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 Hermit's Story.
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 | The Grecian Story |  |
The Hermit's Story.
He thus reply'd: Know I have Travell'd far,
View'd much o'th' World conjoyn'd large Sorrows share:
This prov'd the cause, I nobly am Descended,
And born to Prime Estate, had Stars befriended;
Timondes call'd; My Father of chief Repute;
But Uncle vile (Degenerate like Brute)
Dorsengar nam'd, Court-Servant then Design'd
To this King's Grandfather, of sordid Mind;
Most Covetous; through Malice too the rather,
By Forged Witness brought, did Brand my Father
O'th' Bastard-Brood, his Mother term'd a Whore;
Seiz'd all the Land: Gems, Gold (convenient store)
Small Farm my Sire reserv'd, which left to Me:
Soon after Dy'd. Thus faln to mean Degree,
My Nursing Soyl conceiv'd Disast'rous Ground,
I Travell'd strait, through Change Contentment found
Did rove this Earthly Maze, like Winds Comrade
Sun's Fellow-traveller; large Part survay'd:
Both Southern Heats and Northern Frosts endur'd;
Till thoughts for Home, Arcadian Grave allur'd;
Best Bed at last, so trod my Native Shore;
Purchas'd this Ground, still kept good useful store.
Resolv'd to spend my weary'd Age Retir'd,
And Contemplate, Life's Active term inspir'd:
Euphorbus call'd. Sol's comfortable Beams
Here full Six Summers shar'd; for cold Extreams,
My Winter-Grange stands at Dervan, so nigh;
Kept by that Clown which brings me Food-supply;
Small, meaner Form, Reserved too like This.
Good Friend howere not Harsh, Distastful is
I well can Read and Walk, may Study now
Patience, content, although with older brow.
View'd much o'th' World conjoyn'd large Sorrows share:
This prov'd the cause, I nobly am Descended,
And born to Prime Estate, had Stars befriended;
Timondes call'd; My Father of chief Repute;
But Uncle vile (Degenerate like Brute)
Dorsengar nam'd, Court-Servant then Design'd
To this King's Grandfather, of sordid Mind;
Most Covetous; through Malice too the rather,
By Forged Witness brought, did Brand my Father
O'th' Bastard-Brood, his Mother term'd a Whore;
Seiz'd all the Land: Gems, Gold (convenient store)
Small Farm my Sire reserv'd, which left to Me:
Soon after Dy'd. Thus faln to mean Degree,
My Nursing Soyl conceiv'd Disast'rous Ground,
I Travell'd strait, through Change Contentment found
Did rove this Earthly Maze, like Winds Comrade
Sun's Fellow-traveller; large Part survay'd:
Both Southern Heats and Northern Frosts endur'd;
Till thoughts for Home, Arcadian Grave allur'd;
Best Bed at last, so trod my Native Shore;
Purchas'd this Ground, still kept good useful store.
Resolv'd to spend my weary'd Age Retir'd,
And Contemplate, Life's Active term inspir'd:
Euphorbus call'd. Sol's comfortable Beams
Here full Six Summers shar'd; for cold Extreams,
My Winter-Grange stands at Dervan, so nigh;
Kept by that Clown which brings me Food-supply;
Small, meaner Form, Reserved too like This.
Good Friend howere not Harsh, Distastful is
I well can Read and Walk, may Study now
Patience, content, although with older brow.
Orsamnes, whisp'ring her, did say, That Name
Himself had heard, Misfortune both by Fame.
Strait giving Thanks for their Repast does end
With hasty Leave; still Five miles to their Friend.
That longer Walk? Five Miles? said He again;
Will you so far that Beauteous Charge orestrain?
Adventure both? since now does Later prove;
Rob'd next of Cloaths, and Her perchance, your Love
This Honor (pray) conjoyn, small Supper take,
Then homely Bed; clean Sheets you shall not lack.
For She your Spouse appears: My self shall rest
In that old Chair; 'tis Rational Request.
Himself had heard, Misfortune both by Fame.
Strait giving Thanks for their Repast does end
With hasty Leave; still Five miles to their Friend.
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Will you so far that Beauteous Charge orestrain?
Adventure both? since now does Later prove;
Rob'd next of Cloaths, and Her perchance, your Love
This Honor (pray) conjoyn, small Supper take,
Then homely Bed; clean Sheets you shall not lack.
For She your Spouse appears: My self shall rest
In that old Chair; 'tis Rational Request.
My Wife, I grant, Orsamnes strait reply'd;
But for one Month her self to Chastness ty'd
By Solemn Vow. Timondes said agen;
If such Conjugal League, you boldly then
May lie down on the Cloaths, next Noon depart.
Clermanthe still bare sad-presaging Heart
Against Dervan, new Damp-like thoughts arose;
Thus, jog'd Orsamnes strait, that he should Close,
Accept the Terms: Who well was pleas'd, the rather,
Since seem'd to Both like Noble-minded Father:
These words return'd: Grave Sir, I shall imbrace
Your Offer for my part (such being the Case)
As Friendly, wise, if She'l conform, Allow.
Clermanthe strait reply'd with smoother Brow;
I joyn assent; but for clean Sheets (She said)
None shall be us'd; best way for Bashful Maid
To lie down Cloath'd: nor fear of Cold this time,
Since Night unto May-day; warm Grecian Clime.
But for one Month her self to Chastness ty'd
By Solemn Vow. Timondes said agen;
If such Conjugal League, you boldly then
May lie down on the Cloaths, next Noon depart.
Clermanthe still bare sad-presaging Heart
Against Dervan, new Damp-like thoughts arose;
Thus, jog'd Orsamnes strait, that he should Close,
Accept the Terms: Who well was pleas'd, the rather,
Since seem'd to Both like Noble-minded Father:
These words return'd: Grave Sir, I shall imbrace
Your Offer for my part (such being the Case)
As Friendly, wise, if She'l conform, Allow.
Clermanthe strait reply'd with smoother Brow;
I joyn assent; but for clean Sheets (She said)
None shall be us'd; best way for Bashful Maid
To lie down Cloath'd: nor fear of Cold this time,
Since Night unto May-day; warm Grecian Clime.
Both took their Seats, repos'd; Their Landlord then,
If this Night please (said) try the Next agen.
I'm half Corinthian blood (as first did shew)
My Mothers Country-folks more Welcome so.
Conjoyn'd withal, 'Tis strange with me to leave
My utmost Door unlock'd thus long, receave
This for the Cause; Man late Departed hence
That brings my Food: Dervan yields store from thence.
So walk'd forth; Now safe Reserv'd they be;
Orsamnes strait Clermanthe grasp'd, more free.
(Kisses conjoyn'd) Did pray, She would compose
Her troubled Thoughts; calm, chearful Looks disclose.
Found safe Retreat whilst in that Rocky Bower
Th' Host Noble, kind, till longer Journey's hour.
If this Night please (said) try the Next agen.
I'm half Corinthian blood (as first did shew)
My Mothers Country-folks more Welcome so.
Conjoyn'd withal, 'Tis strange with me to leave
My utmost Door unlock'd thus long, receave
This for the Cause; Man late Departed hence
That brings my Food: Dervan yields store from thence.
So walk'd forth; Now safe Reserv'd they be;
Orsamnes strait Clermanthe grasp'd, more free.
(Kisses conjoyn'd) Did pray, She would compose
Her troubled Thoughts; calm, chearful Looks disclose.
Found safe Retreat whilst in that Rocky Bower
Th' Host Noble, kind, till longer Journey's hour.
Th' Hermit return'd; after exchanging there
Some pleasing Talk with them (more free from Fear)
With joyn'd Content; to shew them was dispos'd
Small Garden-Plot behind the Cell, inclos'd:
Fresh Arbour there, where set down (as desir'd)
He left them Both that Private way, retir'd
(Young loving Pair, sad late Misfortune past)
To chear, refresh themselves (while pleas'd) at last.
Some pleasing Talk with them (more free from Fear)
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Small Garden-Plot behind the Cell, inclos'd:
Fresh Arbour there, where set down (as desir'd)
He left them Both that Private way, retir'd
(Young loving Pair, sad late Misfortune past)
To chear, refresh themselves (while pleas'd) at last.
Orsamnes strait welcom'd Clermanthe now
In kindest way, each shewing chearful Brow.
That Branched Place the Grove by far excel'd,
Since Free withdrawn no fear by Scouts beheld.
Their Stories then, Time, Place fit for t' related;
Small Parcel touch'd i'th' Grove communicated:
Orsamnes first began, that her Request;
His briefly told, by us more large exprest.
In kindest way, each shewing chearful Brow.
That Branched Place the Grove by far excel'd,
Since Free withdrawn no fear by Scouts beheld.
Their Stories then, Time, Place fit for t' related;
Small Parcel touch'd i'th' Grove communicated:
Orsamnes first began, that her Request;
His briefly told, by us more large exprest.
| The Grecian Story | |