Page:Comus and other poems - Milton (1906).djvu/87

  Cyriack, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench
 * Of Brittish Themis, with no mean applause
 * Pronounc't and in his volumes taught our Lawes,
 * Which others at their Barr so often wrench;

To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench
 * In mirth, that after no repenting drawes;
 * Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause,
 * And what the Swede intend, and what the French.

To measure life, learn thou betimes, and know
 * Toward solid good what leads the nearest way;
 * For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains,

And disapproves that care, though wise in show,
 * That with superfluous burden loads the day,
 * And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.

  Methought I saw my late espoused Saint
 * Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,
 * Whom Joves great Son to her glad Husband gave,
 * Rescu'd from death by force though pale and faint.

Mine as whom washt 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 vail'd, yet to my fancied sight,
 * Love, sweetness, goodiness, in her person shin'd

So clear, as in no face with more delight.
 * But O as to embrace me she enclin'd
 * I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.

 Rh