Page:The Works of Abraham Cowley - volume 1 (ed. Aikin) (1806).djvu/245

$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Besides, ev'n in this world below,
To those who never did ill-fortune know,
The good does nauseous or insipid grow.
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Consider man's whole life, and you'll confess
The sharp ingredient of some bad success
Is that which gives the taste to all his happiness.
But the true method of felicity
Is, when the worst
Of human life is plac'd the first,
And when the child's correction proves to be
The cause of perfecting the man:
Let our weak days lead up the van;
Let the brave Second and Triarian band
Firm against all impression stand:
The first we may defeated see;
The virtue and the force of these are sure of victory.

$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Such are the years, great Charles! which now we see
Begin their glorious march with thee:
Long may their march to heaven, and still triumphant, be!
Now thou art gotten once before,
Ill-fortune never shall o'ertake thee more.
To see 't again, and pleasure in it find,
Cast a disdainful look behind;
Things which offend when present, and affright,
In memory well-painted move delight.
Enjoy, then all thy' afflictions now-
Thy royal father's came at last;
Thy martyrdom's already past:
And different crowns to both ye owe.