Mannor whose intemperate Lord out-grew In debts the compass of a Bond besides His common guard of Clowns fellows whose hides Serv'd for defensive armor he commands His sons attendance who since from his hands Rack'd Tenants hop'd for ease he thought that they Would for that hope with reverent duty pay But vain mistakes betray opinion to A fatal precipice which they might view I' th objects of each glance one side affords Large plains whose flock's the wealth of several lords By him contracted but the spoils appears Of beggar'd Orphans pickl'd in their tears Farms for whose loss poor widows wept and fields Which being confin'd to strict inclosure yields To his cram'd chests the starving poor mans food For private ends robbing their publick good With guilt inclos'd those wayes which now haâ—â— brought Him by some cottages who honors bought Poor livelihoods at a laborious rate From his rack'd lands for which pursuing hate Now follows him in curses for in that They yet take vengeance till arriving at The thicker peopl'd Villages where more bold By number made the fire of hate takes hold On clamarous women whose vext husbands thirst I' th' fever of revenge to these when first They kindled had the flame swiftly succeeds More active men such as resolv'd their deeds Spight of restrictive law should set them free From the oppressor of their liberty His son the noble Vanlore to appease The dangerous fury of this rash disease Spends all his stock of Rhetorick but in Fruitless attempts His rustick guard had bin At the first onset scatter'd and were now Posting for fafety whilst his son taught how By frequent injuries to entertain Anger 's unusual guests shews it in vain Though brave attempts of valor by whose high Unhappy flame whilst circling foes did die Unworthy hecatombs for him at length Engag'd him had beyond the power of strength Though back'd by fortune to redeem which when Beheld by those whose characters of men In rage was lost they wildly persecute Revenge till life natures hurmonious fruit Was blasted to untimely death And here Her fatal story in its full carier The memory of him who di'd to be The peoples curse and crime of destinie Grief did obstruct whilst liquid passion feeds Her chrystal springs which stopt she thus proceeds His brave defender now retreating to The rode of death whilst he did vainly sue For undeserv'd remorse Amarus lies Their furies object in whose wild disguise Whilst giddy clouds of dark amazement dwell Ore his dim eyes th' exalted tumult fell In a black storm of danger in whose shade They drag him thence that fury being made Wise by delays might study torments great As was their rage but in their wild retreat They thus are stopt A wandring Knight that near The place approach'd directed by his ear How to inform his eye arrives to see The wretched trophies of this victory A dying son whose latest beams of light Through deaths dim opticks bids the world good-night With looks that did so black a sorrow lim He frown'd on earth though heaven did smile on him Hurri'd from thence by unrelenting hate A living father of more wofull fate Pity that brave allay of manly heat Perswades the noble stranger to intreat A parle with rage which being deny'd he then Attempts to force and since their ablest men Were wounded in the former conflict soon Successfull proves like mists i' th pride of noon Being hudl'd into hurtless clouds they flye Before his fury till from reach o' th eye Shrunk to the woods protection where whilst each With such a fear as sanguine guilt did teach The worlds first murtherer seeks for safety he Retreating leaves the scatter'd herd to be Their own afflictors and hastes thence to finde Him to whom fortune prov'd so strangely kinde In his approach as by his sword to be When hope lost anchor blest with liberty Come to the place where old Amarus lay With fear so startl'd that he durst betray Life through no motion yet he 's follow'd by That train of Cowards which though they did fly The danger when they saw their foes pursu'd On the reward the victory intrude Whose easie spoils those invitations to A Cowards daring such a distance drew Them from their homes that they with labor were Recall'd from rifling enemies to beare Their feeble Masters off Amarus living As weak with fear as Vanlore was with dying Before the black obstructions of the night Did interpose they were arriv'd i' th sight O' th Castles ruin'd walls a place whose hew Uncouth and wild banish'd delight into Uncomly profit and at distance gives A sad assurance that its honor lives By men so hated and by heaven unblest As he enjoy'd not what he there possest Come to the front o' th house whose dirt sorbid A cleanly entrance he sees pavements hid With heaps of rubbish times slow hand let fall From the neglected ruines of the wall Green Arbors pleasant Groves all which were now Swiftly dismantling to make way for th' plow Onely his Barns preservers of that store Detain'd with curses from the pining poore Their upper garments of warm thatch did weare So thick to keep them dry whilst thin and bare E'en his own lodging stood the Hall first built To have that wealth which he in sparing spilt Spent there in hospitality nere by More heat warm'd then a candle gave did lie Moulded with lazy damps the wall oregrown With moss and weeds unhaunted and alone The empty tables stood for never Guess Come there except thin Bankrupts whom distress Spurr'd on with sharp necessity to crave Forbearing moneths which he when brib'd forgave Hence by a rude domestick led he goes To veiw the cellar where like distant foes Or buildings in a new Plantation stand The distant Barrels yet from all command But his own keys exempted To bestow A welcom on him which he ne'r did shew To man before led by a rusty slave Whose iron limbs ratling in leather gave Alarums to the half-starv'd Rats he here Is by Amarus visited whose feare That place should too much suffer soon from thence Sounds a retreat to supper where th' expence Became a Usurers purse yet what was by Sparing defective neatness did supply A vertue where repining penurie Prepares unusual but he soon did see Whence it proceeds the sad sweet Ammida Whom shame and grief attempted to withdraw From publick view was by her fathers call To crown that entertainment brought whose all Was else so bad it the first visit might Repented make not to the next invite Here with afflicted patience he had spent Some few but tedious days whose slow extent Behind his wishes flagg'd ere he had seen Vanlore interr'd whose obsequies had been In secret huddl'd up but then prepares To take his leave when adverse fate that shares Double with mans intentions in the tart Of 's full resolves opposing claims her part By harsh command a dangerous Fever that Threatned destruction ere arriving at Its
Not long in those remoter drops before Sweld to a Deluge the swift Torrent bore The bays of Reason down and in one flood Drownd all their hopes when purpl'd in his blood Yet pale with death untimely Death she saw Her hopeful Son grief violates the Law Of slower Nature and his Mothers tears In death congeals to Marble her swoln fears Grown for her Sex a burthen far too great Had only left death for her dark retreat Although from griefs so violent effects Reason conjoynd with manly strength protects His wretched Father at that stroke his Limbs Sâ—ack their unweildy Nerves faint sorrow dims His Eyes more then his Age his hands bereft His hoary head of all that time had left Unpluckt before nor had th' expecting Grave Gap'd longer for him if they then had gave His passion freedome his own guilty hand Had broke the Glass and shook that little Sand That yet remaind into thin Aire that so Unclog'd with earth his tortur'd Ghost might go Beyond that Oâ—b of Attomes that attend Mortality and at that Iournies end Meet theirs soon as swift Destiny inrouls Those newâ— come Guests within the sphear of Souls By these sad symptomes of infectious grief Those best of friends that came for the relief Of sorrows Captives being by that surprizd They hop'd to conquer sadly sympathizd With him in wo till th' epedemick Ill Stifling each Voice drest sorrow in a still And dismal silence in which sad aspect None needing Robes or Cypress to detect A Funeral March each dolefully attends To deaths dark Mansion their lamented friends Where having now the earthy Curtain drawn O're their cold Bed till Doomsdaies fatal dawn Rally their dust they leave them and retire To sorrow which can ne're hope to expire In just revenge since kept by fear in awâ— Where power offends the poor scarce hope for Law By sad example to confirm this truth From innocent and early hopes of youth Led tow'rd destruction let 's return to see That noble stranger whose captivity Like an unlucky Accident depends On this sad subject By the angry friends Of those accus'd which in that fatal strife To death resign'd the Charter of their life He 's brought unto the Princes Pallace where That age whose Customes knew not how to bear Such Sails as these have fil'd with pride was plac'd The seat of Justice whose stern Sword defac'd Not pleasures smoothest Front since now t was by Her fair hand guided whose commanding eye If armd with Anger seemd more dreadful then The harshest Law ere made by wrathful men Here strictly guarded til th' important Crime Which urg'd her to anticipate the time By Custome known had cal'd her forth to that Unwilling Office stil unstartled at The frowns of danger did Argalia lie An injur'd Captive til commanded by The stern Reformers of offended Law He hasts to th' Bar where come though death nere saw A Brow more calm or Breast more confident To meet his Darts yet since the innocent Are staind with guilt when in contempt of Fate They silent fal he means to meet their hate With all that each Beholder could expect From dying Valor when 't had to protect An envied stranger left no more defence But what their hate obscures his Innocence The clamorous friends of Aphron backt by those Which knew his death the only mean to close Almanzors bleeding honour to the fair And pitiful Pharonnida repair With cries of Vengeancâ— whose unwelcomâ— sound She by her Fathers strickt command was bound To hear since that those rivolets of Law Which from the Sea of regal power did draw Their several streams all flowd to her and in That chrystal Fountain pure as they had bin From Heaven dispens'd ere just Astrea fled The Earth remaind yet such aversion bred In her soft soul that to these Causes where The Law sought blood slowly as those that bear The weight of Guilt she came whose dark Text she Stil Comments on with noble Charitie High mounted on an Ebbon Throne in which Th' imbellisht Silver shewd so sadly rich As if its varied form strove to delight Those solemn souls which Deaths pale fear did fright In Tyrian Purple clad the Princess sate Between two sterner Ministers of Faâ—e Impartial Judges whose distinguisht tasks Their varied habits to the view unmasks One in whose looks as pity strove to draw Compassion in the Tableâ—s of the Law Some softness dwelt in a magestick Vest Of state-like red was cloathd the other drest In dismall black whose terrible Aspect Declard his Office serv'd but to detect Her slow consent if when the first forsook The Cause the Law so far as death did look Silence proclaimd a harsh Command cals forth Th' undaunted Prisoner whose excelling wroth In this low ebb of Fortune did appear Such as we fancy Vertues that come near The excellence of Angels fear had not Rifl'd one drop of blood nor rage begot More colour in his Cheeks his soul in state Thron'd in the Medium constant Vertue sate Not sleighting with the impious Atheists that Loud storm of danger but safe anchord at Religious hope being firmly confident Heaven would relieve whom Earth knew innocent All thus prepard he hears his wrongfull Charge Envie disguizing injur'd Truth at large Before the people in such Language read As checkt their hopes in whom his worth had bred Some seeds of pity and to those whose hate Pursu'd him to this Precipice of Fate Dead Aphrons friends such an advantage gave That Providence appeard too weak to save One so assaulted yet though now deprest Even in opinion which oft proves the best Support to those whose publick Vertues we Adore before their private guilt we see His noble Soul stil wings it self above Passions dark Fogs and like that prosperous Dove The Worlds first Pilot for discovery sent When all the floods that bound the Firmament Ore-whelmd the Earth Conscience calm joys t' encrease Returns fraight with the Olive Branch of Peace Thus fortifi'd from all that tyrant fear E'reawed the Guilty with he doth appear The Courts just wonder in the brave defence Of what though power armd with the strong pretence Of right opposd so prevalent had been T' have cleard him if when neer triumphing in Victorious truth to cloud that glorious Sun Some faithless Swains by large Rewards being won To spot their souls had not corrupted by His Foes been brought falsly to justifie Their Accusations which beheld by him Whose knowledge now did hopes clear Opticks dim He ceas'd to plead justly despairing then That Innocence ' mongst Mortals rested when Banisht her owne Abode so thinks it vain To let truths naked Armes strive to maintain The Field ' gainst his more powerful Foes not all His Vertues now protect him he must fall A guiltless Sacrifice to expiate No other Crime but their invenomd hate An ominous silence such as oft precedes The fatal sentence whilst th' Accuser reades His Charge possest the pitying Court in which Preâ—aging Calm Pharonnida
sate Beneath a darker Vayle then that which shades Repentant grief since sinne but wisht invades The soul with that which leads to horror when Grief for sins past bring into light agen One through a sea of trouble leads the way To a safe Harbour th' other casts away Poor ship-wrackt Mortals when by deaths swift stroak Lifes feeble hold is from hopes anchor broke So far the fair Jonusa in this sad Region of grief had gone till sorrow had That Feaver turn'd upon whose flaming wings At first lust only sate to one which brings Deaths symptomes near her heart which had so long Beneath the burthen groand untill the strong Disease had wrought up all the blood within Her checks into consuming flames the skin Had lost its soft repose of flesh and lay On nought but bones whose sharpnesse did betray Their macerated nerves The Rose had lost His Ensigns in her cheeks and though it cost Payns near to death the Lillie had alone Set his pale Banners up no brightnesse shone Within her eyes dim Orbs whose fading light Being quench'd in death had set in endlesse night Had not the wise endeavours of her Mayd The carefull Manto griefs pale Scouts betrayd By slie deceipt Knowing if she should want Health untill cur'd by that exotick plant The Captives love what lust at first did burn With inflammations might a Gangrene turn Although she cures not yet gives present ease By laying Opiates to the harsh disease A Letter which did for uncivil blame His first denyal in the strangers name Disguiz'd she gives her which with eyes that did O're-flow with joy read ore had soon forbid Griefs sullen progresse whose next stage had been O're Lifes short road the Grave deaths quiet Inne From whose dark terror by this gleam of light Like trembling children by a Lamps weak light Freed from nights dreadfull shadowes she 'd imbrac'd Sleep natures darknesse had not joy defac'd Those sooty characters and on the wings Of ayrie hope that wanton bird which singâ— As soon as fledg'd advanc'd her to survey The dawning beauties of a long'd for day But ere this pyramid of pleasure to Its height arrives with 's presence to undoe The golden structure dreadfull Ammurat From 's floting mansion safely landed at The Cities Pott impatient Love had brought In an untimely visit ere swift thought Fetterd with guilt could from his eager eye By an excuse to sanctuary flie He enters and she faints in which pale trance His pity findes her but to no such chance Imputes the cause rather conceives it joy Whose rushing torrent made her heart imploy His nimble servants all her Spirits to Prevent a deluge which might else undoe Loves new made Common-wealth But whilst his care Hastens to help her fortune did declare Her sorrows dark enigma from her bed The Letter drops which when lifes Army fled Their frontier Garrisons neglected had Been left within 't this seen declares a sad Truth to 'th amazed Bassa though 't were mixt With subtill falshood whilst he stands betwixt High rage and grief distracted doubtfull yet In what new dresse to wear revenge the fit Forsakes Ihonusa who not knowing she Detected stood of Lusts conspiracie Gainst honours Royal Charter from a low Voyce strayns a welcome which did seem to flow From fickle discontent such as the weak Lungs breath the thoughts in whilst their fibers break To counterfeited slumbers leaving her He 's gone with silent anger to confer And though rage lives in fire the fury lies Unseen through the false opticks of his eyes With such a farwell as kinde husbands leave Their pregnant Wives preparing to receive A Mothers first of blessings he forsakes The room and into strict iâ—quiry takes The wretched Manto who ere she could call Excuse to aid surpriz'd discovers all Her sins black art from whose dark Theorems he This method drawes that night design'd to be Lightn'd with Lusts hot triumphs he pretends Commanded absence yet the false stroke bends But towards that guard ere by a swift reverse Brought back his souls slie Scouts had gain'd commerce With all those enemies to honour by Whose aid Ihonusa ruins chastity Plac'd by false Manto in a Closet which Silent and sad had only to inrich Its roof with light some few neglected beams Sent from Ihonusa's room which serve as streams To waâ—t intelligence Here he beheld Whilest she who with his absence had expelld All thoughtfull cares was with her joy swell'd high As Captives are when cal'd to liberty Her Linnen like a Princely Brides that meets In the soft folds of her first nuptial sheeâ—s Perfum'd and costly her fair bed was more Adorn'd then Shrines whose Saints rich Kings adore Incense in smoaky curles climbs to the fair Roof whilst choice musick rarifies the aire Each element in more perfection here Then in their first creation did appear Yet liv'd in harmony the wing'd fire lent Perfumes to 'th aire that to moist Cordials pent In Christal Vials strength and those impart Their vigour to that ball of earth the hart The nice eye here epitomiz'd might see Rich Persia's wealth and old Rome's luxury But now like Natures new made Favorite Who untill all created for delight Was fram'd did nere see Paradice comes in Deceiv'd Argalia thinking he had been Cald thither to behold a Penitent Arming for death not heavens choice blessings spent On th' vanities of Life but mirth soon gives That thought its mortal wound and shewes she lives Beyond that dark sphear where her joyes did move As if her eyes alone gave Lawes to Love Where beauties Constellations all did shine As if no crosse aspect could ere untwine Their claspt Conjunctions which did seem to guide Old Natures steps till from their Zeniths pride By vertue the Souls motion which the World In order keeps into coufusion hurld For here gay vanity though cloathd in all Her gawdy Pageants lets her Trophies fall Before bright Vertues Throne with such a high Heroick scorn as aged Saints that die Heavens Favourites leave the trivial world he slights That gilded Pomp no splendent beam invites His serious eye to meet their Objects in An amorous glance reserv'd as he had been Before his grave Confessor he beholds Beauties bright Magick whilst its Art unfolds Great Loves mysterious Riddles and commands Captive Ihonusa to infringe the Bands Of Matrimonial modesty when all Temptation falls she leaves her Throne to fall The scorn of Greatnesse at his Feet but Prayer Like flattery expires in uselesse aire Too weak to hatter that firm confidence Their torments thunder could not shake from hence Despair Loves Tyrant had enforâ—d her to More wild Atempts had not her Ammurat who Unseen beheld all this prevented by His sight the death of bleeding modesty Made swift with rage the ruffl'd Curtain flies His angry touch he enters fixt his eyes From whence some drops of rage distil on her Whose heart had lent her Face its Character Whilst he stood red with flaming anger she Looks pale
with fear Passions disparity In such extreams as Natures Laws require 'Twixt Earths cold Center and th' aires circling fire Dwelt in their troubl'd breasts his wild eyes stood Like Comets when attracting storms of blood Shook with portentuous sadnesse whilst hers sate Like the dull earth when trembling at the Fate Of those ensuing ills heavy and fixt Within their Orbs. Passions thus strangely mixt No various Feaver ere created in The phrenzi'd Brain when sleeps sweet calm had bin From her soft Throne depos'd this Lightning past Thunder succeeds as burning Mountains cast Out horrid noise after their flame and smoak So having paus'd his dreadful Voyce thus broke The dismal silence Thou prodigious Whore The curse of my Nativity that more Afflicts me then eternal wrath can do Spirits condemnd some Fiends instruct me to Heighten revenge to thy desert but so I should do more then Mortals may and throw Thy spotted Soul to flames yet I will give Its passe-port hence for think not to out-live This hour this fatal hour ordaind to see More then an Age before of Tragedy She that fell from a Firmament of pride To Fortunes lowest Region and there di'd A sad example to ensuing times That Honours Altitude supports not Crimes When in their stretcht Extentions reaching to Justice which can through reverst Opticks view Giants though Pigmy sins do oft appear Like the dim Moon more great because more neer Sins that till fear their guilt did aggravate Wore Vertues Frontispiece since now too late To hope for life in their own monstrous form Encounter Reasons Guards till the big storm Of various pâ—ssions all were settled in Dregs of despair when â—earing tears should winne The victory of anger Ammurat drawes His Simmeâ—er which had in blood writ Lawes For conquerd Provinces and with a swift And cruel rage ere penitence could lift Her burthen'd soul in a repentant thought Tow'rds heaven sheathes the cold steel in her soft And snowy breast with a loud gâ—oan she falls Upon the blouâ—y floore half breathlesse calls For his untimely pity but perceâ—ving The fleeting spirits with her bloud were leaving Her heart unguarded she imployes that breath Which yet remain'd not to bewayle her death But beg his life that caus'd it on her knees Sâ—rugling to rise but now calm'd Ammurat frees Her from dâ—sturbing death in 's last great work And thus declares some vertue in a Turk I have brave Christian by perusing thee In this great act of honour learnt to be Too late thy slow-pac'd follower this â—ing with that Gives him his Signet shall when question'd at The Castle guards thy safety be and now I see her bloods low water doth allow Me only time to lanch my souls black Bark Into deaths rubick Sea for to the dark And silent Region though we here were by Passion divorc'd Fortune shall not deny Our souls to sail together From thy eyes Remove deaths load and see what sacrifice My Love is offering with that word a stroak Pierces his breast whose speedy pains invoak Deaths Opiates to appease them be sinks down By 's dying Wife who ere the cold floud drown Life in the deluge of her wounds once more Betrayes her eyes to 'th light and though they bore The weight of death upon their Leads did keep Them so long open till the icie sleep Began to seize on him and then she cries Oh see just heaven see see my Ammurat dies To wander with me in the unknown shade Of Immortality but I have made The wounds that murther'd both his hand that gave Mine did but gently let me bloud to save An everlasting Feaver Pardon me My dear my dying Lord Eternity Shall see my soul washt white in tears but Oh I now feel times dear want they will not nowe Fast as my stream of bloud Christian farewell When ere thou do'st our tragick story tell Do not extenuate my crimes but let Them in their own black characteâ—s be set Near Ammurats bright vertues that read by Th' unpractic'd Lover which posterity Whilst wanton windes play with our dust shall raise On beauties throne the good may justice prayse By his example and the bad by mine From Viceâ—s Throne be scar'd to Vertues Shrine And here the speed deaths messengers did make To hurry forth their souls did faintly shake Her words into imperfect accents this She cries is our last enterview a kisse Then joyns their bloudlesse Lips Each close the eyes O' th other whilst the parting spirit flies Mounted on both their breaths the latest gasp They ere must draw Whilst with stiffe arms they clasp Each others neck Argalia through a cloud Of liquid sorrow did behold the proud Triumphs of death in their untimely fate He sees great Ammurat for a Robe of State Groveling in blood the fair Ihonusa lie Purpl'd in death like pollisht Ivory Dipt in Vermillion the bright Chrystals that Her Soul in conquering flames lookt thorough at Both quencht and coold in death but time did lend His tears scarce passage till a drop could end Its Journey o're his Checks before a Page Whose cruelty had far out-grown his Age Enters in hast and with an anger that Though indiscreet at wrongs seemd kindl'd at In wounds did on the Bassas body vent A spleen that deaths discharge could not content This seen Argalia to whom all must be Offence that injures fair humanity Stops the vain Torrent and a neerer way To just revenge directs the angry Boy Who by unfolded truth now lets him know His Rage to that uncivil height did grow Not from a childish spleen but wrongs that he A Christian sufferd in Captivity Assur'd by this confession that he might Be useful more then in a secret flight Argalia bids him in his Bassas Name A Mandate write for some of worthiest Fame ' Mongst all the Christian Citizens and those To send the Guard for ere the Morning rose On the black ruines of the Night this done Before that time the Victory had won Of opportunity their Warders slain Each Christian Captive from his rusty Chain His bold band frees and by their happy aide The Gates being first secur'd with ease dismayd The drousie Garrison from whom they found But weak resistance some soft fleep had bound To Beds of ease intemperate Riot kept Others more vainly waking here one slept Between a Mistresse Armes and there another Stole to a private Cattamit did smoother Delight in whispers in which loose Garb found Ere time rowls up what slow neglect unwound Even in securities soft Lap surpriz'd They met grim death in Pleasures â—hape disguiz'd All now being slain but feeble Eunuchs and Poor trembling Maids the new but valiant Band Of late freed Captives Crown the Wals from whence They saw the Soldiers wicked dilligence In finding those which the false Mandate had Design'd for Ruine general as sad The Cities sorrows were a desolate And silent horror unregarded sate i th' empty streets which action had not fil'd Yet with employment but when day did
then If power had quench'd ambitions fever when 'T was first inflam'd with hope whose cordials prove Oft slow as opiates in the heat of love This with a heat that spoild digestion by The angry Tyrant heard rage did unty The curles of passion whose soft trammels had Crisp'd smooth hypocrisie from which unclad Disvellop'd nature shews her unfil'd dress Rough as an angry friend by no distress Of beauty to be calm'd since slie deceit Vertue had now unmask'd no candid bait Conceals his thoughts which soon in publick shews From what black Sea those mists of passion rose Dayes sepulchre the ebbon arched night Was rais'd above the battlements of light The frenzy'd worlds allaying opiate sleep Oretaking action did in silence steep The various fruits of labor and from thence Recovers what pays for her times expence In which slow calm whilst half the drowsie earth Lay in the shade of nature to give birth Unto the burthen of sick fancy fear Groans deep as deaths alarms through her ear Fly toward the throne of Reason to inform The pensive Princess that the last great storm Of fate was now descending beyond which Her eyes orewhelm'd in sorrow must inrich Their orbs with love no more but in the dawn Of Life behold her Friends destruction drawn Since threatn'd danger sad assurance gives In those deep groans he now but dying lives More swiftly to destroy the falling leaves Of blasted hope with horror she receives By a convey of wearied light that stroke Through rusty grates intelligence which shoke The strength of fortitude there was a room Deep and obscure where in a heavy gloom The unstirr'd air in such a darkness dwelt As mask'd Egyptians from Heavens vengeance felt Till by the strugling rayes of a faint lamp Forc'd to retreat and the quicksilver damp Shed on the sweaty walls which hid within That glitt'ring vail worn figures that had been The hieroglyphick epitaphs of those Which charity did to the earth dispose In friendships last of Legacies except What is to cure loose fames diseases kept Here ' mongst the ruines of mortality In blood difigur'd she beholds one lie Who though disguis'd in death's approach appears By 's habit that confirmer of her fears Her gentle Love alone and helpless in The grasp of death striving in vain to win The field from that grim Tyrant who had now Embalm'd him in his blood and did allow Him no more spirits but what in that strife Serv'd to groan out the Epilogue of life And then depart natures cold stage to be Suck'd up from time into eternitie When thus the ever lasting silence had Lock'd up his voice and death's rude hand unclad His hovering soul whose elemental dress Is left to dust and dark forgetfulness When natures lamps being snuft to death he lay A night-piec'd draught of once well-modell'd clay With such a silent pace as witches use To tread ore graves when their black arts abuse Their cold inhabitants his murtherers were Entred the vault from the stain'd floor to bear The cold stiff coarse which having softly laid In 's doom-days bed unto the royal Maid Whose beauty in this agony defac'd Griefs emblem sate with eager speed they haste Either a guilty shame or fear to be Converted by her forms divinity Made them chuse darkness for protection in Whose hideous shade she of her self unseen Is hurried thence unto that dreadfull place Where he intomb'd lay whom she must imbrace In death's dark lodgings and e'er life was fled Remain a sad Companion of the dead Confining beauty in youth's glorious bloom To the black prison of a dismal tomb Where fast inclos'd Earth's fairest blossom must Unnaturally be planted in the dust Where life 's bright Star Heav'ns glorious influence Her soul in labor with the slow suspence Of lingring torments must expecting lie Till famine Natures ligatures untie And can oh can we ever hope to save Her that 's in life a Tenant to the Grave Can ought redeem one that already lies Within the Bed of Death whose hot lust fries In the enjoyment of all beauties that The aged World e'er had to wonder at To feed whose riot the well temper'd blood That sanguine youth's smooth cheek mixt with a flood Of harsh distemperatures o'erflows and brings Some to their lodgings on the flaming wings Of speedy feavers whilst the others creep On slow consumptions millions from the steep And dangerous precipice of war Some in A stream of their own humors that have bin Swell'd to a dropsie being even prest to death By their own weight whilst others part with breath From bodies worn so thin they seem'd to be Grown near the souls invisibilitie But whither strayes our fancy have we left The wofull Lady in a tomb bereft Of all society and shall I let My wandring pen forsake her such a debt Would banckrupt pity Th' undistinguish'd day Whose new-born light did but e'en then display Its dewy wings when first she was confin'd To the dark tomb was now grown almost blind With age when thus through fates black curtin broke Unlook'd for light that darkness which did choake All passages by which the thin air held Commerce with neigboring rooms being now expel'd By the dim tapers glimmering beams let fall Part of the rayes through an old ruin'd wall That fenc'd an ugly dungeon where the night Dwelt safe as in the Center by the fight Of which unlook'd for guest some prisoners who Had there been stay'd even till despairing to Be ere releas'd in eager fury tries To force their way where their directing eyes Led by the light should guide them come at length Where with times burden tir'd the buildings strength Losing its first firm union was divorc'd With gaping clefts an easie strength inforc'd Those feeble guards but come into the room Where ore the living Ladies sable tomb Hung the directing light they there in vain For further passage seeking were again To the black dungeon horrors dismal seat In sad despair making their slow retreat Now neer departing a deep dolefull groan Revers'd their eyes amazement almost grown To stupefaction stays them whilst they hear New sighs confirm their wonder not their fear Till thus Euriolus whose bold look spoke The braver soul the dismal silence broke What ere thou art that hoverest here within This gloomy shadow speak what wrong hath bin Thy troubl'd Ghost's tormenter art thou fled From wo to stir the dust o' th' peacefull dead Or com'st from sacred shadows to lament Some friends dead coarse which this dark Tenement Hath lodg'd in dust The trembling Lady hearing A humane voice again and now not fearing Th' approaches of a greater danger cries What ere you are fear moâ—ks your faith here lies A wofull wretch intâ—mb'd alive that nere Must look on light again my spirit were Blest if resolv'd to air but here it must A sad companion in the silent dust To Loath'd corruption be until the pale Approaching Fiend harsh famine shall exhale In dews of blood
the Court might be More glorious made by such Attendants to Incite in them a strong desire to view Those royall Pastimes thus relates that story Whose fatall truth transfer'd the Morea's glory So often thither 'T was my honourd friends My fate ' mongst some that yet his Court attends Then to be neer my Prince when what now draws Him to these parts did prove at once the cause Of joy and grief Not far from hence remov'd The Vale of Ceres lies where his belov'd Pharonnida remains a Lady that Nature ordaind for man to wonder at She not being more the comfort of his age Then glory of her Sex but I engage My self to a more large discovery which Thus take in brief When Youth did first enrich Beauty with manly strength his happy Bed Was with her royall Mother blest who fed A flame of Vertue in her Soul that lent Light to a Beauty which being excellent In its own Sphear by that reflection shon So heavenly bright Perfections height of noon Dwelt only there Some years had circled in Times revolutions since they first had been Acquainted with those private pleasures that Attend a Nuptiall Bed ere she did at Lucina's Temple offer whose bar'd Gate Once open flow both their good Angels sate In councell for her safety hopes of a Boy To be Morea's Heir fill high with joy The ravisht Parents Subjects did no less In the loud voice of Triumph theirs express But when the active pleasures of their love Which fill'd her Womb had taught the Babe to move Within the mory Mount preceding pains Tell the fair Queen that the dissolving Chains Nature incos'd it in were grown so weak That the imprison'd Infant soon would break Those slender Cuards the gravest Ladies were Call'd to assist her whose industrious care Lend Nature all the helps of Art but in Despair of safety send their Prayers to win Relief from Heaven which swift Assistance lent T' unload the Burthen but those Cordials sent By Harbengers with whom the fair Queen fled To deck the silent dwellings of the dead And lodge in Sheets of Lead o're which were cast A Coverlet of the Springs Infants past From life like her even whilst Earths teeming Womb Promist the World and not a silent Tomb That beauteous Issue But those Nimphs which spun Her thread of life the slender twine begun Too fine to last long undenied by The pondrous burthen of Mortality Beneath whose waight she sinking now to death Th' unhappy Babe was by the Mothers breath No sooner welcom'd into life before She bids farewell of Power to do no more But whilst her Spirits with each word expires Thus to her Lord express her last desires Receive this Infant from thy dying Queen Name her Pharonnida at which word between His trembling Armes she sunk and had even then Breath'd forth her Soul if not recall'd agen By their loud Mournings from the Icy sleep Which like a chilling Frost did softly creep Through the cold Channels of her blood to bar The springs of life in which defensive War The hasty Summons sent by death alow Her giddy Eyes whose heavy leads did bow Toward everlasting slumber no more light Then what affords a dim Imperfect sight Such as the troubl'd Opticks being by Dying Convulsions wrested could let fly Thorough their sullied Chrystals to behold Her wofull Lord whilst she did thus unfold Her dying thoughts O hear O hear quoth she I do By all our mutuall Vows conjure thee to Let this sweet Babe all thou hast left of me Within thy Thoughts preserve my Memorie And since poor Infant she must lose her Mother To beg an entrance here oh let no other Have more Command o're her then what may bear An equall poise with thy paternall Care This this is all that I shall leave behind An earnest of our loves here thou mayst find Perhaps my Image to behold whilst I Resolving into dust imbrac'd do lye By crawling Worms Followers that Nature gave To attend Mortality whilst the tainted Grave Is ripening us for Judgment O my Lord Death were the smile of Fate would it afford Me time to see this Infants growth but oh I feel Lifes Cordage crackt and hence must go From time and flesh like a lost Feather fall From th' Wings of Vanity forsaking all The various business of the World to see What wondrous Change dwels in Eternitie This sayd she faintly bids farewell then darts An eager look on all but ere she parts Even whilst the breath with which in thin Aire slips Departing Spirits on her then cold Lips In clammy Dews did hang she of them takes Her last farewell whilst her pure Soul forsakes Its brittle Cab'net and those Orbs of light That swam in death sunk in eternall Night Thus di'd the Queen Pharonnida thus lost Ere knew her Mother when her Birth had cost A price so great that brought her Infancy In debt to Grief untill maturity Ripen'd her Age to pay it after long And vehement lamentation such whose strong Assaults had almost shook his Soul into A flight from th' Earth her Father doth renew His long lost Mirth at the delight he took In his Souls Darling whose each cheerfull look Crimson'd those Sables which even whilst he wore A flood of Woes his head had silver'd o're Had not this Comfort stopt them which beguiles Sorrow of some few hours those pretty smiles â—â—at drest her fair Cheeks like a gentle Thief â—â—ealing his heart through all the Guards of Grief 〈◊〉 But when that time 's expunging hand had more Defac'd those sable Characters he wore 〈◊〉 Sorrows Livery o're his Soul and she â—â—aving out-grown her tender Infancy â—â—id now her Thoughts compos'd of heavenly Seed 〈◊〉 guide her life no other Guardian need 〈◊〉 native Vertue for her calm retreat When burthend Corinth was with throngs repleat 〈◊〉 chose this seat whose venerable shade Waving what blind Antiquity had made â—or sacred held is not so sleighted buâ— Custome ancient as our Law hath shut â—ence as the hatefull marks of servitude â—ll that unbounded power did e're obtrude â—n suffering Subjects which this happy place â—its so serene a blessing to embrace â—s is this Lady whose illustrious Court Though now augmented by the full resort Of her great Fathers Train doth still appear This happy Kingdomes brightest Hemisphear A hundred noble Youths in Sparta bred Of Valour high as ere for Beauty bled â—ll loyall Lovers and that Love confin'd Within the Court are for her Guard assign'd â—ut what if oft in such an Orb of all That 's great or good may low as Censure fall â—he Court hath questioned is the cause that mov'd The Prince to give a Party so belov'd â—nto his hands that leads them being one Whose Birth excepted that being neer a Throne Those Vertues wants on whose Foundation wise Considerate Princes let their Favours rise Like the abortive Births of Vapors by Their Male Progenitors inforc'd to fly Above the Earth their proper Sphear
his Sword are now By bounty made too much his own t' allow Even flight suspition room This being done That Valour though with Love 't were wingd might run On no rash Precipice assisted by That skilful Sea-man from some Ships that ly Neglected ' cause by time decayed he takes So much o th' Tackling as of that he makes Ladders of length sufficient to ascend The Castle Wals which having to defend Them nought but slave security is done With so much ease that what 's so wel begun They boldly second and first entering in A Tower which had by th' prudent Founder bin Built to command the Havens Mouth which lay Too low for th' Castle where when come all they Found to resist is one poor Centry bound In sleep which soon by death is made more sound To lodge the Prince in that safe place before His active valour yet attempted more The Gates secur'd that led to th' Castle he Protected by that Nights obscuritie By a conceald smal Salliport is to Its strength soon brought when now prepard to view More dreadful dangers in such habit clad As by the out-Guards easie Error had Soon as a Soldier gave him entrance come To th' Hall he is there being informd by some o th' drousie Guards where his pretended speed Might find Molarchus to perform a deed That future Ages if that Honours fire Lose not its light shal worthily admire His Valours hast within a room whose pride Of Art though great was far more glorifi'd By that bright Luster the Spectators saw Through Sorrows Clouds in fair Pharonnida He finds the impious Villain heightend in His late success to such rude acts of sin That servile baseness the low distance whence He us'd to look grew sawcy Impudence Inflam'd Argalia who at once beholds Objects to which the Sould inlarg'd unfolds Its passions in the various Characters Of Love and Anger now no more defers The exâ—cution of his rage but in So swift a death as if his hand had been Guided by Lightning to Molarchus sent His Lifes discharge which with astonishment Great as if by their evil Angels all Their sins had been displayed did wildly fall Upon his Followers whom ere hast could save Or strength resist Argalia's Sword had gave Such sudden deaths that whilst Amazements reignd Ere all he from the heedless tumult gaind That glorious Prize the royal Lady who In all assaults of fears not lost unto Her own clear Judgment as a blessing sent From Heaven whilst her base Foes Confusion lent That Action safety follows that brave Friend Whose Sword redeemd her till her Journeys end Through threatning dangers brought her to that place Where with such passion as kind Wives embrace Husbands returnd from bondage she is by Her Father welcom'd into liberty Thus rescu'd whilst exalted tumours sweld To such Confusion as from sense expeld Reasons safe Conduct whilst each Soldier leaves His former Charge fears pale disease receives This Paroxisme the Fleet which yet had in A doubtful Quest of their surpriz'd Prince bin Directed hither with the new-born day Their streamers round the Cittadel display Which seen by them that being deluded by The dead Molarchus to his treachery Had joynd their strength guilt the Original Of shame did to defend the plat-form Call Their bold endeavour but when fidning it Too strongly man'd for undermineing wit Or open strength to force dispairing to Be long secure prompted by fear they threw Themselves on Mercy which calm Grace among Heavens other blessings whilst it leads along The Prince toward Victory made his Conquest seen Such as came not to punish but redeem The end of the fourth Canto PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE FIFTH The ARGUMENT IX The gratefull Prince to shew how much he lov'd This noble Youth whoe 's Merits just reward Too great for less Abilities had prov'd Makes him Commander of his Daughters Guard X. Where seated in the most benign Aspect Kind Love could grant to fair Pharonnida A sacred Vision doth her hopes detect Whose waking joyes his absence doth withdraw FReed from those dangers which this bold attempt Made justly feard whilst joy did yet exempt Those cares which when by time concocted shall His Kingdome to a general Mourning call Sparta's pleas'd Prince with all the Attributes Ere Gratitude learnd from Desert salutes That noble Youth which even when hope was spent Kind Heaven had made his safeties Instrument By acts of such heroick Vertue that Whilst all the less concernd are wondring at The grateful Prince in all the noble waies Of honour lasting as his life repaies By whose example the fair Princess taught To shadow Love her Souls most perfect draught In friendships Vail so free a welcome gave The worthy stranger that al prayer durst crave Though sacrific'd in Zeals most perfect fire Seemd now from Heaven dropt on his pleas'd desire Some daies spent here whilst Justice vainly sought That Treasons root whose base production brought Unto an unexpected Period in Molarchus death with him had buried bin To future knowledge all confessions though In torments they extracted were bestow Upon their knowledge being th' imperfect shade Of supposition which too weak t' invade Even those whose doubtful Loyalty lookt dim The prudent Prince burying mistrust with him Leaving the Island with 's triumphant Fleet On the Sicillian shoar prepars to meet That Joy in triumph which a blessing brought His loyal Subjects with their prayers had sought To cure those hot distemperatures which in His absence had the Courts Quotidian bin The Princess guard as being an honour due To noble Valour having left unto That worthy stranger whose victorious hand Declar'd a Soul created for command The Prince departs from his loud Daughters Court To joyful Corinth where though the resort Of such as by their service strove t' express An uncorrupted Loyalty made less That Mourning which the Kingdomes general Loss Claim'd from all hearts yet like a sable Cross Which amongst Trophy's noble Conquerors bear All did some signs o th' publick sorrrow wear But leaving these to rectifie that State This Feaver shook return to whom we late Left gently calm'd that happy pair which in Desire the shady Porch of Love begin That lasting progress which ere ended shall So oft their Fate to strong assistance call Some Months in happy free delights before Passion got strength enough to dictate more Then Reason could right fair they 'd spent in which Slumber of Fancy popular Love grown rich Soon becomes factious and engages all The powers of Nature to procure the fall Of the Souls lawful Soveraign either in Each Action of the others did begin To place an Adoration she doth see What ere he doth as shining Majesty Beneath a Cloud or Books where Heaven transfers Their Oracles in unknown Characters Like Gold yet unrefin'd or th' Adamant Wrapt up in earth he only seemd to want Knowledge of Worth Her Actions in his fight Appear like fires feign'd Element with light But not destruction
Mountains top the Army marching low Within the Vale their several Squadrons shew This silent time which by command was set Asido to pay Confessions needful debt To oft offended Heaven whose aide though gave Ere askt yet since our duty is to crave Expects our prayers the Armies from their still Devotion rais'd declare what Spirits fill Their breast by such an universal joy As to get Young and not the Old destroy Each had by beauteous Paranymphs been led Not to rough War but a soft Nuptial Bed That fatal hour by time which though it last Till fixt Stars have a perfect Circle past We still think short to Action brought which now So near approacht it could no more allow The Generals to consult although there need Nought to augment when Valours flame doth feed High on the hopes of Victory the rage Of eager Armies ere their Troops engage Their several Leaders all that Art did use By which loud Wars rough Rhetorick doth infuse Into those bodies on whose strength consists Their safety Souls whose brave Resolves might twist Them into Chains of Valour which no force Then death less powerful ever should divorce The Prince as more depending on the just Cause that had drawn his Sword which to distrust Looks like a Crime soonest commits the day To Fates Arbitrement no more delay Comforts the â—ainting Coward a sad sound Of Cannon gave the Signal and had drownd The murmuring Drum in silence Earth did groan In trembling Ecchoes on her sanguine Tâ—rone High mounted Horrour sits wild Rage doth fill Each breast with Fury whose fierce flames distill Life through th' Alimbecks of their Râ—ins that Cloud Of dust which when they first did move a shrowd Of darkness vaild them in allayd with blood Fell to the Earth whose Clefts a crimson flood Fil'd to the brim and when it could contain No more let forth those purple streams to stain The blushing fields which being made slâ—ppery by Th' unnatural shower there lets them sink and dy Whose empty veins rent in this fatal strife Here dropt the treasure of exhausted Life In sad exchange of wounds whilst the last breath Even flying forth to give another death Supports the fainting Spirits all were now Sadly imploy'd arm'd danger could allow In this loud storm of Action none to stand Idle Spectators but each busie hand Labours in deaths great work his life to sell At rates so dear that Foe by which he fell To boast his gain survives not but now in This mart of death blind Fortune doth begin To shew her self Antagonist unto Less powerful Justice In the common view Of reason which by the external shape Of Actions only judges no escape From their desert Captivity was left The Rebels Armie but th' unmanly theft Of secret flight to some protected by Their Fellows loss when in a rage as high As if it had attempted to out-roar The Battels thunder a rude Tempest bore From Southern Climates on th' exalted wings Of new-rais'd winds a change so fatal brings To th' royal Army that from Vict'ries near Succesful pride unto extreams which fear Did nere suggest it brought them back to view Their glorious hopes thus sadly over-threw A strong reserve rais'd by his friends to be Almanzors rescue if that Victorie Seem'd to assist the juster part was now Brought neer the River which endeavouring how To ford they there unwillingly had been Detaind till strength had prov'd but useless in The Princess Conquest if the swelling flood VVhose added streams too strong to be withstood Had not in that impeteous torrent tore That Bridge which past the royal Army o're Whose severd Boats borne down the River made So sad a change that whilst their Foes invade Their Rear on them the late lamented loss Forbid the others when dispers'd to cross Their Waves by dangers which in each breast bred Terrors as great as those from whence they fled The valiant Army like Lifes Cittadel The heart when nought but poysonous Vapours swel Every adjacent part long strugling in Deaths sharp Convulsions out of hopes to win Ought there but what buyes the uncertain breath Of future Fame at the high price of death At length not conquerd but o're burthend by A flood of power in Nights obscurity When dreadful shadows had the field o're-spread As Darkness were a Herse-cloath for the dead That this daies losses might not grow too great For reparation by a hard retreat Attempt to save such of their strengths as since Inforc'd to fly might safely guard the Prince From dangers which could but his Foes have viewd Their motions all had unto death purfu'd In this distress from that vast Sea of blood The field where late his Army marshald stood The wretched Prince retires but with a train So smal they seemd like those that did remain After a Deluge where the Rivers course Stopt with dead bodies run with smallest force He venters o're the flood whose guilty Waves Blushes in blood some few whom Fortune saves T' attend on his a like succesful by That bold adventure whilst the Prince doth fly To guard Alcithius by his Mandates are Since the disasters of this fatal War Forc'd him to seek for more assistance sent To the Epicâ—te striving to prevent Those wild reports that on the quick belief Of female fear might be impos'd by grief He hasts to bear the sad Report to her Whose sorrows lost to see the Messenger The end of the second Canto PHARONNIDA The second Book CANTO THE THIRD The ARGUMENT V. Through the dark terrours of a dreadfull Night The Prince to 's Daughter comes with flying speed From dangers great as those he fear'd in flight Is by Argalia's forward Valour freed VI. Who having with succesfull Fortune gave His Master freedome their joyn'd strength pursue Their flying Foes unto an uncâ—uth Cave In whose vast Womb Fates dark decrees they view THis last Retreat which seemd but to defer Danger by being Honours Sepulcher Attaind in hast there calming all the strife Of various Passion since her Fathers Life Payd all the tears she owd his losses he His verteous Daughter found prepar'd to be No sad addition to his sorrow by The faults of female Imbecillity Untimely tears but with a confidence High as ere taught brave Valour to dispense With sad disasters arm'd to entertain The worst of Ills to ease the Wounded's pain Or stop their blood those hands which once she thought Should have to Victors Triumphs Garlands brought Are now imployd yet that her Acts may be The best examples to posterity Her present ill she with such strength withstood Its power was lost in hopes of future good Precipitated from a Throne to be Subjected by a Subjects tyranny To want their pity who of late did know No peace but what his Influence did bestow With sad presaging fears to think his fair His verteous Daughter his rich Kingdomes Heir Like to be ravisht from his bafl'd power A Trophy to a rebel Conqueror With such afflicting
splendid Room did stand Beneath an Ivory Arch o're which the hand Of Art in golden Hierogliphicks had The story of ensuing Fate unclad But vainly since the Art defective times Stroâ—k nought but discords on those wel-tun'd Chimes Upon the Throne in such a glorious state As earths adored Favourites there sate The Image of a Monarch vested in The spoils of Natures Robes whose price had been A Diadems redemption his large size Beyound this Pigmy Age did equalize Th' admir'd proportion of those mighty men Whose cast-up bones grown modern wonders when Found out are carefully preserv'd to tell Posterity how much these times are fell From Natures youthful strength if be not worse Our sins Stenography the dwarffish Cuâ—se Ordaind for large siz'd Luxury before The Throne a Lamp whose fragrant Oyles had more Perfum'd the Room then all the baâ—my wealth Of rich Arabia stood Light Life and Health Dwelt in its Odours but what more contents The pleas'd Spectators that faiâ— hand presents The rest to th' view the Image to declare Of whom th' Effigies was on 's Front did bear A regal Crown and in his hand sustaind A threatning Scepter but what more explain'd Antiquities mysterious dress was seen In a smal Tablet which as if 't had been Worth more observance then what Fate exprest In unknown Figures he did gently rest His left hand on as if endeavouring by That Index to direct Posterity How in their wonders Altitude to praise The deeper knowledge of those wiser dayes By reading in such Characters as Time Learnd in her non-age this in antick Rhyme When striving to remove this Light To Princes Leaves involv'd in Night The time draws neer that shall pull down My old Morea's triple Crown Vniting on one royall Head What to disjoyn such discord bred But let the more remote â—ake heed For there 's a third ordaind to bleed For when I 'me read not understood Then shall Epiru's royall blood By waies no Mortall yet must know Within th' Artolian Channel flow This strange Inscription read not only by The Prince but those whom wonder had drawn nigh The sacred Room their Fancies civil War Grows full of trouble 't is a Text so far Beyond a Comment that their Judgments in Enigmaes maz'd had long let motion been In Epeleptick wonder lost untill As that alone containd their dreaded ill The greater part with joynd consents advise To have the Lamp remov'd since in it lies If those Lines prove prophetick the linkt Fate Of all Ietian Princes which debate Being carried in th' Affirmative the rest Drew back whilst bold Argalia forward prest But 's thus soon stayd the stone on which he stept Next was by Art so framd that it had kept Conceal'd an Engines chifest Spring which by The least waight toucht in furious hast let fly Unpractis'd wheels and with such vigour strook The Scepter on the long liv'd Lamp it shook Its chrystal Wals to dust not thunders strong Exagitations when it roars among Heaps of congested Elements a sound More dreadful makes but what did most confound Weak trembling Souls was the thick darkness that Succeeds the dying flame which wondring at Whilst all remain Arts feeble aides supplie The Lamps lost Vertue with new Lights but by Cold Damps so darkned that contracted Night Scornd their weak flames shewing that hallowd light Containd more sacred Vertues now as Fate Had only to that hour prolong'd the date Of all within a sudden change to dust The mighty body turns consuming rust Had eat the brazen Imagry and left No sign of what till then safe from the theft Of time remaind darkness had repossest The sullen Cave to an eternal rest In the rude Chaos of their ashes all Arts lively Figures in an instant fall Pleas'd with the sight of these strange Objects more Then with Wars dangers he was vext before The Prince with all his train of Conquerors now Is gone to teach th' expecting Army how To share their wonder but not far from thence Removes before confirmd Intelligence Acquaints him with th' Epirots March who in Mis swift advance so fortunate had been That falling on such as the Mornings flight Flatterd with hope they there met endless Night At unawares but of these added numbers Was curst Almanzor none yet Justice slumbers i th' prosecution of his unripe Fate Which must more horrid â—ins accumulate Before cut off his clamorous guilt must call For vengeance louder and grow hectical With Custome til the Tables of his shame Into oblivion rot his loathed Name The end of the third Canto PHARONNIDA The second Book CANTO THE FOURTH The ARGUMENT VII From Wars wide breaches whence his brave friends had With Victory brought him th' old Prince arriv'd In safety whilst fear punishes the bad Rewards that Vertue which his Cause reviv'd VIII In which brave Act Argalia's Merits met With a reward that even desert out-grew Whilst him it the fair Princess Guardian set The root on which Loves fruit to ripeness grew THat too inferiour Branch which strove to rise With the Basillick to Anastomize Thus drain'd the States Plethorick humours are Reduc'd to Harmony that blazing Star Which had been lifted by rebellious breath To 's exaltation in the house of death Now lay opprest which Victory compleat Leaving his Army where before the seat Oâ—h ' Rebels was his entertainment by The welcome Harbenger of Victory Before prepared the pleas'd Epirote goes With an exalted joy to visit those His goodness whilst unknown reliev'd where he Such noble welcome finds as not to be Imagin'd but by grateful Souls that know The strength of Curtesie when 't would ore-flow Those Merits which whilst Love incites to praise Our friends deserts to Pyramids we raise The narrow Confines of Alcithius Wall Which kept them safe from dangers past too smal Grows for that present triumph that blot out All thoughts of grief but what are spent about Thansgiving for delivery which they do Perform in sports whose choice delights might woo Cold Anchorites from their sullen Cels the Earth The Aire the Sea all in a plenteous birth Exhausted their rich Treasuries to pay Tribute to their desires which could time stay Her Chariot wheels from hurrying down the Hill Of feeble Nature mans vain thoughts would fill With subaltern delights most highly priz'd Till the conclusion death hath annaliz'd The doubtful Text with what lets Mortals know Their blooming joyes must drop to shades below That great eclipse of Glories rayes within Whose shades sad Corinth had benighted been Since like a widdowed Turth first she sate A Mourner for her wandring Princes fate Now like the dayes recoverd Rain breaks forth In fuller Luster all excelling worth That honour'd Vertue or lov'd beauty plac'd Her Ornaments with their appearance grac'd Those publick triumphs she prepares to meet The Princes in in every splendid street The various pride of Persia strove t' out-vie Rich English Wool dipt in the Tyrrian Dye Each Shop shines bright and every Merchant shews
hate Of angry heaven the powerful Advocate Besides these bold attempts of Art that stood To fright the wicked or to prompt the good Something more great more sacred then could by Art be exprest without the help o th' eye Reacht at the center of the soul from whence To heaven our rais'd desires circumference Striking the lines of Contemplation she Wrapt from the earth is in an extasie Holy and high through faith's clear optick shown Those joys which to departed saints are known Before those pray'rs which zeal had tedious made With their last troops did conquer'd heav'n invade The day was on the glitt'ring wings of light Fled to the western world and swarthy night In her black Empire thron'd from silver shrines The kindl'd lamps through all the temple shines With dapl'd rayes that did to th' eye present The beauties of the larger firmament In which still calm when all their rites were now So near perform'd that the confirming vow Alone remain'd a sudden noise of rude And clamorous sound did through the ear intrude On their affrighted fancies in so high A voice that all their sacred harmony In this confusion lost appear'd so small As if that whisper'd which was made to call Although the awfull majesty that here Religion held the weak effects of fear With faith expel'd yet when that nearer to Their slender gates the murmuring tumult drew The Abbess sends not to secure but see Who durst attempt what heaven from all kept free By strictest law save those unhallow'd hands That follow curses whilst they flie commands But they being entred ere the timerous Scout Could notice give fear which first sprung from doubt Being into wilde confusion grown from all Set forms affrights them whilst at once they call For heavens protecting mercy to behold That place where peacefull Saints us'd to unfold Heavens Oracles possest with villains that Did ne'r know ought but want to tremble at Which look'd like those that with proud Angels fell And to storm heaven were sent in arms from hell Converts that Scean where nothing did appear But calm devotion to distracting fear Amaz'd with horror each sad votress stands Whilst sacred relicks drop from trembling hands Here one whose heart with fears convulsions faint Flies to the shrine of her protecting saint By her another stands whose spirits spent In Passion looks pale as her monument One shrieks another prayes a third had crost Her self so much ill Angels might have lost The way to hurt her if not taught to do'r Cause she to th' sign too much did attribute The royal Stranger by her fear persu'd To th' altar fled had with mixt passion view'd This dreadfull troop whilst from the temple gate They past the seat where trembling virgins sate Free from uncivil wrongs as if that they That entred had been men prepar'd to pray Not come to ravish from which sight her fear Picks flowers of hope but such as they drawn near From fancies soft lap in a Hirocane Of passion drop'd her pray'rs and tears in vaine As words in winds or showers in Seas when they Prepare for ruin the obstructed way To pitty which her stock of pray'rs had cost In the dark shade of sudden horror lost Seis'd on by two o' th' sacrilegious train Whose black disguise had made the eye in vain Seek to inform the soul she and the poor Florenza whilst their helpless friends deplore With silent tears so sad a loss are drew From the clasp'd Altar in th' offended view Of their protecting saints from whose shrines in A dismal omen dropt what ere had bin With hopes of merit plac'd Black sulphry damps With swift convulsions quench'd the sacred lamps The fabrick shakes and as if griev'd they stood To circle guilt the walls sweat tears of blood Shrieks such as if those fainted souls that there Trod heaven's strait paths in their just quarrel were Rose from their silent dormitories to Deter their foes through all the temple flew But here in vain destroying angels shook The sword of vengeance whilst his bold crimes struck ' Gainst heaven in high contempt with impious haste Snatch'd from the altar whilst their friends did waste Unheard Orizons for their safety they Unto the Fabrick's utmost gate convey Their beauteous prizes where with silence stood Their dreadful guard which like a neighb'ring wood When vapors tip the naked boughs in light With unsheath'd swords through the black mists of night A sparkling terror strook with such a speed As scarce gave time to fear what would succeed To such preceding vilanies within Her Coach imprison'd the sad Princess in A march for swiftness such as busie war Hastes to meet death in but for silence far More still then funerals is by that black troop With such exchange as falling stars do stoop To nights black region from the Monastrie Hurri'd in haste by whom or whither she Yet knows no more then souls departing when Or where to meet in robes of flesh agen The day salutes her and uncurtain'd light Welcoms her through the confines of the night But lends no comfort every object that It shewed her being such as if frighted at The Prince of day griev'd h 'ad no longer slept To shun shrunk back beneath a cloud and wept When the unfolded curtains gave her eyes Leave to look forth a troop whose close disguise Were stubborn arms she only saw and they So silent nought but motion did betray The faculties of life by whom being led In such a sad march as their honor'd dead Close mourners follow she some flow-pac'd days ' Mongst strangers passing through stranger ways At both amaz'd at length unfathom'd by Her deepest thought within the reach o th' eye Her known Ghirenza views but with a look From whence cold passion all the blood had took And in her face that frozen sea of fear Left nought but storms of wonder to appear Conven'd within the spacious Judgment-hall Of Reason she ere this had summon'd all Her weaker passions to th' impartial Bar Of Moral Vertue where they sentenc'd are Only to an untroubled silence in Which serious act whilst she had busied bin She is unnoted ere the fall of day Brought by her convoy to a Lodge that lay Off from the rode a place when seen she knew Ere his rebellion had belong'd unto Her worst of foes Almanzor which begins At first a doubt whose growing force soon wins The field of faith and tells her timorous thought Her fathers troops would ne'r have thither brought Her if design'd to suffer since that he Knew those more fit for close captivitie But long her reason lies not fetter'd in These cross Dilemma's the slow night had been With tedious hours past ore whilst she by none But Mutes no less unheard then their unknown Is only waited on by whom when day To action call'd she veil'd is led the way To the attending Convoy who had now Varied the Scene Almanzor studying how To court compassion in his Prince dares
discourses are Distastefull grown but what to sudden war Incites his rage which humor though it needs No greater fire then what his envy feeds Besides those Court-Tarantula's whose breath Stings easie Princes till they dance to death At the delightfull sound of flattery there Were deeper wits such whom a subtile care Not servile fear taught how to aggravate His angers flame till their own eager hate Though burning with a mortal fury might Pass unobserv'd since near a greater light Amongst those few whose love did not depend So much on fortune but the name of friend Was still preserv'd the faithfull Cyprian Prince Durst onely strive by reason to convince Their wilder passions but each Argument With which affection strugl'd to prevent A swift destruction onely seem'd to prove His friendship more effectual then his love From which mistake such as did strive to please The angry Princes passionate disease With what might seed the sickly humors draw A consequence that proves Pharonnida A blessing which was to his merits due Who most oppos'd the bold aspirer to That throne of Beauty which before possest Whole Armies must dispute their interest The slighted Cyprian since their fear could trust None but confederates from their Councils thrust Those swift conclusions which before to stay Their violence had Reason's cool allay Hurry'd to action strict commands are sent From fierce Zoranza through each Regiment Which stoop'd their Ensignes to his power that by Such marches as they 'd follow victory They reach Aetolia ere its new-crown'd King Warn'd by report had liberty to bring Opposing strengths a task too hard to be Perform'd with ease in powers minoritie Nor fails this Council for their Army draws No sooner near but such as in the cause Of unsuccessful Rebels late had been Expos'd to danger seek for refuge in A fresh revolt and since their ulcerous guilt Was so malignant that even mercy spilt Its balm in vain their injur'd Prince forsake To strengthen his proud Enemies who make Those Poisons up in Cordials and compound Them with their Army which being thus grown sound Whereas it lately fainted durst provoke Unto the trial of another stroke His late victorious forces which though yet Faint with the blood lost in the last great fit Of Honors fever when the Crisis prov'd The cures prognostick had with ease remov'd The proud invaders had Morea bin As heretofore a hurtful Neuter in That war which now since double strengths oppose Brave fortitude like base oppression shews So long both parties with varietie Of fortune fought that fearing whose might be The sad success that old Cleander in Such speed as if his Crown engag'd had bin Raises an Army whose command since he Base flattery takes for brave fidelitie Waving those Peers to whose known faith he owes The most of trust in hoodwink'd hope bestowes On false Almanzor who by power advanc'd Near to those hopes at which Ambition glanc'd But like weak eyes upon the dazeling sun From that last â—atal sâ—age his plots begun Mischiefs dark course which ere concluded shall Crush the Epirot in Morea's fall In this the hot distemper of their state Aâ—indâ— whom the Destinies of late To double-die his Honors purple-thred Robb'd of a father most disquieted Their secret councels since they knew the love He bore Argalia propt with power might prove A sad obstruction to their plots if he Urg'd by distastes shook their confederacie Off to assist his friend which to oppose With slattery fleeting as the gourd that rose But to discover his just wrath that made The plant to cover when it could not shade They all attempt though he engage not in Their party yet his easie youth to win By honors moths by times betrayers soft And smooth delights those serpents which too oft Strangle Herculean vertues But they here In Ages April find a wit appear Of such full growth that by his judgment they Are undermin'd who studied to betray Being thus secur'd from forein fears they now Imploy that rage whose speed could scarce allow Advice from Councel to extirpate those New planted Laurels vict'rie did compose To crown Argalia But before they go To ravish Conquest from so cheap a Foe Whose valor by orewhelming power was barr'd From lying safe at a defensive guard Till old Cleander that their league might be Assur'd by bonds whose firm stabilitie Death only could divorce intends though she With such aversion as their destinie Wretches condemn'd would shun attempt to fly The storm of fate yet countmanded by His power the fair Pharonnida although He not to love but duty seem'd to owe For such a blessing should Zoranza's be Confirm'd by Hymen's high solemnitie This resolution whose self-ends must blame Her fathers love once registred by fame Submits to censure whilst Pharennida Laments her fate some prompted by the law Of love and nature are to entertain So much of freedom as they prove in vain Her advocates Others whose cautious fear Dares only pity in that dress appear Silent and sad only Almanzor in This State-distemper by that subtile sin Dissimulation so disguises all His black intentions that whilst truth did call Him Treasons agent its reflected light Appearance spoke him Vertues proselyte So much a Convert as if all those hot Crimes of his youth ambition had begot Discreeter age had either cool'd or by Repentance chang'd to zeal and loyalty Whilst thus i' th' Court the most judicious eyes Deluded were by factions false disguise By rumors heavy as the damps of death When they flie laden with the dying breath Of new-departed souls this fatal news Assaults the Princess which whilst reason views With sad resentments to support her in This storm of fate Amindor who had bin In all her griefs her best adviser now Enters to tell her fainting sorrows how They'd yet a refuge left from whom she might Reap hopes of safety The first welcom sight Of such a friend whose former actions had â—nhanc'd his worth encountring with her sad And serious thoughts so rarifies that cloud Of grief that ere dissolving tears allow'd A vocal utterance as intended words Something contain'd too doleful for records Both sigh'd both wept at length the Princess broke Silence and thus lier dismal passions spoke Dare you my Lord approach so near unto A factious grief in this black storm to view Distrest Pharonnida have either I Or my Argalia's slighted memorie Yet in Morea a remaining friend Whose vertue dares by its own strength contend Against this torrent of Court-factions Now Now Royal Sir that doom which will allow My soul no more refreshing slumbers by My father's past my father Sir whom I Must disobey with all the curses due To black rebellion or else prove untrue Those vows those oft repeated vows which in Our Loves full growth hath to Argalia bin Seal'd in the sight of heaven About to speak Her passions fuller sorrow here did break The sad theme off and to proclaim her fears Except th'oreflowing language of her tears
bin A stranger to the sad events of this So dismal night he by relation is Inform'd of each particular which he Seeming to hear in griefs extremity From silent sorrow which appear'd to wait On still attention his prepar'd deceit Disguis'd in rage appears a rage which in Its active flight to finde what hearts had bin Defil'd with thoughts of such foul crimes did seem So full of zeal its actions did redeem The lost report of loyalty in those His former crimes made his most constant foes By guarded gates and watchfull parties that Surround the walls till th' people frighted at Their fury shrink from publick throngs they now Assur'd of safety whilst enquiring how Hell hatch'd these monsters whose original Whilst searching they by the consent of all His best Physitians whose experienc'd skill From outward signs knew what internal ill Death struck the Prince inform'd the cause could be From nought but such a subtil enemy As poyson which when every accident They had examin'd all conclude was sent Mixt with that cordial whose conceal'd receit Unknown to art their envy term'd the bait To tempt the easie Princes faith into That net which death allur'd by treason drew With power from this imbrac'd suspition sprung Almanzor who not envies spotted tongue Durst call prophane though rudely forcing those Weak gates which need no greater strength t' oppose Unclean intruders then the reverence they Inforc'd by zeal did with Religion pay Unto that places sanctity which he Contemning ere the wrong'd societie Expecting such injurious visits in Rude fury entring those whose power had bin Imploy'd by noble pity to attend The suffring Princess in such haste did send Them to her close and dark abodes that now Their doubts confirm'st they 're only studying how To shun that danger which informing fear Falsly perswades towards them alone drew near Which dark suspition ere unclouded by Seising on him whose innocence durst fly To no retreat the Royal fugitives Back to the vault where first they enter'd drives Now at the great'st antipathie to Day The silent earth opprest with Midnight lay Vested in clouds black as they had been sent To be the whole worlds mourning monument When through the Caves damp womb conducted by A doubtful light that scarce inform'd the eye To find out those unhaunted paths they in A faint assurance with soft pace begin To sally forth where unsuspected they Are seis'd by guards that in close ambush lay Which ere amazement could give action leave To seek for safety did their hopes deceive By close restraint aw'd by whose power they 're to Almanzor brought who from that object drew Such joy as fills usurpers when they see Wrong'd Princes strugling with captivitie From hence in such disdainful silence led As taught their fear from just suspition bred To tremble at some unknown ill about That sober time when Lights small lamps go out At the approach of Days bright glories brought Back to the Court they there not long had sought Their sorrows sad original before A Court conven'd of such whose power had bore Whilst Gods own choice a Monastry had lent Their dictates law the weight of government They hither call'd by summons that did sound Like bold rebellion in sad omen found More then they fear'd A mourning train of Lords Plac'd round a black tribunal that affords To the spectators penetrated eye A dismal horror cloath'd in majestie Like hierogliphicks pointing to that fate Which must ensue all yet in silence sate A dreadful silence such as unto weak Beholders seem'd to threaten when they speak Death and destruction dictates when they saw Their Princess enter'd as if rigid Law To loyal duty let the scepter fall In an obedient reverence rais'd they all Lowly salute her but that complement To bribe their pity fear in vain had spent When all resuming now their seats command The Royal captives whose just cause did stand On no defence but unknown truth to be Summon'd to th' bar where that they first might see What rigor on the royal blood was shewn From no unjust conspiracie had grown A sable curtain from their herses drawn Betrays her eyes then in the sickly dawn Of grief grown dim unto that horrid place Where they met death drawn in her fathers face By whom now turn'd into well-model'd clay Fitted for 's tomb the slain Epirot lay At this as if some over-venturous look For temperate rays destructive fire had took In at her souls receiving portals all Lifes functions ceas'd sorrow at once le ts fall The burthen of so many griefs which in A death-like slumber had forgotten bin Till humane thoughts obliterated by The wishâ— conversions of eternity Opprest no more had not inâ—urious haste Before this conflict could those spirits waste Which had to shun passions external strife Fled to the primum mobile of life Recall'd with them her sorrows to attend Their nimblest motions which too fast did spend Her strength to suffer weakness to obay The Courts intentions of a longer stay From ruffl'd passions which her soul opprest By the soft hand of recollecting rest Strok'd to a calm which setl'd reason in Her troubled throne by those that first had bin Her guards the Princess that fair pattern whence Men drew the height of humane excellence Is now return'd to let her proud foes see That the bright rays of magnanimitie Though envy like th' ungrateful moon do strive To hide that sun except what 's relative Ne'r knows eclipse the darkness taking birth From what 's below whilst that remov'd from earth Her clear unclouded conscience ever stays Amongst bright vertues universal rays The mourning Court those ministers of fate In expectation of their prisoners sate They now appear in those disguises which They first were took being habits though not rich Enough to gild their rare perfections yet Such as did seem by sorrow made to fit Their present sufferings both the men cloth'd in Monastick robes black as their threds had bin Spun from Peruvian wooll the women clad Like mournful Votaries shew'd so sweetly sad As if their vertues which injurious fate Did yet conceal striving t' anticipate The flights of time had to th' external sence Shew'd these as emblems of their innocence But love nor pity though they both did here Within their Judges sternest looks appeare Durst plead for favor their indictments read So guilty sound that those whose hearts even bled Disdain'd their eyes should weep since justice did In such foul crimes mercy as sin forbid Yet more to clear what circumstance had made Level with reason from th' approaching shade Of death redeem'd that Lord whose wounds had bin But slumbers to recover safety in When the Messenian murdred was did now Declare as far as reason could allow The eyes to judge those habits which they then Did wear the same which cloath'd the murth'rers when His Prince was slain which open proof appears So full of guilt it stops her friends kinde fears Ere rais'd to hope
flow Whose wit grown wanton with canaries wealth Makes the chast Muse a pandress to a health Our royal Lovers story I 'll pursue Through times dark paths which now have led me to Behold Argaâ—ia by assisting art Advanc'd to health preparing to depart From his obscure abode to prosecute Designs which when success strikes terror mute With pleasing joy shall him the mirror prove Of forward valor glost with filial love But let us here with prosperous blessings leave A while the noble Hero and receive From times accounts the often varying story Of her whose love conducted him to glory Distrest Pharonnida whose sufferings grown Too great for all that vertue ere had known From humane precepts flies for refuge to Heavens narrowest paths where the directing clew Of Law to which the Earth for order owes Lost in zeals light a useless trouble growes Return'd were all the messengers which she Had at the first salutes of Libertie To seek Argalia sent But since none brought Her passions ease sick hope no longer sought Those flattering Emp'ricks but at Loves bright fires Kindling her zeal with sober pace retires From all expected honors to bestow What time her youth did yet to nature ow A solemn Recluse by a sacred vow Lockt up from action whilst she practis'd how By speculation safely to attain What busier Mortals doubtfully do gain Within the compass of the valley where Ismanders palace stood the pious care Of elder times had plac'd a Monastrie Whose fair possessors from life's tumults free In a calm voyage towards heaven their home there spent The quiet hours so sweetly innocent As if that place that happy place had bin Of all the earth alone exempt from sin Some sacred power ordaining when 't was given It for the next preparing school to heaven From whence those Vestals should when life expires Be for supplies advanc'd to heavenly quires Lost to the world in sorrows lab'rinths here Pharonnida now out of hope to cleer This tempest of her fate resolves to cast Her faiths firm anchor But before she past The dangerous straits of a restrictive vow She to such friends as judgment taught her how To prize imparts it ' mongst which few the fair Silvandra whom lost love had taught despair With sad Florenza both resolve to take The same strict habit and with her forsake The treacherous world But to disturb this clear Stream of devotion soon there did appear Disswading friends Ismander loth to lose So lov'd a guest whilst she 's of power to choose Together with the vertuous Amida Spend their most powerful arguments to draw Her from those cold thoughts that her vertue might Whilst unconceal'd lend weaker mortals light Long had this friendly conflict lasted ere Her conquer'd friends whom a religious care Frighted from robbing heaven of Saints withdrew To mourn her loss yet ere they left her to Her cloyster'd Cell Ismander to comply With aged custom calls such friends whom nigh Abode had made familiar to attend His Royal guest some hasty days they spend In solemn feasting where each friend although Cloath'd as when they at triumphs met did shew A silent sadness such as wretched Brides When the neglected nuptial robe but hides The cares of an obstructed love before Harsh parents wear The mirthless feast past ore The noble Virgins in procession by The mourning train unto the Monast'ry Slowly conducted are each led by two Full-breasted Maids whom Hymen to renew The worlds decaying stock his joys to prove By contracts summon'd to conjugal love These as they past like Paranymphs which led Young Beauties to espouse a Maidenhead With harmony whose eachâ—concording part Tickl'd the ear whilst it did strike the heart With mournful numbers rifling every brest Of their deep thoughts thus the sad sense exprest I. To secret walks to silent shades To places where no voice invades The air but what 's created by Their own retir'd society Slowly these blooming Nymphs we bring To wither out their fragrant spring For whose sweet odors Lovers pine Where beauty doth but vainly shine Cho. Where Natures wealth and Arts assisting cost Both in the beams of distant hope are lost 2. To Cloysters where cold damps destroy The busie thoughts of Bridal joy To Vows whose harsh events must be Vncoupl'd cold Virginitie To pensive prayers where heaven appears Through the pale cloud of private tears These captive Virgins we must leave Till freedom they from death receive Only in this remote conclusion blest Cho. This vale of tears leads to eternal rest 3. Then since that such a choice as theirs Which stiles them the undoubted heirs To heaven 't were sinful to repent Here may they live till beauty spent In a religious life prepare Them with their fellow-Saints to share Celestial joys for whose desire They freely from the world retire Cho. Go then and rest in blessed peace whilst we Deplore the loss of such societie Through all the slow delays of Love arriv'd To the unguarded gate friendship that thriv'd Not in Perswasions rhetorick withdraws Her forces to assist that juster cause Prayers for their future good with which whilst they Are taking leave th'unfolded gates give way For the blest Votries entrance whom to meet A hundred pair of Maids more chastely sweet Then slowers which grow untoucht in desarts were Led by their Abbess to whose pious care These being join'd with such a sad reverse Of eyes oreflowing as the sable herse Close mourners leave when they must see no more Their coffin'd dead their friends are from the dore With eager looks woes last since now denied A further view departs unsatisfied This last of duties which the dearest friend Ought to perform brought to successful end For here no custom with a dowries price At entrance paid nurst slothful avarice They 're softly led through a fair garden where Each walk was by the founders pious care For various fancies wanton imagrie To catch the heart and not to court the eye Adorn'd with sacred histories From hence To th' center of this fair circumference The fabrick come the roving eye confin'd Within the buildings to enlarge the mind In contemplation saw where happy Art Had on the figur'd walls the second part Of Sacred story drawn in lines that had The worlds Redeemer from his first being clad In robes of flesh presented to the view Through all his passion till it brought him to The Cross that highest seal of love where he A sinless offering died from sin to free The captiv'd world which knew no other price But that to pay the debts of Paradice Past through this place where bleeding passion strove Their melting pity to refine to love They 're now the Temple enter'd where to skreen Their thoughts yet nearer heaven whom they had seen i th' entrance scourg'd contemn'd crucifide They there beheld though veils of glory hide Some part of the amazing Majestie In his Ascension as when rais'd to be For them that hear his death freed from the