John Dryden

Long stood the noble youth oppress'd with awe,
And stupid at the wondrous things he saw,
Surpassing read more

Long stood the noble youth oppress'd with awe,
And stupid at the wondrous things he saw,
Surpassing common faith, transgressing nature's law.

Him of the western dome, whose weighty sense
Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence.

Him of the western dome, whose weighty sense
Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence.

They who write ill, and they who ne'er durst write,
Turn critics out of mere revenge and spite.

They who write ill, and they who ne'er durst write,
Turn critics out of mere revenge and spite.

The welcome news is in the letter found;
The carrier's not commission'd to expound;
It speaks itself, read more

The welcome news is in the letter found;
The carrier's not commission'd to expound;
It speaks itself, and what it does contain,
In all things needful to be known is plain.

Such subtle covenants shall be made,
Till peace itself is war in masquerade.

Such subtle covenants shall be made,
Till peace itself is war in masquerade.