John Milton(1608–1674)
I Did but Prompt the Age
I did but p r o m p t the age to quit their clogs9
By the known rules of ancient liberty,
W h e n straight a barbarous noise environs me
Of owls a n d cuckoos, asses, apes, and dogs;1
As when those hinds that were transformed to frogs
Railed at Latona's twin-born progeny,2
W h i c h after held the sun a n d m o o n in fee.possession
B u t this is got by casting pearl to hogs,3
T h a t bawl for f r e e d o m in their senseless m o o d ,
And still revolt when truth would set them free. 4
L i c e n s e they m e a n w h e n they cry liberty;
For who loves that m u s t first be wise and good:
B u t f r o m that mark how far they rove we see,
For all this waste of wealth and loss of blood.
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