The Grecian Story Being an Historical Poem, in Five Books. To which is Annex'd The Grove: Consisting of Divers Shorter Poems upon several Subjects. By J. H. [i.e. John Harington] |
 |
|
| I. |
|
 |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
|
 | The Grecian Story |  |
Thus had she Time, much Care with thoughtful Brain
Still fondly Sow'd, th' expected Crop to gain;
Tho Reap'd but empty Wind, at last: She saw
Clermanthe now grown Tall, past Girlish Awe
Woman become: four years produc'd and bred
Much Wisdom too: Hope fail'd, like Vapor fled.
For then the Lady's thoughts did more despise
That meaner Choice, Gondace's self, whose Prize
Her Father made; his Wench long time concluded:
Next, Mother wrong'd; the Daughter (last) Deluded.
Tho, pow'r too weak, shew'd Carriage fair discreet;
Prov'd much Reserv'd, withdrawn as fear'd to meet
Fresh Love-assaults: Gondace therefore now
Turn'd off, dispair'd with angry Female-Brow.
Destructive Heart. Tho monstrous Aggravation
Swell'd, hightned all, that Scornful Indignation
Should she Oretop, or Clash, with her contend;
Yet Regent there, her Father at Boards-end:
Thought Loathsom, Rack: Thus, She's resolv'd for trying
Sure Fatal ways; Clermanthe's shortly Dying.
Then could she advance, Ingraft withall her Son
To the Duke Verdorus's Heart, no Marvel don;
Plant him for the Heir; That Man who best might claim,
Since nearer far Ally'd to th' Duke became.
(Wife's Nephew 'twas) Conceiv'd, in Travel Drown'd
(None left of Blood) or Dead on Persian Ground.
Nor Spleen so well conceal'd but it appear'd;
Flashings whereof Clermanthe saw, and Fear'd.
Still fondly Sow'd, th' expected Crop to gain;
Tho Reap'd but empty Wind, at last: She saw
Clermanthe now grown Tall, past Girlish Awe
Woman become: four years produc'd and bred
Much Wisdom too: Hope fail'd, like Vapor fled.
47
That meaner Choice, Gondace's self, whose Prize
Her Father made; his Wench long time concluded:
Next, Mother wrong'd; the Daughter (last) Deluded.
Tho, pow'r too weak, shew'd Carriage fair discreet;
Prov'd much Reserv'd, withdrawn as fear'd to meet
Fresh Love-assaults: Gondace therefore now
Turn'd off, dispair'd with angry Female-Brow.
Destructive Heart. Tho monstrous Aggravation
Swell'd, hightned all, that Scornful Indignation
Should she Oretop, or Clash, with her contend;
Yet Regent there, her Father at Boards-end:
Thought Loathsom, Rack: Thus, She's resolv'd for trying
Sure Fatal ways; Clermanthe's shortly Dying.
Then could she advance, Ingraft withall her Son
To the Duke Verdorus's Heart, no Marvel don;
Plant him for the Heir; That Man who best might claim,
Since nearer far Ally'd to th' Duke became.
(Wife's Nephew 'twas) Conceiv'd, in Travel Drown'd
(None left of Blood) or Dead on Persian Ground.
Nor Spleen so well conceal'd but it appear'd;
Flashings whereof Clermanthe saw, and Fear'd.
| The Grecian Story | |