miscellany of several volumes, entitled State Poems, printed in 1703. The Epitaph is not ascribed to any author in my book; but Milton is named, in the preface, as a contributor to the collection, and I find in the volume no other work that can be imputed to him." Julii Mazirini Cardinalis Epitaphium, authore John Milton. Hic jacet Julius Mazirinus, Galliæ Rex Italus Ecclesiæ Prosul Laicus, Europæ prædo purpuratus, Fortunam omnem ambiit, omnem corrupit ; Ærarium administravit, et exhausit; 2 Civile bellum compressit, sed commovit ; Negotiator in templo, Tyrannus in Regno, Prædo in Ministerio, Vulpes in Consilio, Grassator in Bello, Solus nobis in pace hostis. Fortunam olim adversam, aut elusit aut vicit; Et nostro seculo vidimus Quid deinde egerit, rogas? Paucis accipe. Ferreum nobis seculum induxit, sibi ex auro nostro 3 Quorundam capiti, nullius fortunis pepercit, Pluribus tandem morbis elanguit, Plures ei mortes coelo irrogante, 6 Cui Senatus olim unam decreverat : 7 5 Diu lædentem animam retinuit, ægre reddidit, 10 Sic retinere omnia didicerat, Nil suâ sponte reddere. Constanter tamen visurus est mori, quid mirum? 11 Ne morbum quidem novere qui curabant ; Mortuus est tamen, ni fallimur; moriens Reliquit Præsulibus pessima exampla, Successoribus suis omnes prædandi artes, Immensas tamen opes licet profuderit, Pectus ejus post mortem apertum est ; Quod nec precibus, nec lacrymis, nec injuriis moveretur, Diu quæsivimus, invenere medici Quod mortuus ad huc omnia moveat, et administret ne mireris, Stipendia in hunc annum recepit, Nec fraudat post mortem bona fidei: 13 Quo tandem evaserit forsitan, rogas; Coelum (si rapitur) tenet, si datur meritis, longe abest. Sed abi, Viator et cave; Nam hic tumulus Readings in another Copy. 1 Galliæ Rex Italicus. * Pacem dedit aliquando, diu distulit. 3 Ferreum nobis induxit, sæculum sibi * Ex auro nostro aureum fecit. Quorundam Capitibus, nullins fortunis pepercit. • Plures ei a Cælo mortes erogatæ, Cui Senatus olim unam tantum decreverat. ® Vicentinis se arcibus inelusit moriturus. 9 Et quidem apte. 10 Diu cedentem animam retinuit, ægre reddidit, "Constanter tamen visus est mori, quid mirum ? Adoptiva amplissima spolia. 12 13 Nec fraudat post mortem vir bonus fidei. Extract of a letter from Cowper. March 19, 1793. "Thanks for Mazarine's Epitaph: It is full of witty Paradox, and is written with a force and severity which sufficiently bespeak the author. I account it an inestimable curiosity, and shall be happy, when time shall serve, with your aid to make a good translation of it-But that will be a stubborn business Adieu.” CONTENTS. VOLUME I. Introductory Letter to the Rev. Dr. Johnson, the VOLUME II. Paradise Lost, and the Fragment of a Commentary VOLUME III. A Translation of Andreini's Adamo by Cowper and VOLUME IV. Paradise Regained. Samson Agonistes. Comus, and FINIS Chichester: Printed by W. Mason, |