CANTO the Fourth.
The Argument.
At Oswald's Camp arrives wise Hermegild,
Whose presence does a new diversion yield;
In Councel he reveals his secret Breast;
Would mingle Love with Empires interest:
From rash revenge, lo peace the Camp invites,
Who Oswald's Fun'ral grace with Roman Rites.
Whose presence does a new diversion yield;
In Councel he reveals his secret Breast;
Would mingle Love with Empires interest:
From rash revenge, lo peace the Camp invites,
Who Oswald's Fun'ral grace with Roman Rites.
1.
IN this distemper whilst the humours strive
T' assemble, they again diverted are;
For tow'rds their Trenches Twentie Chariots drive,
Swiftly as Syrians when they charge in war.
IN this distemper whilst the humours strive
T' assemble, they again diverted are;
For tow'rds their Trenches Twentie Chariots drive,
Swiftly as Syrians when they charge in war.
2.
They Hermegild with Court attendants spy'd;
Whose haste to Hubert does advice intend;
To warn him that just Fate can ne'r provide
For rash beginnings a succesfull end.
They Hermegild with Court attendants spy'd;
Whose haste to Hubert does advice intend;
To warn him that just Fate can ne'r provide
For rash beginnings a succesfull end.
3.
But fate for Hermegild provided well;
This Story else (which him the wise does call)
Would here his private ruin sadly tell,
In hastning to prevent the publick Fall.
But fate for Hermegild provided well;
This Story else (which him the wise does call)
Would here his private ruin sadly tell,
In hastning to prevent the publick Fall.
4.
His noble bloud obscurely had been shed,
His undistinguish'd Limbs torn and unknown,
As is the dust of Victors long since dead,
Which March in April's watry Eyes has blown.
His noble bloud obscurely had been shed,
His undistinguish'd Limbs torn and unknown,
As is the dust of Victors long since dead,
Which March in April's watry Eyes has blown.
5.
Such was their rage when on Verona's way
(With his rich Train) they saw from Court he came;
Till some did their impetuous furie stay;
And gave his life protection for his fame,
Such was their rage when on Verona's way
(With his rich Train) they saw from Court he came;
Till some did their impetuous furie stay;
And gave his life protection for his fame,
6.
Told them his Valour had been long allow'd,
That much the Lombards to his conduct ow;
And this preserv'd him, for the very Crowd
Felt Honour here, and did to valour bow.
Told them his Valour had been long allow'd,
That much the Lombards to his conduct ow;
And this preserv'd him, for the very Crowd
Felt Honour here, and did to valour bow.
7.
Vain Wrath! Deform'd, unquiet Child of Pride!
Which in a few the People madness call;
But when by Number they grew dignify'd,
What's rage in one, is liberty in all.
Vain Wrath! Deform'd, unquiet Child of Pride!
Which in a few the People madness call;
But when by Number they grew dignify'd,
What's rage in one, is liberty in all.
8.
Through dangers of this lawless liberty,
He like authentick Pow'r does boldly pass;
And with a quiet and experienc'd Eye,
Through Death's foul Vizard, does despise his face.
Through dangers of this lawless liberty,
He like authentick Pow'r does boldly pass;
And with a quiet and experienc'd Eye,
Through Death's foul Vizard, does despise his face.
9.
At Hubert's Tent alights, where Hubert now
With Gartha of this Torrent does advise;
Which he believes does at the highest flow,
And must like Tides, sink when it cannot rise.
At Hubert's Tent alights, where Hubert now
With Gartha of this Torrent does advise;
Which he believes does at the highest flow,
And must like Tides, sink when it cannot rise.
10.
When Hermegild he saw, he did disperse
Those cares assembled in his looks, and strove
(Though to his Master, and the Court perverse)
To shew him all the civil signs of Love.
When Hermegild he saw, he did disperse
Those cares assembled in his looks, and strove
(Though to his Master, and the Court perverse)
To shew him all the civil signs of Love.
11.
For him in stormy war he glorious knew;
Nor in calm Counsels was he less renown'd;
And held him now to Oswald's Faction true,
As by his love, the world's first Tenure, bound.
For him in stormy war he glorious knew;
Nor in calm Counsels was he less renown'd;
And held him now to Oswald's Faction true,
As by his love, the world's first Tenure, bound.
12.
For he (though wasted in the ebb of blood,
When Man's Meridian tow'rds his Evening turns)
Makes against Nature's Law, Lov's Charter good,
And as in raging Youth for Gartha burns.
For he (though wasted in the ebb of blood,
When Man's Meridian tow'rds his Evening turns)
Makes against Nature's Law, Lov's Charter good,
And as in raging Youth for Gartha burns.
13.
Who did his suit not onely disapprove,
Because the summer of his life was past;
And she fresh blown; but that even highest love
Grows tasteless to Ambition's higher taste.
Who did his suit not onely disapprove,
Because the summer of his life was past;
And she fresh blown; but that even highest love
Grows tasteless to Ambition's higher taste.
14.
Yet now in such a great and single cause,
With nice Ambition, nicer Loves complies;
And she (since to revenge he usefull was)
Perswades his hope with Rhet'rick of her Eyes.
Yet now in such a great and single cause,
With nice Ambition, nicer Loves complies;
And she (since to revenge he usefull was)
Perswades his hope with Rhet'rick of her Eyes.
15.
A closs division of the Tent they straight
By outward Guards secure from all resort;
Then Hermegild does thus the cause relate,
Which to the Camp dispatch'd him from the Court.
A closs division of the Tent they straight
By outward Guards secure from all resort;
Then Hermegild does thus the cause relate,
Which to the Camp dispatch'd him from the Court.
16.
Important Prince! who justly dost succeed
To Oswald's hopes, and all my loyal aid;
Virtue as much in all thy wounds does bleed,
As love in me, since wounded by that Maid.
Important Prince! who justly dost succeed
To Oswald's hopes, and all my loyal aid;
Virtue as much in all thy wounds does bleed,
As love in me, since wounded by that Maid.
17.
Long have I sayl'd through Times vexatious sea;
And first set out with all that Youth is worth;
The Tropicks pass'd of bloods hot bravery,
With all the Sayls, gay Flags, and Streamers forth!
Long have I sayl'd through Times vexatious sea;
And first set out with all that Youth is worth;
The Tropicks pass'd of bloods hot bravery,
With all the Sayls, gay Flags, and Streamers forth!
18.
But as in hotter voyages, Ships most
Decay their trim, yet then they chiefly gain
By inward stowage, what is outward lost;
So Men, decays of youth, repair in brain.
But as in hotter voyages, Ships most
Decay their trim, yet then they chiefly gain
By inward stowage, what is outward lost;
So Men, decays of youth, repair in brain.
19.
If I experience boast when youth decays,
Such vanity may Gartha's pitie move,
Since so I seek your service by self-praise,
Rather than seem unusefull where I love.
If I experience boast when youth decays,
Such vanity may Gartha's pitie move,
Since so I seek your service by self-praise,
Rather than seem unusefull where I love.
20.
And never will I (though by Time supply'd
With such discretion as does Man improve)
To shew discretion, wiser Nature hide,
By seeming now asham'd to say I love.
And never will I (though by Time supply'd
With such discretion as does Man improve)
To shew discretion, wiser Nature hide,
By seeming now asham'd to say I love.
21.
For Love his pow'r has in grey Senates shown,
Where he, as to green Courts, does freely come▪
And though loud youth, his visits makes more known,
With graver Age he's privately at home.
For Love his pow'r has in grey Senates shown,
Where he, as to green Courts, does freely come▪
And though loud youth, his visits makes more known,
With graver Age he's privately at home.
22.
Scarce Greece, or greater Rome a Victor shows,
Whom more victorious Love did not subdue;
Then blame not me who am so weak to those;
Whilst Gartha all exceeds, that ere they knew.
Scarce Greece, or greater Rome a Victor shows,
Whom more victorious Love did not subdue;
Then blame not me who am so weak to those;
Whilst Gartha all exceeds, that ere they knew.
23.
Hope (Love's first food) I ne'r till now did know;
Which Love, as yet but temp'rately devours,
And claims not love for love, since Gartha so
For Autumn Leaves, should barter Summer Flowers.
Hope (Love's first food) I ne'r till now did know;
Which Love, as yet but temp'rately devours,
And claims not love for love, since Gartha so
For Autumn Leaves, should barter Summer Flowers.
24.
I dare not vainly wish her to be kind,
Till for her love, my Arts and Pow'r bestow
The Crown on thee, adorn'd with Rhodalind;
Which yet for Gartha is a price too low.
I dare not vainly wish her to be kind,
Till for her love, my Arts and Pow'r bestow
The Crown on thee, adorn'd with Rhodalind;
Which yet for Gartha is a price too low.
25.
This said, he paws'd; and now the hectick heat
Of Oswald's blood, doubled their Pulses pace;
Which high, as if they would be heard, did beat,
And hot Ambition shin'd in eithers face.
This said, he paws'd; and now the hectick heat
Of Oswald's blood, doubled their Pulses pace;
Which high, as if they would be heard, did beat,
And hot Ambition shin'd in eithers face.
26.
For Hermegild they knew could much out-doe
His words, and did possess great Aribert,
Not in the Courts cheap Glass of civil show,
But by a study'd Tenure of the heart.
For Hermegild they knew could much out-doe
His words, and did possess great Aribert,
Not in the Courts cheap Glass of civil show,
But by a study'd Tenure of the heart.
27.
Whilst this try'd truth does make their wishes sure,
Hubert on Gartha looks, with suing Eyes
For Hermegild, whose love she will endure,
And make Ambition yield what Youth denies.
Whilst this try'd truth does make their wishes sure,
Hubert on Gartha looks, with suing Eyes
For Hermegild, whose love she will endure,
And make Ambition yield what Youth denies.
28.
Yet in this bargain of her self, she knows
Not how to treat; but all her chief desires,
Bids Hubert, as the Twins of his, dispose
To glory and revenge; and then retires.
Yet in this bargain of her self, she knows
Not how to treat; but all her chief desires,
Bids Hubert, as the Twins of his, dispose
To glory and revenge; and then retires.
29.
But with such blushes Hermegild she leaves,
As the unclouded Evening's Face adorn;
Nor much he for her parting glory grieves,
Since such an Evening bodes a happy Morn.
But with such blushes Hermegild she leaves,
As the unclouded Evening's Face adorn;
Nor much he for her parting glory grieves,
Since such an Evening bodes a happy Morn.
30.
Now Hermegild by vows does Hubert binde,
(Vows by their fate in Lombard Story known)
He Gartha makes the price of Rhodalind,
And Aribert his Tenant to the Crown.
Now Hermegild by vows does Hubert binde,
(Vows by their fate in Lombard Story known)
He Gartha makes the price of Rhodalind,
And Aribert his Tenant to the Crown.
31.
He bids him now the Armies rage allay;
By rage (said he) onely they Masters are
Of those they chuse, when temp'rate to obay:
Against themselves th'impatient chiefly war.
He bids him now the Armies rage allay;
By rage (said he) onely they Masters are
Of those they chuse, when temp'rate to obay:
Against themselves th'impatient chiefly war.
32.
We are the Peoples Pilots, they our winds;
To change by Nature prone; but Art Laveers,
And rules them till they rise with Stormy Minds;
Then Art with danger against Nature Steers.
We are the Peoples Pilots, they our winds;
To change by Nature prone; but Art Laveers,
And rules them till they rise with Stormy Minds;
Then Art with danger against Nature Steers.
33.
Where calms have first amuz'd, Storms most prevail;
Close first with calms the Courts suspicious Eyes;
That whilst with all their trim they sleeping sail,
A sudden Gust may wrack them by surprize.
Where calms have first amuz'd, Storms most prevail;
Close first with calms the Courts suspicious Eyes;
That whilst with all their trim they sleeping sail,
A sudden Gust may wrack them by surprize.
34.
Your Army will (though high in all esteem
That ever rev'renc'd Age to action gave)
But a small Party to Verona seem;
Which yearly to such Numbers yields a Grave.
Your Army will (though high in all esteem
That ever rev'renc'd Age to action gave)
But a small Party to Verona seem;
Which yearly to such Numbers yields a Grave.
35.
Nor is our vast Metropolis, like those
Tame Towns, which peace has soft'ned into fears;
But Death deform'd in all his Dangers knows;
Dangers, which he like frightfull Vizards wears.
Nor is our vast Metropolis, like those
Tame Towns, which peace has soft'ned into fears;
But Death deform'd in all his Dangers knows;
Dangers, which he like frightfull Vizards wears.
36.
From many Camps, who forreign winters felt,
Verona has her conqu'ring Dwellers ta'ne;
In War's great Trade, with richest Nations dealt;
And did their Gold and Fame with Iron gain.
From many Camps, who forreign winters felt,
Verona has her conqu'ring Dwellers ta'ne;
In War's great Trade, with richest Nations dealt;
And did their Gold and Fame with Iron gain.
37.
Yet to the mighty Aribert it bows;
A King out-doing all the Lombards Line!
Whose Court (in Iron clad) by courseness shows
A growing pow'r, which fades when Courts grow fine.
Yet to the mighty Aribert it bows;
A King out-doing all the Lombards Line!
Whose Court (in Iron clad) by courseness shows
A growing pow'r, which fades when Courts grow fine.
38.
Scorn not the Youthfull Camp at Bergamo,
For they are Victors, though in years but young;
The war does them, they it by action know,
And have obedient Minds in bodies strong.
Scorn not the Youthfull Camp at Bergamo,
For they are Victors, though in years but young;
The war does them, they it by action know,
And have obedient Minds in bodies strong.
39.
Be slow, and stay for aids, which haste forsakes!
For though Occasion still does Sloth out-go,
The rash, who run from help, she ne'r ore-takes,
Whose haste thinks Time, the Post of Nature, slow.
Be slow, and stay for aids, which haste forsakes!
For though Occasion still does Sloth out-go,
The rash, who run from help, she ne'r ore-takes,
Whose haste thinks Time, the Post of Nature, slow.
40.
This is a cause which our Ambition fills;
A cause, in which our strength we should not waste,
Vainly like Giants, who did heave at Hills;
'Tis too unwildy for the force of haste.
This is a cause which our Ambition fills;
A cause, in which our strength we should not waste,
Vainly like Giants, who did heave at Hills;
'Tis too unwildy for the force of haste.
41.
A cause for graver Minds that learned are
In mistick Man; a cause, which we must gain
By surer methods than depend on war;
And respite Valour, to employ the brain.
A cause for graver Minds that learned are
In mistick Man; a cause, which we must gain
By surer methods than depend on war;
And respite Valour, to employ the brain.
42.
In the King's Scale your merits are too light,
Who with the Duke, weighs his own partial heart;
Make then the gift of Empire publick right,
And get in Rhodalind the Peoples part.
In the King's Scale your merits are too light,
Who with the Duke, weighs his own partial heart;
Make then the gift of Empire publick right,
And get in Rhodalind the Peoples part.
43.
But this rough side, the meeting Multitude
If we oppose, we make our voyage long;
Yet when we with it row, it is subdu'd;
And we are wise, where Men in vain are strong.
But this rough side, the meeting Multitude
If we oppose, we make our voyage long;
Yet when we with it row, it is subdu'd;
And we are wise, where Men in vain are strong.
44.
Then to the People sue, but hide your force,
For they believe the strong are still unjust;
Never to armed Sutors yield remorse;
And where they see the pow'r, the right distrust.
Then to the People sue, but hide your force,
For they believe the strong are still unjust;
Never to armed Sutors yield remorse;
And where they see the pow'r, the right distrust.
45.
Assault their pitie, as the weakest part,
Which the first Plaintiff never fails to move;
They search but in the face to find the heart,
And grief in Princes, more than triumph, love.
Assault their pitie, as the weakest part,
Which the first Plaintiff never fails to move;
They search but in the face to find the heart,
And grief in Princes, more than triumph, love.
46.
And to prepare their pitie, Gartha now
Should in her sorrows height with me return;
For since their Eyes at all distresses flow,
How will they at afflicted beauty mourn?
And to prepare their pitie, Gartha now
Should in her sorrows height with me return;
For since their Eyes at all distresses flow,
How will they at afflicted beauty mourn?
47.
Much such a pledge of Peace will with the King
(Urg'd by my int'rest here) my pow'r improve;
And much my power will to your int'rest bring,
If from the watchfull Court you hide my Love.
Much such a pledge of Peace will with the King
(Urg'd by my int'rest here) my pow'r improve;
And much my power will to your int'rest bring,
If from the watchfull Court you hide my Love.
48.
If Gartha deigns to love, our love must grow
Unseen, like Mandrakes weeded under ground;
That I (still seeming unconcern'd) may know
The Kings new depths, which length of trust may sound!
If Gartha deigns to love, our love must grow
Unseen, like Mandrakes weeded under ground;
That I (still seeming unconcern'd) may know
The Kings new depths, which length of trust may sound!
49.
Thus Hermegild his study'd thoughts declar'd;
Whilst Hubert (who believ'd, discover'd love.
A solid Pledge for hidden faith) prepar'd,
To stay the Camp so furious to remove.
Thus Hermegild his study'd thoughts declar'd;
Whilst Hubert (who believ'd, discover'd love.
A solid Pledge for hidden faith) prepar'd,
To stay the Camp so furious to remove.
50.
And now their rage (by correspondence spred)
Borgio allays, that else like sparks of fire
(Which drops at first might drown) by matter fed,
At last to quench the flame may seas require.
And now their rage (by correspondence spred)
Borgio allays, that else like sparks of fire
(Which drops at first might drown) by matter fed,
At last to quench the flame may seas require.
51.
As with the Sun they rose in wrath, their wrath
So with his heat increas'd; but now he hastes
Down Heav'ns steep Hill, to his Atlantick Bath,
Where he refreshes till his Feaver wastes.
As with the Sun they rose in wrath, their wrath
So with his heat increas'd; but now he hastes
Down Heav'ns steep Hill, to his Atlantick Bath,
Where he refreshes till his Feaver wastes.
52.
With his (by Borgio's help) their heat declin'd;
So soon lov'd Eloquence does Throngs subdue;
The common Mistress to each private Mind;
Painted and dress'd to all, to no Man true.
With his (by Borgio's help) their heat declin'd;
So soon lov'd Eloquence does Throngs subdue;
The common Mistress to each private Mind;
Painted and dress'd to all, to no Man true.
53.
To Court his Gartha Hermegild attends,
And with old Lovers vain poetick Eyes,
Marks how her beauty, when the Sun descends,
His pity'd Evening poverty supplies.
To Court his Gartha Hermegild attends,
And with old Lovers vain poetick Eyes,
Marks how her beauty, when the Sun descends,
His pity'd Evening poverty supplies.
54.
The Army now to Neighb'ring Brescia bear,
With dismal pomp, the slain: In hallow'd ground
They Paradine, and Dargonet interr,
And Vasco much in painfull war renown'd.
The Army now to Neighb'ring Brescia bear,
With dismal pomp, the slain: In hallow'd ground
They Paradine, and Dargonet interr,
And Vasco much in painfull war renown'd.
55.
To Oswald (whose illustrious Roman mind
Shin'd out in life, though now in dying hid)
Hubert these Roman fun'ral rites assign'd,
Which yet the world's last law had not forbid.
To Oswald (whose illustrious Roman mind
Shin'd out in life, though now in dying hid)
Hubert these Roman fun'ral rites assign'd,
Which yet the world's last law had not forbid.
56.
Thrice is his Body clean by bathing made,
And when with Victor's Oyl anointed ore,
'Tis in the Palace Gate devoutly laid,
Clad in that Vest which he in Battel wore.
Thrice is his Body clean by bathing made,
And when with Victor's Oyl anointed ore,
'Tis in the Palace Gate devoutly laid,
Clad in that Vest which he in Battel wore.
57.
Whilst seven succeeding Suns pass sadly by,
The Palace seems all hid in Cypress Boughs;
From ancient Lore of Man's mortalitie
The Type, for where 'tis lopp'd it never grows.
Whilst seven succeeding Suns pass sadly by,
The Palace seems all hid in Cypress Boughs;
From ancient Lore of Man's mortalitie
The Type, for where 'tis lopp'd it never grows.
58.
The publick fun'ral voice, till these expire,
Cries out; Here greatness, tir'd with honour, rests!
Come see what Bodies are, when Souls retire;
And visit death, ere you become his Guests!
The publick fun'ral voice, till these expire,
Cries out; Here greatness, tir'd with honour, rests!
Come see what Bodies are, when Souls retire;
And visit death, ere you become his Guests!
59.
Now on a purple Bed the Corps they raise,
Whilst Trumpets summon all the common Quire
In tune to mourn him, and disperse his praise;
And then move slowly tow'rds the Fun'ral fire!
Now on a purple Bed the Corps they raise,
Whilst Trumpets summon all the common Quire
In tune to mourn him, and disperse his praise;
And then move slowly tow'rds the Fun'ral fire!
60.
They bear before him Spoils they gain'd in war,
And his great Ancestours in Sculpture wrought;
And now arrive, where Hubert does declare
How oft and well, he for the Lombards fought.
They bear before him Spoils they gain'd in war,
And his great Ancestours in Sculpture wrought;
And now arrive, where Hubert does declare
How oft and well, he for the Lombards fought.
61.
Here, in an Altar's form, a Pile is made
Of Unctious Fir, and Sleepers fatal Yew;
On which the Body is by Mourners laid,
Who there sweet Gums (their last kind Tribute threw.)
Here, in an Altar's form, a Pile is made
Of Unctious Fir, and Sleepers fatal Yew;
On which the Body is by Mourners laid,
Who there sweet Gums (their last kind Tribute threw.)
62.
Hubert his Arm, Westward, aversly stretch'd;
Whilst to the hopefull East his Eyes were turn'd;
And with a hallow'd Torch the Pyle he reach'd;
Which seen, they all with utmost clamour mourn'd.
Hubert his Arm, Westward, aversly stretch'd;
Whilst to the hopefull East his Eyes were turn'd;
And with a hallow'd Torch the Pyle he reach'd;
Which seen, they all with utmost clamour mourn'd.
63.
Whilst the full Flame aspires, Oswald (they crie)
Farewell! we follow swiftly as the Hours!
For with Time's wings, tow'rds Death, even Cripples flie!
This said, the hungrie Flame its food devours.
Whilst the full Flame aspires, Oswald (they crie)
Farewell! we follow swiftly as the Hours!
For with Time's wings, tow'rds Death, even Cripples flie!
This said, the hungrie Flame its food devours.
64.
Now Priests with Wine the Ashes quench, and hide
The Rev'renc'd Reliques in a Marble Urn.
The old dismissive Ilicet is cry'd
By the Town voice, and all to Feasts return.
Now Priests with Wine the Ashes quench, and hide
The Rev'renc'd Reliques in a Marble Urn.
The old dismissive Ilicet is cry'd
By the Town voice, and all to Feasts return.
65.
Thus Urns may Bodies shew; but the fled Mind
The Learn'd seek vainly; for whose Quest we pay,
With such success as cosen'd Shepherds find,
Who seek to Wizards when their Cattel stray.
Thus Urns may Bodies shew; but the fled Mind
The Learn'd seek vainly; for whose Quest we pay,
With such success as cosen'd Shepherds find,
Who seek to Wizards when their Cattel stray.