by sinews weak 
 Didst move my first endeavouring tongue to speak, 
 And mad'st imperfect words with childish trips, 
 Half unpronounced, slide through my infant lips, 
 Driving dumb Silence from the portal door, 
 Where he had mutely sat two years before !
 
 165 
 
 Here I salute thee, and thy pardon ask, 
 
 That now I use thee in my latter task : 
 
 Small loss it is that thence can come unto thee, . 
 
 I know my tongue but little grace" can do thee: 
 
 Thou need'st not be ambitious to be first, 
 
 Believe me I have thither packed 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 
 
 For this same small neglect that I have made : 
 
 But haste thee straight to do me once a pleasure, 
 
 And from thy wardrobe bring thy chiefest treasure, 
 
 Not those new-fangled toys, and trimming slight 
 
 Which takes our late fantasticks with delight : 
 
 But cull those richest robes, and gay'st attire, 
 
 Which deepest spirits and choicest wits desire. 
 
 I have some naked thoughts that rove about, 
 
 And loudly knock to have their passage out $ 
 
 And, weary of their place, do only stay, 
 
 Till thou hast decked them in thy best array j 
 
 That so they may, without suspect or fears, 
 
 Fly swiftly to this fair assembly's ears; 
 
 Yet I had rather, if I were to chuse, 
 
 Thy service in some graver subject use, 
 
 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 Heaven's door 
 
 Look in, and see each blissful Deity 
 
 How he before the thunderous throne doth lie, 
 
 Listening to what unshorn Apollo sings 
 
 To the touch of golden wires, while Hebe brings
 
 166 POEMS. 
 
 Immortal nectar to her kingly sire : 
 
 Then passing through the spheres of watchful fire, 
 
 And misty regions of wide air next under, 
 
 And hills of snow, and lofts of piled thunder, 
 
 May tell at length how green-eyed Neptune raves, 
 
 In Heaven's defiance mustering all his waves ; 
 
 Then sing of secret things that came to pass 
 
 When beldam Nature in her cradle was ; 
 
 And last of kings, and queens, and heroes old, 
 
 Such as the wise Demodocus once told 
 
 In solemn songs at king Alcinous" feast, 
 
 While sad Ulysses' soul, and all the rest, 
 
 Are held, with his melodious harmony, 
 
 In willing chains and sweet captivity. 
 
 But fie, my wandering Muse, how thou dost stray ! 
 
 Expectance calls thee now another way : 
 
 Thou know'st it must be now thy only bent 
 
 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 PRE- 
 DICAMENTS HIS TWO SONS, WHEREOF THE ELDEST 
 STOOD FOR SUBSTANCE WITH HIS CANONS, WHICH 
 ENS, THUS SPEAKING, EXPLAINS: 
 
 GOOD luck befriend thee, Son; for, at thy birth, 
 The faery ladies danced upon the hearth ; 
 Thy drowsy nurse hath sworn she did them spie 
 Come tripping to the room where thou didst lie,
 
 POEMS. 167 
 
 And, sweetly singing round about thy bed, 
 
 Strew all their blessings on thy sleeping head. 
 
 She heard them give thee this, that thou shouldst still 
 
 From eyes of mortals walk invisible : 
 
 Yet there is something that doth force my fear j 
 
 For once it was my dismal hap to hear 
 
 A Sibyl old, bow-bent with crooked age, 
 
 That far events full wisely could presage, 
 
 And, in time's long and dark prospective glass, 
 
 Foresaw what future days should bring to pass : 
 
 * Your son,' said she, (' nor can you it prevent) 
 
 Shall subject be to many an Accident. 
 
 O'er all his brethren he shall reign as king, 
 
 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 out-go them. 
 
 Yet, being above them, he shall be below them j 
 
 From others he shall stand in need of nothing, 
 
 Yet on his brothers shall depend for clothing. 
 
 To find a foe it shall not be his hap, 
 
 And Peace shall lull him in her flowery lap ; 
 
 Yet shall he live in strife, and at his door 
 
 Devouring War shall never cease to roar j 
 
 Yea, it shall be his natural property 
 
 To harbour those that are at enmity. 
 
 What power, what force, what mighty spell, if not 
 
 Your learned hands, can loose this Gordian knot ?'
 
 168 POEMS. 
 
 THE NEXT QUANTITY AND QUALITY SPAKE IN PROSE } 
 THEN RELATION WAS CALLED BY HIS NAME. 
 
 RIVERS, arise ; 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 the indented meads ; 
 Or sullen Mole, that runneth underneath : 
 Or Severn swift, guilty of maiden's death j 
 Or rocky Avon, or of sedgy Lee, 
 Or coaly Tine, or ancient hallowed Dee ; 
 Or Humber loud, that keeps the Scythian's name 3 
 Or Medway smooth, or royal-towered Thame. 
 [The rest was prose.] 
 
 ON 
 
 THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY. 
 
 COMPOSED 1629. 
 
 I. 
 
 THIS is the month, and this the happy morn, 
 Wherein the Son of Heaven'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, 
 
 That he our deadly forfeit should release, 
 And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
 
 POEMS. 169 
 
 II. 
 
 That glorious form,, that light unsufferable, 
 And that far-beaming blaze of majesty. 
 Wherewith he wont at Heaven's high council-table 
 To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, 
 He laid aside 3 and, here with us to be, 
 Forsook the courts of everlasting day, 
 And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay. 
 
 HI. 
 
 Say, heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein 
 
 Afford a present to the Infant God ? 
 
 Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, 
 
 To welcome him to this his new abode, 
 
 Now while the heaven, by the sun's team untrod, 
 
 Hath took no print of the approaching light, 
 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 : 
 O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, 
 And lay it lowly at his blessed feet $ 
 Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet, 
 
 And join thy voice unto the Angel quire, 
 From out his secret altar touched with hallowed fire. 
 
 THE HYMN. 
 
 I. 
 
 IT was the winter wild, 
 
 While the heaven-born child 
 All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;
 
 1 70, POEMS. 
 
 Nature, in awe to him, 
 Had doffed her gaudy trim, 
 
 With her great Master so to sympathize : 
 It was no season then for her 
 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 j 
 And on her naked shame, 
 Pollute with sinful blame, 
 
 The saintly veil of maiden white to throw ; 
 Confounded, that her Maker's eyes 
 Should look so near upon her foul deformities. 
 
 III. 
 
 But he, her fears to cease, 
 
 Sent down the meek-eyed Peace j 
 
 She, crowned with olive green, came softly sliding 
 Down through the turning sphere, 
 His ready harbinger, 
 
 With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing j 
 And, waving wide her myrtle wand, 
 She strikes an universal peace through sea and land. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Nor war, or battle's sound, 
 
 Was heard the world around : 
 
 The idle spear and shield were high up hung; 
 The hooked chariot stood 
 Unstained with hostile blood ; 
 
 The trumpet spake not to the armed throng j 
 And kings sat still with awful eye, 
 As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.
 
 POEMS. 171 
 
 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, 
 
 Whispering new joys to the mild ocean, 
 Who now hath quite forgot to rave, 
 While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The stars, with deep amaze, 
 Stand fixed in stedfast gaze, 
 
 Bending one way their precious influence ; 
 And will not take their flight, 
 For all the morning light, 
 
 Or Lucifer that often warned them thence , 
 But in their glimmering orbs did glow, 
 Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. 
 
 VII. 
 
 And, though the shady gloom 
 
 Had given day her room, 
 
 The sun himself withheld his wonted speed, 
 And hid his head for shame, 
 As his inferiour flame 
 
 The new-enlightened world no more should need ; 
 He saw a greater sun appear 
 Than his bright throne, or burning axle-tree could 
 bear. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The shepherds on the lawn, 
 Or e'er the point of dawn,
 
 172 POEMS, 
 
 Sat simply chatting in a rustick row; 
 Full little thought they then, 
 That the mighty Pan 
 
 Was kindly come to live with them below ; 
 Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep, 
 Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. 
 
 IX. 
 
 When such musick sweet 
 
 Their hearts and ears did greet 
 
 As never was by mortal finger strook j 
 
 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 heavenly close. 
 
 X. 
 
 Nature that heard such sound, 
 
 Beneath the hollow round 
 
 Of Cynthia's seat, the aery region thrilling, 
 Now was almost won 
 To think her part was done, 
 
 And that her reign had here its last fulfilling; 
 She knew such harmony alone 
 Could hold all Heaven and Earth in happier union. 
 
 XI. 
 
 At last surrounds their sight 
 
 A globe of circular light, 
 
 That with long beams the shame faced night arrayed j 
 The helmed Cherubim, 
 And sworded Seraphim, 
 
 Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displayed,
 
 POEMS. 173 
 
 Harping in loud and solemn quire, 
 
 With unexpressive notes, to Heaven's new-born Heir. 
 
 XIT. 
 
 Such musick (as 'tis said) 
 
 Before was never made, 
 
 But when of old the sons of morning sung, 
 While the Creator great 
 His constellations set, 
 
 And the well-balanced world on hinges hung j 
 And cast the dark foundations deep, 
 And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel keep. 
 
 XIII. 
 Ring out, ye crystal spheres, 
 
 Once bless our human ears, 
 
 If ye have power to touch our senses so ; 
 And let your silver chime 
 Move in melodious time ; 
 
 And let the base of Heaven's deep organ blow; 
 And, with your ninefold harmony, 
 Make up full consort to the angelick symphony. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 For, if such holy song 
 
 Enwrap our fancy long, 
 
 Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold j 
 And speckled Vanity 
 Will sicken soon and die, 
 
 And leprous Sin will melt from earthly mould ; 
 And Hell itself will pass away, 
 And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Yea, Truth and Justice then 
 
 Will down return to men,
 
 174 POEMS. 
 
 Orbed in a rainbow ; and, like glories wearing, 
 Mercy will sit between, 
 Throned in celestial sheen, 
 
 With radiant feet the tissued clouds down steering ; 
 And Heaven, as at some festival, 
 Will open wide the gates of her high palace hall. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 But wisest Fate says no, 
 
 This must not yet be so, 
 
 The Babe yet lies in smiling infancy, 
 That on the bitter cross 
 Must redeem our loss j 
 
 So both himself and us to glorify : 
 Yet first, to those ychained in sleep, 
 The wakeful trump of doom must thunder through the 
 
 deep 3 
 
 XVII. 
 
 With such a horrid clang 
 
 As on mount Sinai rang, 
 
 While the red fire and smouldring clouds out brake : 
 The aged earth aghast, 
 With terrour of that blast, 
 
 Shall from the surface to the center shake - } 
 When, at the world's last session, 
 The dreadful Judge in middle air shall spread his 
 throne. 
 
 XVIII. 
 And then at last our bliss 
 
 Full and perfect is, 
 
 But now begins j for, from this hAppy day, 
 The old Dragon, under ground 
 In straiter limits bound, 
 
 Not half so far casts his usurped sway j
 
 POEMS. 175 
 
 And, wroth to see his kingdom fail, 
 Swindges the scaly horrour of his folded tail. 
 
 XIX. 
 The oracles are dumb, 
 
 No voice or hideous hum 
 
 Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving. 
 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-eyed priest from the prophetick cell. 
 
 XX. 
 
 The lonely mountains o'er, 
 
 And the resounding shore, 
 
 A voice of weeping heard and loud lament ; 
 From haunted spring and dale, 
 Edged with poplar pale, 
 
 The parting Genius is with sighing sent ; 
 With flower-inwoven tresses torn 
 The Nymphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets 
 
 mourn. 
 
 XXI. 
 In consecrated earth, 
 
 And on the holy hearth, 
 
 The Lars, and Lemures, moan with midnight plaint j 
 In urns, and altars round, 
 A drear and dying sound 
 
 Affrights the Flamens at their service quaint ; 
 And the chill marble seems to sweat, 
 While each peculiar Power foregoes his wohted seat. 
 
 XXII. 
 Peor and Baalim 
 
 Forsake their temples dim,
 
 176 POEMS. 
 
 With that twice-battered God of Palestine ; 
 And mooned Ashtaroth, 
 Heaven's queen and mother both, 
 
 Now sits not girt with tapers' holy shine j 
 The Libyck Hammon shrinks his horn, 
 In vain the Tyrian maids their wounded Thammuz 
 mourn. 
 
 XXIII. 
 And sullen Moloch, fled, 
 
 Hath left in shadows dread 
 
 His burning idol all of blackest hue 5 
 In vain with cymbals' ring 
 They call the grisly king, 
 
 In dismal dance about the furnace blue: 
 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 unshowered grass with lowings loud : 
 Nor can he be at rest 
 Within his sacred chest ; 
 
 Nought but profoundest hell can be his shroud j 
 In vain with timbrelled anthems dark 
 The sable-stoled sorcerers bear his worshipt ark. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 He feels from Juda's land 
 
 The dreaded Infant's hand, 
 
 The rays of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyn ; 
 Nor all the Gods beside 
 Longer dare abide, 
 
 Not Typhon huge ending in snaky twine :
 
 POEMS. 
 
 177 
 
 Our Babe, to show his Godhead true, 
 
 Can in his swaddling bands controll the damned crew. 
 
 XXVI: 
 
 So, when the sun in bed, 
 
 Curtained with cloudy red, 
 
 Pillows his chin upon an orient wave, 
 The flocking shadows pale 
 Troop to the infernal jail, 
 , Each fettered ghost slips to his several grave j 
 And the yellow-skirted Fayes 
 Fly after the night- steeds, leaving their moon-loved 
 
 maze. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 But see, the Virgin blest 
 Hath laid her babe to rest ; 
 
 Time is, our tedious song should here have ending; 
 Heaven's youngest-teemed star 
 Hath fixed her polished car, 
 
 Her sleeping Lord with handmaid lamp attending : 
 And all about the courtly stable 
 Bright-harnessed Angels sit in order serviceable. 
 
 THE PASSION. 
 
 I. 
 
 EREWHILE of musick, and ethereal mirth, 
 Wherewith the stage of air and earth did ring, 
 And joyous news of heavenly Infant's birth,
 
 J 78 POEMSf. 
 
 My Muse with Angels did divide to sing j 
 But headlong joy is ever on the wing, 
 
 In wintery solstice like the shortened light, 
 Soon swallowed up in dark and long out-living 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 seise ere long, 
 Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse than so, 
 Which he for us did freely undergo : 
 
 Most perfect Hero, tried in heaviest plight 
 Of labours huge and hard, too hard for human wight ! 
 
 III. 
 
 He, sovran priest, stooping his regal head, 
 
 That dropped with odorous oil down his fair eyes, 
 Poor fleshy tabernacle entered, 
 His starry front low-rooft beneath the skies : 
 O, what a mask was there, what a disguise ! 
 
 Yet more ; the stroke of death he must abide, 
 Then lies him meekly down fast by his brethren's side. 
 
 IV. 
 
 These latest scenes confine my roving verse ; 
 To this horizon is my Phoebus bound : 
 His god-like acts, and his temptations fierce, 
 And former sufferings, other where are found : 
 Loud o'er the rest Cremona's trump doth sound j 
 
 Me softer 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, 
 And work my flattered fancy to belief,
 
 POEMS. 179 
 
 That Heaven and Earth are coloured with my woe j 
 My sorrows are too dark for day to know : 
 
 The leaves should all be black whereon I write, 
 And letters, where my tears have washed, a wannish 
 
 white. 
 
 VI. 
 
 See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, 
 That whirled the Prophet up at Chebar flood j 
 My spirit some transporting Cherub feels, 
 To bear me where the towers of Salem stood, 
 Once glorious towers,. now sunk in guiltless blood j 
 
 There doth my soul in holy vision sit, 
 In pensive trance, and anguish, and ecstatick fit. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Mine eye hath found that sad sepulchral rock 
 
 That was the casket of Heaven's richest store, 
 And here though grief my feeble hands up lock, 
 Yet on the softened quarry would I score 
 My plaining verse as lively as before ; 
 
 For sure so well instructed are my tears, 
 That they would fitly fall in ordered characters. 
 
 VIII. 
 Or should I thence hurried on viewless wing 
 
 Take up a weeping on the mountain's wild, 
 The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring 
 Would soon unbosom all their echoes mild) 
 And I (for grief is easily beguiled) 
 
 Might think the infection of my sorrows loud 
 Had got a race of mourners on some pregnant cloud. 
 
 This subject the Author finding to be above the years he had, 
 when he wrote it, and nothing satisfied with what was begun, 
 left it unfinished. 
 
 N2
 
 180 POEMS. 
 
 UPON THE CIRCUMCISION. 
 
 YE flaming Powers and winged Warriours bright, 
 That erst with musick, and triumphant song, 
 First heard by happy watchful shepherds' ear, 
 So sweetly sung your joy the clouds along 
 Through the soft silence of the listening night ; 
 Now mourn; and, if sad share with us to bear 
 Your fiery essence can distil no tear, 
 Burn in your sighs, and borrow 
 Seas wept from our deep sorrow : 
 He, who with all Heaven's heraldry whilere 
 Entered the world, now bleeds to give us ease; 
 Alas, how soon our sin 
 Sore doth begin 
 
 His infancy to seise 1 
 
 O more exceeding love, or law more just? 
 Just law indeed, but more exceeding love ! 
 For we, by rightful doom remediless, 
 Were lost in death, till he that dwelt above 
 High throned in secret bliss, for us frail dust 
 Emptied his glory, even to nakedness ; 
 And that great covenant which we still transgress 
 Entirely satisfied ; 
 And the full wrath beside 
 Of vengeful justice bore for our excess ; 
 And seals obedience first, with wounding smart, 
 This day; but O! ere long, 
 Huge pangs and strong 
 
 Will pierce more near his heart.
 
 POEMS. 181 
 
 ON TIME. 
 
 FLY, envious Time, till thou run out thy race j 
 Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours, 
 Whose speed is but the heavy plummet's pace 5 
 And glut thyself with what thy womb devours, 
 Which is no more than what is false and vain, 
 And merely mortal dross : 
 So little is our loss, 
 So little is thy gainl 
 
 For when as each thing bad thou hast entombed, 
 And last of all thy greedy self consumed, 
 Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss 
 With an individual kiss ; 
 And Joy shall overtake us as a flood, 
 When every thing that is sincerely good 
 And perfectly divine, 
 
 With Truth, and Peace, and Love, shall ever shine 
 About the supreme throne 
 Of Him, to whose happy-making sight alone 
 When once our heavenly-guided soul shall clime ; 
 Then, all this earthy grossness quit, 
 Attired with stars, we shall for ever sit, 
 Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee, 
 O Time.
 
 182 POEMS. 
 
 AT A SOLEMN MUSICK. 
 
 BLEST pair of Syrens, pledges of Heaven's joy, 
 
 Sphere-born harmonious sisters, Voice and Verse, 
 
 Wed your divine sounds, and mixed power employ 
 
 Dead things with inbreathed sense able to pierce} 
 
 And to our high-raised phantasy present 
 
 That undisturbed song of pure concent, 
 
 Aye sung before the sapphire-coloured throne 
 
 To Him that sits thereon, 
 
 With saintly shout, and solemn jubilee j 
 
 Where the bright Seraphim, in burning row, 
 
 Their loud up-lifted angel trumpets blow; 
 
 And the cherubick host, in thousand quires, 
 
 Touch their immortal harps of golden wires, 
 
 With those just Spirits that wear victorious palms, 
 
 Hymns devout and holy psalms 
 
 Singing everlastingly : 
 
 That we on earth, with undiscording voice, 
 
 May rightly answer that melodious noise ; 
 
 As once we did, till disproportioned sin 
 
 Jarred against Nature's chime, and with harsh din 
 
 Broke the fair musick that all creatures made 
 
 To their great Lord, whose love their motion swayed 
 
 In perfect diapason, whilst they stood 
 
 In first obedience, and their state of good. 
 
 O, may we soon again renew that song, 
 
 And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long 
 
 To his celestial consort us unite, 
 
 To live with him, and sing in endless morn of light !
 
 POEMS. 183 
 
 AN EPITAPH 
 
 ON THE 
 
 MARCHIONESS OF WINCHESTER. 
 
 THIS rich marble doth inter 
 
 The honoured wife of Winchester, 
 
 A Viscount's daughter, an Earl's heir, 
 
 Besides what her virtues fair 
 
 Added to her noble birth, 
 
 More than she could own from earth. 
 
 Summers three times eight save one 
 
 She had told ; alas! too soon, 
 
 After so short time of breath, 
 
 To house with darkness, and with death. 
 
 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, 
 Quickly found a lover meet ; 
 The virgin quire for her request 
 The God that sits at marriage feast j 
 He at their invoking came, 
 But with a scarce well-lighted flame; 
 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, 
 And calls Lucina to her throes;
 
 184 POEMS. 
 
 But, whether by mischance or blame, 
 Atropos for Lucina came 5 
 And with remorseless cruelty 
 Spoiled at once both fruit and tree : 
 The hapless babe, before his birth, 
 Had burial, yet not laid in earth} 
 And the languished mother's womb 
 Was not long a living tomb. 
 
 So have I seen some tender slip, 
 Saved with care from winter's nip, 
 The pride of her carnation train, 
 Plucked up by some unheedy swain, 
 Who only thought to crop the flower 
 New shot up from vernal shower ; 
 But the fair blossom hangs the head 
 Side-ways, as on a dying bed, 
 And those pearls of dew, she wears, 
 Prove to be presaging tears, 
 Which the sad morn had let fall 
 On her hastening funeral. 
 
 Gentle Lady, may thy grave 
 Peace and quiet ever have j 
 After this thy travel sore 
 Sweet rest seise thee evermore, 
 That, to give the world encrease, 
 Shortened hast thy own life's lease. 
 Here, besides the sorrowing 
 That thy noble house doth bring, 
 Here be tears of perfect moan 
 Wept for thee in Helicon ; 
 And some flowers, and some bays, 
 For thy herse, to strew the ways,
 
 POEMS. 185 
 
 Sent thee from the banks of Came, 
 
 Devoted to thy virtuous name ; 
 
 Whilst thou, bright Saint, high sit'st in glory, 
 
 Next her, much like to thee in story, 
 
 That fair Syrian shepherdess, 
 
 Who, after years of barrenness, 
 
 The highly favoured Joseph bore 
 
 To him that served 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 : 
 
 There with thee, new welcome Saint, 
 
 Like fortunes may her soul acquaint, 
 
 With thee there clad in radiant sheen, 
 
 No Marchioness, but now a Queen. 
 
 SONG 
 
 ON MAY MORNING, 
 
 Now the bright Morning-star, day's harbinger, 
 Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her 
 The flowery May, who from her green lap throws 
 The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose. 
 Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire 
 Mirth, and youth, and warm desire ;
 
 186 POEAISi 
 
 Woods and groves are of thy dressing, 
 Hill, and dale, doth boast thy blessing ! 
 Thus we salute thee with our early song, 
 And welcome thee, and wish thee long. 
 
 ON SHAKSPEARE. 
 1630. 
 
 WHAT needs my Shakspeare, for his honoured bones, 
 
 The labour of an age in piled stones ? 
 
 Or that his hallowed reliques should be hid 
 
 Under a star-ypointing pyramid ? 
 
 Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, 
 
 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 the shame of slow-endeavouring art, 
 
 Thy easy numbers flow; and that each heart 
 
 Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalued book, 
 
 Those Delphick lines with deep impression took ; 
 
 Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving, 
 
 Dost make us marble with too much conceiving ; 
 
 And, so sepiilchered, in such pomp dost lie, 
 
 That kings, for such a tomb, would wish to die.
 
 POEMS. 187 
 
 ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER, 
 
 WHO SICKENED IN THE TIME OF HIS VACANCY, BEING 
 FORBID TO GO TO LONDON, BY REASON OF THE 
 PLAGUE. 
 
 HERE lies old Hobson ; Death hath broke his girt, 
 
 And here, alas ! hath laid him in the dirt j 
 
 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, 
 
 Death was half glad when he had got him down ; 
 
 For he had, any time this ten years full, 
 
 Dodged with him betwixt Cambridge and The Bull. 
 
 And surely Death could never have prevailed, 
 
 Had not his weekly course of carriage failed ; 
 
 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 chamberlin 
 
 Showed him his room where he must lodge that night, 
 
 Pulled off his boots, and took away the light : 
 
 If any ask for him, it shall be sed, 
 
 ' Hobson has supped, and's newly gone to bed.'
 
 188 POEMS. 
 
 ANOTHER ON THE SAME. 
 
 HERE lieth one, who did most truly prove 
 
 That he could never die while he could move j 
 
 So hung his destiny, never to rot 
 
 While he might still jog on and keep his trot, 
 
 Made of sphere-metal, never to decay 
 
 Until his revolution was at stay. 
 
 Time numbers motion, yet (without a crime 
 
 'Gainst old truth) motion numbered out his time : 
 
 And, like an engine, moved with wheel and weight, 
 
 His principles being ceased, he ended straight. 
 
 Rest, that gives all men life, gave him his death, 
 
 And too much breathing put him out of breath j 
 
 Nor were it contradiction to affirm, 
 
 Too long vacation hastened on his term. 
 
 Merely to drive the time away he sickened, 
 
 Fainted, and died, nor would with ale be quickened j 
 
 ' Nay,' quoth he, on his swooning bed outstretched, 
 
 If I mayn't carry, sure I'll ne'er be fetched, 
 
 But vow, though the cross doctors all stood hearers, 
 
 For one carrier put down to make six bearers.' 
 
 Ease was his chief disease; and, to judge right, 
 
 He died 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 even to his last breath, (there be that say't) 
 
 As he were pressed to death, he cried, More weight j
 
 POEMS. 189 
 
 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 
 
 Linked to the mutual flowing of the seas, 
 
 Yet (strange to think) his wain was his encrease . 
 
 His letters are delivered all and gone, 
 
 Only remains this superscription. 
 
 L'ALLEGRO. 
 
 HENCE, loathed Melancholy, 
 
 Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, 
 
 In Stygian cave forlorn, 
 
 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights un- 
 holy! 
 Find out some uncouth cell, , , 
 
 Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous wings, 
 
 And the night-raven sings ; 
 There under ebon shades, and low-browed rocks, 
 As ragged as thy locks, 
 
 In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. 
 But come, thou Goddess fair and free, 
 In Heaven ycleped Euphrosyne, 
 And by Men, heart-easing Mirth j 
 Whom lovely Venus, at a birth, 
 With two sister Graces more, 
 To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore : .o
 
 190 POEMS. 
 
 Or whether (as some sager sing) 
 
 The frolick wind, that breathes the spring, 
 
 Zephyr, with Aurora playing, 
 
 As he met her once a-Maying ; 
 
 There on beds of violets blue, 
 
 And fresh-blown roses washed in dew, 
 
 Filled her with thee a daughter fair, 
 
 So buxom, blithe, and .debonair. 
 
 Haste thee, Nymph, and bring with thee 
 Jest, and youthful Jollity, 
 Quips, and Cranks, and wanton Wiles, 
 Nods, and Becks, and wreathed Smiles, 
 Such as hang on Hebe's cheek, 
 And love to live in dimple sleek ; 
 Sport that wrinkled Care derides, 
 And Laughter holding both his sides. 
 Come, and trip it, as you go, 
 On the light fantastick toe ; 
 And in thy right hand lead with thee 
 The mountain-nymph, sweet Liberty ; 
 And, if I give thee honour due, 
 Mirth, admit me of thy crew, 
 To live with her, and live with thee, 
 In unreproved pleasures free ; 
 To hear the lark begin his flight, 
 And singing startle the dull night, 
 From his watch-tower in the skies ; 
 Till the dappled dawn doth rise 5 
 Then to come, in spite of sorrow, 
 And at my window bid good morrow, 
 Through the sweet-briar, or the vine, 
 Or the twisted eglantine :
 
 POEMS. 191 
 
 While the cock, with lively din, 
 
 Scatters the rear of Darkness thin ; 
 
 And to the stack, or the barn-door, 
 
 Stoutly struts his dames before : 
 
 Oft listening how the hounds and horn 
 
 Cheerly rouse the slumbering morn, 
 
 From the side of some hoar hill, 
 
 Through the high wood echoing shrill : 
 
 Some time walking, not unseen, 
 
 By hedge-row elms, on hillocks green, 
 
 Right against the eastern gate 
 
 Where the great sun begins his state, 
 
 Robed in flames, and amber light, 
 
 The clouds in thousand liveries dight ; 
 
 While the plowman, near at hand, 
 
 Whistles o'er the furrowed land, 
 
 And the milkmaid singeth blithe, 
 
 And the mower whets his sithe, 
 
 And every shepherd tells his tale 
 
 Under the hawthorn in the dale. 
 
 Straight mine eye hath caught new pleasures, 
 
 Whilst the landskip round it measures : 
 
 Russet lawns, and fallows gray, 
 
 Where the nibbling flocks do stray ; 
 
 Mountains, on whose barren breast 
 
 The labouring clouds do often rest ; 
 
 Meadows trim with daisies pide, 
 
 Shallow brooks, and rivers wide : 
 
 Towers and battlements it sees 
 
 Bosomed high in tufted trees, 
 
 Where perhaps some Beauty lies, 
 
 The Cynosure of neighbouring eyes.
 
 192 POEMS. 
 
 Hard by, a cottage chimney smoaks, 
 
 From betwixt two aged oaks, 
 
 Where Corydon and Thyrsis, met, 
 
 Are at their savoury dinner set, 
 
 Of herbs, and other country messes, 
 
 Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses; 
 
 And then in haste her bower she leaves, 
 
 W ith Thestylis to bind the sheaves ; 
 
 Or, if the earlier season lead, 
 
 To the tanned haycock in the mead. 
 
 Sometimes with secure delight 
 
 The upland hamlets will invite, 
 
 When the merry bells ring round, 
 
 And the jocund rebecks sound 
 
 To many a youth, and many a maid, 
 
 Dancing in the chequered shade ; 
 
 And young and old come forth to play 
 
 On a sun-shine holy-day, 
 
 Till the live-long day-light fail : 
 
 Then to the spicy nut-brown ale, 
 
 With stories told of many a feat, 
 
 How faery Mab the junkets eat ; 
 
 She was pinched, and pulled, she sed ; 
 
 And he, by friars lantern led, 
 
 Tells how the drudging Goblin swet, 
 
 To earn his cream-bowl duly set, 
 
 When in one night, ere glimpse of morn, 
 
 His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn, 
 
 That ten day-labourers could not end ; 
 
 Then lies him down the lubbar fiend, 
 
 And, stretched out all the chimney's length. 
 
 Basks at the fire his hairy strength ;
 
 POEMS. 193 
 
 And crop-full out of doors he flings, 
 
 Ere the first cock his matin rings. 
 
 Thus done the tales, to bed they creep, 
 
 By whispering winds soon lulled asleep. 
 
 Towered cities please us then, 
 
 And the busy hum of men, 
 
 Where throngs of knights and barons bold, 
 
 In weeds of peace, high triumphs hold, 
 
 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 
 
 In saffron 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. 
 
 Then to the well-trod stage anon, 
 
 If Jonson's learned sock be on, 
 
 Or sweetest Shakspeare, Fancy's child, 
 
 Warble his native wood-notes wild. 
 
 And ever, against eating cares, 
 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, 
 With wanton heed and giddy cunning ; 
 The melting voice through mazes running 
 Untwisting all the chains that tie 
 The hidden soul of harmony j
 
 194 POEMS. 
 
 That Orpheus' self may heave his head 
 
 From golden slumber on a bed 
 
 Of heaped Elysian flowers, and hear 
 
 Such strains as would have won the ear 
 
 Of Pluto, to have quite set free 
 
 His half-regained Eurydice. 
 
 These delights if thou canst give, 
 Mirth, with thee I mean to live. 
 
 IL PENSEROSO. 
 
 HENCE, vain deluding Joys, 
 
 The brood of Folly without father bred ! 
 
 How little you bested, 
 Or fill the fixed mind with all your toys ! 
 Dwell in some idle brain, 
 
 And fancies fond with gaudy shapes possess, 
 
 As thick and numberless 
 
 As the gay motes that people the sun-beams j 
 
 Or likest hovering dreams, 
 The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train. 
 But hail, thou Goddess, sage and holy, 
 Hail, divinest Melancholy ; 
 Whose saintly visage is too bright 
 To hit the sense of human sight, 
 And therefore to our weaker view 
 O'erlaid with black, staid Wisdom's huej
 
 POEMS. 195 
 
 Black, but such as in esteem 
 
 Prince Memnon's sister might beseem, 
 
 Or that starred Ethiop queen that strove 
 
 To set her beauty's praise above 
 
 The Sea- Nymphs, and their powers offended : 
 
 Yet thou art higher far descended : 
 
 Thee bright-haired Vesta, long of yore, 
 
 To solitary Saturn bore : 
 
 His daughter she ; in Saturn's reign, 
 
 Such mixture was not held a stain: 
 
 Oft in glimmering bowers and glades 
 
 He met her, and in secret shades 
 
 Of woody Ida's inmost grove, 
 
 Whilst yet there was no fear of Jove. 
 
 Come, pensive Nun, devout and pure, 
 
 Sober, stedfast, and demure, 
 
 All in a robe of darkest grain, 
 
 Flowing with majestick train, 
 
 And sable stole of Cyprus lawn, 
 
 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 : 
 
 There, held in holy passion still, 
 
 Forget thyself to marble, till 
 
 With a sad leaden downward cast 
 
 Thou fix them on the earth as fast : 
 
 And join with thee calm Peace, and Quiet, 
 
 Spare Fast, that oft with Gods doth diet, 
 
 And hears the Muses in a ring 
 
 Aye round about Jove's altar sing: 
 
 o2
 
 196 POEMS. 
 
 And add to these retired Leisure, 
 
 That in trim gardens takes his pleasure : 
 
 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 hist along, 
 
 'Less Philomel will deign a song, 
 
 In her sweetest saddest plight, 
 
 Smoothing the rugged brow of night, 
 
 While Cynthia checks her dragon yoke, 
 
 Gently o'er the accustomed oak : 
 
 Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly, 
 
 Most musical, most melancholy ! 
 
 Thee, chauntress, oft, the woods among, 
 
 I woo, to hear thy even-song ; 
 
 And, missing thee, I walk unseen 
 
 On the dry smooth-shaven green, 
 
 To behold the wandering moon, 
 
 Riding near her highest noon, 
 
 Like one that had been led astray 
 
 Through the heaven's wide pathless way ; 
 
 And oft, as if her head she bowed, 
 
 Stooping through a fleecy cloud. 
 
 Oft, on a plat of rising ground, 
 
 I hear the far-off Curfeu sound, 
 
 Over some wide-watered shore, 
 
 Swinging slow with sullen roar : 
 
 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 ;
 
 POEMS. 197 
 
 Far from all resort of mirth, 
 Save the cricket on the hearth, 
 Or the belman's drowsy charm, 
 To bless the doors from nightly harm. 
 Or let my lamp at midnight hour, 
 Be seen in some high lonely tower, 
 Where I may oft out-watch the Bear, 
 With thrice-great Hermes, or unsphere 
 The spirit of Plato, to unfold 
 What worlds or what vast regions hold 
 The immortal mind, that hath forsook 
 Her mansion in this fleshly nook : 
 And of those Demons that are found 
 In fire, air, flood, or under ground, 
 Whose power hath a true consent 
 With planet, or with element. 
 Sometimes let gorgeous Tragedy 
 In sceptered pall come sweeping by, 
 Presenting Thebes, or Pelops' line, 
 Or the tale of Troy divine ; 
 Or what (though rare) of later age 
 Ennobled hath the buskined stage. 
 
 But, O sad Virgin, that thy power 
 Might raise Musaeus from his bower ! 
 Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing 
 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, 
 Of Camball, and of Algarsife, 
 And who had Canace to wife,
 
 198 POEMS. 
 
 That owned the virtuous ring and glass ; 
 And of the wonderous horse of brass, 
 On which the Tartar king did ride : 
 And if aught else great bards beside 
 In sage and solemn tunes have sung, 
 Of turneys, and of trophies hung, 
 Of forests, and enchantments drear, 
 Where more is meant than meets the ear. 
 
 Thus, Night, oft see me in thy pale career, 
 Till civil-suited Morn appear, 
 Not tricked and frounced as she was wont 
 With the Attick boy to hunt, 
 But kercheft in a comely cloud, 
 While rocking winds are piping loud, 
 Or ushered with a shower still, 
 When the gust hath blown his fill, 
 Ending on the russling leaves, 
 With minute drops from off the eaves. 
 And, when the sun begins to fling 
 His flaring beams, me, Goddess, bring 
 To arched walks of twilight groves, 
 And shadows brown, that Sylvan loves, 
 Of pine, or monumental oak, 
 Where the rude axe, with heaved stroke, 
 Was never heard the Nymphs to daunt, 
 Or fright them from their hallowed haunt. 
 There in close covert by some brook, 
 Where no profaner eye may look, 
 Hide me from day's garish eye, 
 While the bee with honied thigh, 
 That at her flowery work doth sing, 
 And the waters murmuring,
 
 POEMS. 199 
 
 With such consort as they keep, 
 
 Entice the dewy-feathered Sleep ; 
 
 And let some strange mysterious Dream 
 
 Wave at his wings in aery stream 
 
 Of lively portraiture displayed, 
 
 Softly on my eye-lids laid. 
 
 And, as I wake, sweet musick breathe 
 
 Above, about, or underneath, 
 
 Sent by some Spirit to mortals good, 
 
 Or the unseen Genius of the wood. 
 
 But let my due feet never fail 
 To walk the studious cloysters pale, 
 And love the high-embowed roof, 
 With antick pillars massy proof, 
 And storied windows richly dight, 
 Casting a dim religious light : 
 There let the pealing organ blow, 
 To the full-voiced quire below, 
 In service high, and anthems clear, 
 As may with sweetness, through mine ear, 
 Dissolve me into ecstasies, 
 And bring all heaven 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 
 Of every star that heaven doth shew, 
 And every herb that sips the dew; 
 Till old experience do attain 
 To something like prophetick strain. 
 
 These pleasures, Melancholy, give, 
 And I with thee will choose to live.
 
 200 POEMS. 
 
 ARCADES. 
 
 PART OF AN ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTED TO THE 
 COUNTESS DOWAGER OF DERBY AT HAREFIELD, BY 
 SOME NOBLE PERSONS OF HER FAMILY WHO AP- 
 PEAR ON THE SCENE IN PASTORAL HABIT, MOVING 
 TOWARD THE SEAT OF STATE, WITH THIS SONG. 
 
 I. SONG. 
 
 LOOK, Nymphs and Shepherds, look, 
 What sudden blaze of majesty 
 Is that which we from hence descry, 
 Too divine to be mistook : 
 
 This, this is she 
 
 To whom our vows and wishes bend ; 
 Here our solemn search hath end. 
 
 Fame, that, her high worth to raise, 
 Seemed erst so lavish and profuse, 
 We may justly now accuse 
 Of detraction from her praise ; 
 Less than half we find expressed, 
 Envy bid conceal the rest. 
 
 Mark, what radiant state she spreads, 
 In circle round her shining throne,
 
 POEMS. 201 
 
 Shooting her beams like silver threads ; 
 This, this is she alone, 
 
 Sitting like a Goddess bright, 
 
 In the center of her light. 
 
 Might she the wise Latona be, 
 Or the towered Cybele 
 Mother of a hundred Gods ? 
 Jnno dares not give her odds : 
 
 Who had thought this clime had held 
 
 A deity so unparellelled ? 
 
 AS THEY CO3IE FORWARD, THE GENIUS OF THE WOOD 
 APPEARS, AND TURNING TOWARD THEM, SPEAKS. 
 
 GENIUS. 
 
 STAY, gentle Swains 5 for, though in this disguise, 
 
 I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes ; 
 
 Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung 
 
 Of that renowned flood, so often sung, 
 
 Divine Alpheus, who by secret since 
 
 Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse ; 
 
 And ye, the breathing roses of the wood, 
 
 Fair silver-buskined Nymph, as great and good ; 
 
 I know, this quest of yours, and free intent, 
 
 Was all in honour and devotion meant 
 
 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 ;
 
 202 POEMS. 
 
 And lead ye, where ye may more near behold 
 What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold j 
 Which I full oft, amidst these shades alone, 
 Have sat to wonder at, and gaze upon : 
 For know, by lot from Jove I am the Power 
 Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bower, 
 To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove 
 With ringlets quaint, and wanton windings wove. 
 And all my plants I save from nightly ill 
 Of noisome winds, and blasting vapours chill : 
 And from the boughs brush off the evil dew, 
 And heal the harms of thwarting thunder blue, 
 Or what the cross dire-looking planet smites, 
 Or hurtful worm with cankered venom bites. 
 When evening gray doth rise, I fetch my round 
 Over the mount, and all this hallowed ground ; 
 And early, ere the odorous breath of morn 
 Awakes the slumbering leaves, or tasseled horn 
 Shakes the high thicket, haste I all about, 
 Number my ranks, and visit every sprout 
 With puissant words, and murmurs made to bless. 
 But else in deep of night, when drowsiness 
 Hath locked up mortal sense, then listen I 
 To the celestial Syrens' harmony, 
 That sit upon the nine infolded spheres, 
 And sing to those that hold the vital shears, 
 And turn the adamantine spindle round, 
 On which the fate of Gods and Men is wound. 
 Such sweet compulsion doth in musick lie 
 To lull the daughters of Necessity, 
 And keep unsteady Nature to her law, 
 And the low world in measured motion draw
 
 POEMS. 203 
 
 After the heavenly tune, which none can hear 
 Of human mould, with gross unpurged ear; 
 And yet such musick worthiest were to blaze 
 The peerless highth of her immortal praise, 
 Whose lustre leads us, and for her most fit, 
 If my inferiour 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, 
 And so attend ye toward her glittering state ; 
 Where ye may all, that are of noble stem, 
 Approach, and kiss her sacred vesture's hem. 
 
 II. SONG. 
 
 O'ER the smooth enamelled green 
 Where no print of step hath been, 
 
 Follow me, as I sing 
 
 And touch the warbled string, 
 Under the shady roof 
 Of branching elm star-proof. 
 
 Follow me; 
 
 I will bring you where she sits, 
 Clad in splendour as befits 
 
 Her deity. 
 Such a rural Queen 
 All Arcadia hath not seen.
 
 204 POEMS. 
 
 III. SONG. 
 
 NYMPHS and Shepherds, dance no more 
 
 By sandy Ladon's lillied banks j 
 On old Lycaeus, or Cyllene hoar, 
 
 Trip no more in twilight ranks ; 
 Though Erymanth your loss deplore, 
 
 A better soil shall give ye thanks. 
 From the stony Maenalus 
 Bring your flocks, and live with us ; 
 Here ye shall have greater grace, 
 To serve the Lady of this place. 
 Though Syrinx your Pan's mistress were, 
 Yet Syrinx well might wait on her. 
 
 Such a rural Queen 
 All Arcadia hath not seen.
 
 C O M U S 5 
 
 *<:<< i^3J f iC ! 
 
 A. 
 
 ^h laoj iii.t r ! 
 
 MA S K 
 
 PRESENTED 
 
 - '-iK\f 
 
 AT LUDLOW CASTLE, 1634, 
 t?wi>i) l*mn riju 
 
 BEFORE , ,f tei ! 
 
 THE EARL OF BRIDGEWATER, 
 
 THEN PRESIDENT OF WALES.
 
 THE PERSONS. 
 
 THE ATTENDANT SPIRIT, afterwards in the habit of 
 
 THYRSIS. 
 
 COMUS, with his Crew. 
 THE LADY. 
 FIRST BROTHER. 
 SECOND BROTHER. 
 SABRINA, the Nymph. 
 
 The chief Persons, who presented, were 
 
 The Lord Brackley. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Egerton, his Brother. 
 
 The Lady Alice Egerton.
 
 COMUS. 
 
 The first scene discovers a wild wood. The Attendant 
 Spirit descends or enters. 
 
 BEFORE the starry threshold of Jove's court 
 
 My mansion is, where those immortal shapes 
 
 Of bright aereal spirits live insphered 
 
 In regions mild of calm and serene air, 
 
 Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot, 
 
 Which men call Earth j and, with low-thoughted care 
 
 Confined and pestered in this pin-fold here, 
 
 Strive to keep up a frail and feverish being, 
 
 Unmindful of the crown that Virtue gives, 
 
 After this mortal change, to her true servants, 
 
 Amongst the enthroned Gods on sainted seats. 
 
 Yet some 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 j and, but for such,
 
 208 POEMS. 
 
 1 would not soil these pure ambrosial weeds 
 With the rank vapours of this sin-worn 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 
 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, 
 And gives them leave to wear their sapphire crowns, 
 And wield their little tridents : but this Isle, 
 The greatest and the best of all the main, 
 He quarters to his blue-haired Deities ; 
 And all this tract that fronts the falling sun 
 A noble Peer of mickle trust and power 
 Has in his charge, with tempered awe to guide 
 An old and haughty nation, proud in arms : 
 Where his fair off-spring, nursed in princely lore, 
 Are coming to attend their father's state, 
 And new-entrusted scepter : but their way 
 Lies through the perplexed paths of this drear wood, 
 The nodding horrour of whose shady brows 
 Threats the forlorn and wandering passenger ; 
 And here their tender age might suffer peril, 
 But that by quick command from sovran Jove 
 I was dispatched for their defence and guard : 
 And listen why; for I will tell you now 
 What never yet was heard in tale or song, 
 From old or modern bard, in hall or bower. 
 
 Bacchus, that first from out the purple grape
 
 POEMS. 209 
 
 Crushed 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, 
 
 The daughter of the Sun, whose charmed cup 
 
 Whoever tasted, lost his upright shape, 
 
 And downward fell into a groveling swine?) 
 
 This Nymph, that gazed upon his clustering locks 
 
 With ivy berries wreathed, and his blithe youth, 
 
 Had by him, ere he parted thence, a son 
 
 Much like his father, but his mother more, 
 
 Whom therefore she brought up, and Comus named : 
 
 Who, ripe and frolick of his full grown age, 
 
 Roving the Celtick and Iberian fields, 
 
 At last betakes him to this ominous wood j 
 
 And, in thick shelter of black shades imbowered, 
 
 Excels his mother at her mighty art, 
 
 Offering to every weary traveller 
 
 His orient liquour in a crystal glass, 
 
 To quench the drouth of Phoebus ; which as they taste, 
 
 (For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst,) 
 
 Soon as the potion works, their human countenance, 
 
 The express resemblance of the Gods, is changed 
 
 Into some brutish form of wolf, or bear, 
 
 Or ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat, 
 
 All other parts remaining as they were ; 
 
 And they, so perfect is their misery, 
 
 Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, 
 
 But boast themselves more comely than before j 
 
 And all their friends and native home forget, 
 
 To roll with pleasure in a sensual stye.
 
 210 POEMS. 
 
 Therefore when any, favoured of high Jove, 
 
 Chances to pass through this adventurous glade, 
 
 Swift as the sparkle of a glancing star 
 
 I shoot from Heaven, to give him safe convoy, 
 
 As now I do : but first I must put off 
 
 These my sky-robes spun out of Iris' woof, 
 
 And take the weeds and likeness of a swain 
 
 That to the service of this house belongs, 
 
 Who with his soft pipe, and smooth-dittied song, 
 
 Well knows to still the wild winds when they roar, 
 
 And hush the waving woods ; nor of less faith, 
 
 And in this office of his mountain watch 
 
 Likeliest, and nearest to the present aid 
 
 Of this occasion. But I hear the tread 
 
 Of hateful steps ; I must be viewless now. 
 
 Comus enters with a charming rod in one hand, his 
 glass in the other; with him a rout of monsters, 
 headed like sundry sorts of wild beasts, but other ~ 
 wise like men and women, their apparel glistering ; 
 they come in making a riotous and unruly noise, 
 with torches in their hands. 
 
 Comus. 
 
 The star that bids the shepherd fold, 
 Now the top of heaven doth hold j 
 And the gilded car of day 
 His glowing axle doth allay 
 In the steep Atlantick stream ; 
 And the slope sun his upward beam
 
 fOEMS. 211 
 
 Shoots against the dusky pole, 
 Pacing toward the other goal 
 Of his chamber in the East. 
 Mean while welcome Joy, and Feast, 
 Midnight Shout, and Revelry, 
 Tipsy Dance, and Jollity. 
 Braid your locks with rosy twine, 
 Dropping odours, dropping wine. 
 Rigour now is gone to bed, 
 And Advice with scrupulous head. 
 Strict Age and sour Severity, 
 With their grave saws, in slumber lie. 
 We, that are of purer fire, 
 Imitate the starry quire, 
 Who, in their nightly watchful spheres, 
 Lead in swift round the months and years. 
 The sounds and seas, with all their finny drove, 
 Now to the moon in wavering morrice move ; 
 And, on the tawny sands and shelves, 
 Trip the pert faeries and the dapper elves. 
 By dimpled brook and fountain-brim, 
 The Wood-Nymphs, decked with daisies trim, 
 Their merry wakes and pastimes keep ; 
 What hath night to do with sleep ? 
 Night hath better sweets to prove ; 
 Venus now wakes, and wakens Love. 
 Come, let us our rights begin ; 
 'Tis only day-light that makes sin, 
 Which these dun shades will ne'er report. 
 Hail, Goddess of nocturnal sport, 
 Dark-veiled Cotytto ! to whom the secret flame 
 Of midnight torches burns ; mysterious dame, 
 
 p2
 
 212 POEMS, 
 
 That ne'er art called, but when the dragon woom 
 
 Of Stygian darkness spets her thickest gloom, 
 
 And makes one blot of all the air j 
 
 Stay thy cloudy ebon chair, 
 
 Wherein thou rid'st with Hecat', and befriend 
 
 Us thy vowed priests, till utmost end 
 
 Of all thy dues be done, and none left out ; 
 
 Ere the blabbing eastern scout, 
 
 The nice morn, on the Indian steep 
 
 From her cabined loop-hole peep, 
 
 And to the tell-tale sun descry 
 
 Our concealed solemnity. 
 
 Come, knit hands, and beat the ground 
 
 In a light fantastick round. 
 
 THE MEASURE. 
 
 Break off, break off, I feel the different pace 
 
 Of some chaste footing near about this ground. 
 
 Run to your shrouds, within these brakes and trees ; 
 
 Our number may affright : some virgin sure 
 
 (For so I can distinguish by mine art) 
 
 Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms, 
 
 And to my wily trains ; I shall ere long 
 
 Be well-stocked with as fair a herd as grazed 
 
 About my mother Circe. Thus I hurl 
 
 My dazzling spells into the spungy air, 
 
 Of power to cheat the eye with blear illusion. 
 
 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 course :
 
 213 
 
 1, under fair pretence of friendly ends, 
 And well-placed words of glozing courtesy 
 Baited with reasons not unplausible, 
 Wind me into the easy-hearted man, 
 And hug him into snares. When once her eye 
 Hath met the virtue t>f this magick dust, 
 I shall appear some harmless villager, 
 Whom thrift keeps up about his country gear. 
 But here she comes ; I fairly step aside, 
 And hearken, if I may, her business here. 
 
 The Lady enters. 
 
 This way the noise was, if mine ear be true., 
 My best guide now : methought it was the sound 
 Of riot and ill-managed merriment, 
 Such as the jocund flute, or gamesome pipe, 
 Stirs up among the loose unlettered hinds j 
 When for their teeming flocks, and granges full, 
 In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan, 
 And thank the Gods amiss. I should be loth 
 To meet the rudeness, and swilled insolence, 
 Of such late wassailers ; yet O ! where else 
 Shall I inform my unacquainted feet 
 In the blind mazes of this tangled wood? 
 My Brothers, when they saw me wearied out 
 With this long way, resolving here to lodge 
 Under the spreading favour of these pines, 
 Stept, as they said, to the next thicket-side, 
 To bring me berries, or such cooling fruit 
 As the kind hospitable woods provide,
 
 214 POEMS. 
 
 They left me then, when the gray-hooded Even, 
 Like a sad votarist in palmer's weed, 
 Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phoebus' wain. 
 But where they are, and why they came not back, 
 Is now the labour of my thoughts ; 'tis likeliest 
 They had engaged their wandering steps too far; 
 And envious darkness, ere they could return, 
 Had stole them from me : else, O thievish Night, 
 Why shouldst thou, but for some felonious end, 
 In thy dark lantern thus close up the stars, 
 That Nature hung in Heaven, and filled their lamps 
 With everlasting oil, to give due light 
 To the misled and lonely traveller ? 
 This is the place, as well as I may guess, 
 Whence even now the tumult of loud mirth 
 Was rife, and perfect in my listening ear ; 
 Yet nought but single darkness do I find. 
 What might this be ? A thousand fantasies 
 Begin to throng into my memory, 
 Of calling shapes, and beckoning shadows dire, 
 And aery tongues that syllable men's names 
 On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses. 
 These thoughts may startle well, but not astound, 
 The virtuous mind, that ever walks attended 
 By a strong siding champion, Conscience. 
 
 welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope, 
 Thou hovering Angel, girt with golden wings 3 
 And thou, unblemished form of Chastity ! 
 
 1 see ye visibly, and now believe 
 
 That He, the Supreme Good, to whom all things UJ 
 Are but as slavish officers of vengeance,
 
 POEMS. 215 
 
 Would send a glistering guardian, if need were, 
 To keep my life and honour unassailed. 
 Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud 
 Turn forth her silver lining on the night ? 
 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 : 
 I cannot halloo to my Brothers, but 
 Such noise as I can make to be heard farthest 
 I'll venture ; for my new-enlivened spirits 
 Prompt me ; and they perhaps are not far off. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 SWEET Echo, sweetest Nymph, that liv'st unseen 
 
 Within thy aery shell, 
 By slow Meander's margent green, 
 And in the violet-embroidered vale, 
 
 Where the love-lorn nightingale 
 Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well ; 
 Canst thou not tell me of a gentle pair 
 That Hkest thy Narcissus are ? 
 O, if thou have 
 Hid them in some flowery cave, 
 
 Tell me but where, 
 
 Sweet queen of parly, daughter of the sphere ! 
 So mayst thou be translated to the skies, 
 And give resounding grace to all Heaven's harmonies.
 
 216 POEMS. 
 
 Enter Comus. 
 
 Can any mortal mixture of earth's mould 
 Breathe such divine enchanting ravishment? 
 Sure something holy lodges in that breast, 
 And with these raptures moves the vocal air 
 To testify his hidden residence. 
 How sweetly did they float upon the wings 
 Of silence, through the empty-vaulted night, 
 At every fall smoothing the raven-down 
 Of darkness, till it smiled ! I have oft heard 
 My mother Circe with the Syrens three, 
 Amidst the flowery-kirtled Naiades, 
 Culling their potent herbs and baleful drugs ; 
 Who, as they sung, would take the prisoned soul, 
 And lap it in Elysium : Scylla wept, 
 And chid her barking waves into attention, 
 And fell Charybdis murmured soft applause : 
 Yet they in pleasing slumber lulled the sense, 
 And in sweet madness robbed it of itself; 
 But such a sacred and home-felt delight, 
 Such sober certainty of waking bliss, 
 I never heard till now. I'll speak to her, 
 And she shall be my queen. Hail 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 blest song 
 Forbidding every bleak unkindly fog 
 To touch the prosperous growth of this tall wood. 
 Lady. 
 
 Nay, gentle shepherd, ill is lost that praise, 
 That is addressed to unattending ears 5
 
 POMS. 217 
 
 Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift 
 How to regain my severed company, 
 Compelled me to awake the courteous Echo 
 To give me answer from her mossy couch. 
 
 Comus. 
 What chance, good Lady, hath bereft you thus ? 
 
 Lady. 
 Dim darkness, and this leafy labyrinth. 
 
 Comus. 
 Could that divide you from near-ushering guides ? 
 
 Lady. 
 They left me weary on a grassy turf. 
 
 Comus. 
 By falshood, or discourtesy, or why ? 
 
 Lady. 
 To seek i' the valley some cool friendly spring. 
 
 Comus. 
 And left your fair side all unguarded, Lady ? 
 
 Lady. 
 They were but twain, and purposed quick return. 
 
 Comus. 
 Perhaps forestalling night prevented them. 
 
 Lady. 
 How easy my misfortune is to hit ! 
 
 Comus. 
 Imports their loss, beside the present need ? 
 
 Lady. 
 No less than if I should my Brothers lose. 
 
 Comus. 
 Were they of manly prime, or youthful bloom?
 
 218 POEMS. 
 
 Lady. 
 
 As smooth as Hebe's their unrazored lips. 
 Comus. 
 
 Two such I saw, what time the laboured ox 
 In his loose traces from the furrow came, 
 And the swinked hedger at his supper sat } 
 I saw them under a green mantling vine, 
 That crawls along the side of yon small hill, 
 Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots ; 
 Their port was more than human, as they stood : 
 I took it for a faery vision 
 Of some gay creatures of the element, 
 That in the colours of the rainbow live, 
 And play i'the plighted clouds. I was aw-struck, 
 And, as I passed, I worshipped ; if those you seek, 
 It were a journey like the path to Heaven, 
 To help you find them. 
 
 Lady. 
 
 Gentle Villager, 
 
 What readiest way would bring me to that place ? 
 Comus. 
 
 Due west it rises from this shrubby point. 
 Lady. 
 
 To find out that, good Shepherd, I suppose, 
 In such a scant allowance of star-light, 
 Would overtask the best land-pilot's art, 
 Without the sure guess of well-practised feet. 
 Comus. 
 
 I know each lane, and every alley green, 
 Dingle, or bushy dell of this wild wood,
 
 POEMS. 219 
 
 And every bosky bourn from side to side, 
 My daily walks and ancient neighbourhood ; 
 And if your stray attendance be yet lodged, 
 Or shroud within these limits, I shall know 
 Ere morrow wake, or the low-roosted lark 
 From her thatched pallet rouse j if otherwise, 
 I can conduct you, Lady, to a low 
 But loyal cottage, where you may be safe 
 Till further quest. 
 
 Lady. 
 
 Shepherd, I take thy word, 
 And trust thy honest offered courtesy, 
 Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds 
 With smoaky rafters, than in tap'stry halls 
 In courts of princes, where it first was named, 
 And yet is most pretended : in a place 
 Less warranted than this, or less secure, 
 I cannot be, that I should fear to change it. 
 Eye me, blest Providence, and square my trial 
 To my proportioned strength ! Shepherd, lead on. 
 
 Enter The Two Brothers. 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 Unmuffle, ye faint stars ; and thou, fair moon, 
 That wont'st to love the traveller's benison, 
 Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud, 
 And disinherit Chaos, that reigns here 
 In double night of darkness and of shades j 
 Or, if your influence be quite dammed up 
 With black usurping mists, some gentle taper, 
 Though a rush-candle from the wicker hole
 
 220 POEMS. 
 
 Of some clay habitation, visit us 
 
 With thy long-levelled rule of streaming light ; 
 
 And thou shalt be our star of Arcady, 
 
 Or Tyrian Cynosure. 
 
 Second Brother. 
 
 Or, if our eyes 
 
 Be barred that happiness, might we but hear 
 The folded flocks penned in their wattled cotes, 
 Or sound of pastoral reed with oaten stops, 
 Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock 
 Count the night watches to his feathery dames, 
 'Twould be some solace yet, some little cheering, 
 In this close dungeon of innumerous boughs. 
 But, O that hapless virgin, our lost Sister ! 
 Where may she wander now, whither betake her 
 From the chill dew, among rude burs and thistles ? 
 Perhaps some cold bank is her bolster now, 
 Or 'gainst the rugged bark of some broad elm 
 Leans her unpillowed head, fraught with sad fears. 
 What, if in wild amazement and affright ? 
 Or, while we speak, within the direful grasp 
 Of savage hunger, or of savage heat ? 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 Peace, Brother ; be not over-exquisite 
 To cast the fashion of uncertain evils : 
 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 if they be but false alarms of fear, 
 How bitter is such self-delusion ! 
 I do not think my Sister so to seek,
 
 POEMS. 25 
 
 Or so unprincipled in Virtue's book, 
 
 And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever, 
 
 As that the single want of light and noise 
 
 (Not being in danger, as I trust she is not,) 
 
 Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts, 
 
 And put them into misbecoming plight. 
 
 Virtue could see to do what Virtue would 
 
 By her own radiant light, though sun and moon 
 
 Were in the flat sea sunk. And Wisdom's self 
 
 Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude j 
 
 Where, with her best nurse, Contemplation, 
 
 She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings, 
 
 That in the various bustle of resort 
 
 Were all- to ruffled, and sometimes impaired. 
 
 He that has light within his own clear breast, 
 
 May sit i' the center, and enjoy bright day : 
 
 But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts, 
 
 Benighted walks under the mid-day sun ; 
 
 Himself is his own dungeon. 
 
 Second Brother. 
 "Tis most true, 
 
 That musing Meditation most affects 
 The pensive secrecy of desert cell, 
 Far from the cheerful haunt of men and herds, 
 And sits as safe as in a senate-house ; 
 For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, 
 His few books, or his beads, or maple 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 unenchanted eye,
 
 222 POEMS. 
 
 To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit, 
 From the rash hand of bold Incontinence. 
 You may as well spread out the unsunned heaps 
 Of miser's treasure by an outlaw's den, 
 And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope 
 Danger will wink on Opportunity, 
 And let a single helpless maiden pass 
 Uninjured in this wild surrounding waste. 
 Of night, or loneliness, it recks me not ; 
 I fear the dread events that dog them both, 
 Lest some ill-greeting touch attempt the person 
 Of our unowned Sister. 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 I do not, Brother, 
 
 Infer, as if I thought my Sister's state 
 Secure, without all doubt or controversy j 
 Yet, where an equal poise of hope and fear 
 Does arbitrate the event, my nature is 
 That I incline to hope, rather than fear, 
 And gladly banish squint suspicion. 
 My Sister is not so defenceless left 
 As you imagine ; she has a hidden strength, 
 Which you remember not, 
 
 Second Brother. 
 
 What hidden strength, 
 
 Unless the strength of Heaven, if you mean that ? 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength, 
 Which, if Heaven gave it, may be termed her own 
 'Tis Chastity, my Brother, Chastity : 
 She, that has that, is clad ia complete steel ;
 
 POEMS. 223 
 
 And, like a quivered Nymph with arrows keen, 
 
 May trace huge forests, and unharboured heaths, 
 
 Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds ; 
 
 Where, through the sacred rays of Chastity, 
 
 No savage fierce, bandite, or mountaineer, 
 
 Will dare to soil her virgin purity : 
 
 Yea there, where very Desolation dwells, 
 
 By grots and caverns shagged with horrid shades, 
 
 She may pass on with unblenched majesty, 
 
 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 magick chains at Curfeu time. 
 
 No goblin, or swart faery 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? 
 
 Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow, 
 
 Fair silver-shafted queen, for ever chaste, 
 
 Wherewith she tamed the brinded lioness 
 
 And spotted mountain-pard, but set at nought 
 
 The frivolous bolt of Cupid ; gods and men 
 
 Feared her stern frown, and she was queen o'the woods. 
 
 What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield, 
 
 That wise Minerva wore, unconquered virgin, 
 
 Wherewith she freezed her foes to congealed stone, 
 
 But rigid looks of chaste austerity, 
 
 And noble grace, that dashed brute violence
 
 224 POEMS. 
 
 With sudden adoration and blank awe ? 
 
 So dear to Heaven is saintly Chastity, 
 
 That, when a soul is found sincerely so, 
 
 A thousand liveried Angels lackey her, 
 
 Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt j 
 
 And, in clear dream and solemn vision, 
 
 Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear j 
 
 Till oft converse with heavenly habitants 
 
 Begin to cast a beam on the outward shape, 
 
 The unpolluted temple of the mind, 
 
 And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence, 
 
 Till all be made immortal : but when Lust, 
 
 By unchaste looks, loose gestures, and foul talk, 
 
 But most by lewd and lavish act of sin, 
 
 Lets in defilement to the inward parts, 
 
 The soul grows clotted by contagion, 
 
 Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite lose 
 
 The divine property of her first being. 
 
 Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp, 
 
 Oft seen in charnel vaults and sepulchres 
 
 Lingering, and sitting by a new made grave, 
 
 As loth to leave the body that it loved, 
 
 And linked itself by carnal sensuality 
 
 To a degenerate and degraded state. 
 
 Second Brother. 
 
 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 nectared sweets, 
 Where no crude surfeit reigns.
 
 POEMS. 225 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 List, list; I hear 
 Some far off halloo break the silent air. 
 
 Second Brother. 
 Methought so too ; what should it be ? 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 For certain 
 
 Either some one like us night-foundered here, 
 Or else some neighbour woodman, or, at worst, 
 Some roving robber calling to his fellows. 
 
 Second Brother. 
 
 Heaven keep my Sister. Again, again, and near ! 
 Best draw, and stand upon our guard. 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 I'll halloo : 
 
 If he be friendly, he comes well ; if not, 
 Defence is a good cause, and Heaven be for us. 
 
 Enter The Attendant Spirit, habited like a 
 Shepherd. 
 
 That halloo I should know; what are you? speak; 
 Come not too near, you fall on iron stakes else. 
 
 Spirit. 
 What voice is that? my young Lord? speak again. 
 
 Second Brother. 
 O Brother, 'tis my father's shepherd, sure. 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 Thyrsis ? Whose artful strains have oft delayed 
 The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, 
 And sweetened every musk-rose of the dale ? 
 

 
 226 POEMS. 
 
 How cam'st thou here, good swain ? hath any ram 
 Slipped from the fold, or young kid lost his dam, 
 Or straggling wether the pent flock forsook ? 
 How couldst thou find this dark sequestered nook ? 
 Spirit. 
 
 O my loved master's heir, and his next joy, 
 I came not here on such a trivial toy 
 As a strayed ewe, or to pursue the stealth 
 Of pilfering wolf; not all the fleecy wealth, 
 That doth enrich these downs, is worth a thought 
 To this my errand, and the care it brought. 
 But, O my virgin Lady, where is she ? 
 How chance she is not in your company? 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 To tell thee sadly, Shepherd, without blame, 
 Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 
 Spirit. 
 
 Ay me unhappy ! then my fears are true. 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 What fears, good Thyrsis ? Pr'ythee briefly shew. 
 Spirit. 
 
 I'll tell ye j 'tis not vain or fabulous, 
 (Though so esteemed by shallow ignorance,) 
 What the sage poets, taught by the heavenly Muse, 
 Storied of old, in high immortal verse, 
 Of dire chimeras, and enchanted isles, 
 And rifted rocks whose entrance leads to Hell j 
 For such there be ; but unbelief is blind. 
 
 Within the navel of this hideous wood, 
 Immured in cypress shades a sorcerer dwells, 
 Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Comus,
 
 POEMS. 227 
 
 Deep skilled in all his mother's witcheries 5 
 And here to every thirsty wanderer 
 By sly enticement gives his baneful cup, 
 With many murmurs mixed, whose pleasing poison 
 The visage quite transforms of him that drinks, 
 And the inglorious likeness of a beast 
 Fixes instead, unmoulding reason's mintage 
 Charactered in the face : this have I learned 
 Tending my flocks hard by i' the hilly crofts, 
 That brow this bottom-glade j whence night by night 
 He and his monstrous rout are heard to howl, 
 Like stabled wolves, or tigers at their prey, 
 Doing abhorred rites to Hecate 
 In their obscured haunts of inmost bowers. 
 Yet have they many baits, and guileful spells, 
 To inveigle and invite the unwary sense 
 Of them that pass unweeting by the way. 
 This evening late, by then the chewing flocks 
 Had ta'en their supper on the savoury 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 honey-suckle, and began, 
 Wrapped in a pleasing fit of melancholy, 
 To meditate my rural minstrelsy, 
 Till fancy had her fill ; but, ere a close, 
 The wonted roar was up amidst the woods, 
 And filled the air with barbarous dissonance j 
 At which I ceased, and listened them a while, 
 Till an unusual stop of sudden silence 
 Gave respite to the drowsy frighted steeds, 
 
 o2
 
 228 POEMS. 
 
 That draw the litter of close-curtained Sleepy 
 
 At last a soft and solemn-breathing sound 
 
 Rose like a steam of rich distilled perfumes, 
 
 And stole upon the air, that even Silence 
 
 Was took ere she was ware, and wished she might 
 
 Deny her nature, and be never more, 
 
 Still to be so displaced. I was all ear, 
 
 And took in strains that might create a soul 
 
 Under the ribs of Death : but O ! ere long, 
 
 Too well I did perceive it was the voice 
 
 Of my most honoured Lady, your dear Sister. 
 
 Amazed I stood, harrowed with grief and fear, 
 
 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, 
 
 Where that damned 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 wished prey; 
 
 Who gently asked if he had seen such two, 
 
 Supposing him some neighbour villager. 
 
 Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guessed 
 
 Ye were the two she meant ; with that I sprung 
 
 Into swift flight, till I had found you here; 
 
 But further know I not. 
 
 Second Brother. 
 O night, and shades ! 
 
 How are ye joined with Hell in triple knot 
 Against the unarmed weakness of one virgin,
 
 POEMS. 229 
 
 Alone, and helpless ! is this the confidence 
 You gave me, Brother ? 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 Yes, and keep it still ; 
 Lean on it safely ; not a period 
 Shall be unsaid for me : against the threats 
 Of malice, or of sorcery, or that power 
 Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm ; 
 Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, 
 Surprized by unjust force, but not enthralled ; 
 Yea, even that, which mischief meant most harm, 
 Shall in the happy trial prove most glory : 
 But evil on itself shall back recoil, 
 And mix no more with goodness ; when at last 
 Gathered like scum, and settled to itself, 
 It shall be in eternal restless change 
 Self-fed, and self-consumed : if this fail, 
 The pillared firmament is rottenness. 
 And earth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on. 
 Against the opposing will and arm of Heaven 
 May never this just sword be lifted up ! 
 But for that damned magician, let him be girt 
 With all the grisly legions that troop 
 Under the sooty flag of Acheron, 
 Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms 
 'Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, 
 And force him to return his purchase back. 
 Or drag him by the curls to a foul death, 
 Cursed as his life. 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 Alas ! good venturous Youth,
 
 230 POEMS. 
 
 I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise; 
 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 : 
 He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints, 
 And crumble all thy sinews. 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 Why pr'ythee, Shepherd, 
 How durst thou then thyself approach so near, 
 As to make this relation? 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 Care, and utmost shifts, 
 How to secure the lady from surprisal, 
 Brought to my mind a certain shepherd lad, 
 Of small regard to see to, yet well skilled 
 In every virtuous plant, and healing herb, 
 That spreads her verdant leaf to the morning ray : 
 He loved me well, and oft would beg me sing; 
 Which when I did, he on the tender grass 
 Would sit, and hearken even to ecstasy, 
 And in requital ope his leathern scrip, 
 And show me simples of a thousand names, 
 Telling their strange and vigorous faculties : 
 Amongst the rest a small unsightly root, 
 But of divine effect, he culled me out ; 
 The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it, 
 But in another country, as he said, 
 Bore a bright golden flower, but not in this soil : 
 Unknown, and like esteemed, and the dull swain 
 Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon : 
 And yet more med'cinal is it than that Moly,
 
 POEMS. 231 
 
 That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave j 
 
 He called it Haemony, and gave it me. 
 
 And bade me keep it as of sovran use 
 
 'Gainst all enchantments, mildew, blast, or damp, 
 
 Or ghastly furies' apparition. 
 
 I pursed it up, but little reckoning made, 
 
 Till now that this extremity compelled : 
 
 But now I find it true ; for by this means 
 
 1 knew the foul enchanter though disguised, 
 
 Entered the very lime -twigs of his spells, 
 
 And yet came off: if you have this about you, 
 
 (As 1 will give you when we go,) you may 
 
 Boldly assault the necromancer's hall; 
 
 Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood, 
 
 And brandished blade, rush on him j break his glass, 
 
 And shed the luscious liquour on the ground, 
 
 But seise his wand ; though he and his cursed crew 
 
 Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high, 
 
 Or like the sons of Vulcan vomit smoke, 
 
 Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink. 
 
 Elder Brother. 
 
 Thyrsis, lead on apace, I'll follow thee ; 
 And some good Angel bear a shield before us ! 
 
 The Scene changes to a stately palace, set out with 
 all manner of deliciousness : soft musick, tables 
 spread with all dainties. Comus appears with his 
 rabble, and the Lady set in an enchanted chair, to 
 whom he offers his glass, which she puts by, and 
 goes about to rite.
 
 232 POEM . 
 
 Comw. 
 
 Nay, Lady, sit; if I but wave this wand, 
 Your nerves are all chained up in alabaster, 
 And you a statue, or, as Daphne was, 
 Root-bound that fled Apollo. 
 Lady. 
 
 Fool, do not boast > 
 
 Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind 
 With all thy charms, although this corporal rind 
 Thou hast immanacled, while Heaven sees good. 
 Comw. 
 
 Why are you vexed, Lady ? why do you frown I 
 Here dwell no frowns, nor anger ; from these gates 
 Sorrow flies far . see, here be all the pleasures, 
 That fancy can beget on youthful thoughts, 
 When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns 
 Brisk as the April buds in primrose-season. 
 And first, behold this cordial julep here, 
 That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, 
 With spirits of balm and fragrant syrops mixed: 
 Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone 
 In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena, 
 Is of such power 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 
 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 received on other term&i 
 Scorning the unexempt condition,
 
 POEMS. 233. 
 
 By which all mortal frailty must subsist, 
 Refreshment after toil, ease after pain, 
 That have been tired all day without repast, 
 And timely rest have wanted ; but, fair Virgin, 
 This will restore all soon. 
 
 Lady. 
 
 'Twill not, false traitor ! 
 'Twill not restore the truth and honesty, 
 That thou hast banished from thy tongue with lies. 
 Was this the cottage, and the safe abode, 
 Thou told'st me of ? What grim aspects are these, 
 These ugly-headed monsters ? Mercy guard me ! 
 Hence with thy brewed enchantments, foul deceiver ! 
 Hast thou betrayed my credulous innocence 
 With visored falshood and base forgery ? 
 And wouldst thou seek again to trap me here 
 With lickerish baits, fit to ensnare a brute ? 
 Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, 
 I would not taste thy treasonous offer; none, 
 But such as are good men, can give good things , 
 And that, which is not good, is not delicious 
 To a well-governed and wise appetite. 
 Comus. 
 
 O foolishness of men ! that lend their ears 
 To those budge doctors of the Stoick fur, 
 And fetch their precepts from the Cynick tub, 
 Praising the lean and sallow Abstinence. 
 Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forth 
 With such a full and unwithdrawing hand, 
 Covering the earth with odours, fruits, and flocks, 
 Thronging the seas with spawn innumerable,
 
 234 POEMS. 
 
 But all to please and sate the curious taste ? 
 
 And set to work millions of spinning worms, 
 
 That in their green shops weave the smooth-haired silk, 
 
 To deck her sons ; and, that no corner might 
 
 Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loins 
 
 She hutched the all-worshipped ore, and precious gems, 
 
 To store her children with : if all the world 
 
 Should in a pet of temperance feed on pulse, 
 
 Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but frieze, 
 
 The All-giver would be un thanked, would be unprai sed, 
 
 Not half his riches known, and yet despised 5 
 
 And we should serve him as a grudging master, 
 
 As a penurious niggard of his wealth ; 
 
 And live like Nature's bastards, not her sons, 
 
 Who would be quite surcharged with her own weight, 
 
 And strangled with her waste fertility ; 
 
 The earth cumbered, and the winged air darked with 
 
 plumes, 
 
 The herds would over-multitude their lords, 
 The sea o'erfraught would swell, and the unsought 
 
 diamonds 
 
 Would so imblaze the forehead of the deep, 
 And so bestud with stars, that they below 
 Would grow inured to light, and come at last 
 To gaze upon the sun with shameless brows. 
 List, Lady ; be not coy, and be not cosened 
 With that same vaunted name, Virginity. 
 Beauty is Nature's coin, must not be hoarded, 
 But must be current ; and the good thereof 
 Consists in mutual and partaken bliss, 
 Unsavoury in the enjoyment of itself;
 
 POEMS. 235 
 
 If you let slip time, like a neglected rose 
 
 It withers on the stalk with languished head. 
 
 Beauty is Nature's brag, and must be shown 
 
 In courts, at feasts, and high solemnities, 
 
 Where most may wonder at the workmanship ; 
 
 It is for homely features to keep home, 
 
 They had their name thence ; coarse complexions, 
 
 And cheeks of sorry grain, will serve to ply 
 
 The sampler, and to tease the huswife's wool. 
 
 What need a vermeil-tinctured lip for that, 
 
 Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the Morn? 
 
 There was another meaning in these gifts j 
 
 Think what, and be advised ; you are but young yet. 
 
 Lady. 
 
 I had not thought to have unlocked my lips 
 In this unhallowed air, but that this juggler 
 Would think to charm my judgement, as mine eyes, 
 Obtruding false rules pranked in reason's garb. 
 I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments, 
 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 ; she, good cateress, 
 Means her provision only to the good, 
 That live according to her sober laws, 
 And holy dictate of spare Temperance : 
 If every just man, that now pines with want, 
 Had but a moderate and beseeming share 
 Of that which lewdly-pampered Luxury 
 Now heaps upon some few with vast excess, 
 Nature's full blessings would be well dispensed
 
 3 POEMS. 
 
 In unsuperfluous even proportion, 
 
 And she no whit incumbered with her store; 
 
 And then the Giver would be better thanked, 
 
 His praise due paid : for swinish Gluttony 
 
 Ne'er looks to Heaven amidst his gorgeous feast, 
 
 But with besotted base ingratitude 
 
 Crams, and blasphemes his Feeder. Shall I go on? 
 
 Or have I said enough ? To him that dares 
 
 Arm his profane tongue with contemptuous words 
 
 Against the sun-clad Power of Chastity, 
 
 Fain would I something say, yet to what end? 
 
 Thou hast nor ear, nor soul, to apprehend 
 
 The sublime notion, and high mystery, 
 
 That must be uttered to unfold the sage 
 
 And serious doctrine of Virginity ; 
 
 And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know 
 
 More happiness than this thy present lot. 
 
 Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetorick, 
 
 That hath so well been taught her dazzling fence ; 
 
 Thou art not fit to hear thyself convinced : 
 
 Yet, should I try, the uncontrolled worth 
 
 Of this pure cause would kindle my rapt spirits 
 
 To such a flame of sacred vehemence, 
 
 That dumb things would be moved to sympathize, 
 
 And the brute Earth would lend her nerves, and 
 
 shake, 
 
 Till all thy magick structures, reared so high, 
 Were shattered into heaps o'er thy false head. 
 
 Comus. 
 
 She fables not; I feel that I do fear 
 Her words set off by some superiour power ,
 
 POEMS. 237 
 
 And though not mortal, yet a cold shuddering dew 
 
 Dips me all o'er, as when the wrath of Jove 
 
 Speaks thunder, and the chains of Erebus, 
 
 To some of Saturn's crew. I must dissemble, 
 
 And try her yet more strongly. Come, no more 5 
 
 This is mere moral babble, and direct 
 
 Against the canon-laws of our foundation ; 
 
 I must not suffer this; yet 'tis but the lees 
 
 And settlings of a melancholy blood : 
 
 But this will cure all straight ; one sip of this 
 
 Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, 
 
 Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste. 
 
 TTie Brothers rush in with swords drawn, icrest his 
 glass out of his hand, and break it against the 
 ground; his rout make sign of resistance, but are 
 all driven in. The Attendant Spirit comes in. 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 What, have .you let the false enchanter 'scape ? 
 O ye mistook, ye should have snatched his wand, 
 And bound him fast ; without his rod reversed, 
 And backward mutters of dissevering power, 
 We cannot free the Lady that sits here 
 In stony fetters fixed, and motionless : 
 Yet stay, be not disturbed; now I bethink me, 
 Some other means I have which may be used,
 
 238 POEMS. 
 
 Which once of Meliboeus old I learned, 
 The soothest shepherd that e'er piped on plains. 
 There is a gentle Nymph not far from hence, 
 That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream, 
 Sabrina is her name, a virgin pure ; 
 Whilom she was the daughter of Locrine, 
 That had the scepter from his father Brute. , 
 
 She, guiltless damsel, flying the mad pursuit 
 Of her enraged stepdame Guendolen, 
 Commended her fair innocence to the flood, 
 That staid her flight with his cross-flowing course. 
 The Water-Nymphs that in the bottom played, 
 Held up their pearled wrists, and took her in, 
 Bearing her straight to aged Nereus' hall, 
 Who, piteous of her woes, reared her lank head, 
 And gave her to his daughters to imbathe 
 In nectared lavers strewed with asphodel j 
 And through the porch and inlet of each sense 
 Dropped in ambrosial oils, till she revived, 
 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 ill-luck signs 
 That the shrewd meddling elfe delights to make, 
 Which she with precious vialed liquours heals ; 
 For which the shepherds at their festivals 
 Carol her goodness loud in rustick lays, 
 And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream 
 Of pansies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils. 
 And, as the old swain said, she can unlock
 
 POEMS. 239 
 
 The clasping charm, and thaw the numming spell, 
 If she be right invoked in warbled song ; 
 For maidenhood she loves, and will be swift 
 To aid a virgin, such as was herself, 
 In hard-besetting need ; this will I try, 
 And add the power of some adjuring verse. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Sabrina fair, 
 
 Listen where thou art sitting 
 Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave., 
 
 In twisted braids of lillies knitting 
 The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair ; 
 
 Listen for dear honour's sake, 
 
 Goddess of the silver lake, 
 
 Listen and save. 
 
 Listen, and appear to us, 
 In name of great Oceanus j 
 By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace, 
 And Tethys' grave majestick pace, 
 By hoary Nereus' wrinkled look, 
 And the Carpathian wisard's hook, 
 By scaly Triton's winding shell, 
 And old sooth-saying Glaucus' spell, 
 By Leucothea's lovely hands, 
 And her Son that rules the strands, 
 By Thetis' tinsel-slippered feet, 
 And the songs of Syrens sweet,
 
 240 POEMtt. 
 
 By dead Parthenope's dear tomb, 
 And fair Ligea's golden comb, 
 Wherewith she sits on diamond rocks, 
 Sleeking her soft alluring locks ; 
 By all the Nymphs that nightly dance 
 Upon thy streams with wily glance, 
 Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head, 
 From thy coral-paven bed, 
 And bridle in thy headlong wave, 
 Till thou our summons answered have. 
 Listen, and save ! 
 
 Sabrina rises, attended by Water-Nymphs, 
 and sings. 
 
 By the rushy-fringed bank, 
 
 Where grows the willow, and the osier dank, 
 
 My sliding chariot stays, 
 Thick set with agate, and the azurn sheen 
 Of turkis blue, and emerald green, 
 
 That in the channel strays ; 
 Whilst from off the waters fleet 
 Thus I set my printless feet 
 O'er the cowslip's velvet head, 
 
 That bends not as I tread ; 
 Gentle Swain, at thy request, 
 
 I am here. 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 Goddess dear, 
 We implore thy powerful hand
 
 POEMS. 241 
 
 To undo the charmed band 
 Of true virgin here distressed 
 Through the force, and through the wile, 
 Of unblessed enchanter vile. 
 Sabrina. 
 
 Shepherd, 'tis my office best 
 To help ensnared chastity : 
 Brightest Lady, look on me ; 
 Thus I sprinkle on thy breast 
 Drops, that from my fountain pure 
 I have kept, of precious cure j 
 Thrice upon thy finger's tip, 
 Thrice upon thy rubied lip : 
 Next this marble venomed seat, 
 Smeared with gums of glutinous heat, 
 I touch with chaste palms moist and cold : - 
 Now the spell hath lost his hold} 
 And I must haste, ere morning hour, 
 To wait in Amphitrite's bower. 
 
 Sabrina descends, and the Lady rises out of 
 her seat. 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 Virgin, daughter of Locrine 
 Sprung of old Anchises' line, 
 May thy brimmed waves for this 
 Their full tribute never miss 
 From a thousand petty rills, 
 That tumble down the snowy hills : 
 
 R
 
 242 POEMS. 
 
 Summer drouth, or singed air, 
 
 Never scorch thy tresses fair, 
 
 Nor wet October's torrent flood 
 
 Thy molten crystal fill with mud ; 
 
 May thy billows roll ashore 
 
 The beryl and the golden ore ; 
 
 May thy lofty head be crowned 
 
 With many a tower and terrace round, 
 
 And here and there thy banks upon 
 
 With groves of myrrh and cinnamon ! 
 
 Come, Lady, while Heaven lends us grace, 
 
 Let us fly this cursed place, 
 
 Lest the sorcerer us entice 
 
 With some other new device. 
 
 Not a waste or needless sound 
 Till we come to holier ground j 
 
 I shall be your faithful guide 
 
 Through this gloomy covert wide, 
 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 
 
 All the swains, that there abide, 
 
 With jigs and rural dance resort j 
 
 We shall catch them at their sport, 
 
 And our sudden coming there 
 
 Will double all their mirth and chere j 
 
 Come, let us haste, the stars grow high, 
 
 But night sits monarch yet in the mid sky.
 
 POEMS. 243 
 
 The Scene changes, presenting Ludlow town and the 
 President's castle; then come in Country Dancers, 
 after them the Attendant Spirit, with the Two 
 Brothers, and the Lady. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 Back, Shepherds, back; enough your play, 
 Till next sun-shine holiday : 
 Here be, without duck or nod, 
 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. 
 
 TJiis second Song presents them to their Father and 
 Mother. 
 
 Noble Lord, and Lady bright, 
 I have brought ye new delight : 
 Here behold so goodly grown 
 Three fair branches of your own j 
 Heaven hath timely tried their youth, 
 Their faith, their patience, and their truth, 
 
 R 2
 
 244 POEMS. 
 
 And sent them here through hard assays 
 With a crown of deathless praise, 
 To triumph in victorious dance 
 O'er sensual Folly and Intemperance. 
 
 The Dances [being] ended, the Spirit epiloguizes. 
 Spirit. 
 
 To the ocean now I fly, 
 And 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 
 All amidst the gardens fair 
 Of Hesperus, and his daughters three 
 That sing about the golden tree : 
 Along the crisped shades and bowers 
 Revels the spruce and jocund Spring j 
 The Graces, and the rosy-bosomed Hours, 
 Thither all their bounties bring j 
 There eternal Summer dwells, 
 And West- Winds, with musky wing, 
 About the cedar'n alleys fling 
 Nard and Cassia's balmy smells. 
 Iris there with humid bow 
 Waters the odorous banks, that blow 
 Flowers of more mingled hew 
 Than her purfled scarf can shewj 
 And drenches with Elysian dew 
 (List, mortals, if your ears be true,) 
 Beds of hyacinth and roses, 
 Where young Adonis oft reposes,
 
 POEMS. 245 
 
 Waxing well of his deep wound 
 In slumber soft, and on the ground 
 Sadly sits the Assyrian queen : 
 But far above in spangled sheen 
 Celestial Cupid, her famed son, advanced, 
 Holds his dear Psyche sweet entranced, 
 After her wandering labours long, 
 Till free consent the Gods among 
 Make her his eternal bride, 
 And from her fair unspotted side 
 Two blissful twins are to be born, 
 Youth and Joy ; so Jove hath sworn. 
 
 But now my task is smoothly done, 
 I can fly, or I can run, 
 Quickly to the green earth's end, 
 Where the bowed welkin slow doth bend; 
 And from thence can soar as soon 
 To th@ corners of the moon. 
 
 Mortals, that would follow me, 
 Love Virtue ; she alone is free : 
 She can teach ye how to clime 
 Higher than the sphery chime j 
 Or if Virtue feeble were, 
 Heaven itself would stoop to her.
 
 LYCIDAS. 
 
 In this MONODY, the author bewails a learned friend, 
 unfortunately drowned in his passage from Chester 
 on the Irish seas, 1637. And by occasion foretells 
 the ruin of our corrupted clergy, then in their 
 highth. 
 
 YET, once more, O ye laurels, and once more 
 Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never-sere, 
 I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude} 
 And, with forced fingers rude, 
 Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year : 
 Bitter constraint, and sad occasion dear, 
 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 
 Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme. 
 He must not float upon his watery bier 
 Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, 
 Without the meed of some melodious tear.
 
 POEMS. 247 
 
 Begin then, Sisters of the sacred well. 
 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 destined urn j 
 And, as he passes, turn, 
 And bid fair peace be to my sable shroud. 
 
 For we were nursed upon the self-same hill, 
 Fed the same flock by fountain, shade, and rill. 
 Together both, ere the high lawns appeared 
 Under the opening eye-lids of the morn, 
 We drove afield, and both together heard 
 What time the gray-fly winds her sultry horn, 
 Battening our flocks with the fresh dews of night, 
 Oft till the star, that rose, at evening, bright, 
 Toward heaven's descent had sloped his westering 
 
 wheel. 
 
 Mean while the rural ditties were not mute, 
 Tempered to the oaten flute ; 
 Rough Satyrs danced, and Fauns with cloven heel 
 From the glad sound would not be absent long j 
 And old Damoetas loved 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 oaves 
 With wild thyme and the gadding vine o'ergrown, 
 And all their echoes mourn : 
 The willows, and the hazel copses green, 
 Shall now ho more be seen 
 Fanning their joyous leaves to thy soft lays.
 
 248 POEMS. 
 
 As killing as the cauker to the rose, 
 
 Or taint -worm to the weanling herds that graze, 
 
 Or frost to flowers, 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 
 Closed o'er the head of your loved Lycidas ? 
 For neither were ye playing on the steep, 
 Where your old Bards, the famous Druids, lie, 
 Nor on the shaggy top of Mona high, 
 Nor yet where Deva spreads her wisard stream : 
 Ay me ! I fondly dream ! 
 
 Had ye been there for what could that have done ? 
 What could the Muse herself that Orpheus bore, 
 The Muse herself, for her enchanting son, 
 Whom universal Nature did lament, 
 When, by the rout that made the hideous roar, 
 His goary visage 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 trade, 
 And strictly meditate the thankless Muse? 
 Were it not better done, as others use, 
 To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, 
 Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair ? 
 Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise 
 (That last infirmity of noble mind) 
 To scorn delights, and live laborious days ; 
 But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, 
 And think to burst out into sudden blaze, 
 Comes the blind Fury with the abhorred shears,
 
 POEMS. 249 
 
 And slits the thin-spun life. ' But not the praise,* 
 
 Phoebus replied, and touched my trembling ears ; 
 
 1 Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil. 
 
 Nor in the glistering foil 
 
 Set off to the world, nor in broad rumour lies ; 
 
 But lives and spreads aloft by those pure eyes, 
 
 And perfect witness of all-judging Jove ; 
 
 As he pronounces lastly on each deed, 
 
 Of so much fame in heaven expect thy meed.' 
 
 O fountain Arethuse, and thou honoured flood, 
 Smooth-sliding Mincius, crowned with vocal reeds ! 
 That strain I heard was of a higher mood : 
 But now my oat proceeds, 
 And listens to the herald of the sea 
 That came in Neptune's plea; 
 He asked the waves, and asked the felon winds, 
 What hard mishap hath doomed this gentle swain ? 
 And questioned every gust of rugged wings 
 That blows from off each beaked promontory : 
 They knew not of his story; 
 And sage Hippotades their answer brings, 
 That not a blast was from his dungeon strayed ; 
 The air was calm, and on the level brine 
 Sleek Panope with all her sisters played. 
 It was that fatal and perfidious bark, 
 Built in the eclipse, and rigged 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 
 Like to that sanguine flower inscribed with woe.
 
 250 POEMS. 
 
 ' Ah ! Who hath reft (quoth he) my dearest pledge V 
 
 Last came, and last did go, 
 
 The pilot of the Galilean lake ; 
 
 Two massy keys he bore of metals twain, 
 
 (The golden opes, the iron shuts amain,) 
 
 He shook his mitered locks, and stern bespake : 
 
 ' How well could I have spared for thee, young swain, 
 
 Enow of such, as for their bellies sake 
 
 Creep, and intrude, and climb into the fold ? 
 
 Of other care they little reckoning make, 
 
 Than how to scramble at the shearers' feast, 
 
 And shove away the worthy bidden guest ; 
 
 Blind mouths ! that scarce themselves know how to 
 
 hold 
 
 A sheep-hook, or have learned aught else the least 
 That to the faithful herdman's art belongs ! 
 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 j 
 The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed, 
 But, swoln with wind and the rank mist they draw, 
 Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread: 
 Besides what the grim wolf with privy paw 
 Daily devours apace, and nothing sed : 
 But that two-handed engine at the door 
 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 flowerets of a thousand hues. 
 Ye valleys low, where the mild whispers use
 
 POEMS. 251 
 
 Of shades, and wanton winds, and gushing brooks, 
 
 On whose fresh lap the swart-star sparely looks ; 
 
 Throw hither all your quaint enamelled eyes, 
 
 That on the green turf suck the honied showers, 
 
 And purple all the ground with vernal flowers. 
 
 Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies, 
 
 The tufted crow-toe, and pale jessamine, 
 
 The white pink, and the pansy freaked with jet, 
 
 The glowing violet, 
 
 The musk-rose, and the well-attired woodbine, 
 
 With cowslips wan that hang the pensive head, 
 
 And every flower that sad embroidery wears . 
 
 Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed, 
 
 And daffadillies fill their cups with tears, 
 
 To strew the laureat herse where Lycid lies. 
 
 For, so to interpose a little ease, 
 
 Let our frail thoughts dally with false surmise. 
 
 Ay me ! Whilst thee the shores and sounding seas 
 
 Wash far away, where'er thy bones are hurled, 
 
 Whether beyond the stormy Hebrides, 
 
 Where thou perhaps, under the whelming tide, 
 
 Visit'st the bottom of the monstrous world; 
 
 Or whether thou, to our moist vows denied, 
 
 Sleep' st by the fable of Bellerus old, 
 
 WTiere the great Vision of the guarded Mount 
 
 Looks toward Namancos and Bayona's hold ; 
 
 Look homeward, Angel, now, and melt with ruth : 
 
 And, O ye dolphins, waft the hapless youth. 
 
 Weep no more, woful Shepherds, weep no more, 
 For Lycidas your sorrow is not dead, 
 Sunk though he be beneath the watery floor ;
 
 252 POEMS. 
 
 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 : 
 
 So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high, 
 
 Through the dear might of him that walked the waves j 
 
 Where, other groves and other streams along, 
 
 With nectar pure his oozy locks he laves, 
 
 And hears the unexpressive nuptial song, 
 
 In the blest kingdoms meek of joy and love. 
 
 There entertain him all the saints above, 
 
 In solemn troops, and sweet societies, 
 
 That sing, and, singing, in their glory move, 
 
 And wipe the tears for ever from his eyes. 
 
 Now, Lycidas, the shepherds weep no more; 
 
 Henceforth thou art the Genius of the shore, 
 
 In thy large recompence, and shalt be good 
 
 To all that wander in that perilous flood. 
 
 Thus sang the uncouth swain to the oaks and rills, 
 While the still morn went out with sandals grayj 
 He touched the tender stops of various quills, 
 With eager thought warbling his Dorick lay : 
 And now the sun had stretched out all the hills, 
 And now was dropped into the western bay : 
 At last he rose, and twitched his mantle blue : 
 To morrow to fresh woods, and pastures new.
 
 POEMS. 253 
 
 THE FIFTH ODE OF HORACE, LIB. I. 
 
 " Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa, &c." 
 
 Rendered almost word for word without rhlme, ac- 
 cording to the Latin measure, as near as the 
 language will permit. 
 
 WHAT 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 
 On faith and changed Gods complain, and seas 
 
 Rough with black winds, and storms 
 
 Unwonted shall admire ! 
 Who now enjoys thee credulous, all gold, 
 Who always vacant, always amiable 
 
 Hopes thee, of flattering gales 
 
 Unmindful. Hapless they, 
 
 To whom thou untried seem'st fair ! Me, in my vowed 
 Picture, the sacred wall declares to have hung 
 
 My dank and dropping weeds 
 
 To the stern god of sea.
 
 254 POEMS. 
 
 AD PYRRHAM. ODE V. 
 
 Horatius ex Pyrrhce illecebris tanquam e naufragio 
 enataverat, cujus amore trretitos, affiimat esse 
 miseros. 
 
 Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa 
 Perfusus liquidis urget odoribus, 
 
 Grato, Pyrrha, sub antro? 
 
 Cui flavam religas comam 
 Simplex munditiis ? heu quoties fidem 
 Mutatosque deos flebit, et aspera 
 
 Nigris sequora ventis 
 
 Emirabitur insolens ! 
 Qui nunc te fruitur credulus aurea, 
 Qui semper vacuam semper amabilem 
 
 Sperat, nescius aurse 
 
 Fallacis. Miseri quibus 
 Intentata nites. Me tabula sacer 
 Votiva paries indicat uvida 
 
 Suspendisse potent! 
 
 Vestimenta maris Deo.
 
 POEMS. 255 
 
 OK 
 
 THE NEW FORCERS OF CONSCIENCE 
 
 UNDER THE LONG PARLIAMENT. 
 
 BECAUSE you have thrown off your Prelate Lord, 
 And with stiff vows renounced his Liturgy, 
 To seise the widowed whore Plurality 
 From them whose sin ye envied, not abhorred ; 
 Dare ye for this adjure the civil sword 
 
 To force our consciences that Christ set free, 
 And ride us with a classick hierarchy 
 Taught ye by mere A. S. and Rotherford ? 
 Men, whose life, learning, faith, and pure intent, 
 Would have been held in high esteem with Paul, 
 Must now be named and printed Hereticks 
 By shallow Edwards and Scotch what d'ye call : 
 But we do hope to find out all your tricks, 
 Your plots and packing worse than those of Trent, 
 
 That so the Parliament 
 
 May, with their wholesome and preventive shears, 
 Clip your phylacteries, 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.

 
 SONNETS. 
 
 I. 
 
 TO THE NIGHTINGALE. 
 
 O NIGHTINGALE, that on yon bloomy spray 
 Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still j 
 Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost fill, 
 While the jolly Hours lead on propitious May. 
 
 Thy liquid notes that close the eye of day, 
 First heard before the shallow cuckoo's bill, 
 Portend success in love; O, if Jove's will 
 Have linked that amorous power to thy soft lay, 
 
 Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate 
 
 Foretel my hopeless 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. 
 
 s
 
 258 SONNETS. 
 
 II. 
 
 DONNA leggiadra, il cui bel nome honora 
 L'herbosa val di Rheno, e il nobil varco j 
 Bene e colui d'ogni valore scarco, 
 Qual tuo spirto gentil non innamora; 
 
 Che dolcemente mostra si di fuora 
 De sui atti soavi giamai parco, 
 E i don', che son d'amor saette ed arco, 
 La onde 1' alta tua virtu s'infiora. 
 
 Quando tu vaga parli, o lieta canti 
 Che mover possa duro alpestre legno, 
 Guard! ciascun a gli occhi, ed a gli orecchi 
 
 L'entrata, chi di te si trouva indegnoj 
 Gratia sola di su gli vaglia, inanti 
 Che'l disio amoroso al cuor s'invecchi. 
 
 III. 
 
 QUAL in colle aspro, al imbrunir di sera 
 L'avezza giovinetta pastorella 
 Va bagnando 1'herbetta strana e bella 
 Che mal si spande a disusata spera 
 
 Fuor di sua natia alma primavera, 
 Cosi Amor meco insu la lingtia snella 
 Desta il nor 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.
 
 SONNETS. 259 
 
 Amor lo volse, ed io a 1'altrui peso 
 Seppi ch'Amor cosa mai volse indarno. 
 Deh ! foss'il mio cuor lento e'l duro seno 
 A chi pianta dal ciel si buon terreno. 
 
 CANZONE. 
 
 RIDONSI donne e giovani amorosi 
 
 M' accostandosi attorno, e perche scrivi, 
 Perche tu scrivi in lingua ignota e strana 
 Verseggiando d' amor, e come t'osi ? 
 Dinne, se la tua speme sia mai vana, 
 E de pensieri lo miglior t'arrivij 
 Cosi mi van burlando, altri rivi 
 Altri lidi t'aspettan, ed altre onde 
 Nelle cui verdi sponde 
 Spuntati ad hor, ad hor a la tua chioma 
 L'immortal guiderdon d' eterne frondi 
 Perche alle spalle tue soverchia soma ? 
 Canzon dirotti, e tu per me rispondi 
 Dice mia Donna, e'l suo dir, e il mio cuore 
 Questa e lingua di cui si vanta Amore. 
 
 IV. 
 
 DIODATI, e te'l diro con maraviglia, 
 Quel ritroso io ch'amor spreggiar solea 
 E de suoi lacci spesso mi ridea 
 Gia caddi, ov'huom dabben talhor s'impiglia. 
 
 Ne treccie d'oro, ne guancia vermiglia 
 M'abbaglian si, ma sotto nova idea 
 
 s2
 
 260 SONNETS. 
 
 Pellegrina bellezza che'l cuor bea, 
 Portamenti alti honesti, e nelle ciglia 
 
 Quel sereno fulgor d'amabil nero, 
 Parole adorne di lingua piu d'una, 
 E'l cantar che di mezzo 1'hemispero 
 
 Traviar ben puo la faticosa Luna, 
 
 E degli occhi suoi auventa si gran fuoco 
 Che Tincerar gli orecchi mi fia poco. 
 
 V. 
 
 PER certo i bei vostr'occhi, Donna mia 
 Esser non puo che non sian lo mio sole 
 Si mi percuoton forte, come ei suole 
 Per 1'arene di Libia chi s'invia, 
 
 Mentre un caldo vapor (ne sent! pria) 
 Da quel lato si spinge ove mi duole, 
 Che forse amanti nelle lor parole 
 Chiaman sospir ; io non so che si sia : 
 
 Parte riuchiusa, e turbida si cela 
 
 Scosso mi il petto, e poi n'uscendo poco 
 Quivi d' attorno o s'agghiaccia, o s'ingiela 
 
 Ma quanto a gli occi giunge a trovar loco 
 Tutte le notti a me suol far piovose 
 Finche mia Alba rivien colma di rose. 
 
 VI. 
 
 GIOVANE piano, e semplicette amante 
 Poi che fuggir me stesso in dubbio sono, 
 Madonna a voi del mio cuor Thumil dono 
 Faro divoto j io certo a prove tante
 
 SONNETS. 261 
 
 L'hebbi fedele, intrepido, costante, 
 
 De pensieri leggiadro, accorto, e buono$ 
 Quando rugge il gran mondo, e scocca il tuono, 
 S'arma di se, e d'intero diamante : 
 
 Tan to del forse, e d'invidia sicuro, 
 Di timori, e speranze, al popol use, 
 Quanto d'ingegno, e d'alto valor vago, 
 
 E di cetra sonora, e delle muse : 
 Sol troverete in tal parte men duro, 
 Ove Amor mise 1'insanabil ago. 
 
 VII. 
 
 ON HIS BEING ARRIVED AT THE AGE OF 
 TWENTY-THREE. 
 
 How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, 
 Stolu on his wing my three and twentieth year ! 
 My hasting days fly on with full career, 
 But my late spring no bud or blossom shew'th. 
 
 Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth, 
 That I to manhood am arrived so near j 
 And inward ripeness doth much less appear, 
 That some more timely-happy spirits endu'th. 
 
 Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow, 
 It shall be still in strictest measure even 
 To that same lot, however mean or high, 
 
 Toward which Time leads me, and the Will of Heaven ; 
 All is, if I have grace to use it so, 
 As ever in my great Task-Master's eye
 
 262 SONNETS. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 WHEN THE ASSAULT WAS INTENDED TO 
 THE CITY. 
 
 CAPTAIN, or Colonel, or Knight in arms, 
 
 Whose chance on these defenceless doors may seise, 
 
 If deed of honour did thee ever please, 
 
 Guard them, and him within protect from harms. 
 
 He can requite thee ; for he knows the charms 
 That call fame on such gentle acts 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 bower : 
 The great Emathian conquerour bid spate 
 The house of Pindarus, when temple and tower 
 
 Went to the ground : and the repeated air 
 Of sad Electra's poet had the power 
 To save the Athenian walls from ruin bare. 
 
 IX. 
 TO A VIRTUOUS YOUNG LADY. 
 
 LADY, that in the prime of earliest youth 
 
 Wisely hast shunned the broad way and the green, 
 And with those few art eminently seen, 
 That labour up the hill of heavenly truth, 
 
 The better part with Mary and with Ruth
 
 SONNETS. 263 
 
 Chosen thou hast ; and they that overween, 
 And at thy growing virtues fret their spleen, 
 No anger find in thee, but pity and ruth. 
 
 Thy care is fixed, and zealously attends 
 
 To fill thy odorous lamp with deeds of light, 
 And hope that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure 
 
 Thou, when the bridegroom with his feastful friends 
 Passes to bliss at the mid hour of night, 
 Hast gained thy entrance, Virgin wise and pure. 
 
 X. 
 TO THE LADY MARGARET LEY. 
 
 DAUGHTER to that good Earl, once President 
 Of England's Council and her Treasury, 
 Who lived in both, unstained with gold or fee, 
 And left them both, more in himself content, 
 
 Till sad the breaking of that Parliament 
 Broke him, as that dishonest victory 
 At Chaeronea, fatal to liberty, 
 Killed with report that old man eloquent. 
 
 Though later born than to have known the days 
 Wherein your father flourished, yet by you, 
 Madam, methinks I see him living yetj 
 
 So well your words his noble virtues praise, 
 That all both judge you to relate them true, 
 And to possess them, honoured Margaret.
 
 264 SONNETS, 
 
 XI. 
 
 ON THE 
 
 DETRACTION WHICH FOLLOWED UPON 
 MY WRITING CERTAIN TREATISES. 
 
 A BOOK was writ of late called 'Tetrachordon,' 
 And woven close, both matter, form, and stile ; 
 The subject new : it walked the Town awhile, 
 Numbering good intellects; now seldom pored on. 
 
 Cries the stall-reader, Bless us ! what a word on 
 A title-page is this ! and some in file 
 Stand spelling false, while one might walk to Mile- 
 End Green. Why is it harder, Sirs, than Gordon, 
 
 Colkitto, or Macdonnel, or Galasp ? 
 
 Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek. 
 That would have made Quintilian stare and gasp. 
 
 Thy age, like ours, O soul of Sir John Cheek, 
 Hated not learning worse than toad or asp, 
 When thou taught'st Cambridge, and king Edward, 
 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 cuckoos, asses, apes, and dogs : 
 
 As when those hinds that were transformed to frogs
 
 SONNETS. 265 
 
 Railed at Latona's twin-born progeny, 
 
 Which after held the sun and moon in fee. 
 
 But this is got by casting pearl 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. 
 
 XIII. 
 TO MR. H. LA WES ON HIS AIRS. 
 
 HARRY, whose tuneful and well measured song, 
 First taught our English musick how to span 
 Words with just note and accent, not to scan 
 With Midas ears, committing short and long; 
 
 Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng, 
 With praise enough for Envy to look wan; 
 To after age thou shalt be writ the man 
 That with smooth air couldst humour best our 
 tongue. 
 
 Thou honour' st verse, and verse must lend her wing 
 To honour thee, the priest of Phoebus' quire, 
 That tun'st their happiest lines in hymn, or story. 
 
 Dante shall give Fame leave to set thee higher 
 Than his Casella, whom he wooed to sing 
 Met in the milder shades of Purgatory.
 
 266 SONNETS. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 ON THE 
 
 RELIGIOUS MEMORY OF MRS. CATHERINE 
 THOMSON, MY CHRISTIAN FRIEND. 
 
 DECEASED 16 DECEM. 1646. 
 
 WHEN Faith and Love, which parted from thee never, 
 Had ripened thy just soul to dwell with rod, 
 Meekly thou didst resign this earthly load 
 Of death, called life ; which us from life doth sever. 
 
 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 ever. 
 
 Love led them on, and Faith, who knew them best 
 Thy hand-maids, clad them o'er with purple beams 
 And azure wings, that up they flew so drest, 
 
 And spake the truth of 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. 
 
 FAIRFAX, whose name in arms through Europe rings, 
 Filling each mouth with envy or Avith praise, 
 And all her jealous monarchs with amaze
 
 SONNETS. 267 
 
 And rumours loud that daunt remotest kings ; 
 
 Thy firm unshaken virtue ever brings 
 
 Victory 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 publick faith cleared from the shameful brand 
 Of publick fraud. In vain doth Valour bleed, 
 While Avarice and Rapine share the land. 
 
 XVI. 
 TO THE LORD GENERAL CROMWELL. 
 
 CROMWELL, our chief of men, who through a cloud, 
 Not of war only, but detractions rude, 
 Guided by faith and matchless fortitude, 
 To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed, 
 
 And on the neck of crowned Fortune proud 
 
 Hast reared God's trophies, and his work pursued, 
 While Darwen stream, with blood of Scots imbrued, 
 And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud, 
 
 And Worcester's laureat wreath. Yet much remains 
 To conquer still j Peace hath her victories 
 No less renowned than War : new foes arise 
 
 Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains : 
 Help us to save free conscience from the paw 
 Of hireling wolves, whose gospel is their maw.
 
 268 SOXXET8. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 TO SIR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER. 
 
 VANE, young in years, but in sage counsel old, 
 Than whom a better senator ne'er held 
 The helm of Rome, when gowns, not arms, repelled 
 The fierce Epirot and the African bold ; 
 
 Whether to settle peace, or to unfold 
 
 The drift of hollow States hard to be spelled ; 
 Then to advise how War may, best upheld, 
 Move by her two main nerves, iron and gold, 
 
 In all her equipage : besides to know 
 
 Both spiritual power and civil, what each means, 
 What severs each, thou hast learned, which few 
 have done : 
 
 The bounds of either sword to thee we owe : 
 Therefore on thy firm hand Religion leans 
 In peace, and reckons thee her eldest son. 
 
 XVIII. 
 ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN PIEMONT. 
 
 AVENGE, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones 
 Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold; 
 Even them who kept thy truth so pure of old, 
 When all our fathers worshipped stocks and stones, 
 
 Forget not : in thy book record their groans
 
 SONNETS. 269 
 
 Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold 
 Slain by the bloody Piemontese that rolled 
 Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans 
 
 The vales redoubled to the hills, and they 
 
 To Heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes sow 
 O'er all the Italian fields, where still doth sway 
 
 The triple Tyrant ; that from these may grow 
 A hundred fold, who, having learned thy way, 
 Early may fly the Babylonian woe. 
 
 XIX. 
 ON HIS BLINDNESS. 
 
 WHKN I consider how my light is spent 
 
 Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, 
 And that one talent which is death to hide, 
 Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent 
 
 To serve therewith my Maker, and present 
 My true account, lest he, returning, chide ; 
 ' Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?' 
 I fondly ask: but Patience, to prevent 
 
 That murmur, soon replies, '. God doth not need 
 Either man's work, or his own gifts; who best 
 Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best ; his state 
 
 Is kingly ; thousands at his bidding speed, 
 And post o'er land and ocean without rest; 
 They also serve who only stand and wait.'
 
 270 SONNETS. 
 
 XX. 
 TO MR. LAWRENCE. 
 
 LAWRENCE, 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 lilly and rose, that neither sowed nor spun. 
 
 What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice, 
 Of Attick taste, with wine, whence we may rise 
 To hear the lute well touched, 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. 
 
 XXI. 
 TO CYRIACK SKINNER. 
 
 CYBIACK, whose grandsire, on the royal bench 
 Of British Themis, with no mean applause 
 Pronounced, and in his volumes taught, our laws, 
 Which others at their bar so often wrench ; 
 
 To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench 
 In mirth that, after, no repenting draws j 
 Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause, 
 
 And what the Swede intends, and what the French.
 
 SONNETS. 271 
 
 To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 
 Toward solid good what leads the nearest way j 
 For other things mild Heaven a time ordains, 
 
 And disapproves that care, though wise in show, 
 That with superfluous burden loads the day, 
 
 And, when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. 
 
 XXII. 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 CYRIACK, this three years day these eyes, though clear, 
 To outward view, of blemish or of spot, 
 Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot; 
 Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear 
 
 Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, 
 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 overplied 
 In liberty's defence, my noble task, 
 
 Of/which all Europe rings from side to side. 
 This thought might lead me through the world's 
 
 vain mask 
 Content though blind, had I no better guide.
 
 2/2 SOXNETS. 
 
 XXIII. 
 ON HIS DECEASED WIFE. 
 
 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 by force, though pale and faint. 
 
 Mine, as whom washed from spot of child-bed taint 
 Purification in the old Law did save, 
 And such, as yet once more I trust to have 
 Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint, 
 
 Came vested all in white, pure as her mind : 
 Her face was veiled ; yet to my fancied sight 
 Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined 
 
 So clear, as in no face with more delight. 
 But O, as to embrace me she inclined, 
 I waked j she fled ; and day brought back my night.
 
 PSALMS. 
 
 PSALM I. 
 
 Done into verse, 1 653. 
 
 BLESSED is the man who hath not walked astray 
 In counsel of the wicked, and i' the way 
 Of sinners hath not 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 watery streams, and in his season 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 chaff which fanned 
 The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand 
 In judgement, or abide their trial then, 
 Nor sinners in the assembly of just men. 
 For the Lord knows the upright way of the just, 
 And the way of bad men to ruin must. 
 
 T
 
 274 PSALMS. 
 
 PSALM II. 
 
 Done Augusts, 1653. TERZETTI. 
 
 WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations 
 Muse a vain thing, the kings of the 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 heaven 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 ; but I, saith he, 
 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 dayj ask of me, and the grant is made; 
 As thy possession I on thee bestow 
 The Heathen ; and, as thy conquest to be swayed, 
 
 Earth's utmost bounds : them shalt thou bring full low 
 With iron scepter bruised, and them disperse 
 Like to a potter's vessel shivered so. 
 
 And now be wise at length, ye kings averse, 
 Be taught, ye Judges of the earth j 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 !
 
 PSALMS. 275 
 
 PSALM III. 
 
 August 9, 1655. 
 WHEN HE FLED FROM ABSALOM. 
 
 LORD, 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, art my shield, my glory, 
 
 Thee, through my story, 
 The exalter of my head I count : 
 
 Aloud I cried 
 
 Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied, 
 And heard me from his holy mount. 
 I lay and slept ; I waked again; 
 
 For my sustain 
 Was the Lord. Of many millions 'i ' 
 
 The populous rout 
 
 I fear not, though, encamping round about, 
 They pitch against me their pavilions. 
 Rise, Lord ; save me, my God : for thou 
 
 Hast smote ere now 
 On the cheek-bone all my foes, 
 
 Of men abhorred 
 Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the 
 
 Lord: 
 Thy blessing on thy people flows. 
 
 T2
 
 276 PSALMS. 
 
 PSALM IV. 
 
 August 10, 1653. 
 
 ANSWER me when I call, 
 God of my righteousness ; 
 In straits, and in distress, 
 Thou didst me disenthrall 
 And set at large ; now spare, 
 
 Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer. 
 Great ones, how long will ye 
 My glory have in scorn ? 
 How long be thus forborn 
 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 I cry. 
 Be awed, and do not sin ; 
 Speak to your hearts alone, 
 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 show us good ? 
 Talking like this world's brood; 
 But, Lord, thus let me pray;
 
 PSALMS. 277 
 
 On us lift up the light, 
 
 Lift up the favour of thy countenance bright. 
 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 wine abounds. 
 In peace at once will I 
 Both lay me down and sleep ; 
 For thou alone dost keep 
 Me. safe where'er I lie , 
 As in a rocky cell 
 
 Thou Lord, alone, in safety mak'st me dwell. 
 
 PSALM V. 
 
 August 12, 1653. 
 
 JEHOVAH, 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 $ 
 I' the morning I to thee with choice 
 Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear. 
 For thou art not a God that takes 
 
 In wickedness delight, 
 Evil with thee no biding makes ; 
 Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight.
 
 278 PSALMS. 
 
 All workers of iniquity 
 Thou hat'st; and them unblest 
 Thou wilt destroy that speak a lye ; 
 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 towards 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. 
 For, in his faltering mouth unstable, 
 
 No word is firm or sooth ; 
 Their inside, troubles miserable ; 
 An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth. 
 God, find them guilty, let them fall 
 
 By their own counsels quelled : 
 Push them in their rebellions all 
 Still on j for against thee they have rebelled. 
 Then all, who trust in thee, shall 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 just man still ; 
 As with a shield, thou wilt surround 
 Him with thy lasting favour and good will.
 
 PSALMS. 279 
 
 PSALM VI. 
 
 August 13, 1655. 
 
 LORD, in thine anger do not reprehend me, 
 
 Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct} 
 
 Pity me, Lord, for I am much deject, 
 
 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 Lord, how long? Turn, Lord; restore 
 My soul ; O save me for thy goodness sake : 
 For in death no remembrance is of thee j 
 
 Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise ? 
 
 Wearied I am with sighing out my daysj 
 Nightly my couch 1 make a kind of sea 3 
 My bed I water with my tears j mine eye 
 
 Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark 
 
 I' the 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 prayer ; 
 
 My supplication with acceptance fair 
 The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. 
 Mine enemies shall all be blank, and dashed 
 
 With much confusion j then, grown red with shame, 
 
 They shall return in haste the way they came, 
 And in a moment shall be quite abashed.
 
 280 PSALMS. 
 
 PSALM VII. 
 
 August 14, 1653. 
 
 UPON THE WORDS OF CHUSH THE BENJAMITE 
 AGAIXST HIM. 
 
 LORD, my God, to thee I fly; 
 Save me and secure me under 
 Thy protection, while I cry; 
 Lest, as a lion, (and no 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 
 111 to him that meant me peace ; 
 Or to him have rendered less, 
 And not freed my foe for nought ; 
 
 Let the 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, out-spread, 
 Lodge it with dishonour foul. 
 
 Rise, Jehovah, in thine ire, 
 Rouse thyself amidst the rage 
 Of my foes that urge like fire ;
 
 PSALMS. 281 
 
 And wake for me, their fury asswage ; 
 Judgement here thou didst engage 
 And command, which I desire. 
 
 So the; assemblies of each nation 
 Will surround thee, seeking right; 
 Thence to thy glorious habitation 
 Return on high, and in their sight. 
 Jehorah judge th most upright clti Us! 
 All people from the world's foundation. 
 
 Judge me, Lord; be judge in this 
 According to my righteousness, 
 And the innocence which is 
 Upon me : cause at length to cease 
 Of evil men the wickedness, 
 And their power that do amiss. 
 
 But the just establish fast, 
 
 Since thou art the just God that tries 
 
 Hearts and reins. On God is cast 
 
 My defence, and in him lies, 
 
 In him who, both just and wise, 
 
 Saves the 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.
 
 282 PSALMS. 
 
 (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 mould 
 Hath at length brought forth a lie. 
 
 He digged a pit, and delved it deep, 
 
 And fell into the pit he made; 
 
 His mischief, that due course doth keep, 
 
 Turns on his headj and his ill trade 
 
 Of violence will, undelayed, 
 
 Fall on his crown with ruin steep. 
 
 Then will I Jehovah's praise 
 According to his justice raise, 
 And sing the Name and Deity 
 Of Jehovah the Most High. 
 
 PSALM VIII. 
 
 August 14, 1653. 
 
 O JEHOVAH our Lord, how wonderous great 
 And glorious is thy Name through all the earth ! 
 
 So as above the heavens thy praise to set 
 Out of the tender mouths of latest birth. 
 
 Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou 
 Hast founded strength, because of all thy foes, 
 
 To stint the enemy, and slack the avenger's brow, 
 That bends his rage thy Providence to oppose.
 
 PSALMS. 283 
 
 When I behold thy heavens, thy fingers' art, 
 
 The moon, and stars, which thou so bright hast set 
 
 In the pure firmament j then saith my heart, 
 O, what is man that thou remembrest yet, 
 
 And think'st upon him ; or of man begot, 
 That him thou visit'st, and of him art found ! 
 
 Scarce to be less than Gods, thou mad'st his lot, 
 With honour and with state thou hast him crowned. 
 
 O'er the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord, 
 Thou hast put all under his lordly feet ; 
 
 All flocks, and herds, by thy commanding word, 
 All beasts that in the field or forest meet, 
 
 Fowl of the heavens, and fish that through the wet 
 Sea-paths in shoals do slide, and know no dearth. 
 
 Jehovah our Lord, how wonderous great 
 And glorious is thy Name through all the earth !
 
 284 PSALMS. 
 
 April. 1648. J.M. 
 
 Nine of the Psalms done into metre, wherein all, but 
 what is in a different character, are the very tcords 
 of the text, translated from the original. 
 
 PSALM LXXX. 
 
 .I/--.* }'&*; : ' fw^ 5 -?<H'--. ;*' -. -.'H-tt'O 
 
 1. THOU Shepherd, that dost Israel keep, 
 
 Give ear in time of need; 
 Who leadest like a flock of sheep 
 
 Thy loved Joseph's seed; 
 That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright, 
 .' . Between their wings out-spread; 
 
 Shine forth, and from thy cloud give light, 
 
 And on our foes thy dread. 
 
 2. In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's, 
 
 And in Manasse's sight, 
 Awake thy strength, come, and be seen 
 To save us by thy might. 
 
 3. Turn us again, thy grace divine 
 
 To us, O God, vouchsafe^ 
 Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 
 And then we shall be safe. 
 
 4. Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou, 
 
 How long wilt thou declare 
 Thy smoking wrath, and angry brow 
 Against thy people's prayer !
 
 PSALMS. 285 
 
 5. Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears j 
 
 Their bread with tears they 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. 
 
 7. 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 vine from Egypt thou hast brought, 
 
 Thy free love made it thine, 
 And drov'st out nations, proud and haut, 
 To plant this lovely vine. 
 
 9. Thou didst prepare for it a place, 
 
 And root it deep and fast, 
 
 That it began to grow apace. 
 
 And filled the land at last. 
 
 10. With her green shade that covered all, 
 
 The hills were over-spread; 
 Her boughs as high as cedars tall 
 Advanced their lofty head. 
 
 1 1 . Her branches on the western side 
 
 Down to the sea she sent, 
 
 And upward to that river wide 
 
 Her other branches went. 
 
 12. Why hast thou laid her hedges low 
 
 And broken down her fence, 
 That all may pluck her, as they go, 
 With rudest violence ?
 
 286 PSALMS. 
 
 13. The tusked boar out of the wood 
 
 Up turns it by the roots j 
 Wild beasts there brouze, and make their food 
 Her grapes and tender shoots. 
 
 14. Return now, God of Hosts, look down 
 
 From Heaven, thy seat divinej 
 Behold us, but without a frown, 
 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 ajccs down : 
 They perish at thy dreadful ire, 
 At thy rebuke and frown. 
 
 17. Upon the man of thy right hand 
 
 Let thy good hand be laid ; 
 Upon the son of man, whom thou 
 Strong for thyself hast made. 
 
 18. So shall we not go back from thee 
 
 To ways of sin and shame ; 
 Quicken us thou ; then gladly we 
 Shall call upon thy Name. 
 
 19. Return us, and thy grace divine, 
 
 Lord God of Hosts, vouchsafe; 
 Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 
 And then we shall be safe.
 
 PSALMS. 287 
 
 PSALM LXXXI. 
 
 1 . To God our strength sing loud, and clear 3 
 
 Sing loud to God our King : 
 To Jacob's God, that all may hear, 
 Loud acclamations ring. 
 
 2. Prepare a hymn, prepare a song, 
 
 The timbrel hither bring ; 
 The cheerful psaltery bring along, 
 And harp with pleasant string-. 
 
 3. Blow, as is wont, in the new moon 
 
 With trumpets' lofty sound, 
 The 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 whence they might not swerve. 
 
 5. This he a testimony ordained 
 
 In Joseph, not to change, 
 When as he passed through Egypt land ; 
 The tongue I heard was strange. 
 
 6. From burden, and from slavish toil, 
 
 I set his shoulder free : 
 His hands from pots, and miry soil, 
 Delivered were by me. 
 
 7. When trouble did thee sore assail, 
 
 On me then didst thou call ; 
 And I to free thee did not fail, 
 And led thee out of thrall.
 
 PSALMS. 
 
 I answered thee in thunder deep, 
 With clouds encompassed round 3 
 
 I tried thee at the water steep 
 Of Meriba renowned. 
 
 8. Hear, O my People, hearken well} 
 
 I testify to thee, 
 Thou ancient stock of Israel, 
 If thou wilt list to me : 
 
 9. Throughout the land of thy abode 
 
 No alien God shall be, 
 Nor shalt thou to a foreign God 
 In honour bend thy knee. 
 
 10. I am the Lord thy God, which brought 
 
 Thee out of Egypt land ; 
 Ask large enough, and I, besought, 
 Will grant thy full demand. 
 
 1 1 . And yet my people would not hear, 
 
 Nor hearken to my voice 3 
 And Israel, whom I loved so dear, 
 Misliked me for his choice. 
 
 12. Then did I leave them to their will, 
 
 And to their wandering mind; 
 Their own conceits they followed still, 
 Their own devices blind. 
 
 13. O, that my people would be wise, 
 
 To serve me all their days ! 
 
 And O, that Israel would advise 
 
 To walk my righteous ways ! 
 
 14. Then would I soon bring down their foes, 
 
 That now so proudly rise; 
 And turn my hand against all those, 
 That are their enemies.
 
 PSALMS. 289 
 
 15. Who hate the Lord should then be fain 
 
 To bow to him and bend j 
 But they, his people, should remain, 
 Their time should have no end. 
 
 16. And he would feed them from the thock 
 
 With flower of finest wheat, 
 And satisfy them from the rock 
 With honey for their meat. 
 
 PSALM LXXXII. 
 
 1. GOD in the great assembly stands 
 
 Of kings and lordly states; 
 Among the Gods, on both his hands, 
 He judges and debates. 
 
 2. How long will ye pervert the right 
 
 With judgement false and wrong, 
 Favouring the wicked by your might, 
 Who thence grow bold and strong ? 
 
 3. Regard the weak and fatherless, 
 
 Despatch the poor man's cause j 
 And raise the man in deep distress 
 By just and equal laws. 
 
 4. Defend the poor and desolate, 
 
 And rescue from the hands 
 
 Of wicked men the low es tate 
 
 Of him that help demands. 
 
 5. They know not, nor will understand, 
 
 In darkness they walk on ; 
 The earth's foundations all are moved, 
 And out of order gone.
 
 290 PSALMS. 
 
 6. I said that ye were Gods, yea all 
 
 The sons of God Most High ; 
 
 7. But ye shall die like men, and fall 
 
 As other princes die. 
 
 8. Rise, God; judge thou the earth in might, 
 
 This wicked earth redress ; 
 For thou art he who shall by right 
 The nations all possess. 
 
 PSALM LXXXIII. 
 
 1 . BE not thou silent now at length, 
 
 O God, hold not thy peace ; 
 Sit thou not still, O God of strength, 
 We cry, and do not cease. 
 
 2. For lo, thy furious foes now swell, 
 
 And storm outrageously; 
 And they that hate thee, proud and fell, 
 Exalt their heads full high. 
 
 3. Against thy people they contrive 
 
 Their plots and counsels deep; 
 
 Them to ensnare they chiefly strive, 
 
 Whom thou dost hide and keep. 
 
 4. Come, let us cut them off, say they, 
 
 Till they no nation be ; 
 That Israel's 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 unite, 
 And in firm union bind.
 
 PSALMS. 291 
 
 6. The tents of Edom, and the brood 
 
 Of scornful Ishmael, 
 Moab, with them of Hagar's blood, 
 That in the desert dwell, 
 
 7. Gebal and Ammon there conspire, 
 
 And hateful Amalec, 
 The Philistines, and they of Tyre, 
 Whose bounds the sea doth check. 
 
 8. With them great Ashur also bands, 
 
 And doth confirm the knot : 
 All these have lent their armed hands 
 To aid the sons of Lot. 
 
 9. Do to them as to Midian bold, 
 
 That wasted all the coast ; 
 To Sisera j and, as is told, 
 
 Thou didst to Jabin's host, 
 When, at the brook of Kishon old, 
 
 They were repulsed and slain, 
 
 10. At Endor quite cut off, and polled 
 
 As dung upon the plain. 
 
 11. As Zeb and Oreb evil sped. 
 
 So let their princes speed ; 
 As Zeba and Zalmunna bled 
 So let their princes bleed. 
 
 12. For they amidst their pride have said, 
 
 By right now shall we seise 
 God's houses, and will now invade 
 Their stately palaces. 
 
 13. My God, oh make them as a wheel, 
 
 No quiet let them find ; 
 Giddy and restless let them reel, 
 Like stubble from the wind. 
 u'2
 
 '292 PSALMS. 
 
 14. As when an aged wood takes fire 
 
 Which on a sudden strays, 
 The greedy flame runs higher and higher 
 Till all the mountains blaze ; 
 
 15. So with thy whirlwind them pursue, 
 
 And with thy tempest chase ; 
 
 16. And, till they yield thee honour due, 
 
 Lord, fill with shame their face. 
 
 17. Ashamed, and troubled, let them be, 
 
 Troubled, and shamed for ever; 
 Ever confounded, and so die 
 With shame, and 'scape it never. 
 
 1 8. 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. 
 
 1. How lovely are thy dwellings fair; 
 
 O Lord of Hosts, how dear 
 The pleasant tabernacles are, 
 Where thou dost dwell so near f 
 
 2. My soul doth long and almost die 
 
 Thy courts, O Lord, to see; 
 My heart and flesh aloud do cry, 
 O living God, for thee. 
 
 3. There even the sparrow, freed from wrong-, 
 
 Hath found a house of rest- 
 The swallow there, to lay her young, 
 Hath built her brooding nest;
 
 F8ALM8. 293 
 
 Even by thy altars, Lord of Hosts, 
 
 They find their safe abode-, 
 And home they fiy from round the coasts 
 
 Toward thee, my King, my God. 
 
 4. Happy, who in thy house reside, 
 
 Where thee they ever praise ! 
 
 5. Happy, whose strength in thee doth bide, 
 
 And in their hearts thy ways ! 
 
 6. They pass through Baca's thirsty vale, 
 
 That dry and barren ground; 
 As through a fruitful watery dale, 
 Where springs and showers 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 now my prayer, 
 
 O Jacob's God give ear 5 
 
 9. Thou God, our shield, look on the face 
 
 Of thy anointed dear. 
 
 1 0. For one day in thy courts to be 
 
 Is better, and more blest, 
 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 for evermore. 
 
 1 1 . For God the Lord, both sun and shield, 
 
 Gives grace and glory bright; 
 No good from them shall be withheld 
 Whose ways are just and right.
 
 294 PSALMS. 
 
 12. Lord God of Hosts, that reign st on high ; 
 
 That man is truly blest, 
 Who only on thee doth rely. 
 And in thee only rest. 
 
 PSALM LXXXV. 
 
 1 . THY land to favour graciously 
 
 Thou hast not Lord been slack 5 
 Thou hast from hard captivity 
 Returned Jacob back. 
 
 2. The 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 removed, 
 
 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, 
 
 Turn us, and us restore ; 
 Thine indignation cause to cease 
 Towards 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 age on us ? 
 
 6. Wilt thou not turn and hear our voice, 
 
 And us again revive, 
 That so thy people may rejoice 
 By thee preserved alive ?
 
 PSALMS. 295 
 
 7. Cause us to see thy goodness, Lord, 
 
 To us thy mercy shew ! 
 Thy saving health to us afford, 
 And life in us renew. 
 
 8. And now, what God the Lord will speak, 
 
 I will go straight and hear, 
 For to his people he speaks peace, 
 
 And to his 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. 
 
 9. Surely, to such as do him fear 
 
 Salvation is at hand ; 
 And glory shall ere long appear 
 
 To dwell within our land. .,.,>;.;, 
 1 0. Mercy and Truth, that long were mmed, 
 
 Now joyfully are met, 
 Sweet Peace and Righteousness have kissed, 
 
 And hand in hand are set. 
 \ \ . Truth from the earth, like to a flower, 
 
 Shall bud and blossom then; 
 And Justice, from her heavenly bower, 
 
 Look down on mortal men. 
 
 12. The Lord will also then bestow 
 
 Whatever thing is good ; 
 Our land shall forth in plenty throw 
 Her fruits to be our food. 
 
 13. Before him Righteousness shall go, 
 
 His royal Harbinger : 
 Then will he come, and not be slow, 
 His footsteps cannot err.
 
 296 PSALMS. 
 
 PSALM LXXXVi 
 
 1. THY gracious ear, O Lord, incline, 
 
 hear me, I thee pray; 
 For I am poor, and almost pine 
 
 With need, and sad decay. 
 
 2. Preserve my soul 3 for I have trod 
 
 Thy ways, and love the just ; 
 Save thou thy servant, O my God, 
 Who still in 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 ear, and to the cry 
 Of my incessant prayers afford 
 Thy hearing graciously. 
 
 7. L, in the day of my distress, 
 
 Will call on thee for aid; 
 For thou wilt grant me free access, 
 And answer what I prayed. 
 
 8. Like thee among the Gods is none, 
 
 O Lord ; nor any works 
 Of all that other Gods have done 
 Like to thy glorious works.
 
 PSALMS. 297 
 
 9. The Nations all whom thou hast made 
 
 Shall come, and all shall frame 
 To bow them low before thee, Lord, 
 And glorify thy Name. 
 
 10. For great thou art, and wonders great 
 
 By thy strong hand are done ; 
 Thou, in thy everlasting seat, 
 Remainest God alone. 
 
 11. Teach me, O Lord, thy way most right; 
 
 I in thy truth will bide ; 
 To fear thy Name my heart unite, 
 So shall it never slide. 
 
 12. Thee will I praise, O Lord my God, 
 
 Thee honour and adore 
 With my whole heart, and blaze abroad 
 Thy Name for evermore. 
 
 13. For great thy mercy is toward me, 
 
 And thou hast freed my soul, 
 Even from the lowest hell set free, 
 From deepest darkness foul, 
 
 1 4. O God, the proud against me rise, 
 
 And violent men are met 
 To seek my life, and in their eyes 
 No fear of thee have set. 
 
 15. But thou, Lord, art the God most mild, 
 
 Readiest thy grace to shew, 
 Slow to be angry, and art styled 
 Most merciful, most true. 
 
 16. O, turn to me thy face at length, 
 
 And me have mercy on j 
 Unto thy servant give thy strength, 
 And save thy handmaid's son.
 
 29S PSALMS. 
 
 1 7. Some sign of good to me afford, 
 
 And let my foes then see, 
 And be ashamed; because thou, Lord, 
 Dost help and comfort me. 
 
 PSALM LXXXVII. 
 
 1 . AMONG the holy mountains high 
 
 Is his foundation fast ; 
 There seated in his sanctuary, 
 His temple there is placed. 
 
 2. Sion's fair gates the Lord loves more 
 
 Than all the dwellings fair 
 Of Jacob's land, though there be store, 
 And all within his care. 
 
 3. City of God, most glorious things 
 
 Of thee abroad are spoke ; 
 
 4. I mention Egypt, where proud kings 
 
 Did our forefathers yoke. 
 I mention Babel to my friends, 
 
 Philistia/W/ of scorn; 
 And Tyre with Ethiop's utmost ends, 
 
 Lo this man there was bora : 
 
 5. But twice that praise shall in our ear 
 
 Be said of Sion last ; 
 This and this man was born in her ; 
 High God shall fix her fast. 
 
 6. The Lord shall write it in a scroll 
 
 That ne'er shall be out-worn, 
 When he the nations doth inroll, 
 That this man there was born.
 
 PSALMS. 299 
 
 7. Both they who sing, and they who dance, 
 
 With sacred songs are there; 
 In thee fresh brooks and soft streams glance, 
 And all my fountains clear. 
 
 PSALM LXXXVIII. 
 
 1 . LORD God, that dost me save and keep, 
 
 All day to thee I cry : 
 And all night long before thee weep, 
 Before thee prostrate lie. 
 
 2. Into thy presence let my prayer 
 
 With sighs devout ascend; 
 And to my cries, that ceaseless are, 
 Thine ear with favour bend. 
 
 3. For, cloyed with woes and trouble store, 
 
 Surcharged my soul doth lie j 
 My life, at Death's uncheerful door, 
 Unto the grave draws nigh. 
 
 4. Reckoned I am with them that pass 
 
 Down to the dismal pit j 
 
 I am a man, but weak alas ! 
 
 And for that name unfit. 
 
 5. From life discharged and parted quite 
 
 Among the dead to sleep ; 
 And like the slain in bloody fight, 
 
 That in the grave lie deep. 
 Whom thou rememberest no more, 
 
 Dost never more regard, 
 Them, from thy hand delivered o'er, 
 
 Deaths hideous house hath barred.
 
 300 PSALMS. 
 
 6. Thou in the lowest pit profound 
 
 Hast set me all forlorn, 
 Where thickest darkness hovers round, 
 In horrid deeps to mourn. 
 
 7. Thy wrath, from which no shelter saves, 
 
 Full sore doth press on me ; 
 Thou break'st upon me all thy waves, 
 And all thy waves break me. 
 
 8. Thou dost my friends from me estrange, 
 
 And mak'st me odious, 
 Me to them odious,/br they change, 
 
 And I here pent up thus. 
 0. Through sorrow, and affliction great, 
 
 Mine eye grows dim and dead 5 
 Lord, all the day I thee entreat, 
 
 My hands to thee I spread. 
 
 10. Wilt thou do wonders on the dead ? 
 
 Shall the deceased arise, 
 And praise thee/rom their loathsome bed 
 With pale and hollow eyes ? 
 
 1 1 . Shall they thy loving kindness tell, 
 
 On whom the grave hath hold? 
 Or they, who in perdition dwell, 
 Thy faithfulness unfold? 
 
 12. In darkness can thy mighty hand 
 
 Or wonderous acts be known ? 
 Thy justice in the gloomy land 
 Of dark oblivion ? 
 
 13. But I to thee, O Lord, do cry, 
 
 Ere yet my life be spent; 
 And up to thee my prayer doth hie, 
 Each morn, and thee prevent.
 
 PSALMS. 301 
 
 14. Why wilt thou. Lord, my soul forsake, 
 
 And hide thy face from me, 
 
 15. That am already bruised, and shake 
 
 With terrour sent from thee ? 
 Bruised, and afflicted, and so low 
 
 As ready to expire j 
 While I thy terrours undergo, 
 
 Astonished with thine ire. 
 
 16. Thy fierce wrath over me doth flow ; 
 
 Thy threatenings cut me through : 
 
 1 7. All day they round about me go, 
 
 Like waves they me pursue. 
 Ldver and friend thou hast removed, 
 
 And severed from me far : 
 Theyyfy me now whom I have loved, 
 
 And as in darkness are. 
 
 A PARAPHRASE ON PSALM CXIV. 
 
 This and the following Psalm were done by the Author at Fifteen 
 Years old. 
 
 WHEN the blest seed of Terah's faithful son } 
 After long toil, their liberty had won ; 
 And past from Pharian fields to Canaan land, 
 Led by the strength of the Almighty's hand ; 
 Jehovah's wonders were in Israel shown, 
 His praise and glory was in Israel known. 
 That saw the troubled Sea, and shivering fled, 
 And sought to hide his froth-becurled head
 
 302 P&ALMS. 
 
 Low in the earth ; Jordan's clear streams recoil, - 
 As a faint host that hath received the foil. 
 The high huge-bellied mountains skip, like rams 
 Amongst their ewes; the little hills, like lambs. 
 Why fled the ocean ? and why skipped the mountains ? 
 Why turned Jordan toward his crystal fountains ? 
 Shake, Earth ; and at the presence be aghast 
 Of Him that ever was, and aye shall last ; 
 That glassy floods from rugged rocks can crush, 
 And make soft rills from fiery flint-stones gush ! 
 
 PSALM CXXXVI. 
 
 LET us, with a gladsome mind, 
 Praise the Lord, for he is kind, 
 
 For his mercies aye endure, 
 
 Ever faithful, ever sure. 
 
 Let us blaze his name abroad, 
 For of Gods he is the God. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 O, let us his praises tell, 
 Who doth the wrathful tyrants quell. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 Who, with his miracles, doth make 
 Amazed Heaven and Earth to shake. 
 For his, &c.
 
 PSALMS. 303 
 
 Who by his wisdom did create 
 The painted heavens so full of state. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 Who did the solid earth ordain 
 To rise above the watery plain. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 Who, by his all-commanding might, 
 Did fill the new-made world with light. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 And caused the golden-tressed sun 
 All the day long his course to run. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 The horned moon to shine by night, 
 Amongst her spangled sisters bright. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 He, with his thunder-clasping hand, 
 Smote the first-born of Egypt land. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 And in despite of Pharaoh fell, 
 He brought from thence his Israel. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 The ruddy waves he cleft in twain 
 Of the Erythraean main. 
 For his, &c.
 
 304 PSALMS. 
 
 The floods stood still, like walls of glass, 
 While the Hebrew bands did pass. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 But full soon they did devour 
 The tawny king with all his power. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 His chosen people he did bless 
 In the wasteful wilderness. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 In bloody battle he brought down 
 Kings of prowess and renown. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 He foiled bold Seon and his host 
 That ruled the Amorrean coast. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 And large-limbed Og he did subdue, 
 With all his over-hardy crew. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 And, to his servant Israel, 
 He gave their land therein to dwell. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 He hath with a piteous eye, 
 Beheld us in our misery. 
 For his, &c.
 
 PSALMS. 305 
 
 And freed us from the slavery 
 Of the invading enemy. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 All living creatures he doth feed, 
 And with full hand supplies their need. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 Let us therefore warble forth 
 His mighty majesty and worth. 
 For his, &c. 
 
 That his mansion hath on high 
 Above the reach of mortal eye. 
 
 For his mercies aye endure, 
 
 Ever faithful, ever sure.
 
 JOANNIS MILTONI, 
 
 LONDINENSIS, 
 
 POEMATA: 
 
 QUORUM PLERAQUE INTRA ANNUM 
 VIGESIMUM CONSCRIP8IT.
 
 309 
 
 quae sequuntur deAuthore testimonia, tametsi 
 ipse intelligebat non tarn de se quam supra se esse 
 dicta, eo quod praeclaro ingenio viri, nee non amici, 
 ita fere solent laudare, ut omnia suis potius virtuti- 
 bus, quam veritati congruentia, nimis cupide affin- 
 gant, noluit tamen horum egregiam in se voluntatem 
 non esse notamj cum alii praesertim ut id faceret 
 magnopere suaderent. Dum enim nimiae laudis in- 
 \adiam totis ab se viribus amolitur, sibique quod plus 
 aequo est non attributum esse mavult, judicium inte- 
 rim hominum cordatorum atque illustrium quin sum- 
 mo sibi honori ducat, negare non potest. 
 
 JOANNES BAPTISTA MANSUS, 
 
 MARCHIO VILLENSIS, NEAPOLITANS, 
 AD 
 
 JOANNEM MILTONIUM, ANGLUM. 
 
 UT mens, forma, decor, facies, mos, si pietas sic, 
 Non Anglus, verum hercle Angelus, ispe fores. 
 
 AD 
 
 JOANNEM MILTONEM ANGLUM, 
 
 Triplici poeseos laurea coronandum, Graeca nimirum, 
 Latino, atque Hetrusca, Eplgramma, 
 
 JOANNIS SALSILLI, ROMANI. 
 
 CEDE, Meles ; cedat depressa Mincius urua> 
 Sebetus Tassum desinat usque loqui ;
 
 310 
 
 At Thamesis victor cunctis ferat altior undas, 
 Nam per te, Milto, par tribus unus erit. 
 
 AD JOANNEM MILTONUM. 
 
 GBJECIA Maeonidem, jactet sibi Roma Maronem, 
 Anglia Miltonum jactat utrique parem. 
 
 SELVAGGI. 
 
 AL 
 
 SIGNOR GIO. MILTONI. 
 
 NOBILE IXGLE8E. 
 
 ODE. 
 
 ERGIMI all' Etra o Clio 
 
 Perche di stelle intrecciero corona 
 
 Non piu del Biondo Dio 
 
 La fronde eterna in Pindo, e in Elicona, 
 
 Diensi a merto maggior, maggiori i fregi, 
 
 A' celeste virtu celesti pregi. 
 
 Non puo del tempo edace 
 Rimaner preda, eterno alto valore 
 Non puo 1'oblio rapace, 
 Furar dalle memorie eccelso onore, 
 Su 1'arco di mia cetra un dardo forte 
 Virtu m' adatti, e feriro la morte.
 
 311 
 
 Del ocean profondo 
 
 Cinta dagli ampi gorghi Anglia risiede 
 
 Separata dal mondo, 
 
 Pero che il suo valor 1'umano eccede : 
 
 Questa feconda sa produrre Eroi, 
 
 Ch' hanno a ragion del sovruman tra-noi. 
 
 Alia virtft sbandita 
 
 Danno ne i petti lor fido ricetto, 
 
 Quella gli e sol gradita, 
 
 Perche in lei san trovar gioia, e diletto; 
 
 Ridillo tu, Giovanni, e mostra in tanto 
 
 Con tua vera virtu, vero il mio Canto. 
 
 Lungi dal patrio lido 
 
 Spinse Zeusi 1'industre ardente brama ; 
 
 Ch' udio d' Helena il grido 
 
 Con aurea tromba rimbombar la fama, 
 
 E per poterla effigiare al paro 
 
 Dalle piu belle Idee trasse il piu raro. 
 
 Cosi Tape ingegnosa 
 
 Trae con industria il suo liquor pregiato 
 
 Dal giglio e dalla rosa, 
 
 E quanti vaghi fiori ornano il prato ; 
 
 Formano un dolce suon diverse chorde, 
 
 Fan varie voci melodia concorde. 
 
 Di bella gloria amante 
 
 Milton dal ciel natio per varie parti 
 
 Le peregrine piante
 
 Volgesti a ricerear scienze, ed arti ; 
 Del Gallo regnator vedesti i regni, 
 E dell' Italia ancor gl' Eroi piu degni. 
 
 Fabro quasi divino 
 
 Sol virtu rintracciando il tuo pensiero 
 
 Vide in ogni confino 
 
 Chi di nobil valor calca il sentiero ; 
 
 L'ottimo dal miglior, dopo scegliea 
 
 Per fabbricar d'ogni virtu 1'idea. 
 
 Quanti nacquero in Flora 
 
 in lei del parlar Tosco appreser 1'arte, 
 La cui memoria onora 
 
 II mondo fatta eterna in dotte carte, 
 Volesti ricerear per tuo tesoro, 
 E parlasti con lor nell' opre loro. 
 
 Nell' altera Babelle 
 
 Per te il parlar confuse Giove in vano, 
 
 Che per varie favelle 
 
 Di se stessa trofeo cadde su'l piano : 
 
 Ch' Ode oltr' all Anglia il suo piu degno idiouia 
 
 Spagna, Francia, Toscana, e Grecia, e Roma. 
 
 1 piu profondi arcani 
 
 Ch' occulta la natura e in cielo e in terra 
 Ch' a ingegni sovrumani 
 Troppo avara tal' hor gli chiude, e serra, 
 Chiaramente conosci, e giungi al fine 
 Delia moral virtude al gran confine.
 
 313 
 
 Non batta il Tempo l'ale, 
 
 Fermisi immoto, e in un ferinin si gl' anru, 
 
 Che di virtu immortale 
 
 Scorroa di troppo ingiuriosi a i danni j 
 
 Che s'opre degne di poema e storia 
 
 Furon gia, Thai presenti alia memoria. 
 
 Dammi tua dolce cetra 
 
 Se vuoi ch' io dica del tuo dolce canto, 
 
 Ch' inalzandoti all' Etra 
 
 Di farti huomo celeste ottiene il vanto, 
 
 II Tamigi il dira che gl' e concesso 
 
 Per te suo cigno pareggiar Permesso. 
 
 Io che in riva del Arno 
 
 Tento spiegar tuo merto alto, e preclaro 
 
 So che fatico indarno, 
 
 E ad ammirar, non a lodarlo imparoj 
 
 Freno dunque la lingua, e ascolto il core 
 
 Che ti prende a lodar con Io stupore. 
 
 DEL SIG. ANTONIO FKANCINI, GENTILHUOMO 
 
 FIORBNTINO.
 
 JOANNI MILTONI, 
 
 LONDINENSI, 
 
 JDVENI PATRIA, VIRTUTIBUS EX1MIO, 
 
 VIRO, qui multa peregrination e, studio cuncta, orbis 
 terrarum loca x . perspexit; ut novus Ulysses omnia 
 ubique ab omnibus apprehend eret: 
 
 Polyglotto, in cujus ore linguas jam deperditae sic 
 reviviscunt, ut idiomata omnia sint in ejus laudibus 
 infacunda; et jure ea percallet, ut admirationes et 
 plausus populorum ab propria sapientia excitatos in- 
 telligat : 
 
 Illi, cujus animi dotes corporisque sensus ad admi- 
 rationem commovent, et per ipsam motum cuique 
 auferunt ; cujus opera ad plausus hortantur, sed ve- 
 nustate vocem laudatoribus adimunt. 
 
 Cuiin memoriatotus orbis ; in intellectu sapientia; 
 in voluntate ardor glorias j in ore eloquentia j harmo- 
 nicos coelestium sphaerarum sonitus, astronomia duce, 
 audienti; characteres mirabilium naturae per quos 
 Dei magnitude describitur, magistra philosophia, le-
 
 315 
 
 genti 3 antiquitatum latebras, vetustatis excidia, eru- 
 dition! s ambages, comite assidua autorum lectione, 
 
 Exquirenti, restauranti, percurrenti. 
 At cur nit or in arduum ? 
 
 Illi, in cujus' virtu tibus evulgandis ora Famse non 
 sufficiant, nee hoininum stupor in laudandis satis est, 
 reverentise et amoris ergo hoc ejus meritis debitum 
 admirationis tributum effert CAROLCS DATUS Pa- 
 tricius Florentinus, 
 
 Tanto homini servus, tantas virtutis ainator.
 
 ELEGIARUM 
 
 LIBER. 
 
 ELEGIA PRIMA. 
 
 AD CAROLUM DEODATUM. 
 
 TANDEM, chare, tuse mihi pervenere tabellae, 
 
 Pertulit et voces nuncia charta tuas ; 
 Pertulit, occidua Devae Cestrensis ab ora 
 
 Vergivium prono qua petit amne saluin. 
 Multum, crede, juvat terras aluisse remotas 
 
 Pectus amans nostri, tamque fidele caput, 
 Quodque mihi lepidum tellus longinqua sodalem 
 
 Debet, at unde brevi reddere jussa velit. 
 Me tenet urbs reflua quam Thamesis alluit unda, 
 
 Meque nee invitum patria dulcis habet. 
 Jam nee arundiferum mihi cura revisere Camum, 
 
 Nee dudum vetiti me laris angit amor. 
 Nuda nee arva placent, umbrasque negantia molles : 
 
 Quam male Phoebicolis convenit ille locus !
 
 318 POEMATA. 
 
 Nec duri libet usque minas perferre Magistri, 
 
 Caeteraque ingenio non subeunda meo. 
 Si sit hoc exilium patrios adiisse penates, 
 
 Et vacuum curis otia grata sequi, 
 Non ego vel profugi nomen sorteuive recuso, 
 
 Laetus et exilii conditione fruor. 
 O, utinam vates nunquam graviora tulisset 
 
 Ille Tomitano flebilis exul agro; 
 Non tune lonio quicquam cessisset Homero, 
 
 Neve foret victo 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 plausus garrula scena suos. 
 Seu catus auditur senior, seu prodigus haeres, 
 
 Seu procus, aut posita casside miles adest, 
 Sive decennali foecundus lite patronus 
 
 Detonat inculto barbara verba foroj 
 Saepe vafer gnato succurrit servus amanti, 
 
 Et nasum rigidi fallit ubique patris ; 
 Saepe novos illic virgo mirata calores 
 
 Quid sit amor nescit, dum quoque nescit, amat. 
 Sive cruentatuin furiosa Tragoedia sceptrum 
 
 Quassat, et effusis crinibus ora rotat, 
 Et dolet, et specto, juvat et spectasse dolendo, 
 
 Interdum et lacrymis dulcis amaror inest : 
 Seu puer infelix indelibata reliquit 
 
 Gaudia, et abrupto flendus amore caditj 
 Seu ferus e tenebris iterat Styga criminis ultor, 
 
 Conscia funereo pectora torre movens : 
 Seu moeret Pelopeia domus, seu nobilis Hi, 
 
 Aut luit incestos aula Creontis avos.
 
 POEMATA. 319 
 
 Sed neque sub tecto semper, nee in urbe, latemus j 
 
 Irrita nee nobis tempora veris eunt. 
 Nos quoque lucus habet vicina consitus ulmo, 
 
 Atque suburban! nobilis umbra loci. 
 Saepius hie, blandas spirantia sidera flammas,, 
 
 Virgineos videas praeteriisse choros. 
 Ah quoties dignae stupui miracula formoe, 
 
 Quse possit senium vel reparare Jovis ! 
 Ah quoties vidi superantia lumina gemmas, 
 
 Atque faces, quotquot, volvit uterque polus ! 
 Collaque bis vivi Pelopis quse brachia vincant, 
 
 Quaeque fluit puro Hectare tincta via ! 
 Et decus exirniuin frontis, tremulosque capillos, 
 
 Aurea quas fallax retia tendit Amor ! 
 Pellaclsque genas, ad quas hyacinthina sordet 
 
 Purpura, et ipse tui floris, Adoni, rubor ! 
 Cedite, laudatae toties Heroides olim, 
 
 Et quaecunque vagum cepit arnica Jovem. 
 Cedite, Achaemenioe turrita fronte puellae, 
 
 Et quot Susa colunt, Memnoniamque Ninon ; 
 Vos etiam Danaas fasces submittite Nymphae, 
 
 Et vos Iliacae, Romuleaeque nurus: 
 Nee Pompeianas Tarpeia Musa columnas 
 
 Jactet, et Ausoniis plena theatra stolis. 
 Gloria Virginibus debetur prima Britannis ; 
 
 Extera, sat tibi sit, fcemina, posse sequi. 
 Tuque urbs Dardaniis, Londinum, structa colonis, 
 
 Turrigerum late conspicienda caput, 
 Tu nimium felix intra tua moenia claudis 
 
 Quicquid formosi pendulus orbis habet. 
 Non tibi tot coelo scintillant astra sereno, 
 
 Endymioneas turba ministra deae,
 
 320 POEMATA. 
 
 Quot tibi, conspicuae formaque auroque, puellae 
 
 Per medias radiant turba videnda vias. 
 Creditur hue geminis venisse invecta columbis 
 
 Alma pharetrigero railite cincta Venus; 
 Huic Cnidon, et riguas Simoentis Huiniue valles, 
 
 Huic Paphon, et roseam posthabitura Cypron. 
 Ast ego, dum pueri sinit indulgent! a caeci, 
 
 Moenia quam subito linquere fausta paroj 
 Et vitare procul malefidae infamia Circes 
 
 Atria, divini Molyos usus ope. 
 Stat quoque juncosas Cami remeare paludes, 
 
 Atque iterum raucse murmur adire Scholas. 
 Interea fidi parvum cape munus amici, 
 
 Paucaque in alternos verba coacta modos. 
 
 ELEGIA SECUNDA. 
 
 Anno 2Etatis 17. 
 
 IN OBITUM PK^ECONIS ACADEMICI 
 CANTABRIGIENSIS. 
 
 Ti, qui, conspicuus baculo fuigente, solebas 
 
 Palladium toties ore ciere gregem ; 
 Ultima praeconum, praeconem te quoque saeva 
 
 Mors rapit, omcio nee favet ipsa Suo. 
 Candidiora licet fuerint tibi teuipora plumis, 
 
 Sub quibus accipimus delituisse Jovemj 
 O dignus tamen Haemonio juvenescere suceo, 
 
 Dignus in ^Esonios vivere posse dies ; 
 Dignus, quern Stygiis medica revocaret ab undis 
 
 Arte Coronides, saepe rogante dea.
 
 POEMATA. 321 
 
 Tu si jussus eras acies accire togatas, 
 
 Et celer a Phoebo nuntius ire tuo ; 
 Talis in Iliaca stabat Cyllenius aula 
 
 Alipes, aetherea missus ab arce Patris : 
 Talis et Eurybates ante ora furentis Achillei 
 
 Rettulit Atridse jussa severa ducis. 
 Magna sepulchrorum regina, satelles Averni, 
 
 Saeva nimis Musis, Palladi saeva nimis, 
 Quin illos rapias qui pondus inutile terras j 
 
 Turba quidem est telis ista petenda tuis. 
 Vestibus hunc igitur pullis, Academia, luge, 
 
 Et raadeant lachrymis nigra feretra tuis. 
 Fundat et ipsa modos querebunda Elegeia tristes, 
 
 Personet et totis naenia moesta Scholis. 
 
 ELEGIA TERTIA. 
 
 Anno .Statis 17. 
 IN OBITUM PR^SULIS WINTONIENSIS. 
 
 M(^STUS eram, et tacitus, nullo comitante, sedebam 5 
 
 Haerebantque animo tristia plura meo : 
 Protinus en ! subiit funestae cladis imago, 
 
 Fecit in Angliaco quam Libitina solo ; 
 Dum procerurn ingressa est splendentes marmore 
 turres, 
 
 Dira sepulchrali Mors metuenda face ; 
 Pulsavitque auro gravidos et jaspide muros, 
 
 Nee metuit satrapum sternere falce greges. 
 Tune memini clarique ducis, fratrisque verendi, 
 
 Intempestivis ossa cremata rogis : 
 
 Y . X .
 
 322 POEMATA. 
 
 Et memini Heroum, quos vidit ad asthera raptos, 
 
 Flevit et amissos Belgia tota duces. 
 At te praecipue luxi, dignissime Praesul, 
 
 Wintoniaeque olim gloria magna tuae^ 
 Delicui fletu, et tristi sic ore querebar : 
 
 ' Mors fera, Tartareo diva secunda Jovi, 
 Nonne satis quod sylva tuas persentiat iras, 
 
 Et quod in herbosos jus tibi detur agros? 
 Quodque afflata tuo marescant lilia tabo, 
 
 Et crocus, et pulchrae Cypridi sacra rosa? 
 Nee sinis ut semper fluvio contermina quercus 
 
 Miretur lapsus praetereuntis aquae ? 
 Et tibi succumbit, liquido qua? plurima coelo 
 
 Evehitur pennis, quamlibet augur, avis. 
 Et quae inille nigris errant animalia sylvisj 
 
 Et quot alunt mutum Proteos antra pecus. 
 Invida, tanta tibi cum sit concessa potestas, 
 
 Quid ju vat human a tingere cazde manus? 
 Nobil6que in pectus certas acuisse sagittas, 
 
 Semideamque animam sede fugasse sua ?' 
 Talia dum lacrymans alto sub pectore volvo, 
 
 Roscidus occiduis Hesperus exit aquis, 
 Et Tartessiaco SAibmerserat aequore currum 
 
 Phoebus, ab Eoo littore mensus iter : 
 Nee mora, membra cavo posui refovenda cubili, 
 
 Condiderant oculos noxque soporque meos : 
 Cum mihi visus eram lato spatiarier agro; 
 
 Heu ! nequit ingenium visa referre meum. 
 Illic punice& radiabant omnia luce, 
 
 Ut matutino cum juga sole rubent. 
 Ac veluti cum pandit opes Thaumantia proles, 
 
 Vestitu nituit multicolore solum.
 
 1'OEMATA. 323 
 
 Non dea tarn variis ornavit floribus hortos 
 
 Alcinoi, Zephyro Chloris amata levi. 
 Flumina vernantes larabunt argentea campos, 
 
 Ditior Hesperio flavet arena Tago. 
 Serpit odoriferas per opes levis aura Favonf, 
 
 Aura sub innumeris humida nata rosis : 
 Talis in extremis terrse Gangetidis oris 
 
 Luciferi regis fingitur esse domus. 
 Ipse racemiferis dum densas vitibus umbras, 
 
 Et pellucentes miror ubique locos, 
 Ecce ! mihi subito Pracsul Wintonius astat, 
 
 Sidereum nitido fulsit in ore jubarj 
 Vestis ad auratos defluxit Candida talos, 
 
 Infula divinum cinxerat alba caput. 
 Diimque senex tali incedit venerandus amictu, 
 
 Intremuit laeto florea terra sono. 
 Agmina gemmatis plaudunt coelestia pennis, 
 
 Pura triumphal! personat sethra tuba. 
 Quisque novum amplexu comitem cantuque salutat, 
 
 Hosque aliquis placido misit ab ore sonos ; 
 ' Nate, veni, et patrii felix cape gaudia regni, 
 
 Semper ab Mnc duro, nate, labore vaca.' 
 Dixit, et aligerse tetigerunt nablia turmae, 
 
 At mihi cum tenebris aurea pulsa quies. 
 Flebam turbatos Cephaleia pellice somnos ; 
 
 Talia contingant somnia saepe mihi ! 
 
 v 2
 
 324 POEMATA. 
 
 ELEGIA QUARTA. 
 
 Anno JStatis 18. 
 AD THOMAM JUNIUM, PR&CEPTOREM SUUM, 
 
 Apud mercatores Anglicos, Hamburgts agentes, 
 pastoris munere fungentem. 
 
 CURRE per immensum subito, mea litera, pontum, 
 
 I, pete Teutonicos laeve per aequor agros $ 
 Segnes rumpe moras, et nil, precor, obstet eunti, 
 
 Et festinantis nil remoretur iter. 
 Ipse ego Sicanio fraenantem carcere ventos 
 
 JEalon, et virides sollicitabo Deos, 
 Caeruleamque suis comitatam DoridaNymphis; 
 
 Ut tibi dent placidam per sua regna viam. 
 At tu, si poteris, celeres tibi sume jugales, 
 
 Vecta quibus Colchis fugit ab ore viri ; 
 Aut queis Triptolemus Scythicas devenit in oras, 
 
 Gratus Eleusina missus ab urbe puer. 
 Atque ubi Germanas Havere videbis arenas, 
 
 Ditis ad Hamburgse moenia flecte gradual, 
 Dicitur occiso quae ducere nomen ab Haina, 
 
 Cimbrica quern fertur clava dedisse neci. 
 Vivit ibi antiquae clarus pietatis honore 
 
 Praesul, Christicolas pascere doctus oves : 
 Ille quideru est animae plusquam pars altera nostrae ; 
 
 Diinidio vitae vivere cogor ego. 
 Hei mihi ! quot pelagi, quot monies interjecti., 
 
 Me faciunt alia parte carere mei !
 
 POEMATA. 325 
 
 Charior ille mini, quam tu, doctissime Graium, 
 
 Cliniadi, pronepos qui Telamonis erat; 
 Quamque Stagyrites generoso magnus alumno, 
 
 Quern peperit Libyco Chaonis alma Jovi. 
 Quails Amyntorides, qualis Philyreius heros 
 
 Myrmidonum regi, talis et ille raihi. 
 Primus ego Aonios, illo praeeunte, recessus 
 
 Lustrabam, et bifidi sacra vireta jiigij 
 Pieri6sque hausi latices, Clioque favente, 
 
 Castalio sparsi laeta ter ora mero. 
 Flammeus at signurn ter viderat arietis ^Ethon, 
 
 Induxitque auro lanea terga novo ; 
 Bisque novo terram sparsisti, Chlori, senilem 
 
 Gramine, bisque tuas abstulit Auster opes: 
 Necdum ejus licuit mihi lumina pascere vultu, 
 
 Aut linguae dulces aure bibisse sonos. 
 Vade igitur, cursuque Eumm praeverte sonorum : 
 
 Quam sit opus monitis res docet, ipsa vides. 
 Invenies dulci cum conjuge forte sedentem, 
 
 Mulcentem gremio pignora chara suo : 
 Forsitan aut veterum praelarga volumina patrum 
 
 Versantem, aut veri Biblia sacra Dei ; 
 Coelestive animas saturantem rore tenellas^ 
 
 Grande salutiferas religionis opus. 
 Utque solet, multam sit dicere cura salutern, 
 
 Dicere quam decuit, si modo adesset, henim. 
 Haec quoque, paulum oculos inhumum defixamodestos, 
 
 Verba verecundo sis memor ore loqui : 
 Haec tibi, si teneris vacat inter praelia Musis, 
 
 Mittit ab Angliaco littore fida manus. 
 Accipe sinceram, quamvis sit sera, salutem ^ 
 
 Fiat et hoc ipso gratior ilia tibi.
 
 326 POESIATA. 
 
 Sera quidem, sed vera fuit, quam casta rccepit 
 
 Icaris a lento Penelopeia viro. 
 Ast ego quid volui manifestura tollere crimen, 
 
 Ipse quod ex omni parte levare nequit ? 
 Arguitur tardus merito, noxamque fatetur, 
 
 Et pudet officium deseruisse suum. 
 Tu modo da veniam fasso, veniamque roganti j 
 
 Crimina diminui, quae patuere, solent. 
 Non ferus in pavidos rictus diducit hiantes, 
 
 Vulnifico pronos nee rapit ungue leo. 
 Saepe sarissiferi crudelia pectora Thracis 
 
 Supplicis ad moestas delicuere preces : 
 Extensaeque manus avertunt fiilmiuis ictus, 
 
 Placat et iratos hostia parva Decs. 
 Jamque diu scripsisse tibi fuit impetus illi, 
 
 Neve moras ultra ducere passus Amor ; 
 Nam vaga Fama refert, heu nuntia vera malorum ! 
 
 In tibi finitimis bella tumere locis ; 
 Teque tuamque urbem truculento milite cingi^ 
 
 Et jam Saxonicos arma parasse duces. 
 Te circum late campos populatur Enyo, 
 
 Et sata carne virum jam cruor arva rigat ; 
 Germanisque suum concessit Thracia Martem^ 
 
 Illuc Odrysios Mars pater egit equos j 
 Perpetuoque comans jam deflorescit oliva, 
 
 Fugit et aerisonam Diva perosa tubam, 
 Fugit lo ! terris, et jam non ultima virgo 
 
 Creditur ad superas justa volasse domos. 
 Te tamen interea belli circumsonat horror, 
 
 Vivis et ignoto solus inopsque solo ; 
 Et, tibi quam patrii non exhibuere penates, 
 
 Sede peregrina quaer ls e 8 e nus opem.
 
 POEMATA. 327 
 
 Patria, dura parens, et saxis saevior albis 
 
 Spumea quae pulsat littoris unda tui, 
 Siccine te decet innocuos exponere foetus, 
 
 Siccine in externam ferrea cogis humum ? 
 Et sinis, ut terris quaerant alimenta remotis 
 
 Quos tibi prospiciens miserat ipse Deus, 
 Et qui laeta ferunt de coelo nuntia, quique, 
 
 Quae via post cineres ducat ad astra, decent? 
 Digna quidem, Stygiis quse vivas clausa tenebris, 
 
 ^Eternaque animae digna perire fame ! 
 Haud aliter vates terrae Thesbitidis olim 
 
 Pressit inassueto devia tesqua pede, 
 Desertasque Arabum salebras, dum regis Achabi 
 
 Effugit, atque tuas, Sidoni dira, manus : 
 Talis et, horrisono laceratus membra flagello, 
 
 Paulus ab ^Emathia pellitur urbe Cilix. 
 Piscosaeque ipsum Gergessae civis le'sum 
 
 Finibus ingratus jussit abire suis. 
 At tu sume animos ; nee spes cadat anxia curis, 
 
 Nee tua concutiat decolor ossa metus. 
 Sis etenim quamvis fulgentibus obsitus armis, 
 
 Intententque tibi inillia tela necem, 
 At nullis vel inerme latus violabitur ai'mis, 
 
 D6que tuo cuspis nulla cruore bibet. 
 Namque eris ipse Dei radiante sub segide tutus ; 
 
 Ille tibi custos, et pugil ille tibi : 
 Ille, Sionaeae qui tot sub moenibus arcis 
 
 Assyries fudit nocte silente viros ; 
 Inque fugam vertit quos in Samaritadas oras 
 
 Misit ab antiquis prisca Damascus agris ; 
 Terruit et densas pavido cum rege cohortes, 
 
 Aere dum vacuo buccina clara sonat,
 
 328 POEMATA. 
 
 Cornea pulvereum dura verberat ungula campmn, 
 
 Currus arenosain dum quatit actus humura, 
 Auditurque hinnitus equoram ad bella ruentum, 
 
 Et strepitus ferri, murmuraque alta virum. 
 Et tu (quod superest miseris) sperare memento, 
 
 Et tua magnanimo pectore vince mala ; 
 Nee dubites quandoque frui melioribus annis, 
 
 Atque iterum pa trios posse videre lares. 
 
 ELEGIA QUINTA. 
 
 Anno JEtatis 20. 
 IN ADVENTUM VERIS. 
 
 IN se perpetuo Tempus revolubile gyro 
 
 Jam revocat Zephyros vere tepente novos ; 
 Induiturque brevem Tellus reparata juventam, 
 
 Jamque soluta gelu dulce virescit humus. 
 Fallor ? an et nobis redeunt in carmina vires, 
 
 Ingeniumque mihi munere veris adest ? 
 Munere vejis adest, iterumque vigescit ab illo, 
 
 (Quis putet?) atque aliquod jam sibi poscit opus. 
 Castalis ante oculos, bifidumque cacnmen oberrat, 
 
 Et mihi Pyrenen somnia nocte ferunt : 
 Concitaque arcano fervent mihi pectora motu, 
 
 Et furor, et sonitus me sacer intus agit. 
 Delius ipse venit, video Peneide lauro 
 
 Implicitos crinesj Delius ipse venit. 
 Jam mihi mens liquidi raptatur in ardua coeli, 
 
 P^rque vagas nubes corpore liber eo- t
 
 POEA1ATA. 329 
 
 Perque umbras, perque antra feror, penetralia vatum, 
 
 Et mihi fana patent interiora deum: 
 Intuiturque animus toto quid agatur Olympo, 
 
 Nee fugiunt oculos Tartara caeca meos. 
 Quid tarn grande sonat distento spiritus ore ? 
 
 Quid parit haec rabies, quid sacer iste furor? 
 Ver mihi, quod dedit ingenium, cantabitur illo; 
 
 Profuerint isto reddita dona modo. 
 Jam, Philomela, tuos, foliis adoperta novellis, 
 
 Instituis modules, dum silet omne nemus : 
 Urbe ego, tu sylva, simul incipiamus utrique, 
 
 Et simul adventum veris uterque canat. 
 Veris lo ! rediere vices ; celebremus honores 
 
 Veris, et hoc subeat Musa perennis opus. 
 Jam sol, ^Ethiopas fugiens Tithoniaque arva, 
 
 Flectit ad Arctoas aurea lora plagas. 
 Est breve noctis iter, brevis est mora noctis opacae, 
 
 Horrida cum tenebris exulat ilia suis. 
 Jamque Lycaonius, plaustrum coeleste, Bootes 
 
 Non longa sequitur fessus ut ante via : 
 Nunc etiam solitas circum Jovis atria toto 
 
 Excubias agitant sidera rara polo : 
 Nam dolus, et caedes, et vis cum nocte recessit, 
 
 Neve Giganteum Dii timuere scelus. 
 Forte aliquis scopuli recubans in vertice pastor, 
 
 Roscida cum primo sole rubescit humus, 
 Hac, ait, hac certe caruisti nocte puella, 
 
 Phoebe, tua, celeres quas retineret equos. 
 Laeta suas repetit silvas, pharetramque resumit 
 
 Cynthia, luciferas ut videt alta rotas ; 
 Et, tenues ponens radios, gaudere videtur 
 
 Officium fieri tarn breve fratris ope.
 
 330 POEMATA. 
 
 ' Desere,' Phoebus ait, f thalamos, Aurora, senilesj 
 
 Quid juvat effoeto procubuisse toro? 
 Te manet /Eolides viridi venator in herba ; 
 
 Surge, tuos ignes altus Hymettus habet.' 
 Flava verecundo dea crimen in ore fatetur, 
 
 Et matutinos ocius urget equos. 
 Exuit invisam Tellus rediviva senectam, 
 
 Et cupit amplexus, Phoebe, subire tuos ; 
 Et cupit, et digna est: quid enim formosius ilia, 
 
 Pandit ut omniferos luxuriosa sinus, 
 Atque Arabum spirat messes, et ab ore venusto 
 
 Mitia cum Paphiis fundit amoma rosis ! 
 Ecce ! coronatur sacro frons ardua luco, 
 
 Cingit ut Idaeam pinea turris Opim j 
 Et vario madidos intexit flore capillos, 
 
 Floribus et visa est posse placere suis. 
 Floribus effusos ut erat rediuaita capillos, 
 
 Taenario placuit diva Sicana deo. 
 Aspice, Phoebe, tibi faciles hortantur ainores, 
 
 Mellitasque movent flamina verna preces : 
 Cinnamea Zephyrus leve plaudit odorifer aid, 
 
 BlanditiSsque tibi ferre videntur aves. 
 Nee sine dote tuos temeraria quaerit amores 
 
 Terra, nee optatos poscit egena toros j 
 Alma salutiferum medicos tibi gramen in usus 
 
 Praebet, et 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 superinjectis montibus, abdit opes. 
 Ah quoties, cum tu clivoso fessus Olympo 
 
 In vespertinas, praecipitaris aquas,
 
 POEMATA. 331 
 
 c Cur te,' inquit, ' cursu languentem, Phoebe, diurno 
 
 Hesperiis recipit caerula Mater aquis ? 
 Quid tibi cum Tethy? Quid cum Tartesside lym- 
 pha? 
 
 Dia quid immundo perluis ora salo ? 
 Frigora, Phoebe, mea melius captabis in umbra ; 
 
 Hue ades, ardentes imbue rore comas. 
 Mollior egelida veniet tibi somnus in herba : 
 
 Hue ades, et gremio lumina pone meo. 
 Quaque jaces, circum mulcebit lene susurrans 
 
 Aura per humentes corpora fusa rosas. 
 Nee me (crede mihi) terrent Semeleia fata, 
 
 Nee Phaetonteo fumidus axis equo : 
 Cum tu, Phoebe, tuo sapientius uteris igni; 
 
 Hue ades, et gremio lumina pone meo.' 
 Sic Tellus lasciva suos suspirat amores ; 
 
 Matris in exemplum caetera turba ruunt : 
 Nunc etenim toto currit vagus orbe Cupido, 
 
 Languentesque fovet solis ab igne faces : 
 Insonuere novis lethalia cornua nervis, 
 
 Triste micant ferro tela corusca novo : 
 Jamque vel invictam tentat superasse Dianam, 
 
 Quaeque sedet sacro Vesta pudica foco. 
 Ipsa senescentem reparat Venus annua formam, 
 
 Atque iterum tepido creditur orta mari. 
 Marmoreas juvenes clamant Hymenaee ! per urbes, 
 
 Littus, lo Hymen ! et cava saxa sonant. 
 Cultior ille venit, tunicaque decentior apta, 
 
 Puniceum redolet vestis odor a crocum. 
 Egrediturque frequens, ad amoeni gaudia veri, 
 
 Virgineos auro cincta puella sinus :
 
 332 POEMATA. 
 
 Votum est cuique suum, votum cst tamen omnibus 
 unum, 
 
 Ut sibi quern cupiat, det Cytherea virum. 
 Nunc quoque septena modulatur arundine pastor, 
 
 Et sua, quae jungat, carmina Phyllis habet. 
 Navita nocturno placat sua sidera cantu, 
 
 Delphinasque leves ad vada summa vocat. 
 Jupiter ipse alto cum conjuge ludit Olympo, 
 
 Convocat et famulos ad sua festa deos. 
 Nunc etiam Satyri, cijm sera crepuscula surgunt, 
 
 Pervolitant celeri florea rura choroj 
 Sylvanftsque sua cyparissi fronde revinctus, 
 
 Semicaperque deus, semidetisque caper. 
 Quaeque sub arboribus Dryades latuere vetustis, 
 
 Per juga, per solos expatiantur agros. 
 Per sata luxuriat fruticetaque Maenalius Pan, 
 
 Vix Cybele mater, vix sibi tuta Ceres ; 
 Atque aliquam cupidus praedatur Oreada Faunug, 
 
 Consulit in trepidos dum sibi Nympha pedes j 
 Jamque latet, latitansque cupit male tecta videri, 
 
 Et fugit, et fugiens pervelit ipsa capi. 
 Dii quoque non dubitant coelo praeponere sylvas, 
 
 Et sua quisque sibi numina lucus habet : 
 Et sua quisque diu sibi numina lucus habeto, 
 
 Nee vps arborea, dii, precor, ite domo. 
 Te referant miseris te, Jupiter, aurea terris 
 
 Saecla ; quid ad nimbos aspera tela redis ? 
 Tu saltern lente rapidos age, Phoebe, jugales, 
 
 Qua potes, et sensim tempora veris eant j 
 Brumaque productas tarde ferat bispida noctes, 
 
 Ingruat et nostro serior umbra polo.
 
 POEMATA. 333 
 
 ELEGIA SEXTA. 
 AD CAROLUM DEODATUM 
 
 RUKI COMMORANTEM, 
 
 Qu't cum Idlbus Decemb. scrlpslsset, et sua carmina 
 excusari postulasset si sollto minus essent bona, 
 quod Inter lautltlas, qulbus erat ab amicis exceptus, 
 haud satis felicem operam Musis dare se posse af- 
 firmabat, hoc habult responsum. 
 
 MITTO tibi sanam non pleno ventre salutem, 
 
 Qua tu, distento, forte carere potes. 
 At tua quid nostram prolectat Musa camoenam, 
 
 Nee sinit optatas posse sequi tenebras ? 
 Carmine scire velis quam te redam6mque colamque,- 
 
 Crede mihi, vix hoc carmine scire queas. 
 Nam neque noster amor modulis includitur arctis, 
 
 Nee venit ad claudos integer ipse pedes. 
 Quam bene solennes epulas, hilar^mque Decembrem, 
 
 Festaque coslifugam quae coluere deum, 
 Deliciasque refers, hiberni gaudia ruris, 
 
 Haustaque per lepidos Gallica musta focos ! 
 Quid quereris refugam vino dapibtisque poesin ? 
 
 Carmen amat Bacchum, carmina Bacchus amat. 
 Nee puduit Phoebum virides gestasse corymbos, 
 
 Atque hederam lauro prseposuisse suoe. 
 Saepiiis Aoniis clamavit collibus, Euoe ? 
 
 Mista Thyoneo turba novena choro. 
 Naso Corallaeis mala carmina misit ab agi'is : 
 
 Non illic epulse, non sata vitis erat.
 
 334 POEMATA. 
 
 Quid nisi vina, rosasque, racemiferumque Lyaeum, 
 
 Cantavit brevibus Teia Musa modis ? 
 Pindaricosque inflat numeros Teumesius Euan, 
 
 Et redolet sumptum pagina qua?que merum ; 
 Dum gravis everso currus crepat axe supinus, 
 
 Et volat Eleo pulvere fuscus eques. 
 Quadrimoque raadens Lyricen Roraanus laccho, 
 
 Dulce canit Glyceran, flavicoinamque Chloeu. 
 Jam quoque lauta tibi generoso mensa paratu 
 
 Mentis alit vires, ingeniumque fovet. 
 Massica foecundam despumant pocula venam, 
 
 Fundis et ex ipso condita metra cado. 
 Addimus his artes, fuslimque per intiina Phoebum 
 
 Cordaj faveut uni Bacchus,, Apollo, Ceres. 
 Scilicet haud mirum, tarn dulcia carmina per te, 
 
 Nnmine composite, tres peperisse deos. 
 Nunc quoque Thressa tibi caelato barbitos auro 
 
 Insonat, arguta molliter icta manu ; 
 Auditurque chelys suspensa tapetia circum, 
 
 Virgineos tremula quae regat arte pedes. 
 Ilia tuas saltern teneant spectacula Musas, 
 
 Et revocent, quantum crapula pellit iners. 
 Crede mihi, dum psallit ebur, comitataque plectrum 
 
 Implet odoratos festa chorea tholos, 
 Percipies taciturn per pectora serpere Phoebum, 
 
 Quale repentinus permeat ossa calor : 
 P^rque puellares oculos, digitumque sonantem, 
 
 Irruet in totos lapsa Thalia sinus. 
 Namque Elegia levis multorum cura deorum est, 
 
 Et vocat ad numeros quemlibet ilia suos ; 
 Liber adest elegis, Eratoque, Ceresque, Venusque, 
 
 Et cum purpurea Matre tenellus Amor,
 
 POEMATA. 335 
 
 Talibus inde licent convivia larga poetis, 
 
 Ssepius et veteri commaduisse mero. 
 At qui bella refert, et adulto sub Jove coelum, 
 
 Heroasque pios, semideosquc duces, 
 Et nunc sancta canit superum consulta deorum, 
 
 Nunc latrata fero regna profunda cane, 
 Ille quidem parce, Samii pro more magistri, 
 
 Vivat, et innocuos prsebeat herba cibos ; 
 Stet prope fagineo pellucida lympha catillo, 
 
 Sobriaque e puro pocula fonte bibat. 
 Additur huic scelerisque vacans, et casta juventus, 
 
 Et rigid! mores, et sine labe maims. 
 Qualis, veste nitens sacra, et lustralibus undis, 
 
 Surgis ad infensos, augur, iture deos. 
 Hoc ritu vixisse ferunt post rapta sagacem 
 
 Lumina Tiresian, Ogygiumque Linon, 
 Et lare devoto profugum Calchanta, sen^mque 
 
 Orpheon, edomitis sola per antra feris ; 
 Sic dapis exiguus, sic rivi potor Homerus 
 
 Dulichium vexit per freta longa virum, 
 Et per monstrincam Perseiae Phoebados aulam, 
 
 Et vada foemineis insidiosa sonis j 
 Perque tuas, rex ime, domos, ubi sanguine nigro 
 
 Dicitur umbrarum detinuisse greges. 
 Diis etenim sacer est vates, divumque sacerdos ; 
 
 Spirat et occultum pectus, et ora, Jovem. 
 At tu, siquid agam, scitabere (si modo saltern 
 
 Esse putas tanti noscere siquid agam,) 
 Paciferum canimus coelesti semine Regcm, 
 
 Faustaqne sacratis saecula pacta libris; 
 Vagitumque Dei, et stabulantem paupere tecto, 
 
 Qui suprema suo cum Patre regna colit
 
 336 POEMATA. 
 
 Stelliparumque polum, modulantesque aethere turmas, 
 
 Et subito elisos ad sua fana deos. 
 Dona quidem dedimus Christ! Natalibus ilia, 
 
 Ilia sub auroram lux milii prima tulit. 
 Te quoque pressa manent patriis meditata cicutis, 
 
 Tu mihi, cui recitem, judicis instar eris. 
 
 ELEGIA SEPTIMA. 
 
 Anno JStatis 19. 
 
 NONDUM, blanda, tuas leges, Amathusia, noram, 
 
 Et Paphio vacuum pectus ab igne fuit. 
 Saepe cupidineas, puerilia tela, sagittas, 
 
 Atque tuuin sprevi, maxime, nuinen, Amor. 
 Tu, puer, iinbelles, dixi, transfige columbas ; 
 
 Conveniunt tenero mollia bella duci : 
 Aut de passeribus tiinidos age, parve, triumphos ; 
 
 Haec sunt militiae digna trophaea tua?. 
 la genus humanum quid inania dirigis arma? 
 
 Non valet in fortes ista pharetra viros. 
 Non tulit hoc Cyprius, neque enim deus ullus ad iras 
 
 Promptior, et duplici jam ferus igne calet. 
 Ver erat, et summae radians per culmina villae 
 
 Attulerat primam lux tibi, Maie, diem : 
 At mihi adhuc refugam quaerebant lumina noctem, 
 
 Nee matutinum sustinuere jubar. 
 Astat Amor lecto, pictis Amor impiger alis ; 
 
 Prodidit astantem mota pharetra deum : 
 Prodidit et facies, et dulce minantis ocelli, 
 
 Et quicquid puero dignum et Amore fuit.
 
 POEMATA. 337 
 
 Tails in aeterno juvenis Sigeius Olympo 
 
 Miscet amatori pocula plena Jovi; 
 Aut, qui formosas pellexit ad oscula nymphaS> 
 
 Thiodamantaeus Naiade raptus Hylas. 
 Addideratque iras, sed et has decuisse putares, 
 
 Addiderfitque truces, nee sine felle, minas. 
 ' Et miser, exemplo sapuisses tutids,' inquit, 
 
 ' Nunc, mea quid possit dextera, testis eris. 
 Inter et expertos vires numerabere nostras > 
 
 Et faciam vero per tua damna fidem. 
 Ipse ego, si nescis, strato Pythone superbum 
 
 Edomui Phoebum, cessit et ille mihij 
 Et quoties meminit Peneidos, ipse fatetur 
 
 Certius et gravies tela nocere mea. 
 Me neqait adductum curvare peritius arcum, 
 
 Qui post terga solet vincere, Parthus eques : 
 Cydoniusque mihi cedit venator, et ille 
 
 Inscius uxori qui necis author erat. 
 Est etiam nobis ingens quoque victus Orion, 
 
 Herculeaeque manus, Herculefisque comes. 
 Jupiter ipse licet sua fulmina torqueat in me, 
 
 Hserebunt lateri spieula nostra Jovis. 
 Caetera, quae dubitas, melius mea tela docebunt, 
 
 Et tua non leviter corda petenda mihi. 
 Nee te, stulte, tuae poterunt defendere MUSJC, 
 
 Nee tibi Phoebaeus porriget anguis opem.' 
 Dixit ; et, aurato quatiens mucrone sagittam, 
 
 Evolat in tepidos Cypridos ille sinus. 
 At mihi risuro tonuit ferus ore minaci, 
 
 Et mihi de puero non metus ullus erat. 
 Et raodo qua nostri spatiantur in urbe QuirJtes, 
 
 Et modo viliarum proxima rura placent.
 
 338 POEMATA. 
 
 Turba frequens, facieque simillima turba dearuir. , 
 
 Splendida per medias itque reditque vias : 
 Auctaque luce dies gemino fulgore coruscat; 
 
 Pallor? An et radios hinc quoque Phoebus habet ? 
 Haec ego non fugi spectacula grata severus ; 
 
 Impetus et quo me fert juvenilis, agorj 
 Lumina luminibus male providus obvia misi, 
 
 Neve oculos potui continuisse meos. 
 Unam forte aliis supereminuisse notabam j 
 
 Principium nostri lux erat ilia mali. 
 Sic Venus optaret mortalibus ipsa videri, 
 
 Sic regina deum conspicienda fuit. 
 Hanc memor objecit nobis malus ille Cupido, 
 
 Solus et hos nobis texuit ante dolos. 
 Nee procul ipse vafer latuit, multeeque sagittse, 
 
 Et facis a tergo grande pependit onus : 
 Nee mora; nunc ciliis haesit, nunc virginis orij 
 
 Insilit hinc labiis, insidet inde genis : 
 Et quascunque agilis partes jaculator oberrat, 
 
 Hei mihi ! mille locis pectus inerme ferit. 
 Protinus insoliti subierunt corda furores ; 
 
 Uror amans intus, flammaque totus eram. 
 Interea, misero quae jam mihi sola placebat, 
 
 Ablata est oculis, non reditura, meis, 
 Ast ego progredior tacite querebundus, et excors, 
 
 Et dubius volui saepe referre pedem. 
 Findor, et haec remanet : sequitur pars altera rotum, 
 
 Raptaque tarn subito gaudia flere juvat. 
 Sic dolet amissum proles Junonia cccluin, 
 
 Inter Lemniacos prascipitata focos : 
 Tails et abreptum solem respexit^ ad Orcura 
 
 Vtctus ab attonitis Amphiaraus equis.
 
 POEMATA. 339 
 
 Quid faciam infelix, et luctu victus ? Amores 
 
 Nee licet inceptos ponere, neve sequi. 
 O utinam, spectare semel mihi detur amatos 
 
 Vultus, et coram tristia verba loqui ! 
 Forsitan et duro non est adamante creata, 
 
 Forte nee ad nostras surdeat ilia preces ! 
 Crede mihi, nullus sic infeliciter arsit ; 
 
 Ponar in exemplo primus et unus ego. 
 Parce, precor, teneri ctim sis deus ales amoris, 
 
 Pugnent officio nee tua facta tuo. 
 Jam tuus O ! certe est mihi formidabilis arcus, 
 
 Nate dea, jaculis, nee minds igne, potens : 
 Et tua fumabunt nostris altaria donis, 
 
 Solus et in superis tu mihi summus eris. 
 Deme meos tandem, veriam nee deme, furores; 
 
 Nescio cur, miser est suaviter omnis amans : 
 Tu modd da facilis, posthoec mea siqua futura est, 
 
 Cuspis amaturos figat ut una duos. 
 
 HJEC ego mente olim laeva, studioque supino, 
 
 Nequitias posui vana trophaea meze. 
 Scilicet abreptum sic me malus impulit error, 
 
 Indocilisque aetas prava magistra fuit : 
 Donee Socraticos umbrosa Academia rivos 
 
 Praebuit, admissum dedocuitque jugum. 
 Protinus, extinctis ex illo tempore flammis^ 
 
 Cincta rigent multo pectora nostra gelvu 
 Unde suis frigus metuit puer ipse sagittis, 
 
 Et Diomedeam virn timet ipsa Venus. 
 
 7.2
 
 340 POEMATA, 
 
 IN PRODITIONEM BOMBARDICAM. 
 
 CUM simul in regem nuper satrapasque Britannos 
 
 Ausus es infandum, perfide Fauxe, nefas, 
 Fallor ? an et mitis voluisti ex parte videri, 
 
 Et pensare mala cum pietate scelus ? 
 Scilicet hos alti missurus ad atria coeli, 
 
 Sulplmreo curru, flammivolisque rotis; 
 Qualiter ille, feris caput inviolabile Parcis, 
 
 Liqiiit Ib'rdanios turbine raptus agros. 
 
 IN EANDEM. 
 
 SICCINE tentasti coelo donasse lacobum, 
 
 Quae septemgemino, Bellua, monte lates ? 
 Ni meliora tuum poterit dare munera numeix, 
 
 Parce, precor, donis insidiosa tuis. 
 Ille quidem sine te consortia serus adivit 
 
 Astraj nee inferni pulveris usus ope. 
 Sic potids foedos in ccelum pelle cucullos, 
 
 Et quot habet brutos Roma profana deos : 
 Namque hac aut alia nisi quemque adjuveris arte, 
 
 Crede mihi, coeli vix bene scandet iter. 
 
 IN EANDEM. 
 
 PURGATOREM animae derisit lacobus ignein, 
 Et sine quo superum non adeunda dornus. 
 
 Frenduit hoc trina monstrum Latiale corona, 
 Movit et horrincum eornua dena minax.
 
 POEMATA. 341 
 
 * Et nec inultus/ ait, ' temnes mea sacra, Britanne: 
 
 Supplicium, spreta relligione, 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 aethereas, umbra perusta, plagas. 
 
 IN EANDEM. 
 
 QUEM modo Roma suis devoverat impia diris, 
 Et Styge damnarat, Taenarioque sinu ; 
 
 Hunc, vice mutata, jam tollere gestit ad astra, 
 Et cupit ad superos evehere usque deos. 
 
 IN INVENTOREM BOMBARDS. 
 
 IAPETIONIDEM laudavit caeca vetustas, 
 Qui tulit setheream solis ab axe facem ; 
 
 At mini major erit, qui lurida creditur arma, 
 Et trifidum fulmenj surripuisse Jovi. 
 
 AD 
 
 LEONORAM ROM^l CANENTEM. 
 
 ANGELUS unicuique suus, sic credite gentes, 
 Obtigit sethereis ales ab ordinibus. 
 
 Quid minim, Leonora, tibi si gloria major ? 
 Nam tua praesentem vox sonat ipsa Deum.
 
 342 POEMATA. 
 
 Aut Deus, aut vacui certe mens tertia coeli, 
 
 Per tua secreto guttura serpit agens ; 
 Serpit agens, facilisque docet mortalia corda 
 
 Sensim immortali assuescere posse sono. 
 Quod si cuncta quidem Deus est, per cunctaque fusus, 
 
 In te una loquitur, caetera mutus habet. 
 
 AD EANDEM. 
 
 ALTERA Torquatum cepit Leonora poetam, 
 
 Cujus ab insano cessit amore furens. 
 Ah! miser ille tuo quanto felicius aevo 
 
 Perditus, et propter te, Leonora, foret ! 
 Et te Fieri a sensisset voce canentem 
 
 Aurea maternae fila movere lyrae ! 
 Quamvis Dircaeo torsisset lumina Pentheo 
 
 Saevior, aut totus desipuisset iners, 
 Tu tamen errantes caeca vertigine sensus 
 
 Voce eadem poteras composuisse tua ; 
 Et poteras, aegro spirans sub corde, quietem 
 
 Flexanimo cantu restituisse sibi. 
 
 AD EANDEM. 
 
 CREDULA quid liquidam Sirena, Neapoli, jactas, 
 
 Claraque Parthenopes fana Acheloiadosj 
 Littoreamque tua defunctam Naiada ripa, 
 
 Corpora Chalcidico sacra dedisse rogo ? 
 Ilia quidem vivitque, et amoena Tibridis unda 
 
 Mutavit rauci murmura Pausilipi. 
 Illic, Romulidum studiis ornata secundis, 
 
 Atque homines cantu detinet atque deos.
 
 POEM AT A. 343 
 
 APOLOGUS BE RUSTICO ET HERO. 
 
 RUSTICTTS ex malo sapidissima poma quotanuis 
 
 Legit, et urbano lecta dedit domino : 
 Hinc, incredibili fructfts dulcedine captus, 
 
 Malum ipsam in proprias transtulit areolas. 
 Hactenus ilia ferax, sed longo debilis aevo, 
 
 Mota solo assneto, protiniis aret iners. 
 Quod tandem ut patuit domino, spe lusus iuuui, 
 
 Damnavit celeres in sua damna manus 5 
 Atque ait, f Heu quanto satius fuit ilia coloni, 
 
 Parva licet, grato dona tulisse animo ! 
 Possem ego avaritiam fraenare, gulamque voracem : 
 
 Nunc periere mihi et foetus, et ipae pareus. 
 
 ELEGIABVM FINIS.

 
 SYLVARUM 
 
 LIBER. 
 
 OBITUM PROCANCELLARII, MEDICI. 
 
 Anno.fltatis 17. 
 
 PARERE Fati discite legibus, 
 Manfisque Parcae jam date supplices, 
 Qui pendulum telluris orbem 
 lapeti colitis nepotes. 
 
 Vos si relicto mors vaga Taenaro 
 
 Semel vocarit flebilis, heu ! morae 
 
 Tentantur incassum, doliquej 
 
 Per tenebras Stygis ire certum est. 
 
 Si destinatam pellere dextera 
 Mortem valeret, non serus Hercules^ 
 Nessi venenatufe cruore, 
 ^Emathia jacuisset Oetd. 
 
 Nee fraude turpe Palladis invidae 
 Vidisset occisum Ilion Hectora^ aut 
 Quern larva Pelidis peremit 
 Ense Locro, Jove lacrymante.
 
 346 POEMATA. 
 
 Si triste fatum verba Hecateia 
 Fugare possint, Telegoni parens 
 Vixisset infamis, potentique 
 .^Egiali soror usa virga. 
 
 Numenque trinum fallere si queant 
 Artes medentum, ignotaque gramma^ 
 Non gnarus herbarum Machaon 
 Eurypyli cecidisset hasta : 
 
 Laesisset et nee te, Philyreie, 
 Sagitta Echidnae perlita sanguine ; 
 Nee tela te fulmenque avitnm, 
 Caese puer genitricis alvo. 
 
 Tuque, O alumno major Apolline, 
 Gentis togatae cui regimen datum, 
 Frondosa quern nunc Cirrha luget, 
 Et mediis Helicon in undis, 
 
 Jam praefuisses Palladio gregi 
 Laetus, superstesj nee sine gloria} 
 Nee puppe lustrasses Charontis 
 Horribiles barathri recessus. 
 
 At fila rupit Persephone tua, 
 Irata, ciim te viderit artibus, 
 Succoque pollenti, tot atris 
 Faucibus eripuisse mortis. 
 
 Colende Praeses, membra, precor, tua 
 Molli quiescant cespite, et ex tuo
 
 POEMATA. 347 
 
 Crescant rosae calthaeque busto, 
 Purpureoque hyacinthus ore. 
 
 Sit mite de te judicium JEaci, 
 Subrideatque -'Etnaea Proserpina ; 
 Interque felices perennis 
 Elysio spatiere campo. 
 
 IN QUINTUM NOVEMBRIS. 
 
 Anno JE.la.tis 17. 
 
 JAM pius extrema veniens lacobus ab arcto 
 Teucrigenas populos, lateque patentia regna 
 Albionum, tenuit ; jamque inviolabile foedus 
 Sceptra Caledoniis conjunxerat Anglica Scotis : 
 Pacificusque novo, felix divesque, sedebat 
 In solio, occultique doli securus et hostis : 
 Cum ferus ignifluo regnans Acheronte tyrannus, 
 Eumenidum pater, aethereo vagus exul Olympo, 
 Forte per immensum terrarum erraverat orbem, 
 Dinumerans sceleris socios, vernasque fideles, 
 Participes regni post funera moesta futures : 
 Hie tempestates medio ciet ae're diras, 
 Illic unanimes odium struit inter amicos, 
 Armat et invictas in mutua viscera gentes ; 
 Regnaque olivifera vertit florentia pace : 
 Et quoscunque videt purae virtutis amantes, 
 Hos cupit adjicere imperio, fraudumque magister 
 Tentat inaccessum sceleri corrumpere pectus ; 
 Insidiasqne locat tacitas, casssque latentes
 
 348 POEMATA. 
 
 Tendit, ut incautos rapiat ; ceu Caspia tigris 
 Insequitur trepidarn deserta per avia praedain 
 Nocte sub illuni, et somno nictantibus astris : 
 Talibus infestat populos Summanus et urbes, 
 Cinctus caeruleae fumanti turbine flainmae. 
 Jamque fluentisonis albentia rupibus arva 
 Apparent, et terra Deo dilecta marine. 
 Cui nomen dederat quondam Neptunia proles j 
 Amphitryoniaden qui non dubitavit atrocem, 
 ^Equore tranato, furiali poscere bello, 
 Ante expugnatae crudelia saecula Trojae. 
 
 At simul hanc, opibusque et festa pace beatarn, 
 Aspicit, et pingnes donis Cerealibus agros, 
 Quodque niagis doluit, venerantein numina veri 
 Sancta Dei populum, tandem suspiria rupit 
 Tartareos ignes et hiridam olentia sulphur; 
 Qualia Trinacria trux ad Jove clausus in ^Etna 
 Efflat tabifico monstrosus ob ore Tiphceus. 
 Ignescunt oculi, stridetque adamantinus ordo 
 Dentis, ut armorum fragor, ictaque cuspide cuspis. 
 ' Atque pererrato soluin hoc lacrymabile mundo 
 Inveni,' dixit ; ' gens hasc mihi sola rebellis, 
 Contemtrixque jugi, nostraque potentior arte. 
 Ilia tamen, mea si quicquam tentamina possunt, 
 Non feret hoc impune diu, non ibit inulta.' 
 Hactenus -, et piceis liquido natat acre pennis : 
 Qua volat, adversi prascursant agmine venti, 
 Densantur nubes, et crebra tonitrua fulgent. 
 
 Jamque pruinosas velox superaverat Alpes, 
 Et tenet Ausoniae fines ; a parte sinistra 
 Nimbifer Appenninus erat, priscique Sabini^
 
 POEMATA. 349 
 
 Dextra veneficiis infamis Hetruria, nee non 
 Te furtiva, Tibris, Thetidi videt oscula dantem ; 
 Hinc Mavortigenae consistit in arce Quirini. 
 Reddiderant dubiam jam sera crepuscula lucem, 
 Cum circumgreditur totam Tricoronifer urbem, 
 Panificosque deos portat, scapulisque virorum 
 Evehitur; praeeunt submisso poplite reges, 
 Et mendicantum series longissima fratrum j 
 Cereaque in manibus gestant funalia caeci, 
 Cimmeriis nati in tenebris, vitamque trahentes : 
 Templa dein multis subeunt lucentia taedis, 
 (Vesper erat sacer iste Petro) fremitusque canentum 
 Saepe tholos implet vacuos, et inane locorum. 
 Qualiter exululat Bromius, Bromiique caterva, 
 Orgia cantantes in Echionio Aracyntho, 
 Dum tremit attonitus vitreis Asopus in undis, 
 Et procul ipse cava responsat rupe Cithaeron, 
 
 His igitur tandem solenni more peractis, 
 Nox senis amplexus Erebi tacitnrna reliquit, 
 Praecipitesque impellit equos stimulante flagello, 
 Captum oculis Typhlonta, Melanchaetemque ferocem, 
 Atque Acherontaeo prognatam patre Siopen 
 Torpidam, et hirsutis horrentem Phrica capillis. 
 Interea regum domitor, Phlegetontius haeres, 
 Ingreditur thalamos, neque enim secretns adulter 
 Producit steriles molli sine pellice noctes j 
 At vix composites somnus claudebat ocellos, 
 Cum niger umbrarum dominus, rectorque silentum, 
 Praedatorque hominum, falsa sub imagine tectus 
 Astitit : assumptis micuerunt tempora canis, 
 Barba sinus promissa tcgit, cineracea longo
 
 350 POEMATA. 
 
 Syrmate verrit humum vestis, pendetque cuculius 
 Vertice de raso; et, ne qnicquam desit ad arte> 
 Cannabeo lumbos constrinxit fune salaces, 
 Tarda fenestratis figens vestigia calceis. 
 Tails, uti farna est, vasta Franciscus eremo 
 Tetra vagabatur solus per lustra ferarum, 
 Silvestrique tulit genti pia verba salutis 
 Impius, atque lupos domuit, Libycosque leones. 
 
 Subdolus at tali Serpens velatus amictu 
 Solvit in has fallax ora execrantia voces ; 
 1 Dormis, nate? Etiamne tnos sopor opprimitartus* 
 Immemor, O, fidei, pecorumque oblite tuornm ! 
 Dum cathedram, venerande, tuam, diademaqiie triplex, 
 Ridet Hyperboreo gens barbara nata sub axe ; 
 Dumque pharetrati spermmt tua jura Britanni: 
 Surge, age ; surge, piger, Latius quern Caesar adorat, 
 Cui reserata patet convexi janua coeli, 
 Turgentes animos, et fastus frange procaces, 
 Sacrilegique sciant, tua quid maledictio possit, 
 Et quid Apostolicae possit custodia clavis ; 
 Et memor Hesperise disjectam ulciscere classein, 
 Mersaque Iberonim lato vexilla profundo, 
 Sanctorumque cruci tot corpora fixa probrosae, 
 Thermodoontea nuper regnante puella. 
 At tu si tenero mavis torpescere lecto, 
 Crescent6sque negas host! contundci e vires ; 
 Tyrrhenum implebit numeroso milite pontum, 
 Signaque Aventino ponet fulgentia colle : 
 Relliquias veterum franget, flammisque creraabit ; 
 Sacraque calcabit pedibus tua colla profauis, 
 Cnjns gaudebant soleis dare basia reges.
 
 POEMATA. 351 
 
 Nec tamen hunc bellis et aperto Marte lacesses ; 
 Irritus ille labor : tu callidus utere fraude : 
 Quaelibet hasreticis disponere retia fas est. 
 Jamque ad consilium extremis rex magnus ab oris 
 Patricios vocat, et procerum de stirpe creates, 
 Grandasvosque patres, trabea canisque verendos ; 
 Hos tu membratim poteris conspergere in auras, 
 Atque dare in cineres, nitrati pulveris igne 
 ^Edibus injecto, qua convenere, sub imis. 
 Protinus ipse igitur, quoscnnque habet Anglia fidos, 
 Propositi, factique, mone : quisqudmne tuorum 
 Audebit summi non jussa facessere Papae ? 
 Perculsosque metu subito, casuque stupentes, 
 Invadat vel Gallus atrox, vel ssevus Iberus. 
 Saecula sic illic tandem Mariana redibunt, 
 Ttique in belligeros itenim dominaberis Anglos. 
 Et, nequid timeas, divos div^sque secundas 
 Accipe, quotque tuis celebrantur numina fastis.' 
 Dixitj et, adscitos ponens malefidus amictus, 
 Fugit ad infandam, regnum illsetabile, Lethen. 
 
 Jam rosea Eoas pandens Tithonia portas 
 Vestit inauratas redeunti lumine terras ; 
 Moestaque, adhuc nigri deplorans funera nati, 
 Irrigat ambrosiis montana cacumina guttis : 
 Cum somnos pepulit stellatae janitor aulse, 
 Nocturnes visus et somnia grata revolvens. 
 
 Est locus aeterna septus caligine noctis, 
 Vasta ruinosi quondam fundamina tecti, 
 Nunc torvi spelunca Phoni, Prodotaeque bilinguis,, 
 Effera quos uno peperit Discordia partu. 
 Hie inter csementa jacent, prccrnptaque saxa,
 
 352 rOEMATA. 
 
 Ossa inhumata virum, et trajecta cadavera ferro ; 
 Hie Dolus intortis semper sedet ater ocellis, 
 Jurgiaque, et stimulis armata Calumnia fauces, 
 Et Furor, atque viae moriendi mille videntur, 
 Et Timor, exanguisque locum circumvolat Horror; 
 Perpetuoque leves per muta silentia Manes 
 Exululant, tellus et sanguine conscia stagnat. 
 Ipsi etiara pavidi latitant penetralibus antri 
 Et Phonos, etProdotes; nulloque sequente perantrum, 
 Antrum horrens, scopulosum, atrum fcralibusunibris, 
 Diffugiunt sontes, et retro lumina vortunt : 
 Hos pugiles Romas per saecula longa fideles 
 Evocat antistes Babylonius, atque ita fatur. 
 
 ' Finibus occiduis circumfusum incolit aequor 
 Gens exosa mihi ; prudens Natura negavit 
 Indignam penitus nostro conjungere mundo : 
 Illuc, sic jubeo, celeri contendite gressu, 
 Tartareoque leves difflentur pulvere in auras 
 Et rex et pariter satrapae, scelerata propago ; 
 Et, quotquot fidei caluere cupidine verse, 
 Consilii socios adhibete, operisque ministros.' 
 Finierat ; rigidi cupide paruere gemelli. 
 
 Interea longo flectens curvamine coelos 
 Despicit aetherea Dominus qui fulgurat arce, 
 Vanaque perversaa ridet conamina turbae; 
 Atque sui causam populi volet ipse tueri. 
 
 Esse ferunt spatium, qua distal ab Aside terra 
 Fertilis Europe, et spectat Mareotidas undas ; 
 Hie turris posita est Titanidos ardua Famae, 
 ^Erea, lata, sonans, rutilis vicinior astris 
 Quam superimpositum vcl Athos vel Pelion Ossae.
 
 POEMATA. 353 
 
 Mille fores aditusque patent, totidemque fenestrae. 
 Amplaque per tenues translucent atria muros : 
 Excitat hie varies plebs aggloinerata susurros ; 
 Qualiter instrepitant circum mulctralia bombis 
 Agmina muscarum, aut texto per ovilia junco, 
 Dum Canis aestivum ccdi petit ardua culraen. 
 Ipsa quidem summa sedet ultrix matris in arcej 
 Auribus innumeris cinctuin caput eminet olli, 
 Queis sonitum exiguum trahit, atque levissima captat 
 Murmura, ab extremis patuli confinibus orbis. 
 Nee tot, Aristoride, servator inique juvencae 
 Isidos, irumiti volvebas lamina vultu, 
 Lumina non unquam tacito nutantia somno, 
 Lumina subjectas late spectantia terras. 
 Istis ilia solet loca luce carentia saepe 
 Perlustrare, etiam radianti impervia soli : 
 Millenisque loquax auditaque visaque linguis 
 Cuilibet effundit temeraria) veraque mendax 
 Nunc minuit, modo connctis sermonibus auget. 
 
 Sed tamen a nostro meruisti carmine laudes, 
 Fama, bonum quo non aliud veracius ullum, 
 Nobis digna cani, nee te memorasse pigebit 
 Carmine tarn loiigo; servati scilicet Angli 
 Officiis, vaga Jiva, tuis, tibi reddimus aequa. 
 Te DeuSj 82ternos motu qui tempcrat ignes, 
 Fulmine praemisso alloquitur, terraque tremente : 
 ' Fama siles? An te latet impia Papistarum 
 Conjurata cohors in meque meosque Britannos, 
 Et nova sceptrigero caedes meditata lacobo ?' 
 
 Nee plura : ilia statim sensit mandata Tonantis, 
 fit, satis ante fugax, stridentes induit alas, 
 
 2 A
 
 354 POEM AT A. 
 
 Induit et variis exilia corpora plumis j 
 Dextra tubam gestat Temesaeo ex acre sonoram. 
 Nee mora, jam pennis cedentes remigat auras, 
 Atque parum est cursu celeres praevertere nubes; 
 Jam ventos, jam solis equos, post terga reliquit: 
 Et primo Angliacas, solito de more, per urbes 
 Ambiguas voces, incertaque murmura, spargit : 
 Mox arguta dolos, et detestabile vulgat 
 Proditionis opus, nee non facta horrida dictu, 
 Authoresque addit sceleris, nee garrula caecis 
 Insidiis loca structa silet ; stupuere relatis 
 Et pariter juvenes, pariter tremuere puellee, 
 Effoetique senes pariter ; tantaeque ruinae 
 Sensus ad aetatem subito penetraverat oinnein. 
 
 Attamen interea populi miserescit ab alto 
 ^Ethereus Pater, et crudelibus obstitit ausis 
 Papicolum ; capti poenas raptantur ad acres : 
 At pia thura Deo, et grati solvuntur honores ; 
 Compita laeta focis genialibus omnia fumant : 
 Turba chores juvenilis agit : Quintoque Novembris 
 Nulla dies toto occurrit celebratior anno. 
 
 IN OBITUM PR^SULIS ELIENSIS. 
 
 Anno JEtatis 17. 
 
 ADHUC inadentes rore squalebant genae, 
 
 Et sicca nondum lamina 
 Adhuc liquentis imbre turgebant salis, 
 
 Quem nuper effudi pius,
 
 POEMATA. 355 
 
 Dum moesta charo justa persolvi rogq 
 
 Wintoniensis Praesulis. 
 Cum centilinguis Fama, proh! semper mali 
 
 Cladisque vera nuntia, 
 Spargit per urbes divitis Britanniae, 
 
 Populosque Neptuno satos, 
 Cessisse morti, et ferreis sororibus, 
 
 Te, generis human! decus, 
 Qui rex sacrorum ilia fuisti in insula 
 
 Quse nomen Anguillae tenet. 
 Tune inquietum pectus ira protinus 
 
 Ebulliebat fervida, 
 Tumulis potentem saepe devovens deam : 
 
 Nee vota Naso in Ibida 
 Concepit alto diriora pectore 5 
 
 Graiusque vates parcius 
 Turpem Lycambis execratus est dolum, 
 
 Sponsamque Neobulen suam. 
 At ecce ! diras ipse dum fundo graves, 
 
 Et imprecor neci necem, 
 Audisse tales videor attonitus sonos 
 
 Leni, sub aura^ flamine : 
 ' Caecos furores pone ; pone vitream 
 
 Bilemque, et irritas minas : 
 Quid temere violas non noeenda numina, 
 
 Subitoque ad iras percita? 
 Non est, ut arbitraris elusus miser, 
 
 Mors atra Noctis filia, 
 Erebove patre creta, sive Erinnye, 
 
 Vastove nata sub Chao : 
 Ast ilia, coelo missa stellato, Dei 
 
 Messes ubique colligitj 
 
 2A2
 
 356 POfiMATA. 
 
 Animasque mole carnea reconditas 
 
 In lucem et auras evocat : 
 Ut cum fugaces excitant Horse diem, 
 
 Themidos Jovisque filiae j 
 Et sempiterni ducit ad vultus Patris: 
 
 At justa raptat impios 
 Sub regna furvi luctuosa Tartar!, 
 
 Sedesque subterraneas.' 
 Hanc ut vocantem laetus audivi, citd 
 
 Foedum reliqui carcerem, 
 Volatilesque faustus inter milites 
 
 Ad astra sublimis feror : 
 Vates ut olim raptus ad coelum senex, 
 
 Auriga currus ignei. 
 Non me Bootis terruere lucidi 
 
 Sarraca tarda frigore, aut 
 Formidolosi Scorpionis brachia; 
 
 Non ensis, Orion, tuus. 
 Praetervolavi fulgidi solis globum, 
 
 Longeque sub pedibus deam 
 Vidi triformem, dum coercebat suos 
 
 Frsenis dracones aureis. 
 Erraticorum siderum per ordines, 
 
 Per lacteas vehor plagas, 
 Velocitatem soepe miratus novam; 
 
 Donee nitentes ad fores 
 Ventum est Olympi, et regiam crystallinam, et 
 
 Stratum smaragdis atrium. 
 Sed hie tacebo 5 nam quis effari queat, 
 
 Oriundus humano patre, 
 Amoenitates illius loci? Mihi 
 
 Sat est in eeternum frui.
 
 rOEMATA. 357 
 
 NATURAM NON PATI SENIUM. 
 
 HEU, quam perpetuis erroribus acta fatiscit 
 
 Avia mens hominum, tenebrisque immersa profundis 
 
 Oedipodioniam volvit sub pectore noctem! 
 
 Quae vesana suis metiri facta deorum 
 
 Aadet, et incisas leges adamante perenni 
 
 Assimilare suis, nulloque solubile saeclo 
 
 Consilium fati perituris alligat horis ! 
 
 Ergone marcescet sulcantibus obsita rugis 
 Naturae facies, et rerum publica mater 
 Omniparum contracta uterum sterilescet ab aevo? 
 Et, se fassa senem, male certis passibus ibit 
 Sidereum tremebunda caput ? Num tetra vetustas, 
 Annorumque aeterna fames, squalorque, situsque, 
 Sidera vexabunt ? An et insatiabile Tempus 
 Esuriet Coelum, rapietque in viscera patrem ? 
 Heu, potuitne suas imprudens Jupiter arces 
 Hoc contra munisse nefas, et Temporis isto 
 Exemisse malo, gyrosque dedisse perennes ? 
 Ergo erit ut quandoque sono dilapsa tremendo 
 Convexi tabulata ruant, atque obvius ictu 
 Stridat uterque polus, superaque ut Olympius aula 
 Decidat, horribilisque retecta Gorgone Pallas ; 
 Qualis in ^Egaeam proles Junonia Lemnon 
 Deturbata sacro cecidit de limine coeli ? 
 Tu quoque, Phoebe, tui casus imitabere nati } 
 Praecipiti curru, subitaque ferere ruina 
 Pronus, et extincta fumabit lampade Nereus,
 
 358 POEMATA. 
 
 Et dabit attonito feralia sibila ponto. 
 Tune etiam aerei divulsis sedibus Haemi 
 Dissultabit apex, inioque allisa barathro 
 Terrebunt Stygium dejecta Ceraunia Ditem, 
 In superos quibus usus erat, fraternaque bella. 
 
 At Pater Oinnipotens, fondatis fortius astris, 
 Consuluit rerum summae, certoque peregit 
 Pondere fatorum lances, atque ordine summo 
 Singula perpetuum jussit servare tenorem. 
 Volvitur hinc lapsu mundi rota prima diurno ; 
 Raptat et ambitos socia vertigine ccelos. 
 Tardior baud solito Saturnus, et acer ut olim 
 Fulmineum rutilat cristata casside Mayors. 
 Floridus aeternum Phoebus juvenile coruscat, 
 Nee fovet effoetas loca per declivia terras 
 Devexo temone Deus j sed, semper arnica 
 Luce potens, eadem currit per signa rotarura. 
 Surgit odoratis pariter formosus ab Indis, 
 ^Ethereum pecus albenti qui cogit Olympo, 
 Mane vocans, et serus agens in pascuacoeli; 
 Temporis et gemino dispertit regna colore. 
 Fulget, obitque vices alterno Delia cornu, 
 Caeruleumque ignem paribus complectitur ulnis. 
 Nee variant elementa fidem, solitoque fragore 
 Lurida perculsas jaculantur fulmina mpes. 
 Nee per inane furit leviori murmure Corus, 
 Stringit et armiferos aequali horrore Gelonos 
 Trux Aquilo, spiratque hyemem, nimb6sque volutat. 
 Utque solet, Siculi diverberat ima Pelori 
 Rex maris, et rauca circumstrepit aequora concha 
 Oceani Tubicen, nee vasta mole minorem
 
 POEMATA. 359 
 
 jfEgaeona ferunt dorso Balearica cete. 
 Sed neque, Terra, tibi saecli vigor ille vetusti 
 Priscus abest, servatque suum Narcissus odorem, 
 Et puer ille suum tenet, et puer ille, decorem, 
 Phoebe, tuusque, et, Cypri, tuus ; nee ditior olim 
 Terra datum sceleri celavit montibus aurum 
 Conscia, vel sub aquis gemmas. Sic denique in aevum 
 Ibit cunctarum series justissima rerumj 
 Donee flunnna orbem populabitur ultima, late 
 Circumplexa polos, et vasti culmina coeli j 
 Ingentique rogo flagrabit machina mundi. 
 
 DE IDEA PLATONICA QUEMADMODUM 
 ARISTOTELES INTELLEXIT. 
 
 DICITE, sacrorum praesides nemorum dese; 
 Tuque, O noveni perbeata numinis 
 Memoria mater, quasque in immense procul 
 Antro recuinbis, otiosa ^Eternitas, 
 Monumenta servans, et ratas leges Jovis, 
 Coelique fastos, atque ephemeridas Deum; 
 Quis ille primus, cujus ex imagine 
 Natura solers finxit humanum genus, 
 ^Eternus, incorruptus, aequaevus polo, 
 Unusque et universus, exemplar Dei ? 
 Haud ille Palladis gemellus innubae 
 Interna proles insidet menti Jovis ; 
 Sed quamlibet natura sit communior, 
 Tamen seorsus extat ad morem unius, 
 Et, mira, certo stringitur spatio loci :
 
 SCO POEM ATA. 
 
 Seu sempiternus ille siderum comes 
 Coeli pererrat ordines decemplicis, 
 Citimumve terris incolit lunge globum ; 
 Sive, inter animas corpus adituras sedens, 
 Obliviosas 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 lumen dedit, 
 Dircaeus augur vidit hunc alto sinu ; 
 Non hunc silente nocte Pleiones nepos 
 Vatum sagaci praepes ostendit choro ; 
 Non hunc sacerdos novit Assyrius, licet 
 Longos vetusti commemoret atavos Nini, 
 Priscumque Belon, inclytumque Osiridem. 
 Non ille, trino gloriosus nomine, 
 Ter magnus Hermes, ut sit arcani sciens, 
 Talem reliquit Isidis cultoribus. 
 At tu, perenne ruris Academi decus, 
 (Haec monstra si tu primus iuduxti scholis,) 
 Jam jam poetas, urbis exules tuae, 
 Revocabis, ipse Tabulator maximus; 
 Aut institutor ipse migrabis foras. 
 
 AD PATREM. 
 
 NUNC mea Pierios cupiam per pectora fontes 
 Irriguas torquere vias, totumque per ora 
 Volvere laxatum gemino de vertice ri vum j
 
 POEMATA. 361 
 
 Ut, tenues oblita sonos, audacibus alis 
 Surgat in officium venerandi Musa parentis. 
 Hoc utcunque tibi gratum, pater optime, carmen 
 Exiguum meditatur opus 3 nee novimus ipsi 
 Aptius a nobis quae possunt munera donis 
 Respondere tuis, quamvis nee maxima possint 
 Respondere tuis, nedum ut par gratia donis 
 Esse queat, vacuis quae redditur arida verbis. 
 Sed tamen haec nostros ostendit pagina census, 
 Et quod habernus opum charta numeravimus ista, 
 Quae mihi sunt nullae, nisi quas dedit aurea Clio, 
 Quas mihi senioto somni peperere sub antro, 
 Et nemoris laureta sacri Parnassides umbrae. 
 Ne tu vatis opus divinum despice carmen, 
 Quo nihil aethereos ortus, et semina coeli, 
 Nil magis humanam commendat origine mentem, 
 Sancta Prometheae retinens vestigia flammae. 
 Carmen amant superi, tremebundaque Tartara carmen 
 Ima ciere valet, divosque ligare profundos, 
 Et triplici duro Manes adamante coercet. 
 Carmine sepositi retegunt arcana futuri 
 Phcebades, et tremulae pallentes ora Sibyllae : 
 Carmina sacrificus sollennes pangit ad aras, 
 Aurea sen sternit motantem cornua taurum -, 
 Seu cum fata sagax fumantibus abdita fibris 
 Consulit, et tepidis Parcam scrutatur in extis. 
 Nos etiam, patrium tune cum repetemus Olympum, 
 ^Eternaeque morae stabunt immobilis aevi, 
 Ibimus auratis per coeli templa coronis ; 
 Dulcia suaviloquo sociantes carmina plectro, 
 Astra quibus, geminique poli convexa, sonabunt.
 
 362 fOEMATA. 
 
 Spiritus et rapidos qui circinat igneus orbes, 
 Nunc quoque sidereis intercinit ipse choreis 
 Immortale melos, et inenarrabile carmen ; 
 Torrida dum rutilus compescit sibila Serpens, 
 Demissoque ferox gladio mansuescit Orion ; 
 Stellarum nee sentit onus Maurusius Atlas. 
 Carmina regales epulas ornare solebant, 
 Cum nondum luxus, vastaeque immensa vorago 
 Nota gulae, et modico spumabat coena Lyaeo. 
 Turn, de more sedens festa ad convivia vates, 
 ^Esculea intonsos redimitus ab arbore crines, 
 Heroumque actus, imitandaque gesta canebat, 
 Et chaos, et positi late fundamina mundi, 
 Reptantesque deos, et alentes immina glandes, 
 Et nondum ^Etnaeo qusesitum fulmen ab antro. 
 Denique quid vocis modulamen inane juvabit, 
 Verborum sensusque vacans, numerique loquacis? 
 Silvestres decet iste chores, non Orphea, cantus, 
 Qui tenuit fluvios, et quercubus addidit aures, 
 Carmine, non cithara ; simulachraque functa canendo 
 Compulit in lacrymas : habet has a carmine laudes. 
 Nee tu perge, precor, sacras contemnere Musas, 
 Nee vanas inopesque puta, quarum ipse peritus 
 Munere mille sonos numeros componis ad aptos ; 
 Millibus et vocem modulis variare canoram 
 Doctus, Arionii merito sis nominis haeres. 
 Nunc tibi quid mirum, si me genuisse poetam 
 Contigerit, charo si tarn prope sanguine juncti 
 Cognatas artes, studiumque affine, sequamur? 
 Ipse volens Phoebus se dispertire duobus, 
 Altera dona mihi, dedit altera dona parenti ;
 
 POEMATA. 363 
 
 Dividuumque Deum, genitorque puerque, tenemus. 
 
 Tu tamen ut simules teneras odisse Camoenas, 
 Non odisse reor; neque enim, pater, ire jubebas 
 Qua via lata patet, qua pronior area lucri, 
 Certaque condendi fulget spes aurea nummi : 
 Nee rapis ad leges, male custoditaque gentis 
 Jura, nee insulsis damnas clamoribus aures ; 
 Sed, magis excultam cupiens ditescere mentem, 
 Me procul urbano strepitu, secessibus altis 
 Abductum, Aoniae jucunda per otia ripae, 
 Phoebaeo later i comitem sinis ire beatum. 
 Officium chari taceo commune parentis ; 
 Me poscunt majora : tuo, pater optiine, sumptu 
 Cum mihi Romuleae patuit facundia linguae, 
 Et Latii veneres, et quae Jovis ora decebant 
 Grandia magniloquis elata vocabula Graiis, 
 Addere suasisti quos jactat Gallia flores ; 
 Et quam degeneri novus Italus ore loquelam 
 Fundit, barbaricos testatus voce tumultus j 
 Quaeque Palaestinus loquitur mysteria vates. 
 Denique quicquid habet coelum, subjectaque coelo 
 Terra parens, terraeque et coelo interfluus aer, 
 Quicquid et unda tegit, pontique agitabile marmor, 
 Per te nosse licet, per te, si nosse libebit : 
 Dimotaque venit spectanda scientia nube, 
 Nudaque conspicuos inclinat ad oscula vultus, 
 Ni fugisse velim, ni sit libasse molestum. 
 
 I nunc, confer opes, quisquis malesanus avitas 
 Austriaci gazas, Periianaque regna, praeoptas. 
 Quae potait majora pater tribuisse, vel ipse 
 Jupiter, excepto, donasset ut omnia, coelo ?
 
 364 POEMATA. 
 
 Non potiora dedit, quamvis et tuta fuissent, 
 Publica qui juveni commisit lumina nato, 
 Atque Hyperionios currus, et fraena diei, 
 Et circum undantem radiata luce tiaram. 
 Ergo ego, jam doctae pars quamlibet ima cater vae, 
 Victrices hederas inter laurosque sedebo ; 
 Jamque nee obscurus populo miscebor inerti, 
 Vitabdntque oculos vestigia nostra profanes. 
 Este procul, vigiles Curae, procul este, Querelae, 
 Invidiaeque acies transverse tortilis hirquo, 
 Saeva nee anguiferos extende, Calumnia, rictus ; 
 In me triste nihil, foedissima turba, potestis, 
 Nee vestri sum juris egoj securaque tutus 
 Pectora, vipereo gradiar sublimis ab ictu. 
 
 Ab tibi, chare pater, postquam non aequa merenti 
 Posse referre datur, nee dona rependere factis, 
 Sit memorasse satis, repetitaque munera grato 
 Percensere animo, fidaeque reponere menti. 
 
 Et vos, O nostri, juvenilia carmina, lusus, 
 Si modo perpetuos sperare audebitis annos, 
 Et domini superesse rogo, lucemque tueri, 
 Nee spisso rapient oblivia nigra sub Oreo ; 
 Forsitan has laudes, decantatumque parentis 
 Nomen, ad exemplum, sero servabitis aevo. 
 
 PSALM CXIV. 
 
 I2PAHA ofe itaiStf, or' dyXaa, 
 AiyoTrnov tiife STJJMV, dirs^Ssa,, 
 A^ TOTS pouvM er t v otrioy ysvo$ vies
 
 POEMATA. S65 
 
 'Ev $s 0$ Xaolfi peyot, npsicav 
 ETJs, xa< evi^ OTraiSV/v ^oyaJ' l/3pnj<r 
 
 'If 0; 'Idf <5av>jf Ttori d 
 
 'OTa iraf a; cru'f <yy< ipiA'jj uVo 
 
 <rvy', alva ^aAatrcra, TTeAcop <pv r ya,S > l^pw' 
 r< slXvpzvr/ pofl/ou ; ri 5' ap k 
 
 T/7Tr', 
 
 ef ou v 
 ef a<, ri ^ af ' u'jWft-Ef avaa-x^rijVar', egiTfya.1, 
 
 /go, yaTa, rfsoucra eov 
 FaTa, eov Tgslovcr vrtarov <ra$ 'I<r<ra.xi$(x.o, 
 'Of re xa< ex cririXolSujv rtorapov 5 % 
 aevaov jfefgqs airo 
 
 PHILOSOPHUS AD HEGEM QUENDAM, QUI BUM IGNO- 
 TUM ET INSONTEM INTER HEOS FORTE CAPTUM 
 INSCIUS DAMNAVERAT, njX 67T) 
 SUBITO MISIT. 
 
 'H ava, EI oAf irijf (xe rov IvvOjW-ov, OU'^E f tv' d 
 Aevov oAcwf Jf a'travra, troipa/Tarov 7<r9< xa 
 a<peAo<o, ro 6 s ' ocrrspov aJfh voijirsjf, 
 
 TOJOV J Ix iroAiOf rtepiwvupov aAxaf o'Ae
 
 366 POEMATA. 
 
 IN EFFIGIEI EJUS SCULPTOREM. 
 
 'AaaSeT ysyfa^Sa* %<f> rr t v$ jxgy eixova 
 
 Tov ' IxrtJTraiTsv oux lirjyvo'vrgf, 91X0*, 
 FsAars ^ayAoy $'j<rpl[Ar t u,x 
 
 AD SALSILLUM, POETAM ROMANUM, 
 ^GROTANTEM. 
 
 SCAZOXTES. 
 
 O MUSA, gressum quae volens trahis claudum , 
 Vulcanioque tarda gaudes incessu, 
 Nee sentis illud in loco minus gratum, 
 Quam cum decentes flava Deiope suras 
 Alternat aureum ante Junonis lectum ; 
 Adesdum, et haec s'is verba pauca Salsillo 
 Refer, Camoena nostra cui tantum est cordi, 
 Quamque ille magnis prastulit immerito divis. 
 Haec ergo alumnus ille Londini Milto, 
 Diebus hisce qui suum linquens nidum, 
 Polique tractum, pessimus ubi ventorum, 
 Insanientis impot^nsque pulmonis, 
 Pernix anhela sub Jove exercet flabra, 
 Venit feraces Itali soli ad glebas, 
 Visum superba cognitas urbes fama, 
 Virosque, doctaeque indolem juventutis, 
 Tibi optat idem hie fausta multa, Salsille, 
 Habitumque fesso corpori penitus sanum ;
 
 POEMATA. 367 
 
 Cui nunc profunda bills infestat renes, 
 Praecordiisque fixa damnosum spiral ; 
 Nee id pepercit impia, quod tu Romano 
 Tarn cultus ore Lesbium condis melos. 
 
 O dulce divum munus, O Salus, Hebes 
 Germana ! Tuque, Phoebe, morborum terror, 
 Pythone caeso, sive tu magis Paean 
 Libenter audis, hie tuus sacerdos est. 
 Querceta Fauni, vosque rore vinoso 
 Colles benigni, mitis Evandri sedes, 
 Siquid salubre vallibus frondet vestris, 
 Levamen aegro ferte certatim vati. 
 Sic ille, charis redditus rursum Musis, 
 Vicina dulci prata mulcebit cantu. 
 Ipse inter atros emirabitur lucos 
 Numa, ubi beatum degit otium aetermim, 
 Suam reclinis semper ^Egeriam spectans. 
 Tumidusque et ipse Tibris, hinc delinitus, 
 Spei favebit annuae colonorumj 
 Nee in sepulchris ibit obsessum reges, 
 Nimiiam sinistro laxus irruens loro : 
 Sed fraena melius temperabit undarum, 
 Adusque curvi salsa regna Portumni,
 
 FOEMATA. 
 
 MANSUS. 
 
 Joannes Baptista Mansus, Marchio J^illensis, mr in- 
 genii laude, turn literarum studio, nee non et dellica 
 virtute, apud Italos clarus in primis est. Ad quern 
 Torquati Tassi Dialogus extat De Amicitia scrlp- 
 tus; erat enim Tassi amicissimus ; ab quo etiam 
 inter Companies principes celebratur, in illo poemate 
 cui titulus ' Gerusalemme Conquistata,' lib. 20. 
 
 ' Fra cavalier magnanimi, e cortesi, 
 ' Risplende il MANSO.' 
 
 Is authorem Neapoli commorantem stimma benevo- 
 lentia prosecutus est, multaque ei detulit humanitatii 
 offic'ia. Ad hunc itaque hospes ille, antequam ab ea 
 urbe discederet, ut ne ingratum se ostenderet, hoc 
 carmen misit. 
 
 quoque, Manse, tuoe meditantur carmina laudi 
 Pierides, tibi, Manse, choro notissime Phoebi ; 
 Quandoquidem ille alium baud sequo est dignatus 
 
 honore, 
 
 Post Galli cineres, et Mecaenatis Hetrusci. 
 Tu quoque, si nostrae tantura valet aura Camoenae, 
 Victrices hederas inter laurosque sedebis. 
 Te pridem magno felix coneordia Tasso 
 Junxit, et asternis inscripsit nomina chartis : 
 Mox tibi dulciloquura non inscia Musa Marinum 
 Tradiditj ille tuum dici se gaudet aluranum,
 
 rOEMATA. 369 
 
 Dum canit Assyrios divum prolixus amores ; 
 Mollis et Ausonias stupefecit carmine nyinphas. 
 Ille itidem moriens tibi soli debita vates 
 Ossa, tibi soli, supremaque vota reliquit : 
 Nee manes pietas tua chara fefellit aniici j 
 Vidimus arridentem operoso ex sere poetam. 
 Nee satis hoc visum est in utrumque, et nee pia cessaut 
 Officia in tumulo; cupis integros rapere Oreo, 
 Qua potes, atque avidas Parcarum eludere leges : 
 Amborum genus, et varia sub sorte peractain 
 Describis vitam, moresque, et dona Minerva? ; 
 ^Emulus illius, Mycalen qui natus ad altam 
 Rettulit ^Eolii vitam facundus Homeri. 
 Ergo ego te, Clius et magni nomine Phoebi, 
 Manse pater, jubeo longum salvere per aevum, 
 Missus Hyperboreo juvenis peregriaus ab axe. 
 Nee tu longinquam bonus aspernabere Musam, 
 Quse nuper gelida vix enutrita sub Arcto, 
 Imprudens, Italas ausa est volitare per urbes. 
 Nos etiam in nostro modulantes flumine cygnos 
 Credimus obscuras noctis sensisse per umbras, 
 Qua Thamesis late puris argenteus urnis 
 Oceani glaucos perfundit gurgite crines : 
 Quin et in has quondam pervenit Tityrus oras. 
 
 Sed neque nos genus incultum, nee inutile Phoebo 
 Qua plaga septeno mundi sulcata Trioue 
 Brumalem patitur longa sub nocte Boo'ten. 
 Nos etiam colimus Phoebum, nos munera Phoebo 
 Flaventes spicas, et lutea mala canistris, 
 Halantemque crocnin, perhibet nisi vana vetustas, 
 Misimus, et lectas Druidum de gente choreas.
 
 370 POEMATA. 
 
 Gens Druides antiqua, sacris operata deorum, 
 Heroum laudes, iinitandaque gesta, canebant; 
 Hinc quoties festo cingunt altaria cantu, 
 Delo in herbosa, Graiae de more puellas, 
 Carminibus laetis memorant Corineida Loxo, 
 Fatidicamque Upin, cum flavicoma Hecaerge, 
 Nuda Caledonio variatas pectora fuco. 
 
 Fortunate senex, ergo, quacunque per orbem 
 Torquati decus, et nomen celebrabitur ingens, 
 Claraque perpetui succrescet fama Marini ; 
 Tu quoque in ora frequens venies plausumque viro- 
 
 rum, 
 
 Et parili carpes iter immortale volatu. 
 Dicetur turn sponte tuos habitasse penates 
 Cynthius, et famulas venisse ad limina Musas : 
 At non sponte domum tamen idem, et regis adivit 
 Rura Pheretiadae, coelo fugitivus Apollo ; 
 Ille licet magnum Alciden susceperat hospes ; 
 Tantum ubi clamosos placuit vitare bubulcos, 
 Nobile mansueti cessit Chironis in antrum, 
 Irriguos inter saltus, frondosaque tecta, 
 Peneium prope rivum : ibi ssepe sub ilice nigra, 
 Ad citharae strepitum, blandd prece victus amici, 
 Exilii duros lenibat voce labores. 
 Turn neque ripa suo, barathro nee fixa sub imo 
 Saxa stetere loco ; nutat Trachinia rapes, 
 Nee sentit solitas, immania pondera, silvas; 
 Emotseque suis properant de collibus orni, 
 Mulcenturque novo maculosi carmine lynces. 
 
 Diis dilecte senex, te Jupiter sequus oportet 
 Nascentem, et miti lustrarit lumine Phoebus,
 
 POEMATA. 371 
 
 Atlantisque nepos ; neque enim, nisi charus ab ortu 
 Diis superis, poterit magno favisse poetae. 
 Hinc longaeva tibi lento sub flore senectus 
 Vernat, et ^sonios lucratur vivida fusos ; 
 Nondum deciduos servans tibi frontis honores, 
 Ingeniumque vigens, et adultum mentis acumen. 
 O mihi si mea sors talem concedat amicum, 
 Phoebaeos decorasse viros qui tain bene norit, 
 Siquando indigenas revocabo in carinina reges, 
 Arturumque etiam sub terris bella moventem ! 
 Aut dicam invictae social! foedere mensse 
 Magnanimos heroas; et, O modo spiritus adsit, 
 Frangam Saxonicas Britonum sub Marte phalanges ! 
 Tandem ubi non tacitae permensus tempora vitae, 
 Annorumque satur, cineri sua jura relinquam, 
 Ille mihi lecto madidis astaret ocellis, 
 Astanti sat erit si dicanij sim tibi curaej 
 Ille meos artus, liventi morte solutos, 
 Curaret parva componi molliter urna : 
 Forsitan et nostros ducat de marmore vultus, 
 Nectens aut Paphia myrti aut Parnasside lauri 
 Fronde comas, at ego secura pace quiescam. 
 Turn quoque, si qua fides, si praemia certa bonorum, 
 Ipse ego ceelicolum semotus in aethera divum, 
 Quo labor et mens pura vehunt, atque ignea virtus, 
 Secreti haec aliqua mundi de parte videbo, 
 Quantum fata sinuntj et, tota mente serenum 
 Ridens, purpureo suffundar lumine vultus, 
 Et simul sethereo plaudam mihi laetus Olympo.
 
 372 FOEMATA. 
 
 EPITAPHIUM DAMOXIS. 
 
 ARGUMENTUM. 
 
 Thyrsis et Damon, ejusdem viciniae pastores, eadem studia sequuti, 
 a pueritia amici erant, ut qui plurimum. Thyrsis animi causa 
 profectus peregre de obitu Damonis nuncium accepit. Demilm 
 postca reversus, et rem ita esse comperto, se, suamque solitu- 
 dinem, hoc carmine deplorat Damonis autem sub persona hie 
 intelligitur CAROLUS DEODATUS ex urbe Hetruriae Luca paterno 
 genere oriundus, csetera Anglus; ingenio, doctrina, clarissi- 
 misque caeteris virtutibus, dum viveret, juvenis egregius. 
 
 HIMERIDES njTnphae (nam vos et Daphnin, et Hylan, 
 Et plorata diu meministis fata Bionis,) 
 Dicite Sicelicum Thamesina per oppida carmen : 
 Quas miser effiidit voces, quae murmiira TTiyrsis, 
 Et quibus assiduis exercuit antra querelis, 
 Fluminaque, fontesque vagos, nemorumque recessusj 
 Dum sibi praereptum queritur Damona, neque altara 
 Luctibus exemit noctem, loca sola pererrans. 
 Et jam bis viridi surgebat cubnus arista, 
 Et totidem flavas numerabant horrea messes, 
 Ex quo summa dies tulerat Damona sub umbras, 
 Nee dum aderat Thyrsis ; pastorem scilicet ilium 
 Dulcis amor Musae Thusca retinebat in urbe : 
 Ast ubi mens expleta domum, pecorisque relicti 
 Cura vocat, simul assueta seditque sub ulmo, 
 Turn vero amissum turn denique sentit amicum, 
 Coepit et immensum sic exonerare dolorem. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Hei mihi ! quaa terris, quae dicaia numina ccelo,
 
 POEMATA. 373 
 
 Postquam te immiti rapuerunt funere, Damon ! 
 Siccine nos linquis, tua sic sine nomine virtus 
 Ibit, et obscuris numero sociabitur umbris ? 
 At non ille, animas virga qui dividit aurea, 
 Ista velit, dignumque tui te ducat in agmen, 
 Ignavtimque procul pecus arceat omne silentum. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Quicquid erit, certe nisi me lupus ante videbit, 
 Indeplorato nou comminuere sepulchre, 
 Constabitque tuus tibi honos, longumque vigebit 
 Inter pastores : Illi tibi vota secundo 
 Solvere post Daphnin, post Daphnin dicere laudes, 
 Gaudebunt, dum rura Pales, dum Faunus, amabit : 
 Si quid id est, priscamque fidem coluisse, piumque, 
 Palladiasque artes, sociumque habuisse canorum. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni, 
 Haec tibi certa manent, tibi erunt haec praemia, Damon ; 
 At mihi quid tandem net modo ? quis mihi fidus 
 Haerebit lateri comes, ut tu ssepe solebas 
 Frigoribus duris, et per loca freta pruinis, 
 Aut rapido sub sole, siti morientibus herbis ? 
 Sive opus in magnos fuit eminus ire leones, 
 Aut avidos terrere lupos praesepibus altis j 
 Quis fando sopire diem, cantuque, solebit ? 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Pectora cui credam ? quis me lenire docebit 
 Mordaces curas, quis longam fallere noctem 
 Dulcibus alloquiis, grato cum sibilat igni 
 Molle pyrum, et nucibus strepitat focus, et malus 
 
 Auster 
 Miscet cuncta foris, et desuper intonat ulmo ?
 
 374 POEMATA. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Aut aestate, dies medio dum vertitur axe, 
 Cum Pan aesculea somnum capit abditus umbra, 
 Et repetunt sub aquis sibi nota sedilia nymphae, 
 Pastoresque latent, stertit sub sepe colonus ; 
 Quis mihi Wanditiasque tuas, quis turn mihi risus, 
 Cecropiosque sales referet, caltosque lepores ? 
 
 Ite domuin impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni, 
 At jam solus agros, jam pascua solus oberro, 
 Sicubi ramosae densantur vallibus umbrae ; 
 Hie serum expecto ; supra caput imber et Eurus 
 Triste sonant, fractaeque agitata crepuscula silvae. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Heu, quam culta mihi prius arva procacibus herbis 
 Involvuntur, et ipsa situ seges alta fatiscit ! 
 Innuba neglecto marcescit et uva racemo, 
 Nee myrteta juvant ; ovium quoque taedet, at illas 
 Moerent, inque suum convertunt ora magistrum. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Tityrus ad corylos vocat, Alphesibceus ad ornos, 
 Ad salices Aegon, ad flumina pulcher Amyntas; 
 ' Hie gelidi fontes, Lie illita gramina musco, 
 Hie Zephyri, hie placidas interstrepit arbutus undas ;' 
 Ista canunt surdo, frutices ego nactus abibam. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Mopsus ad haec, nam me redeuntem forte notarat, 
 (Et callebat avium linguas, et sidera Mopsus,) 
 ' Thyrsi, quid hoc ?' dixit, ' quas te coquit improba bills 
 Aut te perdit amor, aut te male fascinat astrum; 
 Saturni grave ssepe fuit pastoribus astrum, 
 Intimaque obliquo figit prsecordia plumbo.'
 
 I'OEMATA. 375 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Mirantur nymphae, et, ' Quid-te, Thyrsi, futurum est? 
 Quid tibi vis ?' aiunt ; ' non haec solet esse juventae 
 Nubila frons, oculique truces, vultusque seven j 
 Ilia chorus, lususque leves, et semper amorem 
 Jure petit : bis ille miser qui serus amavit.' 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Venit Hyas, Dryope"que, et filia Baucidis Aegle, 
 Docta modos, citharaeque sciens, sed perdita fastu ; 
 Venit Idumanii Chloris vicina fluenti ; 
 Nil me, blanditiae, nil me solantia verba, 
 Nil me si quid adest, movet, aut spes ulla futuri. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Hei mihi ! quam similes ludunt per prata juvenci, 
 Omnes unanimi secum sibi lege sodales ! 
 Nee magis hunc alio quisquam secernit amicum 
 De grege ; sic densi veniunt ad pabula thoes, 
 Inque vicem hirsuti paribus junguntur onagri : 
 Lex eadem pelagi ; deserto in littore Proteus 
 Agmina Phocarum numerat, vilisque volucrum 
 Passer habet semper quicum sit, et omnia circum 
 Farra libens volitet, sero sua tecta revisens ; 
 Quern si sors letho objecit, seu milvus adunco 
 Fata tulit rostro, seu stravit arundine fossor, 
 Protinus ille alium socio petit inde volatu. 
 Nos durum genus, et diris exercita fatis 
 Gens homines, aliena animis, et pectore discors ; 
 Vix sibi quisque parem de millibus invenit unumj 
 Aut si sors dederit tandem non aspera votis, 
 Ilium inopina dies, qua non speraveris hora, 
 Surripit aeternum linquens in sascula damnum.
 
 376 POEMATA. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Heu quis me ignotas traxit vagus error in oras 
 Ire per aereas rupes, Alpemque nivosam ! 
 Ecquid erat tanti Romam vidisse sepultam, 
 (Quamvis ilia foret, qualem dum viseret olim, 
 Tityrus ipse suas et oves et rura reliquit;) 
 Ut te tarn dulci possem caruisse sodale ! 
 Possem tot maria alta, tot interponere montes, 
 Tot silvas, tot saxa tibi, fluviosque sonantes ! 
 Ah certe extremum licuisset tangere dextram, 
 Et bene compositos placide morientis ocellos, 
 Et dixisse, ' Vale, nostri memor ibis ad astra.' 
 
 Ite dornum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Qnamquam etiam vestri nunquam meminisse pigebit, 
 Pastores Thusci, Musis operata juventus, 
 Hie Charis, atque Lepos ; et Thuscus tu quoque Da- 
 mon, 
 
 Antiqua genus unde petis Lucumonis ab urbe. 
 O ego quantus eram, gelidi ciam stratus ad Ami 
 Murmura, populeumque nemus, qua mollior herba, 
 Carpere nunc violas, nunc summas carpere myrtos, 
 Et potui Lycidae certantem axidire Menalcam ! 
 Ipse etiam tentare ausus sum; nee, puto, multum 
 Displicuij nam sunt et apud me, munera vestra, 
 Fiscellae, calathique, et cerea vincla cicutae : 
 Quin et nostra suas docuerunt nornina fagos 
 Et Datis, et Francinus, erant et vocibus ambo 
 Et studiis noti, Lydorum sanguinis ambo. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Haec mihi turn laeto dictabat roscida lima, 
 Dum solus teneros claudebam cratibus hoedos.
 
 POEMATA. 377 
 
 Ah quoties dixi, cum te cinis ater habebat, 
 Nunc canit, aut lepori nunc tendit retia Damon, 
 Vimina nunc texit, varies sibi quod sit in usus ! 
 Et quae turn facili sperabam mente futura 
 Arripui voto levis, et prsesentia finxi ; 
 ' Heusbone! numquidagis? nisi te quid forte retardat, 
 Imus ? et arguta paulum recumbamus in umbra, 
 Aut ad aquas Colni, aut ubi jugera Cassibelauni ? 
 Tu mihi percurres medicos, tua gramina, succos, 
 Helleborumque, humilesque crocos, foliumque hya- 
 
 cinthi, 
 
 Quasque habet ista palus herbas, artesque medentum.' 
 Ah pereant herbae, pereant artesque medentum, 
 Granrina, postquam ipsi nil profecere magistro ! 
 Ipse etiam, nam nescio quid mihi grande sonabat 
 Fistula, ab undecima jam lux est altera nocte, 
 Et turn forte novis admoram labra cicutis, 
 Dissiluere tamen rupta compage, nee ultra 
 Ferre graves potuere sonos : dubito quoque ne sim 
 Turgidulus, tamen et referam ; vos, cedite, silvae. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Ipse ego Dardanias Rutupina per aequora puppes 
 Dicam, et Pandrasidos regnum vetus Inogeniae, 
 Brennumque Arviragumque duces, priscumque Beli- 
 
 num, 
 
 Et tandem Armoricos Britonum sub lege colonos ; 
 Turn gravidam Arturo, fatali fraude, Ib'gernen, 
 Mendaces vultus, assumptaque Gorlois anna, 
 Merlini dolus. O mihi turn si vita supersit, 
 Tu procul annosa pendebis, fistula, pinu, 
 Multum oblita mihi ; aut patriis mutata Camoenis
 
 378 POEMATA. 
 
 Brittonicum strides, quid enim ? omnia non licet unf, 
 Non sperasse uni licet omnia, mi satis ampla 
 Merces, et mihi grande decus (sim ignotus in anum 
 Turn licet, externo penitusque inglorius orbi,) 
 Si me flava comas legat Usa, et potor Alauni, 
 Vorticibusque frequensAbra,etnemus omneTreantae, 
 Et Thamesis meus ante oumes, et fusca metallis 
 Tamara, et extremis me discant Orcades undis. 
 
 Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
 Haec, tibi servabam lenta sub cortice lauri, 
 Haec, et plura simul; turn quae mihi pocnla Mansus, 
 Mansus, Chalcidicae non ultima gloria ripae, 
 Bina dedit, mirum artis opus, mirandus et ipse, 
 Et circum gemino caelaverat argumento : 
 In medio rubri maris unda, et odoriferum ver, 
 Littora longa Arabum, et sudautes balsama silvae, 
 Has inter Phoenix, divina avis, unica terris, 
 Caeruleum fulgens diversicoloribus alis, 
 Auroram vitreis surgentem respicit undis ; 
 Parte alia polus omnipatens, et magnus Olympus : 
 Quis putet? hie quoque Amor, pictaeque in nub 
 
 pharetrae, 
 
 Anna corusca faces, et spicula tincta pyropo : 
 Nee tenues animas, pectfisque ignobile vulgi, 
 Hinc ferit -, at, circum flammantia lumina torquens, 
 Semper in erectum spargit sua tela per orbes 
 Impiger, et pronos nunquam collimat ad ictus : 
 Hinc mentes ardere sacras, formaeque deorum. 
 
 Tu quoque in his, nee me fallit spes lubrica, Damon, 
 Tu quoque in his certe es, nam quo tua dulcis abiret 
 Sanctaque simplicitas, nam quo tua Candida virtus ?
 
 POEMATA. 379 
 
 Nec te Lethaeo fas quaesivisse sub orco, 
 Nee tibi conveniunt lacryma?, nee flebimus ultra: 
 Ite procul, lacrymae ; purum colit aethera Damon, 
 ^Ethera purus habet, pluviura pede reppulit arcum; 
 Heroumque aninias inter, divosque perennes, 
 ^Ethereos haurit latices, et gaudia potat 
 Ore sacro. Quin tu, coeli post jura recepta, 
 Dexter ades, placidusque fave quicunque vocaris, 
 Seu tu noster eris Damon, sive aequior audis 
 Diodatus, quo te divino nomine cuncti 
 Coelicolae norint, silvisque vocabere Damon. 
 Quod tibi purpureus pudor, et sine labe juventug 
 Grata fuit, quod nulla tori libata voluptas, 
 En etiam tibi virginei servantur honores ; 
 Ipse caput nitidum cinctus rutilante corona, 
 Laetaque frondentis gestans umbracula palmse, 
 ^Eterniam perages immortales hymenaeos ; 
 Cantus ubi, choreisque furit lyra mista beatis, 
 Festa Sionaeo bacchantur et Orgia thyrso.
 
 380 POEMATA. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1646. 
 AD 
 
 JOANNEM ROUSIUM, 
 
 OXONIENSIS ACADEMIC BIBLIOTHECARIUM. 
 
 De Libra Poematum amisso, quern \lle sibi denuo 
 mitti postulabat, ut cum aliis nostris in Blbliotheca 
 publica reponet, Ode. 
 
 STROPHE I. 
 
 GEMELLE cultu simplici gaudens liber, 
 
 Fronde licet gemino, 
 
 Munditieque nitens non operosa, 
 
 Quern manus attulit 
 
 Juvenilis olim, 
 
 Sedula tamen haud nimii poetae ; 
 
 Dum vagus Ausonias nunc per umbras, 
 
 Nunc Britannica per vireta lusit, 
 
 Insons populi, barbitoque devius 
 
 Indulsit patrio, mox itidem pectine Daunio 
 
 Longinquum intonuit melos 
 
 Vicinis, et humum vix tetigit pede : 
 
 ANTISTROPHE. 
 
 Quis te, parve liber, quis te fratribus 
 Subduxit reliquis dolo ? 
 Cum tu missus ab urbe, 
 Docto jugiter obsecrante amico,
 
 POEM AT A. 381 
 
 Illustre tendebas iter 
 Thamesis ad incunabula 
 Caertilei patris, 
 Fontes ubi limpidi 
 Aonidum, thyasusque sacer, 
 Orbi notus per immensos 
 Temporum lapsus redeunte coelo, 
 Celeberque futurus in sevum ? 
 
 STKOPHE II. 
 
 Modo quis deus, aut editus deo, 
 
 Pristinam gentis miseratus indolem, 
 
 (Si satis noxas luimus priores, 
 
 Mollique luxu degener otium,) 
 
 Tollat nefandos civiuni tumultus, 
 
 Almaque revocet studia sanctus, 
 
 Et relegatas sine sede Musas 
 
 Jam pene totis finibus Angligenum j 
 
 Immundasque volucres, 
 
 Unguibus iraminentes, 
 
 Figat Apollinea pharetra, 
 
 Phineamque abigat pestem procul amne Pegaseo ? 
 
 ANTISTROPHE. 
 
 Quiii tu, libelle, nuntii licet mala 
 
 Fide, vel oscitantia, 
 
 Semel erraveris agmine fratrum^ 
 
 Seu quis te teneat specus, 
 
 Seu qua te latebra, forsan unde vili 
 
 Callo tereris institoris insulsi, 
 
 Laetare felix : en iterum tibi 
 
 Spes nova fulget, posse profundam 
 
 Fugere Lethen, vehique superam 
 
 In Jovis aulam, remige penn& :
 
 382 rOEMATA. 
 
 STROPHE III. 
 
 Nam te Roiisius sui 
 
 Optat peculi, numeroque justo 
 
 Sibi pollicitura queritur abesse; 
 
 Rogatque venias ille, cujus inclyta 
 
 Sunt data virum monumenta curae j 
 
 Teque adytis etiam sacris 
 
 Voluit reponi, quibus et ipse praesidet, 
 
 ^Eternoruin operum custos fidelis j 
 
 Quaestorque gazoe nobilioris. 
 
 Quam cui praefuit Ion, 
 
 Clarus Erechtheides, 
 
 Opulenta del per templa parentis, 
 
 Fulvosque tripodas, donaque Delphica, 
 
 Ion, Actsea genitus Creusa. 
 
 ANTISTROPHE. 
 
 Ergo, tu visere lucos 
 
 Musarum ibis amoenos ; 
 
 Diamque Phoebi rursus ibis in doroum, 
 
 Oxonia quam valle colit, 
 
 Delo posthabita, 
 
 Bifidoque Parnassi jugo : 
 
 Ibis honestus, 
 
 Postquam egregiam tu quoque sortem 
 
 Nactus abis, dextri prece sollicitatus amici. 
 
 Illic legeris inter alta nomina 
 
 Authorurn, Graiae simul et Latinaa 
 
 Antiqua gentis lumiua, et verum decus. 
 
 EPODOS. 
 
 Vos tandem, hand vacui mei labores, 
 Quicqnid hoc sterile fudit ingenium^ 
 Jam sero placidain sperare jubeo
 
 POEMATA. 383 
 
 Perfunctam invidia requiem, sedesque beatas, 
 
 Quas bonus Hermes, 
 
 Et tutela dabit solers Roiisij 
 
 Quo neque lingua procax vulgi penetrabit, atqua 
 
 longe 
 
 Turba legentum prava facesset : 
 At ultimi nepotes, 
 Et cordatior setas, 
 Judicia rebus aequiora forsitan 
 Adhibebit, integro sinu. 
 Turn, livore sepulto, 
 Si quid meremur sana posteritas sciet, 
 Roiisio favente. 
 
 Ode tribus constat Strophis, totidemque Antlstro- 
 phis, una demum Epodo clausisj quas, tametsi omnes 
 nee versuum numero, nee certis ubique colis exacte 
 respondeant, ita tamen secuimus, commode legendi 
 potius, quam ad antiques concinendi modos rationem 
 spectantes. Alioquin hoc genus rectius fortasse dici 
 monostrophicum debuerat. Metra partim sunt xara 
 a-^striv, partim atfoXsAu/i-Eva. Phaleucia quae sunt, 
 Spondseum tertio loco bis admittunt, quod idem in 
 secundo loco Catullus ad libitum fecit.
 
 384 POEMATA. 
 
 AD 
 
 CHRISTINAM, 
 
 SUECORUM REGINAM, NOM1XE CROMWELLI. 
 
 BELLIPOTENS Virgo, septem regina trionum. 
 
 Christina, Arctoi lucida stella poll ! 
 Cernis, quas merui dura sub casside, rugas, 
 
 Utque senex, armis impiger, ora tero : 
 Invia fatorum dum per vestigia nitor, 
 
 Exequor et populi fortia jussa manu. 
 Ast tibi submittit frontem reverentior umbra : 
 
 Nee sunt hi vultus regibus usque truces.
 
 SELECT NOTES 
 
 OX THE 
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 
 
 2c
 
 IN order to introduce to more general notice this 
 elegant Poem, which has been strangely neglected, 
 though it abounds with MORAL instruction peculiarly 
 adapted to the juvenile age, it has been judged pro- 
 per to insert NOTES upon it, illustrative of its Beau- 
 ties, and explanatory of its more difficult or obscure 
 passages. 
 
 The limits of our volume will not allow us to 
 continue the comment through the other Poems, nor 
 is it indeed so requisite, as their Beauties are gene- 
 rally felt, and as they are read and studied by those 
 who pass over the PARADISE REGAINED with a care- 
 lessness bordering on contempt.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 ** MILTON*," says Mr. Hayley, " Tiad already executed one ex- 
 tensive divine poem, peculiarly distinguished by richness and 
 sublimity' of description : in framing a second he naturally wished 
 to vary its effect; to make it rich in moral sentiment, and sub- 
 lime in its mode of unfolding the highest wisdom that man can 
 learn; for this purpose it was necessary to keep all the orna- 
 mental parts of the poem in due subordination to the precept. 
 This delicate and difficult point is accomplished with such feli- 
 city, they are blended together with such exquisite harmony and 
 mutual aid, that, instead of arraigning the plan, we might rather 
 doubt if any possible change could improve it. Assuredly there 
 is no poem of an epic form, where the sublimest moral is so 
 forcibly and so abundantly united to poetical delight : the splen- 
 dour of the poet does not blaze indeed so intensely as in his larger 
 production; here he resembles the Apolloof Ovid, softening his 
 glory in speaking to his son, and avoiding to dazzle the fancy 
 that he may descend into the heart." 
 
 Hayley's Life of Milton. 
 
 " To censure the PARADISE REGAINED, because it does not 
 more resemble the PARADISE LOST, is hardly less absurd, than 
 it would be to condemn the Moon for not being a Sun, instead 
 of admiring the two different luminaries, and feeling that both 
 the greater and the less are equally the work of the same divine 
 and inimitable power." Ibid. 
 
 Une 1. page 5. I, who ere while the happy garden sung 
 By one man's disobedience lost, ] 
 
 The sun of Mil ton's genius appears to be setting in this poem ; 
 but the sunset is a beautiful object, when the evening clouds are 
 tinged with gold and purple. -^ Knox. 
 
 2c 2
 
 388 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 I. 3. p. 5. Recovered Paradise ] 
 
 It may seem a little odd that Milton should impute the re- 
 cover}' of Paradise to this short scene of our Saviour's life upon 
 earth, and not rather extend it to his agony, crucifixion, &c. But 
 the reason no doubt was, that Paradise, regained by our Saviour's 
 resisting the temptations of Satan, might be a better contrast to 
 Paradise, lost by our first parents too easily yielding to the same 
 seducing spirit Besides he might, very probably, and indeed 
 very reasonably, be apprehensive, that a subject, so extensive as 
 well as sublime, might be too great a burden for his declining con- 
 stitution, and a task too long for the short term of years he could 
 then hope for. Even in his Paradise Lost he expresses his fears, 
 lest he had begun too late, and lest an age too late, or cold cli- 
 mate, or years, should have damped his intended wing ; and surely 
 he had much greater cause to dread the same now, and to be 
 very cautious in launching out too far. Thyer. 
 
 1. 8. p, 5. who ledst this glorious eremite 
 
 Into the desert, ] 
 
 It is said, Mat. iv. I . Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into 
 the wilderness, to be tempted nfthe devil. And from the Greek 
 original eftj/uoj the desert, and ips/uuTy; an inhabitant of the de- 
 sert, is rightly formed the word eremite; which was used before 
 by Milton in his Paradise Lost, iii. p. 86. 1. 26. 
 
 And by Fairfax, in his translation of Tasso, Cant. 11. St. 4. 
 
 And in Italian, as well as in Latin, there is eremita, which the 
 French, and we after them, contract into hermite, hermit. Newton. 
 
 I. 1 1. p. 5. inspire, 
 
 As thou art wont, my prompted song, else mute ;] 
 
 In the very fine opening of the NINTH book of the PARADISE 
 LOST, Milton thus speaks of the inspiration of the muse: 
 If answerable style I can obtain 
 Of my celestial patroness, who deigns 
 Her nightly visitation, unimplored, 
 
 And DICTATES TO ME SLUMBERING, OR INSPIRES 
 EASY MY UNPREMEDITATED VERSE. 
 
 So also in his invocation of Urania, at the beginning of the 
 SEVENTH book:
 
 PARADISK REGAINED. 389 
 
 More safe I sing with mortal voice, unchanged 
 To hoarse or mute, though fallen on evil days, 
 On evil days though fallen, and evil tongues; 
 In darkness, and with dangers compassed round, 
 And solitude; yet not alone, WHILE THOU 
 
 VlSIT'ST MY SLUMBERS NIGHTLY, OR WHEN MORN 
 
 PURPLES THE EAST ; still govern thou my song, 
 URANIA. 
 
 And in the introduction to the second hook of TheReason of 
 Church Government urged against Prelacy, where he promises to 
 undertake something, he yet knows not what, that may be of 
 use and honour to his country, he adds, " This is not to be ob- 
 tained but by devout prayer to that Eternal Spirit, who can en- 
 rich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends out his Sera- 
 phim, with the hallowed fire of his altar, to touch and purify 
 whom he pleases." Here then we see, that Milton's invocations 
 of the Divine Spirit were not merely exordia pro forma. Indeed 
 his prose works are not without their invocations. 
 
 I. 12. p. 5. my prompted song, else mute;'] 
 
 Milton's third wife, who survived him many years, related of 
 him, that he used to compose his poetry chiefly in winter; and 
 on his waking in a morning would make her write down some- 
 times twenty or thirty verses. Being asked, whether he did not 
 often read Homer and Virgil, she understood it as an imputa- 
 tion upon him for stealing from those authors, and answered with 
 eagerness, " he stole from nobody but the Muse who inspired 
 him ;" and, being asked by a lady present who the Muse was, 
 replied, " IT WAS GOD'S GRACE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT 
 
 VISITED HIM NIGHTLY." Newton's Life of MUtOn. 
 
 Mr. Richardson also says, that " Milton would sometimes lie 
 awake whole nights, but not a verse could he make; and on a 
 sudden his poetical fancy would rush upon him with an impetus 
 or oestrum." Johnson's Life of Milton. 
 
 1. 14. jt. 5. With prosperous wing full summed, J 
 We have the like expression in Paradise Lost, vii. p. 215, /. 1. 
 They SUMMED their pens
 
 390 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 It is a term in falconry. A hawk is said to befall summed, when 
 all his feathers are grown, when he wants nothing of the sum of 
 his feathers, cui nihil <fe SUMMA pennarum deest, as Skinner 
 says. Newton. 
 
 I. C 26.p. 6. O ancient powers of air, and this wide world,] 
 So the devil is called in Scripture the prince of the power of 
 the air, Eph. ii. 2. and evil spirits are termed the rulers of the 
 darkness of this world, Eph. vi. 12. Satan here summons a coun- 
 cil, and opens it as he did in the PARADISE LOST: but here is 
 not that copiousness and variety which is in the other ; here are 
 not different speeches and Sentiments adapted to the different 
 characters; it is a council without a debate ; Satan is the only 
 speaker. And the author, as if conscious of this defect, has art- 
 fully endeavoured to obviate the objection, by saying that their 
 danger 
 
 admits no long debate, 
 
 But must with something sudden be opposed. 
 And afterwards, 
 
 no time was then 
 
 For long indulgence to their fears or grief. 
 The true reason is, he found it impossible to exceed or equal the 
 speeches in his former council, and therefore has assigned the 
 best reason he could for not making any in this. Newt<m. 
 
 I. 3. p. 8. A perfect dove descend, ] 
 
 Vida, like Milton, describes the Holy Ghost descending as a 
 " perfect dove; '* 
 
 Protinus aurifluo Jordanes gurgite fulsil, 
 Et superum vasto intonuit domus alta fragore ; 
 Insuper et coeli claro delapsa columba est 
 Vertice per purum, caiidenti argentea pluma 
 Terga, sed auratis circumet rutilantibus alis : 
 Jamque viam late signans super astitit ambos, 
 Coelestique aur pendens afflavit utrumque. 
 Vox siraul et magni rubra genitoris ab aethr4 
 Audi ta est, oati dulcem testantis amorem. 
 
 Christiad. iv. 214.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED, 391 
 
 1. 20. p. 9. Thou and all angels conversant on earth, 
 With man or men's affairs, ] 
 
 This seems to be taken from the verses attributed to Orpheus ; 
 AyyXo, oift /te/xriXt Pponif u>; Travra -Ti^itrsni. 
 
 Newton, 
 
 1. 26. p. 10. So spake the eternal Father, and all Heaven 
 Admiring stood a space, ] 
 
 We cannot but take notice of the great art of the poet in set- 
 ting forth the dignity and importance of his subject. He repre- 
 sents all beings as interested one way or other in the event. 
 A council of devils is summoned; an assembly of angels is 
 held. Satan is the speaker in one ; the Almighty in the other. 
 Satan expresses his diffidence, but still resolves to make trial of 
 this Son of God ; the Father declares his purpose of proving and 
 illustrating his Son. The infernal crew are distracted and sur- 
 prised with deep dismay ; all Heaven stand a while in admira- 
 tion. The fiends are silent through fear and grief; the angels 
 burst forth into singing with joy and the assured hopes of suc- 
 cess. And their attention is thus engaged, the better to engage 
 the attention of the reader. Newton. 
 
 1. 9. p. 1 1. vigils tuned : 
 
 This is a very uncommon expression, and not easy to be un- 
 derstood, unless we suppose, that by vigils the poet means those 
 songs which they sung while they kept their watches. Singing 
 of hymns is their manner of keeping their wakes in Heaven. 
 And I see no reason why their evening service may not be 
 called vigils, as their morning service is called matins. Newton. 
 
 I. I . p. 11. One day walked forth alone, the Spirit leading 
 And his deep thoughts, ] 
 
 In what a fine light does Milton here place that text of Scrip- 
 ture, where it is said that Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the 
 wilderness ! He adheres strictly to the inspired historian, and at 
 the same time gives it a turn which is extremely poetical. 
 
 Thyer. 
 
 I. 28. p. 11. When. I was yet a child, no childish play 
 To me was pleasing; ] 
 
 How finely and consistently does Milton here imagine the
 
 392 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 youthful meditations of our Saviour ! How different from, and 
 superiour to, that superstitious trumpery, which one meets witli 
 in the Evangelium Infantix, and other such apocryphal trash! 
 Vid. Fabricii Cod. Apoc. N. Test. Thyer. 
 
 He seems to allude to Callimaclius, who says elegantly of 
 young Jupiter, Hymn, in Jov. 56. 
 
 Ou 8" ava&ja-a?, Ta^iwi 8 rot jjX9o <ouXo/. 
 AXX* en TraiSvof eun ctppao'ffxo ttoara. TI\IIX. 
 Swift was thy growth, and early was thy bloom, 
 But earlier wisdom crowned thy infant days. Jortin. 
 
 Henry Stephens's translation of the latter verse is very much 
 to our purpose 
 
 Verum aetate puer, digna es meditatus adulta : 
 or rather his more paraphrastical translation 
 Verura state puer, puerili baud more solebas 
 Ludere; sed jam turn tibi seria cuncta placebant, 
 Digna aetate animus jam turn volvebat adulra. 
 And Pindar in like manner praisesDeruophilus. Pyth.Od.iv. 501. 
 Keivof yap tv irouyt vio;, tv 8e jSouXa/f trpsfSv;. Our author might 
 allude to these passages, but he certainly did allude to the words 
 of the Apostle, 1 Cor. xiii. 11. only inverting the thought, When 
 J was a child, I spake as a child, $c- Newton, 
 
 1. 14. p. 12. Then to subdue and quell, o'er all the earth, 
 Brute violence, and proud tyrannic power J 
 Thus in his Samson Agonistes : 
 
 O ! how comely it is, and how reviving 
 
 To the spirits of JUST men long OPPRESSED, 
 
 When God into the hands of their DELIVERER 
 
 Puts INVINCIBLE might 
 
 To quell the mighty of the earth, the OPPRESSOR, 
 
 The brute and boisterous force of VIOLENT men 
 
 Hardy and industrious to support 
 
 TYRANNIC POWER, but raging to pursue 
 
 The RIGHTEOUS and all such as honour TRUTH j 
 
 He all their ammunition 
 
 And feats of war defeats,
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 393 
 
 With PLAIN HEROIC MAGNITUDE OF MIND 
 
 And celestial vigour armed 
 
 1. 17. p. 12. Yet held it more humane, more heavenly, jirst,$c.] 
 
 The true spirit of toleration breathes in these lines, and the 
 sentiment is very fitly put into the mouth of him, who came not 
 to destroy men's lives, but to save them. Newtnn. 
 
 1. 18 p. 12. By winning words to conquer willing hearts,'] 
 
 Virgil, GEORG. iv. 561 : 
 
 victorque volentes 
 
 Per populos dat jura 
 
 which expression of Virgil seems to be taken from Xenephon, 
 Oeconomic, xxi. 12. Ou yap iravu /uoi Soxsi tXov TWTI TO ayaOov av- 
 Qpwirivav Eivai, a\Xa SEIOV, TO tQcXovrwv ap%eiv. Jortin. 
 
 I 23. p. 12. my mother soon perceiving 
 
 inly rejoiced,"] 
 
 Virgil, JEn. i. 502 : 
 
 Latcma: TACITUM pertentant gaudia pectus. Jortin. 
 
 1. 20. p. 13. Just Simeon, and prophetic Anna, ] 
 
 It may not be improper to remark, how strictly our author 
 adheres to the Scripture history, not only in the particulars 
 which he relates, but also in the very epithets which he affixes 
 to the persons; as here Just Simeon, because it is said, Luke ii. 
 25, and the same man was just: and prophetic Anna, because it 
 is said, Luke ii. 36, and there was one Anna a prophetess. The 
 like accuracy may be observed in all the rest of this speech. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 I. 27. p. 13. and soon found of whom they spake 
 
 I am ] 
 
 The Jews thought that the Messiah, when he came, would be 
 without all power and distinction, and unknown even to himself, 
 till Elias had anointed and declared him. Xfio-rof St u xa< 
 yyj]Ti, xai <rri TTOU, ayvuHrrot ta-rt, xai ouSs atiro? TRO laurov IT/CT- 
 Tarai, cuSe eyet Svvixfiiv TWX, pr^fis ay tXStuv HXia; %f'trn OHJTOV, xai 
 $apo votfft Tronic-)?. Just. Mart. Dial, cum Try ph. p. 266. Ed. 
 Col. Gallon. 
 
 I. 28. p. 14. So spafce our Morning Star ] 
 
 So our Saviour is called in the Revelation, xxii. 16, the bright 
 and morning star. Newton.
 
 394 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 And thus Spenser, in his HYMN OF HEAVENLY LOVE: 
 O blessed well of love ! O flowre of grace! 
 O glorious MORNING STAR! Olarap of light! 
 Most lively image of thy Father's face, 
 Eternal King of glory, Lord of might, 
 Meek Lamb of God before all worlds behight, 
 How can we thee requite for all this good ? 
 Or what can prize that thy most precious blood ? 
 1. 6. p. 15. Full forty days he passed, whether on hill 
 
 Sometimes, anon on shady vale, cjj-c.] 
 
 Here the Poet of Paradise Lost breaks out in his meridian 
 splendour. There is something particularly picturesque in this 
 description. 
 
 1. 15. p. 15. The fiery serpent Jled and noxious worm,] 
 The word worm, though joined with the epithet noxious, may 
 give too low an idea to some readers ; but, as we observed upon 
 the Paradise Lost, ix. 1068, where Satan is called false worm, 
 it is a general name for the reptile kind ; and a serpent is called 
 the mortal worm, by Shakspeare, 2 HENRY SIXTH, Act III. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 I. 8. p. 20. Delphos. ] 
 
 In the famous controversy about ancient and modern learning, 
 Mr. Wotton reproves Sir William Temple for putting Delphos 
 for Delphi every where in his Essays. Mr. Boyle justifies it, 
 and says that it is used by all the finest writers of our tongue, 
 and best judges of it, particularly Waller, Dryden, Creech, &c. 
 If these authorities may justify Sir William Temple, they may 
 also justify Milton ; but certainly the true way of writing it is 
 not Dflphos in the accusative case, but Delphi in the nomina- 
 tive. Newton.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 395 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 I. 1 . p. 27. Meanwhile the new baptized, <Jc. ] 
 
 The greatest, and indeed justest, objection to this Poem Is the 
 narrowness of its plan, which, being confined to that single scene 
 of our Saviour's life on earth, his Temptation in the Desert, has 
 too much sameness in it, too much of the reasoning, and too 
 little of the descriptive part; a defect most certainly in an epic 
 poem, which ought to consist of a proper and happy mixture of 
 the instructive and the delightful. Milton was himself, no doubt, 
 sensible of this imperfection, and has therefore very judiciously 
 contrived and introduced all the little digressions that could with 
 any sort of propriety connect with his subject, in order to re- 
 lieve and refresh the reader's attention. The following conver- 
 sation betwixt Andrew and Simon upon the missing of our Sa- 
 viour so long, with the Virgin's reflections on the same occasion, 
 and the council of the Devils how best to attack their enemy, 
 are instances of this sort, and both very happily executed in 
 their respective ways. The language of the former is cool and 
 unaffected, corresponding most exactly to the humble pious 
 character of the speakers : that of the latter is full of energy and 
 majesty, and not inferiour to their most spirited speeches in the 
 Paradise Lost. Thyer. 
 
 1. 24. p. 28. God of Israel, 
 
 Send thy Messiah forth, <c.] 
 
 This sudden turn and breaking forth into prayer to God is 
 beautiful. The prayer itself is conceived very much in the 
 spirit of the Psalms, and almost in the words of some of them. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 L 12. p. 32. Set women in his eye, dj-c.] 
 
 As this temptation is not mentioned in the Gospels, it could 
 not with any propriety have been proposed to our Saviour; it 
 is much more fitly made the subject of debate among the wicked 
 spirits themselves. All that can be said in praise of the power 
 of beauty, and all that can be alleged to depreciate it, is here 
 summed up with greater force and elegance, than I ever remem- 
 ber to hnve seen in any other author. Newton.
 
 396 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 1. 14. p. 33 ............. Calisto, Clymene. 
 
 Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa, 
 Or Amymone, Syrinx, ] 
 
 All these mistresses of the gods might have been furnished 
 from Ovid, who is said to have been our Author's favourite 
 Latin Poet. Indeed that he was so at an early period of life, 
 appears from Milton's frequent imitations of him in his juvenile 
 Latin Poems. For Calisto, see Ovid. MET. ii. 409. et FAST. ii. 
 155. For Clymene, the mother of Phaeton, MET. i. adjinem. 
 Daphne, MET. i. 452- Semele, MET. iii. 2.53. Antiopa, MET. 
 vi. 1 10. Amymone, EPJST. xix. 131. et 1. AMOR. x. 5. Syrinx, 
 MET. i. 690. 
 
 The story of Calisto is recorded also by Milton's favourite 
 tragic poet Euripides. 
 
 fjLKap AfxaS(7roTE native 
 Ky.h\iffTOi, Aioy 'a XS^EUIV eire- 
 -af, TT>aj3ayUoo-j yvioi; 
 'iiy TroXu [jiotTptf t/JLy.; e'ha.-^t; TrXeoy. 
 
 Euripid. HELEN. 381. 
 Happy Calisto, thou Arcadian nymph, 
 That didst ascend the couch of Jove ; transformed 
 To a four-footed savage, far more blest 
 Art thou, than she to whom I owe tny birth. 
 
 Wodhull. 
 
 And Semele is mentioned in his HIPPOLYTUS, v. 456. 
 'Offot /XEV our ypotfyotf T6 TIM TTaXaiTtpoiv 
 Hycvo'iv, UTO< T eiciv ev juou<ra/f tx.it, 
 la-oiffi ptv, Zeus 'u>s nor epao-9i ymfjuuf 
 
 They who with ancient writings have conversed, 
 
 And ever dwell among the tuneful Nine, 
 
 Know how to Thebau Semele's embrace 
 
 Flew amorous Jove. ...... Wodhull. 
 
 The story of Antiopa, or Antiope, is recorded likewise by 
 Propertius, (L. iii. EL. 14. a Poet whom (as Mr. Warton ob- 
 serves) Milton has occasionally imitated. Antiope is also men- 
 tioned in a Greek Epigram, in the Anthologia, where four of 
 Jupiter's principal amoun, and the disguises under which he
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 397 
 
 accomplished them, are recited with the usual Greek epigram- 
 matic brevity. 
 
 Ztvf, Kuxvo^Taufoj, 2ATTPO2, ^pua-of 8*' spuiTiK 
 
 AiiS?)?, Evfwjrtfi;, ANTIOI1H2, Aavajjf. Dunster. 
 
 1. 18. p. 33. Apollo, Neptune, Jupiter, or Pan,] 
 
 Calisto, Semele, and Antiopa, were mistresses to Jupiter; Cly- 
 mene and Daphne to Apollo ; and Syrinx to Pare. Both here 
 and elsewhere Milton considers the gods of the heathens as de- 
 mons or devils. Thus, in the Septuagint version of the Psalms ; 
 TTayTEf 6< OEO< Ttuv t9vti'v Saifnovia.. Psalm xcvi. 5. (and likewise iu 
 the Vulgate Latin, Quoniam omnes Dii gentium damonia.) And 
 the notion of the demons having commerce with women in the 
 shape of the heathen gods is very ancient, and is expressly as- 
 serted by Justin Martyr. SeeApol.i. P. 10. et 33. edit. Thirlbii. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 I. 18. p. 33. Pan, 
 
 Satyr, or Faun, or Sylvan f ] 
 Unless the goddess that in rural shrine 
 Dwell'st here with PAN, or SYLVAN, COMUS. 
 
 Milton notices all these rural demi-gods and their amours, in 
 his beautiful Latin Elegy, IN ADVENTUM VERIS. 
 
 I. 24. p. 33. Remember that Pelican conqueror,] 
 
 Alexander the Great was born at Pella in Macedonia; his 
 continence and clemency to Darius's queen and daughters, and 
 the other Persian ladies whom he took captive after the battle 
 of Issus, are commended by the historians. " Turn quidem ita se 
 gessit, ut omnes ante eum reges et continentia et dementia vin- 
 cerentur. Virgines enim regias excellentis formae tarn sancte 
 habuit, quam si eodem quo ipse parente genitas forent: con- 
 jugem ejusdem, quam nulla aetatis suae pulchritudine corporis 
 vicit, adeo ipse non violavit, ut summam adhibuerit curarn, ne 
 quis captivo corpori illuderet," &c. Quint. Curt. lib. iii. cap. 9. 
 He was then a young conqueror, of about twenty-three years of 
 age, a youth, as Milton expresses it. Newton. 
 
 I. 27. p. S3. flow he, surnamed of Africa, dismissed, 
 
 In his prime youth, the fair Iberian maid.']
 
 398 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 The continence of Scipio Africanus at the age of twenty-four, 
 and his generosity in restoring a beautiful Spanish lady to her 
 husband and friends, are celebrated by Polybius, Livy, Valerius 
 Maximus, and various other authors. Netoton. 
 
 L II. p. 34. AS the seme of Venus once 
 
 Wrought that effect on Jove, so fables tell,] 
 Hj xat ajro GTrfita'tyn tKug-oiTO xiffTOt 1/i.tu/TX, 
 I!o(X(Xov* ev9a 8 di SeKxTiipia ir&vra. TSTUnry 
 Evfl' evi ut'j 9 'Xorrjf, cy 3 ifttpQf, cv 8' cypiaru;, 
 TIotgQa.rtf, jj T* txXp4/ vooy Truxa irip QQOVIOVTUJV. 
 
 Iliad, xiv. 214. 
 
 She said. With awe divine the queen of love 
 Obeyed the sister and the wife of Jove : 
 And from her fragrant breast the zone unbraced, 
 With various skill and high embroidery graced. 
 In this was every art, and every charm, 
 To win the wisest, and the coldest warm : 
 Fond love, the gentle vow, the gay desire, 
 The kind deceit, the still-reviving fire, 
 Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, 
 Silence that spoke, and eloquence of eyes. Pope. 
 
 1. 12. p. 34. so fables tell,] 
 
 The words so fables tell look as if the Poet had forgot himself, 
 and spoke in his own person rather than in the character of 
 Satan. Newton. 
 
 1. 13. p. 34. one look from his majestick brow, 
 
 Seated as on the top of virtue's hill,] 
 
 Here is the construction that we often meet with in Milton: 
 from his majestick brow, that is from the majestick brow of him 
 seated as en the top of virtue's hill : and the expression of vir- 
 tue's hill was probably an allusion to the rocky eminence on 
 which the virtues are placed iu the table of Cebes, or the ar- 
 duous ascent up the hill to which virtue is represented pointing 
 in the best designs of the judgment of Hercules. Newton. 
 
 Milton's meaning here is best illustrated by a passage iu 
 Shakspeare; which most probably he had in his mind. Ham- 
 let, in the scene with his mother, pointing to the picture of his 
 father, says,
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 399 
 
 See what a GRACE was SEATED ON THAT BROW ! 
 Hyperion's curls, the front of JOVE himself; 
 An eye, like Mars to threaten or command, &c. 
 Thus also in LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST: 
 What peremptory eagle-sighted eye, 
 Dares look upon THE HEAVEN OF HER BROW, 
 That is not BLINDED BY HER MAJESTY ? 
 
 Act III. Sc. 4. 
 1. 1. p. 36. Him thought, ] 
 
 We say now, and more justly, he thought ; but him thought is 
 of the same construction as me thought, and is used by our old 
 writers, as by Fairfax, Cant. 13. St. 40 : 
 
 HIM THOUGHT he heard the softly whistling wind. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 1. 13. p. 37. The fugitive bond-woman, with her son 
 Out-cast Nebaioth, ] 
 
 Hagar, who fled from the face of her mistress, Gen. xvi. 6, is 
 therefore called a fugitive : her son was not a fugitive, but an 
 out-cast ; so exact was our author in the use of his epithets. 
 
 I. 18. p. 37. Native of Thebez, ] 
 
 Thebez is the same as Thesbe, or Thisbe, or Tisftbe, the birth- 
 place of the prophet Elijah. Netoton. 
 
 L 18. p. 37. wandering here was fed] 
 
 It appears that Milton conceived the wilderness, where Hagar 
 wandered with her son, and where the Israelites were fed with 
 manna, and where Elijah retreated from the rage of Jezebel, to 
 be the same with the wilderness where our Saviour was tempted. 
 And yet it is certain, that they were very different places; for 
 the wilderness where Hagar wandered was the wilderness of 
 Beer-sheba, Gen. xxi. 14; and where the Israelites were fed 
 with manna was the wilderness of Sin, Exod. xvi. 1 ; and where 
 Elijah retreated was in the wilderness, a day's journey from Beer- 
 sheba, 1 Kings xix. 4 ; and where our Saviour was tempted wa 
 the wilderness near Jordan. But our author considers all that tract 
 of country as one and the same wilderness, though distinguished 
 by different names from the different places adjoining. Newton. 
 
 I. 14. p. 38. A table richly spread, <c.] 
 
 This temptation is not recorded in Scripture, but is however
 
 400 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 invented with great consistency, and very aptly fitted to the 
 present condition of our Saviour. This way of embellishing his 
 subject is a privilege which every poet has a just right to, pro- 
 vided he observes harmony and decorum in his hero's character; 
 and one may further add, that Milton had in this particular 
 place still a stronger claim to an indulgence of this kind, since 
 it was a pretty general opinion among the Fathers, that our 
 Saviour underwent many more temptations than those which 
 are mentioned by the Evangelists ; nay, Origen goes so far as to 
 say, that he was every day, whilst he continued in the wilder- 
 ness, attacked by a fresh one. The beauties of this descrip- 
 tion are too obvious to escape any reader of taste. It is copious, 
 and yet expressed with a very elegant conciseness. Every 
 proper circumstance is mentioned, and yet it is not at all clogged 
 or incumbered, as is often the case, with too tedious a detail of 
 particulars. It was a scene entirely fresh to our author's ima- 
 gination, and nothing like it had before occurred in his Paradise 
 Lost, for which reason he has been the more diffuse, and labour- 
 edit with greater care, with the same good judgment that makes 
 him in other places avoid expatiating on scenes which he had 
 before described. In a word, it is in my opinion worked up 
 with great art and beauty, and plainly shews the crudity of that 
 notion which so much prevails among superficial readers, that 
 Milton's genius was upon the decay when he wrote his Paradise 
 Regained. Thyer. 
 
 The banquet here furnished by Satan, Bishop Newton ob- 
 serves, is like that prepared by Armida for her lovers. Tasso, 
 C. x. 64 : 
 
 Apprestar su 1' herbetta, ov' e piu densa 
 
 L' ombra, e vicino al suon de 1'acque chiare, 
 
 Fece di sculti vasi altera mensa, 
 
 E ricca di vivande elette e care. 
 
 Era qui cio ch' ogni stagion dispeusa, 
 
 Ci6 die dona la terra, 6 manda il mare, 
 
 Cio che 1' arte condisce, e cento belle 
 
 Servivano al convito accorte ancelle. 
 Under the curtain of the green-wood shade, 
 Beside the brook upon the velvet grass,
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 401 
 
 In massy vessel of pure silver made 
 A banquet rich and costly furnished was; 
 All beasts, all birds beguiled by fowler's trade, 
 All fish were there in floods or seas that pass ; 
 All dainties made by art: and at the table 
 
 An hundred virgins served Fairfax. 
 
 In COMUS, where the Lady is tempted by the Enchanter, 
 the scene is laid in " a stately palace set out with all manner of 
 deliciousness, snft musick, and tables spread with all dainties" 
 I. 17. p. 38. In pastry built ] 
 
 The pastry in the beginning of the last century was frequently 
 of considerable magnitude and solidity. Of such kind must 
 have been the pye in which Jeoffrey Hudson, afterwards King 
 James's Dwarf, when eight years old, was served up to table at 
 an entertainment given by the Duke of Buckingham. We may 
 suppose this pye was not considerably larger than was usual on 
 such occasions, otherwise the joke would have lost much of its 
 effect from something extraordinary being expected. A species 
 of mural pastry seems to have prevailed in some of the preced- 
 ing centuries, when artificial representations of castles, towers, 
 &c. were very common at all great feasts, and were called 
 suitleties, subtilties, or sot 'titles. Leland, in his account of the 
 entertainment at the inthronization of Archbishop Warham in 
 1504, (Collectanea, Vol. 6) mentions " a suttlety of three stages, 
 with vanes and towres embattled," and " a warner with eight 
 towres embattled, and made with^fluim,-" which possibly meant 
 made in pastry. In the catalogue of the expences at this feast 
 there is a charge for wax and sugar, in operatione de le solilties. 
 Probably the wax and sugar were employed to render the paste 
 of flour more adhesive and tenacious, the better to support it- 
 self when moulded into such a variety of forms. 
 1. 18. p. 38. Gris-amber-steamed ; ] 
 
 Ambergris, or grey-amber, is esteemed the best, and used in 
 perfumes and cordials. A curious lady communicated the fol- 
 lowing remarks upon this passage to Mr. Peck, which we will 
 here transcribe. " Grey amber is the amber our author here 
 
 2 n
 
 402 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 speaks of, and melts like butter. It was formerly a main in- 
 gredient in every concert for a banquet; viz. to fume the meat 
 with, and that whether boiled, roasted, or baked; laid often on 
 the top of a baked pudding; which last I have eat of at an old 
 courtier's table. And I remember in an old chronicle there is 
 rcuch complaint of the nobilities being made sick at Cardinal 
 Wolsey's banquets, with rich scented cakes and dishes most 
 costly dressed with ambergris. I also recollect I once saw a 
 little book writ by a gentlewoman of Queen Elizabeth's court, 
 where ambergris is mentioned as the hautgout of that age. I 
 fancy Milton transposed the word for the sake of his verse; to 
 make it read more poetically." And Beaumont and Fletcher in 
 the CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY, Act III. Scene 2 : 
 
 Be sure 
 
 The wines be lusty, high, and full of spirit, 
 
 And AMBERED ALL. .Artisoft. 
 
 Mr. Warton, in a Note on COMUS, 863. cites several ca- 
 rioXis passages, which shew that amber was formerly a fa- 
 vourite in cookery ; among others, one from Massinger's CITY 
 MADAM, where " pheasants DKENCHED WITH AMBERGRIS'' are 
 spoken of as a prime delicacy ; and another from Marmion's 
 ANTIQUARY, which mentions, " a fat nightingale seasoned with 
 pepper and AMBERGRIS.'" 
 
 I, 20. p. 38. And exquisittst name, ] 
 
 This alludes to that species of Roman luxury, which gave tx- 
 quisite names to fish of exquisite taste, such as that they called 
 cerebrum Jovis. They extended this even to a very capacious 
 dish, as that they called clypeum Minerva. The modern Italians 
 fall into the same wantonness of luxurious impiety, as when they 
 call their exquisite wines by the names of lacrynue. Christi and 
 lac Virginis. Warburton. 
 
 I. 20. p. 38. for which was drained 
 
 Pontus, and Lncrine bay, and Afric coast.] 
 
 The fish are brought to furnish this banquet from all the dif- 
 ferent parts of the world then known; from Pontus or the 
 Euxine Sea, in Asia; from the Litcrine Bay, in Italy; and from
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 403 
 
 the coast of Africa: all which places are celebrated for different 
 kinds of fish by the authors of antiquity. Newton. 
 
 1. 23. p. 38. < that diverted Eve !} 
 
 Diverted is here used in the Latin signification of diverto, to 
 turn aside. Newton, 
 
 1. 27. p. 38. Than Ganymed or Hylas ; ] 
 
 These were two most beautiful youths, cup-bearers; Gany- 
 mede to Jupiter, and Hjlas to Hercules. Newton. 
 
 1. 2. p. 39. faery damsels met in forest wide 
 By knights of Lopres, nr of Lyones, 
 Lancelot, or Pelleas, or Pellenore.] 
 
 Sir Lancelot, Pelleas, and Pellenore, (the latter by the title of 
 King Pellenore) are Persons in the old Romance of MORTE 
 ARTHUR, or The Lyf of King Arthur, of his noble Knyghtes of 
 the round table, and inthende the dolorous deth of them all; writ- 
 ten originally in French, and translated into English by Sif 
 Thomas Malleory, Knt. printed by William Caxton, 1484. 
 From this old Romance, Mr. Warton (OBSERVATIONS ON 
 SPENSER, Sect. 2) shews that Spenser borrowed much. Sir 
 Lancelot is there called of Logris; and Sir Tristram is named 
 of Lyones, under which title he appears also in the Faery Queen. 
 Logris is the same with Loegria (according to the more fabulous 
 historians, and amongst them Milton), an old name for Eng- 
 land. Hollinshed calls it both Loegria and Logiers. In his 
 History of England, B. ii. 4. 5. having related the conquest of 
 our island by Brute, or Brutus, a Trojan, and his building the 
 city of Troynovant, he thus proceeds : " When Brutus had 
 builded this city and brought it under his subjection, he by the 
 advice of his nobles commanded this isle (which bi fore hight 
 Albion) to be called Britain, and the inhabitants Britons after 
 his name, for a perpetual memorie that he was first bringer of them 
 into the land. In this mean while also he had by his wife three 
 sons, the first named Locrinusor Locrine, the second Cambris or 
 Camber, the third Albanactus or Albanact. Now when the time 
 of his death drew neere, to the first he betooke the government 
 of that part of the land now known by the name of England, so 
 
 2 D 2
 
 404 SfiLECt NOTES ON 
 
 that the same was long after called LOEGBIA or LOCIERS of 
 this Locrinus," &c. &c. The same author, in his Description of 
 Britain, instead of Loegria, or Logiers, writes it LHOEGRES. 
 The title of his TWENTY-SECOND chapter is, after what manner 
 the sorereigntie of this i>le doth remaine to the princes of Lhoegres 
 or kings of England. Spenser, in his FAERY QUEEN, where he 
 gives the Chronicle of the early Briton Kings from Brute to 
 Uthtr's reign, calls it Logris. 
 
 Locrine was left the sovereign Irrd of all, 
 But Albanact had all the northern part 
 Which of himself Albania he did call; 
 And Camber did possess the western quart 
 Which Severn now from LOGRIS dolh depart. 
 
 13. II. C. x. 14. 
 
 Lyones was an old name for Cornwall, or at least for a part 
 of that county. Camden (in his BRITANNIA), speaking of the 
 Land's End, says, " the inhabitants arc of opinion that this pro- 
 montory did once reach farther to the west, which the seamen 
 positively conclude from the rubbish they draw up. The neigh- 
 bours will tell you too, from a certain old tradition, that the land 
 there drowned by the incursions of the sea was called Lioness*;." 
 Sir Tristram of Lyones, or Lionesse, is well known to the readers 
 of the old romances. In the French translation of the ORLANDO 
 INAMORATO of Boiardo, he is termed Tristran de Leonnois, al- 
 though in the original he is only mentioned by the single name 
 of Tristran. In the Orlando Inamorato also, among the knights 
 who defend Angelica in the fortress of Albracca against Agri- 
 can, is Sir Hubert of Lyones, Ubnrto dal Lione. Tristram, in 
 his account of himself in the FAERY .QUEEN, B. VI. C. ii. 28, 
 
 says, 
 
 And Tristram is my name, the oniy heir 
 
 Of good king Meliogras, which did reign 
 
 In Cornwall, till that he through life's despair 
 
 Untimely died. 
 
 He then relates how his Uncle seized upon the crown, where- 
 upon his Mother, conceiving great fears for her son's personal 
 safety, determined to send him into " some foreign land."
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 405 
 
 f>o, taking counsel of a wise man read, 
 She was by him advised to send me quite 
 Out of the country wherein I was bred, 
 The which the fertile LIONESSE is hight, 
 Into the land ot Faery. 
 
 These particulars, Mr. VVarton shews, are drawn from the 
 MOHTE ARTHUR, where it is said, " there was a knight Melio- 
 <las, and he was Lord and King of the county of Lyones, and 
 he wedded King Marke's sister of Cornewale." The issue of this 
 marriage was Sir Tristram. These Knights, he also observes, 
 are there often represented as meeting beautiful damsels, in de- 
 solate forests. Indeed a forest was almost as necessary in au 
 old romance as a valorous knight, or a beautiful damsel, whose 
 beauty and prowess were severally to be endangered and proved 
 by the difficulties and dangers they underwent amidst 
 
 forests and inchantments drear, 
 
 PENSEROSO. 
 
 Milton's later thoughts could not, we find, but rove at times 
 where, as he himself told us, " his younger feet wandered," 
 when he " betook him among those lofty fables and romances, 
 which recount in solemn cantos the deeds of knighthood founded 
 by our victorious kings, and from hence had in renowne over 
 all Christendome." APOL. FOB SMECTYMN. p. 177. Prose 
 Works, ed. Amst. 1698. 
 
 Sir Pelleas, " a very valorous knight of Arthur's round table," 
 is one of those who pursue the Blatant beast, when, after having 
 been conquered and chained up by Sir Calidore, it " broke its 
 iron chain," and again " ranged through the world." FAERY 
 QUEEN, B. VI. C. xiL 39. Warton. 
 
 1. 8. p. 39. Flora's earliest smells.] 
 
 We may collect from many passages in our Author's poems, 
 that he was habitually acquainted with the beauties of the early 
 morning, and particularly sensible of them. Mr. Warton says 
 that he " has delineated them with the lively pencil of a lover." 
 Note on LYCIDAS, 27. 
 
 In his ARCADES, he speaks of 
 
 the ODOROUS BREATH OF MORN. 
 
 In the PARADISE LOST, iv. p. 120. / 4. he likewise alludes
 
 406 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 to the peculiar fragrance of flowers, at " that sweet hour of 
 
 prime ;" 
 
 Sweet is the BREATH OF MORN, her rising sweet 
 
 And in the beginning of the FIFTH Book, Adam thus con- 
 cludes the speech in which he comforts Eve, on her waking in 
 the morning, respecting her troublesome dream; 
 
 Be not disheartened then, nor cloud those looks, 
 
 That wont to be more cheerful and serene 
 
 THAN WHEN FAIR MORNING FIRST SMILES ON THE 
 
 WORLD: 
 
 And Jet us to our fresh employments rise 
 Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers, 
 THAT OPEN NOW THEIR CHOICEST BOSOMED SMELLS. 
 Philips, the imitator of our author, has most beautifully, and 
 in a manner perfectly worthy of his master, copied the idea ex- 
 pressed in the last line: 
 
 when the kind early dew 
 
 Unlocks embosomed odours, CIDER, ii. 59. 
 
 But to revert to Milton, where he speaks more at large, and 
 perfectly con amore; 
 
 Now when as sacred light began to dawn 
 
 In Eden on THE HUMID FLOWERS THAT BREATHED 
 
 THEIR MORNING INCENSE, when all things that breathe 
 
 From the earth's great altar send up silent praise 
 
 To the Creator, and his nostrils fill 
 
 With grateful smell, forth came the human pair, 
 
 And joined their vocal worship to the quire 
 
 Of creatures wanting voice; that done, partake 
 
 THE SEASON PRIME FOR SWEETEST SCENTS AND AIR 
 
 PARADISE LOST, ix. p. 255. J. 21.' 
 
 To the first part of which passage we may trace Mr. Gray, in 
 a highly-finished line of his ELEGY: 
 
 The breezy call of INCENSE-BREATHING MORN. 
 We find a semblance of" Flora's earliest smells" in the fol- 
 lowing very picturesque and poetical stanza of Spenser: 
 Thus being entered they behold around 
 A large and spacious plain, on every side 
 Strowed with pleasance, whose fair grassy ground 
 Mantled with green, and goodly beautifide
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 407 
 
 With all the ornaments of FLORA'S pride, 
 Wherewith her mother Art, as half in scorn 
 Of niggard Nature, like a pompous bride 
 Did deck her, and too lavishly adorn, 
 WHEN FORTH FROM VIRGIN BOWER SHE COMES IN TH 
 EARLY MORN. F. Q. B. II. 1 2. 50. Warton. 
 
 i. 4. p. 41. What raised Antipater the Edomite 
 
 And his son Herod placed <m Judah's throne^] 
 This appears to be the fact from history. When Josephus 
 introduces Antipater upon the stage, he speaks of him as 
 abounding with great riches. *iXof 8e TII Tpxavou Ifov/xeuo;, AVT<- 
 iroiTfQt Xeyoyutvof, TroXXtuv piv cvvopwv yjprtp.a.Twi. x. T. \. Antiq. 
 lib. xiv. cap. 1, And his son Herod was declared king of Judea 
 bj the favour of Mark Antony, partly for the sake of the money 
 which he promised to give him j TO. 81 xou UTTO -^p^/nartav <! u- 
 rifi HpwSris inrttr^tTO Swa-eiv tt ytnorro jSaffiXcuf. Ib. c. 14. Newton. 
 t. 20. p. 41. Gideon, and Jephtha, end the shepherd lad,] 
 Our Saviour is rightly made to cite his first instances from 
 Scripture, and of his own nation, as being the best known to 
 him; but it is with great art that the poet also supposes him not 
 to be unacquainted with heathen history, for the sake of intro- 
 ducing a greater variety of examples. Gideon saith of himself, 
 my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel f behold my family is poor 
 in Manasseh, and 1 am the least in my father's house. Judges, vi. 
 15. And Jephtha was the son of an harlot, and his brethren 
 thrust him out, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our 
 father's house, for thou art the son of a strange woman. Judges, 
 xi. 1, 2. And the exaltation of David from a sheep-hook to a 
 sceptre is very well known. He chose David also his servant, 
 and took him from the shtep- folds : From following the ewes great 
 with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel 
 his inheritance. Psalm Ixxviii. 70, 71. Newton. 
 
 I. 27. p. 41. Quintius, Fabricius, Curius, Regulus,"] 
 Quint ins Cincinnatus was twice invited from following the 
 plough to be consul and dictator of Rome ; and after he had 
 subdued the enemy, when the senate would have enriched him 
 with public lands and private contributions, he rejected all
 
 408 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 these offers, and retired again to his cottage and old course of 
 life. Fabricius could not be bribed by all the large offers of 
 king Pyrrhus to aid him in negotiating a peace with the Ro- 
 mans : and yet he lived and died so poor, that he was buried at 
 the public expense, and his daughters' fortunes were paid out of 
 the treasury. Curius Dentatus would not accept of the lands 
 which the senate had assigned him for the reward of his victo- 
 ries; and when the ambassadors of the Samnites offered him a 
 large sum of money as he was sitting at the fire and roasting 
 turnips with his own hands, he nobly refused to take it, saying 
 that it was his ambition not to be rich, but to command those 
 who were so. And Regulus, after performing many great ex- 
 ploits, was taken prisoner by the Carthaginians, and sent with 
 the ambassadors to Rome to treat of peace, upon oath to return 
 to Carthage, if no peace or exchange of prisoners should be 
 agreed upon : but was himself the first to dissuade a peace, and 
 chose to leave his country, family, friends, every thing, and re- 
 turn a glorious captive to certain tortures and death, rather 
 than suffer the senate to conclude a dishonourable treaty. Our 
 Saviour cites these instances of noble Romans in order of time, 
 as he did those of his own nation: and, as Mr. Calton observes, 
 the Romans in the most degenerate times were fond of these 
 (and some other like) examples of ancient virtue; and their 
 writers of all sorts delight to introduce them: but the greatest 
 honour that poetry ever did them is here, by the praise of the 
 Son of God. Newton. 
 
 1. 3. p. 42. Extol not riches then, $c.~\ 
 
 Milton concludes this book and our Saviour's reply to Satan 
 with a series of thoughts as noble and just, and as worthy of the 
 speaker, as can possibly be imagined. I think one may venture 
 to affirm, that, as the Paradise Regained is a poem entirely moral 
 and religious, the excellency of which does not consist so much 
 in bold figures and strong images, as in deep and virtuous senti- 
 ments expressed with a becoming gravity, and a certain decent 
 majesty, this is as true an instance of the sublime, as the battles 
 of the Angels in the Paradise Lost. Thyer. 
 
 1. 16. p. 42. Yet he, who reigns within himself, <$r. ]
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 409 
 
 " The Paradise Regained," Mr. Hayley very justly observes, 
 " is a poem that particularly deserves to be recommended to 
 ardent and ingenuous youth, as it is admirably calculated to in- 
 spire that spirit of self-command, which is, as Milton esteemed 
 it, the truest heroism, and the triumph of Christianity." 
 
 Life of Milton, p. 1 26. 
 
 1. 26. p. 42. Is yet more kingly ; ] 
 
 In this speech concerning riches and realms, our poet has 
 culled all the choicest, finest flowers out of the heathen poets 
 and philosophers who have written upon these subjects. It is 
 not so much their words, as their substance sublimed and im- 
 proved. But here he soars above them, and nothing could have 
 given him so complete an idea of a divine teacher, as the life 
 and character of our Blessed Saviour. Newton. 
 
 BOOK HI. 
 
 I. 1 3. p. 49. as the oracle 
 
 Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems 
 On Aaron's breast ; ] 
 
 Aaron's breast-plate was a piece of cloth doubled, of a span 
 square, in which were set in sockets of gold twelve precious 
 stones bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraves 
 on them, which being fixed to the ephod, or upper vestment of 
 the high priest's robes, was worn by him on his breast on all 
 solemn occasions. In this breast-plate the Urim and Thummim, 
 say the Scriptures, were put. And the learned Prideaux, after 
 giving some acconnt of the various opinious concerning Urim and 
 Thummim, says it will be safest to hold, that the words Urim 
 and Thummim meant only the divine virtue and power, given to 
 the breast-plate in its consecration, of obtaining an oraculous 
 answer from God, whenever counsel was asked of him by the 
 high-priest with it on, in such manner as his words did direct ; 
 and that the names of Urim and Thummim were given hereto 
 only to denote the clearness and perfection which these oracular
 
 4JO SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 answers always carried with them. For Urim signifieth light, 
 and Thummim, perfection. Newton. 
 
 1. 7. p. 50. glory, the reward] 
 
 Our Saviour having withstood the allurement of riches, Satan 
 attacks him in the next place with the charms of glory. I have 
 sometimes thought that Milton might possibly take the hint of 
 thus connecting these two temptations from Spenser, who, in his 
 second book of the Faery Queen, representing the yirtue of 
 temperance under the character of Guyon, and leading him 
 through various trials of his constancy, brings him to the house 
 of riches, or Mammon's delve, as he terms it, and immediately 
 after to the palace of glory, which he describes, in his allegorical 
 manner, under the figure of a beautiful woman called Philotlme. 
 
 Thyer. 
 
 L 13, p. 50. Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe; ] 
 
 Our Saviour's temptation was soon after his baptism ; and he 
 was baptized when he was about thirty yean of age. Luke, iii. 23. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 1. 22. p. 51. They err, who count it glorious to subdue 
 By conquest far and wide, to over-run 
 Large countries, and injield great battles win, 
 Great cities by assault : $c. ] 
 
 Here might be an allusion intended to Ixjwis THE FOUR- 
 TEENTH, who at this time began to disturb Europe, and whose 
 vanity and ambition were gratified by titles, such as are here 
 mentioned, from his numerous parasites. 
 . We may here compare PARADISE Losr,xi. : 
 To overcome in battle, and subdue 
 Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite 
 Manslaughter, shall be held the highest pitch 
 Of human glory, and for glory done 
 Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors, 
 Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods, 
 Destroyers rightlier called, and plagues of men. 
 And again, in the same book : 
 
 in acts of prowess eminent 
 
 And great exploits, but of true virtue void ; 
 
 Who having spilt much blood, and done much waste,
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 411 
 
 Subduing nations, and achieved thereby 
 
 Fame in the world, higli titles and rich prey, 
 
 Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth. 
 
 Dunster. 
 
 I. 25. p. 51. what do these worthies, 
 
 But rob and spoil, dj-c. ] 
 
 Thus Drummond, in his SHADOW OF THE JUDGMENT: 
 All live on earth by spoil 
 
 Who most can ravage, rob, ransack, blaspheme, 
 Is held most virtuous, hath a WORTHY'S name; 
 And Thucydides, describing the ancient inhabitants of Greece, 
 says, " They betook themselves to robbing under the direction 
 of persons by no means despicable, and spent their lives chieflj 
 in plundering defenceless towns and villages; these practices 
 being so far from discreditable, that they were attended with 
 a certain degree of honour." ETpairovro wpoj \-nffTtiai, rJyou^uEvoiv 
 a8^oiv ou TWV aSvyaTwraTcuv .... x< irposirnnrvms TroXta/v arfiyif- 
 ro/f, xott xara xaifta; o;xou//tvaif, jjpjrafov, xou TOV TrXtTa-rov TDK /9;ou 
 sVTeuSsv tTTOioDvTO' oux t^ovTOf TTiji tuffy\>i>ffi TOUTOU TOU epyw, <ppovTf 
 81 TI xai Sofrjf (uaXXo*. L. i. C. 5. Dunster. 
 
 1. 26. p. 51. But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave 
 Peaceable nations, neighb'ring, or remote, 
 Made captive, ] 
 
 This description of the ravages of conquerors may have been 
 copied from some of the accounts of the barbarous nations that 
 invaded Rome. Ovid describes the Getae thus spoiling, robbing, 
 slaying, enslaving, and burning. 
 
 Hostis, equo pollens longeque volante sagitta, 
 
 Vicinam late depopulatur humum. 
 Diffugiunt alii; nullisque tuentibus agros 
 
 Incustoditae diripiuntur opes; 
 Ruris opes parvse, pecus et stridentia plaustra, 
 
 Et quas divitias incola pauper habet. 
 Pars agitur vinctis post tergum capta lacertis, 
 
 Respiciens frustra rura lareraque suum. 
 Pars cadit hamatis misere confixa sagittis;
 
 412 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 Nam volucri ferro tinctile virus inest. 
 Quae nequeunt secum ferre aut abducere, pcrdunt : 
 Et cremat insontes hostica flamtna cas^s. 
 
 TRIST. iii. Ei.x.65. 
 
 Dunstcr. 
 
 I. 29. p. 51 who leave behind 
 
 Nothing but ruin ] 
 Thus, Joel, ii. 3. The land is as thf. garden of Eden before them, 
 
 and BEHIND THEM A DESOLATE WILDERNESS. 
 
 And Mr. Gray in his BAUD, has a similar description finely 
 expressed, where he speaks of the conquests of Edward the 
 Black Prince in France : 
 
 What terrors round him wait ! 
 
 Amazement in his van, with flight combined, 
 And sorrow's faded form, and solitude behind. 
 
 Dunster. 
 
 1. 2. p. 52. and must be titled Gods, 
 
 Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers."] 
 
 The second Antiochus king of Syria was called Antiochus 
 eo; or the God: and the learned author De Epoch. Syro- 
 Macedonum, p. 109, speaks of a coin of Epiphanes inscribed 
 eou Effi^avouf. The Athenians gave Demetrius Poliorcetes, and 
 his father Antigonus, the titles of Evefytrai, Benefactors, and 
 5ti)Trjg?, Deliverers. Calton. 
 
 In Froelick's Annales regum et rernm Syrite there are prints of 
 five different coins of Antiochus Epiphanes, with the inscrip- 
 tion BA2IAEQ2 ANTIOXOT EOT Eni*ANOT2. The first An- 
 tiochus was called 2QTHP ; as was the first Ptolemy king of 
 Egypt. Two of the Ptolemies assumed the title of ETEPFETHS. 
 Diodorus Siculus relates that the Syracusans with one voice 
 saluted Gelon by the titles of Benefactor, Deliverer, and King 
 fjua Qaivy ntxvTa.f (wroxaXEiv ETEPfETHN, xa< 2&THPA, xa< 
 BA2IAEA. L. ii. 26. 
 
 The title of evspyerr,;, as assumed by tyrants, is referred to, 
 Luke, xxii. 25. And they that exercise authority over them ARE 
 
 CALLED BENEFACTORS. 
 
 When Demetrios Poliorcetes returned from his expedition to
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 413 
 
 Corcyra, the Athenians received him with divine honours, and 
 in their hymns and choruses celebrated him as " the only true 
 God, for that all other Gods were asleep, or were gone abroad, 
 or did not exist." Q; nil /uovo; Qco; X>]9(vof, 61 SE a\\oi xaOtDSouov,/, 
 ^ oiTroSij/xoDo'iy, rj oux ufftv, Deraochares ap. Athenaen. L. 6. 
 
 D u.nster. 
 
 1. 5. p. 52. One is the son of Jove, of Mars the other,'] 
 
 Alexander is particularly intended by the one, and Romulus 
 by the other, who, though better than Alexander, founded his 
 empire in the blood of his brother, and for his over-grown 
 tyranny was at last destroyed by his own senate. Newton. 
 
 1. 30. p. 52. Think not so slight of glory ; ] 
 
 There is nothing throughout the whole poem mere expressive 
 of the true character of the Tempter than this reply. There is. 
 in it all the falsehood of the father of lies, and the glozing 
 subtlety of an insidious deceiver. The argument is false and 
 unsound, and yet it is veiled over with a certain plausible air of 
 truth. The poet has also, by introducing this, furnished him- 
 self with an opportunity of explaining that great question in 
 divinity, why God created the world, and what is meant by 
 that glory which he expects from his creatures. This may be no 
 improper place to observe to the reader the author's great art 
 in weaving into the body of so short a work so many grand 
 points of the Christian theology and morality. Thyer. 
 
 1. 17. p. 54. Reduced a province under Roman yoke,] 
 
 Judfea was reduced to the form of a Roman province, in the 
 reign of Augustus, by Quirinius, or Cyrenius, then governor of 
 Syria ; and Coponius, a Roman of the equestrian order, was 
 appointed to govern it under the title of Procurator. Ntwtvn. 
 
 1. 18. p. 54 nor is always ruled 
 
 With temperate sway ] 
 
 The Roman government indeed was not always the most tem- 
 perate. At this time Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judaea, 
 and, it appears from history, was a most corrupt and flagitious 
 go**rnor. See particularly Philo, dt Legatione ad Caium. 
 
 Newton.
 
 414 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 1. 19. p. 54 oft have they violated 
 
 The temple, #c. ] 
 
 Pompey, with several of his officers, entered not only into the 
 holy place, but also penetrated into the holy of holies, where 
 none were permitted by the law to enter, except the high priest 
 alone, once in a year, on the great day of expiation. Antiochus 
 Epiphanes had before been guilty of a similar profanation. See 
 2 Macab. C. v. Newton. 
 
 I. 24. p. 54. So did not Maccabeus, <|-c. ] 
 
 The Tempter had noticed the profanation of the temple by 
 the Romans, as well as that by Antiochus Epiphanes, king of 
 Syria; and now he would infer, that Jesus was to blame for not 
 vindicating his country against the one, as Judas Maccabeus 
 had done against the other. He fled indeed into the wilderness 
 from the persecutions of Antiochus, but there be took up arms 
 against him, and obtained so many victories over his forces, that 
 he recovered the city and sanctuary out of their hands, and his 
 family was in his brother Jonathan advanced to the high priest- 
 hood, and in his brother Simon to the principality, and so they 
 continued for several descents sovereign pontiffs and sovereign 
 princes of the Jewish nation till the time of Herod the great : 
 though their father Mattathias, (the son of John, the son of 
 Simon, the son of Asmonaeus, from whom the family had the 
 name of Asmoneans,) was no more than a priest of the course 
 of Joarib, and dwelt at Modin, which is famous for nothing so 
 much as being the country of the Maccabees. See 1 Maccab. 
 Josephus, Prideaux, &c. Newton. 
 
 1. 8. p. 57. (^4* he who seeking asses, found a kingdom,)] 
 
 Saul, seeking his father's asses, came to Samuel, and by him 
 was anointed king. ISam.ix. Newton, 
 
 1. 19. p. 58 Persepolis, 
 
 His city, ] 
 
 The city of Cyrus; if not built by him, yet by him made the 
 capital city of the Persian empire. Newton. 
 
 1. 20. p. 58 Bactra there ; ] . 
 
 The chief city of Bactriana a province of Persia, famous for 
 its fruitfulness j mentioned by Virgil, GEORG. ii. 136. Newton.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 415 
 
 I. 21. p. 58. Ecbatana her structure vast there shows,"] 
 Ancient historians speak of Ecbatana, the metropolis of Media, 
 as a very large city. Herodotus compares it to Athens, L. i. 
 C. 98 ; Strabo calls it a great city, /txeya^jj iroKtg, L. ii. ; and 
 Polybius, L. 10. says it greatly excelled other cities in riches 
 and magnificence of buildings. Newton. 
 
 L 22. p. 58. And Hecatompylos her hundred gates; ] 
 The name signifies a city with an hundred gates ; and so the 
 capital city of Parthia was called, ' ExaTo^ujru^ov TO TOIV napSuaiwy 
 ftaa-foiiM. Strab. L xi. p. 514. Newton. 
 
 L 23. p. 58. Susa by Choaspes, ] 
 
 Susa, the Shushan of the holy Scriptures, and the royal seat 
 of the kings of Persia, who resided herein the winter and at Ec- 
 batana in the summer, was situated on the river Choaspes, or 
 Euloeus, or Ulai as it is called in Daniel ; or rather on the con- 
 fluence of these two rivers, which meeting at Susa form one 
 great river, sometimes called by one name, and sometimes by 
 the other. Newton. 
 
 Dionysius describes the Choaspes flowing by Susa, 
 
 Tcctfa. re fiiwi %0orot Soua'aix. 1074. 
 
 1. 23. p. 58. amber stream,] 
 
 Thus in the PARADISE LOST, iii. p. 83. 1. S : 
 
 And where the river of bliss through midst of heaven 
 Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her AMBER STREAM ; - 
 where Bp. Newton observes that the clearness of amber was 
 proverbial with the ancients, and cites 
 
 AAEKTPINON uSop. 
 
 Callimach. HYMN. AD CER. 29. 
 And Virgil, GEORO. iii. 522: 
 
 non qui per saxa volutus 
 
 PURIOR ELECTRO campum petit amnis: 
 
 Sabrina the River-Goddess, in COMUS, is addressed, as having 
 
 AMBER-DROPPING hair; 
 
 where Mr. Warton observes that her hair drops amber, because, 
 in the poet's idea, her stream was supposed to be transparent. 
 
 Z. 4. p. 58. The drink of none but kings ; ] 
 
 It may be granted, and it is not at all improbable, that none 
 besides the king' might drink of that water of Choaspes, which was
 
 416 SELECT NOTES ON " . 
 
 boiled and barreled up for his use in his military expeditions. 
 Solinus indeed, who is a frivolous writer, says, " Choaspes ita 
 dulcis est, ut Persici reges quamdiu intra ripasPersidisfluitsolis 
 sibi ex eo pocula vindicarint." Milton therefore, considered as 
 a poet, with whose purpose the fabulous suited best, is by 110 
 means to be blamed for what he has advanced ; as even the 
 authority of Solinus is sufficient to justify him. Jortin. 
 
 /. 24.p.58 of later fame, 
 
 Built by Emathian, or by Parthian hands, 
 The great Seleucia, Nisibis, and there 
 Artaxata, Teredon, Ctesiphon,"] 
 
 Cities of later date, built by Emathian hands, that is, Macedo- 
 nian ; by the successors of Alexander in Asia. The great Se- 
 leucia, built near the river Tigris by Seleucus Nicator, one of 
 Alexander's captains, and called great to distinguish it from 
 others of the same name ; Nisibis, another city upon the Tigris, 
 called also Antiochia, Antiochia quam Nisibin vacant. Plin. vi.16. 
 Artaxata, the chief city of Armenia, seated upon the river Araxes, 
 juxta Araxem, Artsxate, Plin.vi. 10. Teredon, a city near the 
 Persian bay, below the confluence of Euphrates and Tigris, 
 Teredon infra confluentem Euphratis et Tigris. Pliu. vi. 28. 
 Ctesipiion, near Seleucia, the winter residence of the Parthian 
 kings. Strabo, L. xvi. p. 743. Newton. 
 
 l.'Z7.p.b8. Artaxata ] 
 
 Strabo, L. xi. p. 528. says that Artaxata was built by Hanni- 
 bal, for Artaxas; who, after being general to Antiochus the 
 Great, became king of Armenia. 
 
 1. 29, p. 58. All these the Parthian, now some ages past 
 By great Arsaces led, who founded Jirst 
 That empire, under his dominion holds, 
 From the luxurious kings of'Antioch won.~\ 
 
 All these cities, which before belonged to the Seleucidas or 
 Sy ro-Macedonian princes, sometimes called kings ofAntioch, from 
 their usual place of residence, were now under the dominion of 
 the Parthians, whose empire was founded by Arsaces, who re- 
 volted from Autiochus Theus, according to Prideaux, two hun- 
 dred and fifty years before Christ. This view of the Parthian
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 417 
 
 empire is much more agreeable and poetically described than 
 Adam's prospect of the kingdoms of the world from the mount 
 of vision in the Paradise Lost, p. 34-1. 1. 2, &c. but still the ana- 
 chronism in this is worse than in the other: in the former 
 Adam is supposed to take a view of cities many years before 
 they were built, and in the latter our Saviour beholds cities, 
 as Nineveh, Babylon, &c. in this flourishing condition many years 
 after they were laid in ruins ; but it was the design of the for- 
 mer vision to exhibit what was future, it was not the design of 
 the latter to exhibit what was past. Newton. 
 
 1. 2. p. 59. And just in time than comst to have a view . 
 Of his gnat power, <Jc. ] 
 
 Milton, considering very probably that a geographic descrip- 
 tion of kingdoms, however varied in the manner of expression 
 and diversified with little circumstances, must soon grow tedious, 
 has very judiciously thrown in this digressive picture of an army 
 mustering for an expedition, which he has executed in a very 
 masterly manner. The same conduct he has observed in the 
 subsequent description of the Roman empire, by introducing 
 into the scene prsetors and proconsuls marching out to their pro- 
 vinces with troops, lictors, rods, and other ensigns of power, and 
 ambassadors making their entrance into that imperial city from 
 all parts of the world. There is great art and design in this 
 contrivance of our Author's, and the more as there is no ap- 
 pearance of any, so naturally are the parts connected. Thyer. 
 
 I. 19. p. 59. Of many provinces from bound to bound; ] 
 
 He had before mentioned the principal cities of the Parthians, 
 and he now recounts several of their provinces. Newton, 
 
 L 20. p. 59- Arachosia, ] 
 
 This was one of the largest provinces of the Parthian Em- 
 pire, and, as Bp. Newton observes, is described by Strabo 
 extending to the river Indus, /% TOU I8ju Trora/uou rtrajunrri, 
 L.xi. p. 516. 
 
 t. '20. p. 59. Candaor ] 
 
 In the edition of 1680 it is written Gandaor. Pliny, describing 
 this country, speaks of the Gandari, L. vi. 16. where Father
 
 4)8 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 Harduin would read Candari, and says, (as Bp. Newton ob- 
 serves,) that they are different from the Gandari. Pomponius 
 Mela notices the same people, L. i. c. 2. where the commenta- 
 tors are divided between the readings of Candari or Gandari. 
 Vossius, in a note on the place, clearly shows they were a dif- 
 ferent people from the Indian Gandari, and that they were the 
 Candari of Ptolemy, and the people meant by Pliny, in the 
 passage already referred to. These provinces lay eastward. 
 Candahar, or Kandahar, is the modern name of Ara- 
 chosia. 
 
 1.21. p. 59. Margiana to the Hyrcaniem cliffs 
 
 Of Caucasus, and dark Jberian dales;] 
 
 Margiana and Hyrcania lay northward of Arachosia towards 
 the Caspian Sea. Margiana is mentioned by Pliny, L. vt. 16. 
 The Hyrcanian ''cliffs of Caucasus" and "the Iberian dales" 
 are joined together by Strabo, who says, that the highest part 
 of the Caucasus bordered on Albania, Iberia, and Colchis. 
 TO. fit* ouv u-J/rjXoTotTa TOD ovrwf Kauxa^ou rot voTu>TotTa t?Tt,T irgo; 
 AXftavia xai IjSrjpdjt xou Ko^o<?. L. xi. p. 506. The Iberian 
 dales are termed dark, as the country abounded in forests- 
 Tacitus describes the Iberians " saltuosos locos incolentes." 
 ANNAL. vi. 34. 
 
 I. 23. p. 59. From Atropatia and the neighboring plains, 
 Of Adiabene, Media, and the south 
 Of Susiana, to Balsara's haven.] 
 
 This description of the Parthian provinces moves nearly in a 
 circle. It begins with Arachosia east; then advances north- 
 ward to Margiana; and from thence, turning westward, pro- 
 ceeds to Hyrcania, Iberia and the Atropatian or northern di- 
 vision of Media. Here it turns again southward, and carries 
 us to Adiabene, or the western part of Babylonia, which, as 
 Bp. Newton observes, Strabo (L. xvi. p. 74.5,) describes as a 
 plain country, TJJJ per ovv A8/aj6>]V7]f ^ TrKfiffTri TTiSioi; tffrf theii, 
 passing through part of Media, it concludes with Susiana, which 
 extended southward to the Persian Gulph, called Bal$ara'$ ha- 
 ven, from the Port of Balsera, Bassorah, or Bussorah.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 419 
 
 1. 6. p. 60. ............ or overlay 
 
 With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke;'] 
 Alluding probably to ./Eschylus's description of Xerxes's 
 bridge over the Hellespont. PERS, 7i. 
 
 Zuyox a/x^i/3Xouv av/tvi TTOVTOU. Thyer. 
 
 I. W.p. 60. Such forces met not, nor so wide a camp, 
 
 When Agrican with all his northern poweri 
 Besieged Albracca, <c. ] 
 
 What Milton here alludes to is related in Boiardo's Orlando 
 Inamorato, L. i. Cant. 10. The number of forces said to be 
 there assembled is incredible, and extravagant even beyond the 
 common extravagancy of romances. Agrican the Tartar king 
 brings into the field no less than two millions two hundred 
 thousand ; 
 
 Ventidua centinaia di migliara 
 Di caualier hauea quel Re nel campo, 
 Cosa non mai udita - 
 
 and Sacripante the king of Circassia, who comes to the assist- 
 ance of Gallaphrone, three hundred and eighty-two thousand. 
 It must be acknowledged, I think, by the greatest admirers of 
 Milton, that the impression which romances had made upon 
 his imagination in his youth, has in this place led him into a 
 blameable excess. Not to mention the notorious fabulousness 
 of the fact alluded to, which I doubt some people will censure 
 in a poem of so grave a turn, the number of the troops of 
 Agrican, &c. is by far too much disproportioned to any army, 
 which the Parthian king by an historical evidence could be 
 supposed to bring into the field. Thyer. 
 
 1. 14. p. 60. The fairest of her sex Angelica,] 
 This is that Angelica who afterwards made her appearance 
 in the same character in Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, which was 
 intended as a continuation of the story which Boiardo had be- 
 gun. As Milton fetches his simile from a romance, he adopts 
 rhe terms used by these writers, viz. prowest and Pat/nint. 
 
 Thyer. 
 2 e 2
 
 42(j SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 1. 16. p. 61. these ten tribes 
 
 Whose offspring in his territory yet serve, 
 In Habor, and among the Medes dispersed :} 
 These were the ten tribes, whom Shalmaneser, king 
 Syria, carried captive into Assyria, and put them in Halab and 
 in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 
 2 Kings, xviii. 11. which cities were now under the dominion of 
 the Parthians. Newton. 
 
 1. 8. p. 63. Who, freed, as to their ancient patrimony, 
 Unhumbled, unrepentant, unreformed, 
 Headlong would follow ; and to their Geds perhaps 
 Of Bethel and of Dun? ] 
 
 There is some difficulty and obscurity in this passage; and 
 several conjectures and emendations have been offered to clear 
 it, but none, I think, entirely to satisfaction, Mr. Sympson 
 would read Headlong would fall off and, <Jc. or Headlong would 
 fall, Qc. But Mr. Calton seems to come nearer the poet's mean- 
 ing. When or what would they follow, says he ? There wants 
 an accusative case ; and what must be understood to complete 
 the sense can never be accounted for by an ellipsis, that any 
 rules or use of language will justify. He therefore suspects by 
 some accident a whole line may have been lost; and proposes 
 one, which he says may serve at least for a commentary to ex- 
 plain the sense, if it cannot be allowed for ati emendation. 
 Their fathers in their old iniquities 
 Headlong would follow, &c. j 
 
 Or is not the constructioa thus, Headlong would follow as to their 
 undent patrimony, and to their Gods perhaps, $c.? Newton. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 /. 9. p. 70. Another plain, <c. ] 
 
 The learned reader need not be informed that the country 
 here meant is Italy, which indeed is long but not broad, and is 
 washed by the Mediterranean on the south, and screened by
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 421 
 
 the Alps on the north, and divided in the midst by the river 
 Tiber. Newton. 
 
 L 17. p. 71. turms of horse '] 
 
 Troops of horse ; as Bp. Newton observes, from the Latin, 
 turma, Virg. JEn. v. 560. 
 
 ^equitum TURM.E. 
 
 L 19. p. 71 on the Appian road, 
 
 Or on the Emilian, ] 
 
 The Appian road from Rome led towards the south of Italy, 
 and the Emilian towards the north. The nations on the Ap- 
 pian road are included in 1. 20 27, those on the Emilian in 
 f.28 30. Newton. 
 
 1. 20. p. 71. from farthest south, 
 
 Syene,and where the shadow both way falls, ^-c. ] 
 
 He first mentions places in Africa; Syene, a, city of Egypt on 
 the confines of Ethiopia; Dilionis ^Egj-pti esse incipit a fine 
 ./Ethiopia? Syene ; Plin. Lib. v. Sec. 9; Meroe, an island and city 
 of Ethiopia, in the river Nile, therefore called Nilotic isle, where 
 the shadow both way falls; Rursus in Meroe, (insulahaec caput- 
 que gentis jEthiopuru in amne Nilo habitatur,) bis anno absu- 
 mi umbras ; Plin. Lib. ii. Sect. 73; the realm of Bacchus, Mau- 
 ritania. Then Asian nations; among these thegolden Chersonese, 
 Malacca the most southern promontory of the East Indies, (see 
 Paradise Lost, p. 344. I. 9 ; and utmost Indian isle Taprobane, 
 wherefore Pliny says it is " extra orbem a natura relegata ;" 
 Lib. vi. Sect. 22. Then the European nations as far as to the 
 Tauricjjoo/.that is the PalusMaeotis; " Lacus ipseMaeotis.Tanain 
 amnem ex Riphaeis montibus defluentem accipiens, novissimum 
 inter Europam Asiamque finem, &c." Plin. Lib. iv. Sect 12. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 L 4./I.73. On citron tables or Atlantic stone.] 
 
 Tables made of citron wood were in such request among the 
 Romans, that Pliny calls it mensanim insania. They were beau- 
 tifully veined and spotted. See his account of them, Lib. xiii. 
 Sect. 29. I do not find that the Atlantic stone or marble was 
 so celebrated : the Numidicus lapis and Numidicum marmor are 
 often mentioned in Roman authors. Newton.
 
 422 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 1. 3. p. 74. Or could of inward slaves, make outward free ?] 
 This noble sentiment Milton explains more fully, and ex- 
 presses more diffusively, in his PARADISE LOST, p. 366. I- 10: 
 
 therefore, since he permits 
 Within himself unworthy pow'rs to reign 
 Over free reason, God in judgment just 
 Subjects him from without to violent lords ; See- 
 So also again, in his xiith Sonnet : 
 
 Licence they mean, when they cry Liberty ; 
 
 FOR WHO LOVES THAT, MUST FIRST BE WISE AND GOOD. 
 
 No one had ever more refined notions of true liberty than 
 Milton. Thyer. 
 
 1. 26. p. 76. Ruling them by persuasion as thou mean'st.] 
 Alluding to those charming lines, 1. 17. p. 12. 
 
 Yet held it more humane, more heavenly, first 
 
 By willing words to conquer willing hearts. 
 
 And make persuasion do the work of fear. Newton. 
 
 1. 4. p. 77. pure the air, and light the soil ;] 
 
 Attica being a mountainous country, the soil was light, and 
 the air sharp and pure ; and therefore said to be productive of 
 sharp wits. rrjv svxfanotv TU>V opwv iv OOJT<JJ> xaritiwea, OT< <fpwi- 
 fjuuTixTWs 8pf oio-s/. Plato in Timaeo. p. 24. Vol. 3. Ed. Serr. 
 " Athenis tenue coelum, ex quo acutiores etiam putautur At- 
 tici." Cicero, DE FATO, 4. Newton. 
 
 1. 9. p. 77. the olive grove of Academe,] 
 
 The Academy is always described as a woody, shady, place. 
 Diogenes Laertius calls it irpoao-Teiw AA2&AE2; and Horace 
 speaks of the SYLVAS Academi, 2 Epist. ii. 45. But Milton 
 distinguishes it by the particular name of the olive grove of Aca- 
 deme, because the olive was particularly cultivated about Athens, 
 being saered to Minerva the goddess of the city : he has be- 
 sides the express authority of Aristophanes, NUB. 1001. 
 AX\' tif Axa8>i/ua>< XUTMV, fao TXIS ftopiaui aTroQpej-cif. 
 Sed ill Academiara descendens sub sacris olivis spatiaberis. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 This whole description of the Academe is infinitely charming. 
 Bp. Newton has justly observed that " Plato's Academy was 
 never more beautifully described." " Cicero," lie adds, " who
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 423 
 
 has laid the scene of one of his dialogues (De Fin. L. v.) there, 
 and who had been himself on the spot, has not painted it in 
 more lively colours." 
 
 L 10. p. 77. where the Attic bird 
 
 Trills her thick warbled notes, $c. ] 
 
 Philomela, who, according to the fables, was changed into a 
 nightingale, was the daughter of Pandion king of Athens. 
 Hence the nightingale is called Atthis in Latin, quasi Attica 
 avis; thus Martial, L. i. Ep. 54. 
 
 Sic ubi multisona fervet sacer ATTHIDE lucus, &c. Newton. 
 
 1. 12. p. 77. There flowery hill Hymettus with the sound 
 Of bees industrious murmur oft invites 
 To studious musing; ] 
 
 Valerius Flaccus calls it Florea juga Hymetti, Argonaut. 
 V. 344 ; and the honey was so much esteemed and celebrated 
 by the ancients, that it was reckoned the best of the Attic 
 honey, as the Attic honey was said to be the best in the world. 
 The poets often speak of the murmur of the bees as inviting to 
 sleep. Virg. Eel. i. 56. 
 
 Saepe levi somnum suadebit inire susurro : 
 
 but Milton gives a more elegant turn to it, and says that it invites 
 to studious musing, which was more proper indeed for his pur- 
 pose, as he is here describing the Attic learning. Newton. 
 
 1. 14. p. 77. Ilissus ] 
 
 Mr. Calton and Mr. Thyer have observed with me, that 
 Plato hath laid the scene of his Phaedrus on the banks, and at 
 the spring, of this pleasant river. ^apievra youv xou xaQapot xai 
 8<a<pai/rj rot iiSaTia (pajvera*. " Nonne hinc aquulae purae ac pel- 
 lucidae jocundo murmure confluunt?" Ed. Serr. Vol.iii. p. 2?9. 
 The philosophical retreat at the spring-head is beautifully de- 
 scribed by Plato, in the next page, where Socrates and Phaedrus 
 are represented sitting on a green bank, shaded with a spreading 
 platane, of which Cicero hath said very prettily, that it seemeth 
 not to have grown so much by the water which is described, as 
 by Plato's eloquence ; " quae mihi vidctur non tani ipsa aquula, 
 quae describitur, quam Platouis oratione crevisse." DeOrat.i.7 
 
 Newton.
 
 424 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 I, 18. p. 77. Lyceum there,] 
 
 The Lyceum was the school of Aristotle, who had been tutor 
 to Alexander the Great, and was the founder of the sect of the 
 Peripatetics, so called, ouro TOD iregnrartui, from his walking, and 
 teaching phii-jsophy. But there is some reason to question 
 whether the Lyceum was within the walls, as Milton asserts. For 
 Suidas says expressly, that it was a place in the suburbs, built 
 by Pericles for the exercise of soldiers: and I find tiie scholiast 
 upon Aristophanes in the Irene, speaks of going into the Lyceum, 
 
 and going out of it again, and returning back into the city: 
 
 e/f TO AUXEIOV stffittTti xat 5raA<v e<ovTey ex TOU AuxEiou, xa* 
 aifiotirsf n; T>]> 5roX<v. Newton. 
 
 1. 18. p. 77. painted Stoa ] 
 
 Stoa was the school of Zeno, whose disciples from the place 
 had the name of Stoics ; and this Stoa, or portico, being adorned 
 with variety of paintings, was called in Greek noix(>.Tj, or various, 
 and here by Milton the painted Stoa. See Diogenes Laertius, 
 in the lives of Aristotle and Zeno. Newton. 
 
 I. 22. p. 77. JEolian charms, ] 
 
 JEolia carmina, verses such as those of Alcaeus and Sappho, 
 who were both of Mitylene in Lesbos, an island belonging to 
 the JEolians. 
 
 Princeps ^EOLIUM CARMEN ad Italos 
 
 Deduxisse modos. Hor. L. iii. ODE xxx. 13. 
 
 Fingent /EoLio CARMINE nobilem. IBID. L.iv. ODE iii. 12. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 . Our English word charm is derived from carmen; as are in- 
 chant, and incantation, from canto. 
 
 1. 22. p. 77. Dorian Lyric odes,] 
 
 Such as those of Pindar ; who calls his lyre Aoifuav $t>p juiyya. 
 OLYMP. i. 26, &c. Newton. 
 
 I. 23. p. 77. And his, who gave them breath, $c. ] 
 
 Our Author agrees with those writers, who speak of Homer 
 as the father of all kinds of poetry. Dionysius the Halicarnas- 
 sean, and Plutarch, have attempted to show that poetry in all 
 its forms, tragedy, comedy, ode, and epitaph, are included in 
 hig works. Newton.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 425 
 
 1. 24. p. 77. Blind Melesigenes, thence Homer called,'] 
 Our Author here follows Herodotus, in his life of Homer, 
 where it is said that he was born near the river Meles, and that 
 from thence his mother named him at first Melesigenes, nQe- 
 TOU ovoyixa T(f> ;/ MeXsff-iyevea, owro TOU jroTCtptv rr,y e7ru>vu/i<v 
 Xa/3oucra, and that afterwards when he was blind and settled at 
 Cuma, he was called Homer, quasi 6 fiy opun, from the term by 
 which the Cumaeans distinguished blind persons ; orjuOfv St 
 xou Touw/xa 'O^gof iwexpan/iffi TV MfXiarym/, atiro rr\; OTjfjtQoqrif. 
 91 yap KujUaio* rov; TV$*.OV; 6/njpouf Xcyouny. Newton. 
 
 I. 27. p. 77. - Chorus or Iambic, ] 
 
 The two constituent parts of the ancient tragedy were the 
 dialogue, written chiefly in thelxMBic measure, and the CHORUS, 
 which consisted of various measures. The character here given 
 by our Author of the ancient tragedy, is very just and noble ; 
 and the English reader cannot form a better idea of it in its 
 highest beauty and perfection, than by reading our author's 
 SAMSON AGONISTES. Newton, 
 
 L 1. p. 78. Tlience to the famous orators repair, <$c. ] 
 How happily does Milton's versification in this, and the fol- 
 lowing lines, concerning the Socratic philosophy, express what 
 he is describing! In the first we feel, as it were, the nervous 
 rapid eloquence of Demosthenes, and the latter have all the 
 gentleness and softness of the humble modest character of 
 Socrates. Thyer. 
 
 1. 2. p. 78 whose resistless eloquence 
 
 Wielded at will that fierce democratic, 
 
 Shook the arsenal, andfulmined over Greece,] 
 
 nEPIKAEHS OTATMTIIO2 
 
 HSTPArTTEN, EBPONTA, HTNEKTKA THN EAAAAA. 53. 
 I. S. p. 78. To Macedonand Artaxerxes throne. ~\ 
 As Pericles and others fulmined over Greece to Artaxenes 
 throne against the Persian king, so Demosthenes was the orator 
 particularly, who fulmined over Greece to Macedon against king 
 Philip, in his Orations, therefore denominated Philippics. 
 
 Newton.
 
 426 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 1. 10. p. 78. from whose mouth issued forth 
 
 Mellifluous streams, that watered all the schools 
 Of Academics, <c. ] 
 
 Thus Quintilian calls Socrates/on* philosophorum. L. i c. 10. 
 As the ancients look upon Homer to be the father of poetry, 
 so they esteemed Socrates the father of moral philosophy. 
 L 19. p. 78 To whom our Saviour sagely thus replied.] 
 This answer of our Saviour is as much to be admired for 
 solid reasoning, and the many sublime truths contained in it, as 
 the preceding speech of Satan is for that fine vein of poetry 
 which runs through it: and one may observe in general, that 
 Milton has quite throughout this work thrown the ornaments of 
 poetry on the side of errour, whether it was that he thought 
 great truths best expressed in a grave, unaffected style, or in- 
 tended to sucgest this fine moral to the reader, that simple 
 naked truth will always be an over-match for falsehood, though 
 recommended by the gayest rhetorick, and adorned with the 
 most bewitching colours. Thyer* 
 
 L 22. p. 78 he who receives 
 
 Light from above, from the fountain of light, 
 No other doctrine needs, though granted true;] 
 St. James, C. i. v. 17. Every good and every perfect gift is 
 from above, and COMETH DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS ; 
 which refers to what the apostle had said in the fifth verse of 
 the same chapter ; If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, 
 that giveth to all men liberally, $c. 
 
 1. 30. p. 78. A third sort doubted all things, though plain sense ;] 
 These were the Sceptics or Tyrrhenians, the disciples of 
 Pyrrho, who asserted nothing to be either honest or dishonest, 
 just or unjust; that men do all things by law and custom; and 
 that in every thing this is not preferable to that. This was 
 called the Sceptic philosophy from its continual inspection, and 
 never finding ; and Pyrrhonian from Pyrrho. (See Stanley's 
 Life of Pyrrho, who takes this account from Diogenes Laertius.) 
 
 Newton. 
 I 31. p. 78. Others in virtue placed felicity, 
 
 But virtue joined with riches and long life;]
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 427 
 
 These were the old Academics, and the Peripatetics the 
 scholars of Aristotle. 
 
 /. 2. p. 79. In corporal pleasure he and careless ease;] 
 EPICURUS. The HE is here contemptuously emphatical.] 
 
 1. 13. p. 80 personating'] 
 
 This is in the Latin sense of persona, to celebrate loudly, to 
 publish or proclaim. 
 
 I. 26. p. 80. statists ] 
 
 Or statesmen. A word in more frequent use formerly, as in 
 Skakspeare, CYMBELINE, Act II. Sc. 5 : 
 
 I do believe, 
 
 (STATIST though I am none, nor like to be :) 
 and HAMLET, Act V.Sc. 3: 
 
 I once did hold it, as our STATISTS do, &c. 
 
 Newton. 
 I 1. p. 83. Infernal ghosts and hellish furies round 
 
 Environed thee, some howled, some yelled, <c. J 
 With that, raethought, A LEGION OF FOUL FIENDS 
 ENVIRONED ME, AND HOWLED IN MINE EARS. 
 Such hideous cries, that with the very noise 
 I trembling waked : and for a season after 
 Could not believe but that I was in Hell : 
 Such terrible impression made my dream. 
 
 K. RICHARD III. ACT I. Sc. 5. 
 
 1. 7. p. 83. with pilgrim steps ] 
 
 With the slow solemn pace of a pilgrim on a journey of devo- 
 tion. Newton* 
 
 l.7.p.83. amice gray,] 
 
 Amice gray is gray clothing. Amice, a significant word, is 
 derived from the Latin amicio, to clothe: and is used by Spen- 
 ser, FAERY QUEEN, Book I. C. iv. St 18- 
 
 Arrayed in habit black, and AMICE THIN, 
 Like to an holy monk the service to begin. 
 
 Newton. 
 1. 8. p. 83. Who with her radiant jinger stilled the roar 
 
 Of 'thunder ,chaced the clouds, <c. ] 
 This is an imitation of a passage in the first /Eneid of Virgil,
 
 428 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 where Neptune is represented with his trident laying the storm 
 which jEolus had raised, ver 1 4t : 
 
 Sic ait, et dicto citius tumida aequora placat, 
 COLLECT A SUF FUGAT NUBEs, solcmque reducit. 
 There is the greater beauty in the English poet, as the scene he 
 is describing under this charming figure is perfectly consistent 
 with the course of nature ; nothing being more common than to 
 see a stormy night succeeded by a pleasant serene morning. 
 
 Thyer. 
 
 1. 10. JD.83 And grisly spectres, which thejiend had rawed;] 
 So when the sun in bed, 
 Curtained with cloudy red, 
 
 Pillows his chin upon an orient wave, 
 The flocking shadows pale, 
 Troop to the infernal jail, 
 
 Each fettered ghost slips to his several grave, 
 And the yellow-skirted Fayes, 
 
 Fly after the night steeds, leaving their moon-loved maze. 
 
 This popular superstition, respecting the evanescence of 
 
 spirits at the crowing of the cock, Shakspeare, as Mr. Warton 
 
 observes, has finely availed himself of in his HAMLET, where 
 
 the Ghost vanishes at this circumstance. 
 
 It faded on the crowing of the cock. 
 Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes, 
 Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, 
 The bird of dawning singeth all night long: 
 And then, say they, no spirit dares walk abroad ; 
 The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, 
 No fairy takes, no witch has power to charm ; 
 So hallowed and so gracious is the time. 
 
 The supposed effect of day-break, in this respect, is also de- 
 scribed very poetically by the same great master in his MID- 
 SUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Act III. Scene the last: 
 And yonder shines Aurora's harbinger ; 
 At whose approach ghosts wandering here and there 
 Troop home to churchyards : damned spirits all, 
 That in crossways and floods have burial, 
 Already to their wormy beds are gone.
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 429 
 
 Thus also Cowley, in his HYMN TO LIGHT, Stanz. 10 : 
 Night and her ugly subjects thou dost fright, &c. 
 And Stauz. 17 : 
 
 The ghosts and monster spirits, that did presume 
 A body's privilege to assume, 
 
 Vanish again invisibly. 
 
 But perhaps no poet has more happily availed himself of this 
 old superstition, or has introduced it more poetically than the 
 late Mr. Gray, in bis PROGRESS OF POETRY, where the relief 
 which the Muse affords to the real and imaginary ills of life, is 
 compared to the day dispelling the gloom and terrours of the 
 night. >.: .'. 
 
 Night, and all her sickly dews, 
 Her SPECTRES wan, and birds of boding cry, 
 He gives to range the dreary sky ; 
 Till down the eastern cliffs afar 
 
 Hyperion's march they spy, and glittering shafts of war. 
 
 STANZA ii. 1 
 
 Dunster. 
 i 12. p. 83. And now the sun with more effectual beams 
 
 Had cheared the face of earth, and dried the wet 
 From drooping plant, or dropping tree ; the birds, 
 Who all things now behold more fresh and green 
 After a night of storm so ruinous, 
 Cleared up their choicest notes in bush and spray, 
 To gratulate the sweet return of morn.'] 
 
 There is in this description all the bloom of Milton's youthful 
 fancy. We may compare an evening scene of the same kind, 
 PARADISE LOST, 1. 10. p. 49 : 
 
 As, when from mountain tops the dusky clouds 
 Ascending, while the north-wind sleeps, o'erspread 
 Heaven's chearful face, the lowering element 
 Scowls o'er the darkened landscape snow or shower; 
 If chance the radiant sun with farewell sweet 
 Extend his evening beam, the fields revive, 
 The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds 
 Attest their joy, that hill and valley ring. Thyer.
 
 430 SELECT NOTES ON 
 
 /. 3. p. 84. these Jlaws, ] (From Flo.) 
 
 Flaw is a sea term for a sudden storm, or gust of wind. 
 In the PARADISE LOST, among the changes produced in the 
 natural world are violent storms, which are described 
 
 armed witli ice, 
 
 And snow and hail, and STORMY GUST AND FLAW ; 
 
 1. 10. p. 314. 
 
 where Bp. Newton cites two verses from Shakspeare's VENUS 
 and ADO MIS : 
 
 Like a red morn that ever yet betokened 
 GUST, and foul FLAWS to herdsmen and to herds. 
 U 4. p. 84. As dangerout to the pillar' d frame of Heaven,] 
 So also, COMUS : 
 
 if this fail, 
 
 The PILLAR'D FIRMAMENT is rottenness. 
 In both, no doubt, alluding to Job, xxvi. 11. The PILLARS or 
 HEAVEN tremble, and are astonished at his reproof. Thyer. 
 
 1. 28. p. 86. without wing 
 
 Ofhippogrif ] 
 
 An hippogrlfls an imaginary creature, part like an horse, and 
 pert like a gryphon. 
 
 Ariosto frequently makes use of this creature to convey hfe 
 heroes from place to place. Newton, 
 
 1. 21. p. 87. in Irassa ] 
 
 Irassa is a place in Libya, mentioned by Herodotus. 
 I. 29. p. 87. And as that Theban monster, #c.] 
 The Sphinx, who, on her riddle being solved by GEdipus, 
 threw herself into the sea. Statins, THEB. i. 66. 
 
 Si Sphingos iniquje 
 
 Callidus ambages, te praemonstrante, resolvi. Newton. 
 I. 29. p. 87. that Theban monster that proposed 
 
 Her riddle, and him, who solved it not, devoured, 
 That once found out and solved, for grief and spite 
 Cast herself headlong from the Ismenian steep;} 
 Iimenian steep, from the river Ismenus, which ran by Thebes; 
 yap AcrouTTOf, xa 'O I2MHNOZ ?a TW jriSiou fiouiri TOO jrpo TOO
 
 PARADISE REGAINED. 431 
 
 >. Strabo, ix. p. 408 Ismenus is thus frequently used by 
 the Latin poets for Thtban. 
 
 1. 7. p. 88. ........ and straight a fiery globe 
 
 Of Angels on full sail of wing flew nigh, 
 Who on their plumy vans, <%c. ] 
 
 There is a peculiar softness and delicacy in this description, 
 and neither circumstances nor words could be better selected to 
 give the reader an idea of the easy and gentle descent of our 
 Saviour, and to take from the imagination that horrour and -un- 
 easiness which it is naturally filled with in contemplating the 
 dangerous and uneasy situation he was left in. Thyer. 
 
 So Psyche was carried down from the rock by zephyrs, and 
 laid lightly on a green and flowery bank, and there entertained 
 with invisible music. See Apuleius, Lib. iv. Richardson. 
 
 Mr. Richardson might have added that Psyche was also en- 
 tertained with a banquet ministered by Spirits. The passages 
 from Apuleius,(at the end of the FOURTH Book of the META- 
 MORPHOSES, and the beginning of the FIFTH,) are well worth 
 citing. 
 
 " Psychem autem paventem ac trepidam, et in ipso scopuli 
 vertice deflentem, mitis aura molliter spirantis Zephyri, vibraris 
 bine inde laciniis et reflate sinu sensim levatam, suo tranquillo 
 spiritu vehens paulatim per devexa rupis excelsae, vallis subditae 
 florentis cespitis gremio leniter delapsam reclinat." ...... 
 
 ...... " Et illico vini nectarei eduliorumque variorum fercula 
 
 copio&a, nullo serviente, sed taatum spiritu quodam impulsa, 
 subministrantur. Nee quemquam tamen ilia videre poterat, sed 
 verba tantum audiebat excidentia et solas voces famulas babe- 
 bat. Post opimas dapes quidam intro cessit, et cantavit invisus; 
 et alius citharam pulsavit, quae non videbatur, nee ipse. Tune 
 modulate multitudinis conferta vox aures ejus affertur; ut 
 quamv is hominum nemo pareret, chorum tamen esse pateret." 
 
 J.22. p. 83. True image of the Father, <Jc. ] 
 Cedite Roman! scriptores, cedite Graii. 
 All the poems that ever were written must yield, even PARA-
 
 432 SELECT NOTES, &C. 
 
 DISE LOST must yield, to the REGAINED in the grandeur of its 
 close. Christ stands triumphant on th pointed eminence. The 
 Demon falls with amazement and terrour, on this full proof of 
 his being that very Son of God, whose thunder forced him out of 
 Heaven. The blessed Angels receive new knowledge. They 
 behold a sublime truth established, which was a secret to them 
 at the beginning of the Temptation ; and the great discovery 
 gives a proper opening to their hymn on the victory of Christ, 
 and the defeat of the Tempter. Calton. 
 
 1.31. p. 88. Thou didst Jebel,] 
 
 i. e. Subdue in Battle. 
 Virgil, jEn. vi.853: 
 
 ; '.".'. . VDEBELLARE superbos. 
 Aud Ibid, v. 730: 
 
 gens dura atque aspera cultu 
 
 DEBELLANDA tibi Latio est. 
 
 1. 19. p. 89. Abaddon ] 
 
 The name of the Angel of the bottomless pit, Rev. ix. 11 ; 
 here applied to the bottomless pit itself. Newton. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Printed by S. Hamilton, Wevbricige, Sujyey.

 
 
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