Page:Essays - Abraham Cowley (1886).djvu/42


 * Nor ever did ambitious rage
 * Make him into a painted cage

Or the false forest of a well-hung room
 * For honour and preferment come.

Now, blessings on ye all, ye heroic race, Who keep their primitive powers and rights so well
 * Though men and angels fell.

Of all material lives the highest place
 * To you is justly given,
 * And ways and walks the nearest Heaven;

Whilst wretched we, yet vain and proud, think fit
 * To boast that we look up to it.

Even to the universal tyrant Love
 * You homage pay but once a year;

None so degenerous and unbirdly prove,
 * As his perpetual yoke to bear.

None but a few unhappy household fowl,
 * Whom human lordship does control;
 * Who from their birth corrupted were

By bondage, and by man's example here.