The Poems of John Dryden Author:John Dryden General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1822 Original Publisher: Press of C. Whittingham Subjects: Literary Criticism / Poetry Poetry / General Poetry / Anthologies Poetry / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be t... more »ypos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: 137. ASTRJEA REDUX. ON THE HAPPY RESTORATION AND RETURN OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES II. 1660. Jam redit et virgo, redeunt Satnrnia regna. VIRC. The last great age, foretold by sacred rhymes, Renews its finish'd coarse ; Satumian times Roll round again. Now with a general peace the world was bless'd, While ours, a world divided from the rest, A dreadful quiet felt, and (worser far Than arms) a sullen interval of war: [skies, Thus when black clouds draw down the labouring Ere yet abroad the winged thunder flies, An horrid stillness first invades the ear, And in that siUbnce weithe tempjest fear. The' ambitious Swede, like restless billows toss'd, On this hand gaining what in that he lost, Though in his life he blood and ruin breathed, To his now guideless kingdom peace bequeath'd : And Heaven, that seem'd regardless of our fate, For France and Spain did miracles create; Such mortal quarrels to compose in peace, As Nature bred, and Interest did increase. We sigh'd to hear the fair Iberian bride Must grow a lily to the lily's side, 18. ' ' N While our cross stars denied us Charles's bed, Whom our first flames and virgin love did wed. for his long absence Church and State did groan; Madness the pulpit, faction seized the throne ; Experienced age in deep despair was lost, To see the rebel thrive, the loyal cross'd; Youth, that with joys had unacquainted been, Envied gray hairs that...« less