Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/354

 JOHN MILTON

The Shepherds on the Lawn, Or ere the point of dawn,

Sate simply chatting in a rustick row; Full little thought they than, That the mighty Pan

Was kindly com to live with them below; Perhaps their loves, or els their sheep, Was all that did their silly thoughts so busie keep.

When such musick sweet Their hearts and ears did greet,

As never was by mortall finger strook, Divinely-warbled voice Answering the stringed noise,

As all their souls in blisfull rapture took. The Air such pleasure loth to lose, With thouband echo's still prolongs each heav'nly close.

Nature that heard such sound Beneath the hollow round

Of Cynthia's seat, the Airy region thrilling, Now was .ilmost won To think her part was don,

And that her raign had here its last fulfilling; She knew such harmony alone Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union.

At last surrounds their sight A Globe of circular light,

That with long beams the shame-fac't night array'd, The helmed Cherubim And sworded Seraphim,

Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displaid,

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