And post o'er land and ocean without rest; 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 He who of those delights can judge, and spare XXI. TO CYRIAC SKINNER. CYRIAC, whose grandsire on the royal bench Of British Themis, with no mean applause Pronounc'd and in his volumes taught our laws, Which others at their bar so often wrench; To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench 1n mirth, that after no repenting draws; Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause, And what the Swede intends, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know Toward solid good what leads the nearest way; For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with superfluous burden loads the day, And when God sends a chearful hour, refrains. XXII. TO THE SAME. CYRIAC, this three years day these eyes, though clear, To outward view, of blemish or of spot, Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot In liberty's defense, my noble task, 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. 11 XXIII. ON HIS DECEASED WIFE. METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint And such, as yet once more I trust to have So clear, as in no face with more delight. But O as to embrace me she inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night. 10 PSALMS. PSALM I. Done into verse, 1653. BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray And in his law he studies day and night. For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just, 10 PSALM II. Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzette. WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand With pow'r, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land Against the Lord and his Messiah dear; Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: He who in Heav'n doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, saith he, On Sion my holy' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath said Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy possession I on thee bestow 10 Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With iron scepter bruis'd, and them disperse Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so. And now be wise at length ye Kings averse, 20 |