Gideon, and Japhtha, and the shepherd lad,
Whose ofspring on the throne of Judah fat
So many ages, and fhall yet regain
That feat, and reign in Israel without end.
Among the Heathen, (for throughout the world
To me is not unknown what hath been done
Worthy' of memorial) canft thou not remember 445
Quintius, Fabricius, Curius, Regulus?
For I esteem those names of men fo poor
Who could do mighty things, and could contemn
Riches though offer'd from the hand of kings.
And what in me seems wanting, but that I
May also in this poverty as foon
Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more?
Extol not riches then, the toil of fools,
The wife man's cumbrance if not fnare, more apt
To flacken virtue, and abate her edge,
Than prompt her to do ought may merit praise.
What if with like averfion I reject
Riches and realms; yet not for that a crown, Golden in show, is but a wreath of thorns, Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and fleepless nights To him who wears the regal diadem,
When on his fhoulders each man's burden lies;
For therein stands the office of a king,
His honor, virtue, merit and chief praise,
That for the public all this weight he bears. 465
Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules
Paffions, defires, and fears, is more a king;
Which every wife and virtuous man attains:
And who attains not, ill aspires to rule
Cities of men, or head-strong multitudes,
Subject himself to anarchy within,
Or lawless paffions in him which he serves.
But to guide nations in the way of truth
By faving doctrin, and from error lead
To know, and knowing worship God aright, 475
Is yet more kingly; this attracts the foul,
Governs the inner man, the nobler part;
That other o'er the body only reigns,
And oft by force, which to a generous mind
So reigning can be no fincere delight.
Besides to give a kingdom hath been thought
Greater and nobler done, and to lay down
Far more magnanimous, than to affume.
Riches are needless then, both for themselves,
And for thy reason why they should be fought, 485
To gain a scepter, ofteft better mifs'd.
The end of the Second Book.
So fpake the Son of God, and Satan flood
A while as mute confounded what to say,
What to reply, confuted and convinc'd
Of his weak arguing, and fallacious drift;
At length collecting all his ferpent wiles,
With foothing words renew'd, him thus accosts.
I see thou know'ft what is of use to know,
What best to say canft say, to do canst do;
Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words
To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heart 10
Contains of good, wife, juft, the perfect shape.
Should kings and nations from thy mouth confult,
Thy counsel would be as the oracle
Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems
On Aaron's breaft; or tongue of seers old
Infallible: or wert thou fought to deeds
That might require th' array of war, thy skill
Of conduct would be such, that all the world
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