Thus Harvey sought for Truth in Truth's own book, The creatures-which by God himself was writ; And wisely thought 't was fit, Not to read comments only upon it, But on th' original itself to look. Methinks in Art's great circle others stand The same bare path they tread, And dance, like fairies, a fantastick round, But neither change their motion nor their ground: Had Harvey to this road confin'd his wit, [yet. His noble circle of the blood had been untrodden Great Doctor! th'art of curing 's cur'd by thee; We now thy patient, Physick, see From all inveterate diseases free, Purg'd of old errors by thy care, New dieted, put forth to clearer air; It now will strong and healthful prove; Itself before lethargick lay, and could not move! These useful secrets to his pen we owe! O cruel loss! as if the golden fleece, With so much cost and labour bought, And from afar by a great hero brought, Had sunk ev'n in the ports of Greece. O cursed war! who can forgive thee this? Houses and towns may rise again; And ten times easier 't is To rebuild Paul's, than any work of his : For, though his wit the force of age withstand, ODE, FROM CATULLUS. ACME and SEPTIMIUS. WHILST on Septimius' panting breast My dearest Acme, if I be My breast, when Acme is not there. The God of Love, who stood to hear him My little life, my all! (said she) To this best God, and ne'er retain So may thy passion last for me, This good omen thus from heaven Like a happy signal given, Their loves and lives (all four) embrace, And hand in hand run all the race. To poor Septimius (who did now The whole world's imperial throne; If the Gods would please to be To reward her, if it be she- With such a husband, such a wife; With Acme's and Septimius' life. ODE UPON HIS MAJESTY'S RESTORATION AND RETURN. "-Quod optanti divûm promittere nemo NOW blessings on you all, ye peaceful stars, VIRG. To calm the stormy world, and still the rage of wars! Nor, whilst around the continent Plenipotentiary beams ye sent, Did your pacifick lights disdain In their large treaty to contain Your seven fair brethren of great Charles's-wain; As that which, thirty years ago, * At Charles's birth, did, in despite Of the proud sun's meridian light, His future glories and this year foreshow. *The star that appeared at noon, the day of the king's birth, just as the king his father was riding to St. Paul's to give thanks to God for that blessing. |