INSCRIPTION IV.

For thirty years secluded from mankind,

Here Marten linger'd. Often have these walls

Echoed his footsteps, as with even tread

He paced around his prison: not to him

Did Nature's fair varieties exist;

He never saw the Sun's delightful beams,

Save when thro’ yon high bars it pour'd a sad

And broken splendor. Dost thou ask his crime?

He had rebell'd against the King, and sat

In judgment on him; for his ardent mind

Shaped goodliest plans of happiness on earth,

And peace and liberty. Wild dreams! But such

As PLATO lov'd; such as with holy zeal

Our MILTON worshipp'd. Blessed hopes! awhile

From man withheld, even to the latter days,

When CHRIST shall come and all things be fulfill'd.