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-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
course we 're come to a low shed Whose happy honor ne'r disquieted With those domestick troubles that attend On larger roofs here in content did spend Fortunes scant gifts at his unhaunted gate Hearing us knock he stands not to debate With wealthy misers slow suspition but Swift as if 't were a sin to keep it shut Removes that slender Guard but when he there Unusual Strangers saw with such a care As onely spoke a conscious shame to be Surpris'd whilst unprovided poverty Straitned desire he starts yet entertains Us so that shew'd by an industrious pains He strove to welcom more Here being by Their goodness and our own necessity Tempted a while to rest we safely lay Far from persuing ills yet since the way To danger by suspition lies we still Fear being betray'd by those that meant no ill Since oft their busie whispers though they spring From love and wonder slow discoveries bring Being now removing since thy tender age Threatned to make the grave its second stage If thence conveigh'd by us whose fondest love Could to thy wants but fruitless pity prove T' inlarge thy commons though increase our fears To those indulgent rurals who for tears Had springs of milk to feed thee thou remain'st An infant tenant for thy own name ' gainst What since thou hast bin known by which when we Contracted had to the stenographie Some gold the last of all our wealth we leave To make their burthen light which they receive With thankfull joy amaz'd to see those bright Angels display their strange unwonted light In poverties cold region where they had Been pin'd for want if not by labor clad When age should make thee capable to tell Thy wonder how thy infancy had fell From honors pyramids a jewel which Did once the splendor of his Crown inrich About thy neck he hangs then breathing on Thy tender lips a parting kiss we 're gone Gone from our last delight to finde some place Dark as our clouded stars there to embrace Unenvi'd poverty in the cold bed Of sad despair till on his reverend head Once center to a crown grief makes him weare A silver frost by frequent storms of care Forc'd on that royal mount whose verdute fades Ere time by youths antagonist invades Not far through dark and unknown paths we had Wander'd within those forrests which unclad By big windes of their summers beauteous dress Naked and trembling stood ere fair success Smiling upon our miseries did bring Us to a chrystal stream from whose cold spring With busie and laborious care we saw A feeble Hermite stooping down to draw An earthen pot whose empty wants supply'd With liquid treasure soon had satisfy'd His thirsty hopes who now returning by A narrow path which did directing Ile Through th' unfrequented desart with the haste Of doubtfull Travellers in lands laid waste By conquering foes we follow till drawn near To him whom innocence secur'd from fear Disburth'ning of his staff he sits to rest What was with age and labor both opprest Our first salutes when we for blessings had Exchang'd with him being sat we there unclad All our deform'd misfortunes and unless A kingdoms loss disvellop'd our distress Which heard with pity that he safely might Be the directing Pharos by whose light We might be safely guided from the rocks Of the tempestuous world his tongue unlocks A cabinet of holy counsel which More then our vanish'd honor did enrich Our souls for whose eternal good was meant This cordial with the worlds best wealth Content Content which flies the busie throne to dwell With hungry Hermites in the noiseless cell More safe then age from the hot sins of youth Peaceful as faith free as untroubled truth Being by him directed hither we Long liv'd within this narrow Monast'rie Whose orders being too strict for those that ne're Had lost delight i th' prosecuting care Of unsuccessful action suited best With us whose griefs compar'd taught the distrest To sleight their own as guests that did intrude On reason in the want of fortitude That brave supporter which such comfort brings That none can know but persecuted Kings The purple-robe his births unquestion'd right For the course habit of a Carmelite Being now exchang'd and we retir'd from both Our fears and hopes like private Lovers loth When solve from the observant Spy to be Disturb'd by friends for want or greatness free Secure and calm we spent those happy days In nought ambitious but of what might raise Our thoughts towards heav'n with whom each hour acquaints In prayr more frequent then afflicted saints Our happy souls which here so long had bin Refining till that grand reward of sin Death did by age his common harbinger Proclaim 's approach and warn'd us to defer For the earths trivial business nought that might Concern eternity lest life and light Forsaking our dark mansions leave us to Darkness and death unfurnisht of a clew Which might conduct when time shall cease to be Through the meanders of eternitie Thy pious father ere the thefts of age Decaying strength should his stiff limbs engage In an uneasie rest to level all Accounts with heaven doth to remembrance call A vow which though in hot affliction made Whilst passions-short ephemera's did invade His troubled soul doth now when the disease Time had expung'd from solitary ease Call him again to an unwilling view o th' active world in a long journey to Forlorn Enna unto whose Temple he Had vow'd if fortune lent him libertie Till tir'd with the extreams of weary age The cheap devotion of a pilgrimage The End of the Fourth Canto PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO V. The Argument I. To the grave Author of this happy news The pleas'd Argalia with delight did hear Till whilst the fatal story he persues He brings his great soul near the gates of fear II. By letting him in full discovery know The dreadful danger that did then attend His royal Sire who to his sword must ow For safety ere his sad afflictions end FOrsaking now our solitary friends Whose prayrs upon each slow-pac'd step attends From danger by a dress so course exempt As wore religion to avoid contempt Through toils of many a tedious day at last We Enna reach where when his vows had past The danger of a forfeiture and we That debt discharg'd to heaven had libertie To look abroad with sorrow-laden eyes We view those ruines in whose ashes lies Sad objects of our former loss not then Rak'd up so deep but old observant men When youths were in procession led could tell Where towrs once stood and in what fights they fell Which to confirm some in an aged pride Shew wounds which then though they did wisely hide As signatures of loyal valor they Now unsuspected with delight display Hence when commanded by the wane of light We sought protection from approaching night In an adjacent Monastry where we The wandring objects of their charitie Although by all welcom'd with friendly zeal
my Virgin-freedome ere I will Consent to that which being performd will kill My honour to preserve my life and turn Th' unworthy beauty which now makes you burn In these unhallowed flames into a Cell Which none but th' black Inhabitants of Hell Will ere possess Those private thoughts which give If we continue verteous whilst we live On Earth our Souls commerce with Angels shall Be turnd to Furies if we yield to fall Beneath our Vices thus O then take heed Do not defile a Temple such a deed Will when in labour with your latest breath With horror Curtain the black Bed of death Though Prayers in vain strove to divert that Crime He prosecutes yet to protract the time She more had sayed had not all Language been Lost in a storm of 's Lust which raging in His fury gives a fresh assault unto Weak Innocence for Mercy now to sue To hope seems vain robustious strength did baâ— The use of Language which defensive War Continuing till the breathless Maid was wrought Almost beneath resistance just Heaven brought This unexpected Aide A lovely Swain Whose large Possessions in the neighbouring Plain Had stil'd him rich that powerful which t' improve To that fair stock his vertue added love Which to flattery since it lost its eyes The world but seldome sees without disguise This sprightly Youth led by the parallels Of Birth and Fortune what ere else excels Those fading blessings to Florenza in His Youths fresh April had devoted been With so much zeal that what that heedless age But dallied with like Customes which engage Themselves to habits ere its growth he knew Love equal with his active manhood grew Which noble Plant though in the torrid Zone Of her disdain 't had nere distemper known Yet oft those sad vicissitudes doth find For which none truly lov'd that nere had pin'd Which pleasing passion though his judgment knew How to divert ere reason it out-grew It often from important action brought Him to those shades where Contemplation sought Calm sollitude in whose soft raptures Love Refining Fancy lifts his thoughts above Those joyes which when by trial brought to th' test Proves thoughts bright Heaven dul Eâ—rth when once possest Whilst seated here his eyes did celebrate As to those shade Florenza oft had sate Beneath kind looks to ravish that delight The tir'd Caâ—ina in her breathless flight Come neer the place assaults his wonder in That dreadful sound which tels him what had bin Her cause of fear which doleful stories end Arriv'd to th' danger of his dearest Friend Leaves him no time for language ere wingd by Anger and Love his hast strives to out-fly His eager thoughts Being now arriv'd so near Unto the place that his informing Ear Thither directs his steps with such a hast As nimble souls when they are first uncâ—s'd From bodies slie he thither speeds and now Being come where he beheld with horror how His better Angel injur'd was disputes Neither with fear nor policy they 'r Mutes When Anger 's thunder roars but swiftly draws His Faulchion and the justice of his Cause Argues with eager stroaks but spent in vain ' Gainst that unequal strength which did maintain The more unlawful all his power could do Is but to shew the effects of Love unto Her he ador'd few stroaks being spent before His feeble Arme of power to do no more Faints with the loss oâ— blood and letting fall Th' ill-manag'd VVeapon for his death doth call By the contempt of mercy so to prove A Sacrifice slain to Florenza's Love The cursed steel by the robustious hand Of fierce Almanzor guided now did stand Fixt in his breast whilst with a purple flood His life soiâ—s forth i th' Channel of his blood This Remora remov'd the impious deed No sooner was performd but ere the speed Florenza made though to her eager flight Fear added wings conveyd her from his sight His rude hand on her seises Now in vain She lavisht Prayers the groans in which her slain Friend breaths his soul forth with her shrieks did fill The ambient Aire struck lately with the still Voice of harmonious Musick But the Eare Of penetrated Heaven not long could heare Prayers breath'd from so much innocence yet send Them back deni'd white Mercy did attend Her swift deliv'ry when obstructing fear Through Reason let no Ray of hope appear Startl'd Argalia who was courted by Her pleasing Voices milder Harmony Into restrictive slumbers wakend at Their Alter'd Tone hast to discover what Had causd that change and soon the place attains Where in th' exhausted treasuce of his Vains Andremon wallows and Florenza lies Bath'd in her tears ready to sacrifice Her Life with her Virginity which sight Provok't a hast such as his presence might Protect the trembling Virgin which perceiv'd By curst Almanzor made to be bereav'd o th' Spoils of such a wicked Victory As Lust had then near conquerd fiercely he Assails the noble stranger who detesting An Act so full of Villany and resting On the firm justâ—ce of his Cause had made His guiltless Sword as ready to invade As was the others that had surfeited In blood before Here equal Valour bred In both a doubtfull hope Almanzors Lust Had fierd his Courage which Argalias just Attempts did strive to quench The thirsty steel Had drunk some blood from both ere Fortunes Wheel Turnd to the righteous Cause that Vigor which Through rivolets of Veins spread the salt Itch 〈◊〉 feaverish Lust before was turnd into 〈◊〉 flame of anger â— whilst his hands did do What Rage doth dictate Fury doth assist With flaming Paroxismes and each Nerve twist Into a double strength yet not that flood Which in this ebullition of his blood Did through the Channels boyl till they run o're With flaming spirits could depress that store Of manly worth which in Argalias breast Did with a quiet even Valor rest Moving as in its naturall Orb unstraind 〈◊〉 any violent motion nor yet chaind By lazy damps of faint mistrust but in Dangers extream still confident to win A noble Victory or i th' loss of breath Iâ— his Fate frownd to find an honourd death Fil'd with these brave Resolves until the heat Of their warm Fury had Alarmes beat 〈◊〉 th' neighbouring fields they fought which tumult by Such of Almanzors Followers as were nigh The Grove repos'd with an astonishment That rouzd them heard they hasten to prevent The sad effects that might this Cause ensue â—re more of danger then their fear they knew Arriv'd even with that fatal Minute he Who against Justice strove for Victory With such faint stroaks that their descent did give â—ought but assurance that his Foe must live 〈◊〉 happy Conquerour they usurp the power 〈◊〉 Heaven revenge and in a dreadfull shower 〈◊〉 danger with their Furies torrent strive 〈◊〉 orewhelm the Victor but the foremost drive Their own destruction on and fall beneath His conquering Sword ere he takes time to breath Those spirits which when
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
griefs as did exclude The comforts of his passive Fortitude Opprest the Prince when now an Army led By their pursuing Enemies ore-spread The circling fields and brings their fear within The reach of th' Eye heighten'd with hope to win That now by parl which ere the sad success Of Battel made their conquer'd numbers less He feard in fight the confidently bold Almanzor in a Scrowl that did unfold A Language whose unreverend stile affords Far more of anger then his Soldiers Swords Had ere stird fear within his Princes breast His fixt Intentious thus in brief exprest Great Sir NO airy tumour of untam'd desire Nurst my Ambition prompts me to aspire To any Action that may sore above My Birth or Loyalty it was the love I bore your verteous Daughter that first clad Me in defensive Armes which never had Been else unsheathd though 't had been to defend Me from Injustice should your Sword extend Its power to tyranny but failing in That first attempt ere streams of blood had bin Shed in addition to those drops my hand Had broke my Sword as guilty had this Land To whom I owe for the first Aire I breathd Not washt the stain in tears and since unsheathd It in the name of Justice to their good Which trembling on uncertain hopes hath stood Whilst fearing forrein Governours I have Added my love and satisfaction crave For both before a greater ill may fall To make our sufferings Epidemical By being slaves to some proud Tyrant that In politick Ambition reaches at A Kingdom by profest Affection and Marries your Daughter to command your Land This Scrowl spotted with Impudence receiv'd By the vext Prince whom passion had bereav'd Of politick Evasions he returns A swift defiance but his high rage burns Nought but his own scortcht breast the fainting fire Quencht by constraint wants Fuel to blaze higher Then flashy threatnings which since prov'd a folly Sink in the Ashes of Melancholy For which his ablest Councel could prepare No Cordial of advice they rather share With him in sorrow whose harsh burthen growes Not lighter by the company of those That now lend hearts to bear it only in This sullen Clouds obscurity this sin Of their Nativity the noble Soul Of the undaunted Princess did controul The harshest Lectures of her Stars and sate Unshaken in this Hyrocane of Fate Calming her Fathers hot adversity With Dews of comfort taught him how to be Prince of his Passions a Command more great Then his that trembles in a regal seat The Enemy that vainly had till now Toil'd forth their strength no more endeavours how By force to conquer some smal time they knew Would with the bloodless Sword of Famine do More then their Cannon could the meager Fen Already grew tyrannical his men Like walking Ghosts wait on their Prince and stand For shadows on their Plat-forms not a hand But was unnerv'd with want yet whilst each part Languisht tow'rd death each bosome held a heart Which though most large could never empty he Being doubly fil'd with grife and loyalty Amongst both which hope for a part puts in As the Supporter of what else had been A burthen insupportable and spoke This pleasing Language that the royal Oke Beneath whose Winter Fortune now they stood Pining for want the witherd under Wood That all his miseries dropt on yet they shall When ere his brighter Stars again do call His Fortune into light be comforted By his kind shadow which shall those that fled Him in this sad extream then leave to be Scortcht in the Rays of angry Majesty Reduc'd unto this pitied exigence Yet by his honour which could not dispense With ought that like suspition lookt detaind From what by parl might have their freedome gaind The loyal Sufferers to declare how far They fear declind those mourning weeds of War Whose fight a desperate valour doth betray Black En signs on their guarded Wals display When to augment their high resolves with what Their valour was to pity so fâ—ned at After with all those course though scarce Cates they By sparing first attempted to betray Time till relief with they 'd been fed till now There nought remaind that longer could allow Life further hopes of sustenance to do An Act so great all Ages to ensue Shall more admire then imitate within The Hall appears their Soveraign leading in His hand the Princess whose first view though drest In Robes as sad as sorrow ere exprest Was but the Frontiers of their grief to what When nearer seen whilst sorrow silenc'd at So sad on Object might for death be took Made solemn grief like grave Religion look Whilst all thus in sad expectation stand Of future Fate disdaining to command Those whom an equal sorrow seemd to make His fellow Sufferers the sad Prince thus spake His fixt resolves Brave Souls whose loyal love Opprest by my unhappy woes must prove Part of my grief since by my wretched Fate Forc'd with my own life to precipitate Yours into danger from whose reach since by No Crime until the love of Loyalty Become a sin you are cal'd guilty yet Seek some evasion 't is not you that sit Upon the Throne he aimes at nor doth here Arival in Pharonnida appear No 't is our lives our lives brave Subjects that His bold Ambition only reaches at By this pretense what to my Daughter love To 's Country's pity cal'd could he remove Those now but smal Obstructions soon would grow To 's pride united till it over flow All limets of a Subjects duty by Rebellious reach usurped tyranny Go then and let not my unhappiness Afflict you more i th' shadow of distress T wil like warm comforts swel my Soul to know That to his Favour you for safety ow. Did not those sacred Canons that include All vertue in a Christians Fortitude Obstruct our Passions progress we ere this In death had made the haughty Rebel miss The glory of his Conquest which since now Denâ—'d although unweildy age allow Not strength to sell my life at such a rate Honour aimes at yet shall the slow debate Even in my fall let the World know I died Scorning his pity as they hate his pride Here stopt the Prince when as if every breast One universal sorrow had possest Grief grown into more noble passion broke Th' attentive silence and thus swiftly spoke Their resolutionâ— On on and lead Us unto death no Critick eye shall read Fear through the Opticks of our Souls but give Command to act here 's not a heart durst live Without obedience camforted with this Rich Cordial from his sorrows dark Abyss Rais'd to resolves whose greatness equal'd all His former Glory by their fatal fall To darken the ensuing day the Prince Gives a Command to all his Train that since Their own free Votes elected death they now With Souls that no terrestial thought allow A residence ' gainst the next Morn prepare That wisht for freedome with himself to share All sadly sate
Fought betwixt fear and hope was setled in A silent joy that from her noble breast Struggl'd for passage whilst Argalia blest Above his hopes in burning kisses seals His service on her Virgin hand that steals From thence new flames into her heart which ere Fed with desire even whilst she did prepare To entertain those welcome Guests appears The Prince who now thawd from the icy fears Of desperation was come there to give Thanks to his unknown friends but words did live Within a place too baren to bestow That fruitful zeal whose plenty did orâ—-flow His Eyes those clouded Orators which till Disburthend did capacious passion fill This moist Gale o're when now they had awhile Melted in joy cloathing it with a smile He thus unfolds his comfort Blessed Fates You have out-try'd my charity he hates All real Vertue that confesses not My care of thee was but an unknown spot To this large world of satisfaction here Kind sorrow stopt his voice again when fear Their Enemies might rally and i th' bud Blast all their blooming joyes even whilst the blood Wreak'd on his Sword leaving their Eyes to pay Pursuing prayers Argalia posts away But finds his Foes disperst excepting one Stout Regiment whose desperation grown To valour spight of all pursuers made Good their retreat till forc'd at length to shade Themselves from the pursuing danger in A deep dark Cave whose spatious Womb had been Their Receptacle when unlawfull theft Was their profession In this place they 'd left Their dearest pledges as most confident Those dark Meanders would their loss prevent These stout Opposers being protected here Before Argalia brought his Army neer Had fortifi'd the narrow pass and now Presume of safety since none else knew how Without their leave to enter Hem'd about With all the Castle Foot his Horse sent out To clear the field the careful General sees Then every Quarter made secure he frees His own from all suspected danger while This busie Siege did better things beguile Of some few steps of time the Prince arrives To see the Leager where each Captain strives With entrance to be honourd but in vain The subtile Engineer here racks his Brain The Mountains yeild not to their Cannon shock Nor mine could pierce the marble-breasted Rock Thus whilst they lay despairing ere to force A place so difficult with some few Horse Only attended the vext Prince surrounds The spaâ—ious Hill whose uncouth sight confounds His ablest Guides making a stand to view A Promontory on whose brow there grew A Grove of stately Cedars from a dark And hidden cleft proud of so rich a Mark Some Mus kets are discharg'd which missing by A desperate Sallie's seconded to fly The danger thorough such a dreadful way As now they were to pass was not to stay But hasten ruine though too weak in fight More safety lay then an unworthy flight But Valour like the royal Eagle by A cloud of Crows ore-masterd less to dy With honour had no refuge left and that Here each Plebeian gains when frighted at Th' unusual clamour with such troops as were Most fit for speed Argalia was come there Arriv'd even with that minute which first saw His Prince a Captive Now the Rebbels draw Back to their private Salliport but are Too speedily pursu'd to enter far Within their dark Meanders ere ore-took By their inraged Foes who had forsook Their other stations and to this alone Drew all their Forces entring the unknown And horrid Cave whose troubled Womb till then Nere such a Cholick felt Argalia's men Following so brave a Leader boldly tred Through the Rocks rugged Entrails those that fled Though better skild in their obscure retreat No safety find the Caves remotest seat Was now the stage of death together throng'd After their Swords had Lifes last step prolong'd There all the Villains in despair had di'd Had not the fear their Prince in such a tyde Of blood might have been shipwrackt whom to save A gen'ral Pardon to the rest is gave And now the dreadful Earthquake which had turnd The Rock to Aetna could its top have burnd With Subteranean fires being ceas'd the Prince Desirous by his knowledge to convince Those word-deep wonders which report had spread Of that strange Cave commands some to be led By an old Out-law whose experience knew The uncouth Vaults remotest Corners to Those seats of horrour which performd and word Returnd again the danger did afford Subject for nobler Spirits forthwith he Attended by Argalia goes to see What had afrighted them the dreadfull way Through which he past being steep and rugged lay Between two black and troubled streams that through The cleft Rock rowld with horrid noise till to An ugly Lake whose heavy streams did ly Unstird with aire they come and there are by That black Asphaliis swallowd a strang sound Of yelling Dragons hissing Snakes confound Each trembling Auditor till comforted By bold Argalia ventring first to tread On stones which did like ruin'd Arches ly Above the surface of the Lake he 's by Their aid brought to an ancient Tower that stood Fixt in the center of the lazy flood Its Basis founded on a Rock whose brow With age disfigur'd into clefts did now With loud and speedy ruine threaten to Crush all beneath it round about it flew On sooty wings such ominous Birds as hate The cheerful day Vipers and Scorpions sate Circl'd in darkness till the cold damp breath Of neer concreted Vapours sing'd to death By th' numerous light of Torches which did shine Through the whole Mountains Convex and refinâ— Aire with restraint corrupted forcing way By conquering flames recals the banisht day Come now to a black Tower which seemd to be The Throne of some infernal Deity That his extended Lawes reaches unto The brazen Gate whose folded Leaves withdrew Assaulâ— their eyes with such a flux of light That as the dim Attendants of the Night In bashful duty shun the Prince of Day So their lost Tapors unto this give way Whilst it with wonder that belief out-grew Transports their sights to the amazing view Of so much beauty that the use of sense Was lost in mâ—re then humane excellence A glorious Room so elegantly faire In ' tâ— various structure that the riotous Heir O h' eastâ—rn Crescent that might choose to be The Theater of shining Majestie They now behold yet then its mighty strength Which had preserv'd such beauty from the length Of Ages ire Tallons there appear More rare perfections the large floor of clear Transparant Emraulds lent a luster to The Oval Roof whose scarce-seen ground was blew Studded with sparkling Gems whose brightness lent The beauties of the vaulted Firmament To all beneath their beams the figur'd wals Imbost with rare and antick sculptry cals For th' next observance though the serious eye The way to truth in secret mystery He e having lâ—st le ts the dark Text alone To view the beauties of a glorious Throne Which plac'd within the
Argalia though it could not be Yet counted more then what his Merits might Claim as Desert but this smal beam of light Through the Prospective of suspition to Envies malignant Eye conveyd to do An Act informs the curst Amphibia that Makes Love lament for what she triumph'd at Since Vertue Heavens unspotted Character On the belov'd Argalia did transfer Merits of too sublime a height to be Shadowed with vice from that Flowers fragrancie She sucks her Venome and from what had built His Glory now intends to raise his Guilt For â—hough the Prince no Engines need to move His Passions Frame but just Desert his Love Her close endeavours are to heighten 't by Praises that make Affection jealousie Whose Venome having once possest his Soul It swiftly doth like fatal Charmes controul Reasons fair Dictates and although no fear From such wel-order'd Actions could appear To strengthen it Argalia's Merits caus'd Some sad and sullen doubts such as when pauf'd Awhile upon resolve their Cure must be Their Cause remov'd though in that Action he From his Breasts royal Mansion doth exclude The noblest Vertue generous Gratitude My worthless Fortune with will but prepare Our future happiness the time we spare From feeding on Ambrosia will encrease Our wealthy store when the white Wings of peace Shall bear us back with Victory there may Through the dark Chaeos of my Fate display Some beam of Honour though compar'd with thine That Element of living flames it shine Dim as the pale-fac'd Moon when she lets fall Through a dark Grove her beams thy Vertues shall Give an Alarum to my sluggish Soul When ere it drops thy Memory controul The weakness of my Passions When we strive i th' heat of glorious Battel I 'le revive My drooping Spirits with that harmony Thy Name includes thy Name whose memory Dear as those Reâ—icks a protecting Saint Sends humble Vot'ries mentions will acquaint My thoughts with all that 's good then calm again This Conflict of thy fears I shall remain Safe in the Hail of Death if guarded by Thy pious Prayers Fates Messengers that fly On wings invisible will lose the way Aim'd at my breast if thou vouchsafe to pray To Heaven for my protection But if we Nere meet again yet oh yet let me be Sometimes with pity thought on at which word His ore-charg'd Eyes no longer could afford A Room to entertain their Tears both wept As if they strove to quench that fire which kept Light in the Lamps of Life whose Fortunes are i th' House of Death whilst Mars the regal Star Some time in silent sorrow spent at length The fair Pharonnida recovers strength Though Sighs each Accent interrupted to Return this Answer Wilt oh wilt thou do Our infant Love such injury to leave It ere full grown When shall my Soul receive A comfortable smile to cherish it When thou art gone they 'r but dull Joyes that sit Enthron'd in fruitless wishes yet I could Part with a less expence of sorrow would Our rigid Fortune only be content With absence but a greater punishment Conspires against us danger must attend Each step thou treadst from hence and shall I spend Those hours in mirth each of whose minutes lay Wait for thy life when Fame proclaims the day Wherein your Battels joyn how will my fear With doubtful Pulses beat until I hear Whom Victory adorns Or shall I rest Here without trembling when lodg'd in thy breast My heart 's expos'd to every danger that Assails thy Valour and is wounded at Each stroke that lites on thee which absent I Prompted by fear to Myriads multiply But these are Fancies Wildfiâ—es we in vain Do spend unheard Orizons and complain To unrelenting Rocks this Night peect Scrol This Bill of our Divorcement doth inrole Our Names in sable Characters nought will Expunge till death obliterate our Ill. Oh do not dear Commandress of my Heart Argalia answers let our moist eyes part In such a Cloud as will for ever hide Hopes brightest Beams those Deities that guide The secret motions of our Fate will be More merciful then to twist Destiny In such black Threads should Death unravel all The feeble Cordage of our Lives we shall Spight of that Prince of Terrours in the high And glorious Palace of Eternity Being met again renew that Love which we On Earth were forc'd before Maturity Had ripen'd it to Leaves i th' numerous throng Of long departed Souls that stray among The Mirtles in Elizium I will find Thy Virgin Ghost and whilst the Rout inclin'd To sensual pleasures here refining are In purging Flames laugh at each envious Star Whose Aspects if ill cited at our Brith With poysonous Influence blasts the Joyes of Earth Oh wast not cries the Princess dear time in These shadows of Conceit the Hours begin To be ' mongst those inserted that have try'd The Actions of the World which must divide Us from our Joy the Sea through which we sail Works high with woe nor can our prayers prevail To calm its angry Brow the glorious Fraight Of my unwelcome Honours hangs a Waight Too ponderous on me for to steer the way Thy humbler Fortunes do else ere I 'de stay To mourn without thee I would rob my Eyes Of peaceful slumbers and in course disguise Whilst Love my Sex's weakness did controul Command my Body to attend my Soul My Soul my dear which hovering neer thee not Midnight alarums that appear begot By truth should startle 'twixt the clamorous Camp Lightned with Cannons and the peaceful Lamps That undisturb'd here wasts its Oile I know No difference but what doth from Passion flow Whose close Assaults do more afflict us far Then all the loud impetuous storms of War We must we must replies Argalia stand This Thunder bolt unmov'd since his Command Whose Will confirms our Law happy had we Great Princess been if in that low degree From whence my Infancy was rais'd I yet Had liv'd a toiling Rural then when fit For Himens pleasures uncontrol'd I 'de took Some homely Village Girl whose Friends could look After no Joynture for to equallize Her Portion but my love no jealous Eyes Had waited on our Meetings we had made All our Addresses free the friendly shade Cast from a spreading Oak as soon as she Had milkt her Cows had prov'd our Canopy Where our unpollisht Courtship had a Love As chast concluded as from th' amorous Dove Pearcht neer us we had learnt it when arriv'd Unto Loves Zenith we had undepriv'd By disagreeing Parents soon been led To Church by th' sprucest Swains our Marriage-bed Though poor and thin would have been neatly drest By rural Paranymphs clad in the best Wool their own Flocks afforded in a low And humble Shed on which we did bestow Nought but our labour to erect we might Have spent our lustie youth with more delight Then glorious Courts are guilty of And when Age had decayd our strength grown up to men Beheld our large course issue Our dayes ended
death arrest Him for his murtherer by which change opprest More then before with fear he who now thought On nought but death to a tribunal brought Ere ask'd confesses that foul crime for which He this just doom receives since to inrich What had before wealths surfeit took this sin Was chiefly acted his estate faln in To th' hands of justice by the judge should be From hence dispos'd of then from death to free His life already forfeited except Murther'd Ismander whom he thought had slept In 's winding sheet his hopeless Advocate Should there appear in which unhappy state The wretch now ready to depart beholds This glorious change Ismander first unfolds Himself and her who bound by natures laws Implores his pardon ere they plead his cause Which done the Judge that his lost wealth might be No cause of grief unmasking lets him see Euriolus by whom from th' worst of sin To liberal vertue he 'd deluded bin The End of the Third Canto PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO IV. The Argument I. Whilest we a while the pensive Lady â—eave Here a close Mourner for her rigid fate Let 's from the dark records of time receive The manner how Argalia wav'd the hate II. Of his malignant stars which when they seem To threaten most through that dark cloud did lead Him to a knowledge of such dear esteem He his high birth did there distinctly read FReed from the noise o' th' busie world within A deep dark vale whose silent shade had bin Religions vail when blasted by the beams Of Persecution far from the extreams Of solitude or sweary labor were Some few blest men whose choice made Heaven their care Sequestred from the throngs of men to finde Those better joyes calms of a peacefull minde Yet though on this pacifick sea their main Design was Heaven that voyage did not restrain Knowledge of humane arts which as they past They safely view'd though there no anchor cast Their better temper'd judgments counting that But hoodwink'd zeal which blindly catches at The great Creators sacred will without Knowing those works that will was spent about Which being the climax to true judgement we Behold stoop'd down to visibilitie In lowliest creatures natures stock being nought But God in 's image to our senses brought In the fair evening of that fatal day By whose meridian light Love did betray Ingag'd Argalia near to death was one Of these heav'ns happy Pensioners alone Walking amongst the gloomy Groves to view What soveraign vertues there in secret grew Confin'd to humble plants whose signatures Whilst by observing he his art secures From vain experiments Argalia's Page Crossing a neighboring path did disingage His serious eye from natures busie task To see the wandring Boy who was to ask The way for more his youths unprompted fear Expects not there to the blest man drawn near But when with such a weeping innocence As Saints confess those sins which the expence Of tears exacted he had sadly told What harsh fate in restrictive wounds laid hold Of 's worthy Master pity prompted by Religious love helps the poor Boy to dry His tears with hopes of comfort whilst he goes To see what sad Catastrophe did close Those bloody scenes which the unequal fight Foretold before fear prompted him to flight Noâ— far they 'd past ere they the place had found Where groveling in a stream of blood the ground His purple-bed the wearied Prince they see Strugling with death from whose dark monarchie Pale troops assail his cheeks whilst his dim eies Like a spent lamp which ere its weak flame dies In giddy blazes glares as if his soul Were at those casements flying out did roll Swifter then thought their bloodshot orbs his hands Did with deaths agues tremble cold dew stands Upon his clammy lips the springs of blood Having breath'd forth the spirits clotted stood On that majestick brow whose dreadful frown Had to deaths scepter laid its terror down The holy man upon the brink o' th' grave Finding such forms of worth attempts to save His life from dropping in by all his best Reserves of art selecting from the rest Of his choise store an herb whose soveraign power No flux of blood though falling in a shower Of death could force which gently bruis'd and to His wound apply'd taught nature to renew Her late neglected functions and through short Recruits of breath made able to support His blood-enfeebled body till they reach The Monastry where nobler art did teach Their simple medicines to submit to those Which skill from their mixt vertues did compose Life which the unexpected gift of fate Rather then art appear'd in this debate Of death prevailing in short time had gain'd So much of strength that weakness now remain'd The only slothful Râ—mora that in His bed detain'd him where being often seen By those whom art alike had qualifi'd For his relief as one of them appli'd His morning-medicines to a spacious wound Fixt on his breast he that rare jewel found Which in his undiscerning infancie There hung by 's father fortune had kept free From all her various accidents to shew How much his birth did to her favor owe. Shook with such silent joy as he had been In calm devotion by an Angel seen The good old man his wonder rarifi'd Into amazement stands he had descri'd What if no force had robb'd him of it since 'T was first bestow'd none but his true born Prince Could wear since art wise Natures fruitful ape Ne'r but in that had birth which bore that shape Assur'd by which with unstirr'd confidence He asks Argalia where he knew from whence When nature first did so much wealth impart To earth that jewel took those forms of art But being answer'd that his infancie When first it was conferr'd on him might be Th' excuse of 's ignorance that voice alone Confirms his aged friend who having known As much of fortune as in fates dark shade His understanding legible had made From weak Argalia to require him leads Knowledge where he his lifes first copy reads Drest in this language 'T was unhappy Prince For such this story must salute you since Told to confirm 't a truth my destinie When youth and strength rendred me fit to be My dearest Countries servant plac'd within Mantinea's glorious Court where having been Made capable by sacred Orders I Attain'd the height of Priestly dignity Being unto him whose awful power did sway That crown in dear esteem but Honors day Which gilded then the Courtly sphere sunk down I lost my Mitre in the fall o' th' Crown Sad is the doleful tale yet since that in Its progress you may find where did begin Your lifes first stage thus take it When the Court Stifl'd with throngs of men whose thick resort Plenty and peace call'd thither being grown Sickly with ease view'd as a thing unknown Dangers stern brow which even in smiling fates Proves a Quotidian unto wiser States Whilst pride grew big and envy bigger
hours of the succeeding night to find How in that factious troubl'd sea inclin'd The City stood whose shallow sons dare vent By nothing but their tongues that discontent Their hands might cure were not those useful parts Restrain'd from action by unmanly hearts Which being at once with grief and fear opprest Durst do no more but pity the distrest Which gentle passion since so general lends Some light of hope to her enquiring friends To usher in that dismal day whose light Design'd to lead into eternal night As much of beauty as did ere give place To death the morning shews her gloomy face Wrapt up in clouds whose heavy vapors had Hung heaven in black when to perform the sad And serious office of â—onfessors to Those royal sufferers whom harsh fates persue To deaths dark confines through their guard of foes Argalia and his grave assistant goes Where he whose love to neither did surmount His zeal to take the Cyprians last account Himself addrest whilst his kind passions lead Argalia from Pharonnida to read Her lifes last story made authentick by The near approach of her eternity Enter'd the room which to his startl'd â—ight Appear'd like sorrow sepulcher'd in night So dismal sad so silent that the cold Retreat of death the grave did ne'r unfold A heavier object by a sickly light Which was even then to th' artificial night That fill'd the room resigning'ts reign he saw Griefs fairest draught divine Pharonnida Amidst her tears faln like a full-blown flower Whose polisht leaves oreburthen'd with a shower Drops from their beauties in the pride of day ' To deck the earth so sadly pining lay The pensive Princess whom an extasie Oâ— passion led to practise how to die In such abstracted contemplations that Angels forsook their thrones to wonder at Wet with those tears in whose Elixar she Was bathing of the Lilies nurserie Her bloodless cheeks her trembling hand sustan'd A book which what heavens mercy hath ordain'd For a support to humane frailty in Storms of affliction lay which as she 'd bin Now so well in repentant lectures read That faith was on the wings of knowledge fled To meditation her unactive grief Lets softly fall whilst Time wise natures thief That all might look like sorrows swarthy night Is stealing forth of the neglected Light Whose sullen flame as it would sympathize With those quencht beams that once adorn'd her eys After a feeble blaze that spoke its strife But vain in silence weeps away its life Come to behold this beauteous monument Of mourning passion his great spirits spent On love and wonder the astonish'd Prince Here silent stands valor could not convince His wild amazement To behold her lie By rigid laws restrain'd from libertie To whom his soul was captive troubles all His reasons guards But when how she must fall From beauteous youth and vertuous life to be One of the graves obscure societie Must fall no Martyr whose lamented death Grows pities object but depart with breath ' Mongst ignominious clouds of guilt that must Stick an eternal odium on her dust That thought transports him from his temper to Passions in which he had forgot to do His Priestly office and in rage as high As ever yet inflam'd humanitie Sent him to actions whose attempt had bin The rode his valor must have perish'd in Had not her sorrows agony forsook The Princess by whose first unsteady look He being as far as his disguise gave leave Discover'd is invited to receive Those last confessions in whose freedom she Seeks by absolving comforts how to free Her soul of all which a religious fear Like spots on her white conscience made appear Having from her unburthen'd soul learnt how To ease his own the Priestly Prince had now As far as bold humanitie durst dive Into remission heavens prerogative Pronounc'd that pardon for whose seal there stood The sin-polluted worlds redeeming blood By which blest voice rais'd from what did appear Like sorrow till her faith had banish'd fear The Princess in such gentle calms of joy As souls that wear their bodies but to cloy Celestial â—lights can feel to entertain Her fatal doom with a resolv'd disdain Of death prepares whilst he whom heaven to her Had made their mercies happy Messenger Forsaking her repairs to him that had With the same hand the Cyprians thoughts unclad By whom inform'd how that in their defence His sword protected nought but innocence Arm'd with those blessings which so just a cause Proclaim'd his due he secretly withdraws To change those emblems of Religious peace Monastick robes for such as might increase Their joy and wonder whose contracted fear Despair'd to see a Combatant appear Although they knew his sword defended then The best of causes ' gainst the worst of men Whilst he prepares with near as much of speed As incorporeal substances that need But will for motion to defend her in Th' assaults of death that hour which long had bin The dreadfull expectation of those friends That pitied her arriv'd in sorrow ends Fears cold disease those Ministers of fate The props to all that 's illegitimate The Army to suppress the weak essayes Of love or pity guarded had the wayes By which illegal power conducted her From that dark room griefs curtain'd Theater To be beheld upon the publick stage The glory yet the scandal of the age Which two extreams met on the scaffold in A Princess suffering and a peoples sin Which now join'd to the dreadful pomp that cals His Subjects to attend the funerals Of her lov'd father whose lifes vertues won Tears for his death thus solemnly begun Remov'd no further from the City then An hours short walk though undertaken when Sol rag'd in Cancer might with ease convay Scorcht travellers a dismal temple lay In a dark vally where more antient times Had perpetrated those religious crimes Of humane offerings to those Idols that Their hands made for their hearts to tremble at Yet this since now made venerable by Those reverend reliques of antiquity The Spartan Princes monuments by those Of later times though alter'd faith is chose For their retreat when lifes extinguisht glory Sought rest beneath a silent dormitory Nor stood this fabrick all alone long since A Palace by some melancholy Prince Which hated light or lov'd the darkness built To please his humor or conceal his guilt So near it stood to distant eyes which sent Thither their beams it seem'd one monument Whose sable roof ' mongst Cypress shadows fills The deep dark basis of those barren hills With such a mournfull Majesty as strook A terror into each beholders look Awfull as if some Diety had made That gloomy vale to be the sacred shade Where he chose in enigma's to relate The dark decrees of mans uncertain fate Betwixt this temple and the City stood In squadrons thick as shews an ancient wood To distant sight the Army plac'd to be In this sad march their guilts securitie Whose glittering swords shon as
a more sad discov'ry They behold The brackish Main in funerall Pomp unfold The Trophies of her Cruelty Her Brow Uncurl'd with Waves was only spotted now With scatter'd Ruines here engag'd within The ruffl'd Sails some sad Souls that had been For life long strugling tir'd at length are forc'd To sink and die Yonder a Pair divorc'd From all the warm Society of flesh With cold stiff Arms embrace their Fate The fresh And tender Virgin in her Lovers sight The Sea-Gods ravish and th' Enthean light Of those bright Orbs her Eyes which could by nought But Seas be quencht t' eternall darkness brought Whilst pittying these a suddain noise whose strange Confusion did their Passions Object change Assaults their wonder which by this surprize Amaz'd perswades them to inform their Eyes With its obscure Originall when led By sounds that might in baser Souls have bred A swift aversion clashing Weapons they Might soon behold upon the Sands that lay Beneath the Rock a Troop of desp'rate men Unstartled with those dangers which even then Their ruin'd Ship and dropping Garments shewd Heaven freed them from what Mercy had bestowd Let their own anger loose which flaming in A fatall Combate had already bin In blood disfigur'd But when now so near Them drawn that every Object did appear In true distinction they with wonder rais'd To such a height as Poets would have prais'd Their Heroes in a noble Christian saw Whose Sword as if by the eternall Law Of Providence to punish Infidels Directed with each falling stroke expels A Turks black Soul Yet Valor being opprest By multitudes must have at length sought rest From Death had not brave Ariamnes by His Hunters followed brought him Victory Whilst the approaching danger did exclude Even hope the last support of Fortitude The desperate Turks that chose the Sea to be Their sad Redeemer of Captivity Though from that fear they fled to death had now Upon the Shoar left none life could allow But motion to though stopt by death such store All the Escap'd appeard but such as bore The fatall Story of destruction to Their distant Friends when now a serious view By Ariamnes and that noble Youth Whose Actions honourd as authentick truth Made all admire him of their pitty'd dead With sorrow took one worthy Soul unfled From life they found which by Argalia seen With joy recalls those Spirits that had been In busie Action lost but danger that Toward the Throne of life seem'd entring at Too many wounds denies him to enlarge The Sheam of Love as noble Vertues charge To him her follower Ariamnes by His goodness and their sad necessity Prompted to pity fearing slow delays As dangers fatall Harbinger conveys The wounded strangers to the place where he His Palace made the Throne of Charitie 'T was the short journey 'twixt the Day and Night The calm fresh Evening Times Hermaphrodite The Sun on Lights dilated Wings being fled To call the Western Villagers from Bed Ere at his Castle they arrive which stood Upon a Hill whose Basis freng'd with wood Shadowed the fragrant Meadows thorough which A spatious River striving to enrich The flow'ry Valleys with what ever might At home be profit or abroad delight With parted streams that pleasant Islands made It s gentle Current to the Sea conveyd In the composure of this happy place Wherein he lived as if fram'd to embrace So brave a Soul as now did animate It with its presence strength and beauty sate Combin'd in one 't was not so vastly large But fair convenience countervaild the charge Of Reparations all that modest Art Affords to soâ—â—r pleasures every part More for its Ornament but none were drest In Robes so rich but what alone exprest Their Masters providence and care to be A prop to falling Hospitality For he not Comet-like did blaze out in This Country Sphear what had extracted been From the Courts lazy Vapors but had stood There like a Star of the first Magnitude With a fixt constancy so long that now Grown old in Vertue he began to bow Beneath the weight of time and since the calm Of Age had left him nothing to embalm His Name but Vertue strives in that to be The glorious wonder of Posterity Each of his Actions being so truly good That like the Ground where hollowed Temples stood Although by age the Ruines ruin'd seem The people beare a reverent esteem Unto the place so they preserve his Name A yet unwasted Pyramid of Fame Rich were his publick Vertues but the price Of those was but the World to Paradice Compar'd with that rare Harmony that dwells Within his Walls each Servant there excells All but his Fellows in deseâ—t each knew First when then how his Lords Commands to do None more enjoyed then was enough none less All did of plenty tast none of excess Riot was here a stranger but far more Repining penury ne're from that doore The Poor-man went denied nor did the rich Ere surfet there 't was the blest Medium which Extracted from all compound Vertues we Make and then Christian Mediocrity Within the compass of his spatious Hall Stood no vain Pictures to obscure the Wall Which usefull Armes adornd and such as when His Prince requir'd assistance his own men Valiant and numerous mannag'd to defend That righteous Cause but never to attend A popular Faction whose corrupted Seed Hell did engender and Ambition feed His Judgment that like Lifes Attendant Sence To try each Objects various difference Fit Mediums chose which he made Vertue here Beholding though these wandring Stars appear Now in their greatest detriment the Rays Of perfect worth he to that Vertue payes Those Attributes of honour which unto Their Births though now in course disguise was due To Aphrons wounds successfull Art applies Prevailing Med'cines whilst Invention flies To the Aphelion of her Orb to seek Such modest Pleasures as might smooth the Cheek Of ruffl'd Passion which being found are spent To cure the sad Argalia's discontent Which long being lost to all delight at length Revives again his Friends recover'd strength They having now no Remora to stay Them here but what their gratitude did pay To his desires whose Courtesie had made Those bonds of Love with as much zeal obey'd As those which duty locks preparing are To take their leave even in whose civil War Whilst they contend with Courtesies as sent To rescue when his Eloquence was spent Brave Amminander with such hast as shewed His speed to some supream Injunction owed Such diligence a Messenger brings in A Packet which that noble Lord had been Too frequently acquainted with to fear Th' unseen Contents which open'd did appear A Mandate from his royall Master to Attend him ere the next dayes Beauties grew Deform'd with Age which honourd Message read To banish what Suspition might have bred In 's doubtfull Friends he the inclos'd contents With cheerfull hast unto their view presents Their fear thus cur'd by information he That his appearance in
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
beauty such As Jove-lov'd Leda's was not prais'd so much For Rose or Lillies residence though they Did both dwel there as to behold the day Lose its Antipathy to Night such clear And conquering Beams so full of light t' appear Thorough her Eyes shewd like a Diamond set To mend its Lustre in a foil of Jet Nor doth their dress of Nature differ more In colour then the Habits which they wore Though fashiond both alike Floronza's green As the fresh Spring when her first Buds are seen To cloath the naked Boughs Carinas white As Innocence before she takes a flight In thought from cold Virginity Their Hair Wreath'd in contracting Curls beneath a fair But often parting Vail attempts to hide The naked Ivory of their Necks that pride Of Beauties Frontispiece On their heads sate Lovely as if unto a Throne of State From their first Earth advanc'd two flowry Wreaths From whose choice mixture in close Concord breaths The fragrant Odour of the Fields plac'd by Them in such order as Antiquity Mysterious held Being sate to pass away Th' unactive heat of the exalted day They either tell old harmles Tales or read Some story where forsaken Lovers plead Unpittied Causes then betwixt a smile And Tear bewail Passion should ere beguile Poor Reason so at length as if they meant To charm him who far from each ill intent So near them lay melting the various throng Of their Discourse into a well-tun'd Song Whose swift division moulds the Aire into Such Notes as did the Sphears first tunes out-do Argalia in this Lab'rinth of delight To Action lost had drawn the vail of Night In quiet slumbers o're his heavy Eyes Lockt in whose Armes whilst he securely lyes Least the mistakes of vain Mortality The brittle Glass of Earth should take to be Perfections lasting Addamant this sad Chance did unravel all their mirth There had Some of the Princes noblest Followers in That Mornings nonage led by Pleasure been Far from their Sphear the Court and now to shun Th' unhealthy Beams of the reflâ—cted Sun Whilst it its shortest shadows made were to The cool protection of the Woods withdrew In which retreat as if conducted by Their evil Genius all his Company An awfull distance keeping none but proud Almanzor in those guilty Groves which shrowd The hapless Virgins enters who so near Him sitting that soon his informing Eare Thither directs his Eye unto his view Ere scarce thought obvious swiftly they withdrew But with untimely hast his Soul that nurst Continuall flames within it at the first Sight kindles them ere he discovers more Then difference in the Sex such untried ore Hot heedless lust when made by practice bold i th' flame of passion venteâ—s on for Gold But when drawn nearer to the place he saw Such beauties whose magnetick form might draw Souls steeld with Vertue custome having made His impious Rhetorick ready to invade He towards them hast with such a pace as might Excuse their judgments though in open flight They strove to shun him but in vain so near Them now he 's drawn that the effects of fear Obscuring reason as if safety lay In seperation each a several way From danger flies but since both could not be By that secure whilst her blest stars do free The glad Carina from his reach the other He swiftly seizes on hot kisses smother Her out-cries in the Embrio and to death Near crusht Virginity ere from lost breath She could a stock of strength enough recover To spend in prayers the tempting of a Lover Mixt with the force of an Adult'rer did At once assail and with joynd powers forbid All hopes of safety onely whilst dispair Lookt big in apprehension whilst the Aire Breath'd nought but thâ—eatnings promising him to pay For 't in her answers she doth lust betray Of some few minutes which with all the power Of prayer she seeks to lengthen sheds a shower Of tears to quench those flames but sooner might Hels sooty Lamp extinguisht be the sight Of such a fair but pitiful aspect When Lust assails wants power to protect By this hot parly whilst she strove to shun His loathd embraces the throngd Spirits run To fortifie her Heart but vainly seek For entrance there being back into her Cheek Sent in disdainful blushes now she did Intreat Civility then sharply chid His blushless impudence but he whose skil In Rhetorick was pregnant to all ill Though barren else summons up all the choice Of Eloquence that might produce a Voice To win fair Vertues Fortress though her chast Soul armd against those battering Engines past That Conflict without danger when inrag'd By being denied with passion that presag'd A dangerous Cons'quence his fierce eyes sixt On hers that melting with pale terror mixt Floods with their former flames her souls sad doubt He thus resolves Unworthy Whore that out Of hate to Vertue dost deny me what Thou freely grantst to every rude Swain that But courts thee in a Dance Think not these tears Shall make me wave a pleasure that appears Worth the receiving Can your sordid Earth Be honourd more then in the noble Birth Of such a Son as wouldst thou yield to love Might call thee Mother and hereafter prove The glory of your Family from Jove The noblest Mortals heretofore that strove To fetch their Pedigree thought it no stain So to be illegitimate as vain Is this in thee there being as great an Ods ' Twixit you and uâ— as betwixt us and Gods Trembling Florenza on her bended knees Thus answers him That dreadfull power that sees All our disvellop'd thoughts my withess be You wrong my Innocence I yet am free From every thought of Lust I do confess Th' unfathomd distance 'twixt our Births but less That will not make my sin it may my shame The more when my contaminated Name Shall in those ugly Characters be shown To the Worlds publick view that now is known By th' blush of honesty whose stile though pore Exceeds the Titles of a glorious Whore Attended whilst Youth doth unwitherd last With envied greatness but frail beauty past Into a swift decay assaulted by Rotteness within and black mouth'd Callumny Without cast off blushing for guilt the scorn Of all my Sex My Mother would unborn Wish her degenerate Issue my Father curse The hour he got me As Infection worse Then mortall Plagues each Virgin that hath nought To glory in but what she with her brought Into the World an unstaind Soul would fly The Aire I breath cast Whores being Company For none but Devils when corrupted vice A Wilderness makes Beauties Paradice To this much ill dim eyed Mortality A prospect lends but what oh what should be When we must summ up all our time in one Eternall day since to our thoughts unknown Is only feard But if our hallowed Laws Are more then Fables th' everlasting Cause 'T will of our torment be If all this breath Formd into Prayers no entrance finds my death Shall buy
neer with Action tiâ—'d Valor breaâ—hd fresh fast as the spent expir'd Here rash Araspes and bold Leovine Two whose descent i th' nearst collateral Line Unto Almanzors stood beholding how His strength decâ—yd must unto Conquest bow In spight of Valor to revenge his fate VVith so much hast attempt as if too late They l come to rescue and would now to shun T is just reproof by rashness strive to run To death before him finding from that Sword Their Lifes discharge which did to him afford Only those wounds whose fears must live to be The badges of eternal Infamy But here ore-whelmd by an nnequal strength The noble Victor soon to th' utmost length Had lifes smal thread extended if not in The dawn of hope some troops whose charge had bin VVhilst th' active Gentry did attend the Court To free the Country from the feard Resort Of wild Bandeets these being directed by Such frighted Rurals as imployment nigh The Grove had led arriving at that time VVhen his slain Foes made the mistaken Crime Appear Argalias soon by power allay That fatal storm which done a full survay Of them that death freed from distress being took Them through whose wounds life had not yet forsook Her Throne they view ' mongst whom through the disguise Oâ—'s blood Almanzor whose high power they prise More then discover'd Innocence being found As Justice had by close decree been bound T' espouse his quarrels whilst his friends convay Him safely thence those ponderous Crimes they lay Unto Agalias Charge whose just defence Pleads but in vain for injur'd innocence Now neer departing whilst his helpfull friends Bore off Almanzor where he long attends The cure of 's wounds though they less torment bred Then to behold how his lost honour bled The sad Florenza comes to take her last Leave of her lost Andremon ere she past That sad stage ore to his cold clammy Lips Joyning her balmy Twins she from them sips So much of deaths oppressing Dews that by That touch reviv'd his soul though wing'd to flie Her ruin'd seat takes time enough to breath These sad notes forth farewell my Dear beneath The ponderous burthen of mortality My fainting spirits sink Oh mayst thou be Blest in a happier Love all that I crave Is that my now departing soul may have Thy Virgin prayers for her Companions through Those gloomy Vaults which she must pass unto Eternall shades had Fate assign'd my stay Till we'd together gone the horrid way Had then been made delightfull but I must Depart without thee and convert to dust VVhilst thou art flesh and blood I in a cold Dark Uâ—ne must lie whilst a warm Groom doth hold Thee in thy Nuptial bed yet there I shall If fled souls know what doth on earth befall Mourn for thy loss and to eternity Wander alone the various World shall be Refin'd in flames time shall afford no place For Vanity ere I again embrace Society with flesh which ere that must Change to a thousand forms her varied dust What we shall be or whither we shall go When gone from hence wheth'r unto flames below Or joyes above or whether in death we may Know our departed friends or tell which way They went before us these oh these are things That pauze our Divinity Scepterd Kings And Subjects die alike nor can we tell Which doth enjoy or which in torments dwell Oh sad sad ignorance Heaven guide me right Or I shall wander in eternal Night To whose dark shades my dim eyes sink apace Farewel Florenza when both time and place My separated Soul hath left to be A stranger maskt in Immortality Think on thy murtherd friend we now must part Eternaly the Cordage of my heart That last sigh broke with that the breath that long Had hoverd in his Breast flew with a strong Groan from that mortal Mansion which beheld By such of 's friends whom Courtesie compel'd To that sad Charge the bloodless body they With sad slow steps to 's Fathers home convey The end of the second Canto PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE THIRD The ARGUMENT V. The brave Argalia who dâ—sign'd to raise Through all approaching ills his weighty Fate In smooth Compliance that harsh Guard obeys Who tow'rd his death did prosecute their hate VI. To death which here unluckily had staind Maugre his friends the ill directed Sword Of Justice had not secret love obtaind More mercy then the strict Laws dare afford LOw in a fruitful Pasture where his Flocks Cloud with their breath those Plains whose leavy lock Could hardly shadow them though Meadows need No shearing where in untold Droves did feed His bellowing Heards of which enough did come Each day to 's Yoak to serve a Hecatombe Lay old Andâ—enâ—ons Country Farm in which Happy til now being made by Fortune rich And Goodness honest from domestick strife Stil calm and free the upper Robes of Life Til witherd he had worn to ease whose sad And sullen Cares less bounteous Nature had Lent him no numerous Issue all he 'd won By prayer confin'd unto this murtherd Son The blasted Blossome of whose tender age When blooming first taught Hope how to presage Those future Vertues which interpreted By Action had such fruitful Branches spread That all indulgent Parents wisht to be Immortalizd in blest Posterity Had seen in him whose innocently good Stil let his Heart by 's Tongue be understood In such a sacred Dialect that all Which verg'd within deliberate thought did fall Towards Heaven was grac'd and in descent did prove To 's Parents Duty and to 's Neighbours Love This hopeful Youth their Ages chief support Whose absence though by 's own desires made short Their Love thought tedious having now expir'd His usual hours the aged Couple tir'd With expectation to anticipate His slow appearance to their Mansions Gaâ—e Where softly walk'd where cooly shadowed by An Elm which planted at his Birth did vie Age with his Lord whilst their desires pursue Its first design they with some pleasure view Their busie Servants whose industrious pain Sweats out Diseases in pursuit of gain All which although the chiefest pleasure that Their thoughts contain whose best are busied at The Mart o th' World such small diversion lent The aged pair that his kind Mother spent With a too long protracted hope had let Even that expire had not his Father set Props to that weakness and that mutuall fear Which fil'd their breasts let his sound Judgment clear By the proposing Accidents that might Untouchd detaine their Darling from their sight But many Minutes had not left their seals On the Records of Time ere truth reveals Her horrid secrets A confused noise First strikes their Ears which suddenly destroys Its own imperfect Embrioes to transfer Its Object to that nearer Messenger o th' Soul the Eyes whose beamy Scouts convey A trembling fear into their Souls whilst they That bore their murtherd Son arriv'd to tel Their doleful Mâ—ssage which so fierce storm fel
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
least it appear In me like envy should I strive to clear This doubtful story here are those with that Cals forth Andremons Friends instructed at The dearest price which by discovering truth Will not alone rescue this noble Youth From falling ruine but least he retreat Into rebellion force before this fear A man whose power the people thought had bin To punish Vice not propagate a sin Having thus far past toward discovery here The grave Lord ceast and that truth might appear From its first fair Original to her Whose Vertue Heavens affected Messenger Commands Attention the more horrid part Of his relation leaves And here vain Art Took on and envy to behold how far Thy strickt Rules which our Youths Afflictions are Nature transcends in a Discourse which she With all the Flowers of Virgin modesty Not Weeds of Rhetorick strew'd to hear her miss Or put a blush for a Parenthesis In the relating that uncivil strife Which her sad Subject was so near the life Limâ—s lovely Vertue that that Copy whence Arâ— took those Graces she doth siâ—ce dispence To th' best of women fair Pharonnida Taâ—ght by that sympathy which first did draw Those lovely Transcripts of her selâ— although Varied as much as humble Flowers that grow Dispiers'd in shady Desarts are from thoâ—e That nice Art in enameld Gardens shews Yet like bright Planets which communicate To Earth their Influence from exalted state She now descends to cherish Vertue in Those lovely Nimphs whose Beauties though they 'd bin Yet in the Country clouded from Report Soon grow the praise or envy of the Court. Imboldned by that gracious favour shewn To these fair Nymphs to prosecute their own Most just Complaints Andremons wretched friends With prayers perceive that Mercy which descends O're all their sufferings on th' expanded Wings Of noble pitty whose fair hand first brings Argalia from the sable Scaffold to Meet those Rewards to his high Merits due Not only in what deaths dark progress staies But Life's best joy an universal praise Aquir'd from just desert Next she applies Her self to those poor burthend Souls whose Eyes Look even on Comforts through their tears the dead Andremons Mourners whose lâ—st Joy though fled For ever from those wintring Regions yet As much receiv'd as sorrow would permiâ— Souls so opprest the splendid Court they leave With thankful prayers And now cal'd to receive His sins reward Almanzor is whose shame It s black Attendant when by his haâ—ed Name He 'd oft been summond prompts him to deny That legal Call which being an Act too high For a depending power to patronizâ— To shun feard Justice publick doom he flies His Princes Mandates an affront that sent Him to 's desert perpetual banishment This Comet lost in clouds of Infamy The Court which had too long been burthend by His injur'd power with praises entertain Impartial Justice whilst to call again Those pleasures which had in this interval Of Law been lost the Prince convening all That shar'd those sufferings as the Center whence Joy spread it self to th' Courts circumference Crowns all their wishes which by that bright Star In Honours Sphear th' auspitious Princes are Exalted to their highest Orbs her Love Unto Argalia though it yet must move As an unnoted Constellation here Begins its Erae which that might appear Without suspition she disguises in The publick joy which ' mongst those that had bin His serious Mourners to participate That kind Epicote who first taught his Fate The way to Glory comes to whom he now Was on those Knees Merit had taught to bow With as much humble reverence as if all The Waights of Nature made those burthens fall A Sacrifice to Love fixt to implore Its constant Progress but he needs no more For confirmation since his Friend could move But the like joy where Nature taught to love Passions encounter which too high to last Into a calm of thankful prayers being past The Prince from the Calabrian seeks to know By what collateral streams he came to owe Such love unto a stranger one that stood Remov'd from him i th' Magnetisme of blood Whom thus the Lord resolves When blooming in The pride of Youth whose varied Sceans did win Time on the Morning of my dayes a while To tast the pleasures of a Summers Smile I left the Courts tumulteous noise and spent Some happy time blest with retir'd content In the calm Country where Arts curious hand As Center to a spatious Round of Land Had plac'd a Palace in whose lovely Dress The City might admire the Wilderness Yet though that ill Civility was in Her marble Circle Natures hand had bin As liberall to the neighbouring Fields and dect Each rural Nimph as gaudy til neglect Or slovenly Necessity had drawn Her Canvass Furroughs o're their Vails of Lawn Near this fair Seat fring'd with an ancient Wood A fertile Valley lay where scatter'd stood Some homely Cottages the happy Seats Of labouring Swains whose careful Toil compleats Their wishes in obtaining so much Wealth To conquer dire Necessiâ—y firm health Calm thoughts sound sleeps unstarted innocence Softn'd their Beds and when rouz'd up from thence Suppl'd their Limbs for Labour amongst these My lov'd Argalia for till Fate shall please His dim Stars to uncurtain and salute His better Fortune with each Attribute Due to a nobler Birth his Name must be Contracted unto that Stenography Life's Sceans began amongst his Fellows that There first drew breath being true Heirs to what Whilst all his Stars were retrograde and dim Unlucky Fortune but adopted him Whilst there residing I had oft beheld The active Boy whose Childhoods Bud exceld More ful blown Youths gleaning the scatterd Locâ—â— Of new-shorn Fields amongst the half-clad Flocks Of their unripe but healthful Issue by Which Labour tir'd sometimes I see them try The strength of their scarce twisted Limbs and run A short breathd Course whose swift contention done And he as in each other active â—port With Vict'ry crownd they make their next resort To th' Springs cheap Bounties but what did of all His first Attempts did give the powerful call Both to my Love and Wonder was what chanc'd From one rare Act the Morning had advanc'd Her tempting Beauties to assure success To these young Huntsmen who with Labour less Made by the pleasure of their Journey had The Forest reacht where with their Limbs unclad For the pursuit they follow Beasts that might Abroad be recreation and when Night Summond them home the welcomest supply Both to their own and Parents quality An angry Boar chaft with a Mornings chase And now near spent was come so neer the place Where though secur'd on the stupendious height Of a vast Rock they stood that now no flight Could promise safety that wild rage which sent Him from the Dogs his following Foes is spâ—nt In the pursuit of them which to my grief Had sufferd ere we could have lent relief Hâ—d not Argalia even when danger drew So near
as death turnd on the Beast and threw His happy Javelin whose wel guided aime Although success it knew not how to claime From strength yet is so much assisted by Fortune that what before had scornd to dy By all our power when contending in Nice Art the honour of that day to win To him alone fals by that feeble stroke From all his speed which seen he to provoke His hastier death seconds those wounds which in Their safety are by those with terrour seen That had escapt the danger and even by Us that pursu'd with such amaze that I Who had before observ'd those Rays of worth Obscur'd in clouds here let my love break forth In useful Action such as from that low Condition brought him where I might bestow On him what Art requir'd to perfect that Râ—re piece of Nature which we wonderd at From those whom I ' mongst others thought to be Such whose Affection the proximity Of Nature claimd with a regret that shewd Their poverty unwillingly bestowd So lov'd a Jewel had procur'd the Youth His Foster Father loath to wave a truth That in the progress of his Fate might be Of high account discovers unto me The worlds mistake concerning him and thus Relate his story He was brought to us Quoth the good man some ten years since by two VVho could men be discoverd to the view Of knowledge by their Habits seemd but such As Fortunes narrow hand had gave not much More then Necessiâ—y requires to be Injoyd of every man whom Life makes free Of Natures City though their bounty shewed To our him judgments that they only owed Mischance for those course Habits which disguiz'd What once the World at higher rates had priz'd i th' worst extream of time about the birth o th' fluggish Morning when the crusted earth Was tinsel'd o're with Frost and each Sprig clad With Winters Wool I whom cross Fortune had Destin'd to early Labours being abroad Met two benighted men far from the Road Wandring alone no skilful Guide their way Directing in that Infancy of day But the faint beams of glimmering Candles that Shon from our lovely Cottage-Windows at Which Marks they steerd their Course one of them bore This Boy an Infant then which knew no more Then Natures untrod pathes These having spi'd Me through the Mornings Mists glad of a Guide Though to a place whose superficial view Lent smal hopes of relief went with me to Mine own poor home where with such course cheap Fare As must content us that but eat to bear The burthens of a Life refresht they take A short repose then being to forsake Their new-found Hoast desire with us to leave The Child til time should some few daies bereave Of the Habiliments of Light We stood Not long to parl but willing to do good To strangers so distrest were never by Our poverty once tempted to deny My wife being then a Nurse upon her takes The pretty Charge and with our own Son makes Him Fellow-commoner at the ful Brest And Partner of the Cradles quiet rest Now to depart one that did seem to have The nearst relation to the Infant gave Him first this Jewel at which word they shewed One which upon Argalia was bestowed By those that left him then that we might be Not straightned by our former poverty Leave us some Gold by which we since have bin Enabl'd to maintain him though not in That Equipage which we presume unto His birth although to us unknown is due This done with Eyes that lost their light in Tears They take their leaves since when those daies to years Are grown in which we did again expect They should return but whether be neglect Or else impossibility detain Tâ—em from his sight our care hath sought in vain Having thus plainly heard as much as Fate Had yet of him discoverd I that late Desir'd him for his own now for the sake Of 's Friends what ere they were resolv'd to take Him from that barren rudeness and transplant So choice a Slip where he might know no want Of Education with some labour I Having obtaind him til virility Rendred him fit for nobler Action stayed Him alwaies with me when my Love obayed His Reason and then in the quest of what Confin'd Domesticks do but stumble at Exotick knowledge with this noble Youth To whom his Love grew linckt like spotless truth To perfect Vertue sent him to pursue His wisht design from whence this interview First took its fatal Rise and here the Lord That a more ful discov'ry might afford Them yet more wonder shews the Jewel to Sparta's pleas'd Prince at whoe 's most serious view The skilfulst Lapidaries judging it Both for its worth and beauty only fit To sparkle in the glorious Cabinet Of some great Queen such value on it set That all conclude the honour on'â— must be Some falling Star i th' Night of Royaltie From Honours sphear the Glories of a Crown To vaunt the center of our Fears dropt down And now the Court whose brightest splendor in These fatal Changes long eclips'd had been Resumes its luster wich to elevate With all the pleasures of a prosperous state For that contracted span of time design'd For th' Princes stay Fancies are wrackt to find New forms of Mirth such whose Invention might Inform the Ear whilst they the Eye delight All which whilst to the less concernd they lent A flux of joy yet lost their first intent To please the Princess who from mirth did move Excentrical since first iuflâ—m'd with Love Which did soon from Fancies Embrion grow A large limbd Tyrant when prepard to go She sees Argalia who engag'd t' attend Th' Embassadors here soon had put an end To what even from those unto Love unkind Must now force tears ere it a period find That time expir'd ordaind to terminate Her Fathers stay and so that splendid state That yet adornd the Princess Court to shew How much he did for 's Frontiers safety ow Unto those moving Cittadels a Fleet His Mandates cals each Squadron for to meet Within Lepanto in whose harborous Lay Those Ships that were ordaind for a Convay To the Calabrians Messengers who now With all that Love or Honour could allow To noble strangers being attended by The brightest Glorys of two Courts draw nigh A royal Fleet whose glittering streamers lent Dul Waves the beauties of a Firmament Amongst which numbers one too stately far For rough Encounters of defacing War VVhose gilded Masts their crimson Sails had spread In silken Flakes advanc'd her stately head High as where Clouds condense where a Light stands Took for a Comet by far distant Lands For Cabbins where th' imprisond Passenger VVants Aire to breath she 's stor'd with Rooms that were So fair without and yet so large within A Persian Sophy might have reveld in Their spatious bulks To this Molarchus he VVhom greatness joynd to known Ability Had made Sicillia's Admiral invights The Royal Train where with what ere
no age of man to be Exempted from that powerful tyrany A Tyde which nere shall know reflux beyond The baleful stream unto a gloomy strond Circl'd with black obscurity conveys Each passenger where their torn Chain of daies Is in Eternity peâ—ckt up between These different Gates the Princess having seen Lifes various Sceans wrought to a method by Disposing Angels on a Rock more high Then Natures common surface she beholds The Mansion house of Fate which thus unfolds Its sacred Mysteries A trine within A quadrate plac'd both those incompast in A perfect Circle was its form but what Its matter was for us to wonder at Is undiscoverd left a Tower there stands At every Angle where times fatal hands Th' impartial Parâ—ae dwel i th' first she sees Clothe the kindest of the Destinies From immaterial Essences to cull The seeds of life and of them frame the Wooll For Lachesiâ— to spin about her flie Myriades of Souls that yet want flesh to lie Warmd with their Functions in whose strength bestows That power by which man ripe for misery grows Her next of Objects was that glorious Tower Where that swift fingerd Nymph that spares no houre From mortals service draws the various threds Of life in several lengths to weary beds Of age extending some whilst others in Their Infancy are broke some blackt in sin Others the Favourites of Heaven from whence Their Origen candid with Innocence Some purpl'd in afflictions others dy'd In sanguine pleasures some in glittering pride Spun to adorn the Earth whilst others wear Rags of Deformity but knots of care No thread was wholly freed from Next to this Fair glorious Tower was plac'd that black Abbyss Of dreadful Atropos the bale ful seat Of death and horrour in each room replear With lazy damps loud groans and the sad sight Of pale grim Ghosts those Terrours of the Night To this the last stage that the winding Clew Of life can lead mortality unto Fear was the dreadful Porter which let in All Guests sent thither by destructive sin As its firm Basis on all these depends A lofty Piramid to which each sends Some Gift from Natures treasury to Fames Uncertain hand the hollow room with Names And empty sounds was only fil'd of those For whom the Destinies daind to compose Their fairest threads as if but born to die Here all Ephem'raes of report did flie On feeble Wings till being like to fall Some faintly stick upon the slimy Wall Till the observant Antiquary rents Them thence to live in paper Monuments In whose Records they are preserv'd to be The various censures of posterity i th' upper Room as Favourites to Fate There only Poets rich in Fancy sate In that beneath Historians whose Records Do Theams unto those pregnant Wits afford Yet both preparing everlasting Bayes To crown their glorious dust whose happy dayes Were here spent well beneath these cover'd o're With dim oblivions shadows Myriads more Till Dooms-day shall the gaudy World undress Lay huddl'd up in dark forgetfulness All which as Objects not of worth to cast A fixt Eye on the Princess Genius past In heedless hast untill obstructed by Visions that thus fixt her Souls wandring Ey A Light as great as if that Dooms-daies flame Were for a Lamp hung in the Court of Fame Directs her where on a bright Throne there sate Sicillia's better Genius her proud state Courted by all Earths greatest Monarchs by Three valiant Knights supported was whose high Merits disdaining a Reward less great With equal hopes aim'd at the royal Seat Which since all could not gain betwixt her three Fair Daughters both her Crown and Dignity Is equally bestow'd by giving one To each of them when the divided Throne Had on each Angle fixt a Diadem Her Vision thus proceeds the royal Stem That bore her Fathers Crown to view first brings Its golden Fruit a glorious Race of Kings Led by the Founder of their Fame their Rear Brought by her Father up next those that bear Epirus honourd Armes the royal train Concluding in Zoranza this linkt Chain Drawn to an end the Princes that had swayed Argalia's Scepter fill the Scean till stayed By the Epirots Sword their conquerd Crown From aged Gelons hoaty head dropt down At fierce Zoranza's feet this she beholds With admiration whilst hid truth unfolds It self in plainer objects the distrest Actolian Prince again appears but drest In a poor Pilgrims Weed in 's hand he leads A lovely Boy in whose sweet look she reads Soft pitties Lectures but whilst gazing on This Act till lost in admiration By sudden Fate he seemd transformd to what She last beheld him only offering at Loves Shrine his heart to her Idea there Joy had bereav'd her slumbers had not fear Clouded the glorious Dream a dreadful mist Black as the steams of Hell seeming to twist Its ugly vapours into shades more thick Then Night ingendring Damps had with a quick But horrid darkness vail'd the Room t' augment Whose terrour a Clouds sulphry bosome rent With dreadful thunder-claps darting a bright But fearful blaze through th' artificial Night Lent her so much use of her Eyes to see Argalia groveling in his blood which she Had scarce beheld ere the malignant flame Vanisht again she shrieks and on his Name Doth passionatly call but here 's no sound Startles her Ear but hollow groans which drownd Her Soul in a cold sweat of fears which ended A second blaze lends her its light attended With Objects whose wild horrour did present Her Fathers Ghost then seeming to lament Her injur'd Honour in his Company Thd slain Laconians Spirit which let free From the dark Prison of the cold Grave where In rusty Chains he lay was come to bear Her to that sad Abode but as she now Appeard to sink a golden Cloud did bow From Heavens fair Arch in which Argalia seemd Clad in bright Armour fitting who redeemd Her from approaching danger which being done The darkness vanisht and a glorious Sun Of welcome Light displayd its beams by which A Throne the first resembling but more rich In its united Glory to the eye Presents its luster where in Majesty The Angels that attend their better Fate Pâ—ac'd her and brave Argalia in which state The un-bard portals of her Soul let fly The golden slumber whose dear memory Shall live within her noble thoughts until Treading o're all obstructions Fate fulfil These dark predictions whose obscurity Must often first her Souls afflictions be When now the Mornings dews that cool allay Which cures the Feavers of th' intemperate day Were rarifi'd to Aire the Princess to Improve her joy in private thoughts withdrew From burthensome society within A silent Groves cool shadows what had been Her Midnights joy to recollect in which Delightful task whilst Memory did enrich The robes of Fancy to divert the stream Of thoughts intentive only on her Dream Argalia enters with a speed that shewed He unto some supream Commander owed That diligence but when arriv'd
dwel High as his Hopes and that a Parallel To hers appearing eithers Merits had A Climax to preferment and thus clad Vertue in Honours Robes which equal Fate Gave his Affection Language to relate What their Disparity kept dumb nor did Those Motions find acceptance such as hid Them for presumption rather 't was a Frost Of Virgin Ice then fire of pride that crost His Masculine Desires her Eyes unfold So much of Passion as by them she told Who had most interest in her Heart which she From all brave Rivals his resolves shall be ' Mongst those Mazara one whose noble blood Enrich'd the Gems of Vertue though they stood In Honours Altitude was chief nor could A nobler Choice were her Affections rul'd By Worth commend her Judgment his fresh youth Being Crownd with Vertues which might raise a truth Above Hyperboles his Nature mild As was the Gaulless Dove yet not the wild And furious Lion when provok'd could have More daring Valour an untimely Grave Whilst it i th' Embrio was to every Vice But unto Vertue a fair Paradice Whose weedless Banks no pining Winter knew Till Death the Iufluence of warm Life withdrew That sympathy of meeting Vertues which Did both their Souls with equal worth enrich 'Twixt him and brave Euriolus had ty'd A League not to be broke could Love divide His Blessings amongst Friends But that of all Our Passions brooks no Rival fear may call Friends to partake of Palsies Anger strives To fire each neighbouring Bosome Envie thrives By being transplanted but a Lovers pure Flames though converted to a Calenture Unwillingly with the least flame will part Although to thaw anothers frozen heart Few ' mongst th' observant Wits o th' Court yet knew Though it with twisted Eye-beams strengthend grew At every interview and often dropt Some Tears to water it whose Love 't was stopt Mazara's Sute Euriolus to her Whose melting pity only could confer A Cure unlocks the Secrets whilst the other More confident to win nere strives to smoother A Passion so legitimate but by All actual Complements declares how high He priz'd her Vertues but this Worthies Fate Fixt him in Loves intemperate Zone too late â—he pining Fruit was sown the Spring so far Being spent its dayes were grown Canicular Schortching all hopes but what made able were By fruitful Tears Loves April Showers to bear Neglects untimely Frosts which oft have lost In bloomy Springs the unhappy Lovers cost When this accomplisht Youth whose Tongue and Pen With Negatives more firm and frequent then Curst Usurers give impoverisht Clients oft Had been repuls'd truth for discovery brought This Accident within the royal Court Of bright Pharonnida a full Resort Of valiant Knights were met conven'd to try Whose Valour Fortune meant to glorifie Of which selected number there was one Who though a stranger Vertue soon made known To all ' cause fear'd of most his valour had Before the first triumphant day unclad The silver-vested Hemisphear been oft Cloathd in the Ornaments of Honour brought On Fames fair wings from the opposing part Uncresting them to crown his high desert But now when this new Constellation neer Its Zenith drew in Honours Hemisphear Cald thither by deciding Lots the brave Euriolus appears whom Victory gave In the first shock success and plac'd his Name In the Meridian Altitude of Fame Where though the valiant stranger prove no Foe So fortunately valiant do ore-throw the structure of his Fate yet his close Stars Now sinks a Mine to which those open Wars But easie dangers were Mazara in His Crest a Scarff that formerly had been Known for Florenza's seeing jealous Love Converted into Rage his Passions move Above the sphear of Reason and what late Was but a gentle blaze by alterd Fate Fires to a Comet whose malignant beams Foretold sad Ills attending Loves extreams Loth to betray his Passions in so great A breach of Friendship to a close Retreat Mazara summons forward Rage yet in The strangers Name whose Fortune might have been The Parent of a private Qâ—arrel sends To call Euriolus who now attends Nought but triumphant mirth unguaâ—ded by Applauding Friends in secret Fight to try What power did him from threatning danger guard When publick Fame was Victories Reward This fatal Scroll receiv'd by him that thought It real truth since Passion might have sought In him the same delay a swift consent Returns his Answer but the Message went So far from its directed Road that ere It reacht Mazara's loose Neglect did bear It to Carina's Ear a Lady that In silent tears her heart had offerd at His Vertues Shrine yet with such secret zeal Her Eyes forbid their Cupids to reveal That Language of her heart she knew that in Florenza's Sea of Merits hers had been Shipwrackt and lost yet with a Soul as far From envying her as hating him this War Of factious Passions she maintains and since Reason now wanted Language to convince Those head-strong Rebels she resolves to be Though ruin'd ruld by their Democracy The Information her officious Maide Had from Mazara's careless Page betrayd Assures Carina the preceding Night Such Horse and Armour as the stranger Knight Euriolus had conquer'd in had been By his most cautious diligence within A not far distant Wood in whose black shade He meant his Fury should his Foe invade Lodg'd by his Master which discoverd truth Frighting her tears from the swift chase of Youth And Beauty into froward Age to meet Sorrow in private shades withdraws the sweet But sad Carina who resolves to spend Her sighs unnoted by her dearest Friend This in Florenza who fore-saw that nought But Passions more then common could have wrought So swift a change works high who that she might Dis-plume these Ravens ere the Babes of Light Smile in their weeping Mothers Face prepares To see Carina who with wakeful cares Her sad Companions by her friend surpriz'd No longer in their Ebbon Vail disguiz'd Her thoughts pure candor but with looks that did Seem to implore Assistance whilst they chid Her own indulgent Nature shews her how Preposterous Love made her to Passions bow Whose fruit since none of her first Planters came From forward man could be but female shame This with its fatal Authour known to free Her Friend from shame her self from cruelty Unto Mazara whose firm Love attends Her least Commands incenst Florenza sends Whose zeal transported Soul no sooner hears That welcome sound but though presaging fears Prompt him to stay least haughty honour fall Ruin'd by Fame be le ts her Standards fall Before commanding Love and goes to wait On 's honourd Mistress but this sly deceit Of hope no Cordial proves unto the sad Carina's grief the long experience had Of his Affection to Florenza tells Her doubtful Soul those even Parallels Could not by all her Friends perswasions be Wrested into the least obliquity Which sad mistrust did Love precipitate On pathes whose danger frights protecting Fate Assur'd the Combates hour drew on and
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
own stories Live the debt I ow to promise but extends unto The fortune of our royal Lovers who Though both concernd in this have actions far More full of Fate approaching that bright Star Which gave Argalia Victory here scarce shews Its spangl'd Records unto which he ows Far more sublime protection yet it lends Vigour to that bright Planet which attends His future fortune and discovers all His Astracismes in rising Cosmicall Followd with Acclamations such as made The troops of envy tremble to invade His conquering Fame he leaves the Field and by Cleander with Rewards of Victory First honourd in the publick view is brought From thence to meet delitious mirth in soft Retir'd Delights which in a spatious flood From Princes breasts to tenifie the blood Of the blunt Soldier hasts whose dull souls sweld With aiery pleasures had from thought expeld All sullen Cares and leveld paths unto Designs which did to their neglect ensue The black-browd Night to Court the drousie World Had put her starry Mantle on and hurld Into the Sea their spatious breasted Mother Her dark Attendants silent sleep did smoother Exalted Clamours and in private meets The busie Whisperer sporting 'twixt his sheets Vaild in which shady calm Argalia by The noble Cyprian only in his high Attempt assisted now prepares to free The great Preserver of his liberty Come to the Bridge that to secure the sleep o th carelesse Guard which slender watch did keep Finding it drawn the depth and ugly look o th' heavy stream had from the Cyprian took All hopes of passage till that doubt did end In greater fear the danger of his Friend Who with a Courage high as if in that He 'd centerd all the world did tremble at In his precedent Victories had cast Himself to th' mercy of the stream and past In safety o're though Nets enough were spread On her dark Face to make his Deaths cold bed Giving his Spirits leave to fortifie His heart with breath he then ascends the high Opposing Clifts which in an ugly pride Threatend beneath her ruin'd Scales to hide That rising flame of honour being come To th' other side a Centry but struck dumb With sleeps prevailing Retorick he finds Upon whose Keys he seizes and then binds His sluggish Limbs ere full awake convays Him to a place whence no loud cry betrayes The sounds of danger to his Fellows that Reveld in louder mirth unstartl'd at The Rivers depth the wondring Cyprian now Crost the united Bridge and being taught how By immitation to slight danger goes With his brave Friend toward their careless Foes Not far they were advanc'd before they hear Approaching steps a Soldier was drawn neer Which to relieve the other came but shar'd In his misfortune ere he had prepard To make resistance which attempt succeeds So equal to their wishes that there neâ—ds No more to strengthen Faith by the command o th' Wilâ— best Leader Reason both did stand A while to view their danger through a way Narrow and dark their dreadful passage lay The rugged Rock upon each side so steep That should they 've miss't no trembling hold could keep Them from the grasp of death to add to this More forms of horrour from the dark Abysse Which under-min'd the Rocks rough sides they hear A hollow murmure the black Towers appear Flanckt with destruction every part did hold Peculiar terrour but the whole unfold Through the black Glasse of Night a Face like that Which Chaos wore ere time was wakend at The first great Fiat or could ought appear More dark and dreadful know 't was emblem'd here Safe past through the first steps of danger they Now to the main Guard come whom they betray By a soft knock of all conceived 't had bin The Voyce their Centry cal'd for entrance in Their Errand undisputed Postern Gates Are open thrown at which the royal Mates Both rushing in strangely amaze them but Now being enterd 't was too late to shut The danger forth nor could Confusion lend Their trembling Nerves a strength fit to defend By opposition in base flight lay all Their hopes of life which some attempting fall On the dark road of death but few escape To shew their fellows dangers dredful shape Whilst here like powerful winds that dissipate Infectious damps in unobstructed state Their valour Reign'd to tell them that the way Which led unto the Princesse freedome lay Yet through more slippery pathes of blood with hast Wild as their Rage Burmorchâ—â— Brother 's plac't That Guards Commanders enter loose neglect Which drew them thence since cause of that effect They now redeem with speed Riot had not Un-nerv'd their Limbs although their blood grew hot With large intemperate Draughts the Feaver yet i th' Spirits only dwelt till this rude fit On the stretcht heart layes hold in flames which had Scortcht Valours Wings if not in Judgment clad Here though their numbers equal were yet in A larger Volume danger had not bin Often before presented to the view Of the brave Champions as if she had drew With doubtful Art Lines in the Scheam of Fate For them and their proud Foes pale Vertue sate Trembling for fear her power should not defend Her Followers ' gainst that strength which did attend Those big-bon'd Villains strokes beneath whose force The Cyprian Prince had felt a sad divorce Of Natures Wedlock if when sinking in The Icy sleep deaths wide Gorge had not been Stopt by a stroke from fierce Argalia sent To aide him when in his defence he 'd spent His stock of strength freed by which happy blow From Janus Guard since now his Friend lay low Neer Deaths dark Vally he contracts his power To quench the others Lamp of Life a shower Of wounds le ts fall on 's Enemy which now Clog'd his Souls upper Garments and allow His Eyes dim Opticks no more use of light Then what directs him in a staggering flight Yet in the darknesse of approaching death In Mischiefs Sables that small stock of breath That yet remains to Clothe he suddenly Gives fire unto a Cannon that was by Wise care ordaind to give intelligence When big with danger fear could not dispence With times delayes the Princess that within Her Closet had that fatal Evening bin Retir'd and sad whilst strong wing'd prayer acquaints Her flaming zeal with Heavens whole Quite of Saints Thus startl'd by the treacherous thunder all Hâ—r yet unnumberd stock of Beads lets fall ' Mongst those that prayer had ranckt and did implore In one great shrick deliverance to her door Hasts to behold the danger of those Friends On whose success Loves fortresse hope depends Where being come her eyes first progresse met Her prayers Reward even whilst his Sword was wet With blood the balm of Victory but long The Extasies of Fancy though more strong Then sacred Raptures last not all was now Too full of noise and tumult to allow A Room for Passions flow disputes within The Schools of Action
loud Alarums in The Castle Court and City rag'd all were Huddl'd into confusion some prepare To fly what others with an Ignorance As great though bolder to oppose advance Here had our Heaven-protected Lovers lost What such large summs of prayers and tears had cost Had not the torrent of the peoples throng When rushing towards the Castle by a strong Voyce danger been diverted to prevent A hungry flame which in the Cyprians Tent Began had spread its aire-dilated wings Over the City whose feard danger brings On them a worse distemperature then all Their last Nights Surfets whilst proud Turrets fall In their own Ashes the discordant Bells Ordaind to call for aide but ring their Knels That in a drunken fury half awake First their warm Beds and then their Lives forsake For to destruction here big pride had sweld Had not Nights errors been by day expeld With swift Cals frighted but more terrifi'd At their sad Cause Fear being his doubtful Guide The stout Epicote to Cleanders Court Repairs and there amongst a thick resort Of Subjects finds the Prince distracted by Those Epidemick Clamours that did fly From every part o th' City to appease Whose fury whilst he goes the sharp disease In flames feeds on her ruin'd beauty and Mounts on insulting wings which to withstand Th' amaz'd Inhabitants did stop its flight With the whole weight of Rivers till that light Which an Usurper on the sooty Throne Of darknesse sate vanisht or only shone From their dim Torches Rayes the Prince thus stayd In 's hasty Journey till the flames allayd Lent safety to the City by it gave The royal Fugitives the time to save Themselves by flight from those ensuing ills Whose clamorous Scouts rude sounds the stird aire fills Descended to the Gardens Postern Gate A place where silence yet unruffl'd sate A Night obscure and an unhaunted way Conspiring their Pursuers to betray To dark mistakes with silent Joy which had All Fears pale symptomes in Loves purple clad Close as that bold Attempter whose brave theft Was sacred fire the walks behind them left Argalia hasts unto the Castle Moat With his rich prize there a neglected Boat Half hid amongst the Willow Beds finds ouâ— In which Pharonnida that nought could doubt Whilst her successful Lover steerd past o're To meet the safety of a larger Shore The end of the third Book PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO I. The Argument I. Whilst noise and tumult fills the Court the sad Orlinda to lament alone retir'd Finds the brave Captain in deaths symptoms clad Whose perfect health her friendly care acquir'd II. The Scouts with an unwelcom emptiness Of news return'd the Princess secret flight Yet well succeeds but now in sad distress Find a black morning to that dismal night VVHen Fear like an unskilful Pilot in A storm distracted long in vain had been Plac'd at the helm of Action whilst those rude Waves rais'd by greater winds the Multitude Swell'd with uncertain councels all met in A thick and dangerous confluence those within The Castle by a hotter passion to A high wrought fury startled did undo Those links of councel which the other broke With corrosives of fear by the rude stroke Of heedless Anger whose uncivil strife Had robâ—d Revenge of justice and each life That here was in deaths inundation spilt Shed but to aggrevate a private guilt Had not the Prince whose angers flame they fear'd More then grim death t' appease the storm appear'd Beat from the out-works of their hopes all in A busie tumult are imploy'd within The Princess lodgings but there only find Their knowledge by her secret flight strook blind Stumbl'd on errors No characters but what The wasteful hand of death had scatter'd at The Guard informs them and even those seem left The weak opposers of successful theft Dropt as their Foes victorious fate slue by To shew his fortune and their loyalty Leaving which late warm tenements of breath Without once throwing up that bed of death Their grave-cloaths ore them every active friend Hasts toward her search whilst suffering females spend The hours grown slow since burden'd by their fears In prayrs whose doubts they numbred by their tears But amongst all of those that sacrific'd Tears to her loss sorrow had most disguis'd Lovely Orlinda the fair sister to The vext Messenian who with Love that grew From equal attributes of Honor in The parallels of Beauty plac'd had been In this restraint of liberty so long Her pleas'd Companion that her grief too strong For comfort grown to mourn her absence she Forsaking all her friends societie Whilst seeking of some shady grove is brought To one whose vail black as her darkest thought Appear'd so much a stranger to the light That solitude did thither soon invite The pensive Lady who whilst entring by A deep groans sound diverted turns her eye Toward one who near the utmost ebb of life Disguis'd in 's blood was with the latest strife Of death contending at the dreadful view Of which sad object she retreating to Some of her maids who fearing to intrude Whilst she appear'd intending solitude A distance kept made hold by number now Return to see if life did yet allow A room for help or if his soul were fled To let their care intomb the helpless dead Arriv'd so near that through the rubrick vail Of 's blood they saw how life did yet prevail O'er deaths convulsions they behold one lie Whose wound 's an object for their charity Soon drew them nearer in such trembling haste As if they fear'd those lavish springs would waste Lifes stock too fast where come with linen soft And white as were those hands that thither brought That blessing having gently wip'd away His blood his face discover'd did betray Him to their knowledge for the Ciprian Prince All soon conclude him whose desert e'er since That Court she knew had to Orlinda prov'd A dear delight yet she ne'er knew she lov'd Till her soft pitty and his sad distress Conspiring to betray that bashfulness Whose blushes scorch'd that tender plant did now Even in their fortunes roughest storm allow It leave to grow safe since yet passing by No other name but noble charity By all the nimblest stratagems which Art E'er learnt from nature striving to impart The best of mortal blessings health unto Her Royal patient prais'd Orlinda grew So high in his deserv'd esteem that though Posterity doth to his friendship ow For their most perfect copy knowing she Too much ador'd Pharonnida to be Her base betrayer when his healths advance Gave way for language every circumstance Declares which was in that so fatal night The sad preludiums to her secret flight By which when she whose love though full of fire Yet lay rak'd up in a remote desire Unstirr'd by hope with joy had learn'd that he More then what friendship parroniz'd was free From all affection to the Princess in Her eyes which until then had clouded bin Love with as
fell From a thrones splendor did neglected lie Sunk with her temple to deformitie Dark gloomy groves which holy altars shade With solitude such as religion made Full of an awful reverence and drew The ravisht soul from the worlds wandring view Circled the sacred valley into one Of which our Royal Lovers were alone Retir'd in private sollitude to pay Sleeps forfeitures whilst the bright bloomy day Sweats the hidroptick earth but joy denies That sullen ghest an entrance in their eies Their eyes which now like wandring Plannets met After a race of cross aspects and set Within a firmament of beauty thence On Loves cold Region dropt their influence Warm'd by whose vigor springs of pleasures had Watring their cheeks those fields in roses clad Fear that till now had made them languish in A dang'rous hectick or at best had bin But cas'd with intervals which did include Ambiguous hopes in times vicissitude Ceas'd to usurp yet though the throne expell'd A large command in Reasons Empire held Leading those parties which wise counsel sent Close ambuscado'd dangers to prevent Nor could the conduct fail assail'd by ought Within the circuit of extended thought Deliberation the souls wary Scout Being still imploy'd to lead fresh parties out ' Gainst the known enemies of hope But here Black Troops of danger undiscern'd of fear Assaults unralli'd fortitude whilst she Slept ' mongst the rose-beds of securitie Exalted far above the gross mistakes Of vulgar love cloth'd in such thoughts as shakes Ripe souls from out their husks of earth to be Pick'd up by Angels joys Stenographie In their embraces met not with less strength Of love though yet not to be wrought at length Then that which meets in nuptial folds when they Reap Heavens first blessing in their bloods allay Met their full seas of passion yet both calm As vertues brow their blood but warm'd like balm To pour in sorrows wounds not boild into A scum of lust The worlds first man did wo The blushing offâ—pring of his side the fiâ—st Unpractickt Virgin with as great a thirst Of blood as theirs when in the safe defence Of Paradice each act was innocence Here whilst thâ—ir sweet imployment was discourse Taught in the School of Vertue to divorce Those maiden brides their twisted eye-beams sleep Which flies the open gates of care did creep In at their cristal windows to remove The lamp of joy fill'd with the oil of love The Princess spirits fled from the distress Of action into calm for getfulness Having the Curtains drawn Argalia's head Softly reposing on her lap that bed Of precious odors there receives a while A rest for sweetness such as Saints beguile Time in in their still dormitories till Heavens summons shall their hopes on earth fulfill Remov'd from them feeding his horses in A well-fleâ—â—'d meddow which that age had seen Till then ne'er loose its Sommer robe before Russet with age he put it off and wore A glittering tissue furr'd with snow did lie Their careful guide secure till frighted by A dreadful noise of horse whose rushing wakes Him to behold what seen with terror shakes Off sleeps declining weights in such a strange Amaze as forts surpris'd the skar'd guards change Their swords for Fetters flying he looks back On the steel fronâ—ed troop till at his back Approaching danger gathering in a cloud Of death overwhelms him frighting with its loud Exalted clamors from their then clos'd eyes Loves altars sleeps intended sacrifice Shook from their slumber with the first salutes Of light to meet their ruin thick recruits Of brave resolves into Argalia's brest Had swiftly summon'd but the Princess rest Exchang'd for wilde amazement in which sad Restraint of spirits life with beauty had Fled to the silent Region if not by Her Royal friend supported who the high Pitch of exalted anger whilst he draws His sword to vindicate their righteous cause Descends to comfort her thinking those troops Her Fathers Messengers his brave soul stoops Not to request a favor but although Their multitude in hopes account outgrow Life more then those diseases which attend On ages cold extream he dares defend Love though by vigor of supream commands Depriv'd of favor's mercinary Bands Prompted by power that soveraign antidote ' Gainst Natures poyson baseness and by roate Not Arts fair Rules taught Lessons of defence These dregs of men not having more pretence Then what from Riot was extorted in Unwieldy throngs the conquest strive to win From single valor not the powerfull pray'r Of her whose voice had purified the ayr To a seraphick excellence the sweet Heav'n lov'd Pharonnida could come to meet Pitty in this rude wilderness her words Losing their form in the wild air affords Their busie souls no heedfull leasure but With wilder passions the soul's portals shut That sober friend to happy sollitude Silence which long those blest shades did include By rude noise banisht from her solemn Throne Did in a deep and hollow eccho grone Whilst the brave Champion whose own worth did bring Assistance yet had in a bloody ring Strew'd death's pale triumphs and in safety stands The dangerous business of so many hands All which had in the grave joyn'd palms if by One stroke that index unto victory His sword had not with sudden breaking prov'd Traitor to th' strength by whose command it mov'd Rob'd of this safe defence Valors brave flame In vain is spent that Piramis of fame Built by his hand o'er Loves fair temple now Even in the view of 's Saint is forc't to bow Beneath an earthquake his commanding soule In this sharp conflict striving to controle Nature rebellious to her power le ts flye In vain the piercing lightning of the eye Whose dark leads drooping in a death like close Forbids high fury thundring on his soes He falls and from each purple salliport Of wounds tir'd spirits in a thick resort Flie the approach in which wild trance His eyes did their declining lights advance Above their gloom of darkness to convay The last faint beam of natures falling day To his distrest Pharonnida but she In clouds of sorrow lost was gone to be Close mourner for his rigid fare beneathe A pale sowns shady vale and could not breathe One sigh to welcom those sick guests nor lend A beam to light them to their journies end Which being depriv'd of in deaths dark disguise Forgetful shadows did obscure his eyes Branded with an ignoble victory His base oppressors staying not to try Where fire remains in lifes dark lamp forsake Their bleeding shame and only with them take The trembling Ladies whose amazement yet Griefs floodgates shuts in a distracting fit Of wilder passions circled in which cloud She 's hurried thence and ere that damp aloud Light through her souls prospectives had past ore Much of the Desart and arriv'd before A barren Rocks proud front which being too steep For the laborious traveller a deep Dark vault did pierce whose dismal black descent Safe passage to a
distant crisis and on flaming wings Posts through the blood whose mass infected brings Deaths banners near the Fort of life which in Acute distempers it attempts to win From Natures guards had not the hot assault By youth sustain'd made deaths black army halt Whilst marching to the grave the swift disease Like a proud foe repulst forc'd to give ease By slow retreats yet of those cruel wars Left long remaining bloodless characters But ere the weak Euriolus for he This hapless stranger was again could be By strength supported base Amarus who Could think no more then priceless thanks was due For all his dangerous pains more beastly rude Then untam'd Indians basely did exclude That noble guest which being with sorrow seen By Ammida whose prayers and tears had been His helpless advocates she gives in charge To her Ismander that till time enlarge Her then restrain'd desires he entertain Her desolate and wandring friend Nor vain Were these commands his entertainment being Such as observant Love thought best agreeing To her desires But here not long he stayed Ere Fortune prompted by his wit obeyed That artfull Mistris and reward obtains By fine imposture for firm vertues pains The gout that common curse of slothfull wealth With frequent pain had long impair'd the health Of old Amarus who though else to all Griping as that for ease was liberal From practic'd physick to the patients curse Poor pratling women or impostors worse Slie Mountebanks whose empty impudence Do frequent murthers under healths pretence He all had tried yet found he must endure What though some eas'd none perfectly could cure Oft had his judgement purse and patience bin Abus'd by cheats yet still defective in The choice of men which error known unto My brother and Euriolus they drew Their platform thus Euriolus clad in An antick dress which shew'd as he had bin Physitian to the great Mogol first by Ismander prais'd at distance doth apply Himself unto Amarus where t'â—inhance The price of 's art he first applauds the chance That had from distant Regions thither brought Him to eclipse their glory who had sought For 't in his cure before then seconds that With larger promises which tickled at Amarus vies with his threatning to break His iron chests and make those idols speak His gratitude though lock'd with conscience they To his own clamorous wants had silent lay Some common medicines which the people prize ' Cause from their knowledg vail'd in slight disguise Apply'd to 's pain and those assisted by Opinion whose best antidotes supply The weak defects of art he soon attains So much of health that now his greatest pains Had been th' ingag'd reward had he not bin By future hopes kept from ingratefull sin So far that in performing action he Exceeds his passions prodigalitie Large promises with such performance that Whilst his deluders smile and wonder at Thus speaks its dark orginal To shew Euriolus how fortune did out-grow Desert in his estate he was one day From th' Castle walls taking a pleas'd survay Of spacious fields whose soils made fertile by Luxurious art in rich variety Still youthfull nature cloath'd which whilst he views An old suspition thus his tongue renews How blest my worthy friend how blest had I Been in my youths laborious industry T' have seen a son possest of this but now A daughters match a stranger must endow With what I 've toil'd to get and what is more My torment one that being betroth'd before My sons decease wants an estate to make Her marriage blest but knew I how to shake This Swagg'rer off there lives not far from hence One that to match her to were worth th' expence Of my estate his name is Dargonel A wary Lad who though his land do swell Each day with new additions yet still lives Sparing and close takes heed to whom he gives Or whom he lends except on mortgage by Whose strength it may securely multiply This worthy Gentleman with wise foresight Beholding what an object of delight Our link'd estates would be hath since I lost My heir been in 's intention onely crost By this Ismander whom though I confess A braver man yet since a fortune less Ne'r must have my consent onely since by Her contract I have lost the liberty Of second choice unless I vainly draw My self in danger o' th ore-busie Law I want some sound advice that might inform Me how to rid him yet not stand a storm Broke from his rage although my daughter love Him more then health I shall command above Her feeble passions if you dare impart So much of aid from your almighty art As to remove this remora and here He stopp'd yet lets a silent guilt appear In looks that shew'd what else the theam affords He 'd have conceiv'd as being too foul for words Which seen by him whose active wit grâ—w strong In friendships cause as loath to torture long His expectations thus their stream he stayes With what at once both comforts and betrayes Raise up your spirits my blest Patron to Sublime content Heav'n sent me to renew Your souls harmonious peace that dreadfull toy Of conscience wisely wav'd you may enjoy Uninterrupted hopes yet since we must Be still most wary where we 're most unjust Le ts not be rash swift things are oft unsure Whilst moles through death's dark angles creep secure Then since it 's full of danger to remove Betroth'd Ismander whilst his publick love By your consent rais'd to assurance may A granted interest claim first let us stay His fury and the peoples censures by A nuptial knot whose links we will unty Ere the first night confirms the hallow'd band By wayes so secret that death 's skilfull hand Shall work unknown to fate and render you To the deluded worlds more publick view A real mourner whilst your curtain'd thought Triumphs to be from strict engagements brought Besides the vailing of our dark designe Like vertue thus this plot will sink a Mine Whose wealthy womb in ample jointure will Bring much of dead Ismanders state to fill The vast desire of wealth This being done I with prevailing philters will outrun Sorrows black Bark which whilst it lies at drift I 'll so renew her mirth no sigh shall lift Its heavy sails which in a calm neglect Shall lie forgot whilst what 's not now respect To Dargonel shall soon grow up to be Like Natures undiscovered sympathie A love so swift so secret all shall pause At its effects whilst they admire the cause This by Amarus with belief which grew Into applause heard ouâ— he doth renew With large additions what h 'had promis'd in His first attempts Then hasting to begin The tragick scene which must in triumph be Usher'd to light his known deformitie Of wretched baseness for a while he lays Aside and by a liberal mirth betrays Approaching joy which since incited by His wishes soon lifts Hymens torches high As their exalted hopes The happy Pair
we Sleeping i' th' bed of soft securitie Were with alarums wakened Faction had To shew neglects deformities unclad That gawdy monster whose first dress had bin The night-peec'd works of their unriper sin And those that in contracted fortunes dwelt Calmly in favors shadow having felt The glorious burthen of their honor grown Too large for all that fortune call'd their own Like fishes which the lesser frie devour Pride having join'd oppression to their power Prey'd on the subject till their load outgrew Their loyalty and forc'd even those that knew Once only to obey in sullen rage To mutter threats whose horror did presage That blood must in domestick jars be spilt To cure their envy and the peoples guilt These seeds of discord which began to rise To active growth by th' honorable Spies Of other Princes seen had soon betraid Our States obscure disease and call'd to aid Ambitious subjects forein powers whose strength First but as physick us'd was grown at length Our worst disease which whilst we hop'd for cure Turn'd our slow Hectique to a Calenture A Syracusian army that had bin Against our strength often victorious in A haughty Rebels quarrel being by Success taught how to ravish victory Without his aid which only useful prov'd When treason first for novelty was lov'd Seising on all that in 's pretended cause Had stoop'd to conquest what th' infeebled laws In vain attempted soon perform and give The traitor death from what made treason live This done whilst their victorious ensigns were Fann'd by fames breath they their bold standards bear Near to our last of hopes an army which Like oft try'd Oare disasters made more rich In loyal valor then vast numbers and By shaking fixt those roots on which did stand Their well-elected principles which here Opprest with number only did appeare In bravely dying when their righteous cause Condemn'd by fates inevitable laws Let its religion vertue valor all That heaven calls just beneath rebellion fall Near to the end of this black day when none Was left that durst protect his injur'd throne VVhen loyal valor having lost the day Bleeding within the bed of honor lay Thy wounded father when his acts had shewn As high a spirit as did ever groan Beneath misfortune is inforc'd to leave The fields wild fury and some rest receive In faithful Enna where his springs of blood VVere hardly stopt before a harsher slood Assails his eyes Thy royal mother then More blooming then earths ful-blown beauties when VVarm'd in the Ides of May her fruitful womb Pregnant with thee to an untimely tomb Her fainting spirits in that horrid fright Losing the paths of life from time from light And grief steals down yet ere she had discharg'd Her debts to death protecting heaven enlarg'd Thy narrow lodging and that life which she Lost in thy fatal birth bestow'd on thee On thee in whom those joys thy father priz'd More then lov'd empire are epitomiz'd And now as if the arms of adverse fate Had all conspir'd our ills to aggravate Above the strength of patience we are by Victorious foes before our fear could flie To a remoter refuge clos'd within Unhappy Enna which before they win Though storm'd with fierce assaults the restless sun His annual progress through-the heavens had run But then tir'd with disasters which attend A slow-pac'd siege unable to defend Their numbers from resistless famine they With an unwilling loyaltie obey The next harsh summons and so prostrate lie To th' rage or mercy of their enemie But ere the Cities fortune was unto This last black stage arriv'd safely withdrew To th' Castles strength thy father was where he Though far from safety finds the time to be Inform'd by sober councel how to steer Through this black storm love loyalty and fear Had often varied judgments but at last Into this form their full resolves were cast To cool hot action and to bathe in rest More peaceful places darkness dispossest The days soveraignity to usher whom Into her sable throne a clouds full womb Congeal'd by frigid air as if that then The elements had warr'd as well as men In a white vail came hovering down to hide The Coral pavements but forbid by th' pride o th' Conquerors triumphs and expell'd from thence As that which too much emblem'd innocence Since that the City no safe harbor yields It takes its lodging in the neighboring fields Which mantled in those spotless robes invite The Prince through them to take his secret flight In sad distress leaving his Nobles to Swallow such harsh conditions as the view Of danger candi'd ore from treacherous eyes Obscur'd in a Plebeians poor disguise His glorious train shrunk to desertless I The sad companion of his misery He now departing thee his infant son Heir to his crown and cares ordain'd to run This dangerous hazard of thy life before Time taught thee how thy fortune to deplore When ventring on this precipice of fate We slowly sallied forth 't was cold and late The drowsie guard asleep the Centries hid Close in their huds did shivering stand and chid The whistling winds with chatring teeth when now A leave as solemn as haste would allow Of all our friends our mourning friends being took We like the earth vail'd all in white forsook Our salliport whilst slowly marching ore The new faln snow thee in his arms he bore Whilst this imposture made the scar'd guards when They saw us move then make a stand agen Either to think that dallying winds had plaid With flakes of snow or that their sight betraid Their fancy into errors we were past The reach of danger and in triumph cast Off with our fears what had us safety lent When strength refus'd to save the innocent The eager lover hugs himself not in Such roseal beds of joy when what hath bin His sickly wishes is possest as we Through watchfull foes arriv'd to libertie Imbrace the welcom blessing first we stear Our course tow'rds Siracuse whose confines near The mountain stood upon whose cloudy brow Poor Enna did beneath her ruins bow The Stars cloath'd in the pride of light had sent Their sharp beams from the spangled firmament To silver ore the Earth which being embost With hills seem'd now enamel'd ore with frost The keen winds whistle in the justling trees And cloath'd their naked limbs in hoary frees When having pac'd some miles of crusted earth Whose labor warm'd our blood before the birth O' th' sluggish morning from his bed had drawn The early Villager the sober dawn Lending our eyes the slow salutes of light We are encountred with the welcom sight Of some poor scatter'd Cottages that stood In the dark shadow of a spacious wood That fring'd an humble valley toward those Whilst the still morn knew nought to discompose Her sleepy infancy we went and now Being come so near we might discover how The unstir'd smoke stream'd from the Cottage tops A glim'ring light from a low window stops Our further
their whispering Oaks unclad The Prince his mercy willing to prevent Approaching danger by a Herald sent To Zarrobâ—in commands him to lay down His arms and as he owed unto his Crown A Subjects due allegiance to appear Before a moneth was added to that year Within his Court which now since action gave Life to that body whose firm strength did save His life by treason levell'd at was in His moving Camp But this too weak to win The doubtful Rebel since his lawful right Swords must dispute the Prince prepares to fight Proud Zarrobrin who had by late success Taught Siracuse how to avoid distress By seeking peace like a black storm that flies On Southern winds which in a tumult rise From neighboring seas was on his march But come Sonear the Prince that now he had by some Of 's spreading Scouts made full discovery where His Army lay whose scarce discovered Rear Such distance from their well-arm'd Van appear'd That such whose judgments were with numbers feard Making no further inquisition fled By swift report their pale disease to spread Disturbing clouds which rather seem'd to rise From guilt then fear spread darkness ore the eyes O' th' Rebels who although by custom made To death familiar wish their killing trade In peace concluded and with murmures nigh Grown to the boldness of a mutinie Question their own frail judgments which so oft Had life expos'd to dangers that had brought No more reward then what preserv'd them still The slaves unto a proud Commanders will To stop this swift infection which begun In lowly huts to lofty tents had run Slie Zarobrin who to preserve th' esteem Of honor lest lib'rality might seem The child of fear with secret speed prevents What he appears to slight their discontents As if attending though attended by Their young Mock-Prince whose landskip royaltie Shew'd only fair when view'd at distance he Passing with slow observant pace to see Each squadrons order he confirms their love With donatives such as were far above Their hopes if Victors then to shew that in That pride of bounty h 'had not strove to win Assistance by unworthy bribes he leads Them far from danger since his judgment reads In long experience that authentick story Whose lines hath taught the nearest way to glory That soft delays like treacherous streams which by Submitting lets the rash intruder try Their dangerous depth to an unwilling stay His fierce persuers would ere long betray Whose force since of th' untutor'd multitude By want made desperate and by custom rude Would soon waste their unweildy strength whilst they Whom discipline had taught how to obey By pay made nimble and by order sure Would wars delays with easier wants endure This sound advice meeting with sad success From the persuing Army whose distress From tedious marches being too clamorous grown For 's friends estates to quiet soon was shewn In actions such which though necessitie Inforc'd on vertue made their presence be To th' inconsiderate vulgar whose loose glance For vertue take vice gloss'd with circumstance Such an oppression that comparing those Which fled with mildness they behold as foes Only their ruder followers whom they curse Not that their cause but company was worse When thus their wanâ—s had brought disorder in And that neglect whose looser garb had bin At first so shie that what was hardly known From business then was now to custom grown This large limb'd body since united by No cement but the love to loyalty Loses those baser parts such as to please Unworthy ends turn'd duty to disease Retaining onely those whose valor sought No more reward then what with blood they bought But here to shew that slumbring justice may Opprest with power faint in the busie day Of doubtfull battel when their valor had So many souls from robes of fresh unclad Of his brave friends that the forsaken Prince Whose sad success taught knowledge to convince The Arguments of hope unguarded left Unto persuing foes was soon bereft Of all that in this cloud of fortune might By opposition or unworthy flight But promise fafety and when death denide Him her last dark retreat to raise the pride Of an insulting foe is forc'd to see The scorn of greatness in captivity Yet with more terror to limb sorrow in His mighty soul such friends as had not bin By death discharg'd in fatal battel now Suffer'd so much as made even fear alow Her palest sons to seek in future wars Brave victory got by ages honor scars Or braver death that antidote of shame Whose stage none pass upon the rode of Fame Those that far'd best being murther'd others sent With life to more afflicting banishment When thus by him whose sacred order made The truth authentick from his fortunes shade Argalia was redeem'd the Prelate to Confirm his story from his bosom drew The jewel which having by wayes unknown To him that wore it open'd there was shewn By wit contracted into art as rare As his that durst make silver sphears compare With heavens light motion an Effigies which His royal Sire whilst beauty did enrich His youth appear'd in such epitomy As spacious fields are represented by Rare opticks on opposing walls where sight Is conzen'd with imperfect forms of light When with such joy as Scythians that grow proud Of day behold light gild an eastern cloud Argalia long had view'd that picture in Whose face he saw forms that said his had been Drawn by that pattern with such thanks as best The silent eloquence of looks exprest The night grown ancient ere their stories end With solemn joy leaves his informing friend The End of the Fourth Book PHARONNIDA The Fift Book CANTO I. The Argument I. Tier'd with afflictions in a safe retreat From th' active world Pharonnida is now Making a sacred monastry her seat Where near approaching the confirming vow II. A rude assault makes her a Prisoner to Almanzors power to expiate whose sin The subtil Traytor swiftly leads her to The Court where she had long a stranger bin HEre harsh imployments the unsavory weeds Of barren wants had over-run the seeds Of fancy with domestick cares and in Those winter storms shipwrack'd what ere had bin My youths imperfect off-spring had not I For love of this neglected poverty That meager fiend whose rustic tallons stick Contempt on all that are inforc'd to seek Like me a poor subsistance ' mongst the low Shrubs of imployment whilst blest wits that grow Good fortunes favorits like proud Ceders stand Scorning the stroke of every feeble hand Whose vain attempts though they should martyr sense Would be repulst with big-bulk'd confidence Yet blush not gentle Muse thou oft hast had Followers by fortunes hand as meanly clad And such as when time had worn envy forth Succeeding ages honor'd for their worth Then though not by these rare examples fier'd To vain presumption with a soul untir'd As his whose fancies short Ephemeraes know No life but what doth from his liquor
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
have Lain till corruption sought it self a grave Had not an early Forrester so near The place approach'd that maugre all that fear Alleag'd to stop a full discovery he Beheld so much as taught him how to free His friends from further fruitless searches in Discovering what beneath their fears had bin In sorrow such as left no power to vent Its symptoms but a deep astonishment Th' amaz'd Messenians whom a sad belief Depriv'd of hope did entertain their grief Whose swift infection to communicate Their murther'd Prince as if pale death kept state Clad in the crimson robes of blood is to The City brought where whilst the publick view In busie murmurs spread her sable wings Pale terror to the Court griefs center brings The dreadful truth which some officious Lord Whom favor did the priviledge afford Of easie entrance through the guards of fear In haste conveys t' assault the Princes ear With such a silence as did seem to shew Unwelcom news is in its entrance slow Enter'd the room he 's with soft pace unto The bed approach'd whose curtains when withdrew Discover'd horror in the dismal dress Of death appears freed from the slow distress Of Age that coward tyrant which ne'r shews His strength till man wants vigor to oppose Through deaths dark gates fled to the gloomy shade Whose fear or hope not knowledge doth invade Our fancies yet he mans material part There only sees which form whose heavenly art Tunes motion into 'th faculties of life Had now forsook the elemental strife Which had so long at concord aim'd was now Silenc'd in death on his majestick brow No awefull frown did sit the bloods retreat From life and action left his cheeks the seat Of deaths cold guest which summon'd by his fate There in a pale and ghastly horror sate Whilst the astonish'd Courtier did behold This with such trembling as when graves unfold Their Doom-dayes curtains sinfull bodies shall Rise from their urns eternally to fall His stay caus'd from restrictive fear had drew In more Spectators to whose wandring view This ghastly object when oppos'd had strook So swift a tertor that their fears forsook The safe retreats of Reason seeing life Had now concluded all the busie strife Of natures conflicts by delivering those Time-shaken Forts unto more powerfull foes Outcries in vain attempts for pitty to Scale heaven whose ear when from their prayers withdrew The Court now of her royal head bereft In a still calm of hopeless sorrow left Infectious grief disdaining now to be Confin'd within the brief Stenographie Of first Discoverers spreads it self among The City herd whose rude unsteddy throng Rais'd grief which in the mourning Court did dwell In such a silence as an Anch'rites Cell Ne'r knew a heavier solitude into Exalted outcries whose loud call had drew From their neglected arts so many that What first was choler now being kindl'd at Their rage like humors grown adust had bin The open breach to let rebellion in Had not the wiser Nobles which did know That vulgar passions will to tumult grow When back'd with power by a new modell'd form Of counsel soon allay'd this rising storm Their tears those fruitless sacrifices to Unactive grief wip'd off whilst they did view The States distemp'red body to supply The wants of that departed Majesty Which when their Prince from Lifes horizon fell Fled from their view before report should tell This fatal story to the Princess they A Councel call by whose advice she may Whilst floating in this Sea of sorrow be Sav'd from those unseen rocks where treacherie Rebellions subtile Engineer might sit To wrack the weakness of a female wit Which though in her such that it might have bin The whole worlds Pilate could since clouded in Such a tempestuous Sea of passions see No Star that might her safe director be A Messenger whose sad observant wit By age allay'd seem'd a conveyer fit For such important business with the news Hasts towards the Princess whom whilst fear persues On wings of pity being arriv'd within The Palace he as that alone had bin The onely feat where rigid sorrow took Her fixt abode beholds each servants look Obscur'd with grief through whos dark-shades whilst he Searches the cause the strange variety Explains it self as families that have Led their protecting Ruler to the grave whose loss they in a heedless sorrow mourn So long till care doth to distraction turn Her servants sate each wildly looking on The other till even sense it self was gone In mourning wonder whose wilde flight to stay Its cause they to the pitying Lord display In such a tone as whilst it did detect The Princess absence shew'd their own neglect When this he'ad heard with such a sympathie Of sorrow as erected grief to be The mourning Monarch of his thoughts to those Return'd that sent him he that transcript shews Of this obscure original the flight O' th' absent Princess whilst the veil of night Obscur'd her passage tells but question'd how With whom or whether knowledge did allow No satisfaction all inquiry gain'd From her amaz'd attendants but explain'd Their grief whose troubled rivolet flow'd in To that vast Ocean where before they 'd bin By sorrow shipwrack'd in the general flood Mixt wants a language to be understood In a peculiar character and so Conjoyn'd makes up one universal wo. Onely as if love knew alone the art That taught his followers how to mourn apart Sad sweet Orlinda whose calm innocence Had fostred passion at her healths expence Whilst wet with grief's oreflowing springs she to Her brothers ghost did pay soft natures due In sorrow of such sad complection that Others might lose their own to wonder at Yet when as in the margint plac'd she hears Amindor lost with new supplies of tears Grief sallying forth as if to be betray'd Love now did fear he draws the bashfull Maid From those that did the mourning consort keep Where she unseen for loves decease doth weep Frail womans faith and mans neglect doth blame And softly then sighs out Amindors name Her lost Amindor whose suppos'd disdain Destroy'd those spirits grief could ne'r have slain And now before that powers decay ingage To many hands in a vindictive rage The wise supporters of the State to stay Increasing factions which can ne'r obey Lest fear commands unto Almanzor send A mandate which injoyns him to attend Their Councels in this interregnum till Their joynt consent had found out one to fill The empty throne which summons prompted by A care which they interpret loyalty Though truely call'd ambition he obey'd With such a speed as Love would fly to aid A ravish'd Lady having to impede His march no more then what his care could lead Even with a singes speed yet that a strength Enough to make his will confine the length Of their desires who soon in Council sit But to bewail th' abortion of their wit The frighted City having entred in A mourning march as if his thoughts had
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
if drawn to light Dayes beauties to the palace of the night Toward which the prisoners yet detain'd within The City in this dreadfull pomp begin Their mournful march led by that doleful call By which loud war proclaims a funeral Those that had been the common guards unto The murther'd Princes to the peoples view Are first presented on an ebon spear Each bore a scuchion where there did appear The arms which once adorn'd those Princes shields Sadly display'd within their sable fields Next these some troops whose prosperous valor in Their Courts had steps unto preferment bin Come slowly on but slowlier follow'd are By elder Captains such whom busie war Whose victories had their youth in honor di'd As useless-now for Council laid aside I' th' rear of these the Officers of State Grave as they 'd been of Council unto Fate I' th' purple robes of royal Mourners clad With heavy pace conducted in a sad And dismal object two black Chariots drawn Like hideous night when it assaults the dawn In dreadfull shadows where to fright the day With sadder objects on black herses lay Th' Effigies of the murther'd Princes in Whose form those spots of treason that had bin Fates Agents to unravel Natures law In bloody marks the mourning people saw At which sad fight from silent sorrow they Advanc'd had let external grief betray Their love and loss if not diverted by Succeeding objects which assault the eye With what though living yet more terror bred Then what they found for the lamented dead In such a garb as sorrow strives to hide The hot efluviums of a sullen pride Almanzor next with slow portentous pace Follows the herses his discover'd face So subtilly di'd in sorrow as it had Strove to out-mourn the sable arms which clad His falser breast whose studi'd treason knew No such disguise as first to meet the view O' th' censuring people in a dress that shews Him by their States maturer Council chose ' Gainst who'ere durst maintain the pris'ners cause By 's valor for to vindicate their laws But now to lose these rivolets of tears In the vast Ocean of their grief appears Their last and most lamented object in The royal Captives whose sad fate had bin Not so disguis'd in attributes of guilt But that the love their former vertue built In every breast broke through their fear to show How much their duty did to sorrow ow. In that black train they had beheld before Though full of sadness wearied life past ore The stage of nature is their darkest text To comment on which since good men perplext With life's cares are finds less regreâ— then now To living sufferers justly they allow Friends though less near since death is but that rest They vainly seek that are in life distrest Being pitied more then those whose worst of Fate We have beheld destruction terminate That nought might in this scene of sorrow be Wanting to perfect griefs solemnitie The Kingdoms Marshal who supported in His hand a sword which glitring through a thin Wreath'd Cipers through the sad Spectators eye Strook such a terror as if shadow'd by Death's sooty vail conducting after goes Th' undaunted Cyprian with a look that showes A soul whose valor was of power to light Such high resolves as by their splendor might Make death look lovely on his upper hand Her sexes glory she whose vertues scann'd Her actions by heavens strictest rules the sweeâ— Pharonnida unmov'd prepares to meet The ministers of death her train being by Florenza who must in that Tragedy Act her last part sustain'd The garment which The beauteous Princess did that day inrich Was black but cut on white ore which the fair Neglected treasure of her flowing hair Hung loosely down upon her head she wore A wreath of Lillies almost shadow'd ore With purple Hyacinths on which the stains Of murther yet in bloody marks remains Over all this a melancholy cloud Of thick curl'd Cipers from the head did shroud Her to the feet through which those spots of white Appear'd like stars those comforts of the night When stole through scattred clouds in her right hand She held a watch whose next stage should have spand The minutes of her life her left did hold A branch of mirtle which as grown too old To live began to wither for defence O' th' falling leaves as death and innocence Had both conspir'd to save 't the bow was round In mistick wreaths of black and silver wound Near to the royal Prisoners many Peers Of either Kingdom men of th' gravest years And loyal'st hearts did with a dolefull pace Bring up the rear each melancholy place Through which they past being with those pensive flowers That wait on funerals strew'd The lofty towers Of checquer'd marble had their stately brows In sables bound their pinacles with boughs Of dismal Yew adorn'd as if their knell Should next be rung a solemn passing bell In every Church was toull'd whose dolefull sound Mixt with the drum trumpets dead march dround The peoples cries whose grief can ne'r be shown In 'ts native dress till loud and clamorous grown In this black pomp the mourning train had left The sable City which being now bereft Of all her sad and solemn guests did bear The emblem of an empty sepulchre So full of silence all her throng being gone With heavy pace to be attendants on Those funeral rights which ere perform'd must have More vertue for attendants to the grave Then ere they could again expect to see Whose hopes of life lay in minoritie Come to the desert vale which yet had kept A solitary loveliness that slept There in untroubl'd rest a levell'd green Chose for the Lists which nature lodg'd between Two barren hills upon whose bare front grew Though thinly scatter'd here a balefull Yew And there a dismal Cypress plac'd as they Had onely chose that station to display The peoples passions who with eyes fixt in Full orbs of tears ere this had sorrowing seen The pitied prisoners to those Scaffolds brought Where those lamented lives whose treason sought To ruine must be sacrific'd to please Ambitious man not angry heaven appease This curles their bloods which soon inflam'd had grown Had not the varied scene of sorrow shown The murther'd Princes who product as they Had been reserv'd as opiats to allay Their angers flame are both expos'd unto The satisfaction of the publick view Mounted on herses which on either side O' th' Temple gate with deaths most dismal pride On ebon pillars stood as rais'd to show What justce did to their destruction ow. Plac'd near to these their sorrows sad Records Almanzors tent to shew that it affords For red revenge a close reception stood Like a black rock from whence in clouds of blood The sanguine streamers through the thickned sky Did waving with unconstant motion fly In view of which though at the other end If any durst appear that could defend Their cause whom heaven alone knew innocent There to