And on the neck of crownèd 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 laureate wreath; yet much remains To conquer still! Peace hath her victories No less renowned than War: new foes arise, Threat'ning to bind our souls with secular chains. Help us to save free conscience from the paw Of hireling wolves whose gospel is their maw. 1652. 1694 ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN PIEMONT Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold; Who were Thy sheep, and in their ancient fold To heav'n. Their martyred blood and ashes sow 1672. ON HIS BLINDNESS When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, My true account, lest He returning chide, "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?” I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent 5 ΙΟ 5 IO 5 That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need Either man's work or His own gifts. Who best Is kingly thousands at His bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait." 1655? 1673. ΙΟ TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS Cyriack, this three years' day these eyes, though clear, To outward view, of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of which all Europe talks from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask Content though blind, had I no better guide. 5 ΙΟ 1655. 1694. TO MR. LAWRENCE Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous son, The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise 5 ΙΟ Warble immortal notes and Tuscan air? He who of those delights can judge, and spare 1656? ON HIS DECEASED WIFE Methought I saw my late espousèd saint 1673. Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave, And such as yet once more I trust to have Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight So clear as in no face with more delight. I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night. 5 ΙΟ 1658? 1673. FROM PARADISE LOST BOOK I Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, 5 Of Oreb or of Sinai didst inspire That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed ΙΟ Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song, That with no middle flight intends to soar Above th' Aonian mount, while it pursues And mad'st it pregnant: what in me is dark I may assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men. Say first-for heav'n hides nothing from Thy view, 30 35 Of rebel angels, by whose aid, aspiring To set himself in glory above his peers, 40 45 Reserved him to more wrath: for now the thought 55 Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes, 60 A dungeon horrible on all sides round As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all, but torture without end For those rebellious; here their prison ordained 70 75 80 And thence in heav'n called Satan, with bold words "If thou beest he-but O how fall'n! how changed From him who, in the happy realms of light, 85 Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads, though bright! if he whom mutual league, And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Joined with me once, now misery hath joined 90 In equal ruin; into what pit thou seest From what highth fall'n, so much the stronger proved He with His thunder: and till then who knew The force of those dire arms? Yet not for those, 95 Can else inflict, do I repent or change, |