Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
John Milton. 16081674320. To Cyriack Skinner
CYRIACK, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench | |
Of Brittish Themis, with no mean applause | |
Pronounc’t and in his volumes taught our Lawes, | |
Which others at their Barr so often wrench: | |
To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench | 5 |
In mirth, that after no repenting drawes; | |
Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause, | |
And what the Swede intend, and what the French. | |
To measure life, learn thou betimes, and know | |
Toward solid good what leads the nearest way; | 10 |
For other things mild Heav’n a time ordains, | |
And disapproves that care, though wise in show, | |
That with superfluous burden loads the day, | |
And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. |