glad Throng Arthur's loud Praises sings Let Arthur live the Towns and Fields resound Let Arthur live the ecchoing Hills rebound The Evening thus in Mirth and Triumph past The Britons to their Rest retir'd at last Mean time four Lords arriv'd from Tollo crave Audience of Octa which the Saxon gave To hear their Embassy in regal State High on his Throne the Saxon Monarch sate Duncan the cheif broke Silence thus we bring This Message from the great Albanian King He is advanc'd to give that powerful Aid Which by his Orator's King Octa pray'd A valiant Host obeying his Command Whose conquering Swords no force could yet withstand Who laid the Caledonian Forrest wast And from their Forts the fierce Meatian chas'd Halts on a Plain three Leagues remov'd from hence Ready t' engage their Arms in your Defence But then our Leader prays that when you come The Britons all subdu'd in Triumph home Fair Ethelina may be then his own The bright Reward that shall his Labours crown If to these happy Nuptialls you incline He 'll straight with yours his valiant Forces joyn Let not the Saxons doubt great Tollo's Arms Will free your Kingdom from the Foes Alarms He said forthwith Octa in counsel sate A matter so important to debate When Osred thus began Great Exigencies of our State perswade That we comply with this Proposal made We are compell'd by hard Affairs to court Th' Albanian Arms our Kingdom to support You know too well how much the Saxons Host Is weaken'd by the Numbers we have lost When matchless Arthur did our Troops invade What Havock his victorious Progress made What wide Destruction in our Army rag'd Where'er his fatal Weapons were engag'd Our frighted Troops when he advances fly Swift as the Clouds the Winds chace thro' the Sky But valiant Tollo rivals Arthur's Fame Equal their Courage and their Strength the same Against the Briton He 'll the Field maintain And on his Buckler his vast Strokes sustain No stronger Champion travers'd yet the Field To him or none the British Prince must yield Kind Heav'n has sent a Man so great and Brave From Arthur's Arms our threatn'd State to save I would not then his just Desire withstand But let him know you grant him his Demand This Grant to such a Prince we must allow Was always fit but necessary now He ceas'd and next Pascentius silence broke And wisely thus th' attentive Peers bespoke I once advis'd that to preserve the State We should strict Friendship with Prince Arthur make That we Britannia should between us share And with the Princess Nuptials end the War The Terms propos'd the British Hero please And all things seem'd to promise lasting Peace But when we were inform'd the British Host Had half their Force by raging Sickness lost Thinking we might with Ease the Foe defeat VVe from the Terms our selves propos'd retreat I wish that Rupture May not Heav'n provoke To bring our Necks beneath the British Yoke With all our Force the Britons we assail But Arthur's unresisted Arms prevail How great a Loss the Saxons undergo Our bleeding Wounds and endless Funerals show What Hero can be found to guard our State Against Prince Arthur's Arms and prosp'rous Fate True Tollo's Deeds give him a warlike Name But much inferiour to the Briton's Fame If we confiding in th' Albanian's Sword Fresh Triumphs to the Briton should afford Who after shall controuling Bounds oppose To the victorious Progress of our Foes Who then against the Torrent can contend And from th' o'erflowing Flood our Towns defend We shall in vain our former Conquests boast The Saxon sinks and all Britannia's lost All things well weigh'd Prince Arthur looks to me As one supported by divine Decree To Empire rais'd by unchang'd Destiny If so in vain all our Attempts are made In vain we build our Hopes on Tollo's Aid We shall oppose inevitable Fate And in our Ruin learn our Fault too late I would Prince Arthur's Temper sound and strive Once more the former Treaty to revive This way we may controul the Conquerors ' Arms And Arthur bind by Ethelina's Charms This way perhaps you 'll stem the rapid Tyde And gain a Conquest to your Arms deny'd Pascentius ceas'd Crida with Choler burn'd And with an Air disturb'd these Words return'd We all well know Pascentius Tongue was made Smooth soft and fluent fitted to perswade For courtly Arts and fine Intreagues of State No Saxon Genius can Pascentius mate All to his Eloquence at home must yield As he to all for Courage in the Field Men of the Cabinet take no Delight In bloody War they are too wise to fight The Briton's Strength and Arthur's Arms I find Strike fiercely on a Prudent timerous Mind A brave Heroick Spirit can't despair That minds the Turns and doubtful Chance of War Joyn'd by the Pict and Albanian Horse We'er much superiour to the British Force Tollo and Mordred both for Arms are fam'd Whose Deeds with greater Wonder are proclaim'd We too have Heros left that dare engage The Briton's Arm and can sustain his Rage My self will meet him in the Field and stand Unmov'd against the Fury of his Hand Shall we at last a conquer'd Nation fear And long inur'd to Victory despair Let not our vile Submission stain our Name And lessen thro' the World the Saxon Fame No let the King with Tollo's Prayer comply Our Forces joyn'd must make the Britons fly He ceas'd the Councel murmur'd their Applause And pleas'd with this Advice King Octa rose He straight dispatch'd th' Albanian Orators By whom the valiant Tollo he assures That he the Britons by his Aid subdu'd Shall Ethelina wed for whom he sued Withall he added that Affairs requir'd Their Troops should joyn before the Truce expir'd His Oratours return'd to Tollo bring The pleasing Answer of the Saxon King Tollo transported with excessive Joy Believes no Rival could his Hopes destroy As if the Battel were already won He thinks the Beauteous Princess is his own Glitt'ring in Arms like a refulgent Star He leads his Scotish Nation to the War A Nation fierce and haughty by Success Which Albion's Northern Soil did then posess For a rude cruel People bred to Spoil To Blood and Rapine from th' Hibernian Isle Did in this Age infest th' Albanian Coast And landed there at last their barb'rous Host. Scots they were call'd from their wild Island 's Name For Scotia and Hibernia were the same Here their new Seats the prosperous Pyrates fix And their course Blood with the old Britons mix These their Albanian Seats new Scotia stile Leaving Hibernia to their native Isle The Calidonian Britons dispossest And by a hard tirannick Yoke opprest Did these Hibernian Scotish Lords obey And felt the Curses of a forraign Sway. This Nation then obey'd King Tollo's Laws And now in Arms asserts the Saxon Cause The mighty Donald of the Northern Isles Of Visage fierce and dreadful with the Spoils Of grisly Bears and of the foaming Boar
the Saxon and the British Fleet A dreadful day did on the Ocean meet By Arthur's side upon the Deck he stood Distain'd with scatter'd Brains and reeking Blood The Youth at danger unconcern'd appear'd And nothing but his Country's Suff'rings fear'd He leap'd out first on the Dimetian Strand And welcom'd Arthur to his Native Land Where taking leave he to his Country came To Head his Men and win yet greater Fame Devana sends brave Troops a noble Town For lofty Works and splendid Structures known Where once the Roman Conquerours did reside And envy'd not Italia's Wealth and Pride The bold Inhabitants on Deva's Bank And they who Danus and Merseia drank With those that had their Seats along the Soil Which Briny Riches gives with easie Toil Draw out and Muster on the Neighb'ring Plain Resolv'd the British Honour to regain Bothan their Captain was a Warlike Knight A brave Asserter of his Country's Right A noble but ungovernable Fire Such is the Hero's did his Breast inspire His honest Rage his Friends could scarcely Rule Hot for the Camp but not for Counsel Cool Fit to assist to pull a Tyrant down But not to please the Prince that mounts the Throne Impatient of Oppression still he stood His Country's Mounds against th' invading Flood Impetuous as a Tempest in its Course He not to Conduct trusted but to Force Unskill'd in Court Intreagues on which the wise And crafty Statesman as his strength relies He still expected that a loud Applause Should follow Brav'ry and a Righteous Cause His Country prais'd him no Britannick Lord Was as his People's Patron more ador'd And Now in Arms they throng about their Head None to the Prince such numerous Forces led The Coritanians that the Soil possest By fair Darventio's fruitful Waters blest And Repandunum where clear Trenta's Tide Do's into Dovo's silver Bosome glide Those near high Peak in heavenly Waters drown'd And in the Dale which craggy Rocks surround Their Zeal and Courage rais'd by loud Alarms Forsook their Seats and Fields and flew to Arms. These valiant Men that Fame and Freedom sought To join the Prince's Arms Canvallo brought Noble Canvallo who did with him bring The Majesty and Presence of a King Of lofty Stature and a graceful Air By 's own Sex fear'd and favour'd by the Fair. Th' Inglorious Pleasures of the wanton Court That drain'd his Wealth did not the Patriot hurt Fit for the Camp or Business of the State But soft Enjoyments Love to both abate Alarm'd with Publick Danger he arose Like a rous'd Lyon from his long Repose Arm'd and equip'd with gaeat Magnificence He mounts his fiery Turk bought at a vast Expence His princely Train and splendid Equipage Wher'ere he past the Eyes of all engag'd The Atrebatians From the happy Land Which then sublime Gallena did command Where winding Thamisis does bless the Soil The Wealth and Glory of the British Isle In War-like Bands advance to Arthur's Aid And rich Bertudor as their Head obey'd Who still against the Pagan Interest strove Rich in Possessions and his People's Love His happy Tenants and the Farmers round His Hospitable House still open found Each Week ten Oxen from the Stall he drew A hundred Sheep and forty Swine he slew Fat Venison Fowl and Fish an endless Store To feed his Guests his Servants and the Poor He to the Woods and Forrests was inclin'd To hunt the Fox and chase the flying Hind Pleas'd with his Friends and with his rural Sport He wisely shun'd the Dangers of the Court But for the Christian Cause and publick Peace He quits the Forrests and his Wealth and Ease His Helmet brac'd and on his Arm his Shield He march'd before his Troops into the Field And that my Verse may to his Name be just Of all the Lords Bertudor was the first That to the Camp his valiant Forces brought Tho' not inur'd to War and tho' remote The Durotriges from the western Coast Where the Britannick Ocean's Waves are tost Their Troops assembled for the Prince declare And march from all the Towns to meet the War From Dornavaria and the Seats that stand On Froma's Stream and wealthy Blackmoor Land From Vendogladia and the Tow'rs that rose On the fat Glebe where pleasant Stourus flows Sakil their Leader an Illustrious Peer Was to his Prince and to his Country dear He their Maecenas cheers the British Bards Learns them to Sing and then their Songs rewards So Heav'n to makes Men good does Grace bestow And then rewards them for their being so Him as their Head the Athenian Sons adore The Muses Fav'rite but the People's more To form great Men his Palace was the School His Life good Breeding's and good Nature's Rule To him the needy Men of Wit resort And find a Friend in an unletter'd Court The Poets Nation did Obsequious wait For the kind Dole divided at his Gate Laurus amidst the meagre Crowd appear'd An old revolted unbelieving Bard Who throng'd and shov'd and prest and would be heard Distinguish'd by his louder craving Tone So well to all the Muses Patrons known He did the Voice of modest Poets drown Sakil's high Roof the Muses Palace rung With endless Cries and endless Songs he sung To bless good Sakil Laurus would be first But Sakil's Prince and Sakil's God he curst Sakil without distinction threw his Bread Despis'd the Flatt'rer but the Poet fed His Sword the Muses great Defender draws T' assert Britannia's and Religion's Cause Orson their Head the bold Brigantes brings Subject of late to the North-Saxon Kings Now for their Liberty they boldly speak And thro' the Foe to joyn Prince Arthur break Osron's Example all the Region fir'd With noble Heats and Martial Thoughts inspir'd None in the Field did greater Courage show Whither he charg'd or else sustain'd the Foe Yet none more fit in Council to preside And in a Storm the lab'ring State to guide A mighty Genius of uncommon Mould As Caesar Eloquent as Caesar Bold He could th' unstable People's Tumults stop And a declining Kingdom underprop Matur'd by Age and business of the State The hoary Oracle in Council sate Where he the British Nestor was esteem'd And all his Language Inspiration seem'd This finish'd Statesman did the Prince perswade To pass the Seas the Saxon to invade And at his Landing quick Assistance brought And for his Country none more bravely fought The farthest Western Soil which with their Wave The British and Hibernian Oceans lave From Isca's Noble Stream far as the Shore Where round Bolerium's Head the Billows roar By the Danmonian Britons was possest And with King Cador's temperate Empire blest This war-like People at their King's Command Now take up Arms and muster thro' the Land The good King Cador worn with War and Age No longer does the Foe in Arms engage Macor his Son supply'd the Father's Place Whose Virtues equal'd his Illustrious Race To serve Prince Arthur and his righteous Cause His Sword the brave Danmonian Hero draws A beauteous
fell Deserting Heav'n to serve the Cause of Hell This Fatal Conquest o'er fall'n Adam gain'd A mighty Empire Lucifer maintain'd Till the blest Prince of Peace Heav'n's Lord and Heir By Pity 's Tears and charming Mercy 's Prayer Drawn down from Heav'n freed lost Mankind and broke The Pow'r of Hell and Sin 's Tyrannick Yoke He makes Proud Lucifer his Host disband And wrests the Scepter from th' Usurper's Hand The Prince of Darkness owns the Conquerour And yields his Empire to a mightier Pow'r From Idols and their Priests the Nations freed Celestial Light and Truth Divine succeed Religion large Dominions soon obtain'd And daily Conquests and fresh Laurels gain'd To Albion's Shore she early pass'd the Main And brought along her bright Etherial Train From thence she chas'd Infernal Shades away And o'er the Isle diffus'd a Heav'nly Day The Prince of Hell at her Appearance flies Spoil'd of his Altars and his Votaries Confin'd to Barb'rous Northern Lands he staid Till the fierce Saxon Albion did invade Victorious Octa who his Shrines ador'd Rebuilt his Altars and his Groves restor'd Long abdicated Gods make Albion mourn At theirs and their devouring Priests Return Th' Arch-Traytor's Rage hence against Arthur rose And all th' Infernal Pow'rs his Arms oppose Conscious should he his glorious End acquire And force th' intruding Pagan to retire Theirs with the Saxon Empire must expire They must again forsake fair Albion's Land And leave Divine Religion to Command Scarce had they left the happy Neustrian Coast Born with a Prosperous Gale scarce had they lost The Tops of Spires and rising Points of Land When Lucifer that did observing stand On the high Southern Promontory's Head Of Vecta's Isle the Seas beneath him spread With sharp Angelick Ken views far and wide And soon Prince Arthur's hateful Fleet descry'd The Heav'ns serenely smil'd and every Sail Fill'd its wide Bosom with th' indulgent Gale Mercy Deliverance Pity Hope displaid Their Silver Wings and glad Attendance paid Sung on the Shrowds or with the Streamers plaid Rage flash'd like Lightning from th' Apostate's Eyes And Envy swell'd him to the vastest Size Then thus he to himself Was not to me in the fam'd Wars of Heav'n The chief Command of all the Forces giv'n Sent by Confederate Potentates to wage Unheard of War and all Heav'n's Pow'r engage When I to end with Honour the Campaign Drew my bright Troops out on th' Etherial Plain And push'd on that great last decisive Day With God-like Vigour for th' Imperial Sway. In Lustre chief in Danger and Command Did I Proud Michael's Veteran Troops withstand Michael than whom a Braver Combatant For Skill and Strength the Foe could never vaunt 'Gainst fresh Battalions still pour'd on I stood Smeer'd with Celestial Dust and Seraphs Blood Had not our Mould been Aether Pure and Fine Labour'd with Care anneel'd with Skill Divine The Blows of mighty Cherubs Death had cloy'd Unpeopled Heav'n and the Bright Race destroy'd With Michael pain'd with ghastly Wounds at length I clos'd and grasp'd him with Immortal Strength And down Heav'n's Precipice had headlong hurl'd The great Arch-Angel to th' Infernal World Had not swift Uriel trembling at the Sight That fill'd all Heav'n with Horrour and dire Fright Rush'd in to save him from unequal Fight Their stagg'ring Army shrunk and we had won The Throne we fought for but th' Almighty's Son Brought strong Recruits to reinforce their Host And win back what their General Michael lost ' Tho' overmatcht did I not firmly stand The chiefest Mark of his Revenging Hand Did I from Posts of greatest Danger run Or once his bright Triumphal Chariot shun Did I once shrink when Showers of poyson'd Darts Dipt in Eternal Wrath shot thro' our Hearts When massy Rocks of Heav'nly Chrystal flew Which the strong Arms of mighty Seraphs threw Did I not run and timely Help afford Where Storms of Fire and loudest Thunder roar'd T is true o'er-born with Force at last I fell But got Immortal Fame tho' with it Hell Scarce was I vanquish'd and o'erthrown but late By Power Almighty and Eternal Fate Since that chief Lord and Prince of Hell I 've reign'd And from the Foe his new-made World have gain'd And long maintain'd the Conquests I had won Now much lost back to his Almighty Son But faithful Octa has once more restor'd This happy Isle to me its ancient Lord. Have I been thus for great Atchievements fam'd My Deeds throughout all Heav'n and Hell proclaim'd And shall this British despicable Wight Me and my Priests force to a second Flight Rifle my Temples and in Triumph bear Thro' shouting Throngs the Spoils high in the Air Who then to me will Hymns of Praise return Who on my Altars Odorous Incense burn If I chastise not this vain Briton's Pride That does insulting on the Ocean ride If I secure not my new conquer'd Seat And all his wild ambitious Arms defeat This having said to Heav'n he mounts upright And to the Northern Pole directs his Flight All fir'd with Rage and full of anxious Care With his swift Wings he cuts the yielding Air. As when the Sun pours from his Orb of Light A glorious Deluge on the Face of Night His Golden Rays shot from the Rosy East Reach in a Moment the remotest West And smiling on the Mountains Heads are seen Th' immense Expansion past that lies between The Prince of Darkness now once Prince of Light With equal Swiftness takes his Airy Flight And the vast Interval of Seas and Isles Wild Desarts spacious Forrests snowy Hills Past in a Moment does on Fioel Light Of Lapland Alpes chief for amazing Height Where Thor resides who heretofore by Lot The Sovereign Rule o'er Winds and Tempests got Here in strong Prisons bound with heavy Chains His howling savage Subjects he restrains And in Eternal Din and Uproar reigns In close Apartments round his desart Court Fierce Pris'ners are confin'd of different Sort. Here Boundless Stores and Treasures Infinite Of Vapours Steams and Exhalations fit T' engender Winds or Snow or Hail or Rain In Subterranean Magazins remain Here new fledg'd Winds young yelping Monsters try Their Wings and sporting round their Prisons fly Here whistling East-winds prove their shriller Notes Here the hoarse South-winds strain their hollow Throats Boreas the fiercest and most turbulent Of the mad Race raves in his Dungeon pent At th' Adamantine Door vast Hills are thrown And abrupt Rocks of Ice pil'd sevenfold on Capricious Whirlwinds of more Force than Sound In everlasting Eddys turning round Grow Giddy Furious and Extravagant And strive to break from their close Den's restraint When Thor unlocks their Prisons out they fly A lawless Rout and with their Hellish Cry Out-howl the hideous Monsters of the Seas Or savage Roarings of the Wilderness Some range the Flats and Scour the Champain Land Or roll in tott'ring heaps the Desart Sand. Some to the lofty Woods direct their Course And with an uncontroul'd impetuous Force O'erturn opposing Structures in
Ground 'T was then a wondrous Heav'nly Voice I heard The words were these but no blest Face appear'd 'Gainst me what Fury does thy Arms engage What moves thee with inexorable Rage Vain Man to persecute my Saints and me In vain thou striv'st to baffle Heav'n's Decree Vain is thy Force and Impotent thy Hate Too weak thy Arms to stem the Tide of Fate The Torrent bears thy faint Resistance down Retire or in Eternal Ruin drown I strait cry'd out O tell me who thou art Great Spirit and thy Will to me impart Tell me if Error has my Feet misled What safer Paths I may hereafter tread The Voice reply'd I am the Christians God whom you pursue Go find my Servant Arthur he shall shew At large what thou hast to believe what do Prince Arthur paus'd a while then Silence broke And friendly thus th' Armoric King bespoke Th' Eternal's Providence I must adore That has compell'd me to th' Armoric Shore That I might here serve such a glorious End And to the Christian Cause gain such a Friend Goodness Divine King Hoel does invite By Miracles t' enjoy Celestial Light Cast on your Coasts with Pleasure I will stay To aid and guide you in your Heav'nly way To whom th' Armoric Monarch thus Reply'd VVhile we to Nannetum together ride Instruct O Pious Prince my willing Mind It is a task your God has you design'd Unfold his Heav'nly Will and let me know What Worship to him what Belief I owe. To whom the Prince this favour must I ask Before I undertake the pious Task That you 'll dispatch your Servants to the Coast To seek my Friends out in the Tempest lost And if by chance cast on th' Armoric Shore They wander up and down distress'd and poor Your angry Subjects may not them annoy Nor with devouring Flames their Ships destroy This Friendship shewn I 'll with a cheerful Mind Attempt the Task by you and Heav'n enjoyn'd When the past Night did with her dusky Train Advance o'er shadowing all th' Aierial Plain A sudden Transport did my Soul engage And all my Limbs shook with the sacred Rage Straight caught up from the Body through the Skies To the third Heav'n my ravish'd Soul did rise Where Things ineffable I saw and heard Divine Instruction which my Mind prepar'd To aid you in your Heav'nly Way and shew What Worship to th' Eternal Mind is due Straight Hoel to the Shores his Servants sent Who might the Harms that Arthur fear'd prevent Who might the hapless Britons kindly treat And safe conduct them to his Royal Seat Such Love the King to Arthur's Friends exprest Who now prepar'd t' obey the King's Request Prince Arthur BOOK II. ATtentive Hoel's Eyes on Arthur's Face Were fixt who thus began with God-like grace Before th' unshaken Pillars of the Earth Were Reer'd before prolifick Nature's Birth Before the Register of Time begun Or Heav'n's bright Forces throng'd about the Sun Was a wild Void that no set Bounds restrain'd Where Silence Night and Desolation reign'd Where yet no glimmering track of Light appear'd No Discord yet or Harmony was heard From Ages past lay in th' Eternal's Mind A finish'd Model of a World design'd To be Erected by Almighty Hands VVhere now this Round Capacious Fabrick stands The deep Foundations laid in Heav'n they said A strange new World was making Fame soon spread The tydings through the Palaces of Bliss To see a work so wonderful as this Millions of Angels to Heav'n's Turrets fly And on the Crystal Terras of the Sky Stood in bright Throngs and on Creation gaz'd And at the Sight were ravish'd and amaz'd Almighty Vigour strove through all the Void And such prolifick Influence employ'd That ancient barren Night did pregnant grow And quicken'd with the World in Embrio The struggling Seeds of unshap'd Matter ly Contending in her Womb for Victory No Order Form or Parts distinct and clear Did in the Crude Conception yet appear Thick Darkness did the unripe Light Embrace That faintly glanc'd on Chaos shady Face The unfledg'd Fire has no bright Wings to rise But scarce distinguish'd with the Water lies It 's sprightly ruddy Youth not yet attain'd The glitt'ring Seeds Mother of Fire remain'd Like golden Sands thick scatter'd on the Shore Of the wild Deep and shone in burning Oar. In glowing Heaps the Stars lay dusky bright Rude and unpolish'd Balls of unwrought Light The Sphears pil'd up about their Poles were Furl'd Design'd the Swadling Bands of th' Infant World The Sky dispers'd lay in Etherial Oar And azure Veins betray'd th' Empyreal Store The watry Treasures in th' unfashion'd Birth Lay in the rough Embraces of the Earth But at the great Command will Thaw and throw The Dross off and like melted Metals flow Besides vast numbers of loose Atoms stray And in the restless Deep of Chaos play In dark Encounters they for Empire strive And gain what Chance and wild Confusion give Which joyntly here possess the Sov'raign Sway Pleas'd with those Subjects most that least Obey Order a banish'd Rebel flies the Place And Strife and Uproar fill the noisy Space Tumult and Misrule please at Chaos Court And everlasting Wars his Throne Support Troops arm'd with Heat have here a Battel won But Moist and Cold the Victor soon dethrone Here heavier Seeds rush on in numerous Swarms And crush their Lighter Foes with pond'rous Arms. The Lighter strait Command with equal Pride And on wild Whirlwinds in mad Triumph ride None long submits to a Superiour Power Each yields and in his turn is Conquerour If some grown mild from fierce Contention cease And with calm Neighbours court a separate Peace If Truce they make and in kind Leagues combine Their short Embraces some rude Shocks disjoyn Th' Eternal's Voice compos'd these Atoms jars And justling Elements intestine Wars He sets imprison'd Heat and Vigour free And suits and ranges Natures that agree He through the Mass a mighty Ferment spread And where it came mis-shap'd Confusion fled Dark Chaos now throws off his gloomy Face Puts on fresh Beauty and a Heav'nly Grace Th' Almighty spake and strait the Sprightly Light With lovely Looks broke from th' Abyss of Night On Golden Wings it mounts and in its way Its Smiles diffuse new Morn and unripe Day Aloft vast spreading Sheets of Ether rise Matter for Sphears and pure transparent Skies The Sky that for its Compass scarce finds room Spun thin and wove on Nature's finest Loom The new-born World in its soft Bosom wraps And all around its Starry Mantle laps The Sun 's vast Globe that till the Birth of Day All Rough and Cloudy in wild Chaos lay Well wrought and polish'd is advanc'd on high The vagrant Beams that stray'd about the Sky Now becken'd by Creating Power obey And the bright Forces hither hast away Then hov'ring on the Spungy Globe they wait And round their new appointed Mansion fate The thirsty Orb drinks in the liquid Beams And now but one vast Sea of Glory
light On their curst Heads that should again invite Victorious Kings with Forreign Arms to bless Their Native Country and their Wrongs redress They 'll readily assist your Cause and fight To do to injur'd States and Princes Right But still they keep what by their Arms is won Great Monarchs conquer for themselves alone They want a fair Pretente to seize the Prey They come as Friends but will as Masters stay Thus Albion far'd may Heav'n her Sons restrain From splitting on this fatal Rock again In vain we strove to break the servile Yoke Our impotent Attempts new Wrongs provoke At last no greater Evils left to fear We took fresh Hope and Courage from Despair Fury from Ruin sprung rag'd in our Veins And Death 's seem'd lighter than the Saxon Chains Each free-born Briton thought the Choice more brave To die their Victim than to live their Slave We that could ne'er the Tyrant's Yoke endure Boyl with Revenge now Slaves to Forreign Power King Uter's Breast swells with distracting Rage Whose wounded Soul no Language could asswage Asham'd his Country's Freedom to out-live He takes the Councils Grief and Fury give His Knights together call'd attentive wait While Uter sits on his high Chair of State His troubled Looks reveal'd his inward Wound And Storms of Fury on his Forehead frown'd Who thus began you see what Tides of wo What angry Seas o'er all your Country flow Th' insulting Saxon claims our Land and draws From greater power the Justice of his Cause Thro' all our Towns our Foes triumphant ride Wearing their awful Title by their side They shed your Blood and helpless Maids deflower Exhaust your Treasure and your Land devour A faithless Nation that no Rule of Right Reveres as Sacred but superiour Might We oft our Fate in bloody Fields have try'd But Heav'n has Vict'ry to our Arms deny'd Egyptian Plagues lay wast our ruin'd Land No Moses here holds his controlling Wand Humbly invok'd Heav'n will perhaps relent And of its fierce accustom'd wrath repent Perhaps the Saxons Crimes with louder Cries For greater Vengeance importune the Skies Let us howe'er make one strong Effort more Our Country's Peace and Freedom to restore We 'll take the Field 't will gain us greater Fame To perish there then here with Grief and Shame My British Heart can't brook th' Inglorious Chain I 'll fall with Honour or with Honour reign Tumultuous Passions Wrath Revenge and Shame Invade our Breasts and our gall'd Souls inflame Strait with one Voice we all for Arms declare And every Breast already feels the War Resolv'd to make the vanquish'd Saxons fly Or in the just and brave Attempt to dy With Fury urg'd we part from Uter's sight Resolv'd for Freedom and our Native Right Thro' all the Towns we spread the loud Alarm And animated all our Men to Arm To vindicate their ravish'd Country's cause To banish Forraign Gods and Forraign Laws 'T is strange how soon the Britons Blood was fir'd What Life and Hope their drooping Hearts inspir'd They saw fair Liberty extended ly The Saxon Whips and Torments lying by They view her squallid Face exhausted Veins And beauteous Limbs eat in with rusty Chains They heard her mournful Groans and piercing Cries Her interrupted Sobs and dying Sighs They saw from gaping Wounds the gushing Blood Enrich the Pavement with a noble Flood While Pity Mercy Hope in Sorrow drown'd To finish the sad Scene stood weeping round The Britons rave resolving her defence And vow her Rescue at their Blood 's expence In Albion this fair Emp'ress still obey'd An uncontested Scepter ever sway'd As Universal Soul she Life diffus'd And Warmth to all the heaving Mass infus'd She ever gave to all true Britons Hearts More Vigour than their own warm Blood imparts 'T is quick'ning Liberty that gives us Breath Her Absence more than that of Life is Death Such love to Liberty the Britons show Such were her Charms and may they still be so May never Briton ceasing to be Brave Submit his Neck content to be a Slave May those be doubly curst that would betray Their Country's Freedom to a Forraign Sway. Our Men enrag'd in numerous Bodies meet Arm Arm was heard the Cry in every Street The Ploughman hastens to a nobler Toil Unyokes his Ox and leaves untill'd the Soil Abandons all his Hopes and rustick Care Lays down his Goad and shakes the warlike Spear The Tradesman quits his Shop and takes the Field And makes his thirst of Gain to thirst of Honour yield Arm'd Tenants crowd about their Valiant Lords And full of Courage wave their threat'ning Swords Near Sorbiodunum's stately Walls a Town For Strength and Beauty of the first Renown Whose spacious Plains rich Seas of waving Corn And lowing Herds and woolly Flocks adorn Our Universal Rendezvous was set Where all our Squadrons and Battalions met Mean time the Cautious Saxon was alarm'd And to dispel the gathering Tempest arm'd Octa the famous Hengist's Son a bold And warlike Prince did then the Scepter hold Hengist that did the first our Land invade And brought to Albion his destructive Aid The Fifth from mighty Odin whose great Name Had tir'd the flaggy Wings of weary Fame The Stock from which a Race Illustrious springs Of numerous Hero's and Victorious Kings That founded Empires and that living led Their Conquering Armies and their God when dead They soon the Hills by their long Marches gain And with their Troops o'erspread the spacious Plain We with their hasty March alarm'd prepare To guard our Camp and wait th' approaching War Our Parties now in rude Rencounters try'd Their Courage still th' advantage on our side Th' advancing Host at last appear'd in sight But Toil and wearing Day defer'd the Fight Now Night advancing draws her Sable Train Along the Air and Shades th' Etherial Plain King Uter with his Lords in Council sate Things of th' important Juncture to debate Where Measures were concerted to oppose With warlike Arts and Force th' impending Foes Their Provinces the great Commanders share And from the Council to their Posts repair Where they their Troops dispose and Orders give How the Invading Saxon to receive Encampt we lay on advantageous Ground With strong Entrenchments and high Works around Our chearful Troops great Joy and Courage show And from the Works defy the powerful Foe All things dispos'd with Military Care We wait in Arms th' approach of Day and War Now did the Morn disclose her smiling Ray And from the East let forth th' important Day To bloody Labour all things did invite And sounding Trumpets Martial Heat excite Heav'n's starry Roof resounds with warlike Noise With Horses Thunder and their Riders Voice The Saxons and the Britons stand prepar'd Those to Attack and these their Posts to Guard King Octa leads his numerous Army on And at their Head in dazling Armour shone Drawn on the Right our rang'd Battalions stood Our Left a River Guards the Rear a Wood. Octa here makes his warlike Columns halt
Youth whose Breast a strong desire Of Fame and Martial Glory did inspire Eager of War he the Danmonians led And shone in splendid Armour at their Head His coming Joy to all the Britons gives And in his Arms the Prince his Friend receives To whom to be endear'd he always strove By all expressions of Respect and Love The Valiant Youth he did with Honours grace To his high Merit due and noble Race Macor mean time Prince Arthur did adore None serv'd his Cause or sought his Favour more Tracar and Ormes in the Camp arrive Whose Presence to the rest fresh Courage give Their Wisdom was by Fame aloud proclaim'd The Britons none with greater Honour nam'd Both fit about a Monarch to abide To aid his Counsels and the State to guide None more admir'd for clear unerring Sense For Piercing Sight and charming Eloquence Great Spirits both but of a different Mould Ormes impetuous Turbulent and Bold But Tracar was compos'd sedate and cool His Passions subject to a stricter Rule Ormes was haughty inaccessible And knew his Riches and his Sense too well Tracar was courteous easie of Access Of great Humanity and mild Address Ormes was therefore honour'd not desir'd Tracar belov'd and equally admir'd Ormes would still advance unbounded Power Tracar his Country's Liberty secure Tracar had Letters Ormes Native Fire Both had by Birth what Labour can't acquire Arthur to neither Rival Wit inclines But us'd them both to serve his wise Designs Such Love the Britons to the Prince exprest Who when he found his Numbers thus encreast Advanc'd his Ensigns and to Isca came Where the Silures dwelt the chief for Fame Hither fresh Squadrons to the Prince resort Which from that time is call'd great Arthur's Court Five times the Sun had his Diurnal Race Compleated when from this delightful place The pious Prince his Ensigns mov'd and came To Glevum seated on Sabrina's Stream Decamping hence his arm'd Battalions gain Prince Arthur at their Head the fertile Plain By easie Marches where Gallena stood Which Thamisis laves with its noble Flood Thus stood the Britons after his Defeat Octa with Grief did to his Coasts Retreat As when by chance a Royal Eagle spies From some high Mountains Top amidst the Skies A flight of Swans obscuring all the Air Swift as the Lightning which he 's said to bear Upon the Prey his Airy Flight he takes And with sharp Pounces vast Destruction makes Some fall struck dead some wounded slowly fly While Snowy Clouds of Feathers fill the Sky Those that the fierce Invader's Strokes survive With all the speed Fear to their Wings can give To their belov'd Cayster's Banks return And in their reedy Seats their Wounds and Losses mourn So far'd the Saxons and their shatter'd Fleet Octa forthwith Commands his Lords to meet In Council where they in long order sate T' advise what best might save their threaten'd State Cissa first spoke an able Counsellour Let us assemble all our present power And straight advance the Britons to Attack Who to our Arms can small Resistance make Sore with their Wounds and weary with their Toil They tempt the Saxons to an easie Spoil Boldly fall on before their Troops are eas'd With Food and Rest and with Recruits increas'd Your Wisdom thus and Courage will appear Who tho defeated have not learn'd to fear The Foe surpriz'd must to your Mercy yield Or to their Ships Retreating quit the Field He ceas'd then Osred who had always won By his wise Counsel great Applause begun Our late Defeat has too much Terrour strook Thro' all our Troops too much our Empire shook And too much flesh'd the Foe to let me joyn In this Advice my Counsels more incline To draw into the Field our utmost Power From all the Saxon States and to secure Our Empire let us labour to perswade The Pict and Scotish King to give us Aid The Cause and Interest is the same of all They and their Gods if we are crush'd must fall Our Arms united in a numerous Host We may before of certain Conquest boast The trembling Foe unable to withstand Such mighty Armies will forsake the Land But if supported with vain hopes they stay They fall into our hands an easie Prey Pascentius next a wise Nestorian head Whose Looks and Words profound Attention bred Thus spoke -- 't is true our Troops while thus dismay'd And of Prince Arthur's Fame and Arms afraid From present Action justly may disswade Seeking the Foe we too great Danger run Embolden'd by his Victory lately won And thus far Osred's Thoughts and mine you see Conspire as in the rest they disagree If with our utmost Force we meet our Foes To too much hazard we our State expose Th' uncertain Game of War they little know That Stake an Empire on a single Throw While we delay to gather all our Force And to the Picts and Scots shall have recourse Prince Arthur will advance and mightier grow Like rolling Balls that gather up the Snow Or Rivers taking Streams in as they flow The Britons led by ancient Prophecies Expect that near this time a Prince shall rise Heroick Wise a mighty Conqueror That all their lost Dominions shall restore And o'er the World extend their Naval Power Something like this our Augurs seem to fear From Prodigies and Signs that oft appear Those hopes they all of Arthur now express Drawn by his Fame abroad and late Success While this Belief tho' false the Briton warms He grows less fearful of the Saxon Arms. He 'll be more bold in Fight while thus inspir'd And with such Zeal and Expectation fir'd Intoxicated thus Men Wonders do And by bold Deeds make their vain Fancies true He therefore serves King Octa that creates An Understanding first between the States An Embassy may to the Prince be sent To treat how Blood and ruin to prevent They may propose the Kingdom to divide And offer Octa's Daughter for his Bride Fair Ethelina whose perverted Mind To Christian Worship is too much inclin'd He ceas'd and his Advice did chiefly please And of the Council most declar'd for Peace The Lords dispers'd King Octa unresolv'd Long in his Mind his troubled Thoughts revolv'd With strong contending Tydes of Passion prest Now War he looks on now on Peace as best Long he appear'd on Osred's Counsel bent And to the Neighb'ring Saxon Princes sent That all the strong Necessity might know Of joyning Arms against the Common Foe At the same time an Embassy he sends To make the Pict and Scotish King his Friends That of their powerful Aid he might not fail If Arthur and his Britons should prevail But when he heard that Arthur had as far As Glevum's Walls advanc'd the threatning War Observing that the Saxons were dismaid And not yet strengthen'd by his Neighbours Aid He now declar'd it was his setled Sense A Treaty with the Briton to Commence Then Orators he sent without delay Who to the Britons Camp direct their way Titullan Selred and
Words and potent Verse Th' infernal Charms all Nature did affright The waning Moon straight sickned at the Sight The Hill with Horror trembled and around With howling Wolves the neighb'ring Woods resound Then Storms of Rain ensue swift Lightnings fly And dreadful Thunderclaps torment the Sky Spectres and Ghosts break from their hollow Tomb And glaring round the Necromancer come All Hell was mov'd the Powers drawn from their Seats Arise while Merlin his dire words repeats Whom with his Charms he labours to engage Against the Britons and excites their Rage His powerful Arts incline them to employ United force their Army to destroy But Hell and all its Friends vain Rage express And Curse in vain when Heav'n desires to Bless Merlin his impious Ceremonies done Returns to Octa with the rising Sun Before the Saxon Lords he stood prepar'd To Curse their Foes and merit his Reward When the Magician's Breast an unknown Fire Laps'd from above did suddenly inspire A warmth Divine his Spirits did invade And once a Sorcerer a Prophet made The Heav'nly Fury Merlin did constrain To Bless whom he to Curse design'd in vain How Beautiful the Briton's Tents appear What goodly Heads his Tabernacles Rear As the rich Vales they spread their verdant Pride Or flowry Gardens by the Rivers side As shady Aloes in th' Arabian Woods Or lofty Cedars planted by the Floods Indulgent Heav'n upon the Briton pours Prolifick Dews and sweet refreshing Showers His Seed shall flourish midst surrounding Streams Blest with mild Air and pure reviving Beams His Prince's Glory shall his People's Love And Neighbour Monarchs Fear and Envy move He like a fearless Unicorn shall stand Sure of his strength and all the Fields command Those hostile Nations who oppose his Power He with resistless Fury shall devour He 'll break their crashing Bones his Bow he 'll bend And thro' their Flesh his piercing Arrows send He couches like a Lyon on the Sand Like a vast Lyon in a Desart Land Stretching his fearful Limbs at Ease he lies What Creature dares provoke him to arise Bless him and be of happy Men the first Curse him and thou thy self shalt be accurst He ceas'd King Octa tho incens'd supprest His Trouble and Displeasure in his Breast And to the Sorcerer thus himself addrest By solemn Execrations to devote The Britons to Destruction you were sought But you this impious Nation chuse to Bless And all your Words presage their Arms success Withdraw a second time perhaps you 'll find The Gods by your Enchantments more inclin'd Perhaps some Errour might at first displease A second Essay will the Powers appease The Sorcerer a second time retreats And all his potent Charms with Care repeats He added ev'ry poisonous Juice and Spell He knew had force to shake the Realms of Hell Merlin his impious Rites perform'd returns And acted by Satanick Fury burns All Hell within shook the Magician's Breast But by a Power Divine straight dispossest Th' affrighted Demons fled and in their stead A pure Celestial Spirit did succeed Transports Divine his lab'ring Soul engage And thus he spake mov'd with Prophetick Rage In vain with Divination we assail The Christian Arms where all Enchantments fail Our Curses by the powerful Breath of Heav'n Back on our Heads with fatal Force are driv'n Those God has blest no Guards nor Bulwarks need Nor can their Arms whom he has curst succeed Unchangeably he 's on his Purpose bent Nor do's he like unstable Man repent The Christian Army will prevail that said Observing Octa's Fury rise he fled The King incens'd cry'd curst Magician fly Spite of thy Charms and thee shall Victory And Triumph on the Saxon Arms attend Against such Troops what Signs can ill portend Thy impious Tongue Propitious Heav'n belies And for the Britons forges Prophecies Thy self of British Blood the British Cause Stronger than Wrongs or ev'n Religion draws So oft poor Slaves who to a neighbr'ing State Fly for Protection from a Tyrants Hate If he does War against those Neighbours wage And with his Arms upon their Frontiers rage Joy at th' Oppressor's Conquests and Success Against their own Protector 's they express Octa at this Defeat with Fury burn'd And to his Army with his Lords return'd Amidst his Troops he rode and thus he spoke His Voice high rais'd their Courage to provoke Saxons you now to certain Conquest go To glean the Reliques of a ruin'd Foe The Gods do loudly for your cause declare And call you but to finish their own War Think on the Deeds by your great Nation done The Towns they took their glorious Battels won And the Rich Countries by their Arms o'er run From this fair Island shall the Britons chase From these sweet Fields great Odin's warlike Race From these sweet Fields for which our Leaders fought Which with the noblest Saxon Blood were bought Shall we with ignominious Flight retreat O'er the rough Main to seek some milder Seat Or shall we back to our cold Region go To hide in Caves and dwell in Hills of Snow Can my victorious Friends the Britons dread Who from your conquering Arms so oft have fled A vanquish'd Nation by an Exile led Appear like Saxons add this Conquest more To all th' immortal Laurels won before Thus you 'll the Grounds of lasting Empire lay And still the Briton shall your Laws obey Vain with Success at Sea they draw their Swords And for Dominion strive with us their Lords Let now your Arms chastise their wanton Pride And then in unmolested Peace abide He said and brandish'd high his threatning Launce And springing forward bids his Men advance Now from the Hills th' embattel'd Saxon Swarms And covers all the Plain with hostile Arms. As when the great Commanders Orders give To quit the straight Dominions of their Hive The Bees pour out a numerous Colony From their sweet Cells the busie Youth on high Wheel in the Air and darken all the Sky While brazen Pans charm and compose their Heat In some tall neighb'ring Tree they fix their Seat Thither th' unnumber'd Vulgar straight resort And clustring Crowds surround their Monarch's Court. So thick the Saxons on the Field appear Following their Leader with an endless Rear The gloomy Throngs look terrible from far Disclosing slow the horrid Face of War The thick Battalions move in dreadful Form As lowring Clouds advance before a Storm So when the Sea grown black the hazy Sky And rising Winds foretel a Tempest nigh Th' experienc'd Mariners with hasty care Furl their spread Sails and for a Storm prepare Straight in the black Horizon to the Skies The dusky Billows threat'ning Heads arise Th' unnumber'd Troops upon each others throng And with a gloomy Aspect march along Advancing they their boundless Front extend O'er all the Main and fearful Wreck portend The Saxon Host thus in its March appears And where it came thick Groves of bristling Spears Broad Iron Backs and Breast-plates brazen Shields Mail-Coats and burnish'd Helms o'erspread the