John Milton (1608–1674)

May 1652
On the proposalls of certaine ministers at the Committee for Propagation of the Gospell

CROMWELL, our cheif of men, who through a cloud

Not of warr onely, but detractions rude,

Guided by faith and matchless Fortitude

To peace and truth thy glorious way hast plough’d,

And on the neck of crowned Fortune proud

Hast reard Gods Trophies, and his work pursu’d,

While Darwen stream with blood of Scotts imbru’d,

And Dunbarr feild resounds thy praises loud,

And Worsters laureat wreath; yet much remaines

To conquer still; peace hath her victories

No less renownd then warr, new foes aries

Threatning to bind our soules with secular chaines:

Helpe us to save free Conscience from the paw

Of hireling wolves whose Gospell is their maw.