C

XVI.

To Cyriack Skinner.

'YRIACK, whose grandsire on the royal bench
Of British Themis, with no mean applause,
Pronounced, and in his volumes taught, our laws,
Which others at their bar so often wrench,

5 To-day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench
In mirth that after no repenting draws;
Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause,

IO

And what the Swede intend, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know

Toward solid good what leads the nearest way; For other things mild Heaven a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with superfluous burden loads the day, And, when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.

C

XVII.

To the Same.

"YRIACK, this three years' day these eyes
though clear,

To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
5 Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not

IO.

Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope, but still bear up and steer Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask? The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied In Liberty's defence, my noble task,

Of which all Europe rings from side to side.

This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask

Content, though blind, had I no better guide.

1

M

XVIII.

On his deceased Wife.

ETHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave, Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave, Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint.

5 Mine, as whom washed from spot of child-bed taint Purification in the old law did save,

IO

And such, as yet once more I trust to have Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind. Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined So clear as in no face with more delight.

But, oh as to embrace me she inclined,

I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night.

276 NEW FORCERS OF CONSCIENCE.

ON THE NEW FORCERS OF CONSCIENCE UNDER THE LONG PARLIAMENT.

B

ECAUSE you have thrown off your Prelate
Lord,

And with stiff vows renounced his Liturgy,
To seize the widowed whore Plurality,
From them whose sin ye envied, not abhorred,
ye for this adjure the civil sword

5 Dare

IO

To force our consciences that Christ set free,
And ride us with a classic hierarchy,

Taught ye by mere A. S. and Rutherford ?
Men whose life, learning, faith, and pure intent,
Would have been held in high esteem with Paul,
Must now be named and printed heretics
By shallow Edwards and Scotch What-d'ye-call!
But we do hope to find out all your tricks,
Your plots and packing, worse than those of Trent,
That so the Parliament
May, with their wholesome and preventive shears,
Clip your phylacteries, though baulk your ears,
And succour our just fears,
When they shall read this clearly in your charge:
20 New Presbyter is but old Priest writ large.

15

TRANSLATIONS.

THE FIFTH ODE OF HORACE, LIB. I.

Quis multâ gracilis te puer in rosâ.

Rendered almost word for word, without rhyme, according to the Latin measure, as near as the language will permit.

WHAT

HAT slender youth, bedewed with liquid odours,

Courts thee on roses in some pleasant cave,

Pyrrha? For whom bind'st thou

In wreaths thy golden hair,

5 Plain in thy neatness? Oh, how oft shall he
On faith and changed gods complain, and seas
Rough with black winds, and storms
Unwonted, shall admire,

Who now enjoys thee credulous, all gold;
10 Who, always vacant, always amiable,
Hopes thee, of flattering gales
Unmindful! Hapless they,