ON THE DEATH OF OLIVER CROMWELL. WRITTEN AFTER HIS FUNÉRAL. I. AND now 'tis time; for their officious haste Though our best notes are treason to his fame, III. CON Though in his praise no arts can lib'ral be, Add not to his immortal memory, But do an act of friendship to their own: IV. Yet 'tis our duty, and our interest too, V. How shall I then begin, or where conclude, For in a round what order can be shew'd, Where all the parts so equal perfect are? His grandeur he deriv'd from Heav'n alone; And wars, No borrow'd bays his temples did adorn, Fortune, that easy mistress to the young, When she her best lov'd Pompey did discard. IX. He private mark'd the fault of others' sway, And set as sea-marks for himself to shun; Not like rash monarchs, who their youth betray By acts their age too late would wish undone. X. And yet dominion was not his design; We owe that blessing not to him, but Heav'n, Which to fair acts unsought rewards did join Rewards that less to him than us were given, XI. Our former chiefs, like sticklers of the war, And did not strike to hurt, but make a noise. War, our consumption, was their gainful trade: To staunch the blood by breathing of the vein. Swift and resistless through the land he past, As if on wings of victory he flew. XIV. He fought secure of Fortune as of Fame: His palms, though under weights they did not stand, Peace was the prize of all his toil and care, Which War had banish'd, and did now restore : Bologna's walls thus mounted in the air, To seat themselves more surely than before. Her safety rescu'd Ireland to him owes; And treach'rous Scotland, to no int❜rest true, Yet bless'd that fate which did his arms dispose Her land to civilize as to subdue. XVIII. Nor was he like those stars which only shine, XIX. 'Tis true his count'nance did imprint an awe, When past all off'rings to Feretrian Jove, He Mars depos'd, and arms to gowns made yield, Successful councils did him soon approve, As fit for close intrigues as open field. XXI. To suppliant Holland he vouchsaf'd a peace, And buy our friendship with her idol, gain. |