Pharonnida A Heroick Poem. By William Chamberlayne |
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| IV. | CANTO IV. |
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 | Pharonnida |  |
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CANTO IV.
The Argument.
I
Now, as if that great Engineer of ill,Accurst Almanzor, had accomplisht all
Those black designs, which are ordaia'd to fill
The Spartan Annals, by his Princes fall:
II
With secret spight, yet such as seem'd to beFrom an advis'd Protector of the State,
Pharonnida's ill fate assisting, he
Toward her destruction prosecutes his hate.
That dismal Night which in the dark records
Of story, yet so much of fate affords
In the Morean Annals, had to Day
Resign'd its reign, whose Eastern beams display
Their morning-beauties, by whose welcom light
The early Courtier, tir'd with tedious night,
Rises to meet expected triumphs, in
Their Princes nuptials, which so long had bin
The joyful business of their thoughts, that now
Sallying to action, they're instructed how
To court observance from the studied pain
Of best inventions, by attractive gain
Join'd to the itch of ostentative art,
Were thither drawn from each adjacent part.
Of story, yet so much of fate affords
In the Morean Annals, had to Day
Resign'd its reign, whose Eastern beams display
Their morning-beauties, by whose welcom light
The early Courtier, tir'd with tedious night,
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Their Princes nuptials, which so long had bin
The joyful business of their thoughts, that now
Sallying to action, they're instructed how
To court observance from the studied pain
Of best inventions, by attractive gain
Join'd to the itch of ostentative art,
Were thither drawn from each adjacent part.
In this swell'd torrent of expected mirth
Which all conclude must make this morning birth
To future Ages celebrated by
An annual triumph, the disparity
Of passion (sorrow) first breaks forth among
The slain Epirot's followers, who so long
Had mist their master, that they now begin
To doubt his safety, every place had bin
By strict enquiry search'd, to which they knew
Either affection or imployment drew
His frequent visits; but with an effect
So vain, their care serv'd only to detect
Their love, not him its object, who might have
Lain till corruption sought it self a grave,
Had not an early Forrester, so near
The place approach'd, that maugre all that fear
Alleag'd to stop a full discovery, he
Beheld so much as taught him how to free
His friends from further fruitless searches, in
Discovering what beneath their fears had bin.
Which all conclude must make this morning birth
To future Ages celebrated by
An annual triumph, the disparity
Of passion (sorrow) first breaks forth among
The slain Epirot's followers, who so long
Had mist their master, that they now begin
To doubt his safety, every place had bin
By strict enquiry search'd, to which they knew
Either affection or imployment drew
His frequent visits; but with an effect
So vain, their care serv'd only to detect
Their love, not him its object, who might have
Lain till corruption sought it self a grave,
Had not an early Forrester, so near
The place approach'd, that maugre all that fear
Alleag'd to stop a full discovery, he
Beheld so much as taught him how to free
His friends from further fruitless searches, in
Discovering what beneath their fears had bin.
157
In sorrow, such as left no power to vent
Its symptoms, but a deep astonishment
Th'amaz'd Messenians, whom a sad belief
Depriv'd of hope, did entertain their grief,
Whose swift infection to communicate
Their murther'd Prince, as if pale death kept state
Clad in the crimson robes of blood, is to
The City brought, where whilst the publick view
In busie murmurs spread her sable wings,
Pale terror to the Court, griefs center, brings
The dreadful truth, which some officious Lord
Whom favor did the priviledge afford
Of easie entrance, through the guards of fear,
In haste conveys t'assault the Princes ear.
Its symptoms, but a deep astonishment
Th'amaz'd Messenians, whom a sad belief
Depriv'd of hope, did entertain their grief,
Whose swift infection to communicate
Their murther'd Prince, as if pale death kept state
Clad in the crimson robes of blood, is to
The City brought, where whilst the publick view
In busie murmurs spread her sable wings,
Pale terror to the Court, griefs center, brings
The dreadful truth, which some officious Lord
Whom favor did the priviledge afford
Of easie entrance, through the guards of fear,
In haste conveys t'assault the Princes ear.
With such a silence as did seem to shew
Unwelcom news is in its entrance slow,
Enter'd the room, he's with soft pace unto
The bed approach'd, whose curtains when withdrew
Discover'd horror in the dismal dress
Of death appears; freed from the slow distress
Of Age (that coward tyrant) which ne'r shews
His strength till man wants vigor to oppose
Through deaths dark gates fled to the gloomy shade,
Whose fear, or hope, not knowledge doth invade
Our fancies yet, he mans material part
There only sees; which form, whose heavenly art
Tunes motion into'th faculties of life,
Had now forsook the elemental strife
Which had so long at concord aim'd, was now
Silenc'd in death, on his majestick brow
No awefull frown did sit, the bloods retreat,
From life and action left his cheeks the seat
Of deaths cold guest, which summon'd by his fate
There in a pale and ghastly horror sate.
Unwelcom news is in its entrance slow,
Enter'd the room, he's with soft pace unto
The bed approach'd, whose curtains when withdrew
Discover'd horror in the dismal dress
Of death appears; freed from the slow distress
Of Age (that coward tyrant) which ne'r shews
His strength till man wants vigor to oppose
Through deaths dark gates fled to the gloomy shade,
Whose fear, or hope, not knowledge doth invade
Our fancies yet, he mans material part
There only sees; which form, whose heavenly art
Tunes motion into'th faculties of life,
Had now forsook the elemental strife
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Silenc'd in death, on his majestick brow
No awefull frown did sit, the bloods retreat,
From life and action left his cheeks the seat
Of deaths cold guest, which summon'd by his fate
There in a pale and ghastly horror sate.
Whilst the astonish'd Courtier did behold
This with such trembling, as when graves unfold,
Their Doom-dayes curtains, sinfull bodies shall
Rise from their urns, eternally to fall;
His stay, caus'd from restrictive fear, had drew
In more Spectators, to whose wandring view
This ghastly object when oppos'd had strook
So swift a terror, that their fears forsook
The safe retreats of Reason, seeing life
Had now concluded all the busie strife
Of natures conflicts by delivering those
Time-shaken Forts unto more powerfull foes,
Outcries in vain attempts for pitty to
Scale heaven, whose ear, when from their prayers withdrew
The Court (now of her royal head bereft)
In a still calm of hopeless sorrow left.
This with such trembling, as when graves unfold,
Their Doom-dayes curtains, sinfull bodies shall
Rise from their urns, eternally to fall;
His stay, caus'd from restrictive fear, had drew
In more Spectators, to whose wandring view
This ghastly object when oppos'd had strook
So swift a terror, that their fears forsook
The safe retreats of Reason, seeing life
Had now concluded all the busie strife
Of natures conflicts by delivering those
Time-shaken Forts unto more powerfull foes,
Outcries in vain attempts for pitty to
Scale heaven, whose ear, when from their prayers withdrew
The Court (now of her royal head bereft)
In a still calm of hopeless sorrow left.
Infectious grief, disdaining now to be
Confin'd within the brief Stenographie
Of first Discoverers, spreads it self among
The City herd, whose rude unsteddy throng
Rais'd grief (which in the mourning Court did dwell
In such a silence as an Anch'rites Cell
Ne'r knew a heavier solitude) into
Exalted outcries whose loud call had drew
From their neglected arts so many, that
What first was choler, now being kindl'd at
Their rage, like humors grown adust had bin
The open breach to let rebellion in;
Had not the wiser Nobles, which did know
That vulgar passions will to tumult grow
When back'd with power, by a new modell'd form
Of counsel soon allay'd this rising storm.
Confin'd within the brief Stenographie
Of first Discoverers, spreads it self among
The City herd, whose rude unsteddy throng
Rais'd grief (which in the mourning Court did dwell
In such a silence as an Anch'rites Cell
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Exalted outcries whose loud call had drew
From their neglected arts so many, that
What first was choler, now being kindl'd at
Their rage, like humors grown adust had bin
The open breach to let rebellion in;
Had not the wiser Nobles, which did know
That vulgar passions will to tumult grow
When back'd with power, by a new modell'd form
Of counsel soon allay'd this rising storm.
Their tears (those fruitless sacrifices to
Unactive grief, wip'd off whilst they did view
The States distemp'red body, to supply
The wants of that departed Majesty,
Which when their Prince from Lifes horizon fell
Fled from their view, before report should tell
This fatal story to the Princess, they
A Councel call, by whose advice she may
Whilst floating in this Sea of sorrow be
Sav'd from those unseen rocks, where treacherie
Rebellions subtile Engineer might sit
To wrack the weakness of a female wit;
Which, though in her such that it might have bin
The whole worlds Pilate, could, since clouded in
Such a tempestuous Sea of passions, see
No Star that might her safe director be.
Unactive grief, wip'd off whilst they did view
The States distemp'red body, to supply
The wants of that departed Majesty,
Which when their Prince from Lifes horizon fell
Fled from their view, before report should tell
This fatal story to the Princess, they
A Councel call, by whose advice she may
Whilst floating in this Sea of sorrow be
Sav'd from those unseen rocks, where treacherie
Rebellions subtile Engineer might sit
To wrack the weakness of a female wit;
Which, though in her such that it might have bin
The whole worlds Pilate, could, since clouded in
Such a tempestuous Sea of passions, see
No Star that might her safe director be.
A Messenger whose sad observant wit
By age allay'd seem'd a conveyer fit
For such important business, with the news
Hasts towards the Princess, whom whilst fear persues
On wings of pity, being arriv'd within
The Palace, he, as that alone had bin
The onely seat where rigid sorrow took
Her fixt abode, beholds each servants look
Obscur'd with grief, through whos dark shades whilst he
Searches the cause, the strange variety
Explains it self, as families that have
Led their protecting Ruler to the grave,
whose loss they in a heedless sorrow mourn
So long, till care doth to distraction turn:
Her servants sate each wildly looking on
The other, till even sense it self was gone
In mourning wonder, whose wilde flight to stay
Its cause, they to the pitying Lord display
In such a tone, as whilst it did detect
The Princess absence, shew'd their own neglect.
By age allay'd seem'd a conveyer fit
160
Hasts towards the Princess, whom whilst fear persues
On wings of pity, being arriv'd within
The Palace, he, as that alone had bin
The onely seat where rigid sorrow took
Her fixt abode, beholds each servants look
Obscur'd with grief, through whos dark shades whilst he
Searches the cause, the strange variety
Explains it self, as families that have
Led their protecting Ruler to the grave,
whose loss they in a heedless sorrow mourn
So long, till care doth to distraction turn:
Her servants sate each wildly looking on
The other, till even sense it self was gone
In mourning wonder, whose wilde flight to stay
Its cause, they to the pitying Lord display
In such a tone, as whilst it did detect
The Princess absence, shew'd their own neglect.
When this he'ad heard, with such a sympathie
Of sorrow as erected grief to be
The mourning Monarch of his thoughts, to those
Return'd that sent him, he that transcript shews
Of this obscure original, the flight
O' th' absent Princess, whilst the veil of night
Obscur'd her passage, tells: but question'd how,
With whom, or whether knowledge did allow
No satisfaction, all inquiry gain'd
From her amaz'd attendants but explain'd
Their grief, whose troubled rivolet flow'd in
To that vast Ocean where before they'd bin
By sorrow shipwrack'd in the general flood
Mixt, wants a language to be understood
In a peculiar character, and so
Conjoyn'd makes up one universal wo.
Of sorrow as erected grief to be
The mourning Monarch of his thoughts, to those
Return'd that sent him, he that transcript shews
Of this obscure original, the flight
O' th' absent Princess, whilst the veil of night
Obscur'd her passage, tells: but question'd how,
With whom, or whether knowledge did allow
No satisfaction, all inquiry gain'd
From her amaz'd attendants but explain'd
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To that vast Ocean where before they'd bin
By sorrow shipwrack'd in the general flood
Mixt, wants a language to be understood
In a peculiar character, and so
Conjoyn'd makes up one universal wo.
Onely, as if love knew alone the art
That taught his followers how to mourn apart,
Sad, sweet Orlinda, whose calm innocence
Had fostred passion at her healths expence,
Whilst wet with grief's oreflowing springs, she to
Her brothers ghost did pay soft natures due
In sorrow of such sad complection, that
Others might lose their own to wonder at;
Yet when (as in the margint plac'd) she hears
Amindor lost, with new supplies of tears
Grief sallying forth, as if to be betray'd
Love now did fear, he draws the bashfull Maid
From those that did the mourning consort keep
Where she unseen for loves decease doth weep,
Frail womans faith, and mans neglect doth blame,
And softly then sighs out Amindors name;
Her lost Amindor, whose suppos'd disdain
Destroy'd those spirits grief could ne'r have slain.
That taught his followers how to mourn apart,
Sad, sweet Orlinda, whose calm innocence
Had fostred passion at her healths expence,
Whilst wet with grief's oreflowing springs, she to
Her brothers ghost did pay soft natures due
In sorrow of such sad complection, that
Others might lose their own to wonder at;
Yet when (as in the margint plac'd) she hears
Amindor lost, with new supplies of tears
Grief sallying forth, as if to be betray'd
Love now did fear, he draws the bashfull Maid
From those that did the mourning consort keep
Where she unseen for loves decease doth weep,
Frail womans faith, and mans neglect doth blame,
And softly then sighs out Amindors name;
Her lost Amindor, whose suppos'd disdain
Destroy'd those spirits grief could ne'r have slain.
And now before that powers decay ingage
To many hands in a vindictive rage
The wise supporters of the State to stay
Increasing factions (which can ne'r obey
Lest fear commands) unto Almanzor send
A mandate which injoyns him to attend
Their Councels in this interregnum, till
Their joynt consent had found out one to fill
The empty throne: which summons prompted by
A care which they interpret loyalty,
Though truely call'd ambition, he obey'd
With such a speed as Love would fly to aid
A ravish'd Lady, having to impede
His march no more then what his care could lead
Even with a singes speed, yet that a strength
Enough to make his will confine the length
Of their desires, who soon in Council sit
But to bewail th' abortion of their wit.
To many hands in a vindictive rage
The wise supporters of the State to stay
Increasing factions (which can ne'r obey
162
A mandate which injoyns him to attend
Their Councels in this interregnum, till
Their joynt consent had found out one to fill
The empty throne: which summons prompted by
A care which they interpret loyalty,
Though truely call'd ambition, he obey'd
With such a speed as Love would fly to aid
A ravish'd Lady, having to impede
His march no more then what his care could lead
Even with a singes speed, yet that a strength
Enough to make his will confine the length
Of their desires, who soon in Council sit
But to bewail th' abortion of their wit.
The frighted City having entred in
A mourning march, as if his thoughts had bin
A stranger to the sad events of this
So dismal night, he by relation is
Inform'd of each particular, which he
Seeming to hear in griefs extremity,
From silent sorrow which appear'd to wait
On still attention, his prepar'd deceit
Disguis'd in rage appears, a rage which in
Its active flight to finde what hearts had bin
Defil'd with thoughts of such foul crimes, did seem
So full of zeal, its actions did redeem
The lost report of loyalty in those
His former crimes made his most constant foes.
A mourning march, as if his thoughts had bin
A stranger to the sad events of this
So dismal night, he by relation is
Inform'd of each particular, which he
Seeming to hear in griefs extremity,
From silent sorrow which appear'd to wait
On still attention, his prepar'd deceit
Disguis'd in rage appears, a rage which in
Its active flight to finde what hearts had bin
Defil'd with thoughts of such foul crimes, did seem
So full of zeal, its actions did redeem
The lost report of loyalty in those
His former crimes made his most constant foes.
163
By guarded gates, and watchfull parties that
Surround the walls, till th' people frighted at
Their fury, shrink from publick throngs, they now
Assur'd of safety, whilst enquiring how
Hell hatch'd these monsters, whose original
Whilst searching, they by the consent of all
His best Physitians, whose experienc'd skill
From outward signs, knew what internal ill
Death struck the Prince, inform'd the cause could be
From nought but such a subtil enemy
As poyson, which when every accident
They had examin'd, all conclude was sent
Mixt with that cordial whose conceal'd receit
Unknown to art, their envy term'd the bait
To tempt the easie Princes faith into
That net which death allur'd by treason, drew.
Surround the walls, till th' people frighted at
Their fury, shrink from publick throngs, they now
Assur'd of safety, whilst enquiring how
Hell hatch'd these monsters, whose original
Whilst searching, they by the consent of all
His best Physitians, whose experienc'd skill
From outward signs, knew what internal ill
Death struck the Prince, inform'd the cause could be
From nought but such a subtil enemy
As poyson, which when every accident
They had examin'd, all conclude was sent
Mixt with that cordial whose conceal'd receit
Unknown to art, their envy term'd the bait
To tempt the easie Princes faith into
That net which death allur'd by treason, drew.
With power from this imbrac'd suspition sprung
Almanzor, who not envies spotted tongue
Durst call prophane, though rudely forcing those
Weak gates, which need no greater strength t'oppose
Unclean intruders, then the reverence they,
Inforc'd by zeal, did with Religion pay
Unto that places sanctity, which he
Contemning, ere the wrong'd societie
Expecting such injurious visits, in
Rude fury entring, those whose power had bin
Imploy'd by noble pity to attend
The suffring Princess, in such haste did send
Them to her close and dark abodes, that now
Their doubts confirm'st, they're only studying how
To shun that danger which informing fear
Falsly perswades, towards them alone drew near.
Which dark suspition, ere unclouded, by
Seising on him whose innocence durst fly
To no retreat, the Royal fugitives
Back to the vault where first they enter'd, drives.
Almanzor, who not envies spotted tongue
Durst call prophane, though rudely forcing those
Weak gates, which need no greater strength t'oppose
Unclean intruders, then the reverence they,
Inforc'd by zeal, did with Religion pay
Unto that places sanctity, which he
Contemning, ere the wrong'd societie
Expecting such injurious visits, in
Rude fury entring, those whose power had bin
Imploy'd by noble pity to attend
The suffring Princess, in such haste did send
164
Their doubts confirm'st, they're only studying how
To shun that danger which informing fear
Falsly perswades, towards them alone drew near.
Which dark suspition, ere unclouded, by
Seising on him whose innocence durst fly
To no retreat, the Royal fugitives
Back to the vault where first they enter'd, drives.
Now at the great'st antipathie to Day
The silent earth opprest with Midnight lay
Vested in clouds, black as they had been sent
To be the whole worlds mourning monument;
When through the Caves damp womb, conducted by
A doubtful light that scarce inform'd the eye
To find out those unhaunted paths, they in
A faint assurance, with soft pace begin
To sally forth, where unsuspected, they
Are seis'd by guards that in close ambush lay:
Which ere amazement could give action leave
To seek for safety, did their hopes deceive
By close restraint, aw'd by whose power, they're to
Almanzor brought, who from that object drew
Such joy as fills usurpers when they see
Wrong'd Princes strugling with captivitie.
The silent earth opprest with Midnight lay
Vested in clouds, black as they had been sent
To be the whole worlds mourning monument;
When through the Caves damp womb, conducted by
A doubtful light that scarce inform'd the eye
To find out those unhaunted paths, they in
A faint assurance, with soft pace begin
To sally forth, where unsuspected, they
Are seis'd by guards that in close ambush lay:
Which ere amazement could give action leave
To seek for safety, did their hopes deceive
By close restraint, aw'd by whose power, they're to
Almanzor brought, who from that object drew
Such joy as fills usurpers when they see
Wrong'd Princes strugling with captivitie.
From hence in such disdainful silence led
As taught their fear, from just suspition bred,
To tremble at some unknown ill, about
That sober time when Lights small lamps go out
At the approach of Days bright glories, brought
Back to the Court, they there not long had sought
Their sorrows sad original, before
A Court conven'd of such whose power had bore
Whilst (Gods own choice) a Monastry, had lent
Their dictates law, the weight of government,
They hither call'd by summons that did sound
Like bold rebellion, in sad omen found
More then they fear'd; A mourning train of Lords
Plac'd round a black tribunal, that affords
To the spectators penetrated eye
A dismal horror cloath'd in majestie.
As taught their fear, from just suspition bred,
To tremble at some unknown ill, about
That sober time when Lights small lamps go out
165
Back to the Court, they there not long had sought
Their sorrows sad original, before
A Court conven'd of such whose power had bore
Whilst (Gods own choice) a Monastry, had lent
Their dictates law, the weight of government,
They hither call'd by summons that did sound
Like bold rebellion, in sad omen found
More then they fear'd; A mourning train of Lords
Plac'd round a black tribunal, that affords
To the spectators penetrated eye
A dismal horror cloath'd in majestie.
Like hierogliphicks pointing to that fate
Which must ensue, all yet in silence sate
A dreadful silence, such as unto weak
Beholders seem'd to threaten when they speak,
Death and destruction dictates, when they saw
Their Princess enter'd, as if rigid Law
To loyal duty let the scepter fall
In an obedient reverence rais'd, they all
Lowly salute her, but that complement
To bribe their pity, fear in vain had spent;
When all resuming now their seats, command
The Royal captives, whose just cause did stand
On no defence but unknown truth to be
Summon'd to th' bar, where that they first might see
What rigor on the royal blood was shewn,
From no unjust conspiracie had grown,
A sable curtain from their herses drawn
Betrays her eyes then in the sickly dawn
Of grief grown dim, unto that horrid place
Where they met death drawn in her fathers face,
By whom now turn'd into well-model'd clay,
Fitted for's tomb the slain Epirot lay.
Which must ensue, all yet in silence sate
A dreadful silence, such as unto weak
Beholders seem'd to threaten when they speak,
Death and destruction dictates, when they saw
Their Princess enter'd, as if rigid Law
To loyal duty let the scepter fall
In an obedient reverence rais'd, they all
Lowly salute her, but that complement
To bribe their pity, fear in vain had spent;
When all resuming now their seats, command
The Royal captives, whose just cause did stand
On no defence but unknown truth to be
Summon'd to th' bar, where that they first might see
What rigor on the royal blood was shewn,
From no unjust conspiracie had grown,
166
Betrays her eyes then in the sickly dawn
Of grief grown dim, unto that horrid place
Where they met death drawn in her fathers face,
By whom now turn'd into well-model'd clay,
Fitted for's tomb the slain Epirot lay.
At this, as if some over-venturous look
For temperate rays, destructive fire had took
In at her souls receiving portals, all
Lifes functions ceas'd, sorrow at once lets fall
The burthen of so many griefs, which in
A death-like slumber had forgotten bin
Till humane thoughts obliterated by
The wishe conversions of eternity
Opprest no more, had not injurious haste
Before this conflict could those spirits waste
Which had, to shun passions external strife,
Fled to the primum mobile of life,
Recall'd with them her sorrows to attend
Their nimblest motions, which too fast did spend
Her strength, to suffer weakness to obay
The Courts intentions of a longer stay.
For temperate rays, destructive fire had took
In at her souls receiving portals, all
Lifes functions ceas'd, sorrow at once lets fall
The burthen of so many griefs, which in
A death-like slumber had forgotten bin
Till humane thoughts obliterated by
The wishe conversions of eternity
Opprest no more, had not injurious haste
Before this conflict could those spirits waste
Which had, to shun passions external strife,
Fled to the primum mobile of life,
Recall'd with them her sorrows to attend
Their nimblest motions, which too fast did spend
Her strength, to suffer weakness to obay
The Courts intentions of a longer stay.
From ruffl'd passions which her soul opprest,
By the soft hand of recollecting rest
Strok'd to a calm, which setl'd reason in
Her troubled throne; by those that first had bin
Her guards, the Princess (that fair pattern, whence
Men drew the height of humane excellence)
Is now return'd, to let her proud foes see
That the bright rays of magnanimitie
Though envy like th'ungrateful moon do strive
To hide that sun, except what's relative
Ne'r knows eclipse, the darkness taking birth
From what's below, whilst that remov'd from earth,
Her clear unclouded conscience ever stays
Amongst bright vertues universal rays.
By the soft hand of recollecting rest
Strok'd to a calm, which setl'd reason in
Her troubled throne; by those that first had bin
Her guards, the Princess (that fair pattern, whence
Men drew the height of humane excellence)
167
That the bright rays of magnanimitie
Though envy like th'ungrateful moon do strive
To hide that sun, except what's relative
Ne'r knows eclipse, the darkness taking birth
From what's below, whilst that remov'd from earth,
Her clear unclouded conscience ever stays
Amongst bright vertues universal rays.
The mourning Court (those ministers of fate)
In expectation of their prisoners sate,
They now appear in those disguises which
They first were took, being habits, though not rich
Enough to gild their rare perfections, yet
Such as did seem by sorrow made to fit
Their present sufferings; both the men cloth'd in
Monastick robes, black as their threds had bin
Spun from Peruvian wooll; the women clad
Like mournful Votaries, shew'd so sweetly sad,
As if their vertues which injurious fate
Did yet conceal, striving t' anticipate
The flights of time, had to th' external sence
Shew'd these as emblems of their innocence.
In expectation of their prisoners sate,
They now appear in those disguises which
They first were took, being habits, though not rich
Enough to gild their rare perfections, yet
Such as did seem by sorrow made to fit
Their present sufferings; both the men cloth'd in
Monastick robes, black as their threds had bin
Spun from Peruvian wooll; the women clad
Like mournful Votaries, shew'd so sweetly sad,
As if their vertues which injurious fate
Did yet conceal, striving t' anticipate
The flights of time, had to th' external sence
Shew'd these as emblems of their innocence.
But love, nor pity, though they both did here
Within their Judges sternest looks appeare,
Durst plead for favor; their indictments read
So guilty sound, that those whose hearts even bled,
Disdain'd their eyes should weep, since justice did
In such foul crimes mercy as sin forbid.
Yet more to clear what circumstance had made
Level with reason, from th' approaching shade
Of death redeem'd, that Lord whose wounds had bin
But slumbers to recover safety in
When the Messenian murdred was, did now
Declare as far as reason could allow
The eyes to judge, those habits which they then
Did wear the same wch cloath'd the murth'rers when
His Prince was slain; which open proof appears
So full of guilt it stops her friends kinde fears
Ere rais'd to hope, and in appearance shews
A guilt, which all but pitty overgrows.
Within their Judges sternest looks appeare,
Durst plead for favor; their indictments read
So guilty sound, that those whose hearts even bled,
Disdain'd their eyes should weep, since justice did
In such foul crimes mercy as sin forbid.
168
Level with reason, from th' approaching shade
Of death redeem'd, that Lord whose wounds had bin
But slumbers to recover safety in
When the Messenian murdred was, did now
Declare as far as reason could allow
The eyes to judge, those habits which they then
Did wear the same wch cloath'd the murth'rers when
His Prince was slain; which open proof appears
So full of guilt it stops her friends kinde fears
Ere rais'd to hope, and in appearance shews
A guilt, which all but pitty overgrows.
The vext Epirots who for comfort saw
Revenge appearing in the form of Law
Retir'd, to feed their spleen with hope until
Th' extent of Justice should their vengeance fill;
When now by accusations that denide
Access to pity, for a Paracide
The Princess question'd, whose too-weak defence
Being but the unseen guards of innocence,
Submits to censure; yet to shew that all
Those scatter'd pearls, which from her eyes did fall
Dropt not t' attempt their charity, but shew
That no injurious storm could overslow
Her world of Reason, which exalted stood
Above the surface of the spacious flood,
Her tears for grief, not guilt, being shed, whilst in
The robes of magnaminity, not sin
Grown impudent, her brave resolv'd soul sate
Unshaken in this Hyrocane of fate.
Revenge appearing in the form of Law
Retir'd, to feed their spleen with hope until
Th' extent of Justice should their vengeance fill;
When now by accusations that denide
Access to pity, for a Paracide
The Princess question'd, whose too-weak defence
Being but the unseen guards of innocence,
Submits to censure; yet to shew that all
Those scatter'd pearls, which from her eyes did fall
Dropt not t' attempt their charity, but shew
That no injurious storm could overslow
Her world of Reason, which exalted stood
Above the surface of the spacious flood,
Her tears for grief, not guilt, being shed, whilst in
The robes of magnaminity, not sin
169
Unshaken in this Hyrocane of fate.
To meet her calm (which like religion drest
Doth all become, but female vertues best)
The rough Amindor, whose discolour'd face
Anger did more then native beauty grace,
Since justly rais'd, disdaining thus to be
By a Plebian base captivity
Forc'd to submit his innocence unto
Their doubtfull test, had from his anger drew
A ruine swifter then their hate intends,
Had not his rage, whilst it toward danger bends,
Been taught by her example to exclude
Vain passions with a Princely fortitude,
Whose usefull aid (like those good works which we
For comforts call in deaths necessity)
Brought all their better Angels to defend
Them from those terrors which did death attend.
Doth all become, but female vertues best)
The rough Amindor, whose discolour'd face
Anger did more then native beauty grace,
Since justly rais'd, disdaining thus to be
By a Plebian base captivity
Forc'd to submit his innocence unto
Their doubtfull test, had from his anger drew
A ruine swifter then their hate intends,
Had not his rage, whilst it toward danger bends,
Been taught by her example to exclude
Vain passions with a Princely fortitude,
Whose usefull aid (like those good works which we
For comforts call in deaths necessity)
Brought all their better Angels to defend
Them from those terrors which did death attend.
In busie whispers, which discover'd by
Their doubtfull looks the thoughts variety,
Long in sad silence sate the Court, until
Those noiseless streams of fancy which did fill
Each several brest united by consent
Want onely now a tongue so impudent
As durst condemn their Soveraign, which being in
Theumantius found, a Lord whose youth had been
By favor nurs'd, till power's wild beast grown rude
Repays his Fost'rer with ingratitude.
This bold, bad man, Loves most unhappy choice,
From flatteries Treble now exalts his voice
Without the mean of an excuse, into
The Laws loud Base; and what those fear'd to doe
That had been favour'd less, that black decree
Pronounc'd, which discords all the harmonie
Of subject fear, and soveraign love, by what
Succeeding ages justly trembl'd at
Whilst innocent, but have of late been grown
So bad to shew such monsters of their own.
Their doubtfull looks the thoughts variety,
Long in sad silence sate the Court, until
Those noiseless streams of fancy which did fill
Each several brest united by consent
Want onely now a tongue so impudent
As durst condemn their Soveraign, which being in
Theumantius found, a Lord whose youth had been
By favor nurs'd, till power's wild beast grown rude
Repays his Fost'rer with ingratitude.
170
From flatteries Treble now exalts his voice
Without the mean of an excuse, into
The Laws loud Base; and what those fear'd to doe
That had been favour'd less, that black decree
Pronounc'd, which discords all the harmonie
Of subject fear, and soveraign love, by what
Succeeding ages justly trembl'd at
Whilst innocent, but have of late been grown
So bad to shew such monsters of their own.
This sentence past, which knew no more allay
Of mercy, then what lets their judgments stay
From following life to deaths obscure retreat,
Till twenty nights had made their days compleat,
The Court breaks up; yet ere from publick view
To close restraint the Royal captives drew,
Grant them this favor from their rigid laws,
That if there durst, to vindicate their cause,
In that contracted span of time appear
Any whose forward valor durst indear
The peoples love and prayers, so much to be
Their Champion, that his victory should free
Them from that dooms strict rigor; to oppose
Which brave Attempter, they Almanzor chose
(Since high command that honor did afford
To him alone) to weild the answering sword.
Of mercy, then what lets their judgments stay
From following life to deaths obscure retreat,
Till twenty nights had made their days compleat,
The Court breaks up; yet ere from publick view
To close restraint the Royal captives drew,
Grant them this favor from their rigid laws,
That if there durst, to vindicate their cause,
In that contracted span of time appear
Any whose forward valor durst indear
The peoples love and prayers, so much to be
Their Champion, that his victory should free
Them from that dooms strict rigor; to oppose
Which brave Attempter, they Almanzor chose
(Since high command that honor did afford
To him alone) to weild the answering sword.
Now near departing, whilst the Cyprian in
A brave disdain, which for submissive sin
Looks on an answer, as his haste would show
An anger that did scorn to stoop so low
To strike with threats, stands silent, whilst that she
Whose temper heaven had made too calm to be
By rage transported, with a soul unmov'd
By stormy passions, thus their sin reprov'd.
A brave disdain, which for submissive sin
171
An anger that did scorn to stoop so low
To strike with threats, stands silent, whilst that she
Whose temper heaven had made too calm to be
By rage transported, with a soul unmov'd
By stormy passions, thus their sin reprov'd.
Should I (my Lords) here with a female haste
Discharge my passions, 'twere (perhaps) to waste
My prayers, or threats, whilst one you would not fear,
Nor th'other pity: But when heaven shall clear
This curtain'd truth, wrapt in whose cloudy night,
Unjustly you, from my unquestion'd right
By birth, obedience, into faction stray,
Then (though too late) untimely sorrow may
Strive by repentance to expunge these stains
Cast on your honor. These exhausted vains,
Fixt eyes, pale cheeks, deaths dismal trophies, in
This royal face I now could not have seen
With a less sorrow then had serv'd to call
Me to attend him, had not the rude fall
Of your unjustice, like those dangerous cures
Perform'd by tutning into Calentures
Dull Lethargies, upon my heart laid hold
In such a flame of passion, as the cold
Approach of death wants power to quench until
You add that crime to this preceding ill.
Discharge my passions, 'twere (perhaps) to waste
My prayers, or threats, whilst one you would not fear,
Nor th'other pity: But when heaven shall clear
This curtain'd truth, wrapt in whose cloudy night,
Unjustly you, from my unquestion'd right
By birth, obedience, into faction stray,
Then (though too late) untimely sorrow may
Strive by repentance to expunge these stains
Cast on your honor. These exhausted vains,
Fixt eyes, pale cheeks, deaths dismal trophies, in
This royal face I now could not have seen
With a less sorrow then had serv'd to call
Me to attend him, had not the rude fall
Of your unjustice, like those dangerous cures
Perform'd by tutning into Calentures
Dull Lethargies, upon my heart laid hold
In such a flame of passion, as the cold
Approach of death wants power to quench until
You add that crime to this preceding ill.
Yet (though no fear can prompt my scorn to crave
A subjects mercy for my self) to save
This Noble Stranger, whose just acts being crost
By misconstruction, have their titles lost,
I shall become your suppliant, lest there be
A sin contracted by his serving me;
And onely in such noble wayes as might
Unveil themselves to th' suns Meridian light;
Sure he unjustly suffers, which may cause
You want more swords to vindicate your Laws
Then his you late elected to make good
Your votes, ere scarce cleans'd of that loyal blood
He in rebellion shed; but I am now
Too near my fatal period to allow
Disturbing passion any place within
My peacefull soul: what ere his crimes have been
In publick war, or private treason, may
Kinde Heaven, when with th' injustice of this day
Those shall be strictly question'd, to prevent
Their doom, conceal them in the large extent
Of mercies wings, which there may prove so kinde
To you, though here I can no justice finde.
A subjects mercy for my self) to save
172
By misconstruction, have their titles lost,
I shall become your suppliant, lest there be
A sin contracted by his serving me;
And onely in such noble wayes as might
Unveil themselves to th' suns Meridian light;
Sure he unjustly suffers, which may cause
You want more swords to vindicate your Laws
Then his you late elected to make good
Your votes, ere scarce cleans'd of that loyal blood
He in rebellion shed; but I am now
Too near my fatal period to allow
Disturbing passion any place within
My peacefull soul: what ere his crimes have been
In publick war, or private treason, may
Kinde Heaven, when with th' injustice of this day
Those shall be strictly question'd, to prevent
Their doom, conceal them in the large extent
Of mercies wings, which there may prove so kinde
To you, though here I can no justice finde.
This spoken in a garb that did detect
A sorrow which was ripened to neglect,
She silent stands, whilst through the thick resort
Of throng'd Spectators, toward the rising Court
Orlinda comes, with such a haste as shew'd
That service she by Love's allegiance ow'd;
Love, which had sorrows sable wings out-fled
To mourn the living, not lament the dead;
Come where her fears (now near lost) object she
Within the shadow of the Grave might see
By sentence shut, neglecting death that lay
In ambush there her reason to betray
To hate, when by the false informing Law,
Her Friend she as her brother's murtherer saw
In actions such as Scythian Tyrants feel
Some softness from, she that ne'r us'd to kneel
Too ought but heaven, a lowly suppliant falls
Before the Court, from whose stern brests she calls
So much of sorrow as perhaps had strook
Them all with horror, if a sudden look
Obliquely on her murther'd brother cast,
Had not ere Love assaulted with her last
And powerfull'st pray'rs, whilst hot with action in
A cool retreat of spirits, silenc'd bin.
A sorrow which was ripened to neglect,
She silent stands, whilst through the thick resort
Of throng'd Spectators, toward the rising Court
Orlinda comes, with such a haste as shew'd
That service she by Love's allegiance ow'd;
Love, which had sorrows sable wings out-fled
To mourn the living, not lament the dead;
173
Within the shadow of the Grave might see
By sentence shut, neglecting death that lay
In ambush there her reason to betray
To hate, when by the false informing Law,
Her Friend she as her brother's murtherer saw
In actions such as Scythian Tyrants feel
Some softness from, she that ne'r us'd to kneel
Too ought but heaven, a lowly suppliant falls
Before the Court, from whose stern brests she calls
So much of sorrow as perhaps had strook
Them all with horror, if a sudden look
Obliquely on her murther'd brother cast,
Had not ere Love assaulted with her last
And powerfull'st pray'rs, whilst hot with action in
A cool retreat of spirits, silenc'd bin.
She fainting faln, as an addition to
Their former grief, is from the throng withdrew
Into the free untainted air, where by
Assisting Friends which gently did apply
Their needfull aid, heat, which was then grown slack
In Natures work, antipathy calls back
To beauties frontiers, where like bashfull light
It in a blush meets the Spectators sight
But such a one, as ere full blown is by
Her Friends disasters forc'd again to fly
Beneath those clouds of grief, whose swelling pride
Spread by report, did now not onely hide
The Court or City, but to bear a part
Of that sad load, summons each Subjects heart.
Their former grief, is from the throng withdrew
Into the free untainted air, where by
Assisting Friends which gently did apply
Their needfull aid, heat, which was then grown slack
In Natures work, antipathy calls back
To beauties frontiers, where like bashfull light
It in a blush meets the Spectators sight
But such a one, as ere full blown is by
Her Friends disasters forc'd again to fly
Beneath those clouds of grief, whose swelling pride
Spread by report, did now not onely hide
174
Of that sad load, summons each Subjects heart.
Whilst now the Prisoners, ere the peoples love
To anger turn, the active Guards remove
To still the clamorous multitude, who sway'd
By various passions, did whilst each obey'd
Opinions dictates, but in darkness rove
At shadow'd truth, whence now they boldly strove
To pluck the vail from Declarations that
Contain'd those falshoods, which whilst wondring at,
They wept to force upon their faith, are sent
Through th' Lands each Town, & Armies Regiment;
By which Almanzor, who attempted in
This plot to joyn security with sin,
Doubting if ere this story reach his ear,
Argalia might their combatant appear,
Besides those stains which common fame did take
For sins just debts, sliely attempts to shake
The heaven-erected fabrick of his love
By closer engines, such as seem'd to move
On noble pity, which with grief ingrost
That faith which envy in disdain had lost.
To anger turn, the active Guards remove
To still the clamorous multitude, who sway'd
By various passions, did whilst each obey'd
Opinions dictates, but in darkness rove
At shadow'd truth, whence now they boldly strove
To pluck the vail from Declarations that
Contain'd those falshoods, which whilst wondring at,
They wept to force upon their faith, are sent
Through th' Lands each Town, & Armies Regiment;
By which Almanzor, who attempted in
This plot to joyn security with sin,
Doubting if ere this story reach his ear,
Argalia might their combatant appear,
Besides those stains which common fame did take
For sins just debts, sliely attempts to shake
The heaven-erected fabrick of his love
By closer engines, such as seem'd to move
On noble pity, which with grief ingrost
That faith which envy in disdain had lost.
Black rumor, on the wings of rais'd report
Flying in haste, had soon attain'd the Court
Of the amaz'd Ætolian Prince, who hears
The dreadfull story with such doubtfull fears
As shook his noble soul, but not into
An easie faith, each circumstance was true,
He knew Almanzor's vilany to be
Of that extent so foul a progenie,
As all those horrid murthers might from thence
Take easie birth: but when the innocence
Of's vertuous Princess, and his honor'd Friend
The noble Cyprian Prince, come to contend
With oft confirm'd report, that strikes a deep
And solemn grief, yet such as must not keep
A firm possession in his soul, until
A further inquisition either kill
His yet unfainting hopes, or raise them to
Joy by confirming those reports untrue.
Flying in haste, had soon attain'd the Court
Of the amaz'd Ætolian Prince, who hears
The dreadfull story with such doubtfull fears
As shook his noble soul, but not into
An easie faith, each circumstance was true,
175
Of that extent so foul a progenie,
As all those horrid murthers might from thence
Take easie birth: but when the innocence
Of's vertuous Princess, and his honor'd Friend
The noble Cyprian Prince, come to contend
With oft confirm'd report, that strikes a deep
And solemn grief, yet such as must not keep
A firm possession in his soul, until
A further inquisition either kill
His yet unfainting hopes, or raise them to
Joy by confirming those reports untrue.
The End of the Fourth Canto.
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