Welcome, folded arms, and fixed eyes, Then stretch our bones in a still gloomy valley: ROBERT HERRICK: 1591-1674. To Blossoms. FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree, What! were ye born to be An hour or half's delight, But you are lovely leaves, where we GEORGE HERBERT: 1593 - 1632. Peace, SWEET Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave, Let me once know. I sought thee in a secret cave, And asked if Peace were there : A hollow sound did seem to answer, " No "This is the lace of Peace's coat; I will search out the matter." But, while I looked, the clouds immediately Then went I to a garden, and did spy The crown imperial: "Sure," said I, At length I met a reverend, good old man ; I did demand, he thus began:- In Salem dwelt, who lived with good increase "He sweetly lived; yet sweetness did not save His life from foes: But, after death, out of his grave There sprang twelve stalks of wheat, Which many, wondering at, got some of those, To plant and set. "It prospered strangely, and did soon disperse Through all the earth: For they that taste it do rehearse, That virtue lies therein,— A secret virtue, bringing peace and mirth, "Take of this grain, which in my garden grows, And grows for you: Make bread of it; and that repose And peace, which everywhere With so much earnestness you do pursue ABRAHAM COWLEY: 1618-1667. The Swallow. FOOLISH prater! what dost thou Thou dost all the winter rest, And dreamest o'er thy summer joys, Though men say thou bring'st the spring. JOHN MILTON: 1608-1674. 66 Introduction to Paradise Lost." Or Man's first disobedience, and the fruit * A reference to the mythological story of Tereus, who deprived Philomela, the daughter of Pandion, of her tongue. She was afterwards changed into a nightingale. Brought death into the world, and all our woe, Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed, Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed And justify the ways of God to men. Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, Nor the deep tract of hell; say first what cause Moved our grand parents, in that happy state, Favoured of Heaven so highly, to fall off From their Creator, and transgress His will For one restraint, lords of the world besides? Who first seduced them to that foul revolt? The infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile, Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived The mother of mankind, what time his pride Had cast him out from heaven, with all his host Of rebel angels; by whose aid aspiring To set himself in glory above his peers, He trusted to have equalled the Most High, If He opposed; and with ambitious aim Against the throne and monarchy of God Raised impious war in heaven, and battle proud, With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power Hurled headlong flaming from the ethereal sky, |