King Arthur An Heroick Poem. In Twelve Books. By Richard Blackmore. To which is Annexed, An Index, Explaining the Names of Countrys, Citys, and Rivers, &c |
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 | King Arthur |  |
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And flashing Fire from his fierce Eyeballs flew.
The Captive's Words like Spears the Monarch gor'd,
And stung with Guilt and Rage aloud he roar'd:
What Pity 'tis that Man but once can dy,
That Life when urg'd begins so soon to fly?
But oh, may thine prove tough and obstinate,
Mighty to bear repeated Strokes of Fate.
May'st thou be hard, resolv'd and bold in Pain,
Able my choicest Torments to sustain.
May baffled Tortures scarcely wast thy Breath,
And mayst thou late escape my Hand by Death.
May all thy Nerves be firm, thy Muscles strong,
Thy Heartstrings sound to bear thy Suff'rings long.
Oh, may Gigantic Force and Vigor show
That thou uncommon Racks canst undergo.
Strive not by Death basely thy self to save,
Be constant on the Wheel, and prove in Torment brave.
For thou canst only make this Recompence,
A flight one too compar'd with thy Offence.
| King Arthur | |