Page images
PDF
EPUB

Ad CHRISTINAM Suecorum Reginam nomine Cromwelli *.

B Ellipotens Virgo, feptem Regina Trionum,

Christina, Arctoï lucida ftella poli,

Cernis quas merui dura fub caffide rugas,
Utqué fenex armis impiger ora tero;
Invia fatorum dum per veftigia nitor,
Exequor et populi fortia juffa manu.
Aft tibi fubmittit frontem reverentior umbra;
Nec funt hi vultus Regibus ufque truces.

TRANSLATION, from TOLAND's Life of MILTON.

B

RIGHT martial maid, queen of the frozen zóne, The northern pole fupports thy fhining throne; Behold what furrows age and steel can plow, The helmet's weight opprefs'd this wrinkled brow. Through fate's untrodden paths I move, my hands Still act my free-born people's bold commands: Yet this ftern fhade to you fubmits his frowns, Nor are thefe looks always fevere to crowns.

* These verses were sent to Christina Queen of Sweden with Cromwell's picture, and are by some ascribed to Andrew Marvel, as by others to Milton: but I should rather think they were Milton's, being more within his province as Latin Secretary.

A FRAG

A FRAGMENT, from the Italian;

Addressed to a young Lady, at Florence, who did not
understand English.

7 HEN, in your language, I, unskill'd, addrefs
The short-pac'd efforts of a trammel'd Muse;

Soft Italy's fair critics round Me préss,

And my mistaking paffion thus accuse.

Why, to our tongue's disgrace, does thy dumb love
Strive, in rough found, foft meaning to impart?
He must select his words who speaks to move,
And point his purpose at the hearer's heart.

Then laughing they repeat my languid lays

Nymphs of thy native clime, perhaps they cry,
For whom thou haft a tongue, may feel thy praise;
But we must understand ere we comply!

Do thou, my foul's foft hope, these triflers awe!
Tell them, 'tis nothing, how, or what, I write;
Since love from filent looks can language draw,
And fcorns the lame impertinence of wit.

CONTENTS

« PreviousContinue »