Heaven half repented of the doom,
  And almost grieved it had foreseen,
    What by foresight it will’d eternally to come. 
  Mercy above did hourly plead
    For her resemblance here below;
  And mild forgiveness intercede
    To stop the coming blow. 
  New miracles approach’d the ethereal throne,
  Such as his wondrous life had oft and lately known,
  And urged that still they might be shown. 
    On earth his pious brother pray’d and vow’d,
       Renouncing greatness at so dear a rate,
    Himself defending what he could,
       From all the glories of his future fate. 
    With him the innumerable crowd
       Of armed prayers
  Knock’d at the gates of Heaven, and knock’d aloud;
       The first well-meaning rude petitioners,
  All for his life assail’d the throne,
  All would have bribed the skies by offering up their own. 
  So great a throng not Heaven itself could bar;
  ‘Twas almost borne by force as in the giants’ war. 
  The prayers, at least, for his reprieve were heard;
  His death, like Hezekiah’s, was deferr’d: 
    Against the sun the shadow went;
    Five days, those five degrees, were lent
    To form our patience and prepare the event. 
  The second causes took the swift command,
  The medicinal head, the ready hand,
  All eager to perform their part;
  All but eternal doom was conquer’d by their art: 
  Once more the fleeting soul came back
    To inspire the mortal frame;
  And in the body took a doubtful stand,
    Doubtful and hovering like expiring flame,
  That mounts and falls by turns, and trembles o’er the brand.

  IV.

    The joyful short-lived news soon spread around,
  Took the same train, the same impetuous bound: 
  The drooping town in smiles again was dress’d,
  Gladness in every face express’d,
  Their eyes before their tongues confess’d. 
  Men met each other with erected look,
  The steps were higher that they took;
  Friends to congratulate their friends made haste;
  And long inveterate foes saluted as they pass’d: 
  Above the rest heroic James appear’d—­
  Exalted more, because he more had fear’d: 
  His manly heart, whose noble pride
  Was still above
  Dissembled hate or varnish’d love,
  Its more than common transport could not hide;
  But like an eagre[90] rode in triumph o’er the tide. 
  Thus, in alternate course,
  The tyrant passions, hope and fear,
  Did in extremes appear,
  And flash’d upon the soul with equal force. 
  Thus, at half ebb, a rolling sea
  Returns and wins upon the shore;
  The watery herd, affrighted at the roar,
  Rest on their fins awhile, and stay,
  Then backward take their wondering way: 
  The prophet wonders more than they,
  At prodigies but rarely seen before,
  And cries, A king must fall, or kingdoms