Gateway to the Classics: Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3 by Arthur Quiller-Couch
 
Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3 by  Arthur Quiller-Couch

From Samson Agonistes:  First Selection

Oh how comely it is and how reviving

To the Spirits of just men long opprest!

When God into the hands of thir deliverer

Puts invincible might

To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppressour,

The brute and boist'rous force of violent men

Hardy and industrious to support

Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue

The righteous and all such as honour Truth;

He all thir Ammunition

And feats of War defeats

With plain Heroic magnitude of mind

And celestial vigour arm'd,

Thir Armories and Magazins contemns,

Renders them useless, while

With wingéd expedition

Swift as the lightning glance he executes

His errand on the wicked, who surpris'd

Lose thir defence distracted and amaz'd.

— John Milton
1608–1674   


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