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SONNET: 16. TO THE LORD GENERAL CROMWELL, MAY 1652 by JOHN MILTON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: CROMWELL, OUR CHIEF OF MEN, WHO THROUGH A CLOUD
Last Line: OF HIRELING WOLVES, WHOSE GOSPEL IS THEIR MAW.
Subject(s): CROMWELL, OLIVER (1599-1658); GREAT BRITAIN - HISTORY; ENGLISH HISTORY;

CROMWELL, our chief of men, who through a cloud,
Not of war only, but detractions rude,
Guided by faith and matchless fortitude,
To peace and truth thy glorious way hast
ploughed,
And on the neck of crowned fortune proud
Hast reared God's trophies, and his work pursued,
While Darwen stream, with blood of Scots inbued,
And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud,
And Worcester's laureate wreath. Yet much re-
mains
To conquer still; Peace hath her victories
No less renowned than War: new foes arise,
Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains:
Help us to save free conscience from the paw
Of hireling wolves, whose gospel is their maw.



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