The History Of the Most Vile Dimagoras Who by Treachery and Poison blasted the incomparable Beauty of Divine Parthenia: Inter-woven with the History of Amoronzo and Celania. By John Quarles |
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 | The History Of the Most Vile Dimagoras |  |
Dimagoras having read this dismal story,
Not greatly thirsting after short liv'd glory,
Looks pale and wan; The Goaler thinks of flying,
Trembles, and almost dyes, for fear of dying:
Th' impatient Knight forthwith imploys his Page
To fetch Accoutrements, whilst with a sage
And well-composed countenance he told
Dimagoras, that good fortune made him bold
In these attempts; for he had often shown
Himself a Conqueror, and over-thrown
Forty six Knights already, and before
We part, says he, I hope to want but four,
As now I do but six, for by that fate
That sent you hither, I'le expire the date
Of both your lives; the world hath truly known
Amphialus was never overthrown,
Nor ever was my courage fully try'd,
Or match'd, except by Argalus, that dy'd
By my unequall'd Sword: These thundring words
(Though modestly exprest) prov'd two edg'd swords
Unto Dimagoras his heart, who made
(His fear permitting) this reply, and said,
Think not (most worthy Champion) that I fear
Because you are Amphialus, or care
To meet you in a Combate: 'tis well known
Unto this Knight, that I have overthrown
More then you boast of; Nay, indeed 'tis true,
Reply'd the Goaler; Sir, be pleas'd to view
This powerful Warrant, whose Contents will be
A bar to your intended Victorie:
This is the Lord Dimagoras, who is now
My Pris'ner, being one that scorns to bow,
Or stoop unto the hardiest Knight that lives;
And this is he to whom that Warrant gives
A priviledge to take the aire: But when
Dimagoras heard those words, he cry'd, what then?
Must my concealed, well-known valour, lye
Dorment because I want my liberty;
Accursed Fate, cryes he, and there he swore;
The more perswaded, still he rag'd the more;
The courteous Knight desir'd him to surcease
His passion, and enjoy a quiet peace;
For know, says he, Honour will not permit
A present Combate; for, my Lord, as yet
You are a Pris'ner (as I understand
By this informing Paper in my hand)
Therefore (my Lord) If I should boldly enter
A Combate with you, I should more then venture
My life at once; Suppose (My Lord) that Fate
Should Crown me Conqueror, what's my Estate,
Or Fortunes worth? I must be sure to stand
(For boldly breaking of our Kings Command)
In danger of my life; Nor is this all,
For this (thy Keeper) will be sure to fall
Into the hands of Justice: Therefore now
My Lord be satisfy'd, unknit your brow;
Go get your Liberty, then fight, and spare not,
For now I dare not fight, because I dare not,
Your Warrant tyes my hands; What tongue can tell
My sorrows for this chance: My Lord farewel.
Not greatly thirsting after short liv'd glory,
Looks pale and wan; The Goaler thinks of flying,
Trembles, and almost dyes, for fear of dying:
Th' impatient Knight forthwith imploys his Page
To fetch Accoutrements, whilst with a sage
And well-composed countenance he told
Dimagoras, that good fortune made him bold
In these attempts; for he had often shown
Himself a Conqueror, and over-thrown
Forty six Knights already, and before
We part, says he, I hope to want but four,
As now I do but six, for by that fate
That sent you hither, I'le expire the date
Of both your lives; the world hath truly known
Amphialus was never overthrown,
Nor ever was my courage fully try'd,
Or match'd, except by Argalus, that dy'd
127
(Though modestly exprest) prov'd two edg'd swords
Unto Dimagoras his heart, who made
(His fear permitting) this reply, and said,
Think not (most worthy Champion) that I fear
Because you are Amphialus, or care
To meet you in a Combate: 'tis well known
Unto this Knight, that I have overthrown
More then you boast of; Nay, indeed 'tis true,
Reply'd the Goaler; Sir, be pleas'd to view
This powerful Warrant, whose Contents will be
A bar to your intended Victorie:
This is the Lord Dimagoras, who is now
My Pris'ner, being one that scorns to bow,
Or stoop unto the hardiest Knight that lives;
And this is he to whom that Warrant gives
A priviledge to take the aire: But when
Dimagoras heard those words, he cry'd, what then?
Must my concealed, well-known valour, lye
Dorment because I want my liberty;
Accursed Fate, cryes he, and there he swore;
The more perswaded, still he rag'd the more;
The courteous Knight desir'd him to surcease
His passion, and enjoy a quiet peace;
For know, says he, Honour will not permit
A present Combate; for, my Lord, as yet
128
By this informing Paper in my hand)
Therefore (my Lord) If I should boldly enter
A Combate with you, I should more then venture
My life at once; Suppose (My Lord) that Fate
Should Crown me Conqueror, what's my Estate,
Or Fortunes worth? I must be sure to stand
(For boldly breaking of our Kings Command)
In danger of my life; Nor is this all,
For this (thy Keeper) will be sure to fall
Into the hands of Justice: Therefore now
My Lord be satisfy'd, unknit your brow;
Go get your Liberty, then fight, and spare not,
For now I dare not fight, because I dare not,
Your Warrant tyes my hands; What tongue can tell
My sorrows for this chance: My Lord farewel.
| The History Of the Most Vile Dimagoras | |