Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/230

CANTO the Eighth.

The Argument.
Birtha her first unpractis'd Love bewails,
Whilst Gondibert on Astragon prevails,
By shewing, high Ambition is of use,
And Glory in the Good needs no excuse.
Goltho a grief to Ulfinore reveals,
Whilst he a greater of his own conceals.

1.
BIrtha her griefs to her Apartment brought,
 Where all her Maids to Heav'n were us'd to raise
Their voices, whilst their busie Fingers wrought
 To deck the Altar of the House of Praise.

2.
But now she finds their Musick turn'd to care;
 Their looks allay'd, like beautie over-worn;
Silent and sad as with ring Fav'rites are,
 Who for their sick indulgent Monarch mourn.

3.
Thula (the eldest of this silenc'd Quire)
 When Birtha at this change astonish'd was,
With hastie whisper, begg'd her to retire;
 And on her knees thus tells their sorrows cause.

4.
Forgive me such experience, as too soon,
 Shew'd me unluckie Love; by which I guess
How Maids are by their innocence undone,
 And trace those sorrows that them first oppress.

5.
Forgive such Passion as to Speech perswades,
 And to my Tongue my observation brought;
And then forgive my Tongue, which to your Maids,
 Too rashly carry'd, what Experience taught.

For