Whose precepts from hell's jaws our steps withdraw, And whose example was a living law: Who purg'd us with his blood; the way prepar'd To heaven, and those long-chain'd-up doors unbarr'd. How infinite thy mercy! which exceeds The world thou mad'st, as well as our misdeeds! In greater measure, or more oft, than I! That false Sidonian wolf, whose craft put on Thou didst by thy protecting hand prevent. Of faithless Indians; from their treacherous wars; waves Mixed with the clouds, and opened their deep graves; From barbarous pirates ransom'd; by those taught Then brought'st me home in safety; that this earth PHINEAS FLETCHER. BORN 1584; DIED 1650. THE family of Fletcher was rendered illustrious in the literary history of the 17th century, by a constellation of poetic power. Dr. Giles Fletcher, an accomplished scholar, and himself, as Wood the antiquary says, "an excellent poet," left two sons, Phineas and Giles, both of whom deserve an eminent place among our early English classics. John Fletcher, the dramatic writer, the associate of Beaumont, was their cousin. With reason, therefore, might the writer of a copy of verses, prefixed to the works of Phineas Fletcher, say, 66 Thy very name's a poet." The principal composition of this author is "The Purple Island," a poem in twelve cantos, containing an allegorical description of the body and soul of man—a subject which no degree of skill in the poet could render agreeable as a whole to modern readers. It abounds, however, with passages of powerful description and great beauty both of thought and style. PHINEAS FLETCHER. THE INSTABILITY OF HUMAN GREATNESS.' FOND man, that looks on earth for happiness, And here long seeks what here is never found! For all our good we hold from heav'n by lease, With many forfeits and conditions bound; Nor can we pay the fine, and rentage due: anew, Yet daily we it break, then daily must renew. Why shouldst thou here look for perpetual good, And loving pelican in safety breeds: There screeching satyrs fill the people's empty stedes.' 'This and the next extract are from "The Purple Island." Steads, i. e. places. |