Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/419

 POEMS IN VARIOUS METRES

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��Stint data virum monumenta curse;

Teque adytis etiam sacris

Voiuit reponi, quibus et ipse praesidet

.^Eternorum operura custos fidelis,

Quaestorque gazae nobilioris

Quam cui prsefuit Ion,

Clarus Erechtheides,

Opulenta del per templa parentis,

Fulvosque tripodas, donaque Delphica,

Ion Acteea genitus Creusa. 60

ANTISTROPHE

Ergo tu visere lucos

Musarum ibis amcenos;

Diamque Pnrebi rursus ibis in donium

Oxonia quam valle colit,

Delo posthabita,

Bifidoque Parnassi jugo;

Ibis honestus,

Postquam egregiam tu quoque sortem

Nactus abis, dextri prece sollicitatus arnici.

Illic legeris inter alta nomina 70

Authorum, Graiae simul et Latinae

Antiqua gentis lumina et verum decus.

EPODOS

Vos tandem baud vacui mei labores, Quicquid hoc sterile fudit ingenium, Jam ser6 placidam sperare jubeo Perfunctam invidia requiem, sedesque bea-

tas

Quas bonus Hermes Et tutela dabit solers Roiisi, Qu6 neque lingua procax vulgi penetrabit,

atque longe

Turba legentiim prava facesset; 80

At ultimi nepotes Et cordatior fetas Judicia rebus sequiora forsitan Adhibebit integro sinu. Turn, livore sepulto, Si quid meremur sana posteritas sciet, Roiiso favente.

��promised him, and asks that thou be sent. Thee too he will place in the sacred inner places over which he presides; guardian he of works eternal, and custodian of nobler treasures than those shining tripods and Delphic offerings of which Ion, famous son of Apollo and the Attic maid Creusa, had custody in the rich temple of his father.

��AXTISTROPHE

Therefore thou shalt go to look upon the pleasant groves of the Muses; thou shalt enter the divine house of Apollo where he dwells in the vale of Oxford, preferring that habitation to Delos and to cloven- peaked Parnassus. Thou shalt go with honor, at the solicitation of a propitious friend, who reserves for thee no common destiny. Thou shalt be read among the lofty names of Greek and Latin authors, ancient lights of the people and their true glory.

EPODOS

You then, my labors, were not vain, nor anything which this poor genius of mine has put forth. I bid you look forward to a time when envy shall have worn itself out, and you shall enjoy quiet rest in those blessed abiding-places which good Hermes and the watchful tutelage of Rouse shall give you, where the prattling tongue of the vulgar shall not penetrate, and the crowd of silly readers be far off. A distant gen- eration, an age of sounder hearts, perhaps will render fairer judgment on all things; and then, when all spite and rancor is buried, Posterity, thanks to Rouse, will be able to see with clear eyes whether any merit is

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