Page:George Chapman, a critical essay (IA georgechapmancri00swin).pdf/138

 verse gracious and majestic; transformed for a moment and redeemed by great brief touches of high and profound harmony; of which better mood let us take in proof a single instance, and that the most sustained and exquisite we shall find:

Before her flew Affliction, girt in storms, Gash'd all with gushing wounds, and all the forms Of bane and misery frowning in her face; Whom Tyranny and Injustice had in chase; Grim Persecution, Poverty, and Shame; Detraction, Envy, foul Mishap, and lame Scruple of Conscience; Fear, Deceit, Despair; Slander and Clamour, that rent all the air; Hate, War, and Massacre; uncrownèd Toil; And Sickness, t' all the rest the base and foil, Crept after; and his deadly weight trod down Wealth, Beauty, and the glory of a crown. These ushered her far off; as figures given To show, these crosses borne make peace with heaven. But now, made free from them, next her before, Peaceful and young, Herculean silence bore His craggy club; which up aloft he bild; With which and his fore-finger's charm he still'd All sounds in air; and left so free mine ears, That I might hear the music of the spheres, And all the angels singing out of heaven; Whose tunes were solemn, as to passion given; For now, that Justice was the happiness there For all the wrongs to Right inflicted here.