The History of Polindor and Flostella With Other Poems. By I. H. [i.e. John Harington] The third Edition, Revised and much Enlarged |
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 | The History of Polindor and Flostella |  |
This Princess, Queen, great heir to th' Ciprian
Crown
Times past was born, whose Scepter with renown
Oft Femalls sway'd, enjoy'd; Persandra nam'd:
One Sister more there was, by nature claim'd
Her part ith' royall Blood, royall record,
Bercinthe this: But vile usurping Lord
Oth' Blood, call'd Phorban, Stain to th' Kingly race
(Though huge in Factions pow'r and Wealth did blaze)
Reach'd at the Throne; &, having slain through Treason
Their gallant'st Father first (choice fittest season)
Persandra then 'bout year and quarter old,
Soon grasp'd the Crown; that Circle of thorny Gold,
Royall Head-guive: though next in bloody chase
Her Life appear'd, this Blossome nip'd (alas)
By frosty Death, must raise advance his Spring.
Which Mischief justly fear'd (since Brooding thing
Vile Treason found, one Crime but spawns another)
By th' wretch'd and most indulgent Queen, her Mother,
Clarvesia call'd; she suddenly convays
This elder Femall Comfort of her dayes,
Chief princely Cyprian branch from Tyrants Sword
(Th' half dearest Remnant of her murther'd Lord)
Nurse privie too't, to most transcendent Peer,
Styl'd good Lorele. What bowels yernings there,
Tears, mixed Sighes! what clasping folds and Kisses!
How call'd she back again her parting Blisses,
Wept sobrest new Farwells! till, at the last,
Cry'd, Take't away; though follow'd then in hast
To th' Threshold, Door, how Kiss'd, imbrac'd it there!
Forth then Nurse slily stole, as Voyage 'twere!
For th' ayre that Evening, with her Infant-gem
To woody Plain adjoyn'd, where stayd for them
Both Coach and six tall Horses from Lorele;
Which comely'st Matron bare, known Party well
To him (since prov'd his Keepers Wife indeed)
Who, gently cheering it, with trusty speed
Receiv'd that Royall charge, by joynt accord:
Informed though, 'twas Orphan, kin to th' Lord:
So, towards strait her shady Lodge she flyes
Far off remote; where full Commands, supplies
Were giv'n her by Lorele, for choycest trayning,
Though now new-stamp'd, Chlorindas Name retaining.
Nurse back to th' Castle agen (as was desir'd)
Unseen, secure, through Gloomy walks retir'd;
Where, fitly joyn'd her Fellow nurse, that Night
Small mournfull Coffin (lo) by Torches light
Was carry'd forth, as though the Babe had dy'd
Of some strange Pest, by th' royall Mothers side:
The Queen much heightning all through grief sick-browd,
Lock'd up upon't; thus, speedy'st Grave allow'd:
Whose faithfull'st Nurse soon after (plot unknown)
To th' mention'd Lodge and little Lady's gone:
Times past was born, whose Scepter with renown
Oft Femalls sway'd, enjoy'd; Persandra nam'd:
One Sister more there was, by nature claim'd
Her part ith' royall Blood, royall record,
Bercinthe this: But vile usurping Lord
Oth' Blood, call'd Phorban, Stain to th' Kingly race
(Though huge in Factions pow'r and Wealth did blaze)
Reach'd at the Throne; &, having slain through Treason
Their gallant'st Father first (choice fittest season)
Persandra then 'bout year and quarter old,
Soon grasp'd the Crown; that Circle of thorny Gold,
Royall Head-guive: though next in bloody chase
Her Life appear'd, this Blossome nip'd (alas)
By frosty Death, must raise advance his Spring.
Which Mischief justly fear'd (since Brooding thing
Vile Treason found, one Crime but spawns another)
By th' wretch'd and most indulgent Queen, her Mother,
Clarvesia call'd; she suddenly convays
This elder Femall Comfort of her dayes,
Chief princely Cyprian branch from Tyrants Sword
(Th' half dearest Remnant of her murther'd Lord)
Nurse privie too't, to most transcendent Peer,
Styl'd good Lorele. What bowels yernings there,
Tears, mixed Sighes! what clasping folds and Kisses!
How call'd she back again her parting Blisses,
Wept sobrest new Farwells! till, at the last,
Cry'd, Take't away; though follow'd then in hast
To th' Threshold, Door, how Kiss'd, imbrac'd it there!
Forth then Nurse slily stole, as Voyage 'twere!
86
To woody Plain adjoyn'd, where stayd for them
Both Coach and six tall Horses from Lorele;
Which comely'st Matron bare, known Party well
To him (since prov'd his Keepers Wife indeed)
Who, gently cheering it, with trusty speed
Receiv'd that Royall charge, by joynt accord:
Informed though, 'twas Orphan, kin to th' Lord:
So, towards strait her shady Lodge she flyes
Far off remote; where full Commands, supplies
Were giv'n her by Lorele, for choycest trayning,
Though now new-stamp'd, Chlorindas Name retaining.
Nurse back to th' Castle agen (as was desir'd)
Unseen, secure, through Gloomy walks retir'd;
Where, fitly joyn'd her Fellow nurse, that Night
Small mournfull Coffin (lo) by Torches light
Was carry'd forth, as though the Babe had dy'd
Of some strange Pest, by th' royall Mothers side:
The Queen much heightning all through grief sick-browd,
Lock'd up upon't; thus, speedy'st Grave allow'd:
Whose faithfull'st Nurse soon after (plot unknown)
To th' mention'd Lodge and little Lady's gone:
| The History of Polindor and Flostella | |