Entirely satisfied, And the full wrath beside Of vengeful justice bore for our excess, And seals obedience first with wounding smart This day, but O ere long Huge pangs and strong Will pierce more near his heart. VII. AT A SOLEMN MUSIC. BLEST pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'n's joy, With saintly shout, and solemn jubilee, With those just spirits that wear victorious palms, Hymns devout and holy psalms Singing everlastingly; That we on earth with undiscording voice As once we did, till disproportion'd sin Jarr'd against nature's chime, and with harsh din Broke the fair music that all creatures made To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd In perfect diapason, whilst they stood In first obedience, and their state of good. O may we soon again renew that song, And keep in tune with Heav'n, till God ere long To live with him, and sing in endless morn of light. VIII. AN EPITAPH ON THE MARCHIONESS OF WINCHESTER. THIS rich marble doth enter The honour'd wife of Winchester, A viscount's daughter, an earl's heir, Added to her noble birth, More than she could own from earth. Summers three times eight save one After so short time of breath, To house with darkness, and with death. Been as complete as was her praise, Her high birth, and her graces sweet The virgin quire for her request But with a scarce well-lighted flame; Once had the early matrons run But whether by mischance or blame And with remorseless cruelty Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree: The hapless babe before his birth Which the sad morn had let fall Sweet rest seize thee evermore, That to give the world increase, That thy noble house doth bring, Wept for thee in Helicon, And some flowers, and some bays, Sent thee from the banks of Came, Whilst thou, bright saint, high sit'st in glory Who after years of barrenness, To him that serv'd for her before, And at her next birth much like thee, Far within the bosom bright Of blazing majesty and light: There with thee, new welcome saint, IX. ON MAY MORNING. Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her The flow'ry May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose. |