Life-bloud of the People ever fear a Consumption But be Law-makers as able as Nature or Experience which is the best Art can make them yet though I will not yield the Wicked to be wiser than the Virtuous I may say offences are too hard for the Laws as some Beasts are too wily for their Hunters and that Vice over-grows Virtue as much as Weeds grow faster than Medicinable Herbs or rather that Sin like the fruitfull slime of Nilus doth increase into so many various shapes of Serpents whose walks and retreats are winding and unknown that even Justice the painfull pursuer of Mischief is become wearie and amaz'd After these meditations me thinks Government resembles a Ship where though Divines Leaders of Armies States-men and Judges are the trusted Pilots yet it moves by the means of winds as uncertain as the breath of Opinion and is laden with the People a Fraight much loosser and more dangerous than any other living Stowage being as troublesom in fair weather as Horses in a Storm And how can these Pilots stedily maintain their course to the Land of Peace and Plentie since they are often divided at the Helm For Divines when they consider great Chiefs suppose Armies to be sent from God for a temporarie Plague not for continual Jurisdiction and that Gods extream punishments of which Armies be the most violent are ordain'd to have no more lastingness than extreams in Nature They think when they consider States-men Policie hath nothing of the Dove and being all Serpent is more dangerous than the dangers it pretends to prevent and that out-witting by falshood and corruption adverse States or the People though the People be often the greater enemie and more perilsom being nearest is but giving reputation to Sin and that to maintain the Publick by politick evils is a base prostitution of Religion and the prostitution of Religion is that unpardonable whordom which so much anger'd the Prophets They think Law nothing but the Bible forcibly usurp'd by covetous Lawyers and disguis'd in a Paraphrase more obscure than the Text and that 't is onely want of just reverence to Religion which doth expose us to the charges and vexations of Law The Leaders of Armies accuse Divines for unwisely raising the War of the World by opposite Doctrine and for being more indiscreet in thinking to appease it by perswasion forgetting that the dispatchfull ending of War is blows and that the natural region for Disputes when Nations are engag'd though by Religion is the Field of Battel not Schools and Academies which they believe by their restless controversies less civil than Camps as intestine Quarrel is held more barbarous than forreign War They think States-men to them unless dignifi'd with militarie Office but mean Spies that like African Foxes who attend on Lions ranging before and about for their valiant prey shrink back till the danger be subdu'd and then with insatiate hunger come in for a share Yet sometimes with the Eye of Envie which enlarges objects like a multiplying glass they behold these States-men and think them immense as Whales the motion of whose vast bodies can in a peacefull calm trouble the Ocean till it boyl After a little hastie wonder they consider them again with disdain of their low constraints at Court where they must patiently endure the little follies of such small Favourites as wait even near the wisest Thrones so fantastically weak seem Monarchs in the sickness of Care a feaver in the head when for the humorous pleasure of Diversitie they descenâ— from purple Beds and seek their ease upon the ground These great Leaders say also that Law moves slowly as with fetter'd feet and is too tedious in redress of wrongs whilst in Armies Justice seems to ride post and overtakes Offenders ere the contagion of crimes can infect others and though in Courts and Cities great men fence often with her and with a forcive sleight put by her sword yet when she retires to Camps she is in a posture not onely to punish the offences of particular Greatness but of injurious Nations States-men look on Divines as men whose long solitude and Meditations on Heaven hath made them Strangers upon Earth and 't is acquaintance with the World and knowledge of Man that makes abilities of Ruling for though it may be said that a sufficient belief of Doctrine would beget Obedience which is the uttermost design of Governing yet since diversitie of Doctrine doth distract all Auditors and makes them doubtfully dispose their obedience even towards spiritual powers on which many would have the temporal depend therefore States-men think themselves more fit to manage Empire than Divines whose usefulness consists in perswasion and perswasion is the last medicine being the most desperate which States-men apply to the distemper of the People for their distemper is madness and madness is best cur'd with terrour and force They think that Leaders of Armies are to great Empire as great Rivers to the continent which make an easie access of such benefits as the Metropolis the seat of Power would else at vast distances with difficultie reach yet often like proud Rivers when they swell they destroy more by once overflowing their borders at home than they have in long time acquir'd from abroad They are to little Empire like the Sea to low Islands by nature a defence from Forreigners but by accident when they rage a deluge to their own shore And at all seasons States-men believe them more dangerous to Government than themselves for the popularitie of States-men is not so frequent as that of Generals or if by rare sufficiencie of Art it be gain'd yet the force of crowds in Cities compar'd to the validitie of men of Arms and discipline would appear like a great number of Sheep to a few Wolves rather a cause of Comfort than of Terrour They think that chief Ministers of Law by unskilfull integritie or love of popularity which shews the Mind as meanly born as bred so earnestly pursue the protection of the Peoples right that they neglect publick Interest though the Peoples right and publick Interest be the same yet usually by the People the Ministers of Law mean private men and by the other the State and so the State and the People are divided as we may say a man is divided within himself when Reason and passion and Passion is folly dispute about consequent actions and if we were call'd to assist at such intestine War we must side with Reason according to our dutie by the Law of Nature and Natures Law though not written in Stone as was the Law of Religion hath taken deep impression in the Heart of Man which is harder than marble of Mount-Sinai Chief Ministers of Law think Divines in government should like the Penal Statutes be choicely and but seldom us'd for as those Statutes are rigorously inquisitive after venial faults punishing our very manners and weak constitution as well as insolent appetite so Divines that
hope joy and other Passions for we may descend to compare the deceptions in Poesie to those of them that profess dexteritie of Hand which resembles Conjuring and to such we come not with the intention of Lawyers to examine the evidence of Facts but are content if we like the carriage of their feigned motion to pay for being well deceiv'd As in the choise of time so of place I have comply'd with the weakness of the generalitie of men who think the best objects of their own countrey so little to the size of those abroad as if they were shew'd them by the wrong end of a Prospective For man continuing the appetites of his first Childhood till he arrive at his second which is more froward must be quieted with something that he thinks excellent which he may call his own but when he sees the like in other places not staying to compare them wrangles at all he has This leads us to observe the craftiness of the Comicks who are onely willing when they describe humour and humour is the drunkness of a Nation which no sleep can cure to lay the Scaene in their own countrey as knowing we are like the Son of Noah so little distasted to behold each others shame that we delight to see even that of a Father yet when they would set forth greatness and excellent virtue which is the Theme of Tragedie publickly to the people they wisely to avoid the quarrels of neighbourly envie remove the Scaene from home And by their example I travell'd too and Italie which was once the Stage of the World I have made the Theatre where I shew in either Sex some patterns of humane life that are perhaps fit to be follow'd Having told you why I took the actions that should be my Argument from men of our own Religion and given you reasons for the choyce of the time and place design'd for those actions I must next acquaint you with the Schools where they were bred not meaning the Schools where they took their Religion but Moralitie for I know Religion is universally rather inherited than taught and the most effectual Schools of Moralitie are Courts and Camps Yet towards the first the people are unquiet through envie and towards the other through fear and always jealous of both for Injustice which is the natural scandal cast upon authoritie and great force They look upon the outward glory or blaze of Courts as wild Beasts in dark nights stare on their Hunters Torches but though the expences of Courts whereby they shine is that consuming glory in which the people think their libertie is wasted for wealth is their libertie and lov'd by them even to jealousie being themselves a courser sort of Princes apter to take than to pay yet Courts I mean all abstracts of the multitude either by King or Assemblies are not the Schools where men are bred to oppression but the Temples where sometimes Oppressours take sanctuarie a safetie which our reason must allow them For the ancient laws of Sanctuarie derived from God provided chiefly for actions that proceeded from necessitie and who can imagine less than a necessitie of oppressing the people since they are never willing either to buy their Peace or to pay for War Nor are Camps the Schools of wicked Destroyers more than the Inns of Court being the Nurserie of Judges are the Schools of Murderers for as Judges are avengers of private men against private Robbers so are Armies the avengers of the Publick against publick Invaders either civil or forreign and Invaders are Robbers though more in countenance than those of the High way because of their number Nor is there other difference between Armies when they move towards Sieges or Battel and Judges moving in their Circuit during the danger of extraordinarie malefactors with the guards of the Countie but that the latter is a less Army and of less Discipline If any man can yet doubt of the necessarie use of Armies let him studie that which was anciently call'd a Monster the Multitude for Wolves are commonly harmless when they are met alone but very uncivil in Herds and he will not find that all his kindred by Adam are so tame and gentle as those Lovers that were bred in Arcadia or to reform his opinion let him ask why during the utmost age of Historie Cities have been at the charge of defensive Walls and why Fortification hath been practic'd so long till it is grown an Art I may now believe I have usefully taken from Courts and Camps the patterns of such as will be fit to be imitated by the most necessary men and the most necessary men are those who become principal by prerogative of bloud which is seldom unassisted with education or by greatness of mind which in exact definition is Virtue The common Crowd of whom we are hopeless we desert being rather to be corrected by laws where precept is accompanied with punishment than to be taught by Poesie for few have arriv'd at the skill of Orpheus or at his good fortune whom we may suppose to have met with extraordinarie Grecian Beasts when so succesfully he reclaim'd them with his Harp Nor is it needfull that Heroick Poesie should be levell'd to the reach of Common men for if the examples it presents prevail upon their Chiefs the delight of Imitation which we hope we have prov'd to be as effectual to good as to evil will rectifie by the rules which those Chiefs establish of their own lives the lives of all that behold them for the example of life doth as much surpass the force of Precept as Life doth exceed Death In the choice of these Objects which are as Sea-marks to direct the dangerous voyage of life I thought fit to follow the rule of Coasting Maps where the Shelves and Rocks are describ'd as well as the safe Channel the care being equal how to avoid as to proceed and the Characters of men whose passions are to be eschew'd I have deriv'd from the distempers of Love or Ambition for Love and Ambition are too often the raging Feavers of great minds Yet Ambition if the vulgar acception of the word were corrected would signifie no more than an extraordinary lifting of the feet in the rough ways of Honour over the impediments of Fortune and hath a warmth till it be chaf'd into a Fever which is necessary for every virtuous breast for good men are guiltie of too little appetite to greatness and it either proceeds from that they call contentedness but contentedness when examin'd doth mean something of Lasiness as well as Moderation or from some melancholy precept of the Cloyster where they would make life for which the world was onely made more unpleasant than Death as if Nature the Vicegerent of God who in providing delightfull varieties which virtuous greatness can best possess or assure peaceably to others implicitly commanded the use of them should in the necessaries of life life being her chief business though
like the knacks or toys of ordinarie Epigrammatists and from thence after more conversation and varietie of objects grow up to some force of Fancie Yet even then like young Hawks they stray and flie far off using their libertie as if they would nere return to the Lure and often go at check ere they can make a stedie view and know their game Old men that have forgot their first Childhood and are returning to their second think it lies in agnominations and in a kind of an alike tinkling of words or else in a grave telling of wonderfull things or in comparing of times without a discover'd partialitie which they perform so ill by favouring the past that as 't is observ'd if the bodies of men should grow less though but an unmeasurable proportion in Seven years yet reckoning from the Floud they would not remain in the Stature of Frogs So if States and particular persons had impair'd in government and increas'd in wickedness proportionably to what Old men affirm they have done from their own infancie to their age all publick Policie had been long since Confusion and the congregated World would not suffice now to people a Village The last thing they suppose to be Wit is their bitter Morals when they almost declare themselves Enemies to Youth Beautie by which severitie they seem cruel as Herod when he surpris'd the sleeping Children of Bethlem for Youth is so far from wanting Enemies that it is mortally its own so unpractis'd that it is everywhere cosen'd more than a stranger among Jews hath an infirmitie of sight more hurtfull than Blindness to Blind men for though it cannot chuse the way it scorns to be led And Beautie though many call themselves her Friends hath few but such as are false to her Though the World sets her in a Throne yet all about her even her gravest Counsellors are Traytors though not in conspiracie yet in their distinct designs and to make her certain not onely of distress but ruin she is ever pursu'd by her most cruel enemie the great Destroyer Time But I will proceed no farther upon old men nor in recording mistakes lest finding so many more than there be Verities we might believe we walk in as great obscurity as the Egyptians when Darkness was their Plague Nor will I presume to call the matter of which the Ornaments or Substantial parts of this Poem-are compos'd Wit but onely tell you my endeavour was in bringing Truth too often absent home to mens bosoms to lead her through unfrequented and new ways and from the most remote Shades by representing Nature though not in an affected yet in an usual dress 'T is now fit after I have given you so long a survay of the Building to render you some accompt of the Builder that you may know by what time pains and assistants I have proceeded or may hereafter finish my work and in this I shall take occasion to accuse and condemn as papers unworthy of light all those hastie digestions of thought which were published in my Youth a sentence not pronounc'd out of melancholly rigour but from a cheerfull obedience to the just authoritie of experience For that grave Mistress of the World Experience in whose profitable School those before the Floud stay'd long but we like wanton children come thither late yet too soon are call'd out of it and fetch'd home by Death hath taught me that the engenderings of unripe age become abortive and deform'd and that after obtaining more years those must needs prophesie with ill success who make use of their Visions in Wine That when the ancient Poets were valu'd as Prophets they were long and painfull in watching the correspondence of Causes ere they presum'd to foretel effects and that 't is a high pesumption to entertain a Nation who are Poets standing Guest and require Monarchical respect with hastie provisions as if a Poet might imitate a familiar dispatch of Faulkoners mount his Pegasus unhood his Muse and with a few flights boast he hath provided a feast for a Prince Such posting upon Pegasus I have long since forborn and during my Journey in this Work have mov'd with a slow pace that I might make my survays as one that travelled not bring home the names but the proportion and nature of things and in this I am made wise by two great examples for the friends of Virgil acknoledge he was many years in doing honour to Aeneas still contracting at night into a closer force the abundance of his morning strengths and Statius rather seems to boast than blush when he confesses he was twice Seven in renowning the War between Argos and Thebes Next to the usefulness of Time which here implies ripe age I believ'd pains most requisite to this undertaking for though painfulness in Poets according to the usual negligence of our Nation in Examining and their diligence to censure seems always to discover a want of natural force and is traduc'd as if Poesie concern'd the World no more than Dancing whose onely grace is the quickness and facilitie of motion and whole perfection is not of such publick consequence that any man can merit much by attaining it with long labour yet let them consider and they will find nor can I stay long ere I convince them in the important use of Poesie the natural force of a Poet more apparent by but confessing that great forces ask great labour in managing than by an arrogant braving the World when he enters the field with his undisciplin'd first thoughts For a wise Poet like a wise General will not shew his strengths till they are in exact government and order which are not the postures of chance but proceed from Vigilance and Labour Yet to such painfull Poets some upbraid the want of extemporary fury or rather inspiration a dangerous word which many have of late successfully us'd and inspiration is a spiritual Fit deriv'd from the ancient Ethnick Poets who then as they were Priests were States-men too and probably lov'd dominion and as their well dissembling of Inspiration begot them reverence then equal to that which was paid to Laws so these who now profess the same fury may perhaps by such authentick example pretend authoritie over the people It being not unreasonable to imagine they rather imitate the Greek Poets than the Hebrew Prophets since the later were inspir'd for the use of others and these like the former prophesie for themselves But though the ancient Poets are excus'd as knowing the weak constitution of those Deities from whom they took their Priesthood and the frequent necessitie of dissembling for the ease of Government yet these who also from the chief to the meanest are States-men and Priests but have not the luck to be Poets should not assume such saucie familiaritie with a true God From the time and labour requir'd to my Poem let me proceed to my Assistants by which I shall not so much attest my own weakness as
whilst yet their Tyrant is unmade 61. And Man the Painter now presents to view Haughtie without and busie still within Whom when his Furr'd and Horned Subjects knew Their sport is ended and there fears begin 62. But here to cure this Tyrant's sullenness The Painter has a new false Curtain drawn Where Beauty 's hid Creation to express From thence harmless as light he makes it dawn 63. From thence breaks lovely forth the Worlds first Maid Her Breast Love's Cradle where Love quiet lies Nought yet had seen so soul to grow afraid Nor gay to make it crie with longing Eyes 64. And thence from stupid sleep her Monarch steals She wonders till so vain his wonder grows That it his feeble sov'reigntie reveals Her Beautie then his Manhood does depose 65. Deep into shades the Painter leads them now To hide their future deeds then storms does raise Ore Heav'n's smooth face because their life does grow Too black a storie for the House of Praise 66. A noble painted Vision next appears Where all Heav'ns Frowns in distant prospect waste And nought remains but a short showre of Tears Shed by its pitie for Revenges past 67. The Worlds one Ship from th old to a new World bound Fraighted with Life chief of uncertain Trades After Five Moons at driâ—t lies now aground Where her frail Stowage she in haste unlades 68. On Persian Caucasus the Eight descend And seem their trivial essence to deplore Griev'd to begin this World in th' others end And to behold wrack'd Nations on the Shore 69. Each humbled thus his Beasts led from aboard As fellow-Passengers and Heirs to breath Joynt Tenants to the VVorld he not their Lord Such likeness have we in the Glass of Death 70. Yet this humilitie begets their joy And taught that Heav'n which fully sin survays VVas partial where it did not quite destroy So made the whole VVorld's Dirge their song of praise 71. This first redemption to another led Kinder in deeds and nobler in effects That but a few did respit from the Dead This all the Dead from second Death protects 72. And know lost Nature this resemblance was Thy frank Redeemer in ascension shown VVhen Hell he conquer'd in thy desp'rate cause Hell which before Man's common Grave was grown 73. By an Imperial Pencil this was wrought Ronnded in all the Curious would behold VVhere life Came out and Met the Painters thought The Force was tender though the strokes were bold 74. The holy Mourners who this Lord of Life Ascending saw did seem with him to rise So well the Painter drew their Passions strife To follow him with Bodies as with Eyes 75. This was the chief which in this Temple did By Pencils Rhethorick to praise perswade Yet to the living here compar'd seems hid VVho shine all painted Glory into shade 76. Lord Astragon a Purple Mantle wore Where Nature's storie was in Colours wrought And though her ancient Text seem'd dark before 'T is in this pleasant Comment clearly taught 77. Such various Flowrie Wreaths th' Assembly wear As shew'd them wisely proud of Natures pride Which so adorn'd them that the courâ—est here Did seem a prosp'rous Bride-groom or a Bride 78. All shew'd as fresh and â—all and innocent As Virgins to their Lovers first survay Joy'd as the Spring when March his sighs has spent And April's sweet rash Tears are dry'd by May. 79. And this confed'rate joy so swell'd each Breast That joy would turn to pain without a vent Therefore their voices Heav'n's renown exprest Though Tongues ne'r reach what minds so nobly ment 80. Yet Musick here shew'd all her Art 's high worth Whilst Virgin-Trebbles â—eem'd with bashfull grace To call the bolder marry'd Tenor forth Whose Manly voice challeng'd the Giant Base 81. To these the swift soft Instruments reply Whisp'ring for help to those whom winds inspire Whose louder Notes to Neighb'ring Forrests flie And summon Nature's Voluntarie Quire 82. These Astragon by secret skill had taught To help as if in artfull Consort bred Who sung as if by chance on him they thought Whose care their careless merry Fathers Fed. 83. Hither with borrow'd strength Duke Gondibert Was brought which now his rip'ning wounds allow And high Heav'ns praise in musick of the heart He inward sings to pay a Victor's vow 84. Praise is devotion fit for mightie Minds The diff'ring World's agreeing Sacrifice VVhere Heav'n divided Faiths united finds But Pray'r in various discord upward flies 85. For Pray'r the Ocean is where diversly Men steer their Course each to a sev'ral Coast VVhere all our int'rests so discordant be That half beg winds by which the rest are lost 86. By Penitence when we our selves forsake 'T is but in wise design on pitious Heav'n In Praise we nobly give what God may take And are without a Beggers blush forgiv'n 87. It s utmost force like Powder 's is unknown And though weak Kings excess of Praise may fear Yet when 't is here like Powder dang'rous grown Heav'ns Vault receives what would the Palace tear CANTO the Seventh The ARGUMENT The Duke 's wish'd health in doubtfull wounds assur'd Who gets new wounds before the old are cur'd Nature in BIRTHA Art's weak help derides Which strives to mend what it at best but hides Shews Nature's courser works so hid more course As Sin conceal'd and unconâ—esâ—'d grows worse 1. LEt none our Lombard Authour rudely blame Who from the Story has thus long digrest But for his righteous pains may his fair Fame For ever travel whilst his ashes rest 2. Ill could he leave Art's Shop of Nature's Store Where she the hidden Soul would make more known Though common Faith seeks Souls which is no more Than long Opinion to Religion grown 3. A while then let this sage Historian stay With Astragon till he new wounds reveals And such though now the old are worn away As Balm nor juice of Pyrâ—l never heals 4. To Astragon Heav'n for succession gave One onely Pledge and Birtha was her name Whose Mother slept where Flowers grew on her Grave And she succeeded her in Face and Fame 5. Her beauty Princes durst not hope to use Unless like Poets for their Morning Theam And her Minds beauty they would rather chuse Which did the light in Beautie 's Lanthorn seem 6. She ne'r saw Courts yet Courts could have undone With untaught looks and an unpractis'd heart Her Nets the most prepar'd could never shun For Nature spred them in the scorn of Art 7. She never had in busie Cities bin Ne'r warm'd with hopes nor ere allay'd with fears Not seeing punishment could guess no Sin And Sin not seeing ne'r had use of tears 8. But here her Father's precepts gave her skill Which with incessant bus'ness fill'd the Hours In spring she gather'd Blossoms for the Still In Autumn Berries and in Summer Flow'rs 9. And as kind Nature with calm diligence Her own free virtue silently employs Whilst she unheard does rip'ning growth dispence So were her virtues
Since love woo'd him and in the shape of Pow'r 78. But when he mark'd that he did from them move With sudden shyness he suppos'd it shame Of being seen in chase of Birtha's love As if above it grown since Orgo came 79. Goltho by nature was of Musick made Chearfull as Victors warm in their success He seem'd like Birds created to be glad And nought but love could make him taste distress 80. Hope which our cautious Age scarce entertains Or as a Flatt'rer gives her cold respect He runs to meet invites her and complains Of one hours absence as a years neglect 81. Hope the world 's welcome and his standing Guest Fed by the Rich but feasted by the Poor Hope that did come in triumph to his breast He thus presents in boast to Ulfinore 82. Well may I Friend auspicious Love adore Seeing my mighty Rival takes no pride To be with Birtha seen and he before Thou knowst enjoyn'd that I his love should hide 83. Nor do I break his trust when 't is reveal'd To thee since we are now so much the same That when from thee it is from me conceal'd For we admit no diff'rence but in name 84. But be it still from ev'ry other Ear Preserv'd and strictly by our mutual vow His Laws are still to my obedience dear Who was my Gen'ral though my Rival now 85. And well thou knowst how much mine Eyes did melt When our great Leader they did first perceive Love's Captive led whose sorrows then I felt Though now for greater of mine own I grieve 86. Nor do I now by love in duty erre For if I get what he would fain possess Then he a Monarch is and I preferre Him who undoes the world in being less 87. When Heav'n which hath preferr'd me to thy brest Where Friendship is inthron'd shall make it known That I am worth thy love which is exprest By making Heav'nly Birtha all mine own 88. Then at this quiet Eden thou wilt call And stay a while to mark if Love 's prais'd Plant Have after Spring a ripeness and a Fall Or never of the first abundance want 89. And I shall tell thee then if Poets are In using Beauty's Pencil false or blind For they have Birtha drawn but sweet and fair Stiles of her Face the Curtain of her Mind 90. And thou at parting shalt her picture wear For Nature's honour not to shew my pride Try if like her the teeming World does bear Then bring that Copy hither for thy Bride 91. And they shall love as quietly as we Their Beauty's pow'r no civil War will raise But flourish and like neighb'ring Flow'rs agree Unless they kindly quarrel in our praise 92. Then we for change will leave such luscious peace In Camps their Favours shall our Helms adorn For we can no way else our joys increase But by beholding theirs at our return 93. Thus cloath'd in Feathers heâ—on Steeples walks Not guessing yet that silent Ulfinore Had study'd her of whom he loosly talks And what he likes did solidly adore 94. But Ulfinore with cold discretion aw'd His passion and did grave with Love become Though youthfully he sent his Eyes abroad Yet kept with manly care his Tongue at home 95. These Rival's hopes he did with patience hear His count'nance not uneasie seem'd nor strange Yet meant his cares should more like Love appear If in the Duke Ambition bred a change 96. But as the Duke shun'd them for secrecy So now they from approaching Orgâ— move Made by Discretion Love's strict Tutor shy Which is to Lovers painfull as their Love 97. But Orgo they did ill suspect whose Youth And nature yielded Lovers no offence Us'd by his Lord for kindness and for truth Both native in him as his innocence 98. And here pass'd by in haste to Court employ'd That Birtha may no more have cause to mourn Full was his little Breast and over-joy'd That much depended on his quick return 99. Many like Orgo in their Manhoods Morn As Pages did the Noble Duke attend The Sons of Chiess whom beauty did adorn And fairer Virtue did that beauty mend 100. These in his Heroe's Schools he bred which were In Peace his Palace and in War his Tent As if Time's self had read sage Lecture there How he would have his hours Life's Treasure spent 101. No action though to shorten dreaded war Nor needfull Counsels though to lengthen Peace Nor Love of which wise Nature takes such care Could from this usefull work his cares release 102. But with the early Sun he rose and taught These Youths by growing virtue to grow great Shew'd greatness is without it blindly sought A desp'rate charge which ends in base retreat 103. He taught them shame the sudden sence of ill Shame Nature's hasty Conscience which forbids Weak inclination ere it grow to will And stays rash will before it grow to deeds 104. He taught them Honour Virtue 's bashfulness A Fort so yieldless that it fears to treat Like Pow'r it grows to nothing growing less Honour the moral Conscience of the Great 105. He taught them kindness Souls civilitie In which nor Courts nor Cities have a part For theirs is fashion this from falshood free Where Love and pleasure know no Lust nor Art 106. And Love he taught the Soul 's stoln Visit made Though froward Age watch hard and Law forbid Her walks no Spie has trac'd nor mountain staid Her friendship's cause is as the Loadstone's hid 107. He taught them love of Toyl Toyl which does keep Obstructions from the Mind and quench the bloud Ease but belongs to us like sleep and sleep Like Opium is our Med'cine not our Food 108. To dangers us'd them which Death's Visards are More uglie than himself and often chace From Battel Coward-life but when we dare His Vizard see we never fear his face CANTO the Third The ARGUMENT The Poet takes the Wise aside to prove Ev'n them concern'd in all he writes of Love The duteous ORGO from the Court returns With joys at which again fair BIRTHA mourns The Duke with open Arms does entertain Those Guests whom he receives with secret pain 1. THou whom some Ages hence these Roles dost read Kept as Records by Lovers of Love's pow'r Thou who dost live when I have long been dead And feed'st from Earth when Earth does me devour 2. Who liv'st perhaps amidst some Cities joys Where they would fall asleep with Lazie peace But that their triumphs make so great a noise And their loud Bells cannot for Nuptials cease 3. Thou who perhaps proudly thy bloomie Bride Lead'st to some Temple where I withered lie Proudly as if she Age's Frosts desy'd And that thy springing self could never die 4. Thou to whom then the chearfull Quire will sing Whilst hallow'd Lamps and Tapers brave the Sun As a Lay-Light and Bells in triumph ring As when from sallies the Besiegers run 5. Then when the Priest has ended if thine Eyes Can but a little space her Eyes
Court if I deserve to die By making this to fade and you lament 53. Had now an artfull Pencil Birtha drawn With grief all dark then straight with joy all light He must have â—ancy'd first in early dawn A sudden break of beautie out of Night 54. Or first he must have mark'd what Paleness Fear Like nipping Frost did to her visage bring Then think he sees in a cold backward year A Rosie Morn begin a sudden Spring 55. Her joys too vast to be contain'd in speech Thus she a little spake Why stoop you down My plighted Lord to lowly Birtha's reach Since Rhodalind would lift you to a Crown 56. Or why do I when I this plight imbrace Boldly aspire to take what you have given But that your virtue has with Angels place And 't is a virtue to aspire at Heav'n 57. And as tow'rds Heav'n all travel on their Knees So I tow'rds you though Love aspire will move And were you Crown'd what could you better please Than aw'd obedience led by bolder Love 58. If I forget the depth from whence I rise Far from your bosom banish'd be my heart Or claim a right by beautie to your Eyes Or proudly think my chastitie desert 59. But thus ascending from your humble Maid To be your plighted Bride and then your Wife Will be a Debt that shall be hourly paid Till Time my dutie cancel with my life 60. And fruitfully if Heav'n ere make me bring Your Image to the World you then my pride No more shall blame than you can tax the Spring for boasting of those Flowr's she cannot hide 61. Orgo I so receive as I am taught By dutie to esteem what ere you love And hope the joy he in this Jewel brought Will luckier than his former triumphs prove 62. For though but Twice he has approach'd my â—ight He Twice made haste to drown me in my Tears But now I am above his Planets spite And as for sin beg pardon for my fears 63. Thus spake she and with fix'd continu'd sight The Duke did all her bashfull beauties view Then they with kisses seal'd their sacred plight Like Flowr's still sweeter as they thicker grew 64. Yet must these pleasures feel though innocent The sickness of extreams and cannot last For Pow'r Love's shun'd Impediment has sent To tell the Duke his Monarch is in hast 65. And calls him to that triumph which he fears So as a Saint forgiven whose Breast does all Heav'n's joys contain wisely lov'd Pomp for bears Lest tempted Nature should from blessings fall 66. He often takes his leave with Love's delay And bids her hope he with the King shall find By now appearing forward to obay A means to serve him less in Rhodalind 67. She weeping to her Closet-window hies Where she with tears does Rhodalind survay As dying Men who grieve that they have Eyes When they through Curtains spie the rising Day 68. The King has now his curious sight suffic'd With all lost Arts in their revival view'd Which when restor'd our pride thinks new devis'd Fashions of Minds call'd new when but renew'd 69. The busie Court prepares to move on whom Their sad offended Eyes the Countrey cast Who never see enough where Monarchs come And nothing so uncivil seems as haste 70. As Men move slow who know they lose their way Ev'n so the Duke tow'rd Rhodalind does move Yet he does duteous fears and wonder pay Which are the first and dang'rous signs of Love 71. All his addresses much by Goltho were And Ulfinore observ'd who distant stand Not daring to approch his presence near But shun his Eyes to scape from his command 72. Lest to Verona he should both require For by remaining here both hope to light Their Hymen's Torches at his parting fire And not despair to kindle them to night 73. The King his Golden Chariot now ascends Which near fair Rhodalind the Duke contains Though to excuse that grace he lowly bends But honour so refus'd more honour gains 74. And now their Chariots readie to take wing Are ev'n by weakest breath a whisper stay'd And but such whisper as a Page does bring To Laura's Woman from a Houshold Maid 75. But this low voice did raise in Laura's Ear An Eccho which from all redoubled soon Proclaiming such a Countrey beautie here As makes them look like Ev'ning to her Noon 76. And Laura of her own high beautie proud Yet not to others cruel softly prays She may appear but Gartha bold and loud With Eyes impatient as for conquest stays 77. Though Astragon now owns her and excus'd Her presence as a Maid but rudely taught Infirm in health and not to greatness us'd Yet Gartha still calls out to have her brought 78. But Rhodalind in whose relenting Breast Compassion's self might sit at School and learn Knew bashfull Maids with publick view distrest And in their Glass themselves with fear discern 79. She stopt this Challenge which Court Beautie made To Countrey shape not knowing Nature's hand Had Birtha dress'd nor that her self obay'd In vain whom conqu'ring Birtha did command 80. The Duke whom virtuous kindness soon subdues Though him his Bonds from Birtha highly please Yet seems to think that luckie he who sues To wear this royal Maid's will walk at ease 81. Of these a brief survey sad Birtha takes And Orgo's help directs her Eye to all Shews her for whom grave Tybalt nightly wakes Then at whose feet wise Hermegild does fall 82. And when calm Orna with the Count she saw Hope who though weak a willing Painter is And busily does ev'ry Pattern draw By that example could not work amiss 83. For soon she shap'd her Lord and her so kind So all of love till fancie wrought no more When she perceiv'd him sit with Rhodalind But froward-Painter-like the Copie tore 84. And now they move and she thus robb'd believes Since with such haste they bear her wealth away That they at best are but judicious Thieves And know the noble value of their prey 85. And then she thus complain'd Why royal Maid Injurious Greatness Did you hither come Where Pow'r's strong Nets of Wire were never laid But childish Love took Cradle as at home 86. Where can we safe our harmless blessings keep Since glorious Courts our solitude invade Bells which ring out when th' unconcern'd would sleep Faise lights to scare poor Birds in Countrey shade 87. Or if our joys their own discov'rie make Envie whose Tongue first kills whom she devours Calls it our Pride Envie The poys'nous snake Whose breath blasts Maids as innocent as Flow'rs 88. Forgive me beautious Greatness if I grow Distemper'd with my fears and rudely long To be secure or praise your beautie so As to believe that it may do me wrong 89. And you my plighted Lord forgive me too If since your worth and my defects I find I fear what you in justice ought to do And praise your judgement when I doubt you kind 90. Now suddain fear ore all her