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SONNETS. 267
To meafure life learn thou betimes, and know
Toward folid good what leads the neareft way;
For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains,
And difapproves that care, though wife in fhow,
That with fuperfluous burden loads the day,
And when God fends a cheerful hour, refrains.
XXII.
TO THE SAME.
Cyriac, this three years day thefe eyes, though clear,
To outward view, of blemifh or of fpot,
Bereft of light their feeing have forgot,
Nor to their idle orbs doth fight appear
Of fun, or moon, or ftar throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Againft Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but ftill bear up and fleer
Right onward. What fupports me, doft thou afk ?
The confcience, friend, to' have loft them overply'd
In liberty's defence, my noble talk,
Of which all Europe talks from fide to fide.
This thought might lead me through the world's
vain mafk
Content though blind, had I no better guide.