course we 're come to a low shed Whose happy honor ne'r disquieted With those domestick troubles that attend On larger roofs here in content did spend Fortunes scant gifts at his unhaunted gate Hearing us knock he stands not to debate With wealthy misers slow suspition but Swift as if 't were a sin to keep it shut Removes that slender Guard but when he there Unusual Strangers saw with such a care As onely spoke a conscious shame to be Surpris'd whilst unprovided poverty Straitned desire he starts yet entertains Us so that shew'd by an industrious pains He strove to welcom more Here being by Their goodness and our own necessity Tempted a while to rest we safely lay Far from persuing ills yet since the way To danger by suspition lies we still Fear being betray'd by those that meant no ill Since oft their busie whispers though they spring From love and wonder slow discoveries bring Being now removing since thy tender age Threatned to make the grave its second stage If thence conveigh'd by us whose fondest love Could to thy wants but fruitless pity prove T' inlarge thy commons though increase our fears To those indulgent rurals who for tears Had springs of milk to feed thee thou remain'st An infant tenant for thy own name ' gainst What since thou hast bin known by which when we Contracted had to the stenographie Some gold the last of all our wealth we leave To make their burthen light which they receive With thankfull joy amaz'd to see those bright Angels display their strange unwonted light In poverties cold region where they had Been pin'd for want if not by labor clad When age should make thee capable to tell Thy wonder how thy infancy had fell From honors pyramids a jewel which Did once the splendor of his Crown inrich About thy neck he hangs then breathing on Thy tender lips a parting kiss we 're gone Gone from our last delight to finde some place Dark as our clouded stars there to embrace Unenvi'd poverty in the cold bed Of sad despair till on his reverend head Once center to a crown grief makes him weare A silver frost by frequent storms of care Forc'd on that royal mount whose verdute fades Ere time by youths antagonist invades Not far through dark and unknown paths we had Wander'd within those forrests which unclad By big windes of their summers beauteous dress Naked and trembling stood ere fair success Smiling upon our miseries did bring Us to a chrystal stream from whose cold spring With busie and laborious care we saw A feeble Hermite stooping down to draw An earthen pot whose empty wants supply'd With liquid treasure soon had satisfy'd His thirsty hopes who now returning by A narrow path which did directing Ile Through th' unfrequented desart with the haste Of doubtfull Travellers in lands laid waste By conquering foes we follow till drawn near To him whom innocence secur'd from fear Disburth'ning of his staff he sits to rest What was with age and labor both opprest Our first salutes when we for blessings had Exchang'd with him being sat we there unclad All our deform'd misfortunes and unless A kingdoms loss disvellop'd our distress Which heard with pity that he safely might Be the directing Pharos by whose light We might be safely guided from the rocks Of the tempestuous world his tongue unlocks A cabinet of holy counsel which More then our vanish'd honor did enrich Our souls for whose eternal good was meant This cordial with the worlds best wealth Content Content which flies the busie throne to dwell With hungry Hermites in the noiseless cell More safe then age from the hot sins of youth Peaceful as faith free as untroubled truth Being by him directed hither we Long liv'd within this narrow Monast'rie Whose orders being too strict for those that ne're Had lost delight i th' prosecuting care Of unsuccessful action suited best With us whose griefs compar'd taught the distrest To sleight their own as guests that did intrude On reason in the want of fortitude That brave supporter which such comfort brings That none can know but persecuted Kings The purple-robe his births unquestion'd right For the course habit of a Carmelite Being now exchang'd and we retir'd from both Our fears and hopes like private Lovers loth When solve from the observant Spy to be Disturb'd by friends for want or greatness free Secure and calm we spent those happy days In nought ambitious but of what might raise Our thoughts towards heav'n with whom each hour acquaints In prayr more frequent then afflicted saints Our happy souls which here so long had bin Refining till that grand reward of sin Death did by age his common harbinger Proclaim 's approach and warn'd us to defer For the earths trivial business nought that might Concern eternity lest life and light Forsaking our dark mansions leave us to Darkness and death unfurnisht of a clew Which might conduct when time shall cease to be Through the meanders of eternitie Thy pious father ere the thefts of age Decaying strength should his stiff limbs engage In an uneasie rest to level all Accounts with heaven doth to remembrance call A vow which though in hot affliction made Whilst passions-short ephemera's did invade His troubled soul doth now when the disease Time had expung'd from solitary ease Call him again to an unwilling view o th' active world in a long journey to Forlorn Enna unto whose Temple he Had vow'd if fortune lent him libertie Till tir'd with the extreams of weary age The cheap devotion of a pilgrimage The End of the Fourth Canto PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO V. The Argument I. To the grave Author of this happy news The pleas'd Argalia with delight did hear Till whilst the fatal story he persues He brings his great soul near the gates of fear II. By letting him in full discovery know The dreadful danger that did then attend His royal Sire who to his sword must ow For safety ere his sad afflictions end FOrsaking now our solitary friends Whose prayrs upon each slow-pac'd step attends From danger by a dress so course exempt As wore religion to avoid contempt Through toils of many a tedious day at last We Enna reach where when his vows had past The danger of a forfeiture and we That debt discharg'd to heaven had libertie To look abroad with sorrow-laden eyes We view those ruines in whose ashes lies Sad objects of our former loss not then Rak'd up so deep but old observant men When youths were in procession led could tell Where towrs once stood and in what fights they fell Which to confirm some in an aged pride Shew wounds which then though they did wisely hide As signatures of loyal valor they Now unsuspected with delight display Hence when commanded by the wane of light We sought protection from approaching night In an adjacent Monastry where we The wandring objects of their charitie Although by all welcom'd with friendly zeal
prevail'd On his resolves from peacefull povertie His ages refuge hurrying him to be Once more an Agent unto fortune in Uncertain toils whose trouble to begin Leaving his Prince to so much rest as those Whose serious souls are busied to compose Unravell'd thoughts into a method now Sophron forsakes him to discover how His fellow Peers of that lost party stand Dispos'd for action if a Kings command Should give it life all which hâ— findes to be So full of yet untainted loyaltie That in a swift convention they prepare By joyning judgements to divide their care From distant places with such secret haste As did declare a flaming zeal though plac'd In cautions shadow owe considerate Peers Such whose light youth th' experienc'd weight of yeers Had long since ballast with discretion met To see their Prince and to discharge the debt Of full obedience each had with him brought His states surviving hope snatch'd from the soft Hands of lamenting mothers that to those If fit for arms they safely might dispose The excution of those Councils which Their sober age with judgement did inrich In Sophron's Palace which being far remov'd From the streets talking throngs was most aprov'd For needfull privacy these loyal Lords Whose faithfull hearts th' infallible records The heedless vulgar whose neglective sin Had lost the copies of allegiance in This inter regnum trust to being met To shun delayes mans late repented debt The Prince with speed appears whom no disguise Of youths betrayer Time could from their eyes Long undiscover'd keep through the rough vail Of Age or what more powerfull did prevail On Beauties ruines they did soon descry The unquench'd embers of a Majesty Too bright for time to hide with curtains less Dark then that mansion of forgetfulness The Grave which mans first folly taught to be The obscure passage to eternitie That their example might be precept to Unknowing youth with all the reverence due To awefull Princes on their thrones the old Experienc'd Courtiers kneel by which grown bold In their belief those of unriper age Upon their judgements did their faith engage So far that they in solemn vows unite Their yet concordant thoughts which ere the flight Of time should leave the day behind desire To live in action But this rising fire Of loyal rage which in their breasts did burn The thankfull Prince thus gently strives to turn Into a milder passion such as might Not scorch with anger but with judgement light How much is't both my wonder and my joy That we whom treason studied to destroy With near as much of miracle as in The last of dayes lost bodies that have bin Scatter'd amongst the elements shall be Conven'd i' th' Court of immortality Depress'd with fortune and disguis'd with age Sad arguments brave subjects to engage Your loyal valor I had gone from all My mortal hopes had not this secret call Of heaven which doth with unknown method curb Our wilde intention brought me to disturb Your peacefull age whose abler youth had in Defending me expos'd to ruine bin I had no more my conscience now at rest With Widows curses Orphans tears opprest No more in fighting fields those busie marts Where honor doth for fame with death change harts Beheld the sad success of Battails where Proud victors make youths conquest ages care But hid from all a crowns false glories spent Like beauteous flowers which vainly waste the scent Of odors in unhanted desarts all My time conceal'd till wither'd age should fall From that short stem of nature life to be Lost in the dust of deaths obscuritie When in the pride of youth my stars withdrew Their influence first I then had stood with you Those thunderbolts of fate and bravely died Contemning fortune had that feverish pride Of valor not been quench'd in hope to save My infant son from an untimely grave But he when from domestick ills convey'd In safety being by treacherous fate betray'd Either by death or ignorance from what His stars when kindl'd first where pointed at Either lives not or else conceal'd within Some course disguise whose poverty hath been So long his dull companion till he 's grown Not less to us then to himself unknown All this being weigh'd in reasons scale is there Ought in 't can tempt decrepid age to bear Such glorious burthens which if fortunate In the obtaining of in natures date Can have no long account ere I again What I had got with danger kept with pain Summon'd by death the graves black monarch must With sorrow lose yet since that heaven so just And you so loyal I have found that it Might argue fear if I unmov'd should sit At all your just desires I here i' th' sight Of heaven declare together with my right To prosecute your Liberties as far As Justice dares to patronize a war This with a magnanimity that shew'd His youths brave spirits were not all bestow'd On the accounts of age had to so high A pitch of zeal inflam'd their loyalty That in contempt of slow-pack'd counsels they Did like rash youth whose wit wants times allay Haste to unripe engagements such as â—ound The issue weak whose parents are unsound All to those towns where neighborhood had made Them lov'd for vertue or for power obey'd Whilst each with his peculiar guarâ— attends His honor'd Prince imploy their active friends Who having with collecting trumpets made Important errands ready to Invade The peoples censure for a theme to fame Their long lost Princes safe returu proclaim Which though at first a subject it appear'd Onely for faith when circumstance had clear'd Th' eye of Reason from each nobler minde Th' embraces of a welcom truth did finde In publick throngs whilst every forward friend Spoke his resolves his sullen foes did spend Their doubts in private whispers by exchange Of which they found hate had no farther range Then close intelligence whose utmost bounds Ere they obtain the usefull trumpet sounds No distant summons but close marches to His loyal friends whom now their foes might view In troops which if fate favor their intents Ere long must swell to big-bulk'd Regiments Through Country towns and Cities prouder streets The murmuring drum in busie marches meets Such forward valor husbandmen did fear The earth would languish the succeeding years For want of Laborers nor could business stop The streightned Prentice who the slighted shop Left to his angry Master who must be Forc'd to abridge his seven years tyranny Changes the baser utensils of trade For burnisht arms and by example made More valiant scorns those shadows which they fear'd More then rough war whilst ' mongst the cities herd To Regiments from scattering bands being grown From that to Armys whose big looks made known Those bold designs which Justice fear'd to own Though hers till plac'd in Powers imperial throne They now toward action haste which to begin Whilst Castles are secur'd and Towns girt in With armed lines whose Pallizado's had Whole Forrests of
have Lain till corruption sought it self a grave Had not an early Forrester so near The place approach'd that maugre all that fear Alleag'd to stop a full discovery he Beheld so much as taught him how to free His friends from further fruitless searches in Discovering what beneath their fears had bin In sorrow such as left no power to vent Its symptoms but a deep astonishment Th' amaz'd Messenians whom a sad belief Depriv'd of hope did entertain their grief Whose swift infection to communicate Their murther'd Prince as if pale death kept state Clad in the crimson robes of blood is to The City brought where whilst the publick view In busie murmurs spread her sable wings Pale terror to the Court griefs center brings The dreadful truth which some officious Lord Whom favor did the priviledge afford Of easie entrance through the guards of fear In haste conveys t' assault the Princes ear With such a silence as did seem to shew Unwelcom news is in its entrance slow Enter'd the room he 's with soft pace unto The bed approach'd whose curtains when withdrew Discover'd horror in the dismal dress Of death appears freed from the slow distress Of Age that coward tyrant which ne'r shews His strength till man wants vigor to oppose Through deaths dark gates fled to the gloomy shade Whose fear or hope not knowledge doth invade Our fancies yet he mans material part There only sees which form whose heavenly art Tunes motion into 'th faculties of life Had now forsook the elemental strife Which had so long at concord aim'd was now Silenc'd in death on his majestick brow No awefull frown did sit the bloods retreat From life and action left his cheeks the seat Of deaths cold guest which summon'd by his fate There in a pale and ghastly horror sate Whilst the astonish'd Courtier did behold This with such trembling as when graves unfold Their Doom-dayes curtains sinfull bodies shall Rise from their urns eternally to fall His stay caus'd from restrictive fear had drew In more Spectators to whose wandring view This ghastly object when oppos'd had strook So swift a tertor that their fears forsook The safe retreats of Reason seeing life Had now concluded all the busie strife Of natures conflicts by delivering those Time-shaken Forts unto more powerfull foes Outcries in vain attempts for pitty to Scale heaven whose ear when from their prayers withdrew The Court now of her royal head bereft In a still calm of hopeless sorrow left Infectious grief disdaining now to be Confin'd within the brief Stenographie Of first Discoverers spreads it self among The City herd whose rude unsteddy throng Rais'd grief which in the mourning Court did dwell In such a silence as an Anch'rites Cell Ne'r knew a heavier solitude into Exalted outcries whose loud call had drew From their neglected arts so many that What first was choler now being kindl'd at Their rage like humors grown adust had bin The open breach to let rebellion in Had not the wiser Nobles which did know That vulgar passions will to tumult grow When back'd with power by a new modell'd form Of counsel soon allay'd this rising storm Their tears those fruitless sacrifices to Unactive grief wip'd off whilst they did view The States distemp'red body to supply The wants of that departed Majesty Which when their Prince from Lifes horizon fell Fled from their view before report should tell This fatal story to the Princess they A Councel call by whose advice she may Whilst floating in this Sea of sorrow be Sav'd from those unseen rocks where treacherie Rebellions subtile Engineer might sit To wrack the weakness of a female wit Which though in her such that it might have bin The whole worlds Pilate could since clouded in Such a tempestuous Sea of passions see No Star that might her safe director be A Messenger whose sad observant wit By age allay'd seem'd a conveyer fit For such important business with the news Hasts towards the Princess whom whilst fear persues On wings of pity being arriv'd within The Palace he as that alone had bin The onely feat where rigid sorrow took Her fixt abode beholds each servants look Obscur'd with grief through whos dark-shades whilst he Searches the cause the strange variety Explains it self as families that have Led their protecting Ruler to the grave whose loss they in a heedless sorrow mourn So long till care doth to distraction turn Her servants sate each wildly looking on The other till even sense it self was gone In mourning wonder whose wilde flight to stay Its cause they to the pitying Lord display In such a tone as whilst it did detect The Princess absence shew'd their own neglect When this he'ad heard with such a sympathie Of sorrow as erected grief to be The mourning Monarch of his thoughts to those Return'd that sent him he that transcript shews Of this obscure original the flight O' th' absent Princess whilst the veil of night Obscur'd her passage tells but question'd how With whom or whether knowledge did allow No satisfaction all inquiry gain'd From her amaz'd attendants but explain'd Their grief whose troubled rivolet flow'd in To that vast Ocean where before they 'd bin By sorrow shipwrack'd in the general flood Mixt wants a language to be understood In a peculiar character and so Conjoyn'd makes up one universal wo. Onely as if love knew alone the art That taught his followers how to mourn apart Sad sweet Orlinda whose calm innocence Had fostred passion at her healths expence Whilst wet with grief's oreflowing springs she to Her brothers ghost did pay soft natures due In sorrow of such sad complection that Others might lose their own to wonder at Yet when as in the margint plac'd she hears Amindor lost with new supplies of tears Grief sallying forth as if to be betray'd Love now did fear he draws the bashfull Maid From those that did the mourning consort keep Where she unseen for loves decease doth weep Frail womans faith and mans neglect doth blame And softly then sighs out Amindors name Her lost Amindor whose suppos'd disdain Destroy'd those spirits grief could ne'r have slain And now before that powers decay ingage To many hands in a vindictive rage The wise supporters of the State to stay Increasing factions which can ne'r obey Lest fear commands unto Almanzor send A mandate which injoyns him to attend Their Councels in this interregnum till Their joynt consent had found out one to fill The empty throne which summons prompted by A care which they interpret loyalty Though truely call'd ambition he obey'd With such a speed as Love would fly to aid A ravish'd Lady having to impede His march no more then what his care could lead Even with a singes speed yet that a strength Enough to make his will confine the length Of their desires who soon in Council sit But to bewail th' abortion of their wit The frighted City having entred in A mourning march as if his thoughts had
and in appearance shews A guilt which all but pitty overgrows The vext Epirots who for comfort saw Revenge appearing in the form of Law Retir'd to feed their spleen with hope until Th' extent of Justice should their vengeance fill When now by accusations that denide Access to pity for a Paracide The Princess question'd whose too-weak defence Being but the unseen guards of innocence Submits to censure yet to shew that all Those scatter'd pearls which from her eyes did fall Dropt not t' attempt their charity but shew That no injurious storm could overslow Her world of Reason which exalted stood Above the surface of the spacious stood Her tears for grief not guilt being shed whilst in The robes of magnaminity not sin Grown impudent her brave resolv'd soul sate Unshaken in this Hyrocane of sate To meet her calm which like religion drest Doth all become but female vertues best The rough Amindor whose discolour'd face Anger did more then native beauty grace Since justly rais'd disdaining thus to be By a Plebian base captivity Forc'd to submit his innocence unto Their doubtfull test had from his anger drew A ruine swifter then their hate intends Had not his rage whilst it toward danger bends Been taught by her example to exclude Vain passions with a Princely fortitude Whose usefull aid like those good works which we For comforts call in deaths necessity Brought all their better Angels to defend Them from those terrors which did death attend In busie whispers which discover'd by Their doubtfull looks the thoughts variety Long in sad silence sate the Court until Those noiseless streams of fancy which did fill Each several brest united by consent Want onely now a tongue so impudent As durst condemn their Soveraign which being in Theumantius found a Lord whose youth had been By favor nurs'd till power 's wild beast grown rude Repays his Fost'rer with ingratitude This bold bad man Loves most unhappy choice From flatteries Treble now exalts his voice Without the mean of an excuse into The Laws loud Base and what those fear'd to doe That had been favour'd less that black decâ—ee Pronounc'd which discords all the harmonie Of subject fear and soveraign love by what Succeeding ages justly trembl'd at Whilst innocent but have of late been grown So bad to shew such monsters of their own This sentence past which knew no more allay Of mercy then what lets their judgments stay From following life to deaths obscure retreat Till twenty nights had made their days compleat The Court breaks up yet ere from publick vâ—ew To close restraint the Royal captives drew Grant them this favor from their rigid laws That if there durst to vindicate their cause In that contracted span of time appear Any whose forward valor durst indear The peoples love and prayers so much to be Their Champion that his victory should free Them from that dooms strict rigor to oppose Which brave Attempter they Almanzor chose Since high command that honor did afford To him alone to weild the answering sword Now near departing whilst the Cyprian in A brave disdain which for submissive sin Looks on an answer as his haste would show An anger that did scorn to stoop so low To strike with threats stands silent whilst that she Whose temper heaven had made too calm to be By rage transported with a soul unmov'd By stormy passions thus their sin reprov'd Should I my Lords here with a female haste Discharge my passions 't were perhaps to waste My prayers or threats whilst one you would not fear Nor th' other pity But when heaven shall clear This curtain'd truth wrapt in whose cloudy night Unjustly you from my unquestion'd right By birth obedience into faction stray Then though too late untimely sorrow may Strive by repentance to expunge these stains Cast on your honor These exhausted vains Fixt eyes pale cheeks deaths dismal trophies in This royal face I now could not have seen With a less sorrow then had serv'd to call Me to attend him had not the rude fall Of your unjustice like those dangerous cures Perform'd by tutning into Calentures Dull Lethargies upon my heart laid hold In such a flame of passion as the cold Approach of death wants power to quench until You add that crime to this preceding ill Yet though no fear can prompt my scorn to crave A subjects mercy for my self to save This Noble Stranger whose just acts being crost By misconstruction have their titles lost I shall become your suppliant lest there be A sin contracted by his serving me And onely in such noble wayes as might Unveil themselves to th' suns Meridian light Sure he unjustly suffers which may cause You want more swords to vindicate your Laws Then his you late elected to make good Your votes ere scarce cleans'd of that loyal blood He in rebellion shed but I am now Too near my fatal period to allow Disturbing passion any place within My peacefull soul what ere his crimes have been In publick war or private treason may Kinde Heaven when with th' injustice of this day Those shall be strictly question'd to prevent Their doom conceal them in the large extent Of mercies wings which there may prove so kinde To you though here I can no justice finde This spoken in a garb that did detect A sorrow which was ripened to neglect She silent stands whilst through the thick resort Of throng'd Spectators toward the rising Court Orlinda comes with such a haste as shew'd That service she by Love's allegiance ow'd Love which had sorrows sable wings out-fled To mourn the living not lament the dead Come where her fears now near lost object she Within the shadow of the Grave might see By sentence shut neglecting death that lay In ambush there her reason to betray To hate when by the false informing Law Her Friend she as her brother's murtherer saw In actions such as Scythian Tyrants feel Some softness from she that ne'r us'd to kneel Too ought but heaven a lowly suppliant falls Before the Court from whose stern brests she calls So much of sorrow as perhaps had strook Them all with horror if a sudden look Obliquely on her murther'd brother cast Had not ere Love assaulted with her last And powerfull'st pray'rs whilst hot with action in A cool retreat of spirits silenc'd bin She fainting faln as an addition to Their former grief is from the throng withdrew Into the free untainted air where by Assisting Friends which gently did apply Their needfull aid heat which was then grown slack In Natures work antipathy calls back To beauties frontiers where like bashfull light It in a blush meets the Spectators sight But such a one as ere full blown is by Her Friends disasters forc'd again to fly Beneath those clouds of grief whose swelling pride Spread by report did now not onely hide The Court or City but to bear a part Of that sad load summons each Subjects heart Whilst now the Prisoners ere
hours of the succeeding night to find How in that factious troubl'd sea inclin'd The City stood whose shallow sons dare vent By nothing but their tongues that discontent Their hands might cure were not those useful parts Restrain'd from action by unmanly hearts Which being at once with grief and fear opprest Durst do no more but pity the distrest Which gentle passion since so general lends Some light of hope to her enquiring friends To usher in that dismal day whose light Design'd to lead into eternal night As much of beauty as did ere give place To death the morning shews her gloomy face Wrapt up in clouds whose heavy vapors had Hung heaven in black when to perform the sad And serious office of â—onfessors to Those royal sufferers whom harsh fates persue To deaths dark confines through their guard of foes Argalia and his grave assistant goes Where he whose love to neither did surmount His zeal to take the Cyprians last account Himself addrest whilst his kind passions lead Argalia from Pharonnida to read Her lifes last story made authentick by The near approach of her eternity Enter'd the room which to his startl'd â—ight Appear'd like sorrow sepulcher'd in night So dismal sad so silent that the cold Retreat of death the grave did ne'r unfold A heavier object by a sickly light Which was even then to th' artificial night That fill'd the room resigning'ts reign he saw Griefs fairest draught divine Pharonnida Amidst her tears faln like a full-blown flower Whose polisht leaves oreburthen'd with a shower Drops from their beauties in the pride of day ' To deck the earth so sadly pining lay The pensive Princess whom an extasie Oâ— passion led to practise how to die In such abstracted contemplations that Angels forsook their thrones to wonder at Wet with those tears in whose Elixar she Was bathing of the Lilies nurserie Her bloodless cheeks her trembling hand sustan'd A book which what heavens mercy hath ordain'd For a support to humane frailty in Storms of affliction lay which as she 'd bin Now so well in repentant lectures read That faith was on the wings of knowledge fled To meditation her unactive grief Lets softly fall whilst Time wise natures thief That all might look like sorrows swarthy night Is stealing forth of the neglected Light Whose sullen flame as it would sympathize With those quencht beams that once adorn'd her eys After a feeble blaze that spoke its strife But vain in silence weeps away its life Come to behold this beauteous monument Of mourning passion his great spirits spent On love and wonder the astonish'd Prince Here silent stands valor could not convince His wild amazement To behold her lie By rigid laws restrain'd from libertie To whom his soul was captive troubles all His reasons guards But when how she must fall From beauteous youth and vertuous life to be One of the graves obscure societie Must fall no Martyr whose lamented death Grows pities object but depart with breath ' Mongst ignominious clouds of guilt that must Stick an eternal odium on her dust That thought transports him from his temper to Passions in which he had forgot to do His Priestly office and in rage as high As ever yet inflam'd humanitie Sent him to actions whose attempt had bin The rode his valor must have perish'd in Had not her sorrows agony forsook The Princess by whose first unsteady look He being as far as his disguise gave leave Discover'd is invited to receive Those last confessions in whose freedom she Seeks by absolving comforts how to free Her soul of all which a religious fear Like spots on her white conscience made appear Having from her unburthen'd soul learnt how To ease his own the Priestly Prince had now As far as bold humanitie durst dive Into remission heavens prerogative Pronounc'd that pardon for whose seal there stood The sin-polluted worlds redeeming blood By which blest voice rais'd from what did appear Like sorrow till her faith had banish'd fear The Princess in such gentle calms of joy As souls that wear their bodies but to cloy Celestial â—lights can feel to entertain Her fatal doom with a resolv'd disdain Of death prepares whilst he whom heaven to her Had made their mercies happy Messenger Forsaking her repairs to him that had With the same hand the Cyprians thoughts unclad By whom inform'd how that in their defence His sword protected nought but innocence Arm'd with those blessings which so just a cause Proclaim'd his due he secretly withdraws To change those emblems of Religious peace Monastick robes for such as might increase Their joy and wonder whose contracted fear Despair'd to see a Combatant appear Although they knew his sword defended then The best of causes ' gainst the worst of men Whilst he prepares with near as much of speed As incorporeal substances that need But will for motion to defend her in Th' assaults of death that hour which long had bin The dreadfull expectation of those friends That pitied her arriv'd in sorrow ends Fears cold disease those Ministers of fate The props to all that 's illegitimate The Army to suppress the weak essayes Of love or pity guarded had the wayes By which illegal power conducted her From that dark room griefs curtain'd Theater To be beheld upon the publick stage The glory yet the scandal of the age Which two extreams met on the scaffold in A Princess suffering and a peoples sin Which now join'd to the dreadful pomp that cals His Subjects to attend the funerals Of her lov'd father whose lifes vertues won Tears for his death thus solemnly begun Remov'd no further from the City then An hours short walk though undertaken when Sol rag'd in Cancer might with ease convay Scorcht travellers a dismal temple lay In a dark vally where more antient times Had perpetrated those religious crimes Of humane offerings to those Idols that Their hands made for their hearts to tremble at Yet this since now made venerable by Those reverend reliques of antiquity The Spartan Princes monuments by those Of later times though alter'd faith is chose For their retreat when lifes extinguisht glory Sought rest beneath a silent dormitory Nor stood this fabrick all alone long since A Palace by some melancholy Prince Which hated light or lov'd the darkness built To please his humor or conceal his guilt So near it stood to distant eyes which sent Thither their beams it seem'd one monument Whose sable roof ' mongst Cypress shadows fills The deep dark basis of those barren hills With such a mournfull Majesty as strook A terror into each beholders look Awfull as if some Diety had made That gloomy vale to be the sacred shade Where he chose in enigma's to relate The dark decrees of mans uncertain fate Betwixt this temple and the City stood In squadrons thick as shews an ancient wood To distant sight the Army plac'd to be In this sad march their guilts securitie Whose glittering swords shon as
eternity Th' unguarded Princess being by all forsook But poor Florenza both from thence are took VVhilst neither in that horrid Agony Beheld their danger and transported by Almanzor to his Coach which near attended On his assur'd success who now befriended VVith the protecting darkness hasts away Swift as desire with the fair trembling prey Those few opposing friends whose will was more Then power to relieve her over bore By the victorious Rebbels did in vain Attempt her rescue which since fruitless slain Her Martyrs fall leaving their lives to be An evidence of dying Loyalty Success attends thus far but Fortune now Left off to smile on Villany her brow Contracted into frowns she swiftly sent This Countermand her Followers having spent Their own endeavours to no purpose raise In hast the neighbourig Villages nor staies The swift Alarm till it had out-fled The speed Almanzor made rouz'd from his Bed And warm Embraces of his Wife by those Which had out-run the danger of their Foes The drousie Villager in trembling hast Snatches such Armes as former fear had plac'd Fit to defend with which whilst Horâ—pies call In tones more frantick then a bacchinal They stumble to their Rendesvouz which none But only by the louder cries had knowne This giddy multitude which no command Knew but what rage did dictate hovering stand Like big swoln Clouds drove by a doubtful wind Uncertain where to fall one cries behind The greatest danger lies some like his choice And speedily retreat untill a voice More powerful though from the like judgment sprung Perswades them on again some madly rung The jarring Bels as far from harmony As their Opinions all which disagree About the place whence the Alarum 's come One cries the Princess Court untill struck dumb By a more terrifying Fool that swears The next Port is surpriz'd tow'rd which he stares To see the Beacons blaze but is from far Deceiv'd by th' light of an â—scending star So many shapes bear their weak Fancies that All would do something but there 's none knows what In this strange Medly of Confusion they That could command want such as would obey To exercise their power each thinks his own Opinion best so must perform 't alone Or else remain as hitherto they had Busie in doing nothing in which mad Fit of distracted fury like to fight For want of Foes amongst themselves the Night Grown grey with age fore-shewd her death when each Thinking that now he 'd done enough to teach An active Soldier vigilance in spending A Night abroad which they will call defending Their Prince and Country from a danger but What t was they know not swearing't shall be put In the next Chronicle they disunite Their nere wel-joynted Forces and a flight Rather then march to th' several Hamlets take From whence at first being scarce half awake Not so much cloathd their heedless hast had sent Them only noise and number to augment One troop of this disbanded Company Which though but few more then could wel agree To march together by mistake being cast Into a narrow straight met as they past The Coach that bore the Princess being by those That stole her guarded the mad Rowt t' oppose Their farther passage not because they thought Them to be those their Ignorance had sought In their late meeting the Antipathy Twixt them and th' Gentry is enough to be That quarrels Parent whose event shall make Their Prince and Country blest in their mistake Startl'd from all his temperate joyes with this Unlookt for Remora i th' Road of bliss Inrag'd Almanzor rows to ford the Flood o th' present danger or with his own blood Augment the stream with that he flies among Those that are nearest of the numerous throng Who when they found what difference was between Their Clubs blunt as their Valorâ— and the keen Edge of his Sword would have fell back but are Forc'd on by those behind who being far From danger fear it not Thus some are forc'd To fight till their unwilling Souls divorc'd From their cold Lodgings made their peace but here Whilst he a Conqu'ror reigns ingenious fear Taught them that duâ—st no neerer come to do Most mischief at a distance climb'd unto The Rocks inequitable Clifts from thence They shower down stones that equally dispense Danger ' mongst Friends and Foes had she not been Defended by her Coach their Princess in This storm had perisht or had fear of death Unfixt her thoughts she 'd spent that pretious breath Now sacrificing in her prayers to be From their wild rage deliverd safe but she Opprest with Lethargies of sorrow lends No eare to this rude fight on which depends So much of Fate danger appears to ly Not more in the disease then remedy Whilst the oppos'd Almanzor now had neer Hewd forth his way through all of them appear More company by their loud clamors drew Unto their timely aide now danger grew Horrid and threatning till the impeâ—eous shower Wetting the Wings of the fierce Rebels power Clog all his hopes of flight unless he leave His trembling prey behind him to bereave Him of his last of hopes he sees his train Begin to drop with those that yet remain He thinks it time whilst undiscover'd to Secure himself which difficult to do At length though not unwounded he alone Breaks through their Forces blest in being unknown Else had their batterd Weapons spar'd to shed The blood of others and had surfeited On his which adding knowledge to the fire Of Rage they had most reason to desire The unsuccesful Rebel thus secur'd By speedy flight his train not long endur'd The circling danger which from each side sends Symptomes so deadly all their strength deâ—ends Not the rude torrent nor their prayers could calm Their Foes stern rage sweet Mercies healing Balm Is the extraction of brave Spirits which By innate valor rarified enrich With that fair Jem the triumphs of success Whilst Cowards make the Victors glory less Their highest flame of rage being but dull earth Fir'd into tyranny the spurious birth Of a precedent fear whose baseness knows No calm but what from others danger grows And now the field scourd by the beastly rage o th' savage Clowns had left no Foe t' engage A Life nor could their policy perswade Them to let one survive till he had made The Plot discoverd with rude hast they crush Their trembling Souls out and all Weapons blush In part of th' bâ—oâ—d so many bands had gave Them hurt less Wounds that the expecting Grave Needs only take their Bones for madly they Had miâ—c'd their flesh for th' Vultures easier prey This Vict'ry gaind they hast to th' Coach and thence The unknown Princess take no large expence Of prayers pourd from Florenza's fears could be So powerful to obtain Civility She tels them who their rage prophanes and by Their Princess Name conjures them but the high Exalted out-cries drown her voice till one Who had the Rape of the
Fought betwixt fear and hope was setled in A silent joy that from her noble breast Struggl'd for passage whilst Argalia blest Above his hopes in burning kisses seals His service on her Virgin hand that steals From thence new flames into her heart which ere Fed with desire even whilst she did prepare To entertain those welcome Guests appears The Prince who now thawd from the icy fears Of desperation was come there to give Thanks to his unknown friends but words did live Within a place too baren to bestow That fruitful zeal whose plenty did orâ—-flow His Eyes those clouded Orators which till Disburthend did capacious passion fill This moist Gale o're when now they had awhile Melted in joy cloathing it with a smile He thus unfolds his comfort Blessed Fates You have out-try'd my charity he hates All real Vertue that confesses not My care of thee was but an unknown spot To this large world of satisfaction here Kind sorrow stopt his voice again when fear Their Enemies might rally and i th' bud Blast all their blooming joyes even whilst the blood Wreak'd on his Sword leaving their Eyes to pay Pursuing prayers Argalia posts away But finds his Foes disperst excepting one Stout Regiment whose desperation grown To valour spight of all pursuers made Good their retreat till forc'd at length to shade Themselves from the pursuing danger in A deep dark Cave whose spatious Womb had been Their Receptacle when unlawfull theft Was their profession In this place they 'd left Their dearest pledges as most confident Those dark Meanders would their loss prevent These stout Opposers being protected here Before Argalia brought his Army neer Had fortifi'd the narrow pass and now Presume of safety since none else knew how Without their leave to enter Hem'd about With all the Castle Foot his Horse sent out To clear the field the careful General sees Then every Quarter made secure he frees His own from all suspected danger while This busie Siege did better things beguile Of some few steps of time the Prince arrives To see the Leager where each Captain strives With entrance to be honourd but in vain The subtile Engineer here racks his Brain The Mountains yeild not to their Cannon shock Nor mine could pierce the marble-breasted Rock Thus whilst they lay despairing ere to force A place so difficult with some few Horse Only attended the vext Prince surrounds The spaâ—ious Hill whose uncouth sight confounds His ablest Guides making a stand to view A Promontory on whose brow there grew A Grove of stately Cedars from a dark And hidden cleft proud of so rich a Mark Some Mus kets are discharg'd which missing by A desperate Sallie's seconded to fly The danger thorough such a dreadful way As now they were to pass was not to stay But hasten ruine though too weak in fight More safety lay then an unworthy flight But Valour like the royal Eagle by A cloud of Crows ore-masterd less to dy With honour had no refuge left and that Here each Plebeian gains when frighted at Th' unusual clamour with such troops as were Most fit for speed Argalia was come there Arriv'd even with that minute which first saw His Prince a Captive Now the Rebbels draw Back to their private Salliport but are Too speedily pursu'd to enter far Within their dark Meanders ere ore-took By their inraged Foes who had forsook Their other stations and to this alone Drew all their Forces entring the unknown And horrid Cave whose troubled Womb till then Nere such a Cholick felt Argalia's men Following so brave a Leader boldly tred Through the Rocks rugged Entrails those that fled Though better skild in their obscure retreat No safety find the Caves remotest seat Was now the stage of death together throng'd After their Swords had Lifes last step prolong'd There all the Villains in despair had di'd Had not the fear their Prince in such a tyde Of blood might have been shipwrackt whom to save A gen'ral Pardon to the rest is gave And now the dreadful Earthquake which had turnd The Rock to Aetna could its top have burnd With Subteranean fires being ceas'd the Prince Desirous by his knowledge to convince Those word-deep wonders which report had spread Of that strange Cave commands some to be led By an old Out-law whose experience knew The uncouth Vaults remotest Corners to Those seats of horrour which performd and word Returnd again the danger did afford Subject for nobler Spirits forthwith he Attended by Argalia goes to see What had afrighted them the dreadfull way Through which he past being steep and rugged lay Between two black and troubled streams that through The cleft Rock rowld with horrid noise till to An ugly Lake whose heavy streams did ly Unstird with aire they come and there are by That black Asphaliis swallowd a strang sound Of yelling Dragons hissing Snakes confound Each trembling Auditor till comforted By bold Argalia ventring first to tread On stones which did like ruin'd Arches ly Above the surface of the Lake he 's by Their aid brought to an ancient Tower that stood Fixt in the center of the lazy flood Its Basis founded on a Rock whose brow With age disfigur'd into clefts did now With loud and speedy ruine threaten to Crush all beneath it round about it flew On sooty wings such ominous Birds as hate The cheerful day Vipers and Scorpions sate Circl'd in darkness till the cold damp breath Of neer concreted Vapours sing'd to death By th' numerous light of Torches which did shine Through the whole Mountains Convex and refinâ— Aire with restraint corrupted forcing way By conquering flames recals the banisht day Come now to a black Tower which seemd to be The Throne of some infernal Deity That his extended Lawes reaches unto The brazen Gate whose folded Leaves withdrew Assaulâ— their eyes with such a flux of light That as the dim Attendants of the Night In bashful duty shun the Prince of Day So their lost Tapors unto this give way Whilst it with wonder that belief out-grew Transports their sights to the amazing view Of so much beauty that the use of sense Was lost in mâ—re then humane excellence A glorious Room so elegantly faire In ' tâ— various structure that the riotous Heir O h' eastâ—rn Crescent that might choose to be The Theater of shining Majestie They now behold yet then its mighty strength Which had preserv'd such beauty from the length Of Ages ire Tallons there appear More rare perfections the large floor of clear Transparant Emraulds lent a luster to The Oval Roof whose scarce-seen ground was blew Studded with sparkling Gems whose brightness lent The beauties of the vaulted Firmament To all beneath their beams the figur'd wals Imbost with rare and antick sculptry cals For th' next observance though the serious eye The way to truth in secret mystery He e having lâ—st le ts the dark Text alone To view the beauties of a glorious Throne Which plac'd within the
with fear Passions disparity In such extreams as Natures Laws require 'Twixt Earths cold Center and th' aires circling fire Dwelt in their troubl'd breasts his wild eyes stood Like Comets when attracting storms of blood Shook with portentuous sadnesse whilst hers sate Like the dull earth when trembling at the Fate Of those ensuing ills heavy and fixt Within their Orbs. Passions thus strangely mixt No various Feaver ere created in The phrenzi'd Brain when sleeps sweet calm had bin From her soft Throne depos'd this Lightning past Thunder succeeds as burning Mountains cast Out horrid noise after their flame and smoak So having paus'd his dreadful Voyce thus broke The dismal silence Thou prodigious Whore The curse of my Nativity that more Afflicts me then eternal wrath can do Spirits condemnd some Fiends instruct me to Heighten revenge to thy desert but so I should do more then Mortals may and throw Thy spotted Soul to flames yet I will give Its passe-port hence for think not to out-live This hour this fatal hour ordaind to see More then an Age before of Tragedy She that fell from a Firmament of pride To Fortunes lowest Region and there di'd A sad example to ensuing times That Honours Altitude supports not Crimes When in their stretcht Extentions reaching to Justice which can through reverst Opticks view Giants though Pigmy sins do oft appear Like the dim Moon more great because more neer Sins that till fear their guilt did aggravate Wore Vertues Frontispiece since now too late To hope for life in their own monstrous form Encounter Reasons Guards till the big storm Of various pâ—ssions all were settled in Dregs of despair when â—earing tears should winne The victory of anger Ammurat drawes His Simmeâ—er which had in blood writ Lawes For conquerd Provinces and with a swift And cruel rage ere penitence could lift Her burthen'd soul in a repentant thought Tow'rds heaven sheathes the cold steel in her soft And snowy breast with a loud gâ—oan she falls Upon the blouâ—y floore half breathlesse calls For his untimely pity but perceâ—ving The fleeting spirits with her bloud were leaving Her heart unguarded she imployes that breath Which yet remain'd not to bewayle her death But beg his life that caus'd it on her knees Sâ—rugling to rise but now calm'd Ammurat frees Her from dâ—sturbing death in 's last great work And thus declares some vertue in a Turk I have brave Christian by perusing thee In this great act of honour learnt to be Too late thy slow-pac'd follower this â—ing with that Gives him his Signet shall when question'd at The Castle guards thy safety be and now I see her bloods low water doth allow Me only time to lanch my souls black Bark Into deaths rubick Sea for to the dark And silent Region though we here were by Passion divorc'd Fortune shall not deny Our souls to sail together From thy eyes Remove deaths load and see what sacrifice My Love is offering with that word a stroak Pierces his breast whose speedy pains invoak Deaths Opiates to appease them be sinks down By 's dying Wife who ere the cold floud drown Life in the deluge of her wounds once more Betrayes her eyes to 'th light and though they bore The weight of death upon their Leads did keep Them so long open till the icie sleep Began to seize on him and then she cries Oh see just heaven see see my Ammurat dies To wander with me in the unknown shade Of Immortality but I have made The wounds that murther'd both his hand that gave Mine did but gently let me bloud to save An everlasting Feaver Pardon me My dear my dying Lord Eternity Shall see my soul washt white in tears but Oh I now feel times dear want they will not nowe Fast as my stream of bloud Christian farewell When ere thou do'st our tragick story tell Do not extenuate my crimes but let Them in their own black characteâ—s be set Near Ammurats bright vertues that read by Th' unpractic'd Lover which posterity Whilst wanton windes play with our dust shall raise On beauties throne the good may justice prayse By his example and the bad by mine From Viceâ—s Throne be scar'd to Vertues Shrine And here the speed deaths messengers did make To hurry forth their souls did faintly shake Her words into imperfect accents this She cries is our last enterview a kisse Then joyns their bloudlesse Lips Each close the eyes O' th other whilst the parting spirit flies Mounted on both their breaths the latest gasp They ere must draw Whilst with stiffe arms they clasp Each others neck Argalia through a cloud Of liquid sorrow did behold the proud Triumphs of death in their untimely fate He sees great Ammurat for a Robe of State Groveling in blood the fair Ihonusa lie Purpl'd in death like pollisht Ivory Dipt in Vermillion the bright Chrystals that Her Soul in conquering flames lookt thorough at Both quencht and coold in death but time did lend His tears scarce passage till a drop could end Its Journey o're his Checks before a Page Whose cruelty had far out-grown his Age Enters in hast and with an anger that Though indiscreet at wrongs seemd kindl'd at In wounds did on the Bassas body vent A spleen that deaths discharge could not content This seen Argalia to whom all must be Offence that injures fair humanity Stops the vain Torrent and a neerer way To just revenge directs the angry Boy Who by unfolded truth now lets him know His Rage to that uncivil height did grow Not from a childish spleen but wrongs that he A Christian sufferd in Captivity Assur'd by this confession that he might Be useful more then in a secret flight Argalia bids him in his Bassas Name A Mandate write for some of worthiest Fame ' Mongst all the Christian Citizens and those To send the Guard for ere the Morning rose On the black ruines of the Night this done Before that time the Victory had won Of opportunity their Warders slain Each Christian Captive from his rusty Chain His bold band frees and by their happy aide The Gates being first secur'd with ease dismayd The drousie Garrison from whom they found But weak resistance some soft fleep had bound To Beds of ease intemperate Riot kept Others more vainly waking here one slept Between a Mistresse Armes and there another Stole to a private Cattamit did smoother Delight in whispers in which loose Garb found Ere time rowls up what slow neglect unwound Even in securities soft Lap surpriz'd They met grim death in Pleasures â—hape disguiz'd All now being slain but feeble Eunuchs and Poor trembling Maids the new but valiant Band Of late freed Captives Crown the Wals from whence They saw the Soldiers wicked dilligence In finding those which the false Mandate had Design'd for Ruine general as sad The Cities sorrows were a desolate And silent horror unregarded sate i th' empty streets which action had not fil'd Yet with employment but when day did
their whispering Oaks unclad The Prince his mercy willing to prevent Approaching danger by a Herald sent To Zarrobâ—in commands him to lay down His arms and as he owed unto his Crown A Subjects due allegiance to appear Before a moneth was added to that year Within his Court which now since action gave Life to that body whose firm strength did save His life by treason levell'd at was in His moving Camp But this too weak to win The doubtful Rebel since his lawful right Swords must dispute the Prince prepares to fight Proud Zarrobrin who had by late success Taught Siracuse how to avoid distress By seeking peace like a black storm that flies On Southern winds which in a tumult rise From neighboring seas was on his march But come Sonear the Prince that now he had by some Of 's spreading Scouts made full discovery where His Army lay whose scarce discovered Rear Such distance from their well-arm'd Van appear'd That such whose judgments were with numbers feard Making no further inquisition fled By swift report their pale disease to spread Disturbing clouds which rather seem'd to rise From guilt then fear spread darkness ore the eyes O' th' Rebels who although by custom made To death familiar wish their killing trade In peace concluded and with murmures nigh Grown to the boldness of a mutinie Question their own frail judgments which so oft Had life expos'd to dangers that had brought No more reward then what preserv'd them still The slaves unto a proud Commanders will To stop this swift infection which begun In lowly huts to lofty tents had run Slie Zarobrin who to preserve th' esteem Of honor lest lib'rality might seem The child of fear with secret speed prevents What he appears to slight their discontents As if attending though attended by Their young Mock-Prince whose landskip royaltie Shew'd only fair when view'd at distance he Passing with slow observant pace to see Each squadrons order he confirms their love With donatives such as were far above Their hopes if Victors then to shew that in That pride of bounty h 'had not strove to win Assistance by unworthy bribes he leads Them far from danger since his judgment reads In long experience that authentick story Whose lines hath taught the nearest way to glory That soft delays like treacherous streams which by Submitting lets the rash intruder try Their dangerous depth to an unwilling stay His fierce persuers would ere long betray Whose force since of th' untutor'd multitude By want made desperate and by custom rude Would soon waste their unweildy strength whilst they Whom discipline had taught how to obey By pay made nimble and by order sure Would wars delays with easier wants endure This sound advice meeting with sad success From the persuing Army whose distress From tedious marches being too clamorous grown For 's friends estates to quiet soon was shewn In actions such which though necessitie Inforc'd on vertue made their presence be To th' inconsiderate vulgar whose loose glance For vertue take vice gloss'd with circumstance Such an oppression that comparing those Which fled with mildness they behold as foes Only their ruder followers whom they curse Not that their cause but company was worse When thus their wanâ—s had brought disorder in And that neglect whose looser garb had bin At first so shie that what was hardly known From business then was now to custom grown This large limb'd body since united by No cement but the love to loyalty Loses those baser parts such as to please Unworthy ends turn'd duty to disease Retaining onely those whose valor sought No more reward then what with blood they bought But here to shew that slumbring justice may Opprest with power faint in the busie day Of doubtfull battel when their valor had So many souls from robes of fresh unclad Of his brave friends that the forsaken Prince Whose sad success taught knowledge to convince The Arguments of hope unguarded left Unto persuing foes was soon bereft Of all that in this cloud of fortune might By opposition or unworthy flight But promise fafety and when death denide Him her last dark retreat to raise the pride Of an insulting foe is forc'd to see The scorn of greatness in captivity Yet with more terror to limb sorrow in His mighty soul such friends as had not bin By death discharg'd in fatal battel now Suffer'd so much as made even fear alow Her palest sons to seek in future wars Brave victory got by ages honor scars Or braver death that antidote of shame Whose stage none pass upon the rode of Fame Those that far'd best being murther'd others sent With life to more afflicting banishment When thus by him whose sacred order made The truth authentick from his fortunes shade Argalia was redeem'd the Prelate to Confirm his story from his bosom drew The jewel which having by wayes unknown To him that wore it open'd there was shewn By wit contracted into art as rare As his that durst make silver sphears compare With heavens light motion an Effigies which His royal Sire whilst beauty did enrich His youth appear'd in such epitomy As spacious fields are represented by Rare opticks on opposing walls where sight Is conzen'd with imperfect forms of light When with such joy as Scythians that grow proud Of day behold light gild an eastern cloud Argalia long had view'd that picture in Whose face he saw forms that said his had been Drawn by that pattern with such thanks as best The silent eloquence of looks exprest The night grown ancient ere their stories end With solemn joy leaves his informing friend The End of the Fourth Book PHARONNIDA The Fift Book CANTO I. The Argument I. Tier'd with afflictions in a safe retreat From th' active world Pharonnida is now Making a sacred monastry her seat Where near approaching the confirming vow II. A rude assault makes her a Prisoner to Almanzors power to expiate whose sin The subtil Traytor swiftly leads her to The Court where she had long a stranger bin HEre harsh imployments the unsavory weeds Of barren wants had over-run the seeds Of fancy with domestick cares and in Those winter storms shipwrack'd what ere had bin My youths imperfect off-spring had not I For love of this neglected poverty That meager fiend whose rustic tallons stick Contempt on all that are inforc'd to seek Like me a poor subsistance ' mongst the low Shrubs of imployment whilst blest wits that grow Good fortunes favorits like proud Ceders stand Scorning the stroke of every feeble hand Whose vain attempts though they should martyr sense Would be repulst with big-bulk'd confidence Yet blush not gentle Muse thou oft hast had Followers by fortunes hand as meanly clad And such as when time had worn envy forth Succeeding ages honor'd for their worth Then though not by these rare examples fier'd To vain presumption with a soul untir'd As his whose fancies short Ephemeraes know No life but what doth from his liquor
not At the first view ere merit had begot A calm remission of rebellious sin Affront an anger which had justice bin In his confusion his arms he now behind As that which might too soon have call'd to mind His former crimes he leaves and for them took To gain the aspect of a pitying look A Hermites homely weed his willing train By that fair gloss their liberties to gain Rode arm'd but so what for offence they bore Was in submission to lay down before The throne of injur'd power to cure whose fear Their armed heads on halter'd necks appear Near to the rear of these the Princess in A mourning Litter close as she had bin In a night-march unto her tomb is through The Cities wandring tumults led unto The royal palace at whose gates all stay Save bold Almanzor whom the Guards obey For his appearing sanctity so much That he unquestion'd enters and thought such As his grave habit promis'd soon obtain'd The Princes sight where with a gesture fain'd To all the shapes of true devotion he By a successfull fiction comes to be Esteem'd the true converter of those wilde Bandits which being by their own crimes exil'd In spight of law had liv'd to punish those Which did the rules of punishment compose These being pardon'd as he 'd took from thence Encouragement veil'd under the pretence Of a religious pity he begins In language whose emolient smoothness wins An easie conquest on belief to frame A sad Petition which although in name It had disguis'd Pharonnida did finde So much of pity as the Prince inclin'd To lend his aid for the relief of her Whose vertue found so fair a character In his description it might make unblest That power which left so much of worth distrest Though too much tir'd with private cares to shew In publick throngs how much his love did owe To suffering vertue yet since told that she Was too much mask'd in clouds of grief to be The object of the censuring Court he to The Litter goes whose sable veil withdrew With wonder that did scarce belief admit Shadow'd in grief he sees his daughter sit His long lost daughter whom unsought to be Thus strangely found to such an extasie Of joy exalts him that his spirits by Those swift pulsations had been all let fly With thanks towards heav'n had not the royal Maid With showers of penitential tears allaid Those hotter passions and revok'd him to Support her griefs whose burthen had out-grew The powers of life but that there did appear Kinde natures love to cure weak natures fear In this encounter of their passions both With sorrow silent stood words being loath T' intrude upon their busie thoughts till they In moist compassion melted had away His angers fever and her frozen â—ears In Natures balm soft loves extracted tears Like a sad Patient whose forgotten strength Decay'd by cronick ills hath made the length Of life his burthen when near death meets there Unhop'd for health so from continual care The souls slow hectick elevated by This cordial joy the slothfull Lethargy Of age or sorrow findes an easier cure Then the unsafe extream a Calenture Nor are these comforts long constrain'd to rest Within the confines of his own swell'd brest Ere it s dismantl'd rayes did in a flight Swift as the motions of unbodied light Disperse its Epidemick vertues through The joyfull Court which now arriv'd unto Its former splendor heavens expected praise Doth on the wings of candid mercy raise Which spreading in a joyful Jubile To all offenders tells Almanzor he Might safely now unmask which done ere yet Discover'd at the well-pleas'd Princess feet Humbl'd with guilt he kneels who at the sight As much amaz'd as so sublime a flight Of joy admitted stands attentive to What did in these submissive words ensue Behold great Sir for now I dare be seen An object for your mercy that had been Too dreadful for discovery had not this Preceding joy told me no Crime could miss The rode of mercy though like mine a sin The suffering Nation is invellop'd in Sunk in the ocean of my guilt I h'd gone A desperate Rebel waited on by none But Outlaws to a grave obscure had not Relenting heaven thus taught me how to blot Out some of sins black characters ere I Beheld the beams of injur'd Majestie This in his passions relaxation spoke Perswades the Princes justice to revoke Its former rigor By the helpful hand Of mercy rais'd Almanzor soon did stand Not only pardon'd but secur'd by all His former honors from a future fall Making that fortune which did now appear Their pities object through the glass of fear With envy look'd on but in vain he stood Confirm'd in Loves Meridian altitude The length of life from Honors western shade Except in new Rebellion retrograde Which plotting leave him till the winding clew Of fancy shall conduct your knowledge to Those uncouth vaults and mounting the next story See Vertue climbing to the throne of glory The End of the First Canto PHARONNIDA The Fifth Book CANTO II. The Argument I. Leaving Pharonnida to entertain The varieus passions of her Father we Must now return to see Argalia gain That power by which he sets his Father free II. From the command of haughty Rebels who By justice sent to a deserved death Argalia takes the Crown his merits due And the old Prince in peace resigns his breath REturn'd to see what all the dark records Of the old Spartan History affords i th' progress of Argalia's fate I found The chain'd Historian here so strictly bound To follow truth although at dangers cost No silent night nor sâ—â—cky battail lost The doubtfull rode which often did appear Through floods of faction fill'd with storms of fear Obscure and dark to the belief of that Less guilty age though then to tremble at Romes bold ambition and those prodigies Of earth their Tyrants to inform their eies Left mourning monuments of ill but none Like what they now attempt a sin unknown To old Aspirers which should have been sent Some Ages forward for a president To these with whom compar'd their crimes had bin Though past to act but weak essayes of sin With such a speed as the supplies of air Fearing a vacuum hasten to repair The ruptures of the earth at our last view We left reviv'd Argalia posting to Aetolia's distant confines where arriv'd He found their Army whose atempts had thriv'd Since he Epirus had forsook so far Advanc'd that now the varied scene of war Transferr'd to faithless Ardena was there Fixt in a siege whose slow approaches were The doubts of both the city pines for fear Remote supplies might fail which drawn so near The circling Army knows that either they Must flie from conquest near obtain'd or stay To meet a danger which by judgement scan'd Their strength appears unable to withstand Whilst thus their pensive leaders busied are In cross dilemma's as by publick war He meant to meet revenge
discourses are Distastefull grown but what to sudden war Incites his rage which humor though it needs No greater fire then what his envy feeds Besides those Court-Tarantula's whose breath Stings easie Princes till they dance to death At the delightfull sound of flattery there Were deeper wits such whom a subtile care Not servile fear taught how to aggravate His angers flame till their own eager hate Though burning with a mortal fury might Pass unobserv'd since near a greater light Amongst those few whose love did not depend So much on fortune but the name of friend Was still preserv'd the faithfull Cyprian Prince Durst onely strive by reason to convince Their wilder passions but each Argument With which affection strugl'd to prevent A swift destruction onely seem'd to prove His friendship more effectual then his love From which mistake such as did strive to please The angry Princes passionate disease With what might seed the sickly humors draw A consequence that proves Pharonnida A blessing which was to his merits due Who most oppos'd the bold aspirer to That throne of Beauty which before possest Whole Armies must dispute their interest The slighted Cyprian since their fear could trust None but confederates from their Councils thrust Those swift conclusions which before to stay Their violence had Reason's cool allay Hurry'd to action strict commands are sent From fierce Zoranza through each Regiment Which stoop'd their Ensignes to his power that by Such marches as they 'd follow victory They reach Aetolia ere its new-crown'd King Warn'd by report had liberty to bring Opposing strengths a task too hard to be Perform'd with ease in powers minoritie Nor fails this Council for their Army draws No sooner near but such as in the cause Of unsuccessful Rebels late had been Expos'd to danger seek for refuge in A fresh revolt and since their ulcerous guilt Was so malignant that even mercy spilt Its balm in vain their injur'd Prince forsake To strengthen his proud Enemies who make Those Poisons up in Cordials and compound Them with their Army which being thus grown sound Whereas it lately fainted durst provoke Unto the trial of another stroke His late victorious forces which though yet Faint with the blood lost in the last great fit Of Honors fever when the Crisis prov'd The cures prognostick had with ease remov'd The proud invaders had Morea bin As heretofore a hurtful Neuter in That war which now since double strengths oppose Brave fortitude like base oppression shews So long both parties with varietie Of fortune fought that fearing whose might be The sad success that old Cleander in Such speed as if his Crown engag'd had bin Raises an Army whose command since he Base flattery takes for brave fidelitie Waving those Peers to whose known faith he owes The most of trust in hoodwink'd hope bestowes On false Almanzor who by power advanc'd Near to those hopes at which Ambition glanc'd But like weak eyes upon the dazeling sun From that last â—atal sâ—age his plots begun Mischiefs dark course which ere concluded shall Crush the Epirot in Morea's fall In this the hot distemper of their state Aâ—indâ— whom the Destinies of late To double-die his Honors purple-thred Robb'd of a father most disquieted Their secret councels since they knew the love He bore Argalia propt with power might prove A sad obstruction to their plots if he Urg'd by distastes shook their confederacie Off to assist his friend which to oppose With slattery fleeting as the gourd that rose But to discover his just wrath that made The plant to cover when it could not shade They all attempt though he engage not in Their party yet his easie youth to win By honors moths by times betrayers soft And smooth delights those serpents which too oft Strangle Herculean vertues But they here In Ages April find a wit appear Of such full growth that by his judgment they Are undermin'd who studied to betray Being thus secur'd from forein fears they now Imploy that rage whose speed could scarce allow Advice from Councel to extirpate those New planted Laurels vict'rie did compose To crown Argalia But before they go To ravish Conquest from so cheap a Foe Whose valor by orewhelming power was barr'd From lying safe at a defensive guard Till old Cleander that their league might be Assur'd by bonds whose firm stabilitie Death only could divorce intends though she With such aversion as their destinie Wretches condemn'd would shun attempt to fly The storm of fate yet countmanded by His power the fair Pharonnida although He not to love but duty seem'd to owe For such a blessing should Zoranza's be Confirm'd by Hymen's high solemnitie This resolution whose self-ends must blame Her fathers love once registred by fame Submits to censure whilst Pharennida Laments her fate some prompted by the law Of love and nature are to entertain So much of freedom as they prove in vain Her advocates Others whose cautious fear Dares only pity in that dress appear Silent and sad only Almanzor in This State-distemper by that subtile sin Dissimulation so disguises all His black intentions that whilst truth did call Him Treasons agent its reflected light Appearance spoke him Vertues proselyte So much a Convert as if all those hot Crimes of his youth ambition had begot Discreeter age had either cool'd or by Repentance chang'd to zeal and loyalty Whilst thus i' th' Court the most judicious eyes Deluded were by factions false disguise By rumors heavy as the damps of death When they flie laden with the dying breath Of new-departed souls this fatal news Assaults the Princess which whilst reason views With sad resentments to support her in This storm of fate Amindor who had bin In all her griefs her best adviser now Enters to tell her fainting sorrows how They'd yet a refuge left from whom she might Reap hopes of safety The first welcom sight Of such a friend whose former actions had â—nhanc'd his worth encountring with her sad And serious thoughts so rarifies that cloud Of grief that ere dissolving tears allow'd A vocal utterance as intended words Something contain'd too doleful for records Both sigh'd both wept at length the Princess broke Silence and thus lier dismal passions spoke Dare you my Lord approach so near unto A factious grief in this black storm to view Distrest Pharonnida have either I Or my Argalia's slighted memorie Yet in Morea a remaining friend Whose vertue dares by its own strength contend Against this torrent of Court-factions Now Now Royal Sir that doom which will allow My soul no more refreshing slumbers by My father's past my father Sir whom I Must disobey with all the curses due To black rebellion or else prove untrue Those vows those oft repeated vows which in Our Loves full growth hath to Argalia bin Seal'd in the sight of heaven About to speak Her passions fuller sorrow here did break The sad theme off and to proclaim her fears Except th'oreflowing language of her tears