52. sonnets. Love-poems, or poems dealing with light and frivolous subjects, which the Puritans would have considered wicked. 53. mitre. i.e. the Pope, with whom the Puritans associated Laud and Charles's party in the Church. 54. Belial. See note to 1. 35 of Sir Nicholas at Marston Moor, on p. 8. Mammon. The personification of riches and worldliness. St. Matt. vi. 24, St. Luke xvi. 9. 55. Oxford halls. The Oxford colleges were on the King's side. in Durham's stalls. Among the clergy attached to Durham Cathedral. 56. Jesuit. An order of priests founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1534. See note above to 1. 53. cope. A sleeveless, hooded mantle worn by priests. TO THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX (1648) Thomas Fairfax commanded the right wing of the cavalry at Marston Moor (1644). Owing to his ability and integrity he was in 1645 appointed, in his father's stead, commander-inchief of the new Model Army which won the battle of Naseby. He afterwards captured the chief Royalist centres of the WestBristol, Tiverton, and Torrington-and in 1648 forced the surrender of Colchester (which was the occasion of the following sonnet). After the execution of Charles I he took little part in public affairs, and in 1650 resigned his command sooner than invade Scotland. At Cromwell's death he joined General Monk in declaring for the restoration of Charles II, and secured the North by occupying York. FAIRFAX, whose name in arms through Europe rings, Victory home, though new rebellions raise 8. imp] renew.. 5 Oh! 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 shameful brand Of public fraud. In vain doth valour bleed, While avarice and rapine share the land. J. MILTON. II 7. Hydra. A legendary serpent with many heads, which when cut off were succeeded by others. the false north. A reference to the second part of the Civil War. În 1648 the Scots privately concluded a treaty with Charles, whom they promised to restore in return for the establishment of Presbyterianism. HORATIAN ODE UPON CROMWELL'S (1650) This ode was written when Cromwell had hurriedly returned to London, to take command of the army which was to invade Scotland. [See introduction, To the Lord General Fairfax.] THE forward youth that would appear Nor in the shadows sing His numbers languishing. 'Tis time to leave the books in dust, The corslet of the hall. So restless Cromwell could not cease But through the adventurous war 8. corslet] breast-plate. 5 10 And like the three-fork'd lightning, first For 'tis all one to courage high, The emulous, or enemy; And with such, to enclose Is more than to oppose. Then burning through the air he went And Caesar's head at last Did through his laurels blast. 'Tis madness to resist or blame Who, from his private gardens, where (As if his highest plot Could by industrious valour climb To ruin the great work of time, Though Justice against Fate complain, 32. bergamot] pear-tree. 15 20 25 30 35 40 Nature, that hateth emptiness, And therefore must make room What field of all the civil war Where his were not the deepest scar? Where, twining subtle fears with hope, That Charles himself might chase That thence the Royal actor borne While round the armèd bands He nothing common did or mean The axe's edge did try; Nor call'd the gods, with vulgar spite, But bow'd his comely head This was that memorable hour Which first assured the forced power: The Capitol's first line, A bleeding Head, where they begun, And yet in that the State 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 And now the Irish are ashamed To see themselves in one year tamed: That does both act and know. They can affirm his praises best, Nor yet grown stiffer with command. That can so well obey! He to the Commons' feet presents A Kingdom for his first year's rents, And has his sword and spoils ungirt She, having kill'd, no more doth search What may not then our Isle presume If thus he crowns each year? But thou, the war's and fortune's son, March indefatigably on; And for the last effect, The same arts that did gain 17 A. MARVELL B 1252.3 |