John Milton. (1608–1674). Complete Poems.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| To the Lord General Cromwell, on the Proposals of Certain Ministers at the Committee for the Propagation of the Gospel |
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| (1652) |
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| 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 crowned Fortune proud | 5 |
| Hast reared God’s trophies, and his work pursued, | |
| While Darwen stream, with blood of Scots imbrued, | |
| And Dunbar field, resounds thy praises loud, | |
| And Worcester’s laureate wreath: yet much remains | |
| To conquer still; Peace hath her victories | 10 |
| 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. | |
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