improved that it has been the wonder as well as pity of some that so famous a Poet should so much obscure the glory of his thoughts wrapt up in words and expressions which time and use had well nigh exploded And though words serve our uses but like Counters or numbers to summe our intellectual Products yet they must be currant as the money of the Age or they will hardly pass Nor is it less ridiculous to see a man confidently walk in the antiquated and mothy Garments of his Predecessors out of an obstinate contempt of the present Mode than to imitate the expressions of obsolete Authors which renders even Wit barbarous and looks like some affront to the present Age which expects from Writers due esteem of the tongue they speak But this objection which I have presumed to mention against Renowned Spencer though it be a Common one and the most is laid to his charge shews us that his building was rather mighty than curious and like the Pyramids of Egypt may expect to be a long Companion of times His next most remarkable Successor in the Heroick Way I suppose there are few will deny the late Sir William Davenant a merit I judge he may claim in his work of Gondibert in which there are many remote and excellent thoughts with apt and perspicuous expressions the essential dignities of the Muses whose chiefest beauties flow from the ornaments of words and delightful variety of imagination from which choice productions of nature the Muses are most desirous to adopt their Children and in no small degree are justly acknowledged to the honor of his pen Notwithstanding which his Heroick Poem of Gondibert coming into the world in a capricious time of censure perhaps did not meet with a deserved reception though the severest of his Judges I doubt not are forced to grant that there is in that work more to be praised than pardoned I wish I could affirm as much of what I have now published To compare the excellencies of these two Authors were not convenient in this place since it would be little advantage to either their works being of different natures besides it must joyn some censure to their applause or the Criticks and Censorious will not think themselves righted if their objections pass unmentioned who have somewhat broader eyes to perceive the errors and mistakes of Writers than to behold any thing which deserves their approbation The truth is the latter more obliged the language of his Country than the former who either out of affected singularity or thinking it fit to honor the Dialects of ages past seemed so much devoted to them as if he would be an example against all that should innovate words that had not an antitient tradition from our tongue Nor do I think it would easily be resolved if put to the test whether it had not more commendably spoke our diligence if our native words Dialects had been better cultivated for use than a perpetual transplanting so many from forreign soils while the state of our language seems not unlike a greedy kind of prodigality which contracts variety of debts to make a large purchase not considering he ruines in the mean time his antient Patrimony I know there are many amongst us who allow much to the improving of wit from the enlarging of our tongue as if there were a Reciprocation in both and for the same reason must judge we are alwayes on the mending hand since we are still like to continue introducing of words But when shall wit and its Refiner Language after this rate receive their ultimate perfection since as Horace sayes Si meliora dies ut vina poemata reddat Scire velim pretium Chartis quetus arroget annus But neither these eminent persons nor any other of our own Writers whose pens might doubtless have winged their Muses to their higest pitch of Heroick glory have handled this Subject or for the honor of our Nation laid the Scene at home after the example of Virgil who brought his Aeneas from Troy into Italy and there made him encounter as famous Heroes as that Story could relate though written by the immortal pen of Homer while our antient and often Revolution of State with the darkness of Story the best time for a Poet to kindle his flame gives as much happy occasion to feign and for the dignity of the Muses to render truth were it possible more considerable from fiction as is to be gather'd from any other in the World I shall onely presume to give this reason for my design in modelling this Poem which I have some cause to expect will not be less grateful since the foundation is laid with our own Materials and rais'd at home though it be a Work I could wish had been performed above my abilities The time I have pitched on is near upon the departure of the Romans out of Brittany An Age that certainly rendred this Countrey famous in Warr which cannot reasonably be doubted from their Conflicts five hundred years with so formidable an Enemy as Rome Nor less acquainted with their best Moralls which from the repute of so great an Empire gave Discipline to the World in Manners as well as Armes And could not but add much to the Civilizing of the Brittains a People they had so long been acquainted with and by them nobly sought To which purpose the famous Historian Cornclius Tacitus who Wrote in the time of Domitian speaks them to have received the Habits Manners and Letters of the Romans And though Histories are too silent of the Glorious Actions of our Predecessors yet the deep Scratches on our Countreys Face from those numerous Relicks of Camps and Fortifications at this day beheld speak enough without other Records the famous encounters of our Ancestors For this reason the Reader must be so ingenious as not to look upon my Poem as a History but rather hold himself obliged to my Muse that has provided Heroes and Princes who for ought he knowes had then a being or from a reasonable Concession might be supposed to have Their Representations likewise in point of Government in my Poem I conceive not unnatural to what was then practised in this Isle which is granted by all Historians to have had several Principalities the wisdome of whose Princes could not but unite them against their Common Enemy whensoe'r their Concerne requires it of which we have Examples in Story And whereas I have raised a Son to the most famous King Arthur in my Character of Albianus not known to our Histories I may say thus much in behalfe of my Muses Records That since so little and that darkely is discover'd to us from Story of that Heroick Prince or the certain time of his Raign it is possible the being of so glorious a Son though true may be at this day with other Monuments of him equally unknown While this Island receiving so many Alterations in State from Romans Saxons Danes and Normans who
Safety did dispose Men to submit to Governments they chose Whose Rulers soon taught them they sought in vain To curb themselves and not their power restrain Who Nation against Nation could oppose Uniting Mankind to be stronger Foes Thus Gaul and Rome this Islands Conquest sought Whom now to London their success had brought Which by their Powers this night must be opprest In the most usual hour of Humane Rest When to indulge the dayes preceding care The tender Husbands their soft Wives endear While Cynthia did her palest Visage weare As if the Queen concern'd sh 'ad shin'd in fear And for her stately City like to be The saddest Scene of Infelicity Nor in great London many eyes had slept Till Foes Assaulted such bold Guards it kept And with a Bloody entrance seiz'd each Port As none knew where 't was safest to resort Or like to Men whom hideous Dreames awake Think all at first but fancies rude mistake And in Amazement hurry here and there Till nobler Sence does overcome their Fear Then as from Sleep surprized Trojans rose Boldly to Combat their successful Foes So here the Brittains are enrag'd to Fight And soon out-doe the Stories of that Night What Heart can Judge or Tongue the rage express That they oppose against their Foes success Least all that 's dear be made Romes lustful Prey Or Gauls far more libidinous than they Sometimes their Consorts Loves inspire their Armes Or else their Virgin-Daughters beauteous Charms The Wonder of the World and Natures Race Which in their Sex this Isle does chiefly grace Then with what Armes this hasty time supplies They find the thickest of their Enemies Where some on naked Breasts their Darts receive Others want Arms that wound for wound might give Yet still their num'rous Powers so assail As Fortune fears this Vertue may prevail While boldest Troops of Romans now retire And Gauls had well-nigh spent their onset Fire But as the Sea that rallies Wave on Wave Till through some noble Fence its Billows rave And then insults upon some glorious Plain Next made the Conquest of the dreadful Main Thus are the Brittains overwhelm'd with power In this so boyst'rous and surprizing houre While now of Fortune all they seem'd to crave Is that their Armes their beaut'ous Queen may save To whose reliefe the worthi'st lead the rest Before her Guards by num'rous Foes opprest Which to effect convenient stations take Resolv'd their Bodies shall her Bulwarks make Highly did Ennius his fierce Powers Conjure To make their furious On-sets more secure Letting them know how they 'l oblige Great Rome To see this City and her Queen o'rcome While with his Gaules Alvatrix does Conspire To act Hostilities by Rage and Fire Hoping these terrors will Bonduca shake Or else by force her long'd enjoyment take What hearts bùt Brittains thus assail'd by Foes Could them and such extremities oppose Who scorn'd all these their Valour should defeat Daring in ' midst of Flames their Foes to meet And in the dismal Ruines of this Flame Speaks antient hate of Gauls to Brittains Name Whose more Heroick Manners did deride The Formes and Dress of their Effeminate Pride And now the Queen from her Pavilion rose Allarum'd by these dreadful Acts of Foes And with a deep Concern does hear the Cries Of her lamented Subjects miseries Like some distrustful Shepheard that does view A Troop of Wolves his harmless Flock pursue And their distressed Lives cannot relieve Except some more than Mortal aid it give To Heaven her Prayers devoutly does address Imploring Stars to frown on their success Hoping they hold no Councel to destroy This City Peopled from Renowned Troy But if it must like that to Ashes turne Then She does beg it may be made her Urn And not in her the Blood of Brute inthral To guild the Triumphs of proud Rome or Gaul And next reflects on Natures fonder care VVhich made her thus Illustrious Great and Fair VVishing She saw with far less beaming eyes Than did Alvatrix fatally surprise Or that her Cheeks did in pale furrows lie VVhich stain'd the Glories of the Evening-Skie Least this great City more unhappy be From the bright Charmes of her Sov'raignity Thus she laments and what is her despair Since now to live is made her saddest fear Discerning well Alvatrix raging will Nor knows she how far Ennius may act ill VVho covertly Bonduca did decree The Prize and Garland of his Victory But from Alvatrix artfully does hide The mock he means to all his rage and pride And thus cajoles him Thou Great Prince of Gauls Yet more than Monarch since Romes power thee calls Her honour'd Armes associate to subdue Brittain with her and more Bonduca too Whose tender heart will force her to resign All that thy burning wishes can design If but now challeng'd while our Armes we see Thus ready to compleat bold Victory Though it must lessen Cleopatra's fame While Rome dates triumph from this Womans Name Whose beauties had but great Augustus seen His mighty Soul had with thee Captive been To which Alvatrix eagerly consents In hopes to Crown his furious Loves Intents Like some fierce Beast that does his Rage allay With expectation of his long'd-for Prey And thus a Summons to Bonduca speed That now was mounted on her graceful Steed And with her Glorious Presence vigor Charmes Into her fainting Brittains Hearts and Armes VVho from her Eyes no Mournful drops must see That but now stream'd for their Calamity Like beaming Morn that had dispell'd Nights tears Her injur'd brightness with more lustre wears Then a bold Herauld from great Ennius comes VVhose dreadful Badge declar'd him to be Romes And to the Queens bright Presence had access VVho in these tearms his Message does express Great Queen of Brittain Know that I am come To bid thee yield unto the Power of Rome Least this Fam'd City by a Raging Flame Consume to Ashes with thy ruin'd Name VVhile Pity makes Great Ennius so far thine As he could wish he might his Armes decline And by a gentle Truce soon make thee know Thou yield'st to Conquer such a Mighty Foe VVho does that value for thy Vertue own That his success he 'd with Loves Triumph Crown This he delivers while a brave disdain Adds to Bonduca's Cheeks a Noble stain As Virgin-Honor kindles at the Name Of some unwelcome and inglorious Flame And to this bold Demand makes this return Rather let me and this Lov'd-City burn And like another Carthage fall to dust If by Romes Power Heaven has decreed it must Than e'r Bonduca so degenerate prove As fear shall fright her Soul to welcome Love If that the Consul covertly intends Or fierce Alvatrix with his rage contends But whensoe'r my Nuptials I bestow I 'l not Court Rome to take a Husband-foe Or by that tye unite my self to Gaul VVhose antient hate would Brittain more inthral What though this fury does assault me now Yet your great Master may have more to do VVhile Arthur's Son and
Vortiger remain VVhose Armes unconquer'd Brittain will maintain And thus this Herauld back again is sent From whom first Ennius sounds the Queens intent And then unto Alvatrix loud does Cry This VVoman's worth our Arms and Victory That has a Soul which Fortune dares Contemn And in a Brittain does a Roman seem Admire thou then the wonders of her Face I 'l give her worth within my Heart a place But e'r we Cool let us again fall on That Rome may triumph for this City won And fair Bonduca which will add to fame A Story lasting as our Caesars Name This Speech Alvatrix highly did inflame To finish Conquest and his Loves bold Claime VVhose Soul each word Bonduca nam'd had fir'd Not deeming Love the Consuls heart Inspir'd VVith its soft Passion whil'st they now renew Their fierce assaults this City to subdue And angry fortune had their way far wrought Where Brittains for their Queen ev'n hopeless fought VVho with a deep Concern had soon beheld How Rage and Blood her Subjects Arms compell'd VVhile she her presence guides where Darts most fly In hope some one will swiftly bid her dye Though asking Heav'n Pardon if now she dares Above her blushing Sexes gentle fears That else she apprehends may stubborn prove And yield her up a Prey to hated Love But Providence that swayes the course of things Unlook'd-for-succour to Bonduca brings Which Vortiger and Albianus speed By bold Favonius at this fatal Need Swift as Numidian Horse these Troops had run To aid the Queen and London almost won And with their bloody toyls had forc'd a way VVhere Gauls and Romans heap'd in dust now lay Recruiting thus her Citties drooping force Like to some Bay that stayes the Ocean's course VVhile Waves against it with vain fury beat And as they rage their swelling power defeat Mean while Favonius to the Queen appeares VVho like a Dewy Flower had bath'd in tears Letting her know the Princes soon will come VVith potent force to fight the Powers of Rome VVhom she then graces with her Royal hand Granting her safety does obliged stand To his great Conduct that could thus relieve Her fainting Arms and City succors give VVho since Martianus was inforc'd to fly Despair'd that Armes could check Romes Victory That with such rage against her did conspire As London soon had made but one great Fire And for the Princes gently does express She can't but fear their vertues great excess May henceforth claime a gratitude so high That but in will she must ingrateful dye The End of the Second Canto The Third Canto ANd now this Night that frown'd too long on day Morning-beams usher the Suns bright way VVho blush'd to see how bold her houres had been T' afflict so fair and virtuous a Queen But more than grievous did appear this Night Unto the Princes that her Cause must Fight VVho thought each minute of their March too slow As if that time had onely loyter'd now And thus with fam'd Celerity they drew Their Arms where London's Towers salute their view Plac'd full of eyes that greedily descry This welcome Terror to the Enemy Nor did e'r City with more Merit Claime Eternal Records from the Tongue of Fame Than this which had unshaken stood extreams Of Romes and Gauls conspiring force and flames VVhich speaks the brave Allegeance of those times Unpractic'd in our late Rebellious Crimes VVhile Power nor Faction could Division sow But gladly Brittains fight their Countreys Foe And thus resolv'd the Princes Powers Campaign VVhere London did denominate a Plain That bore the marks of dreadful Battels fought Since first proud Rome this Isles great Conquest sought Here under heaps of Earth did Heroes lie The braver Foes or Friends of Brittany VVhose memories want now Records from Fame To shew Death can obscure the greatest Name And tells how vainly Humane Powers contend That can inherit nothing but their end Proving Deaths Scepter juster than our life Since it divided Mortals keeps from strife Nor did the Earths vast surface ever bear VVorthies like these or Pow'rs more fam'd in VVar VVhose shining fronts the generous Brittains fill'd Captain'd by Nobles in VVars Conduct skill'd By these embody'd burnisht Chariots stand VVith dext'rous Guides who their swift force Command And as these glorious Chiefs do each array Phoebus thinks his less bright that rules the day Then thus to Vortiger Albianus speaks Before our Battel further progress makes Let 's well the Conduct of our Armes Consult And next proceed to act its brave Result To whom replies Couragious Vortiger Since we Great Prince must for Bonduca VVar 'T were sin to spend a minute more in words But what may add a vigour to our Swords Then on a rising place the Princes stand Inviron'd by the Chiefs of their Command Attentive leaning each upon his Spear VVhich shews how great those Antient Counsels were With these the Princes severally debate How best their Armes may serve the Brittain-State And what 's more dear th' afflicted Queen supply At once with wish'd relief and victory But as they thus Consult the Aire they view Obscur'd with Clouds of Dust which mounted shew Like Lybia's Sands windes toss unto the sky Or as there moving Armies Men descry When their fierce motions raise the fleeting Mold And day seemes ended e'r they night behold Thus here through Clouds of Smoake does break the sound Of moving Armes which ecchoe from the ground Their mighty hast Nor do the Princes know Whether this swift approach did speak a Foe Until their trusty Scouts did them declare Brittains that did with Martianus War Who to the Princes moves before the rest Though now his Visage scarce himself exprest His aged face and hairs disguis'd with blood Whose Valour had so bravely Foes withstood That fame for ever must his worth display Surviving with this glory a Lost-day No sooner he salutes the Princes fights But each with him streight from his Steed alights And with their hasty steps embraces give Rejoyc'd to see him unexpected live To whom with due obeysance he replies Fam'd Princes What are now our destimes Since froward fate does thus our Armes oppose To gratifie our proud insulting Foes Happy had I been if by Roman power I 'd dy'd in my youths warmest heat and flower When under your great Fathers first I knew To weild bright Arms and Wars great Deeds pursue Then in my age the Mock of Ennius be Whom I in Kent besieg'd successfully Or What 's more grievous see Alvatrix boast His fencing Gauls o'recame a Brittish Hoast Though while I these did for Bonduca War Hop'd with my Conduct a propitious Star And not her Banners thus successless lead Beholding Romes before her City spread But e'r they yet shall perfect their success Admit this utmost duty I 'l express First to attempt her Aid through all extreames Or dye her Sacrifice in London's Flames This having said with a Pathetick Grace A stream of Tears falls down his Aged Face Who but in
Frame in pollish'd stone is wrought As Parian work might hence have Copies sought Whose Bottom shin'd as clear as Mirrors doe Circled with Pillars bright reflections show And through each space stood noblest creatures carv'd Some think the same that Noahs Ark preserv'd Nor were its Mediums less for beauty prais'd VVhile in such order each Ascent is rais'd As best skill'd Architects must hence admire Those hands that could so happily conspire The Royal Cov'ring which this Frame did bear Is story'd by the artful Painters care Where antient Heroes in vast Figures lie VVith Atlas said t' uphold the falling Sky Hence they behold Great Londons vast Contents The Seat of Natures choice Emoluments VVhich wise Antiquity had planted here That times succeeding might renown their care And hence they view the silver Flood of Thames Brighter than Zanthus or fam'd Symois streams In which the Gods their limbs were said to save And visit Thetis in a chrystal wave To Neptunes bosome thus it gently glides Returning thence inricht with pregnant Tides By secret sympathy or Cinthia's power That streams can swell without the help of shower While stately Vessels swift as winds here steer Some fraught with Traffique others built for Warr As if that Age heroickly foresaw This supreme Isle should to the main give law And hence they wond'rous Aqueducts survey That this Great City useful streams convey While works in water Engins raise so high As if they 'd Meteors place above the Sky And now as Rome would add a glory too Or Gauls repent their crimes in being a Foe Their Legats from Martianus convoy'd come Who of these Princes crave a Peace from Rome This Embassy a Gaul of subtile brain Does manage that deceit could wilely feign Who knew the Brittish hearts too great to be Suspecters ev'n in Foes of treachery And to this glorious presence has access Cloath'd in the soft Attyres of Gallick dress Whose Vests as various forms and colours show As if they pattern'd from Thaumantius Bow On this a Perriwig more long he wears Than the dishevel'd locks of Virgins hairs And thus with suppliant knees and fawning face The mode of Gaul his Errand hopes to grace Then first relates how Rome and Gaul conspire To make a lasting Peace their joynt desire Since they behold what wonders Heaven had wrought For Brittish Powers while theirs opposing fought And next does magnifie the Princes Arms Whose valour gives their Foes such pow'rful charms That their great Chiefs submit to sue for Peace And call the Brittains friend if Arms they 'l cease Though Rome with succours soon can them supply Or Great Alvatrix from his Gauls more nigh Whose Arms did but neglect of Love pursue Yet to the Queen that guilt repenteth too By me pronouncing how his soul relents His late Hostilities and dire Intents In which her City more her self did share His Love and Arms made guilty of her fear For which if I with offer'd Peace return He 'll soon to Gaul retire this crime to mourn Nor does Great Ennius design to be With you fam'd Princes hence at enmity Who by your virtues more than Arms o'rcome Would make you ally'd friends of Mighty Rome Leaving your Country and this Beauteous Queen To give her love as best to Heaven is seen This said the Princes serious councel take How safe Replies this Embassy to make Who though they Gallick Arts and Romes distrust Conclude in faith these dare not be unjust Since thus reduc'd by a victor'ous Fate But this so high concern of Arms and State These Hero's joyntly to the Queen referre Whose Cause they own the glory of this warre While she though willing to embrace a Theme In which their warlike deeds such merits claim Yet gently wishes they 'd her tongue now spare Too soft to accent the rough Laws of warre And thus her ruby lips contain a space Each look first speaking Majesty and Grace As if like Stats they could her sense convey Through the bright insluence of a beam or ray Then to this Embassy in brief replies What with these Royal Princes she decreas Whose valours have oblig'd her cause so far That for their sakes 't were sin to wish more war If as he sayes Great Ennius does repent And more Alvatrix does his rage relent Which threatn'd ev'n her City and her Name With Fire and Arms and more unwelcome Flame Yet thus incens'd her vote shall mercy show To this Legation of a cruel Foe On whom their Arms might utmost vengeance take Who beat in field their Camp a refuge make But if that Rome and Gaul no more will be To Britains or their Country Enemy She 'll with the Princes grant they Truce obtain On Faith giv'n ne'r t' invade this Isle again To which this Legat guilefully consents Vowing his Masters peaceful fair intents By all the Gods that Rome and Gaul revere Prophaning Faith at once and Heav'ns just Ear. Then to Martianus these great Chiefs express That he with Rome and Gaul his Arms should cease If on their plighted faith this Isle they leave In forty dayes till when a Truce must have With feign'd Congratulations then departs This cringing Legat full of Gauls smooth Arts The Mimicks in whom Nature forms deceit And whence the world does pattern modes to cheat Which as an impious President foreshows That Gauls would still be Britains faithless Foes Who by feign'd Treaties more our Arms deceiv'd Than e'r their Swords by victory repriev'd And now the Queen descends this stately Throne Their joyes with all magnificence to own In Court and City while they first express Their Thanks to heav'n for their fam'd Arms success The End of the First Book THE Brittish Princes AN Heroick Poem BOOK II. The First Canto THe Gen'rous Victor to renown his Bayes Devotes to Peace some glory of his dayes Pleas'd that his Armes her gentle Thrones restore Fit to partake the case of mighty Power Though oft great Monarchs artful Treaties make Which by vile stratagems of Faith they break And by perfidious leasure respite warre More Engins of destruct'on to prepare While these Great Brittish Princes having rais'd Trophies of war Fame through the world had blaz'd No less Heroick grant their Foes a Peace The Noble End just Arms must guide and cease Nor did these Hero's Roman Arts distrust Or Gauls in faith reputed more unjust Since from their conqu'ring mercy Truce they gain Less imp'ous held than plighted faith to feign Or tempt their Arms a Conquest to pursue And heav'n oblige to joyn in vengeance too From whence the great devoutly wise must own All high atchievments of the Sword or Throne That Power by Sacred Tyes may Mankind awe Too rough alone to guide with humane Law Thus from the world Heav'ens legislative book Of Providence Domin'on Copies took Lest Chance or Guilt entitle Scepters here And like tam'd Beasts Men without conscience fear Whence first industr'ous Rulers vulgars taught How Order Heav'ns Great Works divinely wrought While Power then