To the Lord-General Cromwell

John Milton (1608–1674)

CROMWELL, our chief of men, who through a cloud,

Not of war only, but detractions rude,

Guided by faith and matchless fortitude,

To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed,

And on the neck of crownèd fortune proud

Hast reared God’s trophies, and his work pursued,

While Darwen stream, with blood of Scots inbued,

And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud,

And Worcester’s laureate wreath. Yet much remains

To conquer still; Peace hath her victories

No less renowned than War: new foes arise,

Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains:

Help us to save free conscience from the paw

Of hireling wolves, whose gospel is their maw.