Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | From Samson Agonistes |
John Milton (1608–1674) |
| | | MANY 1 are the sayings of the wise, | |
| In ancient and in modern books enroll’d, | |
| Extolling patience as the truest fortitude, | |
| And to the bearing well of all calamities, | |
| All chances incident to man’s frail life,— | 5 |
| Consolatories writ | |
| With studied argument, and much persuasion sought, | |
| Lenient of grief and anxious thought; | |
| But with th’ afflicted in his pangs their sound | |
| Little prevails, or rather seems a tune | 10 |
| Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint, | |
| Unless he feel within | |
| Some source of consolation from above, | |
| Secret refreshings that repair his strength | |
| And fainting spirits uphold. | 15 |
| God of our fathers, what is Man! | |
| That thou towards him with hand so various— | |
| Or might I say contrarious— | |
| Temper’st thy providence through his short course … | |
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