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The fifth muse
The vitall sprits their artires do containe,
Their panting hearts now scarcely can sustaine.
Our souldiurrs then, who lying were a darning,
By sound of trumpet having got a warning
Do kyth, and give the charge; to tell the rest
Yee know it well, it needs not be exprest,
Many to ground were born, great bloud was shed,
He was the prettiest man that fastest fled.
Yea happie had they been, if place had served
To flee, then doubtlesse more had been preserved.
Within these bars were kill'd above threescore
Upon the bridge and waters many more.
But most of all did perish in the chace,
For they pursued were unto the place,
Where all their baggage and their canon lay,
Which to the town was brought as lawfull prey.
What shall I more say? if more you would have,
I'le speake of these three hundreth souldiours brave,[1]
Like these renown'd Lacedemonians,
Couragious Thebans, valiant Thespians
Resolv'd to die, led by Leonidas,
Stop't Xerxes armie at Thermopylas.
Such were these men who for Religions sake,
A cord of hemp about their necks did take,
Solemnly sworn, to yeeld their lives thereby,
Or they the Gospels veritie deny:
Quiting their houses, goods, and pleasures all,
Resolv'd for any hazard might befall,
Did passe forth of the town in armes to fight,
And die, or they their libertie and light
Their panting hearts now scarcely can sustaine.
Our souldiurrs then, who lying were a darning,
By sound of trumpet having got a warning
Do kyth, and give the charge; to tell the rest
Yee know it well, it needs not be exprest,
Many to ground were born, great bloud was shed,
He was the prettiest man that fastest fled.
Yea happie had they been, if place had served
To flee, then doubtlesse more had been preserved.
Within these bars were kill'd above threescore
Upon the bridge and waters many more.
But most of all did perish in the chace,
For they pursued were unto the place,
Where all their baggage and their canon lay,
Which to the town was brought as lawfull prey.
What shall I more say? if more you would have,
I'le speake of these three hundreth souldiours brave,[1]
Like these renown'd Lacedemonians,
Couragious Thebans, valiant Thespians
Resolv'd to die, led by Leonidas,
Stop't Xerxes armie at Thermopylas.
Such were these men who for Religions sake,
A cord of hemp about their necks did take,
Solemnly sworn, to yeeld their lives thereby,
Or they the Gospels veritie deny:
Quiting their houses, goods, and pleasures all,
Resolv'd for any hazard might befall,
Did passe forth of the town in armes to fight,
And die, or they their libertie and light
Should
- ↑ S. Johnston riband.