diction, could imagine, either waking or dreaming, that he imitated
Pindar.

In the following odes, where Cowley chooses his own subjects, he
sometimes rises to dignity truly Pindaric; and, if some deficiencies
of language be forgiven, his strains are such as those of the Theban
bard were to his contemporaries:


Begin the song, and strike the living lyre:
Lo how the years to come, a numerous and well-fitted quire,
All hand in hand do decently advance,
And to my song with smooth and equal measure dance;
While the dance lasts, how long soe'er it be,
My music's voice shall bear it company;
Till all gentle notes be drown'd
In the last trumpet's dreadful sound.


After such enthusiasm, who will not lament to find the poet conclude
with lines like these:


But stop, my Muse -
Hold thy Pindaric Pegasus closely in,
Which does to rage begin -
- 'Tis an unruly and hard-mouth'd horse -
'Twill no unskilful touch endure,
But flings writer and reader too that sits not sure.