Pharonnida A Heroick Poem. By William Chamberlayne |
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| 1. | CANTO THE FIRST. |
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 | Pharonnida |  |
CANTO THE FIRST.
The ARGUMENT.
I
Beneath the powerfull Tyranny of Love,Whilst the fair Princess weeps out every Star,
In Pleasures Sphear, those dark Clouds to remove,
All royall Pass-times in it practic'd are.
II
Amongst whose Tryumphs, that her Train might lendHer their Attendants in the shades of Grief;
Passion brings some so neer a fatall end,
That timely pity scarce affords relief.
Some Months now spent, since in the clouded Court
Of sad Pharonnida, each Princely sport
Was with Argalia's absence maskt within
Sables of Discontent, Robes that had been
Of late her chiefest Dress; no cheerful smile
Ere cleerd her brow, those walks which were ere while;
The Schools where they disputed Love, were now
Only made use of, when her grief sought how
To hide its treacherous tear,; the unfil'd Bed
Oth' Widow, whose conjugal joy is fled,
Ith' hot and vigorous youth of Fancy, to
Eternal absence, sooner may renew,
(Though she for tears, repeated praises seeks)
The blooming spring of Beauty on her Cheeks.
Of sad Pharonnida, each Princely sport
Was with Argalia's absence maskt within
Sables of Discontent, Robes that had been
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Ere cleerd her brow, those walks which were ere while;
The Schools where they disputed Love, were now
Only made use of, when her grief sought how
To hide its treacherous tear,; the unfil'd Bed
Oth' Widow, whose conjugal joy is fled,
Ith' hot and vigorous youth of Fancy, to
Eternal absence, sooner may renew,
(Though she for tears, repeated praises seeks)
The blooming spring of Beauty on her Cheeks.
When bright plum'd Day on the expanded wings
Of Aire approaches, Lights fair Herald brings
No overtures of peace to her; each prayer
In pious zeal she makes, a pale despair
In their Celestial Journey clogs; but long
Her feeble Sex could not endure these strong
Assaults of Passion, ere the red and white
Vanquisht from Beauties Throne, had took their flight,
And nought but melancholy palness left
T' attend the light of her dim eyes, bereft
Of all their brightness; pining Agues in
The earthquake of each Joynt, leaving within
The Veins, more blood then dwelt in hers, which beat
The hearts slow motions with a hectick heat.
Of Aire approaches, Lights fair Herald brings
No overtures of peace to her; each prayer
In pious zeal she makes, a pale despair
In their Celestial Journey clogs; but long
Her feeble Sex could not endure these strong
Assaults of Passion, ere the red and white
Vanquisht from Beauties Throne, had took their flight,
And nought but melancholy palness left
T' attend the light of her dim eyes, bereft
Of all their brightness; pining Agues in
The earthquake of each Joynt, leaving within
The Veins, more blood then dwelt in hers, which beat
The hearts slow motions with a hectick heat.
Long Passions Tyrant reigns not, ere this change
Of Mirth and Beauty, letting sorrow range
Beyond the circle of Discretion, in
Her Father that suspition which had been
Kindl'd before renewing, he removes
His Court to hers, but the kind visit proves
A Paroxisme unto that strong Disease,
Which combates in her blood, no mirth could please
Her troubl'd Soul, since bar'd society,
With all its better Angels, gone to be
Attendant on Argalia; she beholds
Those studied pleasures, which the Prince unfolds
His love and greatness in, with no delight
More smooth then that a sullen Anchorite,
Which a harsh vow hath there enforc'd to dwell,
Sees the cold wants of his unhaunted Cell.
Of Mirth and Beauty, letting sorrow range
Beyond the circle of Discretion, in
Her Father that suspition which had been
Kindl'd before renewing, he removes
His Court to hers, but the kind visit proves
A Paroxisme unto that strong Disease,
Which combates in her blood, no mirth could please
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With all its better Angels, gone to be
Attendant on Argalia; she beholds
Those studied pleasures, which the Prince unfolds
His love and greatness in, with no delight
More smooth then that a sullen Anchorite,
Which a harsh vow hath there enforc'd to dwell,
Sees the cold wants of his unhaunted Cell.
Amongst these sports, whose time betraying view
Ravisht each pleas'd Spectator, the fair Clew,
Contracts some sable knots, of which my Pen
Is only one bound to unravel; when
War had unclasp'd that dreadful Book of hers,
Where honour'd Names in sanguine Characters,
Brave valour had transcrib'd, fair vertue fixt
Euriolus in Honours Orb, and mixt
Him with the Courts bright Stars; but he who had
Whilst unregarded poverty had clad
His vertues in obscurity, learnt how
To sail in Fortunes boisterous storms, is now
By her false smiles be-calm'd and sunk, before
Desert (bound thither) toucht Loves treacherous shore.
Ravisht each pleas'd Spectator, the fair Clew,
Contracts some sable knots, of which my Pen
Is only one bound to unravel; when
War had unclasp'd that dreadful Book of hers,
Where honour'd Names in sanguine Characters,
Brave valour had transcrib'd, fair vertue fixt
Euriolus in Honours Orb, and mixt
Him with the Courts bright Stars; but he who had
Whilst unregarded poverty had clad
His vertues in obscurity, learnt how
To sail in Fortunes boisterous storms, is now
By her false smiles be-calm'd and sunk, before
Desert (bound thither) toucht Loves treacherous shore.
Ith' playful freedome of their youth, when she
Was only a fair Shepherdess, and he
An humble Swain, he truly did adore
The fair Florenza, but aspir'd no more,
Since Poverty clog'd Loves ambitious wing,
Then by his private Muse alone to sing
Her praise with, such a flame of wit, that they
Which have compar'd, say envied Laura may
Look pale with spleen, to hear those Lines exprest,
Though in her great Platonicks Raptures drest.
Was only a fair Shepherdess, and he
An humble Swain, he truly did adore
The fair Florenza, but aspir'd no more,
Since Poverty clog'd Loves ambitious wing,
Then by his private Muse alone to sing
Her praise with, such a flame of wit, that they
Which have compar'd, say envied Laura may
Look pale with spleen, to hear those Lines exprest,
Though in her great Platonicks Raptures drest.
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But now his Worth by Vertue rais'd, did dwel
High as his Hopes, and that a Parallel
To hers appearing, eithers Merits had
A Climax to preferment, and thus clad
Vertue in Honours Robes, which equal Fate,
Gave his Affection Language to relate,
What their Disparity kept dumb, nor did
Those Motions find acceptance, such as hid
Them for presumption, rather 'twas a Frost
Of Virgin Ice, then fire of pride that crost
His Masculine Desires, her Eyes unfold
So much of Passion, as by them she told
Who had most interest in her Heart, which she
From all brave Rivals his resolves shall be.
High as his Hopes, and that a Parallel
To hers appearing, eithers Merits had
A Climax to preferment, and thus clad
Vertue in Honours Robes, which equal Fate,
Gave his Affection Language to relate,
What their Disparity kept dumb, nor did
Those Motions find acceptance, such as hid
Them for presumption, rather 'twas a Frost
Of Virgin Ice, then fire of pride that crost
His Masculine Desires, her Eyes unfold
So much of Passion, as by them she told
Who had most interest in her Heart, which she
From all brave Rivals his resolves shall be.
'Mongst those, Mazara, one, whose noble blood
Enrich'd the Gems of Vertue, though they stood
In Honours Altitude, was chief, nor could
A nobler Choice, were her Affections rul'd
By Worth, commend her Judgment, his fresh youth
Being Crownd with Vertues which might raise a truth,
Above Hyperboles, his Nature mild,
As was the Gaulless Dove, yet not the wild
And furious Lion, when provok'd could have
More daring Valour, an untimely Grave,
Whilst it ith' Embrio was, to every Vice,
But unto Vertue a fair Paradice;
Whose weedless Banks no pining Winter knew,
Till Death the Iufluence of warm Life withdrew.
Enrich'd the Gems of Vertue, though they stood
In Honours Altitude, was chief, nor could
A nobler Choice, were her Affections rul'd
By Worth, commend her Judgment, his fresh youth
Being Crownd with Vertues which might raise a truth,
Above Hyperboles, his Nature mild,
As was the Gaulless Dove, yet not the wild
And furious Lion, when provok'd could have
More daring Valour, an untimely Grave,
Whilst it ith' Embrio was, to every Vice,
But unto Vertue a fair Paradice;
Whose weedless Banks no pining Winter knew,
Till Death the Iufluence of warm Life withdrew.
That sympathy of meeting Vertues, which
Did both their Souls with equal worth enrich,
'Twixt him, and brave Euriolus had ty'd
A League not to be broke, could Love divide
His Blessings amongst Friends; But that of all
Our Passions brooks no Rival, fear may call,
Friends to partake of Palsies, Anger strives
To fire each neighbouring Bosome, Envie thrives
By being transplanted; but a Lovers pure
Flames, though converted to a Calenture,
Unwillingly with the least flame will part,
Although to thaw anothers frozen heart.
Did both their Souls with equal worth enrich,
'Twixt him, and brave Euriolus had ty'd
A League not to be broke, could Love divide
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Our Passions brooks no Rival, fear may call,
Friends to partake of Palsies, Anger strives
To fire each neighbouring Bosome, Envie thrives
By being transplanted; but a Lovers pure
Flames, though converted to a Calenture,
Unwillingly with the least flame will part,
Although to thaw anothers frozen heart.
Few 'mongst th' observant Wits oth' Court yet knew
(Though it with twisted Eye-beams strengthend grew,
At every interview, and often dropt
Some Tears to water it) whose Love 'twas stopt,
Mazara's Sute, Euriolus to her
Whose melting pity only could confer
A Cure, unlocks the Secrets, whilst the other
More confident to win, nere strives to smoother
A Passion so legitimate, but by
All actual Complements, declares how high
He priz'd her Vertues, but this Worthies Fate,
Fixt him in Loves intemperate Zone, too late
The pining Fruit was sown, the Spring so far
Being spent, its dayes were grown Canicular;
Schortching all hopes, but what made able were
By fruitful Tears Loves April Showers, to bear
Neglects untimely Frosts, which oft have lost
In bloomy Springs, the unhappy Lovers cost.
(Though it with twisted Eye-beams strengthend grew,
At every interview, and often dropt
Some Tears to water it) whose Love 'twas stopt,
Mazara's Sute, Euriolus to her
Whose melting pity only could confer
A Cure, unlocks the Secrets, whilst the other
More confident to win, nere strives to smoother
A Passion so legitimate, but by
All actual Complements, declares how high
He priz'd her Vertues, but this Worthies Fate,
Fixt him in Loves intemperate Zone, too late
The pining Fruit was sown, the Spring so far
Being spent, its dayes were grown Canicular;
Schortching all hopes, but what made able were
By fruitful Tears Loves April Showers, to bear
Neglects untimely Frosts, which oft have lost
In bloomy Springs, the unhappy Lovers cost.
When this accomplisht Youth, whose Tongue and Pen
With Negatives more firm and frequent, then
Curst Usurers give impoverisht Clients, oft
Had been repuls'd, truth for discovery brought
This Accident, within the royal Court
Of bright Pharonnida, a full Resort
Of valiant Knights were met, conven'd to try,
Whose Valour Fortune meant to glorifie;
Of which selected number there was one,
Who though a stranger, Vertue soon made known
To all, 'cause fear'd of most, his valour had,
Before the first triumphant day unclad
The silver-vested Hemisphear, been oft
Cloathd in the Ornaments of Honour, brought
On Fames fair wings from the opposing part
Uncresting them to crown his high desert.
With Negatives more firm and frequent, then
Curst Usurers give impoverisht Clients, oft
Had been repuls'd, truth for discovery brought
This Accident, within the royal Court
Of bright Pharonnida, a full Resort
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Whose Valour Fortune meant to glorifie;
Of which selected number there was one,
Who though a stranger, Vertue soon made known
To all, 'cause fear'd of most, his valour had,
Before the first triumphant day unclad
The silver-vested Hemisphear, been oft
Cloathd in the Ornaments of Honour, brought
On Fames fair wings from the opposing part
Uncresting them to crown his high desert.
But now, when this new Constellation neer
Its Zenith drew, in Honours Hemisphear,
Cald thither by deciding Lots, the brave
Euriolus appears, whom Victory gave,
In the first shock success, and plac'd his Name
In the Meridian Altitude of Fame;
Where, though the valiant stranger prove no Foe,
So fortunately valiant do ore-throw
the structure of his Fate, yet his close Stars
Now sinks a Mine, to which those open Wars
But easie dangers were; Mazara in
His Crest a Scarff, that formerly had been
Known for Florenza's, seeing jealous Love
Converted into Rage, his Passions move
Above the sphear of Reason, and what late
Was but a gentle blaze, by alterd Fate,
Fires to a Comet, whose malignant beams
Foretold sad Ills, attending Loves extreams.
Its Zenith drew, in Honours Hemisphear,
Cald thither by deciding Lots, the brave
Euriolus appears, whom Victory gave,
In the first shock success, and plac'd his Name
In the Meridian Altitude of Fame;
Where, though the valiant stranger prove no Foe,
So fortunately valiant do ore-throw
the structure of his Fate, yet his close Stars
Now sinks a Mine, to which those open Wars
But easie dangers were; Mazara in
His Crest a Scarff, that formerly had been
Known for Florenza's, seeing jealous Love
Converted into Rage, his Passions move
Above the sphear of Reason, and what late
Was but a gentle blaze, by alterd Fate,
Fires to a Comet, whose malignant beams
Foretold sad Ills, attending Loves extreams.
Loth to betray his Passions in so great
A breach of Friendship, to a close Retreat,
Mazara summons forward Rage; yet in
The strangers Name, whose Fortune might have been
The Parent of a private Quarrel, sends
To call Euriolus, who now attends
Nought but triumphant mirth, unguarded by
Applauding Friends, in secret Fight to try,
What power did him from threatning danger guard,
When publick Fame was Victories Reward.
A breach of Friendship, to a close Retreat,
Mazara summons forward Rage; yet in
The strangers Name, whose Fortune might have been
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To call Euriolus, who now attends
Nought but triumphant mirth, unguarded by
Applauding Friends, in secret Fight to try,
What power did him from threatning danger guard,
When publick Fame was Victories Reward.
This fatal Scroll receiv'd, by him that thought
It real truth, since Passion might have sought
In him the same delay, a swift consent
Returns his Answer, but the Message went
So far from its directed Road, that ere
It reacht Mazara's, loose Neglect did bear
It to Carina's Ear, a Lady that
In silent tears her heart had offerd at
His Vertues Shrine, yet with such secret zeal,
Her Eyes forbid their Cupids to reveal,
That Language of her heart, she knew that in
Florenza's Sea of Merits, hers had been
Shipwrackt and lost, yet with a Soul as far
From envying her, as hating him, this War
Of factious Passions she maintains, and since
Reason now wanted Language to convince
Those head-strong Rebels, she resolves to be
Though ruin'd, ruld by their Democracy.
It real truth, since Passion might have sought
In him the same delay, a swift consent
Returns his Answer, but the Message went
So far from its directed Road, that ere
It reacht Mazara's, loose Neglect did bear
It to Carina's Ear, a Lady that
In silent tears her heart had offerd at
His Vertues Shrine, yet with such secret zeal,
Her Eyes forbid their Cupids to reveal,
That Language of her heart, she knew that in
Florenza's Sea of Merits, hers had been
Shipwrackt and lost, yet with a Soul as far
From envying her, as hating him, this War
Of factious Passions she maintains, and since
Reason now wanted Language to convince
Those head-strong Rebels, she resolves to be
Though ruin'd, ruld by their Democracy.
The Information her officious Maide,
Had from Mazara's careless Page betrayd;
Assures Carina the preceding Night,
Such Horse and Armour as the stranger Knight,
Euriolus had conquer'd in, had been
By his most cautious diligence within,
A (not far distant Wood) in whose black shade
He meant his Fury should his Foe invade:
Lodg'd by his Master, which discoverd truth,
Frighting her tears from the swift chase of Youth,
And Beauty into froward Age, to meet
Sorrow in private shades, withdraws the sweet
But sad Carina, who resolves to spend
Her sighs unnoted by her dearest Friend.
Had from Mazara's careless Page betrayd;
Assures Carina the preceding Night,
Such Horse and Armour as the stranger Knight,
Euriolus had conquer'd in, had been
By his most cautious diligence within,
A (not far distant Wood) in whose black shade
He meant his Fury should his Foe invade:
180
Frighting her tears from the swift chase of Youth,
And Beauty into froward Age, to meet
Sorrow in private shades, withdraws the sweet
But sad Carina, who resolves to spend
Her sighs unnoted by her dearest Friend.
This in Florenza, who fore-saw that nought,
But Passions more then common, could have wrought
So swift a change, works high, who that she might
Dis-plume these Ravens, ere the Babes of Light,
Smile in their weeping Mothers Face, prepares
To see Carina, who with wakeful cares,
Her sad Companions by her friend surpriz'd,
No longer in their Ebbon Vail disguiz'd
Her thoughts pure candor; but with looks that did
Seem to implore Assistance, whilst they chid
Her own indulgent Nature, shews her how
Preposterous Love made her to Passions bow,
Whose fruit, since none of her first Planters came
From forward man, could be but female shame.
But Passions more then common, could have wrought
So swift a change, works high, who that she might
Dis-plume these Ravens, ere the Babes of Light,
Smile in their weeping Mothers Face, prepares
To see Carina, who with wakeful cares,
Her sad Companions by her friend surpriz'd,
No longer in their Ebbon Vail disguiz'd
Her thoughts pure candor; but with looks that did
Seem to implore Assistance, whilst they chid
Her own indulgent Nature, shews her how
Preposterous Love made her to Passions bow,
Whose fruit, since none of her first Planters came
From forward man, could be but female shame.
This (with its fatal Authour) known to free
Her Friend from shame, her self from cruelty,
Unto Mazara whose firm Love attends
Her least Commands, incenst Florenza sends,
Whose zeal transported Soul no sooner hears
That welcome sound, but though presaging fears,
Prompt him to stay, least haughty honour fall
Ruin'd by Fame, he lets her Standards fall
Before commanding Love, and goes to wait
On's honourd Mistress; but this sly deceit
Of hope, no Cordial proves, unto the sad
Carina's grief, the long experience had
Of his Affection to Florenza tells
Her doubtful Soul, those even Parallels
Could not by all her Friends perswasions be
Wrested into the least obliquity;
Which sad mistrust did Love precipitate,
On pathes whose danger frights protecting Fate.
Her Friend from shame, her self from cruelty,
Unto Mazara whose firm Love attends
Her least Commands, incenst Florenza sends,
Whose zeal transported Soul no sooner hears
That welcome sound, but though presaging fears,
Prompt him to stay, least haughty honour fall
Ruin'd by Fame, he lets her Standards fall
Before commanding Love, and goes to wait
On's honourd Mistress; but this sly deceit
Of hope, no Cordial proves, unto the sad
Carina's grief, the long experience had
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Her doubtful Soul, those even Parallels
Could not by all her Friends perswasions be
Wrested into the least obliquity;
Which sad mistrust did Love precipitate,
On pathes whose danger frights protecting Fate.
Assur'd the Combates hour drew on, and that
Mazara's love-sick Soul was offering at
Florenza's Shrine, and by that willing stay,
Might be inforc'd some Minutes to delay
The time, in which his readier Opposite,
Expected him, she being resolv'd to write
Affection in her blood, with Loves wild hast,
Makes toward the Lists, there finds his Armour plac'd
Within the dark shade of an ancient Wood,
In whose black breast that place of horrour stood,
Where they appoint to meet, like those of Fate,
Obscure and dark by Beasts and Birds, that hate
The Light alone frequented; but love had
Dis-plum'd fears Haggars, being resolv'd she clad
Beauties fair Pearl, where smooth delights did dwell,
Ith' rough-cast Mould of that Ciclopian shell.
Mazara's love-sick Soul was offering at
Florenza's Shrine, and by that willing stay,
Might be inforc'd some Minutes to delay
The time, in which his readier Opposite,
Expected him, she being resolv'd to write
Affection in her blood, with Loves wild hast,
Makes toward the Lists, there finds his Armour plac'd
Within the dark shade of an ancient Wood,
In whose black breast that place of horrour stood,
Where they appoint to meet, like those of Fate,
Obscure and dark by Beasts and Birds, that hate
The Light alone frequented; but love had
Dis-plum'd fears Haggars, being resolv'd she clad
Beauties fair Pearl, where smooth delights did dwell,
Ith' rough-cast Mould of that Ciclopian shell.
But that no Armes, nor bounding Steeds affright,
Where Loves fair hand hath Valours pasport wright,
Here we should pause, and pity her that now
Fancy beholds, whilst she is learning how,
To manage stubborn steel, within her sleek
And pollisht hand, through devious pathes to seek
For doubtful dangers, such whose horrid shape,
On mans best judgment, might commit a Rape.
Where Loves fair hand hath Valours pasport wright,
Here we should pause, and pity her that now
Fancy beholds, whilst she is learning how,
To manage stubborn steel, within her sleek
And pollisht hand, through devious pathes to seek
For doubtful dangers, such whose horrid shape,
On mans best judgment, might commit a Rape.
Her swift Conductor Love, ere this had brought
Her to the place, where Passion had not sought
Long for the Object of her hate, ere she
Her valiant Brother, that was come to be
His Fames Protector sees, but so disguiz'd
In's Armes, that both, with envy unadviz'd,
By knowledge an unthought of guilt prepare,
In blood to meet; their foaming Horses were
Now freed from the commanding Rain, and in
Their full Carier; but Love in vain to win
The Field from Valour strives, her eager hast
But argues such an envy as did wast
It self in weak Attempts, which to the length
Of power extended, fals beneath the strength
Of her Victorious Foe, whose Fortune had
In Robes of Joy, what he must weep for clad.
Her to the place, where Passion had not sought
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Her valiant Brother, that was come to be
His Fames Protector sees, but so disguiz'd
In's Armes, that both, with envy unadviz'd,
By knowledge an unthought of guilt prepare,
In blood to meet; their foaming Horses were
Now freed from the commanding Rain, and in
Their full Carier; but Love in vain to win
The Field from Valour strives, her eager hast
But argues such an envy as did wast
It self in weak Attempts, which to the length
Of power extended, fals beneath the strength
Of her Victorious Foe, whose Fortune had
In Robes of Joy, what he must weep for clad.
Conquer'd Carina now dismounted lay,
Struggling for life, whose Fortress to betray
Toward Natures Tyrant Death, her blood transports
False Spirits through their purple Salliports.
Her Brother with an Anger that was grown
Into disdain, his Fury should be shewn,
On such resistless Subjects, ere he knows
How much of grief his Soul to sorrow owes,
For this unhappy Act, froms finisht course
Was now returning, not by strength to force
The harsh Commands of Tyrant Victors, but
By calm advice, a bloodless end to put,
To that ill-manag'd Quarrel: but before
He there arrives, to make his sorrows more,
When truth unvails their dark design, a Knight
With hast as speedy as the secret flight
Of wrath, when wing'd from angry Heaven, he saw
Bolted into the Lists, who soon did draw
Too neer in sober Language to dispute
Their fatal Quarrel, both, with Rage grown mute
Disdaining conference, found no place for words,
Amidst the mortal Language of their Swords;
Which, the first shock past o're, and Lances broke,
In hast took place, and at each furious stroke,
Unbay'd the Fountains of their blood, to stain
With purple guilt the Flower-enamel'd Plain.
Struggling for life, whose Fortress to betray
Toward Natures Tyrant Death, her blood transports
False Spirits through their purple Salliports.
Her Brother with an Anger that was grown
Into disdain, his Fury should be shewn,
On such resistless Subjects, ere he knows
How much of grief his Soul to sorrow owes,
For this unhappy Act, froms finisht course
Was now returning, not by strength to force
The harsh Commands of Tyrant Victors, but
By calm advice, a bloodless end to put,
To that ill-manag'd Quarrel: but before
He there arrives, to make his sorrows more,
When truth unvails their dark design, a Knight
With hast as speedy as the secret flight
Of wrath, when wing'd from angry Heaven, he saw
Bolted into the Lists, who soon did draw
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Their fatal Quarrel, both, with Rage grown mute
Disdaining conference, found no place for words,
Amidst the mortal Language of their Swords;
Which, the first shock past o're, and Lances broke,
In hast took place, and at each furious stroke,
Unbay'd the Fountains of their blood, to stain
With purple guilt the Flower-enamel'd Plain.
Whilst each did thus with silent Rage imploy,
An Art directed Fury to destroy
The others strength, the bordering shadows weep,
In trickling Dews, and with sad murmures keep
Time with the hollow, and ill boding Note,
Sent from a fatal Ravens stretcht-out Throat;
Which from an old Oaks witherd top did sing
A baleful Dirg; but these sad Omens bring
No terror to their busie thoughts, which were
Too much imployd in Action, to take care
For any danger more remote, then what
With the next stroke might fall; perceiving that
Their Horses faint, they both dismount, and do
On equal terms the Fight on foot renew,
Till a Cessation from the want of breath,
Not Valour was enforc'd: the Vail which death
Contracted from those steams, his wreaking blood
Breathd forth its Spirits in already stood,
Over Mazara's Eyes, which clouded sees
Not that approach of Night; his trembling Knees
Stagger beneath their fainting Load, which in
To th' Grave had dropt, had not their fury bin
When its last heat was with Lifes flame neer spent
From further Rage, restraind by accident.
An Art directed Fury to destroy
The others strength, the bordering shadows weep,
In trickling Dews, and with sad murmures keep
Time with the hollow, and ill boding Note,
Sent from a fatal Ravens stretcht-out Throat;
Which from an old Oaks witherd top did sing
A baleful Dirg; but these sad Omens bring
No terror to their busie thoughts, which were
Too much imployd in Action, to take care
For any danger more remote, then what
With the next stroke might fall; perceiving that
Their Horses faint, they both dismount, and do
On equal terms the Fight on foot renew,
Till a Cessation from the want of breath,
Not Valour was enforc'd: the Vail which death
Contracted from those steams, his wreaking blood
Breathd forth its Spirits in already stood,
Over Mazara's Eyes, which clouded sees
Not that approach of Night; his trembling Knees
Stagger beneath their fainting Load, which in
To th' Grave had dropt, had not their fury bin
When its last heat was with Lifes flame neer spent
From further Rage, restraind by accident.
184
Some of the lost Carina's frighted Friends,
Fearing those Ills which desperate Love attends,
Spending that Morning in the fruitless Quest,
Of her had been, and now (their hopes distrest
With vain inquiries) to communicate,
Their Grief returning were, which secret Fate,
To interpose, through dark Meanders brought,
Neglect to find what care in vain had sought.
Fearing those Ills which desperate Love attends,
Spending that Morning in the fruitless Quest,
Of her had been, and now (their hopes distrest
With vain inquiries) to communicate,
Their Grief returning were, which secret Fate,
To interpose, through dark Meanders brought,
Neglect to find what care in vain had sought.
Whilst yet no more then brave humanity,
Prompts them to part a Quarrel that might be
Defil'd with blood, which if not shead in Wars,
With Murther stains, what it doth guild with Scars:
They toward them hast, even in that critical
And dangerous Minute, when Mazara's fall,
With Vict'ries Laurels to adorn his Crest,
His valiant Friend had rob'd of future rest,
Had not this blest relief of Innocence,
The one from death, the other from expence
Of tears restraind, before Revenge had found
So much of Guilt as might his Conscience wound.
Prompts them to part a Quarrel that might be
Defil'd with blood, which if not shead in Wars,
With Murther stains, what it doth guild with Scars:
They toward them hast, even in that critical
And dangerous Minute, when Mazara's fall,
With Vict'ries Laurels to adorn his Crest,
His valiant Friend had rob'd of future rest,
Had not this blest relief of Innocence,
The one from death, the other from expence
Of tears restraind, before Revenge had found
So much of Guilt as might his Conscience wound.
His high wrought Rage stopt by too many hands,
To vent its heat, Euriolus now stands,
Shook with the Feaver of his anger, till
Those Friends which saw Mazara grown so ill
With wounds, to gasp for breath, by giving way
For aire, they to the Victors view betray
His best of Friends, at which afflicting sight,
Cursing the cause of that unhappy fight;
His Sword as guilty thrown aside, he hasts
To his Relief, in which kind act none wasts
Their friendly help, Life, as but stoln from pain,
Behind the Vail of death appears again
On Natures Frontiers, whose returning flame,
Though scarce of strength to warm, lookt red with shame,
When he so many wel-known Friends beheld,
Sad Witnesses, how much his passion sweld
Above the Banks, where Reason should have stayd,
When to that meeting it his Friend betrayd.
To vent its heat, Euriolus now stands,
Shook with the Feaver of his anger, till
Those Friends which saw Mazara grown so ill
With wounds, to gasp for breath, by giving way
For aire, they to the Victors view betray
His best of Friends, at which afflicting sight,
Cursing the cause of that unhappy fight;
His Sword as guilty thrown aside, he hasts
To his Relief, in which kind act none wasts
Their friendly help, Life, as but stoln from pain,
Behind the Vail of death appears again
185
Though scarce of strength to warm, lookt red with shame,
When he so many wel-known Friends beheld,
Sad Witnesses, how much his passion sweld
Above the Banks, where Reason should have stayd,
When to that meeting it his Friend betrayd.
Their Vails of steel remov'd, each now beholds,
What shame and wonder in firm Contracts folds.
Amaz'd stands brave Euriolus to see,
None but his Friend, his honourd Friend should be
The Parent of that Quarel, shame confounds
Mazara more, and from internal wounds
(Though like the red Seas Springs his other bled)
Perhaps less danger, but more torment bred.
Both now by his unforc'd confession knew
Whose equal'd honourd Beauty 'twas that drew
Them to this fatal Combate, whose event
Him neer the Grave on Loves vain Errant sent.
What shame and wonder in firm Contracts folds.
Amaz'd stands brave Euriolus to see,
None but his Friend, his honourd Friend should be
The Parent of that Quarel, shame confounds
Mazara more, and from internal wounds
(Though like the red Seas Springs his other bled)
Perhaps less danger, but more torment bred.
Both now by his unforc'd confession knew
Whose equal'd honourd Beauty 'twas that drew
Them to this fatal Combate, whose event
Him neer the Grave on Loves vain Errant sent.
Friendship renewd in strickt Embraces, they
Are now arriv'd, where weak Carina lay,
So faint with Loves Phlebotomy, that she,
Maskt in forgetful slumbers could not see
Approaching shame, which when discoverd sticks
Lifes fair Carnations on her death-like Cheeks.
Are now arriv'd, where weak Carina lay,
So faint with Loves Phlebotomy, that she,
Maskt in forgetful slumbers could not see
Approaching shame, which when discoverd sticks
Lifes fair Carnations on her death-like Cheeks.
Hasting to see, what over-forward Rage,
That unknown strangers weakness did engage,
In that unhappy Quarrel they beheld,
At the first glance an Object that expeld,
Into the shades of Sorrows Wilderness,
All temperate thoughts, his Sisters sad distress
Wrought by his Arme, whose strength betrayd her neer
The Grave, did to Euriolus appear,
Dreadful, as if some treacherous friend had shown
Those flames in which his scortcht Companions grone.
That unknown strangers weakness did engage,
In that unhappy Quarrel they beheld,
At the first glance an Object that expeld,
Into the shades of Sorrows Wilderness,
All temperate thoughts, his Sisters sad distress
Wrought by his Arme, whose strength betrayd her neer
The Grave, did to Euriolus appear,
186
Those flames in which his scortcht Companions grone.
Nor did Mazara, though but prompted by
Pity (that tender Child of sympathy)
With less relenting sorrow live to see,
Loves bloody Trophies, though unknown to be
By his victorious Beauty reard; to save
From the cold grasp of an untimely Grave,
So ripe a Virgin, whilst her Brother stands
Unnerv'd with grief, amongst the helpful hands
Of other Friends are his imployd, till by
Their useful aide; fled Life returns to try,
Once more the Actions of the world, before
It shot the Gulf of Death; but on the shore
Of active Nature, was no sooner set,
But that (together with the Light) she met
Her far more welcome Lover, whom whilst she
Beholds with trembling, Heaven resolv'd to free
A suffering Captive, turns his pity to
So much of Passion, as ere long Love grew
On the same Stem, whose Flowers to propagate;
She in these words uncurtains mystick Fate.
Pity (that tender Child of sympathy)
With less relenting sorrow live to see,
Loves bloody Trophies, though unknown to be
By his victorious Beauty reard; to save
From the cold grasp of an untimely Grave,
So ripe a Virgin, whilst her Brother stands
Unnerv'd with grief, amongst the helpful hands
Of other Friends are his imployd, till by
Their useful aide; fled Life returns to try,
Once more the Actions of the world, before
It shot the Gulf of Death; but on the shore
Of active Nature, was no sooner set,
But that (together with the Light) she met
Her far more welcome Lover, whom whilst she
Beholds with trembling, Heaven resolv'd to free
A suffering Captive, turns his pity to
So much of Passion, as ere long Love grew
On the same Stem, whose Flowers to propagate;
She in these words uncurtains mystick Fate.
Forbear your aide brave Sir, and let me dy,
Ere live the Author of a Prodigy,
That future times shall curse: yet pardon me,
Dear Brother, Heaven will nere impute to thee,
The guilt of blood, twas my unhappy Love
Which rais'd this Storm, which if my prayers may prove
In death successful, let me crave of you,
Dear Sir, to whom I long have born a true
But indiscreet affection, that from hence
For poor Carina's sake, for this expence
Of tears and blood, you would preserve those dear
Respects of Friendship, that did once appear
Confirmd betwixt you, and, although my Fate,
Unto the worst of Ills precipitate
My Fame and Life, oh let my name not be
Offensive to your Ear, this, this for me,
Is all you shall perform; which spoke, she'd let
Her hovering Soul forth, to have paid the Debt
Of Nature to the Grave, had not shee bin
By some assisting Friends, whilst dropping in,
Stayd at the last step, and brought back to meet
The Bridal Pair, no single winding Sheet.
Ere live the Author of a Prodigy,
That future times shall curse: yet pardon me,
Dear Brother, Heaven will nere impute to thee,
The guilt of blood, twas my unhappy Love
Which rais'd this Storm, which if my prayers may prove
In death successful, let me crave of you,
Dear Sir, to whom I long have born a true
But indiscreet affection, that from hence
For poor Carina's sake, for this expence
187
Respects of Friendship, that did once appear
Confirmd betwixt you, and, although my Fate,
Unto the worst of Ills precipitate
My Fame and Life, oh let my name not be
Offensive to your Ear, this, this for me,
Is all you shall perform; which spoke, she'd let
Her hovering Soul forth, to have paid the Debt
Of Nature to the Grave, had not shee bin
By some assisting Friends, whilst dropping in,
Stayd at the last step, and brought back to meet
The Bridal Pair, no single winding Sheet.
This doubtful Combate ended, they are to
The Court conveyd, where Fame upon this new
Text Commenting, in various Characters
Transcribes her sence; some this bold Act of hers
Term un-becoming Passion, others brave
Heroick love; but what most comfort gave,
To cur'd Carina, was, that this lost blood,
Had prov'd Loves Balm, and in a purple flood,
Washt from her heart Grief's sable stains, for now
Merit had taught her dear Mazara how,
To prize her verteous Love, and for its sake
Its Cabinet her hearts best Temple make.
The Court conveyd, where Fame upon this new
Text Commenting, in various Characters
Transcribes her sence; some this bold Act of hers
Term un-becoming Passion, others brave
Heroick love; but what most comfort gave,
To cur'd Carina, was, that this lost blood,
Had prov'd Loves Balm, and in a purple flood,
Washt from her heart Grief's sable stains, for now
Merit had taught her dear Mazara how,
To prize her verteous Love, and for its sake
Its Cabinet her hearts best Temple make.
Thus Passions troubl'd Sea had settl'd in
A smooth and gentle calm, had there not been
Unhappily, to blast their sweet content,
Not long before an Act for th' banishment,
Of all such Courtiers made, as should without
A Licence from the Councel, fight about
What ever private Quarrel, but not this
Mazara, or his new choice frights; their bliss
Stood on more firm foundations then the Courts
Uncertain Favours were, whose glorious sports
Although he left, it was not to retire
To sullen cares, what Honour could require,
A state which cal'd him her unquestiond Lord,
Without depending favours did afford.
A smooth and gentle calm, had there not been
Unhappily, to blast their sweet content,
Not long before an Act for th' banishment,
Of all such Courtiers made, as should without
A Licence from the Councel, fight about
What ever private Quarrel, but not this
Mazara, or his new choice frights; their bliss
188
Uncertain Favours were, whose glorious sports
Although he left, it was not to retire
To sullen cares, what Honour could require,
A state which cal'd him her unquestiond Lord,
Without depending favours did afford.
But whilst we leave this noble Lover by
This Mandate freed, from what before did tye
Unto a troublesome Attendance; we
From brave Euriolus are forc'd to be
With sorrow parted, since the generall love,
His Vertue had obtaind, wants strength to move
The ponderous doom; ere his impoverisht heart,
Grown poor in streams, could from Lifes springs impart
Warm blood enough for his pale Cheeks to drink
A Health to Beauty, he's enforc'd to think
Of that sad theam of parting, on whose sense,
His griev'd Soul dictates sighs, yet could dispense
Even with its harshest rigour, were there but
Any acception in it, that might put
Out parting with Florenza, that though he
Were shrunk into his former poverty,
(Calling the rugged frowns of Fate) would bear
A Brow unclouded with Ambitions care.
This Mandate freed, from what before did tye
Unto a troublesome Attendance; we
From brave Euriolus are forc'd to be
With sorrow parted, since the generall love,
His Vertue had obtaind, wants strength to move
The ponderous doom; ere his impoverisht heart,
Grown poor in streams, could from Lifes springs impart
Warm blood enough for his pale Cheeks to drink
A Health to Beauty, he's enforc'd to think
Of that sad theam of parting, on whose sense,
His griev'd Soul dictates sighs, yet could dispense
Even with its harshest rigour, were there but
Any acception in it, that might put
Out parting with Florenza, that though he
Were shrunk into his former poverty,
(Calling the rugged frowns of Fate) would bear
A Brow unclouded with Ambitions care.
But he must go, not all the Rhetorick
Of tempting Love could plead against the quick
Approach of time, whose speedy motion now,
Only some slippery Minutes did allow
Their parting tears, in whose exalted flood,
Had Reason not with future hopes withstood
The rising stream, Loves Summer Fruits had been
(Ore-whelmd with grief) for ever buried in
A delluge of Despair; but that, whilst she,
With such sad looks, as wintring Scithians see
The Sun hasts toward the Artick Pole, beholds
His slow departure, glimmering hope unfolds
Twylight, which now foretels their frozen fear,
Day may return to Loves cold Hemisphear.
Of tempting Love could plead against the quick
Approach of time, whose speedy motion now,
Only some slippery Minutes did allow
Their parting tears, in whose exalted flood,
Had Reason not with future hopes withstood
The rising stream, Loves Summer Fruits had been
(Ore-whelmd with grief) for ever buried in
189
With such sad looks, as wintring Scithians see
The Sun hasts toward the Artick Pole, beholds
His slow departure, glimmering hope unfolds
Twylight, which now foretels their frozen fear,
Day may return to Loves cold Hemisphear.
The end of the first Canto.
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