Page:Lives of Poets-Laureate.djvu/155

Rh He taught them love of Toil, Toil which does keep
 * Obstructions from the mind, and quench the blood;

Ease but belongs to us, like Sleep, and sleep,
 * Like Opium, is our med'cine, not our food."

We conclude our extracts by the following quatrain:

One incident in our poet's life deserves honourable mention. When imprisoned by the Parliament, as has been recorded, Milton is reported to have interceded for his release. The obligation was not unremembered. At the Restoration, that stern and unyielding apologist for regicide was in the most imminent danger. Davenant exerted all his great personal influence in his favour, and succeeded in securing his safety. This graceful and successful interposition in behalf of the immortal writer of "Paradise Lost," when all other claims to remembrance are forgotten, may still suffice to shelter from oblivion, and retain in men's affections, the name of Sir William Davenant.