John Milton. 1608-1674
320. To Cyriack Skinner
1 min to read
108 words

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   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;   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.

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John Milton. 1608-1674
321. On His Deceased Wife
1 min to read
119 words
Return to The Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250–1900






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