Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/306

Gives Sacrifices, wheat, wine, oyle and salt.
Threats punishment to him that through default
Shall let the work, or keep back any thing
Of what is freely granted by the King:
And on all Kings he poures out Execrations
That shall once^[1] dare to rase those firm foundations
They thus backt by the King, in spight of foes
Built on and prosper'd till their house they^[2] close,
And in the sixth year of his friendly reign,
Set up a Temple (though a less) again:
Darius on the Scythians made a war,
Entring that larg and barren Country far;
A Bridge he made, which serv'd for boat & barge
O're Ister fair, with labour and with charge.^[3]
But in that desert; 'mongst his barbarous foes
Sharp wants, not swords, his valour did oppose.
His Army fought with hunger and with cold,
Which to affail his royal Camp was bold.^[4]
By these alone his host was pincht so fore,
He warr'd defensive, not offensive more.
[101] The Salvages did laugh at his distress,
Their minds by Hiroglyphicks they express,
A Frog a Mouse, a bird, an arrow lent,
The King will needs interpret their intent,
Possession of water, earth and air.
But wife Gobrias reads not half so fair.^[5]

1. but.
2. walls did.
3. Over fair Ister, at a mighty charge.
4. Which two then to assaile, his Camp was bold.
5. farre.