That the wise author did esteem
The Roman language (which was spread
O'er the whole world, in triumph led) 20



ISO POEMS OF

Too weak, too narrow to unfold

The wonders which he would have told.
This speaks thy glory, noble friend !

And British language does commend ;

For here Lucretius whole we find, 25

His words, his music, and his mind.
Thy art has to our country brought

All that he writ, and all he thought.
Ovid translated, Virgil too.
Showed long since what our tongues could do ; 30

Nor Lucan we, nor Horace spared ;

Only Lucretius was too hard,

Lucretius, like a fort, did stand

Untouched, till your victorious hand

Did from his head this garland bear, 35

Which now upon your own you wear ;

A garland ! made of such new bays,

And sought in such untrodden ways.
As no man's temples e'er did crown.
Save this great author's, and your own ! 40



EDMUND WALLER. 151



OF A WAR WITH SPAIN, AND A FIGHT
AT SEA.
Now, for some ages, had the pride of Spain
Made the sun shine on half the world in vain ;
While she bid war to all that durst supply
The place of those her cruelty made die.
Of nature's bounty men forebore to taste, 5

And the best portion of the earth lay waste,
From the new world her silver and her gold
Came, like a tempest, to confound the old ;
Feeding with these the bribed Electors' hopes.
Alone she gave us emperors and popes ;^ 10

With these accomplishing her vast designs,^
Europe was shaken with her Indian mines.
