Mountains top the Army marching low Within the Vale their several Squadrons shew This silent time which by command was set Asido to pay Confessions needful debt To oft offended Heaven whose aide though gave Ere askt yet since our duty is to crave Expects our prayers the Armies from their still Devotion rais'd declare what Spirits fill Their breast by such an universal joy As to get Young and not the Old destroy Each had by beauteous Paranymphs been led Not to rough War but a soft Nuptial Bed That fatal hour by time which though it last Till fixt Stars have a perfect Circle past We still think short to Action brought which now So near approacht it could no more allow The Generals to consult although there need Nought to augment when Valours flame doth feed High on the hopes of Victory the rage Of eager Armies ere their Troops engage Their several Leaders all that Art did use By which loud Wars rough Rhetorick doth infuse Into those bodies on whose strength consists Their safety Souls whose brave Resolves might twist Them into Chains of Valour which no force Then death less powerful ever should divorce The Prince as more depending on the just Cause that had drawn his Sword which to distrust Looks like a Crime soonest commits the day To Fates Arbitrement no more delay Comforts the â—ainting Coward a sad sound Of Cannon gave the Signal and had drownd The murmuring Drum in silence Earth did groan In trembling Ecchoes on her sanguine Tâ—rone High mounted Horrour sits wild Rage doth fill Each breast with Fury whose fierce flames distill Life through th' Alimbecks of their Râ—ins that Cloud Of dust which when they first did move a shrowd Of darkness vaild them in allayd with blood Fell to the Earth whose Clefts a crimson flood Fil'd to the brim and when it could contain No more let forth those purple streams to stain The blushing fields which being made slâ—ppery by Th' unnatural shower there lets them sink and dy Whose empty veins rent in this fatal strife Here dropt the treasure of exhausted Life In sad exchange of wounds whilst the last breath Even flying forth to give another death Supports the fainting Spirits all were now Sadly imploy'd arm'd danger could allow In this loud storm of Action none to stand Idle Spectators but each busie hand Labours in deaths great work his life to sell At rates so dear that Foe by which he fell To boast his gain survives not but now in This mart of death blind Fortune doth begin To shew her self Antagonist unto Less powerful Justice In the common view Of reason which by the external shape Of Actions only judges no escape From their desert Captivity was left The Rebels Armie but th' unmanly theft Of secret flight to some protected by Their Fellows loss when in a rage as high As if it had attempted to out-roar The Battels thunder a rude Tempest bore From Southern Climates on th' exalted wings Of new-rais'd winds a change so fatal brings To th' royal Army that from Vict'ries near Succesful pride unto extreams which fear Did nere suggest it brought them back to view Their glorious hopes thus sadly over-threw A strong reserve rais'd by his friends to be Almanzors rescue if that Victorie Seem'd to assist the juster part was now Brought neer the River which endeavouring how To ford they there unwillingly had been Detaind till strength had prov'd but useless in The Princess Conquest if the swelling flood VVhose added streams too strong to be withstood Had not in that impeteous torrent tore That Bridge which past the royal Army o're Whose severd Boats borne down the River made So sad a change that whilst their Foes invade Their Rear on them the late lamented loss Forbid the others when dispers'd to cross Their Waves by dangers which in each breast bred Terrors as great as those from whence they fled The valiant Army like Lifes Cittadel The heart when nought but poysonous Vapours swel Every adjacent part long strugling in Deaths sharp Convulsions out of hopes to win Ought there but what buyes the uncertain breath Of future Fame at the high price of death At length not conquerd but o're burthend by A flood of power in Nights obscurity When dreadful shadows had the field o're-spread As Darkness were a Herse-cloath for the dead That this daies losses might not grow too great For reparation by a hard retreat Attempt to save such of their strengths as since Inforc'd to fly might safely guard the Prince From dangers which could but his Foes have viewd Their motions all had unto death purfu'd In this distress from that vast Sea of blood The field where late his Army marshald stood The wretched Prince retires but with a train So smal they seemd like those that did remain After a Deluge where the Rivers course Stopt with dead bodies run with smallest force He venters o're the flood whose guilty Waves Blushes in blood some few whom Fortune saves T' attend on his a like succesful by That bold adventure whilst the Prince doth fly To guard Alcithius by his Mandates are Since the disasters of this fatal War Forc'd him to seek for more assistance sent To the Epicâ—te striving to prevent Those wild reports that on the quick belief Of female fear might be impos'd by grief He hasts to bear the sad Report to her Whose sorrows lost to see the Messenger The end of the second Canto PHARONNIDA The second Book CANTO THE THIRD The ARGUMENT V. Through the dark terrours of a dreadfull Night The Prince to 's Daughter comes with flying speed From dangers great as those he fear'd in flight Is by Argalia's forward Valour freed VI. Who having with succesfull Fortune gave His Master freedome their joyn'd strength pursue Their flying Foes unto an uncâ—uth Cave In whose vast Womb Fates dark decrees they view THis last Retreat which seemd but to defer Danger by being Honours Sepulcher Attaind in hast there calming all the strife Of various Passion since her Fathers Life Payd all the tears she owd his losses he His verteous Daughter found prepar'd to be No sad addition to his sorrow by The faults of female Imbecillity Untimely tears but with a confidence High as ere taught brave Valour to dispense With sad disasters arm'd to entertain The worst of Ills to ease the Wounded's pain Or stop their blood those hands which once she thought Should have to Victors Triumphs Garlands brought Are now imployd yet that her Acts may be The best examples to posterity Her present ill she with such strength withstood Its power was lost in hopes of future good Precipitated from a Throne to be Subjected by a Subjects tyranny To want their pity who of late did know No peace but what his Influence did bestow With sad presaging fears to think his fair His verteous Daughter his rich Kingdomes Heir Like to be ravisht from his bafl'd power A Trophy to a rebel Conqueror With such afflicting
Fought betwixt fear and hope was setled in A silent joy that from her noble breast Struggl'd for passage whilst Argalia blest Above his hopes in burning kisses seals His service on her Virgin hand that steals From thence new flames into her heart which ere Fed with desire even whilst she did prepare To entertain those welcome Guests appears The Prince who now thawd from the icy fears Of desperation was come there to give Thanks to his unknown friends but words did live Within a place too baren to bestow That fruitful zeal whose plenty did orâ—-flow His Eyes those clouded Orators which till Disburthend did capacious passion fill This moist Gale o're when now they had awhile Melted in joy cloathing it with a smile He thus unfolds his comfort Blessed Fates You have out-try'd my charity he hates All real Vertue that confesses not My care of thee was but an unknown spot To this large world of satisfaction here Kind sorrow stopt his voice again when fear Their Enemies might rally and i th' bud Blast all their blooming joyes even whilst the blood Wreak'd on his Sword leaving their Eyes to pay Pursuing prayers Argalia posts away But finds his Foes disperst excepting one Stout Regiment whose desperation grown To valour spight of all pursuers made Good their retreat till forc'd at length to shade Themselves from the pursuing danger in A deep dark Cave whose spatious Womb had been Their Receptacle when unlawfull theft Was their profession In this place they 'd left Their dearest pledges as most confident Those dark Meanders would their loss prevent These stout Opposers being protected here Before Argalia brought his Army neer Had fortifi'd the narrow pass and now Presume of safety since none else knew how Without their leave to enter Hem'd about With all the Castle Foot his Horse sent out To clear the field the careful General sees Then every Quarter made secure he frees His own from all suspected danger while This busie Siege did better things beguile Of some few steps of time the Prince arrives To see the Leager where each Captain strives With entrance to be honourd but in vain The subtile Engineer here racks his Brain The Mountains yeild not to their Cannon shock Nor mine could pierce the marble-breasted Rock Thus whilst they lay despairing ere to force A place so difficult with some few Horse Only attended the vext Prince surrounds The spaâ—ious Hill whose uncouth sight confounds His ablest Guides making a stand to view A Promontory on whose brow there grew A Grove of stately Cedars from a dark And hidden cleft proud of so rich a Mark Some Mus kets are discharg'd which missing by A desperate Sallie's seconded to fly The danger thorough such a dreadful way As now they were to pass was not to stay But hasten ruine though too weak in fight More safety lay then an unworthy flight But Valour like the royal Eagle by A cloud of Crows ore-masterd less to dy With honour had no refuge left and that Here each Plebeian gains when frighted at Th' unusual clamour with such troops as were Most fit for speed Argalia was come there Arriv'd even with that minute which first saw His Prince a Captive Now the Rebbels draw Back to their private Salliport but are Too speedily pursu'd to enter far Within their dark Meanders ere ore-took By their inraged Foes who had forsook Their other stations and to this alone Drew all their Forces entring the unknown And horrid Cave whose troubled Womb till then Nere such a Cholick felt Argalia's men Following so brave a Leader boldly tred Through the Rocks rugged Entrails those that fled Though better skild in their obscure retreat No safety find the Caves remotest seat Was now the stage of death together throng'd After their Swords had Lifes last step prolong'd There all the Villains in despair had di'd Had not the fear their Prince in such a tyde Of blood might have been shipwrackt whom to save A gen'ral Pardon to the rest is gave And now the dreadful Earthquake which had turnd The Rock to Aetna could its top have burnd With Subteranean fires being ceas'd the Prince Desirous by his knowledge to convince Those word-deep wonders which report had spread Of that strange Cave commands some to be led By an old Out-law whose experience knew The uncouth Vaults remotest Corners to Those seats of horrour which performd and word Returnd again the danger did afford Subject for nobler Spirits forthwith he Attended by Argalia goes to see What had afrighted them the dreadfull way Through which he past being steep and rugged lay Between two black and troubled streams that through The cleft Rock rowld with horrid noise till to An ugly Lake whose heavy streams did ly Unstird with aire they come and there are by That black Asphaliis swallowd a strang sound Of yelling Dragons hissing Snakes confound Each trembling Auditor till comforted By bold Argalia ventring first to tread On stones which did like ruin'd Arches ly Above the surface of the Lake he 's by Their aid brought to an ancient Tower that stood Fixt in the center of the lazy flood Its Basis founded on a Rock whose brow With age disfigur'd into clefts did now With loud and speedy ruine threaten to Crush all beneath it round about it flew On sooty wings such ominous Birds as hate The cheerful day Vipers and Scorpions sate Circl'd in darkness till the cold damp breath Of neer concreted Vapours sing'd to death By th' numerous light of Torches which did shine Through the whole Mountains Convex and refinâ— Aire with restraint corrupted forcing way By conquering flames recals the banisht day Come now to a black Tower which seemd to be The Throne of some infernal Deity That his extended Lawes reaches unto The brazen Gate whose folded Leaves withdrew Assaulâ— their eyes with such a flux of light That as the dim Attendants of the Night In bashful duty shun the Prince of Day So their lost Tapors unto this give way Whilst it with wonder that belief out-grew Transports their sights to the amazing view Of so much beauty that the use of sense Was lost in mâ—re then humane excellence A glorious Room so elegantly faire In ' tâ— various structure that the riotous Heir O h' eastâ—rn Crescent that might choose to be The Theater of shining Majestie They now behold yet then its mighty strength Which had preserv'd such beauty from the length Of Ages ire Tallons there appear More rare perfections the large floor of clear Transparant Emraulds lent a luster to The Oval Roof whose scarce-seen ground was blew Studded with sparkling Gems whose brightness lent The beauties of the vaulted Firmament To all beneath their beams the figur'd wals Imbost with rare and antick sculptry cals For th' next observance though the serious eye The way to truth in secret mystery He e having lâ—st le ts the dark Text alone To view the beauties of a glorious Throne Which plac'd within the
his Keepers charge as to Suffer more torments then the rest should do And lodg'd him in that Castle to affright And soften his great Soul with fear the light Which lent its beams unto the dismal place In which he lay without presents the face Of horrour smeard in blood a Scaffold built To he the Stage of Murther blusht with guilt Of Christian blood by several torments let From the imprisoning Veins this Object set To startle his Resolves if good and make His future joyes more welcome could not shake The Heaven-built Pillers of his Soul that stood Steady though in the slippery pathes of blood The gloomy Night now sate enthron'd in dead And silent shadows Midnight Curtains spread The Earth in black for what the falling day Had blusht in fire whilst the brave Prisoner lay Circl'd in darknesse yet in those shades spends The hours with Angels whose assistance lends Strength to the wings of Faith which mounted on The Rock of hope was hovering to be gone Tow'rds her eternal Fountain from whose source Celestial Love enjoynd her lower course Whilst in this holy Extasie his knees Descent did mount his heart to him that sees His thoughts disvellop'd whilst dull shades opprest The drousie Hemisphear whilst all did rest Save those whose actions blusht at day-light or Such wretched Souls whose sullen cares abhor Truce with â—efâ—eshing slumbers he beholds A glimering light whose neer approach unfoâ—ds The Leaves of darknesse whilst his wonder gâ—ows Big with Amazement the dim Tapour shews What hand conveyd it thither he might see False Manto enterd who prepard to be A Bawd unto her lustful Mistâ—esse caâ—ne Not with perswasive Rhetorick t' inflame A heart congeald with deaths approach but thaw Him from the frozen Rocks of rigid Law With brighter Constellations that did move In sphears where every Star was fir'd with love The Siren yet to shew that she had left Some modesty unrifl'd by the theft Of mercenary basenesse sadly wept Her Errands Prologue but guilt was not kept Within the Curtain long she only sate A Mourner for the sicknesse of his Fate Until esteemd for pitiful and then Prescribâ—s this Remedy Most blest of men Compose thy wonder and let only joy Dwel in thy Soul my coming 's to destroy Not nurse thy trembling Fears be but so wise To follow thy swift Fate and thou mayst rise Above the reach of danger in thy Armes Circle that power whose radient brightnesse charms Fierce Ammurat's anger when his Crescents shine In a full Oâ—b of Forces what was thine Ere made a Prisoner though the doubtful state Of the best Christian Monarch will abate Its splendor when that Daughter of the Night Thy feeble Star shines in a Heaven of Light If Life or Liberty then bare a shape Worthy thy Courting swear not to escape By the attempts of strength and I will free The Iron bonds of thy Captivity A solemn Oath by that great power he serv'd Took and believ'd his hopes no longer sterv'd In expectation from that swarthy seat Of sad Despair his narrow Jayl repleat With lazy Damps she leads him to a Room In whose Delights Joyes Summer seemd to bloom There left him to the brisk Society Of costly Bathes and corsick Wines whose high And sprightly temper from cool Sherbets found A calm ally here his harsh thoughts unwound Themselves in pleasure as not fearing Fate So much but that he dares to recreate His Spirits by unweildy Action tir'd With all that Lust into no Crime had fir'd By Mutes those silent Ministers of sin His sullied Garments were remov'd and in Their place such various Habits layd as pride Would cloath her Favourites with she means to hide From those Deformities which Accident On Natures Issue striving to prevent Forms eaven progresse casts when she would twine That active Male with matter feminine Unruffl'd here by the rash Wearer rests Fair Persian Mantles rich Sclavonian Vests The gawdy Thuscan or transmuted shape Of the phantastick French the British Ape The grave and constant Spaniard all might here Find Garments such as Princes would appear To grace their honourd Nuptials in or tell Strangers how much their Treasure doth excell Though on this swift variety of Fate He looks with wonder yet his brave Soul sate Too safe within her guards of Reason to Be shook with Passion that there 's some bing new And strange approaching after such a storm This gentle Calm assures him but the form Of pleasure softens not that which the other And worse extream not with fears damps could smother He flies not with the rugged Separatist Pleasures smooth Walks nor doth enjoying twist Those threds of Gold to Fetters he dares tast All mirth but what Religions stock would wast His Limbs from Wounds but late recoverd now Refresht with liquid Odours did allow Their suppl'd Nerves no soâ—ter rest but in Such Robes as wore their Ornament within Vaild o're their beauty Linnen smooth and soft As Phoenix Down and whiter then what 's brought From furthest China he puts on and then What habit Custome made familiar when Cloathd in his own makes choyce of for to be Most hoâ—ourd of that rich variety In an Italian Garb â—o th' Dubblet clad Manto Lusts swift and waâ—chfull Spy that had With an efficious care attended on That motion entring hasts him to be gone To â—'rd more sublim'd delights which though a just And holy doubt proclaim the road of Lust Knowing his better Angel did attend Upon each step he ventures to descend The dreadful Precipiece so far untill The burniâ—g Vale was seen then mounts the Hill Of Heaven-bred Fortitude from whence disdain Floods of contempt on those dark fires did rain â—is guilty Conduct now had brought him neer Ihonusa's Room the glaring Lights appear Through the Windows chrystal Wals the strong Perfumes of balmy Incense mixt among The wandring Attomes of the Aire did fly Sights nimble Scouts yet wer made captive by A slower sence as if but to reveal What breathd within those Fugitives did steal Thorough their unseen Salliports which now Were uselesse grown the open doors allow A free accesse into the Room where come Such reall Forms he saw as would strike dumb Their Alcharons Tales of Paradice the fair And sparkling Jems i th' gilded Roof impair Their Fapours fires yet both themselves confesse Weak to those flames Ihonusa's eyes possesse With such a joy as bodies that do long For Souls shall meet them in the Doomsdayes throng She that rul'd Princes though not Passions sate Waiting her Lover on a Throne whose state Epitomiz'd the Empires Wealth her Robe With costly pride had rob'd the checquerd Globe Of its most fair and orient Jewels to Inhance its value captive Princes who Had lost their Crowns might here those Jems have seen That did adorn them yet she trusts not in These Auxiliary strengths her confidence In her own Beauty rests which no defence Of Chastity ere yet withstood and now She scorns to fear it when her power
and there Lurk in imperfect Forms his Breast doth bear Some Seeds of Goodness which the Soil too hot With rank Ambition doth in ripening rot Yet though from those that praise humilitie He merits not a dreaded power which he Far more applauds rais'd on the Wings of 's own Experienc'd Valour hath so long been known His Foes pale terrour that 't is fear'd he bends That Engine to the ruine of his friends Whose equall Merits claim as much of Fame As e're was due to proud Almanzors Name Yet what may raise more strong desires to see Her Court then Valors wisht societie Is one unusuall Custome which the love Of her kind Father hath so far above All past Examples rais'd that for the time He here resides no Cause although a Crime Which death attends but is by her alone Both heard and judg'd he seeming to unthrone His active power whilst Justice doth invest His beauteous Daughter which to the opprest Whose hopes even shrunk into despair hath in That harsh extream their safe Asilum bin So that even those that fear'd the ' vent could now Mix their desires the Custome would allow Her Reign a longer date But that I may Illustrate this by a more full survay Of her excelling Vertues no pretence Of harsh imployment shall command you hence â—â—ll you have been Spectators of that Court Whose Glories are too spatious for Report The noble Youths beholding such a flame Of Vertue shewn them through the Glass of Fame First gaze with wonder on it which ascends Into desire a Rivolet which ends Not till its swelling streams had drawn them through All weak excuses and engag'd them to Attend on Ariamnes when to show How much mans vain Intentions fall below Mysterious Fate even in the height of all Their full Resolves her Countermands thus call Back their Intentions by a Summons that Th' uncertain World hath often trembled at The late recoverd Aphron whether by Too swift a Cure Lifes springs being rais'd too high â—lowd to a dangerous Plethora or where Some Cause occult the Humours did prepare For that malignant Ill did whilst he lay In tedious expectation of the day Shook with a shievering numness first complain Through all his Limbs of a diffusive pain Which searching each to find the fittest part For its Contagion on the labouring heart Fixes at length which being with grief opprest By the extended Artries to the rest â—th ' body sends its flames the poysond blood Through every Vein streams in a burning flood â—is Liver broyls and his scortch'd stomach turns The Chile to Cinders in each cold Cell burns The humid Brains A violent Earthquake shakes The crackling Nerves Sleeps balmy Daw forsakes The shrivel'd Obticks in which trembling fits ' Mongst tortur'd Sences troubled Reason sits So long opprest with Passion till at length Her feeble Mansion batter'd by the strength Of a Disease she leaves to entertain The wild Chymera's of a sickly Brain And what must yet to 's Friends Affliction add More weights of grief their courteous hast which had Stayed to the latest step of time must now Comply with those Commanders which could allow No more delays and leave Argalia to Be the sole Mourner for his Friend which drew As far as humane Art could guess so neer His end that life did only now appear In thick short sobs those frequent summons that Souls oft forsake their ruin'd Mansions at The end of the first Canto PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE SECOND The ARGUMENT III. Whilst here Argalia in a calm Retreat Allays the sorrow felt for 's sickly Friend Two blooming Virgins neer him take their Seat Whose harmless Mirth soon finds a hapless end IV. The fairest seiz'd on and near ruin'd by Impeteouâ— Lust had not Andremon's speed Protected her till from his fall drawn nigh The same sad Fate the brave Argalia freed THat sad slow hour which Art even thought his last With the sharp Feav'rs Paroxisme past Sick Aphron's Spirits to a cool reareat Beneath a slumber Lifes remotest seat Was gently stoln which did so long endure Till in that opiate quencht the Callenture Decayed forsakes him leaving nought behind But such faint symptomes as from â—ime might find An easie Cure which though no perfect end Is lent to th' care of his indulgent Friend Yet gives him so much liberty that now Fear dares without his friendships breach allow Sometime to leave him slumbring whiâ—st that he Contemplates Natures fresh variety The full blown beauties of the Spring were not By Summer Sun-burnt yet though Phoebus shot His Rays from Cancer when prepard t' expand Imprisond thoughts from Objects near at hand To ey-shot Rovers freed Argalia takes A Noon-tide walk through a fair glade that makes Her aged Ornaments their stubborn head Fold into verdant Curtains which she spread In cooling shadows o're the bottoms where A chrystal stream unfetterd by the care Of nicer Art in her own Channel played With the embracing Banks untill betrayed Into a neighbouring Lake whose spatious Womb Lookt at that distance like a chrystal Tomb Fram'd to inter the Nayades Not far From hence an Oak whose limbs defensive War ' Gainst all the Winds a hundred Winters knew Stoutly maintaind on a smal rising grew Under whose shadow whilst Argalia lies This Object tempts his Soul into his Eyes A pair of Virgins fairer then the Spring Fresher then Dews that ere the glad Birds sing The Mornings Carrols drop with such a pace As in each act shewd an unstudied grace Crossing the Neighbouring Plain were now so near Argalia drew that what did first appear But the neglected Object of his Ey More strictly viewd cals Fansie to comply With so much love that though no wilder fire Ere scortcht his breast he here learnt to admire Loves first of symptomes To a shady seat Near that which he had made his cool retreat Being come beneath a spreading Hawthorn they Seating themselves the sliding hours betray From their short lives by such discourse as might Have made even time if young lament his flight Retir'd Argalia at the sight of these Though no obsceaner vanity did please His Eyes then Anch'rites are possest with when Numbring their Beads or from a sacred Pen Distilling Heavens blest Oracles yet he Wondring to find such sweet Civility Mixt with that places rudeness long beholds That lovely pair whose every act unfolds Such linkt affections as wise nature weaves In dearest Sisters but their form bereaves That thought ere featherd with belief although To admitation beauty did bestow Her gifts on both she had those darlings drest In various colours what could be exprest By Objects fair as new created light By Roseall mixtures with immaculate white By Eyes that emblemd Heavens pure Azure in The youngest Nymph Florenza there was seen To which she adds Behaviour far more free Although restraind to strictest modesty Then the more sad Caâ—ina who if there Were different years in that else equal Paire Something the Elder seemd her
too rich In mercy Heavens supream Prerogative To stifle tears did with her passion strive So long til what at first assaulted in Sorrows black Armor had so often bin For pity cherisht that at length her eyes Found there those Spirits that did sympathize With those that warmd her blood and unseen move That Engine of the World mysterious Love The way that Fate predestinated when T was first infus'd i th' Embrio it being then That which espousd the active forme unto Matter and from that passive being drew Divine Ideas which subsisting in Harmonious Natures highest sphear do win In the perfection of our Age a more Expansive power and Natures common store Stil to preserve unites Affections by The mingled Attomes of the serious eye Whilst Natures Priest the cause of each effect Miscal'd Disease indeavouâ— to detect Its unacquainted operations in The beauteous Princess whose free soul had bin Yet guarded in her Virgin Ice and now A stranger is to what she doth allow Such easie entrance by those Rays that fall From eithers eyes to make reciprocal Their yeilding passions brave Argalia felt Even in the grasp of death his Functions melt To flames which on his heart an on-set make For sadness such as weaker Mortals take Eternal farewels in yet in this high Tyde of his blood in a soft calm to die His yielding Spirits now prepare to meet Death cloathd in thoughts white as his winding sheet That fatal doom which unto Heaven affords The sole Appeal one of th' assisting Lords Had now pronouncd whose horrid thunder could Not strike his Laureld Brow that Voice which would Have putrified a timerous Soul he hears With calm attention no disorderd fears Ruffl'd his Fancy nor domestick War Rag'd in his breast his â—v'ry look so far From vulgar passions that unless amazd At Beauties Majesty he sometimes gazd Wildly on that as Emblems of more great Glories then earth afforded from the seat Of resolution his fixt soul had not Been stird to passion which had now begot Wonder not fear within him No harsh frown Contracts his Brow nor did his thoughts pull down One fainting spirit wrapt in smootherd groans To clog his heart From her most eminent Thrones Of Sense the Eyes the lightning of his Soul Flew with such vigour forth it did controul All weaker passions and at once include With Roman Valour Christian Fortitude Pharonnida from whom the rigid Law Extorts his Fate being now inforc'd to draw The longest Line she ere could hope to move Over his Face that beauteous sphear of Love Unto its great'st obliquity she leaves Him in his winter solstice and bereaves Loves Hemisphear of light not hear yet oft Retreating wisht those Stars Fare plac'd aloft In the first Magnitude of Honour might Prove retrograde so their contracted light Might unto him part of their Influence In Life bestow Passion would fain dispence So far with Reason to recall again The sentence she had past but hop'd in vain Those false suggestions moves his Jaylers are Th' undaunted Prisoner hurrying from the Bar His fair Judge rising the corrupted Court Upon removing all the ruder sort Of Hearers rushing out when through the throng Kind Ariamnes being detaind so long By strict Imployment comes at whose request The Court their Seats resuming he adrest Himself to th' Princess in a Language that Whilst all Argalias Foes were storming at Even on her Justice so prevails that he Repriev'd til all hope could produce to free Her Loves new care might be examind by His active Friend who now being seated nigh Pharonnide whilst all attentive sate The strangers story doth at large relate Pleas'd at this full relation nere as much As griev'd to see those Jewels plac'd in such A course cheap Mettal which could never hold The least proportion with her regal Gold Pharonnida had now remov'd if not Thus once more stayed the Rumor first begoâ— From this sad truth had with the common hast Of Ill arriv'd where his Disease had plac'd Aphron whose Ears assaulted now with words Of more infection then that Plague affords Room for the stâ—onger Passion though offended To leave a hold it had at first intended To keep til ruin'd the imprisond blood And spirits are unfetterd by that flood To wash usurping grief from off that part Where most she reign'd but they drawn near the heart And finding Enemies too strong to be Incounter'd mix in their society Which thus supplyed with Auxiliaries in Contempt of weakness when he long had been Languishing underneath a tedious Load Of sickness sends him from his safe Aboad ' Mongst dangers which in deaths black shape attend His bold design to seek his honourd Friend Come on the spur of passion to the Court A flux of Spirits from all parts resort To prompt his anger which abruptly broke Forth in this Language Do not Sirs provoke A forrein power thus far I speak to you That have condemnd this stranger as to do An Act so opposite to all the Law Of Nations here within your Realm to draw Blood that 's so neer allied unto the best Of an adjacent State If this request Of mine too full of insolence appear We are Spirits nobly born and near Enough to hav 't whatever Crime 's the Cause Of this harsh sentence tri'd by our own Laws This bold Opposer of stern Justice here Pausing to see what Clouds there did appear In that fair Heaven whose influence only now Could light to 's friends declining Stars allow To free the troubl'd Court which struggl'd iâ— A strange Delemma had commanded bin To a more large discovery if not by His pitying Friend discharg'd in a reply Doubting how far inregular boldness had Provok'd just wrath Argalia thus unclad Amezements dark disguise To you that aâ— This Court with that kneels to Pharonnida I now for Mercy flee that scorn to run From my own doom so I might have begun The doubtful task alone but here to leave My Friend from whom your Justice did receive This bold Afront in danger is a Crime That not approaching death which all my time Too little for repentance cals can be A just excuse for let me then set free His person with your doubts and joynd to those What both their varied stories may compose For what this noble Lord whose goodness we First found in needful hospitality From him hath differd him impute it not To eithers error both Reports begot From such mistakes as Nature made to be The careful Issues of Necessity That fatal difference whose Vestigia stood Where we Epiciae left fresh fil'd with blood By league so lately with Calabria made Being compos'd that Fame did not invade Our Ears with the report til we had been By a disguise secur'd which shaded in Whilst fearing danger we nere thought to leave Til safe at home Thus what did first deceive Kind Aminander you have heard and now Without the stein of boasting must allow Me leave to tel you that we there have Friends On
from surrender but the time was spent Too far before The Governor that kept It now against his Prince too long had slept In the preceding down of peace to be Awakn'd into valour only he Had seen 't kept clean from Cobwebs and perhaps The Guns shot off when those loud thunder-claps Proclaim'd a storm of healths yet till he saw The threatning danger circularly draw An armed Line about him in as high A voice as valor could a Foe defie He clothes his fears which shook the false disguise Off with the first assault and swiftly flies To 's Princes mercy whose pleas'd Soul he found Heighten'd to have his first attempt thus crownd With Victory which nere made his Army less Nor steept in blood though travaild to success To this new Conquest as a place whose strength He best might trust if to a tedious length Or black Misfortune the ensuing War His Fate should spin his choicest treasures are Together with her in whose safety he Plac'd Life it self brought for security This done that now no slow delaies might look Like feare he with his loyal Army took The field in which he 'd scarce a Level chose To rallie's Army ere his numerous Foes Appear on th' tops of the adjacent Hill Like Clouds which when presaging storms do fill Dark Southern Regions In a plain that lay So near that both the Armies full survay Might from the Clifts on which Alcithius stands Be safely viewd were the rebellious bands Of 's Enemies descending on each side Flank'd by a River which did yet divide Him from the Prince who having time to choose What ground to fight on did that blessing use To 's best advantage on a Bridge which by Boards closely linkt had forc'd an unity Betwixt the Banks his Army past he now Within a Plain whose spatious bounds allow Together with a large extention all An ancient Leader could convenient call Remov'd no tedious distance from his Rear Stood a smal Town which as the place took care How to advance so just an interest might Be useful when tir'd in the heat of fight Strength lost in Wounds should force some thither by Wants which a Camp 's unfurnisht to supply More near his Front betwixt him and the Plain Through which Almanzor led his spatious Train On a smal Hill which gently rose as though Its eminence but only strove to shew The fragrant Vale how much nice Art out-went Their beauties in her brows fair Ornament A splendid Palace stood which having been Built but for wanton peace to revel in Was as unfit for the rough hand of War As boisterous Armes for tender Virgins are To this since now of consequence unto The first Possessor had both Armies drew Commanded parties which ere Night shut in Lights latest Rayes did furiously begin The first hot Skirmish which continuing till Dark shadows all the Hemisphear did fill To such as Fear or Novelty had sent To th'Hils safe tops such dreadful prospect lent By the swift rising of those sudden fires In whose short close that fatal sound expires Which tels each timerous Auditor its breath To distant breasts bears unexpected death That whilst their eyes direct their thoughts unto Their danger whom Reward or Honour drew To the Encounter all the uncouth sight Affords to horror turns that strange delight These circling fires drawn neer their Center in Such tumult as Armies engag'd begin Deaths fatal task a dreadful sound surpriz'd The distant Ear danger that lay disguiz'd In darkness yer now as if wak'nd by The Conquerors shouts so general and so high That it even drownd the clamourous Instruments Of fatal War her Vale of sables rents From round the Palace by that horrid light Which her own Turrets through the steams of Night In dreadful blazes sent discovering both The shadowed Armies who like Mourners loth To draw too near their sorrows Center while Their friends consume surround the blazing Pile In such a sad and terrible aspect That those engag'd in Action could neglect Approaching danger to behold how they Like Woods grown near the foot of Aetna lay Whilst the proud Palace from her sinking Wals In this sharp Feavers fiery Chrisis fals But now the Nights as wearied with a Rain So ful of trouble had resign'd again The earths divided Empire and the day Grown strong in light both Armies did display To their full view who to the Mountain in Sad expectation of th' event had been Early Spectators cal'd here seated nigh Their female friends old men exempted by Weakness from Wars to rough encounters shew Those Colours which their active Youth did know Adorn the field when those that now engage Like tender Plants kept for the future age In blooming Childhood were ' mongst this they tell What Heroes in preceding Battels fel Where Victory stoop to Valor and where rent From brave desert by fatal Accident Then ere their story can a period have Shew Wounds they took and tell of some they gave This sad Praeludium to an action far More dismal past the unvaild Face of War Looks big with horror now both Armies draw So neer that their divided Brothers saw Each others guilt that too too common sin Of civil War Rebellions Sons stood in Armes ' gainst their Fathers clad friends that no cross Could dis-unite here found the fatal loss Of Amity and as presaging blood i th' worst Aspect sad opposition stood One was their fashion form and discipline Strict Heraulds in one Scutcheon did combine Th' Armes of both Armies yet all this must be By Wars wild rage rob'd of its unity Whilst like sad Saturn ominous and slow Each Army mov'd some Youths set here to grow By forward Actions stately Cedars to Adorn Fames Court like shooting Stars were flew So bright so glittering from th' unweildy throng Of either Army which being mixt among Each other in a swift Numidian fight Like Aires small Atomes when discovering light Betraies their motion shews some hours had past In this light Skirmish till now near Wars last Sad Scean arriv'd as the distrest heart cals Before the body deaths pale Victim fals Those Spirits that dispers'd by action were Back to their Center their Commanders care Summons these in that so united strength Might swiftly end or else sustain the length Of that black storm where yet that danger stood Which must ere long fall in a shower of blood A dismal silence such as oft attends Those that surround the death-beds of their friends In the departing minute reigns throughout Both Armies Troops who gather'd now about Their several Standards and distinguisht by Their several colours such variety Presents the eye with that whilst the sad thought Beholds them but as falling branches brought To the decay of time their view did bring In all the pleasures of the checkquerd Spring Like a large field where being confin'd unto Their several squares here blushing Roses grew There purpl'd hiacinths and neer to them The yellow Cowslip bends its tender stem To th'
griefs as did exclude The comforts of his passive Fortitude Opprest the Prince when now an Army led By their pursuing Enemies ore-spread The circling fields and brings their fear within The reach of th' Eye heighten'd with hope to win That now by parl which ere the sad success Of Battel made their conquer'd numbers less He feard in fight the confidently bold Almanzor in a Scrowl that did unfold A Language whose unreverend stile affords Far more of anger then his Soldiers Swords Had ere stird fear within his Princes breast His fixt Intentious thus in brief exprest Great Sir NO airy tumour of untam'd desire Nurst my Ambition prompts me to aspire To any Action that may sore above My Birth or Loyalty it was the love I bore your verteous Daughter that first clad Me in defensive Armes which never had Been else unsheathd though 't had been to defend Me from Injustice should your Sword extend Its power to tyranny but failing in That first attempt ere streams of blood had bin Shed in addition to those drops my hand Had broke my Sword as guilty had this Land To whom I owe for the first Aire I breathd Not washt the stain in tears and since unsheathd It in the name of Justice to their good Which trembling on uncertain hopes hath stood Whilst fearing forrein Governours I have Added my love and satisfaction crave For both before a greater ill may fall To make our sufferings Epidemical By being slaves to some proud Tyrant that In politick Ambition reaches at A Kingdom by profest Affection and Marries your Daughter to command your Land This Scrowl spotted with Impudence receiv'd By the vext Prince whom passion had bereav'd Of politick Evasions he returns A swift defiance but his high rage burns Nought but his own scortcht breast the fainting fire Quencht by constraint wants Fuel to blaze higher Then flashy threatnings which since prov'd a folly Sink in the Ashes of Melancholy For which his ablest Councel could prepare No Cordial of advice they rather share With him in sorrow whose harsh burthen growes Not lighter by the company of those That now lend hearts to bear it only in This sullen Clouds obscurity this sin Of their Nativity the noble Soul Of the undaunted Princess did controul The harshest Lectures of her Stars and sate Unshaken in this Hyrocane of Fate Calming her Fathers hot adversity With Dews of comfort taught him how to be Prince of his Passions a Command more great Then his that trembles in a regal seat The Enemy that vainly had till now Toil'd forth their strength no more endeavours how By force to conquer some smal time they knew Would with the bloodless Sword of Famine do More then their Cannon could the meager Fen Already grew tyrannical his men Like walking Ghosts wait on their Prince and stand For shadows on their Plat-forms not a hand But was unnerv'd with want yet whilst each part Languisht tow'rd death each bosome held a heart Which though most large could never empty he Being doubly fil'd with grife and loyalty Amongst both which hope for a part puts in As the Supporter of what else had been A burthen insupportable and spoke This pleasing Language that the royal Oke Beneath whose Winter Fortune now they stood Pining for want the witherd under Wood That all his miseries dropt on yet they shall When ere his brighter Stars again do call His Fortune into light be comforted By his kind shadow which shall those that fled Him in this sad extream then leave to be Scortcht in the Rays of angry Majesty Reduc'd unto this pitied exigence Yet by his honour which could not dispense With ought that like suspition lookt detaind From what by parl might have their freedome gaind The loyal Sufferers to declare how far They fear declind those mourning weeds of War Whose fight a desperate valour doth betray Black En signs on their guarded Wals display When to augment their high resolves with what Their valour was to pity so fâ—ned at After with all those course though scarce Cates they By sparing first attempted to betray Time till relief with they 'd been fed till now There nought remaind that longer could allow Life further hopes of sustenance to do An Act so great all Ages to ensue Shall more admire then imitate within The Hall appears their Soveraign leading in His hand the Princess whose first view though drest In Robes as sad as sorrow ere exprest Was but the Frontiers of their grief to what When nearer seen whilst sorrow silenc'd at So sad on Object might for death be took Made solemn grief like grave Religion look Whilst all thus in sad expectation stand Of future Fate disdaining to command Those whom an equal sorrow seemd to make His fellow Sufferers the sad Prince thus spake His fixt resolves Brave Souls whose loyal love Opprest by my unhappy woes must prove Part of my grief since by my wretched Fate Forc'd with my own life to precipitate Yours into danger from whose reach since by No Crime until the love of Loyalty Become a sin you are cal'd guilty yet Seek some evasion 't is not you that sit Upon the Throne he aimes at nor doth here Arival in Pharonnida appear No 't is our lives our lives brave Subjects that His bold Ambition only reaches at By this pretense what to my Daughter love To 's Country's pity cal'd could he remove Those now but smal Obstructions soon would grow To 's pride united till it over flow All limets of a Subjects duty by Rebellious reach usurped tyranny Go then and let not my unhappiness Afflict you more i th' shadow of distress T wil like warm comforts swel my Soul to know That to his Favour you for safety ow. Did not those sacred Canons that include All vertue in a Christians Fortitude Obstruct our Passions progress we ere this In death had made the haughty Rebel miss The glory of his Conquest which since now Denâ—'d although unweildy age allow Not strength to sell my life at such a rate Honour aimes at yet shall the slow debate Even in my fall let the World know I died Scorning his pity as they hate his pride Here stopt the Prince when as if every breast One universal sorrow had possest Grief grown into more noble passion broke Th' attentive silence and thus swiftly spoke Their resolutionâ— On on and lead Us unto death no Critick eye shall read Fear through the Opticks of our Souls but give Command to act here 's not a heart durst live Without obedience camforted with this Rich Cordial from his sorrows dark Abyss Rais'd to resolves whose greatness equal'd all His former Glory by their fatal fall To darken the ensuing day the Prince Gives a Command to all his Train that since Their own free Votes elected death they now With Souls that no terrestial thought allow A residence ' gainst the next Morn prepare That wisht for freedome with himself to share All sadly sate
expecting but that light Whose near approach must to eternal Night Their last Conductor be a sudden still And doleful silence such as oft doth fill The Room where sick men slumber when their Friends Stand weeping by to Contemplation bends Their busie thoughts within each troubl'd breast Being to leave the Mansion she 'd possest So long yet with so short a warning all Her Faculties the frighted Soul did call Forth of the Bosome of those Causes in Whose form they 'd fetterd to their Crasis been To joyn those powers yet strong in living breath For her assistance in the grasp of death The whispering Trumpet having cal'd them by Such sharp Notes as when powerful Foes are nigh Retreating Parties use all swiftly rise From bended Knees and the last Sacrifice They ere expect to pay to Heaven untill Their Souls last gasp the vocal Orgains fill Concluded was the last sad interview The Prince was marcht Pharonnida with-drew And now all from the open'd Ports were in A swift March sallying had their speed not been Thus swiftlier stopt those scatterd horse that fled The Battel to th' Epirotes Court had sped So well in their Embassage that the Prince Whom the least negligence might now convince Of want of love proud of so fair a chance To shew's Affection swiftly doth advance With a vast Army tow'rd them but the fear Prevailing danger ere their strength come near To their necessitated Friends might force Them to unworthy Articles some horse Selected are whose swifter speed might by A desperate charge broke through their Foes supply Their fainting friends the much desir'd Command Of these few men committed to the â—and Of brave Argalia nere more blest then now In serving the fair Princess did allow His Sword so fair a field to write the story Of Honour in that his unblasted Glory Beyoâ—d this day shall live out-live the reach Of long-armd Envy and those weake Souls teach That fear the frowns of Fate in spight of all Heroick Vertue sits too high to fall With the dayes close they take their March and ere The silver Morning on her brow did bear The burnisht guilt o th' Suns warm Rayes arrive In view o th' place when Fortune that did strive To crown their hopes had wrapt the earth in thick And heavy mists the sluggish Morning sick Of Midnight surfeiâ—s from her dewy bed Pale and discolourd Rose This Curtain spread To vail their plot in they assault their Foes Which when surpriz'd could not themselves dispose Fit for resistance but whilst some did flie From the distracting danger others die To their neglect a Sacrifice the swift Alarm like a rude winds circling drift Hurries confusion through the field and shook The trembling Soldier some unclad forsook Their half-fir'd Cabbens deaths large gripe did take Whole troops that Destiny ordaind to wake No more till Dooms-day and in 's march prevents Th' unition of unrallied Regiments This frighted Language of Confusion heard By those o th' Castle which were now prepard For their last desperate Sally switly draws Them to assist their friends and though the cause Being yet unknown was only thought to be Some private Jar grown to a Mutiny Or else the noise the Enemy had made When all their force was drawing to invade Them in their works howe're they stand not to Consult with reason but as striving who Shall first encounter death each severall hand Sought for his own from those that did withstand His rage-directed strength their Cannon in A Funeral Peal went off whose steam had been Their Covert to the Camp where finding such A wild confusion they assisted much The fortune of the day which now was grown Indubitable they might call their own A glorious Conquest the thick sulphry cloud Whose dismal shade did that destruction shroud Rent with those thunder-claps dissolv'd into A shower of blood what she vouchsaft to do Fortune lends light to shew them having left Their Camp whilst darkness did protect a Theft That only stole dishonour which they were Now in an open flight inforc'd to bear They see Almanzors broken troops ore-spread The neighbouring fields those clouds of men that fled Being pursu'd by Companies so smal That they appeard but like those drops that fall After a storm Yet as the labouring Hart Long struggles for that life which doth depart From the less noble Members to lend aid To her in deaths pale Conflict having stayd Some of his best Commanders hoping by Their valour to recal the rest with high Undaunted force Almanzor doth oppose His Enemies pursuit till like t' inclose Him in disdaining the reproachful end He must expect no longer stands t' attend The glimering light of hope the field he leaves To conquering Argalia but deceives Him of himself the prize most sought for which When lost beyond recovery he grown rich In shining honour that like Sun-beams plac'd Within a field of gules by being defac'd Had beautifi'd his Armour that dark mist Which did at first such contradictions twist That he both curst and blest it one cause did Aide his design the other cause it hid His Heaven of Beauty in their dewy Bed Had left the blushing Roses and was fled Upon the Wings of th' wind With wonder now Discoverd colours taught each party how To know their Friends The royal Standard in The Princes party had disvellopt been By that fair signal to discover who Was present there but ere Argalia to That place arriv'd Pharonnida who had Whilst desperation all her beauties clad In the pale Robes of fear heard all the loud Shock of the Conflict but until the Cloud Remov'd his fatal Curtain never knew How near the hour of her delivery drew That being dissolv'd through those which grief had rais'd In her fair Eyes did see and seeing praised Just Heaven which sent it each of those that Fought for her she commends but wonders at Although unknown the lightning valour she Saw in Argalia whilst with just rage he Unravels Natures workmanship a rent Which were a sin if not a punishment And from the slender web of life did send Forth Rebels Souls fast as each busie Fiend That wait their fals transport them fain she would Ere known conceit 't were he but how he should Come there and so attended did exceed Imagination Thus whilst her hopes feed On strange desires being come near unto The Coach wherein she sate prepard to do His Loves Oblations he that Face disarms Which when beheld by those attractive charms VVithin the center of her best desires Contracted all her hopes whose life expires Soon as they 'r crownd with wisht success too great A distance parts them yet she leaves her seat And flies to his Imbraces but conceald Her passion in his Merit being reveald To him alone whose better judgment knew That in those Spirit-breathing beams that flâ—w Through the fair Casements of her Eyes did move The secret Language of an ardent love This conflict of her passions which had been
that Mazara's love-sick Soul was offering at Florenza's Shrine and by that willing stay Might be inforc'd some Minutes to delay The time in which his readier Opposite Expected him she being resolv'd to write Affection in her blood with Loves wild hast Makes toward the Lists there finds his Armour plac'd Within the dark shade of an ancient Wood In whose black breast that place of horrour stood Where they appoint to meet like those of Fate Obscure and dark by Beasts and Birds that hate The Light alone frequented but love had Dis-plum'd fears Haggars being resolv'd she clad Beauties fair Pearl where smooth delights did dwell i th' rough-cast Mould of that Ciclopian shell But that no Armes nor bounding Steeds affright Where Loves fair hand hath Valours pasport wright Here we should pause and pity her that now Fancy beholds whilst she is learning how To manage stubborn steel within her sleek And pollisht hand through devious pathes to seek For doubtful dangers such whose horrid shape On mans best judgment might commit a Rape Her swift Conductor Love ere this had brought Her to the place where Passion had not sought Long for the Object of her hate ere she Her valiant Brother that was come to be His Fames Protector sees but so disguiz'd In 's Armes that both with envy unadviz'd By knowledge an unthought of guilt prepare In blood to meet their foaming Horses were Now freed from the commanding Rain and in Their full Carier but Love in vain to win The Field from Valour strives her eager hast But argues such an envy as did wast It self in weak Attempts which to the length Of power extended fals beneath the strength Of her Victorious Foe whose Fortune had In Robes of Joy what he must weep for clad Conquer'd Carina now dismounted lay Struggling for life whose Fortress to betray Toward Natures Tyrant Death her blood transports False Spirits through their purple Salliports Her Brother with an Anger that was grown Into disdain his Fury should be shewn On such resistless Subjects ere he knows How much of grief his Soul to sorrow owes For this unhappy Act froms finisht course Was now returning not by strength to force The harsh Commands of Tyrant Victors but By calm advice a bloodless end to put To that ill-manag'd Quarrel but before He there arrives to make his sorrows more When truth unvails their dark design a Knight With hast as speedy as the secret flight Oâ— wrath when wing'd from angry Heaven he saw Bolted into the Lists who soon did draw Too neer in sober Language to dispute Their fatal Quarrel both with Rage grown mute Disdaining conference found no place for words Amidst the mortal Language of their Swords Which the first shock past o're and Lances broke In hast took place and at each furious stroke Unbay'd the Fountains of their blood to stain With purple guilt the Flower-enamel'd Plain Whilst each did thus with silent Rage imploy An Art directed Fury to destroy The others strength the bordering shadows weep In trickling Dews and with sad murmures keep Time with the hollow and ill boding Note Sent from a fatal Ravens stretcht-out Throat Which from an old Oaks witherd top did sing A baleful Dirg but these sad Omens bring No terror to their busie thoughts which were Too much imployd in Action to take care For any danger more remote then what With the next stroke might fall perceiving that Their Horses faint they both dismount and do On equal terms the Fight on foot renew Till a Cessation from the want of breath Not Valour was enâ—orc'd the Vail which death Contracted from those steams his wreaking blood Breathd forth its Spirits in already stood Over Mazara's Eyes which clouded seâ—s Not that approach of Night his trembling Knees Sâ—agger beneath their fainting Load which in To th' Grave had dropt had not their fury bin When its last heat was with Lifes flame neer spent From further Rage restraind by accident Some of the lost Carina's frighted Friends Fearing those Ills which desperate Love attends Spending that Morning in the fruitless Quest Of her had been and now their hopes distrest With vain inquiries to communicate Their Grief returning were which secret Fate To interpose through dark Meanders brought Neglect to find what care in vain had sought Whilst yet no more then brave humanity Prompts them to part a Quarrel that might be Defil'd with blood which if not shead in Wars With Murther stains what it doth guild with Scars They toward them hast even in that critical And dangerous Minute when Mazara's fall With Vict'ries Laurels to adorn his Crest His valiant Friend had rob'd of future rest Had not this blest relief of Innocence The one from death the other from expence Of tears restraind before Revenge had found So much of Guilt as might his Conscience wound His high wrought Rage stopt by too many hands To vent its heat Euriolus now stands Shook with the Feaver of his anger till Those Friends which saw Mazara grown so ill With wounds to gasp for breath by giving way For aire they to the Victors view betray His best of Friends at which afflicting sight Cursing the cause of that unhappy fight His Sword as guilty thrown aside he hasts To his Relief in which kind act none wasts Their friendly help Life as but stoln from pain Behind the Vail of death appears again On Natures Frontiers whose returning flame Though scarce of strength to warm lookt red with shame When he so many wel-known Friends beheld Sad Witnesses how much his passion sweld Above the Banks where Reason should have stayd When to that meeting it his Friend betrayd Their Vails of steel remov'd each now beholds What shame and wonder in firm Contracts folds Amaz'd stands brave Euriolus to see None but his Friend his honourd Friend should be The Parent of that Quarel shame confounds Mazara more and from internal wounds Though like the red Seas Springs his other bled Perhaps less danger but more torment bred Both now by his unforc'd confession knew Whose equal'd honourd Beauty 't was that drew Them to this fatal Combate whose event Him neer the Grave on Loves vain Errant sent Friendship renewd in strickt Embraces they Are now arriv'd where weak Carina lay So faint with Loves Phlebotomy that she Maskt in forgetful slumbers could not see Approaching shame which when discoverd sticks Lifes fair Carnations on her death-like Cheeks Hasting to see what over-forward Rage That unknown strangers weakness did engage In that unhappy Quarrel they beheld At the first glance an Object that expeld Into the shades of Sorrows Wilderness All temperate thoughts his Sisters sad distress Wrought by his Arme whose strength betrayd her neer The Grave did to Euriolus appear Dreadful as if some treacherous friend had shown Those flames in which his scorâ—cht Companions grone Nor did Mazara though but prompted by Pity that tender Child of sympathy With less relenting sorrow live to see Loves bloody
sound striking their Ears did change The ominous Dirges of the Night into A various noise of humane Voyces who Durst in that secret place approach 't was now Too late to think on the Rocks spatious brow Was clouded ore with men whose glittering Armes Threatend destruction ere their swift alarms Could summon sleeps infeebled aid whilst they Forsake their Prisoner who becomes a Prey To the Invaders seeking safety in Their flight they fall before him that had been Ordaind to speedier ruine entring at The open Salliport they give by that Rash Act directions to the Foe that mixt Promiscuously with them and now had fixt Their Standards on the Gates The Castle in Feaverish alarms sweating did begin To case her fiery stomach by the breath O' th full-mouth'd Cannon Ministers of death In this hot labour busily distills Extracted spirits noyse and tumult fills The frighted City whose fir'd turrets lent A dismal light But the Assaylants spent Their bloud in vain the Souldiers that had been At the first trembling fit distracted in Confusions giddy maze had rallied now Their scattered spirits and were seeking how To purge dishonours stains in the bright fire Of rage contracted valour To retire Unto their Ships in safety now is all Th' Invaders hope for but so many fall In that attempt it leave no triumphs due To Fortunes temple By this winding clew Of various fate Argalia only findes That stroke of death deceived no hand unbindes His corded arms but that which meant to lay Bondage as hard so corrasives doe stay A Gangrene fed by springs of poysonous blood When reaching at the heart as these withstood The catarracts of death With tyrants more Indomitable then the sea that bore Their black Fleet leave our Hero to untie This knotty riddle of his fate whilst by The ignis fatuus of a fancie led With slow pac'd feet through other paths we tread The tumults of the City silenc'd in A peacefull calme what the effects had bin Of those loud clamours whilst all seek to know Argalia's losse makes giddy wonder grow Into suspition that this Act might be Some stratagem o th' Guvernour to free Himself from a Successor but those fly Darts of mistrust were rendred hurtless by His Princes Mandates whose invenom'd hate That spurious birth had made legitâ—mate Yet swift Revenge affâ—onis his Treason in Its full carier his Master having bin By him informd of a surprizal where All sounds but death affrighted could not bear The burthen of his Fears and yet not sink Deeper in sin ere the poor wretch could think On ought but undeserv'd Rewards he by A brace of Mutes being strangl'd from the high But empty Cloudes of Expectation drops To let the World know what vain shadow props Those blood-erâ—cted Pyramids that stand On secret Muâ—thers black and rotten Sand. When thus the Sâ—â—acusian had secur'd His future Fame Passion that still endur'd A strong distemperature slept not untill The story of their crosse Design did fill Palermo's Princes Ear Argalia's losse Was now the Ball that babling Fame did tosse Thorough the Court upon whose airy Wing Reaching the Island it too soon did bring The heavy Nâ—ws disguiz'd in Robes more sad Then truth to her whose stock of Vertues had Been venter'd on that Sea of Merit in Such forms of Griefe as Princes that have been Hurld from the splendent Glories of a Throne Into a Dungeon her great Soul did grone Beneath the Weights of grief the doleful Tale Had thunder-strook all joy her Spir'â—s exhale Their vigour forth in sighs and faintly let That gâ—orious Fabrick unto which they 'r set Supporters fail to th' Earth yet sorrow stayes Not in this frigid Zone rude gâ—ief betrays Her Passions to her Fathers jealous Ear Who fearing least Argalia's Stars might clear Their smoaky Orbâ— and once more take a flight From deaths cold house by a translated Lâ—gâ—t To sâ—parate from sorrow and again In Fortunes house Lord of th' Ascendant Raigâ—â— He doubts that Islands safety and from thence Removes her with what speedy diligence Fear could provoke suspition to her Train Shook with that suddain change desire in vain The Islands pleasure ere they know how much Their Fates must differ as it oft in such Unlookt for changes happens each man vents His own Opinion some did discontents Of the young Princess others that the season Of th' year was cause but though none know his reason All must obey his Will The pleasan Isle Whose Walks fair Gardens Prospâ—cts did beguile Time of so many happy hours must now A solitary Wildernesse whose brow Winâ—er had bound in folds of Ice be left To wail their absence whilst each Tree bereft Of Leaves did like to Virgin Mourners stand Cloathd in white Vails of glittering Icelets and Shook with the breath of those sharp windes that brought The hoarie Fish The pensive birds had sought Out Springs that were unbar'd with ice and there Grew hoarse with cold The crusted earth did wear A rugged armour Every bank unclad With flowers conceal'd the juicie roots that had Adorned their Summers dresse The Meadowes green And fragrant Mantle withering lay between The griz'ie mountains naked armes All growes Into a swift decay as if it owes That tribute unto her departure by Whose presence 't was adorned Seated did lie Within the circuit of Ghirenza's wall Though stretch'd t' imbrace a Castle which they call The Princes tower a place whose strength had stood Unshook with danger when that violent flood Of warre rag'd in the Land hither were brought Such if of Noble bloud whose greatnesse sought From treacherous plots extension yet although To those a prison here he did bestow His best of treasure briefly it had been Unto the Spartan Kings a Magazeen Since first they rul'd that Kingdome and when ere A war drew near them their industrious care Made it their place of residence the hill 'T was built upon with 's rockie feet did fill A spatious Iftmos at its depth a Lake Supply'd by 'th neighbouring sea let in to make The Fort the more impregnable with slow But a deep current running did bestow A dreadfull prospect on the bended brow O' th hill which cover'd with no earth did bow Its torn clifts o're the heavy stream The way That led to it was o're a bridge which they That guard it did each night draw up from whence A steep ascent whose natural defence Assisted by all helps of art had made The fatal place so dangerous to invade Each step a death presented Here when he Had plac'd his daughter whose securitie Rocks walls nor rivers warranted without A trusty guard of Souldiers hem'd about The walls lesse hard then they Those Gentlemen That on her happier Court attended when Argalia did command them as too milde Were now discharg'd their office on a wilde Band of those Mountain Souldiers who had in His last great war most fam'd for valour bin Being confer'd and these lest they should be Forc'd by commands into
with fear Passions disparity In such extreams as Natures Laws require 'Twixt Earths cold Center and th' aires circling fire Dwelt in their troubl'd breasts his wild eyes stood Like Comets when attracting storms of blood Shook with portentuous sadnesse whilst hers sate Like the dull earth when trembling at the Fate Of those ensuing ills heavy and fixt Within their Orbs. Passions thus strangely mixt No various Feaver ere created in The phrenzi'd Brain when sleeps sweet calm had bin From her soft Throne depos'd this Lightning past Thunder succeeds as burning Mountains cast Out horrid noise after their flame and smoak So having paus'd his dreadful Voyce thus broke The dismal silence Thou prodigious Whore The curse of my Nativity that more Afflicts me then eternal wrath can do Spirits condemnd some Fiends instruct me to Heighten revenge to thy desert but so I should do more then Mortals may and throw Thy spotted Soul to flames yet I will give Its passe-port hence for think not to out-live This hour this fatal hour ordaind to see More then an Age before of Tragedy She that fell from a Firmament of pride To Fortunes lowest Region and there di'd A sad example to ensuing times That Honours Altitude supports not Crimes When in their stretcht Extentions reaching to Justice which can through reverst Opticks view Giants though Pigmy sins do oft appear Like the dim Moon more great because more neer Sins that till fear their guilt did aggravate Wore Vertues Frontispiece since now too late To hope for life in their own monstrous form Encounter Reasons Guards till the big storm Of various pâ—ssions all were settled in Dregs of despair when â—earing tears should winne The victory of anger Ammurat drawes His Simmeâ—er which had in blood writ Lawes For conquerd Provinces and with a swift And cruel rage ere penitence could lift Her burthen'd soul in a repentant thought Tow'rds heaven sheathes the cold steel in her soft And snowy breast with a loud gâ—oan she falls Upon the blouâ—y floore half breathlesse calls For his untimely pity but perceâ—ving The fleeting spirits with her bloud were leaving Her heart unguarded she imployes that breath Which yet remain'd not to bewayle her death But beg his life that caus'd it on her knees Sâ—rugling to rise but now calm'd Ammurat frees Her from dâ—sturbing death in 's last great work And thus declares some vertue in a Turk I have brave Christian by perusing thee In this great act of honour learnt to be Too late thy slow-pac'd follower this â—ing with that Gives him his Signet shall when question'd at The Castle guards thy safety be and now I see her bloods low water doth allow Me only time to lanch my souls black Bark Into deaths rubick Sea for to the dark And silent Region though we here were by Passion divorc'd Fortune shall not deny Our souls to sail together From thy eyes Remove deaths load and see what sacrifice My Love is offering with that word a stroak Pierces his breast whose speedy pains invoak Deaths Opiates to appease them be sinks down By 's dying Wife who ere the cold floud drown Life in the deluge of her wounds once more Betrayes her eyes to 'th light and though they bore The weight of death upon their Leads did keep Them so long open till the icie sleep Began to seize on him and then she cries Oh see just heaven see see my Ammurat dies To wander with me in the unknown shade Of Immortality but I have made The wounds that murther'd both his hand that gave Mine did but gently let me bloud to save An everlasting Feaver Pardon me My dear my dying Lord Eternity Shall see my soul washt white in tears but Oh I now feel times dear want they will not nowe Fast as my stream of bloud Christian farewell When ere thou do'st our tragick story tell Do not extenuate my crimes but let Them in their own black characteâ—s be set Near Ammurats bright vertues that read by Th' unpractic'd Lover which posterity Whilst wanton windes play with our dust shall raise On beauties throne the good may justice prayse By his example and the bad by mine From Viceâ—s Throne be scar'd to Vertues Shrine And here the speed deaths messengers did make To hurry forth their souls did faintly shake Her words into imperfect accents this She cries is our last enterview a kisse Then joyns their bloudlesse Lips Each close the eyes O' th other whilst the parting spirit flies Mounted on both their breaths the latest gasp They ere must draw Whilst with stiffe arms they clasp Each others neck Argalia through a cloud Of liquid sorrow did behold the proud Triumphs of death in their untimely fate He sees great Ammurat for a Robe of State Groveling in blood the fair Ihonusa lie Purpl'd in death like pollisht Ivory Dipt in Vermillion the bright Chrystals that Her Soul in conquering flames lookt thorough at Both quencht and coold in death but time did lend His tears scarce passage till a drop could end Its Journey o're his Checks before a Page Whose cruelty had far out-grown his Age Enters in hast and with an anger that Though indiscreet at wrongs seemd kindl'd at In wounds did on the Bassas body vent A spleen that deaths discharge could not content This seen Argalia to whom all must be Offence that injures fair humanity Stops the vain Torrent and a neerer way To just revenge directs the angry Boy Who by unfolded truth now lets him know His Rage to that uncivil height did grow Not from a childish spleen but wrongs that he A Christian sufferd in Captivity Assur'd by this confession that he might Be useful more then in a secret flight Argalia bids him in his Bassas Name A Mandate write for some of worthiest Fame ' Mongst all the Christian Citizens and those To send the Guard for ere the Morning rose On the black ruines of the Night this done Before that time the Victory had won Of opportunity their Warders slain Each Christian Captive from his rusty Chain His bold band frees and by their happy aide The Gates being first secur'd with ease dismayd The drousie Garrison from whom they found But weak resistance some soft fleep had bound To Beds of ease intemperate Riot kept Others more vainly waking here one slept Between a Mistresse Armes and there another Stole to a private Cattamit did smoother Delight in whispers in which loose Garb found Ere time rowls up what slow neglect unwound Even in securities soft Lap surpriz'd They met grim death in Pleasures â—hape disguiz'd All now being slain but feeble Eunuchs and Poor trembling Maids the new but valiant Band Of late freed Captives Crown the Wals from whence They saw the Soldiers wicked dilligence In finding those which the false Mandate had Design'd for Ruine general as sad The Cities sorrows were a desolate And silent horror unregarded sate i th' empty streets which action had not fil'd Yet with employment but when day did
death arrest Him for his murtherer by which change opprest More then before with fear he who now thought On nought but death to a tribunal brought Ere ask'd confesses that foul crime for which He this just doom receives since to inrich What had before wealths surfeit took this sin Was chiefly acted his estate faln in To th' hands of justice by the judge should be From hence dispos'd of then from death to free His life already forfeited except Murther'd Ismander whom he thought had slept In 's winding sheet his hopeless Advocate Should there appear in which unhappy state The wretch now ready to depart beholds This glorious change Ismander first unfolds Himself and her who bound by natures laws Implores his pardon ere they plead his cause Which done the Judge that his lost wealth might be No cause of grief unmasking lets him see Euriolus by whom from th' worst of sin To liberal vertue he 'd deluded bin The End of the Third Canto PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO IV. The Argument I. Whilest we a while the pensive Lady â—eave Here a close Mourner for her rigid fate Let 's from the dark records of time receive The manner how Argalia wav'd the hate II. Of his malignant stars which when they seem To threaten most through that dark cloud did lead Him to a knowledge of such dear esteem He his high birth did there distinctly read FReed from the noise o' th' busie world within A deep dark vale whose silent shade had bin Religions vail when blasted by the beams Of Persecution far from the extreams Of solitude or sweary labor were Some few blest men whose choice made Heaven their care Sequestred from the throngs of men to finde Those better joyes calms of a peacefull minde Yet though on this pacifick sea their main Design was Heaven that voyage did not restrain Knowledge of humane arts which as they past They safely view'd though there no anchor cast Their better temper'd judgments counting that But hoodwink'd zeal which blindly catches at The great Creators sacred will without Knowing those works that will was spent about Which being the climax to true judgement we Behold stoop'd down to visibilitie In lowliest creatures natures stock being nought But God in 's image to our senses brought In the fair evening of that fatal day By whose meridian light Love did betray Ingag'd Argalia near to death was one Of these heav'ns happy Pensioners alone Walking amongst the gloomy Groves to view What soveraign vertues there in secret grew Confin'd to humble plants whose signatures Whilst by observing he his art secures From vain experiments Argalia's Page Crossing a neighboring path did disingage His serious eye from natures busie task To see the wandring Boy who was to ask The way for more his youths unprompted fear Expects not there to the blest man drawn near But when with such a weeping innocence As Saints confess those sins which the expence Of tears exacted he had sadly told What harsh fate in restrictive wounds laid hold Of 's worthy Master pity prompted by Religious love helps the poor Boy to dry His tears with hopes of comfort whilst he goes To see what sad Catastrophe did close Those bloody scenes which the unequal fight Foretold before fear prompted him to flight Noâ— far they 'd past ere they the place had found Where groveling in a stream of blood the ground His purple-bed the wearied Prince they see Strugling with death from whose dark monarchie Pale troops assail his cheeks whilst his dim eies Like a spent lamp which ere its weak flame dies In giddy blazes glares as if his soul Were at those casements flying out did roll Swifter then thought their bloodshot orbs his hands Did with deaths agues tremble cold dew stands Upon his clammy lips the springs of blood Having breath'd forth the spirits clotted stood On that majestick brow whose dreadful frown Had to deaths scepter laid its terror down The holy man upon the brink o' th' grave Finding such forms of worth attempts to save His life from dropping in by all his best Reserves of art selecting from the rest Of his choise store an herb whose soveraign power No flux of blood though falling in a shower Of death could force which gently bruis'd and to His wound apply'd taught nature to renew Her late neglected functions and through short Recruits of breath made able to support His blood-enfeebled body till they reach The Monastry where nobler art did teach Their simple medicines to submit to those Which skill from their mixt vertues did compose Life which the unexpected gift of fate Rather then art appear'd in this debate Of death prevailing in short time had gain'd So much of strength that weakness now remain'd The only slothful Râ—mora that in His bed detain'd him where being often seen By those whom art alike had qualifi'd For his relief as one of them appli'd His morning-medicines to a spacious wound Fixt on his breast he that rare jewel found Which in his undiscerning infancie There hung by 's father fortune had kept free From all her various accidents to shew How much his birth did to her favor owe. Shook with such silent joy as he had been In calm devotion by an Angel seen The good old man his wonder rarifi'd Into amazement stands he had descri'd What if no force had robb'd him of it since 'T was first bestow'd none but his true born Prince Could wear since art wise Natures fruitful ape Ne'r but in that had birth which bore that shape Assur'd by which with unstirr'd confidence He asks Argalia where he knew from whence When nature first did so much wealth impart To earth that jewel took those forms of art But being answer'd that his infancie When first it was conferr'd on him might be Th' excuse of 's ignorance that voice alone Confirms his aged friend who having known As much of fortune as in fates dark shade His understanding legible had made From weak Argalia to require him leads Knowledge where he his lifes first copy reads Drest in this language 'T was unhappy Prince For such this story must salute you since Told to confirm 't a truth my destinie When youth and strength rendred me fit to be My dearest Countries servant plac'd within Mantinea's glorious Court where having been Made capable by sacred Orders I Attain'd the height of Priestly dignity Being unto him whose awful power did sway That crown in dear esteem but Honors day Which gilded then the Courtly sphere sunk down I lost my Mitre in the fall o' th' Crown Sad is the doleful tale yet since that in Its progress you may find where did begin Your lifes first stage thus take it When the Court Stifl'd with throngs of men whose thick resort Plenty and peace call'd thither being grown Sickly with ease view'd as a thing unknown Dangers stern brow which even in smiling fates Proves a Quotidian unto wiser States Whilst pride grew big and envy bigger