The Works of Richard Owen Cambridge Including several pieces never before published: with an account of his life and character, by his son, George Owen Cambridge |
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 | The Works of Richard Owen Cambridge |  |
113
BOOK II.
114
ARGUMENT.
The Second Book leads the imagination, at once, from the barren desert to the most fruitful spot in the world, the ancient Arsinoe, now Faiume. Here Scriblerus meets a company of Pilgrims, formerly his father's friends, who desire him to relate his whole adventures to them. He begins his Narration. Gives an account of his waiting three years in vain at Naples to see the Eruption of Vesuvius. Purposes going to Jamaica in hopes of seeing an Earthquake. Sails with his friends, is driven by contrary winds below the Cape of Good Hope. Arrives at a most delightful country; which is described: but suddenly flies from it, moved by a fatal misinterpretation of an Oracle. Scriblerus, continuing his Narration, describes a wonderful coast, the surprising appearance of which strikes a damp on his companions. Deidemon and Thaumastes are chosen by lot to reconnoitre the country. At their return, they give a very imperfect account of their adventures, being stupified by excessive fear. Scriblerus sets out alone on a farther Discovery.
115
And now, ten days in tedious travel past,
At length they quit th' inhospitable waste.
As Zembla's sons, benighted half the year,
Exult when first the cheering rays appear,
From the deep gloom when long-lost scenes arise,
And earth and gayer heav'n salute their eyes:
Such joys diffus'd Arsinoe's fertile plain,
Such rapture seiz'd the late dejected train.
At length they quit th' inhospitable waste.
As Zembla's sons, benighted half the year,
Exult when first the cheering rays appear,
From the deep gloom when long-lost scenes arise,
And earth and gayer heav'n salute their eyes:
Such joys diffus'd Arsinoe's fertile plain,
Such rapture seiz'd the late dejected train.
From the tall hills, with transport they command
The vast extent of that wide-water'd land:
Where the same course sev'n copious rivers take,
And, Mœris, fill thy deep capacious lake.
The vast extent of that wide-water'd land:
Where the same course sev'n copious rivers take,
And, Mœris, fill thy deep capacious lake.
116
They leave the spacious lab'rinth's ruin'd state,
And, cheerful, enter proud Faiume's gate:
When, lo! to meet them came a solemn band,
The pilgrim's staff each bearing in his hand;
Their hats with scallops grac'd; the Flemish green,
In numerous crosses, on their robes was seen.
And, cheerful, enter proud Faiume's gate:
When, lo! to meet them came a solemn band,
The pilgrim's staff each bearing in his hand;
Their hats with scallops grac'd; the Flemish green,
In numerous crosses, on their robes was seen.
Who thus: Hail, great Scriblerus, nor disdain
A friendly welcome to this reverend train.
By adverse fates and ceaseless tempests tost
From sad Judæa's desolated coast,
To Alexandria's port our course we steer'd,
And there the hallow'd footsteps we rever'd
Of princes, prelates, saints, and martyrs dead,
Who greatly triumph'd, or who bravely bled.
There first with joy we heard thy spreading fame;
And thence to welcome thy return we came.
But, generous sage, sincere and free declare,
Are you, of manly growth, Scriblerus' heir?
For sure his features in your look appear,
And in the son the father we revere.
A friendly welcome to this reverend train.
By adverse fates and ceaseless tempests tost
From sad Judæa's desolated coast,
To Alexandria's port our course we steer'd,
And there the hallow'd footsteps we rever'd
Of princes, prelates, saints, and martyrs dead,
Who greatly triumph'd, or who bravely bled.
There first with joy we heard thy spreading fame;
And thence to welcome thy return we came.
But, generous sage, sincere and free declare,
Are you, of manly growth, Scriblerus' heir?
117
And in the son the father we revere.
Oft have I heard from my chaste mother's tongue,
That from the great Cornelius' loins I sprung,
The sage replies: but O! what mortal knows
Th' undoubted sire to whom his birth he owes?
O! might I now, tho' born of meaner race,
With him the mazy paths of wisdom trace,
With him unfold the metaphysick store,
And science, thro' each dark recess, explore—
But fate pronounc'd th' irrevocable doom,
And death has sunk him in the silent tomb.
Behold me now, deserted and forlorn,
The sport of fortune and her abject scorn:
Weary'd with woes, and old in travel grown,—
Still flatt'ring hope reserv'd yon wond'rous town—
Thither we journey'd; but the gods ordain
Our search successless and our labour vain.
That from the great Cornelius' loins I sprung,
The sage replies: but O! what mortal knows
Th' undoubted sire to whom his birth he owes?
O! might I now, tho' born of meaner race,
With him the mazy paths of wisdom trace,
With him unfold the metaphysick store,
And science, thro' each dark recess, explore—
118
And death has sunk him in the silent tomb.
Behold me now, deserted and forlorn,
The sport of fortune and her abject scorn:
Weary'd with woes, and old in travel grown,—
Still flatt'ring hope reserv'd yon wond'rous town—
Thither we journey'd; but the gods ordain
Our search successless and our labour vain.
Then they: With sympathetick grief we moan
Thy fate, alas! so sad, so like our own.
Yet say, Scriblerus, since thy daring soul,
Superior still to fortune's vain controul,
Has many a glorious enterprize atchiev'd,
New arts invented and lost arts retriev'd;
Say, shall thy friends thy various labours hear,
And thy sage conduct glad their longing ear?
Thy fate, alas! so sad, so like our own.
Yet say, Scriblerus, since thy daring soul,
Superior still to fortune's vain controul,
Has many a glorious enterprize atchiev'd,
New arts invented and lost arts retriev'd;
Say, shall thy friends thy various labours hear,
And thy sage conduct glad their longing ear?
Scriblerus then: Ah! seek not now to know
A series of unutterable woe.
For, lo! to Thetis' bed the god of day,
Thro' western skies, precipitates his way.
Give we to feast and sleep the peaceful night—
To distant Cairo, with the morning light,
Our course we speed: but if so great desire
To hear our fates your friendly breasts inspire,
As on the peaceful bosom of the Nile,
We sail, the tedious passage to beguile,
Your fond request, tho' hard, shall be obey'd,
And every debt to sacred friendship paid.
A series of unutterable woe.
For, lo! to Thetis' bed the god of day,
Thro' western skies, precipitates his way.
Give we to feast and sleep the peaceful night—
To distant Cairo, with the morning light,
Our course we speed: but if so great desire
To hear our fates your friendly breasts inspire,
As on the peaceful bosom of the Nile,
We sail, the tedious passage to beguile,
119
And every debt to sacred friendship paid.
Soon as the sun th' enlightened vault ascends,
Th' impatient chief embarks his ready friends.
Th' impatient chief embarks his ready friends.
Now all in silence eyed the godlike man,
Who thus with tears th' eventful tale began.
Who thus with tears th' eventful tale began.
From native Albion, a selected band,
We spread the sail and reach th' Ausonian strand:
The sacred flame which Pliny's breast inspir'd,
Urg'd our resolves, and every bosom fir'd:
But our dull stars th' expected boon delay,
And three slow years steal unimprov'd away.
Tho' heaving fire Vesuvio's womb distends,
No bursting deluge o'er the plain descends.
—O! curst impatience! O! severe disgrace!
Scarce had we left, unwilling left, the place,
When forth the flames, with wild explosion, broke,
The lab'ring mountain to its basis shook:
A molten deluge cover'd all the ground,
And ashes fill'd the hemisphere around,
We spread the sail and reach th' Ausonian strand:
The sacred flame which Pliny's breast inspir'd,
Urg'd our resolves, and every bosom fir'd:
But our dull stars th' expected boon delay,
And three slow years steal unimprov'd away.
Tho' heaving fire Vesuvio's womb distends,
No bursting deluge o'er the plain descends.
—O! curst impatience! O! severe disgrace!
Scarce had we left, unwilling left, the place,
When forth the flames, with wild explosion, broke,
The lab'ring mountain to its basis shook:
A molten deluge cover'd all the ground,
And ashes fill'd the hemisphere around,
Unmov'd, tho' baffled, we renew our toil,
And seek, Jamaica, thy unstable soil.
Where mountains rock, where yawning caverns roar,
And bellowing gulphs sulphureous torrents pour;
Majestic scene! whose aweful glories fire
Our drooping souls, and kindle new desire.
With prosp'rous gales, we reach Madeira's height,
And load delicious wines, a welcome freight.
Thence, o'er the bosom of the boundless sea,
Twice ten days blest pursue th' unruffled way;
When lo! deep clouds, with sable horrors rise,
And, low'ring, menace from the western skies;
Impetuous winds old ocean's face deform,
The vessel drives before the swelling storm;
Six long tempestuous weeks, by Corus tost,
And borne far distant from the wish'd-for coast.
Now as beneath the sultry line we run,
We bear unshaded the meridian sun.
Now far beyond the tropick as we stray,
Mourn the weak influence of th' obliquer ray.
Twice had the changeful moon full orb'd her light
Display'd; twice yielded to the shades of night;
When lo! at once the boist'rous winds subside,
At once abates the restless rolling tide.
Soft Zephyr rising o'er the wat'ry plain,
Fans with his gentle wing the level main;
When now Aurora, with auspicious light,
Reveals a beauteous harbour to the sight.
And seek, Jamaica, thy unstable soil.
120
And bellowing gulphs sulphureous torrents pour;
Majestic scene! whose aweful glories fire
Our drooping souls, and kindle new desire.
With prosp'rous gales, we reach Madeira's height,
And load delicious wines, a welcome freight.
Thence, o'er the bosom of the boundless sea,
Twice ten days blest pursue th' unruffled way;
When lo! deep clouds, with sable horrors rise,
And, low'ring, menace from the western skies;
Impetuous winds old ocean's face deform,
The vessel drives before the swelling storm;
Six long tempestuous weeks, by Corus tost,
And borne far distant from the wish'd-for coast.
Now as beneath the sultry line we run,
We bear unshaded the meridian sun.
Now far beyond the tropick as we stray,
Mourn the weak influence of th' obliquer ray.
Twice had the changeful moon full orb'd her light
Display'd; twice yielded to the shades of night;
121
At once abates the restless rolling tide.
Soft Zephyr rising o'er the wat'ry plain,
Fans with his gentle wing the level main;
When now Aurora, with auspicious light,
Reveals a beauteous harbour to the sight.
Bewitching scenes encompass us around,
And the whole region seems enchanted ground.
Gold buds and branches on the radiant trees,
And melting musick floats on ev'ry breeze.
From flowers, unfading thro' the varied year,
Incense and ambergris perfume the air;
Eternal verdure clothes the cloud-topt hills,
In tuneful measure fall the tinkling rills;
Rubies and em'ralds load the teeming groves,
Where vocal phœnixes record their loves.
The boars their sides in crystal fountains lave,
The painted panther swims the briny wave.
In myrtle groves the wanton dolphins play;
While sea-calves o'er th' enamelled meadows stray.
Around our ships the warbling mermaids glide,
And with their musick sooth the swelling tide.
And the whole region seems enchanted ground.
Gold buds and branches on the radiant trees,
And melting musick floats on ev'ry breeze.
From flowers, unfading thro' the varied year,
Incense and ambergris perfume the air;
Eternal verdure clothes the cloud-topt hills,
In tuneful measure fall the tinkling rills;
Rubies and em'ralds load the teeming groves,
Where vocal phœnixes record their loves.
The boars their sides in crystal fountains lave,
The painted panther swims the briny wave.
122
While sea-calves o'er th' enamelled meadows stray.
Around our ships the warbling mermaids glide,
And with their musick sooth the swelling tide.
Th' enchanting scene my ravish'd crew possest,
And calentures had seiz'd on ev'ry breast;
This I perceiv'd, and sudden gave command
To drive the vessel on the oozy strand.
Ere yet they touch'd the shore, th' impatient crew
O'er the high decks with heedless rapture flew.
And wand'ring onward, with amazement, found
A well-spread table on the verdant ground.
On beds of fragrant roses we recline,
And quaff full bowls of unexhausted wine.
Indulge with various meats unsated taste,
And, thoughtless, revel in the rich repast.
When issuing from the woods on either hand,
In martial guise advanc'd a num'rous band.
In martial guise they march'd: ill-judging fear
Misdeem'd the pomp inhospitable war,
Unmindful of Ascanius' harmless train,
And bloodless battles on Sicilia's plain.
Hence my rash hand, by fatal fury led,
Drew show'rs of woes on each devoted head.
And calentures had seiz'd on ev'ry breast;
This I perceiv'd, and sudden gave command
To drive the vessel on the oozy strand.
Ere yet they touch'd the shore, th' impatient crew
O'er the high decks with heedless rapture flew.
And wand'ring onward, with amazement, found
A well-spread table on the verdant ground.
On beds of fragrant roses we recline,
And quaff full bowls of unexhausted wine.
Indulge with various meats unsated taste,
And, thoughtless, revel in the rich repast.
When issuing from the woods on either hand,
In martial guise advanc'd a num'rous band.
123
Misdeem'd the pomp inhospitable war,
Unmindful of Ascanius' harmless train,
And bloodless battles on Sicilia's plain.
Hence my rash hand, by fatal fury led,
Drew show'rs of woes on each devoted head.
Firm and compact in three fair columns wove,
O'er the smooth plain, the bold Acrosticks move;
High o'er the rest the tow'ring leaders rise
With limbs gigantick and superior size.
They lead the van, unmov'd in the career,
And Bout-rimeès bring up the lagging rear.
O'er the smooth plain, the bold Acrosticks move;
High o'er the rest the tow'ring leaders rise
With limbs gigantick and superior size.
They lead the van, unmov'd in the career,
And Bout-rimeès bring up the lagging rear.
Not thus the looser Chronograms prepare,
Careless their troops, undisciplin'd to war;
With ranks irregular, confus'd, they stand,
The chieftains mingling with the vulgar band.
Careless their troops, undisciplin'd to war;
124
The chieftains mingling with the vulgar band.
But with still more disorder'd march, advance
(Nor march it seem'd, but wild fantastick dance)
The uncouth Anagrams, distorted train,
Shifting, in double mazes, o'er the plain.
(Nor march it seem'd, but wild fantastick dance)
The uncouth Anagrams, distorted train,
Shifting, in double mazes, o'er the plain.
From different nations next the Centos crowd;
With borrow'd, patcht, and motley ensigns proud.
Not for the fame of warlike deeds they toil,
But their sole end the plunder and the spoil.
With borrow'd, patcht, and motley ensigns proud.
Not for the fame of warlike deeds they toil,
But their sole end the plunder and the spoil.
125
Next, an uncertain and ambiguous train
Now forward march, then countermarch again.
The van now first in order, duly leads,
And now the rear the changeful squadron heads.
Thus onward, Amphisbæna springs to meet
Her foe; nor turns her in the quick retreat.
Now forward march, then countermarch again.
The van now first in order, duly leads,
And now the rear the changeful squadron heads.
Thus onward, Amphisbæna springs to meet
Her foe; nor turns her in the quick retreat.
To join these squadrons, o'er the champaign came
A num'rous race of no ignoble name;
The mighty Crambo leads th' intrepid van:
The rest a forward loud industrious clan.
Riddle, and Rebus, Riddle's dearest son;
And false Conundrum, and insidious Pun;
Fustian, who scarcely deigns to tread the ground;
And Rondeau, wheeling in repeated round.
Here the Rhopalics in a wedge are drawn,
There the proud Macaronians scour the lawn.
Here fugitive and vagrant o'er the green,
The wanton Lipogrammatist is seen.
There Quibble and Antithesis appear,
With Doggrel-rhymes and Echos in the rear.
A num'rous race of no ignoble name;
The mighty Crambo leads th' intrepid van:
The rest a forward loud industrious clan.
Riddle, and Rebus, Riddle's dearest son;
And false Conundrum, and insidious Pun;
Fustian, who scarcely deigns to tread the ground;
And Rondeau, wheeling in repeated round.
Here the Rhopalics in a wedge are drawn,
There the proud Macaronians scour the lawn.
126
The wanton Lipogrammatist is seen.
There Quibble and Antithesis appear,
With Doggrel-rhymes and Echos in the rear.
On their fair standards, by the wind display'd,
Eggs, altars, wings, pipes, axes were pourtray'd.
Eggs, altars, wings, pipes, axes were pourtray'd.
Alarm'd and all-suspended with the sight,
Nor yet determin'd to retire or fight,
A wond'rous omen from directing fate,
Fix'd our resolves, and urg'd our quick retreat.
Nor yet determin'd to retire or fight,
A wond'rous omen from directing fate,
Fix'd our resolves, and urg'd our quick retreat.
As on the ground, reclin'd, Thaumastes lay,
Fill'd with the feasting of the genial day;
(Uncertain if some godhead sway'd his mind,
Or mov'd by chance) he broke the walnut's rind:
Fear and amazement seiz'd his shuddering soul,
When for the nut, he found a scribbled scroll.
He trac'd the characters with secret dread;
Then thus aloud the mystick verses read.
Fill'd with the feasting of the genial day;
(Uncertain if some godhead sway'd his mind,
Or mov'd by chance) he broke the walnut's rind:
Fear and amazement seiz'd his shuddering soul,
When for the nut, he found a scribbled scroll.
127
Then thus aloud the mystick verses read.
In love the victors from the vanquis'd fly,
They fly that wound, and they pursue that die.
They fly that wound, and they pursue that die.
Silent a while and thoughtful we remain,
At length the verse unanimous explain;
That where no triumphs on the conquest wait,
Ev'n virtue's self and honour bids retreat,
So Jove declares, so wills eternal fate.
With eager zeal, we hoist the spreading sails,
And, from the deck, invoke the tardy gales.
When now the shore the fancy'd armies reach,
And form their mimick legions on the beach.
Insulting shouts the deafen'd sense invade,
Sarcasms and scoffing taunts our fears upbraid.
At length the verse unanimous explain;
That where no triumphs on the conquest wait,
Ev'n virtue's self and honour bids retreat,
So Jove declares, so wills eternal fate.
With eager zeal, we hoist the spreading sails,
And, from the deck, invoke the tardy gales.
When now the shore the fancy'd armies reach,
And form their mimick legions on the beach.
Insulting shouts the deafen'd sense invade,
Sarcasms and scoffing taunts our fears upbraid.
I catch my bow, (the same which Aster bore
'Gainst the rash monarch on Thessalia's shore,)
The string with meditated vengeance drew,
And pierc'd a leader of th' acrostick crew.
The giant scoffer falls consign'd to death,
And thus, prophetic, sung his parting breath:
C oward and slave, ne'er shalt thou reap the fruit
O f thy long labours and severe pursuit.
W ith sorrow shalt thou leave thy suff'ring crew,
A venging justice shall their steps pursue,
R ude draughts of iron shall they drink at need,
D rink, and deplore thy rash inhuman deed.
'Gainst the rash monarch on Thessalia's shore,)
The string with meditated vengeance drew,
And pierc'd a leader of th' acrostick crew.
128
And thus, prophetic, sung his parting breath:
C oward and slave, ne'er shalt thou reap the fruit
O f thy long labours and severe pursuit.
W ith sorrow shalt thou leave thy suff'ring crew,
A venging justice shall their steps pursue,
R ude draughts of iron shall they drink at need,
D rink, and deplore thy rash inhuman deed.
These threats denouncing, in the dust he rolls:
Cold thrilling fear invades our troubled souls.
Prostrate, we supplicate all-ruling Jove,
Th' impending curse, relenting, to remove.
With sad reluctance leave th' enchanting plain;
And anxious plough the hoarse-resounding main.
Cold thrilling fear invades our troubled souls.
Prostrate, we supplicate all-ruling Jove,
Th' impending curse, relenting, to remove.
With sad reluctance leave th' enchanting plain;
And anxious plough the hoarse-resounding main.
Nine tedious days a doubtful course we steer;
The tenth, bold rocks and tow'ring cliffs appear.
The least, as Atlas tall, o'erlook'd the strand:
Nor shapeless they, but shap'd by nature's hand.
Some like smooth cones aspiring to the skies,
Others aloft in spiral volumes rise.
These seem vast cannon planted on the shore,
Well-turn'd and hollow'd with cylindrick bore.
Here columns or tall obelisks appear;
There a vast globe or polish'd hemisphere.
Tow'ring on high proud battlements are seen:
And saliant bastions bear a warlike mien.
The tenth, bold rocks and tow'ring cliffs appear.
The least, as Atlas tall, o'erlook'd the strand:
Nor shapeless they, but shap'd by nature's hand.
129
Others aloft in spiral volumes rise.
These seem vast cannon planted on the shore,
Well-turn'd and hollow'd with cylindrick bore.
Here columns or tall obelisks appear;
There a vast globe or polish'd hemisphere.
Tow'ring on high proud battlements are seen:
And saliant bastions bear a warlike mien.
What breast, unmov'd, the dreadful sight could bear?
What eye behold it unappall'd with fear!
I strove their drooping courage to awake,
And thus, with animating accents, spake:
What eye behold it unappall'd with fear!
I strove their drooping courage to awake,
And thus, with animating accents, spake:
See, dear companions, what the gods have giv'n,
And praise th' indulgence of propitious heav'n.
How great the scene, where'er we turn our eyes!
The prospects various all, yet all surprize.
Ply well your oars to gain th' auspicious land;
And raise a grateful altar on the strand.
Then let some chief, by lot decreed, explore
The latent glories of this wond'rous shore.
And praise th' indulgence of propitious heav'n.
How great the scene, where'er we turn our eyes!
The prospects various all, yet all surprize.
Ply well your oars to gain th' auspicious land;
And raise a grateful altar on the strand.
Then let some chief, by lot decreed, explore
The latent glories of this wond'rous shore.
Thus I, dissembling; but pale fear possest
Each livid cheek, and chill'd each manly breast.
Fresh in their mind th' Acrostick's threats they dread,
And curse, denounc'd on their devoted head.
Still I persist, and urge the hard command:
With slow reluctant steps, they press the sand.
In equal parts I strait divide the crew:
Then in the urn the lots inscrib'd I threw,
And shook the hallow'd vase, till chance decreed
The sage Deidemon for the hardy deed:
And join'd the brave Thaumastes to his side,
By social love and like pursuits ally'd.
Each livid cheek, and chill'd each manly breast.
Fresh in their mind th' Acrostick's threats they dread,
And curse, denounc'd on their devoted head.
Still I persist, and urge the hard command:
With slow reluctant steps, they press the sand.
130
Then in the urn the lots inscrib'd I threw,
And shook the hallow'd vase, till chance decreed
The sage Deidemon for the hardy deed:
And join'd the brave Thaumastes to his side,
By social love and like pursuits ally'd.
Sheath'd in bright arms, o'er the suspected plain,
Pensive they march, and pensive we remain.
In vain th' enliv'ning banquet's charms we try,
In vain the mirth-inspiring goblet ply.
Dread and despair each rising joy controul,
And horror, brooding o'er the sparkling bowl.
Nor less in vain we seek the balm of sleep,
For still the wretched painful vigils keep.
Then first, my friends, I own, this manly breast
Damp wav'ring doubt, fear's harbinger, confest.
When, all-propitious to my raptur'd eyes,
I saw Priapus' awful form arise;
And thus the god: Dispel this causeless dread;
For know, an hospitable land ye tread.
What tho' the chiefs report a dreadful tale,
Fearless do thou the glorious task assail.
Nor war, nor hostile perils shalt thou prove:
But the soft blandishments of proffer'd love.
Myself the powerful passion will impart
To the fond queen, and melt her yielding heart:
Thy manly limbs with heighten'd charms I'll grace,
And breathe resistless beauties o'er thy face:
As artful sages give the modern stone
Time's honour'd stains, and glories not its own;
The canker'd coin with verdegris incrust,
Or grace the polish'd bronze with reverend rust.
With confidence proceed, my ready pow'r
Shall never fail thee in th' important hour.
Pensive they march, and pensive we remain.
In vain th' enliv'ning banquet's charms we try,
In vain the mirth-inspiring goblet ply.
Dread and despair each rising joy controul,
And horror, brooding o'er the sparkling bowl.
Nor less in vain we seek the balm of sleep,
For still the wretched painful vigils keep.
Then first, my friends, I own, this manly breast
Damp wav'ring doubt, fear's harbinger, confest.
When, all-propitious to my raptur'd eyes,
I saw Priapus' awful form arise;
And thus the god: Dispel this causeless dread;
For know, an hospitable land ye tread.
131
Fearless do thou the glorious task assail.
Nor war, nor hostile perils shalt thou prove:
But the soft blandishments of proffer'd love.
Myself the powerful passion will impart
To the fond queen, and melt her yielding heart:
Thy manly limbs with heighten'd charms I'll grace,
And breathe resistless beauties o'er thy face:
As artful sages give the modern stone
Time's honour'd stains, and glories not its own;
The canker'd coin with verdegris incrust,
Or grace the polish'd bronze with reverend rust.
With confidence proceed, my ready pow'r
Shall never fail thee in th' important hour.
He said, and vanish'd at th' approach of morn:
When, lo! the chiefs with downcast look return.
Aghast, with speechless tongue and bristling hair,
Deidemon stood; an emblem of despair.
Scarce could Thaumastes o'er his fears prevail:
Who thus, at length, brought out the broken tale.
When, lo! the chiefs with downcast look return.
Aghast, with speechless tongue and bristling hair,
Deidemon stood; an emblem of despair.
132
Who thus, at length, brought out the broken tale.
We went, Scriblerus—(such was thy command)
Thro' yon lone rocks to view this wond'rous land—
Long had we roam'd—sudden a noise we heard
Of mighty wings—and saw a monst'rous bird.
I grasp'd my jav'lin, startled at th' alarm,
But sage Deidemon stopt my desp'rate arm.
Oh, well restrain'd! for, by its nearer flight,
An human face, conspicuous to the sight,
And human limbs appear'd.—With wild amaze,
Astonish'd at the dire portent, we gaze,
And meditate return—when, from the flood,
(For near a spacious river's bank we stood)
A bark emergent rose; with oars well-tim'd,
Cut the smooth wave, and o'er the surface skim'd.
Then sunk again, but still her course pursu'd,
Clear was the stream, and all beneath we view'd.
Thro' yon lone rocks to view this wond'rous land—
Long had we roam'd—sudden a noise we heard
Of mighty wings—and saw a monst'rous bird.
I grasp'd my jav'lin, startled at th' alarm,
But sage Deidemon stopt my desp'rate arm.
Oh, well restrain'd! for, by its nearer flight,
An human face, conspicuous to the sight,
133
Astonish'd at the dire portent, we gaze,
And meditate return—when, from the flood,
(For near a spacious river's bank we stood)
A bark emergent rose; with oars well-tim'd,
Cut the smooth wave, and o'er the surface skim'd.
Then sunk again, but still her course pursu'd,
Clear was the stream, and all beneath we view'd.
Swift we retire, with oft-retorted eye,
Lest magick charms o'ertake us as we fly.
Long unpursued we run, at length retreat
Where an arch'd rock affords a welcome seat.
Chearful we enter, but within behold
A serpent shape with many a jointed fold.
Each friendly pow'r invoking to my aid,
The sleeping form, intrepid, I invade.
Direct my faulchion on the monster's hide,
And in the midst his bloodless frame divide.
But soon, repentant, my rash deed deplore,
For lo! two foes vindictive on the floor;
Both rear the horned head, and both assail
With the sharp terrors of the pois'nous tail.
Again our trenchant blades aloft we heave,
Dauntless again the sever'd bodies cleave,
And triumph in the deed. Alas! how blind,
How fond, how prone to err, the human mind!
How vain our joy! for, (such the will of fate)
Our conquests still new enemies create.
Again th' unequal combat we renew,
Again, surpriz'd, encrease the reptile crew.
And now a numerous fry o'erspread the ground,
By slaughter rais'd, and fertile from the wound.
Lest magick charms o'ertake us as we fly.
Long unpursued we run, at length retreat
Where an arch'd rock affords a welcome seat.
134
A serpent shape with many a jointed fold.
Each friendly pow'r invoking to my aid,
The sleeping form, intrepid, I invade.
Direct my faulchion on the monster's hide,
And in the midst his bloodless frame divide.
But soon, repentant, my rash deed deplore,
For lo! two foes vindictive on the floor;
Both rear the horned head, and both assail
With the sharp terrors of the pois'nous tail.
Again our trenchant blades aloft we heave,
Dauntless again the sever'd bodies cleave,
And triumph in the deed. Alas! how blind,
How fond, how prone to err, the human mind!
How vain our joy! for, (such the will of fate)
Our conquests still new enemies create.
Again th' unequal combat we renew,
Again, surpriz'd, encrease the reptile crew.
135
By slaughter rais'd, and fertile from the wound.
O! for that warning voice which Cadmus heard,
When from the glebe his growing foes appear'd!
Or the strong charms of Colchis' pow'rful maid,
In like distress the valiant Jason's aid!
When from the glebe his growing foes appear'd!
Or the strong charms of Colchis' pow'rful maid,
In like distress the valiant Jason's aid!
A while retreating we maintain the fight,
Then quit th' enchanted cave with sudden flight:
And chear'd, th' auspicious land-marks to review,
Thro' the known path, our glad return pursue.
Then quit th' enchanted cave with sudden flight:
And chear'd, th' auspicious land-marks to review,
Thro' the known path, our glad return pursue.
136
He ended, trembling: strait I grasp'd my sword,
And bade them follow. At the dreadful word,
Fear and confusion ev'ry breast invade;
All join the desp'rate purpose to dissuade;
But chief Thaumastes.—Hence; ignoble slave,
Stern I reply, whose fears infect the brave.
You, heroes once, inglorious, here remain,
Aw'd by his words, a dastard, abject train.
Alone I triumph, if my arms succeed,
Or perish single in the hardy deed.
Indignant thus, confiding in the god,
O'er the drear plain, with haughty steps I strode.
And bade them follow. At the dreadful word,
Fear and confusion ev'ry breast invade;
All join the desp'rate purpose to dissuade;
But chief Thaumastes.—Hence; ignoble slave,
Stern I reply, whose fears infect the brave.
You, heroes once, inglorious, here remain,
Aw'd by his words, a dastard, abject train.
Alone I triumph, if my arms succeed,
Or perish single in the hardy deed.
Indignant thus, confiding in the god,
O'er the drear plain, with haughty steps I strode.
THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK.
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