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
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
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
invites you to devour And a submission gives you ease to feed 41. To fighting Fields send all your honour back To Courts your dang'rous Tongue and civil shape That Country Maids may Men no more mistake Nor seek dark Death that they may Love escape 42. Now soon to Heav'n her Soul had found the way For there it oâ—t had been in pray'r and praise But that his vows did life with loudness stay And life's warm help did soon her Body raise 43. And now he gently leads her for no more He lets th'unhallow'd Ground a falâ— Flow'â— wear Sweeter than Nature's Bosom ever wore And now these vows sends kindly to her Eâ—r 44. If Birtha I am false think none too blame For thinking Truth by which the Soul subsists No farther to be found than in the name Think humane kind betraid ev'n by their Priests 45. Think all my Sex so vile that you may chide Those Maids who to your Mothers Nuptials ran And praise your Mother who so early dy'd Remembring whom she marry'd was a Man 46. This great Court miracle you strait receive From Orgo and your faith the whole allows Why since you Orgo's words so soon believe Will you less civilly suspect my vows 47. My Vows which want the Temples seal will bind Though private kept surer than publick Laws For Laws but sorce the Body but my Mind Your Virtue Counsels whilst your beauty draws 48. Thus spake he but his mourning looks did more Attest his grief and fear does hers renew Now losing were he lost more than before For then she fear'd him false now thinks him true 49. As sick Physicians seldom their own Art Dare trust to cure their own disease so these Were to themselves quite useless when apart Yet by consult each can the other ease 50. But from themselves they now diverted stood For Orgo's News which need not borrow wings Since Orgo for his Lord believ'd it good To Astragon the joyfull Houshold brings 51. But Astragon with a judicious thought This days glad news took in the dire portent A day which mourning Nights to Birtha brought And with that fear in search of Birtha went 52. And here he finds her in her Lovers Eyes And him in hers both more afflicted grown At his approach for each his sorrow spies Who thus would counsel theirs and hide his own 53. Though much this fatal joy to anger moves Yet reason's aids shall anger's force subdue I will not chide you for your hasty Loves Nor ever doubt great Prince that yours is true 54. In chiding Love because he hasty was Or urging errours which his swiftness brings I find effects but dare not tax the cause For Poets were inspir'd who gave him wings 55. When low I dig where desart-Rivers run Dive deep in Seas through Forrests follow winds Or reach with Optick Tubes the ragged Moon My sight no cause of Love's swift motion finds 56. Love's fatal haste in yours I will not blame Because I know not why his wings were giv'n Nor doubt him true not knowing whence he came Nor Birtha chide who thought you came from Heav'n 57. If you lay snares we erre when we escape Since evil practise learns Men to suspect Where falshood is and in your noble shape We should by finding it our skill detect 58. Yet both your griefs I 'le chide as ignorance Call you unthankfull for your great griefs show That Heav'n has never us'd you to mischance Yet rudely you repine to feel it now 59. If your contextures be so weak and nice Weep that this windy world you ever knew You are not in those Calms of Paradice Where slender Flow'rs as safe as Cedars grew 60. This which your Youth calls grief was frowardness In flatter'd Infancy and as you bear Unkindly now amidst Youth's joys distress So then unless still rock'd you froward were 61. Griefs conflicts gave these Hairs their silver shine Torn Ensigns which victorious Age adorn Youth is a Dress too garish and too fine To be in foul tempestuous weather worn 62. Grief's want of use does dang'rous weakness make But we by use of Burdens are made strong And in our practis'd Age can calmly take Those sorrows which like Feavers vex the young 63. When you in Love's fair Books which Poets keep Read what they hide his Tragick History You will rejoyce that half your time is sleep And smile at Love when Nature bids you die 64. Learn then that Love's diseases common are Do not in sickness known though new to you Whilst vital hear does last of cure despair Love's vital heat does last whilst Love is true 65. Thus spake the kind and prudent Astragon And much their kind impatience he appeas'd For of his griefs which heavier than their own Were born by both their duteous fears are eas'd 66. She begs that he would pardon her distress Thought that even sin which did her sorrows move And then with all her Mothers lowliness His pardon craves for asking leave to love 67. The Duke who saw fair Truth so undisguis'd And love in all but love so unconcern'd Pity'd the studious world and all despis'd Who did not here unlearn what they had learn'd 68. I am reform'd said he not that before I wanted love or that my love was ill But I have learnt to perfect Nature more By giving innocence a little skill 69. For 't is some skill in innocence to bear With temper the distempers of our Stars Not doubting griefs already come by fear Of more for fears but hasten threat'ned Wars 70. But we will bravely suffer to inure Our strength to weights against the new are laid That when 't is known how much we can endure Our sufferings may make our Foes afraid 71. This Comet Glory shines but in portent Which from the Court does send her threatning Beams And looks as if it were by malice meant To hasten Oswald's Faction to extreams 72. Since Hurgonil who just fore-ran the Boy Could not instruct us we as much may know Of the first Light as of these fires of joy Which is that both did out of darkness grow 73. Yet this the King might hide in Kingly skill Wisely to make his bounty more his own Kings stoop for Counsel who impart their will His Acts like Heav'ns make not their Causes known 74. Yet with as plain a heart as love untaught In Birtha wears I here to Birtha make A vow that Rhodalind I never sought Nor now would with her love her greatness take 75. Love's bonds are for her greatness made too straight And me Ambition's pleasures cannot please Ev'n Priests who on the higher Altar wait Think a continu'd rev'rence loss of ease 76. Let us with secrecy our love protect Hiding such precious wealth from publick view The proffer'd glory I will first suspect As false and shun it when I find it true 77. They now retire because they Goltho saw Who hither came to watch with Ulfinore If much the Duke 's woo'd Mistress did him aw