The Grecian Story Being an Historical Poem, in Five Books. To which is Annex'd The Grove: Consisting of Divers Shorter Poems upon several Subjects. By J. H. [i.e. John Harington] |
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 | The Grecian Story |  |
He seem'd set down on smaller Rock, repos'd;
Sheep Graz'd behind, vast Sea before disclos'd
Near foot thereof; Storm further off appearing,
Whence troubled all. Winds loudly chas'd, Waves roaring
To fight against the Skies, Skies charg'd agen,
Joyn'd Thunder Show'rs; midst which tumultuous Scene,
Discordant Jars fair Bark seem'd overtost,
Bandy'd to Ruin 't was, there sunk and lost
Orsamnes thought: when Surges swell'd more High
In his own Brest, conceiv'd. Transformed Skie,
All changed round to silent Calm as 't were;
Lull'd Babes became; smooth-Cheek'd like Virgins there
(Soft Gales) the wrinckled Main, delightful Season:
When Marble Temple strait (thing strange to Reason)
Came Floating on the Sun-shine-Gilded Wave,
Tall Porch advanc'd; Masque-like this prospect gave
Gods, Goddesses in Ranks beheld, enthron'd;
And near their Feet, as Favorites there own'd,
Young Man and Maid appear'd, resplendent Shining
Each Garland crown'd, their Hands withall combining:
That Youth, Orsamnes shew'd, Virgin most fair.
Nimphs first did ride on Dolphins Backs, that bare
Baskets of Flow'rs; some handled Harps, as tho
Still'd th' Airy Broyls, mov'd Waters charm'd below
To pleasing Trance with their Harmonious Noises.
Drawn near the Rock, they mounted strait, soft Voyces
In Quire conjoyn'd; the Way besprinckled round
With Roses, Violets for Venus-Ground;
Love's Bridal Shore. Next following Beheld
That heav'nly Train (each radiant Sun excell'd
View'd from the Deep) with light, Celestial Paces.
Come where He sat, Apollo first forth Traces,
Orsamnes in his Hand, whom gently does
Present to Him: for words saluting thus.
Sheep Graz'd behind, vast Sea before disclos'd
Near foot thereof; Storm further off appearing,
Whence troubled all. Winds loudly chas'd, Waves roaring
To fight against the Skies, Skies charg'd agen,
Joyn'd Thunder Show'rs; midst which tumultuous Scene,
Discordant Jars fair Bark seem'd overtost,
Bandy'd to Ruin 't was, there sunk and lost
Orsamnes thought: when Surges swell'd more High
In his own Brest, conceiv'd. Transformed Skie,
All changed round to silent Calm as 't were;
Lull'd Babes became; smooth-Cheek'd like Virgins there
(Soft Gales) the wrinckled Main, delightful Season:
When Marble Temple strait (thing strange to Reason)
Came Floating on the Sun-shine-Gilded Wave,
Tall Porch advanc'd; Masque-like this prospect gave
Gods, Goddesses in Ranks beheld, enthron'd;
And near their Feet, as Favorites there own'd,
Young Man and Maid appear'd, resplendent Shining
Each Garland crown'd, their Hands withall combining:
That Youth, Orsamnes shew'd, Virgin most fair.
Nimphs first did ride on Dolphins Backs, that bare
Baskets of Flow'rs; some handled Harps, as tho
Still'd th' Airy Broyls, mov'd Waters charm'd below
To pleasing Trance with their Harmonious Noises.
Drawn near the Rock, they mounted strait, soft Voyces
In Quire conjoyn'd; the Way besprinckled round
With Roses, Violets for Venus-Ground;
276
That heav'nly Train (each radiant Sun excell'd
View'd from the Deep) with light, Celestial Paces.
Come where He sat, Apollo first forth Traces,
Orsamnes in his Hand, whom gently does
Present to Him: for words saluting thus.
| The Grecian Story | |