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Home  »  The Poems of John Dryden  »  To my Friend, Mr. Northleigh, Author of The Parallel, on his Triumph of the British Monarchy

John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913.

Epistles and Complimentary Addresses

To my Friend, Mr. Northleigh, Author of The Parallel, on his Triumph of the British Monarchy

SO Joseph, yet a Youth, expounded well

The boding Dream, and did th’ Event foretell,

Judg’d by the past, and drew the Parallel.

Thus early Solomon the truth explored,

The Right awarded, and the Babe restor’d.

Thus Daniel, ere to Prophecy he grew,

The perjur’d Presbyters did first subdue,

And freed Susanna from the canting Crew.

Well may our Monarchy Triumphant stand,

While warlike James protects both Sea and Land;

And, under Covert of his sev’nfold Shield,

Thou sendst thy Shafts to scour the distant Field.

By law thy pow’rful Pen has set us free;

Thou studiest that, and that may study thee.