SONNETS.

I.

To the Nightingale.

NIGHTINGALE, that on yon bloomy spray

Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost fill, While the jolly hours lead on propitious May; 5 Thy liquid notes that close the eye of day,

IO

First heard before the shallow cuckoo's bill, Portend success in love. Oh, if Jove's will Have linked that amorous power to thy soft lay, Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate

Foretell 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.

II.

On his being arrived at the Age of Twenty-three.

H°

WOW soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stolen on his wing my three-and-twentieth
year!

My hasting days fly on with full career,
But my late spring no bud or blossom sheweth
5 Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth
That I to manhood am arrived so near;
And inward ripeness doth much less appear,
That some more timely-happy spirits endueth.
Yet, be it less or more, or soon or slow,

Io 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.

C

APTAIN, or Colonel, or Knight-in-arms,
Whose chance on these defenceless doors

seize,

may

If deed of honour did thee ever please, Guard them, and him within protect from harms. 5 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;

ΙΟ

The great Emathian conqueror bid spare 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.

IV.

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, 5 The better part with Mary and with Ruth

ΙΟ

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.

V.

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, 5 Till the sad breaking of that Parliament Broke him, as that dishonest victory

At Chæronea, 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 yet; So well your words his noble virtues praise, That all both judge you to relate them true And to possess them, honoured Margaret.