The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer modernis'd by several hands. Publsh'd by Mr. Oggle |
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GUALTHERUS and GRISELDA:
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 | The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer |  |
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GUALTHERUS and GRISELDA:
OR, THE CLERK of Oxford's TALE.
By the same Hand.
Down at the Foot of Vesulus the Cold,
(Thus ancient Bards the moral Tale unfold)
Where first, thro' subterraneous Caverns led,
The Springs of Po expand their silver Bed;
And, Italy from Italy, divide:
There lies a District, on the Western side.
Where, rich in Flock and Herd, in Fruit and Grain
Abundant, Nature spreads an ample Plain.
Here, travel'd Eyes the varied Scene admire,
The rounded Turret, and the gradual Spire;
From Towns and Castles that aspiring rise,
Proud of their wealthy Seats, and claim the Skies.
At once for Pleasure and for Plenty fam'd,
The Country all around Saluzzo nam'd.
(Thus ancient Bards the moral Tale unfold)
Where first, thro' subterraneous Caverns led,
The Springs of Po expand their silver Bed;
And, Italy from Italy, divide:
There lies a District, on the Western side.
Where, rich in Flock and Herd, in Fruit and Grain
Abundant, Nature spreads an ample Plain.
Here, travel'd Eyes the varied Scene admire,
The rounded Turret, and the gradual Spire;
From Towns and Castles that aspiring rise,
Proud of their wealthy Seats, and claim the Skies.
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The Country all around Saluzzo nam'd.
A Marquis rul'd this happy Tract of Land;
Happy in Him: He rul'd with easy Hand.
Full ready were his Subjects to obey
The mild Indulgence of his gentle Sway.
Obedient to his Will, He govern'd all;
Both Orders, the Great Vulgar and the Small.
Whether, from Merit due, or lucky Fate;
For Worth not always can secure the Great.
Happy in Him: He rul'd with easy Hand.
Full ready were his Subjects to obey
The mild Indulgence of his gentle Sway.
Obedient to his Will, He govern'd all;
Both Orders, the Great Vulgar and the Small.
Whether, from Merit due, or lucky Fate;
For Worth not always can secure the Great.
Well was He Born, his Ancestry to trace,
No Lombard Prince cou'd boast a nobler Race.
And fair of Face, his Face was fair as young.
Tho' strong of Body, delicate tho' strong.
Nor was his Beauty to his Form confin'd,
His Person was the Image of his Mind.
Where Courtesy, alike, and Honor meet.
Active, but Wise! Indulgent, but Discreet!
In Camp or Council, Equal to preside!
Direct in Battle, and in Law decide!
In This I blame Gualtherus (Such his Name)
In This, and almost This alone, to Blame.
But Free from Love, from Error who is Free?
(The softer Sex will sure admit the Plea!)
Heirs, to support his Name, He never sought,
But turn'd to lighter Sport his Daily Thought.
He never weigh'd, how early or how late,
He sat on Matters that concern'd the State.
But Thence releas'd, to Hawk or Hunt prepares;
And well nigh quite neglects all better Cares.
For Cares, He deem'd the Joys of Married Life.
Fall what might fall, He wou'd not take a Wife.
No Lombard Prince cou'd boast a nobler Race.
And fair of Face, his Face was fair as young.
Tho' strong of Body, delicate tho' strong.
Nor was his Beauty to his Form confin'd,
His Person was the Image of his Mind.
Where Courtesy, alike, and Honor meet.
Active, but Wise! Indulgent, but Discreet!
In Camp or Council, Equal to preside!
Direct in Battle, and in Law decide!
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In This, and almost This alone, to Blame.
But Free from Love, from Error who is Free?
(The softer Sex will sure admit the Plea!)
Heirs, to support his Name, He never sought,
But turn'd to lighter Sport his Daily Thought.
He never weigh'd, how early or how late,
He sat on Matters that concern'd the State.
But Thence releas'd, to Hawk or Hunt prepares;
And well nigh quite neglects all better Cares.
For Cares, He deem'd the Joys of Married Life.
Fall what might fall, He wou'd not take a Wife.
This specious Cause new Disaffection draws.
And when cou'd Subjects find no specious Cause?
(Oft falsely feign'd, but Here sincerely meant!)
So, flocking on a Day, to Court They went.
And One, in Form, They chose from out the Rest
The Common Voice! to utter their Request;
Whether, as Wisest, to Themselves prefer'd,
Or Dearest to their Lord, and better Heard.
“Thrice noble Marquis! (Thus with humble Air,
And suppliant Voice, He spoke the Publick Care,)
“If thus assur'd We meet that Honor'd Face;
“'Tis due to thy Humanity and Grace.
“These Princely Qualities our Fears repell;
“You prompt to ease our Griefs, as We to tell.
“My lowly Pray'r then take not in Disdain;
“For Love and Duty force Me to complain.
And when cou'd Subjects find no specious Cause?
(Oft falsely feign'd, but Here sincerely meant!)
So, flocking on a Day, to Court They went.
And One, in Form, They chose from out the Rest
The Common Voice! to utter their Request;
Whether, as Wisest, to Themselves prefer'd,
Or Dearest to their Lord, and better Heard.
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And suppliant Voice, He spoke the Publick Care,)
“If thus assur'd We meet that Honor'd Face;
“'Tis due to thy Humanity and Grace.
“These Princely Qualities our Fears repell;
“You prompt to ease our Griefs, as We to tell.
“My lowly Pray'r then take not in Disdain;
“For Love and Duty force Me to complain.
“But why shou'd I my Pray'r, presumptive, call
“This universal Suit, the Pray'r of All?
“If from my Lips these Words of Licence break,
“Thy faithful Subjects dictate what I speak.
“Oft have I gain'd before like Audience Here;
“Nor wer't Thou wont to give an heedless Ear.
“Then let Me still find Favor in thy Sight,
“Still, pardon my Request, if not Requite.
“While to the Gen'ral Good I point the Way;
“And We, but wait your Judgment, to obey.
“This universal Suit, the Pray'r of All?
“If from my Lips these Words of Licence break,
“Thy faithful Subjects dictate what I speak.
“Oft have I gain'd before like Audience Here;
“Nor wer't Thou wont to give an heedless Ear.
“Then let Me still find Favor in thy Sight,
“Still, pardon my Request, if not Requite.
“While to the Gen'ral Good I point the Way;
“And We, but wait your Judgment, to obey.
“Such is thy Rule, and such is our Content,
“Ought to correct not Envy cou'd invent.
“But still forgive, if here with sad Presage
“We doubt the equal Bliss of future Age;
“And wish those Virtues rare, continued down
“To latest Times, that dignify our own.
“To serve Thee, in thy Heirs, thy People want;
“Nor think this Royal Gift too much to grant.
“Then bow thy Neck beneath the Blissfull Yoke;
“The Ties of Wedlock are not easy broke:
“But Love to Marriage lends a Silken Rein:
“Tis not a Servile Bond, but Virtuous Chain.
“Ought to correct not Envy cou'd invent.
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“We doubt the equal Bliss of future Age;
“And wish those Virtues rare, continued down
“To latest Times, that dignify our own.
“To serve Thee, in thy Heirs, thy People want;
“Nor think this Royal Gift too much to grant.
“Then bow thy Neck beneath the Blissfull Yoke;
“The Ties of Wedlock are not easy broke:
“But Love to Marriage lends a Silken Rein:
“Tis not a Servile Bond, but Virtuous Chain.
“Then, oh! reflect, (For here the Danger lies!)
“Reflect, that Time with hasty Pinions flies,
“Time, ever on the Wing, Time stays for none;
“Whether We sleep or wake, or stand or run.
“Tho' blooming now thy Youth, thy Vigour green;
“Age, silent as the Night, creeps on unseen;
“And threatens ev'ry Sex, and ev'ry State:
“No Pow'r can shun the certain Doom of Fate.
“Certain the Doom that He must yield his Breath!
“Uncertain yet the Day assign'd by Death.
“Reflect, that Time with hasty Pinions flies,
“Time, ever on the Wing, Time stays for none;
“Whether We sleep or wake, or stand or run.
“Tho' blooming now thy Youth, thy Vigour green;
“Age, silent as the Night, creeps on unseen;
“And threatens ev'ry Sex, and ev'ry State:
“No Pow'r can shun the certain Doom of Fate.
“Certain the Doom that He must yield his Breath!
“Uncertain yet the Day assign'd by Death.
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“If Life's a Blessing of so short a Stay;
“Judge what yourself must suffer by Delay!
“Judge what We suffer! For in this We claim
“An equal Int'rest; To preserve your Name!
“Preserve your Worth! Here ev'ry Voice conspires,
“To leave our Sons as happy as their Sires!
“If never yet We disobey'd your Will,
“Accept our Offer! Be our Parent still!
“Ourselves, to do Thee Fame, will make the Choice;
“A worthy Bride, confirm'd by publick Voice!
“Such as deriv'd from some exalted Line,
“Is fit, and only fit, to match with Thine!
“Judge what yourself must suffer by Delay!
“Judge what We suffer! For in this We claim
“An equal Int'rest; To preserve your Name!
“Preserve your Worth! Here ev'ry Voice conspires,
“To leave our Sons as happy as their Sires!
“If never yet We disobey'd your Will,
“Accept our Offer! Be our Parent still!
“Ourselves, to do Thee Fame, will make the Choice;
“A worthy Bride, confirm'd by publick Voice!
“Such as deriv'd from some exalted Line,
“Is fit, and only fit, to match with Thine!
“For This, in full Assembly, We appear,
“Then pardon our well-meant, tho' needless Fear.
“Better declare the Grievance than conceal;
“If 'tis a forward, 'tis an honest Zeal.
“We fear your ancient Rights (which Heav'n defend!)
“May to some new, some foreign Lord descend.
“Then pardon our well-meant, tho' needless Fear.
“Better declare the Grievance than conceal;
“If 'tis a forward, 'tis an honest Zeal.
“We fear your ancient Rights (which Heav'n defend!)
“May to some new, some foreign Lord descend.
Our free but duteous Care, dread Liege, excuse;
“What much We value, much We fear to lose.
“What much We value, much We fear to lose.
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Their honest Plea, in modest Speech addrest,
Touch'd with Paternal Care his Gen'rous Breast.
By Reason and by Duty, They were mov'd;
But more than Life his Liberty He lov'd.
That He cou'd ease their Grief, exalts his Mind;
The Manner only leaves a Sting behind.
A doubtful Course propos'd, thro' which to run,
Of Rough and Smooth; a Course he wish'd to shun!
At length the Father o'er the Man prevails,
And Public Int'rests turn the Private Scales.
Touch'd with Paternal Care his Gen'rous Breast.
By Reason and by Duty, They were mov'd;
But more than Life his Liberty He lov'd.
That He cou'd ease their Grief, exalts his Mind;
The Manner only leaves a Sting behind.
A doubtful Course propos'd, thro' which to run,
Of Rough and Smooth; a Course he wish'd to shun!
At length the Father o'er the Man prevails,
And Public Int'rests turn the Private Scales.
“Full dear (He said) is future Welfare bought,
“Constrain'd to act the Thing I never thought;
“Forego my Peace; my Freedom lay aside;
“Peace all my Pleasure! Freedom, all my Pride!
“Freedom and Peace! In Marriage rarely found!
“Then What is to be Wiv'd, but to be Bound?
“Constrain'd to act the Thing I never thought;
“Forego my Peace; my Freedom lay aside;
“Peace all my Pleasure! Freedom, all my Pride!
“Freedom and Peace! In Marriage rarely found!
“Then What is to be Wiv'd, but to be Bound?
“For Woman is at Best a pleasing Cheat;
“Her Look is Counterfeit, Her Heart Deceit.
“All She affects, to catch our Ears or Eyes,
“Is meer Delusion, Virtue in Disguise.
“Nor think I aggravate; when here I view
“So Many married, and content so Few.
“And Most wou'd own, were but the Truth confest,
“That State is an Incumbrance at the Best.
“From Infancy the knowing Dame prepares
“The Child to lay her Baits, and spread her Snares;
“Man is their Prize, and till the Prize They find,
“No Fault appears of Body or of Mind.
“But say sincerely, You that have been caught,
“Which of You boasts a Wife without a Fault?
“A Thousand I cou'd count You in a Trice,
“Of Folly, Noise, Impertinence, and Vice;
“What You may guess, but what I spare to name,
“'Tis my Design to reason, not declaim.
“Her Look is Counterfeit, Her Heart Deceit.
“All She affects, to catch our Ears or Eyes,
“Is meer Delusion, Virtue in Disguise.
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“So Many married, and content so Few.
“And Most wou'd own, were but the Truth confest,
“That State is an Incumbrance at the Best.
“From Infancy the knowing Dame prepares
“The Child to lay her Baits, and spread her Snares;
“Man is their Prize, and till the Prize They find,
“No Fault appears of Body or of Mind.
“But say sincerely, You that have been caught,
“Which of You boasts a Wife without a Fault?
“A Thousand I cou'd count You in a Trice,
“Of Folly, Noise, Impertinence, and Vice;
“What You may guess, but what I spare to name,
“'Tis my Design to reason, not declaim.
“Some Failures of each Kind in Men We see;
“But in one Failure the whole Sex agree.
“In This, They drive at Universal Sway;
“Unblest till They command, and We obey.
“Wrong I the Sex? By Married Men be try'd
“The Cause.” He paus'd for Answer.—None reply'd.
“But in one Failure the whole Sex agree.
“In This, They drive at Universal Sway;
“Unblest till They command, and We obey.
“Wrong I the Sex? By Married Men be try'd
“The Cause.” He paus'd for Answer.—None reply'd.
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“Yet to your Good my Quiet I resign,
“And yield my Liberty. Your Good is Mine.
“Not born to govern for Myself alone,
“I ever held your Int'rest as my own.
“Then What You kindly ask, I freely give,
“And this the last and surest Proof receive.
“This Friend or Foe! This Good or Ill of Life!
“This specious Charge! This Doubtful Chance! A Wife!
“And yield my Liberty. Your Good is Mine.
“Not born to govern for Myself alone,
“I ever held your Int'rest as my own.
“Then What You kindly ask, I freely give,
“And this the last and surest Proof receive.
“This Friend or Foe! This Good or Ill of Life!
“This specious Charge! This Doubtful Chance! A Wife!
“But for the Choice; Be that our proper Care;
“This Mark of Duty and Affection spare.
“Nor think It matters Ought, whate'er She be,
“Of Rich or Poor, of High or Low Degree;
“Ought, to the present or succeeding Age,
“What Parents for their Children can ingage?
“The Son or well or ill supports his Race,
“As Heav'n directs; The Glory or Disgrace!
“Nor Vice nor Virtue, rightly understood,
“Descend like Titles, running with our Blood.
“Was Honor but intail'd upon our Kind,
“No well-born Prince cou'd show a slavish Mind.
“Nought cou'd the Seeds of Infamy reclaim,
“No Vulgar Progeny cou'd rise to Fame.
“Yet say what House observes an equal Mean?
“Where fix'd was Vice or Virtue ever seen?
“View Sire and Son with various Souls indew'd!
“The polish'd Sire begets a Son as rude.
“Yet oft the Circle ends where It begun,
“And the rude Squire begets a polish'd Son.
“No Human Care can Destiny controle;
“Superior is the Pow'r that guides the Whole.
“From Springs unknown are nat'ral Talents giv'n;
“Call it the Force of Fate, or Will of Heav'n.
“Our Lives are subject to Divine Decrees.
“Man only acts as Providence foresees.
“Our Part perform'd, let Providence prepare
“(Here all Precaution fails!) the Future Heir;
“Your Weal or Woe to frustrate or advance:
“Sprung from what Line, You take an equal Chance.
“I too the same resistless Law obey,
“For ev'ry happy, or unhappy Day.
“The Pains or Pleasures of the Married State,
“Hang on the same Necessity of Fate.
“This Mark of Duty and Affection spare.
“Nor think It matters Ought, whate'er She be,
“Of Rich or Poor, of High or Low Degree;
“Ought, to the present or succeeding Age,
“What Parents for their Children can ingage?
“The Son or well or ill supports his Race,
“As Heav'n directs; The Glory or Disgrace!
“Nor Vice nor Virtue, rightly understood,
“Descend like Titles, running with our Blood.
“Was Honor but intail'd upon our Kind,
“No well-born Prince cou'd show a slavish Mind.
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“No Vulgar Progeny cou'd rise to Fame.
“Yet say what House observes an equal Mean?
“Where fix'd was Vice or Virtue ever seen?
“View Sire and Son with various Souls indew'd!
“The polish'd Sire begets a Son as rude.
“Yet oft the Circle ends where It begun,
“And the rude Squire begets a polish'd Son.
“No Human Care can Destiny controle;
“Superior is the Pow'r that guides the Whole.
“From Springs unknown are nat'ral Talents giv'n;
“Call it the Force of Fate, or Will of Heav'n.
“Our Lives are subject to Divine Decrees.
“Man only acts as Providence foresees.
“Our Part perform'd, let Providence prepare
“(Here all Precaution fails!) the Future Heir;
“Your Weal or Woe to frustrate or advance:
“Sprung from what Line, You take an equal Chance.
“I too the same resistless Law obey,
“For ev'ry happy, or unhappy Day.
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“Hang on the same Necessity of Fate.
“Yet far as Human Prudence can secure;
“There let your Common Oath my Peace insure.
“Swear—When in Form my plighted Hands I bind,
“(Whate'er the Object that shall take my Mind)
“All due Obeysance to the Chosen Maid
“Be fully shown; all Homage freely paid:
“Her Right acknowledg'd, from the Nuptial Hour
“As just, as had She brought the World in Dow'r.
“And further; Be it solemnly agreed;
“That None in Thought, or Look, in Word, or Deed:
“Or of her Fortune grieve, or Birth complain.
“Oppose Me here, I hold the Treaty vain.
“This I exact. And Justice This requires.
“Freedom and Peace I yield to your Desires.
“Resign my Body; So the Public Voice
“Demands: But never will resign my Choice.
“Whate'er concerns the State is not withstood;
“Slave I will be, with Pleasure for her Good.
“Yet, as a Royal Slave my Port maintain,
“And to my Fancy fit the Fashion of my Chain.”
“There let your Common Oath my Peace insure.
“Swear—When in Form my plighted Hands I bind,
“(Whate'er the Object that shall take my Mind)
“All due Obeysance to the Chosen Maid
“Be fully shown; all Homage freely paid:
“Her Right acknowledg'd, from the Nuptial Hour
“As just, as had She brought the World in Dow'r.
“And further; Be it solemnly agreed;
“That None in Thought, or Look, in Word, or Deed:
“Or of her Fortune grieve, or Birth complain.
“Oppose Me here, I hold the Treaty vain.
“This I exact. And Justice This requires.
“Freedom and Peace I yield to your Desires.
“Resign my Body; So the Public Voice
“Demands: But never will resign my Choice.
“Whate'er concerns the State is not withstood;
“Slave I will be, with Pleasure for her Good.
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“And to my Fancy fit the Fashion of my Chain.”
Assent from All, the just Proposal bore,
And solemnly the tender'd Oath They swore;
Praying, e're yet They took their sev'ral Way,
To fix the Spousal, and assign the Day:
Still dreading that Gualtherus wou'd not wed.
For when cou'd Subjects find no Cause of Dread?
And solemnly the tender'd Oath They swore;
Praying, e're yet They took their sev'ral Way,
To fix the Spousal, and assign the Day:
Still dreading that Gualtherus wou'd not wed.
For when cou'd Subjects find no Cause of Dread?
To leave no Doubt of his determin'd Mind;
He fix'd the Spousal, and the Day assign'd.
Term of his Future War, or Future Rest!
A Chance incurr'd (He said) at their Request!
Full low They thank Him on their bended Knees;
For Vulgar Minds well-tim'd Concessions please.
And home again all merrily They tend;
Proud, by their Conduct, to have gain'd their End.
He fix'd the Spousal, and the Day assign'd.
Term of his Future War, or Future Rest!
A Chance incurr'd (He said) at their Request!
Full low They thank Him on their bended Knees;
For Vulgar Minds well-tim'd Concessions please.
And home again all merrily They tend;
Proud, by their Conduct, to have gain'd their End.
Mean time their Lord (as Marriage Form requires)
Appoints his privy Knights, and trusty Squires,
As well for Pomp as Order, to provide;
To grace the Rite, and dignify the Bride.
Strict Charge, on every Chief attendant, lays,
And eager ev'ry Chief the Charge obeys.
Nor Ought was spar'd of Service or Delight,
To dignify the Bride, or grace the Rite.
Appoints his privy Knights, and trusty Squires,
As well for Pomp as Order, to provide;
To grace the Rite, and dignify the Bride.
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And eager ev'ry Chief the Charge obeys.
Nor Ought was spar'd of Service or Delight,
To dignify the Bride, or grace the Rite.
The Day appointed for the Nuptials came;
The Feast prepar'd: The Marquis still the same.
Not One the chosen Consort cou'd devise.
Tho' what escapes the Courtier's busy Eyes?
To blame their Lord the Vulgar much incline;
So close his Speech, so covert his Design?
And Where They durst, in Secret, or Alone,
Impeach his good Intent, because Unknown.
“Slave to his Ease, (in Murmurs thus They said)
“Imagin'd Ease! He still forbears to wed;
“Our Suit and ev'n his Word, forgot the while:
“Why will He thus Himself and Us beguile?
The Feast prepar'd: The Marquis still the same.
Not One the chosen Consort cou'd devise.
Tho' what escapes the Courtier's busy Eyes?
To blame their Lord the Vulgar much incline;
So close his Speech, so covert his Design?
And Where They durst, in Secret, or Alone,
Impeach his good Intent, because Unknown.
“Slave to his Ease, (in Murmurs thus They said)
“Imagin'd Ease! He still forbears to wed;
“Our Suit and ev'n his Word, forgot the while:
“Why will He thus Himself and Us beguile?
The Morning pass'd; Approach'd the Noon of Day;
The Ev'ning came: And still the same Delay.
No Name went round! No Bride appear'd in Sight!
Yet were the Nuptials fix'd to crown the Night.
Ill cou'd the Croud (suspended to Despair)
Indure such Myst'ry, such Delusion bear.
For still the Palace seem'd the promis'd Word
To keep, and justify its thoughtless Lord.
There neat in Splendor, pompous in Array,
Each spacious Hall and princely Chamber lay.
Rich Furniture in costly Order plac'd;
Never was Seat of Marriage nobler grac'd.
Spread ev'ry Table; ev'ry Office stor'd;
With Delicates to load the Bridal Board.
All that the Compass of Italian Ground
Cou'd yield, or might in Foreign Lands be found.
But why prepar'd? No Mortal cou'd decide!
For what was Bridal Pomp without a Bride?
The Ev'ning came: And still the same Delay.
No Name went round! No Bride appear'd in Sight!
Yet were the Nuptials fix'd to crown the Night.
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Indure such Myst'ry, such Delusion bear.
For still the Palace seem'd the promis'd Word
To keep, and justify its thoughtless Lord.
There neat in Splendor, pompous in Array,
Each spacious Hall and princely Chamber lay.
Rich Furniture in costly Order plac'd;
Never was Seat of Marriage nobler grac'd.
Spread ev'ry Table; ev'ry Office stor'd;
With Delicates to load the Bridal Board.
All that the Compass of Italian Ground
Cou'd yield, or might in Foreign Lands be found.
But why prepar'd? No Mortal cou'd decide!
For what was Bridal Pomp without a Bride?
At Length appear'd Gualtherus, richly drest;
And dawning Hope revives each anxious Breast.
So wand'ring Trav'lers hail the blushing Ray,
That first forebodes the kind Return of Day.
And forth He rides. While all the Royal Court
Attend; All bidden to the Nuptial Sport.
With many a noble Dame of Beauty bright,
And many a sprightly Peer, and valiant Knight;
And all the chosen Gentry of the Land,
Common or Squire, an honorable Band:
With These, his trusty Guard, and houshold Train.
And manfully their foaming Steeds They rein.
Who, snorting to the Music's mingled Sound,
Pass to the Vales, the neighb'ring Hills rebound.
And dawning Hope revives each anxious Breast.
So wand'ring Trav'lers hail the blushing Ray,
That first forebodes the kind Return of Day.
And forth He rides. While all the Royal Court
Attend; All bidden to the Nuptial Sport.
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And many a sprightly Peer, and valiant Knight;
And all the chosen Gentry of the Land,
Common or Squire, an honorable Band:
With These, his trusty Guard, and houshold Train.
And manfully their foaming Steeds They rein.
Who, snorting to the Music's mingled Sound,
Pass to the Vales, the neighb'ring Hills rebound.
Rumor, the while, their close Attention drew;
And busily, from Side to Side, She flew.
A noted Dame attracts their Ears and Eyes;
And mingles many Truths, with many Lies.
A Dame, long practis'd in Intrigues of Court,
Early in Youth She try'd the am'rous Sport;
Nor late in Age cou'd wholly quit the Trade.
Well cou'd She prompt the half-consenting Maid;
And to the wishing Youth sage Counsel lend:
In Her, Each found a most convenient Friend.
Thrown out of Play, She overlook'd the Game;
True Friend to Love! Bauderia was her Name.
Unask'd tho' high of Rank, She join'd the Throng,
And thus She tattled as She pac'd along.
And busily, from Side to Side, She flew.
A noted Dame attracts their Ears and Eyes;
And mingles many Truths, with many Lies.
A Dame, long practis'd in Intrigues of Court,
Early in Youth She try'd the am'rous Sport;
Nor late in Age cou'd wholly quit the Trade.
Well cou'd She prompt the half-consenting Maid;
And to the wishing Youth sage Counsel lend:
In Her, Each found a most convenient Friend.
Thrown out of Play, She overlook'd the Game;
True Friend to Love! Bauderia was her Name.
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And thus She tattled as She pac'd along.
“Well! Now! the Marquis has reveal'd his Mind.
“(All hear, on Right, on Left, Before, Behind.)
“Soon as You pass the Wood, and reach the Lawn,
“Where oft in File the marshal'd Troops are drawn;
“You, from your Steeds, fair Ladies, must alight,
“And single pass Review, within his Sight.
“One He will chuse. For tho' He seems to fly,
“He loves the Sex: You read it in his Eye.
“Happy the Fair, to fix his Choice, assign'd!
“And great his Singularity of Mind!
“He lays his Crown and Scepter at her Feet,
“For unexpected Good comes doubly sweet.
“This He devis'd, for He is Good as Great,
“In Honor to the Sex, and to the State;
“Nor sought a Foreign Fair to deck his Throne,
“Proud to display the Lustre of his own.
“This, He declar'd the Cause of his Delay;
“Declar'd in Council, and declar'd To-Day.
“But 'twas a Secret kept by his Commands;
“I know it to be Fact, and from good Hands.”.
“(All hear, on Right, on Left, Before, Behind.)
“Soon as You pass the Wood, and reach the Lawn,
“Where oft in File the marshal'd Troops are drawn;
“You, from your Steeds, fair Ladies, must alight,
“And single pass Review, within his Sight.
“One He will chuse. For tho' He seems to fly,
“He loves the Sex: You read it in his Eye.
“Happy the Fair, to fix his Choice, assign'd!
“And great his Singularity of Mind!
“He lays his Crown and Scepter at her Feet,
“For unexpected Good comes doubly sweet.
“This He devis'd, for He is Good as Great,
“In Honor to the Sex, and to the State;
“Nor sought a Foreign Fair to deck his Throne,
“Proud to display the Lustre of his own.
“This, He declar'd the Cause of his Delay;
“Declar'd in Council, and declar'd To-Day.
164
“I know it to be Fact, and from good Hands.”.
From Fair to Fair the pleasing Rumor spred;
Hope fills each female Heart, and female Head.
Daughters of Avarice his Wealth devour;
Swell the Ambitious with the Thoughts of Pow'r.
Rank fires the Proud; and Equipage the Vain;
But Self-Opinion seizes all the Train.
Hope fills each female Heart, and female Head.
Daughters of Avarice his Wealth devour;
Swell the Ambitious with the Thoughts of Pow'r.
Rank fires the Proud; and Equipage the Vain;
But Self-Opinion seizes all the Train.
Hence, fast They fall to Scandal and Surmise;
As Who might claim, but Who must lose the Prize.
And strait each Beauty ev'ry Beauty nam'd;
And ev'ry Beauty strait each Beauty blam'd.
The Mart of Female Censure knows no Glut;
Bring what You will, They tax it with a But.
While thus, in Scrutiny, All sentence All.
Daphne is Handsome; But She is too Tall!
And honestly to judge 'twixt Friend and Foe,
Silvia is pretty; But as much too Low!
Delia, Men say, is fashion'd for a Wife;
But sure it is a Piece of meer still Life!
And Cloe affable, She knows no Pride;
But is She not too Free, or much Bely'd?
Aminta has a Voice, divine to hear;
But then a Mouth that gapes from Ear to Ear!
And Amarillis has a World of Fire;
But then a Tongue that Socrates wou'd tire!
Flavia has Beauty, But her Look is Mean;
Ah think, my Dear, how She wou'd act the Queen!
And Myra, Dignity of Voice and Air;
But oh the Color of her Teeth and Hair!
Trivia is Delicate; But then too Lean,
A living Corps! Half Malady, Half Spleen!
And, full of Health Nerina, 'tis confest;
But 'tis a Beast of Burthen at the Best!
Nature in Phillis made not one Mistake;
But She is Young, who knows what She may make?
And Phœbus in Serpilla's Eyes may shine;
But You will grant 'tis Phœbus in Decline!
The only Charm of Sapho is her Mind;
But to get Lovers She must list the Blind!
And Glaura's only Merit is her Shape;
But if You are not Deaf You must escape!
Cælia—(scarce Envy here a Fault cou'd spy,)
Yes, 'tis not seen, But Cælia is awry!
Not one was Worthy (For the Truth to own
Each priz'd Herself) or of his Bed or Throne.
And well I ween, were They to chuse the Wife,
Full long the Prince might lead a Single Life.
As Who might claim, but Who must lose the Prize.
And strait each Beauty ev'ry Beauty nam'd;
And ev'ry Beauty strait each Beauty blam'd.
The Mart of Female Censure knows no Glut;
Bring what You will, They tax it with a But.
While thus, in Scrutiny, All sentence All.
Daphne is Handsome; But She is too Tall!
And honestly to judge 'twixt Friend and Foe,
Silvia is pretty; But as much too Low!
Delia, Men say, is fashion'd for a Wife;
But sure it is a Piece of meer still Life!
165
But is She not too Free, or much Bely'd?
Aminta has a Voice, divine to hear;
But then a Mouth that gapes from Ear to Ear!
And Amarillis has a World of Fire;
But then a Tongue that Socrates wou'd tire!
Flavia has Beauty, But her Look is Mean;
Ah think, my Dear, how She wou'd act the Queen!
And Myra, Dignity of Voice and Air;
But oh the Color of her Teeth and Hair!
Trivia is Delicate; But then too Lean,
A living Corps! Half Malady, Half Spleen!
And, full of Health Nerina, 'tis confest;
But 'tis a Beast of Burthen at the Best!
Nature in Phillis made not one Mistake;
But She is Young, who knows what She may make?
And Phœbus in Serpilla's Eyes may shine;
But You will grant 'tis Phœbus in Decline!
The only Charm of Sapho is her Mind;
But to get Lovers She must list the Blind!
166
But if You are not Deaf You must escape!
Cælia—(scarce Envy here a Fault cou'd spy,)
Yes, 'tis not seen, But Cælia is awry!
Not one was Worthy (For the Truth to own
Each priz'd Herself) or of his Bed or Throne.
And well I ween, were They to chuse the Wife,
Full long the Prince might lead a Single Life.
Mean time in Royal Pomp, and proud Array,
Along the Dale Gualtherus shap'd his Way;
To where a low but cleanly Village stood,
Wash'd by a Stream, and border'd by a Wood!
Of homely Cots compos'd; For such as fed
The fleecy Kind, or lowing Oxen bred;
For such as mow'd the Meads, or plow'd the Fields;
And liv'd on What industrious Labor yields.
Along the Dale Gualtherus shap'd his Way;
To where a low but cleanly Village stood,
Wash'd by a Stream, and border'd by a Wood!
Of homely Cots compos'd; For such as fed
The fleecy Kind, or lowing Oxen bred;
For such as mow'd the Meads, or plow'd the Fields;
And liv'd on What industrious Labor yields.
Here, lov'd by All, an honest Rustic dwell'd,
Of all the poorer Swains the poorest held.
Blest with a Soul superior to his Fate,
For all his Wish was suited to his State.
Here in this narrow Circle cou'd He find,
What not the World can give, Content of Mind.
But yet what All may on Themselves bestow.
And here It left the High to bless the Low:
The Princely Palace for the Oxen Stall.
Him, good Janicola the Neighbors call.
Of all the poorer Swains the poorest held.
Blest with a Soul superior to his Fate,
For all his Wish was suited to his State.
167
What not the World can give, Content of Mind.
But yet what All may on Themselves bestow.
And here It left the High to bless the Low:
The Princely Palace for the Oxen Stall.
Him, good Janicola the Neighbors call.
A Daughter crown'd his Age, of spotless Fame,
Tho' noted Form; Griselda was her Name.
A Fairer, not the journeying Sun surveys,
Or with his rising, or his falling Rays.
A Chaster, never happy Mother bore,
In Days of Present, or in Days of Yore.
Strict in her Duty, faithful to her Trust,
She shun'd Temptation, specious Lure to Lust.
Yet, far as Virtue may, She sought to please;
And honest Toil prefer'd to dang'rous Ease.
Of Diet temp'rate, cautious of Excess,
Drank oftner of the Spring, than of the Press.
For Wine adds Fuel to the tender Breast,
The Springs of Youth not Motion want, but Rest.
Wisely she shun'd all adventitious Heat.
Simple her Dress, but yet tho' simple, neat.
Tho' blest of Face, and of a tender Age,
She wou'd not be ingag'd, nor wou'd ingage.
Free from the Dart of Love She kept her Heart,
Nor yet at Others strove to throw the Dart.
Such Swains as sought her Father's Voice to gain,
In Birth not Soul her Equals, met Disdain.
Base Commerce with Superiors She declin'd,
For conscious Worth sat scepter'd in her Mind.
Her aged Father was her tend'rest Care
His failing Nature studious to repair;
And oft his Life her Diligence repriev'd,
Repaying back the Breath She had receiv'd.
And next to That her Duty was to keep,
Nor great the Charge, his scanty Flock of Sheep.
And forth She led Them, soon as Day begun;
And home She drove Them, with the setting Sun.
Then was She wont with filial Joy to bring,
Whate'er produc'd, the Summer, or the Spring,
Of Herbs, or Fruits: What Autumn might afford,
Or Winter spare to spread the frugal Board.
In houshold Thrift She spent each vacant Hour,
Arm'd against Pleasure, for She fear'd the Pow'r.
Hence no false Bait cou'd her chaste Heart intice:
For Sloth She counted the first Step to Vice.
Tho' noted Form; Griselda was her Name.
A Fairer, not the journeying Sun surveys,
Or with his rising, or his falling Rays.
A Chaster, never happy Mother bore,
In Days of Present, or in Days of Yore.
Strict in her Duty, faithful to her Trust,
She shun'd Temptation, specious Lure to Lust.
Yet, far as Virtue may, She sought to please;
And honest Toil prefer'd to dang'rous Ease.
Of Diet temp'rate, cautious of Excess,
Drank oftner of the Spring, than of the Press.
For Wine adds Fuel to the tender Breast,
The Springs of Youth not Motion want, but Rest.
168
Simple her Dress, but yet tho' simple, neat.
Tho' blest of Face, and of a tender Age,
She wou'd not be ingag'd, nor wou'd ingage.
Free from the Dart of Love She kept her Heart,
Nor yet at Others strove to throw the Dart.
Such Swains as sought her Father's Voice to gain,
In Birth not Soul her Equals, met Disdain.
Base Commerce with Superiors She declin'd,
For conscious Worth sat scepter'd in her Mind.
Her aged Father was her tend'rest Care
His failing Nature studious to repair;
And oft his Life her Diligence repriev'd,
Repaying back the Breath She had receiv'd.
And next to That her Duty was to keep,
Nor great the Charge, his scanty Flock of Sheep.
And forth She led Them, soon as Day begun;
And home She drove Them, with the setting Sun.
Then was She wont with filial Joy to bring,
Whate'er produc'd, the Summer, or the Spring,
169
Or Winter spare to spread the frugal Board.
In houshold Thrift She spent each vacant Hour,
Arm'd against Pleasure, for She fear'd the Pow'r.
Hence no false Bait cou'd her chaste Heart intice:
For Sloth She counted the first Step to Vice.
Her, as He used to cross the neighb'ring Green,
Gualtherus joy'd to see, and oft had seen.
Her matchless Beauty took his wand'ring Sight,
And hap'ly minister'd unknown Delight.
'Twas the first Dawn of Passion in his Breast;
And neither settled Care, nor total Rest.
More frequent came He here, the various Game
To rouze; nor knew Himself, why here He came.
'Twas thought, the near Adjacence of the Place,
The Country round commodious for the Chace,
Still to this Spot his Course inclines and draws;
Or any Thing beside the real Cause.
Yet hither when He led the Sportive Train,
A secret Pleasure thrill'd in ev'ry Vein;
But if averse, He turn'd the flying Prey,
Tedious the Course, and joyless was the Day.
Next, as She charm'd his Eye, She charm'd his Ear,
'Twas sweet Delight her modest Voice to hear;
The native Language of an artless Mind,
Unpractis'd in the Trains of Womankind.
Oft, by Design, He from the Croud wou'd stray,
And oft pretend Occasions of Delay;
Loss of the Sport! Or Failure of his Horse!
And tempt Her to more free, but chaste Discourse.
Still pleas'd (Whate'er She said, Whate'er declin'd)
In humble State exalted Worth to find,
And note each decent Look, and just Reply,
With glad Attention, but with watchful Eye.
Watchful! lest ev'n to distant View betray'd,
Envy might wrong the inoffensive Maid.
Prudential Cares the best Affection prove;
No Vanity He knew, nor yet knew Love.
Sincere Regard protects the Fair from Blame;
Hence what He priz'd, He dreaded to defame.
Then, Home as He returns, his Thoughts retrace,
Her winning Innocence! Her bashful Grace!
Her pious Care! Her unaffected Mien!
(Beauties in Courtly Dames too rarely seen.)
Her Form, not spoil'd by Art, by Nature wrought!
And far above her Sex her Manly Thought!
No Poverty of Language to express!
No! Nought of Poverty but in her Dress.
Thus Homeward musing was he wont to ride;
And thus Himself, Himself unknowing, try'd.
“Blest is the Swain, that to his faithful Breast
“This Virgin joins, cou'd Marriage make him blest.
“Yes, I will own, was I reduc'd to wed,
“Or fear'd not, more than Death, that Bondage Bed,
“None, but Griselda, wou'd I chuse for Wife:
“But ah! what Woman answers Slavish Life!
“Not for the Cause, the Many may misguide,
“That in our ancient Ancestry I pride;
“And rather than their Dignity disgrace,
“Wou'd torture Nature, than demean my Race.
“Tho' this be Common Sense. 'Tis without Ground,
“Sense is by Truth, not by Opinion bound.
“Much fashion'd Vice from false Opinion springs;
“But lasting Virtue from the Truth of Things.
“Let Vulgar Souls the Worldly Worth define,
“Of hoarded Wealth, or long-continued Line;
“With Me, to be Well-born, is to be Good;
“And Merit, the pure Stream of Noble Blood.
“But whither wou'd these wild Conclusions drive?
“To Where I neither tend nor can arrive?
“Full happy may the Maid (where-e'er her Fate
“Bestows Her) make, and find that Casual State;
“A Bliss, so dear the Price, by me unsought:
“An idle Question! And a wand'ring Thought!”
Gualtherus joy'd to see, and oft had seen.
Her matchless Beauty took his wand'ring Sight,
And hap'ly minister'd unknown Delight.
'Twas the first Dawn of Passion in his Breast;
And neither settled Care, nor total Rest.
More frequent came He here, the various Game
To rouze; nor knew Himself, why here He came.
'Twas thought, the near Adjacence of the Place,
The Country round commodious for the Chace,
Still to this Spot his Course inclines and draws;
Or any Thing beside the real Cause.
Yet hither when He led the Sportive Train,
A secret Pleasure thrill'd in ev'ry Vein;
170
Tedious the Course, and joyless was the Day.
Next, as She charm'd his Eye, She charm'd his Ear,
'Twas sweet Delight her modest Voice to hear;
The native Language of an artless Mind,
Unpractis'd in the Trains of Womankind.
Oft, by Design, He from the Croud wou'd stray,
And oft pretend Occasions of Delay;
Loss of the Sport! Or Failure of his Horse!
And tempt Her to more free, but chaste Discourse.
Still pleas'd (Whate'er She said, Whate'er declin'd)
In humble State exalted Worth to find,
And note each decent Look, and just Reply,
With glad Attention, but with watchful Eye.
Watchful! lest ev'n to distant View betray'd,
Envy might wrong the inoffensive Maid.
Prudential Cares the best Affection prove;
No Vanity He knew, nor yet knew Love.
Sincere Regard protects the Fair from Blame;
Hence what He priz'd, He dreaded to defame.
171
Her winning Innocence! Her bashful Grace!
Her pious Care! Her unaffected Mien!
(Beauties in Courtly Dames too rarely seen.)
Her Form, not spoil'd by Art, by Nature wrought!
And far above her Sex her Manly Thought!
No Poverty of Language to express!
No! Nought of Poverty but in her Dress.
Thus Homeward musing was he wont to ride;
And thus Himself, Himself unknowing, try'd.
“Blest is the Swain, that to his faithful Breast
“This Virgin joins, cou'd Marriage make him blest.
“Yes, I will own, was I reduc'd to wed,
“Or fear'd not, more than Death, that Bondage Bed,
“None, but Griselda, wou'd I chuse for Wife:
“But ah! what Woman answers Slavish Life!
“Not for the Cause, the Many may misguide,
“That in our ancient Ancestry I pride;
“And rather than their Dignity disgrace,
“Wou'd torture Nature, than demean my Race.
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“Sense is by Truth, not by Opinion bound.
“Much fashion'd Vice from false Opinion springs;
“But lasting Virtue from the Truth of Things.
“Let Vulgar Souls the Worldly Worth define,
“Of hoarded Wealth, or long-continued Line;
“With Me, to be Well-born, is to be Good;
“And Merit, the pure Stream of Noble Blood.
“But whither wou'd these wild Conclusions drive?
“To Where I neither tend nor can arrive?
“Full happy may the Maid (where-e'er her Fate
“Bestows Her) make, and find that Casual State;
“A Bliss, so dear the Price, by me unsought:
“An idle Question! And a wand'ring Thought!”
Thus wou'd He war, to strong Mistrust inclin'd,
Twixt Sense of Love, and Prejudice of Mind.
But now, to quit his boasted Peace, constrain'd,
Now, that no Hope of Liberty remain'd;
These Barriers of his Passion once remov'd,
With Rapture He reflects on Her He lov'd.
Then the fair Object, rooted in his Breast,
Stood forth, in all the Pow'r of Fancy drest.
So the pent Stream, obstructed in his Course,
The Damms o'erthrown, pours with re-doubled Force.
So the tam'd Steed with Fury scours the Plain,
When from the curbing Hand He snaps the Rein.
Twixt Sense of Love, and Prejudice of Mind.
But now, to quit his boasted Peace, constrain'd,
Now, that no Hope of Liberty remain'd;
These Barriers of his Passion once remov'd,
With Rapture He reflects on Her He lov'd.
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Stood forth, in all the Pow'r of Fancy drest.
So the pent Stream, obstructed in his Course,
The Damms o'erthrown, pours with re-doubled Force.
So the tam'd Steed with Fury scours the Plain,
When from the curbing Hand He snaps the Rein.
Meantime the Maid, full Innocent of Mind,
Nor knew the smother'd Flame, nor Grace design'd.
With snow-white Pail She sought the Silver Spring,
Thence, Nature's pure Munificence to bring;
Or for her own, or for her Father's Need:
And Home return'd with more than wonted Speed.
For now, She heard her Rustic Neighbors say,
Her Lord wou'd wed, and this the promis'd Day.
And tho' gay Sport was not her fond Delight,
Full fain wou'd She have seen this Courtly Sight.
Nor knew the smother'd Flame, nor Grace design'd.
With snow-white Pail She sought the Silver Spring,
Thence, Nature's pure Munificence to bring;
Or for her own, or for her Father's Need:
And Home return'd with more than wonted Speed.
For now, She heard her Rustic Neighbors say,
Her Lord wou'd wed, and this the promis'd Day.
And tho' gay Sport was not her fond Delight,
Full fain wou'd She have seen this Courtly Sight.
For This, with Haste She bears the limpid Freight,
Nor dreamt, how near She verg'd on Better Fate;
How soon to change her Cottage for a Throne:
And celebrate no Nuptial but Her own.
She but propos'd to end without Delay
The Houshold Labors of the short'ning Day;
Then, at her homely Gate resolv'd to stand,
And with her Equals view the Royal Band;
While to the Lawn their splendid Course They hold:
As Swains returning from Saluzzo told.
Nor dreamt, how near She verg'd on Better Fate;
How soon to change her Cottage for a Throne:
And celebrate no Nuptial but Her own.
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The Houshold Labors of the short'ning Day;
Then, at her homely Gate resolv'd to stand,
And with her Equals view the Royal Band;
While to the Lawn their splendid Course They hold:
As Swains returning from Saluzzo told.
Yet Something here She found, nor yet cou'd find
The Cause, that pain'd her Heart, and griev'd her Mind;
Something, that seem'd to trouble and perplex:
Envy, (You'll say) insep'rate from the Sex:
A virtuous Envy still, and well refin'd!
Corrected Vice, uncommon to the Kind!
'Twas not, that other's Pleasure gave her Pain;
'Twas not, that his Regard had made Her vain;
Nor Malice to the Bride, to Her unknown;
Yet cou'd She wish Her any other Throne.
Gualtherus too Her Innocence confess'd,
She cou'd not wish debas'd, to have possess'd.
But had, revers'd, their Distance been as great;
His low as her's, and high as his her State:
His Worth, She inly thought, had fix'd her Choice,
No Pow'r, or Wealth had brib'd her Partial Voice.
The Cause, that pain'd her Heart, and griev'd her Mind;
Something, that seem'd to trouble and perplex:
Envy, (You'll say) insep'rate from the Sex:
A virtuous Envy still, and well refin'd!
Corrected Vice, uncommon to the Kind!
'Twas not, that other's Pleasure gave her Pain;
'Twas not, that his Regard had made Her vain;
Nor Malice to the Bride, to Her unknown;
Yet cou'd She wish Her any other Throne.
Gualtherus too Her Innocence confess'd,
She cou'd not wish debas'd, to have possess'd.
But had, revers'd, their Distance been as great;
His low as her's, and high as his her State:
175
No Pow'r, or Wealth had brib'd her Partial Voice.
His Steed, Gualtherus quitting at the Gate,
Gave to a Squire, and bade th' Attendance wait.
Scarce had he enter'd, when Griselda came,
At Distance known: He call'd Her by her Name.
She down her Pail, beside the Oxen Stall,
Hastes to depose, and on her Knees to fall.
And thus in humble Guise continues still,
As One that waits to hear the Royal Will.
Gave to a Squire, and bade th' Attendance wait.
Scarce had he enter'd, when Griselda came,
At Distance known: He call'd Her by her Name.
She down her Pail, beside the Oxen Stall,
Hastes to depose, and on her Knees to fall.
And thus in humble Guise continues still,
As One that waits to hear the Royal Will.
Tho' fix'd all Sign of Passion to withstand,
Forward He step'd, and rais'd Her with his Hand.
While All, that of her Innocence or Truth
He fram'd, or of her Beauty felt, or Youth,
Fell short, to what his present Thoughts admire;
Her Eyes, so full of Modesty, yet Fire!
The Discomposure of her Face and Frame,
Blushing, and trembling, with ingenuous Shame!
“Say—is—Janicola?” His Tongue affords
Uneasy Utt'rance to these easy Words.
And, cover'd with Confusion as She stands,
“He—is (She cries,) He waits—his Lord's Commands.
Forward He step'd, and rais'd Her with his Hand.
While All, that of her Innocence or Truth
He fram'd, or of her Beauty felt, or Youth,
Fell short, to what his present Thoughts admire;
Her Eyes, so full of Modesty, yet Fire!
The Discomposure of her Face and Frame,
Blushing, and trembling, with ingenuous Shame!
“Say—is—Janicola?” His Tongue affords
Uneasy Utt'rance to these easy Words.
176
“He—is (She cries,) He waits—his Lord's Commands.
Within the homely Cot not long She sought,
And to his Lord her ancient Father brought.
Him by the Hand He takes, and leads aside;
Then thus: “In Me, Janicola, confide.
“My faithful Vassal wer't Thou wont to rest;
“Nor let the Father with the Prince contest.
“No longer will I boast the Pow'r or Art,
“To check my Will, or to disguise my Heart;
“Thy Daughter, chaste of Fame as fair of Sight,
“I claim, but wou'd not claim by Force but Right.”
And to his Lord her ancient Father brought.
Him by the Hand He takes, and leads aside;
Then thus: “In Me, Janicola, confide.
“My faithful Vassal wer't Thou wont to rest;
“Nor let the Father with the Prince contest.
“No longer will I boast the Pow'r or Art,
“To check my Will, or to disguise my Heart;
“Thy Daughter, chaste of Fame as fair of Sight,
“I claim, but wou'd not claim by Force but Right.”
On Earth the honest Rustic fix'd his Eyes,
Shock'd with Mistrust, astonish'd with Surprize,
At length He rais'd; unable to controul
The Pow'r of Virtue working in his Soul:
“My Sovereign Liege, oh! pardon (He reply'd)
“To serve You, was my Joy, to please, my Pride;
“To please You, and to serve You, as I ought.
“But sure, my Ignorance mistakes your Thought?
“If my Griselda may some Merit claim,
“She shou'd not pass thro' Infamy to Fame.
“Not such my early Care, not such appears
“Her cautious Youth; She will not wrong my Years.
“Nor wrong her own. Tho' Daughter of a Swain,
“And bred in Want, She lives without a Stain.
“And may I, of thy Slaves the Meanest Slave,
“E'er Virtue She forsake, prepare her Grave.
“Here, in this narrow Compass Fortune grants
“Sufficient for her Wishes and my Wants.
“Sufficient yields our Flock, tho' small our Fold,
“To guard both Her and Me from Heat and Cold.
“The Stream gives Liquor, and the Forest, Fire.
“Possess We Little? Little We desire.
“Ev'n This to your Benevolence We owe;
“But rather re-assume what You bestow,
“Than We from simple Honesty depart,
“And know a Mind corrupt, or vicious Heart.
“Still may We live, in Innocence and Ease,
“Pleas'd with our Charge, nor basely seek to please.
“And, if so far a Father may presume,
“Bear Her to Court, You bear Her to Her Tomb.
Shock'd with Mistrust, astonish'd with Surprize,
At length He rais'd; unable to controul
The Pow'r of Virtue working in his Soul:
“My Sovereign Liege, oh! pardon (He reply'd)
“To serve You, was my Joy, to please, my Pride;
“To please You, and to serve You, as I ought.
“But sure, my Ignorance mistakes your Thought?
177
“She shou'd not pass thro' Infamy to Fame.
“Not such my early Care, not such appears
“Her cautious Youth; She will not wrong my Years.
“Nor wrong her own. Tho' Daughter of a Swain,
“And bred in Want, She lives without a Stain.
“And may I, of thy Slaves the Meanest Slave,
“E'er Virtue She forsake, prepare her Grave.
“Here, in this narrow Compass Fortune grants
“Sufficient for her Wishes and my Wants.
“Sufficient yields our Flock, tho' small our Fold,
“To guard both Her and Me from Heat and Cold.
“The Stream gives Liquor, and the Forest, Fire.
“Possess We Little? Little We desire.
“Ev'n This to your Benevolence We owe;
“But rather re-assume what You bestow,
“Than We from simple Honesty depart,
“And know a Mind corrupt, or vicious Heart.
“Still may We live, in Innocence and Ease,
“Pleas'd with our Charge, nor basely seek to please.
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“Bear Her to Court, You bear Her to Her Tomb.
The Pleasure that from virtuous Action flows,
The Man of Virtue only feels and knows.
Gualtherus own'd a Joy that rose to Pain,
To find so worthy, yet so poor a Swain.
He smil'd; and to Himself in secret Sport:
“Few had return'd this Negative at Court.”
Then to Janicola. “My fair Design
“Mistake not, Friend. By Right I claim Her mine;
“With Me, (consent but Thou) to lead her Life,
“Not, as You wrong my Sense, but as my Wife.”
Mute with Amaze, and with Confusion red,
“Thy Will be mine,” was all the Father said.
The Man of Virtue only feels and knows.
Gualtherus own'd a Joy that rose to Pain,
To find so worthy, yet so poor a Swain.
He smil'd; and to Himself in secret Sport:
“Few had return'd this Negative at Court.”
Then to Janicola. “My fair Design
“Mistake not, Friend. By Right I claim Her mine;
“With Me, (consent but Thou) to lead her Life,
“Not, as You wrong my Sense, but as my Wife.”
Mute with Amaze, and with Confusion red,
“Thy Will be mine,” was all the Father said.
Gualtherus strait, pursuing his Intent,
Within the lowly Cot full humbly went;
The bashful Maid He bade approach Him nigh;
(All this He will'd beneath the Father's Eye)
Surpris'd She stood with Wonder and Delight,
For never had She seen so fair a Sight.
And unaccustom'd to so great a Guest,
Pale grew her Cheek, and much disturb'd her Breast.
Within the lowly Cot full humbly went;
The bashful Maid He bade approach Him nigh;
(All this He will'd beneath the Father's Eye)
Surpris'd She stood with Wonder and Delight,
For never had She seen so fair a Sight.
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Pale grew her Cheek, and much disturb'd her Breast.
He mark'd the sweet Disorder of the Maid,
And thus completes the Plan, maturely laid.
“Griselda, know, my Purpose is to Wed,
“And make Thee Partner of my Throne and Bed.
“Thy Father yields Consent our Hands to join;
“What more remains but to solicite thine?
“Ought need I add? The Offer shews my Love;
“And Time, I hope, thy Constancy will prove.
“All that I ask is quietly to live.
“Then freely give, What only You can give.
“The Match, 'tis true, too much of Haste requires;
“Your Thoughts I know not, tho' I feel my Fires.
“To speak my Passion, or thy Truth to try,
“Time fails; then let me add this further Tie.
“Swear, that with ready Will, and honest Heart,
“Like or dislike, without Regret or Art,
“In Presence, or alone, by Night or Day,
“All that I will, you fail not to obey;
“All I intend, to forward That you seek,
“Nor ever once object to what I speak.
“Nor yet, in Part alone, my Wish fulfill;
“Nor tho' You do it, do it with Ill-Will.
“Nor with a forced Compliance half refuse;
“And acting Duty, all the Merit lose.
“To strict Obedience add a willing Grace,
“And let your Soul be painted on your Face.
“No Reasons giv'n, and no Pretences sought,
“To swerve in Deed or Word, in Look or Thought.
And thus completes the Plan, maturely laid.
“Griselda, know, my Purpose is to Wed,
“And make Thee Partner of my Throne and Bed.
“Thy Father yields Consent our Hands to join;
“What more remains but to solicite thine?
“Ought need I add? The Offer shews my Love;
“And Time, I hope, thy Constancy will prove.
“All that I ask is quietly to live.
“Then freely give, What only You can give.
“The Match, 'tis true, too much of Haste requires;
“Your Thoughts I know not, tho' I feel my Fires.
“To speak my Passion, or thy Truth to try,
“Time fails; then let me add this further Tie.
“Swear, that with ready Will, and honest Heart,
“Like or dislike, without Regret or Art,
“In Presence, or alone, by Night or Day,
“All that I will, you fail not to obey;
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“Nor ever once object to what I speak.
“Nor yet, in Part alone, my Wish fulfill;
“Nor tho' You do it, do it with Ill-Will.
“Nor with a forced Compliance half refuse;
“And acting Duty, all the Merit lose.
“To strict Obedience add a willing Grace,
“And let your Soul be painted on your Face.
“No Reasons giv'n, and no Pretences sought,
“To swerve in Deed or Word, in Look or Thought.
Hard terms, I doubt, may judge the Modern Maid,
Marriage dear-bought! And Grandeur overpaid!
Not so Griselda. And observe her Life,
All that the Maid propos'd, perform'd the Wife.
Marriage dear-bought! And Grandeur overpaid!
Not so Griselda. And observe her Life,
All that the Maid propos'd, perform'd the Wife.
“How much thy Vassal falls below thy Care,
(This just Reply She made with modest Air)
“I own; In Indigence Begot and Bred:
“Stain to thy Race, Dishonor to thy Bed!
“This known, was neither Oath nor Vow to bind,
“What honest Heart cou'd stray, what virtuous Mind?
“Had Fortune join'd Me to the meanest Swain,
“That tends your lowing Herd, or bleating Train;
“Him to obey, had been my Choice in Life,
“The meanest Swain had found a faithful Wife.
“Thus honor'd, ill I merited to live,
“Gave I not That which only I can give;
“What ev'ry Slave might claim. But if those Eyes
“Have found Ought here to prize, Myself I prize:
“Mindful to Whom I owe my happier Fate;
“Nor yet forgetful of my former State.
“Sense of your Worth, and Gratitude conspire
“To firm this Bond; I swear, as You require:
“Still to remain observant of your Will,
“Your ev'ry Charge religiously fulfill;
“By that sole Rule my future Life to lead:
“Nor swerve in Thought or Look, in Word or Deed.”
(This just Reply She made with modest Air)
“I own; In Indigence Begot and Bred:
“Stain to thy Race, Dishonor to thy Bed!
“This known, was neither Oath nor Vow to bind,
“What honest Heart cou'd stray, what virtuous Mind?
181
“That tends your lowing Herd, or bleating Train;
“Him to obey, had been my Choice in Life,
“The meanest Swain had found a faithful Wife.
“Thus honor'd, ill I merited to live,
“Gave I not That which only I can give;
“What ev'ry Slave might claim. But if those Eyes
“Have found Ought here to prize, Myself I prize:
“Mindful to Whom I owe my happier Fate;
“Nor yet forgetful of my former State.
“Sense of your Worth, and Gratitude conspire
“To firm this Bond; I swear, as You require:
“Still to remain observant of your Will,
“Your ev'ry Charge religiously fulfill;
“By that sole Rule my future Life to lead:
“Nor swerve in Thought or Look, in Word or Deed.”
“No other Dow'r I ask, (Gualtherus cry'd)
“The World shou'd tempt me to no other Bride.”
Then led Her to the Door: And thus aloud
Accosts the menial and the noble Croud.
“Here, on this Seat of Hope, I rest my Life.
“This Maid, and None but Her, I take to Wife.
“To This, my Better Part, that Homage show,
“All that you owe your Prince, or think You owe.
“The World shou'd tempt me to no other Bride.”
Then led Her to the Door: And thus aloud
Accosts the menial and the noble Croud.
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“This Maid, and None but Her, I take to Wife.
“To This, my Better Part, that Homage show,
“All that you owe your Prince, or think You owe.
The Ladies then he bade reform her Dress,
(Retir'd within the Cot's remote Recess)
And richly deck, as Princely Rites require,
Nor leave one Remnant of her old Attire;
Resolv'd, that e'er She reach'd the Royal Gate,
Her Bridal Pomp shou'd suit her Wifely State;
Her Mind so noble, and Her Form so fair,
First fix'd his Choice: And last requir'd his Care.
(Retir'd within the Cot's remote Recess)
And richly deck, as Princely Rites require,
Nor leave one Remnant of her old Attire;
Resolv'd, that e'er She reach'd the Royal Gate,
Her Bridal Pomp shou'd suit her Wifely State;
Her Mind so noble, and Her Form so fair,
First fix'd his Choice: And last requir'd his Care.
In flock the Fair, to dress the Rural Maid,
On Nuptials pleas'd to lend their useful Aid.
Some mov'd by Duty; by Good-nature Some:
Some meditating Marriages to come;
And ruminating Some on Pleasures past:
Some curious, and Some envious: Most, the Last.
But All, on Entrance, loud Surprize express'd,
To see the Courtly Bride, so Country Dress'd.
For nobly born, and delicately bred,
Her rude Apparel rais'd a gen'ral Dread.
Such Linnen, never felt! Seen Garments such!
So rough! So coarse! They almost swoon to touch
Deep-principl'd in vain affected Airs,
Of Framing Fears, and Counterfeiting Cares;
Of Feigning Woe, where They rejoice at Heart;
And Pain Dissembling, where They feel no Smart;
Not One less Horror witness'd than the Rest,
Not One so low, as not to seem distrest.
Each, as the painful Office They pursue,
Oft gave her injur'd Hand, and oft withdrew.
Oft turn'd her Head, ev'n in Griselda's Sight,
Lest other Dames might think Her less polite,
Unless some Sign of Censure She had shown,
That any Thing, so dress'd, shou'd mount a Throne.
Then, sends the speedy Embassage of Eyes,
To prove her Taste, and witness her Surprize;
Then, starting back, her supple Body bends,
As if Infection the vile Work attends.
For softer Tasks their polish'd Limbs were made;
This, was meer Drudg'ry! Meer mechanic Trade!
Ill cou'd their whiter Fingers bear the Soil;
Or weaker Arms support the grievous Toil.
“But This the Prince—And he is free to chuse,
“And None in common Manners can refuse.”
On Nuptials pleas'd to lend their useful Aid.
Some mov'd by Duty; by Good-nature Some:
Some meditating Marriages to come;
And ruminating Some on Pleasures past:
Some curious, and Some envious: Most, the Last.
But All, on Entrance, loud Surprize express'd,
To see the Courtly Bride, so Country Dress'd.
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Her rude Apparel rais'd a gen'ral Dread.
Such Linnen, never felt! Seen Garments such!
So rough! So coarse! They almost swoon to touch
Deep-principl'd in vain affected Airs,
Of Framing Fears, and Counterfeiting Cares;
Of Feigning Woe, where They rejoice at Heart;
And Pain Dissembling, where They feel no Smart;
Not One less Horror witness'd than the Rest,
Not One so low, as not to seem distrest.
Each, as the painful Office They pursue,
Oft gave her injur'd Hand, and oft withdrew.
Oft turn'd her Head, ev'n in Griselda's Sight,
Lest other Dames might think Her less polite,
Unless some Sign of Censure She had shown,
That any Thing, so dress'd, shou'd mount a Throne.
Then, sends the speedy Embassage of Eyes,
To prove her Taste, and witness her Surprize;
Then, starting back, her supple Body bends,
As if Infection the vile Work attends.
184
This, was meer Drudg'ry! Meer mechanic Trade!
Ill cou'd their whiter Fingers bear the Soil;
Or weaker Arms support the grievous Toil.
“But This the Prince—And he is free to chuse,
“And None in common Manners can refuse.”
This vast Fatigue, with mighty Pain subdued;
More easy was the Charge that next insued.
The Sight of rich Apparel glads the Fair,
Fond to admire, tho' destin'd not to wear!
For now, more sumpt'ous Cloaths th' Attendants brought,
In secret, by their Lord's Direction wrought;
Shap'd to the fairest Maiden of the Court:
(The Measure gayly taken as in Sport)
Cælia the Maid; Alike her Turn and Size.
Such just Observers still are Lovers Eyes!
Full-well each fashion'd Dame performs her Part;
Skill'd in the Myst'ries of the Toilet Art.
By Each some happy Master-stroke was shown,
The flowing Robe adjusting by her own.
Rich was the Robe, and glorious to behold,
Beset with costly Stones incas'd in Gold;
The plainer Ground of pure Cerulean Dye;
And oft the Hand was stop'd to feast the Eye.
Her Hair They comb'd, that rudely lay untress'd,
But soon reclaim'd, and in new Order dress'd:
And Store They add of adventitious Charms,
Rings for the Hands, and Bracelets for the Arms;
With pearly Rows, with Golden Bands was grac'd
The rising Bosom, and the falling Waist;
And last a Crown was plac'd upon her Head,
That prominent with Gems a mingled Lustre shed.
More easy was the Charge that next insued.
The Sight of rich Apparel glads the Fair,
Fond to admire, tho' destin'd not to wear!
For now, more sumpt'ous Cloaths th' Attendants brought,
In secret, by their Lord's Direction wrought;
Shap'd to the fairest Maiden of the Court:
(The Measure gayly taken as in Sport)
Cælia the Maid; Alike her Turn and Size.
Such just Observers still are Lovers Eyes!
Full-well each fashion'd Dame performs her Part;
Skill'd in the Myst'ries of the Toilet Art.
By Each some happy Master-stroke was shown,
The flowing Robe adjusting by her own.
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Beset with costly Stones incas'd in Gold;
The plainer Ground of pure Cerulean Dye;
And oft the Hand was stop'd to feast the Eye.
Her Hair They comb'd, that rudely lay untress'd,
But soon reclaim'd, and in new Order dress'd:
And Store They add of adventitious Charms,
Rings for the Hands, and Bracelets for the Arms;
With pearly Rows, with Golden Bands was grac'd
The rising Bosom, and the falling Waist;
And last a Crown was plac'd upon her Head,
That prominent with Gems a mingled Lustre shed.
Patient, beneath their Hands, Griselda sits,
And to their various Wills her Limbs submits;
But secret wish'd, less Pomp had been prepar'd,
And much of their polite Exactness spar'd.
The Vain with sudden Change are soon elate,
The Stupid have no Relish of their Fate;
The two Extreams She wisely steer'd between,
Her Rule of Action was the Golden Mean.
She nor with Idiot-laugh her Bliss proclaims,
Nor with vain Triumph treats the Courtly Dames;
Not tho' She saw her Fortune inly vex:
She mild forgave the Failure of the Sex.
And yet not senseless of her Good remains;
But rising Pleasure prudently restrains.
The Wise their Bliss in Contemplation find;
Joy is not of the Tongue, but of the Mind!
Yet oft with quicker Throbs her Bosom rose,
And oft her Face with warmer Blushes glows;
And softer Smiles to paint her Lips arise,
And brighter Rays to animate her Eyes.
The Fair themselves, that joint Assistance lend,
Not apt the Charms of Others to commend,
With Looks of silent Praise, alternate thrown,
Well nigh prefer her Beauty to their own.
Who (still improv'd beneath their forming Hands)
At once their Love and their Respect commands.
And to their various Wills her Limbs submits;
But secret wish'd, less Pomp had been prepar'd,
And much of their polite Exactness spar'd.
The Vain with sudden Change are soon elate,
The Stupid have no Relish of their Fate;
The two Extreams She wisely steer'd between,
Her Rule of Action was the Golden Mean.
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Nor with vain Triumph treats the Courtly Dames;
Not tho' She saw her Fortune inly vex:
She mild forgave the Failure of the Sex.
And yet not senseless of her Good remains;
But rising Pleasure prudently restrains.
The Wise their Bliss in Contemplation find;
Joy is not of the Tongue, but of the Mind!
Yet oft with quicker Throbs her Bosom rose,
And oft her Face with warmer Blushes glows;
And softer Smiles to paint her Lips arise,
And brighter Rays to animate her Eyes.
The Fair themselves, that joint Assistance lend,
Not apt the Charms of Others to commend,
With Looks of silent Praise, alternate thrown,
Well nigh prefer her Beauty to their own.
Who (still improv'd beneath their forming Hands)
At once their Love and their Respect commands.
But loud Applause (produc'd in publick View)
The Vulgar add, still fond of What is New!
Transform'd (They thought) a new Griselda shown:
Slaves to Appearance, Not transform'd but known!
Not such Material Change their Lord confess'd,
Who bore her fairer Image in his Breast;
Who, not by outward Show, her Form survey'd,
And more her Merit than her Beauty weigh'd.
Yet, for He knew that Dress improves the Face,
(As Eloquence to Sense adds better Grace)
Her just Adornment gratify'd his Sight,
Pleas'd to behold Her in the fairest Light.
He on her Hands, up-rais'd with decent Shame,
Affix'd the Ring, that binds the Nuptial Claim.
Then, on a snow-white Steed, the Virgin plac'd,
With Crimson Reins and Silver Trappings grac'd.
Loud shout the coming and returning Throng,
As to the Royal Court they pass along;
In Revel there the finish'd Day He spends;
Till down the Western Steeps the Sun descends.
The Vulgar add, still fond of What is New!
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Slaves to Appearance, Not transform'd but known!
Not such Material Change their Lord confess'd,
Who bore her fairer Image in his Breast;
Who, not by outward Show, her Form survey'd,
And more her Merit than her Beauty weigh'd.
Yet, for He knew that Dress improves the Face,
(As Eloquence to Sense adds better Grace)
Her just Adornment gratify'd his Sight,
Pleas'd to behold Her in the fairest Light.
He on her Hands, up-rais'd with decent Shame,
Affix'd the Ring, that binds the Nuptial Claim.
Then, on a snow-white Steed, the Virgin plac'd,
With Crimson Reins and Silver Trappings grac'd.
Loud shout the coming and returning Throng,
As to the Royal Court they pass along;
In Revel there the finish'd Day He spends;
Till down the Western Steeps the Sun descends.
But not on Things Minute to dwell too long—
(For copious is the Remnant of our Song.)
The new-made Bride with such true Merit shone,
She gave (not borrow'd) Lustre from the Throne.
So form'd her Speech, so fashion'd was her Mien;
So Just, but Mild! So Aweful, but Serene!
Not Envy in her Look or Soul cou'd trace,
Her low Condition or ignoble Race.
In Nought She seem'd by Rustick Parents fed,
In Meanness nurtur'd, or in Rudeness bred;
No Daughter of a Cottage humbly born,
But sprung a Princely Palace to adorn;
Nor only to adorn, but to support;
Not only fill, but dignify a Court.
(For copious is the Remnant of our Song.)
188
She gave (not borrow'd) Lustre from the Throne.
So form'd her Speech, so fashion'd was her Mien;
So Just, but Mild! So Aweful, but Serene!
Not Envy in her Look or Soul cou'd trace,
Her low Condition or ignoble Race.
In Nought She seem'd by Rustick Parents fed,
In Meanness nurtur'd, or in Rudeness bred;
No Daughter of a Cottage humbly born,
But sprung a Princely Palace to adorn;
Nor only to adorn, but to support;
Not only fill, but dignify a Court.
Her spreading Fame the Crowd with Wonder hears,
(Who knew her Birth) and scarce believe their Ears;
Gaze the Nobility with like Surprize,
And doubt the nearer Evidence of Eyes.
For tho' her lowly Virtue was the same,
Exalted thus It show'd a brighter Flame.
Virtue lies undiscover'd when confin'd,
Unfelt the Will, unless the Power be join'd.
Her known Example may this Truth declare,
So Witty, yet so Wise; so Chaste, yet Fair!
So strictly Merciful, so humbly Great!
Such winning Grace, and such complying State!
Her Looks their Love, Her Words their Wonder won,
Diffus'd on All, Indulgent as the Sun!
(Who knew her Birth) and scarce believe their Ears;
Gaze the Nobility with like Surprize,
And doubt the nearer Evidence of Eyes.
For tho' her lowly Virtue was the same,
Exalted thus It show'd a brighter Flame.
Virtue lies undiscover'd when confin'd,
Unfelt the Will, unless the Power be join'd.
189
So Witty, yet so Wise; so Chaste, yet Fair!
So strictly Merciful, so humbly Great!
Such winning Grace, and such complying State!
Her Looks their Love, Her Words their Wonder won,
Diffus'd on All, Indulgent as the Sun!
Not only thro' Saluzzo spread her Fame,
But distant Regions heard her bounteous Name;
And ever lavish on her Praises dwell:
Well as One spoke, Another spoke as Well.
And Thousands came, Alike the Young as Old,
Women as Men, to hear Her and behold.
But distant Regions heard her bounteous Name;
And ever lavish on her Praises dwell:
Well as One spoke, Another spoke as Well.
And Thousands came, Alike the Young as Old,
Women as Men, to hear Her and behold.
Thus Honesty for once and Honor wed,
And Humble Fortune decks a Princely Bed.
The dis-believing Lord himself confess'd,
'Twas possible in Marriage to be blest.
At Home his Peace preserv'd the prudent Wife,
Abroad his Wealth supply'd the Wants of Life:
And more than Life requires. For kept from Waste,
Enough remains for Elegance of Taste.
And for that Worth, thro' Poverty's Disguise,
Discern'd their Lord, The People held him Wise.
This as no common Incident be told;
'Tis what the People are not apt to hold.
And Humble Fortune decks a Princely Bed.
The dis-believing Lord himself confess'd,
'Twas possible in Marriage to be blest.
At Home his Peace preserv'd the prudent Wife,
Abroad his Wealth supply'd the Wants of Life:
And more than Life requires. For kept from Waste,
Enough remains for Elegance of Taste.
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Discern'd their Lord, The People held him Wise.
This as no common Incident be told;
'Tis what the People are not apt to hold.
Yet not in Houshold Cares (tho' These alone
Are worthy Praise) her Excellence was shown;
Absent her Lord, full wisely cou'd She guide
The Publick State, The Common Good provide:
In Judgment equal, easy of Access,
Complaints to hear, or Errors to redress.
And ready, as successful, to asswage,
Or private Discontent, or public Rage.
Of Counsel prudent, steady to her Trust,
Strong in Persuasion, in Discernment just.
And when at Strife, (For Strife all States afford)
She reconciled the People to their Lord.
So sought his Peace, and so their Welfare sought,
Urg'd with such Pow'r of Speech, and Strength of Thought;
That rarely was her Judgment found to fail:
And if He held the Sword, She held the Scale.
Hence all Degrees, the Senate and the Crowd,
Her Justice own'd, her Clemency allow'd;
A Gift of Heav'n their Fortune to attend,
Not only to preserve the State, but mend.
Are worthy Praise) her Excellence was shown;
Absent her Lord, full wisely cou'd She guide
The Publick State, The Common Good provide:
In Judgment equal, easy of Access,
Complaints to hear, or Errors to redress.
And ready, as successful, to asswage,
Or private Discontent, or public Rage.
Of Counsel prudent, steady to her Trust,
Strong in Persuasion, in Discernment just.
And when at Strife, (For Strife all States afford)
She reconciled the People to their Lord.
So sought his Peace, and so their Welfare sought,
Urg'd with such Pow'r of Speech, and Strength of Thought;
That rarely was her Judgment found to fail:
And if He held the Sword, She held the Scale.
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Her Justice own'd, her Clemency allow'd;
A Gift of Heav'n their Fortune to attend,
Not only to preserve the State, but mend.
Blest was the Subject, and the Sov'reign blest!
All shar'd her Worth, He all her Worth possess'd.
Nor yet the Sun had fill'd his Annual Round,
E'er a new Pledge of Love the Nuptials crown'd.
A Daughter crown'd! Whose sweetly-op'ning Face
Adorn'd the Bed with near-resembling Grace.
And tho' (The better to reward her Care)
The anxious Mother wish'd a Manly Heir;
Pleas'd was Gualtherus, nor displeas'd the State,
To find their Wishes half indulg'd by Fate.
For, from that Sample of Inferior Kind,
The Promise of a Nobler—They divin'd.
All shar'd her Worth, He all her Worth possess'd.
Nor yet the Sun had fill'd his Annual Round,
E'er a new Pledge of Love the Nuptials crown'd.
A Daughter crown'd! Whose sweetly-op'ning Face
Adorn'd the Bed with near-resembling Grace.
And tho' (The better to reward her Care)
The anxious Mother wish'd a Manly Heir;
Pleas'd was Gualtherus, nor displeas'd the State,
To find their Wishes half indulg'd by Fate.
For, from that Sample of Inferior Kind,
The Promise of a Nobler—They divin'd.
The Charge Griselda, Mistress of a Throne,
Intrusted to no Care, beside her own.
Gualtherus long oppos'd, at length comply'd,
Dissenting most from Love, but much from Pride.
No Matrimonial Jar! For here the Strife
Was not to burthen, but to spare the Wife.
He press'd their common Dignity and Ease,
And yielded but to humor, and to please.
Yet She maintain'd, (her Argument was strong)
“Whole Nature bias'd to preserve their Young.
“Of all the Habitants of Earth and Air,
“Shall Human Kind take less than Savage Care?
“I own (She said) This seems a Country Strain,
“The Language of the Daughter of a Swain;
“What to the Crowd may furnish Mirth and Sport,
“And give Distaste and Wonder to the Court.
“Yet will I say, (For This You taught my Youth)
“Trust not to Show of Things, but to the Truth.
“Be Truth the Rule; Polite or Impolite,
“I weigh not what is thought, but what is right.
“The Point let Courtly Dames with Leave contest,
“This lovely Child shall never quit my Breast.
“'Tis Vice of Fashion! 'Tis Neglect of Kind!
“'Tis Indolence! 'Tis Cruelty of Mind!
Intrusted to no Care, beside her own.
Gualtherus long oppos'd, at length comply'd,
Dissenting most from Love, but much from Pride.
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Was not to burthen, but to spare the Wife.
He press'd their common Dignity and Ease,
And yielded but to humor, and to please.
Yet She maintain'd, (her Argument was strong)
“Whole Nature bias'd to preserve their Young.
“Of all the Habitants of Earth and Air,
“Shall Human Kind take less than Savage Care?
“I own (She said) This seems a Country Strain,
“The Language of the Daughter of a Swain;
“What to the Crowd may furnish Mirth and Sport,
“And give Distaste and Wonder to the Court.
“Yet will I say, (For This You taught my Youth)
“Trust not to Show of Things, but to the Truth.
“Be Truth the Rule; Polite or Impolite,
“I weigh not what is thought, but what is right.
“The Point let Courtly Dames with Leave contest,
“This lovely Child shall never quit my Breast.
“'Tis Vice of Fashion! 'Tis Neglect of Kind!
“'Tis Indolence! 'Tis Cruelty of Mind!
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To such a Husband added such a Wife;
What fairer Scene cou'd yield Domestic Life?
Each seems of Each the Fortune to controul,
Each worthy Each in Body as in Soul
So fair the Road, and so direct to Bliss,
Their Way a Pair so form'd cou'd hardly miss;
Unless with open Eyes They go astray,
And wilfully their fated Joy betray.
And so It chanc'd. To plain Conviction blind,
Gualtherus makes the Ill He cou'd not find.
Tho' never had She shock'd his Ear or Sight;
No Woman cou'd be always in the Right.
This was his Pain; To strong Mistrust inclin'd,
No Proof cou'd turn the Bias of his Mind.
But where to fix a Fault, He seem'd distrest;
Was ever Husband so severely prest?
First for her Beauty; That was free from Blame:
Nature ne'er fashion'd a completer Frame!
Next for her Mind; That gave him less Pretence;
Nought but her Wit was equal to her Sense!
Then o'er her Virtue quick his Scruples run;
Fair as the Light, and spotless as the Sun!
Her Duty last He weighs; No Failure past
Appears. Yet restless there He settles last.
Her former Conduct was not void of Praise;
But never was She put to hard Assays.
Perhaps 'twas Indolence! Perhaps 'twas Art!
Int'rest or Fear! She acted well her Part!
Content in trivial Things is easy shown!
Obedience by the Proof is only known!
What fairer Scene cou'd yield Domestic Life?
Each seems of Each the Fortune to controul,
Each worthy Each in Body as in Soul
So fair the Road, and so direct to Bliss,
Their Way a Pair so form'd cou'd hardly miss;
Unless with open Eyes They go astray,
And wilfully their fated Joy betray.
And so It chanc'd. To plain Conviction blind,
Gualtherus makes the Ill He cou'd not find.
Tho' never had She shock'd his Ear or Sight;
No Woman cou'd be always in the Right.
This was his Pain; To strong Mistrust inclin'd,
No Proof cou'd turn the Bias of his Mind.
But where to fix a Fault, He seem'd distrest;
Was ever Husband so severely prest?
First for her Beauty; That was free from Blame:
Nature ne'er fashion'd a completer Frame!
Next for her Mind; That gave him less Pretence;
Nought but her Wit was equal to her Sense!
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Fair as the Light, and spotless as the Sun!
Her Duty last He weighs; No Failure past
Appears. Yet restless there He settles last.
Her former Conduct was not void of Praise;
But never was She put to hard Assays.
Perhaps 'twas Indolence! Perhaps 'twas Art!
Int'rest or Fear! She acted well her Part!
Content in trivial Things is easy shown!
Obedience by the Proof is only known!
To vain Disquiet of their common Lives,
Thus Tyrant-Husbands tempt their Subject-Wives.
Full-unadvis'd We deem; Some think full-wise.
But obvious (duely judged) the Error lies.
Mischances numberless, to cause Debate
On either side, affords the various State;
This Want to aggravate, that Sense to vex.
The Lesson We apply to either Sex.
Some heedless Word or Action may offend,
Speak ne'er so kind, and ne'er so just intend;
Whence Noise and Strife, Mistrust, Aversion springs.
Add here the common Casualty of Things.
Each to the Other by Alliance bound,
But then Each borders on the Other's Ground.
On Truce howe'er let Marriage-Warfare cease.
Act not Hostilities in Time of Peace.
Till Provocation raises fresh Alarms,
Let Neither rouse the Bosom Foe to Arms.
When safe a-shore thy shatter'd Bark repair,
The Gale of Hymen blows not always fair.
Pierce not in wanton Sport her weaker Sides,
Enough has She to bear from Winds and Tides.
If then those Ills, that Neither can prevent,
Wives suffer patient; Husbands, live content!
Thus Tyrant-Husbands tempt their Subject-Wives.
Full-unadvis'd We deem; Some think full-wise.
But obvious (duely judged) the Error lies.
Mischances numberless, to cause Debate
On either side, affords the various State;
This Want to aggravate, that Sense to vex.
The Lesson We apply to either Sex.
Some heedless Word or Action may offend,
Speak ne'er so kind, and ne'er so just intend;
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Add here the common Casualty of Things.
Each to the Other by Alliance bound,
But then Each borders on the Other's Ground.
On Truce howe'er let Marriage-Warfare cease.
Act not Hostilities in Time of Peace.
Till Provocation raises fresh Alarms,
Let Neither rouse the Bosom Foe to Arms.
When safe a-shore thy shatter'd Bark repair,
The Gale of Hymen blows not always fair.
Pierce not in wanton Sport her weaker Sides,
Enough has She to bear from Winds and Tides.
If then those Ills, that Neither can prevent,
Wives suffer patient; Husbands, live content!
Alone, by Night, where lay the Royal Dame,
With Visage sternly-sad Gualtherus came;
Whom in unwonted Terms He thus address'd.
“Griselda, say! Retains thy faithful Breast,
“Some just Remembrance of that Golden-Day,
“When first I threw your rural Weeds away,
“And with more fitting Pomp and Splendor grac'd?
“Or, say! Has Time the grateful Thought eraz'd?
“And Dignity, by Use familiar grown,
“Made Thee o'er-look the Cottage in the Throne?
“Yet not so many glorious Months have run,
“Since this thy new-created Pow'r begun.
“Review Thyself, and by Reflection know,
“High as You stand, that once You stood as low.
“'Tis Thine this Grace with Duty to requite.
“For That, I chose the Silence of the Night,
“Safe from each list'ning Ear, and prying Eye,
“Thy Constancy to prove, thy Truth to try;
“Pay you just Faith, or feign'd Regard pretend.
“Then know my Will, and strict Atttention lend.
With Visage sternly-sad Gualtherus came;
Whom in unwonted Terms He thus address'd.
“Griselda, say! Retains thy faithful Breast,
“Some just Remembrance of that Golden-Day,
“When first I threw your rural Weeds away,
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“Or, say! Has Time the grateful Thought eraz'd?
“And Dignity, by Use familiar grown,
“Made Thee o'er-look the Cottage in the Throne?
“Yet not so many glorious Months have run,
“Since this thy new-created Pow'r begun.
“Review Thyself, and by Reflection know,
“High as You stand, that once You stood as low.
“'Tis Thine this Grace with Duty to requite.
“For That, I chose the Silence of the Night,
“Safe from each list'ning Ear, and prying Eye,
“Thy Constancy to prove, thy Truth to try;
“Pay you just Faith, or feign'd Regard pretend.
“Then know my Will, and strict Atttention lend.
“E'er since the Day that first prefer'd You here,
“Not by Thyself thy Life was held more dear.
“Part of my Own! But far the better Part!
“You shar'd not more my Fortune than my Heart.
“Not such the Love You from the Subject claim,
“Grievous They think the Load, and great the Shame.
“Up-rais'd from humble State thy Worth to see,
“(Thy Worth unknown) up-rais'd to high Degree!
“Begot in Slav'ry! In a Cottage born!
“Their private Laughter! And their secret Scorn!
“Not by Thyself thy Life was held more dear.
“Part of my Own! But far the better Part!
“You shar'd not more my Fortune than my Heart.
“Not such the Love You from the Subject claim,
“Grievous They think the Load, and great the Shame.
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“(Thy Worth unknown) up-rais'd to high Degree!
“Begot in Slav'ry! In a Cottage born!
“Their private Laughter! And their secret Scorn!
“But ever since that hapless Child You bore,
“Loud are their Plaints, not wholly dumb before.
“My Rule in Ills, is still to make the Best,
“(Some Ease may follow, if not total Rest)
“And press, or yield, ambitious of Repose;
“Just as the Tide of Faction ebbs or flows.
“Thy Daughter now—(and since the Child was born
“Not thrice the Moon renew'd her silver Horn)
“Thy Daughter now—their Tumult must appease,—
“Not as I wou'd—But as my People please—
“How loth to act the Deed—bear Witness Heav'n!—
“Nor will I act—unless your Voice be giv'n.—
“An equal Share You claim.—But fully know—
“(And here your wonted Soul, Griselda, show)
“Know, your Concurrence is my stated Will!
“Yield! and by Deed your plighted Word fulfill!
“Act what You swore upon our Marriage Day!
“Mine then was to command, your Office to obey.”
“Loud are their Plaints, not wholly dumb before.
“My Rule in Ills, is still to make the Best,
“(Some Ease may follow, if not total Rest)
“And press, or yield, ambitious of Repose;
“Just as the Tide of Faction ebbs or flows.
“Thy Daughter now—(and since the Child was born
“Not thrice the Moon renew'd her silver Horn)
“Thy Daughter now—their Tumult must appease,—
“Not as I wou'd—But as my People please—
“How loth to act the Deed—bear Witness Heav'n!—
“Nor will I act—unless your Voice be giv'n.—
“An equal Share You claim.—But fully know—
“(And here your wonted Soul, Griselda, show)
“Know, your Concurrence is my stated Will!
“Yield! and by Deed your plighted Word fulfill!
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“Mine then was to command, your Office to obey.”
She all unmov'd the hard Condition hears;
Nor Ought concern'd in Look or Thought appears.
No Change his strict inquiring Eyes cou'd read.
Much less oppos'd She or in Word or Deed.
But said: “My Child, Myself too I resign!
“Dispose at Will, my Lord: Your Will is Mine.
“In You just Property of Either lies;
“And Either for your Good, or lives, or dies.
“My Soul (as Love and Gratitude require)
“Likes, What you like; desires, What you desire.
“Beside Yourself Nought else is left to chuse;
“And Nought beside Yourself She dreads to lose.
“This, (by your Grace since first our Hands were join'd)
“Has been her first fix'd Principle of Mind.
“This! Neither Change nor Fortune can displace;
“Nor Length of Time, nor Fear of Death deface.”
Nor Ought concern'd in Look or Thought appears.
No Change his strict inquiring Eyes cou'd read.
Much less oppos'd She or in Word or Deed.
But said: “My Child, Myself too I resign!
“Dispose at Will, my Lord: Your Will is Mine.
“In You just Property of Either lies;
“And Either for your Good, or lives, or dies.
“My Soul (as Love and Gratitude require)
“Likes, What you like; desires, What you desire.
“Beside Yourself Nought else is left to chuse;
“And Nought beside Yourself She dreads to lose.
“This, (by your Grace since first our Hands were join'd)
“Has been her first fix'd Principle of Mind.
“This! Neither Change nor Fortune can displace;
“Nor Length of Time, nor Fear of Death deface.”
Pleas'd was Gualtherus against Nature's Laws.
Cou'd Pleasure spring from such an odious Cause?
Prepost'rous Joy! By Virtue not refin'd!
Unworthy of Himself or Humankind!
Yet long his Thoughts seem'd with themselves at strife,
As doubtful to pronounce for Death or Life.
Then, as resolv'd, a pensive Leave he took;
Disturb'd his Gate, determin'd was his Look.
Cou'd Pleasure spring from such an odious Cause?
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Unworthy of Himself or Humankind!
Yet long his Thoughts seem'd with themselves at strife,
As doubtful to pronounce for Death or Life.
Then, as resolv'd, a pensive Leave he took;
Disturb'd his Gate, determin'd was his Look.
Thence sped; a Messenger of Death he sought,
To whom He full reveal'd his secret Thought.
Before prepar'd, at Distance due to stand,
And strictly execute his Lord's Command.
Much on his Faith and oft had he rely'd;
But in less Sanguinary Service try'd.
Whate'er the Order giv'n, He spar'd no Pain,
For from his Diligence accru'd his Gain.
When Need or Danger call'd, was ever near,
From Love or Duty, from Respect or Fear;
The greater the Attempt, the bolder still;
And there is but one Step from Bold to Ill!
To whom He full reveal'd his secret Thought.
Before prepar'd, at Distance due to stand,
And strictly execute his Lord's Command.
Much on his Faith and oft had he rely'd;
But in less Sanguinary Service try'd.
Whate'er the Order giv'n, He spar'd no Pain,
For from his Diligence accru'd his Gain.
When Need or Danger call'd, was ever near,
From Love or Duty, from Respect or Fear;
The greater the Attempt, the bolder still;
And there is but one Step from Bold to Ill!
Strait to the Chamber where Griselda lay,
Commission'd by his Lord, He took his Way.
And sternly turning from the Infant Maid,
Humanely, as his Nature cou'd, He said:
“Displease the Act, Necessity may plead
“Excuse; not Choice, but Force exacts the Deed.
“And well the wise Griselda understands,
“That Royal Mandates claim obedient Hands.
“Much may we grieve the while, and long complain,
“But to object, or to resist is vain.
“'Tis Loss of Time, 'tis Sorrow thrown away;
“The sooner eas'd, the sooner We obey.
“Such is my Fate; commanded by my Lord
“To seize this Child.”—He seiz'd Her at the Word.
The tender Infant, innocent of Harm,
Smiles on his griefly Beard, and hugs his bois'trous Arm.
Commission'd by his Lord, He took his Way.
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Humanely, as his Nature cou'd, He said:
“Displease the Act, Necessity may plead
“Excuse; not Choice, but Force exacts the Deed.
“And well the wise Griselda understands,
“That Royal Mandates claim obedient Hands.
“Much may we grieve the while, and long complain,
“But to object, or to resist is vain.
“'Tis Loss of Time, 'tis Sorrow thrown away;
“The sooner eas'd, the sooner We obey.
“Such is my Fate; commanded by my Lord
“To seize this Child.”—He seiz'd Her at the Word.
The tender Infant, innocent of Harm,
Smiles on his griefly Beard, and hugs his bois'trous Arm.
To Few, such Energy of Soul is giv'n,
As show'd Griselda; 'Twas the Gift of Heav'n.
At once she summon'd ev'ry Pow'r of Mind,
And stood the Stress; foreboding, but resign'd.
The Man She knew; Suspicious was his Name!
Suspicious was his Office and his Fame!
Nor less Suspicious was the Time and Place!
But more Suspicious still his Speech and Face!
What She must feel (The Wretch so arm'd and drest!)
Is easier to be fancy'd, than exprest!
All, that the Prince in dubious Words let fall,
All, that Reflection cou'd to Mind recall;
Seem'd true: (Her Apprehension, wrong or right)
All that She fear'd, seem'd acted in her Sight.
A bloody Scene of Innocence distrest!
An Infant, torn, and murder'd, from her Breast!
An Infant, by her hourly Tendance fed!
Sweet Inmate of her Chamber and her Bed!
Add here, just Cause of Horror and Affright,
The Silence and the Darkness of the Night!
The strange Neglect of Him her Soul approv'd,
The Man She honor'd, and the Man She lov'd!
To crown the Whole, this Ruffian Guard appears;
Who can conceive It without Sighs or Tears?
Black were his Locks, and nigh upright They stood,
Smear'd were his Hands, as exercis'd in Blood.
But, to do Justice to the virtuous Tale,
Supply in Mind, where I in Language fail.
Think by the Wife and Mother what was born,
By Duty there, here by Affection torn;
And be the Strife, if not describ'd, conceiv'd:
'Tis scarce to be imagin'd, or believ'd.
Yet, as recorded Rolls the Fact relate,
She bore the Storm, collected and sedate.
And since her Lord had doom'd the Child to die,
Nor from her Bosom stole one stifled Sigh;
Nor from her Eye escap'd one secret Tear:
Tho' never Mother held a Child more dear.
As show'd Griselda; 'Twas the Gift of Heav'n.
At once she summon'd ev'ry Pow'r of Mind,
And stood the Stress; foreboding, but resign'd.
The Man She knew; Suspicious was his Name!
Suspicious was his Office and his Fame!
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But more Suspicious still his Speech and Face!
What She must feel (The Wretch so arm'd and drest!)
Is easier to be fancy'd, than exprest!
All, that the Prince in dubious Words let fall,
All, that Reflection cou'd to Mind recall;
Seem'd true: (Her Apprehension, wrong or right)
All that She fear'd, seem'd acted in her Sight.
A bloody Scene of Innocence distrest!
An Infant, torn, and murder'd, from her Breast!
An Infant, by her hourly Tendance fed!
Sweet Inmate of her Chamber and her Bed!
Add here, just Cause of Horror and Affright,
The Silence and the Darkness of the Night!
The strange Neglect of Him her Soul approv'd,
The Man She honor'd, and the Man She lov'd!
To crown the Whole, this Ruffian Guard appears;
Who can conceive It without Sighs or Tears?
Black were his Locks, and nigh upright They stood,
Smear'd were his Hands, as exercis'd in Blood.
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Supply in Mind, where I in Language fail.
Think by the Wife and Mother what was born,
By Duty there, here by Affection torn;
And be the Strife, if not describ'd, conceiv'd:
'Tis scarce to be imagin'd, or believ'd.
Yet, as recorded Rolls the Fact relate,
She bore the Storm, collected and sedate.
And since her Lord had doom'd the Child to die,
Nor from her Bosom stole one stifled Sigh;
Nor from her Eye escap'd one secret Tear:
Tho' never Mother held a Child more dear.
The Messenger of Death, She mildly pray'd,
To reach the Child; whom on her Lap she laid.
And gently begg'd, “E'er yet her sentence past,
“One Kiss She might bestow, since 'twas the last.”
Then with such Firmness, as no Tongue can tell,
“Farewell, my Child, (She said) my Child, farewell!
“Full-long a Flight thy thoughtless Soul must take,
“Constrain'd to suffer, for thy Mother's Sake.”
To reach the Child; whom on her Lap she laid.
And gently begg'd, “E'er yet her sentence past,
“One Kiss She might bestow, since 'twas the last.”
Then with such Firmness, as no Tongue can tell,
“Farewell, my Child, (She said) my Child, farewell!
“Full-long a Flight thy thoughtless Soul must take,
“Constrain'd to suffer, for thy Mother's Sake.”
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A State so woeful, Who cou'd see or hear,
Without a social Sigh, or friendly Tear?
What Nurse, that turns her Tendance to a Trade?
What mean Domestic? Mercenary Maid?
Well might the suff'ring Mother feel Distress!
Yet no Concern her Looks or Words express.
So strongly Love and Gratitude cou'd bind!
And such her Force, and her Command of Mind!
Without a social Sigh, or friendly Tear?
What Nurse, that turns her Tendance to a Trade?
What mean Domestic? Mercenary Maid?
Well might the suff'ring Mother feel Distress!
Yet no Concern her Looks or Words express.
So strongly Love and Gratitude cou'd bind!
And such her Force, and her Command of Mind!
She to the Guard, whose Aspect Horror bred,
“Here, take thy little Charge (compos'dly said)
“Go! Act thy Office, as thy Lord commands.
“Yes, Royal Mandates claim obedient Hands.
“And what is his Desire, is my Content.
“Yet, with his Leave (nor will He here dissent)
“Depose her Body in some sacred Place;
“Where neither Birds may touch, nor Beasts deface.”
“Here, take thy little Charge (compos'dly said)
“Go! Act thy Office, as thy Lord commands.
“Yes, Royal Mandates claim obedient Hands.
“And what is his Desire, is my Content.
“Yet, with his Leave (nor will He here dissent)
“Depose her Body in some sacred Place;
“Where neither Birds may touch, nor Beasts deface.”
To This, no Word the Ruffian deign'd to say,
But seiz'd the Child, and sternly stalk'd away.
But seiz'd the Child, and sternly stalk'd away.
Strait to his Lord the Messenger repair'd,
And faithfully, what He observ'd, declar'd;
And, far as Tenderness cou'd touch his Breast,
Told all, He thought, She suffer'd, or express'd.
Gualtherus, Who esteem'd him plain, but just,
In the Recital loses his Distrust.
Till, fresh Possession, Prejudice regain'd;
“Go, execute (He cries) as I ordain'd.
“Convey the Child.”—A Trial so severe
Sure Mother never felt! As You shall hear.
Ev'n tho' his Heart, inclining to relent,
Oft seem'd to disapprove it, and repent;
Firm He maintain'd his settled Purpose still,
And, as the Great are wont, wou'd have his Will.
And faithfully, what He observ'd, declar'd;
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Told all, He thought, She suffer'd, or express'd.
Gualtherus, Who esteem'd him plain, but just,
In the Recital loses his Distrust.
Till, fresh Possession, Prejudice regain'd;
“Go, execute (He cries) as I ordain'd.
“Convey the Child.”—A Trial so severe
Sure Mother never felt! As You shall hear.
Ev'n tho' his Heart, inclining to relent,
Oft seem'd to disapprove it, and repent;
Firm He maintain'd his settled Purpose still,
And, as the Great are wont, wou'd have his Will.
The Part assign'd, at Forfeit of his Life,
The Guard performs. Gualtherus seeks his Wife.
Full-fast imagining, in secret Thought,
Or in her Looks to see some Strangeness wrought,
Or some Confusion in her Words confest;
But smooth He found her Brow, and calm her Breast!
Collected in Herself She rests Sedate;
Nor swell'd with high, nor sunk with adverse Fate!
Submiss and Chearful, as She wont to prove!
In Duty Faithful! Diligent in Love!
Unchang'd her Turn of Speech, and Bent of Mind!
Wise, as Agreeable! Discreet, as Kind!
Nor mention'd once her Tongue her Daughter's Name;
A Loss She cou'd not praise, but wou'd not blame!
The Guard performs. Gualtherus seeks his Wife.
Full-fast imagining, in secret Thought,
Or in her Looks to see some Strangeness wrought,
Or some Confusion in her Words confest;
But smooth He found her Brow, and calm her Breast!
Collected in Herself She rests Sedate;
Nor swell'd with high, nor sunk with adverse Fate!
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In Duty Faithful! Diligent in Love!
Unchang'd her Turn of Speech, and Bent of Mind!
Wise, as Agreeable! Discreet, as Kind!
Nor mention'd once her Tongue her Daughter's Name;
A Loss She cou'd not praise, but wou'd not blame!
Hence the fourth Sun had fill'd the Year complete,
And vary'd the due Change of Cold and Heat.
Unchang'd to Her the varying Seasons run;
With Peace concludes the Day, with Joy begun.
The only Cause, that cou'd disturb her Breast,
Was that She found Gualtherus ill at Rest.
A Child He wish'd. Nor cou'd Griselda find,
Why that unvalu'd Wish shou'd pain his Mind.
So free to part with what was in his Pow'r;
Yet now, He counted ev'ry Day and Hour.
At Length, Heav'n gratify'd his full Desire;
And doubly bless'd the Mother and the Sire.
A Son was born. All hail the hopeful Boy;
Their common Safety, and their common Joy!
All, that their Country love, and Faction hate!
All, that wish well to Sov'reign, or to State.
Unfruitful deem'd the Wife, the Daughter dead;
The Want of Issue new Commotion bred.
The Next-ally'd in diff'rent Parts divide,
And draw the giddy Croud on ev'ry Side.
Pride and Ambition no Occasion lose,
To feast on Heirless Crowns with eager Views.
While Fuel ev'ry neighb'ring Pow'r supplies,
And blows the Blaze, in Hopes to reap the Prize.
When now a Son appear'd, oppos'd to All,
The Factious, from their high Pretensions, fall.
This Turn their Pride, if not their Cause, befriends;
Each ends the Contest, where his Rival ends.
The Loyal joy'd, to see the Tumult cease,
A firm Foundation laid for lasting Peace,
All disagreeing Int'rests reconcil'd;
And hail'd with kind Presage the Royal Child.
Lovely the Child, and Manly to behold!
Mild, as his Mother! As his Father, Bold!
And vary'd the due Change of Cold and Heat.
Unchang'd to Her the varying Seasons run;
With Peace concludes the Day, with Joy begun.
The only Cause, that cou'd disturb her Breast,
Was that She found Gualtherus ill at Rest.
A Child He wish'd. Nor cou'd Griselda find,
Why that unvalu'd Wish shou'd pain his Mind.
So free to part with what was in his Pow'r;
Yet now, He counted ev'ry Day and Hour.
At Length, Heav'n gratify'd his full Desire;
And doubly bless'd the Mother and the Sire.
A Son was born. All hail the hopeful Boy;
Their common Safety, and their common Joy!
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All, that wish well to Sov'reign, or to State.
Unfruitful deem'd the Wife, the Daughter dead;
The Want of Issue new Commotion bred.
The Next-ally'd in diff'rent Parts divide,
And draw the giddy Croud on ev'ry Side.
Pride and Ambition no Occasion lose,
To feast on Heirless Crowns with eager Views.
While Fuel ev'ry neighb'ring Pow'r supplies,
And blows the Blaze, in Hopes to reap the Prize.
When now a Son appear'd, oppos'd to All,
The Factious, from their high Pretensions, fall.
This Turn their Pride, if not their Cause, befriends;
Each ends the Contest, where his Rival ends.
The Loyal joy'd, to see the Tumult cease,
A firm Foundation laid for lasting Peace,
All disagreeing Int'rests reconcil'd;
And hail'd with kind Presage the Royal Child.
Lovely the Child, and Manly to behold!
Mild, as his Mother! As his Father, Bold!
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Scarce the third Year began with full Repose,
When, to disturb the Calm, Gualtherus rose.
Hapless in This, that Happy was his Life;
Again must He assay the Patient Wife.
Capricious Husband, to Conviction blind!
What Proof cou'd fix that doubtful Turn of Mind?
If long Experience but augments your Care?
Must Man provoke, and Woman ever bear?
Survey the State of Wedlock at a View,
A Case so strange, Who ever heard or knew?
The Husband lives dissatisfy'd in Thought,
Because the Wife lives guiltless of a Fault.
Tempt Her He must; full-vainly, dare I say.
Men keep no Bounds, where Women will obey.
Imperious most, to Those that most indure.
Such, He. But Patience is a sov'reign Cure.
When, to disturb the Calm, Gualtherus rose.
Hapless in This, that Happy was his Life;
Again must He assay the Patient Wife.
Capricious Husband, to Conviction blind!
What Proof cou'd fix that doubtful Turn of Mind?
If long Experience but augments your Care?
Must Man provoke, and Woman ever bear?
Survey the State of Wedlock at a View,
A Case so strange, Who ever heard or knew?
The Husband lives dissatisfy'd in Thought,
Because the Wife lives guiltless of a Fault.
Tempt Her He must; full-vainly, dare I say.
Men keep no Bounds, where Women will obey.
Imperious most, to Those that most indure.
Such, He. But Patience is a sov'reign Cure.
When Night had spread her sable Umbrage round,
Griselda, hanging o'er her Boy, He found.
“Know (He began) but This thyself must know—
“Thy Marriage has produc'd a World of Woe.
“The Subject ill our first Affiance took,
“With lying Voice, and counterfeited Look.
“A Daughter born, They lessen'd their Disguise;
“Their Spleen arose apparent in their Eyes:
“A Son, their open Malice kept no Bound.
“And on the Mother their Distaste They found.
“'Tis true, not yet the Clamor strikes our Ear;
“With Terror yet the bad Report I hear.
“Tho', ill or well, the Prince observes his Trust,
“Faction is dang'rous, or unjust or just.
Griselda, hanging o'er her Boy, He found.
“Know (He began) but This thyself must know—
“Thy Marriage has produc'd a World of Woe.
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“With lying Voice, and counterfeited Look.
“A Daughter born, They lessen'd their Disguise;
“Their Spleen arose apparent in their Eyes:
“A Son, their open Malice kept no Bound.
“And on the Mother their Distaste They found.
“'Tis true, not yet the Clamor strikes our Ear;
“With Terror yet the bad Report I hear.
“Tho', ill or well, the Prince observes his Trust,
“Faction is dang'rous, or unjust or just.
“What Slav'ry (thus the Disaffected cry)
“Attends Saluzzo, shou'd Gualtherus die!
“Then shall Janicola's mean Blood succeed;
“His base-rais'd Offspring! His opprobrious Breed!
“Then shall They lord it! Hold the foremost Place!
“What Hope of other Rule, or other Race?
“Then well may Villagers our Rights support!
“And Slaves receive the Honors of a Court!
“Attends Saluzzo, shou'd Gualtherus die!
“Then shall Janicola's mean Blood succeed;
“His base-rais'd Offspring! His opprobrious Breed!
“Then shall They lord it! Hold the foremost Place!
“What Hope of other Rule, or other Race?
“Then well may Villagers our Rights support!
“And Slaves receive the Honors of a Court!
“Tho' distant yet the Voice of Discontent,
“Thus warn'd, let Prudence the Increase prevent
“E'er yet in open Audience They complain:
“That done, the Terms propos'd may then be vain.
“For judge but of the Future by the Past,
“All private Murmur will speak loud at Last.
“What Need of Words? To open all my Soul—
“Better resign a Part, than lose the Whole.”
“Thus warn'd, let Prudence the Increase prevent
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“That done, the Terms propos'd may then be vain.
“For judge but of the Future by the Past,
“All private Murmur will speak loud at Last.
“What Need of Words? To open all my Soul—
“Better resign a Part, than lose the Whole.”
He paus'd, and sighing—“Yes, It must be Done;
“The Fate your Daughter found, attends your Son—
“By the same Hand, on the same Hour of Night,
“Torne from your Bosom, carried from your Sight—
“Harder the Trial, with the Boy to part,
“Longer in View, and nearer to your Heart—
“He grew to Sense, was knowing, and was known—
“The Loss, a Parent well may feel, and own.
“For This I came, to warn You and persuade,
“To summon ev'ry Virtue to your Aid.
“Lest hurried from Yourself, You quit the Rein,
“And ill your Trust and Character maintain.”
Thus He; the Wively Patience thus rejoin'd.
“This, have I said; and This, I bear in Mind:
“Your Will is Mine! Your Pleasure, Mine I make!
“Forsake Me, Life, e'er I this Rule forsake!
“Slain as your Daughter, let your Son be Slain;
“Confirm his Being, or his Death ordain!
“In Her, in Him, no Claim Griselda knows,
“But her long Vigils, and Maternal Throws.
“What, but a short Amusement was her Gain,
“For previous Sickness, and successive Pain?
“All other Right belongs to You alone;
“Yours be it, to conduct what is your own.
“Consider my Content, below your Care;
“In neither Child Griselda claims a Share.
“I too am Yours, in all and ev'ry Part,
“For when you gave your Hand, I gave my Heart.
“Not that I plead Affection, yet deny
“Obedience due; I own the forceful Tie.
“From that then blest to this still happy Day,
“(E'er-since You threw my rural Weeds away)
“Then I acknowledg'd, and acknowlege still,
“That with my Habit I depos'd my Will,
“Freedom of Action, Liberty of Choice;
“Griselda's Voice must still confirm your Voice,
“Urge what You urge, forbear what You forbear:
“I wait your Order, as your Dress I wear.
“Nay more: Had I your Thoughts by Prescience known,
“Such passive Duty had not now been shown.
“With your Felicity I cou'd not part,
“Tho' ev'ry String It tore that brac'd my Heart.
“Myself had been as forward to propose,
“And quell the Tumult, e'er so high it rose.
“But now that your Resolve is fully told,
“Determin'd as your own, my Purport hold.
“And were my Death but wanting to your Ease;
“Death wou'd I bear, to serve You, or to please.
“For Death, that weak or wicked Minds may move,
“Makes no Comparison to Loss of Love.”
“The Fate your Daughter found, attends your Son—
“By the same Hand, on the same Hour of Night,
“Torne from your Bosom, carried from your Sight—
“Harder the Trial, with the Boy to part,
“Longer in View, and nearer to your Heart—
“He grew to Sense, was knowing, and was known—
“The Loss, a Parent well may feel, and own.
“For This I came, to warn You and persuade,
“To summon ev'ry Virtue to your Aid.
“Lest hurried from Yourself, You quit the Rein,
“And ill your Trust and Character maintain.”
Thus He; the Wively Patience thus rejoin'd.
“This, have I said; and This, I bear in Mind:
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“Forsake Me, Life, e'er I this Rule forsake!
“Slain as your Daughter, let your Son be Slain;
“Confirm his Being, or his Death ordain!
“In Her, in Him, no Claim Griselda knows,
“But her long Vigils, and Maternal Throws.
“What, but a short Amusement was her Gain,
“For previous Sickness, and successive Pain?
“All other Right belongs to You alone;
“Yours be it, to conduct what is your own.
“Consider my Content, below your Care;
“In neither Child Griselda claims a Share.
“I too am Yours, in all and ev'ry Part,
“For when you gave your Hand, I gave my Heart.
“Not that I plead Affection, yet deny
“Obedience due; I own the forceful Tie.
“From that then blest to this still happy Day,
“(E'er-since You threw my rural Weeds away)
“Then I acknowledg'd, and acknowlege still,
“That with my Habit I depos'd my Will,
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“Griselda's Voice must still confirm your Voice,
“Urge what You urge, forbear what You forbear:
“I wait your Order, as your Dress I wear.
“Nay more: Had I your Thoughts by Prescience known,
“Such passive Duty had not now been shown.
“With your Felicity I cou'd not part,
“Tho' ev'ry String It tore that brac'd my Heart.
“Myself had been as forward to propose,
“And quell the Tumult, e'er so high it rose.
“But now that your Resolve is fully told,
“Determin'd as your own, my Purport hold.
“And were my Death but wanting to your Ease;
“Death wou'd I bear, to serve You, or to please.
“For Death, that weak or wicked Minds may move,
“Makes no Comparison to Loss of Love.”
Her steady Virtue fill'd Him with Surprise;
Long on the Ground He look'd with musing Eyes:
Then left her Presence, in Appearance, sad!
But glad at Heart! Cou'd such a Heart be glad!
Long on the Ground He look'd with musing Eyes:
Then left her Presence, in Appearance, sad!
But glad at Heart! Cou'd such a Heart be glad!
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And strait, the Ill-presaging Russian came,
The same in Gesture, and in Face the same.
Rude, as He seiz'd the Sister where She lay,
He seiz'd the Brother; or in ruder Way.
Worse than before, if worse He cou'd devise,
More insolent his Steps, more stern his Eyes.
A Scene, all human Nature must detest!
Yet cou'd the feeling Mother steel her Breast.
She clasp'd the Boy, then, (wonderful to tell!)
She gently kiss'd, and mildly bade farewell.
And thus address'd the Minister of Death:
“This let me crave, when He resigns his Breath,
“This (if your Lord object not) let me crave!
“Provide my little Son a decent Grave!
“His tender Limbs, full delicate to Sight,
“Protect from Birds by Day, and Beasts by Night!
She, humbly ask'd; He no Return affords:
Unless in Looks, more horrible than Words.
The same in Gesture, and in Face the same.
Rude, as He seiz'd the Sister where She lay,
He seiz'd the Brother; or in ruder Way.
Worse than before, if worse He cou'd devise,
More insolent his Steps, more stern his Eyes.
A Scene, all human Nature must detest!
Yet cou'd the feeling Mother steel her Breast.
She clasp'd the Boy, then, (wonderful to tell!)
She gently kiss'd, and mildly bade farewell.
And thus address'd the Minister of Death:
“This let me crave, when He resigns his Breath,
“This (if your Lord object not) let me crave!
“Provide my little Son a decent Grave!
“His tender Limbs, full delicate to Sight,
“Protect from Birds by Day, and Beasts by Night!
She, humbly ask'd; He no Return affords:
Unless in Looks, more horrible than Words.
Her Strength of Soul, Gaultherus more and more
Admir'd; a pure, but in-exhaustless Store!
Like Gold, extracted from long-hidden Mines,
That still the more 'tis try'd, the more refines.
Yet was He not content. To such a Bent
Of fix'd Mistrust, no Proof cou'd give Content.
For now, his Quiet studious to perplex,
He ruminates the Malice of the Sex!
The Face of Ease, that hides the secret Smart!
The Tongue, still-ready to bely the Heart!
And oft, had there been Room, He seem'd inclin'd,
To term her Patience, Cruelty of Mind!
Such dread Effusion of her Infant's Blood,
Unmov'd, what tender Mother had withstood?
And tho' He knew (by strict Observance prov'd)
That next to Him each tender Child She lov'd;
And, but that Him She lov'd, lov'd more than Life:
He doubts the Woman, forc'd to praise the Wife.
Admir'd; a pure, but in-exhaustless Store!
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That still the more 'tis try'd, the more refines.
Yet was He not content. To such a Bent
Of fix'd Mistrust, no Proof cou'd give Content.
For now, his Quiet studious to perplex,
He ruminates the Malice of the Sex!
The Face of Ease, that hides the secret Smart!
The Tongue, still-ready to bely the Heart!
And oft, had there been Room, He seem'd inclin'd,
To term her Patience, Cruelty of Mind!
Such dread Effusion of her Infant's Blood,
Unmov'd, what tender Mother had withstood?
And tho' He knew (by strict Observance prov'd)
That next to Him each tender Child She lov'd;
And, but that Him She lov'd, lov'd more than Life:
He doubts the Woman, forc'd to praise the Wife.
He waited, if in Look, or Word estrang'd,
Her Fondness lessen'd, or her Temper chang'd.
But neither Word nor Look admit a Doubt,
For all seem'd Peace within, and Joy without.
One Harmony of Face and Soul appears;
Days following Days, and Years succeeding Years.
More true as She advanc'd in Age, She grew;
(Cou'd genuin Truth be said to grow more true!)
As if by Nature, not by Marriage, join'd,
Two Forms were influenc'd by one Ruling Mind.
Whate'er he sought, seen or unseen his Aim,
Same as his Will, her Pleasure was the same.
She thought, 'twas not her Province to contest,
Her ready Faith suppos'd it for the Best.
Whether the lovely Offspring liv'd or dy'd;
Much tho' she fear'd, She cou'd not well decide;
But still her Soul this Principle maintain'd,
That if They dy'd, Gualtherus was constrain'd.
She judg'd it his Misfortune, not his Fault,
For much of his Humanity She thought;
And much of her Concern this Thought remov'd,
She knew, He cou'd not part with what He lov'd.
This Sacrifice, if boist'rous Faction claim'd,
She own'd, Hemust assent, nor cou'd be blam'd.
But was it possible to steer between
The Father and the Prince, and guard the Mean;
She cou'd not frame the Risque, He had not ran,
For so She took, nor so mistook the Man.
Hoping the Best, and to the Worst resign'd;
Such was her Force, and Confidence of Mind.
Her Fondness lessen'd, or her Temper chang'd.
But neither Word nor Look admit a Doubt,
For all seem'd Peace within, and Joy without.
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Days following Days, and Years succeeding Years.
More true as She advanc'd in Age, She grew;
(Cou'd genuin Truth be said to grow more true!)
As if by Nature, not by Marriage, join'd,
Two Forms were influenc'd by one Ruling Mind.
Whate'er he sought, seen or unseen his Aim,
Same as his Will, her Pleasure was the same.
She thought, 'twas not her Province to contest,
Her ready Faith suppos'd it for the Best.
Whether the lovely Offspring liv'd or dy'd;
Much tho' she fear'd, She cou'd not well decide;
But still her Soul this Principle maintain'd,
That if They dy'd, Gualtherus was constrain'd.
She judg'd it his Misfortune, not his Fault,
For much of his Humanity She thought;
And much of her Concern this Thought remov'd,
She knew, He cou'd not part with what He lov'd.
This Sacrifice, if boist'rous Faction claim'd,
She own'd, Hemust assent, nor cou'd be blam'd.
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The Father and the Prince, and guard the Mean;
She cou'd not frame the Risque, He had not ran,
For so She took, nor so mistook the Man.
Hoping the Best, and to the Worst resign'd;
Such was her Force, and Confidence of Mind.
Thro' all this mild Complacency of Life,
Fell She, as Mother, yet She rose as Wife.
No other Good, besides his Good, She knew,
Of Worldly Int'rest, or of Private View.
No Loss, beside his Loss, cou'd give Her Pain,
No Gain advantage Her, beside his Gain.
These were her Rules, these Hard but Golden Rules,
(Not well observ'd in Matrimonial Schools.)
Wives on their Husbands shou'd rely alone;
And by maturer Judgment mend their own.
Fell She, as Mother, yet She rose as Wife.
No other Good, besides his Good, She knew,
Of Worldly Int'rest, or of Private View.
No Loss, beside his Loss, cou'd give Her Pain,
No Gain advantage Her, beside his Gain.
These were her Rules, these Hard but Golden Rules,
(Not well observ'd in Matrimonial Schools.)
Wives on their Husbands shou'd rely alone;
And by maturer Judgment mend their own.
Not so the Subject; Where his Conduct fail'd,
More strict to mark, than where his Worth prevail'd.
Fond of Complaint, and ready of Surmise,
Each Princely Virtue, They cou'd turn to Vice.
That here much Cause was giv'n, (must be allow'd)
Much to alarm the Council and the Croud.
Dark the Design. And wide the Rumor spred,
And equal Horror and Compassion bred.
The Silence of the Court some Guilt confess'd;
The Children missing, Malice adds the Rest.
Doubtful as He in Conduct, They severe
In Censure, send the Tale from Ear to Ear.
“Gualtherus, by unthinking Love misled,
“First makes his Slave the Part'ner of his Bed.
“And then, the Stain impatient to indure,
“Adds to the vile Offence a viler Cure.
“But what had the long-suff'ring Mother done?
“(O'er Things unknown thus knowingly They run)
“The Children, What? Then, such unnat'ral Death,
“Giv'n by the Hand, that shou'd preserve their Breath!”
On Facts uncertain, while the Croud debate,
They hate, that lov'd; that lov'd not, doubly hate.
Loud was His Infamy, as once his Fame!
“A Murd'rer! an accurst, detested Name!
“A Villain, not from Passion, but Design!
“Abjur'd by Laws, both Human and Divine!”
Yet might the People murmur, or assent,
Gualtherus firm pursued his fixt Intent.
More strict to mark, than where his Worth prevail'd.
Fond of Complaint, and ready of Surmise,
Each Princely Virtue, They cou'd turn to Vice.
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Much to alarm the Council and the Croud.
Dark the Design. And wide the Rumor spred,
And equal Horror and Compassion bred.
The Silence of the Court some Guilt confess'd;
The Children missing, Malice adds the Rest.
Doubtful as He in Conduct, They severe
In Censure, send the Tale from Ear to Ear.
“Gualtherus, by unthinking Love misled,
“First makes his Slave the Part'ner of his Bed.
“And then, the Stain impatient to indure,
“Adds to the vile Offence a viler Cure.
“But what had the long-suff'ring Mother done?
“(O'er Things unknown thus knowingly They run)
“The Children, What? Then, such unnat'ral Death,
“Giv'n by the Hand, that shou'd preserve their Breath!”
On Facts uncertain, while the Croud debate,
They hate, that lov'd; that lov'd not, doubly hate.
Loud was His Infamy, as once his Fame!
“A Murd'rer! an accurst, detested Name!
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“Abjur'd by Laws, both Human and Divine!”
Yet might the People murmur, or assent,
Gualtherus firm pursued his fixt Intent.
But check a-while, my Muse, thy looser Rein,
To court the Judgment of the Female Train.
Full-fain wou'd I consult, in Time and Place,
Their learn'd Opinion; Doubtful is the Case.
Declare, Which, of the Two, was most to blame?
Was He too rigid, or was She too tame?
Each Husband left sole Arbiter of Life,
What wou'd become of many an honest Wife?
What wou'd She suffer, sentenc'd to submit,
From all his Pride of Sense, and Spleen of Wit?
Or grant such Trials, as Griselda ran,
May show, that Woman is the Slave of Man;
Say, might not these for any Wife suffice?
What cou'd a harden'd Husband more devise?
To Try her Faith? Her Constancy to prove?
Great, You must own, her Patience, and her Love.
To court the Judgment of the Female Train.
Full-fain wou'd I consult, in Time and Place,
Their learn'd Opinion; Doubtful is the Case.
Declare, Which, of the Two, was most to blame?
Was He too rigid, or was She too tame?
Each Husband left sole Arbiter of Life,
What wou'd become of many an honest Wife?
What wou'd She suffer, sentenc'd to submit,
From all his Pride of Sense, and Spleen of Wit?
Or grant such Trials, as Griselda ran,
May show, that Woman is the Slave of Man;
Say, might not these for any Wife suffice?
What cou'd a harden'd Husband more devise?
To Try her Faith? Her Constancy to prove?
Great, You must own, her Patience, and her Love.
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But 'tis a Truth the Sex need not be told,
That Men are model'd in a various Mold.
And Some, as old and new Experience finds,
Indued with most perverse unyielding Minds.
In These, whatever Sense first strikes their Thought,
(Or wrong or right) th' Impression deep is wrought;
Dying, They keep the first Resolves They make,
Bound to Opinion, as a Bear to Stake.
If properly the Object strikes his Sight,
'Tis great good Luck, the Obstinate goes right.
But sure the Chance is more than equal found,
That wrong He goes, yet travels round and round.
Submit, intreat, diversify, explain,
Inlarge, confirm, confute: The Task is vain.
To satisfy the Purport of his Will,
Th' Event must follow, be it Good or Ill!
That Men are model'd in a various Mold.
And Some, as old and new Experience finds,
Indued with most perverse unyielding Minds.
In These, whatever Sense first strikes their Thought,
(Or wrong or right) th' Impression deep is wrought;
Dying, They keep the first Resolves They make,
Bound to Opinion, as a Bear to Stake.
If properly the Object strikes his Sight,
'Tis great good Luck, the Obstinate goes right.
But sure the Chance is more than equal found,
That wrong He goes, yet travels round and round.
Submit, intreat, diversify, explain,
Inlarge, confirm, confute: The Task is vain.
To satisfy the Purport of his Will,
Th' Event must follow, be it Good or Ill!
Twice, from the Nuptial Day, sev'n Years were told,
And twice seven Years the Nuptial Trials hold.
Each Proof severe, Griselda firmly pass'd,
Yet One remain'd behind, the Worst, tho' Last.
A Doubt, He rais'd, and nourish'd in his Breast;
Nor, till He found the Truth, cou'd think of Rest.
And twice seven Years the Nuptial Trials hold.
Each Proof severe, Griselda firmly pass'd,
Yet One remain'd behind, the Worst, tho' Last.
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Nor, till He found the Truth, cou'd think of Rest.
“There are (He judg'd) a Race of selfish Mind,
“That own no Tie of Nature, or of Kind.
“Who rigidly their Breasts to Others steel;
“Yet, for Themselves, most sensibly They feel.
“Such hear, with equal Ease, the parting Groan
“Of Them They never knew, or long have known.
“And view the Wreck, without Distress or Care,
“Of Those that bore Them, or of Those They bear.
“No Partner, They, of joint Affection, own;
“Their Pleasure, and their Pain is Self alone.
“And such She is, or what, I'm yet to learn!—
“Hence, her Submission! Hence, her Unconcern!
“If try'd in Self, She ends as She began,
“She must be more than Woman, more than Man!”
“That own no Tie of Nature, or of Kind.
“Who rigidly their Breasts to Others steel;
“Yet, for Themselves, most sensibly They feel.
“Such hear, with equal Ease, the parting Groan
“Of Them They never knew, or long have known.
“And view the Wreck, without Distress or Care,
“Of Those that bore Them, or of Those They bear.
“No Partner, They, of joint Affection, own;
“Their Pleasure, and their Pain is Self alone.
“And such She is, or what, I'm yet to learn!—
“Hence, her Submission! Hence, her Unconcern!
“If try'd in Self, She ends as She began,
“She must be more than Woman, more than Man!”
Thus He; such early Prejudice He nurst;
That the last Trial but includes the first.
For This, a Messenger to Rome He sent,
(Now was the Time to give the Scruple Vent.)
In legal Phrase, the Marriage to annull,
And counterfeit in Form the Papal Bull.
His hasty Passions to this Course incline,
The shortest Way to answer his Design.
“Take, for your Plan, some old Pontific Frame;
“Fashion'd anew, the Use will be the same.”
That the last Trial but includes the first.
For This, a Messenger to Rome He sent,
(Now was the Time to give the Scruple Vent.)
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And counterfeit in Form the Papal Bull.
His hasty Passions to this Course incline,
The shortest Way to answer his Design.
“Take, for your Plan, some old Pontific Frame;
“Fashion'd anew, the Use will be the same.”
At Rome, the Messenger arriv'd, and sped;
A forging Hand, He found, and scheming Head.
Nor well cou'd fail in that prolific Court,
Where Surrogates, Scribes, Proctors, Priests, resort.
Twas model'd, Like to Like, and Word for Word;
He sends a formal Copy to his Lord:
Who, as He us'd on Points of high Debate,
Conven'd all Orders that compos'd the State.
A forging Hand, He found, and scheming Head.
Nor well cou'd fail in that prolific Court,
Where Surrogates, Scribes, Proctors, Priests, resort.
Twas model'd, Like to Like, and Word for Word;
He sends a formal Copy to his Lord:
Who, as He us'd on Points of high Debate,
Conven'd all Orders that compos'd the State.
Summon'd, They meet; The Prince assumes the Throne:
Then thus, with sterner Brow, and haughtier Tone.
“Content, as fortunate, in Single Life,
“You forc'd Me on that dang'rous Rock, a Wife!
“A Wife I chose, (nor now disguise the Truth)
“From Heat of Blood, th' Intemperance of Youth.
“One, whose excelling Form my Passion mov'd,
“I lov'd; and All seem'd Right, because I lov'd.
“No other was my Motive, or my Aim,
“I neither sought your Interest, nor my Fame.
“My riper Age this Folly wou'd attone,
“Strength to your State, and Lustre to my Throne,
“I wou'd acquire, in Kindred Grandeur ty'd;
“The Fair, to great Peganus, near ally'd.
“For This, the Papal Chair our Envoy moves,
“The State will sanction, what the Church approves.
Then thus, with sterner Brow, and haughtier Tone.
“Content, as fortunate, in Single Life,
“You forc'd Me on that dang'rous Rock, a Wife!
“A Wife I chose, (nor now disguise the Truth)
“From Heat of Blood, th' Intemperance of Youth.
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“I lov'd; and All seem'd Right, because I lov'd.
“No other was my Motive, or my Aim,
“I neither sought your Interest, nor my Fame.
“My riper Age this Folly wou'd attone,
“Strength to your State, and Lustre to my Throne,
“I wou'd acquire, in Kindred Grandeur ty'd;
“The Fair, to great Peganus, near ally'd.
“For This, the Papal Chair our Envoy moves,
“The State will sanction, what the Church approves.
A long and hoarse Applause th' Assembly roars,
Like rolling Waves that murmur to the Shores.
These, Slaves by Nature, born to bear the Rod,
Swallow'd his Words, as Oracles from God.
Those, from long Habit, custom'd to the Bit,
Their Duty thought, to hear and to submit.
Others, approv'd It not, yet not withstood,
From frigid Virtue, indolently good.
But Some, from sordid, or ambitious Views,
Prais'd the Design, and pray'd, “No Time He'd lose.”
And so had acted, was the Case his own,
And good Gualtherus sentenc'd from the Throne.
Like rolling Waves that murmur to the Shores.
These, Slaves by Nature, born to bear the Rod,
Swallow'd his Words, as Oracles from God.
Those, from long Habit, custom'd to the Bit,
Their Duty thought, to hear and to submit.
Others, approv'd It not, yet not withstood,
From frigid Virtue, indolently good.
But Some, from sordid, or ambitious Views,
Prais'd the Design, and pray'd, “No Time He'd lose.”
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And good Gualtherus sentenc'd from the Throne.
Yet Some, of nobler Soul, but These were few,
Place all Griselda's Merit full in View;
Her Worth, of Private and of Public Kind,
Her blameless Conduct, and unerring Mind.
And with bold Truth, and gen'rous Ardor plead,
Th' Injustice, and Dishonor of the Deed.
Tho' Prince and Subject join'd their gen'ral Voice,
No Pow'r cou'd authorise the guilty Choice.
Let Pope and Synod their whole Strength unite,
That which is Wrong, They never cou'd make Right.
“Repudiate, without Cause, the faultless Dame?
“'Twas Tyranny! It soil'd a Life of Fame!
“They humbly differ'd, and the harsh Divorce
“They cou'd not counsel! 'Twas an Act of Force!”
Place all Griselda's Merit full in View;
Her Worth, of Private and of Public Kind,
Her blameless Conduct, and unerring Mind.
And with bold Truth, and gen'rous Ardor plead,
Th' Injustice, and Dishonor of the Deed.
Tho' Prince and Subject join'd their gen'ral Voice,
No Pow'r cou'd authorise the guilty Choice.
Let Pope and Synod their whole Strength unite,
That which is Wrong, They never cou'd make Right.
“Repudiate, without Cause, the faultless Dame?
“'Twas Tyranny! It soil'd a Life of Fame!
“They humbly differ'd, and the harsh Divorce
“They cou'd not counsel! 'Twas an Act of Force!”
Here, rising, “'Tis my Will, (He said) Withdraw”—
Nor till that Hour had urg'd his Will for Law.
Nor till that Hour had urg'd his Will for Law.
Meantime, the trusty Guard returns from Rome;
And all Saluzzo mourns Griselda's Doom.
None penetrate the Fraud, or doubt a Wile,
So was It fram'd in true Pontific Stile!
So fraught with Church Sufficiency and Pride.
And thus the Apostolic Roll imply'd.
And all Saluzzo mourns Griselda's Doom.
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So was It fram'd in true Pontific Stile!
So fraught with Church Sufficiency and Pride.
And thus the Apostolic Roll imply'd.
“That He, the Delegate of God, the Pope,
“Their Heav'nly Guide, and their Terrestrial Hope,
“In kind Compliance to his Son's Request,
“(Weighing the People's Good, and Prince's Rest)
“Did, and Hereby, Authority had giv'n,
“(In Virtue of his Right deriv'd from Heav'n)
“To nullify the Marriage from that Hour,
“Save, to the Wife whate'er She brought in Dow'r;
“With sundry meanless Items, queint and old;
“So sign'd! So seal'd! So witness'd! So inroll'd!—”
To this, was added, for the Subject's Ease,
A Load of Pardons, and at mod'rate Fees.
“Their Heav'nly Guide, and their Terrestrial Hope,
“In kind Compliance to his Son's Request,
“(Weighing the People's Good, and Prince's Rest)
“Did, and Hereby, Authority had giv'n,
“(In Virtue of his Right deriv'd from Heav'n)
“To nullify the Marriage from that Hour,
“Save, to the Wife whate'er She brought in Dow'r;
“With sundry meanless Items, queint and old;
“So sign'd! So seal'd! So witness'd! So inroll'd!—”
To this, was added, for the Subject's Ease,
A Load of Pardons, and at mod'rate Fees.
Handed from Heav'n the Scrole, the Croud believ'd;
To Slav'ry prone, and form'd to be deceiv'd.
Moles, that in Darkness center'd their Delight!
The Day, to Them, had been a Pain of Sight!
“The Pope, infallible, with one Accord,
“They held, nor less infallible their Lord.
“For what their Lord requir'd, the Pope allow'd.”
Take but in largest Sense the Term of Croud!
Nor try'd by Fortune, nor by Birth defin'd,
But Honesty of Heart, and Worth of Mind.
Without these Qualities, let Princes know,
They are themselves the Vulgar, and the Low.
To Slav'ry prone, and form'd to be deceiv'd.
Moles, that in Darkness center'd their Delight!
The Day, to Them, had been a Pain of Sight!
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“They held, nor less infallible their Lord.
“For what their Lord requir'd, the Pope allow'd.”
Take but in largest Sense the Term of Croud!
Nor try'd by Fortune, nor by Birth defin'd,
But Honesty of Heart, and Worth of Mind.
Without these Qualities, let Princes know,
They are themselves the Vulgar, and the Low.
The rude Saluzzians swallow'd all the Bait,
(I mean the Number of the Small and Great)
“In Heav'n, They own'd all Marriages were made,
“Yet was the Prince by Heat of Youth betray'd.
“If then contracted Parties disagree,
“Apply to Whom, but Him that keeps the Key?
“What other Pow'r cou'd finish the Debate,
“And shut and ope the Matrimonial Gate?”
(I mean the Number of the Small and Great)
“In Heav'n, They own'd all Marriages were made,
“Yet was the Prince by Heat of Youth betray'd.
“If then contracted Parties disagree,
“Apply to Whom, but Him that keeps the Key?
“What other Pow'r cou'd finish the Debate,
“And shut and ope the Matrimonial Gate?”
There wanted not, in all her Doubts and Fears,
Some to convince Griselda's Eyes and Ears.
Prompt to insinuate what the Prince intends,
(And These, the formost of her Female Friends)
With cruel Pity They lament her Fate,
“So alter'd He, and so estrang'd of Late!’
Others, maliciously, to hurt her Rest,
Who thought in Silence They had read her Breast,
“Urge the Barbarity, that cou'd destroy,
“By Turns, the lovely Girl, and hopeful Boy.”
Others, to like Humanity inclin'd,
“Hint at the Bride, and the Divorce design'd;
“And were They bound to lead so curst a Life,
“Wou'd rather be the Relict, than the Wife!”
To This, She own'd, “Appearances were strong,
“But yet, She cou'd not think He cou'd do Wrong.”
Some to convince Griselda's Eyes and Ears.
Prompt to insinuate what the Prince intends,
(And These, the formost of her Female Friends)
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“So alter'd He, and so estrang'd of Late!’
Others, maliciously, to hurt her Rest,
Who thought in Silence They had read her Breast,
“Urge the Barbarity, that cou'd destroy,
“By Turns, the lovely Girl, and hopeful Boy.”
Others, to like Humanity inclin'd,
“Hint at the Bride, and the Divorce design'd;
“And were They bound to lead so curst a Life,
“Wou'd rather be the Relict, than the Wife!”
To This, She own'd, “Appearances were strong,
“But yet, She cou'd not think He cou'd do Wrong.”
What Force of Virtue cou'd the Shock sustain?
Love, so severely try'd, yet try'd in vain!
And, tho' her Looks no Change unusual show,
Full deep her Heart, I deem, was charg'd with Woe.
But, humble tho' her Birth, her Soul was great;
Form'd to indure the worst Extreme of Fate:
Fix'd, from his Pleasure, never to depart,
To Whom, She gave her Innocence, and Heart.
Free was her Breast from Sighs, her Face from Tears,
Tho' well confirm'd th' unwelcome News She hears;
Knows, on what Message, and with what Intent,
The frequent Envoys to Bulogna went.
Where rich Peganus rul'd with peaceful Sword,
Whose Wife was Sister to her faithless Lord.
This Princess, with humaner Talents blest,
A Mind, resplendent as her State, possess'd.
To learn her Manners, foreign Dames resort;
The Virtues, not the Vices, of a Court.
Among the Rest, a Maid excelling fair,
Was still distinguish'd with peculiar Care,
Bred from an Infant, tho' of Birth unknown,
The Royal Pair respect Her as their own.
And Her, 'twas rumor'd, on his Change of Life,
The Marquis of Saluzzo chose for Wife;
To dignify his State, adorn his Bed:
And wide the Fame malicious Echo spred.
“That now Griselda must resign her Claim,
“For from Bulogna a new Consort came;
“Bright as the Sun, and youthful as the Day,
“With splendid Equipage, and rich Array.
“The great Peganus, to augment her State,
“With all his noble Lords in Order wait;
“The Kindred Maid respectfully to guide,
“And Her young Brother, riding by her Side:
“Who to Saluzzo shap'd direct their Way,
“The distant Journey lessening, Day by Day.”
Love, so severely try'd, yet try'd in vain!
And, tho' her Looks no Change unusual show,
Full deep her Heart, I deem, was charg'd with Woe.
But, humble tho' her Birth, her Soul was great;
Form'd to indure the worst Extreme of Fate:
Fix'd, from his Pleasure, never to depart,
To Whom, She gave her Innocence, and Heart.
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Tho' well confirm'd th' unwelcome News She hears;
Knows, on what Message, and with what Intent,
The frequent Envoys to Bulogna went.
Where rich Peganus rul'd with peaceful Sword,
Whose Wife was Sister to her faithless Lord.
This Princess, with humaner Talents blest,
A Mind, resplendent as her State, possess'd.
To learn her Manners, foreign Dames resort;
The Virtues, not the Vices, of a Court.
Among the Rest, a Maid excelling fair,
Was still distinguish'd with peculiar Care,
Bred from an Infant, tho' of Birth unknown,
The Royal Pair respect Her as their own.
And Her, 'twas rumor'd, on his Change of Life,
The Marquis of Saluzzo chose for Wife;
To dignify his State, adorn his Bed:
And wide the Fame malicious Echo spred.
“That now Griselda must resign her Claim,
“For from Bulogna a new Consort came;
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“With splendid Equipage, and rich Array.
“The great Peganus, to augment her State,
“With all his noble Lords in Order wait;
“The Kindred Maid respectfully to guide,
“And Her young Brother, riding by her Side:
“Who to Saluzzo shap'd direct their Way,
“The distant Journey lessening, Day by Day.”
Say, was not This sufficient to molest?—
The hard Gualtherus might have spar'd the Rest.
Thro' Silence some Humanity had shone,
Pity might lessen Wrong, tho' not atone.
But He, when full the Court, to tempt Her more,
Thus spoke, in boist'rous Terms, unus'd before.
The hard Gualtherus might have spar'd the Rest.
Thro' Silence some Humanity had shone,
Pity might lessen Wrong, tho' not atone.
But He, when full the Court, to tempt Her more,
Thus spoke, in boist'rous Terms, unus'd before.
“Not much displeas'd, tho' chose from humble Life,
“I saw You fill the Station of a Wife.
“Not for your Beauty, Birth, or Wealth, or Youth.
“But for your Duty, Faith, and Love, and Truth.
“Yet, now I find, by sad Experience wise,
“That in great Lordship, greater Slav'ry lies.
“To This conspir'd my Fortune and my Fate;
“Tho' Prince, yet lowest Vassal in the State.
“Debarr'd, where ev'ry Swain may use his Voice,
“Freedom of Will, and Liberty of Choice.
“A Wife to wed, the Public Care ordains,
“And now, to quit that wedded Wife constrains;
“A new, is sought: Nor is the rising Flood
“Of factious Discontent, to be withstood.
“For This, full Pow'r to loose my former Vows,
“Th' indulgent Father of the Church allows.
“And a new Bride is chose, and on the Way,
“To obviate all Suspense, and all Delay.
“Be strong of Heart, and void anon the Place.
“Yet This I grant You. Take it as a Grace.
“All that You brought Me, on the Nuptial Hour,
“I grant You. Take it All! That Princely Dow'r!
“But well wou'd You observe, What I advise;
“Know, They, can never fall, that never rise.
“Then chuse an Equal, on the peaceful Plains,
“And live the little Princess of the Swains!
“Lost to a Palace, in a Cottage rest.
“None may presume, for ever to be Blest.
“Yet, this Celestial Gift to All is sent,
“To bear the Stroke of Fortune with Content.”
“I saw You fill the Station of a Wife.
“Not for your Beauty, Birth, or Wealth, or Youth.
“But for your Duty, Faith, and Love, and Truth.
“Yet, now I find, by sad Experience wise,
“That in great Lordship, greater Slav'ry lies.
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“Tho' Prince, yet lowest Vassal in the State.
“Debarr'd, where ev'ry Swain may use his Voice,
“Freedom of Will, and Liberty of Choice.
“A Wife to wed, the Public Care ordains,
“And now, to quit that wedded Wife constrains;
“A new, is sought: Nor is the rising Flood
“Of factious Discontent, to be withstood.
“For This, full Pow'r to loose my former Vows,
“Th' indulgent Father of the Church allows.
“And a new Bride is chose, and on the Way,
“To obviate all Suspense, and all Delay.
“Be strong of Heart, and void anon the Place.
“Yet This I grant You. Take it as a Grace.
“All that You brought Me, on the Nuptial Hour,
“I grant You. Take it All! That Princely Dow'r!
“But well wou'd You observe, What I advise;
“Know, They, can never fall, that never rise.
“Then chuse an Equal, on the peaceful Plains,
“And live the little Princess of the Swains!
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“None may presume, for ever to be Blest.
“Yet, this Celestial Gift to All is sent,
“To bear the Stroke of Fortune with Content.”
“I am not now to learn (She strait replies)
“The wond'rous Distance that between Us lies.
“Me, not your partial Choice, cou'd worthy make,
“To share your Grandeur, or your Bed partake.
“Yet if this House, (as Heav'n may Witness bear)
“I enter'd Wife, I liv'd not Mistress there.
“As best became, I study'd to behave,
“As One, above your Slaves, your humblest Slave.
“That there so long, I held the foremost Place,
“I think it not my Merit, but your Grace.
“And if a fitter Consort You require,
“Content, to my Paternal Cot retire;
“Humbly to dwell, where humbly I was bred:
“Nor share your Grandeur, nor partake your Bed.
“The wond'rous Distance that between Us lies.
“Me, not your partial Choice, cou'd worthy make,
“To share your Grandeur, or your Bed partake.
“Yet if this House, (as Heav'n may Witness bear)
“I enter'd Wife, I liv'd not Mistress there.
“As best became, I study'd to behave,
“As One, above your Slaves, your humblest Slave.
“That there so long, I held the foremost Place,
“I think it not my Merit, but your Grace.
“And if a fitter Consort You require,
“Content, to my Paternal Cot retire;
“Humbly to dwell, where humbly I was bred:
“Nor share your Grandeur, nor partake your Bed.
“There, clean of Heart, the Widow, as the Bride,
“Will live, if not to You, to None ally'd.
“Nor shall it be my Blot, while Life remain,
“To soil your Choice by any vulgar Stain.
“That once You deign'd to join Me to your Side;
“This Thought let Me indulge of Royal Pride.
“This single Thought! May Heav'n propitious grant,
“In Her You chuse, the Wealth and Birth I want.
“Pleas'd, for your Good, the Station to resign,
“That was my Bliss, that once, my Lord, was Thine.
“Thence, priz'd by Me. Disturb'd if I depart,
“'Tis not, to lose your Fortune, but your Heart.
“Will live, if not to You, to None ally'd.
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“To soil your Choice by any vulgar Stain.
“That once You deign'd to join Me to your Side;
“This Thought let Me indulge of Royal Pride.
“This single Thought! May Heav'n propitious grant,
“In Her You chuse, the Wealth and Birth I want.
“Pleas'd, for your Good, the Station to resign,
“That was my Bliss, that once, my Lord, was Thine.
“Thence, priz'd by Me. Disturb'd if I depart,
“'Tis not, to lose your Fortune, but your Heart.
“Such Dow'r You proffer Me as first I brought;
“Those rustic Weeds! Yet where may Those be sought?
“Well I remember, on the Nuptial Hour,
“With Scorn, You threw aside that wretched Dow'r.
“Far other then, your Gesture, and your Mind!
“In Look, how gentle! And in Speech, how kind!
“But I have heard, and prov'd the Saying true;
“Love is not, when 'tis old, what 'twas when new.
“Yet, shall no Fear of Death constrain my Will,
“(Death the last Line of Human Good and Ill!)
“Low as I fall, at Fortune to repine,
“Proud of the Thought, that once your Heart was mine.
“Then, when You rais'd your Vassal to your Breast,
“And rudely clad before, full richly dress'd;
“Obedient Duty, and unspotted Fame,
“Was all I brought. No other Dow'r I claim.
“Those rustic Weeds! Yet where may Those be sought?
“Well I remember, on the Nuptial Hour,
“With Scorn, You threw aside that wretched Dow'r.
“Far other then, your Gesture, and your Mind!
“In Look, how gentle! And in Speech, how kind!
“But I have heard, and prov'd the Saying true;
“Love is not, when 'tis old, what 'twas when new.
“Yet, shall no Fear of Death constrain my Will,
“(Death the last Line of Human Good and Ill!)
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“Proud of the Thought, that once your Heart was mine.
“Then, when You rais'd your Vassal to your Breast,
“And rudely clad before, full richly dress'd;
“Obedient Duty, and unspotted Fame,
“Was all I brought. No other Dow'r I claim.
“But why recall to Mind that blissful Day?
“You wish It had not been, and I obey.
“Then down I lay this Scepter from my Hand,
“(Here, never borne, as Symbol of Command!)
“Cast, from my Head, this decorated Crown,
“And from my Body, loose this ermin'd Gown.
“And last this Ring, (This last let me restore!)
“What, with unwearied Constancy I wore.
“Lodg'd, in the Stores, the Rest your Orders wait;
“Your Gifts of Love! Or Ornaments of State!
“You wish It had not been, and I obey.
“Then down I lay this Scepter from my Hand,
“(Here, never borne, as Symbol of Command!)
“Cast, from my Head, this decorated Crown,
“And from my Body, loose this ermin'd Gown.
“And last this Ring, (This last let me restore!)
“What, with unwearied Constancy I wore.
“Lodg'd, in the Stores, the Rest your Orders wait;
“Your Gifts of Love! Or Ornaments of State!
“Naked I came, and naked I return,
“Nor must I, since It suits your Grandeur, mourn.
“This only let me beg, nor beg in vain,
“For What I brought, and never can regain!
“For all my Duty, Faith, and Love, and Truth!
“Untainted Chastity! Unpractis'd Youth!
“Years, that I pass'd! And Children that I bore!
“(The last unguarded Words She hurried o'er.)
“Grant me such Cloaths as fit Griselda best,
“A Common Garment, and a Rustic Vest.
“An Outcast let me be. Yet This I pray,
“Let me not, like a Worm, go by the Way;
“The People's Laughter, and their Lord's Disgrace.
“For this may cast below my Servile Race!
“Below her State, that once was call'd your Wife!
“None, with Immodesty, can tax my Life.”
“Nor must I, since It suits your Grandeur, mourn.
“This only let me beg, nor beg in vain,
“For What I brought, and never can regain!
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“Untainted Chastity! Unpractis'd Youth!
“Years, that I pass'd! And Children that I bore!
“(The last unguarded Words She hurried o'er.)
“Grant me such Cloaths as fit Griselda best,
“A Common Garment, and a Rustic Vest.
“An Outcast let me be. Yet This I pray,
“Let me not, like a Worm, go by the Way;
“The People's Laughter, and their Lord's Disgrace.
“For this may cast below my Servile Race!
“Below her State, that once was call'd your Wife!
“None, with Immodesty, can tax my Life.”
With Dignity unalter'd This She said,
Her Cheeks alone effus'd a warmer Red.
Compos'd, tho' pain'd! Determin'd, tho' distrest!
The Prince was mov'd, as every Eye confess'd.
“Your Vest Retain” (impassion'd He reply'd)
“But quit all other Marks of stately Pride.”
He cou'd no more.—His Voice its Utt'rance lost,
And this last Proof He tempted to his Cost.
Silent He stood, with agitated Breast;
But his Look witness'd many a Sigh supprest.
Yet Tears wou'd flow, a voluntary Tide,
And These He strove, and strove in vain to hide.
His Heart, against his stubborn Will, conspir'd;
Aside, He turn'd; and hastily, retir'd.
Her Cheeks alone effus'd a warmer Red.
Compos'd, tho' pain'd! Determin'd, tho' distrest!
The Prince was mov'd, as every Eye confess'd.
“Your Vest Retain” (impassion'd He reply'd)
“But quit all other Marks of stately Pride.”
He cou'd no more.—His Voice its Utt'rance lost,
And this last Proof He tempted to his Cost.
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But his Look witness'd many a Sigh supprest.
Yet Tears wou'd flow, a voluntary Tide,
And These He strove, and strove in vain to hide.
His Heart, against his stubborn Will, conspir'd;
Aside, He turn'd; and hastily, retir'd.
Her Condescension struck so strong a Light;
It fill'd the Court with Horror and Affright,
“May I be never to such Ill betray'd!”
In Silence sigh'd the unexperienc'd Maid.
Each Widow, to her Secret Friend, alone,
Whisper'd, “Thus treated, He had had his own.”
And ev'ry Wife attested Earth and Heav'n,
“Twas a mean Act, a bad Example giv'n!
And ancient Maid, with ancient Maid began;
“How great our 'Scape, Who never yet knew Man!”
It fill'd the Court with Horror and Affright,
“May I be never to such Ill betray'd!”
In Silence sigh'd the unexperienc'd Maid.
Each Widow, to her Secret Friend, alone,
Whisper'd, “Thus treated, He had had his own.”
And ev'ry Wife attested Earth and Heav'n,
“Twas a mean Act, a bad Example giv'n!
And ancient Maid, with ancient Maid began;
“How great our 'Scape, Who never yet knew Man!”
Meantime Griselda secretly withdrew,
And disarray'd Her, safe from public View.
Conforming, far as Decency allow'd,
She shun'd the Noble and Ignoble Croud.
All, that She cou'd, She left of her Attire,
And no Intrusion furth'ring her Desire;
The Postern Gate She pass'd, the publick Street
With naked Head She gain'd, and naked Feet.
And disarray'd Her, safe from public View.
Conforming, far as Decency allow'd,
She shun'd the Noble and Ignoble Croud.
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And no Intrusion furth'ring her Desire;
The Postern Gate She pass'd, the publick Street
With naked Head She gain'd, and naked Feet.
But soon the Croud her noted Form descry'd,
And pour'd before, behind, on ev'ry Side.
Down hast Thou laid, in vain hast Thou laid down,
Thy Robe, thy Ring, thy Scepter, and thy Crown!
Stript of thy State, thy native State They find;
Grandeur of Mein! And Majesty of Mind!
Exil'd in Thee, thy Exile They attend;
The Friendless, that, in Thee, still found a Friend!
The Motherless, that met a Mother's Care!
For 'twas thy Good, thy Good with all to share!
Hence, bare-foot as She trod the flinty Road,
Their Vestments o'er the rugged Way They strow'd.
And not one Breast refus'd a pitying Sigh;
Void of a Tear was not one melting Eye;
Grief in each Voice, and Face, exprest, and shown!
In ev'ry Voice and Face, except her own!
Tho' loud They spred her Praise, and urg'd her Wrong;
She curb'd Resentment, and restrain'd her Tongue!
Silent She mov'd, majestically slow,
As One, in Pain that pleasur'd, joy'd in Woe!
And pour'd before, behind, on ev'ry Side.
Down hast Thou laid, in vain hast Thou laid down,
Thy Robe, thy Ring, thy Scepter, and thy Crown!
Stript of thy State, thy native State They find;
Grandeur of Mein! And Majesty of Mind!
Exil'd in Thee, thy Exile They attend;
The Friendless, that, in Thee, still found a Friend!
The Motherless, that met a Mother's Care!
For 'twas thy Good, thy Good with all to share!
Hence, bare-foot as She trod the flinty Road,
Their Vestments o'er the rugged Way They strow'd.
And not one Breast refus'd a pitying Sigh;
Void of a Tear was not one melting Eye;
Grief in each Voice, and Face, exprest, and shown!
In ev'ry Voice and Face, except her own!
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She curb'd Resentment, and restrain'd her Tongue!
Silent She mov'd, majestically slow,
As One, in Pain that pleasur'd, joy'd in Woe!
But wicked Fame precedes with nimbler Tread,
The Father reaching in his homely Sted.
And tho' the long Neglect, Year after Year,
Had caus'd Him many a Sigh, and many a Tear.
Never to touch the Court on Pain enjoin'd;
Whence, proud, He thought, his Prince, or Child, unkind!
Yet musing with himself, full oft He said;
“By Force of Love, Gualtherus was misled,
“That Fire once cool'd, his Lust will yield to Pride,
“And the Wife fall a Victim to the Bride.”
The Father reaching in his homely Sted.
And tho' the long Neglect, Year after Year,
Had caus'd Him many a Sigh, and many a Tear.
Never to touch the Court on Pain enjoin'd;
Whence, proud, He thought, his Prince, or Child, unkind!
Yet musing with himself, full oft He said;
“By Force of Love, Gualtherus was misled,
“That Fire once cool'd, his Lust will yield to Pride,
“And the Wife fall a Victim to the Bride.”
Tho' Length of Time had fortify'd his Breast,
The sudden Rumor rous'd Him from his Rest.
His Cloaths, from off his aged Breast, He tears,
From off his aged Head his hoary Hairs.
Devotes the Light, and deprecates the Day,
And Life, impairing with too slow Decay.
Then seeks, with anxious Care, his Rustic Hoard,
Where his fond Heart her Virgin Habit stor'd;
Sav'd, to indulge his Mind and to imploy,
In pleasing Pain, and melancholy Joy.
Now, found of Use! He speeds with feeble Haste,
Cover'd his Child, lamented, and imbrac'd.
The sudden Rumor rous'd Him from his Rest.
His Cloaths, from off his aged Breast, He tears,
From off his aged Head his hoary Hairs.
Devotes the Light, and deprecates the Day,
And Life, impairing with too slow Decay.
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Where his fond Heart her Virgin Habit stor'd;
Sav'd, to indulge his Mind and to imploy,
In pleasing Pain, and melancholy Joy.
Now, found of Use! He speeds with feeble Haste,
Cover'd his Child, lamented, and imbrac'd.
Here, for a Space, remain'd the Patient Wife,
And, thrown from great, returns to vulgar Life.
Yet never once was heard her Lord to blame,
Tho' spirited by many a busy Dame.
Above the Pow'r of Fortune, or of Fate,
She rose, in Good, or Ill, alike sedate!
In Good, against Distress, She arm'd her still,
And still prepar'd Her, for Success, in Ill.
This was her Character, by All allow'd,
“Virtuous, tho' Beautiful! Tho' Great, not Proud!
“Discreet, as Witty! Sprightly, as Serene!
“Sage, but not Sad! And Humble, but not Mean!”
And, thrown from great, returns to vulgar Life.
Yet never once was heard her Lord to blame,
Tho' spirited by many a busy Dame.
Above the Pow'r of Fortune, or of Fate,
She rose, in Good, or Ill, alike sedate!
In Good, against Distress, She arm'd her still,
And still prepar'd Her, for Success, in Ill.
This was her Character, by All allow'd,
“Virtuous, tho' Beautiful! Tho' Great, not Proud!
“Discreet, as Witty! Sprightly, as Serene!
“Sage, but not Sad! And Humble, but not Mean!”
On Job, Priests flourish still, with wond'rous Ease,
And Priests on Job may flourish, if They please.
We mean not, here, to enter the Dispute.
Yet Priests can prove, a Woman is a Brute;
And, (when it serves their Turn) a Man, a God:
But 'tis the safest Way to kiss the Rod.
Yet when the Man of Uz, whose perfect Life
They gloss, and blazon the intemp'rate Wife,
Who bade Him to his Face, curse God and die;
Mean They the Sex? Sure, Priests may err or lye!
Yet, not to stab the Church, but gently probe,
I say, Griselda far transcended Job!
And fast as Men, cou'd Women Texts expound,
As many Female Suff'rers wou'd be found!
Women than Men, more patient, and more true!
This is my Faith,—But then, It holds of Few.
And Priests on Job may flourish, if They please.
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Yet Priests can prove, a Woman is a Brute;
And, (when it serves their Turn) a Man, a God:
But 'tis the safest Way to kiss the Rod.
Yet when the Man of Uz, whose perfect Life
They gloss, and blazon the intemp'rate Wife,
Who bade Him to his Face, curse God and die;
Mean They the Sex? Sure, Priests may err or lye!
Yet, not to stab the Church, but gently probe,
I say, Griselda far transcended Job!
And fast as Men, cou'd Women Texts expound,
As many Female Suff'rers wou'd be found!
Women than Men, more patient, and more true!
This is my Faith,—But then, It holds of Few.
Gualtherus, his Emotion, soon repress'd,
Resum'd his Mind, and fortify'd his Breast.
“Wond'rous her Faith, (He commun'd with his Heart)
“Wond'rous her Love, if free from female Art!
“To bear submissive, such repeated Wrongs,
“That Temper, rarely, to that Sex belongs!
“Nor ev'n to seek, from Words, or Sighs Relief!
“Was It, Excess of Patience, or of Grief?
“Again, not once reproach, not once withstand!
“'Twas great Disguise of Soul, or great Command!
“Sustain such Weight of Woe with tearless Eyes!—
“But, to the Covert, for Relief She flies.
“There, doubtless, vents her Rage, and makes her Moan,
“Echo, pays Sigh for Sigh, and Groan for Groan.
“Then, change the Scene, from Privacy of Place;
“Yes, let her see her Rival, Face to Face.”
Resum'd his Mind, and fortify'd his Breast.
“Wond'rous her Faith, (He commun'd with his Heart)
“Wond'rous her Love, if free from female Art!
“To bear submissive, such repeated Wrongs,
“That Temper, rarely, to that Sex belongs!
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“Was It, Excess of Patience, or of Grief?
“Again, not once reproach, not once withstand!
“'Twas great Disguise of Soul, or great Command!
“Sustain such Weight of Woe with tearless Eyes!—
“But, to the Covert, for Relief She flies.
“There, doubtless, vents her Rage, and makes her Moan,
“Echo, pays Sigh for Sigh, and Groan for Groan.
“Then, change the Scene, from Privacy of Place;
“Yes, let her see her Rival, Face to Face.”
Thus, as He meditates the full Assay,
Arriv'd a Courier, and at Prime of Day;
To notice: “That the Princely Youth and Dame,
“With great Peganus, from Bulogna came.
“That, safely They had pass'd the Rocky Way,
“And hop'd to reach Him with the Setting Ray.
Arriv'd a Courier, and at Prime of Day;
To notice: “That the Princely Youth and Dame,
“With great Peganus, from Bulogna came.
“That, safely They had pass'd the Rocky Way,
“And hop'd to reach Him with the Setting Ray.
Meantime, the Banish'd Wife, at early Dawn,
Unfolds her Flock, and follows to the Lawn;
To Where Gualtherus, loit'ring in the Course,
First stop'd, from Love, or Failure of his Horse.
There, lowly seated on the dewey Ground,
She feeds her little Charge, that bleats around;
And plies the Distaff, that before her stands:
Yet slow, the Widow'd, to the Virgin Hands.
For, tho' the Twine with equal Care She wrought,
Oft, wou'd intrude, an interrupting Thought;
Oft, wou'd her Soul, her former State retrace:
“Exalted Honor is a slipp'ry Place!
“Tho' Palaces are high, and Cots are low;
“Here, lies sure Peace! There, lies destructive Show!
“But Mind, is All to All, Mean or Sublime!
“Mind, is not to be chang'd, by Place, or Time!
“In Time, or Place, Unblest, or Blest can dwell!
“Can make a Hell of Heav'n, a Heav'n of Hell!”
Unfolds her Flock, and follows to the Lawn;
To Where Gualtherus, loit'ring in the Course,
First stop'd, from Love, or Failure of his Horse.
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She feeds her little Charge, that bleats around;
And plies the Distaff, that before her stands:
Yet slow, the Widow'd, to the Virgin Hands.
For, tho' the Twine with equal Care She wrought,
Oft, wou'd intrude, an interrupting Thought;
Oft, wou'd her Soul, her former State retrace:
“Exalted Honor is a slipp'ry Place!
“Tho' Palaces are high, and Cots are low;
“Here, lies sure Peace! There, lies destructive Show!
“But Mind, is All to All, Mean or Sublime!
“Mind, is not to be chang'd, by Place, or Time!
“In Time, or Place, Unblest, or Blest can dwell!
“Can make a Hell of Heav'n, a Heav'n of Hell!”
Thus musing: For the Proof, Gualtherus sends,
She, quits the calm Reflexion, and attends;
In Dress, a Shepherdess: The same, to see,
As on her Marriage Day. She bends her Knee.
But He, more slow to raise Her with his Hand,
Nods and imparts his last severe Command.
She, quits the calm Reflexion, and attends;
In Dress, a Shepherdess: The same, to see,
As on her Marriage Day. She bends her Knee.
But He, more slow to raise Her with his Hand,
Nods and imparts his last severe Command.
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“This Day, We celebrate the previous Rite;
“Griselda! Know, our Nuptials crown the Night.
“Full, to Profusion is the Palace stor'd,
“With All, to deck the Bed, or cheer the Board.
“Yet much I fear, the Feast may wrong my Soul;
“For Execution, mends, or mars the Whole!
“Tho' gen'rous the Design, and large the Cost;
“All Beauty is in Want of Order lost.
“Not One, thro' all Saluzzo, can I find,
“That knows, so well, my Manner, or my Mind;
“The Guests, or to distinguish, or invite:
“Put Show to Use, to Profit turn Delight.
“But You, long wont this Station to support,
“Can best advise, what suits the Prince and Court.
“Again exert the Talents You have shown,
“Display, at Large, the Splendor of my Throne;
“Add ev'ry outward Instance of my Love:
“All, that I might omit, but must approve.
“But chiefly turn You to attend the Fair,
“Be That your Daily Thought, and Nightly Care.
“'Tis True, this Rustic Garb may show Neglect;
“But well it suits your State, if You reflect.
“For, Pride of Dress, is sure a barren Curse;
“E'er Fancy you consult, consult your Purse.
“This is my Will. Proceed, without Delay!
“And do the proper Honors of the Day!
“Griselda! Know, our Nuptials crown the Night.
“Full, to Profusion is the Palace stor'd,
“With All, to deck the Bed, or cheer the Board.
“Yet much I fear, the Feast may wrong my Soul;
“For Execution, mends, or mars the Whole!
“Tho' gen'rous the Design, and large the Cost;
“All Beauty is in Want of Order lost.
“Not One, thro' all Saluzzo, can I find,
“That knows, so well, my Manner, or my Mind;
“The Guests, or to distinguish, or invite:
“Put Show to Use, to Profit turn Delight.
“But You, long wont this Station to support,
“Can best advise, what suits the Prince and Court.
“Again exert the Talents You have shown,
“Display, at Large, the Splendor of my Throne;
“Add ev'ry outward Instance of my Love:
“All, that I might omit, but must approve.
“But chiefly turn You to attend the Fair,
“Be That your Daily Thought, and Nightly Care.
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“But well it suits your State, if You reflect.
“For, Pride of Dress, is sure a barren Curse;
“E'er Fancy you consult, consult your Purse.
“This is my Will. Proceed, without Delay!
“And do the proper Honors of the Day!
“Much I rejoice (the mild Griselda cries)
“That on my Faith your Confidence relies;
“And hail the Cause, that brings Me to the Place,
“Where oft, at Distance, I may see your Face;
“And oft your Voice, with due Attention, hear:
“Thus far I may indulge my Eye, and Ear!
“In honest Diligence, thro' servile Life,
“Pleas'd will I tend the Husband and the Wife.
“Assiduous, to prevent what She requires,
“Solicitous, to check my own Desires.
“So will I act (if but my Heart allows)
“As I ne'er knew your Flames, or heard your Vows.”
“That on my Faith your Confidence relies;
“And hail the Cause, that brings Me to the Place,
“Where oft, at Distance, I may see your Face;
“And oft your Voice, with due Attention, hear:
“Thus far I may indulge my Eye, and Ear!
“In honest Diligence, thro' servile Life,
“Pleas'd will I tend the Husband and the Wife.
“Assiduous, to prevent what She requires,
“Solicitous, to check my own Desires.
“So will I act (if but my Heart allows)
“As I ne'er knew your Flames, or heard your Vows.”
Her Answer half defeated his Design;
“Our Confidence You see—the Trust be Thine!”
“Our Confidence You see—the Trust be Thine!”
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He Said. She mingles with the Menial Train,
No Service She neglects, and spares no Pain;
To grace the Bed, or magnify the Throne:
And forms a Feast more splendid than her own.
Intent, or to dispose, or to provide;
But pains Her most, for What concern'd the Bride.
No Service She neglects, and spares no Pain;
To grace the Bed, or magnify the Throne:
And forms a Feast more splendid than her own.
Intent, or to dispose, or to provide;
But pains Her most, for What concern'd the Bride.
This done; each noted Chief, each noted Dame,
She summons to the Feast; so call'd, They came.
These She receives, as suits their Rank or Race;
In vulgar Habit, but with noble Grace!
Arranging All, (for such her Lord's Desire)
From wealthy Citizen to landed 'Squire!
Equals in Place, not Worth! From hardy Knight,
To Him, that never saw the Face of Fight!
From Peer that builds on Ancestors his Fame,
To Him, that founds his Title and his Name!
From learn'd and just Dispenser of the Laws,
To Him, that judges, by the Bribe, the Cause!
From Seer, whose Charity gives Health, and Ease,
To Him, that poisons, for the Sake of Fees;
From Priest, of Life unstain'd, and Zeal sincere,
To Him, of Holy Fraud, and pious Leer!
She summons to the Feast; so call'd, They came.
These She receives, as suits their Rank or Race;
In vulgar Habit, but with noble Grace!
Arranging All, (for such her Lord's Desire)
From wealthy Citizen to landed 'Squire!
Equals in Place, not Worth! From hardy Knight,
To Him, that never saw the Face of Fight!
From Peer that builds on Ancestors his Fame,
To Him, that founds his Title and his Name!
From learn'd and just Dispenser of the Laws,
To Him, that judges, by the Bribe, the Cause!
From Seer, whose Charity gives Health, and Ease,
To Him, that poisons, for the Sake of Fees;
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To Him, of Holy Fraud, and pious Leer!
Enter, of Good and Bad, a mingled Crew.
'Tis the true State of Things, or Old, or New!
Virtue, and Vice, divides each mixt Degree!
Such, was the World! And, such, will ever be!
'Tis the true State of Things, or Old, or New!
Virtue, and Vice, divides each mixt Degree!
Such, was the World! And, such, will ever be!
But as her Care descends from Bow'r to Hall,
All still inspecting, still amending All;
Thus to a Maid of Rank, a Wife of Spirit:
“Say, in her Meanness, see you any Merit?
“I vow, by all the Virtue of my Pride,
“Was I Griselda sever'd from his Side;
“Then cast, as Handmaid, to a second Wife;
“Slave to his Will, yet trusted with his Life,
“The present Bondage shou'd redeem the past,
“Bridegroom and Bride, this Night shou'd be your last.”
All still inspecting, still amending All;
Thus to a Maid of Rank, a Wife of Spirit:
“Say, in her Meanness, see you any Merit?
“I vow, by all the Virtue of my Pride,
“Was I Griselda sever'd from his Side;
“Then cast, as Handmaid, to a second Wife;
“Slave to his Will, yet trusted with his Life,
“The present Bondage shou'd redeem the past,
“Bridegroom and Bride, this Night shou'd be your last.”
Meantime the Foremost of the Train alight;
And fast the People pour'd to see the Sight.
Close, and more close, the murm'ring Insects grew,
Should'ring for Place, and crouding for a View.
And much They prais'd the Show, and much the Choice.
Ah! Who wou'd rest upon the Public Voice?
Griselda's Rise with equal Noise They hail'd;
With equal Noise Griselda's Fall bewail'd.
Be deaf, fair Stranger, to their senseless Cries,
Thus wou'd They treat thy Fall, Who treat thy Rise.
And fast the People pour'd to see the Sight.
Close, and more close, the murm'ring Insects grew,
Should'ring for Place, and crouding for a View.
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Ah! Who wou'd rest upon the Public Voice?
Griselda's Rise with equal Noise They hail'd;
With equal Noise Griselda's Fall bewail'd.
Be deaf, fair Stranger, to their senseless Cries,
Thus wou'd They treat thy Fall, Who treat thy Rise.
“Gualtherus is no Fool (the Croud confess'd)
“Changing his Wife, but changing for the Best.
“Griselda wants no Merit to ingage,
“But fairer, This, and of a softer Age.
“Griselda, was inur'd to brook Command,
“And so may This, when molded to his Hand.
“From her, what Heirs will spring the Throne to Grace?
“For She descends from some exalted Race.
“The Brother comes, as Sample of the Line;
“What Lineaments?—Majestic, and Divine!”
“Changing his Wife, but changing for the Best.
“Griselda wants no Merit to ingage,
“But fairer, This, and of a softer Age.
“Griselda, was inur'd to brook Command,
“And so may This, when molded to his Hand.
“From her, what Heirs will spring the Throne to Grace?
“For She descends from some exalted Race.
“The Brother comes, as Sample of the Line;
“What Lineaments?—Majestic, and Divine!”
O Vulgar Souls, unstable and untrue!
Tir'd with the Old, transported with the New!
Turn'd by each Blast, as fickle as the Fane!
And faster than the Moon, Ye wax, and wain!
Tir'd with the Old, transported with the New!
Turn'd by each Blast, as fickle as the Fane!
And faster than the Moon, Ye wax, and wain!
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Hapless the Prince, whose Ear, delighted, draws
The Praise of Crouds, and swallows vain Applause;
Whose Eye, transported, views the supple Round
Of Courtiers, whom He trusts, yet fails to sound.
His Ear may be misled, deceiv'd his Eye;
Crouds can praise Folly, Courtiers, look a Lye.
Safer, the Call of Virtue to pursue,
That sep'rates Wrong from Right, and False from True.
Tho' Crouds may change, unfaithful as the Wind!
Can They depose the Monarc from his Mind?
Tho' Courtiers from Allegiance may depart!
Great is the Empire of an honest Heart?
For inborn Worth, alone, knows no Controul,
Fortune may change the State, not change the Soul.
But Good, or Ill, as Man pursues or flies,
So truly He may fall, so truly rise.
'Tis Virtue gives Him in high Life to shine,
Virtue, in low, is an unminted Mine.
The Force of Each was in Griselda shown,
Great in a Cot, and humble in a Throne!
The Praise of Crouds, and swallows vain Applause;
Whose Eye, transported, views the supple Round
Of Courtiers, whom He trusts, yet fails to sound.
His Ear may be misled, deceiv'd his Eye;
Crouds can praise Folly, Courtiers, look a Lye.
Safer, the Call of Virtue to pursue,
That sep'rates Wrong from Right, and False from True.
Tho' Crouds may change, unfaithful as the Wind!
Can They depose the Monarc from his Mind?
Tho' Courtiers from Allegiance may depart!
Great is the Empire of an honest Heart?
For inborn Worth, alone, knows no Controul,
Fortune may change the State, not change the Soul.
But Good, or Ill, as Man pursues or flies,
So truly He may fall, so truly rise.
'Tis Virtue gives Him in high Life to shine,
Virtue, in low, is an unminted Mine.
The Force of Each was in Griselda shown,
Great in a Cot, and humble in a Throne!
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Thus, of the Many mad, the sober Few
Adjudg'd; Who lov'd the Old, and fear'd the New.
“And Fools, (They call'd the Number) to disown,
“For Good They know not yet, a Good long known!
Adjudg'd; Who lov'd the Old, and fear'd the New.
“And Fools, (They call'd the Number) to disown,
“For Good They know not yet, a Good long known!
In State, She enters now the Palace Gate,
And ent'ring is receiv'd with answ'ring State.
The Prince descending fast, to meet the Bride,
A Dame of high Condition join'd his Side;
Tongue of the Sex, She fastens on his Ear,
And thus express'd her fashionable Fear.
“A Shepherdess, She said, is such a Sight,
“It soils the Splendor of the Nuptial Rite;
“Excuse me, 'tis not my peculiar Plea,
“Here all the Sex in one Request agree;
“We make it our Petition and Desire,
“Griselda may redress Her, or retire;
“Nor stand, to Foreign Lords, a Mark of Sport,
“And Scandal to the Ladies of the Court.
And ent'ring is receiv'd with answ'ring State.
The Prince descending fast, to meet the Bride,
A Dame of high Condition join'd his Side;
Tongue of the Sex, She fastens on his Ear,
And thus express'd her fashionable Fear.
“A Shepherdess, She said, is such a Sight,
“It soils the Splendor of the Nuptial Rite;
“Excuse me, 'tis not my peculiar Plea,
“Here all the Sex in one Request agree;
“We make it our Petition and Desire,
“Griselda may redress Her, or retire;
“Nor stand, to Foreign Lords, a Mark of Sport,
“And Scandal to the Ladies of the Court.
Nought, to his Scheme, so cross as this Request.
He veil'd the Truth, and gloss'd it with a Jest.
Known was the Dame, to love supreme Command,
And hold the Bridle with a steddy Hand.
“Ought to the Fair, it grieves me to refuse,
“But 'tis too Late, another Course to chuse.
“Griselda's inward Merit well You know;
“And what is Dress, but a fictitious Show?
“Yet, seek You, why to Court thus rudely brought?
“Young is our Bride, and should be mildly taught.
“This rural Garb is Humble, and is Plain;
“In Public shown, this Maxim to maintain.
“Plain Truth, and humble Duty, suits a Wife;
“An Emblem, for the Conduct of her Life!
He veil'd the Truth, and gloss'd it with a Jest.
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And hold the Bridle with a steddy Hand.
“Ought to the Fair, it grieves me to refuse,
“But 'tis too Late, another Course to chuse.
“Griselda's inward Merit well You know;
“And what is Dress, but a fictitious Show?
“Yet, seek You, why to Court thus rudely brought?
“Young is our Bride, and should be mildly taught.
“This rural Garb is Humble, and is Plain;
“In Public shown, this Maxim to maintain.
“Plain Truth, and humble Duty, suits a Wife;
“An Emblem, for the Conduct of her Life!
I pass, as Trivial, nor the Tale prolong,
With Masque or Dance, with Minstrelsy or Song.
Nor, drawn by Fancy, deviate from the Way,
For kind Reception here, there grand Array.
I leave each Train, their Princes at their Head;
The Youth and Virgin by Peganus led:
Whom, long, Gualtherus fasten'd to his Breast,
And All, and Each, with kindred Warmth caress'd.
I dwell not on the Maid, in fresh Fifteen,
Whether array'd in White, Red, Blue, or Green.
Nor count how promising the Boy appears,
How Manly, measuring Half his Sister's Years.
Here glean, ye Bards, who barren Subjects chuse;
Griselda will admit no wand'ring Muse.
Short of her Virtues, tho' thy Numbers flow,
Muse, keep Her First in Sight, tho' Last in Show.
With Masque or Dance, with Minstrelsy or Song.
Nor, drawn by Fancy, deviate from the Way,
For kind Reception here, there grand Array.
I leave each Train, their Princes at their Head;
The Youth and Virgin by Peganus led:
Whom, long, Gualtherus fasten'd to his Breast,
And All, and Each, with kindred Warmth caress'd.
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Whether array'd in White, Red, Blue, or Green.
Nor count how promising the Boy appears,
How Manly, measuring Half his Sister's Years.
Here glean, ye Bards, who barren Subjects chuse;
Griselda will admit no wand'ring Muse.
Short of her Virtues, tho' thy Numbers flow,
Muse, keep Her First in Sight, tho' Last in Show.
Her copious Mind makes All her single Care;
But most She strives to serve, and joy the Fair.
Natives or Strangers, pleas'd and proud to see;
The Whole She ranges, Each in his Degree.
The foreign Lords a due Surprise express,
So much, her Manner supersedes her Dress.
Nor stints her Tongue the Youth and Maid to raise
With Praise well judg'd; For they deserv'd her Praise:
Tho' not to Flatt'ry vile her Words descend,
No flatt'ring Courtier cou'd her Words amend.
A gen'rous Flow of Soul, that scorn'd all Art!
Unsoil'd by Envy! Genuine, from the Heart!
Some Worth it argues, a Friend's Worth to know;
Virtue, to own the Virtue of a Foe.
But most She strives to serve, and joy the Fair.
Natives or Strangers, pleas'd and proud to see;
The Whole She ranges, Each in his Degree.
The foreign Lords a due Surprise express,
So much, her Manner supersedes her Dress.
Nor stints her Tongue the Youth and Maid to raise
With Praise well judg'd; For they deserv'd her Praise:
Tho' not to Flatt'ry vile her Words descend,
No flatt'ring Courtier cou'd her Words amend.
A gen'rous Flow of Soul, that scorn'd all Art!
Unsoil'd by Envy! Genuine, from the Heart!
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Virtue, to own the Virtue of a Foe.
Now, was the Hour, the Guests to entertain,
And, One by One, precedes the Houshold Train.
Just, at that Season, e'er the Board was crown'd,
While All prepar'd to join the Social Round;
Gualtherus turns, Griselda to explore:
“Seek Her,” He said; But sent his Eyes before.
And where He spy'd Her busy'd in the Hall,
“Attend,” He calls; And She attends his Call.
And, One by One, precedes the Houshold Train.
Just, at that Season, e'er the Board was crown'd,
While All prepar'd to join the Social Round;
Gualtherus turns, Griselda to explore:
“Seek Her,” He said; But sent his Eyes before.
And where He spy'd Her busy'd in the Hall,
“Attend,” He calls; And She attends his Call.
“Griselda,” (with Indiff'rence feign'd He said)
“You see the Maid I chuse, and mean to wed.
“Speak (He continued with a Face of Sport)
“What think You of our Bride? Make just Report.
“How to her Form, how to her Worth, inclin'd?
“Pass Sentence, on her Person, and her Mind!”
“You see the Maid I chuse, and mean to wed.
“Speak (He continued with a Face of Sport)
“What think You of our Bride? Make just Report.
“How to her Form, how to her Worth, inclin'd?
“Pass Sentence, on her Person, and her Mind!”
She, mildly took the Word, and strait reply'd;
“Ill tho' the Relict might commend the Bride,
“No Malice of the Sex, no Spleen of Wrong,
“My Mind shall bias, or mislead my Tongue.
“Never these Eyes, in perfect Age, cou'd trace,
“A juster Form, or yet a fairer Face.
“Never, from Youth imperfect, heard these Ears,
“Thoughts so exprest, the Words of ripen'd Years
“Base is the Office, wrongly to debase;
“Lessen her Worth, I rise not in her Place.
“With Truth I praise Her, and without Design;
“Her Want of Merit, wou'd not add to mine.
“What, fully She exacts, I freely give;
“And may, Each blest in Each, securely live!”
“Ill tho' the Relict might commend the Bride,
“No Malice of the Sex, no Spleen of Wrong,
“My Mind shall bias, or mislead my Tongue.
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“A juster Form, or yet a fairer Face.
“Never, from Youth imperfect, heard these Ears,
“Thoughts so exprest, the Words of ripen'd Years
“Base is the Office, wrongly to debase;
“Lessen her Worth, I rise not in her Place.
“With Truth I praise Her, and without Design;
“Her Want of Merit, wou'd not add to mine.
“What, fully She exacts, I freely give;
“And may, Each blest in Each, securely live!”
Thus as She spoke; Warm grew the Virgin's Face,
Rosy her Breast. She blush'd with modest Grace.
Then back retir'd, by her own Praise subdu'd.
Griselda seiz'd th' Occasion, and pursu'd.
Rosy her Breast. She blush'd with modest Grace.
Then back retir'd, by her own Praise subdu'd.
Griselda seiz'd th' Occasion, and pursu'd.
“This, let Me add, by long Experience wife,
“And once presume Gualtherus to advise.
“Judge ne'er so hardly of our Sex or Life,
“Ill Usage may pervert, not mend, a Wife.
“When from the Bounds of Reason Men depart,
“What, but the Force of Truth, and Faith of Heart,
“Retains Affection, too severely prov'd?
“Twice, think not, to be so indur'd, and lov'd.
“Try not, as me You try'd, this tender Maid,
“To summon more than Virtue to her Aid.
“If I, to Pain was senseless, deaf to Mirth,
“I owe It to the Lowness of my Birth.
“The Hand to Labour us'd, the Heart, to Care,
“Ills I had borne, and Ills cou'd know to bear.
“But She was nobly born, and fondly fed!
“In Plenty nurtur'd, and in Grandeur bred!
“Not like Griselda rais'd from low Degree;
“By Thee to be debas'd, prefer'd by Thee!
“She, in the Trust of Innocence and Youth,
“Nor doubts your Constancy, nor fears your Truth.
“Soon wou'd She feel Distress, soon find a Cure;
“She cou'd not well Adversity indure;
“Well, cou'd She not, such Load of Grief, sustain:
“For Death wou'd soon arrive, and ease her Pain.”
“And once presume Gualtherus to advise.
“Judge ne'er so hardly of our Sex or Life,
“Ill Usage may pervert, not mend, a Wife.
“When from the Bounds of Reason Men depart,
“What, but the Force of Truth, and Faith of Heart,
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“Twice, think not, to be so indur'd, and lov'd.
“Try not, as me You try'd, this tender Maid,
“To summon more than Virtue to her Aid.
“If I, to Pain was senseless, deaf to Mirth,
“I owe It to the Lowness of my Birth.
“The Hand to Labour us'd, the Heart, to Care,
“Ills I had borne, and Ills cou'd know to bear.
“But She was nobly born, and fondly fed!
“In Plenty nurtur'd, and in Grandeur bred!
“Not like Griselda rais'd from low Degree;
“By Thee to be debas'd, prefer'd by Thee!
“She, in the Trust of Innocence and Youth,
“Nor doubts your Constancy, nor fears your Truth.
“Soon wou'd She feel Distress, soon find a Cure;
“She cou'd not well Adversity indure;
“Well, cou'd She not, such Load of Grief, sustain:
“For Death wou'd soon arrive, and ease her Pain.”
She spoke, from inward Ties of Kindred Blood,
Or nobler Sympathy of Good to Good;
Firm as a Column, stable as a Wall:
Her Grandeur more conspicuous by her Fall.
Or nobler Sympathy of Good to Good;
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Her Grandeur more conspicuous by her Fall.
The gen'rous Answer, free from Spleen or Art,
Rose inly on his Mind, and fill'd his Heart.
“Too far, too far, (In Extasy He cry'd)
“Griselda, was thy Wifely Virtue try'd.
“Resume thy wonted State, thy wonted Cheer
“Resume; nor think Me faithless, tho' severe!
“Enough have I assay'd thy Love and Truth;
“Assay'd, to riper Age from tender Youth;
“So well, as never Wife, in Pomp array'd,
“Or clad in Poverty, was yet assay'd.”
He said, and by his Side Griselda plac'd,
Fast seiz'd Her in his Arms, and long imbrac'd.
Rose inly on his Mind, and fill'd his Heart.
“Too far, too far, (In Extasy He cry'd)
“Griselda, was thy Wifely Virtue try'd.
“Resume thy wonted State, thy wonted Cheer
“Resume; nor think Me faithless, tho' severe!
“Enough have I assay'd thy Love and Truth;
“Assay'd, to riper Age from tender Youth;
“So well, as never Wife, in Pomp array'd,
“Or clad in Poverty, was yet assay'd.”
He said, and by his Side Griselda plac'd,
Fast seiz'd Her in his Arms, and long imbrac'd.
As One, from cumb'rous Sleep disturb'd, She seems,
Doubtful, if yet She wakes, or still She dreams;
If real Forms stand obvious to her Sight,
Or float the airy Shadows of the Night.
Doubtful, if yet She wakes, or still She dreams;
If real Forms stand obvious to her Sight,
Or float the airy Shadows of the Night.
He noted her Confusion, Silence broke,
And gently press'd her Hand and kindly spoke.
“By Him, I swear, for Man that bled and dy'd,
“Thou art my Wife, I seek no other Bride.
“Worthy thy Praise the Maid I must agree;
“Must joy to praise Her,—For she comes from Thee.
“And Thee, in Her, thro' all her Form I trace,
“May She, in Soul, but match Thee as in Face!
“Thrice five Years told (if Love not blind these Eyes)
“States all the Diff'rence that between You lies;
“In Age or Beauty. Oh! that Heav'n decreed,
“Her Virtue to thy Virtue might succeed.
“Thy Daughter This, first Object of thy Care!
“And That thy Son, Saluzzo's future Heir!
“Assassin'd? No! Not such our base Intent.
“Safe were the Infants to Bulogna sent;
“To good Peganus privily convey'd:
“His worthy Consort rais'd the Youth and Maid.
“That here They stand thus honor'd in thy View,
“Say, to his gen'rous Heart, what Thanks are due?
“That, in thy View, thus polish'd, here they stand,
“What Thanks are due to her reforming Hand?
“A second Mother She, at our Desire,
“Conceal'd their Birth; He prov'd a second Sire.
“My Motive, was Mistrust; To own the Truth:
“A stubborn Prejudice, imbib'd in Youth!
“Wedlock, I judg'd, a Station of Unrest;
“I found no marry'd Pair compleatly Blest:
“And for the Male, too hasty to decide,
“Plac'd ev'ry Error on the Female Side.
“I thought your Failures to our Faults gave Rise,
“Your Folly, Falseness, Levity, or Vice.
“Hence, the first Trial, hence arose the last.
“But well the Future shall amend the Past.
“Hence was you sworn a Life submiss to lead,
“Nor swerve in Thought or Look, in Word or Deed.
“Hence, with our Daughter when constrain'd to part,
“I held your Duty, Indolence or Art.
“Hence, was the Son propos'd. The Son resign'd:
“This Proof of Love, seem'd Cruelty of Mind.
“Hence, was You try'd in Self. With honest Shame,
“I own the Crime: Griselda was the same.
“But fixt Suspicion is the worst of Woes,
“And Nought but Certainty cou'd bring Repose.
“Let Malice, (Room there is) our Conduct blame,
“Yet my Severity shall raise your Fame.
“And cou'd You penetrate my inmost Breast,
“There wou'd You find indelibly exprest,
“Griselda fills my Heart. My Wealth, her Gain.
“My Bliss, her Pleasure. Her Distress, my Pain.
“And when most calm her Breast, serene her Eye;
“Here, many a Tear She caus'd, here many a Sigh:
“And let This mitigate, if not atone,
“Each Trial was not Thine, It was my own.
“And if thy Virtue thus exalted shine,
“Thine is the Treasure, the Discov'ry Mine.”
And gently press'd her Hand and kindly spoke.
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“Thou art my Wife, I seek no other Bride.
“Worthy thy Praise the Maid I must agree;
“Must joy to praise Her,—For she comes from Thee.
“And Thee, in Her, thro' all her Form I trace,
“May She, in Soul, but match Thee as in Face!
“Thrice five Years told (if Love not blind these Eyes)
“States all the Diff'rence that between You lies;
“In Age or Beauty. Oh! that Heav'n decreed,
“Her Virtue to thy Virtue might succeed.
“Thy Daughter This, first Object of thy Care!
“And That thy Son, Saluzzo's future Heir!
“Assassin'd? No! Not such our base Intent.
“Safe were the Infants to Bulogna sent;
“To good Peganus privily convey'd:
“His worthy Consort rais'd the Youth and Maid.
“That here They stand thus honor'd in thy View,
“Say, to his gen'rous Heart, what Thanks are due?
“That, in thy View, thus polish'd, here they stand,
“What Thanks are due to her reforming Hand?
254
“Conceal'd their Birth; He prov'd a second Sire.
“My Motive, was Mistrust; To own the Truth:
“A stubborn Prejudice, imbib'd in Youth!
“Wedlock, I judg'd, a Station of Unrest;
“I found no marry'd Pair compleatly Blest:
“And for the Male, too hasty to decide,
“Plac'd ev'ry Error on the Female Side.
“I thought your Failures to our Faults gave Rise,
“Your Folly, Falseness, Levity, or Vice.
“Hence, the first Trial, hence arose the last.
“But well the Future shall amend the Past.
“Hence was you sworn a Life submiss to lead,
“Nor swerve in Thought or Look, in Word or Deed.
“Hence, with our Daughter when constrain'd to part,
“I held your Duty, Indolence or Art.
“Hence, was the Son propos'd. The Son resign'd:
“This Proof of Love, seem'd Cruelty of Mind.
“Hence, was You try'd in Self. With honest Shame,
“I own the Crime: Griselda was the same.
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“And Nought but Certainty cou'd bring Repose.
“Let Malice, (Room there is) our Conduct blame,
“Yet my Severity shall raise your Fame.
“And cou'd You penetrate my inmost Breast,
“There wou'd You find indelibly exprest,
“Griselda fills my Heart. My Wealth, her Gain.
“My Bliss, her Pleasure. Her Distress, my Pain.
“And when most calm her Breast, serene her Eye;
“Here, many a Tear She caus'd, here many a Sigh:
“And let This mitigate, if not atone,
“Each Trial was not Thine, It was my own.
“And if thy Virtue thus exalted shine,
“Thine is the Treasure, the Discov'ry Mine.”
She that cou'd bear Misfortune, that had borne,
Each Infant from her tender Bosom torne!
Cou'd to a Cottage from a Throne descend,
And, the great Bed, She had adorn'd, attend.
From Low to High, from High to Low re-tost,
Cou'd see, whate'er on Earth She valu'd, lost.
She that cou'd stand the last Contempt unmov'd,
Yields to the Yielding of the Man She lov'd.
Sinks at the Thought of either Child restor'd,
Whose Loss in Secrecy She long deplor'd.
Patient in Ill, in Injury resign'd!
Here first She quits Equality of Mind.
While, all her Wish in her Possession stood.
Fast flow'd her Joy, like the returning Flood.
The Swell of Passion rose to such a Height,
'Twas painful Pleasure, and severe Delight.
Each Infant from her tender Bosom torne!
Cou'd to a Cottage from a Throne descend,
And, the great Bed, She had adorn'd, attend.
From Low to High, from High to Low re-tost,
Cou'd see, whate'er on Earth She valu'd, lost.
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Yields to the Yielding of the Man She lov'd.
Sinks at the Thought of either Child restor'd,
Whose Loss in Secrecy She long deplor'd.
Patient in Ill, in Injury resign'd!
Here first She quits Equality of Mind.
While, all her Wish in her Possession stood.
Fast flow'd her Joy, like the returning Flood.
The Swell of Passion rose to such a Height,
'Twas painful Pleasure, and severe Delight.
Kind as He spoke, with Rapture and Amaze,
Her Eyes She gives upon her Lord to gaze.
And quits but to survey, with silent Joy,
The lovely Maid and near-resembling Boy.
All moves her, that She heard, or that She view'd;
Strong on her Soul the Tides of Joy intrude.
Fain wou'd her Tongue have open'd all her Breast;
But there She felt, what cou'd not be exprest;
Vain the Indeavor. For in Transport tost
Her Voice was stopt, her Breath in Rapture lost.
Wound to Excess of Gratitude and Love,
Her Pulse forgot to play, her Heart to move.
No more her Form the vital Heat retains,
Slow pass'd the Current circling in her Veins.
The Dews of Death her trembling Limbs assail.
Her Lips grew livid, and her Cheeks grew pale.
Sounds, disproportion'd to her Thoughts, She hears;
Unmeaning Murmurs echoing thro' her Ears.
While misty Vapors, that in Fancy rise,
Cloud the sole Objects that cou'd charm her Eyes.
She faints. She falls. But, sinking to the Ground,
He caught her in his Arms. The Court surround.
Her Eyes She gives upon her Lord to gaze.
And quits but to survey, with silent Joy,
The lovely Maid and near-resembling Boy.
All moves her, that She heard, or that She view'd;
Strong on her Soul the Tides of Joy intrude.
Fain wou'd her Tongue have open'd all her Breast;
But there She felt, what cou'd not be exprest;
Vain the Indeavor. For in Transport tost
Her Voice was stopt, her Breath in Rapture lost.
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Her Pulse forgot to play, her Heart to move.
No more her Form the vital Heat retains,
Slow pass'd the Current circling in her Veins.
The Dews of Death her trembling Limbs assail.
Her Lips grew livid, and her Cheeks grew pale.
Sounds, disproportion'd to her Thoughts, She hears;
Unmeaning Murmurs echoing thro' her Ears.
While misty Vapors, that in Fancy rise,
Cloud the sole Objects that cou'd charm her Eyes.
She faints. She falls. But, sinking to the Ground,
He caught her in his Arms. The Court surround.
Ye tender Youth, in Love Unblest, or Blest,
Imagination lose, and paint the Rest!
Virtuous or Vitious, be your Course of Life,
Feel you no Pain, for Husband or for Wife?
Imagination lose, and paint the Rest!
Virtuous or Vitious, be your Course of Life,
Feel you no Pain, for Husband or for Wife?
Reclining on his Breast, She pants for Breath;
As pleas'd to die, since there She found her Death.
He looks the Aid, He wants the Pow'r to give;
As in her Life alone He wish'd to live.
As pleas'd to die, since there She found her Death.
He looks the Aid, He wants the Pow'r to give;
As in her Life alone He wish'd to live.
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A gen'ral Care the Courtly Train confess,
Joy mixt with Sorrow, Pleasure with Distress.
These fan'd her Bosom, Those her Head sustain'd;
While Death o'er Life a doubtful Conquest gain'd.
Of Art and Nature ev'ry Aid They bring;
The cool Refreshment of the limpid Spring!
The Juice of Herbs, that noxious Steams repell!
Of Shrubs the Virtues, elegant of Smell!
Of Drugs and Simples the salubrious Pow'rs!
Extract of Salts, and Quintessence of Flow'rs!
Joy mixt with Sorrow, Pleasure with Distress.
These fan'd her Bosom, Those her Head sustain'd;
While Death o'er Life a doubtful Conquest gain'd.
Of Art and Nature ev'ry Aid They bring;
The cool Refreshment of the limpid Spring!
The Juice of Herbs, that noxious Steams repell!
Of Shrubs the Virtues, elegant of Smell!
Of Drugs and Simples the salubrious Pow'rs!
Extract of Salts, and Quintessence of Flow'rs!
Thrice seem'd her Eyes, to ask the Cheer of Light,
Thrice seem'd to sink in everlasting Night.
And thrice He hail'd her as restor'd from Death,
Thrice wail'd her irrecoverable Breath.
Thrice seem'd to sink in everlasting Night.
And thrice He hail'd her as restor'd from Death,
Thrice wail'd her irrecoverable Breath.
At length She mov'd, and wildly gazing round,
First in her Care the pleas'd Gualtherus found;
Next, weeping o'er Her, joy'd the Maid to see,
And last the Boy, that trembled at her Knee.
The fond Assemblage pour'd, without Controul,
On her weak Sense, and mollify'd her Soul.
By Turns She seiz'd them, and by Turns She press'd,
The Father and the Children to her Breast.
Adown their Cheeks the mingling Torrents flow,
The Streams of Transport, not the Streams of Woe.
First in her Care the pleas'd Gualtherus found;
Next, weeping o'er Her, joy'd the Maid to see,
And last the Boy, that trembled at her Knee.
The fond Assemblage pour'd, without Controul,
On her weak Sense, and mollify'd her Soul.
259
The Father and the Children to her Breast.
Adown their Cheeks the mingling Torrents flow,
The Streams of Transport, not the Streams of Woe.
The sweet Contagion spred like tainted Air;
From Youth to Youth it pass'd, from Fair to Fair.
And many a gen'rous Heart breath'd many a Sigh,
And many a Tear shed many a gentle Eye.
A Scene so sweetly sad, Who fail'd to feel,
Must have an Eye of Flint, or Heart of Steel.
Long Silence follow'd. 'Twas not Time for Speech.
Looks best explain, what Words want Pow'r to reach.
From Youth to Youth it pass'd, from Fair to Fair.
And many a gen'rous Heart breath'd many a Sigh,
And many a Tear shed many a gentle Eye.
A Scene so sweetly sad, Who fail'd to feel,
Must have an Eye of Flint, or Heart of Steel.
Long Silence follow'd. 'Twas not Time for Speech.
Looks best explain, what Words want Pow'r to reach.
Mirth to restore, Gualtherus soon began,
Ironically grave; for that the Man.
“A Shepherdess is such an aukward Foil,
“The Splendor of the Feast She needs must soil.
“That She shou'd change her Garb, on me you call;
“And I agree; for 'tis the Plea of all.
“Ladies, with Joy I grant you this Request,
“Yes! Let our Wife retire to be re-drest.
“Nor stand to Foreign Lords a Mark of Sport,
“Or Scandal to the Beauties of the Court.”
Ironically grave; for that the Man.
“A Shepherdess is such an aukward Foil,
“The Splendor of the Feast She needs must soil.
“That She shou'd change her Garb, on me you call;
“And I agree; for 'tis the Plea of all.
“Ladies, with Joy I grant you this Request,
“Yes! Let our Wife retire to be re-drest.
260
“Or Scandal to the Beauties of the Court.”
Pleas'd, She retir'd. For well She read his Mind.
A Train of busy Females flock behind.
And now more busy None of all the Train,
Than Some that witness'd Pleasure in her Pain;
But She that Office to the Bridal Maid
Assigns, nor wish'd, nor wanted, other Aid.
The Maiden Bride was charm'd with the Imploy,
The Sun, She knew, must set in Grief or Joy;
Late made no Stranger to her Sire's Intent:
And, as She griev'd, she joy'd for the Event.
A Train of busy Females flock behind.
And now more busy None of all the Train,
Than Some that witness'd Pleasure in her Pain;
But She that Office to the Bridal Maid
Assigns, nor wish'd, nor wanted, other Aid.
The Maiden Bride was charm'd with the Imploy,
The Sun, She knew, must set in Grief or Joy;
Late made no Stranger to her Sire's Intent:
And, as She griev'd, she joy'd for the Event.
Soon was She disarray'd, and soon attir'd,
For there lay All or More than Dress requir'd;
All that cou'd wish the Vain, or ask the Great,
In Aid of Beauty, or in Pride of State.
Nor senseless of their Value was the Dame;
Not senseless! when She thought, from whom they came.
Strait She return'd, Resplendent to behold;
Of Silver was her Vest, her Robe of Gold.
The Hoards of Ages, that her Crown compos'd,
Took Lustre from the Tresses they inclos'd.
High in the Seat of Honor was She plac'd;
The Seat her Virtue fill'd, and Beauty grac'd!
For there lay All or More than Dress requir'd;
All that cou'd wish the Vain, or ask the Great,
In Aid of Beauty, or in Pride of State.
Nor senseless of their Value was the Dame;
Not senseless! when She thought, from whom they came.
Strait She return'd, Resplendent to behold;
Of Silver was her Vest, her Robe of Gold.
261
Took Lustre from the Tresses they inclos'd.
High in the Seat of Honor was She plac'd;
The Seat her Virtue fill'd, and Beauty grac'd!
The Guests, in Order rang'd, the Prince addrest,
And with a noble Freedom op'd his Breast.
A gen'rous Sense of Shame unloos'd his Tongue;
The Wise and Brave dares say, that He was wrong:
If Virtue errs, She errs against her Rules;
'Tis ever the Reverse with Knaves or Fools:
For wilful Faults, These mend not, or not own;
Too weak to see, or wicked to atone!
And with a noble Freedom op'd his Breast.
A gen'rous Sense of Shame unloos'd his Tongue;
The Wise and Brave dares say, that He was wrong:
If Virtue errs, She errs against her Rules;
'Tis ever the Reverse with Knaves or Fools:
For wilful Faults, These mend not, or not own;
Too weak to see, or wicked to atone!
“Friends! to the Self-accus'd be not Unkind;
“Full dear I nourish'd this Distrust of Mind.
“Painful the Trial, as severe the Test;
“Had the Wife fall'n, the Husband was Unblest.
“Be her's the Honor; mine be the Disgrace;
“Yet shall my Choice beam Glory on my Race.
“Nor Friend, nor Foe, that Act of Life shall blame;
“That was my own; and is my Praise, not Shame.
“First, that beneath low Birth, and mean Disguise,
“Beauty and Virtue cou'd not 'scape my Eyes.
“Next, that I held Gentility of Blood
“Consists, in Scorn of Ill, and Pride of Good.
“Last, that I prov'd, Worth equal, whence it springs!
“From Cots of Swains, or Palaces of Kings!
“Full dear I nourish'd this Distrust of Mind.
“Painful the Trial, as severe the Test;
“Had the Wife fall'n, the Husband was Unblest.
“Be her's the Honor; mine be the Disgrace;
“Yet shall my Choice beam Glory on my Race.
“Nor Friend, nor Foe, that Act of Life shall blame;
“That was my own; and is my Praise, not Shame.
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“Beauty and Virtue cou'd not 'scape my Eyes.
“Next, that I held Gentility of Blood
“Consists, in Scorn of Ill, and Pride of Good.
“Last, that I prov'd, Worth equal, whence it springs!
“From Cots of Swains, or Palaces of Kings!
“Remains there Ought, Griselda can desire?
“Yes, much is due to her neglected Sire.
“What must the Good Janicola have borne,
“To think his Worth the Object of our Scorn?
“What, not indur'd from Solitary Life?
“What, not expect the Father for the Wife?
“To give his innate Virtue full Support,
“Be mine the Care; He will not shame the Court
“Here, shall he bear the Rank his Merit gains,
“Example, to our Nobles, and our Swains!”
“Yes, much is due to her neglected Sire.
“What must the Good Janicola have borne,
“To think his Worth the Object of our Scorn?
“What, not indur'd from Solitary Life?
“What, not expect the Father for the Wife?
“To give his innate Virtue full Support,
“Be mine the Care; He will not shame the Court
“Here, shall he bear the Rank his Merit gains,
“Example, to our Nobles, and our Swains!”
Peganus, by their mutual Virtues won,
Strait ask'd the blooming Daughter for his Son.
With which Gualtherus gracefully comply'd;
“If so my Son might call your Daughter Bride.”
Ask You, how led the younger Race their Lives?
Just as They shou'd. Mere Husbands and mere Wives!
At Rule, the Women neither aim'd, nor broke
Their Vow; with equal Neck They bore the Yoke.
The Men accus'd Them not of Crimes unknown;
But pard'ning lighter Faults, excus'd their own.
Strait ask'd the blooming Daughter for his Son.
With which Gualtherus gracefully comply'd;
“If so my Son might call your Daughter Bride.”
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Just as They shou'd. Mere Husbands and mere Wives!
At Rule, the Women neither aim'd, nor broke
Their Vow; with equal Neck They bore the Yoke.
The Men accus'd Them not of Crimes unknown;
But pard'ning lighter Faults, excus'd their own.
Thus found that mournful Day a blisful End;
In Mirth and Revel the glad Night They spend.
Short seem'd the Hours of Converse and Delight,
Ev'n Day impertinently rose on Night.
The coldest Maids, and wildest Youths confess'd,
So to be Join'd, was, doubly to be Blest!
With Licence, All their various Censure pass'd,
Some the first Marriage prais'd, and Some the last.
The Pair, of Last or First, no Diff'rence make;
Still, one in Soul, tho' sunder'd by Mistake.
Each wrapt in Each, the Concord They improve;
Their Life, was one long Day, of Harmony and Love.
In Mirth and Revel the glad Night They spend.
Short seem'd the Hours of Converse and Delight,
Ev'n Day impertinently rose on Night.
The coldest Maids, and wildest Youths confess'd,
So to be Join'd, was, doubly to be Blest!
With Licence, All their various Censure pass'd,
Some the first Marriage prais'd, and Some the last.
The Pair, of Last or First, no Diff'rence make;
Still, one in Soul, tho' sunder'd by Mistake.
Each wrapt in Each, the Concord They improve;
Their Life, was one long Day, of Harmony and Love.
End of the Clerk of Oxford's Tale.
| The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer | |