Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
Of John Winthrop. Esq.
By Captain Edward Johnson (1599?1672)W
Christ will have thee a pillar be, for ’s people thou must toil.
He chang’d thy heart, then take his part ’gainst prelates proud invading
His Kingly throne, set up alone, in wilderness there shading
His little flocks from Prelates’ knocks. Twice ten years rul’d thou hast,
With civil sword at Christ’s word, and eleven times been trast,
By name and note, with people’s vote, their Governor to be;
Thy means hast spent, ’twas therefore lent, to raise this work by thee.
Well arm’d and strong with sword among Christ’s armies marcheth he,
Doth valiant praise, and weak one raise, with kind benignity.
To lead the van, ’gainst Babylon, doth worthy Winthrop call;
Thy Progeny shall battle try, when Prelacy shall fall.
With fluent tongue thy pen doth run, in learned Latin phrase,
To Swedes, French, Dutch, thy Neighbors, which thy lady rhetoric praise.
Thy bounty feeds Christ’s servants’ needs, in wilderness of wants;
To Indians thou Christ’s Gospel now ’mongst heathen people plants.
Yet thou poor dust, now dead and must to rottenness be brought,
Till Christ restore thee glorious, more than can of dust be thought.