Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of which all Europe rings from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask Content, though blind, had I no better guide. XXIII. [ON HIS DECEASED WIFE] METHOUGHT I Saw my late espoused saint Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave, Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave, Rescued from Death by force, though pale and faint. Mine, as whom washed from spot of child-bed taint Purification in the Old Law did save, And such as yet once more I trust to have Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind. Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined So clear as in no face with more delight. But, oh! as to embrace me she inclined, I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night. [TRANSLATIONS] THE FIFTH ODE OF HORACE, LIB. I. Quis multâ gracilis te puer in rosâ Rendered almost word for word, without rhyme, according to the Latin measure, as near as the language will permit. WHAT slender youth, bedewed with liquid odours, In wreaths thy golden hair, Plain in thy neatness? Oh, how oft shall he Who now enjoys thee credulous, all gold; To whom thou untried seem'st fair! Me, in My dank and dropping weeds To the stern God of Sea. my vowed [As Milton inserts the original with his translation, as if to challenge comparison, it is right that we should do so too.] Horatius ex Pyrrhæ illecebris tanquam e naufragio enataverat, cujus amore irretitos affirmat esse miseros QUIS multâ gracilis te puer in rosâ Grato, Pyrrha, sub antro? Simplex munditie? Heu, quoties fidem Emirabitur insolens, Qui nunc te fruitur credulus aureâ ; Fallacis! Miseri quibus Intentata nites. Me tabulâ sacer Suspendisse potenti Vestimenta maris Deo. April, 1648.-J. M. Nine of the Psalms done into Metre; wherein all, but what is in a different character, are the very words of the text, translated from the original. 1 Gnorera. PSALM LXXX. I THOU Shepherd that dost Israel keep, Who leadest like a flock of sheep That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright, 2 In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's, Awake' thy strength, come, and be seen 3 Turn us again; thy grace divine Cause thou thy face on us to shine, And then we shall be safe. 4 Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou, 10 5 How long wilt thou declare 2 Gnashanta. Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears; And mak'st them largely drink the tears Shalish. Wherewith their cheeks are wet. 6 A strife thou mak'st us and a prey To every neighbour foe; Among themselves they laugh, they play And flouts at us they throw. 7 Return us, and thy grace divine, Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 8 A Vine from Egypt thou hast brought, And drov'st out nations proud and haut, 9 Thou didst prepare for it a place, That it began to grow apace, And filled the land at last. 10 With her green shade that covered all, The hills were overspread; Her boughs as high as cedars tall Advanced their lofty head. II Her branches on the western side And upward to that river wide 12 Why hast thou laid her hedges low, And broken down her fence, That all may pluck her, as they go, With rudest violence? 13 The tusked boar out of the wood Upturns it by the roots; 20 4 Filgnagu. 30 Wild beasts there browse, and make their food 40 50 14 Return now, God of Hosts; look down From Heaven, thy seat divine; Behold us, but without a frown, And visit this thy Vine. 15 Visit this Vine, which thy right hand And the young branch, that for thyself 16 But now it is consumed with fire, They perish at thy dreadful ire, 17 Upon the Man of thy right hand Upon the Son of Man, whom thou 18 So shall we not go back from thee Quicken us thou; then gladly we 19 Return us, and thy grace divine, Cause thou thy face on us to shine, PSALM LXXXI. I To God our strength sing loud and clear; To Jacob's God, that all may hear, 2 Prepare a hymn, prepare a song; The appointed time, the day whereon 60 70 80 10 |