Stanzas on the Death of Oliver Cromwell Author:John Dryden Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: ASTRA REDUX. A POEM ON THE HAPPY RESTORATION AND RETURN OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES THE SECOND. Jam redit et Virgo, redcunt Saturnia regna.—Virgil, [E... more »ctog; iv. 6.] ASTKJEA REDUX. Now with a general peace the world was blest, While ours, a world divided from the rest, A dreadful quiet felt, and worser far Than arms, a sullen interval of war. Thus, when black clouds draw down the labouring skies, 5 Ere yet abroad the winged thunder flies, 'An horrid stillness first invades the ear; And in that silence we the tempest fear. The ambitious Swede like restless billows tost, On this hand gaining what on that he lost, 10 Though in his life he blood and ruin breathed, To his now guideless kingdom peace bequeathed; And Heaven, that seemed regardless of our fate, For France and Spain did miracles create Such mortal quarrels to compose in peace 15 As nature bred and interest did increase. We sighed to hear the fair Iberian bride Must grow a lily to the Lily's side; While our cross stars denied us Charles his bed Whom our first flames and virgin love did wed. 20 For his long absence Church and State did groan; Madness the pulpit, faction seized the throne. Experienced age in deep despair was lost To see the rebel thrive, the loyal crost: Youth that with joys had unacquainted been 25 Envied gray hairs that once good days had seen: We thought our sires, not with their own content, Had, ere we came to age, our portion spent. Nor could our nobles hope their bold attempt Who ruined crowns would coronets exempt: 30 For when, by their designing leaders taught To strike at power which for themselves they sought, The vulgar, gulled into rebellion, armed, Their blood to action by the prize was warmed; The sacred purple then and scarlet gown, 35 Like...« less