University of Virginia Library

CANTO VIII.

Now Titans Horses with his fiery Carr,
Had brought the day to darkness in the West,
And Vesper, the silver shining Starr,
Which doth adorn the Skies at evening best
Appear'd as bright as Cynthia in her Sphere,
To welcome sable-nights approaching near.
When Terry, Guy and Osile wanting guide,
Did stay about the unfrequenting Wood,
Hearing the Savage noise on every side,
Of Beasts that thirsted after human blood,
As Boars, and Bears, and Lyons, and the like,
Which to their hearts did some amazement strike.
On every side they cast a heedful eye,
Still doubting on a sudden, some surprise;
At length two armed men they did espy,
That also listen to those fearful cries,
Each had his sword in hand, being ready drawn,
Knowing that place did yield no dogs would fawn,
Coming more near, Sir Heraud was the one,
The other even as dearly Terry's friend,
Who with embracements made their gladness known,
And then the Earl demanded to what end
His loving Cousin pass'd the desart so?
My Lord (quoth he) to bring the news of wo.
Thy noble Father is besieged now
In his strong Castle, by Duke Ottens Power;
Who hath Protested by a solemn vow,
About his ears he will pull down the Tower,
In a revenge that thou his Love hast got,
He swears thy Father's life escapeth not.
His Love (quoth Terry) prithee Osile speak,
Acquaint this worthy man with thy souls thought
Have I procur'd thee any faith to break?
Or been the instigator unto ought
That is unjust in righteous Heavens sight?
Ever, (quoth Osile) thou hast been upright.
That wretch would force my love from thee away,
In claiming that I ne're intend to give;
I will be thine until my dying day,
Thou shalt enjoy me all the hours I live:
And when I alter this determination,
Let God and man hold me in destation.
Well spoke (said Guy) Lady be constant ever,
And honour's blemish then thou needst not doubt;
Keep Love's foundation firm, alter it never,
It is for Love I range the World about:
And do expose my life to mortal danger
In this exiled state, an unknown stranger.
But Terry, wherefore are thy looks so sad?
Thou hast thy Love in person to embrace;
As far as England mine is to be had,
And many years I have not seen her face:
It were enough to bring my hopes to end,
But that my patience is a trusty friend.
My Lord (saith Terry) know you not my grief,
And heard this messenger relate the cause?
Oh my distressed Father wants relief!
I were a Rebel unto Nature's Laws,
Not to condole with him in his extream,
Making his trouble my true sorrows Theam.
If that be all (quoth he) thou art to blame,
There is no cause to spend a sigh thereon:
I'le terrifie Duke Otten with my name,
Let him but hear I come, and he'l be gone.
Something between us may not be forgot,
He felt my sword in France, but lik'd it not.
Since that, against my life a plot he laid,
By Villains that surpriz'd me in a wood,
But treachery with vengeance was repaid;
Who ever knew a Traitor's end prove good;
Accursed haps attend them evermore:
In Brazen Bull Perillus did first roar.
I will go with thee to defend thy Father,
(For the oppressed I have vow'd to right)
And reason moveth it, so much the rather
Mine own abuses therewith to requite:
This opportunity we'l not omit,
In that occasion falleth out so fit.
Let's hasten on with speed unto the place,
Preventing mischeif e're too far it run,
Take hold on Time before he turns his face,
Good proveth best, when it is soonest done;
Go like Eneas with a filial joy,
To fetch thine old Anchises out of Troy.
Couragious Knight (quoth Terry) thy bold heart
Connot be daunted, I perceive, with fear;
Compos'd with Mars his Element thou art,
Of powerful limbs, to manage sword and spear;
My Melancholy thou hast banish'd hence,
And with strong hope arm'd me in recompence.
Now all in post they speed themselves away,
And in short time unto the Castle come,
Wheereas Duke Otten and his forces lay,
Relying on his Souldiers ample summe;
But when the Captains of Guy's coming knew,
They fled by night, and never bad adieu.
This was discouragement to all the rest,
To see their Leaders thus give ground and flie.
Yet the Duke most resolute protest,
If each man in the Castle were a Guy,
He would not leave it basely and retire;
Though life be dear, yet honours place is higher.
Terry (quoth Guy) we must not tedious be;
Experience often hath my Tutor been,
And taught, that when advantage I do see,
To fasten on occasion and begin;
The enemy by fear himself subdues,
Add force to that, and victory ensues.
We will not make our prison in this place,
As long as there is field-room to be got;
'Tis my desire to meet the Duke's good Grace,
And combat him, because he loves me not,
If that you will not leave this house of stone,
I'le leave you all, and go myself alone.
And with these words Heraud and he depart,
Which when the Castle-soldiers did perceive,
They gave a shout, Our General thou art,
Thy honourable steps we will not leave;
We are resolved to attend thee still,
Let Fortune use us, e'en as fortune will.
And thus most valiant they do march along,
Giving the onset, fearless to their foe;
Making those multitudes that seem so strong,
Retire themselves with slaughtered overthrow;
But when the Duke perceiv'd his Soldiers flye,
Perish (quoth he) base Villians, here I'le dye.
Where is this English man that haunts my Ghost,
And thus pursueth me from place to place?
I challenge him to come and leave the Host,
And meet with resolution face to face:
Let equal envy make his equal match,
All controversies we will soon dispatch.
Agreed (quoth Guy) proud Foe, I yield consent:
Repent thy wrongs, and make thy conscience clear;
For thou hast liv'd to see thy honour spent,
Which worthy men of all things hold most dear:
The noble-minded censure him with shame
That lives to see the death of his good name.
Then toward each other they did manly make,
And break their Launces very violent;
Which being done, their swords in hand they take,
Fighting untill great store of blood was spent:
For envy did the Duke's keen weapon whet;
And on Guy's sword revenge an edge did set;
At length through loss of blood the Duke fell down
And said, Now fond felicity farewel;
I am betray'd by Fortune's angry frown,
And this experience to the world doth tell,
There's nothing constant that the Earth contains,
Death deals with Monarchs, as with simple Swains.
Bewitching vanities, seducing blind us,
Greatness hath great accounts thereon depending:
As Death doth leave us, so shall Judgment find us,
There is no peace unto a happy ending:
My dying hour yields more repenting grace,
Than in my life I ever could embrace.
Th' immortal soul doth with these words depart,
And leaves the breathless body did contain it:
While woful passions do afflict Guy's heart,
Now wishing to himself he had not slain it:
For true humilty compassion shows,
To see affliction over burden woes.
Guy sheath'd his sword, and said, remain thou there
Until I do arrive on Englands shore;
No further quarrel to the world I bear,
For love of Phælice I will bleed no more;
From her I have been too too long away,
And will return to challenge Soldiers pay.
So thence he rode to find Sir Heraud out,
Making his journey through a desart place,
Which was obscure, environ'd roundabout
With shady trees that hid bright Phœbus face,
Where suddenly he met the hugest Boar,
That ever mortal eyes beheld before.
The Beast came at him most exceeding fell,
Which he perceiving, stands upon his guard,
And doth avoid those dreadful Tusks right well,
Laying upon his swinish head so hard,
That dead he left him, who had many slain,
For forth that Wood no man came back again.
When this was done, Heraud he overtakes,
And tells him what a Christmas Brawn he slew,
Then with his purpose him acquainted makes,
Which was to bid all foreign parts adieu,
And see the heavenly object of his heart;
Heraud consents, and they forthwith depart.