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
Sail and Ore Chac'd them to ruine Glorious Victory Thus to the Christian party being by A stranger purchac'd with such high applause As those that rescue a declining cause From the approach of ruine welcom'd he Is now receiv'd into th' societie Of the brave Christian order But they not Long joy'd in victory ere the Turk to blot The stayns of being conquer'd out had made A mighty Army ready to invade The valiant Rhodians where Argalia shewes So brave a spirit their whole Army owes His valour for example The Turks had ought Made desperate onslaughts on the Isle but brought Nought back but wounds and infamy but now Wearyed with toyle they are resolv'd to bow Their stâ—bborn resolutions with the strength Of not to be resisted want the length o th' Chronca ' disease extended had To some few moneths since to oppresse the sad But constant Islanders the Army lay Circling their Confines Whilest this tedious stay From battail rusts the Soldiers valour in His tainted Cabben there had often bin With all variety of Fortune fought Brave single Combats whose successe had brought Honours unwither'd Lawrels on the brow Of either party but the ballance now Forc'd by the hand of a brave Turk inclin'd Wholly to them thrice had his valour shin'd In victories refulgent rayes thrice heard The shouts of Conquest thrice on 's Lance appear'd The heads of noble Rhodians which had strook A general sorrow ' mongst the Knights all look Who next the Lists should enter each desires The task were his but honour now requires A spirit more then vulgar or she dies The next attempt their valours sacrifice To prop whose ruines chosen by the free Consent of all Argalia comes to be Their happy champion Truce proclaym'd untill The combat ends th'expecting people fill The spatious battlements the Turks forsake Their Tents of whom the City Ladies â—ake A dreadfull view till a more noble sight Diverts their looks each part behold their Knight With various wishes whilest in bloud and sweat They toyl for Victory the Conflicts heat Rag'd in their veins which honour more inflam'd Then burning Calentures could doe both blam'd The feeble influence of their Stars that gave No speedier conquest each neglects to save Himself to seek advantage to offend His eager Foe The dreadfull combats end Nought but their losse of bloud proclaims their spirits In that Reflux of heat and life inherit Valours unconqueer'd throne but now so long The Turks proud Champion had induâ—'d the strong Assaults of the stout Christian till his strength Cool'd on the ground with 's bloud he fell at length Beneath his conquering Sword The barbarous crew O' th Villains that did at a distance view Their Champions fall all bands of truce forgot Running to succour him begin a hot And desperate combate with those Knights that stand To aid Argalia by whose conquering hand Whole squadrons of them fall but here he spent His mighty Spirit in vain their Cannons rent His scattered Troops who for protection flie To 'th City Gates but closely followed by Their Foes did there for sad oblations fall To dying liberty their batter'd wall Groan'd with the wondrous weight of Lead and in Its ruines hides her battlements within The bloudy streets the Turkish Crescents are Displayd whilst all the miseries of warre Rag'd in Their Pallaces The common sort Of people make the barbarous Souldier sport In dieing whilst those that survive them crave Their fate in vain here cruelty did save And mercy only kill since death set free Those happier Souls from dire captivity At length the unrestrained Souldier tires Although not satisfies his foul desires With Rapts and Murder when amongst those pore Distressed Captives that from thence they bore Argalia lies in Chains ordain'd to die A sacrifice unto the cruelty Of the fierce Bashaw whose lovd favourite in The Combate late he slew yet had not bin In that so much unhappy had not he That honour'd then his Sword with victorie Half-brother to Janusa been a bright But cruel Lady whose refin'd delight Her slave though husband Ammurat durst not Ruffle with discontent wherefore to cool that hot Contention of her bloud which be â—oresaw That heavy newâ—s would from her anger draw To quench with the brave Christians death he sent Him living to her that her anger spent In flaming torments might not settle in The dregs of discontent Staying to win Some Rhodian Castles all the Prisoners were Sent with a guard into Sardinia there To meet their wretched thraldome from the rest Argalia sever'd soon hopes to be blest With speedy death though waited on by all The hell-instructed torments that could fall Within inventions reach But hee 's not yet Arriv'd to 's period his unmovd stars sit Thus in their Orbs secured It was the use O' th Turkâ—sh pride which triumphs in th' abuse Of suffering Christians once before they take The ornaments of nature off to make Their prisoners publike to the view that all Might mock their miseries this sight did call Janusa to her Paâ—lace window where Whilst she beholds them love resolv'd to bear Her ruine on her treacherous eye-beams till Her heart infected grew their Orbs did fill As the most pleasing object with the sight Of him whose Sword opend a way for th' flight Of her lov'd Brothers soul At the first view Passion had strook her dumb but when it grew Into desire she speedily did send To have his name which known hate did deâ—end Her heart besieg'd with love she sighs and strait Commands him to a dungeon but loves bait Cannot be so cast up though to deface His Image in her soule she strives the place For 's execution she commands to be Gainst the next day prepared but rest and she Grow enemies about it if she steal A slumber from her thoughts that doth reveal Her passions in a dream sometimes she thought She saw her Brothers pale grim Ghost that brought His grizlie wounds to shew her smeerd in bloud Standing before her fight and by that floud Those red streams wept imploring vengeance then Inraged she cries Oh let him die but when Her sleep imprison'd fancie wandring in The shades of darkned Reason did begin To draw Argalia's image on her soul Loves Soveraign power did suddenly controul The strength of those abortive Embrio's sprung From smotherd anger The glad birds had sung A Lullaby to night the Lark was fled On drooping wings up from his dewy bed To fan them in the Rising Sun-beams ere Whose early raigne Janusa that could bear No longer lockt within her breast so great An army of rebellious passionâ— beat From Reasons conquerd Fortresse did unfold Her thoughts to Manto a stout Wench whose bold Wit joynd with zeal to serve her had endeard Her to her best Affections having cleard All doubts with hopeful promises her made By whose close wildes this plot must be convayd To secret action of her councel makes Two Evnuch Panders by whose help she takes Argalia from
gild The Ebbony of Night to hear the rude Murmure that did from the mixt multitude Open'd together with their Doors assures Argalia that their â—ear which yet secures That bandfull of insulting Tyrants might With anger being charg'd home be put to flight With a reserve of hope whilst every breast Was sweld with stiffl'd Spirits whilst opprest With silent grief helplesse Spectators they Saw those they once for Vertue did obey Their reverend Senaâ—ors whose silver'd heads Age now made fit for ease forc'd from their Beds By feaverish powers rude fits whose hear not all The Jewleps of their Tears though some drops fall From Beauties lovely blossoms cools their Râ—ge Neglected Youth slights like unreverent Age. But when the conquering Captives by the brave Argalia rescued from the Castle gave Bright Vict'ries Signal when they saw each Lance The bleeding head of a grim Turk advance Anger like unobstructed Love breaks forth In flaming hast yet here the Want of worth And Valour ' mongst the City heard had drove Them all to deaths dark Fields if whilst they strove With that stout band of Iannizaries they Had not been by Argalia taught the way To Victory who in a sally meets Retreating fear when crecping from the streets To th' vain protection of their doors and now His conquering Sword having taught all to bow Beneath its burnisht splendor since the high Applause o th' loudest acclamations fly Beneath his worth a general Vote elects Him for their Prince but his brave Soul affects Not so sublime a burthen knowing they Bred under a Democrisie obey Contracted power but harshly he returns All to their Senate who of late like Urns Nought but the uselesse Ashes did contain Of their own Laws which were by Conquest slâ—in But his refusal where accâ—ptance not Envy could say Ambition had begot But new Plants Vertue who from thence did take The deeper Root and ' mongst the throng did make That choice so Epedemical that he For Valour feard lov'd for Humility The peoples prayer those humble shrubs that ow For safety to powâ—'s Cedars joyn to grow â—hadowd beneath his Merit and create Him Prince o th' Senate who their doubtful state Requiring strong Ailies A Fleet prepard To seek those Princes who their danger shard Which ready with a prosperous Gale of wind He though imployd by Honour sails to find Out Loves rich Indiaes and with 's white winged Fleet Hastens Palermos neerest Port to meet CANTO THE FIFTH The ARGUMENT With prosperous Sails mov'd from Sardinia's Shore Argalia safe doth now from danger set The Cyprian Prince who though so large in score With noble friendship soon repays the Debt In Sparta's Court they 'r now arriv'd where he That Life he sav'd venters to serve him in An Act so great it sets the Princess free Who for his sake had long a Prisoner bin WHilst with bent Oars Argalia's Squadrons move Like the light wings of Times Physitian Love Who steerd his course and now had safely drawn Him through th' Ionian Waves when by the dawn Of a still Morning whose pale sickly light Yet bounded in the Ebbony of Night Shewd like a dull Quicksilver foil spread o're The Worlds great Glasse whose even Surface bore Within their view two Galleons whom they saw Like timerous Hares base Hunters give no Law Chac'd by a nimble numerous fleeâ— Drawn near Christians the chac'd the Chacers Turks appear Which like a shole of smaller Fishes made So bold by number that they durst invade The big bulkt Whale on every side assails The slow-pac'd fleet who since not strength prevayls Against such ods their fiery spirits spent In thunder which had from their broad sides sent The last great groan for powers decease and they Not their Foes terror but good fortune lay Whilest crampt in this convulsion of their fear Which honour gilding made despair appear The childe of fortitude they all prepare Braveâ—y to die Argalia's squadrons bare Up with the winde and ere the Turks proud Fleet Deceiv'd by their own Crescents fear to meet A danger like a Hirrocane falls in Destruction which was suffer'd whilest unseen So wealthy Merchants whose returning cost A storm on the pacifick Sea hath lost Fall from the arms of hope Sudden and swift As inundations whose impetuous drift Swallows a sleeping City up had they Lost the firm hold of Victory and lay Sad Captives in their own lost Ship for flight Saves few where all in hopes of conquest fight Fair Vict'ry made more bright by accident Even when despair hopes wasted stock had spent Those that were rescu'd from their soft prayers raise To pay heavens tribute in their louder prayse Which oft neglected debt discharg'd they gave Allay'd with thanks to him whose band did save A miracle in their delivery all Dâ—sev'd applause that can when mounted fall i th' Circle of Humanity to kisse Those hands wich pluckt him from the black Abbysse Of Death their brave Commander goes where he Discoverd by Majestick curtesie Such real forms of worth that he was grown Rich in esteem before more fully known But long Truth stands not vail'd in a disguize Of Ignorance ere they are taught to prize His Friendship at a higher rate by seeing Their active Valour had been blest in freeing The Cyprian Prince for such he was and then Bound for Morea this made publick when Acquaintance had taught Love more boldnesse he All that discretion would permit to be Lodg'd in the Closet of a friendly Breast Tels to Argalia who though in his best Of hopes a Rival knowing him was in Love too secure to harbour envious sin Their prosperous Fleet ere times short steps had trod In hours a full dayes Journey safely rod At Anchor in Ghirenza's Bay from whence When known their Cannons in a loud expence Proclaim their welcome the Acquaintance that The Cyprians Father ere his youth stayd at Its Summer Solstice with Cleander had Revives i th' Suns embraces which the glad Citie in th' triumphs ecchoes ere 't was known That his Resolves were such as Love was grown The wishes of the peoples throng who thought That that unpollisht Prince Zoranza brought Unequal strength of Merit ere to win The Fort Pharonnida lodg'd Vertue in When first they enterd the admiring Court Fame wise mens care but the Fools busie sport Making the Ear the Eyes wise Harbinger By Learning first their Vertues did coafer More honour on their persons they beheld i th' Cyprian Prince heroick worth yet sweld With no ambitious tumour calm and free As whoâ—esome aire when its Ubiquity Breaths healthful blasts where his smooth thoughts to all Most sweetly affable but few could call His Love familiar his Youth had not Yet learnt rough War although from Precept got Its useful Rudiments and by Valour shews Future Command may pay what Action ows To speculation by the Grave sad man Whose counsel could Conspiracies unspan When ready to give fire he is beheld As one whose Vertues far his years exceld And
as death turnd on the Beast and threw His happy Javelin whose wel guided aime Although success it knew not how to claime From strength yet is so much assisted by Fortune that what before had scornd to dy By all our power when contending in Nice Art the honour of that day to win To him alone fals by that feeble stroke From all his speed which seen he to provoke His hastier death seconds those wounds which in Their safety are by those with terrour seen That had escapt the danger and even by Us that pursu'd with such amaze that I Who had before observ'd those Rays of worth Obscur'd in clouds here let my love break forth In useful Action such as from that low Condition brought him where I might bestow On him what Art requir'd to perfect that Râ—re piece of Nature which we wonderd at From those whom I ' mongst others thought to be Such whose Affection the proximity Of Nature claimd with a regret that shewd Their poverty unwillingly bestowd So lov'd a Jewel had procur'd the Youth His Foster Father loath to wave a truth That in the progress of his Fate might be Of high account discovers unto me The worlds mistake concerning him and thus Relate his story He was brought to us Quoth the good man some ten years since by two VVho could men be discoverd to the view Of knowledge by their Habits seemd but such As Fortunes narrow hand had gave not much More then Necessiâ—y requires to be Injoyd of every man whom Life makes free Of Natures City though their bounty shewed To our him judgments that they only owed Mischance for those course Habits which disguiz'd What once the World at higher rates had priz'd i th' worst extream of time about the birth o th' fluggish Morning when the crusted earth Was tinsel'd o're with Frost and each Sprig clad With Winters Wool I whom cross Fortune had Destin'd to early Labours being abroad Met two benighted men far from the Road Wandring alone no skilful Guide their way Directing in that Infancy of day But the faint beams of glimmering Candles that Shon from our lovely Cottage-Windows at Which Marks they steerd their Course one of them bore This Boy an Infant then which knew no more Then Natures untrod pathes These having spi'd Me through the Mornings Mists glad of a Guide Though to a place whose superficial view Lent smal hopes of relief went with me to Mine own poor home where with such course cheap Fare As must content us that but eat to bear The burthens of a Life refresht they take A short repose then being to forsake Their new-found Hoast desire with us to leave The Child til time should some few daies bereave Of the Habiliments of Light We stood Not long to parl but willing to do good To strangers so distrest were never by Our poverty once tempted to deny My wife being then a Nurse upon her takes The pretty Charge and with our own Son makes Him Fellow-commoner at the ful Brest And Partner of the Cradles quiet rest Now to depart one that did seem to have The nearst relation to the Infant gave Him first this Jewel at which word they shewed One which upon Argalia was bestowed By those that left him then that we might be Not straightned by our former poverty Leave us some Gold by which we since have bin Enabl'd to maintain him though not in That Equipage which we presume unto His birth although to us unknown is due This done with Eyes that lost their light in Tears They take their leaves since when those daies to years Are grown in which we did again expect They should return but whether be neglect Or else impossibility detain Tâ—em from his sight our care hath sought in vain Having thus plainly heard as much as Fate Had yet of him discoverd I that late Desir'd him for his own now for the sake Of 's Friends what ere they were resolv'd to take Him from that barren rudeness and transplant So choice a Slip where he might know no want Of Education with some labour I Having obtaind him til virility Rendred him fit for nobler Action stayed Him alwaies with me when my Love obayed His Reason and then in the quest of what Confin'd Domesticks do but stumble at Exotick knowledge with this noble Youth To whom his Love grew linckt like spotless truth To perfect Vertue sent him to pursue His wisht design from whence this interview First took its fatal Rise and here the Lord That a more ful discov'ry might afford Them yet more wonder shews the Jewel to Sparta's pleas'd Prince at whoe 's most serious view The skilfulst Lapidaries judging it Both for its worth and beauty only fit To sparkle in the glorious Cabinet Of some great Queen such value on it set That all conclude the honour on'â— must be Some falling Star i th' Night of Royaltie From Honours sphear the Glories of a Crown To vaunt the center of our Fears dropt down And now the Court whose brightest splendor in These fatal Changes long eclips'd had been Resumes its luster wich to elevate With all the pleasures of a prosperous state For that contracted span of time design'd For th' Princes stay Fancies are wrackt to find New forms of Mirth such whose Invention might Inform the Ear whilst they the Eye delight All which whilst to the less concernd they lent A flux of joy yet lost their first intent To please the Princess who from mirth did move Excentrical since first iuflâ—m'd with Love Which did soon from Fancies Embrion grow A large limbd Tyrant when prepard to go She sees Argalia who engag'd t' attend Th' Embassadors here soon had put an end To what even from those unto Love unkind Must now force tears ere it a period find That time expir'd ordaind to terminate Her Fathers stay and so that splendid state That yet adornd the Princess Court to shew How much he did for 's Frontiers safety ow Unto those moving Cittadels a Fleet His Mandates cals each Squadron for to meet Within Lepanto in whose harborous Lay Those Ships that were ordaind for a Convay To the Calabrians Messengers who now With all that Love or Honour could allow To noble strangers being attended by The brightest Glorys of two Courts draw nigh A royal Fleet whose glittering streamers lent Dul Waves the beauties of a Firmament Amongst which numbers one too stately far For rough Encounters of defacing War VVhose gilded Masts their crimson Sails had spread In silken Flakes advanc'd her stately head High as where Clouds condense where a Light stands Took for a Comet by far distant Lands For Cabbins where th' imprisond Passenger VVants Aire to breath she 's stor'd with Rooms that were So fair without and yet so large within A Persian Sophy might have reveld in Their spatious bulks To this Molarchus he VVhom greatness joynd to known Ability Had made Sicillia's Admiral invights The Royal Train where with what ere
Vines with various colours grac'd Their spreding branches whose proud brows being crownd With stately Walks did from that ample round The wel-pleas'd Eye to every place convay That in the Islands humble level lay To guard her Court a hundred Gentlemen Such as had glorifi'd their Valour when Tryed in her Fathers Wars attended which Commanded by Argalia did enrich His Merit with such fair reward that all His better Stars should they a Synod call Those fires conven'd nere with more glorious Light Could cloath his hopes his Fortunes dim-ey'd Night Inflam'd to Noon and the faiâ— Princess blest By the same power for though his Fate invest His noble Soul within the obscure Mask Of an unknown descent his Fame shall ask In time to come a Chronicle and be The Glory of that royal Family From whence he sprung but ere he must attain The top of Fortunes Wheel that Iron Chain By whose linkt strength it turns too oft will grate Him with most hot Afflictions his wise Fate Digs deep with Miseries before it layes The ground-fork of his Fame which then shall raise On the firm Basis of Authentick story To him eternal Pyramids of Glory Thou that art skil'd in Loves Polemmicks here Wish they may rest awhile and though drawn neer A sadder Fate if piâ—y sayes to rath 'T is to let sorrow sad the Scean wee 'l bath Our Pen awhile in Nectar though we then Steep it in Gall again the Spring did when The Princess first did with her presence grace This house of pleasure with soft Armes embrace The Earth his lovely Mistress clad in all The painted Robes the Mornings Dew let fallâ— Upon her Virgin Bosome the soft breath Of Zephirus sung calm Anthems at the death Of Palsie-shaken Winter whose large Grave The Earth whilst they in fruitful tears did leave Their pious grief turnd into smiles they throw Over the Herse a Vail of Flowers the low And pregnant Valleys sweld with fruit whilst Heaven Smil'd on each blessing its faire hand had given Be-calmd on this paciffick Sea of pleasure No boisterous Wave appearing the rich treasure Of Love being ballast with Content did fear No threatning storm so safe a Harbour neer As th' Object whence it sprung such royal sports As take their birth from the triumphant Courts Of happy Princes did contract the day To pitied beauty time steals away On downy feet whose loss since it bereaves Them of no more then what new birth receives From the next teeming day by none is thought Worth the lamenting sometimes rockt in the soft Armes of the calmest pleasures they behold A sprightly Comedy the sins unfold Of more corrupted times then in its high Cothurnal Sceans a lofty Tragedy Erects their 〈◊〉 and doth at once invite To variouâ— Passions Soâ—â—ow and Delight Time Motions aâ—ed 〈◊〉 includes Not more in all the 〈…〉 Then their oft changing 〈…〉 When the Suns lofty pride 〈…〉 The Earths imbroiderd Robes 〈…〉 And palsie hand did those fresh 〈…〉 Up in her hoary Plush each Seasâ—◠〈…〉 Delights of 'ts own such a beguil'd 〈…〉 It s stock of hours unwasted on in chast Though private sports here happy Lovers 〈◊〉 Fancie's fresh Youth whose first attempts did proâ—â— Too innocent for th' Sophistry of Love There scornful beauty or the envious eye Of jealous Rivals nere afflicts all by An equal and a noble height so blest Pride none had rais'd nor poverty deprest The end of the fourth Canto PHARONNIDA The second Book CANTO THE FIFTH The ARGUMENT IX Whilst serene Joy sate smiling in her Court As shadows to illustrate Vertue by Phantastick Love becomes the Princess sport Whose harsher Dictates she ere long must try X. For now Suspition Vertues secret Foe Fir'd with Argalia's just deserved Fame Makes her great Father think each Minute slow Till separation had allayd the Flame LEst that her Court which seems compos'd of all That 's great or good th'ore-weaning world should caâ— Perfections height a word which whilst on Earth Vain as delight only from Name takes birth In this the largest and most glorious sphear Ere Greatness mov'd in some few Stars appear To Vertue retrograde th' informing Spirit Love by whose motion on the Pole of Merit This bright Orb turnd even ' mongst these Heroes finds A pair of Followers whose imperfect minds Transgrest his Dictates and though no offence So full of guilt as foul Incontinence Durst here approach by waies less known unto What Love intends those various Figures drew Whose Aspects nere more neer Conjunction move Then Eyes the slight Astronomy of Love That new Platonnick Malady the way By which imperfect Eunuchs do betray Natures Diseases to contempt whilst by Such slight repast they strive to satisfie Loves full desires which pines or else must crave More then thin Souls in seperation have Being lately by some sick Phantasticks brought But neer the Court within it long had sought For residence till entertaind by two Whose meeting Souls no more distinction knew Then Sex a difference which whilst here it grows Toward Heaven it to Corporeal Organs ows But since that these so uncouth Actors here But as Intruders on the Scean appear Ere in their story we ingulph too far Let 's first behold them in their Character If ere thy sober Reason did submit To suppling Mirth that wanton Child of wit Beholding A Fantastick drest in all His vain delights what 's Annalogical To our Acretius then conceive thou 'st seen Though if compar'd those short to him had been As Transcripts are to Coppies to compleat A Humorist here Folly had close a seat ' Mongst more then vulgar knowledge and might pass The same account an Academick Ass Makes of his Fathers four year Charge when he Frights Villagers with shreds of Sophistry ' Mongst forrein parts of which like Coriate Hee 'd run through some he had acquir'd to prate By priviledge and as if every Nation Contributed is in each several fashion Which like their Tongues all so imperfect find That both disguiz'd his body and his mind Though self conceit vain Youths fantastick Crime Made him steal singly from the Front of time i th' Medium which but seldome proves the seat For Lust's wild-fire or Zeals reflected heat He amarous grows and doubting to prevail For all his Wings caught Pegasus by th' Tail And being before with Cupidi Engines fit'd From his Posteriors doubly was inspiâ—'d She that at first this sympathetick flame Inspir'd him with the Court knew by the Name Of Philanta to whom all would impair Their skill that gave that Epithet of fair Except Acretius since her beauty fit For praises was where parallel'd by wit Yet now although times sad discovery tels Her Autumes furrows were no parallels In Beauties sphear those youthful forms being grown So obsolete scarce the Vestigia's shown A Native pride and strange phantastick dress More admiration then ere comeliness Could do acquires She formerly had been A great Admirer of Romances in Whose Garb she now goes
dwel High as his Hopes and that a Parallel To hers appearing eithers Merits had A Climax to preferment and thus clad Vertue in Honours Robes which equal Fate Gave his Affection Language to relate What their Disparity kept dumb nor did Those Motions find acceptance such as hid Them for presumption rather 't was a Frost Of Virgin Ice then fire of pride that crost His Masculine Desires her Eyes unfold So much of Passion as by them she told Who had most interest in her Heart which she From all brave Rivals his resolves shall be ' Mongst those Mazara one whose noble blood Enrich'd the Gems of Vertue though they stood In Honours Altitude was chief nor could A nobler Choice were her Affections rul'd By Worth commend her Judgment his fresh youth Being Crownd with Vertues which might raise a truth Above Hyperboles his Nature mild As was the Gaulless Dove yet not the wild And furious Lion when provok'd could have More daring Valour an untimely Grave Whilst it i th' Embrio was to every Vice But unto Vertue a fair Paradice Whose weedless Banks no pining Winter knew Till Death the Iufluence of warm Life withdrew That sympathy of meeting Vertues which Did both their Souls with equal worth enrich 'Twixt him and brave Euriolus had ty'd A League not to be broke could Love divide His Blessings amongst Friends But that of all Our Passions brooks no Rival fear may call Friends to partake of Palsies Anger strives To fire each neighbouring Bosome Envie thrives By being transplanted but a Lovers pure Flames though converted to a Calenture Unwillingly with the least flame will part Although to thaw anothers frozen heart Few ' mongst th' observant Wits o th' Court yet knew Though it with twisted Eye-beams strengthend grew At every interview and often dropt Some Tears to water it whose Love 't was stopt Mazara's Sute Euriolus to her Whose melting pity only could confer A Cure unlocks the Secrets whilst the other More confident to win nere strives to smoother A Passion so legitimate but by All actual Complements declares how high He priz'd her Vertues but this Worthies Fate Fixt him in Loves intemperate Zone too late â—he pining Fruit was sown the Spring so far Being spent its dayes were grown Canicular Schortching all hopes but what made able were By fruitful Tears Loves April Showers to bear Neglects untimely Frosts which oft have lost In bloomy Springs the unhappy Lovers cost When this accomplisht Youth whose Tongue and Pen With Negatives more firm and frequent then Curst Usurers give impoverisht Clients oft Had been repuls'd truth for discovery brought This Accident within the royal Court Of bright Pharonnida a full Resort Of valiant Knights were met conven'd to try Whose Valour Fortune meant to glorifie Of which selected number there was one Who though a stranger Vertue soon made known To all ' cause fear'd of most his valour had Before the first triumphant day unclad The silver-vested Hemisphear been oft Cloathd in the Ornaments of Honour brought On Fames fair wings from the opposing part Uncresting them to crown his high desert But now when this new Constellation neer Its Zenith drew in Honours Hemisphear Cald thither by deciding Lots the brave Euriolus appears whom Victory gave In the first shock success and plac'd his Name In the Meridian Altitude of Fame Where though the valiant stranger prove no Foe So fortunately valiant do ore-throw the structure of his Fate yet his close Stars Now sinks a Mine to which those open Wars But easie dangers were Mazara in His Crest a Scarff that formerly had been Known for Florenza's seeing jealous Love Converted into Rage his Passions move Above the sphear of Reason and what late Was but a gentle blaze by alterd Fate Fires to a Comet whose malignant beams Foretold sad Ills attending Loves extreams Loth to betray his Passions in so great A breach of Friendship to a close Retreat Mazara summons forward Rage yet in The strangers Name whose Fortune might have been The Parent of a private Qâ—arrel sends To call Euriolus who now attends Nought but triumphant mirth unguaâ—ded by Applauding Friends in secret Fight to try What power did him from threatning danger guard When publick Fame was Victories Reward This fatal Scroll receiv'd by him that thought It real truth since Passion might have sought In him the same delay a swift consent Returns his Answer but the Message went So far from its directed Road that ere It reacht Mazara's loose Neglect did bear It to Carina's Ear a Lady that In silent tears her heart had offerd at His Vertues Shrine yet with such secret zeal Her Eyes forbid their Cupids to reveal That Language of her heart she knew that in Florenza's Sea of Merits hers had been Shipwrackt and lost yet with a Soul as far From envying her as hating him this War Of factious Passions she maintains and since Reason now wanted Language to convince Those head-strong Rebels she resolves to be Though ruin'd ruld by their Democracy The Information her officious Maide Had from Mazara's careless Page betrayd Assures Carina the preceding Night Such Horse and Armour as the stranger Knight Euriolus had conquer'd in had been By his most cautious diligence within A not far distant Wood in whose black shade He meant his Fury should his Foe invade Lodg'd by his Master which discoverd truth Frighting her tears from the swift chase of Youth And Beauty into froward Age to meet Sorrow in private shades withdraws the sweet But sad Carina who resolves to spend Her sighs unnoted by her dearest Friend This in Florenza who fore-saw that nought But Passions more then common could have wrought So swift a change works high who that she might Dis-plume these Ravens ere the Babes of Light Smile in their weeping Mothers Face prepares To see Carina who with wakeful cares Her sad Companions by her friend surpriz'd No longer in their Ebbon Vail disguiz'd Her thoughts pure candor but with looks that did Seem to implore Assistance whilst they chid Her own indulgent Nature shews her how Preposterous Love made her to Passions bow Whose fruit since none of her first Planters came From forward man could be but female shame This with its fatal Authour known to free Her Friend from shame her self from cruelty Unto Mazara whose firm Love attends Her least Commands incenst Florenza sends Whose zeal transported Soul no sooner hears That welcome sound but though presaging fears Prompt him to stay least haughty honour fall Ruin'd by Fame be le ts her Standards fall Before commanding Love and goes to wait On 's honourd Mistress but this sly deceit Of hope no Cordial proves unto the sad Carina's grief the long experience had Of his Affection to Florenza tells Her doubtful Soul those even Parallels Could not by all her Friends perswasions be Wrested into the least obliquity Which sad mistrust did Love precipitate On pathes whose danger frights protecting Fate Assur'd the Combates hour drew on and
my Virgin-freedome ere I will Consent to that which being performd will kill My honour to preserve my life and turn Th' unworthy beauty which now makes you burn In these unhallowed flames into a Cell Which none but th' black Inhabitants of Hell Will ere possess Those private thoughts which give If we continue verteous whilst we live On Earth our Souls commerce with Angels shall Be turnd to Furies if we yield to fall Beneath our Vices thus O then take heed Do not defile a Temple such a deed Will when in labour with your latest breath With horror Curtain the black Bed of death Though Prayers in vain strove to divert that Crime He prosecutes yet to protract the time She more had sayed had not all Language been Lost in a storm of 's Lust which raging in His fury gives a fresh assault unto Weak Innocence for Mercy now to sue To hope seems vain robustious strength did baâ— The use of Language which defensive War Continuing till the breathless Maid was wrought Almost beneath resistance just Heaven brought This unexpected Aide A lovely Swain Whose large Possessions in the neighbouring Plain Had stil'd him rich that powerful which t' improve To that fair stock his vertue added love Which to flattery since it lost its eyes The world but seldome sees without disguise This sprightly Youth led by the parallels Of Birth and Fortune what ere else excels Those fading blessings to Florenza in His Youths fresh April had devoted been With so much zeal that what that heedless age But dallied with like Customes which engage Themselves to habits ere its growth he knew Love equal with his active manhood grew Which noble Plant though in the torrid Zone Of her disdain 't had nere distemper known Yet oft those sad vicissitudes doth find For which none truly lov'd that nere had pin'd Which pleasing passion though his judgment knew How to divert ere reason it out-grew It often from important action brought Him to those shades where Contemplation sought Calm sollitude in whose soft raptures Love Refining Fancy lifts his thoughts above Those joyes which when by trial brought to th' test Proves thoughts bright Heaven dul Eâ—rth when once possest Whilst seated here his eyes did celebrate As to those shade Florenza oft had sate Beneath kind looks to ravish that delight The tir'd Caâ—ina in her breathless flight Come neer the place assaults his wonder in That dreadful sound which tels him what had bin Her cause of fear which doleful stories end Arriv'd to th' danger of his dearest Friend Leaves him no time for language ere wingd by Anger and Love his hast strives to out-fly His eager thoughts Being now arriv'd so near Unto the place that his informing Ear Thither directs his steps with such a hast As nimble souls when they are first uncâ—s'd From bodies slie he thither speeds and now Being come where he beheld with horror how His better Angel injur'd was disputes Neither with fear nor policy they 'r Mutes When Anger 's thunder roars but swiftly draws His Faulchion and the justice of his Cause Argues with eager stroaks but spent in vain ' Gainst that unequal strength which did maintain The more unlawful all his power could do Is but to shew the effects of Love unto Her he ador'd few stroaks being spent before His feeble Arme of power to do no more Faints with the loss oâ— blood and letting fall Th' ill-manag'd VVeapon for his death doth call By the contempt of mercy so to prove A Sacrifice slain to Florenza's Love The cursed steel by the robustious hand Of fierce Almanzor guided now did stand Fixt in his breast whilst with a purple flood His life soiâ—s forth i th' Channel of his blood This Remora remov'd the impious deed No sooner was performd but ere the speed Florenza made though to her eager flight Fear added wings conveyd her from his sight His rude hand on her seises Now in vain She lavisht Prayers the groans in which her slain Friend breaths his soul forth with her shrieks did fill The ambient Aire struck lately with the still Voice of harmonious Musick But the Eare Of penetrated Heaven not long could heare Prayers breath'd from so much innocence yet send Them back deni'd white Mercy did attend Her swift deliv'ry when obstructing fear Through Reason let no Ray of hope appear Startl'd Argalia who was courted by Her pleasing Voices milder Harmony Into restrictive slumbers wakend at Their Alter'd Tone hast to discover what Had causd that change and soon the place attains Where in th' exhausted treasuce of his Vains Andremon wallows and Florenza lies Bath'd in her tears ready to sacrifice Her Life with her Virginity which sight Provok't a hast such as his presence might Protect the trembling Virgin which perceiv'd By curst Almanzor made to be bereav'd o th' Spoils of such a wicked Victory As Lust had then near conquerd fiercely he Assails the noble stranger who detesting An Act so full of Villany and resting On the firm justâ—ce of his Cause had made His guiltless Sword as ready to invade As was the others that had surfeited In blood before Here equal Valour bred In both a doubtfull hope Almanzors Lust Had fierd his Courage which Argalias just Attempts did strive to quench The thirsty steel Had drunk some blood from both ere Fortunes Wheel Turnd to the righteous Cause that Vigor which Through rivolets of Veins spread the salt Itch 〈◊〉 feaverish Lust before was turnd into 〈◊〉 flame of anger â— whilst his hands did do What Rage doth dictate Fury doth assist With flaming Paroxismes and each Nerve twist Into a double strength yet not that flood Which in this ebullition of his blood Did through the Channels boyl till they run o're With flaming spirits could depress that store Of manly worth which in Argalias breast Did with a quiet even Valor rest Moving as in its naturall Orb unstraind 〈◊〉 any violent motion nor yet chaind By lazy damps of faint mistrust but in Dangers extream still confident to win A noble Victory or i th' loss of breath Iâ— his Fate frownd to find an honourd death Fil'd with these brave Resolves until the heat Of their warm Fury had Alarmes beat 〈◊〉 th' neighbouring fields they fought which tumult by Such of Almanzors Followers as were nigh The Grove repos'd with an astonishment That rouzd them heard they hasten to prevent The sad effects that might this Cause ensue â—re more of danger then their fear they knew Arriv'd even with that fatal Minute he Who against Justice strove for Victory With such faint stroaks that their descent did give â—ought but assurance that his Foe must live 〈◊〉 happy Conquerour they usurp the power 〈◊〉 Heaven revenge and in a dreadfull shower 〈◊〉 danger with their Furies torrent strive 〈◊〉 orewhelm the Victor but the foremost drive Their own destruction on and fall beneath His conquering Sword ere he takes time to breath Those spirits which when
neer with Action tiâ—'d Valor breaâ—hd fresh fast as the spent expir'd Here rash Araspes and bold Leovine Two whose descent i th' nearst collateral Line Unto Almanzors stood beholding how His strength decâ—yd must unto Conquest bow In spight of Valor to revenge his fate VVith so much hast attempt as if too late They l come to rescue and would now to shun T is just reproof by rashness strive to run To death before him finding from that Sword Their Lifes discharge which did to him afford Only those wounds whose fears must live to be The badges of eternal Infamy But here ore-whelmd by an nnequal strength The noble Victor soon to th' utmost length Had lifes smal thread extended if not in The dawn of hope some troops whose charge had bin VVhilst th' active Gentry did attend the Court To free the Country from the feard Resort Of wild Bandeets these being directed by Such frighted Rurals as imployment nigh The Grove had led arriving at that time VVhen his slain Foes made the mistaken Crime Appear Argalias soon by power allay That fatal storm which done a full survay Of them that death freed from distress being took Them through whose wounds life had not yet forsook Her Throne they view ' mongst whom through the disguise Oâ—'s blood Almanzor whose high power they prise More then discover'd Innocence being found As Justice had by close decree been bound T' espouse his quarrels whilst his friends convay Him safely thence those ponderous Crimes they lay Unto Agalias Charge whose just defence Pleads but in vain for injur'd innocence Now neer departing whilst his helpfull friends Bore off Almanzor where he long attends The cure of 's wounds though they less torment bred Then to behold how his lost honour bled The sad Florenza comes to take her last Leave of her lost Andremon ere she past That sad stage ore to his cold clammy Lips Joyning her balmy Twins she from them sips So much of deaths oppressing Dews that by That touch reviv'd his soul though wing'd to flie Her ruin'd seat takes time enough to breath These sad notes forth farewell my Dear beneath The ponderous burthen of mortality My fainting spirits sink Oh mayst thou be Blest in a happier Love all that I crave Is that my now departing soul may have Thy Virgin prayers for her Companions through Those gloomy Vaults which she must pass unto Eternall shades had Fate assign'd my stay Till we'd together gone the horrid way Had then been made delightfull but I must Depart without thee and convert to dust VVhilst thou art flesh and blood I in a cold Dark Uâ—ne must lie whilst a warm Groom doth hold Thee in thy Nuptial bed yet there I shall If fled souls know what doth on earth befall Mourn for thy loss and to eternity Wander alone the various World shall be Refin'd in flames time shall afford no place For Vanity ere I again embrace Society with flesh which ere that must Change to a thousand forms her varied dust What we shall be or whither we shall go When gone from hence wheth'r unto flames below Or joyes above or whether in death we may Know our departed friends or tell which way They went before us these oh these are things That pauze our Divinity Scepterd Kings And Subjects die alike nor can we tell Which doth enjoy or which in torments dwell Oh sad sad ignorance Heaven guide me right Or I shall wander in eternal Night To whose dark shades my dim eyes sink apace Farewel Florenza when both time and place My separated Soul hath left to be A stranger maskt in Immortality Think on thy murtherd friend we now must part Eternaly the Cordage of my heart That last sigh broke with that the breath that long Had hoverd in his Breast flew with a strong Groan from that mortal Mansion which beheld By such of 's friends whom Courtesie compel'd To that sad Charge the bloodless body they With sad slow steps to 's Fathers home convey The end of the second Canto PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE THIRD The ARGUMENT V. The brave Argalia who dâ—sign'd to raise Through all approaching ills his weighty Fate In smooth Compliance that harsh Guard obeys Who tow'rd his death did prosecute their hate VI. To death which here unluckily had staind Maugre his friends the ill directed Sword Of Justice had not secret love obtaind More mercy then the strict Laws dare afford LOw in a fruitful Pasture where his Flocks Cloud with their breath those Plains whose leavy lock Could hardly shadow them though Meadows need No shearing where in untold Droves did feed His bellowing Heards of which enough did come Each day to 's Yoak to serve a Hecatombe Lay old Andâ—enâ—ons Country Farm in which Happy til now being made by Fortune rich And Goodness honest from domestick strife Stil calm and free the upper Robes of Life Til witherd he had worn to ease whose sad And sullen Cares less bounteous Nature had Lent him no numerous Issue all he 'd won By prayer confin'd unto this murtherd Son The blasted Blossome of whose tender age When blooming first taught Hope how to presage Those future Vertues which interpreted By Action had such fruitful Branches spread That all indulgent Parents wisht to be Immortalizd in blest Posterity Had seen in him whose innocently good Stil let his Heart by 's Tongue be understood In such a sacred Dialect that all Which verg'd within deliberate thought did fall Towards Heaven was grac'd and in descent did prove To 's Parents Duty and to 's Neighbours Love This hopeful Youth their Ages chief support Whose absence though by 's own desires made short Their Love thought tedious having now expir'd His usual hours the aged Couple tir'd With expectation to anticipate His slow appearance to their Mansions Gaâ—e Where softly walk'd where cooly shadowed by An Elm which planted at his Birth did vie Age with his Lord whilst their desires pursue Its first design they with some pleasure view Their busie Servants whose industrious pain Sweats out Diseases in pursuit of gain All which although the chiefest pleasure that Their thoughts contain whose best are busied at The Mart o th' World such small diversion lent The aged pair that his kind Mother spent With a too long protracted hope had let Even that expire had not his Father set Props to that weakness and that mutuall fear Which fil'd their breasts let his sound Judgment clear By the proposing Accidents that might Untouchd detaine their Darling from their sight But many Minutes had not left their seals On the Records of Time ere truth reveals Her horrid secrets A confused noise First strikes their Ears which suddenly destroys Its own imperfect Embrioes to transfer Its Object to that nearer Messenger o th' Soul the Eyes whose beamy Scouts convey A trembling fear into their Souls whilst they That bore their murtherd Son arriv'd to tel Their doleful Mâ—ssage which so fierce storm fel
whom the burthen of a State depends When to the Court just wonder thus far he With such unshaken confidence as we Pray on th' expanded wings of Faith displayed His Souls integrity the Royal Maid Whom a repented destiny had made His pitying Judge endeavouring to evade That dooms harsh rigour grants him a reprieve Till thrice the Sun returning to relieve Nights drooping Sentinels had circl'd in So many days in which short time to win The fair advantage of discovering truth Old Aminander active as fresh Youth In all Attempts of Charity to know From what black Spring those troubled streams did flow Hasts toward Andremons whi'st Pharonnida Active as he toward all whence she might draw A consequence of hope layes speedy hold On this design Commission'd to unfold Their Masters Love toward her there long had been Embassadours from the Epicote in Her Fathers Court whose Message though it might Wear Loves pure Robes yet in her Reasons light Seems so much staind with pollicy that all Those blessings which the wise foresaw to fall As Influence from that Conjunction she Opposes as her stars malignity Proud of this new Command with such a hast As those that fear more slow delays may wast Their pretious time th' Ambassadours attain The Princess Court where come though hope in vain Only expect a speedy Audience they That frustrated are soon taught to betray More powerful passions the first glance o th' eye They on the Prisoners cast kind sympathy Proclaim'd Love gave no leave for time to rust Their Memories both the old Lords durst trust Eyes dim'd with tears whilst their embraces give A sad assurance there did only live Their last and best of Comforts which beheld By those from whom kind pity had expeld All thoughts of the vindictive Law they strive By all the power of Rhetorick to drive Those sad storms over which good Office done They each inform the Prince which was the Son Of Nature which Adoption withall tel how By their perswasions mov'd they did allow Them time to travel which Disasters had So long protracted for some years with sad And doubtfull hopes they had in vain expected Their wisht return but that their stars directed Their course so ill as now near home to be Ore-taken with so sad a destiny Since such a sorrow could be cur'd by none They sadly crave the time to mourn alone The end of the third Canto PHARONNIDA The first Book CANTO THE FOURTH The ARGUMENT VII At length the Vail from the deluded Law with active Care by Aminander took The startl'd Court in their own error saw How lovely truth did in Argalia look VIII The story of our Youth discover'd he His Merits yet in higher pitch to raise Morea's Prince doth from a danger free Which unto death his noblest Lords betray THat last sad Night the rigid Law did give The late repriev'd Argalia leave to live Was now wrapt in her own obscurity â—toln from the Stage of Time when light got free From his Nocturnall Prison summons all Almanzors Friends to see the long'd for fall o th' envied stranger whose last hour was now So neer arriv'd faint hope could not allow So much of comfort to his powerfulst friend As told her fears she longer might suspend His fatall doom Mournful Attendants on That serene Sufferer all his friends are gon Unto the sable Scaffold that 's ordain'd By the decree of Justice to be stain'd With guiltless blood all sunk in grief but she Whom by inevitable destiny Doom'd him to death most deep Dul sorrow raigns In her triumphant sad and alone remains She in a Room whose Windows prospect led Her Eye to th' Scaffold whither from the Bed Where sorrow first had cast her she did oft Repair to see him but her passions soft Temper soon melting into Tears denies Her Soul a passage through o're-flowing Eyes Often she would in vain expostulate With those two subtile Sophisters that Sate Cloath'd in the Robes of Fancy but they still Oâ—e-threw her weaker Arguments and fill Her Breast with Love and Wonder passion gave Such fierce Assaults no Virgin Vow could save Her Hearts surrender she must love and loose In one sad hour thus grief doth oft infuse Those bitter 〈◊〉 where hidden poyson dwell In the smooth pleasures of sweeâ— Oximel Argalias friends that did this minute use As if the last of mortal enterviews Had now reverst their eyes expecting nought But that stroaks fall whole faâ—all speed had brought Him to eternal rest when by a loud And busie tumult as if death grown proud Expected triumphs to divert their sight They from the Scaffolds lofty station might Within the reach of an exalted Voice Behold a Troop who as the Leaders choice Confin'd to stâ—aight necessity had there Inrold all Commers if of strength to bear Offensive Aâ—mes did first appear to be Some tumult drest in the variety Of suddain rage for here come headlong in A heard of Clowns armd as they then had been From labour cal'd near them wel orderd riâ—e As greatness strove no longer to divide Societies sâ—me Youths brave as they had Been in the spoils of conquerd Nations clad This sudden Object first obstructing all Their Courts proceedings prompts their doubts to call Their absent Prince who being too wise for fears Uncertain fixions with such speed appears As checks the tumult when to tel them who Had from their homes the frighted people drew i th' Van of a wel-orderd Troop rides forth Lov'd Aminander whose unquestiond worth That strong Attractive of the peoples love Exspung'd suspition whilst his Troops did move With a commanded slowness to inform Th' expecting Prince from whence this suddain storm Contracted Clouds he to his view presents Andremons Friends whose looks the sad contents Of sorrow with a silent Oratory Begs pity whilst he thus relates their story That we great Prince we whom a loyal fear To strict obedience prompts dare thus appear Before your sacred Person were a sin Mercy would blush to own had we not been Forc'd to offensive Armes by such a Cause As tore the Scepter regulated Laws Forth of your royal hand to vindicate This suffering stranger whom a subtle hate Not solemn Law pursu'd I here have brought Such Witnesses as have their knowledge bought At the expence of all their joy whom I Found so confin'd as if their misery Were in their houses sepulcherd a sad And general sorrow in one Dress had clad So many that their only sight did prove Lost Vertue caus'd such universal love To free this noble Youth whose Valour lent A late protection to this Innocent But injur'd Maid they unconstraind had here Implor'd your Aide had not too just a fear Caus'd from some Troops raisd by a wrong'd pretence Of your Commands checkt their intelligence With such illegal violence that I Had shar'd their sufferings if not rescu'd by These following Friends whose rude Conjunction shews It was no studied plot did first compose So loose a body but
least it appear In me like envy should I strive to clear This doubtful story here are those with that Cals forth Andremons Friends instructed at The dearest price which by discovering truth Will not alone rescue this noble Youth From falling ruine but least he retreat Into rebellion force before this fear A man whose power the people thought had bin To punish Vice not propagate a sin Having thus far past toward discovery here The grave Lord ceast and that truth might appear From its first fair Original to her Whose Vertue Heavens affected Messenger Commands Attention the more horrid part Of his relation leaves And here vain Art Took on and envy to behold how far Thy strickt Rules which our Youths Afflictions are Nature transcends in a Discourse which she With all the Flowers of Virgin modesty Not Weeds of Rhetorick strew'd to hear her miss Or put a blush for a Parenthesis In the relating that uncivil strife Which her sad Subject was so near the life Limâ—s lovely Vertue that that Copy whence Arâ— took those Graces she doth siâ—ce dispence To th' best of women fair Pharonnida Taâ—ght by that sympathy which first did draw Those lovely Transcripts of her selâ— although Varied as much as humble Flowers that grow Dispiers'd in shady Desarts are from thoâ—e That nice Art in enameld Gardens shews Yet like bright Planets which communicate To Earth their Influence from exalted state She now descends to cherish Vertue in Those lovely Nimphs whose Beauties though they 'd bin Yet in the Country clouded from Report Soon grow the praise or envy of the Court. Imboldned by that gracious favour shewn To these fair Nymphs to prosecute their own Most just Complaints Andremons wretched friends With prayers perceive that Mercy which descends O're all their sufferings on th' expanded Wings Of noble pitty whose fair hand first brings Argalia from the sable Scaffold to Meet those Rewards to his high Merits due Not only in what deaths dark progress staies But Life's best joy an universal praise Aquir'd from just desert Next she applies Her self to those poor burthend Souls whose Eyes Look even on Comforts through their tears the dead Andremons Mourners whose lâ—st Joy though fled For ever from those wintring Regions yet As much receiv'd as sorrow would permiâ— Souls so opprest the splendid Court they leave With thankful prayers And now cal'd to receive His sins reward Almanzor is whose shame It s black Attendant when by his haâ—ed Name He 'd oft been summond prompts him to deny That legal Call which being an Act too high For a depending power to patronizâ— To shun feard Justice publick doom he flies His Princes Mandates an affront that sent Him to 's desert perpetual banishment This Comet lost in clouds of Infamy The Court which had too long been burthend by His injur'd power with praises entertain Impartial Justice whilst to call again Those pleasures which had in this interval Of Law been lost the Prince convening all That shar'd those sufferings as the Center whence Joy spread it self to th' Courts circumference Crowns all their wishes which by that bright Star In Honours Sphear th' auspitious Princes are Exalted to their highest Orbs her Love Unto Argalia though it yet must move As an unnoted Constellation here Begins its Erae which that might appear Without suspition she disguises in The publick joy which ' mongst those that had bin His serious Mourners to participate That kind Epicote who first taught his Fate The way to Glory comes to whom he now Was on those Knees Merit had taught to bow With as much humble reverence as if all The Waights of Nature made those burthens fall A Sacrifice to Love fixt to implore Its constant Progress but he needs no more For confirmation since his Friend could move But the like joy where Nature taught to love Passions encounter which too high to last Into a calm of thankful prayers being past The Prince from the Calabrian seeks to know By what collateral streams he came to owe Such love unto a stranger one that stood Remov'd from him i th' Magnetisme of blood Whom thus the Lord resolves When blooming in The pride of Youth whose varied Sceans did win Time on the Morning of my dayes a while To tast the pleasures of a Summers Smile I left the Courts tumulteous noise and spent Some happy time blest with retir'd content In the calm Country where Arts curious hand As Center to a spatious Round of Land Had plac'd a Palace in whose lovely Dress The City might admire the Wilderness Yet though that ill Civility was in Her marble Circle Natures hand had bin As liberall to the neighbouring Fields and dect Each rural Nimph as gaudy til neglect Or slovenly Necessity had drawn Her Canvass Furroughs o're their Vails of Lawn Near this fair Seat fring'd with an ancient Wood A fertile Valley lay where scatter'd stood Some homely Cottages the happy Seats Of labouring Swains whose careful Toil compleats Their wishes in obtaining so much Wealth To conquer dire Necessiâ—y firm health Calm thoughts sound sleeps unstarted innocence Softn'd their Beds and when rouz'd up from thence Suppl'd their Limbs for Labour amongst these My lov'd Argalia for till Fate shall please His dim Stars to uncurtain and salute His better Fortune with each Attribute Due to a nobler Birth his Name must be Contracted unto that Stenography Life's Sceans began amongst his Fellows that There first drew breath being true Heirs to what Whilst all his Stars were retrograde and dim Unlucky Fortune but adopted him Whilst there residing I had oft beheld The active Boy whose Childhoods Bud exceld More ful blown Youths gleaning the scatterd Locâ—â— Of new-shorn Fields amongst the half-clad Flocks Of their unripe but healthful Issue by Which Labour tir'd sometimes I see them try The strength of their scarce twisted Limbs and run A short breathd Course whose swift contention done And he as in each other active â—port With Vict'ry crownd they make their next resort To th' Springs cheap Bounties but what did of all His first Attempts did give the powerful call Both to my Love and Wonder was what chanc'd From one rare Act the Morning had advanc'd Her tempting Beauties to assure success To these young Huntsmen who with Labour less Made by the pleasure of their Journey had The Forest reacht where with their Limbs unclad For the pursuit they follow Beasts that might Abroad be recreation and when Night Summond them home the welcomest supply Both to their own and Parents quality An angry Boar chaft with a Mornings chase And now near spent was come so neer the place Where though secur'd on the stupendious height Of a vast Rock they stood that now no flight Could promise safety that wild rage which sent Him from the Dogs his following Foes is spâ—nt In the pursuit of them which to my grief Had sufferd ere we could have lent relief Hâ—d not Argalia even when danger drew So near
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
expecting but that light Whose near approach must to eternal Night Their last Conductor be a sudden still And doleful silence such as oft doth fill The Room where sick men slumber when their Friends Stand weeping by to Contemplation bends Their busie thoughts within each troubl'd breast Being to leave the Mansion she 'd possest So long yet with so short a warning all Her Faculties the frighted Soul did call Forth of the Bosome of those Causes in Whose form they 'd fetterd to their Crasis been To joyn those powers yet strong in living breath For her assistance in the grasp of death The whispering Trumpet having cal'd them by Such sharp Notes as when powerful Foes are nigh Retreating Parties use all swiftly rise From bended Knees and the last Sacrifice They ere expect to pay to Heaven untill Their Souls last gasp the vocal Orgains fill Concluded was the last sad interview The Prince was marcht Pharonnida with-drew And now all from the open'd Ports were in A swift March sallying had their speed not been Thus swiftlier stopt those scatterd horse that fled The Battel to th' Epirotes Court had sped So well in their Embassage that the Prince Whom the least negligence might now convince Of want of love proud of so fair a chance To shew's Affection swiftly doth advance With a vast Army tow'rd them but the fear Prevailing danger ere their strength come near To their necessitated Friends might force Them to unworthy Articles some horse Selected are whose swifter speed might by A desperate charge broke through their Foes supply Their fainting friends the much desir'd Command Of these few men committed to the â—and Of brave Argalia nere more blest then now In serving the fair Princess did allow His Sword so fair a field to write the story Of Honour in that his unblasted Glory Beyoâ—d this day shall live out-live the reach Of long-armd Envy and those weake Souls teach That fear the frowns of Fate in spight of all Heroick Vertue sits too high to fall With the dayes close they take their March and ere The silver Morning on her brow did bear The burnisht guilt o th' Suns warm Rayes arrive In view o th' place when Fortune that did strive To crown their hopes had wrapt the earth in thick And heavy mists the sluggish Morning sick Of Midnight surfeiâ—s from her dewy bed Pale and discolourd Rose This Curtain spread To vail their plot in they assault their Foes Which when surpriz'd could not themselves dispose Fit for resistance but whilst some did flie From the distracting danger others die To their neglect a Sacrifice the swift Alarm like a rude winds circling drift Hurries confusion through the field and shook The trembling Soldier some unclad forsook Their half-fir'd Cabbens deaths large gripe did take Whole troops that Destiny ordaind to wake No more till Dooms-day and in 's march prevents Th' unition of unrallied Regiments This frighted Language of Confusion heard By those o th' Castle which were now prepard For their last desperate Sally switly draws Them to assist their friends and though the cause Being yet unknown was only thought to be Some private Jar grown to a Mutiny Or else the noise the Enemy had made When all their force was drawing to invade Them in their works howe're they stand not to Consult with reason but as striving who Shall first encounter death each severall hand Sought for his own from those that did withstand His rage-directed strength their Cannon in A Funeral Peal went off whose steam had been Their Covert to the Camp where finding such A wild confusion they assisted much The fortune of the day which now was grown Indubitable they might call their own A glorious Conquest the thick sulphry cloud Whose dismal shade did that destruction shroud Rent with those thunder-claps dissolv'd into A shower of blood what she vouchsaft to do Fortune lends light to shew them having left Their Camp whilst darkness did protect a Theft That only stole dishonour which they were Now in an open flight inforc'd to bear They see Almanzors broken troops ore-spread The neighbouring fields those clouds of men that fled Being pursu'd by Companies so smal That they appeard but like those drops that fall After a storm Yet as the labouring Hart Long struggles for that life which doth depart From the less noble Members to lend aid To her in deaths pale Conflict having stayd Some of his best Commanders hoping by Their valour to recal the rest with high Undaunted force Almanzor doth oppose His Enemies pursuit till like t' inclose Him in disdaining the reproachful end He must expect no longer stands t' attend The glimering light of hope the field he leaves To conquering Argalia but deceives Him of himself the prize most sought for which When lost beyond recovery he grown rich In shining honour that like Sun-beams plac'd Within a field of gules by being defac'd Had beautifi'd his Armour that dark mist Which did at first such contradictions twist That he both curst and blest it one cause did Aide his design the other cause it hid His Heaven of Beauty in their dewy Bed Had left the blushing Roses and was fled Upon the Wings of th' wind With wonder now Discoverd colours taught each party how To know their Friends The royal Standard in The Princes party had disvellopt been By that fair signal to discover who Was present there but ere Argalia to That place arriv'd Pharonnida who had Whilst desperation all her beauties clad In the pale Robes of fear heard all the loud Shock of the Conflict but until the Cloud Remov'd his fatal Curtain never knew How near the hour of her delivery drew That being dissolv'd through those which grief had rais'd In her fair Eyes did see and seeing praised Just Heaven which sent it each of those that Fought for her she commends but wonders at Although unknown the lightning valour she Saw in Argalia whilst with just rage he Unravels Natures workmanship a rent Which were a sin if not a punishment And from the slender web of life did send Forth Rebels Souls fast as each busie Fiend That wait their fals transport them fain she would Ere known conceit 't were he but how he should Come there and so attended did exceed Imagination Thus whilst her hopes feed On strange desires being come near unto The Coach wherein she sate prepard to do His Loves Oblations he that Face disarms Which when beheld by those attractive charms VVithin the center of her best desires Contracted all her hopes whose life expires Soon as they 'r crownd with wisht success too great A distance parts them yet she leaves her seat And flies to his Imbraces but conceald Her passion in his Merit being reveald To him alone whose better judgment knew That in those Spirit-breathing beams that flâ—w Through the fair Casements of her Eyes did move The secret Language of an ardent love This conflict of her passions which had been
splendid Room did stand Beneath an Ivory Arch o're which the hand Of Art in golden Hierogliphicks had The story of ensuing Fate unclad But vainly since the Art defective times Stroâ—k nought but discords on those wel-tun'd Chimes Upon the Throne in such a glorious state As earths adored Favourites there sate The Image of a Monarch vested in The spoils of Natures Robes whose price had been A Diadems redemption his large size Beyound this Pigmy Age did equalize Th' admir'd proportion of those mighty men Whose cast-up bones grown modern wonders when Found out are carefully preserv'd to tell Posterity how much these times are fell From Natures youthful strength if be not worse Our sins Stenography the dwarffish Cuâ—se Ordaind for large siz'd Luxury before The Throne a Lamp whose fragrant Oyles had more Perfum'd the Room then all the baâ—my wealth Of rich Arabia stood Light Life and Health Dwelt in its Odours but what more contents The pleas'd Spectators that faiâ— hand presents The rest to th' view the Image to declare Of whom th' Effigies was on 's Front did bear A regal Crown and in his hand sustaind A threatning Scepter but what more explain'd Antiquities mysterious dress was seen In a smal Tablet which as if 't had been Worth more observance then what Fate exprest In unknown Figures he did gently rest His left hand on as if endeavouring by That Index to direct Posterity How in their wonders Altitude to praise The deeper knowledge of those wiser dayes By reading in such Characters as Time Learnd in her non-age this in antick Rhyme When striving to remove this Light To Princes Leaves involv'd in Night The time draws neer that shall pull down My old Morea's triple Crown Vniting on one royall Head What to disjoyn such discord bred But let the more remote â—ake heed For there 's a third ordaind to bleed For when I 'me read not understood Then shall Epiru's royall blood By waies no Mortall yet must know Within th' Artolian Channel flow This strange Inscription read not only by The Prince but those whom wonder had drawn nigh The sacred Room their Fancies civil War Grows full of trouble 't is a Text so far Beyond a Comment that their Judgments in Enigmaes maz'd had long let motion been In Epeleptick wonder lost untill As that alone containd their dreaded ill The greater part with joynd consents advise To have the Lamp remov'd since in it lies If those Lines prove prophetick the linkt Fate Of all Ietian Princes which debate Being carried in th' Affirmative the rest Drew back whilst bold Argalia forward prest But 's thus soon stayd the stone on which he stept Next was by Art so framd that it had kept Conceal'd an Engines chifest Spring which by The least waight toucht in furious hast let fly Unpractis'd wheels and with such vigour strook The Scepter on the long liv'd Lamp it shook Its chrystal Wals to dust not thunders strong Exagitations when it roars among Heaps of congested Elements a sound More dreadful makes but what did most confound Weak trembling Souls was the thick darkness that Succeeds the dying flame which wondring at Whilst all remain Arts feeble aides supplie The Lamps lost Vertue with new Lights but by Cold Damps so darkned that contracted Night Scornd their weak flames shewing that hallowd light Containd more sacred Vertues now as Fate Had only to that hour prolong'd the date Of all within a sudden change to dust The mighty body turns consuming rust Had eat the brazen Imagry and left No sign of what till then safe from the theft Of time remaind darkness had repossest The sullen Cave to an eternal rest In the rude Chaos of their ashes all Arts lively Figures in an instant fall Pleas'd with the sight of these strange Objects more Then with Wars dangers he was vext before The Prince with all his train of Conquerors now Is gone to teach th' expecting Army how To share their wonder but not far from thence Removes before confirmd Intelligence Acquaints him with th' Epirots March who in Mis swift advance so fortunate had been That falling on such as the Mornings flight Flatterd with hope they there met endless Night At unawares but of these added numbers Was curst Almanzor none yet Justice slumbers i th' prosecution of his unripe Fate Which must more horrid â—ins accumulate Before cut off his clamorous guilt must call For vengeance louder and grow hectical With Custome til the Tables of his shame Into oblivion rot his loathed Name The end of the third Canto PHARONNIDA The second Book CANTO THE FOURTH The ARGUMENT VII From Wars wide breaches whence his brave friends had With Victory brought him th' old Prince arriv'd In safety whilst fear punishes the bad Rewards that Vertue which his Cause reviv'd VIII In which brave Act Argalia's Merits met With a reward that even desert out-grew Whilst him it the fair Princess Guardian set The root on which Loves fruit to ripeness grew THat too inferiour Branch which strove to rise With the Basillick to Anastomize Thus drain'd the States Plethorick humours are Reduc'd to Harmony that blazing Star Which had been lifted by rebellious breath To 's exaltation in the house of death Now lay opprest which Victory compleat Leaving his Army where before the seat Oâ—h ' Rebels was his entertainment by The welcome Harbenger of Victory Before prepared the pleas'd Epirote goes With an exalted joy to visit those His goodness whilst unknown reliev'd where he Such noble welcome finds as not to be Imagin'd but by grateful Souls that know The strength of Curtesie when 't would ore-flow Those Merits which whilst Love incites to praise Our friends deserts to Pyramids we raise The narrow Confines of Alcithius Wall Which kept them safe from dangers past too smal Grows for that present triumph that blot out All thoughts of grief but what are spent about Thansgiving for delivery which they do Perform in sports whose choice delights might woo Cold Anchorites from their sullen Cels the Earth The Aire the Sea all in a plenteous birth Exhausted their rich Treasuries to pay Tribute to their desires which could time stay Her Chariot wheels from hurrying down the Hill Of feeble Nature mans vain thoughts would fill With subaltern delights most highly priz'd Till the conclusion death hath annaliz'd The doubtful Text with what lets Mortals know Their blooming joyes must drop to shades below That great eclipse of Glories rayes within Whose shades sad Corinth had benighted been Since like a widdowed Turth first she sate A Mourner for her wandring Princes fate Now like the dayes recoverd Rain breaks forth In fuller Luster all excelling worth That honour'd Vertue or lov'd beauty plac'd Her Ornaments with their appearance grac'd Those publick triumphs she prepares to meet The Princes in in every splendid street The various pride of Persia strove t' out-vie Rich English Wool dipt in the Tyrrian Dye Each Shop shines bright and every Merchant shews
that Mazara's love-sick Soul was offering at Florenza's Shrine and by that willing stay Might be inforc'd some Minutes to delay The time in which his readier Opposite Expected him she being resolv'd to write Affection in her blood with Loves wild hast Makes toward the Lists there finds his Armour plac'd Within the dark shade of an ancient Wood In whose black breast that place of horrour stood Where they appoint to meet like those of Fate Obscure and dark by Beasts and Birds that hate The Light alone frequented but love had Dis-plum'd fears Haggars being resolv'd she clad Beauties fair Pearl where smooth delights did dwell i th' rough-cast Mould of that Ciclopian shell But that no Armes nor bounding Steeds affright Where Loves fair hand hath Valours pasport wright Here we should pause and pity her that now Fancy beholds whilst she is learning how To manage stubborn steel within her sleek And pollisht hand through devious pathes to seek For doubtful dangers such whose horrid shape On mans best judgment might commit a Rape Her swift Conductor Love ere this had brought Her to the place where Passion had not sought Long for the Object of her hate ere she Her valiant Brother that was come to be His Fames Protector sees but so disguiz'd In 's Armes that both with envy unadviz'd By knowledge an unthought of guilt prepare In blood to meet their foaming Horses were Now freed from the commanding Rain and in Their full Carier but Love in vain to win The Field from Valour strives her eager hast But argues such an envy as did wast It self in weak Attempts which to the length Of power extended fals beneath the strength Of her Victorious Foe whose Fortune had In Robes of Joy what he must weep for clad Conquer'd Carina now dismounted lay Struggling for life whose Fortress to betray Toward Natures Tyrant Death her blood transports False Spirits through their purple Salliports Her Brother with an Anger that was grown Into disdain his Fury should be shewn On such resistless Subjects ere he knows How much of grief his Soul to sorrow owes For this unhappy Act froms finisht course Was now returning not by strength to force The harsh Commands of Tyrant Victors but By calm advice a bloodless end to put To that ill-manag'd Quarrel but before He there arrives to make his sorrows more When truth unvails their dark design a Knight With hast as speedy as the secret flight Oâ— wrath when wing'd from angry Heaven he saw Bolted into the Lists who soon did draw Too neer in sober Language to dispute Their fatal Quarrel both with Rage grown mute Disdaining conference found no place for words Amidst the mortal Language of their Swords Which the first shock past o're and Lances broke In hast took place and at each furious stroke Unbay'd the Fountains of their blood to stain With purple guilt the Flower-enamel'd Plain Whilst each did thus with silent Rage imploy An Art directed Fury to destroy The others strength the bordering shadows weep In trickling Dews and with sad murmures keep Time with the hollow and ill boding Note Sent from a fatal Ravens stretcht-out Throat Which from an old Oaks witherd top did sing A baleful Dirg but these sad Omens bring No terror to their busie thoughts which were Too much imployd in Action to take care For any danger more remote then what With the next stroke might fall perceiving that Their Horses faint they both dismount and do On equal terms the Fight on foot renew Till a Cessation from the want of breath Not Valour was enâ—orc'd the Vail which death Contracted from those steams his wreaking blood Breathd forth its Spirits in already stood Over Mazara's Eyes which clouded seâ—s Not that approach of Night his trembling Knees Sâ—agger beneath their fainting Load which in To th' Grave had dropt had not their fury bin When its last heat was with Lifes flame neer spent From further Rage restraind by accident Some of the lost Carina's frighted Friends Fearing those Ills which desperate Love attends Spending that Morning in the fruitless Quest Of her had been and now their hopes distrest With vain inquiries to communicate Their Grief returning were which secret Fate To interpose through dark Meanders brought Neglect to find what care in vain had sought Whilst yet no more then brave humanity Prompts them to part a Quarrel that might be Defil'd with blood which if not shead in Wars With Murther stains what it doth guild with Scars They toward them hast even in that critical And dangerous Minute when Mazara's fall With Vict'ries Laurels to adorn his Crest His valiant Friend had rob'd of future rest Had not this blest relief of Innocence The one from death the other from expence Of tears restraind before Revenge had found So much of Guilt as might his Conscience wound His high wrought Rage stopt by too many hands To vent its heat Euriolus now stands Shook with the Feaver of his anger till Those Friends which saw Mazara grown so ill With wounds to gasp for breath by giving way For aire they to the Victors view betray His best of Friends at which afflicting sight Cursing the cause of that unhappy fight His Sword as guilty thrown aside he hasts To his Relief in which kind act none wasts Their friendly help Life as but stoln from pain Behind the Vail of death appears again On Natures Frontiers whose returning flame Though scarce of strength to warm lookt red with shame When he so many wel-known Friends beheld Sad Witnesses how much his passion sweld Above the Banks where Reason should have stayd When to that meeting it his Friend betrayd Their Vails of steel remov'd each now beholds What shame and wonder in firm Contracts folds Amaz'd stands brave Euriolus to see None but his Friend his honourd Friend should be The Parent of that Quarel shame confounds Mazara more and from internal wounds Though like the red Seas Springs his other bled Perhaps less danger but more torment bred Both now by his unforc'd confession knew Whose equal'd honourd Beauty 't was that drew Them to this fatal Combate whose event Him neer the Grave on Loves vain Errant sent Friendship renewd in strickt Embraces they Are now arriv'd where weak Carina lay So faint with Loves Phlebotomy that she Maskt in forgetful slumbers could not see Approaching shame which when discoverd sticks Lifes fair Carnations on her death-like Cheeks Hasting to see what over-forward Rage That unknown strangers weakness did engage In that unhappy Quarrel they beheld At the first glance an Object that expeld Into the shades of Sorrows Wilderness All temperate thoughts his Sisters sad distress Wrought by his Arme whose strength betrayd her neer The Grave did to Euriolus appear Dreadful as if some treacherous friend had shown Those flames in which his scorâ—cht Companions grone Nor did Mazara though but prompted by Pity that tender Child of sympathy With less relenting sorrow live to see Loves bloody
Trophies though unknown to be By his victorious Beauty reard to save From the cold grasp of an unâ—imely Grave So ripe a Virgin whilst her Brother stands Unnerv'd with grief amongst the helpful hands Of other Friends are his imployd till by Their useful aide fled Life returns to try Once more the Actions of the world before It shot the Gulf of Death but on the shore Of active Nature was no sooner set But that together with the Light she met Her far more welcome Lover whom whilst she Beholds with trembling Heaven resolv'd to free A suffering Captive turns his pity to So much of Passion as ere long Love grew On the same Stem whose Flowers to propagate She in these words uncurtains mystick Fate For bear your aide brave Sir and let me dy Ere live the Author of a Pâ—odigy That future times shall curse yet pardon me Dear Brother Heaven will nere impute to thee The guilt of blood t was my unhappy Love Which rais'd this Storm which if my prayers may prove In death successful let me crave of you Dear Sir to whom I long have born a true But indiscreet affection that from hence For poor Carina's sake for this expence Of tears and blood you would preserve those dear Respects of Friendship that did once appear Confirmd betwixt you and although my Fate Unto the worst of Ills precipitate My Fame and Life oh let my name not be Offensive to your Ear this this for me Is all you shall perform which spoke she 'd let Her hovering Soul forth to have paid the Debt Of Nature to the Grave had not shee bin By some assisting Friends whilst dropping in Scayd at the last step and brought back to meet The Bridal Pair no single winding Sheet This doubtful Combate ended they are to The Court conveyd where Fame upon this new Text Commenting in various Characters Transcribes her sence some this bold Act of hers Term un-becoming Passion others brave Heroick love but what most comfort gave To cur'd Carina was that this lost blood Had prov'd Loves Balm and in a purple flood Washt from her heart Grief 's sable stains for now Merit had taught her dear Mazara how To prize her verteous Love and for its sake Its Cabinet her hearts best Temple make Thus Passions troubl'd Sea had settl'd in A smooth and gentle calm had there not been Unhappily to blast their sweet content Not long before an Act for th' banishment Of all such Courtiers made as should withont A Licence from the Councel fight about What ever private Quarrel but not this Mazara or his new choice frights their bliss Stood on more firm foundations then the Courts Uncertain Favours were whose glorious sports Although he left it was not to retire To sullen cares what Honour could require A state which cal'd him her unquestiond Lord Without depending favours did afford But whilst we leave this noble Lover by This Mandate freed from what before did tye Unto a troublesome Attendance we From brave Euriolus are forc'd to be With sorrow parted since the generall love His Vertue had obtaind wants strength to move The ponderous doom ere his impoverisht heart Grown poor in streams could from Lifes springs impart Warm blood enough for his pale Cheeks to drink A Health to Beauty he 's enforc'd to think Of that sad theam of parting on whose sense His griev'd Soul dictates sighs yet could dispense Even with its harshest rigour were there but Any acception in it that might put Out parting with Florenza that though he Were shrunk into his former poverty Calling the rugged frowns of Fate would bear A Brow unclouded with Ambitions care But he must go not all the Rhetorick Of tempting Love could plead against the quick Approach of time whose speedy motion now Only some slippery Minutes did allow Their parting tears in whose exalted flood Had Reason not with future hopes withstood The rising stream Loves Summer Fruits had been Ore-whelmd with grief for ever buried in A delluge of Despair but that whilst she With such sad looks as wintring Scithians see The Sun hasts toward the Artick Pole beholds His slow departure glimmering hope unfolds Twylight which now foretels their frozen fear Day may return to Loves cold Hemisphear The end of the first Canto PHARONNIDA The third Book CANTO THE SECOND The ARGUMENT III. The Princess by unluckie Accident Having Loves secret Embassies betrayd To her great Father by that Action spent That stock of hope which promis'd future Ayd IV. His rage being to such rash extreams inflam'd That he whose Mandates none durst disobey As if his power were of such Acts asham'd Shrinks from it self and poorly doth betray IF angry Aid the Enemy to Love Tels thy grave pride thy Judgment is above What with contempt although it injure truth Thy spleen miscals the vanity of youth If harsh imployment gross society That feast of Brutes make thee an Enemy To love the Souls Commercive Language then Remove thy Eye whilst my unenvied Pen That long to Passion hath a Servant been Confines the fair Pharonnida's within These paper limits frozen still she lies Beneath opposing Passions her bright Eyes Those Stars whose best of influence scarce had power To thaw what grief congeald into a shower Of heart dis-burthening tears their influence spend In sorrows polar Circles and could lend No light to beauties World i th' vigorous reign Of this pale Tyrant whilst she did remain Unlighten'd with a beam of comfort in A Bower being sate that formerly had been Her seat when she heard the unhappy news Of parting with Argalia whilst she views She blames the guiltless shadows who to ask Pardon in trembling murmures did unmask Their naked Limbs and scatterd at her Feet The fragrant Vail in 's death-bed sate the sweet But pining Rose each Grass its heavy head Laden with tears did hang whilst her Eyes shead A pattern to instruct them hence whilst she Looks thorough on a way conceiv'd to be The same her Loâ—d marcht with his Army when He left Girenza with a hast more then A common Traveler she sees one post Towards her Court whose Visage had not lost Its room within her Memory he 's known Argalia's Page and now each minute grown A burthen to her thoughts that did deâ—er A neerer interview the Messenger Arrives and to her eager view presents His Masters Letters whose inclos'd Contents Are now the Object her expecting Soul Courts with desire nor doth she long controle Their forward hast A Diamond being by The Messenger returnd whose worth might vie Price with an Indian Fleet when it sails slow With 's glittering burthen though each word ore-flow With joy whilst her inquisitive discourse Was on this pleasing theam time did enforce The Pages swift departure who with all Affected Epithites that Love can call To gild Invention when it would expresse Things more sublime then mortal happinesse Is gone to carry his expecting Lord What pleasure could when ratified afford Whilst
this sweet joy was only cloathd in fresh Blossomes of hope like Souls ere mixt with flesh She only by desire subsisted but Now to her Chamber come and having shut The treacherous door from the conjugal seal The white Lipt paper freed doth soon reveal Loves welcome Embassies she reads and by Each Line transported to an Extasie In Fancies wild Meanders lost the way She rashly enterd faint desire would stay At every word in amorous sighs to breath A Love-sick groan but she is yet beneath The Mount of joy and must not rest untill Her swift-pac'd eye had climb the flowry Hill Which now past lightly o're with an intent Of a review to its best Ornament His Name she comes which whilst bathd in the Balm Of fragrant kisses from joyes gentle calm She thus is startl'd a redoubled groan That sign of neighbouring sorrow though unknown From whence affrights her Soul but she too soon Too sadly knows the Cause the height of Noon Rag'd in reflected heat when walking in Those outer Rooms her Father long had been In expectation of her sight but not Finding her there a golden slumber got The start of 's Meditations to comply VVith whose calm councel he did softly ly Down on a stately Couch whose glittering pride A Curtain from the publick view did hide VVhere having pluckt from off the wing of time Some of her softest Down the Dews that clime In sleep to stop each Ventrickle begin To steal a soft Retreat hovering within His stretcht-out Limbs sleeps vapours lye his hands Rub from his Eyes those leaden boults that stand Over their heavy Leads which scarce was done VVhen first surpriz'd Pharonnida begun To read her Letter and by that sad chance Betray her Love Passion strove to advance Her Father from his Lodging when he first Heard the discovery but though anger thirst For swift Revenge yet policy perswades Him to hear further ere his sight invades Her troop of Pleasures whose thin Squadrons broke By what shâ—'d heard before she could revoke Her vanquisht spirits that were fled to seek Protection in her heart robbing her Cheek Of all the blood to waft in whilst she stands A burthen to her trembling Legs her hands Wringing each others Ivory Joynts her bright Eyes scattering their distracted beams the flight o th' Curtain from her Fathers angry touch Discovers whence that groan which caus'd so much Her wonder came Grief and amazement strives Awhile with Love which soon victorious drives Those pale Guests from her Cheeks unto whose aide Her noble heart secure from being betrayd By its own strength did send a quick supply Of its warm blood her Conscience knows not why To fear ' cause knows no guilt nor could have been By Love so verteous ere drawn neer a sin But as the Evening blushes for the rude Winds o th' ensuing day so fortitude Upon the lovely Roses that did grow Within her Face a deeper Dye bestow Then fear could ere have done and did presage Th' ensuing storms exagitated rage Silent with Passion which his Eyes inflam'd The Prince a while beholds her ere he blam'd The frailty of Affection but at length Through the thick throng of thoughts armd with a strength Which crusht the soft smiles of paternal Love He thus begins And must oh must that prove My greatest curse on which my hopes ordaind To raise my happiness have I refraind The pleasures of a Nuptial Bed to joy Alone in thee not trembled to destroy My Name so that advancing thine I might Live to behold my Scepter take its flight To a more spatious Empire have I spent My youth till grown in debt to Age she'th seen Diseases to arrest me that impaire My strength and hopes ere to enjoy an Heir Which might preserve my Name that only now Must in our dusty Annals live whilst thou Transfer'st the glory of our house on one Which had not I warmd into life had gone A Wretch forgotten of the World to th' earth From whence he sprung But tear this monstrous birth Of Fancy from thy Soul quick as thou 'dst fly Descending wrath if visible or I Shall blast thee with my anger till thy Name Rot in my Memory not as the same That once thou wert behold thee but as some Dire Prodigy which to foreshew should come All ills which through the progress of my life Did chance were sent I lost a Queen and Wife Thy verteous Mother who for her goodnesse might Have here supply'd before she took her flight To Heaven my better Angels place have since Stood storms of strong Affliction still a Prince Over my Passions until now but this Hath prov'd me Coward Oh thou dost amisse To grieve me thus fond Girl With that he shook His reverend Head beholds her with a look Compos'd of Grief and Anger which she sees With melting sorrow but resolv'd Love frees Her from more yeilding pity to begin The Prologue to obedience which within Her breast still dwelt though swayd by Love she fals Prostrate at 's feet to his remembrance cals Her dying Mothers Will by whose pale dust She now conjures him not to be unjust Unto that promise with which her pure Soul Fled satisfi'd from Earth as to controule Her freedome of Affection rather she Desires her Interest in his Crown might be Deni'd her then the choice of one to sway It in her right she urges how it may Be by his Vertue far more glorifi'd Whom she had chose then if by Marriage ti'd To any neighbouring Prince who only there Would rule by Proxiâ— whilst his greater care Secur'd his own Inheritance she then Cals to remembrance whâ— reliv'd him when Distâ—est within Alcithiu's Walls the Love His Subjects bore Argalia which might prove Her choice their happiness with all how great A likelyhood iâ— was but the retreat Oâ— Royalty to a more safe disguise Had shewd him to their States deluded Eyes So mean a thing Loves bâ—undless Rhetorick About to dictate moâ—e he with a quick And fuâ—iouâ— hast forsakes the Room his Rage Thus boyling o're And mâ—st my wretched Age Be thus by thee tormented but take heed Correct thy Passions or their Cause must bleed Until he quench the flame at which harsh word He leaves the room nor could her strength afford Her power to rise which whilst she strives to do Her Memory adding more Weights unto The burthen of her thoughts her â—oul opprest Sinks in a pale Swoon catching at tâ—e rest It mâ—st not yet enjoy swift help lends light Though faint and glimering to behold what Night Of grief ore-shadow'd her You that have been Upon the Wrack of Passion tortur'd in The Engines of forbidden Love that have Shed fruitless â—ears spent hopeless Sighs to crave A rigid Parents fair Aspect conceive What wild destruction seiz'd her I must leave Her Passions Volume only to be read Wiâ—hin the breasts of such whose hearts have bled At the like dangerous wounds whilst she sits here Amaz'd with grief know that no
smiles appear To smooth her Fathers angry bâ—ow yet to None he unfolds his thoughts but bent to do What ere his Rage should dictate to appease This high-wrought storm which turnd into disease Each motion of the Brain he only takesâ— Scorn and Revenge to whose ill counsel shakes The quâ—et of the Soul to be his Guides Through those Night-peect Walks whose shadow 〈◊〉 The languisht beams of Love awhile their strong Ingredients boyl in 's blood before they throng The scatterd thoughts into a quintessence Of poysonous Resolutions first from thence There sprung this black Disaster to attend Argalia's Fortune he doth forthwith send A secret Messenger to th' Warlike Prince Of Siracuse to let him know that since He sent those Forces to assist him in His War their General that till late had bin The darling of his Love by Arguments Too strong was prov'd a Traytor whose intents Aymd at his Crown and Life to aggravate His spleen the more he writes him word their Fate On the same ominous Pinions flew if that He prov'd succesful having warmd him at This flame of Passion he concludes with Sir You guesse my meaning I would have no stir About dispatching of him for he 's grown Strong in affection and may call his own The hearts of half my Kingdome let this give Your Justice power he 's too much lov'd to live The startl'd Siracusian having read These bloody Lines which had not only bred A new but nourisht growing envy in His mighty Soul a stranger to all sin So full of guilt as to dissemble till The new made Generals just deserts did fill Fames still augmented Volume and was grown More legible then what he cal'd his own What in a rivall Prince had been a high And noble Emulation kindled by A smaller Star blasts Vertue he beholds His lightning Valour which cach hour unfolds Examples for Posterity destroy What though he trembl'd at creates no joy Within his sullen Soul a secret hate By Envy fed strives to unhinge his Fate From off their lofty Pyramids and throw What Merit rais'd unto a place more low Then their first step to Glory yet whilst nought But Honour was engag'd disdain nere sought For life-excluding Corasives but Love Bearing a part two Suns might sooner move In the same sphear then that hot Guest indure A rival Flame Desert could not secure Worth thus besieg'd yet this accurst intent Dares not unvail it self the Army sent By him from fair Gerenza ere the Sun Perform'd his Summers progress had begun To Garrison their weary Fort within Such Towns as their own Valour first did win From the retir'd Aeâ—olians ere this task Was fully ended curtaind in the Mask Of Merits lawfull claim reward there came A large Commission which Zoranza's Name Had made authentick that the Government Of Ardenna a Town whose strength had spent The baffl'd Foe whose Fields of blood should be Conferd on him by the Vicinity Of th' place freed from a tedious Journey in The City he arrives and what had bin Sent from his Prince presents those Mandates that Informd the Governour who frighted at The strange Commands le ts a pale guilt ore-take His swift Resolves till glorious hopes did shake Those Mourning Robes of Conscience off and in The purple Garments of a thâ—iving sin Shadows his trembling Soul least she appear Shook with a cold fit of religious fear The discomposure of his look which did Appear the birth of Discontent forbid Suspition of a blacker sin that night As being the last of 's charge he did invite Argalia to remain his Guest the next Promising to 〈◊〉 his yet seeming vext To leave the place though only to conceal His dark dâ—sign that did it self reveal To none but some selected Soldiers by Whose help he meant to murther him To vie Iâ— benefits with th' Dayes Night had bestowd Refreshing slumbers upon all haâ—owd It to the lâ—st dayes Labour when without Fear of appâ—oaching danger hem'd about With guards of honest Valour all his Train Save such as meer necessity deâ—ain Lodg'd in the City fearless Argalia in T◠〈◊〉 lies where having tempted bin By Midnight Revels full crownd Cups to be Betrayd from Reason to Ebriety But nought prevaling â—e at length is led Like an in ended Sacrifice to th' Bed Ordaind to be his last untill the Earth Within her Womb afford him one the birth o th' Morn grew neer her slow approach ere all Thâ—sâ— Engines by whose strength they meant his fall Could be prepar'd the Governour that held The Helm of this black mischief had expel'd The poysonous Guilt of staining his own Sword With blood providing Villains that abhord No 〈◊〉 Contagiâ—n though Revenge did wait On every guilty stâ—p that Evenings Bait Their liqâ—id Mirth had layd although it took No use of Reason from his Soul had shook Its labouring Faculâ—ies into a far More sudden slumber which compos'd the War Of wandring Fancy in a Harmony Of the Concordant Humours untill by The sudden noise of those ordaind to be His Murtherers he wakes amaz'd to see His Chamber so possest he catches hold On one of â—hem but finds his strength controld By the assistance of the â—ther in The Embrio of this treachery ere their sin Was past to execution he conjutes Them to forbear so black a Deed assures Them of Rewards greater then hope could call A debt from him that basely sought his falâ— But deadly silence had bar'd up the Gates Of every Voyce those curst Assassinates Prepard for action were but Heaven prevents That aged sin of murthering Innocents With Miracles of Mercy There was found Not long before an ancient Story crownd With a Prophetick Honour that containd This sacred truth When Ardenna is staind With Treachery in Fâ—iendships Vail disguiz'd Her sable Tower shall be by Foes surpiz'd This known but misconceiv'd to câ—zen Fate They did unwounded bear without the Gate The now resistless Lion that did ly Like that brave Prince o th' Forest fetterd by A crew of trembling Hunters to the brow Of an high Promontory that did bow Its black Clifts o're the clamorous Waves they had Conveyd the noble Youth the place a sad And dismal horrour wore the grim aspects Of louring Rocks the grey-ey'd Sea reflects In ugly glaring beams the Night-Raven beats His â—ufty Wings and from their iquallid seats The baleful Scriek-Owls fly to bear their parts In the sad murmure of the Night those hearts Custome had steeld with Crimes perhaps had bin Here frighted to repentance had not sin Assisted by the hands of Avarice drawn The Bridge of Reason and obscur'd the dawn Of Infant goodness to redeem the time Astonishment had lost towards their Crime They now themselves precipitate the hand Ordaind to ruine that fair Structure and Unravel his Lifes even thred prepares To strike the fatal blow but he that dares Obstruct commanded Villany forbid The further progress of their guilt and chid That pale sin in rough Language of a strange Confused
sate Beneath a darker Vayle then that which shades Repentant grief since sinne but wisht invades The soul with that which leads to horror when Grief for sins past bring into light agen One through a sea of trouble leads the way To a safe Harbour th' other casts away Poor ship-wrackt Mortals when by deaths swift stroak Lifes feeble hold is from hopes anchor broke So far the fair Jonusa in this sad Region of grief had gone till sorrow had That Feaver turn'd upon whose flaming wings At first lust only sate to one which brings Deaths symptomes near her heart which had so long Beneath the burthen groand untill the strong Disease had wrought up all the blood within Her checks into consuming flames the skin Had lost its soft repose of flesh and lay On nought but bones whose sharpnesse did betray Their macerated nerves The Rose had lost His Ensigns in her cheeks and though it cost Payns near to death the Lillie had alone Set his pale Banners up no brightnesse shone Within her eyes dim Orbs whose fading light Being quench'd in death had set in endlesse night Had not the wise endeavours of her Mayd The carefull Manto griefs pale Scouts betrayd By slie deceipt Knowing if she should want Health untill cur'd by that exotick plant The Captives love what lust at first did burn With inflammations might a Gangrene turn Although she cures not yet gives present ease By laying Opiates to the harsh disease A Letter which did for uncivil blame His first denyal in the strangers name Disguiz'd she gives her which with eyes that did O're-flow with joy read ore had soon forbid Griefs sullen progresse whose next stage had been O're Lifes short road the Grave deaths quiet Inne From whose dark terror by this gleam of light Like trembling children by a Lamps weak light Freed from nights dreadfull shadowes she 'd imbrac'd Sleep natures darknesse had not joy defac'd Those sooty characters and on the wings Of ayrie hope that wanton bird which singâ— As soon as fledg'd advanc'd her to survey The dawning beauties of a long'd for day But ere this pyramid of pleasure to Its height arrives with 's presence to undoe The golden structure dreadfull Ammurat From 's floting mansion safely landed at The Cities Pott impatient Love had brought In an untimely visit ere swift thought Fetterd with guilt could from his eager eye By an excuse to sanctuary flie He enters and she faints in which pale trance His pity findes her but to no such chance Imputes the cause rather conceives it joy Whose rushing torrent made her heart imploy His nimble servants all her Spirits to Prevent a deluge which might else undoe Loves new made Common-wealth But whilst his care Hastens to help her fortune did declare Her sorrows dark enigma from her bed The Letter drops which when lifes Army fled Their frontier Garrisons neglected had Been left within 't this seen declares a sad Truth to 'th amazed Bassa though 't were mixt With subtill falshood whilst he stands betwixt High rage and grief distracted doubtfull yet In what new dresse to wear revenge the fit Forsakes Ihonusa who not knowing she Detected stood of Lusts conspiracie Gainst honours Royal Charter from a low Voyce strayns a welcome which did seem to flow From fickle discontent such as the weak Lungs breath the thoughts in whilst their fibers break To counterfeited slumbers leaving her He 's gone with silent anger to confer And though rage lives in fire the fury lies Unseen through the false opticks of his eyes With such a farwell as kinde husbands leave Their pregnant Wives preparing to receive A Mothers first of blessings he forsakes The room and into strict iâ—quiry takes The wretched Manto who ere she could call Excuse to aid surpriz'd discovers all Her sins black art from whose dark Theorems he This method drawes that night design'd to be Lightn'd with Lusts hot triumphs he pretends Commanded absence yet the false stroke bends But towards that guard ere by a swift reverse Brought back his souls slie Scouts had gain'd commerce With all those enemies to honour by Whose aid Ihonusa ruins chastity Plac'd by false Manto in a Closet which Silent and sad had only to inrich Its roof with light some few neglected beams Sent from Ihonusa's room which serve as streams To waâ—t intelligence Here he beheld Whilest she who with his absence had expelld All thoughtfull cares was with her joy swell'd high As Captives are when cal'd to liberty Her Linnen like a Princely Brides that meets In the soft folds of her first nuptial sheeâ—s Perfum'd and costly her fair bed was more Adorn'd then Shrines whose Saints rich Kings adore Incense in smoaky curles climbs to the fair Roof whilst choice musick rarifies the aire Each element in more perfection here Then in their first creation did appear Yet liv'd in harmony the wing'd fire lent Perfumes to 'th aire that to moist Cordials pent In Christal Vials strength and those impart Their vigour to that ball of earth the hart The nice eye here epitomiz'd might see Rich Persia's wealth and old Rome's luxury But now like Natures new made Favorite Who untill all created for delight Was fram'd did nere see Paradice comes in Deceiv'd Argalia thinking he had been Cald thither to behold a Penitent Arming for death not heavens choice blessings spent On th' vanities of Life but mirth soon gives That thought its mortal wound and shewes she lives Beyond that dark sphear where her joyes did move As if her eyes alone gave Lawes to Love Where beauties Constellations all did shine As if no crosse aspect could ere untwine Their claspt Conjunctions which did seem to guide Old Natures steps till from their Zeniths pride By vertue the Souls motion which the World In order keeps into coufusion hurld For here gay vanity though cloathd in all Her gawdy Pageants lets her Trophies fall Before bright Vertues Throne with such a high Heroick scorn as aged Saints that die Heavens Favourites leave the trivial world he slights That gilded Pomp no splendent beam invites His serious eye to meet their Objects in An amorous glance reserv'd as he had been Before his grave Confessor he beholds Beauties bright Magick whilst its Art unfolds Great Loves mysterious Riddles and commands Captive Ihonusa to infringe the Bands Of Matrimonial modesty when all Temptation falls she leaves her Throne to fall The scorn of Greatnesse at his Feet but Prayer Like flattery expires in uselesse aire Too weak to hatter that firm confidence Their torments thunder could not shake from hence Despair Loves Tyrant had enforâ—d her to More wild Atempts had not her Ammurat who Unseen beheld all this prevented by His sight the death of bleeding modesty Made swift with rage the ruffl'd Curtain flies His angry touch he enters fixt his eyes From whence some drops of rage distil on her Whose heart had lent her Face its Character Whilst he stood red with flaming anger she Looks pale
busied his Idea to compare With what she a saw sudden glance o' th eye Disvellopes truth that Jewel which was by His first Protector left is seen by which Hope near impoverisht with despair growes rich In Faith heavens tenure But the rushing tide O're-flowes so much that Loves fresh Rivers glide Over weak natures banks she faints and in A silent joy contracted what had bin By Love dilated from which giddy trance To rescue her Argalia doth advance To charge those troops of passions which o're her Had prov'd victâ—rious nor did sate deferre Their Conquest long ere she displayes again Beauties fair Banner in Loves Ivory plain Th' imprison'd spirits freed the bloud in haste Fearing her Love had Wisdoms throne defac'd To beauties Frontiers flies So mornings weep And blush together when they over-sleep Themselves in nights black bed Though fears dull charmâ— Whilst in the circle of Argalia's arms Like Dreams fantastick Visions vanish in Her waking joyes yet knowing they had been Betray'd into a strangers view they both Stood mute with passion till the Cyprian loth To adde more weights unto affliction by Imping Loves wings with noble courtesie Fans off the Southern clouds of fear and thus Calms the loud storm Doubt not because to us Fair Princess Loves mysterious Riddles are By accident resolv'd the factious war Shall be renewd such base intelligence Traytors and Spies give when the dark offence Starts at discovery if my service may Be useful Know I sooner dare betray My sins to th' world then your intentions to A smooth Seducer This rare interview May be my wonder but shall never prove My guilt though all the stratagems of Love Lay open to my heart which though unskild In his Polemmicks yet with truth is fil'd Since now too late to seek protection by A faint denial the wisht privacy Their Room afforded gives them leave to lead His apprehension where conceit did read The story of Loves civil Wars whose Rage Since treaty could not calm makes him engage His stock of power in their defence and end His Passions progresse to let Love attend On Friendships royal Train what not the force Of Earths united Beauties could divorce Nor Wealths nor Honours strong Attractions draw To other Objects by that holy Law Informd as hateful Sacriledge doth fly The bold intrusion on Loves Hierarchy VVith joy assur'd of such a powerful Friend The hopeful Lovers sadder cares suspend To lay the plat-form of their safety by A fair escape but fear doth oft unty The golden webs of Fancy when they come To name the means Invention then struck dumb Startles into distraction no smooth stroke Of soft palmd flattery could ere provoke Sleep in her watchful Dragons nor no shower Of ponderous Gold pierce through her sable Tower The harsh Commander of her surly Guard VVakeful as foaming Cerberus and hard As Parian Quars a heart that could not melt In Loves Alimbeck the Slave never felt His Darts but when Lust gave the wound and then Seard with enjoying the blood stops agen And leaves behind the Feaver which Disease Now in him rag'd Amphibia that could please None but a sympathizing Nature in His blood had both Disease and Med'cine bin VVith Lusts Inchantments thick loose glances first Breeding a Callenture whose sickly thirst Consenting sin allays again but long This Monster thrives not in the dark ere strong By custome grown with Impudence he dares Affront unvaild Report and boldly bears Himself above those head-strong Torrents by VVhose streams harsh Censure grew to callumny Vvhich carelesse pride did unobstruct the way Through which to liberty Loves progresse lay A short delay which lets not Fancy rest In idle thought their Actions did disgest Into a Method the succeeding Night To that great day by whose triumphant light Their Annuall Feasts her Birth did celebrate The time design'd which done to stroke rough Fate Into a calm Argalia first finds out Despis'd Florenza then imployd about Course Huswifery in the dull Country where Shee soon became a Partner of his care Prepares for safety with a diligence Whose privacy payes lavish Times expence Now from Nights swarthy Region rose that day ' Gainst which Invention taught her Babes the way To level at delight though she flew high As Monarchs breasts Beauty and Valour vie Each other in a conquering Pride within A spatious field that ought before had bin The Theater of Martial sports each Knight VVhom the desire of honour did invite By her swift Herald Fame were met and all VVhom the respects of either part did call To th' Epicotes or young Cyprians part Repair unto their Tents which rich in Art Adornd both sides o th' stately Lists and lent Their Beauties to be Prospects Ornament Neer to the Scaffold every seat was fil'd Vvith bright Court beauties Ladies that did gild Youth Natures Throne of pollisht Ivory in Pride there but greatness though low Fortunes sin Rang'd next to these the City Madams that Came both to wonder and be wonderd at Fine as on their first Lady-dayes did sit Comparing Fashions to commend their wit Besides the Silk-worms spoyls their husbands gain Jewels they wore like Eyes in Beauties Wane Grown dim with Age so dim that they did look As if they 'd been from plunderd Delphos took Although that sprung from Faction yet each Face Was all set form hardly affording place For a stoln smile save when some ticklish Lord Strikes sail which they could wish should come abroad Below neer to the over-heated throng Sweet Country beauties such as nere did wrong Nature with nicer Art were seated where Though big rude pride cast them in Honours Rear Yet in Loves Province they appeard to have Command from their acknowledgd beauty gave Humble their Looks yet Vertue there kept state And made even Envy wish to immitate Their Fashions not phantastick yet their dresse Made Gallantry in Love with comliness Whilst here the learnd Astronomers of Love Observ'd how Eyes those wandring Stars did move And thence with heedful Art did calculate Approaching changes in that doubtful state The Princesse like the Planet of the day Comes with a luster forth that did betray The others beams into contempt and made The Morning Stars of meaner beauties fade Sadly confessing by their Languisht light They shone but when her absence made it Night Stately her look yet not too high to be Seen in the Valleys of Humility Clear as Heavens Brow was hers her smiles to all Like the Suns comforts Epidemical Yet by the boldest Gazer with no lesse Reverence ador'd then Persians in distresse Do that bright power who though familiar by An aiery Medium still is thron'd on high Least the ungovernd Multitude which raise Their eyes to her should in their lavish praise From zeal to superstition grow they 'r now Drawn off the enterd Combatants allow Their Eyes no further leisure but beginning Their Martial sports with various fate were winning Bright Vict'ries Laurels But I here must let Honour in their
loud Alarums in The Castle Court and City rag'd all were Huddl'd into confusion some prepare To fly what others with an Ignorance As great though bolder to oppose advance Here had our Heaven-protected Lovers lost What such large summs of prayers and tears had cost Had not the torrent of the peoples throng When rushing towards the Castle by a strong Voyce danger been diverted to prevent A hungry flame which in the Cyprians Tent Began had spread its aire-dilated wings Over the City whose feard danger brings On them a worse distemperature then all Their last Nights Surfets whilst proud Turrets fall In their own Ashes the discordant Bells Ordaind to call for aide but ring their Knels That in a drunken fury half awake First their warm Beds and then their Lives forsake For to destruction here big pride had sweld Had not Nights errors been by day expeld With swift Cals frighted but more terrifi'd At their sad Cause Fear being his doubtful Guide The stout Epicote to Cleanders Court Repairs and there amongst a thick resort Of Subjects finds the Prince distracted by Those Epidemick Clamours that did fly From every part o th' City to appease Whose fury whilst he goes the sharp disease In flames feeds on her ruin'd beauty and Mounts on insulting wings which to withstand Th' amaz'd Inhabitants did stop its flight With the whole weight of Rivers till that light Which an Usurper on the sooty Throne Of darknesse sate vanisht or only shone From their dim Torches Rayes the Prince thus stayd In 's hasty Journey till the flames allayd Lent safety to the City by it gave The royal Fugitives the time to save Themselves by flight from those ensuing ills Whose clamorous Scouts rude sounds the stird aire fills Descended to the Gardens Postern Gate A place where silence yet unruffl'd sate A Night obscure and an unhaunted way Conspiring their Pursuers to betray To dark mistakes with silent Joy which had All Fears pale symptomes in Loves purple clad Close as that bold Attempter whose brave theft Was sacred fire the walks behind them left Argalia hasts unto the Castle Moat With his rich prize there a neglected Boat Half hid amongst the Willow Beds finds ouâ— In which Pharonnida that nought could doubt Whilst her successful Lover steerd past o're To meet the safety of a larger Shore The end of the third Book PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO I. The Argument I. Whilst noise and tumult fills the Court the sad Orlinda to lament alone retir'd Finds the brave Captain in deaths symptoms clad Whose perfect health her friendly care acquir'd II. The Scouts with an unwelcom emptiness Of news return'd the Princess secret flight Yet well succeeds but now in sad distress Find a black morning to that dismal night VVHen Fear like an unskilful Pilot in A storm distracted long in vain had been Plac'd at the helm of Action whilst those rude Waves rais'd by greater winds the Multitude Swell'd with uncertain councels all met in A thick and dangerous confluence those within The Castle by a hotter passion to A high wrought fury startled did undo Those links of councel which the other broke With corrosives of fear by the rude stroke Of heedless Anger whose uncivil strife Had robâ—d Revenge of justice and each life That here was in deaths inundation spilt Shed but to aggrevate a private guilt Had not the Prince whose angers flame they fear'd More then grim death t' appease the storm appear'd Beat from the out-works of their hopes all in A busie tumult are imploy'd within The Princess lodgings but there only find Their knowledge by her secret flight strook blind Stumbl'd on errors No characters but what The wasteful hand of death had scatter'd at The Guard informs them and even those seem left The weak opposers of successful theft Dropt as their Foes victorious fate slue by To shew his fortune and their loyalty Leaving which late warm tenements of breath Without once throwing up that bed of death Their grave-cloaths ore them every active friend Hasts toward her search whilst suffering females spend The hours grown slow since burden'd by their fears In prayrs whose doubts they numbred by their tears But amongst all of those that sacrific'd Tears to her loss sorrow had most disguis'd Lovely Orlinda the fair sister to The vext Messenian who with Love that grew From equal attributes of Honor in The parallels of Beauty plac'd had been In this restraint of liberty so long Her pleas'd Companion that her grief too strong For comfort grown to mourn her absence she Forsaking all her friends societie Whilst seeking of some shady grove is brought To one whose vail black as her darkest thought Appear'd so much a stranger to the light That solitude did thither soon invite The pensive Lady who whilst entring by A deep groans sound diverted turns her eye Toward one who near the utmost ebb of life Disguis'd in 's blood was with the latest strife Of death contending at the dreadful view Of which sad object she retreating to Some of her maids who fearing to intrude Whilst she appear'd intending solitude A distance kept made hold by number now Return to see if life did yet allow A room for help or if his soul were fled To let their care intomb the helpless dead Arriv'd so near that through the rubrick vail Of 's blood they saw how life did yet prevail O'er deaths convulsions they behold one lie Whose wound 's an object for their charity Soon drew them nearer in such trembling haste As if they fear'd those lavish springs would waste Lifes stock too fast where come with linen soft And white as were those hands that thither brought That blessing having gently wip'd away His blood his face discover'd did betray Him to their knowledge for the Ciprian Prince All soon conclude him whose desert e'er since That Court she knew had to Orlinda prov'd A dear delight yet she ne'er knew she lov'd Till her soft pitty and his sad distress Conspiring to betray that bashfulness Whose blushes scorch'd that tender plant did now Even in their fortunes roughest storm allow It leave to grow safe since yet passing by No other name but noble charity By all the nimblest stratagems which Art E'er learnt from nature striving to impart The best of mortal blessings health unto Her Royal patient prais'd Orlinda grew So high in his deserv'd esteem that though Posterity doth to his friendship ow For their most perfect copy knowing she Too much ador'd Pharonnida to be Her base betrayer when his healths advance Gave way for language every circumstance Declares which was in that so fatal night The sad preludiums to her secret flight By which when she whose love though full of fire Yet lay rak'd up in a remote desire Unstirr'd by hope with joy had learn'd that he More then what friendship parroniz'd was free From all affection to the Princess in Her eyes which until then had clouded bin Love with as
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
greatness shut from all Those glorious objects of the world that call Our souls in admiration forth her time Being spent in grief made life but Natures crime The rough disguise of time assisted by The meager gripe of harsh captivity Had now expung'd those characters by which Ismander once was known and even the rich In love and duty rendred strangers to Their honor'd Master from whose serious view Neglective grief withdraws them so that he An unknown Pilgrim might have gone to be Theirs and his own afflictor had that fear Not thus been cur'd A Spaniel being of dear Esteem to Ammida since the delight Of her Ismander once come to the sight Of 's first protector stays not till a call Invites acquaintance but preventing all The guides of reason by the sleights of sense Fawning on 's Master checks th' intelligence Of 's more forgetful followers which being seen By an old servant whose firm youth had been Spun out amongst that family till by Grave age surpris'd it led his sober eye To stricter observations such as brought Him near to truth and on contracted thought Rais'd a belief which though it durst conclude Nought on the dark text yet i' th' magnitude Of hope exalted by his joy he hastes To 's mourning Mistress tells her that she wastes Each minute more she spends in grief if he Dares trust his eyes t' inform his memorie Contracted spirits starting from the heart Of doubtful Ammida to every part Post through the troubl'd blood a combat fought Betwixt pale fear and sanguine hope had oft Won and lost battails in her cheeks whilst she Leaving her sullen train did haste to see Those new come guests But the first enterview Unmasks Ismander wing'd with love she flew To his imbraces 't was no faint disguise Of a course habit could betray those eyes Into mistakes that for directors had Loves powerful optiques Nuptial joys unclad In all their naked beauties no delight So full of pleasure the first active night Being but a busie and laborious dream Compar'd with this this that had swell'd the stream Of joy to fainting surfeits whose hot strife Had overflow'd the crimson-sea of life If not restrain'd by a desire to keep What each had lost in the eternal sleep But now broke through the epileptique mist Of amorous rapture rallied spirits twist Again their optique cordage whose mixt beams Now separate and on collateral streams Disperst expressions of affection bore To each congratulating friend that wore Not out those favors with neglect but by A speedy though unpractick sympathie Met their full tide of bliss glad fame which brings Truths messages upon her silver-wings In private whisper hovers for a while Within the palace every servants smile Invites a new spectator who from thence Proud to be author of intelligence So welcom hastes till knowledge rang'd through all Diffusive joy made epidemical For though that noble family alone Afforded pleasure a triumphant throne Yet frolick mirth did find a residence In every neighbors bosom they dispence With their allegiance to their labor and Revel in lusty cups the brown bowls stand With Amber-liquor fill'd whose fruitful tears Dropt lov'd Ismander's health till it appears In sanguine tincture on their cheeks All now Had if not calm'd their passions smooth'd a brow To temporize with pleasure The sad story Of his own fortune and that Ages glory Pharonnida whilst each attentive dwells On expectation brave Ismander tells The End of the Second Canto PHARONNIDA The Fourth Book CANTO III. The Argument I. From the sad consort of her silent grief The Princess doth with pleasing wonder hear Poor Vanlore's fate and the unjust relief Which his unworthy Father freed from fear II. Whose hell-deep plots the dregs of avarice Had so defil'd that whilst he seeks for aid His subtlety mask'd on the road of vice By his presum'd Assistant is betraid COmposing time did now begin to slack The rain of mirth exalted Joy shrunk back From Pleasures summer-solstice and gave way For more domestick passions to obay An Oeconomick government which brought Loose fancy on the wings of serious thought Back to her sober home in that to find Those several burthens that were left behind In the carier of mirth amongst which number Pharonnida that had let sorrow slumber In the high room of joy awakes again That clamorous elf which she must entertain At Beauties cost Yet in this dark retreat From Pleasures throne to Sorrows dismal seat She finds a sweet Copanion one that had By fatal love oppos'd with loss unclad Delight of all his summer-robes to dress Her trembling soul in sables of distress The sad Silvandra for surviving fame Hath on record so character'd her name Being sister to return'd Ismander in This flourish of triumphant joy had bin So much eclips'd with grief that oft her tears Dim'd Beauties rays whilst through them she appears A fit Companion for the Princess to Twist those discourses with whose mourning clue Led through the labyrinth of their lives They oft In shades as secret as their closest thought With pensive paces meeting sit and tell Stories so sad that nought could parallel But Love and Loss a theam they both had bin By rigid power made hapless Students in One eye-bright morning tempting them to take The start of time soon as the Lark did wake Summons them from the Palace to the side Of a small Wood whose bushy crest the pride Of all the flowry plains they chose to be ' Gainst the invading sun their canopie Repos'd beneath a full-grown tree that spread His trembling arms to shade their fragrant bed They now are sate where for a while they view The distant vale whilst contemplation grew Pregnant with wonder whose next prosp'rous birth Had been delight had they not sent their mirth In sad exchange whilst tears did usher in Silvandra's fate who weeping did begin With such a look as did command belief The late-past story of a present grief In yonder fields with that directs her eye To a black Fen whose heavy earth did lie Low in a dark and dirty vale is plac'd Amarus Castle which though now defac'd More by the owners covetous neglect Then times rough strokes that strength which did protect Once its inhabitants being now but made Use of when want doth with weak prayers invade The gates being thought sufficient if they keep The poor at bay or whilst his stiff hindes sleep Their laboring beasts secure But I alas Blush to discover that this Miser was Father to my dead Vanlore and to her Whose living vertues kind heaven did confer As blessings on my brother but the sun Ne'r saw two sweeter streams of vertue run From such a bitter fountain This accurst And wretched man so hated that he durst Scarce look abroad fearing oppression would Be paid with vengeance if he ever should Fall into th' hand 's of those whose faces he Grownd with extortion till the injury Fear cloath'd like justice ventring once to view A
distant crisis and on flaming wings Posts through the blood whose mass infected brings Deaths banners near the Fort of life which in Acute distempers it attempts to win From Natures guards had not the hot assault By youth sustain'd made deaths black army halt Whilst marching to the grave the swift disease Like a proud foe repulst forc'd to give ease By slow retreats yet of those cruel wars Left long remaining bloodless characters But ere the weak Euriolus for he This hapless stranger was again could be By strength supported base Amarus who Could think no more then priceless thanks was due For all his dangerous pains more beastly rude Then untam'd Indians basely did exclude That noble guest which being with sorrow seen By Ammida whose prayers and tears had been His helpless advocates she gives in charge To her Ismander that till time enlarge Her then restrain'd desires he entertain Her desolate and wandring friend Nor vain Were these commands his entertainment being Such as observant Love thought best agreeing To her desires But here not long he stayed Ere Fortune prompted by his wit obeyed That artfull Mistris and reward obtains By fine imposture for firm vertues pains The gout that common curse of slothfull wealth With frequent pain had long impair'd the health Of old Amarus who though else to all Griping as that for ease was liberal From practic'd physick to the patients curse Poor pratling women or impostors worse Slie Mountebanks whose empty impudence Do frequent murthers under healths pretence He all had tried yet found he must endure What though some eas'd none perfectly could cure Oft had his judgement purse and patience bin Abus'd by cheats yet still defective in The choice of men which error known unto My brother and Euriolus they drew Their platform thus Euriolus clad in An antick dress which shew'd as he had bin Physitian to the great Mogol first by Ismander prais'd at distance doth apply Himself unto Amarus where t'â—inhance The price of 's art he first applauds the chance That had from distant Regions thither brought Him to eclipse their glory who had sought For 't in his cure before then seconds that With larger promises which tickled at Amarus vies with his threatning to break His iron chests and make those idols speak His gratitude though lock'd with conscience they To his own clamorous wants had silent lay Some common medicines which the people prize ' Cause from their knowledg vail'd in slight disguise Apply'd to 's pain and those assisted by Opinion whose best antidotes supply The weak defects of art he soon attains So much of health that now his greatest pains Had been th' ingag'd reward had he not bin By future hopes kept from ingratefull sin So far that in performing action he Exceeds his passions prodigalitie Large promises with such performance that Whilst his deluders smile and wonder at Thus speaks its dark orginal To shew Euriolus how fortune did out-grow Desert in his estate he was one day From th' Castle walls taking a pleas'd survay Of spacious fields whose soils made fertile by Luxurious art in rich variety Still youthfull nature cloath'd which whilst he views An old suspition thus his tongue renews How blest my worthy friend how blest had I Been in my youths laborious industry T' have seen a son possest of this but now A daughters match a stranger must endow With what I 've toil'd to get and what is more My torment one that being betroth'd before My sons decease wants an estate to make Her marriage blest but knew I how to shake This Swagg'rer off there lives not far from hence One that to match her to were worth th' expence Of my estate his name is Dargonel A wary Lad who though his land do swell Each day with new additions yet still lives Sparing and close takes heed to whom he gives Or whom he lends except on mortgage by Whose strength it may securely multiply This worthy Gentleman with wise foresight Beholding what an object of delight Our link'd estates would be hath since I lost My heir been in 's intention onely crost By this Ismander whom though I confess A braver man yet since a fortune less Ne'r must have my consent onely since by Her contract I have lost the liberty Of second choice unless I vainly draw My self in danger o' th ore-busie Law I want some sound advice that might inform Me how to rid him yet not stand a storm Broke from his rage although my daughter love Him more then health I shall command above Her feeble passions if you dare impart So much of aid from your almighty art As to remove this remora and here He stopp'd yet lets a silent guilt appear In looks that shew'd what else the theam affords He 'd have conceiv'd as being too foul for words Which seen by him whose active wit grâ—w strong In friendships cause as loath to torture long His expectations thus their stream he stayes With what at once both comforts and betrayes Raise up your spirits my blest Patron to Sublime content Heav'n sent me to renew Your souls harmonious peace that dreadfull toy Of conscience wisely wav'd you may enjoy Uninterrupted hopes yet since we must Be still most wary where we 're most unjust Le ts not be rash swift things are oft unsure Whilst moles through death's dark angles creep secure Then since it 's full of danger to remove Betroth'd Ismander whilst his publick love By your consent rais'd to assurance may A granted interest claim first let us stay His fury and the peoples censures by A nuptial knot whose links we will unty Ere the first night confirms the hallow'd band By wayes so secret that death 's skilfull hand Shall work unknown to fate and render you To the deluded worlds more publick view A real mourner whilst your curtain'd thought Triumphs to be from strict engagements brought Besides the vailing of our dark designe Like vertue thus this plot will sink a Mine Whose wealthy womb in ample jointure will Bring much of dead Ismanders state to fill The vast desire of wealth This being done I with prevailing philters will outrun Sorrows black Bark which whilst it lies at drift I 'll so renew her mirth no sigh shall lift Its heavy sails which in a calm neglect Shall lie forgot whilst what 's not now respect To Dargonel shall soon grow up to be Like Natures undiscovered sympathie A love so swift so secret all shall pause At its effects whilst they admire the cause This by Amarus with belief which grew Into applause heard ouâ— he doth renew With large additions what h 'had promis'd in His first attempts Then hasting to begin The tragick scene which must in triumph be Usher'd to light his known deformitie Of wretched baseness for a while he lays Aside and by a liberal mirth betrays Approaching joy which since incited by His wishes soon lifts Hymens torches high As their exalted hopes The happy Pair
Dear to indulgent heaven with Omens fair As were their youthful Paranimphs had bin I' th' hallowed Temple taught without a sin To taste the fruits of Paradice and now The time when tedious custom did allow A wisht retirement come preparing are To beautifie their beds whence that bright star Whose evenings blush did please the gazers eyes Eclips'd in sorrow is ordain'd to rise But such whose superficial vail opprest Only her friends whose knowledge were not blest With the design which to our proscript Lovers Euriolus with timely zeal discovers The morning opens and the wakened Bride By light and friends surpris'd attempts to hide Her bashful beauty till their hands withdrew The curtains which betraid unto their view Ismander cold and stiff which horrid sight Met where they look'd for objects of delight At first a silent sad amazement spread Through all the room till Fears pale army fled In sad assurance Sorrows next hot charge Began in shrieks whose terror did enlarge Infectious grief till like an ugly cloud That cramps the beauties of the day grown proud In her black empire Hymens tapors she Changes to funeral brands and from that tree That shadows graves puls branches which being wet In tears are where Loves mirtles flourisht set Their nuptial himns thus turn'd to dirges all In sad exchange let cloudy sable fall Ore pleasures purple-robes whilst from that bed Whence Love opprest seem'd to their sorrow fled To death for refuge sadly they attend To th' last of homes his tomb their sleeping friend Who there with all the hallowed rights that do Betray surviving friendship left unto Darkness and dust they thence with sober pace Return whilst shrowded near that dismal place Euriolus conceals himself that so When sleep whose soft excess is natures fo Hath spent her stupefactive opiates he Might ready to his friends assistance be And now that minute come which to comply With Arts sure rules gives Nature leave t' unty Sleeps powerful ligatures his Pulses beat The Floods revelly from whose dark retreat The spirits thronging in their active flight His friend h'encounters with the early light By whose assistance whilst the quiet earth Yet slept in nights black arms before the birth O' th' morn whose busie childhood might betray Their close design Ismander takes his way Toward a distant friends whose house he knew To be as secret as his love was true There whilst conceal'd even from suspition he In safety rests Euriolus to free Her fears fair Captive Ammida hastes back To old Amarus who too rash to slack Sorrows black cordage by degrees that might Weaken mistrust le ts mirth taken open flight Into suspected action whilst he gives To Dargonel who now his Darling lives So free a welcom that he in 't might read If love could not for swift succession plead Power should command yet waves the exercise Of either till his Empericks skill he tries Who now return'd ere Dargonel that lay Slow to attempt since certain to betray Had more then fac'd at distance he pretends To close attempts of art whose wisht for ends Ere their expecting faith had time to fear In acts which rais'd their wonder did appear Love which by judgment rul'd had made desert In her first choice the Climax to her heart By which it slowly mov'd now as if swaid â—y heedless passion seems to have betraid At one rash glance her heart which now begins To break through Passions bashful cherubins Spreading without a modest blush the light Of morning-beauty ore that hideous night Of all those dull deformities that dwell Like earths black damps ore cloudy Dargonel Who being become an Antique in the Mask Of playful Love grows proud and scorns to ask Advice from sober thought but lets conceit Perswade him how his worth had spread that bait Which slie Amarus who presum'd to know From whence that torrent of her Love did flow With a just doubt suspecting strives to make His thoughts secure ere Reason did oretake Passions inforc'd carier Nor did his plot Want an indulgent hope like dreams forgot In the delights of day his daughter shook Off Griefs black dress and in a chearful look Promis'd approaching love no more disguis'd Then serv'd to shew strict vertue how she pris'd Her only in applause whose harmonie Still to preserve she is resolv'd to be If secret silence might with action dwell Swift as his wish espous'd to Dargonel More joy'd then fetter'd Captives in the year Of Jubile Amarus did appear Proud with delight in whose warm shine when 's haste Had with officious diligence imbrac'd Euriolus he waving all delays To Dargonel the welcom news conveys Who soon prepar'd for what so long had bin His hopes delight to meet those joys within The sacred temple hastes The place they chose For Hymen's Court lest treacherous eyes disclose The Brides just blushes was a Chappel where Devotion when but a domestick care Was by his houshold practis'd for the time 'T was ere the morn blusht to detect a crime All thus prepar'd the Priest conducting they With sober pace which gently might convey Diseas'd Amarus in his chair they to The Chappel haste which now come near as through Th' ancient room they pass a sad deep groan Assaults their ears which whilst with wonder grown Into disease they entertain appears A sad confirmer of their doubtfull fears Ismander whom but late before they had Follow'd to th' grave his lively beauty clad I' th' upper garments of pale death which sight The train avoiding by their speedy flight Except the willing Bride behinde leave none But lame Amarus who his chair orethrown By his affrighted bearers there must lie Expos'd to fear which when attempts to flie Through often strugling prov'd his labor vain He groveling lies unseen to entertain Thus far successfull blest Ismander thence Conveys his lovely Bride whilst the expence Of time being all laid out on fear by none He was observ'd Amarus long alone Lying tormented with his passions ere His frighted servants durst return to beare Their fainting Master of but being at length When greater numbers had confirm'd the strength Of fortitude grown bold entring again The room which yet fear told them did retain The scent of brimstone there they onely found Their trembling master tumbling on the ground Horror augmented by internal guilt Had in his conscience trepidations spilt Both pray'rs and tears which since heav'ns law they crost For humane passions in dispair were lost Obscur'd in whose black mists not daring to Unclose his eyes fearing again the view Of that affrighting aparition he Is hurried from that dreadfull place to be Their mirth whom he for fiends mistaking cries For mercy to scarce trusting of his eyes When they unfolded had discover'd none But such whom long he 'd for domesticks known Yet to torment him more before these fears Wholy forsake him in his room appears Some officers whose power made dreadfull by The dictates of supream authority As guilty of Ismander's
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
their whispering Oaks unclad The Prince his mercy willing to prevent Approaching danger by a Herald sent To Zarrobâ—in commands him to lay down His arms and as he owed unto his Crown A Subjects due allegiance to appear Before a moneth was added to that year Within his Court which now since action gave Life to that body whose firm strength did save His life by treason levell'd at was in His moving Camp But this too weak to win The doubtful Rebel since his lawful right Swords must dispute the Prince prepares to fight Proud Zarrobrin who had by late success Taught Siracuse how to avoid distress By seeking peace like a black storm that flies On Southern winds which in a tumult rise From neighboring seas was on his march But come Sonear the Prince that now he had by some Of 's spreading Scouts made full discovery where His Army lay whose scarce discovered Rear Such distance from their well-arm'd Van appear'd That such whose judgments were with numbers feard Making no further inquisition fled By swift report their pale disease to spread Disturbing clouds which rather seem'd to rise From guilt then fear spread darkness ore the eyes O' th' Rebels who although by custom made To death familiar wish their killing trade In peace concluded and with murmures nigh Grown to the boldness of a mutinie Question their own frail judgments which so oft Had life expos'd to dangers that had brought No more reward then what preserv'd them still The slaves unto a proud Commanders will To stop this swift infection which begun In lowly huts to lofty tents had run Slie Zarobrin who to preserve th' esteem Of honor lest lib'rality might seem The child of fear with secret speed prevents What he appears to slight their discontents As if attending though attended by Their young Mock-Prince whose landskip royaltie Shew'd only fair when view'd at distance he Passing with slow observant pace to see Each squadrons order he confirms their love With donatives such as were far above Their hopes if Victors then to shew that in That pride of bounty h 'had not strove to win Assistance by unworthy bribes he leads Them far from danger since his judgment reads In long experience that authentick story Whose lines hath taught the nearest way to glory That soft delays like treacherous streams which by Submitting lets the rash intruder try Their dangerous depth to an unwilling stay His fierce persuers would ere long betray Whose force since of th' untutor'd multitude By want made desperate and by custom rude Would soon waste their unweildy strength whilst they Whom discipline had taught how to obey By pay made nimble and by order sure Would wars delays with easier wants endure This sound advice meeting with sad success From the persuing Army whose distress From tedious marches being too clamorous grown For 's friends estates to quiet soon was shewn In actions such which though necessitie Inforc'd on vertue made their presence be To th' inconsiderate vulgar whose loose glance For vertue take vice gloss'd with circumstance Such an oppression that comparing those Which fled with mildness they behold as foes Only their ruder followers whom they curse Not that their cause but company was worse When thus their wanâ—s had brought disorder in And that neglect whose looser garb had bin At first so shie that what was hardly known From business then was now to custom grown This large limb'd body since united by No cement but the love to loyalty Loses those baser parts such as to please Unworthy ends turn'd duty to disease Retaining onely those whose valor sought No more reward then what with blood they bought But here to shew that slumbring justice may Opprest with power faint in the busie day Of doubtfull battel when their valor had So many souls from robes of fresh unclad Of his brave friends that the forsaken Prince Whose sad success taught knowledge to convince The Arguments of hope unguarded left Unto persuing foes was soon bereft Of all that in this cloud of fortune might By opposition or unworthy flight But promise fafety and when death denide Him her last dark retreat to raise the pride Of an insulting foe is forc'd to see The scorn of greatness in captivity Yet with more terror to limb sorrow in His mighty soul such friends as had not bin By death discharg'd in fatal battel now Suffer'd so much as made even fear alow Her palest sons to seek in future wars Brave victory got by ages honor scars Or braver death that antidote of shame Whose stage none pass upon the rode of Fame Those that far'd best being murther'd others sent With life to more afflicting banishment When thus by him whose sacred order made The truth authentick from his fortunes shade Argalia was redeem'd the Prelate to Confirm his story from his bosom drew The jewel which having by wayes unknown To him that wore it open'd there was shewn By wit contracted into art as rare As his that durst make silver sphears compare With heavens light motion an Effigies which His royal Sire whilst beauty did enrich His youth appear'd in such epitomy As spacious fields are represented by Rare opticks on opposing walls where sight Is conzen'd with imperfect forms of light When with such joy as Scythians that grow proud Of day behold light gild an eastern cloud Argalia long had view'd that picture in Whose face he saw forms that said his had been Drawn by that pattern with such thanks as best The silent eloquence of looks exprest The night grown ancient ere their stories end With solemn joy leaves his informing friend The End of the Fourth Book PHARONNIDA The Fift Book CANTO I. The Argument I. Tier'd with afflictions in a safe retreat From th' active world Pharonnida is now Making a sacred monastry her seat Where near approaching the confirming vow II. A rude assault makes her a Prisoner to Almanzors power to expiate whose sin The subtil Traytor swiftly leads her to The Court where she had long a stranger bin HEre harsh imployments the unsavory weeds Of barren wants had over-run the seeds Of fancy with domestick cares and in Those winter storms shipwrack'd what ere had bin My youths imperfect off-spring had not I For love of this neglected poverty That meager fiend whose rustic tallons stick Contempt on all that are inforc'd to seek Like me a poor subsistance ' mongst the low Shrubs of imployment whilst blest wits that grow Good fortunes favorits like proud Ceders stand Scorning the stroke of every feeble hand Whose vain attempts though they should martyr sense Would be repulst with big-bulk'd confidence Yet blush not gentle Muse thou oft hast had Followers by fortunes hand as meanly clad And such as when time had worn envy forth Succeeding ages honor'd for their worth Then though not by these rare examples fier'd To vain presumption with a soul untir'd As his whose fancies short Ephemeraes know No life but what doth from his liquor
short And sickly step of age untroubl'd by The burthen of afflicting Majesty His Coronation past in such a tide Of full content as to be glorifide Blest souls in the worlds conflagration shall From tombs their reunited bodies call The feeble Prince leaving the joyful throng Of his applauding Subjects seeks among Religious shades those cool retreats to finde That best composer of a stormy minde A still devotion on whose downy bed Not long he'ad lay before that entrance led Him to the Court of heaven though through the gate Of welcom death a cross which though from fate Not accident he being instructed by Age and Religion to prepare to diâ— On Natures summons yet so deep a strain Spreads ore those robes that joy had dy'd in grain That his heroick son to meet alone So fierce a soe leaving the widow'd throne Retreats to silent tears whose plenteous spring By the example of their mourning King From those small clouds there first beheld to rise Begeâ—s a storm in every Subjects eies Betraying time the worlds unquestion'd thief Intending ore obliterated grief Some new transcription to perform it brings A ravish'd quill from Loves expanded wings Presenting to Argalia's willing view What ere blinde chance roll'd on the various clew Of his fair Mistris Fate unfolded by Euriolus who was when victory First gave him freedom by Argalia sent With speed that might anticipate intent The unconfin'd Pharonnida to free From her religious strict captivitie But being arriv'd where contrary to all His thoughts he heard how first she came to fall Into Almanzors hand by whom convey'd Thence to her Fathers Court his judgement stay'd Not to consult with slow advice but hastes On the persuit of her whom found he wastes Few dayes before fair opportunitie Was so auspicious to his prayers that he Not onely proves a happy Messenger Where first imploy'd but in exchange for her Returns the story of what had been done Since first this tempest of their fate begun How she forsook the Monastry and in What agonies of passion thence had bin Forc'd to her fathers Court where all her fears Dissolve in pity he related hears With calm attention but when come to that Whose first conceptions he had trembl'd at The Siracusians fresh assaults unto That Virgin-fort whose strength although he knew Too great for storm yet since assisted by Her Fathers power the wraths of victory Rent by command from his deserts might crown Anothers brows to pull those Laurels down Ere rais'd in triumph he prepares to move By royal steps unto the throne of love The End of the Second Canto PHARONNIDA The Fifth Book CANTO III. The Argument I. From the Aetolians lâ—te victorious King Ambassadors in Sparta's Court arrive Where slighted back they this sad Message bring That force must onely make his just claim thrive II. Which to confirm th' Epirots power invades His Land in hopes for full reward to have Pharonnida but close Almanzor shades His glorious hopes in an untimely grave AN unripe rumor such as Causes near Declining catch at when betraying fear Plunges at hope had through Ghirenza spread The story of Argalia's fate but shed From such loose clouds of scatter'd fame as by Observant wits were onely thought to fly I' th' airy region of report where they Are forc'd each winde of fancy to obey Whose various blasts when brought unto the test Of judgment rather the desires exprest Then knowledge of its Authors here ' mongst those Of various censure slie Almanzor chose To be of the believing part since that Might soonest crush all hopes that levell'd at Affection to Pharonnida whom he Strove to preserve in calm neutralitie But here he fails to countermine his plot This seeming fable soon appears begot By solid truth a truth which scorns to lie Begging at th' gates of probabilitie Which to avoid she from Argalia brings Ambassadors those mouths of absent Kings To plead her right at whose unlook'd for view Almanzor whose falacious schemes were drew Onely for false Phaenomena's is now Forc'd to erect new figures and allow Each star his influence but declar'd in vain Since Pride did lord of the Ascendant reign Pride which conjoyn'd to policy had made All other motions seem but retrograde His black Arts thus deceiv'd since nought could make The dull Spectators ignorance mistake This constellation for a Comet he Attempts with fear of its malignitie To fright each busie gazer and since all The circles of opinion were to fall Like spacious Azminths in that Zenith to Sâ—ttle the Prince through whom the people view All great conjunctions where the different signe Should force those aspects which might ' mongst that trine Of love else hold a concord to dispence On him its most destructive influence The Court being thus prepar'd he boldly now Dares the delay'd Ambassadors allow A long expected audience which in brief Makes known their masters fate in the relief Of 's injur'd father thence proceeds to shew How much of praise his thankfull friends did owe To heaven for 's own restor'd estate which he Desires to joyn in calm confederacie With them his honor'd neighbors hence they past To what concern'd Pharonnida their last And most important Message which when heard In such a Language as the Rivals fear'd A Language which to prove his interest In her unquestion'd come but to request The freedom of a fathers grant a high But stifled rage began to mutiny In all their breasts such as if not with-held By th' Law of Nations had her father swell'd To opeâ— acts of violence which seen By some o' th' Lords they calm his passion in A cool retreat such as might seem to be Though harsh contempt wrapt in civilitie Fir'd with disdain th' Ambassadors in such A speed which shew'd affronts that did but touch Their Masters honor wounded theirs forsook Ghirenza whilst Euriolus betook Himself to some more safe disguise that might Protect him till the subject of delight The course his royal master meant to stear In gaining her his Story makes appear Unto distrest Pharonnida who in That confidence secure as she had been From all succeeding ills protected by A guard of Angels in a harmony Of peacefull thoughts such as in dangers keep Safe innocence rocks all her cares asleep But here she rests not long before the fall Of second storms proves this short interval But lightning which in tempests shews unto Shores which the shipwrack'd must no more then view Anger ambition hate and jealous fear Had all conspir'd Loves ruine which drew near From hasty counsels rash results which in His passions sâ—orm had by her Father bin Like rocks which wretched Mariners mistake For Harbors fled to when he did forsake That safer channel of advice that might From free conventions like the welcom light Of Pharos guided his designs till they At Anchor in the rode of Honor lay As if his fears by nothing could have bin Secur'd but what prov'd him ungratefull in Argalia's ruine all
discourses are Distastefull grown but what to sudden war Incites his rage which humor though it needs No greater fire then what his envy feeds Besides those Court-Tarantula's whose breath Stings easie Princes till they dance to death At the delightfull sound of flattery there Were deeper wits such whom a subtile care Not servile fear taught how to aggravate His angers flame till their own eager hate Though burning with a mortal fury might Pass unobserv'd since near a greater light Amongst those few whose love did not depend So much on fortune but the name of friend Was still preserv'd the faithfull Cyprian Prince Durst onely strive by reason to convince Their wilder passions but each Argument With which affection strugl'd to prevent A swift destruction onely seem'd to prove His friendship more effectual then his love From which mistake such as did strive to please The angry Princes passionate disease With what might seed the sickly humors draw A consequence that proves Pharonnida A blessing which was to his merits due Who most oppos'd the bold aspirer to That throne of Beauty which before possest Whole Armies must dispute their interest The slighted Cyprian since their fear could trust None but confederates from their Councils thrust Those swift conclusions which before to stay Their violence had Reason's cool allay Hurry'd to action strict commands are sent From fierce Zoranza through each Regiment Which stoop'd their Ensignes to his power that by Such marches as they 'd follow victory They reach Aetolia ere its new-crown'd King Warn'd by report had liberty to bring Opposing strengths a task too hard to be Perform'd with ease in powers minoritie Nor fails this Council for their Army draws No sooner near but such as in the cause Of unsuccessful Rebels late had been Expos'd to danger seek for refuge in A fresh revolt and since their ulcerous guilt Was so malignant that even mercy spilt Its balm in vain their injur'd Prince forsake To strengthen his proud Enemies who make Those Poisons up in Cordials and compound Them with their Army which being thus grown sound Whereas it lately fainted durst provoke Unto the trial of another stroke His late victorious forces which though yet Faint with the blood lost in the last great fit Of Honors fever when the Crisis prov'd The cures prognostick had with ease remov'd The proud invaders had Morea bin As heretofore a hurtful Neuter in That war which now since double strengths oppose Brave fortitude like base oppression shews So long both parties with varietie Of fortune fought that fearing whose might be The sad success that old Cleander in Such speed as if his Crown engag'd had bin Raises an Army whose command since he Base flattery takes for brave fidelitie Waving those Peers to whose known faith he owes The most of trust in hoodwink'd hope bestowes On false Almanzor who by power advanc'd Near to those hopes at which Ambition glanc'd But like weak eyes upon the dazeling sun From that last â—atal sâ—age his plots begun Mischiefs dark course which ere concluded shall Crush the Epirot in Morea's fall In this the hot distemper of their state Aâ—indâ— whom the Destinies of late To double-die his Honors purple-thred Robb'd of a father most disquieted Their secret councels since they knew the love He bore Argalia propt with power might prove A sad obstruction to their plots if he Urg'd by distastes shook their confederacie Off to assist his friend which to oppose With slattery fleeting as the gourd that rose But to discover his just wrath that made The plant to cover when it could not shade They all attempt though he engage not in Their party yet his easie youth to win By honors moths by times betrayers soft And smooth delights those serpents which too oft Strangle Herculean vertues But they here In Ages April find a wit appear Of such full growth that by his judgment they Are undermin'd who studied to betray Being thus secur'd from forein fears they now Imploy that rage whose speed could scarce allow Advice from Councel to extirpate those New planted Laurels vict'rie did compose To crown Argalia But before they go To ravish Conquest from so cheap a Foe Whose valor by orewhelming power was barr'd From lying safe at a defensive guard Till old Cleander that their league might be Assur'd by bonds whose firm stabilitie Death only could divorce intends though she With such aversion as their destinie Wretches condemn'd would shun attempt to fly The storm of fate yet countmanded by His power the fair Pharonnida although He not to love but duty seem'd to owe For such a blessing should Zoranza's be Confirm'd by Hymen's high solemnitie This resolution whose self-ends must blame Her fathers love once registred by fame Submits to censure whilst Pharennida Laments her fate some prompted by the law Of love and nature are to entertain So much of freedom as they prove in vain Her advocates Others whose cautious fear Dares only pity in that dress appear Silent and sad only Almanzor in This State-distemper by that subtile sin Dissimulation so disguises all His black intentions that whilst truth did call Him Treasons agent its reflected light Appearance spoke him Vertues proselyte So much a Convert as if all those hot Crimes of his youth ambition had begot Discreeter age had either cool'd or by Repentance chang'd to zeal and loyalty Whilst thus i' th' Court the most judicious eyes Deluded were by factions false disguise By rumors heavy as the damps of death When they flie laden with the dying breath Of new-departed souls this fatal news Assaults the Princess which whilst reason views With sad resentments to support her in This storm of fate Amindor who had bin In all her griefs her best adviser now Enters to tell her fainting sorrows how They'd yet a refuge left from whom she might Reap hopes of safety The first welcom sight Of such a friend whose former actions had â—nhanc'd his worth encountring with her sad And serious thoughts so rarifies that cloud Of grief that ere dissolving tears allow'd A vocal utterance as intended words Something contain'd too doleful for records Both sigh'd both wept at length the Princess broke Silence and thus lier dismal passions spoke Dare you my Lord approach so near unto A factious grief in this black storm to view Distrest Pharonnida have either I Or my Argalia's slighted memorie Yet in Morea a remaining friend Whose vertue dares by its own strength contend Against this torrent of Court-factions Now Now Royal Sir that doom which will allow My soul no more refreshing slumbers by My father's past my father Sir whom I Must disobey with all the curses due To black rebellion or else prove untrue Those vows those oft repeated vows which in Our Loves full growth hath to Argalia bin Seal'd in the sight of heaven About to speak Her passions fuller sorrow here did break The sad theme off and to proclaim her fears Except th'oreflowing language of her tears
No Herald left In which sad silent fit The valiant Cyprian who at first did sit His passions prisoner from that bondage free To her disease prescribes this remedie Cease Madam Cease to eclipse illustrious beauty by Untimely tears your griefs deformity Frights not Amindor from his friendship when I first beheld that Miracle of men Ador'd Argalia pluck from victorie His Naval laurels Honor told me I Was then so much his Vertues captive that Not all the dangers mortals tremble at Can make me shun assisting of him in Retaining you though my attempts have bin Imploy'd in vain in publick councel to Procure your peace there 's something left to do By which our private plots may undermine Their publike power and unperceiv'd decline That danger which without this secret friend It lies not in our fortune to defend From griefs cold swoon to living comforts by This cordial rais'd Pharonnida's reply Owns this pathetick language If there be In all the dark paths of my destinie Yet left a rode to safety name it Sir What I 'll atempt no danger shall deter So brave Amindor be my conduct through The dismal rode but my wild hopes outgrow What ere my reason dictates No my Lord Flie that sad fate whose progress can afford Nought but disasters and live happy in Orlinda's love should I attempt to win You from so fair a vertue 't were a wrong Too full of guilt to let me live among The number of your friends ' mongst whom let mâ— In all your future thoughts remember'd be As the most wretched to whom rigid fate All hopes weak cordials hath appli'd too late Here ceas'd the sorrowing Lady to suspend Whose following tears her charitable friend Prescribes this comfort Though my zeal hath bin When serving you so unsuccessful in My first attempts it gives just cause to doubt My future actions yet to lead you out Of this dark labyrinth where your sorrow stands Maskt with amazements not the countermands Of my affection to Orlinda though Confirm'd by vows shall stop let grief bestow But so much time unclouded by your fear To look Hopes volumes ore there will appear Some lines of comfort yet which that we may Not in a heedless horror cast away Prepare for speedy action to prevent Ensuing ills no time is left unspent But only this approaching night by which To slie from danger you must stoop t' enrich A course disguise whose humble shadow may Enquiring eyes to dark mistakes betray Our first retreat which is design'd to be No further then the neighboring Monastrie Where I of late did lie conceal'd I have Thus made secure There stands an antient cave Close hid in unfrequented shadows near Your gardens postern gate which when the fear Of bordering foes deni'd a free access To the old Abby they from the distress Of threatning Scouts were safe deliver'd by A vault that through it leads which though so nigh Unto the city careless time since not Forc'd to frequent hath wholly left forgot By busie mortals In this silent Cell Where nought but Lights eternal strangers dwell In the Meridian depth of night whilst all Are rob'd in rest you none encounter shall Except my self but him who may with us This secret share esteem'd Euriolus With whom and your indear'd Florenza we Within the unsuspected Monastrie Protected by some secret friends may stay Till fruitless searches waste their hopes away Whose watchful spleen by care conducted might Stop our intentions of a further flight Rais'd from the cold bed of despair from this Mature advice to hopes of future bliss The heavenly fair Pharonnida had now Withdrawn the vail of grief and could allow Some smiles to wait upon those thanks which she Return'd her friend who that no time might be Lost by neglect from needful action in A calm of comforts such as had not bin Her late associates leaves the Princess to Persue those plots which fortune bent t' undo Whilst hope on expectations wings did hover Did thus by fatal accident discover That knot in her fair thread of destiny That lurking snake the Purgatory by Which heaven refin'd her curst Amphibia had Whilst mutual language all their thoughts unclad Close as an unsuspected plague that in Darkness assaults an unknown sharer bin Of this important issue which with hate Her genius met soon strives to propagate A brood of Fiends Almanzor whose dark plots Like images of damn'd Magicians rots Themselves to ruine others like in this Last act of ill by too much haste to miss The rode that led through slipp'ry paths of sin From prides stupendious precipice falls in A gulf of horror in whose dismal shade A private room his dark retreat is made Here whilst his heart is boil'd in gall his brain Orewhelm'd in clouds whose darkness entertain No beam of reason whilst ambition mixt Examples of the bloodiest murthers fixt Upon the brazen front of time all which Lends no unfathom'd policie t' enrich His near impoverish'd brain he hears one knock Whose sudden noise soon scattering all the flock Of busie thoughts him in a hasty rage Hurries to th' dore where come his eyes engage His tongue to welcom one whose curst advice His tortur'd thoughts turn'd to a Paradice Of pleasing hopes on whose foundation he Prepares to build a future Monarchie A slow-consuming grief whose Chronick stealth Had slily robb'd Palermo's Prince of health In spight of all the guards of Art had long Worn out his strength and now had grown too strong For age to bear each baffl'd Artist in A sad despair forsaking what had bin Try'd but t' upbraid their ignorance except An aged Frier whose judgment long had slept From watchful practice but i' th' Court of Arts Been so imploy'd that the mysterious parts Of clouded Theoricks which he courted by High contemplation to his minds clear eye Lay all undrest of that disguise which in Mans fall t' afflict posterity they 'd been By angry heaven wrapt in so that he knew What astral vertues Vegetables drew From a celestial influence and by what Absconded magick Nature fitted that To working humors which they either move By ' xpulsive hate or by attractive love This Arts true master when his hope was grown Faint with delays to the sick Prince made known A swift command calls from his still repose The reverend Sire who come doth soon disclose That long conceal'd malignity which had The feeble Prince in sickly paleness clad Nor stays his Art at weak prognosticks but Proceeds to practice whatsoere may put His Prince in ease Cordials abstracted by A then near undiscover'd chymistry Such as in single drops did all comprise Nature ere taught Art to epitomise Such as if arm'd with a Promethean fire Might force a bloodless carkass to respire Such as curb'd fate and in their hot assault Whilst storming life made deaths pale army halt This rare Elixar by the Prince had bin With such success as those that languish in Consuming ills could wish themselves so long
Us'd that those fits which else had grown too strong For nature to contend withall were now Grown more remiss when Fate that can allow No lasting comforts to declare her power Ore Art it self arrests that Conqueror Of others ills with a disease that led Him a close prisoner to an uncouth bed Which like to prove natures slow chariot to Th'expecting grave loth to the publike view To prostitute a secret yet bound by The obligation of his loyalty T' assist his Prince he to Pharonnida That soveraign secret which could only awe Her fathers threatning pain declares which she Hath since compos'd when ere 's extremitie Suffer'd those pains whose progress to prevent Sh 'ad by Amphibia now the Cordial sent The slie Amphibia who did soon obay What lent her hate a freedom to betray His first salutes being past with such a speed As did declare the guilt of such a deed Might doubt discovery she unfolds that strange Amazing truth which from the giddy range Of wild invention soon contracts each thought Into resolves such as no object sought But the destruction of what ere might stop Ambitions progress toward the slippery top Of which now climbing on Conceits stretcht wing He silent stands whilst teeming fancy brings That Monster forth for whose conception he Long since deflour'd his virgin-loyaltie Few minutes by that auxiliary aid Which her discovery lent his thoughts convaid Through all the rodes of doubt which safely past Strictly imbracing her who in this last And greatest act of vilany must have A farther share he thus begins Oh save Save thou that art my better genius now What thou alone hast rais'd my hopes must bow Beneath impossibilities if not By thee assisted Fortune hath begot The means already let this Cordial be With poison mixt Fate knows no enemie Dares grapple with me Do not start there 's here No room for danger if we banish feare His thoughts thus far discover'd finding in Her various looks that apprehended sin The souls Mercurial pill did penetrate Her callous conscience in whose cell this sate With knawing horror whilst all other lives Whom her fraud spilt prov'd hurtless corrosives From the cold ague of repentance he Thus rouses her Can my Amphibia be By fear that fatal remora to all That 's great or good thus startl'd is the fall Of an old Tyrant grown a subject for This soft remorse let thy brave soul abhor Such sickly passions when our fortune stands Fixt on their ruine the unwilling hands Of those that now withstand our glorious flight Will help inthrone us whilst unquestion'd right Which is for power the worlds mistaken word Is made our own by th' Legislative sword Rais'd from her fears cold trepidations by These hot ingredients in an extasie Of flatuous hopes she casts herself into This gulf of sin and being prepar'd to do An act which not the present times could see With sense enough whilst in th'extremitie Of wonder lost through all his guards strict care Death to the unsuspecting Prince doth beare Freed from this doubt Almanzor to avoid That storm of rage which when their Prince destroid The Courtshould know might rise from fear pretends Haste to the Army but being gone suspends That speedy voyage and being attended by A wretch whose guilt assur'd his privacy Through paths untrod hastes to the Cave wherein Those habits which had by Amindor bin Whilst he his beauteous charge did thence convay Prepar'd to cloud illustrious beauty lay Of which in such whose size did shew they were For th' largest sex they both being clad with care Secret as swift haste to augment the flood Of swelling sins with yet more royal blood Th' Epirots constant Prince by custom had Made known a walk which when the day unclad Of glittering tissue in her evenings lawn Sate coolly drest to court the sober dawn He often us'd near this Almanzor by Hell made successful in his vilany Arriv'd some minutes ere the other lies Conceal'd till darkness and a close disguise Those safe protectors from his unseen seat Call him to action where with thoughts repleat With too much joy t' admit suspition he Finds the Messenian whom no fear to be Assaulted there had arm'd his spacious train Shrunk into one that serv'd to entertain Time with discourse Upon which heedless paire The arm'd Almanzor rushing unaware Ere strength had time their valor to obay In storms of wounds their senses lose the way T'external objects in which giddy trance The other Lord whose spirits readvance To life they fear not lies secure whilst by Redoubl'd wounds his Princes spirits fly From the most strong retreats of life which now Batter'd by death no safety could allow Revenges thirst being in this royal flood Quench'd for a while that from the guiltless blood His Honor might not yet a stain receive First hasting to the cave he there doth leave Those injur'd habits which by him were meant For the betrayers of the innocent This done that he even from suspition might Secure his guilt before the wasted night Looks pale at the approach of day he flies To th' distant Army there securely lies Till all those black productions of his brain Now ripening to perfection should attain Maturity and in the Court appear In their most horrid dress knowing the fear Of the distracted City soon would call Him and his Army to preveâ—t the fall Of such distracting dangers as might be Attendants on th' eclipse of Majestie The End of the Third Canto PHARONNIDA The Fifth Book CANTO IV. The Argument I. Now as if that great Engineer of ill Accurst Almanzor had accomplisht all Those black designs which are ordaia'd to fill The Spartan Annals by his Princes fall II. With secret spight yet such as seem'd to be From an advis'd Protector of the State Pharonnida's ill fate assisting he Toward her destruction prosecutes his hate THat dismal Night which in the dark records Of story yet so much of fate affords In the Morean Annals had to Day Resign'd its reign whose Eastern beams display Their morning-beauties by whose welcom light The early Courtier tir'd with tedious night Rises to meet expected triumphs in Their Princes nuptials which so long had bin The joyful business of their thoughts that now Sallying to action they 're instructed how To court observance from the studied pain Of best inventions by attractive gain Join'd to the itch of ostentative art Were thither drawn from each adjacent part In this swell'd torrent of expected mirth Which all conclude must make this morning birth To future Ages celebrated by An annual triumph the disparity Of passion sorrow first breaks forth among The slain Epirot's followers who so long Had mist their master that they now begin To doubt his safety every place had bin By strict enquiry search'd to which they knew Either affection or imployment drew His frequent visits but with an effect So vain their care serv'd only to detect Their love not him its object who might
Their power which that had so authentick made Where fear was scorn'd they were for love obay'd By these brave Hero's which had often led Armies to sleep in honors purple bed The Prince assisted was with secret haste By wayes where fear no Centinel had plac'd Drawn near the Leagure which th' alarum took From a storm'd Fort had with such speed forsook Their huts that haste which was intended to Preserve being now to wild confusion grew Helps to destroy In undistinguish'd sounds Which not inform but frighted sense confounds With wild amazement the unnoted words Even of command are lost no ear affords Room for advice nor the most serious eye A place for order Ensignes vainly flye Since unperceiv'd through the dark air which in A storm ne'r knew more tumult then had bin Since first their fear on this alarum fled From Reason through the troubled Leaguer spread In this loud horror whilst they need no lamp To guide them more then their own flaming Camp His frighted foes fled from their quarter lend The Prince some hope this sudden charge might end Their slow-pac'd siege yet since approaching day Perswading haste denies his longer stay The power to those Commanders left which he For valor knew might force from victory Unwilling laurels though their judgment such Those hallowed wreaths they ne'r durst rashly touch ' He leaves when first his sword which none did spare Within its reach had of his being there Left bloody marks the conquer'd foes to finde Out sterner foes in his afflicted minde Which since usurping doubt with peaceful love For empire strove taught passion how to move In spheres so differing from his reasons right Ascension that his cares protracted night From this oblique position caus'd had made His sorrow tedious as those nights which shade Cold Artick regions when the absent sun Doth underneath th'Antartick tropick run This passage forc'd through his obstructive foes That now the treacherous day might not disclose Him whilst unguarded to their view that might In larger troops persue a baser flight Through deep dark paths which ne'r to th'sun had shown Their uncouth shades being to all unknown Save neighb'ring rurals he conducted by A faithful guide directs his liberty Towards stately Corinth near whose confines ere Six morning dews had cool'd the hemisphere Arriv'd in safety that kind heaven might bless His future actions with desir'd success To seek to them he first sought those that in The wane of 's blood had lifes supporters bin Those holy Hermites to whose art he ow'd For life next heaven which first that gift bestow'd Come to their quiet Cell where all receive Him with a wonder that did hardly leave A room for welcom till their fear had in A full relation of his fortune bin Chang'd for as much of sanguine mirth as they Could know that had Religions cool allay To check delight he being retir'd with him Whose first discoveries in his fortunes dim Imperfect light directed him to know His royal off-spring lets his language flow With so much freedom as discovers what Whilst he by active war was aiming at His Kingdoms safety call'd him thence to save Sweet vertue from an ignominious grave The fatal story heard by him whose love Fixt by religion passion could not move Although he pitied all th' afflicted to More softness then what had its off-spring drew From heav'ns strict precepts which are then mispent When easie man mistakes the innocent Since what permits hypocrisie to win Remorse by mercy doth but cherish sin Which to avoid ere his consent approve Of the design neglecting all which Love Prompted by pity could alleage to draw Him to the combat though he in it saw Nought to defend but innocence since in That shape deluded charity hath bin Too oft deceiv'd that his victorious sword Might not but where fair justice could afford Vict'rie be drawn he like a Pharos plac'd ' Mongst rocks of doubt thus rectifies his haste Take heed brave Prince that in this doubtful way 'Twixt love and honor thy bright vertues stray Not from Religions latitude into More dangerous stations Reasons slender clew Is here too short to guide thee and may in Its conduct but obliquely lead to sin Be cautious then and rashly venture not On unknown depths where valor seems begot By vain presumption Mortal beauty that Imperfect type of heaven though wonder'd at Yet may not be so much ador'd to make Our passions heavens directing road mistake Though thy affections were legitimate As mans first choice since in that happy state Of innocence frail woman then found out A way to fall still let thy reason doubt The same deceit since that affected she Which thou ador'st yet wears mortalitie A garment which since maâ— first wore hath bin But once cast off without some spots of sin Yet know my councel strives not to prevent Thy swords assisting of the innocent As much of mercy on neglect being spilt As there 's got vengeance from presumptuous guilt Only before thy valor dares to tread This rubick path whose slipp'ry steps have led So oft to ruine let Religion be Thy prompter unto so much policie As may secure thy conscience which to do Claim my assistance as thy vertues due The grateful Prince with lowly looks had paid His thankful offerings when that promis'd aid Might not fall short of expectation he Whose words like vows that hold affinitie With heav'n breath'd nought but constant truth did thus Proceed towards action whilst lov'd Prince with us Of this poor Covent you by wounds restrain'd From action liv'd you know that what 's contain'd In our calm doctrine gives us leave to be So intimate with each societie No secret though maskt in the clouds of sin Flies those discoveries which informs us in Their last confessions by which means you may Know whether justice calls your sword to pay These bloody offerings as a victim to Th' appeasing of an inward vertue due By this advice instructed to convince What love suggests the apprehensive Prince Since this includes nothing but what 's too just To disobey although he all mistrust Of her like sin avoids consents to be Rul'd by his Council whose assistance he So oft successful found which that delay That slow-pac'd sin might not obstruct the way With times too oft neglected loss he now So fast toward action hastes they could allow The night scarce time to steal a dark retreat Ere having left that melancholy seat Devotions dark retiring place he goes To see how much her frowns did discompose That Cities dress of whom he 'd ne'r a sight Before but when 't was polish'd with delight His Arms bright Honors burnisht robes into Such weeds as shew'd him to the publick view A course Monastick chang'd attended by His aged friend soon as the mornings eye Adorn'd the East the prosp'rous Prince begun His pious journey which before the sun Blusht in the West found a successful end In clouded Corinth where arriv'd they spend The
delights Although Invention all her stock had spent Could be upon that liquid Element Prepard their welcome whilst at every Bowl A Health inters the ful-mouthd Cannons trowl A Peal of Thunder which in white Waves drownd The softer Trumpets do their Dirges sound Now in the ful Carier of Mirth whilst all Their thoughts in Perpendiculars did fall From Honours Zenith none incurvated With common Cares Parents that might have bred A sly suspition whilst neglective Mirth Keeps all within from their deep bed of Earth Molarchus hoist his Anchors whilst that all The rest lay stil expecting when his call Commands their Service but when they beheld His spread Sails with a nimble Gale were sweld An opprest Slave which lay at rest before Was with stretcht Limbs tugging his Finny ore Conceiving it but done to shew the Prince That Gallies swiftness let that thought convince Fears weak suggestions and invited by Their tempting Mirth stil safe at Anchor ly But now when they not only saw the Night Draw sadly on but what did more afright Their loyal Souls the distant Vessel by Doubling a Cape loft to the sharpest Ey For hateful treason taxing their mistake With Anchors cut and Sails spread wide they make The lasht Waves roar whilst those inclos'd within The Gally by her unkown speed had bin Far more deceived being so far conveyed Ere care arrives to tel them they 'r betrayed Through Mirths neglective Guards who now in hast With anger rais'd in vain those flames did wast In wild Attempts to force a passage to The open Decks whither before withdrew Molarchus was who now prepar'd to give That treason birth whose hated Name must live In bloody Lines of Infamy before They could expect it opening wide the door That led them forth the noble Captives fly To seek revenge but being encounterd by An Armed Crew so fierce a fight begin That Nights black Mantle nere vvas lin'd vvithin With ought more horrid in which bloody Fray The subtle Traytor valiant to betray Though Abject else unnoted seising on Th' unguarded Princess from their rage is gone Through Nights black Mask with that rich Prize into A Boat that plac'd for that design was drew Near to the Gally whose best Wealth being now Thus made their own no more they study how To save the rest all which for death design'd The conquer'd Rebels soon their safety find From other Boats but first that all but she o th' royal train secur'd by death might be So large a Leak in the brave Vessel make That thence her Womb soon too much waight did take For her vast bulk to weild which sinking now No safety to her royal Guests allow The Ship thus lost and now no Throne but Waves Left the Sicilian Prince just Heaven thus saves His sacred Person amongst those that sought For timely safety nimble strength had brought Argalia and his following Friend so near One of the Boats in which secur'd from fear The Rebels saild that now they both had took A Hold so sure that though their Foes forsook Their Oars to hinder't spite of all their force Argalia enters which a sad divorce From Life as he by strength attempts to rise From falling wounds unhappily denies The valiant Aphron who by death betrayd From time and strength had now left none to ayd His Friend but those attending Vertues that Ne're more then now for th' world to wonder at Brave Trophies built with such a suddain rage As all his Foes did to defence engage Those bolder Souls that durst resist he had From their disorderd Robes of flesh unclad VVhich horrid sight froc'd the more feareful to Such swift submission that ere fear out-grew His hope assisted by that strength which bought Their Lives reprieve their Oars reverst had brought Him back to th' place in which the guilty flood VVas staind with fair Sicillias noblest blood Assisted by those silver streams of Light The ful fac'd Moon shot through the swarthy Night On the smooth Sea he first his course directs Toward one whose Robes studded with Jems reflects Those feeble Rays like new faln Stars he there Finds Sparta's Prince then sinking from the sphear Of mortall greatness in the boundless deep To calm Lifes cares in an eternall sleep From unexpected death the Graves most grim And ghastly Tyrant having rescued him With as much spâ—ed as griefs distractions joynd To Nights confusion could give leave to find More Friends before that all were swallowd by The Sea he hasts when being by chance brought nigh Dead Aphrons Father to be Partner in Their carer who as they only sav'd had bin To mourn the rest he from the rude Sea saves Him to be drownd in sorrows sable Waves Now in the Quest of that deserving Lord Whose goodness did to 's Infancy afford Lifes best of Comforts Education he To bawk that needless diligence might see At one large draught the wide Waves swallow all Who vainly did till that sad minute call To Heaven for help which dismal sight beheld By those that sav'd by accident expeld Their own just fears for them to entertain As just a grief their needful time in vain They spend no longer in their search but though Unweildy grief yet made their motion slow Hast from that horrid place where eache must leave Such valued friends numbers that did receive Their blood descended to Nobility From th' royal Spring here the griev'd Prince might seâ— Interd i th' Ocean the Epirote Lord His late found Son whom Love could scarce afford A minutes absence nor 's Argalia less Ingag'd to grief to leave whom the distress Of 's Youth reliev'd but what from each of these Borrowed some streams of sorrow to apease A grief which since so many Floods hath cost The noble Aminander here was lost Rowed with such speed as their desire joynd to That fear which from the conquerd Rebels drew A swift obedience being conducted by A friendly Light their Boat is now drawn nigh A rocky Island in whose Harbour they Found where the Boat that had out-sayld them lay Drawn neer the shoar but all the Passengers Being gone the sight of that alone confers No other comfort then t' inform them that The ravisht Princess had been landed at That Port which by their Saylers they are told Belongs unto a Castle kept to hold That Island though but one unnoted Town To th' scarce known Laws of the Sicillian Crown This heard by th' Prince who formerly had known That Castles strength being vext although his own That now 't was such leaving the Vessel they Protected by Nights heaviest shades convey Themselves into a neighbouring Cottage where The Prince who now externally did bear No forms of greatness lest to his repose Argalia whilst Nights shadows yet did close Discovering Eyes hast back to th' Harbour whence To give the royal Fleet Intelligence o th' Kings distress he sends forth all but One Whose stoutness had best made his Valour known Of those which conquerd by
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