Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/41

Rh They'd made their friendship more divine, And strove to mend their characters by thine. Yet had this friendship no advantage been, Unless 'twere exercised within; What did thy love to other objects tie, The same made thy own powers agree, And reconciled thyself to thee. No discord in thy soul did rest, Save what its harmony increased. Thy mind did with such regular calmness move, As held resemblance with the greater mind above, Reason there fixed its peaceful throne, And reigned alone. The will its easy neck to bondage gave, And to the rulmg faculty became a slave. The passions raised no civil wars, Nor discomposed thee with intestine jars: All did obey, And paid allegiance to its rightful sway. All threw their resty tempers by, And gentler figures drew, Gentle as nature in its infancy, As when themselves in their first beings grew. Thy soul within such silent pomp did keep, As if humanity were lulled asleep; So gentle was thy pilgrimage beneath, Time's unheard feet scarce make less noise, Or the soft journey which a planet goes; Life seemed all calm as its last breath, A still tranquillity so hushed thy breast, As if some Halcyon were its guest, And there had built her nest; It hardly now enjoys a greater rest. As that smooth sea which wears the name of peace, Still with one even face appears,