A crown,

Golden in show, is but a wreath of thorns,
Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and sleepless nights,
To him who wears the regal diadem,

When on his shoulders each man's burden lies;
For therein stands the office of a King,
His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise,
That for the Publick all this weight he bears.
Yet he, who reigns within himself, and rules
Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king;
Which every wise and virtuous man attains;
And who attains not, ill aspires to rule
Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes.

JOHN MILTON.

OURAGE, my soul! now learn to wield
The weight of thine immortal shield.
Close on thy head thy helmet bright;
Balance thy sword against the fight;

See where an army, strong as fair,
With silken banners spread the air.
Now, if thou be'st that thing divine,
In this day's combat let it shine,
And show that nature wants an art
To conquer one resolved heart.

PLEASURE.

Welcome, the creation's guest,
Lord of earth, and heaven's heir;
Lay aside that warlike crest,
And of nature's banquet share :

Where the souls of fruits and flowers,
Stand prepared to heighten yours.

SOUL.

I sup above, and cannot stay,
To bait so long upon the way.

PLEASURE.

On these downy pillows lie,
Whose soft plumes will thither fly:
On these roses, strewed so plain
Lest one leaf thy side should strain.

SOUL

My gentler rest is on a thought,
Conscious of doing what I ought.

PLEASURE.

If thou be'st with perfumes pleased, Such as oft the gods appeased, Thou in fragrant clouds shalt show, Like another god below.

SOUL.

A soul that knows not to presume,
Is heaven's, and its own, perfume.

PLEASURE.

Every thing doth seem to vie
Which should first attract thine eye:
But since none deserves that grace,
In this crystal view thy face.

SOUL.

When the Creator's skill is prized,
The rest is all but earth disguised.

PLEASURE.

Hark, how music then prepares
For thy stay these charming airs ;
Which the posting winds recall,
And suspend the river's fall.

SOUL.

Had I but any time to lose,

On this I would it all dispose.

Cease tempter! None can chain a mind,
Whom this sweet cordage cannot bind.

CHORUS.

Earth cannot show so brave a sight,
As when a single soul does fence
The battery of alluring sense,

And Heaven views it with delight.

Then persevere; for still new charges sound: And if thou overcom'st, thou shalt be crown'd.

PLEASURE.

All that's costly, fair, and sweet,
Which scatteringly doth shine,
Shall within one beauty meet,
And she be only thine.

SOUL.

If things of sight such heavens be,
What heavens are those we cannot see?

PLEASURE.

Wheresoe'er thy foot shall go

The minted gold shall lie; Till thou purchase all below, And want new worlds to buy.

SOUL.

Wer't not for price who'd value gold? ·
And that's worth nought that can be sold.

PLEASURE.

Wilt thou all the glory have
That war or peace commend?
Half the world shall be thy slave,
The other half thy friend.

SOUL.

What friends, if to myself untrue?
What slaves, unless I captive you?

PLEASURE.

Thou shalt know each hidden cause,
And see the future time:

Try what depth the centre draws;
And then to heaven climb.

None thither mounts by the degree
Of knowledge, but humility.

CHORUS.

Triumph, triumph, victorious soul;

The world has not one pleasure more:

The rest does lie beyond the pole,

And is thine everlasting store.

Andrew Marvell.

FROM EURIPIDES.

HIS is true liberty, when freeborn men,
Having to advise the public may speak free:
Which he who can and will, deserves high praise;

Who neither can nor will, may hold his peace:
What can be juster in a state than this?

John Milton.