course we 're come to a low shed Whose happy honor ne'r disquieted With those domestick troubles that attend On larger roofs here in content did spend Fortunes scant gifts at his unhaunted gate Hearing us knock he stands not to debate With wealthy misers slow suspition but Swift as if 't were a sin to keep it shut Removes that slender Guard but when he there Unusual Strangers saw with such a care As onely spoke a conscious shame to be Surpris'd whilst unprovided poverty Straitned desire he starts yet entertains Us so that shew'd by an industrious pains He strove to welcom more Here being by Their goodness and our own necessity Tempted a while to rest we safely lay Far from persuing ills yet since the way To danger by suspition lies we still Fear being betray'd by those that meant no ill Since oft their busie whispers though they spring From love and wonder slow discoveries bring Being now removing since thy tender age Threatned to make the grave its second stage If thence conveigh'd by us whose fondest love Could to thy wants but fruitless pity prove T' inlarge thy commons though increase our fears To those indulgent rurals who for tears Had springs of milk to feed thee thou remain'st An infant tenant for thy own name ' gainst What since thou hast bin known by which when we Contracted had to the stenographie Some gold the last of all our wealth we leave To make their burthen light which they receive With thankfull joy amaz'd to see those bright Angels display their strange unwonted light In poverties cold region where they had Been pin'd for want if not by labor clad When age should make thee capable to tell Thy wonder how thy infancy had fell From honors pyramids a jewel which Did once the splendor of his Crown inrich About thy neck he hangs then breathing on Thy tender lips a parting kiss we 're gone Gone from our last delight to finde some place Dark as our clouded stars there to embrace Unenvi'd poverty in the cold bed Of sad despair till on his reverend head Once center to a crown grief makes him weare A silver frost by frequent storms of care Forc'd on that royal mount whose verdute fades Ere time by youths antagonist invades Not far through dark and unknown paths we had Wander'd within those forrests which unclad By big windes of their summers beauteous dress Naked and trembling stood ere fair success Smiling upon our miseries did bring Us to a chrystal stream from whose cold spring With busie and laborious care we saw A feeble Hermite stooping down to draw An earthen pot whose empty wants supply'd With liquid treasure soon had satisfy'd His thirsty hopes who now returning by A narrow path which did directing Ile Through th' unfrequented desart with the haste Of doubtfull Travellers in lands laid waste By conquering foes we follow till drawn near To him whom innocence secur'd from fear Disburth'ning of his staff he sits to rest What was with age and labor both opprest Our first salutes when we for blessings had Exchang'd with him being sat we there unclad All our deform'd misfortunes and unless A kingdoms loss disvellop'd our distress Which heard with pity that he safely might Be the directing Pharos by whose light We might be safely guided from the rocks Of the tempestuous world his tongue unlocks A cabinet of holy counsel which More then our vanish'd honor did enrich Our souls for whose eternal good was meant This cordial with the worlds best wealth Content Content which flies the busie throne to dwell With hungry Hermites in the noiseless cell More safe then age from the hot sins of youth Peaceful as faith free as untroubled truth Being by him directed hither we Long liv'd within this narrow Monast'rie Whose orders being too strict for those that ne're Had lost delight i th' prosecuting care Of unsuccessful action suited best With us whose griefs compar'd taught the distrest To sleight their own as guests that did intrude On reason in the want of fortitude That brave supporter which such comfort brings That none can know but persecuted Kings The purple-robe his births unquestion'd right For the course habit of a Carmelite Being now exchang'd and we retir'd from both Our fears and hopes like private Lovers loth When solve from the observant Spy to be Disturb'd by friends for want or greatness free Secure and calm we spent those happy days In nought ambitious but of what might raise Our thoughts towards heav'n with whom each hour acquaints In prayr more frequent then afflicted saints Our happy souls which here so long had bin Refining till that grand reward of sin Death did by age his common harbinger Proclaim 's approach and warn'd us to defer For the earths trivial business nought that might Concern eternity lest life and light Forsaking our dark mansions leave us to Darkness and death unfurnisht of a clew Which might conduct when time shall cease to be Through the meanders of eternitie Thy pious father ere the thefts of age Decaying strength should his stiff limbs engage In an uneasie rest to level all Accounts with heaven doth to remembrance call A vow which though in hot affliction made Whilst passions-short ephemera's did invade His troubled soul doth now when the disease Time had expung'd from solitary ease Call him again to an unwilling view o th' active world in a long journey to Forlorn Enna unto whose Temple he Had vow'd if fortune lent him libertie Till tir'd with the extreams of weary age The cheap devotion of a pilgrimage The End of the Fourth Canto PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO V. The Argument I. To the grave Author of this happy news The pleas'd Argalia with delight did hear Till whilst the fatal story he persues He brings his great soul near the gates of fear II. By letting him in full discovery know The dreadful danger that did then attend His royal Sire who to his sword must ow For safety ere his sad afflictions end FOrsaking now our solitary friends Whose prayrs upon each slow-pac'd step attends From danger by a dress so course exempt As wore religion to avoid contempt Through toils of many a tedious day at last We Enna reach where when his vows had past The danger of a forfeiture and we That debt discharg'd to heaven had libertie To look abroad with sorrow-laden eyes We view those ruines in whose ashes lies Sad objects of our former loss not then Rak'd up so deep but old observant men When youths were in procession led could tell Where towrs once stood and in what fights they fell Which to confirm some in an aged pride Shew wounds which then though they did wisely hide As signatures of loyal valor they Now unsuspected with delight display Hence when commanded by the wane of light We sought protection from approaching night In an adjacent Monastry where we The wandring objects of their charitie Although by all welcom'd with friendly zeal
so near As to behold stopt with a reverend fear Least this intrusion on her Privacies Might ruffle Passion which now floating lies In a calm stream of thoughts he staies till she By her Commâ—nds gave fresh activity To his desires then with a lowly grace Yet such to which Prides haughty Sons gave place For Native sweetness he on 's knee presents A Packet from her Father whose Contents If Love can groan beneath a greater Curse Then Desperation made her sufferings worse Then fear could represent them 't was exprest In Language that not wholly did request Nor yet command consent only declare His royal Will and the paternal Care He bore his Kingdomes safety which could be By nought confirm'd more then Afinity With the Laconian Prince whose big fame stood Exalted in a spatious Sea of blood On Honours highest Pyramid his hand Had made the triple headed spot of Land One of her stately Promontories bow Beneath his Sword and with his Scepter now He at the other reaches which if Love But gently smile on 's new-born hopes and prove Propitious as the God of War his Fate Câ—imbs equal with his wishes but too late That slow-pac'd Soldier bent his Forces to Storm that fair Virgin Cittadell which knew Ere his pretences could a Parlee call Beneath what force that royal Fort must fall Inclos'd within this rough Lords Leâ—ters â—he Receiv'd his Picture which inform'd her be Wanted dissimulation that worst part Oâ— Courtship â—o put Complements of Art On his Effigies his stern Brow far more Glorying i th' Scars then in the Crown he wore His active Youth made him Retainer to The Court of Mars something too long to sue For entrance into Love's like Mornings clad In griesl'd Frosts ere plump-cheek'd Autume had Shâ—rn the Glebs golden Locks some silver hairs Mixt with his black appeard his Age dispairs Not of a hopeful Heir nor could his Youth Promise much more the venerable truth Of glorious Victories that stuck his Name For Ornament i th' Frontispiece of Fame Together with his Native greatness were His Orators to plead for Love but where Youth Beauty Valor and a Soul as brave Though not known great as his before had gave Loves pleasing wounds Fortunes neglected gain In fresh assaults but spends her strength in vain With as much ease as Souls when ripen'd by A wel-spent life hast to eternity She had sustaind this harsh encounter though Backt with her Fathers threats did it not shew More dreadful yet in a command which must Call her Argalia from his glorious trust Her Guardian to a separation in An Embassie to him whose hopes had been Her new created fears which sentence read By the wise Lady though her passions bred A sudden tumult yet her reason staies The Torrent till Argalia who obaies The strictest limits of observance to Her he adornd being reverently withdrew Inlarg'd her sorrow in so loud a tone That ere he 's through the winding Laberynth gone So far but that he could distinctly hear Her sad Complaints they thus assault his Ear Unhappy Soul born only to infuse Pearls of delight with Vinegar and lose Content for Honour it 's a sin to be Born high that robs me of my liberty Or is 't the curse of greatness to behold Vertue through such false Opticks as unfold No splendor less from equal Orbs they shine What Heaven made free ambitious men confine In regular degrees poor Love must dwel Within no Climate but what 's parallel Unto our honourd births the envied Fare Of Princes oft these burthens find from state When lowly Swains knowing no Parents voice A Negative make a free happy choice And here she sigh'd then with some drops diâ—tild From Loves most soveraign Elixar fil'd The chrystal Fountains of her eyes which ere Dropt down she thus recals again but nere Ne're my Argalia shall these fears destroy My hopes of thee Heaven let me but enjoy So much of all those blessings which their Birth Can take from frail Mortality and Earth Contracting all her Curses cannot make A storm of danger loud enough to shake Me to a trembling Penitence a Curse To make the horrour of my sufferings worse Sent in a Fathers Name like Vangeance fell From angry Heaven upon my head may dwell In an eternal stain my honourd Name With pale disgrace may languish busie Fame My Reputation spot Affection be Term'd uncommanded Lust sharp poverty That Weed which kils the gentle Flower of Love As the result of all these Ills may prove My greatest misery unless to find My self unpitied yet not so unkind Would I esteem this mercenary Band As those far more malignant powers that stand Arm'd with diswasions to obstruct the way Fancy directs but let those Souls obay Their harsh Commands that stand in fear to shead Repentant tears I am resolv'd to tread These doubtful pathes through all the shades of fear That now benights them Love with pity hear Thy Suppliants Prayers and when my clouded Eyes Shall cease to weep in Smiles I 'le sacrifice To thee such Offerings that the utmost date Of deaths rough hands shall never violate Whilst our fair Virgin-sufferer was in This Agony Argalia that had been Attentive as an envied Tyrant to Suspected Counsels from her Language drew So much that that pure essence which informs His knowledge shall in all the future storms Of Fate protect him from a fear that did Far more then death afflict whilst Love lay hid In Honours upper Region now whilst she Calmly withdraws to let her Comforts be Hopes of 's return his latest view forsook His Souls best comfort who hath now betook Her self to private thoughts where with what rest Love can admit I leave her and him blest In a most prosperous Voyage but happier far In being directed by so bright a Star The end of the first Book PHARONNIDA The second Book CANTO THE FIRST The ARGUMENT I. Still wakefull guilt Almanzors Rebel sin Taking advantage of unguarded mirth Which now without mistrust did revell in The Princess Court gives thence new Treason birth II. By treachery seiz'd and through Nights shades conveyed She had for ever in this storm been lost Had not its rage by such rude hands been stayed That safety neer as much as danger cost THese Hell-ingendred Embrioes which had long Lay hid within Almanzors breast grown strong Now for delivery strives Clandestine plots Ripen'd with Age and Lust dissolve the knots Wherein his fear had fetterd them and fly Beyond the Circle of his Loyalty Since his deserts made him a stranger to His Princess Court he 'd liv'd like those that do Fly that pursuing Vengeance which attends A Rebels Acts seen only to such Friends Whose blemmisht Honour suffering in his fall Assist his rising though they venter all By that unlawful Act on pathes that may Precipitate to ruine the dark way Had long been sought for Consultations did Whisper Rebellion in soft Aires forbid To live in louder Language until like Inevitable thunder
bright and pure a flame as ere Did in the shades of modesty declare Passion breaks forth which happy signs by him Whose heart her eys even whilst they shone most dim With mutual flames had fir'd that loyal love Which fate in vain shall struggle to remove Begins with flames as innocently bright As the first rayes of new created light But stay rash Reader think not they 're led Through these smooth walks unto their nuptial bed But now behold that their misfortune prove Which thou hast wept for if thou e'er didst love A separation the suspition that Sparta's vext King when first distemper'd at His daughters loss did of this stranger Prince Justly conceive perswades him now that since Not found within the Cyprian Court that he Who had been vainly sought abroad might be Yet lodg'd at home which supposition bred So strict a search that though the silent dead Not silenter then her Attendants were Yet kind Orlinda whom a pious care Prompted to save what she did yet possess Whilst seeking with a Lovers tenderness How to secure him doth at length convay Her roving fancy to this hopeful way Not long before though now 't were silenc'd in Domestick ills Report had busied been In the relating of the sad distress Of a brave Lybian Prince whom heaven to bless With an eternal Crown in midst of all His Youths fresh glories by a powerful call Summons to serve her and that faith which he Had from the early dawn of infancie Suckt from the great Impostor of the East Though now by time Opinions strength increast Spight of a peoples prayers or fathers threats Wholly forsaking which revolt begets So much aversion pitty could invent Nought easier then perpetual banishment To punish what their faith mistaken in Its object terms a black Apostates sin Disguis'd in such a dress as pitty might Expect t' encounter so distrest a Wight As was that wandring Prince attended by No train but what becomes th'obscurity Of such a fortune to the Spartan Court Amindor comes where though the thick resort Of well known friends might justly make him fear Some treacherous eye knowledge could ne'r appear Through that black vail his happy art had took To make him like a sun-burnt Lybian look Yet what engag'd them more then safety in Prayers to heaven his person had not bin Not long the wonder of the Court before His fairer vertues which adorn'd him more Then th' other could disguise did justly prove The happy object of the Princes love Whose influence whilst it him to power did raise Taught by reflex the people how to praise That fair election till the Pyramed Rais'd to his fame had fixt its lofty head Above the clouds of fortune yet not this Fates fairest smile a Lovers best of bliss A free commerce which unsuspected might Though long and pleasant as the Summers light Be ne'r disturb'd with fair Orlinda gives Content such fulness that although he lives To all unknown but her alone in that Enjoy'd more then ambition e'er aim'd at And now from all the fruitless diligence Of inquisitions and the vain expence Of time return'd were every troop that had Trew forlorn hopes been Active in the sad Search of Pharonnida which ending in A just despair some that till then within The Castle walls had though as vainly sought Their sorrow forth before the griev'd Prince brought Brunorchus whom they in a small lodge where Secur'd by sollitude the houshold care Of locks and bolts were vain unsought they found In the soft bands of griefs best opiate bound Sleep who though thron'd within her ebbon seat From lusts hor field appears but his retreat When tir'd with action for besides him they Where 's poisons antidote Amphibia lay Block'd up in 's arms beheld the air with all Their voices stroke at length had rais'd a call That drown'd their sleeping thunder from the bed Brunorchus starting struggles to have fled The shamefull danger whilst Amphibia creeps Beneath her sheets protection but nought keeps Pursuing vengeance back there took and brought Before the Prince who startl'd at the thought Of such a complicated crime refers Their punishment to death 's dire Messengers The yet succesfull Lovers long e'er this Safely arriv'd at their first stage of bliss Florenza's low unenvied roof did there Since speed was now the fairest childe of care Stay only to exchange their horse and take With her a guide whose practick skill could make Their untrod paths familiar through a low Dark vail where shade-affecting weeds did grow Eternal strangers to the Sun did lie The narrow path frequented onely by The forest Tyrants when they bore their prey From open dangers of discovering day Past through this desart valey they were now Climing an easie hill where every bough Maintain'd a feather'd chorister to sing Soft Pahegyricks and the rude windes bring Into a murmuring slumber whilst the calm Morn on each leaf did hang her liquid balm With an intent before the next Suns birth To drop it in those wounds which the cleft earth Receiv'd from 's last days beams the hills ascent Wound up by action in a large extent Of leavie plains shews them the canopie Beneath whose shadow their large way did lie Which being lookt ore whilst thankful praise did pay Their debts to heaven they thence with a convay Of prayers those swift ambassadors did send A hopeful glance tow'rd their large journies end These short surveys past since the place assures A safe repose to cool the Calentures Of feverish action down a way that led From Pleasures throne unto her fragrant bed A rank of Laurels spreading to protect The flowry path which not unprun'd neglect Robb'd of delight they past the slow descent Soon brings them where her richest ornament Although with art unpleited Nature in A lovely Landshape wore that once had been Sacred to th' Islands fruitful Goddess here Whilst they behold the infants of the year i th' Springs unsullied livery clad the fair And large-limb'd trees preparing to repair Autums spent stock from out an humble hill A tributary fountain did distill The earths cold blood and murmuring convays It on a bed of peebles till it pays Her debts to th' neighboring river Near to it Full Chorusses of feather'd Hero's sit Amidst their willow-mansions to whose ease Their shrill notes call the sportive Driades Whilst by the brightest glories of that age This Royal robe worne in a hermitage Is seen with such a silent sad delight As smooths the furrows of an Anchorite Their solemn walk had brought them to a green Skirt of that mantle fairly spread between Two mossie rocks that near the chrystal slood Appendixes to larger mountains stood Near which they saw with mournful majesty A heap of solitary ruines lie Half-sepulchred in dust the bankrupt heir To prodigal Antiquity whose fair Composures did beneath times pride sunk low But dim vestigia's of their beauty shew Yet that it might unreverend gazers tell It once was sacred Ceres image
other Affairs and not to be understood but in their own Dialect I have done with all that in probability may prove my Readers And now a word to such whom I presume will be none for they are desir'd to do no more then the Epistle It being fit to serve them like Vagabonds let them enter no further then the Gate I mean all squint-ey'd Sectaries from the Spawn of Geneva to the black Brood of Amsterdam together with some Rascals of a lower Rank such as usurp the abus'd Title of Sons of Art and with an empty Impudence endeavour to pollute those Immaculate Virgins whilst the other with an exalted Villany sully the Celestiall Beauties of Divine Truth For the first of which the preposterous Genius of the Times hath so far favour'd them that now nothing is more vendible then the surreptitious off-springs of their immagin'd Wit Every Stationers Shop affording pregnant examples of it in big bulk'd Volumes of Physick Astrologie and the like By these indigent Vermine either to satisfie their clamorous Wants or inhance their esteem in the Vulgar Opinion basely prostituted to every illiterate Spectator whilst Truth and a guilty Conscience tels them nought is their own but the Hyperbolicall Titles which to discerning Eyes appear but the glorious out-sides to tainted Sepulchers in which their detected Villany shall be Abominated by more knowing Posterityâ— These cry down all things of this Nature for Subjects of Inutility not tending to the improvement of Science which in the most genuine Construction of it hath no Enemy from which her ruine is more formidable then from them But for my more dangerous Sceptick who yet is so much like the Fole of an Ass that he appears to the World with his Spleen in his Mouth I mean my pretended zealous Censurer from whom in mee it were an over-weaning boldness to expect Civility since though not for the Nature which he understands not yet for the Name which he hath only heard of he is so much an Enemy to the Muses that should the Seraphick Strains of Majestick David or the flaming Raptures of Elegiack Jeremiah appear to the World in their pristine and unpolluted Purity his Ignorance would extend to so vast an Error to censure them of Levity But as no man will esteem the Sun less Glorious for that the hated Owle avoids its sight so I presume none except their own deluded Followers will betray so palpable a dearth of Judgment as to bear the less estecm to Majestick Poetry for the illiterate scandal of flattering Ignorance Poesie if justly meriting to be invested in that glorious Title being of so attractive a Beauty that it doth rather like an Orphean Harmony draw that Emblem of a Beast the unpollisht Clown to a listning Civility then like Circe's Inchantments change the more happily Educated to a swinish and sordid Lethargie But her defence being a burthen which already stands firm on so many noble Supporters whose Monuments will remain till Time it self shall be lost in Eternity I need not add my weak Endeavours to illustrate a Beauty which the wiser world already admires Now though she want the Applause of some Attribute it not to the defect either of her Excellency or their Judgment but to that various Dress of Humours wherewith Nature hath Checquer'd the Universe Concluding with that Honour of ancient Thebes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pindarus in Olympiorum octavo W. C. PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE FIRST The ARGUMENT I. From Seas wild fury and the wilder rage Of faithless Turks two noble strangers freed Let Curtesie their gratefull Souls engage To such a Debt as doth obstruct their speed II. Where they to fill those Sceans unactive rest Would tedious make in fair description saw How Spata's Prince for his Queens loss opprest Found all those Ills cur'd in Pharonnida THE Earth which lately lay like Nutures Tomb Marbl'd in Frosts had from her pregnant Womb Display'd the fragrant Spring when courted by A calm fresh Morning ere Heavens brightest Ey Adorn'd the East a Spartan Lord whom Fame Taught from Desert made glorious by the Name Of Aminander with a noble train Whose active Youth did sloath-like sin disdain Attended had worn out the Morning in Chase of a stately Stag which having bin Forc'd from the Forests safe protection to Discovering Plain his clamourous Foes had drew Up to a steep Cliffs lofty top where he As if grown proud so sacrific'd to be To mans delight ' mongst the puâ—suing cry Who make the Valleys eccho Victory Sinks weeping whilst exalted shouts did tell The distant Heaâ—ds their ancient Leader fell The half-tir'd Hunters their swift Game stopt here By death like noble Conquerors appear To give that Foe which now resistless lies With their shrill Horns his Fun'rall Obsequies Which whilst performing their diverted sight Turns to behold a far more fatall fight That since fam'd Gulf where the brave Austrian made The Turkish Crescents an eternall shade Beneath dishonour seeks Lepanto lay So neer that from their lofty station they A Ship upon whose Streamers there were fixt The Christian Badge saw in fierce Battell mixt With a prevailing Turkish Squadron that With shouts assault what now lay onely at That feeble Guard which under the pretence Of injuring others seeks its own defence Clear was the day and calm the Sea so long Till now the Turks whose numbers grew too strong For all that could no other help afford But humane strength within their view did board The wretched Christians to whose sufferings they Can lend no comfort but what Pray'rs convey To helpfull Heaven by whose attentive Ear Both heard and pittyed Mercy did appear In this swift change A hollow Wind proclaims Approaching storms the black Clouds burst in flames Imprison'd Thunder roars and in a shoure Dark as the Night dull sweaty Vapors poure Themselves on th' earth t' enrich whom Nature vents Th' etherial Fabricks useless excrements Whose flatuous pride as if it did disdain Such base descents rowling the liquid plain Into transparent Mountains hurls them at The brow of Heaven whose Lamps by Vapors that Their influence rais'd are crampt whilst the sick day Was languishing to such a Night as lay O're the first Matter when Confusion dwelt In the vast Chaos ere the rude Mass felt Heavens segregating breath But long this fierce Conflict indures not ere the Sun-beams pierce The scatterd Clouds which whilst wild Winds pursue Through sullied Aire in reaking Vapors flew In this Encounter of the storm before Its sable Vail let them discover more Then contain'd horror a loud dreadfull shriek Piercing the thick Aire at their Ears did seek For trembling entrance being transported by Uncertain drifts rent Sails and Tackling fly Amongst the towring Cliffs a sure presage That adverse Winds did in that storm engage Some Vessell which did from her Cordage part With such sad pangs as from the dying Heart Convulsions tear the Fibers But the day Recov'ring her lost Rain made clearer way For
his Sword are now By bounty made too much his own t' allow Even flight suspition room This being done That Valour though with Love 't were wingd might run On no rash Precipice assisted by That skilful Sea-man from some Ships that ly Neglected ' cause by time decayed he takes So much o th' Tackling as of that he makes Ladders of length sufficient to ascend The Castle Wals which having to defend Them nought but slave security is done With so much ease that what 's so wel begun They boldly second and first entering in A Tower which had by th' prudent Founder bin Built to command the Havens Mouth which lay Too low for th' Castle where when come all they Found to resist is one poor Centry bound In sleep which soon by death is made more sound To lodge the Prince in that safe place before His active valour yet attempted more The Gates secur'd that led to th' Castle he Protected by that Nights obscuritie By a conceald smal Salliport is to Its strength soon brought when now prepard to view More dreadful dangers in such habit clad As by the out-Guards easie Error had Soon as a Soldier gave him entrance come To th' Hall he is there being informd by some o th' drousie Guards where his pretended speed Might find Molarchus to perform a deed That future Ages if that Honours fire Lose not its light shal worthily admire His Valours hast within a room whose pride Of Art though great was far more glorifi'd By that bright Luster the Spectators saw Through Sorrows Clouds in fair Pharonnida He finds the impious Villain heightend in His late success to such rude acts of sin That servile baseness the low distance whence He us'd to look grew sawcy Impudence Inflam'd Argalia who at once beholds Objects to which the Sould inlarg'd unfolds Its passions in the various Characters Of Love and Anger now no more defers The exâ—cution of his rage but in So swift a death as if his hand had been Guided by Lightning to Molarchus sent His Lifes discharge which with astonishment Great as if by their evil Angels all Their sins had been displayed did wildly fall Upon his Followers whom ere hast could save Or strength resist Argalia's Sword had gave Such sudden deaths that whilst Amazements reignd Ere all he from the heedless tumult gaind That glorious Prize the royal Lady who In all assaults of fears not lost unto Her own clear Judgment as a blessing sent From Heaven whilst her base Foes Confusion lent That Action safety follows that brave Friend Whose Sword redeemd her till her Journeys end Through threatning dangers brought her to that place Where with such passion as kind Wives embrace Husbands returnd from bondage she is by Her Father welcom'd into liberty Thus rescu'd whilst exalted tumours sweld To such Confusion as from sense expeld Reasons safe Conduct whilst each Soldier leaves His former Charge fears pale disease receives This Paroxisme the Fleet which yet had in A doubtful Quest of their surpriz'd Prince bin Directed hither with the new-born day Their streamers round the Cittadel display Which seen by them that being deluded by The dead Molarchus to his treachery Had joynd their strength guilt the Original Of shame did to defend the plat-form Call Their bold endeavour but when fidning it Too strongly man'd for undermineing wit Or open strength to force dispairing to Be long secure prompted by fear they threw Themselves on Mercy which calm Grace among Heavens other blessings whilst it leads along The Prince toward Victory made his Conquest seen Such as came not to punish but redeem The end of the fourth Canto PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE FIFTH The ARGUMENT IX The gratefull Prince to shew how much he lov'd This noble Youth whoe 's Merits just reward Too great for less Abilities had prov'd Makes him Commander of his Daughters Guard X. Where seated in the most benign Aspect Kind Love could grant to fair Pharonnida A sacred Vision doth her hopes detect Whose waking joyes his absence doth withdraw FReed from those dangers which this bold attempt Made justly feard whilst joy did yet exempt Those cares which when by time concocted shall His Kingdome to a general Mourning call Sparta's pleas'd Prince with all the Attributes Ere Gratitude learnd from Desert salutes That noble Youth which even when hope was spent Kind Heaven had made his safeties Instrument By acts of such heroick Vertue that Whilst all the less concernd are wondring at The grateful Prince in all the noble waies Of honour lasting as his life repaies By whose example the fair Princess taught To shadow Love her Souls most perfect draught In friendships Vail so free a welcome gave The worthy stranger that al prayer durst crave Though sacrific'd in Zeals most perfect fire Seemd now from Heaven dropt on his pleas'd desire Some daies spent here whilst Justice vainly sought That Treasons root whose base production brought Unto an unexpected Period in Molarchus death with him had buried bin To future knowledge all confessions though In torments they extracted were bestow Upon their knowledge being th' imperfect shade Of supposition which too weak t' invade Even those whose doubtful Loyalty lookt dim The prudent Prince burying mistrust with him Leaving the Island with 's triumphant Fleet On the Sicillian shoar prepars to meet That Joy in triumph which a blessing brought His loyal Subjects with their prayers had sought To cure those hot distemperatures which in His absence had the Courts Quotidian bin The Princess guard as being an honour due To noble Valour having left unto That worthy stranger whose victorious hand Declar'd a Soul created for command The Prince departs from his loud Daughters Court To joyful Corinth where though the resort Of such as by their service strove t' express An uncorrupted Loyalty made less That Mourning which the Kingdomes general Loss Claim'd from all hearts yet like a sable Cross Which amongst Trophy's noble Conquerors bear All did some signs o th' publick sorrrow wear But leaving these to rectifie that State This Feaver shook return to whom we late Left gently calm'd that happy pair which in Desire the shady Porch of Love begin That lasting progress which ere ended shall So oft their Fate to strong assistance call Some Months in happy free delights before Passion got strength enough to dictate more Then Reason could right fair they 'd spent in which Slumber of Fancy popular Love grown rich Soon becomes factious and engages all The powers of Nature to procure the fall Of the Souls lawful Soveraign either in Each Action of the others did begin To place an Adoration she doth see What ere he doth as shining Majesty Beneath a Cloud or Books where Heaven transfers Their Oracles in unknown Characters Like Gold yet unrefin'd or th' Adamant Wrapt up in earth he only seemd to want Knowledge of Worth Her Actions in his fight Appear like fires feign'd Element with light But not destruction
arm'd like the fair Sun When through a chrystal Aqueduct he'th run His piercing Beams until grown temperate by That cooling Medium through humility Shun her Majestick worth in eithers Eyes The other seemd to wear such a disguise As Poets cloathd their wandring Gods in when In forms disguiz'd they here converst with men But long this conflict of their Passions ere Resisted lasts not when disdaind to bear Those leaden Fetters the great Princess tries To quench that fire i th' Embrio ere it rise To unresisted blazes but in vain What her tears smoother are by sighs again Blown into flames such as since not to be By ought extinguisht her sweet modesty Strives to conceal nor did them more betray Then by such Fugitives as stole away Through her fair Eyes those Salliports of Love From her besieged heart now like to prove Had not her Honour cal'd the Act unjust So feeble to betray her Souls best trust Her flames being not such as each vulgar breast Feels in the fires of Fancy when opprest With gloomy discontents her bright stars sate Inthron'd so high that like the Bays of Fate It stopt the Current of the stream and to The Sea of Honour Loves fresh Rivers drew Thus whilst the royal Eaglet doth i th' high Sublimer Region of bright Majesty Upon Affections Wings still hover yet Loath to descend on th' humble earth doth sit Her worthy Lover like that amorous Vine When crawling o're the Weeds it strives to twine Embraces with the Elm he stands whilst she Desires to bend but like that love-sick Tree By greatness is deni'd he that nere knew A swelling tumour of conceit nor flew Upon the waxen Wings of vain Ambition A thought above his own obscure Condition Thinks that the Princess by her large respect Conferd on him but kindly doth reflect Her Fathers beams and with a reverend zeal Sees those descending Rays that did reveal Loves Embassies transported on the quick Wings of that heart-o're-coming Rhetorick Instructing that the weakness of his Eye Dazl'd with beams of shining Majesty Might for too boldly gazing on a sight So full of glory be depriv'd of light Stifling his Fancy till it turnd the Aire That fand his heart to flames which pale dispaire Chil'd into Iâ—e soon as he went about With them to breath a storm of passions out But vain are all these fears his Eagle sight Is born to gaze upon no lesser Light Then that from whence all other beauties in The same sphear borrow theirs he else had bin Degenerate from that royal Airce whence He first did spring although he fell from thence Unfledg'd the growing Pinnions of his Fame Wanting the purple tincture of his Name And Titles both unknown yet shall be fly On his own Merits strength a pitch as high Though not so boldly claimd and such as shall Inhance the blessing when the dull mists fall From truths benighted Eyes whispering in His Souls pleas'd Ear her passion did begin Whilst all the Constellations of her Fate Fixt in the Zenith of bright honour sate Whilst his deprest by adverse Fortune in Their Nader lay even to his hopes unseen Whilst thus Enthean fire did lye conceald With different Curtains least by being reveald Cross Fate which could not quench it should to death Scorch all their hopes burnd in the angry breath Of her incensed Father whilst the fair Pharonnida was striving to repair The wakeful ruines of the day within Her Bed whose Down of late by Love had been Converted into Thorns she having payed The restless tribute of her sorrow stayed To breath a while in broken slumbers such As with short blasts cool feverish brains but much More was in hers a strong Prophetick dream Divering by Enigmaes Natures stream Long hovering through the Portals of her mind On vain phantastick Wings at length did find The glimerings of obstructed reason by A brighter beam of pure divinity Led into supernatural light whose Rayes As much transcended reasons as the dayes Dull mortal fires faith apprehends to be Beneath the glimerings of divinity Her unimprisond Soul disrob'd of all Terrestial thoughts like its Original In Heaven pure and Immaculate a fit Companion did for those bright Angels sit Which the Gods made their Messengers to bear This sacred truth seeming transported where Fixt in the flaming Center of the world The heart o th' Mycrocosme 'bout which is hurld The spangl'd Curtains of the Sky within Whose boundless Orbs the circling Planets spin Those threads of time upon whose strength rely The pondrous Burthens of mortality An Adamantine World she sees more pure More glorious far then this fram'd to endure The shock of Dooms-daies Darts in which remains The better Angels of what earth contains Plac'd there to govern all our Acts and be A Medium 'twixt us and Eternity Hence Nature from a Laberinth half above Half underneath that sympathetick Love Which warms the World to Generation sends On unseen Atomes each small star attends Here for his Message which receiv'd is by Their influence to the Astral Faculty That lurks on earth communicated hence Informing Forma sends Intelligence To the material principles of earth Her upper Garments Natures second birth Upon each side of this large Frame a Gate Of different use was plac'd at one there sate A sprightly youth whose Angels form delights Eyes dim'd with age whose blandishments invights Infants i th' Womb to court their wo and be By his false shape tempted to misery Millions of thousands swarm about him though Diseases do each minute strive to throw Them from his presence since being tempted by His flattering form all court it though they ly On beds of thorns to look on 't saving some More wretched Male-contents that hither come With Souls so sullen that whilst time invights Them to his Joys they shun those smooth delights This the Worlds Favourite had a younger Brother Of different hue each more unlike the other Then opposite Aspects Antipathy Within their breasts though they were forc'd to be Almost inseparable dwelt this Fiend A passage guarded which at th' other end o th' spatious Structure stood betwixt each Gate Was plac'd a Laberinth in whose Angles sate The vanities of Life attempting to Stay deaths pale Harbengers but that black Cleâ— Times dusty Girdle Fates Arithmetick Griefs slow pac'd Snail Joyes more then Eagle quick That Chain whose Links compos'd of hours and daies Thither at length spight of delay conveys The slow pac'd steps of time there alwaies stood Near him one of the triple Sisterhood Who with deformity in love did send Him troops of Servants hourly to attend Upon his harsh Commands which he from all Society of flesh without the Wall Down a dark Hill conveyd at whose foot stood An ugly Lâ—ke black as that horrid flood Gods made by men did feare Myriads of Boats On the dark surface of the water floats Containing Passengers whose different hue Tell them that from the Wals do trembling view Their course that there 's
Mannor whose intemperate Lord out-grew In debts the compass of a Bond besides His common guard of Clowns fellows whose hides Serv'd for defensive armor he commands His sons attendance who since from his hands Rack'd Tenants hop'd for ease he thought that they Would for that hope with reverent duty pay But vain mistakes betray opinion to A fatal precipice which they might view I' th objects of each glance one side affords Large plains whose flock's the wealth of several lords By him contracted but the spoils appears Of beggar'd Orphans pickl'd in their tears Farms for whose loss poor widows wept and fields Which being confin'd to strict inclosure yields To his cram'd chests the starving poor mans food For private ends robbing their publick good With guilt inclos'd those wayes which now haâ—â— brought Him by some cottages who honors bought Poor livelihoods at a laborious rate From his rack'd lands for which pursuing hate Now follows him in curses for in that They yet take vengeance till arriving at The thicker peopl'd Villages where more bold By number made the fire of hate takes hold On clamarous women whose vext husbands thirst I' th' fever of revenge to these when first They kindled had the flame swiftly succeeds More active men such as resolv'd their deeds Spight of restrictive law should set them free From the oppressor of their liberty His son the noble Vanlore to appease The dangerous fury of this rash disease Spends all his stock of Rhetorick but in Fruitless attempts His rustick guard had bin At the first onset scatter'd and were now Posting for fafety whilst his son taught how By frequent injuries to entertain Anger 's unusual guests shews it in vain Though brave attempts of valor by whose high Unhappy flame whilst circling foes did die Unworthy hecatombs for him at length Engag'd him had beyond the power of strength Though back'd by fortune to redeem which when Beheld by those whose characters of men In rage was lost they wildly persecute Revenge till life natures hurmonious fruit Was blasted to untimely death And here Her fatal story in its full carier The memory of him who di'd to be The peoples curse and crime of destinie Grief did obstruct whilst liquid passion feeds Her chrystal springs which stopt she thus proceeds His brave defender now retreating to The rode of death whilst he did vainly sue For undeserv'd remorse Amarus lies Their furies object in whose wild disguise Whilst giddy clouds of dark amazement dwell Ore his dim eyes th' exalted tumult fell In a black storm of danger in whose shade They drag him thence that fury being made Wise by delays might study torments great As was their rage but in their wild retreat They thus are stopt A wandring Knight that near The place approach'd directed by his ear How to inform his eye arrives to see The wretched trophies of this victory A dying son whose latest beams of light Through deaths dim opticks bids the world good-night With looks that did so black a sorrow lim He frown'd on earth though heaven did smile on him Hurri'd from thence by unrelenting hate A living father of more wofull fate Pity that brave allay of manly heat Perswades the noble stranger to intreat A parle with rage which being deny'd he then Attempts to force and since their ablest men Were wounded in the former conflict soon Successfull proves like mists i' th pride of noon Being hudl'd into hurtless clouds they flye Before his fury till from reach o' th eye Shrunk to the woods protection where whilst each With such a fear as sanguine guilt did teach The worlds first murtherer seeks for safety he Retreating leaves the scatter'd herd to be Their own afflictors and hastes thence to finde Him to whom fortune prov'd so strangely kinde In his approach as by his sword to be When hope lost anchor blest with liberty Come to the place where old Amarus lay With fear so startl'd that he durst betray Life through no motion yet he 's follow'd by That train of Cowards which though they did fly The danger when they saw their foes pursu'd On the reward the victory intrude Whose easie spoils those invitations to A Cowards daring such a distance drew Them from their homes that they with labor were Recall'd from rifling enemies to beare Their feeble Masters off Amarus living As weak with fear as Vanlore was with dying Before the black obstructions of the night Did interpose they were arriv'd i' th sight O' th Castles ruin'd walls a place whose hew Uncouth and wild banish'd delight into Uncomly profit and at distance gives A sad assurance that its honor lives By men so hated and by heaven unblest As he enjoy'd not what he there possest Come to the front o' th house whose dirt sorbid A cleanly entrance he sees pavements hid With heaps of rubbish times slow hand let fall From the neglected ruines of the wall Green Arbors pleasant Groves all which were now Swiftly dismantling to make way for th' plow Onely his Barns preservers of that store Detain'd with curses from the pining poore Their upper garments of warm thatch did weare So thick to keep them dry whilst thin and bare E'en his own lodging stood the Hall first built To have that wealth which he in sparing spilt Spent there in hospitality nere by More heat warm'd then a candle gave did lie Moulded with lazy damps the wall oregrown With moss and weeds unhaunted and alone The empty tables stood for never Guess Come there except thin Bankrupts whom distress Spurr'd on with sharp necessity to crave Forbearing moneths which he when brib'd forgave Hence by a rude domestick led he goes To veiw the cellar where like distant foes Or buildings in a new Plantation stand The distant Barrels yet from all command But his own keys exempted To bestow A welcom on him which he ne'r did shew To man before led by a rusty slave Whose iron limbs ratling in leather gave Alarums to the half-starv'd Rats he here Is by Amarus visited whose feare That place should too much suffer soon from thence Sounds a retreat to supper where th' expence Became a Usurers purse yet what was by Sparing defective neatness did supply A vertue where repining penurie Prepares unusual but he soon did see Whence it proceeds the sad sweet Ammida Whom shame and grief attempted to withdraw From publick view was by her fathers call To crown that entertainment brought whose all Was else so bad it the first visit might Repented make not to the next invite Here with afflicted patience he had spent Some few but tedious days whose slow extent Behind his wishes flagg'd ere he had seen Vanlore interr'd whose obsequies had been In secret huddl'd up but then prepares To take his leave when adverse fate that shares Double with mans intentions in the tart Of 's full resolves opposing claims her part By harsh command a dangerous Fever that Threatned destruction ere arriving at Its
death arrest Him for his murtherer by which change opprest More then before with fear he who now thought On nought but death to a tribunal brought Ere ask'd confesses that foul crime for which He this just doom receives since to inrich What had before wealths surfeit took this sin Was chiefly acted his estate faln in To th' hands of justice by the judge should be From hence dispos'd of then from death to free His life already forfeited except Murther'd Ismander whom he thought had slept In 's winding sheet his hopeless Advocate Should there appear in which unhappy state The wretch now ready to depart beholds This glorious change Ismander first unfolds Himself and her who bound by natures laws Implores his pardon ere they plead his cause Which done the Judge that his lost wealth might be No cause of grief unmasking lets him see Euriolus by whom from th' worst of sin To liberal vertue he 'd deluded bin The End of the Third Canto PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO IV. The Argument I. Whilest we a while the pensive Lady â—eave Here a close Mourner for her rigid fate Let 's from the dark records of time receive The manner how Argalia wav'd the hate II. Of his malignant stars which when they seem To threaten most through that dark cloud did lead Him to a knowledge of such dear esteem He his high birth did there distinctly read FReed from the noise o' th' busie world within A deep dark vale whose silent shade had bin Religions vail when blasted by the beams Of Persecution far from the extreams Of solitude or sweary labor were Some few blest men whose choice made Heaven their care Sequestred from the throngs of men to finde Those better joyes calms of a peacefull minde Yet though on this pacifick sea their main Design was Heaven that voyage did not restrain Knowledge of humane arts which as they past They safely view'd though there no anchor cast Their better temper'd judgments counting that But hoodwink'd zeal which blindly catches at The great Creators sacred will without Knowing those works that will was spent about Which being the climax to true judgement we Behold stoop'd down to visibilitie In lowliest creatures natures stock being nought But God in 's image to our senses brought In the fair evening of that fatal day By whose meridian light Love did betray Ingag'd Argalia near to death was one Of these heav'ns happy Pensioners alone Walking amongst the gloomy Groves to view What soveraign vertues there in secret grew Confin'd to humble plants whose signatures Whilst by observing he his art secures From vain experiments Argalia's Page Crossing a neighboring path did disingage His serious eye from natures busie task To see the wandring Boy who was to ask The way for more his youths unprompted fear Expects not there to the blest man drawn near But when with such a weeping innocence As Saints confess those sins which the expence Of tears exacted he had sadly told What harsh fate in restrictive wounds laid hold Of 's worthy Master pity prompted by Religious love helps the poor Boy to dry His tears with hopes of comfort whilst he goes To see what sad Catastrophe did close Those bloody scenes which the unequal fight Foretold before fear prompted him to flight Noâ— far they 'd past ere they the place had found Where groveling in a stream of blood the ground His purple-bed the wearied Prince they see Strugling with death from whose dark monarchie Pale troops assail his cheeks whilst his dim eies Like a spent lamp which ere its weak flame dies In giddy blazes glares as if his soul Were at those casements flying out did roll Swifter then thought their bloodshot orbs his hands Did with deaths agues tremble cold dew stands Upon his clammy lips the springs of blood Having breath'd forth the spirits clotted stood On that majestick brow whose dreadful frown Had to deaths scepter laid its terror down The holy man upon the brink o' th' grave Finding such forms of worth attempts to save His life from dropping in by all his best Reserves of art selecting from the rest Of his choise store an herb whose soveraign power No flux of blood though falling in a shower Of death could force which gently bruis'd and to His wound apply'd taught nature to renew Her late neglected functions and through short Recruits of breath made able to support His blood-enfeebled body till they reach The Monastry where nobler art did teach Their simple medicines to submit to those Which skill from their mixt vertues did compose Life which the unexpected gift of fate Rather then art appear'd in this debate Of death prevailing in short time had gain'd So much of strength that weakness now remain'd The only slothful Râ—mora that in His bed detain'd him where being often seen By those whom art alike had qualifi'd For his relief as one of them appli'd His morning-medicines to a spacious wound Fixt on his breast he that rare jewel found Which in his undiscerning infancie There hung by 's father fortune had kept free From all her various accidents to shew How much his birth did to her favor owe. Shook with such silent joy as he had been In calm devotion by an Angel seen The good old man his wonder rarifi'd Into amazement stands he had descri'd What if no force had robb'd him of it since 'T was first bestow'd none but his true born Prince Could wear since art wise Natures fruitful ape Ne'r but in that had birth which bore that shape Assur'd by which with unstirr'd confidence He asks Argalia where he knew from whence When nature first did so much wealth impart To earth that jewel took those forms of art But being answer'd that his infancie When first it was conferr'd on him might be Th' excuse of 's ignorance that voice alone Confirms his aged friend who having known As much of fortune as in fates dark shade His understanding legible had made From weak Argalia to require him leads Knowledge where he his lifes first copy reads Drest in this language 'T was unhappy Prince For such this story must salute you since Told to confirm 't a truth my destinie When youth and strength rendred me fit to be My dearest Countries servant plac'd within Mantinea's glorious Court where having been Made capable by sacred Orders I Attain'd the height of Priestly dignity Being unto him whose awful power did sway That crown in dear esteem but Honors day Which gilded then the Courtly sphere sunk down I lost my Mitre in the fall o' th' Crown Sad is the doleful tale yet since that in Its progress you may find where did begin Your lifes first stage thus take it When the Court Stifl'd with throngs of men whose thick resort Plenty and peace call'd thither being grown Sickly with ease view'd as a thing unknown Dangers stern brow which even in smiling fates Proves a Quotidian unto wiser States Whilst pride grew big and envy bigger
we Sleeping i' th' bed of soft securitie Were with alarums wakened Faction had To shew neglects deformities unclad That gawdy monster whose first dress had bin The night-peec'd works of their unriper sin And those that in contracted fortunes dwelt Calmly in favors shadow having felt The glorious burthen of their honor grown Too large for all that fortune call'd their own Like fishes which the lesser frie devour Pride having join'd oppression to their power Prey'd on the subject till their load outgrew Their loyalty and forc'd even those that knew Once only to obey in sullen rage To mutter threats whose horror did presage That blood must in domestick jars be spilt To cure their envy and the peoples guilt These seeds of discord which began to rise To active growth by th' honorable Spies Of other Princes seen had soon betraid Our States obscure disease and call'd to aid Ambitious subjects forein powers whose strength First but as physick us'd was grown at length Our worst disease which whilst we hop'd for cure Turn'd our slow Hectique to a Calenture A Syracusian army that had bin Against our strength often victorious in A haughty Rebels quarrel being by Success taught how to ravish victory Without his aid which only useful prov'd When treason first for novelty was lov'd Seising on all that in 's pretended cause Had stoop'd to conquest what th' infeebled laws In vain attempted soon perform and give The traitor death from what made treason live This done whilst their victorious ensigns were Fann'd by fames breath they their bold standards bear Near to our last of hopes an army which Like oft try'd Oare disasters made more rich In loyal valor then vast numbers and By shaking fixt those roots on which did stand Their well-elected principles which here Opprest with number only did appeare In bravely dying when their righteous cause Condemn'd by fates inevitable laws Let its religion vertue valor all That heaven calls just beneath rebellion fall Near to the end of this black day when none Was left that durst protect his injur'd throne VVhen loyal valor having lost the day Bleeding within the bed of honor lay Thy wounded father when his acts had shewn As high a spirit as did ever groan Beneath misfortune is inforc'd to leave The fields wild fury and some rest receive In faithful Enna where his springs of blood VVere hardly stopt before a harsher slood Assails his eyes Thy royal mother then More blooming then earths ful-blown beauties when VVarm'd in the Ides of May her fruitful womb Pregnant with thee to an untimely tomb Her fainting spirits in that horrid fright Losing the paths of life from time from light And grief steals down yet ere she had discharg'd Her debts to death protecting heaven enlarg'd Thy narrow lodging and that life which she Lost in thy fatal birth bestow'd on thee On thee in whom those joys thy father priz'd More then lov'd empire are epitomiz'd And now as if the arms of adverse fate Had all conspir'd our ills to aggravate Above the strength of patience we are by Victorious foes before our fear could flie To a remoter refuge clos'd within Unhappy Enna which before they win Though storm'd with fierce assaults the restless sun His annual progress through-the heavens had run But then tir'd with disasters which attend A slow-pac'd siege unable to defend Their numbers from resistless famine they With an unwilling loyaltie obey The next harsh summons and so prostrate lie To th' rage or mercy of their enemie But ere the Cities fortune was unto This last black stage arriv'd safely withdrew To th' Castles strength thy father was where he Though far from safety finds the time to be Inform'd by sober councel how to steer Through this black storm love loyalty and fear Had often varied judgments but at last Into this form their full resolves were cast To cool hot action and to bathe in rest More peaceful places darkness dispossest The days soveraignity to usher whom Into her sable throne a clouds full womb Congeal'd by frigid air as if that then The elements had warr'd as well as men In a white vail came hovering down to hide The Coral pavements but forbid by th' pride o th' Conquerors triumphs and expell'd from thence As that which too much emblem'd innocence Since that the City no safe harbor yields It takes its lodging in the neighboring fields Which mantled in those spotless robes invite The Prince through them to take his secret flight In sad distress leaving his Nobles to Swallow such harsh conditions as the view Of danger candi'd ore from treacherous eyes Obscur'd in a Plebeians poor disguise His glorious train shrunk to desertless I The sad companion of his misery He now departing thee his infant son Heir to his crown and cares ordain'd to run This dangerous hazard of thy life before Time taught thee how thy fortune to deplore When ventring on this precipice of fate We slowly sallied forth 't was cold and late The drowsie guard asleep the Centries hid Close in their huds did shivering stand and chid The whistling winds with chatring teeth when now A leave as solemn as haste would allow Of all our friends our mourning friends being took We like the earth vail'd all in white forsook Our salliport whilst slowly marching ore The new faln snow thee in his arms he bore Whilst this imposture made the scar'd guards when They saw us move then make a stand agen Either to think that dallying winds had plaid With flakes of snow or that their sight betraid Their fancy into errors we were past The reach of danger and in triumph cast Off with our fears what had us safety lent When strength refus'd to save the innocent The eager lover hugs himself not in Such roseal beds of joy when what hath bin His sickly wishes is possest as we Through watchfull foes arriv'd to libertie Imbrace the welcom blessing first we stear Our course tow'rds Siracuse whose confines near The mountain stood upon whose cloudy brow Poor Enna did beneath her ruins bow The Stars cloath'd in the pride of light had sent Their sharp beams from the spangled firmament To silver ore the Earth which being embost With hills seem'd now enamel'd ore with frost The keen winds whistle in the justling trees And cloath'd their naked limbs in hoary frees When having pac'd some miles of crusted earth Whose labor warm'd our blood before the birth O' th' sluggish morning from his bed had drawn The early Villager the sober dawn Lending our eyes the slow salutes of light We are encountred with the welcom sight Of some poor scatter'd Cottages that stood In the dark shadow of a spacious wood That fring'd an humble valley toward those Whilst the still morn knew nought to discompose Her sleepy infancy we went and now Being come so near we might discover how The unstir'd smoke stream'd from the Cottage tops A glim'ring light from a low window stops Our further
prevail'd On his resolves from peacefull povertie His ages refuge hurrying him to be Once more an Agent unto fortune in Uncertain toils whose trouble to begin Leaving his Prince to so much rest as those Whose serious souls are busied to compose Unravell'd thoughts into a method now Sophron forsakes him to discover how His fellow Peers of that lost party stand Dispos'd for action if a Kings command Should give it life all which hâ— findes to be So full of yet untainted loyaltie That in a swift convention they prepare By joyning judgements to divide their care From distant places with such secret haste As did declare a flaming zeal though plac'd In cautions shadow owe considerate Peers Such whose light youth th' experienc'd weight of yeers Had long since ballast with discretion met To see their Prince and to discharge the debt Of full obedience each had with him brought His states surviving hope snatch'd from the soft Hands of lamenting mothers that to those If fit for arms they safely might dispose The excution of those Councils which Their sober age with judgement did inrich In Sophron's Palace which being far remov'd From the streets talking throngs was most aprov'd For needfull privacy these loyal Lords Whose faithfull hearts th' infallible records The heedless vulgar whose neglective sin Had lost the copies of allegiance in This inter regnum trust to being met To shun delayes mans late repented debt The Prince with speed appears whom no disguise Of youths betrayer Time could from their eyes Long undiscover'd keep through the rough vail Of Age or what more powerfull did prevail On Beauties ruines they did soon descry The unquench'd embers of a Majesty Too bright for time to hide with curtains less Dark then that mansion of forgetfulness The Grave which mans first folly taught to be The obscure passage to eternitie That their example might be precept to Unknowing youth with all the reverence due To awefull Princes on their thrones the old Experienc'd Courtiers kneel by which grown bold In their belief those of unriper age Upon their judgements did their faith engage So far that they in solemn vows unite Their yet concordant thoughts which ere the flight Of time should leave the day behind desire To live in action But this rising fire Of loyal rage which in their breasts did burn The thankfull Prince thus gently strives to turn Into a milder passion such as might Not scorch with anger but with judgement light How much is't both my wonder and my joy That we whom treason studied to destroy With near as much of miracle as in The last of dayes lost bodies that have bin Scatter'd amongst the elements shall be Conven'd i' th' Court of immortality Depress'd with fortune and disguis'd with age Sad arguments brave subjects to engage Your loyal valor I had gone from all My mortal hopes had not this secret call Of heaven which doth with unknown method curb Our wilde intention brought me to disturb Your peacefull age whose abler youth had in Defending me expos'd to ruine bin I had no more my conscience now at rest With Widows curses Orphans tears opprest No more in fighting fields those busie marts Where honor doth for fame with death change harts Beheld the sad success of Battails where Proud victors make youths conquest ages care But hid from all a crowns false glories spent Like beauteous flowers which vainly waste the scent Of odors in unhanted desarts all My time conceal'd till wither'd age should fall From that short stem of nature life to be Lost in the dust of deaths obscuritie When in the pride of youth my stars withdrew Their influence first I then had stood with you Those thunderbolts of fate and bravely died Contemning fortune had that feverish pride Of valor not been quench'd in hope to save My infant son from an untimely grave But he when from domestick ills convey'd In safety being by treacherous fate betray'd Either by death or ignorance from what His stars when kindl'd first where pointed at Either lives not or else conceal'd within Some course disguise whose poverty hath been So long his dull companion till he 's grown Not less to us then to himself unknown All this being weigh'd in reasons scale is there Ought in 't can tempt decrepid age to bear Such glorious burthens which if fortunate In the obtaining of in natures date Can have no long account ere I again What I had got with danger kept with pain Summon'd by death the graves black monarch must With sorrow lose yet since that heaven so just And you so loyal I have found that it Might argue fear if I unmov'd should sit At all your just desires I here i' th' sight Of heaven declare together with my right To prosecute your Liberties as far As Justice dares to patronize a war This with a magnanimity that shew'd His youths brave spirits were not all bestow'd On the accounts of age had to so high A pitch of zeal inflam'd their loyalty That in contempt of slow-pack'd counsels they Did like rash youth whose wit wants times allay Haste to unripe engagements such as â—ound The issue weak whose parents are unsound All to those towns where neighborhood had made Them lov'd for vertue or for power obey'd Whilst each with his peculiar guarâ— attends His honor'd Prince imploy their active friends Who having with collecting trumpets made Important errands ready to Invade The peoples censure for a theme to fame Their long lost Princes safe returu proclaim Which though at first a subject it appear'd Onely for faith when circumstance had clear'd Th' eye of Reason from each nobler minde Th' embraces of a welcom truth did finde In publick throngs whilst every forward friend Spoke his resolves his sullen foes did spend Their doubts in private whispers by exchange Of which they found hate had no farther range Then close intelligence whose utmost bounds Ere they obtain the usefull trumpet sounds No distant summons but close marches to His loyal friends whom now their foes might view In troops which if fate favor their intents Ere long must swell to big-bulk'd Regiments Through Country towns and Cities prouder streets The murmuring drum in busie marches meets Such forward valor husbandmen did fear The earth would languish the succeeding years For want of Laborers nor could business stop The streightned Prentice who the slighted shop Left to his angry Master who must be Forc'd to abridge his seven years tyranny Changes the baser utensils of trade For burnisht arms and by example made More valiant scorns those shadows which they fear'd More then rough war whilst ' mongst the cities herd To Regiments from scattering bands being grown From that to Armys whose big looks made known Those bold designs which Justice fear'd to own Though hers till plac'd in Powers imperial throne They now toward action haste which to begin Whilst Castles are secur'd and Towns girt in With armed lines whose Pallizado's had Whole Forrests of
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