Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/408

 ANDREW MARVELL

1621-1678

355. An Horatian Ode

upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland

The forward youth that would appear Must now forsake his Muses dear, Nor in the shadows sing His numbers languishing.

'Tis time to leave the books in dust, And oil the unused armour's rust, Removing from the wall The corslet of the hall.

So restless Cromwell could not cease In the inglorious arts of peace, But through adventurous war Urgèd his active star:

And like the three-fork'd lightning, first Breaking the clouds where it was nurst, Did thorough his own side His fiery way divide:

For 'tis all one to courage high, The emulous, or enemy; And with such, to enclose Is more than to oppose.

Then burning through the air he went And palaces and temples rent; And Cæsar's head at last Did through his laurels blast.