XX. TO MR. LAWRENCE.* LAWRENCE, of virtuous father virtuous son, ΧΧΙ. ΤΟ CYRIAC SKINNER. CYRIAC, whose grandsire on the royal bench * Lawrence published a work called 'Of our Communion and Warre with Angels,' &c. 1646. 4to. Todd. See British Bibliographer, vol. i. p. 352. 7 Euclid] See Censura Literaria, vi. p. 144. And what the Swede intends, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 9 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 cheerful hour, refrains. ΧΧΙΙ. ΤΟ THE SAME. CYRIAC, this three years day these eyes, tho' clear, 11 mild Heaven] So Son. xix. 'bear his mild yoke.' Par. Reg. ii. 125, 'these mild seats.' Sil. Italicus, iv. 795, Mite et cognatum est homini deus.' And Hen. More's Poems, p. 196. • Pereft of sight their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs doth day appear Or sun or moon. Newton. 7 a] In the printed copies, 'one.' Newton. 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. XXIII. ON HIS DECEASED WIFE. METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.* 12 rings] So the printed copies before Newton's edition, in which 'talks' is substituted from the MS. instead of 'rings.' The Sonnet thus concluded before Newton's ed. 'Whereof all Europe rings from side to side. This thought might lead me through this world's vain mask, Content though blind, had I no other guide.' Todd. * The original various readings to the sonnets from the Cambridge MS. may be seen in Mr. Todd's edition of Milton's Poet. Works, (1809,) vol. vi. p. 500-3. PSALMS. PSALM I. DONE INTO VERSE, 1653. BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray 5 10 PSALM II. DONE AUG. 8, 1653. TERZETTI. 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? 5 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, Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) 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 15 Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With iron sceptre bruised, and them disperse Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so. And now be wise at length ye Kings averse, Be taught, ye Judges of the earth; with fear Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse With trembling; kiss the Son lest he appear 25 In anger, and ye perish in the way, If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere. Happy all those who have in them their stay. 18 Heathen] Warton in both editions reads 'The Hea ven.' Todd. |