No More Learning

With the broad day my danger too drew near ;
Of help, of counsel void, how should I steer !
In pulpit damned, strumpet at court proclaimed,.
Where should I hide, where should I rest

defamed ?
13



Digitized by VjOOQIC



194 THE POEMS

Tortured in thought, I raised mj weeping eyes,

And sobbing voice, to the all-helping skies.

As by heaven sent, a reverend sire appears.

Charming my grief, stopping my flood of tears.

His busy circling orbs, two restless spies.

Glanced to and fro, outranging Argos' eyes ;

Like fleeting Time, on*s front one lock did grow,

From his glib tongue torrents of words did flow ;

Propose, resolve, Agrarian, forty-one,

Lycurgus, Brutus, Solon, Harrington.

He said he knew me in my swaddling bands,

Had often danced me in his careful hands.

He knew Lord Archon too, then wept, and swore,

Enshrined in me, his fame he did adore.

His name I asked ; he said, Politico,

Descended from the divine Nicolo.

My state he knew, my danger seemed to dread,

And to my safety vowed hand, heart, and head.

Grateful returns I up to heaven send.

That in distress Iiad sent me such a friend.

I asked him where I was ?
Pointing he showed

Oxford's old towers, once the learned arts'

abode ;
Once great in fame, now a piratic port.
Where Romish priests, and elvish monks

resort.
He added ; near a new-built college stood.
Endowed by Plato, for the public good ;
Thither allured by learned honest men,
Plato vouchsafed once more to live njxaiii.



Digitized by VjOOQIC



OP MARVELL. 195

Securely there I might myself repose,

From ray fierce griefs, and my more cruel foes.

Tired with long flights, e'en hunted down with

fear,
The welcome news my drooping soul did cheer.
His pleasing words shortened the time and way.
And me beguiled at Plato's house to stay.
When we came in, he told me after rest,
He'd show me Plato, and's Venetian guest :
I scarce replied, with weariness oppressed ;
To my desired apartment I repaired,
Invoking sleep, and heaven's almighty guard.
My waking cares, and stabbing frights recede,
And nodding sleep dropped on my drowsy head.
At last the summons of a busy bell.
And glimmering lights did sleep's kind mists

dispel.
From bed I stole, and creeping by the wall.
Through a small chink I spied a spacious hall ;
Tapers, as thick as stai*s, did shed their light
Around the place, and made a day of night.
The curious art of some great master's hand
Adorned the room : Hyde, CliiFord, Danby, stand
In one large piece ; next them, the two Dutch

wars
In bloody colours paint our fatal jars ;
Here London flames in clouds of smoke aspire,
Done to tlie life, I'd almost cried out fire !