much the Lombards to his conduct ow And this preserv'd him for the very Crowd Felt Honour here and did to valour bow 7. Vain Wrath Deform'd unquiet Child of Pride Which in a few the People madness call But when by Number they grew dignify'd What 's rage in one is liberty in all 8. Through dangers of this lawless liberty He like authentick Pow'r does boldly pass And with a quiet and experienc'd Eye Through Death's foul Vizard does despise his face 9. At Hubert's Tent alights where Hubert now With Gartha of this Torrent does advise Which he believes does at the highest flow And must like Tides sink when it cannot rise 10. When Hermegild he saw he did disperse Those cares assembled in his looks and strove Though to his Master and the Court perverse To shew him all the civil signs of Love 11. For him in stormy war he glorious knew Nor in calm Counsels was he less renown'd And held him now to Oswald's Faction true As by his love the world's first Tenure bound 12. For he though wasted in the ebb of blood When Man's Meridian tow'rds his Evening turns Makes against Nature's Law Lov 's Charter good And as in raging Youth for Gartha burns 13. Who did his suit not onely disapprove Because the summer of his life was past And she fresh blown but that even highest love Grows tasteless to Ambition's higher taste 14. Yet now in such a great and single cause With nice Ambition nicer Loves complies And she since to revenge he usefull was Perswades his hope with Rhet'rick of her Eyes 15. A closs division of the Tent they straight By outward Guards secure from all resort Then Hermegild does thus the cause relate Which to the Camp dispatch'd him from the Court. 16. Important Prince who justly dost succeed To Oswald's hopes and all my loyal aid Virtue as much in all thy wounds does bleed As love in me since wounded by that Maid 17. Long have I sayl'd through Times vexatious sea And first set out with all that Youth is worth The Tropicks pass'd of bloods hot bravery With all the Sayls gay Flags and Streamers forth 18. But as in hotter voyages Ships most Decay their trim yet then they chiefly gain By inward stowage what is outward lost So Men decays of youth repair in brain 19. If I experience boast when youth decays Such vanity may Gartha's pitie move Since so I seek your service by self-praise Rather than seem unusefull where I love 20. And never will I though by Time supply'd With such discretion as does Man improve To shew discretion wiser Nature hide By seeming now asham'd to say I love 21. For Love his pow'r has in grey Senates shown Where he as to green Courts does freely come And though loud youth his visits makes more known With graver Age he 's poivately at home 22. Scarce Oreece or greater Rome a Victor shows Whom more victorious Love did not subdue Then blame not me who am so weak to those Whilst Gartha all exceeds that ere they knew 23. Hope Love's first food I ne'r till now did know Which Love as yet but temp'rately devours And claims not love for love since Gartha so For Autumn Leaves should barter Summer Flowers 24. I dare not vainly wish her to be kind Till for her love my Arâ—s and Pow'r bestow The Crown on thee â—dorâ—'d with Rhodalind Which yet for Gartha is a price too low 25. This said he paws'd and now the hectick heat Of Oswald's blood doubled their Pulâ—es pace Which high as if they would be heard did beat And hot Ambition shin'd in eithers face 26. For Hermegild they knew could much out-doe His words and did possess great Aribert Not in the Courts cheap Glass of civil show But by a study'd Tenure of the heart 27. Whilst this try'd truth does make their wishes sure Hubert on Gartha looks with suing Eyes For Hermegild whose love she will endure And make Ambition yield what Youth denies 28. Yet in this bargain of her self she knows Not how to treat but all her chief desires Bids Hubert as the Twins of his dispose To glory and revenge and then retires 29. But with such blushes Hermegild she leaves As the unclouded Evening's Face adorn Nor much he for her parting glory grieves Since such an Evening bodes a happy Morn 30. Now Hermegild by vows does Hubert binde Vows by their fate in Lombard Story known He Gartha makes the price of Rhodalind And Aribert his Tenant to the Crown 31. He bids him now the Armies rage allay By rage said he onely they Masters are Of those they chuse when temp'rate to obay Against themselves th'impatient chiefly war 32. We are the Peoples Pilots they our winds To change by Nature prone but Art Laveers And rules them till they rise with Stormy Minds Then Art with danger against Nature Steers 33. Where calms have first amuz'd Storms most prevail Close first with calms the Courts suspicious Eyes That whilst with all their â—rim they sleeping sail A sudden Gust may wrack them by surprize 34. Your Army will though high in all esteem That ever rev'renc'd Age to action gave But a small Party to Verona seem Which yearly to such Numbers yields a Grave 35. Nor is our vast Metropolis like those Tame Towns which peace has soft'ned into fears But Death deform'd in all his Dangers knows Dangers which he like frightfull Vizards wears 36. From many Camps who forreign winters felt Verona has her conqu'ring Dwellers ta'ne In War's great Trade with richest Nations dealt And did their Gold and Fame with Iron gain 37. Yet to the mighty Aribert it bows A King out-doing all the Lombards Line Whose Court in Iron clad by courseness shows A growing pow'r which fades when Courts grow fine 38. Scorn not the Youthfull Camp at Bergamo For they are Victors though in years but young The war does them they it by action know And have obedient Minds in bodies strong 39. Be slow and stay for aids which haste forsakes For though Occasion still does Sloth out-go The rash who run from help she ne'r ore-takes Whose haste thinks Time the Post of Nature slow 40. This is a cause which our Ambition fills A cause in which our strength we should not waste Vainly like Giants who did heave at Hills 'T is too unwildy for the force of haste 41. A cause for graver Minds that learned are In mistick Man a cause which we must gain By surer methods than depend on war And respite Valour to employ the brain 42. In the King's Scale your merits are too light Who with the Duke weighs his own partial heart Make then the gift of Empire publick right And get in Rhodalind the Peoples part 43. But this rough side the meeting Multitude If we oppose we make our voyage long Yet when we with it row it is subdu'd And we are wise where Men in vain are strong 44. Then to the People sue but hide your force For they
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
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
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
Thither convey thy souls consid'rate thought How in this cause the Court and Camp 's inclin'd What Oswald's Faction with the King has wrought And how his loss prevails with Rhodalind 72. The Count and Tybalt take their lowly leaves Their slain they sadly with consuming hearts Bear tow'rds Verona whilst the Duke perceives Prince Hubert's grief and thus his tears diverts 73. Afflicted Prince in an unpleasant hour You and your living by blind valour led Are captives made to such an easie pow'r Shall you as little vex as Death your dead 74. The Dead can ne'r by living help return From that dark Land which life could ne'r diselese But these alive for whom the Victors mourn To thee I give thee to thine own dispose 75. Be not with honours guilded Baits beguild Nor think Ambition wife because 't is brave For though we like it as a forward Child 'T is so unsound her Cradle is her Grave 76. Study the mighty Oswald vainly gone Fierce Paradine and Dargonet the stout Whos 's Thirds by patient Parcae slowly spun Ambition's haste has rashly ravell'd out 77. But Hubert's grief no precept could reform For great grief counsell'd does to anger grow And he provided now a future Storm Which did with black revenge orecast his Brow 78. Borgio and he from this dire Region haste Shame makes them sightless to themselves and dumb Their thoughts flie swift as Time from what is past And would like him demolish all to come 79. Strait they interre th' inferiour of their slain Their nobler Tragick load their grief attends Tow'rds Brescia where the Camp they hope to gain Then force the Court by faction of their Friends 80. To Bergamo the gentle Duke does turn With his surviving Lovers who in kind Remembrance every step look back and mourn Their fellow Lovers Death has staid behind 81. Some lost their quiet Rivals some their dear Love's Brother who their hopes with help approv'd Some such joy'd Friends as even tomorrow were To take from Hymen those they dearest lov'd 82. But now to Gondibert they forward look Whose wounds ere he could waste three league of way So waste him that his speech him quite forsook And Nature calls for Art to make Life stay 83. His Friends in torment lest they should forsake Delightfull him for whom alone they live Urge Heav'n uncivilly for calling back So soon such worth it does so seldom give CANTO the Sixth The ARGUMENT The Victor is when with his wounds subdu'd By such deform'd and dismal Troops pursu'd That he thinks Death than which they uglier seem No ill expedient to escape from them But ULFIN guids him to sage ASTRAGON By the last Rays of the descending Sun 1. SCarce on their Duke their fears kind fit was spent When strait a thick arm'd Squadron clouds their sight Which cast so dark a shade as if it meant Without the Suns slow leave to bring in night 2. This threatning Squadron did consist of Horse And by old Ulfin they were gravely led Whose mind was sound nor wants his Body force Though many Winters Snow had coold his head 3. The sad remainder who with Hubert went Did miss his reach when they to Brescia turn'd And now as if his haste destruction meant He chac'd these who the Dukes spent valour mourn'd 4. Whose posture being loose their number few His Scouts grow scornfull as they forward come He makes his Squadron halt and near he drew Then asks aloud what are you and for whom 5. The noble Goltho whose great deeds to day Prevented Manhood in his early youth Believ'd him Oswald's Friend yet scorn'd the way To shelter life behind abandon'd Truth 6. For he to Ulfin boldly thus reply'd This second Ambush finds us here in vain We have no treasure left that we would hide Since Gondibert is reckon'd with the slain 7. Duke Gondibert we vouch to be our Lord To whose high virtues Sov'raignty we bow Oswald sunk low as death beneath his Sword Though him superiour Fate will vanquish now 8. Scarce empty Eagles stooping to their prey Could be more swift than Ulfin to alight And come where Gondibert expiring lay Now pleasing those whom he did newly fright 9. For scarce that rev'rence which a Monarch draws Who seldom will be seen though often sought Who spends his carefull age in making Laws To rule those lands for which in youth he fought 10. Nor that respect which People pay those Kings Whose peace makes rich whom civil war made wise Can equal this which aged Ulfin brings The gentle Duke to whom he prostrate lies 11. His Eyes not us'd to tears bathe ev'ry wound Which he salutes as things he chiefly lov'd And when expence of spirits he had found To gain him air his Mourners he remov'd 12. Make way said he and give Experience room The Confident of age though Youth 's scorn'd guide My wounds though past out number yours to come You can but hope the knowledge I have try'd 13. His Hilts round Pommel he did then unskrew And thence which he from ancient Precept wore In a small Chrystal he a Cordial drew That weary life could to her walks restore 14. This care amazing all it does delight His ruins which so reverend appear With wonder not so much surprise their sight As a strange object now his Troops draw near 15. In whom such death and want of limbs they find As each were lately call'd out of his Tomb And left some members hastily behind Or came when born abortive from the Womb. 16. Yet this defect of Legs or Arms or Hands Did wondring valour not disturb but please To see what divers weapons each commands With arts hard shifts till custom gave them ease 17. But the uncomely absence of an Eye And larger wants which ev'ry visage mourn'd Where black did over-vail or ill supply Was that which wonder into horrid turn'd 18. And Ulfin might be thought when the rude wind Lifting their Curtains left their ruins bare A formal Antiquary gravely kind To Statues which he now drew out to air 19. The Duke whose absent knowledge was call'd back By Cordials pow'r his wonder did increase So much that he agen did knowledge lack Till thus old Ulfin made his wonder cease 20. Auspicious Prince recorded be this day And sung by Priests of each ensuing Age On which thou may'st receive and I may pay Some debts of duty as thy Grandsires Page 21. That mighty Chief I serv'd in youth's first strength Who our short Scepter meant to stretch so far Till Eastern Kings might grieve theirs wanted length Whose Maps scarce teach where all their Subjects are 22. Full many stormy winters we have seen When kindled Valour 's heat was all our fire Else we in stupid Frosts had fetter'd been By which soft sinews are congeal'd to wire 23. And many scorching Summers we have felt Where Death relieves all whom the sword invades And kindly thence where we should toyling melt Leads us to rest beneath eternal shades 24. For
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