Poetical Works | Page 7

Several Occasions.
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BY
Mr. John Milton:
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Both ENGLISH and LATIN &c.
Composed at several times.
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With a small tractate of
EDUCATION
To Mr. HARTLIB
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LONDON.
Printed for Tho. Dring at the Blew Anchor?next Mitre Court over against Fetter
Lane in Fleet-street. 1673.
THE STATIONER TO THE READER.
It is not any Private respect of gain, Gentle Reader, for the slightest Pamphlet is now adayes more vendible then the Works of learnedest men; but it is the love I have to our own Language that hath made me diligent to collect, and set forth such Peeces in Prose and Vers as may renew the wonted honour and esteem of our tongue: and it's the worth of these both English and Latin poems, not the flourish of any prefixed encomions that can?invite thee to buy them, though these are not without the?highest Commendations and Applause of the learnedst?Academicks, both domestic and forrein: And amongst those of our own Countrey, the unparalleled attestation of that?renowned Provost of Eaton, Sir Henry Wootton: I know not?thy palat how it relishes such dainties, nor how harmonious thy soul is; perhaps more trivial Airs may please thee better. But howsoever thy opinion is spent upon these, that incouragement I have already received from the most ingenious men in their clear and courteous entertainment of Mr. Wallers late choice Peeces, hath once more made me adventure into the World,?presenting it with these ever-green, and not to be blasted?Laurels. The Authors more peculiar excellency in these studies, was too well known to conceal his Papers, or to keep me from attempting to sollicit them from him. Let the event guide it self which way it will, I shall deserve of the age, by bringing into the Light as true a Birth, as the Muses have brought forth since our famous Spencer wrote; whose Poems in these English ones are as rarely imitated, as sweetly excell'd. Reader, if thou art Eagle-eied to censure their worth, I am not fearful to expose them to thy exactest perusal.
Thine to Command
HUMPH. MOSELEY.
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
ON THE MORNING OF CHRISTS NATIVITY.?Compos'd 1629.
I
This is the Month, and this the happy morn?Wherin the Son of Heav'ns eternal King,?Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,?Our great redemption from above did bring;?For so the holy sages once did sing,?That he our deadly forfeit should release,?And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
II
That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable,?And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty,?Wherwith he wont at Heav'ns high Councel-Table, 10 To sit the midst of Trinal Unity,?He laid aside; and here with us to be,?Forsook the Courts of everlasting Day,?And chose with us a darksom House of mortal Clay.
III
Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein?Afford a present to the Infant God??Hast thou no vers, no hymn, or solemn strein,?To welcom him to this his new abode,?Now while the Heav'n by the Suns team untrod,?Hath took no print of the approching light, 20 And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?
IV
See how from far upon the Eastern rode?The Star-led Wisards haste with odours sweet,?O run, prevent them with thy humble ode,?And lay it lowly at his blessed feet;?Have thou the honour first, thy Lord to greet,?And joyn thy voice