Page:The Works of Abraham Cowley - volume 1 (ed. Aikin) (1806).djvu/279

Rh With courage and success you the bold work begin; Your cradle has not idle been: None e'er, but Hercules and you, would be At five years age worthy a history. And ne'er did Fortune better yet Th' historian to the story fit: As you from all old errors free And purge the body of Philosophy; So from all modern follies he Has vindicated Eloquence and Wit. His candid style like a clean stream does slide, And his bright fancy, all the way, Does like the sun-shine in it play; It does, like Thames, the best of rivers! glide. Where the God does not rudely overturn, But gently pour, the crystal urn, And with judicious hand does the whole current guide: 'T has all the beauties Nature can impart, And all the comely dress, without the paint, of Art,