The Grecian Story Being an Historical Poem, in Five Books. To which is Annex'd The Grove: Consisting of Divers Shorter Poems upon several Subjects. By J. H. [i.e. John Harington] |
The Grecian Story | ||
Orsamnes now, least caus'd perchance offence
By curious mood, through Shades retir'd from thence;
Way trod before, towards th' unguarded Gate,
Refreshment found by what beheld of late:
When from that part most soft and gentle Noise
Stole to his Ear, whether 'twas Humane Voice,
Which talked, sung, complain'd, or what not knowing;
Till nearer drawn prov'd chearful Sound, sweet growing;
Well chanted Song for pleasure, brought thus far,
And dandled by the pleas'd, delighted Air,
Since loth to loose. His mind could not dispense,
For turning back, if sidewaies rang'd from thence
Much wanderer; those streight broad Roads were fear'd;
This sculking way most free, reserv'd appear'd.
'Twas stronger now, seem'd choicely rare, surpassing;
Hast bad conciev'd, thus, gentler forwards tracing,
(To smallest Noise) he marched by that ground,
Close larger Plot with Hedg encompass'd round;
Where lurking Shades would stragler's glance repel,
Some longer stay might be adventur'd well.
By curious mood, through Shades retir'd from thence;
Way trod before, towards th' unguarded Gate,
Refreshment found by what beheld of late:
When from that part most soft and gentle Noise
Stole to his Ear, whether 'twas Humane Voice,
Which talked, sung, complain'd, or what not knowing;
Till nearer drawn prov'd chearful Sound, sweet growing;
Well chanted Song for pleasure, brought thus far,
And dandled by the pleas'd, delighted Air,
Since loth to loose. His mind could not dispense,
For turning back, if sidewaies rang'd from thence
Much wanderer; those streight broad Roads were fear'd;
This sculking way most free, reserv'd appear'd.
'Twas stronger now, seem'd choicely rare, surpassing;
Hast bad conciev'd, thus, gentler forwards tracing,
(To smallest Noise) he marched by that ground,
Close larger Plot with Hedg encompass'd round;
Where lurking Shades would stragler's glance repel,
Some longer stay might be adventur'd well.
The Grecian Story | ||