Potentates Crown'd Saints and Martyrs rang'd in glorious Rows Attend his Chariot and his State compose The dazling Pomp stretches across the Sky From utmost East to West and passing by The Heav'nly Orbs comes on descending flow Into the Airy Region here below O'er all the Sky Heav'n's mighty Army shines And here it halts in deep embartel'd Lines In bright Celestial Armour Clad they stand Their Swords of temper'd Flame drawn in their hand They mark a Camp of spacious Circuit out And cast up Crystal Ramparts round about On some fit Eminence they raise on high Their Lord 's August Pavilion in the Sky His bright sublime Tribunal here they place On which he sits with awful God-like Grace Such Flames of Fire wheeling in Clouds of Smoak Issue from thence as from Mount Sinai broke Array'd with Majesty and cloath'd with Light He Glory darts too fierce for Angels Sight In Hallelujahs they his Greatness sing And the shook Sphears with loud Hosannahs Ring Thus on the Throne the Saviour sits prepar'd To Judge the World to punish and reward And now th' unnumber'd Armies ready stand Grasping revenging Firebrands in their Hand And only wait their Leader's high Command The Signal giv'n a general Shout shall shake The Heav'n's around greater than Armies make Rushing to Battel or was heard in Rome When Conquering Caesar came in Triumph home Their furious Arms devouring Tempests throw On all the guilty trembling VVorld below They pour down mighty fiery Cataracts Flaming Bitumen and Sulphureous Lakes Red showers of fiery Arrows hissing fly And flashing Lightning flames around the Sky Fires from above combin'd with Fires below O'er all the Earth in ruddy Torrents flow Vengeance Divine wasts Nature's burning Store And drowns the Earth in Fire all drown'd in Guilt before The Heat dissolves the Fabrick of the World The broken parts fall down confusedly hurl'd Chaos restor'd does in wild Triumph reign And ruin'd Worlds his hideous Throne sustain Some great Archangel now springs forth on high And with the loudest Trumpet of the Sky Summons th' astonish'd gazing World to come To Judgment and the Universal Doom The dreadful Noise shakes Heav'n's Etherial Mounds And in loud Ecchoes from the Sphears rebounds In Ecchoes terrible and piercing Shrill That the low World with dire Amazement fill The guilty Fiends shreek out at these Alarms That in the Air fly thick in murmuring Swarms Their Prince himself trembles and dares not stay But spreads his broad dun Wings and shoots away They sink confounded to th' Infernal Deep Or into Clefts and hollow Mountains creep They find the fatal Hour's arriv'd at last That shall revenge their bold Rebellions past When to their Torments they shall be Restrain'd And lye beneath on flaming Billows chain'd VVhen Hell no more its Pris'ners shall release And Sin 's black Empire must for ever cease No less the dreadful Sound and awful Sight Confound proud Tyrants and their Guards affright What Horrour now distracts each guilty Soul In their sad Breasts what Storms of Vengeance roll How will they bear this dismal Scene of Wo Where will they stay secure or whither go Terrour Distraction Anguish fierce Despair Drink up their Vitals and their Heart-strings tear Ten Thousand poison'd Darts strike thro' their Reins And wound them with unsufferable Pains The Vulture bred within their Bowels gnaws And Conscience gripes them with her Harpys Claws Such Wounds such Stings such Pangs must now be born Of everlasting Death the sad Forlorn What strange Confusion in their Looks appears What wild Amazement Guilt and deadly Fears What howling Lamentation what dire Cries What doleful Shreeks and Yellings fill the Skies Besides the Trumpet shakes the trembling ground The startled Dead awaken at the Sound The Grave resigns its ancient Spoils and all Death 's Adamantine Prisons burst and fall The Souls that did their forc'd Departure mourn To the same Bodies with swift Flight return VVhose scatter'd Parts God calls together they To their appointed Meeting hast away The crowding Atoms re-unite apace All without tumult know and take their place Th' assembled Bones leap quick into their Frame And the warm Blood renews a brighter Flame The quicken'd Dust feels fresh and youthful Heats While its old Task the beating Heart repeats The Eyes enliven'd with new Vital Light Open admiting whence they had their sight The Veins too twine their bloody Arms around The Limbs and with red leaping Life abound Hard twisted Nerves new brace and faster bind The close knit Joynts no more to be disjoyn'd Strong new-spun Threds Immortal Muscles make That justly fixt their ancient Figure take Brisk Spirits take their upper Seats and dart Thro' their known Channels thence to every part The Men now draw their long forgotten Breath And striving break th' unweildy Chains of Death Victorious Life to every Grave resorts And rifles Death's unhospitable Courts It s Vigour thro' those dark Dominions spread From all their gloomy Mansions frees the Dead Now ripe Conceptions thro' the Earth abound And new sprung Men stand thick on all the ground The Sepulchers are quick and every Tomb Labours with Life and grows a fruitful Womb. But how the Dead are chang'd their Bodies more Unlike each other than their Souls before How monstrous foul the guilty Dead arise Each struck with Horrour from his Neighbour flies How much deform'd they look all stain'd with Sin Black and mis-shap'd without but more within Ugly and Fiend-like from their Graves they Crawl And on the ground like bloated Vermin sprawl And like them too their Bodies have their Birth From putred Damps and Vapours in the Earth So Serpents that entangled lay asleep From out their Beds disturb'd and waken'd creep They hiss and cast their fiery Eyes around And with their loathsom Bellies mark the ground For flight their poisonous Volumes they display And urg'd with Fear and Anguish hast away So this foul Brood are forc'd their Graves to leave And to the Ground their grov'ling Bellies cleave Earthy and Black confin'd so long to Night They dread the Horrours of the chearful Light Amazing change see some of these were they Whose Heads were Crown'd whose Hands did Scepters sway These did rich Purple and fine Linnen wear And every Meal fed on delicious Fare That hideous Thing that for a Covert seeks With hollow Eyes fal'n Jaws and ghastly Cheeks That monstrous Thing was once when kept with Care Proud of its Beauty and look'd wondrous Fair. Set off with all the Ornaments that please The Eye and pamper'd with Luxurious Ease But how the guilty Crowd wreckt with Despair With dismal Cries fill all the Ecchoing Air When they the Trumpet 's dreadful Summons hear And find the Universal Judgment near Back to their Graves the ugly Monsters fly And in those Coverts would for ever ly They call aloud for Death and wish they might Melt to thin Air be drown'd and lost in Night But when Blest Minds their Bodies meet no Pair Can look more Beautiful and charming Fair. The
Warnings tir'd his Ears in vain Persidious Councils only could obtain Rough Truth and loyal Bluntness gall'd his Ear That only soft melodious Sounds could bear His firm and loyal Friends though hardly us'd Look'd on enrag'd to see their Prince abus'd Though some grown cold ceas'd to lament his Fate For Will and Choice Compassion still abate Pity a Prince whose Virtues shone so bright Should let so dark a Cloud obscure their Light To him and us this Weakness fatal prov'd That Men suspected were imploy'd and lov'd So Carvil was Who labour'd after Octa's late Retreat To more than balance his with our Defeat The Traytor during all the bloody Day Found not the Means our Army to betray But when the Sun drew off his radiant Train And left the Empress of the Night to reign Then Carvil open'd his black Scene of Guilt Wherein such Seas of British Blood were spilt He by confiding Hands to Octa sent To let the Saxon know his dire Intent To give him Entrance to our Camp by Night Whither his Arms he did with speed invite Octa whose Arts and purchas'd Treasons won More Towns and Battles then his Sword had done So fair a Season offer'd not delay'd But straightway march'd our Army to invade Carvil mean time his Creatures had prepar'd To yield the Posts their Duty was to guard Revolving Cynthia with her doubtful Light Had now o'erpass'd the Noon of wearing Night When Octa's chosen Troops approach'd the Gate Where to admit their Arms the Traytors wait The furious Saxon straight our Camp invades Beneath the Covert of the silent Shades Their unexpected Arms our Men assail Dissolv'd in Sleep and wearied with their Toil. What Carnage now the raging Saxons make Our Camp converted to a bloody Lake They first the brave Dunwallo resting found His Cuirass Helm and Iavelin lying round And with their Spears transfixt him on the ground His generous Soul flew upwards with Disdain To be massacred not in Battle slain Morisso next with clattering Swords alarm'd Wak'd with the Noise but naked and unarm'd His Side peirc'd thro' by Horsa's Javelin fell Enrag'd he should his Life so cheaply sell. Then Offa's Spear peirc'd Capor's Bosome through His Soul to Heav'n thro the wide Passage flew Leaving his Body drown'd in purple Gore None serv'd his Prince or lov'd his Country more Edwal a Leader of unblemish'd Fame Who from the Banks of fair Sabrina came Fell by Morino's Spear and by his Side Brave Adomar by Balda's Javelin dy'd Then Meirick in his Breast a fatal Wound Receiv'd and lay extended on the Ground Next Catel who excell'd in youthful Charms Was slain by great Romondo's conquering Arms The glitt'ring Steel did thro' his Bowels pass The Youth expir'd and with him Amel's Race And now what Slaughter reign'd what Heaps of dead What Ruin o'er the blood Camp was spread Thro' the brown Shades at last they found the way To the Pavilion where King Uter lay Who soon awaken'd with the Clamour rose And form'd his Troops th' Invaders to oppose Long their unequal Force he did repel Till peirc'd by Cerdick's fatal Spear he fell Urg'd to retire Arthur our Prayer withstood Tho' faint with Labour Wounds and Loss of Blood We prest him our remaining Hopes to spare And not of Albion's Fortune to despair He does at last to our entreaties yield And with Reluctant Steps forsakes the Field We thro' the Wood retreated where the shade With Cynthia's Rays uncertain Twilight made When the succeeding Day declin'd we came To Alda's Gates a Port of ancient Fame Where we the Night in various Sorrows spent Now Uter now our Country we Lament Just Catel's now now great Dunwallo's Fate And faithful Edwal's fall fresh Grief create While our sad Minds endur'd so rude a Storm Entring the Room great Gabriel's God-like Form Mild Glory and Celestial day diffus'd Advanc'd he these kind words to Arthur us'd Now Albion sinks beneath the Saxon weight So Heav'n Decrees 't is so ordain'd by Fate But after ten times the Revolving Sun His Crooked Race has thro' the Zodiack run The Clouds dispell'd propitious Heav'n shall smile On Uter's House and this reviving Isle Octa shall feel just Heav'n's revenging Stroke And Albion's Youth shall break the Saxon Yoke Mean time brave Prince whom universal Love Attends beneath and Grace Divine above To Odar's Court with speed repair Go Albion's Hopes and my great Trust and Care Go Albion's Hopes with Triumph to return And Rescue those that shall your absence mourn That said his Heav'nly Glory he withdrew And to th' Immortal Seats of Happy Spirits flew Now the fair Morn smiles with a Purple Ray Clearing before the Sun the Eastern Way Whose radiant Train pours from the Gates of Light And the new Day does to new Toil invite We the Celestial Message to obey On a stout Ship that in the Haven lay Ready to Sail embark and hast away The Sky serene a fresh and prosperous Gale Sprang from the Shore and swell'd out every Sail. Albion's white Cliffs and Towers we quickly lost Standing our Course strait to the Neustrian Coast. Where when the Sun twice starting from the East Had ran his Race and reach'd the falling West We safe arriv'd at fair Cartinia's Port And took our way from thence to Odar's Court. Odar a Prince indulgent valiant good Ally'd to Uter by the Mother's Blood The barbarous Goths Incursions then withstood His beauteous Queen with Joy the Prince receiv'd Her Words our Grief her Gifts our Wants reliev'd Here we to ease our troubled Minds remain'd Till Arthur perfect Strength and Vigour gain'd Then taking leave we straight direct our way Unto the Camp where Odar's Forces lay And as we pass'd to mitigate our Grief And to our Woes to give Divine Relief From his blest Tongue such Heav'nly Language flows As did the greatness of his Mind disclose We thought some God-like Cherub to us spoke When from his Lips these high Expressions broke Heav'n's Offspring with divine Contentment blest Enjoy the Empire of a guiltless Breast Tho' spoil'd by prosp'rous Robbers still they find The large Possessions of a peaceful Mind Content alone can all their wrongs redress Content that other name for Happiness Free from Desire they are as free from want And from the Cares that envied Greatness haunt 'T is equal if our Fortunes should augment And stretch themselves to the same vast Extent With our Desires or those Desires abate Shrink and Contract themselves to fit our State Pois'd on their own unshaken Base they view All the Vicissitudes that Time can shew They like tall Mountains are advanc'd so high That the low Clouds do all beneath them fly Hence while loud Storm 's inferiour Seats molest They undisturb'd enjoy soft Peace and Rest. These Men that suit their wishes to their State And pleas'd still with themselves enjoy their Fate Whose modest Passions Reason's Nod obey Are greater Kings than those who Scepters sway They can the Triumphs of a Court despise And the
Authum's Crest he dealt a furious Stroke The Saxon totter'd at th' amazing Shock And fell upon his Knee and while he pray'd And for his Life would many Things have said His sever'd Head off from his Shoulder flies And bounded on the Field his Body lies At a great Distance quivering on the Ground And Streams of Blood spring from his ghastly Wound As when the Summers Soultry Heats draw forth Th' exhaling Moisture from the thirsty Earth When scorching Rays the gaping Plains have fry'd And from their Banks contracted Streams subside If then a Fire invades a spaeious Wood Where Ancient Oaks have long securely stood The conquering Flames advance with lawless Power And with contagious Heat the Trees devour The spreading Burning lays the Forrest waste And sooty Spoils lie smoaking where it past So Arthur with resistless Rage around Destroys and loads with slaughter'd Heaps the Ground Next did the Prince at bold Edburga aim Who from the fertile Banks of Abum came Prince Unna's Son to vast Possessions born Broad Flowers of Gold his shining Coat adorn The piercing Steel deep in his Bosom sunk And Life's pure Stream at the warm Fountain drunk His Arms did next valiant Titullan meet Who fell and quiver'd at the Conquerour's Feet Osrick and beauteous Hengist next appear The first his Fauchion slew the last his Spear Next stout Eldanor did his Fate provoke And off his Head flew at a single Stroke And next he threw at Labert as he fled The Weapon struck him as he turn'd his Head In Gore and Brains the glitt'ring Javelin reeks And from his Veins a Purple Torrent breaks Mean time King Cerdic did around destroy And with thick Deaths his massy Fauchion cloy Him from afar the British Hero spies And wing'd with Fury to assault him flies Cerdic mean time undaunted did appear And forward step'd shaking his dreadful Spear Like one of Anak's mighty Sons he stalk'd Or some tall Oak that after Orpheus walk'd Fixt like a vast Colossus by his Weight He stood expecting his approaching Fate Lowring like rising Tempests from a far He rages and invites th' advanc'ing War Now the Britannic Hero did appear Within the Reach of his prodigious Spear King Cerdic curst and by his Gods defy'd The Briton and aloud to Odin cry'd The glitt'ring Arms by this gay Robber worn Great Odin soon thy Temple shall adorn Assist great Founder of our State the Dart I cast and guide it to his impious Heart Then from his vig'rous Arm his massy Spear Projected sung and hiss'd along the Air. Off from the temper'd Shield the Weapon flew Wounded Glendoran and Alantor flew Then his long Spear the pious Briton cast Th' impetuous Steel thro' all the Thickness past Of Brazen Plates rowl'd Linnen tough Bulls Hide And entring deep did in his Groin abide The fainting Saxon fell upon his Knees Pain'd with his ghastly Wound and trembling fees The Conquering Prince advancing to asswage By striking off his Head his veng'ful Rage Here the brave Lothar that had Wonders done And by his Arms Immortal Praises won For thro' the Host the loud Applauses rung Of mighty Deeds atchiev'd by one so young Transported with his pious Care to bring Assistance to his Uncle and his King Spur'd his hot Courser on and forwards prest Off'ring to Arthur's Arms his valiant Breast He bravely undertook th' unequal Foe To ward from Cerdic's Head the fatal Blow Then his long Spear he threw with Manly Force But Arthur's Buckler stop'd th' impetuous Course Th' applauding Saxons gave a Shout to see The Noble Youth 's excessive Bravery But to his Prince's Aid in vain he flies Who by his former Wound expiring lies And everlasting Sleep shuts up his Eyes But then the British Hero's Javelin fled At Lothar but it pierc'd his Courser's Head Rais'd in the Air upright the gen'rous Beast Gather'd his shiv'ring Feet up to his Breast Then springing strook them out and stagg'ring round Fell head-long with his Rider to the Ground A mighty Groan the dying Courser fetcht And on the Ground a breathless Carcass stretcht And here Immortal Elda shall my Verse Thy unexampled Deed of Love reherse Love which will universal Wonder raise And scarcely find Belief in future Days For whilst the British Hero step'd with Speed To take off with his Fauchion Lothar's Head Who with his Steed opprest and wounded lies Fair Elda rush'd between and thus she cries Before your fatal Sword takes Lothar's Life Victorious Prince hear his unhappy Wife Faln on her Knees she did her Helm unlace And shew'd the charming Beauties of her Face The blooming Looks of Spring and lovely Red Of opening Roses on her Cheeks were spread Her Eyes that sparkled like the Stars above Appear'd both th' Armory and Throne of Love Where thousands of alluring Graces wait And mingling Charms form Love's triumphal State Bright Ethelina her and all excell'd She the next Place in Beauty's Empire held Nor did her Looks less Admiration move While mild Confusion Sorrow Fear and Love With Beauteous Conflict for the Vict'ry strove A Shower of Tears flow'd down her lovely Face Which from her Grief receiv'd yet sweeter Grace At the great Conq'rour's feet she threw her Charms And lifting up to Heav'n her snowy Arms Aloud she spoke a wretched Woman's Prayer Great Briton here and my dear Lothar spare Since first his Bride within his Arms I lay Scarce two full Golden Months are stoln away Which in Love's Calendar scarce make a Day With Prayers and Tears and tender Words I strove And all th' ingaging Arts of mournful Love To keep him from the Dangers of the Field And when th' obdurate Man refus'd to yield About him my despairing Arms I flung And on his Neck o'erwhelm'd with Grief I hung I then conjur'd him to avoid with Care Your fatal Arms so much renown'd in War Away he goes and as he said adieu He touch'd my Life and my stretcht Heart-strings drew For still I fear'd that the heroic Fire And thirst of Fame that did his Soul inspire Would make him think no Dangers were too great Till rushing on your Arms he urg'd his Fate My conscious Fears this sad Event presag'd If e'er with you in Combate he engag'd Therefore in Arms I did my Limbs disguise And undertook this dang'rous Enterprize That if he rashly sought so great a Foe I might between him and your fatal Blow My Bosom interpose and in my Heart To save his dearer Life receive the Dart. Or if Occasion were to intercede As now I do and for his Safety plead I pray by all that is to Mortals dear By all the Gods that you and we revere Let this sad Object your Compassion move Regard his Valour and regard my Love Oh! Let his hapless Fate your Soul incline Pity his glooming Youth or pity mine Oh melt beneath divine Compassion's Charms Let not your Breast be harder then your Arms. Save his dear Life he of his Noble Line The only Branch remains as I of mine Christians
I have been willing to do If I have not succeeded my disappointment will be the less in that Poetry has been so far from being my Business and Profession that it has imploy'd but a small part of my Time and then but as my Recreation and the Entertainment of my idle hours If this Attempt succeeds so far as to excite some other Person that has a noble Genius Leisure and Application to Honour his Country with a just Epick Poem I shall think the Vacancies and Intervals that for about two years past I have had from the Business of my Profession which notwithstanding was then greater then at any time before have been very well imploy'd Books lately Printed for and Sold by A. J. Churchil at the Black Swan in Pater-Noster-Row A View of Universal History from the Creation to the Year of Christ 1695. wherein the most memorable Persons and Things in the known Kingdoms and Countries of the World are set down in several Columns by way of Synchronism according to their proper Centuries and Years By Francis Tallents sometime Fellow of Magdalen College Cambridge The whole graven in 16 Copper-plates each 15 Inches deep and 22 broad bound up into Books the Sheets lined A Work of great Exactness and Curiosity Price 16 s. Camden's Britannia newly Translated into English with large Additions and Improvements By Edmund Gibson of Queens College in Cambridge The General History of the Air. By Robert Boyle Esq A Compleat Journal of the Votes Speeches and Debates both of the House of Lords and House of Commons throughout the whole Reign of Queen Elizabeth Collected by Sir Simonds Dewes Baronet and Published by Paul Bowes of the Middle-Temple Esq The Second Edition The Works of the famous Nicholas Machiavel Citizen and Secretary of Florence Written Originally in Italian and from thence faithfully Translated into English Mr. Lock 's Essay concerning Humane Understanding The Second Edition with large Additions his Thoughts of Education 8o. The Fables of Aesop and other Mithologists made English by Sir Roger L'Estrange Kt. Fol. Two Treatises of Government The first an Answer to Filmer's Patriarchae The latter an Essay concerning the true Original Extent and End of Civil Government 8o. Notitia Monastica or a short History of the Religious Houses in England and Wales c. By Thomas Tanner A. B. The Resurrection of the same Body asserted from the Traditions of the Heathens the Ancient Jews and the Primitive Church With an Answer to the Objections brought against it By Humphry Hody D. D. Bishop Wilkins of Prayer and Preaching Enlarged by the Bishop of Norwich and Dr. Williams 8o. Considerations about lowering the Interest and raising the Value of Money 8o. Short Observations on a Printed Paper intituled For encouraging the Coining Salver Money in England and after for keeping it here Sir Temple's History of the Netherlands 8o. Miscellanea 8o. Dr. Gibson's Anatomy of Humane Bodies with Additions 8o. Dr. Patrick's new Version of all the Psalms of David in Metre 12o. Mr. L'Clerc Logica 12o. Two Treatises of Rational Religion 8o. Gentleman's Religion with the Grounds and Reasons of it In which the Truth of Christianity in general is vindicated its Simplicity asserted and some Introductory Rules for the discovering of its particular Doctrines and Precepts are proposed By a private Gentleman In the Press Leland de Viris illustratibus and Boston of Bury from the MSS. with large Improvements and a Continuation By Mr. Tanner Sir Baker's Chronicle of the Kings of England continued down to this time Cambridge Concordance Fol. ERRATA PAge 14. line 12. read Dominions p. 16. l. 25. r. Armoric p. 17. l. 10. r. mingled p. 46. l. 3. r. Emanations p 50. l. 1. r. roll p. 54. l. 20. r. brighter p 58. l. 19. r. unexampled p. 62. l. 9. r. gilded and dele had l. 20. r. drawn p. 63. l. 32. dele with Joy p. 65. l. 6. r. Conversation p. 66. l. 13. r. ly p. 66. l. 14. r. Bank p. 68. l. 1. r. Sphears p. 84. l. 31. r. they 're p. 85. l. 9. r. Illusions p. 114. l. 22. r. bloody p. 137. l. 19. r. Oblivion l. 17. r. Naphtha p. 147. l. 11. r. Northumbrian p. 161. l. 9. r. Meridoc ib. l. r. Ordovician p. 165. l. 27. r. great p. 167. l. 29. r. Osron p. 169. l. 22. r. Turbulent p. 175. l. 7. r. Titullan p. 177. l. 25. r. Maximius p. 177. l. 30. r. rise p. 171. l. 13. r. Earthquakes p. 178. l. 23. r. Decree p. 185. l. 22. r. in p. 188. l. 21. r. Land l. 23. r. this p. 189. l. 19. r. sharp'ning p. 213. l. 27. r. Daughters p. 218. l. 24. r. from p. 224. l. 21. r. stoop'd p. 236. l. 19. r. spacious p. 242. l. 18. r. Princes generous p. 249. l. 8. r. trail'd backwards p. 251. l. 20. r. of p. 252. l. 16. r. they p. 264. l. 13. r. Picti p. 275 l. 32. r. blow p. 294. l. 13. r. into p. 294. l. 17. r. upon Prince Arthur BOOK I. I Sing the Briton and his Righteous Arms Who bred to Suff'rings and the rude Alarms Of bloody War forsook his Native Soil And long sustain'd a vast Heroick Toil Till kinder Fate invited his Return To bless the Isle that did his Absence mourn To re-enthrone fair Liberty and break The Saxon Yoke that gall'd Britannia's Neck Tell Sacred Muse what made th' Infernal King Use all his Arts and all his Forces bring The Generous Briton's Triumphs to oppose Afflict his Friends and aid his cruel Foes Tell why the angry Pow'rs below combine T' oppress a Valiant Prince and thwart his brave Design Ambitious Lucifer depos'd of late From Bliss Divine and high Angelick State Sinks to the dark unbottom'd Deep of Hell Where Sin and Death and endless Sorrow dwell Here plung'd in Flame and tortur'd with Despair He plots Revenge and meditates new War His Thoughts on deep Designs th' Apostate spent When this Conjuncture favour'd his Intent A spacious dusky Plain lay wast and void Where yet Creating Power was ne'er employ'd To fashion Elements or strike out Light The silent lonesome Walks of ancient Night In th' Archives kept in Heav'n's bright Towers was found A sacred old Decree wherein the Ground Was set distinctly out from Ages past For a new World on this unbounded Wast Here did th' Artificer Divine of late The World so long before markt out create And gave it to the Man he newly made Where all things him as he did Heav'n obey'd In Eden's Walks he made his blest Abode All full of Joy of Glory full of God Nature with vast Profusion on him pours Unmeasur'd Bliss from unexhausted Stores Th' Apostate raging at his own Defeat And envying this new Prince his happy Seat Labours to win him to his Side to bear Arms against Heav'n and wage Confed'rate War Nor did his Arts in vain weak Man assail His false Seraphick Tongue and Charms prevail Deluded Man from his high Station
on his Way but sent before Embassadors to Hoel to explore His temper and the Genius of his Court That he just steps might take by their Report He chose out to discharge this weighty Trust Valiant Pollador Roderick the Just And Faithful Galbut Friends that in distress A thing unknown to Courts their Love express Soon after Hoel had his Entrance made At the same City they arriv'd and staid But little for th' admission which they pray'd Then Hoel first the Britons thus addrest Let no sad Thought your pious Prince molest A Message sent from Heav'n preventing yours To me great Joy Safety to him procures Friendship and Love fill my enlighten'd Mind From Hatred purg'd from Treachery refin'd Return and let your Valiant Leader know His God has to a Friend transform'd his Foe Tell him he 's safe from all intended Harms And that I hast t' Embrace him in my Arms. With Regal Bounty he to all presents Rich Swords and various splendid Ornaments To Arthur sends a Chariot dazling bright That to the Sun return'd redoubled Light And Horses of th' Iberian Noble Race That right Descent from the swift Eurus trace Bold Gen'rous Sprightly as th' Illustrious Breed That in th' Etherial blue Enclosures Feed That thro Heav'n's Wast with the Sun's Chariot play And govern Time by carrying round the Day Their Furniture of Gold their Bridles Gold And golden Bits their champing Mouths did hold They hast and all their Diligence employ To fill Just Arthur's Mind with Peace and Joy To him returning they impart at large The kind endearing Things they had in Charge As when his Sons to Iacob did relate That Ioseph liv'd and liv'd in Regal State Telling of all his Riches Power Renown Egypt's Support and Prop to Pharoah's Crown Resistless Floods of sudden Pleasure Roll Along his Veins and break in on his Soul He sinks beneath the pressure of his Joy And Ioseph's Life does almost his destroy Then Doubts and Fears his Joys high Tyde oppose From which Contention fiercer Tempests rose While his cross Passions fight with equal Power Each Triumphs in his turn as Conquerour The Patriarch in this Distraction lost Is in each Storm with equal Danger tost But when the Chariots and rich Train he saw He did from thence fresh Life and Vigour draw His Breast from all contending Passions freed Calm Joy and unmolested Peace succeed Enough the Patriarch was heard to Cry I 'll hast to Ioseph's Arms and in them Dye So when Just Arthur heard the Message first His wavering Mind with Fears and wise Distrust And rising Tydes of suddain Joy was tost Uncertain which strong Passion press'd him most But when he saw the Presents Hoel sent His Doubts suppress'd he grew more Confident And his calm Mind eas'd of his anxious Cares T' embrace his new and generous Friend prepares And now advancing Night the Sky invades While close pursu'd by the Victorious Shades The Rayes that faintly from the Ground recoil On the green Fields let fall their pearly spoil When Arthur to his secret Joys retires Where his exhaling Soul to Heav'n aspires In sacred Anhelations and inflam'd Desires Fixt Contemplation feeds his Hope and Love With rapt'rous Preludes to the Joys above His ravish'd Eyes view the unmeasur'd Bliss In the next Life enjoy'd believ'd in this So David often pass'd the silent Night And in his Transports felt sublime Delight Surpassing all that mighty Monarchs have That his own Crown and all his Triumphs gave While baser Birds the humble Vally love And sing contented with their little Grove The Eagle's generous Pride does nobly rise To Heav'n and thence does this low World despise Scorning a Vulgar Bough he thinks he sees Woods in the Clouds and hanging Groves of Trees Thither he hasts and leaves th' ignoble Brood That aim no higher to their Shrubs and Wood. If to his Prey he stoops ashamed he flies Back to his airy Dwelling in the Skies Where in the Clouds he hides his Royal Head Safe from the Snares that watchful Fowlers spread So Men of courser Mould and baser Birth Pleas'd with the Dust lye grov'ling on the Earth For Food their Souls all foul and bloated seek The Damps and Steams that from its Bowels reek While Men divinely Born still upwards move And scorn this World that courts in vain their Love In Flames of Zeal and Pangs of pure Desire These to the Seats of Light and Peace aspire Where they converse with the blest Minds above And wonder what on Earth invites Mens Love This Molehill Earth has lost its former Charms Molehill for Bulk and Stings wherewith it swarms With Wonder they observe how Mortals Pride Can into Kingdoms this small Heap divide How one t' enlarge the Empire he has got Invades the Borders of his Neighbour's spot How this proud Monarch of a Turf is vext With restless cares to dispossess the next As Heav'n's vast Globes that fill the World with Light Seem little Balls to distant Mortals sight That in the most capacious Planets we No room for States and large Dominions see So these more noble Minds advanc'd so high Believe the same of us that from the Sky The low-hung Earth's contracted Body Spy They keep above free from the fatal Nets That for unwary Feet the Tempter sets Free from the Earth's dark smoke and endless Noise They dwell in Peace and feed on Heav'nly Joys Such Pleasures Arthur while retir'd enjoy'd And wish'd he ever might be thus employ'd And now th' radiant Gates of th' Eastern Sky Unbar'd by bright Aurora open fly Strait issues out the Sun with mighty Force As Gyants do prepar'd to run his Course The joyful Britons all things ready make And their new Friend to meet their Journy take Scarce had the Sun his glitt'ring Chariot driv'n Up the steep Brow and sharp Ascent of Heav'n When the glad Princes did each other meet And Hoel thus did first the Stranger greet As a faint Traveller in Arabian Sands Scorcht with the burning Sun-beams panting stands Views the dry Desart with despairing Eyes And for the Springs and distant Rivers Sighs As Sailers long for Land Heav'n's Aid implore And with their greedy wishes grasp the Shore When beaten from the hospitable Coast And in loud Storms upon the Ocean tost Where Ruin in so many Shapes appears They scarcely can attend to all their Fears I 've wish'd to see you with the like desire The Oracle of whom I must enquire The way to Peace and Everlasting Bliss Which lost in Night and unknown Paths I miss When first I set out with an hostile Mind And Evils which I dread to name design'd The Powers that guard your sacred Life alarm'd Soon interpos'd and my wild Hand disarm'd Kind Heav'n that both our Safeties did design Turn'd from your Head the Blow the Guilt from mine For on the way a Glory dreadful Bright Around me shone and with excessive Light As they do Stars the weaker Sun-beams drown'd I as transfixt fell headlong to the
Fields Chariots of War in Clouds of Dust advance And tossing up their Foam the thundring Coursers Prance Their Army's Wings stretcht out they to the Foes A long extended Ridge of War oppose The British Squadrons tho outnumber'd far Run boldly on the horrid Edge of War To make their Front the thin Battalions ran But stretcht not equal to the Saxon Van. Both Armies thus rang'd in Battalia stood And Death prepar'd her thirsty Jaws for Blood From the Celestial Host a glorious Band Of Seraphs was detach'd by high Command Hither the shining Warriours did repair And drawn in long Array stood in the Air. Their Blades divinely temper'd flam'd on high And blazing Shields inlighten all the Sky Impenetrable Shields drawn from the Towers Of Heav'n's high Ars'nal fill'd with warlike Stores Th' Angelick Cuirassiers in Armour shone Of Adamant from Rocks Empyreal hewn High milk white Plumes like Snowy Clouds arise From their bright Crests and Nod against the Skies Rich Helmets of Immortal beaten Gold Adorn their Heads Brass of Etherial mould Refin'd above their joynted Gauntlets made Brass that the Teeth of Time can ne'er invade Broad silver Belts richly embroider'd o'er Rare Seraphs work their shining Shoulders bore And round them Sky-dy'd Purple Scarfs they wore Michael a Prince in Heav'n of first renown Who like a Sun high in his Chariot shone This bright Detachment did in Chief Command Charg'd to maintain strict Guard and to withstand Th' Attempts that might by Hellish Fiends be made Sent by their Prince the Christian to invade While Lucifer on the white Mountain's Head His black Infernal Crew about him spread With Malice Rage and Pride extended sate High on his dusky Throne resolv'd to wait And see if this important ' Day 's Event Would answer with success his curst intent In glitt'ring Arms the dazling Prince appears Before his Troops the Saxon sees and fears His Helm of polish'd Steel brac'd round his Head Did o'er the Field a glorious Terrour spread Bright Stones and high rais'd Needle Work adorn The shining Belt across his Shoulders worn His fatal Sword the Bane of Gothick Pride With fearful Grace hung by his warlike Side Odar the Neustrian of this famous Blade Inur'd to Victory a Present made To Arthur when from Albion first he came To Odar's Camp to win Heroick Fame Lodar did with this Gift King Odar grace A valiant Hero of the Neustrian Race His radiant Shield of Brass its outmost Fold Th' inmost temper'd Steel the midst of Gold Was the rare Work of Lycon's skilful Toil From which unpeirc'd the sharpest Darts recoil Bright like a Sun it did fierce Glory dart Where might be seen pourtray'd with wondrous Art Strong Towns besieg'd and famous Battels won And great Exploits by ancient Heros done Who to defend their Country bravely fought By Men inspir'd in sacred Volumes wrote Here th' Israelites kind Heav'n's peculiar Care Their famous Gen'ral Ioshua leads to War The Rocky Desart past with wondrous Toil With Marches worn and heavy with the Spoil From vanquish'd Baashan and King Sihon won Where their illustrious Triumphs first begun Advance their Ensigns Canaan to invade Ripe by their full grown Sins for Conquest made To Iordan's Streams they come straight to his Head His Waves roll'd back obsequious Iordan fled The naked Channel shews his sandy Face And gives the Fav'rite Nation leave to pass Th' astonish'd Canaanites like Iordan fly And weep to see their Guardian River dry Here valiant Gideon with his Troop by Night March'd out t' attack the haughty Midianite The Foe like Locusts numberless was pour'd Around the Vale and all its Fruits devour'd But dreading Gideon's Arms the Spoilers fly And by his Sword and by their own they die King Zeba and Zalmunna with a throng Of Captive Princes draw their Chains along Here in the plain stretcht like some spacious Wood In long Array the throng'd Philistines stood Goliah issuing from their opening Files Of Bulk stupendous hideous with the Spoils Of yellow Lyons slain and shaggy Bears Towring before their shouting Host appears With haughty Air the wondrous Figure strode His Sword his Trust and his right Hand his God Beneath his Weight the Vally seem'd to shake But his pale Foes did more than seem to quake Gnashing his Teeth the grinning Monster stood Himself an Army and his Spear a Wood. Sufficient Stores whole Mines could scarcely yield For his wide Cuirass and prodigious Shield Where Figures pourtray'd of fierce Monsters shone But none so fierce and monstrous as his own High in the Clouds his brazen Helm did show Like some vast Temple 's gilded Cupilo His mighty Legs that brazen Boots embrac'd Tall Pillars seem'd with Corinth Mettal cas'd Thus arm'd he stood and by his Mein did seem To curse aloud to threaten and blaspheme His beck'ning Hand held proudly up invites To combate all the trembling Hebrew Knights Tho vast of Bulk he bigger swells with Pride He curst their Army and their Gods defy'd Here God-like David in the flowry Bloom Of Youth and Beauty brings the Monster 's Doom To kindle Love or Pity fitter far Then the rough Passions that attend on War And likelier by his Youth 's engaging Charms To wound the Anakite then with his Arms. Yet bravely he embrac'd th' unequal War And scorn'd his Rage that curst him from afar The fatal Stone by the young Hero flung Cut thro' the Air and sure of Triumph sung It pierc'd the Cyclops Head his Carcass fell Swift to the Ground his Soul as swift to Hell Faln on his Face he bites the trembling Ground And Brains and Gore break thro' the gaping Wound Wallowing he lay a vast extended Load Like a great Island in a Sea of Blood His gastly Eye-balls strive with parting Light And swim and roll into eternal Night Here Saul receiv'd the charming conquering Boy The Captains blush'd for Shame and wept for Joy His Brothers griev'd to see the glorious Day Prompted with Pride and Envy shrunk away Here Iudah's Daughter flowry Garlands bring They crown young David and presage him King In Songs and Dances they his Deeds proclaim And Saul's is lessen'd to advance his Fame Here mighty Sampson hot with Martial Rage A numerous Army does alone engage His Sword high wav'd reeking in Sweat and Blood O'er slaughter'd Heaps th' invading Conquerour strode His fatal Arms his Foes no longer bear But their whole Host flies from his single Spear Confus'dly o'er the Field lay spread about Wide Ruin Spoils and ignominious Rout. Here valiant David's Troops victorious come From their Assyrian Expedition home Vast were the Spoils that from the glorious Day Won on Damascus's Plains they bore away King Hadadezer's Arms in Triumph born And Purple Robes by their soft Princes worn And sparkling Gems that did their Ears adorn Rich Collars Chains and blazing Shields of Gold Vast Silver Bowls that richer Metal hold High gilded Dishes graven or emboss'd Treasure immense that Syria had engross'd Purple Pavilions once in lofty Rows And
from the side Of some high Lybian Mountain has descry'd A spotted Leopard or a foaming Boar To rouse his Courage he begins to roar He shakes his hideous Sides his Bristles rise And fiercely round he rowls his fiery Eyes Again he roars his Paws the Mountains tear A fearful Preface to th' ensuing War High in his Chariot Tollo then advanc'd And from his Arms amazing Lustre glanc'd A Martial Ardour sparkled in his Eyes And hot with Choler he the Foe defies So when the Spring 's warm Breath and chearing Ray Calls from his Cave th' awaken'd Snake that lay Folded to Rest while Winter Snows conceal'd The Mountains Heads and Frosts the Lakes congeal'd The sloughy Spoils from his sleek Back depos'd And the gay Pride of his new Skin disclos'd He views himself with Youthful Beauties crown'd Elated casts his haughty Eyes around And rolls his speckled spires along the Ground Fresh Colours dy his Sides and thro' his Veins Turgid with Life reviving Vigour reigns The sprightly Beast unfolds upon the Plain The glossy Honours of his Summer Train His Crest erected high and forky Tongue Shot out he hisses bounds and leaps along Such Life and Vigour valiant Tollo shows Marching with eager Haste to meet his Foes And now the British Host advanc'd in sight With chearful Looks and eager of the Fight Prince Arthur in refulgent Arms appear'd High in the midst the Saxons saw and fear'd As when a Merchant richly laden spies A lowring storm far in th' Horizon rise A deadly Fear o'er all his Vitals reigns And his chill Blood hangs curdled in his Veins He furls his sails and fits his ship to bear The dreadful Hurricane ascending thro' the Air. Now both th' embattled Hosts advancing near King Tollo shakes his long outrageous Spear And crying out and threatning from afar In his swift Chariot flew amidst the War His rapid Wheels cut thro' the thickest Files With fearful Ruine and prodigious Spoils Hapless Vodinar first his Arm did feel And in his Breast receiv'd the pointed steel Next Byron on the Sand expiring lies Orpes flies to his Aid and with him dies Kentwin Morosten Caradoc he slew And with his Javelin pierc'd stout Mervin thro' Then you brave Youths Risan and Tudor fell Who did in strength and martial skill excel His fatal spear transfixt bold Arnon's sides And from his Neck his Sword the Head divides As Udas fled the hissing Dart he sent Enter'd his Back and thro' his Navel went He fell and on the Dust sad to behold His Bowels issuing from his Belly roll'd Runo's right Knee his Javelin did invade And in the Bone the glitt'ring Weapon staid Strong Runo fell and as he wildly star'd And many moving Words in hast prepar'd To beg his Life th' insulting Conquerour flew And with his Spear pierc'd his pale Body thro' Groaning he lay and fetcht long double Sighs While in thick Mists Death swims upon his Eyes Next Leoline King Cadwall's Son he kill'd A beauteous Youth and not in War unskill'd His Head the Fauchion to the Shoulders cleft And on the Dust his groveling Body left Ouenar felt within a sudden Dread And turning round his Chariot would have fled When his long Spear the fierce Albanian threw Which crasht the Bones and thro' the Temples flew Headlong Ouenar fell and on the Ground Lay welt'ring in his Blood pour'd from his Wound His fatal Weapons vast Destruction made And where he pass'd the slain in Heaps were laid So when a Flood from th' Hyperborean Hills Rolls thund'ring down and all the Valley fills Where the high Snows dissolv'd by Summer Beams In one vast Deluge joyn their various Streams The roaring Tide with its impetuous Course O'erflows the Banks and with resistless Force Sweeps Houses Harvest Herds and Flocks away Nor can the loftiest Mounds its Progress stay With equal Rage with such impetuous Hast Great Tollo thro' the thick Battalions past The rapid Wheels of his swift Chariot burn And in their Course the throng'd Brigades o'erturn O'er scatter'd Arms bright Helms broad Shields of Brass And broken Spears his raging Axles pass O'er Heaps of Dead the furious Warrior flies And fills with Dust and ratling Noise the Skies The squallid Field a Crimson Torrent choaks And mingled Dust and Blood oppress his Chariot's spoakes The trembling Ground th' outrageous Coursers tear And snoring brow their Foam into the Air. Their fervid Nostrils breath out Clouds of Smoke And Flames of Fire from their hot Eyeballs broke With furious Hoofs o'er slaughter'd Heaps they fly And dash up Bloody Rain amidst the Sky Reeking in sweat and smear'd with Dust and Gore They spurn the Sand and thro' the Battel roar Then valiant Malgo with a fresh Brigade Advanc'd the mighty Warriour to invade While from another Part his Warlike Band Bothan led up and made a noble Stand. Now Showers of Darts and feather'd Arrows fly At Tollo's Breast that darken'd all the Sky When valiant Marodan approaching near With all his Strength casts his impetuous Spear It pass'd the Buckler's Plates and folded Hide And thro' his Armour slightly raz'd his Side Tollo incens'd collecting all his Might Broke thro' their Ranks and put the Foe to Flight Now dire Destruction reigns amidsts their Files And all the Field was spread with warlike Spoils So when Battavian Harpooniers assail With their sharp Launces some prodigious Whale That like a floating Mountain lies at Ease Vastly extended on the frozen Seas When the Leviathan begins to feel Within his wounded side the bearded steel And looking round sees all the ambient Flood Deeply distain'd with its old Monarch's Blood Straight all enrag'd he throws himself about And thro' the Air does Crimson Rivers spout Swift as a storm he does the Foe assail VVith his expanded Fins and hideous Tail Some Barks are crush'd as with a falling Rock And some o'erturn'd sink with the dreadful Shock The rest ply all their Oars and frighted row Thro' Fields of Ice to shun th' unequal Foe Canvallo then brought up a stronger Force Whom Galbut joyn'd to stop th' Albanian's Course The fainting Britons these fresh Troops protect And with their Arms great Tollo's Triumphs checkt And now their thick Brigades were close engag'd And thro' the bloody Field Destruction rag'd Now Man to Man stood close and Spear to Spear Helms mixt with Helms and Shields with Shields appear Arrows aloft in feather'd Tempests fly Darts hiss at Darts encountring in the Sky A dreadful Noise distracting all the Air Came from the hoarce Cerberean Throat of War While Arms on Arms Bucklers on Bucklers ring Swords clash with Swords and flying Javelins sing Some threaten loud while some for Quarter cry And some insult while some in Torment dy As when a Torrent down some Mountain's Side To the low Valleys rolls its rapid Tide Where mighty Stones and rocky Fragments high Within the rude unfashion'd Channels ly O'er abrupt Tracks its Course the Deluge bends And roaring down with mighty Falls descends Prodigious Noise
th' Aerial Region fills The Shepherds hear and tremble on their Hills Or as When high Vesuvius stow'd with wealthy Stores Preluding to some dire Irruption roars While horrible Convulsions shake its Womb And lab'ring Sides which hidden War entomb Th' imprison'd Thunder bellows under Ground And the loud Noise fill all the Heav'ns around August Parthenope's gilt Turrets shake And fair Campania's wealthy Farmers quake Such was the loud distracting Noise of War Such horrid Clamours tore th' aflicted Air While the fierce Foes against each other rag'd And for Britannia's Empire were engag'd The neighing Steeds and wounded Warriours cries And rising Clouds of Dust confound the Skies Mordred mean time the mighty Pictan King Does to the Charge his threatning Squadrons bring Sticking his Golden Rowels in the Sides Of his huge Steed amidst the Ranks he rides The British Horse unshaken as a Rock Bravely sustain'd th' Invaders thundring Shock King Meridoc who did the Horse command Confirm'd his Men to make so brave a stand Yet many valiant Britons Mordred slew First with his Spear he pierc'd brave Iasper thro' The valiant Giffith by unhappy Chance Came in his Way and felt his fatal Launce Beneath his Ear the Weapon pierc'd his Head He fell and in a Moment stretcht out dead His furious Arm noble Lodanar felt On whose high Crest so fierce a stroke he dealt The Briton stun'd with the prodigious Blow Drops the loos'd Reins and lets his Weapons go The frighted Courser thro the Battle Flies Lodanor in the Dust dismounted lies The Horses Hoofs in pieces crush his Head And deep into the Mire his Bowels tread Then with great Fury he at Adel flew And grip'd him with his furious Hand and drew The Briton from his Seat his fiery Steed Scours o'er the Field from his lost Rider freed Wrigling and spurning in his Arms the Prey Midst loud Applauses Mordred bears away So when an Eagle from some Mountain's Top To truss a timerous Leveret makes a stoop And in his crooked Pounces takes him up Struggling he mounts and squeaks amidst the Skies And faster than he ran before he flies To fight the Pict straight Guinan did advance But in his Shield broke his projected Launce Then at the Mordred's Javelin flew It mist the Rider but the Courser slew Extended on the Ground the groaning Beast Th' unhappy Rider with his Weight opprest Mordred dismounts and with his glitt'ring Dart Loudly insulting stabs him to the Heart Guinan a Friend to Meridoc was dear Who at his Death enrag'd caught up his Spear And shaking it from far with mighty Rage Spurs thro' their Ranks King Mordred to engage The Pictan Monarch who elated stood Like some tall Oak that overlooks the Wood Or some high Tower which with its lofty Head Surveys the Towns beneath around it spread Lifts his Gigantick Spear and cry'd aloud To Meridoc advancing thro' the Crowd Briton come on and but a Moment stand A glorious Fate expect from Mordred's Hand Let not thy Fears perswade thee hence to flie Heav'ns give thee Courage to come up and die King Meridoc his Spear in Answer sent Which in the Shield's third Ply its Fury spent Then Mordred threw aloft the Weapon hist Ludar it slew but Meridoc it mist. Brave Ludar was a Lord of Neustrian Blood Who long in vain the fair Marinda woo'd To bless him with her Smiles and heal his Wound But from the scornful Maid no Pity found Lost in Despair he left his native Soil His Torments to beguile with Martial Toil. Now wounded by an erring Spear he lies Cry'd out Marinda cruel Fate and dies Then did the Briton's second Weapon fly Which thro' his Armour pierc'd King Mordred's Thigh Which from the Flesh he strove to draw in vain Then flew about wreckt with Tormenting Pain Wildly he star'd and turn'd his Courser's Head Aloud he roar'd and from the Combat fled So when a Sword-Fish urg'd with generous Rage Does a vast Whale in Northern Seas engage The Finny Warriours with a furious Course To Battel rush and meet with wondrous Force A noble Fight ensues and dreadful Strokes Afflict the Main and shake the neighb'ring Rocks As they advance they drive high Seas before The Monsters bellow and the Billows roar The boiling Sea with greater Fury raves Then when incumbent Storms press on its Waves The Surges raging with intestine War With high curl'd Heads look terrible from far The Foam of breaking Waves in pointed Sleet Like driven Snow does on the Ocean beat At every Shock the dashing Waters fly And clouds of Liquid dust obscure the Sky At last the Whale his shining Belly goar'd By his fierce Enemy's invading Sword Wild with his Rage and Pain whole Seas does spout And like a floating Island rolls about The wounded Monster does the Seas out roar And tumbles thro' the Billows to the Shore Leaving behind broad Tracks of Purple Gore Thus strove the Pictan and the British Horse While pious Arthur with resistless Force In radiant Arms bright as th' autumnal Star Flies thro' the Foe himself a fearful War With his victorious Sword which wav'd on high Made flaming Bows and Arches in the Sky The Body of their Battel he invades And thro' a Sea of Blood victorious wades Where'er the Conq'rour did his progress bend Ruin and wide Destruction did attend Prodigious Numbers by his Weapons fall And on their Gods in vain the Saxons call He made his way like an impetuous Flood Or furious Burning raging thro' the Wood Where'er he pass'd the Dead lay thick behind As sapless Leaves spread by a boistrous Wind. Uffina first a valiant Lord did feel In his left Side the Briton's piercing steel Next Godred fell from valiant Ingulf sprung And as he fell his Arms upon him rung Next fell the famous Ethelbert betwixt The Head and Shoulders with a Dart transfixt Nothing his Courage or illustrious Blood That to his Veins from mighty Odin's stow'd Nothing his well prov'd Armour when assail'd By Arthur's hand the noble Youth avail'd Struggling he lay and wallow'd on the Ground In the warm Streams that rush'd out from his Wound A gloomy Night o'erwhelms his dying Eyes And his disdainful Soul from his pale Bosom flies Then Imerick he slew a valiant Chief And Lodocan that rush'd to his Relief One with his Fauchion th' other with his Spear That cleft the Head this pierc'd from Ear to Ear. Next from his Arm a singing Javelin sent Thro' the left Groin of mighty Crida went The wounded Chief retires in tort'ring Pain And Tracks of Blood his halting Leg distain Then Sigebert a noble Youth he slew The fatal Weapon pierc'd his Temples thro' His furious Dart did next at Ebald fly Which thro' his Shield pierc'd deep into his Thigh Inflam'd with Rage and roaring out with Pain He strove to pull the Weapon out in vain His Javelin next transfixt Congellars's Reins And out his Life gush'd from his open'd Veins Then Edbert fell Thro' the Bright Helmet which his Head
Voices rais'd they might each other hear Then Tollo cry'd aloud Till now distress'd without a Friend or Home In forraign Lands you did an Exile roam Here stop your Course your Soul mean time shall go A wandring Exile to the Shades below I 'll take off with this Sword your gasping Head And in your Spoils fair Ethelina wed Were you brave Hector or his braver Foe Or Godlike Hercules I 'd stand your Blow Did you advance with Thunder in your Hand Against your Bolts I would undaunted stand But such a mighty Foe I need not fear You bear not such a Shield nor such a Spear Oh! that bright Ethelina now stood by To see her Lover and my Rival dy Thus boastful Tollo did his Choler vent And thus in Air his empty Threats were spent The pious Prince enrag'd without Reply Shakes his long Spear and hastes to Victory As when a roaming Lyon from a far Sees a strong Bull stand threat'ning furious War Who flourishes his Horns looks sowrly round And hoarcely bellowing traverses the Ground For want of Foes he does the Wood provoke Runs his curl'd Head against the next tall Oak Wishing a nobler Object of his Stroke The Lyon fir'd regards him with Disdain And to insult him scowrs along the Plain So Arthur boyling with Heroic Rage Springs with a full Carrier King Tollo to engage Collected in himself th' Albanian stood Like some tall shady Pine it self a Wood Or a vast Cyclops wading thro' the Flood Then Tollo first Arthur advancing near With all his Force casts his long Ashen Spear Which Arthur on his temper'd Buckler took While with the vast concern the Britons shook Thro' the first Plate of Brass the Weapon went But in the next its dying Force was spent Then from his valiant Arm the Briton threw His Javelin singing thro' the Air it flew The yielding Buckler did its Force obey And thro' the Plates and Hide it made its Way Thro' the thin Joynts of Steel the Spear did fly And wounded as it past his mighty Thigh The Blood sprung thro' his Armour from the Wound And trickling down the Plate distain'd the Ground Then did King Tollo's second Weapon fly Which broke within the Buckler's second Ply The British Prince another Weapon threw Which Tollo stooping o'er his Shoulders flew And falling went so deep upon the Ground No Arm of Force to draw it out was found These Weapons spent to end the noble Fight The furious Warriours from their Steeds alight And as they nimbly leapt unto the Ground The most undaunted Chiefs that stood around So fearful was the Chinck their Armour made Started as Men surpriz'd and look'd afraid Then furious Strokes on either Side they deal The ecchoing Air rings with the dreadful Peal Pale with the vast Concern both Armies look And for their Champion's Life with Terrour shook So when two vig'rous Stags each of his Herd The haughty Lord thro' all the Forrest fear'd Resolv'd to try which must in Combate yield In all their Might advance across the Field They nod their lofty Heads and from a far Flourish their Horns preluding to the War The Combatants their threatning Head incline And with their clashing Horns in Battel joyn They rush to combate with amazing Strokes And their high Antlets meet with dreadful Shocks The mighty Sound runs ratling o'er the Hills And Eccho with the Fight the Valley fills Retiring oft the Warriours cease to push But then with fiercer Rage to Battel rush The trembling Herds at Distance gaze and stay To know the Conquerour whom they must obey No less concern'd Saxons and Britons stand To see the Victor who must both command Now Tollo backwards shrinks and panting stood Faint with his Labour and his Loss of Blood The British Prince enrag'd to see the Fight So far prolong'd collecting all his Might With double Fury on th' Albanian prest And his bright Sword high rais'd upon his Crest Descended with so horrible a Sway It stun'd the Foe and took his Sense away He dropt his Arms and giddy reel'd about The joyful Britons raise a mighty Shout Arthur on fire le ts not th' Advantage go But stepping forward with a back hand Blow Drawn with prodigious Strength from side to side Did his wide Throat and spouting Veins divide A crimson River gushing from the Wound Ran down his burnish'd Armour to the Ground Reeling and tott'ring for a While he stood And from his Stomack vomits clotted Blood Then down he fell the Field beneath and all The Saxon Army tremble at his Fall Groveling in Death and smear'd with Gore he lay And his dim Eyes scarcely admit the Day Rolling in Dust his wounded Body bled Away his Soul with Indignation fled Convuls'd and quivering for a while he fetcht A dreadful Groan and breathless out he stretcht As when a Whirlwind with outrageous Force O'erturns a lofty Oak that stops its Course Its Roots torn up the Tree's caught from the Ground And with the furious Eddy carried round Then falling from the Sky his stately Head And shady Limbs the groaning Hill o'erspread So by Prince Arthur's Arms King Tollo slain Fell down and lay extended on the Plain FINIS