Among the Heathen, (for throughout the world

To me is not unknown what hath been done

Worthy' of memorial) canft thou not remember 445 Quintius, Fabricius, Curius, Regulus ?

For I efteem thofe names of men so poor

Who could do mighty things, and could contemn
Riches though offer'd from the hand of kings.
And what in me seems wanting, but that I
May also in this poverty as foon
Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more?
Extol not riches then, the toil of fools,

The wife man's cumbrance if not fnare, more apt
To flacken virtue, and abate her edge,

450

455

Than prompt her to do ought may merit praise.
What if with like averfion I reject

Riches and realms; yet not for that a crown,
Golden in fhow, is but a wreath of thorns,

Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and fleepless nights,
To him who wears the regal diadem,

When on his fhoulders each man's burden lies;

For therein ftands the office of a king,

His honor, virtue, merit, and chief praise,
That for the public all this weight he bears.

Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules
Paffions, defires, and fears, is more a king;
Which every wife and virtuous man attains:
And who attains not, ill aspires to rule
Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes,

465

470

Subject himself to anarchy within,

Or lawless paffions in him which he ferves.

But

But to guide nations in the way of truth
By faving doctrin, and from error lead
To know, and knowing worship God aright,
Is yet more kingly; this attracts the foul,
Governs the inner man, the nobler part;
That other o'er the body only reigns,

475

And oft by force, which to a generous mind
So reigning can be no fincere delight.

480

Befides to give a kingdom hath been thought
Greater and nobler done, and to lay down
Far more magnanimous, than to affume.
Riches are needlefs then, both for themselves,
And for thy reason why they should be fought,
To gain a scepter, ofteft better mifs'd.

485

THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK.

THE

THIRD BOOK

O F

PARADISE REGAIN'D.