Page:Comus and other poems - Milton (1906).djvu/84

  I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs
 * By the known rules of antient libertie,
 * When strait a barbarous noise environs me
 * Of Owles and Cuckoes, Asses, Apes and Doggs.

As when those Hinds that were transform'd to Froggs
 * Raild at Latona's twin-born progenie
 * Which after held the Sun and Moon in fee.
 * But this is got by casting Pearl to Hoggs;

That bawle for freedom in their senceless mood,
 * And still revolt when truth would set them free.
 * Licence they mean when they cry libertie;

For who loves that, must first be wise and good;
 * But from that mark how far they roave we see
 * For all this wast of wealth, and loss of blood.

  Harry whose tuneful and well measur'd Song
 * First taught our English Musick how to span
 * Words with just note and accent, not to scan
 * With Midas Ears, committing short and long;

Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng,
 * With praise enough for Envy to look wan;
 * To after age thou shalt be writ the man,
 * That with smooth aire couldst humor best our tongue.

Thou honour'st Verse, and Verse must send her wing
 * To honour thee, the Priest of Phœbus Quire
 * That tun'st their happiest lines in Hymn, or Story.

Dante shall give Fame leave to set thee higher
 * Then his Casella, whom he woo'd to sing
 * Met in the milder shades of Purgatory.

 Rh