158
GONDIBERT,
41.
He lost in this attempt his last dear blood;
And I (whom no remoteness can deterre,
If what seems difficult, be great and good)
Thought his Example could not make me erre.
He lost in this attempt his last dear blood;
And I (whom no remoteness can deterre,
If what seems difficult, be great and good)
Thought his Example could not make me erre.
42.
No place I merit in the Book of Fame!
Whose leaves are by the Greeks and Romans fill'd;
Yet I presume to boast, she knows my name,
And she has heard to whom the Hunns did yield.
No place I merit in the Book of Fame!
Whose leaves are by the Greeks and Romans fill'd;
Yet I presume to boast, she knows my name,
And she has heard to whom the Hunns did yield.
43.
But let not what so needfully was done,
Though still pursu'd, make you ambition fear;
For could I force all Monarchies to one,
That Universal Crown I would not wear.
But let not what so needfully was done,
Though still pursu'd, make you ambition fear;
For could I force all Monarchies to one,
That Universal Crown I would not wear.
44.
He who does blindly soar at Rhodalind,
Mounts like seel'd Doves, still higher from his ease;
And in the lust of Empire he may find,
High Hope does better than Fruition please.
He who does blindly soar at Rhodalind,
Mounts like seel'd Doves, still higher from his ease;
And in the lust of Empire he may find,
High Hope does better than Fruition please.
45.
The Victor's solid recompence is rest;
And 'tis unjust, that Chiefs who pleasure shun,
Toyling in Youth, should be in Age opprest
With greater Toyls, by ruling what they won.
The Victor's solid recompence is rest;
And 'tis unjust, that Chiefs who pleasure shun,
Toyling in Youth, should be in Age opprest
With greater Toyls, by ruling what they won.
46.
Here all reward of conquest I would find,
Leave shining Thrones for Birtha in a shade,
With Nature's quiet wonders fill my mind;
And praise her most, because she Birtha made.
Here all reward of conquest I would find,
Leave shining Thrones for Birtha in a shade,
With Nature's quiet wonders fill my mind;
And praise her most, because she Birtha made.
47.
Now Astragon (with joy suffic'd) perceiv'd
How nobly Heav'n for Birtha did provide;
Oft had he for her vanish'd Mother griev'd,
But can this joy, less than that sorrow hide.
Now Astragon (with joy suffic'd) perceiv'd
How nobly Heav'n for Birtha did provide;
Oft had he for her vanish'd Mother griev'd,
But can this joy, less than that sorrow hide.
With
