Cromwell, now Protector, received Waller, as his kinsman, to
familiar conversation. Waller, as he used to relate, found him
sufficiently versed in ancient history; and, when any of his
enthusiastic friends came to advise or consult him, could sometimes
overhear him discoursing in the cant of the times: but, when he
returned, he would say, "Cousin Waller, I must talk to these men in
their own way;" and resumed the common style of conversation.

He repaid the Protector for his favours (1654) by the famous
Panegyric, which has been always considered as the first of his
poetical productions. His choice of encomiastic topics is very
judicious; for he considers Cromwell in his exaltation, without
inquiring how he attained it; there is consequently no mention of
the rebel or the regicide. All the former part of his hero's life
is veiled with shades; and nothing is brought to view but the chief,
the governor, the defender of England's honour, and the enlarger of
her dominion. The act of violence by which he obtained the supreme
power is lightly treated, and decently justified. It was certainly
to be desired that the detestable band should be dissolved, which
had destroyed the Church, murdered the king, and filled the nation
with tumult and oppression; yet Cromwell had not the right of
dissolving them, for all that he had before done could be justified
only by supposing them invested with lawful authority. But
combinations of wickedness would overwhelm the world by the
advantage which licentious principles afford, did not those, who
have long practised perfidy, grow faithless to each other.

In the poem on the War with Spain are some passages at least equal
to the best parts of the Panegyric; and, in the conclusion, the poet