an Heroick Poem.
97
6.
From Youth expos'd, like Cattel in the Field;
And not taught warmth, as Citie Infants are;
But colds and fasts, to kill or to be kill'd;
Like th'Elements their birth began with war.
From Youth expos'd, like Cattel in the Field;
And not taught warmth, as Citie Infants are;
But colds and fasts, to kill or to be kill'd;
Like th'Elements their birth began with war.
7.
So rev'rend now, and strong in age appear,
As if maintain'd by more than humane breath;
So grave, as if the Councellours they were,
Not Executioners of Tyrant Death.
So rev'rend now, and strong in age appear,
As if maintain'd by more than humane breath;
So grave, as if the Councellours they were,
Not Executioners of Tyrant Death.
8.
With silence (order's help, and mark of care)
They chid that noise which heedless youth effect;
Still course for use, for health they cleanly were,
And save in well fix'd Arms, all niceness check'd.
With silence (order's help, and mark of care)
They chid that noise which heedless youth effect;
Still course for use, for health they cleanly were,
And save in well fix'd Arms, all niceness check'd.
9.
They thought, those that unarm'd expos'd frail life;
But naked Nature valiantly betrai'd;
Who was, though naked, safe, till pride made strife;
But made defence must use, now dangers made.
They thought, those that unarm'd expos'd frail life;
But naked Nature valiantly betrai'd;
Who was, though naked, safe, till pride made strife;
But made defence must use, now dangers made.
10.
And those who toyl of Armour cannot bide,
Lose Nature's force, which these in custom find;
And make (since strength's but Nature hourly try'd)
The Body weak by softness of the Mind.
And those who toyl of Armour cannot bide,
Lose Nature's force, which these in custom find;
And make (since strength's but Nature hourly try'd)
The Body weak by softness of the Mind.
11.
They seem'd so calm, and with their age so grave,
So just and civil in their killing trade,
As if all life were crime but what they save;
Or Murder were by method lawfull made.
They seem'd so calm, and with their age so grave,
So just and civil in their killing trade,
As if all life were crime but what they save;
Or Murder were by method lawfull made.
12.
Yet now that Manhood which those Victors makes
(So weak is Man, where most he may be proud)
Pitie, the tender'st of affections, shakes,
And they become from order, loose, and loud.
Yet now that Manhood which those Victors makes
(So weak is Man, where most he may be proud)
Pitie, the tender'st of affections, shakes,
And they become from order, loose, and loud.
For
