Page:Poems of Mr. John Milton, Both English and Latin, Compos'd at several times.djvu/65

  How soon hath Time the suttle theef of youth, Stoln on his wing my three and twentith year! My hafting dayes flie on with full career, But my late spring no bud or blossom shew'd; Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth, That I to manhood am arriv'd so near, And inward ripenes doth much less appear, That som more timely-happy spirits indu'th. Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow, It shall be still in strictest measure eev'n, To that same lot, however mean, or high. Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav'n; All is, if I have grace to use it so, As ever in my great task Masters eye.

  Captain or Colonel, or Knight in Arms, Whose chance on these defenceless dores may sease. If ever deed of honour did thee please, Guard them, and him within protect from harms, He can requite thee, for he knows the charms That call Fame on such gentle acts as these, And he can spred thy Name o're Lands and Seas, What ever clime the Suns bright circle warms.  Rh