Here's The Last Conqueror s an acre sown indeed With the richest royallest seed That the earth did e'er suck in Since the first man died for sin : Here the bones of birth have cried 'Though gods they were, as men they died!' Here are sands, ignoble things, Dropt from the ruin'd sides of kings: Here's a world of pomp and state Buried in dust, once dead by fate. F. BEAUMONT 65 LXVIII THE LAST CONQUEROR Victorious men of earth, no more Proclaim how wide your empires are ; Yet you, proud monarchs, must obey Devouring Famine, Plague, and War, More quaint and subtle ways to kill; heart. F 66 The Assault LXIX DEATH THE LEVELLER The glories of our blood and state Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade. And plant fresh laurels where they kill: They stoop to fate, And must give up their murmuring breath Then boast no more your mighty deeds; Upon Death's purple altar now See where the victor-victim bleeds: To the cold tomb; Only the actions of the just Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust. LXX J. SHIRLEY WHEN THE ASSAULT WAS INTENDED TO THE CITY Captain, or Colonel, or Knight in arms, Whose chance on these defenceless doors may seize, If deed of honour did thee ever please, Guard them, and him within protect from harms. On His Blindness He can requite thee; for he knows the charms Lift not thy spear against the Muses' bower: To save the Athenian walls from ruin bare. J. MILTON 67 LXXI ON HIS BLINDNESS When I consider how my light is spent To serve therewith my Maker, and present That murmur, soon replies; God doth not need Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed J. MILTON 68 Character of a Happy Life LXXII CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE Who hath his life from rumours freed, -This man is freed from servile bands SIR H. WOTTON LXXIII THE NOBLE NATURE It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make Man better be; The Gifts of God Or standing long an oak, three hundred year, Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night— 69 LXXIV THE GIFTS OF GOD When God at first made Man, Having a glass of blessings standing by ; Let us (said he) pour on him all we can: Let the world's riches, which disperséd lie, Contract into a span. So strength first made a way; Then beauty flow'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure: For if I should (said he) Bestow this jewel also on my creature, Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlessness : G. HERBERT |