| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| John Milton. 1608–1674 |
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| 320. To Cyriack Skinner |
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| 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 | 5 |
| 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; | 10 |
| 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. | |
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