The Poetical Works of Henry Brooke ... In Four Volumes Octavo. Revised and corrected by the Original Manuscript With a Portrait of the Author, and His Life By Miss Brooke. The Third Edition |
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135
BOOK I.
Of arms, devote to Heaven's Eternal King;
Of sainted hosts the sacred Chief I sing,
Who freed that tomb, to infidels a prey,
Where once the Lord for all the living lay:
Alike, his might and conduct claim applause;
And much he suffer'd in the glorious cause:
In vain infernal fury raised alarms,
And half the world opposed contending arms;
Sedition, ruled, beneath his sceptre lay,
Foes learn'd to fear, and rebels to obey:
So Heaven would crown its Hero with success,
And Virtue triumph'd in the power to bless.
Of sainted hosts the sacred Chief I sing,
Who freed that tomb, to infidels a prey,
Where once the Lord for all the living lay:
Alike, his might and conduct claim applause;
And much he suffer'd in the glorious cause:
In vain infernal fury raised alarms,
And half the world opposed contending arms;
Sedition, ruled, beneath his sceptre lay,
Foes learn'd to fear, and rebels to obey:
So Heaven would crown its Hero with success,
And Virtue triumph'd in the power to bless.
136
O muse! whom mortal trophy would prophane,
And thy chaste brow with fading laurel stain;
While circling glories round thy temples play,
And circling Angels hymn the eternal lay,
O! breathe celestial ardours to my breast,
Inspire the song, to Albion's Prince addrest;
And pardon fiction mix'd with Truths Divine,
Or arts to please which, goddess, are not thine!
And thy chaste brow with fading laurel stain;
While circling glories round thy temples play,
And circling Angels hymn the eternal lay,
O! breathe celestial ardours to my breast,
Inspire the song, to Albion's Prince addrest;
And pardon fiction mix'd with Truths Divine,
Or arts to please which, goddess, are not thine!
Well dost thou know the purport of my song,
Tho' drest to charm, with secret virtue strong;
While veil'd, beneath the verse the moral lies,
And captivates the soul with kind disguise.
His bitter thus the friendly Leech conceals,
And with the fraud of latent medicine heals:
To the sick taste he promises delight,
And obvious sweets the infant lip invite;
Health, ambush'd, in the potion is imbibed,
For man must even to happiness be bribed.
Tho' drest to charm, with secret virtue strong;
While veil'd, beneath the verse the moral lies,
And captivates the soul with kind disguise.
His bitter thus the friendly Leech conceals,
And with the fraud of latent medicine heals:
To the sick taste he promises delight,
And obvious sweets the infant lip invite;
Health, ambush'd, in the potion is imbibed,
For man must even to happiness be bribed.
SIX suns had now their annual journey run,
And seen the war that with the first begun;
Still in his cause Messiah's hosts engage,
And eastward bid the kindling combat rage.
Antioch, and Nice, were now the victor's prize,
Or won by storm, or captive by surprise:
In vain all Asia rises to repel,
Beneath their force unnumber'd Persians fell;
And last Tortosa vanquish'd, they retire,
Till war shall with returning spring respire.
And seen the war that with the first begun;
Still in his cause Messiah's hosts engage,
And eastward bid the kindling combat rage.
137
Or won by storm, or captive by surprise:
In vain all Asia rises to repel,
Beneath their force unnumber'd Persians fell;
And last Tortosa vanquish'd, they retire,
Till war shall with returning spring respire.
Scarce winter, warm'd before the golden ray,
Restored the battle with the lengthening day,
When GOD, self rais'd from his eternal throne,
Sublime o'er Heaven's high Empyrean shone.
Awed from his seat, tho' patent to his view,
The rolling universe holds distance due:
He looks; unnumber'd worlds before him lie,
And nature lives collected in his eye.
Restored the battle with the lengthening day,
When GOD, self rais'd from his eternal throne,
Sublime o'er Heaven's high Empyrean shone.
Awed from his seat, tho' patent to his view,
The rolling universe holds distance due:
He looks; unnumber'd worlds before him lie,
And nature lives collected in his eye.
To Syria, on the Christian peers intent,
All-piercing the Divine Perception bent;
Where Godfrey stood, conspicuous in his sight,
Above the princes eminently bright:
Nor wealth allures him, nor ambition charms,
But faith refines, and heavenly ardour arms;
While zeal alone his placid bosom fires,
And with the warrior all the saint conspires.
All-piercing the Divine Perception bent;
Where Godfrey stood, conspicuous in his sight,
Above the princes eminently bright:
Nor wealth allures him, nor ambition charms,
But faith refines, and heavenly ardour arms;
While zeal alone his placid bosom fires,
And with the warrior all the saint conspires.
138
Not such the thoughts that Heaven in Baldwin spied,
From virtue alien, tho' by blood allied;
Ambitious phantasms haunt his idle brain,
And pride still prompts him to be greatly vain.
From virtue alien, tho' by blood allied;
Ambitious phantasms haunt his idle brain,
And pride still prompts him to be greatly vain.
With silent anguish Tancred stood opprest,
While love, fond passion, languish'd in his breast.
While love, fond passion, languish'd in his breast.
But Boemond's cares on Antioch's glory wait,
And model in his mind her new form'd state;
While the great Chief, late terrible in arms,
With arts of peace and social conduct charms,
At once of earth and heaven asserts the cause,
Instructs with piety, and forms with laws.
And model in his mind her new form'd state;
While the great Chief, late terrible in arms,
With arts of peace and social conduct charms,
At once of earth and heaven asserts the cause,
Instructs with piety, and forms with laws.
Rinaldo then, to war and nature new,
Gave all his brave, his open soul to view;
Untamed that restless bosom wish'd the fight,
And circling perils gave his eyes delight:
Wisdom and fame, but fame the most refined,
By turns prevail'd, and fired, or form'd his mind;
While he on Guelpho, sage instructor, hung,
And caught the maxims falling from his tongue.
Gave all his brave, his open soul to view;
Untamed that restless bosom wish'd the fight,
And circling perils gave his eyes delight:
Wisdom and fame, but fame the most refined,
By turns prevail'd, and fired, or form'd his mind;
While he on Guelpho, sage instructor, hung,
And caught the maxims falling from his tongue.
139
This saw the Deity—through every breast,
Each latent inclination lay confest;
Then call'd, and from the bright angelic round,
Forth issued Gabriel to the sacred sound;
He, of the prime celestial splendors came,
Obsequious to the will of Heaven's Supreme:
Gracious to man the social spirit stands,
To saints the messenger of blest commands;
Thence, breathes the cordial incense to his King,
And wafts their vows on his returning wing.
Each latent inclination lay confest;
Then call'd, and from the bright angelic round,
Forth issued Gabriel to the sacred sound;
He, of the prime celestial splendors came,
Obsequious to the will of Heaven's Supreme:
Gracious to man the social spirit stands,
To saints the messenger of blest commands;
Thence, breathes the cordial incense to his King,
And wafts their vows on his returning wing.
(Expressive then the Inutterable Name)
“To Godfrey his Creator's Will proclaim—
“Ask, wherefore are my Sion's bonds untied?
“The hero's sword why dormant at his side?
“To council bid him cite each Christian peer,
“Reprove the tardy, and the valiant cheer:
“Him I elect, superior in his sway;
“And let his rivals, and the world obey.
“To Godfrey his Creator's Will proclaim—
“Ask, wherefore are my Sion's bonds untied?
“The hero's sword why dormant at his side?
“To council bid him cite each Christian peer,
“Reprove the tardy, and the valiant cheer:
“Him I elect, superior in his sway;
“And let his rivals, and the world obey.
Nor now Heaven's Flaming Minister delays;
He heard with transport, and with speed obeys:
Air organized his casual limbs composed,
Attempering radiance round his essence closed;
A human form the dazzling shape display'd,
But in the majesty of Heaven array'd;
While youth smiled o'er him with celestial grace,
And beamy ringlets wanton'd round his face.
He heard with transport, and with speed obeys:
Air organized his casual limbs composed,
Attempering radiance round his essence closed;
A human form the dazzling shape display'd,
But in the majesty of Heaven array'd;
140
And beamy ringlets wanton'd round his face.
He spread for flight his many tinctured wings,
And light from Heaven's high firmament he springs:
All feather'd as the darting shaft he flies,
Cuts the bright steep, and cleaves the yielding skies,
Divides the sphere of many a shining star,
And sends the coming glory from afar;
Then stands on Lebanon reveal'd to view,
And shakes his plumes bedropp'd with morning dew.
And light from Heaven's high firmament he springs:
All feather'd as the darting shaft he flies,
Cuts the bright steep, and cleaves the yielding skies,
Divides the sphere of many a shining star,
And sends the coming glory from afar;
Then stands on Lebanon reveal'd to view,
And shakes his plumes bedropp'd with morning dew.
Now half appear'd the horizontal sun,
And west, and east, with equal glory shone;
There shed his evening, here his morning ray,
And gave to different worlds dividual day—
When wing'd from Lebanon's aspiring head,
The angelic message to Tortosa sped,
What time the Duke his orizons addrest
And breathed to Heaven the rapture of his breast:
In usher'd graceful with the morning beam,
A brighter morn the dazzling Angel came;
And placid, to the much admiring man,
The bright, the social Intellect began.
And west, and east, with equal glory shone;
There shed his evening, here his morning ray,
And gave to different worlds dividual day—
When wing'd from Lebanon's aspiring head,
The angelic message to Tortosa sped,
What time the Duke his orizons addrest
And breathed to Heaven the rapture of his breast:
In usher'd graceful with the morning beam,
A brighter morn the dazzling Angel came;
141
The bright, the social Intellect began.
“Attend, thou favour'd of Supreme Decree!
“Thus sends the Deity, and sends to thee—
“In Bulloign's breast what kindling zeal should glow,
“What fires impel him forceful on the foe?
“When Sion calls, when listening Heaven commands,
“And consecrates her cause in Godfrey's hands,
“'Tis thine to vindicate her just complaints,
“To strike the shackles from her captive saints;
“'Tis thine to summon every Christian peer,
“Reprove the tardy, and the valiant cheer;
“Their general thou, superior in thy sway—
“GOD so appoints, and mortals must obey.
“Thus sends the Deity, and sends to thee—
“In Bulloign's breast what kindling zeal should glow,
“What fires impel him forceful on the foe?
“When Sion calls, when listening Heaven commands,
“And consecrates her cause in Godfrey's hands,
“'Tis thine to vindicate her just complaints,
“To strike the shackles from her captive saints;
“'Tis thine to summon every Christian peer,
“Reprove the tardy, and the valiant cheer;
“Their general thou, superior in thy sway—
“GOD so appoints, and mortals must obey.
He ceas'd; and lessening from the hero's view,
Back to his native Heaven the Brightness flew:
Nor Godfrey yet supports excess of light,
New to the shape, and dizzied at the sight;
Not the wide blaze his darkling eye sustains,
And chillness thrill'd unwonted through his veins.
Back to his native Heaven the Brightness flew:
Nor Godfrey yet supports excess of light,
New to the shape, and dizzied at the sight;
Not the wide blaze his darkling eye sustains,
And chillness thrill'd unwonted through his veins.
142
But soon he calls the vision to his mind,
And ponders on the glorious charge assigned;
Fresh to his soul the high behest returns,
And with redoubled zeal his bosom burns:
Nor yet, that Heaven preferr'd its warrior saint,
Did pride dilate him, or ambition taint;
But through Almighty Will, his will aspires,
As the spark mounts amid the kindling fires.
And ponders on the glorious charge assigned;
Fresh to his soul the high behest returns,
And with redoubled zeal his bosom burns:
Nor yet, that Heaven preferr'd its warrior saint,
Did pride dilate him, or ambition taint;
But through Almighty Will, his will aspires,
As the spark mounts amid the kindling fires.
Strait where they lay, each chieftain he invites;
Now mild requires, and now by mandate cites:
Dispatch'd around his posting envoys fly,
And prayers are mix'd with counsels to comply.
Persuasive here, the gallant soul he charms;
But here provokes, and here impels to arms;
Here blows the slumbering virtue to a flame,
And breathes throughout the noble thirst of fame.
Now mild requires, and now by mandate cites:
Dispatch'd around his posting envoys fly,
And prayers are mix'd with counsels to comply.
Persuasive here, the gallant soul he charms;
But here provokes, and here impels to arms;
Here blows the slumbering virtue to a flame,
And breathes throughout the noble thirst of fame.
Such Godfrey's conduct, nor his conduct vain;
Each comes, attended by his warlike train:
Tortosa but a scant reception yields,
And tented armies throng the neighbouring fields.
All awful, to consult the peers repair;
Save Boemond, each, majestic, fills his chair;
When graceful, to the senate Godfrey rose,
And deep the stream of elocution flows.
Each comes, attended by his warlike train:
Tortosa but a scant reception yields,
And tented armies throng the neighbouring fields.
All awful, to consult the peers repair;
Save Boemond, each, majestic, fills his chair;
143
And deep the stream of elocution flows.
“Ye warriors! Heaven-elected, to restore
“The Sacred Faith of Him those Heavens adore;
“Preserv'd for this through many a fearful day,
“The foreign climate, and the deadly fray,
“Well may ye rush, thus arm'd, upon the foe,
“And fight secure where Heaven averts the blow.
“Nor vain I deem the purchase of your toil,
“The vanquish'd province, and the glorious spoil;
“Since trophies through reforming nations rise,
“And bear Christ's name triumphant to the skies.
“The Sacred Faith of Him those Heavens adore;
“Preserv'd for this through many a fearful day,
“The foreign climate, and the deadly fray,
“Well may ye rush, thus arm'd, upon the foe,
“And fight secure where Heaven averts the blow.
“Nor vain I deem the purchase of your toil,
“The vanquish'd province, and the glorious spoil;
“Since trophies through reforming nations rise,
“And bear Christ's name triumphant to the skies.
“But not for this, we left our native place,
“The known endearment, and the chaste embrace;
“Each social sweet for distant battle chang'd,
“And wandering, through the faithless ocean rang'd:
“For this, an end unequal to your arms,
“Nor bleeds the combat, nor the conquest charms;
“Nor such the prize your matchless labours claim,
“Barbarian kingdoms, and ignoble fame.
“The known endearment, and the chaste embrace;
“Each social sweet for distant battle chang'd,
“And wandering, through the faithless ocean rang'd:
“For this, an end unequal to your arms,
“Nor bleeds the combat, nor the conquest charms;
“Nor such the prize your matchless labours claim,
“Barbarian kingdoms, and ignoble fame.
144
“Was not the scope of our united powers
“To scale the steep of Sion's hallow'd towers?
“High o'er her walls to force resistless way?
“Deep on her dungeons pour the long lost day?
“To lift Oppression from her house of pain,
“Snap the vile yoke, and burst the pagan chain?
“Restore to Piety her sacred seat,
“And build for Virtue a secure retreat;
“Where each devoted pilgrim might repair,
“And Christ receive the tributary prayer?
“To scale the steep of Sion's hallow'd towers?
“High o'er her walls to force resistless way?
“Deep on her dungeons pour the long lost day?
“To lift Oppression from her house of pain,
“Snap the vile yoke, and burst the pagan chain?
“Restore to Piety her sacred seat,
“And build for Virtue a secure retreat;
“Where each devoted pilgrim might repair,
“And Christ receive the tributary prayer?
“Where Triumph stands, defeated of its aim,
“How vain the victory! how fruitless fame!
“While still the wish'd atchievement turns aside,
“And conquest flows, but with a different tide.
“For wherefore is the might of Europe arm'd,
“Asia invaded, and the world alarm'd,
“If ruin be alone the victor's praise,
“And states subverted, while we meant to raise?
“How vain the victory! how fruitless fame!
“While still the wish'd atchievement turns aside,
“And conquest flows, but with a different tide.
“For wherefore is the might of Europe arm'd,
“Asia invaded, and the world alarm'd,
“If ruin be alone the victor's praise,
“And states subverted, while we meant to raise?
“Frail is the strength of sublunary things,
“The pomp of titles, and the pride of kings;
“Nor such the hope a faithful few may boast,
“Hemm'd in by nations, and a barbarous coast;
“Our country distant, fickle Greece untried,
“Nor aught but Heaven to combat on our side.
“The pomp of titles, and the pride of kings;
“Nor such the hope a faithful few may boast,
“Hemm'd in by nations, and a barbarous coast;
145
“Nor aught but Heaven to combat on our side.
“True, we have fought, nor have we fought in vain—
“Proud Antioch won, and hostile armies slain!
“But these atchieved by many a wondrous way,
“Shew GOD still guides the fortune of the day;
“Then if we seek or conquest, or applause,
“Through means averse to his victorious cause,
“The pride of triumph, and the thirst of fame,
“In death shall vanish, or be quench'd in shame.
“Proud Antioch won, and hostile armies slain!
“But these atchieved by many a wondrous way,
“Shew GOD still guides the fortune of the day;
“Then if we seek or conquest, or applause,
“Through means averse to his victorious cause,
“The pride of triumph, and the thirst of fame,
“In death shall vanish, or be quench'd in shame.
“Ah! never may our arms such issue find,
“Nor we rebel ingrate, while Heaven is kind;
“But still conform'd to the Divine Behest,
“Be the great period, as commencement, blest!
“Then, then, while time, while every pass is ours,
“And prompt occasion chides our lingering powers,
“Quick let us rise, toss high the spacious mound,
“And circling gird Jerusalem around.
“Nor we rebel ingrate, while Heaven is kind;
“But still conform'd to the Divine Behest,
“Be the great period, as commencement, blest!
“Then, then, while time, while every pass is ours,
“And prompt occasion chides our lingering powers,
“Quick let us rise, toss high the spacious mound,
“And circling gird Jerusalem around.
146
“For me, ye princes! hear what I presage—
“Be witness Heaven! and every future age!
“Now is the conquering crisis mark'd by fate;
“Now, is the time, to give the world a date,
“The time to consecrate your deeds to fame,
“To bless your arms, or ever blast your name:
“But once elaps'd, though panting to regain,
“Vain are our hopes, our labours wake in vain;
“Each sun shall set, a witness to our woe,
“And Egypt succour the recruited foe.”
“Be witness Heaven! and every future age!
“Now is the conquering crisis mark'd by fate;
“Now, is the time, to give the world a date,
“The time to consecrate your deeds to fame,
“To bless your arms, or ever blast your name:
“But once elaps'd, though panting to regain,
“Vain are our hopes, our labours wake in vain;
“Each sun shall set, a witness to our woe,
“And Egypt succour the recruited foe.”
He ceas'd; a solemn whispering fill'd the pause,
And the whole senate murmur'd deep applause:
When Peter, sage and venerable man,
Slow-rising, to the circling chiefs began.
(Tho' distant from the war, and world retired,
Prime author, he the distant war inspired;
Which once in act, he issued from his cell,
And thus promotes what he commenced so well.)
And the whole senate murmur'd deep applause:
When Peter, sage and venerable man,
Slow-rising, to the circling chiefs began.
(Tho' distant from the war, and world retired,
Prime author, he the distant war inspired;
Which once in act, he issued from his cell,
And thus promotes what he commenced so well.)
“With transport I survey the Truth exprest
“Warm in each eye, and big in every breast;
“When Bulloign speaks it with prevailing charms,
“No task remains but to enforce with arms:
“Yet pardon one reflection still behind,
“A weight long since incumbent o'er my mind.
“Warm in each eye, and big in every breast;
“When Bulloign speaks it with prevailing charms,
“No task remains but to enforce with arms:
147
“A weight long since incumbent o'er my mind.
“Where friendships are by light suspicions coold,
“And rulers are themselves by passions ruled,
“Incongruous orders issued by the great,
“Sedition pregnant in the lower state;
“Occasions opportune are ever lost,
“And every good and glorious end is crost:
“Ill does it seem, when discord thus attaints
“The cause of Christians, and a host of saints;
“A host, whom breach eternal must divide,
“While various minds in various powers preside.
“And rulers are themselves by passions ruled,
“Incongruous orders issued by the great,
“Sedition pregnant in the lower state;
“Occasions opportune are ever lost,
“And every good and glorious end is crost:
“Ill does it seem, when discord thus attaints
“The cause of Christians, and a host of saints;
“A host, whom breach eternal must divide,
“While various minds in various powers preside.
“The mutual weal divided power withstands,
“Nor justice holds her scale with various hands;
“Corruption every partial view attends,
“And the torn state each selfish member rends.
“Not so has nature, in the frame of man,
“Drawn the true scheme of each politic plan;
“Gave various parts to form one beauteous whole,
“And gave a Head in prudence to controul;
“Like ruler should ye chuse, could I advise,
“And form your own, as nature's conduct, wise.”
“Nor justice holds her scale with various hands;
“Corruption every partial view attends,
“And the torn state each selfish member rends.
“Not so has nature, in the frame of man,
“Drawn the true scheme of each politic plan;
“Gave various parts to form one beauteous whole,
“And gave a Head in prudence to controul;
“Like ruler should ye chuse, could I advise,
“And form your own, as nature's conduct, wise.”
148
He said, when, mantling from each hero's breast,
Ambition mounts in every eye exprest:
But soon a beam, emissive from above,
Shed mental day, and touch'd the heart with love;
Gave jealous rage to know Divine Controul,
And ruled the tempest rising in the soul.
Calm reason the recoiling tumult sways;
The sage's speech attentive judgment weighs;
To merit every partial view expands,
And Godfrey! Godfrey! every voice demands.
Ambition mounts in every eye exprest:
But soon a beam, emissive from above,
Shed mental day, and touch'd the heart with love;
Gave jealous rage to know Divine Controul,
And ruled the tempest rising in the soul.
Calm reason the recoiling tumult sways;
The sage's speech attentive judgment weighs;
To merit every partial view expands,
And Godfrey! Godfrey! every voice demands.
His will, they vote, their future test of right,
His leading arm their ensign to the fight,
Their Atlas fit to bear the incumbent weight,
The trust of empire, and the task of state;
Submiss, to him they yield unrival'd sway,
And willing princes, late his peers, obey.
The consult ended, and the Royal Name
Was born wide wafted on the wings of fame;
The news a thousand busy tongues impart,
Chear every brow, and gladden every heart.
His leading arm their ensign to the fight,
Their Atlas fit to bear the incumbent weight,
The trust of empire, and the task of state;
Submiss, to him they yield unrival'd sway,
And willing princes, late his peers, obey.
The consult ended, and the Royal Name
Was born wide wafted on the wings of fame;
The news a thousand busy tongues impart,
Chear every brow, and gladden every heart.
For not unconscious was the warlike crowd,
Of worth to every vulgar eye avow'd;
Approving throngs their Godfrey's presence greet,
Charm'd to his sight, or prostrate at his feet,
Proclaim their monarch with united voice,
And loudly consecrate the publick choice.
He mild returns, while corresponding grace
Speaks from his mien, and answers in his face;
Then bids his host prepare their bright array,
And light with early arms the ensuing day.
Of worth to every vulgar eye avow'd;
149
Charm'd to his sight, or prostrate at his feet,
Proclaim their monarch with united voice,
And loudly consecrate the publick choice.
He mild returns, while corresponding grace
Speaks from his mien, and answers in his face;
Then bids his host prepare their bright array,
And light with early arms the ensuing day.
The ruddy sun, now orient, chased the dawn,
Shot o'er the sea, and reach'd the dewy lawn;
Up with the morn arose the ready train,
Each seiz'd his arms, and issued on the plain.
The driving squadrons fill the spacious coast;
Wide wave the banners of the various host,
Whose burnish'd mail, with flitting lustre gay,
Reflect thick lightnings, and return the day.
Shot o'er the sea, and reach'd the dewy lawn;
Up with the morn arose the ready train,
Each seiz'd his arms, and issued on the plain.
The driving squadrons fill the spacious coast;
Wide wave the banners of the various host,
Whose burnish'd mail, with flitting lustre gay,
Reflect thick lightnings, and return the day.
Superior the observant Godfrey stands,
Orders the field, and marshals all the bands;
Directs the moving legions from on high,
And rules a host with his experienced eye.
Orders the field, and marshals all the bands;
Directs the moving legions from on high,
And rules a host with his experienced eye.
Say thou, my soul, with gifts divinely blest,
And all thy treasures of a conscious breast!
What chiefs conspicuous then adorn'd the plain,
Their ancient glory, and attending train?
So may'st thou recollect the spoils of age,
And from oblivion snatch the future page:
To thee old Time shall every trophy yield,
And all the pristine honours of the field,
Transplanted fair on each immortal line,
And every ear, in every age, be thine.
And all thy treasures of a conscious breast!
150
Their ancient glory, and attending train?
So may'st thou recollect the spoils of age,
And from oblivion snatch the future page:
To thee old Time shall every trophy yield,
And all the pristine honours of the field,
Transplanted fair on each immortal line,
And every ear, in every age, be thine.
First came the Gauls, Clothario at their head,
Whom Hugo late, unhappy warrior, led:
Where four fair streams an ample nation fold,
And Gallia's isle with soft embraces hold,
He in the front of levied numbers shone,
Prime of their host, and brother of the throne;
But early death supprest the vital flame,
Secure of Heaven, and still surviving fame.
Nor now the troops an equal leader scorn,
Great as the first, tho' not of princes born:
A thousand arm'd, sedate they move along,
In weighty mail indissolubly strong;
Attend their chief with boasted ensigns gay,
And the proud arms of ancient France display.
Whom Hugo late, unhappy warrior, led:
Where four fair streams an ample nation fold,
And Gallia's isle with soft embraces hold,
He in the front of levied numbers shone,
Prime of their host, and brother of the throne;
But early death supprest the vital flame,
Secure of Heaven, and still surviving fame.
Nor now the troops an equal leader scorn,
Great as the first, tho' not of princes born:
A thousand arm'd, sedate they move along,
In weighty mail indissolubly strong;
Attend their chief with boasted ensigns gay,
And the proud arms of ancient France display.
To these, each clasp'd within his steely case,
Alike in stature, and in martial grace,
From Celtic Gaul a kindred band succeeds,
A thousand warriors, on a thousand steeds;
Normania's Robert in the van presides,
And the closed files with native sceptre guides.
Alike in stature, and in martial grace,
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A thousand warriors, on a thousand steeds;
Normania's Robert in the van presides,
And the closed files with native sceptre guides.
Two Prelates next their dreaded arms unite,
Renown'd for piety, as famed in fight;
Great Ademare with standards richly spread,
And William reverend at his people's head:
Great William, chief amid four hundred known,
From Orange and the deep meander'd Rhone;
Like dangers Ademare from Poget sought,
And in the front of equal numbers fought.
Awful in arms, in ministry divine,
Revered alike, in lawn or mail they shine;
Their docile troops with bold example teach,
And fearless combat for the Faith they preach.
Renown'd for piety, as famed in fight;
Great Ademare with standards richly spread,
And William reverend at his people's head:
Great William, chief amid four hundred known,
From Orange and the deep meander'd Rhone;
Like dangers Ademare from Poget sought,
And in the front of equal numbers fought.
Awful in arms, in ministry divine,
Revered alike, in lawn or mail they shine;
Their docile troops with bold example teach,
And fearless combat for the Faith they preach.
Then Baldwin o'er his powers appeared supreme,
From Bouillon seated on the silver Seme,
Chief of the bands, whom late Duke Godfrey led,
Now Chief of chiefs, and of their host the head.
Carinto o'er four hundred next presides,
With valour fires them, and with wisdom guides;
But thrice that number mightier Baldwin leads,
And arm'd and haughty in the van precedes.
From Bouillon seated on the silver Seme,
Chief of the bands, whom late Duke Godfrey led,
Now Chief of chiefs, and of their host the head.
Carinto o'er four hundred next presides,
With valour fires them, and with wisdom guides;
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And arm'd and haughty in the van precedes.
To these ensue amid the beaten fields,
Whom Guelpho governs, and whom Suabia yields;
Guelpho, with merit, as with fortune crown'd,
And greatly even among the great renown'd:
The princely house of Est, and Roman sire,
Their offspring's emulating acts inspire;
But distant, he his native country sway'd,
And where the chief was born the soil obey'd.
Whom Guelpho governs, and whom Suabia yields;
Guelpho, with merit, as with fortune crown'd,
And greatly even among the great renown'd:
The princely house of Est, and Roman sire,
Their offspring's emulating acts inspire;
But distant, he his native country sway'd,
And where the chief was born the soil obey'd.
Two neighbouring floods his bounded realms contain,
The rising Danaw, and the circling Rhene,
Maternal heritage, with plenty blest,
By Rhetians erst, and northern Sweves possest!
With nations added by his conquering sword,
Carinthia too confest the Guelphian lord;
A race addicted much to free delights,
To social joys, and hospitable rites,
While o'er their huts the wintry tempests pass,
Warm'd by the genial fire and sparkling glass:
Five thousand hence the sage commander drew,
A chearful, faithful, and intrepid crew;
Sad chance of war, the greater number slain,
To mirth no longer wakeful, press the plain.
The rising Danaw, and the circling Rhene,
Maternal heritage, with plenty blest,
By Rhetians erst, and northern Sweves possest!
With nations added by his conquering sword,
Carinthia too confest the Guelphian lord;
A race addicted much to free delights,
To social joys, and hospitable rites,
While o'er their huts the wintry tempests pass,
Warm'd by the genial fire and sparkling glass:
Five thousand hence the sage commander drew,
A chearful, faithful, and intrepid crew;
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To mirth no longer wakeful, press the plain.
The Belgi next, in helms and polish'd mail
Their snowy limbs and flaxen ringlets veil;
Whose narrow realms unbounded wealth contain,
Hemm'd in by France, Almania, and the Main.
Where the Moselle and blended Rhine extend,
Wide o'er the banks their weighty harvests bend;
A people valiant, and inured to toil,
Domestic industry, and foreign spoil.
With these appear, disposed in armed files,
The subject powers of their associate isles;
Who with steep mounds repair those dangerous shores,
Where the breach threatens, and the tempest roars;
Where the proud flood disdains inferior prey,
And o'er a nation pours the headlong sea.
Their snowy limbs and flaxen ringlets veil;
Whose narrow realms unbounded wealth contain,
Hemm'd in by France, Almania, and the Main.
Where the Moselle and blended Rhine extend,
Wide o'er the banks their weighty harvests bend;
A people valiant, and inured to toil,
Domestic industry, and foreign spoil.
With these appear, disposed in armed files,
The subject powers of their associate isles;
Who with steep mounds repair those dangerous shores,
Where the breach threatens, and the tempest roars;
Where the proud flood disdains inferior prey,
And o'er a nation pours the headlong sea.
Beneath another Robert all unite,
A thousand arm'd, and eager for the fight,
They pass, and to the British squadrons yield
The next succession of the moving field.
But these, superior to the Belgi shone,
Array'd by William, Albion's younger son;
From their broad backs their graceful weapons flow,
The swift wing'd quiver, and the twanging bow:
With them, Hibernia sends her sons to war,
Hibernia, neighbour of the northern star,
Where her bleak hills and hoary woods aspire,
And less'ning from the distant world retire.
A thousand arm'd, and eager for the fight,
They pass, and to the British squadrons yield
The next succession of the moving field.
But these, superior to the Belgi shone,
Array'd by William, Albion's younger son;
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The swift wing'd quiver, and the twanging bow:
With them, Hibernia sends her sons to war,
Hibernia, neighbour of the northern star,
Where her bleak hills and hoary woods aspire,
And less'ning from the distant world retire.
Then Tancred caught the eye with heedless grace,
Strength in his arm, and beauty in his face:
Of all that valiant, that unnumber'd host,
Rinaldo might superior prowess boast;
Of worth untainted, fearless in the fight,
And else unmatch'd, in glory, as in might.
One sole default his nobler ardor chain'd,
While love amid his strength of virtues reign'd,
Caught from a glance of momentary charms,
And nurs'd with anguish in the din of arms.
Strength in his arm, and beauty in his face:
Of all that valiant, that unnumber'd host,
Rinaldo might superior prowess boast;
Of worth untainted, fearless in the fight,
And else unmatch'd, in glory, as in might.
One sole default his nobler ardor chain'd,
While love amid his strength of virtues reign'd,
Caught from a glance of momentary charms,
And nurs'd with anguish in the din of arms.
So fame relates, on that triumphant day,
When Persians fell an undistinguish'd prey,
Far from his host the slaughter Tancred led,
And singly follow'd where the foremost fled;
Till feverish, and fatigued, he sought repose,
And to his wish a rural arbour rose,
Where a cool stream, beneath the whispering shade,
With pendent flowers, and quivering willows play'd;
Thither he turn'd, but, with unwary thought,
Soon lost the sweets of that repose he sought.
When Persians fell an undistinguish'd prey,
Far from his host the slaughter Tancred led,
And singly follow'd where the foremost fled;
Till feverish, and fatigued, he sought repose,
And to his wish a rural arbour rose,
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With pendent flowers, and quivering willows play'd;
Thither he turn'd, but, with unwary thought,
Soon lost the sweets of that repose he sought.
By the clear stream unlook'd for perils lay,
In all the charms of virgin beauty gay;
Her body arm'd with Amazonian grace,
But obvious all the dangers of her face:
His captive step the warrior stopp'd amazed,
Sigh'd as he look'd, and trembled while he gazed;
His eyes ran o'er the maid, with hasty art
Thence drew her form, and fix'd it in his heart.
In all the charms of virgin beauty gay;
Her body arm'd with Amazonian grace,
But obvious all the dangers of her face:
His captive step the warrior stopp'd amazed,
Sigh'd as he look'd, and trembled while he gazed;
His eyes ran o'er the maid, with hasty art
Thence drew her form, and fix'd it in his heart.
But soon alarm'd the beauteous Pagan rose;
With lovely threats her kindling visage glows;
She braced her helm, and fierce the hero view'd,
In act to combat whom her charms subdued.
His troops approach'd; the virgin fled like wind,
But hoped in vain to leave the chief behind:
The place, the person, present to his view,
The nymph still flies, and still his thoughts pursue;
Within his eyes the loved ideas roll,
Heave in his heart, and sicken in his soul.
With lovely threats her kindling visage glows;
She braced her helm, and fierce the hero view'd,
In act to combat whom her charms subdued.
His troops approach'd; the virgin fled like wind,
But hoped in vain to leave the chief behind:
The place, the person, present to his view,
The nymph still flies, and still his thoughts pursue;
Within his eyes the loved ideas roll,
Heave in his heart, and sicken in his soul.
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Hence o'er his cheek distemper'd anguish spread,
Prey'd on his strength, and on his beauty fed;
Despair lay sad, but silent in his breast,
And sighs alone the lengthening woe exprest.
Proud to attend, Campania's valiant bands,
Eight hundred horse, await the chief's commands;
Campania, blest with all the bloom of health,
A seat of pleasures, and a fund of wealth,
Where the rich odours breathe along her vales,
And feed old ocean with the fragrant gales.
Prey'd on his strength, and on his beauty fed;
Despair lay sad, but silent in his breast,
And sighs alone the lengthening woe exprest.
Proud to attend, Campania's valiant bands,
Eight hundred horse, await the chief's commands;
Campania, blest with all the bloom of health,
A seat of pleasures, and a fund of wealth,
Where the rich odours breathe along her vales,
And feed old ocean with the fragrant gales.
Behind, two hundred hardy warriors came,
The only warriors of the Grecian name:
Light arm'd, and swift, they range the imbattel'd field,
Nor poise the lance, nor bear the ponderous shield;
But in close fight, or distant skirmish, know
The dextrous fauchion, and the bending bow.
Spare were their steeds, and slender their repast,
But blithe and agile as an eastern blast;
Untired, and practised to the nimble rein,
They stop, and turn, and dart along the plain:
Thus born, the riders confidently go,
Deface the battle, and fatigue the foe;
Expert to charge, to traverse, and to fly,
Pursued they combat, and the conquerors die.
The only warriors of the Grecian name:
Light arm'd, and swift, they range the imbattel'd field,
Nor poise the lance, nor bear the ponderous shield;
But in close fight, or distant skirmish, know
The dextrous fauchion, and the bending bow.
Spare were their steeds, and slender their repast,
But blithe and agile as an eastern blast;
Untired, and practised to the nimble rein,
They stop, and turn, and dart along the plain:
Thus born, the riders confidently go,
Deface the battle, and fatigue the foe;
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Pursued they combat, and the conquerors die.
Tatino points their progress o'er the fields,
He the sole chief the Grecian empire yields;
Inglorious Greece! in indolence profound
Reposed, while arm'd contention ranged around:
“But now the sad equivalent is paid;
“Left by the cause you once refused to aid,
“The haughty Pagan lords it o'er your plains,
“And wakes the shameful lethargy with chains.”
He the sole chief the Grecian empire yields;
Inglorious Greece! in indolence profound
Reposed, while arm'd contention ranged around:
“But now the sad equivalent is paid;
“Left by the cause you once refused to aid,
“The haughty Pagan lords it o'er your plains,
“And wakes the shameful lethargy with chains.”
To close the rear the bold Adventurers came,
The last in order, tho' the first in fame;
A troop of heroes, Europe's proudest boast,
And the dire terror of the Asian host!
Whate'er through times of high memorial rung,
By prose recorded, or by poets sung,
Atchievements valorous, and knights renown'd,
In chivalry, or antique fable found—
Transferr'd to These, may real credence find,
And sum the excellence of human kind.
The last in order, tho' the first in fame;
A troop of heroes, Europe's proudest boast,
And the dire terror of the Asian host!
Whate'er through times of high memorial rung,
By prose recorded, or by poets sung,
Atchievements valorous, and knights renown'd,
In chivalry, or antique fable found—
Transferr'd to These, may real credence find,
And sum the excellence of human kind.
Tho' each might claim, as of peculiar right,
To lead a host, and rule the ranks of fight,
Dudon that high pre-eminence demands,
By joint assent of the Adventurous bands.
Where Aufidus first rolls an infant wave,
This chief of chiefs Hesperian Conza gave:
Sage were his words, and hoary was his head,
To constant toil, and early battle bred;
Yet ever was his boiling courage young,
And his tried nerve to vivid action strung;
His bosom nobly trench'd with many a scar,
Old to the field, the father of the war.
To lead a host, and rule the ranks of fight,
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By joint assent of the Adventurous bands.
Where Aufidus first rolls an infant wave,
This chief of chiefs Hesperian Conza gave:
Sage were his words, and hoary was his head,
To constant toil, and early battle bred;
Yet ever was his boiling courage young,
And his tried nerve to vivid action strung;
His bosom nobly trench'd with many a scar,
Old to the field, the father of the war.
Amid the prime of those illustrious peers
Eustatio, Bulloign's youngest son appears;
Great was his challenge of peculiar fame,
But more thro' his imperial brother's name.
With him, Gernando, heir of Norway rides,
And in his pomp of vaunted title prides:
Nor less distinguish'd, in the peerless train,
Rode the famed Roger, and bold Engerlane;
Gentonio and Rambaldo, far renown'd;
And the Twin Gerrards with like honours crown'd.
Eustatio, Bulloign's youngest son appears;
Great was his challenge of peculiar fame,
But more thro' his imperial brother's name.
With him, Gernando, heir of Norway rides,
And in his pomp of vaunted title prides:
Nor less distinguish'd, in the peerless train,
Rode the famed Roger, and bold Engerlane;
Gentonio and Rambaldo, far renown'd;
And the Twin Gerrards with like honours crown'd.
Nor here Obizo, or Ubaldo there,
With Rosmond Lancaster's redoubted heir,
Consigned to latest annals shall accuse,
The mute neglect of our injurious muse;
Nor brave Achilles, Sforza, Palameed,
Well worthy praise for many a worthy deed;
From Lombardy the valiant brethren came,
To form the great triumvirate of fame.
With these rode Otton, who, in single fight,
Won the dire trophy of the Paynim knight,
High on whose helm a naked infant lay,
Curl'd by a snake voracious o'er the prey.
With Rosmond Lancaster's redoubted heir,
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The mute neglect of our injurious muse;
Nor brave Achilles, Sforza, Palameed,
Well worthy praise for many a worthy deed;
From Lombardy the valiant brethren came,
To form the great triumvirate of fame.
With these rode Otton, who, in single fight,
Won the dire trophy of the Paynim knight,
High on whose helm a naked infant lay,
Curl'd by a snake voracious o'er the prey.
The like memorial Guaschar, Raphe, demand,
Who boldly join the Voluntary Band;
To Eberard and Guernier too belong,
The force and fame of an immortal song;
And the two Guidos equal honours claim,
Alike in glory and alike in name.
Who boldly join the Voluntary Band;
To Eberard and Guernier too belong,
The force and fame of an immortal song;
And the two Guidos equal honours claim,
Alike in glory and alike in name.
But you, bright pair! shall ever foremost shine;
Shall still survive, to deck the mournful line—
Gildippe, in thy dearer Edward blest;
And Edward, only in thy cares distrest!
Too fond the knot which wedded faith supplies,
When mutual merit holds what beauty ties!
One life inspired them, nor could death divide;
They fought together, and together died.
Shall still survive, to deck the mournful line—
Gildippe, in thy dearer Edward blest;
And Edward, only in thy cares distrest!
Too fond the knot which wedded faith supplies,
When mutual merit holds what beauty ties!
One life inspired them, nor could death divide;
They fought together, and together died.
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Ah Love, all subtle tutor, thou can'st teach
What, uninstructive else, the world might preach;
Give the soft sex to loathe inglorious rest,
String the weak arm, and steel the snowy breast!
You braced the Fair one's helm, her corselet tied,
And gave the guardian to her Edward's side!
Thus, on they past, inseparably pair'd;
For him she battell'd, and for her he fear'd:
By each, for each alone, was life desired;
And, wounded in the other, each expired.
What, uninstructive else, the world might preach;
Give the soft sex to loathe inglorious rest,
String the weak arm, and steel the snowy breast!
You braced the Fair one's helm, her corselet tied,
And gave the guardian to her Edward's side!
Thus, on they past, inseparably pair'd;
For him she battell'd, and for her he fear'd:
By each, for each alone, was life desired;
And, wounded in the other, each expired.
Last in the rear of that imbattel'd train,
Shone the young comet of the glittering plain,
Rinaldo—in whose fair, majestic face,
Soft beauty sweeten'd every martial grace:
The youth impatient of his manly prime,
Fled from his years, and stripp'd the speed of Time;
Proud on his arm the force of battel lay,
And round his snowy limbs the Graces play.
Shone the young comet of the glittering plain,
Rinaldo—in whose fair, majestic face,
Soft beauty sweeten'd every martial grace:
The youth impatient of his manly prime,
Fled from his years, and stripp'd the speed of Time;
Proud on his arm the force of battel lay,
And round his snowy limbs the Graces play.
This chief, by Adige on the winding shore,
Sophia, spouse to great Bertoldo, bore:
But soon Matilda takes their infant heir,
Caresses fondly, and conducts with care;
To early honour fires his growing youth,
The thirst of glory, and the love of truth;
When to his ears the warlike tidings came,
And sent the stripling to the fields of fame.
Sophia, spouse to great Bertoldo, bore:
But soon Matilda takes their infant heir,
Caresses fondly, and conducts with care;
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The thirst of glory, and the love of truth;
When to his ears the warlike tidings came,
And sent the stripling to the fields of fame.
Five summers thrice had bloom'd around his head,
When to the wond'ring camp the warrior fled:
Alone he past, all eager on his way,
And reach'd the shore, and cross'd the Egean sea;
Then sped along by many an unknown coast,
And mix'd exulting with the Christian host.
And now three years were spent amid alarms,
Since first the princely fugitive took arms,
When manhood early dawning from within,
Shed the smooth down to deck his ivory chin.
When to the wond'ring camp the warrior fled:
Alone he past, all eager on his way,
And reach'd the shore, and cross'd the Egean sea;
Then sped along by many an unknown coast,
And mix'd exulting with the Christian host.
And now three years were spent amid alarms,
Since first the princely fugitive took arms,
When manhood early dawning from within,
Shed the smooth down to deck his ivory chin.
The horsemen past, the numerous foot succeed,
And trace the marches of the bounding steed;
But these, Tolosa's monarch, Raimond heads,
And in the front majestically treads:
From the proud cliffs of Pyrenêan hills,
From lucid Garonne, and the neighbouring rills,
Wide o'er a placid climate stretch'd his reign,
And eastward overlook'd the Midland-main.
Four thousand veterans hence the hero drew,
Who all the arts of various battle knew:
Composed they march, to every toil addrest;
But he, their bulwark, towers before the rest.
And trace the marches of the bounding steed;
But these, Tolosa's monarch, Raimond heads,
And in the front majestically treads:
From the proud cliffs of Pyrenêan hills,
From lucid Garonne, and the neighbouring rills,
Wide o'er a placid climate stretch'd his reign,
And eastward overlook'd the Midland-main.
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Who all the arts of various battle knew:
Composed they march, to every toil addrest;
But he, their bulwark, towers before the rest.
Five thousand Stephen from Ambasia brings,
And Tours, and shelving Blesæ, seat of kings,
Where Loire the too delicious region laves,
And cities float reflected o'er the waves;
Impatient, hence, of discipline, or toil,
They caught the native softness of the soil:
Yet the fair troops, in martial semblance arm'd,
With shew of lively preparation charm'd;
Their valour as the lightly flaming fire,
Furious they charge, and fainting soon retire.
And Tours, and shelving Blesæ, seat of kings,
Where Loire the too delicious region laves,
And cities float reflected o'er the waves;
Impatient, hence, of discipline, or toil,
They caught the native softness of the soil:
Yet the fair troops, in martial semblance arm'd,
With shew of lively preparation charm'd;
Their valour as the lightly flaming fire,
Furious they charge, and fainting soon retire.
Alcasto then stepp'd forth with haughty pace;
Fierce was his mien, and menacing his face:
Where o'er the clouds the steepy Alps extend,
Six thousand from Helvetia's towers attend;
In shining mail their temper'd plowshares glance,
Spread in the shield, and pointed in the lance;
While the right arm, that ruled the flocks so late,
Now threats the mighty, and insults the great.
Fierce was his mien, and menacing his face:
Where o'er the clouds the steepy Alps extend,
Six thousand from Helvetia's towers attend;
In shining mail their temper'd plowshares glance,
Spread in the shield, and pointed in the lance;
While the right arm, that ruled the flocks so late,
Now threats the mighty, and insults the great.
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Last, in the Papal Standard, they display
The Triple Crown, and Apostolic Key;
Seven thousand valiant Romans march behind,
And great Camillo had the charge assigned.
The moving cuishes, and their corselets bright,
Exchange quick lightnings, and fatigue the sight:
Elate in hope, and chear'd amid alarms,
They bless the cause that calls the world to arms;
So to revive, and vindicate the fame,
That once, unrival'd, mark'd the Roman name.
The Triple Crown, and Apostolic Key;
Seven thousand valiant Romans march behind,
And great Camillo had the charge assigned.
The moving cuishes, and their corselets bright,
Exchange quick lightnings, and fatigue the sight:
Elate in hope, and chear'd amid alarms,
They bless the cause that calls the world to arms;
So to revive, and vindicate the fame,
That once, unrival'd, mark'd the Roman name.
Now, summ'd to view, the invincible array
Stands on the plain, and brightens in the day:
The General calls—obsequious to the sound,
His peers approach, and range attentive round:
When Bulloign his imperial will exprest,
And thus reveal'd the counsels of his breast.
Stands on the plain, and brightens in the day:
The General calls—obsequious to the sound,
His peers approach, and range attentive round:
When Bulloign his imperial will exprest,
And thus reveal'd the counsels of his breast.
“Soon as the next succeeding morn shall rise,
“And dawning purple streak the eastern skies,
“Prepared, and arm'd with best appointed speed,
“Be every warrior, and be every steed;
“For then we mean to visit Salem's towers,
“By secret march, and swift invading powers:
“The mighty crisis to the combat calls,
“And the foe trembles in her sacred walls.
“And dawning purple streak the eastern skies,
“Prepared, and arm'd with best appointed speed,
“Be every warrior, and be every steed;
“For then we mean to visit Salem's towers,
“By secret march, and swift invading powers:
“The mighty crisis to the combat calls,
“And the foe trembles in her sacred walls.
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Bold was the hope his ardent words inspire;
As the plied fan provokes the slumbering fire,
Impatient they regret the lingering night,
Fierce for the day, and for the promis'd fight.
But other cares hold Godfrey from repose,
Nor tastes the Chief those transports he bestows:
Yet deep he held the secret of his breast,
From every ear and every eye supprest.
As the plied fan provokes the slumbering fire,
Impatient they regret the lingering night,
Fierce for the day, and for the promis'd fight.
But other cares hold Godfrey from repose,
Nor tastes the Chief those transports he bestows:
Yet deep he held the secret of his breast,
From every ear and every eye supprest.
Small cause of joy his late advices bring—
How Lybia, arm'd beneath the Memphian king,
From Damiata, eastward in the way
To Gaza, on the Syrian frontiers lay.
Innumerous there such warriors he unites,
As force made confident, or fame excites;
Nor Godfrey hopes advances can be slow,
From so inveterate, so renown'd a foe:
How best to frustrate, or oppose, he seeks;
And to his legate, trusty Henry, speaks.
How Lybia, arm'd beneath the Memphian king,
From Damiata, eastward in the way
To Gaza, on the Syrian frontiers lay.
Innumerous there such warriors he unites,
As force made confident, or fame excites;
Nor Godfrey hopes advances can be slow,
From so inveterate, so renown'd a foe:
How best to frustrate, or oppose, he seeks;
And to his legate, trusty Henry, speaks.
“Go, speed thee, Henry—spread the flying sail,
“Cut the green wave, and catch the favouring gale;
“Nor give indulgence to the labouring oar,
“Till the crook'd keel divides the Grecian shore.
“There, should arrive, as private seals impart,
“From one who knows not the deceiving art,
“The Royal Dane, for matchless force renown'd,
“As with the grace of every virtue crown'd;
“Zeal sends the Northern Youth its warmest ray,
“And glory wings him to the toilsome way,
“From the cold circle, and the polar star,
“The friend and brave companion of the war.
“Cut the green wave, and catch the favouring gale;
“Nor give indulgence to the labouring oar,
“Till the crook'd keel divides the Grecian shore.
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“From one who knows not the deceiving art,
“The Royal Dane, for matchless force renown'd,
“As with the grace of every virtue crown'd;
“Zeal sends the Northern Youth its warmest ray,
“And glory wings him to the toilsome way,
“From the cold circle, and the polar star,
“The friend and brave companion of the war.
“But, for I know the Greekish monarch's heart,
“Stored with old wiles, and well dissembled art,
“I fear lest he divert the princely youth,
“And wrest his purpose from the paths of Truth;
“Or other specious enterprize persuade,
“And rob our armies of the promis'd aid.
“But you, my messenger, and faithful friend,
“Dispose his journey to its destined end;
“Alike his honour, and our arms, shall need
“His utmost forces, and his swiftest speed.
“Stored with old wiles, and well dissembled art,
“I fear lest he divert the princely youth,
“And wrest his purpose from the paths of Truth;
“Or other specious enterprize persuade,
“And rob our armies of the promis'd aid.
“But you, my messenger, and faithful friend,
“Dispose his journey to its destined end;
“Alike his honour, and our arms, shall need
“His utmost forces, and his swiftest speed.
“Nor you return, but to the Grecian sue
“For aids, by previous obligation due,
“Such aids as with his kingly compact stands;
“And more than compact,—what the Cause demands.”
“For aids, by previous obligation due,
“Such aids as with his kingly compact stands;
“And more than compact,—what the Cause demands.”
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The guardian Chief thus wakeful shuns repose,
While in his care ten thousand eye-lids close:
The herald, speeding to the breezy shore,
The seals of trust and royal greeting bore;
And late, the Duke, from every task reclined,
Gave to his couch the labours of his mind.
While in his care ten thousand eye-lids close:
The herald, speeding to the breezy shore,
The seals of trust and royal greeting bore;
And late, the Duke, from every task reclined,
Gave to his couch the labours of his mind.
And now the night, imbalm'd in early dew,
Slow ebbing, from the paler dawn withdrew;
Aurora on the purpling ocean rose;
The reddening east with warmer lustre glows;
His previous beam the solar brightness shed,
And from the wave uprais'd his peerless head—
While thro' the camp loud echoing clarions ring;
Rous'd to the note, the sprightly soldiers spring;
Their ears delighted drink the warlike sounds,
And every heart with answering motion bounds.
So joys the peasant on the sultry plain,
When thunders roll, the messengers of rain.
Slow ebbing, from the paler dawn withdrew;
Aurora on the purpling ocean rose;
The reddening east with warmer lustre glows;
His previous beam the solar brightness shed,
And from the wave uprais'd his peerless head—
While thro' the camp loud echoing clarions ring;
Rous'd to the note, the sprightly soldiers spring;
Their ears delighted drink the warlike sounds,
And every heart with answering motion bounds.
So joys the peasant on the sultry plain,
When thunders roll, the messengers of rain.
With quick impatience every bosom glows;
Apt to their limbs, the wonted armours close:
Each conscious soldier on his chief attends,
And o'er the plain the ranging host extends:
The banners stream, redundant to the wind;
All move, as ruled by one informing mind;
While high towards heaven, the Cross, in triumph spread,
Waves from the van, and blazes at their head.
Apt to their limbs, the wonted armours close:
Each conscious soldier on his chief attends,
And o'er the plain the ranging host extends:
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All move, as ruled by one informing mind;
While high towards heaven, the Cross, in triumph spread,
Waves from the van, and blazes at their head.
Now up the steep of heaven the cloudless sun,
Fresh in his pomp of rising splendor shone—
He strikes the squadrons with a trembling light;
The flash gleams restless, and rejects the sight:
All æther flames, and sparkles round the host,
And the wide glory fires the distant coast;
The coursers neigh, the clanging arms resound,
And deafening hills return the din around.
Fresh in his pomp of rising splendor shone—
He strikes the squadrons with a trembling light;
The flash gleams restless, and rejects the sight:
All æther flames, and sparkles round the host,
And the wide glory fires the distant coast;
The coursers neigh, the clanging arms resound,
And deafening hills return the din around.
Mean while the Chief, great guardian of his train,
Renders all slights of lurking ambush vain:
He sends the light arm'd horse detach'd before,
To scour the woodland and the winding shore;
The pioneers with previous labours go,
Pull down the lofty, and supply the low,
Unfold the strait, detect the covert way,
And give large travel to the wide array.
Renders all slights of lurking ambush vain:
He sends the light arm'd horse detach'd before,
To scour the woodland and the winding shore;
The pioneers with previous labours go,
Pull down the lofty, and supply the low,
Unfold the strait, detect the covert way,
And give large travel to the wide array.
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Not the rude onsets of encountering foes,
Soon scatter'd, could the impervious march oppose;
Not the proud rampart, and the steepy mound,
The guarded battlement, and trench profound—
In vain by thickets, rocks, and hills, withstood,
The rising forest, and the rushing flood!
So when the Po, imperial torrent, swells,
No power resists him, and no force repels:
Deep from the root the sylvan shade he heaves,
The ruin rolls ingulph'd within his waves;
He foams, he roars, he bounds along the plain,
And bears his prey triumphant to the Main.
Soon scatter'd, could the impervious march oppose;
Not the proud rampart, and the steepy mound,
The guarded battlement, and trench profound—
In vain by thickets, rocks, and hills, withstood,
The rising forest, and the rushing flood!
So when the Po, imperial torrent, swells,
No power resists him, and no force repels:
Deep from the root the sylvan shade he heaves,
The ruin rolls ingulph'd within his waves;
He foams, he roars, he bounds along the plain,
And bears his prey triumphant to the Main.
Mean time, the king of Tripoli, alarm'd,
Mann'd every hold, and every man he arm'd;
But still restrain'd his powers, his wealth supprest,
And ruled the wrath rebellious in his breast;
With specious gifts, and ill dissembled cheer,
Beneath feign'd friendship he disguised his fear;
Signed every term that Godfrey would impose,
And gave wide progress to his potent foes.
Mann'd every hold, and every man he arm'd;
But still restrain'd his powers, his wealth supprest,
And ruled the wrath rebellious in his breast;
With specious gifts, and ill dissembled cheer,
Beneath feign'd friendship he disguised his fear;
Signed every term that Godfrey would impose,
And gave wide progress to his potent foes.
Where, south from Salem, Seir's hills arise,
And eastward range, incumbent o'er the skies,
Promiscuous pours a numerous troop of friends,
And joyful, every sex and age descends:
Large gifts, the tribute of their love, they bring
To the great Chief, of Christian armies king;
They view the wondrous man with strange delight,
Press to his touch, and dwell upon his sight;
Thro' ways well known conduct his journey'd host,
And point his passage o'er the hostile coast.
And eastward range, incumbent o'er the skies,
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And joyful, every sex and age descends:
Large gifts, the tribute of their love, they bring
To the great Chief, of Christian armies king;
They view the wondrous man with strange delight,
Press to his touch, and dwell upon his sight;
Thro' ways well known conduct his journey'd host,
And point his passage o'er the hostile coast.
Still toward the deep, the windings they explore,
On sea-beat shallows, and the sanded shore;
Off to the right the ships of burden ride,
And plow the surge that murmurs at their side.
Convenient here, the flying barge from far,
Imports the various implements of war;
Replete from Scios, and the Greekish isles,
All autumn in the copious navy smiles;
While luscious Crete her generous juice bestows,
And to the host the purple vintage flows.
On sea-beat shallows, and the sanded shore;
Off to the right the ships of burden ride,
And plow the surge that murmurs at their side.
Convenient here, the flying barge from far,
Imports the various implements of war;
Replete from Scios, and the Greekish isles,
All autumn in the copious navy smiles;
While luscious Crete her generous juice bestows,
And to the host the purple vintage flows.
From Britain, Belgia, and the Gallic bays,
From Venice, native of the circling seas;
The gulph of Genoa, and Tuscan shores,
And where Sicilia piles her naval stores;
Ships, barks, and gallies, cut the Midland-main,
And join in arms, a complicated train.
For here no Pagan to the driving gale,
With daring hand unfurls his timorous sail;
Unrival'd round, the huge Armada rides,
And with a forest veils the nether tides;
Beneath the load, indignant, Ocean swells,
The vessel labours, and the surge rebels.
From Venice, native of the circling seas;
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And where Sicilia piles her naval stores;
Ships, barks, and gallies, cut the Midland-main,
And join in arms, a complicated train.
For here no Pagan to the driving gale,
With daring hand unfurls his timorous sail;
Unrival'd round, the huge Armada rides,
And with a forest veils the nether tides;
Beneath the load, indignant, Ocean swells,
The vessel labours, and the surge rebels.
Wing'd from the circling world the fleet unites;
One wish informs them, and one cause invites:
Their murmuring keels divide the side-long coast,
With large provision to the landed host;
Then launch'd, they shout, and scour the winding shore,
Hoist every sail, and ply with every oar;
All bound, where Christ the dear ablution shed,
And, for a sinful world, a sinless victim bled.
One wish informs them, and one cause invites:
Their murmuring keels divide the side-long coast,
With large provision to the landed host;
Then launch'd, they shout, and scour the winding shore,
Hoist every sail, and ply with every oar;
All bound, where Christ the dear ablution shed,
And, for a sinful world, a sinless victim bled.
Fame flies thro' Sion with preceding sound,
And hastes to spread the fearful news around;
The powers, the names, the numbers, all she sums—
“See, see,” she cries, “the dreaded victor comes!
“His steps a troop of matchless heroes wait,
“Known to the field, the delegates of fate:
“Fear ye, whose short enduring power detains
“The sacred city, and her saints in chains!
“He comes; and on his conquering weapon brings,
“Death to her foes, and terror to her kings!”
And hastes to spread the fearful news around;
The powers, the names, the numbers, all she sums—
“See, see,” she cries, “the dreaded victor comes!
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“Known to the field, the delegates of fate:
“Fear ye, whose short enduring power detains
“The sacred city, and her saints in chains!
“He comes; and on his conquering weapon brings,
“Death to her foes, and terror to her kings!”
Those ills, that present we might learn to bear,
In prospect spread, and magnify by fear;
The phantom realized in fancy's eye,
Is greater ill than all those ills we fly.
With busy face, and ever listening ear,
Restless they run to learn, but dread to hear;
Throughout the city, and adjacent plains,
Tumultuous haste, distrust, and rumour reigns;
While in her old malicious Tyrant's soul,
Black thoughts and hoary machinations roll.
In prospect spread, and magnify by fear;
The phantom realized in fancy's eye,
Is greater ill than all those ills we fly.
With busy face, and ever listening ear,
Restless they run to learn, but dread to hear;
Throughout the city, and adjacent plains,
Tumultuous haste, distrust, and rumour reigns;
While in her old malicious Tyrant's soul,
Black thoughts and hoary machinations roll.
For Aladine in Sion newly throned,
Beneath the proud usurper Judah groan'd:
Dire was the native purpose of his mind,
To every act of early ill inclined;
But as his years increase, his fires asswage,
Allay with time, and mitigate with age.
He learns the progress of the Christian powers,
That like a torrent comes to sap his towers;
And a new doubt his anxious bosom tears—
Treason within, and force without, he fears.
Beneath the proud usurper Judah groan'd:
Dire was the native purpose of his mind,
To every act of early ill inclined;
But as his years increase, his fires asswage,
Allay with time, and mitigate with age.
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That like a torrent comes to sap his towers;
And a new doubt his anxious bosom tears—
Treason within, and force without, he fears.
For Salem's sacred city, then inclosed,
Two different sects, of different faith, composed;
In Christ, divine instructor, those believ'd;
And these, in Macon, carnally deceiv'd:
In number, and in power, the last excel;
The former, only, in believing well.
But late, when he the imperial seat attain'd,
And scepter'd o'er the powers of Judah reign'd,
The Paynims lighten'd from the tax of state,
He whelms the Christians with the unequal weight.
Two different sects, of different faith, composed;
In Christ, divine instructor, those believ'd;
And these, in Macon, carnally deceiv'd:
In number, and in power, the last excel;
The former, only, in believing well.
But late, when he the imperial seat attain'd,
And scepter'd o'er the powers of Judah reign'd,
The Paynims lighten'd from the tax of state,
He whelms the Christians with the unequal weight.
Suspicious hence, he trembles in his turn,
Lest injury with due resentment burn.
Rous'd at the thought, his native wrath respires,
And wakes the fury of his slumbering fires;
The glut of future carnage feasts his soul,
And in his eye new scenes of slaughter roll.
Thus numb, and peaceful, lies some poisonous snake,
Chill'd in the dropping of a wintry brake;
Till, warm'd beneath the sun's returning ray,
He stirs, and curls, and kindles with the day;
Revived to ill, his burnish'd spires arise,
And venom lightens from his sanguine eyes.
Lest injury with due resentment burn.
Rous'd at the thought, his native wrath respires,
And wakes the fury of his slumbering fires;
The glut of future carnage feasts his soul,
And in his eye new scenes of slaughter roll.
Thus numb, and peaceful, lies some poisonous snake,
Chill'd in the dropping of a wintry brake;
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He stirs, and curls, and kindles with the day;
Revived to ill, his burnish'd spires arise,
And venom lightens from his sanguine eyes.
“Behold,” he said, “malicious in their joy,
“How the smile lurks, when Christians would destroy!
“In transport hush'd, they wait the coming foe,
“Their hearts exulting in the publick woe:
“Nor less such secret meditations mean,
“Than nightly treasons, and some murderous scene;
“Or thro' our gates yon hostile powers to guide,
“To us tho' hostile, yet to them allied.
“How the smile lurks, when Christians would destroy!
“In transport hush'd, they wait the coming foe,
“Their hearts exulting in the publick woe:
“Nor less such secret meditations mean,
“Than nightly treasons, and some murderous scene;
“Or thro' our gates yon hostile powers to guide,
“To us tho' hostile, yet to them allied.
“But prudence bids to disappoint the blow,
“And turn its force, retorted on the foe;
“The traitor's scheme shall on himself recoil,
“And take him, with his own invented toil.
“Stabb'd on the breast, let bleeding infants die;
“Each sex, and age, in mingling slaughter lie;
“While hoary on the shrine their priests expire,
“And every temple flames a funeral pyre!
“And turn its force, retorted on the foe;
“The traitor's scheme shall on himself recoil,
“And take him, with his own invented toil.
“Stabb'd on the breast, let bleeding infants die;
“Each sex, and age, in mingling slaughter lie;
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“And every temple flames a funeral pyre!
So brew'd the murderous mischief in his mind,
Dubious to act, what deadly he designed;
The threatful storm, superior fears controul,
And do the work of mercy in his soul;
While the fell purpose thro' his bosom boils,
With rancour rises, and with dread recoils,
Lest to himself like fortune might betide,
Compell'd to crave that mercy he denied,
And all the war, with desperate vengeance sped,
Should pour its wrath on his devoted head.
Dubious to act, what deadly he designed;
The threatful storm, superior fears controul,
And do the work of mercy in his soul;
While the fell purpose thro' his bosom boils,
With rancour rises, and with dread recoils,
Lest to himself like fortune might betide,
Compell'd to crave that mercy he denied,
And all the war, with desperate vengeance sped,
Should pour its wrath on his devoted head.
The Tyrant hence, irresolute in rage,
Diverts the fury which he can't asswage;
Lays the wide suburbs level with the ground,
And further spreads consuming fires around;
Fell poison with the living fount he blends,
Where death amid the rolling streams descends;
Acts all a cruel prudence can suggest,
And feeds the fiend that ravens in his breast.
Diverts the fury which he can't asswage;
Lays the wide suburbs level with the ground,
And further spreads consuming fires around;
Fell poison with the living fount he blends,
Where death amid the rolling streams descends;
Acts all a cruel prudence can suggest,
And feeds the fiend that ravens in his breast.
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Defensive next, the city claims his cares;
The mound he deepens, and the breach repairs:
Three sides, impregnable, disdain'd the fray;
Sole, on the north, the doubt of battle lay:
But here, with utmost vigilance he plies;
The bars are doubled, and the ramparts rise;
And last, with native, and auxiliar powers,
He arms her wards, and fortifies her towers.
The mound he deepens, and the breach repairs:
Three sides, impregnable, disdain'd the fray;
Sole, on the north, the doubt of battle lay:
But here, with utmost vigilance he plies;
The bars are doubled, and the ramparts rise;
And last, with native, and auxiliar powers,
He arms her wards, and fortifies her towers.
| The Poetical Works of Henry Brooke | |