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
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
Since love woo'd him and in the shape of Pow'r 78. But when he mark'd that he did from them move With sudden shyness he suppos'd it shame Of being seen in chase of Birtha's love As if above it grown since Orgo came 79. Goltho by nature was of Musick made Chearfull as Victors warm in their success He seem'd like Birds created to be glad And nought but love could make him taste distress 80. Hope which our cautious Age scarce entertains Or as a Flatt'rer gives her cold respect He runs to meet invites her and complains Of one hours absence as a years neglect 81. Hope the world 's welcome and his standing Guest Fed by the Rich but feasted by the Poor Hope that did come in triumph to his breast He thus presents in boast to Ulfinore 82. Well may I Friend auspicious Love adore Seeing my mighty Rival takes no pride To be with Birtha seen and he before Thou knowst enjoyn'd that I his love should hide 83. Nor do I break his trust when 't is reveal'd To thee since we are now so much the same That when from thee it is from me conceal'd For we admit no diff'rence but in name 84. But be it still from ev'ry other Ear Preserv'd and strictly by our mutual vow His Laws are still to my obedience dear Who was my Gen'ral though my Rival now 85. And well thou knowst how much mine Eyes did melt When our great Leader they did first perceive Love's Captive led whose sorrows then I felt Though now for greater of mine own I grieve 86. Nor do I now by love in duty erre For if I get what he would fain possess Then he a Monarch is and I preferre Him who undoes the world in being less 87. When Heav'n which hath preferr'd me to thy brest Where Friendship is inthron'd shall make it known That I am worth thy love which is exprest By making Heav'nly Birtha all mine own 88. Then at this quiet Eden thou wilt call And stay a while to mark if Love 's prais'd Plant Have after Spring a ripeness and a Fall Or never of the first abundance want 89. And I shall tell thee then if Poets are In using Beauty's Pencil false or blind For they have Birtha drawn but sweet and fair Stiles of her Face the Curtain of her Mind 90. And thou at parting shalt her picture wear For Nature's honour not to shew my pride Try if like her the teeming World does bear Then bring that Copy hither for thy Bride 91. And they shall love as quietly as we Their Beauty's pow'r no civil War will raise But flourish and like neighb'ring Flow'rs agree Unless they kindly quarrel in our praise 92. Then we for change will leave such luscious peace In Camps their Favours shall our Helms adorn For we can no way else our joys increase But by beholding theirs at our return 93. Thus cloath'd in Feathers heâ—on Steeples walks Not guessing yet that silent Ulfinore Had study'd her of whom he loosly talks And what he likes did solidly adore 94. But Ulfinore with cold discretion aw'd His passion and did grave with Love become Though youthfully he sent his Eyes abroad Yet kept with manly care his Tongue at home 95. These Rival's hopes he did with patience hear His count'nance not uneasie seem'd nor strange Yet meant his cares should more like Love appear If in the Duke Ambition bred a change 96. But as the Duke shun'd them for secrecy So now they from approaching Orgâ— move Made by Discretion Love's strict Tutor shy Which is to Lovers painfull as their Love 97. But Orgo they did ill suspect whose Youth And nature yielded Lovers no offence Us'd by his Lord for kindness and for truth Both native in him as his innocence 98. And here pass'd by in haste to Court employ'd That Birtha may no more have cause to mourn Full was his little Breast and over-joy'd That much depended on his quick return 99. Many like Orgo in their Manhoods Morn As Pages did the Noble Duke attend The Sons of Chiess whom beauty did adorn And fairer Virtue did that beauty mend 100. These in his Heroe's Schools he bred which were In Peace his Palace and in War his Tent As if Time's self had read sage Lecture there How he would have his hours Life's Treasure spent 101. No action though to shorten dreaded war Nor needfull Counsels though to lengthen Peace Nor Love of which wise Nature takes such care Could from this usefull work his cares release 102. But with the early Sun he rose and taught These Youths by growing virtue to grow great Shew'd greatness is without it blindly sought A desp'rate charge which ends in base retreat 103. He taught them shame the sudden sence of ill Shame Nature's hasty Conscience which forbids Weak inclination ere it grow to will And stays rash will before it grow to deeds 104. He taught them Honour Virtue 's bashfulness A Fort so yieldless that it fears to treat Like Pow'r it grows to nothing growing less Honour the moral Conscience of the Great 105. He taught them kindness Souls civilitie In which nor Courts nor Cities have a part For theirs is fashion this from falshood free Where Love and pleasure know no Lust nor Art 106. And Love he taught the Soul 's stoln Visit made Though froward Age watch hard and Law forbid Her walks no Spie has trac'd nor mountain staid Her friendship's cause is as the Loadstone's hid 107. He taught them love of Toyl Toyl which does keep Obstructions from the Mind and quench the bloud Ease but belongs to us like sleep and sleep Like Opium is our Med'cine not our Food 108. To dangers us'd them which Death's Visards are More uglie than himself and often chace From Battel Coward-life but when we dare His Vizard see we never fear his face CANTO the Third The ARGUMENT The Poet takes the Wise aside to prove Ev'n them concern'd in all he writes of Love The duteous ORGO from the Court returns With joys at which again fair BIRTHA mourns The Duke with open Arms does entertain Those Guests whom he receives with secret pain 1. THou whom some Ages hence these Roles dost read Kept as Records by Lovers of Love's pow'r Thou who dost live when I have long been dead And feed'st from Earth when Earth does me devour 2. Who liv'st perhaps amidst some Cities joys Where they would fall asleep with Lazie peace But that their triumphs make so great a noise And their loud Bells cannot for Nuptials cease 3. Thou who perhaps proudly thy bloomie Bride Lead'st to some Temple where I withered lie Proudly as if she Age's Frosts desy'd And that thy springing self could never die 4. Thou to whom then the chearfull Quire will sing Whilst hallow'd Lamps and Tapers brave the Sun As a Lay-Light and Bells in triumph ring As when from sallies the Besiegers run 5. Then when the Priest has ended if thine Eyes Can but a little space her Eyes
discover the difficulties and greatness of such a work For when Solomon made use of his Neighbours towards his Building he lost no reputation nor by demanding those aids was thought a lesser Prince but rather publish'd his Wisdom in rightly understanding the vast extent of his enterprise Who likewise with as much glorie made use of Fellers of Wood and Hewers of Stone as of learned Architects Nor have I refrain'd to be oblig'd to men of any Science as well mechanical as liberal Nor when Memorie from that various and plentifull stock with which all observers are furnish'd that have had diversitie of life presented me by chance with any figure did I lay it aside as useless because at that instant I was not skilfull to manage it artfully but I have staid and recorded such objects till by consulting with right Masters I have dispos'd of them without mistake It being no more shame to get Learning at that very time and from the same Text when and by which we instruct others than for a froward Scout discovering the Enemie to save his own life at a pass where he then teaches his Partie to escape In remembring mine own helps I have consider'd those which others in the same necessitie have taken and find that Writers contrarie to my inclination are apter to be beholding to Books than to Men not onely as the first are more in their possessions being more constant Companions than dearest friends but because they commonly make such use of treasure found in Books as of other treasure belonging to the Dead and hidden under ground for they dispose of both with great secrecie defacing the shape or images of the one as much as of the other through fear of having the original of their stealth or abundance discover'd And the next cause why Writers are more in Libraries than in company is that Books are easily open'd and learned men are usually shut up by a froward or envious humour of retention or else unfold themselves so as we may read more of their weakness and vanitie than Wisdom imitating the Holy-day-custom in great Cities where the shops of Chaundrie and slight wares are familiarly open but those of solid and staple merchandise are proudly lock'd up Nor indeed can it be expected that all great Doctors are of so benign a nature as to take pains in gaining treasure of which Knowledge is the greatest with intent to inrich others so easily as if they stood every where with their Pockets spred ready to be pickt nor can we read of any Father who so far and secretly adopted his Son to a Book of his own writing as that his Son might be thought Authour of that written Wit as much as his Father was Authour of him Nor of any Husband that to his darling Wife would so far surrender his Wisdom as that in publique he could endure to let her use his Dictates as if she would have others think her wiser than himself By this rememberance of that usual parsimony in owners of Wit towards such as would make use of their plenty I lament the fortune of others and may wish the Reader to congratulate mine For I have found Friends as ready as Books to regulate my conceptions or make them more correct easie and apparent But though I am become so wise by knowing my self as to believe the thoughts of divers transcend the best which I have written yet I have admitted from no man any change of my Design nor very seldom of my sense For I resolv'd to have this Poem subsist and continue throughout with the same complexion and spirit though it appear but like a plain Family of a neighbourly alliance who marry into the same moderate quality and garb and are fearfull of introducing strangers of greater rank lest the shining presence of such might seem to upbraid and put all about them out of countenance And now Sir that the Reader may whom Writers are â—ain to court draw in and keep with artifice so shy men grow of Books believe me worthy of him I cannot forbear to thank you in publick for examining correcting and allowing this Poem in parcels ere it arriv'd at the contexture by which you have perform'd the just degrees of proceeding with Poets who during the gayety and wantonness of the Muse are but as children to Philosophers though of some Giant race whose first thoughts wilde and roaming far off must be brought home watch'd and interâ—ogated and after they are made more regular be encourag'd and prais'd for doing well that they may delight in aiming at perfection By such a Method the Muse is taught to become Master of her own and others strength and who is he so learn'd how proud soever with being cherish'd in the bosom of Fame that can hope when through the several ways of Science he seeks Nature in her hidden walks to make his Journey short unless he call you to be his Guide and who so guided can suspect his safety even when he travels through the Enemie's Countrey for such is the vast field of Learning where the Learned though not numerous enough to be an Army lye as small Parties maliciously in Ambush to destroy all new Men that look into their Quarters And from such you and those you lead are secure because you move not by common Maps but have painfully made your own Prospect and travel now like the Sun not to inform your self but enlighten the world And likewise when by the strict survey and Government that hath been had over this Poem I shall think to govern the Reader who though he be noble may perhaps judge of supream Power like a very Commoner and rather approve authority when it is in many than in one I must acquaint him that you had not alone the trouble of establishing and destroying but enjoy'd your intervals and ease by Two Colleagues Two that are worthy to follow you into the Closets of Princes if the knowledge of Men past of whom Books are the remaining minds or of the present of whom Conversation is the usefull and lawfull Spie may make up such greatness as is fit for great Courts or if the rays that proceed from the Poetick Planet be not a little too strong for the sight of modern Monarchs who now are too seldom taught in their youth like Eaglets to fortifie their eyes by often soaring near the Sun And though this be here but my testimony it is too late for any of you to disclaim it for since you have made it valid by giving yours of GONDIBERT under your hands you must be content to be us'd by me as Princes are by their preferr'd Subjects who in the very act of taking honour return it to the Giver as benefits receiv'd by the creature manifest the power and redound to the glory of the Creator I am now Sir to your great comfort that have been thus ill and long diverted arriv'd at my last consideration which is to satisfie those
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
we are in there are none of those indiscretions to be found that tended to subversion or disturbance of the Common-wealths wherein they lived But why a Christian should think it an ornament to his Poem either to profane the true God or invoke a false one I can imagin no cause but a reasonless imitation of Custom of a foolish custom by which a man enabled to speak wisely from the principles of nature and his own meditation loves rather to be thought to speak by inspiration like a Bag-pipe Time and Education begets Experience Experience begets Memorie Memorie begets Judgement and Fancie Judgement begets the Strength and Structure and Fancie begets the Ornaments of a Poem The Ancients therefore fabled not absurdly in making Memorie the Mother of the Muses For Memorie is the World though not really yet so as in a Looking-glass in which the Judgement the severer Sister busieth her self in a grave and rigid examination of all the parts of Nature and in registering by Letters their order causes uses differences and resemblances Whereby the Fancie when any work of Art is to be performed finding her materials at hand and prepared for use and needs no more than a swift motion over them that what she wants and is there to be had may not lie too long unespied So that when she seemeth to fly from one Indies to the other and from Heaven to Earth and to penetrate into the hardest matter and obscurest places into the future and into her self and all this in a point of time the voyage is not very great her self being all she seeks and her wonderfull celeritie consisteth not so much in motion as in copious Imagerie discreetly ordered and perfectly registered in the Memorie which most men under the name of Philosophie have a glimpss of and is pretended to by many that grosly mistaking her embrace contention in her place But so far forth as the Fancie of man has traced the ways of true Philosophie so far it hath produced very marvellous effects to the benefit of mankind All that is beautifull or defensible in building or marvellous in Engines and Instruments of motion whatsoever commoditie men receive from the observations of the Heavens from the description of the Earth from the account of Time from walking on the Seas and whatsoever distinguisheth the Civilitie of Europe from the Barbaritie of the American savages is the workmanship of Fancy but guided by the Precepts of true Philosophie But where these precepts fail as they have hitherto failed in the doctrine of moral Virtue there the Architect Fancy must take the Philosophers part upon her self He therefore that undertakes an Heroick Poem which is to exhibit a venerable and amiable Image of Heroick virtue must not onely be the Poet to place and connect but also the Philosopher to furnish and square his matter that is to make both Body and Soul colour and shadow of his Poem out of his own Store Which how well you have performed I am now considering Observing how few the persons be you introduce in the beginning and how in the course of the actions of these the number increasing after several confluences they run all at last into the two principal streams of your Poem Gondibert and Oswald me thinks the Fable is not much unlike the Theater For so from several and far distant Sources do the lesser Brooks of Lombardy flowing into one another fall all at last into the two main Rivers the Po and the Adite It hath the same resemblance also with a mans veins which proceeding from different parts after the like concourse insert themselves at last into the two principal veins of the body But when I considered that also the actions of men which singly are inconsiderable after many conjunctures grow at last either into one great protecting power or into destroying factions I could not but approve the structure of your Poem which ought to be no other than such as an imitation of humane life requireth In the Streams themselves I find nothing but setled Valour clean Honour calm Counsel learned Diversion and pure Love save onely a torrent or two of Ambition which though a fault has somewhat Heroick in it and therefore must have place in an Heroick Poem To shew the Reader in what place he shall find every excellent picture of Virtue you have drawn is too long And to shew him one is to prejudice the rest yet I cannot forbear to point him to the Description of Love in the person of Birtha in the seventh Canto of the second Book There has nothing been said of that Subject neither by the Ancient nor Modern Poets comparable to it Poets are painters I would fain see another painter draw so true perfect and natural a Love to the Life and make use of nothing but pure Lines without the help of any the least uncomely shadow as you have done But let it be read as a piece by it self for in the almost equal height of the whole the eminence of parts is Lost. There are some that are not pleased with fiction unless it be bold not onely to exceed the work but also the possibility of Nature they would have impenetrable Armours Inchanted Castles Invulnerable Bodies Iron Men Flying Horses and a thousand other such things which are easily feigned by them that dare Against such I defend you without assenting to those that condemn either Homer or Virgil by dissenting onely from those that think the Beauty of a Poem consisteth in the exorbitancy of the fiction For as truth is the bound of Historical so the Resemblance of truth is the utmost limit of Poetical Liberty In old time amongst the Heathen such strange fictions and Metamorphoses were not so remoâ—e from the Articles of their Faith as they are now from ours and therefore were not so unpleasant Beyond the actual works of Nature a Poet may now go but beyond the conceived possibility of Nature never I can allow a Geographer to make in the Sea a Fish or a Ship which by the scale of his Map would be two or three hundred mile long and think it done for ornament because it is done without the precincts of his undertaking but when he paints an Elephant so I presently apprehend it as ignorance and a plain confession of Terra incognita As the description of Great Men and Great Actions is the constant design of a Poet so the descriptions of worthy circumstances are necessary accessions to a Poem and being well performed are the Jewels and most precious ornaments of Poesie Such in Virgil are the Funeral games of Anchises The duel of Aeneas and Turnus c. and such in yours are The Hunting The Battel The Citie Mourning The Funeral The House of Astragon The Library and the Temple equal to his or those of Homer whom he imitated There remains now no more to be considered but the Expression in which consisteth the countenance and colour of a beautifull Muse and is
who could know her love whose jealous shame Deny'd her Eyes the knowledge of her glass Who blushing thought Nature her self too blame By whom Men guess of Maids more than the face 45. Yet judge not that this Duke though from his sight With Maids first fears she did her passion hide Did need love's flame for his directing light But rather wants Ambition for his Guide 46. Love's fire he carry'd but no more in view Than vital heat which kept his heart still warm This Maids in Oswald as love's Beacon knew The publick flame to bid them flie from harm 47. Yet since this Duke could love we may admire Why love ne'r rais'd his thoughts to Rhodalind But those forget that earthly flames aspire Whilst Heavenly beams which purer are descend 48. As yet to none could he peculiar prove But like an universal Influence For such and so sufficient was his love To all the Sex he did his heart dispence 49. But Oswald never knew love's ancient Laws The aw that Beauty does in lovers breed Those short-breath'd fears and paleness it does cause When in a doubtfull Brow their doom they read 50. Not Rhodalind whom then all Men as one Did celebrate as with confed'rate Eyes Could he affect but shining in her Throne Blindly a Throne did more than beauty prise 51. He by his Sister did his hopes prefer A beauteous pleader who victorious was O're Rhodalind and could subdue her Ear In all requests but this unpleasant cause 52. Gartha whose bolder beauty was in strength And fulness plac'd but such as all must like Her spreading stature talness was noâ— length And whilst sharp beauties pierce hers seem'd to strike 53. Such goodly presence ancient Poets grace Whose songs the worlds first manliness declare To Princes Beds teach carefulness of Bace Which now store Courts that us'd to store the war 54. Such was the palace of her Mind a Prince Who proudly there and still unquier lives And sleep domestick ev'ry where from thence To make Ambition room unwisely drives 55. Of manly force was this her watchfull mind And fit in Empire to direct and sway If she the temper had of Rhodalind Who knew that Gold is currant with allay 56. As Kings oft slaves to others hopes and skill Are urg'd to war to load their slaves with spoyls So Oswald was push'd up Ambition's hill And so some urg'd the Duke to martial toyls 57. And these who for their own great cause so high Would lift their Lords Two prosp'rous Armies are Return'd from far to fruitfull Lombardy And paid with rest the best reward of War 58. The old near Brescia lay scarce warm'd with Tents For though from danger safe yet Armies then Their posture kept 'gainst warring Elements And hardness learn'd against more warring Men. 59. Near Bergamo encamp'd the younger were Whom to the Franks distress the Duke had led The other Oswald's lucky Ensigns bear Which lately stood when proud Ovenna fled 60. These that attend Duke Gondibert's renown Where Youth whom from his Fathers Camp he chose And them betimes transplanted to his own Where each the Planters care and judgement shows 61. All hardy Youth from valiant Fathers sprung Whom perfect honour he so highly taught That th' Aged fetch'd examples from the young And hid the vain experience which they brought 62. They danger met diverted less with fears Than now the dead would be if here again After they know the price brave dying bears And by their sinless rest find life was vain 63. Temp'rate in what does needy life preserve As those whose Bodies wait upon their Minds Chaste as those Minds which not their Bodies serve Ready as Pilots wak'd with sudden Winds 64. Speechless in diligence as if they were Nightly to close surprize and Ambush bred Their wounds yet smarting mercifull they are And soon from victory to pitie led 65. When a great Captive they in fight had ta'ne Whom in a Filial duty some fair Maid Visits and would by tears his Freedom gain How soon his Victors were his Captives made 66. For though the Duke taught rigid Discipline He let them beauty thus at distance know As Priests discover some especial Shrine Which none must touch yet all may to it bow 67. When thus as Suitors mourning Virgins pass Through their clean camp themselves in form they draw That they with Martial reverence may grace Beauty the Stranger which they seldom saw 68. They vayl'd their Ensigns as it by did move Whilst inward as from Native Conscience all Worship'd the Poets Darling Godhead Love Which grave Philosophers did Nature call 69. Nor there could Maids of Captive Syres despair But made all Captives by their beauty free Beauty and Valour native Jewels are And as each others onely price agree 70. Such was the Duke's young Camp near Bergamo But these near Brescia whom fierce Oswald led Their Science to his famous Father owe And have his Son though now their Leader bred 71. This rev'rend Army was for age renown'd Which long through frequent dangers follow'd Time Their many Trophies gain'd with many a wound And Fames last Hill did with first vigour climb 72. But here the learned Lombard whom I trace My forward Pen by flower Method stays Lest I should them less heeding time and place Than common Poets out of season praise 73. Think onely then couldst thou both Camps discern That these would seem grave Authours of the war Met civily to teach who e're will learn And those their young and civil Students are 74. But painful virtue of the war ne'r pays Itself with consciousness of being good Though Cloyster-virtue may believe even praise A sallary which there should be withstood 75. For many here whose virtues active heat Concurs not with cold virtue which does dwell In lazy Cells are virtuous to be great And as in pains so would in pow'r excell 76. And Oswald's Faction urg'd him to aspire That by his height they higher might ascend The Dukes to glorious Thrones access desire But at more awfull distance did attend 77. The royal Rhodalind is now the Prize By which these Camps would make their merit known And think their Gen'rals but their Deputies Who must for them by Proxy wed the Crown 78. From forreign Fields with toyling conquest tyr'd And groaning under spoyls came home to rest But now they are with emulation fir'd And for that pow'r they should obey contest 79. Ah how perverse and froward is Mankind Faction in Courts does us to rage excite The Rich in Cities we litigious find And in the Field th' Ambitious make us fight 80. And fatally as if even souls were made Of warring Elements as Bodies are Our Reason our Religion does invade Till from the Schools to Camps it carry war CANTO the Second The ARGUMENT The hunting which did yearly celebrate The LOMBARDS glory and the VANDALES Fate The Hunters prais'd how true to love they are How calm in Peace and Tempest-like in war The Stag is by the num'rous
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
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
each distrusts his art For Hope and Doubt came and return'd apace In chang'd Complexion from th' uncertain heart Like frighted Scowts for Tidings to the Face 57. His Eie seem'd most imploy'd on Rhodalind Whose love above her bashful caution sways For naming Gondibert he soon did find Her secret Soul shew'd pleasure at his praise 58. Yet when she found her comforts did not last And that as Oracles the future taught He hid Truth 's Face and darkned what was past Thus Truth through all her mourning Vails she sought 59. Why in these Ladies do you lengthen pain By giving them Grief 's common med'cin Doubt Ease those with death whose Lovers now are slain Life's fire a Feaver is when Love's is out 60. Yet think not that my cares peculiar are Perhaps I from religious pitie learn'd In Virtue 's publick loss to take some share For there all but the vicious are concern'd 61. Your Prudence Royal Maid he straight replies More than your birth may claim the Lombards Crown Who'ere in conquest of your favour dies For life's lost Inch shall find a long renown 62. Then happy Oswald who is sure to gain Even by Ambition that undoes the wise Great was th' attempt for which he 's nobly slain And gets him praise though he has mist the Prize 63. But happier Gondibert who does survive To beg your Mercy that he thus hath dar'd To own that cause for which the world might strive And conq'ring takes his wounds for his reward 64. Be Hurgonil long distant from his Grave Whose life was so important in this cause Who for each wound he took a wider gave And liveâ—t ' enjoy the pleasure of applause 65. To say how Hugo and Lord Arnold strove For victory and mention their event Were to provide such fun'ral rites for Love As Death would be closs Mourner and repent 66. Now Laura's blood back to her livâ—â— fled True Beautie 's Mint For by her Heart Lâ—ve's Throne Beautie 's call'd in like Coyn when Kings are dead As if not currant now her Lover's gone 67. And like her beauty she had darkned life But that with sprinkled water they restore By sudden cold with sudden heat aâ—strife Her spirits to those walks they us'd before 68. She Arnold calls then lost that â—â—â—e again Which Rhodalind and Orna's tears â—eâ—one Who busily would her spent strength sustain Though Hope has scarcely yet brought back their own 69. Now they her Temples chaf'd and straight prepare Hot Eastern Fumes to reach her Brains cool'd sence With Wine 's â—â—erce spirits these extracted are Which warm but slowly though of swift expence 70. Yet now again she breath'd Lord Arnold's name Which her apt Tongue through custom best exprest Then to stay Life that so unwilling came With Cordial Epithems they bath'd her breast 71. Th' attendant Maids by Tyhalt's ready aid To stop her Mourners tears convey her now Where she may ease in her own Curtain 's shade Her weary heart and grief more Tongue allow 72. No sooner was this pity'd Laura gone But Oswald's sister Gartha the renown'd Enters as if the world were overthrown Or in the tears of the afflicted drown'd 73. Unconquer'd as her beauty was her mind Which wanted not a spark of Oswald's fire Ambition lov'd but ne'r to Love was kind Vex'd Thrones did more than quiet shades desire 74. Her Garments now in loose neglect she wore As sured to her wild dis-shevell'd hair Men in her shape might Nature's work adore Yet ask why Art 's nice dress was absent there 75. But soon they found what made this change appear For meeting Truth which slowly follows Fame Rage would not give her leasure for a Tear To quench ere he thus spake her passions flame 76. Blasted be all your beauties Rhodalind Till you a shame and terrour be to light Unwing'd be Love and slow as he is blind Who with your Looks poyson'd my Brothers sight 77. Low and neglected be your Father's Throne Which like your beauty Oswald did ore-rate Let luckless war take Lands from his light Crown Till those high cares he want that give it weight 78. Let Pow'rs consumption be his long disease Heav'ns vexing curb which makes wild Monarchs â—am And be he forc'd in froward age to please His Favour 's Monster who devours his Fame 79. May you soon feel though secret in your love As if your love were Sin the publick scorn May Gondibert who is your glory move Your pitie when none else but you shall mourn 80. To the dark Inn where weary Valour free From thankless dangers rests brave Oswald's gone But Hubert may though vanquish'd live to see Your Victor with his victory undone 81. This said she mounts with a tempestuous Brow The Chariot her Calabrian Coursers drew Lifted by Slaves who still about her bow As if with wings of swift Revenge she flew 82. To Brescia's Camp her course she had design'd And bids her Tuscan Chaâ—â—ioter drive on As if his Steeds were dieted with wind Slow seems their speed whose thoughts before them 〈◊〉 83. The pav'd Streets kindle with her Chariot wheels The Omen of wars fire the Citie spies Which with those sparks struck by her Coursers heels Shine not so much as rage does in her Eyes 84. Those that observ'd her anger grief and haste With ancient Roman melancholy mourn She seem'd their Cities Genius as she pass'd Who by their Sins expell'd would ne'r return 85. The gentle Ladies she has left in tears Who no example need nor cause to melt For soon even grief's Alarms our foremost tears Kill those whose pain by Love's quick sence is felt 86. And Rhodalind her fatal love does blame Because she finds it now by Gartha spy'd And does lament Love's fire which bashfull shame Cannotreveal nor her discretion hide 87. She would not have it waste nor publick grow But last conceal'd like that in Tullia's Urn Or that which prosp'rous Chymists nicely show Which as it thrives must more in private burn 88. Yet straight grown valiant with her Victors fate She would have Hymen hold his Torches high And Love's fire priz'd as Vestals theirs did rate Which none durst quench though free to ev'ry eye 89. Resolves her love whilst this new valour lasts Shall undisguis'd her Father's sight endure And Orna now to her dear Lover hastes Whose outward wounds stay for her inward cure 90. But here a wonder may arrest our thought Why Tybalt of his usual pity void To such sost Ears these direfull sorrows brought Since to the King he onely was employ'd 91. But these are Ridles of mysterious Love Tybalt in private long for Laura pin'd And try'd how Arnold would her passion move In death who living ever fill'd her mind 92. And by this trial how she Arnold us'd He gravely meant to urge or stay his heart But much by Love the Cautions are abus'd Who his wild Ridles would reduce to Art CANTO the Third The ARGUMENT Dead OSWALD to his Camp by HUBERT brought The Camp
is with spite May blisters seiz on thy uncivil Tongue Which strives so wickedly to do me right By doing Rhodalind and Orna wrong 44. False Fame thy Mistris tutor'd thee amiss Who teaches School in streets where Crowds resort Fame false as that their beauty painted is The common Country slander on the Court. 45. With this rebuke Tâ—ula takes gravely leave Pretends she 'll better judge ere they be gon At least see more though they her sight deceive Whilst Birtha finds wilde Fear feeds best alone 46. Ulfin receives and through Art's Palace guides The King who owns him with familiar grace Though Twice seven Years from first observance hides Those Marks of valour which adorn'd his Face 47. Then Astragon with hasty homage bows And says when thus his Beams he does dispence In lowly visits like the Sun he shows Kings made for universal influence 48. Him with renown the King for Science pays And Virtue which Gods likest pictures bee Drawn by the Soul whose onely hire is praise And from such Salary not Heav'n is free 49. Then kindly he inquires for Gondibert When and how far his wounds in danger were And does the cautious progress of his Art Alike with wonder and with pleasure hear 50. Now Gongibert advanc'd but with delay As fetter'd by his love for he would fain Dissembled weakness might procure his stay Here where his Soul does as in Heav'n remain 51. Him Creature like the King did boldly use With publick love to have it understood That Kings like God may chuse whom they will chuse And what they make judge with their own Eyes good 52. This grace the Duke at bashfull distance takes And Rhodalind so much concern'd is grown That his surprisal she her trouble makes Blushing as if his blushes were her own 53. Now the bright Train with Astragon ascend Whilst Hermegild with Gartha moves behind Whom much this gracious visit did offend But thus he practis'd to appease her mind 54. Judge not you strangely in this visit show As well in Courts think wise disembling new Nor think the kindness strange though to your Foe Till all in Courts where they are kind are true 55. Why should your closser mourning more be worn Poor Priests invented Blacks for lesser cost Kings for their Syres in Regal Purple mourn Which shews what they have got not what they lost 56. Though rough the way to Empire be and steep You look that I should level it so plain As Babes might walk it barefoot in their sleep But Pow'r is the reward of patient pain 57. This high Hill Pow'r whose Bowels are of Gold Shews near to greedy and unpractis'd sight But many grow in travel to it old And have mistook the distance by the height 58. If those old Travellers may thither be Your trusted Guides they will your haste reform And give you fears of Voyages by Sea Which are not often made without a storm 59. Yet short our Course shall prove our passage fair If in the Steerage you will quiet stand And not make storms of ev'ry sigh of Air But think the Helm safe in the Pilots hand 60. You like some fatal King who all Men hears Yet trusts entirely none your trust mistake As too much weight for one One Pillar bears Weight that would make a thousand shoulders ake 61. Your Brothers storm I to a calm have turn'd Who lets this guilded Sacrifice proceed To Hymen's Altar by the King adorn'd As Priests give Victims Garlands ere they bleed 62. Hubert to triumph would not move so fast Yet you though but a kind Spectator mean To give his triumph Laws and make more haste To see it pass than he does to be seen 63. With patience lay this Tempest of your heart For you ere long this Angels form shall turn To fatal Man's and for that shape of Art Some may as I for yours of Nature mourn 64. Thus by her Love-sick States-men she was taught And smil'd with joy of wearing Manly shape Then smil'd that such a smile his Heart had caught Whose Nets camps break not through nor Senates scape CANTO the Fourth The ARGUMENT The King to GONDIBERT is grown so kind That he prevents the bounteous RHODALIND In giving of her love and GONDIBERT Laments his Breast holds but a single heart Which BIRTHA grieves her beauty did subdue Since he undoes the world in being true 1. FUll grows the Presence now as when all know Some stranger Prince must be receiv'd with state When Courts shew those who come to see the Show And all gay Subjects like Domesticks wait 2. Nor Vlfinore nor Goltho absent were Whose hopes expect what lift'ning Birtha hid In the adjoyning Closet fears to hear And begs kind Heav'n in pitie would forbid 3. The King who never time nor pow'r mispent In Subjects bashfulness whiling great deeds Like Coward Councels who too late consent Thus to his secret Will aloud proceeds 4. If to thy same brave Youth I could adde wings Or make her Trumpet louder by my voice I would as an example drawn for Kings Proclaim the cause why thou art now my choice 5. But this were to suspect the world asleep Or all our Lombards with their envy blind Or that the Hunns so much for bondage weep As their drown'd Eyes cannot thy Trophies find 6. When this is heard none dare of what I give Presume their equal merit might have shar'd And to say more might make thy Foes believe Thy dang'rous worth is grown above reward 7. Reward even of a Crown and such a Crown As by Heav'n's Model ancient Victors wore When they as by their Coyn by Laws were known For Laws but made more currant Victors pow'r 8. A Crown soon taught by whom Pow'r first was given When Victors of Dominion cautious made By hearing of that old revolt in Heaven Kept Pow'r too high for Subjects to invade 9. A Crown which ends by Armies their debate Who question height of Pow'r who by the Law Till plain obedience they make intricate Would not the People but their Rulers aw 10. To Pow'r adoption makes thy Title good Preferring worth as birth gives Princes place And Virtue 's claim exceeds the right of blood As Souls extraction does the Bodies Race 11. Yet for thy Bloods long walk through Princes veins Thou maist with any Lombard measure time Though he his hidden house in Illium feigns And not step short when Hubert self would climb 12. And Hubert is of highest Victors Breed Whose worth I shall for distant Empire chuse If he will learn that you by Fate precede And what he never had he cannot lose 13. His Valour shall the Gothick Conquest keep And would to Heav'n that all your mighty Minds As soon were pleas'd as Infants are with sleep And you had Musick common as the winds 14. That all the Year your Seasons were like Spring All joy'd as Birds and all as Lovers kind That ev'ry famous Fighter were a King And each like you could have a Rhodalind
his own deeds which doing were admir'd 18. This Arribert with outward patience hears Though wounded by the cause for which they fought With mod'rate joy the death of Oswald bears Yet justly to extreams it inward wrought 19. Tybalt he now with peacefull looks discharg'd And then his thoughts imprison'd in his breast He straight by libertie of Tongue inlarg'd Which thus unto his Councel he addrest 20. With what a diff'rence Nature's pallate tasts The sweetest draught which Art provides her Pow'r Since Pow'r Pride's Wine but high in relish last Whilst fuming new for Time does turn it sow'r 21. Yet Pow'r Earth's tempting Fruit Heav'n first did plant From Mans first Serpent safe Ambition's reach Else Eden could not serve Ambition's want Whom no command can rule nor precept teach 22. Pow'r is that luscious wine which does the bold The wise and noble most Intoxicate Ads time to Youth and takes it from the Old Yet I by surfeit this Elixer hate 23. I curse those Wars that make my glory last For which the Tuscan Widows curse me more Tâ—e barren Fields where I in Arms did fast That I might furfeit on Iuxurious pow'r 24. Thou Hermegild who art for valour Crown'd For honour trusted and for wisdom heard And you whom Counsel has no less renown'd Observe how virtue against peace has err'd 25. Still I have fought as if in Beauty's sight Out-suffer'd patience bred in Captives Breasts Taught fasts till Bodies like our Souls grew light Out-watch'd the jealous and out-labour'd Beasâ—â— 26. These were my merits my reward is Pow'r An outward Trifle bought with inward peace Got in an Age and rifled in an hour When feav'rish love the People's Fit shall cease 27. For did not Pow'r on their frail love depend Prince Oswald had not treated with that love Whose glory did in hastie darkness end A spark which vanish'd as it upward strove 28. By scorn of dangers and of ease he sought The Lombards hearts my Rhodalind and Crown And much his youth had by his practice wrought Had Gondibert not levell'd his renown 29. Had Gondibert not staid the Peoples Eyes Whose virtue stept 'twixt Oswald and their sight Who knows but Rhodalind had been his Prise Or war must have secur'd Paternal right 30. Sad and uneasie is a long-kept Throne Not that the People think long pow'r unjust But that for change they wish best Monarchs gone Fond change the People's soon repented lust 31. I did advance though with some jealous pain A forward virtue to my subjects love Lest one less temp'rat should their favour gain Whom their unstudy'd choice would more approve 32. To thee sage Hermegild my self I leave My fame and pow'r Thee action cannot waste Caution retard nor promptitude deceave Slowness belate nor Hope drive on too fast 33. Think Hubert Heir to Oswald's bold pretence To whom the Camp at Brescia is inclin'd The Duke at Bergamo will seek defence And these are seeds of war for Rhodalind 34. This said his Councel he dismiss'd who spy'd A growing rage which he would fain conceal They durst but nicely search what he would hide Lest they inflame the wound that else might heal 35. They haste to sev'ral Cares some to allay Court's hectick Feaver Faction which does reign Where Luxury the Syre of Want does sway Some to appease th' Alliance of the slain 36. But Order now bids us again pursue Th' unweary'd Motion of unhappie Fame From Fields to Streets from Streets to Court she flew Where first she to the Kings Apartment came 37. Thence through the Palace she her wings did air And as her Wings her Tongue too never ceas'd Like restless Swallows in an Evening fair At last does on a peacefull dwelling rest 38. Where Sleep does yet that gentle Sex possess Who ne'r should more of Care 's rude wakings know But what may help sad Lovers to success Or imp Loves wings when Hymen thinks them slow 39. There Lovers seek the Royal Rhodalind Whose secret breast was sick for Gondibert And Orna who had more in publick pin'd For Hurgonil the Monarch of her heart 40. And there the killing Laura did reside See of whose Eyes the Lombard Youth Complain Yet often she for noble Arnold di'd And knew not now her Murderer was slain 41. Nor Hugo who was all with love indu'd Whom still with tears the Lombard Ladies name Esteeming Modern Lovers false and rude And Poets falser when they sing their fame 42. These Beauties who could soften Tyrant Kings Sleep now conceal'd within there Curtains shade Till rudely Fame by shaking loud her wings Disturb'd their Eyes and their wak'd hearts dismay'd 43. They heard in parcels by imperfect sound A tale too dismal to be understood That all their Lovers lay in hallow'd ground Temples their Bodies hid the Fields their bloud 44. That this dire Morn to sad Verona brought The Duke and Oswald of lov'd life depriv'd And that of all who their fierce battel fought Onely the mangled Hurgonil surviv'd 45. This Tale Fam's course officious Friends convey'd Which are attendant Slaves and Palace Grooms Who by the Lover of some busie Maid From outward Courts sent it to inward Rooms 46. Such horrour brought where love had onely us'd Did yet breed more amazement than belief Whilst Orna now and Laura flie confus'd To Râ—odalind Truth 's Altar for relief 47. There with disorder'd voyces they compare And then derive what each has loosly learn'd Each hope applies where others most despair As doubting all but where her self's concern'd 48. This weeping conf'rence had not lasted long When Tybalt free from Aribert's commands Scapes the assembling Court 's inquiring Throng And enters here where first he doubtfull stands 49. For Pitie when he ruin'd Laura spi'de Bids his discretion artfully complain And shew far off what Truth not long can hide Death at a distance seen may ease fears pain 50. Their bus'ness now he can no more forbear For who on their urg'd patience can prevail Whose expectation is provok'd with fear He therefore thus their patience did assail 51. Kind Heav'n that gave you virtue give you peace Delightfull as your Beauties be your Minds Still may your Lovers your renown increase Though he who honour seeks first danger finds 52 Still may your beauty bear that ancient rate Which beautie was chaste Honours Merchandice When Valor was chief Factor in Love's State Danger Love's stamp and Beautie 's currant price 53. Renown'd be Oswald who in high belief Of Rhodalind her love with danger sought In Love's Records be Gondibert the chief Who for her right not for his own has sought 54. Though these for mighty minds deserve Fame's voice Yet Orna needs must boast of Hurgonil Whose dangers well have justifi'd her choice And might alone Fame's publick Trumpet fill 55. Enlarg'd be Honor's Throne that Arnold there And Hugo may for ever sit and rest Free from their Valor 's toyls and Laura's fear Which more than wounds disorder'd eithers Breast 56. This said he paws'd finds