stored in some treasure-house of mighty kings, So might some old man speak in the aftertime But now much honour and much fame were lost. A. TENNYSON 1284 1285 NOT Psalm cxxxvii. A SYLVAN SCENE FLORA LOQVITVR OT Iris, in her pride and bravery, nor doth the milk-white way, in frosty night, appear so fair and beautiful in sight, as don these fields and groves, and sweetest bowers, bestrewed and decked with party-coloured flowers. Along the bubbling brooks and silver glide, that at the bottom doth in silence slide: G. PEELE 1286 MICHAEL AND GABRIEL WITH THE LEGIONS OF HEAVEN PREPARING TO DO BATTLE WITH SATAN AND HIS ANGELS So sovran and spake the sovran voice, and clouds began in dusky wreaths reluctant flames, the sign at which command the Powers militant, that stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate joined in silence their bright legions, to the sound under their godlike leaders, in the cause nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream divides came, summoned over Eden, to receive their names of thee. So over many a tract of heaven they marched, and many a province wide, of rigid spears, and helmets thronged, and shields aspirer; but their thoughts proved fond and vain unanimous, as sons of one great Sire, hymning the Eternal Father; but the shout J. MILTON 1287 THE ENCOunter of michaEL AND SATAN THE HEY ended parle, and both addressed for fight unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue of Angels, can relate, or to what things liken on earth conspicuous, that may lift of godlike power? for likest Gods they seemed, in horror. From each hand with speed retired, of fiercest opposition, in mid sky should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. 1288 Together both, with next to almighty arm uplifted imminent, one stroke they aimed that might determine, and not need repeat, as not of power at once; nor odds appeared in might or swift prevention. But the sword of Michael from the armoury of God was given him tempered so, that neither keen 1289 1290 a stream of nectarous humour issuing flowed BUT J. MILTON HERO IN THE TEMPLE OF VENUS UT far above the loveliest Hero shin'd, and stole away th' enchanted gazer's mind; for like sea-nymphs' inveigling harmony, so was her beauty to the standers by; nor that night-wandering, pale and watery star (when yawning dragons draw her thirling car from Latmus' mount up to the gloomy sky, where crowned with blazing light and majesty she proudly sits) more overrules the flood than she the hearts of those that near her stood. Even as when gaudy nymphs pursue the chase, wretched Ixion's shaggy-footed race, incensed with savage heat, gallop amain from steep pine-bearing mountains to the plain, so ran the people forth to gaze upon her and all that view'd her were enamour'd on her. So fair a church as this had Venus none: UNA AND THE LION ‘ORSAKEN, wofull, solitarie mayd, C. MARLOWE FORS day, nigh wearie of the yrkesome way, from her unhastie beast she did alight; and made a sunshine in the shady place; did never mortall eye behold such heavenly grace. It fortunéd, out of the thickest wood and, with the sight amazd, forgat his furious forse. Instead thereof he kist her wearie feet, and lickt her lilly hands with fawning tong; as he her wrongéd innocence did weet. O how can beautie maister the most strong, and simple truth subdue avenging wrong! whose yielded pryde and proud submission, still dreading death, when she had marked long, her hart gan melt in great compassion; and drizling teares did shed for pure affection. E. SPENSER 1291 THEY PLUTOES HOUSE HEY pas the bitter waves of Acheron, and come to fiery flood of Phlegeton, whereas the damnéd ghost in torments fry, and with sharp shrilling shriekes doe bootlesse cry, cursing high Jove, the which them thither sent, the House of endlesse Paine is built thereby, in which ten thousand sorts of punishment, the cursed creatures doe eternally torment. Before the threshold dreadfull Cerberus did him appease: then downe his taile he hong, for she in hell and heaven had power equally, |