Of British Themis, with no mean applause To day deep thoughts refolve with me to drench 5 ΙΟ And what the Swede intends, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know Toward folid 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 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, Milton was fo intimate with him, and has addrefs'd two fonnets to him, this firft of which was printed in the edition of 1673. 8. And what the Swede intends, ] We have printed it as it is in the Manufcript. In the first edition it was And what the Swede intend, which in others is alter'd to And what the Swedes intend. Charles Guftavus, king of Sweden, was at this time waging war with Poland, and the French with the Spaniards in the Netherlands: and what Milton fays is fome To 5 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, 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, dost thou ask? The confcience, Friend, to' have loft them overply'd In liberty's defense, my noble task, Of which all Europe talks from fide to fide. II [mask This thought might lead me through the world's vain Content though blind, had I no better guide. first publish'd feveral years after his death at the fame time and in the fame manner with the foregoing ones to General Fairfax, Cromwell, and Sir Henry Vane: and tho' the person, to whom it is addrefs'd, was not fo obnoxious as any of those before mention'd, yet it might not have been safe for Milton to have publish'd fuch a commendation of his Defense of the people, which the government had order'd to be burnt by the hands of the common hangman. In the printed editions this fonnet likewife is very incorrect, but we shall restore it by the affiftance of the Manufcript. 3. Bereft of light their seeing have forgot,] In the printed copies it is abfurdly, Bereft of fight their feeing have forgot. On 4. Nor to their idle orbs doth fight appear Nor to their idle orbs doth day appear, 7. Against Heav'n's hand &c] It was at first Right onward.] In the Manuscript it was at first, Uphillward. but ftill attend to steer XXIII. On his deceafed WIFE. Methought I saw 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, though pale and faint. Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint 5 Purification in the old Law did fave, And fuch, as yet once more I trust to have Full fight of her in Heav'n without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind: Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied fight Love, fweetnefs, goodness, in her perfon fhin'd 12. Of which all Europe talks from fide to fide. &c] In the printed copies these lines are thus, Whereof all Europe rings from fide to fide. This thought might lead me through this world's vain mask Content though blind, had I no other guide. The Manuscript has the advantage over the printed editions, unless rings may be thought better than talks from fide to fide. There is fomething very pleafing, as well as very noble, in this confcious virtue and magnanimity of a great poet and for the fame reafon no part of Mr. Pope's works affords greater pleasure than what he fays of himself and his writings, efpecially in his imitation of the firft Satire of So Horace, and in his Satires intitled from the year 1738. *This was his fecond wife, Catharine the daughter of Captain Woodcock of Hackney, who lived with him not above a year after their marriage, and died in childbed of a daughter. 2. like Alceftis from the grave, &c] Alceftis was the wife of Admetus king of Theffaly, who being dangerously ill obtain'd by the means of Apollo, that he fhould recover, if any body elfe would die in his ftead. His wife voluntarily offer'd herfelf, but Hercules intervening refcued her from death, and brought her back again to her husband. borrows the allufion from a play of Euripides called Alceftis. Our author So clear, as in no face with more delight. But O as to embrace me fhe inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night. PSA PSALM I. Done into verfe, 1653. S. BLefs'd is the man who hath not walk'd aftray In counsel of the wicked, and i'th' way of finners hath not ftood, and in the feat And in his law he ftudies day and night, 5 ΙΟ Nor finners in th' affembly of just men. For For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just, PSAL. II. done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzette. WHY 15 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 Meffiah dear? 5 Let us break off, fay they, by ftrength of hand Their bonds, and caft from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: He who in Heav'n doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord fhall fcoff them, then fevere Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, faith he, On Sion my holy' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath faid Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy poffeffion I on thee bestow Zzz ΤΟ 15 Th' Hea |