AT A SOLEMN MUSIC. BLEST pair of Sirens, pledges of Heaven's joy, With saintly shout and solemn jubilee ; With those just Spirits that wear victorious palms, Singing everlastingly ΙΟ That we on Earth, with undiscording voice, May rightly answer that melodious noise; As once we did, till disproportioned sin Jarred against nature's chime, and with harsh din 20 To their great Lord, whose love their motion swayed In perfect diapason, whilst they stood In first obedience, and their state of good. O, may we soon again renew that song, And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long To his celestial consort us unite, To live with Him, and sing in endless morn of light! SONG ON MAY MORNING. Now the bright morning-star, Day's harbinger, Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire 10 ON SHAKESPEARE. 1630. WHAT needs my Shakespeare for his honoured bones Or that his hallowed reliques should be hid Under a star-ypointing pyramid ? Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name? Hast built thyself a livelong monument. For whilst, to the shame of slow-endeavouring art, Dost make us marble with too much conceiving, 10 ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER, Who sickened in the time of his Vacancy, being forbid to go to London by reason of the Plague. HERE lies old Hobson. Death hath broke his girt, Dodged with him betwixt Cambridge and The Bull. And thinking now his journey's end was come, In the kind office of a chamberlin Showed him his room where he must lodge that night, Pulled off his boots, and took away the light. If any ask for him, it shall be said, "Hobson has supped, and's newly gone to bed." K K IO ANOTHER ON THE SAME. HERE lieth one who did most truly prove While he might still jog on and keep his trot; Until his revolution was at stay. Time numbers motion, yet (without a crime Too long vacation hastened on his term. Fainted, and died, nor would with ale be quickened. As he were pressed to death, he cried, "More weight!" He had been an immortal carrier. ΙΟ 20 Obedient to the moon he spent his date In course reciprocal, and had his fate Linked to the mutual flowing of the seas; Yet (strange to think) his wain was his increase. Only remains this superscription. 30 AN EPITAPH ON THE MARCHIONESS OF WINCHESTER, THIS rich marble doth inter The honoured wife of Winchester, A Viscount's daughter, an Earl's heir, Added to her noble birth, More than she could own from Earth. Summers three times eight save one After so short time of breath, To house with darkness and with death! Yet, had the number of her days Been as complete as was her praise, Her high birth and her graces sweet But with a scarce well-lighted flame; And with remorseless cruelty Which the sad morn had let fall On her hastening funeral. Gentle Lady, may thy grave ΙΟ 20 39 40 Peace and quiet ever have! After this thy travail sore, Sweet rest seize thee evermore, 50 That, to give the world increase, Shortened hast thy own life's lease! Here, besides the sorrowing That thy noble house doth bring, And some flowers and some bays Sent thee from the banks of Came, Devoted to thy virtuous name; Whilst thou, bright Saint, high sitt'st in glory, Next her, much like to thee in story, That fair Syrian shepherdess, Who, after years of barrenness, The highly-favoured Joseph bore To him that served for her before, And at her next birth, much like thee, L'ALLEGRO. HENCE, loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born In Stygian cave forlorn 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy! Find out some uncouth cell, Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous wings, And the night-raven sings; There, under ebon shades and low-browed rocks, As ragged as thy locks, In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. But come, thou Goddess fair and free, In heaven yclept Euphrosyne, And by men heart-easing Mirth; To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore: The frolic wind that breathes the spring, 60 70 10. 20 |