Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/91

CANTO the Second.

The Argument.
The hunting which did yearly celebrate
The Lombards glory, and the Vandales Fate,
The Hunters prais'd; how true to love they are,
How calm in Peace, and Tempest-like in war.
The Stag is by the num'rous Chace subdu'd,
And strait his Hunters are as hard pursu'd.

1.
SMALL are the seeds Fate does unheeded sow
 Of slight beginnings to important ends;
Whilst wonder (which does best our rev'rence show
 To Heav'n) all Reason's sight in gazing spends.

2.
For from a Days brief pleasure did proceed
 (A day grown black in Lombard Histories)
Such lasting griefs as thou shalt weep to read,
 Though even thine own sad love had drain'd thine eyes.

3.
In a fair Forrest near Verona's Plain,
 Fresh as if Natures Youth chose there a shade,
The Duke with many Lovers in his Train,
 (Loyal, and young) a solemn hunting made.

4.
Much was his Train enlarg'd by their resort
 Who much his Grandsire lov'd, and hither came
To celebrate this Day with annual sport,
 On which by battel here he earn'd his Fame.

5.
And many of these noble Hunters bore
 Command amongst the Youth at Bergamo;
Whose Fathers gather'd here the wreath they wore,
 When in this Forrest they interr'd the Foe.

Count