34 His latest victories still thickest came, As near the centre motion does increase; Till he, pressed down by his own weighty name, Did, like the Vestal, under spoils decease. 35 But first the Ocean as a tribute sent That giant-prince of all her watery herd; And the Isle, when her protecting Genius went, Upon his obsequies loud sighs conferred. 36 No civil broils have since his death arose, As winds for halcyons when they breed at sea. 37 His ashes in a peaceful urn shall rest; His name a great example stands to show How strangely high endeavours may be blessed Where piety and valour jointly go. ASTRÆEA REDUX. A POEM ON THE HAPPY RESTORATION AND RETURN OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES THE SECOND. 'Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna.'-VIRGIL. [Eclog. iv. 6.] ASTRÆA REDUX. Now with a general peace the world was blest, A dreadful quiet felt, and worser far Than arms, a sullen interval of war. Thus, when black clouds draw down the labouring skies, 5 The ambitious Swede like restless billows tost, On this hand gaining what on that he lost, While our cross stars denied us Charles his bed ΤΟ 15 20 25 30 For when, by their designing leaders taught To strike at power which for themselves they sought, Their blood to action by the prize was warmed; The sacred purple then and scarlet gown, 35 Like sanguine dye to elephants, was shown. Thus, when the bold Typhoeus scaled the sky And forced great Jove from his own heaven to fly, (What king, what crown from treason's reach is free, If Jove and heaven can violated be?) 40 The lesser gods that shared his prosperous state All suffered in the exiled Thunderer's fate. The rabble now such freedom did enjoy 45 Ere empire's arts their breasts had civilized. How great were then our Charles his woes who thus Was forced to suffer for himself and us! 50 He, tossed by fate and hurried up and down, Heir to his father's sorrows with his crown, His wounds he took, like Romans, on his breast, 55 60 65 |