The  saintly  veil  of  maiden  white  to  throw ;
Confounded,  that  her  Maker's  eyes
Should  look  so  near  upon  her  foul  deformities.
But  He,  her  fears  to  cease,

Sent  down  the  meek-eyed  Peace  :

She,  crown'd  with  olive  green,  came  softly  sliding
Down  through  the  turning  sphere,
c


34  JOHN  MILTON.
His  ready  harbinger,

With  turtle  wing  thp  amorous  clouds  dividing ;
And,  waving  with  her  myrtle  wand.
She  strikes  a  universal  peace  through  sea  and  land.
No  war,  or  battle's  sound,
Was  heard  the  world  around  :

The  idle  spear  and  shield  were  high  up  hung ;
The  hooked  chariot  stood
Unstain'd  with  hostile  blood ;

The  trumpet  spake  not  to  the  armed  throng ;
And  kings  sat  still  with  awful  eye,
As  if  they  surely  knew  their  sov'reign  Lord  was  by.
But  peaceful  was  the  night.
Wherein  the  Prince  of  Light

His  reign  of  peace  upon  the  earth  began  :
The  winds,  with  wonder  whist,
Smoothly  the  waters  kiss'd.
Whispering  new  joys  to  the  mild  ocean,
Who  now  hath  quite  forgot  to  rave.
While  birds  of  calm  sit  broodina;  on  the  charmed  wave.
The  stars,  with  deep  amaze,
Stand  fix'd  in  steadfast  gaze,

Bending  one  way  their  precious  influence  :
And  will  not  take  their  flight,
For  all  the  morning  light,

Or  Lucifer  that  often  warn'd  them  thence ;
But  in  their  glimmering  orbs,  did  glow.
Until  the  Lord  Himself  bespake,  and  bid  them  go.
JOHN  MILTON.  35

And  though  the  shady  gloom
Had  given  day  her  room,

The  sun  himself  withheld  his  wonted  speed,
And  hid  his  head  for  shame,
As  his  inferior  flame

The  new-enlighten'd  world  no  more  should  need :
He  saw  a  greater  Sun  appear
Than  his  bright  throne,  or  burning  axletree,  could  bear.
The  shepherds  on  the  lawn.
