delights Although Invention all her stock had spent Could be upon that liquid Element Prepard their welcome whilst at every Bowl A Health inters the ful-mouthd Cannons trowl A Peal of Thunder which in white Waves drownd The softer Trumpets do their Dirges sound Now in the ful Carier of Mirth whilst all Their thoughts in Perpendiculars did fall From Honours Zenith none incurvated With common Cares Parents that might have bred A sly suspition whilst neglective Mirth Keeps all within from their deep bed of Earth Molarchus hoist his Anchors whilst that all The rest lay stil expecting when his call Commands their Service but when they beheld His spread Sails with a nimble Gale were sweld An opprest Slave which lay at rest before Was with stretcht Limbs tugging his Finny ore Conceiving it but done to shew the Prince That Gallies swiftness let that thought convince Fears weak suggestions and invited by Their tempting Mirth stil safe at Anchor ly But now when they not only saw the Night Draw sadly on but what did more afright Their loyal Souls the distant Vessel by Doubling a Cape loft to the sharpest Ey For hateful treason taxing their mistake With Anchors cut and Sails spread wide they make The lasht Waves roar whilst those inclos'd within The Gally by her unkown speed had bin Far more deceived being so far conveyed Ere care arrives to tel them they 'r betrayed Through Mirths neglective Guards who now in hast With anger rais'd in vain those flames did wast In wild Attempts to force a passage to The open Decks whither before withdrew Molarchus was who now prepar'd to give That treason birth whose hated Name must live In bloody Lines of Infamy before They could expect it opening wide the door That led them forth the noble Captives fly To seek revenge but being encounterd by An Armed Crew so fierce a fight begin That Nights black Mantle nere vvas lin'd vvithin With ought more horrid in which bloody Fray The subtle Traytor valiant to betray Though Abject else unnoted seising on Th' unguarded Princess from their rage is gone Through Nights black Mask with that rich Prize into A Boat that plac'd for that design was drew Near to the Gally whose best Wealth being now Thus made their own no more they study how To save the rest all which for death design'd The conquer'd Rebels soon their safety find From other Boats but first that all but she o th' royal train secur'd by death might be So large a Leak in the brave Vessel make That thence her Womb soon too much waight did take For her vast bulk to weild which sinking now No safety to her royal Guests allow The Ship thus lost and now no Throne but Waves Left the Sicilian Prince just Heaven thus saves His sacred Person amongst those that sought For timely safety nimble strength had brought Argalia and his following Friend so near One of the Boats in which secur'd from fear The Rebels saild that now they both had took A Hold so sure that though their Foes forsook Their Oars to hinder't spite of all their force Argalia enters which a sad divorce From Life as he by strength attempts to rise From falling wounds unhappily denies The valiant Aphron who by death betrayd From time and strength had now left none to ayd His Friend but those attending Vertues that Ne're more then now for th' world to wonder at Brave Trophies built with such a suddain rage As all his Foes did to defence engage Those bolder Souls that durst resist he had From their disorderd Robes of flesh unclad VVhich horrid sight froc'd the more feareful to Such swift submission that ere fear out-grew His hope assisted by that strength which bought Their Lives reprieve their Oars reverst had brought Him back to th' place in which the guilty flood VVas staind with fair Sicillias noblest blood Assisted by those silver streams of Light The ful fac'd Moon shot through the swarthy Night On the smooth Sea he first his course directs Toward one whose Robes studded with Jems reflects Those feeble Rays like new faln Stars he there Finds Sparta's Prince then sinking from the sphear Of mortall greatness in the boundless deep To calm Lifes cares in an eternall sleep From unexpected death the Graves most grim And ghastly Tyrant having rescued him With as much spâ—ed as griefs distractions joynd To Nights confusion could give leave to find More Friends before that all were swallowd by The Sea he hasts when being by chance brought nigh Dead Aphrons Father to be Partner in Their carer who as they only sav'd had bin To mourn the rest he from the rude Sea saves Him to be drownd in sorrows sable Waves Now in the Quest of that deserving Lord Whose goodness did to 's Infancy afford Lifes best of Comforts Education he To bawk that needless diligence might see At one large draught the wide Waves swallow all Who vainly did till that sad minute call To Heaven for help which dismal sight beheld By those that sav'd by accident expeld Their own just fears for them to entertain As just a grief their needful time in vain They spend no longer in their search but though Unweildy grief yet made their motion slow Hast from that horrid place where eache must leave Such valued friends numbers that did receive Their blood descended to Nobility From th' royal Spring here the griev'd Prince might seâ— Interd i th' Ocean the Epirote Lord His late found Son whom Love could scarce afford A minutes absence nor 's Argalia less Ingag'd to grief to leave whom the distress Of 's Youth reliev'd but what from each of these Borrowed some streams of sorrow to apease A grief which since so many Floods hath cost The noble Aminander here was lost Rowed with such speed as their desire joynd to That fear which from the conquerd Rebels drew A swift obedience being conducted by A friendly Light their Boat is now drawn nigh A rocky Island in whose Harbour they Found where the Boat that had out-sayld them lay Drawn neer the shoar but all the Passengers Being gone the sight of that alone confers No other comfort then t' inform them that The ravisht Princess had been landed at That Port which by their Saylers they are told Belongs unto a Castle kept to hold That Island though but one unnoted Town To th' scarce known Laws of the Sicillian Crown This heard by th' Prince who formerly had known That Castles strength being vext although his own That now 't was such leaving the Vessel they Protected by Nights heaviest shades convey Themselves into a neighbouring Cottage where The Prince who now externally did bear No forms of greatness lest to his repose Argalia whilst Nights shadows yet did close Discovering Eyes hast back to th' Harbour whence To give the royal Fleet Intelligence o th' Kings distress he sends forth all but One Whose stoutness had best made his Valour known Of those which conquerd by
the Court might be More glorious made by such Attendants to Incite in them a strong desire to view Those royall Pastimes thus relates that story Whose fatall truth transfer'd the Morea's glory So often thither 'T was my honourd friends My fate ' mongst some that yet his Court attends Then to be neer my Prince when what now draws Him to these parts did prove at once the cause Of joy and grief Not far from hence remov'd The Vale of Ceres lies where his belov'd Pharonnida remains a Lady that Nature ordaind for man to wonder at She not being more the comfort of his age Then glory of her Sex but I engage My self to a more large discovery which Thus take in brief When Youth did first enrich Beauty with manly strength his happy Bed Was with her royall Mother blest who fed A flame of Vertue in her Soul that lent Light to a Beauty which being excellent In its own Sphear by that reflection shon So heavenly bright Perfections height of noon Dwelt only there Some years had circled in Times revolutions since they first had been Acquainted with those private pleasures that Attend a Nuptiall Bed ere she did at Lucina's Temple offer whose bar'd Gate Once open flow both their good Angels sate In councell for her safety hopes of a Boy To be Morea's Heir fill high with joy The ravisht Parents Subjects did no less In the loud voice of Triumph theirs express But when the active pleasures of their love Which fill'd her Womb had taught the Babe to move Within the mory Mount preceding pains Tell the fair Queen that the dissolving Chains Nature incos'd it in were grown so weak That the imprison'd Infant soon would break Those slender Cuards the gravest Ladies were Call'd to assist her whose industrious care Lend Nature all the helps of Art but in Despair of safety send their Prayers to win Relief from Heaven which swift Assistance lent T' unload the Burthen but those Cordials sent By Harbengers with whom the fair Queen fled To deck the silent dwellings of the dead And lodge in Sheets of Lead o're which were cast A Coverlet of the Springs Infants past From life like her even whilst Earths teeming Womb Promist the World and not a silent Tomb That beauteous Issue But those Nimphs which spun Her thread of life the slender twine begun Too fine to last long undenied by The pondrous burthen of Mortality Beneath whose waight she sinking now to death Th' unhappy Babe was by the Mothers breath No sooner welcom'd into life before She bids farewell of Power to do no more But whilst her Spirits with each word expires Thus to her Lord express her last desires Receive this Infant from thy dying Queen Name her Pharonnida at which word between His trembling Armes she sunk and had even then Breath'd forth her Soul if not recall'd agen By their loud Mournings from the Icy sleep Which like a chilling Frost did softly creep Through the cold Channels of her blood to bar The springs of life in which defensive War The hasty Summons sent by death alow Her giddy Eyes whose heavy leads did bow Toward everlasting slumber no more light Then what affords a dim Imperfect sight Such as the troubl'd Opticks being by Dying Convulsions wrested could let fly Thorough their sullied Chrystals to behold Her wofull Lord whilst she did thus unfold Her dying thoughts O hear O hear quoth she I do By all our mutuall Vows conjure thee to Let this sweet Babe all thou hast left of me Within thy Thoughts preserve my Memorie And since poor Infant she must lose her Mother To beg an entrance here oh let no other Have more Command o're her then what may bear An equall poise with thy paternall Care This this is all that I shall leave behind An earnest of our loves here thou mayst find Perhaps my Image to behold whilst I Resolving into dust imbrac'd do lye By crawling Worms Followers that Nature gave To attend Mortality whilst the tainted Grave Is ripening us for Judgment O my Lord Death were the smile of Fate would it afford Me time to see this Infants growth but oh I feel Lifes Cordage crackt and hence must go From time and flesh like a lost Feather fall From th' Wings of Vanity forsaking all The various business of the World to see What wondrous Change dwels in Eternitie This sayd she faintly bids farewell then darts An eager look on all but ere she parts Even whilst the breath with which in thin Aire slips Departing Spirits on her then cold Lips In clammy Dews did hang she of them takes Her last farewell whilst her pure Soul forsakes Its brittle Cab'net and those Orbs of light That swam in death sunk in eternall Night Thus di'd the Queen Pharonnida thus lost Ere knew her Mother when her Birth had cost A price so great that brought her Infancy In debt to Grief untill maturity Ripen'd her Age to pay it after long And vehement lamentation such whose strong Assaults had almost shook his Soul into A flight from th' Earth her Father doth renew His long lost Mirth at the delight he took In his Souls Darling whose each cheerfull look Crimson'd those Sables which even whilst he wore A flood of Woes his head had silver'd o're Had not this Comfort stopt them which beguiles Sorrow of some few hours those pretty smiles â—â—at drest her fair Cheeks like a gentle Thief â—â—ealing his heart through all the Guards of Grief 〈◊〉 But when that time 's expunging hand had more Defac'd those sable Characters he wore 〈◊〉 Sorrows Livery o're his Soul and she â—â—aving out-grown her tender Infancy â—â—id now her Thoughts compos'd of heavenly Seed 〈◊〉 guide her life no other Guardian need 〈◊〉 native Vertue for her calm retreat When burthend Corinth was with throngs repleat 〈◊〉 chose this seat whose venerable shade Waving what blind Antiquity had made â—or sacred held is not so sleighted buâ— Custome ancient as our Law hath shut â—ence as the hatefull marks of servitude â—ll that unbounded power did e're obtrude â—n suffering Subjects which this happy place â—its so serene a blessing to embrace â—s is this Lady whose illustrious Court Though now augmented by the full resort Of her great Fathers Train doth still appear This happy Kingdomes brightest Hemisphear A hundred noble Youths in Sparta bred Of Valour high as ere for Beauty bled â—ll loyall Lovers and that Love confin'd Within the Court are for her Guard assign'd â—ut what if oft in such an Orb of all That 's great or good may low as Censure fall â—he Court hath questioned is the cause that mov'd The Prince to give a Party so belov'd â—nto his hands that leads them being one Whose Birth excepted that being neer a Throne Those Vertues wants on whose Foundation wise Considerate Princes let their Favours rise Like the abortive Births of Vapors by Their Male Progenitors inforc'd to fly Above the Earth their proper Sphear
too rich In mercy Heavens supream Prerogative To stifle tears did with her passion strive So long til what at first assaulted in Sorrows black Armor had so often bin For pity cherisht that at length her eyes Found there those Spirits that did sympathize With those that warmd her blood and unseen move That Engine of the World mysterious Love The way that Fate predestinated when T was first infus'd i th' Embrio it being then That which espousd the active forme unto Matter and from that passive being drew Divine Ideas which subsisting in Harmonious Natures highest sphear do win In the perfection of our Age a more Expansive power and Natures common store Stil to preserve unites Affections by The mingled Attomes of the serious eye Whilst Natures Priest the cause of each effect Miscal'd Disease indeavouâ— to detect Its unacquainted operations in The beauteous Princess whose free soul had bin Yet guarded in her Virgin Ice and now A stranger is to what she doth allow Such easie entrance by those Rays that fall From eithers eyes to make reciprocal Their yeilding passions brave Argalia felt Even in the grasp of death his Functions melt To flames which on his heart an on-set make For sadness such as weaker Mortals take Eternal farewels in yet in this high Tyde of his blood in a soft calm to die His yielding Spirits now prepare to meet Death cloathd in thoughts white as his winding sheet That fatal doom which unto Heaven affords The sole Appeal one of th' assisting Lords Had now pronouncd whose horrid thunder could Not strike his Laureld Brow that Voice which would Have putrified a timerous Soul he hears With calm attention no disorderd fears Ruffl'd his Fancy nor domestick War Rag'd in his breast his â—v'ry look so far From vulgar passions that unless amazd At Beauties Majesty he sometimes gazd Wildly on that as Emblems of more great Glories then earth afforded from the seat Of resolution his fixt soul had not Been stird to passion which had now begot Wonder not fear within him No harsh frown Contracts his Brow nor did his thoughts pull down One fainting spirit wrapt in smootherd groans To clog his heart From her most eminent Thrones Of Sense the Eyes the lightning of his Soul Flew with such vigour forth it did controul All weaker passions and at once include With Roman Valour Christian Fortitude Pharonnida from whom the rigid Law Extorts his Fate being now inforc'd to draw The longest Line she ere could hope to move Over his Face that beauteous sphear of Love Unto its great'st obliquity she leaves Him in his winter solstice and bereaves Loves Hemisphear of light not hear yet oft Retreating wisht those Stars Fare plac'd aloft In the first Magnitude of Honour might Prove retrograde so their contracted light Might unto him part of their Influence In Life bestow Passion would fain dispence So far with Reason to recall again The sentence she had past but hop'd in vain Those false suggestions moves his Jaylers are Th' undaunted Prisoner hurrying from the Bar His fair Judge rising the corrupted Court Upon removing all the ruder sort Of Hearers rushing out when through the throng Kind Ariamnes being detaind so long By strict Imployment comes at whose request The Court their Seats resuming he adrest Himself to th' Princess in a Language that Whilst all Argalias Foes were storming at Even on her Justice so prevails that he Repriev'd til all hope could produce to free Her Loves new care might be examind by His active Friend who now being seated nigh Pharonnide whilst all attentive sate The strangers story doth at large relate Pleas'd at this full relation nere as much As griev'd to see those Jewels plac'd in such A course cheap Mettal which could never hold The least proportion with her regal Gold Pharonnida had now remov'd if not Thus once more stayed the Rumor first begoâ— From this sad truth had with the common hast Of Ill arriv'd where his Disease had plac'd Aphron whose Ears assaulted now with words Of more infection then that Plague affords Room for the stâ—onger Passion though offended To leave a hold it had at first intended To keep til ruin'd the imprisond blood And spirits are unfetterd by that flood To wash usurping grief from off that part Where most she reign'd but they drawn near the heart And finding Enemies too strong to be Incounter'd mix in their society Which thus supplyed with Auxiliaries in Contempt of weakness when he long had been Languishing underneath a tedious Load Of sickness sends him from his safe Aboad ' Mongst dangers which in deaths black shape attend His bold design to seek his honourd Friend Come on the spur of passion to the Court A flux of Spirits from all parts resort To prompt his anger which abruptly broke Forth in this Language Do not Sirs provoke A forrein power thus far I speak to you That have condemnd this stranger as to do An Act so opposite to all the Law Of Nations here within your Realm to draw Blood that 's so neer allied unto the best Of an adjacent State If this request Of mine too full of insolence appear We are Spirits nobly born and near Enough to hav 't whatever Crime 's the Cause Of this harsh sentence tri'd by our own Laws This bold Opposer of stern Justice here Pausing to see what Clouds there did appear In that fair Heaven whose influence only now Could light to 's friends declining Stars allow To free the troubl'd Court which struggl'd iâ— A strange Delemma had commanded bin To a more large discovery if not by His pitying Friend discharg'd in a reply Doubting how far inregular boldness had Provok'd just wrath Argalia thus unclad Amezements dark disguise To you that aâ— This Court with that kneels to Pharonnida I now for Mercy flee that scorn to run From my own doom so I might have begun The doubtful task alone but here to leave My Friend from whom your Justice did receive This bold Afront in danger is a Crime That not approaching death which all my time Too little for repentance cals can be A just excuse for let me then set free His person with your doubts and joynd to those What both their varied stories may compose For what this noble Lord whose goodness we First found in needful hospitality From him hath differd him impute it not To eithers error both Reports begot From such mistakes as Nature made to be The careful Issues of Necessity That fatal difference whose Vestigia stood Where we Epiciae left fresh fil'd with blood By league so lately with Calabria made Being compos'd that Fame did not invade Our Ears with the report til we had been By a disguise secur'd which shaded in Whilst fearing danger we nere thought to leave Til safe at home Thus what did first deceive Kind Aminander you have heard and now Without the stein of boasting must allow Me leave to tel you that we there have Friends On
whom the burthen of a State depends When to the Court just wonder thus far he With such unshaken confidence as we Pray on th' expanded wings of Faith displayed His Souls integrity the Royal Maid Whom a repented destiny had made His pitying Judge endeavouring to evade That dooms harsh rigour grants him a reprieve Till thrice the Sun returning to relieve Nights drooping Sentinels had circl'd in So many days in which short time to win The fair advantage of discovering truth Old Aminander active as fresh Youth In all Attempts of Charity to know From what black Spring those troubled streams did flow Hasts toward Andremons whi'st Pharonnida Active as he toward all whence she might draw A consequence of hope layes speedy hold On this design Commission'd to unfold Their Masters Love toward her there long had been Embassadours from the Epicote in Her Fathers Court whose Message though it might Wear Loves pure Robes yet in her Reasons light Seems so much staind with pollicy that all Those blessings which the wise foresaw to fall As Influence from that Conjunction she Opposes as her stars malignity Proud of this new Command with such a hast As those that fear more slow delays may wast Their pretious time th' Ambassadours attain The Princess Court where come though hope in vain Only expect a speedy Audience they That frustrated are soon taught to betray More powerful passions the first glance o th' eye They on the Prisoners cast kind sympathy Proclaim'd Love gave no leave for time to rust Their Memories both the old Lords durst trust Eyes dim'd with tears whilst their embraces give A sad assurance there did only live Their last and best of Comforts which beheld By those from whom kind pity had expeld All thoughts of the vindictive Law they strive By all the power of Rhetorick to drive Those sad storms over which good Office done They each inform the Prince which was the Son Of Nature which Adoption withall tel how By their perswasions mov'd they did allow Them time to travel which Disasters had So long protracted for some years with sad And doubtfull hopes they had in vain expected Their wisht return but that their stars directed Their course so ill as now near home to be Ore-taken with so sad a destiny Since such a sorrow could be cur'd by none They sadly crave the time to mourn alone The end of the third Canto PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE FOURTH The ARGUMENT VII At length the Vail from the deluded Law with active Care by Aminander took The startl'd Court in their own error saw How lovely truth did in Argalia look VIII The story of our Youth discover'd he His Merits yet in higher pitch to raise Morea's Prince doth from a danger free Which unto death his noblest Lords betray THat last sad Night the rigid Law did give The late repriev'd Argalia leave to live Was now wrapt in her own obscurity â—toln from the Stage of Time when light got free From his Nocturnall Prison summons all Almanzors Friends to see the long'd for fall o th' envied stranger whose last hour was now So neer arriv'd faint hope could not allow So much of comfort to his powerfulst friend As told her fears she longer might suspend His fatall doom Mournful Attendants on That serene Sufferer all his friends are gon Unto the sable Scaffold that 's ordain'd By the decree of Justice to be stain'd With guiltless blood all sunk in grief but she Whom by inevitable destiny Doom'd him to death most deep Dul sorrow raigns In her triumphant sad and alone remains She in a Room whose Windows prospect led Her Eye to th' Scaffold whither from the Bed Where sorrow first had cast her she did oft Repair to see him but her passions soft Temper soon melting into Tears denies Her Soul a passage through o're-flowing Eyes Often she would in vain expostulate With those two subtile Sophisters that Sate Cloath'd in the Robes of Fancy but they still Oâ—e-threw her weaker Arguments and fill Her Breast with Love and Wonder passion gave Such fierce Assaults no Virgin Vow could save Her Hearts surrender she must love and loose In one sad hour thus grief doth oft infuse Those bitter 〈◊〉 where hidden poyson dwell In the smooth pleasures of sweeâ— Oximel Argalias friends that did this minute use As if the last of mortal enterviews Had now reverst their eyes expecting nought But that stroaks fall whole faâ—all speed had brought Him to eternal rest when by a loud And busie tumult as if death grown proud Expected triumphs to divert their sight They from the Scaffolds lofty station might Within the reach of an exalted Voice Behold a Troop who as the Leaders choice Confin'd to stâ—aight necessity had there Inrold all Commers if of strength to bear Offensive Aâ—mes did first appear to be Some tumult drest in the variety Of suddain rage for here come headlong in A heard of Clowns armd as they then had been From labour cal'd near them wel orderd riâ—e As greatness strove no longer to divide Societies sâ—me Youths brave as they had Been in the spoils of conquerd Nations clad This sudden Object first obstructing all Their Courts proceedings prompts their doubts to call Their absent Prince who being too wise for fears Uncertain fixions with such speed appears As checks the tumult when to tel them who Had from their homes the frighted people drew i th' Van of a wel-orderd Troop rides forth Lov'd Aminander whose unquestiond worth That strong Attractive of the peoples love Exspung'd suspition whilst his Troops did move With a commanded slowness to inform Th' expecting Prince from whence this suddain storm Contracted Clouds he to his view presents Andremons Friends whose looks the sad contents Of sorrow with a silent Oratory Begs pity whilst he thus relates their story That we great Prince we whom a loyal fear To strict obedience prompts dare thus appear Before your sacred Person were a sin Mercy would blush to own had we not been Forc'd to offensive Armes by such a Cause As tore the Scepter regulated Laws Forth of your royal hand to vindicate This suffering stranger whom a subtle hate Not solemn Law pursu'd I here have brought Such Witnesses as have their knowledge bought At the expence of all their joy whom I Found so confin'd as if their misery Were in their houses sepulcherd a sad And general sorrow in one Dress had clad So many that their only sight did prove Lost Vertue caus'd such universal love To free this noble Youth whose Valour lent A late protection to this Innocent But injur'd Maid they unconstraind had here Implor'd your Aide had not too just a fear Caus'd from some Troops raisd by a wrong'd pretence Of your Commands checkt their intelligence With such illegal violence that I Had shar'd their sufferings if not rescu'd by These following Friends whose rude Conjunction shews It was no studied plot did first compose So loose a body but
a more sad discov'ry They behold The brackish Main in funerall Pomp unfold The Trophies of her Cruelty Her Brow Uncurl'd with Waves was only spotted now With scatter'd Ruines here engag'd within The ruffl'd Sails some sad Souls that had been For life long strugling tir'd at length are forc'd To sink and die Yonder a Pair divorc'd From all the warm Society of flesh With cold stiff Arms embrace their Fate The fresh And tender Virgin in her Lovers sight The Sea-Gods ravish and th' Enthean light Of those bright Orbs her Eyes which could by nought But Seas be quencht t' eternall darkness brought Whilst pittying these a suddain noise whose strange Confusion did their Passions Object change Assaults their wonder which by this surprize Amaz'd perswades them to inform their Eyes With its obscure Originall when led By sounds that might in baser Souls have bred A swift aversion clashing Weapons they Might soon behold upon the Sands that lay Beneath the Rock a Troop of desp'rate men Unstartled with those dangers which even then Their ruin'd Ship and dropping Garments shewd Heaven freed them from what Mercy had bestowd Let their own anger loose which flaming in A fatall Combate had already bin In blood disfigur'd But when now so near Them drawn that every Object did appear In true distinction they with wonder rais'd To such a height as Poets would have prais'd Their Heroes in a noble Christian saw Whose Sword as if by the eternall Law Of Providence to punish Infidels Directed with each falling stroke expels A Turks black Soul Yet Valor being opprest By multitudes must have at length sought rest From Death had not brave Ariamnes by His Hunters followed brought him Victory Whilst the approaching danger did exclude Even hope the last support of Fortitude The desperate Turks that chose the Sea to be Their sad Redeemer of Captivity Though from that fear they fled to death had now Upon the Shoar left none life could allow But motion to though stopt by death such store All the Escap'd appeard but such as bore The fatall Story of destruction to Their distant Friends when now a serious view By Ariamnes and that noble Youth Whose Actions honourd as authentick truth Made all admire him of their pitty'd dead With sorrow took one worthy Soul unfled From life they found which by Argalia seen With joy recalls those Spirits that had been In busie Action lost but danger that Toward the Throne of life seem'd entring at Too many wounds denies him to enlarge The Sheam of Love as noble Vertues charge To him her follower Ariamnes by His goodness and their sad necessity Prompted to pity fearing slow delays As dangers fatall Harbinger conveys The wounded strangers to the place where he His Palace made the Throne of Charitie 'T was the short journey 'twixt the Day and Night The calm fresh Evening Times Hermaphrodite The Sun on Lights dilated Wings being fled To call the Western Villagers from Bed Ere at his Castle they arrive which stood Upon a Hill whose Basis freng'd with wood Shadowed the fragrant Meadows thorough which A spatious River striving to enrich The flow'ry Valleys with what ever might At home be profit or abroad delight With parted streams that pleasant Islands made It s gentle Current to the Sea conveyd In the composure of this happy place Wherein he lived as if fram'd to embrace So brave a Soul as now did animate It with its presence strength and beauty sate Combin'd in one 't was not so vastly large But fair convenience countervaild the charge Of Reparations all that modest Art Affords to soâ—â—r pleasures every part More for its Ornament but none were drest In Robes so rich but what alone exprest Their Masters providence and care to be A prop to falling Hospitality For he not Comet-like did blaze out in This Country Sphear what had extracted been From the Courts lazy Vapors but had stood There like a Star of the first Magnitude With a fixt constancy so long that now Grown old in Vertue he began to bow Beneath the weight of time and since the calm Of Age had left him nothing to embalm His Name but Vertue strives in that to be The glorious wonder of Posterity Each of his Actions being so truly good That like the Ground where hollowed Temples stood Although by age the Ruines ruin'd seem The people beare a reverent esteem Unto the place so they preserve his Name A yet unwasted Pyramid of Fame Rich were his publick Vertues but the price Of those was but the World to Paradice Compar'd with that rare Harmony that dwells Within his Walls each Servant there excells All but his Fellows in deseâ—t each knew First when then how his Lords Commands to do None more enjoyed then was enough none less All did of plenty tast none of excess Riot was here a stranger but far more Repining penury ne're from that doore The Poor-man went denied nor did the rich Ere surfet there 't was the blest Medium which Extracted from all compound Vertues we Make and then Christian Mediocrity Within the compass of his spatious Hall Stood no vain Pictures to obscure the Wall Which usefull Armes adornd and such as when His Prince requir'd assistance his own men Valiant and numerous mannag'd to defend That righteous Cause but never to attend A popular Faction whose corrupted Seed Hell did engender and Ambition feed His Judgment that like Lifes Attendant Sence To try each Objects various difference Fit Mediums chose which he made Vertue here Beholding though these wandring Stars appear Now in their greatest detriment the Rays Of perfect worth he to that Vertue payes Those Attributes of honour which unto Their Births though now in course disguise was due To Aphrons wounds successfull Art applies Prevailing Med'cines whilst Invention flies To the Aphelion of her Orb to seek Such modest Pleasures as might smooth the Cheek Of ruffl'd Passion which being found are spent To cure the sad Argalia's discontent Which long being lost to all delight at length Revives again his Friends recover'd strength They having now no Remora to stay Them here but what their gratitude did pay To his desires whose Courtesie had made Those bonds of Love with as much zeal obey'd As those which duty locks preparing are To take their leave even in whose civil War Whilst they contend with Courtesies as sent To rescue when his Eloquence was spent Brave Amminander with such hast as shewed His speed to some supream Injunction owed Such diligence a Messenger brings in A Packet which that noble Lord had been Too frequently acquainted with to fear Th' unseen Contents which open'd did appear A Mandate from his royall Master to Attend him ere the next dayes Beauties grew Deform'd with Age which honourd Message read To banish what Suspition might have bred In 's doubtfull Friends he the inclos'd contents With cheerfull hast unto their view presents Their fear thus cur'd by information he That his appearance in
beauty such As Jove-lov'd Leda's was not prais'd so much For Rose or Lillies residence though they Did both dwel there as to behold the day Lose its Antipathy to Night such clear And conquering Beams so full of light t' appear Thorough her Eyes shewd like a Diamond set To mend its Lustre in a foil of Jet Nor doth their dress of Nature differ more In colour then the Habits which they wore Though fashiond both alike Floronza's green As the fresh Spring when her first Buds are seen To cloath the naked Boughs Carinas white As Innocence before she takes a flight In thought from cold Virginity Their Hair Wreath'd in contracting Curls beneath a fair But often parting Vail attempts to hide The naked Ivory of their Necks that pride Of Beauties Frontispiece On their heads sate Lovely as if unto a Throne of State From their first Earth advanc'd two flowry Wreaths From whose choice mixture in close Concord breaths The fragrant Odour of the Fields plac'd by Them in such order as Antiquity Mysterious held Being sate to pass away Th' unactive heat of the exalted day They either tell old harmles Tales or read Some story where forsaken Lovers plead Unpittied Causes then betwixt a smile And Tear bewail Passion should ere beguile Poor Reason so at length as if they meant To charm him who far from each ill intent So near them lay melting the various throng Of their Discourse into a well-tun'd Song Whose swift division moulds the Aire into Such Notes as did the Sphears first tunes out-do Argalia in this Lab'rinth of delight To Action lost had drawn the vail of Night In quiet slumbers o're his heavy Eyes Lockt in whose Armes whilst he securely lyes Least the mistakes of vain Mortality The brittle Glass of Earth should take to be Perfections lasting Addamant this sad Chance did unravel all their mirth There had Some of the Princes noblest Followers in That Mornings nonage led by Pleasure been Far from their Sphear the Court and now to shun Th' unhealthy Beams of the reflâ—cted Sun Whilst it its shortest shadows made were to The cool protection of the Woods withdrew In which retreat as if conducted by Their evil Genius all his Company An awfull distance keeping none but proud Almanzor in those guilty Groves which shrowd The hapless Virgins enters who so near Him sitting that soon his informing Eare Thither directs his Eye unto his view Ere scarce thought obvious swiftly they withdrew But with untimely hast his Soul that nurst Continuall flames within it at the first Sight kindles them ere he discovers more Then difference in the Sex such untried ore Hot heedless lust when made by practice bold i th' flame of passion venteâ—s on for Gold But when drawn nearer to the place he saw Such beauties whose magnetick form might draw Souls steeld with Vertue custome having made His impious Rhetorick ready to invade He towards them hast with such a pace as might Excuse their judgments though in open flight They strove to shun him but in vain so near Them now he 's drawn that the effects of fear Obscuring reason as if safety lay In seperation each a several way From danger flies but since both could not be By that secure whilst her blest stars do free The glad Carina from his reach the other He swiftly seizes on hot kisses smother Her out-cries in the Embrio and to death Near crusht Virginity ere from lost breath She could a stock of strength enough recover To spend in prayers the tempting of a Lover Mixt with the force of an Adult'rer did At once assail and with joynd powers forbid All hopes of safety onely whilst dispair Lookt big in apprehension whilst the Aire Breath'd nought but thâ—eatnings promising him to pay For 't in her answers she doth lust betray Of some few minutes which with all the power Of prayer she seeks to lengthen sheds a shower Of tears to quench those flames but sooner might Hels sooty Lamp extinguisht be the sight Of such a fair but pitiful aspect When Lust assails wants power to protect By this hot parly whilst she strove to shun His loathd embraces the throngd Spirits run To fortifie her Heart but vainly seek For entrance there being back into her Cheek Sent in disdainful blushes now she did Intreat Civility then sharply chid His blushless impudence but he whose skil In Rhetorick was pregnant to all ill Though barren else summons up all the choice Of Eloquence that might produce a Voice To win fair Vertues Fortress though her chast Soul armd against those battering Engines past That Conflict without danger when inrag'd By being denied with passion that presag'd A dangerous Cons'quence his fierce eyes sixt On hers that melting with pale terror mixt Floods with their former flames her souls sad doubt He thus resolves Unworthy Whore that out Of hate to Vertue dost deny me what Thou freely grantst to every rude Swain that But courts thee in a Dance Think not these tears Shall make me wave a pleasure that appears Worth the receiving Can your sordid Earth Be honourd more then in the noble Birth Of such a Son as wouldst thou yield to love Might call thee Mother and hereafter prove The glory of your Family from Jove The noblest Mortals heretofore that strove To fetch their Pedigree thought it no stain So to be illegitimate as vain Is this in thee there being as great an Ods ' Twixit you and uâ— as betwixt us and Gods Trembling Florenza on her bended knees Thus answers him That dreadfull power that sees All our disvellop'd thoughts my withess be You wrong my Innocence I yet am free From every thought of Lust I do confess Th' unfathomd distance 'twixt our Births but less That will not make my sin it may my shame The more when my contaminated Name Shall in those ugly Characters be shown To the Worlds publick view that now is known By th' blush of honesty whose stile though pore Exceeds the Titles of a glorious Whore Attended whilst Youth doth unwitherd last With envied greatness but frail beauty past Into a swift decay assaulted by Rotteness within and black mouth'd Callumny Without cast off blushing for guilt the scorn Of all my Sex My Mother would unborn Wish her degenerate Issue my Father curse The hour he got me As Infection worse Then mortall Plagues each Virgin that hath nought To glory in but what she with her brought Into the World an unstaind Soul would fly The Aire I breath cast Whores being Company For none but Devils when corrupted vice A Wilderness makes Beauties Paradice To this much ill dim eyed Mortality A prospect lends but what oh what should be When we must summ up all our time in one Eternall day since to our thoughts unknown Is only feard But if our hallowed Laws Are more then Fables th' everlasting Cause 'T will of our torment be If all this breath Formd into Prayers no entrance finds my death Shall buy
sound striking their Ears did change The ominous Dirges of the Night into A various noise of humane Voyces who Durst in that secret place approach 't was now Too late to think on the Rocks spatious brow Was clouded ore with men whose glittering Armes Threatend destruction ere their swift alarms Could summon sleeps infeebled aid whilst they Forsake their Prisoner who becomes a Prey To the Invaders seeking safety in Their flight they fall before him that had been Ordaind to speedier ruine entring at The open Salliport they give by that Rash Act directions to the Foe that mixt Promiscuously with them and now had fixt Their Standards on the Gates The Castle in Feaverish alarms sweating did begin To case her fiery stomach by the breath O' th full-mouth'd Cannon Ministers of death In this hot labour busily distills Extracted spirits noyse and tumult fills The frighted City whose fir'd turrets lent A dismal light But the Assaylants spent Their bloud in vain the Souldiers that had been At the first trembling fit distracted in Confusions giddy maze had rallied now Their scattered spirits and were seeking how To purge dishonours stains in the bright fire Of rage contracted valour To retire Unto their Ships in safety now is all Th' Invaders hope for but so many fall In that attempt it leave no triumphs due To Fortunes temple By this winding clew Of various fate Argalia only findes That stroke of death deceived no hand unbindes His corded arms but that which meant to lay Bondage as hard so corrasives doe stay A Gangrene fed by springs of poysonous blood When reaching at the heart as these withstood The catarracts of death With tyrants more Indomitable then the sea that bore Their black Fleet leave our Hero to untie This knotty riddle of his fate whilst by The ignis fatuus of a fancie led With slow pac'd feet through other paths we tread The tumults of the City silenc'd in A peacefull calme what the effects had bin Of those loud clamours whilst all seek to know Argalia's losse makes giddy wonder grow Into suspition that this Act might be Some stratagem o th' Guvernour to free Himself from a Successor but those fly Darts of mistrust were rendred hurtless by His Princes Mandates whose invenom'd hate That spurious birth had made legitâ—mate Yet swift Revenge affâ—onis his Treason in Its full carier his Master having bin By him informd of a surprizal where All sounds but death affrighted could not bear The burthen of his Fears and yet not sink Deeper in sin ere the poor wretch could think On ought but undeserv'd Rewards he by A brace of Mutes being strangl'd from the high But empty Cloudes of Expectation drops To let the World know what vain shadow props Those blood-erâ—cted Pyramids that stand On secret Muâ—thers black and rotten Sand. When thus the Sâ—â—acusian had secur'd His future Fame Passion that still endur'd A strong distemperature slept not untill The story of their crosse Design did fill Palermo's Princes Ear Argalia's losse Was now the Ball that babling Fame did tosse Thorough the Court upon whose airy Wing Reaching the Island it too soon did bring The heavy Nâ—ws disguiz'd in Robes more sad Then truth to her whose stock of Vertues had Been venter'd on that Sea of Merit in Such forms of Griefe as Princes that have been Hurld from the splendent Glories of a Throne Into a Dungeon her great Soul did grone Beneath the Weights of grief the doleful Tale Had thunder-strook all joy her Spir'â—s exhale Their vigour forth in sighs and faintly let That gâ—orious Fabrick unto which they 'r set Supporters fail to th' Earth yet sorrow stayes Not in this frigid Zone rude gâ—ief betrays Her Passions to her Fathers jealous Ear Who fearing least Argalia's Stars might clear Their smoaky Orbâ— and once more take a flight From deaths cold house by a translated Lâ—gâ—t To sâ—parate from sorrow and again In Fortunes house Lord of th' Ascendant Raigâ—â— He doubts that Islands safety and from thence Removes her with what speedy diligence Fear could provoke suspition to her Train Shook with that suddain change desire in vain The Islands pleasure ere they know how much Their Fates must differ as it oft in such Unlookt for changes happens each man vents His own Opinion some did discontents Of the young Princess others that the season Of th' year was cause but though none know his reason All must obey his Will The pleasan Isle Whose Walks fair Gardens Prospâ—cts did beguile Time of so many happy hours must now A solitary Wildernesse whose brow Winâ—er had bound in folds of Ice be left To wail their absence whilst each Tree bereft Of Leaves did like to Virgin Mourners stand Cloathd in white Vails of glittering Icelets and Shook with the breath of those sharp windes that brought The hoarie Fish The pensive birds had sought Out Springs that were unbar'd with ice and there Grew hoarse with cold The crusted earth did wear A rugged armour Every bank unclad With flowers conceal'd the juicie roots that had Adorned their Summers dresse The Meadowes green And fragrant Mantle withering lay between The griz'ie mountains naked armes All growes Into a swift decay as if it owes That tribute unto her departure by Whose presence 't was adorned Seated did lie Within the circuit of Ghirenza's wall Though stretch'd t' imbrace a Castle which they call The Princes tower a place whose strength had stood Unshook with danger when that violent flood Of warre rag'd in the Land hither were brought Such if of Noble bloud whose greatnesse sought From treacherous plots extension yet although To those a prison here he did bestow His best of treasure briefly it had been Unto the Spartan Kings a Magazeen Since first they rul'd that Kingdome and when ere A war drew near them their industrious care Made it their place of residence the hill 'T was built upon with 's rockie feet did fill A spatious Iftmos at its depth a Lake Supply'd by 'th neighbouring sea let in to make The Fort the more impregnable with slow But a deep current running did bestow A dreadfull prospect on the bended brow O' th hill which cover'd with no earth did bow Its torn clifts o're the heavy stream The way That led to it was o're a bridge which they That guard it did each night draw up from whence A steep ascent whose natural defence Assisted by all helps of art had made The fatal place so dangerous to invade Each step a death presented Here when he Had plac'd his daughter whose securitie Rocks walls nor rivers warranted without A trusty guard of Souldiers hem'd about The walls lesse hard then they Those Gentlemen That on her happier Court attended when Argalia did command them as too milde Were now discharg'd their office on a wilde Band of those Mountain Souldiers who had in His last great war most fam'd for valour bin Being confer'd and these lest they should be Forc'd by commands into
did bow Unto a Slave condemnd that nere could look To see the sight but whilst some torment took The use of Eyes away whilst he draws neer By her command no lesse it did appear Her wonder to behold his dauntlesse Spirit Then his what Vertue to applaud as Merit Plac'd in a Seat neer her bright Throne to stir His settl'd thoughts she thus begins From her Your Sword hath so much injur'd as to shed Blood so neer kin to mine that it was fed By the same milky Fountains and within One Womb warmd into life is such a sin I could not pardon did not Love commit A Rape upon my Mercy all the wit Of man in vain Inventions had been lost Ere thou redeemd which now although it cost The price of all my Honours I will do Be but so full of gratitude as to Repay my care with love Why dost thou thus Sâ—t dumb to my discourse it lies in us To raise or ruine thee and make my way Thorough their bloods that our Imbraces stay This on the spur of Passion spoke she strains His hand in hers where feeling the big Veins Beat with intemperate heat conceiving it The strokes of Lust to aggravate the Fit Into a Paroxisme of Guilt she shews More then with modesty how much she ows To Nâ—tures Treasare for that ill spent stock Of Beauty she enjoyd her Eyes unlock Two Cabinets of sparkling Diamonds which The even foils of Ebbon brows enrich With a more Orient brightness on her Cheek The Roses conquering the pale Lilly seek To counterfeit a Blush but vanquisht shame Submits to Love in whose insulting flame The modest Virgin a sad Martyr dies And at Fames wounds bled Passions Sacrifice Natures embost work her soft swelling breasts Those Bals of living Ivory unprest Even with the Weight of Tiffany displayes Whitenesse that sham'd the Swans the blood that straiâ—s In Azare Channels over them did shew By their sweld stâ—eams how high the Tyde did flow Wherein her Pâ—ssions saild the milky way Loves fragrant Valley that betwixt them lay Was moist with balmy Dew extracted by The busie Spirits that did hovering fly Thorough her boyling blood whose raging flame Had scortcht to death the April Flowers of shame To charm those sullen Spirits that within The dark Cells of his Conscience might have bin Yet by Religion hid that Gift divine The Souls Composure Musick did refine The lazy Aire whose pollisht Harmony Whiâ—st dancing in reboubled Ecchoes by A wanton Song was answerd whose each part Invites the Hearing to betray the Heart Having with all these choice Flowers strewd the way That leads to Lust to shun the slow delay Of his approach her sickly Passions hast To die in action Come she cries we wast The pretious Minutes now thou knowst for what Thou' rt sent for hither which if active at Thou only liv'st in my esteem and then O Impudence which from the worst of men Might force a Blush she swiftly hasts to tread Within Lusts Tropicks her polluted Bed And here black sinner thou whose bloods disease Of kin to Hels wants numbers to appease Its flaming Callenture blusht to behold A Virgin Vertue spotless leaves unfold In youthful Volume whilst thy ripe years spent In lust hath lost thy Ages Ornament In this as hot and fierce a Charge of Vice As since he lost the field in Paradice Man ever felt the brave Argalia sits With Vertue coold in Passions feaverish Fits Yet at Lifes Garrisons his Pulses beat In hot Alarums till to a soft Retreat Cal'd by that fair Commandresse spight of all Beauties prevailing Rhetorick though he fall Ruin'd beneath her anger he by this Unwelcome Language her expected bliss Converts to rage And must my freedome then At such a rare be purchast rather when My life expires in Torments let my Name Forgotten die then live in black-mouth'd Fame A sâ—rvant to thy Lust go tempt thy own Daâ—'d Infidels to sin that nere had known The way to Vertue not this cobweb Vail Of beauty which thou wearst but as a Jayl To a Soul pale with guilt can cover o're Thy Minds deformities a tainted Whore Conscience proclaim thee will when thou shalt sit Shook with this spotted Feavers trembling Fit Rent from these gilded Pleasures send me to A Dungeon dark as Hell where shadows do Reign in eternal silence Let these rich And costly Robes the gawdy Trappings which Thou meanst to cloath my sin in be exchang'd For sordid Rags when thy fierce spleen hath rang'd Through all invented torments â—hoose the worst To punish my denial less accurst I so shall perish then if by consent I 'de taught thy guilty thoughts how to augment Their sins in action and by giving ease To thy bloods Feaver took its loathd disease To have the spring-tyde of her pleasures sweld By Lusts salt waters thus by force expeld Back to Confusions troubl'd Sea had made Such troops of Passion ready to invade An ill desended Conscience that her look Like a cast Felons out of hopes of th' book Was sad with silent guilt the Room she leaves To her Contemner who not long receives The benefit of rest she that had been The Prologue unto this obstructed sin With six aâ—m'd Slaves was enterd thence to force Him to his dismal Jayl but the Divorce Of life from those which first approacht joynd to The others flight had put her to renew That scatterd strength had not that sacred tye His solemn Oath from Laurâ—ld Victory Snatcht the fair wreath and though brave Valour strives To reach at Freedome through a thousand Lives At her Command more tamely made him yield Then conquerd Virgins in the Bridal Field CANTO THE FOURTH The ARGUMENT Anger improv'd by Lusts enormous Flamâ— Fires vext Jhonusa with such sadâ—ex reams Of Rage that her swcet Sexes native shame Is scortcht to death in those prodigious beams Which wilst they to her angry Lord betray Her Honours loss such tumulis in him breed That both their deaths must serve for an allay Whose sudden fall our Christian Champion freed OUr noble Captive to fair Vertues Throne In safety past though through Lusts burning Zone Finds in his Dungeons lazy damps a rest More sweet though with the heavy waights opprest Of Iron bondage then if they had bin Loves amorouâ— wreaths Jonusa's Armes within Whose Ivory Circles he had slept but shee Her grief compos'd of all malignity Lusts flames unquencht converts to whilst they burn Black thoughts within her breast that beauteous Urn Of Lusts corruption sometimes anger flies Above the sphâ—ar of Reason and there dyes With tears extinguisht she breaths Curses in Her Souls pale Agony such as had bin More deadly then infectious damps if not Strangl'd i th' Embrio dead before their hot Poyson could work upon her fancie more Then spleenfull thoughts which were recal'd before Ripen'd for execution Now she steeps Her down in tears a floud of sorrow weeps Of power if penitent to expiate Youths vigorous sins but all her mourning
have Lain till corruption sought it self a grave Had not an early Forrester so near The place approach'd that maugre all that fear Alleag'd to stop a full discovery he Beheld so much as taught him how to free His friends from further fruitless searches in Discovering what beneath their fears had bin In sorrow such as left no power to vent Its symptoms but a deep astonishment Th' amaz'd Messenians whom a sad belief Depriv'd of hope did entertain their grief Whose swift infection to communicate Their murther'd Prince as if pale death kept state Clad in the crimson robes of blood is to The City brought where whilst the publick view In busie murmurs spread her sable wings Pale terror to the Court griefs center brings The dreadful truth which some officious Lord Whom favor did the priviledge afford Of easie entrance through the guards of fear In haste conveys t' assault the Princes ear With such a silence as did seem to shew Unwelcom news is in its entrance slow Enter'd the room he 's with soft pace unto The bed approach'd whose curtains when withdrew Discover'd horror in the dismal dress Of death appears freed from the slow distress Of Age that coward tyrant which ne'r shews His strength till man wants vigor to oppose Through deaths dark gates fled to the gloomy shade Whose fear or hope not knowledge doth invade Our fancies yet he mans material part There only sees which form whose heavenly art Tunes motion into 'th faculties of life Had now forsook the elemental strife Which had so long at concord aim'd was now Silenc'd in death on his majestick brow No awefull frown did sit the bloods retreat From life and action left his cheeks the seat Of deaths cold guest which summon'd by his fate There in a pale and ghastly horror sate Whilst the astonish'd Courtier did behold This with such trembling as when graves unfold Their Doom-dayes curtains sinfull bodies shall Rise from their urns eternally to fall His stay caus'd from restrictive fear had drew In more Spectators to whose wandring view This ghastly object when oppos'd had strook So swift a tertor that their fears forsook The safe retreats of Reason seeing life Had now concluded all the busie strife Of natures conflicts by delivering those Time-shaken Forts unto more powerfull foes Outcries in vain attempts for pitty to Scale heaven whose ear when from their prayers withdrew The Court now of her royal head bereft In a still calm of hopeless sorrow left Infectious grief disdaining now to be Confin'd within the brief Stenographie Of first Discoverers spreads it self among The City herd whose rude unsteddy throng Rais'd grief which in the mourning Court did dwell In such a silence as an Anch'rites Cell Ne'r knew a heavier solitude into Exalted outcries whose loud call had drew From their neglected arts so many that What first was choler now being kindl'd at Their rage like humors grown adust had bin The open breach to let rebellion in Had not the wiser Nobles which did know That vulgar passions will to tumult grow When back'd with power by a new modell'd form Of counsel soon allay'd this rising storm Their tears those fruitless sacrifices to Unactive grief wip'd off whilst they did view The States distemp'red body to supply The wants of that departed Majesty Which when their Prince from Lifes horizon fell Fled from their view before report should tell This fatal story to the Princess they A Councel call by whose advice she may Whilst floating in this Sea of sorrow be Sav'd from those unseen rocks where treacherie Rebellions subtile Engineer might sit To wrack the weakness of a female wit Which though in her such that it might have bin The whole worlds Pilate could since clouded in Such a tempestuous Sea of passions see No Star that might her safe director be A Messenger whose sad observant wit By age allay'd seem'd a conveyer fit For such important business with the news Hasts towards the Princess whom whilst fear persues On wings of pity being arriv'd within The Palace he as that alone had bin The onely feat where rigid sorrow took Her fixt abode beholds each servants look Obscur'd with grief through whos dark-shades whilst he Searches the cause the strange variety Explains it self as families that have Led their protecting Ruler to the grave whose loss they in a heedless sorrow mourn So long till care doth to distraction turn Her servants sate each wildly looking on The other till even sense it self was gone In mourning wonder whose wilde flight to stay Its cause they to the pitying Lord display In such a tone as whilst it did detect The Princess absence shew'd their own neglect When this he'ad heard with such a sympathie Of sorrow as erected grief to be The mourning Monarch of his thoughts to those Return'd that sent him he that transcript shews Of this obscure original the flight O' th' absent Princess whilst the veil of night Obscur'd her passage tells but question'd how With whom or whether knowledge did allow No satisfaction all inquiry gain'd From her amaz'd attendants but explain'd Their grief whose troubled rivolet flow'd in To that vast Ocean where before they 'd bin By sorrow shipwrack'd in the general flood Mixt wants a language to be understood In a peculiar character and so Conjoyn'd makes up one universal wo. Onely as if love knew alone the art That taught his followers how to mourn apart Sad sweet Orlinda whose calm innocence Had fostred passion at her healths expence Whilst wet with grief's oreflowing springs she to Her brothers ghost did pay soft natures due In sorrow of such sad complection that Others might lose their own to wonder at Yet when as in the margint plac'd she hears Amindor lost with new supplies of tears Grief sallying forth as if to be betray'd Love now did fear he draws the bashfull Maid From those that did the mourning consort keep Where she unseen for loves decease doth weep Frail womans faith and mans neglect doth blame And softly then sighs out Amindors name Her lost Amindor whose suppos'd disdain Destroy'd those spirits grief could ne'r have slain And now before that powers decay ingage To many hands in a vindictive rage The wise supporters of the State to stay Increasing factions which can ne'r obey Lest fear commands unto Almanzor send A mandate which injoyns him to attend Their Councels in this interregnum till Their joynt consent had found out one to fill The empty throne which summons prompted by A care which they interpret loyalty Though truely call'd ambition he obey'd With such a speed as Love would fly to aid A ravish'd Lady having to impede His march no more then what his care could lead Even with a singes speed yet that a strength Enough to make his will confine the length Of their desires who soon in Council sit But to bewail th' abortion of their wit The frighted City having entred in A mourning march as if his thoughts had
bin A stranger to the sad events of this So dismal night he by relation is Inform'd of each particular which he Seeming to hear in griefs extremity From silent sorrow which appear'd to wait On still attention his prepar'd deceit Disguis'd in rage appears a rage which in Its active flight to finde what hearts had bin Defil'd with thoughts of such foul crimes did seem So full of zeal its actions did redeem The lost report of loyalty in those His former crimes made his most constant foes By guarded gates and watchfull parties that Surround the walls till th' people frighted at Their fury shrink from publick throngs they now Assur'd of safety whilst enquiring how Hell hatch'd these monsters whose original Whilst searching they by the consent of all His best Physitians whose experienc'd skill From outward signs knew what internal ill Death struck the Prince inform'd the cause could be From nought but such a subtil enemy As poyson which when every accident They had examin'd all conclude was sent Mixt with that cordial whose conceal'd receit Unknown to art their envy term'd the bait To tempt the easie Princes faith into That net which death allur'd by treason drew With power from this imbrac'd suspition sprung Almanzor who not envies spotted tongue Durst call prophane though rudely forcing those Weak gates which need no greater strength t' oppose Unclean intruders then the reverence they Inforc'd by zeal did with Religion pay Unto that places sanctity which he Contemning ere the wrong'd societie Expecting such injurious visits in Rude fury entring those whose power had bin Imploy'd by noble pity to attend The suffring Princess in such haste did send Them to her close and dark abodes that now Their doubts confirm'st they 're only studying how To shun that danger which informing fear Falsly perswades towards them alone drew near Which dark suspition ere unclouded by Seising on him whose innocence durst fly To no retreat the Royal fugitives Back to the vault where first they enter'd drives Now at the great'st antipathie to Day The silent earth opprest with Midnight lay Vested in clouds black as they had been sent To be the whole worlds mourning monument When through the Caves damp womb conducted by A doubtful light that scarce inform'd the eye To find out those unhaunted paths they in A faint assurance with soft pace begin To sally forth where unsuspected they Are seis'd by guards that in close ambush lay Which ere amazement could give action leave To seek for safety did their hopes deceive By close restraint aw'd by whose power they 're to Almanzor brought who from that object drew Such joy as fills usurpers when they see Wrong'd Princes strugling with captivitie From hence in such disdainful silence led As taught their fear from just suspition bred To tremble at some unknown ill about That sober time when Lights small lamps go out At the approach of Days bright glories brought Back to the Court they there not long had sought Their sorrows sad original before A Court conven'd of such whose power had bore Whilst Gods own choice a Monastry had lent Their dictates law the weight of government They hither call'd by summons that did sound Like bold rebellion in sad omen found More then they fear'd A mourning train of Lords Plac'd round a black tribunal that affords To the spectators penetrated eye A dismal horror cloath'd in majestie Like hierogliphicks pointing to that fate Which must ensue all yet in silence sate A dreadful silence such as unto weak Beholders seem'd to threaten when they speak Death and destruction dictates when they saw Their Princess enter'd as if rigid Law To loyal duty let the scepter fall In an obedient reverence rais'd they all Lowly salute her but that complement To bribe their pity fear in vain had spent When all resuming now their seats command The Royal captives whose just cause did stand On no defence but unknown truth to be Summon'd to th' bar where that they first might see What rigor on the royal blood was shewn From no unjust conspiracie had grown A sable curtain from their herses drawn Betrays her eyes then in the sickly dawn Of grief grown dim unto that horrid place Where they met death drawn in her fathers face By whom now turn'd into well-model'd clay Fitted for 's tomb the slain Epirot lay At this as if some over-venturous look For temperate rays destructive fire had took In at her souls receiving portals all Lifes functions ceas'd sorrow at once le ts fall The burthen of so many griefs which in A death-like slumber had forgotten bin Till humane thoughts obliterated by The wishâ— conversions of eternity Opprest no more had not inâ—urious haste Before this conflict could those spirits waste Which had to shun passions external strife Fled to the primum mobile of life Recall'd with them her sorrows to attend Their nimblest motions which too fast did spend Her strength to suffer weakness to obay The Courts intentions of a longer stay From ruffl'd passions which her soul opprest By the soft hand of recollecting rest Strok'd to a calm which setl'd reason in Her troubled throne by those that first had bin Her guards the Princess that fair pattern whence Men drew the height of humane excellence Is now return'd to let her proud foes see That the bright rays of magnanimitie Though envy like th' ungrateful moon do strive To hide that sun except what 's relative Ne'r knows eclipse the darkness taking birth From what 's below whilst that remov'd from earth Her clear unclouded conscience ever stays Amongst bright vertues universal rays The mourning Court those ministers of fate In expectation of their prisoners sate They now appear in those disguises which They first were took being habits though not rich Enough to gild their rare perfections yet Such as did seem by sorrow made to fit Their present sufferings both the men cloth'd in Monastick robes black as their threds had bin Spun from Peruvian wooll the women clad Like mournful Votaries shew'd so sweetly sad As if their vertues which injurious fate Did yet conceal striving t' anticipate The flights of time had to th' external sence Shew'd these as emblems of their innocence But love nor pity though they both did here Within their Judges sternest looks appeare Durst plead for favor their indictments read So guilty sound that those whose hearts even bled Disdain'd their eyes should weep since justice did In such foul crimes mercy as sin forbid Yet more to clear what circumstance had made Level with reason from th' approaching shade Of death redeem'd that Lord whose wounds had bin But slumbers to recover safety in When the Messenian murdred was did now Declare as far as reason could allow The eyes to judge those habits which they then Did wear the same which cloath'd the murth'rers when His Prince was slain which open proof appears So full of guilt it stops her friends kinde fears Ere rais'd to hope
hours of the succeeding night to find How in that factious troubl'd sea inclin'd The City stood whose shallow sons dare vent By nothing but their tongues that discontent Their hands might cure were not those useful parts Restrain'd from action by unmanly hearts Which being at once with grief and fear opprest Durst do no more but pity the distrest Which gentle passion since so general lends Some light of hope to her enquiring friends To usher in that dismal day whose light Design'd to lead into eternal night As much of beauty as did ere give place To death the morning shews her gloomy face Wrapt up in clouds whose heavy vapors had Hung heaven in black when to perform the sad And serious office of â—onfessors to Those royal sufferers whom harsh fates persue To deaths dark confines through their guard of foes Argalia and his grave assistant goes Where he whose love to neither did surmount His zeal to take the Cyprians last account Himself addrest whilst his kind passions lead Argalia from Pharonnida to read Her lifes last story made authentick by The near approach of her eternity Enter'd the room which to his startl'd â—ight Appear'd like sorrow sepulcher'd in night So dismal sad so silent that the cold Retreat of death the grave did ne'r unfold A heavier object by a sickly light Which was even then to th' artificial night That fill'd the room resigning'ts reign he saw Griefs fairest draught divine Pharonnida Amidst her tears faln like a full-blown flower Whose polisht leaves oreburthen'd with a shower Drops from their beauties in the pride of day ' To deck the earth so sadly pining lay The pensive Princess whom an extasie Oâ— passion led to practise how to die In such abstracted contemplations that Angels forsook their thrones to wonder at Wet with those tears in whose Elixar she Was bathing of the Lilies nurserie Her bloodless cheeks her trembling hand sustan'd A book which what heavens mercy hath ordain'd For a support to humane frailty in Storms of affliction lay which as she 'd bin Now so well in repentant lectures read That faith was on the wings of knowledge fled To meditation her unactive grief Lets softly fall whilst Time wise natures thief That all might look like sorrows swarthy night Is stealing forth of the neglected Light Whose sullen flame as it would sympathize With those quencht beams that once adorn'd her eys After a feeble blaze that spoke its strife But vain in silence weeps away its life Come to behold this beauteous monument Of mourning passion his great spirits spent On love and wonder the astonish'd Prince Here silent stands valor could not convince His wild amazement To behold her lie By rigid laws restrain'd from libertie To whom his soul was captive troubles all His reasons guards But when how she must fall From beauteous youth and vertuous life to be One of the graves obscure societie Must fall no Martyr whose lamented death Grows pities object but depart with breath ' Mongst ignominious clouds of guilt that must Stick an eternal odium on her dust That thought transports him from his temper to Passions in which he had forgot to do His Priestly office and in rage as high As ever yet inflam'd humanitie Sent him to actions whose attempt had bin The rode his valor must have perish'd in Had not her sorrows agony forsook The Princess by whose first unsteady look He being as far as his disguise gave leave Discover'd is invited to receive Those last confessions in whose freedom she Seeks by absolving comforts how to free Her soul of all which a religious fear Like spots on her white conscience made appear Having from her unburthen'd soul learnt how To ease his own the Priestly Prince had now As far as bold humanitie durst dive Into remission heavens prerogative Pronounc'd that pardon for whose seal there stood The sin-polluted worlds redeeming blood By which blest voice rais'd from what did appear Like sorrow till her faith had banish'd fear The Princess in such gentle calms of joy As souls that wear their bodies but to cloy Celestial â—lights can feel to entertain Her fatal doom with a resolv'd disdain Of death prepares whilst he whom heaven to her Had made their mercies happy Messenger Forsaking her repairs to him that had With the same hand the Cyprians thoughts unclad By whom inform'd how that in their defence His sword protected nought but innocence Arm'd with those blessings which so just a cause Proclaim'd his due he secretly withdraws To change those emblems of Religious peace Monastick robes for such as might increase Their joy and wonder whose contracted fear Despair'd to see a Combatant appear Although they knew his sword defended then The best of causes ' gainst the worst of men Whilst he prepares with near as much of speed As incorporeal substances that need But will for motion to defend her in Th' assaults of death that hour which long had bin The dreadfull expectation of those friends That pitied her arriv'd in sorrow ends Fears cold disease those Ministers of fate The props to all that 's illegitimate The Army to suppress the weak essayes Of love or pity guarded had the wayes By which illegal power conducted her From that dark room griefs curtain'd Theater To be beheld upon the publick stage The glory yet the scandal of the age Which two extreams met on the scaffold in A Princess suffering and a peoples sin Which now join'd to the dreadful pomp that cals His Subjects to attend the funerals Of her lov'd father whose lifes vertues won Tears for his death thus solemnly begun Remov'd no further from the City then An hours short walk though undertaken when Sol rag'd in Cancer might with ease convay Scorcht travellers a dismal temple lay In a dark vally where more antient times Had perpetrated those religious crimes Of humane offerings to those Idols that Their hands made for their hearts to tremble at Yet this since now made venerable by Those reverend reliques of antiquity The Spartan Princes monuments by those Of later times though alter'd faith is chose For their retreat when lifes extinguisht glory Sought rest beneath a silent dormitory Nor stood this fabrick all alone long since A Palace by some melancholy Prince Which hated light or lov'd the darkness built To please his humor or conceal his guilt So near it stood to distant eyes which sent Thither their beams it seem'd one monument Whose sable roof ' mongst Cypress shadows fills The deep dark basis of those barren hills With such a mournfull Majesty as strook A terror into each beholders look Awfull as if some Diety had made That gloomy vale to be the sacred shade Where he chose in enigma's to relate The dark decrees of mans uncertain fate Betwixt this temple and the City stood In squadrons thick as shews an ancient wood To distant sight the Army plac'd to be In this sad march their guilts securitie Whose glittering swords shon as