 | Argalvs and Parthenia |  |
141
To be in action) comes into the Isle;
Clad in white armour, gilt, and strangely drest
With knots of womans hayre, which from his crest
Hung dangling down; and, with their bountious treasure,
Orespred his Corslet in a liberall measure;
His curious furniture was fashion'd out,
Like to a flying Eagle, round about
Beset with plumes; whose crooked beake (being cast
Into a costly Iewell) was made fast
To th'saddle bow: Her spredden traine did couer
His crooper, whilst the trappers seem'd to houer
Like wings; that, to the fixt beholders eye,
As the Horse pranc'd, the Eagle seem'd to fly;
Vpon his arme, (his threatning arme) he wore
A sleeue, all curiously embroydred ore
With bleeding hearts, which faire Parthenia made,
(In those crosse times, when fortune so betraid
Their secret loue, and with a smiling frowne
Dasht their false hopes) as copies of her owne;
Vpon his shield (for his deuice) he set
Two neighbring Palmes whose budding branches met
And twin'd together; the obscure Imprese
Imported this, Thus flourishing, as these:
His Horse was of a fiery Sorrell: Blacke
His maine, his feet, his taile; on his proud backe,
A coaleblacke List: His nostrells, open wide,
Breath'd warre, before his sparkling eye descryde
An enemy to encounter; vp by turnes,
He lifts his hasty hoofes, as if he scornes
The earth, or if his tabring feet had found
Away, to goe, and yet ne're change the ground.
| Argalvs and Parthenia | |