Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

That which gave Occasion to the Regal Dream is a famous Tradition mention'd in the History of Henry VII. by which we are told, that He sent to enquire after his Successors from a celebrated Prophet or Necromancer, who for his Answer return'd him this remarkable Latin Verse:

Mars, Puer, Alecto, Virgo, Vulpes, Leo, Nullus.

These Emblems the Author of the following Vision thought fit to alter in some measure, and to add another Line; the Whole standing thus:

Fur, Puer, Alecto, Virgo, Vulpes, Pelicanus,
Et Caper, & Cervus, brevis & Flos, dia Columba.

214

'Twas on the Day that Bosworth Field was won,
And Glo'ster fell, and Richmond wore the Crown,
When as I sat revolving in my Mind,
The Chiefs descended from two Houses join'd,
A balmy Slumber with a sweet Surprize,
Stole soft and silent o'er my yielding Eyes;
Fancy, officious every Part to act,
Or Nature's Landscapes, or historic Fact,
A Bower had built profusely gay and bright,
With all the Beauty that can take the Sight,
Not more enchanting that Elysian Place
Where good Æneas saw the Julian Race,
An Area soon with mystic Signs was spread,
Diversified with Roses White and Red;

215

Thither a Sybil call'd me from the Throng
To mark the various Figures move along:
My awe-struck Memory never shall forget
Their Forms, their Names, their Numbers, and their State.

A Robber first, with holy Plunder fraught,
Whose less'ning Bags were Gold, were Dust, were Nought.

A Youth came next, who charm'd with ev'ry Grace,
As Angels good, and O as swift his Pace.

A Fury then, with more disorder'd Haste,
Past by, and dealt Destruction as she past.
Her ruffled Garments dropt with Martyr's Gore,
And in her Hand a flaming Torch she bore.

216

Not so the heavenly Maid who next arose,
Admir'd by all, tho' terrible to Foes;
Whose Aim was nobler, and whose Speed was less,
Who rose to triumph, and who stay'd to bless;
A Phœnix she, that peerless liv'd and dy'd,
Nor left a Race that her great Loss supply'd.

Yet came there to fulfil her last Command,
The wisest Animal of Nature's Hand,
A tame, a peaceful, tho' a wily Fox,
Who never slew, but only fleec'd the Flocks.

Soon as he earth'd a Pelican arose,
By Friends deserted, and pursu'd by Foes;
In Both his brave Contempt of Life was shewn,
Who for the Good of Others gave his Own.

217

Here all methought was Dark! at length appear
A Goat lascivious, and a hunted Deer.

The Sybil paus'd—and her sage Art to prove,
Declar'd that These would different Passions move,
Our useless Pity One, and One our lasting Love.

Now rose a sweet Carnation's silken Flow'r,
Fruitless, yet fair, the Beauty of an Hour,
For poisonous Eurus came—its bloomy Pride,
That unexpected rose, as quickly dy'd.

Next seem'd to dart from Heaven, a spotless Dove,
Who dropt an Olive-Branch, the Type of Love;
Then all too sudden flew amid the Spheres,
And shone a Star upon the World in Tears.

218

The Visionary Crowd that gaz'd below
All wept in Dream, and gave a Loose to Woe;
Britannia's self abandon'd to Despair,
Her azure Mantle tore, and sea-green Hair:
Deep Sorrow wak'd me from th' unfinisht Scene,
Eternally to mourn a matchless Queen.