arm'd like the fair Sun When through a chrystal Aqueduct he'th run His piercing Beams until grown temperate by That cooling Medium through humility Shun her Majestick worth in eithers Eyes The other seemd to wear such a disguise As Poets cloathd their wandring Gods in when In forms disguiz'd they here converst with men But long this conflict of their Passions ere Resisted lasts not when disdaind to bear Those leaden Fetters the great Princess tries To quench that fire i th' Embrio ere it rise To unresisted blazes but in vain What her tears smoother are by sighs again Blown into flames such as since not to be By ought extinguisht her sweet modesty Strives to conceal nor did them more betray Then by such Fugitives as stole away Through her fair Eyes those Salliports of Love From her besieged heart now like to prove Had not her Honour cal'd the Act unjust So feeble to betray her Souls best trust Her flames being not such as each vulgar breast Feels in the fires of Fancy when opprest With gloomy discontents her bright stars sate Inthron'd so high that like the Bays of Fate It stopt the Current of the stream and to The Sea of Honour Loves fresh Rivers drew Thus whilst the royal Eaglet doth i th' high Sublimer Region of bright Majesty Upon Affections Wings still hover yet Loath to descend on th' humble earth doth sit Her worthy Lover like that amorous Vine When crawling o're the Weeds it strives to twine Embraces with the Elm he stands whilst she Desires to bend but like that love-sick Tree By greatness is deni'd he that nere knew A swelling tumour of conceit nor flew Upon the waxen Wings of vain Ambition A thought above his own obscure Condition Thinks that the Princess by her large respect Conferd on him but kindly doth reflect Her Fathers beams and with a reverend zeal Sees those descending Rays that did reveal Loves Embassies transported on the quick Wings of that heart-o're-coming Rhetorick Instructing that the weakness of his Eye Dazl'd with beams of shining Majesty Might for too boldly gazing on a sight So full of glory be depriv'd of light Stifling his Fancy till it turnd the Aire That fand his heart to flames which pale dispaire Chil'd into Iâ—e soon as he went about With them to breath a storm of passions out But vain are all these fears his Eagle sight Is born to gaze upon no lesser Light Then that from whence all other beauties in The same sphear borrow theirs he else had bin Degenerate from that royal Airce whence He first did spring although he fell from thence Unfledg'd the growing Pinnions of his Fame Wanting the purple tincture of his Name And Titles both unknown yet shall be fly On his own Merits strength a pitch as high Though not so boldly claimd and such as shall Inhance the blessing when the dull mists fall From truths benighted Eyes whispering in His Souls pleas'd Ear her passion did begin Whilst all the Constellations of her Fate Fixt in the Zenith of bright honour sate Whilst his deprest by adverse Fortune in Their Nader lay even to his hopes unseen Whilst thus Enthean fire did lye conceald With different Curtains least by being reveald Cross Fate which could not quench it should to death Scorch all their hopes burnd in the angry breath Of her incensed Father whilst the fair Pharonnida was striving to repair The wakeful ruines of the day within Her Bed whose Down of late by Love had been Converted into Thorns she having payed The restless tribute of her sorrow stayed To breath a while in broken slumbers such As with short blasts cool feverish brains but much More was in hers a strong Prophetick dream Divering by Enigmaes Natures stream Long hovering through the Portals of her mind On vain phantastick Wings at length did find The glimerings of obstructed reason by A brighter beam of pure divinity Led into supernatural light whose Rayes As much transcended reasons as the dayes Dull mortal fires faith apprehends to be Beneath the glimerings of divinity Her unimprisond Soul disrob'd of all Terrestial thoughts like its Original In Heaven pure and Immaculate a fit Companion did for those bright Angels sit Which the Gods made their Messengers to bear This sacred truth seeming transported where Fixt in the flaming Center of the world The heart o th' Mycrocosme 'bout which is hurld The spangl'd Curtains of the Sky within Whose boundless Orbs the circling Planets spin Those threads of time upon whose strength rely The pondrous Burthens of mortality An Adamantine World she sees more pure More glorious far then this fram'd to endure The shock of Dooms-daies Darts in which remains The better Angels of what earth contains Plac'd there to govern all our Acts and be A Medium 'twixt us and Eternity Hence Nature from a Laberinth half above Half underneath that sympathetick Love Which warms the World to Generation sends On unseen Atomes each small star attends Here for his Message which receiv'd is by Their influence to the Astral Faculty That lurks on earth communicated hence Informing Forma sends Intelligence To the material principles of earth Her upper Garments Natures second birth Upon each side of this large Frame a Gate Of different use was plac'd at one there sate A sprightly youth whose Angels form delights Eyes dim'd with age whose blandishments invights Infants i th' Womb to court their wo and be By his false shape tempted to misery Millions of thousands swarm about him though Diseases do each minute strive to throw Them from his presence since being tempted by His flattering form all court it though they ly On beds of thorns to look on 't saving some More wretched Male-contents that hither come With Souls so sullen that whilst time invights Them to his Joys they shun those smooth delights This the Worlds Favourite had a younger Brother Of different hue each more unlike the other Then opposite Aspects Antipathy Within their breasts though they were forc'd to be Almost inseparable dwelt this Fiend A passage guarded which at th' other end o th' spatious Structure stood betwixt each Gate Was plac'd a Laberinth in whose Angles sate The vanities of Life attempting to Stay deaths pale Harbengers but that black Cleâ— Times dusty Girdle Fates Arithmetick Griefs slow pac'd Snail Joyes more then Eagle quick That Chain whose Links compos'd of hours and daies Thither at length spight of delay conveys The slow pac'd steps of time there alwaies stood Near him one of the triple Sisterhood Who with deformity in love did send Him troops of Servants hourly to attend Upon his harsh Commands which he from all Society of flesh without the Wall Down a dark Hill conveyd at whose foot stood An ugly Lâ—ke black as that horrid flood Gods made by men did feare Myriads of Boats On the dark surface of the water floats Containing Passengers whose different hue Tell them that from the Wals do trembling view Their course that there 's
his Keepers charge as to Suffer more torments then the rest should do And lodg'd him in that Castle to affright And soften his great Soul with fear the light Which lent its beams unto the dismal place In which he lay without presents the face Of horrour smeard in blood a Scaffold built To he the Stage of Murther blusht with guilt Of Christian blood by several torments let From the imprisoning Veins this Object set To startle his Resolves if good and make His future joyes more welcome could not shake The Heaven-built Pillers of his Soul that stood Steady though in the slippery pathes of blood The gloomy Night now sate enthron'd in dead And silent shadows Midnight Curtains spread The Earth in black for what the falling day Had blusht in fire whilst the brave Prisoner lay Circl'd in darknesse yet in those shades spends The hours with Angels whose assistance lends Strength to the wings of Faith which mounted on The Rock of hope was hovering to be gone Tow'rds her eternal Fountain from whose source Celestial Love enjoynd her lower course Whilst in this holy Extasie his knees Descent did mount his heart to him that sees His thoughts disvellop'd whilst dull shades opprest The drousie Hemisphear whilst all did rest Save those whose actions blusht at day-light or Such wretched Souls whose sullen cares abhor Truce with â—efâ—eshing slumbers he beholds A glimering light whose neer approach unfoâ—ds The Leaves of darknesse whilst his wonder gâ—ows Big with Amazement the dim Tapour shews What hand conveyd it thither he might see False Manto enterd who prepard to be A Bawd unto her lustful Mistâ—esse caâ—ne Not with perswasive Rhetorick t' inflame A heart congeald with deaths approach but thaw Him from the frozen Rocks of rigid Law With brighter Constellations that did move In sphears where every Star was fir'd with love The Siren yet to shew that she had left Some modesty unrifl'd by the theft Of mercenary basenesse sadly wept Her Errands Prologue but guilt was not kept Within the Curtain long she only sate A Mourner for the sicknesse of his Fate Until esteemd for pitiful and then Prescribâ—s this Remedy Most blest of men Compose thy wonder and let only joy Dwel in thy Soul my coming 's to destroy Not nurse thy trembling Fears be but so wise To follow thy swift Fate and thou mayst rise Above the reach of danger in thy Armes Circle that power whose radient brightnesse charms Fierce Ammurat's anger when his Crescents shine In a full Oâ—b of Forces what was thine Ere made a Prisoner though the doubtful state Of the best Christian Monarch will abate Its splendor when that Daughter of the Night Thy feeble Star shines in a Heaven of Light If Life or Liberty then bare a shape Worthy thy Courting swear not to escape By the attempts of strength and I will free The Iron bonds of thy Captivity A solemn Oath by that great power he serv'd Took and believ'd his hopes no longer sterv'd In expectation from that swarthy seat Of sad Despair his narrow Jayl repleat With lazy Damps she leads him to a Room In whose Delights Joyes Summer seemd to bloom There left him to the brisk Society Of costly Bathes and corsick Wines whose high And sprightly temper from cool Sherbets found A calm ally here his harsh thoughts unwound Themselves in pleasure as not fearing Fate So much but that he dares to recreate His Spirits by unweildy Action tir'd With all that Lust into no Crime had fir'd By Mutes those silent Ministers of sin His sullied Garments were remov'd and in Their place such various Habits layd as pride Would cloath her Favourites with she means to hide From those Deformities which Accident On Natures Issue striving to prevent Forms eaven progresse casts when she would twine That active Male with matter feminine Unruffl'd here by the rash Wearer rests Fair Persian Mantles rich Sclavonian Vests The gawdy Thuscan or transmuted shape Of the phantastick French the British Ape The grave and constant Spaniard all might here Find Garments such as Princes would appear To grace their honourd Nuptials in or tell Strangers how much their Treasure doth excell Though on this swift variety of Fate He looks with wonder yet his brave Soul sate Too safe within her guards of Reason to Be shook with Passion that there 's some bing new And strange approaching after such a storm This gentle Calm assures him but the form Of pleasure softens not that which the other And worse extream not with fears damps could smother He flies not with the rugged Separatist Pleasures smooth Walks nor doth enjoying twist Those threds of Gold to Fetters he dares tast All mirth but what Religions stock would wast His Limbs from Wounds but late recoverd now Refresht with liquid Odours did allow Their suppl'd Nerves no soâ—ter rest but in Such Robes as wore their Ornament within Vaild o're their beauty Linnen smooth and soft As Phoenix Down and whiter then what 's brought From furthest China he puts on and then What habit Custome made familiar when Cloathd in his own makes choyce of for to be Most hoâ—ourd of that rich variety In an Italian Garb â—o th' Dubblet clad Manto Lusts swift and waâ—chfull Spy that had With an efficious care attended on That motion entring hasts him to be gone To â—'rd more sublim'd delights which though a just And holy doubt proclaim the road of Lust Knowing his better Angel did attend Upon each step he ventures to descend The dreadful Precipiece so far untill The burniâ—g Vale was seen then mounts the Hill Of Heaven-bred Fortitude from whence disdain Floods of contempt on those dark fires did rain â—is guilty Conduct now had brought him neer Ihonusa's Room the glaring Lights appear Through the Windows chrystal Wals the strong Perfumes of balmy Incense mixt among The wandring Attomes of the Aire did fly Sights nimble Scouts yet wer made captive by A slower sence as if but to reveal What breathd within those Fugitives did steal Thorough their unseen Salliports which now Were uselesse grown the open doors allow A free accesse into the Room where come Such reall Forms he saw as would strike dumb Their Alcharons Tales of Paradice the fair And sparkling Jems i th' gilded Roof impair Their Fapours fires yet both themselves confesse Weak to those flames Ihonusa's eyes possesse With such a joy as bodies that do long For Souls shall meet them in the Doomsdayes throng She that rul'd Princes though not Passions sate Waiting her Lover on a Throne whose state Epitomiz'd the Empires Wealth her Robe With costly pride had rob'd the checquerd Globe Of its most fair and orient Jewels to Inhance its value captive Princes who Had lost their Crowns might here those Jems have seen That did adorn them yet she trusts not in These Auxiliary strengths her confidence In her own Beauty rests which no defence Of Chastity ere yet withstood and now She scorns to fear it when her power
Vines with various colours grac'd Their spreding branches whose proud brows being crownd With stately Walks did from that ample round The wel-pleas'd Eye to every place convay That in the Islands humble level lay To guard her Court a hundred Gentlemen Such as had glorifi'd their Valour when Tryed in her Fathers Wars attended which Commanded by Argalia did enrich His Merit with such fair reward that all His better Stars should they a Synod call Those fires conven'd nere with more glorious Light Could cloath his hopes his Fortunes dim-ey'd Night Inflam'd to Noon and the faiâ— Princess blest By the same power for though his Fate invest His noble Soul within the obscure Mask Of an unknown descent his Fame shall ask In time to come a Chronicle and be The Glory of that royal Family From whence he sprung but ere he must attain The top of Fortunes Wheel that Iron Chain By whose linkt strength it turns too oft will grate Him with most hot Afflictions his wise Fate Digs deep with Miseries before it layes The ground-fork of his Fame which then shall raise On the firm Basis of Authentick story To him eternal Pyramids of Glory Thou that art skil'd in Loves Polemmicks here Wish they may rest awhile and though drawn neer A sadder Fate if piâ—y sayes to rath 'T is to let sorrow sad the Scean wee 'l bath Our Pen awhile in Nectar though we then Steep it in Gall again the Spring did when The Princess first did with her presence grace This house of pleasure with soft Armes embrace The Earth his lovely Mistress clad in all The painted Robes the Mornings Dew let fallâ— Upon her Virgin Bosome the soft breath Of Zephirus sung calm Anthems at the death Of Palsie-shaken Winter whose large Grave The Earth whilst they in fruitful tears did leave Their pious grief turnd into smiles they throw Over the Herse a Vail of Flowers the low And pregnant Valleys sweld with fruit whilst Heaven Smil'd on each blessing its faire hand had given Be-calmd on this paciffick Sea of pleasure No boisterous Wave appearing the rich treasure Of Love being ballast with Content did fear No threatning storm so safe a Harbour neer As th' Object whence it sprung such royal sports As take their birth from the triumphant Courts Of happy Princes did contract the day To pitied beauty time steals away On downy feet whose loss since it bereaves Them of no more then what new birth receives From the next teeming day by none is thought Worth the lamenting sometimes rockt in the soft Armes of the calmest pleasures they behold A sprightly Comedy the sins unfold Of more corrupted times then in its high Cothurnal Sceans a lofty Tragedy Erects their 〈◊〉 and doth at once invite To variouâ— Passions Soâ—â—ow and Delight Time Motions aâ—ed 〈◊〉 includes Not more in all the 〈…〉 Then their oft changing 〈…〉 When the Suns lofty pride 〈…〉 The Earths imbroiderd Robes 〈…〉 And palsie hand did those fresh 〈…〉 Up in her hoary Plush each Seasâ—◠〈…〉 Delights of 'ts own such a beguil'd 〈…〉 It s stock of hours unwasted on in chast Though private sports here happy Lovers 〈◊〉 Fancie's fresh Youth whose first attempts did proâ—â— Too innocent for th' Sophistry of Love There scornful beauty or the envious eye Of jealous Rivals nere afflicts all by An equal and a noble height so blest Pride none had rais'd nor poverty deprest The end of the fourth Canto PHARONNIDA The second Book CANTO THE FIFTH The ARGUMENT IX Whilst serene Joy sate smiling in her Court As shadows to illustrate Vertue by Phantastick Love becomes the Princess sport Whose harsher Dictates she ere long must try X. For now Suspition Vertues secret Foe Fir'd with Argalia's just deserved Fame Makes her great Father think each Minute slow Till separation had allayd the Flame LEst that her Court which seems compos'd of all That 's great or good th'ore-weaning world should caâ— Perfections height a word which whilst on Earth Vain as delight only from Name takes birth In this the largest and most glorious sphear Ere Greatness mov'd in some few Stars appear To Vertue retrograde th' informing Spirit Love by whose motion on the Pole of Merit This bright Orb turnd even ' mongst these Heroes finds A pair of Followers whose imperfect minds Transgrest his Dictates and though no offence So full of guilt as foul Incontinence Durst here approach by waies less known unto What Love intends those various Figures drew Whose Aspects nere more neer Conjunction move Then Eyes the slight Astronomy of Love That new Platonnick Malady the way By which imperfect Eunuchs do betray Natures Diseases to contempt whilst by Such slight repast they strive to satisfie Loves full desires which pines or else must crave More then thin Souls in seperation have Being lately by some sick Phantasticks brought But neer the Court within it long had sought For residence till entertaind by two Whose meeting Souls no more distinction knew Then Sex a difference which whilst here it grows Toward Heaven it to Corporeal Organs ows But since that these so uncouth Actors here But as Intruders on the Scean appear Ere in their story we ingulph too far Let 's first behold them in their Character If ere thy sober Reason did submit To suppling Mirth that wanton Child of wit Beholding A Fantastick drest in all His vain delights what 's Annalogical To our Acretius then conceive thou 'st seen Though if compar'd those short to him had been As Transcripts are to Coppies to compleat A Humorist here Folly had close a seat ' Mongst more then vulgar knowledge and might pass The same account an Academick Ass Makes of his Fathers four year Charge when he Frights Villagers with shreds of Sophistry ' Mongst forrein parts of which like Coriate Hee 'd run through some he had acquir'd to prate By priviledge and as if every Nation Contributed is in each several fashion Which like their Tongues all so imperfect find That both disguiz'd his body and his mind Though self conceit vain Youths fantastick Crime Made him steal singly from the Front of time i th' Medium which but seldome proves the seat For Lust's wild-fire or Zeals reflected heat He amarous grows and doubting to prevail For all his Wings caught Pegasus by th' Tail And being before with Cupidi Engines fit'd From his Posteriors doubly was inspiâ—'d She that at first this sympathetick flame Inspir'd him with the Court knew by the Name Of Philanta to whom all would impair Their skill that gave that Epithet of fair Except Acretius since her beauty fit For praises was where parallel'd by wit Yet now although times sad discovery tels Her Autumes furrows were no parallels In Beauties sphear those youthful forms being grown So obsolete scarce the Vestigia's shown A Native pride and strange phantastick dress More admiration then ere comeliness Could do acquires She formerly had been A great Admirer of Romances in Whose Garb she now goes
sound striking their Ears did change The ominous Dirges of the Night into A various noise of humane Voyces who Durst in that secret place approach 't was now Too late to think on the Rocks spatious brow Was clouded ore with men whose glittering Armes Threatend destruction ere their swift alarms Could summon sleeps infeebled aid whilst they Forsake their Prisoner who becomes a Prey To the Invaders seeking safety in Their flight they fall before him that had been Ordaind to speedier ruine entring at The open Salliport they give by that Rash Act directions to the Foe that mixt Promiscuously with them and now had fixt Their Standards on the Gates The Castle in Feaverish alarms sweating did begin To case her fiery stomach by the breath O' th full-mouth'd Cannon Ministers of death In this hot labour busily distills Extracted spirits noyse and tumult fills The frighted City whose fir'd turrets lent A dismal light But the Assaylants spent Their bloud in vain the Souldiers that had been At the first trembling fit distracted in Confusions giddy maze had rallied now Their scattered spirits and were seeking how To purge dishonours stains in the bright fire Of rage contracted valour To retire Unto their Ships in safety now is all Th' Invaders hope for but so many fall In that attempt it leave no triumphs due To Fortunes temple By this winding clew Of various fate Argalia only findes That stroke of death deceived no hand unbindes His corded arms but that which meant to lay Bondage as hard so corrasives doe stay A Gangrene fed by springs of poysonous blood When reaching at the heart as these withstood The catarracts of death With tyrants more Indomitable then the sea that bore Their black Fleet leave our Hero to untie This knotty riddle of his fate whilst by The ignis fatuus of a fancie led With slow pac'd feet through other paths we tread The tumults of the City silenc'd in A peacefull calme what the effects had bin Of those loud clamours whilst all seek to know Argalia's losse makes giddy wonder grow Into suspition that this Act might be Some stratagem o th' Guvernour to free Himself from a Successor but those fly Darts of mistrust were rendred hurtless by His Princes Mandates whose invenom'd hate That spurious birth had made legitâ—mate Yet swift Revenge affâ—onis his Treason in Its full carier his Master having bin By him informd of a surprizal where All sounds but death affrighted could not bear The burthen of his Fears and yet not sink Deeper in sin ere the poor wretch could think On ought but undeserv'd Rewards he by A brace of Mutes being strangl'd from the high But empty Cloudes of Expectation drops To let the World know what vain shadow props Those blood-erâ—cted Pyramids that stand On secret Muâ—thers black and rotten Sand. When thus the Sâ—â—acusian had secur'd His future Fame Passion that still endur'd A strong distemperature slept not untill The story of their crosse Design did fill Palermo's Princes Ear Argalia's losse Was now the Ball that babling Fame did tosse Thorough the Court upon whose airy Wing Reaching the Island it too soon did bring The heavy Nâ—ws disguiz'd in Robes more sad Then truth to her whose stock of Vertues had Been venter'd on that Sea of Merit in Such forms of Griefe as Princes that have been Hurld from the splendent Glories of a Throne Into a Dungeon her great Soul did grone Beneath the Weights of grief the doleful Tale Had thunder-strook all joy her Spir'â—s exhale Their vigour forth in sighs and faintly let That gâ—orious Fabrick unto which they 'r set Supporters fail to th' Earth yet sorrow stayes Not in this frigid Zone rude gâ—ief betrays Her Passions to her Fathers jealous Ear Who fearing least Argalia's Stars might clear Their smoaky Orbâ— and once more take a flight From deaths cold house by a translated Lâ—gâ—t To sâ—parate from sorrow and again In Fortunes house Lord of th' Ascendant Raigâ—â— He doubts that Islands safety and from thence Removes her with what speedy diligence Fear could provoke suspition to her Train Shook with that suddain change desire in vain The Islands pleasure ere they know how much Their Fates must differ as it oft in such Unlookt for changes happens each man vents His own Opinion some did discontents Of the young Princess others that the season Of th' year was cause but though none know his reason All must obey his Will The pleasan Isle Whose Walks fair Gardens Prospâ—cts did beguile Time of so many happy hours must now A solitary Wildernesse whose brow Winâ—er had bound in folds of Ice be left To wail their absence whilst each Tree bereft Of Leaves did like to Virgin Mourners stand Cloathd in white Vails of glittering Icelets and Shook with the breath of those sharp windes that brought The hoarie Fish The pensive birds had sought Out Springs that were unbar'd with ice and there Grew hoarse with cold The crusted earth did wear A rugged armour Every bank unclad With flowers conceal'd the juicie roots that had Adorned their Summers dresse The Meadowes green And fragrant Mantle withering lay between The griz'ie mountains naked armes All growes Into a swift decay as if it owes That tribute unto her departure by Whose presence 't was adorned Seated did lie Within the circuit of Ghirenza's wall Though stretch'd t' imbrace a Castle which they call The Princes tower a place whose strength had stood Unshook with danger when that violent flood Of warre rag'd in the Land hither were brought Such if of Noble bloud whose greatnesse sought From treacherous plots extension yet although To those a prison here he did bestow His best of treasure briefly it had been Unto the Spartan Kings a Magazeen Since first they rul'd that Kingdome and when ere A war drew near them their industrious care Made it their place of residence the hill 'T was built upon with 's rockie feet did fill A spatious Iftmos at its depth a Lake Supply'd by 'th neighbouring sea let in to make The Fort the more impregnable with slow But a deep current running did bestow A dreadfull prospect on the bended brow O' th hill which cover'd with no earth did bow Its torn clifts o're the heavy stream The way That led to it was o're a bridge which they That guard it did each night draw up from whence A steep ascent whose natural defence Assisted by all helps of art had made The fatal place so dangerous to invade Each step a death presented Here when he Had plac'd his daughter whose securitie Rocks walls nor rivers warranted without A trusty guard of Souldiers hem'd about The walls lesse hard then they Those Gentlemen That on her happier Court attended when Argalia did command them as too milde Were now discharg'd their office on a wilde Band of those Mountain Souldiers who had in His last great war most fam'd for valour bin Being confer'd and these lest they should be Forc'd by commands into
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
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
gild The Ebbony of Night to hear the rude Murmure that did from the mixt multitude Open'd together with their Doors assures Argalia that their â—ear which yet secures That bandfull of insulting Tyrants might With anger being charg'd home be put to flight With a reserve of hope whilst every breast Was sweld with stiffl'd Spirits whilst opprest With silent grief helplesse Spectators they Saw those they once for Vertue did obey Their reverend Senaâ—ors whose silver'd heads Age now made fit for ease forc'd from their Beds By feaverish powers rude fits whose hear not all The Jewleps of their Tears though some drops fall From Beauties lovely blossoms cools their Râ—ge Neglected Youth slights like unreverent Age. But when the conquering Captives by the brave Argalia rescued from the Castle gave Bright Vict'ries Signal when they saw each Lance The bleeding head of a grim Turk advance Anger like unobstructed Love breaks forth In flaming hast yet here the Want of worth And Valour ' mongst the City heard had drove Them all to deaths dark Fields if whilst they strove With that stout band of Iannizaries they Had not been by Argalia taught the way To Victory who in a sally meets Retreating fear when crecping from the streets To th' vain protection of their doors and now His conquering Sword having taught all to bow Beneath its burnisht splendor since the high Applause o th' loudest acclamations fly Beneath his worth a general Vote elects Him for their Prince but his brave Soul affects Not so sublime a burthen knowing they Bred under a Democrisie obey Contracted power but harshly he returns All to their Senate who of late like Urns Nought but the uselesse Ashes did contain Of their own Laws which were by Conquest slâ—in But his refusal where accâ—ptance not Envy could say Ambition had begot But new Plants Vertue who from thence did take The deeper Root and ' mongst the throng did make That choice so Epedemical that he For Valour feard lov'd for Humility The peoples prayer those humble shrubs that ow For safety to powâ—'s Cedars joyn to grow â—hadowd beneath his Merit and create Him Prince o th' Senate who their doubtful state Requiring strong Ailies A Fleet prepard To seek those Princes who their danger shard Which ready with a prosperous Gale of wind He though imployd by Honour sails to find Out Loves rich Indiaes and with 's white winged Fleet Hastens Palermos neerest Port to meet CANTO THE FIFTH The ARGUMENT With prosperous Sails mov'd from Sardinia's Shore Argalia safe doth now from danger set The Cyprian Prince who though so large in score With noble friendship soon repays the Debt In Sparta's Court they 'r now arriv'd where he That Life he sav'd venters to serve him in An Act so great it sets the Princess free Who for his sake had long a Prisoner bin WHilst with bent Oars Argalia's Squadrons move Like the light wings of Times Physitian Love Who steerd his course and now had safely drawn Him through th' Ionian Waves when by the dawn Of a still Morning whose pale sickly light Yet bounded in the Ebbony of Night Shewd like a dull Quicksilver foil spread o're The Worlds great Glasse whose even Surface bore Within their view two Galleons whom they saw Like timerous Hares base Hunters give no Law Chac'd by a nimble numerous fleeâ— Drawn near Christians the chac'd the Chacers Turks appear Which like a shole of smaller Fishes made So bold by number that they durst invade The big bulkt Whale on every side assails The slow-pac'd fleet who since not strength prevayls Against such ods their fiery spirits spent In thunder which had from their broad sides sent The last great groan for powers decease and they Not their Foes terror but good fortune lay Whilest crampt in this convulsion of their fear Which honour gilding made despair appear The childe of fortitude they all prepare Braveâ—y to die Argalia's squadrons bare Up with the winde and ere the Turks proud Fleet Deceiv'd by their own Crescents fear to meet A danger like a Hirrocane falls in Destruction which was suffer'd whilest unseen So wealthy Merchants whose returning cost A storm on the pacifick Sea hath lost Fall from the arms of hope Sudden and swift As inundations whose impetuous drift Swallows a sleeping City up had they Lost the firm hold of Victory and lay Sad Captives in their own lost Ship for flight Saves few where all in hopes of conquest fight Fair Vict'ry made more bright by accident Even when despair hopes wasted stock had spent Those that were rescu'd from their soft prayers raise To pay heavens tribute in their louder prayse Which oft neglected debt discharg'd they gave Allay'd with thanks to him whose band did save A miracle in their delivery all Dâ—sev'd applause that can when mounted fall i th' Circle of Humanity to kisse Those hands wich pluckt him from the black Abbysse Of Death their brave Commander goes where he Discoverd by Majestick curtesie Such real forms of worth that he was grown Rich in esteem before more fully known But long Truth stands not vail'd in a disguize Of Ignorance ere they are taught to prize His Friendship at a higher rate by seeing Their active Valour had been blest in freeing The Cyprian Prince for such he was and then Bound for Morea this made publick when Acquaintance had taught Love more boldnesse he All that discretion would permit to be Lodg'd in the Closet of a friendly Breast Tels to Argalia who though in his best Of hopes a Rival knowing him was in Love too secure to harbour envious sin Their prosperous Fleet ere times short steps had trod In hours a full dayes Journey safely rod At Anchor in Ghirenza's Bay from whence When known their Cannons in a loud expence Proclaim their welcome the Acquaintance that The Cyprians Father ere his youth stayd at Its Summer Solstice with Cleander had Revives i th' Suns embraces which the glad Citie in th' triumphs ecchoes ere 't was known That his Resolves were such as Love was grown The wishes of the peoples throng who thought That that unpollisht Prince Zoranza brought Unequal strength of Merit ere to win The Fort Pharonnida lodg'd Vertue in When first they enterd the admiring Court Fame wise mens care but the Fools busie sport Making the Ear the Eyes wise Harbinger By Learning first their Vertues did coafer More honour on their persons they beheld i th' Cyprian Prince heroick worth yet sweld With no ambitious tumour calm and free As whoâ—esome aire when its Ubiquity Breaths healthful blasts where his smooth thoughts to all Most sweetly affable but few could call His Love familiar his Youth had not Yet learnt rough War although from Precept got Its useful Rudiments and by Valour shews Future Command may pay what Action ows To speculation by the Grave sad man Whose counsel could Conspiracies unspan When ready to give fire he is beheld As one whose Vertues far his years exceld And
might when at maturity afford Length to the Scepter from 's victorious Sword From this young Prince Heavens hopeful Blossom they Pleal'd but not satisfi'd their Souls convey On those wing'd Messengers their Eyes unto Manly Argalia finding there a new And various form of worth on 's Brow did sit Reserv'd discretion reconcil'd to Wit Serious and grave his carriage yet a Face Where Loves fair Shrine did Wisdoms Temple grace His scars those broad Seals which protecting sate His future safety sign'd in on him sate Not to deform but until Age remain Like Mâ—ids of Honour plac'd in Beauties Train True worth dwelt in the other but in this Brave Heroes breast had her Metropolis The Cyprians safety and Sardinia's brave Redemption were the past ports which Fame gave Unto his travelling prayse which fled in haste Through th' ears short stages in each breast had plac't A Love of 's worth which wise men softly prayse Whilst the loud throng to acclamations raise Not long these true-born Sons of honour in Palerino's Court remaine ere what had been The cause which had the youthfull Cyprian drew Froms Fathers Court white fame presents unto Busie Inquirers Which design from all Those swift but weak recruits good wishes call Except from some it most concern'd mongst which Cleander staggers unresolv'd the rich And powerfull Kingdome which affinity With Cyprus promis'd was a prize to be Valued before Epirus wealth who though Of late victorious yet could never grow Up to that glorious height This thought the most Of all the ere obstructed love had crost Zoranza's hopes had not his wishes been Though covetoâ—â—ly vast confin'd within The others merits amongst which the chief Opposes first it self and the relief Whispers in 's soul that had been thence brought by Him when his state wept bloud for liberty This in the Scale of Justice seem'd as large As Loves dimensions till a second charge Of thoughts proclaim the Cyprians power to doe The same if in necessity sought to Which blames becoming gratitude as in Relation to servility a sinne In the great souls of Princes who can be If they remain in debt for curtesie But Captives in the throne too oft the cause Why meritorious Subjects meet the Lawes Harsh Rigour for Reward when their Deserts Many and great o're fill their Princes hearts Before Cleanders Gravity had layd This â—empest of his Passions Fame betrayd Their Cause to the Epicote Prince who hears The Cyprians welcome which his various fears But briefly comment on before without More slow delays then what were spent about The swiftest preparations he intends To visit fair Pharonnida and ends His Journey ere a thought unwing'd with Love Could lead him forth of 's Court which hast did prove His Passions stronger then the strength of age Appeard to promise what it might presage To see at once two royal strangers in Their glorious Court which both imployd had bin About one amorous Errand strangely did Affect the Citizens whose fears forbid The publick Stage in private whispers tels What danger lay betwixt those parallels Yet in the opposition of those Scars That shine in Passions sphear Loves civil Wars Had no field Army all his power did rest Within the private Garrisons o th' breast Which though besieg'd by sly suspition made No verball Sallies but prepare t' invade Beauties bright Province yet each only had A single Visit given unto the sad Sweet Object of their hopes and thence receiv'd A Welcome such as neither had bereav'd The others hopes both rather finding cause Of cold despair Cleander pleads the Laws Of Nature and free choice to wave his own Engagements to Zoranza which had blown Loves sickly flame with the tempestuous breath Of anger forth had not those thoughts to death i th' Bud been doom'd whilst thus his Passions slept In Loves soft Armes the noble Cyprian kept A distance 'twixt his hopes and wishes by The stayd Epicots interest both rely On their own Merits and Loves doubtful sate Makes subject to the Monarchy of Fate But whilst this busie Combate of the heart On equal tearms it fought time bent to part The royal Champions through the obscure Ports Of dark disguize into Loves field resorts A third brave Combatant whose Merit had Though not i th' Armour of great Titles clad By parly wonne that Maiden Fort which they Although they scal'd on golden Mountains lay Before in vain Argalia though within Ghirenza's Court had yet a stranger bin More then in Fame and big Report to her Whos 's best of thoughts wore his Souls Character And yet although a Virgins bashful grace Conceald her own for to behold that Face So much in debt to th' peoples Prayses to Her window oft the royal Maid had drew Where whilst his eyes did wast their Beams in vain To pierce those stubborn Walls that did contain Rich Loves unvalued-Treasure she beholds His brave Deportment which since strange unfolds New Volumes of unprinted joy which she Sorrow affording so much liberty Oft with delight looks o're beholding in 't Argalia's Vertues in a different print But his wise Fare even when his prayer grew weak In Faith did through hopes cold Antartick break In a long Summers day his noble friend The Princely Cyprian did so largely spend His stâ—ck of eloâ—uence in 's praise when he Last saw divine Pharonnida that she Although from no remoter cause then springs From Vertues publike love tells him he brings His next best welcome with his Friend which proud To be observant in when time allow'd A visit he performs Now to the Court Beauties dull Cloyster which no throng'd resort Of Clients fill they 'r come the surly Guard Those wakefull Dragons did without reward Let in that danger in disguise which had Met death i' th entrance if in that unclad The way that clest the scowling Rock being by A thousand steps ascended they i' th high Clifts finde the Royal Eâ—glet trying that Bright eye of her fair soul discretion at The fiery beams of anger which were shot From her Majestick Father Being got Once more to breath his Soul upon that hand Where Loves first Vows seal'd with his Lips did stand Knowledge inflaming passions Feaver like Unpractic'd Saints which miracles do strike Into a Reverend zeal he trembling takes That holy Relique which a cold fear shakes In that warm touch Her eyes fair splendor shoâ—e Like bright Stars in heavens trepidation Shook with the general motion though betwixt The Sphears of Love and Wonder they stood fixt In their own Orbs and their united beams Center'd on him yet like dead friends which dreams Imperfectly present his Lovely form As Marriners when Land is through a storm With doubtfull joy desery'd she sees but yet Knowledge had met with no prospective fit To guide her through the dark disguize unto The Rode of truth his Valour was in new Habiliments of honour cloath'd and scars Made her Love's heaven adornd with unknown Stars But whilest her Recollecting spirits were All