The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
47
Canto the Third.
The ARGUMENT.
The Ambush is become an interview;And the Surpriser proves to honor true;
For what had first, ere words his fury spent,
Been murder, now, is but brave killing ment.
A duel form'd where Princes Seconds are,
And urg'd by Honor each to kill his share.
1
The Duke observ'd (whilst safe in his firm Square)Whether their front did change whom Oswald led;
That thence he shifts of figure might prepare
Divide, or make more depth, or loosely spred.
2
Though in their posture close, the Prince might guessThe Duke's to his not much in number yield;
And they were leading Youth who would possess
This Ground in Graves, rather then quit the Field.
3
Thus (timely certain of a standing Foe)His form'd Divisions yet reveal'd no space
Through haste to charge; but as they nearer grow,
They more divide, and move with slower pace.
4
On these the Duke attends with watchful Eye;Shap'd all his Forces to their Triple strength;
And that their Launces might pass harmless by,
Widens his Ranks, and gave his Files more length.
5
At distance Oswald does him sharply view,Whom but in Fame he met till this sad hour;
But his fair fame, Vertue's known Image, knew;
Vertue exalts the Owner more then pow'r.
6
In Fields far sever'd both had reap'd renown;And now his envie does to surfeit feed
On what he wish'd his Eies had never known;
For he begins to check his purpos'd deed.
7
And though Ambition did his rage renew;Yet much he griev'd (mov'd with the Youthful Train
That Plants which so much promis'd as they grew,
Should in the bud be ere performance slain.
48
8
With these remorseful thoughts, he a fair spaceAdvanc'd alone, Then did his Troops Command
To halt; the Duke th' example did embrace,
And gives like order by his lifted hand.
9
Then when in easie reach of eithers voiceThus Oswald spake. I wish (brave Gondibert)
Those wrongs which make the now my angers choice,
Like my last fate were hidden from my heart.
10
But since great Glory does allow small rest,And bids us jealously to honour wake,
Why at alarms given hot even at my brest,
Should I not arm, but think my Scouts mistake;
11
'Tis lowd in Camps, in Cities, and in Court,(Where the important part of Mankind meets)
That my adoption is thy Faction's sport,
Scorn'd by hoarse Rymers in Verona Streets.
12
Who is renown'd enongh but you or I(And think not when you visit Fame, she less
Will welcome you for my known Companie)
To hope for Empire at our Kings decease?
13
The Crown he with his Daughter has design'd;His favor (which to me does frosen prove)
Grows warm to you as th'eies of Rhodalind,
And she gives sacred Empire with her love.
14
Whilst you usurp thus, and my claime deride,If you admire the veng'ance I intend,
I more shall wonder where you got the pride
To think me one you safely may offend.
15
Nor judg it strange I have this Ambush laid;Since you (my Rival) wrong'd me by surprise;
Whose darker vigilance my love betrai'd;
And so your ill example made we wise.
16
But in the Schoole of glory we are taught,That greatness and success should measure deeds;
Then not my great revenge nor your great fault,
Can be accus'd when eithers act succeeds.
17
Opinions stamp does vertue currant make;But such small Money (though the Peoples Gold
With which they trade) great Dealers skorne to take,
And we are greater then one world can hold.
18
Now Oswald paws'd, as if he curious wereEre this his Foe (the People's Fav'rite) dy'd,
To know him as with Eies so with his Eare;
And to his speech thus Gondibert reply'd:
49
19
Succesful Prince! since I was never taughtTo court a Threatning Foe, I will not pay
For all the Trophys you from war have brought
One single wreath, though all these woods were Bay!
20
Nor would I by a total silence yieldMy honour ta'ne, though I were Pris'ner made;
Least you should think we may be justly kill'd,
And sacred justice by mistake invade.
21
You might perceive (had not a distant warreHindred our Breasts the use of being known)
My small ambition hardly worth your care;
Unless by it you would correct your owne.
22
The King's objected love is but your dreame,As false as that I strive for Rhodalind
As valor's hyre; these sickly visions seeme
Which in Ambitions Feaver vex your minde.
23
Nor wonder if I vouch, that 'tis not braveTo seek war's hire, though war we still pursue;
Nor censure this a proud excuse, to save
These who no safety know, but to subdue.
24
Your misbelief my hireless, valour scorns;But your hir'd valour were your faith reclaim'd,
(For faith reclaim'd to highest vertue turns)
Will be of bravest sallary asham'd.
25
Onely with fame valor of old was hir'd;And love was so suffic'd with it's own taste,
That those intemp'rate seem'd, who more desir'd
For love's reward, then that it self should last.
26
If love, or lust of Empire bred your pain,Take what my prudent hope hath still declin'd,
And my weak vertue never could sustain,
The Crown, which is the worst of Rhodalind.
27
'Tis she who taught you to encrease renown,By sowing Honor's field with noble deeds;
Which yields no harvest when 'tis over-grown
With wilde Ambition, the most rank of weeds.
28
Go reconcile the windes faln out at seaWith these tame precepts, (Oswald did replie)
But since thou dost bequeath thy hopes to me,
Know Legacies are vain till Givers die.
29
And here his rage ascended to his EiesFrom his close Brest, which hid till then the flame;
And like stirr'd fire in sparkles upward flies;
Rage which the Duke thus practis'd to reclaim.
50
30
Though you design'd our ruine by surprise,Though much in useful Armes you us exced,
And in your number some advantage lies,
Yet you may finde you such advantage need.
31
If I am vallew'd as th'impedimentWhich hinders your adoption to the Crown;
Let your revenge only on me be spent;
And hazard not my Party, nor your own.
32
Ambition else would up to Godhead grow,When so profanely we our anger prise,
That to appease it we the blood allow
Of whole offencelesse Herds for sacrifice.
33
Oswald (who Honor's publick pattern was,Till vain ambition led his heart aside)
More temp'rate grew in mannage of his cause,
And thus to noble Gondibert reply'd.
34
I wish it were not needful to be great;That Heav'ns unenvy'd pow'r might Men so awe
As we should need no Armies for defeat,
Nor for protection be at charge of Law.
35
But more then Heav'ns, Men, Man's authoritie(Though envy'd) use, because more understood;
For, but for that, Life's Utensils would be,
In Markets, as in Camps the price of blood.
36
Since the Worlds safety we in greatness finde.And pow'r divided is from greatness gone,
Save we the world, though to our selves unkinde,
By both indang'ring to establish one.
37
Not these, who kindle with my wrongs theire rage,Nor those bold Youth who warmly you attend,
Our distant Camps by action shall ingage;
But we our own great cause will singly end.
38
Back to your noble Hunters strait retire,And I to those who would those Hunters chace;
Let us perswade their fury to expire,
And give obediently our anger place.
39
Like unconcern'd Spectators let them stand,And be by sacred vow to distance bound;
Whilst their lov'd Leaders by our strict command,
Only as witnesses, approach this ground.
40
Where with no more defensive Armes then wasBy Nature ment us, who ordain'd Men Friends,
We will on foot determine our great cause;
On which the Lombards doubtful peace depends
51
41
The Duke at this did bow, and soon obay,Confess'd his honor he transcendent findes,
Said he their persons might a meaner way
With ods have aw'd, but this subdues their Mindes.
42
Now wing'd with Hope they to their Troops return,Oswald his old Grave Brescians makes retire,
Least if too neer, though like slow Match they burn,
The Duke's rash Youth like Powder might take fire.
43
First with their noble Chiefs they treat aside,Plead it humanity to bleed alone,
And term it needless cruelty and pride
With others Sacrifice to grace their owne.
44
Then to the Troopes gave their resolv'd commandNot to assist, through anger nor remorse;
Who seem'd more willing patiently to stand,
Because each side presum'd their Champion's force.
45
Now neer that ground ordain'd by them and FateTo be the last where one or both must tread,
Their chosen Judges they appoint to waite;
Who thither were like griev'd Spectators led.
46
These from the distant Troops far sever'd are;And neer their Chiefs divided Stations take;
Who strait uncloath, and for such deeds prepare,
By which strip'd Soules their fleshy Robes forsake.
47
But Hubert now advanc'd, and cry'd alow'dI will not trust uncertain Destinie,
Which may obscurely kill me in a Crowd,
That here have pow'r in publick view to die.
48
Oswald my Brother is! If any dareThink Gondibert's great name more Kingly sounds,
Let him alight, and he shall leave the care
Of chusing Monarchs, to attend his wounds!
49
This Hurgonill receiv'd with greedy Ear,Told him his summons boldly did express,
That he had little judgement whom to fear,
And in the choice of Kings his skill was less,
50
With equal haste they then alight and met,Where both their Chiefs in preparation stood;
Whilst Paradine and furious Dargonet
Cry'd out, we are of Oswald's Princely blood.
51
Are there not yet two more so fond of fame,So true to Gondibert, or Love's commands;
As to esteem it an unpleasant shame
With idle Eies to look on busie hands?
52
52
Such haste makes Beauty when it youth forsakes,And day from Travellers when it does set,
As Arnold to proud Paradine now makes,
And little Hugo to tall Dargonet.
53
The bloody Borgio, who with anguish stay'd,And check'd his rage, till these of Oswald's Race,
By wish'd example their brave Challenge made,
Now like his curb'd Steed foaming, shifts his place.
54
And thus (with haste and choller hoarse) he spake;Who e're amongst you thinks we destin'd are
To serve that King your Courtly Camp shall make,
Falsly he loves, nor is his Lady faire!
55
This scarce could urge the temp'rate Tybalt's fire,Who said, when Fate shall Artbert remove,
As ill then wilt thou judge who should aspire,
As who is fair, that art too rude to love.
56
But scarce had this reply reach'd Borgio's Eare,When Goltho louder cry'd, what ere he be
Dares think her foul who hath a Lover here,
Though Love I never knew, shall now know me!
57
Grave Tybalt, who had laid an early'r claimeTo this defiance, much distemper'd grows,
And Goltho's forward youth would sharply blame,
But that old Vasco thus did interpose.
58
That Boy who makes such haste to meet his fate,And fears he may (as if he knew it good)
Through others pride of danger come too late,
Shall read it strait ill written in his blood.
59
Let Empire fall, when we must Monarchs choose,By what unpractis'd Childhood shall approve;
And in tame peace let us our Manhood loose,
When Boyes yet wet with milk discourse of Love.
60
As bashful Maids blush, as if justly blam'd,When forc'd to suffer some indecent Tongue,
So Goltho blush'd (whom Vasco made asham'd)
As if he could offend by being young.
61
But instantly offended bashfulnessDoes to a brave and beauteous anger turn;
Which he in younger flames did so express,
That scarce old Vasco's Embers seem'd to burn.
62
The Princes knew in this new kindled rage,Opinion might (have like unlucky winde
State right to make it spread) their Troops ingage;
And therefore Oswald thus proclaim'd his minde.
53
63
Seem we already dead, that to our words(As to the last requests men dying make)
Your love but Mourners short respect affords,
And ere interr'd you our commands forsake?
64
We chose you Judges of your needful strife,Such whom the world (grown faithless) might esteem
As weighty witnesses of parting life,
But you are those we dying must condemn.
65
Are we become such worthless sacrifice,As cannot to the Lombards Heav'n atone,
Unless your added blood make up the price,
As if you thought it worthier then our own?
66
Our Fame which should survive, before us dy!And let (since in our presence disobay'd)
Renown of pow'r, like that of beauty fly
From knowledge, rather then be known decay'd!
67
This when with rev'rence heard, it would have madeOld Armies melt, to mark at what a rate
They spent their Hearts and Eies, kindly afraid
To be omitted in their Gen'ral's fate.
68
Hubert (whose Princely qualitie more freesHim then the rest, from all command, unless
He find it such as with his will agrees)
Did nobly thus his firm resolve express.
69
All greatness bred in blood be now abas'd!Instinct, the inward Image, which is wrought
And given with Life, be like thaw'd wax defac'd!
Though that bred better honor then is taught;
70
And may impressions of the common illWhich from street Parents the most low derives;
Blot all my minds fair book if I stand still
Whilst Oswald singly for the Publick strives:
71
A Brothers love all that obedience stays,Which Oswald else might as my Leader claime;
Whom as my love, my honour disobays,
And bids me serve our greater Leader, Fame.
72
With gentle looks Oswald to Hubert bowes,And said, I then must yield that Hubert shall
(Since from the same bright Sun our lustre grows)
Rise with my Morne, and with my Ev'ning fall!
73
Bold Paradine and Dargonet reviv'dTheir Suit, and cry'd, we are Astolpho's sons!
Who from your highest spring his blood deriv'd,
Though now it down in lower Channels runs.
54
74
Such lucky seasons to attain renown,We must not lose, who are to you ally'd;
Others usurp, who would your dangers own,
And what our duty is, in them is pride.
75
Then as his last Decree thus Oswald spake;You that vouchsafe to glory in my blood,
Shall share my dooms which for your merits sake,
Fate, were it bad, would alter into good.
76
If any others disobedient rage,Shall with uncivil love intrude his aid,
And by degrees our distant Troops ingage,
Be it his Curse still to be disobay'd!
77
War's Orders may he by the slow convayTo such as only shall dispute them long;
An ill peace make, when none will him obay,
And be for that, when old, judg'd by the young.
78
This said, he calmly bid the Duke provideSuch of his blood, as with those chosen Three
(Whilst their adoption they on foot decide)
May in brave life or death fit Partners bee.
79
Though here (reply'd the Duke) I find not now.Such as my blood with their alliance grace,
Yet Three I see, to whom your stock may bow,
If Love may be esteem'd of Heav'nly Race.
80
And much to me these are by love ally'd;Then Hugo, Arnold, and the Count drew neere;
Count Hurgonill woo'd Orna for his Bride,
The other two in Laura Rivals were.
81
But Tybalt cry'd (as swiftly as his voiceApproach'd the Duke) forgive me mighty Chief,
If justly I envy thy noble choice,
And disobey thee in wrong'd Love's relief.
82
If rev'renc'd love be sacred Myst'ry deem'd,And mystery's when hid to value grow,
Why am I less for hidden love esteem'd?
To unknown Godhead, wise Religious bow.
83
A Maid of thy high linage much I love,And hide her name till I can merit boast,
But shall I here (where I my worth improve)
For prising her above my self, be lost?
84
The Duke's firm bosome kindly seem'd to meltAt Tybalt's grief, that he omitted was;
Who lately had Love's secret conquest felt,
And hop'd for publick triumph in this cause.
55
85
Then he decreed, Hugo (though chose beforeTo share in this great work) should equally
With Tybalt be expos'd to Fortune's pow'r,
And by drawn Lots their wish'd election try.
86
Hugo his dreaded Lord with chearfull aweUs'd to obey, and with implicit love;
But now he must for certain honor draw
Uncertain Lots, seems heavily to move.
87
And here they trembling reach'd at Honor so,As if they gath'ring Flow'rs a Snake discern'd;
Yet fear'd Love only whose rewards then grow
To Lovers sweetest, when with danger earn'd.
88
From this brave fear, least they should danger scape,Was little Hugo eas'd, and when he drew
The Champion's lot, his joy inlarg'd his shape,
And with his lifted minde he taller grew.
89
But Tybalt stoop'd beneath his sorrows weight;Goltho and him kindly the Duke imbrac'd;
Then to their station sent; and Oswald straight
His so injoyn'd, and with like kindness grac'd.
90
When cruel Borgio does from Tybalt part,Vasco from Goltho, many a look they cast
Backward in sullen message from the heart,
And through their eyes their threatning anger wast.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |