And in his alter'd face you something feign Thee, many ages hence, in martial verse Always thy honour, praise, and name shall last! [38 2. Andrew Marvell. ROYAL RESOLUTIONS. I. HEN plate was at pawn, and fob at an ebb, Then Charles without acre, Did swear by his Maker, If e'er I see England again, I'll have a religion all of my own, Whether Popish or Protestant shall not be known; II. I'll have a long parliament always to friend, IV. My insolent brother shall bear all the sway; VII. The ancient nobility I will lay by, away, And new ones create their rooms to supply, VIII. Some one I'll advance from a common descent, [1 st. [2 st. IX. And I will assert him to such a degree That all his foul treasons, though daring and high, XIII. I'll wholly abandon all public affairs, And pass all my time with buffoons and players, XIV. I'll have a fine pond with a pretty decoy, [3 st. Andrew Marvell. THE CONTENTED MAN'S MORRICE. (From Speculum Speculativum, 1660.) HESE words in youth my motto were, [3 st. I neither Have, nor Want, nor Care; When also first I spake them, I thought things would be as they are, And meekly, therefore, take them. The riches I possess this day Are no such goods of fortune As king can give or take away, Or tyrants make uncertain; For hid within myself they are, Behind an unseen curtain. Of my degree but few or none And therewith well contented. Then why should I give way to grief? And as himself his neighbour, May still enjoy a happy life, Although he lives by labour. For service done and love exprest, Though very few regard it, My country owes me bread at least; Good conscience is a daily feast, And sorrow never marr'd it. There is no trust in temp'ral things, That no assurance from them springs, And that e'en parliaments and kings, All stands upon a tott'ring wheel, Both Commonweals and Kingdoms reel : He that in them confideth (Or trust their faith) shall mischief feel, With which soe'er he sideth. [5 st. [4 st. [6 st. This only doth my mirth allay, Who sigh and weep, and suffer may And he that gives us in these days George Wither. FROM SAMSON AGONISTES. THE DAY OF DELIVERANCE. HOW comely it is, and how reviving, When God into the hands of their deliverer Puts invincible might, To quell the mighty of the earth, the oppressor, Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue The righteous, and all such as honour truth. |