Gondibert: An Heroick Poem/Canto 16
CANTO the Second.
The Argument.Whilst Birtha and the Duke their joyes pursueIn conqu'ring Love, Fate doth them both subdueWith triumphs, which from Court young Orgo brought;And have in Goltho greater triumphs wrought:Whose hopes the quiet Ulfinore does bearWith patience feigne'd, and with a hidden fear.
1.THe prosp'rous Gondibert from Birtha gains All bashfull plights a Maids first bounties give;Fast vows, which bind Love's Captives more than chains, Yet free Love's Saints in chosen bondage live.
2.Few were the days, and swiftly seem'd to waste, Which thus he in his minds ftuition spent;And lest some envious Cloud should overcast His Lov's fair Morn, oft to his Camp he sent
3.To Bergamo, where still intrenched were Those Youth, whom first his Father's Army bred;Who ill the rumour of his wounds did bear, Though he that gave them, of his own be dead.
4.And worse those haughtie threat'nings they abhor, Which Fame, from Brescia's ancient Fighters brought;Vain Fame, the Peoples trusted Orator, Whose speech (too fluent) their mistakes has wrought.
5.Oft Goltho with his temp'rate Counsels went, To quench whom Fame to dang'rous furie warm'd;Till temp'rately his dangers they resent, And think him safest in their patience arm'd.
6.And safe now is his love, as love could be, If all the World like old Arcadia were;Honour the Monarch, and all Lovers free From jealosie, as safetie is from fear.
7.And Birtha's heart does to his civil Breast As much for ease and peace, as safetie, come;For there 'tis serv'd and treated as a Guest, But watch'd, and taught, and often chid at home.
8.Like great and good Confed'rates, whose design Invades not others, but secures their own:So they in just and virtuous hopes combine, And are, like new Confed'rates, busie grown.
9.With whisper earnest, and now grave with thought They walk consulting, standing they debate;And then seek shades, where they in vain are sought, By servants who intrude, and think they wait.
10.In this great League, their most important care Was to dispatch their Rites; Yet so provide,That all the Court might think them free as air, When fast as faith, they were by Hymen ty'd.
11.For if the King (said he) our love surprise, His stormie rage will it Rebellion call;Who claims to chuse the Brides of his Allies; And in that storm our joys in blossom fall.
12.Our love, your cautious Father, onely knows (On whose safe prudence, Senates may depend)And Goltho, who to time few reck'nings ows, Yet can discharge all duties of a Friend.
13.Such was his mind, and hers (more busie) shows That bonds of love does make her longer fastThan Hymen's knot, as plain Religion does, Longer than Rites (Religion's fashions) last.
14.That her discretion somewhat does appear, Since she can Love, her minds chief beautie, hide;Which never farther went than Thula's Ear, Who had (alass) but for that secret dy'd.
15.That she alreadie had disguises fram'd, And sought out Caves where she might closs reside;As being, nor unwilling nor asham'd To live his Captive, so she die his Bride.
16.Full of themselves, delight them onward leads, Where in the Front was to remoter viewExalted Hills, and nearer prostrate Meads, With Forrests flanck'd, where shade to darkness grew.
17.Beneath that shade, Two Rivers slily steal,T:hrough narrow walks, to wider Adice,Who swallows both, till she does proudly swel, And hasts to shew her beautie to the Sea.
18.And here, whilst forth he sends his raging Eye, Orgo he spies, who plies the spur so fast,As if with news of Vict'rie he would flie To leave swift Fame behind him by his haste.
19.If (said the Duke) because the Boy is come, I second gladness shew, do not supposeI spread my Breast to give new Comforts room, That were to welcome rain where Nilus flows.
20.Though the unripe appearance of a Page For weightie trust, may render him too weak,Yet this is he, who more than cautious Age, Or like calm Death, will bury what we speak.
21.This, Birtha, is the Boy, whose skilless face Is safe from jealousie of oldest spies;In whom, by whisper, we from distant place May meet, or wink our meaning to his Eyes.
22.More had he said to gain him her esteem, But Orgo enters speechless with his Speed;And by his looks more full of haste did seem, Than when his spurs provok'd his flying Steed.
23.And with his first recover'd breath he cries, Hail my lov'd Lord, whom Fame does value so,That when she swift with your successes flies, She fears to wrong the World in being flow.
24.I bring you more than tasts of Fortune's love, Yet am afraid I err, in having dar'dTo think her favours could your gladness move; Who have more worth than Fortune can reward.
25.The Duke, with smiles, forewarns his hastie Tongue; As loth he should proceed in telling more;Kindly afraid to do his kindness wrong, By hearing what he thought he knew before.
26.Thy diligence (said he) is high desert; It does in Youth supply defects of skill;And is of dutie the most usefull part; Yet art thou now but slow to Hurgonil.
27.Who hither by the Moons imperfect light Came and return'd, without the help of day,To tell me he has Orna's Virgin plight, And that their Nuptials for my presence stay.
28.Orgo reply'd, though that a triumph be Where all false Lovers are, like savage Kings,Led Captive after Love's great Victorie, It does but promise what your triumph brings.
29.It was the Eve to this your Holy-day, And now Verona Mistress does appearOf Lombardy; and all the Flow'rs which May Ere wore, does as the Countrie's favours wear.
30.The wearie Eccho from the Hills makes hastes Vex'd that the Bells still calls for her repliesWhen they so many are, and ring so fast; Yet oft are silenc'd by the Peoples cries:
31.Who send to Heav'n the name of Rhodalind, And then Duke Gondibert as high they raise,To both with all their publick passion kind, If kindness shine in wishes and in praise.
32.The King this day made your adoption known, Proclaim'd you to the Empire next ally'd,As heir to all his Conquests and his Crown, For royal Rhodalind must be your Bride.
33.Not all the dangets valour finds in war, Love meets in Courts, or pride to Courts procures,When sick with Peace the hot in Faction are, Can make such fears as now the Duke endures.
34.Nor all those fears which ev'ry Maid has found, On whose first Guards, Love by surprises steals,(Whose sightless Arrow makes a cureless wound) Are like to this which doubtfull Birtha feels.
35.He from his looks wild wonder strives to chace; Strives more to teach his Manhood to resistDeath in her Eyes, and then with all the grace Of seeming pleasure, Orgo he dismist.
36.And Orgo being gone, low as her knees Could fall, she fell; and soon he bends as lowWith weight of heart; griev'd that no Grave he sees, To sink, where love no more can sorrow know.
37.Her sighs as show'rs lay winds, are calm'd with tears; And parting life seems stay'd awhile to takeA civil leave, whilst her pale visage wears A clearie Skie, and thus she weeping spake.
38.Since such a Prince has forfeited his pow'r, Heav'n give me leave to make my dutie less,Let me my vows, as sudden oaths abhor, Which did my passion, not my truth express.
39.Yet yours I would not think were counterfeit, But rather ill and rashly understood;For 'tis impossible I can forget So soon, that once you fatally were good.
40.Though cruel now as Beasts where they have pow'r; Chusing, like them to make the weakest bleed;For weakness soon invites you to devour, And a submission gives you ease to feed.
41.To fighting Fields, send all your honour back, To Courts your dang'rous Tongue and civil shape,That Country Maids may Men no more mistake, Nor seek dark Death, that they may Love escape.
42.Now soon to Heav'n her Soul had found the way, (For there it oft had been in pray'r and praise)But that his vows did life with loudness stay, And life's warm help did soon her Body raise.
43.And now he gently leads her; for no more He lets th'unhallow'd Ground a faln Flow'r wear,Sweeter than Nature's Bosom ever wore; And now these vows sends kindly to her Ear.
44.If (Birtha) I am false, think none too blame For thinking Truth (by which the Soul subsists)No farther to be found than in the name; Think humane kind betraid ev'n by their Priests.
45.Think all my Sex so vile, that you may chide Those Maids who to your Mothers Nuptials ran;And praise your Mother who so early dy'd, Remembring whom she marry'd was a Man.
46.This great Court miracle you strait receive From Orgo, and your faith the whole allows;Why since you Orgo's words so soon believe Will you less civilly suspect my vows?
47.My Vows, which want the Temples seal, will bind (Though private kept) surer than publick Laws;For Laws but force the Body, but my Mind Your Virtue Counsels, whilst your beauty draws.
48.Thus spake he, but his mourning looks did more Attest his grief, and fear does hers renew;Now losing (were he lost) more than before, For then she fear'd him false, now thinks him true.
49.As sick Physicians seldom their own Art Dare trust to cure their own disease; so theseWere to themselves quite useless, when apart; Yet by consult, each can the other ease.
50.But from themselves they now diverted stood; For Orgo's News (which need not borrow wings,Since Orgo for his Lord believ'd it good) To Astragon the joyfull Houshold brings.
51.But Astragon, with a judicious thought, This days glad news took in the dire portent;A day, which mourning Nights to Birtha brought; And with that fear in search of Birtha went.
52.And here he finds her in her Lovers Eyes, And him in hers; both more afflicted grownAt his approach; for each his sorrow spies; Who thus would counsel theirs, and hide his own.
53.Though much this fatal joy to anger moves, Yet reason's aids shall anger's force subdue;I will not chide you for your hasty Loves, Nor ever doubt (great Prince) that yours is true.
54.In chiding Love, because he hasty was, Or urging errours, which his swiftness brings,I find effects, but dare not tax the cause; For Poets were inspir'd, who gave him wings.
55.When low I dig, where desart-Rivers run, Dive deep in Seas, through Forrests follow winds,Or reach with Optick Tubes the ragged Moon, My sight no cause of Love's swift motion finds.
56.Love's fatal haste, in yours, I will not blame, Because I know not why his wings were giv'n;Nor doubt him true, not knowing whence he came, Nor Birtha chide, who thought you came from Heav'n.
57.If you lay snares, we erre when we escape; Since evil practise learns Men to suspectWhere falshood is, and in your noble shape, We should by finding it, our skill detect.
58.Yet both your griefs I'le chide, as ignorance; Call you unthankfull; for your great griefs showThat Heav'n has never us'd you to mischance, Yet rudely you repine to feel it now.
59.If your contextures be so weak, and nice, Weep that this windy world you ever knew;You are not in those Calms of Paradice, Where slender Flow'rs as safe as Cedars grew.
60.This which your Youth calls grief, was frowardness In flatter'd Infancy, and as you bearUnkindly now amidst Youth's joys distress, So then, unless still rock'd, you froward were.
61.Griefs conflicts gave these Hairs their silver shine; (Torn Ensigns which victorious Age adorn)Youth is a Dress too garish, and too fine To be in foul tempestuous weather worn.
62.Grief's want of use does dang'rous weakness make; But we by use of Burdens are made strong;And in our practis'd Age can calmly take Those sorrows, which like Feavers, vex the young.
63.When you in Love's fair Books (which Poets keep) Read what they hide, his Tragick History,You will rejoyce that half your time is sleep, And smile at Love when Nature bids you die.
64.Learn then that Love's diseases common are; Do not in sickness known (though new to you)Whilst vital hear does last, of cure despair: Love's vital heat does last, whilst Love is true.
65.Thus spake the kind and prudent Astragon: And much their kind impatience he appeas'd,For of his griefs (which heavier than their own Were born by both) their duteous fears are eas'd.
66.She begs that he would pardon her distress, Thought that even sin which did her sorrows move;And then with all her Mothers lowliness, His pardon craves for asking leave to love.
67.The Duke who saw fair Truth so undisguis'd, And love in all, but love so unconcern'd,Pity'd the studious world, and all despis'd Who did not here unlearn, what they had learn'd.
68.I am reform'd (said he) not that before I wanted love, or that my love was ill;But I have learnt to perfect Nature more By giving innocence a little skill.
69.For 'tis some skill in innocence to bear With temper the distempers of our Stars;Not doubting griefs already come by fear Of more, for fears but hasten threat'ned Wars.
70.But we will bravely suffer to inure Our strength to weights against the new are laid;That when 'tis known how much we can endure, Our sufferings may make our Foes afraid.
71.This Comet Glory shines but in portent; Which from the Court does send her threatning Beams;And looks as if it were by malice meant To hasten Oswald's Faction to extreams.
72.Since Hurgonil, who just fore-ran the Boy Could not instruct us, we as much may knowOf the first Light, as of these fires of joy; Which is, that both did out of darkness grow.
73.Yet this the King might hide in Kingly skill, Wisely to make his bounty more his own:Kings stoop for Counsel, who impart their will; His Acts, like Heav'ns, make not their Causes known.
74.Yet with as plain a heart as love untaught In Birtha wears, I here to Birtha makeA vow, that Rhodalind I never sought, Nor now would with her love her greatness take.
75.Love's bonds are for her greatness made too straight; And me Ambition's pleasures cannot please;Ev'n Priests, who on the higher Altar wait; Think a continu'd rev'rence loss of ease.
76.Let us with secrecy our love protect; Hiding such precious wealth from publick view;The proffer'd glory I will first suspect As false, and shun it when I find it true.
77.They now retire, because they Goltho saw, Who hither came to watch with UlfinoreIf much the Duke's woo'd Mistress did him aw; Since love woo'd him, and in the shape of Pow'r.
78.But when he mark'd that he did from them move With sudden shyness, he suppos'd it shameOf being seen in chase of Birtha's love; As if above it grown since Orgo came.
79.Goltho by nature was of Musick made, Chearfull as Victors warm in their success;He seem'd like Birds created to be glad, And nought but love could make him taste distress.
80.Hope, which our cautious Age scarce entertains, Or as a Flatt'rer gives her cold respect,He runs to meet, invites her, and complains Of one hours absence as a years neglect.
81.Hope, the world's welcome, and his standing Guest, Fed by the Rich, but feasted by the Poor;Hope, that did come in triumph to his breast, He thus presents in boast to Ulfinore.
82.Well may I (Friend) auspicious Love adore, Seeing my mighty Rival takes no prideTo be with Birtha seen; and he before (Thou knowst) enjoyn'd that I his love should hide.
83.Nor do I break his trust when 'tis reveal'd To thee, since we are now so much the same,That when from thee, it is from me conceal'd, For we admit no diff'rence but in name.
84.But be it still from ev'ry other Ear Preserv'd, and strictly by our mutual vow:His Laws are still to my obedience dear, Who was my Gen'ral, though my Rival now.
85.And well thou knowst how much mine Eyes did melt When our great Leader they did first perceiveLove's Captive led; whose sorrows then I felt, Though now for greater of mine own I grieve.
86.Nor do I now by love in duty erre; For if I get what he would fain possess,Then he a Monarch is, and I preferre Him who undoes the world in being less.
87.When Heav'n (which hath preferr'd me to thy brest Where Friendship is inthron'd) shall make it knownThat I am worth thy love, which is exprest By making Heav'nly Birtha all mine own.
88.Then at this quiet Eden thou wilt call, And stay a while, to mark if Love's prais'd PlantHave after Spring a ripeness, and a Fall, Or never of the first abundance want.
88.And I shall tell thee then if Poets are In using Beauty's Pencil false, or blind;For they have Birtha drawn but sweet and fair; Stiles of her Face, the Curtain of her Mind!
90.And thou at parting shalt her picture wear, For Nature's honour, not to shew my pride;Try if like her, the teeming World does bear, Then bring that Copy hither for thy Bride.
91.And they shall love as quietly as we; Their Beauty's pow'r no civil War will raise;But flourish, and like neighb'ring Flow'rs agree; Unless they kindly quarrel in our praise.
92.Then we for change will leave such luscious peace; In Camps their Favours shall our Helms adorn;For we can no way else our joys increase, But by beholding theirs at our return.
93.Thus cloath'd in Feathers, he on Steeples walks; Not guessing yet, that silent Ulfinore,Had study'd her of whom he loosly talks, And what he likes, did solidly adore.
94.But Ulfinore with cold discretion aw'd His passion, and did grave with Love become;Though youthfully he sent his Eyes abroad, Yet kept with manly care, his Tongue at home.
95.These Rival's hopes, he did with patience hear; His count'nance not uneasie seem'd, nor strange;Yet meant his cares should more like Love appear, If in the Duke Ambition bred a change.
96.But as the Duke shun'd them for secrecy, So now they from approaching Orgo move,Made by Discretion (Love's strict Tutor) shy, Which is to Lovers painfull as their Love.
97.But Orgo they did ill suspect, whose Youth And nature yielded Lovers no offence;Us'd by his Lord for kindness and for truth; Both native in him as his innocence:
98.And here pass'd by in haste, to Court employ'd, That Birtha may no more have cause to mourn:Full was his little Breast, and over-joy'd That much depended on his quick return!
99.Many like Orgo, in their Manhoods Morn, As Pages, did the Noble Duke attend;The Sons of Chiefs, whom beauty did adorn, And fairer Virtue did that beauty mend.
100.These in his Heroe's Schools he bred (which were In Peace his Palace, and in War his Tent)As if Time's self had read sage Lecture there How he would have his hours (Life's Treasure) spent.
101.No action, though to shorten dreaded war, Nor needfull Counsels, though to lengthen Peace,Nor Love, of which wise Nature takes such care, Could from this usefull work his cares release.
102.But with the early Sun he rose, and taught These Youths, by growing virtue to grow great;Shew'd greatness is without it blindly sought, A desp'rate charge which ends in base retreat.
103.He taught them shame, the sudden sence of ill; Shame, Nature's hasty Conscience, which forbidsWeak inclination ere it grow to will, And stays rash will, before it grow to deeds.
104.He taught them Honour, Virtue's bashfulness; A Fort so yieldless, that it fears to treat;Like Pow'r, it grows to nothing, growing less; Honour, the moral Conscience of the Great!
105.He taught them kindness, Souls civilitie; In which, nor Courts, nor Cities have a part;For theirs is fashion, this from falshood free; Where Love, and pleasure, know no Lust nor Art.
106.And Love he taught; the Soul's stoln Visit made, Though froward Age watch hard, and Law forbid;Her walks no Spie has trac'd, nor mountain staid; Her friendship's cause, is as the Loadstone's hid.
107.He taught them love of Toyl, Toyl which does keep Obstructions from the Mind, and quench the bloud;Ease but belongs to us like sleep, and sleep Like Opium, is our Med'cine, not our Food.
108.To dangers us'd them, which Death's Visards are, More uglie than himself, and often chaceFrom Battel Coward-life; but when we dare His Vizard see, we never fear his face.