profess Compassion Mercy Love Sure such Distress should those kind Passions move Sheath in my Breast the Sword and take my Breath But Oh preserve this wondrous Youth from Death My self will to my Veins the Sword apply And to prolong his Life will gladly dy Hear pious Prince his aged Father hear Who thus entreats or would if he were here Oh spare the spring of all my Hopes and Fears The only Prop of my declining Years Your fatal Sword deep in my Bowels sheath And for the Son 's accepts the Father's Death If great Possessions or if Gold would buy His far more precious Life he shall not dy His Father will a mighty Ransome give And mine as much say but the Youth shall live Let us your Prisoners be in Chains confin'd The Chains of Love will make those softer bind There his dear presence I may still enjoy And for his Ease my thoughtful Cares employ Free from the Noise of War and anxious Fears I 'll kiss his Wounds and wash them with my Tears I 'll watch his midnight Slumbers and by Day My Love shall Solace to his Grief convey Let him be banish'd from the British Isle I 'll go and share the lovely Wand'rer's Toil. I 'll follow thro' the swarthy burning Zone No Flames can scorch me fiercer than my own Our tender Words the savage kind will move They 'll stand and gaze and wonder at our Love Th' inhospitable Desart will appear A flowry Paradise when he is there O'er Snows with him and Hills of Ice I 'll stray I know not how but Love will find the way If his sharp Keel shall cut the Foaming Tide In the same Bark I 'll on the Billows ride No stormy Winds my stable Soul shall move Or shake the strong Foundations of my Love But hurried with distracting Fears away And wild with Grief I know not where to stay And in a Maze of Thought I lose my Way Oh! let your generous Pity calm the strife In my tost Soul and save his precious Life Thus you 'll not only Triumph o'er your Foe But o'er your self and your own Vict'ry too Thus Elda pray'd nor did she pray in vain Her tender Accents did Admission gain To the relenting generous Prince's Breast Who thus the beauteous Supplicant addrest This unexampled Effort of your Love Does equal Wonder and Compassion move True Christian Captains are both brave and good Vict'ry pursue but not with Thirst of Blood Revenge and Cruelty we disavow And only just and generous Arms allow Go to your Tears your Lothar's Life I give Pleas'd with each others Love together live Then Cerdick slain on whom they trusted most A shivering Fear ran thro' the Saxon Host. The Britons now believ'd the Battel won And sure of Conquest on their Squadrons run Prince Arthur at their Head breaks thro' their Files And covers all the Plain with hostile Spoils The Saxon Troops dismay'd began to yield And to the raging Conquerour leave the Field Mean time the Prince of Hell who anxious stood And from his Hill the bloody Labour view'd Seeing the Saxon Troops at last give way Resolves the Britons Progress to delay That thro' the Angelick Guards he might escape His Form he chang'd to a fair Seraph's Shape A mild Celestial Youth he did appear Drest in pure Robes of white Empyreal Air. What once he was the Fiend seem'd charming bright Conceal'd in Beauty and disguis'd in Light Assuming meek and Heav'nly Looks he strove To imitate the loveliest Face above Then taking from the Mountain's Top his Flight Did straitway at th' Angelick Camp alight And thus transform'd thro' the bright Camp he went As an Express from Heav'n to Michael sent Along he march'd and slily looking round While unobserv'd a fair Occasion found Of passing thro' their Lines without Delay Swift as a Ray of Light he shot away He mingles with the fighting Armies where He moulds to various Shapes the thickn'd Air. In Sebert's warlike Form he did appear With Arthur's gasping Head upon his Spear Which newly sever'd from his Body seems So fresh the Wound so red the bloody Streams Britons he cry'd learn hence your wretched State See your Destruction in your Leader's Fate The towring Hopes you vainly once conceiv'd Are sunk nor can your Ruin be retreiv'd Whose Arms can guard your State now Arthur's dead His Life and with it all your Strength is fled Fly Britons hence and to your Hills repair Fly to your Woods and in your Caves despair Protected in your Fastnesses remain Stay not t' encrease the Number of the Slain Cold to their Hearts this Sight and Language went And thro their Veins a shivering Horrour sent Confusion and Despair their Souls opprest And their sad Looks their inward Wound confest Urg'd with their Fear their Troops began to fly And leave behind th' unfinish'd Victory Prince Arthur's Breast with Indignation burn'd Who from the fierce Pursuit reluctant turn'd To stop his Army's Flight stay Britons stay He cry'd and blemish not this glorious Day Whence this Distraction whence th' ungrounded Fear And wild Despair that in your Looks appear The Battel 's won the Saxons quit the Field And to your Arms a perfect Conquest yield Let not the vanquish'd Foe escape Pursuit Ths Vict'ry's yours stay but to reap the Fruit. While thus he spoke the Britons stood amaz'd And on their Prince with Joy and Wonder gaz'd Their Grief dispell'd their dying Hopes revive And joyfull Shouts proclaim the Prince alive Mean time the Sun declines and dusky Night Covers the Saxons and protects their Flight Prince Arthur BOOK IX NOw did the beauteous Morn begin to rise Streaking with Rosy Light the smiling Skies Prince Arthur rose and solemn Thanks addrest To Heav'n that had his Arms with Conquest blest Then rode amidst his Troops and one by one Their Bravery prais'd and Conduct lately shown Dispensing great Rewards thro' all the Host To those whose Courage was distinguish'd most The Britons in their turn express their Zeal And to the Prince the highest Love reveal The Heav'n's around with Acclamations rung And loud Applauses of the shouting Throng Then to the sacred Temples they repair In joyful Crowds to offer Praise and Prayer In low Prostration they the Soveraign Lord Of Hosts Exalt and future Aid implor'd Soon as their Hymns of Heav'nly Praise were sung High in the Temples they their Trophies hung Bruis'd Armour broken Shields and Standards torn From the fierce Foe the gilded Roofs adorn This Honour to th' Almighty Saviour done Prince Arthur to his Britons thus begun Thus far Success and Triumph on us wait And to our Arms presage a prosperous Fate Propitious Heav'n is to your Part inclin'd And still more glorious Vict'ries Crowd behind The vanquish'd Foe can't long maintain the Field But must your ravish'd Lands and Cities yield Chase anxious Thoughts far from your Valiant Breast And on your Cause and Heav'n's Protection rest A perfect Conquest shall your Labours Crown And your Victorious
Potentates Crown'd Saints and Martyrs rang'd in glorious Rows Attend his Chariot and his State compose The dazling Pomp stretches across the Sky From utmost East to West and passing by The Heav'nly Orbs comes on descending flow Into the Airy Region here below O'er all the Sky Heav'n's mighty Army shines And here it halts in deep embartel'd Lines In bright Celestial Armour Clad they stand Their Swords of temper'd Flame drawn in their hand They mark a Camp of spacious Circuit out And cast up Crystal Ramparts round about On some fit Eminence they raise on high Their Lord 's August Pavilion in the Sky His bright sublime Tribunal here they place On which he sits with awful God-like Grace Such Flames of Fire wheeling in Clouds of Smoak Issue from thence as from Mount Sinai broke Array'd with Majesty and cloath'd with Light He Glory darts too fierce for Angels Sight In Hallelujahs they his Greatness sing And the shook Sphears with loud Hosannahs Ring Thus on the Throne the Saviour sits prepar'd To Judge the World to punish and reward And now th' unnumber'd Armies ready stand Grasping revenging Firebrands in their Hand And only wait their Leader's high Command The Signal giv'n a general Shout shall shake The Heav'n's around greater than Armies make Rushing to Battel or was heard in Rome When Conquering Caesar came in Triumph home Their furious Arms devouring Tempests throw On all the guilty trembling VVorld below They pour down mighty fiery Cataracts Flaming Bitumen and Sulphureous Lakes Red showers of fiery Arrows hissing fly And flashing Lightning flames around the Sky Fires from above combin'd with Fires below O'er all the Earth in ruddy Torrents flow Vengeance Divine wasts Nature's burning Store And drowns the Earth in Fire all drown'd in Guilt before The Heat dissolves the Fabrick of the World The broken parts fall down confusedly hurl'd Chaos restor'd does in wild Triumph reign And ruin'd Worlds his hideous Throne sustain Some great Archangel now springs forth on high And with the loudest Trumpet of the Sky Summons th' astonish'd gazing World to come To Judgment and the Universal Doom The dreadful Noise shakes Heav'n's Etherial Mounds And in loud Ecchoes from the Sphears rebounds In Ecchoes terrible and piercing Shrill That the low World with dire Amazement fill The guilty Fiends shreek out at these Alarms That in the Air fly thick in murmuring Swarms Their Prince himself trembles and dares not stay But spreads his broad dun Wings and shoots away They sink confounded to th' Infernal Deep Or into Clefts and hollow Mountains creep They find the fatal Hour's arriv'd at last That shall revenge their bold Rebellions past When to their Torments they shall be Restrain'd And lye beneath on flaming Billows chain'd VVhen Hell no more its Pris'ners shall release And Sin 's black Empire must for ever cease No less the dreadful Sound and awful Sight Confound proud Tyrants and their Guards affright What Horrour now distracts each guilty Soul In their sad Breasts what Storms of Vengeance roll How will they bear this dismal Scene of Wo Where will they stay secure or whither go Terrour Distraction Anguish fierce Despair Drink up their Vitals and their Heart-strings tear Ten Thousand poison'd Darts strike thro' their Reins And wound them with unsufferable Pains The Vulture bred within their Bowels gnaws And Conscience gripes them with her Harpys Claws Such Wounds such Stings such Pangs must now be born Of everlasting Death the sad Forlorn What strange Confusion in their Looks appears What wild Amazement Guilt and deadly Fears What howling Lamentation what dire Cries What doleful Shreeks and Yellings fill the Skies Besides the Trumpet shakes the trembling ground The startled Dead awaken at the Sound The Grave resigns its ancient Spoils and all Death 's Adamantine Prisons burst and fall The Souls that did their forc'd Departure mourn To the same Bodies with swift Flight return VVhose scatter'd Parts God calls together they To their appointed Meeting hast away The crowding Atoms re-unite apace All without tumult know and take their place Th' assembled Bones leap quick into their Frame And the warm Blood renews a brighter Flame The quicken'd Dust feels fresh and youthful Heats While its old Task the beating Heart repeats The Eyes enliven'd with new Vital Light Open admiting whence they had their sight The Veins too twine their bloody Arms around The Limbs and with red leaping Life abound Hard twisted Nerves new brace and faster bind The close knit Joynts no more to be disjoyn'd Strong new-spun Threds Immortal Muscles make That justly fixt their ancient Figure take Brisk Spirits take their upper Seats and dart Thro' their known Channels thence to every part The Men now draw their long forgotten Breath And striving break th' unweildy Chains of Death Victorious Life to every Grave resorts And rifles Death's unhospitable Courts It s Vigour thro' those dark Dominions spread From all their gloomy Mansions frees the Dead Now ripe Conceptions thro' the Earth abound And new sprung Men stand thick on all the ground The Sepulchers are quick and every Tomb Labours with Life and grows a fruitful Womb. But how the Dead are chang'd their Bodies more Unlike each other than their Souls before How monstrous foul the guilty Dead arise Each struck with Horrour from his Neighbour flies How much deform'd they look all stain'd with Sin Black and mis-shap'd without but more within Ugly and Fiend-like from their Graves they Crawl And on the ground like bloated Vermin sprawl And like them too their Bodies have their Birth From putred Damps and Vapours in the Earth So Serpents that entangled lay asleep From out their Beds disturb'd and waken'd creep They hiss and cast their fiery Eyes around And with their loathsom Bellies mark the ground For flight their poisonous Volumes they display And urg'd with Fear and Anguish hast away So this foul Brood are forc'd their Graves to leave And to the Ground their grov'ling Bellies cleave Earthy and Black confin'd so long to Night They dread the Horrours of the chearful Light Amazing change see some of these were they Whose Heads were Crown'd whose Hands did Scepters sway These did rich Purple and fine Linnen wear And every Meal fed on delicious Fare That hideous Thing that for a Covert seeks With hollow Eyes fal'n Jaws and ghastly Cheeks That monstrous Thing was once when kept with Care Proud of its Beauty and look'd wondrous Fair. Set off with all the Ornaments that please The Eye and pamper'd with Luxurious Ease But how the guilty Crowd wreckt with Despair With dismal Cries fill all the Ecchoing Air When they the Trumpet 's dreadful Summons hear And find the Universal Judgment near Back to their Graves the ugly Monsters fly And in those Coverts would for ever ly They call aloud for Death and wish they might Melt to thin Air be drown'd and lost in Night But when Blest Minds their Bodies meet no Pair Can look more Beautiful and charming Fair. The
Throne Thus with a haughty troubled Look begun Thus far in vain all our Attempts are made To crush the Britons that our State invade At Sea they Triumph o'er King Octa's Fleet At Land Success above their Hopes they meet Octa defeated dreads Prince Arthur's Arms And sues for Peace by Ethelina's Charms If this should once prevail Britannia's lost We and our Priests must fly this impious Coast. Help'd by th' Almighty Enemy of Hell They yet our Arms escape our Power repel Then Monarch's War with vast advantage wage When Heav'n its Power does on their part Engage This sure Expedient's left us to annoy The Britons and their tow'ring Hopes destroy Let us provoke them to some dire Offence Which may against their Armies Heav'n incense Then the Seraphick Guards that round them ly Or else patroling thro' the Region fly Scowring the Hills and Vales with flaming Arms The Christians to protect from our Alarms These will displeas'd withdraw their powerful Aid And we with Safety may their Camp invade What subtile Spirit of seducing Art And skill in tempting will perform this part Then filthy Asmodai who Men inspires With wanton Passions and unclean Desires Whose leud Adorers stand before his Shrine Transform'd to lustful Goats and loathsome Swine Thus spake This grateful Province I embrace I from their Minds will virtuous Passions chase My stronger Force shall all chast Thoughts expel And Heav'n's weak Flames shall yield to those of Hell To solemn Groves and lonesom Hermits Cells Where boasted Chastity in Triumph dwells To Cloyster'd Monks Admission I command And can a Camp my powerful Charms withstand On me such chosen Spirits shall attend Whose Skill and Power will most promote my End The Gods of Riot Luxury and Wine In this Attempt shall all their Forces joyn Doubt not great Prince when we their Camp Assail Nature is on our side we shall prevail Th' Infernal Diet with his Language mov'd With loud Applause the wise Design approv'd Straight Asmodai attended with a Train Of soft Luxurious Spirits to the Plain Directs his Flight where the glad Britons lay With lab'ring Wings he mounts the steepy Way And quickly reach'd the tender Verge of Day In Companies distinct the Britons sate Pleas'd with their wish'd Success and prosp'rous Fate When to the Camp the Crew Infernal came Grasping in either hand Tartarean Flame About from Tent to Tent the Demons flew And midst the Troops their flaming Torches threw The wanton Fires about their Bosoms play And to their Hearts lascivious warmth convey The soft Contagion glides along their Veins And in their Breasts the pleasing Poison reigns Straight all in Riot and Debauches joyn Dissolve in Mirth and sit inflam'd with Wine The Captains Snore on Scarlet spread beneath And with their lab'ring Breasts contend for Breath Tables o'erturn'd and broken Swords betwixt And Dishes faln with Armour intermixt Helmets and Harness and bruis'd Goblets by A mad Confusion make of War and Luxury Acted with lustful Fires from Town to Town Commanders and their Men promiscuous run With Outrages and ravish'd Virgins Spoils The vicious Army all the Land defiles Whoredoms in Pagan Cities they commit And at their Sacrifices feasting sit Heated with leud Religion Lust and Wine They in the Worship of their Idols join Then to the Camp the hot Adulterers lead Their Pagan Women and avow the Deed. Th' Angelick Guards th' enormous vices saw And in Displeasure from their Camp withdraw All Hell with Shouts of Triumph did resound That Such Success had all their Wishes crown'd The Prince of Hell strait summons from beneath The chief supporter of the Throne of Death Vengeful Megaera she without Delay From Hell's Abyss ascends and in her Way Gathers raw Damps and Steams from noisome Graves And putrid Reeks from Subterranean Caves Where spotted Plagues first draw their poisonous Breath The Nurseries of Pain and Magazines of Death These Seeds of Torment and devouring Heats From whose Contagion vanquish'd Life retreats Megaera in compacted Hides dark Wombs For this infernal Purpose made entombs In their distinct Repositories laid Sad choice of Death she various Plagues convey'd Arm'd for Destruction thus the Fury Came And brought from Asmodai's a different Flame Then Wolves were heard in neighb'ring Hills to howl Th' illboding Raven and the screaching Owl Sung o'er the Camp by Night the Sun by Day Distain'd with Blood shone with a dismal Ray. The cruel Fury strait her Flight did take To find her Prince to whom th' Apostate spake Go glut thy Rage and let the Britons know Hell's Monarch is not yet a vanquish'd Foe Pass thro their Camp with thy accustom'd Hast And on them all thy deadly Treasures wast Strait did the vengeful Minister prepare T' infect the Camp and poison all the Air. Her Bottles turgid with imprison'd Death She open'd and releas'd the fatal Breath In livid Wheels the dire Contagion flies And putrid Exhalations taint the Skies The Region's choak'd with Pestilential Steams Malignant Reeks raw Damps and soultry Gleams Now with their Breath the hot Infection slides Into their Breasts and thro' their Vitals glides Their Lab'ring Hearts spout out the flowing Blood And fry the Limbs with an Aetnean Flood The raging Pest'lence chases thro' the Veins Retreating Life and drest in purple Reigns While other Plagues run colder to the Heart And thro' their Breast strike like a poison'd Dart. Rack'd with tormenting Pain some gasping lie Some only breath th' envenom'd Air and die Their Hearts with chill congealing Blood opprest Throb a few moments in their panting Breast Then yield and from their Vital Labour rest In vain for Help in vain for Drugs they cry Friends and Physicians come but with them dy Thro' all the Camp the fierce Destruction's spread Deforming every Tent with Heaps of Dead Mean time the pious Arthur prostrate laid Thus in a Flood of Tears dissolving pray'd Great King of Heav'n thy Arm thou makest bare T' invade the Britons with resistless War Thy glitt'ring Sword brandish'd with dreadful Sway Does thro our Camp with wide Destruction Slay Why did thy Aids the Shipwreckt Britons save From Rocks and Tempests and th' insulting Wave If we must only see our Native Isle And with our Dead th' encumber'd Land defile Th' insulting Heathen will Blaspheme thy Name And in their Songs advance their Idols Fame To their vain Gods loud Praises they 'll return And Hecatombs upon their Altars burn Spare yet thy Britons let some Reliques live That may due Honours to thy Temples give Let the Destroyer cease at thy Command And Death at thy Rebuke arrested stand And may the Crimes that Heav'n provoke be known That our deep Sorrows may its Wrath atone The pious Prince's humble Cries succeed And glorious Raphael with Angelick speed Descends his Sword of Flame drawn in his Hand To chase the fierce Destroyer from the Land A Crystal Vial full of Od'rous Fumes Ambrosial Balm and rich Etherial Gums His other hand pour'd out upon the Air To cure the Damps
Skies And swiftly passing through the Starry Sphears Before the Throne he in his place appears The Cherub's gone and with him Arthur's fears Who to his Lords returns and to their Heart Courage and Joy his Words and Looks impart His God-like Language does their Fears abate And with fresh hopes their troubl'd Breasts dilate Mean time th' Infernal Thrones and Powers resort At their great Monarch's Summons to his Court Where they in Council meet and there debate Important matters high Designs of State Their Prince with Pride extended mounts his Throne Of polish'd Gold whence horrid splendor shone And mingl'd with the Shades tremendous Light More dreadful thus as Fires that Flame by Night In sad Magnificence and dismal State He sits and round th' Infernal Orders sate Then Lucifer began Immortal Potentates Illustrious Lords The British Youth 's ambitious aim affords A weighty subject for your high debate Who seeks the ruin of your Pow'r and State You all have heard how with a mighty Force Embark'd he strait for Albion steer'd his Course King Octa to attack our Votary And make our Priests from our new Altars fly I watch'd and aided by the Power of Thor I shew'd the Miscreant another Shore His Fleet beat back and haughty purpose croft He wanders Shipwreckt on th' Armoric Coast. Where faithful Hoel does the Scepter hold Mighty in Arms and in our Service bold Spirits Divine high Peers of Hell suggest By what sure Plagues he may be more distrest His Ruin finish'd and his Sect opprest That said a Fury crawls from out her Cell The bloodiest Minister of Death and Hell A monstrous Shape a foul and hideous sight That did all Hell with her dire looks affright Huge full gorg'd Snakes on her lean Shoulders hung And Death's dark Courts with their loud hissing rung Her Teeth and Claws were Iron and her Breath Like Subterranean Damps gave present Death Flames worse then Hells shot from her bloody Eyes And Fire and Sword Eternally she Cries No certain Shape no Feature regular No Limbs distinct in th' odious Fiend appear Her squallid bloated Belly did arise Swoln with black Gore to a prodigious Size Distended vastly by a mighty Flood Of slaughter'd Saints and constant Martyrs Blood Part stood out prominent but part fell down And in a swagging heap lay wallowing on the ground A Monster so deform'd so fierce as this It self a Hell ne're saw the dark Abyss Horrour till now the ugliest Shape esteem'd So much out-done a harmless Figure seem'd Envy and Hate and Malice blush'd to see Themselves Eclips'd by such Deformity Her Feaverish Thirst drinks down a Sea of Blood Not of the Impious but the Just and Good 'Gainst whom she burns with unextinguish'd Rage Nor can th' exhausted World her Wrath asswage Then thus the Fury Persecution spake I mighty Prince of Hell will undertake This glorious Work I quickly will inspire Hoel with my ungovernable Fire Without remorse he shall my Will Obey And crush this Briton now his easie Prey Nero by me rais'd his Illustrious Name And Dioclesian got Immortal Fame I their rude inbred Cruelty refin'd And stampt my perfect Image on their Mind My flames all Love's course mixture did destroy And purg'd off soft Compassion's base alloy I form'd and disciplin'd their untaught Hate And rais'd their fierceness to a perfect State Where shame and all reflecting Sense is lost And Hell can't purer strains of Malice boast Inexorable they all Cries withstood Ravish'd with Slaughter and regal'd with Blood Hard marble Rocks might with more ease relent And Fire and Plague learn sooner to repent Then Christian Kings my Fury entertain'd And taught by me in Blood and Slaughter reign'd With pious Rage and fierce destructive Zeal I first inspir'd their Minds and did reveal The mystery how deep Revenge to take And slay the Servants for the Master's sake How bloody Wrath might with Devotion joyn And sacred Zeal with Cruelty combine By me the unknown way they understood T' attone the Christians God with Christian Blood By me they shook off Fear 's and Love's Restraints And on God's Altars burnt his slaughter'd Saints I made them call that all remorse might cease Murder Compassion Desolation Peace Whilst my Infernal Heats their Breasts inspir'd To the vile Sect their own mad Zeal acquir'd Wider Destruction and more fatal Harms Then all your Scythian or your Gothick Arms. And Rome proud Rome her self must owe to me Her present State and future Dignity The greatest Genius this I e're could find And to receive my Image best inclin'd I will her Mind inspire and to her Heart Immortal hate to Abel's Race impart These Breasts she empties with her Infant Jaws I File her Teeth and Shape her tender Claws I Nurse her on the horrid Alps high Tops And feed her hunger with Cerberean Sops Dipt in Tartarean Gall and Hemlock Juice That in her Veins will noble Blood produce Fierce Tygers Dragons Wolves about her stay They grin and snap and bite and snarling play I to her Jaws throw Infants newly Born She sucks their Blood and by her Teeth are torn Their tender Limbs while I rejoyce to see Such noble proofs of growing Cruelty To her wide Breast and vast capacious Soul I often Torrents of black Poyson rowl She drinks the livid Flood and through her Veins Mad Fury runs and wild Distraction reigns I 'll lead her from the Rocks her strength full grown Fix her high Seat in the Imperial Town And give her Scarlet and a threefold Crown No Blood will then her mighty Thirst asswage No Ravage cloy her Antichristian Rage Her Mitred Sons that never can relent From the great Cain shall prove their high Descent Their Deeds of strange Infernal Cruelty Shall shew their Race worthy of Him and me Lay-Bigots I with time and labour wrought Some inward Grudgings still against me fought 'T was hard to raise their hate to a degree From struggling Nature and all Pity free But these Church-Zealots of a truer breed Are form'd with Ease and scarce my Labour need Their forward Genius without teaching grows And all my hopes and ev'n my wish out-does How often shall thy glorious Sons O Rome With Martyrs Flames inlighten Christendom How often shall they to deride their God Lift up in Prayer their Hands all full of Blood The wasted World shall feel their loud Alarms Their blest Massacres and their hallow'd Arms. As if their high intent were to Efface All Footsteps left of Abel's hateful Race Bloody Tribunals Rapine Fire and Sword And Desolation dayly Sport afford Mankind they shall with such dire Plagues attack As will their Church a holy Desart make Such is my Zeal to serve th' infernal State And shall this British Prince escape my Hate Forbid it Hell and here she made a pause The Lords in Council gave a loud applause The Prince of Darkness leaping from his place Did in his Arms his darling Fiend Embrace Her Anger then rose higher and all Hell Uneasie seem'd she
grew so terrible She strait contracts her vast dilated Size And through Hell's dusky Void she upward flies As when rich Towns great Cost and Art employ In Fire-works to express their publick Joy For some great Vict'ry won by Land or Sea Or on some Prince's Coronation Day The flaming Rockets hizzing fly by Night And fill the Sky with unknown Noise and Light The Sphears amaz'd stand or move slowly on And wonder how the Day returns so soon And what new Stars rise brighter than their own So does the Fiend her Snakes all hissing rise Through the thick haggair'd Air and as she flies Leaves tracks of Light cast from her fiery Eyes And now arriv'd on the grey Coasts of Day Direct to Hoel's Court she takes her way Where she alighted when the Sun had hurl'd His glorious Orb hence to the other World 'T was then when all things look'd as if old Night Had Nature crush'd and seiz'd her ancient Right Whilst Silence Shades and Lights around create Sad solemn Pomp t' express her Death-like state Winds and wild Beasts lye in their Dens at rest Nor these the Woods nor those the Seas molest The sleeping Vultures drop their prey the Dove Ceases her Cooing and forgets to love The Jocond Fairies Dance their silent round And with dark Circles mark the trampled ground Tartarean Forms Skim o're the Mountains Heads Or lightly sweep along the dewy Meads Ghosts leave their Tombs hid Murders to reveal Or Treasures which themselves did once conceal Visions through th' Air and careless Phantoms stray Or round Mens troubled Heads while sleeping play The Fury Alman's Reverend Shape assumes Odin's High Priest and so to Hoel comes For the Priest's Form is fittest to engage Princes in Blood and move destructive Rage Thus chang'd the Fiend such is her Craft appears And thus began just Hoel all those years I liv'd I did with studious Care employ How best I might the Christian Crew destroy I thy great Soul in this blest Cause engag'd Inspir'd with Heats Divine not yet asswag'd I quit Elysian Pleasures to impart What does with greater Joy extend my Heart And will do thine Arthur Curst be that Name Designing Empire and Illustrious Fame Embark'd with Arms fair Albion to invade But by just Heav'n is thy cheap Captive made Pursu'd with Thunder and in Tempests tost At last he 's Shipwreckt on this happy Coast. With his sad Friends he wanders up and down Naked perplext deserted and undone But yet just Heav'n Decrees him greater Harm But saves that Glory for your Zealous Arm. To take his Life must be your Pious Care And with the Gods divided Honour share Thus you their En'my and your own remove Secure your Peace and please the Pow'rs above To Christians this can be no Injury That call for Torments and are pleas'd to Dye They all seem fond to wear the Martyr's Crown And meet the Flames with greater of their own No Rights no Rules of Justice you invade For Ruin's their Profession Death their Trade Go then and grace the Briton that comes on To meet you and receive the Martyr's Crown Remove this Pillar of their Church and all The unsupported Roof will crack and fall Take this Defender of their Faith away The passive Rabble tamely will Obey Their Lives in Sport you may at leisure take They quickly fall that no Resistance make The Gods into your Hands have cast your Foe To take his Life will please Heav'n him and you That said she breath'd her Soul into his Breast And her wild Fury all his Veins possest Infernal Flames Rage in his poison'd Blood And his swoln Heart Boils with th' impetuous Flood The Fiend her Shape of thicken'd Air dissolves And disappears Hoel surpriz'd revolves The welcome message in his Mind and strait Commands his Lords and Guards should on him wait On the first Shooting of the tender Day So eager did he seem to seise the Prey Now was the Eastern Sky-dy'd Purple spread For fair Aurora's Radiant Feet to tread She mounts serene and with mild dawning Light Smiles on the lowring dusky Face of Night That to Victorious Day yields up her Seat Whilst her black Forces silently Retreat As when a Lyon at the dawn of Day Rous'd with fierce Hunger up to Hunt his Prey Stretches his Limbs out Yawns and tries his Paws And for sure Death prepares his cruel Jaws He stands and rolls about his Angry Eyes Lashing his Sides to make his Fury rise Then Scowrs the Hills Ranges the Forrests o're And Thunders thro the Desart with his hideous Roar The Winds all husht sit trembling on the Trees And scarcely Whisper out a gentle Breeze Wolves dare not Howl but grinning softly creep And Leopards stretcht out feign themselves asleep Th' affrighted Herds close in their Covert lye And to escape his Rage with Terrour dye Thus Hoel with infernal Rage possest With fierce desire speeds to the bloody Feast A deadly Storm does on his Forehead lowr Himself his Rage Arthur his Hopes devour Breathing out Death he march'd but at mid-day He stands by Heav'n arrested in his way The Air serene a black thick Cloud appear'd And as it hover'd o're their Heads were heard Celestial Flutes and Harps divinely Strung With Hymns and Hallelujahs Set and Sung By the best Masters of the Quire above With Bliss transported and inspir'd with Love Whilst Hoel and his Friends pleas'd and amaz'd Listen'd and on the Scene descending gaz'd The broken Cloud pours out pure Floods of Light Show'rs of Celestial Rays transcendent bright And Storms of Splendor dazling Mortal Sight Th' illustrious Tempest does on Hoel beat Who falls astonish'd headlong from his Seat Confounded with unsufferable Day Groveling in Glory on the shining Way And with bright Ruin overwhelm'd he lay 'T was then a soft still Heav'nly Voice that broke From out the Cloud to trembling Hoel spoke 'Gainst me what Fury did thy Arms Engage What mov'd thee with inexorable Rage Vain Man to persecute my Saints and Me In vain thou seek'st to baffle Heav'n's Decree Vain is thy Force and impotent thy Hate Too weak thy Arms to stem the Tyde of Fate The Torrent bears thy saint Resistance down Retire or in Eternal Ruin Drown Then Hoel thus O tell me who thou art Great Spirit and thy Will to me impart Tell me if Errour has my Feet misled What safer Paths I may hereafter tread The Voice reply'd I am the Christians God whom you pursue Go meet my Servant Arthur he shall shew At large what thou hast to believe what do The Scene here disappear'd his Lords come round And rais'd reviving Hoel from the Ground Who marches on the British Prince to find And Act not what himself but Heav'n design'd With anxious Thoughts the Vision he revolves And to Obey Heav'n's high Command resolves Whilst to his Lords the Vision he relates They find themselves advanc'd to Conda's Gates Arthur mean time to whom great Raphael's word Unshaken Hopes and Courage did afford Proceeded
Force appoints And with strong Nerves new-brac'd their wither'd Joynts His Breath oft cool'd fierce Feavers raging Flames And his sole VVord the deadly Poyson tames Round him in Crowds the sick and feeble throng The sick grow easie and the feeble strong Fresh healing Vertue he diffus'd around And dying Men rose leaping from the ground The Languishing reviv'd th' Afflicted cheer'd Took healthful Looks and smil'd when he appear'd Demons at his Command vext Men forsake And to th' Infernal Caves and burning Lake Their hasty Flight with piercing Screeches take Such Miracles did his high Office prove And Universal Admiration move Of all the chiefest was his wondrous Love He whom rebellious Men might justly fear In all his chosen Terrors would appear With Military Pomp and Trumpets Sound His shining Host of Cherubs pour'd around Arm'd with keen Lightning and the sharpest Sword That all his Magazins of Wrath afford To lay all Wast before him and Efface All Footsteps of Apostate Adam's Race He unexampl'd Love Attempts to win Man from the Curse of Death and Curse of Sin With Pity more than that of Mothers Hearts With Mercy 's Charms and Love's perswasive Arts. His high design was with his Heav'nly Light To chase away th' Impenetrable Night That cover'd this lost World and re-inspire Man's Frozen Breast with fresh Celestial Fire Th' Almighty's faded Image to repair That its bright Lines might shine distinct and fair To raise laps'd Minds to that high State of Love Of Light and Bliss the Blest enjoy above To pull all bold Usurping Passions down And settle Reason in its ancient Throne To break Sins heavy Chains its Slaves release And fix 'twixt Earth and Heav'n a lasting Peace The Jews amus'd with Worldly Empire's Charms Hoping some Monarch with Victorious Arms With Roman Pomp and Grandeur would arise The great Redeemer's humble State despise Inspir'd from Hell his Message they refuse Deride his Person and his Deeds accuse He that Supplies on all in want bestow'd Feasting with Miracles the hungry Crowd Finds from th' obdurate Hebrew no relief But with the Twelve Companions of his Grief He walk'd on his Eternal Purpose bent Scatt'ring his Heav'nly Gifts where'er he went Yet did unwelcom through their Regions stray From those ungrateful Cities thrust away Whence he had Devils and Diseases cast Him and his proffer'd Heav'n they from them chas'd At last his spotless Innocence traduc'd He stands before the Roman Throne accus'd On Caesar's King Pilate in Judgment sits Condemns him yet his Innocence acquits To please th' inexorable Jews he sheds Blood and Heav'n's dreadful Curses on their Heads That done he wash'd his guilty Hands in vain The Blood he spilt alone could Purge that Stain No Form of Cruelty his Foes omit They give sharp Stripes and on his Face they Spit Which now adoring Angels blush to see Not for its Splendor but Deformity To please united Cruelty and Scorn On 's wounded Head they fix a Crown of Thorn They dress him in a Purple Robe that gone His Blood with richer Purple dyes his own A Reed his Hand must for a Scepter sway Which with a Rod of Ir'n shall that Contempt repay They bow in Scorn before him whilst he sate A Pageant Prince the mockery of State What various Shapes of Cruelty are shewn Under and on his Cross he 's made to groan And yet he bears a heavier Load within The pressure of the World 's united Sin Stretcht on the cursed Tree his Body hangs Groaning its Life away in dying Pangs Forsaken both of Earth and Heav'n his Breath He wasted in the pains of lingring Death Whilst on his Soul the blackest Horrors dwell That feels the Pains without the Guilt of Hell The Barb'rous Hebrews for whose sake he dy'd Stand by and see their Sov'raign Crucify'd Without the slight Compassion of a Tear Scarce in the Crowd does one sad Face appear Their Insolence dares mock his dying Moans Sport with his Torments and deride his Groans Though solid Rocks touch'd with Compassion rent The more obdurate Jew does not relent For Man he Dies that Heav'n may be aton'd He dies the Universe afflicted groan'd Heav'n's Everlasting Frame shook with the Fright And the scar'd Sun shrunk back and hid his Light Thro' th' Earth's dark Vaults a shiv'ring Horror fled That whilst Convuls'd threw up th' awaken'd Dead Thin pallid Ghosts come sweeping o'er the Grass And howling Wolves Glare on them as they pass Hoarse Thunder Rolls in Subterranean Caves Chaos to hearken stills his Raging Waves Ev'n Hell gap'd horribly such was the fright And thro' the Chasm let thro' prodigious Night Night that extinguish'd the Meridian Ray And with its gloomy Deluge choak'd the Day Sad Moans were heard Shreeks Howlings Midnight Cries And Globes of Fire hung Blazing in the Skies A fierce Convulsion thro' the Temple went The Pillars trembled and the Veil was Rent The Heav'n's and Earth both suffer'd when he dy'd As Nature's Self were with him Crucify'd Down by their Sides the silent Angels laid Their Golden Harps and neither Sung nor play'd Their drooping Wings and Looks dejected show Sadness as much as those blest Realms can know Thrice the swift Sun his radiant Chariot drove O'er the blue Hills and out-stretch'd Plains above As oft the Moon had shot her paler Light In silver Threads thro' the brown Vest of Night When the Reviving Saviour leaves his Tomb And as new-born breaks from the Earth's dark Womb The Chains of Death shook off he from the Ground Do's with new Force Anteus like rebound He comes in Triumph from the Conquer'd Grave And this blest proof of Resurrection gave Oft to his mournful Friends their Lord appear'd And their sad Minds with Heav'nly Pleasures cheer'd He then the Plan of his wise Kingdom laid Who should submit and who should be obey'd To these he gave a Power to loose and bind And with fixt Bounds that Sacred Power confin'd He set the Rights his Subjects should enjoy Which Princes must Protect but not Annoy And by wise Laws fix all things that relate To the Support of his new founded State That done pursu'd by their admiring Eyes Born on a shining Cloud he did arise In Heav'nly Pomp Triumphant thro' the Skys The Clouds dividing in Obsequious Haste Smil'd yielded by his Glory as he had pass'd Great Michael Raphael and the rest that boast The chief Commands in the Celestial Host Great Princes Thrones and high Seraphick States With splendid Equipage pour'd from the Gates Sublime in high Celestial Chariots rode Far out of Heav'n to meet th' ascending God The Pow'rs and high Dominions with their Train Shone glorious bright on all th' Etherial Plain On a fair Hill that the wide Vale commands The numberless angelick Army stands Drawn up in shining Lines and Warlike Bands The Trumpets all salute him passing by And in the Air display'd the Banners fly And now arriv'd at Heav'n's Eternal Gate Attended with his long Triumphal State The blest Inhabitants due Honours
happy Souls shoot swiftly thro' the Sky And to the Graves and Sepulchers they fly Where they their long forsaken Bodies greet Which like old Friends they with fresh Pleasure meet Bodies that seem they are so Pure and Bright All thicken'd Glory close compacted Light Purg'd and refin'd from all that 's course and gross As melted Gold throws off the baser Dross Smiling they rise such Charms so sweet a Grace They shew as dwell not on a Mortal Face These rising Stars their Heav'nly Beams display Bright Harbingers of Everlasting Day Such Beauties such mild Glories shall we see In the glad Spring of Immortality Yet these blest Sons of Light that Angel-like Would mortal Eyes with deadly Lustre strike Were those that once their Excellence disguis'd Liv'd here oppress'd and like their Lord despis'd Welcom to them this long expected Hour Safe by their Judge's Favour from his Power High Tides of Joy into their Bosoms run And Everlasting Life they feel begun This shall past Griefs in deep Oblivion drown Compleat their Triumphs and their Virtues Crown These in the Spring great Care and Toil bestow'd And water'd with their Tears the Seed they sow'd The Harvest now their happy Hours employs In reaping Pleasures and Immortal Joys Bright Cherubims descending thro' the Air To these blest Men with speedy Flight Repair Then to the gen'ral Doom aloft they fly And on their Wings convey them thro' the Sky In all the way encouraging their Charge Telling of all the Joys of Heav'n at large Plac'd in the Presence of their Lord they stand In their appointed Seats at his Right-hand VVhilst other Angels from the Deep of Hell Drive up the Fiends that in those Regions dwell VVith Swords of keenest Flame compelling some And dragging others to the gen'ral Doom In Anguish and Despair the yelling Fiends Curse Gnash and Bite th' Eternal Chain that binds So close and strait then turn their Heads away From the fierce Terrour of so bright a Day And impious Men in no less Horror fly To all the Shades and Coverts they descry Mountains and Rocks their fruitless Cries invite To fall and hide them from the Judge's Sight For rise they must and lose their vain Desire Caught up in Whirlwinds and in Storms of Fire Before the Judge the Pris'ners stand in Sight And take the Left-hand as the Just the Right Th' Eternal Books before the Judge are brought Where all Mens long forgotten Deeds are wrote And first are read the Vertues of the Just Their Zeal for Heav'n their Courage Hope and Trust. The Prayers the Tears the Alms themselves conceal'd Before applauding Angels are reveal'd The righteous Judge their Innocence declar'd Allots the glorious Kingdom he prepar'd For pure and holy Minds a blest Reward Their Guardian Angels at their Lord's Command Crown the glad Saints with an Officious Hand Who now in perfect Bliss their time employ Discoursing to promote their mutual Joy How first they left the pleasurable way Where wanton Streams of soft Delights convey Charm'd Souls that with the treach'rous Tyde must go To the dead Lake of Pain and endless VVo. How first they lik'd the dark and lonesom Road That leads to Bliss and the blest Minds Abode How when in Shades they mourn'd a Heav'nly Ray Darted a welcome tho imperfect Day How Vertue 's guidance they implor'd and gain'd And what blest Converse with her they maintain'd How thro' dark Paths she did their Feet conduct Correct the wanderers and the rest instruct How by her Aids they bore tempestuous Shocks Climb'd o'er opposing Hills and hanging Rocks Till they at length the Peaceful Realms did gain VVhere Joys Divine and endless Transports Reign How sweet and fair Crown'd Innocence appears No more tost on the VVaves of Hopes and Fears On mortal Face such Beauties never shone Like those of Virtue seated on her Throne Next this th' Apostate Angels are accus'd That open Force or secret Arts they us'd To set their Leader on th' Eternal's Throne Subvert Christ's Empire and advance their own That Man by them seduc'd did first Rebel Relinquish'd Heav'n and to their Party fell That they the curst Defection did support And new Born Men to new Rebellions Court That they with indefatigable Care Fresh Heats fomented and renew'd the War Whence Plagues and Desolation wide and vast And uncontroll'd Destruction laid all wast Hence Noah's universal Deluge came And hence the World lies now o'erwhelm'd in Flame For these black Crimes they 're sentenc'd to the pains Of fiercer Fire and doom'd to heavier Chains Next Cain's Rebellious Offspring are accus'd As Heav'n's inveterate Foes that long abus'd Goodness Divine whom Everlasting Love And Life Eternal had no Charms to move They would no reconciling Terms embrace Alike by Threats unchang'd or Acts of Grace They did with Wine and Noise the Method find To Calm a Conscious self-revenging Mind To lay asleep th' uneasie Judge within Till they with Care and Pains grew bold in Sin For when the sacred Spirit did convey Into their Breasts a secret Heav'nly Ray That did where cherish'd soon bring on the Day With hasty Care they choak'd the new sprung Light Calling to Aid the Shades of Hell and Night Divine Compassion's Force they never felt Nor would in Flames of Love Eternal melt Their Hearts untouch'd did all Heav'n's strokes repel Temper'd and harden'd in the Forge of Hell No Overtures of Peace no Offers made Tho' of an endless Kingdom could perswade The unrelenting Rebels to lay down Their impious Arms to take a Heav'nly Crown They still asserted with their latest Breath Their fixt Confed'racy with Hell and Death 'T is on them charg'd that others too that fell Drawn by their Arts embark'd for Death and Hell They led them to the flowry Banks and show'd The flatt'ring Tide where smiling Pleasures flow'd Where the charm'd Voyagers did careless ride Bewitching Syren's singing on their side Till the false Flood betray'd them thither where It falls into the Gulph of black Despair Here secret Crimes are publish'd and his Name That lov'd the Sin but fear'd th' attendant Shame The sly Adulterer that til the late Approach of Night and silent Shades did wait For the Caresses of the Harlot's Fed And at the early dawn of Twilight fled Is here upbraided for his careful flight Of Mens whilst he contemn'd th' Almighty's sight Th' audacious Wretch that did Heav'n's Laws deride And all its Thunder and dire Threats defy'd That did cloy'd Nature to fresh Guilt excite Beyond her own ev'n Vicious Appetite Anti-Platonic that could pleasure take In naked Vice and sinn'd for sinning's sake That could abstracted from Enjoyment sport With Guilt and Vice ev'n in Idea court That did himself so much he lov'd the Fame The secret Triumphs of his Lusts proclaim Strives in the Crowd to hide his guilty Head Whilst his high Charge and black Indictment's read Th' astonish'd Wretch Sinks Trembles Dies to see Enrag'd Omnipotence and frowning Majesty Such deadly Torments on his Bowels feed
light On their curst Heads that should again invite Victorious Kings with Forreign Arms to bless Their Native Country and their Wrongs redress They 'll readily assist your Cause and fight To do to injur'd States and Princes Right But still they keep what by their Arms is won Great Monarchs conquer for themselves alone They want a fair Pretente to seize the Prey They come as Friends but will as Masters stay Thus Albion far'd may Heav'n her Sons restrain From splitting on this fatal Rock again In vain we strove to break the servile Yoke Our impotent Attempts new Wrongs provoke At last no greater Evils left to fear We took fresh Hope and Courage from Despair Fury from Ruin sprung rag'd in our Veins And Death 's seem'd lighter than the Saxon Chains Each free-born Briton thought the Choice more brave To die their Victim than to live their Slave We that could ne'er the Tyrant's Yoke endure Boyl with Revenge now Slaves to Forreign Power King Uter's Breast swells with distracting Rage Whose wounded Soul no Language could asswage Asham'd his Country's Freedom to out-live He takes the Councils Grief and Fury give His Knights together call'd attentive wait While Uter sits on his high Chair of State His troubled Looks reveal'd his inward Wound And Storms of Fury on his Forehead frown'd Who thus began you see what Tides of wo What angry Seas o'er all your Country flow Th' insulting Saxon claims our Land and draws From greater power the Justice of his Cause Thro' all our Towns our Foes triumphant ride Wearing their awful Title by their side They shed your Blood and helpless Maids deflower Exhaust your Treasure and your Land devour A faithless Nation that no Rule of Right Reveres as Sacred but superiour Might We oft our Fate in bloody Fields have try'd But Heav'n has Vict'ry to our Arms deny'd Egyptian Plagues lay wast our ruin'd Land No Moses here holds his controlling Wand Humbly invok'd Heav'n will perhaps relent And of its fierce accustom'd wrath repent Perhaps the Saxons Crimes with louder Cries For greater Vengeance importune the Skies Let us howe'er make one strong Effort more Our Country's Peace and Freedom to restore We 'll take the Field 't will gain us greater Fame To perish there then here with Grief and Shame My British Heart can't brook th' Inglorious Chain I 'll fall with Honour or with Honour reign Tumultuous Passions Wrath Revenge and Shame Invade our Breasts and our gall'd Souls inflame Strait with one Voice we all for Arms declare And every Breast already feels the War Resolv'd to make the vanquish'd Saxons fly Or in the just and brave Attempt to dy With Fury urg'd we part from Uter's sight Resolv'd for Freedom and our Native Right Thro' all the Towns we spread the loud Alarm And animated all our Men to Arm To vindicate their ravish'd Country's cause To banish Forraign Gods and Forraign Laws 'T is strange how soon the Britons Blood was fir'd What Life and Hope their drooping Hearts inspir'd They saw fair Liberty extended ly The Saxon Whips and Torments lying by They view her squallid Face exhausted Veins And beauteous Limbs eat in with rusty Chains They heard her mournful Groans and piercing Cries Her interrupted Sobs and dying Sighs They saw from gaping Wounds the gushing Blood Enrich the Pavement with a noble Flood While Pity Mercy Hope in Sorrow drown'd To finish the sad Scene stood weeping round The Britons rave resolving her defence And vow her Rescue at their Blood 's expence In Albion this fair Emp'ress still obey'd An uncontested Scepter ever sway'd As Universal Soul she Life diffus'd And Warmth to all the heaving Mass infus'd She ever gave to all true Britons Hearts More Vigour than their own warm Blood imparts 'T is quick'ning Liberty that gives us Breath Her Absence more than that of Life is Death Such love to Liberty the Britons show Such were her Charms and may they still be so May never Briton ceasing to be Brave Submit his Neck content to be a Slave May those be doubly curst that would betray Their Country's Freedom to a Forraign Sway. Our Men enrag'd in numerous Bodies meet Arm Arm was heard the Cry in every Street The Ploughman hastens to a nobler Toil Unyokes his Ox and leaves untill'd the Soil Abandons all his Hopes and rustick Care Lays down his Goad and shakes the warlike Spear The Tradesman quits his Shop and takes the Field And makes his thirst of Gain to thirst of Honour yield Arm'd Tenants crowd about their Valiant Lords And full of Courage wave their threat'ning Swords Near Sorbiodunum's stately Walls a Town For Strength and Beauty of the first Renown Whose spacious Plains rich Seas of waving Corn And lowing Herds and woolly Flocks adorn Our Universal Rendezvous was set Where all our Squadrons and Battalions met Mean time the Cautious Saxon was alarm'd And to dispel the gathering Tempest arm'd Octa the famous Hengist's Son a bold And warlike Prince did then the Scepter hold Hengist that did the first our Land invade And brought to Albion his destructive Aid The Fifth from mighty Odin whose great Name Had tir'd the flaggy Wings of weary Fame The Stock from which a Race Illustrious springs Of numerous Hero's and Victorious Kings That founded Empires and that living led Their Conquering Armies and their God when dead They soon the Hills by their long Marches gain And with their Troops o'erspread the spacious Plain We with their hasty March alarm'd prepare To guard our Camp and wait th' approaching War Our Parties now in rude Rencounters try'd Their Courage still th' advantage on our side Th' advancing Host at last appear'd in sight But Toil and wearing Day defer'd the Fight Now Night advancing draws her Sable Train Along the Air and Shades th' Etherial Plain King Uter with his Lords in Council sate Things of th' important Juncture to debate Where Measures were concerted to oppose With warlike Arts and Force th' impending Foes Their Provinces the great Commanders share And from the Council to their Posts repair Where they their Troops dispose and Orders give How the Invading Saxon to receive Encampt we lay on advantageous Ground With strong Entrenchments and high Works around Our chearful Troops great Joy and Courage show And from the Works defy the powerful Foe All things dispos'd with Military Care We wait in Arms th' approach of Day and War Now did the Morn disclose her smiling Ray And from the East let forth th' important Day To bloody Labour all things did invite And sounding Trumpets Martial Heat excite Heav'n's starry Roof resounds with warlike Noise With Horses Thunder and their Riders Voice The Saxons and the Britons stand prepar'd Those to Attack and these their Posts to Guard King Octa leads his numerous Army on And at their Head in dazling Armour shone Drawn on the Right our rang'd Battalions stood Our Left a River Guards the Rear a Wood. Octa here makes his warlike Columns halt
Detaching Horsa to begin th' Assault Whose chosen Troops a furious Onset make With no less Brav'ry ours sustain'd th' Attack They mount our Works and our high Ramparts Scale And with projected Fires our Men Assail Our Troops unbroken stout Resistance make And always forc'd th' Invading Saxon back As when a Mold repels th' Invading Seas Protects the Ships and gives the Harbour Peace The foaming Tempest on high Billows rides And Storms with watty Troops it 's lofty Sides Th' unshaken Structure all their Fury braves And stops the Current of th' Insulting Waves The angry Seas break on th' Opposing Shore And beaten back with Indignation roar No less unmov'd our Valiant Britons stood Against the Insults of the Saxon Flood Fresh Bodies still pour'd on their loss supply But still Repuls'd they from our Trenches fly Enrag'd about our Lines King Octa flew To find where best he might th' Assault renew To see what place lay most expos'd and where Our Troops did on the Works but thin appear As when a Wolf pinch'd by Nocturnal Cold And Hunger-starv'd scours round the lofty Fold He licks his rabid Jaws and seems possest Already of his Prey and bloody Feast He offers oft to enter while the Lambs Affrighted tremble round their bleating Dams So Octa thirsts for Blood and scouring round Surveys our Lines and well observes the Ground Now with fresh Rage his Troops our Walls ascend Which we with Showers of Darts and Stones defend What Shouts what noise of Arms the Air confound What Ruin what slain Heaps deform the ground The Earth grows slippery all distain'd with Blood Which fills the Ditches with a Crimson Flood The Dead make Bulwarks which the living Climb That in the Air rise like our Walls sublime O'erpower'd and weaken'd by the Men they lost And Faint with Toil the Britons quit their Post. Thrice the Invading Saxon forc'd our Lines And to their Arms thrice Victory inclines The Valiant Uter that had still withstood Their fiercest Troops all smear'd with Dust and Blood Who still to Posts of greatest danger flew And with unerring Arms their Squadrons slew Who spread fresh Life and Vigour where he came And in our Breasts renew'd the Martial Flame For where we saw his shining Arms appear Our Men reviv'd and straight forgot to fear Observing his disorder'd Troops retir'd His boiling Soul distracting Passion fir'd He spurs his furious Steed and Thundring thro' The thickest Ranks of the Victorious Foe Stay foolish Britons stay he cries from far Save yet your Country and renew the War Come follow me your King I 'll lead you on And chase the Saxons from the Posts they 've won The Britons Hearts were touch'd with generous shame Love to their Country and to Martial Fame With noble Ardor does their Souls inflame Their Leaders Rally all the Troops that fled And Charge the Foe King Uter at their Head With unresisted Fury they Attack The Saxon Troops resolv'd to force them back Now what Destruction what wide Ruin reign What heaps of slaughter'd Saxons load the Plain Now arm'd with hissing Death thick Arrows flew And outstretcht Arms as fatal Iavelins threw Then what vast Havock did the Sword employ What Troops did Uter's single Hand destroy What sever'd Limbs lay scatter'd on the ground What Streams of Blood gush from each ghastly wound What Shields and Spears in the red Deluge drown'd Here first brave Arthur did his Courage prove His Age then fitter for the Field of Love God-like his Face and God-like was his Mind To virtuous Deeds and warlike Games inclin'd The Down-of-Manhood on his Face appears And blooming Beauty grac'd his youthful years Yet wise and manly far beyond his Age His early Deeds the Hero did presage Till now the Woods and Forrests were his Joy Where he the Savage Kind strove to destroy That did the Herds and bleating Flocks annoy He chas'd the Fox the ravenous Wolf and Bear His Country's Pest dy'd by his fatal Spear The People blest him as a Saviour sent And thought kind Heav'n some great Deliv'rer meant He ne'er before had brac'd the Helmet on Nor in the Field in polish'd Armour shone His Sword had ne'er been stain'd with humane Gore Nor had he grip'd the Shield or Gauntlet wore His Country's Cause and Military Fame Invite the Youth to chase a nobler Game No more his thoughts his rural Sports pursue Tyrants and savage Men he 'll now subdue For warlike Toil he leaves the gameful Wood And flesht his Courage first in Saxon Blood The greatest Captains the brave Youth esteem'd He fought like Mars though Mercury he seem'd Like some fair Cherub or the Beamy God He wav'd his flaming Sword and thro' their Squadrons rode His youthful Veins Heroick Ardor fir'd And more than humane Force his Breast inspir'd For the great Deeds his fatal Arms archiev'd Were by th' amaz'd Spectators scarce believ'd At last amidst the Foe advanc'd too far Alone he long sustain'd th' unequal War Surrounding Throngs the fainting Youth opprest And Showers of Death flew pointed at his Breast His weary Arm supports his Shield with Pain And his bruis'd Armour Streams of Blood distain Here the young Hero had been crush'd and all Our Hopes and Joy had perish'd in his Fall Had not brave Malgo a Dimetian Chief Forc'd the thick Foes and flown to his Relief Then when the warlike Youth was most distrest And Elfrick's Sword was falling on his Crest With dreadful Sway Malgo its Fury broke And on his Shield receiv'd the mighty Stroke The Prince thus guarded from the fatal Blow Bold Malgo's Spear transfixt th' audacious Foe Groveling in Death he murmur'd on the Ground And pour'd his Life out from his gaping Wound Here Vortipor advancing did attack Their plying Troops and forc'd the Saxon back While Octa's wavering Men began to yield And to pursuing Uter quit the Field As when a Lyon that with Fury ran To seise by Night some weary Caravan That lay encampt on an Arabian wild Repuls'd by Fires and of his Prey beguil'd With hideous Roar he raves at his Defeat Oft stands looks back and makes a sour Retreat King Octa's Soul like Indignation fir'd That raving with his vanquish'd Men retir'd But oh how soon was this serener Day By Clouds and rising Tempests chas'd away How short a space could we our Conquest boast How soon were all our Hopes of Freedom lost Won by the potent Charms of Saxon Gold Carvil his Prince and Native Country sold. He in Indulgent Uter's Bosom lay And did the Secrets of his Breast betray He on his Conduct and his Faith rely'd In Peace and War alike his treacherous Guide He held the most important Trusts of State Nor could his Treasons Uter's Love abate Unhappy Prince that still his Foes believ'd Only by Ruin to be undeceiv'd To Friends ingrate his Foes be entertain'd Thus lost the one but not the other gain'd Wisely undone he knew his Friends too late By his own Prudence manag'd to his Fate Our Prayers and
shall Strangers fetch And taught by her their own rude Countries teach Th' admiring World shall Albion then adore Revere her Armies but her Learning more As when the Wisdom of th' Eternal Mind Rude Chaos labour'd and the Mass refin'd The scatter'd Rays that wander'd in the Air Did to the Sun 's capacious Orb repair The shining Colonies pour'd thick around Here fixt and did a glorious Empire Found So here the broken Beams of glimmering Arts Assembling all their Light from distant parts To make bright Oxford's Luminary stay That o'er the World shall spread Celestial Day Remark Elfeda there a Martial Dame That by her Arms shall win Immortal Fame At last the Princes of the Saxon Line From Heav'nly Love and Purity decline Their Christian Virtues and pure Zeal abate And with them sickens their decaying State With Christian Names their Pagan Crimes they keep And deaf to Heav'n's loud Threats securely sleep Till the fierce Dane sent by supream Command A vengeful Scourge does on their Borders Land The Saxon's Guardian Angels call'd away Leave them to hostile Arms an easie Prey Thus Heav'n afflicts a Land when Impious grown And from their Throne pulls haughty Monarchs down This dreadful Curse shall by relenting Heav'n Be soon from sad Britannia's Empire driv'n The Cruel slothful Dane shall soon decline To make way for a nobler Norman Line That Prince observe that moves with so much Grace Is the great William of the Norman Race A mighty Prince a Leader Brave and Wise Whose towring Fame shall soar above the Skies Heav'n does for him Britannia's Crown design From which great Stock shall branch a numerous Line Of mighty Princes that shall Rule this Isle Enriching it with Conquer'd Nations Spoil The Valiant second Henry see him there What Majesty does in his Looks appear Through wild Hibernia he shall force his way And add four Kingdoms to the British Sway. Brave Richard see who from the sacred Coast Shall drive the Barb'rous Unbelieving Host. In Gaul this Monarch's Arms shall be renown'd Dreaded in Battel and with Conquest Crown'd Long time in Peace his Crown might be enjoy'd Could he the Arrow at Chaluz avoid Now Son your Eye to that brave Warriour turn Whose Beams so much the Norman Line adorn How great a Presence what a Port he bears How much a mighty Conq'rour he appears That Prince is Edward whose Victorious Arms Iudea save from Pagan Foes Alarms How he returns thro' the Trinacrian Isle Thro' high Parthenope's delicious Soil Thro' loud Applauses of admiring Rome Reeking in hostile Blood triumphant home The beauteous Person next that Monarch seen Is Eleonora his Illustrious Queen In Storms she 's with him on the Ocean tost To seek out horrid War on Asia's Coast. Midst barbarous Arms his Wife Adviser Friend She his prodigious Labours shall attend And when her Lord so Heav'n permits shall feel Within his Veins the Murd'rer's poison'd Steel She to the spreading Plague her Lips applies And gives that Ease which Asia's Balm denies Invading Death her healing Kisses charm And with new Life the sinking Monarch warm No other Prince that in this Age shall reign Shall equal Honour to brave Edward's Gain But great Adolphus of th' Illustrious Race Of Heros which the House of Nassau Grace This mighty Prince shall gain th' Imperial Sway And wide Germania shall his Laws obey The God-like Virtues and Heroick Fire That shall the brave Nassovian House inspire Shall make Adolphus shine in this high Sphear Preluding to the great Deliverer The pious William yonder he 's in Sight In whom Nassovian Blood and ours unite There war-like Edward stands that with his Host Shall cross the Ocean to the Gallick Coast. Where he his Conquering Ensigns shall display And make the haughty Franks his Laws obey There Queen Philippa shines th' Albanians Dread Worthy of Britain's Crown and Edward's Bed While Forraign Kingdoms Edward's Arms subdue Hers thro' the North the vanquish'd Seats pursue See the Black Prince in Armour by her side Proud Gallia's Terrour and fair Albion's Pride What Triumphs wait him in Pictavian Fields What never-fading Laurels Croissy yields That Henry mark the glorious Conquerour That Gallia shall reduce by Albion's Power Immortal Prince if Arms can make thee so For thee in Norman Fields what Laurels grow How great he 'll seem his Arms distain'd with Blood Chasing the Franks o'er Sein's affrighted Flood At Agencourt what Wonders shall be done What Towns of Force what Battels shall be won Before in Triumph he ascends their Throne Our Blood the Royal Channel now regains Deriv'd thro' Tudor our brave Offspring's Veins Which with the Norman joyn'd the Confluent Tide As long as that of Time shall downward glide From their Embrace to rule Britannia springs A glorious Race of Queens and potent Kings See the first Tudor that ascends the Throne After the glorious Field at Bosworth won The Scepter he shall sway with great Applause And Rule the Isle with Wise and Equal Laws Young Edward there Albion's Delight appears Learn'd Pious Manly Wise above his years Then Liberty in all her lovely Charms Shall sit secure from Tyranny's Alarms Religion purg'd from Rome's Adulterous Stain Shall in her pure and Native Splendor Reign No greater Mind to Albion's Crown succeeds Rever'd for Brave and lov'd for Pious Deeds Blest Albion if kind Heav'n would long permit So great a Monarch on thy Throne to sit But oh how short Delights attend him here Such Heav'nly Guests are shown and disappear Dear both to Earth and Heav'n he 'll soon remove His Throne from hence to Reign in Bliss above With what Complaints with what despairing Cries Shall sad Britannia Mourn his Obsequies There see the bright Elizabetha rise Inlightning with her Rays the British Skies Th' Indulgent Parent of her People she Loves Feeds and Guards Britannia's Family Heav'n's and her People's Rights she shall protect And for Britannia's Ease her own neglect Her Sons she shall embrace with pious Care And from her Coasts send back th' Iberian War Blest times when she that wears th' Imperial Crown Regards her Peoples Safety as her own Intently now on that great Monarch gaze So much distinguish'd by his brighter Rays This is the Man the brave Nassovian whom I nam'd the great Deliverer to come Succeeding Prophets under your great Name This our great Offspring shall aloud proclaim Rais'd from a noble Branch of Tudor's Line From Thamisis transplanted to the Rhine Amaz'd Posterity will scarce believe The wond'rous Deeds this Hero shall atchieve The European World by Rome and Gaul opprest By his long-wish'd-for Arms shall be releast He 'll far outshine his own Heroick Race Europe's Protectors who shall Tyrants chase And Monsters vanquish with Herculean Toil And rescue from their bloody Jaws their Spoil The beardless Hero's first victorious Arms Shall free his Country from the Gauls Alarms As he advances Seas of Gallick Blood Shall with red Streams swell Mosa's wondring Flood Their slaughter'd Ranks shall lie along the Rhine
oft Victorious as they fought Fierce Alpine Allobrogs with slaughter fed In Snows and everlasting Winter bred Men of stupendous Bulk pamper'd and cloy'd With Blood of Nations which their Arms destroy'd Arm'd with broad flaming Swords and mighty Spears Their Caps were Wolves their Coats rough Skins of Bears Who stretcht on Beds did n'er their Limbs repose But from the naked ground still vig'rous rose Of Aspect terrible their squallid Face Thick matted Beards with bristly Terrour grace None e'er escap'd that did their Arms provoke They Mow whole Squadrons with a single stroke This monstrous Kind of Men did Fame invent And Arthur's Troops so dreadful represent To raise the Britons Hearts before deprest And strike a Terrour thro' the Saxon's Breast With Joy transported all for Arms declare And all the Accoutrements of War prepare The Shepherds on the Hills forsake their Flocks And leave their brouzing Goats upon the Rocks Instead of Crooks that did their Flocks command Long warlike Spears they brandish in their Hand The British Youth their Courage rais'd rejoyce To see the Banners fly and hear the Trumpet 's Voice The Farmers leave the Hopes their Field afford To reap fresh Laurels with their Conquering Sword The noise of War does from the Hills rebound And midst the Miners Eccho's under ground Who straight alarm'd at nobler Labour Sweat And into Swords their glowing Metal beat Their Forges Anvils and wide Bellows breath Are all employ'd in various kinds of Death Some shape the Halbert and broad Fauchion's Blade And Darts by some and Arrows Heads are made Some forming Battle-Axes heave the Sledge Some into Shields strike out a flaming Wedge To fashion Helmets some the Hammer ply Some labour Pieces for the Leg and Thigh With Lances arm'd some their hot Coursers rein And to the War Curvet along the Plain Some with their clenching Gauntlets grasp the Shield Shake their long Spears and rush into the Field Across their Shoulders some their Quivers hung Their Arrows trim'd and Bows for Death new strung As when black Clouds dark'ning the Summer Sky Loaded with Crystal Tempests slowly fly Th' Artillery discharg'd with mighty Sound Th' exploded Hailstones leap upon the ground Thunder amidst the Woods and from the Hills rebound So with the Britons all the Region swarms So thick their Troops so loud the noise of Arms. The groaning Earth complains and trembling feels The trampling Hoofs and Chariots fervid Wheels In order now Celestial Muse declare What Troops and who those ancient Britons were Who for their Country's Liberty combin'd And their Brigades with Arthur's Forces joyn'd From Time's dark Prisons set the Hero's free And may their glorious Names Immortal be First warlike Cadwall the Dimetians Head His Forces from the neighbouring Region led Their Troops advance from the bleak Northern Shore On which the Hybernian Sea's loud Billows roar And where Octopitarum thro' the Waves Wedging his Way the opposing Ocean braves Fair Maridunum pours her Squadrons forth Where the fam'd Sorc'rer Merlin had his Birth They came who dwelt round high Plinlimmon's Sides Where Stuccia flows and swift Turobius glides King Meridoe the Oordovican leads Down from the British Alps whose snowy Heads Imaus like stand towring in the Air And midst the Stars eternal Winter bear And from the Soil lav'd by Conovius Flood And Menai's Banks where then Segontium stood Great Numbers swarm'd from Mona's noble Isle Deform'd for Aspect but of fertile Soil Where once in shady Groves erected stood The Druids Altars stain'd with humane Blood The Troops their March from Mediolanum take From Helen's Way and the Tegeian Lake Thro' which fair Deva's Streams so swiftly pass They uncorrupted shun th' impure Embrace Here the sublime Mervinian Mountains rise And with sharp-pointed Tops transfix the Skies Next Morogan the bold Silures brought None for their Country's Freedom better fought They bravely Valens and his Troops withstood And dy'd Sabrina's Streams with Roman Blood With like Success Veranius they defeat And forc'd his vanquish'd Eagles to retreat This cause as much their Courage did provoke To free their Country from the Saxon Yoke They take in hast their Swords and Bucklers down And march to meet the Prince from every Town From all the Cities on the verdant side Of Nidus and on Loghor's Crystal Tyde They march from Bovium and the neighboring Shore Thick as the Waves that there insulting roar Down from the Hilly Lands the Britons came Which now th' Inhabitants Brechinia name Where the black Mount stands lofty in the Air And forky Peak since call'd great Arthur's Chair They march from Bulleum Haga and the Lake Where when broad Sheets of Ice dissolving crack The ratling Noise rebounds from Neighb'ring Hills And with loud Thunder all the Region fills From Ariconium and the flowry Space VVhich wanton Vaga's winding Arms embrace Where Lugus his transparent Bosom spreads And where Liddenus murmurs thro' the Meads Where thick Hesperian Woods with Apples crown'd Of golden Hue enrich the Fields around Which the most generous British Wine produce Ausonia scarce affords a nobler Juice They leave the Fields fam'd for the purest Corn And the rich Plains that Wooly Flocks adorn Which bless the Farmer with a nobler Fleece Than what Apulia boasts or fertile Greece They leave the golden Vale and happy Ground Which Dorus laves and lofty Woods surround The warlike Youth from Venta came and those That Muno's Flood and Isca's Streams inclose With those that round the Oazy Moor are bred And near the Golden Rocks refulgent Head Out from her Gates her Youth fair Isca pours Crown'd with gilt Spires rich Domes and lofty Towers Where Golden Roofs and checker'd Floors abound Deep Vaults and spacious Chambers under ground A stately Theater the Town o'erlooks And noble Works convey the neighb'ring Brooks By Conquering Romans built that far from home They might enjoy the Sports and Pomp of Rome Such was the ample City's ancient Fame Now worn by time it scarce preserves its Name Those from Gobanium march a Town that stood On Isca's and Gevini's confluent Flood In cheerful Troops the stout Cornavians came From the rich Soil we now Salopia name From either side of fair Sabrina's Tyde Whose silver Streams the fruitful Land divide From Usocona end the Towns that lay On the fam'd Roman Military way From Uriconium yet a Noble Town And old Rutunium then of good Renown Galbut their Leader at their Head appears A lovely Youth and Wise above his Years Descended from a Noble ancient Race Of Heros who the British Annals grace He by Forefathers Beams Illustrious shone Great by their Deeds but greater by his own Zeal for his Country and the British Cause The generous Youth to glorious Danger draws For this he crost the Ocean to implore Prince Arthur's Arms their Freedom to restore The Prince embrac'd him as his Fav'rite Friend And did his Zeal and Vigilance commend He staid the dear Companion of his Toil Both on the Seas and on th' Armorick Soil And when
Fight The Birds of Heav'n the gazing Augurs scare Crossing with inauspicious Flights the Air The Fowl as sacred kept projected Meat Coldly regard and sullenly retreat From hollow Oaks obscene Night Ravens sung And clustring Bees upon their Ensigns hung Bullocks with Garlands crown'd reluctant come Break from the Altar and run lowing home Near silver Thamisis sweet Banks there stood Awful for solemn Shade a lofty Wood. Where they ador'd their God Irmansul nam'd A war-like Idol thro' Germania fam'd His Right Hand did a flowry Garland bear His Left held up a Balance in the Air. His Breast a grisly Bear 's fierce Figure bore And in his Shield a Lyon seem'd to roar Fresh gather'd Flowers dispers'd in Heaps around Gay Superstition paint their sacred Ground Hither the Saxons and their Priests repair T' atone their God with Victims and with Prayer His Aid against the Britons to invoke While the tall Oaks with Clouds of Incense smoak The Priests the Wood to burn the Victim lay And a crown'd Bullock at the Altar slay Their reeking Hands ransack in vain the Breast To find the Heart of the prodigious Beast The Priests grow pale and from their Altars start Finding a Victim slain without a Heart But that which most the gazing Saxons scare Are Armies seen engaging in the Air. The highest ground of all th' heavenly Way The Sun had gain'd darting a downright Ray. When two black Clouds appear'd one from the East Threat'ning arose the other from the West They stretcht their lowring Fronts across the Sky And frowning seem'd each other to defy Between a Glade of free and open Air Did as betwixt two spacious Woods appear Then issuing from the Womb of either Cloud Two Armies met and drawn in Battel stood The sick'ning Sun shone with a gloomy Ray Scar'd with the bloody Business of the Day Between them straight began a furious Fight And glitt'ring Arms supply'd the want of Light Eager of Glory from Heroick Deeds The Airy Knights spur on their foaming Steeds They rush to Battel with a full Career And tilting break their Lances in the Air. Swords clashing Swords and Shields rencountring Shields Fill with the Din of War th' Etherial Fields Vaulting the Air thick Showers of Arrows fly And warlike Labour troubles all the Sky A Bloody Field was fought and Heaps of Slain Seem'd to o'erspread the wide Etherial Plain Chariots o'erturn'd and scatter'd Harness by Steeds and dismounted Riders mingled ly From gaping Wounds a Crimson Sea of Blood Along the Heav'nly Pavement reeking flow'd At last the Squadrons in the Eastern Sky Fell in Disorder and began to fly The Conquerours hung upon their Backs and chas'd Their Troops with mighty Rout thro' all the Wast Into the Clouds and Heav'nly Wilds they fled And left upon the Bloody Field their Dead Next off the Theater the Victors go And into shapeless Air dissolving flow The lab'ring Scene and Actors disappear'd And of the War the Airy Stage was clear'd Octa that view'd th' important Prodigy Trembled to see the Eastern Army fly He wisely hid his Fears within his Breast And to his Captains thus himself exprest Let not vain Prodigies the Saxons scare Form'd by the wanton Demons of the Air. Wrapt in dark Clouds the Will of Heav'n's conceal'd To Mortals only by th' Event reveal'd Think not fantastick Portents can declare The Fate of Kingdoms and Results of War These only weak and vulgar Minds affright Like Phantoms borrowing Horrour from the Night Which as capricious Nature's Play the wise From timerous Superstition free despise The valiant on their Arms make Fortune wait And carve out to themselves propitious Fate Neglect these Dreams the Gods are ever kind To the best Troops and to th' undaunted Mind Great Caesar thus contemn'd his Augurs Tales Fights and o'er Foes and Portents too prevails Thus Octa strove their Passion to appease And give them what himself enjoy'd not Ease At a small Village now unknown by Name There dwelt a Sorcerer of wondrous Fame The Pagan Briton Merlin that of late For his dire Art driv'n from the British State Did with the Pagan Saxons safely dwell And kept his Correspondence up with Hell With potent Juices and infernal Charms The black Magician Plagues and Mortal Harms And various Kinds of Mischiefs did inflict On those whom Heav'n was pleas'd he should afflict He in the silent Night while Mortals sleep By Hedg-rows Lakes or o'er the Hills would creep To gather baleful Herbs with which he drew Familiar Fiends that round like Ravens flew Mounting his Magick Wand he thro' the Air To rich Nocturnal Feasts would oft repair Spread on green Hills or near some shady Wood Or Grassy Banks of some sweet River's Flood Where when th' infernal Company are met Rich Meats and Wines on stately Tables set They seem to taste and by the Moon 's pale Light Spend in Fantastick Luxury the Night But from th' imaginary Banquet come At the gray Dawning lank and meagre home King Octa's Servants at their Lord's Command With their unrighteous Wages in their Hand To Merlin come and soon prevaild to bring The fam'd Magician to their anxious King Whom Octa thus bespoke The Miracles your sacred Art has shown Make you thro' all the wond'ring Island known Let your prodigious Power my Army Guard Honour and Riches shall be your Reward The Foe we 'll now engage but let him first Be here by you and your Enchantments curst Curse then this impious Enemy your Breath Will blast their Strength and fatal prove as Death Your Curse and that of Fate is deem'd the same And whom you bless the World does blest proclaim Assault their Camp with all your magick Powers You 'll curse your mortal Foes as well as ours Revenge your Wrongs and by your potent Charms Draw off the Guardian Gods that help their Arms. Come with me then I will a Mountain shew From whose high Top you may their Army view There we 'll atone the Gods with Prayer and thence You shall your Curses on the Foe dispence Then Octa to a Mount the Sorc'rer led Whence thro' the Vale he saw the Britons spred Seven Altars they erect and in the Flames Seven Bullocks sacrifice and seven Rams Here Octa and his Lords their Gods ador'd And kneeling round the Flames their Aid implor'd At last the Night advancing to her Noon Merlin conducted by the silver Moon From Octa to a neighb'ring Hill withdraws T' observe infernal Rites and magick Laws He seeks out noxious Plants whose powerful Juice Magicians for their strong Enchantments use Green Henbane Wormwood Hemlock Savine Top In whose prest Juice he dipt his magick Sops With Plants that to the Moon their Vertue owe And Toadstools that from Storms of Thunder grow Which mixt with humane Fat red Hair and Blood He offers up cast on the Burning Wood. Then with his potent Wand he walks around And with dire Circles marks th' enchanted ground Then did he with a mutt'ring Voice rehearse Wondrous mysterious
Crimson Beds where Monarchs did repose Unnumber'd Camels laden and opprest With all th' Luxury of the wanton East Beneath the Booty groan'd along the Road Themselves a Prey as was their precious Load Here ran gilt Chariots drawn by generous Steeds Such as the noble Soil of Asia breeds Here Royal Captives and chain'd Lords appear And vulgar Slaves prest with an endless Reer Here the great Constantine of British Race O'er Tyber's Bridge does fierce Maxentius chase With Roman Blood the swelling Rivers dy'd And Helms and Shields roll down the Crimsom Tyde Spears broken Armour Men and Coursers slain The Streams encumber and the Flood detain Great Constantine in glitt'ring Armour shines And pressing on breaks thro' the Roman Lines Maxentius Hopes are blasted in the Bloom He flies and opens wide the Gates of Rome To the Victorious Christian and his God Where for a while he made his blest abode Prince Arthur BOOK VIII THus in resplendent Arms Prince Arthur shines Darting bright Terrour thro' the Saxon Lines All at his fearful Presence were amaz'd And on the glorious Foe with Wonder gaz'd Confusion seiz'd them and a chilling Damp Went to their Hearts thro' all the trembling Camp And now the vaulted Sky rings with the Noise Of Souldiers Shoutings and shrill Trumpets Voice The British Prince waving his flaming Blade The Saxon's strong Battalions did invade First Baldred fell a bold and daring Knight That rushing forward did his Fate invite The Javelin thro' his Shield of treble Hide And Coat of Mail pierc'd deep into his Side Eska the second Triumph did afford His Head strook off by Arthur's conquering Sword Next groveling on the Ground great Ina lies And the brave Orla of stupendous Size Whose Clubs like that Alcides us'd to weild Laid whole Brigades on Heaps upon the Field Neither their Arms nor Stature nor Descent From mighty Osca could their Fate prevent As Pharo boasted loud and threatn'd Death The Javelin pierc'd his Throat and stop'd his Breath Kinullar next the conquering Prince withstood A valiant Captain and of noble Blood Resisted by his Shield the Saxon's Spear Flew off and pass'd obliquely thro' the Air. Here on the Prince Cissa exclaiming loud Rush'd in and pres'd him with a numerous Crowd Thick showers of Javelins with a mighty Sound Like Storms of Hail from his bright Shield rebound The Prince enrag'd caught up his Spear in hast Which he at Cissa with such Fury cast It pierc'd his famous Buckler's seventh Fold And his Rich Coat dawb'd thick with pond'rous Gold Then deep between the Paps the Weapon went And its last Force in his warm Bosom spent Flat on his Face the Bleeding Saxon lies And rat'ling in his Throat stretcht out and dies Mollo rush'd in and with his hand did wrest The bloody Weapon from his Brother's Breast And boldly to attack the Prince advanc'd But from his shield th' unprosperous Weapon glanc'd The Prince's spear thro' Mollo's Shield of Brass Thro' His Habergion and his Breast did pass Mollo of Sense bereav'd fell to the Ground And spew'd black Blood both for his Mouth and Wound Striving th' invading Hero to repel Alcinor Peda and Darontes fell Three Men of wondrous Strength and warlike Fame Who from the farthest Snows of Scythia came Descended all from Otha's noble Line Whose glorious Deeds in Saxon Records shine He was victorious Odin's constant Friend And all his Toils and Conquests did attend Then Cerdic with his Troops the Prince withstands Sustain'd by Sebert and th' East Saxon Bands Now these now those the British Prince attack And press on every side to force him back As when two adverse Hurricanes arise Must'ring their stormy Forces in the Skies Of equal Fury and of equal Force Against each other bend their rapid Course The Clouds their Lines extend in black Array And Front to Front a fearful War display Exploded Flames against each other fly And fiery Arches Vault th' inlighten'd Sky Conflicting Billows against Billows dash Thunder 'gainst Thunder roars Lightnings 'gainst Lightnings flash Nor Flames nor Winds nor Waves nor Clouds will yield But equal strength maintains a doubtful Field Britons and Saxons thus in Battel strove And neither from their Ground the Foe remove Then Valiant Cadwal threat'ning from afar High in his Chariot plung'd into the War His strong extended Arm his Javelin flung Cutting the Air the hissing Weapon sung Falling on Kingills Shield it pierc'd the Hide Of treble Fold and enter'd deep his Side Fainting and stagg'ring Kingill backwards reel'd Then fell with sounding Arms upon the Field Gasping he lay and from his ghastly Wound His Crimson Life ebb'd out upon the Ground And next his fatal Shaft at Bertac flew With mighty Force and pierc'd his Breastplate thro' The secret Springs of Life the pointed Dart. Broke open and transfixt his generous Heart His Wound from gaping Channels inward bled And on his Shoulder hung his lolling Head He fell and Shivering gasp'd his latest Breath And fainting sunk into the Arms of Death A noble Youth worthy of milder Fate But Death's blind Stroaks distinguish not the great At last the Saxon Troops in Throngs surround The valiant King Thus far with Conquest crown'd Thick Showers of Darts from every Side invade And in his Shield a bristling Harvest staid Th' undaunted Hero long their Force sustain'd And held at Bay th' unequal War maintain'd Like a chaf'd Boar that in a sheltring Wood The clam'rous Dogs surround King Cadwall stood A noble Rage did in his Breast arise And Streaks of Fire break from his burning Eyes So when by Night th' Islandian Ocean roars And rolls its angry Waters to the Shores Flashes of Light and fiery Lustre glance From raging Waves that in bright Troops advance With his refulgent Sword the Warriour flew Upon the Crowd and cut his Passage thro' Soga and Kenrick from the Hilly Land Where Sorbiodunum's lofty Castles stand Two constant Friends whom Fate could not divide Together by the Britons Weapon dy'd Then Redburg Alfry and Theodrick fell Striving in vain the Victor to repell Great Numbers more he slew whose vulgar Name To those in after Ages never came As a high Rock which the vast Ocean laves Expos'd to stormy Winds and raging Waves On its fixt Base unshaken does defy Th' united Fury of the Seas and Sky So ' midst surrounding Foes brave Cadwall stood About him flow'd a Sea of Hostile Blood He slew Rovennar with his mighty Sword And Saradan a great west Saxon Lord. Valiant Elmunor to his Country dear And Osith dy'd by his projected Spear Octa enrag'd to see the numerous Spoils Round Cadwall spread sprung thro' the thronging Files Rushing with Fury on and threatning high He thus aloud did to the Briton cry Cadwall on me let all your Force be spent Hither be all your pointed Javelins sent Here see a Foe that will your Pride abate Or in the glorious Combate meet his Fate At this his massy Spear with Vigour sent Thro' valiant Cadwalls shining Buckler went
Arms regain your own Fear not the Relicks of a Conquer'd Foe Their tott'ring State falls with another Blow Now let no Funeral Honours be deny'd To these brave Men that for their Country dy'd Let us with Sighs and Tears lament their Fate Who fell while striving to support our State Ages to come shall their great Virtue praise Viewing the Tombs that on their Graves you raise And first the Prince to the Pavilion went Whither brave Macor's breathless Corps was sent He lay extended on a Purple Bed With high rais'd Pillows plac'd beneath his Head His Servants standing round their Grief exprest With old Pendarvan sad above the rest Cador to him as to his faithful Friend For wise Instructions did his Son commend His Counsels form'd his Youth and did prepare His Mind for all concerns of Peace and War Now in his Face the deepest Grief appears He beats his Breast and baths it with his Tears He wrings his Hands and in his mournful Rage Tears off the hoary Honours of his Age. Immoderate Grief in lamentable Sounds As Arthur enter'd thro' the Room rebounds The pious Prince with heavy Sorrow prest Burst out in Tears and thus his Grief exprest Inexorable Death at every Heart Without distinction shoots her fatal Dart. Could Beauty Courage Virtue youthful Age Move her Compassion or divert her Rage Brave Youth thou hadst escap'd and liv'd to see Our Triumphs for a Vict'ry due to thee But all thy Charms by stronger Fate o'ercome Could not reverse th' Irrevocable Doom Oh! thy sad Sire what swelling Grief will roll Its stormy Tyde o'er his afflicted Soul Can he the News of Macor's Death survive Or me with whom he trusted him forgive T' allay the smart may the Danmonians tell How bravely Macor fought how Great he fell And how my own with Cador's Grief contends He mourns the best of Sons and I the best of Friends Our Hopes are gone may the Danmonians Cry And what Britannia can thy Loss supply Then to Embalm the Prince he gave Command That he might send him to his Native Land Straight with hot Streams they wash his Body o'er And purge his Skin from Dust and putrid Gore Then in Arabian Spices fragrant Gums Rare Aromatick Oyls and rich Perfumes They lay his Snowy Body which they fold In Bands of Linnen round him often roll'd Then from his Troops a Thousand Youths he chose That might a solemn Equipage compose That might accompany the Funeral State To the unhappy Father's Palace Gate Small Comfort for so great a loss yet due To the sad Sire and all the Prince could shew Forthwith the Britons weave with bending Sprigs Of Willow Trees and tender Oaken Twigs An easie Bier and with soft Rushes spread Sweet Flowers and fragrant Herbs the lofty Bed The Roof on high fresh spreading Branches shade And here sublime the hapless Youth was laid Such on the Ground the fading Rose we see By some rude Blast torn from the Parent Tree The Daffodil so leans his languid Head Newly mown down upon his grassy Bed Tho from the Earth no more Supplies they gain Their splendid Form in part and lovely Hue remain Then a rich Garment glorious to behold Pond'rous with Orient Pearl and stiff with Gold A noble Present from King Odar's Hand Receiv'd when Arthur left the Neustrian Land Upon the Bier his Royal Bounty threw The last Respect that a sad Friend could shew A noble Portion of the wealthy Prey And Spoils gain'd from the Foe on Cars they lay With Arms and Standards that himself had won The Trophies of the Wonders he had done Now the magnificent and pompous Woe Does from the Camp in sad Procession go The lab'ring Axle mourns along the Road And groans beneath th' uncomfortable Load The Horses slowly March and mournful look As they their share of publick Sorrow took Pendarvan follows stooping with his years But more with Grief and delug'd in his Tears Then Macor's Chariot rolls distain'd with Blood On which sublime amidst the War he rode His War-horse Rapa with black Trappings spread And he too seem'd to weep is after led His Arms and polish'd Armour others bear His Golden Spurs his Helmet Shield and Spear Then in long Order the Danmonians mourn'd Their Spears turn'd backwards and their Bucklers turn'd Then Arthur stood and with sad Accent spoke Thus far I mourn the Fate I can't revoke Back I am call'd where Arms and bloody Strife With more sad Objects must renew my Grief Farewel brave Youth farewel till we above Meet in the peaceful Realms of Light and Love He said no more but turn'd and took his way Back to the Camp which lofty Works survey Mean time ten Oratours from Octa sent Arriv'd and waited at the Prince's Tent. Their Embassy a Truce was to obtain To clear the Field and to inter the slain They urg'd that all Hostilities should cease Against the Dead who ought to rest in Peace That all Heroick Conquerors ever gave To those from whom they took their Lives a Grave The Saxons Prayer seem'd just and ten days Truce Prince Arthur granted for this pious Use. To Cador's Court the heavy Tydings came Born swiftly thither on the Wings of Fame Loud Lamentation thro' the Palace went And bitter Cries give their strong Passion vent Officious Fame the dismal News relates And universal Sorrow propagates Pale Faces crossing Arms dejected Eyes O'erflowing Tears and deep despairing Sighs Compose a finish'd Scene of Blackest Woe The Tragick place does all sad Figures show The Men like pallid Ghosts pass silent by Women outrageous in their Sorrow cry Macor is dead our Hopes too with him dy Thro' all the Streets prodigious Numbers flow And pour'd out from the Gates promiscuous go To meet their Hero's Herse with flaming Brands And Pitchy Torches lighted in their Hands Which in long Order shone along the way Disclos'd the Fields and call'd back banish'd Day Soon as they spied the lofty Herse from far Attended with the Pomp of mournful War A lamentable Cry the Valley fills Eccho repeats it louder in the Hills Wild with their Grief distracted with Despair They strike their throbing Breasts tear off their Hair And with their piercing Screams disturb the Air. Both Troops unite Rivals in Love and Grief And the sad Conquest seek with equal Strife As Cador's Love no bounds his Sorrow knew Who from their Arms and Prayers distracted flew Close in his Arms he did the Corps embrace Kiss'd his cold Lips and bath'd with Tears his Face A Scene so tender such a moving Sight Melts all their Hearts and does fresh Grief invite Touch'd with Compassion to th' afflicted King From their exhausted Eyes fresh Torrents spring When the fierce Tempest had its Fury broke With a deep Sigh th' unhappy Monarch spoke Oh my dear Son how mild had been my Doom Hadst thou escap'd I suffer'd in thy Room This Sight kills worse than Death Oh that the Dart Had mist thy Breast and pierc'd thy Father's Heart Oh that to
see this fatal Hour I live And thee and all that 's dear in Life survive Oh how I wish Life's tedious Journey done The empty Name remains the thing is gone But sure I shall not long thy Absence mourn I 'll hast to thee thou 'lt not to me return My hoary Head with Sorrow to the Grave Makes hast the best Repose my Troubles crave Thrice happy Wife remov'd from us below You have no share in this sad Scene of Woe My ill presaging Fears are now fulfill'd I started in my Sleep and cry'd my Son is kill'd I knew too well warm Blood and youthful Age Eager with Fame and fier'd with Martial Rage His Arms in greatest Danger would engage I pray'd and oft conjur'd him to beware Not rashly to provoke unequal War He promis'd me while on his Neck I wept But oh how ill has he his Promise kept I can't reproach the pious Arthur's Name Nor on his Friendship sworn reflect the Blame If by divine unchangeable Decree Untimely Fate Macor attended thee T' is best that thou art fal'n with such Applause Asserting Albion's and the Christian Cause But why do my Complaints thus endless grow And why thus tedious my loquacious Woe Why from new Laurels should I thus detain These valiant Troops to hear my Sighs in vain Go Britons to your Prince at your Return Tell him I live but only live to mourn I groan beneath the heaviest Load of Grief And spend in Tears my sad Remains of Life May Heav'n his Arms with greater Triumph bless Great as his Vertues let him meet Success Mean time must we this last kind Office pay And Macor's Body to the Dome convey Where his illustrious Fathers lie interr'd Who reign'd by Subjects lov'd by Neighbours fear'd Soon as the Sun had with his early Ray Depos'd the Shades and re-enthron'd the Day The pious Britons their slain Friends inter And on their Graves new Honours do confer Some with their Spades and with sharp Axes wound The groaning Earth and casting up the Ground They form deep Vaults and subterranean Caves Then fill up with their Dead the gaping Graves Some cast up hilly heaps and Mounts of Sand That for their Tombs and Monuments might stand And to th' admiring Britons might declare In future Ages what their Fathers were Some Stones erect of a prodigious Size That bear the Hero's Glory to the Skies Mean time the Saxons bear away their Dead Whose putrid Heaps the bloody Field o'erspread Inumerable Piles they raise on high Which kindled fill with Smoak and flames the Sky With uncouth Cries around the Fires they mourn Where vulgar Dead in Heaps promiscuous Burn. The Lords and Officers of high Command They send attended with a warlike Band Each to his City there to be interr'd Where greater funeral Pomp might be conferr'd But fair Augusta chiefly flow'd with Tears Where Grief in all her mournful Looks appears Distracted with ungovernable Woe Into the Streets in Crowds the Matrons flow Confusion in their Looks and wild Despair They wring their Hands and tear their flowing Hair Parents on Children Wives on Husbands call Sons mourn their Fathers Maids their Lovers fall For their dear Brothers Sisters Tears are spent Servants their Masters Friends their Friends lament All mingle Tears their Cries together flow And form a hideous Harmony of Woe Pale Consternation sate on every Face They fear'd the Prince would soon invest the Place They oft reproach'd their Monarch's Breach of Word That had expos'd them to the Conquerour's Sword They wish'd that this destructive War might cease And Ethelina be the Bond of Peace Octa's Affairs in this ill State appear Such was their publick Grief and such their Fear Mean time the Briton joyful Sports ordain'd For the great Vict'ry by their Arms obtain'd For Horsemanship the Britons always fam'd To run a Course his generous Gifts inflam'd Desire both of the Prize and loud Applause The British Youth to mount their Coursers draws A neighbouring Hill ascending high but slow Survey'd the Valleys with his lofty Brow Upon the flowry Top a spacious Down Extended lay which shady Woods did crown The grassy Plains and rising Groves appear Like a rich furnish'd native Theater Where Sylvan Scenes their verdant Pomp display And charming Prospects to the Eye convey Soon as the Sun had with his Rosy Light From the cold Air dispell'd the dewy Night The British Hero with a numerous Train Directs his Steps to this delightful Plain Where high amidst his Friends he takes his Place VVho swarm'd around to view the noble Race Britons Armoricans and Neustrians stood Mingled below the foremost of the Crowd Stood Eddelin in all his Youthful Pride His Purple Boots were of Iberian Hide VVhich fast with Golden Buttons held and grac'd VVith Silver Spurs his comely Legs embrac'd A flaming Ruban of Sydonian Dy In a close Knot his curling Locks did ty VVhich playing on his Shoulders flew behind Danc'd in the Air and sported with the VVind Close to his well shap'd VVast he wore his Coat Of Silk and Silver by his Mother wrought A Cap of Crimson did his Head equip And as he walk'd he slash'd his breaded VVhip His swarthy Groom his generous Courser leads That scarcely marks the Ground so light he treads Swift as a Dove pursu'd or Mountain Hind His nimbler Feet could overtake the VVind Leave flying Darts and swifter storms behind Illustrious Blood he Boasts with equal Pride Transmitted to his Veins on either side The Mother Mare was of Eborac Race The Sire Augusta's Merchants brought from Thrace His inward Fire thro' his wide Nostrils flies And noble Ardor sparkles in his Eyes His well turn'd Limbs did Admiration move Where Strength and Beauty for the Conquest strove His matchless Speed the Prize did ever gain From all the Rival Coursers of the Plain Next Blanadoc upon the Plain advanc'd And led behind his fiery Courser pranc'd Lightly equip'd and ready for the Race He marches to the Base with Manly Grace The gazing Crowd admire his comely Steed Nobly descended from the famous Breed That on the Mauritanian Mountains feed And fam'd for Swiftness in the Dusty Course Of wondrous Beauty and of wondrous Force And next to him the gay Lanvallo came Eager to win the Prize and raise his Name His dapled Courser to the Base advanc'd And neighing wantonly along the Champain danc'd His high Descent he did from Draco trace The swiftest Courser of th' Iberian Race A Race so famous for their speedy Feet Eurus himself was not esteem'd more fleet So swift they run that vulgar Fame declares The Western Winds impregnated the Mares Next the fierce Tudor comes into the Field That did to none for Art or Courage yield A Velvet Bonnet on his Head and drest For Lightness in a thin embroider'd Vest. Thirsty of Honour to the Base he flies And with his greedy Wishes grasps the Prize His well-train'd Courser was admir'd for Speed Sprung from Calabrian mixt with British Breed Light'ning flew from his Eyes