And the Cherubic host in thousand quires With those just Spirits that wear victorious palms, 15 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 20 To their great Lord, whose love their motion swayed 25 And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long To live with Him, and sing in endless morn of light! John Milton. LXXXVII THE RAINBOW. Still young and fine! but what is still in view Did with intentive looks watch every hour For thy new light, and trembled at each shower! When thou dost shine, darkness looks white and fair, 5 ΙΟ When I behold thee, though my light be dim, LXXXVIII Henry Vaughan. 15 L'ALLEGRO. Hence, loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, In Stygian cave forlorn, 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy! Find out some uncouth cell, 5 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 yclept Euphrosyne, And by men, heart-easing Mirth; With two sister Graces more, To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore: Or whether (as some sager sing) The frolic wind that breathes the spring, As he met her once a-maying, IO 15 20 Such as hang on Hebe's cheek, And love to live in dimple sleek: On the light fantastic toe; And in thy right hand lead with thee To live with her, and live with thee, 30 35 40 45 While the cock, with lively din, Scatters the rear of darkness thin; 59 And to the stack, or the barn-door, Stoutly struts his dames before : Oft listening how the hounds and horn Through the high wood echoing shrill : 55 60 The labouring clouds do often rest; Of herbs, and other country messes, Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses; And then in haste her bower she leaves, Or, if the earlier season lead, 65 70 75 80 85 To the tanned haycock in the mead. 90 The upland hamlets will invite, When the merry bells ring round, And the jocund rebecks sound To many a youth, and many a maid, 95 With stories told of many a feat, Tells how the drudging goblin sweat, To earn his cream-bowl duly set, That ten day-labourers could not end; And, stretched out all the chimney's length, 105 ΠΟ Ere the first cock his matin rings. Thus done the tales, to bed they creep, 115 Where throngs of knights and barons bold, Rain influence, and judge the prize Of wit, or arms, while both contend To win her grace, whom all commend. In saffron robe, with taper clear, 120 125 On summer eves by haunted stream. 130 |