Than his Casella, whom he wooed to
sing, Met in the milder shades of Purgatory.
ON THE RELIGIOUS MEMORY OF MRS. CATHERINE THOMSON, MY CHRISTIAN FRIEND, DECEASED DEC. 16, 1646
(1646)
WHEN Faith and Love, which parted from
thee never, Had ripened thy just soul to dwell with
God, Meekly thou didst resign this earthy
load Of death, called life, which us from life
doth sever.
Thy works, and alms, and all thy good en- deavour, Stayed not behind, nor in the grave were
trod; But, as Faith pointed with her golden
rod, Followed thee up to joy and bliss for
ever. Love led them on; and Faith, who knew
them best
Thy handmaids, clad them o'er with pur- ple beams And azure wings, that up they flew so
drest, And speak the truth of thee on glorious
themes Before the Judge; who thenceforth bid
thee rest, And drink thy fill of pure immortal
streams.
ON THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX AT THE SIEGE OF COLCHESTER
(1648)
FAIRFAX, whose name in arms through
Europe rings, Filling each mouth with envy or with
praise,
And all her jealous monarchs with amaze, And rumours loud that daunt remotest
kings,
��Thy firm unshaken virtue ever brings Victory home, though new rebellions
raise Their Hydra heads, and the false North
displays Her broken league to imp their serpent
wings. O yet a nobler task awaits thy hand
(For what can war but endless war still
breed ?) Till truth and right from violence be
freed,
And public faith cleared from the shame- ful brand Of public fraud. In vain doth Valour
bleed, While Avarice and Rapine share the
land.
(1652)
Cromwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud
Not of war only, but detractions rude,
Guided by faith and matchless fortitude,
To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed,
And on the neck of crowned Fortune proud
Hast reared God's trophies, and his work pursued,
While Darwen stream, with blood of Scots imbrued,
And Dunbar field, resounds thy praises loud,
And Worcester's laureate wreath: yet much remains
To conquer still; Peace hath her victories
No less renowned than War: new foes arise,
Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains.
Help us to save free conscience from the paw
Of hireling wolves, whose Gospel is their maw.
