19 'Tis true, his countenance did imprint an awe; And naturally all souls to his did bow, As wands1 of divination downward draw, And point to beds where sovereign gold doth grow. 20 When past all offerings to Feretrian Jove, He Mars deposed, and arms to gowns made yield; Successful councils did him soon approve As fit for close intrigues, as open field. 21 To suppliant Holland he vouchsafed a peace, Our once bold rival of the British main, Now tamely glad her unjust claim to cease, And buy our friendship with her idol, gain. 22 Fame of the asserted sea through Europe blown, 23 No sooner was the Frenchman's cause2 embraced, Than the light Monsieur the grave Don outweigh'd; His fortune turn'd the scale where'er 'twas cast, Though Indian mines were in the other laid. 24 When absent, yet we conquer'd in his right: 25 For from all tempers he could service draw; The worth of each, with its alloy, he knew ; เ เ 1 Wands: see the Antiquary.'-2 Frenchman's cause:' the treaty of alliance which Cromwell entered into with France against the Spaniards. And, as the confidant of Nature, saw How she complexions did divide and brew. 26 Or he their single virtues did survey, By intuition, in his own large breast; That were the rule and measure to the rest. 27 When such heroic virtue Heaven sets out, 28 From this high spring our foreign conquests flow, 29 He made us freemen of the Continent,1 Whom Nature did like captives treat before; And taught him first in Belgian walks to roar. 30 That old unquestion'd pirate of the land, Proud Rome, with dread the fate of Dunkirk heard; And trembling wish'd behind more Alps to stand, Although an Alexander 2 were her guard. 31 By his command we boldly cross'd the line, And bravely fought where southern stars arise; 1 Freemen of the Continent:' by the taking of Dunkirk. der:' Alexander VII., at this time Pope. 2 Alexan 32 Such was our prince; yet own'd a soul above The highest acts it could produce to show : Thus poor mechanic arts in public move, Whilst the deep secrets beyond practice go. 33 Nor died he when his ebbing fame went less, 34 His latest victories still thickest came, As near the centre motion doth increase; 35 But first the ocean as a tribute sent The giant prince of all her watery herd; 36 No civil broils have since his death arose, And wars have that respect for his repose, 37 His ashes in a peaceful urn 3 shall rest; His name a great example stands, to show 1 'Vestal:' Tarpeia. 2 Loud sighs: the tempest which occurred at Cromwell's death. - Peaceful urn:' Dryden no true prophet-Cromwell's bones having been dragged out of the royal vault, and exposed on the gibbet in 1660. ASTREA REDUX, A POEM ON THE HAPPY RESTORATION AND RETURN OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES II., 1660. "Jam redit et virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna."-VIRG. "The last great age, foretold by sacred rhymes, Now with a general peace the world was blest, Than arms, a sullen interval of war: Thus when black clouds draw down the labouring skies, An horrid stillness first invades the ear, The ambitious Swede,1 like restless billows tost, 10 20 1 Ambitious Swede: Charles X., named also Gustavus, nephew to the great Gustavus Adolphus. 2 Iberian bride:' the Infanta of Spain was betrothed to Louis XIV. For his long absence Church and State did groan; To strike at power, which for themselves they sought, The sacred purple, then, and scarlet gown, Like sanguine dye to elephants, was shown. And forced great Jove from his own Heaven to fly, The lesser gods, that shared his prosperous state, He, tost by fate, and hurried up and down, |