POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I. ANNO ÆTATIS, 17. ON THE DEATH OF A FAIR INFANT, DYING I. O FAIREST flow'r, no sooner blown but blasted, That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss, II. For since grim Aquilo, his charioteer, By boistrous rape th' Athenian damsel got, Which, 'mongst the wanton Gods, a foul reproach was held, 5 10 III. So, mounting up in icy-pearled car, Through middle empire of the freezing air There ended was his quest, there ceas'd his care : But all unwares, with his cold-kind embrace, IV. Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate; But then transform'd him to a purple flower : Alack, that so to change thee Winter had no power; V. Yet can I not persuade me thou art dead, Or that thy corse corrupts in earth's dark womb, Oh no! for something in thy face did shine VI. Resolve me then, oh soul most surely blest, Oh say me true, if thou wert mortal wight, VII. Wart thou some star which from the ruin'd roof Or did of late earth's sons besiege the wall Of sheeny Heav'n, and thou some Goddess fled Amongst us here below to hide thy nectar'd head? VIII. Or wert thou that just Maid, who once before 45 50 Or wert thou that sweet-smiling Youth? Or that crown'd matron sage white rob'd Truth? Or any other of that heav'nly brood 55 Let down in clondy throne to do the world some good? As if to show what creatures Heav'n doth breed; Thereby to set the hearts of men on fire To scorn the sordid world, and unto Heav'n aspire? X. But oh! why didst thou not stay here below 65 To slake his wrath, whom sin hath made our foe, To turn swift rushing black perditition hence, To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart? 46 XI. Then thou, the mother of so sweet a child, That till the world's last end, shall make thy name to live. 75 H. ANNO ÆTATIS 19. At a vacation Exercise in the college, part Latin, part English. The Latin speeches ended, the English thus began. HAIL, native language, that by sinews weak That now I use thee in my latter task: 5 Small loss it is that thence can come unto thee, 10 I know my tongue but little grace can do thee: The daintiest dishes shall be serv'd up last. For this same small neglect that I have made: |