To Cyriack Skinner

By John Milton

1608-1674

CYRIACK, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench
         Of Brittish Themis, with no mean applause
         Pronounc't and in his volumes taught our Lawes,
         Which others at their Barr so often wrench:
To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench
         In mirth, that after no repenting drawes;
         Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause,
         And what the Swede intend, and what the French.
To measure life, learn thou betimes, and know
         Toward solid good what leads the nearest way;
         For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains,
And disapproves that care, though wise in show,
         That with superfluous burden loads the day,
         And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.

DayPoems Poem No. 315
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/315.html">To Cyriack Skinner by John Milton</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

Poets  Poems