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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| 6. | Canto the Sixth. |
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
188
Canto the Sixth.
The ARGUMENT.
Here Ulfin reads the art to UlfinoreOf wisely getting, and increasing Power.
The Rivals to Verona haste, and there
Young Goltho's frailty does too soon appear.
Black Dalga's fatal beauty is reveal'd;
But her descent and Story is conceal'd.
1
Old Ulfin parting now with Ulfinore,His study'd thoughts, and of a grave import
Thus utter'd, as well read in ancient Lore;
When prudence kept up greatness in the Court.
2
Heav'n guide thee, Son, through Honor's slipp'ry way;The Hill, which wary painfulness must climbe;
And often rest, to take a full survey.
Of every path, trod by Experienc'd Time.
3
Rise glorious with thy Master's hopeful Morn!His favour calls thee to his secret Breast;
Great Gondibert! to spacious Empire born;
Whose careful Head will in thy bosome rest.
4
Be good! and then in pitty soon be great!For vertuous men should toile to compass pow'r,
Least when the Bad possess Dominion's Seat,
We vainly weep for those whom they devour.
5
Our vertue without pow'r, but harmless is!The Good, who lazily are good at home,
And safely rest in doing not amiss,
Fly from the Bad, for fear of Martyrdome!
6
Be in thy greatness easie, and thy BrowStill cleer, and comforting as breaking Light;
The Great, with bus'ness troubled, weakly bow;
Pow'r should with publick Burdens walk upright!
7
We chearfulness, as innocence commend!The Great, may with benigne and civil Eyes
The People wrong, yet not the wrong'd offend;
Who feel most wrong, from those who them despise!
189
8
Since wrongs must be, Complaints must shew the Griev'd;And Favorites should walk still open Ear'd;
For of the suing Croud half are reliev'd
With the innate delight of being heard.
9
Thy greatness be in Armes! who else are great,Move but like Pageants in the People's view;
And in foul weather make a scorn'd retreat;
The Greeks their painted Gods in Armor drew!
10
Yield not in storms of State to that dislikeWhich from the People does to Rulers grow;
Pow'r (Fortune's Sail) should not for threatnings strike;
In Boats bestorm'd all check at those that row.
11
Courts little Arts contemn! dark Holes to saveRetreated Pow'r, when fear does Friendship feigne;
Poor Theeves retire to Woods! Chiefs, great, and brave,
Draw out their Forces to the open Plaine!
12
Be by thy Vertue bold! when that Sun shines,All Art's false lights are with disgrace put out;
Her straitness shews it self and crooked Lines;
And her plain Text the Scepticks dare not doubt.
13
Revenge (weak Womens Valor, and in Men,The Ruffians Cowardise,) keep from thy Breast!
The factious Palace is that Serpent's Den;
Whom Cowards there, with secret slaughter Feast.
14
Revenge is but a braver Name for Fear,'Tis Indians furious fear, when they are fed
With valiant Foes; whose Hearts their Teeth must tear
Before they boldly dare believe them dead.
15
VVhen thou giv'st death, thy Banners be display'd!And move not till an open Foe appears!
Courts lurking war shews Justice is afraid;
And no broad Sword, but a closs Ponyard wears.
16
To kill, shews Fear dares not more fears endure!VVhen wrong'd, destroy not with thy Foes thy fame;
The Valiant by forgiving mischief, cure;
And it is Heav'n's great conquest to reclame!
17
Be by thy bounty known! for since the needsOf life, so rudely press the bold and wise;
The bountious heart, all but his God exceeds;
VVhom bounty best makes known to Mortal Eies!
18
And to be bountiful, be rich! for thoseFam'd Talkers, who in Schools did wealth despise,
Taught doctrine, which at home would Empire lose,
If not believ'd first by their Enemies.
190
19
And though in ruling Ministers of State,The People wretched poverty adore,
(Which Fools call innocence, and wise Men hate
As sloth) yet they rebell for being poore,
20
And to be rich, be diligent! Move onLike Heav'ns great Movers that inrich the Earth;
Whose Moments sloth would shew the world undone,
And make the Spring strait bury all her birth.
21
Rich are the diligent! who can commandTime, Nature's stock! and could his Hour-glass fall,
Would, as for seed of Stars, stoop for the sand;
And by incessant Labour gather all.
22
Be kinde to Beauty! that unlucky Shrine!Where all Love's Thieves come bowing to their Prey;
And honor steal; which Beauty makes divine:
Be thou still kinde, but never to betray!
23
Heav'n study more in Nature, then in Schools!Let Nature's Image never by thee pass
Like unmark'd Time; but those unthinking Fools
Despise, who spie not Godhead through her Glass!
24
These precepts Ulfinore, with dutious care,In his Hearts Closet lock'd, his faithful Brest!
And now the Rival-Friends for Court prepare;
And much their Youth is by their haste exprest.
25
They yet ne'r saw Verona nor the Court;And expectation lengthens much their way;
Since by that great Inviter urg'd, Report;
And thither fly on Coursers of Relay,
26
E're to his Western Mines the Sun retir'd;They his great Mint for all those Mines behold,
Verona, which in Towres to Heav'n aspir'd;
Guilt doubly, for the Sun now guilt their gold.
27
They make their Entry through the Western Gate!A Gothick Arch! Where, on an Elephant
Bold Clephes as the second Founder sate;
Made to mock life, and onely life did want.
28
Still strange, and divers seem their Objects now;And still increase, where ere their Eyes they cast;
Of lazy Pag'ant-Greatness, moving slow,
And angry bus'ness, rushing on in haste.
29
All strange to them, as they to all appear;Yet less like strangers gaz'd then those they see;
Who this glad day the Duke's Spectators were;
To mark how with his fame his looks agree.
191
30
And guess that these are of his fighting Train,Renown'd in Youth; who by their wonder stay'd,
And by their own, but slowly passage gain;
But now much more their progress is delay'd:
31
For a black Beauty did her pride displayThrough a large Window, and in Jewels shon,
As if to please the World, weeping for day,
Night had put all her Starry Jewels on.
32
This Beauty gaz'd on both, and UlfinoreHung down his Head, but yet did lift his Eyes;
As if he fain would see a little more:
For much, though bashful, she did beauty prise.
33
Goltho did like a blushless Statue stare;Boldly her practis'd boldness did out-look;
And even for fear she would mistrust her snare,
Was ready to cry out, that he was took!
34
She, with a wicked Woman's prosp'rous Art,A seeming modesty, the Window clos'd;
Wisely delay'd his Eyes, since of his Heart
She thought, she had sufficiently dispos'd.
35
And he thus strait complain'd! Ah Ulfinore,How vainly Glory has our Youth misled?
The Winde which blowes us from the happy Shore,
And drives us from the living to the Dead.
36
To Bloody slaughters, and perhaps of thoseWho might beget such beauties as this Maid;
The Sleepy here are never wak'd with Foes;
Nor are of ought but Ladies frowns afraid.
37
Ere he could more lament, a little Page,Clean, and perfum'd (one whom this Dame did breed
To guess at ills, too manly for his age)
Steps swiftly to him, and arrests his Steed.
38
With civil whisper cries, My Lady Sir!—At this, Goltho alights as swiftly post
As Posters mount; by lingring loath to err,
As Wind-bound Men, whose sloth their first Wind lost.
39
And when his Friend advis'd him to take care;He gravely, as a Man new potent grown,
Protests he shall in all his Fortunes share;
And to the House invites him as his own.
40
And, with a Rival's wisdom, UlfinoreDoes hope, since thus blinde Love leads him astray,
Where a false Saint he can so soon adore,
That to Birtha ne'r will finde the way.
192
41
They enter, and ascend; and enter thenWhere Dalga with black Eyes does Sinners draw;
And with her voice holds fast repenting Men;
To whose warm Jett, light Goltho is but Straw.
42
Nicely as Bridegrooms, was her Chamber drest,Her Bed, as Brides; and richer then a Throne;
And sweeter seem'd then the Circania's Nest,
Though built in Eastern Groves of Cinamon.
43
The price of Princes pleasures; who her love(Though but false ware) at rates so costly bought;
The wealth of many, but may hourly prove
Spoils to some one by whom her self is caught.
44
She, sway'd by sinful Beauty's destiny,Findes her Tyrannick pow'r must now expire;
Who ment to kindle Goltho with her Eye,
But to her Breast has brought the raging fire.
45
Yet even in simple love she uses Art;Though weepings are from looser Eyes but leaks,
Yet oldest Lovers scarce would doubt her heart;
So well she weeps, and thus to Goltho speaks.
46
I might, if I should ask your pardon, Sir,Suspect that pitty which the noble feel
When Women fail; but since in this I err
To all my Sex, I would to Women kneel.
47
Yet happy were our Sex, could they excuseAll breach of modesty, as I can mine;
Since 'tis from passion which a Saint might use,
And not appear less worthy of a Shrine.
48
For my brave Brother you resemble soThroughout your shape; who late in Combate fell;
As you in that an inward vertue show,
By which to me you all the World excell.
49
All was he, which the Good as greatness see,Or Love can like! in judgment match'd by none;
Unless it fail'd in being kind to me;
A crime forbid to all since he is gone.
50
For though I send my Eyes abroad, in hopeAmongst the streams of Men still flowing here,
To finde (which is my passions utmost scope)
Some one that does his noble Image beare;
51
Yet still I live recluse; unless it seemA liberty too rude, that I in you
His likeness at so high a rare esteem,
As to believe your heart is kinde and true.
193
52
She casts on Ulfinore a sudden look;Stares like a Mountebank, who had forgot
His Viol, and the cursed poison took
By dire mistake before his Antidote.
53
Prays Goltho that his Friend may strait forbearHer presence; who (she said) resembled so
Her noble Brother's cruel Murderer,
As she must now expire, unless he go!
54
Goltho, still gravely vain, with formal FaceBids Ulfinore retire; and does pretend
Almost to know her Parents, and the place,
And even to swear her Brother was his Friend.
55
But wary Ulfinore (whose beautious TruthDid never but in plainest dress behold)
Smiles, and remembers Tales, to forward Youth
In Winter Nights by Country Matrons told:
56
Of witches Townes, where seeming Beauties dwell,All hair, and black within, Maides that can fly!
Whose Palaces at Night, are smoky Hell,
And in their beds their slaughter'd Lovers lie.
57
And though, the Sun now setting, he no LightsSaw burning blew, nor steam of Sulphur smelt;
Nor took her Two black Meroen Maids for Sprites;
Yet he a secret touch of honor felt.
58
For not the craft of Rivalship (though moreThen States, wise Rivals study interest)
Can make him leave his Friend, till he restore
Some cold discretion to his burning Breast.
59
Though to his fears this cause now serious shows;Yet smiles he at his solemn loving Eye;
For Lust in reading Beauty solemn grows
As old Physitians in Anatomie.
60
Goltho (said he) 'tis easie to discernThat you are grave, and think you should be so;
Since you have bus'ness here of grave concern;
And think that you this House and Lady know.
61
You'l stay, and have your sleep with musick fed;But little think to wake with Mandrakes grones;
And by a Ghost be to a Garden led
At midnight, strew'd with simple Lovers Bones:
62
This Goltho is inchantment, and so strange,So subt'ly false, that whilst I tell it you,
I fear the spell will my opinion change,
And make me think the pleasant Vision true.
194
63
Her dire black Eyes are like the Oxes Eye,Which in the Indian Ocean Tempest brings;
Let's go! Before our Horses learn to fly,
Ere she shew cloven Feet, and they get wings!
64
But high rebellious Love, when counsell'd, soonAs sullen as rebuk'd Ambition grows;
And Goltho would pursue what he should shun,
But that his happy'r fate did interpose:
65
For at the Garden Gate, a Summons, loudEnough, to shew authority, and haste,
Brought cares to Dalga's Brow; which like a Cloud
Did soon her shining beauty over-cast.
66
Like Thieves surpris'd, whil'st they divide their Prise,Her Maids run and return through ev'ry Room;
Still seeming doubtful where their safety lies;
All speaking with their looks, and all are dumb.
67
She, who to dangers could more boldly wake,With words, swift as those errands which her heart
Sends out in glances, thus to Goltho spake:
My Mother, Sir! Alass! You must depart!
68
She is severe, as dying Confessors,As jealous as unable Husbands are,
She Youth in Men, like age in Maids abhors;
And has more Spies then any civil Warre.
69
Yet would you but submit to be conceal'd,I have a Closet secret as my Brest,
Which is to Men, nor Day, no more reveal'd,
Then a closse Swallow in his Winters Nest.
70
To this good Goltho did begin to yield;But Ulfinore (who doubts that it may tend
To base retreat, unless they quit the Field)
Does by example govern and defend.
71
And now his Eyes even ake with longingness,Ready to break their Strings, to get abroad
To see this Matron, by whose sole access
Dalga in all her furious hopes is aw'd.
72
And as he watch'd her civil Mercury,The hopeful Page; he saw him entrance give,
Not to a Matron, still prepar'd to die;
But to a Youth wholly design'd to live.
73
He seem'd the Heir to prosp'rous Parents toiles;Gay as young Kings, that woo in forraign Courts;
Or youthful Victors in their Persian spoiles;
He seem'd like Love and Musick made for sports.
195
74
But wore his clothing loose, and wildly cast,As Princes high with Feasting, who to wine
Are seldom us'd: shew'd warm, and more unbrac't
Then Ravishers, oppos'd in their designe.
75
This Ulfinore observ'd, and would not yetIn civil pitty, undeceive his Friend;
But watch'd the signes of his departing Fit;
Which quickly did in bashful silence end.
76
To the Dukes Palace they inquir'd their way;And as they slowly rod, a grave excuse
Griev'd Goltho frames; vowing he made this stay
For a discov'ry of important use.
77
If Sir, (said he) we heedlesly pass byGreat Towns, like Birds that from the Country come
But to be skar'd, and on to Forrests fly,
Let's be no travail'd Fools, but roost at home.
78
I see (reply'd his Friend) you nothing lackOf what is painful, curious, and discreet
In Travailers; else would you not look back
So often to observe this House, and Street:
79
Drawing your City Mapp with Coasters care;Not onely marking where safe Channels run,
But where the Shelves, and Rocks, and Dangers are;
To teach weak Strangers what they ought to shun.
80
But, Goltho, fly from Lust's experiments!Whose heat we quench much sooner then asswage;
To quench the Furnace-Lust, stop all the vents;
For, give it any Air, the flames will rage.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |