John Milton: On the Engraver of His Likeness

collage by marguerita

I did but prompt the age to quit thir dogs
By the known rules of ancient liberty,
When strait a barbarous noise environs me
Of owls and cuckoes,asses, apes and dogs.
As when those hinds that were transform'd t frogs
Rail'd at Latona's twin born progeny
Which after held the Sun and Moon in Fee.
But this is got by casting pearl to hogs;
That bawl for freedom in thir senseless mood,
And still revolt when Truth would set them free.
License they mean, when they cry liberty,
For who loves that, must first be wise, and good;
But from that mark how farr they roav, we see
For all this wast of wealth, and loss of blood.