| 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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323. From 'Samson Agonistes'
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| OH how comely it is and how reviving | |
| To the Spirits of just men long opprest! | |
| When God into the hands of thir deliverer | |
| Puts invincible might | |
| To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppressour, | 5 |
| The brute and boist'rous force of violent men | |
| Hardy and industrious to support | |
| Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue | |
| The righteous and all such as honour Truth; | |
| He all thir Ammunition | 10 |
| And feats of War defeats | |
| With plain Heroic magnitude of mind | |
| And celestial vigour arm'd, | |
| Thir Armories and Magazins contemns, | |
| Renders them useless, while | 15 |
| With wingèd expedition | |
| Swift as the lightning glance he executes | |
| His errand on the wicked, who surpris'd | |
| Lose thir defence distracted and amaz'd. | |
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