- No results
1Behold: this flying fish, with shining wings,
2When
forth the swelling billows up she springs1
,3Thinking, but all in vain, to fly away,
4To hungry hawks and
kites2
becomes a prey.5Then down into the deep she dives again;
6But then her foes within the frothy
main3
7(Whales, sharks,
bonitos4
) lie and watch5
, each hour,8This helpless, harmless creature to devour.
9Let discontented spirits come and see
10This perfect
map6
of infelicity7
.11So have I seen a
hart8
with hounds oppressed,12An arrow sticking in her quivering breast;
13If she goes on, her guiltless blood still flows;
14If she stands still, she falls amongst her foes.
15So have I known (O, sad)
the best of kings9
16(
Ay me10
, the thought of this such horror brings17To my sad soul), his princely spirit posed
18In strange dilemmas, everywhere enclosed
19By his and
God’s depressed Israel’s foes11
;20In this great
strait12
, his native side13
he chose.21
Perfidious Scot14
, thou this base plot15
did’st lay;22
Iscariot-like16
thou didst thy kings17
betray.23
He18
lost his life, but got a lasting fame19
;24Thus, being overcome, he overcame.
25Then patient be, though things fit not thy wish;
26Thou might’st have been king, hart, or flying fish.