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 |  |
When from below did (mark'd by All) ascend
A Lady slightly veil'd, to th' upper End,
Of gallant shape for Garment Handsome, neat;
Who drawing near to th' Prince Orontes seat,
Thus spoke, (with Arms mean while himself Entwin'd)
My dearest Lord. When partly o'th' former Mind
Delusions Reign'd, grown staring, Who art Thou
(Joyn'd he withall) come to torment me now?
That Body, Voice? I am (she answer'd there)
Your Marri'd Wife. My Wife! Transform'd as 'twere.
The Prince conjoyn'd. Yes; Answer'd she agen;
Your Wife CLARENZA. Fates mock mortal Men
(Said He) To Death; look'd under th' Falling Hood;
Hah! somewhat here disturbs my Frantick Blood.
(Startled much more) perchance this Gen'ral Night
Dead waken round, those Living to Affright:
Some mangled Doom to her Destruction brought;
I view'd her mournful Ghost. Dead Carcase thought,
(She joyn'd) my Lord; but Heaven, Prime skill beside
Go, th' art her Handsome Ghost, He strait reply'd:
And this that Field of Ghosts Elizean:
Or Dreams deceive. No shadow (She again
Conjoyned, Wept, unveyl'd) Trust Senses Pow'r;
Your Wife Disowned thus! Strange Pregnant Hour
Big-charg'd (said He) with Miracles; Love-flaming,
Caught, held her, Kisses her, then strait exclaiming,
Nay, now th'art She, Clarenza's self, confest;
That Dying hour doth seize perchance, Arrest,
And Heav'n ordains through monstrous Favour, I
Should thus Dissolve in Gladsome Extasie.
My Reason Strength does want t' endure the Load;
Lest this frail Barque with Joys be overslow'd.
A Lady slightly veil'd, to th' upper End,
Of gallant shape for Garment Handsome, neat;
Who drawing near to th' Prince Orontes seat,
Thus spoke, (with Arms mean while himself Entwin'd)
My dearest Lord. When partly o'th' former Mind
Delusions Reign'd, grown staring, Who art Thou
(Joyn'd he withall) come to torment me now?
That Body, Voice? I am (she answer'd there)
Your Marri'd Wife. My Wife! Transform'd as 'twere.
294
Your Wife CLARENZA. Fates mock mortal Men
(Said He) To Death; look'd under th' Falling Hood;
Hah! somewhat here disturbs my Frantick Blood.
(Startled much more) perchance this Gen'ral Night
Dead waken round, those Living to Affright:
Some mangled Doom to her Destruction brought;
I view'd her mournful Ghost. Dead Carcase thought,
(She joyn'd) my Lord; but Heaven, Prime skill beside
Go, th' art her Handsome Ghost, He strait reply'd:
And this that Field of Ghosts Elizean:
Or Dreams deceive. No shadow (She again
Conjoyned, Wept, unveyl'd) Trust Senses Pow'r;
Your Wife Disowned thus! Strange Pregnant Hour
Big-charg'd (said He) with Miracles; Love-flaming,
Caught, held her, Kisses her, then strait exclaiming,
Nay, now th'art She, Clarenza's self, confest;
That Dying hour doth seize perchance, Arrest,
And Heav'n ordains through monstrous Favour, I
Should thus Dissolve in Gladsome Extasie.
My Reason Strength does want t' endure the Load;
Lest this frail Barque with Joys be overslow'd.
| The Grecian Story | |