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And what the Swede intends, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know

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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.

XXII. TO THE SAME.

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CYRIAC, this three years day these eyes, tho' clear/
To outward view of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light their seeing have forgot,
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot1
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask? 4
The conscience, Friend, t' have lost them over-
In liberty's defence, my noble task,

[plied

8 And what the Swede intends] So the MS. The first ed. 'And what the Swede intend,' which in others is altered to, 'And what the Swedes intend.' Newton.

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.

8 Bereft, &c.] In the printed copies,

'Bereft 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.

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XXIII. ON HIS DECEASED WIFE.

METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint

Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave, Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave, Rescued from death by force tho' pale and faint. Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed Purification in the old Law did save, [taint And such, as yet once more I trust to have Full sight 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 sight 10 Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd So clear, as in no face with more delight.

But O, as to embrace me she inclin❜d,

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 In counsel of the wicked, and i' th' way

Of sinners hath not stood,

Of scorners hath not sat.

and in the seat

But in the great

Jehovah's law is ever his delight,
And in his law he studies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watery streams, and in his season knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Nor sinners in th' assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

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PSALM II. DONE AUG. 8, 1653. TERZETTE. 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?

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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

;

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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 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
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.

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18 Heathen] Warton in both editions reads ⚫The Heaven.' Todd.

PSALM III. AUG. 9, 1653.

WHEN HE FLED FROM ABSALOM.

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many those

That in arms against me rise!
Many are they

That of my life distrustfully thus say,
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,
Thee through my story

Th' exalter of my head I count;

Aloud I cried

Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied
And heard me from his holy mount.

I lay and slept, I wak'd again,
For my sustain

Was the Lord. Of many millions

The populous rout

I fear not, though encamping round about

They pitch against me their pavilions.

Rise, Lord, save me, my God, for thou
Hast smote ere now

On the cheek-bone all my foes,

Of men abhorr'd

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[Lord;

Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the

Thy blessing on thy people flows.

14 my sustain] The verb converted into a substantive. So 'disturb,' in P. L. vi. 549. Todd.

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