XV. To the Lord General FAIRFAX. Fairfax, whose name in arms through Europe rings, 5 Victory home, though new rebellions raise Their Hydra heads, and the falfe North displays Her broken league to imp their ferpent wings. O yet a nobler task awaits thy hand, (For what can war, but endless war still breed?) Till truth and right from violence be freed, 11 And public faith clear'd from the shameful brand Of public fraud. In vain doth valor bleed, While avarice and rapin share the land. XVI. To the Lord General CROMWELL. Cromwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud Not of war only, but detractions rude, Guided by faith and matchless fortitude, Topeace and truth thy glorious way haft plough'd, And on the neck of crowned fortune proud Haft rear'd God's trophies, and his work pursued, While Darwen ftream with blood of Scots imbrued, And Dunbar field refounds thy praises loud, And Worcester's laureat wreath. Yet much remains M m 2 5 To 10 To conquer ftill; peace hath her victories XVII. To Sir HENRY VANE the younger. 5 The drift of hollow ftates hard to be spell'd, Both spiritual pow'r and civil, what each means, XVIII. On the late massacre in PIEMONT. Avenge, O Lord, thy flaughter'd faints, whose bones When When all our fathers worshipt stocks and stones, Forget not: in thy book record their groans 5 Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold Slain by the bloody Piemontese that roll'd Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans The vales redoubled to the hills, and they To Heav'n. Their martyr'd blood and ashes fow 10 O'er all th' Italian fields, where still doth fway The triple Tyrant; that from these may grow A hundred fold, who having learn'd thy way Early may fly the Babylonian woe. XIX. On his BLINDNESS. When I confider how my light is spent 5 Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide, Lodg'd with me useless, though my foul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, left he returning chide; Doth God exact day-labor, light deny'd, I fondly afk: But patience to prevent That murmur, foon replies, God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts; who beft 10 Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best: his state Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait. To XX. To Mr. LAWRENCE. Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous fon, 5 Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire, Help waste a fullen 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 The lilly' and rofe, that neither fow'd nor fpun. What neat repaft fhall feast us, light and choice, Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise 10 To hear the lute well touch'd, or artful voice Warble immortal notes and Tuscan air? He who of thofe delights can judge, and spare To interpose them oft, is not unwife. XXI. To CYRIAC SKINNER. Cyriac, whose granfire 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 In 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 9 5 To Toward folid good what leads the nearest way; For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wife in fhow, That with fuperfluous burden loads the day, And when God fends a chearful hour, refrains. XXII. To the fame. Cyriac, 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 fight appear Of fun, or moon, or ftar throughout the year, 5 Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer Right onward. What supports me, doft thou ask? The conscience, Friend, to' have loft them overIn liberty's defence, my noble task, ply'd Of which all Europe talks from fide to fide. (mask This thought might lead me thro' the world's vain Content though blind, had I no better guide. XXIII. On his deceased WIFE. Methought I faw my late efpoufed faint Brought to me like Alceftis from the grave, Whom Jove's great fon to her glad husband gave, Rescued from death by force, tho' pale and faint. Mine, |