| Stanza 5 | Must there be still some discord mix'd among,
The harmony of men; whose mood accords
Best with contention, tun'd t' a note of wrong?
That when war fails, peace must make war with words,
And b' armed unto destruction ev'n as strong 5
As were in ages past our civil swords:
Making as deep, although unbleeding wounds;
That when as fury fails, wisdom confounds. |
| |
| 14 | Seeing ev'n injustice may be regular;
And no proportion can there be betwixt 10
Our actions, which in endless motion are,
And th' ordinances, which are always fix'd:
Ten thousand laws more cannot reach so far
But malice goes beyond, or lives immix'd
So close with goodness, as it ever will 15
Corrupt, disguise, or counterfeit it still. |
| |
| 15 | And therefore did those glorious monarchs (who
Divide with God the style of majesty, &c. |
|
| Stanza 5 | Must there be still some discord mix'd among
The harmony of men; whose mood accords
Best with contention tun'd to notes of wrong?
That when War fails, Peace must make war with words,
With words unto destruction arm'd more strong 5
Than ever were our foreign Foeman's swords;
Making as deep, tho' not yet bleeding wounds?
What War left scarless, Calumny confounds. |
| |
| 14 | Truth lies entrapp'd where Cunning finds no bar:
Since no proportion can there be betwixt 10
Our actions, which in endless motion are,
And ordinances, which are always fixt.
Ten thousand Laws more cannot reach so far
But Malice goes beyond, or lives commixt
So close with Goodness, that, it ever will 15
Corrupt, disguise, or counterfeit it still. |
| |
| 15 | And therefore would our glorious Alfred, who
Join'd with the King's the good man's Majesty,
Not leave Law's labyrinth without a clue—
Gave to deep skill its just authority,— 20 |
| |
| | * * * * * |
| |
| | But the last Judgement (this his Jury's plan)—
Left to the natural sense of Work-day Man |
