’Tis madness to resist or blame 25 The face of angry heaven’s flame; And if we would speak true, Much to the Man is due, Who, from his private gardens, where He lived reservèd and austere 30 (As if his highest plot To plant the bergamot,) Could by industrious valour climb To ruin the great work of time, And cast the Kingdoms old 35 Into another mould. Though Justice against Fate complain, And plead the ancient Rights in vain-- But those do hold or break As men are strong or weak. 40 Nature, that hateth emptiness, Allows of penetration less, And therefore must make room, Where greater spirits come. What field of all the Civil War 45 Where his were not the deepest scar? And Hampton shows what part He had of wiser art, Where, twining subtle fears with hope, He wove a net of such a scope 50 That Charles himself might chase To Carsbrook’s narrow case; That thence the royal actor borne The tragic scaffold might adorn: While round the armèd bands 55 Did clap their bloody hands; He nothing common did or mean Upon that memorable scene, But with his keener eye The axe’s edge did try; 60 Nor called the Gods, with vulgar spite, To vindicate his helpless right; But bowed his comely head Down, as upon a bed. --This was that memorable hour 65 Which first assured the forcèd power: So when they did design The Capitol’s first line, A Bleeding Head, where they begun, Did fright the architects to run; 70 And yet in that the State Foresaw its happy fate! And now the Irish are ashamed To see themselves in one year tamed: So much one man can do 75 That does both act and know. They can affirm his praises best, And have, though overcome, confessed How good he is, how just And fit for highest trust; 80 Nor yet grown stiffer with command, But still in the Republic’s hand-- How fit he is to sway That can so well obey! He to the Commons’ feet presents 85 A Kingdom for his first year’s rents, And (what he may) forbears His fame, to make it theirs: And has his sword and spoils ungirt To lay them at the Public’s skirt. 90 So when the falcon high Falls heavy from the sky,