126
COWLEY'S POEMS.
Erynnis saw 't, and made in her own seed
The innocent Parricide to bleed;
She slew his wrathful sons with mutual blows:
But better things did then succeed,
And brave Thersander, in amends for what was past, arose.
Brave Thersander was by none,
In war, or warlike sports, out-done.
Thou, Theron, his great virtues dost revive;
He in my verse and thee again does live.
Loud Olympus happy thee,
Isthmus and Nemæa does twice happy see;
For the well-natur'd honour there,
Which with thy brother thou didst share,
Was to thee double grown
By not being all thine own;
And those kind pious glories do deface
The old fraternal quarrel of thy race.
The innocent Parricide to bleed;
She slew his wrathful sons with mutual blows:
But better things did then succeed,
And brave Thersander, in amends for what was past, arose.
Brave Thersander was by none,
In war, or warlike sports, out-done.
Thou, Theron, his great virtues dost revive;
He in my verse and thee again does live.
Loud Olympus happy thee,
Isthmus and Nemæa does twice happy see;
For the well-natur'd honour there,
Which with thy brother thou didst share,
Was to thee double grown
By not being all thine own;
And those kind pious glories do deface
The old fraternal quarrel of thy race.
Greatness of mind and fortune too
Th' Olympick trophies shew:
Both their several parts must do
In the noble chace of fame;
This without that is blind, that without this is lame.
Nor is fair Virtue's picture seen aright
But in Fortune's golden light.
Riches alone are of uncertain date,
And on short man long cannot wait;
The virtuous make of them the best,
And put them out to Fame for interest;
Th' Olympick trophies shew:
Both their several parts must do
In the noble chace of fame;
This without that is blind, that without this is lame.
Nor is fair Virtue's picture seen aright
But in Fortune's golden light.
Riches alone are of uncertain date,
And on short man long cannot wait;
The virtuous make of them the best,
And put them out to Fame for interest;
