X. TO THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX. FAIRFAX, whose name in arms through Europe rings, Victory home, though new rebellions raise Their Hydra heads, and the false North displays (For what can war, but endless war still breed?) XI. TO THE LORD GENERAL CROMWELL. CROMWELL, our chief of men, who through a cloud To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed, And on the neck of crowned fortune proud Hast reared God's trophies, and his work pursued; No less renowned than war; new foes arise XII. TO SIR HENRY VANE, THE YOUNGER. VANE, young in years, but in sage counsel old, The helm of Rome, when gowns, not arms, repelled The fierce Epirot and the African bold; Whether to settle peace, or to unfold The drift of hollow states hard to be spelled; Then to advise how war may, best upheld, Move by her two main nerves, iron and gold, In all her equipage; besides to know Both spiritual power and civil, what each means, What severs each, thou hast learned, which few have done : The bounds of either sword to thee we owe: Therefore on thy firm hand religion leans In peace, and reckons thee her eldest son. XIII. ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN PIEMONT. AVENGE, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold To heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes sow XIV. ON HIS BLINDNESS. WHEN I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, Either man's work, or his own gifts; who best XV. TO MR LAWRENCE. LAWRENCE, of virtuous father virtuous son, Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire The lily and rose, that neither sewed nor spun. He who of those delights can judge, and spare XVI. TO CYRIACK SKINNER. CYRIACK, whose grandsire, on the royal bench And what the Swede intends, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know Towards solid good what leads the nearest way; For other things mild Heaven 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. XVII. TO THE SAME. CYRIACK, this three years' day these eyes, though clear, To outward view, of blemish or of spot, Of Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot; Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot 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. XVIII. ON HIS DECEASED WIFE. METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saint And such, as yet once more I trust to have Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined So clear, as in no face with more delight. But, O! as to embrace me she inclined, I waked; she fled; and day brought back my night. PSALMS. PSALM I. Done into verse, 1653. BLESSED is the man who hath not walked astray Of sinners hath not stood, Of scorners hath not sat. and in the seat But in the great delight, And in his law he studies day and night. PSALM II. Done August 8, 1653. WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their twisted cords. He, who in heaven 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, |