xvij Quantis, & quam funeftis concurritur iris, Ad pœnas fugiunt, & (ceu foret ORCUS asylum!) SAM. BARROW. M. D. ON PARADISE LOST. W HEN I beheld the POET blind, yet bold, In flender book his vast design unfold: MESSIAH crown'd, GOD's reconcil'd decree, Rebelling Angels, the Forbidden Tree, Heav'n, Hell, Earth, Chaos, All! the argument Held me a while misdoubting his intent; That he would ruin (for I saw him strong) The Sacred truths to fable, and old song; (SO SAMPSON grop'd the Temple's posts in spight) The world o'erwhelming to revenge his fight. Yet as I read, foon growing less severe, Or if a work so infinite he spann'd, Pardon me, mighty POET! nor despise And all that was improper doft omit: But to detect their ignorance, or theft. That : |