CANTO the Third.
The Argument.
The Poet takes the Wise aside, to prove
Ev'n them concern'd in all he writes of Love.
The duteous Orgo from the Court returns
With joys, at which again fair Birtha mourns.
The Duke with open Arms does entertain
Those Guests whom he receives with secret pain.
The Poet takes the Wise aside, to prove
Ev'n them concern'd in all he writes of Love.
The duteous Orgo from the Court returns
With joys, at which again fair Birtha mourns.
The Duke with open Arms does entertain
Those Guests whom he receives with secret pain.
1.
THou, whom some Ages hence these Roles dost read
(Kept as Records by Lovers of Love's pow'r)
Thou who dost live, when I have long been dead,
And feed'st from Earth, when Earth does me devour.
THou, whom some Ages hence these Roles dost read
(Kept as Records by Lovers of Love's pow'r)
Thou who dost live, when I have long been dead,
And feed'st from Earth, when Earth does me devour.
2.
Who liv'st, perhaps, amidst some Cities joys,
Where they would fall asleep with Lazie peace,
But that their triumphs make so great a noise,
And their loud Bells cannot for Nuptials cease:
Who liv'st, perhaps, amidst some Cities joys,
Where they would fall asleep with Lazie peace,
But that their triumphs make so great a noise,
And their loud Bells cannot for Nuptials cease:
3.
Thou, who perhaps, proudly thy bloomie Bride
Lead'st to some Temple, where I withered lie;
Proudly, as if she Age's Frosts desy'd;
And that thy springing self could never die:
Thou, who perhaps, proudly thy bloomie Bride
Lead'st to some Temple, where I withered lie;
Proudly, as if she Age's Frosts desy'd;
And that thy springing self could never die:
4.
Thou, to whom then the chearfull Quire will sing,
Whilst hallow'd Lamps, and Tapers, brave the Sun
As a Lay-Light; and Bells in triumph ring,
As when from sallies the Besiegers run.
Thou, to whom then the chearfull Quire will sing,
Whilst hallow'd Lamps, and Tapers, brave the Sun
As a Lay-Light; and Bells in triumph ring,
As when from sallies the Besiegers run.
5.
Then when the Priest has ended, if thine Eyes
Can but a little space her Eyes forbear,
To shew her where my Marble Coffin lies;
Her Virgin Garlands she will offer there:
Then when the Priest has ended, if thine Eyes
Can but a little space her Eyes forbear,
To shew her where my Marble Coffin lies;
Her Virgin Garlands she will offer there:
6.
Confess, that reading me she learnt to Love;
That all the good behaviour of her heart,
Even tow'rds thy self, my doctrine did improve;
Where Love by Nature is forewarn'd of Art.
Confess, that reading me she learnt to Love;
That all the good behaviour of her heart,
Even tow'rds thy self, my doctrine did improve;
Where Love by Nature is forewarn'd of Art.
7.
She will confess, that to her Maiden state
This Storie shew'd such Patterns of great Life,
As though she then could those but imitate,
They an Example make her now a Wife.
She will confess, that to her Maiden state
This Storie shew'd such Patterns of great Life,
As though she then could those but imitate,
They an Example make her now a Wife.
8.
And thy lif's fire could she a while out-live
(Which were, though lawfull, neither kind nor good)
Then, even her sorrows would examples give;
And shine to others through dark widowhood.
And thy lif's fire could she a while out-live
(Which were, though lawfull, neither kind nor good)
Then, even her sorrows would examples give;
And shine to others through dark widowhood.
9.
And she will boast, how spite of Cynick Age,
Of bus'ness, which does Pow'r uncivil make,
Of ruder Cells, where they Love's Fire asswage
By studying Death, and Fear for Virtue take:
And she will boast, how spite of Cynick Age,
Of bus'ness, which does Pow'r uncivil make,
Of ruder Cells, where they Love's Fire asswage
By studying Death, and Fear for Virtue take:
10.
And spite of Courts (where loving now is made
An Art, as dying is in Cells) my Laws
Did teach her how by Nature to perswade,
And hold by virtue whom her beautie draws.
And spite of Courts (where loving now is made
An Art, as dying is in Cells) my Laws
Did teach her how by Nature to perswade,
And hold by virtue whom her beautie draws.
11.
Thus when by knowing me, thou know'st to whom
Love ows his Eyes, who has too long been blind▪
Then in the Temple leave my Bodies Tomb,
To seek this Book, the Mon'ment of my Mind.
Thus when by knowing me, thou know'st to whom
Love ows his Eyes, who has too long been blind▪
Then in the Temple leave my Bodies Tomb,
To seek this Book, the Mon'ment of my Mind.
12.
Where thou may'st read; who with impatient Eyes
For Orgo on the guilded Tarras stay;
Which high, and golden shews, and open lies,
As the Morn's Window when she lets out Day.
Where thou may'st read; who with impatient Eyes
For Orgo on the guilded Tarras stay;
Which high, and golden shews, and open lies,
As the Morn's Window when she lets out Day.
13.
Whose heighth Two rising Forrests over-looks;
And on Pine-tops the Eye-sight downward cast;
Where distant Rivers seem bestrided Brooks,
Churches but Anchor'd Ships, their Steeples, Masts.
Whose heighth Two rising Forrests over-looks;
And on Pine-tops the Eye-sight downward cast;
Where distant Rivers seem bestrided Brooks,
Churches but Anchor'd Ships, their Steeples, Masts.
14.
Hence, by his little Regian Courser brought,
Orgo they spie, with diligence indu'd,
As if he would oretake fore-running Thought;
And he by many swiftly seem'd pursu'd.
Hence, by his little Regian Courser brought,
Orgo they spie, with diligence indu'd,
As if he would oretake fore-running Thought;
And he by many swiftly seem'd pursu'd.
15.
But his light speed left those awhile behind;
Whilst with rais'd Dust, their swiftness hide the way;
Yet Birtha will, too soon, by Orgo find
What she by distance lost in this survay.
But his light speed left those awhile behind;
Whilst with rais'd Dust, their swiftness hide the way;
Yet Birtha will, too soon, by Orgo find
What she by distance lost in this survay.
16.
Orgo a precious Casket did present
To his dear Lord, of Podian Saphyr wrought;
For which, unknown to Birtha, he was sent,
And a more precious Pledge was in it brought.
Orgo a precious Casket did present
To his dear Lord, of Podian Saphyr wrought;
For which, unknown to Birtha, he was sent,
And a more precious Pledge was in it brought.
17.
Then thus proclaim'd his joy, Long may I live!
Sent still with blessings from the Heav'nly Powers;
And may their bounties shew what they can give;
And full as fast as long expected Showers!
Then thus proclaim'd his joy, Long may I live!
Sent still with blessings from the Heav'nly Powers;
And may their bounties shew what they can give;
And full as fast as long expected Showers!
18.
Behold the King, with such a shining Train
As dazles sight, yet can inform the Blind;
But there the Rich, and Beauteous shine in vain,
Unless they distance keep from Rhodalind.
Behold the King, with such a shining Train
As dazles sight, yet can inform the Blind;
But there the Rich, and Beauteous shine in vain,
Unless they distance keep from Rhodalind.
19.
Me thinks, they through the Middle Region come;
Their Chariots hid in Clouds of Dust below;
And ore their Heads, their Coursers scatter'd Fome
Does seem to cover them like falling Snow.
Me thinks, they through the Middle Region come;
Their Chariots hid in Clouds of Dust below;
And ore their Heads, their Coursers scatter'd Fome
Does seem to cover them like falling Snow.
20.
This Birtha heard, and she on Orgo cast
A pitious look (for she no anger knew)
But griev d he knows not, that he brings too fast
Such joys, as fain she faster would eschew.
This Birtha heard, and she on Orgo cast
A pitious look (for she no anger knew)
But griev d he knows not, that he brings too fast
Such joys, as fain she faster would eschew.
21.
So Gondibert this Gust of glorie took,
As Men whose Sayls are full, more weather take;
And she so gaz'd on him, as Sea-men look
On long sought shore, when Tempests drive them back.
So Gondibert this Gust of glorie took,
As Men whose Sayls are full, more weather take;
And she so gaz'd on him, as Sea-men look
On long sought shore, when Tempests drive them back.
22.
But now these glories more apparent be;
And justly all their observation claim'd;
Great, as in greatest Courts less Princes see,
When entertain'd to be eclips'd, and sham'd,
But now these glories more apparent be;
And justly all their observation claim'd;
Great, as in greatest Courts less Princes see,
When entertain'd to be eclips'd, and sham'd,
23.
West from Verona's Road, through pleasant Meads,
Their Chariots cross, and to the Palace steer;
And Aribert this winged triumph leads;
Which like the Planets Progress did appear.
West from Verona's Road, through pleasant Meads,
Their Chariots cross, and to the Palace steer;
And Aribert this winged triumph leads;
Which like the Planets Progress did appear.
24.
So shin'd they, and so noiseless seem'd their speed;
Like Spartans, touching but the silken Reins,
Was all the conduct which their Coursers need,
And proudly to sit still, was all their pains.
So shin'd they, and so noiseless seem'd their speed;
Like Spartans, touching but the silken Reins,
Was all the conduct which their Coursers need,
And proudly to sit still, was all their pains.
25.
With Aribert sat royal Rhodalind;
Calm Orna by the Count, by Hermegild
(Silver'd with time) the Golden Gartha shin'd;
And Tybalt's Eyes were full by Laura fill'd.
With Aribert sat royal Rhodalind;
Calm Orna by the Count, by Hermegild
(Silver'd with time) the Golden Gartha shin'd;
And Tybalt's Eyes were full by Laura fill'd.
26.
The lesser Beauties, numberless as Stars,
Shew'd fickly and far off, to this Noon-day;
And lagg'd like Baggage Treasure in the Wars;
Or onely seem'd another Milkie-way.
The lesser Beauties, numberless as Stars,
Shew'd fickly and far off, to this Noon-day;
And lagg'd like Baggage Treasure in the Wars;
Or onely seem'd another Milkie-way.
27.
The Duke perceiv'd, the King design'd to make
This visit more familiar by surprise;
And with Court art, he would no notice take
Of that which Kings are willing to disguise.
The Duke perceiv'd, the King design'd to make
This visit more familiar by surprise;
And with Court art, he would no notice take
Of that which Kings are willing to disguise.
28.
But as in heedless sleep, the House shall seem
New wak'd with this Alarm; and Vlfin strait
(Whose fame was precious in the Courts esteem)
Must, as with casual sight, their entrance wait.
But as in heedless sleep, the House shall seem
New wak'd with this Alarm; and Vlfin strait
(Whose fame was precious in the Courts esteem)
Must, as with casual sight, their entrance wait.
29.
To Astragon he doubles all his Vows;
To Birtha, through his Eies, his Heart reveal'd;
And by some civil jealousies he shows
Her beauty from the Court must be conceal'd.
To Astragon he doubles all his Vows;
To Birtha, through his Eies, his Heart reveal'd;
And by some civil jealousies he shows
Her beauty from the Court must be conceal'd.
30.
Prays her, from Envy's danger to retire;
The Palace war; which there can never cease,
Till Beauty's force in age or death expire:
A War disguis'd in civil shapes of Peace.
Prays her, from Envy's danger to retire;
The Palace war; which there can never cease,
Till Beauty's force in age or death expire:
A War disguis'd in civil shapes of Peace.
31.
Still he the precious Pledge kept from her view;
Who guess'd not by the Casket his intent;
And was so willing not to fear him true,
That she did fear to question what it ment.
Still he the precious Pledge kept from her view;
Who guess'd not by the Casket his intent;
And was so willing not to fear him true,
That she did fear to question what it ment.
32.
Now hasts she to be hid; and being gon,
Her Lover thinks the Planet of the day;
So leaves the mourning World to give the Moon
(Whose Train is mark'd but for their number) way.
Now hasts she to be hid; and being gon,
Her Lover thinks the Planet of the day;
So leaves the mourning World to give the Moon
(Whose Train is mark'd but for their number) way.
33.
And entring in her Closet (which took light
Full in the Palace Front) she finds her Maids
Gather'd to see this gay unusuall sight;
Which Commet-like, their wondring Eyes invades
And entring in her Closet (which took light
Full in the Palace Front) she finds her Maids
Gather'd to see this gay unusuall sight;
Which Commet-like, their wondring Eyes invades
34.
Where Thula would by climbing highest be,
Though ancient grown, and was in Stature short;
Yet did protest, she came not there to see,
But to be hid from dangers of the Court.
Where Thula would by climbing highest be,
Though ancient grown, and was in Stature short;
Yet did protest, she came not there to see,
But to be hid from dangers of the Court.
35.
Their curious longing Birtha durst not blame
(Boldness, which but to seeing did aspire)
Since she her self, provok'd with Courts great Fame,
Would fain a little see what all admire.
Their curious longing Birtha durst not blame
(Boldness, which but to seeing did aspire)
Since she her self, provok'd with Courts great Fame,
Would fain a little see what all admire.
36.
Then through the Casement ventur'd so much Face,
As Kings depos'd shew when through Grates they peep
To see Deposers in their Crowding pass;
But strait shrink back, and at the triumph weep.
Then through the Casement ventur'd so much Face,
As Kings depos'd shew when through Grates they peep
To see Deposers in their Crowding pass;
But strait shrink back, and at the triumph weep.
37.
Soon so her Eyes did too much glory find;
For ev'n the first she saw was all; for she
No more would view, since that was Rhodalind;
And so much beauty could none others be.
Soon so her Eyes did too much glory find;
For ev'n the first she saw was all; for she
No more would view, since that was Rhodalind;
And so much beauty could none others be.
38.
Which with her Virtue weigh'd (no less renown'd)
Afflicts her that such worth must fatal prove;
And be in tears of the Possessor drown'd,
Or she depose her Lover by her love.
Which with her Virtue weigh'd (no less renown'd)
Afflicts her that such worth must fatal prove;
And be in tears of the Possessor drown'd,
Or she depose her Lover by her love.
39.
But Thula (wildly earnest in the view
Of such gay sights as she did ne'r behold)
Mark'd not when Birtha her sad Eyes withdrew;
But dreamt the world was turn'd again to Gold.
But Thula (wildly earnest in the view
Of such gay sights as she did ne'r behold)
Mark'd not when Birtha her sad Eyes withdrew;
But dreamt the world was turn'd again to Gold.
40.
Each Lady most, till more appear'd, ador'd;
Then with rude liking prais'd them all aloud;
Yet thought them foul and course to ev'ry Lord;
And civilly to ev'ry Page she bow'd.
Each Lady most, till more appear'd, ador'd;
Then with rude liking prais'd them all aloud;
Yet thought them foul and course to ev'ry Lord;
And civilly to ev'ry Page she bow'd.
41.
The objects past, out-sigh'd ev'n those that woo;
And strait her Mistris at the Window mist;
Then finding her in grief, out-sigh'd her too;
And her fair Hands with parting passion kist:
The objects past, out-sigh'd ev'n those that woo;
And strait her Mistris at the Window mist;
Then finding her in grief, out-sigh'd her too;
And her fair Hands with parting passion kist:
42.
Did with a Servants usual art profess
That all she saw was, to her beauty, black;
Confess'd their Maids well bred, and knew to dress,
But said those Courts are poor which painting lack.
Did with a Servants usual art profess
That all she saw was, to her beauty, black;
Confess'd their Maids well bred, and knew to dress,
But said those Courts are poor which painting lack.
43.
Thy praise (said Birtha) poyson'd is with spite;
May blisters seiz on thy uncivil Tongue,
Which strives so wickedly to do me right,
By doing Rhodalind and Orna wrong.
Thy praise (said Birtha) poyson'd is with spite;
May blisters seiz on thy uncivil Tongue,
Which strives so wickedly to do me right,
By doing Rhodalind and Orna wrong.
44.
False Fame, thy Mistris tutor'd thee amiss;
Who teaches School in streets, where Crowds resort;
Fame, false, as that their beauty painted is;
The common Country slander on the Court.
False Fame, thy Mistris tutor'd thee amiss;
Who teaches School in streets, where Crowds resort;
Fame, false, as that their beauty painted is;
The common Country slander on the Court.
45.
With this rebuke, Thula takes gravely leave;
Pretends she'll better judge ere they be gon;
At least see more, though they her sight deceive;
Whilst Birtha finds wilde Fear feeds best alone.
With this rebuke, Thula takes gravely leave;
Pretends she'll better judge ere they be gon;
At least see more, though they her sight deceive;
Whilst Birtha finds wilde Fear feeds best alone.
46.
Ulfin receives, and through Art's Palace guides
The King; who owns him with familiar grace;
Though Twice seven Years from first observance hides
Those Marks of valour which adorn'd his Face.
Ulfin receives, and through Art's Palace guides
The King; who owns him with familiar grace;
Though Twice seven Years from first observance hides
Those Marks of valour which adorn'd his Face.
47.
Then Astragon with hasty homage bows:
And says, when thus his Beams he does dispence
In lowly visits, like the Sun he shows
Kings made for universal influence.
Then Astragon with hasty homage bows:
And says, when thus his Beams he does dispence
In lowly visits, like the Sun he shows
Kings made for universal influence.
48.
Him with renown the King for Science pays,
And Virtue; which Gods likest pictures bee
Drawn by the Soul, whose onely hire is praise;
And from such Salary not Heav'n is free.
Him with renown the King for Science pays,
And Virtue; which Gods likest pictures bee
Drawn by the Soul, whose onely hire is praise;
And from such Salary not Heav'n is free.
49.
Then kindly he inquires for Gondibert;
When, and how far his wounds in danger were?
And does the cautious progress of his Art
Alike with wonder and with pleasure hear.
Then kindly he inquires for Gondibert;
When, and how far his wounds in danger were?
And does the cautious progress of his Art
Alike with wonder and with pleasure hear.
50.
Now Gongibert advanc'd, but with delay,
As fetter'd by his love; for he would fain
Dissembled weakness might procure his stay,
Here where his Soul does as in Heav'n remain.
Now Gongibert advanc'd, but with delay,
As fetter'd by his love; for he would fain
Dissembled weakness might procure his stay,
Here where his Soul does as in Heav'n remain.
51.
Him, Creature like, the King did boldly use
With publick love; to have it understood
That Kings, like God, may chuse whom they will chuse;
And what they make, judge with their own Eyes good.
Him, Creature like, the King did boldly use
With publick love; to have it understood
That Kings, like God, may chuse whom they will chuse;
And what they make, judge with their own Eyes good.
52.
This grace the Duke at bashfull distance takes;
And Rhodalind so much concern'd is grown,
That his surprisal she her trouble makes;
Blushing, as if his blushes were her own.
This grace the Duke at bashfull distance takes;
And Rhodalind so much concern'd is grown,
That his surprisal she her trouble makes;
Blushing, as if his blushes were her own.
53.
Now the bright Train with Astragon ascend;
Whilst Hermegild, with Gartha moves behind;
Whom much this gracious visit did offend;
But thus he practis'd to appease her mind.
Now the bright Train with Astragon ascend;
Whilst Hermegild, with Gartha moves behind;
Whom much this gracious visit did offend;
But thus he practis'd to appease her mind.
54.
Judge not you strangely in this visit show;
As well in Courts think wise disembling new;
Nor think the kindness strange, though to your Foe,
Till all in Courts where they are kind are true.
Judge not you strangely in this visit show;
As well in Courts think wise disembling new;
Nor think the kindness strange, though to your Foe,
Till all in Courts where they are kind are true.
55.
Why should your closser mourning more be worn!
Poor Priests invented Blacks for lesser cost;
Kings for their Syres in Regal Purple mourn,
Which shews what they have got, not what they lost.
Why should your closser mourning more be worn!
Poor Priests invented Blacks for lesser cost;
Kings for their Syres in Regal Purple mourn,
Which shews what they have got, not what they lost.
56.
Though rough the way to Empire be, and steep,
You look that I should level it so plain,
As Babes might walk it barefoot in their sleep;
But Pow'r is the reward of patient pain!
Though rough the way to Empire be, and steep,
You look that I should level it so plain,
As Babes might walk it barefoot in their sleep;
But Pow'r is the reward of patient pain!
57.
This high Hill Pow'r, whose Bowels are of Gold,
Shews near to greedy and unpractis'd sight;
But many grow in travel to it, old,
And have mistook the distance by the height.
This high Hill Pow'r, whose Bowels are of Gold,
Shews near to greedy and unpractis'd sight;
But many grow in travel to it, old,
And have mistook the distance by the height.
58.
If those old Travellers may thither be
Your trusted Guides, they will your haste reform;
And give you fears of Voyages by Sea;
Which are not often made without a storm.
If those old Travellers may thither be
Your trusted Guides, they will your haste reform;
And give you fears of Voyages by Sea;
Which are not often made without a storm.
59.
Yet short our Course shall prove, our passage fair,
If in the Steerage you will quiet stand,
And not make storms of ev'ry sigh of Air;
But think the Helm safe in the Pilots hand.
Yet short our Course shall prove, our passage fair,
If in the Steerage you will quiet stand,
And not make storms of ev'ry sigh of Air;
But think the Helm safe in the Pilots hand.
60.
You, like some fatal King (who all Men hears,
Yet trusts entirely none) your trust mistake,
As too much weight for one: One Pillar bears
Weight that would make a thousand shoulders ake.
You, like some fatal King (who all Men hears,
Yet trusts entirely none) your trust mistake,
As too much weight for one: One Pillar bears
Weight that would make a thousand shoulders ake.
61.
Your Brothers storm I to a calm have turn'd;
Who lets this guilded Sacrifice proceed
To Hymen's Altar, by the King adorn'd,
As Priests give Victims Garlands ere they bleed.
Your Brothers storm I to a calm have turn'd;
Who lets this guilded Sacrifice proceed
To Hymen's Altar, by the King adorn'd,
As Priests give Victims Garlands ere they bleed.
62.
Hubert to triumph would not move so fast;
Yet you (though but a kind Spectator) mean
To give his triumph Laws, and make more haste
To see it pass, than he does to be seen.
Hubert to triumph would not move so fast;
Yet you (though but a kind Spectator) mean
To give his triumph Laws, and make more haste
To see it pass, than he does to be seen.
63.
With patience lay this Tempest of your heart!
For you, ere long, this Angels form shall turn
To fatal Man's; and for that shape of Art,
Some may, as I for yours of Nature, mourn!
With patience lay this Tempest of your heart!
For you, ere long, this Angels form shall turn
To fatal Man's; and for that shape of Art,
Some may, as I for yours of Nature, mourn!
64.
Thus by her Love-sick States-men she was taught;
And smil'd with joy of wearing Manly shape;
Then smil'd, that such a smile his Heart had caught;
Whose Nets camps break not through, nor Senates scape.
Thus by her Love-sick States-men she was taught;
And smil'd with joy of wearing Manly shape;
Then smil'd, that such a smile his Heart had caught;
Whose Nets camps break not through, nor Senates scape.