dearly Brittains cost VVhat though our Wings now imp'd with Gauls do fly That cann't from Romans learn to stand and dye Let not your Eagles their Example take VVhile here your Armes may such a Quarry make And now these Bodies do so closely meet That arme with arme encounters feet with feet Scarce having space their wounding swords to sway As both sides seem fierce wrastlers for the Day Here Chief with Chief by wond'rous deeds contend Which shall receive from each a blody end There num'rous Militants their force imploy Who most heroick shall a Foe destroy Then Albianus with stupend'ous might Forces this strong Battal'ons dreadful fight As from the North a mighty whirlwind blowes Breaking defences its high rage oppose Some by his Steed are trampled to the ground Others his stately Spear gives deaths last wound Or on its point does toss them out his way And thus kills such his arme disdains to slay While this high act his bolder Troops pursue As waves in crowds through narrow breaches flow Until the Seas swift pow'r more room does gain And leads its battail'd billows o'r the Plain To wide this entrance Brittish Chariots speed Which bold Corinus did to wonder lead Whose furious motions Roman Pow'rs confound And seem like thunder rowl'd in clouds to sound VVhose furious speed no strength of Foes could stay ' Not if the Grecian Phalanx their swift way Had with Romes Powers oppos'd or Punick Might Whose Rankes with Elephants were lin'd in fight Fix'd to their Axes mighty Sithes that Mow Their way through Legions nor by them a Foe Entirely dies some limbes from limbes divide Others Men sever who in halfes here dy'd No less the Cavalry their fight annoys VVhose Horse as variously their Force destroyes Amazing Foes with their strange way of fight Sometimes out-driving Winds or in their Flight Quick as a Thought Amongst their Foes could stay ' And thence make Glorious Sallies for the day Which being done as nimbly they retreat And on their loaded Teams in order meet Whence as they drive they each way Arrows send Missing no mark their dextrous aims intend This way of fight if we may credit Fame With Trojan Heroes to this Isle first came By which their Prowess wonders had atchiev'd Though scarce so great as this day Brittains did And thus amaz'd the Romans had beheld Their mighty Pow'rs by these fierce drifts o'rwhelm'd While Albianus in each on-set won Such fam'd success as their best Legions run Yet now Heroick grief does wound his breast To see Foes dye thus bravely did resist And Princely mourns the Price this Day had cost As he beholds such warlike Brittains lost How will the harmless Tillager complain In after Ages of this dismal Plain VVhen limbs of Heroes shall affright his toyles And his encrease enricht from bloody spoyles VVhile Romans hence record a fatal Day As when they bled at lost Pharsalia Or left Great Crassus for a Parthian Boast VVith all the Glories of his yielding Hoast More to encrease their terrors does appear The bold Favonius whom Bonduca here Had sent with stout Reserves of London Horse Who their broke Pow'rs with renew'd slaughters force And Royal Vortiger does now return VVith warlike Martianus whose hearts burn To finish Conquest on the Body too As they did gloriously the Wings pursue VVhile Phoebus Radiant Chariot had possest The setting Evening Glories of the VVest And nights black Curtain vail'd the guilded sky As Brittish Armes determin'd Victory This Instant well the subtle Ennius knew Must something aid his past misfortune too Who now his broken Pow'rs retreating fights And to his Camp in Kent conducts their flights Like to some Lion that too bold did prey Fears next his courage might himself betray And weary'd with his furious toyles does then Retiring seek his advantageous Den. The End of the Fourth Canto The Fifth Canto NOw Fate that waited on this Bloody Day Sees cloudy night new tragick Scenes display Whose fierce confusions ev'n my Muse affright That like some Virgin fears sad Tales of night Such dreadful dangers we may well suppose Befel her much-lov'd Britains from their Foes Who beaten thus unconquer'd seem to flie And deaths return as they retreating dye While Stars in haste their several stations take And in their Sphaeres new Trepidations make Fearing removes for every Heroes fall And thus disorder'd their bright Councils call The wandring Glories to the Ecliptick run There to advise without their Lord the Sun In whose bright stead refulgent Mars does shine His Rayes inthron'd on heavens Meridian line Who thus begins To me you Planets know Belongs the fate of Martial Powers below Nor will our Soveraign Light his beams convey In Wars Decrees but lets my influence sway Not though the world is quickned by his rayes And time supported in its aged dayes Whence Mortals live and tell their happy hours But own their greater Glories from my Powers Nor do those Regions Phaebus Tracts confine Betwixt the Tropicks and more burning Line Heroes produce to execute my flame So oft as where rough Boreas sounds his Name Of these my Aspects have fierce Romans fam'd Who but this Isle the warring VVorld have tam'd Giving their Stories leave to boast that I Begot their first Heroick Majesty And shall to these now British Armes give Law Or I their God ador'd my beams withdraw And not assist their Conduct while I see Their brave Retreat deserves yet victory This said the rest their brighter sense convey From orb to orb by mingling each a ray VVhich Venus craves she may to Mars express And thus begins to him her soft Address Great Star of Glory if my Gentler shine Or those lov'd Aspects I have had with thine Oblige thy influence let it befriend These British VVorthies with Great Romes contend Nor can it be but glory to thy Name To crown success where virtue makes such claim And let not Mortals think they merit more Than we repay or justly they implore Enough have Romans a bold havock made Five bloody Ages since they did invade This Isle where Nature breeds such souls for warr And women that our lusters may compare For whose fair sakes behold I often sought With trembling beams to thee as these still fought VVhile Cynthia did as now her visage shrowd And but by Peeps beheld thee from a cloud Vowing by her best influence that she In no Eclipse felt such extremity As when she late beheld Bonduca's woe For which she wears some spots unseen till now This said Great Mars salutes her with a beame And thus replies Thou Star of Loves soft flame Think not thy Intercession I 'll despise Who art the brightest Glory of our skies A higher Providence than our Decrees Has hitherto led Roman Victories I know full well our Aspects but incline Though of great Natures Causes most divine Nor shall my Rayes to Britains partial prove Whose valour equal with thy Beams I love To Gemini my Orb shall wander now Thy lov'd
supplies By beaming softer Language from her eyes While each as Love does this Expression use Have equal hopes and fears which Prince she 'll chuse Who now could wish some other Princess were Her Rival made in virtue and more fair By Heaven to one of these devoted too That she may seem to neithers love untrue And thus perceiving these Heroick hearts Felt with her own Loves equal wounding darts Fears that his flames though gently fann'd may raise Excess of passions rage and fury blaze Then chides her heart that did admit Loves spies To keep discover'd watches in her eyes While she might inward burn and yet conceal The flames her love too rashly does reveal Who knows alass she must not both enjoy Yet cannot either by neglect destroy But hopeless fears a Lover to remain Of both these Princes and yet neither gain And now delay ev'n wisdoms cold despair Does beg of Heav'n to ease this mighty care Which though Times slow and silent feet it use Meets Lovers hearts oft with decrees they 'd chuse And as she had Loves high concern declin'd With thoughts of Empire seems to fill her mind Hnd how of Monarchs they most happy raign While all their Crowns one friendly Power maintain Next stately Pastimes in her Court prepares Thus to delude their anxious hopes and fears With those most fam'd diversions Brittains boast Were then their Courts magnificence and cost But these great Heroes who from Love did bear Too jealous eyes as deeply pierce her care Grieving with theirs her virtues did conspire To wound her Breast with a divided fire Disdaining thus in one despair to live Since death to both or either cure might give And what becomes their Souls and Greatness too Relief upon the Queens Extremes bestow And now some Nights had sad companions spent Weighing fit means to perfect this intent That to the Queen may accidental seem Or as Fate did this Act in kindness deem Yet hope that Heav'n from death will one reprieve Lest dying both the Queen should cease to live And Love a glorious Triumph loose in her That can't else one unto her heart prefer While they as if no stormy passions brought Their souls to shipwrack on these rocks of thought Like bravest Pilots unconcern'd appear And in their looks the calms of Summer wear Thus as they meet in presence of the Queen In strict Endearments and Embrace are seen And as Love slept in Cradles of her eyes Mention no accent his soft rest surprise While she did both their passions weight endure To Heav'n and Time remits her hearts high cure Though love when hope as sparing diet needs Scarce cools the Fever but his flame more feeds And thus with gracious Eloquence does speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Princes since my Court you make A Scene where you wore happy victors Bayes Must flourish should Time feel the age of dayes Who now to give his Calends glory calls For warlike Arthurs high Memorials Who fell the last of Brittains Royal Line And with our Foes did fifty Battels joyn For which Fames Trump does an Attendant wait This said In great magnificence and state To Fortitudes admired Fane repair His dust intomb'd with Princes great in warr And where for wonder their vast Spears were plac'd Bold Picts pursu'd or hardy Romans chac'd With Bowes no other might like theirs e'r drew And Armour that Men now would Dwarfish show While Choristers in stately measures sing The Martial Glory of each mighty King With Arthur's Deeds scarce Stories this day blaze That by Times Guilt lose wonders of his Praise Which done to Honor Fortitudes high Name With these brave Relicks Heroes past did Fame In solemne state Devote unto this Fane Their Mighty Spears had fierce Alvatrix slain And warlike Ennius which in Shrines they place That from the Queens Gift Precious Gems did Grace And next to spacious Fields a Progress lead VVere kept devoted to these Glories dead In which they use of Armes and Pastimes held Brittains so far all Nations else excell'd Where they behold how some for Garlands run Swift as Time made them Footmen to the Sun With nimble Wrestlers that most useful show How strengths rough force to skil should conduct owe. And here the Bowmen shoot with dext'rous aimes Whence Ages past this Isle such Prowess claimes Whose force in Guns black use though now laid by Gave Deaths where their fierce Thunders useless fly Some next the Race on Brittish Coursers take More swift than those Epyrus Glories speak Or such the Barbes neat kind at this Day Fame Or the Arabick generous Horse can claime Of these the Victors Browes with Palmes are spread Pleas'd with the Glory to be Conqu'rors led And lest Fames Trump should not their Praises bear Exulting Neigh shrill Joyes find wings of Ayre And thus for wonder some on backs of Steeds They here enforce unto their utmost speeds Pierce Marks with Arrows or as Chariots glide Their swift Carreers as happy Shafts do guide To whom the Queen does Silver Quivers give And that the use of Bowes more fam'd might live Invites the Princes with her self to try Which Shaft of theirs with happy'st Aime shall fly And thus a Jewel from her Breast she takes For their Bright Marke at which her Arrow makes Such dext'rous wing as it the Ring of Gold Pierces this object to their aimes did hold Which done these mighty Heroes Shafts take Flight Dubious which to the Gemm most near does light But Albianus's did chance to rest Nearest the Queens Loves measure judgeth best Which the Great Vortiger resenteth so As Love with theirs had bent his Partial Bow Scarcely concealing those resolves of Fate Their Hearts in this high Cause decreed so late But Fate that had occasion duely chose Gives to his Flames an outward seem'd repose And as the Queen a grievous Part must bear Makes her spectator of Loves danger here Who with a longing Glory to behold The stately Tournments Brittains held of old Gladly the Princes with their Chiefs does see Renowning thus Great Arthur's Memory While in a Marble Throne her Person 's plac'd That with his Mighty Warlike Figure 's grac'd Beneath whom these in costly Arms sit round Tables like those in Arthur's Court were found When his bold Knights and Heroes Triumphs made For Conquests or such stately Pastimes had Or else in Honor of Fam'd George held Feasts To entertain such valiant Brittains Guests And hence in shining Armes the Princes rise To lead the way to these Solemnities While after they had strict Embracings past The Queen nor any thought were meant their last Albianus does to Vortiger convey This fatal Whisper If both fall this day 'T is but Loves Justice or if one survive May then Loves Mercy him Bonduca give At which great Vortigers stout heart does melt That Wars deep wounds had unconcern'd still felt And now his Eyes permits to shed some Tears Wishing his Death may end this Princes Cares Thus Mounted with their Chiefs and Brittish Knights Select
Honors Cause permits these tears More than a Lover loves his Soul endeares Then Albianus this fam'd Captain takes To his embrace and thus obliging speaks Thou Father of our Armes and more than all Honor does most renown'd in Mortals call Repine not 't is thy glorious fate to be With Fortune thus at virtuous enmity Or think past Trophies thou from Rome hast got While Brittain bears a name can be forgot My Warlike Sire Great Arthur ost did name Martianus with his Chiefes of Noblest same Telling what acts were by thy valour done In all those famous Battels he had won And to his Son thou shalt be still as dear While I thy Counsels and thy Dangers share Hoping to see thy Armes Romes yet subdue And to thy aged Garlands add more new Till then repine not thou hast lost a Field Alass thou didst but to more numbers yield Which Great Bonduca will her self confess Charging fate onely with thy ill success While for her sake our force shall soon contend Who did with aid Favonius to her send By whose great Prowess Rome and Gaul declin'd Their dreadful Onsets against London joyn'd And more a Comfort in thy Heart impress That these must fight us now or yield success Unto our Armes which in Bonduca's Cause Must out-doe wonder and to Rome give Lawes No less Martianus Vortiger endears Calling his Conduct Soul of Brittish Wars And next recounts those mighty deeds h 'ad done When late from Scots and Picts they Battels won Then Martianus with this grace o'rcome Feeles noble Passion gives his speech no room But to express a glorious wish to dye If his life may promote their victory And now the Princes view his harrass'd force Which had through roughest dangers fought their course His stately Ensignes with fierce Arrowes tore As scarce a mark remain'd of what they bore Then in their Battel these embody'd are Where their great Chief a high Command does bear Resolv'd their Valours shall set London free With its fair Queen from Roman Tyranny Soon had the wary Ennius perceiv'd This City by Favonius was releiv'd And that thus near the Princes Battels drew Highly resolv'd to assail their Powers too He therefore swiftly had his Army drawn By dreadful Bodies in this spacious Lawn The Brittain Forces for their Station took And thus with furious eyes on each now look Glad were the Brittish Heroes to perceive The time was come their Foes would Battel give Whose Valours did occasion so embrace As if their Souls were wing'd in Honors Race While thus to Royal Vortiger does speak Great Albianus May we happy make This day Lov'd Prince in which we see Romes power Spread their Battallions here this welcome hour That Courts our Armes such Honor to atcheive As may this antient City now relieve If Heaven to Brittain glory does decree We shall Bonduca aid successfully And teach her foes the Guilt of their bold sin Who thought their force enough her soul to win How has her virtues these unshaken stood When Ennius forc'd his way by Flames and Blood And fierce Alvatrix did that dread improve Threatning to Crown by force his burning love But e'r that Gaul shall boast so fair a Prize Let us resolve to fall her Sacrifice And dye this Plain with Blood if that can be A meritorious cause of Victory Then sprightly Vortiger at this darts beams That spoke the vigour of his Martial Flames Which at Bonduca's Name his breast inspires As lightning breakes from Clouds imbosom'd fires And thus to Albianus does express I 'l welcome Death if fate denyes success Nor shall my Soul be in this Body borne A living Witness and this Island mourn This day if lost 't is just that Princes fall When their sad Countrey keeps its funeral Nor shall Bonduca's vertues e'r reprove My valour to want merit for her Love Since in her cause if I make Death my own My end shall then add Glory to my Throne Then Arthur's Son a Supreme station takes Whence to his Militants and Cheifs thus speaks Fellows in Armes the wish'd for time is come To end this Islands long-made-War with Rome And needless 't were to tell you of the cause Since Rome and Gaul by th' Sword would give us laws Or thence infer how your rich Countrey may With Wives and Daughters soon become their prey This were from fear to bid you now to fight When Native Valour does enough excite Our Brittish blood which though 't is bred so near The Northern Pole was ne'r yet chill'd by fear Let Romans then their Oratories spend To raise their duller Legions to contend Enough we see the Foes that we must fight And not from words our hearts to Armes invite At this loud shouts of Joy do fill the Plain Which shake the Earth where Roman Powers Campain The usual Custom of this Martial-Isle When they embrace Wars most renowned toyl No less the Consul Ennius does take care To make this day the Glory of his VVar His force with Romes best Conduct now array'd That oft had Monarchs their great Captives made Then in Magnan'mous words the use of Rome T'incite their Militants to overcome He thus begins Lov'd Souldiers if that we Deserve by arms the worlds Sov'ráignity Since our Renowned City Deify'd Her Scepter'd Romulus for deeds atchiev'd By glorious Arms whose Capitol yet stands Fill'd with our Trophies won from Conquer'd Lands Where Mars is Templ'd with his fellow Gods Pleas'd to convert our Swords into their Rods And next to their Divinity allow The Earths Dominion to our vertue due Let not this day then our fam'd power beguile That oft has harrass'd this so potent Isle Though Nature joyn'd with Mighty Neptunes hand To sever't from the world Romes wide Command Yet could not our Renowned Julius stay Who sought on t Conquest wheresoe'r it lay And by our prowess ages since maintain'd The Noble Relicks here his valour gain'd We have the Legions still from him were nam'd The Tenth most lov'd with all the rest as fam'd They were but Romans then as we are now If we their virtues but inherit too How will the world our warlike Eagles dread If still this Isle remains unconquered When to our shames it shall recorded be One dayes Pharsalia forc'd Romes liberty Nor are their Conducts worthy of our fears Though Albianus joyns with Vortigers Infants in Arms while I their Fathers fought And thence great triumphs to our Empire brought You saw to us Martianus Powers gave way Think that a sign of a more signal day Since he the aged Captain of their Hoast Has prov'd how dear our Conflicts with him cost While London that our fierce assaults withstood Will then be yours without expence of blood And with its riches pay your Martial toyls Yielding their matchless Queen to grace our spoyls Thus speaks great Ennius while the Prince of Gaul Does on his Chiefs with furious vigour call Letting them know what honor will accrue To Rome and Gaul if Britains they subdue
in this Pow'r Of Brittish Nobles and their Youth 's choice Flow'r That dare not hope to stand by Arms this Field But to our wishes must Bonduca yield Yet e'r her Eyes lament or Heart deplores The groans of dying Foes from our stern Pow'rs Unto the streightn'd Princes Truce let 's give If they without her love will yield to live Thus from the Consul is a Herauld sent To speak their high demands and fierce intent While yet Alvatrix does not think to prove The Consul Rival in Bonduca's love Or that he led his Roman Eagles now To conquer Brittains and remain his Foe But Loves ambition oft receives a Fate As well as those of Empire or of State This Herauld to the Queen and Princes come Speaks his bold Message from the Chief of Rome VVhich now the Queen with deep affliction hears Though less her life then love creates her fears And first does let the Princes boldly know That his great Master by Romes Gods does vow He 'll not the fortune of this day survive Should it Rome solely Brittish Empire give Who more than thirst of Rule makes Love his Cause Whose great Prerogative admits no Laws Though he the first of Romans yields to be That e'r broke Truce with noble Enemy For which of Heav'n and Rome does pardon crave And on these tearms if they yet Peace will have They and this Isle unconquer'd shall remain And for his triumph but the Queen will gain Nor by this Summons does he more demand Than what his pow'rful Legions can command When in this streight his Force and conduct must Send the Great Princes with their Pow'rs to dust Yet for the Queens fair sake vouchsafes to treat Before their Arms his dreadful onsets meet And Wars stern horrors her soft Soul affright Or she his Love would save should fall in fight But who can judge the high concern and flame Incens'd these Hero's when from Ennius came This bold demand so late their conquer'd Foe And no less treach'rously a Lover now Then is Alvatrix while the Queens bright beams Had kindled in their hearts Loves mighty flames Then to this Herauld Arthur's Son does speak Let not Romes Consul ever hope to make Us Brittish Princes so desertless live That he Bonduca Laws of Love shall give Or that they can a brave success despair Who with Truce-breaking Gauls and Romans war Nor would they lose the glory of this Fight To die or conquer in the Queens fair sight Whose heart unshaken their fierce Pow'rs withstood When London felt their flames stream'd with blood Yet slighted then Alvatrix rage and love And can she less 'gainst faithless Ennius prove More had this Prince express'd but Vortiger Whose Martial courage Fate her self did fear This Herauld bids withdraw in high disdain While Love and Empire thus at stake remain And next the Princes willing to deceive The Queens sad fears in this short respite give Her heart brave comforts while her weeping eyes Pay for their safeties Heav'n a sacrifice Then of these Forrest shades selects the view Of VVillows and Loves mournful Embleme Yew Neglecting Elmes embrac'd with am'rous Vines Which Nature for pleas'd Lovers objects twines And ev'n the Princes but kind Foes now calls Who thus surpriz'd withstand Romes Force and Gauls While with their safety she could these defie And their unconquer'd Virgin Lover die No less concern'd in this surprising hour The Princes had dispos'd their Martial Power VVith such wise conduct that the wing of Fate Did more her self than them precipitate And here the weapon'd Woodmen duely place Eager to make on Foes their nobler chace More joy'd to hear the trumpets Martial sounds Than all the Musick of their Horns and Hounds Then Roman Cornets Brittish Trumpets vye Whose vig'rous clamours seem to wound the skye VVhile Martial Odes the trusty Bowmen sing Compos'd by Brute their antient warlike King But e'r these Powers their fierce Incounters make Thus Ennius does unto Alvatrix speak Great Prince of Gaul if we this day o'rcome T will Brittish Empire yet restore to Rome And grace her Triumphs with Bouduca too VVhose love my heart conceal'd from thee till now While I Romes Consul blush to ownn slame That does with thine a Râ—vals wishes claim But as thou art Romes mighty Ally know I 'll to thy Love as glorious means allow This Battail won thy Sword and mine shall try Which for Bonduca's sake must yield to dye To whom Alvatrix had I Empire claim'd Of this Great Isle so long Romes Arms has fam'd Or did thy Rods and Axes envy'd see Born as thy Cons'lar State and Dignity I could not with such Fate surpriz'd have been As now to hear thou lov'st the Brittish Queen For whose enjoyment I such dangers fought Unvallew'd whil'st in her o'rpriz'd I sought Nor shall the honour of my blood decline This glor'ous offer 'twixt thy Sword and mine If heav'n decrees we this dayes fate survive To enter Lists shall Loves sole conquest give Till when I 'll like a Prince ally'd to Rome Assist her Eagles Brittains to o'rcome Though as thy Rival will attempt to be The Queens Possessor first from victory Before these Pow'rs their dreadful fury joyn The Roman Augurs who success divine From various Birds the airs vast Regions fly Or victims with auspicious omens dye Declare how they with horror did behold An offer'd Heifers blood turn'd black and cold Her bleeding Entrails panting in their view And how in ominous Flocks the Ravens flew Besides they had Portentous Records took From Great Cumean Sybil's wondrous Book Who in Prophetick fury did declare Romans should fatally with Brittains warr When they their Legions in that place array In which Great Caesar's Hart late stood at Bay And by a Brittish Queen pursu'd should fall Hence they the Consul warn and Prince of Gaul But Love whose Power even Fate her self defies Bids the bold Consul slight these destinies Calling their Rites some Cowards pious care That Rome first taught from Birds and Beasts to fear Then gives the Battel signal whence darts fly Thick as when stormes descending cloud the sky While Brittish Arrows these out-wing in flight And level ranks of Legions as they light Whose Pow'rs more numerous spare these heaps dead And with enlarged wings make dreadful speed Circling the Brittish Force and Princes round Their warlike ranks and valour to confound But with a fury more enforc'd oppose The Mart'al Pow'rs the beaut'ous Queen inclose While as she sees a Brittain fall or bleed Wishes the Dart had pierc'd her in his stead And here Great Ennius with his Romans breaks Through num'rous Ranks till he a prospect takes Of her bright visage while her Eyes dart beams That to his love and valor adds more flames No less Alvatrix danger does despice Leading his Gauls to Mars a sacrifice Invoking him this dayes success to crown That from his Arms his love may have renown And here through fierce Daranders Troops they break As Lanes through Woods the
Best pleas'd to Glory in variety In Vortiger her Compositions were Adorn'd with Graces and a Soul of War In on-sets fierce as Courage can express Quickn'd by Virtue and its own Excess But Albianus youthful heates less sway Whose sage Resolves still guide brave Honors way Though in their Execution Lightnings fly Too slow to keep his fierce Darts company While he with Warlike Vortiger Revolves The Martial Conduct of their high Resolves Fates swift Decree which does even time surprise And oft prevents the Councels of the wise Unlook'd for Tidings to these Princes speeds Nor shall Favonius thy great Name and Deeds Be less Renown'd though to the pride of fate Thou didst Inglorious Deeds of it relate Who does so variously Decrees dispence That Fortune seemes the sport of Providence Swift had he Run through Plains and Pathless woods And almost breathless swam Thames silver floods To scape pursuers Like the Hart that tries Most uncouth Tracts when from the Chace he flies Thus he arrives unto these Heroes sight His Vesture pierc'd with Piles as oft in fight He did such glorious markes Receive from foes Nor did his flight his safety less expose Passing through showers of Piles Romes Legion threw Whom as these Princes did with wonder view Unto their anxious thoughts a Respite take Before their Souls could give them leave to speak Too sadly Judging that he now did come T' express some fatal Loss by Powers of Rome To whom Favonius panting did express Great is the Cause Fam'd Princes my access Does now surprise you nor can fate decree A peril I 'l not joy my Destiny If in Bouduca's cause my death it give Though fame now tell I flying her Foes live Heav'n witness and you Stars who late did see Romes stoutest Eagles by my Conduct flye Thrice e'r the Sun did his Meridian gain But I speak Conquest past Alass in vain Since great Bonduca's high Concern and aid Requir'd this dang'rous flight I now have made Of whom I Crav'd that mighty trust to bear Unto you Princes which your Warlike Care Must soon imploy But happy had I fell By Gaules and Romans e'r these Tydings tell Or from my Lips an Accent witness be Of this most famous Queens Calamity Whose Armes though Warlike Martianns led Then whom no Brittish Chief gave Rome more dread In vain their Legions fought R'enforc'd from Gaul Who soon alass her Person may enthral Witness this day when with its early dawn I saw our num'rous Foes 'bout London drawn Who did like thickest Woods at distance show While gentle Thames in fear did seem to flow His Stream beset and every Pass possest Which Londons danger sadly have increast O! think brave Princes what must be the Fate Of this Black Day or What may Night compleat Approaching now If in her dismal houres Our Foes assault this City with their Powers And thus its Queen and Glories should possess To grace Rome's Triumph and Gaules hop'd success Whil'st but to Heaven and to your Warlike Power Onely remaines their safeties to Restore Thus he Relates But Who can judge the fire That did these Hero's noble hearts inspire To aid this beaut'ous Queen whose Person they Fear with her Kingdom may become a Prey And to Favonius make this brave Reply 'T is time to Fight if Martianus fly And thou so great a Cheife inforc'd to come Thus to relate success of Gaul and Rome But while the name of Brittain shall endure With its choice Deeds Fame shall thy worth secure Since for Bonduca's cause thou yield'st to live That we her Armes distress'd relief might give Then Albianus does on him bestow A stately Vest and Richest Armour too While Vortiger presents him with a Steed Swift as the Wind stout as the North did breed Next Arthur's Son does his choice Captains call Corinus Torringer Androgeus all Fam'd in his Syres great Camp for Wonders done And glory now to serve his Warlike Son But Vortiger who thought each minute slow Time now does wing until he fights this Foe Commands his Warlike Cheifs a March to speed Of his brave Powers Whom most approv'd did Lead Clarinus Troylus with Darander prais'd For Deeds in War Fame with Renown had blaz'd These soon Campaign a Num'rous Warlike Power Of Troops and Chariots guided by the Flower Of Brittish-Nobles in which glorious Sphear The Princes like Auspicious Stars appear And now their Armies March shrill Trumpets sound That Ecchoe o'r th' Horizons utmost bound Which being done they lead their Martial way And view great London the succeeding day The End of the First Canto The Second Canto FAme soon prepar'd her num'rous tongues and eyes To blaze this March the Worlds industrious spies Who for her Glory Mighty Deeds proclaime Nor is there Humane wonder exceeds fame With Men She lives yet to Mankind unknown Though all Her Voices from his Breath are blown Sometimes as loud as Vulgar Clamors speaks As soon from Whispers busie Rumors makes Various in Tongue as Mankind is in thought Whose Secrets to her bold dispose are brought Watches she sets on Kings and Peoples Deeds Nor blushes when inlarg'd their Acts she spreads Falsehood and Truth she mingles in a breath And claimes Prerogative o'r Time and Death A mighty Prodigy her self creates And by her Power as soon annihilates The Worlds Deceiver and its glory too Vertue can Raise and it depress as low Too pronely Evil whence she beares the name Of that far-spreading mischief Men call Fame Thus does my Muse in this her story find Fames highest Glories with fates evils joyn'd While fate Bonduca's Vertues did oppose In Gaule and Romes success her mighty Foes By Warlike Ennius and Alvatrix led Who round great London had their Ensignes spread Whose furious Expedition thither came As it surpriz'd the hasty flight of Fame Having Martianus Powers enforc'd to flight As he their Legions over-power'd did fight Until his stoutest numbers breathless lye T' oppose the Course of this stern Enemy And thus through Lanes of dead had led their pow'rs Resolv'd t' assault great London when nights houres Should Midnight Count and to both Poles extend Her Sable Curtain whose dark throne attend Stars that like Ushers move to light her way While in the East as if too early day Had now surpriz'd her or the Mornings Sphear By Phoebus into flames converted were In which he 'd rise to threaten this bold Night When there prodigiously apear'd to sight Vast Armies moving on the smooth-fac'd-Skye Where flaming-Darts did seem from Foes to fly And brandisht Spears against Spears Fight maintain But What 's Heavens Sign Can Warring Powers restrain Dr furious Mens Ambition All things dare Who Heaven too distant think for them to fear Dr that the strong had right enough to take What could not be defended by the weak Which mighty evil Antient Mankind saw Before they had acknowledg'd Rule or Law But what the stronger to the weak would give When every Man to Man a Foe did live Till their Disorder'd
Infant to perfection grew And made Faith primitive with Reason too Thus Man from Nature Heaven did first revere E'r Priesthoods pious frauds induc'd their fear Who Man directed from this Road to stray That these as hireling Guides might lead his way And here themselves set up e'r mankind saw How Sects had mask'd the face of heav'ns bright Law Who like Seel'd Doves their souls had taught to fly That lose themselves in hope to reach the Sky Thus Reason and Belief at diff'rence grew Instructing more than from Heav'ns works men knew On which while they with wondring prospect look Admire Faiths Text unwritten in this Book While that reflects a Being to our sense In this vast mirror of omnipotence And but the essence from us does conceal Too great for Natures Glasses to reveal Hence Man from her own Institutes first read The Book of Heav'n in VVorks and Causes spread Not daring further by rash zeal to pry Lest Faith should prove his own bold mystery This antient zeal in Britain practic'd stood Untaught from Sects the seeds of war and blood VVho wayes to Heav'n by sev'ral tracts devise As if Faiths could be various and wise Or that above such peaceless Conducts were As wings of discord Souls must thither bear VVhilst in the Worlds great Volume here we find A Sacred Order and unerring mind And hence with pity did our Britains see The worlds divided bold Divinity As if heav'ns works did not enough declare Or to Beliefs alone defective were While they with sober eyes heav'ns Volume read Securely rev'renc'd by implicit dread To which in Natures works their sense must bow That Faith on Reasons wings may upward go But as contemplative Devotions seem Useless Conceptions on a Sacred Theam Except the Soul oblige the sense to be A due subservient in each faculty Which here a publick practice did avow That Temples Sacred Dedications show The Presence Chambers kept on Earth for Heaven Where Souls united-Rev'rence best is given Hither the Princes as the early morn With rosie blushes does the East adorn In Royal state with Great Bonduca come To pay their thanks for vanquish'd Gaul and Rome Yet in so solemn pomp they now appear As does on vulgar eyes impress heav'ns fear While Princes scarce divinely Subjects sway Unless they guide them their celestial way A Robe of Arthurs Albianus wears Which his great Lineage and Atchievments bears Kept sacred to adorn his mighty line When Temples with their offer'd Trophies shine A Vest as Admir'd Vortiger had on Which from this Islands foes his Grandsire won Whose artful colour pass'd the Tyrian Dye Oblig'd to triumph in this Legacy 'Twixt these the Queen more bright than Morning beams Whose beauties Poets might have wish'd their theams When they the Cyprian Goddess feign'd to be Loves matchless Copy and Divinity Her Robes were like the Easts bright Curtains drawn With Stars embroider'd that precede the dawn Which curious Virgins had with needles wrought And to their beauteous Queen a present brought O'r these in Tresses hangs her Aubrone hair Softer than Gossamors that glide the air While on her head a golden Crown is worn And in her hand a Jewell'd Scepter born Thus to this Temple Queen and Princes came Which if my Muse can credit give to Fame In London stood a Fane of more renown Than other Cities through the world had known No date so antient to record the Day When this vast building in foundation lay Whither from hands that stone could liquid mould The Gothick long lost Art or Dorrick old White Marble works the outward Frame adorn By mighty Pillars of like substance born And at some distance to the eye does show Like Alpine Mountains cover'd o'r with snow And though this Fane did wond'rous art compleat The Dedication's more divinely great Which here to Natures sacred works is rais'd From whence the Godhead though unknown is prais'd O'r a high Portal an Inscript'on's read In antient Text that speaks this Temples dread By which time Natures Child stands figur'd young Who feels no age though ages does prolong No less admir'd the inside does appear As if Art only plac'd her wonders here Or Nature had her choice mater'als brought And with these Artist hands her self had wrought The inward structures were of pollish'd stone From Quarries brought to man this day unknown Which like Heav'ns face their Azure glories shew Or clearest Saphirs of the richest blew VVhose spacious Roof such lofty Pillars bear As tallest Cedars shrubs to them appear On which their skill as from above inspir'd Such works had wrought no mortal like admir'd While from the Walls the Roof and Pavements here So strangely represented objects are As 't was some doubt to all in heart unclean These stones reflections should express their stain VVhich speaks how pure the souls of men should be That here adore this great Divinity VVithin this mighty Fane were lesser seen To Natures Morals had long sacred been As Justice Temp'rance divine Charity And Fortitude whose glory crowns the three But loves Religion a mysterious grace Has from all these a fifth divided place VVhich for mans sake this heav'nly Name must give Lest claim'd by beasts from procreation live Here the vow'd Lover takes his bloomy Bride Her Virgin Zone by Maiden hands unty'd VVhere Monuments were rais'd to give such fame That bare through wedlock an unspotted name But these my Muses Records faintly shew VVhich tells that Mar'age happy then made few And though tow'rds heav'n thus chain'd such seem to move Proves but too oft the schism war of love Yet here for Loves repute some Virgins lye In Chrystal Tombs were said love-sick to die Though this the Modern doubtfully believe Since this disease it self such cures can give The Queen and Princes passing these Fanes by Each casts on Loves their more indulgent eye As if they 'd secretly his ayd implore Or would his Altars above all adore Pass'd through the Body of this Temple they See Iv'ry Gates a spacious Quire display VVhich but admittance gives on solemn dayes The High Appartment call'd of Natures praise And here the Druids so renown'd by Fame In order stand to celebrate this Name Their Priestly Vestments of a speckled green As in her bloomy Livery Spring is seen VVhose Pow'r Divine in Mystick Notes they sing VVith all her Summer glories and her Spring VVhence Vegitives without sence life receive And Man and Beasts does healthful vigors give Describing next the Oceans vast extent VVith all the motions of that Element VVhy Egypts Nile so usefully does flow VVhile other Streams their narrow Ebbs must know Then from stupend'ous Rolls of Natures Law Praecepts from humane life divinely draw Free from disguise in controverted Texts The marks of Error and the Badge of Sects And thus these sacred Monitors declaim Vice the Souls riot in our Bodies frame But not as this day Priests our souls invade Since damning men was then an unknown Trade Lest Nature we a guilty
conjoyn'd they fought For which the Sun shall ne'r consume a Day But I devoted thankes to Heaven will pay That can no Merit great enough allow To you as Princes and as Lovers too For which 't is my unhappiness to live Except at once I had two Souls to give Yet must your Passions blame that did decree A Death of both or either without me That could have been contented first to dye And Pay Loves Debt with my sad destiny Then to each Prince a gentle hand does give Which humbly kiss'd they on their knees receive Whose Lilly-white best Orient-Pearl did stain And out-shin'd Saphyrs blew in every vein Thus leads them with her to a Royal seat Where soon Merlinus did attend to Greet The happy Cures his wondrous art had done Which they with highest thanks and presents own 〈◊〉 to his Person great endearments give Admiring his deep meanes by which they live Whence they in such short time o'rcame their griefs And Nature furnish'd with such strange reliefes To whom Merlinus thus does humbly speak Since Nature her bright handmaid Art did make Few of her Counsels and admir'd effects But profound Science wondrously Inspects Else her large Providence that guides things here Must prove to Mortals but a niggard Care If she producing Creatures by her Power Did fail of meanes their Glories might restore Hence through the Universe her healthful Lawes With every being show a Divine cause While Stars no more her operations cost Than Plants and Herbs that humbly spring may boast Nor does this Mistress of the World deny To disclose secrets in her bosome lie If Mans frail Sense she does sublimely teach Can the deep Process of her wonders reach Hence Med'cins sets apart and joyes the Cure That makes her Individuals long endure Which in her most lov'd sympathies consist Or such Antipathies Disease resist Thus by my skill and fervent Prayers I sought That Soul to Inform'd matter first she brought Which has from Elements distinct essence Yet is of all things one best Quintessence And this our Lives Infirmities Restores Beyond the aid of Natures common Powers Assisting life with life the self same way That first in Bodies she did Souls convey This said a Vial of a substance too His Art next precious to th' Elixar knew Presents the Queen and Princes which contain'd This sublime worke by his deep Science gain'd At Natures richest cost whose value could Purchase the World and next transmute to Gold All kind of mettals that if Treasure fail This endless wealth might Brittains Foes assaile And here admiring they a while it view Which does in colour far more beaut'ous show Than Iris various Arch and seemes like beames Of Sun and Stars or more Coelestial Flames And to Merlinus with one voice reply Most mighty Bard since in thy skill doth lie Such sublime knowledge ne'r to Man was known May future Ages ever it Renown Not suffering time whose hand doth often raze His choicest glories ever thine deface Or from forgotten truth make Fictions Fame The bold oblivion of thy sacred Name Which said resolve this matchless work shall be Preserv'd as Natures highest Mystery And in that Temple kept where Brittains pay Devotion to her mighty Power each day And now the Queen whose mind unusual cares Did apprehend in her late sad despaires Acquaints him how her Soul a Voyage took In that deep Trance as it lifes Fetters broke Whence to her seem'd that warlike Nations spread Banners throughout this Isle with horror led Whose manners they before did never know With Images beheld of Princes too That should mix blood with Brittains Royal Line And thence succeeding Ages fruitful shine Changing Complexion of our Lawes and Speech Say wond'rous Bard if thy deep Science reach To future things What do these Visions speak Or are they but such Fantasmes vain Dreams make To which this Learned Sage does thus express Illustrious Queen though 't is most hard to guess Succeeding Acts of Time wrapt in the Lawes Of Providence the Worlds great hidden cause While in our Bodies Souls commix with Sence That does obstruct their Divine Praescience Else might their Vision without sensual eyes Take highest Prospect of her Mysteries Since Nature to the World and all things live In different Bodies a-like Soul does give And is diffus'd from her Internal mind Where every cause does actual fore-sight find Which since our Souls cannot in Bodies reach By glorious Mediums she our Sence does teach Nor must we think the Orbes and Starry-Sphaere But as Nights Tapers Heaven has kindled there Or that Ecclipses of the Sun and Moon Defects of Nature show and not our own Though it must dazel Humane sence to read The Text of Heaven in such bright causes spread Hence oft Mutations follow Crowns and States Which ignorant minds allot to Chance and Fates While nothing to us Mortals 〈◊〉 insues But she in some Prophetick Cause foreshewes And what the restless studies of my Art To you great Queen and Princes can impart I humbly offer in this hour to show That strikes my Soul with some amazement too Craving this Royal Presence a short space Some learned Products of his skill to grace And may for Brittains sake be useful seen Which said the Princes with the beauteous Queen Remove in State and thus by him are brought To an Appartment vast and wond'rous wrought From Archytects taught by his deep survey Which none but he e'r enter'd to this day Wherein this Sage long Contemplation took T' instruct the World in Natures profound Book Or else the Muses sublime Raptures writ That Poets call Heavens best inspired wit A Science graces all yet taught by none In Schooles Pedantick Tearmes and Precepts known Where Faith could not it self from Tutors free While this remains untaught Divinity And Natures best Exchequer has for store Spending profusely thence yet never Poor Though oft like virtue meets Inglorious Fate Since more than Human Soul its worth must rate Nor did that Age the Muses less esteem Than Sacred Raptures Men Prophetick deeme From whence the wise Castalian Cliffs aspir'd And with Heavens zeal this Divine gift admir'd The End of the Sixth Canto The Seventh Canto ANd now this Royal Presence duely plac'd Wonder to see how this Appartment's grac'd Whose Globulous roofe seems like a moving Sphaere Where Stars in Aspects shine as Heaven was there Nor were the Walls and Pillars less bright fam'd By his great skill of hardn'd Chrystal fram'd That none e'r malleable had made before And which all shapes of Creatures figur'd bore Then entertains their Royal Eares and sight With Bodies wond'rous organ'd for delight While some in Birdlike shapes best Musick sing And thus about this Roofe are seen to wing Next which in various Postures did appear Gygantick figur'd-Men and what 's as rare The shapes of Pigmyes Natures Dwarfish crew That Dialogue speak and make strangè exits too A Crystal wall then severs whence to sight A Scene appeares than Evenings Sky more