The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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| 2. | Canto the Second. |
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
152
Canto the Second.
The ARGUMENT.
Whilst Birtha and the Duke their joyes persueIn conqu'ring Love, Fate does them both subdue
With triumphs, which from Court young Orgo brought;
And have in Goltho greater triumphs wrought:
Whose hopes the quiet Ulfinore does bear
With patience feign'd, and with a hidden fear.
1
The prosp'rous Gondibert from Birtha gainsAll bashful plights a Maids first bounties give;
Fast vows, which binde Love's Captives more then chains,
Yet free Love's Saints in chosen bondage live.
2
Few were the dayes, and swiftly seem'd to waste,Which thus he in his mindes fruition spent;
And least some envious Cloud should overcast
His Love's fair Morn, oft to his Camp he sent;
3
To Bergamo, where still intrenched wereThose Youth, whom first his Father's Army bred;
Who ill the rumor of his wounds did bear,
Though he that gave them, of his own be dead.
4
And worse those haughty threat'nings they abhor,Which Fame from Brescia's ancient Fighters brought;
Vain Fame, the Peoples trusted Orator,
Whose speech (too fluent) their mistakes has wrought.
5
Oft Goltho with his temp'rate Councels went,To quench whom Fame to dang'rous fury warm'd;
Till temp'rately his dangers they resent,
And think him safest in their patience arm'd.
6
And safe now is his love, as love could be,If all the World like old Arcadia were;
Honor the Monarch, and all Lovers free
From jealousie, as safety is from fear.
7
And Birtha's heart does to his civil BreastAs much for ease and peace, as safety come;
For there 'tis serv'd and treated as a Guest,
But watch'd, and taught, and often chid at home.
153
8
Like great and good Confed'rates, whose designeInvades not others but secures their own,
So they in just and vertuous hopes combine,
And are, like new Confed'rates, busie grown.
9
With whisper earnest, and now grave with thought;They walk consulting, standing they debate;
And then seek shades, where they in vaine are sought
By servants who intrude and think they waite.
10
In this great League, their most important careWas to dispatch their Rites; yet so provide,
That all the Court might think them free as ayre,
When fast as faith, they were by Hymen ty'd.
11
For if the King (said he) our love surprise,His stormy rage will it rebellion call;
Who claims to chuse the Brides of his Allys;
And in that storm our joys in blossome fall.
12
Our love, your cautious Father onely knowes(On whose safe prudence, Senates may depend)
And Goltho, who to time few reck'nings owes,
Yet can discharge all duties of a Friend.
13
Such was his minde, and hers (more busy) showsThat bonds of love doe make her longer fast
Then Hymen's knot, as plain Religion does,
Longer then Rites (Religion's fashions) last.
14
That her discretion somewhat does appeare,Since she can Love, her minds chief beauty, hide
Which never farther went then Thula's Eare,
Who had (alass) but for that secret di'de.
15
That she already had disguises fram'd,And sought out Caves where she might closs reside
As being, nor unwilling nor asham'd
To live his Captive, so she die his Bride.
16
Full of themselves, delight them onward leads,Where in the Front was to remoter view
Exalted Hills, and neerer prostrate Meads,
With Forrests flanck'd, where shade to darkness
17
Beneath that shade, Two Rivers slily steal,Through narrow walks, to vvider Adice,
VVho swallows both, till proudly she does swell,
And hasts to shew her beauty to the Sea.
18
And here, whilst forth he sends his ranging Eie,Orgo he spies; who plies the spur so fast,
As if with nevves of Vict'ry he vvould flie
To leave svvift Fame behinde him by his haste.
154
19
If (said the Duke) because this Boy is comeI second gladness shew, doe not suppose
I spread my Breast to give new Comforts roome,
That were to welcome rain where Nylus flowes.
20
Though the unripe appearance of a PageFor weighty trust, may render him too weak,
Yet this is he, who more then cautious Age,
Or like calm Death, will bury what we speak.
21
This, Birtha, is the Boy, whose skilless faceIs safe from jealousie of oldest spies;
In whom, by whisper, we from distant place
May meet, or wink our meaning to his Eyes.
22
More had he said to gain him her esteem,But Orgo enters speechless with his Speed;
And by his looks more full of haste did seem,
Then when his spurs provok'd his flying steed.
23
And with his first recover'd breath he cryes;Hayle my lov'd Lord; whom Fame does vallue so,
That when she swift with your successes flies,
She feares to wrong the World in being slow.
24
I bring you more then tasts of Fortune's love,Yet am afraid I err, in having dar'd
To think her favours could your gladness move;
Who have more worth then Fortune can reward.
25
The Duke, with smiles, forewarns his hasty Tongue;As loath he should proceed in telling more;
Kindly afraid to do his kindness wrong,
By hearing what he thought he knew before.
26
Thy diligence (said he) is high desert;It does in youth supply defects of skil;
And is of duty the most useful part;
Yet art thou now but slow to Hurgonil.
27
Who hither by the Moons imperfect lightCame and return'd, without the help of day,
To tell me he has Orna's Virgin plight,
And that their nuptials for my presence stay.
28
Orgo reply'd, though that a triumph beWhere all false Lovers are, like savage Kings,
Led Captive after Love's great Victory,
It does but promise what your triumph brings.
29
It was the Eve to this your Holy-day!And now Verona Mistriss does appear
Of Lombardy; and all the Flowers which May
E're wore, does as the Countrie's favours wear.
155
30
The weary Eccho from the Hills makes haste;Vex'd that the Bells still call for her replies
When they so many are, and ring so faste;
Yet oft are silenc'd by the Peoples cries:
31
Who send to Heav'n the name of Rhodalind,And then Duke Gondibert as high they raise,
To both with all their publick passion kinde,
If kindness shine in wishes and in praise.
32
The King this day made your adoption known,Proclaim'd you to the Empire next ally'd,
As heir to all his Conquests and his Crown,
For royal Rhodalind must be your Bride.
33
Not all the dangers valor findes in war,Love meets in Courts, or pride to Courts procures,
When sick with peace they hot in faction are,
Can make such fears as now the Duke endures.
34
Nor all those fears which ev'ry Maid has found,On whose first Guards, Love by surprises steals,
(Whose sightless Arrow makes a cureless wound)
Are like to this which doubtful Birtha feels.
35
He from his looks wild wonder strives to chace;Strives more to teach his Manhood to resist
Death in her Eyes; and then with all the grace
Of seeming pleasure, Orgo he dismist.
36
And Orgo being gone, low as her kneesCould fall, she fell; and soon he bends as low
With weight of heart; griev'd that no Grave he sees,
To sink, where love no more can sorrow know.
37
Her sighs as showrs lay windes, are calm'd with tears;And parting life seems stay'd awhile to take
A civil leave, whilst her pale visage wears
A cleerer Sky, and thus she weeping spake.
38
Since such a Prince has forfeited his pow'r,Heav'n give me leave to make my duty less,
Let me my vows, as sudden oathes abhor,
Which did my passion, not my truth express.
39
Yet yours I would not think were counterfeit,But rather ill and rashly understood;
For 'tis impossible I can forget
So soon, that once you fatally were good.
40
Though cruel now as Beasts where they have pow'r;Chusing, like them, to make the vveakest bleed;
For vveakness soon invites you to devour,
And a submission gives you ease to feed.
156
41
To fighting Fields, send all your honor back,To Courts your dang'rous Tongue and civil shape,
That Country Maids may Men no more mistake,
Nor seek dark Death, that they may Love escape.
42
Now soon to Heav'n her Soul had found the way,(For there it oft had been in pray'r and praise)
But that his vows did life with loudness stay,
And life's warm help did soon her Body raise.
43
And now he gently leads her; for no moreHe lets th' unhallow'd Ground a faln Flowre wear,
Sweeter then Nature's Bosome ever wore;
And now these vows sends kindly to her Ear.
44
If (Birtha) I am false, think none to blameFor thinking Truth (by which the Soul subsists)
No farther to be found then in the name;
Think humane kind betraid even by their Priests.
45
Think all my Sex so vile, that you may chideThose Maids who to your Mothers Nuptials ran;
And praise your Mother who so early dy'de,
Remembring whom she marry'd was a Man.
46
This great Court miracle you strait receiveFrom Orgo, and your faith the whole allows;
Why since you Orgo's words so soon believe
Will you less civilly suspect my vowes?
47
My Vowes, which want the Temples seal, will binde(Though private kept) surer then publick Laws;
For Laws but force the Body, but my Minde
Your Vertue Councels, whilst your beauty draws.
48
Thus spake he, but his mourning looks did moreAttest his grief, and fear does hers renew;
Now losing (were he lost) more then before,
For then she fear'd him false, now thinks him true.
49
As sick Physitians seldome their own ArtDare trust, to cure their own disease, so these
Were to themselves quite useless when apart;
Yet by consult, each can the other ease.
50
But from themselves they now diverted stood;For Orgo's Newes (which need not borrow wings,
Since Orgo for his Lord believ'd it good)
To Astragon the joyful Houshold brings.
51
But Astragon, with a judicious thought,This days glad news took in the dire portent;
A day which mourning Nights to Birtha brought;
And with that fear, in search of Birtha went.
157
52
And here he findes her in her Lovers Eyes,And him in hers; both more afflicted grown
At his approach; for each his sorrow spies;
Who thus would counsel theirs, and hide his own.
53
Though much this fatall joy to anger moves;Yet reasons aydes shall anger's force subdue;
I will not chide you for your hasty Loves,
Nor ever doubt (great Prince) that yours is true.
54
In chiding Love, because he hasty was,Or urging errors, which his swiftness brings,
I finde effects, but dare not tax the cause;
For Poets were inspir'd, who gave him wings.
55
When low I digg, where desart-Rivers run,Dive deep in Seas, through Forrests follow windes,
Or reach with Optick Tubes the ragged Moon,
My sight no cause of Love's swift motion findes.
56
Love's fatall haste, in yours, I will not blame,Because I know not why his Wings were giv'n;
Nor doubt him true, not knowing whence he came,
Nor Birtha chide, who thought you came from Heav'n.
57
If you lay snares, we err when we escape;Since evil practise learns Men to suspect
Where falshood is, and in your noble shape,
We should by finding it, our skill detect.
58
Yet both your griefs I'le chide, as ignorance;Call you unthankful; for your great griefs show
That Heav'n has never us'd you to mischance,
Yet rudely you repine to feel it now.
59
If your contextures be so weak, and nice,Weep that this stormy world you ever knew;
You are not in those Calmes of Paradice,
Where slender Flowers as safe as Cedars grew.
60
This which your Youth calls grief, was frowardnessIn flatter'd Infancy, and as you beare
Unkindly now amidst Youth's joys distress,
So then, unless still rock'd you froward were.
61
Griefs conflicts gave these Haires their silver shine;(Torne Ensignes which victorious Age adorne)
Youth is a Dress too garish and too fine
To be in foule tempestuous weather worne.
62
Griefs want of use does dang'rous weakness make;But we by use of Burdens are made strong;
And in our practis'd Age can calmely take
Those sorrows, which like Feavers, vex the young.
158
63
When you in Lov's fair Books (which Poets keep)Read what they hide, his Tragick History,
You will rejoyce that half your time is sleep,
And smile at Love when Nature bids you die.
64
Learn then that Love's diseases common are;Doe not in sickness known (though new to you)
Whilst vital heat does last, of cure dispaire:
Love's vital heat does last, whilst Love is true.
65
Thus spake the kinde and prudent Astragon:And much their kinde impatience he appeas'd,
For of his griefs (which heavi'er then their own
Were born by both) their dutious fears are eas'd.
66
She begs, that he would pardon her distress,Thought that even sin which did his sorrow move;
And then with all her Mother's lowliness
His pardon craves for asking leave to love.
67
The Duke who saw fair Truth so undisguis'd,And love in all, but love so unconcern'd,
Pitty'd the studious world, and all despis'd,
Who did not here unlearn, what they had learn'd.
68
I am reform'd (said he) not that beforeI wanted love, or that my love was ill;
But I have learnt to perfect Nature more
By giving innocence a little skill.
69
For 'tis some skill in innocence to bearWith temper the distempers of our Stars;
Not doubling griefs already come by fear
Of more, for fears but hasten threatned Wars.
70
But we will bravely suffer to inureOur strength to weights against the new are laid;
That when 'tis known how much we can endure,
Our sufferings may make our Foes afraid,
71
This Comet Glory shines but in portent;Which from the Court does send her threatning Beams;
And looks as if it were by malice ment
To hasten Oswald's Faction to extreams.
72
Since Hurgonil, who just fore-ran the BoyCould not instruct us, we as much may know
Of the first light, as of these fires of joy;
Which is, that both did out of darkness grow.
73
Yet this the King might hide in Kingly skill,Wisely to make his bounty more his own:
Kings stoop for Councel, who impart their will;
His Acts, like Heav'ns, make not their Causes known.
159
74
Yet with as plain a heart as Love untaughtIn Birtha wears, I here to Birtha make
A vow, that Rhodalind I never sought,
Nor now would with her love her greatnesse take.
75
Loves bonds are for her greatness made too straight;And me Ambition's pleasures cannot please;
Even Priests who on the higher Altar wait;
Think a continu'd rev'rence losse of ease.
76
Let us with secrecy our love protect;Hiding such precious wealth from publick view;
The proffer'd glory I will first suspect
As false, and shun it when I finde it true.
77
They now retire because they Goltho saw,Who hither came to watch with Ulfinore
If much the Duke's woo'd Mistris did him awe;
Since love woo'd him, and in the shape of Pow'r.
78
But when he mark'd that he did from them moveWith sodain shyness, he suppos'd it shame
Of being seen in chase of Birtha's love;
As if above it grown since Orgo came.
79
Goltho by nature was of Musick made,Cheerful as Victors warm in their success;
He seem'd like Birds created to be glad,
And nought but love could make him taste distress.
80
Hope, which our cautious Age scarce entertains,Or as a Flatt'rer gives her cold respect,
He runs to meet, invites her, and complains
Of one hours absence as a years neglect.
81
Hope, the world's welcom, and his standing Guest,Fed by the Rich, but Feasted by the Poor;
Hope, that did come in triumph to his Breast,
He thus presents in boast to Ulfinore.
82
Well may I (Friend) auspicious Love odore,Seeing my mighty Rivals takes no pride
To be with Birtha seen; and he before
(Thou knowst) injoyn'd that I his love should hide.
83
Nor do I break his trust when 'tis reveal'dTo thee, since we are now so much the same,
That when from thee, it is from me conceal'd,
For we admit no diff'rence but in name.
84
But be it still from ev'ry other EarPreserv'd, and strictly by our mutual vow:
His Laws are still to my obedience dear,
Who was my Gen'ral, though my Rival now.
160
85
And well thou knowst how much mine Eies did melt,When our great Leader they did first perceive
Love's Captive led; whose sorrows then I felt,
Though now for greater of mine own I grieve.
86
Nor do I now by love in duty err;For if I get what he would fain possesse,
Then he a Monarch is, and I preferr
Him, who undoes the World in being lesse.
87
When Heav'n (which hath preferr'd me to thy BrestWhere Friendship is inthron'd,) shall make it known
That I am worth thy love, which is exprest
By making Heav'nly Birtha all mine own.
88
Then at this quiet Eden thou wilt call,And stay a while, to mark if Love's prais'd Plant
Have after Spring a ripeness, and a Fall,
Or never of the first abundance want.
89
And I shall tell thee then if Poets areIn using Beauty's Pencil false, or blinde;
For they have Birtha drawn but sweet and faire;
Stiles of her Face, the Curtain of her Minde!
90
And thou at parting shalt her Picture weare,For Nature's honor, not to shew my pride;
Try if her like the teeming World does beare,
Then bring that Copy hither for thy Bride.
91
And they shall love as quietly as we;Their Beauty's pow'r no civil War will raise;
But flourish, and like neighb'ring Flowres agree;
Unless they kindly quarrel in our praise.
92
Then we for change will leave such luscious peace;In Camps their Favors shall our Helms adorn;
For we can no way else our joys increase,
But by beholding theirs at our return.
93
Thus cloth'd in Feathers, he on Steeples walks;Not guessing yet, that silent Ulfinore,
Had study'd her of whom he loosly talks,
And what he likes did solidly adore.
94
But Ulfinore with cold discretion aw'dHis passion, and did grave with Love become;
Though Youthfully he sent his Eies abroad,
Yet kept with Manly care, his Tongue at home.
95
These Rival's hopes, he did with patience hear;His count'nance not uneasy seem'd, nor strange;
Yet meant his cares should more like Love appear,
If in the Duke Ambition bred a change.
161
96
But as the Duke shun'd them for secrecy,So now they from approaching Orgo move,
Made by Discretion (Love's strict Tutor) shy,
Which is to Lovers painful as their Love.
97
But Orgo they did ill suspect, whose YouthAnd nature yielded Lovers no offence;
Us'd by his Lord for kindness and for truth;
Both native in him as his innocence:
98
And here pass'd by in haste, to Court imploy'd,That Birtha may no more have cause to mourn:
Full was his little Breast! and overjoy'd
That much depended on his quick return!
99
Many like Orgo in their Manhoods Morn,As Pages did the noble Duke attend;
The Sons of Chiefs, whom beauty did adorn,
And fairer Vertue did that beauty mend.
100
These in his Heroe's Schools he bred (which wereIn Peace his Palace, and in War his Tent)
As if Time's self had read sage Lectures there
How he would have his howres (life's Treasure) spent
101
No action, though to shorten dreaded warre,Nor needful Counsels, though to lengthen Peace,
Nor Love, of which wise Nature takes such care,
Could from this useful work his cares release.
102
But with the early Sun he rose, and taughtThese Youths, by growing vertue to grow great;
Shew'd greatness is without it blindly sought,
A desp'rate charge which ends in base retreat.
103
He taught them shame, the sodain sence of ill;Shame, Nature's hasty Conscience, which forbids
Weak inclination ere it grows to will,
Or stays rash will, before it grows to deeds.
104
He taught them Honor, Vertue's bashfulness;A Fort so yeildless, that it fears to treat;
Like Pow'r, it grows to nothing, growing less;
Honor, the moral Conscience of the Great!
105
He taught them kindness; Soul's civilitie,In which, nor Courts, nor Citys have a part;
For theirs is fashion, this from falshood free;
Where Love, and pleasure, know no Lust nor Art.
106
And Love he taught; the Soul's stolne Visit madeThough froward Age watch hard; and Law forbid;
Her walks no Spie has trac'd, nor Mountain staide;
Her friendship's cause, is as the Loadstone's hid.
162
107
He taught them love of Toyle; Toyle which does keepObstructions from the Minde, and quench the blood;
Ease but belongs to us like sleep, and sleep
Like Opium, is our Med'cine, not our Food.
108
To Dangers us'd them; which Death's Visards are,More uggly then himself, and often chace
From Batail Coward-life; but when we dare
His Visard see, we never fear his Face.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |