Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/369

 JOHN MILTON

The spirit of Plato to unfold

What Worlds, or what vast Regions hold

The immortal mind that hath forsook

Her mansion in this fleshly nook*

And of those Daemons that are found

In fire, air, flood, or under ground,

Whose power hath a true consent

With Planet, or with Element.

Som time let Gorgeous Tragedy

In Scepter *d Pall com sweeping by,

Presenting Thebs, or Pelops line,

Or the tale of Troy divine.

Or what (though rare) of later age,

Ennobled hath the Buskind stage.

But, O sad Virgin, that thy power Might raise Musreus from his bower Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing Such notes as warbled to the string. Drew Iron tears down Pluto's check, And made Hell grant what Love did seek. Or call up him that left half told The story of Cambuscan bold, Of Camball, and of Algarsife, And who had Canace to wife, That own'd the vertuous Ring and Glass, And of the wondrous Hors of Brass, On which the Tartar King did ride, And if ought els, great Bards beside, In sage and solemn tunes have sung, Of Turneys and of Trophies hung; Of Forests, and inchantments drear, Where more is meant then meets the ear.

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