No More Learning

* Death only can such thieves make fast,

* As rob, though in the dungeon cast.

* Were there but, when this house was made,

* One stone that a just hand had laid,

* It must have fallen upon her head

* Who first thee from thy faith misled.

* And yet, how well soever meant,

' With them 'twould soon grow fraudulent ;
' For like themselves they alter all,

* And vice infects the very wall ;

* But sure those buildings last not long,

* Founded by folly, kept by wrong.

^ I know what fruit their gardens yield,

* When they it think by night concealed.

* Fly from their vices : 'tis thy state,

* Not thee, that they would consecrate.

* Fly fix)m their ruin : how I fear,

* Though guiltless, lest thou perish there I'

What should he do ? He would respect
Keligion, but not right neglect ;



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OF MARVELL. 15

For first, religion taught him right,

And dazzled not, but cleared his sight.

Sometimes, resolved, his sword he draws,

But reverenceth then the laws ; «»

For justice still that courage led.

First from a judge, then soldier bred.

Small honour would be in the storm ;

The Court him gmnts the lawful form.

Which licensed either peace or force, «»

To hinder the unjust divorce.

Yet still the Nuns his right debarr'd.

Standing upon their holy guard.

Ill-counselled women, do you know

Whom you resist, or what to do ?
i4o

Is not this he, whose offspring fierce

Shall fight through all the universe ;

And with successive valour try

France, Poland, either Germany,

Till one, as long since prophesied, s«5

His horse through conquered Britain ride ?

Yet, against fate, his spouse they kept.

And the great race would intercept.

Some to the breach, against their foes,

Their wooden Saints in vain oppose ; »o.

Another bolder, stands at push.

With, their old holy-water brush.

While the disjointed Abbess threads

The jingling chain-shot of her beads ;

But their loud'st cannon were their lungs, 255=

And sharpest weapons were their tongues.



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16 THE POEMS

But, waving these aside like flies,

Young Faikfax through the wall does rise.

Then the unfrequented vault appeared,

And superstitions, vainly feared ; «o

The relicks false were set to view ;

Only the jewels there were true.

And truly bright and holy Thwates,

That weeping at the altar waits.

But the glad youth away her bears, s»

And to the Nuns bequeathes her tears.

Who guiltily their prize bemoan.

Like gypsies who a child have stoFa.

Thenceforth (as, when the enchantment ends.

The castle vanishes or rends) sw

The wasting cloister, with the rest,

Was, in one instant, dispossessed.

At the demolishing, this seat.