Poesie on our Stage or the Heroick in Musick for so the latter was anciently us'd is prejudicial to a State as begetting Levity and giving the people too great a diversion by pleasure and mirth To these if they be worthy of satisfaction I reply That whoever in Government endeavours to make the people serious and grave which are attributes that may become the peoples Representatives but not the people doth practise a new way to enlarge the State by making every Subject a States-man and he that means to govern so mournfully as it were without any Musick in his Dominion must lay but light burdens on his Subjects or else he wants the ordinary wisdom of those who to their Beasts that are much loaden whistle all the day to encourage their Travel For that supream Power which expects a firm obedience in those who are not us'd to rejoycing but live sadly as if they were still preparing for the funeral of Peace hath little skill in contriving the lastingness of Government which is the principal work of Art And less hath that Power consider'd Nature as if such new austeritie did seem to tax even her for want of gravity in bringing in the Spring so merrily with a musical variety of Birds And such sullen power doth forget that Battels the most solemn and serious business of Death are begun with Trumpets and Fifes and anciently were continu'd with more diversity of Musicks And that the Grecian Laws Laws being the gravest endeavour of humane Councels for the ease of Life were long before the days of Lycurgus to make them more pleasant to memory publish'd in Verse And that the wise Athenians dividing into three Parts the publick Revenue expended one in Plays and Shows to divert the people from meeting to consult of their Rulers merit and the defects of Government And that the Romans had not so long continu'd their Empire but for the same diversions at a vaster charge Again it may be objected that the Precepts of Christian Religion are sufficient towards our regulation by appointment of manners and towards the ease of Life by imposing obedience so that the moral assistance of Poesie is but vainly intruded To this I may answer That as no man should suspect the sufficiency of Religion by its insuccessfulness so if the insuccessfulness be confess'd we shall as little disparage Religion by bringing in more aids when 't is in action as a General dishonours himself by endeavouring with more of his own Forces to make sure an attempt that hath a while miscarried For Poesie which like contracted Essences seems the utmost strength and activity of Nature is as all good Arts subservient to Religion all marching under the same Banner though of less discipline and esteem And as Poesie is the best Expositor of Nature Nature being mysterious to such as use not to consider so Nature is the best Interpreter of God and more cannot be said of Religion And when the Judges of Religion which are the Chiefs of the Church neglect the help of Moralists in reforming the people and Poets are of all Moralists the most usefull they give a sentence against the Law of Nature For Nature performs all things by correspondent aids and harmony And 't is injurious not to think Poets the most usefull Moralists for as Poesie is adorn'd and sublim'd by Musick which makes it more pleasant and acceptable so morality is sweetned and made more amiable by Poesie And the Austerity of some Divines may be the cause why Religion hath not more prevail'd upon the manners of Men for great Doctours should rather comply with things that please as the wise Apostle did with Ceremonies than lose a Proselyte And even Honour taught by moral Philosophers but more delightfully infus'd by Poets will appear notwithstanding the sad severity of some latter Divines no unfase Guid towards Piety for it is as wary and nice as Conscience though more chearfull and couragious And however Honour be more pleasing to flesh and bloud because in this World it finds applause yet 't is not so mercenarie as Piety for Piety being of all her expectations inwardly assur'd expects a reward in Heaven to which all earthly payments compar'd are but Shaddows and Sand. And it appears that Poesie hath for its natural prevailings over the Understandings of Men sometimes making her conquests with easie plainness like Native countrey Beauty been very successfull in the most grave and important occasions that the necessities of States or Mankind have produc'd For it may be said that Demosthenes sav'd the Athenians by the Fable or Parable of the Dogs and Wolves in answer to King Philip's Proposition And that Menenius Agrippa sav'd the Senate if not Rome by that of the Belly and the Hands and that even our Saviour was pleas'd as the most prevalent way of Doctrine wholly to use such kind of Parables in his converting or saving of Souls it being written Wâ—hout a Parable spake he not to them And had not the learned Apostle thought the wisdom of Poets worthy his remembrance and instructive not onely to Heathens but to Christians he had not cited Epimenides to the Cretans as well as Aratus to the Athenians I cannot also be ignorant that divers whose conscientious Melancholy amazes and discourages others Devotion will accuse Poets as the admirers of Beauty and Inventors or Provokers of that which by way of aspersion they call Love But such in their first accusation seem to look carelesly and unthankfully upon the wonderful works of God or else through low education or age become incompetent Judges of what is the chief of his works upon Earth And Poets when they praise Beauty are at least as lawfully thankfull to God as when they praise Seas Woods Rivers or any other parts that make up a prospect of the world Nor can it be imagin'd but that Poets in praising them praise wholly the Maker and so in praising Beauty For that Woman who believes she is prais'd when her beauty is commended may as well suppose that Poets thinks she created her self And he that praises the inward beauty of Women which is their Virtue doth more perform his duty than before for our envious silence in not approving and so encouraging what is good is the cause that vice is more in fashion and countenance than Virtue But when Poets praise that which is not beauty or the mind which is not virtuous they erre through their mistake or by flattery and flattery is a crime so much prosperous in others who are companions to greatness that it may be held in Poets rather kindness than design They who accuse Poets as provokers of Love are Enemies to Nature and all affronts to Nature are offences to God as insolencies to all subordinate officers of the Crown are rudenesses to the King Love in the most obnoxious interpretation is Natures Preparative to her greatest work which is the making of Life And since the severest Divines of these latter times
Chace subdu'd And strait his Hunters are as hard pursu'd 1. SMALL are the seeds Fate does unheeded sow Of slight beginnings to important ends Whilst wonder which does best our rev'rence show To Heav'n all Reason's sight in gazing spends 2. For from a Days brief pleasure did proceed A day grown black in Lombard Histories Such lasting griefs as thou shalt weep to read Though even thine own sad love had drain'd thine eyes 3. In a fair Forrest near Verona's Plain Fresh as if Natures Youth chose there a shade The Duke with many Lovers in his Train Loyal and young a solemn hunting made 4. Much was his Train enlarg'd by their resort Who much his Grandsire lov'd and hither came To celebrate this Day with annual sport On which by battel here he earn'd his Fame 5. And many of these noble Hunters bore Command amongst the Youth at Bergamo Whose Fathers gather'd here the wreath they wore When in this Forrest they interr'd the Foe 6. Count Hurgonil a Youth of high descent Was listed here and in the Story great He follow'd Honour when tow'rd's Death it went Fierce in a charge but temp'rate in retreat 7. His wondrous beauty which the world approv'd He blushing hid and now no more would own Since he the Dukes unequal'd Sister lov'd Than an old wreath when newly overthrown 8. And she Orna the shy Did seem in life So bashfull too to have her beauty shown As I may doubt her shade with Fame at strife That in these vicious times would make it known 9. Not less in publick voice was Arnold here He that on Tuscan Tombs his Trophies rais'd And now loves pow'r so willingly did bear That even his arbitrary reign he prais'd 10. Laura the Duke 's fair Niece inthrall'd his heart Who was in Court the publick morning Glass Where those who would reduce Nature to art Practis'd by dress the conquests of the Face 11. And here was Hugo whom Duke Gondibert For stout and stedfast kindness did approve Of stature small but was all over heart And though unhappy all that heart was love 12. In gentle sonnets he for Laura pin'd Soft as the murmures of a weeping spring Which ruthless she did as those murmures mind So ere their death sick Swans unheeded sing 13. Yet whilst she Arnold favour'd he so griev'd As loyal Subjects quietly bemoan Their Yoke but raise no war to be reliev'd Nor through the envy'd Fav'rite wound the Throne 14. Young Goltho next these Rivals we may name Whose manhood dawn'd early as Summer light As sure and soon did his fair day proclaim And was no less the joy of publick sight 15. If Loves just pow'r he did not early see Some small excuse we may his errour give Since few though learn'd know yet blest Love to be That secret vital heat by which we live 16. But such it is and though we may be thought To have in Childhood life ere Love we know Yet life is useless till by reason taught And Love and Reason up together grow 17. Nor more the Old shew they out-live their Love If when their Love 's decay'd some signs they give Of life because we see them pain'd and move Then Snakes long cut by torment shew they live 18. If we call living Life when Love is gone We then to Souls Gods coyn vain rev'rence pay Since Reason which is Love and his best known And currant Image Age has worn away 19. And I that Love and Reason thus unite May if I old Philosophers controul Confirm the new by some new Poets light Who finding Love thinks he has found the Soul 20. From Goltho to whom Love yet tasteless seem'd We to ripe Tybalt are by order led Tybalt who Love and Valour both esteem'd And he alike from eithers wounds had bled 21. Publick his valour was but not his love One fill'd the world the other he contain'd Yet quietly alike in both did move Of that ne'r boasted nor of this complain'd 22. With these whose special names Verse shall preserve Many to this recorded hunting came Whose worth authentick mention did deserve But from Time's deluge few are sav'd by Fame 23. Now like a Giant Lover rose the Sun From th' Ocean Queen fine in his fires and great Seem'd all the Morn for shew for strength at Noon As if last Night she had not quench'd his heat 24. And the Sun's Servants who his rising wait His Pensioners for so all Lovers are And all maintain'd by him at a high rate With daily Fire now for the Chace prepare 25. All were like Hunters clad in chearfull green Young Natures Livery and each at strife Who most adorn'd in favours should be seen Wrought kindly by the Lady of his life 26. These Martial Favours on their Wasts they wear On which for now they Conquest celebrate In an imbroider'd History appear Like life the vanquish'd in their fears and fate 27. And on these Belts wrought with their Ladies care Hung Semyâ—ers of Akons trusty steel Goodly to see and he who durst compare Those Ladies Eyes might soon their temper feel 28. Cheerd as the woods where new wak'd Qâ—ires they meet Are all and now dispose their choice Relays Of Horse and Hounds each like each other fleet Which best when with themseves compar'd we praise 29. To them old Forrests Spies the Harbourers With haste approach wet as still weeping Night Or Deer that mourn their growth of head with tears When the defenceless weight does hinder flight 30. And Dogs such whose cold secrecy was ment By Nature for surprize on these attend Wise temp'rate Lime Hounds that proclaim no scent Nor harb'ring will their Mouths in boasting spend 31. Yet vainlier far than Traitours boast their prize On which their vehemence vast rates does lay Since in that worth their treasons credit lies These Harb'rers praise that which they now betray 32. Boast they have lodg'd a Stag that all the Race Out-runs of Crâ—ton Horse or Regian Hounds A Stag made long since Royal in the Chace If Kings can honour give by giving wounds 33. For Aribert had pierc'd him at a Bay Yet scap'd he by the vigour of his Head And many a Summer since has won the day And often left his Regian Foll'wrs dead 34. His spacious Beam that even the Rights out-grew From Antlar to his Troch had all allow'd By which his age the aged Woodmen knew Who more than he were of that beauty proud 35. Now each Relay a sev'ral Station finds Ere the triumphant Train the Cops surrounds Relays of Horse long breath'd as winter winds And their deep Cannon Mouth'd experienc'd Hounds 36. The Hunts-men Busily concern'd in show As if the world were by this Beast undone And they against him hir'd as Natures Foe In haste uncouple and their Hounds out-run 37. Now wind they a Recheat the rows'd Deers knell And through the Forrest all the Beasts are aw'd Alarmd by Eccho Natures Sentinel Which shews that murdrous Man is come abroad 38. Tyrannick Man
Suns hot Steeds begin To mend their pace as if their longing sight Had newly spy'd their usual Western Inn. 63. Too far is pleasant Bergamo from hence Since Day has reach'd so near his journeys end Days strength and yours are at their last expence Do not whilst both are wasting both misspend 64. You and Your wounded must with Nature strive Till all whose few hours sway to day excels Their elder Foes long reign in Camps arrive Where Astragon the wise and wealthy dwels 65. Rich is that Lord and rich in learnings wealth Art flies his test he all Art's test endures Our Cities send their sick to him for health Our Camps the wounded for their certain cures 66. Though cautious Nature check'd by Destinie Has many secrets she would ne'r impart This fam'd Philosopher is Natures Spie And hireless gives th' intelligence to Art 67. The Duke with virtue antiquated now Did rev'rence Counsel and to Age did bend His first Course alters and does this allow Then Ulfin as their Guide they all attend 68. Soon they the Pallace reach'd of Astragon Which had its beauty hid by envious Night Whose Cypress Curtain drawn before the Sun Seem'd to perform the Obsequies of light 69. Yet Light 's last rays were not intirely spent For they discern'd their passage through a Gate Whose height and space shew'd ancient ornament And Ancients there in carefull Office sate 70. Who by their Weights and Measures did record Such num'rous Burdens as were thither brought From distant Regions to their learned Lord On which his Chymicks and Distillers wrought 71. But now their common bus'ness they refrain When they observe a quiet fullenness And bloody marks in such a civil Train Which shew'd at once their worth and their distress 72. The voice of ulfin they with gladness knew Whom to this house long neighbourhood indeer'd Approaching Torches perfected their view And taught the way till Astragon appear'd 73. Who soon did Ulfin chearfully embrace The visits cause by whispers he receiv'd Which first he hop'd was meant him as a grace But being known with manly silence griev'd 74. And then with gestures full of grave respect The Duke he to his own apartment led To each distinct retirements did direct And all the wounded he ordain'd to Bed 75. Then thin digestive food he did provide More to enable fleeting strength to stay To wounds well search'd he cleansing wines apply'd And so prepar'd his rip'ning Balsoms way 76. Balm of the Warriour's herb Hypericon To warriour's as in use in form decreed For through the leaves transparent wounds are shown And rudely touch'd the Golden Flower does bleed 77. For sleep they juice of pale Nymphaea took Which grows to shew that it for sleep is good Near sleep's abode in the soft murm'ring Brook This cools the yellow Flow'r restrains the Bloud 78. And now the wearie world's great Med'cin Sleep This learned Host dispenc'd to ev'ry Guest Which shuts those wounds where injur'd Lovers weep And flies Oppressours to relieve th' Opprest 79. It loves the Corrage and from Court abstains It stills the Sea man though the Storm be high Frees the griev'd Captive in his closest Chains Stops wants loud Mouth blinds the treach'rous Spie 80. Kind Sleep Night's welcome Officer does cease All whom this House contains till day return And me Grief's Chronicler does gently ease Who have behind so great a taâ—k to mourn The end of the First Book GONDIBERT The Second Book CANTO the First The ARGUMENT VERONA by the Poet's Pencil drawn Where HURGONIL did meet the early dawn Her wealth shown by each Dwellers early'r care Which soon by others peace she reap'd by war The slain whose life her safetie was and pride Are now in death their Fun'ral Rites deny'd 1. SUnk near his Evening Region was the Sun When Hurgonil with his lamented Load And faithfull Tybalt their sad march begun To Fair Verona where the Court aboad 2. They slowly rode till Night's dominion ceast When infant Morn her scarce wak'd beams display'd With a scant face peepâ— shylie through the East And seem'd as yet of the black world afraid 3. But by increase of swift expansive light The lost Horizon was apparent grown And many Tow'rs salute at once their sight The distant boasts of an Imperial Town 4. Verona sprâ—â—g from â—oble Vera's 〈◊〉 Whom careless Time still 〈◊〉 old Records Where they are loosly gather'd up by â—ame Proclaims the chief of ancient Tuscan Lords 5. Verona borders on that fatal Plain Whose barren thirst was quench'd with valiant blood When the rough Cyâ—â—brians by â—ierce Mariâ—â— slain Left Hills of Bodies where their Ensigns stood 6. So safely proud this Town did now appear As if it but immortal Dwellers lack'd As if Theodorick had ne'r been there Nor Attila her wealth and beauty sack'd 7. Here Hurgonil might follow with his Eye As with deep stream it through the City pass'd The fruitfull and the frighted Adice Which thence from noise and nets to sea does haste 8. And on her peopled Bank they might behold The toyls of conquest paid with works of pride The Palace of King Agilulf the old Or Monument for ere 't was built he dy'd 9. To it that Temple joyns whose lofty Head The prospect of a swelling Hill commands In whose cool womb the City springs are bred On Dorique Pillars this tall Temple stands 10. This to sooth Heav'n the bloody Clephes built As if Heav'ns King so soft and easie were So meanly hous'd in Heav'n and kind to guilt That he would be a Tyrant's Tenant here 11. And now they might arrest their waâ—d'ring â—ight With that which makes all other Objects lost Makes Lombard greatness â—â—aâ— to 〈◊〉 height And Modern Builders blâ—â—â— that else would â—oast 12. An Amphy theater which has controll'd Unheeded conquests of advancing Age Winds which have made the trembling world look old And the uncivil Goth's malicious rage 13. This great Flaminius did in youth erect Where Cities sat to see whole Armies play Death's serious part but this we may neglect To mark the bus'ness which begins with day 14. As Day now op'ning fils the Hemisphear And all at once so quickly ev'ry street Does by an instant op'ning full appear When from their dwellings busie Dwellers meet 15. From wider Gates Oppressours sally there Here creeps th' afflicted through a narrow Door Groans under wrongs he has not strength to bear Yet seeks for wealth to injure others more 16. And here the early Lawyer mends his pace For whom the earlier Cliant waiâ—ed long Here greedy Creditours their Debtours chace Who scape by herding in th' indebted Throng 17. Th' advent'rous Merchant whom a Storm did wake His Ships on Adriatick Billows â—ost Does hope of Eastern winds from Steeples take And hastens there a Currier to the Coast. 18. Here through a secret Postern issues out The skar'd Adult'rer who out-slept his time Day and the Husbands Spie alike does doubt And with a half hid face would-hide his crime 19.
was clearer taught His enter'd Slaves place at her rev'renc'd Feet A spacious Cabinet with all things fraught Which seem'd for wearing artfull rich and sweet 54. With leisurely delight she by degrees Lifts ev'ry Till does ev'ry Drawer draw But nought which to her Sex belongs she sees And for the Male all nice adornments saw 55. This seem'd to breed some strangeness in her Eyes Which like a wanton wonder there began But straight she in the lower Closet spies Th'accomplish'd dress and Garments of a Man 56. Then starting she her Hand shrunk nicely back As if she had been stung or that she fear'd This Garment was the skin of that old Snake Which at the fatal Tree like Man appear'd 57. Th' ambitious Maid at scornfull distance stood And bravely seem'd of Love's low vices free Though vicious in her mind not in her blood Ambition is the Minds immodestie 58. He knew great minds disorder'd by mistake Defend through pride the errours they repent And with a Lovers fearfulness he spake Thus humbly that extreams he might prevent 59. How ill delightfull Maid shall I deserve My Life's last flame fed by your beauty's fire If I shall vex your virtues that preserve Others weak virtues which would else expire 60. How more than death shall I my life despise When your fear'd srowns make me your service fear When I scarce dare to say that the disguise You shrink to see you must vouchsafe to wear 61. So rude a Law your int'rest will impose And solid int'rest must not yield to shame Vain shame which fears you should such honour lose As lasts but by intelligence with Fame 62. Number which makes opinion Law can turn This shape to fashion which you scorn to use Because not by your Sex as fashion worn And fashion is but that which Numbers chuse 63. If you approve what Numbers lawfull think Be bold for Number cancels bashfulness Extreams from which a King would blushing shrink Unblushing Senates act as no excess 64. Thus he his thoughts the picture of his mind By a dark Vayl to sudden sight deny'd That she might prise what seem'd so hard to find For Curtains promise worth in what they hide 65. He said her Manhood would not strange appear In Court where all the fashion is disguise Where Masquerades are serious all the year None known but strangers nor secure but Spies 66. All rules he reads of living great in Courts Which some the Art of wise dissembling call For Pow'r born to have Foes much weight supports By their false strength who thrust to make it fall 67. He bids her wear her beauty free as light By Ears as open be to all endeer'd For the unthinking Croud judge by their sight And seem half eas'd when they are fully heard 68. He shuts her breast even from familiar Eyes For he who secrets Pow'rs chief Treasure spends To purchase Friendship friendship dearly buys Since Pow'r seeks great Confed'rates more than friends 69. And now with Counsels more particular He taught her how to wear tow'rds Rhodalind Her looks which of the Mind false pictures are And then how Orna may believe her kind 70. How Laura too may be whose practis'd Eyes Can more detect the shape of forward love By treaty caught though not by a surprize Whose aid would precious to her faction prove 71. But here he ends his Lecture for he spy'd Adorn'd as if to grace Magnifick Feasts Bright Rhodalind with the elected Bride And with the Bride all her selected Guests 72. They Gartha in their civil pitie sought Whom they in midst of triumphs mis'd and fear Lest her full breast with Huberts sorrows fraught She like a Mourner came to empty here 73. But she and Hermegild are wild with haste As Traitors are whom Visitants surprise Decyphring that which searfully they cast In some dark place where worser Treason lies 74. So open they the fatal Cabinet To shut things slighter with the Consequent Then soon their rally'd looks in posture set And boldly with them to their triumphs went 75. Tybalt who Laura gravely ever led With ceaseless whispers laggs behind the Train Tries since her wary Governour is dead How the fair Fort he may by Treaty gain 76. For now unhappy Arnold she forsakes Yet he is blest that she does various prove When his spent heart for no unkindness akes Since from the Light as sever'd as from Love 77. Yet as in storms and sickness newly gone Some Clouds a while and strokes of faintness last So in her brow so much of grief is shown As shews a Tempest or a sickness past 78. But him no more with such sad Eyes she seeks As even at Feasts would make old Tyrants weep Nor more attempts to wake him with such shreekâ— As threatned all where Death's deaf Pris'ners 〈…〉 79. Hugo and him as Leaders 〈…〉 Not much as Lovers does their â—ame approve Nor her own fate but chance of battel blames As if they dy'd for honour not for love 80. This Tybalt saw and finds that the turn'd Stream Came fairly flowing to refresh his heart Yet could he not forget the kind esteem She lately had of Arnold's high desert 81. Nor does it often scape his memorie How gravely he had vow'd that if her Eyes After such Show'rs of Love were quickly drie He would them more than Lamps in Tombs despise 82. And Whilst he watch'd like an industrious Spie Her Sexes changes and revolt of Youth He still reviv'd this vow as solemnly As Senates Count'nance Laws or Synods Truth 83. But men are frail more Glass than Women are Tybalt who with a stay'd judicious heart Would love grows vain amidst his gravest care Love free by nature scorns the Bonds of Art 84. Laura whose Fort he by approch would gain With a weak sigh blows up his Mine and Smiles Gives fire but with her Eye and he is slain Or treats and with a whisper him beguiles 85. Nor force of Arms or Arts O Love endures Thy mightiness and since we must discern Diseases fully ere we studie cures And our own force by othes weakness learn 86. Let me to Courts and Camps thy Agent be Where all their weakness and diseases spring From their not knowing and not honouring thee In those who Nature in thy triumphs sing CANTO the Second The ARGUMENT Whilst BIRTHA and the Duke their joyes pursue In conqu'ring Love Fate doth them both subdue With triumphs which from Court young ORGO brought And have in GOLTHO greater triumphs wrought Whose hopes the quiet ULFINORE does bear With patience feigne'd and with a hidden fear 1. THe prosp'rous Gondibert from Birtha gains All bashfull plights a Maids first bounties give Fast vows which bind Love's Captives more than chains Yet free Love's Saints in chosen bondage live 2. Few were the days and swiftly seem'd to waste Which thus he in his minds â—tuition spent And lest some envious Cloud should overcast His Lov 's fair Morn oft to his Camp he sent 3. To Bergamo