who may enquire why I have taken so much pains to become an Authour Or why any man stays so long sweating at the fire of Invention to dress the food of the Minde when Readers have so imperfect Stomachs as they either devour Books with over hasty Digestion or grow to loath them from a surfet And why I more especially made my task an Heroick Poem I shall involve the two first Questions in one as submitting to be concern'd amongst the generality of Writers whose Enemies being many and now mine we must joyn forces to oppose them Men are chiefly provok'd to the toyl of compiling Books by love of Fame and often by officiousness of Conscience but seldom with expectation of Riches for those that spend time in writing to instruct others may finde leasure to inform themselves how mean the provisions are which busie and studious minds can make for their own sedentary bodies And Learned men to whom the rest of the world are but Infants have the same foolish affection in nourishing others minds as Pelicans in feeding their young which is at the expence of the very subsistance of Life 'T is then apparent they proceed by the instigation of Fame or Conscience and I believe many are perswaded by the first of which I am One and some are commanded by the second Nor is the desire of Fame so vain as divers have rigidly imagin'd Fame being when belonging to the Living that which is more gravely call'd a steddy and necessary reputation and without it hereditary Power or acquir'd greatness can never quietly govern the World 'T is of the dead a musical glory in which God the Authour of excellent goodness vouchsafes to take a continual share For the remember'd virtues of Great men are chiefly such of his works mention'd by King David as perpetually praise him and the good fame of the Dead prevails by example much more than the reputation of the Living because the later is always suspected by our Envy but the other is chearfully allow'd and religiously admir'd for Admiration whose Eyes are ever weak stands still and at gaze upon great things acted far off but when they are near walks slightly away as from familiar objects Fame is to our Sons a solid Inheritance and not usefull to remote Posterity and to our Reason 't is the first though but a little taste of Eternity Those that write by the command of Conscience thinking themselves able to instruct others and consequently oblig'd to it grow commonly the most voluminous because the pressures of Conscience are so incessant that she is never satisfied with doing enough for such as be newly made the Captives of God many appearing so to themselves when they first begin to wear the Fetters of Conscience are like common slaves when newly taken who terrified with a fancy of the severity of absolute Masters abuse their diligence out of fear and do ill rather than appear idle And this may be the cause why Libraries are more than double lin'd with Spiritual Books or Tracts of Morality the later being the Spiritual Counsels of Lay-men and the newest of such great volumns being usually but transcriptions or translations differ so much from the Ancients as later days from those of old which difference is no more than an alteration of names by removing the Ethnicks to make way for the Saints These are the effects of their labours who are provok'd to become Authours meerly out of Conscience and Conscience we may again averre to be often so unskilfull and timorous that it seldom gives a wise and steddy account of God but grows jealous of him as of an Adversary and is after melancholy visions like a fearfull Scout after he hath ill survey'd the Enemy who then makes incongruous long and terrible Tales Having confess'd that the desire of Fame made me a Writer I must declare why in my riper age I chose to gain it more especially by an Heroical Poem and the Heroick being by most allow'd to be the most beautifull of Poems I shall not need to decide the quarrels of Poets about Degrees of Excellence in Poesie But 't is noâ— amiss ere I avow the usefulness of the Science in general which was the cause of my undertaking to remember the value it had from the greatest and most worthy spirits in all Ages for I will not abstain though it may give me the reputation but of common reading to mention that Pâ—sistratus though a Tyrant liv'd with the praise and dy'd with the blessing of all Greece for gathering the scatter'd limbs of Homer's Works into a Body and that great Alexander by publickly conversing with it attain'd the universal opinion of Wit the fame of such inward forces conducing as much to his Conquests as his Armies abroad That the Athenian Prisoners were thought worthy of life and liberty for singing the Tragedies of Euripides That Thebes was sav'd from destruction by the victors reverence to the memory of Pindar That the elder Scipio who govern'd all the civil world lay continually in the bosom of Ennius That the great Numantin and Laelius no less renown'd were openly proud when the Romans believ'd they assisted Terence in his Comedies That Augustus to whom the mysteries of the universal Empire were more familiar than domestick Dominion to Modern Kings made Virgil the partner of his joys and would have divided his businesses with Horace And that Lucan was the fear and envy of Nero. If we approch nearer our own times we may adde the triumphal Entry which the Papacy gave to Petrarâ—h and how much Tasso is still the glory and delight of Italie But as in this hasty Muster of Poets and listing their confederates I shall by omitting many deprive them of that pay which is due from Fame so I may now by the opinion of some Divines whom notwithstanding I will reverence in all their distinct habits and fashions of the mind be held partial and too bold by adding to the first number though I range them upon holy ground and aside Moses David and Solomon for their Songs Psalms and Anthems the Second being the acknowledg'd Favorite of God whom he had gain'd by excellent Praises in sacred Poesie And I fear since Poesie is the clearest light by which they find the soul who seek it that Poets have in their fluent kindness diverted from the right use and spent too much of that spiritual talent in the honour of mortal Princes for divine Praise when in the high perfection as in Poets and onely in them is so much the uttermost and whole of Religious worship that all other parts of Devotion serve but to make it up 89 Praise is Devotion fit for mighty Minds The diff'ring World 's agreeing Sacrifice Where Heaven divided Faiths united finds But Pray'r in various discord upward flies 90 For Pray'r the Ocean is where diversly Men steer their course each to a sev'ral Coast Where all our Int'rests so discordant be That half beg winds by
that hath wide possessions and priority over them as in some few places but when restrain'd in narrow dominion where no body commands and hinders their nature they quarrel like Cocks in a Pit the Sun in a days travel there sees more battels but not of consequence because their Kings though many are little than in Europe in a Year To Leaders of Armies as to very necessary Men whose Office requires the uttermost aids of Art and Nature and rescues the sword of Justice when 't is wrested from supream Power by Commotion I am now address'd and must put them in mind though not upbraidingly how much their Mighty Predecessours were anciently oblig'd to Poets whose Songs recording the praises of Conduct and Valour were esteem'd the chiefest rewards of Victory And since Nature hath made us prone to Imitation by which we equal the best or the worst how much those Images of Action prevail upon our minds which are delightfully drawn by Poets For the greatest of the Grecian Captains have confess'd that their Counsels have been made wise and their Courages warm by Homer and since Praise is a pleasure which God hath invited and with which he often vouchsaf'd to be pleas'd when it was sent him by his own Poet why is it not lawfull for virtuous men to be cherish'd and magnify'd with hearing their Vigilance Valour and good Fortune the latter being more the immediate gift of Heaven because the effect of an unknown Cause commended and made eternal in Poesie But perhaps the Art of praising Armies into great and instant action by singing their former deeds an Art with which the Ancients made Empire so large is too subtle for modern Leaders who as they cannot reach the heights of Poesie must be content with a narrow space of Dominion and narrow Dominion breeds evil peevish and vexatious minds and a National self-opinion like simple Jewish arrogance and the Jews were extraordinarie proud in a very little Countrey For men in contracted governments are but a kind of Prisoners and Prisoners by long restraint grow wicked malitious to all abroad and foolish esteemers of themselves as if they had wrong in not enjoying every thing which they can onely see out of Windows Our last application is to States-men and makers of Laws who may be reasonably reduc'd to one since the second differ no more from the first than Judges the Copies of Law-makers differ from their Originals For Judges like all bold Interpreters by often altering the Text make it quite new and States-men who differ not from Law-makers in the act but in the manner of doing make new Laws presumptuously without the consent of the people but Legislators more civilly seem to whistle to the Beast and stroak him into the Yoak and in the Yoak of State the people with too much pampering grow soon unruly and draw awrie Yet States-men and Judges whose business is Governing and the thing to be Govern'd is the People have amongst us we being more proud and mistaken than any other famous Nation look'd gravely upon Poetrie and with a negligence that betray'd a Northerly ignorance as if they believ'd they could perform the work without it But Poets who with wise diligence studie the People and have in all ages by an insensible influence govern'd their manners may justly smile when they perceive that Divines Leaders of Armies States-men Judges think Religion the Sword or which is unwritten Law and a secret Confederacie of Chiefs Policie or Law which is written but seldom rightly read can give without the help of the Muses a long and quiet satisfaction in government For Religion is to the wicked and saithless who are many a jurisdiction against which they readily rebel because it rules severely yet promiseth no worldly recompence for obedience obedience being by every humane Power invited with assurances of visible advantage The good who are but few need not the power of Religion to make them better the power of Religion proceeding from her threatnings which though mean weapons are fitly us'd since she hath none but base Enemies We may observe too that all Virtuous men are so taken up with the rewards of Heaven that they live as if out of the World and no government receives assistance from any man meerly as he is good but as that goodness is active in temporal things The Sword is in the hand of Justice no guard to Government but then when Justice hath an Army for her own defence and Armies if they were not pervertible by Faction yet are to Common-wealths like Kings Physitians to poor Patients who buy the cure of their disorder'd bodies at so high a rate that they may be said to change their Sickness for Famin. Policie I mean of the Living not of the Dead the one being the last rules or designs governing the Instant the other those laws that began Empire is as mortal as States-men themselves whose incessant labours make that Hectick seaver of the mind which insensibly dispatches the Bodie and when we trace States-men through all the Histories of Courts we find their Inventions so unnecessarie to those that succeed at the Helm or so much envi'd as they scarce last in authoritie till the Inventors are buried and change of Designs in States-men their designs being the weapons by which States are defended grows as distructive to Government as a continual change of various weapons into Armies which must receive with ruin any sudden assault when want of practice makes unactiveness We cannot urge that the ambition of Statesmen who are obnoxious to the people doth much disorder Government because the peoples anger by a perpetual coming in of new Oppressours is so diverted in considering those whom their Eyes but lately left as they have not time enough to rise for the Publick and evil successors to power are in the troubled stream of State like succeeding Tides in Rivers where the Mud of the former is hidden by the filth of the last Laws if very ancient grow as doubtfull and difficult as Letters on buried Marble which onely Antiquaries read but if not Old they want that reverence which is therefore paid to the virtues of Ancestors because their crimes come not to our remembrance and yet great men must be long dead whose ills are forgotten If Laws be New they must be made either by very Angels or by Men that have some vices and those being seen make their Virtues suspected for the People no more esteem able men whose defects they know though but errors incident to Humanitie than an Enemie values a strong Army having experience of their Errors And new Laws are held but the projects of necessitous Power new Nets spred to intangle Us the Old being accounted too many since most are believ'd to be made for Forfeitures and such letting of bloud though intended by Law-makers for our health is to the People always out of Season for those that love life with too much Passion and Money is the
Life-bloud of the People ever fear a Consumption But be Law-makers as able as Nature or Experience which is the best Art can make them yet though I will not yield the Wicked to be wiser than the Virtuous I may say offences are too hard for the Laws as some Beasts are too wily for their Hunters and that Vice over-grows Virtue as much as Weeds grow faster than Medicinable Herbs or rather that Sin like the fruitfull slime of Nilus doth increase into so many various shapes of Serpents whose walks and retreats are winding and unknown that even Justice the painfull pursuer of Mischief is become wearie and amaz'd After these meditations me thinks Government resembles a Ship where though Divines Leaders of Armies States-men and Judges are the trusted Pilots yet it moves by the means of winds as uncertain as the breath of Opinion and is laden with the People a Fraight much loosser and more dangerous than any other living Stowage being as troublesom in fair weather as Horses in a Storm And how can these Pilots stedily maintain their course to the Land of Peace and Plentie since they are often divided at the Helm For Divines when they consider great Chiefs suppose Armies to be sent from God for a temporarie Plague not for continual Jurisdiction and that Gods extream punishments of which Armies be the most violent are ordain'd to have no more lastingness than extreams in Nature They think when they consider States-men Policie hath nothing of the Dove and being all Serpent is more dangerous than the dangers it pretends to prevent and that out-witting by falshood and corruption adverse States or the People though the People be often the greater enemie and more perilsom being nearest is but giving reputation to Sin and that to maintain the Publick by politick evils is a base prostitution of Religion and the prostitution of Religion is that unpardonable whordom which so much anger'd the Prophets They think Law nothing but the Bible forcibly usurp'd by covetous Lawyers and disguis'd in a Paraphrase more obscure than the Text and that 't is onely want of just reverence to Religion which doth expose us to the charges and vexations of Law The Leaders of Armies accuse Divines for unwisely raising the War of the World by opposite Doctrine and for being more indiscreet in thinking to appease it by perswasion forgetting that the dispatchfull ending of War is blows and that the natural region for Disputes when Nations are engag'd though by Religion is the Field of Battel not Schools and Academies which they believe by their restless controversies less civil than Camps as intestine Quarrel is held more barbarous than forreign War They think States-men to them unless dignifi'd with militarie Office but mean Spies that like African Foxes who attend on Lions ranging before and about for their valiant prey shrink back till the danger be subdu'd and then with insatiate hunger come in for a share Yet sometimes with the Eye of Envie which enlarges objects like a multiplying glass they behold these States-men and think them immense as Whales the motion of whose vast bodies can in a peacefull calm trouble the Ocean till it boyl After a little hastie wonder they consider them again with disdain of their low constraints at Court where they must patiently endure the little follies of such small Favourites as wait even near the wisest Thrones so fantastically weak seem Monarchs in the sickness of Care a feaver in the head when for the humorous pleasure of Diversitie they descenâ— from purple Beds and seek their ease upon the ground These great Leaders say also that Law moves slowly as with fetter'd feet and is too tedious in redress of wrongs whilst in Armies Justice seems to ride post and overtakes Offenders ere the contagion of crimes can infect others and though in Courts and Cities great men fence often with her and with a forcive sleight put by her sword yet when she retires to Camps she is in a posture not onely to punish the offences of particular Greatness but of injurious Nations States-men look on Divines as men whose long solitude and Meditations on Heaven hath made them Strangers upon Earth and 't is acquaintance with the World and knowledge of Man that makes abilities of Ruling for though it may be said that a sufficient belief of Doctrine would beget Obedience which is the uttermost design of Governing yet since diversitie of Doctrine doth distract all Auditors and makes them doubtfully dispose their obedience even towards spiritual powers on which many would have the temporal depend therefore States-men think themselves more fit to manage Empire than Divines whose usefulness consists in perswasion and perswasion is the last medicine being the most desperate which States-men apply to the distemper of the People for their distemper is madness and madness is best cur'd with terrour and force They think that Leaders of Armies are to great Empire as great Rivers to the continent which make an easie access of such benefits as the Metropolis the seat of Power would else at vast distances with difficultie reach yet often like proud Rivers when they swell they destroy more by once overflowing their borders at home than they have in long time acquir'd from abroad They are to little Empire like the Sea to low Islands by nature a defence from Forreigners but by accident when they rage a deluge to their own shore And at all seasons States-men believe them more dangerous to Government than themselves for the popularitie of States-men is not so frequent as that of Generals or if by rare sufficiencie of Art it be gain'd yet the force of crowds in Cities compar'd to the validitie of men of Arms and discipline would appear like a great number of Sheep to a few Wolves rather a cause of Comfort than of Terrour They think that chief Ministers of Law by unskilfull integritie or love of popularity which shews the Mind as meanly born as bred so earnestly pursue the protection of the Peoples right that they neglect publick Interest though the Peoples right and publick Interest be the same yet usually by the People the Ministers of Law mean private men and by the other the State and so the State and the People are divided as we may say a man is divided within himself when Reason and passion and Passion is folly dispute about consequent actions and if we were call'd to assist at such intestine War we must side with Reason according to our dutie by the Law of Nature and Natures Law though not written in Stone as was the Law of Religion hath taken deep impression in the Heart of Man which is harder than marble of Mount-Sinai Chief Ministers of Law think Divines in government should like the Penal Statutes be choicely and but seldom us'd for as those Statutes are rigorously inquisitive after venial faults punishing our very manners and weak constitution as well as insolent appetite so Divines that
Poesie on our Stage or the Heroick in Musick for so the latter was anciently us'd is prejudicial to a State as begetting Levity and giving the people too great a diversion by pleasure and mirth To these if they be worthy of satisfaction I reply That whoever in Government endeavours to make the people serious and grave which are attributes that may become the peoples Representatives but not the people doth practise a new way to enlarge the State by making every Subject a States-man and he that means to govern so mournfully as it were without any Musick in his Dominion must lay but light burdens on his Subjects or else he wants the ordinary wisdom of those who to their Beasts that are much loaden whistle all the day to encourage their Travel For that supream Power which expects a firm obedience in those who are not us'd to rejoycing but live sadly as if they were still preparing for the funeral of Peace hath little skill in contriving the lastingness of Government which is the principal work of Art And less hath that Power consider'd Nature as if such new austeritie did seem to tax even her for want of gravity in bringing in the Spring so merrily with a musical variety of Birds And such sullen power doth forget that Battels the most solemn and serious business of Death are begun with Trumpets and Fifes and anciently were continu'd with more diversity of Musicks And that the Grecian Laws Laws being the gravest endeavour of humane Councels for the ease of Life were long before the days of Lycurgus to make them more pleasant to memory publish'd in Verse And that the wise Athenians dividing into three Parts the publick Revenue expended one in Plays and Shows to divert the people from meeting to consult of their Rulers merit and the defects of Government And that the Romans had not so long continu'd their Empire but for the same diversions at a vaster charge Again it may be objected that the Precepts of Christian Religion are sufficient towards our regulation by appointment of manners and towards the ease of Life by imposing obedience so that the moral assistance of Poesie is but vainly intruded To this I may answer That as no man should suspect the sufficiency of Religion by its insuccessfulness so if the insuccessfulness be confess'd we shall as little disparage Religion by bringing in more aids when 't is in action as a General dishonours himself by endeavouring with more of his own Forces to make sure an attempt that hath a while miscarried For Poesie which like contracted Essences seems the utmost strength and activity of Nature is as all good Arts subservient to Religion all marching under the same Banner though of less discipline and esteem And as Poesie is the best Expositor of Nature Nature being mysterious to such as use not to consider so Nature is the best Interpreter of God and more cannot be said of Religion And when the Judges of Religion which are the Chiefs of the Church neglect the help of Moralists in reforming the people and Poets are of all Moralists the most usefull they give a sentence against the Law of Nature For Nature performs all things by correspondent aids and harmony And 't is injurious not to think Poets the most usefull Moralists for as Poesie is adorn'd and sublim'd by Musick which makes it more pleasant and acceptable so morality is sweetned and made more amiable by Poesie And the Austerity of some Divines may be the cause why Religion hath not more prevail'd upon the manners of Men for great Doctours should rather comply with things that please as the wise Apostle did with Ceremonies than lose a Proselyte And even Honour taught by moral Philosophers but more delightfully infus'd by Poets will appear notwithstanding the sad severity of some latter Divines no unfase Guid towards Piety for it is as wary and nice as Conscience though more chearfull and couragious And however Honour be more pleasing to flesh and bloud because in this World it finds applause yet 't is not so mercenarie as Piety for Piety being of all her expectations inwardly assur'd expects a reward in Heaven to which all earthly payments compar'd are but Shaddows and Sand. And it appears that Poesie hath for its natural prevailings over the Understandings of Men sometimes making her conquests with easie plainness like Native countrey Beauty been very successfull in the most grave and important occasions that the necessities of States or Mankind have produc'd For it may be said that Demosthenes sav'd the Athenians by the Fable or Parable of the Dogs and Wolves in answer to King Philip's Proposition And that Menenius Agrippa sav'd the Senate if not Rome by that of the Belly and the Hands and that even our Saviour was pleas'd as the most prevalent way of Doctrine wholly to use such kind of Parables in his converting or saving of Souls it being written Wâ—hout a Parable spake he not to them And had not the learned Apostle thought the wisdom of Poets worthy his remembrance and instructive not onely to Heathens but to Christians he had not cited Epimenides to the Cretans as well as Aratus to the Athenians I cannot also be ignorant that divers whose conscientious Melancholy amazes and discourages others Devotion will accuse Poets as the admirers of Beauty and Inventors or Provokers of that which by way of aspersion they call Love But such in their first accusation seem to look carelesly and unthankfully upon the wonderful works of God or else through low education or age become incompetent Judges of what is the chief of his works upon Earth And Poets when they praise Beauty are at least as lawfully thankfull to God as when they praise Seas Woods Rivers or any other parts that make up a prospect of the world Nor can it be imagin'd but that Poets in praising them praise wholly the Maker and so in praising Beauty For that Woman who believes she is prais'd when her beauty is commended may as well suppose that Poets thinks she created her self And he that praises the inward beauty of Women which is their Virtue doth more perform his duty than before for our envious silence in not approving and so encouraging what is good is the cause that vice is more in fashion and countenance than Virtue But when Poets praise that which is not beauty or the mind which is not virtuous they erre through their mistake or by flattery and flattery is a crime so much prosperous in others who are companions to greatness that it may be held in Poets rather kindness than design They who accuse Poets as provokers of Love are Enemies to Nature and all affronts to Nature are offences to God as insolencies to all subordinate officers of the Crown are rudenesses to the King Love in the most obnoxious interpretation is Natures Preparative to her greatest work which is the making of Life And since the severest Divines of these latter times
And like stirr'd fire in sparkles upward flies Rage which the Duke thus practis'd to reclaim 30. Though you design'd your ruin by surprise Though much in usefull Arms you us exceed And in your number some advantage lies Yet you may find you such advantage need 31. If I am vallu'd as th' impediment Which hinders your adoption to the Crown Let your revenge onely on me be spent And hazard not my Party nor your own 32. Ambition else would up to Godhead grow When so profanely we our anger prise That to appease it we the bloud allow Of whole offenceless Herds for sacrifice 33. Oswald who Honour 's publick pattern was Till vain ambition led his heart aside More temp'rate grew in manage of his cause And thus to noble Gondibert reply'd 34. I wish it were not needfull to be great That Heavens unenvy'd pow'r might Men so aw As we should need no Armies for defeat Nor for protection be at charge of Law 35. But more than Heav'ns Men Mans authoritie Though envy'd use because more understood For but for that Life's Utensils would be In Markets as in Camps the price of blood 36. Since the Worlds safety we in greatness find And pow'r divided is from greatness gone Save we the World though to our selves unkind By both endang'ring to establish one 37. Nor these who kindle with my wrongs their rage Nor those bold Youth who warmly you attend Our distant Camps by action shall ingage But we our own great cause will singly end 38. Back to your noble Hunters strait retire And I to those who would those Hunters chace Let us perswade their fury to expire And give obediently our anger place 39. Like unconcern'd Spectatours let them stand And be by sacred vow to distance bound Whilst their lov'd Leaders by our strict command As patient witnesses approach this ground 40. Where with no more defensive Arms than was By Nature ment us who ordain'd Men Friends We will on foot determine our great cause On which the Lombards doubtfull peace depends 41. The Duke full low did bow and soon obay Confess'd his honour he transcendent finds Said he their persons might a meaner way With ods have aw'd but this subdues their Minds 42. Now wing'd with hope they to their Troops return Oswald his old grave Brescians makes retire Lest if too near though like slow Match they burn The Dukes rash Youth like Powder might take fire 43. First with their noble Chiefs they treat aside Plead it humanity to bleed alone And term it needless cruelty and pride With others Sacrifice to grace their own 44. Then to their Troops gave their resolv'd command Not to assist through anger nor remorse Who seem'd more willing patiently to stand Because each side presum'd their Champions force 45. Now near that ground ordain'd by them and Fate To be the last where one or both must tread Their chosen Judges they appoint to wait Who thither were like griev'd Spectatours led 46. These from the distant Troops far sever'd are And near their Chiefs divided Stations take Who strait uncloath and for such deeds prepare By which strip'd Souls their fleshy Robes forsake 47. But Hubert now advanc'd and cry'd aloud I will not trust uncertain Destinie Which may obscurely kill me in a Crowd That here have pow'r in publick view to die 48. Oswald my Brother is If any dare Think Gondibert's great name more Kingly sounds Let him alight and he shall leave the care Of chusing Monarchs to attend his wounds 49. This Hurgonil receiv'd with greedy Ear Told him his summons boldly did express That he had little judgement whom to fear And in the choice of Kings his skill was less 50. With equal haste they then alight and met Where both their Chiefs in preparation stood Whilst Paradine and furious Dargonet Cry'd out we are of Oswald's Princely blood 51. Are there not yet two more so fond of same So true to Gondibert or Love's commands As to esteem it an unpleasant shame With idle eyes to look on busie hands 52. Such haste makes Beauty when it Youth forsakes And day from Travellers when it does set As Arnold to proud Paradine now makes And little Hugo to tall Dargonet 53. The bloudy Borgio who with anguish stay'd And check'd his rage till these of Oswald's Race By wish'd example their brave Challenge made Now like his curb'd Steed foaming shifts his place 54. And thus with haste and choler hoarse he spake Who e're amongst you thinks we destin'd are To serve that King your Courtly Camp shall make Falsly he loves nor is his Lady fair 55. This scarce could urge the temp'rate Tybalts fire Who said When Fate shall Aribert remove As ill then wilt thou judge who should aspire As who is fair that art too rude to love 56. But scarce had this reply reach'd Borgio's Ear When Goltho louder cry'd what ere he be Dares think her foul who hath a Lover here Though Love I never knew shall now know me 57. Grave Tybalt who had laid an early'r claim To this defiance much distemper'd grows And Goltho's forward Youth would sharply blame But that old Vasco thus did interpose 58. That Boy who makes such haste to meet his fate And fears he may as if he knew it good Through others pride of danger come too late Shall read it strait ill written in his blood 59. Let Empire fall when we must Monarchs choose By what unpractis'd Childhood shall approve And in tame peace let us our Manhood loose When Boys yet wet with milk discourse of Love 60. As bashfull Maids blush as if justly blam'd When forc'd to suffer some indecent Tongue So Goltho blush'd whom Vasco made asham'd As if he could offend by being young 61. But instantly offended bashfulness Does to a brave and beauteous anger turn Which he in younger flames did so express That scarce old Vasco's Embers seem'd to burn 62. The Princes knew in this new kindled rage Opinion might which like unlucky wind Sate right to make it spread their Troops engage And therefore Oswald thus proclaim'd his-mind 63. Seem we already dead that to our words As to the last requests men dying make Your love but Mourners short respect affords And ere interr'd you our commands forsake 64. We chose you Judges of our needfull strife Such whom the world grown faithless might esteem As weighty witnesses of parting life But you are those we dying must condemn 65. Are we become such worthless sacrifice As cannot to the Lombards Heav'n atone Unless your added blood make up the price As if you thought it worthier than our own 66. Our fame which should survive before us die And let since in our presence disobay d Renown of pow'r like that of beauty flie From knowledge rather than be known decay'd 67. This when with rev'rence heard it would have made Old Armies melt to mark at what a rate They spent their Hearts and Eyes kindly afraid To be omitted in their Gen'rals fate
68. Hubert whose princely quality more frees Him than the rest from all command unless He find it such as with his will agrees Did nobly thus his firm resolve express 69. All greatness bred in blood be now abas'd Instinct the inward Image which is wrought And given with Life be like thaw'd wax defac'd Though that bred better honour than is taught 70. And may impressions of the common ill Which from street Parents the most low derives Blot all my minds fair book if I stand still Whilst Oswald singly for the Publick strives 71. A Brothers love all that obedience stays Which Oswald else might as my Leader claim Whom as my love my honour disobays And bids me serve our greater Leader Fame 72. With gentle looks Oswald to Hubert bows And said I then must yield that Hubert shall Since from the same bright Sun our lustre grows Rise with my Morns and with my Ev'nings fall 73. Bold Paradine and Dargonet reviv'd Their suit and cry'd We are Astolpho's sons Who from your highest spring his blood deriv'd Though now it down in lower Channels runs 74. Such lucky seasons to attain renown We must not lose who are to you ally'd Others usurp who would your dangers own And what our duty is in them is pride 75. Then as his last Decree thus Oswald spake You that vouchsafe to glory in my blood Shall share my doom which for your merits sake Fate were it bad would alter into good 76. If any others disobedient rage Shall with uncivil love intrude his aid And by degrees our distant Troops ingage Be it his Curss still to be disobey'd 77. Wars Orders may he by the slow convey To such as onely shall dispute them long An ill peace make when none will him obey And be for that when old judg'd by the young 78. This said he calmly bid the Duke provide Such of his bloud as with those chosen Three Whilst their adoption they on foot decide May in brave life or death fit Partners be 79. Though here reply'd the Duke I find not now Such as my bloud with their alliance grace Yet Three I see to whom your stock may bow If love may be esteem'd of heav'nly Race 80. And much to me these are by love ally'd Then Hugo Arnold and the Count drew near Count Hurgonil woo'd Orna for his Bride The other Two in Laura Rivals were 81. But Tybalt cry'd and swiftly as his voice Approch'd the Duke forgive me mightie Chief If justly I envie thy noble choice And disobey thee in wrong'd Love's relief 82. If rev'renc'd love be sacred Myst'rie deem'd And mysteries when hid to value grow Why am I less for hidden love esteem'd To unknown God-head wise Religions bow 83. A Maid of thy high linage much I love And hide her name till I can merit boast But shall I here where I may worth improve For prising her above my self be lost 84. The Duke 's firm bosome kindly seem'd to melt At Tybalt's grief that he omitted was Who lately had Love's secret conquest felt And hop'd for publick triumph in this cause 85. Then he decreed Hugo though chose before To share in this great work should equally With Tybalt be expos'd to Fortune's pow'r And by drawn Lots their wish'd election trie 86. Hugo his dreaded Lord with chearfull aw Us'd to obey and with implicit love But now he must for certain honour draw Uncertain Lots seems heavily to move 87. And here they trembling reach'd at honour so As if they gath'ring Flow'rs a Snake discern'd Yet fear'd Love onely whose rewards then grow To Lovers sweetest when with danger earn'd 88. From this brave fear lest they should danger scape Was little Hugo eas'd and when he drew The Champion's lot his joy inlarg'd his shape And with his lifted mind he taller grew 89. But Tybalt stoop'd beneath his sorrows waight Goltho and him kindly the Duke imbrac'd Then to their station sent and Oswald straight His so injoyn'd and with like kindness grac'd 90. When cruel Borgio does from Tybalt part Vasco from Goltho many a look they cast Backward in sullen message from the heart And through their eyes their threatning anger waste CANTO the Fourth The ARGUMENT The Duel where all rules of artfull strife To rescue or endanger Darling-life Are by reserves of strength and courage shown For killing was long since a Science grown Th' event by which the Troops engaged are As private rage too often turn to war 1. BY what bold passion am I rudely led Like Fame's too curious and officious Spie Where I these Rolls in her dark Closet read Where Worthies wrapt in Time's disguises lie 2. Why should we now their shady Curtains draw Who by a wise retirement hence are â—reed And gone to Lands exempt from Nature's Law Where love no more can mourn nor valour bleed 3. Why to this stormy world from their long rest Are these recall'd to be again displeas'd Where during Natures reign we are opprest Till we by Deaths high priviledge are eas'd 4. Is it to boast that Verse has Chymick pow'r And that its rage which is productive heat Can these revive as Chymists raise a Flower Whose scatter'd parts their Glass presents compleat 5. Though in these Worthies gone valour and love Did chastely as in sacred Temples meet Such reviv'd Patterns us no more improve Than Flowers so rais'd by Chymists make us sweet 6. Yet when the souls disease we desp'rate find Poets the old renown'd Physitians are Who for the sickly habits of the mind Examples as the ancient cure prepare 7. And bravely then Physitians hononr gain When to the world diseases cureless seem And they in Science valiant ne'r refrain Arts war with Nature till they life redeem 8. But Poets their accustom'd task have long Forborn who for Examples did disperse The Heroes virtues in Heroick Song And now think virtue sick past cure of verse 9. Yet to this desp'rate cure I will proceed Such patterns shew as shall not fail to move Shall teach the valiant patience when they bleed And hapless Lovers constancy in love 10. Now Honour's chance the Duke with Oswald takes The Count his great Stake Life to Hubert sets Whilst his to Paradin's Lord Arnold stakes And little Hugo throws at Dargonets 11. These Four on equal ground those Four oppose Who wants in strength supples it with his skill So valiant that they make no haste to close They not apace but handsomly would kill 12. And as they more each others courage found Each did their force more civilly express To make so manly and so fair a wound As loyal Ladies might be proud to dress 13. But vain though wondrous seems the short event Of what with pomp and Noise we long prepare One hour of battel oft that force hath spent Which Kings whole lives have gather'd for a war 14. As Rivers to their ruin hastie be So life still earnest loud and swift runs post To the vaste Gulf of death as they to
Suns hot Steeds begin To mend their pace as if their longing sight Had newly spy'd their usual Western Inn. 63. Too far is pleasant Bergamo from hence Since Day has reach'd so near his journeys end Days strength and yours are at their last expence Do not whilst both are wasting both misspend 64. You and Your wounded must with Nature strive Till all whose few hours sway to day excels Their elder Foes long reign in Camps arrive Where Astragon the wise and wealthy dwels 65. Rich is that Lord and rich in learnings wealth Art flies his test he all Art's test endures Our Cities send their sick to him for health Our Camps the wounded for their certain cures 66. Though cautious Nature check'd by Destinie Has many secrets she would ne'r impart This fam'd Philosopher is Natures Spie And hireless gives th' intelligence to Art 67. The Duke with virtue antiquated now Did rev'rence Counsel and to Age did bend His first Course alters and does this allow Then Ulfin as their Guide they all attend 68. Soon they the Pallace reach'd of Astragon Which had its beauty hid by envious Night Whose Cypress Curtain drawn before the Sun Seem'd to perform the Obsequies of light 69. Yet Light 's last rays were not intirely spent For they discern'd their passage through a Gate Whose height and space shew'd ancient ornament And Ancients there in carefull Office sate 70. Who by their Weights and Measures did record Such num'rous Burdens as were thither brought From distant Regions to their learned Lord On which his Chymicks and Distillers wrought 71. But now their common bus'ness they refrain When they observe a quiet fullenness And bloody marks in such a civil Train Which shew'd at once their worth and their distress 72. The voice of ulfin they with gladness knew Whom to this house long neighbourhood indeer'd Approaching Torches perfected their view And taught the way till Astragon appear'd 73. Who soon did Ulfin chearfully embrace The visits cause by whispers he receiv'd Which first he hop'd was meant him as a grace But being known with manly silence griev'd 74. And then with gestures full of grave respect The Duke he to his own apartment led To each distinct retirements did direct And all the wounded he ordain'd to Bed 75. Then thin digestive food he did provide More to enable fleeting strength to stay To wounds well search'd he cleansing wines apply'd And so prepar'd his rip'ning Balsoms way 76. Balm of the Warriour's herb Hypericon To warriour's as in use in form decreed For through the leaves transparent wounds are shown And rudely touch'd the Golden Flower does bleed 77. For sleep they juice of pale Nymphaea took Which grows to shew that it for sleep is good Near sleep's abode in the soft murm'ring Brook This cools the yellow Flow'r restrains the Bloud 78. And now the wearie world's great Med'cin Sleep This learned Host dispenc'd to ev'ry Guest Which shuts those wounds where injur'd Lovers weep And flies Oppressours to relieve th' Opprest 79. It loves the Corrage and from Court abstains It stills the Sea man though the Storm be high Frees the griev'd Captive in his closest Chains Stops wants loud Mouth blinds the treach'rous Spie 80. Kind Sleep Night's welcome Officer does cease All whom this House contains till day return And me Grief's Chronicler does gently ease Who have behind so great a taâ—k to mourn The end of the First Book GONDIBERT The Second Book CANTO the First The ARGUMENT VERONA by the Poet's Pencil drawn Where HURGONIL did meet the early dawn Her wealth shown by each Dwellers early'r care Which soon by others peace she reap'd by war The slain whose life her safetie was and pride Are now in death their Fun'ral Rites deny'd 1. SUnk near his Evening Region was the Sun When Hurgonil with his lamented Load And faithfull Tybalt their sad march begun To Fair Verona where the Court aboad 2. They slowly rode till Night's dominion ceast When infant Morn her scarce wak'd beams display'd With a scant face peepâ— shylie through the East And seem'd as yet of the black world afraid 3. But by increase of swift expansive light The lost Horizon was apparent grown And many Tow'rs salute at once their sight The distant boasts of an Imperial Town 4. Verona sprâ—â—g from â—oble Vera's 〈◊〉 Whom careless Time still 〈◊〉 old Records Where they are loosly gather'd up by â—ame Proclaims the chief of ancient Tuscan Lords 5. Verona borders on that fatal Plain Whose barren thirst was quench'd with valiant blood When the rough Cyâ—â—brians by â—ierce Mariâ—â— slain Left Hills of Bodies where their Ensigns stood 6. So safely proud this Town did now appear As if it but immortal Dwellers lack'd As if Theodorick had ne'r been there Nor Attila her wealth and beauty sack'd 7. Here Hurgonil might follow with his Eye As with deep stream it through the City pass'd The fruitfull and the frighted Adice Which thence from noise and nets to sea does haste 8. And on her peopled Bank they might behold The toyls of conquest paid with works of pride The Palace of King Agilulf the old Or Monument for ere 't was built he dy'd 9. To it that Temple joyns whose lofty Head The prospect of a swelling Hill commands In whose cool womb the City springs are bred On Dorique Pillars this tall Temple stands 10. This to sooth Heav'n the bloody Clephes built As if Heav'ns King so soft and easie were So meanly hous'd in Heav'n and kind to guilt That he would be a Tyrant's Tenant here 11. And now they might arrest their waâ—d'ring â—ight With that which makes all other Objects lost Makes Lombard greatness â—â—aâ— to 〈◊〉 height And Modern Builders blâ—â—â— that else would â—oast 12. An Amphy theater which has controll'd Unheeded conquests of advancing Age Winds which have made the trembling world look old And the uncivil Goth's malicious rage 13. This great Flaminius did in youth erect Where Cities sat to see whole Armies play Death's serious part but this we may neglect To mark the bus'ness which begins with day 14. As Day now op'ning fils the Hemisphear And all at once so quickly ev'ry street Does by an instant op'ning full appear When from their dwellings busie Dwellers meet 15. From wider Gates Oppressours sally there Here creeps th' afflicted through a narrow Door Groans under wrongs he has not strength to bear Yet seeks for wealth to injure others more 16. And here the early Lawyer mends his pace For whom the earlier Cliant waiâ—ed long Here greedy Creditours their Debtours chace Who scape by herding in th' indebted Throng 17. Th' advent'rous Merchant whom a Storm did wake His Ships on Adriatick Billows â—ost Does hope of Eastern winds from Steeples take And hastens there a Currier to the Coast. 18. Here through a secret Postern issues out The skar'd Adult'rer who out-slept his time Day and the Husbands Spie alike does doubt And with a half hid face would-hide his crime 19.
gain And thus the Peoples Oratour reclaim 57. Most usefull Fathers some trace secret things Even to his Closet who is hid in Heav'n Vainly as Nilus to his hidden springs And not enjoy but censure what is giv'n 58. You with such temper their intemp'rance bear To shew your solid science does rely So on it self as you no trial fear For Arts are weak that are of Scepticks shie 59. Though in your Office humane safety lies Which opes that Hell the vicious vulgar fear Yet never can the People Priesthood prise As if from Heav'n your daily errands were 60. Not that your message Truth they disesteem Or think it comes from any other way But that they Taxes hate and Truth does seem Brought as a Tax when they the Bringers pay 61. Thus we to Beasts fall from our noble kind Making our Pastur'd Bodies all our care Allowing no subsistence to the Mind For Truth we grudge her as a costly fare 62. But if they fear since daily you renew Disputes your Oracles are doubtfull still As those of old yet more reward is due To pains where so uneasie is the skill 63. Or if no skill they think it but suppose 'T is Faith Faith ne'r thinks Heav'n's height too high Yet Faith 's so sev'ral be that few are those Can chuse right wings when they to Heav'n would flie 64. Or if they think Faith humane help transcends And to your Science is so strict a bound As Death to Valour is where daring ends And none are farthest in that Progress found 65. Yet in our walk to our last home design'd 'T is safe by all the study'd Guides to go Lest we in death too late the knowledge find Of what in life 't was possible to know 66. Your Pomp by which your Pow'r in count'nance dures Though costly costs much less than Camps or Laws And more than both Religion us secures Since Hell your Prison more than dying aws 67. For though the plain Judge Conscience makes no show But silently to her dark Session comes Not as red Law does to arraignment go Or War to Execution with loud Drums 68. Though she on Hills sets not her Gibbets high Where frightfull Law sets hers nor bloody seems Like War in Colours spred yet secretly She does her work and many a Man condemns 69. Chokes in the seed what Law till ripe ne'r sees What Law would punish Conscience can prevent And so the world from many Mischiefs â—â—ees Known by her Cures as Law by punishment 70. The weaker sighted ever look too nigh But their disputes have made your Charter good As doubted Tenures which long pleadings trie Authentick grow by being much withstood 71. These Chiefs for whom we holy Rites desire By well fought Fields begot this Cities peace Oft with their blood have quench'd intestine fire And oft our famines chang'd to glad excess 72. Their Rites let not the people be deâ—iy'd Though by untutor'd kindness rudely fought Nor think they have in private Combaâ— dy'd Where Gondibert and mighty Oswald fought 73. Both Princes of the Lombards royal blood For whom full Thrice Three Hundred number'd are Whose anger strove to make their anger good Number gives strife th'authentick name of War 74. This said Wars cause these Priests no more debate They knew War's Justice none could ere decide At that more specious name they open strait And sacred Rites of Fun'ral they provide 75. How vain is Custom and how guilty Pow'r Slaughter is lawfull made by the excess Earth's partial Laws just Heav'n must needs abhor Which greater crimes allow and damn the less CANTO the Second The ARGUMENT Fame's progress through Verona when she brings Ill news enlarg'd as her extended wings The Combat's cause shakes ARIBERT'S great mind And the effects more conquers RHODALIND Meek ORNA'S fears proud GARTHA'S bold disdain And LAURA kindly dying for the Slain 1. To Streets the Peoples Region early Fame First brought this grief which all more tragick make And next to the triumphant Court she came Where prosp'rous Pow'r sleeps long though Sutors wake 2. But yet the early King from Childhood bred To dangers toyls and courser wants of war Rose up to rule and left soft Love in bed Could conquer Lands and Love but stoopt to Care 3. Care that in Cloysters onely seals her Eies Which Youth thinks folly Age as wisdom owns Fools by not knowing her out live the wise She Visits Cities but she dwells in Thrones 4. Care which King Aribert with Conquest gain'd And is more sure to him than Realms intail'd Wak'd him to know why Rumor thus complain'd Or who in battail bled or who prevail'd 5. Young Hurgonil who does his wounds conceal Yet knew it did his dutious care import That some just witness should his cause reveal Sent Tybalt to appease and tast the Court. 6. To that proud Palace which once low did lie In Parian Quarries now on Columes stands Ionique Props that bear their Arches high Which conquer'd treasure rais'd with Tuscan Hands 7. So vast of heighth to which such space did fit As if it were o're-cyz'd for Modern Men The ancient Giants might inhabit it And there walk free as winds that pass unseen 8. The Monarch's wealth this shew'd in all the parts But the attendant Guards denote him wise Who on the weather of his Peoples hearts For a short Course not voyages relies 9. Through many Guards all watchful calm and bold Tybalt did pass the first magnifick Square And through ascents does enter to behold Where the States Head and Eies assembled are 10. There saâ— the King on whose consid'rate Brow Sixtie experienc'd Summers he discern'd Which made him ripe and all of Conduct know That from success is own'd from losses learn'd 11. Near him the Empire 's strict Surveyors sate whose universal fight no object lose Who see not crimes too soon nor worth too late Find dangers seed and choke it ere it grows 12. He wealth nor birth preferr'd to Councels place For Counsel is for use not ornament Souls are alike of rich and ancient Race Though Bodies claim distinctions by descent 13. Here boyling Youth nor frozen Age can sit It would in Subjects scorn of ruling Breed If that great work should such small ayds admit And make them hope that they no rulers need 14. Nature too oft by birth-right does prefer Less perfect Monarchs to a busie Throne Yet more than her Courts by weak Counc'lers err In adding Cyphers where she made but one 15. To this wise King sage Tybalt did relate The Combats cause with truth's severe extent Reveals that fire which kindl'd Oswald's hate For which such precious valour was misspent 16. Gives Gondibert a just record of praise First how unwilling then how bold in fight And crowns the Conquer'd with the Victor's Baies When Manhood bids him do their valour right 17. At last recounts the wounded and the slain And how Prince Hubert and the Duke retir'd From nothing brave or great he did refrain But
54. We in Tradition Heav'ns dark Map descrie Heav'n worse than ancient Maps far Indian show Therefore in new we search where Heav'n does lie The Minds sought Ophir which we long to know 55. Or as a Planter though good Land he spies Seeks new and when no more so good he finds Doubly esteems the first so Truth men prise Truth the discov'ry made by trav'ling Minds 56. And this false Book till truly understood By Astragon was openly display'd As counterfeit false Princes rather shou'd Be shewn abroad than in closs Prison laid 57. Now to the old Philosophers they come Who follow'd Nature with such just despair As some do Kings far off and when at home Like Courtiers boast that they deep secret share 58. Near them are grave dull Moralists who give Counsel to such as still in publick dwell At seâ— at Courts in Camps and Cities live And scorn experience from th'unpractis'd Cell 59. Aesop with these stands high and they below His pleasant wisdom mocks their gravitie Who Virtue like a tedious Matron show He dresses Nature to invite the Eye 60. High skill their Ethicks seems whilst he stoops down To make the People wise their learned pride Makes all obscure that Men may prise the Gown With ease lie teaches what with pain they hide 61. And next as if their bus'ness rul'd Mankind Historians stand big as their living looks Who thought swift Time they could in fetters bind Till his Confessions they had ta'ne in books 62. But Time oft scap'd them in the shades of Night And was in Princes Closets oft conceal'd And hid in Battels smoke so what they write Of Courts and Camps is oft by guess reveal'd 63. Near these Physitians stood who but reprieve Life like a Judge whom greater pow'r doeâ— aw And cannot an Almighty pardon give So much yields Subject Art to Nature's Law 64. And not weak Art but Nature we upbraid When our frail essence proudly we take ill Think we are rob'd when first we are decay'd And those were murder'd whom her law did kill 65. Now they refresh after this long survay With pleasant Poets who the Soul sublime Fame's Her auids in whose Triumphs they make way And place all those whom Honour helps to climb 66. And he who seem'd to lead this ravish'd Race Was Heav'ns lov'd Laâ—reat that in Jewry writ Whose Harp approach'd Gods Ear though none his Face Durst see and first made inspiration wit 67. And his Attendants such blest Poets are As make unblemish'd Love Courts best delight And sing the prosp'rous Battels of just War By these the loving Love and valiant fight 68. O hireless Science and of all alone The liberal Meanly the rest each State In pension treats but this depends on none Whose worth they rev'rendly forbear to rate CANTO the Sixth The ARGUMENT How ASTRAGON to Heav'n his duty pays In Pray'r and Penitence but most in Praise To these he sev'ral Temples dedicates And ULFIN their distinguish'd use relates Religion's Rites seem here in Reasons sway Though Reason must Religion's Laws obay 1. THe noble Youths reclaim'd by what they saw Would here unquiet war as pride for sake And study quiet Nature's pleasant Law Which Schools through pride by Art uneasie make 2. But now a sudden Shout their thoughts diverts So chearfull general and loud it was As pass'd through all their Ears and fill'd their Hearts Which lik'd the joy before they knew the cause 3. This Ulfin by his long Domestick skill Does thus explain The Wise I here observe Are wise tow'rds God in whose great service still More than in that of Kings themselves they serve 4. He who this Building 's Builder did create As an Apartment here Triangular Where Astragon Three Fanes did dedicate To days of Praise of Penitence and Pray'r 5. To these from diff'rent motives all proceed For when discov'ries they on Nature gain They praise high Heav'n which makes their work succe 〈…〉 But when it falls in Penitence complain 6. â—f after Praise new blessings are not giv'n Nor mourning Penitence can ills repair Like practis'd Beggers they solicite Heav'n And will prevail by violence of Pray'r 7. The Temple built for Pray'r can neither boast The Builder's curious Art nor does declare By choice Materials he intended cost To shew that nought should need to tempt to Pray'r 8. No Bells are here Unhing'd are all the Gates Since craving in distress is natural All lies so ope that none for ent'rance waits And those whom Faith invites can need no call 9. The Great have by distinction here no name For all so cover'd come in grave disguise To shew none come for decency or fame That all are strangers to each others Eyes 10. But Penitence appears unnatural For we repent what Nature did perswade And we lamenting Men's continu'd fall Accuse what Nature necessary made 11. Since the requir'd extream of Penitence Seems so severe this Temple was design'd â—olemn and strange without to catch the sense And dismal shew'd within to aw the mind 12. Of sad black Marble was the outward Frame A mourning Monument to distant sight â—ut by the largeness when you near it came It seem'd the Palace of Eternal Night 13. Black beauty which black Meroens had prais'd Above their own gravely adorn'd each part In Stone from Nyle's head Quarries slowly rais'd And slowlyer polish'd by Numidi an Art 14. Hither a loud Bells tole rather commands Than seems t' invite the persecured Ear A summons Nature hardly understands For few and flow are those who enter here 15. Within a dismal Majesty they find All gloomy great all silent does appear As Chaos was ere th' Elements were design'd Man 's evil fate seems hid and fashion'd here 16. Here all the Ornament is rev'rend black Here the check'd Sun his universal Face Stops bashfully and will no enterance make As if he spy'd Night naked through the Glass 17. Black Curtains hide the Glass whilst from on high A winking Lamp still threatens all the Room As if the lazy flame just now would die Such will the Sun's last light appear at Doom 18. This Lamp was all that here inform'd all Eyes And by refléx did on a Picture gain Some few false Beams that thence from Sodom rise Where Pencils seign the fire which Heav'n did rain 19. This on another Tablet did reflect Where twice was drawn the am'rous Magdaline Whilst beauty was her care then her neglect And brightest through her Tears she seem'd to shine 20. Near her seem'd crncifi'd that lucky Thief In Heav'ns dark Lot'ry prosp'rous more than wife Who groap'd at last by chance for Heav'ns relief And Throngs undoes with Hope by one drawn Prize 21. In many Figures by reflex were sent Through this black Vault instructive to the mind That early and this tardy Penitent For with Obsidian stone 't was chiefly lin'd 22. The Seats were made of Ethiops swarthy wood Abstersive Ebony but thinly fill'd For none this place by nature understood And practise when
first divide Whilst place scarce distant gives them diff'rent stiles Rivers whose breadth Inhabiâ—ants may stride Parts them as much as Continents and Isles 33. On equal smooth and undistinguish'd Ground The lust of pow'r does liberty impair And limits by a border and a bound What was before as passable as Air. 34. Whilst change of Languages oft breeds a war A change which Fashion does as oft obtrude As womens dress and oft Complexions are And diff'rent names no less a cause of fouâ— 35. Since Men so causelesly themselves devour And hast'ning still their else too hasty Fates Act but continu'd Massacres for pow'r My Father meant to chastise Kings and States 36. To overcome the world till but one Crown And universal Neighbourhood he saw Till all were rich by that alliance grown And want no more should be the cause of Law 37. One family the world was first design'd And though some fighting Kings so sever'd are That they must meet by help of Seas and wind Yet when they fight 't is but a civil war 38. Nor could Religions heat if one rul'd all To bloody war the unconcern'd allure And hasten us from Earth ere Age does call Who are alas of Heav'n so little sure 39. Religion ne'r till divers Monarchies Taught that almighty Heav'n needs Armies aid But with contentious Kings she now complies Who seem for their own cause of God's afraid 40. To joyn all sever'd Pow'rs which is to end The cause of War my Father onward fought By war the Lombard Scepter to extend Till peace were forc'd where it was slowly sought 41. He lost in this attempt his last dear blood And I whom no remoteness can deterre If what seems difficult be great and good Thought his Example could not make me erre 42. No place I merit in the Book of Fame Whose leaves are by the Greeks and Romans fill'd Yet I presume to boast she knows my name And she has heard to whom the Hunns did yield 43. But let not what so needfully was done Though still pursu'd make you ambition fear For could I force all Monarchies to one That Universal Crown I would not wear 44. He who does blindly â—oar at Rhodalind Mounts like feel'd Doves still higher from his ease And in the lust of Empire he may find High Hope does better than Fruition please 45. The Victor's solid recompence is rest And 't is unjust that Chiefs who pleasure shun Toyling in Youth should be in Age opprest With greater Toyls by ruling what they won 46. Here all reward of conquest I would find Leave shining Thrones for Birtha in a shade With Nature's quiet wonders fill my mind And praise her most because she Birtha made 47. Now Astragon with joy suffic'd perceiv'd How nobly Heav'n for Birtha did provide Oâ—t had he for her vanish'd Mother griev'd â—ut â—an this joy less than that sorrow hide 48. With tears bids Gondibert to Heav'ns Eye make All good within as to the World he seems And in gain'd Birtha then from Hymen take All youth can wish and all his age esteems 49. Straight to his lov'd Philosophers he hies Who now at Nature's Counsel busie are To trace new Lights which some old Gazer spies Whilst the Duke seeks more busily his Star 50. But in her search he is by Goltho stay'd Who in a closs dark Covert folds his Arms His Eyes with thought grow darker than that shade Such thought as brow and breast with study warms 51. Fix'd to unheeded object is his Eye His sences he calls in as if t' improve By outward absence inward extasie Such as makes Prophets or is made by Love 52. Awake said Gondibert for now in vain Thou dream'st of sov'reignty and War's success Hope nought has left which Worth should wish to gain And all Ambition is but Hope's excess 53. Bid all our Worthies to unarm and rest For they have nought to conquer worth their care I have a Father's right in Birtha's breast And that 's the peace for which the wise make war 54. At this starts Goltho like some Armie 's Chief Whom unintrench'd a midnight Larum wakes By pawse then gave disorder'd sence relief And this reply with kindled passion makes 55. What means my Prince to learn so low a boast Whose merit may aspire to Rhodalind For who could Birtha miss if she were lost That shall by worth the others treasure find 56. When your high blood and conquests shall submit To such mean joys in this unminded shade Let Courts without Heav'ns Lamps in darkness sit And war become the lowly Shepheard's Trade 57. Birtha a harmless Cottage Ornament May be his Bride that 's born himself to serve But you must pay that blood your Anny spent And wed that Empire which our wounds deserve 58. This brought the Dukes swiâ—t anger to his Eyes Which his consid'rate Heart rebuk'd as fast He Goltho chid in that he nought replies Leaves him and Birtha seeks with Lovers haste 59. Now Goltho mourns yet not that Birtha's fair Or that the Duke shuns Empire for a Bride But that himself must joyn love to despair Himself who loves her and his love must hide 60. He curs'd that him the wounded hither brought From Oswald's field where though he wounds did scape In tempting Death and here no danger sought Yet here met worse than Death in Beauty's shape 61. He was unus'd to love as bred in wars And not till now for beâ—uty leasure had Yet bore Love's load as Youth beaâ—s other Câ—res Till now despair makes Love's old weight too â—ad 62. But Ulfinore does hither aptly come His second breast in whom his griefs excess He may ebb out when they ore-flow at home Such griefs as thus in Throngs for utt'rance press 63. Forgive me that so falsly am thy Friend No more our Hearts for kindness shall contest Since mine I hourly on another spend And now imbrace thee with an empty brest 64. Yet pard'ning me you cancel Nature's fault Who walks with her first force in Birtha's shape And when she spreads the Net to have us caught It were in youth presumption to escape 65. When Birtha's grief so comly did appear Whilst she beheld our wounded Duke's distress Then first my alter'd Heart began to fear Lest too much Love should friendship dispossess 66. But this whilst Ulfinore with sorrow hears Him Goltho's busier sorrow little heeds And though he could reply in sighs and tears Yet governs both and Goltho thus proceeds 67. To Love's new dangers I have gone unarm'd I lack'd experience why to be afraid Was too unlearn'd to read how Love had harm'd But have his will as Nature's law obay'd 68. Th'obedient and defenceless sure no law Afflicts for law is their defence and pow'r Yet me Loves sheep whom rigour needs not aw Wolf-Love because defenceless does devour 69. Gives me not time to perish by degrees But with despair does me at once destroy For none who Gondibert a Lover sees Thinks he would love but where he may enjoy
And still increase where e're their Eyes they cast Of lazy Pag'ant-Greatness moving slow And angry bus'ness rushing on in haste 29. All strange to them as they to all appear Yet less like strangers gaz'd than those they see Who this glad Day the Duke's Spectatours were To mark how with his fame his looks agree 30. And guess that these are of his fighting Train Renown'd in Youth who by their wonder stay'd And by their own but slowly passage gain But now much more their progress is delay'd 31. For a black Beauty did her pride display Through a large Window and in Jewels shoâ— As if to please the World weeping for day Night had put all her Starry Jewels on 32. This Beauty gaz'd on both and Ulfinore Hung down his Head but yet did lift his Eyes As if he fain would see a little more For much though bashful he did beauty prise 33. Goltho did like a blushless Statue stare Boldly her practis'd boldness did out-look And even for fear she would mistrust her snare Was ready to cry out That he was took 34. She with a wicked Woman's prosp'rous Art A seeming modesty the Window clos'd Wisely delay'd his Eyes since of his Heart She thought she had sufficiently dispos'd 35. And he thus straight complain'd Ah Ulfinore How vainly Glory has our Youth misled The Wind which blows us from the happy Shore And drives us from the Living to the Dead 36. To bloudy slaughters and perhaps of those Who might beget such Beauties as this Maid The Sleepy here are never wak'd with Foes Nor are of ought but Ladies frowns afraid 37. Ere he could more lament a little Page Clean and perfum'd one whom this Dame did breed To guess at ills too manly for his age Steps swiftly to him and arrests his sâ—eed 38. With civil whisper cries My Lady Siâ— At this Goltho alights as swiftly post As Posters mount by ling'ring loath to erre As Wind-bound Men whose sloth their first Wind lost 39. And when his Friend advis'd him to take care He gravely as a Man new potent grown Protests he shall in all his Fortunes share And to the House invites him as his own 40. And with a Rival's wisdom Ulfinore Does hope since thus blind Love leads him astray Where a false Saint he can so soon adore That he to Birtha ne'r will find the way 41. They enter and ascend and enter then Where Dalga with black eyes does Sinners draw And with her voice holds fast repenting Men To whose warm Jett light Goltho is but Straw 42. Nicely as Bridegrooms was her Chamber drest Her Bed as Brides and richer than a Throne And sweeter seem'd than the Circania's Nest Though built in Eastern Groves of Cinamon 43. The price of Princes pleasure who her love Though but false ware at rates so costly bought The wealth of many but may hourly prove Spoils to some one by whom her self is caught 44. She sway'd by sinfull Beauties destiny Finds her Tyrannick Pow'r must now expire Who meant to kindle Goltho in her Eye But to her breast has brought the raging fire 45. Yet ev'n in simple Love she uses Art Though weepings are from looser Eyes but Leaks Yet eldest Lovers scarce would doubt her heart So well she weeps and thus to Goltho speaks 46. I might if I would ask your pardon Sir Suspect that pitie which the noble feel When women fail but since in this I erre To all my Sex I would to women kneel 47. Yet happy were our Sex could they excuse All breach of Modestie as I can mine Since 't is from passion which a Saint might use And not appear less worthy of a shrine 48. For my brave brother you resemble so Throughout your shape who late in Combat fell As you in that an inward Virtue show By which to me you all the world excell 49. All was he which the Good of greatness see Or Love can like in Judgement match'd by none Unless it fail'd in being kind to me A crime forbid to all since he is gone 50. For though I send my Eyes abroad in hope Amongst the Streams of Men still slowing here To find which is my passion 's utmost scope Some one that does his noble Image bear 51. Yet still I live recluse unless it seem A liberty too rude that I in you His likeness at so high a rate esteem As to believe your heart is kind and true 52. She casts on Ulfinore a sudden look Starts like a Mountebank who had forgot His Viol and the cursed poison took By dire mistake before his Antidote 53. Pray'd Goltho that his friend may straight forbear Her presence whom she said resembled so Her noble Brother's cruel Murtherer As she must now expire unless he go 54. Goltho still gravely vain with formal Face Bids Ulfinore retire and does pretend Almost to know her Parents and the place And ev'n to swear her brother was his friend 55. But warie Ulfinore who beauteous Truth Did never but in plainest Dress behold Smiles and remembers Tales to forward Youth In winter Nights by Countrey Matrons told 56. Of Witches Towns where â—eeming Beauties dwell All hair and black within Maids that can flie Whose Palaces at night are smoaky Hell And in their beds their slaughter'd Lovers lie 57. And though the Sun now setting he no Lights Saw burning blue nor Steam of Sulphur smelt Nor took her two black Merâ—on Maids for Sp'rites Yet he a secret touch of Honour felt 58. For not the craft of Rivalship though more Than States wise Rivals study interest Can make him leave his friend till he restore Some cold Discretion to his burning breast 59. Though to his fears this cause now serious shows Yet smiles heat his solemn loving Eye For lust in reading Beautie seldom grows As old Physitians in Anatomie 60. Goltho said he 't is easie to discern That you are grave and think you should be so Since you have bus'ness here of great concern And think that you this House and Lady know 61. You 'l stay and have your Sleep with Musick fed But little think to wake with Mandrakes groans And by a Ghost be to a Garden led At midnight strew'd with simple Lovers bones 62. This Goltho is enchantment and so strange So subt'ly false that whilst I tell it you I fear the Spell will my opinion change And make me think the pleasant vision true 63. Her dire black Eyes are like the Oxes Eye Which in the Indian Ocean Tempests brings Let 's go before our Horses learn to â—lie Ere she shew â—loven Feet and they get wings 64. But high rebellious Love when counsell'd soon As sullen as rebuk'd Ambition grows And Goltho would pursue what he should shun But that his happier faâ—e did interpose 65. For at the Garden gate a Summons loud Enough to shew authority and haste Brought cares to Dalga's Brow which like a Cloud Did soon her shining Beauty over cast 66. Like Thieves surpriz'd whilst they divide