Pharonnida :: :: University of Virginia Library

Pharonnida

A Heroick Poem. By William Chamberlayne

Chamberlaine, James

[epigraph]

The Fourth Book.

II.

III.

IV.

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The Fourth Book.

CANTO I.

The Argument.

I

Whilst noise and tumult fills the Court, the sad
Orlinda to lament alone, retir'd,
Finds the brave Captain in deaths symptoms clad,
Whose perfect health her friendly care acquir'd.

II

The Scouts with an unwelcom emptiness
Of news return'd; the Princess secret flight
Yet well succeeds, but now in sad distress
Find a black morning to that dismal night.

VVhen Fear, like an unskilful Pilot in
A storm distracted, long in vain had been
Plac'd at the helm of Action, whilst those rude
Waves, rais'd by greater winds, the Multitude

Swell'd with uncertain councels, all met in
A thick and dangerous confluence, those within
The Castle by a hotter passion to
A high wrought fury startled, did undo
Those links of councel, which the other broke
With corrosives of fear, by the rude stroke
Of heedless Anger, whose uncivil strife
Had rob'd Revenge of justice, and each life
That here was in deaths inundation spilt,
Shed but to aggrevate a private guilt;
Had not the Prince, whose angers flame they fear'd
More then grim death, t'appease the storm appear'd.

Beat from the out-works of their hopes, all in
A busie tumult are imploy'd within
The Princess lodgings; but there only find
Their knowledge by her secret flight strook blind,
Stumbl'd on errors; No characters but what
The wasteful hand of death had scatter'd at
The Guard informs them; and even those seem left
The weak opposers of successful theft,
Dropt as their Foes victorious fate slue by,
To shew his fortune, and their loyalty.
Leaving which late warm tenements of breath,
Without once throwing up that bed of death,
Their grave-cloaths ore them, every active friend
Hasts toward her search, whilst suffering females spend

The hours (grown slow since burden'd by their fears)
In prayrs, whose doubts they numbred by their tears.

But amongst all of those that sacrific'd
Tears to her loss, sorrow had most disguis'd
Lovely Orlinda, the fair sister to
The vext Messenian, who with Love that grew
From equal attributes of Honor, in
The parallels of Beauty plac'd had been
In this restraint of liberty so long
Her pleas'd Companion, that her grief too strong
For comfort grown, to mourn her absence she
Forsaking all her friends societie,
Whilst seeking of some shady grove is brought
To one whose vail, black as her darkest thought,
Appear'd so much a stranger to the light,
That solitude did thither soon invite
The pensive Lady, who, whilst entring, by
A deep groans sound diverted, turns her eye
Toward one, who near the utmost ebb of life
Disguis'd in's blood, was with the latest strife
Of death contending; at the dreadful view
Of which sad object she retreating to
Some of her maids, who fearing to intrude
Whilst she appear'd intending solitude,
A distance kept, made bold by number, now
Return to see if life did yet allow

A room for help, or if his soul were fled,
To let their care intomb the helpless dead.

Arriv'd so near, that through the rubrick vail
Of's blood they saw how life did yet prevail
O'er deaths convulsions, they behold one lie,
Whose wound's an object for their charity,
Soon drew them nearer in such trembling haste,
As if they fear'd those lavish springs would waste
Lifes stock too fast; where come, with linen soft
And white as were those hands that thither brought
That blessing, having gently wip'd away
His blood, his face discover'd did betray
Him to their knowledge; for the Ciprian Prince
All soon conclude him, whose desert e'er since
That Court she knew, had to Orlinda prov'd
A dear delight, yet she ne'er knew she lov'd,
Till her soft pitty, and his sad distress
Conspiring to betray that bashfulness
Whose blushes scorch'd that tender plant, did now
Even in their fortunes roughest storm allow
It leave to grow, safe, since yet passing by
No other name but noble charity.

By all the nimblest stratagems which Art
E'er learnt from nature, striving to impart
The best of mortal blessings, health, unto
Her Royal patient, prais'd Orlinda grew

So high in his deserv'd esteem, that though
Posterity doth to his friendship ow
For their most perfect copy, knowing she
Too much ador'd Pharonnida to be
Her base betrayer, when his healths advance
Gave way for language, every circumstance
Declares which was in that so fatal night,
The sad preludiums to her secret flight;
By which when she whose love (though full of fire)
Yet lay rak'd up in a remote desire,
Unstirr'd by hope, with joy had learn'd that he
More then what friendship patroniz'd, was free
From all affection to the Princess, in
Her eyes, which until then had clouded bin.
Love with as bright and pure a flame as ere,
Did in the shades of modesty declare;
Passion, breaks forth, which happy signs by him
Whose heart, her eys, even whilst they shone most dim
With mutual flames had fir'd, that loyal love
Which fate in vain shall struggle to remove,
Begins with flames as innocently bright
As the first rayes of new created light.

But stay rash Reader, think not they're led
Through these smooth walks unto their nuptial bed;
But now, behold, that their misfortune prove,
Which thou hast wept for, if thou e'er didst love

A separation, the suspition that
Sparta's vext King, when first distemper'd at
His daughters loss, did of this stranger Prince
Justly conceive, perswades him now that since
Not found within the Cyprian Court, that he
Who had been vainly sought abroad might be
Yet lodg'd at home, which supposition bred
So strict a search, that though the silent dead
Not silenter then her Attendants were,
Yet kind Orlinda whom a pious care
Prompted to save what she did yet possess,
Whilst seeking with a Lovers tenderness
How to secure him, doth at length convay
Her roving fancy to this hopeful way.

Not long before, though now 'twere silenc'd in
Domestick ills, Report had busied been
In the relating of the sad distress
Of a brave Lybian Prince, whom heaven to bless
With an eternal Crown, in midst of all
His Youths fresh glories, by a powerful call
Summons to serve her, and that faith which he
Had from the early dawn of infancie
Suckt from the great Impostor of the East,
Though now by time Opinions strength increast,
Spight of a peoples prayers or fathers threats
Wholly forsaking; which revolt begets

So much aversion, pitty could invent
Nought easier then perpetual banishment
To punish what their faith, mistaken in
Its object, terms a black Apostates sin.

Disguis'd in such a dress, as pitty might
Expect t'encounter so distrest a Wight
As was that wandring Prince, attended by
No train but what becomes th' obscurity
Of such a fortune, to the Spartan Court
Amindor comes, where though the thick resort
Of well known friends might justly make him fear
Some treacherous eye; knowledge could ne'r appear
Through that black vail his happy art had took
To make him like a sun-burnt Lybian look.

Yet what engag'd them more then safety in
Prayers to heaven, his person had not bin
Not long the wonder of the Court, before
His fairer vertues which adorn'd him more
Then th' other could disguise, did justly prove
The happy object of the Princes love,
Whose influence whilst it him to power did raise
Taught by reflex the people how to praise
That fair election, till the Pyramed
Rais'd to his fame, had fixt its lofty head
Above the clouds of fortune, yet not this
Fates fairest smile, a Lovers best of bliss,

A free commerce, which unsuspected might,
Though long and pleasant as the Summers light,
Be ne'r disturb'd, with fair Orlinda gives
Content such fulness, that although he lives
To all unknown but her alone, in that
Enjoy'd more then ambition e'er aim'd at.

And now from all the fruitless diligence
Of inquisitions, and the vain expence
Of time, return'd were every troop that had
Trew forlorn hopes been, Active in the sad
Search of Pharonnida, which ending in
A just despair, some that till then within
The Castle walls had (though as vainly) sought,
Their sorrow forth, before the griev'd Prince brought
Brunorchus, whom they in a small lodge, where
Secur'd by sollitude, the houshold care
Of locks and bolts were vain unsought, they found
In the soft bands of griefs, best opiate bound,
Sleep, who though thron'd within her ebbon seat
From lusts hot field appears, but his retreat
When tir'd with action; for besides him they
Where's poisons antidote, Amphibia lay
Block'd up in's arms, beheld the air with all
Their voices stroke at length, had rais'd a call
That drown'd their sleeping thunder, from the bed
Brunorchus starting struggles to have fled

The shamefull danger, whilst Amphibia creeps
Beneath her sheets protection, but nought keeps
Pursuing vengeance back, there took, and brought
Before the Prince, who startl'd at the thought
Of such a complicated crime, refers
Their punishment to death's dire Messengers.

The yet succesfull Lovers long e'er this
Safely arriv'd at their first stage of bliss,
Florenza's low unenvied roof, did there
Since speed was now the fairest childe of care,
Stay only to exchange their horse, and take
With her a guide whose practick skill could make
Their untrod paths familiar, through a low
Dark vail where shade-affecting weeds did grow
Eternal strangers to the Sun, did lie
The narrow path, frequented onely by
The forest Tyrants when they bore their prey
From open dangers of discovering day.

Past through this desart valey, they were now
Climing an easie hill, where every bough
Maintain'd a feather'd chorister to sing
Soft Panegyricks, and the rude windes bring
Into a murmuring slumber, whilst the calm
Morn on each leaf did hang her liquid balm,
With an intent before the next Suns birth
To drop it in those wounds which the cleft earth

Receiv'd from's last days beams, the hills ascent
Wound up by action, in a large extent
Of leavie plains, shews them the canopie
Beneath whose shadow their large way did lie:
Which being lookt ore, whilst thankful praise did pay
Their debts to heaven, they thence with a convay
Of prayers (those swift ambassadors) did send
A hopeful glance tow'rd their large journies end.

These short surveys past, since the place assures
A safe repose to cool the Calentures
Of feverish action, down a way that led
From Pleasures throne unto her fragrant bed
A rank of Laurels, spreading to protect
The flowry path, which not unprun'd neglect
Robb'd of delight, they past, the slow descent
Soon brings them where her richest ornament
(Although with art unpleited) Nature in
A lovely Landshape wore, that once had been
Sacred to th'Islands fruitful Goddess; here
Whilst they behold the infants of the year
Ith' Springs unsullied livery clad, the fair
And large-limb'd trees, preparing to repair
Autums spent stock, from out an humble hill
A tributary fountain did distill
The earths cold blood, and murmuring convays
It on a bed of peebles, till it pays

Her debts to th' neighboring river. Near to it
Full Chorusses of feather'd Hero's sit
Amidst their willow-mansions, to whose ease
Their shrill notes call the sportive Driades.

Whilst by the brightest glories of that age
This Royal robe worne in a hermitage
Is seen with such a silent sad delight
As smooths the furrows of an Anchorite;
Their solemn walk had brought them to a green
Skirt of that mantle fairly spread between
Two mossie rocks, that near the chrystal stood
Appendixes to larger mountains stood:
Near which they saw, with mournful majesty,
A heap of solitary ruines lie
Half-sepulchred in dust, the bankrupt heir
To prodigal Antiquity, whose fair
Composures did (beneath times pride sunk low)
But dim vestigia's of their beauty shew.

Yet that it might unreverend gazers tell
It once was sacred Ceres image fell
From a thrones splendor did neglected lie
Sunk with her temple to deformitie,
Dark, gloomy groves, which holy altars shade
With solitude, such as religion made
Full of an awful reverence, and drew
The ravisht soul from the worlds wandring view,

Circled the sacred valley, into one
Of which our Royal Lovers were alone
Retir'd in private sollitude to pay
Sleeps forfeitures, whilst the bright bloomy day
Swears the hidroptick earth, but joy denies
That sullen ghest an entrance in their eies.
Their eyes, which now like wandring Plannets met
After a race of cross aspects, and set
Within a firmament of beauty, thence
On Loves cold Region dropt their influence;
Warm'd by whose vigor, springs of pleasures had,
Watring their cheeks, those fields in roses clad.

Fear, that till now had made them languish in
A dang'rous hectick, or at best had bin
But cas'd with intervals, which did include
Ambiguous hopes in times vicissitude,
Ceas'd to usurp, yet (though the throne expell'd)
A large command in Reasons Empire held
Leading those parties which wise counsel sent
Close ambuscado'd dangers to prevent;
Nor could the conduct fail, assail'd by ought
Within the circuit of extended thought.
Deliberation (the souls wary Scout)
Being still imploy'd to lead fresh parties out
'Gainst the known enemies of hope. But here
Black Troops of danger, undiscern'd of fear,

Assaults unralli'd fortitude, whilst she
Slept 'mongst the rose-beds of securitie.

Exalted far above the gross mistakes
Of vulgar love, cloth'd in such thoughts as shakes
Ripe souls from out their husks of earth, to be
Pick'd up by Angels, joys Stenographie
In their embraces met; not with less strength
Of love (though yet not to be wrought at length)
Then that which meets in nuptial folds when they
Reap Heavens first blessing, in their bloods allay
Met their full seas of passion, yet both calm
As vertues brow, their blood but warm'd like balm
To pour in sorrows wounds, not boild into
A scum of lust, The worlds first man did wo
The blushing offspring of his side, the first
Unpractickt Virgin, with as great a thirst
Of blood as theirs, when in the safe defence
Of Paradice each act was innocence.

Here whilst their sweet imployment was discourse
Taught in the School of Vertue, to divorce
Those maiden brides, their twisted eye-beams, sleep
Which flies the open gates of care, did creep
In at their cristal windows to remove
The lamp of joy, fill'd with the oil of love.
The Princess spirits fled from the distress
Of action into calm forgetfulness

Having the Curtains drawn, Argalia's head
Softly reposing on her lap (that bed)
Of precious odors, there receives a while
A rest, for sweetness such as Saints beguile
Time in, in their still dormitories till
Heavens summons shall their hopes on earth fulfill.

Remov'd from them, feeding his horses in
A well-fleec'd meddow which that age had seen
Till then ne'er loose its Sommer robe before,
Russet with age, he put it off, and wore
A glittering tissue furr'd with snow, did lie
Their careful guide, secure, till frighted by
A dreadful noise of horse, whose rushing wakes
Him to behold; what seen with terror shakes
Off sleeps declining weights, in such a strange
Amaze as (forts surpris'd) the skar'd guards, change
Their swords for Fetters, flying he looks back
On the steel fronted troop, till at his back
Approaching danger gathering in a cloud
Of death overwhelms him, frighting with its loud
Exalted clamors from their then clos'd eyes,
(Loves altars,) sleeps intended sacrifice.

Shook from their slumber with the first salutes
Of light to meet their ruin, thick recruits
Of brave resolves into Argalia's brest,
Had swiftly summon'd; but the Princess rest.

Exchang'd for wilde amazement, in which sad
Restraint of spirits, life with beauty had
Fled to the silent Region, if not by
Her Royal friend supported, who the high
Pitch of exalted anger, whilst he draws
His sword to vindicate their righteous cause,
Descends to comfort her, thinking those troops
Her Fathers Messengers, his brave soul stoops
Not to request a favor; but although
Their multitude, in hopes account outgrow
Life more then those diseases which attend
On ages cold extream, he dares defend
Love, though by vigor of supream commands
Depriv'd of favor's mercinary Bands.

Prompted by power that soveraign antidote
'Gainst Natures poyson, baseness and by roate)
Not Arts fair Rules, taught Lessons of defence:
These dregs of men, not having more pretence
Then what from Riot was extorted, in
Unwieldy throngs the conquest strive to win
From single valor, not the powerfull pray'r
Of her whose voice had purified the ayr
To a seraphick excellence, the sweet,
Heav'n lov'd Pharonnida could come to meet
Pitty in this rude wilderness, her words
Losing their form in the wild air affords

Their busie souls no heedfull leasure, but
With wilder passions the soul's portals shut.

That sober friend to happy sollitude,
Silence, which long those blest shades did include,
By rude noise banisht from her solemn Throne,
Did in a deep and hollow eccho grone;
Whilst the brave Champion, whose own worth did bring
Assistance, yet had in a bloody ring
Strew'd death's pale triumphs, and in safety stands
The dangerous business of so many hands,
All which had in the grave joyn'd palms, if by
One stroke that index unto victory,
His sword, had not with sudden breaking prov'd
Traitor to th' strength by whose command it mov'd.

Rob'd of this safe defence, Valors brave flame
In vain is spent, that Piramis of fame
Built by his hand o'er Loves fair temple, now
Even in the view of's Saint is forc't to bow
Beneath an earthquake, his commanding soule
In this sharp conflict, striving to controle
Nature, (rebellious to her power) lets flye
In vain the piercing lightning of the eye,
Whose dark leads drooping in a death like close,
Forbids high fury thundring on his foes.

He falls, and from each purple salliport
Of wounds, tir'd spirits, in a thick resort

Flie the approach; in which wild trance
His eyes did their declining lights advance
Above their gloom of darkness to convay
The last faint beam of natures falling day
To his distrest Pharonnida: but she
In clouds of sorrow lost, was gone to be
Close mourner for his rigid fate beneathe
A pale sowns shady vale, and could not breathe
One sigh to welcom those sick guests, nor lend
A beam to light them to their journies end;
Which being depriv'd of, in deaths dark disguise
Forgetful shadows did obscure his eyes.

Branded with an ignoble victory,
His base oppressors, staying not to try
Where fire remains in lifes dark lamp, forsake
Their bleeding shame, and only with them take
The trembling Ladies, whose amazement yet
Griefs floodgates shuts in a distracting fit
Of wilder passions, circled in which cloud
She's hurried thence; and ere that damp aloud
Light through her souls prospectives, had past ore
Much of the Desart, and arriv'd before
A barren Rocks proud front; which being too steep
For the laborious traveller, a deep
Dark vault did pierce, whose dismal black descent
Safe passage to a distant valley lent.

With slow ill-boding steps, this horrid way
Orecome, they meet the Beauties of the day
Within the pregnant vale, a place that shewed
Some art had prun'd what natures hand bestowed.
No earth-encumbring weeds, but wholsom plants
Such as relieve the winter of our wants,
Were here in comely order plac'd, each tree
Tir'd with his fruitful burden stoops to be
Eas'd by the lowliest hand; for want of which
Their feeble stems had dropt them to enrich
Their pregnant mother; this civilitie
Proclaiming more then art had meant to be
The dress of desarts, did at first appear
As if those useful blessings had for fear
That wasteful man should ravish them to feed
His luxury, fled thither; none that need
Such thrifty joys in the circumference
Oth' vally seeming to have residence.

All whose exalted pride did terminate
The levell'd eye, was a round hill that sate
As center to the golden vale, come near
To which, what did externally appear
A rock in ivy drest, being enter'd shewed
The beauties of a gorgeous palace, hewed
Out of the living stone, whose vaulted brest
Had by the union of each part exprest

The strength of Concord; The black Rock was all
Tinsell'd with windows, over which did fall
Thin Ivy-wreaths, like Cobweb-vails that shade
The salliports of Beauty, only made
To cool, not darken, and on those that sit
VVithin bestow a shady benefit.

They being drawn near, a sad old man that sate
Unwilling Porter, from the spacious gate
Withdrew the verdant curtain, she is now
Enter'd the Castle, where could fear allow
Her eyes that liberty she had survai'd,
Buildings, whose strength with beauty join'd, betrai'd
Times modern issues to contempt, and by
A lasting glory prais'd antiquity.
But Pleasure spreads her baits in vain, she sate
Beneath the frozen Artick of her fate,
Whilst he from whose aspect she only felt,
Delightful hear, in's winter-solstice dwelt.

More to depress her sinking spirits, she
Too soon finds cause to think that gravitie
She met ith' entrance, but the reverend shade
Of injur'd worth, which accident had made
Stoop to that bondage, vertue drooping in
His furrowed cheeks, as if depos'd, she'd bin
Thither confin'd within the walls, to let
Imperious vice her painted banners set.

A troop of wild Bandits, vilains whose guilt
Shun'd publick haunts, heavns privat blessings spilt
There in luxurious riot, which grown bold
By toleration, durst to th' light unfold
Vices deformedst issues; nought by th' name
Of sin being known, but sins betrayer, shame.
In such a loose intemperance as raigns
In conquer'd cities, when the soldiers pains
With spoils of peace is paid, they liv'd: 'mongst these
Some few unhappy women kept t'appease
Lusts tumults, she beheld, whose looks betraid
A sickly guilt, and made the Royal maid
Amidst her griefs cold symptoms blush to see
How pale they look'd with Lusts deformitie.

Whilst these are view'd, with such a change as that
Poor Village-drunkards are enforc'd to at
An Officers approach, when the night grows
Deep as their draughts, she sees them all compose
Their late wild looks; nor was this dress of fear
In vain put on, Almanzor did appear
Dreaded Almanzor, who on them had built
A power, which though by unsuccessful guilt
Banisht to th' desart, forc'd their wants to be
The helpless sufferers of his-tyrannie.

Past through the fear dispersed throng, he's to
The Princess come, where startled at the view

Of Majesty, shrinks back, unsteady haste
VVhich brought him there but to view Beauties plac'd
VVithin the reach of's lust, assaulted by
Objects that both to love and loyalty
Had prov'd him an apostate, to retreat
Within a blush attempts; but that's too great
A friend to bashful vertue in that face
Whose heart deposes her, to sprinkle grace.

Ruffled with this recoil of spirits, in
Such troubled haste as Novices begin
New conn'd orations, he himself applies
To th' injur'd Lady, whose brave spirit flies
Not what she fear'd, but with the brave defence
Of scorn opposes blushless impudence,
Crushing the embrio's of that language, in
Whose guilty accents he attempts to win
Opinions favor, and by that redeem
VVhat former guilt had lost in her esteem.

Contemn'd with such a look as Princes cast
On over-bold usurpers, he is past
The first encounter of her eye, and she
Turn'd in disdain to shew her great soul free
From low submission, by which fir'd into
A sullen anger, he resolves to mew
The Royal Eaglet, until freedom grow
A favor whose fair streams might overflow

Those barren fields of indesert, in which
His fortune pines, lest this fair prize inrich
The cursed soil, and on its surface place
The long abstracted beams of princely grace.

She to the narrow confires of a room
Restrain'd to let his rufl'd thoughts resume
Their calm composure (counsels throne) he goes
Aside, and on that doubtfull text bestows
The clearest comment of his judgement, yet
Falls short of truth, and must contented sit
To know her there, though not the accident
Which from her fathers glorious Court had sent
Her so ill guarded; but referring that
To times discovery, he transported at
What was a truth confirm'd, within the wide
Arms of his hope, grasps, what aspiring pride
Or lusts loose Rhet'rick, when youths rigrous fire
Beauty hath kindled, prompts him to desire.

Yet by two sev'ral paths to tread that way
His crime's dark roads, Lust and Ambition lay,
The poor Florenza, that long since had been
The trembling object of the baser sin,
To make his slie access to either free
From th' others thoughts, must from her Lady be
In this dark storm remov'd, he fearing less
That counsel aiding vertue in distress,

Though wanting strength the battel to maintain,
Might countermine the engine of his brain.

To this sad separation leaving them
Whom innocence had licenc'd to condemn
Fortunes harsh discipline, Almanzor goes
Fates dark enigma's, by the help of those
That took her to unvail, but 'twas a work
Too full of subtil mysterie, a Turk
Her brave Defender, by those garments which
Rash fear had onely rested to enrich
Nice inquisition seem'd, by which betray'd
To dark mistakes, his policy obey'd
Domestick counsels, and by subtil spies
Whose ears were more officious then their eyes,
Soon from the lovesick Ladies close complaints
His wiser knowledge with their cause acquaints.

The End of the First Canto.

CANTO II.

The Argument.

I

From all the hopes of Love and Libertie
O'erwhelm'd in the vast Ocean of her grief,
The wretched Princess is constrain'd to be
A Prisoner to her youths first dreadfull thief.

II

The curs'd Almanzor, in whose dismal Cell
She comments on the various Texts of grief
In every form, till from the tip of Hell,
When seeming darkest, just Heav'n sent relief.

Distracted in the agony of Love
Pharonnida, whose sad complaints did prove
Her sorrows true Interpreters, had made
Argalia's name, wrapt up in sighs invade

The ears of an unseen Informer, whence
Almanzor's thoughts, deliver'd from suspence,
Shake off their doubtfull dress of fears, and teach
Hypocrisie by paths untrod to reach
The Apex of his hopes. What not the fear
Of ills, whilst her own interest did appear
The onely sharer, could perform, he now
Presumes affection to her Friend would bow
With low submission, if by that she might
Aid his dim Stars with a reserve of light.

With frequent visits, which on sins dark Text
Wrought a fair gloss, Almanzor oft had vext
The calmer passions of the Princess in
To rufled anger; but when all could win
No entrance on her favor, fury tries
A harsher corrosive, stern power denies
Her even of those poor narrow comforts which
Her souls dark region, that was onely rich
In sorrows sables, could possess. Withdrew
Were all those slippery Parasites that knew
To her no pity, but what did reflect
The rayes o'th Tyrants favor, whose neglect
Taught them the Lesson of disdain, whilst she
Her practic'd soul trained in humility.

Pensive as an unpractic'd Convert in
A Bath of tears, she shadow'd lies within

The unfrequented room, a curtain bed
Her close retreat, till Lights fair Angel fled
The swarthy Region. But whilst here she lies
Like a dark lanthorn that in black disguise
Circles imprisoned Light ---
Grief from the sullen world conceal'd to turn
The troubled stream, as if the silent urn
Of some dead friend to private sorrow had
Summon'd her thither, enter'd was a sad
And sober Matron, in her hands she bore
A light whose feeble rayes could scarce restore
The sick successor of the day unto
A cheerfull smile. Sad Pilgrims that renew
Acquaintance with their better Angels by
Harsh penitence, have of humility
Less in their looks then she, her habit shew'd
Like costly ruins that for fashion ow'd
To elder pride, in whose reversion she
Appear'd the noble choice of charitie.

This shadow of religious vertue drawn
Near her disordered bed, a sickly dawn
Of light breaks through the Princess clouded eyes
To meet the welcom object, the disguise
Of sorrow, which at first appearance sate
Fixt on her brow, a partner of her fate
Making her seem; nor was the fancy crush'd
I'th infancy of faith, fair truth first blush'd

For verbal crimes, near to the bed reposed
Where the sad Lady lay, she thus disclosed
Her cause of entrance. Cease (fair stranger) to
Monopolize a sorrow which, not you
Here share alone; pitty instructed by
Experience in the rules of misery
Hath brought me from complaining of my own
To comfort thine; this Castle once hath known
Me for its Mistriss, though it now behold
Me (in the dress of poverty grown old)
Despis'd and poor, the scorn of those that were
Nurs'd into life by my indulgent care.

This in her tears o'erflowing language spoke
Perswades the pensive Princess to revoke
Deprav'd opinions doom, confessing she
Wedded not grief to singularitie.
But comfort in the julip of her words
Was scarce dissolv'd, e're a reply affords
Conceiv'd requital, striving to prevent
The (oft more forward) thanks. Rise to content,
Fair soul, she cries, be but so wise to let
Sick passion die with just neglect, I'll set
Thy dropt Stars in their orbs again; I have
(Forc'd by command) a late attendance gave
Unto a wounded stranger that remains
Within this Castle in the heavy chains

Of cruel bondage, from whose weight unless
Your Love redeem him, dark forgetfulness
Will draw the curtains of the grave about
His dull mortality, and the sick doubt
Of hope resolve in death, this evening I
Ore heard his heavy doom, from which to fly
He hath no refuge but your mercy, which
Strip'd of light passion, must be cloth'd in rich
But graver robes of reason, when it sits
In counsel how to reconcile the fits
Of feverish love, when being most propense
To passions heat, a frost of abstinence
Benums it to a Lethargy. In brief,
'Tis he whose prosperous tyranny the chief
Command within this castle gave, that in
His swift destruction doth attempt to win
Free passage to enjoying you, then prove
He friend to him that begs you to change love
For now more usefull pity, and so save
A life that must no longer live to crave,
If now deny'd. This Ring (with that presents
A jewel, that when loves first elements
The harmony of faith united, she
Gave to confirm her vows) he sends to be
A note that he denies what e'er was made
Authentick, when your mixt vows did invade

Unwilling Heaven, which in your sufferance shews
We may intend, but wiser powers dispose.

Pharonnida, whose fears confirm'd did need
No more to wound a fancy that did bleed
At all the springs of passion, being by
The fatal Present taught whose liberty
Her Loves exchange must purchase, with a sad
Reverse o'th eye beholding it, unclad
Her sorrow thus: And did, oh did this come
By thy commands, Argalia! no, by some
Unworthy hand thou'rt rob'd of it, I know
Thou sooner wouldst be tempted to let go
Reliques of thy protecting Saint: Oh, cease
What e'er you are, to wrong him, the calm peace
He wears t' encounter death in, cannot be
Scatter'd by any storm of fear: would he
That hath affronted death in every shape
Of horror, tamely yield unto the rape
Of's Virgin honor, and not stand the shock
Of a base Tyrants anger; but I mock
My hopes with vain fantasms, 'tis the love
He bears to me carries his fear above
The orb of his own noble temper, to
An unknown world of passions, in whose new
Regions ambitious grown, it scorns to fall
Back to its Center, Reason, whither all

The lines of action until now did bend
From's souls circumference; yet know his end
If doom'd unto this cursed place, shall tell
The bloody Tyrant that my passing bell
Tolls in his dying groans, and will e're long
Ring out in death, if sorrow when grown strong
As fate, can raise the strokes of grief above
The strength of nature; which if not, yet love
Will finde a passage where our souls shall rest
In an eternal union, whilst opprest
With horror he, by whose command he dies,
Falls to th' infernal pow'rs a Sacrifice.

If that your pitty were no ficton, to
Betray my feeble passions, and undo
The knots of resolution, tell my Friend,
I live but to die his, and will attend
Him with my pray'rs (those verbal angels) till
His soul's on th' wing, then follow him, and fill
Those blanks our Fate left in the lines of life
Up with eternal bliss, where no harsh strife
Of a dissenting Parent shall destroy
The blooming springs of our conjugal joy.

Vext by this brave display of fortitude
To sullen anger, with a haste more rude
Then bold intrusions, lusts slie advocate,
Forsakes her seat, and though affronts too late

Came to create a blush, yet passion had
Her cheeks in red revenges livery clad;
Her eyes like Saturn's in the house of death,
Heavy with ills to come, her tainted breath
Scatt'ring infectious murmurs, with a look
Oblique and deadly, the curs'd Hag forsook
That ebbon cabinet of grief, and hastes
To tell Almanzor how his passion wastes
More spirits in perswasions hectique, then
If power had quench'd ambitions fever when
'Twas first inflam'd with hope, whose cordials prove
Oft slow as opiates in the heat of love.

This, with a heat that spoild digestion, by
The angry Tyrant heard, rage did unty
The curles of passion, whose soft trammels had
Crisp'd smooth hypocrisie, from which unclad
Disvellop'd nature shews her unfil'd dress
Rough as an angry friend, by no distress
Of beauty to be calm'd, since slie deceit
Vertue had now unmask'd, no candid bait
Conceals his thoughts, which soon in publick shews
From what black Sea those mists of passion rose.

Dayes sepulchre, the ebbon arched night
Was rais'd above the battlements of light;
The frenzy'd worlds allaying opiate, sleep,
Oretaking action, did in silence steep

The various fruits of labor, and from thence
Recovers what pays for her times expence.
In which slow calm, whilst half the drowsie earth
Lay in the shade of nature, to give birth
Unto the burthen of sick fancy, fear,
Groans, deep as deaths alarms, through her ear
Fly toward the throne of Reason, to inform
The pensive Princess, that the last great storm
Of fate was now descending, beyond which
Her eyes (orewhelm'd in sorrow) must inrich
Their orbs with love no more; but in the dawn
Of Life behold her Friends destruction drawn,
Since threatn'd danger sad assurance gives
In those deep groans he now but dying lives.

More swiftly to destroy the falling leaves
Of blasted hope, with horror she receives
By a convey of wearied light, that stroke
Through rusty grates, intelligence which shoke
The strength of fortitude, there was a room
Deep and obscure, where in a heavy gloom
The unstirr'd air in such a darkness dwelt
As mask'd Egyptians from Heavens vengeance felt,
Till by the strugling rayes of a faint lamp
Forc'd to retreat, and the quicksilver damp
Shed on the sweaty walls, which hid within
That glitt'ring vail, worn figures that had been

The hieroglyphick epitaphs of those
Which charity did to the earth dispose
In friendships last of Legacies, except
What is to cure loose fames diseases kept.

Here 'mongst the ruines of mortality,
In blood difigur'd, she beholds one lie
Who though disguis'd in death's approach, appears
By's habit (that confirmer of her fears)
Her gentle Love, alone, and helpless in
The grasp of death, striving in vain to win
The field from that grim Tyrant, who had now
Embalm'd him in his blood, and did allow
Him no more spirits, but what in that strife
Serv'd to groan out the Epilogue of life
And then depart natures cold stage, to be
Suck'd up from time into eternitie.

When thus the everlasting silence had
Lock'd up his voice, and death's rude hand unclad
His hovering soul, whose elemental dress
Is left to dust and dark forgetfulness
When natures lamps being snuft to death, he lay
A night-piec'd draught of once well-modell'd clay
With such a silent pace as witches use
To tread ore graves when their black arts abuse
Their cold inhabitants, his murtherers were
Entred the vault, from the stain'd floor to bear
The cold stiff coarse, which having softly laid
In's doom-days bed, unto the royal Maid,

Whose beauty in this agony defac'd
Griefs emblem sate, with eager speed they haste.

Either a guilty shame, or fear to be
Converted by her forms divinity,
Made them chuse darkness for protection, in
Whose hideous shade, she of her self unseen
Is hurried thence unto that dreadfull place
Where he intomb'd lay, whom she must imbrace
In death's dark lodgings, and e'er life was fled
Remain a sad Companion of the dead,
Confining beauty in youth's glorious bloom
To the black prison of a dismal tomb,
Where fast inclos'd, Earth's fairest blossom must
Unnaturally be planted in the dust,
Where life's bright Star, Heav'ns glorious influence,
Her soul in labor with the slow suspence
Of lingring torments must expecting lie
Till famine Natures ligatures untie.

And can, oh, can we ever hope to save
Her that's in life a Tenant to the Grave!
Can ought redeem one that already lies
Within the Bed of Death, whose hot lust fries
In the enjoyment of all beauties that
The aged World e'er had to wonder at;
To feed whose riot, the well temper'd blood,
That sanguine youth's smooth cheek, mixt with a flood
Of harsh distemperatures, o'erflows and brings
Some to their lodgings on the flaming wings

Of speedy feavers, whilst the others creep
On slow consumptions, millions from the steep
And dangerous precipice of war: Some in
A stream of their own humors that have bin
Swell'd to a dropsie, being even prest to death
By their own weight, whilst others part with breath
From bodies worn so thin, they seem'd to be
Grown near the souls invisibilitie.

But whither strayes our fancy? have we left
The wofull Lady in a tomb bereft
Of all society, and shall I let
My wandring pen forsake her? such a debt
Would banckrupt pity. Th' undistinguish'd day
Whose new-born light did but e'en then display
Its dewy wings, when first she was confin'd
To the dark tomb, was now grown almost blind
With age, when thus through fates black curtin broke
Unlook'd for light, that darkness which did choake
All passages by which the thin air held
Commerce with neigboring rooms, being now expel'd
By the dim tapers glimmering beams let fall
Part of the rayes through an old ruin'd wall
That fenc'd an ugly dungeon, where the night
Dwelt safe as in the Center; by the sight
Of which unlook'd for guest some prisoners who
Had there been stay'd, even till despairing to
Be ere releas'd, in eager fury tries
To force their way, where their directing eyes

Led by the light should guide them, come at length,
Where with times burden tir'd the buildings strength
Losing its first firm union was divorc'd
With gaping clefts, an easie strength inforc'd
Those feeble guards; but come into the room
Where ore the living Ladies sable tomb
Hung the directing light, they there in vain
For further passage seeking, were again
To the black dungeon, horrors dismal seat,
In sad despair making their slow retreat.

Now neer departing, a deep dolefull groan
Revers'd their eyes, amazement almost grown
To stupefaction stays them, whilst they hear
New sighs confirm their wonder, not their fear;
Till thus Euriolus, whose bold look spoke
The braver soul, the dismal silence broke.

What ere thou art that hoverest here within
This gloomy shadow, speak what wrong hath bin
Thy troubl'd Ghost's tormentor, art thou fled
From wo to stir the dust o'th' peacefull dead?
Or com'st from sacred shadows to lament
Some friends dead coarse, which this dark Tenement
Hath lodg'd in dust. The trembling Lady hearing
A humane voice again, and now not fearing
Th' approaches of a greater danger, cries,
What ere you are, fear mocks your faith, here lies
A wofull wretch intomb'd alive, that nere
Must look on light again, my spirit were

Blest if resolv'd to air, but here it must
A sad companion in the silent dust
To Loath'd corruption be, until the pale
Approaching Fiend, harsh famine, shall exhale
In dews of blood the purple moisture, that
Fed life's fresh springs; but now shall tremble at
My dolefull story, 'tis enough that fate
Hath for this tomb exchang'd a throne of state.

To active pity stirr'd, the valiant friends
Attempt her rescue, but their labor ends
In fruitless toyles, the ponderous marble lies
With too much weight to let the weak supplies
Of humane strength remov't, which whilst they tride
To weary sweats, kinde fortune lends this guide
To their mask'd vertue; the informing ear
Proclaims approaching steps, which usher'd fear
Into Ismander's brest; but his brave friend
(The bold Euriolus) resolv'd to end
By death or victory their bondage, goes
Near to the gate, where soon were entred those
Which in Pharonnida's restraint had bin
The active engines of that hateful sin,
With them, that Hag whose curst invention had
Revenge in such an uncouth dressing clad.

Whilst her Ismander seis'd, and with a charm
Of nimble strength commands the active arm
Of fierce Euriolus, directed by
Victorious valor purchac'd liberty

By strokes whose weight to dark destruction sunk
His worthless foes, and sent their pale souls drunk
With innocent blood stagg'ring from earth, to be
Maskt in the desarts of eternitie.

This being beheld by her whose hopes of life
With them departed, she concludes the strife
Of inquisition by directing to
An engine which but toucht would soon undo
That knot which puzzl'd all their strength, and give
The captive Princess hopes again to live
Within the reach of light, whose beams whilst she
Unfolds her eyes (those dazl'd stars) to see,
Dark misty wonder in a cloud orespread
His faith that rais'd her from that gloomy bed:
Amaz'd Euriolus, whose zeal-guided eyes
Soon knows the Princess through griefs dark disguise,
Could his inflam'd devotion into one
Great blast of praises be made up, t'had gone
Toward heavenly bowers on the expanded wings
Of his exalted joy, nor are the springs
Of life less rais'd with wonder in the brest
Of's royal Mistress, whose free soul exprest
As much of joy as in her clouded fate
With reason at the helm of action sate.

Here had they maskt in mutual wonder stay'd
T'unriddle fate, had not wise Fear obey'd
Reasons grave dictates, and with eager speed
Urge their departure, for whose guide they need

No more but her directions, who then lay
Taught by the fear of vengeance to obay
Their just demands, by whom inform'd of all
That might within the Castles circuit fall
With weights of danger, and taught how to free
Confin'd Florenza, to meet libertie,
They march in triumph, leaving none to take
Possession there, but her whose guilt would make
The torment just, though there constrain'd to dwell
Till death prepar'd her for a larger hell.
Whilst sleeps guards doubled by intemprance raign'd
Within the walls, with happy speed they gain'd
The Castles utmost ward, and furnisht there
With such choise horses as provided were
For th'Outlaws next days scouts; A glad adieu
Of their loath'd jail they take: Ismander knew
Each obscure way that in their secret flight
Might safety promise; so that sullen night
Could not obstruct their passage, though through ways
So full of dark meanders, not the days
Light could assist a stranger, ere the dawn
O'th' wakeful morn had spread her vails of lawn
Ore the fair Virgins of the Spring, there past
That silvan labyrinth, and with that had cast
Their greatest terror off, and taught their eyes
The welcom joys of liberty to prize.

And now the spangled squadrons of the night
Encountring beams had lost the field to light,

The morning proud in beauty grown, whilst they
With chearful speed past on the levell'd way
By solitude secure, of all unseen
Save early Laborers that resided in
Dispers'd poor cottages, by whom they'r view'd
With humble reverence, such as did delude
Sharp-ey'd suspition, they are now drawn near
Ismanders palace, whose fair towers appear
Above the groves, whose green enamel lent
The neighboring hills their prospects ornament.

A River whose unwearied bounty brings
The hourly tribute of a thousand Springs
From several fragrant vallies here, as grown
So rich, she now strove to preserve her own
Streams from the all-devouring Sea, did glide
Betwixt two hills which nature did divide
To entertain the smiling Nymph, till to
An entrance where her silver-eye did view
A wealthy vale she come, a vale in which
All fruitful pleasures did content enrich;
Where all so much deserv'd the name of best,
Each took a part seem'd to excell the rest.

Rounded with spacious meads, here scatter'd stood
Fair Country-farms, whose happy neighborhood,
Though not so near as justling Palaces
Which trouble Cities, yet had more to please
By a community of goodness in
That separation. Natures hand had been

To all too liberal, to let any want
The treasures of a free inhabitant,
Each in his own unrack'd inheritance
Where born expir'd, not striving to advance
Their levell'd fortunes to a loftier pitch
Then what first stil'd them honest, after rich;
Sober and sweet their lives, in all things blest
Which harmless Nature living unopprest
With surfeits did require: Their own Flocks bred
Their homespun garments, and on that they fed
Which from their Fields or Dairies plenteous store
Had fresh supplies: what fortune lent them more
Then an indifferent mean, was sent to be
The harbingers of hospitalitie.
Fair Virgins in their youths fresh April drest,
Courted by amorous Swains, were unopprest
By dark suspition, Ages sullen spies,
Whose spleen would have the envious counted wise.
Love was religious here, and for to aw
Their wilder passions, conscience was their law.

More to compleat this rural happiness,
They were protected from the harsh distress
Of long-wing'd power by the blest neighborhood
Of brave Ismander, whose known greatness stood
Not to eclipse their humble states, although
It shadowed them when injur'd power did grow
To persecution, by which means he prov'd
Not fear'd for greatness, but for goodness lov'd.

Which gentle passion his unhappy loss
Had sowr'd to grief, and made their joy their cross.

But now their antidote approaches, he
From heavy bondage is return'd to be
Their joyful wonder, at his Palace gate
Being now arriv'd, his Palace that of late
With's absence dimm'd in her most beauteous age
Stood more neglected then a Hermitage
Or sacred buildings, when the sinful times
To persecution aggravate their crimes.
But being enter'd, sadder objects took
Those outside wonders off, each servants look
Spoke him a sullen mourner, grave and sad,
Their sober carriage, in no liveries clad
But doleful sable, all their acts like those
Of weeping wives, when they to th' grave dispose
Their youthful husbands; yet all these were but
Imperfect shadows of a sorrow, put
In distant landskip, when to trial brought
Near his fair Ammida's, whose grief had sought
As dark a region for her sad retreat
As desperate grief ere made pale sorrows seat
In sacred temples the neglected lamp
So wastes its oil, when Heresies do cramp
Religions beams, with such a heavy look
Monarchs depos'd behold themselves forsook
By those that flatter'd greatness, shut from all
Those glorious objects of the world that call

Our souls in admiration forth, her time
Being spent in grief, made life but Natures crime.

The rough disguise of time assisted by
The meager gripe of harsh captivity,
Had now expung'd those characters by which
Ismander once was known, and even the rich
In love and duty rendred strangers to
Their honor'd Master, from whose serious view
Neglective grief withdraws them, so that he
An unknown Pilgrim might have gone to be
Theirs and his own afflictor, had that fear
Not thus been cur'd: A Spaniel being of dear
Esteem to Ammida, since the delight
Of her Ismander once, come to the sight
Of's first protector, stays not till a call
Invites acquaintance, but preventing all
The guides of reason by the sleights of sense,
Fawning on's Master, checks th' intelligence
Of's more forgetful followers, which being seen
By an old servant, whose firm youth had been
Spun out amongst that family, till by
Grave age surpris'd, it led his sober eye
To stricter observations, such as brought
Him near to truth, and on contracted thought
Rais'd a belief, which though it durst conclude
Nought on the dark text; yet i'th' magnitude
Of hope exalted by his joy he hastes
To's mourning Mistress, tells her that she wastes

Each minute more she spends in grief, if he
Dares trust his eyes t'inform his memorie.

Contracted spirits starting from the heart
Of doubtful Ammida, to every part
Post through the troubl'd blood, a combat fought
Betwixt pale fear and sanguine hope, had oft
Won and lost battails in her cheeks, whilst she
Leaving her sullen train, did haste to see
Those new come guests: But the first enterview
Unmasks Ismander, wing'd with love she flew
To his imbraces; 'twas no faint disguise
Of a course habit could betray those eyes
Into mistakes, that for directors had
Loves powerful optiques, Nuptial joys unclad
In all their naked beauties, no delight
So full of pleasure, the first active night
Being but a busie and laborious dream
Compar'd with this, this, that had swell'd the stream
Of joy to fainting surfeits, whose hot strife
Had overflow'd the crimson-sea of life,
If not restrain'd by a desire to keep
What each had lost in the eternal sleep.

But now broke through the epileptique mist
Of amorous rapture, rallied spirits twist
Again their optique cordage, whose mixt beams
Now separate, and on collateral streams
Disperst expressions of affection bore
To each congratulating friend that wore

Not out those favors with neglect, but by
A speedy, though unpractick sympathie
Met their full tide of bliss; glad fame which brings
Truths messages upon her silver-wings,
In private whisper hovers for a while
Within the palace, every servants smile
Invites a new spectator, who from thence
(Proud to be author of intelligence
So welcom) hastes till knowledge rang'd through all
Diffusive joy made epidemical:
For though that noble family alone
Afforded pleasure a triumphant throne,
Yet frolick mirth did find a residence
In every neighbors bosom; they dispence
With their allegiance to their labor, and
Revel in lusty cups, the brown bowls stand
With Amber-liquor fill'd, whose fruitful tears
Dropt lov'd Ismander's health, till it appears
In sanguine tincture on their cheeks: All now
Had, if not calm'd their passions, smooth'd a brow
To temporize with pleasure. The sad story
Of his own fortune, and that Ages glory,
Pharonnida, whilst each attentive dwells
On expectation, brave Ismander tells.

The End of the Second Canto.

CANTO III.

The Argument.

I

From the sad consort of her silent grief
The Princess doth with pleasing wonder hear
Poor Vanlore's fate, and the unjust relief
Which his unworthy Father freed from fear.

II

Whose hell-deep plots the dregs of avarice
Had so defil'd, that whilst he seeks for aid,
His subtlety mask'd on the road of vice,
By his presum'd Assistant is betraid.

Composing time did now begin to slack
The rain of mirth; exalted Joy shrunk back
From Pleasures summer-solstice, and gave way
For more domestick passions to obay
An Oeconomick government, which brought
Loose fancy on the wings of serious thought

Back to her sober home, in that to find
Those several burthens that were left behind
In the carier of mirth, amongst which number
Pharonnida that had let sorrow slumber
In the high room of joy, awakes again
That clamorous elf, which she must entertain
At Beauties cost: Yet in this dark retreat
From Pleasures throne to Sorrows dismal seat
She finds a sweet Companion, one that had
By fatal love oppos'd, with loss unclad
Delight of all his summer-robes, to dress
Her trembling soul in sables of distress.

The sad Silvandra (for surviving fame
Hath on record so character'd her name)
Being sister to return'd Ismander, in
This flourish of triumphant joy had bin
So much eclips'd with grief, that oft her tears
Dim'd Beauties rays, whilst through them she appears
A fit Companion for the Princess to
Twist those discourses with, whose mourning clue
Led through the labyrinth of their lives. They oft
In shades as secret as their closest thought
With pensive paces meeting, sit and tell
Stories so sad, that nought could parallel
But Love, and Loss, a theam they both had bin
By rigid power made hapless Students in.

One eye-bright morning tempting them to take
The start of time, soon as the Lark did wake,

Summons them from the Palace to the side
Of a small Wood, whose bushy crest the pride
Of all the flowry plains, they chose to be
'Gainst the invading sun their canopie.
Repos'd beneath a full-grown tree that spread
His trembling arms to shade their fragrant bed,
They now are sate, where for a while they view
The distant vale, whilst contemplation grew
Pregnant with wonder, whose next prosp'rous birth
Had been delight, had they not sent their mirth
In sad exchange, whilst tears did usher in
Silvandra's fate, who, weeping, did begin
With such a look as did command belief,
The late-past story of a present grief.

In yonder fields (with that directs her eye
To a black Fen, whose heavy earth did lie
Low in a dark and dirty vale) is plac'd
Amarus Castle, which though now defac'd
More by the owners covetous neglect
Then times rough strokes, that strength which did protect
Once its inhabitants, being now but made
Use of when want doth with weak prayers invade
The gates, being thought sufficient if they keep
The poor at bay, or whilst his stiff hindes sleep
Their laboring beasts secure. But I alas
Blush to discover that this Miser was
Father to my dead Vanlore, and to her
Whose living vertues kind heaven did confer

As blessings on my brother; but the sun
Ne'r saw two sweeter streams of vertue run
From such a bitter fountain. This accurst
And wretched man, so hated, that he durst
Scarce look abroad, fearing oppression would
Be paid with vengeance, if he ever should
Fall into th' hand's of those whose faces he
Grownd with extortion, till the injury
Fear cloath'd like justice, ventring once to view
A Mannor whose intemperate Lord out-grew
In debts the compass of a Bond, besides
His common guard of Clowns, fellows whose hides
Serv'd for defensive armor, he commands
His sons attendance, who since from his hands
Rack'd Tenants hop'd for ease, he thought that they
Would for that hope with reverent duty pay.
But vain mistakes betray opinion to
A fatal precipice, which they might view
I'th objects of each glance; one side affords
Large plains, whose flock's, the wealth of several lords
By him contracted, but the spoils appears
Of beggar'd Orphans, pickl'd in their tears;
Farms for whose loss poor widows wept, and fields
Which being confin'd to strict inclosure, yields
To his cram'd chests the starving poor mans food,
For private ends robbing their publick good,
With guilt inclos'd those wayes which now had brought
Him by some cottages who honors bought

Poor livelihoods at a laborious rate
From his rack'd lands, for which pursuing hate
Now follows him in curses; for in that
They yet take vengeance, till arriving at
The thicker peopl'd Villages, where more bold
By number made, the fire of hate takes hold
On clamarous women, whose vext husbands thirst
I'th' fever of revenge, to these when first
They kindled had the flame, swiftly succeeds
More active men, such, as resolv'd their deeds
(Spight of restrictive law) should set them free
From the oppressor of their liberty.

His son (the noble Vanlore) to appease
The dangerous fury of this rash disease,
Spends all his stock of Rhetorick, but in
Fruitless attempts. His rustick guard had bin
At the first onset scatter'd, and were now
Posting for safety, whilst his son, taught how
By frequent injuries to entertain
Angers unusual guests, shews it in vain,
Though brave attempts of valor, by whose high
Unhappy flame, whilst circling foes did die
Unworthy hecatombs for him, at length
Engag'd him had beyond the power of strength,
Though back'd by fortune to redeem; which when
Beheld by those whose characters of men
In rage was lost, they wildly persecute
Revenge, till life, natures harmonious fruit,

Was blasted to untimely death. And here
Her fatal story in its full carier,
The memory of him, who di'd to be
The peoples curse, and crime of destinie
Grief did obstruct, whilst liquid passion feeds
Her chrystal springs, which stopt, she thus proceeds.

His brave defender now retreating to
The rode of death, whilst he did vainly sue
For undeserv'd remorse, Amarus lies
Their furies object, in whose wild disguise
Whilst giddy clouds of dark amazement dwell,
Ore his dim eyes th' exalted tumult fell
In a black storm of danger, in whose shade
They drag him thence, that fury being made
Wise by delays, might study torments great
As was their rage; but in their wild retreat
They thus are stopt: A wandring Knight that near
The place approach'd, directed by his ear
How to inform his eye, arrives to see
The wretched trophies of this victory,
A dying son, whose latest beams of light
Through deaths dim opticks bids the world goodnight,
With looks that did so black a sorrow lim
He frown'd on earth, though heaven did smile on him,
Hurri'd from thence by unrelenting hate,
A living father of more wofull fate.

Pity (that brave allay of manly heat)
Perswades the noble stranger to intreat

A parle with rage, which being deny'd he then
Attempts to force; and since their ablest men
Were wounded in the former conflict, soon
Successfull proves, like mists i'th pride of noon
Being hudl'd into hurtless clouds they flye
Before his fury, till from reach o'th eye
Shrunk to the woods protection, where whilst each
With such a fear as sanguine guilt did teach
The worlds first murtherer, seeks for safety, he
Retreating leaves the scatter'd herd to be
Their own afflictors, and hastes thence to finde
Him to whom fortune prov'd so strangely kinde
In his approach, as by his sword to be
When hope lost anchor, blest with liberty.

Come to the place where old Amarus lay
With fear so startl'd, that he durst betray
Life through no motion, yet he's follow'd by
That train of Cowards, which though they did fly
The danger, when they saw their foes pursu'd
On the reward, (the victory) intrude,
Whose easie spoils (those invitations to
A Cowards daring) such a distance drew
Them from their homes, that they with labor were
Recall'd from rifling enemies to beare
Their feeble Masters off, Amarus living
As weak with fear as Vanlore was with dying.

Before the black obstructions of the night
Did interpose, they were arriv'd i'th sight

O'th Castles ruin'd walls, a place whose hew,
Uncouth and wild, banish'd delight into
Uncomly profit, and at distance gives
A sad assurance that its honor lives
By men so hated, and by heaven unblest,
As he enjoy'd not what he there possest.

Come to the front o'th house, whose dirt forbid
A cleanly entrance, he sees pavements hid
With heaps of rubbish, times slow hand let fall
From the neglected ruines of the wall,
Green Arbors, pleasant Groves, all which were now
Swiftly dismantling to make way for th' plow;
Onely his Barns, preservers of that store
Detain'd with curses from the pining poore,
Their upper garments of warm thatch did weare
So thick to keep them dry, whilst thin and bare
E'en his own lodging stood; the Hall first built
To have that wealth, which he in sparing spilt,
Spent there in hospitality, nere by
More heat warm'd then a candle gave, did lie
Moulded with lazy damps, the wall oregrown
With moss and weeds, unhaunted, and alone
The empty tables stood, for never Guess
Come there, except thin Bankrupts whom distress
Spurr'd on with sharp necessity to crave
Forbearing moneths, which he, when brib'd forgave.
Hence (by a rude domestick led) he goes
To veiw the cellar, where like distant foes

Or buildings in a new Plantation stand
The distant Barrels, yet from all command
But his own keys exempted. To bestow
A welcom on him, which he ne'r did shew
To man before; led by a rusty slave,
Whose iron limbs ratling in leather gave
Alarums to the half-starv'd Rats; he here
Is by Amarus visited, whose feare
That place should too much suffer, soon from thence
Sounds a retreat to supper, where th'expence
Became a Usurers purse: yet what was by
Sparing defective, neatness did supply:
A vertue where repining penurie
Prepares, unusual; but he soon did see
Whence it proceeds, the sad sweet Ammida
Whom shame and grief attempted to withdraw
From publick view, was by her fathers call
To crown that entertainment brought, whose all
Was else so bad, it the first visit might
Repented make, not to the next invite.

Here, with afflicted patience, he had spent
Some few, but tedious days, whose slow extent
Behind his wishes flagg'd, ere he had seen
Vanlore interr'd, whose obsequies had been
In secret huddl'd up, but then prepares
To take his leave, when adverse fate that shares
Double with mans intentions, in the tart
Of's full resolves opposing, claims her part

By harsh command, a dangerous Fever that
Threatned destruction ere arriving at
Its distant crisis, and on flaming wings
Posts through the blood, whose mass infected brings
Deaths banners near the Fort of life, which in
Acute distempers it attempts to win
From Natures guards, had not the hot assault
By youth sustain'd made deaths black army halt
Whilst marching to the grave, the swift disease
Like a proud foe repulst, forc'd to give ease
By slow retreats; yet of those cruel wars
Left long remaining bloodless characters.

But ere the weak Euriolus (for he
This hapless stranger was) again could be
By strength supported, base Amarus, who
Could think no more then priceless thanks was due
For all his dangerous pains, more beastly rude
Then untam'd Indians, basely did exclude
That noble guest; which being with sorrow seen
By Ammida, whose prayers and tears had been
His helpless advocates, she gives in charge
To her Ismander, that till time enlarge
Her then restrain'd desires, he entertain
Her desolate and wandring friend: Nor vain
Were these commands, his entertainment being
Such as observant Love thought best agreeing
To her desires. But here not long he stayed
Ere Fortune, prompted by his wit, obeyed

That artfull Mistris, and reward obtains
By fine imposture for firm vertues pains.

The gout (that common curse of slothfull wealth)
With frequent pain had long impair'd the health
Of old Amarus, who, though else to all
Griping as that, for ease was liberal.
From practic'd physick, to the patients curse,
Poor pratling women, or impostors worse
Slie Mountebanks, whose empty impudence
Do frequent murthers under healths pretence,
He all had tried, yet found he must endure
What though some eas'd, none perfectly could cure.

Oft had his judgement, purse, and patience bin
Abus'd by cheats, yet still defective in
The choice of men: which error known unto
My brother and Euriolus, they drew
Their platform thus: Euriolus clad in
An antick dress, which shew'd as he had bin
Physitian to the great Mogol, first by
Ismander prais'd at distance, doth apply
Himself unto Amarus, where t' inhance
The price of's art, he first applauds the chance
That had from distant Regions thither brought
Him to eclipse their glory, who had sought
For't in his cure before, then seconds that
With larger promises; which tickled at
Amarus vies with his, threatning to break
His iron chests, and make those idols speak

His gratitude, though lock'd with conscience they
To his own clamorous wants had silent lay.

Some common medicines, which the people prize
'Cause from their knowledg vail'd in slight disguise,
Apply'd to's pain, and those assisted by
Opinion, whose best antidotes supply
The weak defects of art, he soon attains
So much of health, that now his greatest pains
Had been th' ingag'd reward, had he not bin
By future hopes kept from ingratefull sin
So far, that in performing action he
Exceeds his passions prodigalitie,
Large promises, with such performance, that
Whilst his deluders smile, and wonder at,
Thus speaks its dark orginal; To shew
Euriolus how fortune did out-grow
Desert in his estate, he was one day
From th' Castle walls taking a pleas'd survay,
Of spacious fields, whose soils made fertile by
Luxurious art, in rich variety
Still youthfull nature cloath'd, which whilst he views
An old suspition thus his tongue renews.

How blest, my worthy friend, how blest had I
Been in my youths laborious industry
T' have seen a son possest of this! but now
A daughters match, a stranger must endow
With what I've toil'd to get, and what is more
My torment, one that being betroth'd before

My sons decease, wants an estate to make
Her marriage blest; but knew I how to shake
This Swagg'rer off, there lives not far from hence
One that to match her to were worth th' expence
Of my estate, his name is Dargonel,
A wary Lad, who though his land do swell
Each day with new additions, yet still lives
Sparing and close, takes heed to whom he gives
Or whom he lends, except on mortgage, by
Whose strength it may securely multiply.

This worthy Gentleman, with wise foresight
Beholding what an object of delight
Our link'd estates would be, hath since I lost
My heir, been in's intention onely crost
By this Ismander, whom, though I confess
A braver man, yet since a fortune less,
Ne'r must have my consent; onely since by
Her contract I have lost the liberty
Of second choice, unless I vainly draw
My self in danger o'th ore-busie Law,
I want some sound advice that might inform
Me how to rid him, yet not stand a storm
Broke from his rage, although my daughter love
Him more then health, I shall command above
Her feeble passions, if you dare impart
So much of aid from your almighty art
As to remove this remora; and here
He stopp'd, yet lets a silent guilt appear

In looks that shew'd what else the theam affords
He'd have conceiv'd, as being too foul for words.
Which seen by him whose active wit grew strong
In friendships cause, as loath to torture long
His expectations, thus their stream he stayes
With what at once both comforts and betrayes.

Raise up your spirits, my blest Patron, to
Sublime content, Heav'n sent me to renew
Your souls harmonious peace; that dreadfull toy
Of conscience wisely wav'd, you may enjoy
Uninterrupted hopes: yet since we must
Be still most wary where we're most unjust,
Lets not be rash; swift things are oft unsure,
Whilst moles through death's dark angles creep secure.

Then since it's full of danger to remove
Betroth'd Ismander, whilst his publick love
By your consent rais'd to assurance, may
A granted interest claim; first let us stay
His fury, and the peoples censures by
A nuptial knot, whose links we will unty
Ere the first night confirms the hallow'd band,
By wayes so secret, that death's skilfull hand
Shall work unknown to fate, and render you
To the deluded worlds more publick view
A real mourner, whilst your curtain'd thought
Triumphs to be from strict engagements brought.

Besides the vailing of our dark designe
Like vertue thus, this plot will sink a Mine

Whose wealthy womb in ample jointure will
Bring much of dead Ismanders state to fill
The vast desire of wealth. This being done,
I with prevailing philters will outrun
Sorrows black Bark, which whilst it lies at drift,
I'll so renew her mirth, no sigh shall lift
Its heavy sails, which in a calm neglect
Shall lie forgot; whilst what's not now respect
To Dargonel, shall soon grow up to be
Like Natures undiscovered sympathie,
A love so swift, so secret, all shall pause
At its effects, whilst they admire the cause.

This by Amarus, with belief which grew
Into applause, heard out, he doth renew
With large additions what h'had promis'd in
His first attempts: Then hasting to begin
The tragick scene which must in triumph be
Usher'd to light, his known deformitie
Of wretched baseness for a while he lays
Aside, and by a liberal mirth betrays
Approaching joy, which since incited by
His wishes, soon lifts Hymens torches high
As their exalted hopes. The happy Pair
Dear to indulgent heaven, with Omens fair
As were their youthful Paranimphs, had bin
I'th' hallowed Temple taught without a sin
To taste the fruits of Paradice; and now
The time when tedious custom did allow

A wisht retirement, come, preparing are
To beautifie their beds, whence that bright star
Whose evenings blush did please the gazers eyes,
Eclips'd in sorrow is ordain'd to rise.
But such whose superficial vail opprest
Only her friends, whose knowledge were not blest
With the design which to our proscript Lovers
Euriolus with timely zeal discovers.

The morning opens, and the wakened Bride
By light and friends surpris'd, attempts to hide
Her bashful beauty, till their hands withdrew
The curtains, which betraid unto their view
Ismander cold and stiff: which horrid sight
Met where they look'd for objects of delight,
At first a silent sad amazement spread
Through all the room, till Fears pale army fled
In sad assurance, Sorrows next hot charge
Began in shrieks, whose terror did enlarge
Infectious grief, till like an ugly cloud
That cramps the beauties of the day, grown proud
In her black empire, Hymens tapors she
Changes to funeral brands, and from that tree
That shadows graves, puls branches, which being wet
In tears, are where Loves mirtles flourisht set.

Their nuptial himns thus turn'd to dirges, all
In sad exchange let cloudy sable fall
Ore pleasures purple-robes, whilst from that bed
Whence Love opprest, seem'd to their sorrow fled

To death for refuge, sadly they attend
To th' last of homes, his tomb, their sleeping friend,
Who there with all the hallowed rights that do
Betray surviving friendship, left unto
Darkness and dust, they thence with sober pace
Return, whilst shrowded near that dismal place
Euriolus conceals himself, that so
When sleep, whose soft excess is natures fo,
Hath spent her stupefactive opiates, he
Might ready to his friends assistance be.

And now that minute come, which to comply
With Arts sure rules, gives Nature leave t'unty
Sleeps powerful ligatures, his Pulses beat
The Bloods revelly, from whose dark retreat
The spirits thronging in their active flight,
His friend h'encounters with the early light;
By whose assistance whilst the quiet earth
Yet slept in nights black arms, before the birth
O'th' morn, whose busie childhood might betray
Their close design, Ismander takes his way
Toward a distant friends, whose house he knew
To be as secret as his love was true.

There whilst conceal'd even from suspition, he
In safety rests, Euriolus, to free
Her fears fair Captive, Ammida, hastes back
To old Amarus, who too rash to slack
Sorrows black cordage by degrees that might
Weaken mistrust, lets mirth taken open flight

Into suspected action, whilst he gives
To Dargonel, who now his Darling lives,
So free a welcom, that he in't might read
If love could not for swift succession plead,
Power should command; yet waves the exercise
Of either, till his Empericks skill he tries:
Who now return'd, ere Dargonel that lay
Slow to attempt, since certain to betray,
Had more then fac'd at distance, he pretends
To close attempts of art, whose wisht for ends
Ere their expecting faith had time to fear,
In acts which rais'd their wonder did appear.

Love, which by judgment rul'd, had made desert
In her first choice the Climax to her heart,
By which it slowly mov'd, now; as if swaid
By heedless passion, seems to have betraid
At one rash glance her heart, which now begins
To break through Passions bashful cherubins,
Spreading without a modest blush the light
Of morning-beauty ore that hideous night
Of all those dull deformities that dwell
Like earths black damps ore cloudy Dargonel;
Who being become an Antique in the Mask
Of playful Love, grows proud, and scorns to ask
Advice from sober thought, but lets conceit
Perswade him how his worth had spread that bait
Which slie Amarus who presum'd to know
From whence that torrent of her Love did flow,

With a just doubt suspecting, strives to make
His thoughts secure, ere Reason did oretake
Passions inforc'd carier; Nor did his plot
Want an indulgent hope, like dreams, forgot
In the delights of day, his daughter shook
Off Griefs black dress, and in a chearful look
Promis'd approaching love, no more disguis'd
Then serv'd to shew strict vertue how she pris'd
Her only in applause, whose harmonie
Still to preserve, she is resolv'd to be,
If secret silence might with action dwell,
Swift as his wish espous'd to Dargonel.

More joy'd then fetter'd Captives in the year
Of Jubile, Amarus did appear
Proud with delight, in whose warm shine when's haste
Had with officious diligence imbrac'd
Euriolus, he waving all delays,
To Dargonel the welcom news conveys;
Who soon prepar'd for what so long had bin
His hopes delight, to meet those joys within
The sacred temple hastes: The place they chose
For Hymen's Court, lest treacherous eyes disclose
The Brides just blushes, was a Chappel where
Devotion, when but a domestick care,
Was by his houshold practis'd; for the time
'Twas ere the morn blusht to detect a crime.

All thus prepar'd, the Priest conducting, they
With sober pace, which gently might convey

Diseas'd Amarus in his chair, they to
The Chappel haste, which now come near, as through
Th' ancient room they pass, a sad deep groan
Assaults their ears, which whilst with wonder grown
Into disease they entertain, appears
A sad confirmer of their doubtfull fears;
Ismander whom but late before they had
Follow'd to th' grave, his lively beauty clad
I'th' upper garments of pale death: which sight
The train avoiding by their speedy flight
Except the willing Bride, behinde leave none
But lame Amarus, who, his chair orethrown
By his affrighted bearers, there must lie
Expos'd to fear, which when attempts to flie,
Through often strugling prov'd his labor vain,
He groveling lies unseen to entertain.

Thus far successfull blest Ismander thence
Conveys his lovely Bride, whilst the expence
Of time being all laid out on fear, by none
He was observ'd; Amarus long alone
Lying tormented with his passions, ere
His frighted servants durst return to beare
Their fainting Master of; but being at length,
When greater numbers had confirm'd the strength
Of fortitude, grown bold, entring again
The room, which yet fear told them did retain
The scent of brimstone, there they onely found
Their trembling master, tumbling on the ground.

Horror, augmented by internal guilt
Had in his conscience trepidations spilt:
Both pray'rs and tears, which since heav'ns law they crost
For humane passions in dispair were lost;
Obscur'd in whose black mists, not daring to
Unclose his eyes, fearing again the view
Of that affrighting aparition, he
Is hurried from that dreadfull place, to be
Their mirth, whom he (for fiends mistaking) cries
For mercy to, scarce trusting of his eyes,
When they unfolded had, discover'd none
But such whom long he'd for domesticks known.

Yet to torment him more, before these fears
Wholy forsake him, in his room appears
Some officers, whose power made dreadfull by
The dictates of supream authority
As guilty of Ismander's death, arrest
Him for his murtherer, by which change opprest
More then before with fear, he, who now thought
On nought but death, to a tribunal brought,
Ere ask'd confesses that foul crime, for which
He this just doom receives; since to inrich
What had before wealths surfeit took, this sin
Was chiefly acted, his estate, faln in
To th' hands of justice, by the judge should be
From hence dispos'd of, then from death to free
His life, already forfeited, except
Murther'd Ismander, whom he thought had slept

In's winding sheet, his hopeless Advocate
Should there appear, in which unhappy state
The wretch, now ready to depart, beholds
This glorious change; Ismander first unfolds
Himself, and her, who bound by natures laws,
Implores his pardon ere they plead his cause,
Which done, the Judge, that his lost wealth might be
No cause of grief, unmasking, lets him see
Euriolus, by whom, from th' worst of sin
To liberal vertue he'd deluded bin.

The End of the Third Canto.

CANTO IV.

The Argument.

I

Whilest we a while the pensive Lady leave
Here a close Mourner for her rigid fate,
Let's from the dark records of time receive
The manner how Argalia wav'd the hate

II

Of his malignant stars, which when they seem
To threaten most, through that dark cloud did lead
Him to a knowledge of such dear esteem,
He his high birth did there distinctly read.

Freed from the noise o'th' busie world, within
A deep dark vale, whose silent shade had bin
Religions vail, when blasted by the beams
Of Persecution, far from the extreams
Of solitude, or sweaty labor, were
Some few blest men whose choice made Heaven their care

Sequestred from the throngs of men to finde
Those better joyes, calms of a peacefull minde.
Yet though on this pacifick sea, their main
Design was Heaven, that voyage did not restrain
Knowledge of humane arts, which as they past
They safely view'd, though there no anchor cast;
Their better temper'd judgments counting that
But hoodwink'd zeal, which blindly catches at
The great Creators sacred will, without
Knowing those works that will was spent about,
Which being the climax to true judgement, we
Behold stoop'd down to visibilitie
In lowliest creatures, natures stock being nought
But God in's image to our senses brought.
In the fair evening of that fatal day,
By whose meridian light Love did betray
Ingag'd Argalia near to death, was one
Of these (heav'ns happy Pensioners) alone
Walking amongst the gloomy Groves to view
What soveraign vertues there in secret grew
Confin'd to humble plants; whose signatures
Whilst by observing, he his art secures
From vain experiments, Argalia's Page
Crossing a neighboring path, did disingage
His serious eye from natures busie task,
To see the wandring Boy, who was to ask
The way; for more his youths unprompted fear
Expects not there, to the blest man drawn near.

But when, with such a weeping innocence
As Saints confess those sins which the expence
Of tears exacted, he had sadly told
What harsh fate in restrictive wounds laid hold
Of's worthy Master, pity prompted by
Religious love, helps the poor Boy to dry
His tears with hopes of comfort, whilst he goes
To see what sad Catastrophe did close
Those bloody scenes which the unequal fight
Foretold, before fear prompted him to flight.
Not far they'd past ere they the place had found
Where groveling in a stream of blood, the ground
His purple-bed, the wearied Prince they see
Strugling with death, from whose dark monarchie
Pale troops assail his cheeks, whilst his dim eies
Like a spent lamp which ere its weak flame dies,
In giddy blazes glares, as if his soul
Were at those casements flying out, did roll
Swifter then thought their bloodshot orbs; his hands
Did with deaths agues tremble; cold dew stands
Upon his clammy lips; the springs of blood
(Having breath'd forth the spirits) clotted stood
On that majestick brow, whose dreadful frown
Had to deaths scepter laid its terror down.
The holy man upon the brink o'th' grave
Finding such forms of worth, attempts to save
His life from dropping in, by all his best
Reserves of art, selecting from the rest

Of his choise store, an herb whose soveraign power
No flux of blood, though falling in a shower
Of death could force, which gently bruis'd, and to
His wound apply'd, taught nature to renew
Her late neglected functions, and through short
Recruits of breath made able to support
His blood-enfeebled body, till they reach
The Monastry, where nobler art did teach
Their simple medicines to submit to those
Which skill from their mixt vertues did compose.
Life (which the unexpected gift of fate
Rather then art appear'd) in this debate
Of death prevailing, in short time had gain'd
So much of strength, that weakness now remain'd
The only slothful Remora that in
His bed detain'd him; where being often seen
By those whom art alike had qualifi'd
For his relief, as one of them appli'd
His morning-medicines to a spacious wound
Fixt on his breast, he that rare jewel found
Which in his undiscerning infancie
There hung by's father, fortune had kept free
From all her various accidents, to shew
How much his birth did to her favor owe.

Shook with such silent joy as he had been
In calm devotion by an Angel seen,
The good old man, his wonder rarifi'd
Into amazement stands, he had descri'd,

What, if no force had robb'd him of it since
'Twas first bestow'd, none but his true born Prince
Could wear, since art (wise Natures fruitful ape)
Ne'r but in that had birth which bore that shape
Assur'd by which with unstirr'd confidence
He asks Argalia where he knew from whence
When nature first did so much wealth impart
To earth, that jewel took those forms of art:
But being answer'd, that his infancie
When first it was conferr'd on him, might be
Th' excuse of's ignorance; that voice alone
Confirms his aged friend, who having known
As much of fortune as in fates dark shade
His understanding legible had made
From weak Argalia, to requite him leads
Knowledge where he his lifes first copy reads
Drest in this language.—

—'Twas, unhappy Prince!
(For such this story must salute you, since
Told to confirm't a truth) my destinie
When youth and strength rendred me fit to be
My dearest Countries servant, plac'd within
Mantinea's glorious Court, where, having been
Made capable by sacred Orders, I
Attain'd the height of Priestly dignity,
Being unto him whose awful power did sway
That crown, in dear esteem; but Honors day
Which gilded then the Courtly sphere, sunk down,
I lost my Mitre in the fall o'th' Crown.

Sad is the doleful tale; yet since that in
Its progress you may find where did begin
Your lifes first stage, thus take it. When the Court
Stifl'd with throngs of men, whose thick resort
Plenty and peace call'd thither, being grown
Sickly with ease, view'd as a thing unknown,
Dangers stern brow, which even in smiling fates
Proves a Quotidian unto wiser States;
Whilst pride grew big, and envy bigger, we
Sleeping i'th' bed of soft securitie,
Were with alarums wakened; Faction had,
To shew neglects deformities, unclad
That gawdy monster, whose first dress had bin
The night-peec'd works of their unriper sin,
And those that in contracted fortunes dwelt,
Calmly in favors shadow, having felt
The glorious burthen of their honor grown
Too large for all that fortune call'd their own,
Like fishes which the lesser frie devour,
Pride having join'd oppression to their power,
Prey'd on the subject, till their load outgrew
Their loyalty, and forc'd even those that knew
Once only to obey, in sullen rage
To mutter threats, whose horror did presage
That blood must in domestick jars be spilt,
To cure their envy, and the peoples guilt.
These seeds of discord which began to rise
To active growth, by th' honorable Spies

Of other Princes seen, had soon betraid
Our States obscure disease, and call'd to aid
Ambitious subjects, forein powers, whose strength,
First but as physick us'd, was grown at length
Our worst disease, which whilst we hop'd for cure,
Turn'd our slow Hectique to a Calenture.
A Syracusian army, that had bin
Against our strength often victorious in
A haughty Rebels quarrel, being by
Success taught how to ravish victory
Without his aid, which only useful prov'd
When treason first for novelty was lov'd:
Seising on all that in's pretended cause
Had stoop'd to conquest, what th' infeebled laws
In vain attempted, soon perform, and give
The traitor death, from what made treason live.
This done, whilst their victorious ensigns were
Fann'd by fames breath, they their bold standards bear
Near to our last of hopes, an army which
Like oft try'd Oare, disasters made more rich
In loyal valor then vast numbers, and
By shaking fixt those roots on which did stand
Their well-elected principles, which here
(Opprest with number) only did appeare
In bravely dying, when their righteous cause
Condemn'd by fates inevitable laws,
Let its religion, vertue, valor, all
That heaven calls just, beneath rebellion fall.

Near to the end of this black day, when none
Was left that durst protect his injur'd throne,
VVhen loyal valor having lost the day
Bleeding within the bed of honor lay:
Thy wounded father, when his acts had shewn
As high a spirit as did ever groan
Beneath misfortune, is inforc'd to leave
The fields wild fury, and some rest receive
In faithful Enna, where his springs of blood
VVere hardly stopt, before a harsher flood
Assails his eyes: Thy royal mother, then
More blooming then earths ful-blown beauties when
VVarm'd in the Ides of May, her fruitful womb
Pregnant with thee, to an untimely tomb,
Her fainting spirits in that horrid fright
Losing the paths of life, from time, from light,
And grief steals down; yet ere she had discharg'd
Her debts to death, protecting heaven enlarg'd
Thy narrow lodging, and that life which she
Lost in thy fatal birth, bestow'd on thee;
On thee, in whom those joys thy father priz'd
More then lov'd empire, are epitomiz'd.
And now as if the arms of adverse fate
Had all conspir'd our ills to aggravate
Above the strength of patience, we are by
Victorious foes, before our fear could flie
To a remoter refuge, clos'd within
Unhappy Enna, which before they win

(Though storm'd with fierce assaults) the restless sun
His annual progress through the heavens had run;
But then, tir'd with disasters which attend
A slow-pac'd siege, unable to defend
Their numbers from resistless famine, they
With an unwilling loyaltie obey
The next harsh summons, and so prostrate lie
To th' rage, or mercy of their enemie.
But ere the Cities fortune was unto
This last black stage arriv'd, safely withdrew
To th' Castles strength thy father was, where he
(Though far from safety) finds the time to be
Inform'd by sober councel how to steer
Through this black storm, love, loyalty, and fear
Had often varied judgments, but at last
Into this form their full resolves were cast.
To cool hot action, and to bathe in rest
More peaceful places, darkness dispossest
The days soveraignity, to usher whom
Into her sable throne, a clouds full womb
Congeal'd by frigid air, as if that then
The elements had warr'd as well as men,
In a white vail came hovering down to hide
The Coral pavements, but forbid by th' pride
Oth' Conquerors triumphs, and expell'd from thence
As that which too much emblem'd innocence,
Since that the City no safe harbor yields,
It takes its lodging in the neighboring fields,

Which mantled in those spotless robes invite
The Prince through them to take his secret flight.
In sad distress leaving his Nobles to
Swallow such harsh conditions as the view
Of danger candi'd ore, from treacherous eyes
Obscur'd in a Plebeians poor disguise
His glorious train shrunk to desertless I,
The sad companion of his misery;
He now departing, thee his infant son
Heir to his crown and cares, ordain'd to run
This dangerous hazard of thy life before
Time taught thee how thy fortune to deplore.
When ventring on this precipice of fate,
We slowly sallied forth, 'twas cold and late,
The drowsie guard asleep, the Centries hid
Close in their huds did shivering stand, and chid
The whistling winds with chatring teeth, when now
A leave as solemn as haste would allow,
Of all our friends, our mourning friends, being took,
We like the earth vail'd all in white forsook
Our salliport, whilst slowly marching ore
The new faln snow, thee in his arms he bore.
Whilst this imposture made the scar'd guards when
They saw us move, then make a stand agen,
Either to think that dallying winds had plaid
With flakes of snow, or that their sight betraid
Their fancy into errors, we were past
The reach of danger, and in triumph cast

Off with our fears, what had us safety lent
When strength refus'd to save the innocent.
The eager lover hugs himself not in
Such roseal beds of joy, when what hath bin
His sickly wishes is possest, as we
Through watchfull foes arriv'd to libertie
Imbrace the welcom blessing; first we stear
Our course tow'rds Siracuse, whose confines near
The mountain stood, upon whose cloudy brow
Poor Enna did beneath her ruins bow.
The Stars cloath'd in the pride of light, had sent
Their sharp beams from the spangled firmament,
To silver ore the Earth, which being embost
With hills, seem'd now enamel'd ore with frost,
The keen winds whistle in the justling trees,
And cloath'd their naked limbs in hoary frees.
When having pac'd some miles of crusted earth,
Whose labor warm'd our blood, before the birth
O' th' sluggish morning from his bed had drawn
The early Villager, the sober dawn
Lending our eyes the slow salutes of light,
We are encountred with the welcom sight
Of some poor scatter'd Cottages that stood
In the dark shadow of a spacious wood
That fring'd an humble valley, toward those,
Whilst the still morn knew nought to discompose
Her sleepy infancy, we went, and now
Being come so near we might discover how

The unstir'd smoke stream'd from the Cottage tops,
A glim'ring light from a low window stops
Our further course, we're come to a low shed,
Whose happy honor (ne'r disquieted
With those domestick troubles that attend
On larger roofs) here in content did spend
Fortunes scant gifts, at his unhaunted gate
Hearing us knock, he stands not to debate
With wealthy misers slow suspition, but
Swift, as if 'twere a sin to keep it shut,
Removes that slender Guard; but when he there
Unusual Strangers saw, with such a care
As onely spoke a conscious shame to be
Surpris'd, whilst unprovided poverty
Straitned desire, he starts, yet entertains
Us so, that shew'd by an industrious pains
He strove to welcom more. Here being by
Their goodness, and our own necessity
Tempted a while to rest, we safely lay
Far from persuing ills, yet since the way
To danger by suspition lies, we still,
Fear being betray'd by those that meant no ill,
Since oft their busie whispers, though they spring
From love, and wonder, slow discoveries bring.
Being now removing, since thy tender age
Threatned to make the grave its second stage
If thence conveigh'd by us whose fondest love
Could to thy wants but fruitless pity prove

T' inlarge thy commons, though increase our fears
To those indulgent rurals, who for tears
Had springs of milk to feed thee, thou remain'st
An infant tenant, for thy own name 'gainst
What since thou hast bin known by, which when we
Contracted had to the stenographie,
Some gold, the last of all our wealth we leave
To make their burthen light, which they receive
With thankfull joy, amaz'd to see those bright
Angels display their strange unwonted light
In poverties cold region, where they had
Been pin'd for want, if not by labor clad.
When age should make thee capable to tell
Thy wonder how thy infancy had fell
From honors pyramids, a jewel which
Did once the splendor of his Crown inrich
About thy neck he hangs, then breathing on
Thy tender lips a parting kiss, we're gone,
Gone from our last delight to finde some place
Dark as our clouded stars, there to embrace
Unenvi'd poverty, in the cold bed
Of sad despair, till on his reverend head,
Once center to a crown, grief makes him weare
A silver frost by frequent storms of care
Forc'd on that royal mount, whose verdure fades
Ere time, by youths antagonist invades.
Not far, through dark and unknown paths we had
Wander'd within those forrests, which unclad

By big windes of their summers beauteous dress
Naked, and trembling stood, ere fair success
Smiling upon our miseries did bring
Us to a chrystal stream, from whose cold spring,
With busie and laborious care, we saw
A feeble Hermite stooping down to draw
An earthen pot, whose empty wants supply'd
With liquid treasure, soon had satisfy'd
His thirsty hopes; who now returning by
A narrow path, which did directing lie
Through th' unfrequented desart, with the haste
Of doubtfull Travellers, in lands laid waste
By conquering foes, we follow till drawn near
To him whom innocence secur'd from fear,
Disburth'ning of his staff, he sits to rest
What was with age and labor both opprest.
Our first salutes, when we for blessings had
Exchang'd with him, being sat, we there unclad
All our deform'd misfortunes, and unless
A kingdoms loss disvellop'd our distress.
Which heard with pity, that he safely might
Be the directing Pharos by whose light
We might be safely guided from the rocks
Of the tempestuous world, his tongue unlocks
A cabinet of holy counsel, which
More then our vanish'd honor did enrich
Our souls (for whose eternal good was meant
This cordial) with the worlds best wealth, Content,

Content, which flies the busie throne, to dwell
With hungry Hermites in the noiseless cell.
More safe then age from the hot sins of youth,
Peaceful as faith, free as untroubled truth,
Being by him directed hither, we
Long liv'd within this narrow Monast'rie,
Whose orders being too strict for those that ne're
Had lost delight ith' prosecuting care
Of unsuccessful action, suited best
With us, whose griefs compar'd taught the distrest
To sleight their own, as guests that did intrude
On reason, in the want of fortitude,
That brave supporter, which such comfort brings,
That none can know but persecuted Kings.
The purple-robe, his births unquestion'd right,
For the course habit of a Carmelite
Being now exchang'd, and we retir'd from both
Our fears and hopes, like private Lovers loth
When solve from the observant Spy, to be
Disturb'd by friends, for want, or greatness, free
Secure and calm, we spent those happy days
In nought ambitious, but of what might raise
Our thoughts towards heav'n, with whom each hour acquaints
In prayr more frequent then afflicted saints
Our happy souls, which here so long had bin
Refining, till that grand reward of sin,
Death, did by age (his common harbinger)
Proclaim's approach, and warn'd us to defer

For the earths trivial business) nought that might
Concern eternity, lest life and light
Forsaking our dark mansions leave us to
Darkness and death, unfurnisht of a clew
Which might conduct (when time shall cease to be)
Through the meanders of eternitie.
Thy pious father, ere the thefts of age
Decaying strength, should his stiff limbs engage
In an uneasie rest, to level all
Accounts with heaven, doth to remembrance call
A vow, which though in hot affliction made
Whilst passions short ephemera's did invade
His troubled soul, doth now, when the disease
Time had expung'd, from solitary ease
Call him again to an unwilling view
Oth' active world, in a long journey to
Forlorn Enna, unto whose Temple he
Had vow'd, if fortune lent him libertie,
Till tir'd with the extreams of weary age,
The cheap devotion of a pilgrimage.

The End of the Fourth Canto.

CANTO V.

The Argument.

I

To the grave Author of this happy news
The pleas'd Argalia with delight did hear,
Till (whilst the fatal story he persues)
He brings his great soul near the gates of fear,

II

By letting him in full discovery know
The dreadful danger that did then attend
His royal Sire, who to his sword must ow
For safety, ere his sad afflictions end.

Forsaking now our solitary friends,
Whose prayrs upon each slow-pac'd step attends
From danger by a dress so course exempt
As wore religion to avoid contempt,
Through toils of many a tedious day, at last
We Enna reach, where when his vows had past

The danger of a forfeiture, and we
(That debt discharg'd to heaven) had libertie
To look abroad, with sorrow-laden eyes
We view those ruines in whose ashes lies
Sad objects of our former loss, not then
Rak'd up so deep, but old observant men
When youths were in procession led, could tell
Where towrs once stood, and in what fights they fell;
Which to confirm, some in an aged pride
Shew wounds, which then though they did wisely hide
As signatures of loyal valor, they
Now unsuspected with delight display.

Hence when commanded by the wane of light
We sought protection from approaching night
In an adjacent Monastry, where we
(The wandring objects of their charitie)
Although by all welcom'd with friendly zeal,
Found only one whose outside did reveal
So much of an internal worth that might
To active talk our clouded souls invight
From griefs obscure retreats; his grave aspect
(Though reverend age dwelt with unprun'd neglect)
Seem'd drest with such a sacred solitude,
As ruin'd Temples in their dust include.

My royal Master, as some power divine,
Had by instinct taught great souls how to twine
Though 'mongst the weeds of poverty, with this
Blest man consorting, whilst their apt souls miss

In all their long discourse no tittle set
For mans direction in heavens alphabet;
Whilst controverted points, those rocks on which
Weak faiths are shipwrackt, did jems inrich
Their art-assisted zeal, a sudden noise
Clamorous and loud, in the soft womb destroys
That sacred infant; the concordant bells
Proclaim a joy, which larger triumph tells
To be of such a publick birth, that they
(In quiet cells) for what they late did pray
In tears (the souls oreflowing language) now
(Being by examples common rule taught how
They vary passions) and in manly praise
Their silent prayers to Halleluiahs raise.

By swift report inform'd that this days mirth
From the proclaiming of their Prince took birth
These private mourners for the publick faults
Of busie nations, by the hot assaults
Of triumph startled from their gravitie,
Prepare for joy; all but grave Sophron, he
Then with the pilgrim Prince, who both were sate
Like sad Physitians when the doubtful state
Oth' Patients theatens death, the serious eye
Of Sophron as a threatning prodigie
Viewing that flattering smile of fate, which they
Of shallower souls prais'd as approaching day.

When both (their souls from active words retir'd)
A while had silent sate, the Prince desir'd

To know the cause why in that triumph he
Of all that Covent found the time to be
With thoughtful cares alone, whom Sophron gave
This satisfaction: Worthy Sir, I have
In the few hours of our acquaintance found
In you such worth, 'twould question for unsound
My judgment, if unwilling to impart
A secret, though the darling of my heart.

Know then, this hapless Province, which of late
Faction hath harrast, a wise Prince whom fate
Depriv'd us of, once rul'd; but so long since,
That age hath learn'd from time how to convince
The hot enormities of youth, since we
With such a Ruler lost our libertie.
For though at first, as he alone had bin
Our evil Genius, whose abode brought in
All those attendant plagues, our fortune seemed
To calm her brow, and captive hope redeemed
In the destruction of our foes, which by
A hot infection were enforc'd to fly
From conquest near obtain'd: yet we, to shew
That only 'twas our vices did orethrow
The merits of his weaker vertues, when
Successful battails had reduc'd agen
Our panting Land from all external ill,
Domestick quarrels threatned then to kill
What forein powers assail'd in vain, and made
Danger surprise, which trembled to invade.

For many years tost by th'uncertain wind
Of wild ambition, we had sail'd to find
Out the Lucadian rocks of Peace; but in
A vain pursuit; for we so long had bin
A headless multitude, the factious Peers
Oppressing th'injur'd Commons, till our fears
Became our fate, few having so much left
Unsequestred, as might incite to theft
Even those whom want makes desperate, all being spent
On those that turn to th' worst of punishment
What wore protections name, Vilains that we
Inforc'd maintain'd to christen Tyrannie
Ith' injur'd name of Justice, such as kept
Litigious Councels, for whose Votes we wept,
From punishment so long, till grown above
The blinded peoples envy, or their love.

But lately these prodigious fires that led
Us through the night of Anarchy, being fled
At the approach of one, who since hath stood
Fixt like a Star of the first magnitude,
Diffusive power, which then was only shewn
In Factions dress, being now Rebellion grown,
By the uniting of those attoms in
One haughty Peer, ambitious Zarrobrin,
Whose pride (that spur of valor) when 't had set
Him in the front of Honors alphabet,
The sole Commander of those forces whence
Our peace distill'd, and in as large a sense

As Subjects durst (whilst loyal) hope to have,
Adorn their tombs, the highest titles gave
Of a depending honor, to repay
Their easie faiths that levell'd had the way
Unto his greatness, that Command he made
The steps by which he strugl'd to invade
A Throne, and in their heedless Votes include
Unnoted figures of their servitude.

When with attempts frequent as fruitless, I
With others, whose firm love to loyaltie
Time had not yet expung'd, had oft in vain
Oppos'd our power, which found too weak to gain
Our Countries freedom, we, as useless, did
Retire to mourn for what the fates forbid
To have redrest: since when, his pride being grown
The peoples burthen whilst he urg'd his own
Ambitious ends, he hath, to fix their love
On principles whose structure should not move,
Unless it their allegiance shook, brought forth
Their Prince, whose fathers unforgotten worth
Did soon command their full consent, and he
For treason fear'd, made lov'd for loyaltie.

But since that 'mongst observant judgments this
So sudden change might stand in doubt to miss
A fair construction, to confirm't he brings
An old Confessor of their absent Kings,
The reverend Halophantes, one whose youth
Made humane arts submit to sacred truth

So much, that now arriv'd to graver age
He (like authentick Authors) did engage
The peoples easie faith into a glad
Belief, that when his youths afflictions had
Unthron'd their Prince, he in that fatal night,
Wisely contracting his imagin'd flight
(As rodes unto destruction) leaving all
Frequented paths, did in nights silence call
At's unfrequented Cell, where entertain'd
With all the zeal that subjects which have gain'd
From gracious Soveraigns, study to express
A vertue in, which thrives by the distress
Of an afflicted patron's, he betrayes
Enquiring Scouts, till some expunging dayes
Make them forsake their inquisition in
Despair to finde: which vacancy did win
Time to bestow his infant burthen where
Some secret friends did with indulgent care
Raise him from undiscerning childhood to
Be such as now expos'd unto their view.

Thy father, who with doubtful thoughts had heard
This story, till confirm'd in what he fear'd,
Starts into so much passion as betrayes
Him through the thick mask of those tedious dayes
Time had in thirty annual journeys stept
To Sophron, who, when he a while had wept,
A short encomion to good fortune, in
Such prostrate lowliness as seem'd for sin

To censure guiltless ignorance, he meets
His Princes full discovery, whom he greets
With all the zeal, such whose uncourtly arts
Make tongues the true interpreters of hearts,
Do those wise Princes whom they know to stare
At aguish flattery, as if indesert
Usher'd it in:—Those that know how to rate
Their worth, prize it by vertue, not by fate.

With Arguments which to assist he made
Reasons firm power, Passions light scouts invade,
He had so oft th' unwilling Prince assail'd,
That importunity at length prevail'd
On his resolves, from peacefull povertie
His ages refuge hurrying him to be
Once more an Agent unto fortune in
Uncertain toils, whose trouble to begin,
Leaving his Prince to so much rest as those
Whose serious souls are busied to compose
Unravell'd thoughts into a method; now
Sophron forsakes him to discover how
His fellow Peers of that lost party stand
Dispos'd for action, if a Kings command
Should give it life; all which he findes to be
So full of yet untainted loyaltie,
That in a swift convention they prepare
By joyning judgements to divide their care.

From distant places, with such secret haste,
As did declare a flaming zeal, though plac'd

In cautions shadow, owe considerate Peers,
Such whose light youth th' experienc'd weight of yeers
Had long since ballast with discretion, met
To see their Prince, and to discharge the debt
Of full obedience, each had with him brought
His states surviving hope, snatch'd from the soft
Hands of lamenting mothers, that to those,
If fit for arms, they safely might dispose
The excution of those Councils which
Their sober age with judgement did inrich.

In Sophron's Palace, which being far remov'd
From the streets talking throngs, was most aprov'd
For needfull privacy; these loyal Lords
Whose faithfull hearts th' infallible records
The heedless vulgar (whose neglective sin
Had lost the copies of allegiance in
This inter regnum) trust to, being met
To shun delayes, (mans late repented debt)
The Prince with speed appears, whom no disguise
Of youths betrayer, Time, could from their eyes
Long undiscover'd keep, through the rough vail
Of Age, or what more powerfull did prevail
On Beauties ruines, they did soon descry
The unquench'd embers of a Majesty
Too bright for time to hide, with curtains less
Dark then that mansion of forgetfulness,
The Grave, which mans first folly taught to be
The obscure passage to eternitie.

That their example might be precept to
Unknowing youth, with all the reverence due
To awefull Princes on their thrones, the old
Experienc'd Courtiers kneel; by which grown bold
In their belief, those of unriper age
Upon their judgements did their faith engage
So far, that they in solemn vows unite
Their yet concordant thoughts, which ere the flight
Of time should leave the day behind, desire
To live in action: But this rising fire
Of loyal rage, which in their breasts did burn,
The thankfull Prince thus gently strives to turn
Into a milder passion, such as might
Not scorch with anger, but with judgement light.

How much is't both my wonder and my joy,
That we whom treason studied to destroy,
With near as much of miracle, as in
The last of dayes, lost bodies that have bin
Scatter'd amongst the elements, shall be
Conven'd i'th' Court of immortality.

Depress'd with fortune and disguis'd with age,
(Sad arguments, brave subjects, to engage
Your loyal valor) I had gone from all
My mortal hopes, had not this secret call
Of heaven, which doth with unknown method curb
Our wilde intention, brought me to disturb
Your peacefull age, whose abler youth had in
Defending me expos'd to ruine bin.

I had no more my conscience (now at rest)
With Widows curses, Orphans tears opprest;
No more in fighting fields, those busie marts,
Where honor doth for fame with death change harts,
Beheld the sad success of Battails, where
Proud victors make youths conquest ages care,
But hid from all, a crowns false glories, spent
Like beauteous flowers, which vainly waste the scent
Of odors in unhanted desarts, all
My time conceal'd till wither'd age should fall
From that short stem of nature, life, to be
Lost in the dust of deaths obscuritie.

When in the pride of youth my stars withdrew
Their influence first, I then had stood with you
Those thunderbolts of fate, and bravely died,
Contemning fortune, had that feverish pride
Of valor not been quench'd in hope to save
My infant son from an untimely grave.
But he, when from domestick ills convey'd
In safety, being by treacherous fate betray'd
Either by death, or ignorance, from what
His stars, when kindl'd first, where pointed at,
Either lives not, or else conceal'd within
Some course disguise, whose poverty hath been
So long his dull companion, till he's grown
Not less to us, then to himself unknown.

All this being weigh'd in reasons scale, is there
Ought in't can tempt decrepid age to bear

Such glorious burthens, which if fortunate
In the obtaining of, in natures date
Can have no long account, ere I again
What I had got with danger, kept with pain,
Summon'd by death the graves black monarch, must
With sorrow lose: yet since that heaven so just,
And you so loyal I have found, that it
Might argue fear, if I unmov'd should sit
At all your just desires, I here i'th' sight
Of heaven declare, together with my right,
To prosecute your Liberties as far
As Justice dares to patronize a war.

This with a magnanimity that shew'd
His youths brave spirits were not all bestow'd
On the accounts of age, had to so high
A pitch of zeal inflam'd their loyalty,
That in contempt of slow-pack'd counsels they
Did like rash youth, whose wit wants times allay,
Haste to unripe engagements, such as found
The issue weak, whose parents are unsound.

All to those towns where neighborhood had made
Them lov'd for vertue, or for power obey'd;
Whilst each with his peculiar guard attends
His honor'd Prince, imploy their active friends,
Who having with collecting trumpets made
Important errands ready to invade
The peoples censure, for a theme to fame
Their long lost Princes safe return proclaim;

Which, though at first, a subject it appear'd
Onely for faith, when circumstance had clear'd
Th' eye of Reason, from each nobler minde
Th' embraces of a welcom truth did finde.

In publick throngs, whilst every forward friend
Spoke his resolves, his sullen foes did spend
Their doubts in private whispers, by exchange
Of which they found hate had no farther range
Then close intelligence, whose utmost bounds
Ere they obtain, the usefull trumpet sounds
No distant summons, but close marches to
His loyal friends, whom now their foes might view
In troops, which if fate favor their intents,
Ere long must swell to big-bulk'd Regiments:

Through Country towns, and Cities prouder streets
The murmuring drum in busie marches meets
Such forward valor, husbandmen did fear
The earth would languish the succeeding years
For want of Laborers; nor could business stop
The streightned Prentice, who, the slighted shop
Left to his angry Master, who must be
Forc'd to abridge his seven years tyranny,
Changes the baser utensils of trade
For burnisht arms, and by example made
More valiant, scorns those shadows which they fear'd
More then rough war, whilst 'mongst the cities herd.

To Regiments, from scattering bands being grown,
From that to Armys, whose big looks made known

Those bold designs, which Justice fear'd to own,
Though hers, till plac'd in Powers imperial throne,
They now toward action haste; which to begin,
Whilst Castles are secur'd, and Towns girt in
With armed lines, whose Pallizado's had
Whole Forrests of their whispering Oaks unclad.
The Prince, his mercy willing to prevent
Approaching danger, by a Herald sent
To Zarrobrin, commands him to lay down
His arms, and as he owed unto his Crown
A Subjects due allegiance, to appear
Before a moneth was added to that year,
Within his Court, which now, since action gave
Life to that body whose firm strength did save
His life (by treason levell'd at) was in
His moving Camp. But this too weak to win
The doubtful Rebel, since his lawful right
Swords must dispute, the Prince prepares to fight.

Proud Zarrobrin, who had by late success
Taught Siracuse how to avoid distress
By seeking peace, like a black storm that flies
On Southern winds, which in a tumult rise
From neighboring seas, was on his march: But come
So near the Prince, that now he had by some
Of's spreading Scouts made full discovery where
His Army lay; whose scarce discovered Rear
Such distance from their well-arm'd Van appear'd,
That such whose judgments were with numbers feard

Making no further inquisition, fled
By swift report their pale disease to spread.

Disturbing clouds which rather seem'd to rise
From guilt then fear spread darkness ore the eyes
O'th' Rebels, who, although by custom made
To death familiar, wish their killing trade
In peace concluded, and with murmures nigh
Grown to the boldness of a mutinie,
Question their own frail judgments, which so oft
Had life expos'd to dangers, that had brought
No more reward then what preserv'd them still
The slaves unto a proud Commanders will.

To stop this swift infection, which begun
In lowly huts, to lofty tents had run,
Slie Zarobrin, who to preserve th' esteem
Of honor, lest lib'rality might seem
The child of fear, with secret speed prevents
What he appears to slight, their discontents.

As if attending, though attended by
Their young Mock-Prince, whose landskip royaltie
Shew'd only fair, when view'd at distance, he
Passing with slow observant pace to see
Each squadrons order, he confirms their love
With donatives, such as were far above
Their hopes if Victors; then, to shew that in
That pride of bounty h'had not strove to win
Assistance by unworthy bribes, he leads
Them far from danger, since his judgment reads

In long experience, that authentick story,
Whose lines hath taught the nearest way to glory;
That soft delays, like treacherous streams, which by
Submitting lets the rash intruder try
Their dangerous depth, to an unwilling stay
His fierce persuers would ere long betray;
Whose force since of th' untutor'd multitude
By want made desperate, and by custom rude
Would soon waste their unweildy strength, whilst they
Whom discipline had taught how to obey,
By pay made nimble, and by order sure,
Would wars delays with easier wants endure.

This sound advice meeting with sad success
From the persuing Army, whose distress
From tedious marches being too clamorous grown
For's friends estates to quiet, soon was shewn
In actions such, which though necessitie
Inforc'd on vertue, made their presence be
To th' inconsiderate vulgar, whose loose glance
For vertue take vice gloss'd with circumstance,
Such an oppression, that comparing those
Which fled with mildness, they behold as foes;
Only their ruder followers, whom they curse,
Not that their cause, but company was worse.

When thus their wants had brought disorder in,
And that neglect whose looser garb had bin
At first so shie, that what was hardly known
From business then, was now to custom grown.

100

This large limb'd body, since united by
No cement but the love to loyalty
Loses those baser parts, such as to please
Unworthy ends turn'd duty to disease,
Retaining onely those whose valor sought
No more reward then what with blood they bought.

But here, to shew that slumbring justice may
Opprest with power, faint in the busie day
Of doubtfull battel; when their valor had
So many souls from robes of fresh unclad
Of his brave friends, that the forsaken Prince
Whose sad success taught knowledge to convince
The Arguments of hope; unguarded left
Unto persuing foes was soon bereft
Of all that in this cloud of fortune might
By opposition or unworthy flight,
But promise safety, and when death denide
Him her last dark retreat to raise the pride
Of an insulting foe, is forc'd to see
The scorn of greatness in captivity.

Yet with more terror to limb sorrow in
His mighty soul, such friends as had not bin
By death discharg'd in fatal battel, now
Suffer'd so much as made even fear alow
Her palest sons, to seek in future wars
Brave victory got, by ages honor, scars,
Or braver death, that antidote of shame,
Whose stage none pass upon the rode of Fame,

101

Those that far'd best being murther'd, others sent
With life to more afflicting banishment.

When thus by him whose sacred order made
The truth authentick, from his fortunes shade
Argalia was redeem'd, the Prelate to
Confirm his story, from his bosom drew
The jewel, which having by wayes unknown
To him that wore it open'd, there was shewn
By wit contracted into art, as rare
As his that durst make silver sphears compare
With heavens light motion, an Effigies which
His royal Sire, whilst beauty did enrich
His youth, appear'd in such epitomy,
As spacious fields are represented by
Rare opticks on opposing walls, where sight
Is couzen'd with imperfect forms of light.

When with such joy as Scythians that grow proud
Of day, behold light gild an eastern cloud,
Argalia long had view'd that picture in
Whose face he saw forms that said his had been
Drawn by that pattern, with such thanks, as best
The silent eloquence of looks exprest,
The night grown ancient, ere their stories end,
With solemn joy, leaves his informing friend.

The End of the Fourth Book.