From “Paradise Lost,” Book XII.
IN either hand the hastening angel caught
Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate
Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast
To the subjected plain; then disappeared.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld
Of Paradise, so late their happy seat,
Waved over by that naming brand; the gate...
-
-
WHEN God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
Let us (said he) pour on him all we can:
Let the world’s riches, which dispersèd lie,
Contract into a span.So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honor, pleasure:
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
... -
Let not soft slumber close my eyes,
Before I ’ve recollected thrice
The train of action through the day!
Where have my feet chose out their way?
What have I learnt, where’er I ’ve been,
From all I have heard, from all I ’ve seen?
What know I more that ’s worth the knowing?
What have I done that ’s worth the doing?
What have I... -
Said I not so,—that I would sin no more?
Witness, my God, I did;
Yet I am run again upon the score:
My faults cannot be hid.What shall I do?—make vows and break them still?
’T will be but labor lost;
My good cannot prevail against mine ill:
The business will be crost.O, say not so; thou canst not tell what...
-
Is this a fast,—to keep
The larder lean,
And clean
From fat of veals and sheep?Is it to quit the dish
Of flesh, yet still
To fill
The platter high with fish?Is it to fast an hour,
Or ragg’d to go,
Or show
A downcast look, and sour?No! ’t is a fast to dole...
-
Thou whose sweet youth and early hopes enhance
Thy rate and price, and mark thee for a treasure,
Hearken unto a Verser, who may chance
Rhyme thee to good, and make a bait of pleasure:
A verse may find him who a sermon flies
And turn delight into a sacrifice.* * * * *
When thou dost purpose aught (within thy... -
Water Turned INTO WINE
THE CONSCIOUS water saw its God and blushed.THE WIDOW’S MITES
Two mites, two drops, yet all her house and land,
Fall from a steady heart, though trembling hand:
The other’s wanton wealth foams high, and brave;
The other cast away, she only gave.“TWO WENT UP TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY”
Two went to pray? O,... -
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent, which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide;
“Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But... -
From “Paradise Lost,” Book V.
THE SERAPH Abdiel, faithful found
Among the faithless, faithful only he;
Among innumerable false, unmoved,
Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind,
Though single. From... -
Dear, secret greenness! nurst below
Tempests and winds and winter nights!
Vex not, that but One sees thee grow;
That One made all these lesser lights.What needs a conscience calm and bright
Within itself, an outward test?
Who breaks his glass, to take more light,
Makes way for storms into his rest.Then bless...