ANDREW MARVELL
An Horattan Ode
upon Cromweirs Return from Ireland
HPHE forward youth that would appear
- Must now forsake his Muses dear,
Nor in the shadows sing His numbers languishing.
'Tis time to leave the books in dust, And oil the unused armour's rust,
Removing from the wall
The corslet of the hall.
So restless Cromwell could not cease In the inglorious arts of peace,
But through adventurous war
Urged his active star :
And like the three-fork'd lightning, first Breaking the clouds where it was nurst,
Did thorough his own side
His fiery way divide :
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 palaces and temples rent ;
And Caesar's head at last
Did through his laurels blast.
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