pine you with a corde Ye shall be dedde by mighty Mars the redde The quene anon for very woman hedde Gan for to wepe and so did Emelye And all the ladies in the companie Great pitie was it as thought hem all That euer soch a chaunce was befall For gentilmen thei were of great estate And nothing but for loue was this debate And saw her bloody woundes wide and sore And all criden both lesse and more Haue mercie lord upon us wemen all And on her bare knees doune thei fall And would haue kist his fete there he stode Till at the last astaked was his mode For pitie renneth sone in gentle hert And though he first for ire quoke and stert He hath concluded shortly in a clause The Trespasses of hem both and eke the cause And although his ire her gilt accused Yet in his reason he hem both excused As thus he thought well that euery man Woll helpe himselfe in loue all that he can And eke deliuer himself out of prison And eke his heart had compassion Of wemen for they wepen euery in one And in his gentle hert he thought anone And soft vnto himselfe he saied fie Upon a lorde that woll haue no mercie But be a Lion both in worde and deede To hem that been in repentance and dreede As well as to a proud dispitous man That will maintain that he first began That lorde hath little of discrecion That in soch case can no diffinicion But waieth pride and humblenesse after one And shortly when his ire was thus agone He gan to looken up with iyen light And spake these wordes all one hight The God of loue ah benedicite How mighty and how great a lorde is he Again his might there gaineth no obstacles He may be cleaped a God for his miracles For he can maken at his owne gise Of euerich heart as him list deuise Loe here this Arcite and this Palamon That quietly were out of my prison gon And might haue liued in Thebes rially And knowen I am her mortall enemie And that her death is in my power also And yet hath loue maugre her iyen two Brought hem hither both for to die Now loketh is not this a great follie Who may be a fool but if he loue Behold for Goddes sake that sitteth aboue See how they blede be they nat wel araied Thus hath her lord the god of loue him paied Her wager and her fees for her seruice And yet thei wenen to be full wise That serue loue for ought that may befall But yet is this the best game of all That she for whom they haue this jolitie Cen hem therefore as moch thanke as me She wote no more of all this hote fare By God than wote a Cokowe or an Hare But all mote been assaied hote and cold A man mote been a foole other young or old I wotte it by my selfe full yore agone For in my time a seruant was I one And therefore sith I knowe of loues pain I wote how sore it can a man distrain As he that oft hath be caught in her laas I you foryeue all hooly this trespaas At the request of the quene that kneleth here And eke of Emelye my sister dere And ye shall both anon unto me swere That ye shall neuer more my countre dere Ne make warre upon me night ne daie But been my friends in all that ye maie I you foryeue this trespas euery dele And thei hem sware his asking faire and wele And him of lordship and of mercie praied And he hem graunted grace and thus he saied To speake of worthie linage and richesse Though that she were a quene or a princesse Ilke of you both is worthy doubtles To wed when time is but netheles I speake as for my sister Emelye For whom ye haue this strief and ielousy Ye wote your selfe she maie not wedde two At ones though ye fighten euer mo But one of you all be him lothe or lefe He mote go pipe in an Iue lefe This is to saie she maie not haue both Ne been ye neuer so ielous ne so wroth And therefore I you put in this degre That ech of you shall haue his destine As him is shape and herken in what wise Lo here your end of that I shall deuise My will is this for plat conclusion Without any replication If that you liketh taketh it for the best That euerich of you shall go where him lest Frely without ransom or danger And this day fiftie wekes ferre ne nere Euerich of you shall bring an C. knights Armed for the lestes vpon all rightes Alredy to darrein here by battaile And this behote I you withouten faile Upon my truthe as I am true knight That whether of you bothe hath that might That is to saie that whether he or thou May with his hundred as I spake of now Slea his contrary or out of Iistes driue Him shall I yeue Emelye to wiue To whom that fortune yeueth so faire a grace The lestes shall I make in this place And God so wisely on my soul rewe As I shall euen judge be and trewe Ye shal non other ende with me make That one of you shall be dedde or take And ye thinken this is well isaied Saith your aduise and hold you well apaid This is your end and your conclusion Who loketh lightly now but Palamon Who springeth vp for ioie but Arcite Who could tell or who could endite The ioye that is made in this place When Theseus had doen so faire a grace But doun on knees went euery maner wight And thanked him with all her hert and might And namely these Thebanes many asithe And thus with good hope and hert blithe They taken her leue and homeward gan they ride To Thebes ward with old walles wide I trawe men would deme it negligence If I foryetten to tell the dispence Of Theseus that goeth busely To maken up the lestes rially That such a noble Theatre as it was I dare well saie in this world there nas The circute a mile was about Walled with stone and diched all about Round was the shape in maner of a compas Full of degrees the hight of sixtie paas That when a man was set on one degree He letted not his felowe for to see Eastward there stode a gate of marble wite Westward right such another in the opposite And shortly to conclude such a place Was none in yearth as in so litell space For in the londe there nas no craftes man That Geometrie or Arithmetike can Ne purtreiture ne caruer of Images That Theseus ne gaue him mete and wages That Theatre to make and deuise And for to do his Rite and Sacrifice He Eastward hath vpon the yate aboue In worship of Venus the Goddesse of loue Doe make an auter and an oratorie And on the West-side in memorie Of Mars he maked such an other That cost of golde largely a fother And Northward in a
shou'd I grant thou didst not rightly see Then thou wert first deceiv'd and I deceiv'd by thee But if thou shalt alledge through Pride of Mind Thy Blood with one of base Condition join'd 'T is false for 't is not Baseness to be Poor His Poverty augments thy Crime the more Upbraids thy Justice with the scant Regard Of Worth Whom Princes praise they shou'd reward Are these the Kings intrusted by the Crowd With Wealth to be dispens'd for Common Good The People sweat not for their King's Delight T' enrich a Pimp or raise a Parasite Theirs is the Toil and he who well has serv'd His Country has his Countrys Wealth deserv'd Ev'n mighty Monarchs oft are meanly born And Kings by Birth to lowest Rank return All subject to the Pow'r of giddy Chance For Fortune can depress or can advance But true Nobility is of the Mind Not giv'n by Chance and not to Chance resign'd For the remaining Doubt of thy Decree What to resolve and how dispose of me Be warn'd to cast that useless Care aside My self alone will for my self provide If in thy doting and decrepit Age Thy Soul a Stranger in thy Youth to Rage Begins in cruel Deeds to take Delight Gorge with my Blood thy barb'rous Appetite For I so little am dispos'd to pray For Life I would not cast a Wish away Such as it is th' Offence is all my own And what to Guiscard is already done Or to be done is doom'd by thy Decree That if not executed first by thee Shall on my Person be perform'd by me Away with Women weep and leave me here Fix'd like a Man to die without a Tear Or save or slay us both this present Hour 'T is all that Fate has left within thy Pow'r She said Nor did her Father fail to find In all she spoke the Greatness of her Mind Yet thought she was not obstinate to die Nor deem'd the Death she promis'd was so nigh Secure in this Belief he left the Dame Resolv'd to spare her Life and save her Shame But that detested Object to remove To wreak his Vengeance and to cure her Love Intent on this a secret Order sign'd The Death of Guiscard to his Guards enjoin'd Strangling was chosen and the Night the Time A mute Revenge and blind as was the Crime His faithful Heart a bloody Sacrifice Torn from his Breast to glut the Tyrant's Eyes Clos'd the severe Command For Slaves to Pay What Kings decree the Soldier must obey Wag'd against Foes and when the Wars are o'er Fit only to maintain Despotick Pow'r Dang'rous to Freedom and desir'd alone By Kings who seek an Arbitrary Throne Such were these Guards as ready to have slain The Prince himself allur'd with greater gain So was the Charge perform'd with better Will By Men inur'd to Blood and exercis'd in Ill. Now though the sullen Sire had eas'd his Mind The Pomp of his Revenge was yet behind A Pomp prepar'd to grace the Present he design'd A Goblet rich with Gems and rough with Gold Of Depth and Breadth the precious Pledge to hold With cruel Care he chose The hollow Part Inclos'd the Lid conceal'd the Lover's Heart Then of his trusted Mischiefs one he sent And bad him with these Words the Gift present Thy Father sends thee this to cheer thy Breast And glad thy Sight with what thou lov'st the best As thou hast pleas'd his Eyes and joy'd his Mind With what he lov'd the most of Humane Kind E'er this the Royal Dame who well had weigh'd The Consequence of what her Sire had said Fix'd on her Fate against th' expected Hour Procur'd the Means to have it in her Pow'r For this she had distill'd with early Care The Juice of Simples friendly to Despair A Magazine of Death and thus prepar'd Secure to die the fatal Message heard Then smil'd severe nor with a troubl'd Look Or trembling Hand the Fun'ral Present took Ev'n kept her Count'nance when the Lid remov'd Disclos'd the Heart unfortunately lov'd She needed not be told within whose Breast It lodg'd the Message had explain'd the rest Or not amaz'd or hiding her Surprize She sternly on the Bearer fix'd her Eyes Then thus Tell Tancred on his Daughters part The Gold though precious equals not the Heart But he did well to give his best and I Who wish'd a worthier Urn forgive his Poverty At this she curb'd a Groan that else had come And pausing view'd the Present in the Tomb Then to the Heart ador'd devoutly glew'd Her Lips and raising it her Speech renew'd Ev'n from my Day of Birth to this the Bound Of my unhappy Being I have found My Father's Care and Tenderness express'd But this last Act of Love excels the rest For this so dear a Present bear him back The best Return that I can live to make The Messenger dispatch'd again she view'd The lov'd Remains and sighing thus pursu'd Source of my Life and Lord of my Desires In whom I liv'd with whom my Soul expires Poor Heart no more the Spring of Vital Heat Curs'd be the Hands that tore thee from thy Seat The Course is finish'd which thy Fates decreed And thou from thy Corporeal Prison freed Soon hast thou reach'd the Goal with mended Pace A World of Woes dispatch'd in little space Forc'd by thy Worth thy Foe in Death become Thy Friend has lodg'd thee in a costly Tomb There yet remain'd thy Fun'ral Exequies The weeping Tribute of thy Widows Eyes And those indulgent Heav'n has found the way That I before my Death have leave to pay My Father ev'n in Cruelty is kind Or Heav'n has turn'd the Malice of his Mind To better Uses than his Hate design'd And made th' Insult which in his Gift appears The Means to mourn thee with my pious Tears Which I will pay thee down before I go And save my self the Pains to weep below If Souls can weep though once I meant to meet My Fate with Face unmov'd and Eyes unwet Yet since I have thee here in narrow Room My Tears shall set thee first afloat within thy Tomb Then as I know thy Spirit hovers nigh Under thy friendly Conduct will I fly To Regions unexplor'd secure to share Thy State nor Hell shall Punishment appear And Heav'n is double Heav'n if thou art there She said Her brim-full Eyes that ready stood And only wanted Will to weep a Flood Releas'd their watry Store and pour'd amain Like Clouds low hung a sober Show'r of Rain Mute solemn Sorrow free from Female Noise Such as the Majesty of Grief destroys For bending o'er the Cup the Tears she shed Seem'd by the Posture to discharge her Head O'er-fill'd before and oft her Mouth apply'd To the cold Heart she kiss'd at once and cry'd Her Maids who stood amaz'd nor knew the Cause Of her Complaining nor whose Heart it was Yet all due Measures of her Mourning kept Did Office at the Dirge and by Infection wept And oft enquir'd th' Occasion of her Grief Unanswer'd
Great Poets being so different in their Tempers one Cholerick and Sanguin the other Phlegmatick and Melancholick that which makes them excel in their several Ways is that each of them has follow'd his own natural Inclination as well in Forming the Design as in the Execution of it The very Heroes shew their Authors Achilles is hot impatient revengeful Impiger iracundus inexorabilis acer c. AEnoeas patient considerate careful of his People and merciful to his Enemies ever submissive to the Will of Heaven quo fata trahunt retrahuntque sequamur I could please my self with enlarging on this Subject but am forc'd to defer it to a fitter Time From all I have said I will only draw this Inference That the Action of Homer being more full of Vigour than that of Virgil according to the Temper of the Writer is of consequence more pleasing to the Reader One warms you by Degrees the other sets you on fire all at once and never intermits his Heat 'T is the same Difference which Longinus makes betwixt the Effects of Eloquence in Demosthenes and Tully One persuades the other commands You never cool while you read Homer even not in the Second Book a graceful Flattery to his Countrymen but he hastens from the Ships and concludes not that Book till he has made you an Amends by the violent playing of a new Machine From thence he hurries on his Action with Variety of Events and ends it in less Compass than Two Months This Vehemence of his I confess is more suitable to my Temper and therefore I have translated his First Book with greater Pleasure than any Part of Virgil But it was not a Pleasure without Pains The continual Agitations of the Spirits must needs be a Weakning of any Constitution especially in Age and many Pauses are required for Refreshment betwixt the Heats the Iliad of its self being a third part longer than all Virgil's Works together This is what I thought needful in this Place to say of Homer I proceed to Ovid and Chaucer considering the former only in relation to the latter With Ovid ended the Golden Age of the Roman Tongue From Chaucer the Purity of the English Tongue began The Manners of the Poets were not unlike Both of them were well-bred well-natur'd amorous and Libertine at least in their Writings it may be also in their Lives Their Studies were the same Philosophy and Philology Both of them were knowing in Astronomy of which Ovid's Books of the Roman Feasts and Chaucer's Treatise of the Astrolabe are sufficient Witnesses But Chaucer was likewise an Astrologer as were Virgil Horace Persius and Manilius Both writ with wonderful Facility and Clearness neither were great Inventors For Ovid only copied the Grecian Fables and most of Chaucer's Stories were taken from his Italian Contemporaries or their Predecessors Boccace his Decameron was first publish'd and from thence our Englishman has borrow'd many of his Canterbury Tales Yet that of Palamon and Arcite was written in all probability by some Italian Wit in a former Age as I shall prove hereafter The Tale of Grizild was the Invention of Petrarch by him sent to Boccace from whom it came to Chaucer Troilus and Cressida was also written by a Lombard Author but much amplified by our English Translatour as well as beautified the Genius of our Countrymen in general being rather to improve an Invention than to invent themselves as is evident not only in our Poetry but in many of our Manufactures I find I have anticipated already and taken up from Boccace before I come to him But there is so much less behind and I am of the Temper of most Kings who love to be in Debt are all for present Money no matter how they pay it afterwards Besides the Nature of a Preface is rambling never wholly out of the Way nor in it This I have learn'd from the Practice of honest Montaign and return at my pleasure to Ovid and Chaucer of whom I have little more to say Both of them built on the Inventions of other Men yet since Chaucer had something of his own as The Wife of Baths Tale The Cock and the Fox which I have translated and some others I may justly give our Country-man the Precedence in that Part since I can remember nothing of Ovid which was wholly his Both of them understood the Manners under which Name I comprehend the Passions and in a larger Sense the Descriptions of Persons and their very Habits For an Example I see Baucis and Philemon as perfectly before me as if some ancient Painter had drawn them and all the Pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales their Humours their Features and the very Dress as distinctly as if I had supp'd with them at the Tabard in Southwark Yet even there too the Figures of Chaucer are much more lively and set in a better Light Which though I have not time to prove yet I appeal to the Reader and am sure he will clear me from Partiality The Thoughts and Words remain to be consider'd in the Comparison of the two Poets and I have sav'd my self one half of that Labour by owning that Ovid liv'd when the Roman Tongue was in its Meridian Chaucer in the Dawning of our Language Therefore that Part of the Comparison stands not on an equal Foot any more than the Diction of Ennius and Ovid or of Chaucer and our present English The Words are given up as a Post not to be defended in our Poet because he wanted the Modern Art of Fortifying The Thoughts remain to be consider'd And they are to be measur'd only by their Propriety that is as they flow more or less naturally from the Persons describ'd on such and such Occasions The Vulgar Judges which are Nine Parts in Ten of all Nations who call Conceits and Jingles Wit who see Ovid full of them and Chaucer altogether without them will think me little less than mad for preferring the Englishman to the Roman Yet with their leave I must presume to say that the Things they admire are only glittering Trifles and so far from being Witty that in a serious Poem they are nauseous because they are unnatural Wou'd any Man who is ready to die for Love describe his Passion like Narcissus Wou'd he think of inopem me copia fecit and a Dozen more of such Expressions pour'd on the Neck of one another and signifying all the same Thing If this were Wit was this a Time to be witty when the poor Wretch was in the Agony of Death This is just John Littlewit in Bartholomew Fair who had a Conceit as he tells you left him in his Misery a miserable Conceit On these Occasions the Poet shou'd endeavour to raise Pity But instead of this Ovid is tickling you to laugh Virgil never made use of such Machines when he was moving you to commiserate the Death of Dido He would not destroy what he was building Chaucer makes Arcite violent in his Love and
out so clear That Men and Angels might rejoice to hear Ev'n wondring Philomel forgot to sing And learn'd from Her to welcome in the Spring The Tow'r of which before was mention made Within whose Keep the captive Knights were laid Built of a large Extent and strong withal Was one Partition of the Palace Wall The Garden was enclos'd within the Square Where young Emilia took the Morning-Air It happen'd Palamon the Pris'ner Knight Restless for Woe arose before the Light And with his Jaylor's leave desir'd to breathe An Air more wholesom than the Damps beneath This granted to the Tow'r he took his way Cheer'd with the Promise of a glorious Day Then cast a languishing Regard around And saw with hateful Eyes the Temples crown'd With golden Spires and all the Hostile Ground He sigh'd and turn'd his Eyes because he knew 'T was but a larger Jayl he had in view Then look'd below and from the Castles height Beheld a nearer and more pleasing Sight The Garden which before he had not seen In Springs new Livery clad of White and Green Fresh Flow'rs in wide Parterres and shady Walks between This view'd but not enjoy'd with Arms across He stood reflecting on his Country's Loss Himself an Object of the Publick Scorn And often wish'd he never had been born At last for so his Destiny requir'd With-walking giddy and with thinking tir'd He thro' a little Window cast his Sight Tho' thick of Bars that gave a scanty Light But ev'n that Glimmering serv'd him to descry Th' inevitable Charms of Emily Scarce had he seen but seiz'd with sudden Smart Stung to the Quick he felt it at his Heart Struck blind with overpowering Light he stood Then started back amaz'd and cry'd aloud Young Arcite heard and up he ran with haste To help his Friend and in his Arms embrac'd And ask'd him why he look'd so deadly wan And whence and how his change of Cheer began Or who had done th' Offence But if said he Your Grief alone is hard Captivity For Love of Heav'n with Patience undergo A cureless Ill since Fate will have it so So stood our Horoscope in Chains to lie And Saturn in the Dungeon of the Sky Or other baleful Aspect rul'd our Birth When all the friendly Stars were under Earth Whate'er betides by Destiny 't is done And better bear like Men than vainly seek to shun Nor of my Bonds said Palamon again Nor of unhappy Planets I complain But when my mortal Anguish caus'd my Cry That Moment I was hurt thro' either Eye Pierc'd with a Random-shaft I faint away And perish with insensible Decay A Glance of some new Goddess gave the Wound Whom like Acteon unaware I found Look how she walks along yon shady Space Not Juno moves with more Majestick Grace And all the Cyprian Queen is in her Face If thou art Venus for thy Charms confess That Face was form'd in Heav'n nor art thou less Disguis'd in Habit undisguis'd in Shape O help us Captives from our Chains to scape But if our Doom be past in Bonds to lie For Life and in a loathsom Dungeon die Then be thy Wrath appeas'd with our Disgrace And shew Compassion to the Theban Race Oppress'd by Tyrant Pow'r While yet he spoke Arcite on Emily had fix'd his Look The fatal Dart a ready Passage found And deep within his Heart infix'd the Wound So that if Palamon were wounded sore Arcite was hurt as much as he or more Then from his inmost Soul he sigh'd and said The Beauty I behold has struck me dead Unknowingly she strikes and kills by chance Poyson is in her Eyes and Death in ev'ry Glance O I must ask nor ask alone but move Her Mind to Mercy or must die for Love Thus Arcite And thus Palamon replies Eager his Tone and ardent were his Eyes Speak'st thou in earnest or in jesting Vein Jesting said Arcite suits but ill with Pain It suits far worse said Palamon again And bent his Brows with Men who Honour weigh Their Faith to break their Friendship to betray But worst with Thee of Noble Lineage born My Kinsman and in Arms my Brother sworn Have we not plighted each our holy Oath That one shou'd be the Common Good of both One Soul shou'd both inspire and neither prove His Fellows Hindrance in pursuit of Love To this before the Gods we gave our Hands And nothing but our Death can break the Bands This binds thee then to farther my Design As I am bound by Vow to farther thine Nor canst nor dar'st thou Traytor on the Plain Appeach my Honour or thy own maintain Since thou art of my Council and the Friend Whose Faith I trust and on whose Care depend And would'st thou court my Ladies Love which I Much rather than release would chuse to die But thou false Arcite never shalt obtain Thy bad Pretence I told thee first my Pain For first my Love began e'er thine was born Thou as my Council and my Brother sworn Art bound t' assist my Eldership of Right Or justly to be deem'd a perjur'd Knight Thus Palamon But Arcite with disdain In haughty Language thus reply'd again Forsworn thy self The Traytor 's odious Name I first return and then disprove thy Claim If Love be Passion and that Passion nurst With strong Desires I lov'd the Lady first Canst thou pretend Desire whom Zeal inflam'd To worship and a Pow'r Coelestial nam'd Thine was Devotion to the Blest above I saw the Woman and desir'd her Love First own'd my Passion and to thee commend Th'important Secret as my chosen Friend Suppose which yet I grant not thy Desire A Moment elder than my Rival Fire Can Chance of seeing first thy Title prove And know'st thou not no Law is made for Love Law is to Things which to free Choice relate Love is not in our Choice but in our Fate Laws are but positive Loves Pow'r we see Is Natures Sanction and her first Decree Each Day we break the Bond of Humane Laws For Love and vindicate the Common Cause Laws for Defence of Civil Rights are plac'd Love throws the Fences down and makes a general Waste Maids Widows Wives without distinction fall The sweeping Deluge Love comes on and covers all If then the Laws of Friendship I transgress I keep the Greater while I break the Less And both are mad alike since neither can possess Both hopeless to be ransom'd never more To see the Sun but as he passes o'er Like Esop's Hounds contending for the Bone Each pleaded Right and wou'd be Lord alone The fruitless Fight continu'd all the Day A Cur came by and snatch'd the Prize away As Courtiers therefore justle for a Grant And when they break their Friendship plead their Want So thou if Fortune will thy Suit advance Love on nor envy me my equal Chance For I must love and am resolv'd to try My Fate or failing in th' Adventure die Great was their Strife which hourly was renew'd Till each with
their Diff'rence to decide The Pow'r that ministers to God's Decrees And executes on Earth what Heav'n foresees Call'd Providence or Chance or fatal Sway Comes with resistless Force and finds or makes her Way Nor Kings nor Nations nor united Pow'r One Moment can retard th' appointed Hour And some one Day some wondrous Chance appears Which happen'd not in Centuries of Years For sure whate'er we Mortals hate or love Or hope or fear depends on Pow'rs above They move our Appetites to Good or Ill And by Foresight necessitate the Will In Theseus this appears whose youthful Joy Was Beasts of Chase in Forests to destroy This gentle Knight inspir'd by jolly May Forsook his easie Couch at early Day And to the Wood and Wilds pursu'd his Way Beside him rode Hippolita the Queen And Emily attir'd in lively Green With Horns and Hounds and all the tuneful Cry To hunt a Royal Hart within the Covert nigh And as he follow'd Mars before so now He serves the Goddess of the Silver Bow The Way that Theseus took was to the Wood Where the two Knights in cruel Battel stood The Laund on which they fought th' appointed Place In which th' uncoupl'd Hounds began the Chace Thither forth-right he rode to rowse the Prey That shaded by the Fern in Harbour lay And thence dislodg'd was wont to leave the Wood For open Fields and cross the Crystal Flood Approach'd and looking underneath the Sun He saw proud Arcite and fierce Palamon In mortal Battel doubling Blow on Blow Like Lightning flam'd their Fauchions to and fro And shot a dreadful Gleam so strong they strook There seem'd less Force requir'd to fell an Oak He gaz'd with Wonder on their equal Might Look'd eager on but knew not either Knight Resolv'd to learn he spurr'd his fiery Steed With goring Rowels to provoke his Speed The Minute ended that began the Race So soon he was betwixt 'em on the Place And with his Sword unsheath'd on pain of Life Commands both Combatants to cease their Strife Then with imperious Tone pursues his Threat What are you Why in Arms together met How dares your Pride presume against my Laws As in a listed Field to fight your Cause Unask'd the Royal Grant no Marshal by As Knightly Rites require nor Judge to try Then Palamon with scarce recover'd Breath Thus hasty spoke We both deserve the Death And both wou'd die for look the World around A Pair so wretched is not to be found Our Life 's a Load encumber'd with the Charge We long to set th' imprison'd Soul at large Now as thou art a Sovereign Judge decree The rightful Doom of Death to him and me Let neither find thy Grace for Grace is Cruelty Me first O kill me first and cure my Woe Then sheath the Sword of Justice on my Foe Or kill him first for when his Name is heard He foremost will receive his due Reward Arcite of Thebes is he thy mortal Foe On whom thy Grace did Liberty bestow But first contracted that if ever found By Day or Night upon th' Athenian Ground His Head should pay the Forfeit See return'd The perjur'd Knight his Oath and Honour scorn'd For this is he who with a borrow'd Name And profer'd Service to thy Palace came Now call'd Philostratus retain'd by thee A Traytor trusted and in high Degree Aspiring to the Bed of beauteous Emily My Part remains From Thebes my Birth I own And call my self th' unhappy Palamon Think me not like that Man since no Disgrace Can force me to renounce the Honour of my Race Know me for what I am I broke thy Chain Nor promis'd I thy Pris'ner to remain The Love of Liberty with Life is giv'n And Life it self th' inferiour Gift of Heaven Thus without Crime I fled but farther know I with this Arcite am thy mortal Foe Then give me Death since I thy Life pursue For Safeguard of thy self Death is my Due More would'st thou know I love bright Emily And for her Sake and in her Sight will die But kill my Rival too for he no less Deserves and I thy righteous Doom will bless Assur'd that what I lose he never shall possess To this reply'd the stern Athenian Prince And sow'rly smild In owning your Offence You judge your self and I but keep Record In place of Law while you pronounce the Word Take your Desert the Death you have decreed I seal your Doom and ratifie the Deed. By Mars the Patron of my Arms you die He said dumb Sorrow seiz'd the Standers by The Queen above the rest by Nature Good The Pattern form'd of perfect Womanhood For tender Pity wept When she began Through the bright Quire th' infectious Vertue ran All dropp'd their Tears ev'n the contended Maid And thus among themselves they softly said What Eyes can suffer this unworthy Sight Two Youths of Royal Blood renown'd in Fight The Mastership of Heav'n in Face and Mind And Lovers far beyond their faithless Kind See their wide streaming Wounds they neither came From Pride of Empire nor desire of Fame Kings fight for Kingdoms Madmen for Applause But love for Love alone that crowns the Lover's Cause This Thought which ever bribes the beauteous Kind Such Pity wrought in ev'ry Ladies Mind They left their Steeds and prostrate on the Place From the fierce King implor'd th' Offenders Grace He paus'd a while stood silent in his Mood For yet his Rage was boiling in his Blood But soon his tender Mind th' Impression felt As softest Metals are not slow to melt And Pity soonest runs in gentle Minds Then reasons with himself and first he finds His Passion cast a Mist before his Sense And either made or magnifi'd th' Offence Offence of what to whom Who judg'd the Cause The Pris'ner freed himself by Natures Laws Born free he sought his Right The Man he freed Was perjur'd but his Love excus'd the Deed Thus pond'ring he look'd under with his Eyes And saw the Womens Tears and heard their Cries Which mov'd Compassion more He shook his Head And softly sighing to himself he said Curse on th' unpard'ning Prince whom Tears can draw To no Remorse who rules by Lions Law And deaf to Pray'rs by no Submission bow'd Rends all alike the Penitent and Proud At this with Look serene he rais'd his Head Reason resum'd her Place and Passion fled Then thus aloud he spoke The Pow'r of Love In Earth and Seas and Air and Heav'n above Rules unresisted with an awful Nod By daily Miracles declar'd a God He blinds the Wise gives Eye-sight to the Blind And moulds and stamps anew the Lover's Mind Behold that Arcite and this Palamon Freed from my Fetters and in Safety gone What hinder'd either in their Native Soil At ease to reap the Harvest of their Toil But Love their Lord did otherwise ordain And brought 'em in then own despite again To suffer Death deserv'd for well they know 'T is in my Pow'r and I their deadly Foe The Proverb
Manner and the Means prepare Possession more than Conquest is my Care Mars is the Warriour's God in him it lies On whom he favours to confer the Prize With smiling Aspect you serenely move In your fifth Orb and rule the Realm of Love The Fates but only spin the courser Clue The finest of the Wooll is left for you Spare me but one small Portion of the Twine And let the Sisters cut below your Line The rest among the Rubbish may they sweep Or add it to the Yarn of some old Miser's Heap But if you this ambitious Pray'r deny A Wish I grant beyond Mortality Then let me sink beneath proud Arcite's Arms And I once dead let him possess her Charms Thus ended he then with Observance due The sacred Incence on her Altar threw The curling Smoke mounts heavy from the Fires At length it catches Flame and in a Blaze expires At once the gracious Goddess gave the Sign Her Statue shook and trembl'd all the Shrine Pleas'd Palamon the tardy Omen took For since the Flames pursu'd the trailing Smoke He knew his Boon was granted but the Day To distance driv'n and Joy adjourn'd with long Delay Now Morn with Rosie Light had streak'd the Sky Up rose the Sun and up rose Emily Address'd her early Steps to Cynthia's Fane In State attended by her Maiden Train Who bore the Vests that Holy Rites require Incence and od'rous Gums and cover'd Fire The plenteous Horns with pleasant Mead they crown Nor wanted ought besides in honour of the Moon Now while the Temple smoak'd with hallow'd Steam They wash the Virgin in a living Stream The secret Ceremonies I conceal Uncouth perhaps unlawful to reveal But such they were as Pagan Use requir'd Perform'd by Women when the Men retir'd Whose Eyes profane their chast mysterious Rites Might turn to Scandal or obscene Delights Well-meaners think no Harm but for the rest Things Sacred they pervert and Silence is the best Her shining Hair uncomb'd was loosly spread A Crown of Mastless Oak adorn'd her Head When to the Shrine approach'd the spotless Maid Had kindling Fires on either Altar laid The Rites were such as were observ'd of old By Statius in his Theban Story told Then kneeling with her Hands across her Breast Thus lowly she preferr'd her chast Request O Goddess Haunter of the Woodland Green To whom both Heav'n and Earth and Seas are seen Queen of the nether Skies where half the Year Thy Silver Beams descend and light the gloomy Sphere Goddess of Maids and conscious of our Hearts So keep me from the Vengeance of thy Darts Which Niobe's devoted Issue felt When hissing through the Skies the feather'd Deaths were dealt As I desire to live a Virgin-life Nor know the Name of Mother or of Wife Thy Votress from my tender Years I am And love like thee the Woods and Sylvan Game Like Death thou know'st I Ioath the Nuptial State And Man the Tyrant of our Sex I hate A lowly Servant but a lofty Mate Where Love is Duty on the Female Side On theirs meer sensual Gust and sought with surly Pride Now by thy triple Shape as thou art seen In Heav'n Earth Hell and ev'ry where a Queen Grant this my first Desire let Discord cease And make betwixt the Rivals lasting Peace Quench their hot Fire or far from me remove The Flame and turn it on some other Love Or if my frowning Stars have so decreed That one must be rejected one succeed Make him my Lord within whose faithful Breast Is fix'd my Image and who loves me best But oh ev'n that avert I chuse it not But take it as the least unhappy Lot A Maid I am and of thy Virgin-Train Oh let me still that spotless Name retain Frequent the Forests thy chast Will obey And only make the Beasts of Chace my Prey The Flames ascend on either Altar clear While thus the blameless Maid address'd her Pray'r When lo the burning Fire that shone so bright Flew off all sudden with extinguish'd Light And left one Altar dark a little space Which turn'd self-kindl'd and renew'd the Blaze That other Victour-Flame a Moment stood Then fell and lifeless left th' extinguish'd Wood For ever lost th' irrevocable Light Forsook the blackning Coals and sunk to Night At either End it whistled as it flew And as the Brands were green so dropp'd the Dew Infected as it fell with Sweat of Sanguin Hue. The Maid from that ill Omen turn'd her Eyes And with loud Shrieks and Clamours rent the Skies Nor knew what signifi'd the boding Sign But found the Pow'rs displeas'd and fear'd the Wrath Divine Then shook the Sacred Shrine and sudden Light Sprung through the vaulted Roof and made the Temple bright The Pow'r behold the Pow'r in Glory shone By her bent Bow and her keen Arrows known The rest a Huntress issuing from the Wood Reclining on her Cornel Spear she stood Then gracious thus began Dismiss thy Fear And Heav'ns unchang'd Decrees attentive hear More pow'rful Gods have torn thee from my Side Unwilling to resign and doom'd a Bride The two contending Knights are weigh'd above One Mars protects and one the Queen of Love But which the Man is in the Thund'rer's Breast This he pronounc'd 't is he who loves thee best The Fire that once extinct reviv'd again Foreshews the Love allotted to remain Farewell she said and vanish'd from the Place The Sheaf of Arrows shook and rattl'd in the Case Agast at this the Royal Virgin stood Disclam'd and now no more a Sister of the Wood But to the parting Goddess thus she pray'd Propitious still be present to my Aid Nor quite abandon your once favour'd Maid Then sighing she return'd but smil'd betwixt With Hopes and Fears and Joys with Sorrows mixt The next returning Planetary Hour Of Mars who shar'd the Heptarchy of Pow'r His Steps bold Arcite to the Temple bent T' adore with Pagan Rites the Pow'r Armipotent Then prostrate low before his Altar lay And rais'd his manly Voice and thus began to pray Strong God of Arms whose Iron Scepter sways The freezing North and Hyperborean Seas And Scythian Colds and Thracia's Wintry Coast Where stand thy ' Steeds and thou art honour'd most There most but ev'ry where thy Pow'r is known The Fortune of the Fight is all thy own Terrour is thine and wild Amazement flung From out thy Chariot withers ev'n the Strong And Disarray and shameful Rout ensue And Force is added to the fainting Crew Acknowledg'd as thou art accept my Pray'r If ought I have atchiev'd deserve thy Care If to my utmost Pow'r with Sword and Shield I dar'd the Death unknowing how to yield And falling in my Rank still kept the Field Then let my Arms prevail by thee sustain'd That Emily by Conquest may be gain'd Have pity on my Pains nor those unknown To Mars which when a Lover were his own Venus the Publick Care of all above Thy stubborn Heart has softned into Love Now by her Blandishments
his Pillow rais'd he thus begun No Language can express the smallest part Of what I feel and suffer in my Heart For you whom best I love and value most But to your Service I bequeath my Ghost Which from this mortal Body when unty'd Unseen unheard shall hover at your Side Nor fright you waking nor your Sleep offend But wait officious and your Steps attend How I have lov'd excuse my faltring Tongue My Spirits feeble and my Pains are strong This I may say I only grieve to die Because I lose my charming Emily To die when Heav'n had put you in my Pow'r Fate could not chuse a more malicious Hour What greater Curse cou'd envious Fortune give Than just to die when I began to live Vain Men how vanishing a Bliss we crave Now warm in Love now with'ring in the Grave Never O never more to see the Sun Still dark in a damp Vault and still alone This Fate is common but I lose my Breath Near Bliss and yet not bless'd before my Death Farewell but take me dying in your Arms 'T is all I can enjoy of all your Charms This Hand I cannot but in Death resign Ah could I live But while I live 't is mine I feel my End approach and thus embrac'd Am pleas'd to die but hear me speak my last Ah! my sweet Foe for you and you alone I broke my Faith with injur'd Palamon But Love the Sense of Right and Wrong confounds Strong Love and proud Ambition have no Bounds And much I doubt shou'd Heav'n my Life prolong I shou'd return to justifie my Wrong For while my former Flames remain within Repentance is but want of Pow'r to sin With mortal Hatred I pursu'd his Life Nor he nor you were guilty of the Strife Nor I but as I lov'd Yet all combin'd Your Beauty and my Impotence of Mind And his concurrent Flame that blew my Fire For still our Kindred Souls had one Desire He had a Moments Right in point of Time Had I seen first then his had been the Crime Fate made it mine and justified his Right Nor holds this Earth a more deserving Knight For Vertue Valour and for Noble Blood Truth Honour all that is compriz'd in Good So help me Heav'n in all the World is none So worthy to be lov'd as Palamon He loves you too with such a holy Fire As will not cannot but with Life expire Our vow'd Affections both have often try'd Nor any Love but yours cou'd ours divide Then by my Loves inviolable Band By my long Suff'ring and my short Command If e'er you plight your Vows when I am gone Have pity on the faithful Palamon This was his last for Death came on amain And exercis'd below his Iron Reign Then upward to the Seat of Life he goes Sense fled before him what he touch'd he froze Yet cou'd he not his closing Eyes withdraw Though less and less of Emily he saw So speechless for a little space he lay Then grasp'd the Hand he held and sigh'd his Soul away But whither went his Soul let such relate Who search the Secrets of the future State Divines can say but what themselves believe Strong Proofs they have but not demonstrative For were all plain then all Sides must agree And Faith it self be lost in Certainty To live uprightly then is sure the best To save our selves and not to damn the rest The Soul of Arcite went where Heathens go Who better live than we though less they know In Palamon a manly Grief appears Silent he wept asham'd to shew his Tears Emilia shriek'd but once and then oppress'd With Sorrow sunk upon her Lovers Breast Till Theseus in his Arms convey'd with Care Far from so sad a Sight the swooning Fair. 'T were loss of Time her Sorrow to relate Ill bears the Sex a youthful Lover's Fate When just approaching to the Nuptial State But like a low-hung Cloud it rains so fast That all at once it falls and cannot last The Face of Things is chang'd and Athens now That laugh'd so late becomes the Scene of Woe Matrons and Maids both Sexes ev'ry State With Tears lament the Knight's untimely Fate Not greater Grief in falling Troy was seen For Hector's Death but Hector was not then Old Men with Dust deform'd their hoary Hair The Women beat their Breasts their Cheeks they tear Why would'st thou go with one Consent they cry When thou hadst Gold enough and Emily Theseus himself who shou'd have cheer'd the Grief Of others wanted now the same Relief Old Egeus only could revive his Son Who various Changes of the World had known And strange Vicissitudes of Humane Fate Still alt'ring never in a steady State Good after Ill and after Pain Delight Alternate like the Scenes of Day and Night Since ev'ry Man who lives is born to die And none can boast sincere Felicity With equal Mind what happens let us bear Nor joy nor grieve too much for Things beyond our Care Like Pilgrims to th' appointed Place we tend The World 's an Inn and Death the Journeys End Ev'n Kings but play and when their Part is done Some other worse or better mount the Throne With Words like these the Crowd was satisfi'd And so they would have been had Theseus dy'd But he their King was lab'ring in his Mind A fitting Place for Fun'ral Pomps to find Which were in Honour of the Dead design'd And after long Debate at last he found As Love it self had mark'd the Spot of Ground That Grove for ever green that conscious Lawnd Where he with Palamon fought Hand to Hand That where he fed his amorous Desires With soft Complaints and felt his hottest Fires There other Flames might waste his Earthly Part And burn his Limbs where Love had burn'd his Heart This once resolv'd the Peasants were enjoin'd Sere Wood and Firs and dodder'd Oaks to find With sounding Axes to the Grove they go Fell split and lay the Fewel on a Row Vulcanian Food A Bier is next prepar'd On which the lifeless Body should be rear'd Cover'd with Cloth of Gold on which was laid The Corps of Arcite in like Robes array'd White Gloves were on his Hands and on his Head A Wreath of Laurel mix'd with Myrtle spread A Sword keen-edg'd within his Right he held The warlike Emblem of the conquer'd Field Bare was his manly Visage on the Bier Menac'd his Count'nance ev'n in Death severe Then to the Palace-Hall they bore the Knight To lie in solemn State a Publick Sight Groans Cries and Howlings fill the crowded Place And unaffected Sorrow sat on ev'ry Face Sad Palamon above the rest appears In Sable Garments dew'd with gushing Tears His Aubourn Locks on either Shoulder flow'd Which to the Fun'ral of his Friend he vow'd But Emily as Chief was next his Side A Virgin-Widow and a Mourning Bride And that the Princely Obsequies might be Perform'd according to his high Degree The Steed that bore him living to the Fight Was trapp'd with polish'd
of Necessity Take what he gives since to rebel is vain The Bad grows better which we well sustain And cou'd we chuse the Time and chuse aright T is best to die our Honour at the height ' When we have done our Ancestors no Shame But serv'd our Friends and well secur'd our Fame Then should we wish our happy Life to close And leave no more for Fortune to dispose So should we make our Death a glad Relief From future Shame from Sickness and from Grief Enjoying while we live the present Hour And dying in our Excellence and Flow'r Then round our Death-bed ev'ry Friend shou'd run And joy us of our Conquest early won While the malicious World with envious Tears Shou'd grudge our happy End and wish it Theirs Since then our Arcite is with Honour dead Why shou'd we mourn that he so soon is freed Or call untimely what the Gods decreed With Grief as just a Friend may be deplor'd From a foul Prison to free Air restor'd Ought he to thank his Kinsman or his Wife Cou'd Tears recall him into wretched Life Their Sorrow hurts themselves on him is lost And worse than both offends his happy Ghost What then remains but after past Annoy To take the good Vicissitude of Joy To thank the gracious Gods for what they give Possess our Souls and while we live to live Ordain we then two Sorrows to combine And in one Point th' Extremes of Grief to join That thence resulting Joy may be renew'd As jarring Notes in Harmony conclude Then I propose that Palamon shall be In Marriage join'd with beauteous Emily For which already I have gain'd th' Assent Of my free People in full Parliament Long Love to her has born the faithful Knight And well deserv'd had Fortune done him Right 'T is time to mend her Fault since Emily By Arcite's Death from former Vows is free If you Fair Sister ratifie th' Accord And take him for your Husband and your Lord. 'T is no Dishonour to confer your Grace On one descended from a Royal Race And were he less yet Years of Service past From grateful Souls exact Reward at last Pity is Heav'ns and yours Nor can she find A Throne so soft as in a Womans Mind He said she blush'd and as o'eraw'd by Might Seem'd to give Theseus what she gave the Knight Then turning to the Theban thus he said Small Arguments are needful to persuade Your Temper to comply with my Command And speaking thus he gave Emilia's Hand Smil'd Venus to behold her own true Knight Obtain the Conquest though he lost the Fight And bless'd with Nuptial Bliss the sweet laborious Night Eros and Anteros on either Side One fir'd the Bridegroom and one warm'd the Bride And long-attending Hymen from above Showr'd on the Bed the whole Idalian Grove All of a Tenour was their After-Life No Day discolour'd with Domestick Strife No Jealousie but mutual Truth believ'd Secure Repose and Kindness undeceiv'd Thus Heavn beyond the Compass of his Thought Sent him the Blessing he so dearly bought So may the Queen of Love long Duty bless And all true Lovers find the same Success The End of the Third Book TO MY Honour'd Kinsman JOHN DRIDEN OF CHESTERTON IN THE COUNTY OF HUNTINGDON ESQUIRE TO My Honour'd Kinsman JOHN DRIDEN OF CHESTERTON IN THE COUNTY of HUNTINGDON ESQUIRE HOW Bless'd is He who leads a Country Life Unvex'd with anxious Cares and void of Strife Who studying Peace and shunning Civil Rage Enjoy'd his Youth and now enjoys his Age All who deserve his Love he makes his own And to be lov'd himself needs only to be known Just Good and Wise contending Neighbours come From your Award to wait their final Doom And Foes before return in Friendship home Without their Cost you terminate the Cause And save th' Expence of long Litigious Laws Where Suits are travers'd and so little won That he who conquers is but last undone Such are not your Decrees but so design'd The Sanction leaves a lasting Peace behind Like your own Soul Serene a Pattern of your Mind Promoting Concord and composing Strife Lord of your self uncumber'd with a Wife Where for a Year a Month perhaps a Night Long Penitence succeeds a short Delight Minds are so hardly match'd that ev'n the first Though pair'd by Heav'n in Paradise were curs'd For Man and Woman though in one they grow Yet first or last return again to Two He to God's Image She to His was made So farther from the Fount the Stream at random stray'd How cou'd He stand when put to double Pain He must a Weaker than himself sustain Each might have stood perhaps but each alone Two Wrestlers help to pull each other down Not that my Verse wou'd blemish all the Fair But yet if some be Bad 't is Wisdom to beware And better shun the Bait than struggle in the Snare Thus have you shunn'd and shun the married State Trusting as little as you can to Fate No Porter guards the Passage of your Door T' admit the Wealthy and exclude the Poor For God who gave the Riches gave the Heart To sanctifie the Whole by giving Part Heav'n who foresaw the Will the Means has wrought And to the Second Son a Blessing brought The First-begotten had his Father's Share But you like Jacob are Rebecca's Heir So may your Stores and fruitful Fields increase And ever be you bless'd who live to bless As Ceres sow'd where e'er her Chariot flew As Heav'n in Desarts rain'd the Bread of Dew So free to Many to Relations most You feed with Manna your own Israel-Host With Crowds attended of your ancient Race You seek the Champian-Sports or Sylvan-Chace With well-breath'd Beagles you surround the Wood Ev'n then industrious of the Common Good And often have you brought the wily Fox To suffer for the Firstlings of the Flocks Chas'd ev'n amid the Folds and made to bleed Like Felons where they did the murd'rous Deed. This fiery Game your active Youth maintain'd Not yet by Years extinguish'd though restrain'd You season still with Sports your serious Hours For Age but tastes of Pleasures Youth devours The Hare in Pastures or in Plains is found Emblem of Humane Life who runs the Round And after all his wand'ring Ways are done His Circle fills and ends where he begun Just as the Setting meets the Rising Sun Thus Princes ease their Cares But happier he Who seeks not Pleasure thro' Necessity Than such as once on slipp'ry Thrones were plac'd And chasing sigh to think themselves are chas'd So liv'd our Sires e'er Doctors learn'd to kill And multiply'd with theirs the Weekly Bill The first Physicians by Debauch were made Excess began and Sloth sustains the Trade Pity the gen'rous Kind their Cares bestow To search forbidden Truths a Sin to know To which if Humane Science cou'd attain The Doom of Death pronounc'd by God were vain In vain the Leech wou'd interpose Delay Fate fastens first and vindicates the Prey What Help from
pious Love And where the Pains with which ten Months I strove Ah! hadst thou dy'd my Son in Infant-years Thy little Herse had been bedew'd with Tears Thou liv'st by me to me thy Breath resign Mine is the Merit the Demerit thine Thy Life by double Title I require Once giv'n at Birth and once preserv'd from Fire One Murder pay or add one Murder more And me to them who fell by thee restore I wou'd but cannot My Son's Image stands Before my Sight and now their angry Hands My Brothers hold and Vengeance these exact This pleads Compassion and repents the Fact He pleads in vain and I pronounce his Doom My Brothers though unjustly shall o'ercome But having paid their injur'd Ghosts their Due My Son requires my Death and mine shall his pursue At this for the last time she lifts her Hand Averts her Eyes and half unwilling drops the Brand. The Brand amid the flaming Fewel thrown Or drew or seem'd to draw a dying Groan The Fires themselves but faintly lick'd their Prey Then loath'd their impious Food and wou'd have shrunk away Just then the Heroe cast a doleful Cry And in those absent Flames began to fry The blind Contagion rag'd within his Veins But he with manly Patience bore his Pains He fear'd not Fate but only griev'd to die Without an honest Wound and by a Death so dry Happy Ancaeus thrice aloud he cry'd With what becoming Fate in Arms he dy'd Then call'd his Brothers Sisters Sire around And her to whom his Nuptial Vows were bound Perhaps his Mother a long Sigh he drew And his Voice failing took his last Adieu For as the Flames augment and as they stay At their full Height then languish to decay They rise and sink by Fits at last they soar In one bright Blaze and then descend no more Just so his inward Heats at height impair Till the last burning Breath shoots out the Soul in Air. Now lofty Calidon in Ruines lies All Ages all Degrees unsluice their Eyes And Heav'n Earth resound with Murmurs Groans Cries Matrons and Maidens beat their Breasts and tear Their Habits and root up their scatter'd Hair The wretched Father Father now no more With Sorrow sunk lies prostrate on the Floor Deforms his hoary Locks with Dust obscene And curses Age and Ioaths a Life prolong'd with Pain By Steel her stubborn Soul his Mother freed And punish'd on her self her impious Deed. Had I a hundred Tongues a Wit so large As cou'd their hundred Offices discharge Had Phoebus all his Helicon bestow'd In all the Streams inspiring all the God Those Tongues that Wit those Streams that God in vain Wou'd offer to describe his Sisters pain They beat their Breasts with many a bruizing Blow Till they turn'd livid and corrupt the Snow The Corps they cherish while the Corps remains And exercise and rub with fruitless Pains And when to Fun'ral Flames 't is born away They kiss the Bed on which the Body lay And when those Fun'ral Flames no longer burn The Dust compos'd within a pious Urn Ev'n in that Urn their Brother they confess And hug it in their Arms and to their Bosoms press His Tomb is rais'd then stretch'd along the Ground Those living Monuments his Tomb surround Ev'n to his Name inscrib'd their Tears they pay Till Tears and Kisses wear his Name away But Cynthia now had all her Fury spent Not with less Ruine than a Race content Excepting Gorge perish'd all the Seed And * Dejanira Her whom Heav'n for Hercules decreed Satiate at last no longer she pursu'd The weeping Sisters but with Wings endu'd And Horny Beaks and sent to flit in Air Who yearly round the Tomb in Feather'd Flocks repair SIGISMONDA AND GUISCARDO FROM BOCCACE SIGISMONDA AND GUISCARDO FROM BOCCACE WHile Norman Tancred in Salerno reign'd The Title of a Gracious Prince he gain'd Till turn'd a Tyrant in his latter Days He lost the Lustre of his former Praise And from the bright Meridian where he stood Descending dipp'd his Hands in Lovers Blood This Prince of Fortunes Favour long possess'd Yet was with one fair Daughter only bless'd And bless'd he might have been with her alone But oh how much more happy had he none She was his Care his Hope and his Delight Most in his Thought and ever in his Sight Next nay beyond his Life he held her dear She liv'd by him and now he liv'd in her For this when ripe for Marriage he delay'd Her Nuptial Bands and kept her long a Maid As envying any else should share a Part Of what was his and claiming all her Heart At length as Publick Decency requir'd And all his Vassals eagerly desir'd With Mind averse he rather underwent His Peoples Will than gave his own Consent So was she torn as from a Lover's Side And made almost in his despite a Bride Short were her Marriage-Joys for in the Prime Of Youth her Lord expir'd before his time And to her Father's Court in little space Restor'd anew she held a higher Place More lov'd and more exalted into Grace This Princess fresh and young and fair and wise The worshipp'd Idol of her Father's Eyes Did all her Sex in ev'ry Grace exceed And had more Wit beside than Women need Youth Health and Ease and most an amorous Mind To second Nuptials had her Thoughts inclin'd And former Joys had left a secret Sting behind But prodigal in ev'ry other Grant Her Sire left unsupply'd her only Want And she betwixt her Modesty and Pride Her Wishes which she could not help would hide Resolv'd at last to lose no longer Time And yet to please her self without a Crime She cast her Eyes around the Court to find A worthy Subject suiting to her Mind To him in holy Nuptials to be ty'd A seeming Widow and a secret Bride Among the Train of Courtiers one she found With all the Gifts of bounteous Nature crown'd Of gentle Blood but one whose niggard Fate Had set him far below her high Estate Guiscard his Name was call'd of blooming Age Now Squire to Tancred and before his Page To him the Choice of all the shining Crowd Her Heart the noble Sigismonda vow'd Yet hitherto she kept her Love conceal'd And with close Glances ev'ry Day beheld The graceful Youth and ev'ry Day increas'd The raging Fire that burn'd within her Breast Some secret Charm did all his Acts attend And what his Fortune wanted hers could mend Till as the Fire will force its outward way Or in the Prison pent consume the Prey So long her earnest Eyes on his were set At length their twisted Rays together met And he surpriz'd with humble Joy survey'd One sweet Regard shot by the Royal Maid Not well assur'd while doubtful Hopes he nurs'd A second Glance came gliding like the first And he who saw the Sharpness of the Dart Without Defence receiv'd it in his Heart In Publick though their Passion wanted Speech Yet mutual Looks interpreted for each Time Ways and Means
others Arms embrac'd Rush to the conscious Bed a mutual Freight And heedless press it with their wonted Weight The sudden Bound awak'd the sleeping Sire And shew'd a Sight no Parent can desire His opening Eyes at once with odious View The Love discover'd and the Lover knew He would have cry'd but hoping that he dreamt Amazement ty'd his Tongue and stopp'd th' Attempt Th' ensuing Moment all the Truth declar'd But now he stood collected and prepar'd For Malice and Revenge had put him on his Guard So like a Lion that unheeded lay Dissembling Sleep and watchful to betray With inward Rage he meditates his Prey The thoughtless Pair indulging their Desires Alternate kindl'd and then quench'd their Fires Nor thinking in the Shades of Death they play'd Full of themselves themselves alone survey'd And too secure were by themselves betray'd Long time dissolv'd in Pleasure thus they lay Till Nature could no more suffice their Play Then rose the Youth and through the Cave again Return'd the Princess mingl'd with her Train Resolv'd his unripe Vengeance to defer The Royal Spy when now the Coast was clear Sought not the Garden but retir'd unseen To brood in secret on his gather'd Spleen And methodize Revenge To Death he griev'd And but he saw the Crime had scarce believ'd Th' Appointment for th' ensuing Night he heard And therefore in the Cavern had prepar'd Two brawny Yeomen of his trusty Guard Scarce had unwary Guiscard set his Foot Within the farmost Entrance of the Grot When these in secret Ambush ready lay And rushing on the sudden seiz'd the Prey Encumber'd with his Frock without Defence An easie Prize they led the Pris'ner thence And as commanded brought before the Prince The gloomy Sire too sensible of Wrong To vent his Rage in Words restrain'd his Tongue And only said Thus Servants are preferr'd And trusted thus their Sov'reigns they reward Had I not seen had not these Eyes receiv'd Too clear a Proof I could not have believ'd He paus'd and choak'd the rest The Youth who saw His forfeit Life abandon'd to the Law The Judge th' Accuser and th' Offence to him Who had both Pow'r and Will t' avenge the Crime No vain Defence prepar'd but thus reply'd The Faults of Love by Love are justifi'd With unresisted Might the Monarch reigns He levels Mountains and he raises Plains And not regarding Diff'rence of Degree Abas'd your Daughter and exalted me This bold Return with seeming Patience heard The Pris'ner was remitted to the Guard The sullen Tyrant slept not all the Night But lonely walking by a winking Light Sobb'd wept and groan'd and beat his wither'd Breast But would not violate his Daughters Rest Who long expecting lay for Bliss prepar'd Listning for Noise and griev'd that none she heard Oft rose and oft in vain employ'd the Key And oft accus'd her Lover of Delay And pass'd the tedious Hours in anxious Thoughts away The Morrow came and at his usual Hour Old Tancred visited his Daughters Bow'r Her Cheek for such his Custom was he kiss'd Then bless'd her kneeling and her Maids dismiss'd The Royal Dignity thus far maintain'd Now left in private he no longer feign'd But all at once his Grief and Rage appear'd And Floods of Tears ran trickling down his Beard O Sigismonda he began to say Thrice he began and thrice was forc'd to stay Till Words with often trying found their Way I thought O Sigismonda But how blind Are Parents Eyes their Childrens Faults to find Thy Vertue Birth and Breeding were above A mean Desire and vulgar Sense of Love Nor less than Sight and Hearing could convince So fond a Father and so just a Prince Of such an unforeseen and unbeliev'd Offence Then what indignant Sorrow must I have To see thee lie subjected to my Slave A Man so smelling of the Peoples Lee The Court receiv'd him first for Charity And since with no Degree of Honour grac'd But only suffer'd where he first was plac'd A grov'ling Infect still and so design'd By Natures Hand nor born of Noble Kind A Thing by neither Man nor Woman priz'd And scarcely known enough to be despis'd To what has Heav'n reserv'd my Age Ah! why Should Man when Nature calls not chuse to die Rather than stretch the Span of Life to find Such Ills as Fate has wisely cast behind For those to feel whom fond Desire to live Makes covetous of more than Life can give Each has his Share of Good and when 't is gone The Guest though hungry cannot rise too soon But I expecting more in my own wrong Protracting Life have liv'd a Day too long If Yesterday cou'd be recall'd again Ev'n now would I conclude my happy Reign But 't is too late my glorious Race is run And a dark Cloud o'ertakes my setting Sun Hadst thou not lov'd or loving sav'd the Shame If not the Sin by some Illustrious Name This little Comfort had reliev'd my Mind 'T was frailty not unusual to thy Kind But thy low Fall beneath thy Royal Blood Shews downward Appetite to mix with Mud Thus not the least Excuse is left for thee Nor the least Refuge for unhappy me For him I have resolv'd whom by Surprize I took and scarce can call it in Disguise For such was his Attire as with Intent Of Nature suited to his mean Descent The harder Question yet remains behind What Pains a Parent and a Prince can find To punish an Offence of this degenerate Kind As I have lov'd and yet I love thee more Than ever Father lov'd a Child before So that Indulgence draws me to forgive Nature that gave thee Life would have thee live But as a Publick Parent of the State My Justice and thy Crime requires thy Fate Fain would I chuse a middle Course to steer Nature 's too kind and Justice too severe Speak for us both and to the Balance bring On either side the Father and the King Heav'n knows my Heart is bent to favour thee Make it but scanty weight and leave the rest to me Here stopping with a Sigh he pour'd a Flood Of Tears to make his last Expression good She who had heard him speak nor saw alone The secret Conduct of her Love was known But he was taken who her Soul possess'd Felt all the Pangs of Sorrow in her Breast And little wanted but a Womans Heart With Cries and Tears had testifi'd her Smart But in-born Worth that Fortune can controul New strung and stiffer bent her softer Soul The Heroine assum'd the Womans Place Confirm'd her Mind and fortifi'd her Face Why should she beg or what cou'd she pretend When her stern Father had condemn'd her Friend Her Life she might have had but her Despair Of saving his had put it past her Care Resolv'd on Fate she would not lose her Breath But rather than not die sollicit Death Fix'd on this Thought she not as Women use Her Fault by common Frailty would excuse But boldly justifi'd her Innocence And while the Fact was
Cinyras my Father been What hinder'd Myrrha's Hopes to be his Queen But the Perverseness of my Fate is such That he 's not mine because he 's mine too much Our Kindred-Blood debars a better Tie He might be nearer were he not so nigh Eyes and their Ojects never must unite Some Distance is requir'd to help the Sight Fain wou'd I travel to some Foreign Shore Never to see my Native Country more So might I to my self my self restore So might my Mind these impious Thoughts remove And ceasing to behold might cease to love But stay I must to seed my famish'd Sight To talk to kiss and more if more I might More impious Maid What more canst thou design To make a monstrous Mixture in thy Line And break all Statutes Humane and Divine Canst thou be call'd to save thy wretched Life Thy Mother's Rival and thy Father's Wife Confound so many sacred Names in one Thy Brother's Mother Sister to thy Son And fear'st thou not to see th' Infernal Bands Their Heads with Snakes with Torches arm'd their Hands Full at thy Face th' avenging Brands to bear And shake the Serpents from their hissing Hair But thou in time th' increasing Ill controul Nor first debauch the Body by the Soul Secure the sacred Quiet of thy Mind And keep the Sanctions Nature has design'd Suppose I shou'd attempt th' Attempt were vain No Thoughts like mine his sinless Soul profane Observant of the Right and O that he Cou'd cure my Madness or be mad like me Thus she But Cinyras who daily sees A Crowd of Noble Suitors at his Knees Among so many knew not whom to chuse Irresolute to grant or to refuse But having told their Names enquir'd of her Who pleas'd her best and whom she would prefer The blushing Maid stood silent with Surprize And on her Father fix'd her ardent Eyes And looking sigh'd and as she sigh'd began Round Tears to shed that scalded as they ran The tender Sire who saw her blush and cry Ascrib'd it all to Maiden-modesty And dry'd the falling Drops and yet more kind He stroak'd her Cheeks and holy Kisses join'd She felt a secret Venom fire her Blood And found more Pleasure than a Daughter shou'd And ask'd again what Lover of the Crew She lik'd the best she answer'd One like you Mistaking what she meant her pious Will He prais'd and bad her so continue still The Word of Pious heard she blush'd with shame Of secret Guilt and cou'd not bear the Name 'T was now the mid of Night when Slumbers close Our Eyes and sooth our Cares with soft Repose But no Repose cou'd wretched Myrrha find Her Body rouling as she rould her Mind Mad with Desire she ruminates her Sin And wishes all her Wishes o'er again Now she despairs and now resolves to try Wou'd not and wou'd again she knows not why Stops and returns makes and retracts the Vow Fain wou'd begin but understands not how As when a Pine is hew'd upon the Plains And the last mortal Stroke alone remains Lab'ring in Pangs of Death and threatning all This way and that she nods considring where to fall So Myrrha's Mind impell'd on either Side Takes ev'ry Bent but cannot long abide Irresolute on which she shou'd relie At last unfix'd in all is only fix'd to die On that sad Thought she rests resolv'd on Death She rises and prepares to choak her Breath Then while about the Beam her Zone she ties Dear Cinyras farewell she softly cries For thee I die and only wish to be Not hated when thou know'st I die for thee Pardon the Crime in pity to the Cause This said about her Neck the Noose she draws The Nurse who lay without her faithful Guard Though not the Words the Murmurs overheard And Sighs and hollow Sounds Surpriz'd with Fright She starts and leaves her Bed and springs a Light Unlocks the Door and entring out of Breath The Dying saw and Instruments of Death She shrieks she cuts the Zone with trembling haste And in her Arms her fainting Charge embrac'd Next for she now had leisure for her Tears She weeping ask'd in these her blooming Years What unforeseen Misfortune caus'd her Care To loath her Life and languish in Despair The Maid with down-cast Eyes and mute with Grief For Death unfinish'd and ill-tim'd Relief Stood sullen to her Suit The Beldame press'd The more to know and bar'd her wither'd Breast Adjur'd her by the kindly Food shew drew From those dry Founts her secret Ill to shew Sad Myrrha sigh'd and turn'd her Eyes aside The Nurse still urg'd and wou'd not be deny'd Nor only promis'd Secresie but pray'd She might have leave to give her offer'd Aid Good-will she said my want of Strength supplies And Diligence shall give what Age denies If strong Desires thy Mind to Fury move With Charms and Med'cines I can cure thy Love If envious Eyes their hurtful Rays have cast More pow'rful Verse shall free thee from the Blast If Heav'n offended sends thee this Disease Offended Heav'n with Pray'rs we can appease What then remains that can these Cares procure Thy House is flourishing thy Fortune sure Thy careful Mother yet in Health survives And to thy Comfort thy kind Father lives The Virgin started at her Father's Name And sigh'd profoundly conscious of the Shame Nor yet the Nurse her impious Love divin'd But yet surmis'd that Love disturb'd her Mind Thus thinking she pursu'd her Point and laid And lull'd within her Lap the mourning Maid Then softly sooth'd her thus I guess your Grief You love my Child your Love shall find Relief My long experienc'd Age shall be your Guide Relie on that and lay Distrust aside No Breath of Air shall on the Secret blow Nor shall what most you fear your Father know Struck once again as with a Thunder-clap The guilty Virgin bounded from her Lap And threw her Body prostrate on the Bed And to conctal her Blushes hid her Head There silent lay and warn'd her with her Hand To go But she receiv'd not the Command Remaining still importunate to know Then Myrrha thus Or ask no more or go I prethee go or staying spare my Shame What thou wou'dst hear is impious ev'n to name At this on high the Beldame holds her Hands And trembling both with Age and Terrour stands Adjures and falling at her Feet intreats Sooths her with Blandishments and frights with Threats To tell the Crime intended or disclose What Part of it she knew if she no farther knows And last if conscious to her Counsel made Confirms anew the Promise of her Aid Now Myrrha rais'd her Head but soon oppress'd With Shame reclin'd it on her Nurses Breast Bath'd it with Tears and strove to have confess'd Twice she began and stopp'd again she try'd The falt'ring Tongue its Office still deny'd At last her Veil before her Face she spread And drew a long preluding Sigh and said O happy Mother in thy Marriage-bed Then groan'd and ceas'd the good Old
the dawning Day arise Take to the Western Gate thy ready way For by that Passage they my Corps convey My Corpse is in a Tumbril laid among The Filth and Ordure and enclos'd with Dung That Cart arrest and raise a common Cry For sacred hunger of my Gold I die Then shew'd his grisly Wounds and last he drew A piteous Sigh and took a long Adieu The frighted Friend arose by break of Day And found the Stall where late his Fellow lay Then of his impious Host enquiring more Was answer'd that his Guest was gone before Muttring he went said he by Morning-light And much complain'd of his ill Rest by Night This rais'd Suspicion in the Pilgrim's Mind Because all Hosts are of an evil Kind And oft to share the Spoil with Robbers join'd His Dream confirm'd his Thought with troubled Look Straight to the Western-Gate his way he took There as his Dream foretold a Cart he found That carry'd Composs forth to dung the Ground This when the Pilgrim saw he stretch'd his Throat And cry'd out Murther with a yelling Note My murther'd Fellow in this Cart lies dead Vengeance and Justice on the Villain 's Head You Magistrates who sacred Laws dispense On you I call to punish this Offence The Word thus giv'n within a little space The Mob came roaring out 〈◊〉 throng'd the Place All in a trice they cast the Cart to Ground And in the Dung the murther'd Body bound Though breathless warm and reeking from the Wound Good Heav'n whose darling Attribute we find Is boundless Grace and Mercy to Mankind Abhors the Cruel and the Deeds of Night By wond'rous Ways reveals in open Light Murther may pass unpunished for a time But tardy Justice will o'ertake the Crime And oft a speedier Pain the Guilty feels The Hue and Cry of Heav'n pursues him at the Heels Fresh from the Fact as in the present Case The Criminals are seiz'd upon the Place Carter and Host confronted Face to Face Stiff in denial as the Law appoints On Engins they distend their tortur'd Joints So was Confession forc'd th' Offence was known And publick Justice on th' Offenders done Here may you see that Visions are to dread And in the Page that follows this I read Of two young Merchants whom the hope of Gain Induc'd in Partnership to cross the Main Waiting till willing Winds their Sails supply'd Within a Trading-Town they long abide Full fairly situate on a Haven's side One Evening it befel that looking out The Wind they long had 〈◊〉 was borne about Well pleas'd they went to Rest and if the Gale 'Till Morn continu'd both resolv'd to fail But as together in a Bed they lay The younger had a Dream at break of Day A Man he thought stood frowning at his side Who warn'd him for his Safety to provide Not put to Sea but safe on Shore abide I come thy Genius to command thy stay Trust not the Winds for fatal is the Day And Death unhop'd attends the watry way The Vision said And vanish'd from his sight The Dreamer waken'd in a mortal Fright Then pull'd his drowzy Neighbour and declar'd What in his Slumber he had seen and heard His Friend smil'd scornful and with proud contempt Rejects as idle what his Fellow dreamt Stay who will stay For me no Fears restrain Who follow Mercury the God of Gain Let each Man do as to his Fancy seems I wait not I till you have better Dreams Dreams are but Interludes which Fancy makes When Monarch-Reason sleeps this Mimick wakes Compounds a Medley of disjointed Things A Mob of Coblers and a Court of Kings Light Fumes are merry grosser Fumes are sad Both are the reasonable Soul run mad And many monstrous Forms in sleep we see That neither were nor are nor e'er can be Sometimes forgotten Things long cast behind Rush forward in the Brain and come to mind The Nurses Legends are for Truths receiv'd And the Man dreams but what the Boy believ'd Sometimes we but rehearse a former Play The Night restores our Actions done by Day As Hounds in sleep will open for their Prey In short the Farce of Dreams is of a piece Chimera's all and more absurd or less You who believe in Tales abide alone What e'er I get this Voyage is my own Thus while he spoke he heard the shouting Crew That call'd aboard and took his last adieu The Vessel went before a merry Gale And for quick Passage put on ev'ry Sail But when least fear'd and ev'n in open Day The Mischief overtook her in the way Whether she sprung a Leak I cannot find Or whether she was overset with Wind Or that some Rock below her bottom rent But down at once with all her Crew she went Her Fellow Ships from far her Loss descry'd But only she was sunk and all were safe beside By this Example you are taught again That Dreams and Visions are not always vain But if dear Partlet you are yet in doubt Another Tale shall make the former out Kenelm the Son of Kenulph Mercia's King Whose holy Life the Legends loudly sing Warn'd in a Dream his Murther did foretel From Point to Point as after it befel All Circumstances to his Nurse he told A Wonder from a Child of sev'n Years old The Dream with Horror heard the good old Wife From Treason counsell'd him to guard his Life But close to keep the Secret in his Mind For a Boy 's Vision small Belief would find The pious Child by Promise bound obey'd Nor was the fatal Murther long delay'd By Quenda slain he fell before his time Made a young Martyr by his Sister's Crime The Tale is told by venerable Bede Which at your better leisure you may read Macrobius too relates the Vision sent To the great Scipio with the fam'd event Objections makes but after makes Replies And adds that Dreams are often Prophecies Of Daniel you may read in Holy Writ Who when the King his Vision did forget Cou'd Word for Word the wond'rous Dream repeat Nor less of Patriarch Joseph understand Who by a Dream inslav'd th' Egyptian Land The Years of Plenty and of Dearth foretold When for their Bread their Liberty they sold. Nor must th' exalted Buttler be forgot Nor he whose Dream presag'd his hanging Lot And did not Craesus the same Death foresee Rais'd in his Vision on a lofty Tree The Wife of Hector in his utmost Pride Dreamt of his Death the Night before he dy'd Well was he warn'd from Battle to refrain But Men to Death decreed are warn'd in vain He dar'd the Dream and by his fatal Foe was slain Much more I know which I forbear to speak For see the ruddy Day begins to break Let this suffice that plainly I foresee My Dream was bad and bodes Adversity But neither Pills nor Laxatives I like They only serve to make a well-man sick Of these his Gain the sharp Phisician makes And often gives a Purge but seldom takes They not correct but poyson all
think it was to give consent But struggling with his own Desires he went With large Expence and with a pompous Train Provided as to visit France or Spain Or for some distant Voyage o'er the Main But Love had clipp'd his Wings and cut him short Confin'd within the purlieus of his Court Three Miles he went nor farther could retreat His Travels ended at his Country-Seat To Chassis pleasing Plains he took his way There pitch'd his Tents and there resolv'd to stay The Spring was in the Prime the neighb'ring Grove Supply'd with Birds the Choristers of Love Musick unbought that minister'd Delight To Morning-walks and lull'd his Cares by Night There he discharg'd his Friends but not th' Expence Of frequent Treats and proud Magnificence He liv'd as Kings retire though more at large From publick Business yet with equal Charge With House and Heart still open to receive As well content as Love would give him leave He would have liv'd more free but many a Guest Who could forsake the Friend pursu'd the Feast It happ'd one Morning as his Fancy led Before his usual Hour he left his Bed To walk within a lonely Lawn that stood On ev'ry side surrounded by the Wood Alone he walk'd to please his pensive Mind And sought the deepest Solitude to find 'T was in a Grove of spreading Pines he stray'd The Winds within the quiv'ring Branches plaid And Dancing-Trees a mournful Musick made The Place it self was suiting to his Care Uncouth and Salvage as the cruel Fair. He wander'd on unknowing where he went Lost in the Wood and all on Love intent The Day already half his Race had run And summon'd him to due Repast at Noon But Love could feel no Hunger but his own While list'ning to the murm'ring Leaves he stood More than a Mile immers'd within the Wood At once the Wind was laid the whisp'ring sound Was dumb a rising Earthquake rock'd the Ground With deeper Brown the Grove was overspred A suddain Horror seiz'd his giddy Head And his Ears tinckled and his Colour fled Nature was in alarm some Danger nigh Seem'd threaten'd though unseen to mortal Eye Unus'd to fear he summon'd all his Soul And stood collected in himself and whole Not long For soon a Whirlwind rose around And from afar he heard a screaming sound As of a Dame distress'd who cry'd for Aid And fill'd with loud Laments the secret Shade A Thicket close beside the Grove there stood With Breers and Brambles choak'd and dwarfish Wood From thence the Noise Which now approaching near With more distinguish'd Notes invades his Ear He rais'd his Head and saw a beauteous Maid With Hair dishevell'd issuing through the Shade Stripp'd of her Cloaths and e'en those Parts reveal'd Which modest Nature keeps from Sight conceal'd Her Face her Hands her naked Limbs were torn With passing through the Brakes and prickly Thorn Two Mastiffs gaunt and grim her Flight pursu'd And oft their fasten'd Fangs in Blood embru'd Oft they came up and pinch'd her tender Side Mercy O Mercy Heav'n she ran and cry'd When Heav'n was nam'd they loos'd their Hold again Then sprung she forth they follow'd her amain Not far behind a Knight of swarthy Face High on a Coal-black Steed pursu'd the Chace With flashing Flames his ardent Eyes were fill'd And in his Hands a naked Sword he held He chear'd the Dogs to follow her who fled And vow'd Revenge on her devoted Head As Theodore was born of noble Kind The brutal Action rowz'd his manly Mind Mov'd with unworthy Usage of the Maid He though unarm'd resolv'd to give her Aid A Saplin Pine he wrench'd from out the Ground The readiest Weapon that his Fury found Thus furnish'd for Offence he cross'd the way Betwixt the graceless Villain and his Prey The Knight came thund'ring on but from afar Thus in imperious Tone forbad the War Cease Theodore to proffer vain Relief Nor stop the vengeance of so just a Grief But give me leave to seize my destin'd Prey And let eternal Justice take the way I but revenge my Fate disdain'd betray'd And suff'ring Death for this ungrateful Maid He say'd at once dismounting from the Steed For now the Hell-hounds with superiour Speed Had reach'd the Dame and fast'ning on her Side The Ground with issuing Streams of Purple dy'd Stood Theodore surpriz'd in deadly Fright With chatt'ring Teeth and bristling Hair upright Yet arm'd with inborn Worth What e'er said he Thou art who know'st me better than I thee Or prove thy rightful Cause or be defy'd The Spectre fiercely staring thus reply'd Know Theodore thy Ancestry I claim And Guido Cavalcanti was my Name One common Sire our Fathers did beget My Name and Story some remember yet Thee then a Boy within my Arms I laid When for my Sins I lov'd this haughty Maid Not less ador'd in Life nor serv'd by Me Than proud Honoria now is lov'd by Thee What did I not her stubborn Heart to gain But all my Vows were answer'd with Disdain She scorn'd my Sorrows and despis'd my Pain Long time I dragg'd my Days in fruitless Care Then loathing Life and plung'd in deep Despair To finish my unhappy Life I fell On this sharp Sword and now am damn'd in Hell Short was her Joy for soon th' insulting Maid By Heav'n's Decree in the cold Grave was laid And as in unrepenting Sin she dy'd Doom'd to the same bad Place is punish'd for her Pride Because she deem'd I well deserv'd to die And made a Merit of her Cruelty There then we met both try'd and both were cast And this irrevocable Sentence pass'd That she whom I so long pursu'd in vain Should suffer from my Hands a lingring Pain Renew'd to Life that she might daily die I daily doom'd to follow she to fly No more a Lover but a mortal Foe I seek her Life for Love is none below As often as my Dogs with better speed Arrest her Flight is she to Death decreed Then with this fatal Sword on which I dy'd I pierce her open'd Back or tender Side And tear that harden'd Heart from out her Breast Which with her Entrails makes my hungry Hounds a Feast Nor lies she long but as her Fates ordain Springs up to Life and fresh to second Pain Is sav'd to Day to Morrow to be slain This vers'd in Death th' infernal Knight relates And then for Proof fulfill'd their common Fates Her Heart and Bowels through her Back he drew And fed the Hounds that help'd him to pursue Stern'd look'd the Fiend as frustrate of his Will Not half suffic'd and greedy yet to kill And now the Soul expiring through the Wound Had left the Body breathless on the Ground When thus the grisly Spectre spoke again Behold the Fruit of ill-rewarded Pain As many Months as I sustain'd her Hate So many Years is she condemn'd by Fate To daily Death and ev'ry several Place Conscious of her Disdain and my Disgrace Must witness her just Punishment and be A Scene of
Knight was present to her Mind And anxious oft she started on the way And thought the Horseman-Ghost came thundring for his Prey Return'd she took her Bed with little Rest But in short Slumbers dreamt the Funeral Feast Awak'd she turn'd her Side and slept again The same black Vapors mounted in her Brain And the same Dreams return'd with double Pain Now forc'd to wake because afraid to sleep Her Blood all Fever'd with a furious Leap She sprung from Bed distracted in her Mind And fear'd at ev'ry Step a twitching Spright behind Darkling and desp'rate with a stagg'ring pace Of Death afraid and conscious of Disgrace Fear Pride Remorse at once her Heart assail'd Pride put Remorse to flight but Fear prevail'd Friday the fatal Day when next it came Her Soul forethought the Fiend would change his Game And her pursue or Theodore be slain And two Ghosts join their Packs to hunt her o'er the Plain This dreadful Image so possess'd her Mind That desp'rate any Succour else to find She ceas'd all farther hope and now began To make reflection on th' unhappy Man Rich Brave and Young who past expression lov'd Proof to Disdain and not to be remov'd Of all the Men respected and admir'd Of all the Dames except her self desir'd Why not of her Preferr'd above the rest By him with Knightly Deeds and open Love profess'd So had another been where he his Vows address'd This quell'd her Pride yet other Doubts remain'd That once disdaining she might be disdain'd The Fear was just but greater Fear prevail'd Fear of her Life by hellish Hounds assail'd He took a low'ring leave but who can tell What outward Hate might inward Love conceal Her Sexes Arts she knew and why not then Might deep dissembling have a place in Men Here Hope began to dawn resolv'd to try She fix'd on this her utmost Remedy Death was behind but hard it was to die T was time enough at last on Death to call The Precipice in sight A Shrub was all That kindly stood betwixt to break the fatal fall One Maid she had belov'd above the rest Secure of her the Secret she confess'd And now the chearful Light her Fears dispell'd She with no winding turns the Truth conceal'd But put the Woman off and stood reveal'd With Faults confess'd commission'd her to go If Pity yet had place and reconcile her Foe The welcom Message made was soon receiv'd 'T was what he wish'd and hop'd but scarce believ'd Fate seem'd a fair occasion to present He knew the Sex and fear'd she might repent Should he delay the moment of Consent There yet remain'd to gain her Friends a Care The modesty of Maidens well might spare But she with such a Zeal the Cause embrac'd As Women where they will are all in hast That Father Mother and the Kin beside Were overborn by fury of the Tide With full consent of all she chang'd her State Resistless in her Love as in her Hate By her Example warn'd the rest beware More Easy less Imperious were the Fair And that one Hunting which the Devil design'd For one fair Female lost him half the Kind CEYX AND ALCYONE Connection of this Fable with the former Ceyx the Son of Lucifer the Morning Star and King of Trachin in Thessaly was married to Alcyone Daughter to AEolus God of the Winds Both the Husband and the Wife lov'd each other with an entire Affection Daedalion the Elder Brother of Ceyx whom he succeeded having been turn'd into a Falcon by Apollo and Chione Daedalion's Daughter slain by Diana Ceyx prepares a Ship to sail to Claros there to consult the Oracle of Apollo and as Ovid seems to intimate to enquire how the Anger of the Gods might be atton'd THESE Prodigies afflict the pious Prince But more perplex'd with those that happen'd since He purposes to seek the Clarian God Avoiding Delphos his more fam'd Abode Since Phlegyan Robbers made unsafe the Road. Yet cou'd he not from her he lov'd so well The fatal Voyage he resolv'd conceal But when she saw her Lord prepar'd to part A deadly Cold ran shiv'ring to her Heart Her faded Cheeks are chang'd to Boxen Hue And in her Eyes the Tears are ever new She thrice assay'd to Speak her Accents hung And faltring dy'd unfinish'd on her Tongue Or vanish'd into Sighs With long delay Her Voice return'd and found the wonted way Tell me my Lord she said what Fault unknown Thy once belov'd Alcyone has done Whether ah whether is thy Kindness gone Can Ceyx then sustain to leave his Wife And unconcern'd forsake the Sweets of Life What can thy Mind to this long Journey move Or need'st thou absence to renew thy Love Yet if thou go'st by Land tho' Grief possess My Soul ev'n then my Fears will be the less But ah be warn'd to shun the Watry Way The Face is frightful of the stormy Sea For late I saw a-drift disjointed Planks And empty Tombs erected on the Banks Nor let false Hopes to trust betray thy Mind Because my Sire in Caves constrains the Wind Can with a Breath their clam'rous Rage appease They fear his Whistle and forsake the Seas Not so for once indulg'd they sweep the Main Deaf to the Call or hearing hear in vain But bent on Mischief bear the Waves before And not content with Seas insult the Shoar When Ocean Air and Earth at once ingage And rooted Forrests fly before their Rage At once the clashing Clouds to Battle move And Lightnings run across the Fields above I know them well and mark'd their rude Comport While yet a Child within my Father's Court In times of Tempest they command alone And he but sits precarious on the Throne The more I know the more my Fears augment And Fears are oft prophetick of th' event But if not Fears or Reasons will prevail If Fate has fix'd thee obstinate to sail Go not without thy Wife but let me bear My part of Danger with an equal share And present what I suffer only fear Then o'er the bounding Billows shall we fly Secure to live together or to die These Reasons mov'd her starlike Husband's Heart But still he held his Purpose to depart For as he lov'd her equal to his Life He wou'd not to the Seas expose his Wife Nor cou'd be wrought his Voyage to refrain But sought by Arguments to sooth her Pain Nor these avail'd at length he lights on one With which so difficult a Cause he won My Love so short an absence cease to fear For by my Father's holy Flame I swear Before two Moons their Orb with Light adorn If Heav'n allow me Life I will return This Promise of so short a stay prevails He soon equips the Ship supplies the Sails And gives the Word to launch she trembling views This pomp of Death and parting Tears renews Last with a Kiss she took a long farewel Sigh'd with a sad Presage and swooning fell While Ceyx seeks Delays the lusty Crew Rais'd on their Banks their Oars
common is our way So dreadful was the Dream so loud she spoke That starting sudden up the Slumber broke Then cast her Eyes around in hope to view Her vanish'd Lord and find the Vision true For now the Maids who waited her Commands Ran in with lighted Tapers in their Hands Tir'd with the Search not finding what she seeks With cruel Blows she pounds her blubber'd Cheeks Then from her beaten Breast the Linnen tare And cut the golden Caull that bound her Hair Her Nurse demands the Cause with louder Cries She prosecutes her Griefs and thus replies No more Alcyone she suffer'd Death With her lov'd Lord when Ceyx lost his Breath No Flatt'ry no false Comfort give me none My Shipwreck'd Ceyx is for ever gone I saw I saw him manifest in view His Voice his Figure and his Gestures knew His Lustre lost and ev'ry living Grace Yet I retain'd the Features of his Face Tho' with pale Cheeks wet Beard and dropping Hair None but my Ceyx cou'd appear so fair I would have strain'd him with a strict Embrace But through my Arms he slip'd and vanish'd from the Place There ev'n just there he stood and as she spoke Where last the Spectre was she cast her Look Fain wou'd she hope and gaz'd upon the Ground If any printed Footsteps might be found Then sigh'd and said This I too well foreknew And my prophetick Fear presag'd too true 'T was what I beg'd when with a bleeding Heart I took my leave and suffer'd Thee to part Or I to go along or Thou to stay Never ah never to divide our way Happier for me that all our Hours assign'd Together we had liv'd e'en not in Death disjoin'd So had my Ceyx still been living here Or with my Ceyx I had perish'd there Now I die absent in the vast profound And Me without my Self the Seas have drown'd The Storms were not so cruel should I strive To lengthen Life and such a Grief survive But neither will I strive nor wretched Thee In Death forsake but keep thee Company If not one common Sepulcher contains Our Bodies or one Urn our last Remains Yet Ceyx and Alcyone shall join Their Names remember'd in one common Line No farther Voice her mighty Grief affords For Sighs come rushing in betwixt her Words And stop'd her Tongue but what her Tongue deny'd Soft Tears and Groans and dumb Complaints supply'd 'T was Morning to the Port she takes her way And stands upon the Margin of the Sea That Place that very Spot of Ground she sought Or thither by her Destiny was brought Where last he stood And while she sadly said 'T was here he left me lingring here delay'd His parting Kiss and there his Anchors weigh'd Thus speaking while her Thoughts past Actions trace And call to mind admonish'd by the Place Sharp at her utmost Ken she cast her Eyes And somewhat floating from afar descries It seem'd a Corps adrift to distant Sight But at a distance who could judge aright It wafted nearer yet and then she knew That what before she but surmis'd was true A Corps it was but whose it was unknown Yet mov'd howe'er she made the Case her own Took the bad Omen of a shipwreck'd Man As for a Stranger wept and thus began Poor Wreth on stormy Seas to lose thy Life Unhappy thou but more thy widdow'd Wife At this she paus'd for now the flowing Tide Had brought the Body nearer to the side The more she looks the more her Fears increase At nearer Sight and she 's her self the less Now driv'n ashore and at her Feet it lies She knows too much in knowing whom she sees Her Husband 's Corps at this she loudly shrieks T is he 't is he she cries and tears her Cheeks Her Hair her Vest and stooping to the Sands About his Neck she cast her trembling Hands And is it thus O dearer than my Life Thus thus return'st Thou to thy longing Wife She said and to the neighb'ring Mole she strode Rais'd there to break th' Incursions of the Flood Headlong from hence to plunge her self she springs But shoots along supported on her Wings A Bird new-made about the Banks she plies Not far from Shore and short Excursions tries Nor seeks in Air her humble Flight to raise Content to skim the Surface of the Seas Her Bill tho' slender sends a creaking Noise And imitates a lamentable Voice Now lighting where the bloodless Body lies She with a Funeral Note renews her Cries At all her stretch her little Wings she spread And with her feather'd Arms embrac'd the Dead Then flick'ring to his palid Lips she strove To print a Kiss the last essay of Love Whether the vital Touch reviv'd the Dead Or that the moving Waters rais'd his Head To meet the Kiss the Vulgar doubt alone For sure a present Miracle was shown The Gods their Shapes to Winter-Birds translate But both obnoxious to their former Fate Their conjugal Affection still is ty'd And still the mournful Race is multiply'd They bill they tread Alcyone compress'd Sev'n Days sits brooding on her floating Nest A wintry Queen Her Sire at length is kind Calms ev'ry Storm and hushes ev'ry Wind Prepares his Empire for his Daughter's Ease And for his hatching Nephews smooths the Seas THE Flower and the Leaf OR THE LADY IN THE ARBOUR A VISION THE Flower and the Leaf OR THE LADY IN THE ARBOUR NOW turning from the wintry Signs the Sun His Course exalted through the Ram had run And whirling up the Skies his Chariot drove Through Taurus and the lightsome Realms of Love Where Venus from her Orb descends in Show'rs To glad the Ground and paint the Fields with Flow'rs When first the tender Blades of Grass appear And Buds that yet the blast of Eurus fear Stand at the door of Life and doubt to cloath the Year Till gentle Heat and soft repeated Rains Make the green Blood to dance within their Veins Then at their Call embolden'd out they come And swell the Gems and burst the narrow Room Broader and broader yet their Blooms display Salute the welcome Sun and entertain the Day Then from their breathing Souls the Sweets repair To scent the Skies and purge th' unwholsome Air Joy spreads the Heart and with a general Song Spring issues out and leads the jolly Months along In that sweet Season as in Bed I lay And sought in Sleep to pass the Night away I turn'd my weary Side but still in vain Tho' full of youthful Health and void of Pain Cares I had none to keep me from my Rest For Love had never enter'd in my Breast I wanted nothing Fortune could supply Nor did she Slumber till that hour deny I wonder'd then but after found it true Much Joy had dry'd away the balmy Dew Sea's wou'd be Pools without the brushing Air To curl the Waves and sure some little Care Shou'd weary Nature so to make her want repair When Chaunticleer the second Watch had sung Scorning the Scorner Sleep
Good In every Land we have a larger Space Than what is known to you of mortal Race Where we with Green adorn our Fairy Bow'rs And ev'n this Grove unseen before is ours Know farther Ev'ry Lady cloath'd in White And crown'd with Oak and Lawrel ev'ry Knight Are Servants to the Leaf by Liveries known Of Innocence and I my self am one Saw you not Her so graceful to behold In white Attire and crown'd with Radiant Gold The Soveraign Lady of our Land is She Diana call'd the Queen of Chastity And for the spotless Name of Maid she bears That Agnus castus in her Hand appears And all her Train with leavy Chaplets crown'd Were for unblam'd Virginity renown'd But those the chief and highest in Command Who bear those holy Branches in their Hand The Knights adorn'd with Lawrel-Crowns are they Whom Death nor Danger ever cou'd dismay Victorious Names who made the World obey Who while they liv'd in Deeds of Arms excell'd And after Death for Deities were held But those who wear the Woodbine on their Brow Were Knights of Love who never broke their Vow Firm to their plighted Faith and ever free From Fears and fickle Chance and Jealousy The Lords and Ladies who the Woodbine bear As true as Tristram and Isotta were But what are those said I th' unconquer'd Nine Who crown'd with Lawrel-Wreaths in golden Armour shine And who the Knights in Green and what the Train Of Ladies dress'd with Daisies on the Plain Why both the Bands in Worship disagree And some adore the Flow'r and some the Tree Just is your Suit fair Daughter said the Dame Those lawrell'd Chiefs were Men of mighty Fame Nine Worthies were they call'd of diff'rent Rites Three Jews three Pagans and three Christian Knights These as you see ride foremost in the Field As they the foremost Rank of Honour held And all in Deeds of Chivalry excell'd Their Temples wreath'd with Leafs that still renew For deathless Lawrel is the Victor's due Who bear the Bows were Knights in Arthur's Reign Twelve they and twelve the Peers of Charlemain For Bows the Strength of brawny Arms imply Emblems of Valour and of Victory Behold an Order yet of newer Date Doubling their Number equal in their State Our England's Ornament the Crown 's Defence In Battle brave Protectors of their Prince Unchang'd by Fortune to their Soveraign true For which their manly Legs are bound with Blue These of the Garter call'd of Faith unstain'd In fighting Fields the Lawrel have obtain'd And well repaid those Honours which they gain'd The Lawrel-Wreaths were first by Caesar worn And still they Caesar's Successors adorn One Leaf of this is Immortality And more of Worth than all the World can buy One Doubt remains said I the Dames in Green What were their Qualities and who their Queen Flora commands said she those Nymphs and Knights Who liv'd in slothful Ease and loose Delights Who never Acts of Honour durst pursue The Men inglorious Knights the Ladies all untrue Who nurs'd in Idleness and train'd in Courts Pass'd all their precious Hours in Plays and Sports Till Death behind came stalking on unseen And wither'd like the Storm the freshness of their Green These and their Mates enjoy the present Hour And therefore pay their Homage to the Flow'r But Knights in Knightly Deeds should persevere And still continue what at first they were Continue and proceed in Honours fair Career No room for Cowardise or dull delay From Good to Better they should urge their way For this with golden Spurs the Chiefs are grac'd With pointed Rowels arm'd to mend their haste For this with lasting Leaves their Brows are bound For Lawrel is the Sign of Labour crown'd Which bears the bitter Blast nor shaken falls to Ground From Winter-Winds it suffers no decay For ever fresh and fair and ev'ry Month is May. Ev'n when the vital Sap retreats below Ev'n when the hoary Head is hid in Snow The Life is in the Leaf and still between The Fits of falling Snows appears the streaky Green Not so the Flow'r which lasts for little space A short-liv'd Good and an uncertain Grace This way and that the feeble Stem is driv'n Weak to sustain the Storms and Injuries of Heav'n Prop'd by the Spring it lifts aloft the Head But of a sickly Beauty soon to shed In Summer living and in Winter dead For Things of tender Kind for Pleasure made Shoot up with swift Increase and suddain are decay'd With humble Words the wisest I could frame And profer'd Service I repaid the Dame That of her Grace she gave her Maid to know The secret meaning of this moral Show And she to prove what Profit I had made Of mystique Truth in Fables first convey'd Demanded till the next returning May Whether the Leaf or Flow'r I would obey I chose the Leaf she smil'd with sober Chear And wish'd me fair Adventure for the Year And gave me Charms and Sigils for Defence Against ill Tongues that scandal Innocence But I said she my Fellows must pursue Already past the Plain and out of view We parted thus I homeward sped my way Bewilder'd in the Wood till Dawn of Day And met the merry Crew who danc'd about the May. Then late refresh'd with Sleep I rose to write The visionary Vigils of the Night Blush as thou may'st my little Book for Shame Nor hope with homely Verse to purchase Fame For such thy Maker chose and so design'd Thy simple Style to sute thy lowly Kind Mr. DRYDEN's ODE In HONOUR of St. CECILIA's Day 1697. Alexander's Feast OR THE POWER of MUSIQUE AN ODE In HONOUR of St. CECILIA's Day I. 'T Was at the Royal Feast for Persia won By Philip's Warlike Son Aloft in awful State The God-like Heroe sate On his Imperial Throne His valiant Peers were plac'd around Their Brows with Roses and with Myrtles bound So shou'd Desert in Arms be Crown'd The Lovely Thais by his side Sate like a blooming Eastern Bride In Flow'r of Youth and Beauty's Pride Happy happy happy Pair None but the Brave None but the Brave None but the Brave deserves the Fair. CHORUS Happy happy happy Pair None but the Brave None but the Brave None but the Brave deserves the Fair. II. Timotheus plac'd on high Amid the tuneful Quire With flying Fingers touch'd the Lyre The trembling Notes ascend the Sky And Heav'nly Joys inspire The Song began from Jove Who left his blissful Seats above Such is the Pow'r of mighty Love A Dragon 's fiery Form bely'd the God Sublime on Radiant Spires He rode When He to fair Olympia press'd And while He sought her snowy Breast Then round her slender Waist he curl'd And stamp'd an Image of himself a Sov'raign of the World The list'ning Crowd admire the lofty Sound A present Deity they shout around A present Deity the vaulted Roofs rebound With ravish'd Ears The Monarch hears Assumes the God Affects to nod And seems to shake the Spheres CHORUS With ravish'd Ears The Monarch hears
threatning o'er his Head With added Curses if he disobey'd Twice warn'd he study'd Flight but wou'd convey At once his Person and his Wealth away Thus while he linger'd his Design was heard A speedy Process form'd and Death declar'd Witness there needed none of his Offence Against himself the Wretch was Evidence Condemn'd and destitute of human Aid To him for whom he suffer'd thus he pray'd O Pow'r who hast deserv'd in Heav'n a Throne Not giv'n but by thy Labours made thy own Pity thy Suppliant and protect his Cause Whom thou hast made obnoxious to the Laws A Custom was of old and still remains Which Life or Death by Suffrages ordains White Stones and Black within an Urn are cast The first absolve but Fate is in the last The Judges to the common Urn bequeath Their Votes and drop the Sable Signs of Death The Box receives all Black but pour'd from thence The Stones came candid forth The Hue of Innoncence Thus Alemonides his Safety won Preserv'd from Death by Alcumena's Son Then to his Kinsman-God his Vows he pays And cuts with prosp'rous Gales th' Ionian Seas He leaves Tarentum favour'd by the Wind And Thurine Bays and Temises behind Soft Sybaris and all the Capes that stand Along the Shore he makes in sight of Land Still doubling and still coasting till he found The Mouth of AEsaris and promis'd Ground Then saw where on the Margin of the Flood The Tomb that held the Bones of Croton stood Here by the God's Command he built and wall'd The Place predicted and Crotona call'd Thus Fame from time to time delivers down The sure Tradition of th' Italian Town Here dwelt the Man divine whom Samos bore But now Self-banish'd from his Native Shore Because he hated Tyrants nor cou'd bear The Chains which none but servile Souls will wear He tho'from Heav'n remote to Heav'n cou'd move With Strength of Mind and tread th' Abyss above And penetrate with his interiour Light Those upper Depths which Nature hid from Sight And what he had observ'd and learnt from thence Lov'd in familiar Language to dispence The Crowd with silent Admiration stand And heard him as they heard their God's Command While he discours'd of Heav'ns mysterious Laws The World 's Original and Nature's Cause And what was God and why the fleecy Snows In silence fell and rattling Winds arose What shook the stedfast Earth and whence begun The dance of Planets round the radiant Sun If Thunder was the Voice of angry Jove Or Clouds with Nitre pregnant burst above Of these and Things beyond the common reach He spoke and charm'd his Audience with his Speech He first the tast of Flesh from Tables drove And argu'd well if Arguments cou'd move O Mortals from your Fellow's Blood abstain Nor taint your Bodies with a Food profane While Corn and Pulse by Nature are bestow'd And planted Orchards bend their willing Load While labour'd Gardens wholsom Herbs produce And teeming Vines afford their generous Juice Nor tardier Fruits of cruder Kind are lost But tam'd with Fire or mellow'd by the Frost While Kine to Pails distended Udders bring And Bees their Hony redolent of Spring While Earth not only can your Needs supply But lavish of her Store provides for Luxury A guiltless Feast administers with Ease And without Blood is prodigal to please Wild Beasts their Maws with their slain Brethren fill And yet not all for some refuse to kill Sheep Goats and Oxen and the nobler Steed On Browz and Corn and flow'ry Meadows feed Bears Tygers Wolves the Lion's angry Brood Whom Heav'n endu'd with Principles of Blood He wisely sundred from the rest to yell In Forests and in lonely Caves to dwell Where stronger Beasts oppress the weak by Might And all in Prey and Purple Feasts delight O impious use to Nature's Laws oppos'd Where Bowels are in other Bowels clos'd Where fatten'd by their Fellow 's Fat they thrive Maintain'd by Murder and by Death they live 'T is then for nought that Mother Earth provides The Stores of all she shows and all she hides If Men with fleshy Morsels must be fed And chaw with bloody Teeth the breathing Bread What else is this but to devour our Guests And barb'rously renew Cyclopean Feasts We by destroying Life our Life sustain And gorge th'ungodly Maw with Meats obscene Not so the Golden Age who fed on Fruit Nor durst with bloody Meals their Mouths pollute Then Birds in airy space might safely move And timerous Hares on Heaths securely rove Nor needed Fish the guileful Hooks to fear For all was peaceful and that Peace sincere Whoever was the Wretch and curs'd be He That envy'd first our Food 's simplicity Th'essay of bloody Feasts on Bruits began And after forg'd the Sword to murther Man Had he the sharpen'd Steel alone employ'd On Beasts of Prey that other Beasts destroy'd Or Man invaded with their Fangs and Paws This had been justify'd by Nature's Laws And Self-defence But who did Feasts begin Of Flesh he stretch'd Necessity to Sin To kill Man-killers Man has lawful Pow'r But not th'extended Licence to devour Ill Habits gather by unseen degrees As Brooks make Rivers Rivers run to Seas The Sow with her broad Snout for rooting up Th'intrusted Seed was judg'd to spoil the Crop And intercept the sweating Farmer 's hope The covet'ous Churl of unforgiving kind Th' Offender to the bloody Priest resign'd Her Hunger was no Plea For that she dy'd The Goat came next in order to be try'd The Goat had cropt the tendrills of the Vine In vengeance Laity and Clergy join Where one had lost his Profit one his Wine Here was at least some shadow of Offence The Sheep was sacrific'd on no pretence But meek and unresisting Innocence A patient useful Creature born to bear The warm and woolly Fleece that cloath'd her Murderer And daily to give down the Milk she bred A Tribute for the Grass on which she fed Living both Food and Rayment she supplies And is of least advantage when she dies How did the toiling Oxe his Death deserve A downright simple Drudge and born to serve O Tyrant with what Justice can'st thou hope The promise of the Year a plenteous Crop When thou destroy'ft thy lab'ring Steer who till'd And plough'd with Pains thy else ungrateful Field From his yet reeking Neck to draw the Yoke That Neck with which the surly Clods he broke And to the Hatchet yield thy Husband-Man Who finish'd Autumn and the Spring began Nor this alone but Heav'n it self to bribe We to the Gods our impious Acts ascribe First recompence with Death their Creatures Toil Then call the Bless'd above to share the Spoil The fairest Victim must the Pow'rs appease So fatal 't is sometimes too much to please A purple Fillet his broad Brows adorns With flow'ry Garlands crown'd and gilded Horns He hears the murd'rous Pray'r the Priest prefers But understands not 't is his Doom he hears Beholds the Meal betwixt his Temples cast The
Glass Reflected to her Eyes the ruins of her Face Wondring what Charms her Ravishers cou'd spy To force her twice or ev'n but once enjoy Thy Teeth devouring Time thine envious Age On Things below still exercise your Rage With venom'd Grinders you corrupt your Meat And then at lingring Meals the Morsels eat Nor those which Elements we call abide Nor to this Figure nor to that are ty'd For this eternal World is said of Old But four prolifick Principles to hold Four different Bodies two to Heaven ascend And other two down to the Center tend Fire first with Wings expanded mounts on high Pure void of weight and dwells in upper Sky Then Air because unclogg'd in empty space Flies after Fire and claims the second Place But weighty Water as her Nature guides Lies on the lap of Earth and Mother Earth subsides All Things are mix'd of these which all contain And into these are all resolv'd again Earth rarifies to Dew expanded more The subtil Dew in Air begins to soar Spreads as she flies and weary of her Name Extenuates still and changes into Flame Thus having by degrees Perfection won Restless they soon untwist the Web they spun And Fire begins to lose her radiant Hue Mix'd with gross Air and Air descends to Dew And Dew condensing does her Form forego And sinks a heavy lump of Earth below Thus are their Figures never at a stand But chang'd by Nature's innovating Hand All Things are alter'd nothing is destroy'd The shifted Scene for some new Show employ'd Then to be born is to begin to be Some other Thing we were not formerly And what we call to Die is not t' appear Or be the Thing that formerly we were Those very Elements which we partake Alive when Dead some other Bodies make Translated grow have Sense or can Discourse But Death on deathless Substance has no force That Forms are chang'd I grant that nothing can Continue in the Figure it began The Golden Age to Silver was debas'd To Copper that our Mettal came at last The Face of Places and their Forms decay And that is solid Earth that once was Sea Seas in their turn retreating from the Shore Make solid Land what Ocean was before And far from Strands are Shells of Fishes found And rusty Anchors fix'd on Mountain-Ground And what were Fields before now wash'd and worn By falling Floods from high to Valleys turn And crumbling still descend to level Lands And Lakes and trembling Bogs are barren Sands And the parch'd Desart floats in Streams unknown Wondring to drink of Waters not her own Here Nature living Fountains ope's and there Seals up the Wombs where living Fountains were Or Earthquakes stop their ancient Course and bring Diverted Streams to feed a distant Spring So Lycus swallow'd up is seen no more But far from thence knocks out anorher Door Thus Erasinus dives and blind in Earth Runs on and gropes his way to second Birth Starts up in Argos Meads and shakes his Locks Around the Fields and fattens all the Flocks So Mysus by another way is led And grown a River now disdains his Head Forgets his humble Birth his Name forsakes And the proud Title of Caicus takes Large Amenane impure with yellow Sands Runs rapid often and as often stands And here he threats the drunken Fields to drown And there his Dugs deny to give their Liquor down Anigros once did wholsome Draughts afford But now his deadly Waters are abhorr'd Since hurt by Hercules as Fame resounds The Centaurs in his current wash'd their Wounds The Streams of Hypanis are sweet no more But brackish lose the tast they had before Antissa Pharos Tyre in Seas were pent Once Isles but now increase the Continent While the Leucadian Coast main Land before By rushing Seas is sever'd from the Shore So Zancle to th' Italian Earth was ty'd And Men once walk'd where Ships at Anchor ride Till Neptune overlook'd the narrow way And in disdain pour'd in the conqu'ring Sea Two Cities that adorn'd th' Achaian Ground Buris and Helice no more are found But whelm'd beneath a Lake are sunk and drown'd And Boatsmen through the Chrystal Water show To wond'ring Passengers the Walls below Near Traezen stands a Hill expos'd in Air To Winter-Winds of leafy Shadows bare This once was level Ground But strange to tell Th' included Vapors that in Caverns dwell Lab'ring with Cholick Pangs and close confin'd In vain sought issue for the rumbling Wind Yet still they heav'd for vent and heaving still Inlarg'd the Concave and shot up the Hill As Breath extends a Bladder or the Skins Of Goats are blown t' inclose the hoarded Wines The Mountain yet retains a Mountain's Face And gather'd Rubbish heals the hollow space Of many Wonders which I heard or knew Retrenching most I will relate but few What are not Springs with Qualities oppos'd Endu'd at Seasons and at Seasons lost Thrice in a Day thine Ammon change their Form Cold at high Noon at Morn and Evening warm Thine Athaman will kindle Wood if thrown On the pil'd Earth and in the waning Moon The Thracians have a Stream if any try The tast his harden'd Bowels petrify Whate'er it touches it converts to Stones And makes a Marble Pavement where it runs Crathis and Sybaris her Sister Flood That slide through our Calabrian Neighbour Wood With Gold and Amber die the shining Hair And thither Youth resort for who wou'd not be Fair But stranger Virtues yet in Streams we find Some change not only Bodies but the Mind Who has not heard of Salmacis obscene Whose Waters into Women soften Men Or AEthyopian Lakes which turn the Brain To Madness or in heavy Sleep constrain Clytorian Streams the love of Wine expel Such is the Virtue of th'abstemious Well Whether the colder Nymph that rules the Flood Extinguishes and balks the drunken God Or that Melampus so have some assur'd When the mad Proetides with Charms he cur'd And pow'rful Herbs both Charms and Simples cast Into th'sober Spring where still their Virtues last Unlike Effects Lyncestis will produce Who drinks his Waters tho'with moderate use Reels as with Wine and sees with double Sight His Heels too heavy and his Head too light Ladon once Pheneos an Arcadian Stream Ambiguous in th' Effects as in the Name By Day is wholsom Bev'rage but is thought By Night infected and a deadly Draught Thus running Rivers and the standing Lake Now of these Virtues now of those partake Time was and all Things Time and Fate obey When fast Ortygia floated on the Sea Such were Cyanean Isles when Typhis steer'd Betwixt their Streights and their Collision fear'd They swam where now they sit and firmly join'd Secure of rooting up resist the Wind. Nor AEtna vomiting sulphuerous Fire Will ever belch for Sulphur will expire The Veins exhausted of the liquid Store Time was she cast no Flames in time will cast no more For whether Earth's an Animal and Air Imbibes her Lungs with coolness to repair And
run Riot and transgress the Goal And therefore I conclude whatever lies In Earth or flits in Air or fills the Skies All suffer change and we that are of Soul And Body mix'd are Members of the whole Then when our Sires or Grandsires shall forsake The Forms of Men and brutal Figures take Thus hous'd securely let their Spirits rest Nor violate thy Father in the Beast Thy Friend thy Brother any of thy Kin If none of these yet there 's a Man within O spare to make a Thyestaean Meal T' inclose his Body and his Soul expel Ill Customs by degrees to Habits rise Ill Habits soon become exalted Vice What more advance can Mortals make in Sin So near Perfection who with Blood begin Deaf to the Calf that lies beneath the Knife Looks up and from her Butcher begs her Life Deaf to the harmless Kid that e'er he dies All Methods to procure thy Mercy tries And imitates in vain thy Children's Cries Where will he stop who feeds with Houshold Bread Then eats the Poultry which before he fed Let plough thy Steers that when they lose their Breath To Nature not to thee they may impute their Death Let Goats for Food their loaded Udders lend And Sheep from Winter-cold thy Sides defend But neither Sprindges Nets nor Snares employ And be no more Ingenious to destroy Free as in Air let Birds on Earth remain Nor let insidious Glue their Wings constrain Nor opening Hounds the trembling Stag affright Nor purple Feathers intercept his Flight Nor Hooks conceal'd in Baits for Fish prepare Nor Lines to heave 'em twinkling up in Air. Take not away the Life you cannot give For all Things have an equal right to live Kill noxious Creatures where 't is Sin to save This only just Prerogative we have But nourish Life with vegetable Food And shun the sacrilegious tast of Blood These Precepts by the Samian Sage were taught Which Godlike Numa to the Sabines brought And thence transferr'd to Rome by Gift his own A willing People and an offer'd Throne O happy Monarch sent by Heav'n to bless A Salvage Nation with soft Arts of Peace To teach Religion Rapine to restrain Give Laws to Lust and Sacrifice ordain Himself a Saint a Goddess was his Bride And all the Muses o'er his Acts preside THE CHARACTER OF A Good Parson Imitated from CHAUCER And Inlarg'd A Parish-Priest was of the Pilgrim-Train An Awful Reverend and Religious Man His Eyes diffus'd a venerable Grace And Charity it self was in his Face Rich was his Soul though his Attire was poor As God had cloath'd his own Embassador For such on Earth his bless'd Redeemer bore Of Sixty Years he seem'd and well might last To Sixty more but that he liv'd too fast Refin'd himself to Soul to curb the Sense And made almost a Sin of Abstinence Yet had his Aspect nothing of severe But such a Face as promis'd him sincere Nothing reserv'd or sullen was to see But sweet Regards and pleasing Sanctity Mild was his Accent and his Action free With Eloquence innate his Tongue was arm'd Tho' harsh the Precept yet the Preacher charm'd For letting down the golden Chain from high He drew his Audience upward to the Sky And oft with holy Hymns he charm'd their Ears A Musick more melodious than the Spheres For David left him when he went to rest His Lyre and after him he sung the best He bore his great Commission in his Look But sweetly temper'd Awe and soften'd all he spoke He preach'd the Joys of Heav'n and Pains of Hell And warn'd the Sinner with becoming Zeal But on Eternal Mercy lov'd to dwell He taught the Gospel rather than the Law And forc'd himself to drive but lov'd to draw For Fear but freezes Minds but Love like Heat Exhales the Soul sublime to seek her Native Seat To Threats the stubborn Sinner oft is hard Wrap'd in his Crimes against the Storm prepar'd But when the milder Beams of Mercy play He melts and throws his cumb'rous Cloak away Lightnings and Thunder Heav'ns Artillery As Harbingers before th' Almighty fly Those but proclaim his Stile and disappear The stiller Sound succeeds and God is there The Tythes his Parish freely paid he took But never Su'd or Curs'd with Bell and Book With Patience bearing wrong but off ring none Since every Man is free to lose his own The Country-Churles according to their Kind Who grudge their Dues and love to be behind The less he sought his Off'rings pinch'd the more And prais'd a Priest contented to be Poor Yet of his little he had some to spare To feed the Famish'd and to cloath the Bare For Mortify'd he was to that degree A poorer than himself he wou'd not see True Priests he said and Preachers of the Word Were only Stewards of their Soveraign Lord Nothing was theirs but all the publick Store Intrusted Riches to relieve the Poor Who shou'd they steal for want of his Relief He judg'd himself Accomplice with the Thief Wide was his Parish not contracted close In Streets but here and there a straggling House Yet still he was at Hand without Request To serve the Sick to succour the Distress'd Tempting on Foot alone without affright The Dangers of a dark tempestuous Night All this the good old Man perform'd alone Nor spar'd his Pains for Curate he had none Nor durst he trust another with his Care Nor rode himself to Pauls the publick Fair To chaffer for Preferment with his Gold Where Bishopricks and sine Cures are fold But duly watch'd his Flock by Night and Day And from the prowling Wolf redeem'd the Prey And hungry sent the wily Fox away The Proud he tam'd the Penitent he chear'd Nor to rebuke the rich Offender fear'd His Preaching much but more his Practice wrought A living Sermon of the Truths he taught For this by Rules severe his Life he squar'd That all might see the Doctrin which they heard For Priests he said are Patterns for the rest The Gold of Heav'n who bear the God Impress'd But when the precious Coin is kept unclean The Soveraign's Image is no longer seen If they be foul on whom the People trust Well may the baser Brass contract a Rust. The Prelate for his Holy Life he priz'd The worldly Pomp of Prelacy despis'd His Saviour came not with a gawdy Show Nor was his Kingdom of the World below Patience in Want and Poverty of Mind These Marks of Church and Churchmen he design'd And living taught and dying left behind The Crown he wore was of the pointed Thorn In Purple he was Crucify'd not born They who contend for Place and high Degree Are not his Sons but those of Zebadee Not but he knew the Signs of Earthly Pow'r Might well become St. Peter's Successor The Holy Father holds a double Reign The Prince may keep his Pomp the Fisher must be plain Such was the Saint who shone with every Grace Reflecting Moses-like his Maker's Face God saw his Image lively was express'd
And his own Work as in Creation bless'd The Tempter saw him too with envious Eye And as on Job demanded leave to try He took the time when Richard was depos'd And High and Low with happy Harry clos'd This Prince tho' great in Arms the Priest withstood Near tho' he was yet not the next of Blood Had Richard unconstrain'd resign'd the Throne A King can give no more than is his own The Title stood entail'd had Richard had a Son Conquest an odious Name was laid afide Where all submitted none the Battle try'd The senseless Plea of Right by Providence Was by a flatt'ring Priest invented since And lasts no longer than the present sway But justifies the next who comes in play The People's Right remains let those who dare Dispute their Pow'r when they the Judges are He join'd not in their Choice because he knew Worse might and often did from Change ensue Much to himself he thought but little spoke And Undepriv'd his Benefice forsook Now through the Land his Cure of Souls he stretch'd And like a Primitive Apostle preach'd Still Chearful ever Constant to his Call By many follow'd Lov'd by most Admir'd by All. With what he beg'd his Brethren he reliev'd And gave the Charities himself receiv'd Gave while he Taught and Edify'd the more Because he shew'd by Proof 't was easy to be Poor He went not with the Crowd to see a Shrine But fed us by the way with Food divine In deference to his Virtues I forbear To shew you what the rest in Orders were This Brillant is so Spotless and so Bright He needs no Foyl But shines by his own proper Light THE MONUMENT OF A Fair Maiden Lady Who dy'd at Bath and is there Interr'd BElow this Marble Monument is laid All that Heav'n wants of this Celestial Maid Preserve O sacred Tomb thy Trust consign'd The Mold was made on purpose for the Mind And she wou'd lose if at the latter Day One Atom cou'd be mix'd of other Clay Such were the Features of her heav'nly Face Her Limbs were form'd with such harmonious Grace So faultless was the Frame as if the Whole Had been an Emanation of the Soul Which her own inward Symmetry reveal'd And like a Picture shone in Glass Anneal'd Or like the Sun eclips'd with shaded Light Too piercing else to be sustain'd by Sight Each Thought was visible that rowl'd within As through a Crystal Case the figur'd Hours are seen And Heav'n did this transparent Veil provide Because she had no guilty Thought to hide All white a Virgin-Saint she sought the Skies For Marriage tho' it sullies not it dies High tho' her Wit yet Humble was her Mind As if she cou'd not or she wou'd not find How much her Worth transcended all her Kind Yet she had learn'd so much of Heav'n below That when arriv'd she scarce had more to know But only to refresh the former Hint And read her Maker in a fairer Print So Pious as she had no time to spare For human Thoughts but was confin'd to Pray'r Yet in such Charities she pass'd the Day 'T was wond'rous how she found an Hour to Pray A Soul so calm it knew not Ebbs or Flows Which Passion cou'd but curl not discompose A Female Softness with a manly Mind A Daughter duteous and a Sister kind In Sickness patient and in Death resign'd CYMON AND IPHIGENIA FROM BOCCACE CYMON AND IPHIGENIA FROM BOCCACE Poeta loquitur OLD as I am for Ladies Love unfit The Pow'r of Beauty I remember yet Which once inflam'd my Soul and still inspires my If Love be Folly the severe Divine Wit Has felt that Folly tho' he censures mine Pollutes the Pleasures of a chast Embrace Acts what I write and propagates in Grace With riotous Excess a Priestly Race Suppose him free and that I forge th' Offence He shew'd the way perverting first my Sense In Malice witty and with Venom fraught He makes me speak the Things I never thought Compute the Gains of his ungovern'd Zeal Ill sutes his Cloth the Praise of Railing well The World will think that what we loosly write Tho' now arraign'd he read with some delight Because he seems to chew the Cud again When his broad Comment makes the Text too plain And teaches more in one explaining Page Than all the double Meanings of the Stage What needs he Paraphrase on what we mean We were at worst but Wanton he 's Obscene I nor my Fellows nor my Self excuse But Love 's the Subject of the Comick Muse Nor can we write without it nor would you A Tale of only dry Instruction view Nor Love is always of a vicious Kind But oft to virtuous Acts inflames the Mind Awakes the sleepy Vigour of the Soul And brushing o'er adds Motion to the Pool Love studious how to please improves our Parts With polish'd Manners and adorns with Arts. Love first invented Verse and form'd the Rhime The Motion measur'd harmoniz'd the Chime To lib'ral Acts inlarg'd the narrow-Soul'd Soften'd the Fierce and made the Coward Bold The World when wast he Peopled with increase And warring Nations reconcil'd in Peace Ormond the first and all the Fair may find In this one Legend to their Fame design'd When Beauty fires the Blood how Love exalts the Mind IN that sweet Isle where Venus keeps her Court And ev'ry Grace and all the Loves resort Where either Sex is form'd of softer Earth And takes the bent of Pleasure from their Birth There liv'd a Cyprian Lord above the rest Wise Wealthy with a num'rous Issue blest But as no Gift of Fortune is sincere Was only wanting in a worthy Heir His eldest Born a goodly Youth to view Excell'd the rest in Shape and outward Shew Fair Tall his Limbs with due Proportion join'd But of a heavy dull degenerate Mind His Soul bely'd the Features of his Face Beauty was there but Beauty in disgrace A clownish Mien a Voice with rustick sound And stupid Eyes that ever lov'd the Ground He look'd like Nature's Error as the Mind And Body were not of a Piece design'd But made for two and by mistake in one were join'd The ruling Rod the Father's forming Care Were exercis'd in vain on Wit 's despair The more inform'd the less he understood And deeper sunk by flound'ring in the Mud. Now scorn'd of all and grown the publick Shame The People from Galesus chang'd his Name And Cymon call'd which signifies a Brute So well his Name did with his Nature sute His Father when he found his Labour lost And Care employ'd that answer'd not the Cost Chose an ungrateful Object to remove And loath'd to see what Nature made him love So to his Country-Farm the Fool confin'd Rude Work well suted with a rustick Mind Thus to the Wilds the sturdy Cymon went A Squire among the Swains and pleas'd with Banishment His Corn and Cattle were his only Care And his supreme Delight a Country-Fair It happen'd on a Summers Holiday That to the
Reason scan'd And lik'd an error of the better Hand Excus'd th' excess of Passion in his Mind By Flames too fierce perhaps too much refin'd So Cymon since his Sire indulg'd his Will Impetuous lov'd and would be Cymon still Galesus he disown'd and chose to bear The Name of Fool confirm'd and Bishop'd by the Fair. To Cipseus by his Friends his Sute he mov'd Cipseus the Father of the Fair he lov'd But he was pre-ingag'd by former Ties While Cymon was endeav'ring to be wise And Iphigene oblig'd by former Vows Had giv'n her Faith to wed a Foreign Spouse Her Sire and She to Rhodian Pasimond Tho'both repenting were by Promise bound Nor could retract and thus as Fate decreed Tho'better lov'd he spoke too late to speed The Doom was past the Ship already sent Did all his tardy Diligence prevent Sigh'd to herself the fair unhappy Maid While stormy Cymon thus in secret said The time is come for Iphigene to find The Miracle she wrought upon my Mind Her Charms have made me Man her ravish'd Love In rank shall place me with the Bless'd above For mine by Love by Force she shall be mine Or Death if Force should fail shall finish my Design Resolv'd he said And rigg'd with speedy Care A Vessel strong and well equipp'd for War The secret Ship with chosen Friends he stor'd And bent to die or conquer went aboard Ambush'd he lay behind the Cyprian Shore Waiting the Sail that all his Wishes bore Nor long expected for the following Tide Sent out the hostile Ship and beauteous Bride To Rhodes the Rival Bark directly steer'd When Cymon sudden at her Back appear'd And stop'd her Flight Then standing on his Prow In haughty Terms he thus defy'd the Foe Or strike your Sails at Summons or prepare To prove the last Extremities of War Thus warn'd the Rhodians for the Fight provide Already were the Vessels Side by Side These obstinate to save and those to seize the Bride But Cymon soon his crooked Grapples cast Which with tenacious hold his Foes embrac'd And arm'd with Sword and Shield amid the Press he pass'd Fierce was the Fight but hast'ning to his Prey By force the furious Lover freed his way Himself alone dispers'd the Rhodian Crew The Weak disdain'd the Valiant overthrew Cheap Conquest for his following Friends remain'd He reap'd the Field and they but only glean'd His Victory confess'd the Foes retreat And cast their Weapons at the Victor's Feet Whom thus he chear'd O Rhodian Youth I fought For Love alone nor other Booty sought Your Lives are safe your Vessel I resign Yours be your own restoring what is mine In Iphigene I claim my rightful Due Rob'd by my Rival and detain'd by you Your Pasimond a lawless Bargain drove The Parent could not sell the Daughters Love Or if he cou'd my Love disdains the Laws And like a King by Conquest gains his Cause Where Arms take place all other Pleas are vain Love taught me Force and Force shall Love maintain You what by Strength you could not keep release And at an easy Ransom buy your Peace Fear on the conquer'd Side soon sign'd th' Accord And Iphigene to Cymon was restor'd While to his Arms the blushing Bride he took To seeming Sadness she compos'd her Look As if by Force subjected to his Will Tho' pleas'd dissembling and a Woman still And for she wept he wip'd her falling Tears And pray'd her to dismiss her empty Fears For yours I am he said and have deserv'd Your Love much better whom so long I serv'd Than he to whom your formal Father ty'd Your Vows and sold a Slave not sent a Bride Thus while he spoke he seiz'd the willing Prey As Paris bore the Spartan Spouse away Faintly she scream'd and ev'n her Eyes confess'd She rather would be thought than was Distress'd Who now exults but Cymon in his Mind Vain hopes and empty Joys of human Kind Proud of the present to the future blind Secure of Fate while Cymon plows the Sea And steers to Candy with his conquer'd Prey Scarce the third Glass of measur'd Hours was run When like a fiery Meteor sunk the Sun The Promise of a Storm the shifting Gales Forsake by Fits and fill the flagging Sails Hoarse Murmurs of the Main from far were heard And Night came on not by degrees prepar'd But all at once at once the Winds arise The Thunders roul the forky Lightning flies In vain the Master issues out Commands In vain the trembling Sailors ply their Hands The Tempest unforeseen prevents their Care And from the first they labour in despair The giddy Ship betwixt the Winds and Tides Forc'd back and forwards in a Circle rides Stun'd with the diff'rent Blows then shoots amain Till counterbuff'd she stops and sleeps again Not more aghast the proud Archangel fell Plung'd from the height of Heav'n to deepest Hell Than stood the Lover of his Love possess'd Now curs'd the more the more he had been bless'd More anxious for her Danger than his own Death he defies but would be lost alone Sad Iphigene to Womanish Complaints Adds pious Pray'rs and wearies all the Saints Ev'n if she could her Love she would repent But since she cannot dreads the Punishment Her forfeit Faith and Pasimond betray'd Are ever present and her Crime upbraid She blames herself nor blames her Lover less Augments her Anger as her Fears increase From her own Back the Burden would remove And lays the Load on his ungovern'd Love Which interposing durst in Heav'n's despight Invade and violate another's Right The Pow'rs incens'd awhile deferr'd his Pain And made him Master of his Vows in vain But soon they punish'd his presumptuous Pride That for his daring Enterprize she dy'd Who rather not resisted than comply'd Then impotent of Mind with alter'd Sense She hugg'd th' Offender and forgave th' Offence Sex to the last Mean time with Sails declin'd The wand'ring Vessel drove before the Wind Toss'd and retoss'd alost and then alow Nor Port they seek nor certain Course they know But ev'ry moment wait the coming Blow Thus blindly driv'n by breaking Day they view'd The Land before 'em and their Fears renew'd The Land was welcome but the Tempest bore The threaten'd Ship against a rocky Shore A winding Bay was near to this they bent And just escap'd their Force already spent Secure from Storms and panting from the Sea The Land unknown at leisure they survey And saw but soon their sickly Sight withdrew The rising Tow'rs of Rhodes at distant view And curs'd the hostile Shoar of Pasimond Sav'd from the Seas and shipwreck'd on the Ground The frighted Sailors try'd their Strength in vain To turn the Stern and tempt the stormy Main But the stiff Wind withstood the lab'ring Oar And forc'd them forward on the fatal Shoar The crooked Keel now bites the Rhodian Strand And the Ship moor'd constrains the Crew to land Yet still they might be safe because unknown But as ill Fortune seldom comes alone The
Palamon answered and sayde agayn Cosyn forsoth of this opinion Thou hast a vaine imaginacion This prison caused me not to crye But I was hurt right now through myn eye Into myn hert that woll my bane be The fayreness of a lady that I se Yonde in the gardyn roming to and fro Is cause of all my cryeng and wo I not where she be woman or goddesse But Venus it is sothly as I gesse And therwithall on knees down lie fyll And said Venus if it be thy wyll You in this garden thus to transfigure Beforne me sorrowfull wretched creature Out of this prison helpe that we may scape And if our desteny be so ishape By eterne worde to dyen in prison Of our lynage haue some compassion That is so lowe ybrought by tyranny And with that worde Arcite gan espy Where as the lady romed to and fro And with that sight her bewte hurt him so That if that Palamon was wounded sore Arcite was hurt as much as he or more And with a sigh he said pitously The fresh beutie sleeth me sodenly Of her that rometh in yonder place And but I haue her mercy and her grace That I may seen her at the lesto way I nam but deed there nys no more to say This Palamon whan he these words herd Dispitously he loked and answerd Whether sayest thou this in ernest or in play Nay quod Arcite in ernest by my fay God helpe me so me list full yuell to pley This Palamon gan knit his browes twey It were quod he to the no great honour To be false ne for to be traytour Tome that am thy cosyn and thy brother I sworne full depe and eche of vs to other That neuer for to dyen in the payne Till that the deth departe vs twayne Neither of vs in loue to hindre other Ne in none other case my leue brother But that thou shuldest truly further me In eury case as I shulde further the This was thine othe and mine also certain I wote it well thou darst it not withsayn Thus art thou of my counsell out of doubte And now thou woldest falsly ben aboute To love my lady whom I loue and serue And euer shall till that myn herte sterue Now certes false Arcite thou shalt not so I loued her first and tolde the my wo As to my counsell and to my brother sworne To further me as I haue tolde beforne For which thou art ibounden as a knight To helpen me if it lye in thy might Or els thou art false I dare well saine This Arcite full proudly spake againe Thou shalt quod he be rather false than I And thou art false I tell the vtterly For paramount I Ioued her first or thou What wilt thou sain thou wist it nat or now Whether she be woman or goddesse Thine is affection of holinesse And mine is loue as to a creature For which I tolde the mine auenture As to my cosyn and my brother sworne Suppose that thou louea'st her beforne Wost thou not well the olde clerks sawe That who shall giue a louer any lawe Loue is a gretter lawe by my pan Than may be yeuen to any erthly man And therfore posityfe lawe and such decre Is broken all day for loue in eche degre A man mote nedes loue maugre his heed He may nat fleen it though he shuld be deed All be she maide widowe or wife And eke it is not likely all thy life To stonden in her grace no more shall I For well thou wost thy selfe verely That thou and I be dampned to prison Perpetuell vs gaineth no raunson We striuen as did the houndes for the bone That foughten al day and yet her part was non Ther cam a cur whil that they wer so wroth And bare away the bone from hem both And therfore at kings court my brother Eche man for him selfe there is none other Loue if thou list for I loue and ay shall And sothly lefe brother this is all Here in this prison mote we endure And euerich of vs taken his auenture Great was the strife betwix hem twey If that I had leyser for to sey But to theffect it happed on a dey To tell it you shortly as I may A worthy duke that hight Perithous That felowe was to duke Theseus Sith thilke day that they were children lite Was come to Athenes his felowe to visite And for to play as he was wont to do For in this world he loued no man so And he loued him as tenderly againe So wel they loued as old bokes sayne That when that one was deed sothly to tell His fellow went and sought him down in hell But of that story list me not to write Duke Perithous loued well Arcite And had him know at Thebes yere by yere And finally at request and prayere Of Perithous withouten any raunson Duke Theseus let him out of prison Frely to gon whither him list ouer all In such a gyse as I you tellen shall This was the forwarde plainly to endite Betwixt duke Theseus and him Arcite That if so were that Arcite were yfounde Ever in his life by day night or stormde In any countre of this duke Theseus And he were caught it was acorded thus That with a swerd he should lese his heed There was none other remedy ne reed But taketh his leue and homward him sped Let him beware his necke lieth to wedd How great sorowe suffereth now Arcite The dethe he feleth through his hert smite He wepeth waileth and crieth pitously To sleen him selfe he waiteth priuely And said alas the day that I was borne Now is my prison worse than beforne Now is me shapen eternally to dwell Nought in purgatory but in hell Alas that euer I knew Perithous For els had I dwelt with Theseus Ifetered in his prison euermo Then had I be in blisse and nat in wo Only the sight of her whom that I serue Though that I neuer her grace may deserue Wolde haue suffised right ynough for me O dere cosyn Palamon quod he Thine is the victorie of this auenture Ful blisful in prison mayst thou endure In prison Nay certes but in paradise Well hath fortune to the turned the dise That hast the sight of her and I thabsence For possible is sithens thou hast her presence And art a knight a worthie man and able That by sum case syn fortune is changeable Thou maist somtime to thy desire attaine But I that am exiled and baraine Of all grace and in so great dispeyre That there nys water either lyre ne eyre Ne creature that of him maked is That may me heale 〈◊〉 done comfort in this Wel ought I sterue in wan hope and distresse Farewell my life my lust and my gladnesse Alas why playnen men so in commune Of purveyance of God or of fortune That yeueth him full oft in many agise Well bette than hem self can deuise Some man desireth to haue richesse That cause is of
oft tolde thee here beforn And hast be iaped here duke Theseus And falsely hast chaunged thy name thus I will be dedde or els thou shalt die Thou shalt not loue my ladie Emelie But I woll loue her only and no mo For I am Palamon thy mortall fo Though that I haue no weapen in this place But out of prison am astert by grace I dred nat that either thou shalt die Or thou ne shalt nat louen Emelye These which thou wilt or thou shalt not astert This Arcite with full dispitous hert When he hym knewe and had his tale herd As fers as a Lion pulled out his sweard And saied By God that sitteth aboue Ne wer that thou art sicke and wod for loue And eke that thou no weapen hast in this place Thou shouldest neuer out this groue pace That thou ne shouldest dien of mine honde For I defie the suertie and the bonde Which that thou saist that I haue made to thee What very foole thinke wel that loue is free And I will loue her maugre all thy might But for asmoch as thou art a knight And wilnest to daren here by battaile Haue here mi truth to morrow I will not fail Without wittyng of any other wight That here I will be founden as a knight And bringen harneis right inough for thee And chese the best and leaue the worst for me And meate and drinke this night will I bring Inough for thee and clothes for thy bedding And if so be that thou my ladie win And slea me in this wodde there I am in Thou maiest well haue thy ladie as for me This Palamon answered I grant it thee And thus thei been departed till a morrow When ech of hem had laied his faith to borow O Cupide out of all charitee O reigne that wouldest haue no felow with thee Full soth is saied that loue ne lordship Woll nat his thankes haue any feliship We finde that of Arcite and Palamon Arcite is ridden anon into the toun And on the morow or it were daie light Full priuely twoo harneis had he dight Bothe sufficient and mete to darreigne The battail in the field betwixt hem tweine And on his horse alone as he was borne He carrieth all his harneis him beforne And in the groue at time and place iset That Arcite and this Palamon been met To changen gan the colour in her face Right as the hunter in the royume of Trace That standeth at a gappe with a speare When hunted is the lion or the beare And hereth him rushing in the leues And breaketh the bowes in the greues And thinketh here cometh my mortal enemy Without faile he must be dede or I For either I mote slea him at the gap Or he motessea me if me mishap So ferden thei in chaunging of her hewe As far as eueriche of other knewe There was no good daie ne no saluing But streight without word or rehersing Eueriche of hem helped for to arme other As friendly as he were his own brother And after that with sharpe speares strong Thei foinen eche at other wonder long Thou mightest wenen that this Palamon In his fighting were a wodde Lion And as a cruel Tigre was Arcite As wild Bores gan they fight and smite That frothen white as some for ire woode Vp to the ancle foughten they in her bloode And in this wise I let hem fighting dwell As foorth I woll of Thesens you tell The destinie and the minister generall That executeth in the worlde ouer all The purueyance that God hath said beforne So strong it is that though the world had sworne The contrary of thing be ye and naie Yet sometime it sholl fall on a daie That fell neuer yet in a thousand yere For certainly our appetites here Be it of warre peace hate or loue All is ruled by the sight aboue This meane I now by mightie Theseus That for to hunt is so desirous And namely at the great Hart in Maie That in his bed there daweth him day That he nys clad and ready for to ride With hunt and horne and houndes him beside For in his hunting hath he soche delit That it is all his ioie and appetite To been himselfe the greate hartes bane For after Mars he serueth now Diane Clere was the day as I haue tolde or this And Theseus with all ioy and blis With his Ipolita the faire quene And Emely iclothen all in grene An hunting been thei ridden rially And to the groue that stood there fast by In which ther was an Hart as men hun told Duke Theseus the streight way hath holde And to the land he rideth him full right For thither was the hart wont to haue his flight And ouer a broke and so foorth on his weie This duke wol haue a cours at him or twey With houndes soch as him list commaunde And when the duke was comen into the launde Under the soone he looked and that anon He was ware of Arcite and Palamon That foughten breme as it were bulles two The bright swordes wenten to and fro So hodiously that with the lest stroke It semed that it would haue fellen an oke But what thei weren nothing he ne wote This Duke with his sporrs his courser smote And at a start he was betwixt hem two And pulled out his sworde and cried ho No more on pain of lesing your hedde By mightie Mars he shall anone be dedde That smiteth any stroke that I may seen But telleth me what mister men ye been That been so hardie for to fighten here Without judge or other officere As though it were in listes rially This Palamon answered hastely And said Sir what nedeth words mo We haue the death deserued bothe two Two woful wretches been we and caitiues That been encombred of our own liues And as thou art a rightful lorde and judge Ne yeue us neither mercie ne refuge But slea me first for sainct charitee But slea my felowe as well as me Or slea him first for though thou knowe it lite This is thy mortall foe this is Arcite That fro thy land is banished on his hedde For which he hath deserued to be dedde For this is he that came unto thy yate And saied that he hight Philostrate Thus hath he iaped full many a yere And thou hast made him thy chiefe squiere And this is he that loueth Emelye For sith the daie is come that I shall die I make plainly my confession I am thilke wofull Palamon That hath thy prison broke wickedly I am thy mortall foe and he am I That loueth so hote Emelye the bright That I woll die here present in her sight Therefore I aske death and my iewise But slea my felowe in the same wise For both we haue deserued to be slain This worthy duke answered anon again And saied this is a short conclusion Your owne mouth by your confession Hath damned you and I woll it recorde It nedeth not to
turret in the wall Of Alabaster white and redde Corall An oratorie rich for to see In worship of Diane the Goddes of chastite Hath Theseus doe wrought in noble wise But yet had I foryetten to deuise The noble caruings and the purtreitures The shape the countnaunce and the figures That were in the oratories three First in the temple of Venus thou maist se Wrought on the wall full pitously to behold The broken flepes and the sighes cold The fault teares and the weymenting The fire strokes and the desiring That loues seruauntes in this life enduren The othes that her couenauntes assuren Pleasaunce and hope desire foolehardinesse Beautie and youth bandrie and richesse Charmes and sorcerie leesings and flatterie Dispence bufinesse and ielousie That weared of yelowe goldes a garlande And a Cokow sitting on her hande Feastes instruments carolles and daunces Justes and araie and all the circumstaunces Of loue which I reken and reken shall By order were painted on the wall And more than I can make mencion For sothly all the mount of Citheton Where Venus hath her principal dwelling Was shewed on the wall in purtreing With all the joy and the lustinesse Nought was foryetten the portresse idlenesse Ne Narcissus the fair of yore agone Ne yet the folie of king Salomon Ne yet the great strength of Hercules Th enchauntment of Medea and Circes Ne of Turnus with his hardie fers corage The rich Cresus caitife in seruage Thus may you sen that wisedom ne richesse Beuty ne sleight strength ne hardinesse Ne maie with Venus hold champartie For as her list the world may she gie Lo all these folke so cought were in her laas Till thei for wofull ost saied alas Sufficeth here one example dr two And though I could reken a thousand mo The statue of Venus glorious to se Was maked fleting in the large see And fro the nauell doune all couered was With waues grene and bright as any glas A citriole in her right hand had she And on her hedde full seemely for to se A rose garland fresh and wel smelling Aboue her hedde doues flittering Before her stood her sonne Cupido Upon his shoulders winges had he two And blind he was as it is ost sene A bow he had and arrowes bright and kene Why should I not as well tellen all The purgatory that was ther about ouer all Within the temple of mightie Mars the rede All painted was the wal in length and in brede Like to the Estris of the grisly place That hight the great Temple of Mars in Trace In thilke cold frosty region There Mars hath his soueraine mancion First on the wall was painted a forest In which there wonneth nother man ne best With knottie and knarie trees old Of stubbes sharpe and hidous to behold In which there was a romble and a shwow As though a storme should breake euery bow And dounward vnder a hill vnder a bent There stode the temple of Mars armipotent Wrought all of burned stele of which th'entre Was long and streight and gastly for to se And therout came soch a rage and soch a vise That it made all the gates for to rise The northern light in at the dores shone For window on the wall was there none Through which men might any light discern The dores were all of athamant eterne Yelenched ouerthwart and hedlong With Iron tough for to maken it strong Euery piller the temple to susteine Was tonne great of yren bright and shene There saw I first the darke imagining Of felonie and eke the oompassing The cruell ire redde as any glede The pick-purse and eke the pale drede The smiler with the knife vnder the cloke The shepen brenning with the blacke smoke The treason of the murdring in the bedde The open warre with woundes all be bledde Conteke with blody kniues and sharpe manace All full of chirking was that sory place The slear of himself yet saw I there His hart blode hath bathed all his here The naile ydriuen in the shode on hight With colde death with mouth gaping vpright A middes of the temple sate Mischaunce With discomfort and sory countenaunce Yet saw I Wodnesse laghing in his 〈◊〉 Armed complaint on theft and fiers courage The carraine in the 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 A thousand slain and 〈◊〉 istorue The tiraunt with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 force 〈◊〉 The toune 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was nothing 〈◊〉 Yet saw I brent the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The hunter istrangled with the 〈◊〉 The Sow fretting the child in 〈◊〉 The coke is scalded for all his long ladell Nought was foryetten the infortune of 〈◊〉 The Carter ouer-ridden by his own cart 〈◊〉 Vnder the whele full low he lay a doun There were also of Martes deuision The Barbour the Botcher and the Smith That forgeth sharp swordes on the stith And all aboue depainted in a toure Saw I conquest sitting in great honour With the sharpe sword ouer his hedde Hanging by a subtill twined thredde Depainted was there the slaughter of Julius Of great Nero and of Antonius All be that thilke time they were vnborne Yet was her death depainted there beforne By manacing of Mars right by figure So was it shewed in that portreiture As is depainted in the certes aboue Who shall be dead or els slain for loue Sufficeth one ensample in stories old I may not reken them all though 〈◊〉 would The statue of Mars upon a carte stode Armed and loked grim as he were wode And ouer his head there shinen two figures Of sterres that been cleped in Scriptures That one Puella hight that other Rubeus This God of armes was arraied thus A wolfe there stode beforne him at his fete With iyen redde and of a man he ete With subtell pensill was painted this story In redouting of Marce and of his glory Now to the temple of Diane the chast As shortly as I can I woll me hast To tell you all the description Depainted been the walles vp and doune Of hunting and of shamfast chastite There saw I how wofull Calistope When that Diane greued was with her Was tourned fro a woman to a bere And afterward was she made the lode sterre Thus was it painted I can say no ferre Her soone is eke a sterre as men may see There saw I Diane tourned vnto a tree I meane not the goddesse Diane But Venus doughter which that hight Dane There saw I Atheon an hert ymaked For vengeance that he saw Diane all naked I saw how that his hounds haue 〈◊〉 cought And freten him for they knew him nought Yet ypainted wasaslitell ferthermore How Athalant hunted the wilde bore And Meltager and many other mo For which Diane wrought him care and wo There saw I many another wonder storie Which me 〈◊〉 to draw in memorie This goddesse full well vpon an hert shete With small houndes all about her fete And vnderneth her fete she had a Moone Woxing it was and should wane soone In gaudie greene her statue clothed was
and the sore Encreaseth at his hert more and more The clotered blode for any liche crafte Corrumped and is in his body laste That neither veineblode he ventousing Ne drinke of herbes may be helping By vertue expulsed or anymall For thilke vertue cleaped naturall Ne may the venim vold ne ekpell The pipes of his longes began to swell And euery lacerte in his brest adoun Is shent with venim and corrupcion Him gaineth neither for to get his life Vomite upwarde ne dounward laxatife All is to brust thilke region Nature hath no dominacion And certainly ther as nature wol not wirch Farwel phisike go beare the corse to 〈◊〉 This is all and some that Arcite must die For which he 〈◊〉 after Emelye And Palamon his cosyn dere Then said he thus as ye shall after here Nought may my wofull 〈◊〉 in my 〈◊〉 Declare a point of all my sorowes 〈◊〉 To you my lady that I loue most But I bequeth the seruice of my gost To you abouen any creature Sin that my life may no lenger dure Alas the wo alas my paines strong That I for you haue suffered and so long Alas the dethe alas myn Emely Alas departing of our company Alas myn hertes quene alas my liues wife Myn hertes lady ender of my life What is the world what asken men to haue Now with his loue now in his cold graue Alone withouten any company Farwel my swete foe myn Emely And soft take me in your armes twey For the loue of God herkeneth what I sey I haue here with my cosin Palamon Had strife and rancour many a daie agon For loue of you and for my ielousie And Jupiter so wisely my soule gie To speaken of a seruant properlie With circumstances all trulie That is to say trouth honour and knighthede Wisedome humblesse estate and hie kinrede Fredome and all that longeth to that art So Jupiter haue of my soule part As in this world right now knowe I non So worth to be loued as Palamon That serueth you and woll doen all his life And if that you shall euer been a wife Foryet not Palamon the gentle man And with that worde his speche fail began For from his feete vnto his brest was come The colde death that hath hym nome And yet more ouer for in his armes two The vital strength is lost and all ago Saue onely the intellect without more That dwelleth in his hert sicke and sore Gan failen when the hert felt death Dusked his iyen two and failed breath But on his Ladie yet cast he his iye His last worde was mercie Emelye His spirite chaunged and out went there Whetherwarde I cannot tell ne where Therefore I stint I am no diuinistre Of soules finde I not in this registre Ne me leste not thilke opinion to tell Of hem though they writen where thei dwell Arcite is cold that Mars his souse gie Now woll I speke foorth of Emelye Shright Emelye and houlen Palamon And Theseus his suster vp toke anon Swouning and bare her fro his corse awaie What helpeth it to tary forth the daie To tellen how she wept bothe euen and morow For in such case women haue much sorowe When that her husbands been fro hem go That for the more partie they sorowen so Or els fallen in such maladie That at the last certainly they die Infinite been the sorowe and the teres Of old folke and folke of tender yeres In all the toune for death of this Theban For hym there wepeth bothe child and man So great wepyng was there not certain When Hector was brought all fresh islain To Troie Alas the pite that was there Cratching of chekes rentyng eke here Why woldest thou be dedde thus women crie And haddest gold inough and Emelye No man maie glad Theseus Sauing his old father Egeus That knewe this worlds transmutacion As he had seen it bothe up and doun Joie after wo and wo after gladnesse And shewed him ensamples and likenesse Right as there died neuer man quod he That he ne liued in yearth in some degree Right so there liued neuer man he saied In this world that sometime he ne deied This world is but a throughfare full of wo And we been pilgrimes passing to and fro Death is an end of euery worldes sore And over all this yet saied he moche more To this effect full wisely to exhort The people that they should hem recomfort Duke Theseus with all his busie cure Casteth now where that the sepulture O good Arcite shall best imaked bee And eke moste honourable of degree And at the last he tooke conclusion That there as Arcite and Palamon Had for love the battaile hem between That in the same selue groue swete and grene There as he had his amerous desires His complaint and for loue his hote fires He would make a fire in which the offis Funerall he might hem all accomplis He hath anon commaunded to hack and hew The okes old and laie hem all on a rew In culpons well arraied for to brenne His officers with swift foote they renne And right anon at his commaundement And after Theseus hath he isent After a beare and it all oversprad With cloth of gold the richest that he had And of the same sute he clothed Arcite Upon his handes his gloues white Eke on his hedde a croune of Laurell grene And in his hand a sworde full bright and kene He laied hym bare the visage on the bere Therewith he wept that pite was to here And for the people should seen hym all When it was daie he brought him to the hall That rorreth of the crie and of the sorowes soun Then gan this woful Theban Palamon With glittering beard and ruddie shining heres In clothes blacke dropped all with teres And passing other of wepyng Emelye The rufullest of all the companie And in as much as the service should bee The more noble and riche in his degree Duke Theseus let foorth the stedes bring That trapped were in stele all glitering And couered with the armes of Dan Arcite Upon these stedes great and white Ther saten folk of which one bare his sheld Another his speare in his hand held The third bare with him a bowe Turkes Of brent gold was the case and eke the harnes And ridden foorth apace with sorie chere Toward the groue as ye shall after here The noblest of the Grekes that there were Upon her shoulders carried the bere With slake pace and iyen redde and white Throughout the cite by the maister strete That sprad was al with blake and that wonder hie Right of the same is the strete iwrie Upon the right hand went Egeus And on the other side Duke Theseus With vessels in her hand of gold full fine All full of honie milke blode and wine Eke Palamon with full great companie And after that came woful Emelye With fire in hand as was that time the gise To doen the office of funerall
stert As one that was afraide in his hert For naturally beastes desireth to flie Fro her contrarie if he may it see Tho he neuer erst had seen it with his eye This Chaunteclere when he gan him espie He would haue fled but the foxe anone Said gentle sir alas what wol ye done Be ye afrayd of me that am your frende Now certes I were worse than a fende If I to you would harme or villanie I am not come your counsaile to espie But truely the cause of my comming Was only to here howe ye sing For sothly ye haue as mery a steuen As any angel hath that is in heuen Therewith ye haue of musicke more feling Than had Boece or any that can sing My lorde your father God his soule blesse And eke your mother of her gentlenesse Haue in my house ben to my great case And certes sir full faine would I you please But for men speken of singing I woll sey So mote I broken wel mine eyen twey Saue you ne herde I neuer man so sing As did your father in the morning Certes it was of herte all that he song And for to make his voice more strong He would so paine him that with both his eyen He must winke so loude he must crien And stonden on his tiptoes therwithall And stretch forth his neck long and small And eke he was of such discrecion That there was no man in no region That him in songe or wisdome might passe I haue wel redde dan Burnel the aue Among his verses how that there was a Cocke For that a priestes sonne yaue him a knocke Vpon his legges while he was yong and nice He made him for to lese his benefice But certaine there is no comparison Betwixt the wisedome and discrecion Of your father and of his subtiltie Now singeth sir for saint charitie Let se can ye your father counterfete This Chaunteclere his winges gan to bete As a man that could not his treson aspie So was he rauished with his flaterie Alas ye lordes many a false flatterour Is in your courte and many a false lesingour That please you wel more by my faith Than he that sothfastnesse vnto you saith Redeth Ecclesiast of slatterie Beware ye lordes of her trecherie This Chaunteclere stode hie vpon his toos Stretchin his necke and held his eyen cloos And gan to crowe loud for the nones And dan Russel the Foxe start vp at ones And by the gorget hent Chaunteclere And on his backe toward the wood him bere For yet was there no man that him sued O destinie that maist not be eschued Alas that Chaunteclere flewe fro the bemes Alas his wife rought not of dremes And on a Friday fell all this mischaunce O Venus that art goddesse of pleasaunce Sithens that thy seruant was this Chaunteclere And in thy seruice did all his powere More for delite than the worlde to multiplie Why woldst thou suffer him on thy dai to die O Gaulfride dere maister soueraine That whan that worthy king Richard was slain With shot complaindst his deth so sore Why ne had I now thy science and thy lore The Friday for to chide as did ye For on a Friday shortly slaine was he Than wold I shew you how that I coud plaine For Chaunteclere's drede and for his paine Certes such cry ne lamentacion Nas neuer of Ladies made whan that Ilion Was won and Pirrus with his bright swerde Whan he hent King Priam by the berde And slough him as saieth Eneidos As made all the hennes in the cloos Whan they had loste of Chaunteclere the sight But souerainly dame Pertelot shright Well louder than did Hasdruballes wife Whan that her husbond hath lost his life And that the Romaines had brent Cartage She was so full of torment and of rage That wilfully into the fire she sterte And brent her self with a stedfast herte O wofull hennes right so cryed he As whan that Nero brent the citie Of Rome cried the Senatours wiues For that her husbondes should lese her liues Withouten gilte Nero hath hem slaine Now wol I turne to my tale againe The sely widowe and her doughters two Herde the hennes crie and make wo And at the dore sterte they anon And saw the foxe towarde the wood gon And bare vpon his backe the Cocke away And cried out harow and well away Aha the Foxe and after hem they ran And eke with staues many another man Ran Coll our dogge Talbot and eke garlonde And Malkin with her distasse in her honde Ran Cowe and Calfe and eke the verie hogges For they so sore aferde were of the dogges And shouting of men and of women eke They ran so her hert thought to breke They yellen as fendes do in hell The Duckes cried as men would them quell The Geese for feare flewe ouer the trees Out of the Hiues came the swarme of Bees So hidous was the noise a benedicite Certes Jacke Strawe ne his meine Ne made neuer shoutes halfe so shrill Whan that they would any Flemming kill As that daie was made vpon the Foxe Of brasse they blewe the trompes and of boxe Of horne and bone in which they blew and pouped And therwith they shriked and shouted It seemed as though heauen should fall Now good men I pray you herken all Lo how fortune tourneth sodainly The hope and the pride of her enemy This Cocke that laie vpon the Foxe backe In all his drede vnto the Foxe he spake And saied sir if I were as ye Yet should I saie as wise God help me Tourneth ayen ye proud churles all A very pestilence ypon you fall Now am I come vnto this woods side Maugre your hed the Cocke shall here abide I woll him eate-in faith and that anon The Foxe answred in faith it shal be don And as he spake the word all 〈◊〉 This Cock brake from his mouth deliuerly And high upon a tree he flewe anon And whan the Foxe saw that he was gon Alas qd he O Chaunteclcre alas I haue qd he doe to you trespas In as much as I made you aferde Whan I you hent and brought out of your yerde But sir I did it not in no wicked entent Come doun and I shal tel you what I ment I shall you say sothe God helpe me so Nay than qd he I shrewe vs both two And first I shrewe my self both blood and bones If thou begyle me ofter than ones Thou shalt no more with thy flaterie Doe me sing with a winking eye For he that winketh when he should see All wilfully God let him neuer thee Naie qd the foxe but God yeue him mischance That is so indiscrete of gouernaunce That iangleth whan that he should haue pees Lo such it is for to be recheles And negligent and trust on flatterie But ye that holde this tale a lie As of a foxe of a Cocke and of a Hen Taketh the moralitie good men For Saint Poule saieth all that written is
holds That to be wise and love Is hardly granted to the Gods above See how the Madmen bleed Behold the Gains With which their Master Love rewards their Pains For sev'n long Years on Duty ev'ry Day Lo their Obedience and their Monarch's Pay Yet as in Duty bound they serve him on And ask the Fools they think it wisely done Nor Ease nor Wealth nor Life it self regard For 't is their Maxim Love is Love's Reward This is not all the Fair for whom they strove Nor knew before nor could suspect their Love Nor thought when she beheld the Fight from far Her Beauty was th' Occasion of the War But sure a gen'ral Doom on Man is past And all are Fools and Lovers first or last This both by others and my self I know For I have serv'd their Sovereign long ago Oft have been caught within the winding Train Of Female Snares and felt the Lovers Pain And learn'd how far the God can Humane Hearts constrain To this Remembrance and the Pray'rs of those Who for th' offending Warriors interpose I give their forfeit Lives on this accord To do me Homage as their Sov'reign Lord And as my Vassals to their utmost Might Assist my Person and assert my Right This freely sworn the Knights their Grace obtain'd Then thus the King his secret Thoughts explain'd If Wealth or Honour or a Royal Race Or each or all may win a Ladies Grace Then either of you Knights may well deserve A Princess born and such is she you serve For Emily is Sister to the Crown And but too well to both her Beauty known But shou'd you combate till you both were dead Two Lovers cannot share a single Bed As therefore both are equal in Degree The Lot of both be left to Destiny Now hear th' Award and happy may it prove To her and him who best deserves her Love Depart from hence in Peace and free as Air Search the wide World and where you please repair But on the Day when this returning Sun To the same Point through ev'ry Sign has run Then each of you his Hundred Knights shall bring In Royal Lists to fight before the King And then the Knight whom Fate or happy Chance Shall with his Friends to Victory advance And grace his Arms so far in equal Fight From out the Bars to force his Opposite Or kill or make him Recreant on the Plain The Prize of Valour and of Love shall gain The vanquish'd Party shall their Claim release And the long Jars conclude in lasting Peace The Charge be mine t' adorn the chosen Ground The Theatre of War for Champions so renown'd And take the Patrons Place of either Knight With Eyes impartial to behold the Fight And Heav'n of me so judge as I shall judge aright If both are satisfi'd with this Accord Swear by the Laws of Knighthood on my Sword Who now but Palamon exults with Joy And ravish'd Arcite seems to touch the Sky The whole assembl'd Troop was pleas'd as well Extol'd th' Award and on their Knees they fell To bless the gracious King The Knights with Leave Departing from the Place his last Commands receive On Emily with equal Ardour look And from her Eyes their Inspiration took From thence to Thebes old Walls pursue their Way Each to provide his Champions for the Day It might be deem'd on our Historian's Part Or too much Negligence or want of Art If he forgot the vast Magnificence Of Royal Theseus and his large Expence He first enclos'd for Lists a level Ground The whole Circumference a Mile around The Form was Circular and all without A Trench was sunk to Moat the Place about Within an Amphitheatre appear'd Rais'd in Degrees to sixty Paces rear'd That when a Man was plac'd in one Degree Height was allow'd for him above to see Eastward was built a Gate of Marble white The like adorn'd the Western opposite A nobler Object than this Fabrick was Rome never saw nor of so vast a Space For rich with Spoils of many a conquer'd Land All Arts and Artists Theseus could command Who sold for Hire or wrought for better Fame The Master-Painters and the Carvers came So rose within the Compass of the Year An Ages Work a glorious Theatre Then o'er its Eastern Gate was rais'd above A Temple sacred to the Queen of Love An Altar stood below On either Hand A Priest with Roses crown'd who held a Myrtle Wand The Dome of Mars was on the Gate oppos'd And on the North a Turret was enclos'd Within the Wall of Alabaster white And crimson Coral for the Queen of Night Who takes in Sylvan Sports her chaste Delight Within these Oratories might you see Rich Carvings Pourtraitures and Imagery Where ev'ry Figure to the Life express'd The Godhead's Pow'r to whom it was address'd In Venus Temple on the Sides were seen The broken Slumbers of inamour'd Men Pray'rs that ev'n spoke and Pity seem'd to call And issuing Sighs that smoak'd along the Wall Complaints and hot Desires the Lover's Hell And scalding Tears that wore a Channel where they fell And all around were Nuptial Bonds the Ties Of Loves Assurance and a Train of Lies That made in Lust conclude in Perjuries Beauty and Youth and Wealth and Luxury And spritely Hope and short-enduring Joy And Sorceries to raise th' Infernal Pow'rs And Sigils fram'd in Planetary Hours Expence and After-thought and idle Care And Doubts of motley Hue and dark Despair Suspicions and fantastical Surmise And Jealousie suffus'd with Jaundice in her Eyes Discolouring all she view'd in Tawney dress'd Down-look'd and with a Cuckow on her Fist. Oppos'd to her on t' other Side advance The costly Feast the Carol and the Dance Minstrels and Musick Poetry and Play And Balls by Night and Turnaments by Day All these were painted on the Wall and more With Acts and Monuments of Times before And others added by Prophetick Doom And Lovers yet unborn and Loves to come For there th' Idalian Mount and Citheron The Court of Venus was in Colours drawn Before the Palace-gate in careless Dress And loose Array sat Portress Idleness There by the Fount Narcissus pin'd alone There Samson was with wiser Solomon And all the mighty Names by Love undone Medea's Charms were there Circean Feasts With Bowls that turn'd inamour'd Youth to Beasts Here might be seen that Beauty Wealth and Wit And Prowess to the Pow'r of Love submit The spreading Snare for all Mankind is laid And Lovers all betray and are betray'd The Goddess self some noble Hand had wrought Smiling she seem'd and full of pleasing Thought From Ocean as she first began to rise And smooth'd the ruffl'd Seas and clear'd the Skies She trode the Brine all bare below the Breast And the green Waves but ill conceal'd the rest A Lute she held and on her Head was seen A Wreath of Roses red and Myrtles green Her Turtles fann'd the buxom Air above And by his Mother stood an Infant-Love With Wings unfledg'd his Eyes were