Annus Mirabilis

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ... ANNUS MIRABILIS: THE YEAR OF WONDERS, 1666. In thriving arts long time had Holland grown, Crouching at home and cruel when abroad; Scarce leaving us the means to claim our own, Our King they courted and our merchants awed. 2 Trade, which like blood should circularly flow, Stopped in their channels, found its freedom lost: Thither the wealth of all the world did go, And seemed but shipwracked on so base a coast. 3 For them alone the heavens had kindly heat, In eastern quarries* ripening precious dew; For them the Idumsean balm did sweat And in hot Ceylon spicy forests grew. 4 The sun but seemed the labourer of their year; Each wexing moonb supplied her watery store To swell those tides which from the Line did bear Their brim-full vessels to the Belgian shore. 5 Thus mighty in her ships stood Carthage long And swept the riches of the world from far, Yet stooped to Rome, less wealthy but more strong; And this may prove our second Punic war. * In eastern quarries. Precious stones at first are dew condensed, and hardened by the warmth of the sun or subterranean fires. b Each wexing moon. According to their opinions who think that great heap of the waters under the Line is depressed into tides by the moon toward the poles. 13 6 What peace can be, where both to one pretend, But they more diligent and we more strong? Or if a peace, it soon must have an end, For they would grow too powerful, were it long. 7 Behold two nations then engaged so far That each seven years the fit must shake each land; Where France will side to weaken us by war Who only can his vast designs withstand. 8 See how he feeds the Iberian0 with delays To render us his timely friendship vain; And while his secret soul on Flanders preys, He rocks the cradle of the babe of...