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 |  |
The pious Peer in such divine Debate
Prepar'd himself for his approaching Fate.
His Wife mean time fair Merula, a Dame
Of wondrous Beauty, who when Clovis came
To Albion's Isle, in Gaul was left behind;
Now to the Prison came her Lord to find.
Fir'd with her Heav'nly Charms great Clovis burn'd,
And she to his an equal Flame return'd.
None to each other did more constant prove,
None more admir'd, and fam'd for mutual Love.
Long she unmov'd had born her heavy Chains,
Long underwent the most afflicting Pains,
But tir'd at last, her Torments to evade
Her Saviour she renounc'd, her Faith betray'd.
The Pagan Altars once so much abhor'd,
And Gods of various Kinds she now ador'd.
Yet did she constant to her Clovis prove,
Apostate from her Faith, but not her Love.
Her Lord thus sentenc'd, she to Clotar went
Brave Clovis Death and Suff'rings to prevent.
And knowing nothing could his Life procure
Unless the Christian Faith he did abjure,
She thought as once revolted Eve had done,
Her Lord by her Perswasion might be won
To break th'Allmighty's sacred Law, and eat
When offer'd by her Hand, forbidden Meat.
And oh! how oft do Female Charms prevail
Ev'n when the brave and wisest they assail?
She therefore undertook by Clotar's Leave
To try the pious Clovis to deceive;
To form his Mind the Christian's God to quit,
And to the Pagan Idols to submit.
Her Son and Daughter both of tender Age
The Mother brought, hoping they might engage
The Hero's Pity and Paternal Love,
And from his Breast his settled Purpose move.
Prepar'd himself for his approaching Fate.
His Wife mean time fair Merula, a Dame
Of wondrous Beauty, who when Clovis came
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Now to the Prison came her Lord to find.
Fir'd with her Heav'nly Charms great Clovis burn'd,
And she to his an equal Flame return'd.
None to each other did more constant prove,
None more admir'd, and fam'd for mutual Love.
Long she unmov'd had born her heavy Chains,
Long underwent the most afflicting Pains,
But tir'd at last, her Torments to evade
Her Saviour she renounc'd, her Faith betray'd.
The Pagan Altars once so much abhor'd,
And Gods of various Kinds she now ador'd.
Yet did she constant to her Clovis prove,
Apostate from her Faith, but not her Love.
Her Lord thus sentenc'd, she to Clotar went
Brave Clovis Death and Suff'rings to prevent.
And knowing nothing could his Life procure
Unless the Christian Faith he did abjure,
She thought as once revolted Eve had done,
Her Lord by her Perswasion might be won
To break th'Allmighty's sacred Law, and eat
When offer'd by her Hand, forbidden Meat.
And oh! how oft do Female Charms prevail
Ev'n when the brave and wisest they assail?
She therefore undertook by Clotar's Leave
To try the pious Clovis to deceive;
To form his Mind the Christian's God to quit,
And to the Pagan Idols to submit.
Her Son and Daughter both of tender Age
The Mother brought, hoping they might engage
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And from his Breast his settled Purpose move.
| King Arthur | |