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ODE.
MR. COWLEY'S BOOK PRESENTING ITSELF TO THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF OXFORD.
Hail, Learning's Pantheon! Hail, the sacred ark stood,
Where all the world of science does embark!
Which ever shall withstand, and hast so long with-
Insatiate Time's devouring flood.
Hail, tree of knowledge! thy leaves fruit! which well
Dost in the midst of paradise arise,
Oxford! the Muses' paradise,
From which may never sword the bless'd expel!
Hail, bank of all past ages! where they lie
T'enrich with interest posterity!
Hail, Wit's illustrious Galaxy!
Where thousand lights into one brightness spread;
Hail, living University of the dead!
Where all the world of science does embark!
Which ever shall withstand, and hast so long with-
Insatiate Time's devouring flood.
Hail, tree of knowledge! thy leaves fruit! which well
Dost in the midst of paradise arise,
Oxford! the Muses' paradise,
From which may never sword the bless'd expel!
Hail, bank of all past ages! where they lie
T'enrich with interest posterity!
Hail, Wit's illustrious Galaxy!
Where thousand lights into one brightness spread;
Hail, living University of the dead!
Unconfus'd Babel of all tongues! which e'er
The mighty linguist Fame, or Time, the mighty traveller,
That could speak, or this could hear.
Majestick monument and pyramid!
Where still the shades of parted souls abide
Embalm'd in verse; exalted souls which now
Enjoy those arts they woo'd so well below;
Which now all wonders plainly see,
That have been, are, or are to be,
In the mysterious library,
The beatifick Bodley of the Deity! . . . .
The mighty linguist Fame, or Time, the mighty traveller,
That could speak, or this could hear.
Majestick monument and pyramid!
Where still the shades of parted souls abide
Embalm'd in verse; exalted souls which now
Enjoy those arts they woo'd so well below;
Which now all wonders plainly see,
That have been, are, or are to be,
In the mysterious library,
The beatifick Bodley of the Deity! . . . .
