XXXIV.

His latest victories ftill thickest came,
As, near the center, motion doth increase;
Till he, profs'd down by his own weighty name,
Did, like the vestal, under spoils deceafe.

XXXV.

But first the ocean as a tribute fent

The giant prince of all her watery herd;
And th' ifle, when her protecting gerius went,
Upon his obfequies loud fighs conferr'd.

XXXVI.

No civil broils have fince his death arofe,
But faction now by habit does obey;
And wars have that refpect for his repofe,
As winds for halcyons when they breed at fea.

XXXVII.

His afhes in a peaceful urn fhall reft,

His name a great example stands, to how How ftrangely high endeavours may be bleft, Where piety and valour jointly 50.

ASTRE A REDU X.

A POEM ON THE HAPPY RESTORATION

AND

RETURN OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES 11, 1669.

"Jam redit & virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna.”

N

The laf great age foretold by facred rhimes,
Renews it's firi'd courfe: Saturnian times
Roll round again.

VIRG.

OW with a general peace the world was bleft,
While our's, a world divided from the reft,

A dreadful quiet felt, and worfer far
Than arms, a fullen interval of war :

Thus when black clouds draw down the labouring
fkies,

Ere yet abroad the winged thunder flies,
An horrid ftillness firft invades the ear,
And in that filence we the tempest fear.

Th' ambitious Swede, like reftiefs billows toft,
On this hand paining what on that he loft,
Though in his life he blood and ruin breath'd,
To his now guidelefs kingcom peace bequeath'd.
And heaven, that feem'd regardless of our fate,
For France and Spain did miracles create;
Such mortal quarrels to compofe in peace
As nature bred, and intereft did increase.
We figh'd to hear the fair Iberian bride
Muft grow a lily to the lily's fide,
While our cofs ftars deny'd us Charles's bed,
Whom our first flames and virgin love did wed.
For his long abfence church and state did groan;
Madness the pulpit, facio feiz'd the throne:
Experienc'd age in deep defpair was loft,
To fee the rebel thrive, the loyal croft:
Youth that with joys had unacquainted been,
Envy'd grey hairs that once good days had feen:
We thought our fires, not with their own content,
Had ere we came to age our portion spent.

Nor could our nobles hope their bold attempt
Who ruin'd crowns would coronets exempt:
For when by their defigning leaders taught

To ftrike at power which for themselves they fought,
The vulgar, ull'd into rebellion, arm'd;
Their blood to action by the prize was warm'd.
The facred purple then and scarlet gown,
Like fanguine dye, to elephants was shewn.
Thus when the old Typhoeus fcal'd the sky,
And forc'd great Jove from his own heaven to fly,
(What king, what crown, from treafon's reach is free,
If Jove and heaven car violated be?)

The leffer gods, that shar'd his profperous ftate,
All fuffer'd in the exil'd Thunderer's fate.
The rabble now fuch freedom did enjoy,
As winds at fea, that use it to destroy:
Elind as the Cyclop, and as wild as he,
They own'd a lawless favage liberty,
Like that our painted ancestors so priz`d,
Ere empire's arts their breafts had civiliz'd.
How great were then our Charles's woes, who thus
Was forc'd to fuffer for himself and us!
He, tofs'd by fate, and hurry'd up and down,
Heir to his father's forrows, with his crown,
Could tafte no fweets of youth's defir'd age;
But found his life too true a pilgrimage.
Unconquer'd yet in that forlorn eftate,
His manly courage overcame his fate.
His wounds he took, like Romans, on his breast,
Which by his virtue were with laurels drest.
As fouls reach heaven while yet in bodies pent,
So did he live above his banishment.

That fun, which we beheld with cozen'd eyes
Within the water, mov'd along the skies.
How eafy 'tis, when destiny proves kind,
With full-fpread fails to run before the wind!
But thofe that 'gainst stiff gales laveering go,
Must be at once refolv'd and skilful too.
He would not, like foft Otho, hope prevent,
But ftay'd and fuffer'd fortune to repent.
Thefe virtues Galba in a stranger fought,
And Pifo to adopted empire brought.
How fhall I then my doubtful thoughts exprefs,
That muft his fufferings both regret and blefs?
For when his early valour Heaven had croft;
And all at Worc'fter but the honour lost;
Forc'd into exile from his rightful throne,
He made all countries where he came his own ;
And, viewing monarchs' secret arts of sway,
A royal factor for his kingdom lay,

Thus banifh'd David spent abroad his time,
When to be God's anointed was his crime;

And when reftor'd, made his proud neighbours rue
Thofe choice remarks he from his travels drew.
Nor is he only by afflictions fhown

To conquer other realms, but rule his own:
Recovering hardly what he loft before,

His right endears it much; his purchase more.
Inur'd to fuffer ere he came to reign,
No rath procedure will his actions ftain:
To bufinefs ripen'd by digeftive thought,
His future rule is into method brought; -
As they, who first proportion understand,
With eafy practice reach a master's hand.
Well might the ancient poets then confer
On night the honour'd name of Counsellor,
Since, ftruck with rays of profperous fortune blind,
We light alone in dark affictions find.

In fuch adverfities to scepters train'd,
The name of Great his famous grandfire gain'd:
Who yet a king alone in name and right,
With hunger, cold, and angry Jove did fight;
Shock'd by a covenanting league's vaft powers,
As holy and as catholic as our's:

"Till fortune's fruitlefs fpite had made it known,
Her blows not shook but riveted his throne.

Some lazy ages, loft in fleep and ease,

No action leave to bufy chronicles:

Such, whofe fupine felicity but makes

In story chafms, in epocha miftakes;

How hard was then his tafk! at once to be
What in the body naturally we fee?
Man's architect diftinétly did ordain

The charge of muscles, nerves, and of the brain,
Through viewlefs corduits fpirits to difpenfe;
The fprings of mat on from the feat of fenfe,

I was not the hafty product of a day,
But the well ripen'd fruit of wife delay.
He, like a patient angler, ere he strook,
Would let him play a while upon the hook.
Our healthful food the ftomach labour, thus,
At first embracing what it ftraight doth crush,

O'er whom Time gently fhakes his wings of down, Wife leaches will not vain receipts obtrude,

'Till with his filent fickle they are mown.
Such is not Charles's too too active age,
Which, govern'd by the wild d.ftemper'd rage
Of fome black ftar infecting all the fkies,
Made him at his own coft like Adam wife.
Tremble, ye nations, which fecure before,
Laugh'd at thofe arms that 'gainft ourselves
bore;

Rouz'd by the lash of his own stubborn tail,
Our lion now will foreign foes affail.
With alga who the facred altar ftrews?

While growing pains pronounce the humours crude:
Deaf to complaints they wait upon the ill,

Till fome fate crifis authorize their skill.
Nor could his acts too close a vizard wear,
To fcape their eyes whom guilt had taught to fear,
And guard with caution that polluted neft,

we Whence Legion twice before was difpoffeft:
Once facred houfe; which when they enter'd in,
They thought the place could fanctify a fin;
Like thofe that vainly hop'd kind heaven would
wink,

To all the fea gods Charles an offering owes:
A bull to thee, Portunus, fhall be flain,
A lamb to you, ye tempefts of the main:
For those loud ftorms that did against him roar,
Have caft his fhipwreck'd vessel on the fhore.
Yet as wife artifts mix their colours fo,
That by degrees they from each other go;
Black ftea's unheeded from the neighbouring
Without offending the well-cozen'd fight:
So on us ftole our bleffed change; while we
Th' effect did feel, but fcarce the manner fee.
Frofts that constrain the ground, and birth deny
To flowers that in its womb expecting lie,
Do feldom their ufurping power withdraw,
But raging floods purfue their hafty thaw,
Our thaw was mild, the cold not chas'd away,
But loft in kindly heat of lengthen'd day.
Heaven would no bargain for its bleffings drive,
But what we could not pay for, freely give.
The Prince of peace would like himself confer
A gift unhop'd, without the price of war:
Yet, as he knew his bleffing's worth, took care,
That we should know it by repeate! prayer ;
Which storm'd the fkies, and ravilh'd Charles from
thence,

While to excefs on martyrs' tombs they drink.
And as devouter Turks firft warn their fouls
To part, before they taste forbidden towls:
So thefe, when their black crimes they went about,
First timely charm'd their useless conscience out,
Religion's name against itself was made;
The thadow ferv'd the fubftance to invade;
white, Like zealous miffions, they did care pretend
Or fouls in fhew, but made the gold their end.
Th' incenfed powers beheld with fearn from high
And heaven fo far diftant from the sky,
Which durft, with horfes hoofs that beat the ground,
And martial brafs, bely the thunder's found.
'Twas hence at length juft vengeance thought it fit,
To fpeed their run by their imp ous wit.
Thus Sforza, curs'd with a too fertile brain,
Loft by his wiles the power his wit did gain.
Henceforth their fougue must spend at leffer rate,
Than in its flames to wrap a nation's fate.
Suffer'd to live, they are like Heiots fet,
A virtuous fhame within us to beget.
For by example most we finn'd before,
And glafs-like clearness mix'd with frailty bore,
But fince reform'd by what we did amifs,
We by our fufferings learn to prize our blifs:
Like early lovers, whose unpractis'd hearts
Were long the may-game of malicious arts,
When once they find their jealoufies were vain,
With double heat renew their fires again.
'Twas this produc'd the joy that hurry'd o'er
Such fwarms of English to the neighbouring fhore,
To fetch that prize, by which Batavia made
So rich amends for our impoverith'd trade.
Oh had you feen from Schevelin's barren shore,
(Crowded with troops, and barren now no more,)
Alicted Holland to his farewell bring
True, forrow, Holland to regret a king!
While waiting him his royal fleet did ride,
And willing winds to their lower'd fails deny`d,
The wavering ftreamers, flags, and standards out,
The merry feamen's rude but chearful shout;
And laft the cannons voice that shook the skies,
And, as it fares in fudden ecftafies,

As heaven itself took by violence.
Booth's forward valour only ferv'd to show,
He durft that duty pay we all did owe:
Th' attempt was fair; but heaven's prefixed hour
Not come: fo, like the watchful traveller
That by the moon's mistaken Light did rife,
Lay down again, and clos'd his weary eyes.
'Twas Monk, whom Providence defign'd to loofe
Thofe real Londs falfe freedom did impofe.
The bleffed faints, that watch'd this turning fcene,
Did from their ftars with joyful wonder lean,
To fee fmall clues draw vastest weights along,
Not in their bulk but in their order strong.
Thus pencils can by one flight touch restore
Smiles to that changed face that wept before.
With each fuch fond chimæra we pursue,
As fancy frames for fancy to fubdue:
But when ourselves to action we betake,
It fhuns the mint like gold that chemists make.
VOL III

At once bereft us both of ears and eyes.

C

AND welcome now, great monarch, to your own; Oh happy prince, whom heaven hath taught the

DRYDEN'S POEMS.

Soft western winds waft o'er the gaudy spring,
And open'd scenes of flowers and bloffoms bring,
To grace this happy day, while you appear,
Not king of us alone, but of the year.
All eyes you draw, and with the eyes the heart:
Of your own pomp yourself the greatest part:
Loud fhouts the nation's happiness proclaim,
And heaven this day is feafted with your name.
Your cavalcade the fair spectators view,
From their high standings, yet look up to you.
From your brave train each fingles out a prey,
And longs to date a conquest from your day.
Now charg'd with bleffings while you feek repofe,
Officious numbers hafte your eyes to clofe;
And glorious dreams ftand ready to reitore
The pleafing thapes of all you faw belo:e.
Next to the facred temple you are led,
Where waits a crown for your more facred head:
How justly from the church that crown is due,
Preferv'd from ruin, and restor'd by you!
The grateful choir their harmony employ,
Not to make greater, but more folemn joy.
Wrapt foft and warm your name is fent on high,
As flames do on the wings of incenfe fly :
Mufick herself is loft, in vain the brings
Her choiceft notes to praife the best of kings:
Her melting strains in you a tomb have found,
And lie like bees in their own fweetres drown'd.
He that brought peace, all difcord could atone,
His name is mufic of itself alone.

Now while the facred oil aronts your head,
And fragrant fcents, begun from you, ae fpread-
Through the large dome; the people's joyful found,
Sent back, is ftill preferv'd in hallo v'd ground;
Which in one bleffing mix'd defcend's on you;
As heighten'd fpirits fall in richer dew.
Not that our wishes do increase your store,
Full of yourfolf you can admit no more:
We add not to your glory, but employ
Our time, like angels, in expreffing joy.
Nor is it duty, or our hopes alone,
Create that joy, but full fruition:

We know those bleffings which we must poffefs,
And judge of future by paft happiness.
No promife can oblige a prince fo much
Still to be good, as long to have been fuch.

A roble emulation beats your breast,

And your own fame now robs you of your reft.
Good actions ftill must be maintain'd with good,
As bodies nourish'd with resembling food.
You have already quench'd fedition's brand;
And zeal, which burnt it, only warms the land.
The jealous fects, that dare rot truft their caufe
So far from their own will as to the laws,
You for their ump 'e and their fynod take,
And their appeal alone to Cæfar make.
Kind heaven fo rare a temper did provide,
That guilt repenting might in it confide.
Among our crimes obliv cn may be fet:
But 'tis our king's perfection to forget.
Virtues unknown to these rough northern climes
From milder heavens you bring without their

crimes.

Your calmness does no after-storms provide,
Nor feeming patience mortal anger hide.
When empire first from families did spring,
Then every father govern'd as a king:

But you, that are a fovereign prince, allay
Imperial power with your paternal sway.
From thofe great cares when eafe your foul unbends,
Your pleafures are defign'd to noble ends?
Born to command the mistress of the feas,
Your thoughts themselves in that blue empire please.
Hither in fummer evenings you repair
To tafte the fraicheur of the purer air:
Undaunted here you ride, when winter raves,
With Cæfar's heart that rofe above the waves.
More I could fing, but fear my numbers itays;
No loyal fubject dares that courage pra:fe.
In ftately frigates moft delight you find,
Where well-drawn battles fire your martial mind.
What to your cares we owe, is learnt from hence,
When ev'n your pleasures serve for our defence.
Beyond your court flows in th' admitted tide,
Where in new deptos the wondering fishes glide:
Here in a royal bed the waters fleep;
When, tir'd at fea, within this bay they creep.
Here the miftrustful fowl no harm fufpects,
So fate are all things which our king protects.
From your lov'd Thames a bleffing yet is due,
Second alone to that it brought in you;

A queen, near whofe chafte womb ordain'd by
fate,

The fouls of kings unhorn for bodies wait.
it was your love before made difcord cease:
Your love is destin'd to your country's peace.
Both Indies, rivals in your bed, provide
With rold or jewels to adorn your bride.
This to a mighty king prefents rich ore,
White that with incenfe does a god implore.
Two kingdoms wait your doom, and, as you choose,
This must receive a cron, or that muft lofe.
Thus from your royal oak, like jove's of old,
Are anfwers fought, and deftinies foretold:
Propitious oracles are begg'd with vows,
And crowns that grow upon the facred boughs.
Your fubjects, while you weigh the nation's fate,
Sufpend to both their doubtful love or hate :
Chufe only, fir, that fo they may poffefs
With their own peace their children's happiness.

то THE

LORD CHANCELLOR HYDE.

PRESENTED ON NEW-YEAR'S DAY, 1662.

MY LORD,

HILE flattering crouds officiously appear,

W To give themleves, not you, an happy year;

And by the greatnefs of their prefents prove
How much they hope, but not how well they love;
The Mufes, who your early courtship boat,
Though now your flames are with their beauty loft,
Yet watch their time, that, if you have forgot
They were your miftreffes, the world may not:
Decay'd by time and wars, they only prove
Their former beauty by your former 'ove;
And now prefent, as ancient ladies do,
That courted long, at length are forc'd to woo.

C 2