 | Argalvs and Parthenia |  |
Renown'd Amphialus,
If strong perswasions, backt with reasons could
Bin honour'd with your eare; your wisedome would,
In yeelding to so faire a peace, haue won
As ample glory, as your sword hath done.
You should haue conquer'd soules where now, at most,
You can subdue but bodies, that haue lost
The power to resist: But since my suit,
Sowne on so barren soyle, can find no fruit;
Receiue a mortall challenge, from a hand,
Whose iustice takes a glory to withstand
So foule a cause, and labours to subdue
Your heedlesse errors, whilst it honours you.
Compose you then, to make a preparation,
According to your noble wonted fashion;
And thinke not sleight, of ne're so weake an arme,
That strikes, when Iustice strikes vp her alarme.
If strong perswasions, backt with reasons could
Bin honour'd with your eare; your wisedome would,
In yeelding to so faire a peace, haue won
As ample glory, as your sword hath done.
140
You can subdue but bodies, that haue lost
The power to resist: But since my suit,
Sowne on so barren soyle, can find no fruit;
Receiue a mortall challenge, from a hand,
Whose iustice takes a glory to withstand
So foule a cause, and labours to subdue
Your heedlesse errors, whilst it honours you.
Compose you then, to make a preparation,
According to your noble wonted fashion;
And thinke not sleight, of ne're so weake an arme,
That strikes, when Iustice strikes vp her alarme.
Argalus.
| Argalvs and Parthenia | |