The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer modernis'd by several hands. Publsh'd by Mr. Oggle |
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CAMBUSCAN:
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 | The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer |  |
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CAMBUSCAN:
OR, The Squire's TALE.
By Mr. BOYSE.
I.
Where peopled Scythia's verdant Plain extend,East in that Sea, in whose unfathom'd Flood,
Long-winding Volga's rapid Streams descend,
On Oxus' Bank an ancient City stood;
Then Sarra, but to later Ages known,
By rising Samarcand's imperial Name;
There, held a potent Prince his honour'd Throne,
And distant Nations own'd Cambuscan's Fame:
So was the Sultan call'd, whose lengthen'd Sway,
Surrounding Realms revere, and pleas'd his own obey.
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II.
When nervous Youth had brac'd his valiant Breast,Oft had the Russian felt his dreadful Arm;
The Persian oft his martial Pow'r carress'd,
And the wild Cossack shrunk at his Alarm;
Strict to the Law th' Arabian Prophet taught,
Compassionately just, and greatly kind,
His Virtue scarce was shaded with a Fault,
True was his League and constant as his Mind:
Great Wealth he had, but well that Wealth enjoy'd,
And Pow'r, Heaven's noblest Gift, as nobly he employ'd.
III.
To raise the Honours of his spotless State,(A Joy too seldom known in regal Life!)
Fortune had bless'd him with an equal Mate,
And given the fair Eltheta to his Wife;
The graceful Queen, majestick to the View,
Whose blooming Youth had bless'd the Hero's Arms;
Her high Descent from great Arsaces drew,
And native Dignity adorn'd her Charms;
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And one unblemish'd Maid with ev'ry Virtue crown'd.
IV.
Algarsife first who grac'd his youthful Bed,Breath'd all the Victor's irresistless Flame;
In Camps beneath his Father's Conduct bred,
His Warrior Bosom swell'd for endless Fame;
Well practis'd he the daring Troops to head,
Bold to attack or strike the steady Blow,
Or skill'd with Art the patient March to lead
O'er the long Desart—and surprize the Foe!
With missive Death to guard the wheeling Rear,
As darts the Bolt of Jove,—and shines to disappear.
V.
But young Camballo's more reflective MindFrom his great Sire's immediate Temper drew
A softer Turn, and studiously inclin'd
To judge of Fame in a superior View;
To mend the Genius of the barren Soil,
With prudent Laws the social Ties to bind,
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With Health the Youth to form, with Truth the Mind,
Arts, whence the publick Welfare takes its Rise,
And Empire lifts her Head, exalted to the Skies!
VI.
Beneath some rooted Oak's projected Shade,Where twine the Lawrel and the Olive bloom;
In mildest Grace amidst the shelter'd Bed,
The nascent Rose displays its soft Perfume:
Such Canace with all becoming State,
While Love inthron'd from her enchanting Brow,
Dispers'd a thousand Arrows wing'd with Fate,
And smil'd to rule th' admiring World below!
Her Form was Harmony,—all Grace her Air,
As if Perfection, pleas'd, had plac'd its Centre there!
VII.
No Affectation sully'd Beauty's Pride;No Vanity bespoke a wanton Fire;
In all her Action Virtue seem'd to guide,
Nor knew her chaster Breast a loose Desire:
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Refulgent pierce the treasur'd Rays of Light;
No Spot the native Lustre can deface,
Which view'd in every Shape is always bright:
So thro' fair Beauty's Mirror undefil'd,
With still-attractive Charms internal Wisdom smil'd.
VIII.
Now twice ten Years had good Cambuscan reign'd,By early Wars secur'd in honour'd Ease,
And Peace at home, and Fame abroad maintain'd,
Mark'd the meridian Glory of his Days.
In those blest Times, no labour'd Structures rose,
Where Grandeur from the publick Ruin springs,
The splendid Trophies of a People's Woes!
The dearly purchas'd Palaces of Kings!
Far other State his Dignity supports,
Beyond the borrow'd Blaze of Europe's gilded Courts.
IX.
Yet Goodness still a nobler Show supply'd,Then glittering Guards to awe the subject Eye,
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And safe the Wretched to their Prince drew nigh.
As the warm Sun diffuses golden Day,
So smil'd the common Father of the Land.
As spreads o'er Earth the all-enlivening Ray,
So felt the Meanest his extensive Hand.
Happy, where thus the Sovereign's Bounty warms,
And Goodness lends to Pow'r, a Plenitude of Charms.
X.
From Aries now approach'd the Solar Flame,While wakeful Spring the wint'ry Chain unbinds.
Nature re-kindles to the amorous Beam,
And swells luxuriant in the Western Winds;
At Flora's Call a thousand Beauties rise,
To dress with Sweets the fair enamell'd Ground,
And to the happy Sense and ravish'd Eyes,
Waft new Delight and fragrant Pleasure round.
Each Bird proclaims his Joy, and thro' the Grove
Resounds the heavenly Song of Harmony and Love!
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XI.
The Season this, when (so their Prophet taught)The joyful City kept the holy Feast,
Which the wild Saracen with secret Thought,
Reveres, the Bairam of the turban'd East:
On whose preceding Eve, with wonted State,
Thro' ev'ry Street the royal Herald's Sound
Proclaims Cambuscan's Feast to Crouds who wait,
With fond acclaiming Joy their Passage round:
Peace smiles on ev'ry Brow,—and Sarra glad,
Prepares to keep the Day, in all her Pomp array'd.
XII.
Now rose Aurora, robed in pleasing grey,Her sober Mantle edg'd with beamy Gold!
The early Clarion hails the dawning Ray,
The Gates their Iron Portals wide unfold;
High on a Rock, encircled by the Flood,
Where silver Mazes oft deceiv'd the Eyes,
The Palace rose:—below the City stood,
In Circuit fair, and glitter'd to the Skies!
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With Sylvan Pride adorn'd, and Banks of native Green,
XIII.
Here, so the Sultan's honour'd Mandate bore,Soon as the Sun disclos'd his orient Pride;
Thro' the glad Multitude, that throng'd before,
The Tartar Lords conven'd on ev'ry Side:
Along the fair Ascent, in shining Train,
Towards the Palace march the noble Band;
Pleas'd to renew their annual Vows again,
To see their King, and hail his just Command;
And wish to the past Years by Fate decreed,
In fair continued Course—the future may succeed.
XIV.
But wise Cambuscan, who observant knew,The Pow'r supreme from whom all Greatness flows,
On this peculiar Day with Homage due
To Heaven returns the Service Grandeur owes.
No vain Idolatry his Heart deceiv'd,
No flattering Names of Mighty, High or Great;
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From a glad People and a happy State:
And chiefly on this Morn his Heart prepares
To pay his humble Thanks in Sacrifice and Pray'rs.
XV.
The Pomp begins, the yielding Croud give Way;A thousand Horse the bright Procession lead;
A chosen Troop, with Bows and Quivers gay,
And bold Algasife glitters at their Head!
Toil mark'd each Limb, and on their hardy Brow,
Sate dreadless Valour, mix'd with Awe severe;
Yet each seem'd pleas'd to grace the Triumph now,
And Peace had soften'd half the Victor's Air:
While as they pass, redoubled Shouts arise,
And Oxus' hilly Banks the Eccho long supplies!
XVI.
The Pontiffs next, Administers of Law,The hoary Molla, and the Cadi sage,
Whose venerable Looks impress'd an Awe;
For Wisdom gives new Dignity to Age.
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Nor Saint-like Visage, nor dejected Air;
But Virtue dress'd in Cheerfulness appear'd,
And Health and Temperance were pictur'd there.
The joy'd Spectators much their Sight approve,
Whose Goodness careful gain'd the People's honest Love.
XVII.
All in the midst, with precious Care inroll'dIn tissued Bands bedrop'd with many a Gem;
A Camel proud, bedeck'd with Silk and Gold,
The Koran bore, which Mussulmen esteem!
Around the Emirs, whose illustrious Race
From the great Prophet claims its high Descent,
All robed in Green advanced, with gentle Pace
Bestowing numerous Blessings as they went:
A Silence deep ensues,—and ev'ry Look,
With conscious Awe salutes the heaven descended Book.
XVIII.
Then came the Merchants, an un-number'd Band,With more familiar Mein, the Sons of Peace!
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Had shed its Sweets, and dwelt in ev'ry Face;
Plain was their Garb, and free from gaudy Pride;
For yet no baneful Luxury was known;
But Wealth domestick well that Show supplied,
And frugal Manners kept their Wealth their own,
Fond of the Arts he rais'd, with gentle Air,
Camballo graceful rode a Polish Courser fair.
XIX.
Amidst the Guar dianSages of the Throne,Where prudent Counsels prop'd his settled State,
Distinguish'd far, the much-lov'd Monarch shone,
Less in Magnificence than Virtue great;
Not the rich Crimson which his Person drest,
Nor Indian Diamond his Tiara crown'd;
Not the Siberian Fur nor Persian Vest,
Nor Syrian Sabre which his Vesture bound;
Such wide Respect produc'd, or fond Acclaim,
As join'd in friendly Bands the King's and Father's Name.
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XX.
Here the enfeebled Sight its Force excell'd,Eager its great Protector to survey;
As fond the Eye of Infancy beheld,
Striving to bear some Feature fond away;
That Age the grateful Image might renew,
That Youth might strong imprint Cambuscan's Name,
While to the worthy Monarch's smiling View,
His People's Bliss in present Prospect came!
A Pleasure this which Virtue only finds,
The Wreath which Truth confers, and Fame eternal binds!
XXI.
The Rites perform'd,—and every Prayer addrest,Which Faith exacts, or Piety can pay;
The Day's fair Interval the People past,
In manly Exercise, and floral Play:
Algarsife pleas'd the active Youth regards,
Excites the Modest, and commends the Brave;
Assigns proportioned Merit its Rewards,
And teaches all with Vigour to behave:
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And animates the Rage, and Order of the Course.
XXII.
Mean while Cambuscan, with the elder Chiefs,And young Camballo held the cool Debate;
With Care consult to ease the Peoples Griefs,
The Means to strengthen and improve the State.
From neighb'ring Tribes commission'd Envoys press,
To court his Friendship, or his League renew;
From subject Provinces with glad Address,
New Deputies salute their Monarch's View;
Who all with condescending Grace receives,
And tenderly to each his just Instructions gives.
XXIII.
Now from the Zenith flam'd the Orb of Day,When to the Royal Square, selected Place,
The warlike Trumpet warns the Guests away,
Where the King's Banquet spreads its gladsome Face,
Decent around the pleas'd Attendants smile,
Appointed to fulfil their Lord's Commands:
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And not a Stranger unregarded stands.
Well from their Prince they learn the gentle Art
With fair Humanity to charm the honest Heart.
XXIV.
Near hand, allotted to the princely Train,A spacious Hall receiv'd each nobler Guest;
Where to the dazzled Eye a brighter Scene
Display'd the Treasures of the downy East;
The Walls dispread with Persia's Tap'stry, shine;
The azure Roof emboss'd with figur'd Gold;
Of Casbin's richest Loom the Carpets twine,
Where many a flow'ry Maze appear'd enroll'd;
And Golden Censers, plac'd in proper Room,
With all Arabia's Sweets embalm'd the fragrant Dome.
XXV.
Silent, around the Slaves attendant wait,Silent, the watchful Grooms dispose the Feast;
Silence and Order mark the Asian State,
The Sign imperial, and submissive Breast:
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From ev'ry Element the Spoils they take
The richest Dainties Sarra can afford,
Fish from the Stream, and Fowls that haunt the Lake.
The Fawn and Stag the specious Forests yield,
And Herbs and various Fruits the cultivated Field.
XXVI.
Their Drinks, Sherbets attemper'd to the Taste,A thousand diff'rent Ways with Eastern Art;
Where mingling Spices give a racy Zest,
And warm, like cordial Wine, the gladden'd Heart.
Mean time, the Commons, with inferior Fare,
Harsh, seeming to our nicer Eye, regale;
The Forest-Fruits, the curdled Milk of Mare,
Or Grain, the Product of the fertile Vale:
With purest Water from the chrystal Stream,
That feeds with cool Supplies Life's quick consuming Flame!
XXVII.
Concludes the Feast, with ev'ry Service paid,When from the publick Square's capacious Bound,
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Of comely Form, with rich Tiaras crown'd;
Each at his Side, with Care attendant leads
A shapely Courser of Tartarian Breed;
Who neighing, seems to spurn the Ground he treads,
As conscious of his Servitude decreed:
Marks of that Duty Sarra loyal owes,
For all the peaceful Sweets Cambuscan's Reign bestows!
XXVIII.
An hundred Virgins, each of fairest Hue,In flowing Robes of brightest Azure drest,
Succeed in soft Procession, two by two:
Their beauteous Brows with flow'ry Chaplets grac'd,
Their lovely Hands a shining Treasure bore,
Which new-establish'd Commerce brought from far;
The Indian Gem, the Pearl from Ormus Shore,
The Tyrian Purple, and the painted Jar;
Or the domestick Spoils of Sarra's Field,
The costly-ermin'd Furs her ample Forests yield.
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XXIX.
These Presents offer'd with respectful Care,Rewarded by the gracious Monarch's Smile,
Amidst the Dome, a second Train appear
Of foreign Beauties from Circassia's Soil:
From native Sweets the Infant-Captives brought
With melting Charms barbaric Hearts to move,
Early in ev'ry Art of Pleasing taught
To sing, to smile, to languish, and to love!
Magnificently gay, the Band advance,
And with harmonious Air begin the wanton Dance!
XXX.
At this—a Sight too loose for Wisdom's Awe,Whose Strictness views such Mirth with Eye severe;
Prepare the King and Sages to withdraw,
That Youth its more appropriate Joys may share;
When unforeseen, as wak'ning Tempests rise,
When troubl'd Ocean heaves with conscious Fear;
Such, and so strange the gath'ring Murmur flies,
Increasing, till it gains the Royal Ear:
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And new-born Wonder sits confess'd in ev'ry Face!
XXXI.
Soon shines the Cause—for now the Crowd divides,When nobly mounted, of distinguish'd Mien,
Entring, a graceful Stranger boldly rides;
His Helm unbrac'd, and in his Visage seen
Valour, by long Experience made sedate:—
His Courser form'd of Brass, whose burnish'd Light
Reflected beamy Rays of mimic Heat;
A moving Meteor to the dazzled Sight!
Proud of his Charge, he fiercely glanc'd Disdain,
And bent his shapely Neck beneath the potent Rein!
XXXII.
The Knight's Right Hand the flaming Steed compell'd,With gentle Awe, and half his Rage repress'd;
His Left to View a polish'd Mirror held,
Of oval Form, in figur'd Gold enchas'd:
His Finger glitter'd with the radiant Pride,
An oriental Saphyr wide display'd:
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With Torquoise-Hilt, of damask'd Steel the Blade:
His comely Personage, and strange Attire,
Cambuscan studious Eyes, and much the Court admire.
XXXIII.
Then mild advancing, where th' Imperial ThroneErected, to the distant Sight ascends;
Quick from his wondrous Steed alighting down,
Before the King the gentle Envoy bends!
Then to the throng'd Assembly turns his Eyes,
With due Obedience paid to all around;
While general Silence marks a pleas'd Surprize,
And not a Whisper steals along the Ground:
Each Aspect earnest on the Issue hung,
When thus the Knight began, with no ungraceful Tongue!
XXXIV.
“To Thee, for Virtue as for Arms renown'd,“Whose Name to distant Lands extends its Rays;
“Whose Youth with Fame, whose Age with Honours crown'd,
“Asia repeats!—too narrow for thy Praise!
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“Thro' happy Nations spreads one common Smile;
“Northward from Ormus to the Euxine Sea,
“And West from Indus to the Banks of Nile;
“To thee, Al-raschid, round whose renown'd Head
“May Heav'n its balmy Dew of constant Blessings shed!
XXXV.
“To Thee, whose Piety, his Zeal befriends,“Whose Arms have triumph'd in the Prophet's Cause;
“These Marks of Amity our Califf sends,
“Proofs of his Estimation and Applause!
“Nor slight the Presents, tho' no Form they wear,
“That seems attractive to a Monarch's Eye;
“More secret Worth they boast, and Virtues rare,
“Than all the Treasures hid beneath the Sky,
“Which Heav'n-taught Science only can bestow,
“And mystic Talismans, that rule the World below.
XXXVI.
“This Steed, which, mighty Prince, you now behold“As motionless,—tho' recent from the Reins,
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“Yet in himself the Springs of Life retains;
“Less fleet the feather'd Arrow wings its Way,
“Borne on the Pinions of the breezy Wind,
“Less swift the canvass'd Vessel skims the Sea,
“Then leave his Steps the less'ning Space behind,
“Brave the surrounding Deep, where Oceans flow,
“Or mount the steep broad Rock, and lose the Plain below!
XXXVII.
“Or, would'st thou from the Sphere terrestrial rise,“And learn the boundless Regions of the Air?
“Th' aerial Guide shall waft thee thro' the Skies
“To the remotest Star that glitters there!
“Firm shall he bear thy trusted Weight impress'd
“Thro' Floods that threaten, or thro' Fires that glow!
“Or guard thee with impenetrable Breast,
“Thro' pointed Javelins o'er the prostrate Foe:
“For the sage Author form'd his just Design
“With Planetary Skill, and Artifice Divine!
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XXXVIII.
“Yet rooted shall the beauteous Image stand,“A lifeless Monument shall press the Place;
“Void of all Sense, and deaf to all Command,
“Nor human Force disturb it from its Base;
“Unless thy Thought the mystic Words retain,
“That wake to Motion the insensate Mass;
“That give Direction to the rapid Rein,
“Or stop the Springs of animated Brass”.
He paus'd:—diffusive as the Murmur ran,
When thus resuming soon—th' Embassador began.
XXXIX.
“This Mirror—so our Empress fair commands,“As Pledge of mutual Faith and Friendship meant;
“To thy Imperial Consort's beauteous Hands,
“With grateful Joy, commission'd, I present!
“No specious Forms from hence reflected glare,
“No shadowy Objects of material kind;
“But mental Truths within disclos'd appear,
“Fate's future Births Enquiry here shall find;
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“The various Fortunes wait thy long descending Race.
XL.
“Does War or Faction threat thy promis'd Reign?“Here shalt thou see the Perils, and avert;
“Does Plague or Famine hover near thy Plain?
“A timely Caution shall arise from Art:
“If Falshood lurks in Flatt'ry's fair Disguise?
“Here Truth's fair Face shall point the Syren's Face!
“If Vice, by Virtue's Ruin, aims to rise?
“Here shall it meet thy Knowledge and Disgrace:
“And thy observant Thought with Ease shall find
“The variegated Shapes that veil the human Mind.
XLI.
“Here pleas'd, thy gentle Sultaness shall prove,“A thousand Ways the sportive Mirror's Skill;
“Survey the Crafts of Jealousy and Love,
“The Stratagems that wait a Female Will:
“Thro' ev'ry Maze the shifting Heart pursue,
“From Fancy's Start, to Reason's close Retreat;
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“And mark Ideas, how they rise and set.
“Gain'd but the Key—which to the Queen I bear,
“Long may her Virtues prove the Guardian Mirror's Care!
XLII.
So said,—the Present with complacent AirTo an Attendant near, the Envoy gave;
When thus proceeding—“Further speaks my Care,
“If Thou, all gracious Monarch, grant the Leave!
“For thus our Sov'reign Lady bade me say;
“Pleas'd, has she heard a Northern Princess Fame:
“One Faith we keep, one Prophet we obey;
“Let closer Bands unite our Sister's Name!
“The Rose of Tigris, Sarra's Violet woos,
“And with this mystic Ring her valu'd Friendship sues!
XLIII.
“When from the Earth the King of Wisdom fled,“Whose Science pierc'd thro' Matter's boundless Field;
“When mourn'd the East that Salomon was dead,
“To whom the Realms of Spirit stood reveal'd;
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“Whence all its Pow'r this Gem's Impression takes,
“Obedient Nature feels its wide Command,
“And at its Call a new Creation breaks.
“Each vegetable Birth its Power reveals,
“The noxious Weed that kills, or Plant that wholesome heals!
XLIV.
“Or, would the Princess, while with cheerful Eyes“She views the Beauties of the op'ning Spring,
“Curious enquire the Language of the Skies,
“Or learn the Notes the feather'd Nations sing?
“Hence shall the vocal Natives of the Groves,
“With well-known Hymns salute her early Walk;
“Hence shall their Laws, their Manners, and their Loves
“Become familiar Subjects of her Talk:
“And while the Sylvan World her Thoughts command,
“Her grateful Mind shall own a Princess' gen'rous Hand.
XLV.
He said, and bow'd, and Speech resum'd once more,While from his Side he drew the shining Blade,
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“Be to your princely Sons with Honour paid,
“Such is the Temper of the deadly Steel,
“Nor the firm Marble, nor the rooted Oak,
“Not Arms of Adamant its Touch can feel
“Unmov'd, or bear the Fury of its Stroke:
“No Earthly Wight its Contest may endure,
“No Skill of Pharmacy its left Erasure cure.
XLVI.
“Yet strange, tho' true, its double Charms prevail,“With friendly Care to raise the vanquish'd Foe;
“The fatal Wound the Hilt alone can heal,
“And with immediate Ease relieve the Blow;
“From the deep Gash, tho' stream'd the vital Flood,
“And the wing'd Soul sate ready to depart;
“Restrain'd, at once shall stop the issuing Blood,
“With cordial Life again to warm the Heart!
“Its Sov'reign Touch the Balm of Health restore,
“As Mercy's gentle Hand allays the Rage of Pow'r.
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XLVII.
“Nor judge, great Prince, the Gifts as ill assign'd,“Directed by our Califf's holy Views;
“Safe is the Steed, in thy disposing Mind,
“Whose Virtue never can his Pow'r abuse;
“The Mirror well thy Consort may behold,
“Reflecting all her Innocence sincere;
“Well may the Ring the Daughter's Hand enfold,
“Whose Soul is like the spotless Person, fair:
“And aided by the Sword thy future Race,
‘Shall to the Toils of War, unite the Arts of Peace!
XLVIII.
Submiss he ceas'd:—when rising from his ThroneThe Monarch mild descending stretch'd his Hand,
Well pleas'd the grateful Embassy to own,
Borne by the Service of so wise a Hand:
When thus:—“Kind Stranger! not the Voice of Fame,
“That spreads its Sound diffus'd to either Poll;
“Can raise the Lustre of our Califf's Name,
“Or more endear his Virtues to my Soul:
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“And with continued Joy, his daily Praises hear!
XLIX.
“His noble Gifts with Pleasure I receive,“Which secret Worth, and mystic Value boast
“But more esteem the Faith he yields to give,
“His Friendship ever wish'd and honour'd most.
“Yet rare thy Presents and exceeding far,
“The various Gems our eastern World brings forth.
“The Ruby rich, the Diamond's mimick Star,
“Or the unblemish'd Pearl of orient Worth,
“Greatly beyond what Sarra's Regions lend,
“Or all the Sylvan Spoils, her ample Forests send!
L.
“Welcome thy Presence on this festal Day,“To grace the Honours of our Royal Feast,
“When Pleasure sits on ev'ry Aspect gay,
“And in my People's Joy is mine confess'd:
“Tho' us'd to better Cheer, which Heav'n bestows,
“On Lands in happier Climes their Lot assign'd;
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“And Earth untaught is still benignly kind.
“Where the mild Sun declines in Beauty gay,
“Or Beams, with orient Charms to dress the Face of Day.
LI.
“Yet here till thy Return, the Greeting find,“Our barren Country yields the Toiler's Use;
“Where Nature won, and by Compulsion kind,
“Consents but coy to aid the slow Produce;
“Yet such the Pow'r of the industrious Hand
“That Year by Year the Soil more kindly grows,
“Art pours new Beauties o'er the changing Land,
“And by Degrees increasing Plenty flows,
“Our Forests shrink, as new Plantations rise,
“And Culture spreads new Fields to the delighted Skies.
LII.
“Mean time, associate at our Royal Board,“Accept the Cares our Gratitude would pay;
“Freely command what Sarra can afford,
“To ease the Labours of the tedious Way.”
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He plac'd the honour'd Stranger by his Side,
While round the noblest Chiefs, a shining Band,
Approach to welcome him with decent Pride.
His courteous Speech and Manner all admire,
And of the Syrian Court, the News they much enquire.
LIII.
Now plenteous had the gentle Envoy din'd,Pleas'd with the Treatment which the Monarch gave,
When from the Zenith now the Sun declin'd,
To cool his Ardors in the Caspian Wave;
When thus the King—“Not here we boast the Means
“To give thy Character the Honours due;
“One easy Step to crown thy Toil remains,
“Eastward our regal Castle stands in View,
“There take thy Rest most welcome, and receive
“That Friendship and Respect our Amity shall give.
LIV.
The Monarch rose,—th' officious Guard attend;The Knight with graceful Air his Courser leads,
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And to the Palace all the Pomp proceeds:
But most his Steed from the admiring Croud
New Wonder drew, and much Enquiry rais'd:
So stately was his Port, so firm he trod,
That all his Gesture and Proportion prais'd;
And own'd, of foreign and domestick Breed,
Eye never yet had seen, a more majestick Steed.
LV.
Of due Dimensions was his mediate Size,While, loosly floating from his Swan-like Crest,
Bright wav'd his Mane!—deep piercing were his Eyes,
Strong were his Limbs, and broad his burnish'd Breast;
Thick from his Nostrils breath'd the fiery Steam;
His Tail behind a Length of Splendor flew;
He seem'd to move within an Orb of Flame!
So much appear'd the wondrous Object new,
That all intent, pursue th' amazing Sight,
So much does vulgar Minds all Novelty delight!
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LVI.
Now to the Palace reach'd the Cavalcade,Where the strange Warrior and the King alight,
And with his usual Grace, Cambuscan paid,
Repeated Welcome to the Syrian Knight;
Strict o'er his Horse's Neck the passive Reins
With artificial Care the Envoy drew,
When lo! all motionless the Form remains,
Nor Life discover'd, nor Sensation knew:
Fix'd as the Basis of the rocky Stone,
The dead inactive Brass return'd a hollow Groan.
LVII.
They bear the Califf's Sword before the King,While to the Hall of State the Knight attends;
Inward the Mirror and the mystick Ring
To the Imperial Fair the Sultan sends;
Kindly requiring to the present Feast
The beauteous Queen and Princess may repair,
With Royal Kindness to regale their Guest,
And all the Rites of hospitable Care:
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That Gentleness can live amidst a Land of Snow!
LVIII.
Mean time without, around the famous HorseIn Crowds the Usbeck City seems to spread;
Much they survey his Make. and much discourse,
As varied Notions fill the vulgar Head:
To Magic some the strange Effects impute,
Each to his Fancy forms a diff'rent Cause;
Little they reason, greatly they dispute,
And still the loudest most Attention draws:
As Ignorance to Knowledge pores its Route,
Never proceeds direct—but wanders still about!
LIX.
Like as a Swarm of Bees new-gath'ring play,Issuing advent'rous from their native Home;
They spread thick murm'ring to the Evening-Ray,
And yet of Habitation dubious roam;
Till the wise Husbandman with tuneful Sound,
Beneath the Shade the vagrant Tumult draws;
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And fix their Colony with loud Applause:
So circling round the Horse, the Tartars croud,
And speak their vast Surprize, with Acclamations loud!
LX.
Return we now, invited to the Hall,Where fairer Objects our Attendance claim;
Such as are envy'd and admir'd by all,
The graceful Courtier, and the beauteous Dame;
What, tho' no Dances fir'd the Virgin chaste,
Less charming did the mild Engagers seem?
What, tho' no Smiles the Courtier's Brow defac'd,
Less worthy was his Honour of Esteem?
To us, indeed, such Manners wild may show,
Where Dress creates a Belle, and Vanity a Beau!
LXI.
Yet as Restraint but fans the am'rous Fire,And Nature's Laws can never be suppress'd;
So the soft Bosom heav'd with young Desire,
And the fond Eye the tender Heart confess'd:
233
With friendly Rays beheld th' enamour'd Pair,
Approv'd the Intercourse, and bless'd the Sport,
Beyond my faint Description to declare:
Her Arts the Roman Muse can better tell,
For none should sing of Love, but those his Influence feel.
LXII.
Nor wanted cordial Drinks, or Viands rareTo cheer the Soul and grace the Royal Feast;
The gentle Empress made that Task her Care,
With choicest Fare to treat the grateful Guest;
But more than all her matchless Converse charm'd,
Where Wisdom flow'd from the instructed Heart:
Where beam'd kind Gentleness, and beaming warm'd
With cunning Softness the attracted Heart.
Scarce could the ravish'd Knight his Looks refrain;
Or if she ceas'd, not wish the Joy commence again.
LXIII.
Oft to the King-unseen he turn'd his Eyes,Or in the Sons remark'd their Father's Air,
234
But most the Princess amiably fair!
The more he look'd he saw on each imprest
The Marks of Majesty that awe the Sight,
An Air of Greatness not to be express'd,
Which calls for Homage, while it gives Delight;
Something that more of Dignity confers,
Then all the glittering Toys the ermin'd Monarch wears.
LXIV.
Hard to describe, whence springs this Air assign'dIn Man and Brute to Excellence of Race;
This outward Mark of a superior Mind,
That seems to claim Precedency of Place;
But that Experience shows by constant Course
The noblest Animals their like create;
From the selected Sire, the generous Horse,
Derives his Fire, and springs from Earth elate!
Hears the glad Trumpet calling from afar,
And rapid pours his Flight amidst the Rage of War!
235
LXV.
In Man's imperial Race th' Effect's the same,Whatever Cause the like Distinction breeds;
Whether from mutual Passion springs the Flame,
Or Minds congenial stamp the vital Seeds?
Else on extended Guinea's torrid Coast,
Where the broad Mouth and Nose deprest prevail,
In those who regal Blood and Lineage boast
Why do the gen'ral Features rarely fail?
Why shows the Austrian Lip the Austrian Line?
And in some semblant Mark, the Hero loves to shine!
LXVI.
Now the shrill Trumpet warn'd the Flight of DayThe loud Muëzin call'd to Ev'ning Pray'r;
When rose Cambuscan, such his usual Way,
With all his Court to Worship to repair.
That Duty paid,—returning as they pass,
Along the spacious Castle's outer Square
The Sultan stop'd to view the Steed of Brass
Incompass'd as he stood by Numbers there,
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To which the beauteous Form the Pow'rs of Motion owes.
LXVII.
To whom the Knight,—“O King! whose just Concern“Still nourishes Devotion's purest Flame;
“Nor need I tell,—nor need thy Wisdom learn,
“The Wonders wrought by the Almighty Name.
“By this inspir'd our holy Prophet wrought,
“Performances exceeding Reason's Line;
“High Miracles beyond the Reach of Thought,
“That Infidels might own the Faith Divine,
“Whose Call the Earth and Air and Fire obey,
“And the relentless Grave, and the unfathom'd Sea!
LXVIII.
“When taught by this, the slumb'ring Steed you wake;“Firm seize the Reins, and with this Pin secure;
“Undaunted then the destin'd Journey take,
“Thro' ev'ry Element the Course is sure.
“Wouldst thou thy March continue or be still,
“Touch but the Pin and whisper but the Word,
237
“Shall vanish at thy Call or stand restor'd,
“Only the Bridle and the Pin retain,
“Else lost is ev'ry Care, and every Project vain.
LXIX
So said,—he to the King's attentive Ear,With Rev'rence due the mystick Word unfolds;
The Monarch bow'd, and with concealing Care
The Word repeats, and fast the Bridle holds;
Quick as Life's Current glides along the Veins,
The warm Sensation so his Touch perceiv'd;
That thaw'd the Stiffness of the brazen Reins,
While the firm Chest with new Vibration heav'd:
His Eyes their Fire resum'd, he rais'd his Head,
And stately walk'd along, as pleas'd the Sultan led!
LXX.
Cambuscan much the gentle Steed caress'd,Thus grown familiar to his leading Hand,
The gentle Steed an equal Joy confess'd,
To serve the generous Monarch's just Command:
238
The King his Shape and his Behaviour prais'd,
The Court applauding still return'd the Sound,
And all the Voice of Admiration rais'd:
Till from his Neck the Reins at once he drew,
And vanish'd quick the Steed from ev'ry Mortal's View!
LXXI.
The Sword and Bridle with peculiar Care,Deputed Nobles by the King's Command,
Safe to the Castle's strongest Fortress bear,
Where all the Monarch's ample Treasures stand;
The Royal Company direct return,
In social Mirth to crown the happy Night;
While round perfum'd a thousand Tapers burn
And the whole Palace seems illumin'd bright,
The Feast renews, the Converse sprightly grows,
And Chearfulness around her balmy Influence throws.
LXXII.
The worthy King, whose long experienc'd YearsHad made him judge of Manners and of Minds,
239
For Virtue soon its own Resemblance finds:
Some secret Sympathy of Nature draws,
With its coercive Bands the noble Soul;
As Unisons accord harmonious Cause,
Or the fondle Needle trembles to its Pole!
Tis thus each other know the truly Great,
Without the tedious Forms inferior Friendships wait.
LXXIII.
Mean time between the Princes rose DebateAbout the wond'rous Steed the Envoy brought,
Algarsife urging, with his usual Heat,
The Motion some informing Genie wrought:
But cool Camballo with a sceptic Air,
Seem'd to believe the Secret lay within,
That hid remain'd the Springs of Action there,
And mov'd or ceas'd directed by the Pin:
Each brings new Proofs the other to confute,
Till to the Monarch's Ear arriv'd the warm Dispute.
240
LXXIV.
Silent a while the King Reflection madeAnd saw the Point not easy to decide;
Till kind Remembrance usher'd to his Aid,
A hoary Sage, whose Skill he oft had try'd:
By Birth a Mede, but whose enquiring Sight
Each Region of the travell'd East had known,
Wisdom the Object sole of his Delight,
And the whole Sphere of Knowledge seem'd his own.
Nor read in Books alone, his generous Mind,
Embrac'd with cordial Zeal the Welfare of Mankind.
LXXV.
The various Faiths the peopled World divideJustly impartial had his Thought survey'd;
Reason his Standard still, and Truth his Guide,
Nor Interest, Prejudice or Passion weigh'd:
The Magi's Books he knew, the Brachmin's Lore,
Th' Egyptian Figure, the Jewish Rite,
The Christian Law, intended to restore,
But now defac'd by Superstition quite:
241
O'er Asia now which spread, as new Religions do.
LXXVI.
He saw, that Nature thro' her wide Command,O'er all her Works diffus'd one equal Smile,
Nor kept the Bounties of her lavish Hand,
Confin'd to this or that peculiar Soil:
He knew, that vain was ev'ry Art, design'd
To check the Freedom of the humane Will;
That no Restraints could shackle up the Mind,
Which, self-determin'd, kept her Empire still:
And in th' extended Scene of humane Race,
As varied were the Thoughts, as various was the Face!
LXXVII.
Hence Casroes (so the Median Sage's Name)This healing Principle reflective drew;
Others Opinions candid not to blame,
But calm the Paths of Wisdom to pursue!
Pleas'd with the little Nature's Hand requires,
Wealth, Honour, Pleasures, Titles he disdain'd;
242
The happy Master of himself he reign'd!
A Joy, to all but Minds serene, unknown,
Beyond the Wreaths of Fame, or Splendors of a Throne,
LXXVIII.
On a fair Bank, by Oxus winding Shore,Inclos'd with Wood, a little Spot he found;
There had he fix'd his Rest—and greatly poor,
Liv'd on the Fruits of his domestic Ground:
Oft had Cambuscan, tir'd with Cares of State,
Sought the Refreshment of his little Cave;
There philosophic held the cool Debate,
Nor scorn'd the Counsels which his Wisdom gave.
Whose Life reveal'd the Value of his Art,
And to the learned Head was join'd the honest Heart.
LXXIX.
For him immediate then the Sultan sends,His seasonable Presence to require;
The worthy Sage the Messenger attends,
And comes obedient to the King's Desire.
243
But on his Check still blush'd the temp'rate Rose.
Decent, tho' plain, a flowing Robe he wore,
And manly Dignity his Person shows.
For such his Carriage seem'd, and gentle Port,
As if his Life had been no Stranger to a Court.
LXXX.
The Syrian Knight (for so requests the King)The Nature of the Califf's Gifts explains;
The Horse, the Sword, the Mirror, and the Ring,
And points the Qualities which each retains:
When thus Cambuscan—“Cosroes! O declare,
“For best the Truth thy Wisdom can impart,
“Whence boast these Presents such Perfection rare?
“From Nature springs the Secret, or from Art?
“Or animates the Steed some Pow'r divine?
“Or do mechanic Wheels direct the bold Design?
LXXXI.
To whom the Sage—“Not, mighty Prince, we boast,“Of such mysterious Gifts to judge the Cause:
244
“Of Matter's Properties, and Motion's Laws:
“Form'd of two Principles distinguish'd quite,
“We find distinctly our corporeal Frame:
“Spirit, we know, with Matter can unite;
“Yet search in vain from whence the Union came,
“Or, where subsists invisible the Tye,
“Which fastens Life it self, and losing which we die.
LXXXII.
“What gives Commission to the Wintry War,“When the loud Storm enchafes the troubled Deep,
“Or sooths to Peace the Elemental Jar,
“And hushes the relenting Winds to sleep!
“What causes the pale Moon's alternate Light,
“By turns replenish, and by turns decay,
“Fair as she glides along the Face of Night!
“And shapes thro' mazy Clouds her pathless Way.
“Or from what Origin those Clouds ascend,
“In vain our feeble Sense would strive to comprehend.
245
LXXXIII.
“All the Phenomena of boundless Air,“Which strike with Wonder the unsettl'd Eye,
“The Meteors flash, the Comets ruddy Glare,
“Or the loud Thunder bursting from the Sky!
“The dark Eclipse, when o'er the Orb of Day
“Its gloomy Stain prevailing Darkness sheds;
“The shining Bow, whose variegated Ray
“O'er the pale Cloud its painted Circlet spreads!
“In vain our low Researches would pursue,
“With weak defective Schemes of Science still untrue.
LXXXIV.
“Yet Science sees direct—far as it may,“While Ignorance in endless Darkness pores;
“Safe treads the Sage, where Reason points the Way
“One sov'reign Cause discovers and adores!
“The further that in Nature's Road he treads,
“He sees eternal Wisdom guide the Whole!
“The more the glitt'ring Page of Heav'n he reads,
“He feels that Wisdom penetrate the Soul!
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“Silent contemplates He with Pleasure and Surprize,
LXXXV.
“Matter he sees, as struggling to a Birth,“Thro' all its elemental Forms aspire;
“Earth rise from Water, Air refine from Earth,
“To mount, and purify it self in Fire!
“Fire! the first Principle, whose vital Ray,
“Heat, Motion, Sense, and Life productive breeds,
“That circling from th' exhaustless Source of Day,
“Wakens from Death the dull material Seeds;
“That to it self attractive, all invites,
“Till in the Parent-Cause Creation fond unites!
LXXXVI.
“This, sure, we know,—that Matter has its Laws,“By which impell'd, the stubborn Mass obeys;
“That secret Sympathy some Objects draws,
“And by its Pow'r can seeming Wonders raise!
“Hence, would it seem, that this mysterious Horse,
“Tho' form'd to Semblance of material Mold,
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“And to perform at Will the Actions told;
“As the Greek Pegasus was fam'd to bear,
“The bold Bellerophon through Tracts of boundless Air.
LXXXVII.
“Hence taught, the Sage to Matter can infuse“New Qualities to suit his just Design;
“Can shape the Mass subservient to his Views,
“And give the Workmanship a Stamp divine!
“Thus, in the honour'd Califf's precious Sword
“Opposing Virtues may their Influence shed;
“The Hilt, may salutary Balm afford,
“To close the Wound the Edge relentless made.
“As fam'd Achilles' Spear confess'd the Art,
“To cure th' inflicted Stroke, and ease the deadly Smart.
LXXXVIII.
“Thus may the Mirror, and the mystic Ring“The gentle Knight's Description well maintain;
“From planetary Skill their Virtues spring,
“Which only deep-read Science can attain:
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“The Wand of Moses Desolation spread,
“Or grac'd the Signet Salomon's right Hand,
“Whose Pow'r could wake the Slumbers of the Dead:
“Could from the Eye remove the Veil of Night,
“And place the Realms of Spirit to th' astonish'd Sight!
LXXXIX.
“But while, Cambuscan! thou exalt thy Head,“In peaceful Sway and foreign Friendships blest,
“Remember Heav'n, that all thy Greatness made,
“Nor let weak Pride pollute thy Royal Breast!
“All that we see in Life's deceitful Dream,
“Like us, the vain Spectators, glides away!
“Only great Orosmanes shines the same,
“Unwasted Fountain of eternal Day!
“Who in himself all Nature comprehends,
“From whom all Beings spring, in whom all Being ends.
XC.
He ceas'd—attentive as the Syrian KnightHeard the sweet Accents flowing from his Tongue,
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He had not thought a Summer's Audience long.
The Monarch Thanks return'd—th' applauding Croud
With common Voice repeat the Sage's Praise:
Night now began to spread her heavy Shroud,
And call the weary'd Limbs to needful Ease:
Cambuscan rose—the Court retire to Rest,
And on her midnight Throne deep Silence reigns confest.
XCI.
O gentle Sleep! thou Cherisher of Health!From Temp'rance bred, the Nurse of sweet Repose!
In whom the Peasant finds a Mine of Wealth!
To whom his Happiness the Lover owes!
Thou Balm of Life! whose kindly Warmth restores
Light to the Eyes, and Vigour to the Heart!
Whose Presence Luxury in vain implores,
Kind while thou fly'st to take Afflictions part!
Say, by what magic Fetters dost thou bind
In thy delightful Thrall the agitated Mind?
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XCII.
Inthron'd on mazy Oxus' verdant Shore,We left thee, Goddess, of thy Sway possest;
Cambuscan's Palace felt thy peaceful Pow'r,
And thro' the Gloom thy Influence sate confest:
Fair Dreams, thy beauteous Handmaids, all around
To ev'ry Guest thy busy Mandates spred;
Each, by their Ministry, contented found,
The sep'rate Joy to which their Wishes led:
Soft am'rous Vows th' unblushing Virgin hears,
And to the Warriors View the glitt'ring Camp appears!
XCIII.
Thee, placid Queen of Night—the Sultan own'd,In shining Visions of recover'd Arms!
Thou, to the Syrian lengthen'd Wisdom's Sound,
And Cosroës still his fix'd Attention charms:
But most the Tartar Princess claim'd thy Care,
To sooth the soft Impatience of her Breast;
Her curious Thoughts the Ring's Impression bear,
And new Ideas interrupt her Rest,
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And hears the feather'd Choirs—and learns their tuneful Strains!
XCIV.
Calm were her usual Slumbers wont to be:Calm as the Current of her temp'rate Blood;
Calm as her blameless Soul, from Passions free,
That knew no Evil, and that wish'd all Good!
Yet something—whence she knew not, what or how,
Invasive now infected her Repose:
She felt soft Quiet vanish from her Brow,
And e're the Morning dawn'd, the Princess rose!
She calls her Virgin-Train, who near remain'd,
And instant at her Call her Virgin-Train attend,
XCV.
Great was their Fright, and obvious their Concern,What Cause so soon their gentle Mistress rais'd;
Till from her self inform'd, her Health they learn,
And by her Smiles they find their Fears appeas'd;
But chief Olinda—more a Friend than Slave,
Whom from Podolia lawless Rapine drew;
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By Purchase his, e're yet her self she knew:
Whose modest Worth had gain'd the Princess' Ear,
By long experienc'd Tyes of faithful Duty dear!
XCVI.
Now rosy Morn, the Harbinger of Day,Beam'd o'er the azure Hills with Radiance bright!
Awak'ning Nature felt the gladsome Ray,
And smil'd as conscious of approaching Light;
When the fair Princess issu'd to the Plain,
Attended by a Band of lovely Maids;
Such Cynthia, when amidst her sportive Train,
Her early Horn resounds in Latmos' Shades:
Cloth'd in a lightsome Dress; thus bends her Way,
To grace the flow'ry Field, this charming Queen of May!
XCVII.
By Oxus' Side, engirt with Wood-brow'd Hills,A spacious Compass lay the Sylvan Scene!
Thro' which clear-streaming ran two mazy Rills,
That fed the Soil with ever-living Green;
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So by degrees its varied Beauties rose;
Dales, Rocks or Groves form Landskips ever new,
And blending Prospects new Delights disclose.
Nature unrival'd here maintain'd her Part,
Too sweetly wild for Chance, too greatly bold for Art.
XCVIII.
From teeming Earth the Vapour now exhal'd;That courts the Presence of the orient Sun;
But thro' the Mist the ruddy Orb prevail'd,
All warm with Joy, his daily Course to run!
By the clear River stretch'd the winding Vale,
Where, as it often chanc'd, the Princess stray'd,
A thousand Sweets embalm'd the spicy Gale,
A thousand Flow'rs luxuriant bless'd the Mead,
Which, as her Virgins sport, they pull with Care
The Morning-Wreath to form, for Canace to wear.
XCIX.
There safe the Elk, the Antilope, and DeerThe harmless Shelter of the Place enjoy'd;
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No Fears alarm'd them; for no Foes annoy'd:
With vocal Musick now the Forests ring,
As artless Love inspires the melting Voice:
And Nature kindling at the Smile of Spring,
Teaches her happy Children to rejoice!
Fair Canace the soft Sensation feels,
And with the whisp'ring Breeze the virtuous Pleasure steals!
C.
As from the native Blind's unconscious Eyes,The skilful Leech th' assailing Speck withdraws;
Sudden he sees a World unknown arise,
Where Objects multiply'd Confusion cause:
With such Emotion did the Princess' Ear
Receive the Language of the Woods around:
So, by her mystic Ring instructed, hear,
That not devoid of Reason was the Sound:
While with responsive Note the Nations sing,
“Hail to the Rose of May! Hail, lovely Queen of Spring!
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CI.
But stop we here, e're too prolix we be;The wanton Error, That of many a Muse,
Who lur'd by ev'ry Flow'r, and ev'ry Tree,
Too far the too inviting Path pursues.
Lest the tir'd Ear reject the tedious Strain,
Judgment should still the Flights of Fancy guide.
The Point propos'd should Reason firm retain,
That Fame may o'er the lasting Work preside.
Mind we, th' unerring Law of sacred Song,
That the delightful Tale should never be too long.
CII.
But as she nearer to the Forest drew,A diff'rent Object claim'd her gentle Care
Of Foliage stript, alone, an Alder grew,
Whose naked Branches trembled to the Air!
From hence shrill Cries a beauteous Falcon sent,
Which well her Bitterness of Woe express'd;
While ever as she shriek'd, with cruel Bent,
She fix'd her Beak impressive in her Breast;
256
Distain'd the wither'd Bark, and trinkled to the Ground.
CIII.
Fair seem'd her Form, and fair her Aspect seem'd,As ever Eye beheld, or Falcon wore;
Like the pure Snow, her Silver Plumage beam'd,
With mingling ruddy Streaks empurpled o'er!
Such was her Look, that not the Tyger fell,
Who lawless roams the Desart wild for Prey;
Nor Eagle fierce, that from her airy Cell,
Wings with destructive Aim her rapid Way;
But would have soften'd been to hear her Lay,
And by Compassion taught, have felt their Rage decay.
CIV.
Mov'd with the plaintive Anguish of her Tongue,Her mournful Gesture, and her bleeding Wound;
The neighb'ring Birds from ev'ry Thicket throng,
And silent hear, and droop the Wing around!
Soon the mild Princess, thro' her tender Soul,
Felt the prevailing Force of Pity glide;
572
As from the Tree, distinct the Falcon cry'd;
“O gentle Stranger, some Compassion show!
“O heavenly Beauty deign to ease my matchless Woe.
CV.
Quick to the Tree, the gentle Princess flewWhere still her sad Laments the Mourner made;
And in the Falcon's Tongue (which then she knew)
With Accent mild, and tender Look she said:
“Much suffering Bird! the fairest of thy Kind!
“Whate'er Misfortunes thus thy Anguish move;
“In me, the Daughter of a Monarch, find
“A Friend, with me a sure Protection prove:
“My Hands thy Wounds shall heal with precious Balm,
“And on my Breast reclin'd, thy Woes shall know a Calm.
CVI.
“But why thy Breast this boundless Sorrow fills,“Which sighing Eccho wafts the Woods around?
“Why from thy Breast the crimson Drop distills
“That mars the Verdure of the blasted Ground?
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“For whom despairing, comfortless you show;
“Or if some envious Shaft with cruel Fate
“Has pierc'd thy Bosom with a deadly Blow?
“Oh quick the Cause reveal!—for never yet,
“On one of feather'd Kind, so was my Fancy set!
CVII.
Scarce had she spoke,—when from the lifeless Spray,Where perch'd the Falcon did her Griefs repeat
The fluttering Mourner fell, and panting lay,
As pleas'd to die beneath the Princess' Feet!
Soon from the Earth the Bird her Pity rais'd,
And in her Lap with fond Indulgence plac'd;
Then call'd her Maids, who on the Action gaz'd,
And bound its Wounds and tenderly embrac'd:
Till by her Hands reviv'd the Falcon woke,
Grateful beheld the Fair and faintly thus bespoke.
CVIII.
“O blest Compassion! Heav'n descended Child!“Whose Power is best perceiv'd in noblest Hearts
259
“To Want, Relief; to Mis'ry, Ease imparts;
“By thee inspir'd,—this heavenly Maid has felt
“A Pain for Sorrows to herself unknown;
“With kind Humility has Comfort dealt,
“To me, amidst the Wilds of Nature thrown!
“For which may Guardian Heav'n her Virtues shield
“From all the poison'd Arts, that drove me to the Field.
CIX.
“Yet tho' Reflection should convey a Dart“With every Word to wing my fleeting Life;
“The Story of my Woe shall I impart
“At thy Command, and bear the cruel Strife:
“So may the sad Relation be believ'd,
“Which from Experience deeply wounded flows,
“That thy superior Virtue undeceiv'd,
“May scorn the Semblance faithless Manhood shows,
“Their Vows, their Sighs, and all the flatt'ring Arts
“By which (they skill'd) betray deluded Virgin-Hearts!
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CX.
She ceas'd,—as if oppress'd,—nor longer spokeWith sad Remembrance inward so she pain'd;
She droop'd her Head,—a Flood of Anguish broke
And scarce her Form the Signs of Life retain'd;
While Canace bestow'd a tender Tear,
To see the wretched Falcon's halpless State;
With Kisses oft she sought her Griefs to cheer,
Caress'd her gently, and bewail'd her Fate!
Till Kindness does reviving Warmth infuse,
And thus the pensive Bird the Song of Woe renews.
CXI.
“Where rapid Niester rolls his noisy Wave,“High in a Marble Cliff that brow'd the Flood;
“My peaceful Birth indulgent Nature gave,
“Securely there our Nest paternal stood:
“I liv'd my honour'd Parents dear delight,
“Cherish'd with Sylvan Fruits and choicest Grain;
“My Youth they form'd, and taught my early Flight.
“To skim the Wood, or circle o'er the Plain!
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“None, (so bethought me) seem'd so blest and glad as I.
CXII.
“By Fortune favour'd, and by Nature free,“Artless I flew where Health and Pleasure call'd;
“No Fears alarm'd, no Dangers threatned me;
“No Sickness griev'd, nor Servitude inthrall'd:
“Form'd to Sincerity my honest Thought
“No Guile imagin'd, as no Guile it knew;
“Too fond Belief!—which future Mischiefs wrought,
“And into Woe my heedless Footsteps drew:
“For such the Fate of the most candid Mind,
“True Honour needs no Vows,—no Vows can Falshood bind.
CXIII.
“Not distant far, by the descending Stream,“A Tercelet held his wood-enshelter'd Nest;
“Much of his Manners spoke propitious Fame,
“As ev'ry Virtue had adorn'd his Breast;
“Thus prepossess'd,—delighted I beheld
“So full of gentle Courtesy he seem'd,
262
“I saw,—admir'd;—reflected,—and esteem'd:
“Nor judg'd such Carriage with destructive Show,
“Conceal'd a darksome Well of Treason hid below!
CXIV.
“As where gay Flowers in wild Profusion rise,“Th' embosom'd Serpent glides his wiley Head!
“Replete with Malice till the Time he spies,
“When unperceiv'd he may his Venom shed:
“So with fair Semblance of unfelt Delight,
“This sly Deceiver constant Duty paid;
“Early or late he faithful watch'd my Flight,
“With Zeal conducted, and with Care obey'd:
“So us'd each Artifice my Heart to move
“This Monster of his Kind!—this Hypocrite in Love.
CXV.
“Yet, while his Tenderness my Mind surveys,“I wonder not that foolish, I believ'd!
“Yet, when I think on his engaging Ways,
“I scarce know how to call my self deceiv'd!
263
“So far his Conduct seem'd from selfish View,
“Dishonour might have wonder'd what it meant,
“And blush'd to wear a Livery so true!
“So fair to Light the stately Tomb remains,
“That in its loathsome Vault the Spoils of Death contains.
CXVI.
“Thus for successive Years with humble Air,“This Wretch disloyal holy Love profan'd;
“With constant Vows still won my open Ear,
“'Till by Degrees my yielding Mind he gain'd:
“To hear his plaintive Tale beneath the Shade,
“Pleas'd have I oft consum'd the Summer's Day!
“Still the fond Tale a fresh Impression made
“And more enamour'd still I went away!
“With female Pride prevailing Pity strove,
“And what was Friendship first, now soften'd into Love.
CXVII.
“Yet in my Weakness,—Virtue still I ey'd!“Nor lost its native Purity my Heart!
264
“And Virgin Chastity maintain'd its Part;
“Tho' Choice inthron'd him in my conscious Breast.
“The best,—the dearest of his noble Kind,
“Lord of my Wishes, tho' he reign'd confest
“His Empire still was bounded by the Mind
“In me, unblemish'd Honour lent the Fire
“The mutual Flame to feed,—I thought should ne'er expire.
CXVIII.
“Thus won by seeming Love! and vain Desert,“My Mind deluded grasp'd its fatal Chain!
“I fear'd no Treachery, void of ev'ry Art,
“Lov'd as I was, I joy'd to love again!
So, in the Sight of Heav'n and conscious Day,
“We mutual, one unalter'd Passion swore;
“Ne'er did till then the Traitor seem so gay,
“Ne'er felt my harmless Breast such Joy before:
“As when I yielded all my Heart as free,
“As simple I believ'd, he his had given to me!
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CXIX.
“But well this Truth prophetic Love has read,“A Thief and faithful Lover think not one.”
“For soon as he beheld his Conquest made,
“Increasing Show of Transport he put on;
“Before my Feet in seeming Trance he lay,
“And tho' deep Silence all his Speech suppress'd,
“With false Delight I saw his Pinions play,
“And his fond Eye his Happiness confess'd.
“Convinc'd, to Demonstration, I remain'd,
“No mortal Lover yet so well the Passion feign'd!
CXX.
“Not Paris, who th' Idalian Nymph betray'd;“Not Troilus, who inconstant Cresside won;
“Not Jason, who deceiv'd the Colchian Maid;
“Nor Lamech; first who chose two Wives for one;
“Not Adam, who for one his Eden lost,
“With all the Sons of his degen'rate Race,
“Could equal Art with this Impostor boast,
“Or act the Counterfeit with such a Grace.
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“No Woman had escap'd, had she been e'er so wise!
CXXI.
“No wonder then, if I, all unadvis'd,“Whom no Experience caution'd to beware;
“If unsuspecting, I was soon surpriz'd,
“And heedless caught in the delusive Snare:
“If simple, charm'd with Love's attractive Show,
“Its new-born Pleasure, and deceitful Sweet,
“My Heart unguarded, open'd to the Foe,
“And cherish'd in itself the fatal Heat;
“Our Thoughts, our Pains, our Wishes seem'd the same;
“New Love appear'd to raise a more enduring Flame!
CXXII.
“Thus twice the Sun renew'd the smiling Year,“And saw our mutual soft Endearments crown'd.
“His Sight, my Bliss! his Safety, all my Fear!
“In him was ev'ry other Object drown'd!
“Had I a Sigh he seem'd not to divide?
“Had he a Pain, I made not all my own?
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“I liv'd—I wish'd to live for him alone!
“Dearer he was to me in ev'ry Part,
“Than was the vital Stream that circled round my Heart!
CXXIII.
“Near the lone Ruins of a wasted Tow'r,“Encompass'd by the River's murm'ring Fall,
“Oft were we wont to pass the Ev'ning-Hour,
“Safe in the Shelter of the Ivy'd Wall;
“There was our Meeting fix'd, that hapless Day,
“Happy, whose Light these Eyes had never seen,
“Slow pass'd to me the tedious Time away,
“Till the deep Shadows darken'd half the Green;
“Impatient, I observ'd the Night's Increase,
“And e're th' appointed Time I wing'd me to the Place.
CXXIV.
“There I the Traytor found,—who pensive stood,“Perch'd on a Turret, as to mark my Flight;
“Sad seem'd his Aspect!—drooping was his Mood;
“Ne'er had I seen him in such heavy Plight.
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“Foreboding; Silencegave me nought to know.
“I press him to reply, Whence rose his Pain?
“His Eyes responsive only told his Woe:
“'Till with a forc'd Constraint, and piercing Look;
“His feeble Voice he rais'd; and thus prepar'd, he spoke.
CXXV.
“Hard is the Lot, the bolder Male attends,“Where Dangers threat, by Honor forc'd to go,
“While Nature kind your softer Sex defends,
“And Guardian-Beauty shields from ev'ry Blow.
“Love, weeping Love, can tell with what Regret
“Reluctant I obey the Tyrant-Guide;
“How much I wail the Rigour of my Fate,
“That tears me, gentle Charmer! from thy Side.
“Judge thou the Strife, and with impartial Aim,
“Save (if thou canst) my Peace, or vindicate my Fame.
CXXVI.
He ceas'd—unusual Horror seiz'd my Breast,A mix'd Confusion, never felt before!
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I lov'd his Safety,—but his Honor more!
When Death prevailing rends the tortur'd Heart,
And hovers o'er the Sight his dreadful Shade,
Such at that Instant was my speechless Smart!
Such was the Anguish on my Senses prey'd!
Firm, as I could, I yet witheld a Cry,
And thoughtful thus I made, determin'd, my Reply.
CXXVII.
“Tho' Love can ill this sudden Shock sustain,“And never Love as yet exceeded mine!
“Yet since thy Glory calls thee from the Plain,
“Content I sacrifice my Will to thine!
“Complaints are vain!—where Fame invites thee, go,
“Yet for my Sake, amidst the Warrior-Strife,
“Heav'n from thy Head avert each pointed Blow,
“And with thy Safety bring me more than Life!
“For this, each Morning-Orison shall rise;
“For this, each Ev'ning-Hymn invoke the Guardian Skies.
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CXXVIII.
“Yet tho' harsh Fate for Years prolong'd thy Stay,“Love constant shall supply my faithful Flame.
“Then, as if lost but the preceding Day,
“Still wilt thou find my Tenderness the same.
“When the pure Soul a chaste Affection binds,
“Nor Time, nor Death the Union can impair!
“Heav'n pleas'd surveys this Sympathy of Minds,
“That, like itself, enkindles brightly fair!
“Fly then to Conquest—Fortune be thy Guide!
“Of this assur'd, no Pow'r our Faith shall e'er divide.
CXXIX.
“What need I, Princess fair! describe his Shows,“His varied Action, and his fond Discourse?
“His Vows repeated, and dissembled Woes?
“Who cou'd speak better? Who cou'd practise worse?
“Such was his Agony—so deep his Cries;
“Such all the Shapes of his experienc'd Art!
“That more instructed Thought, and wiser Eyes,
“Perhaps had seen, he over-did his Part.
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“None Treason well can know, but who has Treason found!
CXXX.
“Doleful we parted on the Gloom of Night,“With weary Wing my wind-rock'd Nest I sought;
“He vig'rous, southward urg'd his rapid Flight,
“With new Direction, and inconstant Thought!
“Well had he learn'd this Maxim of Mankind,
“That no Restraint the Appetite cou'd cool;
“That the soft Passion languishes confin'd;
“But when directed, free by Beauty's Rule,
“(As Fancy leads) exerts a nobler Aim;
“With Novelty supplies the still reviving Flame!
CXXXI.
“Like as the foolish Bird, who wild in-cag'd,“(Tho' kind you tend him, and tho' fond you feed)
“Yet bears his Loss of Liberty enrag'd,
“Nor all your gentle Usage deigns to heed:
“Were you to line his Prison-Bars with Silk,
“Disdainful shall he tear the Trophies up;
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“He loaths the Dainties, and he spurns the Cup.
“But give him Leave,—the Libertine shall rove,
“To feed on vilest Worms, a Vagrant in the Grove.
CXXXII.
“Twas so this Tercelet, whom I once esteem'd,“A Miracle of Constancy and Truth,
“(Such as in Virtue counterfeit he seem'd
“With all the Splendor of unblemish'd Youth!)
“Fir'd by no Prospect of superior Fame,
“But led by vain Desire of wanton Change,
“He shun'd my Sight, forgot his ancient Flame,
“In search of lawless Pleasure, wild to range.
“A wretched Kyte had struck his fickle Eye;
“A Kyte! the coarsest Bird that wings the midway Sky!
CXXXIII.
“So spoke Report—nor I the Tale believ'd,“So much my Heart was wedded to its Foe;
“Till by my own Enquiry undeceiv'd,
“My Error late I found, I found it so!
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“Whose Semblance fair this Hypocrite express'd;
“But Phantasy the idle Vapour fed.
“A Meteor vain of Gallantry at best.
“A real Tenderness can ne'er decline;
“Of genuine Virtue still is Constancy the Sign.
CXXXIV.
“Thus now this Kyte my Wanderer enjoys,“Forgetful of his violated Vows;
“More artful she, perhaps, her Pow'r employs,
“To seize the kind Occasions Love allows!
“To try if real be the Wooer's Pain,
“By Wiles that ev'n his Artifice may blind;
“To practise Coyness, and to act Disdain,
“Arts never suited to my plainer Mind;
“Whose Innocence alone supports its Grief,
“Till Heav'n shall end my Woe, or timely send Relief!
CXXXV.
More had she spoke,—but as she thus bewail'd,Prevailing Anguish gain'd the dubious Sway;
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And in the Princess' Lap she dy'd away!
Mov'd, at the Sight, the Nymphs with busy Care,
To give the Mourner and their Mistress Ease;
Who safe conveys her from the dang'rous Air,
And homeward with a gentle Pace conveys;
Where in her own Apartment safely plac'd,
The wounded Bird she leaves, its just Repose to taste!
CXXXVI.
Next Canace humane her Thought bestows,From ev'ry potent Herb and Root to chuse
Ingredients bland, the Med'cine to compose,
And in the Sores the Balm of Health infuse:
Recov'ring soon, beneath her watchful Eye
The gentle Bird a fairer Face assumes,
Her Wounds reclose—she shows external Joy,
And with new Life her varied Plumage blooms.
Grateful, her fair Deliv'rer is confess'd,
She sips her rosy Lip, and flutters round her Breast!
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CXXXVII.
Yet but imperfect Pleasure she reveal'd,A Cloud of Anguish darken'd still her Mien;
In vain with fond Endeavour she conceal'd
The melancholy Grief that reign'd within:
With friendly Zeal the gen'rous Princess strove
To cure this deeper Wound which Sorrow made,
To cool the Fever of consuming Love,
Which slowly-wasting on her Quiet prey'd:
And sought, by Reason calm, and mild Discourse,
To mitigate the deep Disease's rooted Force.
CXXXVIII.
Close by her fair Alcove's projected Side,She for the fav'rite Bird, a Mew prepares;
Adorn'd with all the Elegance of Pride;
Of Gold the Wires, of Gold the fretted Bars:
In Gold the crystal Ewer she encas'd,
A figur'd Vase of Gold contain'd her Food;
Her Cage around with golden Foliage grac'd,
Of Gold the polish'd Perch on which she stood;
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The Emblem sweet of Hope, and Perseverance true!
CXXXIX.
Full in a rich Entablature oppos'd,Depicted was there many a faithless Fowl;
There in their proper Colours stood disclos'd
The fickle Tercelet, and the treach'rous Owl.
The Caitiff Cuckoo flew attended there,
Whom all the feather'd Tribes avoid with Scorn;
Nor fail'd the tell-tale Daw, or prattling Stare
The Enigmatick Portrait to adorn:
High in the Centre was the Jeay espy'd,
Who ap'd their sev'ral Airs—well practis'd to deride.
CXL.
Here shall we leave, how by Camballo's Care,Return'd the Falcon with repentant Wing;
Nor yet the Mirror's wond'rous Pow'rs declare;
Nor the Sword's Virtues, to restore the King;
Nor of Cambuscan's Conquests yet discourse;
Whence gain'd Algarsife, Thedora to wife,
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These we defer—to tell Camballo's Strife,
And how three mighty Brethren he surpass'd;
Then where we first began, shall we conclude at last.
CXLI.
Wide spred the Fame of Canace the Fair,Held of her Sex most learned in her Days;
Her Ring disclosing ev'ry Science rare,
And ev'ry secret Work of Nature's Ways.
The Voice of Beasts and Birds, or wild, or tame,
The Pow'r of Herbs and Plants she fully knew;
But What augmented more her other Fame,
(Tho' dark Events lay open to her View,)
She modest was, in all her Deeds and Words;
And wondrous chaste of Life, tho' lov'd of Knights and Lords.
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CXLII.
Her many a Lord, and many a Knight Her lov'd;But She to None of Them her Liking lent;
Nor ever was with fond Affection mov'd;
No single Look once out of Order went;
So well her Thoughts all lawless Passions rul'd,
For Love of Honor, or for Dread of Blame;
And, or extinguish'd quite, or duly cool'd,
She smother'd, or She never felt the Flame;
Her Eyes like wary Centinels well stay'd,
Still watch'd on ev'ry Side, of secret Foes afraid.
CXLIII.
So much the rather, as She shun'd to love,So much the rather, She to love was sought;
What fail'd not much unquiet Strife to move,
And 'midst her Suitors frequent Contests wrought.
That oft for Her in bloody Arms They fight,
Encountring Danger for the thankless Maid;
Whom, when Camballo (wise and valiant Knight!)
Perceiv'd, He nor could temper, nor dissuade;
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And turn both Him and Her to Honor and to Praise.
CXLIV.
One Day, that met this Troop of warlike Merit,Amongst Them All He made this fix'd Decree;
(All Men of Passion, and all Men of Spirit!
The harder so to make Them well agree!)
“Be this the Hour, to fix my Sister's Choice,
“Be, of the Croud, that to her Bed pretend,
“Three chose, the Stoutest call'd by common Voice,
“The Stoutest of the Three the Strife shall end.
“Then Each with Me shall combat for her Sake;
“The Victor of Them All our Canace shall take.
CXLV.
Bold was the Challenge, as Himself was bold,With Courage full of Daring and Emprize,
Approv'd in Acts too num'rous to be told,
Whence lasting Honors to his Mem'ry rise.
But what secur'd Him of the wish'd Event,
Whence, tho' full brave, some Confidence might spring,
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The Influence of her rarely-gifted Ring;
That 'mongst the many Virtues (which We read)
Had Pow'r to staunch all Wounds that mortaly did bleed.
CXLVI.
So was that Ring's great Virtue known to All;That Dread of This, and his redoubted Might,
Did all that youthly Rout so much appall,
That None of Them durst undertake the Fight.
More wise They ween'd to make of Love a Play,
Than Life to hazard for fair Lady's Grace;
While yet uncertain (should They gain the Day)
They in her Sight might hope the foremost Place.
Tho' for her Sake, They all that Peril ran,
Who could be sure of Her, or think Himself the Man?
CXLVII.
Among the Lovers, were three Brethren bold—Three bolder Brethren never yet were born!
Born of one Mother, in one happy Mold!
Born at one Burthen, in one happy Morn!
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That brought Three such, Three such not to be found;
Three Males united as one single Male!
The First was Priamondo, far renown'd;
Nor less the Second, Diamondo nam'd;
With Triamondo last, yet, equally as fam'd.
CXLVIII.
Stout Priamondo, not so strong to strike!Strong Diamondo, not so stout a Knight!
But Priamondo, stout and strong alike!
On Horse wou'd Triamondo chuse to fight;
Felt Priamondo best on Foot his Force,
And so delighted to maintain his Ground;
To Diamondo, equal Foot or Horse.
With Curtax deep wou'd Diamondo wound;
And Triamondo handled Spear and Shield;
But Curtax, Shield and Spear would Priamondo wield.
CXLIX.
These Brothers lov'd Each Other wond'rous well,And by such firm Affection were ally'd,
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And in three equal Parts her Pow'rs divide.
Like three fair Arms, uniting as They spread,
That, from one Root, their vital Sap derive,
They crown their Mother with one tow'ring Head;
And, like the Root that bids Them bloom and thrive,
Such was their Mother! At one happy Birth,
Three Sons producing, Three, the noblest Sons of Earth!
CL.
Of secret Things their Mother had the Skill,Knew Nature's Laws; A Nymph of Fairy Kind!
Hence by her Art cou'd model to her Will,
And to her Use each living Creature bind.
There-to, She was right Fair to Mortal Eye,
List She, to Mortal Eye, to show how Fair!
Tempting to touch, and charming to descry;
Her Stature, goodly; delicate, her Air.
But She, as wont the Nymphs of Sylvan Race,
In Forests spent her Days, and lov'd in Wilds to chase.
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CLI.
There, on a Day, a noble youthly Knight,Adventures seeking in the savage Wood,
By great good Fortune got of Her the Sight,
As She sat careless by a Crystal Flood.
And on Her, unawares, He lay'd his Hand,
Combing her Locks, her Head to new-array;
In vain She strove his Ardor to withstand,
The too intemp'rate Youth wou'd have his Way.
Oppressing Her by Force (as Bards have told)
Three lovely Sons He got, that prov'd three Champions bold!
CLII.
These, long She foster'd in the lonely Wood,Till to the Ripeness of Man's State They grew,
Then showing forth Signs of their Father's Blood;
Arms first They love, Adventures then pursue.
Adventures, where They knew to seek, They sought,
Which, for their Safety, pain'd their Mother's Mind;
For tho' their Pow'rs They prov'd, and Wonders wrought,
Yet He that seeks Mischance, Mischance may find.
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The greater is his Heart, the greater Hazard runs.
CLIII.
For This, She wish'd, the Number of their DaysTo know, and to inlarge with long Extent;
By wond'rous Skill, thro' subterraneous Ways,
Down to the Mansion of the Fates she went.
Down to the Bottom of the deep Abyss,
Far under Ground She went to Realms of Night,
Where Demogorgon sits in gloomy Bliss,
Far from the Eye of Heav'n, or View of Light,
And rules the hideous Chaos; There she hies,
The Fates to try; where hid, their dreadful Dwelling lies.
CLIV.
She found Them there, all seated in a Round,Full in the Midst the direful Distaff stands;
Where drawing out the Lines of Life, She found
The Fatal Sisters, with unweary'd Hands.
Sad Clotho held the Rock; the vital Twine
With Pain by griesly Lachesis was spun;
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How soon! by cruel Atropos undone!
With Steel accurst She cut the Twist in twain:
Most wretched Man, whose Days depend on Threads so vain!
CLV.
Ent'ring She bow'd, and bending sate to Rest;Their Labor, then, survey'd with anxious Grace:
And comprehending soon, the Fates address'd,
Trembling in Heart, and looking pale in Face.
To tell her Cause of Coming She began—
To Whom, fierce Atropos; “Intruder bold!
“That search the Secrets of the Life of Man!
“That dare, from Mortal what is hid, behold!
“Well worthy Thou to be of Jove accurst,
“And shorten'd of their Twine, thy Sons in Secret nurst.”
CLVI.
Where-at She, sore afraid, the Fates besoughtPardon to grant, and Rigor to abate,
And pray'd to see how strong their Twine was wrought,
And know the utmost Measure of their Date.
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And gives Her to inspect the fated Line;
The Mother to the Soul was inly pain'd,
Nor cou'd forbear to murmur and repine;
Spun were their Threads, She thought, as Spiders spin,
As thin as Webs They seem'd, and yet as short as thin.
CLVII.
For longer Measure, and for stronger Thread,She strait began the Sisters to ingage;
That so their Lives might be prolong'd (She said)
But Lachesis as soon began to rage.
“Deem You alike, fond Dame (the Goddess cry'd,)
“Alike! of Human Things, and Things Divine?
“That alter'd they may be? (oh mortal Pride!)
“And chang'd, at Pleasure, for those Sons of Thine?
“Not so; for, what the Destinies decree,
Not all the Gods can force, not Jove himself can free.
CLVIII.
‘If then the Term of Life, (the Nymph rejoin'd)‘Can neither be, or lessen'd, or enlarg'd;
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‘With Either's Soul be Either's Body charg'd.
‘So when You doom the Eldest of the Three,
‘(Whose Life, I see, is shortest) pass his Soul;
‘Transfer it to the Second in Degree:
‘And let the Third and Last possess the Whole.
‘Thus Each, in Other, shall his Life prolong,
‘In Life of Other, Each shall thus be trebly strong.
CLIX.
The careful Sisters granted her Request;With full-contented Mind the Nymph departs.
Return'd, She meets Her Sons in Armor drest,
Not to her Wish, nor knew They of her Arts.
From Them conceal'd She what the Fates design'd,
And how their Lives were lengthen'd, fear'd to tell;
Yet oft as fair Occasion She cou'd find,
She bids Son trust to Son, whate'er befell.
“Let Brother on his Brother's Safety wait,
“Give Love for Love, my Boys, whate'er your future Fate.
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CLX.
And firm in Friendship liv'd They all their Days,Rash Discord never ent'ring either Mind!
Which added much to all their other Praise,
And now in Love of Canace They join'd.
As by Affection natural 'twas agreed,
Each cou'd not but approve what Each approv'd;
And tho' same Likings sure Aversions breed;
Here lov'd They more, because alike They lov'd.
Hence the dire Conflict grew including All,
(As oft) great Matter growing from Beginning small.
CLXI.
O! why do wretched Men so much desireTo draw their Days to the remotest Date?
Why do not rather wish Them to expire,
Knowing the certain Mis'ry of their State?
Tost like the Vessel on the surging Wave,
What Ills await Them, threat'ning to devour!
One Danger, from the Cradle to the Grave,
Attends; for Death attends Them ev'ry Hour!
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Is yet, as near his End, as He that suffers Pains!
CLXII.
For This, I hold the Nymph more fond, than sage,Her Children's Life thus seeking to prolong;
To lengthen Mis'ry, She wou'd lengthen Age:
But She that means the Right, can act no Wrong.
And happy, Each in Other, breath'd the Three,
Of Other Each, approving, and approv'd;
So courteous Each with Other to agree,
It made Them more esteem'd of Friends They lov'd;
And Each with Other so for Valor priz'd,
It made Them dreaded more of Foes whom They despis'd.
CLXIII.
These Three that hardy Challenge took in Hand,With great Camballo to maintain the Fight;
The Day was set, that All might understand,
And Pledges pawn'd, as claim'd the Martial Rite.
That Day (and ne'er was Day, of equal Dread,
Known, or to Those, before, or Those, since Born!)
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These warlike Champions hail the rising Morn;
And, glorious as the Sun, in Armor shine,
Assembling in the Field, the Challenge to define.
CLXIV.
The Field with Lists was all around inclos'd,To bar the Press of People far away;
And at one Side six Judges were dispos'd,
To view and deem the Deeds of Arms that Day.
Fresh in Array, and beautiful to Sight,
Fair Canace adorn'd a stately Stage,
Rais'd opposite; the Fortune of the Fight
Engag'd to see: Her Beauty was the Gage!
There to be seen, as his most worthy Wife
Who purchas'd her full fair, at Venture of his Life.
CLXV.
Camballo enter'd first the Listed Space,With stately Step, that scorn'd the Pow'r of Chance;
As sure of Conquest, fearless was his Face:
As fearless, tho' less sure, the Three advance.
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Their Banners, that on Day reflected Day.
Thrice marching round the List, They charm'd the Eye,
Such was their manly Port, and brave Array.
Thrice bow'd They lowly to the noble Maid,
The while the Trumpets shrill, and loud the Clarions play'd.
CLXVI.
Advanc'd the Challenger with hardy Stride,All arm'd to Point, his Challenge to maintain;
Him Priamondo met with equal Pride,
To Point all arm'd, to take it in Disdain.
A Trumpet blew. Strait closing, Hand to Hand,
With furious Force and fell Intent They met,
Careless of Peril in the furious Stand;
Life they expos'd, as Life had been a Debt:
A Debt so deeply 'gag'd, that They esteem'd
Twas Folly now to spare, what cou'd not be redeem'd.
CLXVII.
Well practis'd Priamondo was in Fight,And great his Skill in Use of Spear and Shield.
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Nor less his Skill or Shield or Spear to wield.
'Twas hard to guess which was the hardier Foe;
For equal ev'ry Blow on either Side,
And either Side sent Death at ev'ry Blow.
It seem'd, that Chance, not Merit, must decide.
Each eyes the Other with such watchful Care,
That short falls ev'ry Blow, or vainly glides in Air.
CLXVIII.
Yet One of Many with unlucky Glance,(Of Many One by Priamondo sent)
Took Place, directed less by Aim than Chance,
And passing thro' Camballo's Shoulder went.
It went; his Shield it forc'd him to forego.
Much was He griev'd, and rag'd with high Disdain;
Yet from the Wound no Blood He felt to flow,
But wond'rous Pain; his Courage rose with Pain;
That urg'd his haughty Soul to Vengance fell.
Smart daunts not mighty Hearts, but makes them more to swell.
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CLXIX.
With That, He bade his poignant Jav'lin flyFull at his Foe, and close beneath his Shield;
It enter'd thro' his Mail, and pierc'd his Thigh,
The Blood gush'd forth and stain'd the grassy Field.
With double Force it flew, and reach'd the Knight;
Much was the Knight incumber'd with the Wound;
To stand unable, or erect his Hight,
For, here and there, He reel'd along the Ground.
So as the sapless Oak, thro' Age declin'd,
Submits to ev'ry Blast, and bends to ev'ry Wind.
CLXX.
Soon as Camballo his Condition spy'd,Full at the Spear He caught with all his Might,
Meaning to draw, or thrust from Side to Side,
And so at one Attempt conclude the Fight.
Deep was the Point infix'd, and hard He drew;
Hard tho' He drew, still back the Foe reclin'd:
Freed from the Weapon on the Knight He flew,
(Broke was the Staff, the Head was left behind.)
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Re-charging him afresh, thus scornfully exclaim'd.
CLXXI.
“Here, take the Meed of thy Mischallenge, take!“Thus long have I permitted Thee to live;
“Not for thine own, but for thy Sister's Sake:
“A Debt I might forbear, but not forgive.”
The wicked Weapon heard the wrathful Vow,
And pass'd to second his vindictive Ire,
His Beaver pierc'd, and shiver'd on his Brow,
That with the Force it forc'd him to retire,
Then broke; Half, quiv'ring in his Head-piece stood,
And Half the Owner held, and curs'd the treach'rous Wood.
CLXXII.
The sudden Shock with Rage Camballo bore;And, where it stuck, from forth his Beaver drew
The shorten'd Spear, that pain'd Him as he tore:
He drew, and back at Priamondo threw.
The faithless Weapon found a ready Way
To pierce his Gorget where his Neck was bare;
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Fresh to the lab'ring Breast, the vital Air.
Thence Streams of purple Blood, the Last of Life,
Dismiss his weary Soul, and end the doubtful Strife.
CLXXIII.
His weary Soul, from earthly Bondage freed,Nor fled to Heav'n, where Some say Spirits fly;
Nor vanish'd into Air, as Others plead;
Nor chang'd into a Star adorn'd the Sky;
Nor sought direct (a solitary Shade!)
In Pluto's gloomy Realm, Eternal Rest:
But thro' Traduction, (as his Mother pray'd)
Pass'd instantaneous to his Brother's Breast.
His Brother, next in Order, that surviv'd,
In Whom He liv'd anew, of former Life depriv'd.
CLXXIV.
He, when He spy'd Him breathless on the Field,Was touch'd with Sorrow for his Brother's Fate;
Way to his Sorrow yet He scorn'd to yield,
But rather rous'd to Vengeance and to Hate.
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But fierce He rushes to renew the Fight;
Thro' secret Impulse of his gen'rous Soul,
As in Reversion of his Brother's Right.
And, challenging the Virgin as his Due;
The Foe was soon addrest: the Trumpets freshly blew.
CLXXV.
With That, together Both so fiercely clos'd,As Limb from Limb, Each, Other meant to rend;
Foot fix'd to Foot, and Hand to Hand oppos'd,
Nor Plate nor Mail the hideous Show'r defend.
So deadlily They dealt their Axes round,
Riv'd was the Plate, and shatter'd was the Mail;
Pain felt the One, the Other dy'd the Ground,
Fire flash'd from ev'ry Blow, Trail after Trail;
As fast as Light'ning after Thunder flies:
That fill'd the crouded List with Terror and Surprize.
CLXXVI.
As when two Tigers prick'd with hungry Rage,Chance in the Chace to meet the wish'd-for Spoil,
297
And gain a feastful Harvest of their Toil.
To make the just Partition Both refuse,
And Both contest the Fortune of the Day;
Hence strife-full Broil, and cruel Fight insues,
While Neither lets the Other touch the Prey;
And Either scorns with Other to partake:
So, strove these warlike Knights, for this fair Lady's Sake.
CLXXVII.
Full many a Blow, and mortally design'd,Was interchang'd; yet short fell ev'ry Blow!
For They were all so warded or declin'd,
That Life in Each stood fearless of her Foe.
Till Diamondo, scorning long Delay
Of wav'ring Fortune, fix'd to neither Side;
Resolv'd to end the Doubt at one Essay,
And at one Aim the Battle to decide;
“Take This for Priamondo!” (fierce He spoke)
And heav'd his murd'rous Axe, and gave a vengeful Stroke.
298
CLXXVIII.
The vengeful Stroke had finish'd soon the Strife,Sped, as was meant, so deadly was it meant!
Soon had it from the Body forc'd the Life;
But This Camballo's better Fates prevent.
He mark'd him as He rais'd and lowr'd his Hand,
And judg'd the Blow would fall with mighty Sway,
So swerv'd, as it arriv'd, and slip'd his Stand,
And sudden to it's fell Intent gave way.
Missing the Mark, to which his Eye was bound,
Nigh fell'd Him his right Arm, his right Foot plow'd the Ground.
CLXXIX.
As when a Vulture, greedy of his Prey,By Hunger prest, and Hunger Heart can lend!
Strikes at a Heron, in th' etherial Way,
On whom his feather'd Forces downward bend;
Nought seems that can defend Her from her Foe:
Herself the Fowl defends with wary Care;
She spies Him, as He stoops, eludes the Blow,
And makes Him spend his Wings in empty Air.
299
Nigh to the Ground He falls, and scarce recovers Flight.
CLXXX.
The fair Occasion, when Camballo spy'd,Full at the Knight He drove with all his Pow'r;
E'er, for Assault or Ward He could provide:
And smote Him with his Axe, in luckless Hour
With dire Dexterity the Stroke was sped,
Then as recover'd, from his Stoop, the Foe;
And from his Shoulders off it bore his Head:
The headless Trunk stood heedless of the Blow!
A while it stood, as still respiring Breath,
Till feeling Life to fail, it fell; and slept in Death.
CLXXXI.
Amaz'd were the Spectators of the Field,So long erect an headless Trunk to see;
With Arms, that void of Life, vain Weapons wield,
Unknowing of the Fates divine Decree!
For tho' one Soul from out his Body fled,
'Twas that which from his Brother He deriv'd;
300
His Body would have liv'd, and had reviv'd.
Where, as his Soul no fitting Mansion found,
The Lifeless Corse is left to fall and spread the Ground.
CLXXXII.
Yet left not either Soul the doubtful Strife,Nor yet retir'd to Seat of Heav'nly Rest;
But fill'd with double Grief and double Life,
Their last lov'd Mansion, Triamondo's Breast!
Inly He felt a more than Mortal Smart,
And strait He leap'd into the empty Field,
With more than common Strength, or common Heart;
And menac'd with his Spear, and shook his Shield.
Thus brave Camballo bravely He address'd,
Who fac'd the Foe, and soon the Fight was closely prest.
CLXXXIII.
Well might You wonder how that noble Knight,Was able to sustain Wound after Wound;
And what impower'd him to renew the Fight,
And how on Foot He cou'd maintain his Ground.
301
As fierce He seem'd, as fresh the Field to take,
As had He been new-form'd, new-soul'd had been;
The Semblance of the new-recuited Snake,
That, soon as Spring dispels the Wintry Cold,
Throws off his ragged Skin, and shines in Scales of Gold.
CLXXXIV.
'Twas all thro' Virtue of the Ring He wore,Whence wounded not a single Drop He bled;
His weakened Strength her working Pow'rs restore,
The Stone, therein incas'd, such Influence shed.
Else how cou'd One of equal Might with Most,
With Most of equal Might, yet still but One!
Before so Many no less Mighty boast;
And go the Road to Honor He had gone?
Or think to match Three such in equal Fight?
Three such! as match'd an Host! an Host in either Knight!
CLXXXV.
Yet This in Triamondo rais'd no Dread,Nor yet of glorious Vict'ry He despair'd;
302
What Man cou'd do, He did; cou'd dare, He dar'd.
Thick pour'd his Blows, as Hail-stones from the Sky,
On ev'ry Side He struck, hew'd, urg'd, and press'd;
All doubt or cou'd He stand, or wou'd He fly:
So fast the Foe his Iron Axe address'd,
That Sparks of Fire from ev'ry Stroke insue;
As fast, as from the Rock, the Sprays of Briny Dew.
CLXXXVI.
Much was Camballo daunted with the Blows,So thick They fell, so forcibly were sent,
Constrain'd (to such a Hight his Fury rose)
Back to retire, and some-what to relent.
Safer, He judg'd, to ward than to withstand,
The Rage of Passion, rising in its Course;
He waits his shorter Breath, and lighter Hand,
Then fresh assails Him with superior Force:
That caus'd the Foe, abated of his Heat,
Fast, forward as He press'd, now backward to retreat.
303
CLXXXVII.
As when the Tide, from Ocean newly sped,Flows up the Shenan with contrary Course;
O'er-rules the Stream, in his own Watry Bed,
And makes Him seem to have an adverse Sourse:
Back towards his Spring the Current re-ascends,
And Borders, lately pass'd, again surveys;
But when again the Flood its Vigor spends,
Then back his borrow'd Waters He repays.
And sends the Sea his own with double Gain,
And Tribute, with his own, as Sov'reign of the Main.
CLXXXVIII.
Various as these, the Tides of Battle flow,With diverse Fortune doubtful to be deem'd;
Now This the Better had, now had his Foe;
Then One half vanquish'd, then the Other seem'd
Yet Victor Each Himself in Valor thought,
And held his Rival dying, if not dead;
Felt, many a Pang, Camballo, while They fought,
And Blood abundant Triamondo shed.
304
Faintly He breath'd at Heart, on Foot He feebly stood.
CLXXXIX.
Camballo stronger still, and greater grew,Nor felt his Blood to waste, nor Pow'rs to fail;
From Wound new made He gather'd Vigor new,
So much the Virtues of the Ring prevail.
Like as the Tree, by Blights or Years,
Tho', wither'd, to the Trunk it droops the Head,
Reviv'd, when prun'd with careful Skill, appears,
And joys again to flourish and to spread;
New Fruit producing, from the Husband's Toil,
As fresh as when it first was planted in the Soil.
CXC.
Thro' like Advantage in his Strength He rose,And smote with wond'rous Force the adverse Knight;
There, where the Seams the jointed Hauberk close,
That down He fell, as dead to Human Sight.
Dead yet He was not! Yet He suffer'd Death!
Death sure as suffers Ought of Mortal State!
305
And pay'd a Life at the Demand of Fate!
For strait One Soul from out his Body flies,
From human Mis'ry freed, and seeks its native Skies.
CXCI.
Meantime, while All that spy'd Him deem'd Him Dead,For visible to All He seem'd to die!
As rising from a Dream He rear'd his Head,
And sudden on his Foe began to fly.
At so uncouth a Sight the Foe amaz'd,
Lost Pow'r of Speech, not Utt'rance cou'd afford;
Unmov'd, as had He seen a Ghost, He gaz'd,
And slow of Action held his idle Sword.
Till struck full oft by his impetuous Arm,
To strike He was constrain'd, to save Himself from Harm.
CXCII.
Yet from that Hour more warily He fought,In Fear the Stygian Gods to un-befriend;
As One, to save Himself, that rather sought,
Than fast persue'd Another to offend;
306
When Triamondo found his cooler Play,
He judg'd it follow'd, or from Fear or Pain,
Ill able to support the closing Fray;
Or that the Knight cou'd ill on Foot indure,
A Sign that must to Him the Vict'ry soon assure.
CXCIII.
Joy'd to the Soul, on high He rais'd his Hand,In Mind to give the last decisive Blow;
The Foe to end, or fear'd He to withstand,
Or dar'd He to withstand, to end the Foe.
Camballo mark'd Him, not inclin'd to yield,
And nothing slow to save his threaten'd Head;
His Sword He drew, and pass'd his op'ning Shield,
Slight was the Op'ning, Slight the Pass was sped:
He struck Him, as to strike his Hand He rear'd;
Beneath his Arm it went, and at his Back appear'd.
CXCIV.
Yet Triamondo's Axe pursued its Way,And fell full heavy on Camballo's Crest.
307
An hideous Wound was on his Head imprest.
His Shield with Brims of Brass was plated round,
And there it found a Rest, nor farther sped;
Else had the Knight been cleav'd, and spred the Ground,
Down to the Breast dissever'd from the Head.
So Both at once fell breathless on the Field,
And Each to Other seem'd the Vict'ry there to yield.
CXCV.
The Croud conclude The Fight was at an End!The Marshals of the Field, and Judges rose!
Wail'd Canace her Brother as her Friend!
They rend the Trophies, and the Lists They close!
Nought rested but to speak their Fun'ral Praise!
Ascertain'd now, by Death, the Doubtful Strife!
When Lo! at once their Living Forms They raise,
One, from his Ring; One, from his Treble Life;
And Both together rising (wond'rous Sight!)
Fresh, Other Each assail'd, and fierce renew'd the Fight.
308
CXCVI.
Each claiming then the Other as his Prize,Begun, as had the Fight but then begun;
Alike, Strokes, Wounds, Shields, Weapons They despise,
And Danger rather try to find than shun.
Death fear'd They not, nor yet for Life They car'd,
Life to let out, alike, or Death let in.
For Death They valu'd not, nor Life They spar'd,
Or Who was to be won, or Who to win.
More to be kill'd desirous, than to kill;
To Both Life seem'd a Load, and Safety seem'd an Ill.
CXCVII.
While thus the Battle hung, a doubtful Scale!Unsure to Whom the Balance wou'd decline,
Sad ev'ry Heart, and ev'ry Face grew pale
The Close of All unwilling to divine;
All suddenly a clamorous Noise They heard;
That seem'd some perilous Tumult to portend;
As Something strange at near Approach appear'd,
And caus'd the Croud the Vault of Heav'n to rend.
309
Such as the troubled Theatre full oft annoyes.
CXCVII.
Each Champion heard the Clamor from afar,But what it brought not sudden cou'd devise;
When lo! They spy'd, fair seated on a Car,
A Maid that cou'd not fail to touch their Eyes.
Fast as a Whirlwind drives, She drives along,
And lovely was the Virgin to behold!
Yet faster Way She made amidst the Throng,
For that her Car was all adorn'd with Gold,
It seem'd as for some Persian Monarch plan'd,
With various Gems inrich'd, and show'd a master Hand.
CXCIX.
Drawn was her Car (What wond'rous is to tell)By two grim Lyons, subject to Command;
And tho' They look'd in Fierceness to excell
Their savage Kind, yet tame They bore her Hand.
Erect on Foot, high rais'd, the Damsel stood,
And more than Human seem'd to Human Sight.
310
She shone (and Either shone as Angel bright)
But, with her Beauty, Bounty might compare,
Which of the Two in Her might claim the greater Share.
CC.
The Fair was Daughter to th' enamour'd Knight,Who once again oppress'd the Sylvan Maid;
Long had He watch'd to gain the pleasing Sight,
Till unawares He caught Her in the Shade.
In Magick Lore the Mother deeply skill'd,
Her Child in all her subtle Arts improv'd;
And now She came with kind Affection fill'd,
To aid her Brother, whom She dearly lov'd.
In Haste She came to pacify the Strife,
For Bad the Loss or Gain, where Gain or Loss is Life.
CCI.
Her, as the Croud press'd nearer to behold,Less tractable her ireful Leaders grew;
Numbers They drove before, as Sheep to Fold,
And Numbers, roll'd in Dust, for Haste o'erthrew;
311
For Fear of Danger, Some to Distance fly!
For Curiosity, Some rac'd along!
Some for Themselves, and Some for Others cry!
Some laugh for Fancy, Some for Wonder shout!
And Some, that wou'd seem Wise, their Wonder turn to Doubt!
CCII.
In her Right Hand a Rod of Peace She bore,Around, two Serpents mutually were wound;
Bound firmly by the Tail in Lovely Lore,
And Both were with one Olive Garland crown'd.
Like to the Wand that wields the Son of May,
Seals He in Sleep the Eye, or opes in Light;
Draws He from Hell the Shade, or drives away
The Soul from Earth; Day ministring or Night.
And in her other Hand She held a Vase,
With choice Nepenthe sill'd; a Juice of sov'reign Grace!
CCIII.
Nepenthe! Drink prepar'd by Heav'nly Art!By Gods devis'd, all Sorrow to asswage!
312
Whence spring sore Anguish, and contentious Rage!
To Age, it gives sweet Peace and quiet Rest!
Firm Friendship and unalter'd Love, to Youth!
The Mind establishes, and chears the Breast!
Reserv'd for Such as Wisdom court and Truth!
Few by the Gods to taste it are assign'd!
But All, assign'd to taste it, Bliss Eternal find!
CCIV.
Such Men of Worth, deriv'd of Mortal Birth,As mighty Jove advances to the Sky;
Gods for their Merit made from Sons of Earth!
Partake of This, e'er yet to Heav'n They fly.
Secure of Joys, that will for ever last,
All Mem'ry here They drown of Human Care;
All Hope, or Fear, of Future, or of Past,
Then, unremembring, to the Blest repair.
Heroes of old of This were giv'n to taste,
E'er yet among the Gods Immortal They were plac'd.
313
CCV.
Much more of Price, and of more gracious Pow'r,This than the Fountain in Ardenna found;
Of which Renaldo drank in happy Hour,
As sings the Tuscan Poet, far renown'd.
For had That Pow'r to change the Bent of Mind,
From Love to Hate, a Change of evil Choice!
But This reverse, from Hate to Love inclin'd,
Who wou'd not to this Virtue yield his Voice?
314
But Love the Gift of Heav'n, and glads the Human Breast.
CCVI.
Now close beside the List her Leaders stand,(And strong-inclosing Bars the List surround!)
She strikes the Bars, that open to her Hand,
Then enter'd, quits her Car, and takes the Ground.
“Friendship and Peace to All!” (The Virgin cry'd;)
“Friendship and Peace! The greatest Good in Life!”
315
Whom, sorely griev'd, She found in Bloody Strife;
Last, to the Foe, whose warlike Air and Grace,
Then secret, touch'd her Soul, and dy'd her conscious Face.
CCVII.
Both slightly bow'd; (for small was their Delight,As then, to entertain the Lovely Maid)
Then turn'd Them to the Battle: At the Sight,
Between them, on the Field, Herself She laid.
316
Nought that cou'd move the Reconciler spares,
With Sighs now intermixing soft'ning Tears,
And pow'rful Reasons adding now to Pray'rs.
For cordial Peace, from horrid War, She sought,
By All, They held most dear! By Her, for whom They fought!
CCVIII.
But when She found, She cou'd not so prevail,She touch Them lightly with her pow'rful Wand;
317
Down fall their wrathful Swords, and motionless They stand;
They stand, as Men possest with Panick Fright,
Struck, with They know not What of dread Surprize;
Thus e'er their scatter'd Pow'rs They cou'd unite,
Or free their mighty Souls from mightier Ties;
Her Golden Bowl, with sweet Oblivion fraught,
She reach'd; and, glad for Thirst, Each drank an hearty Draught!
318
CCIX.
Soon as They tasted once the Juice Divine,Wonder it was the sudden Change to see,
From deadly Stroke in kind Embrace They join,
And Hands They plight, no more to disagree;
In Amity, such Enmity to close,
And Foe, with Foe, as Friend with Friend to yield,
And Faithful Friends to rise from Mortal Foes,
This Turn of Things amaz'd the crouded Field;
The crouded Field with Joy and Wonder rise,
One loud Applause ensues, re-echoing thro' the Skies!
319
CCX.
When gentle Canace This sees and hears,In Haste She from her lofty Seat descends;
And soon amidst the Combatants appears,
To know if so the cruel Conflict ends:
When certain found; all due Respect She pay'd,
In Manner easy, and in Speech polite;
And, for her Conduct, praising much the Maid,
At Sarra begs Her to dispose the Night;
And add this other Favor to the rest,
The Friendship to accept, that firmly She profest.
320
CCXI.
Agreed with true Sincerity of Heart;The Trumpets sounded, and the Judges rose;
With Glee and gladsome Cheer the Croud depart:
To march together Both the Champions chose.
And Both together chose the Maids to ride;
Cambina, Prudent Umpire of the Day;
With sweet Affection taking to her Side
Fair Canace, as fresh as Rose in May.
Thence to Cambuscan's Palace They retir'd,
By All applauded Each, and Each by All admir'd.
321
CCXII.
In perfect Love there many a Day They spend;Camballo with Cambina led his Life;
And who, but Triamondo, cou'd pretend
A rightful Claim to Canace as Wife?
I pass the joyous Feasts, the solemn Rites,
Things well to be conceiv'd, tho' not exprest;
The Days of Dalliance, and of Bliss the Nights;
Suffice, that Each in Each was fully Blest.
So join'd by Love, and so by Friendship bound,
That never since their Days, were Four so Happy found.
322
CCXIII.
It rises oft in Life (as here it rose)That mortal Foes to faithful Friends may turn;
And so may faithful Friends to mortal Foes:
As Reasons temper, or as Passions burn.
For oft some dire Mistake misleads the Will,
As well in Hate of Foes, as Love of Friends;
Hence Enmity, that not proceeds of Ill,
But of Occasion, with th' Occasion ends;
323
Without Regard of Good, dies like ill-grounded Seeds.
CCIV.
Meantime the Sun his due Meridian HightHad gain'd, when Neither lost, yet Either won;
While great Cambuscan, who declin'd the Sight,
Resign'd to Fate the Daughter, and the Son.
324
But hold—'tis Time to check the forward Steed!—
Nor shou'd our Tale too long delay the Rest;
What yet remains, in Order may succeed,
When next our Turn; Intemperance of Tongue,
Mine Host will well excuse, his Orator is young.
To save the Inquisitive the Trouble of searching after Spenser's Allusion, it was thought not unnecessary to give Him here an Opportunity of satisfying his Curiosity by subjoining as much of the Love and Hate of Renaldo for Angelica as made to the Purpose. And This rather from Harrington's Translation (which is yet very intelligible, tho' dedicated to Queen Elizabeth) than from Ariosto, who might not be so well understood by every Reader.
Ariost.Book I.
1
Of Dames, of Knights, of Arms, of Love's Delight,Of Courtesies, of high Attempts I speake,
Then when the Moores transported all their Might
On Africke Seas the Force of France to breake:
Incited by the youthfull Heat and Spight
Of Agramant their King, that vow'd to wreake
The Death of King Trayans (lately slaine)
Upon the Roman Emperour Charlemaine.
5
Orlando, who long time had loved deare,Angelica the Faire; and for her Sake,
About the World, in Nations far and neare,
Did high Attempts performe and undertake,
Return'd with her into the West that Yeare,
That Charles his Power against the Turks did make:
And with the Force of Germanie and France,
Neare Pyren Alpes his Standard did advance.
8
Betweene Orlando and Renaldo late,There fell about Angelica some Brall,
And each of them began the tother Hate,
This Ladies Love had made them both so thrall.
But Charles, who much mislikes that such Debate
Between such Friends should rise, on Cause so small,
To Namus of Baveir in Keeping gave her,
And suffred neither of them both to have her.
9
But promist he would presently bestowThe Damsel faire, on him that in that Fight
The plainest Proofe should of his Prowesse show,
And danger most the Pagans with his Might;
But (ay the while) the Christians take the Blow,
Their Soldiers slaine, their Captains put to Fight,
The Duke himselfe a Prisner there was taken,
His Tent was quite abandon'd and forsaken.
10
Where when the Damsel faire a while had stay'd,That for the Victor pointed was a Pray,
She tooke her Horse, ne farther time delay'd,
But secretly convay'd herself away;
For she foresaw, and was full sore afray'd,
That this to Charles would prove a dismal Day.
And riding through a Wood, she hapt to meet
A Knight that came against her on his Feet.
11
His Cuiras on; his Helmet not undone,His Sword and Target ready to the same,
And through the Wood so swiftly he did runne,
As they that go half naked for a Game.
But never did a Shepheard's Daughter shunne
More speedily a Snake that on her came,
Then faire Angelica did take her Flight,
When as she once had Knowledge of the Knight.
12
This valiant Knight was Lord of Clarimount,Duke Ammon's Sonne, as you shall understand,
Who having lost his Horse of good Account,
That by Mishap was slipt out of his Hand;
He follow'd him, in Hope againe to mount,
Untill this Ladies Sight did make him stand,
Whose Face and Shape proportion'd were so well,
They seem'd the House where Love itselfe did dwell.
13
But She that shuns Renaldo all She may,Upon her Horse's Necke doth lay the Raine,
Through thicke and thin She gallopeth away,
Ne makes She Choise of beaten Way or Plaine,
But gives her Palfrey leave to cause the Way,
And being mov'd with Feare and with Disdaine,
Now up, now downe, She never leaves to ride,
Till She arrived by a River-side.
77
And being newly setled in Her Seate,She saw a Man on Foote all armed runne,
Streight in her Mind She gan to chafe and fret,
Because She knew it was Duke Ammon's Sonne,
Most earnestly He sude Her Love to get,
More earnestly She seeks his Love to shunne.
Once She lov'd Him, He hated Her as much;
And now He loves, She hates, his Hap was such.
78
The Cause of this first from two Fountaines grew,Like in the Tast, but in Effects unlike,
Plac'd in Ardenna, each in other's View,
Who tasts the one, Love's Dart his Heart doth strike;
Contrary of the other doth ensew,
Who drinke thereof their Lovers shall mislike.
Renaldo dranke of one, and Love him pained:
Shee drunke the other, and his Love disdained.
Book II.
1
O blind God, Love, why tak'st thou such Delight,With Darts of divers Force our Hearts to wound?
By thy too much abusing of thy Might,
This Discord great in humane Hearts is found.
When I would wade the shallow Foord aright,
Thou draw'st me to the Deepe to have me dround,
From those love me, my Love thou dost recall,
And place it where I find no Love at all.
2
Thou mak'st most faire unto Renaldo seemeAngelica, that takes him for a Foe;
And when that She of him did well esteeme,
Then He dislikt, and did refuse Her thoe.
Which makes Her now of Him the lesse to deeme.
Thus as (they say) She renders quit pro quo.
She hateth Him, and doth detest Him so,
She first will die, ere She will with him go.
22
He follow'd Her through Valley, Hill, and Plaine,Through Woods and Thickets for his Master's sake,
Whom he permitted not to touch the Raine,
For feare lest He some other Way should take,
By which Renaldo though with mickle Paine
Twise found Her out, twise She did Him forsake:
For first Ferraw, then Sacrapant withstood,
That by twise finding Her He did no good.
Book XLII.
44
Ere long into Ardenna Woods he enters,Soone after he Basylea quite had past:
Ardenna Woods, whence many come Repenters,
And in that Forrest have bene sore agast,
To travell through the same Renaldo venters,
When suddenly the Skie did overcast,
And there arose a blacke and hideous Storme,
And then appear'd a Monster of strange Forme.
45
She seem'd of Woman's Shape, but in her HedA thousand Eyes She had, that Watch did keepe;
As many Eares, with which She harkened;
Her Eyes want Lids, and therefore never sleepe;
In steed of Haire, Her Crowne Snakes overspred;
Thus marched She forth of the Darknesse deepe.
Her Tayle one Serpent bigger than the rest,
Which She with Knots had tyde about her Brest.
46
This Sight, Renaldos Mind appald so sore,He feeles his Heart alreadie gan to fayle him,
And sith it never had done so before,
He marvels what (the good yeare) now should aile him:
Yet still his Minde misgave him more and more,
To see the Monster coming to assaile Him,
He nathlesse countersets his wonted Boldnesse,
Though quaking Hands bewraid his inward Coldnesse.
51
When lo! a Knight unto his Succour went,All armd in shining Steele, and on his Shield
He bare a Yoke in sundry Peeces rent,
And Flames of Fire all in a yellow Field,
So weaponed he was, as if He ment
To make all that encountred Him to yeeld.
A Sword and Speare He had, and to the same
A Mace, from whence he threw continual Flame.
55
But when Renaldo was from Danger free,And that same Knight by whom his Safetie came,
So courteously to come to Him did see,
His Speech to Him in kind Words he did frame,
And gave Him many Thanks in hye Degree,
And then besought him He might know his Name,
That th' Emperor and all his Court might know,
What Knight did so great Grace on him bestow.
56
The Knight in courteous Manner thus replide:I would not you should take it in Displeasure,
That I my Name from you a while shall hide,
But e're the Shadow grow a Yard by Measure,
I shall you tell. Thus onward still they ride,
Renaldo being pleas'd to stay his Leasure.
So long they went together, till they found
A christal Spring, that ran along the Ground.
57
At which full oft the Herdmen, that did dwellNear those same Woods, have in their loving Fits
Drunke Love away, with tasting of that Well,
And of those Passions purged cleane their Wits:
Now (for the Knight that rode with him could tell
That for Renaldo's Ill this Phisicke fits)
He doth advise him there to stay a space,
And make that Well their Baite and Resting-place.
58
Renaldo of the Motion well allowth,And lighteth strait, and to the Well doth go,
Both for that Heat and Travell bred his Drowth,
And that the Monster had disturbd Him so;
Unto the christal Well He puts his Mouth,
And greedily drinks downe five Gulps or mo,
And from his Brest doth with one Draught remove,
His burning Thirst, and his more burning Love.
59
Now when that other Knight that with Him went,Saw him lift up himselfe from that same Brooke,
And found He did his foolish Love repent,
And that He now that Humor quite forsooke,
Then to declare his Name He was content,
And looking with a grave and loftie Looke,
He said, Renaldo, know I hight Disdaine,
That came to loose Thee from Loves foolish Chaine.
60
This said, He vanisht from Renaldo quite, &c. | The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer | |