༡༠ The STATIONER to the READER. him. Let the event guide itself which way it will, I shall deserve of the age, by bringing into the light as true a birth, as the Muses have brought forth fince our famous Spenfer wrote; whofe poems in these English ones are as rarely imitated, as fweetly excell'd. Reader, if thou art eagle-ey'd to cenfure their worth, I am not fearful to expose them to thy exactest perusal. Thine to command, HUMPH. MOSELEY. POEMS on feveral OCCASIONS.. I. ANNO ETATIS 17. On the Death of a fair Infant, dying of a cough*. I. Faireft flower no fooner blown but blafted, Soft filken primrofe fading timelefly, Summer's chief honor, if thou hadst out-lafted Bleak Winter's force that made thy blossom dry; For he being amorous on that lovely dye That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kifs, But kill'd, alas, and then bewail'd his fatal bliss. 5 * This elegy was not inferted in the first edition of the author's poems printed in 1645, but was added in the fecond edition printed in 1673. It was compos'd in the year 1625, that being the 17th year of Milton's age. In fome editions the title runs thus, On the death of a fair Infant, a nephew of his, dying of a cough: but the fequel fhows plainly that the child was not a nephew, but a niece, and confequently a daughter of his fifter Philips, and probably her first child. II. For fince grim Aquilo his charioteer Of long-uncoupled bed, and childless eld, 10 [held. Which 'mongst the wanton Gods a foul reproach was III. So mounting up in icy-pearled car, Through middle empire of the freezing air He wander'd long, till thee he spy'd from far: But all unwares with his cold kind embrace Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate; Young Hyacinth the pride of Spartan land; 8 But then transform'd him to a purple flower : Alack that fo to change thee Winter had no power. V. Yet can I not perfuade me thou art dead, 15 20 25 Or that thy corfe corrupts in earth's dark womb, 30 Hid from the world in a low delved tomb; Could Heav'n for pity thee so strictly doom ? Ok ON THE DEATH OF AN INFANT. Oh no! for something in thy face did shine Above mortality, that show'd thou wast divine. VI. 73 35 Resolve me then, oh Soul most surely blest, VII. Wert thou fome ftar which from the ruin'd roof Of heeny Heav'n, and thou fome Goddefs fled VIII. Or wert thou that just Maid who once before. Or wert thou that sweet smiling Youth? Or that crown'd matron fage white-robed Truth? 40 45 50 55 Let down in cloudy throne to do the world fome good? IX. Or IX. Or wert thou of the golden-winged hoft, To fcorn the fordid world, and unto Heav'n aspire? X. But oh why didst thou not stay here below To bless us with thy heav'n-lov'd innocence, To flake his wrath whom fin hath made our foe, To ftand 'twixt us and our deferved smart? 60 65 But thou canst best perform that office where thou art XI. Then thou the Mother of fo fweet a Child And render him with patience what he lent! 75 This if thou do, he will an offspring give, That till the world's laft end fhall make thy name to live. II. Anno |