The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh Inspired, and winged for heaven with speedier flight Not of mean suitors; nor important less Seemed their petition, than when the ancient pair Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore The race of mankind drowned, before the shrine Adam and Eve are forgiven. Nevertheless, they are driven from the beautiful garden which had been the scene of their innocence and bliss. The sentence is made known to them by a heavenly messenger sent for the purpose. EVE'S LAMENT ON BEING BANISHED FROM PARADISE. Adam at the news Heart-struck with chilling gripe of sorrow stood, Yet all had heard, with audible lament Discovered soon the place of her retire. "O unexpected stroke, worse than of death! Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? thus leave Thee, native soil! these happy walks and shades, Fit haunt of gods? where I had hope to spend, That must be mortal to us both. O flowers, That never will in other climate grow, My early visitation, and my last At even, which I bred up with tender hand From the first opening bud, and gave ye names! Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount? And wild? how shall we breathe in other air SONNET ON HIS BLINDNESS. When I consider how my light is spent Ero rdays, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide, Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he, returning, chide; "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" I fondly ask: but Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need Either man's work, or his own gifts; who best 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; BUTLER. SAMUEL BUTLER, (1612-1680), the author of HUDI BRAS, lived during the time of the Commonwealth. His poem is a satire upon the rigid notions and manners of the English Puritans of that day. Satire, however keenly enjoyed by contemporaries, seldom outlives its own age. When such is the case, it is conclusive evidence of extraordinary merit. Nearly two centuries have now elapsed since the first publication of this poem, and it still holds its place among the classic productions of the English muse. Few writings of that day have been more read or more quoted. Many of its expressions, indeed, have become identified with the language, and not a few of its ideas completely incorporated into the national mind. The plan of the poem is taken from Don Quixote, and is very simple. A Puritan justice, with his attendant, an Independent clerk, are represented under the character of the Knight Sir Hudibras, and his Squire Ralph, sallying out to correct abuses in church and state. EXPEDITION OF HUDIBRAS. When civil dudgeon first grew high, 206 When gospel-trumpeter, surrounded With long-eared rout, to battle sounded, Was beat with fist, instead of a stick: CHARACTER OF HUDIBRAS. A wight he was, whose very sight would Entitle him, mirror of knighthood; That never bowed his stubborn knee Nor put up blow, but that which laid Great on the bench, great on the saddle. And styled of war as well as peace. For 't has been held by many, that But they're mistaken very much; And therefore bore it not about; As men their best apparel do; Beside, 't is known he could speak Greek That Latin was no more difficile, He was in logic a great critic, A hair 'twixt south and south-west side; Confute, change hands, and still confute; |