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466

Ch.

VI.

Ch.

Savoure no more then the behove shalle:

rede wel thyself that other folke canst rede,
and trouthe the shal delyver, hit ys no drede.
Peyne the not eche croked to redresse
in trust of hire that turneth as a balle,
grete rest stant in lytil besynesse;
bewar also to spurne ayeine an nalle,
stryve not as doth a croke with a walle;
daunt thyselfe that dauntest otheres dede,
and trouthe the shall delyver, hit ys no drede.
G. CHAUCER

M

CHORUS OF SATYRS-ULYSSES

AY I, as in libations to a God,

share in the blinding him with the red brand? I would have some communion in his death. Doubtless; the brand is a great brand to hold. Oh! I would lift an hundred waggon-loads if, like a wasp's nest I could scoop the eye out of that detested Cyclops. Ul. Silence now! Ye know the close device-and when I call, look ye obey the masters of the craft. I will not save myself and leave behind my comrades in the cave; I might escape, having got clear from that obscure recess, but 'twere unjust to leave in jeopardy

the dear companions who sailed here with me.

P. B. SHELLEY

467 BELIAL DISSUADING WAR for the recOVERY

OF HEAVEN

HALL we then live thus vile, the race of Heaven

S'thus trampled, thus expelled to suffer here

chains and these torments? better these than worse, by my advice; since fate inevitable

subdues us, and omnipotent decree,

the victor's will. To suffer as to do,

our strength is equal, nor the law unjust
that so ordains. This was at first resolved,
if we were wise, against so great a foe
contending, and so doubtful what might fall.
This horror will grow mild, this darkness light;

468

besides what hope the never-ending flight

of future days may bring, what chance, what change worth waiting.

ΜΕ

ON HIS DECEASED WIFE

J. MILTON

ETHOUGHT I saw my late-espouséd 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. Mine, as whom washed from spot of child-bed taint purification in the Old Law did save,

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 veil'd, 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.

J. MILTON

469

Com.
Lad.

WHAT

COMUS-LADY

́HAT chance, good Lady, hath bereft you thus?
Dim darkness and this leafy labyrinth.

Com. Could that divide you from near-ushering guides?
Lad. They left me weary on a grassy turf.

Com, By falsehood, or discourtesy, or why?

Lad. To seek i' the valley some cool friendly spring.
Com. And left your fair side all unguarded, Lady?
Lad. They were but twain, and purposed quick return.
Com. Perhaps forestalling night prevented them.
Lad. How easy my misfortune is to hit!

Com. Imports their loss, beside the present need?
Lad. No less than if I should my brothers lose.
Com. Were they of manly prime, or youthful bloom?
Lad. As smooth as Hebe's their unrazored lips.
470 Com. Two such I saw, what time the laboured ox
in his loose traces from the furrow came,
and the swinked hedger at his supper sat;
I saw them, under a green mantling vine
that crawls along the side of yon small hill,
plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots;

471

472

Their port was more than human as they stood;
I took it for a faery vision

of some gay creatures of the element,

that in the colours of the rainbow live,

and play i' the plighted clouds.

I was awe-struck,

and as I past, I worshiped. If those you seek,
it were a journey like the path to Heaven
to help you find them.

MERCY

J. MILTON

"HE quality of mercy is not strain'd,—

THE

it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd,-
it blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:
'tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
the thronéd monarch better than his crown;
his sceptre shews the force of temporal power,
the attribute to awe and majesty,

wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings:
but mercy is above this sceptred sway,—
it is enthronéd in the hearts of kings,

it is an attribute to God himself;

and earthly power doth then shew likest God's
when mercy seasons justice.

W. SHAKESPEARE

CASTABELLA SOLICITING THE MERCY

OF D'AMVILLE IN FAVOUR OF CHARLEMONT

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FATHER! Mercy is an attribute

as high as justice; an essential part
of His unbounded goodness, whose divine
impression, form, and image, man should bear.
And (methinks) man should love to imitate
His mercy; since the only countenance
of justice, were destruction: if the sweet
and loving favour of His mercy did
not mediate between it and our weakness.
Dear Sir! since by your greatness you
are nearer heaven in place, be nearer it

in goodness. Rich men should transcend the poor, as clouds the earth, rais'd by the comfort of

the sun to water dry and barren grounds.

C. TOURNEUR

473

YET,

JANE SHORE

ET, yet endure, nor murmur, oh, my soul!
for are not thy transgressions great and num-
berless?

Do they not cover thee like rising floods,
and press thee like a weight of waters down?
Does not the Hand of Righteousness afflict thee?
and who shall plead against it? Who shall say
to Power Almighty, Thou hast done enough;
or bid his dreadful rod of vengeance stay?
Wait then with patience, till the circling hours
shall bring the time of thy appointed rest,
and lay thee down in death. The hireling thus
with labour drudges out the painful day,
and often looks with long-expecting eyes

to see the shadows rise, and be dismissed.

N. ROWE

474 ADAM'S comfort of eve after hearing her

475

BE

RELATE HER DREAM

E not disheartened then, nor cloud those looks, that wont to be more cheerful and serene, than when fair Morning first smiles on the world; and let us to our fresh employments rise, among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers that open now their choicest bosomed smells, reserved from night, and kept for thee in store.

So cheered he his fair spouse, and she was cheered, but silently a gentle tear let fall

from either eye, and wiped them with her hair.
Two other precious drops that ready stood,
each in their crystal sluice, he ere they fell
kissed, as the gracious signs of sweet remorse
and pious awe, that feared to have offended.
J. MILTON

SONNET

WHEN, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,

all alone beweep my outcast state,

and trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
and look upon myself, and curse my fate,
wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
with what I most enjoy contented least:
yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
haply I think on thee,-and then my state
(like to the lark at break of day arising
from sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
for thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings,
that then I scorn to change my state with kings.

W. SHAKESPEARE

476 SAMSON'S resolution tO OBEY THE SUMMONS

477

OF THE PHILISTINES

RETHREN, farewell. Your company along

it

to see me girt with friends; and how the sight
of me, as of a common enemy,

so dreaded once, may now exasperate them,
I know not. Lords are lordliest in their wine;
and the well-feasted priest then soonest fired
with zeal, if aught religion seem concerned:
no less the people, on their holy-days,
impetuous, insolent, unquenchable.
Happen what may, of me expect to hear
nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy
our God, our Law, my nation, or myself;
the last of me or no I cannot warrant.

WISDOM AND STRENGTH

J. MILTON

LAS, my soul's ill-married to my body!

ALA

I would be young, be handsome, be beloved—

could I but breathe myself into Adrastus,

were but my soul in Edipus, I were a king;
then had I killed a monster, gained a battle,
and had my rival prisoner: brave, brave actions!
why have I not done these? My fortune hindered:
there is it I have a soul to do them all;

but fortune will have nothing done that's great,
but by young, handsome, fools-body and brawn
do all her work. Hercules was a fool

and straight grew famous-a mad boisterous fool:

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