Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/290

41.
And by this fair pretence, whilst on the King
 Lord Astragon through all the house attends,
Young Orgo does the Duke to Birtha bring;
 Who thus her sorrows to his bosom sends.

42.
Why should my Storm your Life's calm voyage vex?
 Destroying wholly Virtues Race in one;
So by the first of my unluckie Sex,
 All in a single ruin were undone.

43.
Make Heav'nly Rhodalind your Bride! Whilst I
 Your once lov'd Maid, excuse you, since I know
That virtuous Men forsake so willingly
 Long cherish'd life, because to Heav'n they go.

44.
Let me her servant be! A dignitie;
 Which if your pitie in my fall procures;
I still shall value the advancement high,
 Not as the Crown is hers, but she is yours.

45.
Ere this high sorrow up to dying grew,
 The Duke the Casket op'ned, and from thence
(Form'd like a Heart) a chearfull Emrauld drew;
 Chearfull, as if the lively stone had sence.

46.
The Thirti'th Charract it had doubled Twice;
Not taken from the Attick silver Mine,
Nor from the Brass, though such (of nobler price)
Did on the Necks of Parthian Ladies shine:

47.
Nor yet of those which make the Ethiop proud;
Nor taken from those Rocks where Bactrians climb;
But from the Scithian, and without a Cloud;
Not sick at fire, nor languishing with time.

Then