University of Virginia Library

Eleg. 8.

How are my sacred Nazarites (that were
The blazing Planets of my glorious Sphære)
Obscur'd and darkned in Afflictions cloud?
Astonisht at their owne disguize, they shrowd
Their foule transformed shapes, in the dull shade
Of sullen darknesse; of themselves afraid;
See, how the brother gazes on the brother,
And both affrighted, start, and flie each other;
Blacke as their Fates, they cross the streets unkend,
The Sire, his Son; The friend disclaimes his frend;
They, they that were the flowers of my Land,
Like withered Weeds, and blasted Hemlocke stand.