The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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| 1. | Canto the First. |
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
Canto the First.
The ARGUMENT.
The People, left by Gartha, leave to mourn;And worship Hermegild for her return.
The wounded Hurgonil by Orna cur'd;
Their loyal loves by marriage plight assur'd.
In Laura's hasty change, Love's pow'r appears,
And Tybalt seeks the kindness which he fears.
1
When sad Verona saw in Gartha's shapeDeparted Peace brought back, the Court they prais'd;
And seem'd so joy'd as Cities which escape
A siege, that by their own brave Sallies rais'd.
2
And Hermegild, to make her triumph long,Through all the streets his Chariot slowly drove;
Whilst she endures the kindness of the Throng,
Though rude, as was their rage, is now their love.
3
On Hermegild (so longingly desir'dFrom Hubert's Camp) with Childish Eyes they gaze;
They worship now, what late they but admir'd,
And all his Arts to mighty Magick raise.
4
On both they such abundant Blessings throw,As if those num'rous Priests who here reside,
(Loath to out-live this joy) assembled now
In haste to bless the Laytie e're they dyde.
5
Thus dignify'd, and Crown'd through all the StreetsTo Court they come; where them wise Aribert
Not weakly with a publick passion meets;
But in his open'd Face conceal'd his heart.
6
With mod'rate joy he took this Pledge of Peace,Because great joys infer to judging eyes
The minde distress'd before; and in distress,
Thrones, which are jealous Forts, think all are Spies.
144
7
Yet, by degrees, a Soul delighted showesTo Gartha, whom he leads to Rhodalind;
And soon to Hermegild as artless grows
As Maids, and like successful Lovers kind.
8
And Rhodalind, though bred to daily sightOf Courts feign'd Faces, and pretended hearts,
(In which disguises Courts take no delight,
But little mischiefs shun by little Arts.)
9
She, when she Gartha saw, no kindness feign'd;But faithfully her former rage excus'd;
For now she others sorrows entertain'd,
As if to love, a Maid's first sorrow us'd,
10
Yet did her first with cautious gladness meet;Then soon from grave respect to fondness grew;
To kisses in their taste and odour sweet,
As Hybla Hony, or Arabian Dew.
11
And Gartha like an Eastern Monarch's Bride,This publick love with bashful homage took;
For she had learn'd from Hermegild to hide
A rising Heart, behind a falling Look.
12
Thus, mask'd with meekness, she does much intreatA pardon for that Storm her sorrow rais'd;
Which Rhodalind more sues she would forget,
Unless to have so just a sorrow prais'd.
13
Soon is this joy through all the Court dispers'd;So high they value peace, who daily are
In Prides invasions, private faction, vers'd;
The small, but fruitful seed of publick warre.
14
Whilst thus sweet Peace had others joys assur'd,Orna with hopes of sweeter Love was pleas'd;
For of war's wounds brave Hurgonil was cur'd;
And those of love, which deeper reach'd, were eas'd.
15
In both these cures her Sov'raign help appears,Since as her double Patient he receiv'd
For bloody wounds, Balm, from her precious tears,
And bloodless wounds of love her vowes reliev'd.
16
She let no med'cinal Flow'r in quiet grow,No Art lie hid, nor Artist ease his thought,
No Fane be shut, no Priest from Altars goe,
Nor in Heav'n's Quire no Saint remain unsought,
17
Nor more her Eyes could ease of sleep esteemThen sleep can the world's Eye, the Sun, conceal;
Nor breath'd she but in vows to Heav'n, or him,
Till Heav'n, and she, his diff'rent wounds did heal.
145
18
But now she needs those ayds she did dispence;For scarce her cures were on him perfect grown,
E're shame afflicts her for that diligence,
Which Love had in her fits of pitty shown,
19
When she (though made of cautious bashfulness)Whilst him in wounds a smarting Feaver burn'd,
Invok'd remotest aydes to his redress,
And with a loud ungovern'd kindness mourn'd.
20
When o're him then, whilst parting life She ru'd,Her kisses faster (though unknown before)
Then Blossomes fall on parting Spring, she strew'd;
Then Blossomes sweeter, and in number more.
21
But now when from her busie Maid she knewHow wildly Grief had led her Love abroad,
Unmask'd to all, she her own Pris'ner grew;
By shame, a Virgin's Native Conscience, aw'd.
22
With undirected Eyes which careless rove,With thoughts too singly to her self confin'd,
She blushing, starts at her remember'd love,
And grieves the world had Eyes, when that was blind.
23
Sad darkness, which does other Virgins fright,Now boldly and alone, she entertain'd;
And shuns her Lover, like the Traytor, light,
Till he her curtains drew, and thus complain'd.
24
Why, bashfull Maid, will you your beauty hideBecause your fairer Mind, your Love, is known?
So Jewellers conceal with artfull pride
Their second wealth, after the best is shown.
25
In pitty's passion you unvail'd your Minde;Let him not fall, whom you did help to climbe;
Nor seem by being bashful, so unkinde
As if you think your pitty was a crime.
26
O useless shame! Officious bashfulness!Vertues vain signe, which onely there appears
Where Vertue grows erroneous by excess,
And shapes more sins, then frighted Conscience fears.
27
Your Blushes, which to meer complexion grow,You must as nature, not as vertue own;
And for your open'd Love, you but blush so
As guiltless Roses blush that they are blown.
28
As well the Morn (whose Essence Poets made,And gave her bashful Eyes) we may believe
Does blush for what she sees through Nights thin shade,
As that you can for love discover'd grieve.
146
29
Arise! and all the Flowers of ev'ry Mead(Which weeping through your Stills my health restor'd)
Bring to the Temple to adorn your Head,
And there where you did worship, be ador'd.
30
This with a low regard (but voice rais'd highBy joys of Love) he spake; and not less kinde
Was now (ent'ring with native harmony,
Like forward spring) the blooming Rhodalind.
31
Like Summer, goodly Gartha, fully blown;Laura, like Autumn, with as ripe a look;
But shew'd, by some chill griefs, her Sun was gon,
Arnold, from whom she Life's short glory took.
32
Like Winter, Hermegild; yet not so grayAnd cold, but that his fashion seem'd to boast,
That even weak Winter is allow'd some day,
And the Ayre cleer, and healthfull in a Frost.
33
All these, and Tybalt too (unless a SpyHe be, watching who thrives in Laura's sight)
Came hither, as in kinde conspiracy,
To hasten Orna to her marriage plight.
34
And now the Priests prepare for this high vowAll Rites, that to their Lawes can add a grace;
To which the sequent knot they not allow,
Till a spent Morn recovers all her Face.
35
And now the Streets like Summer Meads appear!For with sweet strewings Maids left Gardens bare,
As Lovers wish their sweeter Bosomes were,
When hid unkindly by dishevel'd Haire.
36
And Orna now (importun'd to possessHer long wish'd joys) breaks through her blushes so
As the fair Morn breaks through her rosyness;
And from a like guilt did their blushes grow.
37
She thinks her Love's high sickness now appearsA fit so weak, as does no med'cine need;
So soon society can cure those feares
On which the Coward, Solitude, does feed.
38
They with united joy blest HurgonilAnd Orna to the sacred Temple bring;
Whilst all the Court in triumph shew their Skill,
As if long bred by a triumphant King.
39
Such dayes of joy, before the marriage day,The Lombards long by custome had embrac't;
Custom, which all, rather then Law obey,
For Lawes by force, Customes, by pleasure last.
147
40
And wisely Ancients by this needfull snareOf gilded joys, did hide such bitterness
As most in marriage swallow with that care,
Which bashfully the wise will ne'r confess.
41
'Tis Statesmens musick, who States Fowlers be,And singing Birds, to catch the wilder, set;
So bring in more to tame society;
For wedlock, to the wilde, is the States Net.
42
And this loud joy, before the marriage Rites,Like Battails Musick which to fights prepare,
Many to strife and sad success invites;
For marriage is too oft but civil Warr.
43
A truth too amply known to those who readGreat Hymen's Roles; though he from Lovers Eyes
Hides his most Tragick stories of the Dead,
Least all, like Goths, should 'gainst his Temples rise.
44
And thou (what ere thou art, who dost perchanceWith a hot Reader's haste, this Song pursue)
Mayst finde, too soon, thou dost too far advance,
And wish it all unread, or else untrue.
45
For it is sung (though by a mourning voice)That in the Ides before these Lovers had,
With Hymens publick hand, confirm'd their choice,
A cruel practise did their peace invade.
46
For Hermegild, too studiously foresawThe Counts allyance with the Duke's high blood,
Might from the Lombards such affection draw,
As could by Hubert never be withstood.
47
And he in haste with Gartha does retire,Where thus his Breast he opens to prevent,
That Hymen's hallow'd Torch may not take fire,
When all these lesser lights of joy are spent.
48
High Heaven (from whose best Lights your beauty grows,Born high, as highest Mindes) preserve you still
From such, who then appear resistless Foes,
When they allyance joyn to Armes and Skill!
49
Most by conjuction Planets harmfull are;So Rivers joyning overflow the Land,
And Forces joyn'd make that destructive warre,
Which else our common conduct may withstand.
50
Their Knees to Hurgonil the People bowAnd worship Orna in her Brothers right;
They must be sever'd, or like Palms will grow,
Which planted near, out-climbe their native height.
148
51
As Windes, whose violence out-does all art,Act all unseen; so we as secretly
These Branches of that Cedar Gondibert
Must force till his deep Root in rising dy.
52
If we make noise whilst our deep workings last,Such rumour through thick Towns unheeded flies,
As winds through woods, and we (our great work past)
Like winds will silence Tongues, and scape from Eyes.
53
E're this dark lesson she was clearer taught,His enter'd Slaves place at her rev'renc'd Feet
A spacious Cabinet, with all things fraught,
Which seem'd for wearing artful, rich, and sweet.
54
With leisurely delight, she by degreesLifts ev'ry Till, does ev'ry Drawer draw;
But nought which to her Sex belongs she sees;
And for the Male all nice adornments saw.
55
This seem'd to breed some strangeness in her Eyes;Which like a wanton wonder there began;
But strait she in the Lower Closet spies
Th' accomplish'd dress, and Garments of a Man.
56
Then starting, she her Hand shrunk nicely back;As if she had been stung, or that she fear'd
This Garment was the skin of that old Snake.
Which at the fatal Tree like Man appear'd.
57
Th' ambitious Maid at scornfull distance stood;And bravely seem'd of Love's low vices free;
Though vicious in her minde, not in her blood:
Ambition is the Mindes immodestie!
58
He knew great mindes disorder'd by mistake,Defend through pride, the errors they repent;
And with a Lovers fearfulness he spake
Thus humbly, that extremes he might prevent.
59
How ill (delightfull Maid!) shall I deserveMy Life's last flame, fed by your beauty's fire,
If I shall vex your vertues, that preserve
Others weak vertues, which would else expire.
60
How, more then death, shall I my life despise,When your fear'd frowns, make me your service fear;
When I scarce dare to say, that the disguise
You shrink to see, you must vouchsafe to wear.
61
So rude a Law your int'rest will impose:And solid int'rest must not yield to shame:
Vain shame, which fears you should such honor lose
As lasts but by intelligence with Fame.
149
62
Number, which makes opinion Law, can turnThis shape to fashion, which you scorn to use,
Because not by your Sex as fashion worn;
And fashion is but that which Numbers chuse,
63
If you approve what Numbers lawful think,Be bold, for Number cancels bashfulness;
Extremes, from which a King would blushing shrink,
Unblushing Senates act as no excess.
64
Thus he his thoughts (the picture of his minde)By a dark Vayle to sudden sight deny'd;
That she might prise, what seem'd so hard to finde;
For Curtains promise worth in what they hide.
65
He said her Manhood would not strange appearIn Court, where all the fashion is disguise;
Where Masquerades are serious all the year;
None known but strangers, nor secure but Spies.
66
All rules he reads of living great in Courts;Which some the Art of wise dissembling call;
For Pow'r (born to have Foes) much weight supports
By their false strength who thrust to make it fall.
67
He bids her wear her beauty free as light;By Eares as open be to all endeer'd;
For the unthinking Croud judge by their sight;
And seem half eas'd, when they are fully heard.
68
He shuts her Breast even from familiar Eyes;For he who secrets (Pow'r's chief Treasure) spends
To purchase Friendship, friendship dearly buys:
Since Pow'r seeks great Confed'rates, more then Friends.
69
And now with Councels more particular,He taught her how to wear tow'rdes Rhodalind
Her looks; which of the Minde false pictures are;
And then how Orna may believe her kinde.
70
How Laura too may be (whose practis'd EyesCan more detect the shape of forward love)
By treaty caught, though not by a surprise;
Whose aid would precious to her faction prove.
71
But here he ends his Lecture, for he spy'd(Adorn'd, as if to grace Magnifique Feasts)
Bright Rhodalind, with the elected Bride;
And with the Bride, all her selected Guests.
72
They Gartha in their civil pity sought;Whom they in midst of triumphs mist, and feare
Least her full Breast (with Huberts sorrows fraught)
She, like a Mourner, came to empty here.
150
73
But she, and Hermegild, are wilde with hast,As Traytors are whom Visitants surprise;
Decyph'ring that which fearfully they cast
In some dark place, where viler Treason lies.
74
So open they the fatal Cabinet,To shut things slighter with the Consequent;
Then soon their rally'd looks in posture set;
And boldly with them to their triumphs went.
75
Tybalt, who Laura gravely ever led,With ceaseless whispers laggs behinde the Train;
Trys, since her wary Governour is dead,
How the fair Fort he may by Treaty gain.
76
For now unhappy Arnold she forsakes;Yet is he blest that she does various prove,
When his spent heart for no unkindness akes;
Since from the light as sever'd as from Love.
77
Yet as in storms and sickness newly gon,Some Clouds a while, and strokes of faintness last;
So, in her brow, so much of grief is shown,
As shews a Tempest, or a sickness past.
78
But him no more with such sad Eyes she seeks,As even at Feasts would make old Tyrants weep;
Nor more attempts to wake him with such shreeks,
As threatned all where Death's deaf Pris'ners sleep.
79
Hugo and him, as Leaders now she names,Not much as Lovers does their fame approve;
Nor her own fate, but chance of battel blames;
As if they dy'd for honor, not for love.
80
This Tybalt saw, and findes that the turn'd StreamCame fairly flowing to refresh his heart;
Yet could he not forget the kinde esteem
She lately had of Arnold's high desert.
81
Nor does it often scape his memory,How gravely he had vowd, that if her Eyes,
After such Showres of Love, were quickly drie,
He would them more then Lamps in Tombs despise.
82
And whilst he watch'd like an industrious SpyHer Sexes changes, and revolts of youth;
He still reviv'd this vow as solemnly,
As Senates Count'nance Laws, or Synods, Truth.
83
But Men are frail, more Glass then Women are!Tybalt, who with a stay'd judicious heart
Would love, grows vain amidst his gravest care:
Love free by nature, scorns the Bonds of Art!
151
84
Laura (whose Fort he by approach would gain)With a weak sigh blows up his Mine, and Smiles;
Gives fire but with her Eye, and he is slain;
Or treats, and with a whisper him beguiles.
85
Nor force of Arms or Arts (O Love!) enduresThy mightyness; and since we must discern
Diseases fully e're we study cures;
And our own force by others weakness learn;
86
Let me to Courts and Camps thy Agent be,Where all their weakness and diseases spring
From their not knowing, and not hon'ring thee
In those, who Nature in thy triumphs sing.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |