Poems By the most deservedly Admired Mrs Katherine Philips: The matchless Orinda. To which is added Monsieur Corneille's Pompey & Horace Tragedies. With several other Translations out of French |
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To his Grace Gilbert Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, July 10. 1664.
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To his Grace Gilbert Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, July 10. 1664.
That private shade, wherein my Muse was bred,She alwaies hop'd might hide her humble head;
Believing the retirement she had chose
Might yield her, if not pardon, yet repose;
Nor other repetitions did expect,
Than what our Ecchoes from the Rocks reflect.
But hurry'd from her Cave with wild affright,
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(Which makes her like the Hebrew Virgin mourn
When from her face her Vail was rudely torn)
To you (my Lord) she now for succour calls,
And at your feet, with just Confusion falls.
But she will thank the wrong deserv'd her Hate,
If it procure her that auspicious Fate,
That the same wing may over her be cast,
Where the best Church of all the World is plac'd,
Aud under which, when she is once retir'd,
She really may come to be inspir'd.
And by the Wonders which she there shall view,
May raise her self to such a Theme as you,
Who were preserv'd to Govern and Restore
That Church whose Confessour you were before;
And shew by your unweary'd present Care,
Your suff'rings are not ended, though hers are:
For whilst your Crosier her defence secures,
You purchase her Rest with the Loss of yours,
And Heav'n who first refin'd your worth, and then,
Gave it so large and eminent a Scene,
Hath paid you what was many ways your due,
And done it self a greater Right then you.
For after such a rough and tedious Storm
Had torn the Church, and done her so much harm;
And (though at length rebuk'd, yet) left behind
Such angry reliques, in the Wave and Wind;
No Pilot could, whose skill and Faith were less,
Manage the shatter'd Vessel with Success.
The Piety of the Apostles Times,
And Courage to resist this Ages Crimes;
Majestick sweetness, temper'd and refin'd,
In a Polite, and Comprehensive Mind,
Were all requir'd her Ruines to repair,
And all united in her Primate are.
In your aspect so Candid and Serene,
The Conscience of such Vertue may be seen,
As makes the sullen Schismatick consent,
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This shall those men reproach, if not reduce,
And take away their fault or their excuse,
Whilst in your Life and Government appear
All that the Pious wish and Factious fear.
Since the prevailing Cross her Ensigns spread,
And Pagan Gods from Christian Bishops fled,
Times curious Eye till now hath never spy'd
The Churches Helm so happily supply'd.
Merit and Providence so fitly met,
The Worthiest Prelate in the highest Seat.
If Noble things can Noble Thoughts infuse,
Your Life (my Lord) may, ev'n in me, produce
Such Raptures, that of their rich Fury proud,
I may, perhaps, dare to proclaim aloud;
Assur'd, the World that ardour will excuse,
Applaud the Subject, and forgive the Muse.
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