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 |  |
This further Cause to th' Sudden way (as 'twere)
That Speedy Course compel'd, told briefly there.
That Lady o'th' Grove had Stout young Son, a Knight,
(Years twenty one) tho Lordly honour might
Claim for Estate: good Person, Parts enjoy'd;
Much proud thereof; had Year and half imploy'd
In Travel then. Come back to Thracian Land,
His Mother sent him by convenient Hand
A Scroul of Lines, in which her Pen exprest,
Clermanthe was so long there Lovely Guest:
Whom he had View'd at that Court-masque before;
Now choicely improved grown for Beauty's store,
Both Body, Mind; as Daughter priz'd, Belov'd:
This first She heard her Read (as Fortune prov'd)
In Garden-bow'r. An Answer from the Son,
Ere long was brought, Observed well, which don,
Clermanthe follow'd her to th' selfsame Bow'r,
List'ned behind whilst all she Read that hour.
There heard her Self like Star advanc'd to th' Sky
In his conceit, fond Amorous Thoughts most high,
As Love-inflam'd, Pearl, Gems (to th' height commended)
Presents for her from th' East, by him Intended:
Would fly with Wings of Love to's Native ground
Court her for Wife, that choice Advantage found:
And doubted not from's Horse there to alight
Next day at Noon. Thus then, more speedy Flight
So long defer'd, 'twere strange to Steal away
His Men, Himself like scornful, squeamish Stray
Might follow Her, Orsamnes so surprize;
Fixt on Revenge, no Sword to equallize:
Strong, Daring prov'd, at Nineteen years, no more,
Had Two Disarm'd in Field, proud Conquerour.
That Speedy Course compel'd, told briefly there.
That Lady o'th' Grove had Stout young Son, a Knight,
(Years twenty one) tho Lordly honour might
Claim for Estate: good Person, Parts enjoy'd;
Much proud thereof; had Year and half imploy'd
In Travel then. Come back to Thracian Land,
His Mother sent him by convenient Hand
A Scroul of Lines, in which her Pen exprest,
Clermanthe was so long there Lovely Guest:
Whom he had View'd at that Court-masque before;
Now choicely improved grown for Beauty's store,
Both Body, Mind; as Daughter priz'd, Belov'd:
This first She heard her Read (as Fortune prov'd)
In Garden-bow'r. An Answer from the Son,
Ere long was brought, Observed well, which don,
Clermanthe follow'd her to th' selfsame Bow'r,
List'ned behind whilst all she Read that hour.
There heard her Self like Star advanc'd to th' Sky
In his conceit, fond Amorous Thoughts most high,
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Presents for her from th' East, by him Intended:
Would fly with Wings of Love to's Native ground
Court her for Wife, that choice Advantage found:
And doubted not from's Horse there to alight
Next day at Noon. Thus then, more speedy Flight
So long defer'd, 'twere strange to Steal away
His Men, Himself like scornful, squeamish Stray
Might follow Her, Orsamnes so surprize;
Fixt on Revenge, no Sword to equallize:
Strong, Daring prov'd, at Nineteen years, no more,
Had Two Disarm'd in Field, proud Conquerour.
| The Grecian Story | |