Pharonnida A Heroick Poem. By William Chamberlayne |
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| 2. | CANTO THE SECOND. |
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 | Pharonnida |  |
102
CANTO THE SECOND.
The ARGUMENT.
III
Freed from suspition by a Cause that tellsHis injur'd Prince, Almanzors guilt exceeds
His great'st mistrust, from thence just anger swells,
Till for that Feaver the whole Nation bleeds.
IV
Armies united in a dreadfull hast,From distant places sad Spectators bring,
To see by Fortune Justice so defac'd,
The Subjects here pursue a Conquer'd King.
Morea's
prudent Prince, whose sears had bin
Before this Message, but like truths wrapt in
Dark Oracles; now, with a sence inlarg'd,
Beyond imperfect doubts, no longer charg'd
His Judgment with Dilemma's, but in all
The hast indulgent Love, when by the call
Of danger frighted, could procure, without
Staying to let slow Counsel urge a doubt,
Which might but seem a Remora unto
His fixt desires, having together drew;
His Guard was marching; when, in such a hast
As breathless speed fore-shewd they had been chac'd
By some approaching danger, such as were
Too full of truth, and loyalty to bear,
Rebellion longer, then their thoughts could be
Eas'd of the burthen by discoverie:
Arrive at th' Court with this sad news, that by
Almanzor (who forgetting Loyalty)
Had seiz'd Alcithiu's Castle, they were drove
To fly their Country, since that there he strove
To raise an Army, by whose strength he might,
To the Swords power subject the Scepters right.
Before this Message, but like truths wrapt in
Dark Oracles; now, with a sence inlarg'd,
Beyond imperfect doubts, no longer charg'd
103
The hast indulgent Love, when by the call
Of danger frighted, could procure, without
Staying to let slow Counsel urge a doubt,
Which might but seem a Remora unto
His fixt desires, having together drew;
His Guard was marching; when, in such a hast
As breathless speed fore-shewd they had been chac'd
By some approaching danger, such as were
Too full of truth, and loyalty to bear,
Rebellion longer, then their thoughts could be
Eas'd of the burthen by discoverie:
Arrive at th' Court with this sad news, that by
Almanzor (who forgetting Loyalty)
Had seiz'd Alcithiu's Castle, they were drove
To fly their Country, since that there he strove
To raise an Army, by whose strength he might,
To the Swords power subject the Scepters right.
By this sad news startl'd out of his late
Fixt resolutions, the vext Prince whose Fate
Had not through all the progress of his Reign,
Darted so many Plagues to entertain
Them now with strength unballast, cals in hast
His late neglected Counsel, and embrac'd
This sudden, but mature advice, that he
Should with such Forces as could soonest be
Prepar'd for service, having only seen
Pharonnida, possess that streight between
The Castle, and the Mountains, from whose rude
Inhabitants, which Nature did include
Within those Rocks, Rebellion soonest might
Grow to a dangerous tumour, the dim light
Of scarce discerned Majesty, so far
Being from them remov'd, that least a War,
Inforc'd him to command their aide, they nere
Heard of his Mandates, being more fit to bear
The weight of Armour on their bodies, then
Of Taxes on Estates, so smal that when
With all the art of Industry improv'd,
For want were kept, but not for ease belov'd.
Fixt resolutions, the vext Prince whose Fate
Had not through all the progress of his Reign,
Darted so many Plagues to entertain
Them now with strength unballast, cals in hast
His late neglected Counsel, and embrac'd
This sudden, but mature advice, that he
Should with such Forces as could soonest be
Prepar'd for service, having only seen
Pharonnida, possess that streight between
The Castle, and the Mountains, from whose rude
Inhabitants, which Nature did include
Within those Rocks, Rebellion soonest might
Grow to a dangerous tumour, the dim light
104
Being from them remov'd, that least a War,
Inforc'd him to command their aide, they nere
Heard of his Mandates, being more fit to bear
The weight of Armour on their bodies, then
Of Taxes on Estates, so smal that when
With all the art of Industry improv'd,
For want were kept, but not for ease belov'd.
Through paths that no Vestigia shewed to these
As being retaind, or lost with greatest ease;
Since naturally unconstant, comes the King,
Not much too late, Majestick Rayes did bring
Props to their wavering Faith that yet remaind
Unclad in lawless Armes, some being gaind
Unto Almanzor, whose revolt had brought
That freedome those, whose subtile plots long sought
For Innovations, wisht; the sickly state
In sad Eruptions, such as future Fate,
From sacred truths, speaks deadly symptomes in
Relaxes, all that order which had been
Till now her Cement; the soft harmony
Of peaceful Contracts, sadly silenc'd by
That discord, in whose flames the Kingdome burnd,
Had all their Measures into Marches turnd.
As being retaind, or lost with greatest ease;
Since naturally unconstant, comes the King,
Not much too late, Majestick Rayes did bring
Props to their wavering Faith that yet remaind
Unclad in lawless Armes, some being gaind
Unto Almanzor, whose revolt had brought
That freedome those, whose subtile plots long sought
For Innovations, wisht; the sickly state
In sad Eruptions, such as future Fate,
From sacred truths, speaks deadly symptomes in
Relaxes, all that order which had been
Till now her Cement; the soft harmony
Of peaceful Contracts, sadly silenc'd by
That discord, in whose flames the Kingdome burnd,
Had all their Measures into Marches turnd.
Throughout his Dominions speedy Orders flow,
For raising Troops; whilst with such hast, as new
Shorn Meadows, when approaching stormes are nigh,
Tir'd Labourers huddle up; both parties try
To levy Armies. The sad Scholar throws
His Books aside, and now in practice shews
His studied Theoricks; the stiff Labourer leaves
Ith' half-shorn fields the uncollected sheaves,
To female Taskers, and exchangd his hook
Into a Sword; each busie Trade that took
Pains in the nicer Ornaments of peace,
Sit idle till Want forc't them to encrease
The new raisd Troops; that Ornament oth' Hall,
Old Armours, which had nothing but a Wall
Of long time sav'd from the invading dust,
From Cobwebs swept, though its Enamel rust
Stick close, and on th' unpractic'd Soldier put,
Forth of their breasts, nor fear, nor danger shut.
For raising Troops; whilst with such hast, as new
Shorn Meadows, when approaching stormes are nigh,
Tir'd Labourers huddle up; both parties try
To levy Armies. The sad Scholar throws
His Books aside, and now in practice shews
His studied Theoricks; the stiff Labourer leaves
Ith' half-shorn fields the uncollected sheaves,
105
Into a Sword; each busie Trade that took
Pains in the nicer Ornaments of peace,
Sit idle till Want forc't them to encrease
The new raisd Troops; that Ornament oth' Hall,
Old Armours, which had nothing but a Wall
Of long time sav'd from the invading dust,
From Cobwebs swept, though its Enamel rust
Stick close, and on th' unpractic'd Soldier put,
Forth of their breasts, nor fear, nor danger shut.
Yet with an Army of this temper in
Hast huddl'd up, the wandring Prince had been
Inforc'd to fight, had not his just Cause brought
Some loyal Gentry, such, whose Vertue sought
Truth for reward, unto his side, with which
He now advances more compleatly rich,
In noble Valour, then's rebellious Foes,
In numerous Troops; no Enemies oppose
His speedy March, till being now come near
Alcithius Fort, Almanzors timely fear,
Hurries him thence; his better Fate depends
On larger hopes; unto such constant friends,
As equal guilt by sympathy secur'd,
To him he leaves the Castle, and assur'd
Them of relief, with what convenient speed,
Those of his Faction (which did only need
His presence to confirm rebellion by,
An injur'd power) could draw their Armies nigh.
Hast huddl'd up, the wandring Prince had been
Inforc'd to fight, had not his just Cause brought
Some loyal Gentry, such, whose Vertue sought
Truth for reward, unto his side, with which
He now advances more compleatly rich,
In noble Valour, then's rebellious Foes,
In numerous Troops; no Enemies oppose
His speedy March, till being now come near
Alcithius Fort, Almanzors timely fear,
Hurries him thence; his better Fate depends
On larger hopes; unto such constant friends,
As equal guilt by sympathy secur'd,
To him he leaves the Castle, and assur'd
Them of relief, with what convenient speed,
Those of his Faction (which did only need
His presence to confirm rebellion by,
An injur'd power) could draw their Armies nigh.
As hence he marches, each succesful hour
Augments his strength, till the unlawful power,
Trebl'd his injur'd Princes; but as they
Who carry guilt about them, do betray
Her by her Sister fear, so these whose Crimes
Detected, durst not, in more peaceful times,
Look Justice in the face, and therefore now
Stood vail'd in Armes against her, fearing how
She might prevail 'gainst power, march not till
A greater strength their empty bosomes fill
With hope, a tumor which doth oft dilate
The narrow Souls of Cowards, till their Fate
Flatter them into ruine, then forsakes
Them in an Earthquake, whose pale terror shakes
Base Souls to flight, whilst noble valor dies,
Adorn'd with Wounds, Fames bleeding Sacrifice.
Augments his strength, till the unlawful power,
Trebl'd his injur'd Princes; but as they
Who carry guilt about them, do betray
106
Detected, durst not, in more peaceful times,
Look Justice in the face, and therefore now
Stood vail'd in Armes against her, fearing how
She might prevail 'gainst power, march not till
A greater strength their empty bosomes fill
With hope, a tumor which doth oft dilate
The narrow Souls of Cowards, till their Fate
Flatter them into ruine, then forsakes
Them in an Earthquake, whose pale terror shakes
Base Souls to flight, whilst noble valor dies,
Adorn'd with Wounds, Fames bleeding Sacrifice.
Almanzors doubtful Army, since that here
The threatning storm at distance did appear,
Lockt in a Calme, possest with confidence,
Slowly their Squadrons move, but had from thence
Not a daies journey marcht, before the sad
News of Alcithiu's desperate danger had
Pal'd o're their Camp, which whilst the Leaders strove
To animate, Almanzor faster drove
On those designs, which (prospering) might prevent
It from surrender, but the time was spent
Too far before. The Governor that kept
It now, against his Prince too long had slept,
In the preceding down of peace, to be
Awakn'd into valour, only he
Had seen't kept clean from Cobwebs, and perhaps
The Guns shot off, when those loud thunder-claps
Proclaim'd a storm of healths; yet till he saw
The threatning danger circularly draw
An armed Line about him, in as high
A voice as valor, could a Foe defie,
He clothes his fears, which shook the false disguise
Off with the first assault, and swiftly flies
To's Princes mercy, whose pleas'd Soul he found
Heighten'd, to have his first attempt thus crownd
With Victory, which nere made his Army less,
Nor steept in blood, though travaild to success.
The threatning storm at distance did appear,
Lockt in a Calme, possest with confidence,
Slowly their Squadrons move, but had from thence
Not a daies journey marcht, before the sad
News of Alcithiu's desperate danger had
Pal'd o're their Camp, which whilst the Leaders strove
To animate, Almanzor faster drove
On those designs, which (prospering) might prevent
It from surrender, but the time was spent
Too far before. The Governor that kept
It now, against his Prince too long had slept,
In the preceding down of peace, to be
Awakn'd into valour, only he
Had seen't kept clean from Cobwebs, and perhaps
The Guns shot off, when those loud thunder-claps
Proclaim'd a storm of healths; yet till he saw
The threatning danger circularly draw
An armed Line about him, in as high
A voice as valor, could a Foe defie,
107
Off with the first assault, and swiftly flies
To's Princes mercy, whose pleas'd Soul he found
Heighten'd, to have his first attempt thus crownd
With Victory, which nere made his Army less,
Nor steept in blood, though travaild to success.
To this new Conquest, as a place whose strength,
He best might trust, if to a tedious length,
Or black Misfortune, the ensuing War,
His Fate should spin, his choicest treasures are,
Together with her, in whose safety he,
Plac'd Life it self, brought for security.
This done, that now no slow delaies might look
Like feare, he with his loyal Army took
The field, in which he'd scarce a Level chose,
To rallie's Army, ere his numerous Foes,
Appear on th' tops of the adjacent Hill,
Like Clouds, which when presaging storms, do fill
Dark Southern Regions: In a plain that lay
So near, that both the Armies full survay,
Might from the Clifts, on which Alcithius stands,
Be safely viewd, were the rebellious bands
Of's Enemies descending, on each side
Flank'd by a River which did yet divide
Him from the Prince, who having time to choose
What ground to fight on, did that blessing use
To's best advantage, on a Bridge which by
Boards closely linkt had forc'd an unity
Betwixt the Banks, his Army past, he now
Within a Plain, whose spatious bounds allow,
Together with a large extention, all,
An ancient Leader could convenient call.
He best might trust, if to a tedious length,
Or black Misfortune, the ensuing War,
His Fate should spin, his choicest treasures are,
Together with her, in whose safety he,
Plac'd Life it self, brought for security.
This done, that now no slow delaies might look
Like feare, he with his loyal Army took
The field, in which he'd scarce a Level chose,
To rallie's Army, ere his numerous Foes,
Appear on th' tops of the adjacent Hill,
Like Clouds, which when presaging storms, do fill
Dark Southern Regions: In a plain that lay
So near, that both the Armies full survay,
Might from the Clifts, on which Alcithius stands,
Be safely viewd, were the rebellious bands
Of's Enemies descending, on each side
Flank'd by a River which did yet divide
Him from the Prince, who having time to choose
What ground to fight on, did that blessing use
To's best advantage, on a Bridge which by
Boards closely linkt had forc'd an unity
Betwixt the Banks, his Army past, he now
Within a Plain, whose spatious bounds allow,
Together with a large extention, all,
An ancient Leader could convenient call.
108
Remov'd no tedious distance from his Rear
Stood a smal Town, which, as the place took care
How to advance so just an interest, might
Be useful, when tir'd in the heat of fight,
Strength lost in Wounds should force some thither by
Wants which a Camp's unfurnisht to supply.
More near his Front, betwixt him, and the Plain,
Through which Almanzor led his spatious Train,
On a smal Hill which gently rose, as though
Its eminence, but only strove to shew
The fragrant Vale, how much nice Art out-went
Their beauties in her brows fair Ornament,
A splendid Palace stood, which having been
Built but for wanton peace to revel in,
Was as unfit for the rough hand of War,
As boisterous Armes for tender Virgins are.
Stood a smal Town, which, as the place took care
How to advance so just an interest, might
Be useful, when tir'd in the heat of fight,
Strength lost in Wounds should force some thither by
Wants which a Camp's unfurnisht to supply.
More near his Front, betwixt him, and the Plain,
Through which Almanzor led his spatious Train,
On a smal Hill which gently rose, as though
Its eminence, but only strove to shew
The fragrant Vale, how much nice Art out-went
Their beauties in her brows fair Ornament,
A splendid Palace stood, which having been
Built but for wanton peace to revel in,
Was as unfit for the rough hand of War,
As boisterous Armes for tender Virgins are.
To this, since now of consequence unto
The first Possessor had both Armies drew;
Commanded parties, which ere Night shut in,
Lights latest Rayes, did furiously begin
The first hot Skirmish, which continuing till
Dark shadows all the Hemisphear did fill,
To such as Fear, or Novelty had sent,
To th' Hils safe tops, such dreadful prospect lent,
By the swift rising of those sudden fires,
In whose short close, that fatal sound expires;
Which tels each timerous Auditor its breath,
To distant breasts, bears unexpected death:
That whilst their eyes direct their thoughts unto
Their danger, whom Reward or Honour drew
To the Encounter, all the uncouth sight
Affords, to horror turns that strange delight.
The first Possessor had both Armies drew;
Commanded parties, which ere Night shut in,
Lights latest Rayes, did furiously begin
The first hot Skirmish, which continuing till
Dark shadows all the Hemisphear did fill,
To such as Fear, or Novelty had sent,
To th' Hils safe tops, such dreadful prospect lent,
By the swift rising of those sudden fires,
In whose short close, that fatal sound expires;
Which tels each timerous Auditor its breath,
To distant breasts, bears unexpected death:
That whilst their eyes direct their thoughts unto
Their danger, whom Reward or Honour drew
To the Encounter, all the uncouth sight
Affords, to horror turns that strange delight.
109
These circling fires drawn neer their Center, in
Such tumult, as Armies engag'd begin
Deaths fatal task, a dreadful sound surpriz'd
The distant Ear, danger, that lay disguiz'd
In darkness yet, now, as if wak'nd by
The Conquerors shouts, so general, and so high
That it even drownd the clamourous Instruments
Of fatal War, her Vale of sables rents,
From round the Palace, by that horrid light,
Which her own Turrets, through the steams of Night
In dreadful blazes sent, discovering both
The shadowed Armies, who like Mourners loth
To draw too near their sorrows Center, while
Their friends consume, surround the blazing Pile,
In such a sad and terrible aspect,
That those engag'd in Action, could neglect
Approaching danger, to behold how they
Like Woods grown near the foot of Ætna lay,
Whilst the proud Palace from her sinking Wals,
In this sharp Feavers fiery Chrisis fals.
Such tumult, as Armies engag'd begin
Deaths fatal task, a dreadful sound surpriz'd
The distant Ear, danger, that lay disguiz'd
In darkness yet, now, as if wak'nd by
The Conquerors shouts, so general, and so high
That it even drownd the clamourous Instruments
Of fatal War, her Vale of sables rents,
From round the Palace, by that horrid light,
Which her own Turrets, through the steams of Night
In dreadful blazes sent, discovering both
The shadowed Armies, who like Mourners loth
To draw too near their sorrows Center, while
Their friends consume, surround the blazing Pile,
In such a sad and terrible aspect,
That those engag'd in Action, could neglect
Approaching danger, to behold how they
Like Woods grown near the foot of Ætna lay,
Whilst the proud Palace from her sinking Wals,
In this sharp Feavers fiery Chrisis fals.
But now the Nights, as wearied with a Rain,
So ful of trouble, had resign'd again,
The earths divided Empire, and the day
Grown strong in light, both Armies did display
To their full view, who to the Mountain, in
Sad expectation of th' event, had been
Early Spectators cal'd; here, seated nigh
Their female friends, old men exempted by
Weakness from Wars to, rough encounters, shew
Those Colours which, their active Youth did know
Adorn the field, when those that now engage,
Like tender Plants, kept for the future age,
In blooming Childhood were, 'mongst this they tell
What Heroes in preceding Battels fel,
Where Victory stoop to Valor, and where rent
From brave desert by fatal Accident:
Then ere their story can a period have,
Shew Wounds they took, and tell of some they gave.
So ful of trouble, had resign'd again,
The earths divided Empire, and the day
Grown strong in light, both Armies did display
To their full view, who to the Mountain, in
Sad expectation of th' event, had been
Early Spectators cal'd; here, seated nigh
Their female friends, old men exempted by
Weakness from Wars to, rough encounters, shew
Those Colours which, their active Youth did know
Adorn the field, when those that now engage,
Like tender Plants, kept for the future age,
110
What Heroes in preceding Battels fel,
Where Victory stoop to Valor, and where rent
From brave desert by fatal Accident:
Then ere their story can a period have,
Shew Wounds they took, and tell of some they gave.
This sad Præludium, to an action far
More dismal past, the unvaild Face of War
Looks big with horror; now both Armies draw
So neer, that their divided Brothers saw
Each others guilt (that too too common sin
Of civil War.) Rebellions Sons stood in
Armes 'gainst their Fathers clad: friends that no cross
Could dis-unite, here found the fatal loss
Of Amity, and (as presaging blood)
Ith' worst Aspect, sad opposition stood,
One was their fashion, form, and discipline,
Strict Heraulds in one Scutcheon did combine
Th' Armes of both Armies, yet all this must be
By Wars wild rage rob'd of its unity.
More dismal past, the unvaild Face of War
Looks big with horror; now both Armies draw
So neer, that their divided Brothers saw
Each others guilt (that too too common sin
Of civil War.) Rebellions Sons stood in
Armes 'gainst their Fathers clad: friends that no cross
Could dis-unite, here found the fatal loss
Of Amity, and (as presaging blood)
Ith' worst Aspect, sad opposition stood,
One was their fashion, form, and discipline,
Strict Heraulds in one Scutcheon did combine
Th' Armes of both Armies, yet all this must be
By Wars wild rage rob'd of its unity.
Whilst like sad Saturn, ominous and slow,
Each Army mov'd, some Youths set here to grow
By forward Actions, stately Cedars, to
Adorn Fames Court, like shooting Stars were flew,
So bright, so glittering, from th' unweildy throng
Of either Army, which being mixt among
Each other, in a swift Numidian fight,
Like Aires small Atomes, when discovering light
Betraies their motion shews, some hours had past
In this light Skirmish, till now near Wars last
Sad Scean arriv'd, as the distrest heart cals,
Before the body deaths pale Victim fals,
Those Spirits that dispers'd by action were
Back to their Center, their Commanders care,
Summons these in, that so united strength
Might swiftly end, or else sustain the length
Of that black storm, where yet that danger stood,
Which must ere long fall in a shower of blood.
Each Army mov'd, some Youths set here to grow
By forward Actions, stately Cedars, to
Adorn Fames Court, like shooting Stars were flew,
So bright, so glittering, from th' unweildy throng
Of either Army, which being mixt among
Each other, in a swift Numidian fight,
Like Aires small Atomes, when discovering light
Betraies their motion shews, some hours had past
In this light Skirmish, till now near Wars last
Sad Scean arriv'd, as the distrest heart cals,
Before the body deaths pale Victim fals,
111
Back to their Center, their Commanders care,
Summons these in, that so united strength
Might swiftly end, or else sustain the length
Of that black storm, where yet that danger stood,
Which must ere long fall in a shower of blood.
A dismal silence, such as oft attends
Those that surround the death-beds of their friends,
In the departing minute, reigns throughout,
Both Armies Troops, who gather'd now about
Their several Standards, and distinguisht by
Their several colours, such variety
Presents the eye with, that whilst the sad thought
Beholds them but as falling branches brought
To the decay of time, their view did bring
In all the pleasures of the checkquerd Spring.
Like a large field, where being confin'd unto
Their several squares, here blushing Roses grew,
There purpl'd hiacinths, and neer to them,
The yellow Cowslip bends its tender stem,
To th' Mountains top, the Army marching low,
Within the Vale, their several Squadrons shew.
Those that surround the death-beds of their friends,
In the departing minute, reigns throughout,
Both Armies Troops, who gather'd now about
Their several Standards, and distinguisht by
Their several colours, such variety
Presents the eye with, that whilst the sad thought
Beholds them but as falling branches brought
To the decay of time, their view did bring
In all the pleasures of the checkquerd Spring.
Like a large field, where being confin'd unto
Their several squares, here blushing Roses grew,
There purpl'd hiacinths, and neer to them,
The yellow Cowslip bends its tender stem,
To th' Mountains top, the Army marching low,
Within the Vale, their several Squadrons shew.
This silent time, which by command was set
Aside to pay Confessions needful debt,
To oft offended Heaven, whose aide though gave
Ere askt, yet since our duty is to crave,
Expects our prayers, the Armies from their still
Devotion rais'd, declare what Spirits fill
Their breast, by such an universal joy,
As to get Young, and not the Old destroy,
Each had by beauteous Paranymphs been led,
Not to rough War, but a soft Nuptial Bed.
Aside to pay Confessions needful debt,
To oft offended Heaven, whose aide though gave
Ere askt, yet since our duty is to crave,
Expects our prayers, the Armies from their still
Devotion rais'd, declare what Spirits fill
Their breast, by such an universal joy,
As to get Young, and not the Old destroy,
Each had by beauteous Paranymphs been led,
Not to rough War, but a soft Nuptial Bed.
112
That fatal hour, by time, which though it last,
Till fixt Stars have a perfect Circle past,
We still think short, to Action brought, which now
So near approacht, it could no more allow
The Generals to consult, although there need,
Nought to augment, when Valours flame doth feed,
High on the hopes of Victory, the rage
Of eager Armies, ere their Troops engage
Their several Leaders, all that Art did use,
By which loud Wars rough Rhetorick doth infuse
Into those bodies, on whose strength consists
Their safety, Souls whose brave Resolves might twist
Them into Chains of Valour, which no force
Then death less powerful, ever should divorce.
Till fixt Stars have a perfect Circle past,
We still think short, to Action brought, which now
So near approacht, it could no more allow
The Generals to consult, although there need,
Nought to augment, when Valours flame doth feed,
High on the hopes of Victory, the rage
Of eager Armies, ere their Troops engage
Their several Leaders, all that Art did use,
By which loud Wars rough Rhetorick doth infuse
Into those bodies, on whose strength consists
Their safety, Souls whose brave Resolves might twist
Them into Chains of Valour, which no force
Then death less powerful, ever should divorce.
The Prince, as more depending on the just
Cause that had drawn his Sword, which to distrust,
Looks like a Crime, soonest commits the day
To Fates Arbitrement; no more delay
Comforts the fainting Coward: a sad sound
Of Cannon gave the Signal, and had drownd
The murmuring Drum in silence, Earth did groan,
In trembling Ecchoes, on her sanguine Throne
High mounted Horrour sits, wild Rage doth fill
Each breast with Fury, whose fierce flames distill,
Life through th' Alimbecks of their Rains, that Cloud
Of dust, which when they first did move, a shrowd
Of darkness vaild them in, allayd with blood,
Fell to the Earth, whose Clests a crimson flood,
Fil'd to the brim, and when it could contain
No more, let forth those purple streams to stain
The blushing fields, which being made slippery by
Th' unnatural shower, there lets them sink and dy:
Whose empty veins rent in this fatal strife,
Here dropt the treasure of exhausted Life.
Cause that had drawn his Sword, which to distrust,
Looks like a Crime, soonest commits the day
To Fates Arbitrement; no more delay
Comforts the fainting Coward: a sad sound
Of Cannon gave the Signal, and had drownd
The murmuring Drum in silence, Earth did groan,
In trembling Ecchoes, on her sanguine Throne
High mounted Horrour sits, wild Rage doth fill
Each breast with Fury, whose fierce flames distill,
Life through th' Alimbecks of their Rains, that Cloud
Of dust, which when they first did move, a shrowd
Of darkness vaild them in, allayd with blood,
Fell to the Earth, whose Clests a crimson flood,
Fil'd to the brim, and when it could contain
No more, let forth those purple streams to stain
The blushing fields, which being made slippery by
Th' unnatural shower, there lets them sink and dy:
113
Here dropt the treasure of exhausted Life.
In sad exchange of wounds, whilst the last breath,
Even flying forth to give another death;
Supports the fainting Spirits, all were now
Sadly imploy'd, arm'd danger could allow,
In this loud storm of Action, none to stand
Idle Spectators, but each busie hand
Labours in deaths great work, his life to sell
At rates so dear, that Foe by which he fell,
To boast his gain survives not; but now in
This mart of death, blind Fortune doth begin
To shew her self Antagonist unto
Less powerful Justice; In the common view
Of reason, which by the external shape
Of Actions only judges, no escape
From their desert, Captivity, was left,
The Rebels Armie, but th' unmanly theft
Of secret flight, to some, protected by
Their Fellows loss, when in a rage as high
As if it had attempted to out-roar
The Battels thunder, a rude Tempest bore
From Southern Climates, on th' exalted wings
Of new-rais'd winds, a change so fatal brings,
To th' royal Army, that from Vict'ries near,
Succesful pride, unto extreams which fear
Did nere suggest, it brought them back to view
Their glorious hopes thus sadly over-threw.
Even flying forth to give another death;
Supports the fainting Spirits, all were now
Sadly imploy'd, arm'd danger could allow,
In this loud storm of Action, none to stand
Idle Spectators, but each busie hand
Labours in deaths great work, his life to sell
At rates so dear, that Foe by which he fell,
To boast his gain survives not; but now in
This mart of death, blind Fortune doth begin
To shew her self Antagonist unto
Less powerful Justice; In the common view
Of reason, which by the external shape
Of Actions only judges, no escape
From their desert, Captivity, was left,
The Rebels Armie, but th' unmanly theft
Of secret flight, to some, protected by
Their Fellows loss, when in a rage as high
As if it had attempted to out-roar
The Battels thunder, a rude Tempest bore
From Southern Climates, on th' exalted wings
Of new-rais'd winds, a change so fatal brings,
To th' royal Army, that from Vict'ries near,
Succesful pride, unto extreams which fear
Did nere suggest, it brought them back to view
Their glorious hopes thus sadly over-threw.
A strong reserve, rais'd by his friends to be
Almanzors rescue, if that Victorie,
Seem'd to assist the juster part, was now
Brought neer the River, which endeavouring how
To ford, they there unwillingly had been
Detaind, till strength had prov'd but useless in
The Princess Conquest, if the swelling flood,
VVhose added streams (too strong to be withstood)
Had not in that impeteous torrent tore
That Bridge which past the royal Army o're;
Whose severd Boats borne down the River, made
So sad a change, that whilst their Foes invade,
Their Rear on them, the late lamented loss,
Forbid the others when dispers'd to cross
Their Waves by dangers, which in each breast bred
Terrors as great as those from whence they fled.
Almanzors rescue, if that Victorie,
Seem'd to assist the juster part, was now
Brought neer the River, which endeavouring how
114
Detaind, till strength had prov'd but useless in
The Princess Conquest, if the swelling flood,
VVhose added streams (too strong to be withstood)
Had not in that impeteous torrent tore
That Bridge which past the royal Army o're;
Whose severd Boats borne down the River, made
So sad a change, that whilst their Foes invade,
Their Rear on them, the late lamented loss,
Forbid the others when dispers'd to cross
Their Waves by dangers, which in each breast bred
Terrors as great as those from whence they fled.
The valiant Army, like Lifes Cittadel,
The heart, when nought but poysonous Vapours swel
Every adjacent part, long strugling in
Deaths sharp Convulsions, out of hopes to win
Ought there but what buyes the uncertain breath
Of future Fame, at the high price of death;
At length, not conquerd, but o're burthend by
A flood of power, in Nights obscurity,
When dreadful shadows had the field o're-spread,
As Darkness were a Herse-cloath for the dead;
That this daies losses might not grow too great
For reparation, by a hard retreat,
Attempt to save such of their strengths, as since
Inforc'd to fly, might safely guard the Prince
From dangers, which, could but his Foes have viewd,
Their motions all had unto death pursu'd.
The heart, when nought but poysonous Vapours swel
Every adjacent part, long strugling in
Deaths sharp Convulsions, out of hopes to win
Ought there but what buyes the uncertain breath
Of future Fame, at the high price of death;
At length, not conquerd, but o're burthend by
A flood of power, in Nights obscurity,
When dreadful shadows had the field o're-spread,
As Darkness were a Herse-cloath for the dead;
That this daies losses might not grow too great
For reparation, by a hard retreat,
Attempt to save such of their strengths, as since
Inforc'd to fly, might safely guard the Prince
From dangers, which, could but his Foes have viewd,
Their motions all had unto death pursu'd.
In this distress, from that vast Sea of blood,
The field where late his Army marshald stood,
The wretched Prince retires, but with a train
So smal they seemd, like those that did remain
After a Deluge, where the Rivers course,
(Stopt with dead bodies) run with smallest force,
He venters o're the flood, whose guilty Waves,
Blushes in blood; some few whom Fortune saves
T' attend on his, a like succesful by
That bold adventure, whilst the Prince doth fly,
To guard Alcithius, by his Mandates are,
Since the disasters of this fatal War
Forc'd him to seek for more assistance, sent
To the Epicote, striving to prevent
Those wild reports, that on the quick belief,
Of female fear, might be impos'd by grief,
He hasts to bear the sad Report to her,
Whose sorrows lost to see the Messenger.
The field where late his Army marshald stood,
The wretched Prince retires, but with a train
So smal they seemd, like those that did remain
115
(Stopt with dead bodies) run with smallest force,
He venters o're the flood, whose guilty Waves,
Blushes in blood; some few whom Fortune saves
T' attend on his, a like succesful by
That bold adventure, whilst the Prince doth fly,
To guard Alcithius, by his Mandates are,
Since the disasters of this fatal War
Forc'd him to seek for more assistance, sent
To the Epicote, striving to prevent
Those wild reports, that on the quick belief,
Of female fear, might be impos'd by grief,
He hasts to bear the sad Report to her,
Whose sorrows lost to see the Messenger.
The end of the second Canto.
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