There from sick mirth neglectful Feasters â—eel Who cares of want in wine's false Lâ—the sleep There anxious empty Gamsters homeward steal And fear to wake ere they begin to sleep 20. Here stooping Lab'rers slowly moving are Beasts to the Rich whose strength grows rude with case And would usurp did not their Rulers care With toile and tax their furious strength appease 21. There th' Aged walk whose needless carefulness Infects them past the Mindes best med'cin sleep There some to Temples early vows address And for th'ore busie world most wisely weep 22. To this vast Inn where Tydes of strangers flow The Morn and Hurgonil together came The Morn whose Dewy wings appear'd but slow When Men the motion mark'd of swifter Fame 23. For Fame whose journeys are through waies unknown Trâ—celess and swift and changing as the wind The Morn and Hurgonil had much out-gone Whilst temp'rate Truth mov'd patiently behind 24 For some the Combat to a Batail grown Did apprehend in such prodigious shape As if their living to the Dead were gone And onely Fame did by her Wings escape 25. Some said this Hunting falsely was design'd That by pretence both Factions might prepare Their Armies to contest for Rhodalind The Crown 's chief Jewel and Reward of War 26. And some report so far they range from Truth Who for intelligence must follow Fame That then from Bergamo th'encamped Youth With Gondibert to this dire Hunting came 27. And some that Oswald had enlarg'd his Train With the old Troops by his bold Father led And that of these the nobler half were slain The rest were to their Camp at Brescia fled 28. And as dire Thunder rowling ore Heav'ns vault By murmure threatens ere it kills aloud So was this fatal news in whisper brought Which menac'd ere it struck the list'ning Croud 29. But Rumour soon to high extreams does move For first it Oswald nam'd with dreadfull voice Then said that Death had widow'd Truth and Love By making Gondibert the second choice 30. And to all hearts so dear was Gondibert So much did Pitie Oswald's Valour prise That strait their early bus'ness they desert And fix on wounded Hurgonil their Eyes 31. Him when by perfect day they sadly knew Through hiddeÌ„ wounds whose blood his beauty stain'd Even from the Temples Angels soon withdrew So sawcely th' afflicted there complain'd 32. The People straight united clamour gave Shriek'd loud like Sea-men split on a strange Coast As if those Pow'rs were deaf who should them save And Pray'rs no louder than the winds were lost 33. Now with impatience urg'd he does declare Whom he so mournfully in Fun'ral brought The publick losses of a private war Who living love and valour dying taught 34. For he does Hugo and Arnoldo name To these said he Verâ—ra Cradles gave And since in forreign Fields they rais'd her Fame They challenge here though much too soon a Grave 35. Bring sprinklings Lamps and th'Altar's precious breath All Rites which Priests have prudently devis'd Who gratefully a rev'rence teach to death Because they most by dying men are pris'd 36. But though our loss we justly may complain Though even by Priests authority we grieve Yet Heav'n's first bounty Life let none disdain Since Gondibert our chief Delight does live 37. Thâ—â—eard as Sea-men near a Shore unknown Who their North Guide lose in a Stormy night His absence with distracted silence moan And loudly welcome his return to sight 38. So when their great Conductor seem'd to be Retir'd to endless shades amongst the slain With silent grief they seem'd as dead as he But with new life welcom'd his life again 39. And now that cold remainder Valour left Of these whom Love had lost and Fate forsook The Two that were of all but Fame berefr From Hurgonil the weeping People took 40. Whilst of them both sad Hurgonil takes leave Till th' universal meeting Faith provides The Day when all shall publickly receave Those Bodies Death does not destroy but Hides 41. Then to his Palace he retires by stealth His wounds from his lov'd Mistress to conceal On whose dear joys so much depends his health The wounds her Tears should touch would never heal 42. To the chief Temple straight the People bear The valiant Rivals who for love were slain Whom all he peacefull Priests behold with fear And griev'd such Guests they durst not entertain 43. For soon the Prior of their Brotherhood Who long serv'd Heav'n with praise the world with pray'r Cry'd out this holy House is shut to blood To all that die in combat or despair 44. These by their bloody marks in Compar dy'd Through anger the disease of Beasts untam'd Whose wrath is hunger but in Men 't is pride Yet theirs is cruelty ours courage nam'd 45. Here the neglected Lord of peace does live Who taught the wrangling world the rules of love Should we his dwelling to the wrathfull give Our Sainted Dead would rise and he remove 46. Well by his precepts may we punish strife Whose pitie knew that Famine Plague and Time Are Enemies enough to humane life None need ore-charge Death's Quiver with a crime 47. To unfrequented Fields bear then your slain Where neither Dirge nor Requiem shall be giv'n To those who by usurp'd Revenge disdain To take from Men neglects they put on Heav'n 48. But now the People's passions run too far Their untaught love artless extreams does wed Of times they like the past and since they are Opprest still by the living love the Dead 49. And now resolve these Rivals shall not lose The Rites of Sprinkling Incense Lights and Song Then as the voice of all their Minds they chuse An Oratour of rude but ready Tongue 50. Who at the Temple Gate thus pleads aloud We know though Priests are Pensioners of Heav'n Your Flock which yields best rent is this dull Croud The learn'd examine why their Fleece is giv'n 51. Though by the Rich first shorn to you they bear A second tribute and by zeal support Temples which Kings for glory raise and where The Rich for fame the Learn'd as Spies resort 52. Temples are yours not God's lov'd Palaces Where Off'rings make not his but your own Feasts Where you most wisely live because at ease And entertain your Founders as your Guests 53. With ease you take what we provide with care And we who your Legation must maintain Find all your Tribe in the Commission are And none but Heav'n could send so large a Train 54. But being all Ambassadours from thence The growing charge will soon exceed our rent Unless you please to treat at his expence Who sent you not at ours where you are sent 55. The ancient Laws liv'd in the Peoples voice Rites you from Custom not from Canon draw They are but fashions of a graver choice Which yield to Laws and now our voice is Law 56. This Tybalt heard with sorrow and disdain Who here with Hurgonil a Mourner came And strait the peacefull Fathers strives to
invites you to devour And a submission gives you ease to feed 41. To fighting Fields send all your honour back To Courts your dang'rous Tongue and civil shape That Country Maids may Men no more mistake Nor seek dark Death that they may Love escape 42. Now soon to Heav'n her Soul had found the way For there it oâ—t had been in pray'r and praise But that his vows did life with loudness stay And life's warm help did soon her Body raise 43. And now he gently leads her for no more He lets th'unhallow'd Ground a falâ— Flow'â— wear Sweeter than Nature's Bosom ever wore And now these vows sends kindly to her Eâ—r 44. If Birtha I am false think none too blame For thinking Truth by which the Soul subsists No farther to be found than in the name Think humane kind betraid ev'n by their Priests 45. Think all my Sex so vile that you may chide Those Maids who to your Mothers Nuptials ran And praise your Mother who so early dy'd Remembring whom she marry'd was a Man 46. This great Court miracle you strait receive From Orgo and your faith the whole allows Why since you Orgo's words so soon believe Will you less civilly suspect my vows 47. My Vows which want the Temples seal will bind Though private kept surer than publick Laws For Laws but sorce the Body but my Mind Your Virtue Counsels whilst your beauty draws 48. Thus spake he but his mourning looks did more Attest his grief and fear does hers renew Now losing were he lost more than before For then she fear'd him false now thinks him true 49. As sick Physicians seldom their own Art Dare trust to cure their own disease so these Were to themselves quite useless when apart Yet by consult each can the other ease 50. But from themselves they now diverted stood For Orgo's News which need not borrow wings Since Orgo for his Lord believ'd it good To Astragon the joyfull Houshold brings 51. But Astragon with a judicious thought This days glad news took in the dire portent A day which mourning Nights to Birtha brought And with that fear in search of Birtha went 52. And here he finds her in her Lovers Eyes And him in hers both more afflicted grown At his approach for each his sorrow spies Who thus would counsel theirs and hide his own 53. Though much this fatal joy to anger moves Yet reason's aids shall anger's force subdue I will not chide you for your hasty Loves Nor ever doubt great Prince that yours is true 54. In chiding Love because he hasty was Or urging errours which his swiftness brings I find effects but dare not tax the cause For Poets were inspir'd who gave him wings 55. When low I dig where desart-Rivers run Dive deep in Seas through Forrests follow winds Or reach with Optick Tubes the ragged Moon My sight no cause of Love's swift motion finds 56. Love's fatal haste in yours I will not blame Because I know not why his wings were giv'n Nor doubt him true not knowing whence he came Nor Birtha chide who thought you came from Heav'n 57. If you lay snares we erre when we escape Since evil practise learns Men to suspect Where falshood is and in your noble shape We should by finding it our skill detect 58. Yet both your griefs I 'le chide as ignorance Call you unthankfull for your great griefs show That Heav'n has never us'd you to mischance Yet rudely you repine to feel it now 59. If your contextures be so weak and nice Weep that this windy world you ever knew You are not in those Calms of Paradice Where slender Flow'rs as safe as Cedars grew 60. This which your Youth calls grief was frowardness In flatter'd Infancy and as you bear Unkindly now amidst Youth's joys distress So then unless still rock'd you froward were 61. Griefs conflicts gave these Hairs their silver shine Torn Ensigns which victorious Age adorn Youth is a Dress too garish and too fine To be in foul tempestuous weather worn 62. Grief's want of use does dang'rous weakness make But we by use of Burdens are made strong And in our practis'd Age can calmly take Those sorrows which like Feavers vex the young 63. When you in Love's fair Books which Poets keep Read what they hide his Tragick History You will rejoyce that half your time is sleep And smile at Love when Nature bids you die 64. Learn then that Love's diseases common are Do not in sickness known though new to you Whilst vital hear does last of cure despair Love's vital heat does last whilst Love is true 65. Thus spake the kind and prudent Astragon And much their kind impatience he appeas'd For of his griefs which heavier than their own Were born by both their duteous fears are eas'd 66. She begs that he would pardon her distress Thought that even sin which did her sorrows move And then with all her Mothers lowliness His pardon craves for asking leave to love 67. The Duke who saw fair Truth so undisguis'd And love in all but love so unconcern'd Pity'd the studious world and all despis'd Who did not here unlearn what they had learn'd 68. I am reform'd said he not that before I wanted love or that my love was ill But I have learnt to perfect Nature more By giving innocence a little skill 69. For 't is some skill in innocence to bear With temper the distempers of our Stars Not doubting griefs already come by fear Of more for fears but hasten threat'ned Wars 70. But we will bravely suffer to inure Our strength to weights against the new are laid That when 't is known how much we can endure Our sufferings may make our Foes afraid 71. This Comet Glory shines but in portent Which from the Court does send her threatning Beams And looks as if it were by malice meant To hasten Oswald's Faction to extreams 72. Since Hurgonil who just fore-ran the Boy Could not instruct us we as much may know Of the first Light as of these fires of joy Which is that both did out of darkness grow 73. Yet this the King might hide in Kingly skill Wisely to make his bounty more his own Kings stoop for Counsel who impart their will His Acts like Heav'ns make not their Causes known 74. Yet with as plain a heart as love untaught In Birtha wears I here to Birtha make A vow that Rhodalind I never sought Nor now would with her love her greatness take 75. Love's bonds are for her greatness made too straight And me Ambition's pleasures cannot please Ev'n Priests who on the higher Altar wait Think a continu'd rev'rence loss of ease 76. Let us with secrecy our love protect Hiding such precious wealth from publick view The proffer'd glory I will first suspect As false and shun it when I find it true 77. They now retire because they Goltho saw Who hither came to watch with Ulfinore If much the Duke 's woo'd Mistress did him aw
hope joy and other Passions for we may descend to compare the deceptions in Poesie to those of them that profess dexteritie of Hand which resembles Conjuring and to such we come not with the intention of Lawyers to examine the evidence of Facts but are content if we like the carriage of their feigned motion to pay for being well deceiv'd As in the choise of time so of place I have comply'd with the weakness of the generalitie of men who think the best objects of their own countrey so little to the size of those abroad as if they were shew'd them by the wrong end of a Prospective For man continuing the appetites of his first Childhood till he arrive at his second which is more froward must be quieted with something that he thinks excellent which he may call his own but when he sees the like in other places not staying to compare them wrangles at all he has This leads us to observe the craftiness of the Comicks who are onely willing when they describe humour and humour is the drunkness of a Nation which no sleep can cure to lay the Scaene in their own countrey as knowing we are like the Son of Noah so little distasted to behold each others shame that we delight to see even that of a Father yet when they would set forth greatness and excellent virtue which is the Theme of Tragedie publickly to the people they wisely to avoid the quarrels of neighbourly envie remove the Scaene from home And by their example I travell'd too and Italie which was once the Stage of the World I have made the Theatre where I shew in either Sex some patterns of humane life that are perhaps fit to be follow'd Having told you why I took the actions that should be my Argument from men of our own Religion and given you reasons for the choyce of the time and place design'd for those actions I must next acquaint you with the Schools where they were bred not meaning the Schools where they took their Religion but Moralitie for I know Religion is universally rather inherited than taught and the most effectual Schools of Moralitie are Courts and Camps Yet towards the first the people are unquiet through envie and towards the other through fear and always jealous of both for Injustice which is the natural scandal cast upon authoritie and great force They look upon the outward glory or blaze of Courts as wild Beasts in dark nights stare on their Hunters Torches but though the expences of Courts whereby they shine is that consuming glory in which the people think their libertie is wasted for wealth is their libertie and lov'd by them even to jealousie being themselves a courser sort of Princes apter to take than to pay yet Courts I mean all abstracts of the multitude either by King or Assemblies are not the Schools where men are bred to oppression but the Temples where sometimes Oppressours take sanctuarie a safetie which our reason must allow them For the ancient laws of Sanctuarie derived from God provided chiefly for actions that proceeded from necessitie and who can imagine less than a necessitie of oppressing the people since they are never willing either to buy their Peace or to pay for War Nor are Camps the Schools of wicked Destroyers more than the Inns of Court being the Nurserie of Judges are the Schools of Murderers for as Judges are avengers of private men against private Robbers so are Armies the avengers of the Publick against publick Invaders either civil or forreign and Invaders are Robbers though more in countenance than those of the High way because of their number Nor is there other difference between Armies when they move towards Sieges or Battel and Judges moving in their Circuit during the danger of extraordinarie malefactors with the guards of the Countie but that the latter is a less Army and of less Discipline If any man can yet doubt of the necessarie use of Armies let him studie that which was anciently call'd a Monster the Multitude for Wolves are commonly harmless when they are met alone but very uncivil in Herds and he will not find that all his kindred by Adam are so tame and gentle as those Lovers that were bred in Arcadia or to reform his opinion let him ask why during the utmost age of Historie Cities have been at the charge of defensive Walls and why Fortification hath been practic'd so long till it is grown an Art I may now believe I have usefully taken from Courts and Camps the patterns of such as will be fit to be imitated by the most necessary men and the most necessary men are those who become principal by prerogative of bloud which is seldom unassisted with education or by greatness of mind which in exact definition is Virtue The common Crowd of whom we are hopeless we desert being rather to be corrected by laws where precept is accompanied with punishment than to be taught by Poesie for few have arriv'd at the skill of Orpheus or at his good fortune whom we may suppose to have met with extraordinarie Grecian Beasts when so succesfully he reclaim'd them with his Harp Nor is it needfull that Heroick Poesie should be levell'd to the reach of Common men for if the examples it presents prevail upon their Chiefs the delight of Imitation which we hope we have prov'd to be as effectual to good as to evil will rectifie by the rules which those Chiefs establish of their own lives the lives of all that behold them for the example of life doth as much surpass the force of Precept as Life doth exceed Death In the choice of these Objects which are as Sea-marks to direct the dangerous voyage of life I thought fit to follow the rule of Coasting Maps where the Shelves and Rocks are describ'd as well as the safe Channel the care being equal how to avoid as to proceed and the Characters of men whose passions are to be eschew'd I have deriv'd from the distempers of Love or Ambition for Love and Ambition are too often the raging Feavers of great minds Yet Ambition if the vulgar acception of the word were corrected would signifie no more than an extraordinary lifting of the feet in the rough ways of Honour over the impediments of Fortune and hath a warmth till it be chaf'd into a Fever which is necessary for every virtuous breast for good men are guiltie of too little appetite to greatness and it either proceeds from that they call contentedness but contentedness when examin'd doth mean something of Lasiness as well as Moderation or from some melancholy precept of the Cloyster where they would make life for which the world was onely made more unpleasant than Death as if Nature the Vicegerent of God who in providing delightfull varieties which virtuous greatness can best possess or assure peaceably to others implicitly commanded the use of them should in the necessaries of life life being her chief business though
are made vehement with contemplating the dignitie of the Offended which is God more than the frailtie of the Offender govern as if men could be made Angels ere they come to Heaven Great Ministers of Law think likewise that Leaders of Armies are like ill Physitians onely fit for desperate cures whose boldness calls in the assistance of Fortune during the fears and troubles of Art Yet the health they give to a distemper'd State is not more accidental than the preservation of it is uncertain because they often grow vain with success and encourage a restor'd State to such hazards as shew like irregularitie of life in other recover'd bodies such as the cautious and ancient gravitie of Law disswaded For Law whose temperate design is safetie rather prevents by constancie of Medicine like a continu'd Diet diseases in the bodie politick than depends after a permitted Sickness upon the chance of recoverie They think States-men strive to be as much Judges of Law as themselves being chief Ministers of Law are Judges of the People and that even good States-men pervert the Law more than evil Judges For Law was anciently meant a defensive Armour and the People took it as from the Magazine of Justice to keep them safe from each others violence but Sates-men use it as offensive Arms with which in forraging to get relief for Supream Power they often wound the Publick Thus we have first observ'd the Four chief aids of Government Religion Arms Policie and Law defectively appli'd and then we have found them weak by an emulous war amongst themselves it follows next we should introduce to strengthen those principal aids stil making the People our direct object some collateral help which I will safely presume to consist in Poesie We have observ'd that the People since the latter time of Christian Religion are more unquiet than in former Ages so disobedient and fierce as if they would shake off the ancient imputation of being Beasts by shewing their Masters they know their own strength and we shall not erre by supposing that this conjunction of four-fold Power hath fail'd in the effects of authority by a mis-application for it hath rather endeavour'd to prevail upon their bodies than their minds forgetting that the martial art of constraining is the best which assaults the weaker part and the weakest part of the people is their minds for want of that which is the minds onely strength Education but their Bodies are strong by continual labour for Labour is the Education of the Body Yet when I mention the mis-application of force I should have said they have not onely fail'd by that but by a main errour Because the subject on which they should work is the Mind and the Mind can never be constrain'd though it may be gain'd by perswasion And since Perswasion is the principal instrument which can bring to fashion the brittle and mis-shapen mettal of the Mind none are so fit to this important work as Poets whose art is more than any enabled with a voluntary and chearfull assistance of Nature and whose operations are as restless secret easie and subtile as is the influence of Planets I must not forget lest I be prevented by the vigilance of the Reader that I have profess'd not to represent the beauty of Virtue in my Poem with hope to perswade common men and I have said that Divines have fail'd in discharging their share of Government by depending upon the effects of perswasion and that States-men in managing the people rely not upon the perswasion of Divines but upon force In my despair of reducing the minds of Common men I have not confest any weakness of Poesie in the general Science but rather inferr'd the particular strength of the Heroick which hath a force that over-matches the infancy of such minds as are enabled by degrees of Education but there are lesser forces in other kinds of Poesie by which they may train and prepare their understandings and Princes and Nobles being reform'd and made Angelical by the Heroiâ—ks will be predominant lights which the people cannot chuse but use for direction as Glow-worms take in and keep the Suns beams till they shine and make day to themselves In saying that Divines have vainly hop'd to continue the peace of Government by perswasion I have imply'd such perswasions as are accompanied with threatnings and seconded by force which are the perswasions of Pulpits where is presented to the obstinate Hell after Death and the civil Magistrate during life constrains such obedience as the Church doth ordain But the perswasions of Poesie in stead of menaces are Harmonious and Delightfull Insinuations and never any constraint unless the ravishment of Reason may be call'd Force And such Force contrary to that which Divines Commanders States-men and Lawyers use begets such obedience as is never weary or griev'd In declaring that States-men think not the State wholly secure by such manners as are bred from the perswasions of Divines but more willingly make Government rely upon military-force I have neither concluded that Poets are unprofitable nor that States-men think so for the wisdom of Poets would first make the Images of Virtue so amiable that her beholders should not be able to look off rather gently and delightfully infusing than inculcating Precepts and then when the mind is conquer'd like a willing Bride Force should so behave it self as noble Husbands use their power that is by letting their Wives see the Dignity and Prerogative of our Sex which is the Husbands harmless conquest of Peace continually maintain'd to hinder Disobedience rather than rigorously impose Duty But to such an easie government neither the People which are subjects to Kings and States nor Wives which are subject to Husbands can peacefully yield unless they are first conquer'd by Virtue and the Conquests of Virtue be never easie but where her forces are commanded by Poets It may be objected that the education of the Peoples minds from whence virtuous Manners are deriv'd by the several kinds of Poesie of which the Dramatick hath been in all Ages very successfull is opposite to the receiv'd opinion that the people ought to be continu'd in ignorance a Maxim soundâ—ng like the little subtilty of one that is a States man onely by Birth or Beard and merits not his place by much thinking For Ignorance is rude sensorious jealous obstinate and proud these being exactly the ingredients of which Disobedience is made and Obedience proceeds from ample consideration of which knowledge consists and knowledge will soon put into one Scale the weight of oppression and in the other the heavie burden which Disobedience lays on us in the effects of civil War then even Tyranny will seem much lighter when the hand of supream Power binds up our Load and lays it artfully on us than Disobedience the Parent of Confusion when we all load one another in which every one irregularly increases his fellows burdens to lessen his own Others may object that
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
Thy subjects Enemy And more through wantonness than need or hate From whom the winged to their Coverts flie And to their Dens even those that lay in wait 39. So this the most successfull of his kind Whose Foreheads force oft his Opposers prest Whose swiftness left Pursuers shafts behind Is now of all the Forrest most distrest 40. The Herd deny him shelter as if taught To know their safety is to yield him lost Which shews they want not the results of thought But speech by which we ours for reason boast 41. We blush to see our politicks in Beasts Who Many sav'd by this one Sacrifice And since through blood they follow interests Like us when cruel should be counted wise 42. His Rivals that his fury us'd to fear For his lov'd Female now his faintness shun But were his season hot and she but near O mighty Love his Hunters were undone 43. From thence well blown he comes to the Relay Where Man 's fam'd reason proves but Cowardise And onely serves him meanly to betray Even for the flying Man in ambush lies 44. But now as his last remedy to live For ev'ry shift for life kind Nature makes Since life the utmost is which she can give Cool Adice from the swoln Bank he takes 45. But this fresh Bath the Dogs will make him leave Whom he sure nos'd as fasting Tygers found Their scent no North-east wind could e're deceave Which dries the air nor Flocks that foyl the Ground 46. Swift here the Flyers and Pursuers seem The frighted Fish swim from their Adice The Dogs pursue the Deer he the fleet stream And that hastes swiftly to the Adrian Sea 47. Refresh'd thus in this fleeting Element He up the stedfast Shore did boldly rise And soon escap'd their view but not their scent That faithfull Guide which even conducts their Eyes 48. This frail relief was like short gales of breath Which oft at Sea a long dead calm prepare Or like our Curtains drawn at point of death When all our Lungs are spent to give us ayr 49. For on the Shore the Hunters him attend And whilst the Chace grew warm as is the day Which now from the hot Zenith does descend He is imbos'd and weary'd to a Bay 50. The Jewel Life he must surrender here Which the world's Mistris Nature does not give But like dropp'd Favours suffers us to wear Such as by which pleas'd Lovers think they live 51. Yet life he so esteems that he allows It all defence his force and rage can make And to the Regian Race such furie shows As their last bloud some unreveng'd forsake 52. But now the Monarch Murderer comes in Destructive Man whom Nature would not arm As when in madness mischief is fore-seen We leave it weaponless for fear of harm 53. For she defenceless made him that he might Less readily offend but Art arms all From single strife makes us in Numbers fight And by such art this Royal Stag did fall 54. Now weeps till grief does even his Murd'rers pierce Grief which so nobly through his anger strove That it deserv'd the dignitie of Verse And had it words as humanly would move 55. Thrice from the ground his vanquish'd Head he rear'd And with last looks his Forrest walks did view Where sixtie Summers he had rul'd the Heard And where sharp Dittanie now vainly grew 56. Whose hoarie Leaves no more his wounds shall heal For with a Sigh a blast of all his breath That viewless thing call'd Life did from him steal And with their Bugle Horns they wind his death 57. Then with their annual wanton sacrifice Taught by old custom whose decrees are vain And we like hum'rous Antiquaries prise Age though deform'd they hasten to the Plain 58. Thence homeward bend as Westward as the Sun Where Gondibert's allies proud Feasts prepare That day to honour which his Grand-fire won Though Feasts the Eves to Fun'rals often are 59. One from the Forrest now approach'd their sight Who them did swiftly on the Spur pursue One there still resident as Day and Night And known as th' eldest Oak which in it grew 60. Who with his utmost breath advancing cries And such a vehemence no Art could feign Away happie the Man that fastest flies Flie famous Duke flie with thy noble Train 61. The Duke reply'd though with thy fears disguis'd Thou do'st my Sires old Rangers Image bear And for thy kindness shalt not be despis'd Though Counsels are but weak which come from fear 62. Were Dangers here great as thy love can shape And love with fear can danger multiply Yet when by flight thou bidst us meanly scape Bid Trees take wings and rooted Forrests flie 63. Then said the Ranger you are bravely lost And like high anger his complexion rose As little know I fear as how to boast But shall attend you through your many Foes 64. See where in ambush mighty Oswald lay And see from yonder Lawn he moves apace With Launces arm'd to intercept thy way Now thy sure Steeds are weary'd with the Chace 65. His purple Banners you may there behold Which proudly spred the fatal Raven bear And full five hundred I by Rank have told Who in their guilded Helms his Colours wear 66. The Duke this falling storm does now discern Bids little Hugo flie but 't is to view The Foe and timely their first count'nance learn Whilst firm he in a square his Hunters drew 67. And Hugo soon light as his Coursers Heels Was in their Faces troublesom as wind And like to it so wingedly he wheels No one could catch what all with trouble find 68. But ev'ry where the Leaders and the Led He temp'rately observ'd with a slow sight Judg'd by their looks how hopes and fears were fed And by their order their success in fight 69. Their Number ' mounting to the Rangers guess In three Divisions evenly was dispos'd And that their Enemies might judge it less It seem'd one Gross with all the Spaces clos'd 70. The Van fierce Oswald led where Paradine And Manly Dargonet both of his blood Out-shin'd the Noon and their Minds stock within Promis'd to make that outward glory good 71. The next bold but unlucky Hubert led Brother to Oswald and no less ally'd To the ambitions which his Soul did wed Lowly without but lin'd with costly Pride 72. Most to himself his valour fatal was Whose glories oft to others dreadfull were So Commets though suppos'd Destructions cause But waste themselves to make their Gazers â—eâ—r 73. And though his valour seldom did succeed His speech was such as could in Storms perswade Sweet as the Hopes on which starv'd Lovers feed Breath'd in the whispers of a yielding Maid 74. The bloudy Borgio did conduct the Rere Whom sullen Vasco heedfully attends To all but to themselves they cruel were And to themselves chiefly by mischief Friends 75. War the worlds Art Nature to them became In Camps begot born and in anger bred The living vex'd till Death and then their
Sea And vainly travels to be quickly lost 15. And now the Fates who punctually take care We not escape their sentence at our birth Writ Arnold down where those inroled are Who must in Youth abruptly leave the Earth 16. Him Paradine into the Brow had pierc't From whence his bloud so overflow'd his Eyes He grew too blind to watch and guard his breast Where wounded twice to Deaths cold Court he hies 17. And Love by which Life's name does value find As Altars even subsist by ornament Is now as to the Owner quite resign'd And in a sigh to his dear Laura sent 18. Yet Fates so civil were in cruelty As not to yield that he who conquer'd all The Tuscan Vale should unartended die They therefore doom that Dargonet must fall 19. Whom little Hugo dext'rously did vex With many wounds in unexpected place Which yet not kill but killingly perplex Because he held their number a disgrace 20. For Dargonet in force did much exceed The most of Men in valour equall'd all And was asham'd thus diversly to bleed As if he stood where showrs of Arrows fall 21. At once he ventures his remaining strength To Hugo's nimble skill who did desire To draw this little war out into length By motions quick as Heav'ns fantastick fire 22. This fury now is grown too high at last In Dargonet who does disorder all The strengths of temp'rance by unruly haste Then down to Deaths low Calm does breathless fall 23. When with his own Storm sunk his Foe did spie Lord Arnold dead and Paradine prepare To help Prince Oswald to that victory Of which the Duke had yet an equal share 24. Vain Conquerour said Hugo then return In stead of Laurel which the Victor wears Go gather Cypress for thy Brothers Urn And learn of me to water it with Tears 25. Thy Brother lost his life attempting mine Which cannot for Lord Arnold's loss suffice I must revenge unlucky Paradine The blood his death will draw from Laura's Eyes 26. We Rivals were in Laura but though she My griefs derided his with sighs approv'd Yet I in Loves exact integritie Must take thy life for killing him She lov'd 27. These quick alike and artfully as fierce At one sad instant give and take that wound Which does through both their vital Closets pierce Where Life 's small Lord doth warmly sit enthron'd 28. And then they fell and now near upper Heaven Heav'ns better part of them is hov'ring still To watch what end is to their Princes given And to brave Hubert and to Hurgonil 29. In progress thus to their eternal home Some method is observ'd by Destinie Which at their Princes setting out did doom These as their leading Harbingers to die 30. And fatal Hubert we must next attend Whom Hurgonil had brought to such distress That though Life's stock he did not fully spend His glory that maintain'd it is grown less 31. Long had they strove who first should be destroy'd And wounds the Marks of Manhood gave and took Which though like honour'd Age we would avoid Yet make us when possess'd for rev'rence look 32. O Honour Frail as Life thy sellow Flower Cherish'd and watch'd and humr'ously esteem'd Then worn for short adornments of an hour And is when lost no more than life redeem'd 33. This fatal Hubert finds if honour be As much in Princes lost when it grows less As when it dies in men of next degree Princes are onely Princes by excess 34. For having twice with his firm Opposite Exchang'd a wound yet none that reach'd at life The adverse sword his Arms best sinew hit Which holds that strength which should uphold their strife 35. When thus his dear defence had left his Hand Thy life said Hurgonil rejoyce to wear As Orna's favour and at her command Who taught the mercy I will practise here 36. To which defenceless Hubert did reply My life a worthless Blank I so despise Since Fortune laid it in her Lotary That I 'm asham'd thou draw'st it as a Prize 37. His grief made noble Hurgonil to melt Who mourn'd in this a Warriours various fate For though a Victor now he timely felt That change which pains us most by coming late 38. But Orna ever present in his thought Prompts him to know with what success for fame And Empire Gondibert and Oswald fought Whilst Hubert seeks out death and shrinks from shame 39. Valour and all that practice torns to art Alike the Princes had and understood For Oswald now is cool as Gondibert Such temper he has got by losing blood 40. Calmly their temper did their art obay Their stretch'd Arms regular in motion prove And force with as unseen a stealth convay As noiseless hours by hands of Dials move 41. By this new temper Hurgonil believ'd That Oswald's elder virtues might prevail To think his own help needfull much he griev'd But yet prepar'd it leâ—t the Duke should fail 42. Small wounds they had where as in Casements â—ate Disorder'd Life who seem'd to look about And fain would be abroad but that a Gate She wants so wide at once to â—ally out 43. When Gondibert saw Hurgonil draw near And doubly arm'd at conquer'd Huberts cost He then who never fear'd began to fear Lest by his help his honour should be lost 44. Retire said he for if thou hop'st to win My Sisters love by aiding in this strife May Heav'n to make her think thy love a sâ—n Eclipse that beauty which did give it life 45. Count Hurgonil did doubtfully retire Fain would assist yet durst not disobay The Duke would rather instantly expire Than hazard Honour's death by death's delay 46. Alike did Oswald for dispatch prepare And cries Since Hubert knew not to subdue Glory farewel that art the Souldiers care More lov'd than Woman less than Woman true 47. And now they strive with all their sudden force To storm Life's Citâ—adil each others Brest At which could Heav'ns chief Eye have felt remorse It would have wink'd or hast'ned to the West 48. But sure the Heav'nly Movers little care Whether our motion here be false or true For we proceed whilst they are regular As if we Dice for all our actions threw 49. We seem surrender'd to indiff'rent Chance Even Deaths grave work looks like fantastick play That Sword which oft did Oswald's fame advance In publick war fails in a private fray 50. For when because he ebbes of bloud did feel He levell'd all his strength at Gondibert It clash'd and broke against the adverse steel Which travell'd onward till it reach'd his heart 51. Now he that like a stedfast statue stood In many Battels registerd by Fames Does fall depriv'd of language as of blood Whilst high the Hunters send their Victors name 52. Some shout aloud and others wind the Horn They mix the Cities with the Field's applause Which Borgio soon interprets as their scorn And will revenge it ere he mourn the cause 53. This the cold Evening warm'd of Vasco's age He
shin'd like scorching Noon in Borgio's looks Who kindled all about him with his rage And worse the Triumph than the Conquest brooks 54. The Troops astonish'd with their Leaders fate The horrour first with silence entertain With loud impatience than for Borgio wait And next with one confusion all complain 55. Whom thus he urg'd Prince Oswald did command We should remove far from the Combat's list And there like unconcern'd Spectatours stand Justly restrain'd to hinder or assist 56. This Patient Friends we dully have obay'd A temp'rance which he never taught before But though alive he could forbid our aid Yet dead he leaves revenge within our pow'r CANTO the Fifth The ARGUMENT The Battel in exact though little shape Where none by flight and few by fortune scape Where even the vanquish'd so themselves behave The Victors mourn for all they could not save And fear so soon is Fortune's fullness wain'd To lose in one all that by all they gain'd 1. NOw Hubert's Page assists his wounded Lord To mount that Steed he scarce had force to guide And wept to see his hand without that Sword Which was so oft in busie Battel try'd 2. Those who with Borgio saw his want of blood Cry'd out If of thy strength enough remain Though not to charge to make thy conduct good Lead us to adde their living to our slain 3. Hubert reply'd Now you may justly boast You Sons of War that Oswald was your Sire Who got in you the honour I have lost And taught those deeds our Ladies songs admire 4. But he Wars Ancestour who gave it birth The Father of those Fights we Lombards fought Lies there embracing but his length of Earth Who for your use the world's vast Empire sought 5. And cold as he lies noble Dargonet And Paradine who wore the Victors Crown Both swift to Charge and lame in a Retreat Brothers in bloud and Rivals in renown 6. This said their Trumpets sound Revenge's praise The Hunters Horns though terrour of the wood Reply'd so meanly they could scarcely raise Eccho so loud as might be understood 7. The Duke his fit of fury being spent Which onely wounds and opposition bred Does weep on faded Oswald and lament What was so great in life is nothing dead 8. But cry'd when he the speechless Rivals spy'd O worth above the ancient price of Love Lost are the living for with these love dy'd Or if immortal fled with them above 9. In these we the intrinsick value know By which first Lovers did love currant deem But Love's false Coyners will allay it now Till men suspect what next they must contemn 10. Not less young Hurgonil resents their chance Though no fit time to practise his remorse For now he cries finding the Foe advance Let Death give way to life to horse to horse 11. This sorrow is too soft for deeds behind Which I a mortal Lover would sustain So as to make your Sister wisely kind And praise me living not lament me slain 12. Swift as Armenians in the Panthers chace They flie to reach where now their Hunters are Who sought out danger with too bold a pace Till thus the Duke did them aloud prepare 13. Impatient Friends stand that your strength may last Burn not in blaze rage that should warm you long I wish to Foes the weaknesses of haste To you such slowness as may keep you strong 14. Not their scorns force should your fixt patience move Though scorn does more thā boads free minds provoke Their flashy rage shall harmless lightning prove Which but fore-runs our Thunder's fatal stroke 15. For when their fury 's spent how weak they are With the dull weight of antique Vandal 〈◊〉 Their work but short and little is in war Whom rage within and Armour outward warms 16. When you have us'd those arts your patience yields Try to avoid their couched Launces force By dext'rous practise of Croation Fields Which turns to lazy Elephants their Horse 17. When false retreat shall scatter you in flight As if you back to Elements were fled And no less faith can you again unite Than recollects from Elements the dead 18. Make Chasers seem by your swift Rallies slow Whilst they your swifter change of figures fear Like that in Battels which t' amuse the Foe My Grand-sire taught as Wars Philosopher 19. Think now your Valour enters on the Stage Think Fame th' Eternal Choru◠to declare Your mighty minds to each succeeding age And that your Ladies the Spectatours are 20. This utter'd was with so supream a grace That ev'ry heart it empty'd and did raise Life's chiefest blood in valour to the Face Which made such beauty as the Foe did praise 21. Yet 't was Ambition's praise which but approves Those whom through envy it would fain subdue Likes others honour but her own so loves She thinks all others Trophies are her due 22. For Hubert now though void of strength as fear Advanc'd the first Division fast and far Bold Borgio with the next attends his Rear The Third was left to Vasco's steddy care 23. The Duke still watch'd when each Divisions space Grew wide that he might his more open spred His own brave conduct did the foremost grace The next the Count the third true Tybalt led 24. A forward fashion he did wear a while As if the Charge he would with fury meet That he their forward fury might beguil And urge them past redemption by retreat 25. But when with Launces couch'd they ready were And their thick Front which added Files in large With their ply'd spurs kept time in a Career Those soon were vanish'd whom they meant to charge 26. The Duke by flight his Manhood thus and force Reserv'd and to his skill made Valour yield Did seem to blush that he must lead his Horse To lose a little ground to gain the Field 27. Yet soon with Ralleys he reviv'd the war Hubert pursues the Rear of Hurgonil And Borgio's Rear with Chace so loos'ned are That them the Count does with close order kill 28. And that which was erewhile the Dukes firm Van Before old Vasco's Front vouchsafe to flie Till with Croation Ralleys they began In small Divisions hidden strength to trie 29. Then cursing Borgio cry'd Whence comes his skill Who men so scatter'd can so firmly mix The living Metal held so volatile By thy dull word this Chymick Lord can fix 30. He press'd where Hurgonil his fury spends As if he now in Orna's presence fought And with respect his brave approach attends To give him all the dangers which he sought 31. So bloody was th' event of this new strife That we may here applauded valour blame Which oft too easily abandons Life Whilst Death is Parent made of noble Fame 32. For many now belov'd by both forsake In their pursuit of flying Fame their breath And through the world their Valour currant make By giving it the ancient stamp of death 33. Young Hurgonil's renowned self had bought Honour of Borgio at
no less a rate Had not the Duke dispatch'd with those he sought And found his aid must flie or come too late 34. For he advancing saw which much him griev'd That in the fairest Region of the Face He two wide wounds from Borgio had receiv'd His beauties blemish but his valours grace 35. Now cry'd the Duke strive timely for renown Thy Age will kiss those wounds thy Youth may loath Be not dismaid to see thy beautie gone My Sister 's thine who has enough for both 36. Then soon the Youth Death as an honour gave To one that Strove to rescue Borgio's life Yet Borgio had dispatch'd him to his grave Had Gondibert stood neutral in the Strife 37. Who with his sword disdaining now to stay And see the bloud he lov'd so rudely spilt Pierc't a bold Lombard who imbarr'd his way Even till his heart did beat against his Hilt 38. Timely old Vasco came to Borgio's aid Whose long experienc'd Arm wrought sure and fast His rising oppositions level laid And miss'd no execution by his haste 39. And timely where the bleeding Count now fought And where the Duke with Number was opprest Resistless Tybalt came who Borgio sought But here with many Borgios did contest 40. As Tides that from their sev'ral Channels haste Assemble rudely in th' Ubâ—an Bay And meeting there to indistinction waste Strive to proceed and force each others stay 41. So here the valiant who with swift force come With as resistless valour are ingag'd Are hid in angers undistinguish'd Fome And make less way by meeting so inrag'd 42. But room for Goltho now Whose valour 's fire Like lightning did unlikely passage make Whose swift effects like lightnings they admire And even the harms it wrought with rev'rence take 43. Vasco he seeks who had his Youth disdain'd And in that search he with irreverend rage Revengefully from younger Foes abstain'd And deadly grew where he encounterd Age. 44. And Vasco now had felt his Gothick steel But that Duke Gondibert through Helm and Head The last dire stroke which Vasco ere shall feel Did give and sent him to adorn the dead 45. Here Borgio too had faln but bravely then The Count so much reveng'd the wounds he gave As Gondibert the Prop of falling Men Such sinking greatness could not chuse but save 46. When Vasco was remov'd the Count declin'd His bashfull Eyes the Duke thought suddain shame From sence of luckless wounds possess'd his mind Which thus he did reform and gently blame 47. Now thy complexion lasting is and good As when the Sun sets red his Morning Eyes In glory wake so now thou setst in bloud Thy parting beautie will in honour rise 48. These scars thou needst not from my Sister hide For as our Father in brave battel lost She first did name with sorrow then with pride Thy beauties loss she 'l mourn and after boast 49. Mine are but Love's false wounds said Hurgonil To what you Vasco gave for I must grieve My strength of honour could not Vasco kill That honour lost yet I have strength to live 50. But now behold vex'd Hubert who in all This battel was by ready conduct known And though unarm'd and his spent force so small He could to none bring death yet sought his own 51. And ev'ry where where Rallies made a Gross He charg'd and now with last reserves he try'd His too slow fate from Gondibert to force Where he was Victor and where Vasco dy'd 52. The Duke in Honours School exactly bred Would not that this defenceless Prince should be Involv'd with those whom he to dying led Therefore ordain'd him still from slaughter free 53. And now his pow'r did gently make him know That he must keep his life and quit the cause More Pris'ner to him self than to his Foe For life within himself in Prison was 54. His fierce Assistance did not quit the Field Till forward marks declar'd they fairly fought And then they all with sullen slowness yield Vex'd they had found what vain Revenge had sought 55. In the renown'd destruction of this day Four hundred Leaders were by valours pride Led to blest shades by an uncertain way Where lowliness is held the surest Guide 56. And twice the Tierce of these consists of those Who for Prince Oswald's love of Empire bled The Duke does thus with thanks and praise dispose Both of the worthy living and the dead 57. Bind all your wounds and shed not that brave life Which did in all by great demeanor past Teaching your Foes a wiser choise of strife Deserve a Lease of Nature that may last 58. Love warm'd you with those hints which kindled me And form'd Ideas in each lovers thought Of the distress of some beloved she Who then inspir'd and prais'd you whilst you fought 59. You nobly prompt my passion to desire That the rude Crowd who Lovers softness scorn Might in fair field meet those who love admire To trie which side must after Battel mourn 60. O that those rights which should the good advance And justly are to painfull valour due How ere misplac'd by the swift hand of Chance Were from that Crowd defended by those few 61. With this great Spectacle we should refresh Those Chiefs who though preferr'd by being dead Would kindly wish to fight again in flesh So all that lov'd by Hurgonil were led 62. This gracious mention from so great a Lord Bow'd Hurgonil with dutious homage down Where at his feet he laid his rescn'd Sword Which he accepts but he returns his own 63. By this and thine said gentle Gondibert In all distress of various Courts and war We interpledge and bind each others heart To strive who shall possess griefs greatest share 64. Now to Verona hast and timely bring Thy wounds unto my tender Sister's care This Days sad story to our dreaded King And watch what veng'ance Oswald's Friends prepare 65. Brave Arnold and his Rival streight remove Where Laura shall bestrew their hallow'd Ground Protectours both and Ornaments of Love This said his Eyes out-weep'd his widest wound 66. Tell her now these Love's faithful Saints are gon The beautie they ador'd she ought to hide For vainly will Love's Miracles be shown Since Lovers faith with these brave Rivals dy'd 67. Say little Hugo never more shall mourn In noble Numbers her unkind disdain Who now not seeing beautie feels no scorn And wanting pleasure is exempt from pain 68. When she with Flowrs Lord Arnold's Grave shall strew And hears why Hugo's life was thrown away She on that Rival's Hearse will drop a few Which merits all that April gives to May. 69. Let us forsake for safety of our Eyes Our other loss which I will straight inter And raise a Trophy where each Body lies Vain marks how those alive the Dead prefer 70. If my full Breast my wounds that empty be And this Days toil by which my strength is gon Forbid me not I Bergamo will see Ere it beholds the next succeeding Sun 71.
Thither convey thy souls consid'rate thought How in this cause the Court and Camp 's inclin'd What Oswald's Faction with the King has wrought And how his loss prevails with Rhodalind 72. The Count and Tybalt take their lowly leaves Their slain they sadly with consuming hearts Bear tow'rds Verona whilst the Duke perceives Prince Hubert's grief and thus his tears diverts 73. Afflicted Prince in an unpleasant hour You and your living by blind valour led Are captives made to such an easie pow'r Shall you as little vex as Death your dead 74. The Dead can ne'r by living help return From that dark Land which life could ne'r diselese But these alive for whom the Victors mourn To thee I give thee to thine own dispose 75. Be not with honours guilded Baits beguild Nor think Ambition wife because 't is brave For though we like it as a forward Child 'T is so unsound her Cradle is her Grave 76. Study the mighty Oswald vainly gone Fierce Paradine and Dargonet the stout Whos 's Thirds by patient Parcae slowly spun Ambition's haste has rashly ravell'd out 77. But Hubert's grief no precept could reform For great grief counsell'd does to anger grow And he provided now a future Storm Which did with black revenge orecast his Brow 78. Borgio and he from this dire Region haste Shame makes them sightless to themselves and dumb Their thoughts flie swift as Time from what is past And would like him demolish all to come 79. Strait they interre th' inferiour of their slain Their nobler Tragick load their grief attends Tow'rds Brescia where the Camp they hope to gain Then force the Court by faction of their Friends 80. To Bergamo the gentle Duke does turn With his surviving Lovers who in kind Remembrance every step look back and mourn Their fellow Lovers Death has staid behind 81. Some lost their quiet Rivals some their dear Love's Brother who their hopes with help approv'd Some such joy'd Friends as even tomorrow were To take from Hymen those they dearest lov'd 82. But now to Gondibert they forward look Whose wounds ere he could waste three league of way So waste him that his speech him quite forsook And Nature calls for Art to make Life stay 83. His Friends in torment lest they should forsake Delightfull him for whom alone they live Urge Heav'n uncivilly for calling back So soon such worth it does so seldom give CANTO the Sixth The ARGUMENT The Victor is when with his wounds subdu'd By such deform'd and dismal Troops pursu'd That he thinks Death than which they uglier seem No ill expedient to escape from them But ULFIN guids him to sage ASTRAGON By the last Rays of the descending Sun 1. SCarce on their Duke their fears kind fit was spent When strait a thick arm'd Squadron clouds their sight Which cast so dark a shade as if it meant Without the Suns slow leave to bring in night 2. This threatning Squadron did consist of Horse And by old Ulfin they were gravely led Whose mind was sound nor wants his Body force Though many Winters Snow had coold his head 3. The sad remainder who with Hubert went Did miss his reach when they to Brescia turn'd And now as if his haste destruction meant He chac'd these who the Dukes spent valour mourn'd 4. Whose posture being loose their number few His Scouts grow scornfull as they forward come He makes his Squadron halt and near he drew Then asks aloud what are you and for whom 5. The noble Goltho whose great deeds to day Prevented Manhood in his early youth Believ'd him Oswald's Friend yet scorn'd the way To shelter life behind abandon'd Truth 6. For he to Ulfin boldly thus reply'd This second Ambush finds us here in vain We have no treasure left that we would hide Since Gondibert is reckon'd with the slain 7. Duke Gondibert we vouch to be our Lord To whose high virtues Sov'raignty we bow Oswald sunk low as death beneath his Sword Though him superiour Fate will vanquish now 8. Scarce empty Eagles stooping to their prey Could be more swift than Ulfin to alight And come where Gondibert expiring lay Now pleasing those whom he did newly fright 9. For scarce that rev'rence which a Monarch draws Who seldom will be seen though often sought Who spends his carefull age in making Laws To rule those lands for which in youth he fought 10. Nor that respect which People pay those Kings Whose peace makes rich whom civil war made wise Can equal this which aged Ulfin brings The gentle Duke to whom he prostrate lies 11. His Eyes not us'd to tears bathe ev'ry wound Which he salutes as things he chiefly lov'd And when expence of spirits he had found To gain him air his Mourners he remov'd 12. Make way said he and give Experience room The Confident of age though Youth 's scorn'd guide My wounds though past out number yours to come You can but hope the knowledge I have try'd 13. His Hilts round Pommel he did then unskrew And thence which he from ancient Precept wore In a small Chrystal he a Cordial drew That weary life could to her walks restore 14. This care amazing all it does delight His ruins which so reverend appear With wonder not so much surprise their sight As a strange object now his Troops draw near 15. In whom such death and want of limbs they find As each were lately call'd out of his Tomb And left some members hastily behind Or came when born abortive from the Womb. 16. Yet this defect of Legs or Arms or Hands Did wondring valour not disturb but please To see what divers weapons each commands With arts hard shifts till custom gave them ease 17. But the uncomely absence of an Eye And larger wants which ev'ry visage mourn'd Where black did over-vail or ill supply Was that which wonder into horrid turn'd 18. And Ulfin might be thought when the rude wind Lifting their Curtains left their ruins bare A formal Antiquary gravely kind To Statues which he now drew out to air 19. The Duke whose absent knowledge was call'd back By Cordials pow'r his wonder did increase So much that he agen did knowledge lack Till thus old Ulfin made his wonder cease 20. Auspicious Prince recorded be this day And sung by Priests of each ensuing Age On which thou may'st receive and I may pay Some debts of duty as thy Grandsires Page 21. That mighty Chief I serv'd in youth's first strength Who our short Scepter meant to stretch so far Till Eastern Kings might grieve theirs wanted length Whose Maps scarce teach where all their Subjects are 22. Full many stormy winters we have seen When kindled Valour 's heat was all our fire Else we in stupid Frosts had fetter'd been By which soft sinews are congeal'd to wire 23. And many scorching Summers we have felt Where Death relieves all whom the sword invades And kindly thence where we should toyling melt Leads us to rest beneath eternal shades 24. For
gain And thus the Peoples Oratour reclaim 57. Most usefull Fathers some trace secret things Even to his Closet who is hid in Heav'n Vainly as Nilus to his hidden springs And not enjoy but censure what is giv'n 58. You with such temper their intemp'rance bear To shew your solid science does rely So on it self as you no trial fear For Arts are weak that are of Scepticks shie 59. Though in your Office humane safety lies Which opes that Hell the vicious vulgar fear Yet never can the People Priesthood prise As if from Heav'n your daily errands were 60. Not that your message Truth they disesteem Or think it comes from any other way But that they Taxes hate and Truth does seem Brought as a Tax when they the Bringers pay 61. Thus we to Beasts fall from our noble kind Making our Pastur'd Bodies all our care Allowing no subsistence to the Mind For Truth we grudge her as a costly fare 62. But if they fear since daily you renew Disputes your Oracles are doubtfull still As those of old yet more reward is due To pains where so uneasie is the skill 63. Or if no skill they think it but suppose 'T is Faith Faith ne'r thinks Heav'n's height too high Yet Faith 's so sev'ral be that few are those Can chuse right wings when they to Heav'n would flie 64. Or if they think Faith humane help transcends And to your Science is so strict a bound As Death to Valour is where daring ends And none are farthest in that Progress found 65. Yet in our walk to our last home design'd 'T is safe by all the study'd Guides to go Lest we in death too late the knowledge find Of what in life 't was possible to know 66. Your Pomp by which your Pow'r in count'nance dures Though costly costs much less than Camps or Laws And more than both Religion us secures Since Hell your Prison more than dying aws 67. For though the plain Judge Conscience makes no show But silently to her dark Session comes Not as red Law does to arraignment go Or War to Execution with loud Drums 68. Though she on Hills sets not her Gibbets high Where frightfull Law sets hers nor bloody seems Like War in Colours spred yet secretly She does her work and many a Man condemns 69. Chokes in the seed what Law till ripe ne'r sees What Law would punish Conscience can prevent And so the world from many Mischiefs â—â—ees Known by her Cures as Law by punishment 70. The weaker sighted ever look too nigh But their disputes have made your Charter good As doubted Tenures which long pleadings trie Authentick grow by being much withstood 71. These Chiefs for whom we holy Rites desire By well fought Fields begot this Cities peace Oft with their blood have quench'd intestine fire And oft our famines chang'd to glad excess 72. Their Rites let not the people be deâ—iy'd Though by untutor'd kindness rudely fought Nor think they have in private Combaâ— dy'd Where Gondibert and mighty Oswald fought 73. Both Princes of the Lombards royal blood For whom full Thrice Three Hundred number'd are Whose anger strove to make their anger good Number gives strife th'authentick name of War 74. This said Wars cause these Priests no more debate They knew War's Justice none could ere decide At that more specious name they open strait And sacred Rites of Fun'ral they provide 75. How vain is Custom and how guilty Pow'r Slaughter is lawfull made by the excess Earth's partial Laws just Heav'n must needs abhor Which greater crimes allow and damn the less CANTO the Second The ARGUMENT Fame's progress through Verona when she brings Ill news enlarg'd as her extended wings The Combat's cause shakes ARIBERT'S great mind And the effects more conquers RHODALIND Meek ORNA'S fears proud GARTHA'S bold disdain And LAURA kindly dying for the Slain 1. To Streets the Peoples Region early Fame First brought this grief which all more tragick make And next to the triumphant Court she came Where prosp'rous Pow'r sleeps long though Sutors wake 2. But yet the early King from Childhood bred To dangers toyls and courser wants of war Rose up to rule and left soft Love in bed Could conquer Lands and Love but stoopt to Care 3. Care that in Cloysters onely seals her Eies Which Youth thinks folly Age as wisdom owns Fools by not knowing her out live the wise She Visits Cities but she dwells in Thrones 4. Care which King Aribert with Conquest gain'd And is more sure to him than Realms intail'd Wak'd him to know why Rumor thus complain'd Or who in battail bled or who prevail'd 5. Young Hurgonil who does his wounds conceal Yet knew it did his dutious care import That some just witness should his cause reveal Sent Tybalt to appease and tast the Court. 6. To that proud Palace which once low did lie In Parian Quarries now on Columes stands Ionique Props that bear their Arches high Which conquer'd treasure rais'd with Tuscan Hands 7. So vast of heighth to which such space did fit As if it were o're-cyz'd for Modern Men The ancient Giants might inhabit it And there walk free as winds that pass unseen 8. The Monarch's wealth this shew'd in all the parts But the attendant Guards denote him wise Who on the weather of his Peoples hearts For a short Course not voyages relies 9. Through many Guards all watchful calm and bold Tybalt did pass the first magnifick Square And through ascents does enter to behold Where the States Head and Eies assembled are 10. There saâ— the King on whose consid'rate Brow Sixtie experienc'd Summers he discern'd Which made him ripe and all of Conduct know That from success is own'd from losses learn'd 11. Near him the Empire 's strict Surveyors sate whose universal fight no object lose Who see not crimes too soon nor worth too late Find dangers seed and choke it ere it grows 12. He wealth nor birth preferr'd to Councels place For Counsel is for use not ornament Souls are alike of rich and ancient Race Though Bodies claim distinctions by descent 13. Here boyling Youth nor frozen Age can sit It would in Subjects scorn of ruling Breed If that great work should such small ayds admit And make them hope that they no rulers need 14. Nature too oft by birth-right does prefer Less perfect Monarchs to a busie Throne Yet more than her Courts by weak Counc'lers err In adding Cyphers where she made but one 15. To this wise King sage Tybalt did relate The Combats cause with truth's severe extent Reveals that fire which kindl'd Oswald's hate For which such precious valour was misspent 16. Gives Gondibert a just record of praise First how unwilling then how bold in fight And crowns the Conquer'd with the Victor's Baies When Manhood bids him do their valour right 17. At last recounts the wounded and the slain And how Prince Hubert and the Duke retir'd From nothing brave or great he did refrain But
each distrusts his art For Hope and Doubt came and return'd apace In chang'd Complexion from th' uncertain heart Like frighted Scowts for Tidings to the Face 57. His Eie seem'd most imploy'd on Rhodalind Whose love above her bashful caution sways For naming Gondibert he soon did find Her secret Soul shew'd pleasure at his praise 58. Yet when she found her comforts did not last And that as Oracles the future taught He hid Truth 's Face and darkned what was past Thus Truth through all her mourning Vails she sought 59. Why in these Ladies do you lengthen pain By giving them Grief 's common med'cin Doubt Ease those with death whose Lovers now are slain Life's fire a Feaver is when Love's is out 60. Yet think not that my cares peculiar are Perhaps I from religious pitie learn'd In Virtue 's publick loss to take some share For there all but the vicious are concern'd 61. Your Prudence Royal Maid he straight replies More than your birth may claim the Lombards Crown Who'ere in conquest of your favour dies For life's lost Inch shall find a long renown 62. Then happy Oswald who is sure to gain Even by Ambition that undoes the wise Great was th' attempt for which he 's nobly slain And gets him praise though he has mist the Prize 63. But happier Gondibert who does survive To beg your Mercy that he thus hath dar'd To own that cause for which the world might strive And conq'ring takes his wounds for his reward 64. Be Hurgonil long distant from his Grave Whose life was so important in this cause Who for each wound he took a wider gave And liveâ—t ' enjoy the pleasure of applause 65. To say how Hugo and Lord Arnold strove For victory and mention their event Were to provide such fun'ral rites for Love As Death would be closs Mourner and repent 66. Now Laura's blood back to her livâ—â— fled True Beautie 's Mint For by her Heart Lâ—ve's Throne Beautie 's call'd in like Coyn when Kings are dead As if not currant now her Lover's gone 67. And like her beauty she had darkned life But that with sprinkled water they restore By sudden cold with sudden heat aâ—strife Her spirits to those walks they us'd before 68. She Arnold calls then lost that â—â—â—e again Which Rhodalind and Orna's tears â—eâ—one Who busily would her spent strength sustain Though Hope has scarcely yet brought back their own 69. Now they her Temples chaf'd and straight prepare Hot Eastern Fumes to reach her Brains cool'd sence With Wine 's â—â—erce spirits these extracted are Which warm but slowly though of swift expence 70. Yet now again she breath'd Lord Arnold's name Which her apt Tongue through custom best exprest Then to stay Life that so unwilling came With Cordial Epithems they bath'd her breast 71. Th' attendant Maids by Tyhalt's ready aid To stop her Mourners tears convey her now Where she may ease in her own Curtain 's shade Her weary heart and grief more Tongue allow 72. No sooner was this pity'd Laura gone But Oswald's sister Gartha the renown'd Enters as if the world were overthrown Or in the tears of the afflicted drown'd 73. Unconquer'd as her beauty was her mind Which wanted not a spark of Oswald's fire Ambition lov'd but ne'r to Love was kind Vex'd Thrones did more than quiet shades desire 74. Her Garments now in loose neglect she wore As sured to her wild dis-shevell'd hair Men in her shape might Nature's work adore Yet ask why Art 's nice dress was absent there 75. But soon they found what made this change appear For meeting Truth which slowly follows Fame Rage would not give her leasure for a Tear To quench ere he thus spake her passions flame 76. Blasted be all your beauties Rhodalind Till you a shame and terrour be to light Unwing'd be Love and slow as he is blind Who with your Looks poyson'd my Brothers sight 77. Low and neglected be your Father's Throne Which like your beauty Oswald did ore-rate Let luckless war take Lands from his light Crown Till those high cares he want that give it weight 78. Let Pow'rs consumption be his long disease Heav'ns vexing curb which makes wild Monarchs â—am And be he forc'd in froward age to please His Favour 's Monster who devours his Fame 79. May you soon feel though secret in your love As if your love were Sin the publick scorn May Gondibert who is your glory move Your pitie when none else but you shall mourn 80. To the dark Inn where weary Valour free From thankless dangers rests brave Oswald's gone But Hubert may though vanquish'd live to see Your Victor with his victory undone 81. This said she mounts with a tempestuous Brow The Chariot her Calabrian Coursers drew Lifted by Slaves who still about her bow As if with wings of swift Revenge she flew 82. To Brescia's Camp her course she had design'd And bids her Tuscan Chaâ—â—ioter drive on As if his Steeds were dieted with wind Slow seems their speed whose thoughts before them 〈◊〉 83. The pav'd Streets kindle with her Chariot wheels The Omen of wars fire the Citie spies Which with those sparks struck by her Coursers heels Shine not so much as rage does in her Eyes 84. Those that observ'd her anger grief and haste With ancient Roman melancholy mourn She seem'd their Cities Genius as she pass'd Who by their Sins expell'd would ne'r return 85. The gentle Ladies she has left in tears Who no example need nor cause to melt For soon even grief's Alarms our foremost tears Kill those whose pain by Love's quick sence is felt 86. And Rhodalind her fatal love does blame Because she finds it now by Gartha spy'd And does lament Love's fire which bashfull shame Cannotreveal nor her discretion hide 87. She would not have it waste nor publick grow But last conceal'd like that in Tullia's Urn Or that which prosp'rous Chymists nicely show Which as it thrives must more in private burn 88. Yet straight grown valiant with her Victors fate She would have Hymen hold his Torches high And Love's fire priz'd as Vestals theirs did rate Which none durst quench though free to ev'ry eye 89. Resolves her love whilst this new valour lasts Shall undisguis'd her Father's sight endure And Orna now to her dear Lover hastes Whose outward wounds stay for her inward cure 90. But here a wonder may arrest our thought Why Tybalt of his usual pity void To such sost Ears these direfull sorrows brought Since to the King he onely was employ'd 91. But these are Ridles of mysterious Love Tybalt in private long for Laura pin'd And try'd how Arnold would her passion move In death who living ever fill'd her mind 92. And by this trial how she Arnold us'd He gravely meant to urge or stay his heart But much by Love the Cautions are abus'd Who his wild Ridles would reduce to Art CANTO the Third The ARGUMENT Dead OSWALD to his Camp by HUBERT brought The Camp
from pitie are to furie wrought Yet find when GARTHA's looks does them surprise Their forward Hands diverted by their Eyes Till with her voice new urg'd they deeds pursue Which ever Revenge would had it Eyes eschew 1. WHen from the fatal Forrest Hubert rode To Brescia he and Borgie bent their way That their though dead yet much important Load They might with horrour to the Camp convay 2. Revenge impatient Hubert proudly sought Revenge which even when just the wise deride For on past wrongs we spend our time and thought Which scarce against the future can provide 3. But Fame before him came where those are bâ—ed Who to her dismal Tales faint eredit give Who could not think their mighty Oswald dead VVhilst they unconquer'd and unwounded live 4. Nor could Fame hope to make this Camp her Seat Her Tales the talking idle fearfull hear But these are silent as in stoâ—n retreat Busie as life and like the Dead past fear 5. Near Mela's flowry Bank this Army lay VVhich Oswald's Syre and Oswald oft had led Against the Vandals King and twice the Day They gain'd whilst he from them and Empire fled 6. From Youth expos'd like 〈◊〉 in the Field And not taught war â—â—th as Citie Infants are But colds and â—asts to kill or to be kill'd Like th' Elements their birth began with war 7. So rev'rend now and strong in age appear As if maintain'd by more than humane breath So grave as if the Councellours they were Not Executioners of Tyrant Death 8. VVith silence order's help and mark of caâ—â— They chid that noise which â—eedless youth effect Still course for use for health they cleanty were And save in well fix'd Arms all niceness check'd 9. They thought those that unarm'd expos'd fâ—all life But naked Nature valiantly betrai'd VVho was though naked safe till pride made strife But made defence must use now dangers made 10. And those who toyl of Armour cannot bide Lose Nature's force which these in custom find And make since strength 's but Nature houâ—ly try'd The Body weak by softness of the Mind 11. They seem'd so calm and with their age so grave So just and civil in their killing trade As if all life were crime but what they save Or Murder were by method lawfull made 12. Yet now that Manhood which those Victors makes So weak is Man where most he may be proud Pitie the tender'st of affections shakes And they become from order loose and loud 13. For when they saw the Brother of their Chief Led to their Camp by a defeated Train They soon too late scorn'd Rumour gave belief And then by Hubert's wounds thought Oswald slain 14. But when disguis'd in death they Oswald saw In a slow Chariot brought with fun'ral pace Themselves in an united Croud they draw And give all grief one universal Face 15. Wonder which grows unactive by excess A while did their unruly passion stay The object lasting made their wonder less Which fled to give their grief and anger way 16. Yet first their grief which Manhood should restrain They vent in womens sighs with tears allay'd As if those women taught them to complain Who by their Swords are weeping widows made 17. As Icie Rocks which frosts together bind Stand silent till as silently they melt But when they meet in Currents unconfin'd Swell and grow loud as if they freedom felt 18. So these unmov'd before melt quietly In their first grief till grief when tears meet tears And sighs meet sighs from ev'ry Breast and Eye Unruly grows and danger's visage bears 19. When hastily they heard by whose dire hand Their Gen'ral fell they think it cold to pause Till anger may be guided by command And vain to ask of cureless Death the cause 20. Some would to Bergamo their Ensignes bear Against those Youth which Gondibert had led Whom they in sacrifice would offer there T' appease the living and revenge the dead 21. And some to shew their rage more eminent VVould to Verona march and there do deeds Should make the shining Court in blacks lament And weep whilst the Victorious Faction bleeds 22. Hubert who saw Revenge advance so fast VVhilst Prudence â—lower pac'd was left behind VVould keep their anger bent yet slack their haste Because the rash fall oftner then the blind 23. He first their melting Pity kindly prais'd VVhich water'd Anger 's forge and urg'd their fire That like to Meteors lasts by being rais'd But when it first does sink does strait expire 24 Commends their anger yet that flame he prays May keep the temp'rate Chymicks equal heat That they in surie might not need allays Nor charge so rashly as to want retreat 25. Begs they this dismal night would there remain And make the hopeful Morn their Guid whilst Grief Which high Revenge as tameness should disdain Sleep shall conceal and give his wounds relief 26 He Vasco Paradine and Dargonet VVith Oswald to the red Pavilion sent Death's equal Pris'ners now for Nature's debt And then retires with Borgio to his sent 27 This is the night the Brescians so bemoan'd Who left their beds and on then walls appear'd As if th' oppressed World in Earth-quakes groan'd Or that some ruin'd Nation 's fighâ— they heard 28. Admir'd what in that Damp such griefs could raise Where serious Death so oft had been abus'd When even their sportive Fencers Monthly Plays Profan'd that shape which States for terror us'd 29 Yet this loud mourning will no wonder breed When we with life lay Oswald's errors by And use him as the Living use the Dead Who first allow men virtue when they die 30. Still lib'ral of his life of wealth as free By which he chief in fighting Crowds became Who must their Leaders Vaâ—ors often see And follow them for bounty more than fame 31. This gen'ral mourning was to loudness rais'd By shewing Gifts he gave and wounds he took They chid at last his life which they had prais'd Because such virtue it so soon forsook 32. Now Night by Grief neglected hastes away And they the Morn's officious Usher spie The closs Attendant on the Lord of Day Who shows the warmer of the World is nigh 33 And now the Drums the Camps low Thunder make War's thick united noise from ev'ry Guard Though they Reveillees scorn whom grief does wake And sleep think Nature's curse not toyls reward 44. All night proud Borgio chief in Hubert's trust With haughtie hopes the Camp does waking keep Ambition is more vigilant than Lust And in hope 's feaver is too hot to sleep 45. Now Day and Hubert haste to publick view His wounds unluckie more than dangerous Are so refresh'd that he the Army drew To a wide gross and urg'd their Anger thus 46. Friends to my Father In whose wounds I see They envy'd Merit whence his triumphs came And Fathers to my Brother and to me For onely you adopted us to Fame 47. Forgive me that I there have â—eebly â—ought Where Oswald in
believe the strong are still unjust Never to armed Sutors yield remorse And where they see the pow'r the right distrust 45. Assault their pitie as the weakest part Which the first Plaintiff never fails to move They search but in the face to find the heart And grief in Princes more than triumph love 46. And to prepare their pitie Gartha now Should in her sorrows height with me return For since their Eyes at all distresses flow How will they at afflicted beauty mourn 47. Much such a pledge of Peace will with the King Urg'd by my int'rest here my pow'r improve And much my power will to your int'rest bring If from the watchfull Court you hide my Love 48. If Gartha deigns to love our love must grow Unseen like Mandrakes weeded under ground That I still seeming unconcern'd may know The Kings new depths which length of trust may sound 49. Thus Hermegild his study'd thoughts declar'd Whilst Hubert who believ'd discover'd love A solid Pledge for hidden faith prepar'd To stay the Camp so furious to remove 50. And now their rage by correspondence spred Borgio allays that else like sparks of fire Which drops at first might drown by matter fed At last to quench the flame may seas require 51. As with the Sun they rose in wrath their wrath So with his heat increas'd but now he hastes Down Heav'ns steep Hill to his Atlantick Bath Where he refreshes till his Feaver wastes 52. With his by Borgin's help their heat declin'd So soon lov'd Eloquence does Throngs fubdue The common Mistress to each private Mind Painted and dress'd to all to no Man true 53. To Court his Gartha Hermegild attends And with old Lovers vain poetick Eyes Marks how her beauty when the Sun descends His pity'd Evening poverty supplies 54. The Army now to Neighb'ring Brescia bear With dismal pomp the slain In hallow'd ground They Paradine and Dargonet interr And Vasco much in painfull war renown'd 55. To Oswald whose illustrious Roman mind Shin'd out in life though now in dying hid Hubert these Roman fun'ral rites assign'd Which yet the world's last law had not forbid 56. Thrice is his Body clean by bathing made And when with Victor's Oyl anointed ore 'T is in the Palace Gate devoutly laid Clad in that Vest which he in Battel wore 57. Whilst seven succeeding Suns pass sadly by The Palace seems all hid in Cypress Boughs From ancient Lore of Man's mortalitie The Type for where 't is lopp'd it never grows 58. The publick fun'ral voice till these expire Cries out Here greatness tir'd with honour rests Come see what Bodies are when Souls retire And visit death ere you become his Guests 59. Now on a purple Bed the Corps they raise Whilst Trumpets summon all the common Quire In tune to mourn him and disperse his praise And then move slowly tow'rds the Fun'ral fire 60. They bear before him Spoils they gain'd in war And his great Ancestours in Sculpture wrought And now arrive where Hubert does declare How oft and well he for the Lombards fought 61. Here in an Altar's form a Pile is made Of Unctious Fir and Sleepers fatal Yew On which the Body is by Mourners laid Who there sweet Gums their last kind Tribute threw 62. Hubert his Arm Westward aversly stretch'd Whilst to the hopefull East his Eyes were turn'd And with a hallow'd Torch the Pyle he reach'd VVhich seen they all with utmost clamour mourn'd 63. VVhilst the full Flame aspires Oswald they crie Farewell we follow swiftly as the Hours For with Time's wings tow'rds Death even Cripples flie This said the hungrie Flame its food devours 64. Now Priests with VVine the Ashes quench and hide The Rev'renc'd Reliques in a Marble Urn. The old dismissive Ilicet is cry'd By the Town voice and all to Feasts return 65. Thus Urns may Bodies shew but the fled Mind The Learn'd seek vainly for whose Quest we pay VVith such success as cosen'd Shepherds find VVho seek to VVizards when their Cattel stray CANTO the Fifth The ARGUMENT The house of ASTRAGON where in distress Of Nature GONDIBERT for Art's redress Was by old ULFIN brought where Arts hard strife In studying Nature for the ayd of Life Is by full wealth and conduct easie made And Truth much visited though in her shade 1. FRom Brescia swiftly ore the bord'ring Plain Return we to the House of Astragon Where Gondibert and his succesfull Train Kindly lament the Victorie they won 2. But though I Fame's great Book shall open now Expect a while till she that Decad reads Which does this Dukes eternal Story show And aged Ulfin cites for special deeds 3. Where Friendship is renown'd in Ulfinore Where th' ancient musick of delightfull verse Does it no less in Goltho's Breast adore And th' union of their equal hearts rehearse 4. These wearie Victors the descending Sun Led hither where swift Night did them surprise And where for vatiant toils wise Astragon With sweet rewards of sleep did fill their Eyes 5. When to the needâ—e World Day did appear And freely op'd her Treasurie of light His house where Art and Nature Tenants were The pleasure grew and bus'ness of their sight 6. Where Ulfin who an old Domestick seems And rules as Master in the Owners Breast Leads Goltho to admire what he esteems And thus what he had long observ'd exprest 7. Here Art by such a diligence is serv'd As does th' unwearied Planets imitate Whose motion life of Nature has preserv'd The world which God vouchsaf'd but to create 8. Those heights which else Dwarf-life could never reach Here by the wings of Diligence they climb Truth skar'd with Terms froÌ„ Canting Schools they teach And buy it with their best sav'd Treasure Time 9. Here all Men seem Recov'rers of time past As busie as intentive Emmets are As alarm'd Armies that intrench in haste Or Cities whom unlook'd-for Sieges skare 10. Much it delights the wise observers Eye That all these toils direct to sev'ral skils Some from the Mine to the hot Fornace hie And some from flowrie Fields to weeping Stils. 11. The first to hopefull Chymicks matter bring Where Med'cine they extract for instant cure These bear the sweeter burthens of the Spring Whose virtues longer known though slow are sure 12. See there wet Divers from Fossone sent Who of the Seas deep Dwellers knowledge give Which more unquiet than their Element By hungrie war upon each other live 13. Pearl to their Lord and Cordial Coral these Present which must in sharpest liquids melt He with Nigella cures that dull disease They get who long with stupid Fish have dwelt 14. Others through Quarries dig deeply below Where Desart Rivers cold and private run Where Bodies conservation best they know And Mines long growth and how their veins begun 15. He shews them now Tow'rs of prodigious height Where Nature's Friends Philosophers remain To censure Meteors in their cause and flight And watch the Wind 's authoritie on Rain 16. Others with
whilst yet their Tyrant is unmade 61. And Man the Painter now presents to view Haughtie without and busie still within Whom when his Furr'd and Horned Subjects knew Their sport is ended and there fears begin 62. But here to cure this Tyrant's sullenness The Painter has a new false Curtain drawn Where Beauty 's hid Creation to express From thence harmless as light he makes it dawn 63. From thence breaks lovely forth the Worlds first Maid Her Breast Love's Cradle where Love quiet lies Nought yet had seen so soul to grow afraid Nor gay to make it crie with longing Eyes 64. And thence from stupid sleep her Monarch steals She wonders till so vain his wonder grows That it his feeble sov'reigntie reveals Her Beautie then his Manhood does depose 65. Deep into shades the Painter leads them now To hide their future deeds then storms does raise Ore Heav'n's smooth face because their life does grow Too black a storie for the House of Praise 66. A noble painted Vision next appears Where all Heav'ns Frowns in distant prospect waste And nought remains but a short showre of Tears Shed by its pitie for Revenges past 67. The Worlds one Ship from th old to a new World bound Fraighted with Life chief of uncertain Trades After Five Moons at driâ—t lies now aground Where her frail Stowage she in haste unlades 68. On Persian Caucasus the Eight descend And seem their trivial essence to deplore Griev'd to begin this World in th' others end And to behold wrack'd Nations on the Shore 69. Each humbled thus his Beasts led from aboard As fellow-Passengers and Heirs to breath Joynt Tenants to the VVorld he not their Lord Such likeness have we in the Glass of Death 70. Yet this humilitie begets their joy And taught that Heav'n which fully sin survays VVas partial where it did not quite destroy So made the whole VVorld's Dirge their song of praise 71. This first redemption to another led Kinder in deeds and nobler in effects That but a few did respit from the Dead This all the Dead from second Death protects 72. And know lost Nature this resemblance was Thy frank Redeemer in ascension shown VVhen Hell he conquer'd in thy desp'rate cause Hell which before Man's common Grave was grown 73. By an Imperial Pencil this was wrought Ronnded in all the Curious would behold VVhere life Came out and Met the Painters thought The Force was tender though the strokes were bold 74. The holy Mourners who this Lord of Life Ascending saw did seem with him to rise So well the Painter drew their Passions strife To follow him with Bodies as with Eyes 75. This was the chief which in this Temple did By Pencils Rhethorick to praise perswade Yet to the living here compar'd seems hid VVho shine all painted Glory into shade 76. Lord Astragon a Purple Mantle wore Where Nature's storie was in Colours wrought And though her ancient Text seem'd dark before 'T is in this pleasant Comment clearly taught 77. Such various Flowrie Wreaths th' Assembly wear As shew'd them wisely proud of Natures pride Which so adorn'd them that the courâ—est here Did seem a prosp'rous Bride-groom or a Bride 78. All shew'd as fresh and â—all and innocent As Virgins to their Lovers first survay Joy'd as the Spring when March his sighs has spent And April's sweet rash Tears are dry'd by May. 79. And this confed'rate joy so swell'd each Breast That joy would turn to pain without a vent Therefore their voices Heav'n's renown exprest Though Tongues ne'r reach what minds so nobly ment 80. Yet Musick here shew'd all her Art 's high worth Whilst Virgin-Trebbles â—eem'd with bashfull grace To call the bolder marry'd Tenor forth Whose Manly voice challeng'd the Giant Base 81. To these the swift soft Instruments reply Whisp'ring for help to those whom winds inspire Whose louder Notes to Neighb'ring Forrests flie And summon Nature's Voluntarie Quire 82. These Astragon by secret skill had taught To help as if in artfull Consort bred Who sung as if by chance on him they thought Whose care their careless merry Fathers Fed. 83. Hither with borrow'd strength Duke Gondibert Was brought which now his rip'ning wounds allow And high Heav'ns praise in musick of the heart He inward sings to pay a Victor's vow 84. Praise is devotion fit for mightie Minds The diff'ring World's agreeing Sacrifice VVhere Heav'n divided Faiths united finds But Pray'r in various discord upward flies 85. For Pray'r the Ocean is where diversly Men steer their Course each to a sev'ral Coast VVhere all our int'rests so discordant be That half beg winds by which the rest are lost 86. By Penitence when we our selves forsake 'T is but in wise design on pitious Heav'n In Praise we nobly give what God may take And are without a Beggers blush forgiv'n 87. It s utmost force like Powder 's is unknown And though weak Kings excess of Praise may fear Yet when 't is here like Powder dang'rous grown Heav'ns Vault receives what would the Palace tear CANTO the Seventh The ARGUMENT The Duke 's wish'd health in doubtfull wounds assur'd Who gets new wounds before the old are cur'd Nature in BIRTHA Art's weak help derides Which strives to mend what it at best but hides Shews Nature's courser works so hid more course As Sin conceal'd and unconâ—esâ—'d grows worse 1. LEt none our Lombard Authour rudely blame Who from the Story has thus long digrest But for his righteous pains may his fair Fame For ever travel whilst his ashes rest 2. Ill could he leave Art's Shop of Nature's Store Where she the hidden Soul would make more known Though common Faith seeks Souls which is no more Than long Opinion to Religion grown 3. A while then let this sage Historian stay With Astragon till he new wounds reveals And such though now the old are worn away As Balm nor juice of Pyrâ—l never heals 4. To Astragon Heav'n for succession gave One onely Pledge and Birtha was her name Whose Mother slept where Flowers grew on her Grave And she succeeded her in Face and Fame 5. Her beauty Princes durst not hope to use Unless like Poets for their Morning Theam And her Minds beauty they would rather chuse Which did the light in Beautie 's Lanthorn seem 6. She ne'r saw Courts yet Courts could have undone With untaught looks and an unpractis'd heart Her Nets the most prepar'd could never shun For Nature spred them in the scorn of Art 7. She never had in busie Cities bin Ne'r warm'd with hopes nor ere allay'd with fears Not seeing punishment could guess no Sin And Sin not seeing ne'r had use of tears 8. But here her Father's precepts gave her skill Which with incessant bus'ness fill'd the Hours In spring she gather'd Blossoms for the Still In Autumn Berries and in Summer Flow'rs 9. And as kind Nature with calm diligence Her own free virtue silently employs Whilst she unheard does rip'ning growth dispence So were her virtues
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
Since love woo'd him and in the shape of Pow'r 78. But when he mark'd that he did from them move With sudden shyness he suppos'd it shame Of being seen in chase of Birtha's love As if above it grown since Orgo came 79. Goltho by nature was of Musick made Chearfull as Victors warm in their success He seem'd like Birds created to be glad And nought but love could make him taste distress 80. Hope which our cautious Age scarce entertains Or as a Flatt'rer gives her cold respect He runs to meet invites her and complains Of one hours absence as a years neglect 81. Hope the world 's welcome and his standing Guest Fed by the Rich but feasted by the Poor Hope that did come in triumph to his breast He thus presents in boast to Ulfinore 82. Well may I Friend auspicious Love adore Seeing my mighty Rival takes no pride To be with Birtha seen and he before Thou knowst enjoyn'd that I his love should hide 83. Nor do I break his trust when 't is reveal'd To thee since we are now so much the same That when from thee it is from me conceal'd For we admit no diff'rence but in name 84. But be it still from ev'ry other Ear Preserv'd and strictly by our mutual vow His Laws are still to my obedience dear Who was my Gen'ral though my Rival now 85. And well thou knowst how much mine Eyes did melt When our great Leader they did first perceive Love's Captive led whose sorrows then I felt Though now for greater of mine own I grieve 86. Nor do I now by love in duty erre For if I get what he would fain possess Then he a Monarch is and I preferre Him who undoes the world in being less 87. When Heav'n which hath preferr'd me to thy brest Where Friendship is inthron'd shall make it known That I am worth thy love which is exprest By making Heav'nly Birtha all mine own 88. Then at this quiet Eden thou wilt call And stay a while to mark if Love 's prais'd Plant Have after Spring a ripeness and a Fall Or never of the first abundance want 89. And I shall tell thee then if Poets are In using Beauty's Pencil false or blind For they have Birtha drawn but sweet and fair Stiles of her Face the Curtain of her Mind 90. And thou at parting shalt her picture wear For Nature's honour not to shew my pride Try if like her the teeming World does bear Then bring that Copy hither for thy Bride 91. And they shall love as quietly as we Their Beauty's pow'r no civil War will raise But flourish and like neighb'ring Flow'rs agree Unless they kindly quarrel in our praise 92. Then we for change will leave such luscious peace In Camps their Favours shall our Helms adorn For we can no way else our joys increase But by beholding theirs at our return 93. Thus cloath'd in Feathers heâ—on Steeples walks Not guessing yet that silent Ulfinore Had study'd her of whom he loosly talks And what he likes did solidly adore 94. But Ulfinore with cold discretion aw'd His passion and did grave with Love become Though youthfully he sent his Eyes abroad Yet kept with manly care his Tongue at home 95. These Rival's hopes he did with patience hear His count'nance not uneasie seem'd nor strange Yet meant his cares should more like Love appear If in the Duke Ambition bred a change 96. But as the Duke shun'd them for secrecy So now they from approaching Orgâ— move Made by Discretion Love's strict Tutor shy Which is to Lovers painfull as their Love 97. But Orgo they did ill suspect whose Youth And nature yielded Lovers no offence Us'd by his Lord for kindness and for truth Both native in him as his innocence 98. And here pass'd by in haste to Court employ'd That Birtha may no more have cause to mourn Full was his little Breast and over-joy'd That much depended on his quick return 99. Many like Orgo in their Manhoods Morn As Pages did the Noble Duke attend The Sons of Chiess whom beauty did adorn And fairer Virtue did that beauty mend 100. These in his Heroe's Schools he bred which were In Peace his Palace and in War his Tent As if Time's self had read sage Lecture there How he would have his hours Life's Treasure spent 101. No action though to shorten dreaded war Nor needfull Counsels though to lengthen Peace Nor Love of which wise Nature takes such care Could from this usefull work his cares release 102. But with the early Sun he rose and taught These Youths by growing virtue to grow great Shew'd greatness is without it blindly sought A desp'rate charge which ends in base retreat 103. He taught them shame the sudden sence of ill Shame Nature's hasty Conscience which forbids Weak inclination ere it grow to will And stays rash will before it grow to deeds 104. He taught them Honour Virtue 's bashfulness A Fort so yieldless that it fears to treat Like Pow'r it grows to nothing growing less Honour the moral Conscience of the Great 105. He taught them kindness Souls civilitie In which nor Courts nor Cities have a part For theirs is fashion this from falshood free Where Love and pleasure know no Lust nor Art 106. And Love he taught the Soul 's stoln Visit made Though froward Age watch hard and Law forbid Her walks no Spie has trac'd nor mountain staid Her friendship's cause is as the Loadstone's hid 107. He taught them love of Toyl Toyl which does keep Obstructions from the Mind and quench the bloud Ease but belongs to us like sleep and sleep Like Opium is our Med'cine not our Food 108. To dangers us'd them which Death's Visards are More uglie than himself and often chace From Battel coward-Coward-life but when we dare His Vizard see we never fear his face CANTO the Third The ARGUMENT The Poet takes the Wise aside to prove Ev'n them concern'd in all he writes of Love The duteous ORGO from the Court returns With joys at which again fair BIRTHA mourns The Duke with open Arms does entertain Those Guests whom he receives with secret pain 1. THou whom some Ages hence these Roles dost read Kept as Records by Lovers of Love's pow'r Thou who dost live when I have long been dead And feed'st from Earth when Earth does me devour 2. Who liv'st perhaps amidst some Cities joys Where they would fall asleep with Lazie peace But that their triumphs make so great a noise And their loud Bells cannot for Nuptials cease 3. Thou who perhaps proudly thy bloomie Bride Lead'st to some Temple where I withered lie Proudly as if she Age's Frosts desy'd And that thy springing self could never die 4. Thou to whom then the chearfull Quire will sing Whilst hallow'd Lamps and Tapers brave the Sun As a Lay-Light and Bells in triumph ring As when from sallies the Besiegers run 5. Then when the Priest has ended if thine Eyes Can but a little space her Eyes
Fame Because even Fame some life is to the Dead 76. Cities wise States-men's Folds for civil Sheep They sack'd as painfull Sheerers of the wise For they like carefull Wolves would lose their sleep When others prosp'rous toyls might be their prise 77. Hugo amongst theâ—â— Troops spy'd many more Who had as brave Destroyers got renown And many forward wounds in boast they wore Which if not well reveng'd had ne'r been shown 78. Such the bold Leaders of these Launceers were Which of the Brescian Vet'rans did consist Whose practis'd age might charge of Armies bear And claim some ranck in Fame's eternal List. 79. Back to his Duke the dextr'rous Hugo flies What he observ'd he chearfully declares With noble Pride did what he lik'd despise For wounds he threatned whilst he prais'd their skars 80. Lord Arnold cry'd vain is the Bugle Horn Where Trumpets Men to Manly work invite That distant summons seems to say in scorn We Hunters may be hunted hard ere night 81. Those Beasts are hunted hard that hard can flie Reply'd aloud the noble Hurgonil But we not us'd to flight know best to die And those who know to die know how to kill 82. Victors through number never gain'd applause If they exceed our count in Arms and Men It is not just to think that ods because One Lover equals any other Ten. CANTO the Third The ARGUMENT The Ambush is become an inter-view And the Surpriser proves to honour true For what had first ere words his furie spent Been murder now is but brave killing meant A Duel form'd where Princes Seconds are And urg'd by Honour each to kill his share 1. THe Duke observ'd whilst safe in his firm Square Whether their form did change whom Oswald led That thence he shifts of figure might prepare Divide or make more depth or loosly spred 2. Though in their posture close the Prince might guess The Duke 's to his not much in number yield And they were leading Youth who would possess This Ground in Graves rather than quit the Field 3. Thus timely certain of a standing Foe His form'd Divisions yet reveal'd no space Through haste to charge but as they nearer grow The more divide and move with slower pace 4. On these the Duke attends with watchfull eye Shap'd all his Forces to their Triple strength And that their Launces might pass harmless by Widens his Ranks and gives his Files more length 5. At distance Oswald does him sharply view Whom but in Fame he met till this sad hour But his fair fame Virtues known Image knew For Virtue spreads the Owner more than Pow'r 6. In Fields far sever'd both had reap'd renown And now his envie does to surfet feed On what he wish'd his Eyes had never known For he begins to check his purpos'd deed 7. And though Ambition did his rage renew Yet much he griev'd mov'd with the Youthfull Train That Plants which so much promis'd as they grew Should in the Bud be ere performance slain 8. With these remorsefull thoughts he a fair space Advanc'd alone then did his Troops command To halt the Duke th' example did embrace And gives like order by his lifted hand 9. Then when in easie reach of eithers voice Thus Oswald spake I wish brave Gondibert Those wrongs which make thee now my angers choice Like my last fate were hidden from my heart 10. But since great Glory does allow small rest And bids us jealously to honour wake Why at alarms given hot even at my brest Should I not arm but thinks my Scouts mistake 11. 'T is loud in Camps in Cities and in Court Where the important part of Mankind meets That my adoption is thy Faction's sport Scorn'd by hoarse Rhymers in Verona Streets 12. Who is renown'd enough but you or I And think not when you visit Fame she less Will welcome you for mine known Company To hope for Empire at our Kings decease 13. The Crown he with his Daughter has design'd His favour which to me does frozen prove Grows warm to you as th' Eyes of Rhodalind And she gives sacred Empire with her love 14. Whilst you usurp thus and my claim deride If you admire the veng'ance I intend I more shall wonder where you got the pride To think me one you safely may offend 15. Nor judge is strange I have this Ambush laid Since you my Rival wrong'd me by surprise Whose darker vigilance my love betraid And so your ill example made me wise 16. But in the School of glory we are taught That greatness and success should measure deeds Then not my great revenge nor your great fault Can be accus'd when eithers act succeeds 17. Opinions stamp does virtue currant make But such small Money though the Peoples Gold With which they trade great Dealers scorn to take And we are greater than one world can hold 18. Now Oswald paws'd as if he curious were Ere this his Foe the Peoples Fav'rite dy'd To know him as with Eyes so with his Ear And to his speech thus Gondibert reply'd 19. Successfull Prince since I was never taught To court a Threating Foe I will not pay For all the Trophies you from war have brought A single wreath though all these woods were Bâ—y 20. Nor would I by a total silence yield My honour ta'ne though I were pris'ner made Lest you should think we may be justly kill'd And sacred justice by mistake invade 21. You might perceive had not a distant war Hindred our Breasts the use of being known My small ambition hardly worth your care Unless by it you would correct your own 22. The King 's objected love is but your dream As false as that I strive for Rhodalind As Valour 's hire these sickly visions seem Which in Ambitions Feaver vex your mind 23. Nor wonder if I vouch that 't is not brave To seek war's hire though war we still pursue Nor censure this a proud excuse to save These who no safety know but to subdue 24. Your misbelief my hireless valour scorns But your hir'd valour were your faith reclaim'd For faith reclaim'd to highest virtue turns Will be of bravest salary asham'd 25. Onely with fame Valour of old was hir'd And love was so suffic'd with its own taste That those intemp'rate seem'd who more desir'd For loves reward than that it self should last 26. If love or lust of Empire breed your pain Take what my prudent hope hath still declin'd And my weak virtue never could sustain The Crown which is the worst of Rhodalind 27. 'T is she who taught you to increase renown By sowing Honours Field with noble deeds Which yields no harvest when 't is over-grown With wild Ambition the most rank of weeds 28. Go reconcile the winds faln out at Sea With these â—ame precepts Oswald did reply But since thou dost bequeath thy hopes to me Know Legacies are vain till Givers die 29. And here his rage ascended to his Eyes From his close breast which hid till then the flame