 | Pharonnida |  |
120
CANTO II.
The Argument.
I
Leaving Pharonnida to entertainThe various passions of her Father, we
Must now return to see Argalia gain
That power by which he sets his Father free
II
From the command of haughty Rebels, whoBy justice sent to a deserved death,
Argalia takes the Crown, his merits due,
And the old Prince in peace resigns his breath.
Return'd to see what all the dark records
Of the old Spartan History affords
Ith' progress of Argalia's fate, I found
The chain'd Historian here so strictly bound
To follow truth, although at dangers cost,
No silent night, nor smoky battail lost
The doubtfull rode, which often did appear
Through floods of faction fill'd with storms of fear
Obscure and dark, to the belief of that
Less guilty age; though then to tremble at
Romes bold ambition, and those prodigies
Of earth, their Tyrants, to inform their eies,
Left mourning monuments of ill, but none
Like what they now attempt, a sin unknown
To old Aspirers, which should have been sent
Some Ages forward for a president
To these, with whom compar'd, their crimes had bin,
Though past to act, but weak essayes of sin.
Of the old Spartan History affords
Ith' progress of Argalia's fate, I found
The chain'd Historian here so strictly bound
To follow truth, although at dangers cost,
No silent night, nor smoky battail lost
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Through floods of faction fill'd with storms of fear
Obscure and dark, to the belief of that
Less guilty age; though then to tremble at
Romes bold ambition, and those prodigies
Of earth, their Tyrants, to inform their eies,
Left mourning monuments of ill, but none
Like what they now attempt, a sin unknown
To old Aspirers, which should have been sent
Some Ages forward for a president
To these, with whom compar'd, their crimes had bin,
Though past to act, but weak essayes of sin.
With such a speed as the supplies of air
Fearing a vacuum, hasten to repair
The ruptures of the earth, at our last view
We left reviv'd Argalia posting to
Ætolia's distant confines, where arriv'd,
He found their Army, whose attempts had thriv'd
Since he Epirus had forsook, so far
Advanc'd, that now the varied scene of war
Transferr'd to faithless Ardena, was there
Fixt in a siege, whose slow approaches were
The doubts of both; the city pines for fear
Remote supplies might fail, which drawn so near
The circling Army knows, that either they
Must flie from conquest near obtain'd, or stay
To meet a danger, which by judgement scan'd,
Their strength appears unable to withstand.
Fearing a vacuum, hasten to repair
The ruptures of the earth, at our last view
We left reviv'd Argalia posting to
Ætolia's distant confines, where arriv'd,
He found their Army, whose attempts had thriv'd
Since he Epirus had forsook, so far
Advanc'd, that now the varied scene of war
Transferr'd to faithless Ardena, was there
Fixt in a siege, whose slow approaches were
The doubts of both; the city pines for fear
Remote supplies might fail, which drawn so near
The circling Army knows, that either they
Must flie from conquest near obtain'd, or stay
To meet a danger, which by judgement scan'd,
Their strength appears unable to withstand.
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Whilst thus their pensive leaders busied are
In cross dilemma's, as by publick war
He meant to meet revenge in private, to
Their camp Argalia comes, a camp which knew
Him by the fair-wrought characters of fame
So well, that now he needs no more then name
Himself to merit welcom, all mistrust
Being clear'd by them which left as too unjust
To be obey'd, the false Epirots side,
When by his loss made subject to the pride
Of stranger Chiefs; these for their vertue prais'd
For number fear'd, to such a height had rais'd
Applauding truths of him, that Zarrobrin
Conjoyn'd to one he trembl'd at, whilst seen
In opposition, slights what did of late
Appear a dreadfull precipice of fate.
In cross dilemma's, as by publick war
He meant to meet revenge in private, to
Their camp Argalia comes, a camp which knew
Him by the fair-wrought characters of fame
So well, that now he needs no more then name
Himself to merit welcom, all mistrust
Being clear'd by them which left as too unjust
To be obey'd, the false Epirots side,
When by his loss made subject to the pride
Of stranger Chiefs; these for their vertue prais'd
For number fear'd, to such a height had rais'd
Applauding truths of him, that Zarrobrin
Conjoyn'd to one he trembl'd at, whilst seen
In opposition, slights what did of late
Appear a dreadfull precipice of fate.
Lest poor imployments might make favor shew
Like faint mistrust, he doth at first bestow
On the brave stranger the supream command
Of some choise horse, selected to withstand
The fierce Epirot's march, whose Army ere
The slow Ætolians could their strength prepare
Fit to resist, if not by him withstood,
With ease had gain'd a dangerous neighborhood.
But he, whose angers thunderbolts could stay
Though hurl'd from clouds of rage, if the allay
Of judgement interpos'd, here finding nought
More safe then haste, ere his secure foes thought
Of opposition, strongly had possest
A strait in which small troops had oft distrest
Large bodied Armies, until brought so low,
Those they contemn'd did liberty bestow.
Like faint mistrust, he doth at first bestow
On the brave stranger the supream command
Of some choise horse, selected to withstand
The fierce Epirot's march, whose Army ere
The slow Ætolians could their strength prepare
Fit to resist, if not by him withstood,
With ease had gain'd a dangerous neighborhood.
But he, whose angers thunderbolts could stay
Though hurl'd from clouds of rage, if the allay
Of judgement interpos'd, here finding nought
More safe then haste, ere his secure foes thought
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A strait in which small troops had oft distrest
Large bodied Armies, until brought so low,
Those they contemn'd did liberty bestow.
Whilst stop'd by this unlook'd for remora
The baffl'd Army oft had strove to draw
Argalia from his safe retreats, but found
His art of more advantage then his ground;
In the dead Age of unsuccesful night
A forward party which had learn'd to fight.
From honors dictates, not commands, being by
Youths hasty guide, rash valor, brought so nigh,
Argalia's troops, that in a storm which cost
Some lives, they many noble Captives lost:
Amongst which number, as if thither sent
By such a fate as shew'd Heavens close intent
Pointed at good, Euriolus appears
First a sad captive; but those common fears
Soon, whilst in conflict with his passions, rest
On the wish'd object of his long inquest
Admir'd Argalia, to whose joy he brings
As much of honor, as elected Kings
Meet in those votes, which so auspicious prove,
They light to honor with the rayes of love.
The baffl'd Army oft had strove to draw
Argalia from his safe retreats, but found
His art of more advantage then his ground;
In the dead Age of unsuccesful night
A forward party which had learn'd to fight.
From honors dictates, not commands, being by
Youths hasty guide, rash valor, brought so nigh,
Argalia's troops, that in a storm which cost
Some lives, they many noble Captives lost:
Amongst which number, as if thither sent
By such a fate as shew'd Heavens close intent
Pointed at good, Euriolus appears
First a sad captive; but those common fears
Soon, whilst in conflict with his passions, rest
On the wish'd object of his long inquest
Admir'd Argalia, to whose joy he brings
As much of honor, as elected Kings
Meet in those votes, which so auspicious prove,
They light to honor with the rayes of love.
Having from him in full relation heard
Pharonnida yet liv'd, whom long he fear'd
Beyond redemption lost, they thence proceed
To councels, whose mature results might breed
Their heedless foes confusion, which since they
That now were captives, bore the greatest sway
In the opposing Army proves a task
So free from danger, death did scarce unmask
The face of horror in a charge, before
Argalia's name eccho'd in praises ore
The rallied troops, summons from thence so large
A party, that the valor of a charge
In those that stood were madness, which to shun,
Base Cowards taught brave Fighters how to run.
Pharonnida yet liv'd, whom long he fear'd
Beyond redemption lost, they thence proceed
To councels, whose mature results might breed
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That now were captives, bore the greatest sway
In the opposing Army proves a task
So free from danger, death did scarce unmask
The face of horror in a charge, before
Argalia's name eccho'd in praises ore
The rallied troops, summons from thence so large
A party, that the valor of a charge
In those that stood were madness, which to shun,
Base Cowards taught brave Fighters how to run.
This easie conquest gain'd; ere Zarrobrin
Was with his slower Army drawn within
The noise o' th' battel, to such vast extent
Of fame, high vertues spreading ornament,
Had rais'd Argalia's merits, that the pride
Of his Commander wisely laid aside
For such advantage, to let honor stand
On her own basis, the supream command
Of all the strangers in his Camp to him
He freely gives, a power which soon would dim
His, if ere by some harsh distemper plac'd
In opposition; but his thoughts imbrac'd
In all suspitions darkest cells, no fiend
So pale as fear, fixt on the sudden end
Of high designs, he looks on this success
As the strait rode to future happiness
Was with his slower Army drawn within
The noise o' th' battel, to such vast extent
Of fame, high vertues spreading ornament,
Had rais'd Argalia's merits, that the pride
Of his Commander wisely laid aside
For such advantage, to let honor stand
On her own basis, the supream command
Of all the strangers in his Camp to him
He freely gives, a power which soon would dim
His, if ere by some harsh distemper plac'd
In opposition; but his thoughts imbrac'd
In all suspitions darkest cells, no fiend
So pale as fear, fixt on the sudden end
Of high designs, he looks on this success
As the strait rode to future happiness
With such a speed as prosperous victors go
To see, and conquer, when the vanquish'd foe
Retreats from honor, the Ætolian had
Follow'd success, till that fair hand unclad
The sunk Epirot of his strength, and now
Secur'd from forrein ills was studying how
To cure domestick dangers; which since he
The weak foundation of his Tyrannie
Had fixt in sand but onely cemented
With loyal blood, such just contempt had bred
I' th' Ages deep discerning judgements, that
Th' unsettl'd herd, ere scarcely lightned at
Those sober flames, like ill mixt vapors break
In blustring murmurs forth, which though too weak
To force his fortune on the rocks of hate,
With terror shook the structure of his fate.
To see, and conquer, when the vanquish'd foe
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Follow'd success, till that fair hand unclad
The sunk Epirot of his strength, and now
Secur'd from forrein ills was studying how
To cure domestick dangers; which since he
The weak foundation of his Tyrannie
Had fixt in sand but onely cemented
With loyal blood, such just contempt had bred
I' th' Ages deep discerning judgements, that
Th' unsettl'd herd, ere scarcely lightned at
Those sober flames, like ill mixt vapors break
In blustring murmurs forth, which though too weak
To force his fortune on the rocks of hate,
With terror shook the structure of his fate.
Like wise Physitians, which when call'd to cure
Infectious ills, with Antidotes make sure
Themselves from danger; since hypocrisie
Could steal no entrance to affection, he
Leads part of's Army for his guard, that they
Where mines did fail, by storm might force a way.
But since he doubts constrain'd domesticks, though
Abroad obedient, might, when come to know
From burthen'd friends their cause of grief, forsake
Unjust commands, his wiser care did take
Argalia and his stranger troops, as those
(Which unconcern'd) he freely might dispose
To winde up all the engines of his brain,
So guilt were gilded with the hopes of gain.
Infectious ills, with Antidotes make sure
Themselves from danger; since hypocrisie
Could steal no entrance to affection, he
Leads part of's Army for his guard, that they
Where mines did fail, by storm might force a way.
But since he doubts constrain'd domesticks, though
Abroad obedient, might, when come to know
From burthen'd friends their cause of grief, forsake
Unjust commands, his wiser care did take
Argalia and his stranger troops, as those
(Which unconcern'd) he freely might dispose
To winde up all the engines of his brain,
So guilt were gilded with the hopes of gain.
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By hasty marches being arriv'd with these
Within Ætolia, where his frowns appease
Those bubbles, that (their Neptune absent) would
Have swell'd to waves, ere his hot spirits cool'd
Were with relaxing rest, he visits him
The weak reflex of whose light crown looks dim
To th' burnish'd splendor of his blade that set
Him onely there to be the cabinet
Of that usurped diadem, which he
Whose subtile arts in clouded brows could see
The hearts intended storms, beheld without
His unstrain'd reach, until the peoples doubt,
Which yet liv'd in the dawn of hope, he saw
Oreshadow'd with the forms of injur'd Law.
Within Ætolia, where his frowns appease
Those bubbles, that (their Neptune absent) would
Have swell'd to waves, ere his hot spirits cool'd
Were with relaxing rest, he visits him
The weak reflex of whose light crown looks dim
To th' burnish'd splendor of his blade that set
Him onely there to be the cabinet
Of that usurped diadem, which he
Whose subtile arts in clouded brows could see
The hearts intended storms, beheld without
His unstrain'd reach, until the peoples doubt,
Which yet liv'd in the dawn of hope, he saw
Oreshadow'd with the forms of injur'd Law.
Though time (that fatal enemy to truth)
Had not alone rob'd the fresh thoughts of youth
O' th' knowledge of their long lost Prince, but been
Even unto those that had ador'd him in
His throne, oblivions handmaid, yet left by
Some power occult that in captivity
Forsakes not injur'd Monarchs, there remain'd
In most some passions, which first entertain'd
At pities cost, at length by reason try'd
Grew so much lov'd, that onely power deny'd
Them to support his sinking cause, which seen
By Zorabrin, whose tyranny had been
At first their fear, and now their hate, he brings
His Army, an Elixar, which to Kings
Transforms Plebeians, by the strength of that
To binde those hands, that else had strugl'd at
Their heads offence, which wanting power to cure,
They now with griefs convulsions must endure.
Had not alone rob'd the fresh thoughts of youth
O' th' knowledge of their long lost Prince, but been
Even unto those that had ador'd him in
His throne, oblivions handmaid, yet left by
Some power occult that in captivity
Forsakes not injur'd Monarchs, there remain'd
In most some passions, which first entertain'd
At pities cost, at length by reason try'd
Grew so much lov'd, that onely power deny'd
Them to support his sinking cause, which seen
By Zorabrin, whose tyranny had been
At first their fear, and now their hate, he brings
His Army, an Elixar, which to Kings
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To binde those hands, that else had strugl'd at
Their heads offence, which wanting power to cure,
They now with griefs convulsions must endure.
A Court conven'd of such whose killing trade
The rigid Law so flexible had made,
That their keen Votes had forc'd the bloodiest field
To the deep tincture of the Scaffold yeild;
Forth of his uncouth prison summon'd by
The rude commands of wrong'd Authority,
An object which succeeding Ages when
But spoke of weep, because they blush'd not then,
The Prince appears a guarded captive in
That City where his morning Star had bin
Beheld in honors Zenith; slowly by
Inferior slaves, which nere on Majesty
Whilst uneclips'd durst look, being led to prove
Who blush'd with anger, or look'd pale with love.
The rigid Law so flexible had made,
That their keen Votes had forc'd the bloodiest field
To the deep tincture of the Scaffold yeild;
Forth of his uncouth prison summon'd by
The rude commands of wrong'd Authority,
An object which succeeding Ages when
But spoke of weep, because they blush'd not then,
The Prince appears a guarded captive in
That City where his morning Star had bin
Beheld in honors Zenith; slowly by
Inferior slaves, which nere on Majesty
Whilst uneclips'd durst look, being led to prove
Who blush'd with anger, or look'd pale with love.
By these being to a mock tribunal brought,
Where damn'd rebellion for disguise had sought
The veil of justice, but so thinly spread,
Each stroke their envy levell'd at his head
Betray'd black treasons hand, couch'd in that Vote
Which struck with Law to cut Religions throte.
From a poor Pleader, whose cheap conscience had
Been sold for bribes, long ere the purple clad
So base a thing, their calm-soul'd Soveraign hears
Death's fatal doom, which when pronounc'd, appears
His candor, and their guilt, the one exprest
By a reception, which declar'd his brest
Unstir'd with passion; th' other strugling in
Their troubled looks, which shew'd this monstrous sin
That this damn'd plot did to rebellion bear,
Even frighted those that treasons midwives were.
Where damn'd rebellion for disguise had sought
The veil of justice, but so thinly spread,
Each stroke their envy levell'd at his head
Betray'd black treasons hand, couch'd in that Vote
Which struck with Law to cut Religions throte.
From a poor Pleader, whose cheap conscience had
Been sold for bribes, long ere the purple clad
So base a thing, their calm-soul'd Soveraign hears
Death's fatal doom, which when pronounc'd, appears
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By a reception, which declar'd his brest
Unstir'd with passion; th' other strugling in
Their troubled looks, which shew'd this monstrous sin
That this damn'd plot did to rebellion bear,
Even frighted those that treasons midwives were.
Hence (all their black designs encourag'd by
The levell'd paths of prosperous vilany)
High mounted mischief, stretch'd upon the wing
Of powerfull ill, persues the helpless King
To the last stage of life, a scaffold, whence
With tears (cheap off-springs to his innocence)
Such of his pitying friends as durst disclose
Their passions, view him, whilst insulting foes
(Exalted on the pyramids of pride)
By long-wing'd power, with base contempt deride
Their sorrow, and his sufferings whom their hate
Had followed near the period of his fate;
Which being now so near arriv'd, that all
With various passion did expect the fall
Of the last fatal stroke, kinde heaven to save
A life so near the confines of the grave,
Transcends dull hope by so sublime a flight,
That dazl'd faith, (amaz'd with too much light,
Whilst extasies of wonder did destroy
Unripe belief) near lost the rode of joy.
The levell'd paths of prosperous vilany)
High mounted mischief, stretch'd upon the wing
Of powerfull ill, persues the helpless King
To the last stage of life, a scaffold, whence
With tears (cheap off-springs to his innocence)
Such of his pitying friends as durst disclose
Their passions, view him, whilst insulting foes
(Exalted on the pyramids of pride)
By long-wing'd power, with base contempt deride
Their sorrow, and his sufferings whom their hate
Had followed near the period of his fate;
Which being now so near arriv'd, that all
With various passion did expect the fall
Of the last fatal stroke, kinde heaven to save
A life so near the confines of the grave,
Transcends dull hope by so sublime a flight,
That dazl'd faith, (amaz'd with too much light,
Whilst extasies of wonder did destroy
Unripe belief) near lost the rode of joy.
Even with the juncture of that minute when
The ax was falling, from those throngs of men
Sway'd by's command, Argalia with a speed
That startl'd action, mounts the stage, and freed
The trembling Prince from deaths pale fear; which done
To shew on what just grounds he had begun
So brave, so bold an action, he seises all
That knowledge or suspition dares to call
The Tyrants friends, the guilty Tyrant, who
Whilst he doth from his distant palace view
This dreadful change, with a disdain as high
As are his crimes, being apprehended by
Argalia's nimble guards, is forc'd to be
Their sad Conductor to a destinie
So full of horror, that it hardly lies
In's foes to save him for a sacrifice
From their wild rage who know no justice but
What doth, by death, a stop to fury put.
The ax was falling, from those throngs of men
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That startl'd action, mounts the stage, and freed
The trembling Prince from deaths pale fear; which done
To shew on what just grounds he had begun
So brave, so bold an action, he seises all
That knowledge or suspition dares to call
The Tyrants friends, the guilty Tyrant, who
Whilst he doth from his distant palace view
This dreadful change, with a disdain as high
As are his crimes, being apprehended by
Argalia's nimble guards, is forc'd to be
Their sad Conductor to a destinie
So full of horror, that it hardly lies
In's foes to save him for a sacrifice
From their wild rage who know no justice but
What doth, by death, a stop to fury put.
From noisless pray'rs and bloodless looks, being by
The bold Attempters of his liberty
Rais'd to behold his rescue; heedless fear
Hatcht by mistake, from those that border'd near
Had with such swiftness its infection spread,
That the more distant knowing not what bred
The busie tumult, in so wild a haste
As vanquish'd troops which at the heels are chac'd
Flie the persuing sword, they madly run
To meet those dangers which they strove to shun:
In which confusion none o'th' throng had bin
Left to behold how justice triumph'd in
Revenges throne, had not a swift command
By power enabl'd, hasten'd to withstand
That troubl'd torrent which the truth outgrew
Until their fears original they knew.
The bold Attempters of his liberty
Rais'd to behold his rescue; heedless fear
Hatcht by mistake, from those that border'd near
Had with such swiftness its infection spread,
That the more distant knowing not what bred
The busie tumult, in so wild a haste
As vanquish'd troops which at the heels are chac'd
Flie the persuing sword, they madly run
To meet those dangers which they strove to shun:
In which confusion none o'th' throng had bin
Left to behold how justice triumph'd in
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By power enabl'd, hasten'd to withstand
That troubl'd torrent which the truth outgrew
Until their fears original they knew.
The onset past, Argalia, having first
Secur'd the Tyrant, for whose blood the thirst
Of the vext people rag'd, he mounted on
That scaffold whence his father should have gone
A royal martyr to the grave, did there
By a commanded silence first prepare
The clamorous throng to hear the hidden cause
Which made him slight their new-created laws.
Then, in that mart of satisfaction which
With knowledge doth the doubtful herd enrich,
The publick view, he freely shews how far
Through fortunes desarts the auspicious star
Of heavens unfathom'd providence had led
Him from the axe to save that sacred head,
Whose reverend snow his full discovery had
In the first dress of youthful vigor clad,
Could constant nature sympathize with that
Reviving joy his spirits panted at.
Secur'd the Tyrant, for whose blood the thirst
Of the vext people rag'd, he mounted on
That scaffold whence his father should have gone
A royal martyr to the grave, did there
By a commanded silence first prepare
The clamorous throng to hear the hidden cause
Which made him slight their new-created laws.
Then, in that mart of satisfaction which
With knowledge doth the doubtful herd enrich,
The publick view, he freely shews how far
Through fortunes desarts the auspicious star
Of heavens unfathom'd providence had led
Him from the axe to save that sacred head,
Whose reverend snow his full discovery had
In the first dress of youthful vigor clad,
Could constant nature sympathize with that
Reviving joy his spirits panted at.
His sons relation, seconded by all
That suffering sharer in his pitied fall,
Mantinea's Bishop, knew, join'd to the sight
Of that known jewel, whose unwasted light
Had serv'd alone to guide them, satisfies
The inquisition even of critick eyes
With such a fulness of content, that they
(Each from his Prince being lighten'd with a ray
Of sprightly mirth) endeavour'd to destroy
Their former grief in hope of future joy:
Which to attain to, those whose counsels had
The land in blood, and them in mourning clad,
Call'd forth by order to confession, there
Are scarce given time the foulness to declare
Of their past crimes, before the peoples hate
(That headstrong monster) strove t' anticipate
The sword of vengeance, and in wild rage save
The labor of an ignominious grave
To every parcel of those rent limbs, that
When but beheld, they lately trembl'd at:
“Such being the fate of falling Tyrants, when
“Conquering, the fear, conquer'd, the scorn of men
That suffering sharer in his pitied fall,
Mantinea's Bishop, knew, join'd to the sight
Of that known jewel, whose unwasted light
Had serv'd alone to guide them, satisfies
The inquisition even of critick eyes
131
(Each from his Prince being lighten'd with a ray
Of sprightly mirth) endeavour'd to destroy
Their former grief in hope of future joy:
Which to attain to, those whose counsels had
The land in blood, and them in mourning clad,
Call'd forth by order to confession, there
Are scarce given time the foulness to declare
Of their past crimes, before the peoples hate
(That headstrong monster) strove t' anticipate
The sword of vengeance, and in wild rage save
The labor of an ignominious grave
To every parcel of those rent limbs, that
When but beheld, they lately trembl'd at:
“Such being the fate of falling Tyrants, when
“Conquering, the fear, conquer'd, the scorn of men
But here lest inconsiderate rage should send
Their souls to darkness, ere confession end
Their tragick story, hated Zarrobrin
With that unhappy boy whose Crown had been
Worne but to make him capable to die
A sacrifice to injur'd libertie,
Rescued by order from the rout, is to
A publick trial brought, where in the view
Of all the injur'd multitude, the old
Audacious traitor did to th' light unfold
His acts of darkness, which discover'd him
They gaz'd on, whilst unquestion'd power did dim
Discerning wits but a dull Meteor, one
By hot ambition mounted to a throne,
By an attractive policy, which when
Its influence fail'd, back to that lazy Fen,
His fortunes Center, hurling him again,
The onely Star in Honor's Orb would raign.
Their souls to darkness, ere confession end
Their tragick story, hated Zarrobrin
With that unhappy boy whose Crown had been
Worne but to make him capable to die
A sacrifice to injur'd libertie,
Rescued by order from the rout, is to
A publick trial brought, where in the view
Of all the injur'd multitude, the old
Audacious traitor did to th' light unfold
His acts of darkness, which discover'd him
They gaz'd on, whilst unquestion'd power did dim
132
By hot ambition mounted to a throne,
By an attractive policy, which when
Its influence fail'd, back to that lazy Fen,
His fortunes Center, hurling him again,
The onely Star in Honor's Orb would raign.
This slie Imposture seconded by that
Rebellious guilt his actions offer'd at
In all its bold attempts, had kindl'd in
The late supporters of unprosperous sin
So high a rage, that in wild fury they
Their anger wanting what it should obey,
A sober judgement, stands not to dispute
With the slow Law, but with their strength confute
All tending to delay; like torrents broke
Through the imprisoning banks, to get one stroke
At heads so hated all rush in, untill
Their sever'd limbs want quantity to fill
A room i' th' eyes receiving beams; this done,
With blood and anger warm'd, they wildly run
To search out such whom consanguinitie
Had rendred so unhappy, as to be
Allied to them, all which with rage that stil'd
Beasts mercifull, and angry soldiers mild,
They to destruction chase, whilst guiltless walls
In which they dwelt in funeral blazes falls,
Where burns inviting treasure, as they saw
In the golds splendor an Anathema
So full of horror, as it seem'd to be
A plague beyond unpitied Povertie.
Rebellious guilt his actions offer'd at
In all its bold attempts, had kindl'd in
The late supporters of unprosperous sin
So high a rage, that in wild fury they
Their anger wanting what it should obey,
A sober judgement, stands not to dispute
With the slow Law, but with their strength confute
All tending to delay; like torrents broke
Through the imprisoning banks, to get one stroke
At heads so hated all rush in, untill
Their sever'd limbs want quantity to fill
A room i' th' eyes receiving beams; this done,
With blood and anger warm'd, they wildly run
To search out such whom consanguinitie
Had rendred so unhappy, as to be
Allied to them, all which with rage that stil'd
Beasts mercifull, and angry soldiers mild,
They to destruction chase, whilst guiltless walls
In which they dwelt in funeral blazes falls,
Where burns inviting treasure, as they saw
In the golds splendor an Anathema
133
A plague beyond unpitied Povertie.
Impetuous Rage, like whirle windes unoppos'd
Hush'd to a calm, as hate had but unclos'd
The anger-blinded eyes of Love, the bold
Flame like a fire, forc'd from repulsive cold,
Breaks through the harsh extream of hate, to shew
How much their loyal duty did out-grow
Those fruits of forc'd obedience, which before
They slowly to intruding Tyrants bore;
In which procession of their joy, that he
Might meet their hopes with a solemnitie
Large as their love, or his delight; the Prince
Taught by informing age how to convince
Ambitions hasty Arguments, calls forth
His long lost son, whose late discover'd worth
Was grown the Ages wonder, to support
The ponderous Crown, whilst he did tread the short
And sickly step of age, untroubl'd by
The burthen of afflicting Majesty.
Hush'd to a calm, as hate had but unclos'd
The anger-blinded eyes of Love, the bold
Flame like a fire, forc'd from repulsive cold,
Breaks through the harsh extream of hate, to shew
How much their loyal duty did out-grow
Those fruits of forc'd obedience, which before
They slowly to intruding Tyrants bore;
In which procession of their joy, that he
Might meet their hopes with a solemnitie
Large as their love, or his delight; the Prince
Taught by informing age how to convince
Ambitions hasty Arguments, calls forth
His long lost son, whose late discover'd worth
Was grown the Ages wonder, to support
The ponderous Crown, whilst he did tread the short
And sickly step of age, untroubl'd by
The burthen of afflicting Majesty.
His Coronation past in such a tide
Of full content, as to be glorifide,
Blest souls in the worlds conflagration shall
From tombs their reunited bodies call,
The feeble Prince leaving the joyful throng
Of his applauding Subjects, seeks among
Religious shades (those cool retreats) to finde
That best composer of a stormy minde,
A still devotion, on whose downy bed
Not long he'ad lay before that entrance led
Him to the Court of heaven, though through the gate
Of welcom death, a cross, which though from fate,
Not accident, he being instructed by
Age, and Religion, to prepare to die
On Natures summons, yet so deep a strain
Spreads ore those robes that joy had dy'd in grain,
That his heroick son to meet alone
So fierce a foe, leaving the widow'd throne
Retreats to silent tears, whose plenteous spring
By the example of their mourning King,
From those small clouds there first beheld to rise,
Begets a storm in every Subjects eies.
Of full content, as to be glorifide,
Blest souls in the worlds conflagration shall
From tombs their reunited bodies call,
The feeble Prince leaving the joyful throng
Of his applauding Subjects, seeks among
Religious shades (those cool retreats) to finde
That best composer of a stormy minde,
134
Not long he'ad lay before that entrance led
Him to the Court of heaven, though through the gate
Of welcom death, a cross, which though from fate,
Not accident, he being instructed by
Age, and Religion, to prepare to die
On Natures summons, yet so deep a strain
Spreads ore those robes that joy had dy'd in grain,
That his heroick son to meet alone
So fierce a foe, leaving the widow'd throne
Retreats to silent tears, whose plenteous spring
By the example of their mourning King,
From those small clouds there first beheld to rise,
Begets a storm in every Subjects eies.
Betraying time, the worlds unquestion'd thief,
Intending ore obliterated grief
Some new transcription, to perform it brings
A ravish'd quill from Loves expanded wings,
Presenting to Argalia's willing view
What ere blinde chance roll'd on the various clew
Of his fair Mistris, Fate, unfolded by
Euriolus, who was when victory
First gave him freedom, by Argalia sent
With speed that might anticipate intent,
The unconfin'd Pharonnida to free
From her religious strict captivitie.
Intending ore obliterated grief
Some new transcription, to perform it brings
A ravish'd quill from Loves expanded wings,
Presenting to Argalia's willing view
What ere blinde chance roll'd on the various clew
Of his fair Mistris, Fate, unfolded by
Euriolus, who was when victory
First gave him freedom, by Argalia sent
With speed that might anticipate intent,
The unconfin'd Pharonnida to free
From her religious strict captivitie.
But being arriv'd where contrary to all
His thoughts, he heard how first she came to fall
Into Almanzors hand, by whom convey'd
Thence to her Fathers Court, his judgement stay'd
Not to consult with slow advice, but hastes
On the persuit of her; whom found, he wastes
Few dayes before fair opportunitie
Was so auspicious to his prayers, that he
Not onely proves a happy Messenger
Where first imploy'd, but in exchange for her
Returns the story of what had been done
Since first this tempest of their fate begun.
His thoughts, he heard how first she came to fall
135
Thence to her Fathers Court, his judgement stay'd
Not to consult with slow advice, but hastes
On the persuit of her; whom found, he wastes
Few dayes before fair opportunitie
Was so auspicious to his prayers, that he
Not onely proves a happy Messenger
Where first imploy'd, but in exchange for her
Returns the story of what had been done
Since first this tempest of their fate begun.
How she forsook the Monastry, and in
What agonies of passion thence had bin
Forc'd to her fathers Court, where all her fears
Dissolve in pity, he related hears
With calm attention; but when come to that,
Whose first conceptions he had trembl'd at,
The Siracusians fresh assaults unto
That Virgin-fort, whose strength although he knew
Too great for storm, yet since assisted by
Her Fathers power, the wraths of victory
Rent by command from his deserts might crown
Anothers brows, to pull those Laurels down
Ere rais'd in triumph, he prepares to move
By royal steps unto the throne of love.
What agonies of passion thence had bin
Forc'd to her fathers Court, where all her fears
Dissolve in pity, he related hears
With calm attention; but when come to that,
Whose first conceptions he had trembl'd at,
The Siracusians fresh assaults unto
That Virgin-fort, whose strength although he knew
Too great for storm, yet since assisted by
Her Fathers power, the wraths of victory
Rent by command from his deserts might crown
Anothers brows, to pull those Laurels down
Ere rais'd in triumph, he prepares to move
By royal steps unto the throne of love.
The End of the Second Canto.
| Pharonnida | |