Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/239

 The Four Ages of Man. 153

For thus to doe we on this ftage affemble,

Then let not him that hath moft craft diffemble.

My education and my learning fuch,

As might my felf and others profit much ;

With nurture trained up in virtues fchools

Of fcience, arts and tongues I know the rules,

The manners of the court I alfo ^ know,

And fo likewife ' what they in'th Country doe.

The brave attempts of valiant knights I prize,

That dare fcale walls and forts " rear'd to the skies.

The fnorting Horfe, the trumpet. Drum I like, [49]

The glitt'ring fword, the Piftol and the Pike: '"

I cannot lye intrench'd before a town.

Nor wait till good fuccefs '^ our hopes doth crown:

I fcorn the heavy Corllet, musket-proof;

I fly to catch the bullet thats aloof.

Though thus in field, at home to all moft kind,

So affable, that I can -^ fuit each mind.

I can infinuate into the breaft,

And by my mirth can raife the heart depreft:

Sweet mufick raps my brave harmonious foul,

My high thoughts elevate beyond the pole i^

My wit, my bounty, and my courtefie,

Make all to place their future hopes on me.

^ likewife, ' Not ignorant. " That dare climbe Battlements.

■V and wel advanced Pike; w advice. ^ do.

y Sweet Miifick rapteth my harmonious Soul. And elevates my thoughts above the Pole.

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