bright Whose shining seates the antient Royal Race Of Brittish Kings in their past glories grace Which as this presence with due wonder saw A Cloud-like Curtain did before it draw As oft the setting-Suns bright face does wear Made by his Art of some such matter here Then shapes of Heroes represents to view The Queen from her late dreadful vision knew To be of that sterne Nations mighty Race Succeeding time did Saxon Monarchs place Whose Visage look'd as if compos'd they were Of Natures Roughest Elements for War Each in a Martial Cassock clad of blew The Armes of Nobles blaze or Princes shew While Warlike Hengist with a brandish't Spear And furious Horsa foremost do appear Those fatal Brothers first trod Brittish shore To lead through Seas of blood fierce Saxon power Next these passe Scepter'd Kings of this high line With Alfred must in story ever shine For all such virtues Subjects Reverence draw And gave this Isle first English Name and Law Who no less fam'd in War his mighty state The Conquer'd Trophies of fierce Danes does wait Whose bloody onsets this Isle long withstood Before they Raign'd or mix'd with Native blood And here Great Edmund who vast Battels fought With Danish Knute are to sole Combat brought As this day Story enterpriz'd does fame Where Severne Banks are wash'd by his rough stream But pardon Reader if my Muse hence spare To fing these Nations long divided War Or how from Blood and Arms their Kings did raign Which must thy toyles and tears together gain While with this wondrous vision I descend To Royal Edward Saxon Kings does end Nature Divinely Issue did deny Since few succeeding match'd his Piety And briefly from this Artists deeds relate How Norman Kings possest this mighty State Since their first William Rul'd by Conquests claim And left its Throne at once rough Laws and Fame On whom attending here those Heroes stand First serv'd his Arms and planted in this Land Whence so much of our Noble Blood since streams And speaks the honor of their Acts and Names Next to Great William Rufus does appear Who dy'd his Successor without an Heir While Henry younger does usurp the Throne And Robert to both elder sadly shown His eyes put out by that ambitious Fate Made Henry younger seise his Royal state Who clouded thus his hands to heaven does spread T' invoke their crimes should thence be punished Nor did remain a Male Prince of his Line Leaving his Crown in beaut'ous Maud to shine Whose glorious love Plantagenet inthron'd Whom France at such dear cost of Arms renown'd Descending thence their eyes were entertain'd With all of that high Lineage here since raign'd Of which the first unhappy Prince was John If evil Kings from Subjects hate are known And here with troubled looks he seems to view Those first bold Charters Englands Freedom shew Which to this day supremest Law has stood But speaks that Ages Crime since got with blood Near whom the mighty Barons sternly wait Who made his Power by Arms legitimate From which black Vail too late Rebellion springs And Treason seems but now past Acts of Kings His Son succeeding Lion-like next sought To rend that knotty toyl forc'd Law had brought But finds his Subjects made too boldly free E'r to resign their ill-got Liberty Three Edwards then inthrone this Royal Race The first of which both Peace and warre did grace Whose valour Impious Saracons did rue And hardy Scots save his ne'r Conquest knew But soon alass in his luxurious Son Declin'd that glory did his Armes renown Until his Grandson did revive his Fame And in France trophy'd a like Edwards Name And had his mighty First-born next him reign'd What Empire might not Brittish Armes have gain'd Whose like not Greece or Rome Produc'd in warre And had of all been greatest Conquerer But he a Princely Son less happy left In his youths flower of Crown and Life bereft When Lancasters bold Line possest his Throne And rais'd a Royal warre so bloody known Of whom Fifth Henry is most glorious seen Who conquer'd France and its fair Heir made Queen Leaving that Realms possession to his Son Whose zeal to heaven lost there what he had won And here with heavenly looks as Angels shew That humane Figures represent to view Beholds that cruel hand and bloody stroke His Life too good for mortal Rule had took Next whom in dismal Images are shown Such Princes fell in warre each Line to crown VVhile Lancasters the fatal Red Rose bear And Yorks the white not guiltless though right Heir Which Vision pass'd a joyfull glorious sight Presents here objects vary'd with delight Where Marriage Rites each Royal Lineage joyn And Lancasters high Blood with Yorks does shine In that fair Princess fam'd fourth Edward left His young unhappy Males of life bereft Whose tender Glories their fierce Unckle seiz'd And from a false Protector King was rais'd Thus was Great Tenders mighty Reign here seen Espous'd a Soveraign in Yorks Heiress Queen VVhile Ages warre to love does Trophies yield Who crowns in this great Bride His Bosworth Field No less in Peace his Conduct sage appears Whence Kings too oft indulge their Thrones high cares Whose active Prudence swayes each Royal State That crave his wise allowance to be Great Some he more near endears unto his Crown In his fair Princely Daughters-Matches known Who court his Blood to give their Crowns wise Kings And all Great Brittain since one Scepter brings Next here 's display'd his wondrous Treasures sight That speaks his Royal Thrift and Monarchs might Though some this Avarice call not Princely Care Whilst he too much his Subjects griev'd to spare From which high Juncture that eight Henry springs VVho had in one soul many mighty Kings Though his great Copy bears some marks of ill Since Law he made less Powerful than his will And here his several Queens too sadly known His frailer Loves advanc'd unto his Throne In mourning Vails this profound Bard does show VVho from their Fates is call'd Loves Tyrant too To whom succeeds a Son in years though young That reign'd small time as his fierce Rule was long Wise before man and as for men too good Dy'd Flower of Princes in an early Bud. Next whom appears his elder Sisters Raign Whose zeal our Stories more than Rule complain Which pious Crime her Subjects did deplore Since Faith her guilty made of cruel power Shewing that zeal when it too furious grows Promotes not Faith but 'gainst it raises Foes And as her Fathers Consorts deaths did leave A Curse his Lawless bed must thence receive His great begotten issueless were seen Ending his Lyneage in a Virgin-Queen Though more in Soul than Nature could convey Teaching Men Rule and Women to obey And had she not been guilty of that stroke Her fair allyanc'd blood so spotless took Her virgin Robes had been far brighter wore And she the wonder dy'd of Soveraign power While Heaven that scarcely could her loss repair Preserv'd for
Fame None Lives so Great as Mighty Arthur's Name Whose Noble Deeds to Wonder did Compleat All Virtues which in Best of Princes meet Though Sage Historians Griev'd they cannot know How much this Isle does to his Virtues owe But small Remaines of his Past Acts Relate Charging the rest on Guilty Time and Fate Or else to Fame whose Rolls his Glories fill Have left his Praise above their search and skill Victorious Rome that Brittain had Compell'd To own Her Rule from Him fear'd what she held Proving his Armes her Greatness Ballanc'd more Than all the World she had oppos'd before Many the Battels were Fame tells he Fought Unequal Number'd yet his Foes still sought Till Fate his Life unto Death's Pow'r betrayes And Brittaines Mourn the wonder of their Dayes To all the Glories of so great a Name He left a Son Heir to his Worth and Fame A Happiness not in all Monarchs known Who worthless oft succeed a Virt'ous Throne And like the Vulgar Issue of Mankind Beget their Mighty Race unlike in Mind Whence such vast Structures they for Empire lay In their less Glor'ous Successors decay And as it were too much for Mortal State Seldome are seen ' like Prosperous and Great While here for Brittain's Glory Heaven does give A Son in whom his Fathers Virtues Live Fam'd Albianus in whose Mighty Soul Met all the Glories of Great Arthur's Rule In War Approv'd and in his Councels Wise Steps by which Princes best to Thrones do Rise VVho o'r the West of Brittains Fertile soile His Fathers Sword Preserv'd and his brave Toyle Did then extend his Empire while the rest By other Famous Princes was Possest With him three Monarchs fertile Brittain own'd The East of which had fair Bonduca Crown'd While Royal Vortigers the North does Bound Where Scots Repining till their fruitless Ground From Mighty Britttish Kings Time long Deriv'd Their High Descents who best Examples Liv'd Of Royal Greatness nor did thirst of Power Which in Ambitious Princes men deplore Their Scepters happy Concord Dis-unite Who held it Impious to Invade a Right Espousing here one mutual Peace or War Which must their Councels and their Conducts share Oh happy Rule where Monarchs thus maintain Their Peoples Rights and like just Neighbors Reign Whose Power to Subjects from their Laws was known Like Heavens Prerogative from order shown That in their several Sphaeres they seem'd to move With Harmony resembling those Above With these Bonduca Reign'd whose Matchless Story Fame must for ever speak with highest Glory Perfect in Virtue with best Prudence Joyn'd That from her Soul her State did Greatness find Nor did her Beauties less Perfection show That Nature summ'd in her what she could do Whose Graces through the World scarce fame had spread But greatest Princes did their Courtships speed Ambitious of Alliance with her Crown Or in her Beauties to Espouse a Throne Whose Bright Attractions with her Virtues joyn'd To highest wonder ev'n her Foes inclin'd Wishing above all Conquest they might gain Her Loves Dominion as their noblest Reign While for her State she takes assiduous care How to prevent the sad effects of War Which but too lately this Rich Isle did waste And to the Princes does wise Counsels haste Now Albianus Court the Scene must be For this so high Concern of Brittany VVith whom the Sages of each Crown did meet This deep Affair most Prudently to Treat VVhere Vortiger with Royal Glory came A Prince so early made the Pride of Fame That Natures Master-piece in him alone Had been Compleated if to Fame unknown VVere Albianus Praise which gives her Story From both these wonder and yet equal Glory Their Persons like two Plants the early Spring With best Perfection did to Ripeness bring Comely as Youth and Beauty met could show And no less Great in Princely Virtues too The outward Complements Perform'd of State They deep Intregues of Wars Rough Power Debate The High Concern of Crownes whence Kings receive Their Noblest safety nor can Monarchs live Mighty in Name whom Mars does not Renown And Subjects from their Armes Protection own Who soon will Judge they Scepters weakly sway Except their Martial Power their Foes obey Which Glorious End these Princes did Pursue Joyning the greatness of their Councels now While thus to Vortiger Albianus speaks Plac'd in due State Oh dearest Prince what makes Foes thus Conspire or can Heaven think it good War longer should consume our Countryes blood What do'st Import Great Battels to have wonn Gainst Scots alass who Fight us for the Sun Inforc'd by Nature and their Colder soile To Sacrifice themselves to Wars fierce Toil. Or that more Lustful Power of Rome we see Wasted though long our Fatal Enemy While its Bold Consul Ennius now yields T'Encamp in utmost Kent and Quit close Fields If like a Tiger forc'd unto a Den With Rage Recruited he dares Prey agen What else does meane that Num'rous Warlike Power From Gaules now Landing on our Kentish shore How will Bonduca's Soul these Tydings hear If her Rich Province Kent they seize by War And her most Glorious City London be The next Attempt of their bold Tyranny Can Martianus with our Armes oppose The Romans joyn'd with our fierce Gallick Foes Who like an Island plac'd in th' Oceans way May break strong Billowes but not stop a Sea To which great Vortiger does thus Reply Wee 'l soon Martianus with our Ayds supply And make it more our Glory still to Fight Romes Power Assisted with a Borrow'd might Five dreadful Ages Brittains Armes have stood Its Bold Attempts with dear expence of Blood Since Mighty Julius first her Eagles led Though here but hover'd when the World they spread As that great Soul of Honor Blush'd to see His Armes did it subdue e'r Brittany And more its Mistress Proud Rome Conquer'd too Made next his Slave that first the World made so Dares then despised Ennius hope to Live And this Isle Lawes from Roman Conquest Give Or with his Armes here Glory to Maintain The smallest Relicks Caesars Sword did gain What though Alvatrix with his Gaules dos joyn T' Assist their Eagles our Prov'd Armes decline Effeminate Creatures form'd by Clothes and Words But soon will Fly the Language of our Swords Or does Alvatrix hope thus to Improve His late Addresses for Bonduca's Love Or thinks her Virtues e'r can shaken be Though Rome to him should Pander Victory But we delay our Active Armes too long Time calls our warlike troops in Camps should throng With our Arm'd Chariots that will Mow their way Through boldest Legions Rome dares here Array Thus Vortiger with great and sprightly Grace With this brave Prince does Wars design embrace So fierce Achilles added to the Flame Of Greeks Incens'd when to their Camp he came Nor did the Virtues in these Princes met Which Nature did with highest care compleat More her Delight than her vast Treasure show Who does on Mankind Graces so bestow That her Perfections still must different be
Best pleas'd to Glory in variety In Vortiger her Compositions were Adorn'd with Graces and a Soul of War In on-sets fierce as Courage can express Quickn'd by Virtue and its own Excess But Albianus youthful heates less sway Whose sage Resolves still guide brave Honors way Though in their Execution Lightnings fly Too slow to keep his fierce Darts company While he with Warlike Vortiger Revolves The Martial Conduct of their high Resolves Fates swift Decree which does even time surprise And oft prevents the Councels of the wise Unlook'd for Tidings to these Princes speeds Nor shall Favonius thy great Name and Deeds Be less Renown'd though to the pride of fate Thou didst Inglorious Deeds of it relate Who does so variously Decrees dispence That Fortune seemes the sport of Providence Swift had he Run through Plains and Pathless woods And almost breathless swam Thames silver floods To scape pursuers Like the Hart that tries Most uncouth Tracts when from the Chace he flies Thus he arrives unto these Heroes sight His Vesture pierc'd with Piles as oft in fight He did such glorious markes Receive from foes Nor did his flight his safety less expose Passing through showers of Piles Romes Legion threw Whom as these Princes did with wonder view Unto their anxious thoughts a Respite take Before their Souls could give them leave to speak Too sadly Judging that he now did come T' express some fatal Loss by Powers of Rome To whom Favonius panting did express Great is the Cause Fam'd Princes my access Does now surprise you nor can fate decree A peril I 'l not joy my Destiny If in Bouduca's cause my death it give Though fame now tell I flying her Foes live Heav'n witness and you Stars who late did see Romes stoutest Eagles by my Conduct flye Thrice e'r the Sun did his Meridian gain But I speak Conquest past Alass in vain Since great Bonduca's high Concern and aid Requir'd this dang'rous flight I now have made Of whom I Crav'd that mighty trust to bear Unto you Princes which your Warlike Care Must soon imploy But happy had I fell By Gaules and Romans e'r these Tydings tell Or from my Lips an Accent witness be Of this most famous Queens Calamity Whose Armes though Warlike Martianns led Then whom no Brittish Chief gave Rome more dread In vain their Legions fought R'enforc'd from Gaul Who soon alass her Person may enthral Witness this day when with its early dawn I saw our num'rous Foes 'bout London drawn Who did like thickest Woods at distance show While gentle Thames in fear did seem to flow His Stream beset and every Pass possest Which Londons danger sadly have increast O! think brave Princes what must be the Fate Of this Black Day or What may Night compleat Approaching now If in her dismal houres Our Foes assault this City with their Powers And thus its Queen and Glories should possess To grace Rome's Triumph and Gaules hop'd success Whil'st but to Heaven and to your Warlike Power Onely remaines their safeties to Restore Thus he Relates But Who can judge the fire That did these Hero's noble hearts inspire To aid this beaut'ous Queen whose Person they Fear with her Kingdom may become a Prey And to Favonius make this brave Reply 'T is time to Fight if Martianus fly And thou so great a Cheife inforc'd to come Thus to relate success of Gaul and Rome But while the name of Brittain shall endure With its choice Deeds Fame shall thy worth secure Since for Bonduca's cause thou yield'st to live That we her Armes distress'd relief might give Then Albianus does on him bestow A stately Vest and Richest Armour too While Vortiger presents him with a Steed Swift as the Wind stout as the North did breed Next Arthur's Son does his choice Captains call Corinus Torringer Androgeus all Fam'd in his Syres great Camp for Wonders done And glory now to serve his Warlike Son But Vortiger who thought each minute slow Time now does wing until he fights this Foe Commands his Warlike Cheifs a March to speed Of his brave Powers Whom most approv'd did Lead Clarinus Troylus with Darander prais'd For Deeds in War Fame with Renown had blaz'd These soon Campaign a Num'rous Warlike Power Of Troops and Chariots guided by the Flower Of Brittish-Nobles in which glorious Sphear The Princes like Auspicious Stars appear And now their Armies March shrill Trumpets sound That Ecchoe o'r th' Horizons utmost bound Which being done they lead their Martial way And view great London the succeeding day The End of the First Canto The Second Canto FAme soon prepar'd her num'rous tongues and eyes To blaze this March the Worlds industrious spies Who for her Glory Mighty Deeds proclaime Nor is there Humane wonder exceeds fame With Men She lives yet to Mankind unknown Though all Her Voices from his Breath are blown Sometimes as loud as Vulgar Clamors speaks As soon from Whispers busie Rumors makes Various in Tongue as Mankind is in thought Whose Secrets to her bold dispose are brought Watches she sets on Kings and Peoples Deeds Nor blushes when inlarg'd their Acts she spreads Falsehood and Truth she mingles in a breath And claimes Prerogative o'r Time and Death A mighty Prodigy her self creates And by her Power as soon annihilates The Worlds Deceiver and its glory too Vertue can Raise and it depress as low Too pronely Evil whence she beares the name Of that far-spreading mischief Men call Fame Thus does my Muse in this her story find Fames highest Glories with fates evils joyn'd While fate Bonduca's Vertues did oppose In Gaule and Romes success her mighty Foes By Warlike Ennius and Alvatrix led Who round great London had their Ensignes spread Whose furious Expedition thither came As it surpriz'd the hasty flight of Fame Having Martianus Powers enforc'd to flight As he their Legions over-power'd did fight Until his stoutest numbers breathless lye T' oppose the Course of this stern Enemy And thus through Lanes of dead had led their pow'rs Resolv'd t' assault great London when nights houres Should Midnight Count and to both Poles extend Her Sable Curtain whose dark throne attend Stars that like Ushers move to light her way While in the East as if too early day Had now surpriz'd her or the Mornings Sphear By Phoebus into flames converted were In which he 'd rise to threaten this bold Night When there prodigiously apear'd to sight Vast Armies moving on the smooth-fac'd-Skye Where flaming-Darts did seem from Foes to fly And brandisht Spears against Spears Fight maintain But What 's Heavens Sign Can Warring Powers restrain Dr furious Mens Ambition All things dare Who Heaven too distant think for them to fear Dr that the strong had right enough to take What could not be defended by the weak Which mighty evil Antient Mankind saw Before they had acknowledg'd Rule or Law But what the stronger to the weak would give When every Man to Man a Foe did live Till their Disorder'd
Vortiger remain VVhose Armes unconquer'd Brittain will maintain And thus this Herauld back again is sent From whom first Ennius sounds the Queens intent And then unto Alvatrix loud does Cry This VVoman's worth our Arms and Victory That has a Soul which Fortune dares Contemn And in a Brittain does a Roman seem Admire thou then the wonders of her Face I 'l give her worth within my Heart a place But e'r we Cool let us again fall on That Rome may triumph for this City won And fair Bonduca which will add to fame A Story lasting as our Caesars Name This Speech Alvatrix highly did inflame To finish Conquest and his Loves bold Claime VVhose Soul each word Bonduca nam'd had fir'd Not deeming Love the Consuls heart Inspir'd VVith its soft Passion whil'st they now renew Their fierce assaults this City to subdue And angry fortune had their way far wrought Where Brittains for their Queen ev'n hopeless fought VVho with a deep Concern had soon beheld How Rage and Blood her Subjects Arms compell'd VVhile she her presence guides where Darts most fly In hope some one will swiftly bid her dye Though asking Heav'n Pardon if now she dares Above her blushing Sexes gentle fears That else she apprehends may stubborn prove And yield her up a Prey to hated Love But Providence that swayes the course of things Unlook'd-for-succour to Bonduca brings Which Vortiger and Albianus speed By bold Favonius at this fatal Need Swift as Numidian Horse these Troops had run To aid the Queen and London almost won And with their bloody toyls had forc'd a way VVhere Gauls and Romans heap'd in dust now lay Recruiting thus her Citties drooping force Like to some Bay that stayes the Ocean's course VVhile Waves against it with vain fury beat And as they rage their swelling power defeat Mean while Favonius to the Queen appeares VVho like a Dewy Flower had bath'd in tears Letting her know the Princes soon will come VVith potent force to fight the Powers of Rome VVhom she then graces with her Royal hand Granting her safety does obliged stand To his great Conduct that could thus relieve Her fainting Arms and City succors give VVho since Martianus was inforc'd to fly Despair'd that Armes could check Romes Victory That with such rage against her did conspire As London soon had made but one great Fire And for the Princes gently does express She can't but fear their vertues great excess May henceforth claime a gratitude so high That but in will she must ingrateful dye The End of the Second Canto The Third Canto ANd now this Night that frown'd too long on day Morning-beams usher the Suns bright way VVho blush'd to see how bold her houres had been T' afflict so fair and virtuous a Queen But more than grievous did appear this Night Unto the Princes that her Cause must Fight VVho thought each minute of their March too slow As if that time had onely loyter'd now And thus with fam'd Celerity they drew Their Arms where London's Towers salute their view Plac'd full of eyes that greedily descry This welcome Terror to the Enemy Nor did e'r City with more Merit Claime Eternal Records from the Tongue of Fame Than this which had unshaken stood extreams Of Romes and Gauls conspiring force and flames VVhich speaks the brave Allegeance of those times Unpractic'd in our late Rebellious Crimes VVhile Power nor Faction could Division sow But gladly Brittains fight their Countreys Foe And thus resolv'd the Princes Powers Campaign VVhere London did denominate a Plain That bore the marks of dreadful Battels fought Since first proud Rome this Isles great Conquest sought Here under heaps of Earth did Heroes lie The braver Foes or Friends of Brittany VVhose memories want now Records from Fame To shew Death can obscure the greatest Name And tells how vainly Humane Powers contend That can inherit nothing but their end Proving Deaths Scepter juster than our life Since it divided Mortals keeps from strife Nor did the Earths vast surface ever bear VVorthies like these or Pow'rs more fam'd in VVar VVhose shining fronts the generous Brittains fill'd Captain'd by Nobles in VVars Conduct skill'd By these embody'd burnisht Chariots stand VVith dext'rous Guides who their swift force Command And as these glorious Chiefs do each array Phoebus thinks his less bright that rules the day Then thus to Vortiger Albianus speaks Before our Battel further progress makes Let 's well the Conduct of our Armes Consult And next proceed to act its brave Result To whom replies Couragious Vortiger Since we Great Prince must for Bonduca VVar 'T were sin to spend a minute more in words But what may add a vigour to our Swords Then on a rising place the Princes stand Inviron'd by the Chiefs of their Command Attentive leaning each upon his Spear VVhich shews how great those Antient Counsels were With these the Princes severally debate How best their Armes may serve the Brittain-State And what 's more dear th' afflicted Queen supply At once with wish'd relief and victory But as they thus Consult the Aire they view Obscur'd with Clouds of Dust which mounted shew Like Lybia's Sands windes toss unto the sky Or as there moving Armies Men descry When their fierce motions raise the fleeting Mold And day seemes ended e'r they night behold Thus here through Clouds of Smoake does break the sound Of moving Armes which ecchoe from the ground Their mighty hast Nor do the Princes know Whether this swift approach did speak a Foe Until their trusty Scouts did them declare Brittains that did with Martianus War Who to the Princes moves before the rest Though now his Visage scarce himself exprest His aged face and hairs disguis'd with blood Whose Valour had so bravely Foes withstood That fame for ever must his worth display Surviving with this glory a Lost-day No sooner he salutes the Princes fights But each with him streight from his Steed alights And with their hasty steps embraces give Rejoyc'd to see him unexpected live To whom with due obeysance he replies Fam'd Princes What are now our destimes Since froward fate does thus our Armes oppose To gratifie our proud insulting Foes Happy had I been if by Roman power I 'd dy'd in my youths warmest heat and flower When under your great Fathers first I knew To weild bright Arms and Wars great Deeds pursue Then in my age the Mock of Ennius be Whom I in Kent besieg'd successfully Or What 's more grievous see Alvatrix boast His fencing Gauls o'recame a Brittish Hoast Though while I these did for Bonduca War Hop'd with my Conduct a propitious Star And not her Banners thus successless lead Beholding Romes before her City spread But e'r they yet shall perfect their success Admit this utmost duty I 'l express First to attempt her Aid through all extreames Or dye her Sacrifice in London's Flames This having said with a Pathetick Grace A stream of Tears falls down his Aged Face Who but in
Ascendant and this Islands too This done the rest to happy Aspects glyde By Tracts till this stupendous night untry'd While Venus does her soft Conjunction joyn With Mars his Sphaere to court his gentle shine Oft had the Romans with enraged sense Invok'd Heav'ns more auspicious influence Wondring that it should lend a glimmering eye T'inlighten Britains while their Powers do fly Then does fierce Ennius bid his Soothsayers waite What they can gather from decrees of Fate Or where no ominous Raven croaks this night That Romans now their bold Retreatings fight His Brandisht Spear then upward does extend Whence great refulgent Mars his beams does send Asking whe'r hee 'l a shining witness be Whilst British Arms force Roman Pow'rs to flye Or if bright Venus shall oblige thy Beams Acquaint her that I yield to Loves soft flames And though I Britains fight Bonduca love If that her kinder influence may improve Now had Alvatrix rally'd from their flight Great Troups of Gauls to ayd the Consuls fight Who now would seem to banish their swift fear And with new eager fury Britains dare Hoping the days past toyls would faint their Powers Or fate oppose them with nights dismal hours Thus does this Chief inflame their hearts and arms Not judging Ennius felt Bonduca's charms Or as his Rival now fights Loves cause more Than to triumph for Romes victorious Power Though from this Gaul he subt'ly does conceal What time or prosp'rous leasure best reveal Closely their foes pursu'd had Britains fought As their retreats to bloody halts are brought While Romes great Chief by bold degrees does fly Leaving the Earth behind a crimson die Whose ripen'd Harvest with rude hoofs they tread That Ceres mourns the blessings she had bred And thinks that Nature vainly does provide To nourish men so full of hostile pride Or that the world so largely by her blest Should not have room for humane Pow'rs to rest Who like the foes of Nature still must be Contending to usurp her Monarchy Thus Heav'n incens'd does cloud this dreadful night While Stars as dimmer Tapers lend their light Whence fierce Confusions to each side accrue And as they seek out Foes their friends pursue The British Ensignes mixt with Romans stay And thus in bloody Mingles both sides slay Experienc'd Chiefs not knowing where to guide While ev'n their ranks their fighting foes divide Each generous Steed that did undaunted bear His Heroes burthen tramples now in fear Lest on some Masters friend his steps should tread And thus by wary snorts discern the dead While some that had their valiant burthens lost Charge wild revenges on each mighty Hoast Whose nimble Fury does the wind out-flye And where Spears thickest range Assailants dye Others from noble sense that Nature gives This Creature which for Man so usefull lives Find out their Owners Corps and lick them o're In hope their balmy breaths may life restore Wishing their burthens they might bear again And in their eager mouths rejoyce their Rain That foes might death receive from their bold Seates And thus their mournful sense laments their fates No less disorder'd from these dark mistakes Each British Chariot dreadful conduct makes Whose Guides to unknown Tracts commit their way As Pilots steer an unacquainted sea While these like vessels furious winds annoy With boistrous meetings do themselves destroy And tackl'd thus to one another glide Till their rough speed does rent them side from side Some from their warlike seats their guides hurle down And thus to many fatal ends are known While others their bold fury to restrain Are drag'd to deaths as they still grasp their rain More to encrease the terrors of this night The British Princes had pursu'd the fight So bravely home as many in their Hoast Conclude them in these clouds of danger lost Yet in these perils such wise conduct show As thence their soes receive their greatest blow While Albianus Armes bravely relieve Undaunted on-sets Vortigers do give Nor do these toyls their pretious bodies bear Detain the Expedition of their care Who think it sin a bleeding wound to stay Until by victory they win delay Esteeming blood where life it self does stream Too cool a vent for warrs high feavers flame Which man must spend as Natures noblest Purge VVhen Honour the Souls Crisis does it urge Sometimes their Steeds declin'd on foot they lead To make their Foes the Infantry more dread As soon the Cavalry with ayd supply Or else with these to them in succours fly Thus dismal errors they repair of night Heading their Britains with successful fight VVhile now they seem to want no other star Since these Illustrious Guides their Conducts are But Albianus that with grief had weigh'd How nights mistakes the dayes past conquest stay'd Although the Britains with couragious toyls Ravisht from Fortune her unwilling smiles Like some great Chief that would his conduct make Above what it or daring Foes can shake With warlike Vortiger consults the State Of their success and Romes approaching fate From whom the British Chiefs Commands receive Which their bold onsets a wise respite give Whose Bodies rally'd they embattail'd stand To force the glory of their joynt Command Mean while the wary Consul led his Flight In scatter'd Bodies aided by the night Whose cloudy vail does expedite their way Imploring Phaebus to hold back the day Lest British Powers should now behold they fly And not like Romans boldly stand and dye Which Vann of fear the wav'ring Gauls now lead As Wolves their fury spent to covert speed Oft had Great Ennius's undaunted Soul Try'd how his valour might their fears controul Wishing that he could look his Forces dead Who palely yield to quit their warlike head Revolving next How he for love had fought And in Bonduca Roman glory sought Charging injustice on his Fate to doom His Arms defeat and not his Love o'recome While by an open voice and impious flame Alvatrix curses Stars and Heaven's great Name Wishing that they might ne'r more glory own But as close Mourners to the world be shown That yield no Beam which does success bestow Rendring Bonduca's Conquest hopeless too Whom as a Prize of War he hop'd to win And make his Sword the Champion of his sin He raging thus the Consul strives to make His furious heat some temp'rate thoughts partake Letting him know that if with Rome 〈◊〉 He must unmov'd the strokes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or else from Roman Heroes learn to die Who Fate o'rcame in spight of Victory Letting Gods see how they frail life despise That with their hands themselves could sacrifice Nor shalt thou want example in me too When brave Despair shall bid me Fate subdue Thy heart is smitten with Bonduca's Beams And I both pity and admire thy flames But we may yet this fatal loss repair While Rome and Gaul has warlike Succours near Which by my conduct and some wise delay Shall Brittish Arms with greater loss repay This said their Powers disorder'd flight they guide
raging winds do make Next force Favonius Bodies to retreat Whose Conduct did their dreadful Powers defeat When Londons Glories with its Beauteous Queen Might else a Triumph for this Foe have been And for her Royal Guard this day commands The trusty'st of the Britains warlike Bands Now full of wounds and forc'd to quit his Horse Fights thus distress'd her Foes prevailing Force What Soul inspir'd with numbers can reherse This Battels terrors but must weep his verse Though Fame lest too much blood her Records stain Kindly forgets the sum of Hero 's slain No less distress'd the Princes had assayl'd All dangers till their matchless Arms prevail'd Which now holds Fate at such a glorious bay As her black Scepters Pow'r she fears this day Thus these great Cheifs with Forces swiftly speed To aid the Queen in such a dang'rous need While for her sake they mingle griefs and tears As oyl to valours flames from Loves soft fears And here Fame layes the most Heroick Scene That e'r twixt mighty Chiefs before had been Where these great Foes in Love and Empire try Single by Arms to ravish victory Thus Albianus does encounter here With Ennius Glory of Romes Arms and War While warlike Vortiger assaileth now Alvatrix who as bravely fought him too Then does the worlds choice blood that warms their veins Profusely die the Earth with crimson stains Which as their Valours Epitaph some say Leaves on this soil a sanguine Dye this day Sprightly the Charges were Albianus gave This Roman Cheif and his returns so brave That all the Prowess summ'd of Antient Name Scarce does in Story second mention claim In wounds they equal fought as Fate would guide Their Courage now 'twixt them not to decide Or had delight such Hero's still to see In Love and Empire thus at Enmity While to supply the wonder of their Arms Their Steeds now sympathize their Valours charms That with their furious mouths each grasping tear And to the ground their mighty Riders bear Whence Albianus briskly takes his seet And both these warlike Foes on foot now meet Guiding their Spears a dext'rous bloody strife Till this Great Hero's takes the Consuls life Who death did so far respite to express Since here my fall is by thy Arms success Heroick Brittain let Bonduca know Thy valour 's fit to win her virtue too But Vortiger whose courage had taught Fate Like a bold Handmaid on his Armes to wait Praecipitates her black decrees this day As he does singly fierce Alvatrix slay While to the wonder of all future deeds Forcing his Spear his Foe to death so speeds That piercing through strong ribs of Steel his breast Its fury seem'd unwillingly to rest Whose soul enrag'd by death a flight did take Like some fierce wind a dying blast does make Leaving the air disturbless felt before The dreadful Rage of Its Tempestuous power Thus fell these mighty Chiefs midst heaps of slain While all the state their breathless mem'ries gain Serves but as Pendants to the pride of Fame That wears life's Jewels to adorne her Name Now as their deaths were to their Armies known Which soon Fames Trump had in Elogiums blown Each Militant in vigour does impair And sanguine Roman cheeks grow pale with fear While Martianus who in Kent besieg'd Romes Power and Gauls until by Truce releiv'd Had there from faithful Spies allarums took How these by Arms Wars sacred Laws had broke And he with eager toyls so speeds his way That he the Princes brave extremes this day Arrives to ayd and next their valours fame Give to his own a matchless Victors Name Some veterane Legions that disdain'd to fly In warlike order by death marshall'd lye When greater numbers cast their Arms away And for their lives loud supplications pay Charging the sin and faithless breach of Truce Upon their Chiefs whose high commands excuse Their fierce attempts who but Wars Laws obey In fighting Foes when such do lead their way But if they can a mercy now implore Call heav'n to witness that they 'll never more Molest the Britains but returning home Will live in just Precincts of Gaul and Rome While the fair Queen that had with tears beheld The bloody issue of this dreadful field Passes Romes conquer'd Hoast on her bold Steed And thus expresses having stay'd his speed Most warlike Britains since your Arms have won This Battel that our stories must renown Which as your mighty Princes here did lead Their valours so admir'd with yours succeed That by their single Arms you saw this day How Ennius and Alvatrix breathless lay A losse so great proud Rome can ne'r repair Or Gaul find Prince dares hence with Britains warre But to their supplyant Legions let us yield Mercy may yet more dignifie this field While the less guilty you from death reprieve And such Foes most subdue you grant shall live This Speech the Britains bloody rage restrains And from the Princes such complyance gains That they to Gaul and Romes remaining Hoast Admit a Convoy to the Kentish Coast. Whence they 'r embark'd bound for the Gallick shore Vowing by war t' invade this Isse no more While to this grace the Princes leave dispence Their Chiefs dead Corps with them to bear from hence That Ennius and Alvatrix may receive Such Fun'ral Rites as Gauls and Romans give Which being done to London guide their way Soone full of Joyes for this victorious day The end of the third Canto The Fourth Canto POwer the lov'd Child of Greatness born from toils Of virtue or fond Fortunes prosp'rous smiles Yet men in each vicissitude may find No long entails of Rule in humane kind Thus Infant Empire first has rising state Then glor'ous Mediums next a final fate Whence fierce Ambiton storms the world to have But space on Earth to make their wider Grave And Rome that did by Arms so proudly claim The World to bear from her a vanquish'd Name No more possesses of that mighty head Than Trophies from her Epitaphs are read While Noble Britains first shook oft her yoak Before the warring World their Fetters broke Which from this glor'ous President was taught To conquer Roman Armes its thraldome brought Whose bold Remains to Gaul now wafted o'r Thence with repinings view the British Shoar Where they perceive their mighty Camps to shroud Their heads like mountains half hid in a cloud And next behold the fertile Woods and Plains Their Colonies and Cities proud Remains With Aquae-ducts made wondrous for delight And Baths could ease and heal wounds got in Fight Recounting their past Ages bloody toyl Since mighty Julius did invade this Isle Whence now instead of Triumph they return Their Consuls fatal loss with tears to mourn No less the Gauls Alvatrix death bewail'd Pitty'ng his love and valour so prevail'd That he by Arms on British ground shall fall And more incense their antient hate of Gaul But e'r these Corps dead in the Bed of Fame Have Fun'ral Rites Apollo's sacred Name They
first invoke and to his Priestess come Rever'd by Gauls and no less fear'd by Rome Who in a Grove that shades this spacious Shore No Axe'r hewd this God did long implore Attending on his Fane of Laurel here With Bowry Altars green throughut the year Hither this Priestess Delphick charms had brought Where she Prodig'ous Divinations taught And as some tell here residence did keep Within a Cave her eyes un-clos'd by sleep On whom now Gauls and Romans mournful wait For sacred Comforts or their future fate Carry'ng their Chiefs upon their Purple Beers Where Altars reek'd with blood of un-yok'd Steers While from her Caves-mouth dores unbolted flew Where they through wond'rous Grates this Priestess view Her hair dishevel'd and her visage fierce As when she Fates sad Errands did rehearse Who thus begins In vain these Rites you use Nor does Apollo in my soul infuse An inspiration Rome can gladly hear Or Gaul with Brittains fatally shall warre For as Romes Empire Gaul has vanquish'd held So here some Ages hence shall be beheld A Brittish King to wear a Gallick Crown Passing through glor'ous Conquests to that Throne In whose great Name five Royal Henries meet By valour shall this matchless work compleat No more inquire since Pow'rs above ordain No victims here shall ever more be slain While their high Rites Apollo to renown Commands this Grove for Piles you streight cut down Then all those various forms that Proteus knew Here represents with shapes more wond'rous too As soon a Lyon turns or salvage Bear Or furious Tyger seems her young does fear Then on a wave a Crocodile does weep Which done a Mermaid sings that charms the deep With num'rous Monsters shown that sport the Flood Some ne'r by Mortal seen or understood Next tùrns a flame that lightning represents A Comet then speaks Heav'ns more fierce intents With subterranean flames like those men tell Shall be th' eternal Element of Hell And here to show her mighty Pow'rs command She takes a Throne on which attending stand Spirits of Earth and Air her charms obey That with a thought out-fly the Suns swift way Her Cave then rends and out unseen she flies On backs of winds charm'd with rough gales to rise While she through highest Regions wings the Air And thus 't is said to Delphos did repair Which fatal wonder having deeply weigh'd Conclude this Priestess words must be obey'd And thus this Grove hew down with restless toyles Fitting the choicest for vast Fun'ral Pyles Here Elms long marry'd to the lusty Vine Fall to the Earth and last embraces twine With Ash and Firr that doe so quickly flame And Pines bold Navigators chiefly fame As thick fall Willows mournful Lovers shew The Fun'ral Cypress and the dismal Yew With Palms th' Olimpicks prize and spreading Oak And Cedars Monarch-like the rest o'r-look Then wreaths of Cypress on their heads they wear Lictors supporting the dead Consuls Bier On which the Heralds Art had nobly blaz'd His high Descent e'r Antient Rome was rais'd With Rods and Axes born display the state Of Romes Republick first made Consulate No less by wond'rous art and cost does shine His Imag'd Predecessors warlike Line Having by these Mater'als vastly made A Pile on which his Corps in Purple's lay'd By sacred Flammins gumm'd and 'nointed o'r Cover'd with Robes in Romes past Triumphs wore Who in their Priestly Vestures myter'd stand To flame this Pile each with a hollow'd Brand And having in loud Hymns his valour prais'd This glorious Fuel's from their hands first blaz'd Where flames ascend as if they would aspire Above the place of Elemental fire Unquench'd dissolving clouds streams downwards pour And thus this Pile's beheld from Brittains Shoar Which be'ng consum'd an Eagle with seel'd eyes These Priests let wing and feign to heav'n he flyes Their pious Embleme that his soul was there On nimbler wings than this swift Bird did bear Thus Man indulgent to a holy cheat Makes Reason on Faiths trifling grandeur wait Forgetting Nature in deaths homely Tire In hope her Act does breath not life expire His glor'ous Corps now with this Pile consum'd In Urns Deaths narrow Clossets 't is intomb'd Saving Death labour that has here assign'd Contracted Mansions for all humane kind But Gauls who diff'rent Celebration taught In sacred Rites and Obsequies now brought Their Great Alvatrix on a stately Hearse Singing in mournful strains his Fun'ral verse The Muses from their Priests besought inspir'd In mystick Grecian words Gauls then admir'd Blessing the Fuel must to ashes bring This Princely Corps they place it in a Ring Circl'd with Vines whose Juice their Country fames And Orange-trees sweet Odors give these flames On which to appease the immortal Pow'rs They sprinkle morning tears distill'd from flowers And now from Custom a curst Stepdame made When by her rigid duties heav'ns are pay'd A grievous zeal the mournful Gauls incites To mingle horrors with these Fun'ral Rites Who here without remorse do fill vast Biers With living Bodies must dye by these fires As Friends and Servants held in life most dear Lest he in th' other world should need their care And heresoft Beauties his past flames did mourn In am'rous glory with his ashes burn Supposing Souls in th' other world scarce find Delightful rest Loves objects left behind While from this flaming tomb their skrieks and cries Through air and clouds pierce to the Starry skies That in their orbs lament man should create A means to death by them not made his fate But oh vain man when Superstitions fool Whose bold deceits impose on heav'n a rule And by Faiths Homicides her Martyrs stakes Whose dust for thriving Altars best seed makes And now the Gauls and Romans vastly raise High Tow'rs of earth where their Chief's Piles did blaze Like mountain-Monuments times hand defie Should it attempt to rase their Memory Which done in scatter'd Troops this vanquish'd hoast As some great Flock had Guides and Pastors lost Disorder'd wander to their native homes Bearing sad Reliques of Gauls loss and Romes Thus Brittain's freed from these her mighty Foes That with five Ages Blood she did oppose Till Fortune who deny'd her Arms success Blush'd longer to resist her happiness And now my Muse to London gladly wings Her Scene of Joyes while Conquest thither brings The Princes trophy'd from this vanquish'd Foe But more renown'd since by their valours too The Beauteous Queen 's preserv'd from whose bright charms Love claim'd to act some wonders by their Arms. Where by a glorious respite they receive Cure to their wounds this bloody War did give Which she to expedite omits no care Giving for balm to each a Lovers Tear While her great Court this tripple Greatness joyns In such magnifick Pomp and Order shines As there my Muse a glad Attendance payes And Theams of Glory to her Verse conveys Though here she seems like unexperienc'd eyes That come to view fam'd Curiosities But know not which excel above the rest And so think all
all great Brittain her next heir That mighty James who brought such peaceful days And had for wisdom more than humane praise On whom here Glorious Embassies attend Their Masters with submissive Treaties send Returning all with prudent wonder home As once the Wise from Solomon did come While here the wary Spaniards Courtships poure Their Indian Mines on his more happy shore That Saturnes Golden Age his Raign did show And fled Astraea seems to return now Thus to his royal Son descends his Throne Less great in Fortune than in Virtue known In whom all Graces so divinely met As Heaven took paines his virtue to compleat Who meekness joyn'd with Princely Majesty And each adorn'd by matchless Piety That impious Rebels his just Power withstood Confess'd him both as Man and King most Good While o'r his head the shapes of Angels fly Merlinus wing'd by his Arts mystery And next an Azur'd Vaile before him drew Hides his black Scene of Murder from their view Which done a troop of rough-arm'd men appear Their hands in Sacred Blood embrew'd and war Whose visage look'd as if that Hell had sent Rebels from thence for some such curs'd intent Amongst whom their dire Chiefe like Pluto's shown When his Friends pay black Duties to his Throne Whose eyes were seen like sanguine Balls of Fire While blasts of Sulphur his flam'd Nares transpire And next his Lips dissolve that impious breath Betray'd both King and Subjects to vile death While Rolls of Oathes his mouth disgorges here That must Hells blackest Records ever bear Not long Merlinus does present this sight But in a mist does Image stygian Night This horrid vision from their eyes conveys And soon does figure happy Royal dayes That in great Second Charles this Isle restores Too sadly griev'd by Tyrant Subjects Powers Who here returning seem'd like wish'd for Spring Long suffer'd Winter happily did bring On whom such Triumphs and vast Glories waite As late him wellcom'd to his royal state For which the good transcendent joyes express Assur'd in him of all just happiness And here to represent his Naval Power Ships seem to move upon this wondrous Floore On which the vanquish'd Belgian Vessels fly Yeilding the Seas to his Sov'raignity Whence Brittish Ships in happy Calmes now steere That Indian-Mines in their rich bottomes bear With whatsoe'r to boundless Trade accrewes All which this Sage Prophetickly foreshowes And to consummate with more wonder too Each royal vision represented now Behold great Vortiger does figur'd lead A beaut'ous Princess must with him precede These mighty Glories whence in future springs Th' Illustrious Saxon blood and Brittish Kings Who here did seem so wounding faire and bright As even the Queen is Rivall'd by her sight VVhose Rosie Cheeks express a lovely fear Yet grants this object may her own compare Confessing Heaven does not impartial prove If such a Rival should injoy his Love While Albianus with amazement strook On this above all wonders seen does look Thinking what its appearance should foreshow Or what 's the Science future things can know But Vortiger transported more to see His Figure lead this beaut'ous Imag'ry Since in his Breast the Queens all-powerful beames Already kindled had a Lovers Flames Demands a thousand wayes perplex'd in thought VVhat strange effects in Brittain should be wrought Or if his Art in remote causes saw How unknown Love must give his Soul a Law To whom this mighty Bard did thus reply Renowned Prince in Providence do lie Such secrets Natures high Appartments close Our search cannot discern or wills oppose Though from this glorious Handmaid she does give The world a being and all things that live VVhence such mutations we observe in state And Princes with a secret homage waite VVhile every Passion of our Humane soul This sublime Inclination does controule Nor has Loves power so much endeares the sence Other then Charmes of her bright influence But as we thus from Providence are led VVe follow steps unknown this guide does tread Nor can my deepest science apprehend The meanes producing every admir'd end Though she sometimes this obscure Vaile layes by VVhence in her Face we view her Prophesy That in each star with eyes on us does look And thus we oft may read her future Book From which high Text my Art with humble dread Has in these Visions a deep Comment read Nor such did Spels or Charmes e'r like supply That spoke and mov'd by Nerves of Geometry The Queen and Princes wond'ring at his Art That could such secrets Imag'd thus impart VVhich might even Archymedes here have taught VVhose Geometrick Engins wonders wrought In state withdraw from this stupendious Place No Royal Presence e'r like this did grace Giving Merlinus highest Thanks and Praise Who like Heavens Act had foreshown future dayes The End of the Second Book FINIS ERRATA PAge 38. line 10. read I le express p. 47. l. 12. r. do bid p. 68. l 3. for furious r. wondrous p. 67. r to Arms p. 123. l. 16. r. it self p. 128 l. 18. r. add p. 132. l. 1. r. whom death p. 136. l. 7. r. Ambitions storm p. 146. l. 9. r. triple p. 150. l. 8. r. of these p. 153. l. 4. r. Deity p. 159. l. 3. r. that Hope l. 12. for fifty r. numerous p. 180. l. 8. r. that day p. 184. l. 10. r. do wait p. 186. l. 2. r. Henry youngest The Reader is desired besides these Errata's to excuse the false Comma's directing himself where he shall find any by the Sense of the words
supplies By beaming softer Language from her eyes While each as Love does this Expression use Have equal hopes and fears which Prince she 'll chuse Who now could wish some other Princess were Her Rival made in virtue and more fair By Heaven to one of these devoted too That she may seem to neithers love untrue And thus perceiving these Heroick hearts Felt with her own Loves equal wounding darts Fears that his flames though gently fann'd may raise Excess of passions rage and fury blaze Then chides her heart that did admit Loves spies To keep discover'd watches in her eyes While she might inward burn and yet conceal The flames her love too rashly does reveal Who knows alass she must not both enjoy Yet cannot either by neglect destroy But hopeless fears a Lover to remain Of both these Princes and yet neither gain And now delay ev'n wisdoms cold despair Does beg of Heav'n to ease this mighty care Which though Times slow and silent feet it use Meets Lovers hearts oft with decrees they 'd chuse And as she had Loves high concern declin'd With thoughts of Empire seems to fill her mind Hnd how of Monarchs they most happy raign While all their Crowns one friendly Power maintain Next stately Pastimes in her Court prepares Thus to delude their anxious hopes and fears With those most fam'd diversions Brittains boast Were then their Courts magnificence and cost But these great Heroes who from Love did bear Too jealous eyes as deeply pierce her care Grieving with theirs her virtues did conspire To wound her Breast with a divided fire Disdaining thus in one despair to live Since death to both or either cure might give And what becomes their Souls and Greatness too Relief upon the Queens Extremes bestow And now some Nights had sad companions spent Weighing fit means to perfect this intent That to the Queen may accidental seem Or as Fate did this Act in kindness deem Yet hope that Heav'n from death will one reprieve Lest dying both the Queen should cease to live And Love a glorious Triumph loose in her That can't else one unto her heart prefer While they as if no stormy passions brought Their souls to shipwrack on these rocks of thought Like bravest Pilots unconcern'd appear And in their looks the calms of Summer wear Thus as they meet in presence of the Queen In strict Endearments and Embrace are seen And as Love slept in Cradles of her eyes Mention no accent his soft rest surprise While she did both their passions weight endure To Heav'n and Time remits her hearts high cure Though love when hope as sparing diet needs Scarce cools the Fever but his flame more feeds And thus with gracious Eloquence does speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Princes since my Court you make A Scene where you wore happy victors Bayes Must flourish should Time feel the age of dayes Who now to give his Calends glory calls For warlike Arthurs high Memorials Who fell the last of Brittains Royal Line And with our Foes did fifty Battels joyn For which Fames Trump does an Attendant wait This said In great magnificence and state To Fortitudes admired Fane repair His dust intomb'd with Princes great in warr And where for wonder their vast Spears were plac'd Bold Picts pursu'd or hardy Romans chac'd With Bowes no other might like theirs e'r drew And Armour that Men now would Dwarfish show While Choristers in stately measures sing The Martial Glory of each mighty King With Arthur's Deeds scarce Stories this day blaze That by Times Guilt lose wonders of his Praise Which done to Honor Fortitudes high Name With these brave Relicks Heroes past did Fame In solemne state Devote unto this Fane Their Mighty Spears had fierce Alvatrix slain And warlike Ennius which in Shrines they place That from the Queens Gift Precious Gems did Grace And next to spacious Fields a Progress lead VVere kept devoted to these Glories dead In which they use of Armes and Pastimes held Brittains so far all Nations else excell'd Where they behold how some for Garlands run Swift as Time made them Footmen to the Sun With nimble Wrestlers that most useful show How strengths rough force to skil should conduct owe. And here the Bowmen shoot with dext'rous aimes Whence Ages past this Isle such Prowess claimes Whose force in Guns black use though now laid by Gave Deaths where their fierce Thunders useless fly Some next the Race on Brittish Coursers take More swift than those Epyrus Glories speak Or such the Barbes neat kind at this Day Fame Or the Arabick generous Horse can claime Of these the Victors Browes with Palmes are spread Pleas'd with the Glory to be Conqu'rors led And lest Fames Trump should not their Praises bear Exulting Neigh shrill Joyes find wings of Ayre And thus for wonder some on backs of Steeds They here enforce unto their utmost speeds Pierce Marks with Arrows or as Chariots glide Their swift Carreers as happy Shafts do guide To whom the Queen does Silver Quivers give And that the use of Bowes more fam'd might live Invites the Princes with her self to try Which Shaft of theirs with happy'st Aime shall fly And thus a Jewel from her Breast she takes For their Bright Marke at which her Arrow makes Such dext'rous wing as it the Ring of Gold Pierces this object to their aimes did hold Which done these mighty Heroes Shafts take Flight Dubious which to the Gemm most near does light But Albianus's did chance to rest Nearest the Queens Loves measure judgeth best Which the Great Vortiger resenteth so As Love with theirs had bent his Partial Bow Scarcely concealing those resolves of Fate Their Hearts in this high Cause decreed so late But Fate that had occasion duely chose Gives to his Flames an outward seem'd repose And as the Queen a grievous Part must bear Makes her spectator of Loves danger here Who with a longing Glory to behold The stately Tournments Brittains held of old Gladly the Princes with their Chiefs does see Renowning thus Great Arthur's Memory While in a Marble Throne her Person 's plac'd That with his Mighty Warlike Figure 's grac'd Beneath whom these in costly Arms sit round Tables like those in Arthur's Court were found When his bold Knights and Heroes Triumphs made For Conquests or such stately Pastimes had Or else in Honor of Fam'd George held Feasts To entertain such valiant Brittains Guests And hence in shining Armes the Princes rise To lead the way to these Solemnities While after they had strict Embracings past The Queen nor any thought were meant their last Albianus does to Vortiger convey This fatal Whisper If both fall this day 'T is but Loves Justice or if one survive May then Loves Mercy him Bonduca give At which great Vortigers stout heart does melt That Wars deep wounds had unconcern'd still felt And now his Eyes permits to shed some Tears Wishing his Death may end this Princes Cares Thus Mounted with their Chiefs and Brittish Knights Select
the most approv'd in these brave Rites Such as great Arthur in his Life did Fame For Glorious Tournments and Wars daring Flame Of whom Albianus does Darander take With stout Androgeus Lists did famous make And bold Clarinus expert as the rest With twenty Knights on each side skill'd the best To whom great Vortiger his Chiefs does add Corynus Troylus Torringer all glad Their Launces with their Martial Prince to weild Whom Foes could ne'r resist when Fought in Field Who for their Judges fam'd Martianus chuse With brave Favonius could to wonder use Their Armes in Turn'ments and from Rome had won Trophies their Valours highly did Renown And from the Queen had Garlands to bestow With Silver Shields must happy Victors show That here most dext'rously their Launces guide And best command their furious Steeds bold Pride From whom the Signal Given on Coursers meet Might challenge Windes to match their speedy Feet While from their Hoofes the Ground does seem to shake As it did now an Earthquakes Ague take And in these Glorious Pastimes here to show How much their Prowess against Foes could doe Their mighty Launces though tough Limbs of Oake Are with their onsets into shivers broke Rebounding from their Armed Breasts so high As if they did from Battering Engins fly Which these upon their Steeds unmov'd abide Might level Towers Assaults of War defy'd While these great Princes that submitted here Their Lives and Loves to Fates regardless care Had slightest Armours with design put on Their Launces Pierce and in their Bodies run From whence blood issues out with so much haste As now their lives must but few minutes last That even their souls were taking wing to sly To Deaths Pale seates frail Natures Ignomy And thus fall from their Steeds imbru'd in Gore While all here Present doe from Heaven Implore Their hopeless Lives which how shall Brittains mourn Or Gaules and Romanes hence despair returne But more than all the beauteous Queen opprest With griefe and Love each storming now her Breast A while wants Power to lift to Heaven her eyes Or speak with Tears her tender hearts surprize Then calls for help from such best skill'd in Cure But finds their Arts cannot her Fears secure And even Heaven blames that Love allow'd such charmes Should be no Medicine to heal their harmes Yet as Loves Cordials layes her lips to theirs Mingling of kisses with the Balme of Tears While such deep simpathy her heart does feel As thence her tender life begins to steal Whose Rose and Lilly Cheeks now turn to pale That even her beauties shine but through deaths vaile Her Pulse scarce beating Natures utmost strife While Virgin-Palmes her Temples Chafe for life A midst whose Armes she 's in a Chariot laid And gently towards her Court is thus convey'd Next whom the Princes are in Litters borne This glorious Presence sad Attendants mourn Invoking Heaven with Teares and loudest Griefe To yield their Lives in these extreames Reliefe Yet more then their deep Cures the Queens despair That in her breast the wounds of Love did bear In this distress some Sages present move They should Merlinus skill before all prove Who had such wondrous Cures for Brittains wrought By Remedies no Art save his e'r taught To whom all yield and make Merlinus know What high concernes require his Presence now While Queen and Princes mournfully they bear To Beds of ease scarce breathing lifes last ayre The End of the Fifth Canto The Sixth Canto BEfore these Tydings to Merlinus speed His swifter Science knew the fatal need Of Queen and Princes who in Natures Book For all events did most Assiduous look Nor could her Causes and Effects create The World a Providence or Mankind Fate But as her aptest Schollar him had taught Which other Mortals as vain Empericks sought Who no less weighs her humble ease and power In every tender Hearb and smiling Flower Then in those prouder Blessings she conveys From Sun or Stars stupend'ous course and Rayes And now Merlinus at the Court appears The Queen and Princes dangers fill'd with cares Who but in his deep skill their hope repose Since Fate their lives so dreadful did oppose Where he beholds the beauteous Ladies Mourn As if to Statues Niob like they 'd turne Or that the Queens soft life so farr were fled His Art must now recall her from the Dead While with their Prayers and Blessings he arrives Unto her Presence viewing how life strives For weak Possession in that beaut'ous frame Death as his fairest Captive hopes to claim Next feels her Pulse with all his subtle Art But finds its strength retyr'd to ayde the Heart Which as Loves Region has a right to be The last surrender'd to Deaths Victory Then takes a Cordial made of purest Gold No man before did Potable behold With Dewes infus'd the Diamond Rocks distil And Pearles rich Soul extracted by his skill To these an Essence adds more precious too Chymists th' Elixar call but since none show That would this work in costly Limbecks breed And coldly live their Arts vain Fires to feed While of this Liquor whose least drop might be Valu'd above all Indian-Treasury Through the Queens Lips conveys a gentle draught Whence Life even fled away is back soon brought And now her Pulse begins lifes March to beate While Death's pale Flags her Rosie Cheeks defeat And next does open Windowes of her Eyes That seem like Stars new kindled in the skies Merlinus joy'd his Cordial thus succeeds To th' wounded Princes next his Person speeds Griev'd that he could not all at once supply And weeps to see in what extreames they lie Then takes a Balme of this Elixar made Which to their griefs with tender hand convey'd Their drooping hearts to wonder does restore And shows their wounds must not have Mortal power Nor had the Sun two dayes bright Circles shin'd But their great Lives their Pristine vigours find Which more to Joy the Queen as speedy mends And all but Loves soft wounds from his Cure ends Whence common Artists that make life endure A tedious Diet and loath'd Physicks Cure Wonder'd Disease so soon surpriz'd should be By his sublimer skill and remedy And now that rumor swiftly might convey Through Brittain Joyes for this most happy day The Princes visit the most beaut'ous Queen Who for their sakes had thus afflicted been And at her feet with tears now prostate lie Imploring pardon they design'd to dye Since she their lives esteem'd at that high price As to resign her own Deaths Sacrifice Grieving that Love should so much oblige Fate And from her wounds their sins recriminate Who for Loves sake chose death themselves to give That she more happy by their falls might live To whom with gracious words she thus replyes Belov'd of Men and Joy of Brittish Eyes Who ne'r like this shall Register an hour Though their bright Records mention Roman Power Defeated by your Prowess and Gaul brought To rue that time when you